Garrus looked up as the door to the Med Lab opened. He saw Shepard scanning the room, looking for him. The way her eyes lit up when she saw him took his breath away. She walked quickly to his side, took his hand in hers and pressed it to her lips.
"Hey, you," Shepard said. "You gave me a scare today. How are you doing?" She glanced at the large bandage wrapped around his torso.
"I'm okay, but Dr. Chakwas won't let me out of here," he complained.
"I see the good doctor managed to get you out of your shirt," Shepard said, running her eyes appreciatively over his arms and torso. "That's more than I have managed to do."
"Shepard…" Garrus began.
"Hush Garrus," she said, placing her free hand gently over his mouth. "I'm teasing you. If I don't, I might cry."
Startled, Garrus saw that she really did have tears in her eyes. He reached up, wincing as he did so, and pulled Shepard's head down and rested it against his, forehead to forehead.
Dr. Chakwas found them in this position; she cleared her throat to get their attention. They both jumped, and pulled apart quickly; however, Shepard kept a firm grip on Garrus' hand.
"Doctor," Shepard said, sounding much calmer than she actually felt, "what's the verdict?" She saw the smile in Dr. Chakwas' eyes and knew that she was aware of their clasped hands and what it meant.
"He has some burns from the drone's particle beam. A turian's skin is designed to protect them from the low-level radiation on Palaven, but it can't stop a directed energy bolt. The wounds will be painful for a few days, but should heal well. However, there will probably be some scarring."
"Great," Garrus grumbled, "more scars."
"Garrus," Shepard said affectionately, smiling down at him, "you will always be handsome to me, no matter how many scars you have." Garrus seemed both pleased and embarrassed at the same time. Directing her attention back to the doctor, she asked "If the wounds should heal well, why have you confined him to the Med Lab?"
The doctor replied, "The wounds are not life-threatening, thanks to his thick skin. I have given him a broad-spectrum antibiotic that should protect him from any bacteria that may have been on the Collector ship. However, burns can get infected easily. I want to keep Garrus under observation for a couple of days just to make sure that his wounds are healing properly. If everything looks good in 48 hours, he will be free to resume his duties." Fixing Garrus with a steely gaze, she continued, "Also, I've had Garrus under my care before. He isn't known for giving himself time to recuperate as he should. I want to keep him here where I can make sure that he does."
Dr. Chakwas shifted her gaze to include Linda. "Since I have you both here, there is another topic that we need to discuss."
Shepard and Garrus glanced at each other questioningly. "What?" they asked simultaneously.
The doctor replied, "It is quite obvious that you two have developed deep feelings for each other. When do you intend to consummate your relationship?"
"Uh, Doctor, don't you think that's a little personal?" Shepard asked. Garrus noticed that her face was almost as red as her hair; he was glad that turians don't blush.
"Normally, it would be. However, the well-being of the entire crew is my responsibility."
"What does our relationship have to do with the well-being of the entire crew? We have been very discreet," Shepard responded, confused.
Dr. Chakwas put her hands on her hips. "Shepard, your relationship with Garrus is the worst-kept secret on this ship!" She held up her hand to stop them as they both opened their mouths to respond. "Yes, you have been discreet, but anyone in the same room with you can feel the sexual tension between you. If you don't consummate your relationship soon, everyone on the ship is going to be taking cold showers!"
"They don't help," they both said and then laughed.
Shepard looked squarely at the doctor, took a deep breath, and got straight to the point. "There's a slight problem with consummating our relationship. If either of us – ah – ingests any of the other's skin cells, we could go into anaphylactic shock, or worse. Not exactly the perfect ending to an evening of romance and passion." Garrus thought her face had gotten even redder, if that was possible.
"Is that all?" Dr. Chakwas seemed surprised. "There are all sorts of medications available to prevent allergic reactions in humans. I don't know if any of them will prevent a reaction to turians, nor do I know what is available for turians. I suggest you talk to Mordin – I'm sure he can develop a satisfactory treatment for both of you." She patted their clasped hands, smiled at them, and then went to her desk to give them what little privacy she could.
Garrus grinned. "Gee Shepard; I didn't know it was possible for your face to get so red."
Shepard stuck her tongue out at him. "I don't have to worry about being killed by the Collectors; I'm just going to die of embarrassment right here on my own ship." She shook her head. "I don't think I have blushed this much since I was a teenager – and I still have to talk to Mordin. Hmm, while he is at it, maybe he can create a cure for blushing."
"Do you have to leave?" Garrus asked. "Stay with me for a while."
"Gladly," Shepard replied. "You know, this is the first time I've ever seen you without your visor." She cocked her head as she carefully studied his face. "Very nice," she told him with a smile. Once again, she let her eyes roam over his upper body. She ran her hand down the well-defined muscles in his arm. "You need to heal quickly so you can get that bandage removed – it's blocking my view."
Garrus shifted uncomfortably.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"Remember when you told me that you didn't want me to be disappointed in your body?" His eyes were filled with concern. "Well, I don't want you to be disappointed in mine."
"Disappointed? Not possible." Shepard met his gaze so he could see her sincerity. "I was serious when I said that you will always be handsome to me. I can't even see most of your body, but I think you are gorgeous."
"Really?"
"Really. But sooner or later - preferably sooner – you are going to have to let me see everything." She cocked her eyebrow at him. "Deal?"
"Deal." Garrus surprised her by pressing her hand to his mouth.
After an hour, Dr. Chakwas insisted that Shepard leave so that Garrus could get some rest. Linda leaned over and kissed Garrus on the forehead. "Be good. I'll check on you again after I talk to Mordin."
####
Shepard left the Tech Lab sometime later, extremely pleased with how things had gone. It turned out that Mordin had already developed anti-allergens for both she and Garrus; he seemed to have taken the success of their human/turian relationship as a personal challenge to his skills. He had promised to teach Dr. Chakwas how to create both medications and to detail the process in his logs "just in case". Shepard had startled the solarian by hugging him. She was still grinning at his reaction.
She stopped by the Med Lab to see Garrus as she had promised; he was asleep.
Dr. Chakwas motioned for Shepard to come to her desk. "Garrus was in more pain than he wanted you to know. I gave him a fairly strong pain reliever; he will sleep for a while. I'll let him know that you stopped by."
"Thanks Doc," Shepard replied. "I know you'll take good care of him."
Linda stopped by Garrus' bed and watched him sleep. She was amazed at the range of emotions that flowed through her whenever she was near him. She knew that on the first Normandy, she had been distant and had kept most people at arm's length; even those that she did let get close very rarely saw the real woman inside the Commander. She had learned the hard way that life was much too short to live that way. She had been given a second chance and didn't intend to make the same mistakes twice. She leaned over and kissed Garrus softly. She pressed her forehead to his and whispered "I love you, Garrus. Sleep tight, handsome." Giving the doctor a wave, she left the Med Lab and headed to her cabin.
####
Shepard was taking the first sip of her hot chocolate when she thought she heard someone at the cabin door. She opened the door and Garrus practically fell in.
"Garrus? What are you doing here? You should be in the Med Lab! Does Dr. Chakwas know where you are?" she demanded.
"Yes, I'd love to come in. Thanks for asking," Garrus replied as he caught himself on the edge of the door. Apparently, his sense of humor was uninjured. He stood up and entered the cabin – or at least tried to. His knees buckled and Shepard caught him before he could fall. She hooked his left arm over her shoulders, avoiding his injured right side, and helped him to her bed.
"Lay down Vakarian. That's an order," she added as he started to argue.
"Yes ma'am," he said with a grimace.
As soon as Garrus was settled, Shepard said "I'm going to ask you again; what are you doing here? Why aren't you in the Med Lab?"
Looking somewhat shame-faced, Garrus replied "I don't want to stay there; it's so sterile and lonely. I want to be here with you."
"Does Dr. Chakwas know where you are?"
"Not exactly. When she went to the mess hall to grab something to eat, I snuck out and came here."
"Garrus," Shepard sighed, "she is going to kill both of us. I've got to let her know where you are." Before she could get to the intercom, the cabin door chimed. "One guess who that is," she said with a glare at Garrus.
Shepard opened the door and Dr. Chakwas stormed in. "What is going on here?" she demanded.
"Calm down, Doctor. I was on my way to the intercom to let you know that Garrus is here. He just arrived."
Striding to the bed, Dr. Chakwas aimed her anger at Garrus. "I don't appreciate my patients sneaking out Garrus. Care to tell me what you were thinking?"
"Doctor," Garrus snapped back, "your Med Lab leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to comfort. I don't intend to be miserable for two days just so you can keep me 'under observation'."
"Garrus…" the doctor began.
Shepard went into Commander Mode. "Quiet – both of you!" she barked, "We are going to discuss this calmly and rationally like the mature adults that we are. Understood?" She fixed each of them with a stern look.
"Understood," they both replied.
"Good. Doctor, please have a seat." Shepard motioned to the couch. She pulled out her desk chair and positioned it between the bed and couch, facing the combatants. Turning to Garrus, she said, "It was wrong for you to leave the Med Bay like that. You could have talked to Dr. Chakwas about your concerns; she is a reasonable woman."
Garrus clenched his mandibles in embarrassment. He looked at the doctor, nodded, and said, "You have every right to be angry with me. I shouldn't have snuck out. I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted," the doctor responded graciously.
"Now, Doctor," Shepard began, turning to her. "Is there any medical reason requiring Garrus to remain in the Med Lab? We're on the way to Ilium for four days of shore leave, so there is no danger of him going into combat. Can he just be confined to quarters for a couple of days? He can come to you for periodic checkups, or you can go to him."
"I am willing to confine him to quarters, but I don't want him sneaking off to Ilium or to the main battery." The doctor raised her eyebrow at Garrus. Pretty good Shepard impression, he thought to himself.
"I have a proposal for both of you," Shepard began, willing herself not to blush. "I recommend that Garrus stay here – in my quarters. When I'm here, I will make sure that he behaves; when I'm away, EDI will make sure that he doesn't go anywhere. Right EDI?"
"As you wish Commander," the AI responded.
"Now before anyone says anything – and I know you're both thinking it – I promise that I will also behave. Garrus' virtue is safe with me. But only until the doctor dismisses you," she added, turning to him. "After that, no guarantees." Garrus just grinned at her. "Is this arrangement acceptable to both of you?" she asked.
"Yes," they both replied.
The doctor stood up. "Garrus – I insist that you stay in bed tomorrow; rest, sleep, let your body heal. I will leave a hypo-spray of pain medication in case you need it. I will check on you tomorrow evening."
"I will, Doctor; I promise," Garrus assured her. "And Doctor? Thank you."
Dr. Chakwas smiled. "You're welcome." She handed Shepard the hypo-spray. "It's best to apply the hypo-spray to the skin on his neck," she instructed. "His skin is thinner there, allowing the medication to be absorbed quicker. Call me if you need anything. Good night." She turned and headed for the door.
Shepard followed the doctor to the elevator. "Thank you Doctor," she said.
"You're welcome, Commander" the doctor replied. She studied Shepard for a moment. "Are you in love with him?" she asked, inclining her head toward Shepard's cabin.
Shepard looked her in the eyes. "Yes, I am" she replied quietly.
The doctor smiled as she reached out and squeezed Shepard's arm gently. "I'm glad, Shepard; it's good to see you happy. I'll see you tomorrow." With that, the Doctor closed the elevator door and headed back to the Med Lab.
Shepard went back into the cabin and walked to the bedroom. She stood with her hands on her hips, looking across the bed at Garrus. "There is never a dull moment with you around, is there?" she asked.
"I do what I can," he said with a grin.
"By the way," Shepard said, "just because you are in my bed doesn't mean that I'm sleeping on the couch. There is plenty of room for both of us." Giving him a grin she added, "I usually sleep in the nude, but I'll leave my robe on tonight. I don't want to distress you while you are in such a delicate condition."
Garrus patted the mattress beside him. Shepard climbed into bed and lay next to him. Garrus eased himself onto his back and pulled Shepard against his uninjured left side; she snuggled up with her head on his shoulder. They lay in silence, just holding each other. It had been a long day; Linda could feel herself drifting off to sleep.
"Linda?" Garrus said.
"Hmmmm?" she replied sleepily, pleased at his use of her first name.
"I love you, too."