"The three of us running for our lives on a supposedly derelict ship is getting to be a habit," Shepard commented to Garrus and Samara as they fled the falling Reaper, pursued by hordes of husks.

"It would go a lot faster if we weren't carrying a rather large, inactive geth sniper with us," Garrus grumbled.

"It's too valuable to leave behind," Shepard and Samara stated simultaneoulsy.

Samara continued, "We completed our mission successfully; we obtained the IFF necessary for us to navigate the Omega 4 relay safely. The geth is an unexpected bonus - just think of what we can learn from it. "

"Tali is not going to be happy about this Shepard," Garrus pointed out.

"I know. I'll handle Tali - I'll just make sure she's unarmed when I talk to her," Shepard replied, only half joking. The conversation was cut short as the team reached the end of the ramp.

When am I going to learn, Linda wondered as she launched herself toward the Normandy's open airlock, that the Illusive Man apparently has no idea what the word 'derelict' really means?

####

What a day, Linda thought as she entered the elevator for the ride to her cabin. She rolled her head side-to-side, stretching the muscles in her neck in an attempt to relieve some of the tension that had built up. I can't wait to get in the shower. She sighed in anticipation as the door of the elevator opened. Once she entered her cabin, she could tell that the shower was going to have to wait.

Garrus was pacing the floor, glaring at the door. He went on the attack as soon as she entered. "Shepard, are you out of your mind? Bringing an intact geth on board and activating it?" He stormed over, grabbed her arms, and gave her a shake.

Shepard felt her temper rising and glared at him in turn. "Watch it," she warned, pulling away from him. "Besides, I thought you weren't going to say anything else on the subject."

Garrus snorted. "I changed my mind."

"Obviously. What exactly is your problem?"

"That…thing is the problem. We've spent ages tracking down and eradicating geth and now you bring one on this ship. And for what? Just to find out why it's wearing a piece of your armor?"

Shepard got nose-to-nose with Garrus. "Do you really think that I would endanger my entire crew just for that? If so, you apparently don't know me as well as you think you do. If I'm not capable of handling a lone geth, then I shouldn't be in charge of this ship – or this mission." Eyes flashing, she added "And I can assure you, Officer Vakarian, there is no one better than me."

Linda's anger slipped away as quickly as it had flared up; her shoulders slumped with weariness. "I'm tired; I don't want to argue with you. My decision has been made – whether you like it or not. There are going to be times when we just have to agree to disagree." Garrus was still scowling and breathing heavily, but he didn't pull away when she reached up to stroke his mandible.

Shepard turned and headed to the shower, stripping off her shipsuit as she walked. At the door she turned and flashed a grin. "Besides, I really brought it on board to find out how it knows my name." The door closed behind her leaving a slightly bemused Garrus standing alone.

####

Linda stood under the hot water, letting it wash away her worries and residual anger. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back so the water could flow over her face.

"Shepard…" Startled, she opened her eyes to find Garrus standing just inside the door. His head hanging, he spoke to her bare feet. "I'm sorry. This mission, all of the waiting, is starting to get to me. Somehow, having a geth on board was the last straw." He rubbed the back of his neck absently as he spoke. He looked up, grey eyes meeting blue.

Shepard arched her eyebrow at him. "Apology accepted. The waiting is getting to all of us but it will be over soon. EDI is installing the Reaper IFF; once it's functional, we will be able to end this." She crooked her finger at him, beckoning him closer. "In the meantime, a hot shower works wonders on tense muscles, especially when accompanied by a massage. I happen to be a pretty good masseuse. Why don't you get out of those clothes and join me?" Garrus grinned and did as ordered.

####

After they had showered and made up, Shepard and Garrus "snuddled" under the covers; she laid her head on his chest as she filled him in on what she had learned from Legion.

"So, all geth aren't bent on destroying organics? Could have fooled me," Garrus chuckled. Shepard grinned, she loved feeling the rumble of Garrus' voice in his chest; his chuckles just intensified the effect.

"Not according to Legion. Only the 'heretics' that follow the Reapers are fighting us. The others are actually fairly indifferent toward organics."

"That's another question, where did the name Legion come from?"

"It was EDI's suggestion; it comes from the human Bible, Mark 5:9 – 'My name is Legion, for we are many.' Legion seemed to think it appropriate – he does house more programs than the other platforms."

"When did 'it' become 'he'?" Garrus asked.

Shepard shrugged. "I have a problem referring to any sentient being as an 'it'. The quarians created the geth in their image; physically, Legion resembles a quarian male. Also, his voice is distinctly male."

"OK, I admit it – I'm intrigued," Garrus confessed.

"Good." Shepard grinned up at him. "You'll have a chance to alleviate some of your curiosity soon. Legion has requested that the Normandy go to Heretic Station. There is a virus there that the heretics are planning to release that will convert all of the geth to their way of thinking; he wants our help to stop them. You will be a part of the team."

####

Shepard crossed the cabin and collapsed on the couch beside Garrus. "I need chocolate. Massive quantities of chocolate." She stretched out, putting her feet on the table and throwing one arm over her eyes. After a moment, she heard a rustling sound, and smelled chocolate. She moved her arm to find Garrus grinning and holding a candy bar.

"Will this do?"

Struggling into a sitting position, Linda gratefully accepted the chocolate and sighed blissfully as she bit into it. "How did you do that?"

"I have my ways."

"I knew there was a reason that I love you - you give me chocolate."

"I thought you loved me for my devastating good looks and dazzling personality." Garrus cocked his head at her, eyes twinkling.

"Mmmm. Those are nice, but the chocolate..." Linda rolled her eyes heavenward.

Garrus put his arm around Shepard and pulled her close. "What sort of 'discussion' were Legion and Tali having? Joker made it sound pretty serious."

"It was. When I got to the AI Core, Tali had pulled a gun on Legion. It was sort of an ugly 'he said, she said' sort of thing. Tali said that she caught Legion trying to transmit classified information about the Migrant Fleet to the geth; he said that he was just trying to protect his people from a possible attack by the quarians."

"Those are pretty serious accusations. What happened?"

"It took some pretty fancy talking, but I eventually got them to agree to a compromise." Glancing at Garrus she added, "You would have been proud." He ruffled her hair affectionately.

Shepard ran her hand over her face. "I don't think they will ever be best friends, but the current crisis has been averted."

They sat in silence for a few moments before Garrus asked "Are you sure that destroying Heretic Station was the best thing to do?"

Shepard shook her head. "No, I'm not. I do think it was the safest of the two options. I'm not convinced that rewriting the heretics would have worked or that the Reapers wouldn't have been able to rewrite them again later. If the heretics are gone, there is no way the Reapers can continue to use them." She shrugged. "Being the Commander isn't always what it's cracked up to be."

Garrus used one finger to smooth her hair away from her face. "You do fine. I don't envy you – my one attempt at being a commander didn't turn out so well."

Shepard heard the sadness in his voice. She turned to look at him. "You are a brilliant strategist; that, combined with your technical expertise make you a very strong leader. I know for a fact that the men on your team were proud to serve with you. Sidonis was a traitor – that is no fault of yours. One of the hardest things a military leader has to learn to deal with is the death of his or her team members. It's bad enough when something happens to one or two people. You got thrown into the deep end with the loss of your whole team. You'll get a chance to lead again, and when you do, I hope you'll take it. I know that you will excel – I would follow you any where."

Garrus just shook his head as he looked at her. "Shepard, I love you. You are so good for me."

Smiling, Shepard stood and pulled him to his feet. "We're good for each other. Now, let's go to bed. I'm so tired I may drown if I try to take a shower."'

Once under the covers, they curled up together, sighing simultaneously. Shepard murmured sleepily, "This is my favorite time of the day. No matter how rough things have been, ending it with you makes it all worthwhile."

Garrus nodded, "Me too."

Shepard smiled; she was asleep before Garrus could touch his head to hers. He watched her sleep for a long time before finally drifting off himself.