"Garrus?"

His eyes snapped open to see Miranda in the doorway, she gestured to him. He looked over at the sleeping Lizzie, curled up on one side, with his hand tucked into her own. He disentangled himself and rose to his full height to follow Miranda out.

"I fell asleep. My apologies," Garrus murmured.

"Did she talk?" Miranda asked, her troubled eyes on his own.

"Yes," his voice became gruff, "She blames herself and carries the weight in her heart."

Miranda lowered her head and sighed, "What can I do, Garrus?"

Garrus touched her lightly on the shoulder, "She is hurt badly. Both physically and mentally. She needs time and love from those who are close to her and someone she can talk to. She watched her squadmates die in combat and then had to withstand torture. I can only imagine that is where her scars came from."

Miranda stared up at him, her lips trembling. She clutched at his hands, "Garrus, please, she is my dearest friend. Will you help her?"

Garrus stared down at their hands, "I will if she will let me."

"She will," Miranda uttered desperately, "She is in love with you, even if she wont admit it."

Garrus stilled.

"Oh gods," Miranda clasped a hand to her forehead, "I shouldn't have said that. But its true. She is. When Lady Alexis came here and Lizzie refused to say that she would not become your bondmate, I thought she would say something. But then she went to the Skyllian Verge…and…oh gods…" she stared up at Garrus in shock, "You don't know about that."

"No, I don't," Garrus' voice was flat, "I think I need to hear the whole story."

For a long time, Miranda and Garrus talked. There was coffee and Garrus finally left as the dawn hours lightened against the walls.

Lizzie crept from her room, ashamed and clutching her arms. Miranda was waiting for her at the kitchen table and went to her, wrapping her friend in a fierce embrace.

"Don't you dare say sorry," the Ambassador muttered harshly, "Don't you dare."

Lizzie dropped her face into the corner of Miranda's shoulder and tears gathered, "I can't say anything else. I could have hurt you."

"I should have been less stupid," Miranda snapped, "I should have realised that you had been hurt badly by those who came to you in your sleep. I should have known that waking you like that would have been stupid." She ran her hand over Lizzie's hair and tugged her face back. Her eyes met Shepard's dark green, "I wont apologise. But…nor will I allow you to take blame." She cupped Lizzie's cheek and stared into her face.

"You beautiful silly woman," Miranda continued softly, "You have so many people who love you. Me. Tali. Garrus." She tucked a strand of hair behind Lizzie's ear, "You love him. You know you do."

"I do," Lizzie admitted bleakly, "But it's useless."

"He loves you," Miranda kissed Lizzie on the forehead, "He loves you so much that he hasn't left the Citadel hoping you would return."

Lizzie clutched Miranda's arms, "Where is he? He was here. Where is he?"

"He went home," Miranda said softly, "He slept in the chair beside you until I came home."

"He did?" Lizzie teared, "I want…" she stared down at their linked hands, "I want him, Miranda."

Miranda fiercely wrapped her arms around Lizzie, "He wants you, beautiful girl. So badly. Just talk to each other. Please."

"But how can I ruin his chances at being a successful Primarch?" Lizzie implored, for once uncertain.

Miranda kissed Lizzie again on the forehead, "The galaxy is ready to see the first power couple of a turian/human alliance."

"I'm a soldier, Miri," Lizzie rest her forehead against Miranda's, "An alliance solider. I'm not going to suddenly settle down and be the pretty political wife. We can't have children. We can't do a lot of things."

"You can do what is important," Miranda tucked Lizzie's hair behind her ear, "You can love each other."

"Is that enough?"

"In this galaxy, my sister," Miranda uttered softly, cupping Lizzie's chin, "It has to be."

"I need to find him."

"I will help."