Series Title: After the Reapers
Pairing: Garrus/Shepard

Author: Knights-Honour
Disclaimer: Mass Effect universe © BioWare
Any character you haven't heard of © me

Author's Notes:
Thanks go to my Beta; Blueglaceon, who despite having little knowledge of the Mass Effect universe, agreed to edit the series anyway. Thanks, Blue!

This is set just before Shepard begins to investigate Project Overlord.

Things Change

"Isn't it a little early for war-paint, Commander?" Joker quipped as he spun his chair around to face her as she approached the pilot.

"The markings on the Commander's face are not 'war-paint', Jeff," EDI piped up beside him, "They are-"

"Tattoos of Garrus' clan mark. Yeah, I know, EDI. Kinda hard to miss, seeing as Shepard was wrapped up like a mummy for the most of yesterday." Joker, smirkingly, informed his companion before turning back to a bemused Shepard. "So, where to now?"

"A Cerberus base on Aite has gone silent in the past couple of days," the human Spectre told her pilot. "The Illusive Man wants us to check it out."

"So the 'boss' is playing nice?"

"For now. And as much as I'm wary about doing this, if we're to stand a chance against the Reapers when they show, we need to be a united force. Cerberus included."

"Don't need to tell me twice. Setting a course for the Phoenix Massing nebula. All going well, we should be there within a week."

"I'll leave you to it."

~ o ~ o ~ o ~

Garrus couldn't help but swagger a little as he stepped out off the lift and into the CIC. His new armour fitted him like a glove and he couldn't help but show it off a little. Ahead of him Shepard, also clad in her armour, was consulting the galaxy map.

"We've just entered Aite's atmosphere, Commander," Joker announced over the com.

"Thanks, Joker. EDI, do you have the location of the base?"

"I have uploaded the co-ordinates to the Hammerhead's VI," the Normandy's AI reported.

"Right then. The Normandy's yours, Joker. Keep your eyes sharp."

"Aye, aye, Commander."

Turning away from the galaxy hologram, Shepard descended the stairs, smiling tenderly at Garrus when she drew level with him. "Hey," she murmured softly.

"Hey," he murmured back, pressing his forehead to hers, being mindful not to bump her visor.

But their moment was broken by the arrival of a fuming, armour-clad, Kaidan. "We're investigating a Cerberus facility? Tell me you're joking!"

Shepard stepped away from Garrus. "No, I'm not. The Illusive Man contacted me just before we left the Citadel."

"You told the Council that you'd broken ties with him!"

"I have."

"Then why the hell are we here?"

"Because the cell here has gone inexpiably off-grid," Miranda's voice entered the argument, and Shepard noted that she'd come from direction of the Armoury.

"So you say 'jump' and you expect her to say 'how high?'" the biotic accused the curvy ex-operative before looking back at Shepard. "Can't you see that they're treating you like a puppet?"

Miranda rolled her eyes as Garrus began to growl at Kaidan's lack of trust in the woman he had once called his mate. "Typical Alliance. Always blame Cerberus."

"Miranda," Shepard spoke her XO's name in a warning tone.

Miranda got the hint. "Good luck down there, Commander," she said before heading to the elevator.

"When will you get it through your thick head that I'm here because I want to be, Kaidan!" Shepard demanded when Miranda had gone.

"I don't trust Cerberus. And I never thought I'd see the day where you'd work with them willingly."

"Things change, Kaidan," Shepard told him as she turned for the elevator. "The Shepard you knew died a long time ago."

Garrus shook his head, and Kaidan spotted the action. "What? Don't tell me you didn't have reservations about working for Cerberus, Garrus."

"With," Garrus corrected.

"What?"

"We worked with Cerberus, not for them. Little word, big difference. And yes I did have reservations. Difference is that I trusted Shepard, trusted her judgement, enough to know that she knew what she was doing," he stated as turned to follow his mate. "Now, c'mon, she'll leave us behind if we're not in the Hammerhead by the time she's ready to go."

Fin.