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!
Reception takes place a few hours after Ceremony.
Union – Reception
"Here's to Garrus and Shepard," Chakwas toasted, raising a glass of red wine at the newly bonded couple and the rest of the crew followed her example. "May you have a long and happy life together!"
"To Garrus and Shepard!" the crew echoed as Shepard snuggled closer to Garrus, closing her eyes and basking in these precious moments of peace with the man that she loved as their meals were brought to them.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Garrus hesitated a little at what Shepard was asking of him, "Turians don't dance all that well, Kat," he rumbled. "Our time at Flux two years ago should be all the reminder you need of that fact."
"Oh, ye of little faith," Shepard laughed, before, "Please?" she implored him.
Unable to deny her something that was a tradition to her race's marital celebrations, Garrus took her offered hand and rose from his seat, following her out onto the dance floor.
~I've met the darkness,
Been held by the night,
Lonely was there in my arms,
I've been with broken,
I've stared in her eyes,
Emptiness left me this scarred,~
Shepard turned to face him once they'd chosen a spot, and snuggled up to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
~But I heard your voice,
Calling me out of the cold,~
As his hands settled on her waist and they began to sway to the music, slowly pivoting on the spot, Garrus couldn't help but purr as he recognised that she had compensated his kind's lack of dancing ability by choosing this particular dance, called a slow dance by her race, so that they could both enjoy this moment while it lasted.
~And now I can live again,
I have been chosen to run with the wind,
I can go higher I know I will soar,
I'm taller, I'm stronger, I'm better than before,
I've walked through fire so I could become,
All that you said I could be,
And now my breath has a reason,
My sky has a sun,
'Cause in you I've found all that I need,~
Your touch revived me,
It was your love that opened my eyes,
And now I can live again,
I have been chosen to run with the wind,
I can go higher I know I will soar,
I'm taller, I'm stronger, I'm better than before,
Because I broke through the rain,
Stood through the storm,
Now I know I remain,
And I can do the impossible,
I can reach the unreachable,
It's my time,
I will rise and live,
And I can go higher I know I will soar,
I'm taller I'm stronger I'm better than before,
And now I can live again,
I have been chosen to run with the wind,
I can go higher I know I will soar,
I'm taller, I'm stronger, I'm better than before.
Lowering his head to hers, the couple shared a kiss, to the applause of the Normandy's crew, before they turned and left the dance floor.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
"Garrus? Is that you?"
Garrus turned his head to see a dark skinned Turian male, bearing the same blue clan markings as he, approaching him.
"Octavious?"
With a grin, the newly-bonded Turian greeted his clan brother with a rough handshake and a slap on the back.
"How long have you been back?" Octavious asked when he drew back.
"Only a couple of days. We're on shore leave."
"Shore leave? You're serving on a ship again? "
Garrus nodded. "The Normandy."
"The Normandy?"
"She was rebuilt," Garrus explained at his friend's puzzled expression. "I only found out myself when Shepard came recruiting and found me on Omega. I've been serving on her squad ever since."
"Just like old times," Octavious laughed. "Well, since we're here, what say we grab a couple of ales and catch up?"
"Ah, perhaps another time?"
Octavious quirked his head at his friend's reluctance; it wasn't like Garrus to turn down a drink. But then he took notice of how his friend was dressed, which despite the changes, was instantly recognisable. "You crafty old raptor!" Octavious exclaimed. "Who's the lucky girl?"
"Garrus?"
The two males turned to see Shepard approaching them, coming to a stop when she reached her mate. "Hey," she greeted him softly.
"Hey," he murmured back, nuzzling her.
"I was wondering where you'd gotten to."
"I was just on my way to get us another drink when I ran into an old friend," he explained as Shepard turned to look at Octavious. "Kat, I'd like you to meet Octavious Actus, he and I grew up together on Macedyn. Octavious, this is Shepard, my mate."
Octavious was stunned for a moment, looking at the couple agape, but then he began to chuckle. "A rebel through and through, Garrus," the older Turian slapped Garrus on the back again. "Old Titus will have a fit when he finds out about this, that's for sure. But, you, the both of you, have my congratulations."
"Thank you, my friend," Garrus rumbled as Shepard echoed his words.
"And on that note, I'll leave you two to your celebrations. Perhaps another day?"
Garrus nodded. "Count on it."
Returning the gesture, Octavious left the couple's presence and headed over to the bar.
"C'mon you," Shepard tugged at her Turian's hand, and he followed her back to their seats. "I thought you said that you grew up on Palaven?" she queried him as he took a seat and she settled herself on his lap, her arms snaking around his neck.
"I did, we moved to Palaven just after Solana was born," Garrus rumbled, his own hands finding their way to her hips. "But Macedyn is where I'm originally from."
"Will you tell me about it?"
"Macedyn?"
"Mmmhmmm," she murmured as she snuggled into him.
"What do you want to know?" he questioned as he began to stroke her back.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Shepard felt her eyelids droop as she yawned, struggling to stay awake, as beside her, her mate chuckled at as he watched the battle for a moment before leaning down to nuzzle her. "Ready to get out of here?"
"Mmmhmmmm," she nodded against his chest
He paused for a moment, then, "Do you trust me?"
Shepard opened her eyes at his words, her green gaze scanning his predatory blues for any sign as to what had prompted him to ask such a question. "You know I do, Garrus."
"Good," her vision was suddenly obscured by something black. "Because I've got one last surprise for you," he purred as he took her hands in his and began to lead her somewhere, saying their farewells to the crew as they passed.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we there yet?"
"No."
"Are we there yet?"
"Kat!" the Turian's exasperated tone caused Shepard to smile as they came to a stop and she felt him fumble for something, probably a key-card, and her thoughts were proven correct when she heard the familiar swoosh of a door opening. Shepard yelped slightly when Garrus picked her up, bridal style and made his way inside and then gently setting her back on her feet. She felt him tugging on her blindfold as he undid it and then felt the material give way and flutter to the ground.
Shepard could only gasp as she took in the room around them. "Oh, Garrus..."
TBC...
Song's Used:
"Taller, Stronger, Better" by Guy Sebastian