Hope and Dreams
The Citadel, Widow Nebula:
The crew of the Normandy was taking a well-deserved shore leave on the Citadel. The abduction of the crew, the destruction of the Collector Base, it had put everyone on edge. Shepard decided that this was needed. She was waiting in Councilor Anderson's office for her old friend and found herself remembering the last conversation she had with the Illusive Man.
-Shepard's image appeared in the Illusive Man's office. He was furious at her decision to destroy the Collector Base. He stood up and pointed at Shepard. "How DARE you disobey my orders, Shepard. Keeping that base would have meant that we could have defeated the Reapers once and for all!" His eyes were glowing.
"I won't betray who I am. Taking the easy way out and keeping that base would have done more harm than good. And I'm not going to risk humanity's safety that way." Shepard could feel her temper rising quickly. "You put the lives of my crew and friends in danger. You've done so from the second I awoke. We're done, Illusive Man."
"Don't you walk away from me, Shepard!" He roared angrily.
"Joker, cut this feed. Permanently." Shepard turned and walked out of the quantum communication device. A euphoric 'Aye, aye, Commander.' Was heard from Joker. Shepard smiled as she walked out of the debriefing room.-
They were all finally free from Cerberus. Its true colors had finally been shown. Miranda and Jacob had denounced their affiliation with Cerberus. Shepard was surprised at how the entire crew had done the same. Even Kelly had done so. This crew, her crew. They would stand behind Shia'va Shepard one hundred and ten percent. The sound of the door opening to Anderson's office shook Shepard from her reminiscing.
"Shepard. Damn good to see you're back and alive." Anderson shook Shepard's hand vigorously.
"Glad to be alive, sir." Shepard smiled. The two sat down at his desk.
"What's on your mind, Shepard?" Anderson folded his hands in front of him.
"I thought you would like to know myself and the entire Normandy crew no long are affiliated with Cerberus. I knew they couldn't be trusted but it showed when the Illusive Man wanted us to keep the Collector Base active instead of destroy it." She rubbed the back of her neck. "Not that I was ever a part of Cerberus to start with."
Anderson nodded quietly. The Council would be glad to hear this. But he had a feeling that Shepard was not ready to say anything to them. She was a Spectre, but the Council still refused to believe Shepard to this day about the Reapers. They were stonewalling her every step of the way. Even though she saved them. "I want to know what you're thinking, Shepard."
Shia'va leaned back in the chair. "The Reapers are still coming, sir. Even Harbinger said that we only delayed them. Something feels wrong but I can't put my finger on it."
"Don't worry, Shepard. We'll figure something out." Anderson was sure they could beat the Reapers. He had faith in Shepard. He ordered some coffee for the two. It was time to talk about old times. To put the matter of the Reapers aside, if only for a few hours.
Garrus sat at a terminal on the Normandy. He had found some research material on Japan and Japanese traditions. He was going to keep this promise. He was going to learn more about Shia'va. He wasn't going to make the same mistake he made only a few days ago. The topic chosen was Japanese customs. Images flashed across the screen. Garrus was amazed at the architectural designs of old Japanese homes. He tried to compare them to what would be on Earth now. There were definitely some slight differences, but all in all, they had stayed the same. He cringed slightly at the custom of arranged marriages by a match maker. He didn't think Shepard's family followed that tradition being her mother was…what was the word? American? He would have to make it a point to learn about the different nationalities of Earth. To think there are more nationalities on Earth than there are Turian clans on Palavan. It made his head swim. Garrus rubbed his eyes. 'One thing at a time.' He told himself. Something did catch his eye as he was going over some customs. Tradition clothing. He noticed that the males and females wore two different types of clothing. And he was very surprised at how regal it looked on humans. A chuckled escaped his throat as he looked at the female clothing. A kimono. The word was used for both male and females. But the one the females wore was so…beautiful.
The chapter on the clothing had truly caught Garrus' attention. He found himself completely engrossed in the chapter and wanting to learn more about how couples spent their time with each other. Garrus looked down at his feet. He didn't think there was a way he could wear the sandals. Turian feet were not meant for such things. But he was shocked to learn that the Japanese found wearing shoes in the house offensive. The traditions were both odd and yet, fascinating. He would have to ask Mordin about drinking tea. He knew Shia'va drank it often. But he wasn't sure how it would react with his own physiology. It took Garrus a few hours to finish the chapter on traditions. He decided to ask Mordin a few questions and went to the lab on the ship.
Mordin was working away and looked up to see Garrus just coming into the lab. "Garrus. Pleasure as always. Working on new formula against Collectors. A positive breakthrough!" Kelly was right. Mordin Solus was like a hamster on coffee.
"Guess there's always a possibility we could run into more." Garrus really wasn't interested in hearing about the Collectors. Honestly, he hoped they had wiped them all out. "Mordin, I was wondering about something. The humans have something they call tea. I know a lot of species can't even share the same food. But I was wondering. Can Turians even drink the same things humans can?"
"Hmm. Leaves of plants. Boiled in hot water. Some toxic. Others a sweet taste and medical applications. Why do you want to know? Interest in human drink is uncommon. Symbolizes concern. Human-centric interest. Asking because of Shepard." Mordin looks at Garrus.
Garrus nodded. "That's exactly the reason. How can I understand what she likes if I don't even know if I can share in the experience?" Mordin never really did answer his question. But he knew it actually would take a few minutes for him to get to the point.
"Many different kinds of tea. Most toxic to other races. Honey-lemon, Earl Gray, all toxic. Suggest sticking with green tea. Plant only. Should be no adverse effects. No additives just the leaf itself." Mordin nodded. Mordin walked over to a shelf and pulled out a tea leaf. He put it in a flask and added some water to it, putting it on a burner. After a few minutes, the water with the leaf in it boiled. Mordin poured a little bit into a cup he had and handed it to Garrus. "Best to try here. In case of medical emergency."
That didn't instill a lot of confidence in Garrus. But for Shepard, he would try it. Garrus took a sip of the tea. A bitter taste but all in all, it wasn't bad. He stood there waiting for any kind of violent reaction with his body. Mordin watched his omni-tool, scanning Garrus often.
"Blood pressure normal. Sinus rhythm normal. Detecting no toxicity levels. Thinking test was a success." Mordin concluded happily.
"Not bad tasting either. Thank the spirits." Garrus exhaled heavily. "Thank you, Mordin." He nodded to the Salarian.
Garrus left the lab and decided to head to the Citadel. He wanted to buy something nice for Shepard, but wanted it to also be a surprise. "EDI, where is Shepard?"
"Shepard is still with Councilor Anderson, Archangel." The AI reported back.
Garrus nodded. Good, this would give him enough time to go to Tacery Ward and pick up a gift for her. "Tell Shepard that I had to meet with someone. And no, it isn't Sidonis." The last thing he needed her thinking was he was going to kill him. "Tell her I went to meet with my sister." A good enough excuse for now.
"Confirmed, Archangel. Logging you out." EDI went back into standby mode.
The taxi landed at another part of Tacery Ward. He wasn't having a great deal of luck finding a shop that had what he was looking for. This wasn't going as well as he thought. He wanted so much to do this for Shia'va. He loved her. And he wanted to do something for her that would make her happy. With mandibles flaring in annoyance he caught sight of a young woman walking out of a shop, bowing to people and then walking back in. It hit him that she was wearing what he saw in the research he did. Garrus' pace quickened to the shop she walked into. As he walked in, he grew wide-eyed. He couldn't believe how much this store had in it. It was perfect.
A short and elderly Japanese man walked over and bowed to Garrus. "Kon'nichiwa (Hello), my Turian friend. Welcome to my store. How may we be of help to you?"
Garrus remembered that bowing was a sign of greeting and respect. He nervously returned the bow. "I'm...I would like to…I'm trying to find something for someone special."
The shop owner smiled. "Ah. A gift for your bondmate?"
Garrus pulled on his armor's neck. "Well…Shepard's not really my bondmate…"
The elderly man's face beamed. "Ahhhh…Shepard-san. I promise you, we will find the perfect gift for her, my friend. Come. I promise you will not be disappointed." He guided Garrus into the store showing him a variety of items. "Is there anything in particular you think she would like?"
Garrus nodded confidently. "A kimono. Something in a deep lavender with…oh blast it what the hell was that flower's name?" Garrus' mind was racing. He knew Shia'va's favorite color. And the color definitely fit her. Her armor was that color.
"An orchid. A flower that symbolizes the springtime. The birth of life. How fragile and precious life is." The elderly man told Garrus. "You are just learning about our customs, are you not?"
"Was it that obvious?" Garrus chuckled.
"You honor me in coming to my shop, Turian-san. And to choose something for someone you care a great deal about. It says a great deal." The shop owner had shown Garrus a beautiful kimono. It had a large waistband that encompassed the abdomen. There was a bow on the back of the waistband. "This is what many young maidens wore in old Japan. Is this what you were looking for?"
"By the spirits. It's perfect! I'll take it." He began to pull out a credit chit when the store keeper stopped him.
"There is no need, Turian-san. Please, accept it as my gift to you. It is very rare that to see one take such a devoted interest in the heritage of our people." He places the kimono in a special box and wraps it. "Please let Shepard-san know that the people of her homeland are praying for her. Japan will always welcome her home." He bowed to Garrus.
Shepard was walking through Zekara Ward trying to enjoy the day. It would have been more enjoyable if Garrus had come with her. But he had been acting a bit odd this morning. He seemed…evasive about going with her. He was up to something. She kind of smiled thinking that Garrus was still trying to make things up to her. She found it hard to stay mad at Garrus. He was trying after all. As Shepard rounded a corner. She saw a little girl sitting near a bench in the corner. The girl couldn't have been much older than six or seven. Shia'va knelt down. "What are you doing all alone here, sweetheart? Where are your parents?" Her maternal instincts were kicking in.
The child with a dirty face looked up at Shepard. "Mommy and daddy died." The little girl looked so sad.
Shepard's heart sank. She picked the child up and carried her around, showing her all the sights and even took her to the Presidium. The little girl's giggling was melting her heart. Such a beautiful child. Shia'va wanted children. But in her conversations with Mordin, she learned that she would never be able to conceive offspring with Garrus. The human and Turian genomes were just not compatible. It killed her to no end to know that as much as they loved each other, Garrus would never be able to have a child by her. She prayed to God that a miracle would happen someday. But she also surrendered to the fact that this may be something that even He couldn't help with.
Shepard brought the young girl to C-Sec where Bailey promised to find a family for the girl. She thanked him for his help and headed back to the Normandy.
Garrus paced in the forward batteries. Nervous…didn't' quite cover what he was feeling. He wanted this to be perfect. He wanted to say what he had to with the perfect inflections. The proper syllables. And he prayed to the spirits that Shepard would like her gift. He practiced what he learned for hours. 'Come on, Vakarian. You can do this. How can you be so nervous? You've faced Eclipse, the Blood Pack and the Blue Suns and yet you can't even do this without your gizzard even getting twisted in knots.' Garrus cursed at himself. He sighed and decided it was time. He went up to Shepard's quarters and chimed the door.
Shia'va opened the door and smiled at seeing Garrus. "You know you can just come in, Garrus." She teased. "And where have you been all day? A girl can get lonely you know."
Garrus pulled on the collar of his outfit. "Shia… I was in Tacery…and I…I bought this for you." He handed Shia'va her gift.
Shia'va saw how beautifully wrapped it was and was very curious as to what her Turian lover bought her. A few thoughts crossed her mind. She grinned mischievously. She sat on the bed and opened it. When she realized what it was, she covered her mouth as tears started to form. "Oh God…Garrus…" Her voice waivered.
'Dammit all. WONDERFUL work, Vakarian. You screwed up again.' Garrus thought. He really stepped in it this time. But he was taken aback as she looked up at him with a tearful smile. She wasn't angry with him. "I…I thought you…"
Shia'va stood up and put the gift down. She pulled Garrus close and kissed him lovingly. After several long moments she broke the kiss. "Garrus, it's beautiful. Thank you. Thank you so much." She hurriedly ran into her private bathroom and put the kimono on. She came out and Garrus damn near fell backwards over the bed.
"By the spirits. Shia, you look…amazing." He noticed how she had done her hair up and put what he assumed were two sticks in her hair. Some of it pulled up but the rest left down.
Shepard walked over and ran her hand over the side of his face. "Garrus, I love you so much. I can't find the words to tell you how I feel right now."
Garrus took in a deep breath. "I think I can." He closed his eyes for a moment as he said the words he had been practicing for hours. He quietly prayed that he would say it right. "Watashi wa shīa-ha no Va wa, anata o aishite. (I love you, Shia'va.)"
Even with his voice as it normally was, he had spoken the phrase near perfectly. Shia'va's eyes become moist her heart was touched by Garrus taking the time to learn the language of her ancestors. She was certainly shocked that he was able to pronounce the very tough words of the Japanese. But the more he worked to learn about her, the deeper she fell in love with him. Her mind was made up. Tomorrow she was going to take Garrus to see her mother and brothers. But tonight, it was just about them.
A/N: Ok, so…I couldn't help but put this in. I thought it would be a great touch to show how Garrus is willing to learn more about Shepard. It was a cute scene in my mind. I do think the next chapter will be Shepard taking Garrus to see Captain Hannah Shepard and her two brothers. Trust me, I will get to the Arrival part. I promise. *smiles*