The Journey Home

-Aboard the Normandy SR-2-

Mikazuki and Kiyoko were working on their homework as Garrus was going over some reports from back on New Hiroshima. The rebuilding was going slow. But it was at least progressing. Garrus smiled as he read that all the races of New Tokyo and New Hiroshima were working together to rebuild their home. Garrus looked over to Shia'va who was reading a novel. His lifemate made all this possible. She was the one that brought the races together. The Krogan had, as Maelon predicted, began a cultural renaissance. The Krogans were warriors, but they had no further desire to dominate any worlds. In fact, Urdnot Wrex and Eve had ensured that, while the population was growing, it was not getting out of control. All this was possible because of Shia'va deciding to cure the genophage with Mordin Solus' help. Shia'va had taken it hard when Mordin passed away. The Salarian scientist who fixed the mistake that should not have been made. She had a picture of Mordin on her desk back home. The girls, when they were younger, called him grandpa Mordin. Garrus remembered the smile it brought to the old Salarian's face. But the family never forgot him.

Garrus stood up, went over to Shia'va and kissed her on the forehead. She looked up as he ran his hand through her hair. "I'm going down to the observation deck if you need me. I'll only be a little bit."

Shia'va nodded. "Alright, sweetheart."

The observation deck was one of the few places Garrus could feel like he could breathe on the ship. Just the wide view was relaxing to him. He heard the door to the observation deck open and an older Turian woman walked in. Garrus turned his head and nodded. "Mother."

Garrus' mother stood next to her son. "It's been a long time, Garrus. I wondered if you would ever come home again."

His mandibles twitched slightly. "I already have a home, mother, with my lifemate and my children. And I didn't exactly thing the clan would welcome me back after my bonding to Shia'va. I came to terms with that after my last conversation with father."

His mother turned to look at him. "Your father never spoke for all of us, Garrus. I, for one, would have welcomed the chance to see my grandchildren run around our home in youthful exuberance, to hear their laughter." She looked back out the window. "I still can't believe you hit your father."

"He deserved it." Garrus growled lowly. "He put my family in danger, and risked their lives. You don't think I was going to just let that go, did you?"

She shook her head. "No, I suppose not." She chuckled a bit. "You remind me of your father when he was your age. Defiant and very much protective of all of us."

"So what changed?" Garrus asked as he watched a nebulae they were passing.

"The clan is what changed him. His brother became the more prominent figure in our family and drove your father out. And as was tradition, your father had to follow. No matter how much he hated it." She frowned a bit remembering the day.

"And he wondered why I never made a very good Turian." Garrus quipped.

"When you and Shia'va bonded, your uncle saw it as a prestige play in the clan. You bonded to Commander Shepard, the hero of the Citadel, hero of Elysium, and savior of the galaxy. Your father knew what that meant. And he didn't want that for you or the girls. Shia'va would have been kept separated from you three." She wrapped her shawl around herself tighter. "The only thing your father could do was to keep you away from Palaven. To live the life you deserved, not what would have been thrust upon you. I think that saying what he did hurt him so much more that you realize."

Garrus wasn't sure what to say. He couldn't change what happened. But maybe he could help to start making things right. "Why don't you, father and Solana come live with us on Watson? The girls seem to love having you around. And Kiyoko does have a dance concert coming up for the school in a few months."

His mother looked at him and smiled. "She's a dancer?" Her eyes becoming a bit moist at hearing this.

"Among other things. Mikazuki got first prize at the science faire they had two months ago. She did a project on the Mass Relays." Garrus had been so proud of his daughters. Pride filled his chest as he spoke so fondly of his children.

Joker's voice broke the silence of the moment. "Garrus, the Commander needs you in the CIC."

Garrus nodded. "On my way, Joker." Garrus leaned over and hugged his mother. "We can talk more about his later."

-At the CIC-

Shia'va was watching as EDI brought up the security feeds on the Citadel. Jorum Talid was seen talking to some constituents about his upcoming election bid. Mikazuki and Kiyoko were there at their mother's side. Shia'va shook her head. "We don't have enough to pass along to Commander Bailey though."

EDI looked at Shia'va. "We do have the intercepted transmissions from the Blue Suns and Jorum Talid to have you eliminated, Shepard."

"It would never be admissible in court." Garrus said as he walked up behind Shia'va, putting his arm around her waist. "C-Sec would claim it was obtained illegally and without a warrant."

Kiyoko thought a minute about this. "Mama, would it be alright if I called my pen pal on the Citadel?"

Shia'va looked down at her youngest with a curious look. "I…don't see why you can't. But why now?"

"You'll see." Kiyoko walked over to EDI who stepped aside. She punched in a code and a comm call connected.

"Kiyoko? Hi! Where've you been? I've been sending you letters." The young Asari smiled broadly.

"On a trip with my mama and chichi. Sapphra, do you remember when you sent me that letter about your mom and dad being harassed in their store?" Kiyoko hoped she would remember.

"Yeah. Umm…four months ago I think. Some Krogan was with a Turian and shook my dad down for credits. Made a mess of the store. It took us hours to clean it up." She tapped her chin.

"And did your mom talk to the Council?" Kiyoko hoped it was something they could use.

"Yeah, but the Asari Councilor said all they could do was pass it onto C-Sec." The little Asari recalled.

"Did the Turian look like this?" Kiyoko held up a drawing to Jorum Talid.

"Yeah! That's him!" Sapphra recognized Jorum without a second glance.

"Thanks, Sapphra. I promise I'll ask my mama if you can come and visit our home on Watson." Kiyoko smiled.

"That would be fun! Can't wait for your next letter, Kiyo!" The image of the young Asari faded.

Kiyoko turned to her parents. "Well, there's proof he's still doing bad things." She looked at Mikazuki. "Now we just need to spark their interest in arresting him."

Mikazuki smiled. She knew exactly what to do. She was next up on the console. Garrus' mother and sister had arrived at the CIC and were watching the two girls. Both were shocked at how intelligent the two of them were. They certainly were Garrus' and Shia'va's children. Mikazuki's fingers danced along the holographic display. She accessed C-Sec's files and looked at her mother as she opened a private comm to Commander Bailey's office.

Shia'va smiled at her oldest. She still had to punish her for her hacking. But she doubted she would ever be able to stop it. Even if it was using it for helping the authorities. "Commander Bailey? This is Commander Shepard."

Bailey's gruff voice came over the comm. "Shepard? God damn it's good to hear your voice. To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

"I've received information from an old contact about Jorum Talid. It seems he's been up to his old shakedowns again." Shia'va was hoping it would be enough to warrant an investigation.

"Hmm. Talid again, huh? It would be nice to put that pain in the ass behind bars. But we'll need more than just a minor shakedown." Bailey wanted, just as much as anyone, to put that corrupt politician away. But his lawyer was one of the better ones.

Shia'va took in a deep breath. "I don't know how much this will help, Bailey. But my contact has also given me some intercepted transmissions between the Blue Suns and Talid. It seems he was the one that orchestrated the attack on New Hiroshima in a bid to kill my family and myself."

This bit of information struck Bailey as his evidence. Garrus could almost hear the gears turning in Bailey's head. "Well, now. Attacking a former Council Spectre is definitely grounds for arrest. Send me what you have Commander Shepard."

Shia'va looked down at Mikazuki who was already sending the information.

Bailey looked it over as a smile broke over his face. "This evidence is pretty damning, Commander. Jorum Talid can't escape us now." Bailey heard giggling on his end. "Commander, what the hell is that?"

Shia'va shook her head. "I think you'll find arresting Bailey might be easier than you think." She chuckled as Mikazuki had hacked the door control to Jorum Talid's apartment. The Turian could be seen beating on the door. Kiyoko was also in a giggling fit watching the display.

-EPILOGUE-

-New Hiroshima, Watson-

"And in other news, Jorum Talid, once a prominent political figure, was found guilty on four counts of attempted murder, sixteen counts of extortion, and two counts of attempted murder of a Council Spectre and two heroes of the Citadel. Jorum Talid will face a maximum sentence of two life sentences with no possibility of parole." The camera panned to the show the chamber of the Advocacy. "Braddock Shepard of the law firm Shepard and Shepard had this to say." The image switch to Brad. "We're pleased with the outcome of the trial. No political figure should ever think they are above intergalactic law or Citadel law. The Vakarian family can now rest easily as can many other families on the Citadel." The image finally switched back to Emily Wong. "The final sentencing will take place in three weeks from now. This is Emily Wong, Citadel News."

Garrus' father was standing behind the couch as the family watched the news feed. "You think he'll appeal, Garrus?"

Garrus' mandibles twitched. "He can try, but I doubt it'll do him that much good. There was too much evidence against him."

Shia'va smiled as she pulled Kiyoko and Mikazuki to her. It had been six months and it took just as long for the case to go before the Advocacy. But it was nice to finally have it done. "It doesn't matter anymore. Our family is safe. I think we've earned some peace for once."

Solana smiled. "That you did, Shia'va. It's just nice to have the family back together." She looked at the two girls. "Let's go get some ice cream you two like. What do you say, Kiyo and Mika?"

The two girls smiled and nodded. Garrus' father and mother went with them

Shia'va stood up and walked out to the deck that overlooked New Hiroshima. Garrus walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist. He rested his head on her shoulder as they looked out over the village. "Shia, do you ever regret one moment in our life? Whether it was in in the past year, or the past fifteen?"

She touched her head to his, a soft breeze blowing. She remembered back to when they met, to the first Normandy being destroyed, to the Collector Base and the Reaper War, to when Kiyoko and Mikazuki were born and through today. A smile grew on her lips as she kissed his mandible. "No. I don't regret one moment in our lives. There were times when I doubted, but then I looked to you and saw all the good we did, Garrus."

Garrus himself smiled as he continued to look out over New Hiroshima. As he continued to hold Shia'va, he remembered the most precious times in their lives. One moment made him smile even more as he remembered it. The night he and Shia'va spent their first night together and the one phrase that started it all. "Shepard, so many things have gone wrong in my life. Omega, my team, Sidonis. For once I just want one thing to go right." He kissed her on the cheek. "I don't regret a moment of it either, Shia. I don't regret one bit this life we live."

Shia'va Shepard-Vakarian turned and embraced her lifemate as the two shared in a long and loving kiss.

-Fin

A/N: I want to thank everyone for reading this story. At this point, this is the end of Shia'va Shepard and Garrus Vakarian's story. But keep an eye out for my other stories and possibly even more stories from the Mass Effect universe. I truly hope you enjoyed reading this story as I did writing it. And I want to say one thing: HOLD THE LINE!