A/N:

And here's chapter 4 as promised. As stated before I'd love to hear what you guys think, but keep negativity out please. Please leave some reviews, and if you have questions or concerns swing me a PM!

This will probably be the last chapter for this week. Going to give myself and Wrex a break. I'm going to begin writing chapters ahead of time so that I can post them once every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Thanks Wrexy for putting up with me pumping chapters out left and right. You're the best.

-Feary

The foot steps of Commander Shepard echoed throughout the great hall as she strode to its center, armor shining, N7 colors polished and perfect. There standing in front of her were the three Councilors she knew very well. The Turian councilor Sparatus, the Asari councilor Tevos, and Salarian councilor Valern.

"Ah, we have been expecting you." Sparatus spoke first, arms clasped behind his back in an authoritative stance. "Late, as usual."

"However, what we hopemust yet be confirmed." Valaren spoke next, turning quickly to glare at his companions, how could they wish to get right to business without confirming Shepard was in fact Shepard.

A sigh left the Asari as she shook her head, then held it high and lifted a delicate hand to wave the other two councilors silent. "I am sure Shepard has much to say, so let us get to the point. You may remove your helmet, show us what we have yet to believe." Her tone was silky as usual, filling the air between Shepard and the council.

Shepard stood tall, unflinching before the council as they turned to her. She nodded respectfully, lowering her head slightly to pull the helm from her head, unleashing a wave of fire that fell around her shoulders in soft locks. The helmet hissed momentarily as the oxygen raced out into the open air, and she carefully held it at her side as her emerald gaze stared boldly at the council.

"What has yet to be confirmed, stands before you, Councilors." She spoke loudly, her words echoing off the glossy surfaces within the tower. "I stand here, in the flesh, just as alive as any one of you. You may have requests for me, as your Specter, but my main priority is the location of Garrus Vakarian. I was told you may have the answers to this question. Only after you answer may we get down to business."

Sparatus was quick to reply to her question. "Ah yes.. Vakarian was on a mission for the Asari on Omega. However I had a task that needed his assistance on the Citadel. It was a matter of urgeny that he completed this mission, and as such, he should still be located within the Citadel until his job is finished."

Tevos frowned at the Turian for leaving out information, and quickly stepped in "He left the council room but an hour ago. Mentioned something about.. visiting his favorite spot on the Citadel?"

Valaren straightened, figuring now that she had her answers, she could finish this meeting. "We however do not really have many requests of you at the moment. The Reapers are gone, the relays and Citadel rebuilt. Planets flourish. All thanks to you none the less. You are one stubborn human, Commander Shepard."

"One that has shown all the races of the galaxy that we must stand together." Added Councilor Tevos.

Sparatus figured he'd join the praise as well. "One that shows promise, pride, and the refusal to give up or die."

"So why make petty requests, You've earned your peace of mind from us. We will likely call if something comes to our attention, but for now you are free to do as you wish, Commander." Valaren nodded politely.

He's here! The thought instantly made her fidget nervously, but excitement also coursed her veins. His favorite spot, hell she knew that spot better then anywhere else. If it was still in the same area, thanks to the remodel of the Citadel.

She simply grinned as they spoke highly of her. "Very well. If you don't mind, Councilors, I'm going to go find Vakarian. There is urgent matters I need to discuss with him. You need anything, you know where to find me." She offered a polite bow, arms fisted over her chest before she turned quickly on her heels to leave.

She had no qualms with the council, however she really did not wish to stand there and be stared at while she asked what she needed to know. She was sure anything she needed to know, Garrus knew. Her helmet was quickly refastened as she headed for the dreaded elevator.

Finally her floor arrived, and she headed quickly for C-SEC HQ around the corner. Her pass was flashed, and a car was issued to her. She wasted no time as she maneuvered the car toward the place she knew well, in hopes of finding Garrus still there.

A toss of the bottle.. *BANG*

Garrus let his feet dangle over the ledge of the board walk. Full bottles on one side of him, empty thermal clips on the other for every empty bottle he tossed.

*BANG*

This was a memory for Garrus. It was years before the Citadel was decimated that he had shared this very spot with Shepard. Memories flooded him, how cocky he had been when she missed the bottle. His mandibles clicked in amusement as he recalled the words that had strengthened their bond with one another.

With rifle in hand, another empty bottle was tossed.

*BANG*

Even over the sounds of the engine, she could hear the shots. A smile graced her features, silly Turian, leading her right to him. The car was set down with ease as Garrus turned his gaze to it. She could see his mandibles flutter with words she could not hear.

"And after ALL these years, this is still my favorite spot on the Citadel.." His words were muffled as the sound of a skyvcar drifted toward him. Blue eyes turned to it as it landed, and he let out a groan of irritation. "And after all these years, they pick now of all times to finally say something about being up here." He shook his head, standing to observe as a Human Alliance soldier stepped from the car, her N7 colors shined in the sun as she stood in front of the car with her arms crossed.

Shepard sunk into a hip and tapped her foot, she would humor him, for it seemed he did not recognize her, likely due to the darkened visor over her face.

Neither of them moved, and rather just stared each other down. A chuckle rumbled in the Turian's throat, and finally he spoke. "Let me guess, the Alliance Navy wants to offer me the first Turian N7 position. Even after I turned down Specter training." His arms crossed to mimic her stance.

"Are you suggesting N7 isn't good enough for you, Mr. Vakarian?" She altered her voice, causing it to hold a deeper tone then normal, and completely throwing off the Turian. However she couldn't help a soft sniffle that left her as she resisted the urge to sob.

His eyes narrowed at the Commander as he tried to piece together what exactly was happening, and as the breeze billowed around him, he picked up a familiar scent. His heart squeezed as the soft earthy scent registered, and before he could open his mouth to demand how she knew of his spot, the Commander lifted her hands to remove her helmet.

"So.. This is still your favorite spot is it?" Her voice cracked before she finished the sentence, her normal tone reaching him as she lifted the latches to remove the helmet. Hair that was like fire billowed out as the breeze picked up again, and the helmet was carefully set on the hood of the sky car as she quickly wiped away her tears and moved toward him.

He couldn't believe his eyes. Was it a trick? Did he drink too much? His heart skittered around in his chest as he watched her tears flow from her piercing green gaze. "Oh.. spirits!" His rifle dropped carelessly to the ground as he rushed forward, catching her as she launched herself into his arms, and squeezing her to his chest as if she would disappear.

"No Reaper scum could ever keep me from you." She managed as tears continued to leak down her face silently. "Garrus." She choked out, clinging to him as if nothing else mattered.

Garrus's mind was still trying to process what exactly was happening, she was.. really here, in his arms. Her scent just as he remembered it, Earthy with a small hint of vanilla and a splash of mint. He could hear the thrum of her heart, strong in her chest, beating loudly and fast as she clung to him with equal desperation. He tried to speak, but instead his mandibles fluttered uselessly against her neck as he took in as much as he could. She was back, Shepard was back.

"I thought for sure.. That I would be at that bar waiting for you." She managed through her sobs. "I can't even explain how much I missed you, you were the reason I had the strength to get back up. I was so.. broken, but I knew you were out there, and I needed to get back to you."

She wiped her face with her free hand, leaning back only slightly to stand on the tips of her toes and cover his face with soft and gentle kisses as her hands cupped his cheeks and wiped at his tears. "I would suggest we sit and talk, but it's not safe here for me. Cerberus is everywhere, and they're very, very pissed." She managed to choke out a chuckle. "Will you come back with me? To the Normandy?"

His hands moved to cover hers as she cupped his cheeks, listening to her words as he regained himself. "I will follow you through hell and back Shepard. I've missed you so much, don't expect me to even let you out of my sight for a few weeks." His chest rumbled with his chuckle. "However I do not think Cerberus is the biggest threat at the current moment, but we can get to that back on the Normandy. I just need to return my car, and you likely should as well, and I will meet you at the rendezvous for pick up."

"And I would do the same for you, Garrus." She reached for her helmet, grasping its cool surface as she stepped from his arms. "I will explain everything back on the Normandy, I also.. have something else we need to discuss." The nervous flutter was back in her gut, but she suppressed it quickly. A nod was given once more as the helmet was pulled back over her head. He was right, couldn't just leave the car there, C-SEC wouldn't be too happy about that.

"Cortez, requesting pickup at C-SEC." She murmured into the coms as she slit into the sleek car, watching as Garrus did the same with his own after scooping up his rifle. He followed her closely on the way back to C-SEC, and she nodded formally to the officer as she returned the vehicle, moving toward the shuttle's docking bay with Garrus in tow.

They both stepped onto the familiar shuttle and got situated in its holding quarters. Her fist banged into the hardened metal a few times, letting Cortez know they were ready to depart, and the doors hissed closed. She shuffled closer to him, letting her helmet skitter to the ground as her hand moving up to slide into his own, threading their mismatched fingers together. as she turned her gaze up to him, a grin on her lips.

She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his nose as she uttered three simple words that meant the world to her. "I love you."

"I love you too." He replied softly, bumping his forehead against hers affectionately.

"We will be arriving on the Normandy shortly. Welcome back, Mr. Vakarian." Cortez announced over the shuttles intercom.

"It's so good to be back. I hope Joker didn't fry the main battery cannon while I was gone." Garrus grinned as he looked over to Shepard.

"I'm sure he didn't, the Normandy looks as good as she always has." She chuckled as the Shuttle slowed, hovering in the hangar before landing carefully. She snuck him another quick kiss, letting her fingers trail against the scars along the side of his face before snatching her helmet and standing just as the doors opened, turning back to give him a smirk.