"So he knows."

"Yes."

"Apparently that didn't go so well."

"No, it didn't. What was you're first clue, Mr. Obvious?"

"Hey, don't take this out on me. You're lucky I'm here for you to yell at. Do you know what the Reapers are doing out there? Nothing we've found in that damned Collector base has... I shouldn't have said that. I know you have to be here and that you had to do what you felt you needed to. I'm sorry."

A brief paused and the sound of movement.

"What are we going to do?"

"I don't know, Sonya. Let's just give it some time."

"We may not have time. If the Reapers find this station..."

"I know. We'll have to get him on the Normandy and get him out of here as soon as possible." -sigh- "I'll remain in command as long as you need me to, but the crew needs you. So does the Alliance. Cerberus has done there part. You've paid your dues. Leave this place and the Illusive Man behind. They won't stop helping the human survival cause just because you return to the Alliance. The Council is asking to have you back, even Sparatus. Anderson has offered to let us stay with him when we dock. He wants to see you... I need you too. The Normandy is cold."

"Garrus... I... I don't know. I'm so torn. I love you... but I thought he'd never come back. I... I love him, too. I..."

The sound of soft sorrow echoed quietly in the dim light of the med-bay.

"I don't know what to do. It all seems so pointless if we're going to die anyway."

"Don't talk like that. We will defeat the Reapers."

Feet scuffed along the floor.

"Come on. We'll figure it out. For now, let's just get some rest... How bad is the washroom?"

"They're working on it. They had to take the carpet up. We'll be staying in another room until the repairs are..."

The words quiet then trail off as the couple leaves. The room is cold and the sheets are rough. The neck pillow to hold his head up to accommodate his fringe and collar is stiff and uncomfortable. Tears stream down the sides of his face from closed eyes. His heart is breaking and the pain hasn't subsided. The stabbing sensation in his body is dulled by the steady flow of narcotics in his veins. He drifted off to a dreamless sleep as he took long, shuddered breaths, listening to the machines that monitored him and helped him stay alive.

"He should be ready to move by tomorrow. His recovery is coming along fine. We keep him sedated so he doesn't try anything rash. Are you sure you want to bring him on board the Normandy? He isn't mentally sound enough to enter battle."

"We have no choice. We need him."

"This station is fully armed. If we're discovered, we can defend ourselves."

"Against the Reapers?"

"He's safer here than on the front lines."

"Maybe we should let him stay. I'll come back with you. There isn't anything I can do here. He'll need time before we can talk again."

"Are you sure? I don't want you doing something you'll regret."

"I don't regret a thing."

"You're a bad liar."

"I have to check his read outs. I'll let you know if there are any changes."

"Thank you doctor."

A few moments later the voices start again.

"Garrus... He won't give up."

"What do you want? Do you want to go back to him?"

" It was never supposed to come to this."

"Well... it has. I don't know what you expect me to do."

"I don't want to loose either of you."

"You can't have it both ways, my love."

"Oh, like saying that helps."

"I'm sorry."

"Spirits above, Garrus! You're not making this any easier."

"I'm sorry."

"Stop that."

"What?"

"Apologizing for everything."

"I'm sorry."

"Gah!"

A chuckle echos, muted as if from under water or behind glass.

"I love you."

"Yeah, I know... I love you too..."

"He has to understand that it's been five years. It was hard enough for you to adapt to a two year change. It will be harder for him to accept five. A lot has happened since then; the Collectors, Thane, me, the Reapers... I don't blame him for taking it hard."

"He doesn't know about Thane."

"You didn't tell him?"

"I didn't see the point. Thane's dead. Nihlus doesn't need to know anything else. It would only make things worse."

It did. His talons clench under the rough medical sheets. Was there anyone she hadn't fucked? he thought bitterly.

"Yeah. Let's go. It's not healthy for you to come here all the time. There's a turian right here who needs you. Let me love you tonight."

Nihlus scoffs in his mind, "What a shitty line."

"That's the best you've got?" she scoffs.

"We've been bonded a while. I'm running low on material."

"Poor excuse... Come on. I need help getting to sleep anyway."

"Gee, thanks, Captain. Glad to be of service."

He herd her laughter as it faded away. He hated it. Hated the turian about to bed his mate. Hated the harlot who ruined him. He wished for death, that he had been left dead.