In which Garrus becomes a father.
Leaning back in my chair I let my feet stick out from under the desk. It seemed to put the girl at easy when I do that. I give the impression that I am studying the datapad in my hand, but really I was watching her. She brought to mind the Duct Rats that anyone living on the Citadel for more than a few weeks learned to watch out for, or you might lose your credit chip. I guessed her age to be about ten, but I'm not as familiar with human young. She had a patch of grim smeared on her checks, her brown hair was pulled back in a messy braid. She was quite thin, and her dark eyes seemed to be able to watch everywhere in the room at the same time.
"What is your name child?" I asked setting the datapad down. The girl crossed her arms and darted a glance around the room again.
"You don't have to tell me your real name, I guess I could keep calling you child if you would prefer?" I said crossing my arms on the desk and leaning on them.
"I'm not going back." Was her responds. Which is more than anyone had gotten out of her, since she was found on a transport bring in some new animals for the planet. I am not sure why I got picked to handle the diminutive girl. Glancing at the clock, I realized I will be late getting home.
When I had chosen this planet to move Shepard and myself to, it was because it was quiet, out of the way, and has a family small population. But just large enough to house a hand full of turian, most of them worked at the docks. When I visited the first time while Shepard was still in the hospital, it had felt like Palaven, of course that visit had been during the height of summer. When I talked to people, no one seemed to mind that I was turian. The port city was small, still is, with most of the population spread across the plains on large farms. It was exactly what Shepard had wanted. So when the doctors had finally released her, I scooped her up and brought her here. And after two month she had practically kicked me out of the house we had bought. 'Go get a job. You're driving me batty, always hovering right over me!' she had told me. So I had gone and got a job at Port City police force. They were quite enthused to have me, with my six years of c-sec experiences.
Bringing my mind back to the present. I looked at the girl as she glared at me, and I wonder again why I've been handed this problem.
"You can't make me go back." She stated finally breaking the quiet.
"Why would I make you go back?" I asked.
"Cause it what the pigs always do when they catch us." she hunched down in her chair.
"Pigs? How do those noisy animals catch you?" I asked in bewilder, I suspect it another one of those odd sayings. But also hopeing that pointing out how different I am will get her to relax.
"What do you mean animals?" she asked
"You said the 'pigs catch you'. We have a pig at home. I think it's a potbelly pig, you know..." I made my hand in to a fist and put it up against my nose and made shunfling sounds. Quite proud of myself, I thinks it pretty close to the sounds that Arnold makes. Shepard has a thing for naming all the animals she has talked me in to getting...
She looks at me her mouth agape. Finally she giggles a bit.
"No it's what cops are call back on earth. Do you really have a pig?" she asked. I nodded. Maybe I was not a bad choice after all.
"When was the last time you ate?" I asked and before I knew it the wary look was back. After a few moments I realized she was not going to answer.
"Its probably be awhile since you ate, coming on the transport like you did. I can have one of the other officers get something out of the vending machine for you." I went on.
"Nothing's free. What do you want?" she replied crossing her arms. bosh'tet, it's like being back on Omega. I know she won't take anything I do without looking for a higher motive, Jack would have like her. My heart twists a bit remembering that Jack was killed in the last battle against the reapers. Sprits help me, i want to help this girl. Running a talon along my fringe I hit upon an option...
"I would disagree with that, but I understand where you coming from. Listen, this is a small city, we don't have an orphanage here," I see her eyes go hard at that, "you can live at my house, food and shelter, but you'll have a job to do."
"Going to school is not a job." she responded crossing her arms. It looks like someone else had tried this tactic with her. Well my offer is going to be much different.
"No going to school is not a job, though you will get some kind of schooling. My job for you will be different. My wife was injured in the Reaper War. I need someone to take care of her, make sure she does not try to do too much, cook dinner when I run late." I leaned back in my chair waiting with a patience born of years spent looking thru a sniper scope.
"I don't know nothing about turians, I would not be the best to take care of your wife." she replied.
"That won't be a problem she is human." I replied, even now human turian-marriage are rare, but going by the look on her face, she had never heard of it.
"Of course I have not discussed this with my wife yet, but I think she'll give this a chances" And kick me out of the bedroom for a few nights, it would not be the first time. continuing after slight pause. "Let say after two months will renegotiate the agreement to suit all parties better?" the girl seemed to mull this over of a bit.
"Ok, so for room of my own, with a door lock, and three meals a day. I take care of your wife, make sure she takes it easy, and do some kind of school. I can cook...but I'm not very good at it."
"There are no locks on any of the bed room doors at the moment. However there is a dresser that you can pushed in front of the door till we can get a lock on it. I could have the lock installed in the next three days. And don't worry, I'm not a very good cook either." I held out my hand for her to shake on our 'deal'. Trying not to let my anger show. Taking a good guess at why she wanted a locking door and didn't want to go 'back'. She seemed to consider the deal, finally she shook my hand.
"Name's Lilly." she said.
"Garrus." I reintroduced myself. "Let's go then. Before said wife decide to feed the animals on her own." I punched a few things into the data terminal, then stood up to leave. Lilly followed me, the wary look back.
The ride to the house was silent. She was starting out the window and I was navigating traffic. Then after we got off the main road, I had to keep an eye out for stray or wild animals. When we finally pull up to the house, she makes a surprised sound.
"Where is... you own all this land?" She asked in awe. I smile slightly, remembering the first time I had got to visit someplace that was not built up cityscapes, I had been fifteen, in basic.
"We own a little over twelve hectare." I replied, getting out of the vehicle. That's when I saw her, I felt my gut drop. Darting for the prone figure in the dirt, near the chicken coop.
"Shepard!" I barked. She stirred a bit as I dropped down next to her, checking for injuries.
" 'm fine. Just thought I would lie down for a moment. The chickens needed to be fed." she replied slowly. Damit Jane...I take a deep breath, but before I could say anything Jane cut in.
"I know too I did too much, but the chickens are feed and I did laundry." she smiled up in my directions, her milky white eyes looking past me. Scooping Jane up I looked over at Lilly.
"Can you bring the bucket in the house, please? We'll feed the rest of the animals in a bit."
"Who's here?" Jane asked squirmed a bit in my arms.
"Uh. Well... Her name is Lilly, she came in... A transport today. Uh... I though she could stay with us for a while..." my voice faded away at the glare that was aimed in my general direction from Jane. Even blind Jane had a mean glare.
"Me and the Pi...uh officer has a deal." Lilly piped up helpfully from behind me. The glare intensified.
"And what does this 'deal' consisted of, Officer Vakarian." Jane asked in a calm manner. Yep, I'll be sleeping on the couch for the next few nights.
"Simple, I take care of you, do some cooking, and make sure you don't over extend you self. I think I got my work cut out for me. In return I get my own room, and three meals a day. Oh and go to school." Lilly replied cheekily from behind me. I start to juggle Jane to get the house door open, Lilly slipped by and opened it for me.
"Thanks." I murmured as we head in to the living room.
"How old are you Lilly?" Jane asked sleepily from my arms.
"Don't know, eleven I guess." she replied as I carefully place Jane on the couch.
"She is not allowed off the couch. Otherwise make you self a home." I informed Lilly of her current duty. Then taking the feed bucket out of her hands and heading for the utility room.
"At home, Mo chuisle." Jane stated with a laugh, and then coughed. I heisted for a moment glancing back at her, but they quickly pass. Then I continued on to drop of the bucket and start dinner. As I cook dinner I hear the two talking. I smile knowing that Lilly doesn't have a chance now, if Jane could get the psychotic ex con to turn in to mostly functional being; only time will tell what she can do with this impressible girl.
***
I rubbed my nose ridge in irritation; this case was driving me to distraction. I was going to have do a stake out.
The Port City police had made some concessions when I was hired. Of course they would jump on getting an ex c-sec detective, once they made sure I had left on good terms. Which I had. I had shown that despite everything going on at home my work did not suffer. And ever since Lilly had come to live in our house seven months ago, I had been able to stay longer and take more cases knowing that Jane was not all alone at the house... a buzz from my com unit shook me out of my memories.
"Officer Vakarian here." I answered.
"Is this Garrus Vakarian? Lilly Shepard-Vakarian caretaker?" the female asked over the com. Jane had been so happy when we formally adopted Lilly last month.
"It is. What happened?" I asked dreading the worse.
"Ms. Lilly was in a fight, we need you to come pick her up. She has been suspending from school." I place a hand over my eyes, growling low in my chest. She's only at school twice a week.
On the two days that Lilly goes to school, I go in to work late, so Jane is only left alone for a few hours twice a week. I glanced over at the clock, I had only been at work for an hour. I would have to take some time to go pick her up and drop her off at home.
"I will be there as soon as I can. Ma'am" I released the call after her confirmation. Getting up from my desk, I locked my door on my way out.
"Sir." I stuck my head in to Captain Navesky's open door. He waved me in.
"Ah Vakarian what can I do for you? Your wife ok?" the gray haired human asked, I was always appreciative how understanding the confirmed bachelor was towards my situation... of course the fact that he is an ex marine, and was medical discharged himself, probably has a lot to do to that.
"No I have to pick up the kid, she was fighting, and I just need to run her home." I replied trying to keep the frustrated sigh out of my voice.
"Of course, say hi to the missus for me." He replied turning back to his own work with a chuckle. Even after all these years around humans, I still don't get some of the thing they say.
As soon as I walked in to the school I smelt blood. Looking around I spotted the main office. As I head towards it the smell got stronger. Walking up to the secretary's desk I wait patiently while the she finish her conversation. Behind her was Lilly with her backpack held securely in her lap. Blood was drying on her face, most likely from her nose. Next to her was three boys, one had an ice pack over an eye and the other two looked worse for wear.
"Good afternoon officer how can I help you?" the secretary asked.
"I'm here to pick up Lilly Shepard-Vakarian." I pointed over at her. All three boys stared at me.
"Crap, her dad's a turian?" I heard one of the boy mutter.
"and a cop." another one replied quietly, sliding down in his chair some.
Lilly stood up still holding her bag in front of her ignoring the comments. She keep her head bowed, but I could tell she was aware of everything around her, ready to dart if need be.
"What have I told you about fighting?" I asked.
"I should only fight if someone's life is in danger." she replied, refusing to look me in the eye.
"We will discuss this further when we get home." I leaned over and signed the release form. And accepted a package to my omni-tool from the secretary, going over the details of the suspension.
"Garrus?" Jane asked standing up from the glider on the front porch.
"Yes it's me. Lilly got in trouble at school." I said as I shut the door. Jane settled back on the glider.
"Sit." I order Lilly, trying to keep my anger in check. She sat in one of the chairs, still holding on to the bag. Something about the way she was holding on to it was starting to bother me...
"What happen?" Jane asked her soft voice still held the authority she had acquired with her years spent in the military.
"I was protecting a life." Lilly responded hotly. Opening my mouth to reply to that, I hesitated remembering when I had been sent home from school after a fight. I had been about Lilly's age.
"Garrus, you're too hot headed and rash, it will get you killed someday..." My father held himself ramrod straight but his mandibles gave him away, 'like your mother' they said. His eyes took in my torn shirt, the welt forming on my face, andthe blood pooling on the floor.
"You are a disgrace, clean yourself up." he turned to leave.
"I was protecting someone, i was trying to be like you." I mumbled as he walked away.
Father had never really talked much after she had gotten killed in battle; she had been an officer with the Hierarchy fleet.
Shaking myself out of the painful memories. I decide not to say what I had been planning to and instead asked.
"Who where you protecting?"
Jane just beamed at me as Lilly shifted a bit in her chair. Then opened up her bag and pulled out a small animal. One that I did not recognized. It started making pitiful sounds.
"They where torturing her." Lilly replied. Jane's head whipped around.
"Give it here." Jane demanded holding out her hands. Lilly place the animal in her hands.
"What is it?" I ask.
"A dog." they replied at the same time as Jane carefully felt the dog.
"Poor thing, it can't be more than a few months old, Lilly go getting me a dish cloth, and a bowl of mil..." Jane doubled over gulping, trying to get in a breath. I darted next to her, placing a hand on her back, This is the part I hated, this is why I wanted to stay close to her. I would give anything...almost anything to have the old Shepard back. But that did not matter right now.
"Slow, slow deep breaths." I murmured in her ear. She leaned in to me, her frame much lighter than it had been three years ago. I gently rubbed her back. When she finally got her breath back Lilly came up with a bowl of milk and the dish cloth.
"What do I do with this." she asked, Jane gave a pained smile. Then proceed to give instruction in the quite slow voice she had been force to use. I looked at the two, heads bowed together over the dog. And felt my chest swell in pride of my family.
No matter what my father had told me, he cannot ruin what I have accomplished
Holy cow. That was not going to be very long, but it would not stop coming...
Ah Garrus is such a caring husband :)
points if you caught the Green acre reference.