Misfortune (after Me 3)

"Mrs. Rhodes how is your family taking this news? A week after his wife's death, and two month after the release of their biography?" the report did not asked the question that everyone in the room wanted to know. Was the 'accident' on purposes. Mara Shepard-Vakarian Rhodes, second oldest daughter of Jane and Garrus, wife, mother, and author closed her eyes in grief at the misfortune that befallen the family over the last month. Ever one in the family knew that Jane's time was short, they had know most there life that only Jane sheer will keep her alive and moving. The same will that took down the Collators, Saren and the reapers. But the loss of Garrus, that had been hard. Mara opened her eyes.

"We are not the first family to suffer loss. My mother showed us how to keep going no mater what. My Father taught us that even something that at first appearance seem a bad or hopeless thing, often has a silver lining. When the biography went in to preproduction four months ago, we knew that my mother was close to the end. Our family had accepted this. But the death of my father was a surprise. He was, like my mother, a fighter. Even heartbroken we thought that he had many more years to spoil his grand kids. So the rapid transport accident was a surprise, and made the family realizes how precious life is. Something I don't think my mother or father ever forgot, they lost too many friends in the war." Mara wipe a tear away, "and my heart goes to the families of the other lives that were lost in the accident."

the reports where silent for a moment. before one voice the thought on everyone's mind.

"Did Garrus Shepard-Vakarian commit suicide?"

Mara lips thinned and for a moment she wished she was her sister, either of them, one would have waded in and punched him, the other would have torn into him verbally leaving him curled in the corner crying. But perhaps that was the reason she was the family spokesman.

"No he did not. first off, how did he affect the circuitry of the oncoming vehicle? second...

Mara sat on the roof, the blade in her hand resting on her wrist, looking over the waist high wheat field that stretched for as far as the eye could see in that direction. Garrus inched next to her slowly so not to startle her. Settling down next to Mara. The two sat in silence watching the wheat, and occasional bird.

"It was my fault." Mara finally said.

"What happen?" Garrus rumbled soothingly, Mara remember when she had been little, her favorite spot was curled up in his lap while he read out loud, rocking in the chair on the front porch. Mara felt tears slid down her cheeks, wishing she was still small enough for him to do that.

"I dumped him, apparently he was upset and went for a drive. He drove off the one of the cliff over near Mesa City. Mesa city cops ruled it a suicide." Mara said tonelessly. Garrus sighed and leaned back on his hands.

"Mara, I can tell you all day long it's not your fault, but I know from experience, you'll keep think it is. But I can assure you that killing yourself will not make thing better and might make them worse."

"How do you know. When have you every killed yourself." Mara snarled hand tighten on the dagger.

"Did I every tell you I tried to commit suicide on Omaga after you mother was...mostly dead?" Garrus replied.

"But I though you had pissed of the mercs? And they went after you? That where Mom was going after Archanlge right?" Mara asked her mind momentarily forgetting the dead boy.

"Close, what really happen was after my squad was killed, I realized several things, one was that I could not live with Shepard gone. I Let the mercs follow back to my base. I was trying to commit suicide by cop, though being Omega, I had to use the mercs." Garrus lowered his head to look Mara in the eye. "I was very lucky Shepard arrived when she did, otherwise I would be dead and all the great and wonderful things I did possible would not be done. Then where would you and Lilly be?" Garrus pointed out. Mara looked down at the blade.

"It was not your fault, he made his decision. We can only control our own actions, not others, do not take his action on yourself." Garrus replied after a bit. Mara dropped the dagger and thru herself in Garrus chest. He wrapped his arms around her rubbing her back and rocking like she was four again.

"I would not ever contemplate anything like that again, I have too much to live for." Garrus rumbled.

"...Second he once told me he would have too much to live for, Garrus loved his wife, but my father lived for his family and work. He would always look for something that he could do no matter how much was taken away." Mara replied, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Friends (during/after me2:)

Shepard sat at the table sipping her drink, reading the data pad. Her plate of food, half eaten and forgotten. She was ignored by the rest of the crew, knowing that she was working and would join the conversion when she finished. Garrus settled down next to her, elbowing her gently. She scowled at him and turned back to her data pad. He poked her again.

"What." she said irritable her eyebrows furring. The mess hall fell quite, everyone waiting to see what happen to Shepard's turian lover.

"I figured it out." Garrus smiled, his mandible twitching.

"I'm happy for you." Shepard replied turning back to her report. Garrus cocked his head to the side, mouth opening in a grin knowing Shepard curiosity would get the best of her.

Sure enough less than a minute later Shepard turned back to Garrus.

"What did you figure out?" Shepard asked. Garrus waited till she was taking a sip of her drink before he answered. Joker had explained what a spit take was and had been trying to see if he could get Shepard to do one. Not that she was aware of this.

"Miranda is Miracle Max." Garrus replied ignoring the look that Miranda was giving him. Shepard sat there for a moment mulling over this bit of information, running thru the list of things that could be talking about. Then it hit her and she busted out laughing.

"You remember that?" Shepard shaking her head.

(me1)

The cargo bay had been set up for watching a movie, the projector rigged up. And blankets and pillows everywhere with low cargo boxes set up as back rest. The crew was settled around, some with popcorn, others with ice cream that had been 'liberated' from the officer's mess at the army base/depot they had stopped and picked up supplies at. Joker was, for once, joining in on the fun. He had ice cream in one hand and was waving Shepard over with the other. Shepard waived back indicating she would join him in a moment. She glanced around taking note of the rest of her ground crew, Tali was siting next to Engineer Adams their head close together and Tali was motion with her hands. Wrex stood in his normal spot leaning against the wall. Liara was siting on the floor, as Shepard watched corporal Grenado came up and pointed to a spot next to Liara. She nodded while ducking her head. Grenado plopped down and sat the bowl of popcorn between them. Williams and Alenko sat next to a couple of deck technicians. Doctor Chakwas was settling in one of the chairs her leg drawn up and her chin resting on her knee, she gently swirled a glass of something alcoholic. Pressly was not here, He and three volunteer where left up on the command deck. Garrus was not here yet.

Shepard smiled at her people and headed for the front.

"Thank you for showing up-"

"Like you gave us a choice Ma'am!" Joker heckled good naturely.

"Quite you, or I might leave Wrex piloting the ship and take you with us ground side next time." Shepard replied, eyes twinkling at Jokers splutters.

"Heh, sounds like fun. Never piloted anything before." Wrex replied from his spot.

"Anyway, this is my way of thanking everyone for the hard work you have done. I suspect that after we hit the Hoc system we won't get much rest. I just wanted to say you are the best crew I have the honor of working with. Your more than just soldiers under my command, your my friends. So enjoy this story of a classic fairy tale, with swordplay, giants, an evil prince, a beautiful princess, and yes, some kissing." Shepard smiled at the scattering of laughs as she headed back to Joker's spot and settled down. Joker handed over the bowl of popcorn he had been saving for her.

"Hope this is as good as the book." Joker retorted settling back against a box. Shepard snorted.

"You are an odd one Joker." She replied. Before Joker could replied Garrus cut in,

"Commander, do you mind if I sit here?" He asked pointing to the spot next to her, opposite of Joker.

Shepard smiled and replied, "Sure." ignoring the gagging sound coming from Joker.

"Joker are alright, you sound like you have something in your throat. Do need me to pat your back." Garrus asked in concern leaning over Shepard to look at Joker.

"Uh no, I'm fine." Joker replied digging into his ice cream, missing the wink Garrus tossed at Shepard.

###

"Hey Shepard, you remind me of Westley ." Ashley said.

"Why is that?" Shepard asked.

"Because our ground mission start out with us going to place that would put the fire swamp to shame" Ashley replied laughing.

"What? Should whip out 'your only saying that cause no one has survived' the next time we go on a ground mission?" Shepard heckled right back.

"Children." Chakwas cut in good naturedly. Ashley and Shepard quieted back down.

###

"I think it's... I don't think what she did was right. Even I can tell how that tore at him when she gave her self to Humberdink." Garrus whisper to Shepard. Shepard closed her eyes for a moment, then replied.

"People do very irrational things when there in love." Shepard replied. Garrus looked over at her, then careful took her hand in his. Shepard smiled at him and leaned into his shoulder.

###

"Hey I wonder if Cerberus has a 'machine'" one of the deck tech asked.

"Don't even joke about that." someone else replied.

The first tech snorted a replied, "You think we could hook up the Reaper to it." That did get a scattering of laughs before being shushed.

###

"Are you sure this Westley still wants you? After all it was you that did the leaving?"

"Agh that barefaced lieing politician." Garrus growled under his breath, starting to get up, but was kept in place by Shepard's hand. Shepard snored trying to hold back a laugh.

"It's a movie Garrus, trust me, true loves will win!" Shepard replied, Garrus settled back into place.

"Please consider me an alternative to suicide."

"I'd take the suicide." Garrus grumbled.

###

"I think I've seen Wrex clear a path on the citadel like Fezzik dose in the town." Tali giggled out.

"yes, but I'm better looking." Wrex chuckled.

"dose that make Garrus, Inigo Montoya?" Joker asked.

###

"Go thru his clothes and look for loose change."

"Now I know where you got that unhealthy obsession with raiding the dead mercenaries." Ashley said. there where a few laughs, but only the ground team, really understood that one.

###

"Alright people, let get Saren. Garrus take out as many of the geth between here and that Mass relay." Shepard barked out, throwing the mako into overdrive.

"As you wish." Garrus replied, his mandibles flaring wide in a grin.

Hoc system is where Virmire is.