Honor's Boundary -

A Garrus Vakarian Tale

By: Kellieqd

Game: Mass Effect

Pairing: Shepard...eventually

Disclaimer: The Mass Effect universe and it's characters are the sole intellectual property of Bioware and EA. This is simply my interpretation of their story.

Chapter 6: Can't We All Just Get Along?

Garrus watched as everyone funneled out after the mission debriefing, except for Shepard of course who had to stay behind to speak with the Council.

Their newest recruit, an asari archaeologist named Liara had been very insightful. They knew Saren was looking for an artifact known only as the "Conduit." The only information Liara could offer was that it had been related to the extinction of the Prothean race. She had spent the last 50 years trying to figure out what had happened to them. Because of her relative youth among the asari people, her theories had not received much attention... until now. The Protheans had left remarkably little evidence behind, she said, 'it was as if someone had come along after the Protheans were gone and cleansed the galaxy of clues.' But that wasn't the interesting part, she also mentioned that her research had shown the Protheans had not been the first race to suffer this fate, it was a cycle that started long before them. She did not have anything solid to prove her theory, but said after half a century of hunting down every scrap of evidence in the galaxy that it was a more of a feeling she had developed. She was sure that the galaxy continued in a cycle of extinction, where one society would spread it's reach throughout the known universe only to be destroyed and have a new society build itself up over the ruins. Shepard informed her that she knew what had happened to the Protheans, she had seen it. They were wiped out by a race of sentient machines, the Reapers. The name Reapers still shot a shiver down Garrus' spine. When Liara found out that Shepard had interacted with a working Prothean Beacon she understood why Saren would go to such lengths, the information she now knew was unparalleled. They decided to adjourn when Liara become lightheaded, no doubt from the stress of recent events. Shepard wanted her to go see Dr. Chakwas and make sure she was ok.

"Welcome aboard Liara," Garrus greeted their newest member.

"Thank you. I have never seen such a diverse crew before. With all that has been going on I cannot think of any place I would be more safe. It is hard to wrap my head around this situation. I have spent my whole life researching what the Commander had revealed to her in one minute on Eden Prime," she said a little unsteady on her feet.

"Careful Dr.," he grabbed her arm offering his support. "It's hard to deny that these developments are disturbing. But we're the only people in the galaxy with the ability to stop the cycle from happening again and that's what we're going to do." It unnerved him that he talked about this "cycle" as if it really were an inevitable reality.

"I hope you are right Garrus," she replied solemnly.

"Here, follow me, we need to get you down to see Chakwas. With a quick checkup and a good nap you'll be in a much better place," he offered.

"I doubt if I'll ever sleep again, but I would appreciate you showing me the way to the examiner's office," she replied.

They made their way downstairs. He noticed Kaidan and Ashely sitting at the mess table, deep in conversation. Ashley was looking at him in a way he'd never seen her before. Was it vulnerability?

After escorting Liara to the med bay, Garrus decided to excuse himself.

As he was leaving she grabbed his shoulder and said, "Thank you again Garrus, not just for navigating me through the ship. But you helped save my life today, I will forever be in your debt..."

"I'm sure you would have had that Krogan covered. I've never been at the receiving end of an asari's wrath before, but working at C-Sec I've seen the vids, I'd never wanna piss you off."

She giggled as he walked out the door. Still got it, he thought. He made his way to the elevator, he needed to work off some anxiety from learning the weight of the situation they faced. Maybe Engineer Adams would let him run some calibrations on the ship's battery.

"Mind if I join you?" he recognized the voice of the Commander as she stepped into the elevator.

"By all means," he responded.

"Garrus, I just wanted to take a second to clear the air..."

"No need Shepard, I was out of line. This is your mission and I chose to come along. I am honored you even asked my input. I just want to know why you didn't mention that Benezia was Liara's mother, I would have understood better."

"I was under strict direction from the Council not to say. The asari don't want it going public that there is a Matriarch involved in this, at least not until we have questioned her. Besides, you didn't need to know. It was my call. You know Harkin warned me that you were a hothead, said you still had delusions that you could "change the world." I'm glad he was right, because that's what we're here to do. I'm glad you were able to put your personal feelings aside and have my back out there."

"You have one of the better backs to watch," he replied mischievously.

Shepard gave him a playful punch in the arm. "I knew I liked you Vakarian, you make me laugh. I'm glad I have you to take my mind off of this mess for a second."

"Glad to be of service." It felt strange talking so casually with his superior, but Shepard had a way of making you feel like you had known her your whole life. "Commander, before you go... I wanted to ask. I noticed some of the guns have been having issues with premature ejection, I think a pair of skilled hands like mine could make a world of difference, otherwise you may just end up shooting blanks."

The Commander giggled, her cheeks slightly red, "I do hate when that happens, knock yourself out" she said forcing back a laugh. "If you can make anything on this ship perform better then I want your hands all over it!" she repeated the same human expression she had earlier on Therum, closing one eye while keeping the other open.

What did that expression mean? And he failed to see what she had found so funny. Premature ejection was no laughing matter.

"Thank you Commander," he replied puzzled.

"Please, call me Quinn. See ya around Garrus."

The doors opened and she exited the elevator.

Garrus was hovered over the Mako, happily working to stabilize it's thrusters. He had just finished going through the weapons lockers, with Shepard's permission, fixing the matter he had discussed. He brought his omni-tool to his mouth and made a request. "Look up common human facial expressions." The device popped up with several choices, there was the "eye roll," the "evil glare, "the jaw drop," he scrolled through them all and settled on "the wink."

The wink, he read, is a common facial expression of humans with a wide variety of applications. It consists of rapidly closing one eye, (sometimes the action is extended for emphasis or comic effect) while keeping one's other eye open. For humans it is usually used as a playful gesture, it is often indicative that something suggestive has been said and frequently used as a means of "flirting."

Flirting? I see. He was intrigued by this possibility. But he was sure it had been used comically instead.

Because of his keen turian hearing, Garrus was able to overhear a conversation across the room that Ashley was having on her Comm Screen. It was her sister Sarah. They chatted awhile. Ashley bragged about the Normandy, inquired about their other sisters, asked what she was missing on earth. Her sister mentioned she had seen Shepard on the news.

"That Kaiden Alenko with her was pretty cute!" she said.

"Hey, shhh. I don't need everyone on the ship to hear this."

"Why? You think he's cute too don't you?" her sister prodded.

"Kaidan is great soldier, he's one of the most powerful I have ever met. All the other guys on this ship are either old enough to be Dad, or probably have four testicles. He's... well... yes, he's cute to say the least." she blurted.

"Oh my god! You like him? I' haven't seen you this red since Reggie back in Alliance training school. You deserve a little happiness, I say go for it."

"Shut up! We'll see what happens. We're just friends. I have some guns to go clean or something... later sis!"

"La-"

Ashley closed the comm link.

Part of him felt glad to have something to hold over her head, but Garrus knew he would never share her secret. He had noticed the attention she had been giving Kaidan... but he hadn't noticed any thing in return from him. He was enjoying his anthropological studies of his crew mates.

Ashley spun around to make sure no one had been within earshot only to find herself face to face with Shepard.

"Hey Ash, you mentioned after the debriefing that you wanted a word with me?" inquired the Commander.

"Oh right, I did. You just surprised me... you didn't happen to hear any of that did you?" she said with a panicked expression on her face.

"Hear what? I just came from the battery."

"Oh thank God! My little sister, she's sweet, but she can be a little embarrassing," she said relieved.

"You have a sister?"

"Yes, 3 of them actually. We're very close. With Dad being deployed all the time, I practically raised them. Dad always got the run around, they never even appointed him above Servicemen third class," she said bitterly. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about." She lowered her voice, " I know things are different on the Normandy... but... uh... I'm concerned about the aliens. Vakarian and Wrex especially. With all due respect should they really have full access to the ship?"

That's bold, even for Ashley. He knew she was a little hesitant about his presence, but never thought she would go so far as to mention it to Shep...Quinn, she told me to call her Quinn...his ears perked up to listen to her reply.

"I have an open door policy Williams, if there's something you need to say then out with it," said Quinn.

"This is the most technologically advanced ship in the Alliance Fleet, I don't think we should give them free reign to poke around the vital systems, engines, sensors, weapons," she said pointedly.

Garrus could feel the accusation in her voice as her eyes darted toward him. They had a word on Palaven for women like her...

"You don't trust the Alliance's allies chief?" Garrus was sensing irritation in Shepard's voice.

"I'm not sure I would call the Council Races allies. We, humanity, can rely on ourselves," she said.

"I trust that's not insubordination talking," the Commander alleged.

"No... no Ma'am! It's just, no matter how noble the Council races may seem, when there back is against the wall they will abandon us!"

"Your personal views are just that Williams, personal, I can't change that. But if I see it affect the way you treat your fellow crewmen we're going to have a problem," it was clear she was reaching the end of her rope.

"My father, grandfather, and great grandmother all picked up their rifle and pledged themselves to the service. I guess we just think of humanity's interests as our own."

That did it, "I expect you to keep your family politics to yourself, this mission is going to be difficult enough without you picking fights with our friends. Don't make me regret not leaving you on Eden Prime."

"Aye aye Ma'am. I better get back to work," Ashley said frazzled.

"I think that would be best," said Quinn.

Wow. He hadn't expected her to be so rough on Ashley, her views may be ignorant but they were fairly common among humans. The First Contact War was still fresh enough to keep distrust alive. He was glad she didn't know how he used to feel about Krogans. Wrex was right, he really was learning out here.

Later on that night Garrus was up in the mess trying to enjoy his dinner. Dextro foods were commonly regarded as unappetizing and "gross" by humans and after trying the Mess Sergeant's meal of the day, he could see why. Luckily Tali could sympathize with him, he heard her groan as she fed the paste into her suit to be sterilized and fed through an elaborate system of mechanisms and tubing. At least my food is solid, he thought thankfully.

"Engineer Adams is so nice!" Tali said happily. "I have been learning so much, this may be the most exciting pilgrimage ever. I can't believe I get to fight the Geth and chase down Saren!"

"Careful, I'd hate to see you get too excited and choke on your nutrient paste," Garrus said.

She scowled, "don't remind me. I can't wait to taste a real meal again! But if that's the sacrifice I have to make to be here, then I am ok with it. You should keep me company one of these days, put that omni-tool to use! Well I better go, I promised to check in with Mom, I haven't talked to her since we broke orbit on the Citadel. She worries too much. One bad thing about being a Quarian, being an only child can be a chore."

"So can having a little sister. Have a good night Tali, maybe I can stop by tomorrow. I have been dying to run some calibrations on the forward battery."

"Goodnight, Garrus."

As Tali made he way to the lower level, Garrus turned his attention to the two humans talking behind him. It was Kaidan and Ashley.

"Sound like she really came down on you," Kaidan said.

"Yeah, it was rough. I didn't mean any disrespect, I'm just concerned. This mission is important, that's all."

"You think she doesn't know that. She has the weight of the galaxy on her shoulders right now, and the Council won't even admit there is a threat in the first place. I'm sure she didn't mean to snap. But I've spent time with Garrus and Wrex, they're valuable members of the team. I am sure she was just hoping you would give them a chance. Don't let it get you down, just make sure and listen to what she said. She cares about you Ash, I know she does. We all want you here."

"You want me here Kaidan?" she asked.

He reached his arm up to rub the back of his neck and averted his gaze, unprepared for her advance. "Well of course Ash, you're a great soldier and a good friend. You're like the sister I never had," he responded, clearly trying not to put too much weight in his words.

"Oh... uh thanks. Right back 'atcha," she gave him an awkward pat on the arm. Garrus knew she was disappointed. "Well I should get some sleep... I'll see you at breakfast before the pre-mission debrief?"

"Of course, sweet dreams Ash," Kaidan said.

"Have a good night Garrus," Ashley said through clenched teeth as she passed by.

"Thanks Ash, I will now, I can call you Ash right?" he replied. He knew she was probably just trying to save face, but maybe she was trying.

She exhaled loudly, "Why the hell not, just don't push your luck Vakarian!"

After Ashley left the room Kaidan made his way over to where Garrus was sitting and pulled up the chair across from him.

"Man, what was that about? I sure hope she doesn't think there is anything going on here. Gotta keep focused on the mission and all that."

Garrus kept quiet and sipped on his routine post dinner cup of mogue.

"You don't seem to mind when the Commander gives you that kind of attention... well at least that 's the way it seemed on the mission earlier."

A bead of sweat formed on the human's brow, "Quinn? What? pffffttt... No! She's just... sure she's beautiful...smart...amazing in battle. I respect that. With her I am simply giving my superior the attention she deserves.

"Riiiiggghht." Garrus replied.

"Heck I couldn't stop looking at you out there today, you were a beast! You had those guys down before I could even launch my attack."

"Who me? You'll make me blush. Couldn't do it without Kam by my side, she can read my mind, she takes the bullet exactly where I want her to go." He read the look of confusion on the face across the table, "my rifle!"

"Oooohh, gotcha."

"To your credit, I have never seen a such a powerful warp before, there aren't many turian biotics. It's impressive."

"Thank you, I'm just glad I got lucky and the only side affects I have to suffer are occasional headaches. I lost a lot of good friends from back at the academy, these L2 implants are nasty. The turians were smart to stay away. Thank god for Dr. Chakwas, she takes good care of me."

"I read the reports on them, I am glad you were spared, and sorry for your losses."

"Thanks Garrus, it's good to have you here. I guess I should call it a night, got that meeting at 0600 before we dock on Feros, the situation with the colonists has gotten worse. Sounds like we'll have our work cut out for us."

"I hope were not too late, I'm going to enjoy another round with the geth. It will bring us one step closer to stopping Saren and finding out what he is doing with the Reapers."

"Damn right! Have a good night Garrus!"

"You too Kaidan."