Garrus could feel her eyes on him as he put his feet up and checked the extranet, Tali was checking up on him again, he knew how she had begun to feel for him, it was part of the reason he had completely removed himself to the Turian colony. He cared about Tali and in another world maybe he could consider her, but he had been in no state to consider another relationship, or any other relationship. Shepard was one of a kind, the idea of replacing her seemed disrespectful. 'Liara and Javik are writing that book.' He said after a moment. 'The truth about the Prothean final days. I'm beginning to think that there might be more to them soon, maybe a half Prothean Asari running about. You think that's something the world could handle?'

'Prothean Asari…' She began and trailed off, gazing at him intently.

'I know, but the way she talks about Javik lately is telling, probably the same way I speak about you.' He looked up at her. 'Joker's doing runs for the Alliance, he's going to be taking some Turians back to Palaven using FTL tech.' He kept talking because she responded to him when her mind could process. He looked up as the door opened and nodded to a seat next to his. 'Morning Kaidan.'

'Garrus, Shepard.' He said by way of greeting as he sat down. 'How are we doing?' There had been a briefing for all of Shepard's friends and acquaintances, rules to follow so she didn't slip back into the machine.

'I'm fine, bit bored of the dextro food the humans have gotten for us.'

'Well you will crash land on a planet that isn't built from the same amino acids as yours.' Kaidan said with a smirk.

'Yes, in a way it's really my fault, I certainly feel personally to blame.' Garrus said drily, contrary to popular opinion he actually liked Kaidan, a bit of a boy scout but his heart was in the right place. He assumed anyway, having never done a bioscan on him.

'I'll get some Turian chocolate sent up in the next food batch.' Kaidan offered with a smirk. 'Although having actually tasted some of that stuff, you're a braver man that me.'

'Ahh but we all knew that anyway.' Garrus smirked and Kaidan chuckled.

'So you're going to be staying here for the foreseeable future?' He asked.

'Until she agrees to run away with me yes.' He smirked and then noticed the flicker in Kaidan's eyes, the man looked up at Shepard.

'So what's the plan then? Marriage on Earth and then honeymoon on Palaven?' Kaidan's voice had a little bit of resolve to it.

'Palaven is very far away.' She said after a moment.

'I agree, too far for a honeymoon. How about we go to Ganymede and take in the Jupiter rise?' He asked her, having done a lot of research about the Sol system as well as human customs when they had been separated after running from Cerberus.

'Jupiter, that sounds… nice?' Her voice was questioning and he grinned.

'You effectively got her to agree to marry you there you know?' Kaidan remarked.

'I know, but I might ask her again later just to make sure.'

It went on for several days, each day she drew closer to what she was, but a faded image of it, it was disheartening for him but he never let it show, she needed him now more than ever. 'Garrus.' The whisper was urgent and he opened his eyes, it was a night cycle but he never slept too well anyway. He sat up, looking over at the restrained woman, it was the first time she had spoken his name.

'Shepard?' He asked, getting to his feet. 'Is there something you need.'

'I want to get down.' She said quietly to him and he gazed up into her face, she was more with him than she had ever been.

'We don't know how.' He said honestly to her and he saw the flash of pain in her eyes. 'They're worried that it could cause brain damage if we took you now.' He reached up and pressed his fingers against her cheek softly. 'But I will stay with you.' He promised. 'Until we figure it out.'

'I won't...' She had more days like this, where she knew who she was, but lacking clarity, as if looking at her life through frosted glass. She struggled for words, that was when he knew it was her, the machine didn't struggle. 'I won't be better until this is out of my head.'

'Does it hurt?' He whispered softly.

'It tears… and screams… and wants.' She said haltingly and he closed his eyes, whilst she couldn't find who she was she couldn't filter her pain.

'What does it want?' He asked softly.

'Freedom.' She murmured. 'Get me out.'

'I don't know how.'

'I can tell you.' She said after a moment. 'It's in the memory. '

'I don't want you to dive back in there for it.' He said after a moment. 'I'm worried you'll go back to being part of the machine again.'

She smiled. 'You could always wake sleeping beauty with a kiss.' She offered and he closed his eyes.

'Okay.' He agreed. 'I will get the scientists gathered, but if I lose you to this, you're buying the drinks in heaven.'

'Deal.'