Shepard and his crew had reached the Citadel in a week's time. The Ryncol would have arrived sooner, if not for the ship's run in with a few Geth anti-aircraft guns. Shepard stepped out onto the docks, contemplating the location.

"It really is awful. Can't look anywhere without seeing something artificial."

"And?" said Garrus. "You would prefer a giant, gaping hole of space?"

"No, it's just that Omega has better bars."

Shepard grabbed four beers, moving over to his friends.

"Wrex. Tali. Garrus."

He handed out the drinks accordingly, leaving the last for himself.

"Beer? Shepard, I asked for a Ryncol."

"We're starting small Wrex. I promise, by the end of the night, you'll be out cold."

"Ha! A thousand credits say you can't manage it."

"Two thousand."

"This is why I fight with you Shepard! Explosions, money, and drinks!"

"Wrex, are you drunk already?"

"You should know by now that this is how I usually am, Turian."

"Really? Because the Wrex I know is always grumbling in a corner."

"This is how I am around friends, and I am honored to call you all that."

"Aw, that's sweet Wrex."

"Don't encourage him Tali."

"Shepard, not to ruin the moment, but is this beer dextro?"

"Did you drink any?"

"Just a few sips… Why?"

"Garrus, I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking and-"

"I'll kill you Shepard!"

"It was a joke! Jesus, Garrus!

"It was my life John! My life! Tell him Tali."

"It was a little funny."

"Come on, take that stick out of your ass."

"I don't have a stick up my ass Wrex."

"Could've fooled me."

"Agreed. It might be hard to pull out at first, but once you have a really firm grasp-"

"Just shut up about my ass!"

"I don't know Garrus, it is firm."

Everyone stared at Tali.

"I mean… it's not… oh look, a homeworld to recover!"

Tali dashed from the table, bumping into an Alliance marine. The marine approached Shepard's table.

"Mister Shepard."

"It's Captain Shepard, and- Shit."

Kaiden Alenko stood over the Captain. Wrex was the first to speak.

"Leave. Now."

"I'm not looking for a fight."

"Then what are you looking for?" asked Shepard.

"Help."

"Go fuck yourself."

"I've been grounded. Help me get my ship back and-"

"It's not my problem."

Shepard went back to his drink.

"I know where Saren is."

Shepard put his bottle down.

"He, and the new relay, are on Ilos. Help me get there, and you get to kill him."

"And then?"

"And then what?"

"What happens to me? What do you do?"

"I let you go. I know that you'll kill me if I try to arrest you again. Once Saren's gone I'm of no further use."

"What if I kill you anyways?"

"I know your style."

"I slaughtered half of your crew."

"You won't."

"Wrex might."

"He's right," said the Krogan. "I'd at the very least consider it."

"Do you want in or not?"

"...Not."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm not going to help you. Not only because you're an asshole, but because I don't need it. Killing Saren doesn't get me anything but a bit of satisfaction. But right now, I'm in a bar with my best friends, having a good time, and I know that if I go with you I'll just be double crossed, at best an outlaw, at worst dead. So get the ship yourself."

Kaiden glared at Shepard, Shepard glaring back, until Kaiden walked away.

"I'll be at the Relay Monument if you change your mind."

"I won't."

Shepard took a long swig of his drink, before setting it down.

"Did you really just give up your entire hunt for Saren?"

"I'm half drunk, so that's an excuse."

Each of the men took a long, slow sip from their drinks.

"I feel that the conversation isn't going to recover."

"A few more drinks might help."