Mass Effect: Each Story Has A Million Tales.
Summary: "There is always more than just one side to a story- and more than one lesson to learn. Follow Garrus Vakarian as he stands by a promise that he means to keep, contemplates the true meaning of life, death, and the ultimate sacrifice, and as he confronts someone who should have been behind him all along. Follow Adelais Vakarian as he mends a broken bond, and as he comes to terms with a terrible loss of his own. Follow Kolyat Krios as he navigates through a very dangerous place, only to find another- under the guidance of someone who may or may not be there at all. And follow Commander Joleen Shepard as she goes through her past and present, only to find herself in the middle of a battle for her future." (Garrus' Story: 'The Promise-Keeper.' Adelais' Story: 'The Old Soldier.' Kolyat's Story: 'The Wanderer.' Shepard's Story: 'The Missing.')
Warning: "This is a heavy one- some swearing, angst, implied adult situations, adult situations, a few character deaths, violence, and blood. All the big ones this time. Remember, this is my Shepard, my feelings on the game and what should have happened and will happen, with my own opinions and storyline, so no nasty comments. Got it? Good." (Commander Joleen Shepard: War Hero, Earthborn. Soldier. Paragon. Romanced Kaidan Alenko in the 1st game, Garrus Vakarian in the 2nd and 3rd. Shot and killed Udina during the Citadel Coup.)
Disclaimer: "I do not own Mass Effect. At all. So don't make me say it again."
Author's Note: "Just so you all know, the name 'Adelais,' is Latin for 'Noble,' and the name 'Carissa' means 'the most beloved one.' Personally, I just thought the two names fit the story and what the characters were meant for."
N._.S._.S
Chapter Four: The Old Soldier II.
Adelais Vakarian wasn't stupid.
He knew when he saw both Councilor Sparatus and Primarch Victus waiting for them that something was up.
It was just a matter of how bad it was.
Adelais knew both the Primarch and Councilor pretty well. They were both well-respected, and despite some of their flaws and mistakes, Adelais still held the two of them in highest regard.
"Councilor Sparatus. Primarch Victus," Adelais said, as respectfully as he could manage as he helped Solana out of the shuttle. "What do I owe this greeting?"
"Good to see you made it out, Adelais," Sparatus said, nodding at him in approval. "I see you've made a full recovery." He added to Solana as the shuttle's door closed.
"My wounds weren't that bad, sir," Solana chimed in, cheerfully. "Just a broken leg and a few scratches."
"Sparatus, if you would direct Solana to where she will be staying for the duration of her stay?" Victus said to the Councilor, who nodded in perfect cordiality. He beckoned gently to Solana, who cast a rather suspicious look at both her father and the Primarch as she was reluctantly led away.
"Garrus?" Adelais said in a quiet undertone as his daughter disappeared into the elevators.
Victus folded his arms. "He is not wounded. Physically. At least not anymore."
Adelais gave Victus a worried look.
"How bad were his injuries?"
Victus paused and shifted uncomfortably, giving Adelais a rather apologetic look. "In London, he was injured in an accident during battle- something to do with Harbinger, I'm told," he said quickly, "But he's all right now- it's his mate I'd be more worried about now, Adelais," he added, carelessly.
That one caught Adelais' attention- instantly.
"Mate?"
"You didn't know."
It's a statement, not a question, but the way Victus says it is still incredulous.
"Know what, exactly?"
Now the Primarch looked extremely amused. He leaned against a wall, giving Adelais his best 'oh, this is going to be funny,' look he could manage when still acting accordingly as Primarch.
"Garrus was always… untraditional."
Adelais knows what that means, at least.
And hell; he should have known.
"Let me guess... Human?" Adelais asked, bluntly, already knowing the answer.
Victus gave him a smug look.
"Human." He confirmed.
Adelais just sighed in defeat. "Where are they?"
"Huerta."
The older Turian gave the Primarch an even glare. "How bad is it?"
"Bad."
N._.S._.S
"You're not mad, are you?"
The look Solana is giving him is worried- like she's afraid of something.
Adelais sighs. "Why would I be mad?"
"Because he chose a Human, maybe? I thought that was against the rules." Solana crosses her arms and continues her nervous staring.
"The old rules, Solana," Adelais sighs again, "There's no such rule anymore."
"But you still don't-"
"Solana."
Solana's worried, almost pained look makes Adelais stand and gently pat her shoulder. "I'm not mad."
"You're not?" She gives him a suspicious, sad look.
"Of course not."
"Promise?"
Adelais chuckles a bit- sometimes he wondered if he were talking to Carissa instead of his daughter.
Carissa would have done the same thing if she had lived to see this.
"Promise."
N._.S._.S
Later on, after promising Solana that he would tell her everything that was said, Adelais made his way down to Huerta, and was quite relieved to find it mostly empty.
Just like Victus had told him, most of those injured during the War had been lifted back to their homeworlds for treatment- the Citadel served more as a hive for information, and for gatherings between Diplomats, Ambassadors, Councilors, and the like than anything else now.
And something told Adelais that he should have seen that coming.
"Excuse me," he said to the Human female nurse at the front desk, "I'm looking for my son, Garrus Vakarian, and I've been told he's visiting someone here?"
The lady gave him an overly-bright smile and nodded. "Yes, Garrus Vakarian is here. He's visiting the Commander. Do you want me to go out and get him for you, sir?"
"I would."
The woman gave him another smile and typed something into her terminal.
"He should be out in just a-"
"Dad?"
N._.S._.S