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. Don't make me say it again."
Author's Note: "Just so you know, the name 'Adelais,' is Latin for 'Noble.' I thought it fit perfectly. The name 'Carissa' means 'the most beloved one.' Again, I just thought the name fit."
N._.S._.S
Chapter Six: The Promise-Keeper III.
They were sitting at the edge of some sandy beach he didn't remember ever seeing before now. The cool, clear seawater washed slowly up to them uneven waves, just barely touching the tips of Shepard's toes.Shepard's head lay on his shoulder, and her dark brown eyes were staring into the distant sea, as if lost in some pleasant memory from the past. She wore her old blue-and-white Alliance uniform- minus the black, high-heeled boots.
"Where are we? Do you know?"Garrus asked her, careful to sound as nonchalant as he could, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him.
"The shores of Elysium,"Shepard answered, quietly."Where it all started."
"Why?"
Shepard just shrugged and closed her eyes.
"Just because."
They settled into a comfortable silence after that, content with just each other's company. The smell of seawater, salty, thick and pleasant, coupled with Shepard at his side…
This was the way it should have been.
Peaceful, quiet.
And away from the chaos of the Galaxy around them.
"You know something?"Shepard murmured suddenly, her hand touching his, and a small smile tracing her pale lips as she spoke."I almost took that shot, back on the Presidium."
"Why didn't you?"Garrus responded, just as softly.
"Because I wanted to see you happy one more time. Before it was too late."
Should have.
N._.S._.S
He woke with a start when the door opened.
Tali and James Vega entered the room just as the last bits of the dream fluttered away. Vega gave Garrus an almost apologetic-looking smile as he took the chair closest to the now-closed door while Tali sat at the foot of Shepard's bed and crossed her arms in apparent annoyance.
"How long have you been sitting there?" She demanded without waiting for Garrus to say anything.
Garrus and Vega shared a grimace.
"Hey, Scars," Vega said, casually, giving him a grin and a thumbs-up.
And sorry, buddy, his eyes added, quite sincerely. But you've had this one coming.
"Good question. If I knew I'd tell you," Garrus said, half-joking.
Vega groaned audibly.
Wrong answer.
"Do you have any idea how worried everyone's been about you?" Tali asked, "Garrus, you need to rest."
"He was resting," Vega chuckled, nodding at Garrus knowingly. "In that chair."
Garrus shot Vega a glare- You're not helping.
Vega grinned in response, as if he knew exactly what Garrus was thinking. I know.
"In the chair." Tali repeated, giving the N7 marine her best glare.
"I'm not going anywhere," Garrus said, bluntly, "Not until she wakes up."
"Or until you kill yourself from exhaustion," Vega added, not joking around anymore.
"How long's it been since you left?" Tali asked, suddenly.
"Yesterday afternoon," Garrus responded, smugly.
"Last time you slept?"
"Just now."
"Okay, besides just now," Vega chimed in, grinning.
Garrus paused.
"Eaten anything besides nutri-gel? Talked to anyone who could actually talk back? Gone anywhere besides the top of the Presidium? Gone somewherenot alone?"
He had no answer for her.
"See? You're falling apart, Garrus," Tali said, as gently as she could. "Shepard wouldn't have wanted-"
"Don't start with that," Garrus interrupted, standing up, instantly furious.
"Woah, woah," Vega said, warningly, as he also hastily stood, "We're just trying to help."
Garrus folded his arms.
"Garrus," Tali said, softly, "She's asleep. She's going to stay asleep. Killing yourself over it won't-"
"She's alive," Garrus snapped, "You heard what they said."
Tali gave Vega a look that plainly pleaded with him to say something.
"Look, Scars," Vega said, stepping in as directed, "You're not helping her by doing this. I'm sure Lola would rather have you out with us than sulk over her twenty-four seven."
"I'm not-"
"Moping? Yes, you are." Tali finished for him.
Garrus shot her a glare that would have made even Shepard cringe a bit.
"We're not asking leave and never come back, for Christ's sake," Vega said, leaning back against the door. "We're asking you to get out a little more, sleep, eat, and actually live-"
"Garrus Vakarian, you have a visitor waiting for you in the Lobby."
"You didn't find apsychologist, did you?" Garrus asked, shooting them another, more cautious, look.
"Oh, hell no, Scars." Vega grinned. "We had nothing to do with that."
Tali nodded at him. "We'll stay with her. Go."
Not seeing a choice, Garrus gave them one last look before heading out.
"And don't think you've gotten out of the lecture!" Tali called as the door shut.
"Wouldn't dream of it," Garrus responded, as sarcastically as he could.
"Bosh'tet!"
N._.S._.S
As he entered the lobby, he only saw one figure at the front desk, instead of the usually crowded place.
His visitor was Turian, and for a moment he didn't even recognize who it was.
Then he did.
It was his fatherwho stood facing the receptionist's desk. He looked the same as Garrus remembered him, standing proudly; wearing his old, midnight black armor. His blue face-paint was as immaculate as ever, and his famous sniper rifle was holstered tightly to his back.
"Dad?"
N._.S._.S