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 Seven: The Old Soldier III.

"Dad?"

Adelais turned sharply, and then exhaled near-silently when he saw Garrus standing there.

He really is alive.

However... he had to admit that his son looked like he'd been hit by a truck.

Which, in all seriousness, he might have been for all Adelais knew.

His armor was badly scratched, and in some places even worse than that. His face-paint was smudged and messy; like he'd stopped bothering to fix it up each morning-

Spirits- he looked plain damn exhausted on all accounts.

But his eyes were the worst- they were dark, pained and tried.

"Garrus," Adelais said in relief as his son approached him, "What-"

"How the hell did you get away?"

Adelais folded his arms, trying not to laugh. "We had some help," he said shortly.

"And Solana?"

"Completely fine."

The relief in his son's eyes kind of hurt to see- had he been agonizing over them like this the entire time?

"I thought you both were dead when that damn Comm. Link disconnected."

Apparently so. "We got lucky," Adelais said kindly, "One of your friends helped us, actually."

"One of my-? Who?" Garrus asked in sudden interest.

Too much interest for Adelais to not find suspicious.

"His said his name was Sidonis-"

"Sidonis?"

The sudden strain in his son's voice caught Adelais' attention.

Why the hell was this such a bad thing?

Did Sidonis lie? If so, who was he really to Garrus? An enemy?

"Yes, I'm positive it was Sidonis. Why?"

"Is he here?" Garrus' voice was still pained.

"No," Adelais answered, honestly, "He died trying to get us to the evac site when the Reapers got to the Capital."

Garrus exhaled, ice-blue eyes relaxing a little.

"He was a friend, right?" Adelais asked, trying not to sound as suspicious as he felt.

"Is that what he told you?" Garrus voice was resigned.

"He told me he was your friend and that he owed you. That's all."

"Well, he got that last part right," Garrus muttered in an undertone. "He wasn't my friend. He was… something else entirely."

"Do tell, Garrus." Adelais said, as Garrus lead him away from the shocked-looking receptionist and sitting down across from him, near the gargantuan window.

"You don't want to know, dad." Garrus sighed.

"Oh, I think I do." Adelais countered, smartly.

Garrus gave him a warning glare. "Not now," he said, quietly.

"Garrus-"

"No."

Ouch.

"That bad, eh?" Adelais asked, softly.

"Even worse." Garrus responded, bitterly.

N._.S._.S

They were quiet for a long while after that, both of them lost in their thoughts.Garrus avoided Adelais' eyes the entire time, apparently still miffed about Sidonis.

"I heard some interesting news from the Primarch," Adelais finally said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

"What did he say?" Garrus answered, cautiously.

"Before I tell you, would you like to tell me why you never mentioned your relationship with the Commander before?"

Unexpectedly, Garrus didn't freeze up or gasp or show any upset at all, beyond letting his eyes flash to his father's, looking surprised for a split second.

"What did he say?"

"Of course, I already know who she is," Adelais mused, ignoring the question, while watching his son shift uncomfortably with some faint amusement. "Commander Joleen Shepard, savior of the Galaxy…"

"That's not all she is," Garrus finally responded.

"Of course not," Adelais answered him, "So why don't you tell me what else she is?"

Adelais had cornered him, and Garrus obviously knew it, as he sighed again- this time in defeat.

"The Primarch told you?"

"Yes, he did. And I was surprised to hear about it secondhand, Garrus."

Garrus have him a suddenly cautious look. "And...?" He urged on.

Adelais chuckled a little. "She's Human," he said carelessly.

The glare that Garrus gave him in response told Adelais instantly that he'd said the wrong thing.

He gave him a protective, instinctive glare.

A real threat.

"If you say something to insult her, anything at all, I swear I'll walk away again, right now," Garrus said in a serious, threatening tone, "She may be a Human, but that Human just happens to be my mate."

"I didn't mean it that way, Garrus. I-" Adelais responded, quickly.

"Then how did you mean it?" Garrus challenged, interrupting him.

Adelais was far too stunned to say anything.

When it became absolutely clear that his father wasn't about to say anything more, Garrus stood up.

"And here I thought," Garrus said, quietly, "after a Galaxy-wide War that nearly killed us all, and after proving you wrong about the Reapers- and everything else… you would be a little less of an arrogant, intolerant ass…"

Adelais was too shocked to follow as Garrus left the Lobby.

Too shocked to do anything, really.

"…but I guess that was just too much for me to ask."

N._.S._.S