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 Twelve: The Promise-Keeper V.
Garrus woke to the sound of the door sliding open.
When he heard the all-too familiar sound of a Turian crossing the room to his side, followed by the Turian-equivalent of a "girlish giggle," he didn't even have to guess who it was.
"Solana."
"Hey, Garrus," Solana chirped, cheerfully.
"What are you doing here?"
She gave him a good-natured glare. "Oh, so that's how it is?" She huffed, slapping his shoulder. "I nearly die and you and dad get into another one of your stupid fights, so I don't get even a hug?"
That wrung a chuckle out of him and he stood.
"Guess you deserve at least one-"
She pounced and tackled him. They laughed as they landed and as Garrus fought to stand back up. After a few moments, she did let him back up, but clung to him in as tight a hug as she could manage.
"We're in a Hospital, remember?" Garrus scolded gently, pushing her off.
"Aw, but Garrus!" Solana whined playfully, but obediently pulled away, still out of breath and giggling. From where they stood, Garrus could see a light scar on her right arm, and something clenched in him. Solana's laughter faded as she noticed him staring at it, and covered it with her other arm.
"It wasn't that bad," She stated, all playfulness gone now, "Honest, it wasn't."
"I should have stayed on Palaven with you," Garrus responded.
"You had to get to Menae, I get it, Mr. I-Warned-All-Of-You-A-Million-Times," Solana said, shrugging. "Besides, dad wouldn't let me out of his sight for a single moment, especially after the Reapers got to the house."
"How bad was it back there? As bad as I'm hearing?"
"They hit hard, and got us mostly by surprise," Solana answered with another shrug, sitting down in Garrus' vacated seat. "Dad nearly had a panic attack when they first started falling from the sky."
"Really? I warned him-"
"You warned everyone. Dad wasn't the only one. You know the old lady down the street from us? She had a heart attack right there."
"You're kidding."
"People were dropping dead right on the street. We had no idea that they'd breech our entire front fleet in a couple hours, Garrus," Solana said, rather sadly, "No one had any time to prepare for anything, beyond what you'd told us. And with neighborhood being full of old, rich War veterans, we all sort of just started shooting whatever looked at us funny."
"And dad?"
"He sort of panicked at first. Before he left for Menae, the Primarch gave him one hell of a lecture on staying calm under fire."
Garrus gave her a sarcastic look and folded his arms. "Now you're screwing with me."
"I'm not," Solana said, seriously. "He was freaking out because he had no idea what was going on, because you were already on Menae- dead for all we knew, and I got my arm slashed open by some ten-foot-tall monster."
Garrus sighed and shook his head. "I never thought I'd see the day when dad freaked."
"He was under a lot of pressure. People started rallying up because they thought because you were his son, he was some kind of expert on the Reapers."
Garrus winced. "Oh, Spirits."
"'Oh, Spirits' is right. I don't think I've seen dad that scared or upset since mom..." Solana's voice faded at that, and her gaze turned even sadder. "Anyway, you get the picture. It was hell."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there."
Solana shrugged again. "Having you there might have helped,. But we got out anyway, thanks to that friend of yours."
"You mean Sidonis?" Garrus responded, quietly.
"Yeah," Solana said, almost reverently, "What a guy, right?"
Resisting the urge to say something he'd regret, Garrus just shook his head while he was sure Solana wasn't looking. You've got to be kidding,Garrus thought, now he's a damn hero?
"She's beautiful," Solana said, suddenly.
Snapped out of his thoughts, Garrus turned his head toward her again. "I'm sorry, what?"
If Solana had changed the subject on purpose because she'd seen his reaction to what she'd said about Sidonis, she didn't say it. Solana just gestured to the bed, where Shepard lay.
"She's beautiful. For a Human."
Garrus chuckled a little at that.
"Yes," he responded, quietly. "She is."
After a long moment of looking at Shepard, Solana looked over at him and gave him the Turian-equivalent of a small, cautious smile. "So it's true? What dad and the Primarch said?"
"It's true." Garrus said, his voice hardening slightly.
Solana noticed and shook her head at him. "You know, dad was pretty upset last night."
"Was he?"
"Yeah," she added, "I don't know what about."
"He's upset that I won't let him insult me for loving a Human."
Solana gave him a troubled glance at that, looking back at Shepard again. "Whatever he said, I'm sure he didn't mean it the way you think he did."
Garrus shook his head. "No. He meant every word. Just like he meant every word last time."
"Garrus, that time wasn't fair. Mom was getting worse and he was scared."
"That's not an excuse, Solana."
"How was dad supposed to know you'd walk out for two years?"
"I didn't do that because of what he said."
"It was a part of it."
The Spectres are a menace… and Commander Shepard was no better, Garrus.
Don't insult her.
Solana saw the look in his eyes and sighed a little, standing up. "Garrus, listen to me," she said, gently, "Dad isn't racist. He's just trying to do what he thinks is right."
"Then his ideas of 'right' and 'wrong' areseriously twisted. You heard what he said as well as I did two years ago."
You've never played by the rules, and that's what gets you into trouble!
I don't care about your stupid rules!
Solana gave him a quick hug. "You'll have to forgive him someday, Garrus," she said.
"I'll forgive him if he takes everything he said back."
"I'll be sure to tell him that," Solana responded, kindly, "But Garrus," she implored, a little more seriously, "please give what I said here some thought. It might help."
Garrus gave her a curt nod as he slowly sat back down.
"Sure, Solana. I'll think about it."
She playfully punched his shoulder and gave him a nod as she opened the door and prepared to leave.
"You'd better."
Damn it, dad! You never listen to me!
I refuse to listen to the rants of a liar, Garrus!"
Garrus sighed as the door closed with a resounding, metallic hiss, leaning to rest his head in his arms. He never listened until it was too damn late,he thought, bitterly, lifting his eyes to look at the motionless form of the comatose Commander, why should this time be any different?
N._.S._.S