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 Sixteen: The Old Soldier V.

Adelais stopped outside the door to the room he knew Garrus was in and took a deep breath. You've got to do this for her, for Carissa, he reminded himself, almost desperately; you've got to do this for-

Garrus' voice interrupted his thoughts.

"... He's an ass, Tali. There's just no way..."

"You've said that plenty of times, "the distinctively female voice retorted gently. "Even your sister thinks it's time for you two to kiss and make up. You've got to at least try."

"He won't listen long enough for me to explain."

"I know, but at least you can tell Shepard you tried-"

"Tali, there's nothing I can say."

"Garrus, it can't be that bad-"

"You've never met him!"Adelais flinched as Garrus finally lost his patience."You have no idea what he's like! He's the most egotistical Turian there is- the worst kind there is- and he doesn't give a damn about what I have to say. If he ever finds out about Sidonis-"

"He saved their lives!" The female, Tali, shot back.

"And I tried to kill him before that, remember? If it weren't for Shepard, my dad and sister wouldn't even be alive right now! Are you even listening to what I'm saying? He won't care."

"But he's your father!"

"I don't think that ever mattered, Tali."

"Garrus, please." Tali voice said, kindly.

"I've tried explaining before. You know what he did? He called me a liar and refused to listen."

-... Garrus.

Just as Adelais turned to walk away, the metallic door opened.

Adelais instinctively whipped around, not about to be caught with his back turned-

And suddenly, Garrus and Adelais Vakarian were standing face-to-face.

A Quarian in purple armor stood at Garrus side; hand on Garrus' shoulder, as if to stop him.

"Tali," Garrus said in a strained voice, "This is Adelais Vakarian. My father."

The girl in the mask looked between the two Turians, one after the other, and then slowly backed off, wincing, knowing exactly what had just happened- Adelais had heard everything.

"Oh, Keelah."

N._.S._.S

Right.

That argument.

Adelais Vakarian would regret that argument for the rest of his life.

Why the hell did Garrus expect him to believe it?

Adelais had never gotten the chance to find out.

Because that argument started a series of events beyond his- or anyone else's- control.

It started a chain of great and terrible events, one right after the other.

About two months after "Saren's attempted invasion," as Adelais had heard, Commander Joleen Shepard was killed by a Geth ambush- her ship was destroyed, and her crew was scattered.

Luckily, Garrus had been nowhere near the Normandy when it was downed.

Unluckily, Garrus took the death of his Commander hard.

Garrus came home quietly and unannounced- something he'd never done before, refusing to say why at first. However, after spending a few days alone holed up in his bedroom, Garrus came downstairs, and in the same quiet voice he'd greeted Adelais with, told him that he had something to tell him.

Do you remember me telling you that I got to investigate the Spectre Saren Arterius?

Yes, I do... why?

Do you remember what I told you?

Yes; you said he was guilty. Your CO ended up killing him, didn't she?

Garrus had flinched at the sound of the Commander's voice- why, Adelais didn't know then.

What do you know about the Citadel battle, dad?

Only what the Council reported. Are you telling me there's something else?

Yeah. There's a lot more, dad.

Oh? Care to enlighten me?

Adelais had been humoring him. He knew all about the Commander's "Reaper Theory," from Councilor Sparatus. Personally, he'd rolled his eyes at it and laughed along with Sparatus at the insane stories that the Commander insisted on telling the Council during all her meetings with them.

She was simply insane.

Right?

Garrus told him that he'd been with Shepard the entire time- he'd seen the Reapers, and seen what was coming.

You're... not serious, are you?

Dad?

You really expect me to believe all that?

It's the truth.

Can you prove it?

Garrus just shook his head. No. Not anymore.

Adelais had sighed then, shaking his head. Sparatus warned me that she did this.

Garrus had given him an alarmed look. What?

His voice had risen a bit.

Garrus, as much as you admired her, your Commander's "Reaper Theory" isn't true.

Dad...

The Council has assured me that the Reapers do not exist- and even if they did, they would be no match for the combined might of our Military.

Dad, you're not seriously going to side with the Council.

Are you suggesting they're lying?

That's exactly what I'm saying! Dad, they exist. I've seen them! Talked to one of them!

Garrus, that's enough.

Dad-

I said that's enough!

N._.S._.S

The argument, like all their other arguments, escalated.

But this one, unlike all the others, escalated quickly-

Like oil on a spark of fire.

And this one went out of control.

Garrus just stubbornly refused to give up. He pestered him to no end, pulling out his old reports, Saren's audio-files, everything he thought that might help his argument.

Despite the mounting evidence, Adelais repeatedly ignored him.

C-Sec had taught him to gather all the information he could before acting- if he didn't, or ignored even the smallest amount of evidence, then someone, somewhere, was going to get hurt.

He disregarded everything he learned by ignoring his son's repeated, frantic pleas.

Finally, their patience for each other snapped-

At the same time.

Damn it, Garrus, I said drop it!

And I said that you'll regret it if you don't!

Regret what, not listening to the rants of some half-mad Spectre?

Don't insult her!

Garrus' electric-blue eyes blazed with anger.

That was it.

This was that argument.

Your Spectre was half-mad, Adelais had brazenly continued, and she manipulated you into believing her lies. She was a menace, and the Galaxy may be better off without its first Human Spectre after all.

Something in Garrus snapped.

I said don't insult her! I believe her! Damn it, dad, I saw them! I fought them!

Garrus, don't you dare start-

I'm not the one who's been manipulated, dad. You are. The Council is lying to you! Ask them, ask them for the evidence- go to Ilium and ask Liara- go to Tuchanka and ask Wrex! Go ask Alenko, Councilor Anderson- go ask any of them and they'll say-

The same damn thing as you, because they've all been manipulated by your precious CO, too.

You never listen!

I refuse to listen to the rants of a liar, Garrus! You never followed the rules, and that's why you keep getting into trouble, day after day- and that's also why you are lied to so easily!

I don't care about your stupid rules!

Are you insisting on siding with the Spectres-?

It's a hell of a lot better than being on yours!

That's enough Garrus! Stop this Reaper nonsense! Your precious Commander is dead- and the Council will not tolerate your mongering- and neither will I.

Mongering? Is that what you think I'm doing?

Either that or lying, Garrus!

N._.S._.S

Carissa, as ill as she was, and as always, stepped between them. After Garrus stormed out of the house, angrier than anyone had ever seen him, Carissa had pleaded with Adelais to reconsider- to at least listen to what his son had to say.

Out of pride, Adelais refused.

The next morning, Solana came into their room, screaming that Garrus was missing.

Upon investigating his son's rather carefully cleaned room, Adelais discovered a copy of Garrus' resignation letter from C-Sec, a confirmation letter from Executor Palin that also asked him to reconsider his decision, and noticed the fact that the only thing his son had apparently taken with him was his old M-97 Viper, leaving behind everything else- his spare armor, his com, everything and anything that could have been used to track him down...

And also one last ominous message.

You've made your choice, dad.

Now I'm making mine.

It was weeks later when Adelais realized he'd messed up- big time.

And it would be more than two years before he would be able to apologize for that mistake.

Two years before he was proven wrong about everything.

Two years before everything began to fall apart.

N._.S._.S