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 Nineteen: The Old Soldier V.
Apologizing for a mistake was one thing.Even stubborn-as-all-hell Adelais Vakarian had to admit that there were just some things that he had to own up to, especially now that everything seemed to be falling apart in front of him like this because of those mistakes.
But, as he was quickly finding out, apologizing for something you never even did was something else.
Completely.
Hell, before now, Adelais had no idea just how much tension between himself and Garrus had built up over the past few years. Sure, the arguments hadbothered him more than he'd liked and he'd even felt guilty over them for years afterword, but before now... well; he'd never pressured himself to mend it.
He'd just assumed that it was a phase and Garrus would fall into line just like everyone else.
He and Garrus had stared at each other silently for a very long time before Adelais had had enough. The anger in his son's eyes hadn't even faded a little as they'd stared at each other, which only served to prove that he was the one who wasn't willing to listen at the moment.
Adelais had given his son the most neutral glare he could muster before turning and walking away.
That was last night.
N._.S._.S
Adelais decided that waiting for his son outside the Normandy was the best way to catch his attention.After all, the Normandy was where he knew most of the Commander's team was staying- why wouldn't Garrus be the same, being the closest to her?
The idea of waiting for Garrus near the Normandy came to him early that morning. He hadn't slept all night- what Garrus had said had kept him up all night. Solana had worriedly tried to help, but he'd ended up sending her to bed when it became clear she couldn't help.
Spirits, when had things with Garrus gotten so bad? Until now... Adelais just assumed it was all just a simple misunderstanding- a miscommunication that was easily fixed.
But no. This was deeper than anything he'd imagined.
Garrus was afraid of him.
Of his opinion.
Of what he'd think.
Of what he'd say.
Adelais cursed himself for letting it go this far. I should have seen it! He berated himself in frustration. What kind of father am I?
What have I done?
The Dock's lobby was very quiet, mostly because he was the only one there, except for the oddly conscientious Keeper that kept shuffling slowly back and forth, it's aphid-like, tiny glowing eyes watching him almost suspiciously before scuttling quickly away when it thought Adelais was staring at him too long.
Adelais was reading on his Omni-tool, with his famous sniper-rifle sitting next to him when the first one came out. She was a young Asari wearing a white-and-light-blue suit. She'd actually managed to sneak up on him, startling him when he noticed her standing in front of him.
"Yes?" He asked.
"Were you waiting for someone?" The Asari asked, watching him curiously. Behind her, the Keeper was staring again, quickly shuffling away when the Asari followed his gaze. She watched it disappear around the corner again before looking over at him again, waiting for his answer.
"My son." Adelais finally answered. "My name is Adelais Vakarian. I'm-"
"Waiting for Garrus?" She finished for him, flashing a kind smile.
He nodded.
"Garrus has been frequenting Huerta, where Commander Shepard is being kept," the Asari informed him. "Or did you perhaps know that already?"
"I knew. It's just that I doubt he'd appreciate me approaching him there again."
"A misunderstanding?" She said gently, nodding knowingly.
"Something like that, yes."
She smiled again and gestured. "Why don't you wait on the Normandy with us? Garrus won't be coming back for a while yet."
N._.S._.S
"I was one of Shepard's, too."
Adelais nodded silently in response as they boarded the Normandy. The Human-Turian hybrid ship was impressively kept, and Adelais suspected that Shepard had something to do with it.
"Who's this? A fan?"
Adelais turned his head to see a dark-skinned young man wearing a white t-shirt and jeans walking towards him. "He knows that Lola's not here, right?"
"This is Adelais Vakarian," Liara responded, unfazed, "He's here waiting for Garrus."
"Well, hell, great! Maybe now Scars will listen."
"Hopefully," Adelais spoke up.
"Nice to meet you," the man held out his hand, "James Vega."
"An honor," Adelais nodded, respectfully.
"An honor, he says," Vega repeats, grinning. "Loosen up!"
"Loosen up? A Vakarian? So not happening," Another Human spoke up, loudly, from the Bridge. This one wearing Alliance gear and a cap, and he walked distinctively carefully as he made his way toward the group, but seemed cheerful nonetheless. "I'll bet Garrus gets that stick from you!"
"Stick?"
Both Vega and the other start laughing.
"Joker," Liara chastised, shaking her head at the laughing men.
"What?" Joker said, winking at Vega as he straightened a little. "It's true!"
"What's going on?"
The elevator had opened once more, and another Human, this one with light skin, dark hair and eyes, wearing an Alliance uniform, gazed between Joker, Liara, and Vega before his eyes settling on Adelais.
"This is Scar's dad," Vega states, voice suddenly serious.
A spark of interest flared in the Alliance soldier's eyes and he looked at Adelais with more interest before stepping forward and holding out his hand, which Adelais took politely.
"Kaidan Alenko, Spectre."
"Adelais Vakarian."
"Good to meet you," Alenko said folding his arms. "Garrus' father then, right?"
"Yes."
"Well I'll be damned. I heard the War was especially rough on Palaven."
"It was. We had help," Adelais answered, shortly.
Alenko gave him another rather terse nod. "Good. Garrus will be happy to know you got out... and speaking of which," he added, looking over at Liara, "Is he still over there?"
The young Asari nodded. "Yes."
The Spectre shook his head in apparent disbelief. "I swear, that guy..." he muttered, shaking his head. With that, he turned away and started for the airlock."I'm going to go check on him," he announced, sounding half annoyed as he disappeared.
"What's with him?" Joker said, shrugging.
Vega gave him a knowing look. "I'll bet he's still all bent out of shape that Shepard chose Garrus-"
Liara cleared her throat. "Vega, Joker, why don't you show Adelais to the Crew Deck?"
Vega raised his eyebrows at the Asari's sudden cautioning tone. "Fine, fine..." he conceded, shaking his head. "Come on, Vakarian," he added to Adelais, "I'll show you down to the best part of the Normandy."
N._.S._.S