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 Forty-One: The Missing VIII.

She was crying before she even knew it.

She was kneeling on the ground, shaking hands clasped tightly over the midnight blue velvet box, eyes on the prettily shimmering ring safely tucked inside it.

The ring looked exactly as she remembered it from all those years ago- the pretty golden band, glinting off the faint, dusty light, and the tiny, translucent purple amethyst in the middle, surrounded by the seven (her lucky number) little diamonds, each of them the size of the tip of a pen.

It wasn't until Garrus' concerned, ice-blue eyes appeared in her blurry vision that she realized it. He looked scared, for some reason, and it wasn't until she remembered what he'd thought this would mean to her- and what he thought her reaction would be- that she steadied her hands as best as she could.

"How... how did you find this?" She finally managed to say.

"I got Hackett's permission." Garrus answered in a quiet, subdued, almost equally shaken tone. "I thought it would mean something different if I... I'm sorry if I..."

Ruined this.

Ruined us.

He didn't need to finish.

"You didn't have to get this back for me, Garrus," she murmured as she slowly, tentatively, took out the little ring from its safe, soft perch.

She embraced him so quickly she could almost swear he stopped breathing for a full ten seconds.

"Thank you," she said, the tears coming quicker now, "Thank you so much!"

He was clearly stunned, but he embraced her back.

This ring, with all the memories in it...

What it meant.

If anyone but Garrus given this to her, it would have meant something else.

Something else entirely.

And she would never have been able to forgive them for it.

But... it was different with Garrus.

He had, she was positive, truly thought that by giving her Ranger's ring when doing this, he would take away the pain she associated with what he was asking of her- the commitment he had probably known since the beginning that she was afraid of making.

"Garrus," she said, quietly, "yes."

The Turian froze in shock again.

She touched the scarred portion of his face, and bowed her head a little so their foreheads touched for the third time that day.

Their special gesture.

The one only they shared.

"Yes," she repeated, looking up into the ice-blue eyes she had long since fallen in love with, "Do you know what that means?" she added, suddenly, without thinking.

"I have a pretty good idea." He replied, smoothly.

She could hear the relief in his voice- hear the undertone of happiness that her answer brought, and could feel the slight tightening of his embrace.

She closed her eyes and smiled.

They stayed there, unmoving, for a long time.

N._.S._.S

Whether she was shaking from cold, excitement, or a combination of the two, Shepard no longer really knew- and didn't really care on top of that at the moment.

Soon after they had finally managed to slowly rise to their feet and make their way to the little car still waiting for them, and Shepard had, under Garrus' curious eyes (he'd never seen a Human ring before, she was absolutely positive), put on Ranger's- Garrus'- ring, admiring the little trinket as it glistened.

They didn't stop holding each other's hands even as curious passerby gaped and pointed. Shepard glanced over at Garrus, and was ultimately pleased (and somewhat astonished) to see that even under fellow Turian eyes, he didn't hesitate at all.

"My dad's going to kill me when he's told," Garrus muttered as the crowds parted.

Shepard chuckled. "I'm surprised he hasn't already, from what I've heard."

Garrus just shook his head. "I'm serious."

"We can tell him together," Shepard offered him. "Is he coming already?"

"What are you talking about?" Garrus answered, giving her an odd look. "He's already here."

"He is?" Shepard gasped, "I never saw him!"

"He escorted us from Huerta... and you didn't have your glasses on." Garrus finished in a slightly amused tone when she gave him a half-pointed, half-panicked, look.

"He's going to think I'm an idiot..." she groaned.

Garrus chuckled and shook his head at her again. "He already thinks you're crazy. So I don't think it's going to make much of a difference."

She jabbed him with her finger. "Dammit, Garrus. Why didn't you say anything?"

"I assumed you recognized him."

"You know I'm blind without my glasses!"

"Do I?" Garrus asked, playfully, "You're a good shot without them..."

"You-!"

Shepard's playful response cut off suddenly, and when she threw her arm out to stop him from moving forward, Garrus knew almost instantly it wasn't just because she was afraid of the impending celebration that awaited her in the Mess.

"Oh my God," she said, when she recognized him.

When Garrus automatically followed her gaze, he saw a Drell standing at the Docking Bay, arms folded formally behind his back, waiting for them.

It was none other than Kolyat Krios.

"Oh my God," Shepard repeated in half-horror, half-amazement. "What the hell is going on?"

And there was blood all over him.

A lot of blood.

And, standing behind him, as if making sure the young Drell didn't suddenly collapse or take off, were Adelais and Solana Vakarian, Primarch Adrien Victus, Executor Bailey, and the entire Citadel Council.

N._.S._.S

Your reaction is either

"Holy crap."

or

"This ought to be good."

Tell me which.

XD