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-Five: The Promise-Keeper XII.

"Garrus, Kaidan, Vega, Liara, I want each of you on a Councilor at all times. Vega, you take Councilor Valern. Kaidan, you have Hackett. Liara, take Tevos. Garrus-" Shepard didn't even look up from the data she'd just received from Valern, "Take Sparatus. Nothing even passes the same room as them without you knowing about it."

Now, she turned to the remaining crewmembers- Chakwas, Tali, EDI, and Joker. "Joker, EDI, your first priority is analyzing this and figuring out exactly what it does- you'll be working with the Salarians," she handed EDI the Control Chip from her pocket, "and I want a report every hour- from every single one of you!" She added loudly to the others, "If not, I send someone after you!"

She turned to Chakwas and Tali. "Chakwas, I want you to keep an eye on Kolyat," she said. To Tali, "I want you to try to get Wrex, Miranda, Jacob- the old crew, back together. Tell them what's happening and ask them to help- offer up any assistance you think will help them agree," she added with a nod.

"One last thing," she said after a moment's hesitation, giving each of them a glance- "Keep your eyes peeled," she said, warningly, "I don't want another Thane."

With that, she turned away from them in clear dismissal.

"You loco, Scars," Vega hissed as Garrus began to approach her again.

Tali glared at Garrus when his intention became clear. "You want to screw up?" She demanded in a barely audible, warning whisper, "Just leave her alone and do as she says!"

When Garrus didn't answer, Vega and Tali gave each other an almost knowing, agreeing look. Both men turned on their heels and walked out, determined looks in Vega's eyes.

When the door closed, Shepard looked up. "Garrus-"

"You're not doing this again."

Shepard blinked in surprise. "Not doing what?"

Garrus pointed a talon at the datapad before crossing his arms. "That."

Shepard raised a single narrow brow. "And I suppose I'll just let everyone else put their lives on the line to stop Cerberus?" she asked, briskly, looking back down. "I need you to do as I asked you to now, Garrus," she added, not looking up at him again.

"You just got out of the Hospital!" Garrus retorted.

"And what do you want me to do? Stay home and cower under the bed like a good little girl?"

"That's not what I-"

"You're sure as hell not saying otherwise!" Shepard snapped back, actually standing up slamming the datapad onto the table. "We've got Cerberus coming back with a Reaper in tow and you're worried about me?" She demanded in an unusually livid voice. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

Her fury was unmatched- at no other time Garrus could remember was she angered so easily.

"Shepard-"

"Garrus, no."

"I didn't mean it like that!" Garrus told her, voice unintentionally rising.

"What the hell did you mean, then?" Shepard shouted, dark brown eyes blazing in a way Garrus hadn't seen since the Illusive Man sent them into a trap- and then insulted her. "Enlighten me!" She ordered, sharply when he didn't immediately respond.

"I'm worried about you!" Garrus finally snapped, shouting back, "You just woke up after six months of being comatose, and now you're jumping right back into another fight! You can't just-"

Her eyes had narrowed again.

Narrowed dangerously.

Like they had when Kaidan called her a traitor.

The 'look of impending doom' as Wrex had christened it years ago.

It meant that someone was about to get their ass kicked.

Big time.

"And I suppose you're going to be the one to stop me, Vakarian?" She said, her voice suddenly calmer- like a snake's right before it stuck- calm, but still incredibly deadly. "I wonder how you'll manage that." she said, coldly.

"I can declare you unfit for duty," Garrus said, without thinking.

Her eyes widened and she stepped back, as if he'd slapped her.

"You wouldn't dare," she challenged, fury instantly clouding her shock.

Before Garrus could answer, the door slid open.

"Garrus!"

Shepard, actually startled for once, jumped at the sudden shout as the door slid roughly open and none other than Adelais Vakarian stepped boldly into the room, quietly backed by Tali and Vega.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Adelais snapped when he saw Garrus. "We've got a War on our hands and you're deliberately disobeying your CO's direct orders- and arguing with her? Your mother and I definitely raised you better than that!" he added, "Now get to your damn post- now!" He barked when Garrus just stared.

"You don't have the authority," Garrus snapped back.

Adelais' mandibles clicked with fury and he folded his arms. "Get to your post, Officer Garrus Vakarian," he ordered, harshly, "Now."

Garrus still didn't move.

Defiantly.

Stupidly.

"Garrus."

Garrus turned on time to see a pale hand flash in front of his face before he felt a sharp, stinging pain that actually made him step backward-

"Lola!"

"What the hell, Shepard?"

Shepard ignored Vega's shout and Tali's stunned cry.

"Get to your post, Officer Vakarian," She ordered, eyes blazing with fury-

And tears.

"Before I relieve you of duty."

"Move it," Adelais growled, pushing his son with the tip of his talon, "Before you humiliate yourself even further than you already have."

Garrus could faintly hear Shepard snapping something at Vega and Tali before the two of them scurried past them and Shepard's door slammed shut.

"What the hell are you two still doing in here? Get moving! Now!"

"Bosh'tet!" Tali said as she passed him, "What were you thinking?"

"You really are loco, Scars!" Vega berated him as he disappeared into the elevator.

Adelais gave him a half disgusted look before shoving him into the elevator.

The other half was pitying.

"You idiot!" Adelais shouted when the elevator closed. "What the hell did you think yelling at your Commanding Officer would-"

"She's not only that dad!"Garrus snapped.

Adelais' eyes widened and the anger in his eyes vanished instantly.

But not all of it.

"Then you're an even bigger fool than I imagined," Adelais muttered as the elevator opened up again, revealing a worried-looking Victus and an agitated-looking Sparatus. "You'd better pray to your lucky spirits you haven't ruined whatever relationship you thought you had with her."

Victus and Sparatus looked on in absolute shock as Adelais marched his son along with them.

N._.S._.S

Please don't kill me!

If you do I can't fix it!

XD