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-Nine: The Promise-Keeper XIII.

Why the hell did she always show up on time to play the hero?

Of course Shepard was the one with the sniper rifle, shooting from the top of the Presidium, supposedly having spotted what was happening by chance from there.

By chance.

Seriously?

Just who did she think she was kidding, exactly?

Did she expect him to believe that?

Or anyone else, for that matter?

Damn her.

N._.S._.S

"That was truly impressive sniping," Victus was saying. "If you had been conscious to see it," he added to Adelais, clearly teasing the old Turian, "You would have turned green with envy."

"Somehow," Adelais said weakly, "I don't doubt it, Victus."

As Victus chuckled in response, Garrus just shook his head and folded his arms.

Unbelievable, Shepard, he thought, almost resentfully. You're unbelievable.

"Dad, you shouldn't be moving," Solana protested as Adelais unsteadily stood up on his feet.

"I'm all right, Solana. It's just a graze," Adelais assured her, kindly.

"Looks like it hurts like hell, though," Sparatus added, thoughtfully.

Adelais sent him a quick, although fierce, glare that quickly silenced the usually stubborn, vociferous Councilor. "Don't upset my daughter intentionally, Sparatus. I'm fine, I promise you," he added, all the while slowly sitting back down under the hyper-vigilant gaze of said daughter.

"What I'm more concerned about at the moment is if the Commander killed all of them," Victus said, "Does Valern or the STG know how many there were lurking around yet?"

Sparatus shook his head, "They're still working on it."

"Of course she got all of them," Garrus scoffed, despite himself, "She always gets all of them."

Adelais gave his son a quick, considering look. "Maybe you should check on her, Garrus."

"Yeah, maybe you should," Solana said, catching on quick, "We've got everything covered here."

"Check on her?" Garrus said, incredulously, "It's not as if they had the chance to shoot back."

"Garrus." Adelais pointed at the door.

Garrus just sighed and stood in response.

His father wasn't giving him a choice.

And considering how close Garrus just came to losing him, and without Shepard he surely would have, Garrus supposed he owed Shepard at least a thank-you.

At least.

His father wore a knowing, almost smug look as Garrus left the room.

N._.S._.S

So she was still here, Garrus thought as he quietly landed the car.

Alone, he couldn't help but add.

She sat with her legs curled up to her chest, unmoving.

Her wire-framed glasses had slipped cutely to the bridge of her nose- which they always tended to do when she remained looking down for a long period of time. Her hair was unusually messy, as if she had had a hard night without sleeping and had somehow forgotten to comb it into its usual formal short knot.

Sitting next to her, abandoned, was the Viper and an empty thermal clip.

Sitting next those were a few thermal clips and a few hover-targets.

Guilt and regret instantly took over whatever scorn or anger he still felt when he saw them.

She hadn't been lying!

N._.S._.S

Where are you? Are you all right? I can't see you from here! Shepard's shaking voice came over the comm as soon as Garrus patched her in. I saw Adelais fall. I'm so sorry I couldn't get a clear shot before-

Where the hell are you? Garrus had demanded of her, interrupting.

I'm- I'm... her voice halted when she realized the implications of what she was about to say. I'm at the top of the Presidium, Garrus. I saw what was going on-

And I suppose you just happened to have the sniper rifle on you?

...Yes.

That's a lie and you know it, Joleen. Who told you?

Garrus, there's no way I could have made it up here on such short- She lost her nerve at that moment and interrupted herself in her attempt to defend herself. I was already here, I swear it. I heard the shot-

You're about a hundred stories up, and you expect me to believe you heard the shot?

Sure- you know I've always got my-

And you just happened to fire ten seconds later?

Garrus, I swear I was already-

No, Shepard.

Garrus, I-

He cut off whatever she was about to say and went to help the others clear up.

N._.S._.S

Garrus could see even from where he stood that she wasn't okay.

Joleen hadn't even looked up at him as he approached her- in fact, her haunted, dark brown eyes continued to stare down at the pristine blue lakes hundreds of feet below her.

As if he wasn't even there.

Tears were slowly sliding down her pale, rounded cheeks.

"Joleen," He began, slowly, knowing full well she could just ignore him, "I'm sorry."

The Commander noticeably flinched when he spoke, but didn't respond. Her arms wrapped more tightly around her legs, and her eyes were suddenly hidden as she bowed her head into them...

And sobbed.

N._.S._.S

Holy crap, Rokubi!

Thanks for making my night!

You too, EROS and Yoru!

-Joleen