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 Fifty-Six: The Promise-Keeper XV.

"Garrus! Garrus, where's dad?"

Garrus quickly turned his head at Solana's question. His sister and Joker had just appeared, Joker animatedly cursing a ghost all the way to the cockpit, swearing up and down the place was haunted. Solana approached him, looking nervous at all the commotion around her- unused to the noise or so many different races popping up at one time.

"Wasn't he with Victus and-"

"Garrus! Have you seen your father?"

Shepard, looking ultimately concerned now, turned her head and rose a questioning brow at the hurriedly approaching Councilor and Primarch, as Garrus and Solana both turned quickly on their heels in ill-concealed shock.

"I thought he was with you two," Garrus answered, glancing at Shepard.

Shepard merely shook her head. "I don't know where he is," she admitted, quietly.

"I'll bet you anything he's down at C-Sec," Victus said. "Come with me," he added to Solana, who did so without hesitation. "I'll get Adelais on the comm. In the War Room, if I can," he told them, "Sparatus, make sure Valern, Tevos, and Hackett are all in position."

Sparatus nodded. "I will," he said when Victus and Solana disappeared.

"I'm sure your dad's fine," Shepard assured him, kindly, turning back to the Map and opening it again as Sparatus disappeared back into the Docking Bay. "Adelais can take care of himself."

His ice-blue eyes gazed at her, still alight with genuine worry. "I hope you're right, Shepard."

N._.S._.S

Within the next five minutes, Shepard had her crew stationed all over the Citadel. The Council, protected by Bailey, Tali, Vega, and Tali, stood waiting in the Council Chambers- if the Reaper and Cerberus' ships weren't stopped by the time they reached the Citadel, they would be herded into the awaiting Destiny Ascension. C-Sec surrounded the place, and, back at full force because of supplements from every race in the Galaxy, the Citadel was safe against attempted invasion.

"I want everyone on guard," Shepard said over the Comm Line, to Vega.

"Relax, Lola," Vega said, "We're armed to the teeth out here. No one's getting in."

"Kai Leng did," Shepard reminded him, pointedly. "So keep your eyes peeled."

"Commander! Your Drell is gone," Chakwas announced as she entered the CIC and Shepard signed off. "Up and vanished, just like that! I didn't even see him make a run for it."

"Figures," Shepard answered, bluntly. "At least the Council has one extra protector."

"He can't even make a fist," the doctor protested. "What can he do?"

"We'll see, won't we?" Shepard answered, coolly. "Please go back down to the Crew Deck, Doctor."

Chakwas disappeared just as Joker called Shepard into the room.

"You expected Kolyat to make a run for it?" Garrus asked her reapprovingly.

"I expected him to do what he wanted." Shepard answered, cryptically.

"EDI has the Control Chip integrated," he announced as Shepard and Garrus entered. He turned his chair around, and handed them the copy. "You and Garrus have to get up to the Control Room up there and integrate the Citadel for this to work," he reminded them, "We'll take off after you leave."

"Thank you, Joker. Keep the Normandy safe, yeah?" Shepard said as she turned.

"You got it, Commander."

N._.S._.S

"You better not get killed."

Garrus turned to find Solana leaning against the Normandy's exit. She had her arms crossed, and her bright, electric-blue eyes were glistening in a way that reminded Garrus inexplicably of their mother, Carissa.

"I won't, Solana."

"I mean it, Garrus," Solana warned, "You die, and I find you, wherever you are, and kick your ass."

"I love you, too."

She left then, and was instantly replaced by Shepard.

She had changed into her armor, as she had promised. It looked exactly as it had the last time Garrus had seen it, which was back in London during the Reaper War. It was the original, shiny black N7 armor, with only one major difference. Instead of the white-and-red streak, she had changed it to a white streak with a lavender one in the middle, along with the white streaks across her chest.

On her back were her four very powerful, heavily modded weapons: the M-77 Pistol, the Disciple Shotgun, the M-99 Saber Assault Rifle, and, of course, her M-92 Mantis.

She hadn't put her glasses into her special armored case yet.

"You ready?" She asked him, kindly, as she slowly took her glasses off.

Somehow, her dark brown eyes looked even darker and more dangerous without them.

He hefted a weapon of his own, the Javelin, and gave her his best sarcastic drawl.

"Do you even have to ask?"

She grinned back as her visor flashed across her eyes.

N._.S._.S