As Jane finished grabbing the few things she was taking to Randiv she paused, thinking about John. He had been quiet, almost avoiding her since she sent Kaidan packing. Making up her mind, she made her way to where he had moved his things to the XO's quarters. Hitting the buzzer she waited.

"Yeah, come in."

Taking a step into the room, she stopped leaning just to the side of the door. John was reading something, lying on his bed.

"Hey, I was thinking that maybe you'd like to come down to Randiv with us. We're going to be gone a few days. Liara is welcome too; Joker can take care of things up here, he has his orders."

She watched him set aside his things, sitting up with a strange look of shock and fear, written across his face.

"Are you sure? The last time I saw your dad, things didn't really go that well. I'm not sure he would want me tagging along. Actually, I think I'm more worried about what will happen if he sees me coming, I know who taught you to shoot."

Jane chuckled, brushing aside his words with a wave of her hand.

"Dad's not like that, once we explain everything, and you apologise he'll be fine."

"We'll isn't this kind of a family thing? I mean, with you and Garrus, with your dad. I'm not sure I'd really fit in."

"I'm asking you to come with us John; I wouldn't do that, if I didn't consider you family. Now grab Liara, we're leaving in ten."

She turned and left the room, before he could argue with her further.

~~00o00~~

Jane sat in the shuttle next to Garrus, his hand in hers; she absently ran her thumb over his talon and noticed they were shorter than normal. Staring down at them she ran her fingertip over them in thought.

"Why did you blunt your talons?" She asked without looking up.

Garrus shrugged, looking towards John and Liara, to make sure they weren't paying attention. They were in soft conversation together so he continued.

"I'm afraid of hurting you Jane; I saw the cuts I left on you." He sighed before continuing.

"You're softer than I'm used to, we were only together that one time before, and well you know, I didn't realize how much damage I could do to you."

Jane chuckled, causing Garrus to stare at her in mild confusion.

"What is so funny?"

"I've been used to talons my whole life, they don't scare me, nor do your teeth." She ran her tongue over her own teeth, grinning at him as she did.

"I'm just worried; there was a lot of blood last time. I'm not even sure I know how we pull it off. You're so much smaller." He stopped as he noticed Liara staring at them, and if Turians could blush, he would have.

Liara turned back to John, as Jane laughed at the look on Garrus's face.

"Well don't worry about me, like I said I'm used to it. I figured this all out a long time ago."

Leaning into him, she lowered her voice.

"To be honest, I kind of like it rough, you should know that. Call it, the Turian in me."

Garrus's hand tightened around hers, as he shifted his weight.

Jane smiled, patted his leg and jumped up as the shuttle landed.

"Let's go people, oh and John, maybe just to be safe you should stay behind me. My dad's shot is pretty damn good."

She laughed, watching him pale slightly at the thought, and jumped out of the shuttle, heading straight for her house.

"You know, he might be down at the Clinic Jane. When I was staying here, before I brought him to the Citadel, we spent a lot of time down in the Colony with Le'lani."

Jane stopped in her tracks.

"I never gave much thought to what you did while I was gone, any of you. I kind of forget it's been two years."

Her face scrunched up as his words sunk in.

"You were here, with my dad; for how long?"

"Close to a year, I couldn't leave him, when he lost you, he lost himself. We all did, but he more than anyone of course. I stayed for him, but also because I felt closer to you, here."

He motioned around them, John and Liara were silent, watching Jane look up the hill to her childhood home, and then beyond it to the house on the top of the hill. The one Nihlus had bought for them.

"Thank you for that, I know what would happen to me, if I was to lose him. It means more to me than I can say that you were here for him through that."

Garrus jerked his head towards the house.

"It is late, they might be having supper. Since we're already headed this way, let's try there first."

As they approached, the house was quiet, but the lights were on. Thank the Spirits thought Jane, as her mind flashed back to the last time she had come looking for her dad.

"Should I buzz? Hell I don't know how to start this. Maybe you should go in first Garrus."

He laughed and walked through the door, calling out.

"Ganis, Le'lani, are you home?"

He was answered by the soft, sing-song voice of Le'lani, although she sounded confused.

"Garrus, is that you?"

"Yeah, I uh, well."

He was cut short, as Le'lani came around the corner to the entry way. Her eyes stopped on Jane.

"Jane, oh Goddess, Ganis said he had seen you, alive on the Citadel. I didn't believe him; I thought he must have been seeing you. He used to do that, at night. Think of when you were a child, he would call for you, search the house." She trailed off as her eyes moved between them all.

"It's quite the story Le'lani. I think it may be easier if you're both here for us to tell it."

Jane's eyes flicked to the back room.

"Where's my dad?"

Le'lani sighed and nodded towards the door.

"You know where he is, he has barely left there since he got home."

Jane was out the door before she had finished. John, Liara and Ganis had a difficult time keeping up with her as she sprinted up the hill.

"Shit, she sure can run, we're both modified and I still can't keep up with her."

Garrus laughed.

"She's been running this hill since she was a child. She and Nihlus used to come up here, watch the stars, pretend they were on a ship somewhere together in the Galaxy, or of course she was running out to practice with her rifle."

The three slowed to a walk, as Jane sprinted ahead down the hill, towards the range in the distance.

"Does it ever bother you, Garrus?"

"I'm afraid to ask, but okay I'll bite. Does what, ever bother me?"

"You know, that Jane had all these plans with Nihlus, everything in her life. From the plans they made to travel the galaxy, right down to that house over there. The one you told me Ganis gave you. He bought that for her, which was their future. She gave that up for Kaidan once, we all saw how that worked out."

Liara turned giving John a look that said, shut up before you stick both feet in there.

"John! That's like asking you, if it's going to bother you, if I was to be with someone else after you die, because I live so much longer. Honestly, we need to work on that think before we speak thing."

Garrus stared after Jane, before responding quietly.

"I actually, hadn't even thought about it, we were together so briefly before her death, I didn't have time. Now, I've just been so caught up in the moment and thrill of having her back."

Garrus walked off then seemingly lost in thought, and John turned to Liara.

"Wait, are you going to find someone else?"

"Oh, John really, lets deal with one issue at a time, rather than you making up more."

Jane had stopped just before the shooting range, she stood there watching Ganis, he was on the ground firing shot, after shot. Garrus stood next to her in silence, before she turned to him, tears in her eyes.

"What do I say to him? How do I make this better, Garrus it's not like my being dead was bad enough, I hurt him."

Brushing his hand lightly over her back encouraging her on, Garrus spoke softly.

"He's your dad, he loves you. You know that."

Jane nodded, stepping forward.

"Dad."

The shooting stopped, as Ganis quirked his head to the side.

"Daddy."

Ganis was on his feet in less than a heartbeat, the rifle forgotten on the ground, and Jane was in his arms before she could speak again.

"Red, sweetheart." His talons stroked through her hair as she sobbed against him.

"Daddy, I'm so sorry, I didn't know. I need to explain, I'm sorry, sorry for everything. I never meant for any of this to happen the way it did."

"Shh, don't talk sweetheart, not yet. Just let me hold you, know you're real."

Ganis held her close to his chest, his talons tracing through her hair and down her back softly, as her sobs began to subside.

Pushing back from his chest but not leaving the circle of his arms, Jane stared into her dads eyes, causing tears to well up again.

"Dad, back at the Citadel, I didn't know you because, well because." Jane stumbled over her words, before Ganis traced his talon over her freckles and scars.

"Not here Red, let's go home, you can explain it all from the begging there."

Ganis turned, keeping his arm around Jane; he stopped next to the others and nodded.

"Come on, let's go."

~~00o00~~

Ganis hadn't let go of Jane's hand once since they had left the range, and now as they all sat at the table in the house, Ganis cleared his throat.

"I think I'll hear that story now."

Jane nodded slowly.

"I, well I died. We all know that, but I was brought back, somehow by Cerberus and the Alliance. I'm not sure how, but they used Reaper technology. I know, it sounds crazy even to me dad. Once I was back they gave me only the memories they chose for me, they told me you had kidnapped me when I was a child, they never mentioned Nihlus, or Garrus. That's why, at the Citadel." She trailed off and Ganis nodded.

"I see you didn't know who I was, because they never told you about me, well not in the way that you knew me." His eyes found Johns, and John quickly stared down at the table.

"Did you know John?"

John fidgeted in his chair before nodding.

"I did Sir, I'm sorry I should have told you. I regret it, more than you know."

Ganis shook his head.

"Don't blame yourself John, I think I understand."

Turning his attention back to Jane, he continued.

"How did you remember Red?"

"Garrus, he gave me my Journal. The one you gave to him after, I died. Then he told me everything, it took awhile, and one crazy nightmare, but well, here we are."

"Spirits, Red I don't know what to say, I knew the Alliance has done some horrible things to you, but this. I never thought they could do something like this."

"I know daddy, I'm, hell I don't know what I am. They should have just left me."

Ganis looked shocked.

"No, sweetheart, I didn't mean that, never that. You're my same little girl you always were. I meant them taking everything from you that made you, you. I'm not going to question why you're back, just be thankful that you are." He paused glancing around the table again.

"Where is Kaidan?"

Jane frowned, shrugging.

"I stuck him in an escape pod and shot him into space. He's lucky I didn't just shoot him, period."

Ganis lifted his brow plate and pretended to look surprised.

"And how did the Alliance handle you sending one of your officers into space, I'm sure they couldn't be very pleased."

"And I'm sure I don't give a flying." Jane was cut off by the look Ganis gave her.

"Sorry dad, I mean, I'm sure I couldn't care less what they think. I've cut off communication with the Alliance."

Growling deep in his chest Ganis leaned back. "So, you've, jettisoned one of your crew, and cut off communication with your military command."

"Don't forget stolen the best ship in the Alliance fleet." Jane flinched slightly as she said this, waiting for the reprimand for breaking rank and protocol.

"Well, I see I've raised you right, I'm proud of you Red. But the big question is, what are you going to do? If this threat is as big as we think it is. You're going to need the Alliance."

Jane frowned, chewing on her bottom lip.

"Yeah, I've thought of that. Problem is, I can't prove it. All I have are crazy nightmares, I need proof. Then, I thought maybe, General Victus."

Garis lifted a finger cutting her off.

"Whereas the General is a big supporter of you Jane, I'm not sure he'll be willing to go against the Alliance, you're going to have to figure out what to do with them."

She nodded.

"The problem is Hackett, if I could talk to Anderson, maybe we'd have a shot. But none of that matters because I don't have the proof in the first place."

Dragging her free hand over her face, she groaned.

"Sounds like we have a lot to figure out, how long before we leave, and don't even think of arguing with me Red, I'm going with you."

Jane eyed him but didn't argue.

"This is as good a place as any to figure out what the hell we're going to do. So, I figure we'll stay as long as we need to."

"Okay then, there aren't enough rooms here for all of you, I suspect you'll be staying up at the house. Garrus set it up rather nicely. There are enough rooms there."

Jane's head snapped towards Garrus.

"What?"

Ganis laughed as he stood up, pulling Jane into his arms, she smelled just the same as she always had, he was mending. He could feel the numbness leaving his heart as he held her against him.

"I see I've done enough damage. Now as much as I want to keep you right here with me, I'm getting too old for these kinds of shocks. I'm going to bed, I think we should relax tomorrow, Le'lani has asked me to take her on one of those picnics you dragged me on once. I'd like that, how about we meet you at your house tomorrow, and head out for the day?"

"Yeah dad, that sounds nice." His head bent to hers and she smiled.

"I love you daddy."

"I love you Red, more than anything."

As the group got up and moved towards the door, Ganis caught John by the arm and turned him.

"John, don't hold this in, we all make mistakes. I don't blame you, and thank you, for keeping your promise and making this right."

John's heart clenched. This man should have been furious at him. He had never known a parent like him, and in that moment, for the first time, he felt truly jealous that Jane had got to spend her childhood with him.

"Thank you Sir."

Ganis smiled.

"Good night John."

~~00o00~~

They walked to the house on the top of the hill in silence, but Garrus could read Jane's thoughts as easily as if she was saying them out loud.

He opened the door and showed John and Liara to one of the guest bedrooms, he turned back towards Jane, she was standing staring at a wall in the front room, it was decorated in a very Turian Military style. Weapons racks and blue, almost everything was blue or black.

"If you don't like it Jane, we can change things."

She shook her head, still not looking at him.

"No, it's perfect. I didn't know you had done this."

"I know, your dad gave it to me, he thought it might help me. It did, in a way. As I decorated it, I imagined how you would want it to look."

His arms wrapped around her from behind, he could feel her give and lean back against his chest.

"You, you could have moved on Garrus. I almost feel guilty, like I was forcing you to hang on to me, with this house."

"No, this was my connection to you. This was my way of being with you when I couldn't, which is why I filled it with guns." He chuckled as she turned in his arms.

"Jane, if it's too hard to be here though, with Nihlus, you know those memories, we can."

She silenced him and shook her head.

"Garrus, Nihlus is my past, he's a big part of that past, but you, you're my present, my future and I love you. I didn't know if, well my being with Nihlus, bothered you, it's why I don't speak of it much. I loved him, a part of me always will."

"I know Jane, and no, it doesn't bother me. He helped make you into the wonderful Turian-human I fell in love with, and I wouldn't change that for anything. Now Kaidan bothers me, more than a little bit."

Jane flinched.

"Yes, well if it makes you feel any better, it bothers me too. But he taught me something very important."

"Oh, and what was that?"

"He taught me how much I am not human, no matter how much he, or anyone wanted me to be."

She felt the deep rumble of his chest as he chuckled softly against her; he nuzzled down her neck and nipped gently, pulling her with him towards their room, as the door closed behind them he nuzzled his head against hers.

"Jane, I missed you so much, I used to lay awake in this room, and I would dream that you had come home, that you and I were happy. So much that could have been, I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't let you go."

"You don't have to, I'm here. I'm yours Garrus, I always will be."

With that he leaned her back on the bed, nipping down her neck and licking his way back towards her ear. His hands glided over her body, feeling every curve, his talons found the edge of her shirt and pulled upwards, and tossing it to the side he cupped her breast, licking them each in turn, enjoying each cry he pulled from her lips with every nip and lick.

He stood back from her, his armour discarded as quickly as he could and he was above her again. His body hot against hers, every squirm of her under his body, driving him forward.

"Jane, easy, I'm still not used to having you, you're driving me insane."

But she didn't stop, just smiled up at him as her hand found him, and wrapped tightly around his already painfully hard shaft. He hissed, and leaned forward into her shoulder as she ran her hand up and down him.

"Jane, don't I can't, I need you."

"Then take me."

She rolled underneath him going on all fours, and he growled deep in his chest at her offering herself to him.

"You know what you're asking Jane, are you." But he was cut off as she reached back and grabbed his hand placing it on her hip. The growl in his chest swelled until it became a torrent in her ears.

Grabbing her by both hips, he entered her slowly at first, pulling back and settling himself to the hilt in her with one thrust, causing Jane to moan and slide forward, her head resting on her arms.

"No, Jane every movement with me."

He pulled her back against his chest, as he pulled out of her and buried himself within her again. He could feel her walls clench down around him, he was close, cupping her breasts and nuzzling her neck he felt her pulse around him, and the moment his body exploded in hers, he bit down on the soft flesh where her shoulder joined with her neck. His body reacted and instantly lost himself again inside her, his body desperately trying to bread with hers, not caring, only knowing that this was his mate.

They only lay for a moment after, when Jane was on her knees next to him. It was her turn, she placed herself over him again and slid the full length of him inside her, leaning forward she bit down on him and their world disappeared, into a blinding haze of passion.

~~00o00~~

When dawns first light hit their window, Garrus was already awake, leaning over Jane, his talons brushed the hair from her face. He smiled at the dried blood on her neck, where he had finally marked her as his, his hand traced up to the dried blood on his neck, she was strong and had pierced his hard flesh easily.

She stirred under his touch, smiling up at him.

"I love you Garrus Vakarian."

"And I love you Jane Vandrel-Vakarian. You're father is going to kill me though, I should have asked."

She laughed and brushed her fingers over his mandibles, which were pulled into a tight frown.

"He'll be thrilled. It's your father we should be worried about, he hates spectres remember? Not to mention, I'm human. I'm sure he wanted grandchildren."

Garrus frowned. "Don't worry about him, I've disappointed him enough in my life, and this is the one time I don't care in the slightest. You're the best thing in my life, you're my mate and I'm not sorry. I love you, and you're a part of me now, the best part."

"With the best shot, I might add."

"That is up for discussion. We still haven't proven anything."

He laughed and scooped her into his arms, as he turned to his back letting her lay against his chest. She ran her fingers over his chest and down to his waist.

"If you keep that up I'll agree to anything though." The purr in his chest grew as she traced her hands over his waist again.

"I would, but I hear John and Liara, and we've got to meet up with my dad. He'll get a kick out of this story."

"Uh, how about we keep the details to a minimum, I really don't want shot today."

She jumped from him, then the bed and began to get dressed.

"Don't worry about that, he wouldn't hurt you. You make me happy. He let Kaidan live didn't he?"

Garrus growled.

"Yeah, something that I could tell he wanted to rectify now. Which I would gladly help him with, and will if he ever tries to tell you that he loves you again, spirits he had better never try again."

Jane laughed.

"Well I didn't know you were going to go all protective on me, I think I took care of it."

She was in his arms before she could continue, his arms wrapping around her as he nuzzled into the mark he had made.

"I won't lose you Jane, I'm yours, everything that I am, and I won't let anyone hurt you."

"Garrus, we both know we might not."

He leaned his forehead against hers, quieting her thought.

"I know, but for now, I can at least start with letting the world know, that my heart belongs to you, and no one can take that away."

~~00o00~~

It was nearly mid-day before they met up with Ganis and Le'lani for the picnic; they were already set out in the sun, the blanket spread neatly around them.

"I've never seen such a lazy bunch of Marines, and former Turian Military personnel in my life."

"Hey, talk to your daughter. We were ready hours ago." John motioned towards Jane, and she stuck her tongue out at him.

Ganis's mandibles fluttered slightly in a smirk, as Jane flopped down next to him giving him a tight hug.

"Something you need to tell me Red?" He could smell Garrus's scent on her, and he almost chuckled at the look of embarrassment on their faces.

Garrus sat, taking Jane's hand in his.

"Sir, I know I should have asked. But, Jane and I, we've agreed to become mates. Well, we became mates." Garrus stuttered, causing Ganis to laugh.

"Well, welcome to the family officially Garrus, I've thought of you like a son for a long time."

Garrus gasped as Ganis pulled both Jane and him into a hug, messing up the neatly laid out blanket.

Pulling back Garrus smirked. "We really are bad Turians, hugging, and on a picnic. What would people say?"

John watched this interaction of the small family with envy. He could barely remember being hugged by his father, let alone laughing with him. Since he had met Jane, he had always felt bad, about her being raised so far from Earth, not knowing where she was from. But in that moment he realised she had, had more of a home, here on this little back water planet than he ever had on Earth.

The realization caused a few traitorous tears to course down his cheek, Ganis caught this and turned to him.

"John, is everything alright?"

"Yes, Sir, I'm just happy, you know; that this all worked out, I wish it could stay like this."

"You have to enjoy the little things in a time like this John, we deal with the issues as they come, but we enjoy this, so if we don't get it again, at least we didn't forget the important things, love." He gestured towards Garrus and Jane, before also motioning towards Liara, then Le'lani at his side.

"And family." He gestured to them all as a whole, and John shook his head.

"Yes, Sir, I'm glad I got the chance to see what one of those looks like."

Ganis smirked, pulling John to him in a hug.

"You're family John, and really, you're not in trouble, you can call me dad. Red will let you know when you need to call me Sir."

John sat dumbfounded, after all these years of not knowing what was missing in his life, he found it, in the most unlikely of places.

John hugged Ganis back and for the first time, in his memory, felt like he belonged.

"Thanks, dad."

And for that brief moment, they enjoyed the things in life, which really matter.

~~00o00~~

^.^