So many...

The small group of people is dwarfed by the sheer number of coffins behind Shepard, as she speaks words of remembrance, of their courage and strength, dressed in a smart black uniform free of insignia.

I stand slightly apart from the group, acknowledging that I was not part of the team, but Faith insisted I come anyway despite my objections.

Each of the bodies there, is there in part due to me. Involved as I was in helping Cerberus and the Illusive Man pick out and filter down the list of dossiers, I know that had I chosen another, that person might be standing beside me now, rather than lying dead, soon to be forgotten...

I shudder, and try to banish the thoughts, but it proves difficult.

All but one of those dead are human, and Faith told me that there is no single accepted burial practice amongst her people so she is keeping things simple with her ceremony, and will be calling the families of those who had them when it is over.

'I just wish I had more bodies to return, Liara.'

I take a deep breath, inhaling the unpleasant scent of Omega. Asari too respect the bodies of those deceased, doubly so our matriarchs such as Samara. I already contacted the Justicar Temple that one of their most respected warriors would be returned to them, and made the arrangements myself. It is a small thing, a small burden to take from her shoulders, and I simply wish I could do more.

Faith keeps her words brief, before listing all eighteen dead.

The names ring out through the otherwise empty dock, before she calls for a moment of silence.

Eighteen dead... the number is not so great, considering what was accomplished.

But the loss is still devastating to those who remain, especially considering the fact that there will be no official recognition of their achievements. Cerberus remain a terrorist organisation. The Collector threat never officially existed.

Once again, a huge scale cover up, costing the dead the dignity of their sacrifice.

I feel Faith silently taking my hand, and I catch her gaze, strong, but I see the emotion swimming just below the surface.

We will honour their sacrifice. We will not allow the governments of our species to deny what happened any longer.


'So... can he just hear us? At any time?'

Tali nodded. 'Imagine him as a much, much more intelligent version of the combat VI in your visor.'

Garrus shook his head, flaring his mandibles slightly. His VI was already intelligent: picking up heat scans, triangulating likely enemy positions based on gunshot echoes and more. 'I still can't get some unpleasant images out of my mind. If nothing else, you'll never be able to have a private conversation again.'

[We have no intention of revealing anything Tali does when not in the company of other organics, and will honour any requests for secrecy she asks of us.]

It was still disconcerting to see her mouthpiece light up as if she was speaking, only for Legion's distorted voice to sound.

'That's not really my point Legion, you'll still be there... watching...'

I am always here too, Garrus. Watching.

'Spirits...'

Garrus shook his head, looking around the engine room he and Tali were currently occupying, taking a break from the repairs. Shepard had left the ship and repair crew under his command as she sauntered off with Liara, and he deferred to Tali when it came to the repairs.

She was happy to run around yelling at the assorted humans, batarians, asari and occasional vorcha cleaning the ship on the inside and repairing on the outside, but she flat out refused to allow any into the engine room, AI core or bridge. For somebody who could be incredibly gentle, demure and shy in conversation, the second, as she said, her ship, was in question she would not suffer any risks, security or otherwise. Most of Aria's people were less than pleased to be bossed around by a rather small quarian girl, but a glare from Garrus, accompanied by the heavy guns on his back, usually got them moving.

He and Tali were the only two of the crew still on the ship. It had been nearly a week since they returned through the Omega 4 Relay, and as soon as Joker had recovered, Shepard had called them all into the Comms room, announcing her intent to give everybody a few weeks to do as they wished. Within a day everybody had left.

The memory was still fresh, vivid, as Shepard stood on the docks of Omega as her crew all said their farewells.


'So where are you two off to?'

Shepard looked happily at Joker, who was being wheeled by Doctor Chakwas as his bones continued to mend enough to allow him to walk.

'Arcturus.' Joker piped up, sounding cheerful. 'Got a few old friends there, going to say hello and kick their asses into shape for when the Reapers come.'

'I too have several acquaintances there as well, Commander. After that mission, and with what is coming... I will not leave certain things unsaid any longer.'

'She's gonna get laid!' chuckled the pilot, grinding all conversation around them to a halt. He looked around for a few seconds. '... Was I not supposed to tell anyone?'

Chakwas sighed, and gently pushed his shoulder. 'I think it's time to lower your pain meds again, Jeff.'

'You're no fun.' The man looked up to Shepard. 'Erm, and I'm not sure if I said it yet... but sorry Commander, about the whole... getting you killed, thing.'

Garrus had not been on the Normandy SR1 during the attack, and had only heard rumours about what happened. To have that kind of guilt on one's' conscience was not a pleasant burden to bear.

'It's forgiven, Joker. Get better soon, you hear me? We need somebody to fly us to victory.'

'In style!' He replied, with a wide grin.


'So... you're ok with the whole "AI living in your suit" thing?'

'It's taking a bit of getting used to, but I have to admit he has been rather helpful so far. I've already ordered some pieces from the markets on Omega which he will be able to run: my suit will be far more advanced than any other quarian's, more powerful in combat and so on. He said using the existing recordings of my combat actions, he can predict when I would do things like overload enemy shields, and do it for me, leaving me free to shoot. He can also increase the efficiency of my hacking.'

Garrus shook his head. Tali still sounded like she was trying to convince herself. 'So you're really sticking with him?'


'Heh... I... I guess this is goodbye.'

Crewman Hawthorne looked nervous: understandably. He was the only of the operations crew to survive the attack, and had been jumpy ever since they had returned. Kelly had been spending a fair amount of time with him, but he was mostly keeping to himself. Shepard had taken him aside the day before, and spent a full three hours alone with him before both emerged from his quarters, looking slightly more relaxed.

'The Alliance has agreed to take you in, give you all that you need, including a job.'

"All that you need" likely included some substantial therapy, Garrus noted, and the "job" would hopefully be one involving a little less stress.

'I... I know. And thanks again, Commander. I can't ever thank you enough.' The man stood straight, and saluted, nervous shakes finally dissipating for a brief second.

Shepard snapped off a perfect military salute in return. 'Thank you for your service, Crewman Hawthorne. Dismissed.'

The man nodded and smiled shakily, before wandering off to find Joker and Chakwas.


'Yes, it's obviously going to take some getting used to, but Legion really wants to help me. I...' She suddenly stopped, sounding a bit embarrassed. 'He said he can work with my immune system, perhaps let me live without a mask on board the Normandy in a few years. Take it off for brief periods without getting really sick in just months.'

He felt his heart jump a little at the revelation. 'Really?'

She nodded, obviously shy. 'It will take some time, but he's confident it will work.' She glanced towards him. 'You'll be able to see the real me.'

To see Tali... he knew how, in general, quarians looked: there was a fair bit of mystery but between the extranet and his own experience at c-sec, he recognised their alien features; similar in a strange way to humans, like asari were, but to actually see Tali...

'That sounds... nice.' He winced internally as the weak words came out.

'You don't sound impressed...' Tali sounded hurt, and he reached over and put a hand on her arm.

'I didn't mean it like that, I just... I already know the real you. I don't need to see your face for that.'


'So you're visiting your family?'

The young redhead nodded enthusiastically. 'My parents and brothers have been worried about me for years, ever since I joined Cerberus. I obviously can't tell them much about what I do, but it'll be good to see them.'

Shepard smiled at her, nodding as well. 'And will you return?'

Kelly straightened, and her eyes filled with a determination Garrus had seen a lot of recently. 'Yes. There are... hard... memories here, but since you asked...'

'I wouldn't have done so if I didn't think you were valuable, Kelly.'

Garrus considered what Shepard could mean. He knew the woman did not particularly like psychologists, but now that he thought about it...

Kelly had always been there whenever things were getting tense, often just offering a joke, breaking the tension, or having a quiet talk with somebody missing home, and she had been the one asking him awkward questions about Tali that first led him to question if his feelings were anything more than friendship. More examples popped into his mind and he wondered just how much Kelly had done to keep the team together, without him even noticing, without them ever giving thanks.

Kelly suddenly embraced Shepard, who looked startled for a second, before returning the gesture.

'Thank you, Shepard! I'll... I'll be back when you call. I promise.'


Spirits, I sound like a human in a bad romance story...

'Oh...'

I really wish I hadn't said that...

'Keelah...'

She hates me...

'Garrus, that's so sweet!'

He gasped as she suddenly flung her arms around him, and he awkwardly tried to avoid jabbing her with any of his unfortunately sharp body parts as he took her shoulders and pushed her back a little, mandibles flaring in pleasure.

'Erm, yeah... don't tell anyone, ok? I've got a reputation to keep!'


'Goodbye, Battlemaster. Tuchanka is calling me.'

Shepard gripped the huge krogan's arm. 'Wrex will teach you well, Urdnot Grunt. Do me proud.'

His toothy grin widened. 'Always, Battlemaster. You promised me the fight of the galaxy and gave it. I'll teach those wimps on Tuchanka how a real krogan fights!'

Shepard smiled openly at that. 'I'm glad to hear it. One day I'll come calling, Grunt-'

'And I'll answer!' He roared in response, before she could even finish, and Garrus could swear he saw something in Shepard's eye, a glistening pride, before she blinked and nodded, the look gone but the smile still there.

'Get out of here you brute, before things get sappy.'


'A reputation?' He really did not like the mischief in her tone, and dreaded where she was going with it.

'Garrus Vakarian, the turian bad boy... voted most eligible bachelor by three separate species for two years running...'

Oh no...

'Vigilante extraordinaire, one of the heroes of the Citadel...'

Please stop...

'Is really a big softie!'


'Ahm just sayin', we go te Scotland and ah'll get ye a real haggis, none o'this wee frozen shite ye get in space.'

'And that's exactly why I don't want us to go to Scotland! My parents live on a beach, Ken! A beach!'

'Scotland's got beaches!'

'I mean a nice, warm, beach you want to visit, where you can sunbathe!'

'Bah, ye can keep yer heat... wait... sunbathe?'

'Yup. There's sun, sand, cocktails-'

'Bikinis?'

'You dog...'

Shepard finally broke into the pair's rather amusing dialogue. 'I guess you're decided then?

Ken gave her a grin. 'Aye, we're goin' te visit Gabby's parents, and... sunbathe.'

Shepard chuckled lightly. 'Make sure you put your eyes back in when you get the call.'

'We'll be ready, Shepard.' Gabby took over. 'Whenever you are.'

The pair of engineers saluted Shepard, who returned the gesture. 'Enjoy your leave guys, you've earned it.'

'Nay worries there Shepard, ahm gonna have a fab holiday!' Garrus wondered if the pair of them would ever get together as Ken gave Gabby a suggestive glance, and she simply rolled her eyes with a smile.


'Ok... what's your price for silence?' he said, wincing, knowing just how bad this could get.

'Oh no! You don't get away that easily. You'll just have to live, knowing that I know just how big of a softie you are, and could tell anybody at any time!'

'That's just not fair!'

'No, it really isn't.' She sounded far too pleased with herself.


'Shepard. Going to speak to contacts in STG. Work with Collector data. Perhaps join research teams through Omega 4 Relay when Council and governments finally take action.' He drew in a breath. 'Bureaucracy problematic; will organise my own. Reputation solid enough to guarantee funding and expertise.'

Shepard nodded. 'Good. They couldn't ask for a better expert.'

Mordin looked thoughtful for a second. 'Dislike goodbyes. Messy. Needlessly emotional. Will likely see you again when war starts, perhaps before.'

He could see Shepard smirk silently, expecting him to go on. The salarian did not disappoint.

'Still... has been an honour, Shepard. Would like to stay on board Normandy: found welcome place for myself. But can do more good with STG.'

'I know, Mordin. And the honour was mine. Take care of yourself.'

'You also. Will forward data on asari pleasure customs, creative uses of biotic fields, so on. A gift, as thanks.' Garrus nearly choked as Shepard muttered her response:

'Why the hell does everybody think I need help in the bedroom?'


'So you're really just going to hold this on me?' He did not really feel outraged, but was having so much fun just joking with her, even if it had gotten a little... intense.

'Well, perhaps there's one thing you can do for me...' He really did not like the way her head tilted just to the side, as if screaming "innocence" when her tone said anything but.


'Where will you go?'

'Kolyat has been sending me messages, I will visit him to see how he is doing at C-Sec.'

'That sounds good. What then?'

The man blinked, clasping his hands behind his back. 'I do not know. My recovery after the assault was seriously hampered by my illness: I believe my fighting days are behind me. I shall see if I can find a less... active... use of my skills to assist the war effort.'

Shepard nodded. 'It would have been good to have you along Thane, but I understand. I wish you the best, and give Kolyat my regards.'

The drell bowed deeply. 'It has been an honour, Siha. You have given my life purpose in more ways than one, and I face death with an open heart.'

Shepard saluted in response, both giving gestures of respect as their race and upbringing dictated.


'I'm not going to like it, am I?'

'Well, that all depends.' Garrus really wished she did not sound so... evil.

'Erm... on what?'

'On whether you meant what you said or not.'

Oh...

'Of course I meant it, Tali.' he said seriously, tentatively putting a hand over one of hers.


'I know you're here somewhere, Kasumi.' Shepard spoke loudly, words echoing around the rapidly emptying dock.

The girl shimmered to life right beside Garrus, causing him to jump. He hated it when she did that, and only ever seemed to do it to him...

'I hope I've still got everything in my pockets...' he muttered, patting them down.

'Come on now Gare, you know I don't pickpocket friends.' He cocked his head at her, and saw her lips pout, before she held out a rather astounding quantity of his possessions: omni-tool, spare lens for his visor, a datapad he had stashed, and a credit chit. 'Erm... without giving it back anyway... I just wanted to see how long it would take you to notice!'

'Kasumi...' Shepard growled, but she had a small smirk on her face.

The thief approached Shepard. 'Sorry Shep, old habits.' She pushed back her hood and looked up into the taller woman's eyes. 'Look... I'm not sure how to say this. I can't do it any more. I'm not a soldier Shep, I can't just watch so many people die and go back to whatever we were doing before.'

'We'll all be soldiers soon, Kasumi. There won't be anywhere to hide when they come.'

Garrus felt a chill run down his spine at the words. When the Reapers came, all would be war. It was easy, spending so much time amongst soldiers, to forget that there were billions of people just like Kasumi: who didn't want to fight, who weren't used to seeing people die.

'I... I know.' She looked down, before around at the remaining team. 'Maybe I'll come back, once the fighting starts. But I don't know if I can. I'm sorry.'

Shepard nodded, placing a hand on the girl's... she was so young, he could see without her hood... shoulder. 'I understand. You'll always have a place with us, if you want it. Thank you for your help, Kasumi.'

'I would say "any time", but... well, you know.' She drew her hood back up. 'Goodbye, Shep.'

She took a few steps away towards the bustling market district of Omega, before disappearing into the air.


'I... oh...' she sounded slightly taken aback by the seriousness in his voice.

They sat in silence for some time, the gentle hum of the engine surrounding them comfortably. Garrus did not move his hand, and Tali made no move to break the contact either.

After a few seconds, he caught her gaze, and spoke quietly.

'So... what were you going to say?'


'You sure you want to stay, Garrus?'

Everybody else had left now, and it was just Shepard, Tali, Liara and himself standing by the Normandy's dock. The old team, less a couple of people...

He nodded firmly. 'Tali's staying to oversee the repairs, and I don't want to leave her alone.' Not that the woman could not handle herself, but there were a lot of unsavoury characters on Omega, and it would be nice to spend some time alone with her...

'I can look after myself you silly bosh'tet,' the quarian herself quipped, though he could hear the amusement in her voice. He had already spoken to her about this, and both were secretly looking forward to it.

'Well, I wouldn't want to leave you and Legion to get into whatever trouble you have been plotting...'

[Geth do not plot.]

'See, even he thinks you're being silly!' Tali followed up.

Shepard finally stepped in with a smile. 'Well, I'm trusting you two to take care of my ship, ok? You know how to get in touch, Liara's set my omni-tool so it will only ring if it's one of you calling, anybody else will get put through to you, Garrus.'

'Quite right!' Tali added, 'You two don't want people disturbing your pilgrimage!'

Liara joined in. 'It is not...' she cocked her head, and smiled gently. 'Well, I suppose the term could be applicable. But you are correct, we do not want any interruptions.'

Garrus noticed how her fingers threaded together with Shepard's. With how many fingers they had between them, it looked... unnatural, and rather complicated. Much simpler with hands like his.

He glanced down, seeing his hand hovering close to his friend's.

Or hands like Tali's...

He pulled his attention back to Shepard and Liara. 'Stop worrying about us Shepard, and get going. In truth, we just can't wait to see the back of you.'

She smirked and punched him softly in the arm. 'Fine, we're going. Don't go vigilante on me while I'm gone this time.'

'Farewell, my friends, I look forward to spending more time with you when we return.' Liara added with a smile, and they both turned, hoisted up their packs and wandered slowly away, still clasping each others' hands.

'Bye!' Tali shouted after them, before turning to him and grabbing one of his hands, the touch sending sparks across his scales.

'They're gone!'


'I... I was going to say, I'll not tell anyone... erm...'

He stayed silent, letting her finish.

'If... if you agree to be the first... person I... I show.'