CHAPTER 16

The Normandy docked at its usual spot, at Bay D24, to fuel up and return the Fletcher family home. Rosemary felt good to be back on the Citadel. She had liked the Normandy, but there was something depressing about not being in your own space for an extended period of time.

Rosemary, Oliver, and Keeya had said their goodbyes to the Normandy's crew, and Vega and Garrus had offered to stay with them until their escort arrived. They didn't have to wait long; three officers appeared only ten minutes after the ship had docked.

Keeya shrieked with laughter when Vega hoisted her up on his shoulders. Oliver laughed as the large soldier pretended to stagger under the toddler's 'ginormous weight'. Rosemary hugged Garrus casually, and stepped back after a little under three seconds. To anyone watching, it had been a warm but perfectly platonic exchange. So one of Garrus' hands had lingered a split second longer on her butt than what was appropriate, and maybe she had pressed her breasts against his chest in a little more-than-friendly manner – but they'd crept in those fleeting touches while Vega hadn't been looking. And Vega, though an exemplary officer, wasn't the quickest when it came to more subtle, interpersonal communications. Also, EDI had been sworn to secrecy concerning their... casual-sexual relationship, and Garrus had said she was trustworthy. So Rosemary didn't worry.

"I'll see you when I'm in town," Garrus said, helping their escorts load their luggage into a large skycar.

Rosemary smiled. "The kids would love that. And when you guys and any of the crew visit Wakey Brews – first drinks are on the house!"

Vega grinned. "We'll hold you to that. See ya, Rosemary."

They had to take three skycars to the townhouse, two of which held only luggage. Rosemary didn't see any changes to the outside of the townhouse when they arrived.

Inside, however, was something completely different. It was like walking into a more comfortable, rustic version of a C-Sec precinct. Almost a dozen officers were strolling about the bottom floor, many of which were watching their omni-tools.

"Cameras up," one called out.

"All thirty-two up and running." Thirty-two cameras...?!

"All units, report," a familiar voice called out from the kitchen.

"Clear in the alley."

"Clear."

"Clear."

Rosemary walked into the kitchen – or what used to be a kitchen. The counters had been completely transformed into a security/communications center. Balint Fortem stood there, in his C-Sec armor, monitoring several terminals at once. He hadn't noticed her yet.

"And the latest bug sweep?"

"Clear, sir."

"Where are we on the background checks into the neighbors? I want to look through the files myself." Balint talked through his omni-tool while he turned his back to Rosemary and poured himself some coffee. Rosemary smiled when she saw tins of coffee grounds piled high next to the refrigerator. There had to be at least a dozen of them, all of high quality roast.

"I'll check up on it, sir. Do you want them before or after your meeting with Ms. Fletcher?"

Balint shrugged. "Depends on when she gets here. What's her estimated time of arrival?"

"Um... she got here about five minutes ago... sir."

Balint leaned on the sink and shook his head. "We spent months turning this place into one of the most secure buildings on the entire Citadel – and you just let her walk through the front door? Was there an identification check?"

The person on the other end of the communication sounded confused. "But sir – we know what she looks like. We worked with her back at -"

"Did you, now? Tell me then – what does she look like?" Balint's voice was hard.

"Uh... brown skin? Curly... curly... you know – what those humans have?"

"Fur?"

"Yes, fur! That's it!"

"It's called hair, Kussan! Give me those files by tonight or I'll have you transferred and working as Veracia's personal bitch this time tomorrow."

"Yes, sir!" The poor person, 'Kussan' sounded panicked when the call was cut off.

Rosemary shook her head. "That was unnecessarily mean, Balint."

Balint turned around to face her. He had an easy smirk on his face. "I have a reputation to maintain. Welcome home."

His stance was professional, and distant – until Oliver and Keeya walked into the room. "Balint," Oliver shouted, jubilant.

"Linty," Keeya screeched, equally ecstatic to see their babysitter again.

Balint's expression softened. "I told you not to call me that, Krogey!" He tossed Keeya over his shoulder and ruffled Oliver's hair.

"Ew! That name's weird," Keeya protested.

"Better than Linty!"

Rosemary leaned against the kitchen wall, and watched them with a smile. It was nice to see her family so happy. As Balint asked them about their 'trip', she looked at him to her heart's content. It was... nice to see him again. Before the whole catching-him-having-sex-with-someone-else-in-her-bed fiasco, she had enjoyed being with him. He had been easy to talk to – and a great listener.

Mentally, she found herself comparing Garrus and Balint to each other. They had to be roughly the same height – but Balint's plate-like skin was darker. Balint also had red colony markings, while Garrus had blue. Balint's eyes were a honey gold, while Garrus' had been cerulean blue. The biggest physical difference between them was Garrus' scars – but it hadn't detracted from his appearance at all – at least it hadn't in Rosemary's opinion. Balint had a thicker fringe, and a squarer jaw, too. She wasn't an expert, but in her eyes – they were both very handsome turians. Maybe it was because of her and Garrus'... activities on the Normandy, but Balint's effect on her ardor seemed to have significantly cooled. She wasn't mad at him anymore, either.

So it was with an easy temper that Balint finally managed to send Oliver and Keeya off with another officer to see their rooms and talk privately with her. Not so discretely – the rest of the officers retreated to other rooms to give the two a sense of privacy.

"How have you been, Rosemary?" Balint's voice was low, and soft with genuine concern.

Rosemary's facade crumpled. The last time she had spoken to Balint was when her father had died. And she'd been trying so hard not to think about it. "I..."

Without a word, Balint crossed the small space between them and gently hugged her. She pressed her face against his chest, trying her best to stop the tears before they came. She'd tried so hard not to think about it – but when she had climbed the steps to the townhouse... All she could think about was her father, being killed by Saeli... right... in front of their home. Her imagination was a cruel thing, flashing images of blood running down the steps, pooling on the sidewalk...

"I'm sorry, Rose."

Rosemary shook her head. "You have nothing to be sorry for, Balint. Nothing." She had forgiven him a while ago, if she was honest with herself. Being with Garrus had given her new insight into turian perspectives. Looking back, she had been pretty judgmental about what he had done.

Balint shook his head. "I'm sorry about that too. I was annoyed that you didn't understand and accept that aspect of turian culture – and I didn't take into account that I hadn't considered your culture. I was stupid. But I'm sorry... about your father."

Rosemary stepped away from Balint and looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"It was my job to protect him, Rose. And I..."

Rosemary stepped into Balint's arms again. "Oh, Balint. Saeli was your friend, too. She betrayed both of us."

They stood there for a few moments, with Balint just holding her. Rosemary closed her eyes and breathed in his scent. She smiled. He smelled like coffee beans now; she liked it a lot. Then she sighed, realizing the truth. Since she and Garrus had... happened, her passions had been cooled... sated. She was no longer mad with lust towards Balint. But that would change. That wasn't what bothered her, though. Now, without the haze of desire clouding her thoughts, she realized – she still liked Balint. Really liked him.

The thought tired her. Like I need that drama, she grumbled to herself.