Lantar met familiar place in a vessel that was supposed to transport him back on the Citadel. He sat down, made himself comfortable and enjoyed the journey while watching nebulas and systems from his window, "Here am I. Sitting here like a fool again, with no credits, only some clothing on myself and of course my omni-tool. I wish somebody could tell me when did I fuck up so much. First, I lose job in C-Sec, then I get beaten up and threatened by the one who I loved, being erased from his life. What am I doing wrong? Is it really bad that I just want to be happy with someone? Yeah, I expected Garrus to be offensive about my affection towards him, but he could just say 'I'm not gay' without beating me up. What does it matter anyway? He pointed his gun at my face, I can still feel the blood on my tongue and the pain in my belly when I think of what he did… Garrus said he doesn't love me, but I doubt he would care so much if he didn't find any interest in me. There you go, Sidonis. This is what you get when you try being nice and honest to people. Maybe I should just forget about Garrus. Thinking about him only reminds me of what I love about him and it doesn't want to let go of me. I should think of the nice things that are expecting me when I arrive back on the Citadel. Prison, C-Sec officers watching me and… maybe Dartus. He said he would find me, but he didn't leave me a message about his arrival on Earth. Perhaps he never left Citadel? I think Dartus is somebody I want to see the most. He was nice to me and I think he loves me. Why didn't I just go for it and didn't take him when I had the chance?!" Lantar sighed while thinking, "I'm thinking too much. The journey will be long and I should take a nap before arriving at the Citadel and getting caught by C-Sec." he thought and made himself comfortable while the ship was going to take Lantar to the Citadel, ETA 2 hours.
The star ship docked to the Citadel, a shaking of the ship made Lantar to wake up as he spotted lights of the docking bay shining brightly, "Home, sweet home." Lantar thought without any sign of emotion in it. He walked down to the ground deck and headed for the escape. He got to the docking bay and saw many C-Sec officers around, not paying attention to him "They're not after me?" he thought and proceeded to the registering point so he could update his status being present on the Citadel, "Good morning, mister. How can I serve you?" the receptionist said, "Good morning, Lantar Sidonis. I've departed last week so I'm here to update my status on the Citadel." Lantar explained shortly and the receptionist looked inside her console, "Ah, yes. You departed on December 19. Is there some specific reason of your departure?" the receptionist asked, Lantar frowned, "She doesn't know that I was under C-Sec custody?" Lantar thought, "You mean… isn't there any note on me like from C-Sec?" Lantar asked, the receptionist shook her head, "No, your file is clean. Is there problem?" she asked, "I… no. I was just wondering." Lantar answered, "Enjoy your stay on the Citadel!" she smiled and Lantar proceeded to the security control point. Not even security seemed to be aware of Lantar, it didn't seem that it recognized Lantar as convict so he passed through and took the elevator down to the Presidium. He needed to go to the C-Sec, find out what was going on that C-Sec officers were suspiciously calm about Lantar being back on the Citadel.
Lantar arrived at the C-Sec academy, standing at reception. Alice immediately recognized him, "Oh, shit! I mean… Lantar? Is that you? You look different!" She said, "Yeah. Pretty much because I got beaten up and have some fractures on my head. How are you, Alice?" Lantar asked, trying to smile as it hurt him, "I was good. Things were pretty weird after you disappeared once that fire alarm was set up." Alice said, "Why are officers fine with me roaming around? I thought they would arrest me once I stepped in docking bay." Lantar explained her, but Alice didn't seem to know, "I think you should ask Bailey for answers. He's in his office." Alice said and Lantar nodded, leaving towards the elevator. Nobody from C-Sec minded Lantar. Truly, without his uniform they didn't even recognize him and with his new clothing he couldn't even be recognized. The elevator took Lantar to the top floor to Bailey. Presidium didn't change one bit since he left. Like he never left. On the top floor, Lantar entered Bailey's office. Captain Bailey interrupted his paperwork and looked at Lantar, "Oh I'll be damned… Lantar Sidonis. What brings you here?" Bailey asked and Lantar stood in front of his desk, "Questions." Lantar clarified shortly and Bailey gestured him to sit on the chair, "What happened with C-Sec? When I got here, I was expecting handcuffs right away when I got here." Lantar said but Bailey only shrugged, "Well, how to say that… we have nothing to accuse you of." Bailey said but Lantar was confused, "Say what? But I…" Lantar didn't finish it. Bailey got into it, "Killed human? That's what we both know, but there aren't any evidences that would prove it." Bailey explained, "You say… nothing?" Lantar asked and Bailey shook his head, "No. Fingerprints are gone, even the human you killed disappeared. His apartment was completely purged with no evidences that something happened. The only thing that is still valid is that he owned Hallex, but nothing more. Because of that, the verdict was invalid and we had to shred it." Bailey said, Lantar was thinking if Dartus was behind this, "So you're just gonna let me go? How is it possible that there is nothing on me?" Lantar asked, "The answer is simple. Dartus was thorough while cleaning your name." Bailey explained and Lantar knew Dartus was in problem, "What is with Dartus? How did you find out?" Lantar asked many questions, "You've got a lot of questions on turian. There were footages from security cameras. We saw how he erased the evidences from consoles and archives. Also, we saw how he triggered the fire alarm. Both of these things were considered to be violation against the principles of C-Sec officer and because of that, I couldn't let him work for C-Sec anymore even he was fine officer. Normally I would put officer to jail as in your case, but Dartus was serving C-Sec for 20 years so I turned a blind eye over this case and just fired him." Bailey explained, Lantar couldn't believe what he heard, "You're kidding! So you just fired him? Where is he now?!" Lantar asked, "Dartus wasn't concrete where he was going, but he said he was going on expedition to Earth. If he wouldn't succeed, he said something about Illium so if I were you, I'd start looking there because it's been week since he went to Earth." Bailey said and Lantar got on his feet, "Alright… thanks for your time, Bailey…" Lantar was about to turn away when Bailey stopped, "I don't know what is between you two, but Dartus predicted you would be looking for him," Bailey said, putting a credit chit to the table, "He left you this, probably expected you didn't have credits." Lantar took the credit chit, "Thanks, Bailey." Lantar said but Bailey returned to his paperwork, "Don't thank me. Just go and let me do my work. You two have obviously a lot to talk about…" he said and Lantar left his office with slight smile, "He really wants to see me. I'm coming for you, Dartus." Lantar thought. He didn't hesitate and backtracked the way he came and hurried back to the docking bay. He took the first ship leaving towards Illium, not wasting time with getting food or anything. He settled down in the ship and left the Citadel as quickly as he arrived at it.
Meanwhile back on Earth, Garrus Vakarian was sitting in his armchair, his house was awfully silent. Nothing but sound of TV spread across his living room. There was nothing to watch in TV. Garrus tried each channel he could get but nothing was entertaining him. Garrus was feeling so bitter and shit and angry. He wished there was some liquor he could drink and forget. He didn't care that celebrations of the New year were coming by the midnight, he just wished to drink himself unconscious. He knew he couldn't because he and Lantar drank all of his supply yesterday. He missed his voice, his footsteps coming down the stairs. Lantar was gone and Garrus was so gloomy, realizing what mistake he did, "He didn't do anything to hurt me. He was just… trying to help me. He knew what I needed like Jane knew. He was right. I should move on and find somebody, but Lantar doesn't deserve somebody like me. He deserves better…" Garrus closed his eyes, "It is too late to make things right… or not? Jane, Ripper, Sensat, Erash… others? Is it too late?" Garrus thought, when he suddenly opened his eyes, "No, it's not late. It's never too late. I must find Lantar and apologize to him!" Garrus switched his TV off and went upstairs in his room. He opened hidden mobile FTL communication center, switching it on "Please select specific inquiry." The computer said, "Set up communication link to the Shadow Broker, Liara T'Soni." Garrus required, "Shadow Broker Liara T'Soni blocks all non-secured channel communications and is requesting code name in order to pass the security firewall." The computer said, "Code name is Archangel." Garrus said, "Permission granted. Setting video-com now." The computer said and Liara appeared on the monitor, "Hello, Garrus! How are you getting ready for celebrations of the New year on Earth?" Liara asked, smiling but Garrus didn't smile, "I don't have celebrations in plan this year. I need your help, Liara." Garrus said and Liara's expression went serious, "You look like you've lost something important. What do you need?" Liara asked, "I've lost something important, or better said somebody. Liara, can you give me intel on location of Lantar Sidonis?" Garrus said and Liara searched through data in her other console, "Well, according to the newest information he was on the Citadel. He visited C-Sec academy, but according to my agents he was there only half an hour, then they spotted him leaving back to docking bay. Is that everything you needed to know?" Liara asked, "If he left the Citadel, it doesn't have any meaning to go there…" Garrus muttered, "I would suggest you to go and ask Bailey what he wanted. It might help you in your investigation." Liara suggested but Garrus didn't seem to answer, "Is there anything I should know? Why do you look for him anyway?" she asked, "Uh… it's nothing serious." Garrus said, looking elsewhere, "Why didn't you just send him message through console?" Liara asked him, sensing something wasn't right, "Because he would delete the message instantly…" Garrus thought, looking back at the monitor, "Just keep me updated while I try to get on the Citadel, ok?" Garrus asked and Liara nodded.
He disrupted his communication with her and sent command to start a new one, "Please select specific inquiry." The computer said again, "Patch me to SSV Normandy, more specifically to its flight lieutenant Jeff Moreau alias Joker." Garrus said and Joker appeared on the screen, "Hey, Garrus!" Joker smiled, "Joker? You wish to fly again?" Garrus asked with smile on his face, "Yeah, sure, but maybe next week! Today I wish to drunk myself to unconsciousness!" he laughed and Garrus switched the communication link off, "I should have known he wouldn't help me… alright, Garrus, it looks like you're on your own." He thought and made sure he was ready to leave. Garrus was hoping for Joker to give him lift because Normandy was swift in interstellar travel which he would really appreciate. Now Garrus had to take his own ship. He couldn't complain, it was also fast but not as much as Normandy. Garrus was already on his way to the astro-port of the Alliance base.
After an hour, Garrus got on board of his ship. Starting the engines, suited in his uniform, Garrus set off towards Mass relay that was going to provide him jump directly in Serpent nebula. In the meantime, Lantar escaped the ship on Illium, more precisely at Nos-astra port, "So, this is Illium. Now where do I find Dartus?" Lantar thought and continued through alleys and business sections. Illium was place of intergalactic business like Noveria but as safe as it appeared, you could sign wrong contract and work as a slave forever. Luckily, Lantar's interest didn't belong to doing business. He didn't have much credits but hoped that Dartus was close so he just passed by the market vendors and avoided any attempt of getting himself fucked by the marketing, "Eternity. That is a bar, I think. Perhaps Dartus is there?" Lantar looked over the big plaza and took a straight walk towards the stairs leading inside the bar. Door to the bar opened, Lantar saw it had nice view to Illium's panorama. He looked around, but nobody looked like Dartus. Lantar was becoming desperate, "Where is he? He could be anywhere on Illium!" he asked himself. He sighed sadly and went over to the bar. The asari matriarch who was serving drinks immediately read Lantar's face, sensing he was in despair, "Hey, kiddo. You look down. Wanna drink?" she asked, Lantar looked at her, "Yeah, but I don't have much creds." He said and the asari served three glasses of liquor, "First three are on the house, then you've gotta pay. Enjoy your drink!" she gave him a little smile, "Thanks…" Lantar said and started drinking. Drinking and thinking. He could feel being so close to Dartus and yet so far. If only Dartus was there next to him so Lantar could speak with him. He wished to come to his place and take him. But this time he didn't only want to blow off steam. He wished to grasp him firmly around his belt and nuzzle against that skin of his.
Suddenly, someone came behind Lantar without him knowing it, "Mind if I take seat next to you, young man?" he asked with his deep voice, Lantar just stared at his drink, "Sure… but don't think I am crazy or mean when I'm not gonna talk to you." Lantar said with some annoyance in his voice, "I didn't expect you to talk to me right away, kid…" the man said and Lantar realized the way he said it, it was Dartus! "Dartus?!" Lantar said, looking behind and watched how the older stood next to him. He didn't hesitate and jumped at Dartus' belt, hugging him, "Ow! Slow on me!" Dartus said with chuckle in his voice, pushing Lantar gently off of him. He and Lantar sat down to chair, "Where have you been? I've been looking for you everywhere in London! Nobody said anything about you." Dartus reproached but smiled at Lantar, "There… there were many things, Dartus. I arrived at London, trying to find job, place to live, but I couldn't find anything and ended up on street!" Lantar said and Dartus ordered a drink for himself, "Oh? You look quite well for that! Tell me what happened?" Dartus said and grasped the glass, looking at Lantar, "I was having fever, my clothing wasn't enough and Garrus found me, took me into his house and gave me the best treatment he could afford. He bought these clothes, we spent Christmas together, damn good Christmas." Lantar explained. Dartus felt need to know what happened that he left, "But now you are here. Why? What happened between you and Garrus?" he asked, "Everything was so good. We were friends again, he forgave me. But then… I had serious talk with him that resulted with some fractures for me and I had to leave." Lantar said, Dartus placed one arm around Lantar's back, "You pushed too hard, right?" he asked Lantar, "Dartus, he was trapped! He didn't wish to accept fact that Jane Shepard was dead but I tried to talk some sense to him. When I said that I loved him, I ended up on the ground with fractured plates and bleeding in mouth as he pointed his gun at me…" Lantar said, staring at his drink. Dartus seemed to notice the pain that Lantar felt after being rejected. He gently grabbed Lantar's chin, turning his face to his own, "You don't need Garrus for your life, Lantar. If he was able to do this to you after everything you suffered for him, you don't need him." Dartus said soothingly, smiling at him and patting his back, "I've tried to track you down. I visited Citadel. Bailey said he fired you for what you did to me. I can't believe you did that! Throwing away 20 years of your career just because of me…" Lantar said, looking at his drink again, "I'd do it for you again, kid. Besides, local law reinforcement pays better than C-Sec did." Dartus explained and Lantar could feel his blood starting to boil, making him blush, "Dartus…?" Lantar said, looking at the other turian again. Dartus looked at him as well, expecting question, "Why don't you just say it…?" he asked and Dartus smiled, "It would sound pervert from mid-aged turian. I need you to say that." Dartus winked and Lantar sighed, ready to confess his affection towards Dartus. The bartender matriarch noticed it and stood at them, "Don't want to interrupt your conversation, but I know where this leads. Find your own place for it." She smiled and Lantar looked back at Dartus. He just moved his head the way he was showing him to follow.