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Chapter 11

Bekenstein, one year ago.

'You know, I really like your company, Garrus. I'm glad I came with you.'

'You're not bad company either, Shepard, and I needed to leave the ship after what happened at the Citadel with Sidonis.' - he turned to her and looked intensely into her eyes – 'Thank you.'

'You are welcome, Garrus. I care too much about you to let you lose what makes you such a great friend.'

'And what is that? My dashing good looks are even more challenged after that rocket.' He touched his face.

Shepard paused for a moment. She really felt comfortable with him. The time they had actually spent together before she "died" wasn't that big, and now it's the same, but different at the same time. She remembered the young justice hungry Garrus from his days on C-Sec, and back then she didn't trust him enough to have him watching her back. Now, something had changed, and it felt like she has known him all her life.

'Your strong spirit and sense of justice. You... and Tali are the best ones in there. I trust you with my life.'

Garrus was taken aback with what she said. Did she really regarded him that highly?

Shepard turned to continue walking on the busy streets of Milgrom's business centre. She had scheduled a small shore leave of 4 days after two months of nonstop, straight up work. The crew needed it; she needed it. Even after being devastated after what happened in Horizon, the months after it were physically and emotionally draining.

'I...' – Garrus didn't know what to say to that. He respected her more than any other person in this world, and hearing this from her was... he didn't know what to say. He was speechless, just feeling valued and accomplished. – 'Thank you, Shepard.' – He took his place by her side. letting these feelings flood all of him.

With him by her side, she linked her arm to his. 'Alright, Vakarian, the city is ours. What would you like to do?'

Garrus looked at her and SAW her for the first time, beyond her species, beyond her armour. He liked her, really liked her. The notion hit him full on the chest, making it warm and elated but washing down his stomach making it flutter and cool down. She was one of a kind, and her kind was not his. He was from a completely different species. He had never even seen a human and a turian together. I'm foolish to think this could be anything beyond friendship and camaraderie.

'What about mods? I hear there is a store nearby that is specialized in top of the line additions for sniper rifles.' He enjoyed seeing her eyes light up. She loved tinkering with her weapons. Sometimes she would come to his place at the main battery and mess around with his while he calibrated the cannons, and they would spend hours in companionable silence. His rifles were always better when she was finished with them.

They spent hours at the shop. Shepard found a scope which allowed faster and more precise aiming and barrel extensions; she always went for damage and accuracy. He picked ammo modifiers and thermal heat sinks.

'So, do you want to go back and try them on?' He wiggled his eyebrows at her, but he saw something had caught her eyes, and he followed her stare to find the window shop of a clothing store.

'Hum? Ah, yes! Of course! Let's go. There is a shooting range where we could put these bad boys to test tomorrow.' Shepard was looking at an amazing yellow dress in the window shop adorned with a turquoise necklace. For a moment, she was lost in thought and felt the need to just get out of the grey, black, and white of the ship. She had always loved colours. I miss the air on my legs and letting my hair free. I think I'm going out tomorrow, I think I can find a park nearby.

'It is nice, Shepard, you would look beautiful in it.' His sub-harmonics were uncommonly low.

Garrus' voice broke her musings. 'You think so?' Maybe I'll call some of the crew to come or maybe just enjoy the time by myself...

'Yes, I do. Why don't you get it?' The image of her in that dress took his mind to places never considered before. Spirits, what am I going to do?

'I don't know, maybe later.' Shepard felt vulnerable. Garrus always made her feel like that. Like she didn't have defences around him, no... she didn't need defences with him. She could just be herself, Joan Shepard, who was an amalgam of a soldier, vanguard, free spirit and kind of a decent human being. She smiled at him, again. Her cheeks hurt a little, as if they were unaccustomed to pull her lips to show happiness. I like his company, I smile more around him. Maybe I'll invite him.

'Aw, Shepard, c'mon, you know you want to.' He had an amused cast on his face. I want to spend more time with you.

'You're right. I'll come back later and get it. I don't want to bore you with clothes shopping. I know men aren't too fond of doing that.'

'Shepard, I'm not a human male.' – he caught her hand and started steering her to the store.

'Yeah, sorry, sometimes I forget that.' Shepard noticed he paused, made like he was going to say something but stopped himself.

'I'm sorry if I offended! Sorry, Garrus. It's just that for me, you are not a "turian". You are Garrus, my friend and teammate.' Shepard tried to smooth it and still meant every word.

'None taken.' Spirits, what am I going to do with this?

He guided her to the store, and inside, a saleswoman brought her some choices. Shepard tried on a few pieces and picked a couple. After a moment, she heard an "Ahem".

She peeked out of the booth. 'What?'

'Don't I get to see what you are trying on?'

'What? Really? You wanna see it?'

'Of course! I towed you in, didn't I?'

'Oh, ok...'

Shepard came out in a flowing silky dress that looked like water, hugged all her curves, and moved when she did. It was turquoise, and Garrus remembered she often set her armour to that colour. The dress had a light feel, as if it was made of something ethereal. 'You look...' He cleared his throat.

'Yeah... it's nice, isn't it?' She twirled and the dress whooshed around her. It swirled up to the top third of her thighs, almost the whole of her legs were presented to him, and it was humbling.

'It fits me well, I'm taking it. I love this colour.'

The saleswoman heard Shepard and came with a set of jewellery in her hands. "Miss, I believe you would like to try this with the other model, the black one.'

'Oh, thank you.' Shepard looked at the dress the saleswoman mentioned, she didn't know if she liked it. It was black and fitted and a bit revealing. She looked at the jewellery set in her hands and placed it aside. Let's see these other two.

She showed Garrus the other two pieces, and presented him with what was called denim trousers, he really liked those. She picked a few more essentials like shoes, a killer pair of boots and what seemed like sleeping attire, and then they were done.

At the cashier, Garrus saw a black dress on the purchased pile. 'I didn't see you in this one,' he pointed.

'Ah, yeah, I forgot.' - She deflected – 'I tried it before you asked me to show you what I was trying on. It looked good. Maybe one day I'll have a place to wear it.'

They got back, and Shepard went to her quarters. There she organized her purchases, finally a hoodie and a jacket, jeans and t-shirts. She hated the Cerberus logo on her clothing. She also got new panties and bras that actually fitted her and some simple sets of silk tees and shorts for sleeping. Among those everyday items, she set aside two sets of clothing, one yellow dress the same model as the turquoise one which she also got, and the black dress. This dress, she picked and stowed it, will be reserved for a special day.

oO0~0Oo

The next day, Shepard decided to dress light and find a park, some piece of preserved nature for her to relax. Getting ready, she let her hair dry free, curling up wildly and shaping her face. She dressed in the yellow piece and a pair of comfortable sandals. She grabbed a delicate messenger bag big enough to fit her M-6 Carnifex, a thin towel, a bottle of water and some cookies. With everything set, she left her quarters ready to enjoy the sun and hear the wind in the leaves.

Shepard walked through the CIC and reached the airlock near the helm where Garrus and Joker were chatting. Garrus was in the middle of a sentence when he was struck dumb and stared for a few seconds. In a flash of luck, Joker deviated Shepard's attention.

'Wow, Commander. You look... ahm, not scary! That's a good look on you; just don't let the Collectors know about it. Ok?'

'Aww Joker, then how could I not use this to get them off guard?'

'I think you might just make the Collectors fall head over heels in love with you.' Garrus felt his mouth speaking but couldn't help himself. In the middle of the sentence, he was already telling himself to shut up.

'Ahahaha, you are funny big guy, but I don't think my charms would be that efficient.'

'Yeah, you're right.' – Change the subject! – 'But where are you going? You look excited.' Excited? Really? Couldn't I have just said happy or enthusiastic?

Apparently his anxiety was for nothing, because Shepard answered him as she would any other question. 'Yeah, I found a preservation park nearby with a small lake and waterfall. I'm going there to relax a little. Edi, did I give you my nav point?'

'Yes, Sheppard, you have. The crime rate in the area is the lowest in the region, and today is a workday in the city so your chances of privacy will be optimized.'

'Thank you, Edi. Do you want to come, Joker? Garrus?' Shepard looked intently at Garrus. She really wanted him to come. 'I have only one rule, no uniforms. Of any kind. Will you?'

'Nah, Edi and I were going to watch a vid later this morning. You two can go and have fun.' Jeff turned on his chair and began typing away.

'Come with me, Garrus?'

'Alright, I'll go. Go ahead, and I'll meet you there.'

'Alright, see you there.' She flashed a smile at him.

Garrus went to his quarters and was at a loss, he didn't have anything which wasn't an uniform or formal attire. After rummaging in the tight space he kept his things, he managed to find a simple set of white tunic and grey trousers and a pair of rugged shoes.

At the park, Shepard walked for about 10 minutes on the trail. She felt like she was coming home when the sound of water reached her. Arriving there, she immediately turned 15 again. There was a small waterfall, maybe 3 metres tall that first had a shallow base and then flowed to a small round and shallow pool that sent its waters forward in a small stream. The margins were pebbles and grass. The whole place was surrounded by willows and flowered trees. Satisfied that she had found the best place to relax, Shepard placed her bag down and set the thin towel on the grass and lay there, her bag as a pillow and legs bent, basking in the sun.

Shepard was beginning to doze off when she heard the telling sound of Garrus' paces. 'Hi big guy, you came!' She bent her head back and looked at him.

'Yeah, I had to. You out here, all by your lonesome, bullets are bound to fly anytime soon.'

'Well, you know me.' She tapped her bag and showed him her Carnifex.

'Hahaha, of course. So, what is the objective of this mission?'

'First, shoes and gloves off.'

'Ahm, alright.' Garrus saw she had no shoes and her toes were buried in the grass. He decided not to tell her about his gloves and the why of it. He felt comfortable enough to be without them around her .

'Alright, now come down here, sit and just feel the sun on your skin.' Shepard caught Garrus' hand and was amazed at how soft it was. She had heard that turians had tough skin but, touching his skin, she felt that it was thick, but still soft. The top part was more velvety than the palms. She held it naturally, the feel of it just as comfortable as his company.

Garrus was slightly surprised that she touched him so naturally. Lowering his body to sit by her side, he enjoyed the feel of her skin. It was the first time he had touched human skin in his life. Turian hands and feet were extremely sensitive, and it was custom to wear gloves in social situations. They would take them off only in the most private moments.

'Alright, now, do this.' She burrowed her toes on the grass.

'Haha, feels funny. Let's just say that we don't walk barefoot much. Or ever.'

'Ah, you don't know what you are missing. The tickle of the grass leaves under your feet.. smooth, cool and a bit crunchy. I spent all my life in ships. My parents were Alliance, and I basically grew up in the military. The only time I had to enjoy nature was when I went to my grandparents' for summer break. They had a house near a lake, and I would swim and spend entire afternoons there, just laying under the sun and enjoying the view.' Her eyes were alight with good memories.

'I basically had the same structure, but we lived in the city. Not much place to run around. I started military training when I turned seven, went to service at 15, and left when I was 30. After that, you know my story. There isn't a place like this on the Citadel or Omega. My father was very strict, and my mother, well, she "allowed" me to have some time for myself every now and then.'

'So, she pretended she didn't know you were off playing with other kids.'

'Yeah, something like that.'

After some time lying on the grass, the sun started to weigh on them. 'Ok, it's too hot. I'm taking a swim. Wanna come?' Shepard started to take off her dress, and in the process, revealed a cerulean blue two piece bathing suit. 'Don't be alarmed. It's called a bikini.' She smiled.

'Shepard, you obviously haven't seen turians swim. It's a lot of flailing and splashing interrupted by occasional bouts of drowning.'

'Aw c'mon. It can't be that bad. Is there anything that keeps you from swimming or is it simply that you don't feel comfortable in the water?'

'Ah... I'd rather just stay here and keep watch.' He reached for her bag to get her weapon closer to him.

'Ok, it's your loss.'

Garrus watched Shepard. She was different, not turian obviously, but also not assari. Everyone in the galaxy loved the assari, but the blue of their skin, to him, was off-putting. Garrus never felt compelled to pursue them or anything other than turian women. But Shepard's skin was beautiful, coloured in a very pale, peachy, flushed shell colour like the fine plates on some turian females. Her form was proportionate but not as angled as his kind's, and he wondered if she would be as firm as turian females. Or if the rest of her was as soft as her hands. He was fascinated with her hands and feet. So many fingers and toes, much more agile than his own. And her hair, even among humans he didn't see hair like hers that often. It was a mass of curls, wild and unruly. He was fascinated.

Shepard entered the small pool of cool water, and when she reached the middle point where the depth reached only under her breasts, she lay back and let herself float. Hair wet, arms spread out. She only had the company of her heart beat and respiration. Looking up, she saw the azure blue sky framed by the canopy of the trees. He mind drifted, and she imagined what it would be like to have Garrus as a woman has a man. She wondered how he would feel under her hands, if he would like what she could give him, if he would be interested.

The thoughts that now crowded her mind worried her. He's my teammate, my friend, and not human. It's not that I don't believe in cross-species relationships, but I will respect whatever view he has about it.

The sudden realization that if he didn't reciprocate her feelings, she would be very sad washed away the peace she was feeling. Getting up, she decided to let the water beat out some of her tension and walked up to the waterfall.

'Shepard, are you sure this is safe?' Garrus was somewhat apprehensive. He saw how easily she handled herself in water but even so.

'If you are so concerned about me, why don't you come here and make sure I'm safe?'

'I don't think that would be wise.'

'So, you are telling me that you have my back at any cost, but you draw a line at water?' She had a mocking tone in her voice, defying him to face his fear.

'Alright, I have always been at your back, and I won't fail you now.' Garrus started towards the rocks, avoiding the pool.

'Here, come through here.' She pointed out a steadier path.

Garrus gingerly found his footing, his two toed feet adapting surprisingly well to the rocky surface. The wet feel of the stones on the soles of his feet was an interesting new sensation.

Finally arriving at the shallow base of the waterfall, with water up to his knees, he decided it wasn't that bad and quite safe.

'Garrus, this is not going to work.' Shepard pointed at him.

'What?'

She reached at him and started unfastening his tunic. 'Shepard, what are you doing?' He was intrigued.

'Trust me, big guy'. - She opened up his tunic and freed Garrus from it. She tried to be as matter of fact as possible and not to linger. Her goal wasn't to seduce or anything like that.

Garrus was again surprised with how naturally she handled him. She must really not care that he is not human. A small bubble of joy began to rise in his chest. He turned to look at her as she rolled up his tunic and then threw it near her bag.

'Don't worry, it'll dry. Now, let the water fall on your back... let your muscles go, relax and listen to the thunder of the water on your ears.'

Garrus noticed how intense she was about it, and decided to give it a try. Have this experience through her guidance.

He closed his eyes, and at first he was a bit lost, but then he began to perceive the water flowing through the sinews of his body. Pooling on his humerotoraxis formation and cascading down his stomach. The flow of water was lulling, and he felt as if it was washing all his worries away.

Shepard watched the creature in front of her. He had a powerful and agile looking body, and it looked nothing like what she learnt in class. He didn't have claws on his hands or toes, it actually looked like he kept them well groomed. His trousers were fitted but now clung to his legs, and she could see the outline of powerful muscles. He was a magnificent predator. She watched him as he relaxed in front of her. His facial features unfurled, his mandibles nested loosely on his jaw. He was a beautiful being, inside and outside.

Garrus opened his eyes and suspected he had caught Shepard watching him. 'What, now you are going to tell me that after seeing me drenched as a sewer varren, my charms washed away?' His mandibles flared in a smile.

'Garrus, you will always have a place in my heart, no matter how you look.' She walked towards the rocks that separated the base of the waterfall and the pool and laid back, floating.

'Ok, now, how do you do that?'

'What? Float? Come here, and I'll teach you.' – at his incredulous look, she added – 'Look, here, I'm standing up, and the water only comes up to here. I assure you, no bouts of drowning. I promise.'

He bravely approached her. 'Ok, how do I do this?'

'Alright, first I'm going to show you how I do it.' She lay back and began floating.

'Here,' - she spoke on a shallow breath – 'place one hand here, just below my ribcage and directly underneath it on my back. Can you feel how my intake and outtake of air affects how much my torso stays above the water?' – She breathed in and out. Her whole body extremely aware of the warmth of his hands on her.

'Yes.' - Garrus voice was laden with a curious and interested subharmonic. – 'You are telling me that your buoyancy is directly related to how much air you have in your lungs.' Her skin underneath his hand was cool and soft, even softer than her hands. His mind was starting to elaborate scenes, and he closed that door immediately. This was not the time.

'Exactly, with that controlled, it's a matter of balancing your weight on it and keeping your legs and arms relaxed but still level with your torso.' The feel of his hands on her was comfortable and welcomed. I will respect him. I'm not going to put him in an awkward position.

'Ok, now it's your turn, lower a bit and lean back, and I'm going to hold you.' – her eyes were level with his – 'Trust me.'

'With my life, Shepard.' And may the Spirits help me, with my heart.

Shepard held him and noticed that his body mass was denser than a human's. He was also a lot heavier than he looked. With care, she stood by his side and held his torso, cradling him, guiding him to relax and feel his breathing. After a few tries, he managed to keep buoyant. Her hands dropped a few centimetres, but she kept them under him in case he lost control.

'See, there is nothing to be afraid of, big guy.'

Garrus felt his weight being supported by the water. The feel of it was freeing. His whole life, he was told not to go near pooled water, and here he was, not drowning with the help of the person he trusted the most. He looked up, and she was all he could see. She was leaning towards him and paying close attention to his efforts.

Standing up, he was close enough to her that he could feel the heat coming off of her body. He raised a hand and caressed her jaw and cradled her cheek.

'Thank you, Shepard.' He leaned his forehead against hers.

Shepard was surprised by his hand on her face and welcomed it, placing her hand on top of his. When he leaned his forehead against hers, she felt a deep connection with him. I don't know what this act means, but I think it means more to a turian than to a human. Shepard's heart swelled.

They held like this for a moment longer. Then, Sheppard shivered, and Garrus could see her skin had pebbled up all over. 'Is everything ok?' – Absent minded, he ran his other hand down her upper arm, feeling her goosebumps. – 'What happened to your skin?'

Shepard shivered. 'Depends, in this case, it means I'm cold.' – She looked at his hand, which was still on her arm, and then up at him. – 'What does your body do when its temperature drops?'

His eyes and hand were still there, hand languidly going up and down. 'Turian bodies are pretty adaptive, our metabolism cranks up, and our core temperature goes up'

His voice was soft, and he looked like he was entranced by the contact. Shepard felt comfortable with it.

Her lips started to get a faint blue cast. 'Let's dry up?'

He dropped his hand. 'Your lips are blue! I'm guessing this is not good. Yes, Of course. Let's get you out of this water.'

They went back to her towel and lay side by side until they were dry and the sun had travelled a good portion of the sky. They dressed and walked back to the entrance of the park to hail a cab, riding back to the Normandy in silence. There wasn't anything to talk about. Their bodies communicated enough, and although they weren't fully aware of how much was "said", their proximity while sitting on the back seat spoke volumes.

oO0~0Oo