Thanks for the reviews, alerts, and favorites. I'm still writing...just been busy what with school coming to an end and what not. Anyway, hopefully everyone enjoys. Happy reading!

Sincerely,
Prism Elf

"Memorial"

Garrus slid the name plate into place on the Memorial Wall. Mordin Solus. He sighed flexing his jaw. His light eyes taking in the list of names, he reached out and traced a gloved claw down the rows. He knew just about everyone on that list. And the ones he didn't he felt like he knew, because people talked about them. Corporal Jenkins. Kaidan and Chakawas spoke of the young human fondly. Kaidan had told stories of the Corporal looking for adventure and a name for himself, but even as he spoke there was a twinge of sorrow and regret that lingered in his eyes.

He had seen him die, been right there. A few more steps and it could have been him instead of the young Corporal. But then where would Shepard have been without Kaidan? Shepard was strong and independent, but she was still one person taking on the responsibility of the entire galaxy. Everything and everyone depended on her and her well-being. Maybe, she would have gotten over it. It had been their first mission together; they hadn't even really talked up until that point, so maybe she would have fine. But now…now he knew. He had spoken with Liara. On Mars, Shepard had almost lost him. If Shepard lost Kaidan she would lose hope. She would have nothing left to fight for. She would be dangerous, but reckless and stupid. They needed Shepard in peak physical and emotional condition. Even if she hadn't forgiven Kaidan for walking away on Horizon months back, or maybe she had. Knowing Shepard she had already forgiven his harsh words even before they were spoken. Garrus wasn't as forgiving. Kaidan hadn't trusted Shepard. Hadn't trusted him. That was not easily tossed aside. If he was here right now, Garrus wasn't certain how he would react.

Hearing that Kaidan was in the hospital on the Citadel didn't help matters. Garrus let his nail scrape down the plaques resting a second or two on each one. He tapped Mordin's name plate as his finger touched it.

"I wouldn't have thought you had it in you. You crazy salarian bastard, curing the genophage, helping Shepard to unite the krogans and turians you helped give us a fighting chance in this war." Garrus muttered dropping his hand away. "Thank you, my people will be in your debt." He whispered the last part. The krogan would be in the salarian's debt too. But as that he had died and gone against the wishes of his own people…he would be remembered and probably scratched from the records of his people's history. Eve would see to the krogan never forgetting the salarian. She was good for Wrex. She would be good for the krogan. They needed that calming factor and that other side of the events perceptive that Eve offered.

"You'll be missed." Garrus stated turning away. Shepard was standing in the elevator. The doors to the lift had just slid open revealing her bright vibrant eyes focused on him. Garrus swallowed. His mandibles flexed as he crossed his arms. The Commander looked tired. Her hair was neat, her uniform pressed, but her face was a book. Usually so guarded and controlled Shepard had dark circles under her eyes, her cheeks looked wane and her expression soft, but tension radiated from her.

"Shepard," Garrus nodded. The Commander looked very vulnerable and nothing like the formidable warrior he knew she was. "You look tired, have you slept yet?" He asked his eyes drifting over her entire body. Her shoulders were slumped. As she walked off the elevator he noticed her steps were sluggish.

"Not yet." She responded coming to a stop in front of the wall. Her hand reached out and she traced a fingertip along Mordin's name etched in the shiny slivery metal. "He died a hero. I couldn't have been prouder." She whispered. "I can only hope for an end as meaningful and promising."

"Don't talk like that." Garrus glanced around. He didn't want any one overhearing Shepard speaking like she had lost all hope. Shepard was their hope, she couldn't lose hers.

Shepard shook her head. "No, it's true; you hope the same thing too." She turned and met his eyes. "All warriors want that. I don't think I want to die in a bed of old age. I want to die in my own way. Even if we lose this war. I will die in my own way. Not the way the Reapers want. But in the way I want. Mordin died doing something he knew was right. He wanted it to be this way. His death had meaning. His death was important. Millions will live because of his sacrifice. That's what I hope for. That's how I want to die. I want millions…billions to be saved." She paused and Garrus blinked. "It might sound self-serving, but in truth if my death stops the deaths of billions, then how can I not lay down my own life. Billions of people have the opportunity to live or to go on living. Who am I to decide that they shouldn't? How am I more important than an entire race, an entire species?"

Garrus chuckled. "That's why you're our savior, Shepard, because you think about these things…you aren't afraid to think about these things. Me, I just hope that I see tomorrow, I just hope that you can find a way to stop the Reapers from destroying Palaven, from destroying the galaxy." He uncrossed his arms and tapped a finger to his chin. "But you have thought about how one life, can make a difference in this war. You want to win this war humanely, even though that might not be possible. You still have hope that you can." He shook his head. "Hope, that's what people need to keep fighting this war. When the numbers are all anyone else can see, you see beyond that. You see the people dying not the numbers."

Shepard shook her head. "No, I see the numbers too. But those numbers are next to names, Garrus. Like Mordin could be number one million four hundred sixty-two thousand five, but to me he still: Mordin Solus. I get that." She rubbed a hand across her eyes. "But it's exhausting thinking like this. And I can't turn it off, because the second I do…I become no better than those that we fight."

Garrus nodded. "I know." He sighed, his jaw flexing again. "Go get some sleep, Shepard, you deserve it. I'll tell Joker to set a course for the Citadel." He started for the elevator with her in tow.

She raised an eyebrow. "The Citadel? Garrus, we don't need to…"

"Oh, I thought there might be a certain Alliance Major who could do with an update and a visit." Garrus replied without missing a beat. Shepard froze as Garrus stepped into the compartment. "What? You don't want to see him?" he asked noticing her hesitation.

Shepard eyed him carefully before stepping forward and into the elevator with him. "It's not that…I just didn't think it was that obvious." She said a ghost of smile slipping onto her face. Garrus cocked his head. Humans' smiles were still a weird concept. He wondered where the idea of baring one's teeth became a sign of happiness.

"You two were close at one point," Garrus commented pushing the button to shut the doors. "It means that you would want to see him. Even if things change between you two, the fact of the matter is, you still cared for him at one point. He was a highlight in your life at one time. You can't change the past. You move on and deal with the consequences." Garrus crossed his arms.

"Now, here's something new, Garrus aka the Archangel, giving me advice about moving on and accepting the consequences of our actions." Shepard teased. "I never would have thought."

Garrus chuckled. "Yeah, don't tell anybody. I have an appearance to keep up."

Shepard laughed. And he found himself joining in. It was good to be back on board the Normandy.