The Presidium was the heart of the Citadel, a lush and verdant oasis of diplomacy and power nestled within the station's central ring. Unlike the bustling Wards, it exuded an air of exclusivity, sweeping architecture blending seamlessly with cascading waterfalls and vibrant greenery. Here, the scent of blooming flowers mingled with a tranquil rhythm that stood in stark contrast to the never-ending hum of activity elsewhere. At its center loomed the Citadel Tower, the Council's seat of authority and the stage for events of galactic significance.
Today, the Presidium hosted an event of notable importance: the First Contact War Peace Talks. While not a moment to redefine galactic history, it was a significant step toward easing tensions between two proud species. The air buzzed with a quiet anticipation as onlookers gathered, curious to witness the proceedings. The Council, ever eager to claim credit for fostering interspecies harmony, saw the talks as another opportunity to showcase their diplomatic prowess.
With a sigh, Garrus adjusted his ceremonial stripes one last time. As he stepped out of the shuttle and glanced up at the Tower, the turian felt like a small fish in a very big pond, knowing full well eyes of the galaxy would be following him to navigate the unfamiliar waters.
Ten minutes later, he joined his Primarch and the four esteemed high-ranking officers of the Turian Hierarchy at the top floor of the Tower, in the hallway leading to the Council Chambers. The Primarch wore the traditional ceremonial attire, while the four officials and his son stood proudly in their full-dress uniforms, befitting the situation.
They waited patiently at the top of the long grand staircase which led to the chambers from the Tower elevator. It was a deliberate design choice by the Council, aiming to make itself seem less accessible to those who sought their audience, advice, or assistance—a final climb that symbolized the ascent to law and order.
Garrus watched the people downstairs with interest. A diverse crowd of politicians, elected officials, and benefactors from every race, as well as reporters from various Citadel-affiliated news stations had gathered at every level of the structure.
When a C-Sec officer finally announced the humans' arrival, Garrus felt a mix of relief and anxiety ripple through the turian delegates' subvocals. Despite their outward calm, the weight of the moment was not lost on any of them.
The Alliance delegation, led by Admiral Steven Shepard, exited the tower elevator and was ushered to the stares. Garrus straightened his posture had never met the admiral in person, but he knew all about him. As any diligent soldier, the turian believed in knowing his enemy, especially the one as formidable as the Alliance's best and brightest. Shepard's remarkable journey from an enlisted man to the highest tier impressed him greatly and remained a legendary tale within the Alliance itself up to this day.
A true hero to his people and a brilliant strategist, Admiral Shepard had held many victories throughout the First Contact War, up until the pivotal battle of Shanxi. That day marked a tipping point for him in realizing that humanity could not win the war without losing something much greater in the process. While others thirsted for vengeance, rumor had it, Shepard was among the first high-command officers to actively advocate for peace, striving to persuade the Alliance that only through diplomacy could humanity avoid the irreparable.
As minutes passed by in flashes from reporter drones and crowd cheers, Garrus stood patiently in the perfect military posture behind his Primarch, slightly to his right.
Then, suddenly, the world spun off its axis.
It struck him like a tidal wave, overwhelming his senses and leaving him reeling. His heart pounded with a newfound intensity. His lungs refused to function, as though all the air had suddenly vanished from the room. And he desperately tried to identify the source of whatever had so ruthlessly shattered his self-control.
He felt her.
A sweet, warm scent, with subtle hints of something earthy, unlike any other in the galaxy. The fragrance that had haunted his dreams for the past two years. It grew stronger with each breath, filling the space around him, clouding his mind, and sending his head spinning.
Spirits, he thought, he was losing his mind. Why now, why here? Of all places… It was bad, really bad. He tried desperately to control his breathing, but it was impossible as the smell of her was filling more and more space in his chest. And that's when he knew—she was here, somewhere in the crowd, and her presence was overwhelming him.
Garrus tried to focus, to remain steadfast and unfaltering as the turian officer he was. But she was consuming him from the inside out. He could feel her presence like a tangible force, pulling him towards her even as he stood his ground, awaiting the arrival of the human delegation.
And that's when he saw her.
His heart skipped a beat as his eyes locked onto her walking amongst the diplomats. Her shiny hair was pulled back into a tight bun. She wore the official black Alliance uniform, the fabric clinging to her curves in a way that made his pulse race.
The Council's attaché, a slim purple-skinned asari, set out to introduce the humans, their well-known names echoed through the chamber. But Garrus waited for one, just one name, so dear to his heart, that never came.
"Steven Shepard, Admiral of the Fifth Fleet of the Alliance. Stephen Hackett, Vice Admiral of the Second Fleet of the Alliance. David Anderson, General of the First Marine Division of the Alliance. Randall Ezno, Lieutenant General of the 103rd Mobile Infantry Division of the Alliance. Kaidan Alenko, Major of the N7 Unit. And escort."
She stood completely still, slightly behind the chief delegates, among attachés and assistants. Her human face was tense from all the importance and formality, her cheeks colored by a soft pink that Garrus found utterly captivating. And her eyes... Her beautiful vibrant violet eyes were shy, and soft, and gentle.
They looked straight at him.
She was here, on the Citadel. Katie! The name echoed in his mind, a silent cry of joy and anguish. He wanted to reach out to her, to touch her, to make sure she was real and not some cruel trick of his imagination.
The turian delegation stepped forward, each member standing tall as they were introduced by the attaché, "Castis Vakarian, the Primarch of Palaven," Garrus heard the asari's distant voice, as he held still, drowning in her eyes. "Septimus Oraka, Admiral of the First Fleet of the Hierarchy. Lorik Qui'in, Vice Admiral of the Third Fleet of the Hierarchy. Adrien Victus, General of the Valorian Phalanx of the Hierarchy. Garrus Vakarian, Major of the Sixth Fleet of the Hierarchy."
He vaguely registered his own name and noticed Katie's eyes dilate ever so slightly at the mention of it. Her heart was pounding—that fluttering sound he knew so well. She was agitated, yet she didn't seem surprised.
The thought left him reeling and he struggled to process the meaning of it. Did she know he would be here? Had she known for a while?
"Welcome to the Citadel, Admiral Shepard," greeted the Primarch. He extended his turian hand in a completely human gesture.
"Primarch Vakarian," the admiral nodded in curt and respectful greeting of his own, shaking Castis's hand without hesitation. It was not the first time the two met.
They paused in their handshake for a moment longer than they had to, posing for the cameras of the reporter drones.
"I hope your journey was not too tiresome," Castis said, more as a courtesy than actual concern, as he knew exactly how long the humans had to travel from their system. The Citadel was only six hour-cycles away from Palaven, whereas it took humans days to get here from the Charon Relay.
The two leaders kept exchanging pleasantries, involved in a small talk their politics demanded. Garrus used every second of it to study her face. She looked exactly the same as he remembered. Not that two years would change her much. Humans aged at the same pace as his own kind, though their lifespan was somewhat shorter than that of turians.
She was the first to avert her eyes, when she heard her father mentioning her name. "Please allow me to introduce my daughter Kathreen?" Shepard said, a tinge of pride evident in his voice.
"Miss Shepard," the Primarch nodded in her direction, noting the strange color of the human's eyes.
She smiled politely and bowed respectfully in return.
Admiral Shepard's daughter.
Kathreen. That was her full name. No wonder he could not find her anywhere. His people never shortened their names, holding a strong belief that it was a sign of disrespect. He should have known it wasn't the case with humans. Stupid, stupid turian! The frustration at his own oversight washed over him, laced with a bittersweet amusement at the cultural misunderstanding.
"I must say, Primarch," Shepard remarked, his eyes scanning the magnificent architecture of the Presidium, "the Citadel is truly an awe-inspiring place. It's hard to believe that just a few years ago, we humans had no idea such wonders existed in the galaxy."
Castis Vakarian nodded, his mandibles flaring slightly in what passed for a turian smile. "Indeed, Admiral. The station has been the heart of galactic civilization for millennia. It is our hope that soon, humanity will consider it as much their home as we do." The words sounded rehearsed, and the admiral couldn't help but wonder if his turian counterpart truly meant them.
As the two leaders conversed, Major Kaidan Alenko found his attention repeatedly drawn to Kathreen. She'd been very nervous, ever since they landed on the Citadel, paler than usual, and now she could barely contain her distress. Was it the turians? Were they making her uncomfortable?
Alenko noticed the way Kathreen's eyes kept darting towards the turian major, and a flicker of unease ignited in his chest. He recognized those eyes immediately, the cold stare of them Kaidan could never forget. Major Garrus Vakarian of the Sixth Fleet, he thought, feeling the scars on his face twitch involuntarily. The name that filled his heart with so much hate it overwhelmed him. Kaidan had prepared himself for this moment, and now that they stood facing each other once again he took it with all the dignity of the decorated officer that he was, swallowing the all-consuming rage.
The turian didn't even look his way, his predator eyes were scanning Kathreen, making her blush under his shameless gaze. The audacity of the beast!
Of all the turmoil of emotions of his own, Kaidan decided to concentrate on the sense of protectiveness he felt towards her, ignoring other, more complicated feelings that ran so deep he dared not to name them.
Castis Vakarian's mandibles tightened in disapproval as his gaze darted between Garrus and Alenko, the human officer whose presence, he assumed, was the reason for his son's discomfort. The leader of Palaven was well aware of their shared history, but this was neither the time nor place for old wounds to fester.
While the humans remained unaware of the underlying tension, the turian officials present would undoubtedly hear Garrus's distress. Castis thought he had trained him better. Since when could his son not control his vibrations? Such a lapse in composure could invite unwanted speculation and potentially compromise Major Vakarian's position in the talks. The Primarch had brought him into the negotiations proceedings to groom him for future leadership and remedy his standing with the Hierarchy, not to jeopardize it even further.
"... my son, Major Garrus Vakarian of the Sixth Fleet," the Primarch said, his voice tinged with warning. He hoped that drawing attention to the younger turian might snap him out of whatever trance he seemed to be in.
Garrus straightened at the mention of his name. "Admiral," he nodded at Shepard with respect. Then, breaking all protocol, he turned his gaze to Katie. "Miss Shepard."
To the utter astonishment of the people around him, the turian extended his arm to her. She blinked surprised, knowing full well all eyes were on her now, and gave him her hand somewhat hesitantly. He brought it to his mouth plates and pressed it slightly, imitating a human kiss.
The gesture sent a jolt of electricity through Katie's body. The feel of him against her skin brought back a flood of memories. Her cheeks flushed, and she found herself unable to meet his stare. She could feel her father's curious gaze upon her and prayed he wouldn't notice anything amiss.
The hall felt thick with confusion. The turian delegation stood in stunned silence, not quite understanding why the major would suddenly break protocol with an unfamiliar human gesture. Primarch Vakarian's mandibles twitched, subvocals betraying concern and irritation.
Admiral Shepard broke the silence with a good-natured laugh. "Major has certainly come prepared," he said in an approving tone, eyes twinkling with amusement. Some of his company joined in the laughter. Castis visibly relaxed at the sound but continued to regard his son with suspicion.
Oblivious to his father's frustration, Garrus found himself speaking again, his eyes never leaving Katie's face. "Is it your first time on the Citadel?"
Her gaze held his, as she spoke in a controlled voice, "It is."
Before he could say anything more, the attaché announced, "The Council members are ready for you now." The moment was broken, and everyone turned to follow the asari.
The delegations made their way to the chambers. Shepard, walking alongside his daughter, noticed how she swayed slightly. Her face, already pale since their arrival, now seemed completely drained of color.
"Are you alright, Kathreen?"
"Yes, I'm fine," she replied, but her voice betrayed her.
Garrus knew his presence affected her, just as hers affected him. But unlike the turian, Katie had no military training to keep her in check. As all eyes turned to her once more, he rushed to remedy the situation, "It's the Citadel air," the turian explained, his tone reassuring. "It takes some time to get used to. Don't worry, you'll adjust soon."
Katie looked at him with a flicker of gratitude in her violet depths.
"Maybe you need to sit down." Kaidan Alenko stepped forward, worry etched on his face.
Garrus vaguely registered the human major's presence before, as he was taken by the initial shock of seeing Katie, and the name mentioned by the attaché stirred no emotions. Now, however, as he was paying more attention to what was actually happening, he couldn't help but tense up at the presence of the male. He knew Alenko would be here, and he knew how that would make him feel. The sight of the human's scars brought back memories and emotions he had long since suppressed.
The animosity between them was mutual. Yet it was the way Alenko looked at Katie that made Garrus's plates itch with discomfort. Was it just concern for her well-being, or was there something more? Affection? Garrus's stomach churned.
The Primarch was growing increasingly impatient with the commotion. Too much fuss over one tiny human female. He couldn't understand why the admiral would even bring her here. There was no time for this; the Council members were waiting. And his son's sudden interruption only added to his irritation.
Garrus, sensing the awkward pause, made a quick decision. "The Presidium garden is right outside the atrium," he said. "There's more fresh air there... Would you allow me to escort you?"
Katie considered the offer reluctantly, then looked at her father. Admiral Shepard gave her a slight nod. This was actually a good idea, Shepard thought. They couldn't keep the Council members waiting—the first impression was too important. And dragging her inside lightheaded was also not an option. Though he was slightly hesitant about leaving his daughter with a turian, the fact that it was the Primarch's son put him at ease.
Castis Vakarian's mandibles clicked with discontent. What in the Spirits name was he doing? He needed Garrus inside the chambers, make his appearance, be present, be noted. Not off entertaining some feeble human. They'd discussed it before, and the Primarch made his thoughts on the matter pretty clear, yet Garrus ignored the unspoken command. Was he trying to impress the admiral that way? No, that would be a cheap move. Something was amiss, and Castis was bothered by not knowing what exactly.
"I'd appreciate it, Major," Katie finally spoke.
Garrus gestured for her to follow him, leading the way out of the atrium and towards the Presidium garden. His steps were measured, his gaze briefly flicking to his beautiful human as they walked the empty corridors cleared of the crowd by C-Sec officers.
He could feel the weight of gazes on his back. It was obvious that taking Katie away was causing unease among the humans, especially Alenko. The Primarch was equally frustrated, thought for other reasons entirely. But Garrus couldn't care less. Today's meeting was more of a ceremonial thing than anything else. Real work would start the next day, when the first official round of negotiations began. So he knew they didn't really need him inside.
They walked in silence, as Garrus struggled to find the right words. There was so much he wanted to tell her, so many questions he needed to ask, but instead all he could master was, "How are you feeling?"
Katie took a deep breath before answering. "I'm... I'm not sure," she admitted. "It's all a bit overwhelming."
Garrus nodded in understanding. "The Citadel can have that effect, especially on first-time visitors," he said, though they both knew it wasn't the station that was overwhelming her.
The garden offered a peaceful escape from the usually busy corridors of the Presidium Tower, and he hoped that it would provide a moment of calm for both of them. As they stepped into the lush greenery, he felt anticipation and anxiety knotting in his stomach. This was the moment he had dreamed of for so long, yet now that it was here, he found himself at a loss.
The turian brought her to the railings of the promenade overlooking the artificial lake. He studied her face more thoroughly now, without fear of anyone noticing. Her features were so delicate, so human, just as he remembered.
The turian's eyes were full of warmth, as was his voice, when he finally spoke her name out loud, "Katie." The sound of it sent a shiver down her spine. It had been so long since she heard those subtle dual-tones, and yet it felt as if no time had passed at all. She stood motionless, eyes fixed at the lake, afraid to even look at him. The emotion in his voice was almost too much to bear.
"Kathreen Shepard, the admiral's daughter…" his voice trailed off. It all made perfect sense now. He understood why the Turian Hierarchy had sent him to Lindor. It was her, and only her, they were after.
"Garrus Vakarian, the Primarch's son," she said, mirroring his words. The irony of their situation was not lost on her either. They had never revealed their true identities to each other, for they both knew the consequences.
"When did you know?" he asked, remembering how she hadn't seemed entirely surprised to see him.
Katie hesitated before answering. "When we set course for the Citadel. The admiral had a list of turian representatives, with dossiers and pictures. I recognized your markings."
Garrus nodded, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest. "Katie, I..." he started, not sure what exactly he wanted to say. There were so many words crowding his mind, so many emotions fighting for expression.
"Did you ever tell anyone?" she interrupted. "About what happened?"
"No," he said firmly. "Did you?"
She shook her head, relief washing over her features. "We never can. No one can know."
Garrus studied her face seeing fear and pain in her.
"Please," she looked straight at him, her violet eyes pleading him, hands gripping tighter at the railings. "Please, promise me." The desperation in her voice was heart-wrenching. She needed this assurance from him, needed to know that their secret was safe.
He would do anything she asked, so Garrus nodded. "I promise." His voice was soft but firm, filled with determination that left no room for doubt. He would take this secret to his grave if he had to.
He made a step towards her, closing the gap between them. His large hand enveloped her smaller one on the railing. "Spirits, Katie," he was unable to hide the heat in his voice. "I hoped you were safe."
"I hoped the same for you," she whispered barely audible.
"We need to talk. Maybe after—"
"No!" she almost shouted, startling him. "We can't."
Garrus stared at her, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend her words. It wasn't at all what he expected. Not how he had imagined it. His sweet and gentle Katie. In his dreams, she had been warm and wanting, she had fallen into his arms, giving herself to him like that one time before.
Katie looked as if she was terrified of him. She averted her gaze, "There's nothing to talk about, Gar... Major Vakarian," she said quietly. "We can't."
He realized the secret they shared, the horror they had both endured, it was all too much for her. She was crumbling under its weight. Just like him, Katie had probably spent all this time desperately trying to forget and move on with her life. Had she succeeded? Was he hurting her right now? Reminding her of all the pain and suffering?
"Katie," he said softly, reaching out to touch her cheek.
She recoiled, "Don't touch me. Please."
He withdrew his hand, feeling the distance growing, separating them not just physically, but emotionally as well. And in that moment, Garrus wondered if the feelings they had for each other would be from now on tainted by the horror they had experienced. And if the fear and despair he saw in her eyes right now would forever replace the affection and trust that had been there before.
He stood, lost in his own thoughts, while the Citadel hummed around them as a constant reminder of the world that would never be the same. Garrus knew that without her in his arms, he could never go back to life. The turian he was, the turian he had become, that turian needed to know—was she still his?
He searched her face for answers. His voice was soft, filled with affection when he spoke, "Please, don't shut me out."
"It was a mistake," she whispered. "I shouldn't have let you—" She hesitated, trying to find the right words. "I shouldn't have let you get close to me."
Her words cut deep. Did she truly mean it? Or was she just scared and overwhelmed, like that day on the riverbank? He needed to know. His mandibles tightened with the effort to keep his composure, mind racing to form a response—
"Kathreen." Alenko's voice came from behind, cutting through the tension between them.
Katie flinched at the sound. She hesitated for a moment before turning to face the human.
"How are you feeling?" Alenko inquired with genuine concern. Garrus, standing nearby, noted the way his human eyes seemed to warm as they settled on the female. It was a subtle shift. But the turian could sense it, and the protective instinct that had always been there when it came to Katie flared up, stronger than ever.
Was the human pursuing her? The thought stirred something deep within him, a sense of possessiveness he had never experienced. He didn't like the way Alenko looked at her, gaze lingering a little too long. And he certainly didn't like the smile Katie gave the human in response. It spoke of familiarity, of comfort, and it made Garrus's heart clench with jealousy.
"Much better, thank you," she smiled warmly, hoping it would convince Kaidan that she was fine. "Major Vakarian was showing me around the Presidium. It's truly a marvel to behold." Her words were careful, measured.
Alenko's eyes bore into Garrus's, his ice-grey stare growing colder by the second.
"Major Vakarian," Kaidan said in a chilling tone. The way he pronounced the turian's name was almost a challenge, heavy with unspoken accusations and old grudges.
Garrus met Alenko's gaze unflinchingly. He would accept the challenge gladly, if that's what the human wanted. They stood looking into each other's eyes in a silent battle that needed no words. Garrus's mandibles tightened against his face, a subtle turian expression of aggression that he knew the human would recognize but couldn't help displaying.
The pause was uncomfortable, and filled Katie with unease. The two officers definitely shared a history. It wasn't at all unlikely, given their ranks, that they could have crossed paths before. But there was something more to it, something that made their interaction particularly charged.
She decided to poke the subject, hoping to diffuse the tension. "You two know each other?"
Alenko's gaze didn't waver from Garrus. "Shanxi," he answered slowly.
That one word was enough to fill the air with memories. Garrus's posture stiffened almost imperceptibly at the mention of the battle, a reaction that didn't escape Katie's notice.
She moved closer to Kaidan and touched his arm. Her motion, gentle and barely palpable, was enough to make a change in Alenko's whole demeanor. His full attention instantly turned to her, as he studied her concerned face for a moment. "We should probably head back," he said eager to get her away from the turian. "The admiral likes everyone in position before he's done."
"Of course," she replied, moving even closer to the human and taking his elbow in a human-like gesture that seemed too intimate for Garrus's liking.
Katie glanced at the turian one last time. "Was nice to meet you, Major."
"You too, Miss Shepard," he heard himself say, voice reflecting what he felt at that moment. Hollow.
Then, she allowed the human to lead her away from him. What was the meaning of that gesture? Garrus thought anxiously, his mandibles twitching and pressing tighter against his jaw. Was the human claiming her? Was she his?
Her words still echoed in his troubled mind. "It was a mistake".
Watching her from afar, he could feel the intense aura of her presence. Her scent wafted through the air, a heady mix of sweet flowers and musk. He could almost taste it on his tongue and it was intoxicating.
He didn't know much about her. He didn't need to. Her scent was enough, as it had been with others before her. It always took just a tiny whiff for him to lock on to his prey. The thrill of the chase was too sweet to resist. And she was by far the sweetest of them all.
The other humans around her were insignificant in comparison. They were all the same, their scents bland and unremarkable. To him, they were nothing more than background noise, something to be ignored and discarded.
When she finally reached the top of the stairs, he could study her every detail. She was flushing with red as humans sometimes did, and he wondered vaguely if she was considered attractive by her species standards. Judging by the way they hovered, protective and possessive, she must have been. But it wasn't that kind of beauty that mattered to him. It was the power she carried, untamed and searing beneath that delicate exterior.
He noticed the Vakarian pup shaking with agitation, fledgling mandibles flinching, barely suppressing his subvocals at the sight of her. A sign of weakness, pitiful and disdainful—so unbecoming of an officer of his stature. But then again, what could one expect from a Vakarian? It seemed the son had inherited his father's lack of restraint.
The brat led her into the garden and he followed, watching the pup drool all over the female. It was almost endearing. When another male approached, a flicker of amusement crossed his features. The human's stance, stiff with territoriality, was unmistakable. This one sought to challenge, to protect what he foolishly believed was his. He enjoyed the exchange, the interplay of clear animosity and subtle aggression, and a smirk tugged at his mandibles. This was a dynamic he could exploit—a fierce rivalry ripe for manipulation.
He remained in the shadows of the trees, observing the tangled web forming before him. Every move, every glance, every word played into his plans. It was almost too easy. They were blind to him, consumed by their petty emotions and conflicts, while he bid his time. Humans and turians, much like the pair before him, would tear each other apart if pushed the right way.
He drew her into his lungs once more—this time a mixture of fear and agitation. The very scent that had been imprinted in his mind ever since the moment their paths had crossed. The memory lingered refusing to fade—vivid and unyielding, much like the defiance in her eyes.
He had seen her power, knew what that small body was capable of. It made him itch. Biotics like hers was extremely hard to come by. She was a rare breed, and he would take great pleasure breaking her in. He would certainly make her last longer. The others, they expired too quickly, too soon. And she seemed even softer than they.
As she disappeared from sight, led away by the human male, his gaze lingered on the pup who still stood there, rooted to the spot, his weakness exposed.
"The game has changed, Vakarian," he murmured, more thought than sound. "And this time, you play by my rules."