Hello again. I hope whoever does still read this enjoys the story and the future chapters to come. I am endeavoring to continue the regular updates. Wish me luck.

P.S. I realized I screwed up the order of events in the previous chapter with something... but I'm going to leave it. We'll call it creative choice.


Chapter 60

Grunt paced in the cargo hold. He could feel that they were getting close to Tuchanka. He stomped out and marched to the elevator. Though he was barely aware of his process, it felt right in the moment. He reached his destination and the main battery doors hissed open. The turian turned to face him.

"What can I do for you, Grunt?" Garrus asked.

"You're coming with us," he grumbled out before leaving again. Shepard seems to trust this turian more than anyone else. He must be worth his scales, Grunt thought. He smirked, At the very least it might get a fight going.

The doors closed and Garrus remained still, What in the name of the spirits just happened? He typed a quick message to Jane and began to get ready. If Grunt wasn't going to object to him coming along, he definitely wouldn't pass up the chance to see the krogan homeworld. His omni pinged, notifying him of a response.

Ok then, welcome to the ground team. I'll let Tali know the change.

He replied back, You should still bring John and Tali planet-side if we do find Wrex.

Of course I will. You think I wouldn't?

Collecting his remaining items, Garrus headed up to the cockpit; he assumed Jane would be there and he was correct. "Ready for this?" he whispered to her.

"Not like I have a choice," she chuckled nervously. "Grunt is already down in the shuttle. I hope the krogans can help him."

"I'm sure it will all go well. Besides, if Wrex is down there, he'll be excited to see you."

She smiled half-heartedly. "I hope so."


Jane was apprehensive about meeting this clan leader. She wasn't sure if it was odd that they never said his name or if that was just the krogan way. Granted, it was probably a precaution since most species never came planet-side. Stares and whispers followed them through the camp. The threats against turians were the most concerning but no one seemed to be interested in starting anything. She only hoped that whatever would happen with the clan leader would go well enough that she could bring a salarian to the planet.

Finding their way to what looked like the clan leader's dais, Jane craned her neck to see if she could make out who the clan leader was. Stepping up the pile of rubble that made a makeshift ramp, she was greeted by two krogans in white armor, holding their guns at the ready.

"Halt!" The krogan held his hand up and spoke in a low but firm voice. "You must wait until the clan leader summons you." He glance over his shoulder then back to the human, "He is in talks."

Jane looked past the krogan blocking her and could see one sitting up on a throne of rock. His left arm propped up his head as if he were bored and blocked her view of his face. The scars on his red crest told her who he was.

Wrex was growing bored with Uvenk who continued to speak to him. He listened out of obligation, not earnest. He put his hand down, sitting upright a bit more. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement, and silhouettes that were most decidedly not krogan. He stood, completely ignoring the orating krogan before him. "SHEPARD!" Wrex bellowed. He got up, shoving the other krogan aside and closed the distance.

Jane stepped around the guard before her who now seemed more confused about his clan leaders outburst.

He roared out a laugh and picked her up in a giant hug. Placing her back down, he clasped her arm. "My friend! You look well for dead, Shepard. Should have known the void couldn't hold you." He harrumphed and leaned in to whisper to her, "You stink of turian."

Jane watched him as he stepped back again, a giant smirk plastered on his face. Either way, she couldn't help but smile at the greeting he had given her. "It's good to see you again, Wrex."

Wrex looked past her and nodded a greeting to another familiar face before extending out an arm. "Vakarian, not surprised to see you by her side," he smirked. "Seems you took some krogan advice and got an improvement to your face. You'll have to tell me the story."

"Shepard and I both can, she was there."

"I bet she was," Wrex huffed a laugh.

Jane glanced at the krogan who had been speaking to Wrex; he didn't seem to be leaving any time soon. Ignoring him, she gestured towards the camp, "Looks like helping me destroy Saren and the Geth has worked out for ya. Glad we didn't have to kill each other on Virmire," she punched his arm.

"Ha!" He nodded to her, "You made the rise of Urdnot possible. Virmire was a turning point for the krogan. Though not everyone was happy about it," he shot a look to the krogan he had been listening to before. "Destroying Saren's genophage cure freed us from his manipulation. I used that to spur the clans to unify under Urdnot."

"You abandoned many traditions to get your way!" the other krogan accused. He had a yellow crest and his armor was silver and blue. He looked at Shepard, "Dangerous."

Wrex whipped around at him. When their eyes met, he head-butted the other krogan, knocking him to the ground. "Speak when spoken to Uvenk. I'll drag your clan to glory whether it likes it or not." He turned and reclaimed his seat on the rubble throne. "Now, Shepard, what brings you here? How's the Normandy?"

"Destroyed in a Collector surprise attack. I ended up spaced."

"So the funeral was real. Well, you look good. You're standing here and have a strong new ship. Brings me back to the old days. Us against the unknown. Killing it with big guns," he huffed a short laugh. "Good times."

They chatted for a bit about how the new clans worked on Tuchanka and all the work that Wrex had accomplished. Uvenk attempted to chime in once or twice but both Shepard and Wrex ignored his presence overall.

"Now, back to the business of why I'm here," Jane started.

"We don't often allow aliens to do business on Tuchanka. But you're an exception."

"I have a krogan on my crew," she gestured back towards Grunt who had been silent, taking in the details of how Shepard interacted with the clan leader. "He has some kind of sickness and needs treatment."

Wrex leaned forward to get a better look at the krogan standing behind Shepard. The stare prompted Grunt to walk forward, never breaking eye contact with Wrex. "Where are you from, whelp? Was your clan destroyed before you could learn what is expected of you?"

"I have no clan. I was tank-bred by Warlord Okeer." In his peripheral he eyed the yellow-crested krogan who studied him. Grunt glared as the lower krogan circled him. "My line distilled from Kredak, Moro, Shiagur."

The other krogan stood before Grunt, getting up in his face as he spoke, "You recite warlords but you are the offspring of a syringe."

Jane glared at Uvenk. She didn't like how he treated Grunt but knew better than to interfere in krogan dynamics. Garrus stood to her side, just behind her, ready to back her up. He knew he shouldn't be an outspoken Turian on the krogan homeworld, but would step in if needed.

"I am pure krogan, you should be in awe," Grunt rumbled as Uvenk went back to stand to the side.

Wrex couldn't help but smirk at the young one's attitude. "Okeer is a very old name. A very hated name." He stood and approached Grunt.

"He is dead," Grunt said dryly as the krogan clan leader stood before him.

"Of course, you're with Shepard," Wrex nodded his head to the side at Jane. He shrugged, "How could he be alive?"

Jane ignored the jab, "I need Grunt back up to speed. What's wrong with him?"

"There's nothing wrong with him. He's becoming a full adult."

"Adolescence? Can't we just take him to Omega and buy him a few dances?" Garrus joked.

Wrex smirked at Garrus and let out a small chuckle, "I don't care what aliens call it. Krogan undergo the rite of passage."

"Too far, Wrex!" Uvenk yelled and strode forward. "Your clan may rule but this thing is NOT krogan!" He continued to storm past the group, now well and truly done with this conversation.

Wrex glanced over as Uvenk walked away, "Idiot." He turned back to the young krogan, "So, Grunt, do you wish to stand with Urdnot?"

"What does the rite of passage require?" Jane asked.

"Not for me to say, Shepard. The shaman will discuss that."

"You'll let a tank-bred krogan join clan Urdnot?" Jane asked a little surprised.

"Only because he's with you. After all, you and I killed thousands like him. Not quite as big, but many. Clan Urdnot is strong and the others will do as I say. They see the benefit of my vision."

"What happens if he doesn't do this rite of passage?"

"If he was left here, he would be killed. The clan-less are not respected. A tank-bred probably more so. His disposition is what it is, right or no. That's just him being a krogan. Okeer didn't tell you that in the tank. Did he, boy?"

Jane nodded at Grunt, "This is your choice, Grunt."

Grunt looked away from the clan leader and over at Shepard and Vakarian. They made no movement to sway his decision. He took a few steps away, turning his back to the three friends and staring off into the distance. Taking a sharp breath, he turned back to them. "It is in my blood. It is what I am for."

"Good boy," Wrex nodded in approval. "Speak with the shaman. He's over on the second level. Give him a good show and he'll set you on the path. You too, Shepard. How many times have you stepped in a mess for your crew, hmm?" He nodded to her as she nodded in kind. Before they were too far away he spoke up again, "When you get your tank-bred sorted, come back here and we'll catch up. That includes you, Vakarian."

"Of course," Garrus responded. "It's been too long."

Wrex nodded with a smirk, "Who else is with you on that ship?"

"John, Tali, Joker, and Chakwas."

"Hm, good. You should send your shuttle for them. Would be good to see them."


The ear-piercing screech of the Klixen faded as Grunt stomped on the last one's thorax. He let out a long grumbling sigh. "Hmm, this feels right."

"I have to say," Garrus chuckled while checking over his weapon. "I thought these challenges might be a little more difficult than this."

Jane smiled, "Careful what you say. You don't want to invoke the wrath of Tuchanka." She hovered her hand over the button to trigger the next round. She made eye contact with both Grunt and Garrus to check their readiness. Once they both nodded, she punched the button.

The booming voice returned over the speakers, "Now, all krogan bear the genophage. Our reward, our curse. It is a fight where the only goal is survival." The pulse sounded out again signaling the start of the next round.

"Feel that?" Grunt said with a smile. "Everything is shaking. I am ready."

Jane's hands tensed on her weapons, "This might be more than we were expecting." She looked through her scope to scan the area, weary that nothing was in sight yet.

"Shepard," Garrus said. "Coming in from the north."

She turned her attention to the location he pointed out. "Oh fuck… why did you have to say anything, Garrus?"

As she finished her question, the thresher maw burst from the ground. Sand flew in all directions as it's shriek pierced the air. The spear like legs flexed as the upper body waved side to side angrily.

"Take it down!" Jane yelled out.

They opened fire on the beast, moving towards cover. The body of the beast began to undulate, the muscles tensing upward, threatening an attack. Shepard and her team took cover behind the pillars as its head reared back before lurching forward, sending out a viscous glob of acid. The attack hit the pillar she was hiding behind, causing the rubble to explode on impact. The force sent her forward, but she managed to stay upright, stumbling away. The thresher maw dove back underground, circling its prey.

"Keep your head on a swivel," Shepard called out. Well, if we've got it, might as well use it, she thought as she swapped to the heavy weapon. The ground continued to quake as the thresher maw refused to settle. There was a pause in the movement and Jane began to charge the weapon. The thresher maw broke through the ground again, another dust cloud spreading through the area. As its body began to still, Jane lined up the shot, releasing the charge that had been built toward the core of the worm's body.

It screeched in pain, quickly sending out its own attack again. Jane sprinted towards cover again, rolling into the shadow just as the acid splashed behind her. Getting up, she realized her heavy weapon had slid across the ground into the open. Pulling out her assault rifle, she heard the unmistakable firing of a sniper rifle as Garrus moved towards her. She could hear Grunt shouting his laughter, reveling in the fight. Jane scrambled back to her feet and unloaded her rifle. It disappeared again, eager in its attempt to gain advantage.

"You good?" Garrus called out.

"I'm fine," she answered. She took the chance to reattach the heavy weapon to her back, "How you doing, Grunt?"

"Ready to take this beast down, Shepard!"

The group spread out, readying their weapons for the reappearance. A stillness hung in the air and the three of them turned their attention towards the last rumblings of the ground. Once it showed itself, Jane unleased a warp, hoping to weaken the armor. A hail of bullets found their mark. It made one more attack towards Grunt who dodged out of the way. It wriggled in an attempt to rebury itself, panic fueling its movements. The creature was about to retreat when the final round of bullets found their mark and the creature screamed, reeling back as it collapsed onto the ground.

The air around them grew eerily quiet as the dust settled.

"Spirits, that was amazing," Garrus chuckled.

"Yeah," Shepard breathed. "Much more satisfying taking one out like this instead of with the Mako."

Grunt reveled in the silence until the distinct rumble of a ship flew overhead. "We have company! Good, I want more."

The trio made their way down the steps to see the band of krogans waiting for them. Jane narrowed her eyes at Uvenk.

He paced back and forth on a slightly elevated panel on the structure. "You live, and you brought down the thresher maw. No one has done that in generations. Urdnot Wrex was the last. My krantt gave me strength beyond my genes which are damn good. This will cause discussion." He jumped down and approached them. "I wonder… you say you're pure. No alien meddling in your construction, just the Warlord Okeer."

Jane didn't like where this was heading but also felt the need to defend her crew. "The best krogan traits are distilled into Grunt. He's designed to be perfect."

Uvenk scoffed, "Being designed is the problem… but not made my aliens and he is truly powerful. That is a tolerable loophole."

"A what?" Grunt growled.

"A reason to accept you. You are a mistake, but your potential could tip the current balance of the clans."

"You spit on my father's name," he looked to his commander, "on Shepard's name. But now you stop ranting because I am strong."

The older krogan ignored the accusation. "With restrictions, you could not breed, of course, or serve on an alien ship but you'd be clan in name.

Jane looked around and saw his cronies moving closer, "You talk like he's a thing. You're after his power. You don't really want him in your clan."

"Of course not! I didn't really want to cooperate with clan Urdnot either, but I had to. Clan Gatatog is on the verge either of greatness or of joining the dust. I get traditional support if I fight you and reformer support if I back you. Your rite of passage tipped that balance too."

Jane's hand hovered close to her weapon. "If I know Grunt, your answer's coming at muzzle velocity."

Grunt looked over to Shepard, "You do know Grunt. This varren is dead." In a flash, he charged at Uvenk, shoving him to the ground. Before he could finish the job, he heard the click of a gun. He and Shepard shared a look before sprinting towards cover as Garrus gave them covering fire.


John put his hand out to help Tali out of the shuttle. Although she did not need it, she accepted his hand as she hopped down. "Is it as weird to you to be here as it is for me?"

"Of course it is," Tali looked around at the krogans staring at them. The most interaction they had was a nod or a point in the direction they needed to head. "It's good to know that Wrex is here. I'm sure we – or the team – wouldn't have as warm a welcome as we've gotten."

"You call this warm?" John chuckled.

They found their way to what seemed to be the central location. As they drew closer, they saw Wrex sitting on a chair speaking with another krogan. Their footsteps alerted the clan leader to their arrival. Wrex made a sharp gesture at the other krogan who left promptly.

He stood, extending his arms, "John! Tali'zorah! Good to see you again." He moved to shake John's hand before pausing. "John, you seem softer. Need to do more fighting. What happened?"

"Yeah, yeah…" John gave a half smile. "This is actually from something like that."

He turned to Tali and gave her a gentle pat on the head. "Glad to see you with Shepard as well, little one."

Tali slumped at his pat. It was gentle for a krogan, but it still shook her. "Wrex, it's good to see you. It looks like you have done well for yourself. Thank you for having us here."

He harrumphed an acknowledgement. "You and I also have something to settle."

John and Tali shared a look. "What do we need to settle?" Tali asked.

Wrex smirked. "Mind patching me through to Joker? I'll tell you both." He waited as she made the connection. Clearly, she wasn't remembering.

"HHHHello!" Joker spoke over Tali's omni-tool. "You guys ok? Everything good planet-side? Don't tell me that big lug turned you away."

"The big lug is here, Joker," Wrex chuckled out.

"Uhhhh… heeeeey, Wrex. Long time, no talk."

Tali spoke up, "Joker, Wrex wanted me to call you. He said he has something to settle with us."

There was a long pause on the other end before Joker spoke again, "Oooh, I know what this is. John, you might want to cover your ears. Wrex, there is no way that still counts."

A booming laugh came from Wrex, "It absolutely does. Be sure to send the credits to me."

"What is he talking about?" John whispered to Tali.

She leaned towards him, "Oh… I think I know now. Remember that bet I told you about?"

John closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose with two fingers as he hung his head. I really don't want to hear this…

Joker continued to argue against Wrex, "No, no, no, no. If the attack hadn't happened, it would have ABSOLUTELY been on his birthday."

"But the attack did happen. He rejoined the ship. They are now paired. Tell me how I'm wrong."

Tali rejoined the conversation, "I'm afraid he's right, Joker."

"Uggghhhh. Fine! I'll send it over."

Wrex croaked out a chuckle, "Good talking to you, Joker. Keep yourself together."

"Yeah, good talking to you too, Wrex. Show those other krogan who's boss."

The signal ended and Wrex looked up at Tali, "Thank you. That means you need to pay up too."

"You're really collecting on all of this?" John asked incredulously.

He shrugged, "A bet is a bet. And be sure to tell Liara I expect my payment." The krogan grinned. "Shepard should be back soon. You should stick around. Heard they downed a thresher maw."

"Aw, man! While on the ground? I would've loved to try that!" John complained.

"Maybe you shouldn't let your temper get the better of you then," Tali admonished him.

"Now I'm intrigued. Let's hear it, then," Wrex grumbled, crossing his arms. "What did you do?"

John rolled his eyes and looked at Tali who motioned to go ahead with the story.

"He already knows part of it," Tali said.

"Alright, fine!" John took a heavy sigh, "I found out about Jane and Garrus being together in a not great way. That reporter that we all hate," he saw Wrex roll his eyes and grumble, clearly knowing who John was talking about, "well, she did a report on them, and I heard it from that first before they could tell me." Tali elbowed him, "AND I avoided them for a long time when they first tried to tell me. I thought they were talking about something else, so I kept far away. So, it is kind of my fault."

"And how did that result in your injury?"

"I, uh… got a little offended and punched Garrus. Repeatedly."

Wrex bellowed out a laugh, "You humans and your emotions. The rest of us knew they would have reached that point eventually."

"Yeah, apparently I was the only blind one."

Wrex looked up and saw the group they were waiting for come into sight. "Ah, they return."

Jane gave a nod to her crewmates as they approached the platform. "Good to see you both made it down."

"Wouldn't miss it," John smiled.

"You just can't help making trouble," Wrex smirked at Shepard and her crew. "No one has killed a maw since my turn in the rite. Next, you'll tell me he's a quint and craps dark matter. Guess that's what it takes to replace me."

Grunt stepped forward and stood resolute under the careful scrutiny of the Urdnot leader. Wrex leaned forward studying Grunt before leaning back and giving a small nod in approval. "You are Urdnot Grunt. Welcome."

"I am honored to be part of Urdnot," Grunt nodded in appreciation. He looked around at the group, feeling as if he should not take part of the future conversation between friends, "Shepard, I will make my way to the shuttle."

"We'll be there soon. Radio ahead so Mordin can get ready. We're going to catch up for a bit."

"Yes," Wrex punched Garrus in the shoulder while looking at Shepard, "You need to tell how Vakarian earned his scar."


"It was good to see you, Wrex. Sure you can't come with us?"

"Wish I could. But I need to keep these short-sighted fools in line. Hunt well, Shepard." He paused before calling out, "Vakarian, stay a moment." He stepped to the opposite side of the platform, waiting for the turian to join him. He saw a passing glance between Shepard and Vakarian before she continued with John and Tali.

"What can I do for you?"

"Wanted a moment to talk to you alone," he checked to make sure no ears were listening in on their conversation. "I am glad you have your mate back. I'm sure you were unbearable to be around without her. But you were on Omega, nothing like a lot of killing to keep your mind off your troubles."

Garrus looked at him a bit sheepishly, "We're not…" he shook his head slightly, "we haven't exactly made it to that point."

"Yes, you have. You both have. Don't let it take another one of you dying to make it official by either of your species' standards. Not that I'll say I understand why your species' make an ordeal out of it." Using the back of his forearm, he roughly pushed it into Garrus's chest to shove him in a way to show krogan comradery, "What's that phrase? That's right, have her make an honest turian out of you."

Garrus reciprocated the arm movement to Wrex. He couldn't confirm anything to his friend. He couldn't push for more without pressuring Jane; he was at her mercy. He thought back on the day he last saw Wrex, "So you've known all along?"

"You're not that hard to read, turian."


Jane stood in the midst of the confrontation with Maelon. She could tell that Mordin was devastated by what they had seen in the haphazard facility. She knew she had to ask the uncomfortable question, "Maelon clearly doesn't need rescuing. What do you want to do?"

"Have to end this."

"You can't face the truth can you?" Maelon pulled his pistol and aimed it at Mordin. Second-guessing himself, he swapped to the human, then to the quarian. "Can't admit that your brilliant mind led you to commit an atrocity!" In his indecision, he didn't maintain his awareness on the entire group and Mordin lunged forward, punching him. Maelon stumbled back, dropping the pistol and hitting his head on the metal pipe behind the holo-screen.

"Unacceptable experiments," Mordin said glaringly as he pulled his own weapon out and held it near Maelon's face. "Unacceptable goals! Won't change. No choice." His voice dropped deeper on the last words, "Have to kill you."

"Wait, you don't need to do this, Mordin," Jane said, stepping closer. Maelon shook his head slightly, agreeing that he did not need to be killed. "You're not a murderer." Now Maelon nodded his head with a slight smile.

Mordin's expression softened, his eyes widening at his actions, "No, not a murderer." He closed his eyes and stepped back, "Thank you, Shepard." Maelon breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Finished, Maelon. Get out. No Weyrloc left. Project over."

"What if he talks to more krogan? Tells the public about the modified genophage project?" Jane asked, stepping next to Mordin.

"Special tasks group good at covering tracks. No proof. Weyrloc willingness to work with salarian unusual. Other krogan will kill him."

"Aren't you worried that he'll start his research again?"

"No, locking this unit. Special task group can cut access to old data. Could start from scratch. Decades of work though. Didn't teach you everything I knew," Mordin glared at Maelon.

"Get out before he changes his mind," Jane warned.

"Where am I supposed to go, professor?"

"Don't care. Try Omega. Can always use another clinic."

Maelon began to walk away but added, "The krogan didn't deserve what we did to them, professor. The genophage needs to end!"

"Not like this," Mordin said. When Maelon was gone, he turned to Shepard, "Apologies, Commander. Misunderstood mission parameters. No kidnapping. My mistake. Thank you."

"Don't worry about me, Mordin. How are you doing?"

"Should have killed him. Wanted to. Easier than listening. Easier for him too. Experiments indicate how far he's fallen. Expected it from krogan. Not one of mine." He sighed. "Maelon's research. Only loose end. Could destroy it. Closure. Security. Still valuable though."

"If you think it could be useful," Jane said quietly, "why not hang on to it?"

"Worked for years to create modified genophage. Should destroy this. Maelon's work could cure genophage. Don't know effects on krogan. Effects on galaxy… too many variables. Too many variables!" His hands paused over the console display.

Gently, Jane said, "You regret what the krogan have become. You see the horror of what they did here. But you see the loss too."

"Wasted potential," he nodded.

"They don't deserve this, Mordin. Save the data," she said quietly.

He sighed, his fingers began to move. "Point taken, Shepard. Capturing data. Wiping local copy. Still years away from cure… but closer than starting from scratch. Done. Ready to go. Ready to be off Tuchanka. Anywhere else. Maybe somewhere sunny."


Jane stood in the doorway of the cockpit, staring at the Tuchanka before they left orbit. "Bekenstein, in the Boltzmann system, Joker."

"Aye, aye, Commander." After setting the course, he glanced back at her. "Good seeing Wrex again, huh?"

"Of course, though I wish he could have come with us."

"As much as I liked having him around before, I think having two krogans on board might be a bit much. Can't have them getting into a tussle and damaging my baby."

"True," she chuckled and sat on the edge of the co-pilot chair, "but I think they would do better than you would expect. You didn't want to come down and see Wrex in person?"

"You know, as much as I like risking my health, I don't think I should tempt fate. I could accidentally get bumped by one of them and have all my bones shattered. Don't worry, I got to chat with him." Joker frowned and muttered, "And he shook me down for my money."

"What was that?" Jane asked, pretty sure that he heard him correctly. "Why did you need to give him money?"

"Uhhhh… no reason." He chanced a look at Shepard and sighed. "There may or may not have been a bet placed on you… and Garrus."

"Wow, really? You guys were that bored?" she laughed, "Who started it?"

"Honestly, I don't even remember. I think it was Liara."

"Hm, that's surprising. It sounds like more of a 'you' thing to do."

"That's fair." He paused. "Okay, so I need to know for my own sanity if I would have been right. When we had our leave planned on the Citadel just before… you know. Were you going to 'do the deed' with Garrus?"

Jane rolled her eyes at him and looked away.

He laughed, "I know that's a 'yes'. Going to give him the best kind of present from the heart. Give him a really happy birthday."

"You're the worst," Jane said quietly.

"Hey, it's just good to know that I was going to be right."

"Just because I had the thought doesn't mean that Garrus would have accepted."

"Oh, come on, Jane. Like he would have EVER turned you down."

She shook her head, trying to hide a smile behind her hand. "Can't believe you never told me about that."

"What? And skew the results? Ah, hell no. We had to keep the integrity of the bet. And… I also sort of forgot about it towards the end."

Jane got up and flicked his hat, "Yeah, yeah. See you around." She checked in with a few of the ship crew before she made her way to her quarters. Once she was in her space again, she stood by her locker. Only her glove and arm guards had been removed when her door hissed open again. "Sneaking away from your work again?"

"Somehow, I don't think the boss will mind," Garrus said while walking towards her.

"Sounds like you have an in. Maybe she needs to be careful of favoritism."

Garrus closed the distance and pressed his forehead to hers. "I'll never bring it up." He pulled away and helped unsnap pieces of her armor.

"You know I can do that myself," though she allowed him to work on her leg guards and waited for him to move to her chest piece. He gave her a judgmental look, "Not that I'm complaining about the help though." Soon, she was down to her undersuit, "I do need to shower. So, if you're willing to stick around, we can chat about whatever it is you wanted to discuss."

"I was thinking more about keeping you company, but I guess I can keep you company in there as well," he smirked.

Before Jane could reply with a snappy comeback, a ping came from her door and Garrus took a step back as it opened.

"Oh," Kasumi stood in the doorway, holding a small package. "Sorry for interrupting," she gave them a wry grin.

"No, you're alright. We were just talking."

Kasumi took a tentative step in, "I'm sure," she wore her grin. "Anyway, I meant to give this to you sooner. You'll need it for our mission. I can fill you in when you're less… preoccupied." She set the package down on Shepard's desk and turned.

As quickly as she arrived, Kasumi was gone again. Jane and Garrus shared a look. Curiosity overtook them and they inspected the box. She wasn't sure what she expected, but a dress wasn't it. Garrus gave her a quizzical look, but Jane could only shrug.