**SIGH** Finally done! Sorry for the delay but I wasn't happy with the flow of the chapter, so I kept working on it. Hopefully it won't take me as long for the next one, but I do have my review (a test basically) for work next week (yup, they finally set a date… apparently) and we just had two people quit… when we were already down one. Either way, I will still try to get chapters to you all in a timely-ish manner. Well, I can't think of other notes to add except one for this chapter. There are two explosions that I mention; I can picture them in my head and I think I explained them well enough, but if you would like a reference, they are similar to the explosion in the movie Watchmen. watch?v=KMuJiqou4ek for reference. Not the EMP fields, but the basic concept of the orb where it shrinks down, few seconds of silence, then it expands. Otherwise, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Thank you all for sticking with me! Thank you for reading/following/favoriting and reviewing!
Chapter 29
"Just like old times, Shepard."
She smiled at him and took a few steps backwards to return to the rest of her group. Leading the way through the door, she began jogging down the steps to take position, unaware of the looks shared between the two Cerberus operatives.
"You're right, it is kind of like old times," John chuckled beside his friend. As they began the firefight, John continued to talk. "So, what the hell man? Two years of nothing? Not even a 'hey, how's it going?'"
"I know, John. I'm sorry. I couldn't have any ties to my old life. You know, in case the transmission was ever intercepted," Garrus hoped that would be a good enough excuse.
"I tried to keep you updated. Don't know if you ever got them."
"Heads up. They're deploying snipers," Garrus said over the comm. "I only recently got a chance to scan through them. So, you're with Cerberus now? What happened?"
"Yeah, long story. But, the summation is, they said they would bring Jane back and I signed on. We got Joker too."
"How much of the old crew do you have?"
"Uh… after you? You."
"What?" Garrus glanced at his friend, "Not even Tali?"
"That's uh… complicated. We haven't spoken… rather, I haven't spoken to her."
"Shit. Of all the crew I thought you would be the two to keep in touch. Want to tell me what happened?"
"I know… And that depends, want to tell me the real reason you left?" John stole a look at Garrus, hoping the turian would let an emotion through; he didn't.
"What do you mean?"
"Come on, you don't really think I will buy that bullshit that you just couldn't handle the politics."
"It's true," Garrus glanced at his friend who was giving him a look that said 'don't treat me like I'm stupid'. "I just… I knew that things were going to be very different without Shepard. When it started to happen, everything being classified and swept under the rug like nothing ever happened, that was what finally made me snap."
"I know that this isn't really the best time to be asking. But, did something happen between you and Jane? You took her death about the same way I did, maybe worse in some ways. Don't act like I wouldn't have noticed."
Garrus held his breath. He didn't even know what he and Jane had been before, let alone that it could even happen now. "We were close friends. Nothing had ever happened beyond friendship."
"God, I know… I'm sorry for asking. My mind has just been kind of fried with all of these changes. Besides, I know that you would tell me." John let the topic drop, knowing that it was ridiculous for asking anyway. I really just have to let this drop…
There were four enemies left. Garrus had one in his sights but just before he pulled the trigger the salarian and all of those around him began to float off the ground. Huh, Jane's even using her biotics. Suddenly, a shockwave of biotic energy rippled across the battlefield and John and Garrus stopped to watch as it hit the targets, slamming some into the barricade others in far off directions depending on the angle it hit them. The men shared a look.
"Spirits," Garrus whispered, "was that Jane?" he turned to John.
John's mouth hung open slightly. "I… I don't know. I know Miranda and Jacob have some biotics, but not something with that amount of force and reach."
"Alright. Let's see how you handle this, Archangel!" a voice announced over the bridge.
"That sounded familiar. Who was that?" John asked.
"Jaroth, the leader of the Eclipse." He looked over the balcony and saw the lift unloading the heavy mech, "Damn it. They're sending out the heavy mechs," he said over the comm.
He heard Jane respond with a chuckle, "That problem should take care of itself."
Garrus was about to ask what she meant but then saw the machine turn around and begin unloading its guns on its masters. "Nice work, Shepard." After several more enemies had been taken down he saw his next target, "Jaroth, has come to join in."
"Let's show him how we do things," John smirked.
Without much effort, they had finished the wave and Garrus settled back with a sigh, knowing that he actually stood a chance of getting out now. "Looks like that's all of them. Come find me before they regroup." Looking at John, he smirked, "Good to be fighting next to you again, John."
"Heh, you too, Scaly." He extended his arm and helped Garrus to his feet.
"Look, I, uh, need a moment to talk to Jane if that's alright. I just need to…" his voice drifted off, unsure of what he was even thinking.
"Hey, don't worry about it," John punched Garrus in arm. "I had a hard time believing it was her too. I understand if you want to question her, you know, make sure it is really her."
Garrus could see the pain and question behind John's eyes and knew that despite his confidence and glee at being with his sister again, he wasn't sure yet if it was her either. He watched John move to the door just as it opened.
"Jane, Garrus wanted to talk to you a minute. Miranda, Jacob, you'll be out here with me."
Jane nodded and walked into the room. She saw Garrus standing in the middle, his fingers busying themselves with his gun, "Hey, Archangel," she tried to smile.
"Heh," Garrus looked at the floor and leaned his rifle against a couch, "You know it's just Garrus." He looked up and saw that Jane had stopped several feet from him. She bit her lip like she always did before; that was enough for him. Closing the distance between them, he waited for half a second for her to step away from him and when she didn't he wrapped his arms around her. "Spirits… it's really you, Jane." For a moment, he thought he might have been too forward but when he felt her arms cautiously settle on his back, he felt his subharmonics begin to sing with joy. It's been a long time since I felt myself do that, he thought. Separating, Garrus studied her, "You cut your hair, it's much shorter. Very different." He noticed the red fissures in her cheek but ignored them.
She absentmindedly ran a hand through her hair and lowered her gaze from his, "Not by choice."
"What happened? Tell me everything."
"That's a story that we don't have time for right now."
"I guess we do have a lot to talk about. And, despite the fact you are with Cerberus now, at least you are back."
Shaking her head, she squeezed her eyes shut as she thought back to her revelations about her new body since waking up, "Sometimes I wonder," she muttered.
"What do you mean?" Suddenly an explosion rocked the building. Spirits... I can't catch a break!
John came rushing into the room with Jacob and Miranda right behind him, "You guys alright?"
"What the hell was that?" Miranda asked.
Garrus pulled up his omni-tool, "Damn it. They've breached the lower level. Well, they had to use their brains eventually. You'd better go down there, Shepard. I'll keep the bridge clear."
"We'll split up," Jane said. "I'll take someone down there with me and three of you can be up here."
"You sure? Who knows what you'll find down there," Garrus shook his head. "No, I can't take your people, I'll be fine up here."
"Garrus, you've been at this for what? A day? Two? I'm not leaving you unprotected. And, as you said, that bridge has been saving your life. We need to be sure we hold it. Jacob, stay with Garrus and John. Keep them alive."
"No, Jane," John said stepping in front. "It should be more than just the two of you down there. Garrus and I will be fine up here."
"My decision is final."
Jacob shrugged, "If you say so. I'm not so sure it's a good idea either."
Jane nodded at the three men and waved at Miranda to follow. Once they were through, they began to trek down the stairs, guns ready.
Garrus's voice came over their comm, "Get to the console and close that shutter before they can get through."
The first Blood Pack came around the corner and raised his gun. Jane sprinted for the door and slapped the button. She looked at the countdown, Ten seconds, could be worse. Miranda hadn't quite caught up but was making short work of the vorcha coming down the hall. Jane leaned around the corner and saw another vorcha making a break for the door; raising her pistol, she sent a shot right through his head. For the last few seconds of the countdown, Jane sent a shockwave down the hall. Although she wouldn't admit it, she was enjoying this new ability, but she was still wary of her capabilities.
Garrus came over the comm again after receiving the notification of the first door closing, "There's two more shutters. Get them closed fast."
Shepard didn't bother responding. Waving Miranda to follow her, she ran to the next door. Just as it opened, they were greeted with gunfire down the hallway. Jane ran forward and slid into cover. Again, she could feel her biotics begin to itch again as if they were begging to be used. Why is it always there? Pushing it out of her mind, she resolved to find a way to get control of her new, unleashed power. Popping up out of cover, she fired at the vorcha until she felt Miranda slide in next to her. After taking down the first few, Jane jumped out from cover and pushed forward.
Just as she turned the corner, a vorcha slashed at her face. Falling backwards, Jane slammed on her back as the vorcha lunged at her.
"Shepard!" Miranda yelled. She aimed her gun but paused, "Shepard, I can't get a clear shot! I could hit you."
Jane ignored the woman as she held her arms up to block the vorcha's teeth and claws. Sucking in a breath, she thrust her hands forward, unleashing a biotic throw that planted into her foe's chest and sent him flying backwards and into another Blood Pack member with a flame thrower. Making a break for it, she followed down the hallway, jumping barricades until she reached the door. Slamming her hand into the button, she leaned out to see a krogan charging for her. Charging her biotics, she raised her hand, hoping to lift the krogan and slow his advance. It worked but not in the way she expected. A singularity formed, drawing in the krogan and other materials not bolted down, causing them to float around the center.
The door slammed shut.
Miranda came up next to Jane, who looked like she had just witnessed the impossible. "Shepard," Lawson said quietly, "we should keep moving. We still have one more door."
As if on cue, Garrus's voice came over their comms, "Just one more shutter. Hurry!"
Shepard shook her head and looked at Miranda. "I shouldn't be able to do that. That's an adept's ability."
"Shepard, you have always been this strong. I swear to you that I didn't make this happen."
She looked at the Cerberus operative, Miranda at least seemed sincere. All Jane could do was nod and take off down the hallway, with Lawson following close behind. They made it back out to the junction and headed straight for the last door. As soon as they opened it, they were greeted with a hailstorm of bullets again. Miranda slipped behind the wall at the door but Jane rushed forward, sliding up next to some crates. Already, her shields had taken quite a hit. Peeking around, she saw a varren running for her. It jumped on top of her crate and snarled down at her. Raising her hand, she flicked her fingers, her biotics coursed through her and a ball of blue energy hit the beast in the chest causing it to fly backwards and hit several other Blood Pack members.
She heard Jacob come through on the comm confirming their position and that they were doing alright; Jane let out a sigh of relief. Suddenly, she saw Miranda run up in front of her, drawing enemy fire. Understanding what the woman was doing, Jane got up and ran around the left side of the room, trying to get closer to the door to cut off more troops. She hadn't made it very far before she felt her shield weaken on her right side. Turning, she found a vorcha closing in, his weapon never relenting.
Shepard was over this. She had found her brother and the man she loved, the first keys to getting her old life back; she was not going to lose those now. Lifting her pistol, she sent a single shot through his head and he collapsed on the floor in a heap. The door was right there. Her shields were still weak and there was no cover next to the door. Making a run for it, she ran up and hit the button before dashing back to the crates.
Five seconds left, she sighed as she fired at the enemies heading for the door. All of a sudden, a few varren came sprinting down the hallway with a krogan right behind them. Come on, come on! Shut! The three foes made it to the shutter just in time to stop the countdown and another few krogan had begun to come towards them. Shit! Jane began firing but was running out of clips.
"Shepard!" Miranda called out in a panic. Jane saw her on the opposite side, helping her try to take out their enemies, but the krogan were refusing to go down. "I'm almost out of clips!"
Fear began to rise in Jane's chest and she started to wonder if she should have taken Jacob or John. What are we going to do… she wondered as she continued to fire. As if they were responding, she felt her biotics begin to build. Jane looked down at herself and saw the blue fire coil up her legs and begin to consume her. Giving a half shrug to herself, she closed her eyes for a split second, "Cover me as best you can!" she shouted to Miranda as she built up her energy.
Unleashing it, she charged forward and slammed into the krogan, a large pulse of biotic energy radiating from her. More Blood Pack members came around the corner. Dashing for the button, she hit it again and slammed her hand on the ground, bringing up a biotic barrier over herself. She saw all of the guns focus on her and she took a deep breath, This could be it. Brought back to life only to be killed in the first act.
With as many guns that were trained on her and the many bullets hitting her barrier, she knew that her field wouldn't last much longer; she was already surprised it was taking this much damage. Only a few more seconds and the shutter will close. She sighed, her shield hadn't even fully recharged. The barrier flickered and a rain of bullets came through, knocking out her shields a few going through her armor and into her flesh. Jane screamed as the bullets hit her and again as another wave of biotic energy coursed through her veins. It was out of control and Jane couldn't focus enough to channel it.
Miranda couldn't understand why Jane would risk herself like that. Drawing all fire didn't seem like a sound plan. Lawson continued to fire and as she loaded her last clip, she heard the eerie quiet in the room. Expecting to see Shepard dead, she looked over her cover to see that the barrier had come down only to be replaced by blue fire pulsing and growing around the commander. Their enemies had stopped to study what was happening, trying to judge if they should run. Suddenly, the biotics absorbed back into Shepard and Miranda turned and ran for the other side of the room. She heard the commander's scream and then a biotic explosion detonated; a blue dome tearing through most of the room as everything shook. She had no idea how big the blast radius would be but when she turned to check, she saw that she wouldn't make it. Before she could muster up any form of biotic shielding, it stopped just before hitting her and fizzled out. The perfect dome dissolved and crackled like the old powder based fireworks.
Miranda could hear her own breath, then the distinct sound of a shutter closing. Running towards the sound, she ran up to Shepard, "Commander?" she kneeled next to the blonde woman who was still in the same position she had been when she brought up her barrier. "Shepard?"
Jane opened her eyes to see the lifeless bodies around her. "What the hell?" She looked up at Miranda.
"I don't know, Shepard. I've never seen anything like it. I swear the only change I did to you was put in the correct implant."
Pushing up on her hand, Jane tried to stand and winced at the pain in her side and shoulder. She saw Miranda stare at the bullet holes where blood was beginning to trickle out. "I'm fine," she muttered as she pulled out a medi-gel bag and applied it.
"Hey, are you alright down there?" John's voice came over the comm.
Heading for the door, Jane rolled her good arm as she answered him, "Yeah, John, we're fine. How are you guys doing?"
"Fine, for now. What was that explosion? We could feel it all the way up here."
The two women shared a look, "Nothing to worry about," Jane said.
Garrus's voice came over the come next, "Get back here, Shepard. They're coming through the doors."
She reloaded her gun and began to sprint for the steps, "God dammit, John! I thought you said you guys were fine."
"We were fine five seconds ago! Shit happens!"
They ran up the steps and paused at the door. Nodding to each other, they spun around the corner with weapons raised. There were Blood Pack members all over the first floor and more heading up the stairs. Two vorcha spotted Jane and began to fire. She rolled to the side behind some shelves. Her wounds ached, but it was dull; her adrenaline and the medi-gel starting to erase the pain. Seeing some clips stashed there, she quickly grabbed them and attached them to her armor.
I control the biotics… they don't control me, Jane thought to herself. As soon as there was a pause in gunfire, she stood up and charged forward in biotic infused force. She nailed the vorcha in the center of the group and a small biotic pulse forced the others to stumble back. Refocusing, they started to raise their weapons but Jane was already unleashed. Biotic energy still coiled around her as she engaged her enemies. A right then left hook across a vorcha's face, causing him to raise his hands as he hissed in pain. The vorchas on either side of her aimed their guns at her. Grabbing the vorcha's wrists on her right, she dropped, using his arms as a pendulum to slide under his legs just as the other enemy opened fire, unloading his weapon into his comrade. As her vorcha shield fell, she raised her pistol and fired a single shot into the each of their heads. Jane started to walk away when a varren came around the corner charging at her. She lifted it with her biotics and as it sailed gently through the air towards her, she killed it with a single shot. The body continued to float to her and she gently nudged it around her.
Taking a few deep breaths, Jane looked around herself; she hadn't felt a rush like that in a long time. She paused for a few seconds before blinking several times and squeezing her eyes shut. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the stairs. Feeling eyes on her, she looked up expecting to see a krogan staring at her but instead she looked to the side and saw Garrus gazing down at her from the second level.
Looking down at the woman he loved, he watched her face fall and turn pale. Their eyes had locked and Garrus could see the fear and disgust cross her features as she looked away. She is stronger than I have ever seen her. Those biotics are much more intense than what she used before. Could she have just been holding back? Or was she brought back enhanced? He knew how she had felt about her biotics before, and if she was now stronger, she must be hating herself.
A heavy pounding snapped Garrus out of his thoughts. The three men in the room trained their weapons on the door just as the krogans charged through. The beasts barreled through, firing at anything that moved and trying to melee anything within their range. One of the recruits turned and charged at something down the hallway, Garrus was sure that he was heading out for Jane. John and Jacob switched to firing on Garm. Garrus turned to the Blood Pack leader firing his weapon as fast as he could.
He had tangled with this leader before and knew that his armor was excellent, not to mention his krogan regeneration was off the charts. Garm would be a hard one to take down. The roar of the krogan echoed through the room and he charged at Garrus. Firing one more shot at almost point blank range, Garrus took out the last of his armor before rolling to the side just before getting crushed.
Hearing a scraping noise, Garrus rolled onto his back to see that Garm had somehow stopped and turned fast enough to be standing over him. "End of the line now, Archangel," Garm raised his foot over Garrus.
There wasn't much Garrus could do except scramble to bring his weapon up, but, just before the giant foot came down on his face, blue biotics wrapped around the beast and pulled him backwards. Pushing himself up, Garrus looked over the couch to see Jane pulling the krogan towards her. He roared in protest just as Jane brought her weapon up and fired several shots. The four humans all unloaded their weapons into the leader at the same time and the krogan fell, blood gushing out of the wounds.
Jane let out a sigh and holstered her weapon. Leaning over, she took several breaths while clenching and unclenching her hands.
"Jane, you alright?" John asked putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah," she breathed. "Fine." She chanced a look at Garrus. He had seen her episode downstairs and she had seen the shock in his eyes. She didn't remember seeing fear, but who's to say he wasn't hiding it?
"It doesn't look like you are fine," John said pointing at the bullet holes.
"Just drop it, John. I am not bleeding anymore, the medi-gel is doing its job."
Taking a step forward, Garrus tried to diffuse the tension between the brother and sister, "Thanks for keeping my head from getting bashed in, Shepard." He pointed at her hands, "So, those are a little stronger than I remember."
"Yeah… me too," Jane drew in a breath and straightened. "Damn… I think I may have exhausted myself… not used to this."
Miranda spoke up, "You should really get some energy in you. Your body hasn't adjusted to this amount of exertion since waking up."
"Nah, I'll be fine," Jane waved the other woman away.
Garrus studied her. He wanted to pull her away for another moment but how could he with what was going on? Not to mention he didn't know where they stood with each other. Even if it meant exposing his feelings for Jane to John, he would do it without hesitation if he knew how she would receive him.
"So, we took out another gang leader, huh?" John chuckled. "Why didn't you invite me into this before?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Garrus grinned at John, "Of course it is all fun and games to you. Shepard is making it look easy. I can't believe we took out Garm and his Blood Pack. This day just gets better and better…" He looked over at Jane. Clearing his throat he looked back at John, "He was one tough son of a bitch."
Jane started stretching her back and moving her arms and shoulders, despite the protests her body made, "You've fought with him before?"
"Yeah, we tangled once. Caught him alone. None of his gang to help him. I still couldn't take him out. I've never seen a krogan regen that fast. He's a freak of nature. He just kept at it until his vorcha showed up. It was close, but I had to let him go. Not this time."
"There's only the Blue Suns left. I say we take our chances and fight our way out," Jane said, allowing a little hope to come through her voice.
"I think you're right. Tarak's got the toughest group," Garrus smiled at her, "but nothing we haven't faced before."
"Damn straight on that one buddy!" John nodded his head to the turian and raised his gun. "If we move quick, I don't think they will be expecting us to meet him head on –"
"What's that noise?" Jacob interrupted.
They all turned at the same time to see the gunship breaking through the glass firing at them. Garrus and Jane reached for each other and both hid behind cover as the bullets flew. They could hear the tinkling of glass around them and the screeching of metal being destroyed. The two hadn't been close to decent cover and they huddled together behind the small partition. Garrus wrapped an arm around her, tucking her under his chest. He pressed his head against hers, his mandibles grazing her soft fringe and despite their current situation, he felt relief.
"Damn it! I thought I took that thing out already!"
John called out across the room, "Yeah, sorry about that bud. I tried to break it as much as I could. I managed to keep the armor damaged but it looks like they fixed the overwhelming issues."
"What? Like the not flying thing?" Miranda retorted, "Wow, you really had to make a stretch for that one."
"I do what I can, sweetheart!" John laughed.
The bullets stopped and Garrus looked down at Jane as she lifted her head slightly. He could see the pain on her face. "Are you alright? Were you hit?" He ran a hand over her side that was closest to being out of cover but stopped when she shook her head.
"I don't understand," she whispered. "What happened?" Her eyes almost began tearing up, "Two years and everything is just wrong."
"What do you mean?"
Jane looked him in the eyes, "Nothing is the same. Everyone is so different. Totally different lives. Just look at you."
As she shook her head, Garrus felt the overwhelming pain of guilt. She was right in a way; he was no longer what she knew. He was only remembering an idea of her. How could he expect her to be fond of what he had become?
"And look at John. He still jokes like he used to… but who is this woman? And how does he have a good relationship – whatever it is – with her? What happened between him and Tali? I was so sure they would be together," she said, her voice coming out in a rush.
He opened his mouth to answer, hoping to give her any small amount of comfort but was interrupted when John shouted, "They're offloading troops! Opposite window!"
They looked over their cover and saw the gunship gone but now their enemies were coming at them from the side and they had to move to find more cover. Shepard and Garrus took point as Jacob, Miranda, and John filled out the sides. There hadn't been a chance for the Blue Suns that came in on their level. Soon, it seemed like Tarak had figured that out.
Everything was quiet as they waited for more troops. The moments dragged on but as they listened, they heard a distinct sound. "They're rappelling down the wall," Garrus said, "Ground floor."
"Jacob, Miranda, and John, head downstairs," Jane ordered. They all nodded to her and there was soon gunfire coming from around the corner where they left.
A few more foes began entering the second floor again, but Garrus and Jane had fallen into a good motion. It was like they had never been apart.
"Glad to see this never changed," Garrus commented.
"What do you mean?" Jane asked.
"That you haven't gotten sloppy, and you are still trying to steal my kills."
"Ha! You're one to talk! You have always been the one to steal from me. That's the only way you make yourself seem superior."
"Same old Jane," he laughed. When there was a long silence after his words, he chanced a look at her; she was clearly distraught.
"You sure about that?" she muttered.
Firing a shot, he allowed Jane to finish off the last gang member. "Why would you say that?"
"Come on, Garrus. You saw what I did down there," she lowered her head.
"Two left," John called over the comm, "Both of you good up there?"
"Yeah, we're good," Garrus answered. He looked at Jane but she kept her head down, "I saw what you did and it was impressive. I had no idea you were capable of biotics that strong. But you are still the Jane I know." She didn't respond to him and shook her head slightly. Putting his finger under her chin, he lifted her head to look at him. "No matter what you think, I know that you are you."
"How can you be so –" Jane quieted when his talons moved to cradle the side of her face.
"I just know. There is no doubt in my mind."
She felt his thumb run along her cybernetic scar. At first, she wanted to push his hand away before he knew what he was touching, but she began to realize that he already knew, and he wasn't pulling away. Her insecurities began to fade and she began to breathe a little easier, beginning to believe that she was the real Shepard. Jane relaxed into his hand and thought back to the last time she had shared a moment with him.
"All clear down here," John called.
Everyone stayed still, waiting to hear what would come next. It was eerily quiet.
"Garrus, I need to ask you…"
Garrus smiled at Jane, "Hold that thought. Wait here. I need to get something."
"But Garrus…" she stood up as he did and grabbed his hand, "it's not safe. We should stay together."
"I know." He squeezed her fingers and nodded, "I'll be right back." Jogging into the back office, he rushed over to the safe and started typing in the code. The door popped open and he grabbed the silver box. He held it carefully in his hand as he smiled at it but just as he took a step towards the door he heard the familiar sound of the gunship.
"Garrus!" he heard Jane scream.
"Archangel!" Tarak announced through the gunship.
"Jane!" Garrus dropped the box as he bolted for the door. He rounded the corner and saw Jane squaring off with the gunship alone. Running forward, he shouldered her out of the way just as Tarak opened fire.
Jane tumbled to the side and recovered just enough to look up and see the bullets tear through Garrus's armor. "NOOOO!" She screamed. "Garrus!" Putting her hands out, she tried to use her biotics to push him out of the way but the blue energy flickered in her hands. "Come on! Come on!" but the blue still winked out.
"You think you can screw with the Blue Suns!" Tarak shouted.
Garrus fell to the ground, his breath rasping as he began to drag himself to the side. Finally making it behind cover, he felt the medi-gel deploy in his suit, numbing his pain. Using his rifle to readjust himself, he sat with his back against the edge of the couch. Groaning, he looked to the side to see Jane shouting his name and her horrified expression. He grimaced at the movement but twisted around to look at the gunship.
"No…" Jane shook her head. "Garrus, don't do it! Stay there!"
"This ends now!"
Time seemed to slow as the next milliseconds ticked by. Garrus turned on his toes and pushed off to run towards her. Jane's mouth dropped open as she looked at the gunship. One of the rockets began to fire and rushed forward, gaining speed with every fraction of time. She raised her hands trying to summon any amount of biotic energy she had left to form a barrier or to push or pull Garrus out of the line of sight, but every time she tried it failed. Garrus was halfway to her when he looked to the side. He turned his head back to her and reached a hand out.
The explosion shook the room throwing Jane from cover but she could only watch helplessly as Garrus's limp body rolled to the side. She screamed at the top of her lungs and was barely aware of the rest of her team running around the corner. She reached out to Garrus but the bullets continued to hail around her and she couldn't reach them. As she stared at her turian, she saw the small pillars of smoke rising from his body and struggled to push the smell of burning flesh out of her mind. As soon as there was a break in the assault, she rushed to him. Jane desperately tried to move him behind cover but he was too big. John came up beside her and helped to move the turian.
"Jane. Jane, come on, we need to take out this ship before we can do anything for him."
"John, he's not breathing! He's not breathing!" Jane shouted in panic. Her hands clutched at his armor and she struggled to activate her radio and remain calm, "Joker, come in! Joker!"
"Shepard, go ahead. What's happening?"
"Joker, we need a shuttle ASAP!"
"Um, alright but I am still reading a lot of hostiles in your area."
"GOD DAMMIT, JOKER! GET HERE NOW! GARRUS IS DYING!"
"Fuck! Garrus is there?! Don't worry, I'm on my way." There was a pause and then Joker's voice came back over the comm, "No, EDI! I am the best pilot and I am flying out there. The Normandy is docked. The pilot does not always need to remain on board. Okay, Shepard, Chakwas and I are on our way, just try to clear out some of the opposition."
Jane took a few deep breaths as she looked down at Garrus. She couldn't lose him. Not now. She had just gotten him back. Gulping in some air she pulled her gun and began to fire at the gunship. Her throat constricted as the burning began behind her eyes and the first tear began to well up in her eye. As she moved to pull out her grenade launcher, she felt her rage and the burning of her biotics build. No, that won't help right now, she thought, but just as she finished thinking it, her biotics ignited around her.
John jumped back and threw his hand up in protection as he saw the biotic energy rage around his sister. She screamed as she thrust her hands forward and John watched the movement to the gunship. A large blue orb began to close around the gunship. John could see Tarak looking at all sides of it as the energy shrunk around him. It all sucked into the ship and there was a moment when everything stood still.
Tarak smirked.
The other humans' hope dropped as the gunship still hovered before them.
Tarak's hands moved back to the weapon controls.
Suddenly, the ship burst apart in an explosion, echoed by the blue orb now expanding. Everyone but Jane dropped to the floor as the explosion destroyed everything in its path, eating away at the building. Jane clapped her hands together and the biotic energy evaporated.
John looked up at his sister, "Jane?"
She took a step backwards and looked down at her hands. Everything felt empty to her. Her hands didn't seem to be her own. She looked up to where the gunship had been and as she tried to turn to where Garrus was, her eyes rolled back in her head and her legs gave out. She collapsed in a heap, her back on the ground her head turned to the side and her legs twisted at odd angles.
"Jane!" John rushed forward and cradled his sister in his lap, trying to straighten her out as much as he could. Jacob and Miranda came up beside him and Miranda began to scan Shepard's vitals. John tapped Jane's cheek a few times, "Jane? Come on, Jane, wake up! Please wake up…"
Shepard sucked in a breath as her eyes flew open. "Garrus!" she pushed herself out of John's embrace as a look of shock stayed plastered on his face. Jane looked down at her turian friend. Her hands hovered over him as she looked around at the blue blood pooled around him. She knew that she probably shouldn't touch him, but she didn't know how to sit aside and watch him die. Dead… no… I just got him back… a tear began to fall from her eye, and then another; she didn't bother holding them back now. He still wasn't breathing. Ripping off her gloves, she gave in; she had to feel his skin one more time and reached up to touch his mandible.
Garrus's eye snapped open as he sucked in a ragged breath.
"Garrus!" Jane's voice shook and she placed a hand on his chest and ran her other from his mandible to his neck. She looked down and saw him begin to move his arm, with his hand opening and closing. "Garrus, don't try to move. Help is on the way. Just stay still." He breathed another few ragged breaths; she could tell that he was struggling to get enough oxygen. Again he moved his hand. Jane looked around and saw his gun lying a few inches away from him and she moved it to him. She watched him push away the barrel and grasp her fingers loosely. She looked down at his three fingers, all barely able to grip hers and she squeezed her own five around his. "We're getting you out of here, Garrus. Just hold on," Jane whispered, more tears spilling down her cheeks.
Miranda opened her omni-tool and scanned over the turian. John and Jacob looked at her but she only shook her head in dismay. John moved forward and helped to move Garrus onto his back and they saw the damage to the side of his face.
"Oh my god…" Jane breathed. She pulled out a medi-gel pack while still holding Garrus's hand and she held it out to John who opened it for her and she applied a large amount to the side of Garrus's face to help slow the bleeding. She only hoped that medi-gel was as much of a miracle as it seemed to be most of the time. "Stay with me, Garrus," she squeezed his fingers again, "Stay with me." She ran her free hand over his fringe and stared into his light blue eyes as his focus began to fade.
Garrus awoke with a start and sucked in a painful breath. Every intake of air was coupled with pain. There were no words for how he felt but it was getting harder to breathe. At first, he thought it was from the incredible pain through his body, making it feel like an elcor was sitting on his chest, but then he realized that it was also a pain in his face, as if part of it was missing. He felt a light pressure on the opposite side of his face, it was gentle and comforting, resting on his mandible. He looked around and found Jane hovering over him, her face filled with worry.
"Garrus!" she shouted.
He saw the tears trickling down her cheeks and tried to move his arm to brush away the moisture. Still, even in his final seconds, he was fascinated by how humans showed emotions without subharmonics.
"Garrus, don't try to move. Help is on the way. Just stay still."
He struggled to breathe and felt his lungs begin to grow weaker but he continued to stare up at her. If he were to die, at least it would be in her arms. Again, he tried to move his hand to touch her. He watched her eyes move down and she moved cold metal to his hand. Keeping his exposed eye on her face, he pushed the object away and tried to find her hand without looking away from her face. He felt her alien fingers and tried desperately to grasp them. She squeezed his fingers in her own and Garrus wanted to sigh with relief but instead it felt like all of the air was escaping him and he had to struggle to take in another breath.
"We're… you… here, Garrus… hold on." More tears fell down her face.
Garrus struggled to hear her words but everything was beginning to fade. No… no… he thought, But she came back to me. He felt himself being rolled on his back and winced at the pain that didn't seem to have an origin. He saw Jane's face pale and knew that whatever had happened didn't make the odds look too kindly in his favor.
"Oh my god…" Jane breathed.
He felt a cool gel being put on the side of his face but he continued to stare at her. His body was telling him to sleep, to accept the sweet embrace that would make all of his pain go away. Garrus sucked in another breath, though this one was much shorter than the rest.
"Stay with me, Garrus."
He felt her squeeze his fingers and he tried to do the same.
"Stay with me."
Everything began to go out of focus and Garrus struggled to keep everything clear. Always… always… Black tendrils reached out into his vision, slowly spreading and blocking his view of Jane.