Garrus was many things, but he never would have classed himself as a jealous turian. He knew Shepard cared for him, he knew that she was more drawn to turian's in general, but the day she brought Thane on board, was the day he quiet literally turned into a; what the humans would call; green-eyed monster.

He sat across at the mess hall table, nursing a mug of dextro-coffee, all the while watching as Shepard spoke to Thane at the far end of the room. They had just come back from Illos, Shepard taking both Thane and himself when they went to collect the Asari justicar, but the way she talked to Thane and how close she stood to him made Garrus want to punch the drell in the face. Garrus's talons dug into the mug as Shepard touched the man's arm, his mandibles hugging so close to his face they almost hurt.

"You are brooding."

Garrus jumped at the voice, almost spilling his coffee, and turned towards the frustratingly calm voice of Samara. His brow plates screwing forwards in annoyance.

"I do not brood."

The justicar smiled at him and sat down beside him, turning her gaze towards Shepard and Thane.

"They get along well."

Garrus flinched at her words, glaring at her from the corner of his eye.

"I believe… It is because they share something important in common."

Garrus could feel his talons digging into the mug, but he couldn't seem to find it in him to care whether or not he broke it.

"Important?"

Samara nodded her head slowly, looking away from the pair and looking at Garrus.

"Shepard has experienced something no one should have come back from. Thane is dying, much slower, in a similar manner."

Samara looked back at the pair, her head tilting to the side some.

"Shepard can share with him about it, have him understand. While the rest of us can only imagine."

Garrus made a joked growling noise in the back of his throat as the mug finally shattered, cutting his palm. Samara looked over at him with a lifted brow as Shepard looked over at the noise and gasped loudly.

"Garrus!"

She ran over and took hold of his wrist, looking his hand over and pulling out a shard of the mug.

"Come with me, we need to get that cleaned."

Garrus sighed heavily, feeling ashamed at his reaction as he allowed himself to be pulled along. He watched his feet the whole time as Shepard pushed him to a bed in the med-bay before moving away from him and getting some med-gel. Coming back to him, she lifted his hand and looked it over before smearing a generous amount of it on his palm, making him hiss, and wrapped it tightly.

"What on earth had you so worked up that you broke a mug, big guy?"

Garrus didn't answer, his eyes staring out the window now as he watched Thane, the drell staring into the med-bay. At Shepard.

"Garrus?"

He blinked as his head was turned to face her, realizing he had started to growl low in his throat. She smiled up at him, but the concern was plain on her face as she gently stroked her thumb across his good mandible.

"I'm… Sorry."

His head dropped ad once again he stared at his feet, sighing.

"I feel useless."

Shepard tilted her head slightly, dipping at the knee as she lowered herself to look him in the eye.

"Useless? Garrus, you're not."

He sighed again, wrapping his arms around her lower back and buried his face into the crook of her neck, catching the smell of shampoo from the low hanging bun her hair was in.

"I feel I can't help you. Not in the way I want to be able too. I just… I want to be able to understand… To help… To be all you need."

Shepard stared at the side of Garrus's head for a moment before blinking, her vision refocusing on Thane outside the med-bay window and a small realizing smile came across her lips.

"Garrus… Are you jealous of Thane?"

The turian tensed slightly, pulling Shepard closer to his chest, as a low chirping whine like noise left him. Shepard couldn't help it, she slumped against Garrus and started laughing quietly. Garrus sighed.

"I'm so glad this amuses you."

Shepard laughed a little more, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Hehe, but Garrus-" She cupped her hands over his face and lifted his eyes to hers. "I was talking to him about you."

Garrus blinked a few times, his brow plates lifting high.

"Thane was telling me about how he was married before, how the woman saved him from a 'hollow life'. I told him about you, how you are my savior. From everything. You save me, Garrus."

She smiled up at him, large and toothy, and Garrus felt like his heart was going to explode. His arms wrapped impossibly tighter around her waist and pulled her even closer as he buried his face into her neck and let out a loud, happy, purring noise as he nuzzled into her skin.

"Commander."

Shepard groaned loudly, going completely lax and now Garrus was the only thing keeping her from crumpling to the floor.

"Yes, EDI?"

Garrus laughed quietly as he held Shepard up, watching as she bowed her body backward and stared over at the blue orb in the corner of the room from an upside down view.

"You have received mail at your privet terminal. I believe you will want to read it immediately. Alone."

Shepard lifted her brow slightly, lips pressing to the side, and she tapped Garrus arm to help her back up. When she returned to an upright position, Shepard stood on her tippy toes and gave Garrus a small kiss to his mandible.

"I'll be back. Put your gloves on so you don't wreck my work."

She winked playfully at him and held onto his hands as she walked back, only letting go once she was out of reach and walked over to the elevator. She disappeared quickly and Garrus sighed, looking down at his hand and messaged the bandage gently before heading towards the forward battery to find his gloves.

~~~~~~Shepard's Cabin~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Shepard skipped into her quarters, taking EDI's advice and going to a privet setting to read her mail. She typically didn't like reading things in privet, especially since Horizon. Kelly being with her when she read the "apology" email from Kaiden kept her from breaking down into a rage fit and possibly making a haul explode. Shepard sighed as she sat down in her chair and rolled across the floor, grabbing the edge of her desk as she halted the roll and flicked open the console.

She skimmed over the ship's upgrades, putting in a requisitions order for one to be constructed once they docked at the citadel again. Her attention drawn to her bed as a loud chuffing noise came from her bed and a large smile spread across her face as Caneo was lolled across her bed, belly up, feet in the air kicking, and his tongue flopped across her sheets as he dreamt about chasing some nonsense or another. She looked back at the screen and her smile faded as her eyes narrowed on the unread email. A small chime signaling as she flicked it open.

[i]

Elizabeth,

I'm so pleased to hear you've come back into the land of the living. When I had heard about your "untimely demise" I have to admit that I was rather disheartened at the news.

So glad you are back and popping again. It seems the news about your death was false, yes? As everything around you seems to be a fabricated lie, I am overjoyed to learn that the first human specter is still living.

Do try to stop these false stories. God knows humanity has enough trouble with the aliens without you making us look worse.

All the best,

Capitan Aiden Shart

[/i]

Shepard's teeth ground together, her fists balled up tight as her nails cut into her palms. A low noise came from her throat and the biotic energy around her pulsed.

"EDI…?"

The blue orb appeared in the corner of the room.

"I am sending a file to your inbox, Commander. Please open it."

Shepard took a deep breath, bouncing one of her legs as she opened the next new email. Caneo, finally sensing her distress and presence in the room, woke up and snorted as he shook the sleep from his body, yawning loud and large before trotting over to her and gently nudged her leg. Shepard's hand fell onto his nose as she tabbed the file, her console screen enlarging and covering the display case just behind as photos and documents filled the screen.

Her emerald gaze narrowing in on the photos of her old CO engaging in shady business. Trades, trafficking, drugs, you name it and Shepard was looking at it. Her jaw clenched.

"How was he able to keep all of this under wraps?"

EDI's orb blinked once.

"It appears he was within an inner circle of crooks. Even before he joined the alliance, he has been working his way for years. Blackmailing, lying, stabbing others in the back, as humans would say."

Shepard couldn't hold it in anymore, her rage bubbled over, the the blue pulse of her biotics rushing out into the room as she screamed in anger. The release of energy making the whole ship jolt and thrash as if it were hit.

"Where is he?!"

~~~~~~The Cockpit~~~~~~~~~~~~

Joker practically jumped out of his skin as the Normandy thrashed, pilling the drink he had in hand.

"What the hell was that?!"

He turned to his screens, checking them over as he tapped wildly at the console until suddenly the controls were taken away completely and their course changed, the ship pulling a "u-turn" and headed towards the Citadel.

"EDI?"

Joker looked over just in time to see the blue orb show up.

"I apologize, Jeff. The Commander has requested I take us to the Citadel immediately."

Joker scoffed and looked at his screens, crossing his arms over his chest.

"She could have just asked. I don't like that you can just… Steal the controls from me."

The orb flicked a couple of times before blinking out, Miranda's shrill voice coming down the hall.

"What the hell happened?! Are we under attack?"

Joker rolled his eyes, turning the chair around.

"No, Miss prissy pants. I don't know why the ship jumped like we were hit, and apparently, the Commander is taking us to the Citadel."

Miranda made a face and scoffed loudly, her attention drawn back down the haul as a human shrieked, her brow lifting slightly as she watched Shepard's Varen stomp down the hall, growling at people who got close to him.

"That's… Not right. He's usually more friendly."

Miranda looked at Joker as he spoke, her brow lifting more before looking upwards as Shepard's voice echoed across the ship.

"Grunt. Garrus. Airlock in 20."

Miranda and Joker looked at one another, confusion plain on their faces but Joker just shrugged and turned his seat back around and went back to his work. Miranda glaring at the screens now as she decided to wait for the Commander to show.

~~~~~~~~~~~ 25 minutes later~~~~~~~

"So, what do you think has the Commander in knots?"

Garrus looked up at Grunt.

"Excuse me?"

The krogan laughed.

"Come on. I know I haven't been around very long, but I know for a fact that her voice never sounds like that without reason. Especially when using our names."

Garrus signed softly. He was right, Shepard looked at Grunt like a child, she adored him. She also never sounded like that when calling on him, even when she was annoyed or angry with him. He sighed quietly and ran a hand across his face, shaking his head some as the airlock opened up towards the Citadel once they finally docked.

"I don't know, Grunt."

Garrus looked up at Miranda in time to see the human go looking from annoyed to thoroughly pissed.

"Commander!"

Both Grunt and Garrus looked up to see Shepard walking towards them, both aliens immediately sharing a look with one another before looking at Shepard as the fiery-haired woman looked up at Miranda with a look that could quite literally kill her.

"Miranda… If you wish to talk. We will talk. After."

Shepard moved past Miranda as Caneo ran past her and waited at the far end of the airlock, pacing. Garrus and Grunt walking a few feet in front before Miranda's voice came again.

"No, we will talk now! Why are we at the Citadel? We still have dossiers to collect. We have a mission!"

Miranda grabbed hold of Shepard's arm to keep her in place and Shepard's eyes darted to the hand keeping her in place before looking up at Miranda's face.

"Let go of me, or else I'll have to hurt you."

Miranda scoffed.

"We have a job to do! We do not have time for side ventures!"

Garrus and Grunt looked at one another as Shepard's biotics sparked to life, dancing across her armor as she glared at Miranda.

"Let. Go."

Miranda's grip tightened. Shepard's biotics in full glow now as Miranda's was only just coming to life and before the raven-haired woman could do anything about it, Shepard reached back with one hand, balled her fit, and sent it and the charged biotics down onto Miranda's jaw. The force making the the woman let go of her arm as she was thrown across the cockpit. Shepard was seething, her biotics already alive again as she walked up to Miranda and grabbed the woman by the stupid latex collar of her body suit and hauled her to her feet.

"Fuck you! "We don't have time for side ventures"?! I guess I could have left your sister alone on Illos! I could have kept Jacob from getting daddy closure! I don't NEED to help you, humans! I don't NEED to help humanity! I don't have to do jack shit for you!"

Shepard threw Miranda across the hall, the woman landing hard on her side and rolled down the walkway.

"You and your fucking species FUCKED ME years ago! I was suspended! On false charges! On false accusations!"

Shepard stepped towards Miranda, biotics pulsing so strongly that they kept knocking the woman down every time she stood up. The commotion on deck making a crowd gather.

"I lost people. Important people! I got to watch everyone I cared about, die! And I got PUNISHED for it!"

Shepard grabbed Miranda again and threw her.

"So fuck you! I have to do something for ME. I don't care if you understand, I don't NEED your acceptance. I just need you to follow a fucking order! Which right now? Is to stay on the god damn ship and wait for me and my team to get back! Are we clear!?"

Shepard glared down at Miranda as the woman tried standing again, nodding rapidly.

"C-clear, Com-mmander."

Shepard turned on her heel and went to the airlock, not even bothering to see if Garrus or Grunt was behind her as Caneo was right at her side, trotting along to keep pace with her. Joker leaned over in his seat, frowning deeply as he looked at EDI's orb.

"You showed her, didn't you?"

The orb flickered before EDI answered.

"She deserved to know."

The orb flicked off and seconds later, every screen was filled with information EDI had shown Shepard. Most humans on the ship turning green as they read the documents, one screen playing the trial vid on a loop.

~~~~~~~ Citadel Presidium ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Garrus and Grunt didn't dare say anything, the trip in the sky car carried out in silence save for Caneo occasionally making a low whining noise as he nudged Shepard's leg. Her emerald gaze fixed out the window as she chewed the inside of her cheek. When they landed and filed out, Shepard grabbed her gun and checked the thermal clip before turning towards them.

"Garrus."

Her voice was softer this time, borderline in pain.

"Do you remember when I told you about Kurtis? The trial after the Thresher Maw?"

Garrus nodded some, slowly.

"I remember. Yes."

Shepard took a deep breath, fiddling with her gun.

"We are pulling Specter status on this one… I have all the the evidence I need to deal with him."

Garrus blinked once before nodding, glancing over at Grunt as the krogan bounced from foot to foot.

"Who're we hurting?"

Shepard smiled at Grunt, shaking her head some before tipping her head for them to follow. They walked through the offices, people gasping here and there as they stormed past them, Shepard with her gun drawn, until they reached the office they needed. Shepard stared at the receptionist, scowling some.

"I need to see your boss."

The young salarian blinked at Shepard once before gulping.

"H-he's currently in a meeting."

Shepard smiled as sweetly as she could.

"Not for long he is."

Shepard rounded on the door, aimed her gun at the door lock, and actually fired at it before looking at the salarian.

"You can leave."

Garrus ushered the young salarian out while Grunt and Shepard walked to the door, Grunt kicking the malfunctioning door open and the trio walked in. Shepard found it oddly pleasing to see the look on her old captain's face, the wide-eyed pudgy face of the man staring up at Shepard from his desk.

"Good afternoon, Sir. I got your email."

He scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"And? Should I be impressed? You were always reckless, Shepard."

Shepard smiled widely, looking at Grunt then at Garrus and dipped her head towards the man. Both aliens moving to stand at either side of his desk and watched him.

"No. What's reckless is leaving your paper trail."

Shepard walked around his office, tracing her fingers across his belongings.

"Do you have kids, Sir?"

The rotundas man scoffed again, scowling at Shepard.

"You know damned well that I don't. Now tell me why you are in my office before C-sec arrives!"

Shepard looked over at the man, tilting her head some and lifted her gun towards him, she smiled and squeezed. The shot ringing out and making the man flinch before he actually registered the pain now shooting through his shoulder, his eyes lowering to the bleeding wound before screaming out loud. All the while, Shepard ran over to his desk and jumped across it, pushing him and his chair backward and landing on the floor. There was a commotion behind her and she knew C-sec had arrived, but she knew Garrus would handle them, so she continued.

"I have your dirty laundry, Aiden. I have also given instruction for it to be delivered to the Council."

Shepard smiled widely, pressing her armored thumb against the man's lips and forcing them apart, wedging his teeth apart, and shoving the barrel of her gun into the man's mouth.

"I died… I came back… I got your email… and you know what?"

Her smile grew more.

"I told you before… When you saw me again, it'd be from the flat of your back and my gun in your mouth, and Specture status means I don't report to anyone for seeking out justice."

The man's eyes widened in fear as a shriek began to bubble out of his throat just as Shepard squeezed the trigger again. The shriek dying out as a disgusting squish came milliseconds after the shot. Shepard remained hunched over the body, closing her eyes as she took in a deep breath before finally standing. She looked over her shoulder to see two C-sec officers pointing their guns at her, Garrus and Grunt pointing guns at them, and she scowled as she stepped around the body and brought her hand to her ear.

"EDI. I want that information broadcast across the Citadel."

A small "Yes commander" sounded in her ear as she turned around completely, the C-sec officers inhaling sharply as Shepard walked towards them, her face splattered with blood as she glared at them.

"This is the part when you get out of my way. All evidence of the Aiden's corrupt business has been forwarded to the council and to C-sec."

The officers stared at one another before lowering their weapons and getting out of Shepard's way. The trio left the office, Grunt wearing a large smirk while Garrus watched Shepard as she remained silent the whole trip back to the Normandy. By the time they were back on board, the whole citadel had learned about her CO's dirty work and the men he worked with.

When Shepard stepped on board, Caneo ran past her feet and went to find Mordin, Miranda standing there and nursing a black eye. She turned around to give Shepard, to what anyone would assume, an ear full but the woman stopped as she watched Shepard's bloodstained face go from blank pondering to a crumbled frown as her eyes filled with tears.

Garrus waved Miranda off as he wrapped his arm around Shepard's shoulder, leading the woman to the elevator and taking her to her cabin. Once there, he carefully undressed her from her armor, removing most of his as well, and lead her to the shower. Turning it on, he made sure it was a comfortable heat before leading Shepard underneath the spray, untying her hair and making sure her eyes were closed before he began washing the blood from her face.

He took care with her, watching her face and hair, rubbing suds across her shoulders and back as he explored the smooth surface of her skin. His eyes flicked to hers every now and then to make sure she was alright. When he was finished washing her, she had grabbed hold of his arm and opened her eyed to look at him, a small sob leaving her lips just as he pulled her close to his chest and held her tight to his chest as they let the shower wash away her tears.