Story: Mine
Background: Mass Effect, Garrus and Shepard pairing.
Disclaimer: I own some of the added story line. BIOWARE owns everything except my Shepard and any additional characters that you do not see in the Mass Effect Games.

NONPROFIT: This is just for fun.

_Garrus_

"Everyone? You lost everyone and damn near lost the ship, too?" "Yeah, I know all right? I was here!"
Shepard was pacing uneasily all over the room and Jacob seemed all too calm about this. Miranda was pissed and Joker was close to being depressed about the matter. All of that crap being put on his shoulders. "I'm sorry." Joker rubbed his face. "No, it's not your fault Joker." Kiana said softly and patted his knee.

"We did all we could." EDI said and Jeff waved the AI off. "Yeah, I know that." Miranda stomped around gripping her chin. "This is unbelievable." "Well, Miranda. Sorry to break it to you, but it is. It's happened and we're getting them back. Get back to work. Joker, set a course for the Omega 4 relay." The Commander stated quickly and left the room in a hurry.

Everyone in the room turned to give each other the look. Miranda shook her head and frowned. She strode toward the door in an attempt to follow Shepard, but she was grabbed by a rough hand. Looking up to see Garrus' face strictly tight and frowning. He shook his head as he growled loudly, She glared yanked out of the grip, and turned to go the elevator back to her office. Garrus looked back around the room and was surprised that no one else had mad a move to leave and get back to work. "Well, what are you sitting around for? You heard her." Garrus thumbed toward the door.

Joker nodded his head and limped out with Jacob following behind. Garrus turned his head and looked around the room. The emptiness was enough for him to breathe in. He honestly couldn't stand being around people for an extended period of time. He enjoyed being able to think in silence in rooms like these.

Unlike the battery, there was no rumble of the engine and such. Just the occasional air conditioner that turns on every once in a while. It was a very quiet room. A room and time that he at the moment would prefer to 'think' for a moment.

_Kiana_

After the 'meeting' we had in the comm room I headed to the galaxy map and then made my way up to my room. I was becoming a nervous wreck. Yes, nervous. The last time I recall being this nervous was before we hit Ilos back in the old days. Those days were over though. I planted myself in my desk chair and ran both hands through my hair.

I was emotionally wrecked and not in the mood for anything. We have 3 hours before we hit the Omega 4. I sank back and yanked at my ever long hair. It needed to be cut before I head into hell. I probably won't be able to keep it contained since I wasn't used to long hair anyway. The last time I had really long hair was when I was in my teens.

It was an inch past my shoulders and annoying to boot. I find hair everywhere. I don't know if it's shedding season or something, but with short hair I usually never.. ugghgugashuggh... shed..

I knew that if all of this went down.. and someone dies because of me.. I'll be responsible. I hate knowing that. I hate realizing that. I hate 'thinking' about that. I slammed a hand on the desk and shook my head. I need something to keep my mind occupied for the time being...

Getting up and walking to my bed I laid down and messed with the already unmade covers. Smelling the sheets my nose scrunched and I almost laughed. The sheets smelled. That meant new sheets... I went to go get the clean sheets from the closet when a yellow glow caught my eye. I bent down next to the table against the wall and shuffled through the old box. It mostly consisted of stuff I had collect from past years.

One thing caught my eye. It was a cube. It had an ominous glow to it. I picked it up, studying it carefully. It had two sides that were glowing it was gray and didn't have much color, character, or detail. Once I finished examining it I placed it on the bedside table and continued to rummage through the old box. There was nothing much more that caught my eye.

I reached to the bottom and felt a soft sensation surround my fingers. My curious fingers grabbed the soft object and brought it to the surface of the deep crap. I sighed when I tilted the soft thing in the light. One of my old sweatshirts. Actually, the one that I'd bled in one time. I had worn it a lot in my teen years. I didn't think I would've kept it for this long. It surprised me even.

I ran my fingers over the light blue fleece lining. It was still bloody. It was so old that it was crusted into the soft fabric. It was disgusting, awesome, and shocking all at the same time. Thinking back my mind whirled in all directions trying to remember what I was doing to get this jacket 'bloody'. At this point I wasn't concerned about it.

It wasn't worth stressing over, but the mystery was intriguing me. I placed the jacket back down on top of the box and went back to getting clean sheets. I went on ripping dirty sheets off of the bed and tossing them to the side and putting on the beginning sheet. Out of my wildest daydream I heard a knock at the door.. I could only begin to imagine who it could be... I got up and yelled. "One second!" My mind swirling I got up and grabbed the nearest brush. Wait... why did I even care how my hair looked?

I set it down beside me and realized that he might get suspicious of the brush being close by... since I don't usually brush my hair. I scrambled up the stairs, and when I say 'scrambled' I literally mean scrambled. I rushed so much that I tripped on the second step and stubbed my toe. I held my tongue knowing that he would barge in if I made any peep of a cuss or curse of some kind. After the pain subsided a little I tossed the brush in a pile of clothes by the bathroom door.

I then realized that this clutter wasn't going to do...

_Garrus_

To Garrus' surprise Shepard hadn't been at the galaxy map. Nor had she been on the bridge talking to Joker. He then quickly figured that she was up in her cabin. Of course he was going to go up and check. He felt a sudden burst of courage and impatience in their matter that 'still' needed to be solved. As he took the elevator up he wasn't even rehearsing what he was going to say.

He had a natural instinct for times like these. He already knew that the words would come to him. He hesitated at the door of course. His mind wondered to her mood. Could she possibly be angry and not want or need anyone's suggestions or advice of any kind at the moment? Would she be broken down or something? He shook his head. He decided he didn't care what mood she was in and knocked.

Silence.. not a wisp of air could be heard behind that door. Then, "One second!" Garrus' hopes were up now. He waited for her to give the clear 'come in' but one never came as he heard loud footsteps and slams. The sounds of slamming wardrobe doors and drawers. A loud clatter of some sort and more. A 'second' seemed more like 'minutes' to Garrus as he stood there wondering "What in the Galaxies is she doing in there?"

5 minutes after Garrus had been standing in front of the door more impatiently than patiently, Kiana finally yelled, "Come in." Garrus walked in the room and his eyes looked over the room trying to find the dark black hair and lightly tanned skin. His eyes landed on the neatishly cleaned desk and the more than tidy floor. It was actually 'clean'. He found the bright blue eyes that were twinkling. The room was dim and Kiana looked like she'd changed into her sleeping sweats, as she called them, and her black tank top dark navy blue tank top that complimented her dark red hair and blue eyes.

For a moment his stare lasted longer than it meant to. From all of the 'research' he'd done he was actually playing back things in his mind that he didn't really want to play right at the moment. He watched her pull clean white sheets over the somewhat large bed and tuck it under the mattress. Kiana turned her head and watched his stare. She paused for a moment, but his eyes didn't waver.

"Garrus, are you coming in or are you going to sit there like a statue?" He still wasn't shaken out of his trans. "Garrus." Kiana brushed her hair back out of her eye and tossed it to one side. "Garrus?" She started walking toward him and he just watched her. "Garrus." She gently touched his shoulder and he flinched. Shaking his he muttered a, "Hmm?" Kiana's eyes went from right to left and back to him. "Are you okay?" Garrus' mouth hung a bit open still and the only noise that came out of his mouth was, "Uuuhhh, yeah."

"Alright then speak up, why are you here?" She asked while walking back down to the bed to finish putting the sheets on it. Garrus' hesitation to 'not' look at her ass lasted for two seconds. She didn't have a 'huge' ass. It was just the size it needed to be for her slender but muscular form. Why was he now noticing the attractiveness not just in her personality, but her body as well?

Why does it matter? It doesn't, so why does he care again? He fought with himself in his mind... What was he going to do now that he'd been standing there motionless like an idiot? Stupid, stupid, stupid, mindless Turian! He mentally and physically shoved himself. He moved toward the opposite side of the bed where she was having trouble tossing it to the other side. "Here, let me help."

As she tossed the sheet across he caught it and set it down. He watched her tuck the sheet under the mattress.. He wasn't really watching 'her', he was watching how she bent down and got a peek of what was in her shirt. Being the naughty mindless Turian as he was. He couldn't get the thoughts out of his mind even if he tried. After they were done putting the dark blue comforter on, Kiana sat down on the edge of the bed with her back toward him.

He knew she was thinking. Twining her fingers together, sitting straight up, and looking down. He'd studied her posture more than he'd have liked to on more than one occasion. Those damn vids and damn Mordin. They all got him into this wretched mess. He sat down on the bed as well and kept looking over at her. She hadn't asked why he was here again. Although, he had never answered her. Garrus scratched at his fringe and made a final decision to make a move.

To his surprise they stood up at the same time and looked into each other's eyes. He heard her heart rate rise and her breathing hitch in her throat. He...sort of had the same reaction. She looked down and walked over to him. "Um... Garrus.. I uh." She muttered as she stood beside him. "I have something to tell you. It's irrational and childish. It's...uncalled for and doesn't make any sense to me, but I feel it necessary that you know."

She tapped her fingers together and bit her lip. Quickly swiping her bangs behind an ear she sighed and started. "I sort of.. kind of.. I have some... some sort of feeling for-" She was cut off by a gentle taloned finger to her lips. She looked up and saw the sincere expression on his face. "You don't need to say anymore, I understand." He removed his talon and she looked around the room with her eyes only. "Yo..You do? You didn't even let me finish-"

"I heard enough." Garrus said as he watched her nervously look back down at the floor. "You're right, this is uncalled for and childish. We're soldiers Kia, not teenagers. These feelings you have... are irrational." He said while he lifted her chin and brought his face to hers. Her eyes still looking down and were shadowed with disappointment. "But, that does not mean that I don't have the same feelings." The words hung thick in the room and Kiana's eyes slowly looked up to his.

He watched her bright dark blue eyes shimmer with a sudden glow that he'd seen once before a long time ago. "Garrus? You're not-" "No, Kiana I'm not pulling your leg. I'm telling you the truth and spirits help me." He muttered as he gently pushed her quickly down on the bed. He placed his hands on either side of her head while still standing. He was face to face with her now.. What to say? COME words COME! Garrus sat over her and lingered in her eyes until he had the words to speak, but she'd interrupted him, "Garrus, stop. We can't."

_Kiana_

I was near my love death bed. I was about to be blown into love central with a Turian at my back. If this went any farther I won't be able to complete the mission. I wouldn't be able to go on, because now I know I'd be trying to live for him. I hated it when love interferes with my affairs. "Why not?" He asks quietly. Every word sent a long and pleasuring, but not so pleasant shiver down my spine. All of the doubts I had had about this relationship with him disintegrated.

Why couldn't I be on a battle field right now? Killing all of my doubts and worries away. When I was in battle half of the time now I lost control of my own conscience. My mind was betraying my reasons and excuses for not taking Garrus into account. As I laid there and stared into his never ending, pleading, icy blue irises, my heart..was betraying me. I was trying to put my foot down.

I knew that it wasn't going to work. "I..we.. don't know how.. I've never."
"Don't worry, I got this, okay? You trust me right?" He started to lean in when he stopped and pushed himself up again. "Wait.. Did you just say you've never-" I nodded and a heat covered my cheeks. "This will be my first time. I honestly am.. uh … ashamed of myself." He chuckled and shook his head. His smile made my chest throb. "That just means you're really all mine. Yes?" I hesitantly nodded and everything after that won't be said due to embarrassment of myself and much.. much.. more...

_Garrus_

Garrus held Kiana to his chest and was running a talon up and down her back. She twitched under his touch every once in a while. Her little body was cuddled into him as she was trying to sleep. He could tell she was having a hard time because she was constantly moving her legs and twisting an ankle. She finally looked up at him and ran a finger across his bare chest while her eyes traced her finger. "Garrus, I know I should never think in a way that I doubt myself or anyone else, but... do you think we'll get through this alive?"

The question was probably one she was regretting to ask, but she'd asked anyway because she knew she could trust him to give her an honest answer. "We will. I know we will, because we have a great leader." "Yeah, but that great leader needs a straight answer." She dug at the wound that was already there. He knew she was dying for an honest answer. Like what were the odds? Will we truly, 1 out of 100, get out alive? He didn't know. No one knew.

"We'll get out alive. I promise." He finished and she laid there for a moment. Still gently tracing the various scars and such that made his spine trickle with spasms of shivers. "Pinky promise?" She said raising her tiny last finger on her right hand. He was going to say 'what?' when a soft grasp tugged at his hand and picked out his last finger. She hooked his finger with hers and repeated. "Pinky promise?"

He nodded. Whatever that meant he knew that she would explain sometime. They let go of each other's pinkies after she laughed and turned on her back to look up at the stars flying by. "It's something we humans do to promise. It's like saying, "We made a promise and you have to keep it." She looked at him and snuggled back on his arm. "I'm sorry I'm dragging you into this." She whispered and Garrus silently shook his head. "Don't be. I chose to be here. I've been wondering. Why did EDI mark your birthday as classified information?"

Kiana's eyes wandered for a moment. "I told her to. I hate people knowing about my birthday. I hate getting presents tossed everywhere and celebrations and-" "You get presents on your birthday?" She looked him in the eyes and nodded. "Yeah, it's human tradition. When someone has a birthday we celebrate and stuff. I hated it all my life and just forgot my birth date really. I actually made up the date I have now because I had to to enlist in the Alliance."

"So, you don't know your real birthday?" Kiana shook her head and her eyes became a bit dull. "No, I never really want to know anyway." There was a silence as they both laid there in complete peace. "I didn't know that humans gave gifts on birthdays too. I guess I should have done more research and I guess I'll have to find you a suitable gift sometime."

_Kiana_

I smiled up at Garrus. The moment was heart felt. I laid my head down and fell asleep for a couple of hours... Just enjoying the pure silence and the warmth. For once I finally realized that when I felt so comfortable sleeping in the Main Battery.. It was never the Battery. It was Garrus..

Waking up in the fashion I did was an annoyance. I don't think anyone would like a rude awakening to, "Hey, wake up it's time to meet your possible and imminent death." My eyes slowly opened and a sharp pain racked through my head. I winced and gripped my head with my arm that wasn't under me. The headaches had gotten worse since I had been 'revived'. Chakwas said it was the cybernetics, that my body had to get used to them. I thought it was more than that. I propped myself on an elbow for a moment and braced for another sudden shock.

"What's the matter?" I turned my head and opened an eye. "Nothing, just my head." Garrus 'hammed' and ran a hand through my abnormally long hair. "Did you get it checked with Chakwas?" He asked as he then ran a talon down my back. Making my skin tingle and twitch under the touch. "Yes, but she said it was just my new cybernetics." Garrus shrugged a little. "Maybe, it's your stubbornness." I turned my head and gave him an eyebrow.

"What does that-" "Nothing, never mind." He chuckled a little and sighed. "We should get ready to go." I dreaded it and didn't want to get out of this bed or get my ass in my armor and march to the bridge. I knew I had to, but my body told me no, half of my brain told me no, and the other half said yes. I honestly didn't know what to trust. I guess I have to do it. I gotta do it. Garrus got up and out of the bed. He cursed and sat on the bed covering his legs up. "Why do you have to keep your room so damn cold?" He asked and I scooted over to him.

"Maybe... hhmm.. to keep you in bed?" I smiled deviously and his mandibles widened. "Shepard, you would do no such thing." Chuckling I sat up next to him and shivered a bit. My bare body was cold enough 'under' the covers. I hadn't realized how cold it was. Leaning on his shoulder I traced lines on his chest plates while glancing at old burns from battles and from my teen hood that lined my upper body and thighs.

I ran a hand over the worst one that went along my outer thigh and up the side of my torso. It curved into my upper back on my left side. It was nasty and was just disgusting. It was more of a curse than a gift. I had always been insecure about my 'imperfections'. For me an imperfection was not a measly pimple on my forehead or a dark spot above my lip. Imperfections were the scars and injuries that not only scarred my body, but my emotional being, also.

In this time I feared of being rejected for my 'imperfections'. That's one thing about Garrus I loved. He didn't care. He loved me for me, inside and out. He didn't care about the tattoo that was written in Chinese on my left shoulder blade. I'd been shocked when I hadn't even known it was still there a couple of weeks ago. Miranda had really wanted me to be the same me I was almost three years ago.

It was, 勇敢. Brave and courageous. I'd made a promise to my aunt when I was little that I'd stay strong, be brave and courageous. I had told Garrus about the back story and how I got the tattoo when I was 21. He listened and was somewhat fascinated with it. He had traced it with a talon and had sort of 'marked the spot'. Checking the clock I realized what time it was. I crawled over top of him and got out of bed knowing it was time to get ready.

I slowly picked up remnants of clothing and tossing them in my dirty clothes pile and grabbed clean under armor for after my shower. I didn't look at Garrus. I already knew he was still sitting on the bed watching me. I got into the shower, but before any of that happened I took my pills and hopped in the shower. I winced and looked down to inspect. An extreme stinging sensation came from between my legs and noticed the deep red delicately irritated skin.

I'll need to talk to Mordin about that before we went anywhere...

_Garrus_

After they both finished showering they helped each other suit up. It was a very slow process seeing as neither of them were eager for this going into hell thing. Kiana grabbed her chest piece and began strapping it on. "Here let me do it." Garrus said as he slapped her hands away and snapped each piece of armor on from head to toe. "There." He said and Kiana turned to see that he was already in his armor. "Sorry, I didn't get to help you." She sighed solemnly and Garrus shook his head. He pressed his forehead to hers and held her hands in his.

"You didn't have to help me with mine." She muttered and Garrus shrugged. "I always enjoy helping you." Kiana grinned and looked at her feet. "You've done too much for me, Garrus." A scoff came from him and he brushed her bangs behind her ear. "Never, I could never do too much for you, Kiana." Kiana sighed and looked up at Garrus. Their head still pressed against each other. She closed her eyes as if she was contemplating and opened them. "I want to do one more thing before we leave." Garrus raised a questioning brow plate. "And what's that?"

She moved away from him slowly and walked into the bathroom. She took out a ponytail holder and a pair of scissors. Garrus watched her tie the ponytail real tight and she handed Garrus the scissors. She held out the ponytail that held her long hair in it. "Cut it." Garrus looked shocked and nearly dropped the scissors in surprise. "Kiana." He said as he nervously shifted his weight on his feet.

"Garrus, please." He hesitantly took the ponytail in his hand and she instructed him to cut above the rubber band. He obeyed and snipped the hair off. The ponytail fell limp in his hand and Kiana had closed her eyes for a moment. She felt a weight being taken off of her shoulders. Her hair fell around her face and was framing it and curling in. He was devastated that she'd decided to chop the whole thing off.

Kiana turned to him and took the hair out of his hand and put it in a drawer. "Let's get going." Kiana said as she stepped out of the bathroom. Garrus set the scissors down and followed her. They grabbed their extra gear and headed out the door.

_Kiana_

I made it to the bridge just in time. We were five minutes away from the relay. I stood by Joker's chair and watched as we came in on it. "Alright people. It's now or never. Stay focused." I said over the comm. "Take us in." Joker nodded. "Activating IFF." EDI said over the comm. "Hold on." Joker said and I braced his chair as we went through the relay. Before our eyes was the answer to no survivors. We fazed right into a field of wreckage. Old ship parts, bits and pieces of large freighters, rocks, and more. "Shit!" Joker gasped and we flew in at a slow pace. Taking it a step at a time. Joker let out a sigh of relief. "Too close."

Once we thought we were done with evasive maneuvers. "Careful Jeff. We've got company." EDI warned. We were shot at and missed multiple times. "Now you're just pissing me off." Joker took out two and continued flying. A couple of minutes more of maneuvers and a screen came up showing an intruder entered the ship. "It's in the cargo hold!"

"I'll take a small team down." "Aye aye." I snapped my helmet on as I rode the elevator down. I messaged Garrus and Samara to get down to the cargo bay. Neither of them responded, but I knew they were on their way. I got off of the elevator and waited behind a couple of crates until the rest of my team showed up. "Glad you could make it." I said sarcastically. I looked over our cover and spotted the thing flying overhead. I quickly scanned it with my omni-tool and surprisingly enough, a name came up. "It's an Oculus. Take it out." Nodding to each other we all shot at the thing until it retreated.

"Coward." Garrus grumbled and I smiled. In my mind it sounded like something Grunt would say. "We're sitting ducks out here. I have to try and lose them in the debris field." Joker announced over the comm. I wasn't expecting anything like quick maneuvers until a force threw me backward. I stumbled and was stopped by another body that hauled me up in all of the tosses and turns.

After it was over I looked up at who was holding me. I didn't even have to guess. Of course it was Garrus. I stood up myself and heard a loud crashing noise. I turned to where it was coming from and saw the Oculus return through the hole. "Damn you, jackass. No one makes holes in my ship unless I have something to say about it." I hissed and took out my collector beam. When the Oculus was no more we headed back up to the bridge.

"There it is. The collector base." Miranda muttered as I came up from behind. Right before my eyes was an enormous ship-like base. This thing was way bigger than I expected. No, I wasn't expecting a tiny teacup sized structure, but this is just... "I'll be damned." I muttered and I blinked in astonishment a couple of times. One of the collector ships alone is huge.. this thing was.. the mother of all!

"Looks like they're sending out an old friend to greet us." I watched as a 'tiny' collector ship slowly exited the mother and started to fire on us. I scoffed and tapped Joker's headrest. "Fire the main gun." An explosion followed and Joker ranting. "Get up close and finish them off. "Oh yeah. Payback baby!" Joker cheered and fired once again. I was feeling great. We're finally avenging my crew that was killed in the saluter of the first Normandy.

Caught in my victory, I failed to notice that we were going to impact at any moment. A slam and jerk caught me off guard and I nearly fell forward multiple times. Loud whizzes and beeping alarms were going off. "We're going down. Brace for impact!" Joker yelled. The voice was off in the distance. My ears were ringing as we impacted. This time I fell and laid there waiting until the ship stopped moving completely.

I got up and glanced around. "Everyone alright? Joker?" "I think I broke a rib. Maybe all of them."
"Status?"I put in and grabbed his chair. I looked at Miranda who was getting up. "Well, looks like this is a one way trip." I looked down and realized she was right. I realized now that all I've worked for comes to an end here. We succeed or. . . well, you know.

I nodded. "Miranda's right. Our goal is to get in and destroy this thing. Even if we can't get the Normandy running again." I motioned for Joker to assemble everyone in the comm room and marched that way. My head was spinning with fear actually. I was afraid that we weren't going to get through this. I wasn't worried about destroying this monstrosity.

I was worried about getting out alive. It scared me..

Note to self: Don't fall in love before you go into hell.

It will help you too, hopefully. When I went to go past the elevator I saw the doors open. "Kiana!" I heard footsteps and a soft hand grab my arm. I slowly came to a stop in Mordin's lab. "Garrus, I can't do this right now!" I stuttered and turned to leave when a chill ran down my spine as I felt a grab at my waist. "Shepard, stop and talk to me for a second."

I hesitantly turned to see Garrus' face stricken with worry. "What?" I gasped. I brought my gaze to his and still my heart sped. I hate it when you try to stop your heart from beating so fast, but you can't stop it. That's one thing I just can't stand! "What's bothering you?" He asked and ran his hands up and down my arms. "Nothing, just.." "Tell me." I sighed. I also rolled my eyes and shrugged.

"Why?" "Because you'll feel better if you get it out. This isn't really the time to be worrying and keeping it in." I hesitated for a moment. Garrus was always there for me and he always had my back no matter what. He's here now. Honestly, I don't know what I'd do with myself if he hadn't been here. I stared into his crystal blue eyes and I felt like my whole self was being pulled in.

"I.. I'm scared." I said honestly and looked down shamefully. I knew I shouldn't be. I'm leading these people. Yes, fear was a motivator. Right now I wasn't feeling very motivated. "Of what?" I had to force the words out of my throat. I choked on them in my guilt. "Dying." I choked on it and looked down again. "I'm afraid of dying, Garrus!" "Why are you afraid of dying, Kia?"

"Because I might.. might... Lose you." It was true. I was afraid of dying.. now that I had something, no , someone to live for. Both of Garrus' hands cupped my cheeks as he brought his forehead to mine. "We'll be together." "Just- don't leave me and I won't leave you." Garrus nodded his head and I raised an index finger at him. "You promised." He chuckled and nodded. "I did- and I intend on keeping it." We pulled apart when a door opened and revealed Kasumi. She didn't say anything, just watched us. Her enlarged grin was making me want to tackle her.

When she was gone I looked around and kissed Garrus' scarred mandible. "Thank you. For everything." I whispered and rubbed the other mandible gently. I walked out and entered the comm room. I noticed that everyone was in here except Garrus...

_Garrus_

Garrus stood motionless in the middle of Mordin's lab. Stunned. She had never really put that much love and compassion in one tiny kiss before. He was unnaturally stunned and his throat felt like it was closed shut. He decided he'd better get to the meeting. He walked in and the first thing his eyes land on is the dark black and blue armor and the dark red-black hair at the other end of the room. His eyes lingered on hers until he realized every eye in the room was on him.

He cleared his throat, apologized and went to stand wherever there was room. This thing was about to go down. Glancing up at Shepard as she spoke. He saw the shear determination, anger, and fear in her eyes. Her voice was strong and stiff. The last spoken words were strong and seemed to strengthen the confidence in everyone in the room. Garrus' first thoughts were about how proud of her he really was...

_Kiana_

I ran as fast as I could. Most of the breath leaving my lungs. It took much strength to breath in. Adrenaline filled my veins. My head throbbed with a huge headache as I ran as fast as I could through the large base that was now coming down. I didn't look behind me I focused ahead. Little did I know that I was slowly lagging behind. The Normandy came into view. So did collectors coming from all sides. I picked up the pace and forced my exhausted body to move faster.

A sharp pain struck my side and the adrenaline washed it away. More pain on the same side followed. I knew I could over take it. Which I did. Now it was a race to get to the ship... I had a sudden feeling that I wasn't going to make it...

_Garrus_

Garrus ran as fast as his legs would take him. He kept turning to his side to see Shepard keeping up. He ran and got on the ship. Turning he noticed something wasn't right. Heart and mind racing, Garrus glanced around to see a sign of Shepard. He saw a small blaze of black and blue yards away. Garrus' heart raced. His mind was yelling at him to do something. ~Come on, Shepard. Run~

He went to step off of the ship when some of the ship plates fell down into the abyss below them. Shit. "Shepard!" He finally yelled and she seemed to pick up the pace,but was still lagging far behind. "Damn it." He painfully watched her seem to run faster and slow down. Once she saw she had no choice but to run, she ran as fast as her feet would take her.

A jumping process then took place. It seemed to take forever as she reached for the ship in air. He held his breath the whole time. His worst feelings came true and he watched as his best friend's fingers slipped off of the ship... Gone.. no!

_Kiana_

I gasped as my fingers slipped from the ship's airlock. My heart sped as I saw Garrus' face disappear from view. My throat stuck in my throat I felt a tug on my hand and I hung in mid air. My heart still racing I closed my eyes and looked up. "I gotcha." Garrus' face was spread with love and I smiled with tears in my eyes.

He slowly hauled me up and once my upper body was out of the air he clutched onto me like a child with a big teddy bear. I felt the air that was still in my lungs leave again. I was engulfed in him once again. I grinned and blinked away the tears. He helped me stand up. Once we were in the airlock I started to calm down and once that happened I felt a bit of pain in my side again. I reached down and brought my hand up. "Shit." I muttered and my legs gave out.

_Garrus_

Garrus went up to the bridge to help Joker. He heard a cuss come from Kia and he turned to see her looking at him as her legs buckled under her and she laid against the wall. He quickly ran to her and dropped to her side. Her hands on her wound. He lifted them away and saw two good burn marks from some sort of weapon. The armor that had once been there was burned away and her under armor was also charcoal black. Blood trickled slowly from the wound and she dizzily waved him off.

"I'm okay." She choked and waved a bloody gloved-hand at him. "Go, help Joker." "No." He replied and told EDI to get Chakwas up to the bridge. Chakwas was over shortly and took Shepard away. Garrus' mind told him to stay and instruct Joker, but his heart told him to go with Kiana. He knew he should follow his heart, but the stubborn Turian decided to instruct the rest of the crew while the Commander was absent.

They did it.. he finally realized. They actually made it out alive with.. few.. casualties.

_Kiana_

Waking up in a hard med bay bed was not what I intended. I sat up and clutched my bandaged side. I heard voices outside the room and tried to listen in. I heard, "We can't do that to her-" and, "She'll be able to find out on her own-" and, "I love her-" Clearly I was the popular topic right now in this joint. I painfully got up and sloppily stomped out of the door. I was in the usual sweatpants and my whole upper body was covered with whit bandage.. no top was needed. Actually, I couldn't find one...

The first thing I see is Garrus, Mordin, Chakwas, Jack, Grunt, Miranda, Thane, and Kasumi standing and some sitting in the mess. With a pretty stern and straight look on my face I looked around and felt all eyes on me. "Kiana." Garrus whispered and my eyes lingered toward him. His face was softened and my heart was melting on the spot. I felt my cheeks redden and I looked around towards everyone else. I looked down and nodded my head up. "Thank you, everyone. For.. just being here." I'd noticed that some people were missing. "Where's Legion, Samara, and the rest?" I asked and Garrus was quick to answer. "They're at their stations." I nodded and smiled at everyone.

I headed toward the elevator and felt everyone's eyes on me. I headed down to the engine room..

_Garrus_

Garrus watched Kiana head to the elevator. He looked toward Chakwas and he had a feeling he knew where she was headed. "I'll follow her." He said and headed toward the elevator. Chakwas put her hands over her mouth and bowed her head.

The elevator stopped on the engine floor and Garrus got off. He hesitated in front of the engine room door. Silence. He entered cautiously. He heard sniffling and turned the corner to see Kiana curled up against the far wall where Tali once stood. She was... crying. Commander Shepard, the savior of the Citadel and the Galaxy.. was crying. A hard rope tugged at Garrus' heart as he approached the Commander. She was curled up with her head in her knees and her arms wrapped around her legs.

He sat beside her and pulled her gently into his lap. She grabbed the collar of his armor. Her face swiped with tears her face was red and brows furrowed. This was the first time in his whole life that he'd actually seen her cry. He also hoped it was the last. He hated to see her in so much pain.

They stayed like this for about and hour until Kiana curled up and fell asleep. Garrus carried her up to her cabin and laid her in bed. He went to go leave and surprisingly she stayed asleep for twenty minutes until he went to leave, she woke up and opened her eyes. Realizing that she was in her bed, he watched her sit up and look around the room. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed next to her.

"Holding up?" Her eyes glided everywhere and she sighed. "Why did it have to be her?" Her voice wavered, her brows furrowed, her lips pierced together, and her nose scrunched. She was desperately trying not to cry again. He took her hand and put it to his face. "You can't control it. It wasn't your fault you know that." She nodded and rubbed her thumb over his scarred mandible.

Scooting over to him, she curled up into him to calm herself down a bit. He felt he pull up and look into his eyes. "I read some stuff a couple days ago about Turian massages. Would you mind?" His brow plates rose in the air and he shook his head. "I wouldn't mind." If this was going to help her track her mind off of Tali he would do it. Wiping her eyes, she smiled and stood. "Take it off." Garrus' expression faded and he became a serious, dumbfounded stone Turian. She laughed at his expression as she casually unclasped his chest piece and tossed his undershirt aside. She had him sit with his back toward her and she put on a sweatshirt and a pair of socks.

She then rubbed a dab of lotion on her hands and first started with the muscle just below his neck that wasn't plated. She received a complimentary groan from him. Panicking, she pulled her hands away. "Sorry! Did I hurt you?" He laughed aloud and glanced back at her. "No, that was perfect." He said, and she hesitantly continued. She massaged his neck and bits and pieces of exposed muscle on his back. He purred and groaned nearly each time she put pressure on any muscle she could find that was vulnerable. Spirits, he hadn't had his back rubbed or massaged since he was a teenager.

His mother had always done it for him every once in a while. It just felt good. Honestly, he'd doubted that she could loosen his muscles up, but he dismissed the fact that she was strong and did have a backbone. He could tell it was her first time massaging anyone, but by the way she did it you couldn't tell it was her first time. She melted his body and he couldn't stand letting her just pleasure him. He turned over to her. "Kiana, stop," he said, "here." and reached toward her. "Garrus. I'm fine you deserve this." "You deserve more than I do." She shook her head. "Not to me. You deserve it." He grabbed her and she didn't resist.

He ran his tongue along her neck and she gasped softly. "Garrus!" She gaped and he stopped her hand that was threating to push him away. "Let me." He said and nuzzled into her neck gently.

_Kiana_

3 DAYS LATER...

"I have no choice, Garrus!" I yelled as I walked down the CIC to the bridge. "Yes, you do. Stay away from them. Get off the radar. You can't turn yourself in. I won't let you." Garrus objected and continued to follow her to the bridge. I shook my head. I'd gotten a message from the Alliance saying if I didn't turn myself in for becoming a traitor and destroying an entire relay I would be brought in by force.

I wanted to go in willingly, but Garrus had other ideas. I waltzed down the runway and on the bridge. Garrus was still arguing and I told Joker to head to the Secure Alliance Earth Freight I was to be taken to Earth on. I heard Garrus say, "Wait!" I turned to him and he gave me that desperate plea look. "Can we do one more thing before you go in, Kiana? Please, for me?" I stared into his eyes and gave in.

Sighing I nodded. "I suppose. Where to?" I asked and turned back to Joker. "The Citadel." I nodded and crossed my arms. "You heard him, Joker." "Aye, aye."

COUPLE DAYS LATER...

THIS PIECE WAS INSPIRED BY: Kiss me- Sixpence None the Richer

"Shepard, glad you could come." Garrus said and I shrugged. I was wearing a tan leather jacket some jeans and a pair of black boots. My hair was flipped out and looked combed. I never groomed myself often.. I sank into a hip and Garrus opened the door to the rented shuttle car and gestured me in. He closed the door after I got in and got in himself. We took off and Garrus looked tense as he drove the shuttle.

"Where are we headed." "Surprise." I scoffed and shook my head. "You know I hate surprises." "That's why I made it a surprise." I chuckled and muttered a, "Asshole," under my breath. "How big?" He asked and I grabbed her head. "Curse you and your sonic hearing!" He chuckled and I answered his question. "Huge." I smiled and he smiled back.

Something about that moment made me smile the rest of the ten minute trip. We landed and Garrus told me to 'wait' until he got out to open the door for me. I was rather frustrated. I know he was just being a gentleman like most men are suppose to be, but I could open and close a door on my own, you know?

I went with it anyway though..

We got out and Garrus instructed for me to close my eyes. He put a hand on the small of my back and over my eyes. My boots sounded all around us and Garrus removed his hands. My eyes took in the beautiful sight. "Garrus, this is-" I glanced around. The room was dimly illuminated with hanging Chinese lamps. The glass skylight was clear and showed the star's lights. The floor was moonlit and the whole room was just, soft and beautiful.

I walked toward the large open window at the other end of the room and looked out. I was surprised to see that the buildings below were run down and torn apart old. "This is in the old part of the Citadel isn't it?" I asked and heard Garrus come up from behind me. "Yeah, this is the only building that's decent." I looked around and leaned into him. "Brings back memories." He nodded.

"Sure does. Well, let's get to what we're here for." He said and turned to a panel and some piano music came on. Garrus in his casuals and his freshly painted face came up to me and held out his hand to me. "What's this?" I asked he shrugged. "Showing you that I can dance." I giggled and took his hand. He led me around by my waist. I felt jolts of shivers crawl along my skin.

My chest was pounding and my stomach butterflies were all over the place. After a while of slow dancing I laid my head on his chest as we danced around the moonlit floor. After a while we were lying on our backs looking at the stars through the skylight. I laid my head on his chest and held his hand. He purred softly making me drift off into a wonderful sleep...

_Garrus_

Garrus was dreading this moment.. the moment when his best friend.. his only friend left.. would be taken away from him. They were docked on the freighter. They were just waiting for the call when the Alliance will come in and take her. Nearly all of the crew had already left. Jack, Thane, Legion, and Garrus were left. They were standing behind the Commander. Patiently waiting. The air in the room was intensively heavy and the wait made it even more unbearable.

Kiana had been crying about Tali's death again last night and three days ago was the day when she and Garrus had gone.. erm.. 'out'. They hadn't really considered it a date, but it really honestly was. Garrus was tense and the Commander more so. "Their coming now, Commander." Joker said with a depressing tone in his voice. Kiana didn't turn or even move. She stood in front of the airlock awaiting her fate.

They didn't know how long she would be kept in Alliance hands, nor did they know if they would have a tiny bit of contact with her. The airlock door opened, reveling three armed Alliance soldiers and the one man Garrus had a growing hatred for. Kaiden, slicked back hair and chocolate brown eyes boring holes into both of them. "Shepard." "Kaiden." Kiana growled her jaw set in stone. He looked down and back up at Kiana. I really don't want to do this, Eve." Kiana gridded her teeth in response. "Don't call me that." She growled and Kaiden shrugged it off.

"Eveline Shepard, you're under arrest for destruction of a Mass Relay, and betraying the Alliance and working for Cerberus." He cuffed her hands and Kaiden grabbed her arm pulling her down the hall of the airlock. Garrus watched her go and in a flash Kiana had yanked out of Kaiden's grip and jumped over her arms to bring them in front of her instead of at her back.

She was grabbed by the guards as she reached for Garrus. "Garrus..I I- I'm sorry." Garrus tried to grab her hand , but only their fingers grazed as she was hauled away. "Why." Garrus said simply. He wasn't quite sure on what she was sorry about. Whatever it was, he would miss her more than ever...

AUTHORS NOTE:
Well, yes, this concludes The Beginning of the End! I am making a sequel! It will continue this story if you're interested! The sequel will take place after ME3. I really wanted to start my own journey with Garrus and Shepard. I hope you enjoyed Garrus and Kiana! Yes, this end was rushed. I always think that a bit of the story will be short, but it always ends up being longer than intended. Anyway, I'm SUPER excited to start it! I know you guys will be more interested with what I can come up with for the ME3 ending, Ya?

So, stay tuned on this story to get the link once I've typed out the first chapter of my new story which is going to be called: 'Love is All We Have Left.' (LAWHL)

Thank you for reading! Review! I love feed back~

Want to continue? ~ s/8991541/1/Love-is-All-We-Have-Left

Lots of Love and Huggles~

~Kelly