Random Mass Effect Stories

Easing Tension (Garrus&Shep)

Summary:

After dealing with Kaidan on Horizon, Shepard is nervous about telling a certain Turian how she feels. When she tried... well, it didn't exactly go as planned. #NoShepardWithoutVakarian

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The Normandy crew was heading to Omega after dealing with a few situations on the Citadel. One of them being Sidonis. Shepard convinced Garrus to spare the depressed Turian, but she wasnt sure how he felt about it. He didn't seem too happy after it was done.

Either way, it was too late and she was on her way to talk to him. They had a few hours before they got to Omega, so they had the time. Hopefully, he wasn't mad at her for changing his plans.

The door swished open and Garrus flipped around. "Shepard, need me for something?"

"You got a minute?" She asked, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

"Sure," he shrugged. "Just killing time anyway. I wanted to thank you again for your help with Sidonis. Whatever happens with the Collectors or the Reapers or whoever else comes after us, I know you'll get the job done."

She felt her body relax. Shepard was glad that the Turian wasn't mad at her.

"You actually think we'll find something worse than Collectors or Reapers?"

"I like to expect the worst. Theres a small chance Ill be pleasantly surprised."

"I couldnt do this without you Garrus," Shepard told him honestly. She couldnt trust Cerberus. They've done too many bad deeds in the past. He's the only one she could trust here.

"Sure you could... Not as stylishly, of course."

Shepard cracked a smile and moved to sit on a crate that was in the room.

"Its strange going into a suicide mission on a Human ship. Your people don't prepare for high-risk operations the way Turians do."

"How do Turian crews get ready for high-risk missions?" Shepard asked in curiosity.

"With violence usually. Turian ships have more operational discipline than your Alliance, but fewer personal restrictions. Our Commanders run us tight and they know we need to blow off steam. Turian ships have training rooms for exercise, combat sims, and even full contact sparring. Whatever lets people work off stress."

"You mean Turian ships have crewmen fighting each other right before a mission?"

"It's supervised, of course. Nobody is going to risk an injury that interferes with the mission and its a good way to settle grudges amicably. I remember right before one mission, we were about to hit a Batarian pirate squad, very risky. This recon scout and I had been at each others throats, nerves mostly. She suggested we settle it in the ring."

"I assume you took her down gently," Shepard asked.

"Actually, she and I were the top-ranked hand-to-hand specialists on the ship. I had reach, but she had flexibility. It was brutal. After nine rounds the judge called it a draw. There were a lot of unhappy betters in the training room. We, uh, ended up holding a tiebreaker in her quarters. I had reach, but she had flexibility. More than one way to work off stress, I guess."

She felt her heart flutter and her face turn red. She smiled and decided to finally admit how she felt about him. She stood up and walked toward him.

"It sounds like you're carrying some tension. Maybe I could help you get rid of it," she suggested, trying her best to sound seductive.

"I didnt think youd feel like sparring Commander," he replied.