Unseen: Mass Effect FanFiction (ReWritten)

Chapter 28

The following morning, Mina and Garrus sat at the small table eating breakfast.

'Aster,' SAM began. 'Garrus is exhibiting significantly lower stress levels, and his vocal patterns indicate increased contentment.'

'You can detect his vocal patterns?' Mina asked. 'I don't remember you telling me that.'

'It's not difficult,' SAM informed her.

"How are you feeling?" Mina asked nonchalantly.

"I slept well," Garrus replied. "The last few days have been rough."

Mina nodded. That's exactly what she wanted to hear from him. She had noticed him, looking tense and agitated.

"We should cuddle more often," Mina stated, sipping on her coffee. "The bond must have been affecting more than you realized."

"You - I," Garrus stammered. "How?"

"Solana gave me a quick rundown," Mina answered. "Since I'm human, the bond doesn't affect me the same as it does you."

"I didn't want to force anything," Garrus said, rubbing his neck. "You didn't agree to any of this."

"Neither did you," Mina countered. "Stop being so stubborn. We've talked about this before. We won't make any rushed decisions regarding our bond, but that doesn't mean you need to suffer.

"I'm not the kind of person who will punish you for something that you didn't have any control over. I agreed to sleep with you that night as well. We couldn't have guessed you would be exposed to a drug."

Garrus signed and reluctantly nodded. "I know you're right, but I'm still bothered by it."

"Our bond has consequences," he continued. "My father won't agree. I don't know what my mother will think.

"She praised you at the dinner, but now that we're together, I don't know if she will change her mind. She-"

Garrus was interrupted as the bell on the front door rang.

Mina frowned, "I didn't think we were expecting visitors."

"We're not," Garrus answered, standing up to answer the door.

'You might want to grab some popcorn,' SAM said, amused. 'We're about to see a good drama unfold.'

'Who is it?' Mina wondered, standing as well.

Mina subtly walked out of the kitchen and peeked around the corner, and saw another turian, female. She was tall, with piercing blue eyes and crimson facial markings.

"Garrus," she said, her voice sharp and demanding. "We need to talk."

Garrus's mandibles pulled back in a grimace. "Nyreen. This isn't a good time." He subtly blocked the doorway with his larger frame.

'Oh, this is Nyreen,' Mina said from her position. 'What's the deal with her?'

'She's not giving up on the potential marriage opportunity,' SAM explained. 'Garrus's father is pushing for the marriage. Nyreen isn't taking no for an answer. Garrus has made it clear that he's not interested.'

Nyreen pushed harder, her shoulder bumping against Garrus's. "It's always a good time for the truth, Vakarian. And I know you're hiding something. Unless you want me to get your parents involved, I suggest you let me in."

"Nyreen, stop." Garrus's voice was low, warning.

'I dont want to overstep,' Mina thought. 'But I think he's going to need help dealing with her.'