Unseen: Mass Effect FanFiction

Chapter 36

The four of them moved through the service tunnel without any incident. Garrus kept on scanning the area ahead of them and behind them, just in case any Cerberus troops were waiting for them.

'They're bound to realize that Aster isn't at the C-Sec holding area,' Garrus thought to himself. 'I hope John can distract them long enough to get Aster off the Citadel.'

"We're almost there," Nihlus said from in front of the group. "Be ready. From C-Sec we will have to get to the docking bay."

Nihlus opened the service door a bit before sticking his head out to see around.

"I'm going to check and see if the coast is clear," he said. "I'll knock before opening the door. Stay here until I get back."

Nihlus stepped away from the door and disappeared from sight. The group waited patiently for his return. A few minutes went by and they heard a soft knock before the door opened.

"It's clear," he told them opening the door wider.

"Aster," Garrus heard Solana say. "How about we take a small break, huh?"

"Only a few minutes," Nihlus replied as the group went past him. "We have to get going as soon as possible."

As Garrus went to stand guard on the other side of them, he saw Solana fussing over Aster. She kept on mumbling something under her breath.

"I'm fine," Garrus heard Aster whisper to her. "I only look bad but I feel great. Nothing a little medi-gel can't fix."

Apparently, Aster's comment didn't sit well with Solana because she smacked Aster on the arm before standing up and walking away. Garrus waited a few seconds before walking over to Aster and sitting down next to her.

"She's upset because she cares," Garrus commented. "To her, you're as close as family."

"I know," Aster said softly.

"Aster," Garrus said turning to face her. It was then that Garrus saw how bruised and battered her face was. The guilt was overwhelming, to say the least.

"I-" he was lost for words.

"I've looked worse," Aster said noticing his discomfort. "I'll look better in a couple of hours."

"I'm sorry," Garrus whispered. "I was an idiot and I should have trusted my friend's judgment about you."

"I should have trusted Mina and your judgment for not revealing yourself," he continued. "I don't want you to leave without you knowing how sorry I am and that I care about you. I couldn't live with myself knowing it was all my fault that you got hurt."

"I know that too," Aster replied patting his hand. "It's one of the reasons you couldn't face me after Junhix. You blamed yourself and haven't gotten over it. You haven't forgiven yourself even after all this time. But you must know, I never blamed you Garrus. Things happen for a reason and I knew the risks when I took the assignment."

"But I think you should also apologize to your friends," she continued. "You hurt their feelings."

"We should get going," Wrex said. "We don't want to get stuck here if Cerberus troops show up once again."

Garrus hoisted his weapon around his shoulder before gently wrapping one of his arms around Aster's waist helping her stand.

"Help me walk?" Aster asked in her quiet voice as she leaned on him for support.

Instead of replying, Garrus stared at her for a long time with mandibles hanging a bit. He didn't realize it before but now that his brain had time to catch up Garrus was more than surprised. Aster had been speaking in his native tongue. His brain had just realized that his translator hadn't been activated when Aster was speaking.