Survivor

Chapter 21

Shepard
  I stared at myself in the mirror, in my casual military uniform, the dress uniform pressed and carefully packed for tomorrow.
  A red bandana covered my head, since I knew it would be colder in space despite the heating attempts from the ship.
  I took a deep breath and pulled on my N7 sweater before I turned and grabbed my duffel bag off of the bed.
  "Samantha? Are you ready? The Skycar is waiting for us."
  "I'll be right down!" I called back to Garrus, casting one last grimace at my reflection.
  I came down the stairs at a trot to see Garrus by the couch, immersed in his Omni-Tool with his duffel slung casually over his shoulder.
  "I'm ready," I announced.
  He looked up, his eyes caught on the bandanna immediately.
  His mandibles were spread slightly in shock and confusion, his mouth slightly agape.
  I cleared my throat uncomfortably, though I expected a reaction of the sorts from him.
  I had never really worn anything on my head besides what was part of my uniform or visors. I rarely even wore helmets. To have something over my head was a rarity that he had never seen before.
  Garrus shook his head to clear his thoughts- or lack thereof- and rushed to open the door for me, stammering an apology on the way. "I-I'm sorry, Sam. I've just never- I mean, I didn't expect..."
  I shrugged and walked out the door, Garrus close behind after he locked up.
  "I didn't expect you to write it off as normal. I don't mind. It's just... It feels weird being exposed like this. I'm used to... You know, hair. It's colder than I expected and... I guess it feels wrong to let someone else see it. All the scars and the bare skin. It's almost like letting them see just how broken you were that the hospital had to do that."
  Garrus wrapped an arm around my waist as we walked and sighed. "It's not weakness. It's a sign that you're one hell of a fighter for still being here. I believe I've heard Vega use the term 'I'm still kicking'? That's something you can say, it's a bragging right. One that you've been through hell to earn. So no, you're not weak. You're the strongest woman I've met. Commander Samantha Shepard, you're a legend, and I'm proud to be the Turian that gets to hold your hand... And share a bed."
  I laughed and elbowed him, acting offended but he pulled me closer to him to press a kiss to the top of my head.
  "Thanks, Garrus. I can't think of anyone I would rather have at my side than you..."
  "Good, because it's going to take more than Reapers and other males to get me away from you now."
  I laughed and gave him a kiss before we climbed into the Skycar, tossing our bags in the back.
  The ride was quiet, both of us lost in thought as the Skycar automatically took us to the docking bay, where we made our way past security to D12 easily.
  To my surprise, I spotted EDI standing with Joker in the lobby of D12, both of them talking until EDI seemingly got an alert that we were here, for she turned around with a smile and Joker followed her line of sight to us.
  "Hey! Shepard!"
  With Joker's alert, Tali stood from her seat along with Liara, Samara, Zaeed, Chakwas, Cortez, Vega, Kaidan, and Kasumi.
  A grin spread across my face as my bag fell from my grasp, only to have Garrus sneak it away from me.
  EDI promptly came and gave me a hug, followed by Joker and Liara, everyone else cheerfully welcoming me and congratulating me on our victory.
  Tears welled up in my eyes as I surveyed my crew. We had been through hell, but here we were, together again.
  I smiled and nodded my acceptance of this, my eyes still roaming over their faces, memorizing them until Vega interrupted my thoughts.
  "Damn, Commander, you look like hell!"
  Everyone went silent, trading awkward glances until I gave a wet chuckle, wiping the tears from my face before I gave Vega the finger.
  Everyone laughed, including him and I jerked my head toward the airlock.
  "How about we get this show on the road?"
  Everyone gave a cheer and we all made our way to the airlock,  everyone exchanging stories, and Garrus rejoined me by my side.
  "Why didn't you tell me it was the Normandy?"
  Garrus chuckled. "I wasn't fully sure it would be, though I knew they were here. Plus I didn't want to ruin the surprise. The look on your face? There's no price to put on that."
  I smiled up at him as we entered the airlock. "You're the best."
  He chuckled. "I know. It's nice to hear it, though."
  I laughed and shook my head, even as Joker made fake gagging noises, tossing a wink at me before he made another one. Garrus rolled his eyes at Joker, but we all saw the smile that threatened his face.
"Alright, everyone better get squared away because we'll be taking off shortly!" Joker announced, headed straight for the cockpit with EDI aiding him.
  Everyone dispersed, with quick 'welcome back' and 'we missed you' comments being sent my way as they left.
  Garrus was the only one left with me and together, we took the elevator up to my cabin.
  Once inside, Garrus dropped the bags by the couch and turned to me with a smile. "Looks like we're all together again."
  I smiled and nodded, wrapping my arms around his waist as I looked up at him. "Yep. It's great to see everyone again. It didn't seem like it would be possible, honestly."
  "Anything's possible. You're proof of that."
  I opened my mouth to reply, but the shipwide speakers came to life.
  "This is your pilot speaking; we're cleared for docking clamp release. Please keep your drinks secure and you should probably stay away from railing and stairs too. Enjoy your flight!"
  I chuckled and shook my head, feeling the Normandy lurch backwards as it was freed from the clamp before it continued back, then eased forward.
  The motion was so familiar it was almost comforting and I couldn't help the smile that touched my lips as my shoulders relaxed.
  "You needed this," Garrus stated quietly, as if realizing it.
  "My best years were spent on this ship. We may have gone through hell, but I met the best people in the galaxy and invited them aboard this ship."
  "Well- not this exact ship," Garrus corrected, earning him a fist to his arm, but he merely chuckled.
  "You know what my favorite memories are, that were on this ship, though?" He asked coyly.
  I shook my head. "No, what?"
  He leaned down to whisper in my ear and his breath tickled my ear as he spoke. "Finding out the ship's captain was as crazy about me as I am about her..."
  I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, linking my fingers atop the back of his carapace. "Was?"
  He hummed in confirmation, moving to brush his lips across mine as he spoke. "I wasn't sure if I could still call you crazy about me anymore..."
  I scoffed in mock offense. "Officer Vakarian, you should know better than to try to call your CO crazy..."
  I brushed my lips across his, returning the teasing gesture before I continued. "Though, I must admit that I'm absolutely, undeniably insanely in love with you."
  Garrus chuckled, his hand behind my head holding me still as he pressed his lips to mine.
  "Good to know I'm not the only insane one," he murmured, his voice low after our kiss.
  I cast him a crooked smile and he smiled back, shaking his head at me almost in wonder.
  Too soon, he stepped back, rubbing the back of his head.
  "We should probably get some sleep," he murmured. "It's going to be a long day tomorrow, I don't want you to be tired."
  I nodded, biting my lip as I watched him.
  Whereas a moment ago, he was completely relaxed and seemingly worry free, now he seemed coiled tight, stress reading in every feature.
  "Garrus?"
  He wouldn't meet my eyes, and I stepped forward to meet him, gently guiding his face to mine.
  I rested my forehead on his, looking into his eyes as I did so. "What's wrong?"
  He sighed. "I just worry about you. About us. What's going to happen? When is the threat going to end?"
  I brushed my fingertips across his cheekbone, tracing his face paint lightly. "We're going to make it through. Nothing can stop us when we're together okay? We'll be okay in the end."
  Garrus gave me a wry smile. "And retire somewhere warm and tropical to live off the royalties?"
  I gave him a serious look, staring him straight in the eye. "Yes. Look, I know you expect the worst when it comes to things, but believe me when I say that when this is all over, we'll be together."
  Garrus nodded slowly, seeming to believe it more with every passing second until he placed a kiss on my forehead and walked me to bed.
  "Get some sleep. I'll be back up in a bit."
  I nodded and sat down, stripping off my boots as I watched him go.
  A part of me worried that what I told him wasn't the truth, but I couldn't let him know. I couldn't let the worry eat at him.
I stripped down to my underwear, before I slipped into a tee shirt, gnawing the inside of my cheek as I climbed into the bed and pulled the covers up.
Last time I was found to be alive and with Alliance Ranking Admirals, I was locked up and quietly discharged.
I could only hope for the best tomorrow, but as Garrus does, expect the worst.
I felt Garrus slip into bed next to me as I drifted off with him pulling me into his arms, his head tucked over my head so I felt cocooned. Safe.

((A/N: I can't say enough how awesome it is and how much it means to me to see those number of reads go up! I wanted to say thanks to Archangel2153 for adding my fanfic to your public reading list! Yes. I noticed :3 lol
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  Anyways thanks to anyone reading this for your support by simply reading this fanfic! Shakarian fans are the best :3 lol
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