New Beginnings

Baby Steps

His apartment on the penthouse was perfect in every way, spotless, like none had lived in it ever. There were some signs of life here and there- a glass on the coffee table, an open book on the couch. “I spent most of my time with you at the hospital…” he said, it was like he could read my mind. “I only came here to sleep, and when Tali and Liara dragged me out of there because I needed to rest- of course I could never rest, not really. Knowing you were there all alone, thinking you might wake up and not see me… it drove me crazy” he hugged me and I hugged him back awkwardly. He noticed and broke the hug up. “Something wrong, my dear?” he asked, holding my hands. I wanted to say nothing, but I couldn’t lie to Garrus. I sat down on the couch, he sat beside me.

“Garrus, I have amnesia” I blurted out. “I remember you, I know that I love you, my feelings are intact… but I have loose recollections of our time together. In a way… this is all new for me, the intimacy” he didn’t say a word for a while “Garrus, say something please” I said. “I guess we’ll have to make new memories then” he hesitated this time when he held my hand. “Shepard, I’m here for you, and I understand if you’re… uncomfortable with certain things. I’ll make sure to keep you as comfortable as I can, just say the word and I’ll do whatever” I smiled warmly at him, and held his hand tighter “I can’t wait to make those new memories” I said “would you believe I don’t even remember what my favourite food is?” I said, trying to lighten the mood. He chuckled lightly and smirked. “I suppose you must be really hungry, I’ll… spirits, I just realized I have no food in the apartment, not even dextro food” he laughed and I chuckled. “I guess I’ll call some delivery restaurant. Are you in the mood for anything in particular?” I gave it some thought, I didn’t remember my favourite food so I had no idea what I might like “I don’t know, to be honest” I said looking down “Do you know what my favourite food is, by any chance? We’ve been together for a while after all” He smirked “Oh, I know what you like- but, I don’t think they deliver that” I was curious “what is it?” I asked. “You like to dip French fries in chocolate ice cream- whenever you felt down or anxious, you turned to that comfort food, as you called it- I mocked you often because the combination sounds a little disgusting” he chuckled and his mandibles flickered. “It does sound disgusting” I said, and laughed a little. “Is there anything less outlandish I like?” I asked. “Well, you’re quite fond of… what’s the name of that food… thai food? You like the one with noodles and shrimps” he said “Pad thai?” I asked, I remembered the food but not if I liked it or not. “Yes, that was it- you order that all the time, well, used to, when we were on shore leave. Sometimes you had some brought into the ship” I smiled “Well, pad thai it is then” I said, chuckling. He seemed content. “Then I’ll find a thai restaurant’s number and get you some, I’ll order some dextro food for me too, I can’t remember the last time I ate” he reached for his datapad, and started looking for a phone number on the extranet. “While we wait for the food, you could take a shower, make yourself comfortable- I´ll give you one of my shirts to wear as pyjamas” I was a little anxious, it felt like I was invading his privacy… but of course I wasn’t, I was his girlfriend and he was clearly pleased to help me. “That would be very nice, thank you” I said, politely. Maybe I was too polite, Garrus seemed a little confused as he dialled the number of the restaurant. I waited as he ordered the food and gave the address. I was a little uneasy, moving my fingers a lot. Garrus hung up the phone and caught my hands “It’s ok Shepard- relax, I enjoy doing things for you and I’m really happy to have you here” again, that mind reading thing. Garrus literally knew me better than I knew myself. “I’ll show you where the shower is, and I’ll give you fresh towels and a shirt to wear” he said as he held my hand and walked me to the other side of the apartment, to his room where the bathroom was. His bed was immaculate, not even a wrinkle “I slept on the couch, I couldn’t sleep on the bed… I missed having you next to me” he explained as he looked for towels in a drawer. I felt sad for him, all those restless months… he needed to rest more than I did, and yet there he was treating me like a princess.