Mass Effect 3: Before the Storm

“Thanks for coming by, Garrus,” Kaidan said as he sat at a small table in one of the Citadel’s café with the best view.

“Considering our recent reunion involved me holding a sniper rifle at your head, I was a bit surprised that you offered to buy me a drink,” Garrus laughed a bit in the sat in the seat next to the Spectre.

“Yeah, staring at the end of the barrel of Shepard’s gun was bad enough, but to have both you and Liara…” Garrus shrugged a bit, leaning back with a drink in claw.

“Like Shepard would ever take a shot at you,” Garrus smirked. “Well, not a lethal one anyway.”

“Yeah, that’s not very reassuring,” Kaidan sighed as he finally put the menu down. “Even though I’m back on the Normandy, he’s been avoiding me.”

“Don’t take it personal, he’s been avoiding everyone. Not surprising since Thane died so suddenly. Poor guy’s heartbroken.“

“Heartbroken?” Kaidan asked, almost sounding surprised. “I understand being upset, but even when Ash died, he didn’t shut down like that.”

“That’s hardly a comparison, Kaidan. Sure, Ash had a thing for Shepard but it’s not like he was…Wait.” Garrus paused as he looked at Kaidan’s confused face. “You did know that Thane and Shepard were…”

Kaidan’s eyes only widened in silence causing Garrus to sigh and take another drink before putting it back down on the table. The Major pressed his lips together as his eyes shifted away in disturbed thought. “Why would he…I mean…”

“Horizon.”

“What?”

“I was there, remember?” Kaidan turned his eyes back to Garrus. “Look, I’m not going to say that you ran Shepard into the arms of another man but…No, wait, that’s exactly what you did.”

“That’s not fair, Garrus! Shepard and I…”

“Never managed to get over your egos enough to actually say what everyone else already knows.“ Leaning over, Garrus tried to soften the blow. “Look Kaidan, for as long as I’ve known you both, there’s always been a spark there. I was rooting for you, honestly, but after Horizon…well. I can hardly blame the guy for giving up.”

“I really screwed up, didn’t I?” Kaidan spoke into his palm that covered his face.

“Yes you did, Major.” Garrus took another sip of his drink and smile. “But you have another chance.”

“What? How?”

“Not to sound morbid, but Thane is dead.”

“Garrus!”

“What? The man was an assassin and was dying anyway. Some kind of Drell thing. They hooked up knowing there wasn’t’ any long-term commitments. Not to mention a suicide mission.”

“And?”

“And…I don’t honestly think they didn’t thought much past licking each other’s wounds for a while. Sure, there was some feelings there, maybe even love, but I’ve seen the way Shepard still looks at you. It’s that same kicked varren pup look he’s been giving you for years.” Garrus offered a smile. “Which is why I think you stand a chance.”

“What are you getting at, Garrus?”

“All I’m saying that if I had the chance to spend my last few moments with someone I loved while kicking Reaper ass, I wouldn’t let it slip by me because they had a relationship or two in the past.”

“Or two?”

“Well, there may have been a near miss with Shepard and myself…I mean…” Garrus eyed Kaidan’s disturbed face before he started to laugh. “Stop looking at me like that, I’m kidding.”

“That’s not funny…”

“I beg to differ,” Garrus smirked as he stood up. “Talk to him Kaidan, before the Normandy blows up a second time and there won’t be anyone left to put him back together again.” Picking up the glass, he raised a toast to the Biotic. “Thanks for the drink and good luck.”

“Anytime, Garrus.” Kaidan sat in silence for a moment, his bearded chin resting on top of his intertwined fingers. Pulling his forearm to his chest, the omni-tool screen activated that allowed him to send a message; an invitation to lunch.