Code Name: Archangel

They toast and even though it’s only a social thing, not meant to be anything serious, to the Alliance commander, this warmed her heart and reminded her of the bonds she shared with her crew. 

“This isn’t a date? Aww, too bad. I might’ve actually gone out to the dance floor. Kidding- kidding.” She teases before clinking their glasses together. “To you and I Garrus. I’m sure the ass kicking will come to us when we need it.” 

The toast fell so good, so warm and welcoming. Finally, at that blasted city, he felt welcomed, he felt at home and at peace. Suddenly he could hear himself saying to her how nothing in the galaxy could keep them apart. Right now, he was proving those words to be right, and it made him feel more alive than he ever did shooting mercs and saving the galaxy.

“We could still go to the dance floor, if that’s something that you want to do. I’ll try not to steal your spotlight”, he joked, calming himself down. Why was he feeling so...vulnerable? He didn’t like this, he needed to be in control of the situation once again, not stuttering and losing his attitude.

It wasn’t hard to spot a turian in a crowd, especially when it was the only turian in an entire city. And as luck would have it, the turian was none other than Garrus ‘Archangel’ Vakarian. A familiar face was a pretty welcome sight to the woman– hell, anyone who with any sort of knowledge about space travel (which the natives had a disturbing lack of) were a sight for sore eyes right now.

While she hadn’t socialised much with him during her time on the Normandy –and really, who could blame him for avoiding her?– she found it oddly appropriate that he would be stood near an old-fashioned newspaper stand, looking at some very archaic weapons in a gun catalog. One made out of actual paper, no less; that was a rarity in itself. “You really do stand out in a crowd.” Miranda remarked casually as she drew closer to him.

The female voice with that strong accent belonged to nobody else but Miranda Lawson. Of course, she took her sweet time to arrive here, was his first internal thought. Despite his easy going attitude, he was mostly concerned and suspicious of most of Shepard’s human companions, and with good reason. “I try not to. Not that people are curious enough to try and chat me up”, he replied with a low chuckle, offering his hand for her to shake as formal greeting. “Took you long enough to get here.”

The shot glasses clinked as they came rolling in her direction. Jane caught them and just in time too it seemed. That all too familiar drawl crept on her ears and the Alliance commander couldn’t help but smile to herself. “Garrus, there you are.” She says matter-of-factly, turning to her side to face him and actually finds herself relaxing even more. Now the party could start. “I was waiting for you actually. First round’s on me. Of course, this stuff probably isn’t nearly as strong as anything you’re used to.”

She’s not easily impressed but there was something about Garrus that always seemed to flatter her and made her feel welcomed. Maybe because they’ve been through everything from the beginning or maybe it was because he was there even through her time playing errand girl for Cerberus. Either way, his companionship was what helped her through some of the toughest times in her life and in return, Jane would offer him loyalty unlike any this turian would ever experience in his lifetime. 

“You know, I’m more surprised you didn’t hold me to taking out creepy monsters in sewers. Seems like the kinda thing you and I would be doing to kill time here but…maybe meeting in the bar is exactly what we both need. Take some time to talk. Maybe I could watch you dance too–I figure turians are pretty good on their feet as they are with rifles.” Jane teases, taking her shot glass and raising it slowly. “What should we toast to?” 

“Heh, wishing that we could get our hands on the good stuff in this damn place is pointless. Let’s just work with what we have, maybe we’ll find out the perfect balance or something remotely close to an Afterlife drink”, he chuckled, resisting the urge to give Shepard a greeting touch on the shoulder. If she didn’t make the move, he had to hold back and be less enthusiastic and eager to be around her again. Damn, he sure missed those times. 

“Right, second round’s on me then. Then third’s on you, assuming that you can keep up with me. Don’t make me drag your drunk ass back outside in half an hour, Shepard, I don’t wanna tell the crew this story and embarrass you even more”, he smiled. He absolutely loved how comfortable he could be around her, even if when the conversation went somewhere else entirely, he would often just loose his ability to be cool and suave. Not that Garrus Vakarian was a well know heart throbber or anything like that.

Score. Jane smiled wide to herself before popping off her bed, pulling out comfortable and somewhat stylish clothes–you know, if the N7 hoodie and pants were considered stylish–and texted her way out of the door.

To: Garrus  From: Jane

[TXT] sounds good [TXT] heading out the door right now [TXT] see you there [TXT] ill txt you the address

She grabs her bike and makes her way over to the bar, surprised by how smooth the wheels were on this thing. She’d have to make sure to get custom wheels and a handle when she saved up. It would be a lot more comfortable later on. The scenery rushes by her as she pedals along and her thoughts are preoccupied with memories of the Normandy. Did Garrus miss home too or was he adjusted in this place? Jane was certain to ask.

The bar was opened and so was the nightclub next door. She parked her bike nearby and went right in, already enjoying the familiar buzz of the bass as bar patrons slipped in and out to head over to the nightclub side. Now all that was left to do was wait for her turian companion.

“Hey, bartender, give me 2 shots of tequila and maybe some whiskey on the rocks.” 

Seeing Jane again made his not so human heart flutter. He could never explain his feelings towards Shepard, he would always feel so strongly about her, wanting to protect her, even though she saved his ass more times than he saved hers. That explained his attraction, a woman who could kick his ass and look deadly attractive doing it? He was smitten, but only because that someone was Shepard, the only exception.

Changing out of that massive “turtle like” armour according to Vega wasn’t an option; if they were meeting in a bar, he needed to stand out. Then again, an armour could prove to be a disadvantage if he wanted to impress Shepard and show off on the dancefloor. It was’t going to happen, he told himself to forget that thought, but he knew that leaving the armour behind was finally the right choice. Dressed in his underarmour instead, he headed out and towards the bar slash nightclub. 

It sure didn’t match the Purgatory or even Afterlife, but he could live with that. Low lighting, music that was strange to him, yet only one thing, or rather, person, stood up, as always. There she was, out of the N7 armour and ordering the first round of drinks. That was his girl.

theturianbadboy

Their meetings were too few and far in between. She was starting to feel homesick and with so much going on in Hive City right now, there was just not enough downtime for Jane to catch her breathe or raise her adrenaline. She found herself messaging Garrus via omni-tool, hoping he wasn’t too upset that she disappeared during their beach hangout a few weeks aback.

To: Archangel From: Jane [TXT] hey garrus [TXT] sorry about the beach [TXT] i know how i can make it up to you though! :) [TXT] how do you feel about shooting stuff in the sewers?? heard there was some crazy monster stuff down there [TXT] or we can go to a bar [TXT] your choice

Garrus was frowning at the ancient piece of technology that was given to him as a way of communication with other residents of the city. However, he couldn’t help but smile when he saw the name flashing on the screen. Shepard. Jane. He didn’t blamer her disappearing, he himself bumped into Vega and the beach was crowded. However, if she was offering a way to make up for it, of course he was going to grab that chance and unwind.

To: Shepard

From: Vakarian

[TXT] shepard

[TXT]  don’t mention it

[TXT] that doesn’t sound bad at all

[TXT] scratch that, it’s just what I need

She makes a show out of her appraisal, framing his predatory figure with her fingers as if to ensure yes, he is indeed the right one to take part in whatever horrors she may have in mind.

Garrus gave her a questioning look as he stood back and saw her measuring him. He wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or not, but he signed himself up for whatever Kasumi had in mind, having missed that kind of fun with the crew. They surely kept things interesting.

            “A few members actually. More memorable names may be Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Green Arrow, Black Canary… Any of those ring a bell, by any chance?”

“I’ve heard the name Batman, some of the humans on board called me that...I didn’t think that he was a real person. As far I I know, he’s here, I didn’t get a chance to meet you and compare our personalities yet. Colourful names, though, I was also called Archangel for a while so I guess that I can relate.”