Chimera: A Garrus/Shepard Romance

CHAPTER 3: FRIEND

The doors of Liara's office slid open again.

Still in her chair facing the console, Liara sighed, "Sera, I …."

He cleared his throat, not wanting her to say anything further, making sure she knew it wasn't Shepard.

Liara gasped, quickly turning around in her chair. "Garrus! I – I'm sorry. I thought…"

"Yes, I know what you thought Liara," he said roughly as he slowly settled into the chair that just held Shepard.

"What can I do for you Garrus?" she said pleasantly.

He wasn't exactly sure what he wanted from Liara but he knew he wanted answers. Shepard hurrying so quickly from Liara's office alarmed him. He felt he no longer had the right to ask what was wrong. Ever since their meeting on Menae he so desperately wanted to talk to Shepard – hear her voice again – anything. It was impossible because she had conveniently made herself busy and was never alone, surrounding herself with people. When he thought he finally had the opportunity, she was already gone.  

"When did you know, Liara?" he asked her with a pointed look.

"Know what, Garrus?" she said apprehensively, hoping he wasn't asking what she thought he was asking.

He glared and huffed, "When did you know she was coming to Menae?"

"Only a few hours before we arrived. She didn't tell me anything about the treaty or what was involved. I've been rather preoccupied with the Prothean blueprints I found on Mars," Liara answered him, hoping he didn't hear the relief in her voice.

He sat back, pondering her answer. "Would have been nice to have a little warning…."

"Yes well, other things were a little more important at the time… you know, like the Reapers?"

He snorted a sigh in reply, "Hmph…has she said anything about me?"

"No, not really. Why?"

"I've been trying to talk to her but it appears she's avoiding me and I don't know why." He turned to look at Liara squarely, "You wouldn't happen to know why she's avoiding me, would you?"

Liara felt her face flush and turned back to her console not wanting to her give herself away.

"Liara." His graveled voice menacingly low, demanding an answer.

She sighed in resignation, bowing her head, "Garrus….I don't know what to tell you. It's not my place to tell you anything. This is something you and Sera need to work out between you. I can offer advice that's all. I will not betray any confidences from either you or from her. If I do that, what kind of friend would I be to either one of you? My word will mean nothing."

As much as he hated to admit it, she was right. Damned Asari and their principles.

"I'm sorry, Liara," he apologized; the menace gone, "I'm just frustrated and I don't know what to do." He hung his head looking at the floor.

The pain he felt was almost tangible as she looked at him trying to figure out what to do to help him…help them both.

She started slowly, careful to choose her words. "…I know this isn't how either one of you thought things would end up but I think you both need some time to adjust. Perhaps, let things be for a little while and see what happens. When the time is right, you will both know."

He sat up and looked at Liara intently, trying to decipher the meaning behind her words – if there was any. "Okay...," he said slowly, "let's see what happens."

He stood up and went to the doors and pressed the combination to open them. "Are you coming tonight?"

She smiled. "Yes. I might be a bit late but I'll be there. Joker will kill me if I don't come. Are you?"

He stopped and considered his answer for a moment.

"I don't know," he said simply and walked out, doors sliding shut quickly behind him.