"Garrus, you really need to learn to be more assertive. You should've convinced those C-sec gunners to go for him anyways! It's your fault Dr Saleon got away," Commander Shepard admonished.

Garrus bristled.

"I--I know, Commander, and I feel really bad about it, but I tracked down a lead! I know what ship he's on, and I know the last relay it passed through. Could you come help me take him down? I promise I'll assert myself!" she pined, looking down into his eyes pleadingly.

"Alright. If we have time. And DON'T mess up this one!"

"Ok! I promise!" Garrus answered.

She wondered briefly if it was weird that she was taller than the Commander. Ashley and the other female Normandy crew were all smaller than the males. Was she too intimidating? No, that couldn't be it; Shepard wasn't scared of anyone! Did she look awkward? Maybe that was why he was always picking on her. Still, she was just so grateful to work with a Spectre--and a human at that.

Shepard was so amazing. Strong, tall for his species. Garrus always enjoyed sneaking glances while she worked on the Mako. He was so--attractive? No, no! He was an alien! How could she be attracted to him, with his weird hair, and his... asari-like skin, with its white-red tone, and his muscles, and he was a great shot, faster than her too--Shepard was so CONFIDENT!

Garrus shook her head and stuck it back under the Mako.

----

The abominations rushed them as soon as they entered the ship.

Shepard blasted away indiscriminately with his shotgun while Wrex rushed in to tear them apart. For once, Garrus actually seemed to be doing something with her Avenger.

"Keep moving. They're like husks, don't stay still! Forward!" Shepard commanded, hucking a grenade into a mass of horrific monstrosities.

They wound their way through the tight confines of the cargo ship, firing all the way. As they approached a corner, Wrex rushed around but was tackled by five of the creatures. Shepard leapt forward and smacked two away, then delivered pinpoint headshots as he kicked them off of his krogan friend.

"THANKS SHEPARD!" Wrex yelled. "FUCK YOU! AND YOU!" he cried, smashing abominations with his biotics.

Shepard simply grunted an acknowledgment and kept shooting. Suddenly, a tight hand wrapped around his neck. Then two more swept his legs out beneath him. His helmet slammed the deck and it felt like his brain crunched. Shepard struggled, but more and more swarmed him.

Then, all of a sudden, rifle fire swept the second wave off of the pile. Shepard retook the initiative and headbutted the husk behind him, freeing his throat, then his arms, and at last he rose and wiped the gore from his visor.

"I guess you don't owe me one anymore, Wre--" Shepard was cut off when he saw Garrus standing amid the corpses, Wrex nowhere to be found.

"Happy to see me, Commander?" she asked.

"Uhhh, sure. Thanks, Garrus," he replied. Then, "Shit, what took you so long? I nearly died! And where's Wrex?"

"Right here. Heh," he said, dragging a wriggling salarian behind him.

"Unhand me, krogan thug! Aren't you responding to my distress call?!"

"Dr. Saleon!" Garrus hissed. She strode up and backhanded the alien. "You're coming with us, buddy!"

Shepard was surprised by her strength. Maybe she wasn't--OH SHIT, HE'S GOT A GUN! Shepard's mind roared, and in a seamless instant of time his pistol had already borne a hole through Saleon's head.

"Dammit Garrus, that asshole was about to shoot you. Pay attention next time!"

He couldn't see her expression past her visor, but her head sank a little. "Sorry, Commander."

"Let's head back and inform the Alliance. I'm done with this freakshow," he said.