Mina began to explain how everything came to be. Leaving out a few details without omitting the truth.
"Garrus and I met a few months ago," Mina said. "I offered to let him stay at my apartment, and we decided on an agreement. We spent the night together, and that's when Garrus marked me.
"He didn't remember, and when I saw the mark the next day, I didn't think much of it at that time. We both went on missions, and it wasn't until I got back to the Citadel and reconnected with Solana that she brought it up to me.
"Solana helped me figure out what had happened. That's when I learned that there were other people being affected by a pheromone. We think Garrus was affected by it as well at the time."
Camelea sat on the couch, frowning. "Garrus, you've been married for several months, and you never told us until now?"
"What happened between Mina and me was a mistake," Garrus stated. "After this mission, we plan to figure it out."
"Nonsense," Camelea growled. "There is no figuring it out. You are married. You'll take responsibility. Period. Mistake or not, you kept my daughter-in-law hidden away from me.
"How do you think your father will react when he learns you're already married? Have you been stringing along Nyreen all this time?"
"No!" Garrus exclaimed. "I made it clear to her that I didn't want anything to do with her. She threatened to tell Dad. Dad's the one who is pushing for the marriage with the Kendros family."
Camelea signed heavily. "I'll speak to your father. Spirits help us if Nyreen speaks to him first. Until then, behave and take care of Mina."
Mina and Garrus stood and walked Camelea out the door.
"That went better than I'd hoped," Mina muttered.
"Mother does have a way with words," Garrus agreed. "She'll know what to say to Dad. I'm sorry for putting you through all of this."
Mina shook her head, "You don't have to apologize. Our lives are messy. No one planned it to go this way."
'Why not go and relax?' SAM suggested.
"Did you have any plans for today?" Mina asked, cleaning up the glass of tea left behind by Camelea.
"No," Garrus said, sitting on the sofa. "I need to put something together for the Council to appease them."
"What are you going to tell them?" Mina asked curiously.
"I'm not sure yet," Garrus admitted. "Nihlus is hoping to distract them using the pheromone case. I'm waiting to hear back from him. I'm also monitoring the situation."
'I can stir up more trouble,' SAM offered.
'Yes, that would help us,' Mina gave him the go-ahead.
"Since we can't do much, how about we go back to bed for a bit and then go out for dinner?" she suggested.
Garrus hesitated. "Mina, I -"
Not taking no for an answer, Mina grabbed Garrus's arm and led him back to the bedroom. Mina kicked off her shoes and got underneath the covers. Garrus reluctantly slid in beside her laying down.
Mina carefully snuggled closer, tucking her head against his chest plate. The metal was cool, but underneath it, she could feel the steady beat of his heart.
He was rigid at first, unsure of what to do. Mina nuzzled closer, her warmth radiating through his plating. Gradually, tentatively, he brought his arm around her, the large talons awkwardly, but gently, resting on her back.
"Better?" Mina asked, her voice muffled.
"Improving," Garrus replied, his voice a low, rasping purr.
"Good," Mina replied. "Are you always this tense?"
Garrus chuckled but didn't reply. As the seconds turned into minutes and the minutes turned into hours, Mina and Garrus eventually fell asleep.
*
Mina stirred, a gentle warmth enveloping her. She blinked, struggling to place herself.
'Oh, that's right,' She thought. 'We went back to bed. I didn't mean for us to fall asleep.'
'What time is it?'
'It is 4 pm Galactic time,' SAM answered.
Mina groaned; she felt groggy.
Then, awareness sharpened. Husband. A heavy arm was draped possessively across her waist, and she could feel the cool, leathery texture of Turian plating pressed against her back. Garrus.
A flush crept up her neck.
I'm still not used to thinking of him that way!'
She tried to extract herself subtly, but the slightest movement only seemed to tighten his grip. He stirred behind her, his mandibles clicking softly.
"Mina?" His voice was rough with sleep, a low rumble that vibrated against her spine.
"Good afternoon," she managed, her voice a strained whisper. She tensed, anticipating him moving away.
He didn't. Instead, he tightened his grip slightly. "Are you... cold?"
"No," she lied, though the heat radiating from his body was undeniably comforting. It was more than just temperature, though.
She could feel a faint thrum of energy, a subtle connection flowing between them. She remembered Solana explaining the bond – the invisible tie that formed between humans and Turians during mating, strengthening with physical closeness.
"Good," he said, and she could practically hear the smile in his voice. "Stay. Just for a little longer."
Mina bit back a nervous giggle. "Garrus, we have to get up. We need to get ready for dinner."
He nuzzled her hair, his mandibles brushing her temple.
"That can wait. This... this feels right. Helps with the, uh, bond," he mumbled, the last part almost inaudible. "And you're warm."
Mina hesitated.
"Okay," she said, relaxing against him. "Just for a little longer."
After another hour of cuddling, Mina's stomach rumbled.
Garrus chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that tickled her spine. "Perhaps we should get ready to head out."
Mina blushed and slipped out of the covers.
**
"Where should we go?" Mina asked as they headed out of the apartment.
"There is an Asari restaurant that was close by," Garrus replied. "They serve both lexo and dextro food choices."
"Sounds perfect," Mina said.
Mina followed behind Garrus as he led the way to the restaurant. As they approached, they could hear the calming Asari melodies that played on the overhead speaker. The restaurant was decorated with different shades of blue and purple.
"Hello and welcome to Pyincs," an asari greeted them. "Table for two."
"Yes," Garrus replied.
They were quickly shown to a small, secluded table overlooking a miniature waterfall cascading down a wall adorned with different bioluminescent flora that Mina had never seen before.
Mina cleared her throat, suddenly very aware of the way Garrus's iridescent blue eyes were studying her.
"This is nice," Mina commented, looking around. "Have you eaten here before?"
"No. Everyone recommends eating here," he replied, shyly.
"So," she began, picking up the datapad menu. "What are you thinking of trying? I hear the Khesik Ryncol is…an experience."
Garrus scanned the menu, his head cocked slightly to the side. "I'm thinking…something familiar, yet new."
"There are several options for drinks," he added, going through the list.
"Hello, my name is Mayedra," the waiter greeted. "What will you be having?"
"A full biotic kick," Garrus replied.
"Make that two," Mina added.
"Coming right up," the bartender replied. "I'll be back to take your order."
Mayedra came back with their drinks, and they ordered a dish neither could pronounce, involving something called "luminescent fungi" and "space kelp."
As they waited, Garrus reached across the table, his three-fingered hand gently covering hers.
"Mina," he said softly, his voice lacking its usual playful edge. "I…thank you for helping me with the bond."
She squeezed his hand in return. "You don't have to thank me for that. I may not know what your experiences are with the bond, but I can detect a few changes even within myself.
"Being near you feels...right. I'm clearly more relaxed when you're around."
"How did we survive being separated for so long?" Garrus joked.
'I helped regulate your hormones,' SAM interjected. 'As for the turian, he must have sparred or concentrated on calibrations.'
'That sounds like him,' Mina mused.
Shortly after the meal arrived, a vibrant, otherworldly creation that smelled oddly of beef and noodles.
"Hmm, maybe we should have ordered something familiar," Mina mumbled, looking at the dish.
"There is a clinic nearby," Garrus answered.
Mina and Garrus shared a look and laughed. They cautiously took a bite. The taste was…surprising.
"This is better than I'd imagined," Garrus said, taking a bite of his dish.
Mina nodded in agreement.
'Guess who's here?' SAM asked casually.
'Someone I don't want to see?' Mina questioned.
'The other Shepard is here,' SAM replied with a joyful-sounding tone. 'The rest of the family is also accompanying him. What a surprise!'
"Mina?" Garrus asked. It sounded as though he had been trying to get her attention.
"I'm sorry," Mina said. "What did you say?"
"Just wanted to know if you wanted to try a dessert with me," he said.
"Yes," Mina smiled. "You -"
"Spectre Vakarian," a voice called out. "Fancy seeing you here."
Mina schooled her face to remain neutral; after all, she wasn't supposed to know him. Garrus shared a look with Mina as he leaned back and looked over.
"Shepard," Garrus greeted in return.
"Spectre Vakarian," Anderson greeted as well.
"Captain Andereson," Garrus said.
There was a tense atmosphere around their group.
Captain Anderson cleared his throat, "You remember Dr. Chakwas."
Garrus nodded, "Of course."
"Who is your companion?" Dr. Chakwas asked her voice, sounding odd.
"My wife," Garrus answered before Mina could introduce himself. "Mina Vakarian."
The three of them were surprised at the news, but Dr. Chakwas clearly looked disgusted by the news.
"He didn't force you, did he?" Dr. Chakwas asked Mina directly.
Garrus growled, while John and David looked like they swallowed a lemon.
"How dare you?!" Mina exclaimed, standing up angrily. "Who the hell do you think you are accusing him of such things?! Turians are the most honorable species you'll ever find!"
All eyes in the restaurant were now on their table. Whispers rippled through the crowd. The initial shock on John and Anderson's faces had shifted to something akin to shame.
Anderson, mortified, pulled Dr. Chakwas away.
"We apologize for the disturbance," he mumbled to Mina, his eyes filled with regret. John just offered Mina a sad look before following Anderson.
"Mina," Garrus said softly, reaching for her. "Are you ok?"
Mina shook her head and sat down. "I've never liked her."
"Do you want me to look into her?" Garrus offered. "Your intuition has never been wrong."
Mina nodded. "Yes."
Mina stared at her plate, appetite completely gone.