Chapter 1:Tequila sunset?

Disclaimer: I don't own Mass Effect.

"Garrus Vakarian- step forward. It is the decision of the council that you be granted all of the powers and privileges of the Special Tactics and Reconnaissance branch of the Citadel.

Spectres are not trained, but chosen. Individuals forged in the fires of service and battle, those whose actions elevate them above the rank and file. Spectres are an ideal, a symbol. The embodiment of courage, determination, and self-reliance. They are the right hand of the council, instruments of our will.

Spectres bear a great burden. They are protectors of galactic peace, both our first and last line of defense. The safety of the galaxy is theirs to uphold.

Congratulations. This meeting of the council is adjourned."

Gabrielle 'Gaby' Shepard waited on the walkway as Garrus stepped down the stairs from his audience with the council. Her pleased smile reflected exactly what Garrus felt: pride and satisfaction.

Gabrielle was the first to shake the newly appointed spectre's hand. "Congratulations, Garrus. You've earned it." Garrus gave a smile of his own; a rare occurrence. "Thank you Commander. That means a lot coming from you." Side-by-side the two spectre's made their way out of the Citadel Tower. As they entered the elevator into the financial district, Gaby's eyes brightened.

"Hey Garrus, let's celebrate with a drink." Garrus considered for a moment before nodding. "Sounds good. Who's turn is it?" She chuckled. "Mine, of course. What kind of an offer would it be if you had to pay for your own celebration?" Garrus shrugged. "It happened when I ranked up in C-Sec a couple of times." Gaby shook her head firmly. "That was then; this is now. And now I'm buying."

They made their way into the bar in the embassies. The two of them had began drinking together when Shepard found Garrus hoarding a bottle of tequila during one of the few days of leave that Shepard had allowed her crew. Professing a profound love of the drink, Gaby had produced the exact same brand. The two of them had been sharing bottles at every port they'd stopped in since then.

Shepard waved at the bartender. "Hey Sam." The bartender nodded his head in the duo's direction. "Congrats on the new position, Garrus. I assume we're here to celebrate?" The turian nodded as Gaby swiped a card through the reader on the bar.

The biggest joke between the two was that the only card they used was one Gabrielle had set up to sell excess supplies through. She'd made a small fortune selling anything the shore party came across: small arms, armor, biotic amps, omni-tools, medi-gel. Anything they didn't need on the ship was sold whenever they touched down on a planet.

The transaction was approved and Gaby paid for two bottles. The bartender handed them two glasses and they found a table in the corner. Having bought, Gaby poured the first set of glasses. She raised her glass and motioned towards him with it. "A toast. To Garrus Vakarian. The newest, most promising Spectre I know and probably my best friend I've had in a long time." They gently knocked the glasses together and downed the contents. Garrus poured next, raising his glass to her. "To commander Shepard, one of the finest Spectres I've ever served with, and an amazing woman."

As the second shot disappeared, they smiled and relaxed, pouring healthy amounts of the rather expensive alcohol into their glasses. "So Shepard, what's the next order of business?" She took a drink and sighed.

"Not sure. All of our leads have run dry so far." She leaned forward conspiratorially. "That's what this shore leave is for. God willing, the universe will provide us an answer."

Garrus took a drink thoughtfully. "We could try going back to Ilos. Maybe we can salvage something from Virgil's memory banks." She shook her head. "Already thought of that. The council has forbidden anyone to go to Ilos. They're afraid that slavers or raiders will find the Conduit and use it to assault the Citadel. They're hoping no one in the Terminus systems will have the technical know-how to open the Conduit on their own."

Garrus nodded. "Makes sense. If they don't acknowledge the importance of the planet, then it isn't worth investigating. Everyone knows that it had been picked clean by scavengers during the Rachni Wars."

They continued bouncing different ideas between each other for the rest of the evening; eventually giving up and shifting topics. They finished the first bottle and were halfway through the second before they realized that they were the only ones left in the bar except for a very tired-looking bartender. Garrus lurched to his feet, bowing clumsily and offering his arm to his equally inebriated companion.

"Shepard, I believe we are both too drunk to attempt to get back to the ship." Gaby nodded, not trusting herself to form a full sentence at the moment. "Further, I know of a hotel that's relatively close to here that has rooms on the first floor."

Shepard risked speech. "Sounds like a plan." She was quite pleased that she hadn't slurred a single word. Together they made their way to Garrus' hotel, telling dirty jokes that they'd heard about every species in the known galaxy and laughing louder after each joke. They staggered up to the counter, supporting each other. Garrus slapped his hand on the counter, causing the already alarmed looking salarian behind the counter to jump.

"Good sir we-" Garrus was interrupted by a fit of giggles spilling out of Gaby. He chuckled before starting again. "Good sir, we require a room, preferably one that doesn't require upward travel to reach." The salarian nodded nervously, punching buttons on an omni-tool and reaching under the counter for a cardkey. "Certainly sir, room 12 is open, though I am sorry to say there's only one bed." Garrus waved it off. "We'll manage somehow." As if on cue, Shepard dissolved into another fit of giggles. She stifled the laughter after a couple of seconds and looked at the two aliens. "Sorry, bad thought." If turians could be said to blush, Garrus did so.

Accepting the offered cardkey, the pair made their way to the room. After a couple of rough minutes, they managed to get the door open between the two of them. They spilled into the room, collapsing onto the bed. The two looked at each other for a minute before they both burst into laughter.

"Did you see his face?" "Sure did. I thought he was gonna faint!" They lay next to each other on the bed, looking at each other for several long minutes.

Without thinking, or really knowing she was doing it, Gabrielle leaned over and kissed Garrus quickly on the nose. He looked stunned for a moment, then smiled shyly and mirrored the action. I hope I remember this in the morning, was the last thought before they fell into each others' arms and pulled the blankets over their heads.

To the readers: Yup, I'm jumping on the bandwagon, Garrus would have made a totally cool love interest in the game. This was originally designed as a one shot, but if I get enough reviews I might turn it into a full-fledged story. R&R and tell me what you think.