Commander Kit Shepard curled up on her bunk, reading Frank Herbert's Dune in blissful silence. No matter that she'd read it fifty times before, or that the story was over two hundred years old. The intergalactic messiah tale would always be her favorite.

There were three souvenirs Kit kept from her life on Earth. One was this beloved wreck of a paperback. Another was a video file of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai. Third was the vividly scarlet hair she'd acquired as a young thug, from a back-alley gene manipulator. She could have changed it back, but it served to remind of where she was from, and how far she'd come. Somehow it still suited her.

Many months had passed since she could afford the simple leisure of reading. But now the mission to eliminate Saren and the imminent threat of the Reapers had come to an end. Both the Council and the Alliance were pleased with the crew's achievements, along with Kit's success as the first human Spectre. And while this was a source of pride, thinking about it was somehow exhausting. Better to read about changing the course of the universe from a warm bed, just for the day. Once the Normandy reached the Citadel, everyone could enjoy some well-deserved downtime.

"Commander Shepard?" Joker's voice called from the intercom. "Presence requested on the bridge, ma'am."

"On my way, Joker." Running a hand through her cropped hair, Kit sighed and put her book aside. The fate of Arrakis could wait.

Striding onto the command deck, Shepard noticed a distinctly festive air in the room. Crew members chatted with one another and gathered around the helm of the ship. Joker waved his hand with a flourish towards the flight monitor, which showed their steady approach to the Citadel. "ETA to Flux and Chora's Den, approximately one hour and forty-five minutes!"

An ominously dark liquid was the drink of choice on deck, and was present in disturbing quantities. Catching sight of the commander on the bridge, Kaidan beckoned her over and handed her a glass.

"Liara's secret recipe." The LT informed her, slinging an arm around the lovely asari doctor. Kaidan had decided that the bookish type suited him after all, Shepard observed with a smile.

"Not what most would consider an intoxicating beverage, Commander." Liara's cheeks flushed twilight as she struggled to explain. "It's a decoction made from plants native to Thessia - very popular at young people's gatherings. One cannot get dehydrated from consuming large quantities, nor does it compromise your motor skills. One could describe it as, oh, how can I explain...?"

"It's like a relaxed alcohol buzz without the clumsiness, stupidity or hangover." Kaidan finished, giving Liara a quick kiss.

"Perfect occasion for it. Nice work, Liara!" Shepard nodded and took a sip. Vaguely sweet, a bit fruity - the following sip was somehow different. As was the next. Pleasant, if evasive. She reasoned that one had to drink more in order to find out what it would taste like next. The warm, tingly feeling only added incentive. She helped herself to another glass.

Navigating through the crowd, Shepard made her way from the main deck down to the lower quarters of the ship. The engine room was alive with rabid tech banter; Tali, Engineer Adams and the other machinists had obtained a private stash of Liara's brew for their own celebration. They'd scored quite a bit of alien machinery over the course of the mission, which they were now cheerfully dissecting and studying in closer detail.

Wrex had abstained from the merriment, and cleaned weapons in meditative silence; much the same, she realized with a pang of nostalgia, as Chief Ashley Williams. Across from the gunnery, Garrus busied himself with some final repairs to the Mako. Shepard was not surprised that they had avoided the festivities. It was the mark of a consummate warrior: animated and formidable in combat, restless and awkward otherwise. She had learned to maintain an amicable calm, after much practice. But her heart always went out to the soldiers who struggled.

Noticing her approach, Garrus inclined his head in way of greeting. "Commander."

Shepard leaned against one of the Mako's oversize tires. "Not much on big social events?"

The turian shook his head. "I'm afraid not."

"Makes two of us. You mind some company?"

"Not at all."

She noted how Garrus's eyes shifted from flat gray to luminous dark blue, that he pitched his voice just a bit lower. Subtlety was elevated to an art form by the turians, and Shepard was no Bene Gesserit. But from what she could tell, he was pleased for the companionship, as opposed to humoring a nosy superior officer.

"I wanted to thank you, Garrus. This was a hell of a mission, and you've been an instrumental member of this crew. It's been an honor to have you on board."

"It's been an honor to serve with you, Shepard. I've learned a lot."

"Any thoughts about returning to the Citadel?" Her dark brows raised in inquiry.

Garrus did not hesitate to respond. "You've shown me that there are many ways one can approach and resolve conflict, for which I'm grateful. My time on the Normandy has also made me realize that I cannot remain in C-Sec for any longer than need be. I plan to reapply for Spectre training as soon as possible."

Shepard nodded, in approval as well as understanding. "I thought that you might. Your work on the Normandy speaks highly of your abilities. I've given the Council a recommendation on your behalf."

This gesture took Garrus somewhat by surprise. "Thank you. I appreciate that very much."

She shrugged lightly. "The least I can do for an exceptional crew member."

"Has the Council given any indication of what plans they have for you next?" He asked, politely shifting the topic.

"Not yet. Guess it'll be R & R until then." She was a quiet for a moment, then shook her head. "It's strange. Shore leave always sounds good. The moment I step off ship? It's like someone turned the volume down on the world. It's okay if I'm alone in my room, or with other folks from my unit. But if it's just being around civilians? I feel like I was dropped in from an entirely different galaxy. You ever get that?"

Garrus studied the commander carefully. It was an unusual sentiment coming from her. His dark eyes curiously met her clear gray gaze. She wasn't speaking in jest. He nodded slowly. "I think that's why the majority of my race remain in military service."

"If you're busy with other obligations, I understand." Kit rubbed the back of her neck and looked at him pointedly. "But I'd like to spend some time with you off-duty."

Commander Shepard was a better master of her emotions than most humans, though Garrus still read her with relative ease. He had known she was attracted to him, but stowed this at the back of his mind, where he knew it belonged. They were soldiers first, and both of them were accustomed to putting the greater good before their personal feelings.

But soon there would be shore leave.

Garrus's eyes flickered, darkened, then shone before he spoke. "Yes. I think I would like that."