Chapter 120: Wrap the Night Around Me

### Summary

After arriving at Palaven, the *Normandy* welcomes Dr.Iessamine Lacesian on board to assist the medical team in Garrus’ surgery. After explaining the extent of the surgery to a not-quite lucid Garrus and getting his approval, Dr. Lacesian asks Garrus where he would prefer to be transferred post-surgery. The longing for Shepard is so strong, it provokes a reaction in both doctors- despite Chakwas being human and not being able to understand turian subvocals.

Two hours into the surgery, the team discovers an odd implant that they do not recognize (though they note it resembles a neural net implant), and Garrus’s medical file shows no reference to it. Shortly after discovering it, Garrus suddenly goes into asystole and the doctors struggle to treat him. EDI and Joker put an extreme strain on the *Normandy* to get her back to the Citadel quickly.

Hours later, at Huerta Memorial on the Citadel, Tali has temporarily distracted Shepard with a “learn-to-read-Khelish” book while they wait for Garrus to come out of surgery. Tali expresses her concern about Shepard to Kal’Reegar- she’s never seen her eyes go black like that before, only white. She’s never heard Shepard’s voice sound like it did, and Tali has never seen her shove anyone around with her mind. The fact that Shepard doesn’t seem well emotionally isn’t lost on Tali either. Mid-conversation, a nurse comes out and tells Shepard that Garrus has been moved to recovery and she can now see him. Tali tells Shepard that she’ll take care of Viatrix and the rest, and to go to Garrus. Shepard hugs her quarian friend, and Tali realizes that she can feel Shepard’s ribs again.

Garrus is completely out when Shepard enters his room. She takes his hand and quietly talks to him, promising to have Vi brought to him when he wakes. Then, having been completely worn out by the events of the day she falls asleep next to him.

Garrus wakes in the early hours of the morning, feeling like he’d been run over by a cruiser. Shepard explains to him just how badly things had gone. She also informs him that Hackett has ordered the survey paused while Garrus recovers for the next three weeks- Kaidan having turned down the position of interim CO when Hackett asked. Garrus’ head swims in pain, and Shepard offers to take it from him. When he realizes how badly it hurts her he tells her to stop, but senses that deep down under her conviction to take pain without complaint is the belief that she deserves to hurt.

In the morning, after being released, the two of them return to their apartment and find Kasumi taking her role of current babysitter very seriously- playing peekaboo with a delighted Viatrix. The only thing better for the tiny turian is the sight of her loving parents returning. Kasumi tells them that Tali has left Garrus some dextro-amino food that will be easy to eat with a jaw that is wired shut and food for Shepard. Kasumi says to ping her if they need anything and sees herself out. The little family curls up together for a communal nap.

Shepard dreams of being back on the Cerberus-era SR-2 and talking with the Illusive Man. He tells her that she doesn’t have any relaxing vices, and that she has access to an infinite plane of existence where she doesn’t have to be self-contained- that she can let go and be one with the universe for a while.

Shepard’s mind wanders out into the infinite- a web of stars, dancing motes of light intermingled with darkness and the balance of it is good.

When they wake up from their nap, Garrus mentions having weird dreams to Shepard: dreams that echo hers. Filled with a numbing dread, Shepard lies that she didn't dream at all.

### Easter Eggs

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