Bed Rest Part 2 - Comfort

Title: Waiting for the Reapers - Chapter 4: Bed Rest Part 2 - Comfort
Author: xRebel666x
Game: Mass Effect
Characters/Pairing: Commander Reblicah Shepard (femShep) and Garrus Vakarian


Waiting for the Reapers - Chapter 4 - Bed Rest Part 2: Comfort

  The Commander grudgingly abided Doctor Chakwas's request to spend some time resting. Her pride dwindled with each passing hour, dwelling on the thought of her enemies growing in numbers the more she lay restless. The only light breaking through the gloomy clouds hazing above her was the visits she received from a certain turian.

  "Gunnery Chief Vakarian has arrived," the Normany's AI chimed when the door to Shepard's quarters slide open.

  Lying propped up against her heavily pillowed bed, Reblicah's golden eyes glistened upon seeing her familiar intruder, "Thank you, EDI."

  Garrus strode towards the bed ridden Commander, holding a small pill bottle, "You now have EDI announcing your visitors?"

  "I have to. I was pointing my pistol at everyone who was entering my quarters."

  "Jumpy?"

  "No, I am simply being cautious. This would be the opportune time for someone to attack me. So EDI warns me whenever someone arrives. I did manage to scare a few crew members…" she chucked but the shine quickly faded away as she crossed her arms, wincing from the pain triggered by the slight movement. Frustrated with how long her shoulder was being from fully recovered, she sunk deeper into pillows and grimaced, "Which by the way, I have never had so many visitors in my life. Are they trying to add insult to injury? They should just leave me be."

  "Including me?"

  She cocked her head to the side and glared at him, "Do I really need to answer that?"

  "Just making sure you aren't mad at me."

  "Why on earth would I be upset at you?"

  The tall turian sat beside her and rested his hand on her crossed arms, "I…"

  She stared at him, "Out with it."

  "I… was the one to hold you in place as she tore that shard out."

  "So?"

  "I don't want to afflict any pain… I want to protect you and I couldn't even do that."

  "Any one of us could have been shot, Garrus. It's not your fault so please," she leaned forward, cringing at the ache shooting up from her shoulder.

  "Please, stop pushing yourself," her bondmate pleaded.

  "But I have to."

  "No, you don't."

  "Yes, I do Garrus. If I don't push myself, I can never become better… I need to do this so I can continue becoming faster, stronger, cleverer than my enemies. Even if it means I have to withstand a bit of pain. Anything so I can have the advantage. That's what makes me a Commander."

  He turned away knowing he could not win the argument. She fought to become the highly praised woman she is today and it was the result of continuous trials and mishaps. As burdened as he was by her struggle to achieve greatness, his heart knew things were only going to get worse the moment the Reapers arrived. He knew this would not be the last time he would have to comfort her through her injuries… but he was bound and determined to suffer through every one of them.

  Reby leaned back and sighed, "So what did Chakwas tell you to bring me this time?"

  Snapping back to the current situation, he held up the little pill bottle the doctor shoved into his hands. She pleaded with him to get the Commander to take them to help prevent infection caused from the radical removal. Knowing she was going to protest, he tried to coax her, "Just take two of them."

  "No," she sternly shot.

  "Please?"

  "No. I refuse to take any pill for the pain."

  "These aren't pain relievers."

  "Then what are they for anyway?"

  "To prevent infection."

  "The answer is still no. Even if I had an infection, I want my body to fight it off."

  "I don't think you understand how serious this can become."

  "I do and I still refuse," she looked away.

  "Shepard… Reby… do it for me. Please put your pride aside," Garrus's piercing blue eyes redirected her attention back towards him, hypnotizing her with his caring gaze.

  She shook her head in disagreement.

  "Just this once… I don't want to lose you to something that could have easily been prevented."

  Her wide gaze stared him down before giving in, "Fine! But it's only because I love you… and if anyone asks, tell them I threw the pills down the sink or something."

  "Understood," his voice perked from his victory. He handed her two pills and carefully observed as she swallowed them without another thought. "See, it wasn't that bad."

  "Don't make me spit them back out."

  "You can do that?" he asked, questioning the human's ability.

  She grinned, "I could. It would be very pleasant, nor very pretty."

  "Then please don't."

  "I won't. I'm simply keeping you on your toes, Vakarian."

  "And I'm trying to take care of you. I don't enjoy seeing you miserable."

  "Well, I am miserable," the Commander declared, yearning to leave the confines of her quarters and return to the battlefield.

  Garrus leaned forward and cupped her chin in his hands, "Is there anything I can do to make this more bearable?"

  She took a deep breath, her eyes locked onto his, "This whole ordeal has left me a bit… vulnerable. I could really use your comfort."

  "I'm here for you, Shepard."

  The side of her lip rose as her companion closed the distance between them and gently nuzzled his nose against hers. His loving talons ran through her long strands of hair, guiding them to rest behind her ear. His warm breath brushed tickled her cheek as he ventured closer to her waiting mouth.

  Closing her eyes, she confessed, "You're the only medication I need."