Not that long ago, it had seemed like she was a force to be reckoned with, allies or no-- Between Jack, Mordin, Garrus and Thane, she would have put good odds on them kicking anyone's ass. It was just the two of them, now, wasn't it?

Shepard pinched the bridge of her nose and reached for the bottle; he'd taken it, but-- No, it was too far away. Dammit.

The silence stretched out between them, both comfortable and strange. The sun was setting, and despite her glare, it was beautiful. The light glinted red and yellow-violet off the glass and chrome, painting all the pretty white towers in shades of blood. Thane had loved city skylines, particularly around this time of day. Shepard hated the sight of it with an impotent, petty anger that was beyond her ability to control.

"Can I ask you something, Garrus?"