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*beep* *beep*
Gaia looked over beside her to see her alarm going off with a groan. She had already been awake for some time, her nerves making it hard to sleep. She had spent much of the night tossing and turning, unable to settle herself as she thought of the day ahead of her. She sat up, mumbling to herself and turned off the beeping alarm. She rubbed her face, trying to get up the motivation to get out of bed, before swinging her legs to the side and standing up. She stretched out her arms, trying to settle her body but to no avail. Her mind was still racing and she knew this day wasn't going to be easy.
She quickly tamed her curls into a braid before putting her hair into a bun. She didn't have the energy to make it perfect this morning. Her eyes immediately caught onto the armor stand on the wall, it made her chest tighten at the sight of it, and she took a deep breath as she walked over.
Her fingers ran over the light grey armor. It had accents of green and her Alliance number etched into it in the same light green color. She sighed before slowly putting it on, piece by piece. Each piece fit perfectly, having been made specifically for her.
It was her first time needing to wear it, and seeing herself in a mirror just made her butterflies worse. She hardly recognized herself and she was already missing her usual looser uniform. She took another moment to look at herself before taking a deep breath. "Come on Gaia, you got this. It's just some armor, nothing more. You need this."
She grabbed her last few things before walking out of the armory where she had her cot. She needed to stop to grab something to eat, she wasn't hungry, but she knew she would need the strength and energy today. As she walked down the hallway she saw Tali waiting for the elevator.
Gaia immediately perked up when she saw her Quarian friend. She waved at her and smiled. "Good morning Tali, I was hoping I would see you before I left."
Tali waved back at her. "You know I was going to check on you before you left. I know your bad habit of not eating before anything important."
Gaia chuckled nervously and rubbed the back of her neck. Tali was right and today was no exception. "Guilty as charged."
Gaia was grateful when she saw it was still a little early for most people to be here. There were just a few of the crew, mostly from engineering and maintenance at the tables. She forced herself to eat something, and to not focus on her nerves.
From the outside you might never be able to notice she was even worried at all, the only thing giving away her feelings was her obvious lack of appetite. Tali didn't say anything to her as they sat together, she knew Gaia well enough to see past the facade she always put up.
"Well, looks like it's time for me to meet up with everyone. You mind walking with me? The company would be nice." She chuckled, trying to sound less worried than she actually was. She didn't want Tali to know she was panicking inside. She just needed a moment to calm down before she made a fool of herself in front of everyone.
Tali simply nodded, she knew. They headed off to the meeting area where Shepard would be telling everyone the mission details.
They walked in silence together, as Gaia did her best to appear calm. Her mind was racing and her heart was pounding in her chest but she couldn't show it to anyone. She was doing quite well at hiding it and no one could see the nervous wreck she was inside.
As they reached the door to the meeting room Tali gave her arm a quick pat, doing her best to reassure her. Gaia smiled at her. "Thanks Tali. I'll see you when I get back."
Gaia was grateful for her friend, even if others might think her actions strange. She knew the Quarian cared about her, but just struggled to show it.
Gaia turned towards the door again and took a deep breath, desperately trying to calm her heart and ease her stomach, before slowly opening it. Garrus, Shepard, and a few others were already inside. Gaia quickly went inside and found a place among the others as she waited for the meeting to begin. She had a moment of internal panic as she realized she was one of the last to arrive, even though she knew she was on time.
Gaia's eyes caught Garrus for a moment and she gave him a small smile. She could see the faintest look of pride in his face, the sight of him helped anxiety lessen and she relaxed again.
After a few more moments Shepard was ready and he began to tell everyone the finer details of the mission. "Alright everyone, today's mission is pretty straight forward. We are going to be assassinating a known Cerberus informant."
Shepard pulled up a picture of the target. "Gaia and Garrus will be our acting snipers for today. They will be grouped together inside the abandoned buildings next to the known rendezvous point for our target. The rest of us will be providing support from the ground in case anything should happen."
Shepard pulled up a map of the area and highlighted where Gaia and Garrus would be going. He continued to explain further details of the mission. Once he was done he dismissed everyone.
"Gaia, can you wait just a second please?" Gaia stopped in her tracks, she wasn't quite sure what he wanted to talk to her about and she could feel her nerves quickly returning to her. She took a quick breath and walked over to him.
"Yes Commander. What is it?" Her voice was it's usual calm and respectful tone, hiding her anxiety and worry well.
Shepard smiled at her slightly. He eyed her for a moment, obviously looking over her. His glances made Gaia roll her eyes internally, now really wasn't the time for this Shepard. "The armor suits you. If you do well today we'll see about getting you in it more often."
The internal groan Gaia held back was enough to make her relax a bit. She knew Shepard was trying to get her to relax and be friendly with her but she still hated the fact he was obviously looking at her. There history together wasn't making it any better.
now," Shepard looked at her in the eye, his voice returning to his usual commanding tone. "I want you to take the shot Gaia. You have a lot you can prove for yourself today, but the main thing I need to learn is if you can do it." He paused for a moment and relaxed a bit, his voice becoming more friendly, almost understanding. "You need to learn not just to fight and survive, but how to kill. It will be hard for you, I know, but I believe in you. Everyone here does. Garrus certainly has confidence in you and in your weapons, and I respect his opinions. I know you'll do well today Gaia."
Gaia was a little surprised by the request, but she had also been expecting it. She felt her cheeks heat up slightly when Shepard mentioned Garrus, but she quickly ignored it. She knew Shepard was right. This was her chance to prove herself, she wasn't going to fail them now.
She nodded. "Yes Commander. I will do my best, and this mission will be a success." Gaia fully believed in what she said. She wanted this more than anything right now. She needed to prove herself, not just to them, but to her own mind. She wouldn't just be on the sidelines anymore.
Shepard dismissed her and she went back out to collect her weapons. Garrus was there as well, having been waiting for her. Gaia walked over to be next to him and did a quick double check of all her weapons and gear.
Garrus' mandibles flared slightly. "You nervous?" His voice was soft and curious. Gaia knew he was just checking in on her before the mission and she smiled at his kindness.
She finished up packing her gear.
Gaia looked up at him and smirked. "Who? Me? Naw you know I got this."
Garrus huffed a bit and smirked at her, shaking his head. His mandibles relaxed and his brow plating went up slightly in what Gaia could only describe as a smile. "Yeah, yeah, the girl who's scared of horror movies definitely has nerves of steel."
Gaia rolled her eyes and smiled. She was pretty used to their banter at this point, and it was definitely helping her to relax and settle her nerves. "Ha ha very funny Garrus. When are you ever going to let that day rest? I wasn't the only one who got scared." Gaia grabbed her rifle, inspecting it to make sure everything was still perfect for the mission.
Garrus smirked, gathering his things as well. His eyes went over her gun for a moment. "You excited to finally be able to field test your Nimbus?"
Gaia ran a hand down the barrel of her rifle. She had designed the Nimbus herself and it was the best gun she had made yet. "Oh you know it Garrus." She slung it over her shoulder, getting into place perfectly. She saw Garrus looking over it with almost pride and she could feel her heart swell as the sight. His approval meant so much to her, and she was happy to have made something he admired. She watched him get his gear together having decided to wait for him before going to meet Shepard by the door.
Once he was ready he gestured towards the door. "Shall we?" Gaia rolled her eyes and started off towards the door. As they walked her nerves quickly returned to her, her mind fully realizing that this moment was actually happening. She felt herself nervously playing with her gloves, the feeling of the rough fabric against her hands helping to ease some of her anxiety. Garrus glanced down at her and made a mental note of her mannerisms, it wasn't often he got to see Gaia showing any nervousness and it felt strange to see her in such a way.
"I wouldn't be too worried about it Gaia. You've been working hard for this." Garrus' voice was genuine and Gaia could hear he meant his words. She had worked hard to get here, going from a new R&D crew member to going on her first mission 4 months later. She had put a lot of work into where she was but she knew it wasn't over yet.
They got to the rest of the crew before Gaia could say anything and Shepard gave them the go ahead to leave. They both exited the ship with Shepard who would be acting as ground surveillance while they were looking for their target.
Gaia followed Garrus as he led her down the street. There wasn't many people in this part of the city and the two of them were pretty much alone. The pair almost seemed to stick out like a sore thumb, a human and a Turian together wasn't a common sight. Gaia smiled at the thought that it wasn't their armor and guns that set them apart but rather their race.
As they drew closer to the building they were going to be using as a vantage point Garrus slowed down and let Gaia walk with him. He signaled for her to follow him down an alley way, the closer they got to their destination the quieter his movements grew. They reached the abandoned building that would act as their cover and he stopped in front of a broken window.
Garrus could see over the window but Gaia was too short to look inside. She couldn't help but mumble under her breath at the fact as she watched him break the window more for them to get inside.
"Ah come on, your not that short." Gaia could hear the sarcasm in his voice and knew he was smirking even if she couldn't see his face at the moment. She just rolled her eyes and followed behind him as he went inside. It took her a good moment to get a good hold with the broken glass on the sill, but she was eventually able to hoist herself up. Garrus was inside with his weapon drawn, glancing over at her to see if she needed help down.
Gaia quickly held up her hand. She didn't need his help nor would her pride have accepted his help even if she did. She did her best to get down slowly, avoiding the broken glass as much as she could. The sound of her feet touching the ground slightly echoed around the empty room.
Gaia looked up to see Garrus looking at her with his brow plates up on one side. She knew it must have been a funny sight to see her 5'6 self trying to shimmy down the window but she didn't care. She pulled out her pistol and just looked at him with her hip slightly out to the side. "ya having fun there mister?" Gaia couldn't hold back the small chuckle as she saw him shake his head.
"You humans and your pride."
"I could say the same about you turians Garrus." Gaia walked over to where he was, peeking her head out into the next room. Everything that she could see was empty and she wasnt picking up any signs of life on her scanner. Garrus sauntered up behind her, seeming more relaxed now. Gaia couldnt help but smile at the sight of him, his cockiness reasuring her anxious thoughts. She enjoyed there back and forth and it was helping her to relax in the moment.
"I dont think there's anyone in here. Best to stay alert still. Just in case." Gaia saw his smirk as he walked past her and started up the stairs. She shook her head and just watched him. She had heard his sarcasm but also the seriousness beneath it. He wanted her to be careful. He still had his weapon drawn and kept an eye out of the stairwell ahead of them pausing slightly to wait for her. Gaia followed close behind him, matching his energy and way of going. Their steps echoed off of the empty walls and down the long stairs. The noise seemed to also echo inside of Gaias head, if anyone was here surely they would know of their presence by now.
They climbed for quite a long time till Garrus finally opened a door onto one of the higher floors. Gaia had already lost count of how far they had climbed and when she entered the next open room she realized why. Even with her gun drawn and scanning the room, her eyes couldn't help but catch the view from the windows. They were floors and floors above the ground.
As Gaia got closer to the edge her heart rate picked up and her eyes widened. Her eyes glanced over at Garrus who was much more relaxed now and seemed amused. Gaias expression immediatly changed when she saw him.
She rested her pistol on her shoulder and rolled her eyes before walking past him and onto the side of the building overlooking their targets location. His ammusement just made Gaia more detrermined then ever to prove herself and do well. She shouldnt be nervous or anxious, everything was going to plan and she was going to complete this mission.
Gaia knelt down and started to set up her sniper rifle. She settled into her usual rhythm as her focus turned back onto what she knew best, her gun. Her movements were quick and precise. This was her element.
Garrus couldn't help but look at her with a small sense of awe. He knew from his own abilities and experience as a sniper that Gaia was skilled. He couldn't deny the fact that she knew her gun inside and out. He had full faith that she would be able to get the job done.
He walked over to the window, breaking off a small part of the glass so that Gaia could have a clean shot into the rendezvous zone. The target had yet to arrive and he was prepared to be patient. It was probably best for Gaia's nerves anyway.
As Gaia finished clicking the last piece into place, she ran her hands down the barrel of her rifle. The ornamental designs along it felt like small raised edges against her fingers. The butterflies were back in her stomach and she felt herself growing more and more nervous.
She took a deep breath, trying to settle the rush she felt in her blood as the adrenaline started to go into her veins. She glanced back up at Garrus for a moment, to see him calmly leaning against the wall next to the window, looking out onto the streets below them. Just his presence beside her slowed her racing heart and made her feel safer.
Looking back out through the window she put her rifle into position and adjusted her scope for the proper distance. The two sat in silence as they waited for the target to appear.
It wasn't long before they saw who they were after. A former Cerberus employee, who had been selling secrets to gang members and others interested in hurting Cerberus' bottom line.
The Salarian man was with a group of others and would be meeting with members of the Blue Suns to exchange information.
"Be patient. Your shot will come soon enough." Garrus' words stuck out in contrast to the silence around them. Gaia had almost forgotten he was even there, she had been so focused on the scene going on through her scope. She couldn't help but risk another glance over at him. He was so calm, so assured, so..... There. His focus was entirely on the situation at hand and the scene playing out in front of him. Gaia couldn't help but wish she had his level headedness.
Looking back through her scope she readjusted herself once again, making sure everything was perfect and that she was fully prepared for the moment that was to come. She could feel the butt of her rifle sitting securely in her shoulder, and saw the sights of her gun finally fully rest upon the head of her target. The world seemed to almost stand still for her, her target fully in position for her to make a killing shot.
Gaia took a deep breath in, anchoring herself to the ground beneath her and the gun in her hand. Her body was steady and strong, she was ready.
She breathed out and pulled the trigger, watching through her scope as her target fell.
As his body hit the ground Gaia's stomach did as well. Her face turned white as death and she was overcome by a wave of nausea that hit her like a storm. There was no holding this back, and she had no will to even attempt to.
She quickly put her gun down and ran to the wall on the other side of the room. She took her helmet off as fast as she could, barely holding back her vomit. Her helmet hit the ground with a thud as the room was filled with the sounds of her sickness.
Garrus had watched from the side as Gaia had lined up her sights and taken her shot. He felt a swelling of pride as he saw her make a perfect hit. He didn't notice her move away at first, his focus on the target making sure he was really down. He didn't look away until he heard the sound of her helmet hitting the floor.
He quickly turned to see Gaia leaning her hands against the wall as she was sick. The sounds and smell of her vomit filled the room and his eyes widened in surprise. He wasn't surprised by her reaction, this was her first time killing anyone, but he also wasn't quite sure what to do.
Garrus stood by the window for a second longer, shifting awkwardly, before finally walking up next to Gaia. She was breathing heavily and still looked to be trying to get her stomach under control. He ignored the mess on the floor, not even noticing it as he did his best to try and simply be there for her. His hand gently rested on her back, showing her, even in a small way that he was there.
Gaia was brought back to reality when she felt Garrus' hand on her back. She swallowed and focused on breathing slower. Her eyes were closed and she felt a blush of embarrassment touch her face.
She couldn't believe she had just done that. She had just puked her guts out after killing someone in front of the one person on the crew she respected the most. The man she had seen personally take down so many gang members and criminals on Omega and who had taken down Saren and the Geth on the Citadel.
Yet, here she was, standing above the remnants of her breakfast, with his hand gently laying on her back. After a few more deep breaths Gaia slowly stood up, wiping her mouth and nose with her hand, refusing to look at Garrus.
She watched him out of the corner of her eye, he slowly reached down to pick up her helmet, gently brushing it off before offering it to her. "You did good back there Gaia. You got a clean hit."
Gaia stood for a moment longer before slowly reaching out to grab her helmet from him. She didn't say anything, she still felt embarrassed by the whole ordeal, too embarrassed even to take in his praise of her.
He held onto her helmet as she tried to take it from him. "Hey, you did it. You fought past all of those nerves, and you got the job done. That's all that matters."
Gaia looked at Garrus in the eye. She could hear in his voice that he was genuine. His face was relaxed but serious, no hint of humor anywhere. Gaia felt all of the embarrassment and anxiety melt out of her. And instead, it was replaced, replaced with a feeling she didn't even recognize.
The world was still, and she was lost in the silence, the silence that held the two of them. She gently took her helmet from him, as he slowly released it into her hand. As she pulled it closer to herself, she looked into it, seeing her reflection on the visor. Feelings, feelings she didn't know or understand welled up inside of her. Her heart felt, peaceful, quiet, almost tranquil, even while in a place such as this.
She turned back to the window, walking over to pick up her gun from the ground. Neither one of them said anything, and Garrus simply stayed in the same spot as before.
Gaia smiled gently at him, she wasn't used to seeing him unsure or awkward. He always gave off the air of being a bad ass, capable of anything, yet, this had somehow, left him lost.
"Garrus? Gaia?" Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of Shepards voice in her ear piece. She quickly grabbed her gun and packed it away while Garrus answered him.
"Yes Shepard, were alright. Gaia did a fine job. We're packing up to leave now." Garrus had already returned to his usual confident self, and was walking back towards Gaia.
"Alright, we'll meet back at the shuttle in five. Good work." Garrus shifts his weight a bit and looked back at Gaia as Shepard spoke. The two shared a silent nod before heading back down the stairs again.
They continued out of the building silently, keeping on alert in case any enemies had figured out there location, but there was no one inside. As they reached the back door out of the building Garrus paused for a moment. "Hey, you did good back there Gaia. I mean it. You didn't let your fear or anxiety get in the way of your job. It doesn't matter what happened afterward, everyone processes killing differently."
Gaia's eyes searched Garrus' face. She knew he spoke truthfully, and meant every word he said. She smiled at him. "Thank you Garrus. You... you don't know how much that means to hear that." She couldn't hold back the smirk that crept to her face and she tilted her head back as she looked at him. "As long as were hush hush about everything else that happened tonight. Would hate for everyone to not see me as a bad ass anymore."
Gaia couldn't hold back a laugh at her own ridiculous joke. Garrus chuckled as well. "Oh don't worry, I don't think you'll have any problems with that. Though I can't guarantee that I'll keep entirely quiet about it."
Gaia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up Garrus." Now out of the alleyway the pair merged back into the rest of the crowd on the street, becoming just another couple walking.
They soon both rejoined with Shepard, who was waiting beside the shuttle for them.
"God, took you two long enough. I was starting to worry." Shepard had his arms crossed as he leaned up against the shuttle.
"I'm sorry Commander, I didn't know we were expected to fly down 10 stories." Gaia couldn't hold back a snicker at Garrus' sarcastic comment.
Shepard just rolled his eyes. "Enough hanging around, let's get back to the ship before any more trouble appears."
The crew all boarded together and Gaia found herself sitting next to Garrus. Her eyes looked out the window, desperately trying to fill the empty spaces of her mind, and cover up the horrid memory of a dying man.