Episode 3

Roxanne was sick and tired and being confined to her bed. At days, she regretted even calling in and getting a room. But recovery was pretty fast and she was up and moving on her legs and using her arm once again. The determination was the key for Roxanne, and she never stopped. She knew that the only way to get moving was to do it on her own.

After a few months, she finally found herself able to leave her room to get out and explore the roads of Dublin once again. Instead of stuck in the hospital, she now had a small apartment that she was renting out. She was unsure of how long she would be on Earth and she wasn’t about to leave Garrus without a place to stay either.

She glanced in the mirror as she brushed her hair easily while staring at the scar that ran across her eyebrow. Her fingers slipped through her hair before pulling it back into a half up position. While doing so she felt like the past flashed before her eyes. She paused and closed her eyes, setting her hands on the counter.

All those deaths, all the innocence once again haunted her mind.

No, she allowed a smile to cross her lips. No, she would enjoy today. She had plans anyway, something she hoped Garrus might enjoy. “You ready Garrus?” She called out as she grabbed her N7 jacket and pulled it over her shoulders.

“Been ready for a while Roxie. Didn’t want to wake you though.” He said from outside and she shook her head with a smile on her lips.

“Then let’s get going, no reason to dull the day.” She said, as she stepped out of the bathroom and looked at the turian. Roxie couldn’t help but smile, as he had stayed with her even with the troubles of the universe. But the relays were still being reconstructed and there was no way to return to Palaven at the moment. Instead, he kept in contact with his family through the omni-tool and watched over her and her recovery.

Her fingers slipped out toward his hands and glanced at him. “What would I do without you?” She asked and he grinned as he stood up.

“Well, the Normandy would need a lot more calibrations and you wouldn't’ have someone to watch your back now.” Garrus teased as Roxanne laughed.

“I’m sure I could find someone to watch my back, but not with as good of a shot as Archangel.” She purred and leaned up on her toes to kiss him. “Come on, I have something to take you to. I use to visit this river over and over.” She spoke as her fingers curled along his hand and lead im out of the apartment.

Along the walk Roxanne leaned on Garrus, her leg a bit sore but no longer causing her pain to walk on. The joy to move etched over her face as she couldn’t stop smiling. The city appeared to be busy, with vehicles flying through the air and reconstruction occurring in certain areas but for the most part Dublin looked untouched. For once, Roxanne felt like this was the one area the Reapers didn’t touched.

The old fashion boat came into view as Roxanne grinned. “There we go!” she said, as she squeezed Garrus’ hand who glanced at the boat. “Its old fashion, I know. But it's a simple pleasure.” She told him and looked at him.

“Anything with you is a pleasure Roxie. I won’t deny, it's odd to be doing something that doesn’t involve gunfire.” Garrus chuckled as Roxanne pulled out the tickets from her pocket and passed it to the ship attendant. He scanned the tickets and then passed them back. “You may board the deck.”

Slipping past the man, she lead Garrus to the front of the ship where she found a seat and sat down. Her fingers slipped along the muscles of her calf, rubbing out the aches of the morning walk.

“You alright Shepard?” Garrus asked and Roxanne nodded.

“Just feeling like a new recruit in basic training all over again.” She grumbled and Garrus reached over and grabbed her leg gently.

“Whoa, what are you doing?” Roxanne spoke with surprise as Garrus put up a finger. He skillfully ran his clawed fingers along her calf, massaging her muscle. “Oh, right there.” She said as she melted into her seat. Her eyes closed as she took a moment to enjoy the pain disappearing into the distance. “When did you learn to do this?”

A sly grin crossed over Garrus’ mouth as Roxanne raised a brow. “I have some hidden tricks up my sleeve. Can’t tell you everything now, it would ruin the surprises.” Roxanne smirked slightly as she rested her arms across her stomach.

“Pleasant surprises, that’s for sure.” She sighed as she took a moment to relax again. A shift in the boat cause Roxanne to open her eyes as she glanced around, noticing no one else was on board. “Well, that’s fishy.” Roxanne spoke with a sarcastic ring and glanced to Garrus. A brief nod came from Garrus as the both became alert, letting her leg go as she leaned forward.

“Let’s see what happens.” She whispered, as the glanced toward the middle of the ship as fish swam around the glass bottom. The intercom also began to start, speaking about the history of the riverboat and of the Dublin river. However, Roxanne and Garrus seemed to be in a whole world other than this. Their attention slipped back into the old ways, taking in everything around them and ready for a bullet to fly.

Roxanne wondered just what could go wrong now. After the defeat of the Reapers she just wanted a few quiet moments but things were just getting weird. Besides, she didn’t know who would want to attack her on earth in the first place. A slight grumble came from her lips as nothing happened for the next twenty minutes but she kept her guard up. Once a marine, always a marine.

A shift in the noise from the intercom made Roxanne dart her eyes upwards as a sound came over it. “You know, I thought you were on the side of humanity Shepard.” The honeyed voice left a chill down Roxanne’s neck as she gritted her teeth. She’s never heard the voice but she could already tell they couldn’t be trusted. “But obviously you only did it to unite all the races. How dare you turn your back on your own species. Look at you, cowering at their feet. We are better than that. If you want to prove yourself, Return to where you began.”

“Really, so you just speak over an intercom instead of telling me this to my face. Real brave.”

“No need to be there.” The voice spoke and then the entire sound glitched and hissed over as Roxanne covered her ears at the shrill sound.

“Making friends everywhere we go.” Garrus said as he glanced around. He twisted and glanced toward the back of the ship. “Something’s clicking.” He said, and then shoved Roxanne out of the chair and he jumped back to the other side as suddenly a click could be heard and high rate shots could be heard.

“CAN’T I JUST HAVE ONE NORMAL DAY? JUST ONE!” Roxanne yelled as Garrus pulled out a M-97 Viper. At the same time, Roxanne pulled out M-3 Predator heavy pistol. “And to think, I wasn’t planning to bring this.” Roxanne muttered as Garrus just shook his head.

“We just found the party. We need to take out that turret gun.” A sizzling blue aura cover Roxanne as she activated her biotics, and an orb grew within her hand. She tossed it around the corner of the chair as a snap could be heard and the turret cracking before exploding from the mass impact of the throwing capability.

“One down,” Roxanne mumbled as she peaked around the corner with her pistol at the ready. Garrus set up a defensive position to cover her back as she shifted out from behind the seats and moved toward the back of the boat. Her fingers slipped around a paper that had been hung up as her eyes glanced over it.

Knowing you Shepard, you take out this turret within seconds. I know of your Biotic capabilities, once again another form of betrayal to your people. Your family. The Tenth Street Reds will never forget. So let's see if you can save the aliens on this boat before it explodes into smithereens.

“Dammit!” Roxanne said, throwing the note aside and shifting toward Garrus. “There are others on the ship! Can you find them Garrus?” He picked up his rifle and moved over toward Roxanne, touching her shoulder. “Will do, do what you need and we’ll meet at the back of the ship.”

Explosions, Roxanne knew a bomb had to be somewhere. Knowing the Tenth street reds, they would split things apart so it was a decision. With Garrus, she didn’t have to make a decision thank goodness. She ran the opposite direction where the steering wheel would be, as she could hear the ticking noise toward the front of the boat. Her hand moved down toward the boards and slammed her fist against the metal. Enough strength from her biotics and she broke the panel, tossing it aside as she glanced at the ticking bomb below. “Should have listened more to Tali.” She muttered to herself, thinking about the technician. She placed her pistol down as she glanced over the wires, ignoring the time limit. It was old fashion as if trying to ensure it would blow up.

Her fingers slipped along the wires, as she took a deep breath and had to make a guess. She slipped her hand into her boot where a knife was and took a wire before cutting it. Immediately, the ticking stopped and the flashing halted.

“That was too easy,” Roxanne said as she stood up. “Garrus, we need to go, NOW!” She shouted toward the back of the ship as she cringed when her leg acted up slightly. She leaned against the chair for a moment before forcing herself forward to the back of the ship.

“Done and done Shepard, but--” The sound from her omnitool sizzled as Roxanne knew what it was. Interference as an explosion happened and Roxanne felt the blast slam her backward and immediately the front of the ship was on fire. She scrambled to her feet, grabbing her pistol and running to the back of the ship. Another explosion came from the left as it tosses the ship sideways and Roxanne had to grab one of the side poles. Without a thought, she ran toward the side of the ship, and using her feet she propelled herself off the ship and dived into the water.

The last explosion causes the entire ship to blast apart as she used the water to keep cover from the blast before breaking the surface of the water.

Roxanne gasp for air as she glanced at the burning ship as it sunk into the river. Her eyes narrowed toward the wreckage as felt her lips purse together. Roxanne knew what this was, the old memories of the past. But why? Why would they be after her?

“Shepard!” She heard the voice as she looked out to see Garrus and grabbed his arm. His grip secured her arm as she used his stability to set her feet on the side of the hull. She climbed out of the river and into the small rescue boat and glanced at the others.

“Everyone okay?” She asked as she could see the terror in their eyes but no physical wounds on them. Her hands reached up into her hair as she drained out the water waiting for their delayed responses. They nodded their heads and then she glanced to Garrus.

“Shepard, are you okay?” Garrus asked as he saw her silent eyes and she nodded, covering up any emotion she might have. At the moment, she didn’t want the others to see what she felt. But she knew what it was, her past started to haunt her thoughts and her fear of what they wanted.

“Course, let us get these people to safety.” She said as she took the wheel to steer the boat to the edge of the pier. Once they were docked, the aliens quickly left the boat and headed toward the proper authorities who were waiting. Without a thought, she climbed out of the boat and quickly left the scene with Garrus behind her.

Her mind was filled with the thoughts of what she heard and what she read. It truly bothered her that this group was coming after her. Not that she couldn’t handle it but that her past was catching up with her. The Mentalist in her was breaking apart every little thing and starting to analysis it, but the main words caught her interest. Return to where she began. The Tenth Street Reds gave her a message. Her fingers curled into a fist with the tension on her neck before feeling a hand on her shoulder.

“Roxanne, hold on.” He said as she turned around. She could see his blue eyes fill with concern. No matter how hard she tried, he could always read her like a book.

“Garrus, we have things we have to do, but I rather talk behind closed doors.” She said, refusing to talk about her past to him. She brushed it off as she turned around and instinctively took his hand in hers. It was the past and she wouldn’t let him know. She had to handle this herself. She would get him home and deal with it. Of all people, she was sure Garrus would refuse to let her do this herself but she had to find a way to keep him safe.

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