** Garrus POV **
Garrus offered a small smile. "Of course we did, Mina. Now, let's get out of here."
Instead of speaking, Mina nodded her head.
"Can you stand?" Solana asked, giving her a hand.
"I can try," Mina said softly.
"We need to get you off the Citadel," Wrex said, leading the way out. "I have a ship waiting for us at the docking bay."
"We can use the service tunnel to get back," Nihlus interjected. "John should have already cleared the remaining troops from the area."
"This is it," Nihlus continued. "As soon as the Cerberus troops get ousted by John and his squad, Wrex can take Mina and get off the Citadel."
"I'm going with you," Garrus said, speaking up. "I wasn't there for you last time. I'm not about to let you go through that all over again alone."
"You have to stay," Mina said softly, walking over and wrapping her arms around him. "You're needed here. If you leave now, it'll give them a reason to brand you as a traitor."
"You're my wife," Garrus stated, dismissing the idea of letting her leave without him. "I'm not about to let you leave and fend for yourself."
"Garrus," Mina whispered. "You have to. Once this is all over, I promise I will come back."
Garrus knew she was right, but his instincts told him not to let her go. Who knew how long it was going to take for everything to be solved? After much deliberation, Garrus reluctantly agreed. Mina gave him a small smile and stepped back. Garrus followed behind everyone, covering their retreat. Mina's freedom was only a few yards ahead, and he promised to do everything in his power to make sure she got away.
*
The seven of them moved through the service tunnel without any incident. Garrus kept on scanning the area ahead of them and behind them, just in case any Cerberus troops were waiting for them.
'They're bound to realize that Mina isn't at the private holding area,' Garrus thought to himself. 'I hope John can distract them long enough to get Mina off the Citadel.'
"We're almost there," Nihlus said from in front of the group. "Be ready. From C-Sec, we will have to get to the docking bay."
Nihlus opened the service door a bit before sticking his head out to see around.
"I'm going to check and see if the coast is clear," he said. "I'll knock before opening the door. Stay here until I get back."
Nihlus stepped away from the door and disappeared from sight. The group waited patiently for his return. A few minutes went by, and they heard a soft knock before the door opened.
"It's clear," he told them, opening the door wider.
"Mina," Garrus heard Solana say. "How about we take a small break, huh?"
"Only a few minutes," Nihlus replied as the group went past him. "We have to get going as soon as possible."
As Garrus went to stand guard on the other side of them, he saw Solana fussing over his wife. She kept on mumbling something under her breath.
"I'm fine," Garrus heard Mina whisper to her. "I only look bad, but I feel great."
Apparently, Mina's comment didn't sit well with Solana because she smacked her on the arm before standing up and walking away. Garrus waited a few seconds before walking over and sitting down next to her.
"She's upset because she cares," Garrus commented. "You're family."
"I know," Mina said softly.
"Mina," Garrus said, turning to face her. It was then that Garrus saw how tired and exhausted she looked.
"I-" he was lost for words.
"I'm alright," Mina said, noticing his discomfort. "I'll look better in a couple of hours. Once I'm far away from here and the Cerberus."
"I'm sorry," Garrus whispered. "I'm sorry about everything. I'm sorry for not being able to go with you and protect you."
"I'm sorry you got stuck with me," he continued. "I don't want you to leave without you knowing how sorry I am and that I care about you. I couldn't live with myself knowing it was all my fault that you got hurt."
"I know that," Mina replied, patting his hand. "We may not have had the best beginning, but now it doesn't matter. We're together, and you're not going to get rid of me that easily. You must know, I never blamed you, Garrus. Things happen for a reason."
"We should get going," Wrex spoke up. "We don't want to get stuck here if Cerberus troops show up once again."
Garrus hoisted his weapon around his shoulder before gently wrapping one of his arms around Mina's waist, helping her stand.
"You're helping me walk?" Mina teased as she leaned on him for support.
"Of course I can," Garrus replied. "I can also carry you if that's easier."
"We should catch up," Mina said, drawing his attention to the rest of the group who had already begun walking toward the docking bay.
Garrus picked Mina up as gently as he could and carried her. They soon caught up to everyone else. No one said anything to him when they caught up.
"If we continue to use the service tunnels, we can get past anyone unseen," Nihlus was saying. "Wrex, get your crew ready to depart. As soon as we get to your ship, I want it taking off before anyone else realizes what we are doing."
"Garrus," Nihlus said, addressing him. "Don't drop her."
Solana smacked Garrus in the back of the head and took the lead as she went into another service tunnel. The rest of them followed after her.
"We'll get you out of here," Garrus whispered to Mina as the door behind them closed.
Garrus wasn't sure if it was the spirits or a higher power that was occurring here, but they got through the service tunnel into the vicinity of the docking bay without running into anyone.
"How close are we?" Solana asked Nihlus as they took another break for Mina.
Garrus set her down gently on the floor.
"Just two more tunnels to go," Nihlus replied, checking his omni-tool. "We will emerge on the other side of customs. From there, we can just head straight to Wrex's ship."
"Ship is ready to take off," Wrex said. "As soon as Aster is loaded, we're going to take off. You won't hear from us until everything is sorted. If you have something to say to us before we go, now's the time."
"Keep an eye on the news," Nihlus said.
Garrus looked at Mina, unsure of what more he should say.
"If you ever find yourself on the Citadel," Garrus said. "Please come home."
"Of course I will," Mina replied softly.
"Let's get going," Solana said, coming over to give Mina a quick hug.
"I'll see you again," Mina promised.
Garrus picked up Mina again, and they made their way toward the last two of the service tunnels.
As they approached the last tunnel, they all stopped and listened for any disturbance from the other side.
"My scans aren't picking anything," Nihlus said. "Wrex, anything?"
"Crew says the docking bay is empty," Wrex replied. "My scans aren't picking up anything either."
"Alright," Nihlus said, getting ready to open the door. "This is it, as soon as we're clear of the tunnel, we are making a run for that ship. If anything happens, Wrex and Mina will board the ship, and the rest of us will hold them off."
Garrus put Mina down and readied his weapon. She grabbed his sidearm and took a deep breath.
"I'm ready," Mina said, squaring her shoulders. "I'll go as fast as I can."
Nihlus looked at everyone before opening the door wide enough for everyone to get through. He counted to three and headed out the door. The group of seven headed out.
Nihlus seemed to know which ship belonged to Wrex since he took them straight to a small cruiser. As they approached, the docking bay door began opening up. The seven of them took cover behind some crates and waited.
"Can't they make the door open faster?" Garrus asked as his omni-tool began to pick up movement. "I've got movement, and it's closing in fast."
Garrus peeked over the crate and didn't see anyone.
"What's taking so long?" Wrex said into his omni-tool. "We've got to get out of here."
"Just a few more seconds," someone replied over the omni-tool.
"We don't have a few seconds," Wrex replied as the doors around them burst open the Cerberus troops began to pour out.
"Hold them back until the ship is ready," Nihlus instructed as he began firing back.
Garrus took his position and began firing his sniper rifle while adjusting the distance to the target. Solana set out a combat drone to disrupt their combat turrets. With the five of them firing, Wrex and Mina were getting ready to board the ship.
"Docking bay is open," Wrex called out. "Aster, you'll take the lead. I'll follow behind as a shield."
"Good luck," Nihlus called out, sending out a grenade.
Both Garrus and Solana sent out more grenades, distracting the enemy as Mina and Wrex ran up the ramp to the ship. Garrus wanted to turn around and see Mina one last time before she left, but he knew it wouldn't be possible. More troops began to pour through, and they were quickly gaining ground against them.
Garrus felt the air behind him shift as the door closed behind them.
'At least she's on the ship,' Garrus thought as another enemy fell to his bullet.
"Get out of here!" Nihlus yelled into his omni-tool.
Within seconds, the cruiser behind them took off, leaving the five of them to take care of the Cerberus troops. Garrus felt huge relief as he saw the cruiser speeding away.
'Take care of yourself,' Garrus thought, hoping that one day he would get to see his wife again.