"We won't get another chance, and we don't have time to argue," Shepard glances back, to gauge the crowd. Between the natives and the Summoned, there are still more than a dozen people still pushing forward, and she can see the robes and hoods slowly pulling themselves together beyond them, vague shadows coming together out of the ringing chaos.

Why is it, in moments of crisis, someone always wants to stop and talk it out? To have it come from Garrus, of all people, is the surprise she doesn't need.

"Listen to me; you've never lost faith in me before, dammit, don't you dare start now!," Daring to take one hand off her work, she reached out to touch him, to anchor the point. The aperture narrowed slightly, and she grimaced. This wasn't the time, "I love you. I will see you on the other side. Now, get the hell out of here!"

All there was then, was the hang on as long as she could, and finish the job. Garrus had never let her down before, never even come this close to doing so, but she hadn't gotten to where she was by not believing in her partner. It would have to be enough.