I always find myself coming back to the third Mass Effect and enjoying it more than than the last play through. Of the characters introduced in this game, James and Javik are by far my favorites. I very much enjoy the banter between characters throughout the game, but I felt the story line with James was lacking a bit, especially the romantic one (the party scenes gave off some seriously creepy vibes). So, I decided to change up some scenes and create some of my own. It starts later on in the game but references earlier events. They aren't necessarily one-shots, but it isn't really a continuous story line either. This first chapter mostly uses existing material, but the next several are mostly original. Currently rated T to be safe, may change to M in later chapters. I have most of it written already and plan to release chapters regularly. As always, I don't own any part of Mass Effect, I just enjoy it. :)


Shepard paused when she heard laughter drifting from the lounge. She had been on her way to talk with Glyph about some data they'd found on a planet, but was curious what her crew was up to. Deciding to take a detour, she tried to think of an excuse for why she was dropping in. Anita couldn't help but smile when the door opened. It appeared that James, Garrus, and Kaidan were attempting to teach Tali how to play poker.

"No, Tali, you aren't supposed to show your cards yet," she heard Garrus instruct.

"You're next, Kaidan," James said.

By the look on Kaidan's face, he was likely dreading the fact that it was his turn. Anita neared the table and crossed her arms. "So… how's poker going?"

"I don't know, Shepard," Tali said. "I thought I was winning, but now I'm not so sure…"

"Shepard, you wouldn't want me to deal you in, would you?" James asked with a pleading look on his face.

"It's going that well, huh?"

"You can take my place, Commander," Kaidan said, laying his cards face down on the table. "I think I've got some laundry to do, or something."

"Yeah, laundry," James muttered under his breath. "Hey!" he exclaimed as Kaiden flicked him in the back of the head on his way out the door.

Shepard tried to stifle a laugh. "I'll play if you need me to." Before she could sit down, Tali also stood.

"I appreciate you trying to teach me, Garrus, but I need to get back to my duities."

Garrus sighed and followed her lead. "I understand. Mind if I come with you? I, uh, have a few ideas I wanted to discuss." Both left the room without saying goodbye.

Anita looked back to James who tossed his cards on the table and put his hands behind his head. "I didn't mean to break up the game."

"It's not you, Lola. I don't think they were having a good time anyway."

"Can I ask what started this game in the first place?" Anita asked, taking a seat across from him and starting to collect the cards into a pile.

"I came in for a drink and saw Garrus trying to teach Tali. He asked me to join. Kaidan had just been watching the two of them but then decided to join. It was doomed from the start."

Anita placed the stacked deck of cards in front of him. "We should be back on the Citadel soon enough. You can have some real competition then."

James stared at the cards, then reached for them. "I guess so." Anita felt the awkwardness heavy in the room, so she stood to leave. "Hey Commander-"

EDI came in before he could finish. She was mumbling to herself and wandered over to the bar, acting as if no one else was in the room.

Instead of finishing, James stood, said, "Never mind," and left.


Anita had done her best to try not to dwell on what EDI had interrupted James from saying a few days ago, but it kept pressing its way into her thoughts. It hadn't affected her performance today but she feared it would affect her ability to do her job. All of these years she had managed to keep her relationships with the crew platonic, but then James had joined the crew. At first the flirting hadn't affected her beyond amusement. However, the longer it continued and the more she learned about him, the more she found herself entertaining of ideas of pursuing something more than friendship. Once again, she pushed these thoughts away and sat down at the computer in her cabin to get some work done before bed. Anita consoled herself with the thought that if they both made it through this, then maybe she could return the idea of the possibility of something more.

A frustrated sigh escaped her lips as she saw the amount of messages that had collected in the 12 hours she had been on mission. As she sipped her coffee she scanned the sender and subject. She started with older and worked to newer. Most of them were work and mission-related, some were thanking her and the crew for their assistance, and a few were from fellow crew members asking for some time with her. The mission always took precedence, but she very much enjoyed being able to spend one-on-one time with her crew. They probably ended up helping her more than she ever did them. Anita took a mental note to meet with Steve the next time they were at the Citadel and hoped he was continuing to heal.

The next crew message was from James. It was simply a request to speak with Anita in her quarters. She hoped it was a continuation of what he had tried to tell her a few days ago, but she also wondered if it had something to do with day's events with Ann. He seemed to have had a soft spot for her. Even though she was ready to call it a day, curiosity got the better of her and she called him up. While she waited, she continued to answer e-mails.

James' low whistle of appreciation got her attention and she stood to meet him at the door. "Like what you see?" Anita teased, crossing her arms over her chest and watching him take in his surroundings.

"In more than one way," he teased, throwing a playful wink in her direction before continuing to look around. "So this is what I have to look forward to, huh?"

The question took Anita aback. She had assumed, apparently falsely, that he had no intentions of moving up the ladder due to his past experiences. Though he presented initially as somewhat conceited, Anita knew that his career was a bit of a raw topic for him. "Thinking about getting your own ship, Vega?"

"Maybe when I'm too old and tired to fight."

Anita smirked at the humor, but saw it for what it was: deflection. "Did you just come up here just to insult your Commander?"

He stopped short of the bed and turned to face Anita. His face was unusually serious and he looked nervous. "I uh… I've been offered an opportunity to join the N7 program, when this is all over." He paused and Anita wasn't sure what to say so she waited for him. He struggled to maintain eye contact. "I'm not sure what to do. It is a lot of work. And honestly, I'm surprised they even offered it to me, given my past."

"James, they wouldn't have offered if they didn't think you were capable. A lot of us have a past similar to yours. Even though we wish we could change what happened, it somehow worked to build the sort of character that N7 looks for in its leaders."

James looked up at Anita and she detected relief. "So, what do you think I should do?"

"It is a lot of work, but worth it. You are a damn good soldier and N7 could use a man like you."

"Thanks, Lola. That means a lot. I'll consider it." He hesitated again. "If you don't mind, could you keep this just between us?"

"Of course," Anita answered, letting her arms drop back to her sides.

"Well, I better get back down to the hanger. It's too soft here for me."

Anita snorted. "Trust me, the bed is harder than it looks." Anita regretted the words as soon as she said them and realized what they insinuated.

"Lola, is that an invitation?" James smirked.

Anita just played along by crossing her arms over her chest and shooting him a look.

"Alright, alright," he said, putting his hands up in surrender and backing up.

"See you later, Lieutenant."

"Good night, Lola. And thanks again."