A/N: You will notice a change of style in this chapter, this isn't exactly permanent but it will be featured throughout the story, where I will switch from Jade to Miranda as they deal with the consequences of Layers of the Heart in 'therapy'. And I do realize that this probably isn't how a therapy session goes but...well you will see there will be a difference between how Kelly handles Jade and how she handles Miranda.

"I don't know why I'm here."

"Commander Shepard you display bouts of paranoia, intermittent explosive disorder, bouts of depression, chronic insomnia and what I can only assume to be borderline narcissistic personality disorder."

Jade Shepard was quiet for a moment and then she shrugged,"All of them may be true but I still don't know why I'm here. Saviours of the galaxy aren't forced to go to therapy."

"Were you not the one, who wanted me to conduct psychological testing on the whole crew? You even volunteered to go first."

Jade snorted derisively, "I did this to set 'a good example' for the crew."

"In other words Miranda Lawson made you."

"Miranda can't make me do anything. We aren't even together, I'm keeping things professional. She suggested that we make sure that everyone on board was at least combat ready after their terrifying ordeal at the Collector base. PTSD is not exactly good for the ships morale. It was a good suggestion and given what she went through I allowed it."

"So you think that you're fine."

"My work hasn't suffered, my interpersonal relationships aren't suffering, so yes I think I'm fine," Jade responded testily.

There was a pause, "Clearly I've forgotten to add delusional to the list."

Jade scowled, "What's that supposed to mean?"

A smile, it was irritating, "Are you happy?"

"No, at this moment in time I feel like killing someone."

"Do you think that's healthy?"

"Well I'll feel better and you clearly won't be bothering any more so the source of my irritation would be gone."

"Are you always this confrontational?"

"Are you always this annoying? What do you want to do talk to me about my parents? My childhood? I don't want to be 'fixed'."

"So you don't want to be happy? Is it because you don't think you deserve the chance?"

This time Jade frowned, "I didn't say that. I said clearly that I don't want to be fixed."

"You also didn't answer my original question. Are you happy?"

"Yes." Her answer was simple and to the point, she wanted to leave. "Now that we've established that I'm as happy can I go now?"

"You have been free to leave at any given time," was her only response and Jade immediately shot up. Hazel eyes danced in amusement, "However I'd be forced to inform Miranda that you refused to cooperate." Jade stopped at the door and it was clear she was running an internal debate. "I think she'll be disappointed she did after all want you to join her for a few of her sessions."

Jade turned around, "Were you supposed to tell me that?" She didn't receive a reply and another scowl returned to her face, "This is coercion, aren't you supposed to take some vows or some shit to not do coerce your patients?" Again there was no answer, just another irritating smile and she growled lowly before taking a seat in the chair. "Fine, I'll bloody cooperate with you as well."

The smile simply grew bigger, "Shall we begin again?" There was a nod after a moment from Jade, "So like I was saying earlier are you against this whole process because you do believe that you deserve to be happy?"

Jade frowned, "I thought we already established that this was not the case, I am happy." This time a nod and Jade could detect almost a hint of condescension. "What?"

"You aren't happy."

"Well I was just coerced into being psychoanalyzed, I don't think most people would be happy," Jade shot back.

"I meant in general, since you and Miranda returned to the ship there has been a marked change in behaviour, you seem more easily agitated."

"I don't know the fact that I'm struggling to save a galaxy, which doesn't want to be saved. The Alliance will soon want to collect on my debt for you know borrowing the Fifth Fleet; I've suddenly realized just that allowing the Rachni Queen to live might have been the biggest mistake I've made. Agitated doesn't even begin to cover it, I wouldn't be half as worried if the Council for once in their miserable existence just took something I said on faith. I'd also be slightly less agitated if people could fix their own god damn problems."

"And yet this has never bothered you before, this was always the situation. It hasn't changed and you are aware it hasn't changed, so clearly this isn't the real reason for the source of your anger." Jade shrugged in response. "Does it have anything to do with Miranda Lawson."

"Miranda made her decision and you know exactly what she's been through, at least I assume you do. I don't want to push her, so no it has nothing to do with Miranda."

"Do you miss her?"

"She's on the ship, I see her daily. What's to miss?"

It was an obvious feint, which highlighted her feelings on the subject, "The fact that she isn't in your bed every night, and the fact that you want to do something to help but she refuses to let you. You want to be there for her in her time of need but Miranda is clear that she wants do this by herself. Am I getting close?" Her fingers began to tap rapidly against the arm of the chair and she shifted several times, a classic sign of agitation. She was getting close. "Or is that you look at her and you see everything that happened to her and find yourself disgusted... or maybe it is that you worry that she thinks of you as The Illusive Man, which is why she avoids your looks, your touch, the slight hint of fear in her eyes when she looks at you." the tapping stopped and her eyes flashed.

"I am not the Illusive Man," her voice was cold icy even, the questions should have stopped her tone had indicated that this vein of the conversation was over. And yet the questions persisted.

"Are you not, you share the same ruthlessness don't you? The same drive to get the job done no matter what the cost. You manipulate situations to your advantage, the Quarians for example. If all else fails you won't hesitate to bully your way to get what you want. You withhold information when it suits you."

"I am not the Illusive man," Jade repeated. "I still have some humanity, I show mercy at times when I shouldn't. I released the Rachni not because they could possibly be used later, like the Illusive Man might have done, I released them because I didn't want to commit genocide. I feel guilt he doesn't. I could go on, but let this be clear I would never do what he did to Miranda."

"I know but you must realize that Miranda went through great trauma, you can't expect her to simply just get over it. Not everyone is as strong as you," a derisive snort escaped from Shepard's lips. "Is something wrong?"

"My mother made the same comment."

"She sounds wise."

Jade shrugged in response, "I thought that this was supposed to make me feel better or at least be somewhat cathartic."

"That takes time Commander; I can't help you in one hour long session."

Jade got up turning around and heading to the door, "I suppose. I still maintain I don't need your help, and your efforts were better suited to simply helping Miranda," with that she left the room.