S.P.E.C.T.R.E

By N.J Jordbrukaren.

A/N: Warning: Very AU. Let us imagine that all went well on Eden Prime. Shepard was hailed as a paragon of her own kind and became a Spectre. Now she runs about the galaxy, writing wrongs and being a general sexy badass. Still a hero, just in slightly smaller doses. So, here we go. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Rated T, for now. I can't say that will last long, however…

Chapter One: La Bestia Torna Sempre.

Castello Di Reschio Estate – Umbria – Italy: June 8th 2184.

She stood silently, her tall, angular silhouette cutting a stark comparison to the magnificent verdant view in front of her. Dark eyes watched as the trees gently swayed in the warm breeze.

"So this is where you have been hiding…"

Lips parted in a flash of white. One hand buried in her pocket, the other holding a chilled glass of Rum, she turned to face the source of the all too familiar voice.

"You use the term 'hiding' far too liberally for my tastes."

The pair stood in silence for a few moments, simply looking at one another with both gladness and reverence.

"My, my, you do look dashing, Doctor Wolfe." Delicate hands reached up, straightening out a black bow tie. With her hands resting upon broad shoulders, she took the opportunity to close the gap, lips pressing near to an exposed ear. "Or should I be addressing you as Spectre Agent Shepard, now? One really never can tell with you." Her smile grew at hearing the faint snort beside her. She pulled back.

Shepard canted her glass towards her apparent companion. "You could, but you really shouldn't. It was a necessary alias." A wicked glint flared within her eyes. "Anyone could be listening, you know, Madam Consort."

"That is not so." Sha'ira turned to face the landscape ahead of them, glancing at Shepard over her shoulder and simpering in a way that the Spectre could not help but find enticing. "You know I always come prepared, Shepard."

The Spectre smirked, glancing to the floor before following Sha'ira's example of facing forward. "A jamming application." She confirmed. "All the while I was stood here thinking my omni tool had given up on life."

Sha'ira's earlier simper flourished into a wide smile. "You know that I never skip greetings." She shrugged elegantly. "I thought it would be wise to inform you of such whilst under the guise of pleasantries."

Shepard sighed dramatically, though her smirk threw away any pretence of her seeming disheartened. "And here I thought you merely enjoyed my company."

Sha'ira rolled her eyes in good humour. "Your ego is almost as colossal as this villa is, you know."

"Bigger, actually."

Another comfortable silence fell between them as they faced forward and looked on. The view ahead really was quite spectacular. The luscious green, rolling hills, the bright, full trees and other greenery, the lake beneath the tall, balconied cliff edge they were currently stood upon, the clear, cerulean sky. It was absolutely breath-taking. Shepard shot the Asari a sly glance, eyes softening. Truly breath-taking …

"Why are you here, Shepard?" The sudden sound snapped her from her thoughts, her eyes quickly returning to the vast landscape. Sha'ira re-angled herself, leaning her hip against the railing so she could face her companion once more.

She flashed the Consort her trademark smirk. "Now, that would be telling, would it not?"

Sha'ira hummed her understanding, taking a sip from the flute she had been holding before placing it upon the table beside Shepard's own drink. "I see…"

Shepard frowned, eying her up and down. Unthinking, she slid along the railing, moving closer. "And you? I must admit, I am curious to know what has brought the Consort all the way to Earth."

Sha'ira snorted softly as she glanced towards the horizon. "Your people like to say that curiosity killed the cat, Spectre."

"They also say that satisfaction brought the beast back."

The Asari turned slightly, her hand lifting to cup Shepard's cheek. Her gaze showed a level of tenderness that caused the human's heart to stutter. They simply stood for a few moments. "You have no idea how much it soothes me each time I hear that… the beast has returned."

Shepard soaked in the look held deeply within the Consorts electric blue eyes. She caught the meaning hidden within her words. Knowing someone like Sha'ira forced her to look beyond the face value of anything. She had learnt well. Though, she was not sure how she felt about being compared to a beast…

Shepard smirked when she felt Sha'ira's thumb softly caress her sharp jaw. She let her own hand fall to the Asari's hip, using it as leverage to steadily inch their bodies closer together. "You should put more faith into this beast of yours."

Sha'ira's hand left her jaw. Instead, it slid behind her neck. Manicured fingernails ever so gently scraping her scalp. It was both a plus and a minus that someone knew her weaknesses so thoroughly.

"Perhaps. Though it is much easier said than done." Lips inches apart, eyes searching one another's, hot breaths mixing. "She does tend to centre on violence and death."

The Spectre grinned, the tip of her nose brushing past the Consorts own. "She, you say?"

Sha'ira's breath hitched. This was all too much. She prided herself upon self-control, but Shepard always knew how to breach her defences. Always. "Shepard…"

Hand pressing into the small of the Asari's back, Shepard closed the small divide. Blue lips meshed with pink, forcing a high-pitched whimper from one side and a low growl from the other. Blue digits fisted in short, dark hair. Goddess, her head was swimming.

And then someone, neither of them, cleared their throat. They immediately pulled apart, both trying their hardest to seem at least somewhat professional.

"I beg your pardon. Are you Doctor Wolfe?" Both Shepard and Sha'ira spared one another a glance.

"That would be me, yes." She smiled as politely as possible at the intruder.

The lady typed something on her datapad before offering a smile of her own. "Mr. Khan is ready for you, now. If you would like to follow me?"

Shepard re-buttoned her blazer, offering Sha'ira a look that was somehow both apologetic and heated. "My pleasure."

She watched as Shepard walked with the shorter woman towards the villa. Her hand rested over her wildly beating heart. Silently, she prayed to the Goddess… whatever deity, in fact, that, this time, Shepard might be able to come out of this without causing some kind of destructive scene.

But, then again, who was she fooling? This was Shepard. She could not use a public lavatory without someone dying in the process.

Ending A/N: I hope all and any of you who have taken the time to read this have, so far, enjoyed it. There will be plenty more adventure from here, so hold onto your hats.