A/N: So as someone who writes, I hate having to admit when I have written something wrong. I wrote myself into a corner with College Effect – AU, and besides rewriting the whole thing there was not a way to recover from my FUBAR. So here I am, rewriting the whole thing, and hopefully this will leave you more satisfied than the crap that was heading your way. Happy reading!

Disclaimer: As always, Bioware's universe, I just piddle around here for my own enjoyment. I don't make money.

Chapter One

Citadel

The transit station reeked of travel: sweat, cheap food, dirty socks. The air recyclers helped, but the sheer mass of travelers that came and went on a daily basis was just too much. It certainly dampened the shock and awe from seeing the Citadel on approach, thought Jane as she wrinkled her nose. She hefted her tote and began walking toward the exit, and hopefully fresher air. "Sis! Wait up!" She heard her brother, and slowed, but kept moving forward. Another tote was unceremoniously dumped on her shoulder, pulling her off balance.

"You're supposed to make sure I don't get into trouble, remember?" John's eyes were playful, but she knew him well enough to hear the bitterness that had crept into his voice. They had shared a womb after all. Jane grunted and shoved her twin's bag back at him as they finally stepped out into the artificial brightness of the Citadel proper. "So, home sweet home. The council should really do something about that middle step. Impressive view! Urgh, cheap food stench! Impressive view!" Jane finally laughed at his over the top theatrics, when he wrapped his arm around her for a quick hug. "I know this is rough on you. Do we need to make you an appointment?"

His concern warmed her heart, as it always did. She signaled negative, and gave a tiny smile. Her brother: so lovely to her, so distant to everyone else. She couldn't be mad at him though, even if right before they had left the settlement three of his girlfriends had come to her in tears. "He's just pushed me away" they had wailed to her. Wailed! It disgusted her that her brother could do that, but the reaction by the girls was more so. So pitiful to be reduced to that.

"I'm sorry if I did something to tick you off." His sincere tone finished off the last vestiges of her anger.

"It wasn't really you. Maybe, anyway." She waved the conversation away, and really took in her surroundings. "It's beautiful here. Not quite the settlement, but the buildings are lovely in their own way." Her brother laughed.

"I suppose. There is no wildness though. The little green there is… it's all planned and sculptured. Takes away all the beauty I enjoyed. Buildings are just stylized lumps of rock and glass. Marvels of engineering, but nothing compared to what nature can accomplish without interference. The sunrises, the explosions of color in a meadow after a spring rain…" Jane started chuckling.

"My brother, the romantic." He looked so offended she laughed harder and a small pushing war ensued.

"Maybe, but if you tell anyone, I will tell them your secret nickname."

"You wouldn't dare. I will kill you!" She could feel her face heating up at the thought of that stupid nickname.

"Well even then it might be worth it…" He hugged her tight, then sighed. "Come on. Let's go find our new digs. Can't say I'm ultra-excited about school. Again. It seems like I just finished."

The taxi dropped them off at the edge of the Citadel University campus, right in front of the new T'Soni Administrative Center. It was all sleek edges and glass, a sprawling modern counter to the squat structure that was being taken down on the other side of the pathway. "Ready?" John asked. Jane took a deep breath, then nodded. His concern was written on his face for a moment longer before he nodded back and they made their way towards the building. Jane managed to suppress her sigh of relief.

The mass of students at the entryway was daunting. Turians, salarians, asari, and humans, singly and in groups, did not give Jane hope they would be done quickly, if at all today. Her shoulder was aching, all her possessions in one bag, and she had no place to put them unless they got their housing key. The siblings had qualified for reduced price student housing, and neither had thought to make alternate arrangements for accommodations if they couldn't get in today. "It's busy. I hope we don't have to get a hotel or something tonight." Jane dropped her bag and stretched her shoulder.

"Nah, I got this. When in doubt, punch your way through. You hold em still, and I'll knock em out."

"Don't be rude!"

He huffed at her, and crossed his arms like a petulant child. "It's not like they're actually human or anything." A few of the students sent disgusted looks toward John, causing the heat to return to her face. They certainly needed to do something about the artificial warmth here.

"You are forbidden from talking until someone asks you a direct question, ok? No waves on the first day. You promised. HEY!" The rangy looking human grabbed Jane's bag off the ground, and started running. Unfortunately for him, it was very heavy. Also unfortunately for him, John was a runner. His own tote landed at her feet with a thud and he leapt after the thieving bastard. It reminded her of the big earth cat documentaries she and her mom used to watch, a cheetah on the hunt, pouncing for the kill. John caught the thief within twelve strides.

"Can I talk to this one, sis?" Jane trotted up and grabbed her bag. She shook her head no and pointed discreetly at the three armored men coming their way. University Security, provided by Citadel Security. "Fantastic response time" he whispered right into her ear. They didn't even have to move people out of the way, as a void formed around them with each step. Jane had read urban legends that the university patrol "discarded" people who made too much trouble for the campus, and they were never heard from again. Her brother moved back to stand at her side, and a fraction of her tension eased.

The campus patrol arrived and Jane directed a sharp look at her brother. The squad was a turian and two asari. Please understand, please don't get into trouble, please don't talk at all! Jane wished she were psychic. The thief started screaming "Arrest them! They tried to steal my bag from me! That guy ran me down and assaulted me! Arrest them!" The diatribe went on, and the turian stepped in front of Jane.

She gasped. "You took my bag!"

"Liar! She's a lying harlot! You can't trust women! Women are harlots! Let me have my bag and I'll go!"

"Hello, ma'am. My name is Officer Mercamius. May I see your identification please?" He glanced at her and John, not unkindly, but very professional.

"It's in the bag Officer." Jane gestured down and the Officer nodded. The thief began screaming louder as the he leaned in towards the bag.

"Which pocket ma'am?"

"The small zipper, on the front." Officer Mercamius reached in and pulled out Jane's visa pass and colony identification card. Even though she knew it was her bag, she was hard pressed to contain her relief at seeing her own face. She smiled at the turian. "I apologize that we caused any trouble for you. There were just so many people, and we were hoping to get in today, and while we waited I sat my bag down…" She flushed at having started rambling.

"I understand." He gestured her to stand next to him and turn around. "That pathway right there, you might have come in on it. Take a left on that pathway towards the back of this building, and when you come to a four way intersection make a right. That will take you towards the science building. Walk past that, and there will be a small building on your right hand side, it isn't marked. Go inside, and talk to them. They may be able to help out." He was whispering conspiratorially, then he straightened his professional mien slamming down full force. "We will be taking this man to campus lock up on disturbance charges. If you wish to press charges for theft, please stop by the office during hours. I will be happy to assist you."

"Uhh, thanks." Jane flashed her most brilliant smile, as she took her bag and identification back. The twins watched the three officers march the man now screaming about brutality away. "Come on." They passed the open door to the administrative building, and even with the commotion the line was longer than before.

"I don't think we're getting in today." His face was crestfallen.

"Yeah. That officer… he gave me some directions." She could see his eyes brighten at the prospect of adventure.

"Off then!"

"You are way too excited about this!" Jane mumbled to herself about adrenaline junkies.

"I can hear you! Where we going?"

"Towards the science building. Left"

Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the building. No marks, nothing. Just a nondescript place that could be anything. Jane wasn't so sure this was the best idea, but her brother pulled her inside. "This is really out of the way." He shrugged, and knocked on the only other door in the place.

"Come in!" The voice was overly perky. Jane grimaced, then braced herself and opened the door. They were greeted by an asari behind a tiny desk. She had a bright smile, and vacant expression. "Hi there! What can help you with? Checking in? Housing? Meal plans… wait no, never mind. I can't help with meal plans!" She waved away her mistake.

"Oh um. Yes, please. We didn't have prior arrangements…"

"Oh and the student office was bustling wasn't it? Oh yes! It is always that way. Well for a few weeks anyway! All right, let's see your colony identification cards please!" She paused for a moment, and took a long drink of something Jane hoped was non-energy. Jane grabbed her card and held it out next to her brother's. "Great! Great! I will get this handled for you guys! Not many people come my way, even colony kids. I keep telling the dean we need to advertise the colony liaison office, get some of the load off of student services since this office is supposed to be especially equipped for that. It hasn't really been looked at yet though, or more likely this office will continue falling through the cracks until the colony programs are better established. On the extreme bright side of things, I do get paid for very little work. Sometimes more company would be nice." Jane got the impression that more company meant any company at all. Before she could say anything the asari was talking again. "Oh, excuse me! I forgot! I am Liaison Por'ana, and I work with colonials to make sure your transition to the Citadel is smooth. Rehabilitate you guys so to speak!" Jane smiled to hide the anger bubbling up. She wasn't a dog! "So here we go. I actually got almost everything done, already, while you were talking. Omnitools up please!" A few beeps later and she was talking some more. "Now downloaded is a map of campus with directions to the housing unit you were assigned. We use security locks, not manual so be careful who you give the code to. There is a map of the citadel with forbidden neighborhoods and dangerous areas mapped out, places students typically hang out, and a guided tour of the ward here. Your classes have been confirmed and syllabi delivered to the message box associated with your student account. Books will be delivered to the message box within one citadel day cycle. If you do need assistance with a meal plan please feel free to make an appointment with the student services counselors listed on the student assistance sheet that has also been delivered. Is there anything else I can do for you? Any other questions you may have?"

Jane was amazed. It was almost like she was talking on inhale and exhale. She waited a moment longer, and when the asari just sat there with an overly pleasant smile, Jane smiled back slightly. "Ummm, no thank you. That was quite comprehensive. I appreciate the help."

"Oh it's no problem at all. Please do contact the liaison office at any time for all your student assistance needs." No one was this happy all the time, right? Jane shuddered a little as the twins left the office, and felt her brother do the same.

"That was almost the most terrifying experience I've ever had." John nodded his agreement. "Shall we go get our house then?" She snickered at her own joke, because surely it wasn't truly a house, and the two set off across campus.