Note: If you have been reading my 'Demon' stories, you most likely noticed I've been loading up the completed story all at one time. This was to make sure I finished the blasted things, unlike some of my other stories. This time will be different. I'm only posting the first three chapters for this story now, I have the next few done, but after those I'm stuck. So I'm going to try something different. Gonna post the chapters in threes or fours and hope that I get some feed back to help kick this writer's block in the butt.

I do not own, I make no money, please don't sue. BTW anyone seen my cat?

Chapter 1: Ouch

Shepard found Cole, moping in one of his favorite locations. Looking over where the healer tents use to be, Cole sat on the parapets not paying attention to how dark it was starting to get. Walking towards him, Jane sighed. Cole's emotions were screaming and she could almost read his mind through their connection. He hurt. Not physical hurt of getting hit, stabbed or stubbing one's toe. His heart was knotted, tangled, tied. Untangling the hurt was harder from the inside than from outside. He believed he deserved the hurt. He hurt HER. He should leave. He…

When she got close enough, Jane asked, "Cole?"

Cole turned to look away, muttering about leaving, wrong to be here…

"Cole! It was a training accident, "said Jane. She then sat down next to Cole, taking care to hold the wrapped up hand and wrist close to her body. Somehow that one injury was making her whole arm ache. Once seated, she added, "Better the bruises and sprains now, than forgetting how to properly avoid a deadlier blow later. Just think this reminder may end up saving my life later on."

Cole replied, "I should have held back, stopped, I…"

Jane used her good hand to take hold of Cole's. When Cole looked down at the touch, Jane said, "Stop blaming yourself. I got to dependent on using my biotics and need to better use my other weapons. You holding back now will not help me."

"But…"

"No, buts, "said Jane tapping the tip of his nose with her bandaged hand, "Now you can continue moping or you can help me out until Anders decides I suffered enough to heal this for me."

Cole tilted his head to the side and then stood up. Taking hold of Shepard's good hand, he walked towards the Grey Warden Tower with her in tow.

(Grey Warden Tower)

"You didn't have to sic Cole on me like you did, "said Anders as he gently unwrapped Jane's hand as Cole watched on with crossed arms, "You know natural healing is normally better than using magic."

"What can I say, I'm spoiled, "Jane said with a small shrug, "Before it was medi-gel, now it's magic. I'm use to the faster healing. Besides, if its him doing the threatening I won't be written up for abusing my rank."

"That's not true. You…"Cole stopped and then looked towards the door, eyes widening. The rogue quickly moved to tackled/pulled Jane and Anders to the ground. A large bang and the door exploded. The sound of gunfire filed the air as a pair of futuristic armored men started to shoot up the room as they entered.

From under the protective cover of Cole's form, Shepard started to glow and she reached out with her good hand sending a biotic blast towards the invading pair. They were knocked over, giving the trio enough time to get up and counter-attack. Cole's enchantment enhanced daggers easily stabbed into and through the battle armor as Anders froze the second attacker to the ground. The second attacker was no longer able to move but the sounds of anger could be heard coming from inside the frozen armor.

"Anders, no more playing around get this fixed, "ordered Shepard holding up her still injured hand. Seeing that Cole was already removing the living attacker's weapons, she said, "Cole see if you can find their communicators. Check the belt area; it should be small and rectangular in shape. Disconnect any wires that they might be connected to."

Cole nodded and suggested as he searched, "I should look around. Find our friends."

Jane considered the options and then said, "Check the area close by but come right back. We can go look for the others together, after I have a little talk with our friend here."

Cole blinked as he watched Ander's finish up healing Jane's hand and then said, "They sound different and very loud. I can tell when they come close now that I know to listen."

"Well that's useful, "said Anders as Cole handed Shepard as small box looking object. The mage then asked Shepard, "Any idea what's going on?"

"One thing I know, that's Alliance armor, "replied Shepard as she pressed two buttons on the small communicator, so that she could hear was the attackers were reporting, "As for how they are here or why they are attacking, I don't know…yet. Let's move this upstairs."

Shepard took the pistol from the pile of weapons that Cole laid out on the floor and then walked over to the frozen prisoner to make sure he can see how she expertly checked the clips. She then knelt down, pointed the gun towards his head and said in English, "Don't do anything stupid. Believe me when I say I know how to use this."

A little later the prisoner was armor-less and tied up in a chair. Shepard took hold of his dog tags to read his name. She then turned and walked away as she activated her Omni-Tool. The investigator ignored the glare sent her as she typed away on her Omni-Tool. "Well Corporal Jake Ashling would you like to explain why your team is attacking the Inquisition?" Shepard asked as she typed, "Or better yet, who's your CO?"

"Jake Ashling, Corporal, 446-00-4776, "was the prisoner's only reply.

"He won't say anything, "said Cole walking over to stand next to Shepard as she deactivated her tool, "Duty, Honor, Loyalty. He's expecting to experience great pain. Preparing to bear it."

"As he was trained, "said Shepard as she turned to look over all the gear they took off the man. She picked up the prisoner's Omni-Tool and narrowed her eyes, "I wonder if they ever got around to changing…" Shepard took off her Omni-Tool and slide on the prisoners. She activated and used her unique clearance codes to see if it would let her in. When the Omni-Tool binged its acceptance the prisoner growled, "Who the hell are you?"

Shepard ignored the demand as she searched the Omni-Tool records. "No mention of commanding officers, but he was assigned to the Orizaba1…shit. "

"What's an Orizaba? Sounds like something Iron Bull would drink, "said Anders as he continued to creating as many healing potions as possible knowing that they would be eventually needed.

Shepard slide off the Omni-Tool with a sad sigh. Cole placed a comforting hand on her shoulder and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Someone I know commands the Orizaba (1), "said Shepard tiredly as she picked up her own Omni-Tool, "Of course it would be her. With my luck, it couldn't be anyone else."

To be continued…

1 SSV Orizaba. Kilimajaro-class. Flagship of the Third Fleet in 2186. Commanded by Captain and then later Rear Admiral (Spoiler if you didn't already know).