[I decided to start a chapter series based on the Normandy after Shepard destroyed the collector base, tell me if you like it.]

"Naida... Naida! NAIDA! Dammit, Shepard, wake the fuck up!" Jack was leering over my sleeping form with an unamused look on her face.

"I don't even want to know... but I'm up, relax." Jack started pacing around the room, her obvious frustration building.

"Like hell I'll relax, get that damned cheerleader BITCH out of my quarters!"

I sighed and was sitting up now, leaning over to grab a pair of boots I'd bought while travelling to the Citadel. I wasn't one for shoes or material things but my friend Kaid had mentioned they'd look good on me once. I shook my head back into reality, focussing on the constantly swearing convict.

"Miranda? What is she doing?"

"She keeps telling me I'm a hazard to the crew, so she's ever so kindly taken it upon herself to search every item I own." Sarcasm floated through the room in Jack's rather crude but oddly natural tone of voice. I raised my hands to stop her from protesting any further.

"All right, all right. I'm dealing with it." I was already stepping out of the room, and hurrying down the hall before Jack could start a swearing fit, then I'd never get anything done. I vaguely wondered if they would ever get along but even I found myself smirking at the thought. Miranda and Jack, getting along? That would be down right terrifying... But, at least the ship would be quiet, for once.

"Ah, good, Shepard. I was just looking for you." Miranda had one of her hands reaching behind Jack's bed while holding papers in the other.

"Miranda, what are you doing?" The fickle woman barely glanced my way. Gods, she could be such a pain.

"Jack's dangerous, Shepard," Oh here we go..." she shouldn't be on board. She shouldn't be here. We're done dealing with the collectors, you should get rid of her"

"That's not your decision to make, Miranda and stop rifling through her things like a worm digging for dirt." I was getting tired of her games, I could see why Jack would call her a cheerleader, she nearly acted like one. You know, the stereotypical ones you'd often see young girls trying to impersonate.

At this point Miranda was looking me dead in the eye and even had the audacity to look a bit hurt. Miranda and I had never quite seen eye to eye but she had grown a respect for me. Shaking her head she set down Jack's things where she found them and headed up the stairs towards the tech room to rant to Tali.

I sighed and left before Jack could talk my ear off about how much of a 'bitch' Miranda was. This was going to be a long day, I could tell. "What am I going to do with them...?" I pinched the bridge of my nose as I neared the elevator.

"You know, you could always tell them to knock first before barging into your room." Thane's hot breath blew against the back of my neck, causing the hairs to rise. Oh, and I jumped with a start, did I mention that? Ass hole.

"Thane, you startled me." I raised my eyebrow curiously, being slightly less irritated than I was the moment before. It was his mouth, it has the perfect shape, the perfect pouty expression that makes me want to melt. But of course that would be completely unproffessional. Still, the thought is entertaining. Dammit, Naida, focus!

"I apologize, it was not my intention to cause you distress." He tilted his head slightly, those dark eyes of his never leaving my gaze.

"You didn't cause me any distress, Thane. Did you need something?"

He shook his head, then paused. "Actually, I was wondering if you'd come speak with me later."

I immediately became concerned, with his condition and all. "Relax, just come by later." Thane then wandered off towards Miranda's office. What was he up to?

I shook my head as I ascended up to my room, finally I can slee-

*CRASH*

"What the?" I was thrown to the ground by a red blur. Ice blue eyes stared me in the face and the person's face cracked with a smile. Fucking Kaid. "WHY HELLO THERE!"

"Wh..."

"Am I here? WONDERFUL question, but first thing's first. Where do I sleep? Next to you? Yes? Wonderful." I put my hand over her mouth as she continued talking before quickly pulling it away. I almost forgot, she bites.

I suppose I should explain, back when I was growing up on Earth, I wasn't the only orphan on the streets. I met Kaid there, she's a firey little red head with a big mouth who literally can't keep it shut to save her life- we've tested this. She's as big of a pain in my ass as Jack and Miranda combined, rude, impulsive, clumsy, constantly blowing things up... And I wouldn't change her for the world. Kaid's about three inches taller than me, with long red hair that reaches the middle of her back. There's a two year age difference, she's older. I met her one night while out looking for food, she was crying. It wasn't until later that I found out an explosion had killed her parents, though fortunately it was not one of her doing. We became close friends after that.

She was snapping her fingers in front of my face. "HEELLOOO? Anybody home?"

"You didn't tell me why you're here." I guess I should have warned everyone to lock the ship down. Kaid was adorable in her own right but very destructive.

"Oh, well, about that. Hm. How do I put this? I left my apartment to come live here with you! Isn't that great? I know. I thought so too. We are going to have so much fun!" She was giving me a mischevious, alluring look, letting her gaze slowly move down my body on purpose. We've always had a flirty friendship, but that's all it was.

Of course she would do this. Why wouldn't she? This doesn't SCREAM Kaid at all. No... Not at all.

She's been here for no more than two minutes but she's already rearranging my room and giving me a head ache. It's a love hate, relationship, you wouldn't understand.

"KAID!"

"Yes, m'love?"

"Can you focus, for one second?"

"Okay... One's up. La la la la la!"

I shook my head as she continued moving things around. I am sooooooo fucked.

"Are you hungry?"

"Well..." AHA! That got her attention.

"Come on..." I smiled. "They've got cheese cake."

"OH MY FUCKING GOD! Why didn't you tell me this sooner woman!? Let's go."

I barely had time to blink before she dragged me to the elevator- at least she didn't drag me through the ventilation ducts this time. Best friends, aren't they great?

I quickly ran to Sergeant Gardner and ordered our food. I had a simple soup, no meat. Kaid was devouring an entire cheese cake... Where does she put it all? At least her mouth's full.

I looked up to see most of the crew staring at her like she was a bizarre new animal they'd never seen.

"Everyone, this is Kaid. She is to be shown the utmost respect."

"What is her rank?"

"She doesn't need one."

"Figures." I recognized him, he was young, a newer member to the Normandy. I didn't pay much attention to anyone that didn't speak with me but I made it my business to at least know everyone by name. He was no different.

I pulled my gun and placed it against the man's skull. "If you have a problem with Kaid, you have a problem with me. Do you have a problem with me, Jackson?"

Everyone in the room was watching me in horror now, rather than Kaid who was ever so graciously licking her plate clean and making loud nomming noises.

I'm not violent, but no one. And I mean no one insults Kaid. Ever.

Actually, I was wrong- everyone except Thane, who had casually leaned against one of the walls, was mortifyed. Ugh, assassins, nothing excites them, does it?

I swear Jackson nearly pissed himself as he stumbled over his words. "No! No Ma'am, no problem. I'm sorry!"

"Oh come on Naida, leave the poor man alone." Garrus had walked in to see the commotion, or lack of it I should say. The caf was usually fairly noisy, then again me putting a gun to someone's head was a rare sight- no wonder everyone was staring. There was no lack of amusement on Garrus's face, though.

Kaid, being overjoyed to see Garrus, immediately jumped on the turian. "Kitty!"

"I really wish you'd stop calling me that."

"No! You look like a kitty to me, so you're Kitty."

I smirked, and was putting my gun away as everyone had involuntarily started laughing. If turians could blush, I'm sure he'd be beet red right now.

"Garrus, could you show her around the ship? I have something I need to do." He reluctantly nodded, trying to gently pry the woman off of him.

"Good luck Garrus. You'll need it." He sighed loudly, he knew it would come back to haunt him.

I went towards the elevator before stopping. I might as well go see Thane now, while Kaid's busy torturing Garrus. I entered quietly, and hid a smile as I walked in. He was sitting in his chair, leaning forward slightly with his hands folded. Eyes closed. He looks so peaceful, I shouldn't disturb him. Turning to leave he looked up at me. Damn those eyes!

I froze, hyptnotized by his over powering gaze, waiting for him to speak.

"Your friend Kaid seems... Interesting."

"You have no idea."

"You are close, you and her?"

"Yes, very."

He paused, it was eery.

"Thane, I... Is something wrong? I mean, did I say something wrong?"

"No, not at all. I just didn't think you and her were..."

He didn't finish his sentence. Does he think...? No... He wouldn't. Fuck, he does.

"Wait wait wait, whoa... Kaid and I are just friends. Nothing more. Well... Actually there was that one time at her place... But, where was I?" He was standing infront of me now, I stopped talking. I always talk too much when I get nervous.

"Naida... Are you well?" His scaled hand pressed against my forehead, it was cool to the touch, it felt nice. "You feel warm." Oh ghee, well you know, I'm in a cramped room with a sexy drell assassin. Why would I POSSIBLY be warm? I laughed, shaking my nerves.

"I'm fine, really. I was actually wondering why you wanted me to come here."

My heart stopped dead in my chest, was he smiling? My gods, he was smiling. Score one for Shepard!

"Come, sit."

I nodded slowly, placing myself in the chair infront of him.

"You're intriguing."

Me? Intriguing? Great... The hot ones are always crazy.

"How so?" I asked, a look of disbelief on my face.

"You're gentle, kind, calm, collected. And yet you're fierce, hard, energentic, and absentminded. You are an enigma. I know so much about you, and yet so little. You never stop amazing me."

My face turned red slowly, blushing.

"Is that a bad thing? That I confuse you so much, I mean."

"No, I'm glad to have you as a friend, Naida. You're unique."

My heart sank a little, and I nodded. "Just a friend, I see. I'm going to go."

He looked puzzled, worried, his mind working out what I had just said. "I have never considered. I mean, I never thought you were interested in someone like me. It is... an intriguing thought." I stopped for a moment and smiled at him before leaving the room.

I took a deep breath, my legs felt like they were going to buckle. Pull yourself together girl! You need to stay focussed. I shook it off, I guess being in complete shock doesn't help.

"Uhh, commander, there are loud noises coming from your room, EDI can't access that area, the privacy screen's been activated. And seeing as you're not in it I can safely assume it's not you... Just thought you should know."

Joker's voice sounded through the ship's intercom. I sighed. Kaid... Always Kaid. It was nearly five minutes before I reached my room when I walked in to see Kaid throwing her stuff out of her suitcases. They looked heavy enough to crush someone with. Come to think of it, she probably had.

"Kaid, my dear."

"Yes my love?" She had a huge grin on her face, I suspect because she loved the expression on mine.

"Please, stop destroying my room."

"But it's so small, it will never fit all of my clothes, this will just not do."

"There's a spare room on the ship, it's spacious, and sturdy. So you don't blow us up, or over run us with your clothes."

"So, I can stay?"

"Of course"

Kaid smiled warmly, and hugged me gently. I hugged her back and smiled a little. Things will certainly be more interesting with her around.