A/N: Bioware owns all.

Chapter 1

To the public eye most would say that the highly acclaimed N7 project only had the best of the best, the cream of the crop. Part of that may be true but there was a part the rest of the galaxy did not see, would never see. There was what happened behind the scenes of being a solider something one Commander Shepard knew all too well. She had been scouted for her natural skills and once enlisted had completed all her training requirements gaining attention she had never accounted for. Imagine her shock when she was given two different options for the N7 division.

She could be a front line soldier be the face of the N7 or she could join the black ops of the N7 the Alliance Central Intelligence Agency. It was major life changing decision for her but she was always grateful for it. Already being a solider she was gaining way too much attention much more than she would have ever liked. Though she was never rude about it she just never really liked it would rather not deal with it. All that attention would gain opinions, pressure and the unachievable high expectations of the entire galaxy.

When she had the final push to decide which area she would go into she seized the opportunity to go into black ops. She had the option to stay under the radar and yet still help people all at the same time. She was able to get the best of both worlds or so she thought. As the years would go on Shepard would know that having two worlds could be much more than she ever thought of.

Shepard walked through the hallways marveling at how it could be bustling with energy but without the clamor of it. People were always moving having to either find something or trying to kill someone. Walking down the hall she noticed some of the stares and sighed for what seemed the hundredth time. Even being the ACIA her achievements still gained her much attention. Though she always thought that it was significantly less than what it could have been if she were in the public eye. That thought alone helped her get through most of the extra attention she received without ever being rude. She let out a relieved breath as she made It through the director's office.

"Agent Shepard good to see you."

Shepard nodded sitting down "Same to you director."

"We have a request for you. Upon that we will give you the details for your new assignment."

Jane raised an eyebrow "What request?"

"Well more like a plea from us…for this person." The director replied handing over the file.

Shepard grabbed the data pad looking over its contents before speaking "Anderson what exactly am I looking at? This isn't an assignment or request."

"Correct. Meet Miranda Lawson she joined us a few months ago. We are still finalizing some of her records. She an ex-Cerberus agent."

Shepard eyed the director "She could be a double agent. A liability."

Anderson let out a deep grunt "This were you come in. The caliber of her skills are beyond remarkable, in my opinion she could rival you. If she had wanted to hide the fact she was with Cerberus she wouldn't have quite willingly admitted when she came to us. Offering information too."

Shepard shook her head "That could be a ploy. Useless information to send us in circles."

"That information checked out."

"You want to place her with me to watch her and figure out her motives, don't you?"

Anderson quirked up a smile "Always fast with you but yes that would be the reason. You are our top agent represent everything we stand for."

Jane shook her head already jotting all the risks this chance would take. The ACIA was borderline insane for wanting to do this but they also couldn't pass up the opportunity. They had lost far too many agents trying to go undercover to stop Cerberus. Maybe this Miranda would finally give them the edge that they needed to stop Cerberus.

Shepard went to speak but Anderson cut her off "I should mention that she refuses to work with anyone else. She states that she knows you."

"How? And more importantly why?"

Anderson stood quiet sjaking his head "This is the request I was talking about and her reasoning as to wanting you? We don't know and we didn't want to push her since she was civil. The rest? Well that's for you to do."

Shepard huffed in annoyance "When do I start the assignment?"

"The details of that assignment can wait right now you need a team of good people. People you can undoubtedly trust to the end. While you get these people I want you to get to know the new operative. Repost anything that doesn't fit."

Shepard furrowed her brow "Recruiting a team? Just how big is this, Anderson?

"Bigger than we care to admit which is why you were selected."

Jane nodded before standing up "I understand. I should get to the Normandy get all of this started."

"I've informed Ms. Lawson and she will be on the Normandy in a few hours' time."

"Understood." Shepard replied heading to the door

"Shepard?"

She paused in her movements "Yes?"

"It was good to see you. Be safe."

Shepard turned around to shake Andersons hand a quiet understanding flowing between them both. He had been there since her early military days before no one knew of her or her last name. Before her skills were noticed she had just been an kid getting into the Alliance just like any other one. Then in less than a month she was already a big fish and Anderson always seemed to watch out for her. He was the one that gave her the option of the ACIA in the first place.

"You be safe too, Anderson." Shepard murmured as she left his office.

She hoped this wasn't a wrong decision.

Jane sat in her cabin sifting through a horde of data files wondering where her desk had went. Her eyes kept roaming over the Lawson file that Anderson had given to her. She hadn't bothered to read it but decided she could at least catch up on the very basics. Jane picked up the data pad unlocking it before skimming through the lines only reading things that cached her attention.

Miranda Lawson

Assigned Under: Jane Shepard

…..Born on 2167, Earth….

(REDACTED) No records on mother…..Henry Lawson….

NOTE: Joined Cerberus: Reason Unknown.

== Psychological Profile==

….Miranda seems to have an indifference…

CHILDHOOD

PUBLIC RECORDS

ACIA RANKING

KNOWN ALLIES

AREAS OF INTREST

CERBERUS

Job description unavailable. Person was not willing to overtly share, used many methods of persuasion. It is known that she had worked directly under THE ILLUSIVE MAN . The person has shared (DATA EXTRACTED. SEE PERSONAL FOR MORE INFORMATION)

Shepard stopped not bothering to open any other of the links if she wanted to know Lawson then she would naturally. She genuinely wanted to figure out the rest for herself everything on a data pad was just that, something on a data pad. It didn't tell her how a person worked, how they ticked, what broke them or what breaks them. She also had the knack to believe with hour smart this operative was she wouldn't willingly give her true self way that was just common sense. She put the data pad down running a hand through her hair when a new voiced startled her from her thoughts.

"The top agent of the ACIA is startled?"

Jane turned around finally seeing who the new agent was "Not on an active mission nor was I expecting you to enter my cabin."

Miranda narrow her eyes "I assumed you wanted to meet me. Though I'm fairly sure you have already read anything possible on me."

"Only the basics. Sorry to disappoint you."

The new agent was taken aback but she wasn't about to let that show "Anything I need to know?"

Shepard nodded this she could do right now "Your quarters are on deck three personal work space included. Any personal objects and or items are being sent over as we speak. Also, I'm recruiting a team and you will be accompanying me in each."

"If there's nothing else then excuse me. I need to catch up on some work." Miranda replied in her thick Australian accent. It would have been more pleasant if there was just a hint of any emotion behind it.

"Agent?" Shepard called out as the woman walked away

Miranda turned around to eye the Commander her eyes cold as they were calculating. Shepard starred back with not an ounce malice just a small sense of curiosity. She let a very small smirk appear on her lips before she turned around to look at more data files.

"Welcome to the ACIA and Normandy, Agent Lawson."

Shepard looked herself over in the mirror turning her head side to side inspecting every inch. She remembered the first time she was able to wear semi-casual attire. She had been so used to alliance regulations that it was almost baffling to wear a hoodie. If someone had told her that she would be wearing a leather jacket and some fatigues as attire she would have stumbled over her own words. Though being an ACIA agent she can't go running around in military attire it defeats the entire purpose of "Covert."

Nodding in approval Shepard made her out pausing by her hamster Miss Rudy of the Normandy to drop some food in the tray. Also known as Roofie Shepard when Jane was in the comfort of her own room and very much alone. Finally being satisfied Jane went to her elevator and walked out only to be surprised to see Joker eating his breakfast. It brought back many memories as she walked over to him.

"Hey there brittle bones." She teased

Joke scoffed shaking his head "Yeah, okay. Make fun of my brittle bones. I get more tail then you."

"Tail? Who says these things anymore?"

Joke popped his head up bit "Speaking of tail who's the chick with all those elevated areas cause she-"

"I don't mean to interrupt you, Moreau, but I prefer to call myself Miranda in case you were wondering." Her voice was even but it was far from friendly.

"I Uhm, Hey Shepard... did you uh, well would you look at that seems the cockpit needs me." Jeff sputtered out taking his plate of food without hustle and limping away quickly.

Shepard let herself chuckle at Jeff he put himself willingly put himself in that positon. Though she was still taken with Miranda's cold demeanor towards everyone. She had no idea what made the agent tick or what her problem was but hopefully she would find out. What made it all the more confusing was the fact that Miranda requested to be here but was far from letting that show.

"Morning Lawson." She said walking forgetting her thoughts to grab a cup of coffee.

"Shepard."

Jane could only shake her head as she got her sugar and creamer ready. She saw the mess Joker had left behind and part of her wanted to slap him with her biotics. He was like the little brother that would annoy his big sister for the hell of it. She smirked she would just throw EDI on him. She turned around to face Agent Lawson once more relishing in the smell of her coffee.

"Not much of a morning person?"

Miranda eyed Jane before going to get her own drink "I usually ignore people."

Shepard made a mental note before gesturing to the coffee "Make sure to add more coffee grains. If not that machine will add too much water and well its not really coffee, more like the water Vorchas tend to drink."

Miranda hummed as acknowledgment "And the other races say were the vile creatures. Also I tend not to drink coffee."

Shepard didn't say much other than nod before setting her cup down and preparing her breakfast. Feeling a particularly good mood she grabbed a few bananas placing them down and focusing on her biotics. One by one the yellow fruit was suspended into the air and their peels were instantly off. With a flick of her finger Jane had each of the fruits all sliced up into one bowl and with a turn of her wrist the trash was in the basket. Jane fist pumped into the air and loud grunt of approval leaving her mouth.

"Hey Edi? Tell Joker I beat my high score. 3.82 seconds!"

"Will do Agent Shepard."

There was a snort and Shepard looked over to what surprisingly seemed as an amused Miranda. Jane arched her eyebrow when she leaned to one side to see that Agent Lawson had prepared herself a granola, yogurt and Shepard sighed when the woman cut up her multitude of fruits. There was a few seconds of ultimate silence as Miranda finished making her tea which Jane counted as very odd. Then of course the woman before her spoke.

"Six different fruits. Peeled and chopped, 2.01 seconds."

Jane waved her hand around "I can beat that."

Miranda let a scoff out "Can you?"

Shepard chose not answer instead derailing the entire conversation "We'll be getting our first recruit today. Hopefully…So be ready in four hours' time."

"No plans needed?"

Jane let her smirk fall onto her face "Not at all. After all it is an old friend."

There were many times throughout her career that she wondered if she had chosen the right path. She had been through countless different programs that made her question her outstanding abilities over and over again. She would be built up to a castle only to be harshly taken down to little pieces of sand. Her superiors seemed unforgiving and bitter there was even one she had almost knocked out. At the time it didn't matter that he was ranks above her and could have her kicked out. There were just some things a person shouldn't say no matter what entitlement they seem to think they have.

That's when she got attention that was focused other than her abilities. She had been known as Hot Head Red for her fiery personality when pushed towards the edge. Before that she had been somewhat of an outcast. People didn't want to friend her because they either hated her for what she could do or were trying to better than her. Of course after word got out there had been some flockers for attention only and then there were others like her. Ones that kept their distance just like she did with others.

Jane during her time getting her all requisites met she didn't like to be near anyone. She didn't know what they wanted or what they wanted to get out of her. She always thought that anyone that wanted to get near her was only doing so just to get back at her. Then she a met a few that were wary but hopeful. When assignments called for team work and they had the option chose she would find these people each and every time. She smiled as she walked over to the cockpit where Joker sat working diligently. Shepard was glad that she had met Joker all those years ago he was one the first true friends she had ever made.

"So Joker, are you thawing out yet?" She teased

Jeff scoffed "You're supposed to help the guy that literally breaks under pressure."

"I like to think it builds character."

"If you mean by my bones being in casts then yeah. Totally building." Jeff drawled out.

"Oh it wasn't that bad."

"Ice, Shep. Pure ice."

Shepard shook her head "What?"

"Earth? Antarctica? The depths of the frozen ocean? Little clear things in the shape of cubes that you put in drinks?"

"I get it, Joker." Jane replied flatly smacking him over the head.

"No. You'll get it when the Ice Queen kills you." Joker mumbled rubbing the back of his head.

Shepard thought that Ice Queen was fitting for Miranda and she supposed that Joker could be the Drama Queen. It might seem like they were just always playing around with each other but that's just the way they worked. When they were running missions and hard decisions had to be made everyone around had to keep their sense of humor. They had to figure out a way to not become so dark, bitter and jaded. Joker helped with that for almost every single day of her life and counting. She was beyond happy that she had him here with her and she didn't really trust anyone else behind the driver's seat. Well no one else except for EDI.

Shepard always knew that having two lives would be the most difficult part of her job. Anyone who was anyone needed to have a strong will when the lines of right and wrong, good and evil seemed to be blurred into one. It also meant the fact that anyone who was in this job needed to be okay with hiding most of who they were. That secrets weren't just a persons it was the whole galaxy's and if someone let that slip it could cost their live or someone else's. One mistake cold mean failure, a new war started or death for anyone involved.

That was thing about being secluded to work in the dark then there needed to be dark decisions. Jane knew as soon as she accepted her job in the ACIA that she knew what it meant. She had to be sure as hell okay with the fact that she would need to be okay with things others would never had agreed to. It was that very fact that separated her from the rest of the people in the N7 division. She shifted through the maps in front of her finding the one she wanted and finally she decided on a plot course. Her heart then let a feeling spread through her, it was happiness.

"Joker. We have an old friend of ours to catch.

A/N:

So I am back! I lost my orignal A/N for this chapter but to everyone who is reading. I re-wrote this story I had massive writers block and so I had to figure out how to get my mind back. Even then after this was done I was blank BUT I'm not anymore.

To original readers who may or may not be out there most of everything is the same.

I hope you enjoyed. Please leave your thoughts.

Until Next Time!