A/N: I should really be working on one of my other stories but this one took hold and I had to write it. This one is Shega and is a fix-it for the Citadel inspired by i-likecalibrations post on it. I'd like to thank JediSerenity82 for betaing this for me!

Hope you enjoy!

Lost in Translation

"It'd take quite a few drinks and one of those once in a lifetime nights."

The words were still ringing in Mia's ears as she stood up and hurriedly walked away from the couch. She wanted to make it up to her bedroom before the tears started. She had put herself out there and been shot down. She was embarrassed hurt and worst of all, humiliated. Never, ever again.

"I'm certainly tempted. Should I roll with the party mood and give in to the feeling? Or stick with my gut?"

"Don't worry about it;" shaking her head, she mumbled under her breath, "I've got more respect for myself and you than that." Quickly turning, she started to walk away.

"Lola," suddenly realizing he'd missed something and upset her, James jumped to his feet and started to follow.

As she passed by Garrus, he reached out and touched her arm, stopping her. "Shepard?" he asked, concerned for his friend.

"I told you," she whispered, voice cracking. Taking a calming breath, she continued, "I'm headed up to bed. Make sure to lock up after the party's over."

"Will do," he said, he stepping into James's path and stopping him from following Shepard.

Before anything else could be said, Mia was up the stairs and in her room. They watched as she slammed the door behind her and the lock indicator lit up. Turning a sharp eyed gaze on Vega, he stalked closer and asked, "What did you say to her?"

"I didn't," Vega started but Jacob, who was standing next to him, interrupted.

"Piche pendejo." (Fucking idiot or fucking asshole, depending on your translation)

"Hey!" James growled, muscles tensed and hands clenched into fists at his side, Glaring at the other man, "Cierra la boca o me callo por usted!" (Shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you!)

"Bring it big man," Jacob answered, though unsure what had been said. He knew a few curses words and vulgar names but that was about the extent of his knowledge. "I'm not the one that just shot down Shepard," he shot back. Not willing to back down, Jacob stood toe to toe with the bigger man.

"What?" Garrus said, staring at them harshly.

Without taking his eyes off his target, Jacob said, "Yeah," nodding at James, "Cabron, just turned her down after Shepard put herself out there." (asshole or motherfucker)

"I didn't," James hotly denied, jaw clenched tightly, "She's my friend and my commander; we were just flirting like we always do."

"Humans!" Garrus face palmed and shook his head. How could this man miss what everyone else saw? It may have been a game to James, but for Mia, it was something else entirely.

"Mia wasn't just playing," Jacob said from his spot on the couch, "She meant every word."

"No," James denied. He was just a grunt and she was Commander Shepard. She couldn't really want him. Could she?

"Yes, for some reason I don't understand," Garrus commented, "sit down and we'll explain a few things to you," as he sat down on the L-shaped couch, looking at both men.

"Alright," James said, re-taking his place on the couch. Leaning back, he crossed his arms and added, "Talk."

"You really don't get it," Jacob asked, disbelief coloring his words, "You don't see it."

"Explain it to me," James growled, tiring of the run around.

"You know why Cerberus put me on the Normandy?" Jacob questioned the other man.

"Aside from your military training," James allowed, "no."

"I was supposed to 'start a relationship' with Shepard, tie her to Cerberus and our cause," Jacob explained, "I tried to seduce her. She was kind but she never returned the attention, ever."

"Yeah," Garrus commented from his spot on the sofa, "I could've told the Illusive Man that part of the plan was doomed to failure."

"Why?" James asked, curious despite himself, "She flirts with me all the time."

"Just you," said Jacob.

"What?" James asked.

"Aside from one other," Garrus explained, "you're the only one she's ever noticed."

"And the other?" James questioned, curious.

With a very human like sigh, the Turian leaned back on the couch, "How much do you know about Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko."

"Not much," James admitted, relaxing at bit, uncrossing his arms and resting them on his knees, "Just that he served aboard the first Normandy with Shepard and he was killed on Virmire."

Looking at the young Lieutenant, Garrus explained, "He was so much more than that to Shepard," stopping he took a swallow of his drink. "It's not my story to tell but Alenko died and a part of Shepard died with him that day," not breaking eye contact with James, "Or at least she thought it had."

"Shit!" the larger man cursed, resting his chin on his chest. He had no idea.

Since Vega had joined the military, he'd always looked up to the Commander and followed her career. She epitomized what it meant to be a soldier and she was everything he strived to be. He'd been upset to learn Shepard had been killed above Alcehera, he believed he'd lost any chance of meeting her. When she showed up two years later with Cerberus, of all groups, James had been thrilled that she was alive, even if she was working for the enemy.

That all changed at Fehl Prime. He'd made hard choices, sacrificed people for Intel in the hopes that it could save many more but it had all been worthless, after Shepard destroyed the Alpha Relay and defeated the Collectors. The way he'd dealt with his guilt was to blame her. If he was angry with Shepard he didn't have to deal with his own feelings.

He had been dragged back from Omega and assigned as Shepard's guard, when she deserted Cerberus and turned herself in to the Alliance. Shepard lost everything she held dear, her ship, her commission, and her very freedom. Yet she handled the whole thing with a grace and understanding that very few people possess. Hell, James knew he wouldn't have done half as well. Slowly his anger began to dissipate and his respect for her again began to grow. More importantly, he knew if she claimed the Repears would come, he had no doubt. She had been right so far, why doubt her now?

At first his flirting with her had been a way to make conversation and cover his nerves. Somewhere along the line though, James stopped noticing the soldier and saw the woman underneath and his banter had taken on a more serious edge. It became a way of releasing some of his pent up frustration. He wanted her but didn't believe she'd ever notice a grunt like him. It never occurred to James that she may actually want him too. And know, without even realizing it, he'd gone and fucked it up.

"What are you going to do about it?" Jacob asked, interrupting his thoughts.

"I don't know," James said, blowing out a frustrated breath and dragging his hands down his face.

"I can tell you what you're going to do," Garrus said, a stern look on his face. He was worried for Shepard. She was upset and alone because of a huge mess that could have been avoided if either one of them had really talked to the other and admitted their feelings.

"What?" James asked, looking at the Turian.

"Drag your sorry ass up those stairs and fix this situation," Garrus explained. Before James could speak, the Turain continued, "Both of you need to quit dancing around each other. Everyone," he said, he gestured to the room at large, "knows how you feel for each other."

"What if she doesn't feel the same way?" James asked, fidgeting. He just couldn't believe Shepard would want him that way.

Shaking his head, Garrus tapped the side of his nose and went on, "You can't hide your attraction." James blushed at the reminder of the Turian's more advanced senses, "And neither can she!" Pointing in the direction of Shepard's bedroom, Garrus ordered, "Now move, Marine!"

"Aye sir," James instinctively snapped off and stood up, before he realized what was happening. He shook his head and Garrus's mandibles flared out in amusement.

Reaching the bottom of the stair case, he looked up at the closed door and prayed he could fix this. Starting up the stairs, he wasn't sure exactly what he'd say to Mia, but he knew he couldn't keep dodging the issue anymore. Standing in front of the closed door, he knew he cared about her, had since before he actually met her, and hated the thought that he'd hurt her with his careless flirting. Knocking on the door, he waited for her to answer. After a few seconds, he knocked a second time and called, "Mia, open up please."

TBC

So after starting this I realized it will be a short story, maybe somewhere between 3-5 chapters. Review and let me know what you think…