Shepard paced in her cabin, hands held tense behind her back. After 'meeting' with Miranda in the engine room, her XO had – eventually – advised her to go and prepare. So, reluctantly, here she was, feeling the familiar weight of her armor and weapons once again.

The cabin door opened with a slight hiss and Miranda stepped in, ready to fight the Collectors as well. She walked over to the commander and put a hand on her chest, stopping the impatient pacing.

"Don't worry, commander, we'll come out of this alive." Miranda assured. Shepard leaned forward and kissed her.

"I know, we just have to be careful and quick." she replied, wrapping Miranda into a tight embrace.

"Yes," Miranda whispered, letting her hair fall back.

"Commander, hitting the relay in five minutes." Joker interrupted over the comm.

"Goddamn it, Joker." the commander hissed, letting go of Miranda.

"It's alright, Shepard. See you on the other side." the woman said with a wink, as she walked out. Shepard sighed; she knew every one of her team's lives were at risk, but she planned to live, to have them all live as well. Miranda meant it all to her right now, after everything she had done for Shepard and what they talked about, no matter what she knew she couldn't let her friends, family or lover down.

With a heavy sigh, Shepard left her cabin, ready to face her enemies, head on.

-x-x-x-

Shepard pushed herself up and shook her head, running over to the side of the platform, to make sure Miranda was alive.

"She has to be alright." Shepard thought, looking down. "If she isn't...oh god, what would I do?"

Shepard smiled when she saw Miranda alive and she helped her up, then ran over to Tali; her friend was alive as well. Shepard pushed the debris off her and helped her up.

"Do you copy? Commander? Come on, Shepard, don't leave me hanging. Do you copy?" Joker asked through the comm.

"I'm here Joker. Did the ground team make it?" she replied, starting to walk.

"All survivors on board, we're just waiting for you." he told her and she ran with Miranda and Tali in front of her. She fired two shots from her pistol at incoming seekers and Collectors.

"Human, you've changed nothing. Your species has the attention of those infinitely your greater. That which you know as Reapers are your salvation through destruction." Harbinger told them. Shepard's pace sped up with each word echoing in her head.

"Finally" she thought, as the Normandy came into view. The airlock slid open, and she registered a fleeting sense of surprise at the sight of Joker providing covering fire. She ignored the protests from her legs and summoned one final burst of speed, leaping even as the platforms fell away from under her. For the briefest eternity, the world seemed to stop around her, as she simply waited; then with a sudden rush her arms slammed into metal. In that moment she realized she wouldn't be able to hold on: mentally she prepared herself for the inevitable falling sensation. Then a slender hand reached out and grasped her own, and Shepard looked up as the woman who was her world pulled her back into it.

"Detonation in ten, nine, eight-" EDI reported as they reached the cockpit and Joker limped into his seat.

"Yeah, got the gist of it, EDI. Hang on." he snapped. The ship flew out and away from the base; they'd be back in familiar space soon.

-x-x-x-

The commander walked into her cabin, stripping off her armor and throwing it aside. She sat on the couch and closed her eyes. She was alive, thank god. She heard the door open and opened her brown eyes.

"Miranda," she greeted.

"Shepard," the woman replied. "How are you?"

"Tired, beaten, glad." she admitted. "You know, I didn't think you'd quit Cerberus when I blew the base."

"I should have done it sooner." Miranda said. "Now, if you want to pick up from before, I won't argue." she added.

"Oh, straight to the point, hm? I like women like that." Shepard purred, pushing her body up to a standing position. Miranda unzipped her uniform as Shepard pulled her under-armor mesh off.

They laid on the bed and pressed their bodies together, Shepard kissing up her XO's neck. Miranda let out a small moan as Shepard put one hand on her hip and the other on her ass.

"Commander," Miranda managed.

"Nope, you call me Vanessa now." Shepard ordered, licking along Miranda's collarbone.

"Of course, commander, seems like fair game-oh god!" Miranda gasped, eyes snapping open. Vanessa thrust her hips against Miranda's.

"Glad you like it." Vanessa mumbled.

"Yes, and I do have my own tricks." Miranda said, a slight giggle in her voice.

"Oh?" Vanessa asked, moving her head to look at Miranda's blue/gray eyes.

"But of course." Miranda continued, turning the tables for her to be on top. She ground her hips against Vanessa's, put her hands on Vanessa's ass then licked her breasts.

"You do, goddamn, Miri." Vanessa groaned. Miranda smirked as they continued.

"Miri," Vanessa said. "Would you like to stay in my cabin for a while? I wouldn't mind."

"That sounds… nice." Miranda agreed.

"Alright, now less talking, more fucking."

"Couldn't have said it better."