My first fanfic, reviews and comments appreciated. Thanks in advance.


Why is SHE, the savior of the known universe imprisoned? The thought continuously races through James Vega's mind as he stands guard inside of Commander Analise Shepard's quarters. She isn't allowed to go anywhere without him as an escort. She isn't trusted by The Counsel or The Alliance, except for Counselor Anderson after they discovered she worked with Cerberus and the Illusive Man.

Like every guard he was instructed to watch her every move, in case she attempted to contact with Cerberus. He could never figure out how she was supposed to achieve this since the only items in her quarters were a field issued cot and a house plant.

He watches Shepard pace back and forth, trying not to focus on her well-built body and shoulder length burgundy hair. Come on, Vega, she is out of your league! She saved the universe for Pete's sake! You couldn't even save colonists from the Collectors.

Analise Shepard was trying her best to ignore the piece of man flesh that watched her so intently. She couldn't help but notice how his tattoos accentuated his biceps. He was probably like the rest of the marines—all muscle and no brain. She noticed how intently he watched her, but something was different. He didn't seem to have the same aura of distrust as the other guards. Hard to believe, he hadn't be brainwashed like everyone else, who saw her as a traitor. Would he even talk to her; she didn't even think she remembered how to herself. No one had spoken to her in three months. The isolation was driving her crazy…What's the worst that could happen?

"So…Vega is it? How'd you get the exciting assignment of watching a traitor like me?" she asked.

Vega was shaken out of his self-defeating thoughts; he just looked at her dumbfounded—had THE Commander Shepard he'd seen on the vids actually spoken to him. He stared at her quizzically.

"Cat got your tongue?" she chuckled light-heartedly. He continued to look in awe.

"I get it, it's against your orders to talk to me," looking down at the battleship grey floor.

"Sorry ma'am, I'm just surprised you'd have anything to say to an Alliance soldier, after the treatment you've received. I don't believe the talk around the Citadel—you're a hero ma'am, not a traitor. A traitor wouldn't have returned to warn to help stop the Reapers a second time."

"Glad to see someone still has some faith in me. I know in my heart the sacrifices I have made for humanity and the galaxy are worth it. I don't know what else I can do to convince the Council and the Alliance whose side I'm on. Enough about me, you never answered my initial question."

"I was hand selected by Admiral Anderson, ma'am. I wasn't exactly representing the Alliance in a positive light when he found me." James hung his head in shame.

"What were you doing? Dancing on tables like an Asari dancing girl!" Shepard said jokingly.

"Not exactly, ma'am. I was taking some batarians to the cleaners while playing cards on Omega. When the vids lit up revealing your encounter with "The Project" in Batarian space, my card bodies got a little peeved because I disagreed with their governments thoughts about placing your head on a spike. I had to fight my way out of the bar, that's when I ran into Anderson. He informed me that I would be assigned as your personal guard shortly afterward."

"So, I'm being guarded by a bar brawling, card playing, tattooed, overly muscular destroyer of vid monitors?" Shepard chuckled as she looked at Vega with a crooked grin.

"Wow, Shepard…and here I thought we were making a connection. I guess I won't be taking you out for drinks after your exhortation this afternoon." Vega shot back placing his right hand over his heart and wiping a crocodile tear with his left.

Shepard tried to apologize, but was interrupted by Admiral Anderson's voice, "Lieutenant Vega, get Shepard ready, I'll be there in five".