While Anderson enters the door code at Shepards Apartment in the Detention Center, James thinks about everything the Admiral told him. They took Shepard's ship, stripped her off her rank and put her under arrest without contact to anyone.

And he's angry. After all Shepard has done for them, for the whole galaxy, these pendejos just threw her away. That woman risked her life more than one time, saved countless lifes, dios, she even came back from the dead to fight the Collectors and that's how they thank her.

Then the doors open and he straightens up, prepares to meet his hero and enters the apartment right behind Anderson.

And there she is. Standing at the window and looking outside. When she turns around, sees Anderson and smiles he can't help but to admire her. She looks just like in the vids.

But suddenly the smile vanishes as she lays eyes on him and she sends a demanding look to Anderson.

"Shepard, this is Lieutenant James Vega. He will be your bodyguard."

She frowns.

Anderson puts a hand on her shoulder. "Listen Shepard. You might not like this, but…"

Shepard pulls away from him and sends a menacing glare in James direction. "First this joke of a trial, then I get locked in here and I'm not even allowed to let my friends know I'm okay and now a babysitter? You've GOT to be kidding me!"

Anderson sighs and turns back to him. "Well, now that you've been introduced to each other, I think it would be better if you leave for now and let me talk to her, Lieutenant."

James salutes and exits the small apartment. He has been assigned the one right next to Shepard's and he decides to unpack his stuff, even if it isn't much.

Two hours later he is standing in front of her door again. A few minutes ago he receives a short message from her on his Omnitool, asking him to come over. James enters the key code but then knocks. He doesn't have to wait long until he hears her saying "Come in."

Shepard is sitting on her desk, turning to him, but looking at the wall somewhere behind his shoulder. "Look, Lieutenant. I just wanted to say… I'm sorry for earlier. I was angry and I shouldn't have…"

He interrupts her. "No need to apologize, Commander."

She scowls and tries to figure out if he's mocking her. Her answer is in a slightly aggressive tone. "You're not supposed to call me that anymore."

James smiles. "Yeah, but I don't care. I think that's bullshit. I think you deserve respect. And if nobody else gives it to you, then they're pendejos." At her questioning look he adds. "Idiots." You should stop babbling, man.

She smiles back, just a small, very small smile, but still. "I'd still prefer if you called me Shepard, Lieutenant. Commander just reminds me of everything I lost, my ship, my crew, my… friends…" She clenches her teeth.

He crosses his arms and smiles again. "Well, I think I could do that. If you stop to call me Lieutenant. I'm James."

Shepard motions towards the other chair in the apartment, not far away from hers and he sits down. She smirks. "So, James. What did you do to deserve being my guard dog?"

Just a word from me
I know the chapters aren't very long this far, but I'm trying to change that, even if it can take a few chapters :) I'd love some reviews, cause I'm still fairly new to fanfiction.