a/n: Wow, so many hits, favs, and alerts already with only the first chapter. I am surprised and humbled. If you want to be Rae's friend, check out my profile. She now has a Facebook page. Even if the damn thing won't let me switch to timeline. Would have had this up last night, but internet shit the bed.

-brittsis

She had kept calm in front of him. It had been important to appear detached. His tantrum hadn't been the first nor would it be the last, but with each one they got worse. She could tell he was loosing control and she was afraid. It wasn't until she was away from him, hidden in her quarters, did she allow the façade to fall. Her first thoughts went to her daughter, as they always did. She left without any warning, year ago, when he had first approached her. His plans had at first shocked and disgusted her but her resolve quickly formed. He was an old friend and she had to try to steer him from his path. It hadn't worked, instead she had only pulled her in so deep she had no chance of getting out. She could only hope her daughter would understand.

It wasn't long until the voices started. They whispered into her mind, burying deep inside, testing her. She fought against them, throwing her shields up a layer at a time until the whispers stopped. She was slowly loosing the battle for her sanity though. It wouldn't be long until the shields stopped working and she lost the last shreds of herself.

"Matriarch?" One of her acolytes questioned softly as the doors to her quarters.

Benezia turned, her face dropping into the cold mask she perfected. "What is it?"

"He wishes to speak with you." The acolyte bowed low, her head nearly touching the floor. "He want's to bring Liara aboard."

Benezia nodded, "I'm on my way."

"This is an outrage!" Udina shouted from behind them, spittle flying from his mouth.

Rae had tuned him out, mostly, and watched the people move about below. It was her first time aboard the Citadel, her postings mostly being on Alliance vessels out in the traverse. The station was large, the largest she could ever imagine. Then the views. Rae could spend hours sitting on a bench and just watching life pass by.

The Council had dismissed the Ambassador, allowing him to turn his rage on someone else. "Captain Anderson I see you brought half you're crew. With you."

Rae turned around and frowned at the balding man. Something about him felt off, slimy, and she was instantly put on guard.

"Just the ground team from Eden Prime." Anderson replied, his hand waving toward the three of them. "In case you had any questions."

Udina frowned, not yet acknowledging her or her crew's presence. "I have the mission reports. I assume they're accurate."

"They are," Anderson nodded. "Sounds like you've convinced the council to give us an audience."

The man crossed his arms. "They were not happy about it. Saren's there top agent. They don't like him being accused of treason."

"It doesn't matter what they like." Rae spoke up, drawing the Ambassador's attention. "It's the truth. He's a threat to every human colony out there. He needs to be stopped. They have to listen to us."

"Settle down Commander." Udina growled. "You've already done enough to jeopardize your Spectre candidacy. The mission on Eden Prime was a chance to prove you could get the job done. Instead Nihlus ended up dead and the beacon was destroyed."

"That's Saren's fault, not hers!" Anderson jumped to her aid.

"Then we better hope the C-sec investigation turns up evidence to support our accusations." Udina turned to her, eyes narrowing. "Other wise the Council might use this to keep you out of the Spectres." He turned back to Anderson. "Come with me Captain, I want to go over a few things before the hearing."

Udina turned from them, heading for the door. He spoke over his shoulder, his voice dropping low in warning. "Shepard, you and the others can meet us at the Citadel Tower, top level. Don't get into any more trouble."

Rae watched the two leave, her fist clenching and unclenching. She had an almost uncontrollable urge to punch the Ambassador or shake the hell out of him, both of which wasn't good.

"And that's why I hate politicians." Ashley spoke besides her, causing Rae to chuckle.

"You and me both Chief." Rae grinned, turning to her team. "Why don't we get a bite to eat before heading we have to go to the hearing."

"The hearings already started come on." Anderson called out as she climbed the short flight of stairs. The walked up behind Udina as the council was talking about the attack. Rae frowned as the hearing went on, noticing that things weren't going in their favor. The Turian in question was projected above them, a smug look on his face. Rae knew immediately that the bastard believed he would get away with it. She was going to prove him wrong.

"And this must be your protégé Commander Shepard." Saren's gaze turned onto her. "The one that let the beacon get destroyed."

Rae grinned, believing he slipped up. "The mission on Eden Prime was top secret. The only way you could know about the beacon is if you were there."

"With Nihlus gone, his files passed onto me." The Turian seemed to grin, his fringe moving in mild amusement. "I read the Eden Prime report. I was unimpressed. But what can you expect from a human."

"Saren despises humanity." Rae stepped forward, latching onto the small thread left to her. "That's why he attacked Eden Prime."

"Your species need to learn it's place Shepard." Saren raised his chin, sneering down at them. "You're not ready to join the Council, let alone the Spectres."

"That's not his decision!" Udina jumped forward, eyes narrowed.

"Shepard's admission into the Spectres is not the purpose of this hearing." The Asari spoke up.

"This meeting has no purpose. The humans are wasting your time councilor and mine."

"Saren's hiding behind his position as a Spectre." Rae choose to ignore Saren, talking directly with the Councilors. "You need to open your eyes."

"What we need is evidence." The Salarian spoke up, shaking his head. "So far we've seen nothing."

"There's still one outstanding issue." Anderson spoke up and Rae almost groaned out loud. She hadn't agreed to using her "vision" as evidence. She knew it would be useless and only make her appear demented or weak. "Commander Shepard's vision, it may have been triggered by the beacon."

"Are we allowing dreams into evidence now? How can I defend my innocence against this kind of testimony." Saren complained, his body language displaying annoyance.

"I agree." The Turian Councilor spoke up. "Our judgment must be based on facts and evidence not wild imaginings and reckless speculation."

"Do you have anything else to add Commander Shepard?"

Rae sighed, shaking her head. "You've already made your decision. I won't waste my breath."

Rae refused to deal with anyone that made profit in other people's suffering and secrets, so the Shadow Broker and his agents were out of the question. Instead she headed for Chora's Den in search of the little sleaze named Harkin. Anderson had warned her but nothing prepared her for the drunken stench of a man she found.

"Hey there sweet heart. Wanna have some fun." Harkin managed to slur out, patting his lap. "I've gotta say that soldier get up looks real good on that body of yours. Why don't you sit your sweat little ass down right here with little old Harkin. Have a drink, we'll see where this goes."

Rae growled low, "In case you didn't notice the weapons I suggest you watch your tone with me. I just want some answers."

"Sure you do sweet heart. Now have a seat." He winked at her, taking a sip from his cup.

Rae pulled out her shot gun, leveling it with his groin. "This is my second warning jackass. The third won't be so polite. Where can I find Garrus?"

Harkin sat up straighter, face paling. "Okay okay, just relax. I didn't know you swung that way."

Rae moved without warning, the butt of her gun swung around and collided with his balls. Harkin groaned loudly, dropped to the ground, and cradled his family jewels. The bouncers hadn't noticed and the music covered his cry of pain. Moving in close, she pulled his head back by what little hair he had. "Now that we have an understanding you'll give me my answers. Where can I find Garrus?"

"Goddamnit!" Harkin weazed out. "He went to speak with Doctor Michelle in the med clinic on the other side of the wards."

"I appreciate your cooperation." Rae let his head go, giving it a small push so his forehead collided with the ground. "Next time, just answer someone's question.

"That was a little harsh wasn't it Commander?" Ashley asked as Rae stepped over Harkin's body and walked away.

Rae shook her head. "He was a slime ball that needed put in his place. Let's go to the med clinic."

The doors opened up and Rae reacted quickly. Her shotgun was in her hand as she moved into cover. Once the civilian was clear, she launched herself over the barrier and started firing. Two shot gun shells burried deep in the chest, killing the first two. Rae spotted the fire extinguisher and warped it, causing the other two that were hiding to yell out in pain. She rushed forward and shot them before they regained their eye sight. Once the fight was over, Rae turned and advanced on the Turian.

"Perfect timing Shepard." Garrus gave her the Turian equivalent of a grin. "You gave me a clear shot of that bastard."

"What in the hell were you thinking?" Rae yelled, stabbing his chest with her finger. "That was a stupid and reckless shot, you could have hit the civilian!"

Garrus's face fell, "I… I didn't think. I just reacted." He turned to the doctor, worry on his face. "Doctor Michelle, are you hurt?"

The woman shook her head, "No I'm okay. A little shook up, but okay. Thanks to you. All of you."

Rae nodded, "Why were they threatening you? Who do they work for?"

"They work for Fist." The Doctor answered. "They wanted to shut me up. Keep me from telling Garrus about the Quarian."

"Does this have anything to do about the investigation into Saren?" Rae asked Garrus.

"I think it might." Garrus answered then turned to the doctor. "Tell us what happened."

Michelle took a deep breath and nodded. "A few days ago a Quarian came by my office. She'd been shot but she wouldn't tell me who did it. I could tell she was scared, probably on the run. She asked me about the Shadow Broker. She wanted to trade information in exchange for a place to hide."

"Where is she now?"

"I put her in contact with Fist. He's an agent for the Shadow Broker."

Garrus shook his head. "Not anymore. Now he works for Saren and the Shadow Broker isn't too happy about it."

"Fist betrayed the Shadow Broker?" Michelle shook her head sadly. "That's stupid even for him."

"That Quarian must have something Saren wants. Something worth crossing the Shadow Broker to get."

Rae grinned. "Evidence that could prove his guilt. We're going to pay Fist a visit. Move out."

"Commander wait!" Garrus hurried to her side. "I want to bring Saren down as much as you do. I'm coming with you."

"Why do you want to bring him down." Rae waved Kaidan and Ashley ahead, turning to Garrus and crossing her arms.

"I couldn't find the proof in my investigation but I knew what was really doing on." Garrus spoke quickly. "Saren is a traitor to the council and a disgrace to my people."

"Just what I wanted to hear." Rae grinned the patted Garrus on the back. "Saddle up."

"I want you to try." The Krogan smirked before turning to leave, ignoring the warnings from C-Sec. Rae couldn't help but grin at the idea of the twenty or so cops it would take to take down the giant beast. When he turned to leave, she stepped in front of him. "Do I know you human?"

Rae shook her head. "No, but you will. Normally I don't agree to work with bounty hunters or Shadow Broker hirelings but I will make an exception this once."

Wrex raised a ridged brow. "And who are you?"

"Commander Shepard." Rae held out a hand. "We're going after Fist. Want to tag along?"

The Krogan considered it, studying her. There was a split moment that Rae believed he was going to say no but then he grinned widely and took her hand. "My people have a saying. Seek the enemy of your enemy and you will find a friend."

Rae grinned. "I think we'll get along just fine Wrex."

"Above on the stage!" Rae called out as she shot another one of Fist's lackeys. The bar had been filled with them when they arrived, using the bottle neck of an entrance against them. What they didn't expect was a Krogan to charge right through and Raegan to run right into the fray.

"Scoped and dropped Commander." Garrus answered back before switching back to his assault rifle.

"Move forward." She ordered, her hand lashing out and catching someone in a mass effect field. The guy floated for a few seconds before he was thrown across the room, slamming hard against the wall. Rae looked over her shoulder to find Kaidan glowing blue with biotics.

It didn't take them long to clear the room and move onto the next. Two men stood there, pistols raised and arms shaking. It was obvious that they weren't soldiers and didn't have the nerve to shoot her. Putting her hands up, she smiled at the two of them. "Is Fist really worth your lives? I suggest you run."

The two guys looked at each other before dropping their weapons and running for the door. Wrex chuckled beside her. "I think I smell the distinct scent of piss."

Rae grinned at him. "I don't think it counts if they were already scared out of their wits."

"Oh but I'm sure you could scare a hardened warrior if you choose to." Wrex countered.

Rae shrugged, "Never gave it any thought before. Alenko, get this door open!" Rae turned to the man in question, pointing to the lock that glowed red.

"Yes ma'am." Kaidan dropped in front of the door and began to work on the lock. It was a few minutes before the lock turned green and the doors opened up.

Rae switched to her assault rifle and entered the room slowly. "Fist, it would be wise to give up!"

"Fuck you!" The man inside replied and pressed a button in his hand. Two turrets rose in the corners and opened fire on the team while the man in question ducked behind the desk.

Rae cursed and took cover behind the sofa. "Garrus, Williams, take the left turret. Alenko, right one. Wrex, get fist but keep him alive. I have questions."

The Krogan grumbled before launching from cover. The turrets centered on him for a brief moment before the rest of them opened up. The machines sparked as Garrus and Kaidan over loaded their shields. Her and Ashley opened up on the unprotected machines until they shut down. By then Wrex had Fist weeping on the ground, curled into the fetal position.

Rae hurried to him, kneeling down so she could look him in the eye. "Tell me where the Quarian is and I won't have to shoot you in the knee caps." She pulled out her pistol, showing it to him.

Fist whimpered, "She's not here, I don't know where she is, that's the truth."

"He's no use to us, let me shoot him and collect my bounty." Wrex replied behind her.

Rae ignored him and placed the pistol against Fist's knee. "My finger is getting awfully twitchy."

"Stop please." Fist cried. "I don't know where she is but I'll know where she'll be. She said she'd only deal with the Shadow Broker himself."

"Face to face? Impossible. Even I was hired through an agent." Wrex replied with a shake of his head.

"Nobody meets the Shadow Broker ever. Even I haven't met the guy. But she doesn't know that." Fist spoke quickly. "I told her I'd set a meeting up but when she shows up, it'll be Saren's men waiting for her."

"Where is the meeting?" Rae growled, pressing her gun more firmly into his knee.

"Near the wards, back alley near the markets. If you hurry you can save her."

Rae nodded, standing up. "Just one little detail left." She stepped back, waving to the Krogan. "Wrex."

Wrex grinned and shot the man with his shot gun. Fist dropped dead and Ashley protested. Rae just shook her head. "He was a bastard that deserved to die. Besides do you want to step in front of a Krogan and his prey?"

Ashley shook her head, "No Ma'am."

"Good." Rae sighed. "Williams, Alenko you two search the office. Find anything you can about Fist, the Shadow Broker, and Saren. Wrex, Garrus you're with me."