A/N: A big thank you to those that put this on their alerts and favorites.

Disclaimer: Mass Effect is the property of EA/Bioware and so on and so forth.

Chapter One: Four months, eleven hours Before the Fall of Earth

It was late.

Shepard lay in bed, exhausted but wide awake, running through the same useless relaxation techniques she always did. It was a routine she had started a long time ago and was probably stuck with it for the rest of her life. It didn't bother her so much, really. The sleeplessness was familiar; comfortable. Heavy like a well-worn sweater.

At around one in the morning, she gave up and climbed out of bed, not even having to look at her holographic alarm to know what time it was. Pulling on some loose pants, Shepard made her way to the little kitchen. The Alliance kept it fully stocked; Vega bringing by cheap packaged food and blunt plastic utensils every week. Most of the meals were complete shit, of course,- and the coffee even worse- but sometimes she found a few choice items slipped in as well. Cans of things that were actual food instead of just looking like it and- best of all- tiny packets of expensive, dark-roasted coffee. Why-or how- these things ended up in her groceries, Shepard couldn't be sure but she took it as proof that the situation wasn't as hopeless as she'd thought. She had some friends left, apparently, and if they were lucky, they'd manage to get the galaxy's shit together before it was too late.

She set some of the prized coffee to brew and braided her hair as she waited, her jaw cracking with a yawn. After a minute, the coffee machine beeped and she grabbed the mug, the drink already prepped with sugar and plenty of cream. Shepard walked over to the full-length windows that overlooked the city and settled herself on the floor in front of them. Taking a cautious sip of steaming coffee, she wearily leaned a shoulder against the glass and gazed out.

The windows were tinted at night but it didn't do much to filter out the sights and sounds of an ever restless Vancouver. The city was a storm of activity, the streets and airways bright with people and skycars. It had been a long time since Shepard had lived here and she'd certainly never lived here, where everything was shiny and well-kept, but it was recognizable enough that she thought more about those days than she had in years.

She didn't dwell on it much- it was all ancient history and much worse horrors had taken its place- but her thoughts would linger sometimes. She had been so different back then and yet, not at all. A lot of things had changed and the desperate kid with the cheap pistol and ugly gang tattoo probably the most. The junky gun replaced with gleaming new ones. The tattoo hidden beneath art that had been left patchy and faded after her death. The desperation turned into something hard and strong. But that kid was still there even if she didn't like to admit it.

Huffing out a dry laugh, Shepard realized she'd come full-circle. It had taken fourteen years, but here she was, back in the city where she'd been born, trying to keep herself out of prison. With nothing but crap food and her own wits to keep her afloat. Hell, after over a decade of shaving her head, it was like she'd grown her hair out again for just this occasion. I'd say I've got the 'murder' part down, too. It was a bitter, sobering thought and she supposed she was proof that the past never really died. At some point, somebody had to answer for it.

Shepard sighed and took another sip of coffee, craning her neck to look down at the glowing lines of traffic. The apartment they had given her was high up. How high, she couldn't be sure but she was a good distance above the skycar lanes. The view was a bit dizzying but Shepard enjoyed it. Staring down at the rush of life had become a way to try to distract herself during her two months of incarceration.

Two months. She shook her head in disbelief. Feels more like a fucking lifetime. Every day was a test of patience and each more frustrating than the last. She had to work hard to keep her temper cool, mostly by throwing herself into every type of physical training she could think of. It never helped much but Shepard did it anyway, if only to keep herself busy. To make herself feel something other than useless and afraid.

And that was it, wasn't it? The Reapers were on their way, Cerberus was doing who knew what, Thane was fucking dying...And there wasn't a damn thing she could do about any of it.

The longing hit her sudden and fast, like being stabbed in the heart. She missed him, so much that it hurt, and Shepard closed her eyes tight against the feeling. She wished that she could see him, speak to him, if only to know that he was still alive. But she couldn't. Chances were that if she ever saw Thane again, it would be at his funeral. For all she knew, he was already dead, his brilliant scales pale and gray, his scarlet throat bloodless, eyes wide and glassy- No. She shuddered and shoved the image away. He's still alive. I'll see him again. He's still alive.

She'd see him again. She had allowed herself to be arrested to prevent a war but Thane was dying. There would come a point when duty wouldn't be enough to keep her here and away from him when he needed her. Shepard opened her eyes, her face steely. The Alliance kept close tabs on her- having security cameras in the apartment, making Vega tail every step she took, blocking her communications- but none of that mattered. Shepard was a trained N7 and a Spectre. Nobody could force her to be somewhere she didn't want to be. When she decided to leave, there wasn't going to be a damn thing the Alliance could do to stop her.

Shepard startled awake, her heart beating wildly in her throat. The apartment was silent and still and she relaxed with a sigh. Her neck ached and she rubbed at it absentmindedly, realizing she'd fallen asleep leaning sideways against the window. She carefully stretched out all of the kinks and glanced outside. It was still dark.

There was a quiet, mechanical whir and Shepard snapped her head around. The lights were off but it was still bright enough for her to see the outline of a man and the muted glint of the pistol in his hands. She didn't have time to see anything else.

The pistol fired and at the same instant, she formed a barrier, barely blocking the shot aimed at her head. Her attacker kept firing and Shepard dove forward, hearing several rounds strike the glass behind her. Springing to her feet, she turned and with a sharp gesture, threw a warp. He dodged easily, the ball of biotic energy flying past him. It smashed into a lamp, tearing the flimsy metal apart.

The screech of splitting metal ringing in her ears, Shepard released a shockwave, throwing disorienting blue light across the room. He danced around her, raising his pistol to fire, but she kept up her attack, forcing him on the defensive. Another warp and it splashed into his chest. He stumbled but quickly steadied himself, laughing low and quiet. Twisting to avoid her next attack, he casually tossed his gun to the side. It slid across the floor and to the other side of the room, out of reach for both of them. With a flash of teeth, he lifted his hands into the air in surrender.

Against her better judgment, Shepard stopped and stared at him suspiciously, the acrid smell of her biotics stinging her nose. He didn't move and her eyes darted over him, watching for any hint of motion. His armor was dark, blending into the gloom, but she could tell it was top-of-the-line. The light from her barrier flickered, throwing the bright logo on his chest in stark relief. Cerberus. Shepard felt her lips curl and her eyes leaped back to his face. It was obscured by a close-fitting visor and the strange shadows cast by the limited light and she didn't recognize him.

"I'd hoped you would make this interesting, Shepard," he spoke suddenly, no longer laughing but his grin was still wide and sharp. "I don't believe I will be disappointed."

"If you have something to say, then say it," she said coldly, her whole body flaring with biotic energy. She wasn't going to be drawn into his game.

Calmly dropping his hands, the assassin gave up on the pretense of surrender. "The Illusive Man told me you were short-tempered. That I would be able to goad you into a mistake. But he was wrong, wasn't he Shepard." He shifted his stance, pulling out a pair of long knives. "Good."

"He's been wrong about a lot of things, lately." She smirked. "Now, who are you. Besides the Illusive Man's little lapdog."

"A messenger." He began to circle her and she moved with him, keeping him within her line of sight. "The Illusive Man hasn't forgotten about you. Or your betrayal."

"And the message?"

His grin shone. "Your death."

She bared her teeth right back. "If the Illusive Man wants me dead, he can come kill me himself."

Shepard didn't wait for a response. With a smooth thrust of her arm, she released her biotics, the energy flowing like a wave. The assassin leaped away and toward her, slashing at her throat. She blocked and aimed a strike at his unprotected face, her fist glowing blue. But he was fast and she hit empty air.

It was a furious dance; a blur of light and deadly metal. The knives gave him the advantage and Shepard was forced to be cautious, holding back her attacks to avoid their sharp edges. A blade flashed toward her. Breathing heavily, she spun away. Her blood was roaring in her ears, nerves tingling with power. Sweat was pouring down her face and into her eyes, making her blink.

It was enough. A fist crashed into her cheek, the knife cutting into her scalp and ear. The world disappeared in a haze of black. She reeled, her skull blazing with pain. Then the world came rushing back. Her vision was gray but she could see the glint of a knife striking down at her throat. Hurriedly, Shepard smacked it to the side. It dragged across her skin but missed its fatal target. Stepping toward him, she smashed an elbow into one side of his jaw and then the other.

The assassin's head snapped both directions in quick succession and he fell back, just able to stay on his feet. She let him, shaking her head to try and clear it. Her vision slid slightly before settling. The cuts on her head and the top of her shoulder were stinging and Shepard could feel blood trickling down her skin. The tip of her ear was weeping heavily, blood pooling inside of it. She ignored it. Her cybernetics worked fast and the wounds were already beginning to scab over. They were both panting hard, exhaustion starting to kick in, but it wasn't anywhere close to being over.

"If that's all you've got, assassin," Shepard said harshly, watching as he struggled to right himself. "you might as well give up now while you still have your life."

Snarling, he faced her, livid bruises starting to show on his jaw. He twirled his knives threateningly. "You're nothing, Shepard. Weak. The Great Commander Shepard dies tonight and I will be the one to kill her."

He stabbed at her stomach and she spun away. She punched, breaking his nose with a sharp crack. His head jerked and he struck out blindly, trying to keep her at bay. Grabbing his outstretched arm, she turned and threw him over her shoulder, tossing him at the window. He slammed into it with a grunt, cracking the already weakened glass.

Blood dripping from his nose, he snarled at her and tried to push himself to his feet. His armor protected him but only so much. With a swift motion, Shepard called on her biotics and lifted the nearby kitchen table, lobbing it at the assassin. It flew through the air like it had been launched from a canon and he barely managed to lurch away in time. It clipped his shoulder, sending him to the floor , and crashed into the window, shattering it.

The blast of cold, night air was a shock and she sucked in a breath, shuddering. He was climbing to his feet and she narrowed her eyes, gathering her biotics. A throw smashed into him, making him skid toward the edge. Another throw. The assassin's fingers scrabbled against the floor, looking for purchase.

Metal screeched and groaned behind her and she glanced behind her, feeling a flash of relief. Finally. The apartment door was being pried open and Shepard could see Alliance blue on the other side. Vega was shouting her name but she didn't bother to answer, turning back to her opponent. He was still half on the ground, one hand supporting him while the other was clenched into a fist.

"It's over, assassin," she said.

He straightened slowly, broken glass crunching beneath his feet, and smirked. "Not quite."

Opening his hand, he revealed the flashbang grenade nestled inside. Shit. He tossed it and Shepard immediately covered her eyes but it wasn't enough. The grenade went off at her feet, instantly dazing her. Her ears were left ringing and she removed her arm from her face, the world tilting and the edges of her vision a blaze of white.

The assassin had closed in, blades lunging for her and lips spread wide in a blood-stained grin. Stumbling, she deflected them but clumsily and she dropped her guard, allowing a crippling kick to her knee. She cried out and her leg bowed. He pounced, latching onto her and spinning her around. Shepard struggled but his armor absorbed her blows and he held tight. Wrapping an arm around her throat, he held his knife to a spot between her ribs. She stilled and he laughed quietly.

"Be good, Commander," he whispered with a sneer, eyes on the Alliance soldiers trying to force their way inside. He started to drag her, back toward the open expanse behind them.

"Fuck you," she snarled, fighting to throw him off of her. The knife point dug in threateningly but Shepard ignored it. She would end up with a lot worse than a punctured lung if she didn't.

His arm squeezed her throat, making her choke and tear uselessly at it. Black spots began to crowd her vision. "Do you feel it yet, Shepard? The fear, the panic." It surged through her, clawing at every nerve in her body. "The pounding of your heart as it struggles to beat." Every throb was like an explosion in her chest. "Remember this moment, Shepard. And know that it's because you were too weak to stop it."

The door opened with a loud bang and he loosened his hold just enough. She gasped in a breath and color returned to the world. The group of four Alliance soldiers poured into the apartment, weapons in hand. The marines fanned out around them with Lieutenant Vega directly in front, his pistol trained on the man behind her. The flashlights mounted on their guns were on, flooding the area with light.

"You're a little late for the party, Vega," Shepard wheezed, squinting against the sudden brightness. "Did you guys miss your invitation?"

Vega didn't take his eyes off his target. "Looks like we got here just in time, Commander. You alright?"

The wind picked up, bitter and cold, blowing strands of sweat-soaked hair into her face. She looked at the long fall waiting behind her and then quickly away. "I've been better!"

"We're going to get you out of this, Commander!" he shouted.

"No," the assassin breathed into her ear, close enough that she could feel the smile on his lips, "they won't."

Shepard's eyes widened, knowing exactly what he was going to do. Time slowed and she desperately jabbed an elbow into his solar plexus. He stepped back into open air, taking her with him.

They dropped fast. The assassin let go of her immediately and Shepard twisted, shoving him away. He laughed, the sound almost swallowed by the wind screaming in her ears, and she craned her neck to look at him. He wasn't facing her anymore, instead watching as a sleek skycar raced their way. It pulled up next to him, keeping pace as they sped toward to ground. The driver's door opened and he latched on, hauling himself inside. Shepard launched a warp, the angle awkward, and the door slammed shut. The warp smashed against the window, making the glass crumble. He glanced up at her, meeting her glare with a vicious flash of teeth.

Her blood simmered and Shepard turned away as the assassin drove off. He didn't matter anymore. Breathing heavily, she closed her eyes and tried to focus. Her heart was pounding with fear but she didn't have time to panic. She could survive this but she had to focus.

Her nerves tingled and the familiar smell of her biotics- like a freshly struck match- filled her nose. She flared with energy, a brilliant comet falling through the sky. Traffic lurched, a burst of chaos, as she dropped passed the first lane of skycars. Her stomach flipped. She kept her eyes closed, desperately trying to concentrate. The second lane went by. Shepard could feel herself begin to slow. The third.

She opened her eyes. The world was a blur, the wind drawing out tears. She was close to the ground now, but she was still going too fast. Twenty feet. She held her breath. Fifteen feet. Time went still. Her nerves were on fire but she didn't let up, blazing her biotics even brighter. Ten. She continued to reduce her speed. Not enough. Five. A flash of fathomless green eyes.

She hit the ground.

Her breath left her in a rush and her head cracked loudly against the pavement. Stars exploded above her. Gaping, she tried to gasp in air but she couldn't, her chest seizing painfully. The world around her was in chaos, traffic forced into a noisy standstill, and somewhere, she could hear sirens. It was getting dark. Her eyelids flickered.

"Commander!"

Something touched her and it was like being struck by lightning. Lungs heaving, she drew breath. Her vision swayed and brightened. Vega's massive form was leaning over her, his face pale and more serious than she'd ever seen. There were others too but she didn't recognize any of them. She dug her nails into the ground.

"Shit." He disappeared. Heart hammering against her ribs, she shuddered and every nerve in her body screamed. "Give the Commander some room!"

Vega swam back into view, his skin bright blue, and Shepard realized she had gathered her biotics around her. "Just relax, Commander. Don't go all crazy biotic on us, alright?"

"Vega, what-" she started, confused, the words coming out garbled. Her thoughts flittered away from her and she went quiet.

She was lying in something wet and warm, whatever it was soaking into her shirt and hair. Darkness was edging in on her and she blinked sluggishly. Exhaustion washed over her, pulling her under. Heavy fingers yanked her eyelids back open.

"Hey, come on, Commander, sleeping's a bad idea, right now."

That was important. She had to stay awake. She had to...She was drifting in warmth. There was something...She couldn't remember. She didn't want to remember. It was quiet here, comfortable. For an instant, she felt like she was flying. Then, nothing.