Shepard staggered into her room; it had been a long day. Quickly ridding her body of armor she slipped into a new pair of panties and a camisole. She sighed heavily as she slid into a seat at her desk and began sifting through her messages. She passed by thank you after thank you until one of the subject lines caught her eye and she felt her veins fill with ice. About Horizon…

Kaidan, what a bastard. As she read his half assed apology she slowly felt her rage build.

The first shimmer of blue across her skin mixed with the sharp crack of an electrical burst should have warned her of the biotic instability but she was too far gone to realize it. By the time she had finished reading the message there was very little left of the commander, all that was left was pure unfiltered rage.

"Garrus" Samara startled the turian and the drell as she emerged from the shadows. Thane quickly scolded himself; he was becoming too comfortable aboard the ship.

"Samara, you look upset…"

The justicar closed her eyes and gave an intense sigh. "I fear the commander is lost." She stated. Thane's eyes widened.

"Lost? I'm not sure I understand…" He hadn't known the commander for very long but she had succeeded in getting closer to him than any other in ten years. His concern at what the justicar said only proved further which path their relationship was going and it unnerved the normally stoic assassin.

"I sense an intense biotic disturbance and it is coming from the commander's cabin. I have never felt such energy…I would hazard a guess that her biotic ability far out matches any Asari I have ever come across." The justicar slowly turned her powerful eyes on Garrus "You are one of the few she actually trusts who is strong enough to deal with the barrier she most likely has in place. I feel you should investigate before our leader does something regrettable."

Garrus locked eyes with the drell. "I'm not going in alone…"

Thane nodded and began striding towards the elevator. He had planned on going even if Garrus hadn't offered.

The sight that awaited them was incredible. Thane stared in awe at the raw power rippling off Shepard's body. She stood tall and defiant in the center of the room, shining like a beacon as dark energy radiated from her. Her eyes were closed and it seemed her body was locked in place, she was holding herself still with great strain. Garrus stepped forward hesitantly.

"Shepard…"

She opened her eyes and they glowed a pure white, shining like the sun. Thane was stunned into silence, Shepard looked like a goddess and he found himself held in place.

"Garrus" She smiled serenely, her voice echoed, warped by the mass effect fields she was generating.

"Shepard…what's happening?"

The woman laughed, the sound beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

"I lost control Garrus. I need you to help me, please…" Her voice sounded frail towards the end and Thane wondered just how much energy she was holding back.

"Anything Shepard"

She smiled again, "I want you to hit me…"

Garrus stepped back abruptly, "You know I can't do that Shepard."

A low growl escaped her lips and Thane barely managed to steady himself as a glass of water shattered near him.

"Did you see that Garrus?" The turian nodded. "Do you know how hard it is to hold back doing that to your head?" She swayed in weariness and gave him a look of immeasurable agony. "Stop me Garrus…knock me out so I don't hurt anyone." Tears of liquid light fell from her eyes "If I hurt someone because of this you know it would hurt me way more than any blow you could deliver."

Garrus nodded, turning towards Thane. The drell bowed his head in approval and the turian faced Shepard again.

"Forgive me commander." He said before delivering a crushing blow to her temple. Thane caught the commander's body before it hit the ground.

"I-I…need to go." Garrus stammered, staring at his hand as if it were a new life form. Thane didn't hear him leave.

He gently placed the tiny woman under the blankets, making sure she was efficiently covered. It wasn't until he had caught her that he saw how little she was wearing. Smiling slightly he remembered Irikah wearing similar garments often when she slept. The pale white lace seemed to melt into her equally pale skin and Thane once again marveled at her exotic beauty. Lifting her eyelid slightly he took comfort in the warm coffee color, glad to once again see her back to normal. He wondered what kind of explanation he should give to her once she came to. If she would remember the events leading up to her being knocked out. If she didn't he was going to have a hell of a time explaining how half of her face came to be the color purple and why he was in her quarters while she was in her underwear.

She whimpered slightly in her sleep and he watched as her mouth opened in a silent scream and her hands clawed the sheets. Not quite sure what to do Thane cast a worried glance around the room. Not wanting to leave her in such a state he turned back towards the bed. He couldn't take her misery anymore. Bending down towards her face he gently kissed her forehead, smiling when she instantly calmed. "Sleep sweet Siha…" He murmured against her skin before he pulled away. Finding a comfortable spot on her couch he removed his jacket and settled in to watch over her until she woke up.

. . .

Shepard sat up abruptly, then instantly regretted the action.

"FUCK!" She uttered fiercely, before repeating it when Thane leapt up from her couch. "What the hell are you doing in my room?" She remembered her choice of pajamas and instantly drew the blanket up to her chin. The drell blinked several times before shaking his head.

"I was trying to make sure you woke up…but it appears I fell asleep as well."

Shepard had to hide her smile as he examined the room sleepily. She wasn't sure she had ever seen the drell in this state and it was quite refreshing after his normally well put together persona. At least he got sleepy just like the rest of them.

"I apologize Shepard. You had a biotic episode and officer Vakarian was forced to subdue you." Shepard felt her bruised cheek, wincing as she applied pressure. "He is currently down in the main battery. He was very upset that he had to hit you."

Shepard nodded absently. Why did she freak out? What had she been doi-ohhhhh….Kaidan…shit.

"Sorry about that Thane…um…but where did you come into all this?"

The drell looked towards the floor, almost in an awkward gesture, "I…ah… was concerned that the blow had been too intense and stayed behind to make sure you came to."

Shepard looked at him closely, trying to read his expression. "You were worried about me?" She had never had someone openly worry about her. Lord knows Kaidan never did, or maybe he had but he still never told her about it. There had been a lot of things Kaidan had never done in their relationship and it embarrassed Shepard how she could have held so much stock in it. It was painfully obvious to her now that from the start her and Kaidan were a train wreck waiting to happen.

Thane finally locked eyes with her and the intensity in his gaze stirred something deep within her.

"Yes" He answered softly.

Thane however was completely different, making her feel things Kaidan never had. She had never understood the expression 'butterflies in your stomach' until she had met Thane. He had managed to break through most of her icy barriers and she found herself beginning to let him continue.

Forgetting about her lack of proper clothing Shepard stood and approached the assassin, his eyes widening a little at her appearance. She smiled and wrapped her arms around his waist as she buried her face in his leather jacket.

"Thank you."

He had stiffened momentarily in surprise, but soon relaxed in her embrace. Letting his arms encircle her. He rested his head atop hers, breathing in her scent.

"You are more than welcome."