"Can I get you another, hun?"

Shepard looked up from his notes, meeting the awaiting eyes of the Human bartender that stood expectantly by his table. She flashed him a warm smile. What was her name again? Ayita. Nope. Anita. Closer? Wait Avrita! Odd name.

He offered a smile in return. "No thank you, Avrita." He motioned to his half full glass. "I don't think I'll finish this one any time soon."

Avrita's eyes lit up, approving that the man remembered her name. Shepard had been a frequent visitor to Flux in recent weeks, always taking the same table if available. Despite the loud pulsing rhythms, he didn't partake in anything on the dance floor, instead simply keeping to himself with his work. She thought he was an absolute stud, that's for sure. Avrita could hardly keep her eyes off him whenever he was there. She did wonder why he chose to work at Flux though. There were definitely quieter places on the Citadel.

"Okay darling, but you know where I am if you need anything." Shepard's smile grew at the sultriness behind her words, the movement of her hips demanding his attention as she walked away. Concentrate John. There'll be time for that later.

To many, choosing to pile over endless supplies of information in a nightclub such as Flux might have been a strange location to do so. But Shepard enjoyed the feel of people around him. His concentration levels were excellent and he definitely wasn't slacking when it came to his reading. He couldn't quit pin down exactly why he was here, but it didn't matter to him as long as he got things done.

He flashed a glance to the dance floor, watching as the many different species immersed into one. There were Turians, Asari and Humans all sharing the space as one, each with their own unique style and grace. Except for one Turian. The male seemed tentative as his Asari partner tried her best to get him to loosen up slightly. Shepard chuckled slightly at his awkwardness as he shook his head and stretched out his arms in front of him to try and loosen up.

His eyes were drawn to her as soon as he saw her walk into the club. How could he not? The woman was absolutely breathtaking. She was unlike anyone he had ever seen before, inside Flux or just in general. Shepard's gaze followed her as she made her way to the bar, the little black number that she had somehow slipped on fit perfectly in all of the right places. He attempted to pull away his gaze but couldn't, which quickly became an issue when the woman turned to look around the club and immediately locked eyes with the man.

Look away you fool! An over exaggerated cough and Shepard's head was down, the datapad back in his hand. Smooth, very smooth. At least she didn't-

"Hasn't anyone ever told you it's rude to stare?"

The voice didn't belong to Avrita's. It especially didn't belong to the Turian with a stick up his ass. Shepard looked up, finding the very same woman now looking down at him with a slightly raised eyebrow and a hand on her hip. Thankfully for him, there was a small grin tugging at the corner of her lips that told him she didn't mind the look.

"Once or twice, yeah," said Shepard awkwardly as he rubbed the back of his neck. That accent is intoxicating.

The woman's eyebrows raised further. "So you make a habit of this?"

Shepard quickly tried to amend his mistake. "Oh, no! I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare it's just you-"

A further smile as she pounced onto his trailing words. "I.. what?"

"You look absolutely breathtaking." It was a frank and forward statement from Shepard, something which was slightly unusual for the man. He generally didn't attempt to pick up women in bars, not for many years anyway. And even then, his game usually relied on confidence, rather than honesty.

"That's very sweet, thank you. You've started my night off right." Turning to leave, Shepard immediately stood. He was taller than the woman, even with her extravagant high heels.

"Wait!" said Shepard as the woman paused to listen. "Would you like to join me? I mean, unless you're meeting someone else?"

"That depends. Are you going to keep staring?"

Shepard shrugged playfully. "Possibly?" He laughed at the ridiculousness of how he was acting. "Please, join me." He motioned to the empty seat.

The woman looked at the vacant chair before looking back at the man. "Are you sure I'm not interrupting something?" She pointed to the datapads.

Shepard shook his head, making sure to turn them off. "Nothing important."

Another vibrant smile. "Well okay then, why not?"

Shepard returned the smile. "Now we've gotten that out of the way I'm John, it's a pleasure to meet you..." He held out his hand, which was shaken by the woman with a small laugh.

"Miranda."

Shepard held out her chair as she took a seat. "A gentleman too, eh?"

Shepard sat back down in her chair, opposite the woman. "Just trying to get that whole staring business out of the way."

"And yet you brought it up again."

"Last time, I promise. Can I get you a drink?"

Avrita returned to his table but she didn't have the same kindness as before. She was curt, professional, but also shot daggers towards Shepard's new companion. In the end they talked for over two hours. It wasn't easy at first with the man being quite private about his back story and what he did. Miranda was more open, explaining her work in science which contained many complicated explanations that went completely over the soldiers head.

"I've lost you haven't I?" said Miranda with a grin.

"No! I'm just.. you know, taking everything in. This is my thinking face!" They both laughed as the night progressed, Shepard beginning to open up more to the woman. She was surprisingly easy to talk to, the intimidation that Shepard felt when he first saw her almost vanishing by the time that they parted ways.

"Can I see you again sometime?" asked Shepard, almost nervously. He didn't want this to be a one time thing.

Miranda's smile was infectious. "I'd like that." She transferred her contact information to his omni-tool. "Give me a call sometime."

Shepard nodded. "I will do."

Their lips met naturally. It was soft, gentle and full of promise. As their said their goodbyes, Shepard returned to his hotel with a swagger in his step. Miranda meanwhile connected her call, reporting in to the Illusive Man regarding her first contact with the target.

Miranda groaned as she felt his warmth slip away from the bed. Her voice was surprisingly groggy. "Where are you going?" she said without opening her eyes.

A kiss on the forehead greeted her initially as a reply. "I'll be back."

It had been three weeks since that first night in Flux. Everything was proceeding as planned. Shepard was not only distracted from the operation he was undertaking looking into Cerberus, but he was also quickly growing fond of the woman he had just left in bed. Miranda rubbed her eyes and sighed. She was exhausted, it had been quite a night. Despite her usual insistence to get out of bed, she instead chose to once again close her eyes and rest for a further couple of minutes.

She woke once more to an incredible smell that filled her nostrils.

"You made me breakfast?" Miranda's voice was filled with genuine surprise.

Shepard smiled. "I might not be much of a cook, but this I can do."

Nobody had ever made Miranda breakfast in bed before. None of her marks even attempted to. It was always sex. It was never anything more.

"You shouldn't have John."

"Nonsense! You deserve it." He stole a piece of toast with a smile as she sat up to receive the tray. "Do you mind if I use your shower? I've got that meeting in an hour."

Miranda nodded as she partook in the breakfast. "I'd offer to join you but.." she grinned as she drank from a glass of water.

Shepard chuckled. "I really shot myself in the foot here."

As she finished off the breakfast, she bit her lip as she shot a glance towards the bathroom. Her latest report had been typed up before his arrival last night and still hadn't been sent to the Illusive Man.

He's so genuine. I..

Miranda shook her head. Remember the end game. This is a mission, no different to the others. She looked down at the plate and tried to reassure herself.

No different to the others.

She clicked send on the report.

I, Miranda Lawson, here by request a transfer from operation 43577.

I believe this is for the good of the operation. My position has been compromised. I believe that I am no longer the most suitable asset to be in the field with the target.

I await further instruction.

Miranda stared at the message. She had been staring at the message for twenty minutes.

Six weeks in and everything was falling to pieces. The mission had undoubtedly been a massive success up to this point. Miranda was in deep with Shepard.

The problem was just how far. Because despite all her caution, all her care, all the experience she had in these situations this was like nothing she had ever encountered before.

Miranda Lawson had true feelings for John Shepard.

It should have been impossible. It definitely shouldn't have happened. She had fallen at a major hurdle for the first time in a very long time.

But Miranda couldn't escape the genuine warmth and emotions she had for him. He was unlike no other man she had been with. The physical side was only a part of it. He was smart, kind, funny, and caring. It was everything she never had, everything she never thought she needed. Not until she met him.

Miranda shook her head. How did I get here? He's an Alliance solider!

She stared at the message for another ten minutes before deleting the draft.

It's for the greater good. It's for Cerberus. It's for Humanity.

She believed it all. But it didn't help cover up another true purpose.

It's for me.