Watchdog 4

Miranda sat at her desk, staring at the blank screen. In theory, she was writing a report to the illusive man, but all that greeted her eyes was eth sight of a fresh, blank page. The only thing running through her head was Garrus' comment: Has it occurred to you that you just might be the control chip?

She heard the door open, and didn't have to look up to know exactly who it was. He had a presence which made everything else in the room, even the screen in front of her, background. After a few moments, she allowed her eyes to leave her monitor and travel up his well-muscled body until they reached his own. A troubled expression was on his face, but in his eyes, she still recognized trust and affection.

Miranda smiled sadly, "I'm amazed you're standing here, considering all that Garrus said."

"Is any of it true?" he asked, taking a seat. He rested his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped in the same stance he'd used the first time he'd stepped into her office, demanding answers about Cerberus. She tried to remember how things had gotten from there to here, but could not concentrate under the heat of his gaze.

Miranda clicked her tongue irritably and looked down at her keyboard, keeping her emotions buried, "What kind of stupid question is that, John? Whether I'm here to corrupt you or not, you'll only get one answer."

"But you're not." He said. It was a statement of fact.

"How can you be so sure?" she demanded.

"Because I trust you."

Miranda stared at him, her lips parted, eyes wide with shock. She groped for an answer and couldn't find one. She kept staring into his eyes, trying to find the trick, looking for any sign that he was joking, or drunk, possibly. The thought that he was actually genuine was horrifying to her. She collected herself and said, "I truly do care about you, Shepard. But that could easily be part of the Illusive Man's plans. You and I together could be one of hundreds of possible contingencies he's planned for."

"If that's the case, then it's his problem. As long as you're genuine, I don't care what he has planned."

She stared at him. God…am I really that good? She thought to herself, feeling sick. Garrus' position suddenly made sense. John Shepard was not acting as John Shepard. Not completely, anyway. He wanted her favor, and his morals had been compromised in order to attain it. Not by much, but the damage was evident.

"It's our problem, John." Miranda said, flustered, "Firstly, because If he's expecting it, then he has a way to use it against us. Secondly, because I still believe in what Cerberus stands for, and I'll still be pushing his agenda, whether I mean to or not!" She sighed, "I was given orders to bring you back exactly as you were, the same man, the same morals… and I've corrupted my own successful experiment."

"You still view me as an experiment?" Shepard asked. Miranda detected hints of amusement in his voice.

"No!" she ran her hands through her hair and let them smack down on her desk, "that's why it's all gone wrong. I should've kept you at arm's length. It would have been safer for both of us."

"Whatever the illusive man is planning, we'll deal with it when it comes." He said.

"What if it's come and gone?" she demanded angrily, finally losing her cool.

"Then the price of having you was worth it, Miranda. I haven't done anything I regret yet."

"What about joining Cerberus?" she asked, "Working with us at all? Especially considering the incident on Akuze…"

"I agreed to do that long before I fell for you." He smirked, "At that point I thought you were a complete bitch, to be honest."

Miranda felt somewhat reassured by his comment, but she was still worried.

"I'm not an idiot, Miri. I know what I've gotten myself into." He assured her. But when he left, she felt worse, and more confused, than before.

Miranda stood in the center of the holographic interface, watching the light of the scanners slowly crawl up her curvaceous body. She didn't like doing this, but she was beginning to question things which she wasn't before. Things were muddled, and she needed to clear the air a little.

The light engulfed her and she found herself standing in the center of a small lit circular platform. Before her was a long dark floor with faint gridlines. A figure was sitting amidst a sea of floating holographic displays. Behind him was a large orb, constantly changing shape and color, it was hypnotic.

"This is unscheduled, Operative Lawson." The figure said, smoke curling from his lit cigarette.

"I'm aware of that, sir." She replied, standing at ease, "There's been a…behavioral issue."

The Illusive Man's eyes glinted, "Indeed?"

"It's… Project Lazarus, sir." Miranda said, "I believe he's become too close. Emotionally, I mean."

The smoke curled upwards, "Indeed?"

"I respectfully request a transfer."

The figure's eerie blue eyes focused on her, "The Lazarus Project emotionally invested in you?"

"I believe so." Miranda said.

"Request denied." The Illusive man said flatly, "We want him as comfortable as possible, especially considering the emotional instability which may have been induced by his argument with chief Williams. Humor him. At least until his mission is brought to a successful conclusion."

Miranda saluted respectfully, "Sir, can I ask a question?"

"Certainly."

"Did you…" she hesitated, "did you plan for this, sir?"

The blue eyes looked her up and down, giving her a piercing stare, "Is something on your mind, Lawson?"

"I just want to be sure I am still working in Cerebus' best interests, sir." She replied woodenly, aware the response itself did not make a whole lot of sense.

"Yes," The Illusive Man reached over and tapped his cigarette, knocking a small amount of ash from the end, "Shall we talk about Cerberus interests, Miranda? It's been such a long time since we last talked…"