A/N: Another short one (oh boo). Didn't really bother to edit this; see anything, don't fail to mention it. Have at it, kiddies :]

Freedom's Progress. One of humanity's efforts to colonize on different planets. Called a project to some, a home to others; where hope thrives for individuals seeking to start a new life. A place where colonists settle to escape the past, and set their sights on a brighter future.

Now all of that was a lie.

All of the inhabitants had suddenly vanished, men, women, children, everybody. Many colonies before had suffered the same fate, all human, and Miranda, even in her genetic perfection, couldn't figure out why. By the time Cerberus arrived, there was no trace of anything to help their search. Given the circumstances, they would have never found anything at Freedom's Progress either, if it hadn't been for Shepard.

Shepard's past relationship with the Quarian proved immensely useful, and he was able to obtain video footage of the colony through them.

Miranda sighed, as soon as they got a lead they were set two paces back. The video led to the Collectors; nobody knew anything about the Collectors, they came from beyond the un-ventured Omega-4 relay. The mission was proving to be exactly what they had predicted: impossible.

In spite of what they knew they were getting into, Shepard managed to grow on the crew of the Normandy. Even if he was the commanding officer, Shepard went the extra mile to get to know everybody. Everyone except Miranda, he only spoke to her on a professional level since their encounter at the Cerberus station. He obviously understood the notion Miranda gave off, and didn't pressure anything. Parts of Miranda regretted that; maybe she should just let Shepard be Shepard. Even if they all may die.

As ordered by the Illusive Man, the brunette began her report on Shepard; performance on the mission, what he had already accomplished, behavior and memories. Regardless of what the Illusive Man told her, Miranda left out her and Shepard's conversation, as it was irrelevant.

Miranda had finished her report and was about to send it off when she was interrupted by EDI.

"Miss Lawson, Commander Shepard is approximately 10 seconds from your office," EDI stated, her robotic voice integrated with emotion.

"Thank you, EDI," Miranda said, closing her report just as Shepard entered through the office doors. "What can I do for you, Commander?" She asked as he stopped in front of her desk.

Miranda could tell when Shepard was out of his comfort zone, he often rubbed his neck when he felt nervous. It was one of Shepard's habits that stood out the most, and he happened to be doing it now. "Is this a bad time?"

Miranda shook her head, "You've my full attention, Shepard,"

He shifted, "Can I ask a bold question?"

Miranda nodded, and he met her, gaze for gaze, "Why are you defensive when it comes to your family?"

Bold indeed. A bit too bold, "That is a matter I prefer to keep only to myself, Shepard," she quickly changed the conversation's direction, "If there's anything else..."

Shepard stayed silent for a moment, seemingly picking the right words, "I know you don't trust me, but it doesn't mean I won't listen when you need it. You're not alone, Miranda. You don't need to hold it in anymore," before letting her respond, Shepard turned and walked out the door.

The only thing Miranda could do was stare at the door he left from. She had been a solo operative; working with others never had been her thing. Throw Shepard in the mix, and now it was completely a conflicting situation for her. Miranda took a breath, getting back to work, but Shepard's words lingered. Maybe she should have given the man a chance.

Opening her report back up, Miranda fully intended on sending it away to the Illusive Man. Except Shepard was still in her mind, repeating those last words over and over.

Frustrated, she closed the document, "EDI, where is the Commander now?" she asked the onboard AI, getting up from her desk.

A voice emanated from the speakers, "The Commander is in his personal quarters, Miss Lawson, I will inform him of your impending arrival."

"No, don't tell the Commander I'm going there," she ordered, and made her way to the elevator. She past a few crewmembers on the way, who abruptly changed direction at the sight of her in the same hallway. It seemed as though she had a tyrannical reputation aboard the Normandy. Arriving in the elevator, anybody inside quickly exited as they saw Miranda enter, leaving her alone as she punched the controls for the top level of the Normandy.

Minutes later the elevator doors opened and the operative made her way to Shepard's quarters. Not surprisingly, his door was left unlocked; the man had no sense of personal security, that much was apparent. Miranda began to feel her resolve falter, but entered into the room before she could second guess herself.

Shepard looked up to her from his seat on the couch, and had apparently been in the middle of cleaning his armor. Pieces of it were strewn across the room, as if someone let a thermal grenade go off in the locker. Such tasks were unnecessary of a commanding officer, there was always a crew member who could have done it, but it was Shepard and his personality, Miranda surmised.

He looked a little surprised, "How did you even get in here?"

Miranda stood near 5 feet away from him, "You always leave your door unlocked," his surprise turned to confusion, and then was about to speak when Miranda cut him off, "Don't speak, Shepard, I just want you to listen. Will I at least get that?"

He nodded, his attention was on her. Miranda stood silent for a long moment. As little information as possible, Miranda, "I don't talk about my family because it's not worth my time. There were never good memories, my father had me genetically enhanced, only to be his dynasty. He built me, and I could have anything I wanted, from him, or doing it myself."

She could tell Shepard was still listening, so she took a mental breath and continued, "Except he was a tyrant, you can already guess how I felt about that. When I grew old enough to make my own decisions, I left that life and everything in it for a new one. One with Cerberus, they gave me that chance."

She backed closer to the door, "I don't talk about my past, Commander, because nobody cares about your past here. It's the mission ahead; what is done is done, and talking it over changes nothing," and with that, she turned to leave.

"Well I care, Miranda."

She stopped in the doorway, not even daring to look back. So much for not saying anything, Shepard.

His voiced filled the room, "Thanks for telling me."

Miranda then left before he could say anything else, entering the elevator with old memories flashing before her, ones buried long ago. She hadn't given a second thought to these in years, why was she now? Hitting the controls for CIC, the elevator closed, leaving Miranda to herself.

"Thanks for listening, Shepard."