Stepping out of the elevator, Shepard entered her quarters. Sighing heavily, she wearily rubbed her neck as she looked around her cabin. The blue glow of the fish tank set a melancholy mood to the room. Examining her furniture and books, Shepard thought the room was mirroring how she felt, cold, empty and alone. The sterile gray walls pressed in on her bringing the sensation of isolation. She was emotionally exhausted. The day had been an emotional rollercoaster. Anger, fear, sadness, she felt them all in the span of a few hours. She still felt anger at Kolyat for the way he treated Thane but then she felt guilt for hitting him. I should apologize to Thane.

Shepard remembered how Thane looked as he told Kolyat about Irikah's death. She didn't know what happened but she had guess it was terrible. They killed her because of Thane. Thinking back over the last few years and the number of enemies she had accumulated made her wonder. Would any man in my life be safe? Would Thane? Suddenly fear began to engulf her. Am I putting him in jeopardy? The thought of losing Thane to his illness was horrifying, the thought of causing his death was terrifying. The realization that if someone killed Thane to get to her, they way they killed Irikah to get to Thane, she would hunt and kill them. She would exact vengeance, not only on them but also on anyone connected to them. She wouldn't stop until she eradicated them and all their friends and family. The thought of loosing herself to insane fury, terrified her.

With trembling hands, Shepard began taking off her armor. Walking past her desk, she glanced at Kaidan's picture. She couldn't remember the last time she looked at it. Walking toward the picture, she would see a layer of dust on the frame. Wiping the dust off the frame, she remembered when she first arrived on the SR2. She had spent many nights gazing at his face wishing he was with her. In those first few weeks, his picture seemed so life like, so real. Now it was flat and emotionless. She remembered a time when all she had to do was look at him to feel excited. Now, there was nothing.

Grabbing the picture, she traced Kaidan's face with her finger. He was still the same. The cleft of on his chin, the brown eyes, the scar on his bottom lip they were all how she remembered. She tried to recall the feel of his skin against hers and the sound of his voice saying her name but they eluded her. Sifting through her memories, she tried to recall how she felt when Kaidan first touched her but the feeling had faded. The memory had a dream like quality, like it was worn thin from too much handling. Time, and possibly Cerberus, had changed her.

Placing his picture on the desk, Shepard walked to her closet. Showering and changing did little to settle her uneasiness. Quietly she paced the length of her cabin thinking of Thane. What am I doing? Desperately she thought of something she could do. Trying to distract herself, Shepard grabbed a data pad and began reviewing reports. Forcing herself to concentrate, she began to read. Unable to read one, she flips to another, then another. Finally, after reading the same paragraph three times without knowing what she just read, she dropped the data pad on her desk. Pushing herself away from her desk she realized what she had to do. The need to see Thane flared brilliantly in her. Just the thought of him left a dull ache in her chest.

Shepard hurried out of her quarters to the elevator. The slow descent of the elevator increased she impatience. Pushing her way out of the elevator, she stood in front of the life support doors. She had no idea what she was going to tell him. She only knew she needed to see him. Breathed deeply, she activated the door. A soft waft of bergamot scented air drifted over her. Stepping into the room, she could see him sitting at the table, his back faced her. The sight of him calmed her.

Turning his head slightly, he glanced at her.

"Do you need something?" The sound of his voice sent a thrill of excitement down her spine. Staring at his shoulders, she slowly approached him.

"Have a few minutes to talk?" He motioned for her to join him.

"Very well, I am, I had been recording a message for Kolyat." Taking the seat across from him, Shepard looked at him. The moment his eyes met hers, she felt as if she had come home.

Thane told her about how he met his wife, Irikah. Shepard learned that batarian slavers had killed her in order to get to him. The story of how he lost his wife surprised her. She now realized why he hid himself away for ten years. Listening to his story, Shepard felt as if she was only now learning who Thane truly was. The beauty of his words captivated Shepard.

"Maybe I haven't been upfront as I should be. I'm here for you, Thane. Whatever you need." Leaning toward her, his eyes filled her vision.

"You, you are very kind. Thank you for listening, Siha." Confused, Shepard frowned at him.

"I think my translator just glitched. What did you call me?" A wry smile played at his lips as he stared at her.

"Siha. Someday I'll tell you what it means."

The reverberation of his voice was like a physical caress. Shiver's traveled down Shepard's spine. Standing, she wondered what to do. Silently she studied him. Seeing her watching him, Thane gazed into her eyes. Falling into the endless depths of his somber eyes, Shepard felt her soul begin to sing. In the span of a heartbeat, she knew she was in danger of of falling in love with him. Despite her mission, despite his illness, despite the threat of the Reapers, she was falling in love. As the realization of her love for him filled her, Shepard began to plan. They had to survive the mission. She had to do everything in her ability to keep them alive.

Turning to leave, she saw him hesitantly reach for her. Placing her hand in his, Shepard moved to stand next to him. Pulling her closer, Thane wrapped his arms around her waist as he buried his face into her stomach. The feel of him against her made her sigh. Looking down at him, she lovingly stroked his neck and shoulders as she pressed him closer. With a hushed sigh, she could feel him relax against her. Tightening his hold, he caused his arms to move across her sides tickling her.

Biting her lip, Shepard tried not to laugh. The movement of her stomach muscles caused Thane to look up in surprise. Sitting back, he accidentally brushed his fingers along her waist where she was more ticklish. Unable to suppress her laughter, Shepard giggled. Glancing quickly at her waist then back to her face, he frowned. Hold his hands on her hips, he intentionally grabbed her waist, right where she was the most ticklish. Shepard squealed in response as she tried to push his hands away. Holding her waist firmly, Thane chuckled.

"Siha, what is happening?" Shepard smiled widely as she tried to wiggle away from him.

"It's nothing. Just a human thing." Unsatisfied with her explanation, he drummed his fingers against her waist making her squirm.

"No! Don't." She tried desperately to hide her laughter. The sound of her excited squeal excited Thane. Again he tapped his fingers against her waist.

"Please, no!" Shepard softly pushed his shoulders. Squeezing her waist, Thane sighed as he gazed up at her.

"Very well." Slowly he lowered his hands to her hips. As she began to relax, he quickly moved his hands back to her waist and wiggled his fingers against her skin. Shepard screamed before doubling over giggling.

"Please, stop! No! No more!" Thane laughed. His laughter was full and deep sending a jolt of desire through her. His touch made her knees weak. Unable to stand, she leaned against him. Grabbing her by her hips, he pulled her onto his lap. Gazing into his eyes, Shepard cupped his face.

"I beg you, please?" Thane smiled as his eyes darkened.

"Siha." He whispered as he kissed her.