Yep, another one already. Guess I was inspired…

Despite the revamped Normandy no longer having a research lab, I kept it… because I liked it and because Mordin needs somewhere to work his geniusness privately.

Saren was on edge ever since they acquired the neuro-core from Sur'kesh. Why hadn't he known about its development? If it could, indeed, control the Reapers this war could quickly come to a close. And if only he had known about it sooner, perhaps this all could have been avoided. He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. He could hear them. The voices of the Reapers were like taunting whispers in the darkness, as they continued to succeed in their destruction of the galaxy. He could shut them out, for a time, but they always returned to haunt him. But thankfully he felt no draw to them… they just existed.

"Saren…"

He silently cursed himself for getting lost in his thoughts, so much so that he hadn't heard her enter. The softness of her voice sent a single shiver down his back, that of which he irritably chose to ignore. "What is it, Shepard?" he asked coolly.

"I thought maybe you'd like to join me in a drink and watch the view." Much to his surprise, and discomfort, she maneuvered around the couch to sit beside him. After handing him a narrow bottle, she leaned back and sighed, peering out at the peaceful scene that was laid out before them.

He briefly allowed his eyes to sweep over her slender frame as she opened her bottle and took a swig. The way she moved, even when drinking, was steady and precise.

"It will always look like this, won't it?" she stated quietly.

It took him a moment to realize she had been referring to what laid beyond the window. Following her gaze, he considered her words thoughtfully. "Yes. No matter what happens, that scene will remain unchanged."

"Kinda gives you a false perception of serenity, doesn't it?"

"It's a nice escape from all the death and chaos."

"Is that why you're always here?" she asked curiously.

He nodded. "Since before I could remember, my life had been filled with violence. I never realized how much of a prisoner I was to it. Killing, and being the best at it, had become my soul purpose. Everything else… didn't exist. When I was released from Sovereign's hold, something changed. It's hard to explain, but in a way, I see more clearly."

"I suppose being a prisoner can humble almost anyone," she said, taking another swallow of alcohol.

"Yes, I suppose it can."

"You're not going to drink?" she asked, peering at him questionably.

"I typically avoid alcohol."

"I suppose I could give it to Garrus..."

He narrowed his eyes as he considered the bottle in his hand. Without a second thought, he opened the top and gulped down a mouthful of the liquid.

She smirked in amusement. "Or not."

They both sat in silence for a long while, sipping at their drinks and peering out at the light-dotted darkness of space.

"So, I'm curious…" she said finally, breaking the quiet.

"About?"

"Your cybernetics. How many are there?"

"A reasonable amount. As you can see, I have optical cybernetics which significantly enhances my eyesight in both clarity and distance. Also, in dimmer lighting, they adjust to allow for night vision." He raised his left arm, which was more synthetic than it was organic. "My arm itself is a weapon, significantly stronger and more durable than the one that uses my firearm."

"What about your jaw?" She reached a curious hand towards his face, her fingers poking at the metal plating there.

He flinched slightly at her touch, but let her do as she pleased. "Increases jaw strength. Just a part of another weapon, really. It accompanies the metal plating of my teeth."

"Hmm…" The tips of her fingers moved to brush against his exposed teeth.

He flinched again, this time away from her prying hands. "Didn't anyone ever tell you to not stick your fingers in a turian's mouth?" he grumbled irritably.

She smiled mischievously and took another swig from her bottle. "Why? Are you going to bite me Arterius?" she asked, almost teasingly.

"I might…" he growled in response. The look in her eyes made him tense up a bit. He couldn't tell if it was the alcohol, or if she was actually flirting with him.

"So, are there any others you have hidden under there?" she asked curiously.

"Sovereign insisted I be outfitted with more. It thankfully didn't get to that point, however."

"So everything else is natural?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

He shifted uncomfortably. "What are you getting at, Shepard?"

She knocked back the rest of her drink and gave him a sheepish grin. "Oh nothing. Just curious is all. You know, I have quite a few cybernetics of my own."

He stared straight ahead, attempting to hide his surprise. "Really now?"

She nodded, her eyes gazing out through the window once again. "Remember when I said we had Cerberus to thank for my being alive?"

"Yes," he replied, remembering that day in her quarters. The scent of death that had permeated from her charred helmet revisited his senses.

"I died in an attack on the Normandy. Two years later, Cerberus brought me back. Complete with state-of-the-art cybernetic implants."

"Why would Cerberus bring you back?" He couldn't imagine a terrorist sinking the time and money into reviving someone who had once worked so hard at driving their experiments into the ground.

"The Collectors were abducting human colonies. They wanted me to lead a team that would find out why and destroy them."

"Hmm, I think I caught a bit of that situation on the galactic news," he said thoughtfully. "So I take it you succeeded?"

"We did. Destroyed the base. The Illusive Man was pissed." She laughed softly. "Then I stole Cerberus's ship and crew," she said with a proud smirk.

Saren repressed a chuckle. "No wonder they hate you."

"You most of all should know I have a knack for pissing people off…" she trailed off with a sigh.

"Indeed. We were quite the enemies, Shepard." He looked out at the vastness that lay beyond the window. How ironic that he'd be sitting here with the rival he had once vowed to destroy, no matter the cost. Now, they were running off to save the galaxy together.

"The galaxy has a twisted sense of humor," he said, turning to look back at her. However, her head was carelessly slumped forward, red hair falling over her face. Her typically alert eyes were closed and her breathing shallow as she slept. He returned his attention to the stars, shaking his head in amusement. "And its savior can't even hold her alcohol…"

Shepard woke to find herself in her own bed. Her head was muddled with confusion. Last she remembered she was in the Starboard Observatory with Saren and enjoying a well-deserved drink. What happened after that was hazy. Did she fall asleep? If so, how did she get back to her room? She silently scoffed at the possibility that Saren could have carried her here. He'd be the type to leave you lying in a varren's den unless dragging you out served him some benefit. At least… that was the old Saren. Now she wasn't so sure. He was still Saren; ruthless and cunning. However, there was a difference in him. He seemed almost… kinder somehow.

She shook her head and rubbed at her eyes. Refusing to think anymore about the previous night, she drug herself off the bed. She wanted to make sure she spoke with Mordin today to see if he'd come up with any news regarding Rentin's documentation of the neuro-core. After quickly showering and dressing, she headed for the lab where she found the salarian hard at work, reading through datapads and forming calculations on his omni-tool. As she walked in he looked up from his work, greeting her with a smile.

"Shepard!" Mordin greeted her. "Glad you are here. Have something important to discuss."

"Is something wrong?"

"Not at all. Very good actually. Spoke with Saren earlier about krogan agreement regarding genophage cure. Fascinating!"

"Wait, Saren told you about that?" she asked, shocked.

"Yes. Came by earlier. Heard about my work on the genophage. Gave me a copy of his research. Would like your permission to study further after work on Reaper core complete."

She sighed. "Mordin, you do realize how Saren got this research? The facility on Virmire was a nightmare."

"Yes. Understand. But…" He paused thoughtfully. " Already destroyed Maelon's work. Will not make same mistake again."

"Don't you think curing the genophage is dangerous?"

"Perhaps. But long overdue." Mordin studied her expression. "Remember meeting Wrex on Tuchanka. Good leader. Strong and respected. Friend of yours, yes?"

She nodded. "He is." She took a moment to think about where Mordin's implications were headed. "I see your point. With Wrex as clan leader there's a chance this won't blow up in our faces."

He nodded. "Precisely."

"Okay Mordin. You have my full support. But the core comes first."

"Of course, Shepard. Check back tomorrow. May have more information."

Shepard poked at her military-grade meal with a fork. While she was happy to be back in action on the Normandy, she did miss the real food she was able to have back on Earth. She stabbed a stiff noodle and picked up her utensil, studying the tubular bit of food indifferently.

"Uh… Shepard?"

She looked up from her plate to see Ashley peering at her uncomfortably. "Hey Ash. What's up?"

Ashley shifted nervously. "I know this will sound kinda odd, but I just wanted to ask… Is there something going on between you and Saren?"

Shepard stared at her in confusion, her mouth slightly agape. "Of course not! Where'd you get that idea?"

"I saw him carrying you to your room last night. I thought it was a bit… odd," she admitted.

Shepard laughed. "I guess I had a bit too much to drink and ended up falling asleep in the Starboard Observatory. I woke up this morning in my bed." She shook her head in embarrassment. "Guess that explains it."

Ashley didn't respond with any hint of humor, but rather disgust. "You were drinking with him?"

Shepard's brows drew inward. "He's a part of the team too. That a problem Ash?"

"No. I'm just surprised is all," she said coolly. "I'm surprised that you'd be so willing to play nice with someone who was responsible for Kaidan's death."

Leaning forward with elbows on either side of her plate, she pressed her fingers into the bridge of her nose. "That's cruel, Williams."

"Is it? He was our friend, Shepard. And this is how you honor his memory? By having friendly drinks with a murderer?"

Shepard stood abruptly, her eyes swimming with anger and hurt. "That's enough! You know he was being controlled by Sovereign. His aid in this war is proof that he's not the Saren we remember." She left the table to stand before the Second Lieutenant. "We've all made mistakes that have gotten people killed. Why can't you let it go?"

"Because it was his actions that killed our friend!" Ashley shouted.

"It was just as much my fault!" Shepard's voice rang in her own ears as she said the words. She had said them many times, but now they hurt worse than ever. "It was my decision that left him to die," she continued, lowering her voice.

There was a long, uncomfortable silence as Ashley looked down to hide the tears that welled up in her eyes. She knew the guilt Shepard must have felt every day about the decisions she was forced to make; especially when those decisions resulted in the death of others. And she didn't even want to think about the demons that likely haunted the Commander's dreams every night. There were things she wanted to say, but she didn't know how to say them without sounding insensitive. She was never really good with words that weren't expressed through reciting poetry. But sometimes it was just best to just come out with it, even if you don't know how the other person will react.

"Shepard… I just want you to know that Kaidan really cared about you. But since you were his Commander he always tried to hide it. I know it doesn't change anything. But I think he'd have wanted you to know."

A slight bittersweet smile tugged at the corner of Shepard's lips as she remembered the Lieutenant's soft gaze and the way he'd always regarded her so carefully. "Is that why you always tried to set us up with all your subtle hinting?"

Ashley laughed softly, slightly choked by a combined sob. "Yeah." She lifted her head again to look into the other woman's eyes. "I guess it just bothered me that he wasn't able to tell you himself."

"Thanks, Ash. That means a lot."

"You know… even in the short time we had known each other, you both became the best friends I'd ever had. Loosing that was… hard."

"We're still friends, Ash. Nothing will ever change that. And not one day goes by where I don't think about Kaidan and the sacrifice he made for us."

"I know. And… I'm sorry for bringing it all back to the surface again. I just want you to be careful around Saren. I don't want you to find that your trust was misplaced."

"I appreciate your concern," Shepard responded genuinely.

"And thank you for talking with me about this, Shepard. It was good to get it off my back."

"Anytime." She glanced around the mess, taking note of the few nervous crew members who had been standing a distance away, acting as if they hadn't been overhearing the entire conversation. "But next time, let's talk in my quarters."

"You got it, Skipper!" she replied with a grin.