Alrighty, so we've finally reached the meat of the main story now! I do occasionally use some dialogue from the game but usually I incorporate a little poetic license and change things around to better fit Zoe's characteristics. So, ya know, if you read anything that looks familiar, I don't own it, I didn't technically write it and all the other "please don't sue me for copywrite infringement" hullabaloo. But, I felt like some of the scenes were important for building up the story and character dynamics to a certain degree... Anywaaaay, as always, I hope you enjoy this chapter and have a lovely day!

Chapter 7 - And So It Begins

Something about today was different; Shepard could feel it in her bones as soon as she rose from bed that morning. The strangest thing about it all — it was almost nine o'clock and James was nowhere to be found. She'd searched the commons room, asked around to all the guards, but no one seemed to know anything regarding his whereabouts. They were acting unquestionably strange though, all shifty eyes and nervous twitching, as if they were privy to some disturbing secret. It put Zoe on edge, and she was growing increasingly concerned about the reason for the lieutenant's unexplained absence. She paced the floor of her room, attempting to busy her mind by scanning over the news on her data pads.

He's always here by seven, sharp… I hope he's alright…

She crossed to the large window, searching for any sign of unrest in the outside world, but everything looked eerily peaceful. A shuttle zoomed by above, and there was even a little boy playing out in the grassy courtyard. She'd seen the kid out there more than once over the past six months, and she always found herself wondering about his parents. They must be soldiers, but were they ever around? Did they give him love and attention, or were they as distant as her own had been — leaving him to his own devices and considering him more of a burden than a blessing?

She had a strange desire to ask him those questions, to reassure him that he was important, and that someone cared, even if his own parents didn't. Considering he child and his potential familial situation was an unwelcome distraction, but a distraction nonetheless. Shepard had become so deeply lost in thought that she barely even noticed when heavy boot steps tromped into the room behind her.

"Hey, Commander," Vega's words pulled her back to reality and she spun around in time to see him give her a short salute, "Sorry I'm late, but I've got some news."

"I thought we'd gotten passed this, James," she quirked a brow at him, "You're not supposed to call me that any more."

"Yeah, well, I'm not supposed to salute you either," he crossed his arms in front of his chest and mimicked her expression.

"Okay, so, what's going on?" she crossed back to the desk, tossing the data pad down, as she searched his face curiously, "You look nervous… everyone looks nervous."

"The defense committee wants to see you," he informed, making a move towards the door, "We should probably get going. Whatever it is, it's important."

"Great…" Shepard felt a tightening in her chest at his words, "I've got a bad feeling about this."

"Me too," he motioned for her to follow him out, "Come on."

"What, no cuffs this time?" she smirked, kicking into a jog to match his quick pace.

"Not this time," he wasn't being his usual cheeky self, and it was only serving to unnerve her more.

She caught his bicep to stop the lieutenant, turning him towards her and narrowing her eyes on his, "Do you think this has something to do with what we talked about a few weeks ago?"

"I don't know, Shepard," the look on his face told her he was a little more sure than he let on, "Maybe you should ask him."

James pointed down the hallway, and when Zoe's gaze landed on the area that he indicated, her heart seized up once again. Anderson was shoving his way through the bustling crowd in their direction, fitted to the nines in his dress blues. She hadn't seen the man in months, not since his brief stopover to check on how she and James were getting along, and he looked even more frazzled than usual. The admiral's presence didn't comfort her as it normally did. Something about this whole situation was off in a way that made Shepard's stomach fill with knotted tension.

"Anderson," she greeted him informally, bounding towards him with noticeable apprehension painted across her features, "What's going on?"

"Admiral," Vega stepped up behind them and gave a professional salute, "We were just on our way to meet with the committee."

"Come with me, I'll explain on the way," Anderson said simply, turning and leading them down the long corridor, "You look good, Shepard. Maybe a little soft around the edges. How've you been holding up since being relieve from duty?"

It was a question he hadn't bothered to ask since the paperwork went through, and it took her by surprise, "It sucks… but it's not so bad once you get used to the hot food and soft beds. Though, something tells me you didn't come here just to check up on me. Cut to the chase, David."

"Admiral Hackett is mobilizing the fleets. I'm guessing word's made it to Alliance command. Something big is headed our way," his tone was entirely too calm, given the panic that seemed to be setting in all around them — people were darting back and forth like rats searching for higher ground during a flood, but the admiral was cool and collected.

"With all due respect, sir, you're being vague, and I think I know why," Zoe paused mid-step as they ascended the stairs, forcing the older man to stop as well, "It's the Reapers, isn't it?"

"We don't know, not for certain," his expression gave away his unsuccessful attempt at rationalization.

"What else could it be?" she was reaching her wits end with him, and the rest of the upper brass — their blatant refusal to accept the obvious was threatening to break her patience once and for all.

"If I knew that…" the hesitance in his voice only made her more sure in her suspicions.

"You know we're not ready if it is them, not by a long shot," she sprinted up the steps to his level, "Why have they waited so long to do something? They've seen this coming for weeks now."

"How do you know that?" he eyed her suspiciously for a moment, but turned and continued on.

"I… heard some gossip among the guards," she lied, casting an apologetic glance at James before making her way up the staircase to fall into step with the Admiral, "Look, unless we're planning to talk the Reapers to death, the committee is a waste of time."

Behind them, the lieutenant could clearly hear the exchange, and he had to stifle an amused snort at Shepard's brazen rebuke. She was obviously tired of the run around that Anderson was giving her, and he could tell from her mannerisms and tone that she was two seconds away from losing her cool entirely.

"They're just scared," the admiral replied, "None of them have seen what you've seen. You faced down a Reaper. Hell, you spoke to one, then blew the damn thing up. You've seen how they harvest us, what they plan to do to us. You know more about this enemy than anyone."

"Is that why they grounded me, took away my ship?" her voice rose in agitation, garnering several inquisitive glances from the officers around them.

Anderson stopped in his tracks and spun around to confront her, "You know that's not true. When you blew up the Batarian Relay, hundreds of thousands of batarians died."

"Yeah, and you know why I did it. I didn't have a choice, David. If I'd let it go, the Reapers would have just waltzed in through our back door!" she hissed through her teeth.

"I know that Shepard, and so does the committee," the admiral was painfully aware he'd hit a nerve, "If it wasn't for that you would have been court-martialed and left to rot in the brig as soon as you turned yourself in."

"That and your good word," she replied, only slightly sarcastically.

"Yeah, I trust you, Shepard, and so does the committee," he was obviously trying to pacify her now — she knew good and well what the committee's opinion of her, and it was anything but trusting.

"I've done all I could to convince them, I don't know what else there is left to say. I'm just a soldier, Anderson, I'm not a politician," she shook her head, wanting no part of these formalities she was about to be drug through.

Just give me my damn ship and my guns and set me loose, it's not that hard.

"I don't need you to be either," he started off again, motioning for her to follow, "I just need you to do whatever it takes to stop the Reapers."

The trepidation among the officers was palpable as they entered through the sliding doors. Shepard felt her jaw lock in frustration at the sight of them all scurrying around frantically.

If they'd only listened to begin with…

A short redhead greeted them as they crossed over the threshold, "They're expecting you two, Admiral."

No shit.

Why did these people always bring the smart ass out in her? At least she was usually successful at keeping it at bay. They followed the woman down the hall, and when Anderson stopped to check in with another officer, James approached her from behind. She'd almost forgotten he'd been trailing them the whole time. Her defenses were up and she was starting to feel the rush of excitement that an impending battle always brought on.

"Good luck in there, Shepard," he offered his hand for a shake, and she obliged, "Looks like this is it."

"Who knows, maybe they'll get me in there and pretend nothing's wrong, then lock me back up," she smirked, "I'll probably see you again by dinner."

"I don't think it's gonna be that simple," he wanted to return the smile, but his anxiety over the whole thing was winning out over his usual snark, "Just… be careful out there."

"I will," she reached out and gave his forearm a reassuring squeeze, "It was a honor being guarded by you, Lieutenant. You be careful too, okay?"

He nodded stoically in reply, his eyes clouded and unreadable, "Will do, Commander."

She wished desperately he could go with her, knowing she could use a soldier like him on her side, and her words spilled from her mouth before she could stop them, "James… I'll mi—"

Her sentiment was cut short as a familiar voice called out to her back, "Shepard!"

She spun on her heels, making no attempt to mask her surprise, "Ashley?"

Anderson approached the tall brunette, "Lieutenant Commander, how'd it go in there?"

"I can never tell with them. I'm just waiting for orders now," even with all the distance that had grown between them, seeing Ashley again in all her dutiful glory was a breath of fresh air.

"Lieutenant Commander?" Zoe eyed her old friend with a look of surprise and pride, reluctantly stepping away from James without risking another glance back.

"You hadn't heard?" Anderson asked, his tone sincere, but she could have sworn he was ribbing her.

"No, I'm a bit out of the loop these days," her eyes threatened to roll right across the floor.

"Sorry, ma'am, didn't mean to keep you out of the loop," Ash was as formal as ever.

"I'm sure you had your reasons," Shepard shrugged, unconcerned.

"Yeah, I guess I did. Still, it's good to see you," those words, and the honest tone, were quite a surprise, if Zoe was being honest with herself.

"Admiral," the redhead approached again and motioned for them to proceed.

"Come on," Anderson fell in step behind her, and Zoe chanced a final look towards the lieutenant, raising a hand to wave goodbye.

It hurt to see her go, but she was doing what she was born to do, and Vega would be damned if he was going to stand in her way.

James approached the stately brunette, his curiosity peaked by the obvious familiarity between the two women, "You know the Commander?"

"I used to," she was still watching the others depart, her words coated with a hint of melancholy.

"What do you know about her?" he asked, wondering just how familiar they were, exactly.

"She's a strong woman. There was a time I really looked up to her," she turned and gave Vega a skeptical once over, "That was years ago, though. We're both different now, I imagine."

"She's probably not as different as you think," he crossed his arms defensively.

"What makes you so sure, soldier?" her tone was biting.

He just shrugged, "She's got a lot of regrets. But she wants what she's always wanted — to make a difference."

"Yeah," Ashley scoffed, "That's what I'm worried about. Gets her in trouble every time."

How James had ended up aboard the Normandy was still a bit of a blur. Once the Reapers hit, everything had gone by so fast, that the events weren't immediately clinging to his memory banks. It was like being on the verge of blackout drunk, losing snippets of time here and there. He could vaguely remember an explosion at some point, being pulled at the collar by the lieutenant commander through piles of rubble and debris, as a cacophony of screams swelled through the smoke-filled atmosphere. He was pacing the shuttle bay when Ashley approached him.

"How are you doing?" she clutched his arm to steady him.

"Where's Shepard? Is she alright?" he couldn't conceal the panicked tone in his voice, no matter how hard he tried.

The LC gave a firm nod, "She's with Anderson. We pinpointed their location and we're en route to them right now."

He allowed himself a sigh of relief, "Good."

"Go have a seat, Lieutenant. You don't look well," her eyes were dark with concern, "I'll make sure she gets in okay."

"Thanks, ma'am," James pushed himself to salute her, and headed towards the back of the bay.

"Vega? Is that you?" a familiar voice called from the direction of the communications terminal.

"Oh, shit! Esteban?" the lieutenant quickened his pace, "What the hell are you doin' here?"

"Just a streak of good luck. When the Normandy was impounded, I was brought in to help with the retrofitting. It's so good to see you, man!" the pilot scooped his old friend up in a tight hug, clapping him on the back hard, before releasing him and holding him out to arms length, "You look like hell."

"Yeah, I'm pretty shaken up, I ain't gonna lie. It's chaos out there," he drew in a sharp, shaky breath, and Cortez squeezed his shoulders, giving him an understanding once over.

"What have you been up to all this time?"

"Well, you're not gonna believe it, but I've been playing guard," he forced a chuckle, "For Commander Shepard, of all people."

"You're kidding me," Steve's eyes went wide in amazement, "That's… something else. What's she like, man?"

"She's… not exactly what I expected," James shrugged, unable to find the right words that would adequately describe her, "She's a fuckin' pistol, and the stories don't do her justice, that's for sure."

"I guess I'll find out soon enough," the pilot pointed Vega's attention to the back of the ship.

From behind them he could hear the hangar open and the sounds of voices shouting over the rush of wind. James tore himself away from his friend and padded towards the two women that stood on the edge of the large opening. Anderson was just below, waving them off. At the last moment he threw something towards them, and Shepard expertly swiped it from the air. The admiral had given her back her dog tags! No way she could give him hell about calling her 'Commander' anymore. He grinned at the thought, but his face dropped again when he realized Anderson was staying stubbornly put. The hangar closed them in, and the women turned away, both of their faces painted with shadows of grim determination. When Zoe noticed his presence, though, her eyes lit up, and she broke into a sprint towards him.

"James!" her gun clattered to the ground and a second later she was on him, her arms encircling his shoulders, her face buried into the hollow of his neck, "I'm so glad you're here!"

Vega had never, in a million years, dreamed she'd have this kind of reaction to knowing he was alive and well. He wasn't sure what else to do or say, so he simply returned the embrace, breathing in the scent of her as he felt the woman's tension relax away for the briefest of moments. Then suddenly, it was as if it dawned on her what she'd done, and her body went rigid in his arms. She pulled back abruptly and stepped away from him, her eyes struggling to mask her embarrassment at the gesture.

"I, um… I'm sorry, I just… glad you made it aboard safely," she stammered, fidgeting uneasily when Ashley shot her a curious glance.

"You too, Commander," he half-smiled at her, the aroma of gun smoke and residual biotic energy still coating every inch of his senses.

Shepard wasted no more time, righting herself into a professional affection, and bounding off towards the communication terminal.

"Hey," he jogged after her, "Wait, what's going on? Why didn't Anderson come with you?"

"He's staying. He ordered us to the Citadel, to talk to the Council. We have to go, now," her voice had a steely tone and he realized quickly that she'd already shifted back into command mode entirely.

"Bullshit! He wouldn't order us to leave!" Vega couldn't seem to wrap his head around the idea that the admiral would just stay there while sending the best ship in the fleet off on a political mission.

"We don't have a choice, James. Without help, this war is already over!" she stamped towards him, fire lighting her eyes.

This wasn't how this was supposed to go. They were supposed to stay, they were supposed to stop those damn machines. Earth wouldn't last a day without Shepard there, and as much as he wanted to, he couldn't follow this order without a fight.

"Forget it. Drop me off some place, 'cause I'm not leaving," he clenched his fists, staring her down with mirrored intensity.

She sprang forward and jabbed a finger into his chest, "You don't think I'd rather stay and fight? We're going to the Citadel. You want out, you can catch a ride back from there."

Shepard whipped back around to the terminal and fiddled with the buttons, obviously done with the conversation. She could be so damn stubborn sometimes, and once she had her mind set on something, there would be no swaying her. James was aware, deep down, she wanted to stay as much as he did, but it seemed like she was giving up too quickly. Zoe knew, though, that this fight wouldn't be won with just one ship and a handful of soldiers, no matter how strong-willed they might be.

"Commander?" Moreau's excited voice flooded in over the intercom.

"Joker… is that you? Holy shit, it's good to hear your voice!" she smiled towards the speaker, and a light chuckle found its way out of her throat.

"I'm alive and kickin'! And I've got an emergency transmission from Admiral Hackett for you," he sounded almost as relieved as she did.

"Patch it through," she ordered, waiting impatiently as the terminal struggled to clear the signal.

From where James stood, several yards away, he could barely understand the scrambled, static-laced words. Something about Mars? That couldn't be right. The situation was becoming more convoluted as the minutes ticked on. He saw the screen go blank and Shepard pinched the bridge of her nose, frustration visibly cresting over her in waves.

"Joker, set a course for the Mars Archives," she grumbled, unenthusiastically.

"Mars? Roger that…" Jeff's tone was reluctant as he cut the line, and a second later the ship jolted unsteadily around them as their flight course was rerouted.

"This is loco!" James tossed his head back, dragging his hands down his face in exasperation.

"You don't have to tell me that… Dammit… there were so many of them," Zoe seethed, her jaw set tight with apprehension.

Ashley, who'd so far been keeping a respectful distance, finally sauntered forward, "Not that I'm questioning you, but with all due respect, ma'am, I have to ask — what does Hackett think we're going to find on Mars?"

"I don't know… but if it helps us win this war…" Shepard trudged towards the armor lockers, wrenching the door of one open to be greeted by the welcome sight of her long abandoned armor, and James saw a broad smile spread across her face as she ran her fingers lovingly across the shining metal, "Come on, guys… grab your gear. Let's get this party started."

Shepard vaulted over the crate, charging at the lone Cerberus soldier, and smacking his assault rifle from his grasp as she shoved her omni-blade through the vulnerable gap between his helmet and shoulder. He gurgled a scream before crumpling to the ground in a lifeless heap. All the vids James had seen of the woman in combat didn't hold a candle to getting a front row seat to her vivacious ferocity. She laughed more in the middle of combat than she had the whole time he'd known her. The sound rushed in over the comm line like a cool summer breeze, and for some reason it filled him with a passionate courage to fight as brutally as she did. Her tenacity must have been contagious, because more than once, Ashley joined in on the laughter, their friendly banter practically music to his ears. He could tell from the second he saw them together that there was a bitterness between them, but in the heat of battle they'd tossed it aside and allowed the camaraderie of the crusade to stand above it all.

"I think that's the last of them," Ashley holstered her gun and motioned towards the building in the distance, "Come on, let's get in there before this storm gets worse."

"Damn, it's good to be back!" Shepard's whimsical chuckle swam through his helmet again as she darted off towards the facility, almost skipping as she went.

They crossed into the building and the commander immediately started in on the elevator controls. Seconds later, the LC started in on Shepard, in turn.

"Okay, ma'am, I hate to say this, but I need a straight answer," the shapely officer took a few steps towards the other woman, "Do you know anything about why Cerberus is here?"

"What the hell makes you think I know what they're up to?" Zoe finished her task quickly, and turned towards her comrade, her eyes narrowing behind the glare of her helmet visor.

"You worked for them, Shepard. It's just… a little suspect, if you ask me," the brunette crossed her arms and turned away, a hint of suspicion laced into her tone.

"Don't do this right now, Ash. It's not the time…" when the LC didn't respond, Shepard gave a heavy sigh and attempted to explain, "Look, I only worked with them to take down the Collector base, because the Council wouldn't do anything to help. I didn't have a choice."

"There's more to it than that. You were dead. They rebuilt you, and the Normandy… gave you resources, intel…"

Zoe cut her off, her words sharp and assured, "And once the goal was reached, I cut ties with them! I turned myself into the Alliance and I haven't had anything to do with them since I destroyed the base. I have no idea why they're here, or what they want."

James could tell Shepard was about to lose her cool, so he stepped forward to reassure the LC, "The commander's been under constant surveillance since returning to Earth. No way they've communicated since."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Ashley shook her head and leaned onto the railing in front of her, "It's just that—"

The pressurizer hissed as the room filled with breathable air, and they collectively removed their helmets in swift, almost synchronized, motions. Shepard's mouth was drawn up in a hard line, any hint of mirth dissolved completely by the undeserved accusations of her old friend.

"I shouldn't have to explain myself… least of all, to you," she scanned the LC's face with a pained expression as the lift shook under them and pushed them upwards into the facility, "Please… just trust me, Ash."

They stalked as a unit into the enormous room, as Ashley stammered her reply, "I do, ma'am, I'm only—"

The lieutenant commander's words were cut off again by a scrapping and rustling coming from the ducts above them. Gunshots sounded inside, clanging against the metal as what sounded like several bodies scurried through the tight space. The squad ducked for cover behind a nearby vehicle and Shepard peeked her head out carefully to keep an eye on the grate, her assault rifle poised firmly at the ready.

Liara!

The doctor tumbled out of the opening, two Cerberus troopers close on her heels. She tossed a wave of biotic energy, lifting them briefly before slamming them hard against the ground. They writhed in shared pain for a short moment, as the asari meandered towards them and planted several gun shots callously into their heads. Once they'd stopped squirming, Shepard darted out from cover, approaching the blue woman at a casual pace that made James uneasy. He jogged to her side, lifting his gun to put the unfamiliar asari into his cross hairs, but the commander slapped it down with an amused look on her face.

"Easy there, Lieutenant," she chuckled, "She's with us."

"Shepard! Thank the goddess you're alive!" Liara crashed into Zoe, the two embracing with warm familiarity.

James suddenly realized he knew her face and voice — it was Doctor T'soni, Treeya's mentor and good friend. Life really had a way of coming full circle, it would seem.

"I promised we'd see each other again, didn't I?" the commander broke away, studying the asari's distressed face.

"I was so worried when the reports came in. I'm sorry about Earth. I…" the woman's sapphire eyes glistened with tears.

"It was hard to leave it like that," the LC stepped up beside them, "Hey, Liara, it's been a while."

"Ashley!" Liara broke away from Shepard to scoop up the brunette in a similar hug, "How have you been?"

"I'll be better once this is all over," Ashley forced a laugh, turning away to busy herself on finding a way through the facility.

"Hey, I don't know if you remember me," James spoke up then.

"You two know each other?" Zoe's brow knit with curiosity.

"James? Well, this is a surprise! Have you heard from Treeya lately? I've been trying to get word to her, but she's been avoiding my calls," the asari stepped towards him, the concern deepening in her soft features.

"Sorry, but I haven't spoken to her in months. Things didn't exactly end well between us," Vega bit the inside of his lip, wishing he'd kept those last few words to himself.

"I understand. What happened with Fehl Prime hit both of you hard," Liara nodded sympathetically.

Shepard couldn't deny that her interest was peaked by his admission, but they'd wasted too much time already, so she butted in to change the subject, "Liara, Hackett ordered us to come here. He said you'd know what was going on."

"I do," she answered, simply, and urged them to follow her to large pane of glass nearby that looked out over the facility.

"Hallelujah, some answers, finally!" James muttered as they approached the observation window.

The doctor went on to explain the existence of a Prothean device that could be the key to the Reapers' destruction. They were in the middle of planning a route to the Archives when a buzzing sound echoed through the chamber.

"We've got company!" Shepard warned, hastily drawing her weapon and running for cover.

"Bring it on!" the lieutenant's trigger finger was already starting to itch as he checked his thermal clip and followed her lead.

"Not this time, James. Get back to the shuttle. If Cerberus beats us to the Archives, I need you covering the exits," she led him to the elevator platform and punched at the controls to start it up.

"But, Shepard—" he started, irritated beyond belief to think he was going to miss this leg of the fight.

"Not the time to argue, Lieutenant," she ordered staunchly, but cast him a wicked grin as he stomped onto the lift, "Don't worry, you'll get plenty of opportunities to shoot shit later."

James managed to catch the teasing wink she tossed him as he slipped his helmet over his head and the elevator descended into the floor. As the platform above him slid tightly shut, he could barely make out the beginning sounds of the fight. He let out a discontented grumble, as he holstered his weapon and stomped towards the building's exit.

"Looks like they've made it to the Archives," Liara gave an exasperated huff and turned to the other women, a defeated expression marring her delicate features.

"Something tells me they're not just going to send us a tram, either," Ashley grumbled, as she replaced her spent thermal clip and crossed to scan the room around them for anything useful that might be laying around.

"Can you override it, Liara?" Shepard was reaching her limit of patience with the delays that kept befalling them — though she had to admit, she'd been having a ball slicing the countless Cerberus soldiers from stem to stern.

"What if we can find a short-range communicator?" the LC suggested, "Then we can convince them we're on their side, that the Alliance forces have been taken care of."

"Good thinking, Ash," the commander nodded in appreciation, "Go see what you can find."

"On it, ma'am," with that, the brunette dashed off to commence the search.

When Zoe turned back to Liara, the doctor was eyeing her with unabashed curiosity.

"What's that look for?"

"You and that lieutenant seem rather close," the astute asari observed, "Did I miss something important?"

Shepard lifted a brow, surprised by the suggestion, "You got that from the five minutes you saw us together?"

"So, you're not denying it?" Liara turned her attention back to the terminal, a smirk just barely showing at the corners of her pinkish lips.

"He was my guard on Earth. We spent a lot of time together, so I guess that's what you're picking up on," the commander shrugged it off as if it were nothing, but the other woman was not so easily convinced.

"Mhm," the asari pursed her lips and seemed as if she was about to say more, but was cut off by Ashley's hurried interjection.

"Commander, I found something!" the LC called from the adjacent room, and Shepard sprinted off in her direction, thanking the heavens for the welcome interruption.

When Zoe stepped into the room, Ashley was bent over a fallen Cerberus soldier, inspecting him carefully, "What've you got, Ash?"

"He's got a transmitter in his helmet. If I can just —" the brunette was cut off by the hissing release of the trooper's helmet seal, and when the visor fell away, the sight beneath it nearly made both women wretch, "My god… he looks like a husk."

"Not quite," Shepard knelt down, eye level with the mangled hybrid, "But they've definitely done something to him."

What in the hell has Cerberus been up to since I left?

"So, Cerberus did this? To their own guys?" Ashley balked, taking a few cautious steps backwards, "Is this… what they did to you?"

"You can't be fucking serious, Ash," the older woman pushed herself to stand, spinning around to the LC with a look of pure incredulity, "You're seriously going to compare me to that thing?"

"I don't want to make the connection, Shepard, but how can I not? How can I be sure you're not just some Cerberus puppet. You could still be in the Illusive Man's pocket, for all I know," Ashley narrowed her chocolatey eyes at Zoe pointedly, "So far, you haven't given me any reason to believe the contrary."

"I haven't even been out of prison a whole day yet! I've been putting down their goons left and right! And trust me, there's no amount of makeup in the world that could cover up that mess," the commander stabbed a finger towards the slumped monstrosity, "If I was one of those freaks, I think you'd know."

"Don't joke about this, Shepard," Ashley sighed in agitation, "And just… don't try to explain. I don't think I'd understand, anyway."

"Of course you wouldn't," Zoe shook her head, reaching down to the trooper and wrenching the transmitter free, "Look, I know you don't trust me anymore. And I don't blame you. But, just give me a chance, Ash. I'm still the same person I've always been. They didn't change me. I used them — a means to and end, that's all. But words won't convince you, will they?"

"No, ma'am… probably not," the LC dropped her eyes to the ground, her refusal to bend in her resolve sending pangs of dismay through Shepard's tired soul.

"Well, I guess I'll just have to show you, instead of trying to tell you, then," the commander cleared her throat and pressed the call button on the transmitter, "Hello, this is… Delta Team. Is anyone there?