A/N: You have no idea how happy I am right now. Two more people onboard! KatieK98 and HollowReaper45. Add that to good old Carleen and Rainbowboobies, our crew adds up to four! Yay! Haven't reached the 'Five' milestone yet, but an improvement from Dear Diary's three at least. Updates will be a hell lot slower for the next three weeks. Maybe there won't be a single chapter after this, but I'll try not to make that happen. Anyway, glad you guys are enjoying this. For record, I'm holding a poll-ish sort of thing to see who you want to get with Colburn. Liara's strictly reserved for Kaidan though. State your preference in the comments. That said, here's your story.

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-Colburn's room, while the Krogan and Salarian representatives are getting onboard for the summit-

Traynor

The silence was ominous. While she had explained everything to Colburn, the man stayed ominously quiet. Quiet Colburn was the worst kind of thing in the galaxy. Even taking a Reaper one-on-one wasn't as bad. There were three stages of Miles Colburn. When he was angry, raising his voice, throwing things, that was safe Colburn. It showed that he still cared. He would still help you, no matter what.

Humorous Colburn was... Worrying. Traynor knew the guy inside out. If he was deflecting concern with jokes, the average guy would have thought he was alright. But she knew better. Jokes meant that there was a lot on his mind, but he was unwilling to share. But if you could see him drinking, then he would be fine in awhile.

The worst kind, was silent, emotionless Colburn. It always sacred Traynor how those deep blue eyes, always so full of energy, could transform into something so cold, unfathomable. Colburn was already an unpredictable man in the first place. There was a whole universe within him, that he locked out to the rest of the galaxy. He just hid it well.

The image of him stabbing a Batarian merc with his Omni-blade, face expressionless, was deeply engraved in her mind. That was a few years ago, when she got harassed by this group of Batarian no-lifes. He stepped in from nowhere, and with no weapons but his Omni-blade, made quick work of them. The flurry of biotics and slashing had already stunned her, but it was his face that really took her breath away. The Colburn she knew was gone. In his place was pure destruction. He gut them, slashed, punched, threw, slammed, charged, everything. And his face was blank. Just blank. He sent her back to his apartment after that. Told her to move to another apartment of his at the Presidium. Shalta Ward was full of low-life scum, he said. And he acted as if he just took out the garbage for her, nothing else.

"So, did you manage to contact Lea?". The sound of Colburn's voice brought her back to reality. Thank God, he's speaking. But his voice was still emotionless. Though Traynor knew his brain was processing at FTL speed, trying to think of a way to salvage the situation.

"No... Not yet. But there's still hope. The fact that they managed to send out a distress signal proves that they're still fighting. All's not lost yet, Cole.". Traynor tried to paint it in a positive manner, if that was even possible that is. The all too familiar silence in the air left an unspoken question: What now?

The sound of EDI's voice broke the life-threatening quietness. "Captain Colburn, the Salarian Dalatrass and Krogan Warlord are onboard the Normandy. Primarch Victus and the Commander are making their way to the conference room right now.".

"Thanks EDI. I'll sort this out, Sam. I promise.". Colburn left the room without another word.

Traynor prayed that the politicians would be accommodating for once. Not for him, but for their own safety. Her surrogate younger brother had a low threshold for them. To piss him off, especially now... Dear God.

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Shepard

Shepard would've liked to say that the summit was going smoothly. But of course, it didn't. As of now, nothing ever did. The Salarian Dalatrass was adamant on not curing the Genophage. Shepard couldn't blame her. The Krogan were an unknown. And given past records, a very violent unknown. Urdnot Wreave was really getting on his nerves. If they didn't need the help of the Krogan, that arrogant trash-bag would just be a lump of meat right now and then. But they still needed the cure. That was the unfortunate truth. "Dalatrass, please. This is much bigger than them, or us. This is about the entire galaxy. Besides, they've suffered the Genophage long enough. We should give them a second chance.". Shepard despised himself for saying that. He didn't even believe half a word of it. But whatever works, he thought to himself. He stole a glance at his XO, who was uncharacteristically silent, just staring hard at the ground.

"The Commander is right. If we need the cure to gain the help of the Krogan, then so be it.". Thank God the Turian's on my side.

"You better think carefully, Salarian. You'll perish without the help of the mighty Krogan!". Shepard was seriously sick and tired of all the taunts. It's like he doesn't want the Salarian to agree!

The Dalatrass opened her mouth to make her stand again, but she got interrupted by a flying chair. It was Colburn. The chair hit the glass panel surrounding the table. It shattered. Well that certainly got their attention.

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Colburn

God, Colburn was mad. Fuming, even. Like a glass of vodka set on fire. His brain was still scrambled, trying to process the piece of news Samantha just gave him. It had taken him an effort the size of the Milky Way to control himself from breaking everything in the room. Sam didn't need to see that. She didn't deserve that crap. He knew she was as torn as he was. Maybe even more.

And now this? Just agree to cure it already! What's up her ass? And the annoying Krogan as well. It's like he had a dozen sticks shoved up his as well. And hearing Shepard stoop so low to plead the Dalatrass, his dignity almost gone. That really pissed him off. Time to end this nonsense.

"That's enough! All of you! This isn't working! So I'll tell you what's going to happen.". Colburn paused for a short moment to compose himself before continuing; "We're going to Sur'Kesh to get the females. End of story. I don't give a shit about how you feel. Earth is burning. Palaven is burning. We wasted our time talking to you when we could've been helping our friends and family right now! So I suggest you shut up and stop all of your nonsense, or we won't even have a war left to fight.".

Apparently- Urdnot Wreave was about to rub in another insult, but Colburn cut him off mid-sentence. He on a roll. "And stop your telling us how much we need your help, Wreave. For all you know, we would probably just start the second Genophage after this war is over! And that's because you pissed all of us off with your nagging. The Urdnot name would be in shame. And I'll jolly well do that. Believe me. So know your place! This isn't Tuchanka. No one needs to hear your nonsense.". To prove his point, Colburn slammed the Krogan into the wall. Well that did the trick. Colburn stormed out of the room.

He needed a drink.

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Kaidan

Kaidan found his bottle of Scotch. Whiskey in hand, he trotted to the lounge. There he was. He saw Colburn downing drink after drink, just staring at the large observatory window. Kaidan had never seen his friend like this. The guy was virtually the embodiment of 'Consolation'. Colburn had a reputation of being able to cheer anyone and everyone up. But recently, it looked like Mr Counsellor needed some counselling himself.

Okay, take it slow. "How's my favourite biotic doing?". Kaidan sat down on the couch beside Colburn.

Kaidan could see Colburn's lips curl up in amusement. "I thought that was Liara?".

Kaidan's eyes widened in horror. What? How could he know? Think. Alenko. Think. "She's my favourite Asari. How's that?". Thank God. Not bad, Alenko.

"Much better.". Colburn lifted the glass to his lips again.

Kaidan waved at his prized bottle of whiskey. Sorry whiskey, looks like it's either you or my best friend. I'll remember your valiant sacrifice. "Stop drinking that. This, is much better."

Colburn shook his head. "Nah it's fine. Leave it for your date. It's important to you."

Here goes nothing. "Traynor told us everything. Shepard knows. He's arranged for you to lead another squad to Grissom. You're leading. Everything's gonna be fine."

"Fine? After that little circus trick just now, I don't know if it's gonna be fine."

"Heh. Shep told me he couldn't have done it better himself. You saved him from hypertension."

"Good to hear.". Kaidan could still sense the younger man's frustration.

"I'm planning on going with you, if you don't mind. Ashley too."

"Why?".

"Because without you, the war's already over. You're just as important as Shepard or Hackett. Besides, it's been awhile since I graduated from that school. Time for a little alumni visit.".

Colburn managed a small laugh. "Wow. You're better at this than me. I'm gonna lose my job soon."

"So pick yourself up kiddo. We've got a long road ahead of us."

"Aye aye."