A/N: Thank you guys so much for all the support you're showing for this fic. It's really amazing to see. With that being said, please don't hate me :s


"You mind telling me what the hell happened back there, Lawson?" Shepard questioned heatedly. Miranda had almost jeopardized the recruitment of their latest squad member, Jack, while on a ship that was about to be destroyed. Needless to say, she was furious with Miranda.

"Nothing happened. I was simply telling her that she was wrong," Miranda stated boldly, not quite understanding why Shepard was so upset.

"Not the place to do it, Miranda! The whole damn ship was about to be destroyed, and you wanted to fight like five year-old children about who was right or wrong!" Shepard yelled, beyond frustrated.

"She implied that it was somehow my fault and Cerberus' fault for what happened to her. I just clarified her misconceptions," Miranda retorted.

"Why the fuck do you defend Cerberus so much?" Shepard asked. She understood loyalty, but it seemed like a bit much for Miranda to be consistently defending every action of a questionable organization such as Cerberus.

The question caught Miranda off-guard. She had expected to continue arguing with Shepard for quite some time. "Why do you concern yourself with who I choose to defend?" she asked defensively. "Cerberus' goals are for the betterment of human society and existence, we are not some terrorist organization." Miranda expected the fury to continue, but was surprised when she saw sadness in Shepard's eyes instead.

"You really do believe that, don't you, Miranda?" Shepard asked softly. "I don't know what they did for you to make you so loyal, but you need to open your eyes and see them for what they really are. I don't doubt that Cerberus started off with the goal of bettering, but you should know the old saying, 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions.' You understand me?"

"Cerberus helped me... hide my sister from my father," Miranda replied, walking over to her couch to stare out of the window. This wasn't something she talked about with just anyone, but Shepard had so far shown an impressive track record in helping people with their problems and listening.

Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Shepard walked over and sat beside Miranda. "You have a sister?" she asked.

"Yes, her name is Oriana," Miranda replied. "When I turned out to not be what he wanted, father decided he would try again." The look on Miranda's face was fierce, one of hatred and disgust. "When I thought about all I went through, and realized that my sister was going to go through that as well, I couldn't take it. I took her away from him. Cerberus helped me place her with a family and kept them in the dark."

"I'm sorry, Miranda. I had no idea," Shepard said with sympathy. To be honest, she was glad the Cerberus operative was finally opening up to her. "I'd imagine your dad wouldn't be the type to just give up on something."

Miranda let out a snort of frustration. "Hardly. Cerberus is good, but they can only do so much. My father has vast amounts of resources at his disposal." Miranda paused a bit, thinking over what she should do. Deciding that Shepard was trustworthy enough, not to mention the rapport that it would build between the two women, she continued on. "I actually need your help on something. It involves my sister."

Shepard nodded and paid complete attention to Miranda. "Oh? What's going on?" she asked.

Miranda bit her lip and worked up the courage to continue. "Shepard, you must know this is hard for me. I am not a very trusting person, even less so when it comes to Oriana," she began. "I have reason to believe that my father is getting close to finding her, and I need your help relocating her."

A confused look came across Shepard's face. "I'm all for helping, but how exactly can I be of use?" She was extremely glad that Miranda was coming to her for help and opening up, but just couldn't see how she would be of any use relocating Miranda's sister.

"I need you there in case something goes wrong, which I fully expect to happen," Miranda said, a serious expression on her face. "I'm working with an old friend, Niket, to help with the move. However, I wouldn't put it past my father to find out about it somehow and try to interfere. He cannot get his hands on her, Shepard," she said with a hint of ice in her voice.

"I'll do my best," Shepard replied, putting a reassuring hand on Miranda's shoulder. "Where is she now? We'll head there immediately, we don't have any more pressing matters to attend to."

"I appreciate this Shepard. She's on Illium, and while we're there, we might be able to pick up some information on the latest two dossiers I just received," Miranda said, sliding her hand over Shepard's.

Shepard smiled and casually withdrew her hand from Miranda's. "Look's like you've got everything covered. I'll set course for Illium immediately."


To: Liara T'Soni

From: [restricted]

Subject: Null

T'Soni, I assume that you still have that information broker business on Illium, correct?

To: [restricted]

From: Liara T'Soni

Subject: Null

You have some nerve contacting me after our last discussion. What is this about?

To: Liara T'Soni

From: [restricted]

Subject: Null

You kept your promise to remain quiet about Oriana's whereabouts, I'm keeping mine. Perhaps I shouldn't, though, Shepard may not recognize you. You've no doubt changed considerably since the last time you two were around each other.

To: [restricted]

From: Liara T'Soni

Subject: Null

Lawson, let me see her. Please, I need to... we need to. Why do you ask about my broker business?

To: Liara T'Soni

From: [restricted]

Subject: Null

Our latest intel suggests an asari Justicar, Samara, is on Illium, as well as a drell assassin named Thane Krios. I need specific information regarding their whereabouts and any other information you can dig up. We are on our way to Illium.

To: [restricted]

From: Liara T'Soni

Subject: Null

Does she know that I am here? When will I get to see her? When are you arriving?

To: Liara T'Soni

From: [restricted]

Subject: Null

We are two days out. I will surprise her with you being on Illium, I don't need her distracted. I have some business with Oriana to take care of that Shepard is assisting me with, then you will be allowed to see her. I warn you, though, that if you hurt her in any way there will be hell to pay.

To: [restricted]

From: Liara T'Soni

Subject: Null

Do not hurt her? What is that supposed to mean?! As if I would ever harm Isabelle. She is my lover, my future bondmate. All she is to you is a representation of your skills, what makes you think I would possibly hurt her?

To: Liara T'Soni

From: [restricted]

Subject: Null

You've been warned, T'Soni.

To: [restricted]

From: Liara T'Soni

Subject: Null

How dare you even suggest I would ever hurt Izzy. I cannot even begin to articulate my hatred towards you, Lawson. You have no idea what I'm capable of.

Message returned, address is no longer valid.


Liara re-read the messages between herself and Miranda and felt a whirl of emotions flowing through her. She was elated that she was finally going to see her lover again, but at the same time becoming increasingly nervous at the same time. What if Isabelle isn't who she used to be? What if she no longer wants to be with me because I've changed so much? What if... she hates me for turning her over to Cerberus? Questions poured through her brain at an alarming rate, preventing her from focusing on more than one task at hand.

Temporarily pushing her thoughts aside, Liara began poring through her information network to find out anything she could about Samara and Thane. The task served its purpose of distracting her form her thoughts, but quickly ended as she put together the reports for Shepard.

After finalizing the reports and putting them on a data disk in her desk, Liara's thoughts wandered to Miranda. She couldn't believe how much of a bitch Miranda was being towards her, and thought her concern for Shepard was rather odd. She liked even less that she was forced to work off Miranda's schedule. The anticipation was killing Liara and she still had two days left.

Rubbing her temples and letting out an exasperated sigh, Liara pressed the intercom button. "Nyxeris? Cancel my appointments for the next two days, I'm going to take a short break. I'll be leaving you in charge until I return," she said as she packed up everything she needed from the office.

"Right away, ma'am. Thank you."

Liara let out another sigh as she pulled out a framed picture from her desk and ran her fingers over it. It was a picture of Shepard and herself lying in bed after a night of vigorous activity, both looking completely content and happy. A small smile sneaked its way onto Liara's face, and she put it on her desk for the first time since making it. Please hurry, Isabelle.


"How did it go?" Shepard asked. Miranda had put up a fight when Shepard had pushed her to go talk with her sister. She was appalled at the fact that Miranda was going to let Oriana leave without knowing that her sister had saved her.

"It went... rather well. She's incredibly funny," Miranda said, a slight laugh coming from her.

"I told you that she wouldn't bite. It's nice to see you like this, Miranda," Shepard said with a smile, punching Miranda on the arm slightly.

"Thank you, Shepard," Miranda replied. "And thank you for not letting me kill Niket, I would have regretted it."

Shepard waved her off. "No problem. So, where do we find the information on our two latest potential recruits?" she asked.

Miranda's smile lessened slightly. She turned slightly and pointed towards an office close to the trading floor. "You'll find the information broker who has the latest intel on them over there, she's quite good at her job," Miranda said with a bit of venom.

"You're not coming with me?" Shepard replied, wondering why Miranda didn't want to go.

"You go ahead, I need to take care of a few more things with Oriana," Miranda replied. In all honesty, she did need to hash out a few more things, but she really didn't want to go see Liara.

Shepard shrugged. "All right, have fun. I'll see you back on the ship later."

Walking over to the office that Miranda pointed out, Shepard rounded the corner and walked up the stair way to the reception desk. Seeing that nobody was there, Shepard checked the door and saw that it was unlocked. Walking into the office, Shepard gazed around, distracted. Her attention was immediately returned when she saw a figure talking to someone on a vid screen.

"Have you ever faced an asari commando unit before? Few humans have. I'll make it simple, either you pay me, or I flay you alive. With my mind," the figure said, cutting off the call immediately after.

Shepard nearly dropped to her knees. She would know that heavenly voice anywhere, though she was confused by what she was saying. It was all but confirmed when the figure turned around and her beauty was shown. "Liara?!"