A/N: Thank you all so much for taking the time out of your day to support this story and/or taking the time to review. I really appreciate it and look forward to seeing all of your comments, insights, critiques, and predictions. I hope I can continue to make this a fun time for everyone involved. :D


James was waiting outside the locker room when Shepard slumped out slowly. He gave her a sympathetic smile as she moved by his side and they started towards the far wall of the gym where the rest of their class was lining up to be released into the outdoor field.

"Long week?" he ventured.

She shot him a pointed look.

"Ash has been telling me that you've been getting a hard time." He stuck his hand in his pockets, looking uncomfortable. "You've got Maya on your case, huh?"

Shepard rolled her eyes. "Honestly, it's more annoying than anything," she explained. "I was scared, given how everyone acts around her, but this is just a waste of her time and my money."

James furrowed his brow. "Your money?"

"Do you know how many pencils I've gone through?" Shepard shot back, exasperated. "Forests have been decimated for her revenge."

He chuckled at her dramatics, patting her heartily on the back. "Hey, it could be much worse, Lola."

She nodded solemnly. "I know, I'm grateful this is all I have to deal with."


Shepard awoke to the smells and sounds of her mother in the kitchen. Karin had changed her schedule around that weekend to ensure she would be home on Shepard's birthday, and was making the most of her time off.

Groggily, she stumbled out of bed and clumsily dressed herself before slumping down the stairs and into the kitchen. She lazily patted Grunt as she passed him, returning his welcome as she watched her mother bustle about the room through heavy lidded eyes.

"Good morning," her mother greeted cheerfully from her position in front of the stove as she stirred at a steaming pot vigorously.

"Mornin'," Shepard mumbled back through a yawn, earning a chuckle as she slumped into a chair at the table gracelessly.

"So excited about your birthday that you were up all night?" Karin questioned teasingly.

Shepard's only response was a loud groan.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'," her mother replied, unbothered by Shepard's poor attitude towards the festivities.

Shepard watched her work in silence for a time as she lamented her poor fortune. It would be a night full of undivided attention, something she had never been too keen on. At least she knew everyone meant well, except perhaps Joker. Still, she wasn't exactly looking forward to the rest of the day. Not to mention as she watched her mom work she now felt obligated to help out for a dinner she didn't even want to attend.

Blanching, Shepard let her eyes wander as she sorted through her plan for the day. Her gaze fell on the old analog clock stuck up on the wall and she considered it for a moment. There was plenty of time before mid afternoon hit, and there was at least one person she knew of who didn't know it was her birthday and frankly probably wouldn't acknowledge the fact if she did.

"Is it okay if I head out for a bit and then give you a hand when I get home?" Shepard asked as nonchalantly as she could manage. She didn't want her mother asking questions, as she had never been a good liar. Somehow, being honest and informing the woman that there was a girl from school that she really enjoyed irritating every Saturday sounded too strange to admit. "I usually take Grunt for a walk."

"That's fine by me," Karin replied jovially, too distracted to offer her full attention, "as long as you're home in time."

Shepard rolled her eyes, pulling up from the table and stamping through the room towards the front door childishly. "Yeah, yeah," she grumbled, moving quickly through the living room and pulling open the door. She paused for a moment in disbelief before letting out an anguished growl.

"Noooo," she moaned pitifully, "come on, seriously?"

Her mom peered around the corner at the sound. "What?"

"It's raining," Shepard bemoaned as she gazed pathetically out of the doorway at the spring shower.

Karin chuckled at her dramatic wailing. "It won't last all day. It will let up before dinner, take him then," she suggested cheerily before returning to her work.

"It will be too late then," Shepard groaned, lamenting her positively horrendous fortune.

"Too late for what?" Karin questioned incredulously. "Walking?"

"Never mind mom, you don't get it." Shepard returned inside and closed the door a fair bit more forcefully than necessary. She moved to the couch, collapsing face first into the cushions. "I have to wait a whole other week."

"What?" Now she was really confused.

"Forget it. Ugh, everything sucks."

Now Karin was laughing. "Well why don't you ponder the world's sucky-ness in here while you peel some potatoes."

"Wow," Shepard grumbled as she reluctantly pulled herself up and stumbled gracelessly into the kitchen, "please don't go so out of your way to treat me special on my birthday. Calm down, it's too much."

"Less sass," her mother replied dryly as she dropped the heavy sack on the table as soon as Shepard took a seat, "more peeling."


"Wow," Shepard breathed out, genuinely delighted as she turned the package over in her hands.

"It's the one you prefer from the game," Kaidan informed her proudly.

They sat at the kitchen table in Shepard's house, surrounded by Sam, Joker, and Shepard's mom.

"You really didn't have to do that, buddy," she replied earnestly, though her eyes never left the box she held. "Thank you." Printed on the outside was a picture of the model ship, an exact replica of the one she piloted in Galaxy of Fantasy. The intricate design promised at least one or two hours of assembly. A selfish part of her wanted the party to end as soon as possible so she could tear into it.

He waved her claim away, a smile on his face, pleased he had chosen well. Reluctantly, Shepard placed the gift back on the table, reaching for her next present. It was a thick rectangular shape and neatly wrapped, indicating Sam was the one who had brought it.

Shepard picked it up and found herself surprised by how weighty it was. Curiosity peaked, she pulled off the paper and discovered a large book. Familiar alien species adorned the cover.

"It's an art book," Samantha explained. "It's got all of the concept art. I know you like that kind of stuff."

Weeks ago Shepard had made a comment about character design as they lounged on Joker's bed, storming an enemy fortress. She had admitted her frustration with her inability to draw, and her envy for the creative minds of the game designers who had such talents. It had been offhand, quick. She hadn't really thought anyone had been truly listening.

Shepard beamed at Sam before pulling it open. "Thanks," she replied, pulling open the cover to flip through some of the pages. She marveled at the detailed work with great appreciation for some time before her mother's voice caught her attention.

"Probably should wait until after everyone has gone to start reading, Jane," Karin said with a laugh.

With a sheepish smile Shepard closed the book and placed it gently to the side. "Right," she replied. "Sorry. Thank you," she repeated, glancing up at her friend. Sam smiled warmly in return, and the sudden bubble of heat in the pit of her stomach made Shepard shift in her chair.

She blinked and shook her head, grateful for the distraction when Joker eagerly thrust the last gift in her direction, nearly bouncing out of his seat in his excitement. At his urging, she ripped off the messily taped paper far more quickly than she had with the other gifts to receive a game box. It was their much anticipated expansion pack.

"What's great about that," he started rambling quickly before she could even process a reaction, "is that you get two downloads with that." He flashed her a brilliant smile.

"Aw," she cooed knowingly, "did you get this for me or for you?"

He stuck his tongue out at her and she narrowed her eyes playfully.

"Watch it," Shepard warned, "or I might share it with one of them instead." She gestured to her other friends across the table.

"Actually," Sam cut in, "we talked about it when Joker told us what he was getting you and Kaidan and I decided to split the cost of one for ourselves."

Shepard grinned at the other girl, fighting the unease she seemed suddenly stricken with. "Great," she responded excitedly, "it's going to be so much cooler when we play tomorrow." She shifted once more, feeling as though she wanted to say more, but wasn't quite sure just what it was. "I can't wait," her brain settled for babbling out stupidly.

Karin stood, gathering the stray wrapping paper strewn about the table in her hand for disposal. "You guys are such losers," she sighed out sadly, prompting them to burst out into a fit of laughter.


Shepard lay in her bed, head propped up against a small mountain of pillows as she flipped through her new book. She let out a heavy sigh as her mind refused to focus on the material in front of her. Birthdays always managed to get her worked up at the best of times, and now she found herself facing this whole new issue with Sam.

Was it an issue? She wasn't even sure anymore.

Engrossed as she was by her thoughts and reading, she hardly registered her mother entering. She didn't glance up at the woman until Karin was sitting on the edge of her mattress.

"So," she said, gesturing towards the book, "it wasn't so bad, was it?"

Shepard threw her a mock scowl as she sat up a little straighter and closed the book before dropping it on the nightstand. "Well, I'm still breathing."

Karin smiled at the comment, though Shepard didn't miss the deep sympathy her gaze held. "How do you feel, little Jane?" she questioned gently.

With a heavy sigh, Shepard crossed her arms. They had this almost-conversation every year, and her answer was always the same. "I'm fine."

"Do you want to talk at all?" The offer was always made in the same tone. Karin's voice was soft and sweet, though laced with the heavy weight of the knowledge that Shepard could very well say yes, and edged with the firm desire that the child would continue to say no.

Shepard hated this, how it so clearly tore the woman up inside. She knew the craving to be open and honest with Shepard was always at odds with her mother's need to shield her from any and all pain.

"No," Shepard replied firmly, just as she did every year. Her desire to ignore her past never changed or faded. She hated this day, how it reminded her of everything that never was and never would be. Enough knowledge was known, that she had been born and then left, dropped in another's care and made a burden of. They didn't need to discuss it.

Whoever Hannah Shepard was, she wasn't someone Jane would ever seek out. She had given Shepard life and a name, and that was that.

And just as always, relief flashed across Karin's features. She straightened and stood, making to leave the room.

"Thanks," Shepard called out after her, "for everything." She chuckled. "Even if I am an ungrateful ass sometimes."

Karin turned on her. "Only sometimes?" she questioned incredulously.

"Okay," Shepard allowed with a wide smile, "most of the time."


Sunday was wasted away on video games as usual - though now Shepard found herself nervous as she walked the relatively short distance to Joker's – and everything played out as always. Before she knew it school had come once more. The week dragged as it had last time, what with all of Maya's annoyances, but Shepard pressed on dutifully, slowly becoming quite adept at dodging all of the minor inconveniences.

On Tuesday her group went out to the movies, and on Wednesday she enjoyed an afterschool pickup game of soccer with James and his buddies. She paid for it later, having to stay up late into the night to finish her essay for Udina's class, but that was certainly a teacher who's assignments she didn't mind bullshitting at three a.m.

On Thursday, Shepard found herself at Samantha's after school let out. Chess had come up during lunch that afternoon, and her friend had been appalled by Shepard's admission that she had never actually played before.

"You shouldn't do that," Sam sighed out for the umpteenth time.

Shepard grimaced and placed the piece back where it had been at the start of her turn. Sam was a genius at the game and a patient teacher, but Shepard was having more than a little trouble at grasping the fundamentals. Quite frankly she was impressed the girl hadn't flipped the table in frustration and thrown her out.

"That's a good tactic," Shepard practically whined, exasperated. "It would work."

"In real battle maybe," Samantha allowed. "You're not taking into account your piece's movement restrictions. Stop trying to charge me full force."

Shepard pouted playfully. "You're too good. I need to play someone on my level. I bet Joker is a mess with this kind of stuff."

Sam giggled. "God awful."

"Ah ha," Shepard proclaimed excitedly. "My next opponent."

They tackled a few more games, Shepard being beaten down mercilessly each time. Samantha's ruthlessness on the board certainly came as a shock, though not an unwelcome one. It was intriguing to see the girl so confident. Her skill was remarkable, and the poise she executed each move with was a sight to behold.

It was a far different light than what Shepard was used to seeing her friend in. All of the mild mannered tendencies had seemingly vanished. It was almost exciting, and Shepard found herself wanting to be better than she was, suddenly loathing her apparent inadequacy despite the fact the games were relaxed and playful in nature.

The time passed quickly as they laughed away the afternoon, and when she was invited to remain for dinner, Shepard hardly hesitated. She found herself reluctant when the time came to return home, loitering in the doorway for some time as she thanked her host. It was an odd feeling indeed, the flicker of heat in her stomach as they said their goodbyes, and as Shepard started the short walk home, she finally accepted that yes, this was very much an issue.


Anderson's class on Friday was a bit of a whirlwind. Shepard felt rather nervous as she took her usual seat beside Sam, and was relieved that they were left with little time to speak before the bell rang. Shepard's head was a jumbled mess, she didn't trust herself to be able to hold a normal conversation with her friend.

She observed Sam for a few moments, carefully taking the girl in. Objectively she was beautiful, but none of the feelings she would associate with physical attraction were stirred within her. Perhaps it was because she felt nothing for the girl beyond friendship that it wasn't helping sort herself out at all, or perhaps because she was female.

It was emotional pull she felt after all. They were close, everything felt comforting and safe. But to move beyond what they had, would she really want that? It would be exciting at first she was sure, but there was more to it than comfort right? Was it because she was female? Was that the thing holding them back?

Her resolve set to answer the question, Shepard turned her attentions on a boy. For a moment she stared forward at the back of Joker's head, and then quickly glanced away as she risked bursting into a fit of laughter.

Joker, yeah right. She needed to take this seriously.

Jacob, now there was a boy that gaggles of girls were always squealing over. Smart, attractive, kind, and star athlete, the attention seemed well deserved. Shepard moved as though she were stretching in her chair and risked a glance back at the boy. Again, nothing even remotely appealed to her, physically or otherwise.

Frustrated, she straightened out in her seat once more, racking her brain. She thought of James. Again, fawned over by many, but to her just a good buddy to toss around a ball with. Frowning, she considered her girl friends. With Sam there was no physical pull, but perhaps another would hold more interest for her. She reflected on her interactions with Emily and Kelly. Nothing emotional, but they were cute in some ways she supposed.

She blinked, confused by the thought. She glanced over at Ashley, who was in fact, rather beautiful. And Maya? Well Maya was gorgeous of course, and with a sinking feeling of dread Shepard remembered her errant thoughts from their first few meetings. It was such a shame, she had considered in passing back then, that someone so beautiful would choose to be so ugly.

Looks like her past self was answering some of her own questions.

Shepard blanched at the memory and then, inevitably, her thoughts were on Miranda. She stiffened in her chair as her face grew hot in embarrassment and she hurried to refocus on the lesson Anderson was teaching. That was ridiculous, no sense entertaining that idea. Absurd really.


After her whole identity crisis, Shepard felt off for the remainder of the day. She was embarrassed easily by any friendly jokes at her expense, and seemed a bit jumpy to the others. They laughed her personality shift off however and carried on as normal.

When Poli Sci came around Shepard was on the edge of her seat, eager to be home for the weekend. It was sort of depressing really, how difficult suffering through the school week had become. She leapt up when the bell finally rang, interrupting Udina's monotonous lecture and signaling the end of the day. Steve laughed at her eagerness, but his joviality was quickly cut short as he noticed their teacher approaching.

Shepard gazed up at the man with poorly concealed apprehension. The smirk he wore certainly meant nothing good.

"Miss Shepard, I would like to speak to you after the rest of the class has left."


Shepard was practically vibrating with an even mixture of rage and anxiety as she reached for the door handle. Never had she been in such a position before, and never had she faced such an injustice.

Reluctantly she pulled open the door and stepped into the room. A teacher she didn't recognize sat at the front desk, and with great shame Shepard stepped forward to hand her the slip Udina had written out so gleefully.

The teacher accepted the paper without question and dismissively waved her towards one of the desks lined up before her. Shepard glanced at the many unfamiliar students in the quiet room. This was certainly not her crowd. And then she noticed Jack, all alone against the far wall, strangely working intently in her notebook.

She could not place a single other face in that room, so she took a chance – and a deep breath – before moving to one of the many empty seats around Jack.

"Wow," the girl drawled out in feigned awe as Shepard settled down beside her, "never thought I would find a tight ass like you around here."

Shepard glanced nervously up at the teacher in the desk at the front of the room. "Are we allowed to talk?"

"Don't worry, it's all a joke," Jack replied dismissively, her attention still on the work in front of her, "They don't give a shit so long as we don't get uppity."

"Oh," Shepard responded quietly. She was getting the feeling that Jack was a frequent visitor here. "I'm surprised that you're here actually."

The girl snorted. "You obviously don't know me very well."

Shepard didn't doubt that, because she had risked a peek over Jack's hand as the girl worked and what was written on the paper appeared to be some sort of poem. Certainly not something she had ever expected to see.

"But you're so quiet in poli sci," she pressed, hoping she wasn't pushing her luck.

"Yeah well," Jack glanced away, scratching at her nose with her free hand, "I don't want to get my ear chewed off by Kelly." She cleared her throat, transparently turning the conversation back on Shepard. "So what are you in for?"

Shepard let out a heavy breath. "Plagiarism on an essay," she mumbled. "I didn't do it though."

Again, Jack snorted rather loudly. "Right, and I didn't call that prissy bitch Tevos a cunt."

For a moment, Shepard's chest tightened and her face grew hot at the knowledge that yet another person was suggesting she would be so dishonest. A heat boiled through her veins at the unfairness of the false accusations being thrust upon her character. Somehow Maya had gotten someone in the class to plant a fake paper and switch out her real one, but who was going to believe that? It was ridiculous.

And then just as suddenly as it had come, the feeling vanished.

It didn't matter if Jack believed her or not. It didn't matter if Udina believed her. She had gotten 'caught' red handed, and no matter what she said she had to serve the time. All that mattered was that next time she was prepared, next time she wouldn't get caught.

This was just a slight hiccup in her life. Her mother was working, so she would never have to know that Shepard came home late, and she was positive that something like this was never going to happen to her again. In fact, she was dead certain of it.

Shepard wasn't sure how or when, but one way or another she was going to ensure that Maya got what was coming to her.