A nice long chapter for my fans, cause I loves you all. I hope you like it, I was in a rush to finish it because its my wedding anniversary tomorrow and me and my hubby are going away for a few days, for a well deserved holiday, so I won't be able to get much writing done.. The next couple of chapters are gong to be a bit fluffy (I promised I'd make them less miserable)

Thank you all for your patience and kind reviews. Especially to those of you who review every chapter. Seriously you people are amazing xxx

Chapter 10: Sur'Kesh

"Got a minute?"

Garrus turned from his beloved calibrations to see Kaiden standing in the doorway of the main battery.

"Sure, what's on your mind?"

Kaiden shuffled nervously before taking a seat. Garrus could see that he was uncomfortable. He had been unsettled since Icarus shot him down on Omega. Even Garrus had to be amused at his friend's naivety. Spectre status was not an automatic right to gain respect. He thought that Kaiden would have learned that from their whole experience with Saren.

"What do you think of that Icarus woman?"

"This is about Omega, isn't it?"

"That obvious" Kaiden smirked at his friend.

"Well you weren't exactly.. ah.. impressed when Aria only wanted to talk with her."

"I don't like it."

"To be honest, Kaiden, you forget that not everyone is going to salute a Spectre"

"Despite the saving the universe thing?"

Garrus took a breath. As much as he loved his friend, Kaiden's naivety tended to ruffle feathers.

"They will never look at you the way they looked at Shepard." Garrus stated softly "you can't demand their respect."

Kaiden smiled as he patted his friend on his shoulder.

"I know. It's just hard knowing that, no matter how hard I try, I can never live up to her example. She was one in a million."

"She was more than that. There'll never be another Jane Shepard."

"You never talk about her."

"What can I say that you don't already know?"

"You'd feel better for it, Garrus."

Garrus considered Kaiden carefully. He wasn't sure how the conversation went from Icarus to Shepard; and so quickly too. He had tried to make his friend feel better, yet the sneaky pyjack had managed to turn the tables on him. He understood that Kaiden wanted to help him move on. But, Garrus did not want to move on. He felt as though all he had left were the memories. If he spoke of her, it felt as though they would vanish from his mind. He was terrified that he would forget her.

"Maybe, but I don't want to feel better. I want to wake up and see her sleeping next to me. I want it all to be a bad dream."

"Me too, pal. Me too."

Garrus smiled sadly at his friend. He had almost forgot that Kaiden had also loved Shepard. He could see now that he wasn't the ass they had left on Horizon. Kaiden had grown up. He had learned to forgive Shepard for working with Cerberus; and for choosing Garrus. Losing Shepard made their friendship stronger. Even the Turian had to admit that. He was aware that a part of Kaiden would always love Shepard, just as he always would.

"I hear that Icarus has bullied you into bringing her along to Sur'Kesh"

"She's very persuasive" Kaiden smiled guiltily "you'd never think she was as sick as Hackett said she was."

"Have to agree with you there. You need to be at your best to handle Aria."

"Speaking from experience, big guy?"

Garrus laughed at how the conversation had suddenly lightened.

"Hell no. I wasn't stupid enough to tangle with Aria."

"But you went solo against three merc gangs?"

"The lesser of the two evils." Garrus grinned.

Kaiden couldn't help but laugh with his pal. It was nice to see him finally open up to anybody.

"So, anyway, Icarus?" the Turian tried to urge his chuckling friend.

Kaiden stopped his laughing, but the smile remained.

"There's something about her. I have no idea what it is. But it's there."

"I know exactly what you mean." Garrus agreed "Sometimes she's just quiet and keeps to herself. But, sometimes, she just feels so familiar. I have no idea why, but I can't help but trust her. Even though I know nothing about the woman, she just...having her around just gives me hope."

Kaiden nodded.

"Thinking of her girl?"

"Just knowing it was possible... I mean our baby. I dreamed of that future."

"I think you and Shepard would have been great parents."

"That means a lot, coming from you, Kaiden."

"If you're not careful they'll figure everything out."

Miranda was pacing. She was finding Shepard's need to be involved irritating, although, she couldn't deny that she admired her friend for it.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't want them to."

"Jane, it's a dangerous game you're playing. The council is mad enough as it is."

Shepard looked up at Miranda, from her bunk. She seemed nervous.

"You've spoken to them?"

Her friend stopped pacing and glared at Shepard.

"What do you think? It didn't take them long to figure out you were gone. Jane, there will be serious consequences for this."

Shepard slowly sat up and glared at Miranda.

"What did they expect me to do? Just sit there and do nothing, while my little girl is out there?"

Miranda couldn't help but sympathise with Shepard. Oriana was also out there, helpless; and it was killing her. Shepard was a good mother. She was strict when it was needed, but otherwise she doted and adored her little girl.

"Davina and Oriana are all that matters. Screw the council."

As they landed the shuttle on Sur'Kesh, Shepard began to feel more and more like her old self. Despite the Quarian style suit, she felt at home in armour and armed. She even took note that some of her old wounds were not as painful as they had been. In fact, despite the circumstances, she felt so much better than she had in a long time. Far better since she had awakened in the medical unit on Palisade, all those years ago.

She had missed the rush just before a mission. The feeling of her assault rifle in her hands was soothing. She glanced at the team she was accompanying. Kaiden, obviously taking the lead, Liara and Tali were there to offer their support with tech and biotics. As always, reliable Garrus would be on his commanding officer's six. Even though her smile was hidden behind her mask, she was sure they knew that she was glad they were in this fight with her... or at least with Icarus.

Miranda sat beside her, making last-minute checks to Shepard's suit. Once she was satisfied with the seals, she looked up nervously at her friend. They had no idea what they would find down there. But, if anyone had dared harm Davina or Oriana, she would make them pay.

On leaving the shuttle, the team were quickly surrounded by Salarian guards. They were clearly in the right place.

"You do not have clearance to be here."

The Salarian's were clearly not planning on welcoming the team to this research facility. Their guns were drawn and Shepard happily acknowledged this as her invitation. Drawing her gun she aimed it at the guard's head.

"A Turian-Human child and a Human woman were brought here. If you value your life, you will take me to them."

The guard looked at her defiantly.

"Our projects are top secret, how could you possibly know anything?"

"It doesn't matter how we know. The point is that we do, now..."

She pushed he gun into the Salarian's face. Usually she would never have resorted to this. As Commander of the Normandy, she was calm and collected. She never acted without thinking and she certainly never resorted to violence if it was unnecessary. But things had changed. Now she was a mother, desperate to be reunited with her daughter...

and these assholes were keeping her girl from her.

"I seriously suggest that you take us to the kid, or I shoot you. I will happily shoot you all one by one until one of you complies."

The Salarian swallowed hard. They were not courageous as a species. In fact they saw science as the only weapon worth having. Slowly he nodded.

"I'll...I'll take you to them. But you have no idea what you're doing. That child is the key to overcoming the levo-dextro issue relating to food. She could be the key to overcoming the dietary intolerances faced by Turians and Quarians alike."

A growl filled the air, everyone looked at Garrus. He was eyeing the Salarian maliciously. He was clearly upset with what the guard had said. Shepard smiled sadly and wondered how he would have reacted if he had known the girl was his daughter. She shoved the Salarian roughly, and he took this as his signal to carry out his promise; and lead them to the test subjects.

The body count was mounting as they made their way further into the base. They knew they would meet resistance, but they had not expected the Salarians to be this protective over their test subjects. Usually, they would try to avoid violence and defend against their attackers with logic. But it was clear that they were unwilling to let their prisoners leave.

The team could not help but marvel at how efficient and merciless Icarus was. She was clearly a mother doing her part to protect her child. They could tell that this woman had taken military training at some stage during her life. She was ruthless; and Garrus could not help but be impressed.

As they arrived in the lab, the horror that greeted them made Garrus growl loudly.

The scientist were dead, Icarus had taken care of them. She was eager to get to the fragile body lying on the table. Her talons were tied together, Her legs were restrained. She had very human features but it was clear that she was half Turian, and Garrus' heart melted

Despite all the tubes, needles and cuts, clearly indicating horrific experiments, the child was fully conscious... and crying. The girl's dual chord whimpers did something to Garrus. A feeling of protectiveness overpowered every other thought he had. Every other feeling had abandoned him. All he could think of was protecting that child.

Her crest had been clamped to the table, her long hair matted with blue blood. Icarus was whispering something to her daughter, soon the girl began to calm down.

"Mommy?" Her voice was weak, but relieved.

"I'm here honey."

"How did you get away from Palisade? The council are going to be so mad at you."

"That doesn't matter, nobody hurts my girl."

She touched her daughter's forehead with her own. Garrus could not help but smile inwardly at this very affectionate, Turian greeting.

Miranda broke the silence as she took control of their captive.

"You won't get away that easy, take me to my sister."

The base burned. Kaiden had decided that it would be best to destroy the place. The experiments performed there were horrific. Arriving back on the Normandy, Oriana and Davina were ushered into the med bay by Chakwas ad Miranda to get patched up and checked. The little girl seemed so much better since arriving on the ship. Even Shepard began to relax. Her daughter had a calming effect on her.

Taking a few minutes to gather her thoughts, she decided that life was too short to deny letting her daughter live a little before they returned to Palisade. She made her way to her old cabin and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

She opened the door to see Kaiden at her old desk writing out his report. She could not help but notice that he had not made any real effort to change the look of the cabin. It looked pretty much the same as she had left it all those years ago.

"I was hoping to speak to you."

He looked at her thoughtfully, putting his report down, he turned to face her.

"Is your girl okay?"

"Davina's fine, thank you. She's so excited to be on board the Normandy. Her bed time stories seem to be coming true."

"I'm glad that they haven't caused any permanent damage."

"Me too." She replied softly "I was hoping to ask a favour."

His brow furrowed as he studied her.

"What is it you need?"

She shuffled nervously. She knew she had no business asking, but she felt that she at least owed it to her daughter.

"I was hoping I could convince you to delay filing your report."

Kaiden was confused. The report needed to be filed and the Council had made it painfully clear that they wanted Icarus returned immediately.

"Why? I thought you'd be eager to return home."

"That place was never home. I just woke up one day and was told I couldn't leave. Davina was born on Palisade; and this is the first time she has ever left. I just want her not to be scarred by her first experience. I want her to have at least one adventure."

"How long do you think I can get away with delaying this report? The Council aren't known for their patience."

"Please, just a couple of weeks. I promise I won't crash any more of your missions. I just needed my girl to be safe."

"Then you will go back without a fuss"

"I swear. We will both be out of your hair."

Kaiden considered her request. Despite how rash her actions had been on Sur'Kesh, she had only acted like a mother. To have been forced to live on a secret base, to have to deny your child any freedom must have been torture for the poor woman. He could tell that she was uncomfortable making this request but he could understand. She wanted her girl to explore life beyond the station.

He smiled softly.

"Can I inform Hackett, just to let him know you're safe."

"Thank you." She whispered.

"Not a problem, Ma'am. That kid's going to need time to heal. Plus, I think Garrus is quite taken with her."

Shepard smiled to herself as she remembered the return to the Normandy. Davina, being Davina, having being comforted by her mother, decided to get to know everyone in the shuttle. Almost immediately she had seemed taken with Garrus. The bond between them was instant. Definitely a father-daughter style bond. That was why Shepard wanted to buy extra time on the Normandy. Seeing her daughter bond with her father was a dream come true. It was hard to believe that neither of them knew. When Davina fell asleep in the Turian's arms, Shepard just knew...

She knew it would be impossible to separate them. But, she had no intention to. She hoped that giving them time together would make up for the pain Davina had gone through. She would tell her daughter everything once they settled back on Palisade. She owed them both that much.

Without even thinking about it, she wrapped her arms around the Major, in silent gratitude and excused herself.

Kaiden couldn't help but smile. Icarus really was an interesting woman. He put his unfinished report in the drawer and called for Trainor.

"Yes Major?" Came her voice on the comm.

"Trainor, Get me Councillor Hackett. Looks like we are having a change of plan."