I hope you guys enjoy this. Just a bit of fluff before some action.
I'm always up for prompts.
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-brittsis

She found him in her room, eyes narrowed at the items stacked in the corner. Alex had Luka and Meris move the goods to her quarters when it became clear that something was wrong. It made it easier for them to access it without having to access the smuggler's catch but let it out in the open. He was frowning at the piles of electronics and weapons, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. When Alex entered, he turned those eyes on her and she felt her knees go weak.

"Steven," Alex shook it off. "I have a favor to ask."

"What the hell is going on?" Hackett spat out. He picked up a pistol and waved it at her. "This thing has three illegal mods and the registration has been wiped clean."

"It's merchandise." She explained.

"Oh is that all? Who are you going to sell it to?"

Alex shrugged, "Whoever is willing to pay the price."

He growled and tossed the weapon aside. "Are you going to answer my questions or just shrug them off?"

"We don't have time for this."

"Alex, you've avoided my questions since I've come on board." He marched over to her and slammed her against the wall, blocking her off with his arms. "I'm welcome in your bed but not your head?"

"You don't want in my head. Sometimes I don't even want in here."

"I love you." His eyes narrowed as she flinched and looked away. "I want every part of you, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Why Alex? Why turn to smuggling?"

"Because no one thanks me," Alex whispered.

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Alex cursed her slip and tried to dodge under his arms. He only shifted and blocked her again. He waited, silence filling the room as he waited for her to speak. She could hear the time slipping away and knew her options were running out. Frowning, she looked away from him as she spoke. "During the war I made choices. Some were good while others were bad. It didn't matter though. No matter what I did, someone was thanking me. Hundred would die and someone would thank me."

"Alex…" Hackett's voice softened as he cupped her cheek. When she looked up, he gave her a light kiss.

She pulled away and evaded to the other side of them room. "I need your help."

He sighed, deciding to let it go for now. "What do you need?"

"I need to get to Palavan. Meris said she could get me off the ship but we need another team mate. Can you gear up?"

He nodded, "Where do you want me to meet you?"

"The cockpit in twenty," Alex answered him.

They moved silently through the city. It had taken a lot of skill and patience but Meris has commandeered a shuttle and gotten them planet side. They'd landed in a city still in ruin. Scars from the war were everywhere, each refusing to be erased. The sight weighed heavily on her heart. Alex fought back the guilt and forced herself to concentrate. It only took a moment's distraction to destroy them and she wouldn't allow anything to happen. The mission was too important and too many lives depended on its success.

"We're being followed." Hackett whispered over the comms.

Meris nodded, "I'm just waiting for them to show themselves."

"Well let's give them an invite then." Alex stood from cover and placed her rifle down. Her hands went into the air as she spun. "We're not here to fight. I'm just looking for answers."

Hackett cursed and tried to pull her back into cover. She swatted his hand away and continued. "We just want to know what's going on."

Several minutes passed before a turian appeared. He was young, couldn't have been more than twelve. Still he stood tall and held a rifle on her as he spoke. "What would two humans and a salarian be doing on Palavan?"

"I'm Captain Alex Willows of the cargo ship The Gryphon." Alex explained, walking closer. "My ship was employed to make a delivery. We were grounded on Manae and were rewarded with death. I'm looking for answers and possible help."

He drew his mandibles in tight as he considered her words. "We can't offer much help. We're in the middle of a war."

Alex swallowed hard, goose bumps covering her skin. So many images came to her head. Death, destruction, and pain ruled her for several minutes as she struggled to breathe.

"Alex?" Hackett asked, worry in his voice.

She pulled herself together, fighting for her sanity. Her eyes closed as she willed her mind to obey. "Can you take me to your superior?"

He shifted on his feet nervously. Eyes searched the area while his aim waivered. Alex forced herself to smile and put the bpy at ease. "I'll let you hold our weapons."

He nodded, "My name is Leoke Vitkal."

The people had rebelled against the Hierarchy. They're loyalty had been stretched too far. Enough was enough and no longer would they sit by while the lower cast starved and lived in squalor. The people rose up and declared war. Now the Hierarchy was blocking off the relay and any supplies that could help them. Two weeks in and they'd lost a third their troops to hunger and exhaustion. Something needed to be done.

Alex stood guard, lending aid while she tried to come up with a plan. It was evident that the rebellion was in the right. The Hierarchy had taxed them too harshly and rationed them too death. Support went to career military and prominent families, exhausting them long before they got to the people that needed them. It was disgusting at how quickly people had forgotten the one lesson the Reapers had taught them.

"Alex, I can see that brain of yours working." Hackett spoke from his spot beside her.

She sighed, "I tried so hard to hide away. No matter what I do, trouble follows me. A stranded passenger vessel, batarian pirates attacking a port, a child crying over his dead mother, now a god damn war that the good guys are losing."

Cursing, Alex rubbed her face hard and shifted on her feet. "I've got several hundred thousand of credits in my smugglers catch. I only need to walk away and sell it on the Citadel. Luka would be able to buy that new armor. Meris could pay the bounty on her head and maybe return to Sur'Kesh. I could afford an engine rebuild and start on that retirement fund. But all I can think is that without it, all these people are going to die. Once again I'm trying to be the fucking hero."

"And that's a bad thing?"

"Don't you fucking get it?" She yelled, fingers itching to grab something and start throwing. "I left that life behind. I'm a fucking smuggler and sometimes pirate. I turned to a life of crime so I can avoid becoming someone hero. I don't want this!"

Hackett walked over to her, taking her hands in his. "Sometimes it's not what we want. Sometimes fate plays it hands and we're forced to become who we're meant to be. You are Alex Shepard… No don't flinch from it. You can change your name and fake your death but you can't change who you are. You, my love, are a hero."

"Fuck," She knew he was right and part of her melted at his words. A zebra couldn't change her stripes. Hackett had seen right through her and spoke a truth she'd been hiding from for the last ten years. And to make matters worse, Alex found herself slipping. She was falling for the man and didn't want to.