Sometimes finding Jane Shepard was the hardest task for a poor turian to do. He had woken up in a good mood, waking up in a comfortable bed four days in a row would do that to someone, but the minute he hit the control deck and heard whispers of a sick commander he panicked. They hadn't even been on the ship for a week and someone had poisoned her already? Jane was known around the Citadel for making enemies fast, but this was just ridiculous. When he had finally found her in the Tech lab asleep on one of the scientists tables he felt that breath he had been holding rush from his lungs. Sticks chose not to wake her and not because she looked comfortable, but because if he did he was most likely going to suffer bodily harm. He had learned that lesson a long time ago, coming very close to losing something important to any man, no matter his species.

The scientist Salarian had left an hour after he had arrived and Sticks had to admit that if it wasn't for the fact that Jane was passed out between beakers and a monitor there was no way he would have been in that lab. Anywhere experiments were done made his tough hide crawl.

"Mahogany you can't go in…" Jane mumbled, her voice saturated with sleep.

Mahogany… he had heard her mumble that name in her sleep before, along with Georgie and John. Jane would talk freely about Georgie, but the name Mahogany was almost as taboo as John.

"I like turians, what can I say," Jane continued to mumble.

Sticks laughed at her comment. She was actually the first human that he ever met that had an alien fetish, well more like a turian fetish. Since he had known Jane, Sticks had never seen her interested in a human. He had seen her flirt with a Salarian or two, but turians were her thing. Her hand flinched against a small glass beaker, sending it crashing to the floor. Jane bolted upright, her brown hair falling in her face and her right hand going to her gunless side. She looked around wildly trying to get her bearings.

"You're fine Jane. You're in Mordin's lab," Sticks said as he leaned against the back of his chair.

She turned slightly, looking at him from over her shoulder. Her grey eyes were muddled with confusion from her dream that was sounded more like a memory. She had told once that she never had dreams, just memories of her life that haunted her when she slept.

"Ugh," Jane groaned as she rubbed at her neck, moving it from side to side, "my neck is killing me."

"What do you expect? You've been sleeping on that counter for hours. Mordin said you got a little frisky with Thane," Sticks said, his mandibles flaring.

Jane let out a small laugh as she turned away from him and hopped off the counter, pulling down on her flimsy tank top as she walked over to his side of the counter. That top was one of his personal favorites. Not only was it practically see through, but it made her looked soft… feminine. Though he had never found himself attracted to a human before, Jane was different. She stopped in front of him, her hands resting on her hips and that scar she had gotten on Akuze prominent on her thigh. One of her brows arched as she continued to look down at him.

"I just licked the back of his hand," Jane finally sighed, "I had to know if the rumors were true. Don't worry Sticks he wasn't mad, he just told me never to do it again."

Sticks laughed at that.

"I don't blame him," he replied, "I wouldn't like it if some girl I barely knew came up and licked me either."

"What? Yes you would! Most of the girls you have sex with you don't know. You can't lie to me Sticks, I'm always having to do damage control."

"Come on, I'm the one that does damage control. Remember that poor games dealer?"

"That was one time…One time," Jane exclaimed as she held up one of her fingers. "Don't even get me started on how many times I've had to intimidate asari and quarian girls on their pilgrimage for you."

Sticks sighed, she had him there. Since he had come to the Citadel he had built himself quite a reputation, the wrong kind.

"Okay fine, you're right," Sticks conceded, his purple eyes wandering the room.

For a moment he had forgotten where he was, but when his eyes landed on a rather large bug skewered on a spike right next to a table of frightening tools his body stiffened. His breathing became ragged as nightmarish images flashed through his mind. He shook his head violently before he let it drop, cradling it between his large claw-like hands. He felt a small hand come to rest gently on his fringe. Jane had stepped closer to him, his bowed head almost touching her stomach.

"I'm sorry Sticks. I can't believe you're still in here. You shouldn't have come inside."

"No, I got wherever you go remember? Even if it's hell," Sticks replied, his voice heavy.

A small smile graced Jane's face, her hand reaching around and scratching that sensitive spot right behind his fringe. He sighed, his hands falling to his sides as he tilted his head slightly to giver he better access.

"Thanks Sticks. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Crash and burn," he replied lazily.

The sound of the door opening drew both their attention. Miranda walked in, her eyes quickly scanning them both before they landed on Jane's face. She was all business as usual. When Jane took her hand away to turn and face Miranda fully, Sticks sank back into his seat.

"What is it?" Jane asked, her brows knitting together.

"The Illusive Man wants to speak with you. We'll be arriving at the Terrus base in fifteen minutes," Miranda responded.

"Terrus base? I've never heard of it."

"It's a Cerberus outpost. We're scheduled to stop there to fuel up and get any necessary supplies."

"Does Anderson know about this? I won't do anything with Cerberus unless Anderson knows," Jane asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Sure the Alliance and Cerberus were allies now, but she knew enough about Cerberus and their dealings to not trust them.

"Yes. It was all in the report I gave you two days ago. You did read my report, right?" Miranda scowled. Jane hesitated for a moment, a sheepish look coming to her face as she scratched at the back of her head. The action told Miranda all she needed to know.

"I don't know what any of them are thinking putting you in charge," Miranda mumbled, just loud enough for Jane to hear. Jane frowned as she walked toward the woman, making Sticks stand from his seat in case of trouble. Jane paused for a moment besides Miranda, her grey eyes boring into Miranda's defiant blue ones.

"Neither do I," she said harshly before she continued toward the exit. "I'll be ready in ten minutes."

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Kasumi watched him carefully from her perch in the shadows. She had first noticed him when he boarded the Normandy a few days prior. The first thing that had caught her eye about him was his swagger. He was confident like Jacob had been, minus the cockiness. He had that carefree, but determined look on his face and his dress blues were tailored for his body alone, his chevrons shiny on his shoulder and his Alliance pin sitting proudly against his chest. Now though he was in his dark grey fatigues hunched over a computer. His brow was knitted together in discomfort, a sure sign he was getting a migraine from that chip he had to enhance his biotics. L2 biotics were old and full of imperfections… no wonder he had so much trouble with it. He scratched at his black hair as a sigh escaped his lips. He never sat when at a computer, he always stood. It was just another thing about him that fascinated her.

"Are you going to watch me from the shadows or come and talk to me," Kaiden said suddenly, not bothering to look away from the computer.

Kasumi smiled slightly, amused and surprised that he had caught her. She jumped down from the overhead piping, landing soundlessly on the paneled floor. As she stood he finally looked over to her, his dark eyes roaming over the only part of her face that wasn't shadowed by her hood.

"When did you figure out I was there?" Kasumi inquired. No one had ever caught her snooping, not even John had. Kaiden smiled at her for a moment before his gaze dropped back to the computer, his fingers flying over the keyboard.

"I'm a trained solider, if I hadn't realized you were there the moment you arrived I wouldn't be much of one now would I?"

"I don't know, the commander was a Specter and he never caught me once. Maybe you can see in the dark or something," Kasumi teased.

She watched as he took a quick glance at her from the corner of his eye before looking back at the computer screen. It was casting an orange glow over his face, showing worry lines that she hadn't noticed before. His jaw was clinched tight, the muscles flexing under his skin. Something she had said distressed him, made him upset.

"Sorry if I, uh, upset you," Kasumi said, fumbling slightly over her words.

Kaiden looked over at the petite woman. Her full lips were in a frown and the unearthly glow of her eyes was staring out at him. He knew getting upset over something innocently said was childish, but when it made him think of the commander and the last words he had shared with the man, it just made him feel so guilty.

"No need to apologize. It just made me think of old times," Kaiden said, his voice coming out heavier than he meant it too.

"You and Shepard were close," she said, making Kaiden look at her suspiciously. "Joker told me."

Kaiden laughed gently as he shook his head, his attention going back to the computer.

"Joker is a bigger gossip than all the women in Alliance space," Kaiden commented.

Kasumi went to retort, but the sound of the door to the Tech Lab opening drew both their attention. They watched as Jane came walking out, a hard look on her face. When she saw them Jane spoke, her voice clipped and full of authority.

"Kaiden, Kasumi meet me in the loading bay in ten minutes," and with that she disappeared into the elevator.

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The docking bay was silent as the three stepped out onto the platform. A whine was coming from the fuel hose as it poured fuel into her ship and a lone man stood by a pile of crates, tapping on his data pad as he checked each one in. He was wearing they typical white and grey Cerberus uniform and his black hair was slicked back on his head. He didn't even look up at them as he spoke, his attention only on his task.

"Just take the elevator to the third floor. When you get off go right and you'll see a receptionist with blonde hair."

"Uh… thanks," Jane said before she walked toward the elevator, shrugging her shoulders as she locked eyes with a skeptical Kaiden.

They all stepped onto the small elevator, one of Kasumi's gloved hands reaching out and pressing the button with the three engraved into it. They were silent, the only noise being a soft melodic music coming from an overhead speaker. It reminded Kaiden of all the elevator rides he had taken with the old crew of the Normandy, except those rides were never silent. He felt eyes on him and looked over to find Kasumi looking at him. She had a sly smile on her face that told him she was hiding something. What did he expect she was a thief and thieves were full of secrets… and tricks.

"How many security cameras did you see in the depot Kasumi?" Jane asked, drawing Kaiden's attention away from the petite Japanese girl to the woman standing slightly ahead of him.

"Seven," Kasumi answered. Jane frowned, her gaze never leaving the elevator doors.

"Right. I don't think there will be trouble, but just in case count the cameras and any exit you can take. If there's trouble ghost yourself and get to the ship for backup. Kaiden on me."

"Understood ma'am," Kaiden replied.

"Don't call me ma'am Kaiden it makes me feel old."

He nodded at her silently as he followed. The blonde woman came into view and her sharp, green snake-like eyes landed on them. Her glasses hid none of her ill will toward them as she let out a huff of frustration. She would have been a pretty woman if it wasn't for that scowl on her face and the way her narrow nose seemed to point up in the air.

"He's waiting for you, just go through that door," She exasperated. Jane didn't respond to the woman, she just turned around and nodded at Kasumi to stay put before looking at Kaiden and motioning with her head for him to follow.

Jane pushed the door open, a shot of fear racing through her as she walked in to the darkly lit room. She wanted to tell herself that she was prepared for whatever was going to happen in the room, but she couldn't lie about the fear that was working its way up her spine. She felt a bead of sweat trail down her neck and when the door clicked shut she couldn't stop her hand from going to the gun at her hip. Jane had opted against wearing armor on the space station, but now she was regretting it. What if it was some trick to get her here and kill her? But why would someone like the Illusive Man go through so much trouble to kill one insignificant person. A ring of lights brightened in the center of the room and she walked into it, glad that she could feel the presence of Kaiden behind her. She might not have known the guy very well, but knowing she had a fellow soldier at her back made her feel more at ease. The minute Kaiden stopped at her side a holographic grid encompassed the two. Suddenly they could see into another room. It was amazing, the background a massive nova. A man sat in a seat, his blue eyes glowing as he smoked a cigarette with his free hand resting on the chairs arm. So that was how the Illusive Man talked to people. It was smart, especially when one was trying to stay as mysterious as possible.

"So we finally meet Jane Shepard, though this was supposed to be a private meeting," The Illusive Man said, a trail of smoke slipping from his lips. Jane shifted in her spot before she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I don't keep anything from my second in command, it's bad for the mission," Jane replied nonchalantly. Kaiden's head snapped to her in surprise and the Illusive Man let out a clipped laugh.

"Fair enough."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"To meet the person that I'm putting all my cards on. You can understand that cant you?" Another stream of smoke escaped his lips as he ashed his cigarette.

"It was yours and the council's decision, not mine," Jane replied heatedly.

"It was the right decision I'm sure of it even if you are not. I know a lot about you, from your childhood on Earth, your time on Tuchanka and the devastation on Akuze. I even know the first person you fell in love with."

Jane looked at him, her eyes narrowing. He knew everything, but how could he and what if he was bluffing. He was watching her with those unnatural blue eyes, a small smirk on his face that he did nothing to hide. She didn't like or trust him and those eyes… she had seen a pair of those before.

"You don't believe me? When you were in the academy you met a Specter after a presentation to boost Alliance morale. Soon after you met you started having an affair with him. Shall I say his name?"

"No," Jane whispered. Only three people knew about that and two were dead and the other was back on the ship.

"Good now back to the mission at hand. We are going to need all the allies we can get, be it Alliance, Cerberus or otherwise. Now what's your first move?"

Jane was quiet for a moment, her eyes shifting away from the Illusive Man and over to Kaiden. He was looking at her expectantly, one eyebrow arched in anticipation. Something about the look on his face, the way his gaze was strong and unwavering, made her feel confident in her choice to have him as her second in command. He might not have liked her and she might not have liked him either, but they were both Alliance and the mission was what was important. That was something both of them understood.

"Omega," Jane finally replied, her gaze going back to the Illusive Man. "I know we will have to get the Krogans and Quarians also, but I thought Omega was the best place to start. It might be nothing but criminals and mercs but they're good at what they do. If Aria agrees I think that will sway many of the syndicates and mercenary groups to help us. She had a lot of influence over them. Plus, I figured if we got their help they would be less likely to give us trouble while we get the rest."

The Illusive Man was quiet as he regarded her, his pleased look hidden behind his hand as he raised his cigarette to his mouth. He had made a good choice indeed. He blew the smoke from his mouth before he stood from his seat, turning his back to the holographic pair.

"Do it how you want, it is your mission. I will be in contact with you soon."

"Tell me one thing," Jane said, making the Illusive Man turn toward her. "How long were you blind before you got those new eyes of yours?"

The only answer she got was the ending transmission. She was back in the dark room, her eyes adjusting slowly. When she made it out of the room the hallway was almost too bright, making her squint her eyes.

"So Omega?" Kaiden asked, looking at her.

"Yep," She replied, scratching at the back of her head. It was the most logical way she could see doing it. Besides, she hadn't been back there in almost two years, not since her last vacation.

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Authors note: reviews are much appreciated.