Brina Shepard could not believe it. She could not believe the sight in front of her was real, but her eyes had been built by Cerberus and nothing but the best was used to recreate her face. So what she was seeing had to be there…damn it.

Kaidan Alenko had changed a lot since their earlier encounter on Horizon. Same dark, brooding expression though…same goofy hair cut, honestly why had she dated him?

The Alliance Commander was seated in the middle of a café, sipping what looked like coffee while examining a data pad. She debated over her next course of action. Despite her immediate revulsion she was reluctant to turn tail and run. Shepard stifled a groan, all she had wanted was sushi…was that too much to ask? Shepard didn't think so, but she realized that Kaidan really hadn't noticed her…she could still get away…

Sadly, the universe was against her. The café was near closing time so there were only a handful of diners there including Kaidan and herself so when she moved for the door, it was noticeable.

"Shepard…"

Damn it Arashu, why you gotta be like that? She was almost positive the drell goddess of motherhood and protection had never been spoken to in the fashion Shepard addressed her, but she figured the goddess had more important things to do than concern herself with Shepard, hence the predicament Shepard was in now.

"Alenko…" She spat in his general direction. Her former Lieutenant sighed heavily before dropping the data pad and standing. As he approached her Shepard made sure her body language screamed 'back the fuck off'.

"We should probably talk." He began, reaching out towards her hand.

"Any part of you that touches me you ain't getting back." She purred before walking towards his table and throwing herself into a chair.

"I guess I deserve that." He said bitterly.

"Damn right you do!" Shepard flinched at how loud her response had been, causing a few heads to turn in their direction. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply. "I'm sorry. I'm trying to remain calm."

"It's alright, I just hope we can fix things."

Shepard felt her veins fill with ice. He wanted to…fix…things?

"Huh?" Oh now THAT was intelligent Shep.

"I regret how we reunited on Horizon. I shouldn't have just cut you off. I mean I think things can work between us, you just need to get rid of Cerberus." Shepard's immediate bark of laughter was hard to stifle.

"You're kidding right?" Kaidan looked confused, which only made it harder to suppress her laughter, "My Gods…were you always this stupid or did the past two years affect your intelligence?"

He seemed mildly surprised for a moment. "I didn't know you were polytheistic Shepard."

"I'm not, but my religious beliefs are none of your business." Shepard couldn't quite remember when she had started addressing Thane's Gods. She'd never been religious and she technically wasn't now, at least her dedication to the drell faith was almost at the opposite end of the spectrum from Thane's.

"Alright…but Shepard, about Cerber-"

"Don't. Just shut it Alenko," Shepard was pissed, "Look, I tried the whole 'For the Alliance!' thing okay? I've given them my loyalty since I turned 18 and what did they do when I asked for help? They abandoned me, Kaidan. The Alliance, the Council…none of them are willing to do a damn thing about the reapers. Cerberus is my only option to get things done, the only group willing to help."

Kaidan Alenko glared at her over his coffee. She had just insulted his entire belief system. Shepard glared back, knowing she was in the right and Kaidan was just being an ignorant ass. He knew better than anyone the situation with the reapers; he had seen Sovereign up close and personal after all. Hell, he'd even spoken to the sentient machine.

"So that's it. You aren't leaving them, you really have betrayed the Alliance…"

Shepard felt her groan from deep within her chest.

"Seriously Kaidan, this whole betrayal thing is getting real old." She stood, ready to leave. If Kaidan was going to act like a whiny little toddler than she was getting the heck outta dodge.

"By the way…" Kaidan called out to her as she moved towards the door, "I had no idea scales did it for you. I find that interesting."

Shepard froze in mid step,"Excuse me?"

Kaidan laughed darkly, "It's all over the extranet. How the savior of the citadel, first human Spectre is screwing an alien. Emily Wong keeps trying to determine the wedding date."

Shepard felt if she clenched her teeth any harder they would shatter.

"That's none of yours or Ms. Wong's business…" She hissed menacingly.

"I hear those lizards-like the one you're screwing-get this horrible disease. What was the name of it?"

"Kepral's Syndrome" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them and she cursed herself; already she felt her chest flood with pain.

"That's right, does he have that Brina? I hear he was spotted at the med clinic a few days ago…"

"Yes…he has the disease." She turned towards him, hoping he would see how much he was hurting her; how sensitive an issue this was. Seeing the sadistic smile on his face though she knew he was going for revenge. He wanted her to feel his pain.

"Oh…so I only have to wait a few months then."

Shepard knew to retaliate could only land her in a C-Sec holding cell, but he had gone too far and the warp flew from her fingers before she could stop it.

. . .

Thane Krios stared out towards the drive core, nursing his second cup of coffee. He normally refused to drink the foul concoction, but Gardner was out of tea and he needed something to do while he waited for Shepard, meditation just wasn't doing it anymore…

She had been gone far longer than a supply run normally took. In fact getting supplies took no time at all. He'd accompanied her on her last one. All she had done was talk to the shop owner and directed the store to send her purchases to the ship.

Sighing heavily he checked his Omni Tool for the fifty-thousandth time that afternoon. Shepard had been gone for four hours-three hours longer than she said she'd be. For a normal person this shouldn't have called for so much stress, but Shepard was not normal. Being a few hours late could mean anything from she was just taking her time, to mercenaries had captured her and they only had seconds to rescue her back.

+Ahh…hey, Krios…um…you might want to get up here.+

Thane's eye ridges rose in surprise. The pilot never addressed him-avoided him at all costs.

"Is this about Shepard?" He looked towards the comm. speakers.

+Yea…you need to see th-+

Thane was in the elevator before the pilot finished his sentence.

"What is the situation Mr. Moreau?"

"Goddamnit!" Joker cried as Thane appeared right beside his chair.

"I apologize for upsetting you…"

The pilot readjusted his hat before turning back to the ship's monitors, "Whatever. Shepard's always complaining about how you sneak up on her, so I should have been expecting it. Anyway, I thought you would get a kick out of what our fearless leader has been doing."

Thane leaned over to get a closer look at the newsfeed the pilot had pulled up. He could see an Asian human with short black hair was speaking, standing in front of what looked like a disaster zone. It was safe to say the building was utterly demolished. He quickly refocused on what the reporter was saying.

"Earlier this evening sources say Commander Brina Shepard came in to the Golden Garden to grab a bite to eat, but ended up in a fight instead. Staff Commander Kaidan Alenko, allegedly a former lover of the human spectre, was also involved in the struggle. It is not known what the cause of the disagreement was, all that is known is that the Alliance soldier is in intensive care and the Spectre has been taken to C-Sec. We'll update you as soon as we receive more information. This is Emily Wong, Citadel News."

"How long ago did this happen?"

Joker looked up into the assassin's face, "Not too long ago considering the fires haven't been put out yet…"

Thane pulled up his Omni Tool, "Officer Vakarian…"

"Yea Krios?"

"Have you seen the news? I thought you were with Shepard?"

"We split up, I wanted to check out the new sniper upgrades and Shepard wanted to grab some Sushi before we left civilization. Why, has something happened?"

"Yes, head to C-Sec. I have a feeling we will need your connections. I'll meet you there." To say Thane was mad would be the biggest understatement of the galaxy.

"Damn…" Joker stated, shaking his head as he opened the air lock for Thane.

. . .

"She's back here Mr. Krios."

The drell followed behind Captain Bailey towards the holding cells. They weren't really allowed to arrest Spectres, but Shepard had injured an alliance soldier for almost no reason and injured him pretty badly, the paranoia after Saren Arterius had gone rogue was still going strong, so they were keeping her until they received more news about Kaidan Alenko's condition. If he died, they'd bring her before the Council. Thane's emotions on whether Kaidan Alenko lived or died were conflicted. He was trying to repent from his darker nature…but a small part of him was still debating on whether he had time to get Shepard back to the Normandy and slit the man's throat before they were scheduled to leave.

He followed Bailey down a long corridor, lined with floor to ceiling windows of the security entrance to the rest of the wards. He had tried to look for his son, Kolyat, until Bailey had tossed over his shoulder that the boy was on patrol with another officer. They'd left Garrus in the main room, talking with some old friends.

"Lucky for my men she came quietly. I'd hate to be on the bad end of that kind of aggression."

Thane nodded coolly in response, not really in the mood to chit chat.

When he approached her cell he found it harder to breathe, and he had enough difficulties in that department.

"Siha…" he murmured, barely above a whisper.

Shepard was curled up in the farthest corner of the cell, face turned to the wall. Her uniform was ripped and torn, spattered with small blotches of what looked to be blood and from the red glare around her face he knew her eyes had reverted back to their cybernetic state. She had received the facial reconstruction for her scars, but they could do nothing about her eyes, the red glare flaring whenever her temper went sky high.

"Thane." She turned to face him, defiant. Indeed her eyes held flames as she regarded him from her corner. Thane felt his hands tighten into fists and his jaw tense as he noticed the heavy bruising around her jaw and her nose… her nose was crooked. Kaidan had fought back. Thane couldn't stop the dark thought that slithered through his mind. Alenko is a dead man…

"What happened?"

Shepard unfolded herself from the bench and approached him, limping slightly, "Is Kaidan alright?" She didn't answer his question, instead addressing Bailey. The C-Sec captain nodded.

"Yea…he's just bruised up with several broken bones. Apparently he's in intensive care because the explosion caused a severe head injury, which then messed with the L2 implants. They're just monitoring him as a precaution."

Shepard nodded. "Am I free to go?"

Bailey's face softened slightly and he nodded, "Sure, go home girly."

"Thanks Bailey, I owe you way more than a card this time."

"Siha…"

She swatted Thane's hands away, before limping towards the exit.

"What is this about an explosion?"

"Thane, can we talk about this when we get on the ship? The walls have ears."

He nodded before pulling her arm over his shoulder so he could support her as she walked. To his shock she actually leaned against him. His anger flared, knowing that if Shepard was accepting his help without protest she was in a lot of pain.

. . .

"Shepard…" Garrus regarded her with shock. "You're bleeding."

Shepard thrust a hand out against the turian coming nearer. He had left C-Sec first, deciding to just meet them on the ship, while they had been held back by paperwork.

"It's Kaidan's."

Garrus reared back in shock, before his mandibles flared in a turian smile.

"In my opinion Commander, the bastard deserved whatever you gave him. Well done."

Shepard smiled slightly before turning her head into Thane's neck, "Get me out of here please…" She whispered.

Thane maneuvered her through the crowded CIC and into the elevator. Leaning her against the far wall he moved to press the top floor button.

"I thought you'd take me to the med bay…" Shepard said; confused.

"No. Chakwas shall come to you. I already informed her you were injured."

Shepard nodded. Her lack of protest was beginning to frighten him. Getting Shepard medical treatment was as difficult as convincing the quarians that the geth were friendly.

The elevator doors slid open and Thane gestured for her to leave first. "Thane…" It sounded like she was struggling to talk, "I can't move on my own." Her muscles were on fire; her amp sending small, electrical pulses down her spine. She had overdone it with the biotics majorly and she was now paying the price in extreme exhaustion and immense pain.

Thane picked her up as gently as possible, flinching slightly when she yelped. He placed her on the bed, being careful to help her sit up. Shepard watched his face as he undid her jacket, sliding it off her shoulders easily.

"You're angry…"

Siha states the obvious well...

"Yes." His reply was harsher than he intended. His eyes slid closed as her hands caressed his face. He felt her lips ghost over his own for the briefest moment.

"Are you angry with me?"

He looked her in the eyes, finding concern amongst the glaring red cybernetics. Most could not maintain eye contact with her when she looked like that but Thane had never cared, almost immune to her physical intimidations.

"Of course not."

She gave a small smile before kissing him again. As he pulled away he noted the strange sight of the red bleeding from her eyes, revealing her usual espresso colored gaze.

"I'll explain when Chakwas leaves okay? I'll be alright, so calm down."

He pressed his forehead to hers before standing to throw Shepard's ruined jacket into the garbage bin; it was damaged beyond repair.

The doctor came and went. Chakwas stated that Shepard's nose was broken and she had minor bruising but other than that her pain was mainly due to multiple strained muscles and an over use of biotics. Staying in bed for awhile would fix that, along with a minor painkiller. After fixing the Commander's nose and watching Shepard take her medicine, Chakwas left the two alone.

"Now, Siha…explain."

Shepard sighed, before holding her arms out to him. He crossed his arms in response, causing her to pout. Laughing slightly he acquiesced to her invitation, removing his jacket before sliding into bed beside her.

"I just wanted some sushi damn it." She said as she snuggled into his side, "Kaidan was already there and we…talked." The way she said 'talked' indicated otherwise. He looked down at her, raising one eye ridge.

"Well, I tried to talk, but Kaidan decided to be an infant. He said a few things he shouldn't have…" Her voice broke and Thane lifted her face concerned at the barely concealed emotion.

"He just reminded me of something I don't like to think about and I snapped. I threw a warp at him that sent him flying and he retaliated in kind. I used my biotics to throw a table at him and he sent a chair back. That's when we resorted to fists. I was just so damn angry and he was livid from the table hitting him in the back. After a few well thrown punches we went back to the biotics and apparently the restaurant's kitchen wasn't up to code standards and a fuse blew, causing a small explosion." Shepard's pause was far too long.

"What next?"

"The building went kaboom and here we are…"

Thane caught that he was missing something,"What's bothering you?"

"I really didn't hold back Thane. I mean my biotics were pretty advanced before Lazarus and I know the project enhanced my abilities further. Besides that Kaidan is a Sentinel, he's got nothing against an Adept, so I injured him severely. When we heard the hiss before the blast he actually threw himself between me and the source of the explosion."

Thane raised an eye ridge, "Did he now?"

"I know. It shocked me too before I blacked out."

"I suppose giving him a slow, agonizing death is now out of the question."

Shepard laughed, kissing his bare shoulder,"Yea. Though I'm no saint, if you wanna rough him up some more-you know-add on to my already stellar work, I got no problems with that."

Thane chuckled softly as he massaged her back, "Sleep Siha, you need to rest."

Shepard groaned into his neck, the sensation was strange to say the least.

"How do you always know when I'm sleepy?"

One of his hands went to stroke her hair,"Call it a gift…that and you keep yawning."

Shepard was actually in mid yawn when he replied.

"Alright…I'll sleep." He moved to get up, wanting to give her peace. The relationship was still fairly new and while they had indeed fooled around, he had yet to stay over.

"Thane…" She grabbed his wrist, wincing at the pain.

"Yes?"

Shepard looked up at his face, remembering Kaidan's words. So I only have to wait a few months…

"Siha?"

She shook her head free of the grim thoughts.

"Will you stay tonight?" Thane's expression was thoughtful for a moment, debating. They had both been hesitant to move too fast…but it was obvious she was upset about what happened.

"If that is your wish." He said as he removed his vest, she curled up in his arms and fell asleep. Thane watched her face soften, pleased at the stress melting from her features, before falling asleep himself.