Author's Note:

I know, I'm late! Sadly Life demands my time, and I demand money from Life, so there you go. Thank you for your patience! I appreciate it. I had to split this chapter up into two due to size, so this one is more of a setter for the next one. I anticipate that one to be up by this weekend, if not earlier, once I get it all sorted and smoothed out a bit more. And thank you to all those that have reviewed, followed, and favorited. As always, let me know what you think!

Peace.

Phantom452

EDIT on Sept 10, 2014: I incorporated dates within all the chapters now to avoid confusion in timeline.


Chapter 10 – Run For Your Life (Part 1)

She had a fire inside

And that terrified you

You swore that you'd never lose your control

Baby, let yourself go

'cause part of you hides

And I know the hunger inside of you is strong

You can only hold back the river so long

Oh, you don't have to go it alone

Run for your life, my love

Run and you don't give up

All that you are

All that you want

Run for your life right now

And if you don't know how

I'll come back with you and take all that's true

And leave all that's burned behind

Run for your life

The Fray – Run For Your Life

Location: Crescent Nebula/Tasale System/Ilium – Docking Bay/Normandy SR-2 – Medical Bay

2185 CE – February 14, 9:03 pm

A light shiver traveled along Shepard's body as the chilled air of the Medical Bay reached her. She sat upon the examination bed with a weary expression as she watched the Normandy's doctor hover about her. Unfortunately for her, the Normandy was unable to dock until their paperwork and credentials were processed for admittance, and so, naturally, Dr. Chakwas took that as the perfect opportunity to check how her wounds were healing. Shepard hated these necessary visits and could not help but fidget every-so-often in her seat.

Her green eyes snapped over to the semi-opaque window, where she spotted Garrus grabbing a snack from Garner. Their eyes met and with all her willpower she sent Garrus a message: SAVE ME!

The turian blinked and Shepard noticed how the mandibles around his jaw twitched in amusement before he walked back into his hidey-hole of a station in the gun battery. Traitor! She let out an irritable pout, which did not escape the good doctor's notice.

"Cheer up, Shepard; it's only a check-up." Dr. Karin Chakwas all too gleefully informed her commander. Shepard's only response was to accompany her pout with a glare.

"Such a child, sometimes, I swear."

"I don't like doctors." Shepard morosely replied as she eyed the doctor suspiciously when she began to place gloves on.

"I should consider a career change then? God knows how much I desire your affection." Dr. Chakwas smirked. Shepard snorted.

"You're an exception; however, if you keep poking me, I'll have to reconsider." She quipped back.

"Oh, bless you, child." Chakwas continued to mock before her – as Shepard termed it – "Doctor-face" appeared. With gloved hands, the doctor carefully inspected the light glowing scars that were on Shepard's face. "It seems Miss Goto's friend wasn't able to permanently remove your facial scars, Commander." Chakwas explained as she poked and prodded Shepard's face.

The comment earned a sigh from Shepard. She had thought she had removed her scars for her mission in Bekenstein. But much to her displeasure, they were slowly appearing again after their mission on Horizon. Dr. Chakwas suspected it was due to stress; after all she was emotionally aggravated by the Collectors, Kaiden, and especially Miranda. There was just so much going on in her head that it was taxing.

A particular sharp poke at an emerging orange-glowing scar on her cheek caused a scowl to appear on the Commander's face, but she refrained from snapping at her friend; it wasn't her fault that her scars were surfacing once more. "I'm not surprised. I mean, with the short notice I gave him, I had my doubts on its permanency."

"If you had had a few more sessions under his surgical scanner, I believe the scars would have healed properly." She prodded once more, before lifting up her omni-tool to scan the area more thoroughly. "Your facial scarring will heal on its own, Commander, but I suggest avoiding stress lest you aggravate them further." She advised.

Shepard scoffed. "Oh yes, saving the galaxy from crazed sentient beings is quite relaxing."

"Otherwise, there is surgical equipment we could use to insulate your cybernetic implants and accelerate your healing; similar to Miss Goto's doctor friend's equipment." The doctor continued, ignoring Shepard's commentary. "I believe it could also reduce the scarring on your arm and shoulder. I can send a request for one, if you would like."

That final bit of information perked Shepard's interest.

"Will it also help Garrus?" She asked as she eyed Chakwas' omni-tool wearily. She briefly thought about healing her own burnt scars as well, but a selfish part of her wanted to keep it as a reminder of Jane's sacrifice; she had been half-glad when Miranda restored it completely during her reconstruction. Right now though, she wanted to make sure her turian friend could benefit from the equipment as well.

Chakwas paused in her examination as she thought about Shepard's question. "To an extent, I believe, but he will still retain some of his facial scarring."

"Then get it, please; as much as he loves those scars, I hate to have to keep beating the female population back with a stick." Shepard joked as she unsuccessfully tried to hide the guilt she felt about Garrus' injury.

"I'll send in the request today, Commander." The doctor assured with an understanding nod. They settled into a comfortable silence before, once more, Shepard began to fidget under her examination.

"How's Grunt?" Shepard asked, desperately trying to find some topic to distract her from what her doctor was doing to her face once more. She gently scratched her arm, feeling restless and unproductive as she sat on the medical bed.

"Moping like a wounded dog in his quarters after blatantly ignoring my advice of staying here until completely healed." Dr. Chakwas groused at the mention of the Krogan. "It seems he's picked up his Commander's bad habits." She glared up from her scan and at Shepard.

"What bad habits?" Shepard innocently smiled at her doctor before shuffling in her spot.

"Stop fidgeting!" Dr. Chakwas scolded as she dutifully scanned Shepard's body. "I swear one more wiggle and I'm injecting you with a sedative!" She threatened. Shepard's eyes went wide.

"You wouldn't…"

"Try me."

Shepard immediately froze, not wanting to get stuck longer in the medical bay more than she had too. She turned to stare out the window once more, a forlorn expression on her face as she watched her crew move about freely. She hated when the doctor played unfairly. Her gaze shifted back to the woman mother-henning her. "I can't help it." Shepard quietly mumbled as she consciously forced herself to sit still.

"I know you don't like being here more than you need to, Shepard, but I have to check how your wounds are healing." Chakwas explained in a softer, kinder tone. She was no stranger to her commander's preference to avoid the medbay at all costs, more so than any typical marine.

"I thought you said I was fine?" Shepard grumbled childishly, adding a grimace to emphasize her feelings.

"I told you that you were marginally fine." Dr. Chakwas clarified as she ignored the Commander's behavior. "The cybernetics and other enhancements Miss Lawson endowed you with are doing their job; your skeletal structure is stronger and your healing is more rapid than any normal human being, however, that does not excuse you to openly abuse it."

"When have I done that?" Shepard flinched when the Doctor moved her omni-tool to inspect her lungs, but did not miss the eye roll from her friend.

"Oh, so we're playing this game, are we?" Noticing the dangerous glint in her eyes, Shepard ordered her mouth to intervene, but the Doctor was far quicker...and scarier to silence her with a glare.

"Embedded glass in your right hand."

"The glass had it out for me." Shepard deadpanned.

"Bruising on the right side of your jaw."

"It's not like I purposely ran into Miranda's fist…"

"Shrapnel lodged in your abdomen."

"Hey! That one was not my doing and Miranda fixed me up!"

"Did she also fix you up after she tossed you about like a ragdoll?"

Shepard opened her mouth to retort, but no defensive comment made its way out as Chakwas' expression dared her to argue. Damn EDI for recording that…damn Joker for finding it and showing it to Garrus and Chakwas; Joker and Garrus had a good laugh at it, but the doctor? Not so much. Especially since the doctor had dragged her from her cabin and into the medbay after finding out from Joker what had occurred. Shepard mentally winced at the memory of being tended to for a good three miserable hours.

"Honestly," Chakwas' voice broke Shepard from her musings, "those lacerations and bruises on your back, arms, and legs were ridiculous. What exactly compelled her to do such a thing, I wonder…?" She stared right into Shepard's flabbergasted eyes.

The Commander's face instantly flushed, not missing the teasing lit on Dr. Chakwas' face. The vivid memory of Miranda throwing her about the shuttle bay came instantly into her mind…followed by an equally vivid recollection of what happened next in the shuttle. She resisted the urge to shudder from the treasured memory. Shepard's beet red complexion only grew when she heard Dr. Chakwas' omni-tool beep erratically when it hovered over her heart.

"I actually, kinda, maybe, deserved that beating…" Shepard muttered after an awkward moment, glad that EDI only recorded what happened around the shuttles and not within. She was not ready for that revelation to be discovered by anyone…especially by the Illusive Man. Speaking of which, she would have to ask Miranda on what she informed the man when he saw those feeds…

"Of that, I have no doubt." The amusement in Chakwas' tone was too easily deciphered.

Shepard shot her doctor a mock glare as she suddenly became suspicious of that tone. What was she implying?

"As I said, I'm beginning to think you enjoy abusing your body…" Chakwas' knowing eyes scrutinized her Commander as she proceeded to move the omni-tool over her body once more.

Shepard's eyes widened and her jaw slacked at the doctor's implications. Did she know what happened in the shuttle?

"Hey, Shepard. Dr. Chakwas." Garrus appeared at the entrance of the Med-Bay in a suspiciously warm greeting. Shepard ignored the turian, trying to figure out what exactly Chakwas knew.

At that moment, Shepard's eyes caught sight of a certain raven head walking out of her office and into the mess hall for a quick snack before heading back to her duties. If it was possible, the erratic beeping from Chakwas' omni-tool increased. Shepard caught sight of Chakwas' devious grin in her peripheral.

Shepard snapped her head away from Miranda's retreating figure and opened her mouth for some sort of witty retort. Her lips floundered about for something to say, but as the mischievous glint in the doctor's eyes increased, Shepard knew it was hopeless.

Oh God. She knows!

The need for an instant escape flooded Shepard's senses and she shot Garrus a pleading look. The turian's eyes danced with mirth, but seemed to understand the importance of her request; he must have sensed the frantic embarrassment in Shepard's demeanor. "Joker just informed me to inform you that we've been cleared to dock now; we should be able to go ashore in a few more minutes."

Praise the Lord! You are awesome Garrus!

Shepard mentally whooped as she darted off the bed, much to Chakwas' chagrin. "Gotta run! Duty calls!" She practically sang out as she grabbed Garrus' arm and dragged him away before Dr. Chakwas could grab her back. She had hoped to check out some of the shopping centers for better equipment and locate the two individuals she needed to recruit for the mission.

"Shepard! You're not done!" She yelled out as Shepard gleefully hopped off.

The Commander of the Normandy gave a rather energetic departing wave as she heard the doctor's following threat through the closing doors.

"I know where both of you sleep!" Chakwas called after them, knowing full well that Garrus had come to rescue his friend; they both hated being in the Med-Bay.

Location: Crescent Nebula/Tasale System/Illium – Information Trade Center/ Dr. Liara T'Soni's Office

February 17, 3:30 pm

Shepard did her best to stanch the irritation that was creeping within her as she watched Liara slide easily back into her chair. After two years of not seeing one another, Liara uncharacteristically greeted her with such a small smile, a half-hearted hug, and a distracted demeanor that the Commander felt slighted; Shepard had expected a more enthusiastic greeting from her close friend. Especially since she had just found out that she was on Illium today.

The human Spectre furrowed her brow in confusion at the drastic change she found in Liara as the asari absently, but politely greeted Garrus and Miranda. She had remembered a naïve asari that, despite, her socially awkward personality was loyal, kind and hardworking to the core. There was innocence about Liara that gave her hope that the world wasn't so cruel, but now…

Shepard carefully observed the reserved and cold gestures that poured out of Liara. The asari, the Commander noted, had a darker aura about her (having just overheard Liara threaten to flay someone with her mind only further evidence the fact). Whether that meant the asari grew up for better or for worse, she had yet to determine; the hard truth that one could only stay innocent for so long. Whatever the cause, she was certain of was this: Liara T'Soni was no longer the naïve asari that she remembered. What had these two years done to her?

"My sources said that you were alive but I never believed." Liara's eyes seemed thoughtful as she studied Shepard for a moment. "It's very good to see you." Her facial features were still tight, but having known Liara as well as she did, Shepard knew the sentiment was genuine by the small spark in her eyes.

Hoping to lure her old friend from her aloofness, Shepard sported her best crooked grin as she folded her arms before her. "You have sources now?" She teased, trying to gauge how different Liara had become.

"A few: sources, contacts, even a little hired muscle." She paused, seemingly unsure if she should continue speaking. "I've been working as an information broker, Shepard."

The grin immediately faded from Shepard's face. "An information broker?" She asked, trying to contain her emotions. Why would she…? How could she? Liara knew how much she hated brokers.

"It's paid the bills since…well…since you've been gone." Liara supplied carefully, but not timidly. "And now you're back. Gunning for the Collectors," Shepard barely missed the way Liara paused as her eyes shot over at Miranda, "with Cerberus." Shepard definitely didn't miss the hardened tone at the mention of her quasi employer. She was missing some vital information here…

"And here I thought we were on a super-secret mission." Shepard heard Garrus mumble out behind her. Although he sounded sarcastic, she knew better; he was worried.

"That's not exactly public knowledge." Shepard agreed with Garrus's sentiments.

"Neither is you being alive, Shepard. Information is my business now." Liara gently soothed, but it did little as Shepard was too focused on the fact that Liara was a broker; she knew all too well how dirty a broker could get when information was desired. Shepard hoped that Liara hadn't sacrificed her morality for power.

"I see..." Shepard bit her lip thoughtfully as she tried to process Liara's profession and behavior. "Well, if you know about the Collectors, then you know the Reapers are coming still. I could use you on my team again." She offered, hoping to pull Liara away from a darker path.

"I can't, Shepard. I'm sorry." To anyone that did not know Liara, she would have appeared quite composed, but Shepard could hear the small intonation of anger beneath the asari's words, which caused the Spectre's concern to increase. "I have commitments here; things that I need to take care of."

"What kind of things?" Shepard instantly pounced, knowing that something was wrong from Liara's barely noticeable hostility. "Are you in trouble?"

"No." Liara hastily replied as her eyes shifted between them, having realized that Shepard had perceived her hidden emotions. "No trouble." Liara elaborated in a calmer tone - to Shepard's annoyance – and expressionless gaze. "It's been a long two years; I've had things to do while you were gone." Liara's blank mask flickered back into brief hostility. "I have debts to repay."

Shepard clenched her jaw, knowing all too well about debts. It instantly dawned on her what Liara was referring to. She was involved with the Shadow Broker in some way. The thought made her cringe with rage.

"Debts?" Shepard repeated, trying to hold of the anger that was slowing simmering to the surface. Liara wasn't like him. She had to remember that. The Broker was a manipulating self-serving bastard. Liara wasn't like that; she knew not to cross a certain line. Right?

"In any case, you didn't come to hear about that; my sources say that you are building a unique team?"

Again with these sources. Shepard could care less about the Justicar and assassin right now, she was more concerned with Liara's drastic personality make-over and her very unhealthy associations! She needed to find out exactly what this "debt" of her's was and how much the Broker held over her.

"Miranda? Garrus? Do you mind stepping outside for a moment?" Shepard ushered all her will power to remain composed. Shepard convinced herself that she was shooing them away to protect them and not because she feared their judgment if they ever found out about her own association with the Shadow Broker.

"Commander?" Miranda's voice was cool and professional, but Shepard could register the worried question beneath it.

"Just give us a moment." Shepard plastered on a fake smile, trying to ward away Miranda from her darkest secrets – her immeasurable guilt – with false reassurance. "I won't be long, Miri."

Shepard noticed Miranda's hesitancy to obey her command as the operative's eyes briefly flashed over to Liara. The former Hawke heiress couldn't help the smug satisfaction that welled up within her chest. Miranda had hesitated not out of duty to Cerberus, but out of duty for her; those were the eyes of a woman worried about her lover, not her charge. The small slip had momentarily erased her frustrations with Liara and almost made Shepard laugh aloud; and Miranda had once said that she was the possessive one.

"Yes, Commander." The operative's reply replaced Shepard's smugness with guilt. She hated having to lie to Miranda about who she was. She hated how she couldn't be with her. But most of all, Eliza Hawke hated herself for the pain she had inflicted upon Miranda.

The swooshing sound of the door closing brought the Spectre back to the present. She turned to gauge Liara – noting the tired expression on her face – as she wondered on how best to proceed without turning it into an argument.

"Listen Shepard, if you want to help, I could use an exceptional hacker to get into some terminals around Illuim." Liara broke the silence first and Shepard did her best not to grow angry at her evasiveness.

"We can talk about that in a moment, Liara. Tell me what's going on." Shepard tried diplomacy, hoping that would allow Liara to open up – to explain.

"I need certain data, Shepard. If you could just go to these points, hack the terminals, and upload the data to me, I would appreciate it." Liara continued, ignoring Shepard's request with vigilance.

Shepard felt a tick form on her brow at Liara's continued evasiveness. "Liara…" She warned in frustration.

"This will help me settle a great debt, Shepard." The asari explained, but all Shepard could register was the word "debt". Once more, her mind concluded that Liara was working with the Shadow Broker. Her composure faltered.

"Are you bloody mad?!" She snapped, causing Liara to involuntarily straighten in her chair from the sudden outburst. "What the hell are you thinking?" Perhaps she could have approached the situation in a more suitable and calming manner, but whenever it came to brokers, Shepard's most prominent emotion was always nearly outrage.

"I was thinking I could use someone I trust to obtain some data, Shepard." Liara rubbed her temple as if she was dealing with a child having a tantrum – which was not entirely inaccurate at the moment.

"At hacking? You really think that's why I kicked out two of my best mates so we could discuss hacking?"

"There is no need to raise your voice, Shepard." Liara's unperturbed countenance finally made Shepard's anger to break out completely. How could she be so nonchalant about this?

"No need!? No bloody freakin' need?!" She violently gestured at Liara with her hand. "You're a bloody information broker now! You're working with him! How else would I react?"

"I understand why you're angry, but if you could let me—"

"Do you? Do you truly understand? You of all people should know exactly why! You know exactly what he took from me!" Shepard shouted as her memories and regrets began to cascade upon her in an unrepentant vice-grip.

A resounding smack erupted within the office as Liara's palms snapped down on the desk. The asari stood behind her desk, her face flushed in anger. "I know, Shepard!" Liara parried back, before a rough, resigned sigh escaped her. "I know!" She repeated in a deflated tone as she sank back into her chair with a weary resignation.

The defeated expression that escaped Liara's mask provided Shepard some clarity as her guilt began to seep through. She exhaled and rubbed her temples, before crossing her arms across her chest as she fought passed the anger that swirled within her. This was the second time she had lashed at Liara unfairly; she was grateful that it didn't end up like the first time. She clenched her jaw together and glared outside the massive window, trying to regain her self-control; the fast moving lights casting rapid shadows on the Spectre's features.

"Then why?" It took a moment for Shepard to register that the small childlike whisper had come from her. She refused to stare at the asari, for fear of not only allowing her anger to erupt once more, but for the vulnerability she so desperately hid to appear. She hadn't felt so betrayed in a long time – not since Elysium.

The room was filled with silence, forcing the Commander to regard Liara. Based on the thin line of Liara's mouth, Shepard had a feeling she wasn't going to receive an answer any time soon, but finally, the former archeologist replied in a breathless whisper. "He took something from me too, Jane."

Shepard's eyes widened. "What did he do?" Shepard approached Liara, seemingly putting aside her rage as she registered her friend's distress.

"I can handle it, Shepard."

"What aren't you telling me? Why won't you talk to me?" Shepard asked, completely bewildered on Liara's behavior. It was maddening to know that she was being purposefully vague, but even more so because Liara was dealing with the one person she utterly despised. Alone.

"Don't you think I want to talk to you, Shepard? This isn't because I don't trust you." Liara's eyes flared up from her terminal, frustrated on how she could not speak freely. "This is Illuim! Everything we're saying is probably being recorded right now!"

"What?" Shepard blinked in confusion. If Liara knew that her room was bugged, why not take care of it?

"For all evils there are two remedies – time and silence." Liara replied. "You said that once; right after we faced my mother on Noveria. Do you remember, Shepard?" Liara leaned forward, clasping her hands together, as she spoke softly to her former Commander.

Shepard paled at the phrase.

""Do not think so, Bertuccio," replied the count; "for the wicked are not so easily disposed of, for God seems to have them under his special watch-care to make of them instruments of his vengeance.""

Eliza's eyes drooped briefly from her mother's lulling voice. They had been exploring one of her mother's dig sites today and she had thoroughly exhausted herself from all the play. Despite her weariness, however, it was a nightly ritual that she and her mother curl up together in her bed to read her mother's favorite book and so, young Eliza fought sleep in order to make her mother happy.

Eliza snuggled closer into her mother's warmth, wishing that they would finish the chapter soon so she could just sleep. She never was into books, having more of an interest to tear apart some of her father's inventions to figure out how they worked. She loved to create and imagine a world with limitless possibilities. So it was no surprise that she found this story, utterly, and completely boring.

She stifled a yawn. Still, even though she despised having to just sit still, Eliza enjoyed her mother's presence. After all, this was a nightly ritual and Eliza promised to read with her mother. And Hawkes never broke promises.

""So be it," responded Bertuccio, "all I ask of heaven is that I may never see him again. And now, your excellency," he added, bowing his head, "you know everything - you are my judge on earth, as the Almighty is in heaven; have you for me no words of consolation?"

"My good friend, I can only repeat the words addressed to you by the Abbe Busoni. Villefort merited punishment for what he had done to you, and, perhaps, to others. Benedetto, if still living, will become the instrument of divine retribution in some way or other, and then be duly punished in his turn. As far as you yourself are concerned, I see but one point in which you are really guilty. Ask yourself, wherefore, after rescuing the infant from its living grave, you did not restore it to its mother? There was the crime, Bertuccio - that was where you became really culpable."

"True, excellency, that was the crime, the real crime, for in that I acted like a coward. My first duty, directly I had succeeded in recalling the babe to life, was to restore it to its mother; but, in order to do so, I must have made close and careful inquiry, which would, in all probability, have led to my own apprehension; and I clung to life, partly on my sister's account, and partly from that feeling of pride inborn in our hearts of desiring to come off untouched and victorious in the execution of our vengeance.""

A loud snore erupted from Eliza.

"Are you even listening, Eliza?" Her mother gently scolded, but it was lightened by her amused smirk upon her dosing child.

"Mmmhmm…" She muttered as she tried to shake her drowsiness. "I'm listening Mum." She lied as her eyes drooped down again. A soft rumble reached her, indicating her mother's laughter as she snuggled deeper into her comforting chest.

"Almost done, Eliza. This part you have to listen to; some good lessons are learned here, all right?"

"Mmmhmm." She let loose a half-hearted response as she felt her alertness waver, before she let out a squeal. She glared at her mother's offending finger as she was poked to semi-wakefulness.

"You're fine. Eliza. Now listen, please; this is one of my favorite parts: "Perhaps, too, the natural and instinctive love of life made me wish to avoid endangering my own. And then, again, I am not as brave and courageous as was my poor brother." Bertuccio hid his face in his hands as he uttered these words, while Monte Cristo fixed on him a look of inscrutable meaning. After a brief silence, rendered still more solemn by the time and place, the count said, in a tone of melancholy wholly unlike his usual manner, "In order to bring this conversation to a fitting termination (the last we shall ever hold upon this subject), I will repeat to you some words I have heard from the lips of the Abbe Busoni. For all evils there are two remedies - time and silence.

And now leave me, Monsieur Bertuccio, to walk alone here in the garden. The very circumstances which inflict on you, as a principal in the tragic scene enacted here, such painful emotions, are to me, on the contrary, a source of something like contentment, and serve but to enhance the value of this dwelling in my estimation.""

"You know, some people would call this cruel and unusual punishment what you are inflicting upon our 8 year old daughter." Eliza's father appeared at the doorway, leaning comfortably against the archway.

"Oh hush, Jonathon." Eliza's mother grumbled. "Just because you're inept to the artistic world of literature does not mean our daughter has to be."

"Right, because she's so engaged in it right now." He pointedly gestured at a slouching and half asleep Eliza.

"I'm awake…" Eliza slurred out. "Good part…" She added, trying not to disappoint her mother.

"I rest my case, dear." Jonathon chuckled. "Come on, she's in dire need of sleep."

"But we're not done!" Selina protested.

"I think the Count will forgive you if you leave him to his vengeful vices for the night." Jonathon's amusement grew as Eliza perked up briefly once she felt the gentle hands of her mother tuck her into the blanket.

"I don't get it – why is he so mad?" Eliza groggily asked through a yawn as she burrowed inside her blankets.

"Because bad people hurt him, so he feels that he has to get them back." Jonathon replied.

"But it just makes him sad." Eliza muttered as her head touched down on her pillow.

"Yes, but that is why he keeps going, because he needs to make them feel as sad as he does." Jonathon replied, before smirking at his wife's surprised expression. "What? I'm not just a pretty face you know?" He whispered only to Selina.

"That makes no sense." Eliza slurred as her parents kissed her forehead in turn.

"Remember what the Count said Eliza: For all evils there are two remedies – time and silence. It is important to know that you never be idle; never let evil win and you do that by-"

"Fighting back with all your might!" Jonathon inserted with a playful waggle of his eyebrows before Selina slapped him playfully on the shoulder. Eliza let out a tired giggle at her parent's antics as her brain barely registered their words completely.

"No, you goose." She rolled her eyes at her husband before adjusting Eliza's blankets. "You do that by overcoming it…"

"I never really understood what it meant." Liara's voice snatched Shepard away from the warm memory. "After we left Noveria, though, I researched your words, trying to understand." Liara stared down at her clasped hands. "It was there I discovered where it came from."

"The Count of Monte Cristo." Shepard whispered.

Liara let out a wistful smile. "Yes. I recall you reading that on occasion." She sighed and her features became more serious. "I think I understand better now, what that phrase meant and why you said it on Noveria."

Shepard remained silent and unable to voice her thoughts for unknown reasons. She knew what Liara's conclusion was, for she had come to the same conclusion all those years ago…and she feared for her friend. Don't go down this path. Don't become like me.

"You saw what Saren was doing; infecting everything he touched with his darkness. You saw how he operated, how he subtly claimed my mother's mind…and how it affected me."

"Liara, I…" Shepard trailed off, not really knowing what to say.

"It's all right Shepard, I know. You felt responsible for what happened to Benezia." Liara made eye contact with the Spectre. "You vowed that day, didn't you? You promised yourself that you would take him down, no matter how long it took or by what means."

"He hurt you. If I had only gotten there faster or…"

"It wasn't your fault, Shepard. You didn't know – no one did." Liara stood and made her way in front of the Spectre. "You gave me a moment with my Mother, and for that I will be grateful always." The gentleness of the asari's voice was soon contrasted with a deadly one. "The Shadow Broker is not so different from Saren."

Shepard's whole body tensed at the comparison. "Saren was being controlled, Liara. He redeemed himself in the end." Shepard clarified. "And the Broker wasn't…"

"What difference does it make?" Liara snarled. "He is ruthless and harming innocents to get whatever he wants! You of all people know what he's capable of!"

"I know!" Shepard growled out, feeling her anger rise at Liara's accusation, along with confusion as her mind warred between itself. "But that doesn't mean you need to become like him!" Don't let him do this. Don't become like me.

"I won't Shepard. I made a vow, like you. I will take the Shadow Broker down. I was hoping you would like to help." The asari tempted, knowing that Shepard had always wanted revenge against the Broker.

Shepard bit her lip, trying to figure out what to do. She had thought she had cut ties with her past…but it seemed to come and haunt her again.

The two females sized one another up for a moment; each gauging the other for a weakness in their argument. Shepard knew the vengeful path that Liara was heading toward was going to be a cancer for the asari. She knew that Liara was not too far off from becoming like her. So she did the only sensible thing she knew: she would bear the burden for both of them. She would make sure that Liara never knew the hollowness of revenge as she did. She would make sure that the Shadow Broker would pay. For everything. This was the chance she needed; the remedy for her guilt and sorrow. She would overcome him.

"What do you need from me?" Her voice took on a dark quality as she could not help that familiar, almost forgotten renegade from emerging to the surface. Liara gave her a questioning look, but somehow knew that that tone was directed at the Shadow Broker and not her.

"Hack those terminals. It'll take some time to get the data sorted out. But once I do, I'll contact you and we can go from there. For now, I suggest you concentrate on the Collectors and building your team."

"You won't come with me?" Shepard asked once more.

"No. Not while he's still out there, Shepard." Liara's terminal suddenly sounded, effectively ending the conversation as the asari rushed toward it. "I'll send you the information on Justicar Samara and Thane Krios, along with the terminals' locations."

"How…?"

"I'm a good information broker, Shepard."

The comment ignited the Spectre's fiery anger. "Don't become the monster you're hunting, Liara." She warned, knowing the reality of those consequences firsthand.

"I'll see you soon." Liara dismissed Shepard without any reassurance.

The Spectre gave Liara a curt nod, not wanting to get into another argument. However, she decided in that moment to end the Broker for good. She had always skirted away from it in the past, not wanting the Broker to manipulate her again. She thought it was better to avoid him, to be silent, but she knew better now. He would keep coming.

After Liara.

After Miranda.

The thought of the Shadow Broker harming Miranda made her blood boil! She would not allow him to strike first. It would take some careful planning and time, but Shepard promised to overcome this evil. She marched out of the room with determination, not noticing how she emitted her underlining rage to her awaiting friends.

Location: Crescent Nebula/Tasale System/Illium – Eclipse Hideout

5:20 pm

Shepard was being a bullheaded reckless idiot. She knew that, but still couldn't stop herself from charging like a deranged pyjak in the firefight. She desperately needed to work out the anger that she had been feeling all day, plus she needed to end this battle before everyone was shrouded in Minagen. She barely avoided a shot at her shoulder with a side dive into cover, causing some not so friendly words to escape her wingman's lips.

"Black Hell, Commander! Stay in cover!" Miranda's voice griped in Shepard's comm.

The Spectre glanced at the field, surveying the enemy's positions. She clenched her fist, holding off the urge to use her biotics. She could already feel her biotic's longing to react to the heightened drug that was slowly canvassing the field due to Captain Wasea's trigger happy biotic attacks. Sheer will was the only thing that kept her biotics in check…along with a certain scowling brunette behind her.

It would be so easy to just biotic charge the Captain, but Shepard had to make do, lest she completely expose her identity to Miranda. Shepard gritted her teeth, annoyed with her whole situation. She spotted an approaching target and grinned maliciously. She'll have to work out her rage the old fashion way. And that was fine by her.

She emerged from her cover and ran straight to her victim, readying her shotgun for the close range shot, when she spotted the shrilling object coming at her. Quickly, she fired her weapon just as she twisted her body over some shipping crates and downward into a roll before the shrieking rocket made contact. The violent shuddering and explosion behind her let her know the rocket had hit the wall just as the groaning cry in front of her notified that she had killed her intended target.

Shepard moved quickly, shotgun in hand toward Captain Wasea, her team trailing behind her in frustration with her direct approach. The Commander noticed rapid movement on her left and immediately let loose her shotgun at an approaching Eclipse fighter. Shepard paid no attention to how the asari screamed to her death; she was too preoccupied with moving forward. Always moving forward.

"Shepard, on your right!" Garrus warned through their comm link.

Shepard's hand moved before she even registered the threat, immediately eliminating another charging mercenary with a shotgun blast.

"Damn it, Commander! Stay in cover!" Miranda barked again.

"Left, Shepard!" Garrus alerted the Spectre, but she was too preoccupied in dodging the rocketeer to notice Captain Wasea's attack in time. Before Shepard could register what had happened, she was already on the floor trying to regain the breath that was knocked out of her. Had Miranda just tackled her? She wasn't sure, but damn, the woman was stronger than she remembered. Shepard shook her head, trying to regain her bearings as a rippling explosion echoed around them.

It was then she heard her gasp in pain through the comm system.

Shepard got to her feet quickly, heart beating frantically as she scanned for Miranda. The operative lay toppled over open Minagen crates, a red eerie cloud of red already eloping her like a boa. Shepard swore her heart stopped as she raced back to Miranda, not caring that she was exposing herself further to the enemy. All she cared about was getting to Miranda.

"Miri!"

"Kasumi, cover Shepard!" Garrus ordered with unhindered annoyance as he did the same with his assault rifle.

"On it!"

Shepard skidded over to Miranda, panic in her eyes as she spotted the dangerous wound on her stomach. Her usual smooth alabaster skin marred by burns and suit fragments. Blood splotched and sprouted forth from the wound shaking Shepard out of her frantic state and into a more concentrated one. She needed to get Miranda safe before the Minagen did damage to her nervous system.

"Mordin! I need you!" Shepard's voice cracked slightly as she watched Miranda's eyes and lips curl in agony.

"This is going to hurt, Miri, but I need to stay the bleeding." Shepard doubted the operative heard her. She took a deep breath before diving into the red cloud and placing her hands on Miranda's abdomen, hoping to stave off the bleeding. "Miri!" Her brows furrowed in worry as the contact made the operative cry out in pain. "Miri, it's okay."

Blood pumped forth and blanketed Shepard's shaking hands. No!" She cried out. This was all her fault! If she wasn't being so careless and selfish Miranda wouldn't have gotten hurt! She cursed herself for her stupidity. "God, no!" She pled as she pressed down on the wound further, not caring that she too was being exposed to the Minagen. "Why Miri? Why? I had it!" She yelled out in fear and frustration. It was her mistake! She should have taken the punishment, not Miranda!

Mordin soon arrived to help. He quickly picked up Shepard's discarded shotgun, emptied it, before firing blanks into the air, dispersing the majority of the red sand around them. The doctor soon brought out his omni-tool and began scanning Miranda's vitals and wounds.

"Shepard! We need to move!" Garrus warned as he did his best to prevent the mercenaries from approaching the distracted trio.

Shepard glanced over to Garrus and Zaeed, who were supplying cover for her and Miranda, while Kasumi and Jack were doing their best to distract the majority of the mercs with tech and biotic attacks. In her quick assessment, she noticed how the enemy was beginning to close in on them from all sides. Shit.

"Bastards ar' tryin' ta corna' us in." Zaeed, determined not to lose, fired a concussive shot at a duo of mercs. He laughed when Jack followed his attack with her own shockwave; finding amusement in watching them scream as they flew off to their deaths.

"Shep! They're coming!" Kasumi groaned out as she was struck in the shoulder. Lucky for her that her shields were holding, so the attack merely staggered her back a few steps.

"Hold positions!" She commanded before turning her attention back to Miranda. "Miri!" She desperately clawed for the operative's attention, not missing the glaze look she was forming in her eyes. The Minagen was taking hold! "Stay with me!" She placed a bloody hand on Miranda's cheek while Mordin was beginning to apply medi-gel. "Stay. With. Me!" She commanded once more.

For a moment, it appeared that Miranda was going to obey, but a flicker of blue fluttered before Shepard, and she knew her former lover was no longer in charge of her body. "Miri! No!" Shepard begged in vain.

"Need to get her to Normandy. Now. Can only do so much for her in the field." Mordin replied as he finished what he could on Miranda.

A stray bullet caught Shepard in the back, causing her to lunge forward. Her shields flickered briefly, but held as she steadied herself over Miranda's prone body. Shepard couldn't help but stare at Miranda. She knew the woman was in discomfort, even when she was unconscious. They had hurt Miranda. The Commander snarled. They were not taking Miranda from her! Hadn't she lost enough?

You make them pay for harming your family.

Jane's voice echoed in Shepard's thoughts, cascading her back into the past. The attack and the contorted, aggrieved face of Miranda triggered something within Shepard; a darkness that she had hoped to bury after her dealings with the Shadow Broker. It was slowly surfacing since her talk with Liara, but after seeing what the bastards did to her lover, Eliza Hawke welcomed the blood lust completely, because damn, she was bloody pissed off!

Make them pay. Bring them to Justice. Don't let them get away. Jane's voice continued to echo in Eliza's mind.

They did this. Eliza gingerly stood, her eyes blazed in rage. She clenched her fists and immediately she was cloaked in a dangerous blue aura. She unlatched one of her pistols and without a second thought, concentrated on the nearest mercenary. Her mind and will did the rest.

A flash a blue and the smell of element zero trailed behind her as she ferociously used her biotics to charge at her newfound mark, before brutally zipping after the others one by one, leaving a stream of blood and destruction behind her.

Location: Local Cluster/Sol System/Earth/Canada – Vancouver

2161 CE – December 30, 9:15am

Eliza shuffled in her chair, wishing she was somewhere else…wishing that Jarvis was allowed to sit with her during these useless sessions. He could make the annoying man back off. But nooo, of course her Uncle had to force her here. Alone! He had insisted she meet with the obnoxious people to discuss her feelings while he checked up on her father's factory. Like she was some plague that needed to be avoided and shunned until she spilled forth whatever they wanted to hear. Like something was wrong with her.

She did her best not to glare at the man in front of her. She hated this place, it was worse than the one she was forced to attend in London.

"How long have we been meeting together, Eliza?" Dr. Sykes inquired after ten minutes of silence; they had simply been staring at one another since the session began.

Too long. Eliza bitterly thought. "Almost two years, whenever I come with my Uncle." She knew better than to voice her own thoughts now. Apparently they had deemed her sarcastic and humorous remarks as a deflective trait and would always try to probe them for "deeper" meanings. Damn wankers. Now she had to act all sweet and nice so she could at least be left alone. She allowed no one but Jarvis to be privy to her thoughts.

Her eyes flickered over to the clock. Damn it…she still had 45 minutes left of this debacle.

"Do you feel that you've made progress since the first time we've met?"

Eliza resisted the urge to dart an elegant eyebrow up in confusion. Wasn't he the psychiatrist? How the heck would she know? "I feel," It was important to state that word so the shrink would bugger off, "that I have a better understanding of myself." She replied truthfully. She understood well enough of that no amount of therapy could ever make the ache going away. So instead, she learned how to cope her own way, in her own time.

"That's good, Eliza. I'm sure your Uncle would be very pleased to hear that."

Eliza remained passive despite her yearning to produce a dramatic eye roll. "My Uncle has been very supportive." She lied. Howard Hawke only cared about money and reputation. This whole farce of sending her off for counseling was to show the public that he was a "family" man. The only one that ever cared for her was Jarvis.

"Yes, it's very good to hear that you've finally accepted him into your life." Dr. Sykes nodded in approval as he wrote something down on his datapad. "It was difficult for him to see you struggle so."

Oh God, Eliza wanted to gag. Of course it was difficult. He had found out that her Father's Will had left Hawke Industries under her command once she turned eighteen. Uncle Howard would maintain marginal authority with the Committee until the time Eliza would take the mantle as CEO. Oh yes, she understood how frustrated Uncle was. Another reason for this whole charade was to find an excuse to deem her unable to succeed her father. She may be only 12, but her parents and Jarvis had taught her well enough about politics and economics.

"He tells me that you've been spending time in your Father's workshop?" He gave her a disapproving look. "I thought we talked about this, Eliza? You can't hole yourself up in memories."

Eliza's mouth twitched into a frown. "I'm not, Dr. Sykes." Her frown suddenly turned into a condescending smile. "You've asked me to produce goals for myself. So I am. I'm carrying on my Father's legacy. I want to continue his work."

A frown immediately marred the therapist's face, but he quickly made it disappear once he realized he had produced it. He jotted her words down onto the datapad, not doubt alerting her Uncle that she had no intention of leaving Hawke Industries in his hands. "That…is quite an aspiration…for someone of your age." He managed out.

"I'm glad you think so." Eliza gave a cheeky grin, finding that she didn't seem to mind the remainder of their session together. "Mum always said I took after Father too much."

Forty Five Minutes Later

"Oh don't give me that look, Jarvis. I merely bruised the man's ego." Eliza had emerged from her session with a rare grin, which seemed to instantly trigger her bodyguard's defenses. He immediately gave her a disapproving glare, believing she had done something mischievous to the therapist (she was known to pull a few tech pranks – hacking the computers or causing blackouts, to name her favorites).

Jarvis snorted, indicating that he did not believe a word she said. She glanced up at her protector, shaking her head. "Really." She assured. "I quite enjoyed this session today. No doubt Uncle will begin to see that I won't be stepping away from Father's work."

Jarvis sighed and shook his head. He didn't think it was a good idea to announce her intent; it was practically declaring war against her uncle. It was a wonder how Eliza could read him, a testament of how close they were. He was all that she had left and he her; they would always look after one another. She knew that it broke his heart for her to experience the loss of her parents, but she also knew that he would never coddle her. In fact, he took it upon himself to train her in various martial arts and self-defense these past two years, as if preparing her for something.

She paused in her musing when she felt a cold draft. Glancing to her right, she spotted one of the large framed windows subtly propped open; just enough for a child to slip through. Eliza glanced around the hall, finding it peculiar that the window was open whilst it was snowing outside. What daft idiot did that? Thinking about the other children she had seen around the hospital, Eliza immediately motioned to close the window, feeling annoyed that one of the staff could be so careless and insensitive.

Her thin fingers grasped the long clasp of the window and she proceeded to tug it shut when she noticed dusty footprints on the ornate, white pane. Eliza glanced back at Jarvis, who was watching the window curiously, before staring back at the footprints. They were no bigger than her own. Did someone climb out of the sixth's floor window? And if so, why? Her brows furrowed as she gently chewed her lips in contemplation.

Looking back, Eliza had no idea why she placed her hands on that window pane. Nor why she proceeded to haul herself up despite Jarvis' protested grunts and halting hands. All she could remember, as she slipped out into the cold, snowy morning, was that her gut told her that she needed to be there. And rarely did her gut lead her astray.

The soft flakes tickled Eliza's nose as she took in a sharp intake of air. She immediately regretted her spontaneous action the moment she glanced down and processed the great height she found herself in. She pressed herself against the frosty building, adjusting her small feet on the small protruding ledge. What the bloody hell was she thinking? She sprawled her hands against the wall, nervously glancing back to the window and to an equally nervous and disapproving Jarvis. She could tell he wanted to come out and get her, but his sheer size (not that would have stopped him) and a stubborn glare from her forced him to stay where he was. He watched her apprehensively as she sucked up her fear in favor of her stubbornness and moved carefully along the ledge.

Following the dusty and thinly snow-blanketed footprints, Eliza cautiously rounded the brick building and until she found herself staring at a scrawny redhead who was precariously sitting on a metal fire escape at the end of the ledge; her feet dangling without a care as the snow drizzled against her lightly tanned skin. Eliza noticed that the girl's eyes were closed and if not for the small fog of breath escaping her mouth, she would have thought her a statue.

Eliza pondered on whether or not she should interrupt – for she suddenly had the distinct impression that the girl had come out here to escape the nagging doctors – when the girl's eyes opened and she let out a startled yelp.

"Who the hell are you?" The girl angrily demanded after she recovered from her surprise. She pointed a cigarette – Eliza had failed to notice earlier – at her. "This is my spot – go find your own."

"You shouldn't smoke." Eliza blurted out, caught off guard from the girl's crass demeanor. "It's not good for you."

The girl barked out a laugh. "And staying in this damn place is any better?" She callously replied in a rough voice that Eliza attributed as all-around Canadian; a strong, spunky drawl. "Stupid docs won't leave me alone." The girl grumbled before she took another long inhale of her cigarette.

Eliza couldn't help the smirk that appeared; she shared the girl's sentiments. "I know the feeling." She mumbled, and perhaps her voice came out bitter, but it seemed to catch the girl's attention.

"Whatta ya in for?" The girl asked as they both stared at one another in the cold.

Eliza shrugged. "Nothing I can't handle on my own." She admitted.

It was the girl's turn to smirk in understanding. "Same here." She took another long puff, before letting out a thin trail of smoke into the snowy air as she settled onto the metal railing once more. Taking that as a sign of acceptance, Eliza proceeded forward once more before she was able to hop over the metal railing and onto the bulk of the fire escape. The girl made no move as Eliza swung her legs about the thin metal rail and sat down next to her.

"My name is Eliza. Eliza Hawke." Eliza offered, recalling the first question the girl had asked.

"Jane Shepard, but I prefer Shepard, unless I say otherwise." The girl strangely replied as another thin layer of smoke shrouded them from the winter canvas.

The two sat there in comfortable silence, enjoying the white scenery for an unknown time before Eliza began to notice her numbing fingers; she best return to Jarvis. She quietly maneuvered around the bar, before she noticed Shepard doing the same.

Time seemed to suddenly halt as Eliza began to register what was happening. She watched in silent fascination as Shepard juggled her cigarette in her mouth while she turned to dismount from the bar. The thin piece of paper was rotating between the girl's teeth before slipping out of her mouth. Shepard reacted without thinking; her hand shot out to grab it, but the quick momentum, mixed with the wetness from the snowfall, had occurred before the girl's other hand was properly secured on the railing.

Eliza watched as Shepard's expression was morphed in startled shock before they both realized that the girl was suddenly falling backward. The girl's hands flailed like a bird as she dipped backward, hoping that the mere act would miraculously flap her back to the security of the rail.

"Shit!" Shepard gasped out as she stumbled backwards.

Eliza reacted on instinct as she felt Time and herself propel forward. Her fair and numbing fingers shot out to grip Shepard's right hand. Stumbling hard against the bar, she grunted as a sharp jab struck her in the stomach as she desperately held onto a falling Shepard. She bent her knees, hoping to gain some leverage for the girl that deceptively weighed more than she appeared.

"Shit. Shit. Shit!" Shepard wailed out in fear as she stared down at what could be her icy deathbed.

"Hang on." Eliza grunted out as beads of sweat began to pour down her forehead.

"I am fucking hanging! Get me up, get me up!" Shepard frantically demanded as Eliza tightened her grip on the girl's wrist. Jerking backwards with all her strength, Eliza pulled Shepard up enough for the girl to gain a solid grip on the railing with her free hand.

"Hurry up! I can't hold on much longer!" Eliza spat out as her adrenaline began to disappear. Shepard complied quickly and clumsily hauled herself up and over the rail. She landed onto the fire escape with a loud clang as Eliza moved back and against the building's wall, pressing herself into it as if to disappear. Their strangled breathing and the whooshing sound of the wind prompted them into silence as they contemplated what had happened. The two glanced at the other for another minute before Shepard let out a maniacal laugh.

"Sweet Maker, I'm alive." She gasped out and Eliza couldn't help but to laugh along; they were both winding down from the rush and fear that had gripped them only seconds before. Shepard let out a breathless chuckle before glimpsing over the railing. "Damn, you weren't kidding about the cigarette. I'm officially quitting as of now." She groused before catching Eliza's eye.

"Good." Eliza managed to say as she tried to calm her raging heart while rubbing her now bruising belly. "Because bloody hell, I don't want to do that again."

Shepard laughed, seemingly recovered from her potential death. "You're alright, Hawke. I won't forget this; I got your back from now on."

Location: Crescent Nebula/Tasale System/Illium – Eclipse Hideout

2185 CE – February 17, 5:40 pm

Red. That was all Eliza could see as she stood over the body of Captain Wasea. The purple asari lay sprawled on the floor, blood pooling around her as her lifeless eyes stared up in accusation. Eliza's breathing was ragged as her biotics swirled about her before slowly extinguishing as her mind registered that the threat was eliminated. She could hear approaching footsteps, but recognized it as her own team, so she made no move to attack.

"Shep?" Kasumi's voice quietly echoed in the silent, but bloodstained room.

The Commander turned to face her favorite thief, eyes scanning the concern and awe on her face before doing the same to the others. Her eyes then landed on Miranda's waking form across the room, where Mordin was dutifully watching over her. "Check the area and bodies for any sign of that ship's manifest." She ordered, ducking away from their eyes and the shame that was seeping into her skin as she ran over to Miranda and Mordin, not caring that she was leaving bloody footprints in her wake.

"Toxic level is high. Respiratory system hindered greatly. Massive blood loss. Must get her to Normandy. Would generally suggest closest hospital, but too much paperwork and politics in Illium; die before she was admitted." Mordin explained as he did his best to stop Miranda's bleeding.

"Shepard, we got the ship's manifest." Garrus informed her as he and the rest of the team drew near.

A paling Commander absently nodded to Garrus as she processed Mordin's words. She couldn't lose Miri. She ran a bloody hand through her hair as she tried to fight off her panic. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

You can do it.

Jane's voice resonated in her mind once more, causing her resolve to strengthen. She refused to allow it to end this way. She refused to have anyone else taken from her.

"My hero!" Miranda's outburst caused Shepard to snap her eyes open and stare at her drugged lover. The woman's eyes were clearly glazed as she giggled in a way that she had never heard before. In any other circumstance, she would have found it quite funny.

"The Princess has fuckin' lost it." Jack snorted as she crossed her arms, eying Miranda with a mixture of amusement and petulance; Shepard had no doubt that the ex-convict was going to use this against Miranda at some point.

"Shepard. Must hurry. High dosage of Minagen in her blood. Very bad." Mordin reminded her of the importance of urgency.

"Go away." Miranda's face scrunched up in annoyance as she swatted the air with a bloody hand.

"She's getting worse, Shepard." Garrus assessed needlessly. She knew it was bad. She knew that she needed to get Miranda to Chakwas!

"No shit, Scarface?" Jack's voice piped once more, "Even this," she pointed at Miranda's giggling form, "is weirding me out." Her face twisted further into disgust and confusion.

"Cut the chatter!" Shepard demanded, having enough of the commentaries. They didn't have time for this; Miranda didn't have time for this. She wasn't losing Miri; she wasn't going to let someone die for her again.

"Garrus take Zaeed and Jack – go let Samara know what we've found. Kasumi and Mordin – with me. Let's move!" Shepard barked her orders, forcing herself to act like the Commander she was. Bending to her knees, she carefully lifted Miranda into her arms, gently adjusting her appropriately. The operative's head lolled against her collarbone and neck, alerting Shepard of the dire situation as she was assaulted by the operative's ragged breaths against her. "I got you." She whispered to the Cerberus operative as she passed out once more.

"You got it." Garrus' acknowledged, though Shepard could sense the turian was unhappy about something – she'll deal with it later.

"Kasumi?" Shepard turned to face the thief, her question needing no interpretation from the pleading that poured out of her face.

"No worries, Shep; I'll clear a path for you. Just go." Kasumi assured before she activated her cloaking device. She disappeared immediately, making sure that they had a clear path back to the Normandy. Shepard quickly followed after, running with all her might to save Miranda.

Location: Local Cluster/Sol System/Earth/Australia – Brisbane/Hawke Estate

2166 CE – June 8, 1:47 pm

Eliza was typing furiously on her terminal as she began to discreetly move some of her funds to dummy bank accounts. She had learned that particular trick four years back when her uncle was becoming more engrossed in spending her father's money in the casinos and worthless investments. Of course, no one knew but her; she had discovered it on accident when she was testing out one of her latest security hacks and stumbled on his finances. Needless to say, she was livid.

In any case, Eliza was ensuring that her family's money would be secured as much as possible, especially with Uncle Howard's latest gamble with the Alliance. She knew it was a ploy for him to regain some of the fortune he had lost from the company. Everything was reliant on their recent purchase of Nashan Steller Dynamics and the contract with the Alliance. If they failed to produce a profit, her father's legacy would be ruined. It was because of that knowledge that Eliza allowed her uncle to exploit her talents. She would design better starships, better weaponry, and better technology for the Alliance, if it meant saving her father's good image and work.

However now, she had something else to protect…something more alive and more meaningful than she dare to ever admit. She knew that her father would understand, knew that her mother would be proud, and knew that it was something that would last far beyond this life or the next. Miranda Lawson had ignited a fire within Eliza; an emotion that had barely come to life since she met Shepard and was now engulfing her very soul since she met Miranda. She would do anything to make sure that the woman that made her love again was always safe and well cared for. And so, that was all the motivation she needed to do what must be done.

Eliza watched as the last of her program stifled portions of her inheritance through various proxy servers across the Sol system, before landing in her hidden accounts scattered throughout the galaxy. This would be enough to keep Miranda safe from her father and be able to live comfortably while they did so. With the money procured, Eliza quickly assessed what supplies they needed before she met Miranda at the skyport that night. Figuring out some things, she quickly turned to exit before running into something hard and falling back on her rear with a grimace.

"Ow! Dammit, Hawke! What the hell?" Shepard cried out in pain as she rubbed her chest.

Eliza blinked as she sorted out Shepard's image. "Shepard?" She questioned, clearly unsure why her best friend was here.

"No shit, who else would it be? It's almost 2." Shepard groaned as she stood, stretching her back before leaning down to help Eliza up.

Eliza paled. She had forgotten that she was meeting with Shepard today. They had tickets to see the skycar automobile show.

"Andddd you forgot." Shepard easily deciphered the regretful expression on Hawke's face. "Dammit, how could you forget? We've been planning this for months!" Shepard whined.

"I know…I'm sorry, but something important came up…I have to take care of it." Eliza hedged, trying to explain her negligence without revealing too much.

"What could be more important than skycars?"

"Look, I promised Miranda—"

"Seriously? You're ditching me for Miranda?" Shepard scrunched her face in obvious annoyance and jealousy. "You've been seeing her practically every day! Which was why we planned this for just us! What the hell?"

"I know, Shep! Please, you got to trust me." Eliza felt terrible for neglecting her friend, but this was a matter of Miranda's life! "I wouldn't cancel if it wasn't important, okay? I'll make it up to you somehow…" She trailed off, suddenly realizing that she didn't know when she would see Shepard; it defeated the whole purpose of trying to escape Miranda's father undetected.

Shepard stared in silence, making Eliza shift nervously as she was scrutinized. "You're right." She finally spoke, eyes narrowed in suspicion. "It's not like you to just drop everything…what's going on?"

"Nothing." Eliza cursed herself for answering too quickly; she could never easily lie to Shepard.

"Right." Shepard didn't take the bait and continued to approach Eliza until they were face to face. "If it's nothing than why are you ditching me?"

Eliza bit her lips, trying to figure out a white lie to tell.

"What's going on, Hawke? No lies." Shepard replied in an oddly serious tone.

"I can't, Shepard. Please don't ask me to." Eliza begged, not wanting to reveal what Miranda had told her in confidence. She hated the position she was in. Hated how she was hiding the truth from her best friend.

"That's not good enough!"

"That's all you're getting!" Eliza shot back.

"Dammit Hawke! If our friendship ever meant anything to you, then tell me why you're choosing her over me!" Shepard snapped, causing Eliza to gawk in surprise. "Tell me why you're choosing her over family." Shepard pled in a more subdue tone.

Eliza sighed, knowing that Shepard spoke true and feeling guiltier by the second for it. "I…umm…I'm running away with Miranda." Eliza staggered out. She soon cringed when Shepard let out a surprised exclamation.

"WHAT?!" Her friend's green eyes nearly bulged out of her skull at the reveal.

"I know what it sounds like, but Shep, he's going to kill her!"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Miranda's father! He's going to kill her! He's crazy, Shepard! You have no idea what lengths he'll go to control her! He's worse than my uncle!" Eliza rapidly spouted out, hoping that she wasn't betraying Miranda's trust too much.

"And that's you're brilliant plan? To run away? You're overreacting! Why would he kill her? What type of stories is she making up?" Shepard shouted, trying to grasp the situation without blowing up at her friend.

"She's not lying, Shepard! We have to leave! It's the only way to keep her safe!"

"You're bat shit crazy! She's seriously messing with your head, Hawke! Dammit, I knew she was no good for you!" Shepard growled out, no longer able to contain her emotions.

"What the hell are you talking about? You're the one who practically threw me at her!"

"Because I wanted you to get laid! Not manipulated by that leeching bi—"

A loud smack interrupted Shepard's words and both girls stared at each other in absolute shock. Shepard touched her left cheek where the stinging mark of Hawke's hand had just been.

"Shepard…I…" Hawke halted her apology at the appearance of Shepard's upraised palm.

"Shove your apology, Hawke." Shepard turned to leave, causing a gnawing sensation to gather in Eliza's gut; despite all that anger, Eliza had seen the hurt in her friend's green eyes.

"Shep!" Eliza called out, but her friend refused to stop or turn around. The despairing sensation grew. "Shepard!"

The sound of a slamming door was given in response.

Location: Crescent Nebula/Tasale System/Illium – Docking Bay/Normandy SR-2

2185 CE - February 17, 6:04 pm

The Commander rushed into the Medical-Bay, trying to fend off Miranda's violent struggles as she was assaulted by another wave of pain. Her grip around the operative tightened as she fought against dropping her. "Dr. Chakwas!" Shepard yelled in desperation as she tried to reassure Miranda that she was safe while maintaining her in her arms. "Miri, it's okay; I'm right here!" She whispered to the operative before yelling for the doctor again.

Dr. Chakwas rushed from her position against the operating table, having finished preparing it for Miranda's arrival; Kasumi had quickly informed her of the Executive Officer's condition. "Oh, dear. What happened?" Chakwas asked Shepard as they both moved to the designated table; either Kasumi had left out how extensive Miranda's injuries were or they had gotten worse.

"She was wounded by a biotic and rocket attack. She flew into Minagen X3; it's all in her system. Please, Chakwas, do something! Please hurry!" Shepard begged.

"Put her on the table." Dr. Chakwas demanded as she readied herself to work. Mordin immediately appeared, ready to provide his services.

"Suffering from a failing respiratory system; nervous system beginning to shut down. Stopped Minagen from heading to heart in the field; won't last long." Mordin explained before showing the doctor the scans he had completed.

"Shepard, move!" Chakwas demanded as she tried to scan Miranda for a more up-to-date and accurate assessment before performing surgery.

Shepard hesitated, not wanting to leave Miranda's side, but knew that she would only get in the way of them helping her. She slowly drew back after securing Miranda onto the table. A strong grip halted her retreat. "No! Eliza, don't go. He'll kill you!" Miranda's voice was filled with a fear that Shepard hadn't heard in so long.

"Already suffering from hallucinations; won't last long at this rate." Shepard subconsciously heard Mordin explain further to Chakwas. She knew what Miranda feared, knew it just by how her face contorted and how her voice quivered. She squeezed Miranda's hand in comfort before leaning down and placing her lips next to Miranda's ear.

"I'm right here, Miri." Eliza assured as tenderly as possible. She tightened her grip on Miranda's hand, when the injured woman arched her body and let out another painful scream.

"Shepard! Move! Now!" Chakwas brokered no exception as she pushed the soldier aside. Shepard moved off to the side, but gingerly held onto Miranda's hand for a moment longer before Chakwas forced them apart.

Location: Local Cluster/Sol System/Earth/Australia – Brisbane/Hawke Estate

2166 CE – June 8, 3:15 pm

"Eliza?" The snake charmer of a voice startled the young Hawke as she glanced up from datapad.

"Uncle Howard." Eliza greeted after she composed herself. "You're back from your trip early." She hadn't expected him to return from London until the end of the week. He had gone to Alliance Headquarters to personally introduce some of the starship designs they were developing. She subtly angled her datapad toward her, not wanting her uncle to see its contents.

"Yes, they were impressed with our work so the meetings went by quicker; they're very eager to see how the new drive cores would function with the lighter shield plating." The elder Hawke expressed as he entered Eliza's workshop.

Eliza wanted to groan. Her uncle had come to see how far she was in her developments. "I still haven't managed a proper level for the mass effect core to work, Uncle." She did her best to refrain her annoyance from escaping her lips.

"From my understanding, the readings from your last test were a success. What was it? 44 percent?"

Eliza bit back a curse; someone on her development team was feeding her uncle information. This was why she preferred to work alone. "If you call a 56 percent chance of the core blowing up in your face a success." She snarked back, not liking how her uncle was wheedling his way into her designs.

Uncle Howard tsked. "Now, now, Eliza, there's no need for an attitude. You've done well – better than I anticipated." His eyes seemed distant for a moment, making Eliza wonder what he was thinking – plotting. He blinked and then settled his eyes on her once more. "You will give the green light; we start production next week."

"What?" Eliza's eyes widened. "No. It's not ready! There's too much risk for injury." She argued back. In her irritation, she forgot about her datapad and she slammed it onto her work table with a breaking force. Was her uncle mad? The drives weren't ready! She wasn't willing to sacrifice lives for the sake of money or pride!

Howard Hawke's pleasant demeanor morphed instantly. "Do what I say, girl!" His voice reverberated through the workshop. He moved before Eliza could respond and gripped her chin, pointedly making her look at him; a move he had always done to make her feel inferior as his height towered above her. "I promised the Alliance that they'll have a full operational prototype by the end of this month, Eliza."

"You shouldn't make promises you can't keep then." She spat back, pushing him off her. She set a heavy scowl against her uncle, furious that he would dare risk lives. She ground her teeth. She had to think of a way to stop him before she escaped with Miranda tonight. If he pushed it, she would erase all her work…perhaps that was the best solution regardless.

"Arrogant girl!" He snarled out. Eliza reflexively cringed and shut her eyes once she saw her uncle's hand lift to backhand her. She felt a strong brush of air on her face, but neither the hit nor the pain ever came. Instead she heard a low grunt and a clatter of equipment. Eliza opened her eyes and focused on her uncle's snarling face and Jarvis' threatening one. "How dare you!" Uncle Howard growled as he addressed Eliza's protector against the work table (whom she had thought she had dismissed for the day – sneaky bugger). Jarvis held up one pointed finger at the door. Leave. His gesture was a mixture of dismissal and warning as he loomed above the man who dared to think of attacking his charge.

An incredulous expression crossed her uncle's features as he staggered back to his feet. "You will do as I say, Eliza." Her uncle informed her with malice as his hand brushed against the datapad that Eliza had slammed earlier. His eyes scanned the contents briefly and his scowled deepened. "I should have known." He hissed out as he presented an uneasy-looking Eliza her data pad. "Planning a romantic getaway?" He took a step forward, only to have Jarvis take one step to his right, effectively cutting off Howard Hawke's view from a fuming Eliza. "Get out of my way." He ordered even though he knew that Jarvis listened to no one but Eliza.

Jarvis made no intention of moving, leaving Howard the only option of retreating back to the door. "I should have known; she's no good for you Eliza; a distraction. Mark my words, that girl will be the death of you." He tossed the datapad back onto the table. "Such a disappointment – your parents would be ashamed of your liaison; disgusting!" He accused in a rambling frenzy. "Foolish girl! Have you no idea that she is using you; this is not the first time she's charmed someone out of their business!" He scoffed as he neared the exit. "I expect you to end this foolishness and approve the drive cores by this weekend, Eliza. If not, you can rest assure that you'll find yourself back in London, distraction free!" His voice threateningly lingered before he stomped out of the workshop.

The atmosphere relaxed the moment her uncle left the room, but Eliza could not help but to clench her fists together. How dare he?! She fumed silently, trying to control her biotics from manifesting. How dare her uncle talk about Miranda in such a way! How dare he risk lives for his own selfish gain! She ground her teeth together with a loud crunch. Oh, how she wanted to throw him against the wall!

A gentle hand touched her shoulders, snapping Eliza out of her anger as she stared at Jarvis' concerned eyes. His other hand offered the datapad that had been thrown. Eliza grasped it gingerly, feeling guilty for not telling her caretaker that she was running off. She glanced down at the datapad, where a list of possible locations to flee to rested. She tilted her head, reading the list and then scoffed. Her uncle was right – her list consisted locations that were considered romantic at best.

"Thank you, Jarvis." Eliza muttered as she stared at the list; she would have to think of other spots now that her uncle had seen them. Her bodyguard grunted once, but then placed a finger atop the datapad's screen. He tapped it once and then pointedly stared down Eliza.

Where do you think you are going? His expression was stern, but she could see the light confusion in his eyes, causing her heart to plummet further with guilt.

"It's nothing, Jarvis. I was just thinking of a vacation, that's all." She lied.

Jarvis' stern expression did not waver; Eliza never could lie properly with him. He tapped the datapad once more, the object jerking in her much smaller hands.

"Miranda's father is going to kill her, Jarvis." Eliza whispered, finally giving in; she only hoped that his reaction would be better than Shepard's. "I…I can't let that happen…" She choked out. "Please understand." She turned her light blue eyes up at her longtime friend and confidante. "I love her."

Jarvis' features softened. With a gentle hand that was only reserved for her, he ruffled her short, brunette hair. Okay.

Eliza sniffled as a thin smile bordered her lips. She should have known that Jarvis would be there for her; he always was. "Thank you, Jarvis." She wrapped her arms around the brawny man, hoping to convey all her affection and gratitude for his presence. He let out an embarrassed grunt before untangling himself. He then pointed at the datapad again and then folded his arms. Eliza knew that gesture instantly, having seen it in the past. She immediately began explaining her plans of running away with Miranda, thankful to have someone on her side.

Location: Crescent Nebula/Tasale System/Illium – Docking Bay/Normandy SR-2

2185 CE – February 17, 7:02 pm

Shepard's boots echoed across the Mess Hall, clipping softly against the metallic floor of the Normandy. Her gaze would flicker to the Medbay's opaque windows – darkened now to ensure privacy for the occupants within – wishing that she was inside. Dr. Chakwas and Mordin had kicked her out citing that she needed to clean up and had enough of her when she began asking too many questions about what they were doing to Miranda. The Normandy's doctor had been red faced angry for having to split her mind from saving Miranda's life to answering a blood soaked Commander's frantic questions. In hindsight, Shepard knew it was for the best, but at the moment, all she wanted to do was be beside Miranda.

"How's she doing?" Garrus sidled beside her, arms crossed as he traded his glances between a clean commander and the Medbay.

"I don't know; Mordin was flushing Miranda's body of the Minagen while Chakwas operated on her side wound." Shepard halted in her pacing and opted to glare at the Medbay. "I need to be in there." She uncharacteristically whined, causing Garrus' mandibles to twitch in concern.

"You really care for her, don't you?" The turian sniper questioned.

"What?" Shepard's neck snapped to the right, granting her a more proper view of her best friend. Her eyes blinked rapidly in surprise. Was I that obvious? She tried to dissuade Garrus' line of thought. "I care for her like I care for all my crew." She hedged. "I practically cried when you got injured." She teased, hoping the added sarcasm would make her appear normal.

"I'm told I have that effect on women." Garrus deadpanned.

Ha! He bought it!

"Then again, I never had you stop in the middle of a firefight to tend to my wounds or had you go on a killing spree when I got injured." He feigned hurt as he stared at her. His beady eyes never once blinked as he did so.

Shit.

"I'm beginning to feel neglected." Garrus continued in his mock-hurt tone.

"Garrus…"

"You know, it's funny really. For a while I thought Cerberus planted a chip in your brain or something." He abandoned his hurt for a thoughtful tone instead. "Hmmm…" He muttered as he placed a talon-like hand on his chin, mimicking contemplation.

"Huh? What?" Shepard stuttered out, eyes wide at the turian's inference; she knew it was unwise to mention that Miranda had considered doing just that.

"The way you always seemed to respond to her whenever she was in the room; your eyes would always sneak glances toward her."

"I would not!" Shepard gave an indignant huff, but Garrus continued on as if he didn't hear her.

"Or how you would always know where she was during battle. It was like you were programmed to be aware of her all the time!"

"That's absurd!"

"I know you're highly protective of your crew, Shepard, but man, the way you react whenever she got hurt; it was as if you took it personally!"

Cause no one touches my Miri and gets away with it! "You're reading too much into it!" She retorted sharply.

"You never reacted that way when anyone else got hurt. Not when Liara got hurt on Noveria by her own Mother; not when Kaiden was knocked out by a swarm of zombie colonists; when Tali's suit was ruptured by rachni; Wrex nearly eaten by a Thresher Maw; or even on Virmire when we lost Ash, Shepard." Garrus tone suddenly became serious. "But when Miranda gets knocked down, you find the need to annihilate not only the person responsible, but everyone else associated with them."

"That's not tru—" Shepard tried to voice, but was once more cut off by Garrus' sudden tirade.

"Today is a perfect example!" His voice rose, causing some of the crew in the Mess Hall to stare.

"What was I supposed to do? Let her get taken out?!" She was beginning to lose her temper.

"No! You stay in cover and apply proper medical treatment and stick with your team to get the job done!" He yelled back. "Not make it your personal vendetta to avenge your girlfriend!" A talon-finger met Shepard's chest. "You're duty is to the safety of your team not to one person!"

Shepard growled as she glared up. Her fists glowed a precarious blue and she was sorely tempted to sock Garrus in the face with them. She would have done it too, if not for her peripheral catching the sudden audience they had. "Back to your stations!" She barked, causing a mass scramble of men and women throughout the vicinity.

The two remaining soldiers glowered at one another, each too stubborn to relent their stares. Moments passed as they continued their staring contest. It wasn't until Shepard finally allowed some sense to emerge in her mind that the standstill began to dissolve. As Shepard looked in her friend's eyes, she began to see the mixture of emotions that ran through them. She could see the clear anger and frustration, but it was the underlining concern and worry that got her to calm. The blue aura around her fists dissipated as she finally relinquished her pride; she wasn't going to lose another friend because of it.

"She's not my girlfriend." Shepard mumbled in defeat.

"Could have fooled me." Garrus snorted in defiance. Shepard shot him a look that clearly stated that she was trying to be civil. The turian sighed, accepting the truce. "Then again, I've never seen you like this before, Shep; you've never shown any romantic interests before…" He folded his arms. "I'm just worried about it, all right? She's Cerberus, Shepard."

"I know, Garrus." She rubbed her right arm as she contained her irritation; Garrus was just looking out for her. "It's complicated right now…" She admitted.

"Since when is it not with you?" He joked briefly as both began to feel the tension between them soften. His gaze directed itself to the covered medbay window. "If it's not serious, screw her and get it out of your system; if it's serious, I just hope she's damn worth it."

Shepard pondered on Garrus' words, chewing her lips as she tried to ease out the confusion she felt within her. She knew Miranda was worth it, but feared the secrets that burdened her, knowing that it would change everything once Miranda found out.

"A control chip, you say?" Shepard broke the silence with a joke, trying to change the tone of the conversation, feeling incredibly tired of everything. By God, she wished she could stop running from it all; her past; her emotions; her friends; Miranda.

"Mmm." Garrus mumbled in agreement. "It was the logical assumption, hmm…but then…well…" His tone became softer, "I saw how she looked at you."

"What? What you mean?"

A loud crash sounded, effectively ending the conversation. Both trained soldiers leapt into readiness, before another, much louder crash and Chakwas' raised voice alerted both of them that something was wrong in the medbay. She gave Garrus a quick glance and he immediately nodded as he ran to secure the floor while she ran back inside the medical bay to find a struggling, delusional and uncooperative Miranda.