Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect this belongs to Bioware. Please Enjoy.

Chapter 11: Re-write the Collectors.

The room hummed with the sound of the engine pumping through the hull of the ship as everything seemed peaceful. Shepard started to stir from her sleep as she became aware of the warm body next to her; a smile graced her lips as she cuddled in further into the warmth. Garrus's arm wrapped round her waist loosely as she felt him purr. Even though Shepard's eyes were closed she could still picture him in front of her with his mandibles twitching while his other arm supported his head. His rough plates on his chest moved up and down as he breathed while Shepard laid her head on his collarbone.

Everything seemed right but that's when it all went wrong. A banging suddenly sounded from Shepard's door, as she cuddled in closer to Garrus making a groaning sound she felt him chuckle, she wasn't in a hurry to get out of bed.

"Commander!" Jacob's voice sounded through the door as the banging continued. Shepard screwed her eyes up tight refusing to open them.

"Go away Jacob" she muttered, her mouth felt dry and her voice strained in places from her not talking…or shouting. Still the banging on the door persisted as she heard Garrus getting annoyed with the interruption.

"Shepard, it's time for you to get up" Miranda sounded as Shepard grew more determined to sleep in. Then her heart leapt out of her chest as two thundering pounds on her door sounded shaking her whole room that could only be one alien.

"Battle master, are you ill…again?" Grunt sounded which in a way made Shepard feel a bit insulted, she wasn't ill all the time…just when she came back from missions half dead, that she classed as ill. But Shepard didn't move or answer but felt Garrus pull her closer to his body.

"They'll go away soon, don't worry" Garrus told her quietly as Shepard nodded, his morning voice sounded gruffer than usual and deeper when he spoke quietly making Shepard's face flush as she tried to hide her bodies reaction.

"Where is the vent leading into Siha's room?" Thane's voice sounded which made Shepard snap her eyes open and Garrus pull her closer as he growled.

"Good idea Thane, here I'll just…" Jacob's voice sounded followed by a clattering of a panel hitting the floor, and then everything went quiet. Shepard trained her ears to the sounds on the vent but there was nothing…damn the fact he was trained in stealth. Garrus pulled her so close to his body she was flush against him, she felt him groan as her breath hitched in her throat.

"Stay close and quiet" he whispered as Shepard tried not to move, the heat of his body nearly made her fall back asleep but her heart was pounding in her chest so fast and hard she thought it was going to make an escape from her chest. Her breathing was shaky as she felt his talons runs gently along the small of her back while she resisted rubbing her legs against his. Then a small quiet thud sounded on the far side of her room.

"Krios, there is a door" Garrus spoke making Shepard stop breathing as she felt the vibrations of his voice run through her body…focus Shepard.

"Siha it is time to get up" Thane's rough voice sounded but she didn't move from under the sheets or make any sounds.

"Shepard's in the bathroom it's just me here" Garrus told him. But something told Shepard that Thane didn't buy it and the next thing she knew the sheet that covered her was pulled back exposing the awake and slightly heated body of Shepard that was flush against Garrus's chest. Thane's red folds brightened slightly as she knew this was a memory he might not want to revisit.

"Siha come, you are needed" Thane told her as she looked at him with glazed eyes.

"But I don't want to get up" She protested as she held on to Garrus's body. Thane lifted his brow and started to pull her away from Garrus, Shepard protested more by moving away from him trying to avoid his hands but then she felt Thane's fingers on her ribs as he started to…tickle her. Shepard's body started to try and get away from the torture as she reached out for Garrus more.

"No! Thane please Stop! Stop please!" Shepard laughed and shouted as her legs started to kick in the general direction of Thane. Garrus tightened his grip round her waist as Thane continued to tickle Shepard. Shepard laughed as she struggled even more as she felt Thane fused fingers along her ribs and stomach. Damn the fact he knew where to tickle her, but Garrus covered her ribs with his arms and pulled her upper body close to his but Thane didn't give up and started to pull her legs.

"Thane please! Stop it! This is not fair!" Shepard pleaded but she couldn't help but laugh. She kicked towards Thane to make him stop.

"Not until you get up Siha" Thane spoke calmly but Shepard saw the smile gracing his lips and cursed him that he was enjoying this.

Meanwhile outside everyone was growing concerned as they heard the Commanders screams from the other side of the door. Grunt shifted uncomfortably as his fingers twitched, Miranda and Jacob leant against the wall.

"What is going on in there" Jacob spoke up as more screams and laughs came from the Commander's room.

"Do you really want to know?" Jack asked as she tapped her foot against the floor as Jacob shifted while his eyes flicked back and forth between Shepard's door and the floor.

"Krios will you let go of her already" Garrus shout came from inside the room. Everyone looked at each other; none of them knew that Garrus was in Shepard's room or out of the main battery. Jack gave a smile while Grunt gave a growl of hatred. Jacob and Miranda started to hack and beat down the door. More screams and laughs came from inside the room, but as the door opened everyone poured into the room to find Garrus pulling Shepard's upper body away from Thane by wrapping his arms round her chest while Thane held her legs with her foot in his face. While Shepard had her arms wrapped round Garrus's neck trying to pull herself away from Thane. Shepard turned her head to see the others looking at her as she tried to steady her breathing.

"This isn't what it looks like" Shepard assured the others but her red face and heavy breathing might not have been very convincing. Jack and Grunt burst out laughing as Miranda and Jacob tried to look anywhere but the scene in front of them. Shepard sighed as she pressed her foot into Thane's cheek a little harder.

"I did tell you Siha" Thane spoke as his eyes held a cheekiness to them. Garrus growled sending Shepard's body into over drive as her imagination flared up.

"Can I have my legs back?" Shepard asked as Thane let go of her ankles. Shepard immediately tucked her legs underneath her body as she glared at Thane.

"Now...Why is everyone in my room...excusing Garrus" Shepard asked as she unhooked herself from Garrus and straightened out her tank top. Miranda and Jacob looked away while Jack and Grunt were still trying to calm down. Thane held his hands behind his back but Shepard noticed that his red folds had slightly brightened and he didn't look as calm as he usually did.

"Commander, Tali went to have a little chat with Legion" Joker's voice sounded over the radio as Shepard leapt off the bed and ran towards the elevator.

"Well she's up" Jacob rubbed the back of his neck. Garrus glared at the group who started to run out of the room...except for Thane who bowed his head to Garrus and walked out of the room.

"You enjoyed that too much Krios" Garrus spoke, Thane stopped at the door.

"I merely did the only thing to get Siha out of bed to deal with the situation...if that involved exploiting her weakness then so be it" Thane spoke and started to walk out of the room, Garrus growled and threw a pillow towards him but the door closed in time for the pillow to hit the door and slide down to the floor.

)_)

Shepard rushed out of the elevator towards the AI room passing through the medical bay. Shepard pressed the button to open to find Tali holding her pistol up to Legion's flashlight. Shepard sighed in relief that Tali's hadn't pulled the trigger yet, but she could tell Tali was almost dying to do it.

"I'm glad you're here Shepard, I caught Legion trying to hack my omni-tool" Tali spoke as Shepard viewed the scene.

"We found data on Tali Zorah's omni-tool about an attack on the Geth…thought it reasonable to warn them" Legion spoke out as its facial plates twitched and moved. Tali's finger twitched on the hand gun but Shepard walked forward and placed her hand on Tali's arm.

"Calm down the both of you" Shepard spoke with a calming but commanding voice. Her ice blue eyes became their focus as she looked at them.

"Tali, your father conducted experiments on Geth…even though they were parts they were still Geth part of Legion's people" Shepard told her as a faint outline of Tali's eyes came into view by the light of the room. Shepard could tell that Tali knew what her father had done was wrong but she still held the morals of her people close to her heart.

"If those experiments were human, I might have done the same thing Legion was about to do" Shepard spoke as Tali's head snapped round to look at Shepard but as she was about so talk Shepard's eyes bore into her as Tali back down.

"But Legion, you can't go round hacking everyone omni-tool or data pad just because it mentions the Geth" Shepard turned towards the robot, she watched it computing the data but Shepard sighed as she grabbed both Tali's and Legion's hands and placed them against each other. They looked like a perfect match as a small smile graced Shepard's lips.

"Someday your people will have to stop all this fighting, the Reapers are on their way and I will need both your people to stand strong, you can't do that if you're at each other's throats." Shepard told them keeping their hands together.

"Maybe the first steps of peace between the Geth and the Quarian's could start with you two. You know you two are a lot alike" Shepard told them as Tali looked between Shepard and Legion as Legion was still trying to contemplate the data that it was receiving.

"We will not hack Tali Zorah's omni-tool" Legion spoke as Shepard gave him a thanking smile.

"Thank you Legion, how about I send you some none confidential information to send to your people" Tali asked as Shepard slowly backed away.

"That would be appreciated" Legion spoke as Shepard left the two to swap data. The door closed as Shepard saw Garrus leaning against one of the medical beds. Shepard gave him a smile as she walked towards him.

"Everything alright now?" Garrus asked as Shepard nodded and rested her head against his bare arm.

"Yeah, Commander Shepard saves the day one childish fight at a time" Shepard punched the air as if she was fighting some invisible enemy. Garrus laughed as he hugged her making her pressed her forehead against his chest.

"At least it isn't a human versus Turian argument…that might get a bit heated" Garrus spoke as Shepard looked up at him.

"Is that a challenge?" Shepard smirked making Garrus think over what he said making his mandibles flare and twitch.

"No! No Shepard…you'd win every round" Garrus spoke as Shepard laughed. Garrus sighed as he ran his fingers through her hair, Shepard smiled and leant into his hand while Garrus smiled as she held his wrist and stroked it gently with her thumb.

"I'd better get ready Shepard; no doubt we have another life threatening mission we have to deal with." Garrus pushed himself off the table as Shepard let out a laughable sigh and nodded her head. Tali came out of the AI room almost walking into Shepard.

"Oh sorry Shepard I didn't see you there" Tali said as Shepard turned to see her. Shepard smiled and waved it off, Tali nodded and rushed out of the room back to engineering.

"Shepard Commander can we have a moment" Legion spoke as Shepard looked towards him.

"Cue deadly mission" Shepard thought to herself.

)_)

"You realise that it's just our heat emissions that are hidden right; they could still look out of a window and see us" Joker told Legion while Shepard clipped her helmet on. Legion had asked Shepard if he could destroy a Geth ship that were part of the Geth that she encountered two years ago, she agreed as she told Legion to get ready the only problem was she didn't know who else to take.

"Windows are structural weaknesses, Geth have no need for them" Legion told Joker as Shepard thought back to every building and ship she had blow up via smashing a window…Legion had a point.

"Please approach the vessel at these coordinates" Legion keyed in the information into the computer while Joker started doing the robot dance. Shepard had to bite her lip to stop herself from laughing but just patted Joker's shoulder from behind which made him stop. Joker pulled up along side of the Geth vessel as Legion walked towards the airlock. Shepard squeezed Joker's shoulder lightly letting him know he did a good job and headed out of the cockpit, as she opened the door she saw everyone ready a waiting but all looking at Garrus as if they knew she was going to pick him.

"Who's going with you and Legion on this Shepard?" Jacob asked. Shepard looked round the group; all their abilities would be helpful on the mission. Tali knew the Geth better than anyone and could hack into anything…but she already had Legion for that. Grunt was muscle and could possibly wipe out many Geth at once but a big rampaging Krogan isn't what she needed. Jack's Biotics might have come in useful but Jack wasn't too subtle either. Jacob and Miranda worked well together but were still concerned about Legion on the team. Mordin could have been good but he never liked to be pulled away from the lab. Samara was one possibility but she wondered if her own actions might make Samara live to her Code and kill her. Garrus had gone with her on every mission so far and she wanted him to rest but she mainly remembered hitting him with biotic punched the night before and knew he had to rest. Thane was the best choice, his stealth techniques would be perfect if she needed to know what might be in front of her and he was just as good as sniper as Garrus was.

"I'm taking Thane" Shepard told them as she looked round the shocked group. Thane nodded and went to pick up his weapons while everyone merely looked towards Shepard and Garrus.

"I need stealth more than anything, Legion can cover me while Thane plays look out" Shepard told them. Everyone nodded and started to go back to their posts; Tali hugged Shepard and told her to look out for Legion betraying her and to see if there was anything Geth related she could pick up. Shepard nodded and reminded her that her armour wasn't good at pockets but promised she would do what she could. Garrus was the last as he walked up to her, Shepard felt a lump form in her throat as his eyes pierced through her visor and into hers.

"I'm not going with you Shepard" His voice was low as he took her hand; Shepard wished he could run his talons through her hair again but she nodded and held his hand tighter.

"I…I want you to rest after the punches I gave you last night" Shepard told him as her voice nearly cracked, she knew that she would never hurt Garrus on purpose but the fact she did hurt him nearly tore her up inside. Then she felt pulled her close to him and hugged her gently, Shepard wrapped her arms round him as she felt him purr against her.

"Alright…just promise me one thing" Garrus spoke making her nod.

"Don't come back half dead like usual" He told her as she pulled away from him. Shepard glared at him but she gave his Turian smirk and touched his forehead to hers making her heart skip several beats.

"I promise" She told him as he let her go. Shepard walked into the airlock to wait with Legion.

Garrus watched her go until the door closed, and then his growl that he was holding back suddenly emerged from his chest as his jaw tensed. He understood why Shepard wanted him to stay and he agreed with her but he didn't like Thane alone with his mate. Garrus marched off towards the elevator passing several whispering crew members and a certain Kelly that had her emerald eyes flaring with interest trying to ask Jacob how he felt.

Garrus approached the elevator as the doors flew open revealing Thane ready with his weapons. Garrus growled again making the Drell take notice of him, Garrus pushed him back into the elevator as the doors closed again.

"Listen up Krios, you make sure Shepard doesn't receive one scratch you hear me" Garrus growled at Thane as Thane looked into his eyes with his dark orbs.

"I have already told Siha that I will always protect her I do not intend to back down on that promise" Thane told Garrus as he narrowed his eyes at the Drell. Garrus hated the fact that Thane was so close to Shepard but he knew one thing Thane would protect Shepard as much as he would if he was there.

"Not one scratch Krios" Garrus backed off as Thane straightened his jacket. Garrus opened the doors again as Thane walked out. The doors closed as Garrus hit the button for the Crew deck, his back was killing him after sleeping in Shepard's bed but he needed to see Doctor Chakwas about the biotic punches Shepard had given him…how he hated it when Shepard was right.

)_)_)

Shepard fell back behind some boxes as bullets flew past her head. They had infiltrated the Geth ship and were slowly making progress through it although the Geth sure did like their mazes as they nearly got lost a few times. It was only the fact that Legion and programmed himself with the ship layout that they were making progress. Shepard looked down at her assault rifle and noticed that she was nearly out of bullets; she bit her lip as she put it behind her back and pulled out her pistol. It wasn't going to do much good with the distance between her and the enemy Geth but it was all she had.

"Thane how you doing" Shepard asked over the radio, Thane had taken a bullet in his arm to protect her from one of the first fights, she had put on some medi-gel but she was still worried…as Garrus pointed out she wasn't a very good doctor.

"I'm fine Siha this group is nearly done" Thane answered back as she peeked round the corner to see the Geth troopers advancing on Legion's position. She aimed her pistol at the head of the first Geth and fired making the other Geth notice her and start shooting. Shepard dived further into the boxes for cover while sending out a singularity to give her cover. Shepard then heard the clashing of metal and sparking wires as a sign that the Geth walked straight into the mini black hole.

"All enemies are clear" Legion sounded out over the radio making Shepard sigh with relief. She prayed to the Spirits that this would be over soon. She walked out from behind the piled high boxes seeing Thane and Legion checking their ammo.

"How we doing?" she asked knowing herself that she was low on ammo and her biotic could only do so much.

"Ammunition at critical level" Legion announced as she heard Thane give a disapproving sigh while he looked in his sniper and pockets.

"Alright…lets try and avoid some more fights…Legion how far are we from the control centre?" Shepard as Legion did some calculation in his head.

"Not far Shepard Commander should be through this room" Legion pointed and walked over to the locked door. Shepard walked up to Thane to check his wound.

"I'm fine Siha" Thane told her as he placed his hand on her shoulder. But Shepard shrugged him off and checked his arm anyway; she hated the fact that he had taken a bullet for her…even if it was flying at her head.

"I'm sorry" Shepard told him as she felt Thane's eye watch her.

"What for?" he asked as Shepard bit her lip and stared into the orange eye holes in his mask.

"For the bullet…and for the memory thing…I bet you don't want to relive this morning anytime soon" Shepard shuffled about as she heard Thane give a light chuckle, then he became perfectly still.

"Eye's glazed and cheeks flushed as she presses herself against the Turian chest "But I don't want to get up" she says, I pull her away as she tries to resist, futile, skin feel warm and smooth as my hands start to find her spot, her mouth breaks free with screams and laughter as her body twists and turns to get away. Her hair covering her face but her smile still shines through as she arches her body to get away" Thane spoke and broke free of his memory, Shepard stood in front of him as she was glad she had her helmet on to hide her very, very red face. Thane chuckled as he placed his hand on her shoulder again.

"It is now one of my favourite memories" His voice spoke low as Shepard just looked at him as she felt her heart race. Damn him and his voice…in fact damn all sexy aliens with sexy voices and eyes, she was sure this is how the spirits were punishing her.

"Bypassing complete ready to proceed" Legion announced as Shepard almost dived for the door. She heard Thane chuckle through the radio as she cursed him more. They pasted through the hall sighting the next door, on their right was a huge room filled with what looked like more boxes but there were so many of them.

"What are these?" Thane asked as he approached.

"More storage units" Legion announced, Shepard looked back into the room if what they saw on the ship previously were only meant for a few handful of Geth then in there would be for thousands of Geth troopers that were on other worlds. Legion scanned the room with his flash light which Shepard found to be quiet funny since Ashley and she would always make fun of the Geth flashlight heads.

"Problem detected" Legion spoke as he brought up some plans from one of the hardware storage units.

"This shows plans to attack the Geth at base" Legion told her as she looked at him.

"That isn't good" she spoke but Legion looked back into the room.

"We do not understand, we thought we knew them…we understood there need to go and we let them go…do not understand" Legion said as Shepard understood what he didn't understand. He had told her that all Geth think as one unit comparing and sharing memories; to them there was no individual just a whole. She patted his shoulder making the AI look at her.

"When some people move away for too long they can change, it's natural" she told him, it wasn't the right words to say but he might be able to process that a bit better.

"If this is the individuality that organics seek…we do not see the benefit" Legion told her as Shepard gave him a light smile.

"It's one of those questions that we organics still try to answer ourselves." Shepard told him as she walked towards the control centre. She opened the door as saw a huge room open up to her, in the middle was a single terminal which is were Legion might have to hack. Shepard surveyed the area below the platform, turrets dotted round the stacked creates creating a deadly maze. The area felt oddly still and quiet as she mapped the area in her head.

"Thane take cover near the stairs on the left, I'll take the right. Legion do your thing" Shepard told her team. Thane nodded as he loaded his sniper rifle while Legion walked up to the console as Shepard heard his fingers typing away. Shepard loaded her heavy pistol and took cover near the right stair case, her breathing calmed as she looked at her team. Thane nodded to her as Legion was absorbed into the hacking.

"Shepard Commander, enemies approaching" Legion told her as Shepard sent up her wall of singularities along the stair well.

"Legion Hack into those Turrets to give us some time" Shepard told him as she saw the path of his flashlight head turn to the turrets as they suddenly sprung to life and started to fire at the incoming Geth. Shepard knew that might help but they would get all of them and as she predicted one Geth came flying up the stairs in front of her. She fired her pistol sending it back into one of her mini black holes as she watched it tear up to mini metal shavings. She heard Thane's sniper fired off several rounds before reloading while a parade of bullets started to fly all over the room.

Time slowed as it seemed to take forever for Legion to upload his version of the virus to the console. More Geth swarmed the platforms and Shepard was relying on her Biotics alone to do everything, her singularities lined the stairs while Thane used his pull and throw trying to save the last of his ammo. Shepard felt her body cry out as the taste of metal invaded her mouth, she wasn't about to keel over now she promised Garrus she wouldn't come back half dead. She would stride through those doors laughing and smiling without harm. Shepard sent a deadly warp at the heavy weapon Geth as it felt like it was about to rip apart her fingers she sent it flying.

"Shepard Commander, upload complete" Legion announced as Shepard smiled in triumph, the last of the Geth filtered through and were soon dismantled by the several mini black holes that dotted the room.

"Well done Legion" Shepard lent against the railing as Thane rushed to her side. He pulled her upright so that she lent on him, Shepard smiled as she could feel the Drell's concern for her.

"The time has come Commander, will the heretics be re-written or destroyed." Legion asked as Shepard snapped her head round to look at the AI.

"Why are you asking me? There your people Legion" Shepard told him as she watched the facial plates move.

"We have discussed this throughout the infiltration of the ship, 370 favour destruction while 371 re-write. Shepard Commander you have fought the heretics while we have not…you have insight we do not" Legion gave his answer and as usual it was completely logical. Shepard let go of a breath she didn't know she was holding. True she had fought the Geth heretics that lead to her first impression of the Geth but after meeting Legion she had conflicting feelings. She hated destroying people who in hind sight had not done anything wrong but wasn't re-writing them doing the same thing.

"If you re-write them, you are brainwashing them to fit your ideals, they would loose the individually they would have gained" Thane told them both though it felt like he was really telling her as she felt his grip on her waist tighten. Shepard's eyes scanned the mask; it gave no clue into what he was thinking but Shepard could still see his black orbs staring at her. Shepard looked away as she tried to decide. Shepard pushed away from Thane's grip as she tried to stand on her own feel although her body felt like a lead weight.

"I don't like either option but as Legion has said I've fought the heretics and if the Reapers are coming then we can't be dealing with Reaper and Geth by the thousands…" Shepard bit her lip as she looked at Legion.

"Re-write them Legion and then we can get out of here" Shepard told him as Legion started to type into the console. Shepard looked away rather than watch the fate she had decided for a ship full of people. Thane moved closer to her but Shepard shook her head.

"I know what you're going to say…but I told you I don't like either option" Shepard told him in her best Commander voice. Thane looked at her then moved his hand over her arm; Shepard peered through her visor and could see the reassurance in his eyes. Shepard smiled as she knew what he meant.

"Complete…warning electrical wave will kill all organic life…warning this ship does not have suitable cover" Legion announced as Shepard's heart sank, a timer came up on her omni-tool as it started to count down from two minutes. Shepard's heart leapt into her throat as she grabbed Thane's wrist and started to pull him towards the door.

"Really wish you told us that earlier Legion" Shepard told him as they started to run through the corridors dragging Thane behind her. More enemy Geth appeared as Legion started to load his rifle.

"No time for that just run" Shepard told him as they dodged the barrage of bullets that came after them. Legion put away his assault rifle as he started to catch up to them.

1 minute 30 seconds, her omni-tool read as she raced through the corridors, everything looking like the same blur they pasted in the previous corridor. Shepard felt her heart racing as her lungs begged for air, but she kept dragging Thane down corridors as she noticed something familiar, the bullets holes that Thane gave her cover from.

50 seconds, Shepard didn't have much time. She gritted her teeth and as she turned a corner her heart leapt as her eyes met a very big familiar sight. She grabbed Thane and pushed him down into the nearest cover pinning him to the ground.

"Geth Prime, Get down" Shepard told Legion as bullets and heavy missiles launched over her head.

"Siha" Thane asked as she shook her head. She could see the cargo bay doors that led to the Normandy.

"You and Legion go round and get to the Normandy, I'll cover you" Shepard told him but she felt Thane grip her arms making her look at him.

"Siha, I'm not leaving you to do something stupid on your own again" Thane told her but she didn't have time to argue…literally.

"No backtalk…Go. Now." Shepard told him as she heard him give a Drell version of a growl but dove out of the cover to get Legion and head towards the doors. Shepard watched them go and fired up her biotics, she didn't have the fire power to take the Geth prime down but she could do a move Jack favoured.

Shepard stood up getting the attention of the Prime as it started to fire the bullets. Shepard leaped over the barrier and charged at the machine, her body glowing an iridescent blue glow as she formed her hand into a fist, charging her biotics into her hand. With a scream of rage she ploughed through the Geth Prime leaving a human sized hole in its armour, Shepard felt blood enter her mouth as she Geth started to collapse behind her, she breathed hard as she ran to the cargo bay doors. Thane reached out to her as she took his hand, Thane pulled her through as more bullets started to fire. Legion closed the doors before the bullets could hit their mark, both Thane and Shepard breathed hard as their bodies looked as though they were crying out for rest.

"Siha…that was stupid" Thane told her but Shepard smiled but she found it odd that she wasn't able to catch her breath yet, she tried to fill her lungs with air but it felt like her throat was closing while her breathing became raspy. Her head started to spin while the colours of the room began to blur making weird shapes. Her eyes fell on Thane as it dawned on her what was happening, she reached up to try and take off her helmet but grasped her throat trying to breath in large gulps of burning air.

"…Thane…" Shepard spoke out but collapsed into Thane's arms. Thane looked down at Shepard and noticed that her oxygen pipe had been severed. Thane thought it must have happened when she charged through the Geth Prime making the pipe snag on a sharp bit of metal. Thane made quick work of taking off her helmet but when she didn't start breathing again Thane grew worried. Shepard's eyes were closed as her body was too lax.

"Legion has the air pressure changed yet?" Thane asked quickly as Legion checks the systems; surprisingly it looked like the AI was worried about Shepard.

"Room air pressure stable" Legion confirmed as Thane tore off his mask and pressed his lips to Shepard's. Breathing into Shepard's mouth he made sure her chest rose and fell trying to make her breath on her own. Thane grew more worried as Shepard didn't make a move or sound but he could still feel her heart raging inside her body begging for air…he still had time.

"Come on Siha…don't give up" He called out to her as he pressed his lips to hers again. Then the doors opened reviling a very angry Turian. Garrus stormed over to Thane and pushed him off Shepard, Thane fell back as he looked at Garrus who glared at him.

"She isn't breathing you stubborn Turian, I was trying to help" Thane nearly shouted at him making Garrus realise that Shepard didn't move. Garrus looked down and picked Shepard up into his arm running his talons through her hair. His eyes scanned her face as he became more worried, she didn't move into his hand like she usually did…she wasn't faking this.

"Shepard" Garrus's voice cracked as he pulled her close to him and growled into her ear.

"You promised me Shepard…don't you dare" Garrus growled as he heard the others rush in. Garrus ran his fingers through her hair as he held her close, he prayed to every spirit he knew that they would give her back. Seconds felt like hours to him as his heart pounded in his chest the feeling on Shepard's body in his arms not breathing panicked him to no end as he willed himself not to cry.

"Shepard…not this time" He growled into her ear as his talons gripped her scalp more as if he was trying to pull her back into her body.

"Garrus…chocking…not…breathing" Shepard's voice crocked as Garrus's eyes snapped open and looked down at Shepard. Her eyes were open slightly but a faint smile graced her lips as started to breath again. Garrus's mandibles flared into a Turian smile as he brought her into a big hug and purred into her neck.

Shepard felt her eyes swell with tears as she found it hard to move her arms to hug him back, her lungs burning while she felt Garrus's body on top of her like a huge ton weight. Next thing she knew everyone was round her checking to see if she was alright she gave them each a smile but when her eyes fell on to Thane she mouthed thank you to him which he picked up and nodded but she noticed his folds were a lot brighter and he didn't looked at her mouth.

"Shepard…do you like scaring everyone?" she heard Tali speak as she smiled at her masked friend.

"It's a gift" Shepard responded as everyone started to laugh.

)_)

"Don't even think about it" Garrus pinned Shepard to her bed as she fought against him.

"Garrus…I feel fine" Shepard argued with him but Garrus just pinned her to the bed more. Shepard blushed bright red as Garrus moved closer to her feel his breath on her face.

"You are going to rest, not one more mission until I say" Garrus told her but Shepard scowled at him…he had really taken to giving her orders and she couldn't lie to herself saying that she didn't like it because she really did but when EDI wants to talk to her about the IFF it was going a bit too far.

"Alright, you can come with me to the briefing room to see what EDI wants; I don't think it'll be another mission" Shepard told him as she heard Garrus growl. He let her go and started to walk to the door…he was in a bad mood. Shepard stood up as she walked behind him and wrapped her arms round his waist and rested her head on his back.

"I'm sorry" Shepard spoke, Garrus remained unmoving but she could hear him growling while trying to stop himself from purring at her touch. She splayed her fingers along his chest as she pressed her head into his back more.

"It doesn't matter Shepard" Garrus finally spoke as Shepard slightly opened her eyes.

"Garrus, what's wrong" Shepard asked but Garrus just sighed and turned towards her as she released him from her embrace.

"I was scared Shepard…when I saw you…I thought that" Garrus stopped himself as he looked down at his hands gripping them into fists as Shepard looked at him and held his hands. Garrus looked into her eyes as she looked into his.

"I don't want to loose you again Shepard…the last…" Garrus was cut off by Shepard pressing her lips against his as he suddenly brought her close to his body while she wrapped her arms round his. Garrus purred as she pulled her lips away from his and pressed her forehead against his.

"You didn't loose me…and you aren't going to I promise" Shepard told him as she started to nuzzled his forehead making him purr loader while his grip on her waist tightened. They stayed like that for a while as the noise from the empty fish tank enveloped the room, slowly the rippling light from the water danced along the floor as Shepard rested against Garrus while he ran his hand along her back and waist.

"Shepard, everyone one is waiting" Miranda's voice appeared over the speaker breaking the silence between them. Garrus didn't even growl but she could tell he was still annoyed; she caressed his scared mandible as he leant into her touch while he ran his talons through her hair making her lean into his.

"Come on" Shepard told him as they both walked towards the elevator.

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Shepard stared at the IFF data that Edi had brought up. Everyone shifted to await her decision, Edi said that the data was ready for use and all that needed doing was to test it with the Normandy's systems, the only problem was that the Normandy couldn't take them to Illium where they needed to get supplies for the ship and crew. Shepard bit her lip letting everyone know she did not like the idea.

"Alright we'll take the shuttle to Illium to do a supply run, Joker you have the Ship look after her." Shepard spoke as everyone moved out, Shepard walked towards her room to get herself ready she was going to take everyone so that they could buy weapons and ammo that they needed. She went over in her head if she needed to buy any upgrades for the Normandy after exhausting every uncharted planet they came across of its resources. Mordin and Joker assured her that the Normandy had all the best upgrades it could possibly have but it didn't stop her from looking.

Something told Shepard that everything was a bad idea, using reaper tech was bad but leaving the ship defenceless made Shepard's hair stand on edge. Shepard got herself ready and made her way down to the shuttle where everyone was waiting and ready to go.

"Alright everyone, this is supply run only not shore leave, we get in get what we need then get straight back…understood Grunt? Jack?" Shepard smiled as she eyed the pair who pouted and huffed at her order but understood it clearly. Shepard didn't want a repeat of the last time they were meant to do a supply run. All of them loaded on to the shuttle as it came to life, Miranda and Jacob sat together while Grunt and Jack shared a corner. Tali and Samara paired together as Mordin and Legion traded data. Shepard found herself between Garrus and Thane but Garrus pulled her close to him as he glared at the Drell. Shepard nudged Thane with her knee making Thane smile telling her that he was fine.

The shuttle took off as she looked out the window watching the Normandy vanish into the blackness of space. Shepard's chill sparked through out her body…this was not a good idea.

)_)

"What do you think of this?" Shepard asked Garrus as she picked up an upgrade for her assault rifle, Garrus took it and inspected the item.

"It's alright, won't do much damage against the collectors…although we could have used this on Seren" Garrus chuckled as Shepard smiled putting the upgrade back. They had bought a lot of upgrades and new weapons hoping that they would do some damage to the collectors when they went through the Omega 4 relay.

"I think we have enough anyway" Shepard told him making Garrus shake his head.

"That's what you said about ten rifle upgrades back" Garrus joked as Shepard looked at him in mock horror.

"You weren't complaining when you picked up a new sniper rifle with extra upgrades" Shepard poked his shining new rifle tucked away on his back as he laughed.

"Alright you got me there" Garrus told her as they made their way back to the shuttle. Suddenly her Omni-tool beeped with a message from EDI.

"Yeah EDI what's wrong?" Shepard patched her through on the radio as Garrus started to unload the stuff into the shuttle while Tali and Legion started to walk up.

"Shepard we have had a situation on the ship" EDI replied making Shepard walk off towards a corner. Garrus looked over as he watched her face turn from listening to horror and anger. He walked over to her as Shepard looked at him with hallow eyes.

"What's wrong Shepard?" Garrus asked.

"Get everyone back to the shuttle…the Normandy was attacked" Shepard growled as Garrus gripped her arms to calm her down.

"By whom?" he asked as Shepard grit her teeth making the anger flared in her eyes.

"The Collectors" she spoke.

Please review! Sorry it's taken so long!