The Normandy left dock from the Citadel the next morning at 0700 hours. The ship glided through the space between the station and the relay, a thing of beauty and grace. At least that's how Joker saw her. She was his girl, his one and only love. Sure they couldn't have kids together, but who wants kids anyway? Maken' 'em's the fun part and that would likely break his pelvis, so he was happy to fly.

Shepard stood in the arch way behind Joker for the first jump of the day, the way she always did. The helmsman pulled the ship along side the relay, reading off the stats the way he always did. The sound of the words in his voice had become a conditioning to her excitement. The blue arch of energy hit the ship and flung her into space. The vertigo came then went as they dropped out of FTL and Joker finished off the experience with the arrival stats to Artemis Tau.

It almost felt like a threesome for the pilot. It put a grin on his face to think of it that way. How else would he ever get two women at once and not end up in a body cast after? And it was practically guaranteed every day. How many guys could say that about their love life? Yeah, he was a lucky man.

"Hey Commander," He called to her, "Are you gonna stand there all day, cause I gotta warn ya... things get kinda personal up here around eleven-hundred hours." He teased.

"I'll see ya after thirteen-hundred hours then." She teased back.

"Commander! I think you over estimate my libido, but thanks for the compliment." His smile widened as he glanced back at her.

"Oh my god..." Shepard threw her hands up and walked away. "I'm outta here." She could still hear Joker laughing as she descended the stairs.

Kryik was waiting for Shepard in the debriefing room. Somewhere in the Artemis Tau cluster there was a young asari researcher of all things Protean. He felt she would be of value either through her knowledge, or through Saren's possible pursuit of her for the same reason. It was also a possibility that she was already involved. If she was unwilling to assist them, she would have to be eliminated.

The doors hissed open behind him. He could hear Shepard's soft foot steps as she walked down the ramp.

"So, what are we doing here?" She asked casually.

"There is an asari scientist that specializes in Prothean history and archaeology. I believe, if she is not already working with Saren, that he will be seeking her services... by force if necessary. It would be in our best interest, and hers, if we get to her first." Kryik explained. He continued to glare at the floor.

"From what you've said I have to agree." She nodded. "What's the plan?"

"We will assess the situation when we go in." He replied flatly.

"I'll tell Garrus and Tali to suit up." She said, and turned to leave.

"No." Kryik said sternly.

He heard her foot steps stop and the shuffle of her feet as she looked back at him. He turned toward her to see the puzzled look on her face.

Nihlus crossed the room until he was close enough to smell the musk of her skin and the clean scent in her hair. They had been working side by side for little more than a month. It seemed much longer. There was a desire building in him to be near her. There was something about her that provoked an emotional response.

She had stayed with him after facing Saren in the Council chambers. Comforted him in silence with her presence. Why had she done that for him? Then he had defended her against Harkin's unwanted advancements and harsh words. Why did he feel the need to protect her? She was more than capable of taking care of herself.

The sound of Shepard clearing her throat pulled him from his thoughts. He was still standing inches from her. She was waiting for him to tell her who to bring with them to the surface. He could see her growing discomfort on her face.

"I think we should take a smaller team in. Just you and myself." He said. He wondered if he was being to forward with his intentions.

"Okay." Shepard shifted her weighted nervously. "You don't think we should bring along one other team member?"

"I think we should do this mission alone." He wasn't unaware of the innuendo that could have been interpreted from that statement. He realized he wouldn't mind it.

"Nihlus, is there something else you'd like to talk about?" Sonya asked.

She could feel the warmth in her face. She wasn't going to lie to herself. She'd noticed the differences in him and other turians. His height and long fringe often earned him shy smiles and craving glances from the asari on the station. Garrus got them too, but not like Nihlus did. She'd spent a few minutes to look up what made a male attractive turian culture on the extra-net. Nihlus would be considered quite alluring among his people if he were not an outsider. While she tried to not let that affect her own tastes, it didn't hurt.

Nihlus's mandibles fluttered and he flexed his fists a few times. He never expected to feel nervous around her.

"After the mission... I could see what we have on board to drink. Maybe we could talk, like we did in the lounge?"

He knew it was a risk. He didn't care that she was human, but did she care that he was turian? She hadn't given him any clear signals that she was interested. He was surprised at his own advances.

"I'd like that." She grinned up at him.

He didn't know how to respond. He had prepared to be brutally shut down. They'd basically just made plans for a date! Turians usually didn't court this way. He didn't know what humans did. It increased his nervousness when he couldn't think of something else to say.

Sonya saw his eyes dart away for a second. She thought he seemed a bit unsure, so she decided to be the one to walk away. She tired not to feel too self conscious as she walked up the ramp.