Jane couldn't stop pacing. She had been stuck in the debriefing room for most of the day. She was effectively grounded until her father and Victus arrived for her debriefing, and she was going stir crazy.

Alone in the room with her thoughts was the worst sort of torture. Ranging from anger at what she had learned, to outrage at why she hadn't taken the shot, and ended her mission. She didn't know how she was going to explain that one, and was not looking forward to any of what lay ahead. Would they take this as proof that she wasn't the Turian she thought she was? The feelings of self-doubt, coupled with anger she wasn't used to feeling seeped through her, until her head was pounding and she felt as if she would be sick.

Just as she thought she couldn't take being stuck in the room another second, the door opened and General Victus and her father entered. The relief must have shown on her face, for the second the door closed, Ganis opened his arms to her and without a second thought Jane ran into his embrace.

"Dad, Spirits, I thought you'd never get here. I failed, I," she paused, trying to think of how to explain her failure. "I didn't take the shot. I should have. I didn't get my mark."

"Jane," but before Ganis could finish, Victus interjected.

"Vandrel, we already know how the mission ended up. That's not why we're here to talk to you."

Jane glanced up at his official tone, stepped out of her father's arms and placed her hands behind her back.

"Sir, I'm not sure I understand."

Victus glanced towards Ganis who nodded his leave, so he continued.

"We've had orders from High Command that you're to be trained with the Cabal team. You will report tomorrow. We know your biotics are not what they should be, as you have no implant. But it has been decided that they should be tested and honed to whatever level they can be."

He watched her face fall and held up a hand. "Before you protest, I understand that your sniper squad is important to you. That is why you shall continue it as well."

Jane nodded, though her heart was racing.

"Now as far as your capture is concerned, what did you learn?"

Jane froze the thoughts and feelings of the past week rushing through her.

"Nothing of strategic importance Sir, only, personal significance," her eyes found her fathers and held them.

"They took me to Primaria as you know. One Admiral Hackett was there. I was informed that he is my human father. That I have a twin." She paused watching the shocked reaction of her dad. Ganis's eyes snapped towards Victus, who was staring off at the far wall.

"Adrien, did you know?" Ganis couldn't keep the shock out of his voice.

"Yes, I knew." His eyes locked on Ganis'. "It wasn't important at the time. I had promised Anne, to keep her safe from the Alliance. Hackett is the Alliance."

Jane's teeth clenched together as she listened to the exchange. Victus had known, but her dad hadn't, that was something, at least he hadn't lied to her.

"Jane, sweetheart I'm so sorry, I had no idea."

Forgetting herself she let her arms drop to her sides, "And if you had?"

"I don't know Jane, we don't deal in what ifs, you know that."

Biting her lip she went silent.

"Jane, we need to talk about why you were captured."

"I wasn't fast enough, my shield wasn't strong enough. I should have," Victus silenced her with a raised talon.

"You were sent out there on purpose Jane. You were supposed to be captured. It speaks to your training and determination that you were able to secure your own release."

"What the hell do you mean I was supposed to be captured?"

Ignoring her outburst, Victus continued, his talons clicking behind his back the only give away to his annoyance.

"The Hierarchy is determined to use you against the Alliance. Simply put Vandrel, you're Human, you fit with them. Not only that, as your father is a high-ranking officer, you would have access to knowledge we can't get any other way. That's what they wanted from you. That is why you were captured, and why they want you to go back."

Jane's jaw went slack as her face scrunched up in confusion. "I'm sorry, they want me to what? Dad, did you know they did this?"

Ganis's gaze flickered over Jane's features, he had never seen her, this angry or hurt before, and that was saying something. He nodded and watched unshed tears well in her eyes.

"That's not what's important at this moment, Jane I need you to see past what they did, what they want you to do. I need you to look at what you could do. You could end this war, if you could go to them, show them how alike we are, you could bridge this gap and end this damn war." Victus paused, trying to gauge her reaction.

She couldn't move, couldn't answer, all she could manage was a blink to try and clear her eyes.

"I understand you're shocked and upset, but the point remains. You will finish your training, and by your seventeenth birthday, one year from now, we would like to see you return to the Alliance." Continued Victus.

Inside Jane was screaming, outside the trained calm settled over her. Ganis watched as her eyes glazed over and became cold.

"Thank you General, I will think about what you said. Now if you please Sir, I would like to speak to my father." Ganis flinched at the tone in her voice and nodded towards Victus.

"If you would," Victus nodded and exited the room. As the door closed, Ganis reached out towards Jane, she pushed back from him and dropped to parade rest.

"Little one, don't do this."

"You knew? You knew, and you just let them do this? Why?"

"I let them because it was orders; you know that, you know how it works. If they ask for my child for the war, I gladly offer you. You know that's how it works Jane."

"I know that dad, but to let them give me back over to him, to let them use me against them."

"No, not to them, not to use you against them, Victus is right sweetheart; you may be our only chance. I may not like it, but the best thing you may be able to do for this war. Is end it, and you can't do that from here." Taking a step forward, Ganis traced his talon over her now bare face, and whispered. "I didn't know about him Jane."

She felt her throat tighten. "Would you have sent me back to him?"

"No little one, you're my daughter, my life. This doesn't change that, your mother, sister and I love you."

"Yet you're willing to let me go off to Earth of all places, in a year. Not knowing what they'll do to me."

"Nothing will happen to you, Victus was right about another thing. Hackett is a legend in the Alliance; he wouldn't let anything happen to you."

She nodded and her eyes dropped to the ground. "Dad, I understand that the war needs to end. I know that if it doesn't we'll just destroy each other. But what if I can't do this?"

His mandibles fluttered at that as he pulled her to his chest. "Little one, you're anything, if not determined. I wouldn't ask this of you if I didn't think you could do it." His eyes squinted on her face. "What happened to your markings?"

A single tear streamed down her face, and she resisted the urge to sniff. "The biotic, Lieutenant Alenko, made me take them off."

Ganis nodded, "I suppose you will have to get used to their ways."

"I don't want to get used to their ways, I want to stay here. But we get what we get right?"

He followed her gaze out the window and towards the practice field, where her sniper squad was seated watching a demonstration from Vakarian and he knew what she was thinking.

"If he loves you, he'll wait for you, no matter how long that is."

"I can't ask that of him daddy. That's not fair."

"Life isn't fair little one, let him make that choice." Ganis thought back to the young Turian standing before him, proclaiming his love for a Generals daughter, not something just any Turian would do, but that he had done it, had shown Ganis that this Vakarian was just what his daughter needed. "If he loves you half as much as I think he does, I'm sure I know what his choice will be."

Watching the corner of Jane's mouth turn up in a smile, was like watching the sun rise and he felt the ache in his heart ease. She turned and folded herself into his embrace. "A year, I'm not ready for this."

"You will be sweetheart." As she stepped away from him and moved towards the door he saw something in her eye that caused his breath to hitch. It was hate, and anger. Spirits, he prayed she could find a way to work through it, because if she hated them and did as the Hierarchy wanted, this war would consume them all.

ooOoo

Nyreen Kandros stared at the human down below her on the field; her biotic ability was weak at best. She had potential but without anything to strengthen and augment her biotics, left them almost useless.

This was just what she had told the Hierarchy on her last report, and the response she had received would have shocked her if she didn't know what they were like, what they would do, to have what they wanted. Since they didn't have access to implants for humans, they wanted her to try Red Sand, some trials had been shown to stimulate biotic ability, along with her training to help her control her nervous system, her sniper training would make biofeedback therapy simple, she already knew how to slow her heart rate, her breathing, and she knew her body. It might be possible to make a half decent biotic out of her yet.

"Vandrel, front and center, your shield is still weak, report to your sniper squad we'll pick this up tomorrow."

"Yes ma'am."

Nyreen watched her salute and jog off towards her squad. Jane was biddable enough, she followed orders without question. Useful because she was only going to ask her once to take the drug on her own, after that, she had been ordered to take her in. She would have an automatic pump installed that would administer the drug in even doses. She hoped for Jane's sake, that she just took it on her own.

ooOoo

Jane stood before Commander Kandros and nodded numbly. What the hell had she just agreed to? Well not so much as agreed to, as went along with. What choice did she have? Take it on her own, or face the other option of being forcefully dosed. Not the best of options. So there she was, nodding her consent to take a drug that would do, only spirits knew what to her biotics.

"That's good Vandrel, this is the easiest option. I will give you your first dose today, and then you will get each day's dose from me. I will be the control, I will adjust it as I see fit, depending on how your biotics react. Am I understood, Vandrel?"

"Yes Ma'am."

"Good, now I've been told that you have been granted leave again. I guess getting captured, and then securing your own release has garnered you some favor. So I have enough for you to dose yourself each day once. Now I'll see you after leave, for the real work Vandrel. Enjoy your time."

Jane didn't like the way she had ended that, it sounded final. As she walked away towards the barracks the first wave hit her and she could feel the rush though her, it was as if for the first time she could feel her biotics within her.

Lifting her hands they glowed blue, almost as strong as Kaidan's had when she had leveled her rifle at him. She found that her shield went up easier than it had before, though she was still unable to hold it for as long as she'd like. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all. But as she walked through the door to her bunk the nausea hit just as she collapsed on her bunk. Sadria was at her side instantly.

"Jane, what's wrong? Are you ill?"

Moaning as she rolled over to stare up at her friend she smiled, the rush was far out weighing the nausea at this point.

"No, hell I'm good, great even. Feel better than I have in a week."

Jane watched as Sadria squinted at her and quirked her head to the side and she couldn't suppress a chuckle.

"We really do tilt our heads to the side, huh, I never noticed it really. Funny how when stuff gets pointed out to you, you know," Shaking her head she grinned again.

"Jane, seriously, you sound weird. Garrus wanted us all to go out this weekend, something quiet, maybe rent a room, get away from everyone. But maybe you need to make a trip to the clinic."

"Fuck that, I want the hell out of here." She sat up and shook her head, the rush was easing and things we're becoming less sharp and she nodded. "Yup, I'm going to be fine."

Before Sadria could argue the door opened and Garrus stepped into the room. His face instantly concerned as he scanned Jane, her targeting piece was on, her markings were back, but something was off.

"What's wrong?"

"She's acting weird, I thought she might be sick, but now I think she's just snapped. Maybe the whole thing is sinking in." She lowered her voice turning completely towards Garrus. "My dad told me she might have some issues, he said she and her dad argued. Can you imagine? Jane and her dad having a fight, it's hard to imagine."

"Yeah, that is hard to imagine, but she has been through a lot." In fact, thought Garrus, she hadn't even told him what she had been through. They had barely had time to talk since that first night when she had been given back to him.

"You know you two, I'm right here, and I'm not deaf."

"I'm sorry love." Garrus sat next to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and pulling her against him. "We just worry about you. Are you ready to go out? I was thinking something low-key, supper out, few drinks, I've got a place rented, Sadria has eyes on Marrus you remember him. He was in Nihlus's platoon." He froze as he said it, he hadn't meant to. Nihlus was a part of both of them, but it was a part of them that was in the past. He wanted Jane to remember that this was their future.

To his great relief she just nodded, "Yeah I remember him, that's great Sadi."

"Sadi, since when did you give me a nickname?"

"I dunno, it just kind of slipped out, I think we'll keep it."

"Sure, fair enough, as long as I get to call you Janey."

That made Jane flinch under his arm and he tightened his hold on her.

"No, anything but Janey, that's off-limits."

Garrus felt her tension and leaned down towards her ear. "Okay, little one."

She smiled at that and stood, but as her eyes searched his, the voice in the back of her mind whispered. One year, is that fair to him? But she didn't care, this year at least would be hers, and like her dad said. She would give him the choice. She just had to figure out how to tell him, she was going to be breaking her promise.

ooOoo

The evening was quiet as they sat at supper and enjoyed their drinks, the conversation slowly drifted towards Jane's capture. Marrus was staring at her and she knew he wanted to ask her about it.

"Go ahead Marrus, ask whatever it is you want to know before your head explodes."

He chuckled but his eyes were serious. "How the hell did you get out of there, on your own?"

The combination of alcohol and fading effects of red sand had left Jane almost giddy and she smirked.

"Well I guess I'm pretty damn attractive to humans. I know, I know you can pick your mandible up off the ground Marrus."

Garrus laughed and took her hand, nuzzling his mandible against the back of it. "You're pretty damn attractive to a certain Turian as well."

"Well that may be, but this one told me I was pretty, that I shouldn't waste that on not being able to have a family, husband and children."

"Husband, must be a human word. What does it mean?" Garrus was still nuzzling her hand as she answered.

"Husband is like a human mate. I think he was thinking of that the whole time I was with him. So I let him think it." She was into the story now and pulled her hand from Garrus to point at her mouth. "Just before the Turian front broke through he kissed me. His lips on mine, it was kind of slimy but he seemed to like it. I could see it in his eyes that he wanted to trust me, when we cut the power to the base as a good Turian attack does, he left me in the room unattended like I was going to stay put, for him. So I ran, found the first rifle I could and headed for the back turian ranks."

"You're shitting me?" Marrus was laughing, "You ran, armed as a human right into a turian attack?"

"Yeah thinking back it probably wasn't the best plan, but it was all I had at the time."

Garrus hadn't heard the last question, he was still stuck on the fact that this human wanted to mate with Jane, and he had touched his mouth to hers? Was that how they shared scent? Is that what he had smelled on her the night she had returned? Had she liked it? Questions were racing through his mind faster than he could answer them and he realized what he was feeling was jealousy. That was new, he had never been jealous over a female. But then again, none of them had been Jane.

"What was the guard's name? The one you shamelessly let fall for you Jane?" Sadria's tone was light, joking but it still grated on Garrus to no end.

"Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko. He's from Earth of course."

Marrus downed his last drink and quirked his head to the side. "Damn, it feels like I should know that name. Maybe if I hadn't had those last five drinks."

Sadria laughed and grabbed his hand. "How about we all head upstairs, before we pass out at the table?"

Jane and Sadria laughed together as they stumbled down the hall, once in the suite Sadria and Marrus disappeared into one of the rooms, leaving Garrus and Jane, standing alone in their room.

Garrus watched Jane watch him, her head was quirked to the side and there was a question in her eyes.

"What's wrong Garrus? You've been very quiet tonight, and you barely had anything to drink."

He didn't know how to ask the question without seeming like a jealous ass, so he decided to just let jealous ass happen.

"Did you like him?"

"Did I like who?"

"That Lieutenant who was your guard," it was said with a bit more spite than he had intended and Jane's face fell as she took a step towards him.

"No, what are you kidding Garrus? I had to use him to get out of there."

"I, shit Jane, I was just thinking, you know, you two, the whole lip thing."

She was against him in the next breath, her arms wrapping around his neck, her nimble fingers searching under his fringe, finding the spot and was rewarded with a growl.

"I don't think you were listening when I said it was slimy, and a little weird, this is much better." Pulling his head to hers she nuzzled him and led his mouth to her neck, she tilted to the side and let him nip and lick his way to her collar bone, he bit along it until she was panting. Pushing her back and staring down into her eyes she answered his question without him asking it.

"Yes, I want you. I love you."

She pulled her shirt over her head exposing her breasts, taking his hand in hers she lead it up to one and he squeezed gently exploring her softness.

"I'm afraid of hurting you."

She silenced him with a finger over his mouth and shook her head.

"You can't hurt me, just love me, we'll be fine."

Leading her back to the bed he began to explore every inch of her body, his talons drifting and scratching over her body until she quivered beneath him.

"You're going to have to remove those," he motioned towards her pants and panties as he tore off his own clothes. "Or I won't be held responsible for you not having anything to wear tomorrow."

Their clothes fully discarded, Garrus drew his talons up her legs and along her inner thighs. "You know, I've heard about something."

His head dipped between her legs, and when his tongue touched her Jane had to bite down on the back of her hand to keep from screaming out.

"Spirits where the hell did you hear about that?"

"Oh, places, it's better you don't ask."

He returned his tongue to her and she trembled and arched beneath him, as she raced towards the white abyss before her. As she shattered he pulled himself up over her and placed himself at her entrance. "You're so wet, and small Jane, if you don't think we should you have to tell me now."

Shaking her head Jane hooked her legs over the spurs on the back of his legs, he slipped easily into her at first, before he felt a block, frowning she pushed forward, the pain was brief and as she stilled under him she felt his restraint. Placing a hand on each side of his face she pulled his head down to hers and he began to move within her. His pace quickened as he pulled her forward against his chest. She felt his breathing become shallow and as she reached her climax again he exploded within her, his growls drowning out her cries as he pulled her down on top of him in an exhausted heap.

Rolling to her side and curling up next to him she sighed, and he lean up on his elbow watching her.

"Spirits, you're bleeding Jane, I'm sorry. I didn't know I hurt you."

"It doesn't hurt, don't worry, I loved every moment of it."

"I love you Jane, I love every part of you, and I look forward to being the only one to ever know you." He leaned forward and bit down on the bone in her neck he loved the feel of against his teeth.

"Someday Jane, that bite is going to be permanent, and everyone will know who loves you."

"I think they already know." She smiled in spite of the guilt that tore through her at the mention of them mating.

"Yes, but I want to be your mate, I want you to have my mark, just as I want to have yours." He smiled down into her eyes, and she fought back the tears she felt.

"I know."

One year, the voice in her mind told her she should tell him, but her heart resisted, wanting to just hold on to this night, before she had to watch him make a choice, a choice that could very well crush her and everything she wanted.

ooOoo

Garrus watched as Jane came out of the bathroom the next morning, her hair was in disarray and she sniffed once as she looked around for her shirt. She was beautiful, every inch of her. He had never thought he could find a human so attractive, yet it wasn't the human parts that attracted him fully, not really. It was everything about her, the way she moved, the way her bright green eyes locked on him, and it was the way she smelled. It was safe to say that Garrus Vakarian was in love with everything that was Jane Vandrel.

"Sadria and Marrus are down at breakfast, we had better head down and meet up with them before I lose my control and keep us here the rest of the day."

He watched the flutter at the corner of her mouth and reached for her, pulling her roughly against his chest.

"Would that really be so bad Vakarian?"

"No, it wouldn't, but I promised them we'd be right down."

With a groan he released her and they made their departure.

As Jane sat at the table, Marrus locked eyes with her.

"So, I'm not sure you want to hear this, but I remembered where I know that name from."

Lost in her thoughts and the pleasant memories of the night, Jane quirked her head to the side confused.

"What name?"

"Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko. He's the leader of that group of biotics."

"Yeah, I knew that."

"He's the one that killed Nihlus."

Jane's world blurred for a moment as that sunk in, and Garrus watched as her eyes went hard and cold.

"What?"

"Black armour, I remember that name, they shouted it, it was the one on the report, it's why he was your main target."

Jane wasn't listening anymore her mind was reeling. She had spoken to him of Nihlus, had he realized?

Garrus laid his hand on hers, giving it a soft reassuring squeeze, but she barely felt it. Her mind was already racing ahead.

One year.

One year to figure out how to end a war almost eleven years in the making; and now more importantly how to do that, and kill Kaidan Alenko.