A/N: Sorry for the delay on this chapter, had a hard drive failure but I'm up and running again. But, as is usually the case, there is always something you didn't get in the last back up - it's extremely frustrating. ;p Anyway, enjoy.

** 11 **

Shepard was avoiding him. It was the only explanation James had for why she always had something to do when he entered the room. Since the shower incident over a week ago she'd barely looked at him and it was frustrating. The most he'd got was a good morning or goodnight. He was also angry and, if he was being really honest with himself, a little jealous.

Joker had brought some of Shepard's personal things over and the moment she saw him she lit up, her eyes shone and a smile brightened her face. He wanted that, he wanted her to look at him that way. When they embraced his fists had clenched and his stomach tightened. He wanted to be able to touch her hand, rub her back, let her know he was there for her. But they had a connection forged in battle and he couldn't hope to compete with that.

She'd talked tech with Stokes who was in awe of what she was showing him. Zahedi had laughed with her as they talked in the kitchen and she helped him with meals once or twice, she'd also given him pointers on using biotics on the battlefield. She'd talked weapons with Reigler and that had annoyed James so much he'd left the room and taken his anger out on the punching bag in the gym. He wanted to talk to her about weapons, about anything if it would bring back the smallest of conversations.

Buckner was the only other one she seemed to be avoiding. James wondered why that was, they'd hardly spoken but it was as if she sensed something about him. James didn't particularly like him, especially the way he watched Shepard, the way he encroached on her whenever he got the chance. She wasn't rude to him, in fact she'd laughed with him a couple of times but James knew it wasn't genuine humour. Buckner flirted with her, and that made James' blood boil. Shepard kept him at bay but James could see the concern in her eyes.

It didn't help that she'd invaded his dreams. He'd dreamed about her in bed, on the battlefield alongside him, they'd had intimate dinners and explosive missions all leading to the inevitable conclusion of her in his arms. He was losing his mind. And so, here he was again, taking out his anger on the punching bag after seeing Stokes and Shepard huddled over his omnitool.

'You know you should really tape your hands before you do that.'

James glanced up at Shepard leaning in the doorway. 'No pain no gain, isn't that right.' He wanted to ask why she was suddenly talking to him but he just kept punching the bag, the pain in his knuckles giving him something to concentrate on.

'I'm sorry, James.'

That made him stop and he looked at her with a puzzled frown. 'For what?'

'For keeping you somewhere you don't want to be. I know you don't like me all that much so this has to be difficult for you. I'm sure if you ask Anderson he will replace you.'

'What?' James gaped at her, 'no … that's not it at all.'

He ran his bloody hands through his hair then grimaced as he realised what he'd done. He looked down at his knuckles, grazed from the repeated hits on the bag. Scabs from the last episode had gone and the wounds were open again.

'So what is it then?' Shepard was suddenly in front of him with medigel, her hands warm as she led him to a seat, sat beside him then held his fingers and applied the gel. 'I know you resent me for your mission going wrong, you need someone to blame, I get that. I've been where you are so I understand.'

'Yeah,' James was fascinated by the gentle touch of her fingers against his, the way her hand was so small compared to his and yet it fit perfectly. 'I mean, I did,' he looked up and met her eyes that searched his.

'But not anymore?'

'No,' he watched as she dropped her head and went back to tending his hands. Her hair was so close to his face, his breath lifted the strands and he wanted so badly to touch it, to see if it was as soft and silky as it looked. Shit, James, get it together! 'I admit, I thought you were a cold hearted bitch who didn't care,' she grunted a laugh and the corner of his mouth lifted in response. 'But then I met you and as much as I tried to believe you were that person you proved me wrong.'

'I am a cold hearted bitch,' she chuckled, just ask everyone out there.

'I've seen her,' she lifted her head and James was hypnotised by her brown eyes that for a brief moment showed her soul before the soldier took control. 'The woman who cares, deeply, and she's definitely not a cold hearted bitch.'

'I think you've seen a lot more than that lieutenant,' she grinned and James felt his face flush.

'Yeah, I … about that …'

'James, it's okay,' she gently wrapped her fingers around his and James had to force himself not to suck in a breath. 'I appreciate what you did, I let things get the better of me and you saw that. I don't usually break like that, it's just ...' She dropped her eyes and James guessed she was embarrassed that he'd seen her at her worst.

'It's okay, Shepard,' he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, 'your secret's safe with me.' The heartfelt half smile she wore made his heart burst with light, pushing out the grey that had filled it. 'I'm here if you need to talk.' That was the offer she'd made him and he'd never taken her up on it, he was starting to think he should have.

'So,' she sat back and grinned at him, 'let's start again shall we.' She held out her hand, 'Commander Andora Shepard, pleased to meet you.'

James chuckled and took her hand in his, astounded at the strength he felt there and surprised at just how right it felt to hold it. 'Lieutenant James Vega, and it's an honour to meet you, ma'am.'

'Okay, Jimmy Vega,' she snickered as he rolled his eyes. 'How about we go get some lunch, I think Zahedi has made risotto.'

'Are you asking me on a lunch date, Shepard,' James grinned.

'I just might be,' she laughed openly at the surprise on his face and James had never heard anything more beautiful as he followed her from the room.

Things certainly improved after that. James could see that Shepard was bored. She flitted between reading her books, paperbacks that had astounded James when he'd seen them, working out in the gym and discussions with the team members. James was extremely happy that he was now included in that. He'd discussed weapons with her, amazed at her knowledge considering her skill set was that of an engineer. He'd learned a few things about taking down engineers and it amazed him that she was willing to share that knowledge. If she decided to go rogue he could use it against her.

When he found her one day staring vacantly out the window he knew she needed more. She was used to being in the thick of battle, being in charge, planning and carrying out missions. Sitting still was killing her.

'Shepard,' he stood beside her, following her gaze towards the docks where he knew the Normandy was being refitted.

'James,' she acknowledged him with a nod.

'Wanna dance,' James' heart soared at the smile she gave him.

'I'd love to.'

And so began their sparring sessions. For at least an hour a day they beat the shit out of each other, well, James ended up with the most bruises, but he was learning. After a few days he thought he'd recognised a pattern in her movements but just as he was about to take advantage she did something completely unexpected and had him on the floor. He was fast coming to love ending up on the floor simply for the smile she wore after.

As the days passed the other team members became active participants. Sometimes they took it in turns, other days they attacked together. Shepard always got the better of them. She was quick and unpredictable and every one of them was floored, literally in most cases, by her skills. James realised quickly though that she was teaching them, the proud smile or pat on the shoulder she gave them when they did something unexpected was worth every single bruise. He was coming to admire the N7 warrior as much as he adored the caring woman underneath, it was no longer hero worship but genuine respect. She was getting under his skin and he didn't want to stop it, in fact he relished it, cherished every moment she gave him. She was a drug and he was addicted.

The hair on the back of his neck was standing up. Something had woken him. James lay in the dark, listening, feeling the very air around him. When he was confident he was alone he rolled over and softly put his feet on the floor. It suddenly occurred to him that the room was darker than normal, there was no light under the door from the communal area. There were always lights left on, the roster meant someone was always awake and he knew Shepard's sleeping patterns were irregular, just like his.

He grabbed his sweatpants from the end of his bed, quickly and quietly put them on, got to his feet and picked up his pistol and blade from under his pillow. He ignored his boots and practiced habits paid off as he moved to the door, no furniture obstructed his path, he'd moved everything the day they arrived. The very first time he'd had a night time drill he'd ended up with more bruises and cuts from falling over things in the dark than he got from the actual firefight. It was a lesson he learned well.

He leant carefully against the wall and silently opened the door just enough for him to see out. He was grateful the doors were old style hinged doors and didn't squeak. His eyes had adjusted enough for him to see three people in the room, none of them his, the sound of boots on tile told him there were at least two more. The only light in the room came from their armour and the red glow of laser sights. He ducked back quickly as one flashed his way. With a silent deep breath he closed the door.

In three strides he was across the room and at the door that joined his room to Shepard's. He hadn't used the interconnecting door purely to give her a sense of privacy, but now he needed to. Very carefully he cracked it open. He had no doubt that Shepard was awake and the last thing he wanted was her thinking he was the enemy. A hand on his arm scared the crap out of him but he managed to stop himself from jumping when the familiar warmth made him shiver.

Shepard grabbed his hands and counted off six on his fingers, paused, counted off two then ran her hand flat up his forearm. Shit! Two shielded, that wasn't good. He wasn't a tech, he didn't have the tools to disable shields. He tapped her hand twice to let her know he understood then indicated she should wait. In a heartbeat he reached his bedside table, picked up Shepard's omnitool and quickly returned. He closed her fingers around the tool and felt a squeeze of gratitude. He passed her his blade figuring she would be better with it than him and he wasn't going to leave her completely defenceless. If they took him down at least she would have a fighting chance. He almost laughed aloud, who was he kidding, she could have them all dead before he got off a shot.

A thump at his door let them know someone was coming, whoever it was obviously wasn't used to working in the dark. Shepard slipped into his room and James felt her following as he moved to the side of the door. He felt the air move as Shepard passed him and took up position on the other side of the doorway just as the door opened. James kept his eyes on the floor as a shape moved into the room, even the dull light from the armour would affect his vision so he avoided looking at it.

There was a slight variance in light between the two rooms and the figure stopped momentarily as his eyes adjusted. James didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, grabbed the helmet and twisted. The snapping of bone gave him great satisfaction. Armour was good for keeping out bullets but the neck was a weak spot and not even the strongest armour could stop a broken neck. Holding the intruder upright James walked him into the room. Once the figure was far enough into the room Shepard closed the door softly.

The faint light now in the room from the armour was enough that James could see Shepard as she knelt beside the body. She searched it quickly and efficiently and he was surprised when she placed something in his hand. A syringe. So, they hadn't planned on killing him, just knocking him out long enough to get to Shepard. He was insulted that they thought so little of his skills. Shepard pulled him down to her level and he felt her breath on his neck as she leant in to him. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach, disturbed as if by a predator and trying madly to flee.

'They'll probably expect him to go through the connecting door,' she whispered and he nodded. 'I'll use that, catch them off guard. You need to flank them when I do.'

'Shepard …' James was frowning even though he knew she couldn't see it in the dark.

'It's okay, they'll think I'm still in bed,' he felt her grin, 'pillows are useful for more than just sleeping on.'

James had to remember that she wasn't just an ordinary woman. She was an N7, she did shit like this without breaking a sweat. He nodded his acceptance and, taking back the syringe, she tapped him on the shoulder as she got up. James moved to the door, fighting to ignore the heat on his shoulder where she'd touched his bare skin and the cold spot on his neck where her breath had been moments before. He forced himself to focus, their lives could depend on it and he wasn't about to let her get killed on his watch.

He cracked open the door to see four figures gathered outside Shepard's door. The sensation of Shepard was gone so he quickly stepped out of the room, flattened himself against the wall and hoped the shadows gave him cover. There was still one missing. He guessed that they were taking care of either Stokes or Zahedi. He couldn't spare the time to check.

Everything happened at once. As the shadowy group breached the door a hand gripped his arm. He spun and dropped into a crouch as lightning flashed behind him. Shepard had taken down their shields and momentarily distracted and disoriented the enemy. At the same time Zahedi urged James into action.

James was on his feet and moving. His pistol fired twice, both shots entering the neck of one assailant. Zahedi had another one held in a stasis bubble while Shepard had one on the ground a knife through his throat. That left one, he hesitated and that was his undoing. Before James could get off a shot Shepard had him down and injected him with whatever was in the syringe.

'Where's the other one?' James hissed as he and Shepard moved to the one in stasis.

'Dead,' Zahedi pulled a pistol as the stasis bubble dissolved and the intruder fell to his knees.

James had the man up against the wall, his arm across his throat, before he could regain his senses. 'Who sent you?'

There was no response. James increased the pressure on his throat but there was still no response. A hand on his arm made James glance down to see Shepard with a puzzled frown on her face. Slowly she reached up and released the helmet clips and with Zahedi's help removed the helmet revealing a grey face and unnatural, electronic looking blue eyes. James almost released his hold but quickly regathered his senses.

'What the fuck …'

'Cerberus.' She stepped back, the hatred in her voice making James' blood run cold.

'What have they done to him?' Zahedi was getting in closer, as if to examine him in detail but Shepard stopped him.

'They're improving them,' she scoffed. 'Get Anderson up here, James. Maybe he can get some answers.'

James forced the intruder to the floor and held him down with his knees. It was as if all the fight had gone out of him, he was just staring out at nothing. Movement behind them had Shepard and Zahedi turning. The intruder she'd injected was writhing on the floor in obvious pain. The thought that it was something other than a sedative made James shiver, he brought up his omnitool and called Anderson. It was only right that his night be disrupted as well.

By the time Anderson arrived with back up the prisoners had been secured, Stokes was nursing a concussion and bruised ego and James had figured out a few things. The most obvious being the point of entry.

'We have a mole.'

Anderson stopped a few steps inside the doorway as James stepped up to meet him. 'We know of someone on Hackett's ship but they didn't know where you were.' Anderson was frowning.

'No, we have a mole on my team,' James was angry and his fists clenched. The thought that someone they'd trusted had betrayed them hurt.

'Are you sure?'

'Did you know about the hidden elevator in the wall?'

'No,' Anderson looked past him to where the elevator stood open. 'That's not on the blueprints.'

'Everyone on the team knew about it after Reigler showed us it was there.'

'Where is Reigler now?' Anderson looked to where Zahedi and Stokes were sitting.

'On the roof,' James had checked in with him and from his reaction he was completely unaware of what was going on. 'Buckner is on day leave.'

'We'll get this sorted,' Anderson placed his hand on James' shoulder. 'Good job keeping Shepard safe.'

'It was a joint effort,' James sighed, 'Shepard did most of it.'

'But she didn't do it alone,' Anderson chuckled at James' self-recrimination before moving further into the room. 'Shepard,' he was grinning as he stopped beside the table where Shepard was sipping a coffee. 'I hear you've had an interesting night.'