A/N: Just after recruiting Thane and Samara. Apologies for the length.

I waited quietly as Samara finished meditating in the observation lounge. Her biotic lightning ceased, and she stood. Arms crossed, she stared at me a moment before nodding.

"Commander."

"Samara. Just wondering how you're settling in."

"Fine, Commander. May I ask you a question?"

"Shoot."

"I noticed that as soon as Miss Lawson approached you about her sister, you leapt into action. There were no questions, no doubts. Do you love her?'

That one took me for a loop. I leaned against a bulkhead crossed my arms. Samara watched dispassionately, curiously. When I didn't say anything, she looked away, took half a step back.

"If I have offended you..."

"No, no. It's just a surprising question. I don't think I love her. I mean, she's beautiful and we get along well enough now, but it's not love. Why do you ask? Does it seem like I do?"

"Not many would drop a quest to save their race to help save a friend's sister from a mercenary band on short notice."

"Well, she is my XO. I'd do that sort of thing for any of my crew."

"Even then. Not all would drop everything to help one person, unless they were extremely attached to that person. This is the way women think, Commander. And I'm sure that as...neutral as you intended the actions to be, she interpreted them in a different light."

I had to agree to that. But then again, I get into gunfights for a living. It's less of a big deal for me to take on a mercenary outfit than it is to shop for formal wear. Holy hell do I ever hate getting into a suit.

"I also noticed the way the other women in your band act towards you. They are all...rather possessive."

"Oh?"

"Miranda and Jack almost both attacked Shiala."

I thought back to Illium, the last hour we were there. I wouldn't use the word attacked, per se...

I couldn't turn her down, Jesus. She looked like hell, and it wasn't anything but a few moments talking to the other asari to get something worked out. The way Shiala had looked at me, I must have seemed like a white knight atop my steed or something. Her eyes glowed, and she started tearing up. She reached out for my arm, an awkward smile on her lips. I mean, what do you say to the guy who you tried to kill a bunch of times and who then let you go with your life? What do you say when he comes along and saves you again, no strings attached? I could tell that she wanted to kiss me. Miranda puffed up her chest and stepped forwards, eyes ablaze. Her face was suddenly less than a foot from Shiala's.

"Who the fuck do you think you are, touching Shepard like that?" Jack said, finger pointing as she all but shoved Miranda out of the way.

The poor asari had blushed furiously and turned to go. She must have felt like hell, thinking that Jack and/or Miranda was my woman already. Embarrassed at least. Miranda turned to me, and Jack watched Shiala go.

"I don't like her, Commander."

"That's pretty clear. What the hell was that about?"

"She tried to kill you, Shep," Jack chipped in. "I might hate the Cheerleader with the fire of a thousand burning suns, but I don't trust that fucker."

"Good to know, Jack," Miranda managed as she smoothed back an errant lock of hair. "Let me assure you I feel the same about you."

"Ladies," Samara had said stepping between them as they squared off, "We have things to do."

Jack snarled at Miranda, who looked unimpressed. Samara had to stand there for a good few minutes while they calmed down. After that, I took a look at some weapons, helped out a very awkward krogan and asari couple, and carried on. While I was talking to them, Jack started getting agitated.

"Fuck it, I need a drink," she snarled, and stomped off. Miranda watched her go, shaking her head. I said nothing. Jack always was erratic at the best of times. Sometimes, I didn't know what set her off. She honestly seemed really put off by Charr. The rest of us carried on, back towards the Normandy.

Samara continued to judge me.

"Okay, so they're possessive. Shiala did try to kill me, at one point."

"Would any other of the crew react like that? Zaeed did not."

"That's different."

"Is it really, Commander? Things will come to a head sooner than you expect. You cannot keep them all at arm's length indefinitely. "

I nodded. She was right, to a degree. I hadn't thought about the long ball. I was putting them off short term.

"Alright. What do you think I should do then?"

"Choose, and soon. It will come to blows before long. Please excuse me, Commander. I must return to my meditations."