Sorry that this chapter is so short! I hope you all weren't like "YES! NEW CHAPTER!!! aw.....not a climax one..." This is one of those one's that just kind of has to be done, to move everything forward. (^_^) Sorry!

Anyways. Read and review. Or don't. I guess. Next chapter up next week. Maybe sooner if I get the time off.

-Emma

Chapter 14

Miranda's Point of View:

"Oh but now please don't tell Alex I'm still working the him!" I jokingly begged, tugging at her limp arm. "He would be so angry with me! And that wouldn't do at all, now would it?" I snickered again, my face darkening in my triumph. This was a proud day for me. I knew she could hear me, and I knew she couldn't do anything to stop me. Victory was so damn sweet. I rose to my feet, moving the chair back where it had been and placed my hand on the cover of the casket. "Anyways, I should probably go and get ready. Your funeral is in a few hours and I need to get ready. Alex has asked me to make a speech as well, and I should probably practice my stage cry. Oh dear....I do love the theater." I reached down to smooth back her hair. She looked like Snow White waiting for her prince. A shame she would never wake from this story. "Sleep well Juliette," I cooed, whispering as one might to a dozing child. "This time I'm afraid, that parting yields nothing but pleasure." I pressed the seal on the coffin, watching as it hissed shut and re-locked itself. I stood over her another moment, letting the moment sink in. This was too be a good day indeed.

I turned harshly on my heels, throwing back one final glance at my Juliette. "Tah-tah, Tali." My heels were sharp against the tiled floors as I left the cold room behind me. Things were going perfectly. Surprisingly the only thing left untended was my speech. Perhaps I would read my speech to the Illusive Man and see what he thought. It had to be touching, and "sincere", to be sure. But in order to make Alex take notice of it, it couldn't be too sad. I was planning on making my move on him tonight. If he was overly depressed about this silly matter, then it would make things harder for me. I sighed. Of course, he would be drunk, which would soften him up a bit to be sure.

I drew the notecards out from my uniform to practice as I walked. "Tali'Zorah....was the most corageous soldier I ever knew---"

"Really? I did not expect to hear such a thing from you," interupted a voice. I stopped and spun on my heels to face my opponent. The Drell leaned against a wall, staring at me cooly. There was something vicious in his gaze though, and I could feel my skin start to crawl. I had always hated lizards.

"Thane. What are you doing down here?" I asked, playing at an innocence that was a tad bit overdone. He didn't reply, only stared at me. "Is there a problem?" Another silence. The empty space made me uncomfortable.

"Perhaps you should tell me?" he finally retorted. I raised a brow, crossing my arms uncomfortably. "I was just.........listening." My eyes darkened for a moment, before falling back under my col control.

"To my speech?" I pressed, trying to seem casual. He blinked, and pushed himself off the wall, gliding towards me.

He spoke as he passed me, and the words sent shivers down my spine. "Which one?" And then he was gone. I swallowed hard, not out of fear, but out of anxiety. I didn't like that reptile sneaking around. If I had learned anything in my life, it was that when you knew how to snoop around, you almost always found something. And Thane knew how to snoop around. The thought disturbed me. I had to be careful not to give Thane any reasons to suspect me of things. Because I knew he was watching, even if I couldn't see him. I was glad his disease would kill him soon. His presence only complicated things for me. If he gave me enough trouble, I would dispose of him myself. Fool.

"EDI?" The blue AI appeared at my beckoning.

"Yes Miss Lawson?"

"Open a link in the elevator with the Illusive man. Override command 22I9D7, Information Lock 35PNI on secured channel TK94M," I commanded, using my usual codes as I pushed my thoughts aside. It was time to get down to business. With the Illusive Man especially, you could show no speck of concern. Even if things were going completely wrong, it was always wise to convince him otherwise. If you gave him reason to doubt you, then he only got in the way of whatever plans you had made. A neusence.

"Miranda," he greeted as I slipped into the elevator, the doors sliding closed behind me. I hit the elevator lock button, stalling it in the shaft. "I'm sorry to say that I don't believe I'll be making it to the funeral, though I'm sure your performance will be quite breathtaking."

"It always is," I replied.

"Of course. Now, how are things progressing?"

"Tali is still out, I re-administered the muscle depressant just now to make sure she wouldn't be waking up in the middle of the service. And of course, I've already started in on my plan with the Commander. He needs a shoulder to lean on right now, don't you agree?" We both smirked at this, and the Illusive Man took a deep drag of his ciggarette.

"Any problems?"

"None so far, though Thane seems to be suspicious of me. I explained my plan to Tali and after I had left he was out in the hallway...." The Illusive Man sat up straight, expression hardening.

"Did he hear what you had said?" he demanded, stamping out his cigarrette. I shook my head, watching him as he took a sip of his brandy.

"I don't believe so. And even if he did, I don't see him as being much of a threat. His disease should be killing him soon, so that will eliminate him from the equation."

"It might be smart to take care of the problem now," he scolded. I rolled my eyes.

"This is my mission. Don't get mixed up in things that aren't yours to deal with," I hissed. He glared at me. "But the offer is much appreciated." I let the last comment slide in to smooth over the tension. The Illusive Man's rumpled feathers were relaxed by that.

"So then, when is the funeral?" He leaned back once more in his chair, lighting a new cigarrete as he spoke. I leaned back myself, letting the cold of the elevator wall bite through my skin tight suit.

"In about two hours. I'm on my way to get dressed now. Nothing too fancy. But something that will at least get Alex's attention. Black has always looked the best on me." I smiled. "I assume you'll be watching the funeral through your own sources? It really is quite rude of you not to RSVP however." He scoffed, taking another drink of his brandy. The ice clicked in the glass as he finished it off. I sighed, letting my eyes slide shut. "I almost want to change my plan," I pouted.

"Why?"

"This is almost too easy for me. I thought that Miss Zorah would have at least put up a decent fight, but I was wrong. What a bore...."

"Miss Lawson....you truely are terrible." My eyes flicked open and I flashed a menacing smile at the image before me.

"I know......"