I was so excited by all the reviews of the last chapter! Keep it up, they make me happy! And when I'm happy, I write more ;) Win, win eh? Enjoy!

The moment Saren had followed Shepard into Purgatory, presently the most popular club on the Citadel, he'd started feeling unpleasantly anxious. So many bodies crammed into one dimly lit place was not Saren's idea of fun. The atmosphere made it difficult to take in everything that was going on around him and he felt an extreme lack of control of his environment; a feeling of which he wasn't at all fond.

"Relax," Shepard encouraged, pressing her soft human lips to his ear canal. When she pulled back he gave her a look that clearly translated his discomfort.

"This place has too much going on," he told her unhappily.

She smiled in a futile attempt to reassure him. "Why don't we get a drink? Maybe that will ease your nerves," she suggested tickling playfully at his sides.

"I don't drink, Shepard. It distorts the senses." That was something he didn't need, especially now.

"Maybe it's time for you to start!" When he gave her a look she swiftly took his hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Common, just one."

He released a puff of breath he'd been holding, the feeling of her warm skin against his relieving him slightly. The woman was very difficult for him to refuse and she knew it. "I think you'll have to try harder than that to convince me…" He exaggeratedly glanced down at the tight skirt that made no effort to hide the long, combat-toned legs. The way the muscles flexed as she shifted her weight made him think of how great they felt when they were wrapped around him in the throes of pleasure.

"Oh, a challenge, hmm?" Pressing his palm to her thigh, she urged it upwards until talons brushed against the thin fabric of her underwear.

Clawed fingers teased and explored until he could feel her shudder against him. Though his intent was to ready her for later, he knew that if he didn't stop soon, later may just turn into now. As he pulled his hand away and met her frustration with a playful grin, he couldn't help but notice the set of eyes that studied them unwaveringly from a nearby wall. The stare belonged to a human male, his expression blank except for the noticeable amount of contempt that lingered in his shadowed gaze. Perhaps he simply recognized the Commander for her extensive service record. One of the many individuals she pissed off in the past? Or maybe he was just another discriminatory human, disgusted with seeing a turian's hands on a human female. Either way, he may need to be on his guard.

Palaven Sunrise. If Saren were a drinker it would likely be his beverage of choice. The taste was sweet, fruity, with a hint of spice. It reminded him of home when he and his brother, Desolas, would run off to the collect the cepuros fruit that grew on the local trees near their home. Those were some of the more fond memories of his past, and frankly, there weren't many. Those few memories could have been some of the reason he'd consumed three of them… or was it four? He may have lost count. Not that it mattered. He felt good, surprisingly worry-free, and frustratingly horny. As if he wasn't already so, a result of yesterday's unfinished session, the combination of heat building within him from the alcohol and the presence of his bond mate exposing a nice amount of skin were certainly helping it along.

Cutting through his wandering thoughts, a familiar female voice rose out from the crowd. "Shepard!" They turned to find Lieutenant Commander Williams swaying her way toward them, a lopsided grin creasing her weary face.

"Hey Ash! What are you doing here?" Shepard asked once the other woman reached them.

"James was buyin' so I was drinkin'," she said, raising her glass and downing the last bit of clear liquid.

"Where is James?" Shepard asked, looking around for the absent and very hard-to-miss lieutenant.

"He's hitting it off with some blue chick. Saw you two so I figured I'd stop over." Leaning slightly sideways she gave Saren a little wave. "Hi Arterius!"

"Williams," he grunted in halfhearted reply. It wasn't that he disliked the lieutenant commander, but she made him feel uncomfortable. She distrusted all other races the way he distrusted humans, and he could tell that she still didn't trust him. As dead set as Williams was in her beliefs, there would be no level of proof he could provide that would be able to sway her misgivings. But honestly, Saren didn't really care, as long as she didn't try to get in the way of he and Shepard's relationship.

"So, Shepard, you buying me a drink?" Ashley asked, giving her a little wink and a double nudge with her elbow.

The commander laughed. "Sure, Ash. Put it on my tab. Just don't expect me to drag your ass out of here."

After placing the order, the other woman shook her head. "Don't worry, I still have a long way to go."

"Uh huh…" Shepard muttered in disbelief. The dark-haired woman looked as if she only had four more drinks, max, before hitting the floor facedown.

Giving her commander an exaggerated up and down sweep of her gaze, Ashley scoffed. "You're pretty spruced up tonight, Skipper. I mean look at you, you're practically glowing! Though I guess it could be the alcohol," she concluded with a shrug.

The flame haired, naturally sharp-witted commander froze as a blush warmed over her face. The woman typically had response for everything, however, this time her quick tongue had failed her. The bartender thankfully interrupted the discomfort when he sat down two shots on the counter. Williams smiled knowingly and slid one toward the commander, indicating for her to take it. The two women exchanged approving glances before raising their glasses together and quickly draining the clear liquid.

Saren pressed up against Shepard's back, nuzzling against her ear. His hot breath sent an anticipated shiver over her body. "Be mindful of how much more you drink," he murmured. "I want you awake for later…"

Shepard could clearly feel his arousal rubbing eagerly against her backside, and it sent some pretty naughty thoughts streaming through her brain. "Good point," she replied at last.

"Oh, get a room!" Ashley teased, signaling the bartender for another drink.

When the warmth of Saren's body finally moved away, a strange sensation came over her. As her skin prickled and the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, it felt as if she was being watched. She scanned over the surrounding area of the club, her enhanced eyesight cutting effectively through the darkness of the club. When she saw nothing out of the ordinary, let out a puff of breath, silently cursing herself for her sudden paranoia.

"Hey, you okay?" Saren questioned, noticing her uncomfortable reaction.

"I'm fine," she assured him, forcing a smile. For some reason, despite seeing nothing off, she still couldn't shake the chilled feeling that persisted. And that's when she saw him, a brief flash of familiarity hitting her before disappearing into the crowd.

Saren buried his face in the crook of her neck. Mandibles fluttered against her warms skin as he breathed in her scent. He noted, through the thick scent of her pheromones, fear and apprehension. "You noticed that human watching us," he rumbled into her ear.

She repressed a gasp of surprise. Of course Saren would have noticed. He'd probably sensed the man's gaze the entire time. But why wouldn't he have said anything?

As if reading her thoughts he murmured, "I was hoping it was just my being over-cautious. Did you recognize him?"

"Vaguely," she replied, uncertain of what her own eyes had even seen.

"Perhaps we should leave. The only fight I care to have tonight is who gets top…" Saren growled against her flesh.

She was about to give him a teasing response when she glimpsed the man again, this time standing near a back exit of the club. She stiffened, focusing on him… on his face. Though she couldn't quite place him, something about his features tugged at her gut in a way that was haunting. His eyes held her in place, freezing the blood in her veins. Those eyes… She couldn't make out the color, but judging from their familiar shape, she would say they were brown. She knew those eyes, recognized them from the many stolen glances during training exercises to the longing gazes within darkened storage lockers. The last time she'd seen those eyes was on Akuze. But they couldn't possibly be the same. Nobody else survived Akuze except her and Corporal Toombs, and Toombs was dead.

"… Shepard?" Saren sounded as if he'd been trying to get her attention for a while.

She had to find out. "I'll be right back."

"What?" The turian reeled back as if he'd been slapped. "Where are you going?"

"That man, I think he was a member of my platoon on Akuze."

"Akuze?" Before she could make for the stranger's location, he wrapped a hand around her arm, bringing her to a halt. "Shepard, I've read the reports. Nobody survived your platoon on Akuze."

"I wouldn't say nobody," she said, remembering the distraught corporal as he expelled a round into his own brain. "Please, I have to be sure."

He stared back at her, achingly noting the sorrow and loss that she hid behind her features. "Was he important to you?" He choked out the words as if he didn't really want to know the answer.

"At one time," she admitted.

"And now?" He paused, swallowing hard. "What if it is him?"

Shepard shot him a smile that made his heart flutter in his chest. "Then I'll introduce him to my bond mate." She felt his hand reluctantly fall from her. Stealing one last glance she slipped away in an aim to set closure to her haunting past. Weaving her way through the collection of bodies crowding the midsection of the club, she briefly locked eyes with the man again, before he turned and disappeared through the exit. He knew she was coming for him. The fact that he was now trying to avoid her filled her with suspicion. So she pursued a little bit quicker.

When she finally reached the door, she was surprised that her pursuit was over so quickly when she found the man leaning over the metal railing that blocked off the public transport lines. He was expecting her. Releasing her hold on the door she braved a few cautious steps forward. "Sergeant Adam McKael?"

He straightened at the sound of her voice, taking a moment before turning to look at her. "Jane." It wasn't a question. He knew exactly who she was.

"Hey, Arterius," Williams said, giving him an arched brow. "Aren't you worried? About Shepard?"

"Why should I be? I trust her," Saren replied.

"Not what I mean." She paused, setting her empty glass on the bar. "Don't you think it's a bit odd? Someone who she thought was dead suddenly shows up. Not only was that someone reportedly killed, but he was killed in an experiment set up by Cerberus. Seems a bit fishy to me."

Saren growled, his skin prickling in worry and discomfort. He stared hard at the door through which his bond mate had left. The lieutenant commander was right. Anything that involved Cerberus was concerning. And if that man was indeed someone involved in the tragedy of Akuze, then it was possible Cerberus was behind his reappearance…

"Adam… That you?" Even up close he looked significantly different. Scars lined his roughened skin. His hair, much longer than she remembered in the corps, was streaked with grey. These few imperfections made him more attractive than she remembered. She smiled inwardly at the thought.

"It's me," he replied, a small smile creasing his face as his gaze roamed over her. "Been a long time, hasn't it, Jane? You look good."

"I, uh… I saw you die on Akuze." She stumbled over her own words, unsure of how to present them delicately. It seemed easier when it was all in her head. "Did they take you? Like they did Toombs?"

"Toombs?" He blinked in confusion. "He's alive?"

"He was alive," she explained. "After what Cerberus did to him, he took his own life."

Adam crossed his arms over his chest, staring at her suspiciously. "Cerberus, huh?"

She nodded. "Cerberus took him for study after the thresher maw attack. They wanted to see what damage a thresher maw could do to an entire platoon of marines. We were merely the lab rats."

He narrowed his eyes, dark brown eyes that had haunted her dreams on more than one occasion. "Toombs was lying. Cerberus saved my life."

"You're wrong," she corrected. "Cerberus doesn't save anyone."

"They gave you life, did they not?" Adam pointed out.

"How…" Her eyes narrowed warily. "How did you know that?"

"Word gets around, Jane." He paused, studying her before continuing. "Speaking of which, who's the cuttlebone? You two seemed awfully friendly in there."

"We're together, if you must know."

He scoffed. "I know it's been a long time, Jane, but a turian? You can't be serious."

"What can I say, things change," she replied with a shrug.

"I'd say they do." He took a few steps closer, giving her a wide grin that caused the scars on his face to crinkle. "Hey, what do you say we find ourselves a storage locker? For old times' sake."

She laughed, making light of his bold suggestion. "I don't think so, Adam. Like I said, things change."

His grin faded, replaced with a look of annoyance. "Huh. Well, that's too bad."

For a split second she noticed his attention shift over her shoulder. That small action roused her awareness of her surroundings, and that's when she felt a presence looming over her; felt it too late. A gloved hand covered her mouth and nose, effectively muffling any sound she might have made. Before she could react, she felt a pinch in her neck. Anxiety made her heart pound in her chest when she felt the needle point leave her skin, or perhaps the pounding was due to the surge of liquid that rushed through her veins. As her body warmed and her vision blurred, she could make out many figures in white armor as they surrounded her. Cerberus. It was the last thing she remembered before the darkness rolled over her.

Saren and Ashley burst through the back door that led away from the bustling club, running straight into a small group of armored soldiers. One glance at the black and orange symbol on their armor told them all they needed to know.

Cerberus. Saren's heart pounded hard in his chest as the anxiety threatened to overtake him.

"Arterius!" Ashley shouted. "They have Shepard!"

His gaze followed her outstretched finger to a closing elevator. The moment he saw the flash of red hair, hung over his bond mate's face like a curtain, and her limp body draped in the arms of a solder, he bolted towards them, barreling through the few of soldiers that stayed behind. He reached the door much too late. Swallowing the nausea that burned his throat, he turned to face the soldiers that were quickly descending upon him. There were three, and well-armed. Three armed soldiers against two unarmed would make for a difficult fight. He'd have to rely on close-range at this point. He put his hands up in the galactic sign of surrender, meanwhile, examining each assailant for an opening. Suddenly a shot rang out, echoing off the metal walls. The blood from one of the ascending soldiers spattered on his shirt, and that's when he realized that Williams, at least, was not unarmed.

Joker leaned back in his chair when the Normandy's interior airlock opened. A big grin spread over his face when he saw Saren lugging a barely conscious, human figure over the threshold. "Had a good time I see!" he exclaimed, more than loud enough for the turian to hear.

When Saren turned, Joker's face paled. Confusion settled in his gaze as he tried to make sense of the situation. "Wait… That's not Shepard."

Saren snarled, throwing the man against the wall with a sickening "thud". Blood oozed from an open wound in the man's leg, where a round had broken clean through the armor.

"They took the commander," Ashley said softly, entering in from the airlock behind the angry turian.

"Who?" Joker asked, his tone faltering as he glanced down at the still unconscious man.

"Cerberus!" Saren growled in response. Reaching down, he none-so-gently grabbed the back of the man's armor, preparing to drag him the rest of the way through the ship.

"What are you going to do with him?" the pilot questioned, indicating toward the turian's captive.

"He's going to tell me where we can find her," Saren replied calmly, a deadly look in his fiery blue gaze.

Ashley exchanged a concerned but knowing glance with Joker before taking off after the turian. She wasn't sure what Arterius had planned for the Cerberus soldier, but she wasn't so sure she'd intercept no matter how brutal it may be. Despite their differences they had one thing in common, and that one thing was in serious danger.