An ally. The female Salarian had said it so casually, so sure. It was a sentiment Jane hadn't received from someone in a very long time. But then again Jane had earned the allegiance of Eclipse back on omega after she had beaten their best. But a Salarian and Human as the leaders of the Eclipse? She never would have guessed. Jane had always imagined it being an asari, but she could go with this. Besides, she had always gotten along with Salarians. Well, mostly anyway.

"My name is Eno Wiks," the female said before one of her hands gestured to the male human at her side, "and this is Tanner Bronx, my partner in crime as well as in life."

One of Jane's delicate brows rose in surprise.

"Wiks? I know a Wiks. I met him back on Sur'kesh during recovery."

"Yes, my brother told me all about you," Eno said with a grin.

"I wish I could say the same for you. Padok never mentioned family," Jane said scratching at the back of her neck.

"As some brothers tend to do," She said with a knowing tone that made Jane twitch slightly in her spot. How much did she actually know about her? A silence fell over the five as the women sized each other up, Jane with a questioning stare and Eno with an amused one. The clearing of a throat startled Jane from her ponderings and towards the three males she had almost completely forgotten.

"Can we get on with it Love?" Tanner asked giving Eno a wink. "Now that the introductions are done I say we press on with the matter at hand. Walking and talking is something we all excel at."

Eno looked at her companion and nodded.

"Right as always."

"You don't know who we…" Sticks started but was cut off as Eno raised one of her large hands.

"Bartleby Monroe and Garrus Vakarian. Oh, we know all about the both of you."

"It's Sticks," He grumbled, sending a death glare towards Garrus when he refused to suppress his chuckle.

"Now how about we get that gun back," Eno said before she started back towards the hanger, Jane falling into step beside her. Silence fell between them as the boys followed close behind. It wasn't long before Jane heard Sticks start up a conversation with the human to break the silence. It made Sticks uncomfortable. Something they had in common.

"So what was it like, being a Turian raised by a human couple?" Jane heard Tanner ask.

Jane's head whipped to the side then, landing on her friend. It was a fact very few people knew, and the fact that the man had brought it up so casually made her uneasy. How the hell did these mercenaries know so much and where the hell were they getting their information? Sticks rarely talked about his human parents. It was too painful for him.

"Honestly? I got picked on a lot by the settlement kids, until I got bigger of course." Sticks replied with a good natured laugh, successfully dodging the subject of parents all together.

It was something Tanner clearly picked up on and let slide. She was thankful to him for that. Jane's gaze went back to the path before her, the Salarian female walking quietly beside her.

"A human, huh?" Jane said in an attempt to provoke her own conversation.

"Yes. Human males are extraordinary. Tanner is a fine specimen. You would realize their capabilities if you gave them a try."

Jane laughed at that. It seemed that if there was one thing that everyone knew about her it was her fetish for Turians. Of all the things she had done since she had joined the Alliance, it was that fact and that she was the first human spectres little sister that got the most attention.

"I did once. A few years back."

"And?" Eno asked, her large eyes blinking in anticipation.

"It was great. He was wild, hard and all male. Everything an Alliance solider should be."

"What got in the way?"

"Circumstance, duty…guilt."

"Do you ever think about him?" Eno asked.

Jane was quiet for a moment, a flash of dark hair and dark eyes visible in her mind for a fleeting moment.

"Sometimes…when I'm not neck deep in trouble."

"Maybe you should find him or someone," Eno started, her gaze drifting to the blue armored Turian following Jane silently, "to share intimate time with."

"It's not the time for that kind of thing. Not with the Reaper threat looming over my head," Jane exasperated, drawing the Salarians gaze to her once again.

"It is the perfect time for it. It reminds us all what we are actually fighting for."

Is that what her brother had been fighting for? What he had given his life for? Had the man who had never let emotions drive his actions actually given into them at the end? Had he fought for Jack? Or did he stay the righteous asshole he was and die for the safety of all? Selfish actions had never driven her brother. No. All the selfishness lied within her and it was maddening.

"Something troubling you?"

"No," Jane recovered quickly, "Just thinking."

"Hmmm," was all Eno said before they made their way into the docking bay. Jane's step faltered as she took in the scene around her. What minutes ago had been a busy hub was now a ghost town. There was no sound of machines at work or obscenities getting thrown from mechanic to mechanic. The only sound that filled the cavernous place was the muffled voice coming from a small news screen at the far side of the hanger. A large mass surrounded it making the thing impossible for any of them to see.

The group was silent and as still as the grave as all their attention was on the screen, forgotten tools and other devices hanging at their sides. Jane frowned, her brow knitting together as she took a small step forward, her Turian companions coming to her side instantly.

"Something isn't right?" Garrus said, a grunt of agreement coming from Sticks on her other side.

Tanner pushed passed them, his large form rocking Jane forward as he collided harmlessly into her shoulder. He stopped when he spotted his target at the back of the gathering of people.

"Tutu!" he yelled out. He got no answer. "TUTU!"

A large Batarian looked over his armored shoulder, all four eyes wide with shock. He was the biggest Batarian Jane had ever seen. His arms and legs were massive with muscle and he was tall on top of it, even taller than Garrus and Sticks. The dark tan skin of his face was practically flawless except for a few white scars marks spattering the left side of his face as if he had been caught in a small explosion. He said nothing at first, his mouth just opening before it shut again. Tutu's head turned back to the screen one more time before he disengaged from the mass and headed towards Tanner. The closer he got to him the more the fear and sorrow became evident in his eyes.

"What the hell is going on Tutu?" Tanner asked, his hand going out and grasping onto the Batarian's shoulder for support.

It was obvious he was in need of it. Tutu tried again to find the words, his mouth opening, but all that came out was a small strangled sound. His eyes closed then and his head hung forward. Eno stepped toward him, one of her hands falling on the Batarian's back. She had a look of worry on her face, something the Salarian did nothing to try and hide.

"What has happened Tutu? You're never like this."

When the revelation came it had Jane reeling. No matter how many times she watched that clip of the reapers Anderson had given her, or the times she had sat there and read over her brother's reports, in the back of her mind it still seemed like they could only ever be a ghost story they told each other back at the academy. But now…she couldn't tell herself it was just Georgie and Mahogany trying to scare her anymore.

"Aratoth…it's fallen," the whispered words fell out from behind his needle like teeth, "the reapers…"

"What?" Jane exclaimed in disbelief, unable to stop herself. She hurriedly pushed past them and into the crowed. She made no apologies as she muscled her way through the throng of people and towards the news screen. No one seemed to notice her. With one last pushed she could see the feed, the images and sounds searing themselves into her brain.

"These shocking images are the last sent from Aratoth before all communication was lost. It is believed that it was a last distress call. It has been confirmed that the tape is a few hours old and no further reports have been sent in."

The feed quickly rewound and paused on a hulking figure descending into the middle of a city, multiple machines looking like giants in the background.

"Though it has not been officially confirmed what we are looking at, but the machines are of the same design as Sovereign, the reaper machine that attacked the Citadel three years ago. John Shepard, first human Spectre, fought and killed Sovereign with the help of the Alliance. There are numerous leaked reports that he warned the council of this…coming of the reapers, but they refused to listen. Commander Shepard gave his life trying to prevent this from happening. With the Savior of the Citadel gone who will save us now? We will keep you informed with the latest news on Aratoth. This is Diana Allers with Battlespace signing off."

Jane stood frozen in her place, eyes wide as she looked at the now blank screen. Bodies surrounded her in similar states of shock, too scared to move as if the action would suddenly make everything they had all just seen and heard all too real. Her chest tightened and a sheen of sweat broke out underneath her armor. It had only taken the reapers a few hours to totally control an entire planet? What hope did she have of stopping them? It was complete and utter madness! What had Anderson been thinking putting her in charge of this? She was a complete failure. She was nothing like John or Ni…

"Commander!" A voice rang out, snapping her from her disastrous thoughts.

She turned slightly to look back at the voice, the sea of people parting as Kaidan came rushing towards her, the formality he had given her completely unnoticed. He came to a huffing stop in front of her. His dark eyes were as panic stricken as she felt. She looked around at all the unfamiliar faces. They all had the same look in their eyes as well.

"Commander, Batarian space has been compromised. The reapers…" He trailed off, suddenly realizing that she already knew exactly what was going on. She went to speak, but her voice cracked making Jane clear her throat. She shifted uncomfortably in her spot, beads of sweat noticeable at her hairline. Kaidan paused and waited. He couldn't tell what she was thinking, didn't know her well enough to pick up on her subtleties, but he suddenly wished he did. He felt lost in the dark with no light around to guide him and it was the most frightened he had ever felt in his life.

"I…" Jane stumbled. It was evident that she didn't know what to say.

None of them did.

"Girlie," a rough voice rang out, drawing her attention.

The old Batarian from earlier walked up to her, a small limp in his stride she hadn't noticed before. His eyes were full of resolve as he approached her, one of his rough hands going for the gun at his side. Jane didn't attempt to protect herself as he took it from its holster. He pointed it at her for a moment, her gaze looking down the barrel of the gun her brother had given her before it was quickly flipped and presented to her. When she didn't move to take it the Batarian grabbed for her hand, opened her clenched fist and plopped it into her hand before closing it back over the cool metal of the gun.

"You save us," He said, his voice unwavering as he did so. There was no doubt in his eyes, only sheer determination. It startled her completely. It was only minutes ago that this Batarian didn't believe a word she had told him.

Jane hesitated for a moment, unsure under the old engineer's gaze, before she looked to her side to see Garrus, Kaidan and Sticks standing there with her. They all had mixed emotions etched on their faces from fear to uncertainty to disbelief and then lastly unshakeable trust. It was the last emotion that had her worried. Sticks always trusted her no matter what and she felt at times she had done nothing to deserve such faith. He nodded at her then, arms crossing over his chest as he stood waiting on her. He would wait forever for her. She knew he would.

"We will save you," Jane finally said as she slid her gun back into its rightful place. In doing that small act she felt calmer, more rational. Her head rose up, her shoulders straightened and set aggressively. The Batarian smiled at her in response.

"Give me five hours. Repairs will be done."

"And I will send a message to all my men," Eno added from the back of the mob, people parting out of her way. "We will be at your disposal whenever you have need of us."

"Thank you," Jane said before she quickly made her way back towards her ship. "Men on me. Joker, get me a patch to Anderson."

"He's already on the line Jane. I have him up in the comm room."

"Tell him I'll be there in two."

"You got it."

Jane picked up her pace as she made it to the loading ramp of the Normandy, three sets of footfalls echoing behind her. She knew it wasn't the time to panic, to dwell on her past failings or inadequacies for the job that had been given to her, but she couldn't help herself. The closer she got to the comm room the more Jane felt like she was going to fall apart at the very seams. The look Sticks had given her sent a stab of remorse shooting through her as she exited the airlock and made her way onto the main deck. People were counting on her, he was counting on her, and she couldn't let them down.

She couldn't fail.

Not ever again.

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"Don't think you can push me around because you're bigger!" the girl screamed before she threw a wild punch at the boy. He had been watching the whole thing from behind the crowd that had gathered to watch the spectacle. It was the new girl that had yelled in furry and understandably so.

She had been backed into a corner by one of the biggest boys in their year. He was an ugly sod and just as mean. He wasn't even sure why the academy let him stay, but it wasn't up to Mahogany to decide anyway. He was just a boy in their school trying to graduate and become something…well he didn't know exactly. It was Georgie that wanted to be the hero. All he wanted to do was keep his twin alive and out of trouble.

"Leave me alone!" She screamed as she lashed out again. The bully swatted her away, knocking her to the ground in the process. Her grey eyes went wide right before she slammed her chin down on the paneling of the floor, successfully busting it open. A small curse was heard over the roar of laughter as she tried to pick herself off the ground, her brown hair falling in her face but not fast enough for Mahogany not to spot the tears that started to fall from her eyes. He let out a sigh. She had only been at the academy a week and she was already attracting this kind of thing?

She was as much trouble as Georgie was.

With a sigh he pushed himself off the wall and muscled his way through the crowd. He came to a stop before her, the bully's dark eyes cutting to him as Mahogany reached down a hand to help her up.

"You know it's not polite to pick on girls, especially if they're smaller than you Bower."

Bower fumed in his spot, his massive hands forming into fists at his sides as he eyed Mahogany. A ripple of doubt filled the crowd as they started to whisper to each other, their gazes turning spiteful as they landed on Bower.

"She started it, couldn't keep her big mouth shut!" Bower exclaimed.

Mahogany didn't say anymore to the brutish boy as he helped the girl to her feet. She stumbled into him slightly, her face still pointed downward as she clutched onto the front of his shirt.

"Whatever," Bower mumbled before he pushed his way through the crowd and through the mess hall, dispersing the people in the process. Mobs never stuck around when there was nothing to see, a fact Mahogany had made a point of learning very early on. He never did like unwanted attention.

"Thank you," the girl whispered once everyone was gone, her hold on his shirt loosening a bit.

"You're welcome, uh…" Mahogany started. He didn't know her name and suddenly felt guilty for not knowing it. Georgie knew it and hadn't even met the girl yet. She let go of him then and stepped away. One of her hands went up and whipped at her eyes roughly before she finally looked up at him. Blood was running down her neck from the open gash on her chin and her eyes were puffy from the tears, but her gaze was suddenly hard in attempt to hide the fact that she had been beaten. She held out a small hand then, the palm calloused from what he could only guess was hard labor from wherever she had come from.

"Jane Shepard."

Blue eyes popped open, the last bit of his dream lingering in his mind… a haunting pair of grey eyes. With an aggravated huff Mahogany threw the covers from his legs and lifted himself from the bed. He hated those dreams; the pleasant ones from a life past that he would never get back. They haunted him, tormented him and he wished that he could just rid himself of them completely.

He just wasn't that lucky.

They always seemed to involve her one way or another. He had spent most of his adolescent life following her around alongside his brother. Their first encounter seemed to be the most prominent one on his mind, alongside the night him and her had gotten drunk when Georgie had been on a date. It had been their first time trying Turian ale. She had been knocked on her ass and he had to carry her back to that hole of an apartment that she called home. It was one of the few times she had let herself become vulnerable around him. And it was the first time…

Mahogany shook his head violently before he made his way into his bathroom. Turning the water on, he let it run unchecked as he gazed at himself in the large mirror over the sink. Same unruly reddish brown hair, same blue eyes, but all that Mahogany had once been was gone. Mahogany had died in that crash all those years ago. All the remained of Mahogany was in dreams. He was the Shade now.

Soft laughter filled the silent space around him, his eyes slamming shut as he tried to block out the sound. It was her laugh, the one that she always made when she let her guard down.

The dreams…they were always when she was vulnerable. When she…

Then a strangled yell escaped him as one of his fists lashed out and collided with the mirror, shattering it. He looked at his fragmented self, the Shade visible once again in that gaze. How he hated Jane Shepard with every fiber of his being.

"Sir?" A voice asked from his room, knowing better than to venture farther inside. He knew he picked up that quarian for more than a piece of ass.

"What is it?"

"It's started sir. The reapers have full control or Batarian space."

Mahogany smiled slightly at that, the running water grabbing his attention. He placed his bloody knuckles under the flow of water and watched the blood wash away and spiral down the drain.

"Good. Have you found out where they sent that Prothean artifact yet?"

"No sir, still working on it."

"Well get back to it. Now."

"Yes sir."

Now it was just a small waiting game. How long would it take for Jane to fold under the pressure? It never failed. Jane Shepard always fell apart when she was needed most.

And he was going to be there to deliver the finishing blow.

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Author's note: hope you liked it. Oh and if anyone wants to be a beta for me just pm me or something. i know i need one.