I am so sorry that I haven't posted anything recently, hopefully if you read my other story, Hello Fascination, you got the message of why I haven't been writing. I have been very busy with school and it is also getting near the end so things just get pilled on. Also, I have been having writers block but I'm hoping that it's over now (you can thank Matyrfea for that, a short story that she sent me kind of inspired me to write again, I thank you for that =).) Also, thank my wonderful beta who has continued to stick with me, I love her =).

I hope you guys like this short chapter, I am sorry it is short but I wanted to get something out as fast as possible the next chapter will be coming up soon I promise I'm working on it right now. Thank you for staying with my story and all the wonderful reviews I still get, it really shocks me that people have still continued to send them.

"As cute as this is, it's starting to make me sick. So could you two please stop making out so I can get to that power source?" Kasumi's voice broke the couple apart, both of them moved aside so the woman could shut down the barrier.

"What's the next step?" Maria asked the thief.

"It's your call Shep. We need the password, voice sample and DNA sample. Which one do you want to go after?" Kasumi finished up her work on the power box, the multi colored wires gave out a small spark before the light on the box died out.

Kasumi gave a small smile at her work, before turning her gaze back towards her leader to find her staring down at the party below, a calculated look in her bright green eyes. Thane watched her as well, his hands behind his back, patiently waiting for his Siha's answer.

"I have an idea."

"Alright Shepard we got the password. Stupid security guards couldn't shoot to save their life. You would think this guy would keep better security." Jacob reported into his com, which Shepard received outside on the balcony, along with Thane and Miranda.

"Good work Garrus. I have the voice sample. I got him to give a big speech and everything. Jacob and you missed it, brought tears to my eyes and everything." The sarcasm in the woman's voice brought a chuckle to the turian's lips. "All we need is the DNA sample, I can handle that on my own. All of you get down to the vault entrance, I'll be their shortly." Shepard instructed, receiving conformation from the rest of the team and Thane and Miranda beside her. Miranda walked off, followed by Thane, who gave Maria a meaningful look, his eyes begging her to keep safe. Shepard gave her love a slight nod along with a small smile, which had no affect on his somber face but he did walk off to join the rest of the group.

Maria's eyes turned back to the floor of dancing people, her calm gaze searched out the one person she was looking for.

"Ah, Ms. Gun, it seems your companions have abandoned you." A male voice commented from behind her.

Maria slowly turned towards the man, a soft smile on her lips and her whole demeanor radiated poise and confidence. Hock had never quite seen a woman like her, there was something in her presence, her stance, her aura, her…eyes. She had the most brilliant bright green eyes that sat perfectly in her heart shaped face, framed by long flowing brown hair. His eyes took in her soft looking skin, perfect light mocha skin. The short kimono style dress with its silk material shifting across her lithe frame was hypnotic; the tattoos were especially enticing. She was definitely a beautiful woman, but he could have beautiful women whenever he wanted, but it was rare to find someone as … unique, as her. Yes unique was the only word he could find that adequately described her, just like one of his artifacts. He would enjoy adding her to his collection.

"It seems they have," Maria's smooth replied.

"A woman as beautiful as yourself should never be without company, allow me the honor of entertaining you, until your companions return." Hawke gave a slight bow of his head as he took a step closer to her.

Maria gave him a smile as she pushed off the wall she had been leaning against, putting the same distance between them that was there before he had stepped closer. The movement demonstrated she was a woman with power, not some whore needing the influence of someone more powerful to elevate her. She was the one in control. The whole thing caused the curiosity and desire Hock had for her to grow; and the respect as well.

Maria's eyes continued to watch the circling couples dance, her back facing Hock as she spoke, "How about a dance, Mr. Hock."

Her words were more of a demand than a question. The woman's bright exotic eyes glanced over her shoulder to him, her mouth set in a challenging smile.

"As you wish, Ms. Gunn," Hock murmured.

Hock led the mysterious woman to the dance floor; or rather he was being allowed to lead her. As the two took up their positions and began to sway slowly to the music, neither of them noticed a pair of black green eyes watching from the shadows.

"Come, there is something I would like to show you." Hock stopped their movements on the floor. He had enjoyed their dances and the conversation they had made, but now he was taking control. Hock was not a man to wait for the things he wanted, he took them, and tonight, he wanted her.

The hand that was positioned on the small of her back tightened only a fraction, Maria knew that her little game was over, now he wanted his prize. She had pushed all the right buttons with him and it had been relatively easy. Shepard had shown all the attributes that a man like Hock would respect, knowledge, power, charisma, common interests and a bit of sex appeal; this man had not been hard to figure out at all. Now if she pushed and tried to control things too much, she would lose him, but Shepard was too smart for that; this song and dance was all too familiar.

"As you wish, Mr. Hock," she said, using his own words to relinquish power to him, now it was her turn to play his game.

Hock gave her what some woman might consider a charming smile, Shepard just found it amusing. Men were not complicated at all, if you plucked all the right strings, you could get right where you wanted; then you strike.

As Hawke turned to lead her to his own private chambers, he didn't notice the frown that crossed Maria's face, she didn't like how easily she had slipped back into this role, it was something she thought she left behind her a long time ago. Shepard closed her eyes and reasserted herself, I'm doing this for the mission, it's not like before. She reminded herself. Her eyes opened slowly again and she was back in control, following Hawke through the metal doors that would lead to his rooms. No one had seen the moment it took for her to regain control of her emotions. So short that moment had been only a second past but it was all she needed. The only eyes that saw were the ones from the shadows.

Snap!

The sickening sound of the last guard's neck being snapped was satisfying to the man who caused the nameless human to meet his end. Black eyes scanned the area for anymore guards, as skilled hands lay his victim on the ground gently and quietly.

The man's head darted back and forth quickly, assessing the best point of entry to Hock's room. He decided the only way to get in fast enough was through the large glass windows above. He ran swiftly up the slanted walls and with a flare of his biotics, he slammed his open palm into the window and activated his warp power at the right time in order to shatter the glass. As he jumped up on the window seal, he stilled his movements, waiting to hear if anyone had heard the window breaking. After a few seconds of silence, the man moved on in his goal to get to Hock's room.

"These swords are dated back to the 6th century. They were found in England and are said to once belong to King Arthur's knights, the Knights of the Round Table some call them." Hock explained the story behind the swords, his eyes held a loving look to them as he skimmed a hand down the ancient weapons.

Maria arched an eyebrow at them, not being able to help her own curiosity about them. "King Arthur. Some would say he was only a legend, that there is no real proof that this man ever really lived, along with his noble and brave knights."

Hock turn sidewise in order to face Shepard fully, a smile slid across his face as he stepped close to her, forcing her to step back against the wall, "And what do you think?"

Shepard didn't miss a beat, her answer came fast and in the same low whisper he had asked his question in, "I think that such a man could exist. I also think that people will always over exaggerate the accomplishments of others or simply make up stories. It is a common thing for people to do after all."

Hock chuckled at her answer, "Common, yes people do have a repetitive knack for spinning these grand stories that turn out to have no truth to them." Hock placed his hands on either side of Shepard's head, bring his own even closer to hers, his breath fanned her face as he spoke, "I hate common things Gunn, they're so boring and mundane. I am a connoisseur of rare, beautiful, priceless objects, and I would say you match all those descriptions."

Maria prepared herself for what would be coming next as Hock cupped the back of her head and drew his closer, his eyes become half lidded as he moved. Shepard tilted her palm back, making a clean pathway for her spring blade attached to her arm to travel, but she had to wait for the right moment to strike.

Suddenly, Hock's eyes grew large in shock and he took in a sharp breath before crumbling to the floor, a small knife wound in center of his back. Shepard stared down at the man for a few seconds, confusion in her eyes, before they spotted the pair of black shoes in front of her. Her eyes traveled slowly up the tall frame of the owner of the shoes and came to rest on the face of the one person she should have known wouldn't have let her go off on her own.

"Thane."

Please review, let me know if you are liking this or if your not. I have to tell you that Kasumi's mission might be shorter than I originally intended just because it's taking me so long to get done and I really want to get going with the actual story, though you do get hints of Shepard's past life in this chapter. Hope I'm not disappointing people, please review and let me know what you are thinking.