A/N - I've had a couple of people ask in recent reviews about Tali calling Shepard by his first name. Rest assured, it does come. Just... later on.


Shepard was standing in the relatively quiet and empty waiting area, waiting for Garrus to return from his night away. He leaned back against the railing, his ship waiting silently behind him, arms folded across his chest, eyes on the corridor ahead. His friend soon appeared out of the elevator. Shepard just burst into laughter on seeing him. His friend was… strutting. Of all things, strutting. Not marching. Not striding. Not just walking. Strutting! There was no doubt about it. Oh, this should be good. I think someone had some… fun of their own last night. Garrus came to a stop before him, giving him a quizzical look.

"Morning, Shepard," the turian said, clearly exhausted.

"Morning, Garrus," Shepard replied, managing to stop his laughter for a moment.

"What's so funny?" Shepard just shook his head, waving him away. "Are we ready to go?"

"Nearly ready. Kasumi is now on board so that's another recruit down. We haven't spoken in detail yet, but I know she has something personal that she would like help with. Apparently it's in a system nearby. I want to find out first before we depart, so if it is close by, perhaps we could just use the shuttle and I can give some people longer R&R."

"Sounds good." The Commander was silent for a moment, trying very hard not to grin. Garrus must have noticed. "Okay, what's so funny, Shepard?"

"You seriously don't know?"

Garrus looked behind him. Then shook his head. "Dammit," he said quietly.

"Good night, Garrus?"

"I'm not talking about it." The turian straightened up, apparently trying to be serious. "What did you say once? A gentleman never tells."

"And I wouldn't expect you too, my friend. But you seem to have an added… bounce in your step this morning. Now, I could sit here and give a thousand euphemisms for what you may or may not have gotten up to last night. But I don't need to because, to be honest Garrus, a blind man could see what you must have been up to last night." He then burst into laughter again.

"I had a very enjoyable evening, Shepard."

"I bet you did. Good for you. Her too, I'd assume."

"Though you were right about being invited in for coffee. Euphemism indeed!" The pair of them dissolved into laughter. "Shepard?"

"Yes, Garrus?"

"Thanks."

Shepard stopped laughing, slightly confused. "Whatever for? I didn't do anything."

"Well, I look at it this way. If you hadn't shown up on Omega, I'd either still be there, but more than likely, I'd be dead. You coming back, helping me out, and keeping me alive… It meant I got another chance. I can never thank you enough for that. I can assume Chloe would think the same too."

Shepard just grinned slightly, a brief nod, laying a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You don't have to thank me, but you're welcome."

"So are we ready to go?"

"Sure, let's get on with it, I guess."

Side by the side the pair walked the short distance to the airlock in silence. Once inside, waiting for the decontamination cycle to complete, Garrus simply leaned against one of the walls. Shepard just looked at him, wanting to laugh again. Ah, been a while since I've seen the result of bedroom gymnastics.

"Tired, Garrus?" The turian just looked back at him, shaking his head. "Will you need a lot of coffee to get through the day?"

"Absolutely."

"Let me go talk to Kasumi and find out what's happening. With any luck, we can just take the shuttle. That way you can take it easy." The cycle ended, the two men exiting to see Joker already waiting for them. As soon as he saw the turian, he started a round of applause. Garrus glanced at Shepard, who held up his hands in innocence. "Didn't say a thing, Garrus."

The turian just muttered under his breath as Joker continued his applause while laughing. "So, Garrus… have fun last night?"

Garrus just sighed, staying silent as he turned and walked away. Shepard just shrugged his shoulders as Joker eventually stopped laughing. "Something I said?"

Shepard just shook his head. "Just leave him be."

"So what's the plan?"

"No plans to leave just yet. We may just take the shuttle for the next mission. I'll be sure to let you know."

"Okay, Commander. I'll be here, keeping busy."

Shepard turned and ran after Garrus, who was waiting for the elevator. The turian just turned as he heard Shepard approach and shook his head, though Shepard could see that he wasn't mad or upset at Joker at least, appearing to understand that it was all in good fun. "Want to meet our new recruit?"

"Sure."

Shepard looked up, the idiotic habit he knew he had. "EDI?"

The blue orb appeared nearby. "Yes, Shepard?"

"Could you ask Tali to meet us in the mess? I figure she'd also like to meet our new recruit."

"Miss Zorah is already in the Port Observation room with Miss Goto, Shepard."

"Oh, excellent. Thanks, EDI."

"You're welcome, Shepard."

The elevator finally arrived, the pair descending in silence for a moment. "Still no music?"

The Commander shrugged. "I want to put some tunes on, I just don't think people would appreciate my music. They never do."

"You mean those old songs you happen to like? They're not that bad. Quite like one or two of them, actually. Not my usual thing but what's not to like about them."

"Yeah. But I could always put on some speed metal or something. That'll make these interminable trips more interesting. Though I'd probably be in here, playing air guitar or air drums, then the door will open and everyone will just be staring at me. And then I look down and I'd be naked." Garrus just stared, blinking once or twice in silence. Shepard just smacked his forehead. "Oh, sorry. Must have been a dream I had."

Garrus just chuckled, shaking his head. "Sure, sure, but seriously. Music, Shepard."

He just nodded. "Fair enough. I'll see what I can do."

"Just what were Cerberus thinking anyway? They can rebuild you. Build this ship but they decide to install the slowest elevator in the galaxy. Even the lifts on the Citadel move faster than this."

"Just so you know, Tali has mentioned she misses those conversations you two had."

"Really?"

"Yeah, she said it helped really get to know you and the team. She learned about all of you during those interminable waiting times."

"Wow, I never knew."

"You should try and catch her one time, keep asking those questions. You know how she just loves to talk."

"Really?" He paused a beat. "You're being completely serious?"

Shepard tried his best to keep a straight face, then smirked and shook his head. "No." Then he chuckled to himself. "Dammit, I just can't follow through with that one. I think she'd probably shoot you if that started up again. Then I'd feel guilty. For a little while, at least."

"Gee, thanks, Shepard."

Shepard shrugged. "Hey, what are friends for."

The elevator finally arrived on the third level, the pair entering the Port Observation room to see Tali and Kasumi standing together, looking out the large window before they turned around as they heard them enter. Shepard thought it was strange that Kasumi still kept her hood up despite being on the ship but figured it wasn't really worth mentioning.

"Hey, Shep," Kasumi stated.

He raised his eyebrows at that one. "Shep?"

"Yeah, sure. Is that okay?"

He just shrugged. "Sure. Been called far worse. Have you been introduced to the crew yet?"

"I've met some of the crew already. Tali was sharing some of her opinions as well."

"I bet she was," he replied, sharing a glance with her. She just shrugged slightly in return. "I would ask what she has said so far, but I'll just leave the gossip to you two."

"She is full of information. Such as…," she trailed off, gesturing between the two.

Shepard just nodded in understanding before gesturing to his friend. I'm sure everyone is gossiping about us already. "Kasumi, this fine turian specimen beside me is Garrus Vakarian. Former C-Sec officer and subsequent vigilante. All-round bad-ass. And my best friend. Garrus, this is Kasumi Goto. Thief extraordinaire. Newest recruit to my insane mission to travel through the Omega Four relay. I hope you knew that, Kasumi."

"A thief? You're recruiting all sorts, aren't you, Shepard? And Kasumi, I've actually never come across your name before. C-Sec or otherwise."

"I'm the best thief in the business, not the most famous. That just proves how good I am, Gary."

"Gary?" the turian asked, clearly perplexed.

Kasumi chuckled. "Yeah. Shepard is Shep. Garrus is Gary."

"I'd hate to think what she's going to call Miranda," Shepard whispered behind his hand. Garrus cracked up in laughter. "Are you settling in okay, Kasumi?" Shepard asked, returning his attention to the hooded woman. Shepard then had a look around the room, noticing the bed already in place with a number of her personal possessions already dotted around the room. Feels like I'm standing in a room in her own home. "You know what, never mind."

"I like my comforts, Shep. Tali was just telling me about a certain collection you had back on your old ship."

Shepard nodded as he walked across to the shelves nearby. "You have real books?" he asked in surprise. I haven't even had a chance to think about replacing what I lost on the old ship.

"Of course. You can borrow one if you'd like."

"Thanks," he said quietly, browsing her collection. It was an eclectic mix, though most of it was of a genre he simply had no interest in. "Where did you find them all?"

"As books are now considered antiques, I'll usually find them in those sort of stores. And yes, Shep, I actually purchased these books. And there are still plenty of people out there, like yourself, who'd rather hold, feel, and read a good book, rather than hold a cold datapad."

"I know what you mean." He walked back and took a seat on the available chair. "Right, time for a bit of business unfortunately. Kasumi, you mentioned you had something personal you would like to take care of? From what I understand, it's reasonably close so I was thinking that before we leave the Citadel, we go and take care of that."

"Would you like Garrus and I to leave, Shepard?"

"Kasumi?"

"It's fine, Tali, if Shep doesn't mind." He just shrugged. It wasn't anything confidential and it was up to Kasumi if she wanted to share all the details or not.

"Actually, I'm going to go grab a coffee. Anyone else want one?" Garrus asked. The three of them declined the offer. Garrus disappeared, mentioning he'd just hang out in the mess for the time being.

"Okay, Kasumi. You mentioned bits and pieces about this personal mission on the Citadel. What's the story?"

Kasumi was seated next to Tali on the other couch. She leaned forward with her elbows on her knees, looking at only the floor. "I'm looking for my old partner's graybox. A man named Donovan Hock took it, and I'm planning on taking it back. That's where you come in."

"I have to admit, I wasn't aware of this agreement. I don't mind, just not aware."

"Yeah, I kind of made the deal with the Illusive Man. Or at least one of his intermediaries. I figured they would have kept you in the loop." She chuckled while shrugging. "I guess not."

"So where are we going?"

"Bekenstein."

"Easy enough. We can leave the Normandy here."

"I've already hired a shuttle, Shep. You'll be attending a party."

"A party?"

"Yep. Featuring some the biggest criminals, villains and scumbags in the galaxy. You'll be one of them."

"Fair enough. But won't they know who I am?"

"You'll be there under an assumed name. As for recognising you, there are two things in our favour. People out there do know you're back, some are also aware of your… links with Cerberus. That will work in your favour when it comes to mingling with these people. There may be suspicions but considering Cerberus operatives are still considered terrorists, you'll probably fit right in. The second thing is that although your name is famous, the Alliance, while using you as a poster boy, kind of… changed your image."

"How do you mean?"

"They didn't actually use your face. They used some sort of generic knock-off. Must have taken it from the extranet."

"Never knew that. Don't know whether I should be insulted or not…"

"You should see what some people think of how we might appear and look like under our suits, Shepard," Tali added. I'm still wondering, Tali! But I'm patient. He must have grinned slightly at the thought, as she cocked her head at him, the gesture of 'What is he thinking about?'

"When is this party?"

"In two days. I believe Hock is holding a week-long soiree, but the day we will be attending is the most important. I believe he has some grand unveiling. No idea what. Yet."

Shepard stood up. "Very well. I've enough to keep myself busy until then."

"One last thing, Shep…," He raised an eyebrow, "I hope you like wearing a suit."


Shepard adjusted the tie again while looking at himself in the mirror. Finally happy that it was in just the right place, he took a step back to look up and down at himself in the mirror. He'd never worn a black suit such as this before, having spent nearly his entire adult life in an Alliance uniform of some sort or another. He wondered why Kasumi had picked it out for him to wear. But he didn't mind. Looking sharp, Shepard, looking sharp.

"You look… hmmm… Very nice, Shepard," Tali effectively cooed from the couch behind him.

He turned around, glancing down and smooth out the arms and legs of his jacket and trousers to make sure he looked presentable. "You reckon?"

"Absolutely." He just raised an eyebrow at her tone. If I didn't know any better, I would say she's quite turned… Nah, she's just never seen me dressed like this, that's all.

"Hope this plan of hers works. I'd hate to ruin this. Think I might like to keep it."

"Oh, yes. You must do that." Shepard just started to laugh. "What's so funny?"

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all, Tali."

"Are you okay with the fact that it's only you and Kasumi going?"

"Kasumi's the best thief in the galaxy. Considering I'd never heard of her until I received the dossier, I'm willing to believe it, too. But I guess this will also be her chance to prove it. Would be nice to get through the mission without gunfire as well. Get in, get what we want, get out. Nice and easy."

"Okay, Shepard, now what do you really think?"

"It'll go tits up before long and we'll end up shooting our way out. I still prefer option one, though."

"What do you know about this Hock person?"

"Tried to do my own research but there isn't a whole lot out there about the man. From what I have found, he's a nasty piece of work. You name any sort of underworld criminal activity and he's probably involved. Even if option one doesn't work, option two would be nice simply so we take him out at the same time."

"Commander?"

"Yes, Joker?"

"Kasumi is here, near the cockpit, waiting for you. Figured you'd like to know."

"Thanks, Joker. Be there in a couple of minutes." He looked at Tali. "Guess I'd better go." They walked together to the elevator. He couldn't help but feel her eyes roam up and down him as they stood together as the elevator descended the one level to the CIC. He was tempted to say something, but figured silence was better. And besides, he appreciated Tali in her suit and how it… hugged her body in all the right places. He shook his head of those thoughts. Yeah, can't be thinking about that while I'm on mission. He also noticed the stares he received from some of the crew as he walked through the CIC, while Joker looked like he just wanted to break into laughter, a glare from Shepard resulting in the pilot swivelling in his chair to avoid any further comments. Kasumi just looked him up and down as well.

"You clean up well."

He couldn't help but fiddle with the tie again. "Thanks."

"Do you remember your name?"

"Solomon Gunn." He shook his head, though had a slight grin. "Still think it's a stupid name. Really? That's what you decided on?"

"Well, what name would have you chosen?"

"Humphrey Bogart, although I'd need a white suit for that… Or John Wayne."

"Who are they?"

His jaw dropped wide. "Seriously?" Kasumi shook her head. "Joker, help me out here?"

He swivelled in his chair again. "Sorry, Commander. Can't help you. No idea who either of those people are."

"I don't believe it. Okay, that's it. Next time we're all together and have a free night, we're having a movie night in the mess. Come on, you've never heard of 'Casablanca'? Or 'The African Queen'?" He got shakes of the head or shrugged shoulders. "How about 'True Grit'? 'The Searchers'? 'Rio Bravo'? No?" He shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe it. At least Tali has an excuse."

"How old are these movies, Commander?"

"That doesn't matter. I'm talking about the classics here, Joker. Age shouldn't come into it! Everyone, and I mean everyone, at least knows the movie 'Casablanca'. So many lines. So. Many. Lines."

"I sometimes get the feeling you're a man out of your time, Shep."

He chuckled. "Sometimes I think you may be right." He just sighed. "So, Kasumi, ready to go?" She nodded and the pair entered the decontamination chamber. They waited in silence for a moment as the cycle completed, Shepard thinking of million lines that he could share, but generally thought better of it in the end. She won't know what I'm talking about anyway. The door finally opened, revealing the still relatively empty docking bay. The pair stepped out, the hired shuttle sitting directly across from them in the opposite bay. Once settled inside, Kasumi piloting, Shepard comfortable as a passenger, the small shuttle reversed, fired its engines and, within moments, left behind the five arms of the Citadel.

"So I'm a mercenary?"

"Exactly, Shep. And just the sort of person Hock respects. You've got a full background. No doubt Hock has checked out your past. There won't be a problem. For all intents and purposes regarding this mission, you are the one and only Solomon Gunn."

"So I can act like a badass?"

"Yes, but not like an asshole, Shep. And I'd just keep small talk to a minimum. We want to get in, get the graybox and get out quickly and hopefully without causing a scene."

"Noted. So, details? I assume you have a plan?"

"Our friend is one of the most respected but feared businessmen in the galaxy. As I said, this party is going to be full of the scum of the galaxy. The type of people you generally put down without hesitation, Shep. Unfortunately that is not the agenda today."

"That is unfortunate. Why don't I just take out everyone?"

Kasumi chuckled. "I know about your reputation…"

"Which is highly unfair."

"But there are also plenty of innocents there. I know you don't always work solely based on guilty by association. I also know about your other reputation."

Shepard nodded. "Fair enough."

"I'm sure you noticed your old friend in the cargo hold?"

"Yeah, I was going to ask about that."

"No doubt every guest will be arriving with some sort of tribute for Hock. Your old friend Saren will be ours. In addition, the base of the statue will hold all your weapons and armour."

"Thanks. I was feeling kind of naked here without that."

"You've got your pistol."

"They'll let me keep that?"

Kasumi chuckled again. "That won't be a problem. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a shooting anyway. Someone will fall out with someone else, which will lead to an argument, crashing trays, broken glass then a gunshot."

"Hopefully we won't be involved."

"That's the plan, Shep."

"So where's the graybox?"

"No doubt it'll be in his vault. We're going to find a way to break into it. I have no doubt the vault will be heavily fortified with layers of security. Once we crack it, we waltz in, take what we want and get out of there." Kasumi was then silent for a moment. "Then I'll have a chance to say goodbye," she added quietly.

Shepard glanced at her, though she was almost impossible to read with the hood. She must have noticed, as she simply turned to look back at him. He knew a sad smile when he saw one. "Keiji was more than just a friend and colleague, wasn't he?"

"His graybox holds a lot of priceless, personal memories. It's all that remains of who he was." She sighed. "But the graybox also holds a secret. Something dangerous, that if released… Well, that doesn't bear thinking about. And it's exactly why I brought you along."

"Well, this should be interesting at least. Hock's place is up ahead. Guess I'd better get into character then."

"Remember, badass, not asshole."

"One more question, probably quite important, too. Where will you be?"

"I'll see if I can get in with you. That's unlikely as I'm not on the invitation, as there's no plus one. So I'll be cloaked nearby."

Hock's mansion was impressive, if you liked that sort of thing, as far as Shepard thought anyway. Kasumi parked up the shuttle, the small car park full of the latest skycars on the market. Shepard wondered how many of them were stolen. Or paid for in blood money. Two guards immediately started unloading the statue of Saren, Shepard coming to a stop as it rolled past, resisting the urge to make a quip. A gold statue of Saren? Ugh… Instead he took in the grand expanse of the mansion once again. The double doors in front were open, a pair of guards standing to either side, the sounds of conversation and quiet music filtering outside. Another man walked forward to greet them.

"I don't believe we've met. Donovan Hock."

Shepard nodded, hands behind his back. Like hell he was going to offer his hand. "Solomon Gunn. Heard a lot about you."

"And I you, Mr. Gunn." Shepard just gave a brief nod again. Well done, Kasumi. "You've been busy from what I have read on the extranet. If you believe everything you read on it, of course."

Shepard just shrugged, keeping quiet. Guess I should actually take some advice. Well, there is a first time for everything. He then glanced at the statue again, the guards showing slight concern when scanning it. Hock eventually dismissed their concerns and actually apologised for the delay. Shepard raised an eyebrow, but again stayed silent, giving a simple nod. The slight bombshell, though, was that Hock informed him that only he could enter the mansion, as his partner was not on the invitation. Shepard could do nothing but agree with his wishes. He just glanced at Kasumi and gave a brief nod, before he followed Hock indoors.

"We need to case the vault, Shepard. See what you can find. Otherwise I'll meet you near the vault."

"Where are you?"

"Nearby. I am the best, remember?"

The mansion was full to bursting as it seemed nearly anyone with some sort of criminal connection had been invited. Should have just asked the Normandy to fire on this bloody place. Oh, wait… Damn… Bloody morals… He shook the thought from his head. Instead he noticed Hock deep in conversation up ahead, ignoring him for the time being as he wandered instead. At least a dozen artworks were hanging on the wall nearby, Shepard showing a feigned interest as he kept an eye out for where the vault could be. A fellow guest approached and started talking about art. He simply smiled and nodded as she spoke at length about one of the pieces. He thought it was a good painting but like hell he actually understood what it meant, eventually making his excuses to move on. A waiter wandered around with a tray of wine, Shepard grabbing a glass as he continued to wander the room, though didn't actually drink. He wanted to be completely on the ball.

Finding a set of stairs leading down, he glanced left and right, noticed no-one keeping an eye on him, so calmly descended down the stairs. At first it appeared to be a simple hallway, Kasumi appearing out of thin air, using her omni-tool as the wall was proven to a hologram.

"Nice set-up," she stated as the pair looked around the room, the statue of Saren staring at the pair of them as they looked for a way into the vault.

"Why do I really feel like punching that statue?"

"You did spend a year chasing him down, Shep. From the little that I know. And what Tali shared…"

Shepard raised an eyebrow at that last bit, but then just shook his head. Figures. "Yeah, and didn't even get to shoot the bastard. Managed to talk him into suicide instead."

Kasumi chuckled. "How on earth did you manage that?"

"I made a… convincing argument." He gestured at the set-up. "So any ideas how we crack it?"

"Top of the line protection here, Shep. It's going to take some work. We've got a password voice lock. DNA scanner. Kinetic barrier to top it off. Would be damn near impenetrable… for most other thieves."

Shepard smirked. "Confident, huh?"

She turned around with a smirk of her own. "Please, Shep, remember who you're talking to!"

"So what do I need to do?"

"You'll need a voice sample from Hock, so you'll have to chat with him. I'm sure you'll be able to get him talking. We'll need to find the password as well. I've scoped out security room, so that will be our best bet for that. As for DNA, that'll be child's play. You'll just have to break into his private quarters."

"And the barrier?" Shepard asked, gesturing to the kinetic shield over the door.

"Easy-peasy. Cut the power."

"That's all?"

She nodded. "Keiji could have through a system like this in his sleep." She grinned slightly. "And I'm better."

"I like that confidence. Right, let's get to it then."

Kasumi cloaked herself once again as Shepard re-joined the party.