Author's Note:Hey guys, sorry for the delay. Busy weekend at work. Going ahead and giving a fair warning of smutt in the next chapter. We are building up to the romance scene and I promise to do it all the justice I can.

As always, enjoy! And R&R please!


Entering the Flux bar and casino Shepard heads to the bar first for a whiskey before turning to survey the room. Anderson flags her over from a table by the far wall, the floor to ceiling windows overlook the wards.

"Impressive view," she comments as she takes a seat shaking hands with the captain. "What is it you needed sir?"

"The reapers are a real threat, I believe you."

"I know sir, but in case you hadn't noticed I'm grounded. The Normandy can't go after Saren."

"I may have a way around that. I might be able to get into c-sec's control tower and override the lockdown, give you a chance to get free."

"That's risky sir. Any number things could go wrong and you'll be charged with treason."

"Some things are worth the risk. I can do this for you Shepard."

"No, it's too risky. There has to be a better way."

"I could try and override from Udina's office. I could get into his personal computer and release the mag locks."

"That's less risky, but still could cost you treason if Udina is in the office." She takes a sip of her whiskey and looks out the window.

"I will take the risk for you Shepard. Treason is better than the consequences if we don't stop Saren."

"Go to Udina's." She says reluctantly. "Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll be out."

Anderson smiles wryly. "Part of me wishes he was there. He deserves a good decking."

Shepard can't help laughing, feeling the same frustrations over the fool. "Let's try to avoid tacking on more charges sir, if you get caught."

"I make no promises." Anderson just grins as he stands. "When you're ready, send me a message, I'll be lurking in the embassies."

"Yes sir." Shepard downs her whiskey and stands to salute him. "We'll be ready as soon as I get back aboard, I'll message you sir."

"Very well then, Commander." He returns her salute with pride, "It's been an honor working with you, go give them hell." He turns and leaves the bar. Shepard watches him go before she leaves herself.

She makes her way down the stairwell from Flux and sees the same private, who is her fan, standing at the bottom of the stairwell looking nervous.

"Commander!" he crows out happily, excited to see her.

She groans inwardly, wishing she had someone here to bypass him by talking to. As is, she'll have to deal with him. "Private Verner." hse says extending her hand to his to shake.

"Commander." he says cheerily, snapping to a salute. "Hey, hey. You're the first spectre. I'm gonna be one too! Can you drop a good line in for me?"

"Spectres don't work that way. You have to do extraordinary feats to even be considered."

"That's a lie!" he says, turning defensive all the sudden. "You just don't want to share all the glory!"

"Look Verner, you aren't spectre material."

"I am too!" he cries out indignant. "Just you wait and see. I'll outshine you." he huffs and storms off, leaving Shepard confused and frustrated standing behind. She shakes her head and heads back to the Normandy.

Once back aboard Shepard steps onto the bridge and nods to Joker. "Captain Anderson is going to give us an opening to leave. He's gonna release the mag locks from Udina's office. Once we're clear you've gotta punch it, get us out of here fast."

"I can do that ma'am." Joker turns to look back, "He's willing to risk treason for us?"

Shepard nods solemnly. "He is, so let's make this count." She brings up her omnitool, opening a coms to Anderson. "We're set Captain. Ready when you are."

"Copy that Commander. Heading into the office now, be ready. Anderson out."

Shepard rests her hand on the back of the pilot chair and nods to Joker, he settles in and waits for the green light on his console.

She starts tapping her foot impatiently, waiting on that little red light to change. "C'mon Anderson, c'mon..."

"Commander, are we sure this is a good idea?"

"Just be ready Joker." Shepard says, cutting off any further remarks.

"Yes ma'am." Joker resumes his watch on the console just in time as the red mag lock light switches to green.

"Let's go. Get us out of here Joker."

"Don't have to tell me twice." He comments as he backs out of the docks, turning the ship he takes off as fast as the Normandy will go toward the mass relay. As they near the relay he slows down the ship, setting up for the jump. "All green across the board Commander, no pursuit."

"That's good, very well done Joker." she claps his shoulder as he makes the jump into the traverse systems. "I'm going to talk with Liara and we'll have a location for you shortly. It's obvious this conduit is what Saren is after. We need to be there first."

"Aye ma'am." Joker replies as he lays in an orbit around one of the nearby planets.

Shepard turns away and walks down the neck of the ship, going down to the crew deck. She pulls up Liara on her coms. "Liara, Shepard here, could you meet me in my quarters?"

"Of course Shepard." Liara responds. "I'll meet you there."

Once in her cabin she nervously sets out drinks at her table and paces the width of her cabin, not even sure why she's nervous. When Liara comes in Shepard stops short and smiles, "Hey there, how are you?"

"I am well, thank you." Liara steps up to the table, taking up one of the glasses of water and taking a sip. "What is it you needed Shepard?"

"The beacon on Virmire, it showed me a lot more than the first. I think it might be the missing information we need. Only, I need your help to find and organize it again."

"Of course, I am happy to help." she sets her glass down and steps close. "Are you ready?"

Shepard nods and takes Liara's hands in hers. "Yeah, let's go."

"Very well." Liara's eyes shift and go the dark obsidian black again as she says "Embrace eternity." Everything shifts and falls away, Shepard is standing in her meadow, Liara by her side. 'Take me back, show me the vision."

Closing her eyes Shepard focuses and brings up the vision, focusing on the beacon and what it showed her. The images come and begin to fall into place, each one fitting seamlessly in amongst the original Eden Prime beacon vision.

Death. Destruction. Fear. Hopelessness. Over and over again, the voices cry out in anguish. The vision is a warning, clearer now, the Reapers are coming. The planet looms out of a fiery void, black and ominous. Voices cry out, a single idea embedded around this planet, hope. The view pulls back, showing a map of the system, each planet shown in detail before the image is swallowed up by the reaper and it's glowing red eye.

As Liara pulls back and ends the meld she gasps. Looking at Shepard, recognition shines in her eyes. "It's Ilos! I know that planet now, that system. It's a Prothean research planet. It's through the Mu Relay."

"Isn't that the one that's supposed to be lost?"

"And now we know where it is." Liara says excitedly. "The vision was showing the Pangea Expanse. I'm sure of it."

"Ok, I will let Joker know." Shepard steps back and heads towards the door before she stops and turns back, "Don't um, don't go anywhere." she says to Liara, an idea occurring to her.

Liara looks confused by this request but nods. "Ok, sure."

Shepard smiles and leaves, quickly making her way up to the galaxy map.