"You can fool some of people all the time, and all of the people for some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time."
- Abraham Lincoln


Love Fool


An important job and high pay always came with a price. Sometimes, Dr. Chloe Michel missed her old days in the clinic. She had a lot of time for herself those days.

Working in the hospital was a lot safer than the ward. She avoided getting caught in the crossfire. Everyday, she came to the hospital early morning and returned home until late in the night. In time of war, the hospital was more and more crowded.

Her routine was boring. She was exhausted sometimes, but she loved her job.

Most of it, however.

It was almost midnight when she called a cab. Her eyelids were so heavy, she couldn't keep them open. She just gave her address to the driver and then took a nap.

She didn't notice the gun near the driver's seat.


"Are you alright, Meat?" Asked Jack. She didn't worry about the lieutenant's welfare, but was annoyed, he kept fidgeting all the time.

James took a deep breath and then looked out the window. They were inside Dr. Michel's apartment, waiting for her to return. It was 1:30 in the morning, but the doctor still hadn't shown up.

"The last time I was in charge, things didn't turn out well. Truth be told, I still can't believe the Major would trust me to do this."

"You'll be N7, right? Get use to it." Via the comm link, Cortez suggested.

"He gave you this mission only because he couldn't do it himself." The tattoo girl teased. "He had to go back to Shepard's apartment, so that impostor wouldn't suspect anything."

"I hope the doc won't mind finding us in her apartment." Ignoring her, James said to no one in particular.

"In other circumstances, I would not agree with trespassing. But we do it to save the innocent." Samara said. She killed time meditating, but still joined the conversation.

From nowhere, Kasumi's voice rang. "Yep, Dr. Michel will be in danger. Like Major Alenko said, the clone probably didn't have cybernetic implants like the real Shep. And the only one who can confirm it was the doctor who healed the clone."

James sighed. He brought the thief along because she was the expert in tech and trespassing but she kept her cloak on all the time, which creeped him out. "Can't you just sit down and talk to us like normal people?"

"Why would I do that?" The thief was still hiding.

"Let's it go, man." From the comm, Joker said. "The hospital staff said Dr. Michel left the place before midnight. It's been an hour but she still hasn't shown up. What if..."

Excluding Kaidan who had to return to Shepard's apartment, the rest of the team was in Shepard's old place because the large group brought too much attention.

Although James was surrounded by three women, he didn't enjoy it. Joker probably told Jack that the lieutenant was sweet on Butterfly, so Aunty Jack kept giving him a hard time. Samara kept her words to herself. And Kasumi just kept hiding.

How could Shepard work with these people?

"I... er, I think you guys should take a ride. I mean... You should look for the doc on her way home. My team will stay here just in case. Call me any time."

"Got it."

He just cut the line when someone knocked on the door. Jack and Samara unsheathed their guns instantly.

"Hey, that could be Dr. Michel!" James stopped them.

"Who would knock on their own door?" To his surprise, it was Jack who answered him. As she saw his face, she shrugged and said. "Just because I'm crazy, doesn't mean I'm stupid."

He wasn't going to argue with her. "I think we should take cover. Just in case."

The red circle interface of the door began to spin. That meant somebody was hacking it. Kasumi locked it after they entered the room but that was only buying them time. So the team jumped behind cover, (he couldn't see the thief, but he guessed she did.) ready for the intruders.

As soon as the door opened, people in front of the door shot the gun around as if they wanted to kill everyone inside. The tempest of bullets destroyed everything in its wake. James was glad he and the team hid.

It was a good long while until they stopped shooting. The lieutenant heard the sound of reloading rifles so he shouted.

"Get them!"

The intruders were busying reloading their guns, and were taken by surprise. They weren't a match for the three women who worked together like professionals. James almost didn't have a chance to shoot a single shot. A Justicar, a biotic chick, and a master thief took them out single-handedly.

The lieutenant could only look as the women began searching the bodies.

"Hey, Meat! I think they're CAT6." Jack said, very happy like a girl who had a new toy. She lifted the last living mercenary with her biotics but James stopped her.

"We need information. Don't kill him yet."

Jack wasn't unreasonable, (not all the time, however) so she released the poor guy. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to be grateful.

"I'm not telling you anything."

"This guy has balls." The thief chuckled.

"Not for long. I'll blow them off if he doesn't talk." To demonstrate, Jack reloaded her pistol.

The men gulped. James was glad he wasn't her enemy. "You heard the lady. No one gets paid enough to lose balls, man."

"She will kill me if I tell you anything."

Solemnly, Samara said. "Although I do not know who is the 'she' you mentioned, I am sure she is not here. But we are." A ball of dark energy was burning in her hand.

"Trust me. You don't want to make these ladies upset." James warned.

He didn't have to press hard. The mercenary almost yelled as Kasumi aimed her gun at his face.

"I'll tell you everything! Just ask."

That went well. James grinned. "Let's begin with a simple question. Who sent you?"


It wasn't easy to unlock the door while carrying two bags of grocery. Kaidan was worrying about it when he arrived, but someone already opened it for him.

"Oh, Major! Sorry I didn't see you." It was Brooks. She was just leaving.

Although he didn't like the woman, he still acted polite. "What are you doing here? I mean, how do you do?"

"I just wanted to see if she was alright. But she didn't want to be alone so I stayed with her... for hours." With venom in her voice, Brooks snapped.

The shy staff analyst had changed, and not in the good way. He wondered why.

He didn't leave Shepard alone. "Where is Butterfly?"

Brooks shrugged. "In her room, I think."

If he hadn't imagined it, he thought he heard her murmur under her breath.

"I really can't stand that little bitch."

"Sorry, what?"

Fast as lighting, the woman changed her tone. "Nothing. Should you stay here and keep talking to me, Major? I think the Commander is waiting for you. She wouldn't like it if I kept you here for long."

Something was fishy. "What do you mean?"

"See you later." Brooks pushed him into the apartment. "On the Normandy,"

"Wait. Did I miss something?"

"It would be better if she tells you herself. But I don't think it's necessary." Her smile was too sweet. "I'm going to work on the Normandy. Commander Shepard already signed me up. I'm looking forward to serving with you, Major Alenko."

Kaidan was lost for words. He could only watch as the staff analyst walked away. Shepard's clone was making a move. If he wanted to stop her, which he did, he must act fast.

He really hoped James would come back with something useful.

Making up his mind, he walked into the apartment to continue his charade. He had to buy them time. However, the light went down and the door abruptly shut behind him.

"Welcome back, Love." The fireplace lit up. Shepard in a robe was walking towards him. Her robe was so thin and transparent. The flame behind her showed him her body outline. Kaidan gulped hard as he saw she wore nothing beneath the robe.

"That looks heavy. Why don't you put them down?" Without waiting for his response, she took the grocery bags from his hands and then forcefully dragged him by his collar to the dinning area.

There, on the table, someone had already set dinner for two, surrounded with a hundred candles. It was a romantic decoration, Kaidan had to admit.

"Sit down." Shepard ordered.

'If' this woman was real Shepard, he would be more than willing to oblige. But he was sure she wasn't his Amala, so eating dinner with her didn't sound nice.

"Where's Butterfly?"

Shepard made a funny noise. "I sent her to bed early."

"Without having dinner? Butterfly is a biotic. She shouldn't skip dinner."

Of all people, he knew that Amala Shepard was a bit unsteady sometimes. But it couldn't compare with this Shepard. She changed her tone in a few heartbeat.

"I ordered her pizza. She ate it before going to bed. Do you really think I would ever letmygirl starve?"

She stepped closer and he involuntary stepped backward. Her predator smirk made him shiver. He looked over his shoulder to find a way out but it was too late. She trapped him between the dining table and her.

"Shep... I don't..."

But she forced him to lay down on the table and rode his waist. "You're such a bad husband. You must be punished."

"Please, I..." His voice was cut as she yanked his shirt, ripping it apart. She ogled his body all over and licked her lips.

"Yeah, I call this dinner." Not so gentle, she dragged her nails on his chest.

Kaidan didn't want this woman, but he was still human. The pain aroused some part of him. He groaned in shame as Shepard grinned.

"I have wanted to do this since I laid my eyes on you." She whispered against his lips before licking and tasting his scar.

This was... almost felt like Shepard. She said that the night before Ilos. Kaidan never forgot that. The familiar taste, feeling, he almost let her overwhelm him.

The voice of an incoming message woke him from the lust-clouded state. He tried to get her off him but she forcefully pressed him down.

"You've got mail." Kaidan protested.

"I don't care." She kissed him again, more forceful. Her hands traveled down south until they reached his belt.

No. Somebody help me! He mentally shouted as he felt his belt come loose.

And then, the auto fire-extinguisher over their heads shot foam. A big cluster of white foam was falling straight on Shepard's head.

There was a long silence. Shepard slowly backed off as the chemical liquid began to fall down her face. By the look on her face, Kaidan though she was about to rant.

"The security system might have gone haywire. I... will fix it." Kaidan offered, a bit too eager.

"Do that, and fast." Without another word, she went upstairs. Probably to have a shower, he thought.

The very small part of him felt sorry for her. But he had more important things to do. The Major ran upstairs too, but to look for his daughter. Despite Butterfly's capability, he still was concerned about her welfare.

All the weight in his chest disappeared as he saw Butterfly sleeping on her bed. Sighing, Kaidan sat down on the bed beside her and then noticed the half-eaten pizza and soda can on the night table.

Because of her poor childhood, Butterfly was never picky about her food. She could eat anything, despite the taste or quality and never left leftovers. Besides, with her biotic appetite, she could wolf down a pizza in no time.

Curious, Kaidan checked her hands. They smelt of cheese. Marian White taught the girl to wash her hands before and after a meal. Butterfly would never go to bed while still smelling like food.

He shook her shoulders but she didn't respond. Her breath was still deep and even in deep sleep. Kaidan hated to think what was happening to his girl.

That bitch drugged my daughter! He growled in rage. Amnesia or not, Shepard would never hurt her daughter. That bitch wasn't Shepard. He didn't need evidence to prove it.

He had to confront her. But Kaidan Alenko wasn't a reckless person. He knew he couldn't do it alone. If that woman could get rid of Shepard, she must be tough. Tougher than him, perhaps. And he also had to make sure Butterfly wouldn't be in danger.

If he confronted her right now, it would be a fight. Perhaps it would be safer if he lured her somewhere else.

A beep made him jump. It was an alert that he had a new message.

"Got it. Back to the Normandy."

James must have been in a hurry that he sent a very short message. It was his time to roll. He had to get fake Shepard to the Normandy. The ship was in Alliance's authority. If it didn't go as planned, they could fight without worrying about civilians.

It was easier said than done, though. He remembered he was ambushed near the Normandy's docking bay. The thief probably had her eyes on the ship. He wouldn't be surprised if she wanted to steal the Normandy.

Well, with that face, DNA, and fingerprints, she was legally Commander Shepard. It wouldn't be stealing if she took the ship. The only way to prevent that was to expose her real identity.

And the sooner the better.

He hated it, but he had to leave Butterfly like that. Although he called Jack to stay with the girl, it would take some time until the biotic chick arrived.

In the mean time, he had a witch to deal with.


Carefully, Kaidan stepped into the master bedroom. The false Shepard had already finished cleaning herself and dressed in a tank-top and shorts. He could see her skin was unmarked and paler than the real Shepard's.

Although he was sure this woman wasn't his Amala, he couldn't help but think they were very similar.

"Hey," she called him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Amala always said his eyes spoke his mind. Kaidan just hoped she couldn't read them. "I... Well, we have a situation."

Clearly, that wasn't what she wanted to hear. She huffed. "A situation! Aren't we having shore leave? I thought that meant I could just stay home and spend time with my family."

That sounded strange. It was hard to believe that someone who had gone through so much to steal Shepard's life would want only simple things.

"Really? That's what you want?"

"Why not?" Gently, she cupped his face. Her touch was so soft. He almost believed she was speaking the truth. "I want to be your perfect wife. Perfect mother. And at the same time, save the galaxy. No one is able to do it, but me."

"That's not going to be easy." The Major protested.

Not listening to his words, she circled her arms around his neck to bend him down. Her green eyes stared straight into his. "I am Commander Shepard. I can do anything."

She really meant it. Kaidan realized. This woman really believe in what she said.

"But... Admiral Hackett has a mission for us. We have to go to the Normandy."

The woman narrowed her eyes. He couldn't help but wonder if he did something wrong. "I called Specialist Traynor. She said those engineers were still working on the Normandy."

"Wait, you called Traynor?"

The specialist was on the Normandy since before they approached the Archives. If Shepard lost her memory, she wouldn't remember the woman.

The false Shepard probably realized that too. She opened her mouth to say something, but eventually shook her head.

"I hate it when she's right."

Kaidan wanted to ask, but a sting on his neck stopped him. He jolted from her and touched where he was stabbed. There was blood on his fingers when he looked at them.

"What have you...?" Suddenly, every muscle in him went numb. Kaidan realized briefly that the woman was wearing something that looked like a thimble on her pinky finger. A needle on its tip still red with his blood.

"It's a conflict, you know?" Ignoring his question completely, she carried him to bed. "Your wit made my work harder, but I will have you."

What? What are you going to do to me? He screamed, but the voice didn't leave his mouth. Although he was still conscious, every inch of his body lost feeling. He couldn't move or speak no need to say about using his biotics.

"She said I wouldn't able to fool you or your little girl. I didn't believe her. I won't give up, however. I'll bring you with me. You can resist as your heart desires, my beautiful boy, but I will bend you to my will, eventually."

Who is she? He wanted to ask, but somehow he thought he knew the answer. It was probably no one but Arachne. That crazy woman sent them a warning message after all.

Finally, he lost control of his body. His eyelids fell shut against his will. He almost couldn't feel it when the false Shepard kissed him.

"Rest now. It will be better when you wake up."


"Daddy, wake up!"

A small voice woke him up. Kaidan jerked awake with panic. He remembered clearly what happened. Then he worried about his daughter more than himself. The Major tried looking around although his entire body was still numb.

It was dark in the room. There was a blue light but it wasn't enough to brighten the room. He only could guess that he was in Shepard's cabin because of the fish tank.

Butterfly wasn't anywhere in sight. He felt a wave of fear rush through him. Only god knew what that woman was going to do to the girl.

With all the willpower he had, Kaidan fought the paralysis, like when he was paralyzed by the Collector's bug. He let his biotic run through his fiber. Unfortunately, that required too much energy. His amp was getting hot and it hurt like hell.

Closing his eyes, the thought of Butterfly crying for help gave him strength. The Major groaned in pain as he struggled to move. Finally, he fell off the bed although his eyesight was still hazy.

"Don't push yourself too hard, daddy."

The voice rang again. But he couldn't see anyone. "Princess, where are you? I can't see..."

"My physical body is in the starboard observation. That woman wouldn't let anyone touch it. Please don't worry." Butterfly sounded like she was crying.

"But I can hear you... How is this possible?" It was foolish to ask, since he already knew the answer.

"They disconnected Aunty EDI from the Normandy. I felt bad leaving the ship in their dirty hands, so I took over her for awhile."

"You hacked the Normandy?" Should he be surprised? His two-year old daughter was the Blue Fairy who hacked her way into the safest server in the galaxy. She even appeared in his dream. Common sense couldn't justify her ability anymore.

"You can say that. Well, I still need your help."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you feel her heartbeat, dad? The Normandy is flying. They are trying to take her off the Citadel. I can stop them, but I'm not sure if I should do it now."

"What do you mean?" Confused, he just kept saying the same sentence like an idiot.

"Because mommy is here."


First of all, I must thank The Lonely Traveler for beta. Sorry that my writing is a bit slow. I'm busy with real life.

To Trishata96: Thank for review :D But you will get your answer in the next chapter. I can't say anything now.