I held my weapon in front of me, threatening and determined. "Don't run . . . I will stop you ," I warned, my voice low. "Do as you're told, and don't make a scene." People were looking, gawping at the sight in front of them, but I didn't stop my advance, just kept walking forward, backing the small woman in front of me up until her legs hit the chair behind her.

"But I don't do heels," Shepard protested when I brandished the gorgeous pair of shoes again. "I'm a 'comfy Alliance boots for all occasions' kinda girl. Those are skyscrapers, or lethal weapons, not shoes. I can't even fight in them." She shook her head, crimson hair fluttering around her cheeks. Her soft, grey eyes met mine, pleading silently. "How did I let you persuade me this was a good idea? I don't . . . date. I'm already with Garrus, dating is a bit . . . superfluous."

"No, it's not, and anyway, you're not going to be fighting, you're going on a date," I said, putting my hand on her chest and pushing until her butt landed on the small seat. She huffed at me, saying something about insubordination under her breath, but I ignored it. Kneeling, I picked up her foot and slipped on the shoes I'd selected to match her black dress, before looking up.

"They're really high, Amiee," she whispered, looking down at them.

In a softer tone, I tried to appeal to her, "Shepard, you spend all of your time in armor, throwing grenades and shooting the hell out of stuff. He needs to see you're still a damn woman." I strapped the delicate chains around her ankles, before getting to my feet and holding out my hand. "Try and walk. And walk like a woman, not a soldier."

"What do you mean?" she asked, wobbling a little.

I steadied her, before giving her a gentle push forward. "You walk like a man. Seriously, it's all shoulders, arms and knuckle dragging. You're not a troll." I put my hands on her hips from behind. "A woman walks with her hips. Chest up and out, hips swaying, smaller steps. You're not chasing down reapers, you're seducing your boyfriend," I said, guiding her by moving my hands in time with her steps until she had something like a wiggle going.

Yeah, krogan everywhere are gonna be slobbering after her. I'm gonna have to stop them from putting in breeding requests when they mistake her for a krogan woman. Jebus, this is gonna be a hard job, where's Miranda when I need her? "Keep going," I said when she stopped.

She glared at me, grabbing one of the staff as she nearly fell. "Damn it, Amiee, this is stupid." Letting go of the rather terrified kid, she waved her hand until he scurried off. Half the shop think we're mental anyway, what's another to the list? Shepard tugged the hem of her outfit. "The dress is too short, you won't let me wear tights, and the heels are just . . . too much."

Raising my brow, I grabbed her shoulders, turning her to face the full length mirror. "If this stupid, then call me an idiot, cause looking like that, even I'm tempted," I said, smirking as she blushed. I wasn't really tempted, I only had eyes for James, but she did look stunning. Three hours of make up, hair treatments, nails and tanning, and she looked like a crimson-haired goddess, add that to the shoes and dress . . . not a man alive wouldn't drool for her.

"Wow," Shepard whispered, looking down at her chest. She blinked a couple of times, before saying in a small, shocked voice, "I have boobs. And they're . . . nice ones. I forgot I have boobs, they're always under heavy military bras."

She looked as if she was about to cup them, but I grabbed her wrists to stop her. "Yes, you have boobs, and in this case, they're for decoration, not stopping rockets." I chuckled in memory and shook my head. Brushing some of her hair off her face, I smiled, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "You don't get much time to be a woman, Shepard, so just relax tonight, enjoy yourself for a change. I'll be there at the bar, so can help you out if you need it."

"Thanks, Amiee. This . . . yeah." She turned around, teetering a little. "I'm glad we did this." Hugging me tightly, she pulled back and smiled. "After everything, I think we needed some time together, even though you've been torturing me."

"It's my job to torture you. I have to get you back for all the training." I laughed, my hands moving to hold hers. "We're a family, Shepard, and no matter what shit we go through, I've got your back. Now, get the shoes off and go get yourself ready. Liara said she'd drop you at the club tonight, so I'll meet you there."

"What are you going to be doing?" she asked, tilting her head in question.

Grinning, I shook my head. I had plans that didn't involve the new and improved commander. "I've got a date with a certain krogan."

"Tell Grunt I said hi and happy birthday!"

Waving my hand, I picked up my bag full of supplies and walked from the shop. "Will do. See you tonight!" After leaving the store, I walked to the nearest Transport Hub, weaving my way in and out of the bustling crowds.

The citadel is getting crowded . . .. Where are they all going to go when there's no room left? I wondered, climbing into the first available car. I typed in the address for the hospital as James had shown me, and took off, taking my time, as I'd only just gotten my license. I focused on the other cars around me, making sure to stay in the slow lane; not that it could be considered slow. This place is so beautiful . . .. I hope the reapers never hit here, I really do.

I landed the car in the parking lot outside the large hospital. After I sent James a message telling him to meet me in the bar later, I stepped out of the car, deftly avoiding a rather impatient batarian in a hospital gown. He mumbled something about me being a blight on the galaxy and that I needed to be purged, before turning a corner. I blinked after him, unsure if he was supposed to be out showing his butt to all and sundry, or if he was executing a daring escape. The two nurses that ran by me confirmed my suspicions that it was the latter, and I shook my head. "And Joker calls me crazy, he should get a load of him."

Deciding against following, I zipped up my hoodie, before heading inside. The halls were full, doctors and nurses still trying to get through the injured from the Cerberus attack. I kept out of the way, trying not to disturb anyone as I made my way to the front desk.

"I'm here to see Grunt," I said, waiting until I had the receptionists attention. "I was told he was here." I smiled at the harried looking woman. "What room is he in?"

Something akin to frustration and annoyance passed over her face, and I had to hide a smirk. "He's in room 209. Please, don't . . . aggravate him. The doctors have enough to worry about, without dealing with teenage krogan." Knew it. God, what has Grunt been up to? I nodded to her, before turning on heel and walking down the corridor labeled 200-250. Thankfully, Grunt's room wasn't too far from the main area, so I didn't have much walking to do. I could already hear his voice, deep, rumbling and familiar. He was bellowing something, but I couldn't make out the words.

Pushing the door open, I ducked as the krogan threw an instrument tray. "Grunt!" I shouted, looking down at the sharp implements that had embedded in the wall. "What the hell are you doing?" I stepped forward, smacking him on the shoulder; I had to reach on tip-toe to do it, but the doctor being lifted off his feet needed drastic action to save him. "Put him down."

The furious krogan turned on me, his teeth exposed by his curling lip. When he recognized me, he dropped the doctor and scooped me up into a bone-breaking hug. "You've got to get me out of here, Amiee," he grumbled, setting me down. "They keep taking samples."

"What's so bad about that, you're a krogan, not a baby," I said, crossing my arms. "You're supposed to be resting, not beating up the staff." My posture stiffened, showing him I was pissed. "I come to see you on your birthday, and this is what I find?" Inside, I was laughing like crazy, cause it had been a pretty funny sight, but the doctor nodding enthusiastically kept me silent. I turned to face the quivering salarian. "Hey, why don't you go have a break. Leave Grunt to me."

He nodded, thanking me and blessing me at the same time, before running from the room as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his heels. Facing my friend, I winked. "I've come to bust you out," I whispered. "And I've brought reinforcements." As if summoned, three, huge krogan shuffled into the room.

Manly, krogan-like hugs, accompanied by headbutts and punches were exchanged, before I calmed them down again. We huddled up, huge bodies making me feel tiny, but I shrugged it off; I was the mastermind to the jail break. "Okay, here's the plan."


"Okay, this was a bad plan," I groaned, my back straining. Maybe not such a mastermind after all. In my hands, I held a rope, and at the other end of the rope, hung a krogan. Yep, bad plan, I thought, grunting as my body bent, nearly hanging out of the window. I silently regretted making two of the krogan stand guard, figuring that myself and Mar could hold him. Yeah, I'm a dumbass. "Grunt, climb faster, I'm gonna drop you!" I gave up trying to be quiet, I was going to drop him if he didn't move his hump.

Blue eyes peered up at me as he swung back and forth, hanging over a huge drop. "Don't let go!" he roared, before shouting for the krogan helping me to lower more rope. He roared again as his body smacked into one of the hospital windows, shattering it.

"Fuck . . .." I felt the rope burning my hands, knowing I had to let go. "Grunt, tuck your head into your arms and go limp!" I'm sure I saw that in a movie somewhere. I sent up a silent prayer, before letting go and falling to the floor. "Thank god his room is above the Presidium Lake," I muttered as I heard a giant splash and the sound of sirens. Letting one of Grunts friends, Jarl help me to my feet, I peered out of the window, seeing him splashing and flailing in the water. "Sorry!" I shouted. He's a krogan, he'll be alright. They can swim, right? "We'll be right down, hide!"

Turning to the three krogan in the room, I nodded to them. "Okay, part one complete, now we need to give it legs." At their confused looks, I sighed. "It's called English, learn it. Basically, run!" I didn't wait another second, just pushed open the doors and took off, hearing the pounding of three huge krogan behind me. We ducked and whirled, avoiding patients and staff, as well as security, before finding our way into an empty corridor. "Split up and meet at the rendezvous."

"Yes, Amiee," they said, voices obedient and respectful. Grunt had told them to treat me as if I was their battlemaster until we met up with him, and I guess they took the order seriously, because they didn't even question me. They took off into separate corridors, branching off to give us a better chance of escape. I smiled, taking the center rout, my head down to avoid the cameras.

"Grunt, what's your position?" I asked over the comms, ducking into an empty room as two C-Sec officers sped around a corner, coming towards me. Damn, they responded fast . . . or they were already here. Security maybe. Gotta be careful. "Grunt?"

"I'm here," he said, his voice growling and cross. "Wet, but out of sight. Part two going okay?"

"Yeah. We split up as planned. Jarl is coming down from the West, Kain is coming from the East, and Mar is coming from the South, I'm heading to you from the North. Keep to the back streets, we'll meet you at the bar."

Listening to make sure the coast was clear, I left the room, sprinting down another corridor and shouting for the elevator to be held. Diving in, I turned, just in time to see the two officers from before coming my way. Waving to them, I laughed as the doors closed and painted the 'I'm not crazy' smile on my face as the people in the elevator backed away. "Don't worry, I'm breaking a friend out for his birthday."

After a moment, everyone relaxed, nodding their understanding. I leaned back against the wall, counting the floors. Shepard is gonna kill me if she finds out . . . either that, or she'll come drinking with us. I smiled at the idea, stepping out of the elevator as the doors opened on my floor. Taking a quick look around, I made sure no one followed me, before walking through the streets, my hood up and my head bowed. The bar wasn't far away, and any apprehension I would've felt about being in a predominantly krogan establishment melted away as Grunt came stomping towards me, a huge grin on his face.

"Nice work, Amiee," he said, slamming his hand down on my shoulder in a friendly pat. "The others are already here, we're just waiting for you." He led me into the bar, and I was instantly assaulted by cheers. The surviving members of Aralakh company stood in a loose circle around the bar, all holding up huge mugs of what smelled to be Ryncol. "It's time to drink," Grunt said, thrusting a krogan-sized glass into my hand.

I sniffed it, smelling watered down krogan ale and shrugged, necking it in one go. "To Grunt!" I roared, the booze burning it's way down my throat. Heady and strong, it warmed me through, as did the sense of welcome I got from the others. I'd fought by these guys sides, and they recognized that, making me part of their team, even if it was just for one night.

This is gonna be one hell of a night.


A/N: Well, Grunt is a thing, no? This chapter made me giggle. How can one not love Grunt? He's everyone's Brogan, or Kro-bro, whatever you prefer. Anyway, some thanks must once again be given, because without the people that support me, I wouldn't be able to write this story. BlueKrisna, you gotta take a bow, babe, your support and beta skills made this readable, and I love ya for it. Also, huge thanks go out to my readers and reviewers, thank you, thank you, I hope you keep leaving them. So, some more fun times to come, keep reading for more Grunt goodness!