Shepard and James Vega are soldiers. They're survivors, having lived to see the other side of the worst a tour of duty could offer them. When neither is willing to take a chance, one of them is forced to be the catalyst of change or the opportunity will slip past them both.

Shepard comes to grips with the realities of a romantic relationship with a member of her team. Fornax serves double duty as a relationship aid, though not always in the obvious sense.