Twin Fates

by Tobias5

Fate played as much a role in Shepard's defeat of the Reapers as did his skill. What if fate had different plans? Did you know that the Shepard on Mindoir was born as a twin? What if both had survived the raid? How would the Reapers have dealt with TWO great heroes instead of one? It's time to find out just how much better and worse things get with TWO Shepards fighting a war.

33. Chapter 32

Twin Fates

By Belle and Tobias

Automatic Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the Mass Effect or any other referenced copy righted material.

Belle's Note: Not gonna lie, this one gave me trouble to start. I couldn't come up with a good title and every time I got a good one, I realized it would be better for a different chapter or it didn't really fit. I find it very hard to get started when I don't have a good title when I know where the chapter needs to go. Still, I hope this builds up well and the changes we have made add to our story.

Toby's Note: When I first got this chapter, I read it to see what Belle was worried about. I have to say she did a great job on it. I wanted to get it published by the release date of Mass Effect Remaster but I had some rough family issues that sucked the energy out of me. Still after reading the chapter I wanted to work on it. I hope you guys enjoy it as much as we did when we wrote it. Also a side note, according to my word counter, this chapter is 20,000-ish words. Our largest yet so enjoy it.

And yes it does include the Omakes in the count. *sticks his tongue out at them*

Belle Note2: *to the audience* I don't count the Omake either so don't worry.

Chapter 32: A Heart's a Heavy Burden

Earth Date: October 21st, 2186 CE

Location: Serpent Nebula, Citadel

"Take care of yourself, Psychotic Biotic," Jane said as Jack and the kids headed off the Normandy. Jack nodded.

"Try and keep your ass from getting handed to you again," Jack shot back with a look at Jane.

"Thanks," Jane huffed as the group headed off before Jane's Okinawa team approached.

"Captain, you are a liar," Javik said as he reached Jane and John. Jane rolled her eyes as Jaimini chuckled from beside James.

"I never intended to keep you from battle," Jane explained and Javik sniffed. "Trust me, I would have preferred to have you for that one."

"I do not doubt that," he huffed. "Were I there, you would not have had your...bell rung." Jane shot James a look and the marine busied himself looking around as if he had never been on Dock 24 before.

"You're dropping off the Prothean team?" John asked and Jane shook her head.

"Team Minerva will be divided, I'm assigning Milique, Haberkorn, and Prinze to guard the Prothean team. They've worked with them for months now and let's face it, Project Redemption needs security," Jane explained.

"I'm sticking with you, Ma'am?" James asked and Jane nodded.

"Just the two of you?" John asked and Jane gave him a look.

"I figure we're probably going to pick up a few others to help us out," she said and John opened his mouth before chuckling.

"Yeah, we probably are," John sighed. "So dropping off yours?"

"Yeah, General Rahul has been here on the Citadel, but he is planning to transfer to Project Redemption shortly," Anik explained and Javik gave him a glare.

"I was hoping he would come to the War Advisory Board meeting," Jane admitted.

"There will be a Prothean representative, but the General does not want to leave our people without high leadership," Javik huffed.

"I'll drop off these guys and then I'm going to head to Huerta," Jane said and John nodded.

"I got pinged by another Spectre, so I'm going to go meet him," John said and Jane nodded. John shot her an amused look. "Aren't you going to ask who?" He always felt like Jane was lording over him the contacts she had made while he had been away.

"You're a big boy, you can make friends with the other Spectres without me butting in," Jane said, waving a hand as she headed to the transport hub with her group.

~*TF*~

John made his way to the Spectre offices near the human embassy. Since his sister and he were currently the only human Spectres they mostly had it to themselves. He'd asked Jane about it and all species had one for just their Spectres. It made sense in a way as the needs for humans were vastly different than Turians, Asari, Elcors. John was actually looking forward to meeting Spectres for other species. He wondered what Spectres for the Volus and Elcor were like. As he got close to the door he saw a salarian in expensive armor waiting for him.

"Spectre Shepard. Jondum Bau, Special Tactics and Recon." The man introduced himself quickly. "I've got intel suggesting that high-level Hanar officials may be indoctrinated."

"That's a damning accusation. What have you got?" John inquired, impressed by this man's ability to get right to business.

"Evidence of an Alliance black ops team raiding a Batarian research station. The Batarians were studying Reaper technology." Spectre Bau explained and John frowned.

"The Batarians had Reaper technology?"

"The Alliance raid turned into a massacre, and the humans ended up with nothing. Your people faked a power failure to hide the incident." Bau explained and John understood.

"The Batarians would've gone to war if they'd found out. But how does this implicate the Hanar?" John noted.

"They maintained discreet gray-market trade relationship with the Batarians...and led the Alliance to the station. We suspect those Hanar operatives escaped with Batarian tech. If your reports on the Reapers are accurate, they could already be indoctrinated."

"What's your source on all this?" John asked.

"It was an anonymous 'gift,' but I believe it came from a thief named Kasumi Goto. I've been after her for years." Bau said proudly.

"Kasumi? You're hunting a thief?" John noted putting things together in his head. This had to have been the information from Keiji's greybox.

"A master thief. Her intelligence and skill are almost Salarian." Bau noted and John easily caught the admiration in his voice.

"I'm sure she'd appreciate praise from the Spectre who's chasing her down." John said smoothly. His eyes caught a flicker to his right.

"I only need her data. I admire her personally. And since she sent me this, I assume her feelings are mutual."

"What do you need me to do?"

"The hanar operative is now a diplomat on the Citadel. I don't have a public name, and the Hanar will go to ground if I make a formal inquiry." Bau explained.

"So we're hunting them down," John noted.

"I'm tracking suspicious transmissions to the Hanar homework. I could use your help."

"Let me see what I can dig up at the Spectre office." John said.

"Thanks, Shepard. And for the record...not everyone doubted your concerns about the Reapers. I just hope we're not too late." Bau said before moving off. John sighed and moved into the offices. As he moved towards the computers in the back he was not surprised at all when a voice spoke up behind him.

"So remember when you and your sister helped me get Keiji's graybox from Donovan Hock?" Kasumi said as she decloaked. "The one with information that could start a war?"

"Information like an Alliance black ops raid on a Batarian research lab?" John said, crossing his arms.

"I figured it wouldn't hurt to leak it now, He-Shep!" Kasumi said defensively. "Especially if there really is an indoctrinated jellyfish out there...crazier than usual. If you don't mind me tagging along cloaked, maybe I can help you dig up some dirt on the Hanar. I can keep a comm open between us."

"I'd appreciate it," John said shaking his head. Kasumi followed him to the computer, cloaking as he accessed the records. Spending a few minutes to comb through the reports involving the Hanar before he forwarded them to Bau.

"Shepard, I'm checking security reports. Can you track the transfers coming from the Hanar embassy?" Bau said over the comms literally minutes later.

"I'm on it" John said as he worked.

"Bau's got a good plan. Hanar are predictable. Anything suspicious in their terminal use should narrow down our list of suspects." Kasumi said.

"So you approve of Bau?" John noted, amused.

"Absolutely He-Shep. He's a good Spectre. The galaxy needs more like him and you." Kasumi noted.

"And the fact that he's trying to arrest you?" John asked.

"Well, nobody's perfect." Kasumi noted and John shook his head while he smiled, heading out of the office.

"Bau, I have some possible hits. Got some strange money transfers on Bolohn, and Oloon is sending a lot of data." John noted as he walked.

"Bolohn's clean. His money transfers are to support his mistress. Not sure about Oloon. I'll pull his bio." Bau said.

"I'll check Oloon's personal records and pull his recent messages." John replied.

"Can I just note how odd it is for a Hanar to have a mistress?" Kasumi commented and John bit back a laugh as he headed for a terminal by the security office.

"You know, if Bau catches up with you, I can grant you immunity."

"What, if I join up? Last time I did that He-Shep, you roped me into a suicide mission." Kasumi noted.

"I didn't say you had to join up." John defended.

"You were working your way around to it in that cute way of yours," Kasumi countered and John sighed as he headed for the docks.

~*TF*~

Jane headed into Huerta, she paused as she saw a familiar face. She quickly approached.

"Captain Shepard. When I heard Earth was under attack, I tried to call. I never got through," Thane stated and Jane nodded.

"It's good to see you, Thane. Nice to see you're staying in shape," Jane said.

"My disease kills slowly. With enough care and a healthy lifestyle, it can be delayed for a few years," Thane explained. "Of course, my allotted time has come and gone. Now I exercise because it pleases me. What are you doing here?" Jane felt the slight blush.

"Visiting...someone I care about. Kaidan. He got hurt protecting me," Jane confessed and she knew Thane could see right through her. It was hard to hide subtle tells from a sniper.

"The human biotic in intensive care...I saw the marks of an implant," Thane was polite enough not to comment on Jane's behavior.

"Yeah..." Jane said bashfully looking at Thane.

"We have spoken. He seems an...honorable sort," Thane commented, something in his tone made it sound like he was evaluating Kaidan in a different way. Jane glanced up at Thane. He was giving her a kind look. "Your enemies may try to finish him off here. I will look out for him." That sentence made Jane remember Scar's words. "...maybe the one I should aim for is that vegetable in Huerta." Jane fought the shutter as she looked at Thane. She smiled honestly.

"Thank you, Thane...I truly appreciate it," Jane said and Thane looked at her gently, almost paternally.

"I am near the end of my life. It is a good time to be generous," Thane said. "Kepral's Syndrome has put most of my other plans on hold." He moved to sit down and Jane joined him. There was weight to his words, she felt the need to listen.

"We're assembling a team, the Normandy and the Okinawa are flying together," Jane said and Thane smiled gently.

"I would not be as I was before. I need daily medical attention. And if I know you and your brother, you will want to fight the Reapers somehow. You need the best at your side, and I am not at mine," Thane confessed and Jane's heart throbbed in sorrow.

"Thane..." Jane started but found herself at a loss. Thane patted her hand, comforting her as he accepted his own end.

"I am at peace with what I've done in my life, Shepard. There comes a time when one must rest from war and conflict," Thane explained, sitting back. "It is not your time, but it is mine."

"Do you..." Jane choked on the words. "Do you know how much time you have left?" Thane looked out at the view out the window with a peaceful look, his elbows moving to his knees so he could clasp his hands in front of him.

"I have been to several doctors. My favorite gave me three months to live...nine months ago," Thane said with a slight smile. "It's freeing to find no requirements placed on me. No responsibilities, no fears. It's a good end to a life." Jane felt the tear on her cheek.

"Are you in a lot of pain?" she asked and Thane looked at her again with that paternal look.

"At times. The oxygen transfer proteins don't form correctly. Your human equivalent would be hemoglobin. As a result, my blood is low in oxygen. No matter how much I breathe in, I get tingling, numbness...and that the best of it," Thane answered honestly. "As for my brain, I cannot track the damage, I just experience dizziness from time to time." Jane sat for a moment, she wiped her cheeks and took a few breaths. Kaidan was awake, she didn't need to go in there a crying mess. She might be leaving that way.

"I wish the best for you, Thane," Jane said and Thane once again patted her, this time on the shoulder.

"And I for you. Do not grieve for me. I have good doctors. My son visits regularly. Perhaps we will keep up via the extranet. Until we meet again, Shepard," Thane said as Jane got up.

~*TF*~

As John used the terminal on the docks he had to wonder why this particular data was going through only this terminal. It seemed like an odd waste, almost as it was forcing him to be on refugee docks for some reason. He paused when he found the data he was looking for. Reading it over quickly he connected his comms to Bau again.

"Bau, Oloon's doing some heavy lobbying for the Hanar to support the war effort." John noted.

"So he's clearly not indoctrinated. Who's opposing him?" Bau inquired.

"An unnamed hanar recently posted here from Kahje. I'll check transit records for incoming Hanar at the other end of the docks," John said as he made his way there. He felt his heart ache a bit as he moved amongst the refugees.

"It all comes down to the war...and you trying to pull everyone into it." Kasumi noted and John shook his head at Kasumi's petulant tone.

"Would you rather the Reapers win?" he countered and Kasumi huffed.

"I'd rather spend whatever time I have left with Keiji," she noted and John frowned.

"Keiji wouldn't want you to spend all your time plugged into that thing." John noted.

"Well, he shouldn't have died, then." Kasumi said and John shook his head at that irrational logic. John reached the other terminal at the other end of the docks. He pulled up the list of Hanar arrivals.

"I've got a list of new Hanar arrivals, Bau. Forwarding it to you." John said.

"Damn. These are all face names. The Hanar names from the Alliance raid are soul names. And Hanar soul names are private. There's no public record. Can you get back to their personal communications?" Bau asked and John rolled his eyes. Great back to embassy again.

"On it. Maybe we'll find names there." John said as he moved back to the elevator.

"So how's the rest of the gang? Met up with anybody else?" Kasumi asked.

"Garrus is helping out on the Normandy and Jane has the Okinawa flying with us." John noted.

"He never could pass up a good fight. I'm glad you and your sister are getting along better. It's a shame about Jacob though. Between him and your tush I might have been tempted," Kasumi noted and John rolled his eyes.

"I thought you were happy with your memories of Keiji" John said as he rode the elevator back up to the embassy floor.

"Hey, I'm nostalgic, not dead." Kasumi protested. John just sighed again as he got back to the first terminal he used.

"Bau, here's the correspondence. Any mention of soul names?" John asked.

"I've got it. A recent arrival. Zymandis. Soul name: Regards the Works of the Enkindlers in Despair. He was with the Alliance team that massacred the Batarians. He's been on "special research assignment" ever since." Bau exclaimed.

"So he got his tentacles on some Reaper tech." John noted.

"Looks that way. I'm sending you the NavPoint for his office. I'll meet you there."

~*TF*~

The doors opened and Jane wanted to swear as she saw a familiar back.

"The galaxy has need of exceptional soldiers like you...now, more than ever," Udina said.

"You'll have it soon, Councilor, I promise," Kaidan's voice came from the bed and Jane nearly staggered in relief. He was really awake. Thank God, he was awake.

"I look forward to it," Udina said in a tone that did not sound anticipatory. He turned and gave Jane a look. Oh yeah, she was not his favorite Spectre, not by a long shot. "Shepard." He continued away.

"Udina," Jane stated before quickly looking forward. Deep brown eyes met hers and she fought the tears again as she moved towards the bed. "Hey..."

"Shepard, hey," Kaidan moved to sit up and Jane hurried to his side.

"Don't push yourself," Jane whispered. His face was still pallid, purple marks still around his eyes. Evidence of the pain he got pushing her aside, pain she should have experienced.

"You just missed snack time...actually, that's probably a good thing," he said awkwardly and Jane felt like her heart was in a vice. It had been so long since Horizon when they shared no words, barely a glance. The silence between them was thick. "Thanks for coming." Jane moved to sit down.

"I suppose Udina finally made the offer," Jane said and Kaidan looked at her.

"The position of Spectre? Yeah...he just offered it," Kaidan said and Jane looked at him. "Did you..." Jane quickly shook her head.

"The Council only asked me to look at Udina's lists and help cull them down. I didn't add a single name," Jane said and Kaidan looked at her for a moment. Did he think he didn't earn it? As he looked at Jane's concerned face he blinked at her expression before looking panicked.

"N-no! That's not what I meant!" he quickly said. "I meant, did you know he was going to offer it to me?" Jane paused at that and shrugged.

"I figured he would probably pick both you and Ash, you were both part of the Sovereign team, plus you both were recognized for your work on Horizon," Jane said and Kaidan nodded at that.

"But you didn't know," he said and Jane shook her head.

"I worried he might purposely overlook the two of you because of me," Jane admitted. "Are you thinking about not taking it?" Kaidan stared at her a moment, the thoughtful look on his face made her remember their time on the SR-1 when he would be working on the panel by the sleeper pods.

"It's a big honor...a huge responsibility. Just need to be sure," he said. They stared at one another again. The awkward silence making Jane feel weird. She offered him the bottle of Peruvian Whisky she had bought. When she had bought it, it reminded her of the time they had done a whisky tasting. He had laughed when she had tried to hide how much she hated it. The Peruvian was the one he had liked the best, she could tolerate it. He stared at the bottle his face softened, he remembered too.

"Wow...thanks, Jane, that's...that's really great," he said. Jane looked at the bottle for a moment.

"Just a little pick-me-up," she said and he gave her that crooked smile of his.

"Maybe when I'm out, we can crack it open and celebrate," he said and Jane's heart suddenly felt tight as she looked at him. "I'm so ready to get out of here. You can't tell, but I'm tied to this bed by medical red tape." She looked at his mottled face.

"Are you alright, you...look a little rough," Jane confessed and Kaidan smirked slightly.

"I mean Doc...Doc says I'm good to go, but then she always finds 'just one more test' to run," Kaidan said and Jane looked at him.

"Really, Kaidan...how do you feel?" Jane asked and he looked at her, she could feel the redness in her eyes. Accepting Thane's mortality was bad, but this, Kaidan was in this situation because of her.

"My implant got a little...rattled, so Doc wants me to keep the biotics offline for a bit," Kaidan said before his hand wrapped around hers. "It's nowhere close to what you went through with Dirake." Jane looked up at that and Kaidan stared at her.

"I...you...did you watch it?" Jane asked and Kaidan's hand tightened around hers.

"I caught it live. I knew what happened the second you moved from the wall after he smashed your implant," he said.

"You never mentioned it in your letter," Jane said and Kaidan looked down.

"You made it...beside...I visited when you were in the coma," Kaidan confessed and Jane felt tears in her eyes. Her heart felt like it was being crushed. Kaidan had come to see her. They hadn't spoken in over a year at that point. He had ignored her at the Alliance ball. He had visited her in her coma after Dirake.

"You never left any evidence that you came," Jane said in a breathless voice and Kaidan looked at her.

"I still felt like I didn't deserve you," he said, his hand on hers, warm and real. The warmth of his hand was both comforting and painful.

"Why?" Jane asked and Kaidan looked at her, his other hand came to wipe away the tears on her cheeks with his thumb.

"I let John die. I didn't drag him back to you. If I couldn't keep your brother safe, how could ever I deserve you?" Kaidan asked and Jane looked at him.

"I needed you..." Jane said.

"Is that why you're with Garrus?" Kaidan asked and Jane blinked.

"Now that's not fair," Jane said and Kaidan kept his hold on her hand as she tried to pull back.

"Jane...I'm not blaming you," Kaidan said. "I pushed you away. I drove you off and I know it was a mistake. It is the biggest mistake I have ever made." Jane stared at him as he looked at her. "I just want you to know that for me, there isn't anyone else. I tried to move on, but I could never forget you."

"That's not fair," Jane said again and Kaidan looked at her with a slightly cockiness to his face.

"What are you and Garrus?" he asked and Jane stammered.

"I don't...that's none of your business!" Jane snapped and Kaidan held her hands firmly.

"I love you, Jane, I love you and I let you go because I felt I didn't deserve you. I don't want to give up on us," Kaidan said and Jane gaped at him.

"Garrus was there for me when I was sinking. He was there when you left me..." Jane said and Kaidan nodded.

"I know, and I won't ever be able to say I'm sorry enough, but I am sorry and I still don't want to give up on us," Kaidan said and Jane felt pain. She loved Kaidan, she would always love Kaidan, but Garrus had been there. She loved Garrus and he loved her.

"You broke my heart, Kaidan. Garrus put the pieces back together," Jane said and Kaidan gave her a look.

"You remembered the whiskey," he said. "Look me in the eyes and tell me you feel nothing for me." Jane glared up at him. He was pissing her off but he was right, she did still love him.

"You were my first, Kaidan," Jane said and he stared at her. "I can't say that I don't feel anything for you, because that would be a lie, but you don't just get to walk back into my life." Kaidan smiled at her and her heart throbbed, unsure what it wanted.

"I know, Jane, but I love you and the biggest mistake of my life was leaving you. I swear I will do whatever I can to earn back your trust," he said and Jane looked at him.

"I'm telling Garrus about this, he was there when you weren't," Jane said and Kaidan nodded. "I don't know what we are right now, but I know he put me together when I was killing myself."

"I just want a chance to prove myself to you," Kaidan said and Jane looked at him. She reached out and stroked his cheek.

"Letting yourself die for me...won't do you any good, Kaidan Alenko. I don't want to see the people I love die in my place," Jane said as she got up. "Get better, Kaidan. I've got to go."

"I love you, Jane," Kaidan said and Jane paused at the door. She looked at him.

"You confuse me, Kaidan," Jane said honestly as she headed out. Pinging Garrus for what was going to be a very...weird talk.

~*TF*~

John exchanged a look with Bau who nodded to him. The salarian Spectre overrode the lock for the office and boldly led the way into the office. John noted the thugs the hanar had in the room and scowled at them.

"Zymandis?" John asked, as he focused on the Hanar who turned to focus on them.

"Or should I say, Regards the Works of the Enkindlers in Despair?" Bau taunted.

"It seems this one has been apprehended, but confinement is irrelevant. The work of the Enkindlers cannot be stopped." Zymandis stated.

"Why are you trying to help the Reapers?" John asked, genuinely curious.

"We obtained information regarding the Enkindlers from classified sources." Zymandis replied.

"The Enkindlers. You mean the Protheans?" John noted.

"Yes. As you are aware, Spectre Shepard, the Protheans eventually became the Collectors. And the Collectors serve the Reapers."

"You've got to be kidding me." John grumbled seeing where this was going.

"Therefore, as a faithful servant of the Enkindlers, we too must serve the Reapers." Zymandis declared at John facepalmed.

"You big...stupid...jellyfish." John snarled after a moment to look up at glare at the crazy hanar.

"You know, I support religious freedom for all species, but that's just crazy." Kasumi whispered to him.

"Your skepticism does not matter. When the Enkindlers uplift us as their chosen sapients, the galaxy will bear witness." Zymandis stated.

"You're insane, and we can't allow you to endanger your planet. We're taking you into custody." John snapped.

"Your belief in your victory is mistaken. Our planetary defense network is largely automated, it can be disabled with a single virus...which I have just uploaded." Zymandis declared triumphantly.

"Damn it!" Bau snapped. "Wait...a virus would be detected unless sent on low priority channels, which have a time-lag. I may be able to block the upload." Bau quickly turned to get to the terminal before one of the guards tackled the Salarian.

"You may be delayed." Zymandis said smugly before Kasumi smoothly went for the terminal as her cloak shut down.

"Help him! I'll handle this!" she cried. John cracked his knuckles and approached the guards. He grabbed one by the collar and knock the man out with one punch before yanking the other off Bau and flinging him across the room to smash into a table and go crashing over it, out cold. Bau quickly freed himself and shot Zymandis. As the hanar floated to the ground dead, Kasumi exclaimed in triumph.

Got it! Upload's disabled. Looks like we're in the...wait, he's got some kind of failsafe. Get down!" Kasumi cried and John ducked behind a table as the terminal exploded. John watched her fling herself away and her cloak engage.

"She was here the entire time." Bau exclaimed as they got up and John sighed.

"She was an old friend." John said.

"I intended to arrest her." Bau said, still in shock.

"She helped me take down the Collectors, and she just gave her life to save the Hanar homeworld." John noted, understanding what the enigmatic thief was trying to do.

"Point taken. It was an honor to work with you, Shepard." Bau said, extending a hand to shake which John did. "When the time comes, I'll be there to return the favor...with a few friends." Bau moved out of the office, more than likely to call in a cleanup crew.

"You can come out now." John drawled before Kasumi's cloak dropped.

"How'd you know?" she pouted and John rolled his eyes.

"Lucky guess."

"There's no way you're recruiting me to fight in a galactic war." Kasumi blurted out.

"Project Redemption needs technical experts." John began.

"I'm not a scientist!" Kasumi protested.

"No, but you're the best thief in the galaxy, and you can hack unfamiliar technology better than anyone." John countered. "They could use your help. And think of it: all that expensive tech just lying around...It's not like they're going to check your pockets at the end of the project."

"You say the nicest things. All right, I'm in. And He-Shep?" Kasumi said and John turned to her. He blinked in surprise as Kasumi kissed his cheek "...nice working with you again." Her cloaked activated again and John shook his head. He let out a shout as he felt someone pinch his butt.

"KASUMI!"

~*TF*~

Jane entered the forward battery where Garrus was working on the cannon. Memories of their time during the Collector mission passed through Jane and the memory of Kaidan's warm hand on hers, made her heart ache. Garrus had been there for her, he deserved better than a person who was torn.

"So...I take it you saw Kaidan," Garrus stated and Jane's jaw dropped for a second before she nodded.

"Yeah," she said and he approached her.

"You know I love you, right?" Garrus asked and Jane looked up at him. The memory of their night together and the following morning. She looked into his blue eyes, her hand reached up to stroke the scar on his face. All her feelings rushed in and the weight of the guilt she felt was terrible.

"I know and I love you," she said and Garrus looked at her. He tucked some of her hair behind her ear.

"I hurt you when I recommended keeping that abomination and I'm sorry," he said. "We've had it rough trying to figure...this out." Jane nodded.

"Kaidan has definitely thrown a wrench into things," Jane said. "I still care for him, Garrus, I'm so so-" Garrus' finger pressed to her lips.

"I was there, Jane, I saw your relationship with Kaidan. You even told me about your relationship past. Pretty empty save for the two of us," Garrus said. "Between the three of us, I think I have had the most active love life." Jane stared at Garrus at that.

"Are...are you comparing scores right now?" Jane asked, startled at the conversation turn. The confident look Garrus was wearing was very handsome. He moved towards Jane, backing her up against the cannon.

"What I'm saying...Captain...is that I have the most experience here and I don't plan to lose," Garrus stated and Jane stared at him for a moment. She blushed darkly at the way he used his body to keep her pinned.

"I'm not a competition," Jane stated indignantly and Garrus shook his head.

"No, you're an amazing woman and both Kaidan and I know that. I want you to know that I am fully aware of your feelings for Major Alenko and I know your feelings for me. You're not the type of woman to string along two men so you are feeling pretty out of yourself. Part of the reason that bastard on Grissom managed to get his hands on you is that he was using us," Garrus said and Jane's eyes widened. "I saw your face through my scope, you only look like that when someone you love is threatened. I'm betting he threatened Kaidan."

"I am never playing poker against you," Jane stated and Garrus chuckled.

"Being a coward doesn't sound like you, Jane," he purred as he pressed his forehead to hers in a Turian kiss. Jane's hands moved to the front of his armor. "That's for kissing Kaidan." Jane banged the back of her head off the cannon.

"How did you...you didn't know..." Jane groaned as she realized Garrus had feinted her well as he chuckled confidently.

"You're confused for now, Jane, and I give you my permission to sort yourself out, but I'm not going anywhere," Garrus said standing back and crossing his arms over his chest. Jane looked at him and felt both intense love and even more torn.

"I love you, Garrus, I really do," Jane said and he nodded.

"I know, but I also know how much Kaidan really means to you. I saw how he broke you and I know you're not over him. You nearly got yourself killed on Horizon, you don't do that for someone who broke you that you don't still love," Garrus said before approaching her. "But I also know that you don't break down over someone nearly dying in front of you and because of your mistakes without a heavy portion of love there too." He caught her chin as he looked down at her. "You need time to sort yourself out. We sort of had that Suicide Mission romance and while we got some time to do the long distance thing, we weren't really...dating. I want you Jane and I will give you room to sort yourself out, but I'm not giving up on us." Jane jolted at that. "So Kaidan's in the same boat." Jane nodded as she pulled back.

"The two of your deserve someone whose not as indecisive as me," Jane confessed and Garrus chuckled.

"You, Captain Shepard, are very rarely indecisive and I think you have a good reason to be torn between us. We are both really good looking men, I'm assuming that about Kaidan based on your attraction to me. Maybe I need to get a few more scars, I know they drive you wild," Garrus teased and Jane couldn't hold back the chuckle. She looked at him, love swelling.

"I don't think I deserve you, Garrus," she said and he grabbed her, pulling her to him.

"Stop talking like Kaidan," he purred and she smacked his shoulder.

"Low blow, Vakarian!" she huffed and he chuckled as he let her go. "You made this even harder you know." Garrus looked pleased as he leaned against the wall behind him.

"Good," he shot back.

"If you had been mad or hurt or anything, I could have be upset at you or Kaidan," she said and Garrus blinked.

"I don't think you could really be mad at Kaidan again until he's back up and running," Garrus replied and Jane nodded. He had a point. "So I'm glad I'm an amazingly sympathetic and caring suitor." She snorted at that word.

"You're still staying on the Normandy," Jane stated and Garrus shrugged.

"As long as Kaidan's not on the Okinawa, I'm not too worried," he replied.

"Thank you, Garrus," Jane said and he smiled at her.

"I'm going to go visit Kaidan while we have time," he stated and Jane gave him a look as he began walking beside her. "I promise I won't hurt him, but he should know the starting positions." Jane rolled her eyes.

"You're really not going to hurt him?" Jane questioned and Garrus chuckled.

"It'll just be his feelings," he replied. "Because I love you."

"I better not hear crap about this from John," Jane warned and Garrus feigned insult.

"Talk to your older brother about this, I would never," he said.

"But talk about it to my twin?" Jane shot back and Garrus chuckled.

"Damn, saw right through me," he said as they got onto the elevator.

~*TF*~

Kaidan was staring out the window when his door opened to let Garrus in. He was a little surprised, but not totally shocked. Jane must have gone straight to Garrus. Kaidan stared at the turian as he entered the room and stood at the foot of the bed. Power move.

"Garrus," Kaidan said and Garrus' mandibles flared.

"Major," he shot back, making it obvious he was not here for a friendly chat.

"Jane said she was going to talk to you, can't say I wasn't expecting to hear from you, but I didn't think you'd come here yourself," Kaidan stated and Garrus tilted his head.

"I wanted to let you know, I'm not planning on going anywhere. Jane's an amazing woman and you messed up when you left," Garrus said and Kaidan felt that one.

"I'll admit that is the dumbest thing I've ever done, but I love her and I'm not giving up on her," Kaidan stated as he sat up.

"What a coincidence, I love her too and I'm also not giving up on her either, oh, and I never left," Garrus stated and Kaidan smirked.

"Now that's not true and we both know it," Kaidan shot back. Garrus paused and sighed.

"Okay, you got me there, but I didn't leave when she needed me the most," Garrus corrected and Kaidan narrowed his eyes.

"No, you left without telling her while she was in a coma," Kaidan shot back and Garrus looked at him. "I remember when you left C-Sec and when she requested time off to go to Omega." The two men shared a moment of silence.

"I wanted to let you know, that I don't plan on leaving her side through this war," Garrus stated and Kaidan glared.

"Are you making this some sort of competition?" Kaidan growled and Garrus barked a laugh.

"What is it with you humans seeing love as a competition? Jane's not some prize one of us can win. She's a woman that we can lose. It might be to each other or it might be to a Reaper, I'm just letting you know I don't plan to put any pressure on her to pick one of us because she needs her mind on saving the galaxy again. I also wanted to let you know that you've already been used against her in this fight," Garrus stated and Kaidan's eyes widened at that.

"What?" he demanded and Garrus gave him a look.

"I might be a bad Turian, but I still have honor. We ran into someone who targeted Jane, he used you against her. Messed with her head more than I like. You need to know that," Garrus stated as he moved towards the door. "I just wanted to make myself and the situation more clear to you."

"I won't give up on her, Garrus," Kaidan said and Garrus nodded at that.

"I know you're not stupid enough to make the same mistake twice, but the situation is different now. I have my honor and you kept her from ending up in that bed, so thank you, but...my time with her is invaluable to me. I'm not going to let her slip away as easily as you did," Garrus said and Kaidan glared.

"I get what you're saying, I won't pressure, it wouldn't help anything anyway. I will make it up to her," Kaidan stated and Garrus nodded.

"Good, get well Kaidan, but feel free to take your time," Garrus stated as he headed out. Kaidan lay back down and looked out the window. Jane never mentioned she had been attacked. Garrus knew about it and Kaidan didn't. He needed to get better. He needed to get out there. No one would hurt Jane if he could help it. Udina's offer was looking much, much better.

~*TF*~

Jane was entering the storage area of the ship to ask James something when she saw Javik looking over his weapons.

"What? Javik, what are you doing here?" she asked and the Prothean looked up.

"General Rahul choose me to be his proxy at the War Advisory Board meeting," Javik stated and Jane blinked.

"Glad to have you," Jane said.

"I will be remaining with the Okinawa indefinitely," Javik stated and Jane stared at him. She honestly did not know how to handle this.

"Oh, hey Lola, did you hear, we get to keep Buggy," James said as he approached.

"Buggy?" Jane asked and then looked at Javik. "Does Buggy know about his nickname?"

"I mean, I've been calling him it and he hasn't shot me," James grinned.

"Yet," Javik stated and Jane blinked at that.

"I need stress relief," Jane stated changing the topic and James blinked.

"What?" he asked kind of nervous. Jane looked at James.

"I need your help, James, for stress relief purposes," Jane said looking into James' eyes. He began to blush slightly.

"So...ugh...what do you want from me, Lola?" he asked and Jane smiled beautifully.

"I need you to punch me as hard as you can," Jane said and James' jaw dropped.

"Wait, what?" he asked.

"That bastard on Grissom got me while I was using hand to hand with biotics, I need to work on my straight hand to hand," Jane stated and James realized what she wanted.

"Well, it's your funeral, Lola," he grinned.

"Oh, mine is it?" she purred. "I also want to talk to you about how you crashed a shuttle on Mars while we are at it." James threw a punch only for Jane to slide in and hit him with an uppercut. He began to worry.

"I don't know if I want to finish this dance, Lola," he confessed before she grabbed his arm and threw him over her shoulder.

"No takesies backsies," she commented.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: October 22nd, 2186 CE

Location: Annos Basin, Pranas System

John wasn't surprised the Council had a Spectre uniform but he was surprised it was only a color scheme with the Spectre emblem being required to be visible. John had it made on the Citadel after helping Bau with Kasumi and he had to admit…he hated the damn thing as much as his old Alliance dress uniform. He understood the purpose behind it but the damn thing made him feel like a peacock. He resisted the urge to pull at his collar as the Quarian's shuttle finished pulling in as the Salarian Dalatrass exited hers with two guards.

"Dalatrass Linron welcome aboard the Normandy," John greeted as he approached the dalatrass. It'd taken some work but he'd convinced the Alliance crew members not to prepare an honor guard to greet the visiting dignitaries. The Alliance may crew this ship but it was technically a Spectre operation. He'd had all of the Citadel species flags hung in the docking bay, insisting they be hung at equal height. As Dalatrass Linron now glanced about the cargo bay and nodded in approval he felt he had made the right choice.

"Spectre Shepard, thank you for the invitation." She greeted him. Their attention was drawn to the Quarian's shuttle, watching Tali exit first with Legion following her with a familiar Quarian and a Geth as guards. "This promises to be an illuminating meeting."

"Spectre Shepard," Tali said in greeting as they approached.

"Admiral Zorah, Representative Legion welcome to the Normandy," John greeted. "If you'd all follow me to the conference room for refreshments while we cycle out the shuttles for the next dignitaries to arrive." John gestured to the elevator. As they approached the elevator doors, they slid open to reveal Wrex coming out. He eyed the group over before snorting as he stomped by them.

"Shepard."

"Wrex." John replied as he led the group inside. After they settled inside the dalatrass looked at John.

"How many others have arrived Spectre?" she inquired.

"Urdnot Wrex is obviously here. Primarch Victus was already onboard after my team extracted him from Menae. Jane Shepard will be arriving shortly to represent the Alliance and Aman'Ranu will be representing the Dramaye is scheduled to arrive in a few minutes." John explained. "Given the history my sister has with Wrex he insisted on greeting her himself and the Dramaye mentioned due to their tardiness that they did not need to be greeted upon arrival."

"I hope you can maintain a neutrality with your own ties," Dalatrass Linron said loftily. John restrained himself from rolling his eyes.

"I assure you Dalatrass, I will do my best to keep the meeting on point to avoid favoring someone else above another."

"We shall see, Shepard. We shall see."

~*TF*~

Jane exited the shuttle in her dress blues and looked to see Wrex was already in the shuttle bay waiting for her.

"Urdnot-Shepard," Wrex greeted with a smarmy grin on his face and Jane gave him a look.

"Not today I'm not, but nice try. Captain Jane Shepard of the Alliance Navy is going to this meeting," Jane said as she approached with Javik right behind her.

"Damn, had to try," Wrex said with a sly look.

"I like you, Wrex, but we both have priorities today that may or may not line up," she said and he nodded at that.

"You've got me there," he said as they entered the elevator. "Who's this?"

"This is Javik, representing the surviving Prothean people," Jane said casually and Wrex blinked slowly.

"You pulling my leg?" he asked.

"Why would we do that? You primitives and your traditions never cease to fill me with concern over our chances in this war," Javik snipped. Jane smirked and shook her head.

"Okay, I believe you," Wrex said as the door opened and Jane blinked as she saw a Quarian hanging around the CDC with a Geth unit. There were also some Salarian guards standing not too far from the entrance to the security check point.

"Kal'Reegar, is that you?" Jane asked and the Quarian turned and raised a hand.

"Ma'am," he said and Jane smirked. Wrex saw her face and kept his mouth shut. Jane reached out a hand and Kal shook it.

"I didn't expect to see you here," Jane said and Kal nodded as he looked towards the meeting area.

"We took a smaller vessel here, one of our mixed crews. Fifty-fifty Quarian and Geth," Kal explained. Jane raised her eyebrows at that.

"Experimenting with crew set ups?" she asked and Kal nodded.

"With the Reapers about, we figure having our own synthetics gives us an advantage. We try to keep one to one ratios to help get used to each other, it takes time and...names have been difficult," he stated, giving a glance to the Geth unit behind him.

"Interesting...so why are you...here?" Jane asked with a smile. Kal coughed.

"I am Admiral Zorah's personal escort," he said and the light on his suit flickered. Jane wanted to go in for the kill.

"Personal escort? The Admiral is very fortunate to have someone like you guarding her body," Jane said.

"Keelah, Shepard, I warned you!" Tali cried from the door. "Jane Shepard you get over here right now!" Jane gave Wrex a look and the Krogan grinned.

"Ah the Admiral grew up so fast," Wrex said and Tali made noises at them.

"Jane, Wrex," John gave a scolding tone as he approached. Jane quickly turned to Kal.

"I hope you know what this means in human terms," Jane said, giving Kal a thumbs up and a wink before turning around. "Admiral Zorah you are sounding very short tempered today."

"I wonder why, Captain Shepard!" Tali snapped as they headed into the checkpoint.

"This is an official meeting," John warned as they all went through the checkpoint. Jane noticed Wrex scowling at the locker where his shotgun was locked up.

"Yes, yes, we were just trying to lighten up the mood before it got ugly," Wrex stated as they went through the unnecessarily slow body scan. Primarch Victus was at the table already with Dalatrass Linron. Legion was standing by the entrance of the meeting area. Liara was in the corner and there was a tablet that appeared to be running on a small table by her.

"Captain Shepard," Legion said and Jane nodded.

"Who are we waiting for?" Wrex asked.

"Just the Dramaye representative but they just boarded," John explained as the group began to gather. Victus took the end of the table, Linron took his left side while Javik stood to his right, Jane was next to Javik. Wrex stood next to Jane as Tali stood between Linron and Legion, John took the other side. A few minutes later a well-dressed Batarian male entered the room.

"Welcome sir," John said and the Dramaye nodded as he moved into the room. John offered his spot but the Dramaye waved him off before he squeezed between Wrex and John.

"I am Aman'Ranu, representative of the Dramaye strike force" he introduced himself and that seemed to trigger the official meeting.

"Urdnot Wrex, leader of clan Urdnot and the unified tribes," Wrex said as each person went around the table began introducing themselves.

"Captain Jane Shepard, here as a representative of Admiral Steven Hackett of the Alliance Navy," Jane said.

"Javik, representative of General Rahul of the Prothean Empire," Javik stated. There seemed to be a visible pause as those not in the know at the table blinked before shooting Javik a surprised look. He looked back at them and crossed his arms, seemingly unimpressed.

"Adrian Victus Primarch of Palaven," Victus said to keep the

"Dalatrass Linron of the Salarian Union," Linron stated.

"Admiral Tali'Zorah nar Rannoch of the Quarian Republic," Tali introduced.

"This unit is Legion nar Rannoch representing the Geth Consensus," Legion said.

"I am Spectre John Shepard, I will be acting as the mediator for this meeting." John gestured to Liara. "Liara T'Soni will be acting as observer and reporter. All members will receive a copy of this recording moments after this meeting. I ask that all representatives remember that in accordance with Council law anything you agree to in this meeting will be taken as official agreements until written documents can be provided. I will of course state for the record when representatives agree on a course of action." John took a breath; happy he hadn't screwed that up. He'd barely read the entire procedure an hour before this meeting. "We all know the reason we are having this meeting. We need to begin planning for how to utilize our forces to fight the Reapers. The Reapers are a threat for everyone and we are fortunate to have the advice from those who fought them before."

"Fought them and lost," Linron huffed. Jane kept her mouth shut but she could tell who was going to be the fly in the ointment in this meeting. Jane glanced at Javik from the corner of her eye who looked annoyed.

"We only lose when the last of us are gone and our people have been forgotten," Javik stated with a slight sneer. "Do you know who my people are?" Linron made a face and Jane fought a smirk. John also shot the dalatrass a dark look, thinking back to the conversation in the elevator.

"The Prothean tactics have been an advantage we cannot deny Dalatrass," Victus stated.

"That may be, but they have been used before. I'm sure the Reapers have created their own tactics to counter them. I am more concerned about the presence of synthetics here," Linron huffed with a glare at Legion.

"I cannot deny my own reservations, the Dramaye do not support the use of AI," Aman said from across the table from Legion.

"That is something even I can agree on," Javik stated.

"The Geth are invaluable allies," Tali cut them off. "They have been building defensive software to keep Reaper spy programs off of Rannoch. The Quarians will stand with the Geth."

"We do not wish for the destruction of our Creators or the organics of this cycle. The Old Machines do not care about the Geth and will either destroy us or reprogram us before they return to dark space. They do not trust the synthetics made by those they destroy," Legion added.

"We are not without hope," Jane butted in. "Schematics found in the Mars archives are already being assembled. A Prothean device designed but never built in the previous Reaper cycle. The Council has approved the construction and Citadel forces are already building it. The reason that both General Rahul and Admiral Hackett could not be here is that they are already on the device. It is called the Crucible and it has been worked upon under the title Project Redemption. I have permission to reveal this to you because we need to use every resource in planning how we can defeat this enemy. Those who wish to be a part of the War Advisory Board permanently are asked to meet with the General and the Admiral there."

"This device needs to be secured and we need the best fleets," Victus added. "Palaven wants to aid, but we cannot leave our home world exposed."

"Earth is being demolished as we speak, but we need you all," Jane said.

"Rannoch will send our people, but we demand the Geth be allowed to help," Tali stated and Jane was surprised. She glanced at John but he was keeping a blank expression on his face. She knew he couldn't say much as a Spectre, merely try to keep the meeting on point and keep the representatives on point. He must have known and Jane was proud with how professional he was in his role as non-biased mediator by keeping his mouth shut around her. "We need allowances that Geth be allowed in council-controlled space. We don't want our friends and allies to be destroyed simply for trying to help."

"The Dramaye have helped with this project...but we will be hesitant to work with synthetics," Aman confessed.

"We can give leeway and restrict the type of mobile units involved," Legion offered. "Would repair drone platforms be preferable?" Aman thought about it before looking at Javik. Javik sneered.

"Do you have non-mobile units?" Javik asked and Tali looked at Javik with probably a glare under her mask.

"Repair drones without combat ability would be agreeable for the Dramaye," Aman confessed.

"I can have writs issued for the Geth to be allowed into council-controlled space for the duration of the war," Victus offer. Tali and Legion exchanged looks before Legion nodded. Tali sighed.

"The Quarians can accept that," she said. Jane could see Linron looking irritated that the Geth issue wasn't as big of a debate point.

"If there are no further objections then do all representatives agree to allow Quarian engineers and other staff with Geth controlled repair drones help with the project?" John asked. Everyone gave their agreement and John nodded to Liara who recorded it.

"Moving on to Primarch Vitus's request to establish alliances for the forces on the front lines for this war," John said turning to the Primarch.

"Palaven would officially request Krogan aid for the war on Palaven," Victus said to Wrex, jumping right to the point, and the look in Wrex's eye made Jane nervous.

"If the Turians want Krogan feet on the ground then the Krogan want one thing," Wrex growled and the Linron jumped.

"The krogan is in no position to make demands!" Linron snapped.

"The 'krogan' has a name. Urdnot Wrex. And I'm not just some junkyard varren you unleash whenever you're in trouble. I've got my own problems. Reaper scouts have arrived on Tuchanka. So why should I care if a few Turians go extinct?" Wrex snarled.

"Trying to draw out negotiations will get you nowhere, Wrex, I have no time for it. Just tell us what you want." Victus countered.

"I'll tell you what I need...a cure for the genophage." Wrex drawled and Linron's eyes widened.

"Absolutely not! The genophage is nonnegotiable!" Linron exclaimed waving it off.

"Logically given the Krogan's abilities in combat this seems to be an acceptable compromise," Legion said and several turned to him surprise.

"I agree with that," Tali spoke up. "They deserve this for what they're being asked to do. I know we'd like to have Krogan bolstering our own forces."

"As would I," Aman agreed.

"As would the Alliance," Jane noted. "Having actually fought beside krogan allies before, I would be honored to serve in this war with the Krogan."

"Of course you would," Linron sneered.

"Why are you so opposed to the idea, Dalatrass?" John jumped in seeing the look on Jane's face.

"Because my people uplifted the Krogan. We know them best." Linron snapped and Jane had to literally bite her tongue to keep from responding to that.

"You mean you used us! To fight a war you couldn't win! It wasn't the Salarians or the Asari or even the Turians that stopped the rachni! It was Krogan blood that turned the tide!" Wrex thundered.

"And after that you ceased to be useful! The genophage was the only way to keep your...urges in check." Linron seethed.

"Dalatrass, you may not like him, but Wrex is right. Insulting him won't change that." Victus chided.

"I won't apologize for speaking the truth! We uplifted the Krogan to do one thing: wage war. It's all they know because it's all we wanted them to know."

"Your people should have thought the matter through, then. Was it really a surprise the Krogan revolted?" Jane countered.

"That's precisely my point, Spectre. We made a rash decision. We turned to the Krogan in desperation. It's the same mistake you're about to make today. No good can come from curing the genophage." Linron snapped.

"Dalatrass I know the other representatives agreed to have this done but your people created it so they have the data on the genophage. We need you to be willing to release that so a cure can be made. The Krogan have paid for their mistakes. The genophage has gone on long enough." John noted.

"One thousand, four hundred, and seventy-six years, if you're keeping track." Wrex growled.

"It was a thousand years of peace, free from these...brutes!" Linron snapped.

"Enough! Whether or not they deserve a cure is academic. It would take years to formulate one." Victus said. Legion's head plates shifted for a moment.

"The Geth would be willing to help build facilities and even aid in the research but Victus-Primarch has stated fact." Legion explained. "We estimate creating a cure would take 5.73 standard galactic years."

"I have information that says otherwise. A Salarian scientist, Maelon, grew a conscience. He was on my planet testing a cure on our females." Wrex stated.

"I remember. His methods were barbaric." John noted.

"But what you didn't know is that other females survived his experiments. So the dalatrass here sent in a team to clean up the whole mess...and to take them prisoner." Wrex growled. John blinked in shock as Wrex turned on his omni-tool. They all watched a video play and John saw the shadow of a Salarian as they moved in what was obviously a secret facility. They moved quickly and stealthily towards several containment cells. John felt shock blow through him. He saw several krogans moving about in the cells.

"Where did you get this? It-it could be a fabrication!" Linron blustered.

"Don't insult me. Those are my people! They're immune to the genophage, and you're going to give them back!" Wrex roared.

"Dalatrass, is this true?" Victus demanded. The other representatives were all glaring at her.

"How will curing the genophage benefit my people?" Linron scoffed.

"How long do you think you'll last alone against the Reapers? Because if you don't help, that's how it'll end up." John snapped before gesturing to everyone gathered around the table. Everyone was glaring at her, even Javik.

"We will stop all our trade agreements with the Salarian people," Amon snapped. "My people abhor what you are doing. Hundreds of us died to get away from the Hegemony because of things like this."

"And we will break off our talks for exchanges of technology," Tali jumped in and Jane was impressed that the Quarians were already resuming trade. "We have a good relationship with Humanity and we can approach them for reopening our Embassy on the Citadel."

"My people have done many things but we have never experimented on those who were uplifted or joined the Prothean Empire," Javik sneered.

"The Alliance has always been vehemently against experimentation on sentient races and those that condone it," Jane stated.

"And I'll be the last friendly Turian you ever see." Victus said, putting the nail in the coffin.

"What's it going to be?" John demanded. Linron looked down, rubbing her face before speaking.

"The females are being kept at one of our STG bases on Sur'Kesh." She said and John immediately turned to leave the conference room. "But I warn you, Spectre! The consequences of this will be felt for centuries to come!"

"Which will be nothing compared to what happens if the Reapers win!" John snapped as he stopped and turned to face the Dalatrass.

"Let's go get them." Wrex growled.

"You're not setting foot on Sur'Kesh! This will take time to..." Linron blustered, trying to stall.

"It happens now." Victus cut her off. "As Council Spectres, both Shepards can oversee the exchange." Jane exchanged as look with the Primarch before nodding in agreement.

"If there is nothing else I declare this meeting over. We're going right now," John snapped, leading the way out as everyone filed out, leaving the Dalatrass alone in the room.

"I won't forget this, Spectre!" Linron shouted after them. "Bullies have few friends when they need them most!"

~*TF*~

"This is the Salarian homeworld we're headed to. They aren't used to seeing Krogan here, so let's keep it simple," John warned and Jane looked at Wrex. He looked hyped for the rescue mission. Jane hoped it was very boring. "We land, get the females, and leave before anyone changes their mind."

"I still don't trust a word they say," Wrex growled.

"Dalatrass Linron will behave herself, Wrex. Taking those females is a serious breach of Council law, I plan to push for compensation to Tuchanka," Jane said and Wrex gave her a smirk.

"Glad to have a member of Clan Urdnot to watch my back," he said and Jane rolled her eyes.

"Let diplomacy play out. You'll get what you want," John added.

"These females are the best and probably last hope for my people," Wrex explained.

"We'll bring them back, Wrex. Don't worry," Liara stated.

"I appreciate that, Liara. I wouldn't want anyone else along for the ride," Wrex said, giving the asari a friendly smile. Garrus let out an exaggerated cough. "I suppose I can make room for you, too, Garrus. I did for the Prothean."

"I do not need to be included in the camaraderie, I am here to fight," Javik said and Jane gave John a look of amusement.

"I can get to like you," Wrex stated. "After this, you'll be welcomed on Tuchanka, if you fight as well as you claim."

"I guess I was right thinking you'd gone soft sitting on your throne. I hope you didn't forget how to hold a gun," Garrus teased.

"Spectre, I have the Salarian base on sensors," Cortez said from the front of the shuttle.

"Set her down," John ordered.

"Spectre, Salarian ground control says we don't have clearance to land," Cortez reported and Jane shook her head.

"Nothing is ever simple," Jane huffed.

"Tell them the dalatrass authorized this herself," John replied. Wrex growled.

"I knew they'd never keep their word!" he snarled. "Let's see them try to stop a Krogan airdrop." Jane got up.

"Wrex!" she cried as Wrex opened the door. As soon as it was opened he was out. "He's going to get so shot!"

"Yeah, I can see about half a dozen snipers," Garrus added as they looked at the salarians on the roof moving into combat stations.

"We have an unauthorized landing!" a voice over a loudspeaker called out.

"Jesus, this is going to be a mess," Jane moaned.

"And who authorized you to hold my race hostage?" Wrex demanded as salarians surrounded him. He used a biotic throw to send two salarians flying.

"I can help you with the paperwork," Liara commented to John.

"Let's go," John groaned as they jumped down after Wrex.

"Oh, those snipers are locked on him," Jane muttered as she jumped. Garrus landed next to her.

"I missed the two on that roof," Garrus commented casually. More salarians approached.

"Halt!" one demanded.

"Stand down! Hold your fire!" A salarian cried as he ran across the roof. "Spectre Shepards, restrain your colleague. We only found out about this transfer a few moments ago."

"I'd like to avoid a diplomatic incident," John said as Jane not so gently nudged Wrex.

"Could we try not to have a diplomatic incident?" Jane hissed at Wrex.

"As would we," the salarian stated to John.

"But you have something valuable to Wrex," John explained.

"Something worth dying for," Wrex stated, his eyes never leaving the salarian.

"This matter can be resolved, but I must insist he remain under guard," the Salarian said and Jane placed a hand on Wrex's arm.

"As an honorary member of your clan, I swear I can handle this, Wrex," Jane said.

"Fine, but if anything goes wrong, and all bets are off," he snarled, putting his gun up.

"Javik, stay with Wrex," Jane said and Javik looked irritated. "You don't have certain identifications that the rest of us do." His eyes rolled but he followed Wrex.

"I'm Padok Wiks, and I appreciate your understanding, Spectres. With war on everyone's minds, our people are on edge," Padok explained. The group looked over to see a containment cell with a Yaag in it.

"Is that a..." Garrus started.

"We see it," Liara stated.

"Do you think they know..." Garrus started again.

"Don't know, don't care, not my circus, not my monkey," Jane stated as she followed Padok.

"Did that translate right for you?" Garrus asked Liara and she shrugged.

"As you can see, this base contains sensitive information," Padok explained.

"What kind of work goes on here?" Jane asked, her eyes flickering to the Yaag.

"Evolutionary trials. Morphological simulations. Exogenetic assessments," Padok answered.

"Nothing is ever simple with salarians, is it?" she sighed.

"Science has always been our best defense," Padok said with a smile. "The research we do here has kept Sur'Kesh safe for millennia."

"Does that include studying lost Krogan?" John asked cautiously.

"The females were in poor health when we found them on Tuchanka," Padok explained. "They were brought here to stabilize their condition."

"This whole planet smells wrong," Wrex commented as he was escorted past.

"We'd like to see them," John stated.

"Of course. I'll need to clear you for the lower levels," Padok explained. "Give me a few moments and then come to the elevator."

The group moved to where Wrex and Javik were standing with two salarian guards.

"This is where all you salarians come from, huh? No wonder you're so soft. Too busy writing poetry about waterfalls," Wrex sneered and Javik looked like he agreed. "Shepard, I don't like this. I should be the one going in."

"How about you stay here and we only fight one war at a time, please?" Jane asked.

"That was just good old-fashioned Krogan hot air. If it'd been real, they'd be dead," Wrex chuckled.

"Who tipped you off about the females here?" John asked, giving his sister a look, she gave him a knowing look, they had the same suspect.

"Sorry, Shepard, but they're listening to every word we say. I prefer my Salarian liver served raw!" Wrex said, looking one of the guards dead in the eye. The guard across from him gave Wrex a dirty look.

"Actually, it was a delicacy in my cycle," Javik added and Jane coughed to cover a laugh as the other guard glared at Javik.

"Besides, you'd think this is the kind of thing the Shadow Broker would've known about," Wrex commented. "Too bad I don't know him. Or her." He casually gave the group the eye. Oh yeah, Wrex knew.

"I'm sure the Broker was very busy," Liara replied casually.

"Back on the Normandy, you said Reapers were sighted on Tuchanka," Jane said.

"Clans Jorgal and Ravanor sighted a few landing parties. The Reapers are up to something. Tuchanka may be a pile of radioactive rubble, but it's our pile and we'll fight to the last Krogan to keep it that way," Wrex said with a serious look on his face.

"That's what I always liked about you, Wrex," Liara said.

"My smoldering good looks?" he asked.

"There is that," she chuckled. "But you've never given up, and that determination's about to pay off."

"Yeah. You wouldn't have thought back on Virmire we'd be standing here doing this together?" Wrex chuckled.

"Those Krogan weren't the genophage cure, they were Saren's slaves. This is the cure," Jane said.

"What do you know about these females?" John asked.

"They weren't fertile, so we used them as decoys to draw off enemies from the ones who were," Wrex explained. "But Maelon's experiments changed that. These damn pyjaks stole them right out from under us."

"That's a pretty brutal way to treat your women, Wrex," John commented.

"Actually, it was the plan of the females," Jane explained and John blinked. "When I was on Tuchanka I got to spend a lot of time with the females. They're dedicated to each other like sisters. A dozen infertile Krogan females will give their lives without hesitation to protect a fertile sister."

"What a horrible way to live," Liara commented, Jane and Wrex both nodded.

"It's just one more thing that'll get better when the genophage is cured," Wrex said.

"Do you think the Krogan are ready to fight the Reapers?" John asked.

"Ever since Sovereign showed up. I figured this day would come," Wrex stated, pleased. "My people have spent too much time selling ourselves out as mercenaries. Now we can get back to doing what Krogan do best...saving everyone else from giant monsters."

"Never going to let us forget about the Rachni Wars are you?" Garrus teased.

"Last time I was at the Citadel, I didn't see a Turian statue in your honor," Wrex chuckled.

"Just wait till this war is over," Garrus shot back and Jane chuckled.

"We'll get those females, hold on tight, Wrex," Jane said before she noticed a familiar form. She elbowed her brother and walked over.

"Captain Shepard, Spectre Shepard. It's Major Kirrahe. I heard you were coming," Kirrahe said as he got up as the twins approached.

"Good to see you again, however, we're both acting as Spectres today, sounds like you've been promoted," Jane explained and he shook hands with Jane first and then John before he leaned against the piece of equipment he was working on.

"Yes, due in no small part to our mission on Virmire. "Hold the line." You saved my men that day," Kirrahe said, looking at John.

"Good to see a friendly face, Major," Garrus said shaking hands with Kirrahe.

"Garrus Vakarian, always a pleasure," Kirrahe said with honest pleasure. "And same to you, Dr. T'Soni."

"Major," Liara said with a head nod.

"It seems the Reapers have a way of bringing us together," Kirrahe said.

"How did you get posted to this base, Major?" John asked.

"I led the team on Tuchanka that found the females. Nasty business. Maelon may have meant well, but his operation was crude," Kirrahe explained. "Test subjects were unaccounted for. The females easily escaped his lab."

"What do you think about bringing the female krogan here?" Jane asked.

"Our scientists say it's important to preserve the females. 'Evolutionary paradigms.' I say, when people know you're hiding something valuable, they'll want to steal it," Kirrahe said. "Either way, I have my orders. They'll be your problem soon enough. Ironic. You destroyed the genophage cure, yet now it's the key to an alliance. Your standoff with Urdnot Wrex is legend within STG." He looked at John.

"I'm sure you saw Wrex's entrance," John chuckled.

"Our colonies three systems away saw it," Kirrahe joked.

"Yes, and he's rather angry about the security arrangements," Liara stated angrily.

"Apologies, but better that than a Krogan with a shotgun wandering the base," Kirrahe said and both Shepards nodded at that assessment. "This of all the casualties. Our med bay couldn't handle it."

"Security seems high. Are you expecting trouble?" John asked.

"Our motto in STG is to always expect trouble, and failing that, create trouble for someone else. Our enemies have the same idea," Kirrahe stated.

"Are the Salarians prepare for war with the Reapers?" Jane asked and Kirrahe's face became somber.

"I've heard what they're doing to your Earth. I'm not sure any species can prepare for that," he said. "Though rumors suggest you're building a superweapon of some kind?"

"Not us, the entire Council approved and we are pulling in experts from inside and outside of Council space," Jane said.

"This business with the females is part of it. Get the specialists and military experts on it, to get the Turians, we need the Krogan," John explained and Kirrahe nodded.

"Which is why I never became a diplomat. Too much hand-holding. Leave it to the dalatrasses," he said, shaking his head.

"Nice seeing you again, Major," Jane said.

"Likewise. And Shepards. Regardless of what the politicians decide, you can count on my support retaking Earth," he said, moving close and speaking low.

"You do that?" John asked.

"Consider it my way of returning a favor. It would be an honor to fight alongside you again. Good day," Kirrahe said. The team headed to the elevator. Padok approached.

"You have clearance now to see the females," he said. "I hope we can resolve this matter without reenacting the Krogan Rebellions."

"What do you think about handing over the Krogan?" John asked.

"I differ from most of my colleagues. Curing the genophage will bring closure to this issue," Padok said and Jane was honestly surprised. "In the future, the Krogan may yet play some role we can't even imagine. We should let the evolutionary process decide who lives and dies, not galactic politics."

"Thanks for your time," Jane said.

"Of course," he said.

The team headed to the elevator. An alarm went off.

"Alert! Threat condition two has been declared. Scramble readiness teams."

"What's happening?" John asked.

"Sensors have picked up activity on the perimeter," Padok stated. "Hurry, someone will meet you below." The team headed down.

~*TF*~

"Base personnel must remain on-site until further notice."

"All specimens are accounted for, sir!"

John watched them moving this around as they stepped off the elevator. They looked around as the base personnel moved to secure.

"Shepard! Excellent timing. Good to have you here" A familiar voice exclaimed. John turned and couldn't help but grin as he saw who was approaching them.

"Mordin?" John exclaimed in surprise.

"Eyesight still sharp. Surprise understandable. Hadn't expected to return to work." Mordin noted.

"You're back with STG?" Garrus said, also surprised. Jane exchanged a smile with Liara.

"Special consultant. Had to be me. Someone else might have gotten it wrong." Mordin glanced around before getting close to whisper to them. "Helped female krogan. Fed information to Clan Urdnot. Encouraged political pressure to free females."

"You must be Wrex's inside source," John said, pleasantly surprised. He was pleased his talks with Mordin had obviously changed his mind.

"Yes. Can explain later. Security warnings not normal. Need to get offworld for sake of Krogan. Females had weakened immune systems. Side effect of Maelon's cure. These didn't survive." Mordin said as he led them into the base.

"But what about Maelon's research? I thought we saved it," Jane noted.

"Indeed. Data saved, but not complete. Lacks crucial details to reconstruct cure, but still useful for synthesizing from living tissue. Couldn't save them." Mordin said regretfully.

"I'm sure you did everything you could, Mordin." John said soothingly.

"Arrived too late. Cannot delay now. One survivor. Immune to genophage. Can synthesize cure from her tissue." Mordin explained and John felt relieved. The alliance between the species was still alive then.

"She's still here?" John asked and Mordin nodded.

"Yes. Last hope for Krogan. If she dies, genophage cure...problematic." Mordin explained as the group approached Eve. "Please be careful. Krogan slow to trust."

"I got this," Jane said to John who nodded. He watched his sister approach the other woman and felt curious. He had never seen Krogan women interact before and he wondered how they treated Jane.

"I'm Urdnot-Shepard Jane, I am a Captain in the Alliance Navy," Jane said with a respectful bow of her head. The krogan female looked at her with a cautious eye.

"I know who you are Urdnot-Shepard. Are you here to kill me?" she asked and Jane's head jerked up at that.

"Never! Urdnot Wrex and our team is here to take you home. Have the salarians been mistreating you?" Jane asked and the female gave her a moment of consideration before turning her head to the chamber where the bodies were.

"Those were my sister you saw back there. They died in a lot of pain," she explained and Jane crossed herself as she looked at the covered forms.

"Did the best we could," Mordin said sorrowfully.

"And now I know I'm the only one left. That makes me dangerous to a lot of people," the female stated and Jane nodded as she approached the front of the cell.

"That's because you're the future of the Krogan race. We are fighting for that. We are fighting to bring you home," Jane said and she could see the cautious evaluation of a female krogan. Male krogan saw only opponents and threat levels, female krogans...they were deep wells of thought. Jane felt the time a female krogan carried more than a male. Wrex could be fifty or five hundred and Jane couldn't tell, but a female krogan, time clung to them in a way that you always knew who had the centuries behind her eyes and who didn't. The moment of evaluation was broken by alarms and the flashing of warning lights. The female looked up and then back at Jane.

"Then I hope you brought an army," she stated.

~*TF*~

"Alert! Unidentified vessels have breached the perimeter."

"Give me an update!"

"Outbound communications have been severed! We're cut off!"

"Secure all data to offsite location!"

"What's happening?" John said to Mordin. The Salarian didn't get a chance as his moni-tool began to beep. John turned it on and blinked in surprise to see it was a video call from Wrex.

"John, its' Wrex, Cerberus troops are attacking the base. Get the females out of there now!" Wrex snarled.

"Only one survived, Wrex. It might be safer down here." John noted.

"What? So the Salarians can kill her like the others? No deal! If you still want this alliance, get her out of there!" Wrex snapped at him disconnecting the call. John scowled, irritated his friend was backing him into a corner. He approached the guard monitoring the woman's container.

"Release the female. We're leaving." John ordered him.

"I can't. Protocol states during lockdown no specimen-" He was cutoff and let out a cry of shock as his body lit up from a neural shock attack.

"Objection noted. Now, please release Krogan." Mordin drawled and John did his best not to laugh. The man quickly obeyed and Mordin moved into the pod's control room. "Need to monitor pod as it clears quarantine procedures. Meet us at next checkpoint, Shepards. Likely Cerberus opposes genophage cure."

"You'll see Tuchanka again. I promise." Jane reassured her as the pod began to move.

"Get to elevator, Shepard." Mordin ordered as they unholstered their weapons. As they approached the elevator a soldier was working on the control panel.

"Something's wrong with the elevator, it's not responding" he explained as they approached. After a moment the control console turned green and chirped. "There...try it now, Spectres" John moved forward to open the door and blinked in surprise to see a bomb sitting on the elevator floor, counting down.

"Oh crap..." Garrus said succinctly.

"Get back!" John roared, turning to dive away. Liara tugged Jane behind a desk but John had barely moved when the bomb went off. His shields bore the explosion as he went skidding along the ground, the bomb was a light yield meant only to take out the elevator.

"John you okay?" Liara asked as Jane rushed to Garrus to check him over. John shook his head, his ears ringing but okay.

"I'm good," John said as a scientist came over to check on them. "Is there another way out of here?"

"Other side of the lab. An emergency exit. I can open it from here." The man said and John nodded.

"Let's go, we need to catch up to Mordin."

~*TF*~

After they made their way up to the next floor it became brutal. Cerberus troops were dropping in all over the place. They were well trained, using their landing jets to drop down safely to ambush them at odd angles. They had come up on a squad of salarian soldiers but they had been quickly gunned down by the Cerberus men due to sheer numbers before the team could get to them. Again they fell into a perfect rhythm as they fought their way through the lab. John narrowed his eyes at the Yahg in containment pods as they fought by them. He mentally filed it away to look into this later, if there was a later. As they rounded the corner his concerns seemed to be justified as a yahg broken free of their pod to pulverize some of the nearby Cerberus troops before storming off. As John looked for away around the now burning gas lines he heard his girlfriend take ribbing.

"Careful. There goes the next Shadow Broker." Jane noted.

"Could've sworn he was muttering "T'Soni" the whole time…" Garrus chimed in.

"Not funny." Liara countered as John couldn't help but grin a little. After making their way up the stairs John heard Mordin calling over the radios for help. Quickly gunning down the Cerberus troopers John led the team to the checkpoint.

"Quickly, John! Technician dead. Clear us through the checkpoint." Mordin said and John worked at the console as Jane checked on the woman.

"Are you okay?" Jane asked.

"Containment shield is holding. Will try to repair if necessary. Can't speak for Krogan's health, however." Mordin answered as he answered for them and Jane shot him an amused look.

"I'm fine." The female answered Jane.

"Females kept secret. Possibly a mole in STG. Could be indoctrinated. If no Krogan alliance with Turians, Reapers left unchallenged." Mordin noted.

"We'll do more than challenge them." John said as he got the pod through the checkpoint and it began to rise again.

"Shepards, meet us at next checkpoint. Cerberus likely to target…" Mordin said just before the pod was rocked by gunfire. A Cerberus shuttle was opening fire from behind. "Hurry! Next checkpoint." John growled and chuck a grenade into the shuttle's open door. The Cerberus men began to scream and try to find it but it exploded, sending the shuttle down in a firey ball. Their shuttle flew by with two Cerberus shuttles chasing it.

"Shepard, get cracking! I'll try to draw some of their fire!" Wrex bellowed over the comms.

"You primitives need flying lessons to evade and keep shuttles steady so we may shoot as well!" Javik berated Wrex and John realized the Prothean was with them.

"Shepard, last attack compromised security systems! Attempting to compensate!" Mordin broke in and John scowled. When it rained, it poured.

"Hang on, we're trying to get to you, Mordin!" John noted and led the team through the opening into the thick of it.

~*TF*~

The team rushed up the stairs to see Kirrahe in cover behind a wall.

"Spectres, stay back! Hostiles just down the hall," Kirrahe warned as he gave a glance over his shoulder.

"Is there an easier way around?" John asked and Kirrahe smirked.

"You could say that," he said with a cocky tone as he proceeded out of cover holding up a streamline pistol. It shot large round orbs surrounded in mass effect fields. Jane peered out of cover to see it stick to a Cerberus soldier and then explode, rending the soldier's head a bloody mess.

"How do I not have one of those?" Garrus sighed in a wistful tone.

"I know what I want for Christmas," Jane added in the same tone.

"Go, Spectres! I'll cover you!" Kirrahe called and the team ran into action, quickjly killing the troopers. Letting Kirrahe hold that area they moved to the next floor.

"Mordin was right. Cerberus must have been tipped off. They got here too fast." Garrus said as they moved.

"Every war has its traitors." Liara said with resignation. John said nothing but agreed with her. Shoirtly after they reached the last checkpoint and Mordin waved them over.

"Pod cannot move. Suspect Cerberus has cut power. Can't progress until you reroute emergency systems." Mordin explained and John sighed.

"We'll find it," John said and the team moved to find then fix the power to the containment cell. Shortly after they found it John and Garrus began to work on it. As they worked Jane saw the most beautiful surprise.

"Oh Christmas has come early!" she grinned as she held the pistol that Kirrahe had been using.

"No way, I want one," Garrus sighed in envy.

"Oh no, this baby is mine," Jane said, running her fingers over the gun gently. "Let's get them moving." As the team came around the corner Mordin looked at them from the containment container.

"Excellent! Can clear us. Wait! Another Cerberus squad!" he warned and Jane grinned.

"I get to try out my new baby," she said as she began taking head shots and learning the delay of the explosions. It was over quickly.

"Excellent. Affinity for destruction intact, Shepard. Can clear us through now," Mordin said as John moved to the controls. Jane looked up at the female Krogan.

"How are you holding up?" she asked and the female tilted her head as she looked at Jane.

"Containment shield strong. But not designed for direct fire," Mordin said and Jane was impressed, the field was doing pretty well against Cerberus.

"You don't know me," the female said to Jane and Jane looked at the krogan. She had met several of the female and to see one so hurt and desperate for children.

"But I'd like to. Hang in there," Jane said.

"How many more checkpoints?" John asked.

"Just the landing area. Hope Urdnot Wrex still waiting," Mordin commented.

"Wrex can't keep his hands off a fertile female. He'll be there," the female said and Jane smirked.

"I'll see you up top," she said. A few more Cerberus grunts entered the area. Jane was pleased to put her new present from STG to use. She would see about getting Garrus one later...if later came. The Cerberus troops were easily taken down and the team moved.

"Shepards, get your asses up here! I can't fly around forever!" Wrex growled over the comms.

"The female's on the way up to the landing area," John reported.

"You pull this off, and I'm making you an honorary krogan," Wrex chuckled.

"Only a krogan, why don't I get to be an Urdnot?" John teased.

"Go through the proving alone like your sister and we can talk," Wrex shot back.

"That ladder should take us back up top," Jane pointed and John went up first. As they got up the sound of personal landing jets let them know Cerberus were jumping in.

"Shepard! They found us! Under heavy attack!" Mordin called over the comms.

"Liara, singularities," Jane said and the asari nodded. The two women stood up and each placed a singularity on either side of the field, ripping Cerberus agents off their feet. Jane pulled her sniper and stood beside Garrus, picking off agents, their heads vanishing in splashes of red.

"Stop stealing my kills, Shepard," Garrus commented.

"If you want them, you need to call them out sooner," Jane shot back. It was a methodical slaughter but like the well honed machine they were, they took out the agents. They approached the control panel.

"Shepard, you must authorize release," Mordin explained. "Pod then transfers to loading area."

"Let's get you out of there," John said.

"Shepards, heads up! you got incoming!" Wrex cried over comms. A mech landed like a boulder and the team stared at it.

"Cover!" Jane cried and the team scrambled to get behind machinery.

"I can't land until you deal with that thing! It's too dangerous!" Wrex cried. Jane and Liara threw warps at the thing as Garrus overloaded its shields and John kept it distracted.

"Can't you just rip this one apart?" John called.

"Liara, you want to try to make a wish?" Jane called.

"I don't understand what you're saying," Liara said, confused.

"Sorry, brother, we got to blow this one up!" Jane pulled her Scorpion and emptied the clip. It was satisfying to watch the mech explode. Wrex landed the shuttle and he and Javik stepped out. John approached Wrex and they shook hands.

"You had me worried there for a minute," Wrex chuckled. Jane and Mordin headed to the pod. Mordin offered a hand to the female only for Wrex to push him out of the way. "Let's get you out of there." The female stepped down, ignoring Wrex's offered hand and Jane smirked. She was starting to like the female krogan already. Two Cerberus agents dropped from above. The female did not hesitate to rip the shotgun from Wrex's hands and shoot the two. Jane definitely liked the female krogan already. She shoved the gun back into Wrex's chest.

"I can handle myself, Wrex," she said and Jane smirked as she followed the female.

"Women," Wrex huffed.

~*TF*~

Jane, John, Wrex, Mordin, and Victus were at the meeting table on the Normandy.

"You have the female, Wrex. A cure for the rest of your people can come later," Victus said.

"That wasn't the deal," Wrex growled.

"But Palaven needs your reinforcements now. We can't delay," Victus cried.

"Unless every Krogan gets the cure, there's no alliance," Wrex snapped.

"Mordin, how long will it take to finish a cure?" John asked.

"Need to synthesize base antigen from female. Also requires healthy male Krogan tissue. Will need a sample," Mordin explained.

"You're looking at it," Wrex grinned and Jane rolled her eyes.

"Acceptable. Will need you to remain aboard Normandy for procedure and testing," Mordin stated.

"Let's hope the food's gotten better," Wrex grunted.

"Formulating a cure that works for every Krogan sounds like a tall order, Mordin. Can you do it?" Jane asked.

"Of course. Similar to genophage modification project. Working against own alterations this time, not as simple as garbage DNA blocking attachment sites. Will need to counteract shutdown of redundant nervous system, adjust neurotransmitter levels," Mordin commented.

"Got it," Jane cut him off quickly.

"Will create cure. Don't need to worry," Mordin said.

"Then get started, Mordin, and make it quick," John said.

"Always do. Will be in med bay if you'd like to speak more. Eve requires tests," Mordin said.

"Eve?" Jane asked, that was not a Krogan name.

"Female's real name unknown. Normandy a human vessel. Human mythology seemed appropriate under circumstances. Suggest speaking with her. New perspective. Surprising in Krogan," Mordin commented before leaving.

"Now, is there anything else?" John asked.

"There's a small matter concerning a ship we've lost contact with..." Victus stated.

"What happened?" John asked.

"I'd rather discuss it...in private," Victus stated.

"Turian problems can't even come close to what I've got," Wrex sneered.

"What is it?" Jane asked, peeved at her Krogan friend.

"Some of my men went missing. The rest of it we can discuss...somewhere else," Wrex stated, giving Victus a look. Jane rolled her eyes.

"We'll find you both in the War Room. Just be ready to talk," John huffed. After both leaders left the conference room John groaned and rubbed at his temples. "Can you believe this?"

"Actually, I have more," Jane sighed and John groaned.

"What else?" he asked.

"Admiral Hackett sent a message. Apparently there is a researcher named Dr. Garret Bryson on the Citadel. Apparently he has uncovered some new information," Jane explained and John gave her a look.

"What kind of information?" John asked and Jane shrugged.

"No idea, but rumor has it, he's been studying Prothean tech, so he could have something useful," Jane said. The twins shared a look, perhaps Dr. Bryson had some new weaponry to help in the fight against the Reapers.

~*TF*~

Belle Note: So Sur'Kesh is actually the place where I met my true love. The Scorpion heavy pistol is my absolute FAVORITE weapon in the ME series. Never before have I loved a gun so much in a game. It is just...beautiful. The scene where Kirrahe steps out from behind cover to shoot , crossing his dainty ankles made me fall just a little for the Salarian STG leader. The fact that Garrus literally said what I was thinking only made me love that scene all the more. It is just...perfection. However, I did learn the VERY hard way NEVER to use the Scorpion on a replay. The FIRST replay I did of ME3, I had my Scorpion loaded and when Dr. Eva attacks you, the delay on the explosions means you die. She kills you dead EVERY time. The worst part was that I saved AFTER you finished your load out! Oh my God...I died. I think I called or texted Toby to let him know about my fuck up. I had to replay the ENTIRE start of the game so I could fix my load out, then put my Scorpion back on. I never blamed my Scorpion for that.

Toby Note: Yeah Belle was so relieved to find out I had done the same thing. Granted I did it with a different gun and not the Scorpion but I got the same result. Don't get me wrong it makes for a funny glitch but an annoying one.

I'd like to say that I think Belle knocked it out of the park reworking the Kaidan/Jane/Garrus love triangle. I agreed with her when she said the triangle aspect of the romances in ME3 were not well done. When she said that she was going to do it better I encouraged her but when she gave me an overview of what she was going to have each of them say I felt like she was…well I can't use that word without an E rating but I thought she was going to turn Garrus into one. Nope, my boy basically said he understood what she was feeling but he was going to fight for her and she was his. *fist bumps Garrus* Fucking A!

Also, a not so fun fact about this chapter I got this e-mail to me from Belle at 1:30ish in the morning after she worked on it all day. To say I was upset with her is understating it. Look I don't mind the drive for work and Belle herself has chastised me for working myself to the bone but please take care of yourselves. Things will keep. As a man who suffers from insomnia losing sleep is something you should never do unless you absolutely have too.

Belle Note 2: To be clear, while I was up until 1 something, I slept until 9, so I got plenty of sleep. Also, I think it was totally worth it.

~*TF*~

OMAKE 1

"Shepard," Tali huffed as she approached Jane after the meeting. "You better not be bothering Kal'Reegar!"

"Oh you know I think he's great," Jane said and Tali huffed.

"I do not need you interfering in my love life," Tali stated and Jane gave her a look.

"You do know I'm the reason John actually told you the truth about him and Liara right?" Jane said and Tali made a noise. "He would have NEVER realized that you had feelings for him and he would have led you on for ages if not for me."

"That is your brother being a boshtet," Tali stated.

"True, but I did that because you're like my little sister, and I want my little sister to be happy, and have you see Kal'Reegar's butt?" Jane asked and Tali squeaked.

"That's not appropriate!" Tali cried. "I am his Admiral!"

"And I get the feeling he would love to take some private time orders from you...Ma'am," Jane stated and Tali's little light on her suit flickered. "Let me know when you guys finally link your suits."

"Shut up!" Tali cried and Jane chuckled.

OMAKE 2

"Toby what's with the party setup?" Belle asked as she walked outside. It was relatively quiet from the other side of the wall, a surprise to her since she'd basically threw more fuel on the shipping war fire. On their side of the wall between it and the studio the entire area was laid out with dozens of tables and chairs. A long sandwich buffet was set-up with lots of drinks and way too many kegs in her opinion.

"The remaster comes out shortly!" Tobias exclaimed gleefully as he finished staking down a large sign for the party. "I'm hoping we're going to get even more reviewers and maybe even fans! I even got a couple of reviews on FFN!"

"Wasn't one of them a troll saying you stole the story from me?" Belle asked, amused.

"Yeah but a few people weren't!" Toby said happily, gesturing to two people near the kegs. Belle glanced at them and face palmed when she noticed they were wearing name tag stickers that said 'Hi my name is:'. "They're Groth and DWJ?"

"Yup, new people! I'm hoping after people start playing they get a hankering for new stories!" Tobias chirped as Traynor moved towards them wheeling a cart with dozens of bags of chips.

"Where's Pales?" Belle inquired noticing Traynor didn't have her girlfriend following her.

"I have her tied up right now," Traynor said as she moved past them. Belle looked at Toby in surprise.

"Like literally?" Belle asked him and Tobias gave her a look.

"Do you seriously want to know that?" he countered.

"Well how did you get the shipping war quiet for the party?" Belle asked for a change of topic.

"I may have thrown them someone to keep them occupied," Tobias admitted and Belle stared at him wide eyed.

"What. Did. You. Do?" she hissed at him before her attention was drawn to the wall from a loud crash. The answer to her question came from the angry shout from the other side of the wall.

"I'M NOT PUTTING THAT ON!" Jane screamed.

"But you're our queen! You deserve royal robes as we fight for who we choose to be your king!" A fanatic cried.

"IT'S BIKINI SHAPED N7 ARMOR!"

"Toby," Belle growled as she turned around and found Tobias had already hurried off to attend to another detail for the party.

"You didn't get the chance to tell him about what comes out a week before the remaster boss lady?" Lili asked as she walked up, also with a name tag.

"He'll figure it out," Belle muttered. "I hired her to be on the staff."

"This is gonna end poorly." Another reviewer muttered to someone else.

"As long as he lives to write the next chapter I'm okay with it," they said in response.

OMAKE 3

Belle sighed, the shipping wars were heating up and because she was the director for the Garrus/Jane/Kaidan love triangle Toby had shoved the job of hiring new security staff onto her.

"I think I'm going to have to contract outside of Bioware for this..." she sighed. "I guess I'll put up the wanted ad for some muscle. As long as we don't get any of the Dead by Daylight killers applying, we should be fine."

One Wanted Ad Listing Later

"Uh...boss..." Iron Bull called from outside.

"What is it, Bull?" Belle asked as she grinned over her next romantic scene. The shippers would be rabid after this.

"Your...uh...your two o'clock is here," he said and Belle grinned.

"Excellent please show them in," Belle stated as she looked at the name. "Excuse me but I'm going to mess...mess...up..." Belle's eyes widened as the figure began to move into her office and she realized where she had seen the name before.

A few minutes later…

"What's so important?" Toby asked as Bull dragged him to Belle's office.

"You need to see it to believe it," Bull cried and threw opened the door. Belle was pinned to the wall by Lady Dimitrescu, her feet dangling three feet over the ground. Belle looked at Toby.

"Help me!" she cried as Lady D laughed.

"Oh, more company, I do love a ménage à trois," she purred as Belle and Toby both felt terror.

"Well...shit..." Toby stated as Lady D moved to hold Belle by her neck and reached with her other hand toward Toby.

OMAKE 4

"Where is Tobias?" Morrigan huffed. "He was supposed to be going over the budget for the next chapter!"

"How should I know?" John grumbled. "He scheduled the meeting for his office I figured he'd be here. Belle mentioned he needed to meet the new hires. The Brysons and some more support staff."

"More staff?" Tali asked.

"Apparently their turnover is pretty high between the shipping war out front who keeps pulling staff into it and people who run afoul across the cast," Liara noted as she studied a tablet.

"Yeah apparently Belle hired a new chief of security," Elizabeth said as she rifled through Toby's desk. "She comes highly recommended, I guess. Belle also stated she fell in love with her memes too."

"Well how does that make her qualified-" Wrex was cut off as Tobias Fiften burst into his own office. He slammed the door shut behind him, leaning his back against it as he panted. The room's occupants were all startled and their concerns grew seeing the state the author was in. He had light scratches all over him, his shirt was torn in places and his hair was ruffled with his glasses askew. His eyes were wide with terror and he seemed to be in a state of shock.

"Toby what happened to you?" Elizabeth asked, as she rushed over to check him over.

"Belle's…new hire…" he said, gasping for air. "She…she's…big. And clingy."

"Is it one of those Amazons?" Wrex asked with a grin.

"I wish," Toby whimpered. "I had to leave Belle to her fate!" The sound of loud clicking heels came from the hallway.

"Ara, ara where did my little Toby-kun go?" an alluring female voice came from the hallway and the door handle to the office rattled.

"And she didn't get the one from the game either, she got the meme version!" Toby said in fear. The cast exchanged looks at the uncharacteristic behavior from the author.

"Who exactly?" Liara inquired. Toby opened his mouth to speak but he squeaked in fear as the door was hit, splintering the wood as it sent him sprawling forward into Elizabeth. Several more hits easily broke it aside. Everyone blinked as the woman ducked to enter the room.

"Well, well what do we have here?" Lady Dimitrescu drawled as she stood tall in the office. "More tasty treats. I'll play with you later I'm hungry for that one right now."

"Oh hell!" Tobias squeaked. Realizing he had to execute an escape plan already he shot Morrigan a frantic look. "Escape plan alpha!"

"Yes sir." Morrigan said, realizing she was also trapped in the same room with this woman. A portal appeared under Tobias and Elizabeth which they instantly fell through with Morrigan diving in after them. Realizing that Toby had cut and run John grabbed Liara and Tali, yanking them with him as he jumped in right after Morrigan just before the portal closed. Leaving Wrex all alone with the vampire giantess.

"Aw all alone. Well I do love lizards. Want to play little man?"

"Once more unto the breach," Wrex grumbled before pulling his shotgun free.

OMAKE 5

(Toby: Just so you know folks, there were originally only 4 Omakes. Then we played Legendary edition.)

"I don't think this will work Toby," Belle said looking over the revisions to the previous chapter. "I mean I get we can reuse the old studios to re-shoot the scenes but it's a lot of work for little gain."

"I think you're right Belle," he said after a moment before sighing. "Plus I think the Thresher Maws are enjoying their new tentacles a little too much."

"Why do you say that?" Belle asked as she looked up at Toby. He gestured out to the wide area they used for space and planet scenes from the ME1 arc. Jane was struggling amidst almost a dozen tentacles that had sprung up around her during the wait time. The Thresher Maw Bob was out of the ground, drooling its acid but watching the scene before him avidly.

"Help me for the love of God help me!" Jane screamed in fear and Belle couldn't blame her one bit for it. "I'm a female protagonist and I'm being attacked by tentacles! That means there's only one thing that could happen next!"

"I'll go get the hose," Toby sighed before heading to the side of the building. "How cold does it need to be to cool down a Thresher Maw anyways?"

"I've seen enough hentai to know where this is going," Belle muttered.

"JAMES YOU PERV! PUT DOWN THE CAMERA AND HELP ME!"

OMAKE 6

"Mr. Toby could you please do something about Miss Belle," Traynor cried as she approached Toby. He sighed, what the heck had Belle done to the poor woman THIS time.

"What has she done now?" he groaned as he headed to Belle's office. The door was shut but Toby could hear what was upsetting Traynor.

"Oh, do you like that? How about a little harder?" Belle cooed. "Mmmm I bet you like that. Want me to go faster now. Yeah, like that. Oh you look ready for action now hmmm. I can't wait to take you home and watch you blow..."

"It's Friday isn't it," Toby stated.

"I don't understand how what day of the week it is has anything to do with what she's doing to whoever is in there!" Traynor cried.

"Oh...the weight of you in my hand, I might have to just sneak out early..." Belle said lustfully. Toby kicked open the door.

"Hey! You don't leave until you finish writing your scene!" he barked and Belle glared as she clutched her Scorpion heavy pistol close to her chest.

"You are certainly not the boss of me," Belle shot back and Traynor stared at Belle and then the gun.

"You were saying all those things to a GUN?" Traynor cried and Belle stared at Traynor and then Toby.

"She really likes that gun," Toby explained.

"You were MOANING!" Traynor cried.

"How do you polish your weapons?" Belle asked.

"I tend to moan too," Iron Bull called from behind the office.

"See, it's normal," Belle shot at Traynor. "Now get out, I already finished my scene, I even have Scorpion Time in my schedule right now so shoo." She said, waving a free hand at the two and Toby shrugged as he backed out of the office and closed the door. "How dare they try and get between us." There was a kissing noise. "Oops, need to polish that off."

"A gun..." Traynor gasped and Toby nodded.

"I should get to work, also, don't hang out around Belle's office on Friday afternoons, she heads to the range on Saturday's for skeet shooting so she polishes the Scorpion on Fridays," Toby advised.

"It was a gun...but the things she said..." Traynor stammered.

"Yeah, it's creepy, but we all have those moments..." Toby shrugged.

OMAKE 7

"Uhhhhwaaaht?"

Toby stepped around the reviewer who was moaning incoherently into the ground as he tried to clean up after the Legendary party. Unlike some people he worked with he was an early riser. Partially because of his insomnia and the fact that his day job required him to wake at 5 am. Not that it mattered much here at the studio. Toby jabbed his trash stick into a group of cups and smacked them off into the trash can behind him. Unlike his female cohort he accepted the fact that when you threw a party, you cleaned up after said party. He rather enjoyed it, after he got to see the aftermath.

"I am the Napoleon!" A new reviewer cried, rolling by him on an office chair. Apparently they were still drunk as hell because they were charging someone else with a one of Belle's dakimakura pillows. He blinked at that, wondering how they had gotten into her stash.

"That's gonna end badly," Jack said as she came up next to Toby. The author grunted in agreement as they watched. The reviewer who had issued the battle cry to the other who dropped the tray of breakfast food on top of their opponent. The loud crash woke several of the people sleeping on the lawn. Tobias shook his head as this attracted their ire and even more grumbling and cussing filled the air.

"Eh still not as bad as my twenty-first birthday," Toby said as he resumed cleaning. "I woke up two states over wearing only jeans, socks and my glasses. Its why I never overindulge anymore."

"Otherwise you might end up like them," Jack said, pointing to the wall keep the shipping war contained. Tobias glanced over and sighed again. Several people were partially clothed, even completely nude on top of the wall. Judging by the spray paint on the wall someone had turned it into a strip stage for a contest.

"Who do you think won?" he said to Jack who smirked.

"Wrex," she said, nodding her head down the way. Toby turned and saw the Krogan was topless as he dozed against the wall with several naked fans cuddling him.

"Someone's gonna feel that this morning." Toby muttered as he continued cleaning.

Belle Note: Just for clarification. 1) I do not own a single dakimakura pillow, no offense to people who have them, I just find them creepy, especially the ones of young characters. Toby likes to put weird crap like that in omakes on me because he wants to use certain things for comedic effect and they are less creepy if a female does them. Example, me having a collection of dakimakura pillows is less creepy than HIM having a collection of them. Thus, in these omake *I* get to be the one with the weird habit that I don't have IRL. 2) I do not go to bed after I host a party until the majority of the mess is cleaned up and anything that needs to soak has a mixture of water and soap in it. Toby does wake up hella early and I have more than once warned him that if he texts me before a certain time on the weekends I will perform bodily harm on him when he least expects it. This has not stopped him from texting me on Saturdays at the ungodly time of 6:30am. He also goes to bed hella early so when he texts me after 9pm I usually have to order him to go to sleep. Just a clarification that the omake versions of us are not true to reality.

Toby Note: *gets his shovel for the bullshit*

OMAKE 8

After they made their way up to the next floor it became brutal. Cerberus troops were dropping in all over the place. They were well trained, using their landing jets to drop down safely to ambush them at odd angles. They had come up on a squad of salarian soldiers but they had been quickly gunned down by the Cerberus men due to sheer numbers before the team could get to them. Again they fell into a perfect rhythm as they fought their way through the lab. John narrowed his eyes at the Yahg in containment pods as they fought by them. He mentally filed it away to look into this later, if there was a later. As they rounded the corner his concerns seemed to be justified as a yahg broken free of their pod to pulverize some of the nearby Cerberus troops before storming off. As John looked for away around the now burning gas lines he heard his girlfriend take ribbing.

"Careful. There goes the next Shadow Broker." Jane noted.

"Could've sworn he was muttering "T'Soni" the whole time…" Garrus chimed in.

"Not funny." Liara countered as John couldn't help but grin a little.

Belle smirked to herself as they finished filming this scene. Little did Liara know, but it was funny and Belle enjoyed writing this exchange down completely.

"Did I do good Mistress Belle?" The yahg actor asked and Belle scratch him on top of his head making his ears wiggle.

"You did very well Sloth." Belle said and the yahq gave her a dopy grin.