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Chapter 3, Commander fetch quest

"This is ridiculous!" Jane Shepard slammed her fist on the table, "I've only been back from Omega for two hours and already there are a dozen requests. Who do they think I am, Commander fetch quest?"

She stared at them, as if expecting an answer. Liara looked at the ceiling, contemplating how to get a shipment of refined Iridium over to the Crucible project. Kaiden Alenko looked worried and simply waited for Shep to continue. Garrus Vakarian softly hummed a tune, smiling, obviously a bit amused by Shepard's hot temper.

Getting no replies, Jane complained, "The Volus ambassador is missing a statue from his garden. How the hell did that end up on an asteroid a gazillion light years from here?"

No-one dared to comment. Vakarian hummed.

Shepard abruptly turned to Garrus, her auburn hair swooshed with the movement. She growled. "An exhaust pipe? the Reapers are taking over the Galaxy, and I need to worry about finding a fucking exhaust pipe? What the hell? The batarians are in need of The holy hand grenade of Antioch. Somewhere in the Terminus system, good luck Commander Shepard!" She sat down, and that was a signal for the others to find their chairs. "It's like someone wrote a bad story, 'she needs side quests' and dumped it all on my shoulders."

Garrus spoke up, his voice filled with mirth. "Shepard, we just received a message from Zakera ward. The medi-gel dispensers are broken and apparently you are the only one who can fix them."

Jane was silent, staring at him in utter disbelief. "What the fuck? Don't they have a technician on that station? Don't they have an army of technicians on that station?"

"Oh no, they specifically asked for you. Commander Shepard. Gel-dispenser repairs."

Jane jumped from her chair, anger in her voice. "That does it! Earth is getting ripped apart by the Reapers and I'm being used as a mechanic?"

As was often the case, Liara kept her cool. "You are correct. It is ridiculous that you are running around trying to find the salarian's prime minister cousin's daughter newly restored hand made bright orange and black semi electronic but nearly broken spinning wheel."

"Exactly!" Shepard hissed. "I need to focus on important stuff, dammit."

Liara shushed her. No-one shushed Comander Shepard. Except Liara. "You need an agent. Someone who can devote all their time and energy on the little quests while we focus on the important things."

Jane immediately liked the idea. "Mmm... that sounds like a good plan, yes, a helper."

"Correct. You can't be tied down with those silly quests." Liara raised her arms in a grand gesture, "can't someone else do it?"

"Mmm..." Garrus hummed in that typical turian way, "that is a very good idea Liara. We can forward all the 'small' requests to this one person who can devote their time and energy to find these... very, very important items. But first the medigel stations!"

"Alright." Shepard hit the table with the palm of her hand. "Who will be our 'fetch quest' person, who can we trust with this extremely important mission? Suggestions please." Should be a person we won't miss. A useless extra. Where's Kelly Chambers when you need her?

"Not me," Garrus quickly put forward, "I'm the king of calibrations."

"It cannot be me," Liara smiled, "nor can it be Miranda. She just got here and is proving herself... erm... invaluable."

Shepard frowned. "Vega is a beast on the battlefield, I'm not letting him go. We need Cortez for our transportation. Help me people! Who is the person we won't miss at all? Who is completely unneeded aboard this ship?"

"Westmoreland is just standing by a door day and night." Garrus offered.

"Me! Pick me!" Kaidan had his finger raised like in elementary school and nearly bounced out of his seat, a wild puppy eager to play.

Jane looked at him. Yes. His annoying voice would no longer be heard and he was gonna take a burden of her shoulders. "Kaidan... yes, as an up-and coming Spectre, this is a nice mission for you. And it's not like you're doing anything useful here."

He nodded enthusiastically. "Happy to help Shepard."

"Good. Take a shuttle and make sure it's fully stocked. Stay in contact with Samantha Traynor, she will be your contact for the foreseeable future."

"Will do Commander. Bye everyone!"

Garrus yelled after him, "Gel dispensers! Do you have a screwdriver?"


Forty-five minutes later there was another meeting, a lunch meeting, this one in the captain's cabin. Liara T'Soni and Jane Shepard were seated on the couch, the table in front of them filled with scones and fruit. Miranda Lawson studied her reflection in the fish tank. "Not sure if I'll ever get used to it," she plucked at the sleeves of the dark blue alliance uniform while she turned.

"It looks great. You look great." Shepard commented while taking a bite of her scone, "Sit down, have something to eat."

"I don't feel Alliance." Miranda mumbled while she picked up a cup of orange juice. "I am not Alliance."

"Correct, you are not." Shepard grinned, "nor would I expect you to be. The uniform is just... convenience. Just remember you won't be paid by them either."

Miranda laughed and nearly sprayed orange juice all over the table. "Jane, I made a fortune selling Cerberus's sensitive info, I definitely don't need any payment. The uniform is a disguise to me, but I don't want my name on any Alliance list."

The two women smiled at each other in mutual understanding.

Miranda slapped some jelly on a scone and asked, "Jane, what about Omega? Who's running the place right now?"

"Mmm," Shep spoke with her mouth full, "Liselle... and two Spectres."

"Liselle is not... angry that you killed her mother?"

"Of course she was very upset, I'd be shocked if she wasn't. But she's a rational person, she saw, she felt it coming. It was unavoidable. Aria's behavior was growing more insane each month, she was out of control. Sooner or later it had to end."

"Why didn't you arrest her before the whole mess?"

Shepard flashed a wicked smile. "Sun Tzu. She helped me to get rid of Cerberus on Omega. Criminals fighting criminals, it's win-win!"

"And then you just shot her?"

"I was tempted!" Jane laughed and took a sip of her drink. "But noooo, being the good Spectre and all I gave her a chance, tried to arrest her, and she resisted. We fought. I blew her brains out. Can't say I regret that course of events."

Liara finished her bowl of fruit and suggested, "Miranda could really help with my work. She's fully aware that I'm the shadow broker, I could definitely use a hand and you know how capable she is."

Jane smiled at Miri. "I know. We know. How do you feel about becoming the broker's second?"

Miranda Lawson tilted her head, raised one eyebrow. "Well Liara came up with the idea a few days ago so obviously I had time to think about it. I'm happy to help in whatever capacity I can."

"Excellent." Jane nodded, while devouring the scone she stole from Liara, "but you are a woman of many talents. I'm sure there will come a day when dr. Chakwas needs your extensive medical skills in the medbay. And there is a very real chance I might need you for a mission, including combat. How do you feel about that?"

Miranda stared at Shepard. "I'd be happy to help in whatever way I can. But first, I'd like to say something." She gently took Liara's hand, and after a slight hesitation Jane's hand as well. She took a deep, thoughtful breath. "About a week ago I was doing nothing, lonely and bored in my apartment. Honestly, a bit adrift after leaving Cerberus. Then you called," she nodded at Liara, "and things happened. Obviously we had a lot of fun..." she blushed lightly as her eyes shot to Jane who grinned. Miranda squeezed both their hands as she continued, "and now I'm here. I can put my talents to good use, really feel I can help with the war effort. I feel valued, and am very grateful for that."

Shepard smiled. "We're glad and fortunate to have you. I know exactly how capable you are - I truly enjoyed working with you when we took down the Collectors. I'll never forget that moment when you flipped Timmie the bird."

Laughing out loud, Miranda exclaimed,"That was a fun moment. And leaving Cerberus was one of the best decisions of my life."

"Good." Liara commented. "Now you're with us, welcome aboard. Let's talk accommodations - please move all your stuff into the broker's room. You can sleep there, I'm up here with Shepard."

Miranda's eyes smiled with happy surprise but she remained silent.

Jane cleared her throat. "Ok, that's the business stuff out of the way!" She took Miranda's wrist and gently pulled the woman a bit closer. Jane's eyes sparkled gratefully. "Liara just shared with me everything you two have been up to. You've been very naughty Miss Lawson!"

Miranda felt flustered, stammered, "I... I really, Liara, she..."

Jane grinned, she kissed the back of Miri's hand, "And I must say, I'm a bit... envious. I'm of shooting goons while you two are having scorching hot sex!" Miri blushed lightly while Liara laughed out loud.

Shepard looked smug when he spoke again, her voice playful and mischievous. "In fact I'm so jealous that I insist you make it up to me, the both of you!" Suddenly serious she caressed Miranda's wrist. "My bondmate's attracted to you. So am I, and with good reason - you are an extremely beautiful, extremely intelligent woman." Her voice dropped two octaves, low, seductive, "you ready for three?"

Miranda shook her head in happy disbelief. She spoke quickly, fearing that her gesture would be taken the wrong way. "First you offer me a position on the Galaxy's most important warship, making me feel valuable and appreciated. Next you suggest... !"

She took a few deep breaths. "Yes. Yes, I... would like that very much. But at the moment I feel overwhelmed. I just never... considered myself a lesbian, or bisexual, or whatever."

Liara stepped up and rubbed her friend's shoulders, before planting a small kiss on her cheek. "There's hardly a need for labels. Just follow your heart. What we had the last few days, do you want more of that?"

No-brainer. Miranda beamed as she fondly took the asari's hand. "Absolutely! That was... amazing! And not only the sex... I simply loved being with you, spending time with you!"

"Good. Now we just have to add that short human here in the mix." Liara giggled at Shepard.

"Hey - watch it!" Jane laughed.

"It sounds too good to be true. My answer is yes, and I feel very flattered. Just give me some time, ok?"

"Of course," Shepard stated, "take all the time you need."


Miranda never regretted her decision to join her friends on the Normandy. She worked together with Liara from the broker's room, manipulating events and actions throughout the Galaxy to oppose the Reapers, to help the besieged planets, and to accelerate the Crucible project.

Liara was an absolute joy to work with. The asari matched her intelligence and that was rare; their conversations were a pleasure. Feeling the mutual attraction both of them had to make an effort to remain professional but every now and then Liara mischievously brushed against her hips, lightly touched her shoulders, or 'accidentally' bumped into her. Together they laughed about it, together they enjoyed the happy, playful tension between them.

The three of them spent a lot of time together, mostly at dinnertime. Miri was delighted to find that the lovely chemistry she shared with Liara easily and naturally extended to Shepard. It simply felt right and they all sensed it.

She observed and advised the strike team that landed on Sur'Kesh. She suspected Cerberus was going to drop an Atlas from orbit and warned Shepard in good time. Jane and her team were able to secure Bakara and it was a pleasant surprise to see Mordin again. He started his work and Miranda found she could use her genetic expertise in his lab, assisting the singing salarian to find a cure for the genophage.

When they arrived on Tuchanka three days later, she saw plenty of action as they raced to aid a turian platoon that had crash landed. It ended up with Shep co. defusing an ancient Turian bomb, which nearly started a war between Wrex and the salarian prime minister. For the main mission she was lined up with Wrex's team - facing the Reaper was a bit insane even if Shepard wouldn't admit it. Jane just did those things. As a physician she was astonished there were no serious injuries. When Mordin dispersed the cure, she stood with Wrex and Jane, seeing the miracle descend on the broken ground of the krogan homeworld.

She loved every bit of it. The Normandy was the center of the Universe. Their actions were shaping the course of history and she was delighted to be a part of it.

The shuttle lifted off from Tuchanka. Miranda studied Jane, who was engaged in an animated discussion with James Vega.

Commander Shepard possessed the trim, well trained body of a soldier. She was definitely not tall, a few inches shorter than Liara, her athletic body could easily be mistaken for delicate. Many a foe had mocked her size and paid the price - her biotic charge was ridiculously powerful (even by asari standards!) and unlike most Vanguards she was able to maintain a good overview of the battlefield, always guiding and helping her team where she was needed most. Her pristine auburn hair was cut in one of those trendy, elegant bob cuts and nearly touched her shoulders. Jane's grandmother on her mother's side had been a full blooded cherokee indian, to the trained eye this could easily be recognized by her beautiful light coppery skin and the very slight angle of her gorgeous brown eyes.

Miranda realized she was admiring, she was staring. No-one seemed to notice. Wrex and Garrus were bickering about the turian presence on Tuchanka. Liara was talking to Cortez in the cockpit. Shepard and James were absorbed in their conversation, obviously enjoying the success of their mission.

She's beautiful.

Miranda had seen her on her operating table for months on end. But at that point Jane had been pale, motionless, nearly a corpse. And now here she was, breathing, laughing, radiating with the joy of life - oozing a warmth and a confidence that was a pleasure to behold and Miri felt a surge of pride to call this woman her friend.

She's so sure of herself.

Shepard sensed the intense scrutiny and turned abruptly, noticing Miri's passionate stare. She laughed, walked up to her friend, tenderly laid her hands around Miri's waist. Pulled her close. "Having a good time?"

"The best. I feel so alive... we are going to win this war and it will be an historical moment for the Galaxy." She laughed a little too loud. Jane was so close! She smelled Shep's sweat and excitement form the battle. Obviously Jane didn't care what the others in the shuttle would think, so she wouldn't either. She noticed Vega and Garrus looking at them with a puzzled expression.

"You were staring at me," Jane stated, keeping constant eye contact.

"I was. You... you're beautiful."

Shepard hummed appreciatively and gently caressed her waist, the curves of her hips. "well you know the feeling is mutual."

Miranda stared deep into Jane's warm, inviting brown gems. She felt her stomach muscles clench, felt her lower belly flutter. Her armour suddenly felt very restrictive. Damn she is... I want to...

"I'd love to come see you and Liara tonight," she breathed softly, eagerly.

Jane smiled. Liara and her had waited patiently for their friend to take the initiative, waited for Miri to signal she was ready. She whispered seductively, "Sounds great. You're very welcome."