Thank you so much to my friends Amyress and BJHanssen, as well as everyone who is following and commenting, without whom this fic would not exist.

"Why am I so nervous?" I asked the air as Garrus and I approached the ambassador's office. I felt a talon on my shoulder and turned to face him.

"This is your life, Sam," he replied. "I'd be worried if you weren't nervous."

I took a breath and looked back at the door in front of us, "Ok, let's get this ov - WAIT!" Panic grabbed me as the possibility of my having to leave the Normandy jumped into my head. "What if they order me to go to Earth? I would have to leave immediately, the mission... " And John, I can't just up and leave, knowing what he's up against! My hands scrubbed my face as I tried to focus.

Garrus tightened his grip on my shoulder, "Are you sure you don't want Shepard here? He knows Anderson better than I do, probably has a lot more sway with him."

I shook my head, dropping my hands and letting out a relenting sigh, "No, as complicated as our whatever it is is, this whole situation would only make it worse." Looking back at the door, I shook my head. "Let's do it." I motioned to the door.

Garrus approached it. "Ok then," he complied, waving a talon in front of the 'doorbell' and the entrance slid open.

It was a large room, stark white and clinical with a small work station to the immediate left and a more elaborate set up in the far right corner. Behind that was an open air balcony overlooking the Presidium, overall a lovely office.

Sitting at the larger desk was an older man, probably in his early 50's, with salt and pepper hair, dark skin and brown eyes. He didn't look up right away so Garrus and I waited by the door, watching him expectantly. When he finally noticed us his expression went from annoyed to pleased.

"Garrus Vakarian," he announced to the otherwise empty room, giving the screen a quick nod then moving around the desk toward us. Garrus met him halfway, both men grabbing the other's hand and shaking in a familiar way. "Good to see you. Shepard was here earlier, is everything ok?"

Garrus nodded, "Good to see you too, Anderson. Everything is fine." The Turian then motioned to me, "Ambassador, let me introduce Miss Samantha Reid," and I stepped forward, taking the man's hand firmly with a smile that he returned.

"Ah," he nodded, "so you are the 'distraction'."

His words, along with the knowing smile he was throwing at me, made my stomach jump.

"Okaaaaaaay…" I drawled out, looking back and forth between the two men. "What did John say about me?"

Anderson laughed and shook his head, "Nothing bad, I assure you. Although, I will say he is tied up in knots and I can see why." He gave me a wink and motioned over to the screen he'd been working on when we walked in. "I've already been in touch with HQ and I have a contact for you."

"Oh," I breathed out, trying to process what he'd just said about John and the fact that yes this is really happening, I was unsure as to how to proceed. "So... how would I go about that?"

"You come behind the desk so I can see your face, agent," an authoritative and gravelly male voice bit out from the console. Looking at Anderson then Garrus with probably a hilariously shocked expression, I nodded and made my way over to the voice.

"Yes sir," I replied, giving the man on the other end of the video call a nod. He responded in kind and smiled.

He was older as well, his face lined and jaw squared with gray hair peeking out from under his Alliance-emblazoned hat. His uniform was a dark blue and both shoulders had four bars each, giving him a considerable rank. If there was any consistency between the past and my new present, I was pretty sure he was an admiral or some equivalent.

"Relax agent," he said casually, "I just needed to see you for myself." He looked down at his omni tool then back up at me. "Amazing."

I assumed he was looking at my file, or some copy of it that had been dredged from the vaults of the ancient past. I was still in awe as to what happened and how long it'd been but I pulled myself together and recalled what I was supposed to say and do when I reported in. Remembering I wasn't alone, I looked over at Garrus and Anderson who nodded and left the room so I took a breath to begin.

"Sir, Agent Samantha Hackett, Senior Field Operative for the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States of America reporting. ID number 862439315, date of birth 5-16-1989. Code name Foxfire, aliases include-"

The man's hand flew up to stop me, "Agent Hackett, no worries, I know who you are."

"Yes sir," I kept my tone clipped and professional. "Orders sir?"

He looked back down at his omni tool, punching in some information then swiping it as if toward me, "A few things first. I've sent you some files I want you to look over. They are of the Cerberus organization and their higher level operatives I believe you to be working alongside."

My omni tool chimed and I raised my arm, opening it to see Miranda's mug. I wrinkled my nose a bit and scrolled down. The Alliance had a surprising amount of data on Miss Lawson, including family and known associates, one of which was Jacob. He was the next one down but, instead of perusing it I decided to save some for later when another alert came through.

My banking app had a notification of a deposit. A very large deposit.

I nodded at the man who I assumed would be my handler. "Thank you sir, but what is the…"

He smiled, "That is your back pay, agent."

Raising my eyebrows, I almost choked on my own words when I saw how much it was, "Well, thank you very much sir." I laughed, trying to hold on to what little dignity I had left.

Without missing a beat, he continued. "Now, I've discussed the mission you are currently involved in with Ambassador Anderson and have decided you should continue to assist as required."

I nodded, relieved, "Yes sir."

"Also, you are to report in whenever arriving on the surface of a planet. I sent you a message that, when you open it, will download software into your omni tool that will act as an anti-hack. Vakarian can confirm it and assist if needed. Be sure to open it while still on the Citadel and refrain from sending messages while on board their ship. If they pick up on the fact that your messages aren't going through their channels it will raise suspicion.

"And most importantly," he took a breath, "Agent Hackett, you are not to tell anyone that you have reported in, nor any of the details of this conversation. No one on that ship, other than Vakarian who is being briefed by Anderson as we speak, can know you are in contact with the Alliance, no matter what. It will put you in danger, as well as Vakarian. Cerberus is not to be underestimated, no matter what you may think of the individuals personally, they are dangerous and fiercely protective of their organization. Trust no one."

"Not even Shepard, sir?" The question was out of my mouth before I could think, along with emotion that I should have held back. I knew it and he knew it so I squared my shoulders and waited for the reprimand...

But it never came.

"I knew you would take to him," the handler's voice softened. I held my facade but the shock took me off guard as he continued. "If he is half the man he used to be... I have every confidence the mission will be a success. Especially with your help, according to your record you are no slouch either."

I relaxed my expression, "You knew him well, sir?"

"Personally, no," he relented, "but his record is stellar and Anderson can't say enough good about him. Anderson is not one to exaggerate."

I nodded, "Then I can trust him."

"Absolutely not," he insisted, his tone returning to command. "Understand, agent, that the man you are serving with has yet to be confirmed as the actual John Shepard so he is still considered an unknown." Looking away for a moment, he almost appeared to be talking to himself rather than me, "Shepard was spaced for God's sake, how the hell can we be expected to believe Cerberus brought him back? And that it is actually him, not some construct or VI that walks, talks and acts like him! No," he reaffirmed, "your mission, your life, are both far too important to risk.

"Trust me when I say this, agent, because I have a personal interest in seeing you safely to Earth," pointing at the screen, he looked me dead in the eye, his blue eyes darkening. "You are to trust no one…

"Especially John Shepard."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"You've been quiet," Garrus nudged my arm as we approached the bay of the Normandy. Having not said a word since we left the Ambassador's office, I shook my head, dropping my eyes to the ground.

Knowing better than to push, Garrus lifted his omni-tool to his face. "Coming aboard Joker."

"Gotcha Garrus," Joker replied as the door to the decompression room opened. "And by the way, your absence was noticed."

I looked sideways at Garrus as the door closed behind us, "Shit. What's our story?"

The Turian shook his head, "I'll take care of it." The fans kicked on, lights powered on and off, then the door in front of us opened to the cockpit.

We went through the CIC but where I got on the elevator Garrus went into the Weapons Locker, probably to look for John in the comm room, so I made my way down to the rec level.

When the door opened to my room I froze, my eyes roaming over the new contents. To my left there was an additional bed, a room divider, desk, dresser, nightstand and a few pieces of art that I was sure were not there before. That and a fragrance…

And a warm body, cloaked with some invisibility tech, standing three feet away at my 10 o'clock.

Glancing around the room I realized my 'guest' was not advancing and decided to act as if I was alone, stripping down to my underwear and readying my things for a shower. I dragged the robe around my shoulders and tied it at the waist, grabbed my clothes and toiletries then headed to the door. As it opened I stopped and turned to face the intruder.

Smirking, I winked in their direction, "Either be visible or be gone when I get back. I do not tolerate games unless I'm in on them." WIth that I turned and left the room.

My shower didn't take long and 20 minutes later I was heading back across the ship. This time when the door opened there was a woman sitting at the desk.

As I entered she pulled her hood over her head but I caught a glimpse of shiny black hair and asian features. I smiled and nodded before heading to my side and putting my things away. When I turned to face her again she was standing behind me with her hand out.

"Kasumi Goto, at your service," she said as I took her hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Samantha Reid," I replied. We released the other's hand and I gestured to the bar. "Best way to get to know someone is to have a drink. I take it you're a recruit?" I asked as I moved behind the bar to make a few cocktails.

Kasumi nodded and sat on a stool. "Yes, Cerberus apparently caught wind of a few of my operations and decided I could be of use. You?" Her curiosity was genuine so I didn't mind answering.

I grabbed two glasses and a bottle of the bourbon I had absconded with from Zaeed's room while he was out with Shepard, "I was a surprise from the beginning. Luckily I'm cute so John felt bad and kept me." I gave her a pouty face then smiled, "Ya know, like a stray. He's a sucker."

Her giggle was a mix of humor and relief, "Gotta love a guy with a big heart and bigger shoulders."

I winked, lifting my glass to meet hers, "I will drink to that."

"What are we drinking to?" John's voice came from the doorway, apparently opened by EDI at some point during our conversation. Note to self, get a doorbell.

"Wow, Shep," Kasumi grinned, "you're stealthy for a big guy."

My heart in my throat, I sipped from the glass in my hand and glanced over at him before looking behind the bar for an imaginary something. The conversation with my new handler was running through my head at full speed, 'Shepard was spaced for God's sake, how the hell can we be expected to believe Cerberus brought him back?' Blinking away the memory, I stopped pretending to look and took a healthier sip, the word construct bouncing around in my head. What does that even mean? That it's possible he's not human?

Feeling his eyes on me, I put down my glass and smiled at him, "Shepard."

A confused look came over his face as he took a tentative step toward the bar, "I see you two are getting along nicely."

I nodded, "Absolutely, although her cloaking tech may disappear if she tries to use her powers for evil again." I turned to face Miss Goto just in time to see her stick out her tongue at me then grin.

"We're fine Shep," she insisted as she turned back to face him. "Did you catch up with Krios?"

John crossed his arms and looked directly at me, "Yes, actually that's why I'm here. He wanted to see both of us, do you have some time?"

Shit, Thane is asking for help, that is bad. "Of course, is now good?"

He motioned to the door, "After you."

I practically dropped the glass on my way around the bar, "See ya Kass."

Spinning around on her stool Kasumi smiled and waved, "Later!"

Out in the hallway, John took my arm to stop me, "Are you alright?" Luckily, his grip was gentle and his eyes were so full of concern I didn't immediately panic.

Instead, I looked up at him, into those eyes and felt that familiar flutter, "Yeah, I'm… " The memory came rushing back, what if he's not even human? Unable to finish the lie, I shook my head. "No, I'm not but it can wait. Thane asking for help is a little alarming."

John nodded, releasing my arm, "I agree, table it for later?" His question was almost like asking permission, as if he wasn't trying to push but he wanted me to know I could talk to him.

"Yeah, later," I smiled up at him. If he's not human that is some impressive programming.

When we walked into Thane's room, the Drell stood, "Good, you're both here.

"But now that you are… " he hesitated so I sat across from him, motioning for him to sit back down.

"What's going on?" I asked, simple and blunt. As he sat he watched my face, probably looking for duplicity but he soon realized I wore no mask. It was me, his friend, asking what he needed. Remember Sam, he's not use to this friendship stuff.

"Whatever it is Thane, you can tell us," John backed me up, softening his tone as he stood next to my chair and rested a hand on it. A united front, I smiled up at him then back at Thane.

The Drell sighed, finally accepting the fact that we there to assist him, "I should start at the beginning… I had a family once, I still have a son. His name is Kolyat. I haven't seen him in a long time."

"Define 'a long time'," I said, trying to put the pieces together.

Thane's answer was surprising, "Ten years. He showed me some of his school work and asked if we could 'dance crazy'."

I smiled, "Well well, the assassin has a childish streak in him." Thane flashed a smile as he stood then made his way over to the shelves where his guns were displayed. Getting the idea that this was about the boy, I pushed. "Any idea where he is now?"

"That is what I wanted to speak to you both about," he relented, "I traced Kolyat through some of my contacts. He has become… disconnected. He does what his body wills."

I understood what he meant from our conversation about his religious beliefs but I could tell John was a little confused. It never occurred to me he might not be spiritual but it should have, being a soldier meant he was fodder until he was deemed more important and most of the time that happened by accident. Hard to believe in a higher power or fate.

John scratched his head, "Explain 'disconnected'."

Thane nodded, "The body is not our true self, the soul is. The body and soul work as one in a whole person. When the soul is weakened by despair or fear, when the body is ill or injured, the individual is disconnected. No longer whole."

I knew there was a point and it didn't sound good, "Where is he now?"

Thane's gaze became direct, almost sharp, "He's gone to the Citadel, and has gained a job as a hitman."

My stomach flipped as I jumped to my feet, "Well, good thing we're still in port. Let's go."

John nodded but held up his hand for us to wait, "I agree, but you don't hire a raw rookie for a hit. It doesn't make sense."

Thane nodded, "I'm afraid someone may have realized we share a name and assumed we share skills. I don't know why he would accept the task."

Approaching them, I put a hand on Thane's arm, "To be close to you. Children have a tendency to follow in their parents' footsteps…" I swallowed, remembering the decision, the procedure we went through with my John's urging of 'someday'... "Whether we like it or not."

John put a hand on my lower back briefly then turned to Thane, "We don't have your contacts and I, at least," John motioned to me, "don't have your tracking skills. Why do you want our help for this?"

"I don't need your help, I want it," Thane insisted, "the last time I saw my son…" I saw his eyes get distant and knew a memory was coming on.

They wrapped her body in sea wrap, weighted, with stones.

He tries to pull from me, calls for her

When they lift her off the platform they sing, like bells

'The fire is gone to be kindled anew'

He begs them not to take her away

They let her body slide into the water

He hits me, 'Don't let them! Stop them! Why weren't you-?''

It rains. It always rains on Kahje.

Warm water pours down his face.

Thane dropped his head as if in prayer, going silent.

John sighed, "I didn't mean to make you relive that."

Thane shrugged, "Perfect memory, it is sometimes a burden."

"Seems like it," I interjected. "Are we ready?" I looked to John then back to Thane, getting nods from both of them I motioned to the door. "Then let's go."