Author's Disclaimer: I don't own a thing belonging to "Mass Effect 2." These lovely people are Bioware's.

Author's notes: Just some exploration of game events and things. Enjoy. Tali taking down the cameras in Shepards room came from Revans_Mask with permission.

"Attachments"

Chapter four "Friendly advice"

Shepard rubbed the back of her neck as she neared Miranda's office. She liked checking in on her squad mates in down time between skirmish runs and missions, but she was having a harder time of it lately. The thought made the heaviness between Shepard's legs feel thicker and it hurt not to be able to palm it to a comfortable position. Thanks to her last few…. Entanglements, Shepard felt more primed than ever. It didn't help that her new yeoman had taken it upon herself to be her assistant and chat her up at every opportunity. Kelly Chambers was pleasant and bubbly, and fun to talk to, but Shepard was getting the nagging feeling she'd been hired on to do other things with her.

Shepard, of course, was highly suspicious of the Illusive Man's designs on her, especially having had two asari floozies thrown at her after her resurrection. Shepard just wished this thing hadn't been attached to her. It had a mind of its own and she hadn't been able to resist. She didn't know how she was going to explain that to Liara and thinking of her ex-lover thrust a lance of pain through Shepard's breast. She wouldn't understand. She'd be shocked at her new appearance, then heartbroken at her two fast experiences to get acquainted to this new part of her body.

They'd just stopped off at Ilium again to aide Samara's mission to tracking her query. After completing the mission and taking her off of the police detective's hands, Samara had sworn her oath to Shepard's cause. Shepard was grateful for the justicar's addition. She was powerful and as quiet and respectful as Thane. The gap in the front of her leathers put Shepard in a pain of arrested lust when she was near. After, Shepard couldn't help pinging Liara to ask if she had a free moment to talk. Again, in her office, again, a circle around Liara's efforts to tracking down the Shadow Broker. Shepard again offered her help, and Liara gently put her off.

Shepard wanted to drag her palm down her face and groan, but there was always a Cerberus crewmember seated in the dining area or moving around the kitchen getting food or drink. She opened the door to Miranda's office, announcing herself politely. Miranda looked up from her desk, a smile that could mean anything on her lips.

"Commander. What can I do for you?" Her lovely accent wrapped around each word and put the double entendre firmly into Shepard's brain. The shaft between her legs gave a jolt and she wanted to palm it in her boxers to a more comfortable position. Dammit.

"Have a minute, Miranda?" Shepard was glad her voice was coming out so even. Her cock was heavy between her legs and she was certain Miranda knew it. Her eyes flicked down to her waist then back up to her face, her smile never faltering.

"Of course, I can finish this report later."

Shepard was wondering what she was writing about this time but settled into the chair across from her desk. She crossed a foot over her knee, trying to get comfortable.

"How are you?" Shepard asked. "Any thoughts on the team we're acquiring?"

"Samara is an interesting addition. Whoever put her dossier together was banking she would throw her oath in with you. And she has. There is something compelling about you, Shepard. You get the job done."

Shepard flushed, remember Liara saying something like that in her first month with her on the Normandy SR-1. The reminder made her very sad even as lust pulsed through her cock. She'd have to leave very soon and take care of it. "I try. Most seem to respond to my leadership."

"They do. I think we'll be ready for the Collectors in a short time. We really should make sure all our bases our covered and we're fully prepared."

"Don't have to tell me twice," Shepard gave a laugh. "Mission first, any other thoughts second."

"I have never been in as dangerous a fight. But I think we'll get through," Miranda offered. Shepard gave a wave of her hand.

"Any personal issues or just a general statement?" she wanted to know. Now curiosity did tinge Shepard's probe. Miranda was a very beautiful officer, her general moods ranging from ice queen to "cheerleader" as Jack had suggested. But now a flicker of indecision flashed across her face.

"I may have something we need to sort out. If you have the time, that is," Miranda quickly added. Shepard gave a nod. It seemed all of her new team had some kind of personal mission they wanted to bring up.

"We'll make the time. Just tell me," Shepard offered. Miranda sighed and looked away.

"Soon. I'm just…going over my options. But I will tell you."

That was a dismissal if Shepard heard one. She gave a polite nod and rose to her feet. "Okay, Miranda. Whenever you're ready."

Miranda's smile turned coyly toward her. "If you ever need any…..assistance of your own, you know where to turn to."

Shepard's face erupted into a bright red blush as she pushed the door panel to open. "Right. See you later, Miranda."

Miranda gave a chuckle as she turned on the security monitor on her computer on. All of the feeds connecting to Shepard's quarters were pure white static. "What the hell!" she murmured out loud. Smacking the monitor, she went over her options. Vakarian wouldn't have messed with anything on the ship that didn't have to do with the gun's calibrations. Kasumi might have stolen effects from people, but messing up her computer, that was abit much. Samara was out of the question, and she didn't think Thane would have either. Jack wasn't entirely out of the clear as far as she was concerned. She didn't trust the trashy convict further than she could throw her. But this seemed abit sophisticated for the brash tattooed woman.

It had to be that suit-rat, Tali-Zorah. Shepard had responded to her team's message a few days prior and had promptly asked her to the Normandy SR-2. That hadn't been part of the plan and Miranda thought she'd be easy to keep tabs on. Apparently not. Apparently, Tali had found her cameras in Shepard's quarters and disposed of them while they'd reported to Ilium.

"Damn her," Miranda muttered. She rose to her feet, fists clenched, paced a step, then sat back down. If she confronted the quarrian, both she AND Shepard would know about her involvement with the survelliance. Bad enough Miranda didn't know if Shepard had mated with anyone else on the ship since that asari "maintenance" worker. Each trip to see Liara had frustrated Shepard to no end. Miranda had to know.

'Unless you went for a more hands-on approach.' Miranda thought. Her face blushed hotly. She normally didn't lose her cool over many people like this, but Shepard was too much. Apparently, she and her friends were proving too much to handle.

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"Hey, Tali. What's up?" Shepard asked, stepping off the elevator into her chambers. Her old friend had been waiting, gazing at the fish flitting around inside the wall-length tank. Their bright colors reflected off the front of the quarian's helmet. Tali turned and her body language radiated comfortable friendship as she stepped closer. It really was too much that even Tali was looking good in her skin-tight environment suit. Shepard forced herself to take a deep breath in and out to collect her raging hormones.

"Shepard. I thought you should know about all the bugs I found that Cerberus planted."

Shepard gave a nod. She poured herself a brandy at her private bar and knew better than to offer one to the quarrian. Human and asari liquor didn't pair well with their insides. "You mentioned that in engineering. I take it you feel more comfortable there now?"

"No, Shepard." Anger tinged Tali's words. She approached her friend, angry on her behalf. "In your ROOM. Do you know I found about TWENTY of those damn things up here?"

Shepard paused with her glass halfway to her lips. She almost choked out loud, thinking of what that asari worker had asked of her a few weeks ago on her very bed. "What!"

"I did! Why are they that interested in watching you?" Tali demanded. The cock between Shepard's legs twitched and she sat down, crossing her legs uncomfortably.

"I think I have an idea," Shepard said dryly once she was able to speak. Tali shook her head.

"I know. I watched some of the footage."

Shepard sputtered around her drink and regarded Tali with something like panic. "Please say you didn't."

"I did." Tali's body language read nervousness as she paced in front of her. "I was fascinated and interested and well, if Liara weren't with you, I'd want to offer myself to help."

Shepard's brain was threatening to short-circuit. "Whu….Tali, you don't have to….and Liara…."

Tali gazed at her with something like sadness radiating off her body language. "I know you must be lonely without Liara, and why she won't join us right now, I don't know. But that asari wasn't anything to you, I know. Just tell her that."

Shepard leaned back on her sofa, running a hand over her face. She shuddered. "I'm worried she won't like me this way. I'm worried she'll leave me once she found out what I did. At least it wasn't with anyone she knew…"

"I know, Shepard." Tali took a seat beside her, nudging her knee affectionately. "You two were apart and it may not have been cheating. She didn't come back with you. But just talk to her, and I'm sure you two will work things out…"

Shepard gave a short laugh. "After she's done yelling at me? I hope so." She turned toward her quarian friend, a rueful smile on her face. "Thanks for taking the bugs out. Now at least I can take care of this thing without knowing they're watching."

"What do you mean, oh." Tali's voice grew interested. "Well, yes, I'm sure you can….take care of it. Until Liara wants to come back that is. Just talk to her. I'm sure she needs our help more than she admits."

"I think so too." Shepard was deeply worried about her erstwhile girlfriend. If she kept coming to Ilium, she was sure Liara would let her in on her mission and she could help her. She was sure of it. "Thanks, Tali."

"Anytime, Shepard. I've got your back," Tali said sweetly, and Shepard smiled a wide genuine smile at her.

"Thanks. And anything you need help with, let me know. And we'll take care of it."

"I know we will, Shepard. Goodnight." Tali left for the elevator, calling it down and stepped on. Shepard picked up a datapad and went through her emails. There was one from the Illusive Man. Shepard skimmed it quickly then read it over again carefully. Information about the Shadow Broker? Liara would want this.

Feeling somewhat important for her exgirlfriend, Shepard pinged off a message to her. She had showered and changed into a pair of n7 boxer shorts and a matching tank when she'd gotten a message back.

"My office on Ilium. Whenever you're ready."

Shepard gave a grin, her cock twitching. She felt warm and fuzzy all at once and eased her shaft out of her shorts. A careful session later and she had come, relaxing. After cleaning her hands, Shepard re-read Liara's message again and again as she settled for bed. Liara was the one she wanted in her bed, not anyone else. She hoped she would be with her soon.

End for now

End notes: Any thoughts? Its shadow broker time. Review if you liked.

Pen 3/07/2021