Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or any of its characters. They are products of BioWare, EA and certainly not me. This fan fiction is for entertainment purposes; no profit or intrusion of copyright is intended.

For the first journey onto Illium, Shepard recruited Grunt, the genetically modified Krogan, to accompany Miranda and himself. He knew the Krogan itched for battle, evidenced by the trail of destruction in the cargo hold he called home on the Normandy. Shepard eyed Grunt as they waited at the airlock. "Can I trust you not to just shoot anything that moves? What we're here for is a bit … delicate."

Grunt grunted and picked up his shotgun, resting the barrel against his shoulder. "If they shoot first, I shoot everything."

"Within reason." Shepard injected. "If someone is cowering in a corner, try not to shoot them."

"Hmm," Grunt pondered those words. "I will consider it."

Miranda eyed the Krogan with restrained threat. "If you shoot my sister, I will filet you and eject your carcass into space."

Grunt held Miranda's gaze, clearly impressed. "A strong female is good for the clan. Wise choice, Shepard."

Shepard quickly intervened before Miranda spoke. "Look, let's just get down there and get Miranda's sister out safe. That's the plan."

Grunt nodded, following Shepard off the Normandy. The squad explored the trade district of the city of Nos Astra before finally finding Miranda's contact. Shepard stepped back in his command, asking Miranda for her choices, letting her make the decisions. In a search and rescue for her sister, Miranda deserved the responsibility of the choices to be made. He knew if he made the wrong choices, blame fell upon him and even if Miranda forgave him, he never would forgive himself.

In speaking with the contact, Shepard heard the name Niket, a name Miranda never mentioned before. Despite Miranda's trust in the man, Shepard remained skeptical. His internal warning system resounded yet he could not pinpoint exactly what irked him. Miranda assured him Niket was a friend; Shepard, still reserved, trusted her.

They found Niket in one of the docking bays with Captain Enyala, an Eclipse mercenary paid to assist in the retrieval of Oriana. Without hesitation, the mercenary raised her gun. In seconds, Miranda raised her weapon.

Shepard tucked his assault rifle into his shoulder and peered down the sight at the Eclipse Commando. Again, he deferred to Miranda, glancing at her from the corner of his eye; her hand trembled, voice still stern but clipped with emotion. Soon Niket admitted his betrayal and the payment received from Miranda's father.

Niket's betrayal wounded her, pierced the usual strong and stoic demeanor. Her only trusted childhood friend sold his loyalty to the highest bidder without even asking Miranda to explain herself or a consideration to the woman who trusted him fully.

In her rage, Miranda stepped forward and her thumb flicked the safety off from her pistol as she aimed the barrel at Niket. Shepard intervened, pushing her arm up into the air. "Miranda, don't". He knew if she pulled the trigger, forever would she live with the guilt and grief.

Her eyes flickered in the smallest sense of relief before she turned back to Niket. "I never want to see you again."

The Eclipse Commando, Captain Enyala, shot Niket in the back.

Miranda's fury exploded and in a blast of biotic power, she lashed out against the Asari woman. Shepard shoved Grunt, commanding him to take cover before diving behind a crate. Miranda blasted Enyala across the cargo bay. Glowing blue, she raced to the edge and took cover beside a collection of barrels.

Keeping low during the ammo fire, Shepard watched Miranda, ensuring she remained in control and acted with smart caution, not blinding anger. Convinced of her control, he turned his attention to the enemy, peering around corners of his cover to gauge the battlefield. He exchanged his assault rifle for the sniper rifle on his back then quickly took aim over his crate, aiming for Enyala's head.

Her shields proved trouble but his disruptor and incendiary ammo assisted in bringing down her shields and armor. Miranda and Grunt ducked low, pinned by the crossfire about twenty feet away. She peeked up over her cover but a heated shot skimmed past her ear. She hid again and her eyes sought Shepard's.

Her expression controlled, angered yet her eyes screamed of the pain of betrayal. A primal almost possessive need surged through his body and his mind. With careless abandon amidst the crossfire, he twisted and kneeled, resting the barrel of his sniper rifle on the edge of his crate. He focused through the scope, setting Enyala in his crosshairs.

Thermal shots whizzed past his head, one striking his shoulder. He grunted and clenched his teeth as his armor dropped but he kept his focus on the shot. He faintly heard Miranda call his name, her order to get down muffled as he aimed.

Two more seconds. He waited for Enyala to emerge from her cover. Another shot graced his neck, cutting through the flesh then instantly cauterizing. He ignored the pain.

One second. Enyala peered up over her crate. Shepard fired.

The Asari dropped. Shepard groaned and pressed his back up against the crate, taking cover again. A soft hand touched his chest; Miranda crouched beside him. "You ass … you're trying to get yourself killed?"

He forced a chuckle at that and rolled his wounded shoulder. "I had to get her. She cued the elevator. Couldn't let her get away."

Miranda searched his eyes a moment and during the lull of cross fire, she aimed over the box and shot her pistol, killing the last two standing eclipse operatives. Grunt reloaded his weapon then glanced to the commander. "Brave … but foolish. You may yet prove to be worthy of my presence."

"Thanks," Shepard grunted and rolled his shoulder, feeling into the bullet wound then pulled out his finger coated in blood. "Shit."

"Your wound is minor." Grunt replaced his assault rifle with a shotgun and pumped it then walked towards some of the corpses, looting them for credits and ammunition.

Miranda inspected the wound on his neck then the piercing on his shoulder. Unfastening the armor plate covering his shoulder, she removed it to better see the wound. His shields regenerating, the wound stopped bleeding and scabbed. Pushing the shoulder plate into his stomach, she stood. She inspected the other corpses while Shepard pushed up onto his feet and cracked his neck before reattaching his armor plate. She lingered by Niket's body; Shepard and Grunt kept clear.

Miranda knelt, staring at the blank face and lifeless eyes of the only childhood friend she'd ever known. A single tear leaked from the corner of her eye and she reached up to furiously wipe it away. Releasing a shaky sigh, she gently closed Niket's eyes.

On the elevator down to the main part of the city, Shepard soothed her concerns and uncertainties about Niket and learned a little more of her past, her hatred for her father and her vindication in taking her sister away. She easily threw everything away from a past life but clung to Niket, a man who appeared to embody the only happy memories from her childhood.

"You can't toss aside everything you care about just to be safe." He said simply and his pride swelled in her when she finally acknowledged her own strength. It seemed she realized her power was not just because of genetics but her choices and execution of actions. He smiled when she included him in her list of people for whom she trusted and cared. He included her on his list as well though he withheld that information from her.

In the city, he convinced Miranda to speak with her sister and he smirked when she finally listened and walked towards Oriana. Grunt watched as well then turned towards Shepard. "I doubted you, Shepard. On first inspection of your human female, I concluded she was far too squishy and fleshy to be of any use in battle especially in that white thing. No armor at all. I am glad she proved me wrong. Even squishy fleshy ones have strength, just not always in physical power, but something I do not fully understand."

Shepard nodded, eyes unwavering from Miranda. "She is an amazing fighter. I trust her in battle with my life. Her powers are called biotics. I don't really understand them, myself. I'm just a soldier. All I know is that a biotic basically thinks something and they can destroy it but I have no idea how they actually do it. I'm told I have the abilities, but I've never figured it out. But Miranda is accurate with a gun and powerful with her gifts. She's irreplaceable."

Grunt nodded. "Hmmm, interesting." He rumbled deeply. "You have made a wise choice in a mate."

"What?" Shocked, Shepard looked away from Miranda at the Krogan. "Mate? No, Miranda is not my … mate. She's a trusted crew member and friend. Nothing more."

"I see." Grunt responded with a curious glance at Miranda. "I was under the impression that staring is a human ritual to denote attraction which is then consummated through the act of mating. Am I incorrect?"

Shepard cleared his throat and shifted his weight uncomfortably. "Where the hell did you learn that? Okeer whisper that in your ear?"

Grunt shook his head. "I have been using that … computer terminal. I am amazed at the information available. You ask it anything, and it answers you."

"The wonders of the extra-net." Shepard grumbled.

Grunt squinted in focus on Miranda then looked back to Shepard. "So you just have not mated yet. I understand now. This is some pre-courtship ritual. You humans are bizarre little fleshy things. It seems logical. You are a strong and worthy warrior as is she. Your mating will bring strong and worthy children."

"Drop it, Grunt." Shepard warned dangerously, glaring at the Krogan.

Grunt shook his head, confused. "More strange fleshy thing customs. Being embarrassed of your own nature."

Shepard crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the nearby ledge of the walkway, waiting for Miranda.

Oriana pulled Miranda aside, excusing herself from her parents as she spoke with the new sister of whom she never knew. "So you mean, the anonymous scholarship for schooling was you?"

Miranda nodded. "Well yes. I wanted to make sure you had every opportunity available."

Oriana gripped her sister's hand tightly. "That's wonderful. I … I never knew I had a guardian from the sky looking out for me. My parents and I were baffled when the notice of the scholarship came in. Thank you. Thank you so much."

Miranda smiled at that, eyes warm at her sister's open and accepting reception.

"I'm glad you have someone looking out for you too." Oriana whispered to her then glanced to her left at Shepard. "He hasn't taken his eyes off of you since you've been here. He's good looking too."

Miranda peered to her right to see Shepard glaring at Grunt. "He's a good friend. If not for him, I couldn't have been here and helped you this way. He's proven far more than I ever thought he would."

"Friend?" Oriana chuckled. "He looks at you as if he wants to devour you. I must say, I'm a little jealous.

"Now you're being simply ridiculous."

"Hey, remember," Oriana interrupted. "I'm just as smart as you and I can tell."

Miranda sighed. "My … mission is too important for such things. I can't be distracted. Hormones and emotions would just get in the way."

Worried, Oriana stepped closer and whispered. "Is it dangerous? Are you going to get hurt?"

Miranda smiled softly in an attempt to reassure her sister. "No. No it's not that dangerous. Just very important."

"You're lying to me, Miranda." Oriana stated flatly but smiled softly, negating her strong tone. "It must be very dangerous. Just promise me you'll be careful."

Miranda nodded, dampness forming in her eyes though no tears fell. "Aye, I'll be careful."

Oriana hugged Miranda tightly. "And give your Commander the benefit of the doubt." She whispered. "If any man looked at me the way he's looking at you right now, I think I'd throw myself at him."

Miranda laughed and returned the embrace. "None of that now until your schooling is done."

Oriana eased back. "I always found that if they're looking at you when you don't think they are …"

"Ori," Miranda warned though her expression still warm. "Enough."

"Fine," Oriana sighed. "Suit yourself. Just be careful, ok? And come back soon when you have more time. And write."

"I will."

Shepard pushed off of the ledge when Miranda approached and followed her towards the elevator to the docking bay. He stood behind her in the elevator shuttle, eyes on her. Miranda peered back over her shoulder at him and smirked. Perhaps Oriana was right. He was looking.

Oriana smiled warmly at her sister as the door closed.

Back aboard the Normandy, Shepard reported to the doctor to have his wounds inspected. Shallow and cauterized, the doctor assured him everything was fine. Using some of the medi-gel aboard, she lathered a little into each wound and smiled warmly when they sealed and healed.

"There you are," The doctor said. "Good as new. Well almost new."

"Thanks, Doctor." Shepard drawled and rolled his shoulder, inspecting the healing tissue. "Little too close on a couple a shots there." He pulled his shirt back on and tugged it around his waist.

"No problem at all, Commander. Anything else?"

"Yeah, what is the status of the med bay upgrade?"

"It's coming along just fine, Commander. We will be fully upgraded within 48 hours. And if you still desire it, your scars will be no more."

Shepard reached up and self consciously touched one of the brilliant scars on his face that had not healed due to his early awakening on the Cerberus vessel after his reconstruction. "Aye, I still want it." He grinned boyishly. "Can't really charm my way out of situations looking like this."

The doctor chuckled and shook her head. "It's not as bad as you think. They have healed a little. They are not as brilliantly bright and open as they were when you first arrived. But I do understand should you wish to go through with the procedure. It will only take about an hour."

"Thanks again, Doctor." Shepard turned to the door. "Let me know when you're ready for me."

"Will do, Commander."

Shepard left the medical bay and crossed the mess hall to Miranda's office. He waved his hand over the sensor and stepped inside.

Miranda sat at her desk, watching one of the displays. At his entrance she glanced up at him and smiled softly, leaning forward. "Thanks again, Shepard. Taking the time to help me with my sister?" She slowly shook her head, eyes downcast slightly. "I couldn't have reached Oriana in time without your help."

She stood and crossed the room towards the open window and sat in the chair overlooking the vast calm of space. "I'm glad Niket tried to redeem himself, for what good it did." Crossing her legs, she leaned back. Shepard watched her every move, unable to look away as his eyes drifted low then focused on her legs as they crossed. "Thank you for stopping me, Commander."

He quickly caught himself and focused on her face as he approached her and stood beside her. "Are you happy about your sister's relocation?"

"She has what I wanted her to have." She glanced over her shoulder at him. "A normal life and the freedom to decide her own path." With a soft smile, Miranda gazed back out the window. "And she knows she has an older sister. A friend." Her voice softened in reflection.

"Are you gonna talk to her again?"

"I honestly don't know," Miranda responded and twisted slightly in the chair, uncrossing then re-crossing her legs, one arm stretched out over the back of the chair. "For once, I haven't planned that far ahead. I'll deal with it after our mission. I have to stay focused and she needs time to adjust to her new home."

Curiously, he watched her. "You never told me what you talked about."

"I introduced myself. Her family was shocked." Miranda answered smoothly as Shepard paced behind her. "She adjusted quickly, of course." She smirked at the memory. "Hmmf, she's as smart as I am." Miranda leaned forward slightly in recollection of their first discussion. "She plays the violin. Loves the Adagio movement of Nielson's Fifth. Just like I do. She wants to work in colony develop. Told a joke about it. She's really funny. Something we don't share." Miranda sat back, a bitter twinge delivered in the last sentence.

Shepard paced to the window. "It's funny. I usually think of you as all business. It's good to see there's a person in there." He teased with a hint of playfulness in his eyes.

Miranda smiled, eyes locked on him and she stood, slowly taking a step toward him to close the distance. She reached out with a hand, gently touching his shoulder where the incendiary ammo pierced him. Shepard held her eyes and smiled, brow lifted in curious expectation.

She swallowed and leaned back into her hip slightly away from him as her hand fell away. "This mission is too important to let personal feelings interfere."

Shepard stepped closer, drawn to her.

"But thank you, Commander." She continued calmly. "My sister is safe again thanks in large part, to you." Grateful, her expression softened. The usual hard and icy demeanor melted away in her gratitude. "I won't forget that." She turned from him and returned to her desk, sitting down to access the terminals.

Shepard stared at her, eyes unwavering as he reminded himself to breathe. He thought she would kiss him when she reached out and touched him. Her smile soft, gentle and grateful as she searched his eyes and face for a reaction. He had smiled in encouragement. Her initial statement of the mission priority deflated his confidence but any uncertainty dissipated as quickly as it surfaced.

The last man Miranda allowed herself to trust sold himself to the highest bidder. Of course, she reacted with caution and focused on the mission. Shepard knew he should focus on the mission as well, discarding any emotion until they saved the world. Experienced with the pains of emotion, logic dictated that Shepard abandon any desire for attachment and emotional connection aside from allied loyalty.

So why the hell didn't he care about those lessons? Every nerve in his body electrified at her touch, desire shot through his veins; his heart raced. Mind occupied, he left Miranda's quarters, confused to his emotions and the smoldering fire in his gut. He felt attraction and desire with Ashley those years ago. It paled to the sensations caused by Miranda Lawson.

Note: Thank you for all the hits and the reviews. I've been working for months on this story and finally decided to start posting the earlier chapters. Addicted to reviews. Send them my way!