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.

Shepard stepped out of the hologram projector in the communications room, disconnecting the link with the Illusive man. The circular hollow table rose from the floor, resuming its position as a hologram of the Normandy flickered to life at the center. He turned to look at the hologram before leaning forward, hands pressed into the edge of the table. Ducking his head, he sighed. "Joker."

"Commander."

"Did the coordinates come in from the Illusive man?"

"They're coming in now. Shall I set a course?"

"Yes, immediately. What's the ETA?"

EDI responded. "Six hours, ten minutes, Commander Shepard."

"Thank you, EDI." He quieted for a few moments, pacing around the circular table before activating the communication for the ship. "Normandy Crew, this is Commander Shepard. I'm sure you all felt the mass effect core activate. We will be at our destination in just over six hours. I want all hands to get some rest, four hours. I'll have more information for everyone at that time. Squad members, report to the communications room in four hours. Shepard out."

He crossed his arms over his chest, legs spread as he stared at the Normandy hologram. Reaching up with a hand, he scratched the few days old stubble on his chin, the only sound the scratching of his bristly facial hair. "EDI, when we were on Horizon, did you get any scans of the Collector ship?"

"Yes, Commander Shepard, I did. I did not get any readings as to the intricacies of the vessel, but I do have a layout."

"Excellent. Send it to my personal terminal." Shepard left the communications room and strode through the corridors and passed the Combat Information Center to the elevator. Crew members closed down their stations to let the Normandy run dark as they prepared to retire for a few hours. He rode the elevator alone to his cabin.

Upon entry, his private terminal binged in announcement of unread messages. He skimmed each message then picked up the terminal and walked down the couple stairs into the main quarter. He sat on the couch, leaning forward to set the terminal on the table in front of him. He tapped his fingers along the tablet and the image of the collector ship opened.

He studied the image for an hour, making notes and memorizing the general lay out, inspecting the image for any signs of weakness.

"Commander," a soft voice called from the other side of the room.

Shepard lifted his head, eyes weary. Miranda stood on the staircase, leaning against the railing as she watched him with concerned eyes. Shepard turned his attention back to the image. "Lawson."

"I see you're ignoring your own order."

"I can rest when I'm dead." He stated then slowly smirked as he glanced up at her. "Or after the mission, whichever comes first."

Miranda chuckled, walking down the stairs then stood at the side of the couch, arms crossed as she leaned into a hip, waiting.

Shepard sighed. "I assume the Illusive man told you where we're going."

"He did," she said softly and looked at the hologram image emitting from his tablet.

He scoffed and shook his head. "I like how I'm under the impression of being in charge of this ship, but things are constantly happening behind my back."

She uncrossed her arms and sat beside him on the edge of the couch. "I answer to the Illusive man, yes. But I will never undermine you, Shepard. This is your mission and I am under your command."

"Are you under my command if the Illusive man gives you an order that differs from mine?" His voice tinged in bitterness. He groaned as soon as the words left his mouth and he lifted a hand slightly. "Don't answer that." Rubbing his eyes he sighed and leaned back against the couch, letting his head tilt to the side.

"You're exhausted." She reached over, turning off the hologram image and shutting off his terminal. "You won't be any good to us if you collapse on that Collector ship. Please, try to get some sleep."

"Too much shit going on," he muttered. "No time for sleep."

"Do you trust me, Shepard?"

"Huh?" his eyes open and he glanced towards her.

"You heard me. Do you trust me?"

"With my life," he admitted softly without hesitation.

The hint of a smile tugged at the corner of her lip as she took his hand and stood pulling him to his feet. "Alright. Then you lie down and sleep for a couple of hours. And let me study the Collector Vessel. I'll fill you in on what I learned and we can decide what to do before we talk to the squad in three hours."

He stretched when he stood. "No, that's not right. You need to rest. I can do this."

"I understand your personal responsibility. But you're still only human, Shepard. You need to sleep." She tugged on his arm, leading him to the bed.

He walked in front of her to stand at the bed's edge, the backs of his knees to the mattress. He slid a playful hand along her waist. "Can't convince you to join me?"

She arched a brow and placed a delicate hand at the center of his chest then gave a forceful push. Shepard sat on the bed, eyes intense on her as his hand trailed down her hip to her thigh. She leaned closer to him and grinned, pushing on his chest so he lay back. "I only take the best, Shepard, and it seems you're too tired to be at your best."

"Ouch," he hissed then laughed as he moved further back on the bed. "Your loss, Lawson."

She stood with a smile. "I think it is actually your loss, Commander." She walked to the couch and sat down to reactivate the hologram.

Shepard groaned at that and closed his eyes, letting his head hit the pillow. He muttered something, though it came out garbled in his tired state. Within two minutes, he slept snoring softly.

Two hours later, Miranda sat back from the table, crossing her legs on the couch as she pulled the tablet closer to reexamine her notes on the Collector ship. Pleased with the compilation and accuracy, she glanced from the tablet to Shepard. Unmoving for the last couple hours, his deep and steady breathing and the soft snore were the only signs of life.

Setting the tablet on the center table, she stood and approached the bed. "Shepard," she called softly to him, cautious with her approach to waking him. He proved time and again to be a dangerous soldier and she knew better then to startle him. "Shepard, it's been a little over two hours."

His breathing deep, he slept.

She sat on the side of the bed just at his knee and reached out with a hand, gently touching that knee. She shook it gently. "Shepard."

He startled awake, sitting up instantly, muscles tight in alarm. He searched the surrounding room quickly before his eyes found Miranda's. He calmed and moaned as he reached up to touch his head. The quick movement nauseated him. "God … damn it."

"Sorry," she apologized, concerned. "I had to wake you. You need your sleep but … just one more mission then you can sleep longer."

He rubbed his temples at the throbbing pain and then rubbed his eyes. "Two hours already?"

She smiled softly and nodded. "I think I have an idea the best way on and off the collector ship. When you're ready, I can show it to you."

"Nah, I'm ready now."

She watched as he ran his hands over his face in an attempt to pull the sleep away. She slowly shook her head. "Go splash some water on your face. You'll feel better."

"Yeah. Yeah you're right." He swung his legs off the side of the bed and walked slowly up the stairs to his bathing room.

Miranda stood from the bed and returned to the couch, picking up the tablet to activate her notes. The water ran in the bathroom a few minutes before turning off. Shepard walked out, rubbing a towel over his face then his head before tossing it carelessly over the railing of the stairs.

"Alright, what have you got?" He sat beside her on the couch, circles still under his eyes though he appeared awake and lucid.

She showed him the tablet then pointed to the holographic image of the collector ship. "The ship is engineering genius. I can't really tell what it's made of – some combination of metallic and organic signatures based on EDI's readings. There are few areas for us to gain access to the innards of the ship with the exception of here … and here." She pointed to the mentioned points on the collector ship.

"What is that there?" Shepard asked.

"Not sure," she answered honestly. "But it is the only place I found where it appears you can get the Normandy close enough and stay far away from their weaponry. EDI suggested either of those two points for an entry. The Normandy can maintain a position and the shuttle can dock within two thousand kilometers."

"Alright. What else?"

"There's little else, really. We won't know until we get in there. Other than an intricate arrangement of tunnels and rooms, its layout is unlike any ship I've ever seen before. It seems confusing and we could easily get lost or turned around inside. I'd suggest setting a waypoint at the shuttle so when returning, we have a homing direction through the omni-tool."

"What more can you tell me about the collectors?"

"Not too much, sadly. We gathered no specimens from Horizon and have very little to go on. I'd say approach it as you usually do."

He nodded slowly. "Incendiary ammunition first and then make changes as needed." He tossed the tablet onto the table and with a sigh, leaned back on the couch, legs spread in an attempt to relax. He stared up at the dark grey bulkhead of the ceiling. "What the hell are we doing, Miranda?"

"I don't understand your question, Commander. We're getting ready to board a Collector vessel."

He motioned to the table and the image of the collector ship. "We've got to be out of our fucking minds."

She smirked at that. "Probably." She sobered eyes distant in thought before continuing. "We're here, Commander, because no one else in the galaxy could succeed. Other than you."

"Why me?" He sat up then, eyes on her. "I still … you fed me this whole bit about having the fire and the ability and all of this other crap but … I was dead. I just can't see why so much was invested in me to resurrect me just to play hero again."

"I've told you, Shepard." She tilted her head to watch him intently. "Do you want to hear it again? Or do you not believe me?"

He raked a hand over his head, scratching at the short hair. His expression frustrated, he sighed. "No, it's not that I don't believe you."

"When I say that nobody else could do what you are doing, I mean it. Look at the team you've managed to assemble."

He sliced a hand through the air and stood pacing to the aquarium. He clasped his hands behind his neck, fingers interlocking. "Nevermind. I … what else did you find out?"

"Nothing." She stood and walked slowly up behind him. "There really wasn't much information. That's why we're going." She touched his shoulder. "Shepard. We brought you back because you're the best. I may have doubted it before but I don't anymore."

He dropped his arms and turned his head slightly to look at her.

She searched his expression, dangerous in the mix of shadow and light caused by the aquarium. "No doubt. You live up to all the hype. Without you, we're all dead." Her hand lingered a moment before she turned from him and walked towards the elevator.

His eyes focused on her, watching every movement, every step as she waved her hand over the sensor for the elevator then left him alone.

Shepard emerged from the elevator on the second deck. Kelly Chambers glanced back over her shoulder at him from her terminal before announcing. "The ground crew is assembled in the Communications room, Commander. The rest of the crew is all at their stations awaiting your orders."

"Thank you, Kelly. Let the crew know they will be briefed after I talk to my squad."

"Of course, Commander,"

"Joker," Shepard called. "How long?"

EDI answered. "One hour fifty two minutes, Commander Shepard."

"He asked me, EDI," Joker stated with sarcastic flare.

"You were too slow, Mr. Moreau."

Shepard ignored any more conversation between the pilot and the AI as he walked towards the communications room and stepped through the door. He paused at the sight of his crew assembled. Miranda and Jacob stood near the back, quietly conferring with each other while Jack looked on in disdain from her place leaning against the opposite wall. Garrus and Grunt stood to the left with arms crossed, staring at the hologram of the Normandy. Thane kept to himself, standing on his own near the right side, head ducked and hands clasped in meditative prayer. Samara stood near the door, her calm and collected demeanor exuded for all to witness. Her head tilted slightly to acknowledge Shepard's presence, her piercing icy eyes radiated wisdom and strength.

Shepard inclined his head to her, an act she offered in return. Mordin paced nervously in front of Thane, eyes trained on the hologram image as his fingers tapped rhythmically on the thigh of his suit. Zaeed leaned against the wall at the far end, expression bored and arms crossed.

Walking by his crew, Shepard approached the console at the center. "I know I've kept you all in the dark for the last few hours, probably unnecessarily but I had to get my mind sorted before I tried to figure out how the hell to go about our next mission."

"You just point to it, Shepard, and I'll kill it," Jack offered with a casual shrug and planted her boot up against a bolt of the hull.

"I agree," Grunt concurred in his deep calm tone. "There is no need for secrecy among the clan."

"Secrecy wasn't my intention." Shepard tapped his fingers along the console and changed the usual hologram of the Normandy to an image of the collector vessel. "In just under two hours … we're going to rendezvous with a Collector ship."

Jack arched a brow. "Man, you are one crazy son of a bitch."

Garrus eyed the vessel image than Shepard. "The Normandy isn't ready yet. The guns need upgrading."

Shepard held up a hand to silence the murmurs of the crew. "I know. The Illusive man received some intel that the turians disabled the ship. The plan is to get in there, gather what information we can and get out before the Collectors come for their ship."

Zaeed shifted his weight and stepped forward, motioning with a hand towards Miranda. "Alright, Shepard, and how do you know the Illusive man isn't jerking us around?"

Miranda's eyes narrowed. "If the Illusive man received the intel and gave it to us, it's good. He wouldn't lie about that. He wants us to succeed, not to get us killed before we hit the Omega 4 relay. So watch your tongue, Massani, you're not paid for your opinion."

Zaeed took a threatening step towards Miranda. The Cerberus Operative lifted her chin, matching the threat with a slight blue tinge around her hands as her biotics flickered to life.

"Huh," Jack commented with a smirk. "What do ya know? The cheerleader has a pair."

"We all have a pair," Shepard commented. "It's why we're here and not running scared with piss in our pants. So I would really appreciate if we save the killing for the collectors and not each other, at least for now. After we save the god damn galaxy, I don't care what you do." He pressed his hands into the edge of the console as he leaned against it. "And everyone's opinion matters to me. The mission is dangerous and every life on this ship is in my hands. I don't take that responsibility lightly. So if you have something to say, say it. I want to hear it." He looked up and around the room.

Garrus grunted. "I don't like it, Shepard."

"Neither do I," Shepard agreed. "But we're in route and in the end, the only way we can figure out how to get through the Omega 4 Relay is to find out how the Collectors do it. This may be our only chance."

"Treat it like a recon," Jacob drawled. "Small crew. Get in and get out as fast as possible. Get us as close to their power consoles as you can. Then we can patch EDI in and she can download everything they got."

"I agree," Grunt replied. "As much as I'd love to smash my fist into a hundred Collectors, speed and stealth will be our ally here."

Shepard nodded. "Alright. Remember, just because the ship is disabled doesn't mean the Collectors aren't still on board. Mordin? Any thoughts?"

Mordin paced incessantly, his eyes fixed on the hologram as he obsessively tapped his fingers against his chin. "Infiltrating Collector ship is … dangerous, risky. Too risky. But benefits … far more benefits, yes. Trap? Likely, yes. The Collectors did not become what they are by … losing battles to Turians. Must be ready. Lots of information." The salarian paused, eyes narrowed. "Need to gather as much as possible."

Shepard pushed back from the console and eyed his crew. "Yes, there will be invaluable information on that ship. There may even be a chance of finding survivors from our colonies. We still don't know what they're doing to them in those pods. We have to rescue anyone we can if we find them alive. But that is not our main mission. Primary goal, gather intel. If we find survivors on the way then fine, but it's not our top priority." He sighed. "This brings me to the last part about this entire operation. I know I usually assign two of you to accompany me and give you little choice. But not this time. I won't make that decision. So I'm going to ask for volunteers."

"Shepard …" Miranda said without hesitation.

"But first," Shepard lifted a hand to her. "There are two of you I want to stay on the Normandy. Garrus, I need you at the guns. If something happens and another ship comes in or the ship we're on gets its weapons online, I'm going to need you working with EDI to get our defenses going."

Garrus nodded. "Understood, Shepard."

Shepard inclined his head in thanks then looked at Miranda. "Miranda, I want you on the bridge. You're my second in command and I need the ship running like clockwork. I don't know what the hell I'm going to find in there, but the crew here responds to you. I need them at their best and putting you in charge will ensure that."

Stunned, Miranda held his eyes a moment before nodding her consent. "Of course, Commander." Her expression gave nothing away to her thoughts.

He smiled. "Good." Turning his attention to the others, he searched their faces. "Two volunteers … to follow me into hell and hopefully back."

Samara gracefully stepped forward, intense eyes focused on the Commander. "I will go with you, Shepard. There may be innocents on board. I can sense life forces, whether innocent or not. I have yet to sense a Collector; I have not met one. But I would like to, so I may know what they are."

"Thanks, Samara."

Grunt cracked his knuckles. "I'll go, Shepard."

"Excellent, Thanks Grunt." Shepard acknowledged. "I don't want us the only ones on that shuttle. Jacob, you're flying. Mordin, Thane, Jack, Zaeed you're on board too. Stay on the shuttle or at the shuttle entrance. Mordin, I'm sure you'll want to gather as much information and as many samples as you can. Hell if you get a specimen, as long as its dead, bring it aboard."

"Good idea," Mordin agreed and tapped his upper lip. "I will find quickly … what must be found. Specimen, samples yes. Very important. Perhaps technology. Yes. Will not wander far from shuttle."

Jack's lips quirked in a grin. "Anything comes near the shuttle I'm gonna shoot a shockwave up its ass."

Zaeed scoffed. "Yeah, little girl. That's not if I don't blast its head off first."

"Maybe I'll shoot a shockwave up your ass first." Jack challenged.

"Enough!" Shepard interrupted. "Save it for the mission. Make sure your suits are up and functional. We don't know the atmosphere condition on that ship. Joker will notify the crew when we're ten minutes away. Meet at the shuttle then. Dismissed."

The crew turned, leaving the room, Jack and Zaeed exchanging verbal jabs. Jacob saluted then followed the others. Miranda lingered behind. She leaned into her hip and crossed her arms when alone with Shepard. "Would you like to tell me the real reason why I'm delegated to bridge duty?"

"You heard it," he answered simply. "I need you on the Normandy, Miranda. I have to go check my suit. I'll come find you before we leave." He offered a small smile then left Miranda standing in the communications room, slowly simmering.

Fifteen minutes before contact, Shepard walked from the elevator towards Miranda's office. He flicked the last few fasteners of his armor and carried the full helmet in his hands. He adjusted the visor on his head and placed the distance reader in front of his eye; he waved the helmet over the sensor for her office, opening the door.

He stepped inside, eyes instantly seeking her beyond the desk and in her private quarters. She stood at the bedside, a tablet in her hand. Her free hand buried in her hair in thought as she leaned into a hip, examining the tablet. He swallowed hard. "Miranda," he slowly walked past her desk and into the private area.

She turned her head to meet his gaze and lowered her hand from her hair as she tossed the tablet onto the bed. "Commander."

"Is that where we are?" Shepard asked, voice deep and gentle. "Commander? Not even Shepard?"

She paused. "I assumed this was a professional visit."

"I'm not just here because of professional duty. You're upset with me." He smirked at her glare. "Which is probably an understatement. Let me explain myself to you. Will you let me do that?"

She turned to him, arms crossed over her chest defensively. "Is this because of what happened at the Eclipse base? Do you doubt me?"

"What?" Surprised by the question, he quickly shook his head. "No. No not at all. Hell, your abilities can shame me sometimes." He approached her, standing a few feet away, close enough to see the flecks of gunmetal silver in her eyes. "I need you here because you're my second. I need you to protect the crew. I don't know what I'm going to find on that ship and if something happens and the Normandy and crew are in danger, I trust you to do what has to be done."

She eyed him warily. "Do what has to be done."

"The shuttle won't be far from the Normandy. If it gets too hot, pull it back and get the hell outta there." He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to speak. "I know we don't want to leave anyone behind. But the lives on this ship, the rest of the crew. Miranda, you know I'm right. I wouldn't worry about it. Takes more than a few collectors to stop me." He joked with a smile before sobering. "If something happened and both of us were lost on that collector ship, Cerberus would be crippled and the mission over. Humanity is fucked. If I don't make it, you still have to get back to the Illusive man and find another way to stop the Collectors."

She inhaled slowly then exhaled; it trembled slightly. She stepped away from him. "The Illusive man said the ship is disabled. So there's no excuse for you to be left behind. Just get in there and get out."

"That's the plan." He stated, watching her. With her back to him, his eyes softened and he smiled. Her shoulders tensed in an attempt to show no uncertainty.

"Commander, ten minutes til arrival." Joker's voice rang through the office.

"Thanks, Joker," Shepard responded and slowly stepped to Miranda, the only sound in the chamber his heavy boots on the metallic floor. Behind her, he slid a hand around her waist, splaying the armored palm over her stomach and pulled her back into his chest.

She didn't fight, leaning back into him and her eyes closed for a second. "Two hours. That's all I'm giving you before I come onto that ship and drag you off myself." Her voice calm and controlled in its order.

He grinned at that and turned his head to nuzzle her hair. He inhaled then sighed. "Deal." His hand tightened a moment. "I'll be back before you know it. Don't miss me too much," he teased and stepped back from her. With difficulty, he turned from her and left the office. When the door closed behind him, Miranda ducked her head, shoulders slumping slightly as she regained her composure. Within seconds, she stood tall again and turned to the bed, grabbing the tablet from the mattress then strode confidently from her office.

Note: Hope you're all enjoying the story. Thanks so much for all the reviews and the hits.