A/N

Okay. This chapter is a bit shorter than the recent norm but it worked out.

Enjoy!

Chapter 15: I need sleep!

Shepard's POV

"Rannoch was a fucking fiasco, John. Never have I banked on using 'luck' in my career" said Luke Sorley with a grim chuckle one gets from drinking too much before sharing a good dose of mirth. John nodded as he drank another beer to relax. He had been up to his neck in paperwork since he had let Kyson take over the Normandy. The work wasn't because of Kyson, but it was all the buildup of running through the war rough shod.

"A little luck goes a long way. Garrus, you know this as much as I do" said John with a smile. Garrus began to laugh but had to stop for it rustled up his damaged face plate above the eye. Garrus froze in pain before calming down a bit. John could have sworn he saw the Turian's eyes cross a bit.

"Yeah, it happens a little too often for us. Normally, I enjoy pointing this out right before husks come crawling out of dark corners. Or, Geth, if you go back far enough. But this time..." Garrus paused before pulling Teagann a bit closer to him.

"I'll let luck do its thing" he said with a Turian tight lipped smile. John noticed how Teagann's eyes lit up whenever she was close to Garrus. Although, Kyson's sister still looked very frail since she had a kiss from Kai Leng's sword. Shepard had wanted to get that blade from the Cerberus bastard and drive it into Leng himself so he could see what it felt like. But it would have to wait. He already had several more orders from Hackett to follow up on. Noveria being one of them.

"Hey, Shepard, how do you put up with my son fraternizing about on your ship?" asked Sotorios Vakarian, Garrus's father. John smiled the best he could.

"It's high pressure out there. We all know this. I have found that letting my people live their lives along with their work makes a happier crew" he answered the Turian. Garrus was beaming daggers at his father but Teagann spoke up.

"Don't be so snotty about it. Work comes first, play second. But, we are working hard so we play hard when able" laughed the youngest Sorley. Luke laughed before shouting 'damn right' as he chugged another beer.

"For shit's sake, Luke that beer gut isn't going to go away if you keep drinking like that" said Benalia. John knew Luke wouldn't listen, so did Beni. But that was the thing about the older couple. Weather it needed saying or not, they still kept in contact. He envied them just a bit. With the war going on, he had very little time to be with Liara. Her being the Shadow Broker and all didn't help his relationship for a fucking second but that's life.

"I'm not a fan of your policy Commander. But, it does seem to be working. I have heard things have been rough though. Reports are already coming in from the Quarians that one of the most violent mercenaries in the galaxy has been taken down. Are these rumors surrounding Kerris'Vateevah true?" asked Sotorios. John grunted into his drink. He was trying not to think about Kerris anymore.

"They are" he said flatly. The hours he spent waiting for Kyson to carry out his tasks had been excruciatingly long. When he had seen Kyson at the galaxy map, and yes he had totally been waiting for them, he knew the jig was up. He understood the focused fury his young protégé was experiencing. Despite how Kyson felt about his actions, John knew that with rage came a focus that could seldom be broken.

He didn't want to see Kyson in such a state again though, it took too much of a toll. Kyson was on the verge of burning out long before his time. Hell, Liara had said even the same thing to him the other night in bed. But he was the one being warned. He had to admit that things were beginning to get to him. The way he ordered Kyson to deal with Kerris in such a brutal way was proof of it. His patience was wearing very thin ever since Han had fired on the Geth dreadnaught. The calm being portraying now is nothing more than a facade for those around him. It wasn't his usual tactic by using a mask to cover things up, but he was finding it useful today.

"John, how's the noggin doin'?" asked Teagann as she pointed to the healing gash on his forehead.

"It hurt like hell at the time. We've all been beaten up pretty bad lately" he said with honesty.

"Ain't that the truth" agreed Garrus. Looking at the Turian, John could plainly see a whole range of emotions. Despite most seeing Turians as a grim, stoic race. The hard set plates on their faces didn't help but, having known Garrus for so long he could see what his old friend was thinking. At this moment, it was relief mixed with apprehension. The war was still out there waiting to separate him from Teagann again. John needed a distraction from all the negative.

"Well, if everyone would excuse me, I'm off. It was good seeing everyone again" he said to those gathered. Mostly to Solana and Sotorios. After a few goodbyes he made his way into the bustling crowds. Being on the presidium, John could hear the blithe chatter of the newest fashion, or latest music. It was almost as if the attack on the Citadel never happened. John could only shake his head in anger as he listened the callous remarks the few people he did overhear say. One Asari even went on about how she hated the mess that was still left to clean and how she didn't have to get blood on her for any reason.

"Even after a direct attack on the council people don't see the shit for what it is" he mumbled to himself trying to keep his cool. He had entertained the idea of finding some small back room greasy spoon of a bar but that wouldn't do. He needed sleep.

"Man, sleep would be awesome. My bed. Maybe a beer or two, ah yes. It's decided then. Sleep" he said to himself as he began to reach the elevator that would take him to his destination.

"Wait up Shep" said the voice of Teagann from behind.

"We figured we should go get something to eat or something" said Garrus.

"All I want is sleep. I haven't been hungry since that space walk onto the Geth Dreadnaught" he replied. Garrus nodded his understanding but Teagann looked at him perplexed.

"You walked onto a Geth ship? Just like that?" she asked. But she held up a hand stopping any reply.

"Never mind, I should know better. Anyways, want to just hang out instead?" she asked. John wanted too but he really wanted his bed. Nothing could dissuade him from the comfortable firmness that his mattress afforded him. He had also lied to Vega a bit. The mattress was firmer than it looked but, he could adjust it. The thought caused him to smile as he hit the elevator control. The doors opened instantly.

"That was fast..." he stopped when he looked into the cold four eyes of Batarian staring him down. He had black heavy armor on with an M-99 Saber rifle in his hands. So did his buddy, a Turian with wild looking red and purple face paint.

"Just the guy I'm looking for. Commander, Aria needs to speak with you. Purgatory, now" ordered the Batarian in their commonly deep voice. John scratched his head in irritation. Everyone wants a damn piece of me.

"Look, pal. I'm going to bed. Tell Aria it can wait." he said as he tried to shove his way into the elevator. The muscle of Aria's didn't budge.

"Then you gave me a death sentence, Pal." said the Batarian with loaded sarcasm. John looked the thug right in the larger lower eyes.

"Just because you fear Aria doesn't mean I have to be under her thumb. Never was, never will be. Remind her of that." John snapped back. The Batarian's upper lip curled in anger as his finger tensed closer to the trigger.

"Commander, please understand our situation. You killed Aria's top assassin, she wants answers. And she is on a warpath over it. I would appreciate it if you would talk to her." said the Turian in a much more diplomatic fashion.

"I wasn't the one who killed him. So you are in no trouble. Can I get some damn peace and quiet now?" asked John as he crossed his shoulders to make sure his short patience was being tested. The Turian had a look of abject fear come over his features. The two thugs looked at each other then back to John.

"Look buddy, nobody says no to Aria, okay? We don't want to kill you or hurt you by any means..." began the Batarian.

"Not that we really could against Commander Shepard" the Turian added in causing Shepard to smirk. The damn bastards were trying to butter him up. They know just how important he is. Now, John was not one to take advantage of his position and reputation for small stuff like this. He thought it to pompous and dramatic. But watching Aria's cronies squirm was a bit fun.

"But, we need to give Aria intel on what happened to Kerris. If not, well, you get the idea" finished the Batarian. John grimaced before saying a single word.

"No" he said with the barest hint of a smile. The look on the Batarian's face reminded him of a toddler being told to put away his toys. It was fucking priceless. But he wanted to go to bed. That was that.

"Shit, John. Why not rub it in Aria's face? It's not like you were there. Tell her that Kyson was the one who did it" snickered Teagann. John felt like blowing up on her for goading the thugs on like that.

"Kyson? As in Kyson Sorley? If that's true, she is going to put a price on his head" said the Batarian.

"Thanks, Teagann" grumbled John as he looked back at Kyson's little sister. She was smiling but when she saw his face, she knew. The scowl of a tired John, was scary.

"Damn me and my big mouth" she swore. Knowing that he no longer had an excuse to avoid Aria. John agreed to talk to her. But he was not going to just calmly walk along. He needed to know why Kerris had been so important to the former Queen of Omega. Stepping into the elevator, he asked a question.

"I don't see why she is so upset? It is just one guy." said John. The Batarian grunted in response while Garrus and Teagann got in with the thuggish escort group.

"Just, a guy? Really Commander? Kerris was much more than just one guy" said the Turian sarcastically. Though, to John, it sounded more like the Turian couldn't believe he had the gall to make such an ignorant statement.

"He was a psychopath" added John. The Turian laughed loudly, his snorting sounds echoing of the small space of the elevator.

"You done?" grunted the Batarian who was very annoyed by his companion.

"Hold...haHa!...hold on a second...yeah, I'm good. Commander, the psychopath was a damn hero of the Terminus Systems." the Turian stated for the other to be enlightened.

"Good for him fuckface, by what makes that funny in any way?" asked Teagann who was frowning. The Turian whipped around with wide, bright eyes. A smile obviously showing despite his ridged Turian features.

"The fact that this place, the heart of the civilized Galaxy is so damn deluded! Kerris was a shining example for us out there truly living life what it meant to be free." laughed the Turian. Garrus snorted.

"How does a mass murdering psycho get such a rep?" asked Garrus with a sneer.

"By being always completing every contract ever taken on. His record was impeccable. Besides, do you really think the bigger gangs on Omega stayed out of her way on her account alone? Mostly yes, but Kerris was the dark force she could summon at any time." smirked the Turian thug. John could see Aria using the Quarian in such a way, but he doubted that Aria had as much control as the Turian let on.

"Shut up Grizz. We ain't here to help debrief Shepard." snapped the Batarian. The doors to the elevator opened showing the entrance to the club Purgatory. John smirked as he remembered his little PR stunt he did with Kyson. Wars were one in many ways.

"Hey, fuck off man. All of it is true..." began Grizz.

"Yeah, and fucking supposed to be secret. Dumb ass." grunted the Batarian as they entered Purgatory. The music was low due to being in the slow hours. John had just walked into the main course of the multi leveled club when an angry Aria stepped in front of him.

The Asari Queen of Omega had a lip curled in fury. A slight quiver could be seen on the upper lip. Nostrils flaring, eyes bright with fire with the added touch of a glow from her biotic powers easily conveyed her mood.

"You look pissed. What this time?" asked John with agitation. He wanted sleep damn it, not this bullshit.

"You killed one of my most important assets!" screamed Aria. John had to try very hard not to flinch. He had never seen Aria lose her cool like this before. The calm, collected ruler he had known was gone. But, like a switch it returned.

"Answers." was all aria said. Not even in a questioning manner but a statement to show she was going to get what she wanted. That she knew that they would be given. That is the true Aria.

"First, what's it too you?" asked John knowing him asking a question would make her deflect it only for her to say 'you first' as always. He was right.

"Answers. Don't waste my time." said the angry Asari as she sat down at her favorite spot to lounge. It seemed she needed a couch no matter where she went. John grunted while crossing his arms in his own irritation.

"I want to go to bed. I was almost there to until your thugs found me. We can't all get what we want." he replied. Aria looked like she was going to have an aneurism with how tight she was clenching her jaw. All she did was stare him down. John shook his head knowing that any further antagonizing wouldn't end well.

"Kerris is dead. He was a threat to my alliance with both the Geth and Quarian fleets." he answered honestly.

"And you just lost your merc army in trade. Hope it was worth it." replied Aria with her cold calm she normally sported. John closed his eyes while letting out a sigh. He had misjudged the situation. Aria really was pissed. He didn't have time for this.

"That's a bit steep. Don't you thi..." he began.

"It's the price for taking a very important asset from me. I needed that Quarian more than ever. He was going to be part of something I had in the works. Now, you pay for ruining my day." said Aria as she took a sip from her drink.

"Kerris would not have taken Omega back for you." said John flatly knowing exactly what Aria had been scheming. What else did the displaced ruler of the infamous space station have to do? Every time he had talked or seen her on the Citadel she was busy talking with people in private. Not that it was anything new for her but snippets about ships, ammo, lots of ammo, gave more than a clear picture.

"You assume more than you know, Shepard. Walk away now, and don't come back. I'm done dealing with..." Aria was about to boot him out of an army. John scowled for it was his turn to cut in.

"Shut the fuck up." he snapped. Seconds passed as silence enveloped everyone there. Aria stood up almost instantly with unnatural speed. The biotics helped with that. For her fists began to glow with the dark energy building inside of her.

"Now ya gone done it John." muttered Garrus under his breath. John didn't have time to give a flying fuck what 'he'd gone done'.

"That's right. I said it. And you listen right here. You know the end game of the Galaxy if I don't win against the Reapers. If we don't win against the Reapers. I don't care how damn famous or how fucking important to your little power trip the bastard was. He was a threat to the galaxy. If not the general occupants bordering the Terminus Systems, he was to us winning this war. So I have had enough!" he shouted at the end. Aria began to step towards him but he wasn't finished.

"Better yet, he was a threat to my family. I don't let people get away with harming them. Hell doesn't even stand a chance of getting past me without a fight much less a psycho Quarian." he finished making sure Aria knew she was about to make him an enemy. More seconds passed, then Aria took to a more relaxed stance with a slight smirk.

"Family? You? You are a damn orphan, Shepard. Nothing more than a fortunate piece of gutter trash." said Aria with amusement. John was still scowling for she wasn't wrong.

"So, who did you adopt as your stand in family Shepard? Your crew? I heard many crews become close, it's not a stretch that such a virtuous man like you would do such a thing." added Asari. John smiled.

"More than what you got" he quipped causing the amused smile to disappear from the Asari's face.

"So stop being so obstinate. Why are you really pissed?" he asked. He had indulged in pushing Aria's buttons enough.

"Kerris is dead. He never failed anything I asked." she answered. John nodded in understanding. A useful person no matter what shit they pulled was a loss.

"He was sabotaging the war. Not on purpose, but he was causing a huge problem." said John.

"You are capable. You could have figured out a way." replied Aria as she sat down. John shook his head.

"No, there was no other way. We tried to help him, something was possessing him Aria. Something that the galaxy has never seen before." he answered honestly. Aria raised an eyebrow.

"I don't believe in religious crap. Don't tell me you do?" she asked with the look of someone making a permanent decision that the person in front of them was daft. John sat down next to Aria and played the vid feed from Kyson on Arvuna. The whole thing. After about three hours Aria was biting her lower lip in consternation.

"So where were you in all of this? That shadow or whatever it is can't be real. It has to be a trick." said Aria trying to explain away what she had seen.

"I was recovering in the Normandy's med bay. Kyson was in charge of finishing the negotiations with the Quarian and Geth fleets. Then I sent him to kill Kerris." he said. Aria got up and began to pace around.

"Well, I know who to kill for taking Kerris out" she smirked. John laughed.

"Really? Still with that huh? Not going to happen. What I'm trying to show you is big Aria" said John.

"I know" she said as she paced.

"And?" pressed John. Aria stopped pacing to look at him.

"I see your point, Shepard. And I agree that Kerris had to go down. I'm now just thinking about Sorley" she said. Once again she began to pace. John rolled his eyes and glanced at the sitting couple Garrus and Teagann. Garrus had a hard look about him. Teagann was wide eyed.

"What the shit do I keep getting dragged into?" asked Teagann while putting a hand to her forehead.

"I was just thinking the same thing." snipped Aria.

"What the hell do you have against Kyson anyway? A while back you almost planted him several decks below the club" asked John. Kyson, you just roll in trouble like a pig does shit don't ya? John thought to himself.

"Oh, he saved my life once. Then he thought he was hot shit. He got out of line and I had to teach him a lesson. That's all." answered Aria. John stood up to stretch a bit. Aria stopped her pacing encase he was going to do something stupid.

"Stop being paranoid. So, what kind of lesson are we talking about?" he asked.

"He needed to learn that what's on Omega is mine. And what's not is mine too. We got it figured out. I normally don't bother with such little people like that boy, but, he did save my life." said Aria.

"I would ask more. But, it is Kyson. I'm going to bed. Take it easy Aria, we have more war to go." said John as he began to walk away.

"Shepard" Aria said as he took his first step. John smiled.

"Yes?" he asked. Aria was looking away from him with a drink in her hands.

"I will need you for something soon. Drop by next time you have a chance." she said. John chuckled.

"And here I thought you were done with me" he replied.

"Oh that? That was just be blowing off some pressure, Shepard. Nothing to worry about. I will leave you with some good news. Our mercenary force has taken down a Reaper today. You should celebrate" said Aria with what John knew was a smirk. John began to walk away again heading towards the door.

"I will. With sleep." he said as he left with his friends. No sooner had he left the club did Teagann speak.

"That was a bit scary." she said. John laughed.

"Which part?" he asked. He glanced back at the young Sorley. She looked a little shell shocked.

"Actually seeing the shadow thing. But mostly you hulking out." she said quickly.

"It happens." he replied. As he made it to the elevator, he head began to pound again. Bed, I need you more than ever.

"So, what next John?" asked Garrus.

"You stay ship side while I check on something for Hackett at Noveria." he replied. Garrus began to argue like always about how he had seen things this far, and nothing was going to hold him back. John held up a hand stopping the Turian from continuing.

"No. That injury is bad Garrus. I had a rough knock on my skull, you had your brain straight up addled like an egg. Besides, you need to get Teagann here settled in again if I guess right?" asked John. He knew Teagann wouldn't want to be left behind again.

"Yup" replied the young woman.

"Then it is settled" he stated as they walked out onto bay D-24. More people were about than before. New recruits for the Alliance and Turian military's front lines were being gathered. Their handlers were busy prepping them for training with loud shouts for glory, honor, even revenge. Many were throwing their fists in the air full of energy at the speeches. Until John got spotted.

"Commander!" shouted an Alliance recruiter from his perch upon a supply crate. John winced, but he found himself stopping.

"I was wondering when this would happen." said Garrus.

"I know right?" added John in confirmation. John could feel no less than a hundred eyes drill into the back of his head. Everyone in the galaxy knew who he was now. Despite the years of bad or twisted press. They now all knew he was right. And if he went to bed now, well, he wasn't that much of a dick. He turned to see the man hailing him was a Sargent from rank designation on his armor. The man was saluting him.

"Yes, Sarge? How can I be of service?" he asked in a clam, disarming tone. John gave a salute back. It had been a good number of years since his boot camp days. But he knew that right now these fledgling cannon fodders needed a bit of courage to help them along their way. The Sargent knew it too. The recruiter motioned to his growing charge of people.

"Commander, you know firsthand what is out there tearing the galaxy apart." stated the Sargent. John looked at the eyes of the people in front of him. Men and women of all ages were waiting on his words to come. He almost had a moment of doubt because he honestly was still wondering if they could win the war. He never said aloud that they would possibly lose. But what he thought was always another matter. Pulling himself up to full height, he answered.

"You all can look down and see the holding docks. You know the dire straits we are in. This is why you are here. Family, loved ones, friends. They have all been taken from us. This is why we fight. Why we will always fight, no matter how hard it may be." he said to the recruits.

"Damn straight!" shouted a young woman in the crowd of soon to be soldiers. John smiled.

"Right there! That, people, is the attitude we need. For those who haven't heard yet, we have gained new allies against the Reapers. The differences between the Geth and the Quarians has been resolved just a day ago. They will be fighting side by side with us when the time comes to take back our home. We are not alone. We never were and never will be. Thank you for helping those who are already out there. Good luck!" John finished strongly as people began to cheer. Most were making faces of shock that the Geth and Quarians were fighting together. John saluted once more before turning on a heel and headed towards the balcony overlooking the Normandy. He sighed loudly as he used the railing for support.

"You like giving pep talks don't you?" asked Garrus. Laughing, John turned to his friend.

"You know me, Garrus. What the hell else do I do?" he asked with a broad smile.

"If you are not trying to get cozy with Liara, you are busy being a dork with those lousy ship models." answered Garrus. John snorted.

"I pay good money for those. And when I build them they are of the best quality. You can't question my skill on that! Or, do you build models and not tell me?" he asked in mock agitation. Garrus just stared at him with a Turian smile.

"No, I play with real guns." answered Garrus.

"Like hell you do." laughed Shepard. He saw Teagann roll her eyes as she turned to look at the Normandy.

"Can it you two. Dick swinging is so very unattractive." said Teagann despite the smile that was growing. It turned into a frown of confusion as she craned her neck over the railing to get a better look at the Normandy. John followed her gaze. The ship was getting a desperate resupply and some light work done. Nothing seemed amiss.

"See something?" asked John. Teagann opened her mouth as if to say something but shut it again. She was obviously trying to figure out a problem.

"Does the window in on top of the Normandy open?" she asked. John had never thought about it. Why would it? It was there only for aesthetics. It had a blast shield that would cover it in a battle but as far as he knew, it was sealed tight unless damaged.

"Dunno." he answered as he inspected the ship. Sure enough, the window was open like a big hatch on a tank.

"Hey EDI." said John trying to see if the A.I. had any answers. He didn't feel like there was any problem with the large window being open. Maybe there were stress fractures for all he knew.

"Yes, Commander?" asked EDI.

"Is there any reason why the window in my cabin is open?" he asked.

"My systems don't show the observation port as open. It is not even on the maintenance logs for the repairs needed." she answered. Now a red flag was drawn.

"Thanks, EDI. Teagann just thought she saw something off is all." he answered. John began to calculate what was going on in his cabin. Many people would want to get in, but if EDI was unaware then the rest of the crew was fine.

"May I ask why Ms. Sorley thought there was something amiss?" asked EDI politely. John looked at Teagann and put a finger to his lips to signal silence. She got the hint.

"She just saw a glare of the glass. A trick of the light. We are coming on board EDI. We'll be ready for decon in a few." he answered. John turned to his friends now made ground team.

"Listen up team. If EDI doesn't know why that window is open then..." he stopped for he needn't elaborate for their faces of understanding finished it for him. That and the guns that had been brought out at the ready.

"Put the guns away. We are going to stroll right on in to the cabin as if nothing is amiss. We will see who is rummaging around. I prefer them alive anyways." he said. With a wave they were off.

John was busy thinking of ways that he was jumping the gun with his paranoia but, he wouldn't be here today if he normally sided with care free views. The decon went fine as he brooded upon other issues. He would have to check on how Kyson was doing before too long. The last mission was tearing the kid apart. He also needed to ask Dr. Chakwas to do another evaluation. The advice Mordin gave about Kyson wasn't promising. Mordin was not known to be wrong. Rubbing his forehead in an attempt to stay awake, John entered the Normandy. He didn't make it three steps before he saw Joker leaning against the bulkhead.

"Teagann. Good to see you hung in there, maybe Garrus will actually get too work now." said the pilot.

"Yeah, he does need me doesn't he?" asked Teagann with a wry smile. Garrus merely rolled his eyes at the jab as the continued to the elevator. Once inside John motioned for everyone to get ready. Teagann had her Scorpion pistol while Garrus still had his Phalanx heavy. Pulling out his own Phalanx, John counted down the seconds till the door opened.

"Get ready" he whispered. John was ready for anything despite his aching head.

"Why do I have to worry about a gun fight just to go to bed?" he asked aloud under his breath with irritation.

"Because the universe hates you?" asked Teagann with a smile. The door opened to the small lobby outside his cabin. John grunted his agreement to Teagann as they moved forward. John gave the signal to stack up on either side. Garrus went to the left side of his cabin door while Teagann more or less stood with a single crutch on her bad side.

"Teagann, come in only if we need you. Just make sure no one leaves." he ordered. With a nod from the young Sorley who looked to be fitting right back into fighting from her calm demeanor, John hit the control holo to open the door. He charged in sweeping the room. Nothing moved so he rounded the one corner that led to the office and bathroom. In his chair, looking over his terminal was a man with long black hair. John knew who it was instantly.

"I was waiting for you to show up again." said John. A few foot steps behind him Garrus finished boxing off the stowaway.

"You." growled the Turian. The man closed down the terminal and remained sitting comfortably in the leather chair. He used a leg to slowly spin himself to face John. The short man had his fingertips pressed together in a pensive way.

"Me" said the man.

"Kai Leng is it?" asked John as a way of confirmation.

"That's right. Good to see you again Shepard." said Leng in a very up tight, borderline arrogant tone. Garrus began to step forward with the plastic sound of his fingers tensing on the pistol the Turian carried.

"Garrus, stop." ordered John before Garrus's famous temper took over. Leng began to laugh.

"That's right. Don't want to break your leash now do you?" asked Leng.

"Without it you would be dead." snapped Garrus. To complete the moment, an ambling gait of Teagann on her one crutch could be heard. John made sure not to move a muscle knowing Teagann would have much to say. I bet she could hold back her curiosity. Or figured that it was clear. John would make sure Teagann and Garrus would have theirs this time.

"Oh for fucks sake. This ass hat." snapped Teagann as she saw Leng which caused the assassin to smile cruelly. It made Shepard's skin crawl a bit. It was the same sensation when you saw a skeevy guy trying to pick chicks at a bar. It made you sick to your stomach.

"Find anything you like?" asked John moving the scene along. Every second the waited the conniving brain in the Cerberus man's head found ways to kill them.

"Not really actually. I had only made it half way through your reports before you decided it necessary to interrupt me." replied Leng. John was silently thanking himself for making sure no operations about the Crucible were in his personal files. That, and the isolation device that would literally detach the terminal from the rest of the Normandy. In fact, he knew Leng was interrupted while trying to fix it for the panel that had the hard wire extranet access was removed. John long ago gave up on securing wireless.

"I see you ran into my failsafe." smiled John in a moment of triumph. Leng lost his smile but nodded.

"Yes. Most don't think to hard wire things anymore. Laziness mostly, but what are you going to do? Now, I'm going to leave the way I came in if you don't mind. I have a galaxy to save." said Leng returning to his easy going attitude.

"You and everybody else. The Illusive man impatient with having his favorite toy running under another banner?" asked Teagann. Leng's sick smile returned. Standing, the assassin shook his head. John took a step forward.

"Move again, and there goes a knee." he snapped at Leng. But Leng was too busy looking at Teagann.

"Look at you. Back up and moving again I see? Happy to be back aboard this merry little ship of degenerates? Sorry about the leg. I bet it will make fucking that bird a bit harder" said the assassin. The words almost seemed to ooze with disgust.

"Better than anything you..." began Teagann but Leng continued.

"This whole ship has been tainted, defiled even by Humans degrading themselves. I just can't fathom how you can sleep at night knowing you let a Turin stick his cock in you." laughed Leng.

"Shut up! Shut the fuck up you piece of shit!" roared Teagann. Leng just laughed as Garrus took another step forward.

"Enough!" snapped John. He was done with the bastard.

"Thane, it's time to answer for him." growled John.

"Put down your weapons. Power down your suit. Then on the ground, now." he ordered. Leng shook his head.

"No." he said simply.

"Let me kill him." grunted Garrus. John sighed before he pulled the trigger on his pistol. The round was blocked and sent ricocheting into his model ship collection. The glass broke and crashed all around his desk. Leng, seeing an opportunity used that strange pulse weapon in his hand to put up a barrier.

"Like I said, I have things to do." said Leng who began to side step then jumped onto the desk. John kept his pistol trained on the assassin.

"You are too scared to actually fight me head on aren't you?" John goaded. A flash of anger was seen on the assassin. It looked like a feral dog had just been kicked.

"Only when the field is even do we fight. Right now, I could kill you all in an instant. The Turian first naturally. He has been defiling Human women making them unfit to be had by proper..." Leng never got to finish his insult. Garrus lit off three rounds almost point blank into Leng. The first two rounds were stopped by the shield but the hand cannon punched through on the third round hitting the assassin in his right shoulder. Leng howled with pain as he jumped through the now ruined model ship display and was making for the opened observation window. Garrus had already rounded the partition and with blinding speed spurred by rage tackled the legs of Leng who was about to use the thrusters in his boots. Both went down to the ground hard.

"No you don't you shit." grunted Garrus who had a death grip on the legs. Leng struggled in a pool of his own blood. Most came from his shoulder but Garrus had surprised him and sent Leng face first into the deck. What looked like a broken nose from all of the blood pouring out of it made the assassin gulp air from the pain.

"Get off...Alien!" grunted Leng.

"Like hell." Garrus growled back. John was about to disarm Leng but with a scream of fury Leng got a foot free and kicked with off of his might into Garrus's damaged face plate. A sickening crunch was herd in the room as Garrus went limp. John put a round into Leng's knee as promised. But Leng looked like nothing had happened.

"Nice shields fucker." John swore as Leng smiled at shot out of the hole in the ship. John cursed himself for not getting that window closed and his shitty reaction time.

"John, something is wrong with Garrus!" shouted Teagann. Whipping around, he saw Garrus bucking and thrashing on the ground. Leng had caused a seizure. The Turian was convulsing so hard that when he tried to put a piece of clothing in Garrus's mouth it was bitten to shreds in seconds.

"EDI!" he shouted. No response.

"Fuck!" he shouted as he opened up his comm directly to Chakwas.

"Karen, Garrus is having a seizure in the Cabin. We need help ASAP." he snapped unintentionally. All he got was a 'on it' from the Dr. Turning back to Teagann he saw tears running down her face as she looked at him. Garrus seemed to be settling down a bit but he was still arching his back slightly now and then.

"Why didn't you catch him? He was right there!" snapped Teagann. John opened his mouth but stopped with it open. Why hadn't he? She was right. He closed his mouth while quickly looking away with embarrassment.

"I don't know" he said tiredly.

"I know. You haven't been sleeping have you? That hit you took on Rannoch, that isn't like you at all Shepard. You are getting sloppy." said Teagann in a scathing voice. John gritted his teeth.

"Like hell I have" he hissed in anger.

"Just fuck off, John." she snapped back as Garrus twitched a bit less on the floor.

"Watch your fucking tongue, girl!" he roared as he barreled over to stand over Teagann. The young girl had tears streaming down her face but she didn't budge from her spot. John was ready to haul her off the ship. He would kick all of the Sorley's off the ship for all of the pain and setbacks they had caused. He never wanted to see another Sorley ever again! As John looked into the eyes of a defiant Teagann he saw something else. Fear. A cold fear caused by him. What did he look like through her eyes to make her so scared to the point he saw her trembling? Then, like a bucket of ice water, he felt his anger wash away only to be smacked by regret.

"Teagann I...I'm..." John couldn't finish for Garrus began to convulse again.

"Out of the way" said Chakwas who had arrived to save John.

"Shepard, grab Garrus's arms. On three, we move him to the bed" said Karen. John did exactly as ordered. Once his friend was on the bed. John finally sat down next him. He looked up to see Teagann getting back on her crutch but she just kept staring at him coldly. John tried to maintain eye contact to portray how sorry he was. But he looked away knowing he had crossed a line. He had failed his friends. Both Thane and Garrus.

"He needs to stay here until he wakes up again. Keep an eye on him while I go get a gurney and some more help." said Chakwas as she walked away. John didn't even reply, he just laid back next to his friend.

"I need sleep." he whispered to Garrus who was still out of it. No response came, so with one last sigh, John passed out.

A/N

The ending to this chapter just kinda...happened. Never let the Commander lag on sleep. Lesson learned.

Review as you will as always. More is on the way.

And thank you very much for reading thus far.