Miranda stood beneath the outcropping of the second level walkway as a steady rain began to fall over Nos Astra. Wearing Shepard's suit jacket over her dress, the gloomy weather matched the operative's mood. After the adrenaline of combat waned and the disappointment over their ruined evening had been accepted, Miranda felt deeply troubled by the bold attack she and the Commander had survived a little over an hour earlier.

The body of the female attacker Miranda had killed was a few meters away, still splayed out on the ground of the transportation plaza. She stared vacantly at a pool of the woman's blood as it mixed with the rainwater streaming across the pavement. The asari police officers that swarmed the site had erected portable canopies over the bodies, shielding them from the showers while the crime scene investigators worked. The entire area had been cordoned off shortly after the first Nos Astra police responders arrived, setting up electronic barriers to prevent civilians from disturbing the scene. The area was now crawling with no less than two dozen uniformed asari police officers, investigators, and techs.

A short distance off, Mordin was discretely running his own scans as two asari CSI techs examined the body of the first gunman Shepard had dropped.

Once Shepard and Miranda had cleared the plaza after the ambush, the Commander had called in the cavalry. Less than ten minutes later, Garrus, Tali, Grunt, Mordin and Kasumi descended from the sky, disregarding the restricted airspace above the transit plaza, and emerged from the Normandy's shuttle in full combat kits.

Shepard had immediately sent Garrus and Grunt into the tunnels below, where the initial shot had originated, to ferret out any threats while he remained up top to deal with the asari authorities. Tali was busy canvasing the upper walkways and Kasumi had returned to Shepard and Miranda's hotel, looking for any leads or signs of lingering surveillance.

After the skies had darkened, Shepard had placed his jacket around Miranda's shoulders and the two took shelter under the ledge of the pedway above. He was now standing a little off to the side, speaking with Chief Detective Anaya. He'd since rolled up his shirtsleeves and the Predator pistol still hung from the now exposed shoulder rig holster.

They'd met Anaya several months before, during their effort to recruit Samara for the Collector mission. She'd been promoted since they last saw her and now directed a significant major crimes task force within the Nos Astra PD. In fact, it was largely thanks to Shepard and the squad's aid in combating Eclipse mercenary activity in the Nos Astra spaceport that led to the asari's elevation. She was indebted to the Commander and had been quick to take control of the scene, shielding Shepard and Miranda from enduring any excessive hassle.

Miranda stared over at Shepard with a distant look in her eyes, brooding over the ambush. She was well aware of the enemies they had made over the last several months, and fully expected Cerberus to move on her at some point, but this didn't feel like the work of her former employer. The attack was too audacious, too dirty. Cerberus would have been more subtle, especially on a high profile world like Illium.

And it made no sense to strike at Shepard when the Illusive Man was busy aligning Cerberus with the Commander's successes. Trying to eliminate the rogue agent Miranda Lawson was one thing, but assassinating Shepard in the process just didn't track. No, she thought, this was something different, another adversary lurking behind the scenes. Replaying every detail of the attack in her mind, she kept returning to the warnings Councilor Anderson conveyed little more than a week previous.

But beyond the mystery over this new enemy's identity, Miranda was simply angry. The bastards ruined her night.

Miranda certainly hadn't deluded herself into thinking that she and Shepard could simply go about without taking precautions. But they had been keeping a low profile on Illium and were merely taking a day for themselves, like a normal couple might. Of course they would always need to be careful, always vigilant when off-ship, but this was ridiculous.

Perhaps it was naïve of her to think they could do something as ordinary as go out on a date in times like these. Maybe I dropped my guard after the week on Eden Prime, she thought, doubting herself. But she quickly rejected the notion. No, damn it. She had taken precautions and been careful. This was bullshit.

But still, surveying the carnage of the transit plaza, Miranda was reminded of just how difficult it would be for her and Shepard to achieve any semblance of a normal lifestyle. The attack tonight only crystalized that point further. Between the Commander's notoriety and her infamy, the couple faced a daunting and uncertain future.

And the bitter truth was, before being thrown together for the campaign against the Collectors, Miranda and Shepard lived in polar opposite realities. The common ground they occupied now suddenly felt precarious and transitory. The Alliance would eventually accept Shepard back into the fold, she felt certain of that. And he'd likely return to the Council's good graces before too long, as well. But Miranda's future circumstances seemed far more nebulous. Could she move beyond the sins of her past? Would she ever truly be accepted by Shepard's old allies?

As the downpour intensified, Miranda considered the implications her presence would have on the lives of those she's grown so attached to. What further dangers would she invite into Oriana and Shepard's lives? Incorporating any semblance of normalcy into her life suddenly felt like a childish fantasy. A dark thought then crept back into her mind. Hell, I'm not even really a whole woman.

Miranda was roused from her darkening thoughts as Shepard strode back over to her.

"Anaya's crew hasn't been able to ID the bodies yet," he said. "There's no record of them coming in through screening at the spaceport and nothing in the inter-agency databases matching their DNA or biometrics. They're fully deniable."

Miranda listened in silence, vaguely nodding her head.

Shepard sensed she was miles away. "Hey, you alright?" he asked in a gentle voice.

Miranda snapped out of her trance. "No, John, I'm not bloody alright," she said. "This is bullshit! We can't even step out for a simple evening together without getting jumped by whoever the hell these bastards were." Then she sighed, immediately regretting jumping down Shepard's throat. "I'm sorry," she said and reached out and pulled herself in close to his chest. "I'm just frustrated. I wanted to be able to get away from all this, even if just for a night."

"I know. I understand," he said, rubbing a comforting hand up and down her back. "I'm pissed too. But we'll figure it out."

Garrus and Grunt emerged from the tunnel below a few seconds later. The turian and krogan were in full battle armor and both wielded heavy Mattock assault rifles.

"Anything?" Shepard asked as he and Miranda abandoned their embrace.

Garrus shook his head. "Nothing. I can see where the guy likely setup, but he didn't leave anything behind we could track. There's several ways out of that station from the lower level, but we didn't find a trail."

Grunt seemed annoyed at not finding someone to shoot. "Not even the stench of the dirty coward," he snarled. "I'd say he ran as soon as his first shot missed its mark."

Shepard nodded, expecting as much. "The locals don't have anything either—no ID, nothing. It's like they just materialized out of nowhere."

Miranda remained close by Shepard, visibly growing more impatient. "Commander, we're clearly not going to find answers here tonight. Perhaps we should return to the Normandy and continue the investigation from there?"

Shepard recognized the polite recommendation from his XO for what it was: His girlfriend was in a bad mood and ready to go home. "Agreed. Let's wrap it up and get everyone back to the ship," he announced. "Garrus, head back in the shuttle with Tali, Mordin and Miranda. Grunt, you're with me. We'll head back to the hotel and meet up with Kasumi."

Miranda shot Shepard an inquisitive look.

Shepard touched her arm reassuringly. "I'm just going to pop back to the room and grab our stuff."

"Alright… But be quick," she said and then leaned in to whisper in his ear. "And don't you dare peek in any of my shopping bags."

Shepard chuckled at Miranda's threat. "Understood, XO."

A few minutes later, the XO's group boarded the Kodiak shuttle and took off for the Normandy. Garrus and Mordin took up station in the cockpit while Miranda and Tali found spots in the squad compartment.

As the ship took off for the short flight back home, Tali claimed one of the jump seats directly across from Miranda. It was rare for the young quarian to be found alone with the Normandy's XO and for the first several minutes of the journey only the steady hum of the craft's engines penetrated the awkward silence the two maintained.

Before long, Tali was squirming in her seat, looking as if she either wanted to say something to Miranda or simply make an excuse to get up and flee to the shuttle's forward compartment. Miranda eyed her warily, hoping that she would remain silent for the duration of their short trip.

But Tali was talkative by nature and felt the urge to break the uncomfortable silence. "So… Nice dress, Miranda."

Miranda stared back at the quarian, allowing a faint but polite smile to soften her otherwise sour expression. "Thank you," she said, unconsciously pulling Shepard's coat around herself a little tighter and praying that Tali would drop the small talk.

But Tali was undeterred. "It sounds like you had a really nice night planned with Shepard. I'm sorry those bosh'tets ruined it for you."

Miranda highly doubted Tali was sorry to see her plans with Shepard upset, but refrained from pushing the issue and remained quiet.

Over the course of the Collector campaign, Miranda and Tali formed a grudging professional respect for one another, but there was no semblance of a cordial personal relationship between the two. Just as it was with Shepard's other long-time friends, Garrus and Joker, the former Cerberus operative's presence on board and nominal authority as XO was tolerated, but never embraced.

It was understandable, Miranda supposed. During their time aboard the Normandy SR1, Garrus and Tali had been alongside the Commander when several Cerberus cells engaged in questionable projects were eradicated. The prejudice they held for Miranda's former employer ran deep and it would always be an uphill battle to gain a level of trust beyond what the Commander demanded be afforded his XO.

But at least Garrus seemed to have warmed slightly to Miranda over the recent months, no doubt thanks primarily to her relationship with Shepard. But the same could not be said for Tali. They worked perfectly well together during missions, but an immense gulf remained between the two women. And now, sitting in that uncomfortable shuttle jump seat, Miranda had an inkling she was about to find out a bit more why that was.

"So you were going to that big show over in the theatre district, huh?" Tali said.

Miranda sighed and began to feel a sense of foreboding over where this seemingly trivial conversation might be heading. "That's right," she said and casually looked off to the side, studying the shuttle's bulkhead with a distant look in her eyes, yearning to drift off.

"You know, I think Liara dragged Shepard to an asari performance like that one time back on the Citadel," Tali said. "Poor guy."

And there it is, Miranda thought, and narrowed her gaze as she looked back to face Tali. "Really."

"Yeah… we all had a couple weeks downtime right after the big fight with Sovereign and before Shepard was ordered out again to hunt more geth. Me, Garrus, Liara, Ashley, Joker… even Wrex. We all mostly stuck around the Citadel."

Miranda willed her expression to go blank, knowing the quarian wouldn't need any encouragement to continue spilling what was on her mind.

"I think Shepard and Liara really helped each other get passed some things," Tali said. "She was still pretty broken up about her mother and I know he was feeling a little betrayed when the Alliance and Council didn't take the Reapers seriously."

She's just trying to push my buttons, Miranda thought. But it's working. There was clearly a reason Tali was needling her about Shepard's past relationship with Liara. What are you playing at?

Tali continued reminiscing with the subtlety of an Elcor. "I remember thinking how lucky Shepard was. He had both Liara and Ashley all over him. I mean, I love them both, so I'm not taking sides or anything. But I think if Ashley hadn't been a member of the Normandy's crew there might have been something more between those two… But who knows? Maybe it was because Liara was just sooo… exotic."

Miranda's expression was morphing into an intensifying glare.

Tali shrugged. "I guess things change though," she said.

Miranda finally spoke up again through her clenched teeth. "Why don't you just say what's really on your mind?"

Tali shifted in the shuttle's jump seat and placed her hands in her lap. "Okay, I will." The quarian's voice had abruptly lost its feigned pleasantry. "Liara's my friend. So is Ashley. You're not my friend, Miranda."

"Your friendship is irrelevant to me, Tali," Miranda said.

Tali continued on as if Miranda hadn't spoken. "Oh, I think you're super intelligent and a talented operative and all…. Plus you're obviously really, really attractive for a human woman." Tali leaned in toward Miranda a little and lowered her voice. "But by the way, you don't have to wear those skin-tight outfits all the time to remind everyone how hot you are."

Miranda felt her face redden.

Tali shrugged her shoulders again. "But you're still Cerberus."

Miranda was fighting to keep her temper in check, reminding herself that Tali was something of a little sister to Shepard. And there was a clear agenda at work here; she had no trouble recognizing that. Don't take the bait, she told herself. "I've left Cerberus. You know that."

"Sure," Tali shrugged. "I believe you don't report to the Illusive Man anymore, but you'll always be Cerberus, Miranda. It's wrapped all around you, even when you're wearing that pretty dress. You can take off all those Cerberus emblems from your uniforms too, but it's still a part of who you are."

Miranda suddenly felt weary. She was already in a foul mood after the attack and now enduring this contrived rant was testing her patience. "You're point?"

"You're toxic, Miranda," Tali said. "You've got so much baggage that Shepard's overwhelmed trying to deal with it all. He shouldn't have to work that hard—not when it seems like the fate of the whole galaxy's on his shoulders. Liara and Ashley both love him. And they both make things a lot less complicated for him."

Miranda felt wounded and was struggling to keep her lower lip from quivering. "Williams turned her back on Shepard on Horizon. I saw how much that hurt him. You know that. And Liara and his relationship ended. They're better off as friends." But as the words escaped her mouth she already doubted them.

Tali let out a harsh little laugh. "Sure, I heard all about Horizon from Garrus. But I know Ashley. I'm sure she was just shocked to see Shepard alive and working with Cerberus. She'll patch things up with him."

The tenor of Tali's voice became decidedly more aggressive. "And how do you know Liara and Shepard are better off as friends? You didn't see them together before. Or were you and your Cerberus friends already spying on him back then?"

Miranda had had just about enough of Tali's hostility and rose abruptly. "You're going too far, quarian!"

Tali shifted a little in her seat and crossed her legs. "See, now I'm just that quarian suit-rat," she said and crossed her arms in front of her, looking pleased she'd succeeded in provoking Miranda. "You're still the Cerberus cheerleader Jack pegged you as. You can't shake the past overnight, Miranda."

Miranda kicked herself for losing control of her emotions but was done absorbing Tali's venom. "I've had more dealings with T'Soni than you know. And I'm sorry, but don't make me laugh! Williams is a child. Much like you."

Tali ignored the insult, feeling she still held the high ground. "How can Shepard ever have a real life with you? Liara would do anything for him. And Ashley makes so much sense it's just stupid."

Miranda was seething now. "I brought him back to life, you bitch," she spat.

Tali stayed seated and Miranda didn't need to see the quarian's face behind that mask to know her expression was smug and satisfied. "Yes, you did," Tali said. "But don't you think it's time you let him get back to that life? How's he going to do that with you dragging him down, keeping that Cerberus brand on him?"

"You think that by being with me he's seen as just another Cerberus agent?" Miranda was incredulous. "That's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Tali asked. "Miranda, when people see you, they see Cerberus. When they see you with Shepard… Well, what do you think?"

Miranda was now visibly shaking and fighting the urge to toss the woman into the bulkhead with a biotic slam. Tali's harsh assessment stung—all the more because there was a shred of truth in the words. When she spoke again, her voice sounded feeble. "How can you say all this?"

"You know it's true, Miranda. You can't give him everything he needs. And everyone will be better off once you admit it to yourself," Tali said.

A tense silence settled in the shuttle as Miranda stood staring down at Tali. The expert poise the operative typically possessed had failed her as she clearly misjudged the depth of Tali's contempt.

A moment later, the vibration of the shuttle touching down in the Normandy's cargo bay was felt and the crew doors slid open.

Miranda stood glaring down at Tali for an extra beat and then abruptly turned on her heel and marched out of the shuttle without another word.

Rapidly crossing the distance from the shuttle to the elevator, Miranda received more than a few befuddled sideways glances from the handful of crewmembers occupying the deck. They cautiously watched as their XO stormed by wearing Shepard's jacket over the long red dress, her high heeled platform shoes striking the metal floor with a precise, rhythmic bang until she disappeared into the elevator.

As the doors to lift slid shut, Miranda inhaled deeply and felt the tingling of biotic energy course through her fingertips. Damn it, this is not going to be another 'Jack' moment, she chided herself.

Emerging from the elevator on the crew deck, Miranda turned the corner to head toward her quarters. But as she passed by the common mess area, she glanced to her right and noticed Dr. Chakwas was working late in the medical bay.

Coming to a halt halfway to her office, Miranda received more puzzled looks from the crew members sitting at the tables, the unusual appearance of their XO causing them to look up from their meals and gawk for a moment. Ignoring the stares, Miranda turned to skirt around the tables and made directly for the medical bay.

Entering the medical lab, Miranda found Dr. Karin Chakwas sitting at her desk, busy reviewing files on the terminal. Hearing the lab door open, Chakwas swiveled her chair around to face her visitor.

The doctor greeted Miranda with a look mixed with concern and subtle amusement. "Hello Miss Lawson," Dr. Chakwas said and studied Miranda for a moment. "I was troubled to hear about the attack on you and the Commander. I was advised that you were both unharmed, but are you injured?"

"No, doctor, I'm fine," Miranda said. "I was just wondering if you had a moment to talk."

The doctor's expression remained curious but her friendly demeanor didn't falter. "Of course. What's on your mind, Miranda?"

Miranda hesitated for a moment, suddenly feeling awkward and the urge to turn and leave. But Karin's manner always felt welcoming and safe, so the XO pulled out a nearby chair and joined the doctor sitting by the desk.

Facing the doctor, Miranda crossed her legs and placed her hands in her lap. "You're familiar with the entire crews' medical records," she said.

"Almost everyone's," Dr. Chakwas nodded. "Your own personal medical histories are still sealed, Miss Lawson."

Miranda looked almost ashamed, glancing down at the floor. "Right," She said. "I'm going to grant you access to those files now. I apologize for my reluctance to share that information with you before. I know it's your responsibility to look after the entire crew, myself included."

Dr. Chakwas looked a little confused. "I understand, Miranda. You're not someone who's accustomed to putting your trust in others."

Miranda was slightly taken aback by the doctor's bluntness. "You're right, I'm not. But I've come to realize that I need to begin allowing myself to… open up more and be more approachable."

The doctor smiled warmly. "That Commander Shepard, he does have a way about him, doesn't he? He cuts through people's barriers like no one I've seen before."

Miranda blushed. "Yes, he's… a unique individual."

"There's no need to stand on ceremony, dear. I'm well aware of your relationship with the Commander. As is the rest of the crew." The doctor continued smiling kindly at Miranda, as if she was waiting patiently for the younger woman to catch up.

Miranda felt progressively more disarmed by the candor of the older woman. "Oh. Yes, I… suppose the ship is rather small," she said.

"There's no need to feel embarrassed, Miranda," the doctor said in a kind, almost motherly tone. "I know you've tried to be discrete about it, but there's really no need. The crew looks up tremendously to the Commander. And, though some may feel intimidated by you, they all respect you." Her expression grew even warmer. "And if you don't mind me saying so, I quite approve. It's not difficult to recognize how much more at ease Shepard's been lately. I think he's quite taken with you."

Miranda's mouth was agape, thrown again by the unexpected thoughtfulness of the doctor. "Thank you for saying that, Karin. It's not something that comes easy for me… these emotions. But I do care very much for him." She grinned, thinking of Shepard, but then the smile withered. "However, I'm not sure Tali shares your assessment."

Dr. Chakwas had a knowing look in her eyes. "Ah," she said. "Well, I would council being a little forgiving with our quarian friend. She wears her heart on her sleeve—more than most."

Miranda frowned, not feeling at all like giving Tali the benefit of the doubt at the moment. "Yes, I gathered as much. Still, it's nice to hear your kind words, doctor."

"Of course. But you wished to discuss something about your medical history?" Karin asked.

Miranda composed herself. "Yes. I was hoping to get your opinion on a… condition of mine."

Doctor Chakwas looked intrigued and waited for Miranda to continue.

Taking a deep breath, Miranda dove in and over the next thirty minutes reviewed with the doctor her private medical records, described her unique genetic makeup, discussed the benign neoplasm that rendered her unable to conceive, and argued the various treatments she had considered in the past.

Finally, after their exhaustive discussion, Miranda gave the doctor a look of surrender. "I know it's ridiculous to even consider this issue with all we've been through and a potential war on the horizon…"

The doctor dismissed Miranda with a wave of her hand. "Nonsense," she said. "You want feel whole and solve this problem. I completely understand your desire to find a solution, Miranda."

Miranda gave Karin a grateful smile and nodded slowly.

Dr. Chakwas gave the XO a sympathetic look. "But I would also counsel, that while I feel confident that we can find a solution, it's not guaranteed. But there are always alternatives available should you wish to start a family."

"Yes, I understand, doctor. My expectations are realistic," Miranda said.

"Good. Then we'll get started working on this straightaway," Dr. Chakwas said.

"Thank you again, Karin."

"It's my pleasure, dear. And by the way, Miranda, it's really a very lovely dress."

Miranda looked at the doctor and smiled appreciatively, already feeling cleansed from her earlier confrontation with Tali, then stood and turned to leave. As she emerged from the medical bay, Miranda nearly ran straight into the Commander.

Shepard gave her a concerned look. "You said you weren't hurt."

Miranda was momentarily caught off guard by Shepard's unexpected appearance. "I'm not," she blurted out. "I… I was just following up with Dr. Chakwas on another matter, that's all."

He looked her up and down with a suspicious expression. "Uh huh."

Miranda recovered her poise and placed a hand on his chest. "Really, John. I'm fine."

"All right, if you say so…"

"I do. Now, did you turn up anything back at the hotel?"

Shepard shook his head. "No. Nothing there either. But I've just forwarded what little we have to Liara. She may have more luck."

Miranda bristled unconsciously. "Good. I'm sure she'll do what she can." She then looked down at the Commander's empty hands. "Did you retrieve our things?"

"Yep. Kasumi just dropped your stuff in your quarters." Shepard shot her a sly grin. "Don't worry, no peeking."

Miranda cocked her head and eyed him with a skeptical look. "Ah ha. Well, it's getting late…"

"Mm hmm." Shepard nodded and looked at her expectantly.

She gave him a reassuring smile. "I'll be up in just a few minutes. I'm just going to grab some things from my quarters to keep in the loft," she said.

Shepard smiled affectionately. "Good," he said. "Hey, it's no luxury suite, but I've got beer."

Miranda rolled her eyes and shot him a sarcastic frown. "Don't push your luck, Commander."

Miranda collapsed onto Shepard's chest, breathing heavily as her body shuddered with pleasure. She closed her eyes and sighed luxuriously as he continued to kiss her neck and run a hand through her thick, tousled hair.

After the assault earlier in the evening, and Tali's own ambush a little while afterward, Miranda had been in serious need of stress relief. As soon as she arrived in the Captain's loft she had practically attacked Shepard, not willing to wait another minute for him to finally get her out of that dress.

They rested there in bed for a long while, locked in an embrace that neither seemed willing to end. Finally, Shepard spoke softly in Miranda's ear. "I'm sorry about tonight, Miri. It's my fault…" He paused. "I let my guard down and nearly got you killed."

She pulled her head up from his shoulder and stared back into his eyes, an incredulous look on her face. "Are you kidding? John, that wasn't your fault. If anything, it was mine. I planned the evening. I drew us out into the open." She sighed. "I took Illium for granted and lost focus."

Shepard clutched her a little tighter, feeling the warmth of her bare skin pressed up against his own. "No, you didn't do anything wrong," he said and then gently touched her face. "Let's just agree to stop kicking ourselves over it now. It's done and we're both safe."

Miranda smiled lovingly, gave him a quick peck on the lips, then slid off to the side and propped her head up on one elbow. "It's always going to be like this, isn't it?"

He rolled onto his side to face her with a crooked grin. "I certainly hope so."

Miranda punched him hard on the arm. "Ass. You know what I mean."

Shepard laughed but then turned more solemn. "Listen, things probably won't be easy for us—not for a long while." He reached over and gently placed a hand on Miranda's face and gave her an earnest look. "But we're in this together. I want you next to me to face whatever's coming."

Miranda smiled back at her man. "Much better," she said, kissing him gently before rolling onto her back and staring up through the large viewing window above. The clouds over Nos Astra had cleared and the nighttime sky was alive with glistening stars. "The storm's coming soon," she whispered. "Isn't it?"

Shepard joined Miranda on his back, looking up into the stars, and let out a long breath. "Yeah. It is."

"Delta Squad?" Shepard was incredulous.

"That's right, John," Liara confirmed again. The asari's holographic representation was standing before the Commander, Garrus and Miranda via the QEC in the Normandy's briefing room.

Liara had already turned up something from the information Shepard had forwarded her and quickly requested a conference.

Miranda furrowed her brow. "But basic Alliance service records would have been available for the local authorities on Illium. Why didn't Anaya make the connection?" she asked.

"Their records have been completely expunged from Systems Alliance databases, Miranda," Liara said. "And not just military service records, but every Sol system database I have access to. And I assure you, that list is substantial. These two men and the woman were completely wiped from existence—purposely, leaving virtually no data trail whatsoever."

Shepard, Miranda, and Garrus all exchanged wary glances.

"Okay. How'd you figure they're Alliance?" Garrus asked.

"Glyph took the DNA readings you collected and found a match in an operational record filed by a Shadow Broker agent," Liara said. "One of the men you killed was Gunnery Sergeant Norris Durant. In late 2184 he was operating on the planet Tyr with the Alliance Spec Ops team and was injured during a clash with Blue Suns mercs. He was subsequently treated for wounds at a local colonial triage center. The agent observing the action was embedded at that medical center and procured the data. He also uploaded surveillance footage from the area."

Liara rapidly tapped a few buttons on her Omni-tool and a second holo image appeared via the QEC interface. "Using facial recognition protocols, Glyph found clear enough images to identify Durant's companions," She said as vid footage of several soldiers appeared next to her. "The other male is PFC J. Halder and the female can be observed as Lance Corporal G. Claremont. Based on their uniform insignia's, they appear to have both been a part of Durant's squad. However, official Alliance records on the engagement make no reference to these three soldiers."

Shepard's expression was foreboding. "Alliance Intelligence Black Ops," he said grimly.

"Yes. That's also my assumption," Liara said. "It's customary for the Systems Alliance Intelligence Service to purge all records of their field agents. In the past, there were still intact fragments of these individuals' previous lives that could be found. But over the last few years the SAIS has become extraordinarily efficient and aggressive with their redaction techniques."

"Looks like Anderson wasn't exaggerating when he said you've made a few more enemies, Shepard," Garrus said matter-of-factly. "Or, about how fractured the Alliance has become."

Shepard gave a resigned not and crossed his arms, still processing the new intel.

"Any indication who might have ordered the attack, Liara?" Miranda asked.

"No, I'm afraid not, Miranda," Liara said. "I can't determine if this was an officially sanctioned SAIS Op or some other rogue element at work. That agency is extraordinarily well shuttered and my access is very limited. But given the warnings that Anderson conveyed, I would venture to guess that this attack originated from one of the splinter groups within the Alliance Intelligence community." Liara gave Shepard a foreboding look. "John, I feel strongly that these soldiers were tasked to eliminate you and that Miranda was simply a target of opportunity."

Miranda snapped her gaze back toward the Commander and noted he suddenly looked ashen. She knew he was busy beating himself up all over again for allowing them to be caught out like that. But it wasn't his fault. In fact, she was still busy blaming herself, picking apart her actions during the day and trying to determine where the assassins may have latched on. But it was pointless. In all likelihood, this team had been remotely observing the Commander's movements outside the Normandy ever since he arrived on Illium, waiting for an opportune moment to strike.

"I concur, Commander," Miranda said. "That woman with the shotgun could likely have killed me before I had the chance to react, but she was intent on reaching you instead."

Shepard turned toward Miranda with an unsettled look and sighed. "Thanks, Liara. We'll take it from here."

"Shepard, I'm so sorry I didn't catch this. On Illium of all places…" Liara bowed her head, shaking it in dismay. "I should have seen it coming."

"It's not your fault, Liara," Shepard said, his tone unwavering. "These guys were pros and completely off the grid. Even with all those resources, you're not omnipotent. Anderson was right. I have made a lot of enemies. We'll be more careful in the future, but this absolutely is not something you should feel responsible for. Got it?"

Liara looked up and smiled weakly at Shepard. "I appreciate you saying that, John. But I can still do better. I'll assign some additional assets on Illium to the investigation and dig further to find who may have ordered the attack."

"Alright," Shepard said. "But don't take your eye off the ball. We have bigger fish to fry than this."

"Right. I know. The Reapers are still the priority. I haven't forgotten," Liara said. "Is there anything else I can do for you now?"

"No, you've done enough. Thanks again, Liara," Shepard said.

"Very well. If you need anything, you know where to find me." Liara regarded the group.

But before ending the QEC connection, Liara turned toward Miranda. "I understand you were able to spend time with your sister recently, Miranda. I hope she's well and you found our protection detail adequate."

There was an undercurrent of cattiness to Liara's statement. It wasn't something that Garrus or Shepard would pick up on, but Miranda had no trouble understanding the implication; a subtle reminder that she owed the asari. Miranda smiled amiably. "Yes, thank you Liara. Everything is well and your arrangements are more than sufficient. Thank you again for all you've done for us."

It was an uncomfortable situation for Miranda. Once again, she was reliant on someone else to safeguard Oriana and keep their father's relentless pursuit at bay. It bothered her tremendously that she was unable to personally take on the responsibility for her sister's protection. But she knew that without the previous resources she enjoyed with Cerberus the concept was simply untenable. In fact, Miranda now realized that her own safety was something she would have to be doubly vigilant about. The attack in the Nos Astra transit plaza only highlighted that fact even more. No, short of keeping Oriana on board the Normandy, it was better that Miranda swallow her pride and trust in this new Shadow Broker, relying on Liara's unwavering loyalty to Shepard.

But the awkwardness of the arrangement was palpable. Miranda felt it even more keenly in the wake of Tali's recent attack. Liara had shared a deep and intimate connection with Shepard, and Miranda suspected that the asari still harbored some hope that that relationship could still be salvaged. And although Shepard had confessed to her that the romantic relationship he had with Liara faded not long after the Battle of the Citadel, Miranda felt certain that the asari was still very much in love with him. The former Cerberus operative was adept at recognizing every subtle detail of human—and non-human behavior, and Liara's body language around the Commander betrayed the feelings she surely still had for the man.

As the group filed out of briefing room, EDI's voice rang out over the comm. There was an incoming communication from Admiral Steven Hackett of the Systems Alliance and apparently it was extraordinarily urgent.

While Shepard retreated up to his quarters to take Hackett's call in private, Miranda lingered in the CIC a little while longer, her thoughts still fixated on the life she was now certain she wanted to share with the Commander.

Her resolve hardening, Miranda had no intention of stepping aside for Liara or any other would-be suitor. Despite Tali's impassioned argument the previous day, she was determined more than ever to hold onto to Shepard.

Miranda had found something with this man that she would willingly walk through fire to preserve. She couldn't lose him. She wouldn't.

Author's note:

Wow, that was rough, Tali. I don't want her coming off as too spiteful, but I think from her perspective there's plenty of reason to not like Miranda much. And she does wear her heart on her sleeve, so there's not much of a filter there. The undercurrent of conflict between Tali and Miranda is something that other authors here have done really well and it makes sense for my story too.

We'll move on to the Arrival mission sequence next chapter. Thanks for reading!