Twin Fates

by Tobias5

Fate played as much a role in Shepard's defeat of the Reapers as did his skill. What if fate had different plans? Did you know that the Shepard on Mindoir was born as a twin? What if both had survived the raid? How would the Reapers have dealt with TWO great heroes instead of one? It's time to find out just how much better and worse things get with TWO Shepards fighting a war.

6. Chapter 5

Twin Fates

By Belle and Tobias

Automatic Disclaimer: We do not own the rights to the Mass Effect or any other referenced copy righted material.

Toby's Note: Ugh. This one was kind of hard to start. I injured myself in the kitchen. Long story short, I had six stitches in my foot and Belle kept yelling at me for trying to write while on Vicodin. Then of course after I get off the pain pills she makes me guilty for not being done yet. I think it's because she liked the outline of the chapter so much.

Belle's Note: Sorry this took so long, this has literally been in my computer for months because I got so busy with work. I apologize to those readers who are getting into this series. I will work hard in this incoming year to get my stuff done and out faster.

Chapter 5: Growth

Earth Date: June 17th, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy, In Transit

"How come we keep returning to Citadel after each major mission, Commander?" Joker asked. John took a long drink from his coffee mug before answering. He hated the last hour of his shift. It was just before midnight, most of the crew was bunked down and the remainder were on night watch. It was usually quiet which in turn made Joker…bored. And talkative. And nosey. And annoying. And…John shook himself. Maybe he was the problem and not Joker.

"It just seems to be luck mostly." John replied. He thought back to Liara and Garrus' requests. "Liara got a message from the Asari Republics regarding Benezia. Garrus got word from a contact about some information he needed to receive in person. So I thought why the hell not?"

"Well after Noveria I think we can all use some rest. I am so glad to be off that planet." Joker said, stretching in his seat. "I don't know which was worse, the cold or the corporations. One will freeze your balls off, the other will sell them out from under you. With all due respect, Commander." John laughed.

"I can't argue with you there Joker." John said. "Anyways give me a final status ch-" John was cut off as the communications relay on Joker's console began to chime and flash.

"Saved by the bell." Joker said before opening the channel. "This is the SSV Normandy, please identify."

"Normandy, this is Alliance Command. I have Admiral Hackett on a priority one channel. Prepare for confirmation data." The woman on the line said. John raised an eyebrow. Priority one indicated immediate response. It was just one step below an Emergency Action Message.

"Authentication received." Joker replied after receiving a data packet and verifying it using Alliance ciphers. John focused on his pilot again. "Go ahead Alliance Command."

"Joker? This is Admiral Hackett." The admiral's rough voice said. "I need one of the Shepards right away. Priority one."

"This is John Shepard, Admiral." John spoke up for first time. "I was standing here when the signal came in."

"Perfect. We've got a situation here and you and your sister are the only ones who can handle it."

"What do you need Admiral?" John asked. John heard the Admiral breathe a big sigh of relief and he frowned.

"There's an Alliance training ground where we test weapons and technology in live fire simulations. The VI we use to simulate enemy tactics in the drills is no longer responding to our override commands." The Admiral paused. "It's gone rogue."

"Sir, I have to ask for my mission. Was this VI tampered with at all or given any black op upgrades?" John asked.

"We're not stupid Shepard." The Admiral stated. "It's a Virtual Intelligence, not a true AI. It's not self-aware and it can't access any external systems. It can't access any external networks but we can't access it from here either. We didn't do anything illegal here. From what my techs have been able to deduce, this thing simply was over-taxed and something gave out. It began to write its own simulations and codes before the facility went dark. We need you to fight your way through the training ground and manually shut the VI down, or destroy it." The Admiral seemed to hesitate. "I know we haven't spoken much Shepard, your sister and I go back to the Blitz, but we need both your help. You and your sister maybe Spectres and answer to the Council but you're still humans and still Alliance. We need you to get on this. The VI controls all of the facilities weapons, drones and turrets. You and your team are the only ones who can pull this off Shepard."

"I understand sir. Where's the facility and do you have a layout of it and its defenses?" John requested. Joker's console chimed again and John grinned.

"It's a secure training facility on Luna. We've just sent you the most detailed map we have. The turrets can't be reposition but there are plenty of crates to change the layout inside the facility."

"We'll get it done Admiral." John promised. "We're changing course to head for Luna now. Joker, what's our ETA?"

"It's gonna be a bit, Commander." Joker said, wincing. "We're mid-jump between relays. We'll have to backtrack two to get to a relay connecting to the Sol system. Twenty hours minimum."

"We'll be expecting you Shepard. Alliance out." The comm signal cut off and Joker breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well, that was a fun call." Joker drawled and John shook his head. "What now Commander?"

"Now you forward those blue prints to the terminal in my quarters. I'll be working on them for a while." John said, turning to head for the room he shared with his sister. "Oh and Joker?"

"I know, I know. Top secret, this never happened, blah, blah, blah." Joker replied and John grinned.

~*TF*~

Jane was heading down to the mess when she saw Kaidan getting his breakfast.

"Morning, ma'am," he said and she nodded at him as she gathered her lunch meal. "Getting an early lunch?"

"Yeah, looks like we were detoured again," she sighed. Each day they spent on something other than Saren was a day he was up to no good.

"Do you have some time to talk now, Commander?" Kaidan asked and Jane turned her attention from breakfast to him.

"Of course, have a seat," she said.

"We've played it pretty close to the book so far. But we're a long way from backup. We've got some tough calls to make," he said and Jane's mind went straight to the rachni queen. She really hoped that one didn't come back to bite her in the ass, especially with how the Turian councilor had snapped at her. "I'm just saying...try to leave yourself a way out. I've seen what cutting corners can do to someone. And I'd hate to have that happen to you, Shepard." Jane fought a smile, apparently Kaidan was talking about the rachni.

"That's not the appropriate way to address your commanding officer, Lieutenant," Jane said in what she thought was a teasing tone.

"Sorry, ma'am. Maybe I got a bad signal. I mean if you're a...Maybe there's someone else you'd rather confide in. Ma'am," Kaidan backtracked and Jane blinked.

"All right, Alenko. Off the record, permission to speak candidly, cross my heart and hope to die...what are you talking about?" Jane asked.

"Uh...Dr. T'Soni. Ma'am," Kaidan stated. "There's a lower-deck rumor that she's, uh, interested in you. As more than a source of Prothean data." Jane felt her face fall...Kaidan thought the Shepard the rumors were about...was her? "She's a very interesting lady. Not to my, uh, tastes. But I never claimed to be big on alien culture." She could correct him...or play along for a little longer.

"You seem awfully worried about my personal affairs," Jane said, making eye contact with Kaidan. He kept the eye contact and Jane suddenly realized just how intense his gaze actually was.

"It's just that...We don't have much downtime these days. And I like being around you. But I...I don't want to take up your personal time," Kaidan stated, looking away at the end. Jane fought the flush of pleasure that he enjoyed spending time with her.

"Well, first off, I'm pretty sure you've got the wrong Shepard that Liara is making doe-eyes at because there is nothing between Liara and me. What's the real issue here, Kaidan?" Jane asked. Kaidan seemed a little relieved.

"You're right. Sorry. It wasn't...Liara's not my main concern," he said. "I'm not questioning any decision you've made, Shepard. Let me be clear about that." Jane blinked at that. This wasn't casual flirting anymore...at least she didn't think so, she wasn't that good about flirting to begin with.

"It's just my experience that once someone lets something slide, it tends to pick up speed. You get my meaning?" he stated.

"Talk to me, Kaidan. You've got a little black raincloud sitting over your head," Jane said.

"I'll try to keep the deck dry," he joked, but his tone wasn't behind it. "You know the records about the biotic training out on Jump Zero? They're all classified. Because the Alliance made mistakes." Jane knew about the classification, it was part of the reason she was so terrified about her biotics forming. No information about what to expect from biotic training. She remembered that. "After first contact, Conatix was set up to track element zero exposures and develop implants for humans. Once we had an embassy on the Citadel, Conatix could bring in "experts" instead of taking it slow."

"The only experts would have to be aliens," Jane stated. It was obvious if they were going to create a biotic program to bring in the races experience with biotics.

"Dead on. Turians, actually. That's why Conatix kept it a secret," Kaidan stated and Jane blinked. Turians training young human biotics would have caused quite the stir. "They were afraid of what people back home would think. Asking the turians for help when we'd just fought a war with them."

"The asari would have been more acceptable than the turians," Jane muttered and Kaidan nodded.

"Yes, but the company didn't go through the Citadel. It would have made Earth look weak. So they discreetly hired some turian mercenaries," he said and Jane's eyes widened at that. Mercenaries would have been unforgivable on Earth.

"I'm guessing you got your knuckles rapped a few times, Lieutenant?" Jane tried to joke, but the thought of turian mercenaries teaching biotics was disturbing.

"Yeah, you could say that. Our instructor was a turian by the name of Commander Vyrnnus. To introduce himself, he like to say, "I was at the helm of the dreadnought that killed your father." I told him my dad wasn't in the war. He'd retired to Vancouver. My family had an inland home that matured to new beachfront," Kaidan stated and Jane just looked at him. She had only been to Earth for N7 training, she didn't get to do much more than see Rio de Janeiro before heading back out to space. "Vyrnnus had it in for me after that. He cut corners, pushed hard. I mean, you either came out a superman or a wreck. And a lot of kids snapped. A few died." Jane's eyes widened at that. "The point of all this...I guess...is that when you cut corners, it's not always obvious who pays for it." Jane thought about the rachni again...she probably wouldn't be the one to pay for her mercy.

"Why are you telling me this? Is there something I can do to help you get over it?" Jane asked, meaning the rachni, but that wasn't how Kaidan took it.

"I'm thirty-two, Shepard. You don't serve as long as I have without coming to terms with yourself," he said before looking into Jane's eyes. "You also learn that if someone is special to you, you help them. Try to keep them from making mistakes." Jane's spine tingled at that line.

"Special, huh?" she said, smirking slightly and he gave her a look.

"If I'm out of line, just say the word," he said.

"You're not out of line, Kaidan," Jane said, before her eyes landed on his uniform. "But there are regs." She said looking up again, a blush on her cheeks.

"I get you, Shepard. I don't make a habit of complicating the chain of command," he stated. "Just think about what I said."

"I will," Jane stated, grabbing her lunch and heading back up to the bridge. She had some thinking to do.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 18th, 2183 CE, 20:36 hours

Location: SSV Normandy, Sol System

"Okay people, listen up. I know some of you have been trying to find out what's been going on for the past day." John said. The ground party was assembled in the conference room, in full armor for once. "We've been playing this pretty close to the chest because if word got out about this it could seriously hurt Alliance relations. I know you guys can be trusted but the fact of the matter is this isn't like the incident with the probe. We want to limit the people who know which means no one outside of this room will ever learn about this. Officially we are accepting the Alliance's offer to use their training facility on Luna."

"Unofficially?" Garrus asked, curious.

"Unofficially the VI they created to simulate scenarios and battle tactics has been allowed to function too long without any real maintenance. It's gone rogue." Jane explained. Tali made a choking sound and she stiffened in her seat.

"Is it like the Geth?" she demanded.

"No, no, nothing like them." John said quickly. "It's just been over worked and the safety protocols have been disabled by accident. Jane thinks someone probably shot something they weren't supposed to during the last training run. Since it was created to purposely attack soldiers and it has been allowed to amass so much data it can't be taken down by a run of the mill squad. So the Alliance asked us." Tali visibly sagged in relief. Garrus reached over from his seat and patted her on the arm.

"So what's the plan Shepards?" Wrex said. John pushed away from the wall he was leaning against and headed for the hologram projectors at the end of the room. He tapped on the console and an image came to life that showed an overlay of the facility.

"Unlike previous missions we have a detailed layout of the facility and the surrounding area." John explained. He pointed to several locations on the map. "These blue dots represent fixed turrets. They cover the entrances to the facility which is broken into three parts. We'll drop in the Mako over here. Then as we approach the facility, we'll circle the entrances and take out the turrets with the Mako. After that we'll split into three squads and take out the VI conduits in each part of the facility almost simultaneously."

"Why are we splitting up, Commander?" Garrus asked. John pointed to a layout of one of the training areas.

"Each one of these areas has eight VI conduits. To avoid the VI adapting to our tactics quickly, I want to hit it in all three locations at the same time. You'll accompany Ash and Wrex on Red Team to assault area one. Jane, Kaidan you'll be Blue Team and you'll take area two. Tali and Liara will accompany me as Green Team to take area three."

"What kind of defense can we expect Commanders?" Ash asked.

Jane waved them closer to the map to go over the plan of attack.

~*TF*~

"We broke the teams down into small groups based on strength. John is leading the two most inexperienced in the field because he's damn good at it. Ash, you get Wrex and Garrus because they both can follow your orders but both of them are capable of watching their backs. Kaidan and I will go in as the only two man team because both of us excel at personal defense with biotics. It will take more than this base has got to take out our combined shields," Jane stated as she pressed a button and the small figures appeared, each team in the corresponding colors. "We land in the Mako and Joker will take the Normandy on a quick once around, taking out the turrets from a fast fly by. The systems won't be able to lock onto it and by the time he's done the turrets will be gone and we will just walk right in."

The images on the hologram moved to the base entrances.

"The layouts are simple and repetitive, however, because of the ability to move the materials around the chambers, be prepared for obstacles," Jane stated as the basic outline of the bases was brought up. "Here are your targets, luckily they don't move, but the bases are armed with drones...many, many drones. Some are standard, unfortunately, there are rocket drones. My sources informed me that there are also outputs for environmental hazards so everyone should keep their helmets on just in case the VI decides that it would like to try and vent the air from the bases."

"Lovely," Garrus muttered.

"We've killed Geth...we can take down one malfunctioning VI," Jane stated.

"I like how you think," Wrex purred.

"Get suited up, we will be arriving in just over an hour," Jane ordered.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 18th, 2183 CE, 21:58 hours

Location: Earth Moon Luna, Alliance Advanced Tactics Testing Facility

"Everyone report position." John order as Liara and Tali joined him by the inside entrance to the base. It was quiet for a few moments before speaking up.

"Blue Team in position." Jane replied.

"Red Team in position." Ash spoke up shortly after. John nodded and took a deep breath.

"Go in five seconds. Liara count it down." John ordered.

"Five." Liara started over the comm channel. "Four, three, two…"

~*TF*~

"You know back to back?" Jane asked and Kaidan nodded. "One." They pushed the door button and quickly a bubble of biotic energy combined over them, Jane's under Kaidan's as they stood back to back, her right shoulder touching his left as they entered. It was quiet for a moment before she saw the first drone. "Ten o'clock." Her voice was low, not that it would do much good.

"I have two, one at two and three," Kaidan replied.

"I'll throw a singularity at yours if you hit mine with a warp," Jane stated.

"Agreed, three," he started.

"Two, one," they said in unison before they moved face to face, her arm around his waist and his doing the same. She hit the two perfectly with a singularity as he threw the warp behind her, they side stepped each other to begin shooting at their targets. It was a biotic dance, Jane had rarely gotten to work with a biotic as talented at Kaidan and it was amazing to combine their abilities in such a beautiful display of flashing blue.

~*TF*~

"Raaaaaaah!" Wrex cried, his lift incapacitating a drone before his shotgun took down another.

"Damn," Ash muttered.

"Good thing he's on our side," Garrus chuckled as he aimed and took down another drone.

"Damn straight, you're not too bad yourself," Ash stated as she used her assault rifle to cover Garrus' sniper spot.

~*TF*~

"There are far too many drones here!" Ash roared. John ducked behind one of the crates, frowning as he listened to the others over the radio chatter.

"These crates were pushed into position to form a bottle neck!" Garrus snapped out. "I bet the VI has every available drone in position to keep us pinned down here. I think it might have found a way for the operational drones to even repair some broken ones!"

"Can you hold your positions?" John asked. He ducked as the crate he was taking cover behind rocked from a rocket hit, the top of the crate having a chunk blown away.

"I do believe that is completely possible," Jane stated. John couldn't help but smile as he heard a loud crunch coming from Jane's comm.

"Okay here's what-" John began but as he looked up he felt his blood freeze. The corner opposite of him was where Tali was firing on the drones, however, she was so focused on keeping them away that she dismissed a damaged drone that had crashed by her. The damaged rocket drone was behind her...and that rocket drone was moving.

"TALI GET OUT OF THERE, NOW!"

The drone fired.

~*TF*~

"Throw another crate, Wrex!" Ash cried and when the crate hit the drone Ash fired until it was a smoldering piece of rubble, Garrus watching Wrex's back while the Krogan watched over Ash.

"This is easy!" Wrex laughed before there was an explosion over the comms...the only way that could happen was if someone took a direct hit.

~*TF*~

"That was a direct hit," Kaidan stated and Jane nodded.

"Double the shields," Jane stated. "Status Report!" The two biotics glowed more, the drones moving around them like angry bees.

~*TF*~

The rocket hit Tali right in her side and the explosion threw her body away but completely destroyed the drone. She went flying through the air to crash into the door frame to the right of the entrance. Her shields had taken what they could before collapsing. But John felt his blood turn to ice in his veins as he saw Tali's suit was scuffed and burnt. The worst was her left forearm, a jagged piece of shrapnel had punctured through her suit, lodging deep into her flesh.

"Fall back!" John shouted over the comms. He scrambled over to his hurt comrade with Liara providing cover fire. He hated to move her but they couldn't attend to her medical needs under fire. He scooped her up and Tali's head rolled back limply. She was either unconscious or…

"John what the hell is going on-!" Jane began.

"That's an order! Fall back to the main entrance of your area and seal the door!" John said, hurrying into the aforementioned area. "Liara seal the door." The Asari slammed her hand on the console, sealing it shut as they hurried into the main entrance. John laid Tali down gently as Liara opened her Omni-tool to scan it over her.

"That's not an option for us! John tell me-"

"Not now Jane!" John snapped and turned off his open comm channel with the other two teams. "Is she dead?"

"She's just unconscious." Liara assure him. "Her suit's sensors are reporting no other major damage, but the shrapnel has compromised the suit obviously. Emergency seals have clamped down to halt the spread of infection. I can't remove the shrapnel, if it hit the artery I would risk her bleeding out."

"Can you make an emergency seal? Something to seal her arm from the vacuum outside?" John demanded. Liara bit her lip for a moment, thinking.

"I think so." Liara said.

"Pack the wound around the shrapnel with as much medi-gel to prevent the bleeding as much as possible. Then seal her arm." John ordered and opened a comm channel to the Normandy. "Normandy come in, this is Commander John Shepard."

"Commander?! Thank God, your sister is going ballistic on the other channel!" Joker exclaimed.

"I'll deal with her in a minute. Joker I have wounded and I'm ordering an emergency pickup. There should be enough room for you to touch down between the three entrances. Inform Dr. Chakwas that she has a Quarian patient incoming and Dr. T'Soni will be carrying her. When you land send a team to help her with a stretcher."

"Sir, ETA one minute." Joker replied. John didn't replay, merely switching channels to the team.

"-shut down his comm. Send Garrus-"

"I don't need Garrus!" John barked, cutting in. "Tali's been hurt but Joker's landing for a medical evac."

"Are we falling back, Commander?" Ashley asked.

"Hell no." John replied as he watched Liara work on Tali's arm. "We're going forward but I had to order everyone back or else this plan doesn't work. We need to move in sync and we can't do that if you two move forward while Liara pulls Tali out."

"Just Liara?" Jane demanded. John frowned.

"Yes, I'm finishing my area solo."

"Are you INSANE?"

"We don't have time for this!" John snapped. "Right now the VI is studying our tactics and capabilities from that little skirmish. If we don't move forward quickly it could adapt and then we'd be right screwed."

"Kaidan and I are still moving toward the door!"

"What?" John demanded.

"We were almost at the door when you ordered the fall back!" Jane snapped.

"Damn it, we move now!" John cried.

"John no! Take Wrex or Garrus-!"

"No, now move in thirty seconds!" John ordered.

"Damn it, John!"

"I said move!"

~*TF*~

Jane's biotics began to glow bright as she and Kaidan continued back to the door. She shut off her comm.

"Stupid, impulsive, selfish man!" Jane snarled.

"I'm sure the Commander has his reasons," Kaidan stated.

"No, he's going into a battle in a rage. John takes his students' injuries very personal. He's being aggressive and impulsive. He knows better," Jane growled. "He never even checked if everyone could pull back, just called the order like Tali was the only person in combat at the time."

"You've had to make that call," Kaidan stated as they reached the door and Jane nodded.

"Nothing makes you hollower than to order men to their deaths. However you have to stay calm, John got too personal, he better make it through this," Jane growled as they entered the control room. "This will make for great therapy though." With that Jane opened fire.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 18th, 2183 CE, 23:16 hours

Location: SSV Normandy, Orbiting Earth Moon Luna

"How is she doc?" John asked. His first order of business after the mission was to check on Tali. Jane was so angry at him she had gone past yelling at him into completely ignoring him.

"She'll be fine." Dr. Chakwas said threw the comms. The medical bay office had been sealed and sanitized to form a sterile environment. The med bay itself would function as an airlock but Doctor Chakwas had forbidden anyone to enter so she had only allowed the Commander to call in, as it were. Tali was being treated in the office in the back that Liara had used. "Liara acted quickly and used enough medi-gel to seal the wound and surrounding skin to prevent infection. The disinfecting properties of the gel were also able to ward off any airborne vectors. I patched her wound and reused the temporary suit sealant Liara made from some spare equipment in the field. It will hold for a week. Plenty of time to get her a new suit. That coupled with the antibiotics I gave her and she'll be up on her feet in the morning."

"You're the best doc." John said in relief.

"I know I am, Commander. Go get everything sorted. I'll contact you if anything happens but I doubt it will." Dr. Chakwas said and the comm shut off. John sigh and scrubbed at his face with his hands. He felt so tired. He knew the mission wasn't a cake walk but they had superior knowledge of the terrain and the enemy. Was one second of bad luck all it took to almost kill a friend?

"Commander?" Joker's voice rang out in the cargo bay and John sighed.

"What is it Joker?" John asked.

"Admiral Hackett is on the comms and he's ordering the Normandy to dry dock at the base in Vancouver. He also wants to speak with you." Joker said and John blinked.

"Now what?" John muttered. "I'll take it in the conference room. And have Jane meet me there as well."

~*TF*~

"Admiral." John said, entering the room. He saw Jane already there and she didn't even spare him a glare. She was seriously pissed.

"John, I was just telling your sister the purpose of having the Normandy enter dry dock." Hackett said, gesturing to John's sister.

"Do you remember that coding the VI sent out just before it was destroyed?" Jane asked and John nodded.

"Of course. It got into our suit systems as well. Some of the crew is starting to check our suits and omni-tools right now to see if they've been compromised." John replied.

"Which can't be done with the Normandy." Hackett explained. "When you had it land during the medical evac of your team member, that same code appear on Joker's console as well. To check and purge every system on the Normandy we need to put the ship in dry dock. You and your crew have the next two to three days on leave Commanders. I'm having techs on the ground go over the ship for you."

"Sir with all due respect, I have an injured Quarian crew member who needs a suit replacement as soon as possible and we're on a mission to catch a rogue Spectre. I can justify a detour to the Council due to an order from Alliance Command but a three day shore leave would be harder to explain." John objected.

"The ship was damaged and needs dry dock," Jane stated. "The Council will understand that."

"I understand your issues Commander but you may have been infected with a rogue VI program. Even the console I'm calling you from will be purged and wiped after this. You'll proceed as ordered. Hackett out."

After the hologram link cut out John let out a curse and stormed from the room.

~*TF*~

"Commander," Joker stated, he watched Jane warily as she sat down in the co-pilot seat while he began the landing procedure. She was looking over a data pad before tapping her comm.

"This is Commander Jane Shepard with the Alliance Navy. I was told you were capable of rooming my crew for a few days while our ship was in dry dock for repairs," Jane said and Joker's eyes widened. They were getting a hotel. Jane listened for a moment.

"Several officers, two dextro requiring crewmembers, one turian, one quarian," she replied and her face spoke of bad news.

Don't tell me they're booked," Joker groaned.

"I see, the Intergalactic Gaming Convention is being held right now...only doubles..." Jane sighed and Joker began to shake his head. "Well then, I'm going to need to book some rooms, sending the information now." Jane pressed a button on her datapad.

"Commander please tell me we are not doubling up," Joker groaned.

"It could be worse," Jane stated.

"What could be worse?" John asked and Jane shot him a look before getting up and pressing the intership comm.

"This is Commander Jane Shepard, as most of you know we are going to have to dry dock the Normandy after that little SNAFU on Luna. And as luck would have it the Intergalactic Gaming Convention is being held locally this year. We will be doubling up for the next few days," Jane announced. "Rooming assignments are going to be sent out momentarily." She got up and headed off.

"Murphy's law, of course the Intergalactic Gaming Convention would be going on," John muttered.

"At least IGG Con will be cool," Joker stated before noting John's look. "Are you sure you want your sister making the rooming assignments while being mad at you?"

"Damn it, Murphy!" John cried as he turned and rushed down the hallway.

~*TF*~

"So, how long before she beats him within an inch of his life?" Wrex asked Liara. The asari blinked before looking at him.

"Who?" she asked and he chuckled.

"The Shepards. She's been furious since we got picked up. Watch what happens when he gets too close," Wrex pointed at the check in where Jane was signing in the crew. John was by her side, but every time he got too close her biotics would flicker near him. "I've never seen a human so mad."

"To be fair, he was taking care of Tali," Liara stated and Wrex chuckled.

"That's the problem with two clan leaders. One doesn't always listen to the other. She's going to get her revenge for him pulling that stunt," Wrex chuckled.

"I doubt the Commanders will resort to fighting," Liara stated as the room key cards were being passed out amongst the crew.

"I don't know," Wrex purred as he took his card from Jane. The commanders were at the back of the group waiting for the others to go up first. After several rounds at the elevator it was Wrex, Liara, Tali, Kaidan, Garrus, Ash, Jane and John. As the door was closing a blast of biotic blue threw John back into the lobby and Jane slammed her finger on the 'close door' button.

"Commander?" Ash chuckled.

"Oops, had a flare," Jane stated deadpan and several snickered in amusement.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 19th, 2183 CE, 05:43 hours

Location: Earth, North America, Vancouver, Hotel Royale

Jane was up and in the weight room as soon as she got up. She was still furious at John. Throwing him out of the elevator had made her feel marginally better, but she was still furious at him. She was hanging by her knees, having gravity help her with her abs as she curled up, left elbow to right knee and then reversed.

"Commander," Garrus stated as he entered and Jane gave him a nod. "Good to see you."

"PT is good for bringing down fratricidal urges," she replied before looking at Garrus prepping a treadmill. This she had to watch. She dropped down and moved to take the one next to him. They both started at a slow jog. She fought the urge to stare at Garrus' legs as he ran. He was like a giant bird with those backwards knees.

"You've been C-Sec a while, have you seen much action?" she asked and Garrus gave her a glance from the corner of his eye.

"Not as much as you...but yeah, I've seen some interesting things," he stated. He didn't elaborate and Jane wondered if he were being evasive on purpose.

"I bet you have, anything in particular that stands out?" Jane asked. He gave her an impish grin...but then all turian grins looked impish to Jane.

"I remember this salarian geneticist I was sent to investigate," he stared but his eyes grew dark. "That case was a bit...disturbing." That caught Jane's attention and she put up her speed a bit. Garrus followed her move and they were both at a jog.

"What happened? Why were you investigating him?" she asked, keeping her eyes on the mirror across from them. Garrus was clearly thinking about it as he jogged.

"I was tasked with tracking the black market trade back on the Citadel, most of it was harmless, nothing I needed to pursue," he started. "But during the course of my investigation I noticed an increase in the trade of body parts. Organs mostly. We usually get a few of those but not the numbers I was seeing. We weren't sure if it was a new black market lab or if some freak was harvesting organs from citizens."

"So what was it?" Jane asked. That would be a dark case to be on.

"Both actually," Garrus said and Jane shot him a look. He gave her one of his smirks before focusing ahead again. "But it took us a while to figure that out."

"So how did you figure out what was happening?" Jane asked.

"First we got a hold of a sample and ran DNA tests. The weird thing was the match led us to a turian who was still alive and was very convinced that he never lost his liver," Garrus stated. "After a bit of digging I discovered this turian worked briefly for Dr. Saleon, the geneticist. So I went to his lab hoping to find evidence of cloned organ development. But there was nothing, no salarian hearts, no turian livers, not one krogan testicle." Jane blinked again looking at him and he simply looked back at her.

"You're a jerk making me ask this but, you're kidding right? Why would anyone want krogan testicles?" Jane asked and he chuckled.

"Some krogan believe that testicle transplants can increase their virility, counteract the effects of the genophage. It doesn't work but that doesn't stop them from buying. They'll pay up to ten thousand credits each. That's forty thousand for a full set. Someone's making a killing out there," Garrus stated, shaking his head a little and Jane got a mental picture she could have lived without.

"What did you do about the geneticist?" Jane asked, upping her speed again. It was a run, but a median run, Garrus picked up the pace as well.

"I brought in some of his employees for interrogation, see if I could get them to talk," he stated. "While I was interviewing one of them, I came across something suspicious." There was something about that tone.

"You beat a confession out of him," Jane's tone turned cold and Garrus didn't meet her eye this time.

"It didn't matter, it paid off," he started.

"There is a human saying 'the path to Hell is paved with good intentions,'" Jane stated looking forward. "Sacrificing integrity for results is never good." They ran in silence for a minute or two before Jane decided to clear the air some. "What did you find?"

"One of my detainees started bleeding profusely during the interview. We offered to patch him up and he got frantic. Freaked out. I ordered a full exam to find out what was going on. Our medics found incisions all over his body. Some of them fresh," Garrus stated. "That was our big break. These people weren't just Dr. Saleon's employees, they were test tubes. Walking, living test tubes." Jane shuddered at that thought. Growing organs in people, how callous, how cruel.

"So he was using his own employees as spare parts," Jane muttered.

"Exactly, he'd clone their organs right inside their own bodies. Then he harvested them and sold them off," Garrus growled. "Most of the victims were poor. He'd pay them each a small percentage of the sale...but only if the organs were good." Jane knew what she was about to hear next was going to be sick. "Sometimes an organ wouldn't grow properly. So he would just leave it in. Most of them were a mess, but only on the inside so nobody could see."

"I hope you locked him away for good," Jane growled, understanding Garrus' passion but not agreeing with his methods.

"See that's the worst part...we never caught him," Garrus sighed and Jane looked at him again.

"Why not?" she cried. "What the hell happened?"

"He ran. Blew his lab, grabbed some of his employees, and headed for the nearest space dock," Garrus stated. "By the time I found out the ship was already leaving. He threatened to kill his hostages if we tried to stop him." Jane felt her biotics flash. Cowards hid behind the weak...it was part of the reason Jane loathed batarians. They used their slaves as human shields.

"Did you go after him anyway?" Jane asked.

"I ordered Citadel defense to shoot him down but C-Sec headquarters countermanded my order," Garrus stated. "They were worried about the hostages and the civilian casualties if the ship was destroyed so close to the Citadel. I told them those hostages were dead anyway. He would just use them to make more organs. They wouldn't listen."

"They were right," Jane stated as she stopped her treadmill. Garrus stumbled before doing the same.

"What do you mean?" Garrus asked. "I thought you would agree with me. Regulations hold everyone back, but you're free of them now!" Jane looked at him and stood tall. Her arms were crossed behind her back, the posture of a soldier at the ready.

"Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster...for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you," Jane stated and Garrus stared at her. "Friedrich Nietzsche. Those words helped me to survive Mindoir. I vowed that I would fight Batarian slavers whenever I had the chance, but I would never sink to their depths. I would beat them with my own strength. Do not sink to the depths of the scum we fight. We will find Saren, we will stop Saren, and we will not sacrifice a scrap of our honor doing so." She turned and headed out, leaving a confused turian behind her. As she headed for the lobby she opened her omnitool and began to use her Spectre status to start looking into this Dr. Saleon. Perhaps seeing him brought to justice the right way would help show Garrus just what kind of Spectres the Shepards were. She paused at the desk before smiling. "I would like a wake up call sent to the rooms of all the crew of the Normandy now."

"Of course, ma'am," the concierge said, slightly afraid of the evil look on Jane's face.

"Make sure to call my brother's room every ten minutes until he is out of the room," she ordered.

~*TF*~

"Breakfast Commander."

John snarled and jammed his pillow over his head.

"Sir the others are here for-"

"I heard I heard!" John snapped, sitting up and whipping his pillow at the source of the voice. A male voice made a sound suspiciously like a yip and something broke with a smash. John was breathing hard and glared at the source. Kaidan was staring at him with wide eyes, a lamp nearby smashed with a pillow.

"Uh..."

"Go away." John hissed. Kaidan swallowed at his stared at his roommate and hurried out the door. John grunted and fell back on his bed, grabbing the spare pillow.

"Fuck you, Murphy." John mumbled to himself before drifting back to sleep.

~*TF*~

Kaidan was looking out at the blue Earth sky with a smile at the ground team began to assemble. Jane was currently taking a call on her communicator.

"You don't say..." she sighed. She didn't sound happy. "The timing is what it is. We'll see what we can do while docked." She ran her hand through her hair and Kaidan realized that it was still a little wet from the shower. He wondered if she brought her own shampoo or if she used the hotel's like him.

"If you're not careful there, LT, you're going to set her on fire," Ash whispered and Kaidan jumped, giving her a look. Ash giggled before she turned to talk to Wrex.

"What's the news?" Kaidan asked as Jane ended her call. She blinked at him before sighing.

"Forty-eight hours to finish the job," she sighed before looking at the sky. "Well at least this time I'm not contracted to stay within specific coordinates of the base."

"What do you mean, Commander?" Kaidan asked and Jane smiled.

"Jane, Kaidan, we're off duty now. The only time I was on Earth was for N-7 training in Rio," Jane said. "I should get a good look at the homeworld this time."

"Training had to take time," Kaidan stated and Jane shrugged.

"We were the best in class, we spent most of our time training," Jane replied. "I never bothered asking for leave...biotics aren't common in N-7...yet."

Soon the rest of the group arrived.

~*TF*~

"So what's the plan for today? We've basically got all of today and tomorrow for ourselves." Jane said.

"Well I don't mind playing tour guide." Kaidan offered. Jane shot the biotic a grateful look. Kaidan grinned as the others appeared to mull the offer over.

"Not for me and Tali." John grumped, his head pounding. Damn sisters.

"What, why not?" Tali said, confused. The Quarian was grateful Jane had ordered special dextro room service as they left the Normandy since she'd been unconscious. She was currently drinking her breakfast, a berry flavored shake.

"I made some calls late last night after we checked in." John explained. "The spaceport in Rio de Janeiro has a small business that caters to Quarians and Turians that help out with the Interplanetary Combative Academy. Apparently enough come by to justify keeping a stock of Quarian encounter suits. It's run by a Quarian, Bexaton'Catu. I'm taking you there to replace your suit." John explained. "Surprise."

"Thank you Commander!" Tali exclaimed.

"I think I'd like to go as well, if you do not mind." Liara said. John shrugged.

"The more the merrier." John replied and scooped up the last bit of his breakfast with his fork and popped it into his mouth. He chewed for a moment before looking around. "Where did Wrex go?"

~*TF*~

"Anyone else worried that Wrex just vanished?" Garrus asked sharing a look that moved between Kaidan, Ash, and Jane.

"You know what, why don't we keep whatever each of us thought to ourselves and wait to see what he does," Jane sighed.

"I bet mine is the best," Ash grinned and Jane laughed.

"So where to first?" Kaidan asked.

"I don't care where we go this morning as long as we get to have real hamburgers for lunch," Jane replied.

"I can't eat that," Garrus stated.

"Actually, there is this new restaurant that is making human style food out of dextro foods," Kaidan stated and the group took off.

~*TF*~

Urdnot Wrex had been alive for hundreds of years. He had seen people come and go. To be frank about it he had caused most of the "going" of people he knew than anything else. Not too long ago when he'd heard about these humans appearing on the scene, he had to admit, he'd been intrigued.

They weren't the toughest species around, they weren't the smartest, not even the prettiest. But they did have a startling ability to come out on top. Their planet had also intrigued him.

Until Earth and its humans had appeared on the scene he had never heard about a planet with such a huge diversity of animals, in the past or present. When he'd read up on the ancient dinosaurs as humans called them he had often wished they'd still been around. Especially the one called a Tyrannosaurus Rex. That would have been fun. But there was one animal that was still around that he'd heard compared to his species before, mostly to say a Krogan was "as mad as" and "as big as". So since he was going to be stuck on this odd planet smelling for a while he decided to go out for a walk and see if he could find one. It was going to be the best day ever...

~*TF*~

"I have to say, I like the hamburger, even though it wasn't made of the same stuff real hamburgers are made of," Garrus stated as they left the restaurant and Jane grinned.

"Real meat tastes the best," Jane grinned.

"I bet you got to enjoy that a lot growing up..." Ash paused and Jane shook her head.

"We did, there is something satisfying about raising food, slaughtering it, butchering it, and cooking it, that makes it taste even better. Of course, the hamburgers I grew up on were neither beef, nor ham," Jane chuckled.

"What were you raising?" Kaidan asked and Jane opened her omnitool to show off a small creature with four legs that looked similar to a sheep or goat, but with a wide head and large mouth. Several horns emerged from the jaw. "What is that?"

"The first settlers called them the Hornchins...not original but they are a bovine species, multiple stomach, flat grinding teeth, herbivores, lots of meat, and pretty docile. When the first settlers found out that they were edible and tasted similar to beef, they were quickly collected for farming purposes," Jane stated. "Still the majority of them are wild, they give birth to four identical offspring every year. The natural predators are a small weasel that hunts in packs. They avoid humans, but they go after Hornchin babies quick. The first baby up is usually the only survivor."

"Well, on to happier topics," Ash began. "What should we do next?"

~*TF*~

One thing about grabbing a planetary taxi that John hated, was the smells.

The inside of the car stank to high heaven. People spilling things or other accidents couldn't be aired out during the ride due to the high altitude. The worst part about it was you didn't even know the taxi stank until the doors closed and they took to the air. John glanced at Tali and envied the air filters she no doubt had built into her suit. John looked back at Liara whose face was pinched up into a look of disgust. John started to say something, some sort of apology when the taxi jerked in the air followed by a loud bang. John looked forward and saw the driver had a firm grip of the yoke.

"What just happened?" John demanded, leaning forward past Liara on the seat opposite him.

"Ah, sorry. I think the left stabilizer just gave out." The driver explained. John swore and leaned back. "It's not that bad, but I do have to set her down. I'll call for another car from the company to come pick you up while I wait for a tow truck."

"Great." John muttered. He shot a look at Liara who seemed more amused than alarmed and Tali who was gripping the overhead rail, tightly.

"Well, it could have been worse." Tali said. John held his breath for a moment waiting. When nothing happened he let out a sigh of relief.

"Please don't say stuff like that." John said as the taxi made a slow, if wobbly, descent.

"Why not?" Liara asked, curious. The taxi set down with a soft thump before opening the doors. They all climbed out, the drive tapping away on his Omni-tool to call in the problem.

"Human superstition." John explained. "When someone says something like during a problem, it's believed that things will get worse because of what you just said."

"I'm glad I'm not human then." Tali observed looking around. John took in their surroundings with surprise. They were in what appeared to be a clearing about five acres in size, with over grown grass. The area surrounding the clearing was thick with woods. There was a very old and beat up drive way leading to a road. In the middle was a modest two story home that had obviously seen better days.

"Well this is convenient." John observed. The driver came over to them, smiling a bit.

"Actually not so much." He said, lighting a cigarette. "I wasn't sure about how accurate my landing would be so when I saw this opening in the forest canopy, I aimed for it. Figured I'd rather land on an abandoned house rather than a full one. Another car should be here in about thirty minutes."

"Thanks. So where are we exactly?" John asked as Liara and Tali spread out to better take in their surroundings.

"Somewhere in the Ohio valley area." The driver said, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Not too bad actually."

"No not too bad." John muttered looking around. He noticed Tali waving from near the entrance to the house and moved to the Quarian.

"Look here." She said, kneeling down. She pulled out a faded sign from the rotted wooden steps.

For Sale

"Huh, that explains why no one is here." John said, taking the sign from Tali. He brushed it off and frowned. "The number and listing date on here place this thing as being put up sometime in 2154. That explains a lot."

"It does?" Tali queried. John nodded as Liara came over to them.

"Humans started their galactic push in that time frame." Liara explained. "From what I read a lot of people living in Earth's rural areas were some of the first colonists. Since this house hasn't been bought, more than likely it's been forgotten."

"You can forget a house?" Tali exclaimed, surprised.

"It's possible, especially if all the taxes and fees have been paid." John explained. "The people who used to own it were probably colonists who forgot all about the money from the sale during the rush to colonize. Worst case scenario they could have been one of the tragic families that got lost or even killed. I wonder if this place is still on the market."

"If it is, I would be very tempted to buy it myself." Liara said. She held up wild lavender flower she had picked. "It's quite peaceful and beautiful."

The aforementioned peace was broken by the roar of another taxi arriving, its engines kicking up a strong wind. As Tali and Liara hurried to the arriving air car John considered the sign for a few moments longer before tossing it aside to hurry after his friends.

~*TF*~

"Man it has been forever since I've been to a beach," Jane sighed from the shade of the umbrella. Garrus was resting out in the sun as Ash was playing volleyball with a bunch of recruits on shore leave.

"I don't suppose you spend a lot of time out in the sun, Jane," Kaidan chuckled and Jane smiled at the use of her first name.

"With my coloring, no, not many trips out in the sun for me. Still, I do love the beach," Jane sighed before her omnitool announced an incoming call. "Oh no..."

"What is it?" Kaidan asked.

"The Casey Police Department in Montana is calling me..." Jane sighed.

"That took longer than I thought it would," Garrus muttered from his napping spot.

"This is Commander Jane Shepard," Jane said answering the call.

"Shepard," Wrex voice said.

"Wrex," Jane replied.

"Bring money," Wrex replied.

"What did you do?" Jane asked.

"It's not my fault," Wrex replied. Jane thought that was bullshit.

"Switch the call to the officer's omnitool," Jane ordered.

"She wants to talk to you," Wrex said and there was the sound of the call being transferred.

"Hello Commander, this is Officer Steven Barr with the Casey Police Department. We have a serious issue with a member of your crew," the voice on the other line began.

"What did he do?" Jane asked.

"He killed a grizzly bear and brought the corpse into town looking to have it made into a trophy. This is usually a stiff fine, but he got a female...and its cub season..." the officer began and Jane sighed.

"How much is bail?" she asked.

"You are going to want to bring a few thousand credits in total," Officer Barr stated.

"We'll be there within the next two hours," Jane sighed.

"Thank you, Ma'am," he said.

"Beach trip is over, we have to go bail out Wrex. I'll call John," Jane sighed, fighting the urge to smirk. A krogan versus a grizzly, Jane was going to bet Wrex never even drew a weapon.

~*TF*~

"Explains this to me again." John said, pinching the bridge of his eyes. Jane's chuckling wasn't helping the situation any not to mention the irritation he felt for having to tell the driver to detour from their flight plan back to Vancouver to deal with Wrex. Tali's shopping trip had gone over well. The Quarian was practically bouncing with joy at her new armor set. John had splurged a bit and used his personnel account to buy Tali the best armor they had. Now clad in a hardened suit with enhanced shields and environmental parameters she was one very happy Quarian. He'd even agreed to buy Liara the enhanced amp she somehow snuck into their impromptu too shopping spree.

"I went for a walk in the woods." Wrex began again. John winced as the officer let out a laugh.

"Skip that part, I meant the bear." John snapped to the Krogan merc sitting in a jail cell.

"Well I've heard us compared to us something you humans called bears. So I found out what was the biggest bear species is and I wanted to see one in person myself. So I caught a transport to this camp in Montana."

"It's called a town," Jane cut in.

"Right." The Krogan said. "Anyways I wanted to know where I could find a Grizzly bear so I asked a local human. They pointed me to this zoo place but the Grizzly there was already caged. I asked where they live in the wild."

"Oh Wrex." Liara said in exasperation.

"Hey it worked, I found one!" Wrex grumbled.

"Wrex," Jane said softly, "Grizzly bears are a protected species. They almost went extinct a few decades back. Taking the body of one into town to have it made into a trophy isn't something humans normally do. Plus killing a female just made it worse."

"I could have killed all of its cubs instead." Wrex muttered.

"What?" The officer bellowed. John winced again and wished he had let his sister go bail out the Krogan alone.

"How do we get him out?" Jane asked.

"Well since it was he honestly didn't know Grizzlies were a protected species we're willing to commute it to a fee if he agrees to take us where he killed it, since we now have to find and raise some orphaned cubs." The officer said. Jane sighed.

"He will, happily." John cut in. Wrex just grumbled.

~*TF*~

"Damn humans didn't let me keep my trophy," Wrex muttered and Jane patted his hump.

"At least they let us take a picture of you with it," Jane offered.

"Still, that skull would have been a great trophy hanging on the wall next to my Thresher Maw bones," Wrex muttered.

"Well, it only goes to prove that you need to do your research before you go hunting," Jane stated as they headed toward the transport van.

"I wanted to fight one of those Tyrannosaurus Rex," he sighed and Jane smirked.

"They would never have stood up against you, T-Wrex," Jane grinned and Wrex gave her a look.

"You shouldn't mock your elders," Wrex warned teasingly.

"I like it as a nickname. T-Wrex...it suits you," Jane said. "You're probably more deadly." Wrex smirked at that.

"I suppose if it is in reference to my abilities to fight...I could stand to let you call me that...but no one else," he growled.

"You got it," Jane replied. "Oh and you owe me twenty thousand credits for bail. I'm not letting you get out of that one no matter what you let me call you."

"Damn," Wrex chuckled. "Thought you would forget."

"Not even close, Krogan," Jane teased.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 19th, 2183 CE, 22:09 hours

Location: Earth, North America, Vancouver, Streets to Hotel Royale

Many of the crew was already out of the hotel restaurant by the time the ground team entered for dinner.

"Who has room for dinner?" Jane asked and Wrex made a face. "Fine go off and do whatever. Get arrested and I'm leaving you here."

"Like you would," Wrex chuckled before walking off.

"Would you?" Ash asked.

"I'd try, but John would probably wimp out and take mercy on him," Jane replied as she headed to the large table.

"I'd be taking mercy on the human police department," John stated.

"I feel like some chicken," Ash stated.

"It has been forever since I had chicken...real chicken I mean," Jane stated.

"What is this chicken, I am constantly hearing about how everything in the universe tastes like it," Garrus stated.

~*TF*~

"Thank you for dinner, John." Liara said as they all left the restaurant. He could still hear the excited voices coming from behind them, some of which included Garrus and Ash's argument about if Garrus eating a bird was a form of cannibalism.

"Ah, don't mention it." John said, shrugging. "There aren't many restaurants that serve authentic off-world food, most of it is imitation. Not to mention that conference limited our selections."

"John, take the compliment." Jane said, smirking at him. John rolled his eyes before settling his gaze on Tali. The Quarian seemed quite happily but she was hiccupping a bit. Jane saw where he was looking at and snickered.

"I think Tali ate too much." Jane said. John shook his head.

~*TF*~

"Turning in already, Ma'am?" Ash asked and Jane smiled.

"It's Jane for right now, Ash," Jane chuckled. "Yeah, I'm heading to bed, it has been months since I could just sleep in."

"Not going to a five am PT tomorrow?" Ash asked as Jane turned on the television.

"Rest day. Need to let the muscles keep from getting strained. I'll do some minor biotics training but that will be all for tomorrow," Jane stated.

"Well that's no fun," Ash sighed.

"I won't hold you back if you want to hit the bars but I'm staying in," Jane stated.

"I'll follow your lead, Jane," Ash stated. "What are we watching?"

"She's a Keeper," Jane stated.

"What the Hell is that?" Ash asked.

"It's an asari romantic comedy. It's basically about a pureblood asari who brings a vorcha home to meet her parents," Jane stated and Ash gave her a look. "I got trained by asari, the classes used asari children to help us. They dragged all of us, asari romantic comedies are as good as human."

"I don't know if I'll get it," Ash muttered and Jane smiled.

"If you want to stay, I'll do my best to translate the culture things," Jane grinned.

"You know a lot about asari?" Ash asked.

"More than John...but I don't know for how much longer that will last," Jane chuckled.

"He might be learning up on Quarians too," Ash stated and the two chuckled.

~*TF*~

22:48 hours

"Commander?" Kaidan said after a moment. John grunted.

"What is it, Kaidan?" John asked, trying to get settled in his bed. He knew it wasn't Kaidan's fault but he was still annoyed that the hotel only had double occupancy rooms left. Damn conferences.

"Do you have a problem with me being on this crew?"

That got John's attention. He reached out and switched on the lamp by his bed and sat up. He rolled over to look at the Alliance Biotic. Kaidan was staring at him with a pensive look on his face.

"Why would you ask that, Kaidan?"

"Well you've been giving me these looks whenever Jane's talking to me or giving me orders…"

John stared scrubbing at his face.

"Why does this shit always happen to me?" John grumbled under his breath.

~*TF*~

Garrus looked at the clock, looked at the empty bed next to him and shook his head.

"I am not even going to think about it," he muttered as he headed into the shower.

~*TF*~

23:03 hours

"Say what you want about humans, they can design wonderfully decadent washing facilities." Liara said, stepping out of the bathroom wrapped in thick, warm bathrobe. "Their shower has several different shower heads hitting your body at different angles. It is most pleasant."

"Their entertainment is very wonderful as well!" Tali said. She was sitting crossed legged on her bed, staring at the screen set into the wall. "I discovered they supply private movie feeds to the rooms as well!"

Liara peered intently at the screen Tali was watching. Beautiful music was playing as animated images of a human woman in an elegant, bright yellow dress danced with what appeared to be a large, furry Earth animal. "That is oddly…moving. May I join you?"

"Oh please do! This Belle is wonderful and the Beast man is so sweet and rough and…"

~*TF*~

"Oh my God, this is hilarious!" Ash cried and Jane laughed as they watched the vorcha try to impress his new 'father'-in-law. "I didn't know vorcha could be this funny!"

"I didn't either," Jane laughed.

~*TF*~

00:32 hours

"Go, go, go, go, go!" The crowd was chanting. Wrex was swiftly drinking a large pitcher of human beer he had obtained in the hotel bar. He had been drawn to the curious sound of these young humans chanting and laughter. Apparently they had returned from one of these convention things Jane Shepard had mentioned were going on in the area. To his surprise he had been welcomed by the rowdy human younglings. This had quickly led to many stories being exchanged and being drawn into a drinking contest with them. To his shock it was a dainty, blonde haired human female who had been paired with him in the finale, beating out some of the larger human males. He was chugging the human brew as quickly as he could but he was alarmed that the female was keeping pace with her own pitcher. Then to his shock, she threw her head back, finished her own drink and slammed it down on the table. She let out a dainty belch as their crowd cheered. Wrex finished his own drink and slammed it down to glare at the small female who was smiling at him.

"That was impressive." Wrex allowed and the crowd of young humans roared their approval.

~*TF*~

Jane was laying down with her eyes closed and Ash smirked as she flipped over to Talons.

"What are you watching now?" Jane asked.

"It's that Turian murder movie...you know the one that had the Citadel up in arms," Ash said and Jane opened one eye.

"The one where the Turian murders the humans with his bare talons?" Jane asked and Ash grinned. "We never tell Garrus we watched this."

"Done," Ash said.

~*TF*~

01:21 hours

"It's not your fault!" Liara cried, tears streaming down her face as the baby lion nuzzled its father's body. She and Tali were clinging to each other. The lights had been turned off and the only light in the room was being cast by the screen as the animated feature played. Tali was sobbing at the emotional scene.

"It's so sad!" The Asari wailed as the dust began to part before the dark red figure…

~*TF*~

"Leave the room, Turian," Wrex's voice snarled and Garrus blinked from his bed.

"Wha..." he started until he was lifted by one arm and then shoved out into the hallway. Garrus blinked as the door slammed in his face. He shook his head and looked around. He opened his omnitool to look at the time. He shook his head again and reached for the door only to hear the distinct sound of krogan mating purr. Garrus quickly whipped his hand away from the doorknob. He started down the hall. He couldn't remember which room was John Shepard...but he could remember Jane. He would ask her if he could either crash on the decorative sofa or if she could direct him to John's room. He heard the sounds of the television and tried the doorknob. It was unlocked, he blinked in surprise as he opened the door. The room was dark and as the two women moved in unison to look at him they both began to shriek before a blast of blue threw him across the hall.

"Garrus!" Jane cried as she rushed out. "Ash, I told you that door lock wasn't functional. Garrus are you okay?

"Why did you hit me?" he asked, blinking stupidly.

"Garrus we've been watching a horror movie, you scared the shit out of us," Jane sighed as she helped him up. "Come on in, I'll patch you up. Why aren't you in your room?"

"Wrex has company for the night," he muttered.

"I didn't know there were female krogans this far out," Ash muttered.

"She's not," he replied.

"...ew..." Ash muttered.

~*TF*~

02:16 hours

John fed up with Kaidan's quiet questions into the wee hours of the night. Normally, he himself would have been happy to stay up, talk, drink beer and bond with his crew. But he had to meet someone at 0600 hours to help arrange some things for his surprise for said crew. John finally had enough. He'd told the Alliance Biotic to stop worrying and headed out into the hall with his room card jammed into his short's pocket, blanket and pillows in tow. He trudged wearily down hall to a set of large sofa cushions by the emergency exit near the vending machines. Sighing in relief, John spread out on them, tucked the blankets around him and rested his head on his pillows. He finally fell asleep to the soft hum of vending and ice machines.

~*TF*~

"Sorry again, Garrus," Jane said as she and Ash escorted Garrus toward John and Kaidan's room.

"I should have knocked, I was half asleep. I should have bunked with Kaidan," Garrus muttered.

"Sorry about that," Jane chuckled. "I thought you and Wrex were getting along well."

"We do...he just needed a single tonight," Garrus chuckled as Jane opened the door.

"Do you have the Commander's door keyed to your omnitool as well?" Ash asked and Jane grinned.

"John insists on keeping the key cards and not programming them to his omnitool. I just made it habit to key his card into my omnitool," Jane opened the door.

"Hmmm Commander?" Kaidan asked.

"Sorry to wake you, Kaidan. Hey John," Jane started.

"He left. I apparently annoyed him," Kaidan stated, rubbing his palm into his eye. He blinked and blushed as he pulled his covers up. Jane looked at the empty bed.

"Where the hell is he?" Jane muttered.

"Found him," Ash chuckled and Jane looked at the door. Ash pointed at the vending area.

"Come on Garrus, why don't you use this nice empty bed," Jane said and Garrus climbed in.

"What are you up to?" he asked and Jane grinned from the door.

"Best you don't know...you now have plausible deniability," Jane chuckled as she closed the door.

"I feel sorry for the Commander," Kaidan muttered and Garrus shook his head.

"Can't talk...sleeping..." the turian muttered.

~*TF*~

"It-it-it's so beautiful." Tali said in awe as images of underwater life played before them on the screen. "Do Earth fish really look so colorful? Do they speak as well?"

"Oh my!" Liara gasped as music changed from light to a dark undertone. Her lip quivered as they showed a dark, vile looking fish watching the happy yellow and white fish.

"Run, run!"

~*TF*~

"You know one of the major differences between my brother and myself are?" Jane asked as she stood over John.

"What's that?" Ash stated as she returned with the requested materials.

"My brother can sleep through quite a bit," Jane grinned. "First, this is not an embarrassing place to be found."

"Commander...should I be involved?" Ash asked and Jane grinned.

"I'll take full blame," Jane grinned.

~*TF*~

05:52 hours

"Shepard."

John muttered and buried his head under his pillow.

"Shepard, why are you sleeping in the hall? And why are you colored?"

Colored? John slowly dragged himself from out from under his pillow and blearily blinked up at the figure standing over him.

Wrex was standing there, looking clearly amused. John thought he must have been hallucinating as there was a pretty little blond college girl practically molded into Wrex's side.

"Wrex? What are you doing out here?" John asked, still a bit groggy. Wrex looked amused.

"I could ask you the same thing, Shepard. You're on my door step." Wrex rumbled. The girl giggled. John shook his head to clear it and looked around carefully.

The first thing he really noticed that he was no longer on the couch by the vending machines. He was lying on the hall floor, jammed up what had apparently been Garrus and Wrex's hotel room door. He sat up and noticed that some had apparently drawn on his chest with what he hoped was lipstick and not paint. Frowning down at it he vaguely made out something about Turians not being allowed into the room in Jane's scrawl.

"Someone also drew a pretty good set of Turian mandibles on your face." The blonde woman noted. John rolled his eyes and stood up. The woman gasped while Wrex let out a harsh bark of laughter. John looked down and noticed his shorts and boxers were gone. Swearing, John snatched up his blanket and wrapped it around his waist like a towel.

"Who is this?" John asked Wrex, gesturing to the blonde. Wrex smirked and wrapped an arm around the woman's waist.

"This is J'dee. She was my mate for the night." Wrex said proudly and the girl giggled. John's eyes went wide as he glanced at them in shock. He opened his mouth to ask the obvious.

The pair looked at him curiously.

John slowly closed his mouth and shook his head.

"I don't want to know." He said. He headed for the room he shared with Kaidan and it wasn't until he got to the door that he realized something.

Whoever had taken his clothes had either intentionally or unintentionally taken his room key.

"I hate them all." John hissed.

~*TF*~

07:07 hours

Jane headed up to the shared room of Tali and Liara. They hadn't shown up for breakfast and since even Wrex showed up, Jane was a little worried about the two girls. She knocked on the door. There was a sound of a television.

"What is it?" Liara asked as she opened the door, not looking at Jane but at the television. Jane looked in to see a woman walking across a snow covered mountain as she created an ice castle.

"Oh my great grandmother loved that one," Jane smiled before noticing the bags under Liara's eyes. "Liara...when did you start watching Disney movies?"

"After dinner," she stated and Jane moved to see Tali sitting at the foot of her bed rocking back and forth with the music.

"Have you two been up all night watching Disney movies?" Jane cried and the two looked at her.

"You didn't?" Tali asked.

"Oh God..." Jane muttered.

~*TF*~

"Anyone seen John today?" Jane asked during lunch. Most of the crew shook their heads no but Wrex looked up.

"I saw him just before I escorted my mate for the night home." He replied. A couple of people stared at him.

"I didn't see any other Krogans here yesterday Wrex." Tali said, puzzled. Wrex shot her a smug grin.

"Who said she was Krogan?" Wrex retorted, shooting Jane a wink. Jane smirked and shook her head. Everyone at their table and even the surrounding area was quiet.

"So…this is awkward." Garrus noted.

~*TF*~

Jane's omnitool pinged around the end of breakfast.

"Hmm, looks like my bathing suit is going to get good use this leave," Jane grinned. "John's invited us to a beach party."

"Move volleyball for me," Ash grinned.

"Hmmm, I do believe I have one," Liara muttered.

"Tuchunka has no oceans, I enjoy oceans, they hold many edible goodies. I have heard tell about a shark..." Wrex began.

"I will not be covering another species being killed," Jane warned and Wrex huffed.

"It was only a few thousand credits," he humphed.

"Which you have not paid back yet," Jane retorted.

~*TF*~

"Hey it's about time you guys showed up." John said cheerfully. The crew had assemble where he'd asked them to be and were surprised to find one of their Commanders dressed in shorts, a t-shirt and sandals. He was also tending to two mounds covered with sand. One was three times as big as the other but the mouthwatering smell of cooking food filled the area.

"I should have known." Jane mused, smiling.

"What is this, John?" Garrus asked, looking around.

"My comrades in arms and friends, allow me to introduce you to the human custom called a clam bake."

~*TF*~

"You do have some talents," Jane stated as she stood next to John as he supervised the seafood.

"I am your amazing older brother," he stated.

"By fourteen minutes," Jane retorted as she headed towards the cooler. "At least you got the good beer."

"Like I wouldn't?" John chuckled.

~*TF*~

"I'm impressed, John." Garrus said. John grinned and offered Garrus a Turian dextro beer he had tracked down during the day. While Jane and the others had played tour guides to non-humans, John had been running around in a rented air-car, picking up supplies.

"When Jane and I had our first weekend liberty during N-school I ended up in New England during a festival. I got invited to one and fell in love with it since." John explained. A radio nearby was blaring out music and helped set the tone. Everyone was relaxing in the sand and enjoying the warm summer day.

"Still that you found Palaven crabs and clams? Amazing." Garrus said. John shrugged and checked the time on his Omni-tool.

"Time to yank them out. Give me a hand?"

"For you Commander? Always."

~*TF*~

"Looks like no volleyball here," Jane sighed as she began to lather sunblock on her arms and legs.

"Need help with your back?" Kaidan asked and Jane smiled at him.

"Yeah that would be great," she said. Wrex chuckled and Jane shot him a look as Kaidan took the bottle of sun block out of her hands.

"I see some kids with a Frisbee," Ash stated and Jane gave her a look.

"What about it?" Jane asked.

"I'm going to see if I can get it," Ash grinned.

~*TF*~

"Catch!"

John looked up from his plate to see a Frisbee gently floating thru the air towards him. Setting his plate aside, he caught it and smirked at the thrower, Ash.

"Do I even want to know where you found this Chief?" He asked. Ash laughed.

"Paid some kids twenty credits for it!" she replied, moving toward her male Commander wearing a modest black one piece and jean shorts. "I have to say Commander, this is one of your best ideas. Everyone looks like they're enjoying themselves."

"After everything we've been through together so far, it seemed like a good idea for the ground team to decompress." John replied. He saw Jane waving frantically at him from further up the beach. He stood up to throw the Frisbee at his sister. He saw a flash of biotic blue that changed its course to the Krogan who was braving the Earth surf. Wrex it snatched the plastic disc from the air and raised it above his head to roar in triumph.

"It is, but I do feel bad for Tali." Ashley said and John followed her gaze. The Quarian in question was watching the ocean as the sun set behind them. The reflection in the water made it look like the sun was setting in the west and the east. "She can't feel the sand on her feet, feel the crab legs in her fingers, hell even the food she eats is a bit bland after being sterilized by the filter on her helmet."

"True." John said, watching Tali wave happily at Garrus and Jane, before standing up to join them. "But I don't think any other Quarian will have the same story as her. Think about how many different places she's been and seen during her Pilgrimage. She told me a lot of Quarians don't even see more than one or two worlds beyond the one they choose to start at. She's been to dozens, including the Human home world."

"That made me realize she might not even be with us when we bring Saren down." Ash said and John frowned. "Once she finds a Pilgrimage gift she might head back to the flotilla."

John frowned as he watched the lady in question laugh happily and jump onto of Wrex's back.

"I think she might just stick around for a bit."

~*TF*~

The group was cleaning up as dusk fell.

"Look at that," Jane chuckled, looking up and Kaidan blinked. Luna floated above them, a crescent of white in the night sky.

"It is beautiful," Kaidan stated.

"I grew up with moons that were blue and brown," Jane grinned. "I don't know if I will ever get over how elegant a white moon looks in the night sky."

"You should see it set over the ocean," Kaidan grinned and Jane sighed.

"I bet it is beautiful," she said and Kaidan nodded. "I never cease to be amazed by how amazing this galaxy can be." Kaidan blinked at that, noticing the jagged scar on her cheek. Jane Shepard, sole survivor of Akuze, one of the only two survivors of the Northern Continent of Mindoir. With all the horror she had seen in the galaxy, she still saw beauty in the night sky. Kaidan smiled and moved slightly closer as the two of them watched the moon for a while longer.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 21st, 2183 CE, 09:59 hours

Location: Earth, North America, Vancouver, Alliance Dry Dock 7, SSV Normandy

"I like shore leave, but I have to say I'm relieved we're back underway." Jane said, stretching. John nodded in agreement.

"I feel the same way. I'm worried about Saren being out there." John said. The ground team boarded the Normandy through the front airlock and John was happy to see Joker already at the helm. "Joker! What's our status?"

"We're tip-top, sir." Joker replied. "We were just waiting on you guys."

"Glad to hear it. Request clearance and get us in the air. Head for the relay and I'll check for any outstanding messages. Then I'll let you know our destination." John ordered.

"Sorry, sir, I can't do that," Joker grinned and John gave him a look.

"John," Jane stated and John looked at her.

"What?" he asked and Jane looked at the clock and John blinked.

"Oh wise and intelligent, older sibling, your memory must be slipping. The Normandy is under MY command until 1300," Jane stated and John stared at her.

"But I gave the order already," he stated and Jane looked at Joker.

"Sorry, Commander, I'm under her direct command," Joker said, wagging his eyebrows.

"Joker, you know the drill, get us out of here. I want to start making trouble for Saren as soon as we can," Jane stated.

"I..." John stated and Jane gave him a glare. "Command is yours." He headed down to the mess to wait the two hours till his shift began.

"Your brother really forgets that he is sharing command, doesn't he," Joker stated.

"John wants Saren almost as much as I do," Jane stated and Joker gave her a look.

"Almost?" he asked and Jane shook her head.

"I had him in my scope, Joker, I had him and I let him go. I want to fix that mistake," Jane stated.

~*TF*~

"Message coming in from the brass at Arcturus, Commander." Joker called out. John frowned and lowered his coffee cup. He wondered if they would have to make a detour before heading to Feros.

"Patch it through Joker." John said, setting the cup on the railing by the galaxy map.

"Patching it through." Joke replied. There was a moment of static before the signal connected.

"Normandy? This is Admiral Hackett here. We're getting reports warning marked increase of Geth activity in the Skyllian Verge. Surveillance drones have identified Geth outposts on four different plants in the Armstrong Cluster. We need someone to take them out."

"Any idea what they're doing out there, sir?" John asked. He could hear the admiral sigh.

"Hard to say. They might just be gathering intel on us. Or maybe they're setting up grounds for hit and run attacks on human colonies. I know you feel a bit delayed in finding Saren but you've and your team have experience fighting the Geth. You're the logical choice to take out these outposts."

"We'll get right on it Admiral." John assured the man.

"Excellent. We're transmitting the locations of all known Geth outposts in the Armstrong Cluster to the Normandy now. Give my regards to your sister. Admiral Hackett out." The message cut out with a small snap.

"Joker, set course for the Armstrong cluster." John ordered. "I want to be on the ground as soon as possible."

"The relay we were about to connect to also connects to that system Commander." Joker replied. "Our ETA is 1400 hours. Also, the data from the Alliance shows the four systems suspected to have Geth activity are relatively close together. I'd estimate about an hour of travel from system to system." The pilot replied. John grinned.

"Finally some good luck. Good work Joker."

~*TF*~

Jane was in the cargo bay doing her biotic training.

"What the hell is that?" Kaidan asked in awe as Jane seemed to hover above the floor using her biotics to lift her up.

"Asari push-up," Jane stated, controlling her breathing.

"That's a hell of an exercise," he muttered.

"A commando should be able to do this for five hours nonstop," Jane stated.

"What are you up to?" Kaidan asked.

"Hour and twenty," Jane stated. "I am the current human record holder."

"Impressive," Kaidan stated.

"It would be more impressive if I could use it like the commandos do and jump from great heights and use it to break my fall. Been a little hesitant to try that," Jane chuckled before landing.

"Still, that's something new," Kaidan muttered and Jane smiled at him.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 21st, 2183 CE, 14:16 hours

Location: Armstrong Cluster, Vamshi System, Planet Maji

"Anything of yet?" Jane asked. John shook his head. So far they had seen nothing on this red, dusty planet that reminded him so much of Mars in the Sol system.

"Not a peep but I don't expect on until we're almost on top of them." John replied.

"Geth aren't limited by things like food and basic supply drops." Tali spoke up from the back, looking at a survey of the terrain on her Omni-tool. "They would-" She was cut off for a moment as the Mako hit a particularly large divot and made the vehicle bounce up and down. "They would choose the best defensible location they could find. Something with the mountains providing cover and protection if need be. I think this area in the north is our best bet."

"Okay then, let's head for that area." Jane said. John nodded his agreement and changed course. After a few minutes of driving they reached the area Tali had pointed out. Sure enough, the slope leading up the side of the mountain was littered with Geth turrets.

"Well shit." John muttered. He heard a chuckling behind him from the gunner seat.

"I've got this." Ash replied and John blinked. He forgot it was Ash's turn in the gunner spot.

"Go ahead and hit it, Gunnery Chief." John said. The Mako's guns roared, quickly taking down the turrets blocking the way. Shortly after the Mako was bouncing along merrily up the slope.

"So boring." Wrex grumbled.

"Oh stop whining Wrex." Jane scolded. "You had your turn on Noveria and if this base is like any other we'll have to get out to clear it."

"It's not like any others." John called over his shoulder as the Mako slowed to a stop. Jane moved forward to look over her brother's shoulder at the monitors. There were sniper towers, they could see Geth troops moving about, including a Geth Colossus but everything, even the equipment was open to the elements.

"I can finish this real quick Commanders." Ashley said, just before she began opening fire. With John circling the base at a steady pace, she quickly did just that.

"Okay next Geth base, I think I'm just going to take Tali and a gunner." John mused. Jane gave him a look.

"We need to talk in the comm room when we return to the Normandy," Jane stated. It wasn't a request.

~*TF*~

John entered the communications room and saw Jane standing there, giving him a look.

"What now?" he huffed and Jane's look got darker.

"I'm forgetting, John, but what is my rank?" Jane asked and John bit his lip. He'd pissed her off again.

"Commander," he stated and leaned back against the wall.

"Then stop snipping things at me like I'm Tali," Jane replied and John stopped.

"You know I don't mean to do that," John stated and Jane gave him a look.

"You drop orders at me like I'm under your command. We are not in N - 7 school anymore John and I will not be barked at like a subordinate when I have lead on a mission," Jane stated and John nodded at her.

"Jane, I'm sorry, I didn't mean you were inexperienced!" he stated. "I just think it would be a waste of time for the entire crew to go ground side for something this simple!"

"Then stop it, John," Jane stated. "You pulled that shit on Luna, calling for a retreat before seeing if anyone was trapped. Kaidan and I were pinned it was either waste energy fighting our way back out or holding our position to go forward on the next push. You never asked, you were so wrapped up in one injury that you endangered two others."

"Tali was hurt, Jane!" John snapped and Jane looked at him. "I was trying to keep the teams in sync as best I could and I made a judgment call!"

"Tali made a rookie mistake, John, and you blamed yourself for putting her in the position to make that mistake. She took a hit. John, I watched the feeds of her being brought in and I read Chakwas' notes. Tali's greatest risk was infection. I have news for you John, she is always at risk for infection," Jane stated. "You risked Liara, Wrex, Garrus, Kaidan, Ash, and myself by panicking over Tali. I know you took Jenkins' death hard John, but you cannot do this."

"I made a call to get a wounded teammate back to the ship." John argued and Jane's look moved into a glare.

"Well I won't risk one teammate for six others," Jane stated. "You want to protect Tali. Start training her better and if you snap at me like a raw recruit again, I swear, I will throw you through the nearest wall." Jane marched out.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 21st, 2183 CE, 21:02 hours

Location: Armstrong Cluster, Gagarin System, Planet Rayingri

"Mako this is Normandy, do you read?"

"This is the Mako, go ahead, Jane." John said. "Did you get your surveys of the system down, Jane?" There was a momentary crackle of static followed by Jane's sigh of annoyance.

"Yes the system surveys went well. I just wanted to know how you three are doing." Jane asked. John shot Garrus a grin as the Turian was adjusting his control of the gunner seat.

"Everything's going fine Jane. Nothing so far, but we might have narrowed it down. We're heading to where we think the base might be located. Mako out." John said, reaching over Tali's shoulder as she drove to shut off the comms.

"Hey John wa-" John cut her off mid-sentence and Tali shot the Commander a look.

"You didn't let her know I was driving?" Tali questioned. John grinned at her.

"Welllllll, technically only Alliance personnel should be driving the Mako." John said and Garrus snorted. "The regulation oddly doesn't apply to gunners, go figure."

"Go figure." Garrus said and chuckled.

"Besides, you need the experience." John said. Tali stammered a bit before taking a deep breath.

"I appreciate your faith in me Commander but I'm not sure I can do this." Tali blurted out. John frowned for a moment. He was afraid of this. Tali had been hurt before and he had noticed it. These other missions she had just been a fraction slow. When he'd asked her questions before as they were scouting the bases her responses had been slow and he could hear the self-doubt in her voice. Garrus had been giving John discrete looks of concern. She was hesitating and that could get her killed. John smiled at her and patted her on the shoulder.

"You'll do fine." John said. "I've been thinking about this during the last two missions in the other systems. Tali you've got the gift to lead. I've seen it. You improvise on the fly, you come up with solutions to problems and you know how to work. It wouldn't surprise me when you go back to the Flotilla that they notice it too. I just want them be even more impressed by what you've learned."

"Besides we shouldn't even need to get out of the Mako." Garrus said, scanning the horizon. "And even if we do, John and I are here. If you get into a trouble making a decision, we can help."

"These have been cake walk missions, Tali." John continued. "That's the only reason I'm doing this. Just don't let Jane find out." Tali giggled.

"Okay then, setting course. Mr. Vakarian keep an eye out for any Geth activity."

"Yes ma'am!"

~*TF*~

"Say that again?" Jane asked. "You're going to do what?"

"Jane it's just a small survey outpost, the ones they set up in advance of mining teams." John replied from the surface. "I know we can just clear the base with only the three of us."

"John remember what we talked about earlier today." Jane replied. There was a few moments of silence.

"Jane this is me doing that." John replied. "You're right so we need to do this. Just Garrus, Tali and me." Jane sighed and rubbed her temples.

"John, I know what you're trying to do but this goes against Alliance protocol. You know better." Jane stated coldly. "Because when infiltrating an enemy base, you should wait until back up is within fifteen minutes response time. You know, to keep the amount of time a person has to bleed to a minimum."

It was quiet for a few minutes before the signal let out a beep.

"He's requesting a private comm line with you, Commander." Joker replied. Jane sighed.

"Put it through into the comm room Joker." Jane replied before heading for that room. She hit a switch on the holo display. No image came up but she could hear John's breathing on the other end. "You're on a private line John."

"Jane, Tali needs to do this." John said quietly. "She's been hesitating and what you said earlier didn't fall on deaf ears. She can do this and besides you know a typical strike team has only three members."

"John," Jane said quietly, "I know you are trying but this is dangerous. Just the three of you, no backup going into the unknown. Before we made up with by sheer numbers."

"I know but I trust you." John said bluntly. Jane sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"Okay, then go."

~*TF*~

"How would you like us to proceed, ma'am?" John asked Tali shortly after he got off the comm with Jane. Tali paused.

"Commander, I'm not sure I can do this. This is completely different than driving the Mako around while Garrus shoots."

"I understand that and if you think you're not ready I'll take command, but I think you can do it." John reassured her.

"I feel the same way Tali." Garrus chimed in, offering his support. Tali was quiet for a moment before she shook her head.

"I can't, I'm sorry." Tali squeaked. John smiled and patted her on the shoulder.

"It's okay, I couldn't either my first time. I'll take over." John said, moving forward in the lead. "Garrus cover fire, Tali stay mid group."

"Yes sir." Both people replied moving into position. John led the way into the base and it was quiet, for now. That gave Tali the courage to ask…

"You couldn't lead either the first time?" Tali asked. John chuckled.

"During boot camp." John explained. "My instructors noticed the same leadership qualities in me as I see in you. So they started throwing me into leadership roles and officer training. During a mock war game simulation I got my first command. It was a disaster. I got everyone 'killed', as it were." John maid quotation marks in the air as he said killed.

"How?" Tali asked and John shrugged.

"I froze. When it came time to lead my men I just didn't do anything. The men were pretty unhappy about it until the instructors came over to explain. Everyone when they first start to learn has a single moment where they just can't lead. Everything gets to them. The pressure, the doubts, everything just hits you and your mind and body just can't." John explained. "They showed me how to get over it."

"And how did you, John?" Tali asked. John smiled at her just before he opened the doors leading from the entrance into the heart of the little base.

"I didn't but I realized that if I didn't lead when I was in charge people would get hurt and as long as I can I'll never get anyone hurt if I can help it."

~*TF*~

"John! Tali! Garrus! Report, I need you to report!" Jane called into her communicator. "Damn it, John! There is a Geth drop ship heading your way. I repeat. There is a geth drop ship heading your way!"

"I found out the problem," Joker stated.

"What is it?" Jane asked and he gave her a look.

"That Geth drop ship has a jamming signal, stronger than the one they used on Eden Prime. They can't contact us and we can't contact them," Joker stated and Jane began to flash biotic blue.

"Damn him, I told him, I told him don't go looking for trouble while we checked that damn signal!" Jane panted as she tried to cool down. "I swear he better come back!"

~*TF*~

"Strange." Garrus mused. The team had just left the base after clearing it of husks and Geth, and just survived an ambush the Geth set up using a drop ship. "I expected one of these outposts to be the main base of operations for this incursion.

"I want to know why the Normandy missed a Geth drop ship heading for us." John grumped.

"Hold on. This receiver's picking up some kind of transmission. Based on its signal strength, I'd say it's coming from inside this star cluster." Tali said, looking at some readings on her Omni-tool.

"Then let's signal the Normandy for a pick up. Once back onboard you can narrow down the system, Tali." John said, tapping open his communicator.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 21st, 2183 CE, 22:47 hours

Location: Armstrong Cluster, Grissom System, Planet Notanban's Moon: Solcrum

"Commander?" Tali asked from the mako as Jane carefully collected the Matriarch's writings from the dig site.

"Sorry, Tali, I wanted to make sure to collect this before the geth had a chance to destroy it," Jane stated as she got into the gunner position.

"It is alright, I just wanted to say thank you," Tali stated and Jane gave her a look.

"You don't need to do that," Jane replied.

"But I thought you didn't want to waste time helping me with my pilgrimage," Tali stated and Jane blinked.

"Tali...where did you get that idea?" Jane asked and the young quarian looked down.

"Commander Shepard. He has been training me more lately, you barely speak to me," Tali confessed and Jane pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Tali, I'm not training you because my skill sets don't suit you. I'm a biotic with a specialty in sniper rifles. You're a tech expert who relies on a shotgun. Personally I think that Wrex should be training you with firearms and Garrus and Kaidan should be training you on tech," Jane stated and Tali stared at her.

"You don't dislike me?" Tali asked and Jane smiled.

"I like you plenty, but John needs to get over your injury. He feels he caused it so I'm letting him have his time training you. Personally, if I were you, I would hang out with Wrex for shotgun tips and with Kaidan and Garrus to get their tech advice. I'm pretty sure you are the best trained tech on the ship, but they have their talents too," Jane stated as they approached the final base. "Never think that I distrust or dislike you Tali, you are one of the most talented techs I have ever met, one of the most courageous young people I know, and one of the few non-humans I trust at my back."

"Thank you, Commander," Tali whispered.

"Alright, Ash, you drive, I'm going to man the gun," Jane ordered as they rushed the last base. After the base was cleared and the strike team entered the Normandy, Jane opened up the recording of the quarian singing the lament.

"What's that?" Garrus asked and Jane smiled sadly.

"A piece of history that was probably considered lost," she stated.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: June 21st, 2183 CE, 01:12 hours

Location: SSV Normandy, In Transit

John poked his head into the engine room and smiled. Sure enough, there was Tali working diligently at her console. John came up behind her and cleared his throat. Tali spun around in surprise.

"I thought I said for you to get some sleep?" John teased. Tali laughed nervously.

"Well I wanted to get some of my mission details down while they were still fresh." Tali explained and John chuckled.

"I do the same thing myself. Anyways I wanted to give you this." John said, handing Tali a data pad with a memory expansion device attached.

"Shepard what is-" Tali trailed off into a gasp as she review the data. "This is the information from the Geth control nodes! I thought you uploaded this to Alliance command!"

"I did." John explained. "And after I reviewed it I saw nothing in there that had nothing dangerous to the Alliance I made of a copy of it for you. Would this help be a good Pilgrimage gift?"

Tali was still for a moment before leaping at John. She wrapped her arms around the human male in a tight hug.

"Oh this is wonderful!" she cried. "Thank you, Shepard! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank-"

"I get it Tali." John laughed, hugging the Quarian back before gently pulling her off him. "Now go get some rest. We've had a hell of a busy day."

"Yes sir!" Tali saluted, hurrying out of the engine room, eagerly studying the data pad.

John shook his head. She'd certainly come a long way from the shy little thing she'd been when he'd first met her a month ago.

~*TF*~

End of Chapter 5