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.

9. Chapter 8

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: A lot of the comments we've been receiving lately are about Virmire and the anticipation you've had leading up to this point. Without spoiling anything I can honestly say this chapter and the next are some that I personally have been looking forward to since we started this fanfic together. I hope you guys enjoy it and fair warning as you read this. Any person, and I mean ANY person, in our fanfic can die because of one simple thing. There are two Shepards now. That doesn't always work out for the best.

Belle's Note: This chapter is the accumulation of hours of discussion and deep debate.

Chapter 8: The Choices We Can (Or Cannot) Live With

Earth Date: July 19th, 2183 CE

Location: In route to Sentry Omega, Hoc System

Jane rolled her head on her neck and she headed down to bed. Tomorrow they would hit Virmire, Jane's eyes moved to Kaidan before she slowed. Bed or Kaidan...Kaidan won. She approached him.

"We haven't had time together since our last chat, a lot was said," Kaidan said, giving her a slight smile. It made Jane's heart jump.

"You seemed decisive then, Lieutenant, why so hesitant now?" Jane teased, doing her best to meet his eyes.

"I...don't want to distract you too much. The deeper we get into this mess the bigger it seems," he said. He was serious as he looked at her and it made her feel the pressure of what a relationship with Kaidan would be like. She liked it. "I'm just looking for an ear." Jane's heart started to plummet, had she been reading Kaidan wrong this whole time? "Seems like every other race in the galaxy is wrapped up in their own problems, they don't want to see what's coming." Jane felt immediate relief. He was talking about Ferros and not about them.

"Wanting to believe that everything'll be fine? Sounds like human nature to me," Jane said and Kaidan nodded.

"Yeah...I guess some things carry across species well enough, I should remember that after what happened with Vyrnnus," Kaidan said and Jane blinked at his tone.

"I'd think you'd carry a grudge over the crap you took from Vyrnnus," Jane confessed.

"Before I met Vyrnnus, I knew as much as any other civilian, aliens were weird. Superior and tried to tell us what to do. I mean it's only been twenty-six years since first contact, that's not a lot of time to understand them. But it was Vyrnnus who made me see how human aliens are," Kaidan explained. Jane watched as his eyes took on the look of being somewhere else, in his memories. "They're not different or special. They're jerks and saints just like us. Hell, by the time I got payback, I didn't even want it anymore." He looked at her with serious eyes and Jane blinked, Kaidan didn't seem like the type for revenge.

"I don't see you snapping very easily. What finely did it?" Jane asked. Kaidan paused, looking at her. He sighed before he looked down and then looked back up at her again.

"He hurt Rahna. Broke her arm. She reached for a glass of water instead of pulling it biotically," Kaidan explained and Jane winced. Turian training practices were vicious, she couldn't imagine what Kaidan and the other students in BAaT went through, her asari instructors had come with the 'patience of the Goddess' mentality. When students couldn't do something, it was practiced again and again but with kindness and gentleness. Jane had excelled under asari tutelage, while Kaidan was powerful, had his training carved a different strength in his biotics? "She just wanted a drink without getting a nosebleed. You know?" Jane smiled, her first real venture into biotics had resulted in her bleeding from the eyes. She knew about wanting to use her powers without side effects. "Like an idiot, I stood up. Didn't know what I was gonna do, just something." He looked at her and Jane suspected what happened was not good.

"And Vyrnnus lost it, beat the crap out of me. Kept shouting about how they should've bombed us back to the stone age and that's when the knife came up. A military issued talon. Right in my face," Kaidan explained and Jane felt her face go white. A human child confronted by a turian mercenary with that kind of weaponry. It should have been all over the news, Jane felt sick knowing that it probably didn't go that way. "I cut loose. Full biotic kick right in the teeth. Almost as strong as I can manage now. At seventeen that's something." Jane blinked at that, she knew what she did on Mindoir as a teen had been impressive, as she got older she understood that more and more, Kaidan apparently knew a thing or two about unlocking talent early too.

"You wanted to help a girl you cared for. That's a noble thing," Jane said, he must have been like a white knight to Rahna.

"Maybe my intentions were noble but I...I lost control. I killed him, Shepard," Kaidan confessed and Jane kept still. Kaidan killed his instructor at seventeen, Jane had killed several of the slavers that had decimated her colony at sixteen but Kaidan clearly was still bothered by what he had done to Vyrnnus. "Snapped his neck. They probably could have saved him if they got him to an infirmary quick enough but they didn't. Caused a stir when they shipped him home. BAaT training was shut down. Conatix folded a couple of years later. It's funny," he said. "I'm not sure which of us got the worst of what happened."

"Was Rahna alright?" Jane asked, Kaidan looked morose, this particular story did not have a happy ending.

"Rahna...yeah. She was fine. We...uh...never really...we stopped talking after that," he said. Jane blinked. She couldn't imagine not talking to the boy who tried to protect her, then again, she and John had protected each other with savage desperation...it had worked, but the effort she had used had nearly killed her.

"Tell me what happened?" Jane asked and he stared at her.

"Rahna had a gentle heart. She loved everyone. Vyrnnus terrified her, we all protected her from him. Everyone...everyone loved her. But after what I did to him she was terrified of me too," he explained and Jane's heart ached for Kaidan. To see someone turn their love to hate...it had to have been very painful for a seventeen year old boy to accept the first sentient life he ended and the girl he did it for turning on him. "Anyway this is...I had a point here. Alien are individuals just because one's an ass doesn't mean they all are. So yeah, I hated that turian...but he wasn't a turian to me. He was Vyrnnus." Jane felt respect for Kaidan. She had a problem with Batarians, she couldn't lie about that. She couldn't forget them on Mindoir, but...she knew she needed to stop lumping them together. She needed to be more like Kaidan.

"So that's why you're so self-controlled," Jane muttered, he was a better person than she was because like her, he had had some tough lessons too.

"I'm no more disciplined than any other biotic, Shepard, this is all ancient history, I'm over it," he said and Jane looked at him. It wasn't though, she could still see the ghost of Rahna and Vyrnnus haunting Kaidan's eyes.

"You agonize over doing the right thing and never let yourself lose control...because Rahna spurned you after Vyrnnus died," Jane said, realizing it was a harsh truth only after it slipped past her lips. She looked at him and he blinked.

"That's...al-alright, maybe you have a point, maybe. But I'm okay. You don't have to worry about me," he said and Jane fought a smile. She did worry about Kaidan, more than a Commander should. "Fully functional human being, and I won't be a burden on you...on the crew." Jane looked at him.

"Kaidan, you're a strong man, talking about this doesn't make you a whiner and it doesn't make you immature. It makes you human," Jane said, it actually made Jane love...like him more knowing he reflected on his past in such an honorable way. He stared at her for a second.

"Alright, but it's embarrassing that you had to tell me that," he said. "You're right. I might need to loosen up a little. I'll try." He paused for a second to give her a look. "Glad you'll be here when it's over Shepard. I'm...uh...I'm looking forward to some shore leave." His eyes smoldered just slightly and Jane smiled at him, looking to the side.

"We'll talk more later..." she said as she turned to leave before giving him a look over her shoulder. He smiled at her and she felt her blush. She was going to need a cold shower before bed now.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: July 20th, 2183 CE

Location: Sentry Omega, Hoc System, Entering orbit of the Plant Virmire

"Commander, I'm reading a signal," Joker reported over the comms as the team loaded into the Mako. John frowned as he strapped himself into the driver's seat. "Must be our Salarian infiltration team."

"If we can read them Saren must be able to too." Jane commented as she finished closing the Mako's hatch. John nodded in agreement. As Joker entered the atmosphere he checked the sensor readings.

"I'm seeing defense towers around the area where the signal is coming from, anti-air towers to be specific," John called back. "How the hell did Saren get AA guns built way the hell out here?"

"The same way he got a secret base built John," Jane stated checking the Mako's turret settings. "Criminals and a shit load of money."

"I've got a clear landing site just a few clicks from the towers and it's just out of range, Commanders." Joker informed them. John nodded and jabbed the button to unlock the Mako from the cargo deck.

"Drop the Mako, Joker," John ordered. "We'll go in hot and take them out." Now that the Mako was using its own Mass Effect fields to hold it down the team all felt a sudden increase in pressure as the Normandy banked hard and accelerated down.

"I'll get you underneath their radar, Commander," Joker replied. The cargo bay door open and the Mako's field shut off as Joker banked and the Mako was dropped out as the Normandy banked and then turned away sharply as they dropped. The Mako slammed into the ground and skidded in the beach spray for a few meters.

"Clean drop, Commander," Joker reported and John could help but grin before replying.

"Well done Joker, now stay out of range and use evasive maneuvers until we bring down those AA towers." John said, yanking back on the gear shift and stomping on the accelerator. The Mako shot forward, kicking up surf and sand as they headed for the first tower.

"I know the drill. Meet you at the camp once those towers are off-line. Joker out." The pilot responded and the comms cut out.

~*TF*~

The gates were pains in the ass. Apparently Saren was no slouch when it came to protecting his secret bases. Jane was popping out of the top of the Mako to knock out optics before Wrex used the Mako's cannons to take out the Geth themselves before the team was forced to open the gates. Jane paused as she looked at the giant creatures walking in the surf undisturbed by the presence of gunfire and the Mako.

"What?" John asked as he looked at the creatures.

"I was thinking what they would be better for," Jane stated and he stared at her.

"Well, I bet we could race them like we did the Hornchins back home," Jane stated and John laughed as he climbed into the Mako.

"Seriously, we're going to take down Saren and you're thinking about racing some of the slowest looking creatures?" he asked.

"Why not, I bet I'd win," Jane stated and John snickered as the team climbed in.

"Yeah because you're a good fifty pounds lighter at least," John chuckled and Jane nodded. "What else did you think they'd be good for?" he asked and Jane smirked.

"I wondered if they tasted like crab," Jane replied and John laughed harder.

"Those things?" Kaidan asked and Jane nodded.

"Maybe," Ash stated. "Thinking about making a claim on the planet for that purpose?"

"You can always tell when someone is raised on a colony," Garrus stated and the group gave him a look as they strapped in. "They always wonder if something is edible." Jane chuckled as she slapped John's armor and they moved through the gate.

"How many more gates do you think?" Liara asked and Jane shook her head.

"Saren's no fool, there is going to be more than gates," she said.

After they took out the armature, Jane was glad they had the Mako.

~*TF*~

John slowed the Mako to a stop as they approached the makeshift field base. Kaidan was at the back hatch and popped it open, allowing the team to file out. John was the last out and he saw Jane heading for the Salarian who appeared to be in charge with Ash and Kaidan following. He signaled to the others to spread out and wait for orders before he jogged to catch up. He noticed Wrex following him, seemingly bored.

"So what are we supposed to do now?" Ashley snarked to the Captain and John frowned.

"Stay put until we can come up with a plan," the Salarian, a Captain if John remember his STG primer correctly, said.

"I'm Commander Jane Shepard and this is Commander John Shepard," Jane replied, gesturing to her brother. "The Council sent us here to investigate after receiving your message.

"Commanders, I'm Captain Kirrahe, Third Infiltration Regiment STG. You and your crew have just landed in a hot zone. Every AA gun within ten miles has been alerted to your presence, apparently repeating our task on the council's orders." Captain Kirrahe huffed. "I asked for a fleet of reinforcements, not another investigation squad."

"Oh that's beautiful," John muttered and Jane sighed.

"What can you tell us about the situation then Captain?" Jane asked and Kirrahe sighed in resignation.

"We've confirmed that this is Saren's base of operations, more specifically a research facility but it's crawling with Geth and very well fortified."

"Researching what?" John asked and he frowned when he saw Kirrahe glance at Wrex.

"He using the facility to breed an army of Krogan." He explained and John blinked, hard. He heard Jane suck in a breath from his left but Wrex moved past him on his right, his interest peaked.

"How is that possible?" Wrex growled.

"Apparently Saren has discovered a cure for the genophage." Kirrahe explained, reluctantly.

"The Geth are bad enough but a Krogan army? He'd be almost unstoppable." Jane exclaimed. Wrex growled at that and John felt his adrenalin spike. This was getting out of hand, fast.

"Exactly my thoughts. We must destroy this facility and make sure its secrets are destroyed." Kirrahe declared.

"Destroyed? I don't think so," Wrex snapped. "Our people are dying. This cure can save them."

"If that cure leaves this planet, the Krogan will become unstoppable. We can't make same mistake again." Kirrahe retorted and Wrex stomped up to the Salarian captain to jab a finger at him.

"We are not a mistake!" Wrex snapped before storming down the beach. They watched him go for a moment before Kirrahe spoke up again.

"Is he going to be a problem? We have enough angry Korgan to deal with as it is." Kirrahe commented.

"He'll be fine, we'll go talk to him in a minute." Jane said and Kirrahe sighed in relief.

"I'd appreciate that Commander." Kirrahe said. "My men and I need to rethink our plan of attack. Can you give us some time?"

"Go ahead Captain, we'll be back soon." John said and led the others off a short way. There was loud gun shot and they all turned to see Wrex taking shots at a boulder in the waves down the beach.

"Look likes things are bit of a mess," Kaiden commented. John grunted in agreement.

"Yeah I wouldn't be so worried if it wasn't for Wrex. He looks like he's going to blow a gasket." Ash commented.

"I get where he's coming from though, this could be the only chance to save his people too. Still it explains that news report I heard about Binary Helix getting sued by some Krogan investors who asked them to cure the genophage." Jane remarked.

"I remember that one, you're right it does make more sense. Since Saren is a big investor in Binary Helix he probably heard about it and moved everything here and cut them out." John commented. "Once of us should go talk to him."

"It couldn't hurt," Ash commented but then seemed rethink that statement. "Well, it might, actually. Just before careful whoever does."

~*TF*~

"So..." John started.

"You should be the one to talk to him," Jane said, cutting him off and he chuckled. Apparently John had been thinking the same thing.

"Not a second of hesitation?" John asked and Jane gave him a look.

"While he respects us both, you and he charge in together. You work the front together, that puts a special trust between the two of you and you know it. While we have both gone to talk to him and hear about his adventures, we both know how much trust is built between two people who put their trust in the person to their side," she said and John nodded. He patted her head and she punched his shoulder.

"I'll keep the camp, if you can't do it, I'll watch your six," Jane said and John nodded before jogging off after their friend. Sometimes having a twin who could lift a Krogan into the air was comforting.

~*TF*~

"This isn't right, Shepard. If there's a cure for the Genophage we can't destroy it." Wrex snarled before turning to John as he approached. John sighed and came to stop a few feet from his friend.

"I know you're upset Wrex but the one you need to focus your anger on is Saren. He's just using this cure to manipulate the Krogan he has working for him." John explained and Wrex scowled.

"Really, you expect me to buy that? Saren has a cure for my people, you want to destroy it." Wrex snapped, gesturing between them with a hand. "Help me out here John, the lines between friend and foe are starting to blur."

~*TF*~

Jane watched carefully from the camp. Her eyes trained on Wrex's body, looking for the second he got too tense or made a move that could end John.

"Wrex is pissed," Ash said from Jane's side and she nodded, eyes locked on the Krogan's form.

"He has every right," Jane said.

"Should we be ready to stop him?" Ash asked, a hand moving to her back.

"Stand down, Chief," Jane ordered and Ash turned to look at Jane in shock.

"You're brother is..." Ash stared and Jane turned her killing glare at Ash.

"My brother is trying to keep our teammate on our team," Jane said.

"He's a Krogan," Ash spat and Jane glared, to Ash's credit, she didn't flinch.

"Wrex is a part of this team, being a Krogan doesn't matter," Jane said and Ash scoffed.

"He's an alien," Ash said and Jane's glare sharpened.

"Being an alien doesn't matter," Jane said, returning her eyes to Wrex.

"You can't stand Batarians," Ash hissed and Jane fought the urge to wince. Aiding Garrus in his quest for justice and the encounter with Balak had exposed Jane to her own xenophobic tendencies. Hell, the talk with Kaidan on the way here reminded her that she was not without glaring flaws.

"My problem is with slavers and with the Hegemony, not with aliens," Jane stated. "Now, stand down Chief, that's an order." Ash glared before looking towards John and Wrex.

~*TF*~

"Wrex, he's not using this cure to help the Krogan, he's using it as a weapon!" John retorted, "No one is going to benefit from this, Saren will have an army of Krogan, born in labs and raised to serve him. No Krogan alive now will be cured, only those he makes loyal to himself will be cured."

"Then we should take it for ourselves, take the chance that he'll raise his army! We shouldn't destroy this base we need to preserve it!" Wrex roared. "This is the fate of my species we're talking about here!" He stomped closer to John and glared at him. "I've been loyal to you this entire mission, hell, you and your sister have done more for me than my family ever did! But if I'm going to keep following you I need to know we're doing it for the right reasons!" To emphasize his point Wrex drew his shotgun and sighted on John. John didn't draw any of his weapons however. Jane said she had his six, Jane always kept her word.

"Wrex these Krogan are not your people, they're Saren's slaves and clones. Is that what you want the Krogan to be now? Puppets for a madman?" John tried to reason with his angry friend. Wrex stared at him for a moment before slowly relaxing, slipping his shotgun back to its spot on his armor.

"No, we were puppets for the Council once, I doubt Saren would be a step up from that." Wrex growled. They were silent for a moment each man considering the situation they had just been in. A friendship that had almost ended in bloodshed.

"You've made you point John, I'll continue to follow you. Just make sure you take me with you when we kill this shit slinging pyjack. I want his head on a pike." Wrex grumbled before stomping off. John sighed as Jane made her way to him after saying something to Ash.

"We all do my friend."

Jane watched Wrex go and the two stared after him for a moment.

"So, what were you preparing to do when he drew that shotgun?" John asked and Jane lifted John for a moment.

"My plan was to shield you, pull you to me, lift Wrex, and then use extreme prejudice with my rifle at close range to his eyes and chest," Jane stated and John nodded.

"Did you think that would stop him?" John asked.

"I was betting on you joining the negotiations with your assault rifle when you landed and before Wrex did," Jane stated.

"Of course, I have to protect my baby sister," John said.

"By fourteen minutes, also if we weren't about to assault a fortress filled with genetically modified Krogan, I would be throwing you into the surf right now," Jane stated as they headed back to the camp.

"You wouldn't be so tough if you didn't have biotics," John teased and Jane smirked.

"Thank God you didn't get the biotics or you'd never stop rushing into danger," Jane replied.

~*TF*~

"Thank you for speaking with the Krogan." Captain Kirrahe said, relief obvious in his voice, "The assault on Saren's base will be difficult enough as it is."

"I guess that means you've come up with a plan then?" Jane quipped and Kirrahe smiled.

"Of sorts. We can convert our ship's drive system into a twenty-kiloton ordinance. Crude, but effective."

"Nice. Drop that nuke from orbit and Saren can kiss his Turian ass goodbye." Ash commented but Kirrahe shook his head.

"Unfortunately, the facility is too well-fortified for that. We'll need to place the bomb at a precise location."

"Then where do we take the nuke and how do we get there?" John asked.

"The bomb must be taken to the far side of the facility. Your ship can drop it off but we'll need to infiltrate the base, disable the AA guns and pacify any ground forces first." Kirrahe explained and Kaidan frowned.

"You want us to go in on foot? We don't have enough men." Kaidan spoke up.

"It does sound a bit risky," Jane agreed. "Is there no other way?"

"No but I think we can work around that. I'm going to divide my men into three teams and hit the front of the facility. While we've got their attention, you can sneak a shadow team in the back."

"It's a good plan but your team will take heavy casualties." John pointed out.

"I'm aware of that Commander and that makes what I'm going to ask even more difficult. I need one of your men to accompany me. To help coordinate the teams."

"That's a good idea, we'll need someone who knows Alliance communication protocols." Jane said. The twins exchanged a look and John inclined his head slightly to Ash. Jane nodded in agreement before speaking. "Williams, you're up."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Excellent. Since all of my men will be with me I'd also like one of your men with engineering expertise to accompany your men when they set the bomb." Kirrahe explained. The Shepards didn't even exchange a look this time.

"Tali!" John called, waving their friend over. Tali jogged over from the field shelter she'd been in, watching the exchange. "Tali, have you worked on a Salarian drive core before?"

"Yes sir, many times!" she chirped, happy to contribute. "The Admiralty Board made sure we all knew how any species ship in the Flotilla functioned since we have so many."

"One of my men can bring her up to speed then with the changes to our drive core for the bomb conversion. An inspired decision Commander." Kirrahe mused and John grinned.

"Tali is the best engineer I've ever come across. I knew she'd be an asset." John said. Tali shifted, the light on her visor blinking on and off rapidly.

"I'll prepare my men, we'll be moving out shortly." Kirrahe said, moving off to line his men up. John and Jane turned to look their friends over.

"Be smart and cool, Ash, use that skill we both know you have," Jane said, giving her subordinate a look, "and stay safe. If you get hurt, I'll kick your ass."

"Same to you, Tali, I know you can do this so you will do it." John said. Both women nodded their heads.

"Let's get Wrex, Garrus, and Liara for the Shadow team. Alenko, you provide Tali with protection while she sets up the bomb. Move out everyone."

~*TF*~

"Wrex and I will take point," John stated as the team moved quickly. "Garrus, you take rear guard. Liara, you give support to Wrex and myself, Jane, cover us."

The group mumbled agreement as they approached the first structure.

"We have drones," Garrus warned. Jane and Liara nodded as they quickly began to throw singularities and warps. Garrus used his sniper rifle to take out their optics while John and Wrex checked to make sure the drones weren't drawing attention.

"Jane, scope it out," John ordered and Jane crept to the front and peered through her scope.

"Easy, only a handful," she stated. "But they are definitely guarding something up there. Might be a useful control panel."

"Let's get up there and I'll see if I can do anything," Garrus stated. The team moved quickly, Jane and Liara throwing Geth units while John and Wrex took out the lone prime. Garrus quickly approached a control panel.

"What do we have?" Jane asked and Garrus flicked his mandibles in a grin.

"Triangulation point," Garrus chuckled before he began to type. "It's offline now," he stated before pulling his assault rifle and rendered the console to junk. "It'll stay that way."

"You do Tali proud," Jane teased and Garrus chuckled before the group headed along.

"Commanders, I see a satellite on that roof," Liara pointed out.

"Take that down for us, will you, Liara?" John asked and the Asari skillfully pulled the satellite off the structure. John tossed a grenade on it as they passed.

"Think the Geth know we are here?" Garrus asked.

"Shadow! We're being pinned by the Geth drones! If you can stopped them somehow we could use the help!" Ash reported over the comms and Jane quickly began to scan the sky.

"There," Wrex purred as he pointed to a landing pad half hidden behind one of the natural walls. Jane began to creep along the walkway, low. John watched her as she changed her ammo to incendiary. Jane saw a refueling station, complete with a large fuel tank. She smirked as she carefully aimed and two shots resulted in an explosion that took out three of the drones.

"Nice shot," Garrus stated and Jane smirked. "I could have done it in one."

"Keep talking, Turian," Jane chuckled as they continued on.

"Are those Salarians with the Geth?" Liara whispered and Jane checked with her scope.

"They must be on Saren's side," Jane stated.

~*TF*~

"Check out that console," John ordered Liara as the team spread out by the doorway into the back of the lab. John kept his assault rifle raised and was sweeping the area for any further enemies. Liara hurried over to the still active console before typing away for a minute.

"We've got access to base security. I can cut the alarms from here, even trigger some." Liara explained.

"Could we trigger a few here? Draw them away from the front teams?" Jane asked, going towards Liara. Liara typed away for a minute before nodding.

"Yes but that would draw more troops this way. Don't you think we've done enough to help out the others?" Liara questioned. Jane thought for a moment.

"Thoughts?" she asked, and Wrex just laughed.

"We can handle it Jane." Garrus spoke up and John chuckled.

"Go for it, sister." He said and Jane smiled.

"Trigger them here, Liara."

"Yes ma'am, alarms are being trigger in our area to bring reinforcements our way."

"Then let's not keep them waiting!" Wrex roared. John sighed and opened the door to let the Krogan charging in with a bloodthirsty roar. He followed up shortly, casually shooting a Geth down from the ceiling that was aiming at the Krogan's vulnerable back.

"Somehow Wrex is going to try take them all out himself," John muttered. Liara laughed as Garrus sighed.

"And this surprises you?"

~*TF*~

The warehouse was filled with Geth and the group used their techniques they had developed as a team to take the enemy out. Wrex and John wrecked havoc while Jane and Liara supported with biotics and Garrus took the rear, keeping the two biotics covered while the two tanks did their damage. After the Geth the group entered a room guarded by Salarians who were quickly put down.

"Upstairs or down?" Wrex asked and John nodded up. The group moved upstairs to find a collection of cells.

"Salarian prisoners?" John muttered as Jane approached a cell. The prisoner began crying and mumbling incoherently in fear.

"They've been tortured," she muttered as she approached another cell.

"What do you want? I told you everything! I...Who are you? Alliance, right? I knew someone would come. It tried to break me, but it couldn't! I shut it out!" the next Salarian stated and Jane paused. It...it tried to break him...what was...Jane's mind flashed to Benezia. Jane looked at John and he had the same look in his eye, did these Salarians face the might of Saren's ship or was it something else.

"Slow down, I need to know where you came from," John said and the Salarian nodded.

"Private Menos Avot of the Third Infiltration Regiment STG, Sir! Captured while on reconnaissance six days ago. Glad to answer, sir!" he replied. "Never any questions from these bastard. Just whispers and poking and cutting. I'd have said anything to get out and get some payback. That's not too much to ask, is it? A little payback?" Jane felt uneasy by the Salarian. He said originally he had told everything...but then saying anything to be released...what was STG protocol? Jane would have to do some serious research on STG practices.

"What did they do to you, soldier?" John asked, he was staying back, John felt it too, something wasn't right.

"Experiment, but I don't know what for. The effect of incessant whispering on my shortening temper? Who knows? I just need out," Menos hissed. John gave Jane a look, she gave a quick shake. No, she felt it too and it was not safe.

"If we don't let him out, he's as good as dead. We have to do something," John stated.

"Yes, leaving me here would be bad. Very bad. It's too small and the noise just won't go away. Whispering is loud, you know?" Menos hissed and Jane raised her eyebrows at her brother and he nodded. Morality was all well and good, but Salarians, while not as bad as Krogan, were still dangerous when insane. "I need to get out. Let me out."

"Sorry, soldier, but we can't take that chance," Jane said as the group moved away from the cell.

"Can't take that chance...no chance. I need to do what it says. I have to. Let me out...let me out! Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!" Menos cried with increasing fervor before he rushed the door of the cell. A wet crunch sounded loudly as he impacted, from the angle of his neck as he dropped to the floor, Jane suspected he broke it. Jane closed her eyes in sympathy and looked at the others.

"Insane..." Garrus muttered and Liara looked at the two.

"My mother said Sovereign..." she stared and then saw the look in the two Shepards' eyes. "You already realized."

"That ship needs to be blown up into very small pieces," Jane stated.

"Agreed," John said as they continued on. The fortress was poorly designed with stairs and walkways in locations that were inconvenient. They passed through another prison hold, but this one was different, less sterile, more for the continued torture.

"Let's see to them," Jane said and the group paused.

"They're probably like the last batch," Garrus commented and Jane shook her head.

"Look at that one, it's designed to break minds...not house slaves," John commented and the two quickly made it downstairs. They approached the first cell.

"Well, you're not a Geth. And you're not wearing a lab coat. I guess I'm glad to see you," the Salarian inside said. "Lieutenant Ganto Imness of the Third Infiltration Regiment, captured during recon. I assume the fleet was called in to destroy the base?" Jane and John shared a look.

"The transmission wasn't clear. The fleet is not coming," Jane said and the Salarian kept a straight face. Perhaps he was disappointed, Jane couldn't tell.

"I see. Then you must be the infiltration team. I know the captain. He will want this facility destroyed. My team was altered, indoctrinated. He knew about the breeding ground. But the indoctrination is a greater threat, and far more horrifying. I watched good people reduced to mindless husks. There wasn't anything left. Others died during the experiments. I envy them," Ganto said.

"Do you know anything about the experiments they were conducting?" Jane asked.

"They were studying indoctrination. Symptoms, progress. Saren uses it to control his people, but I don't think he fully understands it. I don't know much else. I just saw what it did to the others. Turned them into empty husks. I can't end up like that. Please...let me out," Ganto spoke, his voice finally displaying the deep fear he was feeling.

"We will," Jane said. Slowly they opened each of the cells and Ganto stared at his crew, mindless slaves. "Garrus, Liara, Wrex...I want you to escort these guys back and summon the Normandy."

"Shepard, it might just be kinder to let them stay," Garrus stated and Jane shook her head.

"We need to study this indoctrination, there might be a way to reverse it, we won't know until we study these men. Keep them sedated and with Chakwas when you get on the Normandy," Jane said and Ganto nodded as he took two of the husk-like Salarians' wrists. The three Normandy team members slowly followed, Wrex tossing his two over his shoulders.

"Be careful, Shepards," Liara said and the two nodded back as they pushed on. Up the elevator led to a massive lab filled with husks and a few scientists, one a Krogan. Jane was quick to throw the nearby husks while John shot. A well placed sniper shot took out the Asari scientist before John began rushing the Krogan. Jane took out a few more husks, splattering them across the floor before lifted the Krogan into the air. The two Shepards proceeded to fill the Krogan scientist with holes before heading onto the walkway.

~*TF*~

"I can't help but feel like I made a mistake ordering the others to help the prisoners escape," Jane muttered, tense and poised for a surprise attack. Her armor crackled with biotic energy, collected and waiting.

"It was the right call, Jane, one I happen to agree with," John reassured his sister, keeping his assault rifle raised as they made their way down the walkway on the outside of the building. "Come on Saren's office should be through the door at the end." The twins increased their speed, trying to ignore what the sounds of gunfire in the distance meant for their comrades. A pair of Geth popped out from near the door and were quickly shredded by John's gunfire and a throw from Jane. They swiftly moved through the door to see a large office with someone crouched behind the desk.

"Come out, hands up!" John ordered. An Asari slowly rose from behind the desk, her hands up as ordered.

"Don't shoot, please!" she begged. "I just want to get out of here before it's too late!"

"We're not going to hurt you. Who are you?" Jane asked, her rifle held over her chest.

"I'm Rana Thanoptis, I'm a neurospecialist. But this job isn't worth dying over." She exclaimed. "Or worse. You think the indoctrination only affects prisoners? Sooner or later, Saren will want to dissect my brain, too!"

"Wait, what?" John exclaimed, lowering his rifle. "Why is Saren dissecting brains? What does indoctrination have to do with a breeding facility?"

"Not at this level," Rana explained. "We're studying Sovereign's effect on organic minds. At least that's what I assumed. Saren kept us in the dark as much as possible."

"You helped him and you don't even know why?" Jane said, clearly shocked at the Asari's willingness to work with so little knowledge about her employer. Here Jane thought asari were smarter than that. Rana shifted a bit, looking ashamed.

"I didn't have the option to negotiating. This position is a little more…permanent than I'd expected." Rana defended herself. "But I can help you! This elevator behind me goes to Saren's private lab. I can get you in." Rana moved to the elevator and entered a pass code. The elevator beeped and the doors slid open and she walked back to them. "See? Full access. All of Saren's private files. Are we good? Can I go?" The twins exchanged a look, and John shrugged.

"What were you studying here?" Jane asked and Rana nodded.

"It's that ship, Sovereign. It emits some kind of...signal. Undetectable, but its there. I've seen the effects. Saren uses it to influence his followers, to control them. It's called indoctrination. Direct exposure to the signal turns you into a mindless slave, like the Salarian test subjects. But there's collateral damage, too."

"What do you mean by 'collateral damage'?" John asked.

"Sovereign's signal is too strong. Spend too much time near the ship and you feel it. Like a tingle at the back of the skull. It's like a whisper you can't quite hear. You're compelled to do things but you don't know why. You just obey. Eventually, you just stop thinking for yourself," Rana explained, her face growing dark. "It happens to everyone at the facility. My first test subject was the man I replaced. Now I just want to get out of here before it happens to me." Jane stared at the Asari, the whispers...was Rana hearing it already?

"Why is Saren researching this?" Jane asked. "Isn't her the one controlling it?"

"The signal comes from the ship. It makes us obey Saren, but I don't think he controls it. Not exactly. I think...he's scared it might be affecting him," Rana said and Jane felt confirmation. Makes us obey Saren...Rana was feeling it, but she was much more in control of herself than some of the others they had encountered. She might recover. "Indoctrination is subtle. By the time the effects become noticeable, it's usually too late."

"Tell us more about this signal," Jane quickly demanded.

"Signal's not exactly the right word. There's some kind of energy field emanating from the ship. It changes thought patterns. Over time...days, maybe a week...it weakens your will. You become easier to manipulate and control. But it's a degenerative condition. There's a balance between control and usefulness. The less freedom a subject maintains, the less capable it becomes," Rana explained and Jane fought a shudder, indoctrination was horrifying.

"We're going to blow this place to hell and gone." Jane retorted, gesturing to the door. "If you want to make it out alive, I'd suggest you start running, now."

"What…you can't...but…I'll never..." Rana let out a cry of terror and tore past the siblings, barely waiting for the doors to slide open before she bolted through them and out of sight. John just sighed as they headed for the elevator and stepped inside.

"Was that necessary?"

"Yes," Jane stated.

~*TF*~

The elevator came to a stop and the twins were ready to shoot, only to discover and empty room.

"No guards," Jane muttered.

"Saren probably expected no one to be able to get this far," John commented and they shared a looked as they moved out carefully. There at the bottom of the lab stood another Prothean beacon.

"You ready?" John asked and Jane sighed as she headed down the ramp.

"Next Spectre mission, how about you get your brain jumbled and I stand by as back up?" Jane muttered as she moved towards the beacon. She was not looking forward to having her brain invaded again. "If I'm out, retreat as best you can."

"You'll be in a fireman's carry, don't worry, baby sister," John said.

"By fourteen minutes," Jane snarked, letting out a nervous breath. A holographic control panel was before the beacon in a pale glowing green. Jane holstered her rifle and placed her hand on the panel. Light flared and Jane prepared herself for the mental excruciating pain. As her body was lifted there was no pain only images. The synthesis process ran through Jane's body, she tensed for a moment before she relaxed into the beacon's hold. She understood, it was a warning. Organics were being turned into synthetics, it was an invasion, massive, throughout the galaxy but there was hope. A location. She was given the location. She knew, she knew where there would be answers. Hope to stop the purge. The first beacon hadn't tried to kill her, it was a warning and a crucial message. Hope. There was hope. It was there. Jane didn't really feel it as she dropped, she was processing the information as she slowly regained her feet.

"What happened?" John asked and Jane gave him a look.

"I know what the beacon was saying on Eden Prime," Jane said and he blinked.

"Well?" he asked and Jane looked back at the beacon.

"The Protheans were being eliminated by synthetics, turned like the husks, but there was a plan. A way to stop it. I know where it is," Jane said and John nodded.

"You know?" he asked.

"I'll need Liara's help, it's the Prothean name for the planet, but I imagine we have a different name," Jane said and John smirked.

"Good job...did it hurt?" John asked and Jane shook her head.

"Not this time...guess I built up a brain callus," Jane joked as they headed up the ramp.

~*TF*~

"We're making our way to rendezvous now Commander, eta four minutes," Liara told him over the comm.

"We'll be there shortly, Shepard out," he replied before lowering his hand from his ear piece. He turned his attention to Jane but saw a display console on the walkway above the beacon. Curious he headed for it as Jane watched. As he approached, the console display changed into a red holographic display of Saren's ship, Sovereign.

"You are not Saren." The voice was deep, resonating. It had a metallic quality to it that John had come to associate with VI's when they spoke but this also held a trace of emotion, puzzlement and malice.

"That can't be his VI interface for his ship," Jane muttered as she came up behind him.

"If it is maybe we can use it to access some of his files. Learn what he's planning next." John replied. The hologram of Sovereign shifted and a sound like a scoff came from the speakers in that deep, dark voice.

"Rudimentary creatures of blood and flesh. You touch my mind, fumbling in ignorance, incapable of understanding." The voice growled, the words seeming to resonate. John felt a cold chill run down the back of his head and Jane moved closer to him.

"That seals it," she said in a low voice, "That is definitely not a VI."

"There is a realm of existence so far beyond your own you can't even imagine it. I am beyond your comprehension. I am Sovereign!" It boomed.

"An actual Reaper, not a Reaper ship!" John snarled, clenching his right fist.

"Reaper? A label created by the Protheans to give voice to their destruction. In the end, what they choose to call us is irrelevant. We simply are."

"The Protheans were wiped out over fifty thousand years ago. How did you survive for so long?" Jane demanded.

"Organic life is nothing but a genetic mutation, an accident. Your lives are measured in years and decades. You wither and die. We are eternal. The pinnacle of evolution and existence. Before us, you are nothing. Your extinction is inevitable. We are the end of everything."

"There is an entire galaxy of races united and ready to face you," Jane growled.

"Confidence born of ignorance. The cycle cannot be broken." Sovereign's replied was dismissive. It pissed Jane off.

"Cycle?" She demanded.

"The pattern has repeated itself more times than you can fathom. Organic civilizations rise, evolve, advance. And at the apex of their glory, they are extinguished. The Protheans were not the first. They did not create the Citadel. They did not forge the mass relays. They merely found them, the legacy of my kind."Sovereign was telling them this for a reason...Jane realized he was confident they could do nothing to stop him.

"Why would you even make the relays?" John demanded. Sovereign seemed amused by the question.

"Your civilization is based on the technology of the mass relays, our technology. By using it, your society develops along the paths we desire. We impose order on the chaos of organic evolution. You exist because we allow it. And you will end because we demand it."

"They plan to destroy us. To what end does that get you?" Jane snarled. Sovereign's reply was condescending.

"My kind transcends your very understanding. We are each a nation. Independent, free of all weakness. You cannot even grasp the nature of our existence."

"Where did you come from? Who built you?" John asked, his voice cold. This was not a story, no myth, Liara's thoughts that something wiped out the Protheans was correct, but it was a giant race of synthetics. It was unbelievable...but still true.

"We have no beginning. We have no end. We are infinite. Millions of years after your civilization has been eradicated and forgotten, we will endure." Hubris from a machine...Jane had heard of everything now. She glared at the hologram. They had to be built, but why would Sovereign hide that from them. A weakness. Her eyes met John's, he caught that too.

"You keep referring to we, you mean more of you? How many more and where have you all been?" John snapped. This was bad, very bad. The Reapers were still alive and they were backing everything Saren had done.

"We are legion. The time of our return is coming. Our numbers will darken the sky of every world. You cannot escape your doom."

"Okay that's enough!" John snapped. "If you won't explain yourselves and you refuse to back down then we'll stop you! I refuse to let my friends, my family, and my life be destroyed by giant fucking metal squids who are nothing but homicidal machines gone haywire. You and every other Reaper that dares to attack anyone, anything in this galaxy will be destroyed! I will never allow you to harm the people I've sworn to protect!"

"Your words are as empty as your future. I am the vanguard of your destruction. This exchange is over." The hologram slowly faded away and as it did the building shook with a high pitched whine as the windows shattered.

"Well that bodes well." John snarked and Jane nodded.

"Sovereign let it slip though," Jane said and John nodded.

"It's a vanguard," John replied as the comms chirped.

"Commanders? We've got trouble!" Joker called out to them and Jane pressed her fingers to her ear piece.

"Hit us, Joker."

"That ship, Sovereign? It's moving. I don't know what you guys did down there, but that thing just pulled a turn that would shear any of our ships in half." Joker explained. "It's coming your way and it's coming hard! You need to wrap things up in there – fast!"

"Well that certainly got its attention!" John snarled, bolting for the door, Jane a half-step behind him.

"Joker we're heading for the rendezvous! Have everyone meet us there!"

"Aye aye, ma'am!"

~*TF*~

"Vanguard means advancing party," Jane commented as the two headed out of the elevator.

"That means he's the first," John stated.

"Just because the voice is deep doesn't mean it's a boy, it's an AI," Jane corrected and John snorted.

"You're seriously going to argue pronouns with me right now?" John asked and Jane gave him a look.

"We just spoke to an AI that claims it has helped destroy multiple apex races, given it took us over ten-thousand years to get to our current point and fifty-thousand years to get here after the Protheans, we are looking at synthetics that could be hundreds of thousands of years old...yes, arguing about pronouns is coping," Jane argued as they opened the door. A destroyer was rushing the two. Jane used a lift and the two began to blast holes into it, it dropped in pieces as the two entered the office.

"The Geth are turning from your position, Jaeto. Looks like Shadow kicked a sensitive spot! Williams, head them off! Hold them out here!" Kirrahe's voice called over the comms.

"Good to know they're still kicking," John said as they exited the office to see three krogan across the walkway.

"Of course, I trained Williams," Jane replied as she knelt next to John as he took cover by a pillar. John rolled his eyes at Jane as she loaded another round of explosive rounds before laying on the ground. She shot several times. The two charged, Jane's rounds having blinded the three Krogan in different eyes. Two lifts allowed the twins to take out the one still on the ground first, one of the ones in the air, while still airborne, and the last was finished off with double grenades, one from each Shepard.

"Back to the point, Sovereign is the first," John stated as they quickly began hopscotching to cover.

"If there have been no other Reapers, they have to be very far away," Jane continued the thought.

"If we can destroy him...it...how long before the rest of its kind will notice?" John asked.

"Nearing the AA guns," Jane stated as they exited a tunnel onto another walkway.

"We've got drones," John said.

"And a Krogan and some Geth," Jane sighed. "I miss Wrex."

"Agreed," John stated as Jane lifted the Krogan and the Geth. "Take the drone."

"On it," John agreed as he began firing. Jane used a throw to send the mid-air Geth into the wall, smashing it into pieces as she began to use her rifle to perforate the Krogan's head. "Twenty second Krogan kill...not bad, little sister."

"By fourteen minutes," Jane replied as a Geth stalker began to bounce about. Jane pulled it and it flew perfectly to get several holes in it.

"Another drone," John groaned.

"It's an AA gun, did you think it was going to be easy?" Jane asked.

"I was hoping," he replied as they jumped to opposite sides to avoid a missile. It was over faster with two Shepards focusing on one target. They quickly approached the control center.

"On the AA, watch the elevator, I suspect we'll have company," Jane said.

"Why are you on the AA?" John asked.

"Do you have a copy of Tali's hacking program on your omni-tool?" Jane asked.

"I got the door," John said and Jane nodded as she quickly used the program to shut down the AA. She slapped a grenade on the control panel before quickly joining John at the door. Shots came from the right. The two quickly took out the Geth on the balcony where they fought the drones and Krogan. The elevator opened and Jane quickly threw the Geth as John rushed in, keeping them down. They filled the elevator with white fluid.

"Good work, Shadow team, now it's our turn," Kirrahe said over the comm.

"Shall we?" John asked and Jane hit the button. There was a boom as the console for the AA gun exploded as the doors closed.

"That's it. We need to clear the Geth and set those charges," Kirrahe said.

"Package team is ready," Kaidan replied.

The elevator opened and the twins threw themselves to either side of the door as laser sights shone. The Geth stalkers were bouncing. Jane stopped them with lifts and they each took a stalker down.

"This is the breeding site," Jane muttered as they passed cloning tanks, empty cloning tanks. "Plus side, the Krogan aren't here."

"Negative side, the Krogan aren't here," John replied and Jane sighed as they hit the massive door's control.

"All right! Nice work. That's one less thing to worry about!" Joker cried as Jane and John reached the target location.

"Shadow Team in position, did you get our package?" Jane asked over her comm.

"Package was delivered," Joker replied. "Heading to your location. I'll get as close to the site as I can." The twins shared a look before continually scanning the area, the sound of the Normandy's engines was a relief as she appeared and lowered.

Members of the crew, including Kaidan and Tali exited, carrying the massive bomb.

~*TF*~

John watched Tali adjusting something on the bomb as Kaidan stood nearby. Jane was by his side scanning the waterway and the surrounding walls, a frown on her face.

"I don't like this, if someone came up from the walls there we'd be inside a kill box," Jane spoke, her fingers tapping impatiently against her sniper rifle in an annoying clicking pattern. John shot his sister a glance.

"I know but the STG's recon data indicates this run off is from the hydroelectric generator which happens to be on the opposite side of the far wall. Maximum destruction for the bomb placement." John reminded her of the brief Kirrahe had given them shortly before deployment. Jane grunted, still visibly displeased. John sighed as she started tapping her fingers against her rifle again. "Why don't you take Garrus up on the walls, one of you on each side?"

Jane shot him a surprised look before slowly grinning. "That obvious I don't like being down here is it?"

"Just go, I'll keep watch," John replied, refusing to be baited. In a rare show of affection Jane reached up with her left hand, tugged him down by his right shoulder to plant a kiss on his right cheek. He rolled his eyes as Jane practically skipped to the Turian. John watched as a few minutes later Jane used a well placed throw to get the Turian on the wall. Garrus dropped down to leave his hands down to reach. Jane rushed the wall, running up and using a throw to push herself up, her hands caught Garrus' and the Turian hauled John's sister up beside him.

It was quiet for a few minutes as the techs worked and John was wondering why Ash and the STG teams hadn't checked in yet. He knew they would more than likely stay radio silent but something felt…off.

"Commander, can you read me?" Ash called out over the comms and John felt relief seep into him.

"Loud and clear Williams. The package is being finalized as we speak. What's your ETA?" John asked. When Ash's comm kicked back in he heard gun fired and what she said next turned his blood to ice.

"Negative, Commander!" Ash cried. "The Geth have us pinned down on the AA tower. We've taken heavy casualties. We'll never make the rendezvous point in time."

"Get them out of there, Joker. Now!" he heard Jane order. He glanced up at where he knew she was and saw her standing there, pacing along the top of the wall.

"Negative! It's too hot! Can't risk it. We'll hold them-" Ash's signal cut off with loud crackle of static.

"How long to finish arming the bomb, Tali?" John snapped, whirling to face the placement team.

"We're ready to start at any moment Commander," Tali replied, standing up with her omni-tool glowing.

"John, Garrus can't stand watch on this entire wall solo, I don't know anyone else on the crew that can match me on sniping besides Ash," Jane broke in. John nodded, the choice obvious.

"I'm going and taking Liara and Wrex with me." He replied before shutting off his comm. Gesturing to the two he picked they headed for the door. As soon as it opened a Geth ambush opened fire. John growled and stormed into the access way, blasting a Geth in its glowing face. He didn't have time for this.

~*TF*~

"Commander, I could assist," Kaidan said from down below and Jane shook her head and she scanned the area from the wall.

"Negative, LT, we need you down there as lead. Garrus and I are cover," Jane said. Garrus shot and Jane watched a distant drone drop. "We'll give advanced warning. You need to evac that ground team as fast as possible while John gets Ash and Kirrahe, I have a feeling we will be running against a clock when we leave, you need to make sure Tali and our men down there stand a chance."

"Yes, ma'am," Kaidan said, clicking off his comm.

"Are you sure it's not just because you like watching him work?" Garrus asked off the comms.

"Watch it, Turian, a fall off a wall this tall will damage even you," Jane threatened. It was too quiet and Jane didn't like it. Few Geth were spotted, drones were here and there, but both of them were aiming for the optics or the major energy unit...ending the drones with single shots.

A Geth drop ship suddenly came shooting down from orbit and started heading for their position.

"Tali, how close to done are you?" Jane asked.

"Nearly done," Tali said.

"Joker get airborne," Jane ordered. "That bug can't match you in the air."

"Commander..." Joker started.

"We need you to fire that thing down before it drops Geth!" Jane ordered and the Normandy lifted, firing quickly on the ship. The ship dropped but Geth fell too. Jane and Garrus began firing.

"We just spotted a troop ship!" Ash cried.

"We're handling it, Williams," Jane stated, biotic blue from Kaidan caught several troops and Garrus was quick to take out the optics. Tali's shots were doing the same. The trooper ship exploded.

"Be ready for evac, Joker," Jane ordered.

"Can you hold them off?" John's voice demanded over the comms.

"Go get Williams, the Normandy will get you, we'll keep the bomb safe, round back and get us," Jane ordered.

"I'm activating the bomb," Tali stated.

"What detonation type?" Kirrahe demanded.

"Timer activation on Normandy clear," Tali stated. "I've got anti-hacking programs installed, the Geth won't be able to deprogram it in time."

"I'm going to get the ground team," Joker hissed.

"There will be time still," Tali said.

"Jane..." John stated.

"Williams is your goal, we can handle it with the Normandy as air support," Jane stated from the wall. Geth were coming faster but with her and Garrus taking out optics before the Geth could get closer to the ground team, the kill zone was now in their favor and against Saren. They could do this.

"Continuing on to Williams," John said and Jane felt relieved.

"Tali...has the timer started?" Jane asked.

"It's best not to know," Kaidan stated.

"I can't tell if that's a yes," Garrus muttered and Jane kept it to herself that she wasn't certain either.

~*TF*~

"On your feet, Williams," John ordered stiffly, tossing aside a Geth unit that was pinning Ash's feet, "I'm not letting the others down." Ash groaned as she shoved aside the remains of a Geth unit on her chest. The Geth had come flying at her before she'd shot its head off. The upper portion of her left arm had a gaping hole with Medigel packed into it and the arm hung limply. John reached down and took her by her right arm, helping her to stand.

"Sir, if the bomb goes off before we get back this'll be for nothing." Ash replied and John scowled at her.

"No one dies," John bit out and turned to the STG squad as the Normandy flew in for pick up. "How long to get your men aboard Captain Kirrahe?"

"Ten minutes, Commander." The STG Captain replied, slinging one of his teammates' arms over his shoulders. "Faster if you can spare your men to help us

"Ash, tell Joker to pick me and the others up in fifteen at the bomb site and he's to land if it's a hot zone or not. The Normandy can take a few dings versus us dying in a nuclear explosion," John ordered and then turned to Liara and Wrex. "Help them get aboard and I'll go back for the others. If we're not onboard within five minutes of landing, take off and don't look back."

"John, no!" Liara cried out. "We can't just-" She was cut off as John stepped close to her and put a finger on her lips.

"Yes you will, no one dies that doesn't have too. Now go!" with that John headed back the way the team had come from at a run. Liara stared after him before she felt Ash tug at her arm.

"The faster we get this done, the better Liara. Give me a hand."

~*TF*~

Jane was taking out Geth left and right when she heard the sound of a hover board. Garrus was thrown from the wall by a biotic burst. Jane quickly used a lift to cushion the Turian's fall. She saw him floating over the water as she whipped around. Saren was quickly approaching, biotic blue covered him and Jane quickly rushed at him along the wall. The maneuver caught his by surprise and his attack missed, hitting the ground behind her. Jane shot up before slamming into a barrier that sent her back to the wall. The damn board was shielded.

"Jane!" Kaidan cried.

"Help Garrus!" Jane ordered as Saren dropped from his board to the top of the wall. Jane glared at him, the killing cool washing over her. She had this son of a bitch in her sight and she let him live, she would not make the same mistake twice. She shot her rifle at his head. His shield held, it was too strong, if her rifle didn't drop it, she didn't have what it took without a tech and Alenko and Tali were neck deep in Geth with Garrus on the ground too.

"I applaud you, Shepard. My Geth were utterly convinced the Salarians were the real threat. An impressive diversion," Saren stated, giving her those calculating eyes she last saw in hologram form.

"STG plan, so I can't take credit for it," Jane replied.

"And humble too, of course, it was all for nothing. I won't let you disrupt what I have accomplished here. You can't possibly understand what's really at stake," he stated and Jane glared as she pulled up her own biotic shield.

"I saw the message in the beacon too," Jane replied, her body reaching the kill zone, Turian hand to hand combat guides rolled in her head. Saren would no doubt have the advantage with size and strength, but Jane was nimble and flexible. Reach goes far, but flexibility was never a disadvantage. "Our difference is, I won't let the Reapers just come in, I will fight them."

"You will die," Saren stated. "You were a mistake and that vision will do nothing to aid you." He rushed her and he was fast, but Jane was not impressed by his speed as she shoved a hand up into his jaw, purposely catching his mandible. There was a crack and he snarled as he brought his fist down. Jane used a throw to shove his arm back before kicking at his knee. He pulled back. He was good, she was insane for trying to take on a Turian Spectre with decades of experience. However as she fought, she caught sight of Garrus standing below fighting off Geth, Tali applying medigel in cover, and Kaidan throwing a Geth away. She couldn't not fight.

"You do your race proud, Shepard," Saren said.

"And you bring dishonor to your family," Jane said faking an upper cut, instead shoving him back with a push feigned as an across. Saren stumbled back, throwing a warp. Jane threw herself back, her foot barely catching the ledge. The wall was not a good place to fight, but Saren seemed confident. They fought again and again. Jane could push him back, but even blocking his strikes rattled her bones. He was too strong and even with her speed, his experience was going to win this.

"I've got the package!" Joker cried.

"Get back to the target site!" John's voice ordered just as Saren punched Jane with a right cross. Stars filled her vision as her body rocked, the balls of her feet were on the edge, she was about to fall. A three digit hand wrapped around her throat, jerking her off her feet. Saren lifted Jane up by her neck, she threw two hits to his inner arm, but it did nothing, his elbow was just too far away for her to use sufficient force to make it bend. One hand reached for his face, but her fingers grazed his nose and he turned his head, his eye just beyond her fingertips. She couldn't jab him somewhere to get the release response.

"You did well for a young Spectre, but not well enough, Shepard," Saren said as he turned, Jane's feet kicked, oxygen starvation starting to kick in as her heels jabbed at his legs, she couldn't reach his knees and his armor protected his gut and groin too well. Jane's vision began to dim at the edges, slowly losing color and clarity, fading away to black. His armor kept her fingers from jamming in to cause weakness in his digits. "You've seen the vision from the beacons. You, of all people, should understand what the Reapers are capable of. They cannot be stopped. I will spare you from trying to participate in a pointless revolt. There will be no sacrifice of everything." Jane's world was narrowing, her pulse pounded in her head. This was it...this was how death would find her, hanging over the edge of the wall, dangling over a bomb that would leave her corpse as dust. She had lost...John would be disappointed and she would leave this world with Saren's glowing eyes and brainwashed words as her last sight and sound.

"The Protheans tried to fight and they were utterly destroyed. People like you need to be ended because survival comes not with a fight, but with a submission. Take it as a show of respect and mercy, Shepard, I will make it so you need not fight...you will not be forced to kneel, you can go to your death knowing I will save many more that your fight would not," Saren stated and Jane's world vanished into darkness, the pounding of her heart going slower and slower and he body became weightless.

~*TF*~

"NO!" John screamed, the door had opened revealing his worst nightmare. His younger twin was being held by her throat at the top of the wall by Saren. Even from this distance he could see her face was nearly purple, her hands dropped to her sides as Saren spoke to her. Her body was limp and then Saren let go. Jane's body was falling and there was no way he would be there in time to catch her. The way Saren had released her would end with Jane's skull hitting ground first, if she wasn't dead from the stranglehold, then the fall would spray her brains into the water. John was running, he wouldn't make it, but he had to try, but instead a burst of blue was beneath Jane, biotics. Her body floated down, the speed cut and Kaidan caught her. Jane wasn't a splatter, Kaidan would take care of her, and the next danger was Saren. John lifted his gun to see the Turian was already looking down on him, a grenade flying at his face. John dove out of the way, the grenade exploding to his left side and sending him skidding along the waterway. Saren leapt onto his hover board, his attention on John as the male Shepard used the momentum from his roll to place his by an outcrop.

"Impressive, I was certain that you would leave those by the bomb behind, allowing me to take care of your sister," Saren purred. "Of course it was all for nothing. I can't let you disrupt what I have accomplished either. You can't possibly understand what's really at stake."

"Why are you doing this?" John snapped, slowly raising into a crouch. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Kaidan feeling Jane's throat, his face grim as he placed Jane on the ramp by the other door. He was starting CPR...Jane wasn't breathing, John's rage grew.

"The visions from the beacons explain all Shepard, as your sister could have attested to. The Reapers cannot be stopped." Saren explained. "Do not mire yourself in pointless revolt. Do not sacrifice everything for the safe of petty freedoms like your sister would have. The Protheans tried to fight and look what it got them...annihilation. Trillions dead, but what if they had bowed before the invaders. Would the Protean still exist? Is submission not preferable to extinction?"

"You can't honestly believe the Reapers would let us live?" John scoffed, slowly standing. He finally got a good look at Saren and noticed a cut just below one of his eyes and one of his mandibles was swelling. Jane had put up one hell of a fight before Saren got ahold of her. Out of the corner of his eye, John saw Garrus and Tali holding off the Geth not too far from where Kaidan was blocking Jane's body but Saren's attention was focused solely on John as he spoke, his eyes practically shining with religious fervor. Only his religion was the Reapers and Sovereign was his temple.

"Now you see why I did not bring this information before the Council." Saren retorted. "We organics are driven purely by emotion, not logic. We will fight, even when we know we cannot win."

"That's not emotion that's called being alive!" John snapped back. "People, be they human Asari, Turian, Salarian and the multitude between all want to live and they fight to live! In that fighting incredible things happen and we do come on top!" Saren scoffed at that. John saw Kaidan lifting Jane up, her arm was over his shoulder, finger grasping, the opposite hand on her throat, her eyes were hooded, but she was alive. John could do it...Jane was still there and he had to do what he could to keep it that way.

"Instead of fighting what if we worked with the Reapers?" Saren demanded. "How many lives would be saved then? Once I understood that I joined with Sovereign."

"Sovereign's manipulating you and you don't even know it." John accused him, glaring at the Turian who seemed to jerk at that statement. John had hit a nerve. "You're already under its power!"

"No! Sovereign needs me. If I find the Conduit, I've been promised a reprieve from the inevitable. This is my only hope!" Saren snarled. John heard it in his voice. A desperation, a plea, a selfishness for him and his people. Saren was trying to save himself and the Turian race but he had stared too long into the abyss and it had noticed him. His sister may hate him, but John had to try. Saren, according to his records, had been a great Spectre once, even though he hated humans.

"Saren, together we can stop Sovereign." John said, gesturing to himself and the Turian. "We don't have to submit to the Reapers, we can beat them!"

"I no longer believe that, John. The visions cannot be denied. The Reapers are too powerful. The only hope for survival is to join with them. Sovereign is a machine, it thinks like a machine. If I can prove my value I become a resource worth maintaining. There is no other logical conclusion!"

John glanced at Jane. She wasn't trying to stand, she was hurting, as she looked at Saren, and John could see her sclera had ruptured blood vessels, the whites of her eyes were blood red. Kaidan was moving for the group as she looked at John. She was trying to talk, but given that he couldn't hear anything, her voice had been damaged. John was in this with Saren alone.

"Make no mistake, I'm not doing this for myself! Don't you see? Sovereign will succeed. It is inevitable. My way is the only way we will survive!" Saren snapped. "I'm forging an alliance between us and the Reapers. Between organics and machines. And in doing so, I will save more lives than have ever existed! But you two children would undo my work. You would doom an entire civilization to annihilation. And for that you must die."

Saren reacted in an instant, flinging a biotic throw at John. Blue flashed, Jane might be hurting, but she was still a biotic. John had seen his sister use her biotics in battle without an implant and now she had defended him by meeting Saren's biotic field with one of her own, but she wasn't going to be able to stop Saren alone...luckily, Jane wasn't alone and neither was John, the Shepard twins watched each other's backs.

John opened fire with his assault rifle, forcing Saren to abandon the field. He zoomed away with his hover board, circling. John whistled, getting Jane's attention and gestured with Alliance signals for her to grab the board when she could. She nodded and John felt worry fill him. Jane was already at her limits, he could see her breathing hard, Kaidan was talking to her and she was signaling with her hands. Kaidan helped Jane stand, the man used his body to prop Jane up vertically, one arm around her waist, the other reaching up and around to her shoulder. Jane's eyes were on Saren and her nose was bleeding. She was barely there, this had to be quick.

John looked back to the sky and saw Saren sweeping in low and fast. It was now or never. He clicked the overkill switch on his rifle and brought it to bare. He opened fire in a wild pattern in Saren's path, forcing the Turian make his hover board stop or fly right into the hail of bullets. Jane reacted in an instant and grabbed the board in a biotic field, yanking it out from under him. Saren's look of momentary surprise was priceless and then he was falling to the spillway. He tucked his body and rolled as he hit. John charged, noting that Jane had gone limp in Kaidan's arms and was taking gasping breaths as her nose was gushing blood. She was overextended so he was on his own. John tossed his overheated rifle into Saren's face but he just swatted it away. John slammed into Saren, not giving the Turian a chance to take stock of the area. John grabbed Saren roughly by where the neck met the shoulder and slammed his other fist into the Turian's swelling mandible. John grinned ferally at the loud crunch that followed along with the bird like shriek Saren made. Then the Turian's talon like hands came up and slashed at his face, making John let go to get distance between them. John instinctively grabbed for his knife and cursed a moment later when he remembered he hadn't replaced it since X57. He shifted his other arm up to catch the Turian's hands with his forearm. Saren clamped down on him, making him wince and his armor creaked ominously. John sank the fist of his free hand into Saren's stomach. Their armors clanging loudly but Saren still winced. Then John felt shock race through him as Saren actually picked him up by his arm and tossed him towards the wall. John slammed into the wall and his head cracked against the wall make John's vision blurr for a moment. John shook his head, trying to clear and then Saren was there, lifting John up again.

"Time to die." Saren snarled just before an alarm began in the base began to sound. He glanced behind him and John acted. Just as Saren turned back, John punched him in his broken mandible, this time breaking the skin and making the bone punch out. Saren dropped him with a scream and John slammed into the ground, bashing face first into the concrete during impact. He felt his nose break and his forehead felt like it was on fire. John forced himself up to his hands and knees, blinking his eyes to clear the blurry vision and blood that was suddenly running into his right eye. Saren was heading for his hover board.

"Normandy is here Commanders!" Joker's loud voice broke over the comms. John forced himself to his feet and looked up to see the Normandy inbound with its ramp down.

"Everyone on now!" John ordered.

~*TF*~

Kaidan rushed to the infirmary, Jane heavy in his arms, her eyes were rolling up, and blood was pouring from her nose.

"Dr. Chakwas!" Kaidan cried. Salarians were strapped to each table and Chakwas looked horrified.

"Here!" she ordered as she shoved her desk clear. Kaidan lowered Jane down and Chakwas ran her omni-tool over the female commander. "What happened?"

"Saren strangled her, she stopped breathing, but I got her to start with rescue breathing. She was barely conscious when she started covering the other Commander," Kaidan explained. Chakwas was quickly doing something on her omni-tool.

"She could have killed herself," Chakwas hissed. Jane's body stopped twitching as her eyes closed for a moment. The blood was no longer flowing. Kaidan grabbed a cleaning cloth and began to clear the blood from Jane's face. Chakwas worked as John entered, his eyes on his unconscious sister.

"What's her status?" John asked and Chakwas sighed.

"She'll be fine, her trachea was heavily bruised, and she wouldn't have been able to speak after Saren grabbed her. Her eyes have petechial hemorrhaging. She overstressed her implant. Frankly, she's lucky to be alive. Saren nearly killed her," Chakwas said.

"How long will she be out of the fight?" John asked.

"Actually, she will be fit for battle in about three days," Chakwas said and John stared. "Her greatest danger was the choking, once that ended she was fine. Petechial hemorrhaging isn't fatal. Overstressing her implant isn't stressful, she's done it before. I'm more concerned about not breathing, but Alenko was fast...he immediately implemented rescue breathing, she'll be fine," Chakwas sighed.

"Don't talk...about me...like I'm not here," Jane groaned, her voice was rough. She started to sit up and both Kaidan and John helped her.

"You are never allowed to do that to me again," John hissed and Jane gave him a look, the whites of her eyes being red made her blue pupils stand out more. She curled a finger at him and John approached. Jane hit him twice in the thigh and he winced.

"I will be training with Garrus for the rest of the time we have him on the Normandy," Jane explained.

"Garrus isn't Saren," John muttered.

"No, but he's a Turian, they've got longer arms and legs. I couldn't make Saren release me with classic methods. I need to practice. That will never be repeated," Jane sighed with a wince.

"Your voice will be hoarse for the next few days, Commander, but no lasting damage," Chakwas said and Jane smiled.

"Good to know," she replied and Chakwas ran her scanner over Jane a few more times.

"You should make sure to thank, Kaidan, however," she said and Jane blinked before looking at Kaidan, he blushed and excused himself. Jane watched him go.

"What did he do?" Jane asked.

"He caught you when Saren dropped you off the wall," John said and Jane blinked.

"He also used rescue breathing to get you start breathing after Saren strangled you," Chakwas said and Jane blinked.

"I wasn't breathing," Jane muttered.

"Don't worry, you'll remember how in now time," John said and Jane gave him a look.

"Check out my brother too, he probably didn't get away injury less either," Jane muttered.

~*TF*~

"How are you doing, sis?" John asked as they walked together form the infirmary to the conference room. Of the team the Shepards had it the worst and had both been left to Chakwas' tender mercies.

"I'll be fine after I get some sleep." Jane replied. He eyes were still blood red but she seemed annoyed. "I hate it when I over extend myself like that. That's the second time I've done that since Mindoir."

"Let's check on the team and contact the council, then you can get some rack time." John said, rubbing his nose. Chakwas had patched it together alright but it…itched. Ugh he hated breaking his nose, it always itched after they cartilage was refused. He also hated laser scalpels, the damn things always gave him the creeps.

"This could have gone so much worse if it had been just one of us." Jane said in exhaustion but didn't argue. John only hummed an agreement as they entered the conference room. As Jane took a seat in the only unoccupied chair, which in itself was a rarity as they both usually choose to lean against a holographic projector during meetings. John took in the ground team. All of them looked worn out and beaten down. Ash had her left arm in a sling and she looked worn out. Garrus had a bandage on the back of his fringe, Kaidan had the remains of a black eye fading. Liara had various cuts and bruises but Wrex and Tali seemed to be the only ones without any visible mark but John knew Krogan healed quickly and Tali was kind of obvious.

"How are Captain Kirrahe and his team settling in?" John asked, leaning against his customary spot.

"They're getting some sleep now Commander," Kaidan spoke up. "He gave us coordinates where to meet up with a Salarian cruiser who will take them home. I already gave Joker the go ahead since it's on the way to the Citadel."

"Good idea, Kaidan," Jane spoke up. "It'll take use two days to get to the Citadel. We need that time to rest."

"Jane, if you don't mind I believe the beacon you found in Saren's base was similar to the one on Eden Prime. It may have helped filled in the missing pieces of your vision. I might be able to help you put all those pieces together." Liara chimed in and John frowned glancing between the two.

"You want to join our minds again, don't you?" Jane asked tiredly with a sigh. "Oka-"

"Not today." John cut in and everyone turned to look at him. "We're all exhausted. The only thing we're doing is all getting some shuteye for the next eight hours. Liara help Jane tomorrow."

"Yes, you're right Commander." Liara said, flushing. "It would be best to do this when we're not tired."

"Crew dismissed, everyone grab some food and then some sleep." John ordered. Jane stood wearily and John shot her a look. "Are you sure you're up to dealing with the Council?"

"I'm not an invalid," Jane said in an icy tone with a look of annoyance and he raised his hands up defensively.

"Okay but don't say I didn't offer it," John replied as he tapped away at one of the consoles before signaling a request to speak with the Council. Jane was silent as Joker patched it through. They didn't have to wait long as the Council's holograms appear shortly after. "Greetings, Councilors."

"Commanders, I'm pleased to see your mission on Virmire was a success." Councilor Tevos said.

"We were just reading the preliminary mission reports from Captain Kirrahe," Councilor Sparatus said, looking up from a data pad in his hand, "Saren is formidable enough without an army of Krogan serving under him."

"Those Krogan would have severed Saren and Sovereign. We spoke with it via holographic communication and I can confirm that Saren's flagship is itself a Reaper." John spoke up.

"Yes, I saw mention of this in your report Commander." Councilor Valern replied. "A sentient machine, a true artificial intelligence. This news is quite alarming…if it turns out to be accurate."

"Sovereign's a Reaper. Saren himself admitted it to us," Jane stated with an icy tone, her voice gravelly.

"He's playing you with you, Shepards! Saren still has contacts on the Citadel. He probably saw your earlier reports, the ones talking about Jane's visions and the Reapers." Councilor Sparatus retorted. Jane took a deep breath to reply but winced. John's hand on her arm calmed her. She glanced at him and felt her anger deflate as he shook his head sadly. They both turned their attention back to the Council who were still speaking.

"-own intelligence has never turned up any corroborating information." Councilor Valern was explaining.

"I understand Councilors but sooner or later you're going to have to take something we say on faith, Councilors." John replied.

"Try to see it from our perspectives, Commander," Councilor Valern reasoned. "Saren is a threat we can recognize. However, as far as we know, the Reapers only exist in your sister's visions. Our decisions affect trillions of live. We cannot act on the accusations of single person's dream, even a Spectre's. Not without solid evidence."

"The Council cannot take any official action here. That is why we created the Spectres. You have the authority to act as you see fit." Councilor Tevos chimed in.

"If you truly believe Sovereign is the real threat, you must take whatever steps are necessary to stop it. And Saren." Councilor Valern explained and John sighed.

"I understand Councilors. We'll be heading back to the Citadel to resupply and should be there within two to three days." John explained. The Councilors shared a look and nodded to each other.

"Then this will perhaps fit with what we do have planned for Saren and his Geth. We're going to amass an interspecies task force to deal with them when they enter Council space. Please report to Ambassador Udina when you arrive. We'll speak more then."

"We'll be there Councilors," Jane agreed.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: July 22nd, 2183 CE

Location: SSV Normandy, In Transit

Jane woke, surprised to find that John had let her rest for just over twelve hours, which meant John had not slept in a bed. Knowing her stubborn twin, the man had probably rested in a rack and let Jane take the bed. It was sweet, but unnecessary. Jane went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. Jane had been using medical assistance to clear the bruising on her throat and to get the blood out of her sclera. Her eyes were normal and no one would know that she had been wearing Saren's handprint on her throat the day prior. After sleeping she was ravenous and while her throat felt better, Jane decided not to test herself. Breakfast was two of the shakes prepackaged for biotics. The cool mixtures soothed her throat and Jane pictured placing a round in the soft spot of Saren's throat the next time she saw him...if John didn't try to talk Saren down. She thought Saren deserved death, but John had made it clear he wanted to try and 'save' Saren from Sovereign's control.

As her thoughts moved to John, she figured it was time to try and find said brother. She didn't have to go far as she found him in the medical officer's office. The door was already open to the infirmary and she didn't see any sign of Dr. Chakwas but as she approached she heard voices talking and the topic of conversation made her slow her stride and move quietly towards the door.

"…nothing in common. This makes no sense!" Liara's voice, passionate and confused. Jane frowned. What was wrong?

"Liara don't think like a scientist. Logic doesn't work when it comes to relationships. Just let yourself get swept up in the storm." John's voice, soft, passionate. Jane felt some of the age old childhood sibling cruelty kicking in. What was dear twin brother attempting to talk his Asari girlfriend into especially with lines that were that lame. Did women actually fall for that?

"You make it sound so…chaotic. So…dangerous." Liara this time and Jane rolled her eyes, clearly Liara had about as much experience as Jane.

"It can be but Liara it can be wonderful at the same time. I haven't felt like this about someone in years. You make me feel alive, happy and content all at the same time. Our talks are the highlight of my day. You're the highlight of my day." John said softly and Jane smiled. Now he didn't sound like a lothario.

"This is a bit overwhelming. I-I am not used to…to…"

"Then we can start off small, luv. Like this…" Jane blinked at John's pet name for Liara just before she heard Liara sigh happily followed by the sound of a kiss. Jane shook her head and peaked around the door frame into the office. John had Liara gently pressed into the wall, his arms around her as he kissed her. Liara's hands were resting lightly on her brother's arm and back. Jane grinned happily and watched for a moment before the hand Liara had on John's back began to slide down to his-

Jane coughed loudly, freezing the two. Liara's eyes shot wide open and her head whipped away from John. She blushed so hard Jane damn near thought her face turned purple and John was glaring at Jane so intensely Jane could have sworn her hair was going to catch on fire soon.

"I was going to ask if we should attempt to translate the vision, but I don't know if I want to know what you've got on your mind...because I suspect I might know and I rather not experience that," Jane grinned. John sighed and pulled away from Liara letting the poor embarrassed Asari free from his embrace to fidget.

"I take it you feel better," John snarked and Jane grinned happily at them like Christmas had come early.

"Immensely," Jane declared and John sighed.

~*TF*~

"So you know, I'm going to get you back for that," John said as the two headed out.

"So you know, I don't care," Jane grinned. "I have to give her credit, she was totally going to grab your ass."

"And you stopped it," John growled.

"Oh and look, it's time for you to be on the bridge," Jane said.

"Remember, you were the mistake," John stated and Jane grinned.

"I was the bonus," Jane shot back as she watched John walk up the stairs, he made a rude hand gesture back at her. "Shameful to do that to your sister!" The elevator opened behind Jane and karma came back. Kaidan was coming up from training. Sweat glistened on his skin and he looked surprised to see her.

"Jane...how are you feeling?" Kaidan asked and Jane stared at him for a moment. He had done rescue breathing. He had kept her alive.

"Do you have a minute?" she asked and Kaidan nodded. Jane brought him to her room and he looked nervous. They stared at each other for a moment. They both moved to speak.

"Go ahead," Kaidan said and Jane looked at him.

"Thank you isn't enough," Jane stated and he blinked.

"I did what I needed to," Kaidan said and Jane looked at him.

"You had to be looking at me to see me fall," Jane said and he blushed.

"I always keep an eye on you," he said and Jane reached out, she caught Kaidan's hand. She looked down at it.

"My head should have been smashed but you caught me...you got me breathing again," Jane said.

"I just did what I could," he said, his fingers curling around her hand.

"You mean something to me, Kaidan," Jane said, blushing as she looked him in the eye and Kaidan blushed too.

"I mean a lot to me, Jane," Kaidan said and he reached to cup her face.

"I want to see where this is going," Jane said and Kaidan smiled.

"I'd like that," he said.

"Jane, meet me in the conference room," John's voice called over the comm. Jane's hand covered Kaidan's mouth.

"I'll be right up, do I need to be dressed to talk to the Council?" she asked.

"No, just wanted to pass on some good news," John said.

"Be up in a second," Jane said.

"And I'm still going to get you back for Liara later," John warned.

"I'm terrified," Jane said with a smile. Kaidan's lips pressed against her palm and she giggled before whispering next to his ear. "Watch out, I made John angry." Kaidan shook his head as he headed out and Jane headed up to meet John.

~*Chapter End*~

~*TF*~

Toby: I made you sweat didn't I? *grins evilly* I hope you all had a chill run down your spines as Tali was assigned to the bomb. As for how we dealt with the whole choosing to kill someone off it came down to one thing. There are two Shepards. Two ways to deal with Saren, one to rescue the Salarians and another to protect the bomb from Saren. Why they got there so early and they had to work on the bomb was a team dealt with prisoners as the twins went off to complete the mission. Less time wasted, less time for the ship team to prep the bomb. So people lived, people got shot, and Belle got to fight Saren. For some reason she really doesn't like that guy…

Belle: Don't be mad, Toby and I wanted to give people heart attacks and I hope we did. Let us know if we got you or not because we want to know if we have to be more clever in the future. Thanks and I hope this was worth the wait!