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.

19. Chapter 18

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.

Belle's Note: I adore Samara, she is one of my favorite paladin characters. I think the tragedy of her story gets to me the most because it follows a very realistic situation that people can encounter. Chronic health issues. Here she was a woman ready to settle down and enjoy family life when all three of her children are discovered to be Ardat-Yakshi. In the real world we have situations happen like this all the time, people preparing for 'normal' lives and discovering their lives will never be normal again. Samara not only accepted this tragedy but when Morinth went rogue, she took Morinth's sins as her own. I personally view Samara as the Ship Mom of the SR2, whenever I have my character visit her in game, I say "Bye, Mom!" when I leave the room. I know it is possible to kiss or kill Samara but I refuse to do so, she is my Mass Effect Mom and I adore her in that role.

I feel a similar feeling of familial bond with Aethyta. She's more of my Mass Effect Dad. Aethyta won me over when you got her back story of a krogan dad and commando mom, that line "Made me promise to love whichever one survived. Turned out to be pretty damn easy since neither one did." I loved her way of thinking about getting the younger asari working and making new Mass Relays. It was so exciting to learn the Aethyta was Liara's dad, Mass Effect 3 got a lot wrong, but reuniting parent and child made it a little less awful. Knowing that Liara got to bond with her unknown parent made my day. However, I still don't romance asari, maybe my inner Mass Effect species is asari since I feel familial bonds for them.

Toby's Note: Huh. I never really looked at Samara like that. I don't know if that's a female point of view of her or just Belle's…hmmmm. Personally I thought she was a sexy as hell and I was personally disappointed you couldn't really romance her. With Aethyta though I loved how her appearance changed after you had a few drinks at the bar! That was hilarious! You know I'm surprised no one caught that new collector types from ME3 that we introduced in the ship battle.

Chapter 18: Leave me Breathless

Earth Date: February 19th, 2186 CE

Location: Illium, Nos Astra, Dry Dock Normandy

Jane watched the video comparisons again. She had taken the video she had recorded of John with the Collectors and husks and was watching it compared to video footage of John taken from various sources, the major being security footage from various locations obtained through Spectre requisitions.

She paused the videos, John was throwing a husk in one, a move he was completing on a geth back on their retaking of the Citadel in the other. The computer program she was using began to analyze the images. Same extension, same grounding, same torque to the torso. There were twenty-two images that Jane had already analyzed, John's current movements were fast and stronger than prior...but his movements were spot on. It was getting harder and harder to believe that she was dealing with a Cerberus plant...but...she wasn't sure. The Illusive Man was willing to lie to them about everything. The images were making it hard and Jane's own heart desperately wanted to believe.

Not that John was making it easy, he had messaged Joker last night stating he would be staying with Liara for the duration of the dry dock. Jane had been irritated enough to go up to his cabin in hopes of snooping but EDI had nixed that idea by refusing access. The damn AI had even brought Garrus, Tali, Dr. Chakwas, and Joker all up to the cabin door on one trip. Garrus had suggested a nighttime walk for Blasto before bed and to walk off the alcohol. Jane had done so before deciding to do the video comparison in the morning.

~*TF*~

John woke to the smell of fresh coffee and a hand gently shaking his shoulder as Liara quietly called his name. He stretched and yawned hugely feeling better than he had in days. He cracked his eyes open and smiled at a sight he had missed. Liara was sitting on the bed next to him in a robe, smiling at him.

"I have some coffee brewing and I can make us breakfast if you like while you take a shower," she offered. John smiled and sat up, quickly putting his arms around Liara. Liara let out a surprised shout as John pushed her to the bed. He kissed her quickly and Liara returned it happily. He ran a hand up her leg and then under her robe to caress her. Liara shivered as John broke the kiss, giving her a wicked smile.

"Actually I had something in mind breakfast," John said in a husk voice. "I've missed Asari…blueberries." Liara flushed and smiled up at him.

"You are a wicked, wicked man, John Shepard," she noted, running her hands under his shirt. "You're lucky I like that part of you." She lifted his shirt off him and John grinned down at her.

"That's not the only thing I bet you missed," John said, leaning down to nuzzle and kiss her neck. Liara moaned as his hand slid up and out of her robe to undo the ties holding it closed. She placed a hand on his hip, sliding the tips of her fingers in his waist band-

DING-DONG!

"Arhg!" Liara snarled, her head falling back to the bed. John looked up at her angry face.

"Ignore it," he said, leaning back down to-

DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DING-DONG! The door chime went, the person not even waiting for the tone to sound out before hitting it again.

"Goddess be damned someone had better be dead!" Liara exploded, pushing John off her, getting up to stomp downstairs to the door as she refastened her robe. John watched her go, frustrated enough to utter a little growl under his breath. Still angry Liara was sexy as hell when she wasn't angry at him…

"WHAT?!" John heard Liara shout. Voices, familiar voices were talking softly, obviously very aware of what an angry and powerful biotic could do to you. John shook his head, recognizing the voices. He pulled his shirt back on and head down stairs to save his idiot crew.

"Shepard!" Miranda exclaimed in relief as she saw him come down the stairs. Jacob was with her and he raised an eyebrow as he looked at John with his rumpled clothing, and hair. "Your sister wasn't very forthcoming with details about what happened last night."

"I can kind of see why," Jacob muttered under his breath. Liara shot the man a hostile look and Jacob winced.

"Look I'm fine," John noted, coming up to stand beside Liara. "I just need some space right now."

"I understand John but we do still have some recruitment missions to complete." Miranda explained and turned to Liara. "You understand, don't you Liara?" Liara rolled her eyes at that.

"It's not as if I'm holding John here against his will," Liara retorted. John shot a look between them and crossed his arms over his chest.

"You know each other," he stated flatly and Liara sighed. She stepped back from the door and waved the Cerberus operatives inside.

"You need to tell John everything," she said flatly.

~*TF*~

"Shepard, Iroro Depot just contacted us," Joker called over the comms as Jane continued her project. She froze and blinked.

"What about?" she asked, Blasto's head was in her lap as she sat on the floor looking over the holographic displays.

"Apparently you need to be there in person," Joker said.

"Seriously?" Jane said. "In this day and age."

"Probably just because it is Illium. They make skirting the law look like a galactic sport from what I understand," Joker said.

"Great," Jane muttered. "If John contacts the ship let him know I'm going to be at Iroro's offices to facilitate the delivery of the raw materials."

"Got it. You want to bring anyone with you as company?" he asked.

"Are the techs on board for the specs?" Jane asked as she got up and gathered her bath stuff to shower before she completed business.

"Yep," Joker said.

"I'll just bring Blasto, this will be boring and I don't know how long it will take. I know Tali and Garrus need to talk to the techs themselves. I don't trust Miranda or Jacob at my back," Jane said.

"Actually Miranda and Jacob aren't on the ship currently. You could take Mordin...Kasumi...Jack..." Joker listed.

"I don't care how many techs Jack scares, I'm not bringing her with me to a business meeting," Jane said. "Or Kasumi, I don't need her to know my business beyond what she can hack."

"Fine, I figured I couldn't get you to take Grunt," Joker sighed.

"Try not to cry as the techs put their hands all over your ship, Joker," Jane teased before she headed to the shower.

~*TF*~

"Hell," John said quietly, rubbing a hand over his face. "Liara told me she handed me over to Cerberus so you could fix me but I didn't know you were involved even then."

"As I've said before, you've been my life's work for the past two years John," Miranda explained. John grunted, accepting just how true those words really were.

"So now what?" Jacob asked, taking a sip of his own coffee. "The Normandy retrofits are being started as we speak so we're planet side for a few days."

"I promised Liara I'd help her track down someone called the Observer. He's connected to the Shadow Broker," John explained. Miranda nodded thoughtfully.

"Perhaps you can help us locate two people then," Miranda said, focusing on the Asari. "Thane Krios and the Justicar Samara. We have dossiers we can forward to you." Liara looked at them with curious eyes.

"I had heard we were being visited by a Justicar," she stated. John shot her a puzzled look.

"Well we do need heavy hitters and from what I've read Justicars are the best of your people. Is there something I should know?" John asked her. Liara chuckled slightly and nodded.

"I've told you a lot about my people John but there are still somethings we hadn't talked about," Liara said. "Dealing with a Justicar can be incredibly dangerous."

"What do I need to know?" John asked and Liara sighed again as she took her hand away from her face.

"I've never met any personally, they are very rare this day and age, but every asari knows their basics. I recommend that you just be yourself and you should have no trouble with her. Send me the dossiers and I'll send word to my contacts on Illium." Liara said and shook her head. "Samara won't be hard to find, people will be reacting to her presence."

"Afterwards we're going back to the ship," John said, focusing on Miranda and Jacob. "I'm going to pack a bag and stay here for a few days."

"John!" Miranda protested but he cut her off with sharp gesture of his hand.

"It's for the best, plus, I'll need to send a message to the Illusive Man asking for intel on the Shadow Broker." John missed Liara smiling at him as he said that. "Also, some repairs need to be made to my quarters."

"What…did you do?" Miranda said, narrowing her eyes at him. John just sighed.

~*TF*~

Jane stared at the little volus, Dasl Virell, in front of her as he droned on about all the legal jargon that went with the deal on Illium.

"Remind me why I had to be here for you to read this to me?" Jane asked as Blasto slept by her chair.

"Simple Miss Shepard, we are extremely cautious here on Illium. Volus merchants here are notoriously cut throat and we don't want Iroro mistaken for a company like that," Dasl said.

"I've been here two hours, can't I just read it?" she asked.

"Oh no, as one of the major stockholders, I am required to go over everything with you in person," Dasl cried and Jane fought the groan building in her throat. "Don't worry, we're just under halfway through," he said and Jane rested her elbow on his desk and cupped her chin in her palm. This was going to take all day. The entire crew of the SR2 owed her a drink for this. Better yet, she should charge the Illusive Man the highest rate for the raw materials.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: February 20th, 2186 CE

Location: Illium, Nos Astra, Transportation Hub

"So, we're supposed to meet John here?" Tali asked as the group entered the hub. Jane looked at the kiosk where Conrad's "undercover cop" had been working, it was still drawing business. With a quick scan it was clear that John wasn't around.

"Yep," Jane said.

"It's sweet Liara can pick up where they left off," Garrus stated.

"It's something alright," Jane said icily as she headed to the kiosk next. A large krogan was apparently reciting poetry to the asari kiosk keeper.

"Oh Blue Rose of Illium, let your roots dig deep into the hot soil of Tuchanka!" the krogan recited and Jane winced. krogan poetry...painful. "Let our scorching sun and sheeting rain turn your supple beauty into strength! For if our love is to survive, it must grow thorns to pierce the hand of any that would uproot it!" Jane approached the mortified looking asari.

"What do you want?" she groaned before looking apologetic. "Sorry, sorry. That damn krogan's love poems are getting on my nerves."

"Is that krogan bothering you?" Jane asked.

"Just like old times," Garrus sighed and Jane ignored him as the asari quickly raised her hands and shook her head.

"No! No, you don't need to hurt him or anything. He's harmless...which, I know, krogan, so it's hard to believe," she said. "His name is Charr. We're kind of dating, but, well...we're on a break. And he's trying to show me how sensitive he is by, well, wooing me. It's really bad."

"It doesn't seem common for asari to date krogan. What brought you two together?" Tali asked.

"He's a fun guy. Really smart, especially for a krogan, and he's got a good job as a transport technician. It's fun to join a mercenary guild or dance at bars for a few centuries, but eventually you hit the matron stage, you know?" the asari said, looking over at Charr. "Then you get your back tattoo removed, let your scalp go back to its natural blue, and settle down with someone dependable."

"Why are you two on a break?" Jane asked.

"He's serious. Serious as in talking about kids. Charr is a great guy to date, but for something permanent...? Krogans live long lives. It's not like dating a human, where you just stick it out for a century until they die," she said and Jane rolled her eyes. She had gotten used to this being around asari as she had in biotic training. "Uh, no offense. It made me wonder if he really likes me, or if he just wants kids. He can't have them any other way, you know, because of the genophage."

"That sounds like a pretty important question to ask him," Jane said and the asari nodded.

"I did. I don't think he realized that our kids would always have been asari," she said and Jane nodded.

"Gene randomization," Jane said and the asari nodded.

"Exactly. Anyway, Charr was quiet for a long time. Then he said he'd love our girls no matter what color they were," the asari said and a pang ached in Jane's heart. Charr was pretty romantic for a damn krogan. Jane looked over at Charr who was staring adoringly at the asari.

"You need to talk to your boyfriend. He's just going to keep shouting poetry until you do," Jane said and the asari began to pace.

"I know. But it's tough! I like him a lot. Hell, I love him! But I don't know if he's permanent bond-material," she said. Jane looked at the krogan again and then the asari.

"Look at him. He's obviously crazy about you," she said.

"Is he? I mean, what if he just wants to have kids? Am I just his baby-making machine? He said I wasn't but..." she began to ramble and Jane saw she was fighting with herself.

"If he said that, then you either trust him, so you have nothing to worry about...or you don't, and you've already decided," Jane said and the asari stared at her a moment.

"I...I guess I hadn't thought about it like that. And I do trust him. If he said it..." she said. "I'm going to talk to him. Here, I've given you a discount at the terminal. Thanks for the help." She walked towards the krogan.

"Jane Shepard, Savior of the Citadel," Garrus stated.

"Savior of Romance on Illium," Tali continued.

"I swear to God I will throw you both," Jane warned as they quickly browsed the kiosk.

~*TF*~

"…all five of the suspects are male but the Observer is female. Something's not right, who gave you this intel?" John asked as he walked into the kiosk area. He saw Jane just as she saw him. She marched over to him and opened her mouth to speak, more than likely to berate him for something, so he held up a finger in the universal wait gesture.

"My assistant, Nyxeris. She got the information…" Liara trailed off as she realized who the Observer was. "Nyxeris gave me the information."

"Do you need me to head back to help?" John offered.

"No I can handle this myself. Oh Nyxeris could I speak to you for a moment? I'll call you back later John. Good luck with Samara," Liara said before the comm went dead.John shook his head and took his hand from the comm piece in his ear. He'd be more worried if he didn't know just how powerful and good with her biotics Liara was.

"What happened?" Jane asked, irritation in her voice. "You sent Miranda and Jacob back telling us to meet you here and you show up a half hour late with no warning." John rolled his eyes.

"I had something to do for Liara," John stated and turned to face Garrus and Tali. "How are the Normandy upgrades coming?" Jane glared at John's back, insulted at being blown off for Liara. Jane hated to admit it but Liara's certainty on John's identity made Jane very confused and that confusion was sending Jane towards anger pretty quickly.

"Everything is fine for now John," Tali said, ignoring Jane as she stared with a frown on her face at John. "It's at the stage where the old material is being removed. Miranda and the rest of the Cerberus crew are supervising to make sure nothing is misplaced. Grunt and Jack went off somewhere together and Jane is angry they didn't tell her where."

"I am not angry, I'm concerned about what trouble they are going to get on here," Jane stated.

"You do remember you're not in charge of them right?" Garrus asked and Jane blinked as if the thought hadn't crossed her mind. She smirked then.

"You're right, I'm not in charge of the Cerberus crew members, if they commit a massive problem on Illium...I don't have to clean it up...do I?" she muttered and Garrus chuckled. As they crossed the transport hub they were approached.

"Spectre Shepards! I...I don't suppose you'd remember me. I'm Shiala. We met on Feros during the geth attacks." A green asari called, John focused on her as did the others and blinked. A…green asari?

"ExoGeni promised to take care of Feros, it was a massive PR move." Jane said, focusing on the newcomer.

"That's just it, the ExoGeni researchers got called back to their headquarters. ExoGeni itself has been very supportive of Zhu's Hope. They actually seem to want to help us survive." Shiala explained.

"Is there something we can do to help?" John offered.

"I'd appreciate it." Shiala said sincerely. "I've reached the limits of my diplomatic abilities, and I'd prefer not to start trouble. Some of the colonists had health problems as a result of the Thorian control. We hired a colonial survey group to do some medical scans. But the medical contract apparently allows the company to perform invasive procedures without our consent. That's why I'm here."

"Would that be why you're green like those clones of you the Thorian made on Feros?" John inquired and Shiala nodded.

"Those health problems I said were related to the Thorian control? This is mine. A few months after the Thorian died, my skin pigment changed. My biotic abilities are unstable as well. I'm also having vivid dreams...about my time with the Thorian. It is...disconcerting."

"Tell us more about the contract you signed for these scans." John said gently.

"Baria Frontiers was interested in our problem; they offered to perform medical scans and deliver treatment for next to nothing. I should have known it was too good to be true, but we were desperate. In the fine print, we apparently agreed to let them perform invasive follow-up procedures if they deem it valuable. Which they have." Shiala said tiredly.

"Can they actually force these procedures on you?" Jane hissed.

"No, but they can declare us in breach of contract, which means we're responsible for the full price we would have paid normally. Zhu's Hope just got back on its feet. There's no way we can afford that, Spectres."

"We'll talk to the survey group." John assured her and Shiala sighed in relief.

"I appreciate it, Shepard. The Baria Frontiers representative knows about the issue." Shiala said gesturing down the walkway. "The representative is further down the pathway up some stairs."

"You two stay with her, would you?" John asked softly to Garrus and Tali. "We'll be back shortly. And get her something to drink. She looks like she needs to eat something."

"You got it John." Garrus said, leading the asari to a bench and speaking softly to Tali who hurried away to snack vender not too far from them. They reached the Baria rep in short order and the asari shot them a nasty look as they approached.

"I saw your conversation, humans." She snarked. "I am Erinya and you're here to complain about the medical contracts those colonists from Feros signed. I suggest you leave. Your lives are short enough. Do not waste what time you have bothering me."

"Why are you insisting on these tests? What use could they possibly be?" John demanded and Jane nodded.

"Their use is not your concern. A legal, binding contract was signed. Nothing else matters. All of you, humans, salarians, turians...You come to our planet, then complain that our laws don't suit you. The galaxy would be a better place if nobody but the asari had ever dragged themselves out of the primordial muck." Erinya snarked and John frowned. He heard an undercurrent of sadness in her voice.

"Why are you so prejudiced against aliens?" He asked.

"Where do I begin? With salarian explorers unleashing the rachni upon us, then unleashing the krogan to correct their mistake? Or the turians, so eager to bomb every problem away? Or humans, the new arrivals who already think they should be in charge? Every war that has plagued this galaxy has been caused by your people. My people's deaths are on your hands." Erinya snapped.

"Whose deaths are we talking about, exactly?" Jane asked, catching onto what her brother was doing.

"The mother of my daughters was killed on the quarian homeworld during the initial geth uprising." Erinya snapped, tears forming in her eyes. "My daughters were on the Citadel when the geth attacked. One worked in the Embassy. The other was a greeter for the Consort. I am not speaking in hypotheticals, human. The aliens will never be my allies. The best they can do is give me useful medical data."

"Why was your bondmate on the quarian homeworld?" John countered softly.

"Studying the quarians. Not their technology, but their music. She loved all their art. Said they had old souls. I think that's where my daughters got it from. Both of them loved talking with people, exploring new cultures."

"They sound like wonderful people. The galaxy is lesser for their loss." Jane said softly.

"Yes, it is." Erinya said softly, tears running down her face.

"Do you think they'd want you to do this?" John asked softly.

"I'm not...I didn't...oh..." Erinya muttered as she fell to her knees. John approached her and gently helped her to her feet. "I'm...sending an amended contract. No more tests. No fees. There's enough grief in this galaxy. I don't need to add to it."

"Thank you." Jane said softly, as they watched Erinya walked away, tears still streaming down her face. Jane shot John a look. "How did you know?" John just sighed as he turned back to head for Shiala who was sitting on a bench between John and Tali. All three were savoring some sort of drink.

"You don't just make people take tests like that without having a damn good reason, since it wasn't medical, I assumed it was personal," John said just before he headed back to Shiala who was looking at her omni-tool and smiling. She looked up at them as they approached and got to her feet.

"You did it!" Shiala exclaimed. "I just got the revised contracts. Thank you, Shepards. You've saved Zhu's Hope again. I don't think I could have...Is it always like this? Yesterday's problems lingering in some new form? Isn't anything ever just fixed?"

"You've got the power to make a difference, Shiala. Not everyone does." John noted and she nodded in agreement.

"You're right. You gave us a chance by saving the colony. I can't let them down. I won't." she said. She smiled softly and turned her head just a bit. "And thank you for what you've done here, Shepard. I'll keep doing what I can. Maybe some time when I'm not organizing the colony and you're not...doing whatever you do..."

"Sadly, I'm taken." John demurred and Shiala shifted her eyes and John realized a moment too late she had been looking past him not at him.

"I wasn't talking to you." Shiala said and Jane made a startled sound in the back of her throat as Shiala stroked her shoulder as she walked by.

"Not. One. Word." Jane hissed at them. Garrus wisely kept his mouth shut but Tali made a sound like she was trying not to laugh. John just shook his head.

"Come on," He said gesturing for them to follow him. "There's an officer down here who saw Samara recently."

Jane quickly followed her brother into the small office to escape the chuckling from Tali and Garrus.

"Officer Dara?" John asked as they entered.

"Can I help you with something?" Officer Dara asked.

"We're looking for an asari warrior named Samara," Jane said and Dara's face fell.

"Wait. Why? Do you have a problem, or...did she kill somebody already?" Dara asked.

"Relax...we just need to speak with her," John said, attempting to calm Dara.

"Good. Samara's the first Justicar I've seen on Illium. If I'm lucky, things will stay peaceful," Dara sighed and Jane's eyes widened.

"Wait! Samara is a Justicar?" Jane gasped as she stared at John and he blinked.

"You know about Justicars?" John asked and Jane nodded.

"During biotic training, the asari instructors brought a lot of biotic vids to watch in the down time. Justicar action movies are usually big on the biotics. I saw a ton and ended up looking up a lot about them," Jane said. "I never thought I would get to meet one," Jane whispered. "Where did Samara go?"

"She went to the commercial spaceport last night. If you want to get there, the pedestal on that balcony will summon a cab," Dara said.

"Let's go," Jane said quickly heading to the pedestal. The group quickly loaded up with Garrus and Tali in the back and Shepards in the front.

"So what are these Justicars?" Garrus asked and Jane smiled.

"They are a basically the paladin warriors of the asari. A Justicar is part of a monastic order that adheres to an extremely strict code. They are almost unquestionable in the asari culture, which is part of the reason we don't usually see them outside of asari space," Jane said.

"Unquestionable?" John questioned and Jane nodded.

"Justicars are considered the moral epitome. They are considered an embodiment of law. The Justicar Code orders them to stop lawbreakers and deadly force is acceptable. They are amazing warriors willing to lay down their lives to save innocents," Jane said, the respect in her voice obvious.

"You sound awed, Shepard," Tali commented and Jane blushed slightly.

"They are amazing. When I was in biotics training we watched a lot of Justicar vids, they are sort of the kung-fu movies of the asari. I ended up looking up a lot about the order when I was younger. Good biotic role models I guess," she said. "I'll take lead with dealing with Samara herself."

~*TF*~

As the taxi was landing John saw a volus with two armed Turians walking towards a landing pad with several cargo boxes being loaded onto a freighter. As the team was disembarking an asari officer stormed up behind them and called for them to halt. The men turned around to face her as John got closer, interested in what was happening.

"Where do you think you're going?" The officer demanded.

"I'm taking my goods to Omega, Detective." The volus stated.

"You're not going anywhere, Merchant." The detective snapped. "Not until I solve this murder."

"I had nothing to do with that! It was those mercenary thugs you can't seem to get rid of." The volus countered.

"The victim was your business partner, and I'm not ruling you out. I'll let you know when you can leave." She snapped. John crossed his arms over his chest and watched, feeling this had to involve Samara somehow. Liara and told him that criminal elements tended to either fight or run when a Justicar showed up in the area.

"What about that Justicar that just showed up? Everyone says she might go crazy and start killing! I need to leave." The volus exclaimed, as if verifying Liara's information.

"She'll only kill the unjust...so I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, Pitne For. Find me in the station if you need me." The detective drawled, before turning around and stomping to the station not too far away. Pitne For grumbled and looked around for somewhere to sit when he noticed the team watching him.

"What do you want? I've already got mercs wanting to kill me like they did my partner! I don't need any more trouble. As if that weren't enough, some asari Justicar showed up. All the natives are scared of her. I've got to get off this world." He snarled.

"Has Samara actually done anything yet?" John inquired.

"The asari say that Justicars are lethal in a fight, and if they so much as smell corruption, they start shooting. The thing is, corruption isn't that hard to find around here." Pitne For noted and John titled his head in agreement.

"Tell us how to find the Justicar." Jane asked and Pitne For grunted.

"She's in the alley where my business partner was murdered. A detective sealed the area, so you'll have to talk with her if you want to go there." He noted.

"What happened to your partner?" Jane asked and he sighed.

"Dakni Kur was cutting through a back alley last night when someone killed him with a shotgun. I saw his body this morning...they'd used modded rounds. That means Eclipse mercs." Pitne For grunted.

"Why would these mercs kill him, and why do you think they're coming after you, too?" John asked.

"I have no idea...we're innocent merchants!" Pitne For exclaimed and John shook his head. Did he really think he'd believe that? "But they killed him, so they must be after me, too. I have to work the angles and get out of here."

"You don't seem too broken up about your partner's death." Jane noted and Pitne For sighed.

"Dakni Kur knew the risks when he took to spacing. Right now, my worry is me. It's unhealthy to be a volus in the Nos Astra spaceport right now. Especially a volus named Pitne For." He turned away from them to begin speaking with his bodyguards. John shook his head and led the team to the police station to find this detective. The station was a pretty open setup and they quickly found her at her desk working on a report. She glanced up at them and sighed.

"Nice guns...try not to use them in my district. What can I do for you?" the detective grumbled.

"We're looking for an asari warrior named Samara." John stated and she winced.

"If you've got a score to settle with Samara, take it somewhere else...I've got more than enough trouble here already." She grumbled.

"Actually, we need to recruit Samara for a mission, then we will be on our way Detective…Anaya." Jane said as she read her name plate on the desk. The detective stopped working on her report to lean back in her chair, looking at them thoughtfully for a moment.

"Justicars usually work alone, but they are drawn to impossible causes. If you're getting her out of my district, I'll get you to her ASAP. She's at the crime scene." Detective Anaya said.

"You're awfully anxious to get Samara out of your district." John noted and she sighed.

"My bosses want me to detain her. They're worried she'll cause some kind of cross-species incident. But her Justicar Code won't let her be taken into custody. If I try it, she'll have to kill me. I have no interest in dying, so if you lure her away with some big noble cause before I have to carry out my orders, I'm thrilled to help you."

"Your superiors are sending you to certain death for no good reason. You have a right to disobey." Jane noted. John blinked at her and wasn't surprised when Garrus and Tali chuckled. They'd caught onto what Jane had said too.

"We can disobey suicidal orders, why wasn't I told?" Garrus snarked and Jane sighed.

"That's about twice a day," Tali commented.

"Most of the time we're not being stupid about it. I can't say the same about Anaya's superiors." Jane stated, shooting the two comedians a look over her shoulder.

"I'm a cop, and I know my duty. I've been ordered to detain her and I will...unless I can get her to leave my district first." Detective Anaya noted.

"What's the crime scene like?" John asked, curious about what had happened. The fact that Samara was investigating raised John's suspicions that was connected to why she was here.

"A volus merchant was murdered. It was a professional hit, so we're not dealing with junkies looking for a score." Detective Anaya said before she sighed. "I'm thinking the local Eclipse mercenary band. Can't prove it, but if the volus was dirty too, maybe it's just a deal gone bad."

"We should go." John said, gesturing. "The more time we spend here the more likely that things might go bad."

"I wish you luck." The detective said, before focusing back on her paperwork.

"We should find Samara before Anaya has to arrest her." Jane noted as they headed for the crime.

~*TF*~

The group was heading down the alley when voices came from around the corner.

"...Justicar twenty minutes ago, and they've gone dark," a voice snarled. John held up his hand in the hold position. Slowly the squad crept around the corner. Jane peered through her scope. The armor was gold with the black design on the chest.

"Eclipse," she whispered.

"They have mechs," Tali said.

"Tali take the mechs, Jane, Garrus, take down the shields of those asari," John ordered. The attack was fast and effective. Tali hacked the mechs and they joined the fight as Garrus and Jane brought down the armor on the mercs while John kept a steady spread on them. The fight was over quickly and the group headed into a warehouse. As the door opened an asari's body hit the frame and then the floor, dead.

"Those were my best troops," an asari in Eclipse armor growled as she held her weapon on an impressive asari warrior, clad in red armor and wrapped in biotics. Jane was shocked as she saw Samara approach her prey.

"Tell me what I need to know, and I will be gone from here," Samara said. "Where did you send her?"

"You think I'd betray her? She would hurt me in ways you can't imagine," the Eclipse merc growled.

"The name of the ship. Your life hangs on the answer, Lieutenant," Samara said.

"You can kill me, but one of us will take you down, Justicar," the Eclipse Lieutenant cried. Samara wrapped the merc in a lift before throwing her through a glass wall across the warehouse. Samara followed, wrapping herself in biotics and floating across the floor in a way Jane regularly attempted but never achieved.

"What was the name of the ship she left on?" Samara said as she caught the asari's neck with her heeled boot.

"I need armor like that," Jane muttered.

"Go to hell," the merc snarled.

"Find peace in the embrace of the goddess," Samara said, breaking the merc's neck with a twist of her leg. She looked up at them and Jane had the feeling she had known they had been there the entire time. "My name is Samara, a servant of the Justicar Code. My quarrel is with these Eclipse sisters, but I see four well-armed people before me. Are you friend? Or foe?" Jane stepped forward.

"We are friends, Justicar Samara," Jane said with a slight bow of her head. "We have come to seek you out. We are going up against suicidal odds, and we need the best warriors to aid us."

"I sense the truth in what you say, and it humbles me. But I seek an incredibly dangerous fugitive. I cornered her here, but the Eclipse sisters smuggled her off-world. I must find the name of the ship she left on before the trail goes cold," Samara explained.

"I wish you were willing to go with the human, Justicar. I've been ordered to take you into custody if you won't leave," Anaya sighed as she entered the warehouse. Jane blinked.

"Why don't we meet in the middle?" Jane suggested and the two asari looked at her. "The Code allows you to hold off on fighting for freedom, correct?" Samara smiled.

"I did not expect a human to know the Code," she said and Jane smirked back.

"I enjoy the Justicar vids, while you stay with Anaya we will get the name of the ship, once we have it, will you join us?" Jane asked. Samara nodded.

"Check with Pitne For, he is involved more than he wishes to admit. Speak with him and see if he cannot point you to the Eclipse base," Samara advised.

"I guess we're going to talk to the volus again," Garrus sighed as they made their way back. The group exited the alley to see Pitne inspecting stock. Jane approached.

"Hello again, Earth-clan. Did you speak to the detective?" he asked and Jane glared.

"Why are the mercs after you? Don't bother lying," Jane growled as her biotics glowed. He stared at her for a moment.

"I know no..." he cried out as he began to float.

"You don't have time, Eclipse is after you and I'm after Eclipse. The enemy of your enemy is your friend. Tell me where they are so that we can wipe them out," Jane said and he seemed to think it out.

"Fine, Earth-clan, put me down," he sighed and Jane did. "I smuggled a chemical onto Illium that boosts biotic powers in combat. It also is toxic. I may have, um, forgotten to mention that to the Eclipse. So they are perturbed and want to kill me."

"Tell me where to find their base," Jane said and Pitne nodded before holding out a pass card.

"I'm forwarding you the coordinates. I have a pass card they issued me to bring my goods in. Well, I had to return that one, but I happened to make this copy," he said. Jane took the card.

"Let's go," Jane said and the group headed to a nearby elevator.

~*TF*~

It was nothing but a constant firefight since they had stepped off the elevator. Swarms of mechs with vanguards behind them.

"We need to punch through," John grunted, taking cover by the door way. Garrus nodded before he shot, taking down a vanguard who wasn't taking enough cover.

"It's pretty smart actually," Jane commented, tossing a warp at the approaching mechs to slow them down. "Keep us pinned by the door and we can't get in any deeper."

"Damned boshtets!" Tali complained, sending her drone into the fray. "Good girl Chiktikka, go for the eyes!"

"Shepards, my scans confirm that the chemical compound will boost biotics. However, concentrated exposure will cause severe tissue damage. I recommend limited exposure." EDI called to them helpfully.

"Or screw them up." John noted, eying one of the containers. "Jane would you-?"

"No problem," she said, gesturing. Several of the containers rose up before hurtling at the Eclipse sisters. They exploded near them. John waited, noting the sudden increase in biotics before they began to choke and gag, clawing at their throats before collapsing to the ground, dead.

"Wait a moment for it to clear," John advised as they slowly left cover. The remaining mechs seemed to be confused, and had trouble targeting them. Tali's drone was flitting around them, causing each mech to shut down one by one. Soon after the drone shut down, the contaminant had dissipated. John gestured, the others following him. It was quiet for a while as they made their way deeper into the building. They left the docking area and entered an office. As they moved through it towards the stairs John heard someone muttering under her breath nearby.

"Oh, Goddess! Oh, Goddess, don't let them see me. If they do see me, don't let them kill me. What am I doing here?" John rolled his eyes and gestured for the others to follow him. They entered a room that appeared to be a cargo and data room. He rolled his eyes as he saw someone behind the cover and he drew his pistol.

"Wait! Stop! I didn't fire my weapon once! I pretended to because the other Eclipse sisters were watching, but I didn't really shoot!" It was a young asari, probably decades younger than Liara, dressed in Eclipse armor.

"A likely story." Garrus grumbled.

"I'm not one of them! I'm new!" She protested. "I thought being Elnora the mercenary would be cool...but I didn't know what they were really like!"

"Don't lie. Eclipse Sisters don't allow anyone who isn't initiated to wear that armor." Jane countered. John sighed. He should have known.

"Talk Elnora. What do they do here that you don't like?" John demanded and he saw her eyes widen in panic.

"I thought we'd be flying around the galaxy shooting up bad guys and stuff, right? But no, they just sell red sand and illegal weapons tech. They even smuggled an Ardat-Yakshi off-world!" Elnora she cried.

"A what?" John demanded.

"They smuggled an actual Ardat-Yakshi?" Jane cried right after he spoke.

"I thought they were just superstition too...until now." Elnora said.

"What's an Ardat-Yakshi?" Tali asked.

"An asari that suffers from a rare genetic defect, I'll explain later," Jane assured her.

"It means 'demon of the night winds'," Elnora explained. "I didn't think they were real, but the boss said that this scary lady was one."

"That must be Samara's target. What ship did they use for the smuggling?" John demanded.

"Whoa, I have no idea! It was a few days ago and like I said, I'm new. They didn't tell me anything." Elnora protested.

"I'll take this one back down to Anaya," Jane said. "I have a feeling the detective has something about her in her files." Elnora narrowed her eyes at Jane as she approached.

"Fuck that, bitch!" the asari cried, reaching for her gun. A barrage of gun fire cut her down as the entire team shot her.

"A hundred credits she's the one who killed Pitne's partner," Garrus commented idly.

"Not taking that bet," Jane muttered and Tali hummed in agreement.

~*TF*~

As the team entered the next room, Jane noticed all the canisters. She carefully lifted one and threw it at the Eclipse mercs.

"Get the mechs," Jane called as she threw another canister, it exploded dousing the merc in red sand.

"I know she's poisoning them but won't that make it worse with them spread out like that?" Tali asked. "I mean they won't get concentrated doses like before."

"No, she's poisoning them to take away their endurance," John said with a grim nod. "Jane keep up throwing the containers, Garrus watch her six. Tali, you and I are going to draw fire." The team began to move into the next room when the sound of a gunship began.

"Oh look, Garrus, another gunship. Can you show me your party trick soon?" Tali asked.

"Still not funny," Jane warned as she tossed another canister. The merc with the rocket launcher began to stagger before John blasted her in the chest and they moved up into an office area. As the team began to reload Garrus pressed a button on the console.

"Well, it's official...little baby Elnora is finally a full-fledged Eclipse merc! I earned my uniform last night when I killed that ridiculous volus. Up close, exploding rounds. Blew the little bastard's suit wide open! Hah! I can't wait to see some real action! Next time I go home, my friends are going to be so jealous!" the audio log said and Garrus nodded.

"Damn, I wish someone would have taken me up on that bet," he said and both Jane and Tali shook their heads as they moved on. Three mechs blocked the way.

"I'm going to make them fly, take a target," Jane cried as she used a shockwave to throw all three into the air. John shot at the middle one, Tali took the closest, and Garrus took the last one. As the group turned to the walkway a gun ship lowered.

"Damn it," Jane muttered as she put up a barrier before running for cover.

"I hate these things," Garrus sighed.

"I hear they love you," Tali quipped as the group began to fire.

"Jane, take down the shields!" John ordered and Jane threw warp after warp at the gunship.

"We got Fenris Mechs!" Garrus called.

"Take care of them," John ordered as the three focused ahead and Garrus focused behind them. As the gunship exploded the group reloaded.

"I hope we move indoors," Garrus muttered.

"I hear that," Jane said as they headed in and saw a volus staggering around a long hallway. He walked right into Jane's legs before staring up at the group.

"I am a biotic god! I think things...and they happen! Fear me, lesser creatures for I am biotics made flesh!" the volus proclaimed.

"Oh, that's a good one, you should use that," Garrus stated to Jane. She ignored him with an eyeroll.

"You need help," Jane sighed.

"You need help! You stand before the mightiest biotic ever. Yes, the asari injecting so many drugs into me was terrifying. But then I began to smell my greatness!" he cried and Tali hid a snicker behind a cough. "They may laugh when I fall over, but they don't know what I know in my head...that I know that I am amazingly powerful. Fear me!"

"Are you part of Pitne For's trade group?" John asked.

"When I was mortal, I worked for Pitne. Poor soul is probably terrified that I have not returned," the volus said.

"He hasn't reported your disappearance. Probably so his departure won't get delayed," Garrus said.

"Face it...Pitne will pick money over friends every time," Tali sighed.

"Bah! I will wreak a just revenge upon his people! But first...the leader of these mercenaries is in the next room," he said. "I shall toss Wasea about like a rag doll!"

"This guy couldn't tie his bootlaces, much less fight," Garrus said.

"I will tear her apart! My biotics are unstoppable!" the volus cried.

"Wasea will tear you apart. Take a nap...you'll feel better," John suggested.

"Are you mad? I'm unstoppable! Feasting on her biotic-rich blood will be the last step of my ascension to godhood!" he cried and as he turned to walk away, Jane pushed him over. He fell over, as he got up, he shook his head. "But...great wind! Biotic god! I'm...I...what was I saying? I'm...tired. You...may be right. Yes, I'm tired...I'll nap. Destroy the universe later..."

"Good idea," Jane said as they headed in to meet this Wasea. The asari was drinking at her desk looking irritated as she stared at a data pad.

"Everything's gone to hell since we smuggled that filthy creature off-world," she stated to the group. "First a Justicar shows up, now you. At least I can take pleasure in turning your head into a pulpy mass." Wasea lifted up a red sand container and Jane quickly pulled up her own, flinging it to rupture the containers in the center away from the group and blocking them from Wasea's view.

"I'll throw the containers, Garrus, skeet shoot," Jane said and Garrus nodded at her.

"Tali, watch my six," John ordered as Jane began to throw the canisters high, letting Garrus shoot them apart and the red sand began to rain down on Wasea and her Eclipse mercs. As the drugs took effect, it made it easier for the group to take cover and take out the mercs. Wasea was strong, but it was clear she had been exposed to too much of the red sand. It took almost nothing to defeat her. As the group approached the front there was the datapad Wasea had been looking at.

"Looks like Samara's Ardat-Yakshi was taken on by the AML Demeter," Jane said. "We should get back to the police station and show them what we gathered."

A few minutes later the team approached Anaya and Samara. Jane approached Samara with a slight smile.

"We found the name of the ship. The Ardat-Yakshi was smuggled off Illium on the AML Demeter," Jane reported. Samara looked pleasantly surprised.

"Shepard, you impress me. She is a dangerous criminal, and I will bring her to justice. You fulfilled your part of the bargain, and I will fulfill mine," Samara said as she stood up, turning to Anaya. "I am ready to leave immediately, if that will satisfy your superiors, Detective?"

"You're free to go, Justicar. It has been an honor having you in my station. And it's nice you didn't kill me, too," Anaya said.

"The Normandy is in a dry dock at this location," John said, sending Samara the coordinates.

"I must be sworn to your service, so that I am never forced to choose between your orders and the Code," Samara stated and John blinked.

"Excuse me?" John stated and Jane coughed.

"What Samara is offering to do is submit to the Third Oath of Subjugation. It means whoever she swears this oath to, their orders will override the Code. She can voice her opinion, but she will follow orders," Jane said and John looked between Samara and Jane.

"She should swear the oath to you," John said and Jane's eyes widened. John was offering to let Jane have one of their most powerful allies swear to her first. Samara would be a fantastic ally and it would be nice to work with a biotic of such discipline and training. Jane looked at John for a moment before she moved in front of Samara and nodded.

Samara's eyes glowed silver, her biotics running under her skin in a way Jane had never felt before. The Justicar knelt on one knee and placed her hands to either side of her foot. Anaya rose to stand near Jane.

"By the Code, I will serve you, Shepard. Your choices are my choices, your morals are my morals. Your wishes are my code," Samara said and her biotics began to glow around her body like a second skin, a more powerful version of Jane's underwater biotic glow.

"I never thought I'd see a Justicar swear an oath like that," Anaya said and Jane nodded.

"Tell me about it," Jane muttered as Samara gave her an analytical look.

"If you make me do anything extremely dishonorable, I may need to kill you when I am released from my oath," Samara warned and Jane smiled.

"I cannot express the honor you have bestowed, I will do my best to honor your Code and do my best to deserve your oath," Jane said, bowing her head in a respectful manner.

"Truly, the life of a Justicar can get lonely. I admit, I am looking forward to serving with a company of honorable heroes," Samara said. "I shall report to the ship."

"We still need to speak to the detective," John said and Samara nodded before leaving the station.

"Thanks for getting Samara out of my district. I can tell my granddaughters about meeting a Justicar. And you've just upped my chances of living long enough to have grandkids," Anaya said. John handed her a couple datapads they had collected.

"We have proof that Eclipse killed the volus merchant," he said.

"And proof that Pitne For smuggled in red sand and illegal weapons tech," Jane added.

"I'll send in some officers to arrest him and his cohorts. This is a big help, Shepard. I can't do much to thank you, but we do have a small discretionary bounty fund. Take this," Anaya said, handing Jane a credit chit.

"Good luck keeping Illium safe, Detective," Jane said.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: February 21th, 2186 CE

Location: Illium, Nos Astra

John was sitting on Liara's couch with his legs crossed, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand as he watched the pulse of Illium traffic. He was thinking about the mission to recruit Samara the day before. The Justicar had spoken with him briefly as he'd shown her to the observation room Kasumi was using. When he'd talked to the thief about Samara, she'd gotten very pale and had suggested taking over Zaeed's old quarters, since the only other room was Miranda's and John knew that would just end badly for the Cerberus agent.

"Credit for your thoughts?" Liara asked. He turned to glance at her. She had a data pad in one hand, the same one she'd been using for the past two days to scour Nyxeris's collection of private files. She had her free hand on her cocked hips looking at him.

"Thinking about the infamous thief who is now moving to make room for an Asari Justicar," John admitted. Liara laughed softly walking to him. She nudged his leg off his knee and when both his feet were on the floor she sat on his lap. He grinned at her as she sat there, acting like she belonged there.

"She'll be fine, most of the crew should be...as long as Jane doesn't tell her to attack the Cerberus members," Liara commented, as she reviewed the files. John made a sound of agreement and turned to continue his watch out the windows. This morning he had offered Liara a place on the Normandy but she had declined, saying she needed to focus on her efforts here for finding the Shadow Broker. He could understand that, especially after Liara had told him everything Feron had done for her and John himself in a way. He was brought out of his latest musings as his girlfriend took his coffee from his hand to take a slurp of it.

"Want me to make you a cup, Lia?" he asked in amusement but Liara just shook her head.

"Why? This one is nice and I'm comfortable where I am," she noted and John just laughed.

"By the way I found a contact who can point you in Kiros direction. You'll have to wait two days however. He's deep into scouting apparently and won't emerge until shortly before he goes after his target," Liara told him. John frowned but nodded. That meant they would have to attempt to recruit him during an assassination. To quote Mordin, that would be problematic.

~*TF*~

"How are the instillations going, Joker?" Jane asked as she moved into the Normandy's cabin. Only the specialized crew were sticking around to oversee the upgrade instillations.

"The crewmembers seem to have it all handled. So...even your asari are trained killers? You get everyone at the same store or something?" Joker teased.

"I associate with you and you certainly aren't a trained killer," Jane shot back and Joker shrugged.

"You got me there," he said. "Where's the Commander?"

"John and Liara are enjoying their...couples time," Jane stated.

"I'm not surprised, what are you going to do?" Joker asked.

"I'm going to talk to Samara and then go shopping. I might take Jack and Grunt out, keep the workers from being emotionally scarred while inspecting their rooms," Jane said and Joker nodded.

"Good thinking, Grunt could use the exercise and Jack...is getting scary down there," Joker said.

"Want to come for the walk?" Jane asked and Joker gave her a look. "Hey, I'm just asking because I know you don't get off the ship much. I know why, I'm just making sure you get fresh air."

"Thanks, Mom, but I'm fine," Joker sighed. Jane started to walk away.

"Oh, and Joker?" she called.

"Yeah?" Joker asked.

"Call me Mom again and I promise I will lift you and show you just how good I am at playing catch with my biotics," Jane said with a smile.

"I follow," Joker said. Jane left the bridge and headed down to the observation room Samara had moved into, the one Kasumi had been quick to vacate. One couldn't be too careful with an asari Justicar and a thief on the same ship. The Justicar was sitting on the floor performing a biotic meditation exercise.

"Shepard," Samara said and Jane moved to sit beside her. She couldn't imitate the same exercise, but she began a lower form she could do.

"How are you?" Jane asked.

"I've spent much of the last 400 years on my own; it is nice to have a colleague to chat with. I am a bit rusty at it. If you are patient, I would love to talk," Samara said and Jane smiled.

"I'm rather certain you are the better conversationalist than I am," Jane said, her biotics glowing between her hands, sending light bouncing between her fingers. "I double checked, but I do believe this mission will not put you against the Code."

"You seek to destroy the Collectors and protect the colonies. I have protected colonies before, this will not be something I worry about," Samara said.

"Garrus told me that you will be helping with extending the fuel cells," Jane said.

"I will be overseeing that upgrade personally," Samara confirmed.

"I have to confess, I am curious about the Ardat-Yakshi you are hunting," Jane said, focusing on her biotics. Samara looked down and stopped her exercise.

"I hope you will understand if I wish to avoid this topic. It is deeply tied to my code and beliefs. You might say it is personal," Samara said and Jane dropped her biotics.

"I'm sorry, I meant no offense," Jane said. "I hope you are not worried about working with Cerberus."

"I've heard rumors but learned long ago to form my own impressions. There is too much room for interpretation in the opinions of others," Samara said.

"I have a negative relationship with Cerberus," Jane confessed.

"I work for you, Shepard. If you are concerned I will watch over you. You came here as well, why?" Samara asked and Jane stared at the Justicar, deciding that she could open up to her.

"I am here to confirm John's identity and to stop the Collectors," Jane said and Samara stared at her.

"I looked up information on the both of you as I approached the ship," Samara said. "You are both impressive individuals for ones so young. How close do you feel to completing this mission?" Jane stared at the Justicar for a moment.

"The Collectors...we are closer to. We need to get the IFF and then we can launch our attack," Jane said.

"And confirming the identity of your brother?" Samara said. Jane was silent, staring at the floor.

"I don't know...at times...he feels like John. He makes a joke, he gives a command, he makes a movement and I'm home again. Then I see the Cerberus uniforms and personnel around him. I see the background. I remember the two years I mourned him...and I'm alone," Jane said. Samara studied the woman.

"John aside. You seem accepted by the crew, well liked by several. Garrus told me about your time on the SR1 last night," Samara said. "Tali joined us and added to the conversation. They both look up to you. Kasumi spoke to me at breakfast this morning and she had a high opinion of you. You are not alone, Jane." Jane looked at the asari and in that moment, she felt more connected to the world than she had for nearly two years. This Justicar, a hero who was brutal and just, doing what was required of an honorable Code and doing so alone. Jane wanted to be like John, like the Justicar, but she felt like she was too soaked in blood. She had gone to dark places and come back infected with the darkness. She was surprised to feel tears in her eyes. She felt so at home with Tali and Garrus again. Even the routine of training with Jack and Grunt had begun to make Jane feel more human.

"How do you do it?" Jane asked as she looked at Samara and the Justicar looked at her. "You have wandered the stars for centuries doing the right thing to protect others and you seem so confident and strong...I've been doing it for two years and I feel broken..." Tears rolled down her cheeks. Samara watched in silence.

"I gave up everything to do as I do. I accepted that the path would be alone. I put the Code before all else," Samara said. "From what I have learned about you, Jane, you lost your brother, you lost your lover, and you threw yourself into your job, not because you chose to embrace your career and duty, but because you were trying to replace the loss you felt with it. It was a hollow replacement for what was taken from you and it hurt you." Jane stared at Samara for a moment and the Justicar gave her a gentle, calm look. It was true, Jane threw herself into the Alliance and into her role as a Spectre, but she never chose to put it first, she grabbed onto her career because she lost her only family, she lost Kaidan, and she couldn't take anymore. Jane wept silently into her hands for a few minutes. Samara said nothing, only sat there, placing one hand on Jane's shoulder until she calmed.

"Thank you," Jane said as she looked up.

"You should wash your face, you are quite flushed," Samara said and Jane nodded.

"I'm sorry to make such a scene," Jane said and Samara shook her head.

"I understand immensely feelings of loss," Samara said.

"Would you mind if I came to seek your council again?" Jane asked and Samara smiled.

"I would be glad for the company," Samara said as Jane got up and headed for the bathroom.

~*TF*~

"So, what's the plan?" Jack asked a few hours later as Jane, Jack, and Grunt entered the shopping district.

"We're loading up on supplies," Jane stated and the two blinked.

"Who's paying?" Jack asked and Jane smiled.

"I may have talked EDI into allocating Cerberus funds for this shopping trip," Jane said and Jack's face broke out into a massive grin.

"You fucking with me, Shepard?" Jack asked.

"Grunt, go get all the supplies you need," Jane said and the krogan began his deep chuckle he reserved for when he was ready to charge. Jane's eyes turned to Jack. "Do you think I would lie about spending Cerberus credits?" Jack laughed.

"Shepard, I didn't even get you a present," she said as she turned to stalk the stalls.

"Shepard, I do have limitations with spending," EDI informed Jane.

"Don't worry, EDI, I'm giving them a time limit," Jane said.

"Holy crap, Shepard? What are you doing on Illium?" a voice called and Jane blinked as she looked to see a woman at a nearby table. She looked at the woman for a moment before she recognized her.

"Parasini is that you?" Jane asked and Gianna nodded.

"Good memory, it's been a couple of years. Thanks again for helping me nail Administrator Anoleis," Gianna said.

"It was a pleasure to do so. Whatever happened to him?" Jane asked. Gianna smiled as she leaned back in her chair.

"He made the one mistake Noveria won't tolerate: he got caught taking their money. He's doing a few years in white-collar prison. More importantly, he won't work in the field again. Sit down. If I remember right, I owe you a beer," Gianna said and Jane took a seat as Gianna flagged a waitress. "What brings you to Illium? You know, that you can talk about?"

"I'm part of a team that has confirmed that the missing colonies in the Terminus are being taken by the Collectors. We're planning to stop them," Jane said before noticing Grunt getting aggressive with a shop keeper. "Grunt, I will send you back to the ship! Knock that off!"

"Babysitting a krogan?" Gianna asked and Jane nodded.

"They call me Urdnot-Shepard on Tuchanka," Jane said and Gianna shook her head.

"Damn, Shepard," Gianna chuckled before her eyes moved to look at a nearby kiosk. "Hey, listen, I just remembered something. I've got to go. Talk to you later? And don't forget to drink your beer." Jane looked to see the glass was on a small datapad. She pulled the datapad out from under the drink before downing the beer.

'Shepard. Had to leave. Target saw me. Couldn't break cover. Asari merchant smuggling schematics from Noveria. Can you talk her into showing you good stuff?' the datapad showed and Jane smirked as she looked in the direction Gianna had glanced. Jane finished her drink and headed over to the kiosk.

"Welcome! You look like someone who needs high-quality equipment! Feel free to look around. My store has the best tech and biotic equipment on Illium," the asari working the kiosk said and Jane put on her most disarming smile.

"Is everything here to expensive? I'd planned to drop a lot of credits today," Jane said. "My two associates have been hitting up the kiosks already." Jane pointed to Jack who was scrolling through a kiosk with the eyes of a predator. Grunt was grilling a volus on the specs on some shotgun.

"Really?" the asari's eyes widened with glee.

"I'm outfitting a team for a dangerous mission. I need the best, and I'm willing to pay for it...as long as you work with me," Jane said with an assured grin. The credit signs were glowing in the asari's eyes.

"Well...perhaps I could give you a preferred rate at the kiosk," the merchant said. "Here. A small discount...and when I get special items in, you can take a look." Jane looked intrigued.

"What kind of special items are we talking about?" Jane asked.

"Oh, you know, schematics, designs. Nothing illegal, but I may not have all the licenses to sell them," she explained and Jane nodded.

"Do you have anything else? Anything not listed on your main merchandise kiosk?" Jane questioned.

"Well...there is one thing. Very advanced design. Not publicly available yet," she said and Jane stepped back as Gianna approached.

"That's because it's still in development on Noveria. And illegal for export. Hello, Hermia," Gianna said.

"Parasini! You set me up! But this isn't Noveria! You don't have the authority to arrest me!" Hermia cried.

"I don't care whether you go to jail. I've got all the evidence I need to fine you out of business," Gianna said.

"Do you have the authority to seize the schematic she's trying to sell?" Jane asked.

"I don't have to. Hermia was under suspicion. We leaked a faulty device to her. All this thing will ever do is blow up in your face," Gianna said and Jane chuckled.

"I..I need to go. I have to talk to my lawyer," Hermia cried as she quickly walked off.

"Talk fast, Hermia! When the fines hit, you won't be able to afford him!" Gianna cried and Jane chuckled. "Hermia is going to be a very poor woman very shortly. Thank for the help, Shepard."

"Nothing quite as satisfying as taking down an asari," Jane nodded.

"I know, right. So ageless and superior, then you get them, and they squeal like schoolgirls," Gianna chuckled.

"Happy to help, Parasini," Jane said and Gianna gave her a look.

"Guess I owe you another beer," she said and Jane shook her head.

"No way, both times you took down people and I got to watch. I had plenty of fun, you owe me nothing," Jane said. "Be safe out there, Parasini." Jane headed out to drag Jack and Grunt back to the ship. It would be easy to lure them back with the promise of a sparring match in the hold.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: February 23rd, 2186 CE

Location: Illium, Nos Astra

"Glad you guys could make it." John said, looking at Jane, Mordin and Grunt. Jane rolled her eyes at him.

"I've never seen a Drell before so I insisted I come along," Grunt growled, following the man as he entered an office on the transport hub floor.

"Seryna?" John asked of the asari working at her desk with another nearby.

"Who wants to know?" the woman in question replied, not even looking up from her work.

"I'm John Shepard. Liara T'Soni said you might have information on Thane Krios." John explained. Seryna stopped and nodded before getting up from her desk and looking at her co-worker.

"Tana. Cover for me." Seryna said walking around her desk and outside to the balcony for the office. She turned around and leaned against the railing, looking at them. "Yeah, I know who Thane Krios is. I might have passed him some information, but I didn't hire him. What do you want to know?"

"I'm just trying to find him." John explained and Seryna shook her head in exasperation.

"I can tell you, but you won't stop him. When he contacted me, I checked up on him. The man never gives up on a job. I ran security for Nassana Dantius. Then I found out she was having people killed to cover up her dirty secrets. She fired me when I confronted her. Her loss. I might have been good enough to stop Thane from taking her down." Seryna drawled.

"Nassana Dantius?" John said surprised, glancing at Jane who nodded.

"I had heard she got booted off the Citadel. Apparently, she had a fall back plan." Jane explained.

"If you worked there, you must have an idea what his opposition will be." John noted as he focused on Seryna again.

"Eclipse mercs. High-tech killers. Undisciplined, but very well-equipped. They don't much care who they kill, as long as they're paid for it. Thane has quite a reception waiting for him. I told him all I knew. He didn't seem worried." Seryna said with a chuckle.

"How did she end up here?" John muttered.

"Someone must have found some evidence of her sister's untimely death. The one she paid someone off for." Jane drawled.

"I had heard that was a rumor. Well, she has even more power here in Nos Astra. She uses it to keep her friends in check and her enemies dead." Seryna noted.

"Where do we find Thane?" John asked and Seryna turned around to point to a pair of large towers, one complete and the other still under construction.

"The Dantius Towers. Penthouse level of Tower One. There is a second tower, still under construction. If Thane is smart, he'll go in from there." Seryna explained.

"I doubt Nassana's just going to let us in." Jane said with a sigh.

"She's as smart as she is paranoid." Seryna said in agreement. "No one's getting in or out of there without a fight. I can get you in, but you'll only get one shot. You'd better be ready."

"Do you know anything else about Thane?" Jane asked and Seryna shook her head.

"Not much. He did say that he's not doing the hit for money. Nobody hired him. I wanted to know who I was helping, and he said he's doing this job on his own. That he had to restore the balance of his life. I don't know. Maybe he's crazy. If he takes down Nassana, I don't care why he does it."

"And you're just offering your help? No strings attached?" John said skeptically.

"You're going to look for Thane. Nassana's mercenaries will try to stop you. At the least, you'll distract her guards. Take a little fire, give Thane a clear shot." Seryna said with a shrug.

"Clearing the path does seem like payment." Jane noted.

"I didn't hire him to kill Nassana, but I won't shed any tears when she gets what's coming to her." Seryna drawled.

"Alright let's go then." John said and Seryna grinned.

"Good. I'm tired of this crap. We'll go tonight, as soon as the shift workers clear out of Tower Two."

~*TF*~

"What do we need to know about these towers?" John asked from the passenger seat of Seryna's car a few hours later. Mordin was wedged in the backseat between Grunt and Jane.

"The towers are heavily guarded, and you'll find more resistance closer to the penthouse," Seryna explained before John a look. "So, this assassin...you planning to stop him?"

"Actually, we're just here to make sure he survives," John said and Seryna made a humming noise as she drove them through traffic.

"There they are: the Dantius Towers. You'll have to get up the second tower and cross the bridge to the penthouse. Her mercs will fight you every step, but it's your best chance," Seryna said.

"We could save time by taking the shuttle up," Grunt huffed.

"She's got mercs with rockets just in case," Seryna said.

"It's only paranoia if no one is trying to get you," Jane pointed out.

"Besides, your assassin won't go in that way. Best to go in low," Seryna said.

"Any last-minute tips about the towers?" John asked.

"The Eclipse mercs will be well-fortified by now, and they won't want to disappoint Nassana. There's no automated defenses or traps. Just focus on anything moving," Seryna said as the landed the shuttle.

"Thanks for the ride," John said as the doors opened and the group got out.

"Don't linger too long: they'll be here to greet you soon enough," Seryna warned. "Good luck."

As the group turned to look for an entrance they saw a large glass window. Two salarians were running from mechs.

"Shit, they're going after the workers!" Jane cried.

"Grunt, make an opening!" John ordered and the krogan laughed before he broke through the glass. "Jane!"

"On it!" she roared as she sent a throw, she tossed both the mechs, but missed the Fenris models. Grunt took one out while Mordin went after the other. Grunt was laughing maniacally as he lifted the mech up and tossed it down the empty space in the center of the building. Jane quickly ran to check on one of the shot salarians. He was dead, they moved towards an alcove to see another salarian. Mordin quickly applied first aid.

"Who turned on the mechs? And why?" John asked as the salarian took a few breaths.

"We're just night workers! Nassana...sent them after us..." he explained and Jane made a fist. "She sent the mechs to round us up, but we didn't hear. They just started shooting..."

"They just attacked you?" John growled as he helped the salarian up.

"Yes...we were too slow. It was horrible. Everyone...screaming... The mercs said there was no time. Nassana wanted us out of the way...immediately. Then they released the dogs...find the other workers. Help them!"

"How many mercs do we need to look out for?" Jane asked.

"A lot. Dozens of them were wandering around here all day. You'll find more the further up you go," the salarian explained.

"What the hell is Nassana thinking killing her own workers?" John muttered angrily.

"To her, we're expendable. But...I didn't realize she was that ruthless," the salarian said in bewilderment. "My friends...co-workers...slaughtered. They were jumping off ledges to escape the dogs..."

"We'll do what we can, get out of here," John said and the salarian nodded.

"Thank you," he said as he headed towards the panel they had broken in through.

They began to move through the incomplete building as soon as they entered the hallway they heard merc chatter.

"Jane, you take our six, Grunt, we stick to the front, Mordin, stay near Jane," John ordered and the team advanced. Jane tossed mechs while using her rifle to put holes in merc heads. John and Grunt rushed in, viciously taking out whatever stood between them and where they were going. The ample construction materials made it easy to advance and shoot from cover.

"This elevator isn't functioning, either it is off or it isn't finished," Jane reported.

"We will have to find the freight elevator," John sighed as they moved around to see a door open and a few mercs rush out. "That might be the way." They took the mercs out before opening the door and finding a ramp. As they reached the second floor there was a voice.

"I think he went in there," a man's voice said and Jane looked up, there was a massive vent.

"Well, go get him," a woman ordered.

"You go," the man scoffed.

"Get your ass in there. Nassana's not paying you to stand around," the woman barked.

"Fine..but I..." the man began before there was a sound of a struggle and the man cried out. Jane pushed Grunt back as a body dropped from the vent.

"We're close," John muttered as the group continued. Immediately there was another large number of mercs and mechs.

"Damn, Nassana definitely is worried about Thane," Jane muttered.

"Extreme caution. Most likely will believe we are the assassins," Mordin commented.

"Great, that will make things easier," John sighed as they fought.

"This elevator is working," Grunt commented as they cleared out the mercs from the floor.

"This door was locked from the outside," Jane muttered as she found a storage closet.

"Company," John cried as the elevator indicated it had arrived. A krogan and two vanguards exited the elevator and Jane made sure to use warps and singularities to break through the three's armor.

"This is why I fight for you, Shepards, good enemies," Grunt laughed as Jane went to the closet and Mordin was quick to disengage the lock.

"Please...don't kill us! We'll go...we'll go..." a salarian cried holding up his hands. The group put away their weapons.

"Hey, look...they're not Eclipse," another salarian commented. "You're here to help us...right?"

"One of your coworkers asked us to help," Jane said and the salarian's eyes widened. "You're Jane Shepard!" Jane nodded. "Nassana's done it this time, the Council is after her."

"Not quite," Jane said. "I'm after the one going after her. Maybe you can help us find him?"

"We are in your debt. You might be looking for whoever sealed us in here..." the first salarian stated.

"When he found us, I thought we were dead. But he just closed the door and locked us in," the second commented.

"By locking you in, he was probably trying to keep you safe," Jane said.

"He's probably here for Nassana, she's got it coming," the second salarian sneered. "You treat people like this; it always comes back to bite you in the ass."

"We need to get up to the penthouse, any advice?" John asked.

"The cargo elevator is the only way up," the second salarian commented.

"They're still working up top. Watch your step; some of the walls aren't in, and it's a long way down," the first added.

"Cold too, I hate working there," the second sighed.

"You don't seem to like Nassana, why do you keep working for her?" Jane asked.

"We would quit if we could," the first sighed.

"But our contract keeps us stuck until the job's done. Quitting for any reason can be hazardous to your health," the second said and Jane made a fist again.

"We hear that anyone who leaves early tends to disappear. Probably just a rumor," the first said.

"But who wants to find out for sure?" the second cried.

"Did you see the one who locked you in? Do you know where he might've gone?" John asked.

"He's no salarian, I can tell you that. But I've got no idea where he went. Sorry," the second explained.

"If he's after Nassana, he'll be heading to the upper levels," the first said.

"Don't stay here long," John warned.

"It should be safer down on the lower floors, I would call it a day," Jane suggested.

"I was just thinking the same thing. Let's go, everybody," the first salarian said and the group began to leave. The second salarian stopped by the Shepards.

"Thank you. And tell your assassin to aim for her head...'cause she doesn't have a heart!" he hissed before running after his companions and the group headed for the elevator.

"He will probably beat us up," Jane said and John nodded.

~*TF*~

As they stepped off the elevator John saw an Eclipse Trooper talking on his comms with his back to the elevator. Shaking his head at the idiot's stupidity he drew his pistol and approached him quiet from behind.

"I haven't heard from Teams Four or Five. Don't worry, my team is always ready to go. I don't know where he is, not yet. Don't worry about it. We don't need any reinforcements. I'll take care of it. It's under control. I'll go down there myself." The merc was saying.

"Turn around, very slowly." John ordered softly. The trooper stiffened and turned around, dropping his fingers from his helmet.

"Damn it."

"Have you seen the assassin?" John demanded.

"Why are you looking for him? You're not one of Nassana's mercs. Who are you?" The Eclipse Trooper demanded.

"Answer our questions, and we'll let you go." Jane ordered.

"Look even if I knew where he was, I wouldn't tell you." The Eclipse Trooper said, crossing his arms over his chest stubbornly.

"Not the answer we're looking for." John growled at him.

"I've got nothing more to say to you. If you shoot me, my team's right through there…they'll be all over you." The trooper said smugly. John felt his temper spike and kicked the man in the stomach, tossing his screaming out the window. He holstered his pistol and drew his rifle as Jane stared at him.

"What?" John asked, seeing the surprised look on her face. "He wasn't going to talk and now he can't contact his men."

~*TF*~

The group slipped into the next room as Jane pocketed a datapad she found on the floor.

"He's all over the place," an Eclipse merc stated as she walked through the giant space.

"What do you mean?" Nassana's voice snarled over a comm.

"We've got reports of him on multiple levels. We think he's traveling through the ducts," the merc reported.

"I'm not paying you to think. Just find him. Now!" Nassana cried. Jane took aim with her sniper rifle.

"Come on. She'll be throwing us to the dogs next. What the..." the merc said as she saw Jane. The round went through her skull and the few mercs nearby rushed the group but were quickly put down.

"We have another locked closet," Jane muttered as they headed across the room. Mordin was quick to hack the lock. As the door opened they entered.

"Are you guys all right in here?" John asked only to find a salarian holding a gun in his face.

"Get back! Get back...I'll shoot." the salarian cried.

"Relax. We're here to help," Jane said gently, holding her hands up. The salarian was looked between the group.

"I don't want to hurt you...but I will. I said get back! I'll do it! Please...don't make me do it," he practically sobbed.

"What's your name?" John asked and the salarian stared at him.

"I...I'm Telon. Don't...come any closer," the gun moved back to John.

"Telon, I'm John Shepard. I don't work with the mercs, and I don't want to hurt you. I'm here to help," John said slowly approaching. The salarian stared at him with scared eyes.

"I...all right...here..." Telon said before handing John the gun. "I...don't feel so..." Telon dropped to the floor as another salarian rushed the group guns were brought up. The second salarian looked at them.

"Telon! He's my brother. I just want to see if he's all right. Are you the ones who...shot the merc?" he said, looking at the body in the opening of the room. The group looked at the body.

"Not us. Your brother didn't do it?" John asked.

"No. Telon was standing here with me," the second said.

"What happened, exactly?" Jane asked.

"The merc found us and shouted at us to move. We panicked, and he shouted more. I thought he was going to kill us...then...his head just exploded. Telon picked up the merc's gun, but we were too afraid to leave. Then you showed up," the salarian explained.

"A perfect headshot with no collateral damage. Impressive," Jane said from where she was squatting next to the body.

"How safe is the bridge?" John asked.

"The bridge is stable, but the wind's your real problem. If it doesn't throw you off, the mercs will definitely try. There's a lot of them out there," the salarian warned.

"There are still mercs up here. You should get to the lower levels," John said.

"No need to tell me. Telon...come on, get up," the salarian said, helping Telon to his feet.

"Can we go home now?" Telon asked.

"Yeah, we're getting out of here. Thank you," the other said as he helped Telon out.

The group moved to head up.

"Where is everyone? Will somebody give me a report!" Nassana cried over a speaker and Jane smirked as she touched the terminal. "It's about time! What's going on down there?"

"I'm afraid your men aren't able to respond, Nassana," Jane purred.

"Damn it!" Nassana cried.

~*TF*~

The entire bridge was a killing field. Rocket mechs, snipers trying to blow their heads off and constantly overlapping fire. John dared not use any grenades otherwise he might cause the entire thing to go crashing down. Luckily, he could help the others. Grunt roared as he charged down the bridge, drawing fire to him as he overclocked his shields. Mordin was practically flitting about the field, overloading mechs and incinerating mercs. Jane gave them as much cover as she could as she used her biotics to blast enemies off the bridge.

Then John saw his own opening. He charged right after Grunt, leaping up and stepping on the Krogan's hump. He jumped again and came crashing down feet first into a surprised vanguard behind their barricade. He blasted the others with his assault rifle. Their attentions split the Eclipse mercs couldn't decide who to focus on first. Jane and others stormed up taking them down as John finished the other vanguard off.

"Well that wasn't bad," Jane commented and John shot her a grin. Grunt came stomping over, laughing.

"We have to do that again, Commander!" he bellowed in joy and John shook his head in amusement.

"Objective ahead," Mordin noted gesturing towards the office doors. John nodded and replaced the heat sink in his rifle. They moved to the doors and Jane was the first one through.

"Shepard? Why would the Council want me dead?" Nassana exclaimed and her eyes got really big as John came into view. "I thought your brother was dead!"

"I got better." John drawled and Nassana winced.

"I'm not the one here to kill you." Jane said softly and Nassana scoffed.

"Don't patronize me, Shepard."

"Charming as ever," John muttered.

"I'm sure you find this all very ironic. First you take care of my sister, and now you're here for me." Nassana growled.

"You flatter yourself. We're not here for you." Jane sighed.

"What do you call this? You've practically destroyed my towers!" Nassana shouted and Jane shrugged.

"It doesn't change the fact that we're not looking for you," John said and Nassana frowned at them as he men spread out a bit.

"What the hell are you talking about? Is it credits? Is that what you want?" Nassana demanded. John saw dust drift down from the ceiling a few soft thumps echoed from the exhaust.

"What is it?" Nassana snapped to her men.

"I heard something." The lead merc said and she scowled.

"Damn it. Check the other entrances! You stay put!" Nassana ordered, jabbing at finger the Spectres. John watched as a drell, obviously Thane Krios, dropped from the vent and approached a merc from behind.

"When I'm finished dealing with this nuisance, you and I are going to..." Nassana trailed off as Thane quickly broke the merc's neck and punched another in the throat, making his windpipe collapse. "Who...?" Thane shot the last merc, knocked Nassana's gun away and pressed his to her stomach. He shot her and as Nassana tried to speak he gently laid her on her computer terminal and folded her hands atop the wound. He watched as she slowly slipped into unconsciousness and died, Thane brought his hands together to begin to pray.

"We were hoping to talk to you," John said after giving the drell a few minutes to pray.

"I apologize, but prayers for the wicked must not be forsaken." Thane said, opening his eyes and looking at the Spectres as he lowered his hands.

"Do you really think she deserves it?" Jane asked and Thane titled his head, looking intently at them as he walked around the desk, holstering his gun.

"Not for her. For me." Thane explained and John blinked at that. "The measure of an individual can be difficult to discern by actions alone. Take you, for instance. All this destruction...chaos. I was curious to see how far you'd go to find me. Well...here I am."

"How did you know we were coming at all?" John asked.

"I didn't. Not until you marched in the front door and started shooting." Thane explained. "Nassana had become paranoid. You saw the strength of her guard force. She believed one of her sisters would kill her. You were a valuable distraction."

"Not our actual purpose." Jane said with a sigh.

"I needed a diversion; you needed to speak with me. You certainly fulfilled your end of the bargain. What would you like to discuss?" Thane asked.

"Someone's been abducting entire human colonies. We're going to stop them. We already know the culprits...a race called the Collectors." John explained and Thane nodded.

"I've heard of them. Attacking the Collectors would require passing through the Omega 4 relay. No ship has ever returned from doing so." Thane noted.

"They told us it was impossible to get to Ilos, too." Jane noted and Thane nodded, focusing on the windows and the view.

"A fair point." He concede. "You Shepards have built both your careers on performing the impossible." He was quiet for a moment, obviously thinking. He glanced at them and sighed. "This was to be my last job. I'm dying. Low survival odds don't concern me. The abduction of your colonists does."

"I hadn't heard that. Is there anything we can do?" John asked, genuinely surprised.

"Giving me this opportunity is enough. The universe is a dark place. I'm trying to make it brighter before I die. Many innocents died today. I wasn't fast enough, and they suffered. I must atone for that. I will work for you Shepards. No charge." Thane said offering his hand. John shook it with a smile.

"Welcome to the team, Mr. Krios."

~*TF*~

Belle Note: In serious reference to the author's notes last chapter, I do like Thane. I actually played through ME3 first with my true-to-Kaidan Shepard because I was so certain Bioware was going to write awesome love triangles...I was not right on that... so when Thane died in ME3 I thought it was because he was not romanced. I was significantly devastated when I played my Thane romance character and all I got was a lousy "Let's go somewhere else" with no sexy cut scene and then my sexy assassin got murdered. Let me say...fuck the writer who came up with that shit. Needless to say when Kai Leng shows up in Twin Fates, I will give him the treatment brought upon him by my own broken heart from what my poor Thane-Romanced Shepard went through.

Toby Note: God damn do you know how hard it was for me to write this chapter? I mean seriously, Belle laid some heavy duty guilt on me to work on it. I texted her for inspiration and I got strong arm tactics. She even got Gendo to hold a gun to kitten who told me to work on the chapter or the kitten got it! Ugh, I'm going to bed. I'll work on 19…eventually.

~*TF*~

OMAKE 1

"What was the name of the ship she left on?" Samara said as she caught the asari's neck with her heeled boot.

"I need armor like that," Jane muttered.

"Think you could fill that top, Shepard?" Garrus asked and Jane looked down at her chest and then up at Samaras before punching Garrus in the gut.

"Like you're ever going to see them now!" Jane growled.

OMAKE 2

Meanwhile, during the first night at Liara's apartment between missions, repetitive male grunts of exertion and the bed creaking sound out in the night…

"Oh yeah that's it, keep going, right there, right there~, yes, yes, YES!"

Liara let out a scream of ecstasy as her biotics explode outward blowing the windows out of the apartment.

"Oh wow…"

"Ah…you're welcome."

"I have to admit, with those cybernetic upgrades you can really…wait, where is your prophylactic?"

"I thought Asari used your minds, you actually need them?"

"What did you think I meant when I said wear protection!"

"I'm wearing my armor!"

OMAKE 3

"You're right. You gave us a chance by saving the colony. I can't let them down. I won't." she said. She smiled softly and turned her head just a bit. "And thank you for what you've done here, Shepard. I'll keep doing what I can. Maybe some time when I'm not organizing the colony and you're not...doing whatever you do..."

"Sadly, I'm taken." John demurred and Shiala shifted her eyes and John realized a moment too late she had been looking past him not at him.

"I wasn't talking to you." Shiala said and Jane made a startled sound in the back of her throat as Shiala stroked her shoulder as she walked by.

As Shiala walked away Jane curled up in the fetal position and began rocking back and forth.

"Not my brain again...no means no..." she wept.

"God damn it, Jane, not this again!" John groaned.

OMAKE 4

"Spectre Shepards! I...I don't suppose you'd remember me. I'm Shiala. We met on Feros during the geth attacks." A green asari called, John focused on her as did the others and blinked. A…green asari?

"ExoGeni promised to take care of Feros, it was a massive PR move." Jane said, focusing on the newcomer. She blinked as she noticed the young toddler asari, also green in color with slight red marking on her crest, held by Shiala. "And who is that?"

"Ah, well you see when we last met I may have gone too deep into the meld on Feros," Shiala said slightly in embarrassment. "I had tried to contact you Jane to explain the situation but you hadn't returned my calls."

John, Garrus and Tali, all of their eyes wide in shock, were all watching this exchange, looking back and forth between the female Spectre who was slowly turning stark white and the sheepish green Asari.

"So she's my-"

"Yes."

John burst into laughter which Tali and Garrus joined shortly.

"I have to tell everyone!" John said creating an e-mail on his omni-tool and addressing it to Liara, the Normandy crew, the Council and the Alliance News Network.

Jane's eyes rolled up into her head and she fell backwards in a dead faint.