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.

23. Chapter 22

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: Sorry about the delay on this chapter guys, I just could not get going on this. But after a nice vacation, I came back typing away.

Toby's Note: I think it's worth the wait though. I hope you guys enjoy, I know I did reading it the first time Belle sent it to me to add to it.

Chapter 22: Just...Look at the Flowers

Earth Date: March 15th, 2186 CE

Location: Normandy SR-2, Omega Orbit

"Approaching Omega dock," Joker said as Jane and John stood on deck.

"Are you sure you don't want help?" John asked and Jane shook her head.

"We need to confirm that Morinth is here first, I figure Samara and I can stop by and talk to Aria, then we can plan an attack," she explained and John made a face. "Aria trusts me more than you at this point."

"I can't say I like that either," he replied, crossing his arms.

"John, Samara needs this done. Could you see what you can find out about the facility on Pragia?" Jane asked and he nodded. "This will be easier with a small team, plus...I'm going to let Samara make the final calls on...this." John sighed but uncrossed his arms to place a hand on his sister's shoulder.

"This bugs you, are you sure you don't want me to step in?" he asked and Jane shook her head.

"Yeah, it bugs me, but something like this should bug me. But I accepted Samara's oath, she deserves to have help when she asks, so I'm going to do this," Jane said, patting her brother's hand on her shoulder.

"EDI, ping Aria T'Loak and let her know I'll be stopping by," Jane sighed before pressing her comm. "Samara, we're here."

"Be right there, Shepard," Samara responded.

"Let me know if you need back up," John said before turning to head deeper into the Normandy and Jane nodded. Joker brought the Normandy to dock as Samara appeared. Jane nodded at the Justicar in greeting who returned it.

"I would make a joke about a wretched hive of scum and villainy, but that's beneath me," Joker said and Jane sighed as the airlock door began to cycle open.

~*TF*~

"A jungle planet? Better than an ice planet," John noted as he reviewed the data on the planet with Jacob and Miranda in his cabin. The trio were sitting on his couches as he tapped away at the pad in his hands and frowned as he read some stats. "The surrounding vegetation has a growth rate of two hundred and ten percent? That's accurate?!"

"Apparently Pragia has very little in the way of animal life so the plants have evolved in some surprising ways. There is competition among the species for space and they even kill rival species." Miranda noted. "Construction records indicated they had to use flame units hourly to keep the construction site clear of vegetation. The landing pad is on the roof to avoid shuttles getting clogged with vegetation and having the pad getting over grown."

"I should recommend this planet to the Alliance for the N5 survival training option. Oh, and someone released varren which have thrived on the planet. Of course they have," John grumbled and Miranda couldn't help smiling at the tone in John's voice. "I'm certain some have moved into the facility since it was shutdown. Do we have security codes for the facility?" The question was directed to Jacob who hadn't said anything so far. After continued silence John looked up to find Jacob staring mutely at the wall, deep in thought and not at his datapad.

"Jacob!" John barked to get the man's attention and the Cerberus soldier jerked and focused back on John. "Do we have the security codes for the Pragia facility?"

"Uh…" Jacob scrolled through his own files on Pragia and nodded after he found what he was looking for. "Yes, yes we do. However it's more than likely they changed them after they went rogue."

"Still it's better than nothing," John said, staring at Jacob as he spoke who winced at John leveled but intense look. "Anything else we need to know about the facility?"

"No Spectre, not at this time," Jacob replied and John stared at him for another moment before breaking the look to focus on Miranda.

"Provided this errand for Samara doesn't take us away from Omega have EDI and Joker plot a flight plan for Pragia."

"Yes sir," Miranda replied and John nodded.

"Meeting adjourned." As they gathered their data pads and stood to leave John stood himself and fixed Jacob with another look. "Stay for a minute Jacob." After Miranda left the cabin John headed for his coffee maker and slid his cup under for a refill.

"Want one?" John asked and Jacob shook his head. John hummed and waited for the cup to fill. After it was done he turned to Jacob who was watching him with trepidation. "What's going on Jacob? You've been distracted for the past few days."

"Spectre, I'm sorry I'm unfocused," Jacob replied instantly. "It's a personal matter, it won't affect my duties."

"Bullshit it already has," John countered. "Ignoring today's meeting earlier this morning during sparring I almost dislocated your elbow because you were distracted and when we were taking on supplies after Jane and Samara left you didn't show to check the cargo. From Omega of all places. If Garrus hadn't have been there who would have checked the cargo? Didn't Cerberus assign you as Chief of Security on this ship?" John questioned.

"Sir, yes, Sir!" Jacob replied and John scowled at him.

"If it affects my crew and this ship it is my business," John said and sighed before shaking his head. "Jacob, I realize we're not friends but you're a damn good officer. This kind of thing is so out of the norm for you, of course I would notice. Now what's wrong?"

"Sir, I don't want to distract from our mission, especially if it turns out to be nothing," Jacob began but seemed to steel himself. "But, well I got pinged by a ghost the other day. Family."

"Nothing about family is a waste of time," John replied, leaning back against his desk. "Fill me in. Who's the ghost?"

"My father was first officer on a ship that went missing ten years ago. I hadn't talked to him for three years prior to its disappearance. The ship, the Hugo Gernsback, sent out an SOS last week reporting a crash and request for rescue," Jacob said and John gave a low whistle. "Just like that, out of the black. I'm not even certain it wasn't just some automated distress signal ticking over."

"I can understand your distraction now. Were any rescue teams sent to find him and the crew?" John asked and Jacob shook his head no, scowling. "Well, do you want us to take a look at the wreck? See if it's legit?"

"If it's not too far out of our way, I could at least verify the wreck. See if there is someone actually out there," Jacob asked and John nodded.

"I'll have EDI plot the coordinates and after we deal with Jack, we'll take a fly by," John said. "I have no problem getting you answers, Jacob."

"I appreciate that, John," Jacob noted but his scowl deepened. "I should mention that I don't keep a watch for this kind of thing. This was sent to my personal account, past Cerberus filters."

"Well, that's not concerning," John noted sarcastically. "Any indication someone is screwing with you?"

"Whoever sent this my way covered their tracks. EDI couldn't track down the point of origin. It's as if it just wrote itself. It could be someone fishing for favors or trying to get an in on this," Jacob noted.

"Or setting a trap for us," John sighed. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Jacob. I promise."

"I appreciate that sir."

~*TF*~

"I really didn't think we would ever see so much of each other, Shepard," Aria purred and Jane fought the urge to roll her eyes as she sat down, Samara sat beside her, away from Aria.

"Who knows, Omega seems a fun place," she replied and Aria smirked at that.

"What do you need?" she asked.

"An asari fugitive hiding out here. She's an Ardat-Yakshi. We need to find her," Jane explained. Aria's face went dark on that, angry.

"I knew it. Nothing leaves a body quite so...empty...as an Ardat-Yakshi does," she said.

"It bothers you. How come you haven't moved on this yet?" Jane asked, honestly shocked, Aria clearly didn't like what was going on, but hadn't done anything to stop it.

"Why would I? She hasn't tried to seduce me," Aria said, the old tone of superiority reappearing in her voice. "Her last victim was a young girl. Pretty thing. Lived in the tenements near here. That's where I'd start looking." Aria was looking away, but Jane could see the machinations at work. She would probably take credit for removing Morinth, play it off that she had hired Jane and Samara. Jane shook her head, this wasn't about credit, it was about Samara and doing the right thing.

"Thanks for the information," Jane said.

"Good luck finding her. Better luck catching her," Aria said as the two walked out.

"She is less than pleasant," Samara said and Jane nodded.

"However, she has her own code, she wants us to find Morinth and stop her, even if she wasn't actively working on it yet," Jane explained.

Shortly thereafter the two women approached the door at the address Aria had given them. Jane hated to give death notifications, this was not going to be any easier than that. The door opened and an older human woman in drab colors opened the door. She looked sad, but not surprised.

"Are you here about my daughter? My Nef died a week ago, and no one seems to care," she said and Jane's heart ached. "The medic said it was a brain hemorrhage, but that's not true. It was murder. Someone killed my Nef, my baby."

"We think she was murdered, too, and we're looking for her killer," Jane said and with those words the woman opened the door and grabbed Jane's shoulders, tears started streaming from her eyes.

"Oh, thank you! It's so hard when no one believes you. I'm all alone now!" the woman sobbed and Jane slowly helped the woman into her home, Samara following and closing the door behind them. The woman looked at Jane as she helped her onto the sofa, sitting next to her. "Are you...one of Aria's people?" Jane looked at the woman.

"I'm here to help. You're not the only mother who lost a child to this monster, but I aim to make sure this stops," Jane said and the woman nodded.

"No one else on this hell-hole station gives a damn that my Nef is dead. If you can do something about it, I'll help you however I can," Nef's mother said.

"What kind of a girl was Nef?" Jane asked and the woman squeezed her hand.

"My Nef had a fire inside her. She was shy, but she was creative and driven, and...the best girl a mother could hope for."

"She was creative? How so?" Samara asked.

"She was a sculptor. Several galleries were interested in her, said her work was fresh," she said.

"Did your daughter have a lot of friends?" Jane asked, hoping for someone who knew where Morinth might have found Nef.

"Not a lot, no. She was shy. Spent most of her time off making her sculptures, not hanging out with friends. Something did change in the last few weeks, though. She started talking about an asari. Morinth," Nef's mother explained.

"I see," Samara said, her eyes locking with Jane's. Nef had been murdered and Samara would seek justice for it.

"I didn't like her. She kept dragging Nef out to clubs, and I'm pretty sure she gave my daughter drugs," she said, bitterness seeping into her voice.

"What kind of person was this Morinth?" Jane asked and Nef's mother looked sad again.

"I never met her, but Nef talked about her like she was a queen. You'd swear there was no one else alive when she talked about Morinth," she said, bitter sorrow clear.

"That sounds familiar," Samara said and Jane felt rage.

"Samara, does Morinth control her victims with drugs?" Jane asked.

"She controls them through sheer will. The drugs are just a lifestyle. She loves the club, loves the bass. She's a hedonist," the justicar explained and Nef's mother looked more upset.

"So this Morinth did hurt my daughter? Is she the one that...that...?" she gasped.

"I will bring justice to the one that did this," Samara swore and Jane nodded.

"We swear to you: Neff will rest easy soon," Jane said and Nef's mother looked stronger, harder. The people on Omega weren't easily broken, Jane hoped she had some of that tenacity in her.

"I hope so. I hope so. Oh, my baby," she sobbed and Jane quickly tried to distract the woman.

"Did Nef hang out anywhere in particular?" she asked.

"She was always quiet, working here at home. Then, a few weeks ago, she started going out all the time, to the VIP area of that club down the street. I think you need a password or something to get in there," she said and Jane nodded. The VIP room of Afterlife did require a password, she would hate having to ask Aria, but she might be able to get it from her for an easy trade. "The change was so sudden, she just seemed...tired and distracted when she wasn't around Morinth." Jane took Nef's mother's hand.

"Do you mind if we examine Nef's room?" she asked.

"I didn't want to disturb anything. Her clothes, her art, her sculptures. Everything is the way she left it. The way it will always be. My baby is gone. She's gone, and..." as the mother grieved Jane remembered seeing her mother's body, the burning remains of her father, and waking up, knowing she and John were going to be separated. The sorrow had been chased from her by the training and new life, but this woman..she was entombing herself with the memory of her lost daughter. As the tears flowed from Nef's mother's eyes, Jane wrapped her in her arms and hugged tightly. Jane wasn't a mother, but she was an orphan of violence, she knew the emptiness that a murder could take in a human heart and she also knew it was harder to lose a child than a parent on the human psyche. Nef's mother hugged Jane back for a moment and pulled back slowly. "Thank you. I'm sorry. I just miss her so much." Jane kept a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"It's okay. We've all suffered loss," she said as Samara approached.

"I know what it means to lose a daughter. I will avenge her," Samara said and Jane knew Samara was mentally preparing to kill said daughter. Nef's mother nodded.

"Thank you. Please, if it helps you find her killer, look through her things," she said.

"We will be respectful," Samara said and the group walked into a small side room. Jane approached a strange sculpture, it was well made, but it was the modern art stuff that Jane just didn't get.

"Nef made that. A man from some gallery offered me four years' salary for it. But I'd never part with it," Nef's mother said and Jane saw how much it meant to her. Jane found a note pad and opened the audio file.

"Nef, I'm sending you this hologram by the elcor artist Forta. His work is sublime...but don't stare at it too long, or you may go mad. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, love. Can't wait to hear what you think of Forta," a voice spoke happily, but from the tightening of Samara's eyes, Jane knew who it was. Morinth played with Nef like a cat with a mouse...calling her 'love,' Jane felt her killing intent rise, she closed her eyes before finding Nef's journal. The girl on the holo looked like an artist. She had snuck into the VIP room and met a monster. Morinth had seduced Nef, played her like an instrument, used Hallex and giving Nef the idea that they could live like the women from Vaenia.

"This is Morinth's work. She is attracted to artists and creators. Someone with a spark, slightly isolated from their peers. She impresses with sophistication and sex appeal. Then she strikes. The hunt interests her as much as the conquest," Samara explained, clearly holding her emotions in check.

"Anyone who's successfully hunted sapient beings for 400 years warrants caution," Jane growled.

"Morinth speaks to you on many levels. Her body tells yours that she'll bring unimaginable ecstasy. Her scent evokes emotions long hidden. Her eyes promise you things you were always scared to ask of another. Her voice whispers to you after she is done speaking," Samara warned and Jane smirked, her killing intent bared in her eyes.

"Too bad for Morinth, I've never really been into asari, especially not a genetically defected killer who steals children from their mothers," Jane said and Samara regarded her for a moment.

"Storming her den would be a mistake...she will have a hundred escape routes planned. She will go to ground and disappear for fifty years or more. This is the closest I've ever been," Samara explained. Jane stared at her thoughtfully.

"So...we have to lure her out," Jane said, Samara nodded.

"Exactly! Shepard, you read my mind," she said. "Afterlife's VIP section seems her preferred hunting ground. You must go there alone and unarmed." Jane nodded.

"She'll come after me..." Jane thought.

"You can draw Morinth out. She'll certainly flee if she catches sight of me. But she won't be able to resist you," Samara explained. "You are an artist on the battlefield. You have the vital spark that attracts her. Your power will draw her in."

"I might not be able to if I'm unarmed. I have a reputation for being armed," Jane explained before a plan began to form.

"I will be in the shadows watching, Shepard. You will never be alone, this I swear. But you cannot barge in with guns and allies," Samara explained. "Morinth is far too cagey...she'd simply disappear. This is a subtle, delicate act. Trust me."

"If Morinth knows me, she will know I am always armed...but I think I have another option for us," Jane said and Samara stared at her. "How does Morinth like dancers?"

~*TF*~

"Hey He-Shep I need a favor," Kasumi said appearing right in front of John. John replied as any trained operative would when speaking with a trusted friend when someone suddenly appeared between them as they were intently discussing matters of the utmost urgency with the engineering crew.

"Holy hell!" John screamed, tumbling backwards over in his chair to go crashing to the deck as his cards and chips went flying into the air. His feet crashed into the folding table and would have sent it flying if Garrus hadn't have grabbed it. Gabby and Donnelly both burst into laughing as Tali glanced at John's scattered cards. A full house, jacks over threes. She had that beat, easily.

"Kasumi?" John asked after everything calmed down. He was still lying on the deck and was staring at the ceiling.

"Yes He-Shep?" she asked sweetly.

"Stop. Doing. That." John growled and she laughed lightly.

"Whatever you say He-Shep," she giggled and John rolled his eyes. He got up and glanced around for his cards and sighed when he saw them all face down on the deck. As he bent down to scoop them up, missing Tali's innocent pose, he glanced at Kasumi.

"What did you need?" he asked. Kasumi giggled.

"Can I use the makeup supplies Liara left in your bathroom cabinet?" Kasumi asked and John glared at her.

"Yes but one thing. Stop. Snooping." He growled and Kasumi shot him an innocent look.

"Who me? You mean your girlfriend didn't leave some things behind after she spent the night embracing eternity?" she said cheekily. His fellow poker players began to roar in laughter and John just scowled at them.

"Great it'll look great with Jane's dress!" Kasumi said her cloak activating again.

"Wait, what?!"

"By the way John I raise, four hundred." Tali piped in.

~*TF*~

"You look great, She-Shep!" Kasumi said with a giggle and Jane looked at herself in the mirror, Elaina Berger was back on Omega...who would have thought? "I'm glad you're making use of this get up."

"Well, I passed for her well enough," Jane said, fighting to keep the smirk off her face. "Samara will probably be looking for me."

"Are you sure you don't want a weapon?" Kasumi asked and Jane smiled before using her Omega accent.

"I'm good, with these looks I slay how I am," she said before she headed out of the hotel room and down to the VIP room where a turian bouncer gave her a once over.

"What do you want?" he demanded, his eyes lingering on the peek-a-boo panels over her waist.

"I'm just curious about the party over here," Jane said with a wink.

"This is the VIP section of the club. For those with the right name. Do you want something?" he barked, good bouncer, Aria knew how to hire those that did their jobs...or she killed them.

"Someone told me the rest of Afterlife is nothing compared to this place," Jane said.

"Sounds like a smart person. Who was it?" he asked.

"Jaruut," Jane replied, the turian nodded at the door.

"Go on in," he said and Jane smiled as she walked in. "Word to the wise: Start a fight, we'll hurt you. Someone attacks you, it's okay to defend yourself."

"Good to know, handsome," Jane said as she walked towards the interior door, she saw Samara behind some junk. She approached.

"An excellent disguise, you were not lying when you said you passed for another woman. You must go in alone...Morinth will be watching. Like any predator, she is cautious. You must pique her interest enough that she will approach you," Samara explained. "When you are face-to-face, subtly encourage her to invite you to her apartment. I'll follow discreetly and when you are alone, I'll spring the trap. Know this: until I get there, you are in great peril. She will be planning to inflict horror on you. If you are not careful, you will want her to."

"What can I do to earn her attention?" Jane asked.

"Courage or suicidal bravery could attract her. Hurt someone in defense, and she will be excited; but pick a fight, and she'll be bored," Samara explained. "Show skill at working smoothly through a nightclub crowd. She will be intrigued. She'll want you the moment she sees you. The rest is just a matter of overpowering her caution." Jane nodded before thinking.

"How can I convince her to take me home tonight? She worked Nef over time," Jane asked.

"She admires strength, directness, and vigor. Modesty, chivalry, or meekness frustrate and bore her. Violence excites her. You've killed, Shepard...let her see that in your eyes, she'll like that," Samara said and Jane nodded.

"Let's get started," Jane said and Samara stared at her with a strange look in her eyes.

"Shepard, we only get one chance at this. Any mistake, and Morinth will disappear. If you're the least bit unsure, come talk to me. I will wait here," Samara said and Jane nodded, as she was about to turn, Samara gripped her arm. "And Shepard...thank you. I do not share this burden easily, and you are the only soul I can imagine sharing it with." Jane stared into Samara's eyes and nodded. She turned to enter Afterlife's VIP and hopefully hunt a monster.

~*TF*~

As Jane walked through looking like a vixen on a hunt, a man approached her.

"Hey do you know where to get tickets for Expel 10? I heard this amazing asari say they were her favorite band...hey wait...have I seen you before?" he asked and Jane smiled.

"I used to be here a lot," Jane said with her Omega accent and his eyes widened as she turned to walk off. As she walked she noticed a man looking worried. "What's wrong, sugar, you look like you're not having a good time?" He stared at her and then the room again.

"Um...hi..." he said and then his voice went low. "I need help right now and I don't know who to ask. You're human and you don't look high so you're it. Can you help me out?" Jane blinked, he didn't sound like a nut or a con man.

"What kind of help do you need?" she asked.

"My friend Moirall is doing a piece on Omega gangs. She's hanging with Florit. He's the worst of the worst," the guy said.

"What is she doing?" Jane said, her eyes wide.

"A vid piece. She's an investigative reporter, you know. She's trying to profile gang leaders," he explained and Jane wanted to swear. Why did reporters always get themselves into this kind of trouble?

"Your friend could get hurt," Jane said and he nodded.

"Yeah, and she's going to. See, Florit's on to her. His gang is on the way here and they're going to make a mess out of her," he said as he leaned close to Jane. "I have to get a message to her and fast."

"You seem to have a lot of information," Jane said and he nodded.

"I'm her tech. I've been monitoring the gang's comm. The last transmission said Florit's going to splatter her. Lady, I'm a tech junkie, I don't know how to handle this!" he was on the edge of panic. Jane caught his shoulder.

"Don't worry, I've got you, Big Boy, just tell me what I need to do to help your friend," Jane said and his eyes spoke relief.

"She and I have a code. If you go over and say two words to Florit, my friend will get the message and get out. The two words are 'terminal' and 'eternity,' in that order. Please tell me you can do that. She's going to die!" Jane winked.

"Got it," she said as she headed over to a table he nodded to. A rough looking guy and a nicer looking girl were sitting together. The man noticed Jane and she smiled.

"You looking for something?" he barked and Jane nodded.

"Do you know if there's a public extranet terminal around here?" she asked and the guy gave her a look.

"In a club? You don't have an omnitool?" he asked.

"That is a pretty strange question," the woman said and Jane shrugged.

"I get by on public terminals. My omnitool's been broken for an eternity," Jane said with a sensual shrug. The woman's eyes widened slightly as Jane looked at the man.

"That's a tough break, I'm done talking with you now," the guy said.

"Hey Florit, I have to pee," the woman said, getting up.

"Yeah? Hurry back, Moirall, I'm ready to head out," Florit said. Jane shrugged and walked the opposite way of the woman. Jane headed up to the dance floor when she came across a turian harassing one of the dancers.

"Come on, baby. I can pay. I'm a good tipper, too," the turian purred at the asari. A familiar scene for Jane, like being back on Aria's dime. The asari wasn't pleased.

"I told you to stay away from me!" she snapped.

"Playing hard to get? Give it up baby. I'm sold," he purred and Jane was going to enjoy this.

"Leave me alone!" she cried as Jane stepped up.

"Don't be like that...I got creds. We'll go back to my place. I got simple tastes," the turian said, not noticing Jane as she slunk up behind him.

"Back off, asshole. I'm a dancer, not a hooker," she cried, pushing him away.

"You got a mouth on you! I'll enjoy watching you use it," he said as he grabbed her and Jane caught his arm.

"The lady asked you to step away," she purred and the two looked at her. The asari's face broke in shock.

"Elaina Berger? You're the Elaina Berger!" she gasped and Jane winked.

"You can take the dancer off of Omega, but you can't take Omega out of the dancer," Jane giggled and the asari grinned.

"You or her, honey, I'm not picky," the turian said, his other hand grabbing at Jane and with practiced ease, Jane used his grip to pull him off balance before kicking him once in the gut before doing an artful twist and kicking him in the jaw, throwing him spinning off the floor.

"Unfortunately for you, I am," Jane said with a flick of her extensions. The asari grinned.

"Thanks for that. Security was asleep," she said and Jane winked.

"Aren't they always?" she laughed and the asari giggled before walking off. Jane watched her go, trying to look more like she was appraising the girl before she began to move with the music. She noticed another asari giving her the eye.

"Hey," the other asari said and Jane smiled.

"I'll dance next to you. If you want to think we're dancing together, go ahead," she purred as she began to make her biotics flicker around her like she did while working the club undercover. The light making her glimmer like she was underwater.

"I do want to think that," the asari laughed. Jane and the asari began to dance together, Jane letting her biotics flicker over the asari as they moved to the music. It looked good and Jane kept going for a few songs before she headed to the bar. As she walked passed a corner an asari in black seemed to materialize. That was disconcerting.

"My name is Morinth. I've been watching you. You're the most interesting person in this place," she said and Jane felt like prey suddenly. It wasn't a good feeling and she smiled her best, dancer smile at Morinth. "I've got a booth over here in the shadows. Why don't you come sit with me?"

"Sure, you seem...intriguing," Jane said, letting her eyes play over Morinth like she had seen men do while she danced on this very floor. The booth was secluded, Jane settled down, sprawling in a way that made her seem relaxed as she took in Morinth. The girl looked so much like her mother it was scary.

"Some nights I come here and there's no one interesting to talk to. Some nights, there's just one person," Morinth said. "Tonight, it's you. Why is that?" Morinth was staring at her and for a moment Jane wondered if she saw through the ruse, but instead she looked over Morinth. She leaned on the table, her chin resting on her intertwined fingers as if she was thinking.

"You and I want the same things," Jane said with a smile.

"Do we?" Morinth asked and Jane looked at her, tilting her head to the side slightly.

"I've travelled all over the galaxy," Jane said.

"It changes you, doesn't it?" Morinth purred and Jane nodded with a dreamy look on her face.

"I love finding and opening new sectors of space," she said.

"Discovering another ball of gas with bits of cold, dead rock around it?" Morinth said in a dull tone and Jane laughed.

"I was thinking more about how each new system holds a chance to meet new cultures, learn a new way to see the universe," Jane said with a coy laugh and Morinth's eyes glowed at that.

"Breathtaking," she said as she looked over Jane in a way that made Jane feel edible and not in the sexy fun time way. "When I travel, I find myself drawn to dark, dangerous places." Jane let her killing intent seep into her eyes.

"Violent places?" she asked and Morinth looked pleased.

"Violence is the surest expression of power," she said.

"If you're the strongest, you have the power," Jane replied and Morinth smirked.

"That's certainly true...among children," she stated and Jane tilted her head slightly.

"Whoever wants it the most, is willing to do anything for it, has the power," Jane stated, playing with a nearby glass.

"Are you willing to do anything for it?" Morinth challenged and Jane turned her eyes towards Morinth.

"I haven't decided yet," she said flippantly with a smirk. Morinth grinned at that, looking pleased.

"Now you're toying with me," she said and Jane grinned.

"You know anything about art?" she asked.

"It speaks to the darkest places in me. What about you?" Morinth asked and Jane smirked, looking like she was toying with an idea.

"You wouldn't happen to know about the artist, Forta, would you?" she asked and Morinth's eyes shone.

"I didn't think anyone around here knew him. He's sublime. Art comes in many varieties. I've seen vids that were more powerful than a sculpture sitting in a gallery," she sighed and Jane nodded in agreement.

"Do you know Vaenia?" she asked and Morinth smirked.

"My favorite. The two actresses on it are so glamorous," she said and Jane nodded.

"Doesn't truly fit a place like this sometimes," Jane commented. "What do you think about the music here?"

"Dark rhythms, violent pulses. It stirs something primitive in me. What about you?" Morinth asked.

"I prefer Expel 10, but this isn't bad," Jane said and Morinth's smile was obvious.

"They get in my head and tear it to pieces. They're in concert soon; maybe we should go together. You can lose yourself in the music here. There are ways to enhance that. You know?" Morinth was probing and Jane leaned forward more.

"Hallex is probably the best, don't you think?" Jane said and Morinth grinned more.

"Do you want to get out of here? My apartment is nearby, and I want you alone," she said. Jane felt a flutter of fear. Jane was a killer, but so was Morinth and she had centuries more experience at it than Jane. Still, Samara was watching Jane's back as she flicked her eyes up to look at Morinth.

"That sounds fun," Jane said, letting Morinth take the lead. As she followed, Morinth eventually wrapped an arm around Jane's waist. It made Jane feel dirty, she wished she had a weapon, but she would do this. She pressed her body into Morinth's side like someone looking forward to a night of easy sex...not that Jane had a lot of experience with that.

~*TF*~

They entered Morinth's apartment and Jane began looking around, Morinth slowly slipping from her side to let her explore. Jane saw a pill bottle, but was fully aware when Morinth locked the door behind her, hopefully Samara could get through that.

"Have a Hallex if you want, but wouldn't you rather have all your sense be clear and sharp right now? I certainly do," Morinth purred and Jane couldn't help but hearing the threat in those words. Jane moved to look at a sword hanging on the wall. "I was into dueling for a while. I love the moment you see it in your opponent's eyes: he knows you're better and he's going to die." Jane felt fear and she wondered who would have that look in their eyes. Her or Morinth.

"Can I look up here?" Jane asked and Morinth grinned more.

"Feel free," she said as Jane moved upstairs to kill time, give Samara the time needed to find them. Jane looked at the Krogan statue. "A gift from a suitor. The statue's got more personality than he did. Still, he impressed me enough that he finally got what he wanted. It didn't end the way he hoped." Poor Nef probably never understood the meaning behind Morinth's stories. Jane did as she moved towards a chess set. "I love any game where your opponent can believe he is about to win...just before you kill him." Jane hoped Morinth enjoyed this last game. She headed down to where Morinth was sitting on a couch. Jane slide as sensually into her seat as she could.

"I love clubs...people, movement, heat. I can still hear the bass, like the drums of a great hunt, out for your blood," she purred. "But here, it's muted...and you're safe. Is that what you want, Elaina?" Jane shrugged as she looked at Morinth.

"People feel safest right before they die," Jane replied and Morinth's gaze was intense on her.

"It's true, we're never safe," she said. "I've never understood the fascination with safety. Some of us choose differently. Independence over submission. I think we share that, you and I." Morinth moved to sit in Jane's lap and Jane was disgusted as she looked into the face of Nef's killer.

"We've both killed many times, but that's where the similarities end," Jane said and Morinth's eyes widened.

"Why do you say that I've killed? What do you know? Let's stop playing games," she hissed as she sat down next to Jane. Her eyes turned black and Jane felt disgust. "Look into my eyes and tell me you want me. Tell me you'd kill for me. Anything I want."

"Don't count on it," Jane stated and Morinth seemed shocked for a moment.

"But you..who are you? Oh, no...I see what's going on. The bitch herself found a little helper," Morinth's eyes went normal as she realized the truth just as Samara entered the room, biotics glowing.

"Morinth!" Samara cried in a tone befitting a mother before she threw Morinth into the window, fracturing it with the force.

"Mother," Morinth sneered.

"Do not call me that!" Samara ordered, slamming Morinth into the window again and Jane moved to the side of the battling asari.

"I can't choose to stop being your daughter, Mother," Morinth shot back.

"You made your choice long ago," Samara said and Jane quickly put up a shied as Morinth broke free.

"What choice?" Morinth demanded. "My only crime was being born with the gifts you gave me." Furniture flew and biotic power filled the room. Jane was in awe.

"Enough, Morinth!" Samara called...perhaps begged.

"I am the genetic destiny of the asari," Morinth cried as the two asari showed they were evenly matched. "But they are not ready to reveal this, so I must die." Furniture floated around the two.

"You are a disease to be purged, nothing more," Samara said. Morinth's eyes flickered to Jane.

"I'm as strong as she is...let me join you!" Morinth cried and it made Jane sick to think of working with the monster. Without thinking Jane was behind Morinth, her head between her hands.

"Find peace in the embrace of the goddess," Jane said and both Morinth and Samara's eyes widened as with a swift, biotic aided jerk, Morinth's neck snapped in Jane's grasp, twisting her head nearly completely around. The botics dropped and Samara stood there as Jane lowered Morinth's body to the ground. "I'm sorry, I just didn't want you to have the burden of her death on your hands." Samara stared at Jane for a moment before turning.

"I am ready to leave this place and get on with my life," she said, looking at Jane over her shoulder. "Are you ready to go, as well?"

"Do...do you want to talk about what happened?" Jane asked.

"Shepard. What do you think I will say? What can I say? I just watched the death of the bravest and smartest of my daughters. There are no words. I will try another time. For now, show more mercy on a broken old warrior and let us leave," she said and Jane nodded as she indicated that Samara go first. She followed the justicar in silence, unsure what to do, unsure if she did the right thing. Jane moved slowly and lost sight of Samara long before she reached the Normandy. As she entered the ship and she went by the CIC, she saw the elevator was already on its way down and she rubbed an arm. When the doors opened, they revealed Garrus walking out and Jane pushed him back in, sending the elevator down.

"EDI, halt the elevator between floors for a moment," Jane said.

"Wait, what?" Garrus cried as the elevator stopped and Jane hugged him. He seemed surprised but wrapped his arms around her. His armor was hard against her body, the smell of the oil he used on his gun, the sound of his breathing and the movement of his mandibles in surprise. One arm wrapped around her back, resting on her waist, a bold move for a turian male. The other gently cupped her head, trying to stroke her hair.

"You okay, Jane?" Garrus asked and she took a deep breath. The smell of his skin, that strange alien scent that just smelled like home right then.

"I killed Samara's daughter so she didn't have to," Jane said and Garrus made a noise of understanding. "Did I do that right thing?" Garrus pressed his face to the top of her head.

"I don't know if you did the right thing...but I think I would have done the same thing." he said and Jane smiled against his chest as she opened her eyes, looking at his damaged armor.

"I'm glad you're here," Jane said and he made a laughing sound.

"I'm glad I am too," he said and she pulled back and looked at him. She cupped his cheek.

"Thank you, Garrus," she said and his eyes stared into hers, she felt herself falling into them, their faces moving closer together.

"Spectre Shepard, your brother requests you 'play sucky face' with your 'alien boy toy' in your own room and stop blocking the elevator," EDI's voice called and Jane and Garrus pulled away from each other. Jane remembered how many times John made her consider fratricide before he got spaced.

"You can let us off EDI," Jane said and Garrus coughed nervously. "Sucky face just means kissing by the way."

"OH!" Garrus said and Jane sighed as the doors opened.

"Thank you," John said.

"Long, bad day, John...your timing, as always, was not great," Jane said as she headed to her room to get her bathing supplies to banish Elaina Berger away again.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: March 18th, 2186 CE

Location: Normandy SR-2, In Transit to planet Pragia

"We doing okay Joker?" John asked the pilot who nodded.

"We'll be at Pragia in two days, Shepard," Joker replied. "I also have the coordinates of the Hugo Gernsback SOS signal. It's just a two day jaunt as well from Pragia."

"Excellent, let me know if anything comes up." John said turning away from Joker to head for his console by the CIC. He went through some of the messages on the terminal, dumping spam messages and flagging others for review.

"Commander, Miranda requested you meet with her this morning for some housekeeping items," Kelly chimed in from her own console as she was writing a report. John glanced at his own terminal and saved his work.

"Thanks Kelly, I'll go see to that now," he told the Yeoman. He headed for Miranda's quarters and hit the chimed asking for entry. A moment later the doors slid open and John strolled in. Miranda's desk was near the corner letting her have a view of the observation window and her bed was in the corner on the opposite side of the room, also taking advantage of the room.

"Please have a seat John," Miranda said, waving him to one of the chairs in front of her desk. "I just have to finish this report from the Illusive Man." John took a seat and looked around as he waited.

"Taking advantage of Jane throwing you out?" John noted thinking about the window and Miranda sighed.

"As much as I can but I still miss having my bed in its own room." Miranda commented as she closed the file she was reading. "There are just couple of things the Illusive Man wanted me to speak to you about."

"I'll bet but go ahead. I'm listening," John said and Miranda sighed in relief.

"Thank you John, it makes it easier for me if I can tell him I was able to talk to you about it," Miranda said. "The first is he requests you again reconsider the access you are giving Jane to the ship and records and if you would consider giving her an armed escort."

"No. Next," John said annoyed. John had just been deleting those requests with no response and apparently Mr. Illusive as trying a different tactic.

"I thought as much," Miranda mused. She consulted a list and nodded before checking something off and turning back to John. "He also said that he would not authorize the purchase of a Mako class vehicle when you can retrieve the M-44 Hammerhead from the crash site of the survey ship Rosalie on Zeona."

"I've read the specs on that thing. It's maneuverability, firepower and self-repair systems are impressive but it has no kinetic shielding. That makes it absurdly vulnerable to troop armaments let alone anti-vehicle armaments." John retorted.

"Nevertheless he refuses to support the purchase of a Mako class vehicle. So unless you can afford one yourself I believe we're at a take it or leave it impasse," Miranda noted. John grunted not surprised. Well it was worth a shot and while he was pretty well off thanks to Jane and her investments, he didn't have a steady income to replace them. If he blew it all on a Mako he'd be broke and he didn't want to be a Spectre who relied on others to fund his activities.

"Schedule the Hammerhead for a pickup when we're in the area," John noted with a sigh and Miranda wrote it down.

"There's a lost Cerberus operative believed to be held in an Eclipse base on planet Lorek, in the Fathar system, Omega Nebula. The operative may have sensitive data that, if lost to Eclipse, could cause irreparable damage to Cerberus. It's been requested we rescue him," Miranda noted and John perked up at that.

"We'll see to that after the Hug Gernsback is dealt with. Next?"

"We have been sent several Cerberus prototype…"

~*TF*~

Jane looked at Samara's door, considering and then finally accepting the need to check on the justicar. She entered and Samara's biotics stopped as she got up.

"Morinth haunted my dreams and waking hours equally," Samara said before Jane could speak. Samara approached the window, looking out into space. "For the first time in 400 years, I am free. I am a ruined vessel of sorrow and regret, but I am free. I hold no guilt in my heart, I cannot describe this feeling."

"Was it worth it?" Jane asked, watching Samara's back. She turned with a peaceful look on her face.

"It was never a question of worth, but of need. I had to take the action I did. As did she. This was never a story that would have a happy outcome. But thank you, Shepard," Samara said and Jane's eyes widened. "I was prepared to kill my daughter for centuries, but I did not look forward to it, you removed that from me. I should be furious and insulted, but you did it to absolve me of her death. You took her life so that I would not have to." Jane nodded and looked down.

"How do you feel?" she asked, looking up at Samara under her eyelashes, humbled by the thanks of the justicar. Samara looked down.

"One of my daughters is dead. My hopes, my dreams were all bound up in my children. Still, my feelings have always come after my duty. The same is true of you," she said and Jane looked down at that.

"I don't want to live that way anymore," Jane said. "I put my feelings about my brother behind my duty and threw myself into it, forsaking the other people I cared about." Samara nodded.

"True, I have taken an oath for this, you have not," she said and they stood in silence for a moment.

"I'm sorry I killed your daughter," Jane said and Samara shook her head.

"She was a monster," Samara said and Jane looked up.

"She was, but she was still your daughter," Jane said and Samara nodded as she began to pace.

"She was the strongest and smartest. She would not accept the injustice thrust upon her. She fought to the end. I am so proud of her, Shepard," Samara confessed and Jane was confused.

"But you became a justicar to kill her," Jane said and Samara nodded.

"And I would again. But I also know what it means to leave everything behind and fight," Samara said. "Do you realize that she went on the run at the age of 40? I do not know human years well, but it is very young for asari." Jane looked at the justicar and approached.

"What will you do now that Morinth is gone?" she asked and Samara smiled slightly.

"Assuming I survive your mission? I am a justicar. Injustice still exists...and even other Ardat-Yakshi," she said and Jane nodded.

"Is there no way to correct the conditions?" Jane asked and Samara shook her head.

"We are an advanced species, but we don't have magic. When the trait manifests at maturity, it is too late for mitigation. It only occurs in purebloods like myself. Perhaps that is the root of the stigma regarding asari-exclusive pairings. I don't know," she confessed.

"Morinth claimed that her condition was the future of the asari race," Jane commented.

"Morinth would say anything that served her cause. Ardat-Yakshi are sterile, Shepard. That wouldn't be a particularly viable future for my people," Samara said with the tone of an adult explaining something to a child, but then, Jane would forever be a child to Samara, she would probably go to her grave barely a child to the asari.

"So...justicars don't get to settle down, huh?" Jane said and Samara looked sorrowful. It broke Jane's heart to hurt the warrior.

"I did. I returned to my homeworld and tried to start a family. I will fight and struggle all my life. That is my fate," Samara said as she got into her meditation stance. Jane's eyes teared as she moved into the meditation stance beside the asari. "When I die, it will not be in bed. I am at peace with that.

"You still control the direction of your life," Jane added as they both began to glow with biotic light.

"I have chosen this path. I truly am at peace," Samara said, a smile on her face. "Due in no small part to you. My child." Their conversation stopped and they meditated together in silence.

~*TF*~

Earth Date: March 20th, 2186 CE

Location: Normandy SR-2, Pragia Orbit

"So, we're here," Joker said as they looked at Pragia through the cockpit windows. John and Jane stood behind the pilot, Blasto panting happily next to his mistress. Neither Shepard moved.

"Not it," John said and Jane sighed.

"Let's suit up, then I'll get Jack," Jane sighed.

"She's been a bit on edge," John nodded.

"Yeah, I know, I'm the one that spars with her," Jane muttered.

"You did hit the bulkhead a little hard the other day," John added.

"I'm pretty sure she can throw you even harder since you're even denser now," she muttered as they headed for the elevator. "I'm bringing Blasto."

"Yeah, jungle world, intel says they should have a varren population due to various gangs using the planet for business," John said the elevator opened. Jane held out a hand.

"I'll go down first, I have to suit up myself and Blasto," she stated and he smirked.

"Fine, but only because I'm a nice older brother," he said and she rolled her eyes as she went in and hit the button.

"Only by fourteen minutes," she shot back without thinking as the doors closed. John stared at the doors for a minute before a grin slowly crept onto his lips. For the first time in a long time everything felt back to normal.

~*TF*~

Jane headed down the steps and used a barrier to protect herself from a random box thrown at her.

"You done?" Jane asked and Jack stared at her.

"Are we there yet?" Jack demanded.

"Tape your straps to your nipples, we're ready to take the shuttle out," Jane said and Jack's grin was more like baring her teeth as the two biotics headed to the shuttle bay. John and Blasto were standing by the door with John practicing some of the hand symbols and Blasto blatantly disregarding them.

"Jane, your varren is broken," John complained.

"No, he's just doing what I told him, standing by," she said with a whistle and a hand signal the varren began offering to shake hands, sit, lay down, and a few other tricks.

"Damn," John muttered.

"Not such a stupid pet now, is he?" Jane snarked and John rolled his eyes as they got on the shuttle, loading Jack's bomb. Jane was not thrilled to be riding in the shuttle with that homemade horror. The ride seemed much longer than it was with the tense silence before Jack finally opened her mouth as they came into view of the building.

"I forgot how much I hate this place. See the landing pad? Has to be on the roof, or the vegetation would overgrow it in a few hours," she said.

"I am picking up thermal signatures everywhere, except at your landing zone," EDI stated to the team.

"Something's distorting the sensors," John noted.

"Might be designed that way, this is a secret Cerberus facility," Jane pointed out.

"Yeah, they build their equipment to last. Assholes," Jack growled. "It was a mistake coming back here, Shepard." She was looking at Jane as she spoke.

"It'll be okay. If you want, I could slap you," Jane offered and Jack glared at her.

"I'm fine. Okay. Let's get on the ground," she sneered, back to her piss and vinegar attitude. The rain was down pouring as they exited the shuttle.

"Hope your nipple tape doesn't come undone in this," Jane teased and Jack's glare intensified.

"Let's just get in there and plant the bomb in my cell. I want to watch this place burn," Jack growled. They entered a massive room. It was decrepit, but it was filled with shipping containers. "I never saw this room. I think they brought new kids in these containers." Jane felt her skin crawl at the thought. Thank God her biotics didn't manifest until later, it would have been child's play to have captured children off of Mindoir. She couldn't suppress a shudder as Jack continued. "They were messed up and starving, but alive. Usually."

"Come on, let's keep moving," John said gesturing inward. As they moved towards doors a terminal was still active and was replaying a message repeatedly. John motioned for them to stop so they could listen. The first person to speak was a security office and the other sounded like a scientist.

"The Illusive Man requested operation logs again. He's getting suspicious."

"When we get results, he won't care what we did. But if he knew..."

"He won't find out."

"That make it sounds like this facility went rogue," Jane noted and Jack grunted.

"He didn't say what they were hiding from the Illusive Man," Jack retorted. The next room had large ceiling windows and a few trees had broken through the floor and up toward the ceiling. As they made their way down Jack softly began to speak.

"I remember escaping to this room. Fighting here. I saw sunlight through the cracks in the ceiling. Only a half-dead guard between me and freedom. He was begging for his life," Jack noted in a dead tone and Jane exchanged a worried glance with John. John signaled back that he was keeping an eye on Jack. As they reach the back of the room John signaled for the team to halt. There was a roughly circular area with concrete barriers forming a rough circle with old blood stains smeared on the floor and concrete barriers.

"This looks like an arena," John noted with a scowl.

"That's right. They used to stage fights here. Pit me against other kids. I loved it. Only time I was ever out of my cell," Jack revealed and John felt icy horror sink into his stomach and by the look on Jane's face she shared the feeling.

"What were they studying that they needed to make children fight?" Jane said in horror.

"Hell if I know. Maybe that's how they got their kicks. I never understood anything that happened here." Jack said

"How often did they do this?" John asked, getting a deeper glimpse into Jack's life.

"I was in my cell my whole life. Sometimes they took me out and made me fight. Filled me with drugs. Other stuff. Time gets funny in a cell."

"Did other children die in these fights?" Jane asked, feeling like she already knew the answer.

"I was a kid, filled with drugs. I got shocked when I hesitated. Narcotics flooded my veins when I attacked. "

"They actually rewarded you for attacking?" John blurted in surprise.

"I still get warm feelings during a fight," Jack said, shivering just a bit.

"What the hell was wrong with those people?" Jane snarled.

"I don't know. Doesn't matter now." Jack mused and John shook his head.

"Let's get moving."

"Hell yes!" Jack enthused moving ahead.

~*TF*~

As they moved into the hallway another recording was playing.

"Security Officer Zemki, Teltin facility. The subjects are out of their cells! They're tearing the place up! Subject Zero is going to get loose. I need permission to terminate...I repeat, permission to terminate!" A guard was projected, his face tense in fear.

"All subjects besides Zero are expendable. Keep Jack alive!" An unseen voice ordered.

"Understood. I'll begin the..." Jack turned off hologram. She looked shaken.

"That's not right. I broke out when my guards disappeared...I started that riot," she growled and as Jane reached out a hand, Jack pulled away.

"Things might have happened that you didn't see," Jane said, slowly approaching Jack like an angry dog.

"The other kids attacked me. The guards attacked me. The automated systems attacked me. That doesn't leave lots of room for interpretation," Jack snarled. John and Jane shared a look behind her back. Scared kids did not have the most accurate memories.

As they headed down a stairway the group froze. A dead varren lay in a pool of blood that was still liquid.

"This place is supposed to be empty. Who the fuck shot that varren? It's a fresh kill," she growled and the group pulled their weapons. Soon after they entered a massive room. It was a morgue and it held vorcha and krogan in Bloodpack armor. They only roared to warn of their attack. Jane hung in the back to use her sniper while Jack and John charged. It was easy for Jane to pick off the vorcha with well placed head shots while the two brawlers kept the krogan occupied. As they looked at the dead, Jack was clearly unsettled.

"Why'd they need a morgue? This was a small facility," Jack growled.

"A lot of children died here. Even then, they were a part of the experiment," Jane said, her skin crawling as she looked at the room.

"Bullshit. I had the worst of it, and I made it out alive," Jack snarled. Jane knew what Jack was realizing. She had survived things that other people hadn't and she knew the feeling of realizing she was lucky to have survived at all.

As they moved through the building Jane saw Jack's shoulders tense.

"So strange to be back here. I feel like...I'm pissed off, I'm a dangerous bitch. But then I'm a little girl again. Shit, it's complicated. Let's just go plant that bomb," Jack said and more vorcha popped up on the stairs as varren rushed from rooms to attack. It was too easy to pick them off. Jane looked at the small rooms to either side of them.

"They kept children here?" John said in disgust. Soon they reached a walkway with a large tree and a huge mirrored window. Jack froze with realization for a moment.

"This...It's a two-way mirror? My cell is on the other side...I could see all the other kids out here. I screamed at them for hours, and they always ignored me," her voice held a bit of shell shock. The truth could be painful and Jane knew Jack was realizing how different things had been for her. Soon after the group entered a medical area and Jane felt sick as they approached one of the security terminals.

"I must have come through here when I broke out, but I don't remember it," Jack said as Jane touched the terminal. A hologram appeared.

"Entry 1054, Teltin facility. The latest iteration of PergNim went poorly. Subjects One, Four, and Six died. No biotic change among the survivors. We lowered core temperatures of surviving subjects, but no biotically beneficial reactions occurred. As a side effect, all subjects died. So we'll not try that on Zero. I hope our supply of biotic-potential subjects holds up. We are going through them fast," the hologram said wearily, but not with the death, with the failure. Jane felt ill, she was only a few years older than the kids he had murdered.

"This is bullshit! They weren't experimenting on the other children for my safety!" Jack cried in a tone that Jane knew too well.

"You can't help what they did to others," Jane said, her own weariness in her voice.

"You don't get it, Shepard. I survived this place because I was tougher than the rest. That's who I am," Jack said and Jane looked at the younger woman with eyes that had survived where others hadn't.

"You move on, harder and tougher," Jane said. John activated the next terminal and the same scientist was recorded.

"It's all fallen to pieces. The subjects are rampaging, and Zero is loose. We're shutting Teltin down. What a disaster. We'll infiltrate and piggyback onto the Alliance's Ascension program. Hopefully that will...who are...? Zero, wait!" the recording ended as he took flight and Jane smirked.

"Shepard, they started up somewhere else," Jack cried looking at Jane and she smiled.

"Ascension is an Alliance program. It's a school for biotic kids. It was set up based on the program that trained me. I've been there. They don't torture children there," Jane explained. "I've even guest lectured a few times." Jack stared at her, uncertainty in her eyes.

"A lot of this...isn't the way I remember it," Jack confessed.

"There was a lot going on," John said and Jack's confidence returned to her face.

"I was dumb. I keep my eyes open now, and I always shoot first," she said. We're getting close to my cell. The place I came from. Let's keep going."

The group passed into the next room and Blasto growled. More krogan and vorcha in Bloodpack armor.

"Hey Aresh, it's Kureck. yeah, the intruders are here. You want them dead, we have to talk creds. You promised us lots of salvage, but this place is a waste," a krogan spoke into his comm. "Fine...we'll put 'em down. Then I'm coming in there, and we're going to talk salvage."

"What are you doing here?" John asked, clearly annoyed.

"First we're going to kill you, then we'll see," the krogan barked and Jane rolled her eyes as the team ducked for cover. She made a signal for Blasto to sneak around. "Kill them! On my order, I want them dead!" John was dodging and rushing the krogan down low while Jack aimed for the Krogan on the upper deck. Jane took out her sniper and aimed at the vorcha. It was almost fun to puncture their flame thrower tanks before blowing them up.

"Jane! Uppers!" John cried and Jane began aiming at the krogan, keeping them pinned as Blasto roared and John vaulted, Jack not far behind. It was almost too easy to finish off the group. Jane put up her sniper and checked Blasto, the varren was fine. The group heading into the next room, then entered Jack's cell.

"Come out. We know you're here," John snapped and a man stood up from beside the bed.

"Who are you?" Jack demanded.

"My name is Aresh, and you're breaking into my home. I know you, Subject Zero," he said in a dead voice. "So many years have passed, and I thought I was the only survivor." Jack drew her weapon.

"My name is Jack. How the hell do you know me?" she demanded.

"We all knew your face, Jack. They inflicted horrors on us so their experiments wouldn't kill you," he said and Jane had feared as much as they had watched the consoles. "You were the question, and I'm still looking for the answer."

"Looks like you're not the only one pulled back here, Jack," John stated.

"I tried to forget this. But a place like this...it doesn't forget you. It follows you," Aresh said, looking like a broken man. "I hired these mercs and came back almost a solar year ago. We're rebuilding it, piece by piece. I'm going to find out what they knew...how to unlock true biotic potential in humans. I'm restarting the Teltin facility. It will be beautiful." He was deranged and delusional. Jane shook her head.

"I wanted a hole in the ground...he's trying to justify what happened by using it!" Jack snapped.

"This place was like a prison. How did you get out?" John asked.

"We all attacked at once as they were taking us to the lab. They would have put us down, but then Jack got loose. When I came to, it was over...the guards, the scientists, and the kids were all dead. And you were gone," Aresh said, staring at Jack.

"I stopped it, all of it. Maybe the others did have it bad, but what you're doing is just messed," Jack said and Jane was pleased to hear the acceptance in her voice.

"Everything we went through must have been worth something!" Aresh cried.

"You'd do the same thing to new kids? Wasn't this forced on you?" Jane asked and Aresh simply stared at them.

"Some were bought from poor families on Earth or kidnapped from colonies. Most ended up here the way I did, batarian pirates," he said and Jane shuddered again. There but for the grace of God...she glared at him. "They did such horrible things to us. They must have had good reasons."

"There's no reason good enough! Are you nuts? You lived it!" Jack cried.

"We can blow up the place, but that still leaves him. What do we do with another you?" John stated and Jane gave him a look. Was he provoking Jack on purpose? She would trust him.

"That's easy," Jack growled approaching Aresh.

"Just leave me here. This is where I belong," he said.

"Fuck that," Jack snarled, her biotics throwing him to his knees. She approached him, gun aimed at his head.

"Jack, he's trapped in his past," John said and Jane approached her.

"And you need to move on from yours," she said to Jack.

"He wants to restart his place. He needs to die!" Jack cried.

"He's crazy, and he's never going to restart this facility. You have to let it go," Jane said. "Your past doesn't have to control you." Jack stared at her for a moment.

"Fuck..." she growled. "Get out of here. Go!" Aresh didn't need to be told twice and he was off, running out of the room. "He's not worth chasing. None of it is."

"You did the right thing, Jack," John said.

"Maybe," Jack mumbled as she looked around. "This room was my whole childhood. Give me a minute to look around." John looked at Jane and she nodded, making a hand signal at Blasto. The varren followed John out of the room, leaving the two women together.

"Nothing's changed...but it's all different," Jack said and Jane nodded.

"You are different. You left and now this...is altered by your experiences," Jane said. Jack looked out the window.

"What do you know?" Jack huffed and Jane stood beside her.

"When the batarian raid happened, my biotics were killing me. I used them to fight...did a good job, you probably could have beat me back then," Jane said.

"Could have? I can now," Jack huffed and Jane chuckled.

"As a kid you could have beaten me. I was a late manifest, didn't think it would happen, denied the signs for a long time. But the attack happened, my biotics happened. We ran into the colony, saw it burning, saw everyone dead. I was over exerting myself, I was bleeding from the eyes and nose when I passed out. Luckily the Alliance arrived. I was drugged on the ship. They were worried a new biotic would blast through the hull, so I was out for the trip. When I woke up, I learned John was going one way, I would be going elsewhere, we would be separated and had been taken from our home," Jane said. Jack stared at her.

"I didn't know that. I thought you guys were kept together," she said and Jane shook her head.

"He wasn't a biotic and I was. A freakishly strong one that levitated some pretty big stuff without an implant," Jane said and Jack did blink.

"Without an implant?" she asked and Jane nodded. "That explains you getting your skull crushed and still fighting."

"Nah, I'm just stubborn," Jane said. "We enlisted on the same day, and when we finally got our first official leaves from training, we met up on Mindoir. The southern continent was fine...we went home." Jack looked at Jane.

"What was it like?" she asked.

"It looked like it had the day we left. The grass was longer, the animals had long broken the fences to run wild, but the interior of the house...it was the same. The dishes were still in the drying rack. My jacket was still on the back of the couch, John's muck boots were in the middle of the mudroom floor from that morning's chores. Nothing had changed, but everything was different. Not just dusty and stale...but...empty..." Jane said and Jack stared at her room.

"Yeah...empty..." she said. She moved to the center of the room and began setting up the bomb. When she was done, she looked at Jane, then the two women headed out. John looked at them and they all moved.

The shuttle rocked as they began to leave. The silence was palpable. Jack flicked the detonator cap open and shut, again and again. Then, without saying a word, she pressed it. John smacked the wall to let the pilot know it was going to get bumpy. Jane was shocked as the horizon lit up behind them visible from either window. Then the shockwave nearly knocked them all to the floor.

"Jesus, Jack!" Jane hissed. "Compensating for something with that?!" Jack shrugged as they returned to their seats.

~*TF*~

Jane followed Jack down into her lair.

"I don't need a babysitter, Shepard," Jack snapped and Jane sighed.

"How about a friend?" she asked and Jack stared at her.

"I'm not big on friends," Jack said.

"Same here, but...it get's lonely living in the past all the time, trust me on that," Jane said and Jack stared at her.

"Why do you do this?" Jack asked and Jane shrugged.

"I've had a shitty run of life. Lost my parents and my whole world as a kid, got separated from my brother for long expanses at a time. Lost my whole team. Lost my brother for a time. Lost my boyfriend. Lost all my friends. Lost my way. I want to make the galaxy a better place...you know?" Jane said and Jack began to chuckle.

"God, you are corny, Shepard," she began to laugh.

"Shut up, bitch," Jane grinned and Jack smiled.

"Fine, be a dork...it actually works for you," she said. "You still can't beat me."

"Oh, I don't know. I might not have your raw power...but I have better control than you," Jane shot back as she headed up.

"And Jane..." Jack called, Jane paused without turning around. "...thanks...for everything..." Jane held up a hand to wave before heading up. Man, she needed a shower after all this emotional bullshit.

~*TF*~

Belle's AN: Once again, I cannot express my love for Samara and Jack fully. I love Samara for her paladin role and I love Jack for her broken child role. They are two of my favorite companions and it once again occurred to me that I have never played a Jack Romance play through...partially because I have only played one male character through 2 and never played him through 3...he was also a Tali love interest. Maybe I should get a male play through going specifically for Jack.

Toby's AN: And I keep telling her to do it. I think it's one of the sweetest in ME2. I'm a big Tali and Liara fanboy but Jack's romance is surprisingly sweet.

OMAKE 1

"Storming her den would be a mistake...she will have a hundred escape routes planned. She will go to ground and disappear for fifty years or more. This is the closest I've ever been," Samara explained. Jane stared at her thoughtfully.

"So...we have to lure her out," Jane said, Samara nodded.

"Exactly! Shepard, you read my mind," she said. "Afterlife's VIP section seems her preferred hunting ground. You must go there alone and unarmed."

"No," Jane said and Samara was shocked.

"Shepard why not?" she asked and Jane grabbed Samara by the armor.

"I have NEVER NOT been brain raped by asari!" Jane cried, shaking the justicar. "She's gonna eat me!"

"Shepard...let...me...go..." Samara was yanked back and forth. "...we...have...to..." She fell back and Jane ran from the apartment screaming.

"DON'T RAPE MY BRAIN!" her screams echoing into the apartment.

"What got into her?" Samara gasped in shock.

OMAKE 2

At the script reading for chapter 22…

"Okay so at this point you'll exit the room," Toby said, pushing up his glasses and double checking the script. "Then Jane, Garrus will turn to you and say…" Toby trailed off but silence was his only reply. He looked up and saw the rest of the crew glancing around but Garrus wasn't anywhere to be seen, neither were Belle, Jane and John.

"Anyone know where they are?" Toby asked with the sigh. No one replied and he sighed again. "Okay everyone lets postpone this meeting till this afternoon." Most of the cast left the room and Toby headed out, walking the halls of the TF studio till he came upon his three missing cast members in one of the studio's control rooms.

"Mind telling me what you three are doing?" Toby asked snidely and Jane shushed him. He raised an eyebrow at them and John winced.

"We were coming to the reading but we found Belle and well…" John trailed off and exchanged a glance with his sister. Jane just shrugged.

"She keeps talking about someone called senpai," Garrus said gesturing to the monitors. Toby sighed, figuring Belle had another 'episode' and reached over to turn on the audio feed. He sighed again as it confirmed his suspicions.

"Senpai love me Just turn your gaze away from that sleaze for me," Belle was singing. She was singing to a body pillow she had propped up in a chair and Toby was pretty sure who was printed on that pillow. There was also a chair behind Belle and someone was tied up in it."I'm the only one you should see. Senpai love me, I'll watch you through your window toniiiiight!"

"Well shit," Toby grumbled. "I knew she'd had some bad news about the new school year but I didn't think she'd have another episode."

"Senpai love me, I'll torture any ugly girl who looks at you. You'd never guess what I'd do! Senpai love me, I'll watch you through your window toniiiiight!" Belle sang as she tortured a reviewer he knew was a Vakarian fan…er was that a boy or girl? There wasn't much left for Toby to be able to tell.

"Another episode?" Jane questioned and Toby just shook his head.

"Though I have to ask her to stop killing reviewers. We don't have enough fans as it is, especially ones who like to leave real comments," Toby mused rubbing his chin as they watched Belle sway, slaughter and sing. "I thought she was doing better. She hasn't gone yandere since I bought her those Garrus and Allister body pillows. Some of her students must have failed and she snapped."

"Wait what?" Garrus exclaimed as he realized that body pillow was shaped like a Turian he saw every time he looked in a mirror.

"Oh I promise they won't be missed, all those skanks that you might have kissed. I'll come get you and swear to be good...When I check off my rival list!" Belle sang and giggled. Toby felt slightly alarmed when Belle produced a Tali plushie and stabbed it with a knife.

"That's not encouraging, she loves Tali. And her author powers must still be working," Toby mused.

"Senpai love me I want to make you happy, It's true, I do. My heart can only love you Senpai love me I'll watch you through your window toniiiiiight!"

"What do we do?" John asked seriously and Toby casually waved his hand conjuring small bags of fresh popcorn and soda bottles. He settled back in a chair.

"Enjoy the show, she'll eventually realize she can get the real thing soon." Toby commented. Garrus and Jane gawked at him but John seemed to think it over before joining the co-author.

"Senpai love me, it doesn't matter who comes to say "No way"", Belle crooned. "They won't live another day Senpai love me, I'll watch you through your window toniiiiiight!"

"I can't believe you're not going to do anything," Jane exclaimed and Garrus nodded vigorously next to her.

"Oh relax it's not like she hasn't ravaged Garrus before," Toby said, waving his hand airily.

"What?!"

"Well why don't I remember it?" Garrus demanded.

"Belle enjoys breaking you in," Toby informed them making Garrus pale.

"You can run and you can hide, there's no place I won't check inside. So just love me, if you could...because, sweet senpai," Belle's smile turned sinister. "You are mine!"

"Better run Garrus," Toby replied just before the Turian disappeared and reappeared before Belle who tried to tackle him. A chase ensued ah-la Tom and Jerry style but this "Tom" wanted to do other things to "Jerry" that weren't kid appropriate.

"Aren't you going to do anything?" Jane demanded and Toby shrugged.

"Senpai love me! Don't worry about your family, I'm here for you dear. I'll make it perfectly clear. Senpai love me, I'll climb in through your window TONIIIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHHT!"

"Eh I'll put him back together in time for chapter twenty three."

OMAKE 3

"Hey He-Shep, have you seen your sister?" Kasumi asked and John blinked.

"I haven't since I teased her about stopping the elevator with Garrus," John grinned and Kasumi blinked.

"Wait...Garrus saw her in that dress?" she asked and John nodded. Kasumi began to giggle. John grew suspicious.

"What?" he demanded.

"That dress has a four platinum star rating with turian males in relationships with human women," Kasumi giggled. "It is sort of like wearing a dress with slit down to your belly button." John's eyes widened.

"Oh no..." John whispered. "Garrus was following her to her rooms...he gave me a look."

"So what?" Kasumi asked and John stared at her.

"I gave him a thumbs up," he confessed.

"I think you just gave him the okay to have his way with your sister," Kasumi giggled. "I'll have to ask her if she wants to rate the dress after too. It's supposedly got a FIVE platinum star rating with human women in a relationship with turian males."