AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey guys, wanted to get this up last night, but, yesterday and today Lowes had me working a 6AM to 3PM, and I had to get up at 4 so I could eat and do a 40 minute drive. Took a damn part time job but the last few weeks have been full time hours. Yay. Anyways, hope you enjoy!

Commander John Shepard

It was a curious and uneasy setup that we needed to make do with while we waited for the Alliance to send a pair of aid ships to Aeia. We couldn't just leave Ronald Taylor on the planet, not to keep perpetuating his harem and enjoying himself. But we couldn't just take him away in fear of what would happen. So, we had a different idea. We stayed put for a time, forcing Ronald to call off the hunters, say that the 'princes' had been lying to them and that we were there to help. It was a risk, but he cared more about his own skin than anything and knew if he said otherwise, he'd die on the spot. Unacceptable to a 'man' like him. We called in a shuttle after nightfall, which wasn't far off, luckily for us, having Thane and Grunt relieve us to keep Ronald under watch and the locals from trying anything. With express orders to Grunt to not kill anyone, no matter what, unless they're Ronald. Meanwhile, Thane would keep watch from the shadows, make sure that he doesn't go enjoying himself with anyone. And obviously for either of them to not eat anything that isn't out of their own ration packets.

I had already sent a message to Hackett by the time the shuttle arrived, explaining what had happened here as well with a report from the planet. Colonization is possible, Even without countermeasures to the plant life here. It would just require imports and sealed hydroponics farms. And the people were going to need help. Psychologically, physiologically, and when/if the neural decay can be at least treated, reintroducing them to their families. And I don't even want to get started on the children. Everything was on its way, and due to arrive in two days. A while for the Normandy to just sit here in orbit, guarding and rotating who's on guard duty down there, but we can't afford the worst possibilities.

Since returning to the ship, Jacob had gone straight to the comms room. Warning me that he might signal for me to join him shortly. So, while I waited, I quickly got out of my armor and stowed my equipment. Lo and behold, I got the signal rather quickly, and joined him. The comm room's table had been lowered, the lights dimmed, and the walls to displays, all of a dark room with Jacob in the circle at the center, mid-conversation. Considering the large sun on display in front of Jacob, it was obvious who he was talking to. Though I'm not sure why.

"What do you mean it wasn't you?" Jacob questioned; hands crossed over his chest. As I stepped into the circle alongside Jacob, the Illusive Man's eyes met mine for a moment, then back to Jacob.

"Simple. If I was the one who leaked the information about the Gernsback, I would be smiling at your resolution of the situation." He took a drag of his cigarette. "I am not smiling. I was not aware of it, and am not impacted by it. I had no more indication than Jacob that he was alive, and no reason to investigate. Regardless, with it behind you, the mission should be positively impacted." I heard the door behind us open.

"So, who did forward it?" Jacob pressed.

"I did," Miranda answered, stepping in and to the circle. TIM eyed Lawson curiously. I kept quiet, letting this play out for now. "The information wasn't classified, simply obscure. I put the pieces together and sent it along." She turned her focus to Jacob, Her expression almost… sad. No… something else. A mournful nostalgia? "I remember a time where it mattered to you. Sending it felt like I was keeping an old promise. And I keep my promises." Jacob's stance relaxed.

"Miranda, we'll discuss your… liberal interpretation of my security protocols privately." TIM turned to face Jacob and I. "Unless there's anything else?" No one responded. "Good," then pressed a button on his armrest and the call ended, the comm room returning to normal. Jacob and Miranda shared another wordless glance, before Miranda put a hesitant hand on Jacob's shoulder, then walking out.

"Why was TIM your first guess over Lawson?" I asked.

"It came through Cerberus channels, not the ship's," he shrugged. "But she's got a good memory. A bit selective, but good. It's… been a long time since I thought about those days," he sighed. "Not sure which promise she meant. Not sure I want to know. She… requires a better man than I." I raised a brow and he simply shook his head. I'll leave it at that.

"You good with the mission, then?" Jacob shrugged again, shaking his head.

"Captain Taylor can rot. Doesn't change me or what I know. I mourned my father a decade ago. I won't be mourning him again."

"Fair enough. Why'd you ask me to wait?"

"Just in case TIM was being difficult, maybe you could pressure him. Guess it wasn't needed. Either way," he held out his hand. "Thanks." I accepted the hand, shaking it.

"Anytime."

Commander John Shepard

We were coming into dock on the Citadel. After the Alliance had arrived on Aeia to pick up the pieces, Thane had come to me, shortly after the end of his last shift on the planet with news. 'He has taken a contract,' he told me. He was talking about Kolyat, of course. He had been hired for a hit of a Citadel politician. Someone running as a Superintendent for one of the Wards. Considering that Kolyat Is greener in the business than Thane's skin, it's likely he got the contract because he dropped the last name. The most we had to go on was a C-sec report EDI pulled informing Captain Bailey about a Drell entering the station. They are rare enough, only three hundred thousand of them and most stay on Kahje or other Hanar colonies. Sure, some Drell civilians are spread around all over, and their movements are legally limited anywhere, but with the Hanar's prevalent use of Drell assassins? C-sec likes to know when one shows up. I had asked Garrus to send a message to Bailey, and warning him that we were coming to the citadel and needed to ask him a few questions for a lead. After that, arranging the meeting was simple enough. Dock, take a shuttle to the Zakera C-sec main Precinct, head to Bailey's office.

Thane didn't argue when I suggested Garrus join us, seeing the benefits of a seasoned detective helping to track his son. And so, the three of us made our way to Bailey, the most interaction with others coming from Garrus greeting any C-sec officers who recognized him on the way. Bailey's office was one of many in a hallway housing an office for each C-Sec Captain for the ward. We buzzed Bailey's door and he let us in quickly. The office was modest, small, but private. A window looking out across the ward behind him with a desk and terminal facing the door, two seats on our side. He had a poster for a sports team back on Earth, a small collection of child's drawings, and a picture of a younger Bailey, smiling with two children in front of him, also smiling. A boy and a girl. But the picture had a 'phantom arm' reaching over like a person had been cut out.

"Commander, Garrus. Good to see you both again. I don't believe I've met your… acquaintance," Bailey greeted in his regular gruff voice.

"Thane," the Drell introduced.

"Captain Armando Bailey. What can I do to help you, gentlemen?"

"We're here to find Thane's son. We have reason to believe a Zakera criminal hired him," Garrus explained.

"Right, one of my officers reported a Drell showing up through customs. Kolyat Krios?" He read off.

"Yes." Bailey eyed Thane curiously for a moment, but said nothing, not yet. There might be a system flag on the name. "Another officer reported a Drell of the same description talking to Mouse. Hm," he began to rub his chin.

"Mouse?" Thane questioned. While his voice was typically monotone, not conveying his emotions, a very slight spike in it hinted at recognition.

"Ah, probably not the guy who hired your boy," Bailey waved off. "Petty criminal. No use for hire nor the creds, let alone for a Drell. No offense, but a criminal hiring a Drell is probably hiring for one thing."

"None taken," Thane answered.

"Well, the Commander is a Spectre, so I'll leave this for you to handle until things escalate. Anyways, I'm more than certain that Mouse is just a messenger here. He used to be a duct rat and runs errands for anyone who pays."

"He was a what?" I asked.

"Duct rat," Bailey repeated. "It's local slang for poor kids in the ward. That's just what Zakera chose. Plenty of them play around in the ventilation ducts, and no one can get to them. Nasty shit," Bailey murmured. Every few months a little body gets pulled. Lacerations from fans, went down a deadfall, got exposed to vacuum. And those are just the ones we find. But Mouse is grown now, can't fit anymore. Call it smarts, or luck. Who knows?"

"What's Mouse typically charged with?" Garrus changed topic.

"Petty crimes, like I said. Odd jobs for the real criminals. Sometimes he's a fence or runs data." Bailey then started to grin. "One time he was run in for selling illegal VI personalities. Want a guess who it was?"

"Ah shit…" I murmured.

"Yeah, I'm recording this," Garrus chuckled. "Go on, Bailey."

"Gladly. A Commander Shepard VI. If you erased a file, it would say 'I delete data like you on the way to real errors,'" Bailey mocked. Thane remained emotionless, but Garrus snickered. "Buggy piece of shit, though. Crashed all the damn time. The error message would always talk about the galaxy being at stake, so you should fix the problem yourself."

"For the love of the spirits tell me you have a copy. I know exactly who to pass one off to."

"Shiiiiiit," I tried and failed to stifle my own chuckle. It was obvious who he was thinking of. And more obvious the kind of hell I'd be getting when she got a copy.

"Now that I've met you, I wish I did. But Mouse only had the one copy and that's in evidence lockup. But he might have more. Afterall with your survival having been circulating for a while…" Bailey trailed off. "You can usually find him around the Dark Star Lounge. Hogs a public comm terminal whenever he's working." Bailey looked back at Thane. "Looks like your kid's running with the wrong crowd."

"He is." Bailey's face got serious.

"If Mouse can't get you in touch with your son, he'll know who can. I'll help if you need it, just send word."

"Your generosity is appreciated, Captain," Thane stated.

"Father to father? Every damned day I work here, and I've worked Zakera for two years, I see kids turn to crime because they don't have any other options. And their parents sure don't give a shit." He stared Thane in the eyes. "You're trying to save yours." Thane was silent a moment.

"He faces a dark path. He shall not walk it."

Commander John Shepard

After finishing with Bailey, we had wasted no time in taking a cab to the Dark star lounge. The cabbie was one of the more talkative ones, an Asari. She asked some questions about what we were up to, where we were from, small talk. Thane remained quiet and we gave enough information to apparently satisfy her without getting into much of a conversation. She had mentioned how she was doing work as a cabbie to kill time and talk to people before the Andromeda Initiative and the Asari Ark, Leusinia, sent out the boarding call. She thought it would be nice and meaningful to bring more memories of people with her, even if they wouldn't be going themselves. I can see and appreciate the sentiment.

Finally, we arrived at the lounge and the Asari waved us farewell. Instead of entering the lounge, we followed the signs to the nearest public terminals. Phone booths, essentially. All of them were in use, but Thane immediately started making a beeline for one particular booth. Sat within was a scrawny young man. A bit on the dirty side, and his clothes looking a little ragged. His hair was messy and his facial hair unshaven. Naturally, we followed.

"Yeah, sure. I can get you two cases by the end of the day," the man spoke through the terminal. Thane approached, silently standing beside the terminal. The man, Mouse, looked up. "Hey man, it's-" his eyes went as wide as the station and he recoiled in his seat. "Oh shit! Krios?! I thought you retired!" he exclaimed, quickly lowering his voice. Now Garrus and I were catching up. "Oh... Oh no… C-Commander Shepard? What do you want with me?"

"Be still, Mouse," Thane reassured, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You can change your pants shortly."

"Well, you two know each other," Garrus remarked.

"When we heard the name, I did not expect it to be the same Mouse. He was one of my contacts on the Citadel while I was active. The Duct rats are quite the observation network. I would make use of their skills to learn more about my targets."

"Well, that's hardly anything new for the world. Worlds," I sighed. "But it's what happens when you have poor children. Regardless, we have questions. And you, answers." Mouse got nervous. He began stuttering.

"L-look. The people I w-work for? I can't just… answer questions for anyone!"

"We are not just anyone, Mouse," Thane retorted. "You gave another Drell instructions for an Assassination. Who's the target?"

"I… I don't know, Krios. I didn't ask. The people I work for? I don't want to just… disappear, Krios. I'd like to, I want to help you. You always did right by us," Mouse allowed a soft smile. "But I won't die for you."

"Look, Mouse," I began. "The other Drell?" I glanced at Thane, waiting for his approval.

"He is my son, Mouse. I cannot let him make this mistake." Mouse's features fell.

"Oh. Oh… shit," he murmured, wringing his hands.

"You will never be named, Mouse. I swear it," Thane reassured. Mouse sighed, pausing for a moment.

"Ok. He came with that holo you took of me. Said he wanted a job. So I ran through your old contacts, see who might want to give him a shot. The guy who offered was-" Mouse gulped, glancing around nervously. "Elias Kelham," he whispered.

"I know the name," Garrus spoke up. Human, you might have guessed. Moved to the Citadel around ten years ago. He broke through to big-time after the Geth attack. A lot of kingpins lived up on the Presidium and died leaving a power vacuum. Not sure what he's been up to after I left for Omega."

"Running rackets on Shin Akiba. Bad news," Mouse murmured. "Look, are we done?" he asked, closing and standing from the terminal.

"You've been a great help, Mouse. Thank you."

"Yeah, yeah. Well, I'm out of here," he was getting anxious.

"Mouse," Thane stopped him again, hand on the shoulder. "Kelham will never know." Mouse took a deep breath.

"It was good to see you, Krios. Next time you're on the station? Please don't bring the family." He nearly broke into a jog before Garrus stopped him.

"Just a moment, Mouse. One of your Shepard VI's? I want a copy." Mouse looked confused for a moment, more so as I groaned but didn't stop him.

"Er, sure! Sure. Here," he produced a small data drive from his pocket. "It's all in here. Ok, bye," he nearly started to run. Thane watched him leave longer than I expected.

"You alright?" Thane glanced down.

"Mouse… knew more about my life than Kolyat ever did." Thane stood rigid. "He smiles up at me, broken teeth and scabby knees," he fell into a flashback. "Bare feet black. A dead-end future looking up at me. Worshipping the petty gifts I offer." He came out of it. "I was the only good thing he had in his youth. Yet I left him, as I left Kolyat." Yes. Yes, he did. With the information gathered, we gave Bailey a call, having left some of the crowds behind. He picked up quickly.

"Elias Kelham," I began.

"Aw shit," Bailey grumbled. "Alright, this is… awkward. He… augh," Bailey began talking quieter. "He and I have an agreement. He doesn't cause too much trouble, and… buys fucking tickets to the C-Sec charity ball," he made up on the spot," and in return, I pretend he doesn't exist."

"Bailey-" Garrus began.

"I know, I know, Garrus. I know how much I hated it before, and I still do. But it keeps the peace, and he handles things quiet, not loud.

"And if he's bluffing?"

"He's not. When he first made the offer, shortly after I got promoted to Captain. I refused, and so he 'demonstrated.' There was a violent crime spree on the ward for about a month until I cracked. Now," he continued before we could speak up. "I said I'd help you, and I will. I just need to do this carefully or they'll be repercussions."

"Send it up the chain as a Spectre's orders."

"I was hoping you'd say that. I'll have some of my people bring him in and set him up in a private room for you to interrogate. We'll do this at one of the smaller precincts, might as well be the one you're already near, one level down from the Dark Star. I'll stay here for a while. With a bit of luck, I can convince him I had nothing to do with it. Just head on down, they'll be waiting for you. His lawyer will probably show quickly, I'll have my man stall him and do so myself when I get there."

Commander John Shepard

We waited at the Precinct, the three of us, and made our plan for how to approach this. Garrus knows how to be the Bad Cop, and I'm the boy scout who can play good cop. Thane will observe and speak as needed. When Kelham did arrive, another Officer lead us towards the interrogation room he was in, and left the door unlocked for us. The three of us entered a rather pissed off looking man with a chinstrap and sideburns connecting through a mustache, hair gelled back, and a green suit. He was restrained in a chair, arms and legs locked in place, but the chair otherwise like that of a dentist chair.

"Who the hell are you clowns?" Kelham sneered. His voice was pompous and low. Thane remained at the door while Garrus and I began to take positions in the room. Myself in front of Kelham, Garrus behind.

"Elias Kelham," Garrus began. "You want someone dead. Badly enough to hire someone to get their hands dirty for you. You're going to tell us who," he leaned in close.

"Only person I'm talking to is my goddamn lawyer," he smirked.

"That would work for C-sec," I remarked. "We're not C-sec." He raised a brow.

"Oh, trying to be the fucking shadow types, huh? Right, sure."

"Let me explain the rules for you, Kelham," Garrus began again. "We are going to ask a question. When we do, you'll answer. And you only speak when we tell you to speak."

"Who the fuck do you think you are, you bird-brained piece of shit?" Kelham glared. "Bailey's gonna have to do some big damned favors to make up for this."

"Bailey doesn't know you're here. This is off the record. Nothing said is being recorded, nothing here can be used against you in court." Kelham looked over at Thane.

"What about you, Frog boy? Got anything to say? Bore me into confessing?" Kelham scoffed. "Hit me, I dare you." No one did. "So no one has the balls."

"Elias, we want the Assassin. Not you. Why would you stick your neck out for a contract killer?" I questioned.

"And I would then be confessing to putting a contract on someone. I'm not fucking stupid," he chuckled.

"All you need to tell me is the name. Then I walk on out of here. You never have to see me again."

"And I should believe you because…?"

"You also have no reason to disbelieve," Thane added.

"Except the fact some guys not in uniform waltz into my interrogation room. Are we done here? I got people to see. Goddamn waste of time." Just before I could open my mouth to speak, the door opened, revealing a man in a black suit, human, angrily waving off Bailey.

"-Et out of my way, Bailey! You have no right to-" he looked inside, seeing Kelham restrained to the chair. "The hell? Step away from my client! Do- do you have him restrained in that chair?!" he shouted.

"About time, Freddy," Kelham smirked, cocky as hell.

"Traffic was bad," 'Freddy' glanced back at the door and at Bailey. He pulled a cigarette out of his pocket and a lighter, taking a drag once it was lit. Make your move, little man. "You'll need a shovel the size of the fucking citadel to dig yourselves out of this." Now it was my turn to smirk.

"Listen, Freddy, was it?" I began, pulling up my Omni-tool. "Does… this symbol mean anything to you?" I asked as I displayed the Spectre Logo alongside my credentials. The color immediately drained from his face. "The name's John Shepard, Council Spectre. Pleasure to meet you both."

"A Spec-"

"So, you can turn yourself around and get the hell out of my interrogation."

"This is-" he began to shout.

"Completely and perfectly legal? Why yes, yes it is. Thanks for pointing that out. Close the door behind you," I continued to smirk. Freddy, looking nervous with his now pale complexion, looked at Elias.

"I'll contest this, Elias. I'll bring it to the Council even!"

"Ah, yes, the Council! Who's lives I saved. I'm sure they'd love to hear you contest my interrogation of a big-time crime boss. Face it," I leaned forward. "You can't do shit." Defeated, Freddy slowly turned, leaving the room.

"Freddy? Freddy!" Kelham called out as he did so. Then looked to me with a new sense of fear.

"The name, please."

"Joram Talid. Turian."

"His location?"

"His apartment is in the 800 blocks."

"Excellent. And your reward for being such a kind and cooperative man? You'll be locked up to enjoy more quality time in such comfortable chairs."

Commander John Shepard

After passing along what Kelham had told us, Bailey gave us a bit of information on Talid while getting a squad car for us. He promises to end organized crime on the Wards, but his message is all race-politics. Anti-human, specifically. A helpful coincidence was that Talid had advertised that for the afternoon, which it had been for a while now, he would be walking around the Ward, campaigning to people face to face. Near his apartment, though that part wasn't in the advertisement. If worst comes to worst, Bailey and a few officers are nearby on Standby. The plan was for Thane to follow along the ground, blending in with the crowds and the shadows. While I would be walking above along the maintenance catwalks, typically used by Keepers but accessible to anyone else still. I would observe him to keep an eye on him in case Thane loses line of sight or even if I see Kolyat early.

EDI had already gotten into local surveillance and was keeping a bead on Talid as we were en route. He was still in a very open and public area. Garrus dropped us off around the corner and left to join the other Officers, and we got eyes on Talid. Currently, he was talking with a pair of civilians. A Turian male and female. And an armored Krogan standing rather close behind Talid.

"A bodyguard," Thane spoke. "He holds himself too close, he lacks the balance between distance and responsiveness. It will make him easy to follow. Go." I nodded as Thane clasped his hands and lowered his head in prayer. I took to my position, glancing back shortly after to see that he had vanished. By the time I got to my vantage point, Talid had just wrapped up with the pair of voters we had seen him with.

"Thane, I got him. You in position?"

"I am." Talid started to walk, the Krogan following close enough behind he could probably touch him just by outstretching his finger. With his arms still to his side. He continued walking down the wide-open hallway, occasionally trading words with a potential voter or two, but not really stopping for any yet, then taking a right down along a shopping street. I had to pass through a set of doors, but I haven't lost him yet. And now I had a keeper up here to keep me company. By completely ignoring me. Talid seemed to trade a word with his bodyguard before the two parted, Talid introducing himself to another group of Civilians, this time a group of seven Asari with a pair of Salarians and three Turian women. Maybe the Salarians were female and were all friends out on the town. While I kept an eye on Talid, the Krogan had entered a store, Aquila. The window to the inside showing a Human behind the counter. I couldn't get a great view of the products. I saw some minor convenience items and maybe some tech? The Krogan took one of the data pads on sale, traded a word with the shop owner, and tossed it aside. Before grabbing another and throwing it against the wall behind the human, who looked terrified, and pulled up his Omni-tool, keying quickly as the Krogan watched. Probably a credit transfer. Taking down organized crime by running his own hustles? Right.

The Krogan left and Talid excused himself from the group he had been speaking to. Who honestly looked relieved to be left alone and immediately started walking along. The Krogan and Turian returned to formation and continued walking along. Taking a detour through a small bar and lounge, heavy bass playing. I thought they'd be passing through, but the Krogan simply walked up to the bartender before another credit transfer appeared to be made while Talid was still walking. And this victim of the shakedown was Turian. Another pair of doors, and they began to make a turn towards the apartments, but the maintenance walkways didn't directly follow.

"Thane, going to lose sight for a moment. Stay on them," I warned. I passed through another door into what was obviously a stock room. It was on the smaller side, so smaller kind of store. But I wasn't alone, this kid, Human, he was probably in his late teens, working his first job was in the middle of counting an item on hand before he did a double-take, seeing me and looking a bit afraid.

"Uh… Er, sir? S-sir you can't be back here," he began. I simply flashed my Spectre Credentials again.

"Relax, kid. Just passing through. Spectre business," I stated as I walked right by him and out another door to the catwalks. There you are, Talid. Haven't lost you yet. Just need to catch up. Another wall blocked my vision before I heard a man cry out in fear. As I got line of sight again, I saw a Human who had been shoved to the ground, and a blue-skinned Drell taking aim as Talid and the bodyguard began to react.

"Kolyat!" I called out. The Drell reacted, confusion as he looked back, then snapped back to face Talid and the Krogan, who was starting to draw his own weapon. Kolyat fired, hitting the Krogan once in the gut and once in the shoulder. He'll live, but I guess he couldn't afford shields. Talid ran inside, Kolyat running to follow. I jumped down from the maintenance catwalk, Thane running up beside me as we followed them into the apartment complex. Unfortunately, Thane and I were forced to run up the stairwell, but Talid's apartment was only on the third floor. We barged through the door, finding it unlocked as the smart TV in the living room was on the home screen, shining white light and nothing else. Behind Kolyat, while in front of him was Joram Talid on his knees, hands behind his head, facing the door. A gun pressed to the back of his skull. I already had my gun out, approaching, taking aim. He was nervous, and extremely inexperienced, letting us get this close. His eyes locked onto Thane. Looking him over with surprise, and then anger and disgust.

"Now? Now you finally show up?! Is this a joke?" I couldn't tell his age by visuals, I haven't seen very many Drell, but his voice sounded young. A kind of Raspy, like thane, but noticeably higher. Masculine, but higher.

"Help me out here, I'll do whatever you want!" Talid pleaded.

"Shut up!" Kolyat threatened. The door behind us opened again. Bailey walking in with Garrus, guns aimed and ready.

"C-sec," Bailey called out. "Put the gun down, son," Bailey ended gently.

"Get out of my way," Kolyat growled. "I'm walking out. He's coming with me." Thane took a few steps closer.

"They will have snipers outside," Thane warned. He scoffed. Let's spook the kid. There's a lamp rather close to him.

"I don't need your-" Kolyat began, cut off by my gunshot as the lamp shattered, Talid crying out, afraid, while Kolyat recoiled, completely distracted. In the moment, I closed the gap, twisting his arm and squeezing to make him drop the gun, nudging Talid to run, which he did towards C-sec. I kicked the gun away, and released Kolyat. "You son of a bitch!" Kolyat shouted, furious and on the verge of tears. Bailey got on his comm piece.

"Talid's clear and the suspect is disarmed. Come on in."

"Kolyat… I am short on time. I-"

"Nothing's changed there," he snarled.

"Not… not the kind of time that I mean."

"He's trying to make up for his mistakes, kid," I added gently. "

"What?" Kolyat scowled, throwing his hands into the air. "You came here to beg for forgiveness? To die in fucking peace or something?!"

"No," Thane answered. "I came to grant you peace." Thane and Kolyat were both silent a moment. "You're angry that I was not there when your mother died." Kolyat rolled his eyes.

"You weren't there when she was alive. What difference does it make?"

"Your mother… Irikah… I did not tell you this in hopes of protecting you, regardless of any and all anger you would harbor towards me. The men who killed her… Killed her to get to me. The fault was and always will be mine."

"...What?" Kolyat questioned, losing the anger in place of surprise.

"After her body was given to the deep, I left to hunt them. The triggermen. And the ringleaders who ordered it. I returned to the battle sleep that your mother pulled me from so many years ago. I hurt them all. Eventually killed them all. When I had finished, you were… older. I should have stayed with you.

"I guess it's too bad for me you waited so long, huh?" Thane looked down again.

"Kolyat… I have taken countless bad things out of the world. Perhaps even taken out some good, I don't know. But you are the only good thing I ever added to the world."

"Thane?" Bailey spoke up as tears of anger, frustration, sadness, perhaps, a million and one emotions started to stream from Kolyat's eyes. "This is a conversation you should be having alone, not in front of strangers." The officers he had called for started to enter. "Get the boy and his father back to the precinct. Give them a room and as much time as they need. Now Thane clasped his son on the shoulder, and Kolyat allowed it.

"That's generous of you, Bailey," I spoke quietly. A pained, empty expression crossed his face as he stared into the white light of the tv.

"He's not the only man who ever screwed up raising a son."