Shepard's right hook caught Kolyat by surprise. It wasn't enough force to knock him out, but he stumbled to regain his pose and looked at her in utter bewilderment. She turned to the C-Sec officer and cocked her head to the entrance of the apartment.

"Let's get out of here, these two need some time to talk." She jerked a thumb in Thane's direction. He stared at his son as he was detained by C-Sec officers, shame and regret reflected in his face and body language.

"You alright?" She asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I feel I failed Kolyat. But I'm glad we stopped him, thank you, Shepard." He said, watching his son being taken by the officers. "I may be a while with Kolyat, I can meet you back on the Normandy if you please." He added.

"You take all the time you need. I'll wait." She smiled, before taking her hand from his shoulder and walking away.

"They've been in there a while now, think something's wrong?" Captain Bailey asked Shepard, looking up from his work.

"Nah. They just need time to talk." She looked down at him. "A lot of time. Thanks though, you really helped us out. If you ever find yourself in a bind, remember I owe you one." She said.

Bailey laughed. "I'm serious, a Christmas card, that's what I want. Something I can show the grand kids one day." He winked at Shepard and Thane exited the interrogation room he and Kolyat had been conversing in.

"How did it go?" She asked.

"Our problems...they aren't something I can fix with words. We'll keep talking, see what happens." He said, looking down and placing his hands behind his back.

"You're boy shot some people. Nobody I feel sympathy for, but there it is." Bailey sighed, looking over at Thane.

"I watched those guys shaking down businesses and threatening humans." Shepard began, resting her hands on Bailey's desk and leaning forward. Bailey turned his attention to her.

"But he can't just get away with it." He said, furrowing his brow.

"The kid wants to make a difference, give him community service." Shepard bargained. Thane looked at her as she pleaded with Bailey, amazed with her dedication to helping him, not something common in most.

"Community service for attempted murder? What jury would agree to that?" Bailey asked.

"None that I've seen." Shepard said, pushing away from Bailey's desk and standing up straight. "This would need to stay out of the judiciary, strictly within C-Sec." Now Shepard gave Bailey a wink and a smile, the captain stood up and sighed heavily.

"Alright, I'll see what I can do. But...two Christmas cards." He said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I'll make it happen." Shepard smiled. She turned to Thane, he stared at her, obviously tired. "Let's get back to the Normandy. It's been a long day for you."

The two walked back to the Normandy, Shepard having dismissed Mordin long ago. He was impatient, too impatient to wait for Thane and Kolyat's reuinion especially. They walked in silence, Shepard clearing her throat.

"I'm glad you and Kolyat will be able to reconnect a bit." She said.

"Without you it would have been impossible. Thank you again, Shepard." Thane replied, stopping in his tracks. She stopped and turned back to him.

"Are you feeling okay? Why did you stop?" She asked, moving towards the drell.

He looked at her, his eyes reading the concerned expression on her face. He would never forget those eyes, a brilliant green like fresh cut grass, questioning everything they saw. Thane leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips, hesitant at first before becoming a little more aggressive, one hand grabbing her elbow. He pulled back, the concerned expression had turned to confusion.

"I wasn't expecting that." She breathed, pushing her hair back, looking away.

"I apologize if that was unwanted." He said, standing straight and fixing the collar of his leather coat.

"It's not that, I'm just...scared." Shepard said. "It's not that I'm not interested in you, because I really am. I just..."

"Say no more." Thane said, raising a hand. "I've gotten my point across, do with it what you will." He moved away from her and continued back to the Normandy. Shepard let him move ahead of her a bit before following.

"Do you need something?"

"Have a minute to talk?"

"Of course, Shepard, join me."

She sat across from Thane, looking across the table at him. She had been thinking, too much for her liking but still, thinking.

"Thane, I..." She stopped, trying to gather her words. "I've been thinking about you."

"And I you." He said. Shepard felt her mouth fall open slightly. "Will you hear my confession, Siha?"

"I think my translator just glitched, what does "Siha" mean?" She asked. Thane stood from his seat and circled to Shepard, extending his hand to her. She took it and was pulled up slowly. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her against his firm, lean body. One hand came up to cradle the nape of her neck as he lowered his lips next to her ear.

"One of the warrior angels of the Goddess Arashu. Fierce in wrath, a tenacious protector." He pulled back to look her in the eyes, making more distance between their faces. Shepard's heart skipped a beat. He was being far more upfront than she would have pinned him for. "I confess I've come to care for you." He said, looking into her eyes. She could see herself reflected in the black, the stunned look on her face and all.

"I care for you as well, Thane." She whispered, finding her throat suddenly dry. He pulled her close and kissed her, now with more feeling than when they had been leaving the Citadel. He tasted so exotic, almost sweet to her. Shepard gingerly rested her hands on his chest and pushed away, leaving a few inches from their lips.

"I have to go." She began. "I'll be back later, but I had some things to take care of." Thane released her and Shepard let her hands linger on his body before she smiled at him and began to walk away.

"Later...I'll be back later." She repeated before leaving.