Author's Note: This is based off my Shepard, whose actions were more renegade than paragon during the events of the game.

Thanks to yet another one of Joker's timely messages Shepard learned her cabin was repaired and returned to the Normandy with Garrus. She spent most of the day and evening visiting with the crew, going over what repairs had been made, what still needed to be done, before summoning her squad to the briefing room. She explained about their Alliance guest, informing them he would be receiving a soldier's welcome. Miranda and Jacob, wise to her tactic, approved wholeheartedly. Others balked, Grunt and Jack especially, but soon relented when Shepard pointed out that it never hurt reminding Kaidan who was responsible for saving the galaxy. Garrus chuckled and said, "Keeping him on edge by appearing to make him feel welcome. Makes me glad we're on the same side, Shepard."

It was quite late by the time she was finished with her duties. Exhaustion had set in at last; all she wanted to do was lay down and sleep. But when she entered her cabin and found Garrus already waiting for her, two bottles of wine, two glasses and two cartons the food emporium used for carry-out service on the table, she could not keep from smiling. He correctly read her expression and gestured to the seat beside him. "It's not five-star quality," he began, shrugging as she sat down. "But it's better than trying to digest what Gardner likes to call food."

She laughed, selected the carton marked with a poor rendition of the letter 'H' and pried it open. Only then did she realize how hungry she was. Grabbing a fork, she speared a piece of the marinated meat and popped it into her mouth. Garrus smiled at her, and leaned forward to pick up the other one. He devoured his in no time flat, then set out to pour them each a helping of wine. Shepard was about halfway done with her meal when she realized the music was different. Instead of the usual pleasant, upbeat tune, lyrics of an old-fashioned, somewhat sappy romantic ballad played. She eyed him. "Garrus..."

"Do you like it?" he asked, hopeful. "Yeoman Chambers helped me with some more research. She claimed this song was very popular during Earth's late twentieth century."

Shepard arched a brow. "Are you still trying to seduce me?"

"I thought I'd do better this time around. Well, with the wine anyways," he said, indicating the bottle.

The one meant for her was indeed a better vintage- and way above what he termed a vigilante's salary. "Isn't that the same one I saw you buy the other day?" she asked, giving him a knowing smile. "The one you told me was meant for Nalah Butler?"

"Erm," he responded, tugging at his collar self-consciously. "...yes. No," he amended quickly. "I do want to buy her a bottle. Eventually. She invited me to dinner one time and told me how much she loved wine, especially red. I thought you'd like it too, so I used those extra creds I had to get one." He scratched at his temple thoughtfully. "The shopkeeper told me it was red but I think she mislead me. It's not red at all. More of a purple-red..."

"Garrus, you're rambling," Shepard pointed out. When he immediately clammed up she laughed softly, set her food down and scooted closer to him. He watched her, both pleased and a little embarrassed, at her nearness. "When are you going to get it through your head that you can dispense with the props? Now," she said, climbing onto his lap and laying her hands on his shoulders. She eyed him provocatively. "What do you say we turn this crap off and have some real fun?"

He responded with a small laugh. His arms slid round her waist. "Remind me not to try improving what's already just right."

***

By noon the next day Kaidan arrived. The commander was there to meet him, her squad members flanking her. His initial reaction was hard to gauge. He had perfected the soldier's mask since their last encounter. Nonetheless, he treated the crew with the utmost courtesy. He smiled politely at the few questions he was asked, shook Joker's hand, raised a curious eyebrow when EDI greeted him, then made his way to her.

It was Miranda who stepped forward, as per their previously discussed plan. "Welcome aboard the Normandy," she said in crisp tones. She stood to Shepard's left, chin lifted , her eyes resolutely fixed upon his face. After she gave her name and rank Kaidan spared her, and the Cerberus insignia on her uniform, a curt glance. His response was a barely cordial nod before he addressed Shepard.

"I'd like to speak with you, Commander."

She nodded. "Let's go to my cabin," she said and dismissed the others with a gesture. Only Garrus remained, hovering at her shoulder with his arms crossed. The way Kaidan looked at him, it seemed as if he only just realized the turian was there. After a long, somewhat tense moment, he extended his hand toward Garrus. He was civil enough to shake it before quickly releasing him. Kaidan gave him a smile that was nonetheless strained. I can already see how interesting this is going to be, Shepard thought.

They boarded the elevator, she and Garrus standing to the right while Kaidan kept his distance. The silence could only be described as awkward. "Cabin, eh?" he said at last. There was a slight edge to his tone. "Seems this Normandy has quite a few perks over the original."

"You haven't seen the half of it," Garrus remarked dryly.

The elevator doors opened, Shepard exiting first. Once entering the cabin she took a seat on the couch, gesturing for Kaidan to do the same. At seeing Garrus had not moved he shifted his glance to Shepard. "I had hoped this meeting would be private," he said in slightly aggrieved tones.

She leveled her gaze on him. "I'm considering this a reunion among very old, very close shipmates."

The skin around Kaidan's eyes tightened, the only indication how her cool response had affected him. "Very well," he conceded after a moment. His disappointment could not be more acute. Garrus took his place beside her without a word. Their close proximity did not go unnoticed. "So. It's all really changed, hasn't it?"

Shepard gave a little shrug. "You said it yourself, Kaidan. But I don't think you came all the way to the Terminus Systems just to point out the obvious."

"You're right, I didn't," he stated, his tone turning businesslike. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and folding his hands together. "Word about what you did to the Collectors has spread. The Council recognizes your efforts on behalf of humanity. It's willing to welcome you back."

Shepard digested this for all of one second. "How considerate of them," she replied mildly. The Council, no matter who ran it, distanced itself from what it perceived as problematic, and were just as quick to embrace it after the fact. "Why send you? This could have just as easily been sent via a message."

"They didn't send me," Kaidan replied. "I came myself. Something this important couldn't be trusted to messages. They are easily intercepted. Now that I know you've got an AI and a geth on this ship, it's a good thing it wasn't handled that way." He frowned slightly. "Cerberus expanding its horizons?"

"This again?" Garrus scoffed. "You and the Council know damn well that if not for Cerberus the Collectors would have won. I don't agree with their ethics but at least they had the foresight to see Shepard for who she was and restore her when everyone else- including you- turned their backs."

Kaidan eyed Garrus with poorly concealed irritation. "And you," he said pointedly. "I know about what you did here, Garrus. To think a former C-Sec officer turning vigilante. It's disgraceful."

"There are worse callings," Garrus riposted nonchalantly. His expression was anything but. "What my team and I stood for here gave the people hope. It was worth seeing all those bastards dead knowing we were keeping them safe."

"The ends justify the means?" Kaidan shook his head in disappointment. "A turian named Sidonis would have said otherwise. You're lucky I don't turn C-Sec loose on you out of my civic duty as a soldier."

Shepard stared, part horrified, part alarmed, but mostly angry that he would suggest such a thing. It was also the wrong thing to say. Garrus leaned forward and growled, "You have no idea what Sidonis did to us. He deserved what he got."

"And murderers deserve their just punishment."

"Enough," Shepard barked, her whiplash tone halting what was fast on its way to an open confrontation. "Garrus, stand down," she ordered. Garrus, one hand on his holstered pistol, relented without delay. Shepard then speared Kaidan with a glare. "I'd appreciate it if you refrained from threatening my crew. As commander I am responsible for their actions, ill or otherwise. Are we clear?"

It was clear Kaidan did not like hearing that. But since this was her ship, he responded with a nod. "Perfectly, ma'am."

A tense silence passed. Shepard spent it studying the man seated across from her. He cast furtive glances at Garrus, at the cabin, but she could read absolutely nothing in his eyes. Any other reservations he may have had were neatly concealed beneath the soldier's mask. At last she said, a little incredulous, "So that's the reason you came out here? To invite me back to the Alliance?"

"It seemed the most logical thing to do," he answered stiffly. "The Collectors have been dealt with, and humanity needs its hero to boost morale. Things at the Citadel are not going well for us."

"That's for the Council to deal with, not Shepard," Garrus snapped. "Udina would just as soon cast her out than have the Alliance stand behind her."

"I agree," she said, folding her arms. "Udina hasn't exactly won my loyalty. That bastard's on such a power trip he's forgotten who put him where he is in the first place."

"He isn't my favorite person either," Kaidan admitted. "He shot down the Collectors' association with the Reapers during my Horizon debriefing. Shepard," he said, looking her in the eye. His voice lowered slightly. "We all know the truth. We have to make him see so the rest of the galaxy can, too. That's why we need you back. You have to understand this."

Shepard had encountered dozens of people across the galaxy asking for her help and understanding. There usually was a brief period of debate over the pros and cons her decision presented before she made up her mind. This, on the other hand, required neither debate nor time to mull over. "I'm sorry, Kaidan," she replied, shaking her head. "I can't go back, not while the Reapers are still out there. They threaten everyone. I'm not going to wait around while the Alliance decides whether or not it wants to believe me, nor am I letting Cerberus try to control what I do. I cut all ties with them."

"But you'd still accept their help." Not a question, but a statement.

"Miranda and Jacob both have contacts within the organization that I'll use, yes," Shepard explained, making no apologies. "At this point I'll take whatever I can get. I don't care where it comes from."

Some time passed before a ghost of a smile tugged at Kaidan's lips. It was the first time he looked as he did two years ago. "Your convictions were always very strong. All right, Shepard," he said, leaning back. Resignation shone in his eyes. "You made your point. I just wanted to make sure you made the right decision. I shouldn't have doubted you."

"No. You shouldn't have," Garrus remarked in mild tones. Kaidan sent him a curt glance but said nothing more.

Shepard, sensing the meeting was at its end, rose to her feet. The other two did as well, watching and waiting. "Is there anything else you need, Kaidan? Supplies?"

He shook his head. "I didn't plan on staying long, Commander. I'd appreciate it if you would walk me to my ship. Some of your crew looked like they'd eat me alive."

She agreed. As Kaidan went ahead Garrus leaned in close. "Want me to come with you?" he asked quietly.

"That won't be necessary," she replied, also keeping her tone low. At seeing how his eyes smoldered she touched his arm. "Don't let it get to you. He isn't going to turn you in."

He stole a glance over at Kaidan, who stood waiting by the elevator entrance. "All the same, he was way out of line with what he said."

"I'll talk to him," she promised. He nodded, informed her he'd be waiting in the main battery, turned and left the cabin. Kaidan's eyes locked with Garrus' as the turian passed. Shepard could almost see the spark that flashed between them before Garrus vanished into the elevator without another word. Shepard just shrugged at the lifted brow Kaidan sent her.

Emerging from the elevator onto the bridge, the pair was waylaid by Dr. Chakwas. Tears glistened in her eyes as she stepped forward to embrace Kaidan. "I had no idea you were here," he exclaimed in surprise, drawing away from her. That same, disapproving look he had given Shepard on Horizon was in his eyes. "I never expected you to be working with Cerberus too."

"Your expectations are not unfounded, Alenko," she replied with a smile. "Like I told the commander, I'm not part of Cerberus. Never was. I'm here because of her. And Jeff, of course," she added with a fond glance toward the cockpit. "But it is good to see you. You must join us for a drink," she requested. "There are so many memories to share, and time must be made to share them."

Having recovered from the shock of finding her aboard a Cerberus vessel, he smiled warmly. "I'd be glad to. Just say the place and I'll be there."

"Excellent! Are you up for another round of serrice ice brandy, Commander?" There was a glimmer of almost childish glee in her eyes.

Shepard chuckled. "Just as long as there's a cot nearby so you don't have to sleep it off on the floor." Chakwas laughed, embraced Kaidan and departed. The rest of the crew bid Kaidan farewell as they walked toward the airlock. Miranda, standing in the cockpit behind Joker, favored Kaidan with nothing more than a lift of the chin.

Leaving the Normandy behind, the pair strolled down the length of the corridor toward the center of Omega. Music echoed from beyond Afterlife's walls, occasionally muffled by news reports, transport cars and the impatient demands of those determined to gain entry into the club. The elcor bodyguard, as immobile as a rock and just as emotive, responded to each angry patron with the drawling monotone common to its race.

The doorway near the transports led to another docking bay. As soon as they entered Shepard recognized the Alliance cruiser despite modifications made to hide its origin. A few people lingering in the area moved out of sight, either from pure dislike or deference to Shepard. This was not lost on Kaidan. "It must be nice not being harassed in a place like this," he remarked. Shepard thought she detected some bitterness in his tone. "The agent in charge of reporting incoming and outgoing ships held me up for at least forty minutes." He indicated the turian standing by the far wall, assault rifle at the ready. He glared at all passers-by, even his own kind.

"Taking out all those mercs keeps the curious at bay," Shepard answered wryly, and he smiled a bit. They walked on for several moments before she spoke again. "About what you said to Garrus-"

He held up a hand. "I'm not going to tell C-Sec," he informed her with a sigh. "Like you said, you're responsible for what Garrus did. I don't agree but C-Sec can hardly persecute you." She could not argue against the truth of that, so she nodded.

Coming to a stop before his ship's airlock, he keyed in an entrance code. The door slid open as he turned to face her. "Shepard," he ventured, only to fall silent. Whatever he was about to say did not come easy. She waited, patient as always when it came to hearing people out. He took a step forward, faltered, tried again. At last he held out his hand. When she shook it he tightened his grip, very briefly. "Keep in touch," he requested in a low murmur. "Please."

The concern underlying his tone touched her. "I will," she promised, meaning it. His smile was very small but spoke volumes. As he prepared to turn away a puzzled look crossed his features, then alarm.

"Get down!" he shouted, throwing himself at her. The pair fell to the ground, arms and legs entwined, just as a bullet struck the right side of the airlock. Shepard quickly slipped into combat mode, separating herself from Kaidan and keeping low to the ground as she sought cover. He had done the same, his assault rifle already in hand. He fired a volley toward the overhead catwalk. Shepard withdrew her sniper rifle and peered through the scope.

A shadowed figure hunched behind some crates, the gun in hand shifting as he reloaded. Identifying him was useless; the lighting was too poor. It hardly mattered, anyway. He had made the mistake of opening fire on them. As soon as he stood she took a shot. The bullet lodged into his shoulder. He staggered back, one hand grabbing at his wound. Kaidan finished him off with a biotic move that sent him careening to his death. The body hit the ground with a resounding thud. She remained in cover, scanning the catwalk for any others. When none were found she signaled Kaidan.

"Shepard!" he called, hurrying to her side.

"I'm not hurt," she informed him as she rose to her full height. She refrained from grimacing at her sore thigh muscles, a pain that resolutely reminded her on insisting the Normandy get a hot tub, ASAP. "Come on. I want to know who the hell that guy was."

Kaidan nodded. "Right behind you."

She took the lead, walking swiftly toward where the enemy landed behind a stack of crates. There, lying among the ruins of a shattered glass tank, was a body shrouded in a black robe, its face hidden beneath a cowl. Blood pooled around the head, staining the floor crimson. Shepard knelt down to inspect the body. "No merc insignias, no extra shields. This guy was wearing basic armor," she reported, slightly awed. She moved on to the head. Kaidan cocked his gun as she lowered the cowl.

At first she could not determine what it was she stared at. She thought she recognized certain traits and features found in every known life form across the galaxy. But this thing- gaunt, with patches of multi-colored skin stitched onto its face- was nothing like she had ever seen before.

"My God," Kaidan breathed, lowering his weapon. "What is that?"

Shepard kept her revulsion under wraps. "That's what I plan to find out." She touched her ear, activating her communicator. "Joker, I need a little help here. I've got a body I think Mordin is going to find very interesting."

"Understood, Commander. Sending some help your way."

She acknowledged and disconnected the link. Kaidan had knelt opposite her, his gaze fixed on the body's right arm. "Shepard, take a look at this," he instructed, unable to conceal his alarm. She peered over the body, watching as he eased the sleeve past the wrist.

"Its hands...they look like-"

Shepard never got the chance to finish her sentence. The body abruptly sat up, latching onto both their necks with an iron grip. She felt something pinch, then pierce her flesh. She managed only a grunt of pain before her whole body went numb. There was a glimpse of Kaidan's astonished expression, a sideways view of passing ships beyond the window, and the grotesque, snarling face of the formerly dead assassin. The last thing she heard was her name slurred in a guttural voice. After that, nothing.