A/N: Thanks to Rae for cleaning up this chapter and for OriginalAlcy for some great advice!
"So basically you're telling me that I can't get my old crew back together, and that I have to trust in the guys you pick out?" Shepard said, irritated. The 'Illusive Man', apparent head of Cerberus, wanted to talk to her and brief her on why she was brought back. The conversation was quickly going nowhere, at least when it came to her choice in crew. Shepard wanted her old squad back, people she could trust if she was going to work with Cerberus. However, there was always a quick excuse why she couldn't get them aboard.
Garrus had disappeared off the grid, not a single hint to his location. Ashley Williams was on a covert op for the Alliance, so she was out of the question. Tali was needed by the Admiralty Board on a covert mission as well, so until that was completed, she was unavailable. Wrex was now a leader of the Krogan people, with little time for off world issues. Liara's whereabouts were still 'unknown', though Shepard was calling bullshit on that. Shepard was resigned to the fact that she would have to trust the dossiers given to her by Cerberus.
"I wouldn't expect you to trust anyone, Shepard. It's what made you the best. I wouldn't expect anything less from you," The Illusive Man said coyly. "We were able to reach some of your crew. In fact, one of them is here now. I'll let him fill you in on the rest," The Illusive Man said. His hologram powered down, leaving Shepard confused.
"Uh... hey, Commander," a familiar voice spoke from behind her.
Shepard turned around to see none other than Joker standing before her. A wide range of emotions raced through her brain. Hatred, disappointment, relief, comfort, familiarity, and kinship all ran through her mind. In the end, finally having someone around who she could trust won out, and all other emotions died out. "Hey yourself, Joker. Good to finally see a familiar face," Shepard said with a smile.
Joker looked somewhat shocked. "Y-you're not angry with me?" he asked. "You died because you came back for me. I tore you and Liara apart because I wouldn't let the Normandy go."
Shepard gave Joker a forgiving smile. "I'm sure whatever hell you've been through the past two years has been enough punishment for that, Joker," she said.
Joker was surprised at what Shepard said, but nodded his head. "It... was hard, ma'am. The look on Liara's face when I stepped out of that life pod alone... I thought she was going to die on the spot," Joker recalled in horror. "When that passed, I saw her produce the biggest biotic aura I've ever seen and thought I was about to die. Probably would have, if the Alliance docs hadn't whisked me away for treatment," he said rubbing his arms.
Shepard grimaced at the visions of Liara's grief she was getting. She wanted to find her and hold her tight. She wanted to tell Liara that everything would be all right and that she was here to stay. Instead, Liara was nowhere to be found and Shepard wasn't getting much help from anyone. Shepard hoped Joker had some new insight. "Do you know where Liara went after? I need to find her," Shepard asked.
Joker shook his head. "She just... wasn't right after the news hit her. She refused to believe that you were dead, and organized a search party for you. A couple of the crew joined her, but fell off after a couple of days. She was the only one that kept on going. After that, she kind of just fell out of contact with the crew. I wish I had more for you, Commander. I really do," Joker said, upset he didn't really have anything useful for her.
Shepard gave him a sad smile. "It's okay, Joker. That's the most info I've received since I woke up," she said. Shepard perked up, trying to change the topic away from Liara. "So, what exactly are you filling me in on, Joker?" she asked.
Joker had a huge grin on his face. "Oh man, you gotta check it out. They only showed me last night. Follow me," he said.
Shepard followed him through various hallways to a long mirror. She gave Joker a curious look, before lights in the room beyond started to flicker on, revealing what was inside. Once fully lit, Shepard's jaw dropped. It was the Normandy, only it was sleeker and more updated than the original one. Shepard was definitely impressed.
"She still doesn't have a name. They wanted you to do the honors," Joker said.
Shepard smiled. "There's only one name appropriate for this vessel. Hello sweet, beautiful Normandy SR2," she said enthusiastically, admiring the beauty of the vessel.
"Commander, can I help you?" Miranda asked.
"That depends, you have time to talk?" Shepard replied.
Miranda frowned. "Talk about what?"
Shepard just shrugged her shoulders. "I dunno, stuff. I talk to my crew. I find it important to know who I am working with. That goes double for my XO. Since that is you, though not by my choice, I want to know more about you, Miranda," she said frankly.
Miranda was not the sharing type, and she liked to be in control of everything around her. "I do not make a habit of revealing information about myself," Miranda said dismissively. She hoped Shepard would drop it and move on.
Undaunted, Shepard sat down in a chair across from Miranda's desk and propped her feet up on the desk. "So, where are you from?" Shepard asked, a stubborn look on her face.
Miranda's eyes drifted to Shepard's feet on her desk, and she began fidgeting in discomfort. "Uhm, I was born on Earth," she said, shifting around in her chair.
Shepard grinned at Miranda's discomfort. "Where on Earth? I was born in London," Shepard said while she readjusted her feet on the desk.
"I was born in Australia," Miranda hastily replied, visibly twinging at the presence of Shepard's feet on her desk.
"Oh, Australia. Heard it's a beautiful place. What was your favorite part about it?" Shepard asked, enjoying the game she was playing with Miranda.
"I don't know. I suppose that the ocean was my favorite part, or the rocky scenery- and could you please get your feet off my desk!" Miranda shouted. She couldn't take things not being the way she wanted them to be any longer.
Shepard laughed and removed her feet form the desk. "See, that wasn't so hard. I learned you were from Earth, born in Australia, and love the ocean and rocky scenery. You're almost starting to sound like a human!" Shepard exclaimed teasingly.
Miranda glowered. "Piss off, Shepard," she said. "How did you know I had OCD anyways?" she asked, confused. She thought that she the condition very well.
Shepard blinked at her for a moment, and then burst into a fit of laughter. "How could I not, Miranda? Your whole room practically screams OCD!" she replied.
Miranda's patience was running thin. She wanted to get back to work for now, and Shepard was in the way of that. "Is that all, Commander? I have work that I'd rather be doing," Miranda said grumpily.
"For now. I just wanted to know a bit about you, Miranda. You're just the type that I have to put in a little extra effort for," Shepard said warmly. She was doing her best to be friendly, and knowing her crew was a vital part of her leadership abilities.
"Careful Commander, one might interpret that as you being flirtatious," Miranda replied suggestively.
Shepard huffed at the idea. "Don't get your hopes up, Miranda. I don't think it would ever happen," Shepard said.
"Hmm," was Miranda's only reply. A challenge, I like it, she silently thought to herself. "Very well, Commander. Perhaps I'd be up for a talk after I've finished some work."
"It's a date, then," Shepard said as she got up from the chair.
"Careful, Shepard," Miranda teased. This is going to be fun.
"And as I said, I don't think it'll ever happen Miranda," Shepard said with a smile.
As Shepard left, Miranda couldn't help but cast her gaze lower on Shepard's body. She admired how shapely the woman was, and admired her own work at recreating such beauty. It had been a long time since Miranda felt this excited about someone sexually, not since Jacob. That was just out of pure boredom as well, Miranda mentally added. She lost herself in thoughts regarding Shepard for a while before snapping out of it and returning to work.