Chapter 5

Four days. Miranda hadn't heard from Jack in four days. Nobody had heard from Jack all week. As she walked through the office with Alenko by her side jabbering on about turians or something she could barley process what she was doing. Simply missing the woman had turned over to genuine concern.

"Does that sound good?" Kaidan asked.

Miranda shook herself. "What? I'm sorry Kaidan I wasn't listening."

Alenko sighed. "What is up with you Miranda? All week you've been off your game. I had to cover for you with the captain yesterday."

"Yes, I know. Thank you." Lawson massaged her temples and let out a groan. "I um... haven't heard from Oriana in a while. Just a little worried. Not like her to disappear like this."

"Oh shit. Why didn't you say something before? I'll help you find her."

"No." She said a bit sharper than intended. "I'm just overreacting. It's probably nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure. Speaking of not hearing from people. Has anyone heard from Jack? Or has she finally run off on the Alliance. Honestly I'm surprised she lasted this long." Miranda said.

"No. People are getting worried. Myself included. I'm glad you brought that up actually. The captain wants to see us about her."

Miranda stopped in her tracks. "What? The captain wants to see me about Jack?"

"Both of us yeah."

"Why is that?"

"We were the last people to see her before she went awol. So I told him we would help in any way we could. I think they might be launching an investigation."

Miranda froze. Before she could respond one of the recruits came rushing up to her. "Miss Lawson?"

"Yes?"

"Oriana Lawson is here to see you. Your sister?" The young girl said.

Kaidan shot Miranda a curious look. "What? I thought you hadn't heard from her."

"She must have wanted to surprise me. I'll talk with you later Kaidan." Miranda said

"Hold on. What's going on Miranda?" Kaidan asked.

"Nothing."

Alenko didn't look convinced but he let it go. "Alright. Remember we need to speak to the captain about Jack later."

Miranda followed the recruit to the front desk of Alliance HQ.

Oriana's face lit up when she saw Miranda and rushed towards her wrapping her in a hug. "Miranda! It's so great to see you."

"Hello Ori. This is a surprise."

"I was passing through Vancouver and couldn't leave without seeing my big sis." Oriana stepped back to get a good look at her sister. "Are you alright Miranda? You look terrible."

"Long week. It's good to see you though. How are you? Are you still seeing that boy Vincent?"

"I never told you I was seeing Vincent." Oriana crossed her arms and smiled. "But yes. Actually... we're getting married!"

Miranda's eyes shot open wide. "What?! You've only known this boy for a month! You couldn't..."

Oriana laughed. "I'm just joking! God you're gullible. What about you?"

Miranda smiled and shook her head. "Me?"

"Yeah! Come on I know you must have met somebody. What's he like?"

"Oh, he's very... unique." Miranda said.

"Come on sis. Details!"

Miranda's face twisted awkwardly. "It's nothing serious. Don't worry about it."

Ori groaned. "You're no fun. Alright, well can we get lunch?"

"I can't Ori I have to work."

Oriana's shoulders slumped and pouted her lips. "Alright..."

Miranda rolled her eyes. "Fine. I can take a short break and we can have lunch. How's that sound?"

Ori's face lit up and she hugged her big sister. "That sounds perfect! Now you can tell me all about this mystery man."

"Alright, lets go."

Miranda took her younger sister to the cafe she usually visited with Jack. On the way over Oriana had told her all about what she had been up to. One thing was certain, her younger sister had a much less stressful month than her.

"So you promised to tell me all about this guy of yours." Oriana said.

"I did?"

"Yes. You did. So what's his name?"

Suddenly Miranda was hit was an overwhelming need to come clean with someone. She needed to tell someone and she trusted her sister to keep her secret. "Jack."

"Jack?"

"Yes." Miranda moved her food around on her plate with her fork nervously. "Her name's Jack."

Oriana's eyes shot open. "Her name?" Miranda nodded. "Wait, You're a..."

"Yes."

The shock left Oriana's face and was replaced with a smile. "Hold on, this wouldn't happen to be the same Jack you used to complain about all the time during our extranet chats when you were on the Normandy is it?"

Miranda blushed. "It is."

Oriana giggled. "Oh my god that makes so much sense! You were so in to her back then I can't believe I didn't see it."

"I was not 'So in to her'!" Then Miranda thought about it. "Well... perhaps a little."

"Oh you were into her alright. Nobody complains about someone that much without being secretly in love with them. Why didn't you tell me before? I feel like an idiot now for jabbering on about Vincent." Oriana said.

"Well...she works with me at Alliance HQ. We could lose our jobs. So keep this between us."

Oriana laughed. "So she's your dirty little secret."

"That makes it sound so childish."

"It kinda is sis. So...what's it like with a...you know."

Miranda's blush grew. "My little sister doesn't need to know about that."

Oriana laughed. "Come on Miri! i'm not a baby anymore."

"Says the girl who ordered a bloody milkshake with her lunch." Miranda joked as she glared at the girl's empty glass and hoping she could change the subject.

"Hey you drank half!" Her little sister reminded her. "Well where is she? I wanna meet her."

"She's away at the moment."

"Aww well promise me you two will visit me on Illium."

"Maybe some day in the future. It feels good to talk about this with someone."

"You never talk about yourself. You must really like this woman."

"That's not true Ori. I talk about myself."

Oriana smirked. "You tell me about your boring work stuff. Never about what you do with your free time."

"I'm sorry. I'm working on not being so secretive. But old habits die hard."

"Well you're not doing a very good job."

Kaidan sat outside the captain's office. His eyes trained on the vidscreen on the wall as the Alliance news network reported. Miranda took a moment to listen in.

"Alliance Captain Charles Shaw has been promoted to Admiral filling the position vacated by Humanity's first councilor Admiral David Anderson following his death in the final hours of the Reaper war. The delay in replacement was..."

Kaidan snapped to when he saw Miranda by his side. "Feels strange to see them replacing Anderson. He was a good man." he said. "How's your sister?"

"She's fine. Thank you for asking."

Kaidan was silent for a moment before he stood up and turned to face Lawson. "Why did you lie to me about her being missing?"

"I...I didn't."

"You did. Listen Miranda, I like you. You've been a good friend to me. But you're hiding something. And ever since Jack went missing you've been a mess."

"Are you suggesting that I..."

"I'm not suggesting that. I know you would never do something like that. But nobodies seen Jack in four days. And you were the last person to be with her. So before we go see the captain I have to ask. Is there anything you need to tell me?"

For a brief moment Miranda entertained the idea of coming clean. Telling Alenko everything about her relationship with Jack. But once that moment passed her answer came quickly enough. "No."

"Alright. I trust you Miranda." Kaidan said before he stepped into the captain's office.

She followed Kaidan into Captain Stewarts' office.

"Miss Lawson, please take a seat." The captain said as he gestured to the chair next to Kaidan's own seat.

Miranda did as asked and sat next to Alenko across from the captain. Captain Stewart was a large man with broad shoulders and a bald head. Miranda had reported to the man a few times but had never been inside his office, but he seemed to have taken a liking to her in the past. The room was devoid of any decorations besides medals which the captain proudly displayed on his desk. "This is about Jack sir?"

"Yes. The lieutenant has not been seen or heard from in over four days. Alenko tells me you were the last person to see her before her disappearance. I was hoping you could shed some light on this situation."

"I'm not sure I can be of any further help sir. But I'll assist to the best of my ability."

"Why don't you tell me what happened after Alenko left you two alone on the 24th of December."

Miranda glanced over at Kaidan. "Sir, may I request to speak with you in private?"

Kaidan leaned forward. "What? Why?" he asked.

"You're dismissed Alenko." The captain said.

Kaidan stood up. "Yes sir." He glared at Miranda before he left the office leaving Miranda alone with the captain.

"Is there something you need to tell me Miss Lawson?"

"I believe Jack is on Eden Prime."

"And why would you believe that?"

"Because I sent her there."

Stewart leaned forward. "Excuse me? And why would you do that?"

"I told her she could find her mother there. I've spent the last month locating her birth family for her. My search led me to Eden Prime."

The captain was silent for a moment. "Why keep this a secret from Alenko?"

"Jack and I are close friends. For private reasons we wish to keep that a secret. Especially from Kaidan."

Stewart's eyebrows perked up and a wave of realization washed over his face. "Are you and the lieutenant romantically involved?"

"No sir." She lied. "That would be a violation of Alliance regs concerning fraternization. I always follow protocol."

"Then why would you locate Jack's mother for her?"

"Because she saved my life when we both served under Commander Shepard aboard the Normandy SR2." Another half truth but one she wagered would help manipulate the captain given the medals for bravery he so proudly displayed.

"I see."

"Sir, I request permission to use an Alliance transport vessel to personally retrieve the lieutenant."

"Granted."

"And if I may can I ask a favor of you captain?"

"Go ahead." Stewart said.

"I ask that you keep what I just said to you between us."

"There are several reasons why I should not agree to that." He said. "But, your a good officer Lawson. Probably the best we have in Vancouver. So unless I see an overwhelming need to do so I will keep it between us."

Miranda smiled. "Thank you sir."

"Now go find her."

Notes- Sorry for the delay but the end of this story is coming very soon. I also just started my first all original Mass Effect series "The Veiled Asari" and I'd love it if you gave it a read and a review. Thanks for reading.