Bioware owns all!

Sorry it took so long for the update folks. I had to go back to school to learn to write better so to speak and I have been working hard at it, so the updates should be a little slow, but should speed up as I get better at doing it... It seems I am really thick. It's really had trying to understand the literary aspect when you mind is more interested in math.

Thanks as always to Shenzi & Sesheta for their support, when I was at the end of my rope, they pulled me back.

And to Star most of all because she is teacher and friend with the patients of Job... I mean she would have to be to put up with me... right?

Then too my extended support group of Sirius, Aslan and Kioux, who everyday give me words of encoragement. Sirius... this one will make you feel better... Let's go...

Searching for Secrets

The SSV Antietam looked exactly like the SSV Normandy, the problem was they tried to better her systems by making changes and some of those changes just didn't work out. Now the crew was spending precious time trying to get the engines, drive core and computer systems to work together. To that end they were stuck at a dock on the Citadel with Alliance engineers making a gratuitous visit every couple of days. Adams requested that Shepard shoot the next one that came by. She had considered it but decided that Kaidan might have a problem with that, so she didn't. Adams was not pleased so she stayed away from engineering. Now she stood by the open airlock waiting for her new crew mates to arrive.

Shepard watched the six marines walk up the gangway and enter the ship. They had their duffel bags and other personal items with them. She stood at ease waiting for someone to say something.

"Permission to come aboard Commander" the young lady in the front said. She had brown hair and green eyes and an air confident about her. Shepard recognized her from the holo in her file; this was the new Navigator First Lieutenant Ouisin Unwin.

"Permission granted marines" Shepard said. They entered the ship and lined up along the walkway between the airlock and CIC. Shepard personally greeted every one of them. Last she got to Unwin. She noticed Unwin looking towards the cockpit with a somewhat possessive expression although she wasn't sure if the look was for the pilot's seat or the pilot himself. There was something in her facial expression that Shepard knew but couldn't place.

"So Lieutenant Unwin, nice to have you on board, " Shepard said. Lieutenant Unwin twisted around to face her. Joker, who had been ignoring the whole group, suddenly swung around in his chair to watch the exchange going on outside the cockpit.

"Yes Ma'am, thank you Ma'am."

"So top of your class and I see you have several commendations for your skills as a navigator."

"Yes Ma'am."

Shepard folded her hands behind her back and made her tone light. "So Unwin you were the only marine to actually volunteer to serve on the Antietam." She furrowed her eyebrows her tone conspiratorial. "You do realize that our last ship was destroyed."

"Yes Ma'am. But I do believe my skills will be a useful addition to the Antietam's already excellent and well rounded crew. I also followed your speech about the Reapers, and although most of the information about them is classified, I realize that this is a very dangerous mission."

Shepard looked over her head and had a far off look in her eye her voice thoughtful. "Well unfortunately, sitting by the wayside may be just as dangerous."

"Ma'am?" Unwin furrowed her brow looking at the other soldier for support.

"Don't worry it will make sense once you're briefed," she said shaking off her dreamy state.

Shepard stepped back to address all the marines. "This is Corporal Hugh Molton. He will show you where to stow your gear and give you the tour. Then Staff Lieutenant Alenko will brief you in the comm center at ten hundred hours. We are not too formal here. Get along with your fellow marines, stay out of the Alpha team's way and we should all get along fine. If you have problems working with aliens, leave them at the door, because I will not tolerate it. That's about it. Welcome to the crew. Dismissed."

Shepard watched the new crew members filter down the corridor towards CIC. She noticed Unwin glance back at Joker who quickly turned away. Now what was that about? Unwin followed the others trailing Molton. Shepard joined Joker in the cockpit.

"So you know Unwin. Why didn't you say so?" she folded her arms. "Is there a problem?" She cocked her head inquiringly.

"No Shepard. No problem," he spoke quickly, almost too quickly. "We have worked together that's all." Joker adjusted his hat his eyes unable to maintain contact with her. "I just never expected her here. Did you say she requested this posting?"

"Yes, she is the only volunteer in the lot." she flicked her head in the direction the marines had gone. "So is she a good navigator?"

"Yes, she is. One of the best actually. I think you'll be happy with her work."

"Is there something about her I won't be happy with?" she said sternly, stared intently at him raising her eyebrows.

"Nothing that I can think of Shepard," his voice sounded nervous as he shook his head and swallowed.

"You know Joker," she said slowly looking him up and down. "You haven't cracked one joke while I have been standing here. Are you feeling alright?"

"Actually," he licked his lips turning them down in a grimace, "I have a sick feeling in my stomach."

"Go see Doc, it's not like we are going anywhere."

"Right, thanks Shepard. See you later," he rattled off quickly then rushed past her as fast as he could, heading down the corridor to CIC.

"Yeah, see you at dinner," she said offhandedly following his slow progress down the corridor it's really isn't like him not to crack jokes. He didn't even have one comment on the new crew. This is really strange.

The elevator door opened onto the crew deck and Joker looked out to see Unwin passing by. He grabbed her by her elbow and pulled her into the elevator, then punched the button for the gym deck. The door closed and the elevator started its slow crawl to the next floor.

"Ouis, what are you doing here?" he hissed in a low voice his heart racing, he shook her arm not letting it go.

"Well you wouldn't answer my letters and I didn't like they way we left things," matching her volume with his she glanced down at his hand on her arm and then back to his face.

"Ouis, you can't be here!" the pain in his voice still evident even at the low tones, he released her arm and fell back against the wall of the elevator, looking up at the ceiling. "You have to ask for a transfer."

"I am not going to do that Jeff." She said calmly as she shakes her head and reaches for his cheek. "You are here and I am staying right here."

"This mission is really dangerous," he turned towards her and grabbed both her arms his voice filled with tension. "You can't be here!"

"But I am here and I'm staying," poking his chest with a finger several times she continued her angry retort trying not to raise her voice. "You almost died on the Normandy. I had to find out from a news vid that you were alive. You never even let me know you survived. Now I'm here with you. You're going to have to deal with this."

The elevator finally opened, and he looked around to make sure no one was around before exiting. He kept one hand on her arm and he slowly led her to the alcove by an escape pod for privacy.

"I told you when I left that I didn't know if I would even be back." He kept his voice low but it sounded rough and there was anguish behind the tension. "Why are you doing this?"

"You know why. You left because you're afraid of what I want." She jutted her chin out to him defiantly then spoke quickly still angry. "No negotiations, no discussion, you didn't even say goodbye. That's not good enough for me, Jeff"

"Ouis, listen, it isn't like I don't care for you, I really do," he released her and stepped back from her his voice rough with sadness. "It's just that you deserve better then a man who's falling apart."

"As far as I am concerned there is no one better," she placed her hand on his arm the anger gone from her voice.

Joker looked at the woman in front of him. I should have known she wouldn't just let it go. I never expected to get close to her, and I certainly never expected her to fall for me. Now she has gone and put herself in danger just to be with me. He ran his hand down the side of her face.

"So... you do realize that fraternization rules apply since we're under the same command?"

"So you're telling me I might have to worry?" relief tinged her voice as she stepped closer him.

"God, you are almost as stubborn as Shepard." He took her into his arms and kissed her.

Several days passed during which time Unwin became familiar with the crew's duty assignments, shift schedules and relationships. It was all very interesting and at times confusing. She hadn't had much time to see Jeff as they were on opposite shifts but she had time to think about what he'd said. Fraternization rules.

Shepard hadn't been kidding when she said that not being along for the mission was just as dangerous. When Lieutenant Alenko had given his brief he left nothing out. No wonder Shepard was sure the Reapers were a threat to more than just humans. This was the stuff of old horror vids.

She was on a break, drinking coffee in the mess and she thought about Shepard. She had heard so much about her before coming it was hard not to get a preconceived opinion of her. Hard ass, dangerous, stubborn and cold were some of the words used to describe her. Since they hadn't left port Unwin was free to roam the ship and help out where she could. She used this time to observe Shepard and try and find out just how much of a hard ass she really was. Was she by the book, or did she allow some leeway? Did she ride you ass, or did she allow you to get the job done in your own way and at your own pace?

From her observation so far she found that Shepard was prone to bouts of anger, and when she was on a tear most of the crew stayed out of her way. In contrast the Alpha team always rallied around her at those times like moths to a flame. In the end they usually got her calm and centered. She had noticed that Jeff was treated as part of the Alpha team, he even ate with them. As for if Shepard was a by the book truly hard ass; nothing had come up that would give Unwin enough data to make even an educated guess, so at this point, the jury was still out.

Sipping again on her coffee she noticed Staff Lieutenant Alenko passing by. She watched as he made his way towards Shepard's cabin He spends and awful lot of time with the Commander. She swallowed another mouthful of coffee, gazing after him thoughtfully. He is in there more often than what can be accounted for in staff reports and updates. I wonder... if they have something going. Maybe I can use that to my advantage. This way if Jeff and I get caught, Shepard won't write us up or separate us. It looks like I am going to have to find out more about the Staff Lieutenant. Yes it could turn out to be just the leverage I need. Finishing her coffee, she left the mess and returned to the CIC.