Thane was unaccustomed to living in such close proximity with allies. He was still skeptical about the others aboard the Normandy and chose to observe them as if he were researching a contract. His only purpose here was to try to right the wrongs of his past and saw no urgent need for the seemingly constant socialization among the crew. True, he could see the merit of becoming accustomed to each other's habits in battle; but here on the ship, the idle time between missions, he saw no benefit in developing relationships with anyone. Thus, he stowed away in his quarters - the quiet hum, dry air, and ambient light suited him well enough. He had meditation and literature to pass the time, should he become bored, and of course, his physical routine to maintain his prowess.

He'd noted the presence of Ms. Goto immediately. He was unsure if she knew who he was; but he certainly knew her. He had respect for the tiny creature. Their paths had crossed a few times in the past while he was at work. She had never interfered with his contracts, and more than once she had thrown things in his favor – again, he was unsure if it had been intentional – distracting guards or disabling security and saving him valuable time. He knew she was a master at her art. If everyone on Shepard's crew was as competent as he and Ms. Goto, he was thoroughly impressed. Shepard was gathering the best of the best.

Then there was the matter of Shepard herself. He couldn't compartmentalize the woman, and it irked him. It wasn't often he couldn't read an individual rather quickly. He'd spent his life observing others, after all. She blazed into the Dantius towers, all hellfire and fury, a force to be reckoned with to be sure. At first glance, he thought her destructive and compulsive, but the more he observed her he realized that she was directing a symphony of slaughter; every move tactical and efficient. He could see why she had become a legend. Her compassion was also unexpected, ceasing her fire and aiding the innocent along the way. She raced him to the top of that tower in what was probably the most exhilarating experience he'd had in a decade. Then, after he'd dealt with Nassana and her guard, the woman stared at him in what he was sure was awe. It was rather humbling and simultaneously perplexing. When he'd come across her in the mess hall late last night, she was not the woman he'd encountered on the field. She was dressed in her pajamas and stumbled over her words, showing her more human side to him. Something about her was just niggling at him, and when he'd next looked at the clock he realized he'd been doing nothing but thinking about her for hours. This realization jolted him. What was going on? It was then he noted laughter from the room next door, Ms. Goto's quarters, had ceased. He heard the Commander's unmistakable step pass by his room and he recalled she had called herself a night owl. Tonight, then. He'd talk to her and see if he could uncover the source of his infatuation.

It was late; all were asleep, as per usual. Shepard had spoken with Gardner earlier and explained her odd eating schedule and begged his pardon, and he granted her sole permission to cook for herself at night. So, with this card in her back pocket, Shepard mosied on down to the mess and tried to quietly gather a bowl and muffin pan. She'd been craving some something fierce and promised to bring one to Kasumi in the morning. She busied herself and started singing a song quietly that had been stuck in her skull for the past day. She'd lost herself apparently and began to gently sway while she mixed her batter, singing her song..

"dance me to your beauty with a burning violin,

dance me through the panic till i'm safely gathered in,

touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove,

dance me..

to the end of love.

Oh, dance me.."

It was then that a specific Drell chose to clear his throat, standing behind the counter. Shepard jumped and in a series of unfortunate events, threw her batter-covered spoon over her shoulder, promptly smacking Thane right in the face, simultaneously throwing her hand down that tipped her bowl over before she was able to get a grip on herself. Now drenched in batter and muttering a string of colorful expletives, she turned around to apologize to whoever startled her but the sight of the stoic Drell with a shocked expression and batter all over his face immediately reduced her to hysterics.

"Oh, god, Thane! I'm so sorry!" She tried to reign in her giggling at his expense, but seeing him raise a hand to the foreign substance on his face and recoil in what was surely horror just made her laugh harder. The Drell glared slightly at the Commander before absorbing that she, too, was covered in the mixture brought a smile to his lips. He stifled the laughter that almost escaped him and instead walked around the offending mess in the floor and got them both towels.

"Arashu, help her."

Shepard snorted. "Did you just plead to your gods for me?"

"Indeed. It seems you need their assistance."

"Oh, you can say that again.." She began to clean herself up as much as possible before giving up with a frustrated huff to her bangs. "You really need to work on how you approach people in the middle of the night." She crossed her arms and watched him finish wiping his face with thinly veiled amusement.

He decided not to humble that with a response. "I did not know you could sing, Shepard."

She froze and began to redden, "How much of that did you see? Er, hear?"

"Enough. It was quite beautiful. What was it?"

Her blush deepened. "It was ah.. an old earth song my mother sang to my father a lot. It reminds me of simpler times." She gestured for him to sit while she began making a new batch of muffins.

"Interesting. Would you mind sending it to me? I'd like to hear it in it's entirety. It sounds lovely; though doubtful anything could top the show I just got from the infallible Commander Shepard." He smirked at her. "Don't fret, your secret is safe with me. What is that you're making?"

"I'm going to pretend like you didn't say that, and I will send it to you. I'm making blueberry muffins. Kasumi and I were craving them. Would you like to try one?" She put the new batch in the oven. "They'll be ready in a few minutes. They're best fresh and warm."

He eyed her stains suspiciously and looked reluctant to take her up on her peace offering. "I tried your tea, remember? Come on. It won't bite." She grinned at him.

"Alright, Shepard. I will. But tell me. You are a series of contradictions packed into such a small frame. You wreak havoc on all who oppose you. You show compassion and mercy to the innocent. You can talk your way in circles around a politician, yet you're awkward in an endearing fashion. You are a professional marksman, yet a disaster in the kitchen."

She quirked a brow at him. "What was your question, exactly? And for the record, I am not a disaster in the kitchen. You startled me, you stealthy slut."

"You wound me. I am not more promiscuous than anyone else, I'd imagine. I just don't understand you. I suppose you're right. There is a question, but I do not know what to ask."

She studied him for a moment and then shrugged. "You'll get used to it." With that, she pulled the muffins out of the oven and plated them. She snagged one for herself and one for Thane. Once they were both sitting, Shepard all but devoured hers in a single bite, but noticed Thane's lingering reluctance. "Come on, you big baby. Take a bite."

He scowled at her, but did as instructed. The moist crumbles were surprisingly delightful. "Shepard, this is.. delicious." She smiled knowingly and they finished eating in silence. She got up to stash away the rest for the morning.

"Thank you."

She smiled. "You're welcome, Thane." She scrunched her nose in that peculiar way again.
"And sorry again about all of the chaos."

He nodded in ascent. She was walking away, but at the last second she turned to him and spoke. "Thane? If you tell anyone I was singing.. I can think of several creative ways to kill you." She winked and went about her way.

Thane was shellshocked. He'd come looking for answers and was left messy and with more questions than he could handle. He looked down and sighed heavily, and resigned himself back to his quarters.

He'd only just met her, but the winds of change were blowing. She would be the death of him, he just knew it.

AN: Thanks for sticking with me this far. For the curious, Shepard was singing "Dance me to the End of Love" by the Civil Wars. I'd still really love to hear some feedback from you all. Thanks for reading!

Also, disclaimer: I don't own mass effect or the characters, just my imagination.