Author's Note: So hey, this is a pretty long chapter and I'm insanely happy with it. Please please please review it because I worked VERY VERY hard on it! I would love you forever!

Miranda was roused from sleep by a familiar clicking of boots. As she lied in Shepard's bed the noise persisted. While eyes still closed, she tried to put her fingers on what exactly it was. Her eyes shot open when she recognized it, they were her boots.

When she opened her eyes, she saw the Commander feeding the few fish she managed to keep alive. She was wearing Miranda's skin-tight Cerberus uniform. She noted that the outfit was probably about a half size to small, but it fit her nonetheless.

"Excuse me, Shepard, what exactly are you doing in my clothes?"

Shepard turned around, giving her a juvenile, innocent smile, "Good morning, well, I went to get dressed this morning and I found your uniform folded in the restroom. I always wondered what it would be like wearing Miranda Lawson's uniform. It's actually quite empowering. And here I thought you were just being made some kind of sex symbol by the Illusive Man."

Miranda blushed a bit at the Commander's last comment, "Alright, that's enough, give me my uniform, I need it."

"First time you wake up in my cabin, not to mention it has been two months, and you're quite cranky." Miranda sometimes was asked to sleep in the Commander's cabin due to her own childish fears, but since she had cried about Alenko, she had avoided her for the most part.

"I'm sorry, Commander. I don't know what you expect from me."

"Just a good morning would be sufficient."

"Anyways, there's no reason to even dock anywhere today, we won't be able to get the Reaper IFF for about two or three days, so we might as well have a bit of fun, eh?"

Miranda leaned against the headboard, "...What kind of fun, Commander?"

"Well today, it's switch day."

"Did you make that up just this moment?"

"Actually, I did. Mostly because you're uniform is so damn comfortable. You get to wear mine."

"Commander, you don't even wear a uniform."

The blonde paused for a moment, "That's very true. Since this isn't an Alliance ship, I assume that I don't have to be in a uniform, but you can wear some of my day to day clothes."

Shepard bent down, digging through her bottom drawer. She threw her clothing on the bed and Miranda looked up at her, "You really want me to wear this?"

Shepard nodded.

Miranda reemerged twenty minutes later to an eager Commander. The usual cold Operative seemed warm and approachable in her new clothes.

She wore one of the Commander's usual outfits: a dark brown v-neck with the orange Cerberus logo printed on the left breast, a pair of dark jeans, and a pair of Shepard's old lace up sneakers.

Shepard was taken aback, "Wow, don't think I've seen you in civilian clothes before, Miranda."

"I don't usually wear them because most of the time I'm working. I feel like I'm thirteen again."

"That's the last time you wore sneakers?" gaped Shepard.

Miranda nodded, sitting down in a chair near where Shepard sat on the bed.

"Actually, I have a something to tell you about, Shepard. It's actually rather important."

Shepard looked intrigued, "Well go on."

"Well," Miranda crossed her legs, "as a biotic, you were quite difficult to rebuild. We had tried a few things on soldiers, but rebuilding biotic abilities is quite challenging believe it or not. In the process of Lazarus, I realized that you would need a bit of... how you say 'biotic stretching'. It's nothing serious, and not a flaw by a long shot. But your biotics conflict with some of the artificial material we used on you, so after a bit of wear and tear, we have to... repair it."

"How exactly do you, 'repair it'?"

"It's simple really. You've just recently shown the signs of biotic fatigue and you need to have it taken care of before we go get the Reaper IFF. I had the Illusive Man build a 6th deck onto the Normandy. It's specifically for this problem. I like to call it: Shepard's Deck. Anyways, we should head down there at some point today."

Shepard nodded, "Of course, when we have a bit of time, we can head down there."

Miranda punched in the four digit code that authorized access to the 6th deck, Shepard tapped her foot impatiently. As the two descended, Miranda spoke up, "You know, when I said sometime today, Shepard, I didn't mean at 9PM."

Shepard had dragged Miranda around all day, showing off her new look to everyone, including Jacob (that had been especially traumatic), as well as tell everyone how comfortable Miranda's suit was. By the time Shepard finally decided to get to business it was long after dinner.

When the door opened, Shepard thought it looked extensively like the small room she lived in during Lazarus. It was a circular room with an operating table, a couch, and medical equipment. It looked as if it was at maximum capacity with just the two of them.

Miranda could see a bit of fear in Shepard's eyes and cursed herself for designing it with such carelessness.

"Alright, I'm going to make this as easy as I can for you Commander. But it's not painless."

Shepard nodded, "I'll be fine. If I lose my biotics, I'm really not much."

"You'd still be an excellent solider in my books, no matter what that crusty Illusive Man has to say."

Shepard laughed a bit as Miranda unhooked the neck hold of her uniform. The raven haired woman noted how odd it was to be taking her uniform off someone other than herself.

She grabbed the zipper and steadied Shepard as she climbed out of it. The blonde was left in her white undershirt and undershorts. Though the two had been so close through Lazarus, neither gave it a thought. It was a necessary evil.

As Shepard climbed onto the table, she noted the muscles that had grown on her since the completion of her physical therapy. She looked more and more like her old self everyday.

Miranda walked over to the computer beside the table, starting it up.

"Before I start the procedure, I need to see exactly how much damage has been done. I estimate the most damage will be done below your diaphragm. I made sure the biotic radiation kept away from your heart."

Miranda pulled the thin shirt off Shepard, inspecting her abdomen. Now only in her bra and shorts, she noticed how alarmingly cold the room was. The Cerberus Operative poked and prodded the Commander's abs.

Miranda took her hands back, "Well, not as much damage as I thought."

Shepard spoke up, "What... what exactly is the procedure?"

"In your abdomen I installed a miniscule reactor core to keep you safe, the thing is I forgot a key component, a very rare element. I can't tell you exactly what it is, but it is the reason it's so cold in here. At room temperature, it's a gas, and lethal. But in its liquid state, it's no more harmful than water. I'll inject it into your blood stream, making sure it stays a liquid until it flows completely into the reactor. You won't need another dose for twenty years. As for the stretching, it's just the standard stretching biotic children are told to do. I didn't tell you this part, because I didn't want to scare you. But I'm right here; I won't let anything bad happen okay? The pain will only last about a half hour, but we may be here all night."

Shepard bit her bottom lip, nodding. The woman reached over, placing two round pads on the Commander's abdomen that kept her body temperature low enough to keep the liquid from evaporating.

Miranda took the tube and found a vein in the Commander's left arm. Shepard felt a pinch; then felt a cold painful rush as the bluish liquid poured into her bloodstream.

The raven haired woman could only stare in sympathy as the woman's face cringed with pain. Shepard's small hand found Miranda's and squeezed. They stood like that for the rest of the half hour.

When Miranda was sure the dosage had been delivered, she pulled out the tube, and then carefully pulled off the pads. Shepard's face was pale, and Miranda immediately set the room temperature to a toasty 78 degrees.

The Cerberus Operative reached under the table, pulling out a large fleece blanket. She wrapped the frozen Commander in it, and picked her up, setting her on the couch.

When Shepard woke, she found her head lying in Miranda's lap. They were still down on the 6th deck and Shepard felt sore all over. Miranda got her moving, going through the stretches, and then they ascended back to the Captain's cabin.

Shepard walked out in front of Miranda, opening the door to the cabin. She began to get dressed, not speaking a word to Miranda. The Cerberus operative tilted her head. Shepard was being oddly quiet. Miranda glance over at the clock, it read Dec 13: 11:45AM.

December 13th, why did that date sound so familiar? She scanned her brain and suddenly it hit her, it was Shepard's birthday.

"Shepard, isn't today your 30th birthday?"

The blonde woman pulled her v-neck white t-shirt over her head, "Thirty-second, but yes."

Miranda shook her head, "No, it's your thirtieth, you spent two years dead, remember?"

Shepard laughed, pulling out a pair of black shorts, "Either way, it's my thirty-second... but I like the idea of being two years younger. Very well, it's my thirtieth then."

Miranda sat down, "You know, I can remember you actual thirtieth birthday, you actually woke up."

"Really?"

Miranda nodded, "Yes, you had woken up twice before. You woke up for the first time on November 2nd, then again a month later with Jacob, and then you woke up on December 13th while I was on watch. You probably don't remember it though; we had only gotten enough working for you to function. The memory lobe of your brain was still regrowing."

Shepard paused, intrigued, "...well what happened?"

Miranda smiled a bit inwardly, "You awoke suddenly; I think you had been dreaming about the Normandy crash. You asked for water, and after I gave you some, I tried to remind you where you where and who I was."

"And?"

"I had to remind you where you were, but when I started to remind you who I was, you stopped me. You told me you remembered me from the first time you woke up. You said my name was something that started with an M, but you could remember my eyes, you said the cerulean was unforgettable. I was quite shocked to say the least."

"What else happened?"

Shepard sat down on her bed, shorts still in hand.

"Well, we talked a bit, and it seemed like you were doing very well for the circumstances, we were just over halfway in your recreation. You asked me what day it was, and I told you that it was December 13th, and you smiled, saying how it was your thirtieth birthday. You asked if you could have some cake, but at this point we were still giving you your nutrients through a tube, you're organs couldn't handle solid food, nonetheless cake. You asked me to see a mirror, but I forbade you. Shepard, you were always a... pretty person, but at this point you had a little fuzz as hair, stitches all over your skin that was ghostly pale. I didn't want to send you into a heart attack."

"Wow... You know, I remember that now, Miranda."

Miranda laughed, "That's impossible, you were redeveloping your own memories, you had no ability to gather memories at that time."'

"No, no I remember. You promised me when I was well enough, and my birthday rolled around, you would throw me the best 30th birthday money could buy."

Miranda blushed a bit; she hadn't remembered being so nurturing to Shepard.

"Well, I guess today I live up to my promise. Why don't we dock on Illluim and we all go out for a drink, what do you say?"

The entire crew of the Normandy descended on Illium, heading to the Eternity lounge. Miranda stopped, walking in another direction. She yelled to Shepard to go on and that she'd be back.

Miranda climbed the steps to Liara's office, getting no resistance from her assistant. When she came in, the asari looked up.

"Miranda, what brings you to Illium? And where's Shepard?"

Miranda sat down, "I know you're a busy woman, but this is a special occasion for Shepard and I was wondering if you'd like to help me."

Liara raised an eyebrow, "What is it-"she paused, "It's Shepard's birthday."

"Her thirtieth to be exact. I promised her a party, but I have no resources for it whatsoever."

Liara smirked, typing away on her keyboard, "You go back to the Eternity with Shepard, and I'll be there soon. Don't worry about it."

By the time Miranda came into the Eternity, Shepard was already a bit intoxicated. She was swinging Tali around, laughing. Miranda could tell the other patrons weren't too happy.

"Commander, I am going to get sick!" Tali laughed.

Shepard stopped, "Me too, me too."

Garrus came up to Miranda, "Here, have a drink Miranda. Shepard's already got a head start."

Miranda laughed, taking the glass. Just as she took a sip, Garrus was being pulled by Shepard, "Come on! Dance with me!"

Miranda noted how much shorter Shepard was than Garrus, it had to be a good foot, maybe more. Poor Garrus tried to play along, he gave a bit of shifting from foot to foot but it didn't satisfy his drunken Commander.

Shepard grabbed Garrus' hands, and tried to swing him around like Tali, unsuccessfully. Garrus laughed, patting the Commander on the head, "Okay, okay, calm down, Shepard."

It was an hour before Liara finally arrived.

She walked towards the group, "If you all can follow me to the transit floor, I have a surprise."

The drunken Shepard was excited by Liara's presence and quickly gave her a jumping hug.

"Hello, Shepard."

"Liara! You came!"

When the group finally made it to the transit level, it was clear Liara had had it cleared for the night. There were decorations strewn everywhere and Shepard's eyes turned to saucers.

Liara led Shepard to her cake, and cued the group to sing happy birthday. After it ended, Shepard hungrily blew out her candles, not so silently hoping for the piece that had a star on it.

A few hours into the party, and Shepard saw Garrus standing over at the edge, being oddly quiet. She walked away from Miranda, going to confront him.

"Garrus, are you alright?" She sounded surprisingly sober.

"Oh, I'm fine, Shepard. Really, I am."

"Don't you lie to me, what's the matter?"

"Just a bit worried about our next mission to be honest."

Shepard nodded, "I am-" She was interrupted by a loud burst and dimming of the lights. She looked out on the city and fireworks lit up the sky.

She was completely oblivious that Garrus was still staring at her while she turned saucer eyed at the fireworks.

Miranda kept her eyes on Shepard from a distance; she was liable to pass out any second now.

"It's beautiful, Garrus..."

Garrus stared at her, "I know."

Shepard looked up at him, "How do you know, you're not even watching!"

He gave a smirk, "I never said I was talking about the fireworks."

He watched as her face turned bright red.

Shepard's intoxicated thoughts were racing. She had had no idea Garrus had any feelings for her, and this was so sudden.

Then, as Miranda watched on, it seemed like time began to slow.

She watched as Shepard jumped up, slinging her arm around his neck, and gave Garrus a deep kiss. It was Miranda's turn to be saucer-eyed.

Shortly thereafter, Shepard had passed out, and Garrus insisted on carrying her back to the Normandy. As Miranda followed in the back, she felt a pang of... jealousy. She had no the faintest clue why. Shepard was healed and it wasn't really her job to take care of her anymore, but she still had the gnawing feeling to. She was silent until they got back to the ship, and she almost demanded that she take Shepard to her cabin. To her surprise, Garrus gave her up freely.

Miranda laid Shepard down in her bed, staring at her peaceful face for a long time. She didn't understand why on earth she was feeling so jealous, but she put it aside, in only a day's time they would be boarding the Reaper. But she sure as hell was going to confront Shepard when they got back.

When the morning of the Reaper mission finally came around, she seemed to have no knowledge of what happened on her birthday. Shepard sat on her bed while Miranda helped her put on her armor. She seemed to have no knowledge of what happened on her birthday. When her armor was prepared, Shepard had instantly chosen dark gray armor with an orange stripe. She thought maybe if she dressed in Cerberus colors, Miranda wouldn't be so hesitant with her.

Miranda clasped on the armor's leg plates, and stood the Commander up, pulling her chest piece over her head. She began to clasp it into place and she looked at Shepard. The woman had a weary look on her face.

"Are you nervous, Commander?"

Shepard nodded, "Scared shitless actually."

"I didn't think you got scared."

"Well, Lazarus must not have been so in depth as I thought."

Miranda smirked and the Commander looked down.

"Miranda, can you make me a promise?"

"What is it?"

Shepard held out her hand, "Promise that we'll both make it out alive. Garrus as well."

Miranda cringed a bit at the mention of Garrus, but put it aside. She put her hand on Shepard's, "I promise, no I swear that all of us will make it out with the Reaper IFF unscathed. We'll be fine."

Shepard hugged Miranda, and then reached for her battle rifle.

"I hope you're right."