Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect

AN: As requested by Zaara the black, hope you enjoy it.

Mass Fiction

Episode 4: Hearts and Minds

"If you require any additional supplies, simply leave a list with EDI and I'll be able to make a request to one of our facilities," Miranda explained.

"Shouldn't be necessary. Laboratory very well stocked. Quite impressive," Mordin said pausing for breath, "could possibly use more Element Zero."

"I'll see what I can do," Miranda said mentally compiling a list of the closest Cerberus storehouses.

"Nice to be working with a budget again. Reminds me of time spent with Special Tasks Group."

"I would imagine that was quite an experience," Miranda said with interest.

"Indeed. Mentally stimulating. Great minds coming together with a common goal…*sniff*…all information classified of course."

"Of course," Miranda said somewhat disappointed, "don't let me keep you from your work professor."

"Here if you need me Miss Lawson," Mordin said as he dove back into his research.

Exiting the lab, Miranda made her way to the elevator to find Jacob holding the doors for her.

"I was just heading down for a bite to eat," Jacob said as Miranda stepped in, "care to join me?"

"Sorry Jacob but I just don't have the time," Miranda sighed. "I need to put in a requisition to get more Element Zero for Mordin and I still haven't filed my reports from Omega to the Illusive man. The way Shepard works there's hardly any time to breath let alone do paperwork."

"The commander keeps a brisk pace, I'll give him that," Jacob said smirking, "think you'll be able to keep up."

"Please," Miranda scoffed, "I admit that I underestimated his abilities this time but I won't fall into that trap again. From now on I'll make sure he's the one keeping up with me."

"I have to say I'm impressed Miranda," Jacob said chuckling, "you made it a whole week before trying to put you and the commander into a competition."

"It is not a competition," Miranda said frowning, "I am simply trying to do my job as quickly and as efficiently as I can. I have no doubt that the commander is trying to do the same."

"Right," Jacob said shaking his head as the elevator doors opened.

Jacob made his way to Gardner's station noticing that Miranda was still at his side.

"Change your mind about lunch," Jacob asked fairly certain the answer was no.

"I want to speak to Garrus before I start my reports," Miranda said continuing towards the Main Battery.

"You gonna start making the rounds just like Shepard too," Jacob asked grinning.

"Hardly," Miranda said dismissively, "I wanted to make sure that he's settled in and for him to get an idea about the chain of command on this ship."

"I don't know if throwing down the XO card is going to do much good Miranda," Jacob cautioned. "He's here for Shepard. He might not take to well to someone trying to pull rank on him. This isn't the military and it definitely isn't the Turian Navy."

"I'm not here to make friends Jacob," Miranda said somewhat cross, "I'm here to make sure that this ship runs smoothly so Shepard can complete his mission. If people's feelings get hurt than that's the price we pay."

"You don't have to tell me Miranda," Jacob said putting up his hands, "I've been in the military, remember? But look at it from his view. He's on a new ship, surrounded by people that work for an organization that isn't known for their love of aliens. Playing the hardass XO card may do more harm than good."

"Duly noted," Miranda said leaving Jacob behind.

Not wanting to argue any further, Miranda moved quickly forward, giving a curt nod to Gardner as she passed the kitchen. She wouldn't admit it, but she knew Jacob was right. Garrus had no allegiance to Cerberus or any real reason to trust them for that matter. Shepard was the only thing that would hold him in check. Still, her main goal here was to extend an olive branch not to start a fight.

Opening the doors, she was greeted by the sight of the Turian's back, as he punched numbers into his console. A few key taps and he turned and assumed a standard military parade pose, arms behind his back, looking at attention.

"Miss Lawson," he said coolly.

"Mr. Vakarian," Miranda answered.

"Mr. Vakarian," Garrus questioned. "Is my father standing behind me or something?"

Miranda's response was a blank look as she tried to come up with a retort as Garrus merely chuckled at her.

"So much for lightening the mood," Garrus said relaxing his stance, "you can call me Garrus."

"In that case it's Miranda if you please."

"Well, now that introductions are out of the way, do you need me for something," Garrus said trying not to sound to standoffish.

"I'm just checking in to make sure you have everything you need. It's my job as Shepard's XO," Miranda said stressing the last part.

"I brought some supplies I had with me on Omega," Garrus said motioning to a nearby footlocker, "weapons, thermal clips, rations those sort of things. I shouldn't need anything for a while."

"We anticipated a Turian joining our team before we left dry dock. Our galley is stocked with dextro based foodstuffs that would be safe for you."

"Thank you, but I think I'll stick to what I have for the time being," Garrus said causing Miranda to frown.

"I assure you that there's nothing wrong with our supplies. Do you think that we might try to poison you," Miranda asked crossing her arms.

"The thought had crossed my mind," Garrus said mimicking the gesture, "but I doubt you would risk that seeing as I'm needed to keep Shepard nice and cooperative."

"You're here because of your skills. Cerberus wasn't even aware of your identity until we met you."

"But you are aware of who I am now and you won't let any advantage of my friendship with Shepard go to waste now will you?"

"I won't deny the fact that Shepard will work better if he has people he can trust around him. It's the exact reason why we enlisted the help of Mr. Moreau and Dr. Chakwas."

"And that's what I'm afraid of. Shepard is loyal to his friends and would give his life to save one of them. He already did it once, and I don't like the idea of Cerberus using that to their advantage."

"What? Do you think we'll put a gun to Joker's head if Shepard doesn't do what we say," Miranda asked annoyed.

"Yes."

Miranda was taken aback by the honesty and sheer volume of paranoia in the response. Is that what he really believed? That Cerberus would put so much time and effort into gaining Shepard's cooperation only to throw it away by threatening his friends. It was ridiculous. She was about to voice her opinion until Garrus continued.

"I'm sure it wouldn't be the first option. You would probably try to persuade him, convince him, and maybe even bribe him. But sooner or later Cerberus will cross a line that Shepard won't and no amount of talk is going to change his mind. After that your options get a bit messier."

"That's preposterous," Miranda huffed.

"I was with Shepard when he broke up a few of your horror show experiments. I've seen exactly how far Cerberus is willing to go. Threatening friends and family is mundane compared to that."

"With all due respect I think your irrational paranoia is clouding your judgment. Cerberus is working with Shepard to save lives. We didn't waste billions of credits and two years just to stab him in the back," Miranda snapped in frustration.

"So long as he play's nice. Shepard has always tried to give others the benefit of the doubt. It's what draws people to him. The selflessness, the compassion, the ability to try and see the good in people, it makes those that follow him trust him completely. But I learned from experience that sometimes there is no good, no matter how hard you look. Sometimes there's only evil," Garrus said getting right in Miranda's face. "And if you or any other Cerberus agents think they can threaten Shepard or his friends…I'll put a bullet in their head. With all due respect."

For a moment the room went still. Turian and human regarding each other with cold, icy glares, each forcing their will on the other, neither willing to give an inch of ground.

"Despite your unhealthy skepticism, I'm glad we have an understanding," Miranda said turning to leave, "good day Mister Vakarian."

"You too…Miss Lawson," came the reply as the doors shut behind her.

Those crew members with the instincts to live scattered out of the mess as Miranda stormed towards her office.

"Of all the bullheaded, stupid, stubborn…" Miranda thought before she slammed her foot into a box outside her door.

"What in the bloody hell is this," Miranda growled looking down at the crate on the floor.

Inside were several of the more expensive listening devices that had been installed throughout the Normandy and a note.

Found these in the lab. Thought you might want them. Mordin.

Crumbling the note in her hand, she rubbed the bridge of her nose and counted to ten before picking up the box and walking into her office. She debated having them reinstalled, but knew that Mordin would probably just find them again. She unceremoniously dropped the box on a chair not wanting to deal with it right now.

She was angry, not only at Garrus but at herself. She had let her temper get the better of her and had made an ass out herself. Another mistake to add to her list of accomplishments. Shaking her head of those thoughts, she tried to focus as she began to compose her reports for the Illusive Man. She had completed all of three sentences when EDI's holographic interface came to life at its pedestal.

"Excuse me Miss Lawson."

"Yes EDI," Miranda sighed.

"We have arrived at Purgatory and Commander Shepard wishes for you and Mister Vakarian to join him in retrieving Jack. He request for you to join him at the Normandy's airlock in fifteen minutes."

"Tell the commander I'll join him in a moment," Miranda sighed taking the time to read over the dossier on Jack.

"A dangerous and unstable criminal huh? Probably can't be worst than Vakarian," Miranda thought heading for the elevator.

I always thought that Garrus being betrayed would make him a little more suspicious of Cerberus than he lets on to Shepard. In the game it's like "I dunno about Cerberus Shepard." And Shepard's like "don't worry about it" and Garrus is just "okay". I think that Garrus more than anyone would want to protect the few people he has left in his life even if he did come off sounding a little nuts. I'm not sure who will be next, maybe Grunt or a follow up for Samara/Kasumi or a Tali/Jack moment. I'll figure it out. Until next time read and review people.