Conflict. It has a way of bringing people together as well as driving them apart and EDI saw both happening, all in the microcosm of Purgatory.

War had finally come to the Citadel.

Although the Cerberus coup was over and the treachery of Counsellor Udina had been exposed, it had come at a price, both a physical and an emotional one. And that price was being paid by Commander Shepard. In fact, EDI thought, it always seemed to be paid by Shepard. Not only had she saved the Citadel Council for the second time, but she had lost a friend and almost had to kill the man she loved. EDI had watched her exchange with Major Alenko, saw the conflict on her face as she stared down the barrel of the Major's gun and did her best to convince him to finally trust her. Thankfully, he had relented and the coup had ended by his hand. And although the air between the Commander and Major seemed to have cleared, things were still left unsaid and they had parted ways abruptly.

EDI was confused by this but felt it best not to ask the Commander on her thoughts. She had enough to deal with without her questions on if she would have shot the Major and why, despite witnessing many conflicts between couple come to an end, they hadn't fallen into each other's arms. The holo-vids were very fond of that.

And then there was Thane. EDI heard Shepard had gone to see him as soon as she was left standing by Major Alenko and she had stayed with him until the end. EDI felt a pang of sadness at this, much like when she had heard of Mordin's death. Thane had always been polite to her when he had been aboard. He would be missed.

Now EDI watched Shepard through the crowds in Purgatory, worried that the Commander was maybe not coping as well as she let on and wondering what she could do to help her.

The Commander had shown up some time after everyone else had arrived. The coup and violence had packed out the club as people felt the need to just throw caution to the wind and lose themselves, either in the music, the drink or someone else. EDI had noted a number of people engaging in intimate actions with another. Be it sensuous, gyrating dancing, consuming large amount of alcohol to lower their inhibitions or merely pressing another up against a wall and grinding against each other. She heard Jeff swear that he saw one of the barmaids giving James a blowjob earlier on. EDI wasn't wholly convinced of this, but let the comment slide.

Shepard had entered quietly but it hadn't lasted long. A word with James and she was toasting both the fallen and the living with a number of marines before they started to crowd her with questions. She smiled and drank a few drinks before excusing herself to speak with Jeff. EDI watched their interactions, listening intently as Shepard affirmed her thoughts on a relationship between himself and EDI, even making a quip about how Jeff had never had sex with herself. EDI felt a faint pang of jealous at that, a reaction that shocked and excited her a little. She was learning. In response to Shepard's teasing, Jeff had turned it back on her, saying that it would never had worked and that he wasn't Major Alenko. He also missed the hurt look on her face too. He could be so insensitive at times, EDI thought, and found herself a little angry but somewhat grateful. He had brushed off the advances of another in favour of her. So, when he approached EDI to ask her to dance, she had accepted his offer.

After that, the Commander had spoken with Jack and danced with her, shouting encouragement to Jeff. Jack even made a few more cruder suggestions, making Jeff blush but also goading him eventually to dance much closer to EDI. This caused a great deal of catcalls from them both but nothing further.

Jack had made her excuses to leave a little while later, leaving Shepard alone again.

EDI searched her databanks for something to do in such a situation , but everything she came up with suggested that to invite Shepard over would merely end in a situation commonly known as 'gooseberry', and would only make matters worse. Instead, she watched as the Commander headed for the bar and breathed a sigh of relief that Lieutentant Cortez was there. He would keep Shepard company, the two had a fair bit in common, although sexual solace would have to be found elsewhere as Cortez only liked men.

The night progressed and everyone seemed to be getting rowdier. Those on the dance floor were now writhing together more than dancing. Jeff's hands were wandering over EDI's body when he thought no one was looking; he had drunk a fair amount too. Even Shepard was...well she wasn't dancing, per se, but she was moving around the dance floor and not caring who saw. After all, there had been a drink for her at the bar all night and she had consumed many of them. Lieutenant Cortez had excused himself after a fair amount of time chatting and laughing with the Commander, making sure to poke fun at Lieutenant Vega who had amassed a fair number of women as he sat on one of the couches and regaled them with tales of his exploits, both on and off the battlefield.

Conflict had definitely brought the people together but driven the Commander away, as if to balance things out. This saddened EDI. The Commander needed her crew. She needed someone. No, EDI though in a moment of clarity, she needed Major Alenko. EDI looked at Jeff, who was currently snuggled against her chassis and wondered what Jeff would do if she left him. What if she pointed a gun at him and threatened to pull the trigger if he didn't back down? He would be heartbroken...just like Shepard was. And so EDI vowed she would never leave Jeff, and possibly vent Major Alenko into space the first chance she got for hurting Shepard. No, EDI stopped herself, that wouldn't help the Commander. But what could she do the help Shepard?

'Shepard!' the voice cut through the music like an omni-blade through flesh. The dancing crowd parted to reveal both Shepard trying to climb over the barriers to get onto the moving platform the asari dancers were occupying and the source of the shout, Aria T'Loak. The pirate-queen of Omega turned on her heel once she had gained Shepard's attention and walked away, back to her own private sofas. Shepard followed behind, a smile on her face.

Intriguing, EDI mused. This would need further investigation.