A/N: Words cannot explain how sorry I am that I have yet again taken so long to get this chapter up. To all you readers out there that are sticking with this I thank you. Again I would love some constructive criticism. My writer's block had prevented me from actually writing something that I feel is decent enough to read. So any suggestions or thoughts would be immensely appreciated. Thanks again you awesome O's!

I do not own Mass Effect or Kill Bill :'(

Usually when inside a hospital you will be questioned on why you have bullet wounds. However this was Omega.

Shepard found herself in Zaeed's bathroom half laughing and crying. She shook uncontrollably while pressing her hand to her mouth. All you could hear were muffled giggles.

They had all got back from the clinic about an hour ago after waiting in line impatiently. A Salarian who was in front of them couldn't help but stare at the unlikely group. Shepard along with Marla was battered and bruised, Zaeed was slouched against a wall next to Jacob who were both suffering from bullet wounds while Kasumi and Joker were sipping on some coffee marvelling at the scene before them.

The reception desk was busy as usual ignoring most patients and ushering them to join the back of the line.

When Shepard last visited Omega's clinic to recruit Mordin she just assumed that the place was hectic and un-organised due to the plague that was present in the area. This however was not the case. Plague or no the clinic remained unstable with a massive amount of patients that continued to cough and splutter everywhere.

Kasumi knocked hesitantly on the bathroom door. "Shepard are you okay in there?"

Shepard stiffened into a tense position with both her hands supporting her weight on the sink. She held her breath to try and cover up her giggling fit.

In a high pitched voice she quickly said, "I'm fine thanks."

Again another laugh crept up her throat. Shepard bit down on her lip hard which only caused her body to shake recklessly.

"Okay…" Kasumi replied unconvinced. "We are all in the living room if you need us."

On that note Shepard thankfully heard Kasumi retreat away from the door. She breathed in and out slowly trying to control herself. For some reason she seemed to be having a breakdown that was unfortunately making her ball her eyes out and burst into fits of giggles at the same time.

While steadying herself against the sink it hit Shepard that she was actually doing this. After all her years in the military she was used to getting up and doing a mission straight away and at the last minute. But this? This was something she was doing for her own benefit, she was tired, she was weak but her lust for revenge kept her going.

In such a short time span she already had everything going to plan. Shepard began to wonder how hard everything was actually going to get from this checkpoint. They had Massani on their side, meaning they had the firepower, firepower to take Jack and her militia down. After that? Well she'll work that part out once Jack was out of the picture.

Shepard gazed at her reflection in the mirror and wiped her eyes roughly before unlocking the door and leaving her little place of comfort.

Strolling towards the lounge Shepard could hear Marla say, "So they loved each other?"

Shepard still wasn't too sure about Zaeed's daughter especially after seeing how quick she was to react to their intrusion earlier. In some ways she reminded Shepard of Jack hence why she disliked her so much.

"Who knows?" Joker replied dumbfounded.

Kasumi quickly interjected into the conversation looking outside the window that returned a harsh view of Omega's scenery. "I think they did."

Shepard remained behind the wall deciding on the spot to listen for while longer. Peering into the well placed mirror on the opposing wall she grinned for she now had a visual on everyone in the room.

Marla's eyes widened in confusion. "But isn't this Garrus a turian?"

"Yep." Zaeed answered straight away regardless of whether or not the question was aimed at him. "And a good friend," he continued taking a sip of beer.

Shepard didn't realise her hands had balled themselves into fists until an aching sensation ran up her arm. She forced herself to remain in the shadows.

"If he's such a good friend then why are you helping Shepard take him down?" Jacob grimaced from across the room looking back to his usual self after being in the clinic for a few hours.

Zaeed took one last swig that finished the bottle and slammed it on the table. "Shepard is a good friend too," he defended. "Call me old fashioned but there's just some things you just don't do in the universe, take killing your girlfriend and child for example."

A tear dripped down Shepard's cheek making her wince. This was weakness, and with a mission as crucial as this there was no room for weakness.

"So that's why you're in on this? Helping us take Garrus' operations and his life all because of principle?" Jacob stabbed while receiving a frustrated glare from Kasumi who was sat next to him.

Zaeed never did like Jacob. He respected him. But 'respect' and 'like' were two different worlds. Shepard however made the two worlds collide. Zaeed respected her and actually grew to like her. Shepard's uncanny leadership and devotion to her crew was always enough to spark loyalty in any crew member.

"I'm not helping you lot," Zaeed retaliated. "I'm helping Shepard."

He was curt but truthful. He didn't really mind the crew that much back in the day, and Zaeed didn't exactly have anything against Kasumi or Joker. Regardless of their presence Zaeed wanted to be sure that Jacob got the picture, that there was no way he was doing all this because of the company.

Jacob didn't flinch at his words, he only nodded. That was their mutual understanding. The recognition that the two did indeed hate one another, but had both pledged themselves under Shepard's command once again.

Shepard couldn't help but smile removing all the nagging thoughts that were forming within her head. With another brush to her damp face Shepard waltzed into the lounge before everyone.

"Shepard," Joker greeted happy to have someone decent to talk to. "You took your time in there, some of us actually need to use the bathroom you know?"

"Toilets blocked," rumbled Zaeed in a humorous tone.

"This day just keeps getting better and better," murmured Joker in response.

Usually when Joker complained or sulked he pulled his cap over his eyes and hugged himself like a child. But without a cap to cover his face Joker resigned to awkward stares from side to side.

He looked different without a trusty cap on. A conversation back on the Normandy informed Shepard that the cap Joker wore wasn't anything to do with it being his lucky charm. He merely just enjoyed wearing a hat.

Without it Shepard could see his rugged brown hair that he had actually let grow since the last time she saw him. She still hadn't gotten used to seeing him without a hat on his head which created an itch of suspicion. Why on Earth did he ever stop wearing it?

Joker raised an eyebrow when he caught Shepard staring directly at him. In fact everyone within the room was silent observing what exactly Shepard was doing.

She aimed a gentle smile at Joker as if to get inside his mind, to inform him of why she was just standing there looking at him. A communication only good friends could actually understand.

He looked confused squinting his eyes slightly, "What are you doing?"

Shepard raised both eyebrows and edged her head to his hair, "Why aren't you wearing a hat?"

Joker scoffed and uncrossed his arms as he stared back, "I'll explain later."

Throughout Shepard's Alliance training she always remembered being taught how to read body language for you never know when you may need to. She did it frequently in her classes often shooting glances at fellow students that their drill instructor was an asshole.

Shepard took a spare seat beside Joker making a mental note to pull him up on his silent word.

Everyone in the room was awaiting her command instead of making their own decisions. Technically she was no longer their commander unless it was a sign of respect, respect for her that they all maintained for four years.

"Zaeed do you know the location of Jack?" Shepard asked uncomfortably.

"I don't i'm afraid," was his reply. He looked towards his daughter. "But Marla does."

"Great," Shepard mumbled sarcastically.

Of all the people it had to be Marla. There was no way she wanted to work with a hormonal teenager, especially one that tried to kill them.

Joker glanced at Marla sympathetically before turning to face Shepard. "I'm sure she will be a big help," he reassured.

"Oh do you now?" Shepard replied with a questioning gaze.

Joker sighed, he hated being put on the spot. "Look all i'm saying is that if she knows where Jack is then that should be good enough. We know she can handle herself in a fight…"

Shepard stared at Marla the whole time Joker spoke. Marla had her legs spread with her left foot on the couch. She continued to twirl her pink hair through her fingers which was beginning to agitate Shepard.

"I'm going to have to agree with Joker on this one," Jacob said from across the room making Kasumi suddenly sit up-straight with more force than needed.

"You've got be be joking?" Kasumi spat. "She shot you!" Kasumi pointed her finger at Marla to emphasise her point. Marla didn't flinch at the thief's intervention she just continued to play with her hair.

"Kass I understand that you are angry but it proves that she will be an asset to our cause," Jacob explained completely mellow and relaxed.

Kasumi scoffed. "Angry?..I'm angry that you're not angry!" She flung her arms in the air refusing to acknowledge Marla which was a well played move on her part. One smirk from the teen could have provoked the thief to lash out even more.

"If I can forgive her then so can you…" Jacob concluded locking eyes with Kasumi.

Oh the drama! Shepard found a sudden interest in the floor and trained her eyes on it escaping any other arguments that managed to submerse.

She needed to be back in control, being told that Marla was her only option to finding Jack took away any chance of that. She took a deep breath ignoring everyone within the room. She had weapons, a big enough team and a lead to Jack. Yet there was just something deep inside her that itched, that screamed out that all this would not be enough. The more she focused on the disadvantages the more she became weak. With another trained intake of breath she stood up abruptly before her crew. She was going to take back her control.

"Here's how this is going to go down," Shepard voiced grabbing everyone's attention."Zaeed I need you to supply us with enough firepower to take down take down Jack's base of operations," she ordered firmly.

Zaeed cracked a lopsided smile. "When do you want it all by?"

Shepard quickly scanned her crew before coming to a decision. "Tomorrow," she answered. Her lust for revenge was screaming at her to say she wanted them now. But everyone was exhausted and as much as she hated to admit it so was she. Tomorrow they would begin their onslaught. That way she had enough time to keep not only herself but Aria sated, that's if they managed to pull it off.

Zaeed didn't object to her request. "Consider it done."

Shepard nodded and returned to her speech. "Tomorrow we are going to take down Jack and return to the Normandy back to its rightful owners, it will be dangerous. We lack numbers but make up for that with our skill. If somebody here wishes to back out i'm not going to force you to stay..."

Joker smiled drawn in by Shepard's powerful aura. She had him on board as soon as he saw her back on Earth. "I'm in," he stated. "Somebody has to fly my baby and it's going to be me."

For a moment Kasumi's lips parted to object. She halted herself for a moment. This was not what she had in mind. She had hoped that everything would run smoothly, they did indeed have a plan but how bulletproof was it? They were siding with Marla and Zaeed who were too trigger happy for her own taste.

It was hard for Kasumi to choose between her loyalty to Shepard and her own preference of going back to Earth with Joker and Jacob. From what she could see the two men were not going anywhere, they worshipped Shepard and would go down fighting till their last breath for her. And just like that Kasumi's decision was made.

"Count me in too," she exclaimed trying not to sound too unsure about her sudden choice.

The remaining squad-mates kept silent, using that to confirm their utmost devotion to Shepard's mission. Zaeed popped a cigar into his mouth lighting it firmly before resting back into his armchair. He formed circles of smoke with his mouth as if signalling Shepard the all clear.

She had no idea that she had actually been holding her breath for that one and finally exhaled. So far so good.

"We will split up into two teams," Shepard continued hesitantly. "I will lead squad one and Zaeed I want you to lead squad two."

Zaeed blew the grey smoke from his nose and nodded in confirmation.

"Jacob, Joker I want you both in squad two. Zaeed you and your squad will be in charge of hijacking the Normandy. I'm relying on you guys to be in Omega's docking port for our exit out of here."

"We won't let you down Commander," said Jacob with a fierce look in his eyes.

Shepard turned to the remaining squad, double taking on what she was about to say.

"Kasumi, Marla, you guys are on my squad. We will be the ones to infiltrate Jack's base, and kill her." Shepard's words came out like venom with extra poison on the 'kill'.

She expected some resistance on Marla's side only to be surprised by her enthusiasm, "Finally some fucking action."

The mercenary instantly fidgeted in his chair.

"Oi," warned Zaeed. "This ain't no skip in the park. Remember everything I taught you girl, and do everything Shepard tells you to do."

They way Zaeed looked at Marla made Shepard shiver. That was his daughter and he was more worried about her disobeying her orders than her getting killed. Unless Zaeed trusted her leadership that much that he was confident that no harm would come to her?

Marla nodded genuinely at Zaeed and settled down in defeat.

"Zaeed do you mind if we all crash here tonight?" Shepard asked changing the subject. There was no way they could all stay up late if this was actually going to all kick off tomorrow.

"If you can find a place to kip then yeah, fine by me," he answered finishing his cigar.

"Okay everyone find somewhere to sleep and be up and ready at 9am," Shepard ordered watching everyone except Zaeed leave the living room to find a bed of some sort.

Shepard stared at Massani suspiciously. "Are you just going to retire there?"

Zaeed sighed, "Maybe in a moment or two." He stood up, stretched and then looked down the hallway where the bathroom was. "Follow me," he said already walking away.

Shepard froze for a second unsure of what Zaeed was up to. He turned around halfway and shot her an impatient look. Hesitantly she took one step before the other and whisked down the hallway with him.

To her surprise there was another room besides the bathroom down the hall. As she followed Massani inside she could see it wasn't the best looking room in the world but descent enough to sleep in. Inside Shepard could just about see a double bed situated at the far end of the room covered in silk red sheets.

Shepard raised an eyebrow at Zaeed. "You know I think i'm okay with sleeping on the sofa," Shepard voiced.

Zaeed turned to face Shepard confused until he realised what the situation looked like. He cackled softly to himself but didn't respond.

He ignored Shepard's questioning stares and retreated to a a computer next to his bed that was the only source of light for the dim room.

He typed away quickly at the orange console still keeping his back to Shepard who refused to move from the doorway: Her only escape route if Zaeed were to try anything funny.

A beeping sound resonated on the computer. Zaeed took a step back.

Before her eyes a wall slid open slowly illuminating the room with a blue glow that came from whatever was inside it.

Zaeed looked back at Shepard with a look of remorse and achievement.

He didn't have to ask her to come over. Somehow her legs decided to pace forward towards the blue light. Curiosity was going to be the death of her one day. Although with her track record she hoped she was wrong.

Zaeed stood by Shepard's side and focused his eyes on the most cherished possession he owned. Something that came first in his heart before he realised he had a daughter.

"I remember Vakarian telling me that I had the skill to fix any weapon in the universe…" Zaeed whispered letting his mind sink into memories. "Without him saying that I doubt this would have even been possible…" he trailed off and looked Shepard dead in the face.

She still found it hard to control her emotions when his name was said. She knew that Zaeed knew it too, hence why she continued staring into the neon blue storage instead of retuning his stare.

"He was a good friend Shepard. The amount of times he saved my arse..." Zaeed shook his head concealing a grin. "You know if he weren't a bloke…"

Shepard couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably letting it end in a whimper. A tear escaped her eye only to be wiped away by Zaeed's rough thumb. It smelled of strong tobacco and felt like leather when it made contact with her cheek. She didn't flinch or force him away. It was hard for Zaeed to express his feelings and he was really trying here. Maybe it was the fact he had a daughter now, he was no longer uncomfortable in these kinds of situations.

Before Marla was introduced into his life, Zaeed always kind of considered Shepard as a daughter. Although he would never let her know that. Shepard was more than capable of taking care of herself but when he used to combat train with her he couldn't help but feel some kind of proudness within the pit of his stomach. He would teach her all the tricks he had learned throughout his years as a mercenary, and she would learn and get better and better with practice.

Zaeed liked to think that the teachings were one sided. Yet he knew he would be wrong. Where he had taught Shepard all the tricks of combat she had taught him to let go of the past.

The first time they had met he considered her to be an arrogant child ready to throw her life away believing she was doing some good for the galaxy. It was only when Shepard prevented him from loading a bullet into Vigo's head that he realised she wasn't a child, she was a complete bitch. Where she had the balls to punch him she also had the old ball and chain of command that pulled her down into the dreaded mist of being the good guy.

Even now at this very moment Zaeed was not sure if he had forgiven her for letting Vigo getting away. He penetrated her defences merging right into her core. He could see past this whole act and she knew he could. A part of him wanted to shake her, wanted to yell at her. He wanted Shepard to see what she becoming. Just like him.

Revenge was cold on her lips, consuming every hesitation and second thought. He understood what she was going through, God did he know she was going through. He took pity for once, he wouldn't stop her like she stopped him. The scenarios were exactly the same and completely different at the same time. She needed the closure she was trying snatch.

Zaeed did not say say a word the moment he wiped her tear away. A weakness he had experienced a few times. He removed his hand from her face and crossed his arms. He refused to hold her, even if that is what she needed. He had hoped that Shepard, one of the finest warriors in the galaxy understood his gesture.

Comfort and reassuring words could be uttered once this mess was all over. Now…now was the time to get battered to the ground and get back up ready for more.

The pain she was in was brought up due to his own fault, he knew that much. He backtracked wondering if it was such good idea to bring up old memories but concluded that he would not tip toe around her. At some point she would have to face her demons. And when the time came he wanted to do one more thing that would give her an advantage. One last favour. He owed his girl that much.

"No one has ever been worthy of her," Zaeed continued vaguely.

He carefully reached into the blue depths of what seemed like a well hidden safe built into the wall.

Shepard tensed when Zaeed pulled out one of the most finest assault rifles she had ever seen. He paused his actions and took a moment to caress the scope before taking a deep breath and slowly thrusted it towards her.

"You…" he breathed. "Are an exception."

Shepard's mouth hung wide open unable able to fathom a response. She gently grabbed the weapon and studied the craftsmanship that went into it. A blue light glowed along the scope along with a black metal that drenched it's surface. It was beyond beautiful.

Shepard lifted the rifle to her shoulder and peered at Zaeed who was smiling softy through the scope. Perfect accuracy.

As she pulled the gun away Shepard couldn't help but notice that something had been carved onto the rifle's side. She brought it to eye level only to hold her breath.

Inscribed roughly on the cheek rest was the name 'Jessie'.

Shepard shook her head and felt a a pang of honor tighten her lungs. "Zaeed…how did you…"

"Wasn't easy," he sighed lighting up a cigarette. Zaeed inhaled deeply savouring the nicotine. This was turning out to be more difficult then he had planned. "Your mission will pan out a lot easier with her by your side, just…promise me, that you will rake up a good kill count."

Shepard felt uncomfortable with taking Jessie from Zaeed. She knew how much she meant to him. He and Garrus shared the same kind of relationships with their guns, it was like it was their offspring. Their own flesh and blood. It only just occurred to Shepard that Garrus didn't even bother to shoot her with his favoured sniper rifle. He could have managed a close range shot without any repercussions with the skills he acquired. Maybe that's how low he considered her to be. She wasn't worthy of his rifle.

Shepard felt sick. She was actually getting angry over what gun Garrus chose to shoot her with? She really was sinking into the void.

Making a decision to not be ungrateful Shepard whispered, "Thank you." Her hand gently touched Zaeed's shoulder plate before quickly retreating back to her side.

A grumble flew up Zaeed's throat. He couldn't hack all these emotional moments.

"Probably be a good idea to get some sleep," he murmured closing the wall that covered the storage where Jessie once laid. Dotting his cigarette into the bedside ashtray Zaeed looked back up at Shepard who was still mesmerised with his handy work upon the once deceased rifle.

In many ways Jessie metaphorically resembled Shepard. They both had their kill counts only to have their essence and skill snatched away from them before it was their time. Give it a few years and they were back from the dead, upgraded and deadlier than ever, ready to kill again.

Shepard really was the only exception.

"You can sleep here, i'll take the couch," he offered taking his leave from the room.

Shepard continued to observe Jessie until she noticed that Zaeed had halted his steps at the door.

"One last thing Shepard," Zaeed said in a hushed manner. "I know she can be a right bitch at times but…bring my girl back in one piece."

It took Shepard a few seconds to realise that he wasn't talking about Jessie for once. The great Zaeed Massani was becoming a real soft touch.

"You have my word," Shepard replied confidently.

On that note Zaeed exited down the hallway without another utterance leaving Shepard to prepare for her fight with Jack tomorrow.