Warming up for the next chapter, which is going to be like:

300 - Mass Effect style...

Man that sounds horrible...

Something else: If you think that I'm getting too side-tracked with the story, let me know. I'll focus on Tali and Shepard more then.

Thane Krios sat at his desk in the life support area. His eyes were shut, and he was deeply in thought. Irikah, Kolyat, Kahje, his contracts. They all went through his mind. He could remember all of them clearly.

The door behind him opened almost silently. It was strange, since usually the door made a lot more noise.

Footsteps, silent. Like one was sneaking. He still managed to recognize the pattern, the sound, the pace.

"Shepard," Thane greeted, and the Shepard stopped.

"Damn," he cursed.

Thane frowned "What is it that you are doing?"

"Just tried to spook you," he replied, and Thane could hear him shrugging.

Thane could feel the sides of his mouth rising, as he began to smile. Shepard's...prank was childish, but it still amused him.

"You needed something?" Thane asked, and could hear Shepard walking forward again, but now normally.

"Just came to see you, but since I'm here, you could tell me what you think about the new organization changes," Shepard asked, and was now standing next to Thane.

Thane turned his head towards Shepard, and gestured him to sit down. Shepard bowed his head slightly, then sat down to the chair opposite Thane.

"So?" Shepard asked, crossing his hands on the table, lifting his eyebrows.

"The three teams -arrangement of today?" Thane asked.

"Yep."

Now Thane crossed his hands.

"I do not have much teamwork experience, so I cannot commentate on the efficiency of the new tactical make-up," he stated, matter-of factly.

"Well," Shepard replied, frowning "...you were under Miranda's command during the last mission, and you are right, you've worked alone most of the time. How have you adapted?"

Again, Thane was slightly puzzled. He did not still quite trust the Commander, but he exhibited genuine care again. Or did he? His question could also insinuate that he wondered if Thane could work with maximum efficiency. Thane wondered, if his long time alone had made trusting others exceptionally hard. Trust was important part of teamwork. He did not know if he was an asset to the team, or a burden.

"My training has taught me to adapt. It is also important to all assassins."

Shepard began to grin, and leaned back.

"And you're one of the best?" he asked teasingly.

Teasing? And the practical joke he attempted before. A flash went through Thane's mind.

Turian and human. Shepard and Garrus Vakarian. Conversing. Joking. Teasing each other. Fists touch.

Thane had watched Shepard's interactions with the Archangel, Garrus Vakarian. They had obviously known each other for a very long time, and were friends. Teasing seemed to be a sign of friendship. Shepard considered him a friend? Or perhaps it was merely his personality?

Thane returned back to the conversation, but now Shepard was staring at him, his brow wrinkled.

"Are you okay? You seem to be at somewhere else," Shepard asked.

Apparently Thane had fallen deeper inside his thoughts, than he had known. One of the disadvantages of his memory.

"Forgive me. I did not mean to disrespect you. I was merely thinking," Thane answered. "My perfect memory sometimes makes it easy to 'fall' into a memory. When memories are as 'real' as life, they become as valid."

"Hmm. Sounds a little like solipsism," Shepard answered.

Solipsism. The idea that your own mind is all that exists. A felicitous analogy. Thane chuckled once for the Commander's sharp wit.

"Yes. I suppose it is fitting."

Shepard stared at him for a moment, as if pondering something.

"If I didn't know for sure, I wouldn't believe that you are an assassin."

Thane wondered what Shepard meant. His personality?

"The same could be said of you," Thane replied.

Shepard clenched his fists, and moved them under his chin, supporting it to them. His brow was once again slightly wrinkled and his eyes were unfocused.

"I think both of our jobs require certain kind of a mindset. You just don't seem to have that," he answered.

Thane's eyes narrowed.

"You mean the will to kill?"

Shepard nodded.

"I have been thoroughly trained to do nothing else, but kill. I do not need to will it," Thane stated, again matter-of-factly.

"But you need to want to pull the trigger," Shepard retorted.

Shepard wished to discuss morality again. Thane could understand that his beliefs were hard to understand, but Shepard still wanted to understand them. That Thane could not understand.

"Like I have said before, I only did what I was ordered to do. What I wished was irrelevant."

Shepard leaned closer.

"But you wished to follow your orders."

"I did not. My body merely followed the patterns established during my training. My mind paid no attention."

Thane paused for a moment, searching for a proper word.

"Hmm. It could be called battle-sleep."

Shepard frowned in curiosity "Battle-sleep?"

There was a short silence, as Thane recalled one old memory about human psychology.

"Do you know the psychological term 'conditioning' ? When certain conditions are met, you act without thinking. My training rigorously conditioned my body."

Shepard tilted his head.

"But conditioning is a psychological term. You speak about your body."

"We, the drell, see the body and mind as separate. As their own entities. We accept that our body is not always under our control."

"If you are just completely blameless, then why did you go after Nassana?" Shepard asked, frowning again.

Thane lowered his head.

He wasn't. He may not feel guilty over any specific assassinations, but he felt guilt over them all. He had killed them. He knew that it wasn't his fault, but he had still killed them. He felt guilt over the way he had killed Irikah's killers. The way he had treated his son.

He was definitely not blameless.

"I have merely wished to leave the galaxy a brighter place than I found it, before I die," Thane replied quietly.

Shepard nodded.

"I think I understand what you mean."

Thane lifted his head.

"If so, then I am pleased."

He really was. He felt that Shepard could actually understand him.

Trust. He wanted to trust Shepard, but still did not know if he should. He was puzzled, but he knew that time would tell if his intuition was correct. His training had taught him the virtue of patience.

Shepard rose up.

"We both should start to get ready for the next mission" he said, flexing his neck.

Thane's eyes narrowed.

"The next mission?"

"Yeah. Apparently there's this Zaeed-guy waiting for us back on Tuchanka. Don't wanna keep him waiting. After me, Garrus and Tali get back, I want the rest of you to be ready."

This Zaeed -character could have many personal effects. Not enough room to take the whole team.

Thane bowed his head.

"I shall be ready when you return."

Shepard nodded, and began to walk towards the door, only to stop in front of it. He turned towards EDI's terminal.

"EDI, tell Garrus and Tali to be ready at the shuttle in 30 minutes."

EDI's avatar appeared on the terminal.

"Mr. Vakarian is currently using the crew's cleaning facilities. He will not make it in time."

Shepard turned his head towards Thane, who had been watching the exchange. Shepard grinned.

"Switch off the warm water from the shower. That'll flush him out." He kept looking at Thane.

"Understood, Commander," EDI replied, and her avatar disappeared.

Shepard nodded to Thane, and disappeared through the door.

One name rang in Thane's head. Tali.

Mess hall. Eating. Almost empty. Shepard along with the quarian. They sit opposite each other. Shepard's hand on the table. She moves her hand on top of his. He takes it. He smiles. Her body moves with laughter.

He had been right about Shepard's 'personal matter'. His intuition had been right. He wondered if it would be right about trusting him.

He decided not to take the risk. Not yet.

Thane closed his eyes again, trying to sink into his own thoughts. He heard muffled yelling from the corridor behind him. Garrus Vakarian.

Thane smiled.