Disclaimer: Yaawwnn… I own my stuff only.

Hopelessly Blue: Well I love you too, but I'm sure you already knew that. I also agree with you; I want the answers to come right at this moment, honestly.

BAMS: You'll just have to find out buddy. ;)

Mizul: I can understand where you're coming from, and I agree. I'm glad you liked it by the way. ^.^

A/N: Let's see what happens, eh?

"Not that I don't appreciate the assistance, but just what are you going to do when Shepard comes back?" Leader narrowed her eyes on the Illusive Man, standing straight as always. She had originally thought he would try in some way to expose of her, but it was just the opposite; the old man seemed to know the fastest and safest way of bringing the Commander back was by utilizing Leader's help. He had even begun to trust her over the course of her six week stay on the Lazarus facility.

"I will be gone by the time she returns. What I do then will have little to do with you; rest assured, I have no need to leak information to outside sources." She answered plainly, crossing her arms.

"Yes, I understand; we've had this conversation before. I have been meaning to ask one thing though…" he began, before taking a drag from his cigarette. The thing was disgusting, Leader thought. "Just who are you?" he asked finally, narrowing his eyes on Leader in an analytical way.

"We have also discussed this previously." She deadpanned.

"No one knows of you or has ever heard of you, you have no identity and you never show your face. You don't exist. I would like to know why." He shot back, tapping his cigarette against his chair's ash tray. Leader was quiet for a moment, knowing the Illusive Man was uncomfortable without information on someone he'd been dealing with for weeks.

"Our main concern is healing Shepard. Not identity. Not trust. Not popularity. More colonies are being wiped out and you want Shepard back; so let me bring her back without you questioning me. I don't care whether you trust me or not." She spoke a little lower to show she meant business. The old man was in the dark over Leader's true identity but she didn't have time to accommodate his cautious attitude.

"It isn't that I don't trust you. I just want to know who I'm dealing with here." He said, seemingly wanting to appease her slightly frayed nerves.

"Someone who knows what her purpose is. Figure out yours." Leader retorted, uncrossing her arms.

Before the Illusive Man could reply, she left the room and shut the door behind her.

…

"Hey, you're that leader lady, right?" at the cheery voice, Leader looked up from her datapad. The man was Ken Donnelly, one of the working engineers the Illusive Man hired. He was holding a tray of food and smiling curiously at her, giving her the impression he was about to sit down.

When she wordlessly looked back down to her pad that was exactly what the engineer did. He sat down across from her, still wearing the ridiculous smile on his face. Leader wanted only to leave, but she had nowhere else to be and she'd already finished whatever work Miranda tried to pile her with, it was obvious the woman was growing increasingly irritated over her ability to work faster than her. No wonder she came off as an 'Ice Queen'.

"Don't you ever take that thing off? You've got to eat sometime, right? Or use the bathroom?" the Scottish man inquired, leaning toward her across the table as if speaking in secret. At her silence, the engineer gasped in realization. "You must be a robot or something!" he exclaimed. "And your friends too!" he added.

Engineer Daniels then sat down at Ken's side before smacking him on the back of the head. She flashed a smile of apology at Leader before hissing at Ken, "She's gonna eat you alive if you don't cool it!"
Leader watched for a few moments more before returning to her datapad silently. They eventually stopped bickering like old folk and calmed down, losing steam as time went on.

"So…" she ignored Ken's slightly awkward start and continued reading. "What kind of robot are you?" he asked.

Immediately, Leader stood right up. She stepped to Ken and reached out her hand, only to be stopped by Daniels catching her wrist. When Leader looked at the female engineer, she let go and pulled her hand back as if it had been burned.

"W-wait, he didn't mean anything by it, he just doesn't know when to quit…!" she tried, gripping Ken tightly. Leader looked at the woman for a few tense moments before allowing her hand to continue toward Ken's neck. Both engineers closed their eyes, readying themselves for the end.

And yet… it didn't come.

Slowly, they opened their eyes to see Leader holding a spider between her index finger and thumb. Their eyes widened and they stared at the black creature struggling against Leader's hold on it.

"Black widows are poisonous; you will die if bitten." Leader stated.

Ken stared for a moment longer before a strange expression took over his face. It almost looked as if he were about to cry. It didn't take long for the hysterical screaming to start, either. Ken jumped up and tripped over his flailing chair, slamming to the ground as Daniels and Leader looked on. The female engineer soon bent down to help her companion, leaving the spider captor to wonder if they'd taken their meds yet.

Leader shook her head and crushed the spider between her fingers before leaving the room.

…

Three months later

"Are you certain this is wise? Leaving Commander Shepard behind will undoubtedly cause-"

"That is for Him to decide. I need not interfere more than I already have." Leader cut Rota off before she could finish her sentence. Herga grumbled to himself in thought with crossed arms and a set jaw.

"He should not confine you in such ways. To do so is death." He said, sounding put off himself. Graide stepped to Leader's side and set a hand on her shoulder.

"We can't change what we've done but what you have accomplished will save thousands. Will staying here and helping her when she awakes such a tormenting thing?" he asked quietly, his deep voice almost rusty from overuse. Leader stepped forward and looked upon the door leading to the Commander's room.

"I too have my duties. Shepard must be here to regain hers. I must leave to uphold mine." She stated, though her voice was less committed and more irritated.

"We do need you. But will one more day cause so much harm?" Adel spoke up, standing from her seat by Rota.

"I know my place!" Leader barked, causing the group to tense slightly. "This is not up for discussion. I do not have any more need to stay here and nor do you. I was ordered to bring Shepard back- that is what I did. You each have your own duties and responsibilities to keep; do not make me repeat myself on this matter." She warned, her voice cold steel.

None spoke or moved until Adel bowed her head respectfully. The others did the same before returning to packing their equipment back up. Leader said nothing more before leaving the room. She ignored Miranda as she passed her just outside the door, most likely listening in. Leader clenched her hands into fists, stepping quickly down the corridor.

"I have no choice." She growled to herself, heading for the hangar.

…

"Is she close?"

"Yes. It would have taken a year and a half or had we not interfered." Leader answered, speaking through her private radio.

"And saved thousands due to it. How long?"

"Four days." She answered.

"We must begin with the preparations, then. Return quickly so we may not be found."

She then cut the transmission to keep anyone from hearing in and turned to her team as they piled into the transport. Miranda was behind them, holding a bag in her hand and a datapad in the other. What she wanted, Leader had little care, but if she thought she was coming along she was sorely mistaken.

"I've been ordered by the Illusive Man to escort you to Omega." She said, seemingly sensing Leader's apprehension. The woman stared right at her visor, and for a split second, she could've sworn the Cerberus officer saw into her eyes.

"Female." Herga's deep voice cut the air, catching their attention and both looked to him. "Do not broadcast your slavery to the frail old man." He grumbled, no doubt frowning behind his own helmet. Before Miranda could reply, Jersak cut in.

"Slavery is a harsh word, Herga. Perhaps 'indentured servitude' is more accurate." He chuckled, earning only a grunt from Herga.

"Sit and retain your words, you two." I said, shaking my head at them slightly. They sat but Jersak wasn't finished.

"I only mean to say she has no mind of her own-"

"Speak once more…" I started smoothly, leaning down at him. "And you had better hope to leave room in your stomach for my foot because I'm going to ram it up your ass and break your goddamn spine!" she barked, if only to get the point across. He could be real pain in the ass sometimes. Jersak was quiet before looking down to the floor with a nod.

Leader soon turned back to Miranda and gestured for her to take the pilot's seat.

As the Cerberus officer sat down, Leader looked around to make sure they got everything. She ignored the tense posture in which everyone sat, knowing they were holding in their laughter. They may have been the most disciplined and experienced warriors she'd ever come across, but they still had a few soft spots for watching humiliation.

"Take off. We're done here." She said finally, joining Miranda at the front.

She could only hope Shepard's early revival went well.

…

Four days later

"Shepard! Shepard, wake up, this facility is under attack!" Shepard awoke slowly as her eyes blinked open and she tried to sit up, only to feel an enormous ache in her side.

Raegas…

Shepard remembered dying, but…she was alive? She stood from the table, and began to don her armor in a bit of a sluggish state, wondering what the hell was going on.

A/N: Sorry to cut it off so oddly and such, but I needed to get it out to you guys before you got rowdy on me again. And did anyone get the Arnold Schwarzenegger quote?

One more thing: Should I go through the story with Shepard doing her missions (without Raegas) or get right to her finding the woman somehow in some crazy way?