The Vancouver convention center was one of the first non-Alliance buildings that was repaired following the Reaper war. Originally it was used to house war refugees and Alien troops who were stranded on the human homeworld following the firing of the crucible and the damaging of the mass relays. Now it was being set up to host the annual Alliance Navy Birthday Ball, a tradition that began 413 years ago and was first celebrated by the then titled United States of America.

Victor Reed admired the impressive architecture of the convention center which rested on it's own dock which stretched out over the quiet and peaceful Vancouver harbour. Reed's breath trailed off in the cold october evening air and he spun his Predator pistol around his finger as he waited for his companion.

"Pretty building." A soft voice said from behind him and Victor turned to see Jill Woodcomb standing before him. Her slender frame standing perfectly upright with her arms crossed and her short black hair waving in the wind.

"Not as pretty as you, beautiful." Victor said before holstering his gun and roping his arms around her waist.

"We have a job to do, Victor." She reminded him with a kiss on the cheek and gently pushed him away. "Why were you waiting outside for me? Couldn't handle breaking in all by your lonesome?"

He smirked. "Oh I had no trouble but I was waiting for you before I did the honors. I know picking out the vantage points for our kill shots get you all hot and bothered."

"I think you mean that I'm only one who does it right."

Victor chuckled. "That too." He gestured to the front door which he already hacked open. "Ladies first."

"Oh so I'm a lady now?"

"One of us has to be and it sure as hell ain't me." He said as he followed her inside.

The building opened up into a massive atrium with a tall sloped glass ceiling that beautifully displayed the stars in the night sky. "I checked out the building's layout on the extranet on my way to Earth." She pointed dead ahead. "Main show floor is this way, we can find the best place to set up there." then she noticed the dead guard behind the front desk. "Any more guards?"

"A couple but I showed them the same kindness as our friend there."

Jill lead Victor into the show floor which had already been partially set up for the event, complete with a large stage and podium constructed against the wall on the far left of the huge room. Jill pointed to the second level which had a clear vantage point of the stage. "Up there. We could lay out a rifle for the kill shot. I'm thinking a Widow will put Hackett down pretty quick."

"Quick? The old bastard won't even know what hit him before he's taking a dirt nap."

"We'll need to find Navy uniforms, passes, that kinda shit."

Victor cocked his head to the side. "You say that like we haven't done this a hundred times before. How bout we enjoy our night together instead?" he asked as he roped one arm around the woman.

Jill smiled and placed her hands on the man's cheeks as she kissed him passionately. Then the sound of a woman clearing her throat separated them in an instant and they both drew their pistols and aimed them at an asari who stood with her blue arms crossed and glared at them. She didn't seem the least bit intimidated. The asari rolled her eyes. "Put your guns down humans. I'm not here to stop you."

"Yeah? Well you mind telling us who the fuck you are?" Jill demanded.

The asari strolled towards them and the shadows lifted from her face revealing a web of white symmetrical face markings. "My name is Ereyla, not that it matters to you two. I was sent by an interested third party to ensure everything was being taken care of here."

Jill narrowed her eyes. "I spoke with our client. No way he sent an asari to baby-sit us."

"I don't work for your client. I represent someone much bigger. Your client is hardly a blip on the radar but what you're doing here is of galactic importance."

"If it's so important why doesn't your boss have you working it since they seem to have such little faith in us." Victor asked.

Ereyla chuckled. "She couldn't afford to be connected to this. Neither can I. If you're who was sent than Goddess go with you both."

"Why are you here now?" Jill asked.

"As I told you, to take stock of the situation. My boss doesn't like there being any unknowns. I had a hunch who that fool would hire. But I had to see you both for myself. My boss, she likes to know who's involved in important matters so should they go wrong...she knows who to punish. "

Victor laughed. "We're not intimidated by some asari bitch who's too scared to get her hands dirty."

Ereyla's eyes turned dark and advanced on Victor. "No? Well perhaps I'll put it this way since you seem to not grasp the concept. If Admiral Hackett is not dead by the end of the week I will personally feed you that disgusting worm between your legs before I flay you both alive. Are we understood, Human?"

"How bout I just fucking kill you now." Victor said as he aimed his pistol.

"You could try. But I'd rather not have to go through the trouble of finding another assassin on such short notice." Ereyla said. "Farewell Jill Woodcomb and Victor Reed. I'll be watching. Hopefully I won't have the displeasure of seeing either of you again." and with that Ereyla left the two humans alone.

"She knew our names." Jill said. "Sweetie, who the fuck was that?" her voice carried much fear.

Victor holstered his gun. "I have no clue. But I think we should take a better look around this place. Something tells me it's in our best interest to make sure everything goes right with this job."

"No shit. If that asari is for real we're playing for keeps with this one. No screwing around, Victor. When the time comes if anyone gets in our way...Kill them."

"You love her?!" Alice cried as Jane buried her face in her hands and Liara tried her best to concentrate on anything but their table. The asari noticed a few patrons in the fancy restaurant look over to their table as Kaidan tried to calm his girlfriend down.

"No I don't! Listen Alice, you're getting worked up over nothing." Kaidan said.

"Really, Alice. I have no interest at all in Kaidan! Nothing has ever or will ever happen between us."

"Is this just some trick to make her jealous? Or to make me jealous? I don't understand any of this. You live with the most ridiculous woman I've ever met, I don't even believe it's possible for her to have any more bloody tattoos and she has the manners of a twelve year old boy. Not to mention her," she brought up her fingers to make air quotes. "Girlfriend. I'm sorry but one snog isn't going to convince me that those two are a couple."

"I believe you need to calm down, Alice." Liara said sharply.

"And how does the pregnant asari fit in?" Alice asked Kaidan.

"I have a name, and I'll thank you to use it!" Liara shouted.

Shepard chugged her whiskey and shakily got to her feet. "Kaidan, me and Liara need to use the ladies room. We'll give you two a moment alone."

Jane dragged Liara away to join Jack and Miranda as they heard Alice giving Kaidan an ear-full behind them. "I despise that woman." Liara huffed. "What Kaidan sees in her I do not believe I will ever understand."

Shepard laughed. "Liara, I think the pregnancy hormones are making you a little grouchy."

"Are they?!" Liara said sharply before her eyes softened and she covered her mouth. "Goddess, I apologize, Shepard. That woman just wound me up."

Jane kissed her on the cheek. "It's alright."

Once they stepped inside the bathroom they caught Miranda and Jack in the middle of a conversation.

"This is a bloody disaster." Miranda groaned with her face buried in her hands.

Jack chuckled. "Are you kidding? It's hilarious. This chick is out of her mind." they both turned to Shepard and Liara.

"Come to seek refuge from Alice?" Miranda asked.

Liara rolled her eyes. "How paranoid can one woman be?"

"Getting shot by a Reaper was less uncomfortable than this." Shepard said.

Jack chuckled. "We should just bolt. I don't get what we're sticking around for."

"Unpleasant as it might be we can't just leave Kaidan." Miranda said.

"Jack, I will happily join you elsewhere." Liara said.

Jane roped her arm around the asari's shoulders. "Sorry, sweetheart but i'm with Miranda. We might not like her but we can sit through dinner, begrudgingly make conversation with her and then go our separate ways."

"Speak for yourself, Shepard." Jack said. "We live with, Alenko. We might have to deal with this bitch for who knows how long."

Miranda shuddered. "Don't even talk like that."

Suddenly a woman came in to the bathroom and jumped when she saw the group of four standing before her. Then the woman noticed Jane. "Hey aren't you Commander Shepard?!"

Jane's response was immediate. "No." she turned to Jack and Miranda. "We'll meet you two out there. Let's go, Liara."

Liara crossed her arms. "If we must." and they left Miranda and Jack behind as they went to return to their seats.

Miranda looked to Jack she leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "Ready?"

"I guess. But we're fucking tonight to make up for this crap."

Lawson smirked. "Deal."

Miranda took Jack's hand and together they exited the restroom. Jack spotted their waiter and waved him over. "Can I help you, mam?"

"Bring me two more drinks to our table." Jack said.

"Two?"

"Yeah two, I got two hands, dumbass!"

Ordinarily Miranda would frown on such behavior but instead she looked to the waiter. "I will take one as well."

"Right away." he said and scurried off to the kitchen.

Miranda was relieved when from a distance it looked like Kaidan had calmed Alice down some but she still did not look forward to making conversation with the red haired brit. She escorted Jack back to their seats.

"And she says, I was talking to the goat!" Kaidan finished his joke while Jane laughed a little too hard. An obvious sign of her discomfort while Liara gave Alice the stink eye with her arms crossed.

Alice looked to the returning couple. "Looks who's back." she said cooly.

Miranda forced a smile and she was struck with relief when the waiter came over to deliver their drinks. "So, Alice." Miranda tried not to let her voice carry any spite. "I..." Alice interrupted her.

"Hold on I should say something first." Miranda picked up her drink and took a sip instead of protesting. "I wanted to apologize." Lawson almost choked on her liquor. "I know I can be a little crazy sometimes."

"A little?!" Jack said and Miranda couldn't stop herself from smiling.

"It's quite alright." Miranda said. "You're protective of your relationship. I can relate."

"Why don't we start fresh?" Alice offered.

Shepard raised her glass. "That sounds like a great idea."

Alice turned to Liara. "So, have you two thought of a name?"

"We are thinking of Ashley." Liara deadpanned.

Kaidan's eyes dropped. "Really..."

Alice sensed the emotion in her boyfriend's voice. "Another friend of yours?"

"Yeah." Kaidan said in a hushed voice. "I bet Ash would have really liked that, Liara."

"I'm sorry but who is this Ashley woman?" Alice asked again.

Miranda had never met Williams herself. But Kaidan had talked about her enough for her to know to keep quiet as did Jack.

"One of the bravest marines I've ever had the pleasure of serving with."

Jane raised her glass. "To Ash."

Kaidan smiled and clinked his glass with Shepard's. "To Ash." he repeated.

Miranda studied the menu and her stomach was thankful when the waiter came over and took everyones over. There was a silence among the table Lawson decided to break. "So I take it you're in town for the Alliance ball, Shepard."

"You got us." Shepard said.

"You haven't made one public appearance or any statements to the press since leaving the navy. Curious that you'd return now."

"It has been a while. I felt like maybe I should make an appearance."

"I see." Miranda didn't need to pester her further. Jane knew she didn't believe her but it was a discussion for later. "Where are you two staying?"

"The Rosewood." Liara said. "However Shepard did draw quite a crowd when we went to check in."

Jane sipped on her drink. "Not exactly a vacation when you're surrounded by people yelling questions at you."

"Fuck that! You two are staying with us." Jack said.

Alice cleared her throat and crossed her arms to display her displeasure but Kaidan didn't notice. "Absolutley. We have more than enough room. You're only in town for the week right?"

Liara nodded. "Right."

Shepard smiled. "You sure?"

"I'm sure, Shepard." Kaidan said.

"Brilliant." Alice muttered.

Alenko turned to Alice. "What's that?"

"Just that you'll be having quite the crowd, Bear." Alice huffed.

"Liara and Shepard are family." Kaidan said.

Liara had forgotten how much she liked Alenko. "You're too kind, Kaidan."

Alice rolled her eyes and turned to Jack as the convict devoured her steak and didn't bother closing her mouth when she chewed. "So Jack, it must be wonderful to work with your girlfriend."

Jack glared at her. "Uh-Huh."

"Why don't we play a game?" Alice offered.

"I could think of a few reasons." Jack muttered.

"Oh it's easy. I ask a simple question about Miranda and you answer it." Miranda took a big sip of her drink and massaged her temples. "Like, what's Miranda's favorite color?"

"I don't know." Jack said as she chewed her steak with her mouth still open.

Alice smirked. "How surprising." She leaned over and kissed Kaidan on the cheek. "I need to use the loo." she said before leaving her seat and heading for the restroom.

"The bathroom is pretty popular tonight." Kaidan said with a raised eyebrow. "So what do you guys think of Alice?"

"Oh she's...great." Shepard awkwardly spat out and Liara remained silent.

"As long as you're happy, Kaidan." Miranda said.

"Total bitch." Jack said.

Miranda elbowed her. "Jack!"

Kaidan sighed. "I know she's a little..."

"Paranoid, bitchy, obnoxious." Jack said.

"And rather offensive I might add." Liara chimed in but Jane silenced her with a hand on her thigh.

"Look Alenko, we've been shacking up at your place for a while now. And in that time not one chick you've brought home hasn't been well...like her."

Kaidan crossed his arms. "I like her, Jack."

Jack shook her head. "Whatever. I need to pee." the convict got to her feet. "For real this time." she added and followed Alice.

Shepard decided to speak up. "Do you two have any idea who's gonna be at the ball this week?"

"The council should be attending. Along with a few select members of the council races." Miranda said.

Kaidan cut his steak as he spoke. "Not to mention pretty much every major member of the Alliance. And us."

"You'll be attending?" Liara asked.

"Everyone stationed in Vancouver will be."

Jack leaned against the wall while she waited for Alice to come out. There were a lot of things Jack wasn't good at. Chief of which was subtly and keeping her mouth shut. But if Kaidan liked this chick than maybe Miranda was right. Maybe it didn't matter what she thought of her.

Alice jumped when she left the stall and saw Jack. "Are you waiting for me?"

"Duh."

"What can I do for you?"

Jack sighed. "I'm not gonna pretend I like you. But if Alenko does then screw it. I came in here to tell you that you're acting like a paranoid bitch for nothing. I'm not attracted to Kaidan and neither is the Cheerleader."

"Well since Kaidan isn't here I suppose I can tell you I think that's complete rubbish. You two would never be together if it..." Jack rolled her eyes and opened her omni-tool and Alice paused. "What are you doing?"

"Sending you a vid."

Alice opened the message and her eyes widened as the vid opened on her display and the sound of two women rattled out of the device. "Fuck me, Jack! Ah! Ah! Ahhh! Oh god, harder!" Miranda's recorded voice cried.

Alice's jaw dropped as she watched the vid of Jack thrusting a strap-on into Miranda who was on all fours in front of her. "That is a little something we made for when the Alliance sends one of us away on an off world assignment. I've got a few more if you still don't believe me."

Alice closed her device. "Well perhaps you two are gay. But it doesn't mean..."

"Oh shut the hell up! Kaidan is the best man I've ever met. I'm not about to tell him this but he means a lot to me. And for reasons I will never understand he likes you. So enough bullshit about me and Miranda."

Suddenly Lawson made her way into the room. "Came to make sure you're not getting yourself in trouble, Jack."

Alice chuckled. "Oh good. I'm glad the stoic slut has decided to join in."

Jack's anger summoned a biotic field around her. "What the hell did you just say?"

Miranda clenched her fists. "Alice, you really should..."

"No listen to me. I don't want you two living with Kaidan any longer."

Jack looked like she was about to explode and Miranda found she was having trouble controlling her own anger. "I hardly think that's your decision to make." Miranda said.

Alice pointed at her. "No I mean it. I want you gone." then she pointed to Jack. "You and this disgusting, foul mouthed, Immature..."

Alice never had the chance to finish her sentence before Miranda knocked her out cold with a hard punch to the face that swiftly dropped her to the bathroom floor. Miranda's eyes widened when she realized what she did. "Fuck."

Notes- I'm back! Sorry for the almost week break I took there. So I hope you liked Miranda knocking Alice out. We'll see her and Jack deal with the fallout of that next chapter. If you haven't already, check out the new FemShep and Ashley chapter in "Love and Lust on the Normandy". AND my favorite Mass Effect Fan Artist did an awesome and very hot Miranda and Jack piece at my request. After you review (Please!) check out the link to Critter of Habit's tumblr on my profile. Since links aren't allowed in stories.