A/N:

All ME characters belongs to Bioware and EA.

I don´t own anything, except Garth.

No money are being made here. Writing this story just for fun.

Special thanks to phnxgrl for doing the beta and correcting my mistakes.

Enjoy and tell me what you think. :-)

...

Do you know what a word practice means? It means an ability to learn or adapt for certain type of situation in a way so you are able to survive. The problem is whenever the word practice appears in a dictionary; it never seems to be flexible. No matter, how much stimulating the practice was or how ready anyone did appear to be, there was always some level of uncertainty when it came to the real thing.

As for me, I was frightened to say the least. My brain gave me thousand reasons why I should have just hid in the closet. Yeah, I had a basic knowledge of a hand to hand combat. I even knew how to use a handgun if need be. Though, it was all done for the research or to blow off some steam. Now, there were no dummies or paper targets or even a ring around to move. This was the real deal.

I managed to control my breath to the point where I was reasonably calm. I didn't want to break down right then and there. I had to have a clear mind. I needed to rely on things that I learnt over the time spent with Mike.

Lucky for me, everywhere was dark. I wouldn't call myself a depressed person. I just liked my alone time. It helped me focus. Right now, I was focused on the person in the hall. I guessed the height was around five-eight to six feet. It was similar to mine. So, that meant no major weight or height advantage on either end. This meant I would have to create one.

The plan was simple. It was to use the element of surprise, takedown the intruder then call the cops. It didn't take long until the door finally opened. It was a decision time. I could use the door to immobilize my acquaintance and do a take down. The other option was to risk it and tackle this person from behind. At that time I didn't trust myself to be strong enough, so I did choose an option A.

Using my full force I kicked through the glass breaking it. In that moment a thanks to Goth was in order, because I was never much of cleaner. It was either that or I just forgot to dispose my trainers. This doesn't mean that the act was painless. Far from it, I just kicked someone through the glass door! Yet, the consequences were slightly reduced.

My opponent however, walked into the room further. He didn't look like that he was stunned by the sharp glass pieces. He didn't seem to take any action to regain any ground either. Robbers use stealth to gain the advantage in order to overcome an obstacle. In this case, the obstacle was me. It was that or running. It was that simple just two options. Neither had happened here. Instead, the person stood just positioned into center of a room waiting in defensive stance. That moment made me rethink my approach. I just closed the door ignoring the loose glass around.

Quickly examining the situation I decided what to do next. I tried not to even flinch. There was the couch and TV in opposite corners of the room. There was a table in kitchen section currently was behind me. Right in front of me was my unknown guest plus the door to the bathroom. Not many ways to maneuver. Ok, at least one thing was certain. This wasn't a robbery.

Analyzing the situation only took a second. But I had to admit, my unknown guest was a big help. Dressed all in black, with the hood covering the face, it was intimidating. The posture looked military. That was more than wild guess on my part. I had visited Mike when he was at school once or twice. I hung out with his buddies. I also, heard some stories from my uncle. But no matter whether I was correct or not. I knew that I was screwed.

´You're resourceful, but you thinking too much.´ suddenly the voice in my head said.

Horrified I realized this wasn't mine conscientious voice of reason. This voice was clearly female. When that realization hit me, I ducked. I luckily didn't get hit by the quick sudden punch toward my face. Trying to catch the returning hand, I didn't pay the attention to the foot against my stomach. That got my attention or more precisely, the lack of air in my lungs did. Seconds later, I was put down to the ground by an uppercut. My face was sore and hurt badly. Some fighter I turned out to be.

´Don't think, just trust your instincts.´ the voice called out to me.

Looking up from the floor I saw that my opponent was still in the fighting stance waiting. I got up, slowly. I knew that Mike held himself back during our sparring sessions. Being put down like that? I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt my pride a little. I faced my trial and I attacked. First punch to the left side of the body – dodged. Fast kick between the legs was minor success. Hoody lost balance for a split second and I saw my opening. Unfortunately, I could not use it since my hand was caught again. This time to keep things interesting it was twisted. The pain shot through my hand. My brain was giving me the information about improper use of my right arm. I tried to use my left on the Hoody´s body as a distraction. I placed the kick to the knee.

We both fell on to the ground thanks to losing my balance. My keyboard even played some inappropriate tones, when we crashed. In that moment I felt something snapped and it wasn't the keyboard. To be honest, I didn't paid attention what it was. I was on top of my uninvited guest who seemed to be momentarily stunned. I had the advantage or so I thought. As I was ready to set up the knockout punch, I was pushed back by an unknown force into the kitchen segment of the room.

My head was spinning and seeing stars. A painful cry escaped from my mouth. I barely noticed the hoody person. The figure was glowing green? Okay, we established this wasn't a robbery. But I never would have guessed that I would be a victim of alien abduction. Mostly, when it comes to extraterrestrial, I did always prefer Spielberg's version. It was much more mysterious and gloomy.

´You preformed quite well.´ I heard the voice said while the unknown figure helped me up.

My right arm was on fire. The intensity of a pain suggested it was definitely broken.

´What was this, a fucking test?' I thought

I could care less anymore. I was in the mercy of whoever this was. I could barely talk. I managed to get up of the floor. I was now standing face to face with my unknown guest. My eyes were full of fear. The body started glow again. I closed my eyes waiting for everything to end. Nothing happened at least, nothing life frightening happened. When I opened my eyes again, I didn't feel my arm hurting anymore.

The room was also mostly repaired at least the door glass was not broken. I looked questionably at my unknown guest. Only to find I was looking into the eyes of a teenaged girl. She couldn't be more than sixteen years old. She had dark brown hair connected into a ponytail. Her dark brown eyes were sizing me up with interest. Her entire being was focused on me as she was trying to read me. It was probably what she was doing anyway. After a minute of nothing more than staring in silence, the girl seemed to relax and smile.

"It is a pleasure to meet you Mr. Andrews. My name's Lara. Do you have a minute to talk?" She asked.

"I guess" I responded.

Being totally lost I didn't know what else to say.

"Do you want some tea? I'm in a mood for tea." I said backing toward the kitchen area.

"Tea would be lovely, thank you." She said sitting down on the couch.

My visitor didn't seem to have any characteristics of a teenager. They were perfectly hidden under the soldier\ business exterior. No matter what she wanted with me I knew it's going to be big. Since, she hadn't killed me considering the number opportunities she had. Which was kind of comforting, as yet very frightening to me at the same time.

"So what exactly do you want from me?" I asked when I finally was finished with the serving.

"What do you know about Mass Effect?" She replied.

I simply shrug with my shoulders. My knowledge of the game was pretty vague. I never actually played it. I only saw my friends play it once or twice. I knew that the game supposed to be about choice. It was a trilogy story about character called Shepard. I also knew about some controversy aside from that was it.

"It is a pretty hyped third person shooter with some RPG elements." I quickly said recalling that information from pamphlet I saw. "The story is about saving a galaxy…Yady, yady, yada."

I was now curious where this discussion was going to go as I sipped my tea.

"What if I told you, the events of the game are pretty damn real?" Lara said without missing a beat.

I nearly burned my tongue hearing that.

"That may not be to surprising, especially after what I experienced. It still doesn't explain why do you need me?" I said calmly while inside I was nothing of the sort.

Laura's face darkened as I spoke.

"I come from the world where the protagonist did choose the synthesis with the enemy. The Green ending as many call it here. I was born short after that decision was made. Thanks to the level of exposure my mom experienced. I have certain abilities along with improved genetic code. Because of it I survived. It didn't save my family though." She commented.

"I understand that part but I still do not see the point where I come in." I hummed.

Even though that the story was quite engaging and I felt for the girl. I still couldn't figure out what had all this got to do with me.

"I can travel to any period of time. I can see the past, future and present with number of outcomes" She said.

Lara finished her story with shaking hands putting the cup on the table.

Even with this ability, we are still slaves, shell of our former self, just the Husks in yet another closing circle." She concluded.

"If you have this…this time travel ability, why don't you just you stop Shepard when it's time?" I asked feeling dumb stuck.

I was having a conversation about time travel with a girl from another universe. Slowly I came to realization that I might need something stronger than a tea. I braced myself.

"If I did that I would be dead before I could do anything. It is one flaw of the synthesis. This is why I came to you. You are the best candidate." My time traveling friend clarified.

"I highly doubted it." I said being skeptical of my abilities.

The words left my mouth meaning to be sarcastic. It was more like a spat. She looked dispassionately at me.

"I've ran through all possible solutions. You're or to clarify your lack of belief in yourself not an issue…" she stated.

This sentence made me rise up off the couch almost breaking the cup against the table. The words were ringing through my ears.

'…you're not an issue…'

What did she mean by that? How does she dare to criticize the way I live my life? I worked hard to get to the point where I was now. I knew it wasn't ideal. Things could always get better. It was this mindset that kept me going. This mindset helped me to overcome any obstacle and challenge. Now this girl appeared to judge me?!

"Who fuck do you think you are? Do you think you know me? Newsflash for you missy I have a life and family. I care about them. If you think you can just barge in here and take me away to do some stupid quest for you then you are wrong!" I finally snapped glaring at my guest.

Family was always tough subject for me and even if we weren't on best terms I loved them very much.

"If you're such family man why didn't you try to fix things?" She responded in firmly matching glare.

"The reason I didn't do it yet because I wanted to prove them wrong!" I was nearly screaming now.

Lara's voice on the other hand was all steady.

"What if I tell you that you have the last chance to do something that matters?" she asked.

My breath now speeded up. Something in her eyes made me realize. She wasn't kidding.

"Are you doing this because you think that I'm expendable?" I asked still outraged.

She stood up as well to face me.

"I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. And perhaps, you will learn to value yourself." She calmly said.

The air started to smell funny. I looked towards the kitchen then back at Lara looking for conformation, while she held my hand.

"Gas leak…?" I asked sniffing the air.

"Yes." Lara confirmed.

"Where…?" I asked again hoping it was not here.

"A neighbor's apartment bellow you." She replied simply.

"Damn Richards… You're the one hell of an idiot." I raged.

"Are you ready?" Lara asked.

At this question I only managed to nod. What was more to say? I was asking myself over and over what I did wrong. What I should have done better. I came to the conclusion that I lived my life the best way possible. Only thing I regretted more than anything was the fact that I didn't have the courage to be there for my Mother when I could. I prayed for her to find peace and happiness.

'Please forgive me…' I thought.

It was my last thought before everything started to spin. Then, there was nothing.