They had all come so far, and now they would infiltrate the Cerberus base where the Illusive Man himself would be. And then... Earth.

All that hatred built up for them for all these years was finally going to be put to good use... but somehow... revenge wasn't he was thinking about.

James stepped out of the elevator just outside of Shepard's room. His nerves were acting up, just like they always did when he saw her.

'But... I know she won't be able to sleep. She's hardly slept at all since this whole thing started... I've gotta check up on her.'

The doors opened to her room. Shepard was at her desk writing things down.

"Shep- ah, I mean Jane... How's it going?"

She turned with exhaustion in her eyes. She must have been more nervous about this mission than even him. He stood right behind her.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Trying to come up with some kind of strategy on how to infiltrate the place. We have no idea what this place is like; no blueprints, no sensors... nothing. All we know is that it's there."

"Jane... you need some sleep. You haven't been hardly sleeping at all, and you need a good night's rest for this. I know you're scared... but you gotta also take care of yourself."

"Says the man who crashed one of the Kodiaks to stop Cerberus."

"Ouch, that's harsh!"

She weakly laughed, then the frown returned. Vega drug her out of the chair and threw her onto the bed.

"W-WHAT ARE YOU D-DOING?" she cried

"Enough."

He slowly walked down the stairs... and his nerves intensified.

"If you don't relax even in the slightest, know that I'm gonna get a bit mad. Like I keep telling you; relax!"

"But this is Cerberus we're talking about, James!"

"We're dealing with Reapers, and you're scared of a human organization?"

"I'm not scared! I... I'm just worried that the team..."

He grabbed her face gently, and looked straight into her eyes.

"Jane, you're insulting us. We are the best in the Alliance military at your disposal. We will fight with you to the end... especially me..."

He blushed.

'God, how come she always makes me look like a kid?' he wondered

Shepard's eyes were of surprise, then a genuine smile grew on her face. She touched his face.

"You've changed... you know that?"

"But you like it."

She smiled again.

"I LOVE it."

"Jane?"

"Yes, James?"

"I want to let you know that I'll always have your back, and... I... I love you."

"James... I love you too."

"Now fill your pretty little head with-"

James was cut short from a kiss from her, so he decided to shut up.