"John," Miranda smiled. She wore a strapless red dress, red heels, and her hair was perfect, just as Shepard remembered. "Why don't you wear modern suits? This isn't 2010."
"Miranda." Shepard said, not smiling. "Don't you ever age?"
"Not if I can help it." Miranda said. "I'll drive. I've heard you have a girlfriend. Or boyfriend. Tali isn't sure."
"Nobody is." Shepard said, following Miranda to her vehicle. It was silver with dark windows, unlike Shepard's, which was black with opaque windows.
"I am. Want to know?" Miranda asked.
"No." Shepard said. "If Haku wants me to know, I'll know."
"Alright." Miranda said, sitting in the driver's seat. Shepard didn't like anyone but himself driving, but he still got into the passenger seat, trying to relax. "So, that pervert at the dinner was one of your squad?"
"I didn't send him to keep you away."
"That was his own doing, then?"
"No. Haku took the reins."
"Odd. You never let anyone else command our missions."
"Saving the universe and having a day with my daughter are two very different things, Miranda." Shepard said.
"True." Miranda admitted, then said "I miss the days when you called me Miri. I overreacted, and I hope we can have another chance."
"At what?"
"You're the Commander, John. You tell me."
This intrigued Shepard, but he waved the notion away. He was here to face his past and, hopefully, come out a better man. Not to strike up another relationship with his ex-wife.
"So," Miranda said. "What are you doing nowadays?"
"You know what I'm doing," Shepard said. "You have trackers in my terminal."
Miranda was surprised, but didn't show it. "My, you've gotten smarter. Why did you leave them there?"
"I don't care if you see what I'm doing. I'm a better hunter than you, and by the time you found the Illusive Man he'd be dead." Shepard said.
"You have a worse temper than I remember." Miranda said.
"You haven't seen my temper. Did you read the autopsy of that man, Bernard?"
"Yes. A grisly death, for sure. He was hired by the Illusive Man, but nothing more than an assassination."
"I killed Bernard after I lost my temper." Shepard said, but Miranda wasn't surprised as Shepard expected.
"Of course. He was assaulting Haku," Miranda said. "Here we are."
Shepard looked the restaurant, knowing it from one of the first dates he had taken Miranda on.
"It's one of my favorite places to eat." Miranda explained. Shepard got out of the vehicle, moving to open Miranda's door. But she opened it herself. "This isn't a date, Shepard. This is two friends eating dinner."
"Hm." Shepard grunted, wondering when he became friends with Miranda.
"So, how's the search for the Illusive Man going?" Miranda asked.
"About as well as ever. Michael and Haku have made a vacation into a nearly month-long lifestyle." Shepard said, wondering how a month had passed by without him finding anything new out about the Illusive Man.
"You-"
"Shouldn't hunt the Illusive Man, you'll only get yourself killed. I've heard it before." Shepard snapped.
Miranda glared at him, and Shepard sighed.
"I'm sorry," Shepard said. "I'm losing it. I'm paranoid. I can't focus. I can't remember days at a time. I shouldn't be here. I-"
Shepard felt a hand on his shoulder, surprise showing clearly on his face.
"John, you should go to a hospital." Miranda said. "Leave behind your crazy mission."
"You're right." Shepard sighed, and Miranda hugged him around the waist.
"I'm sorry I put you in such a dark place." Miranda said, placing her head on Shepard's shoulder, much like she had during their marriage. Shepard, surprisingly, hugged her back.
"I forgive you." Shepard said. A moment later, he felt a sharp pain, and fell to the ground, blacking out.
"John!" Miranda shouted, sounding as if she was miles away. "Who are you bastards?"
"Shut it!" Shepard heard. He fell from his knees to his side, and his eyes rolled back into his head.