28th November 2187 – Crucible pulse + 14 months

"OK then, your turn Randa," Miranda rolled her eyes as her younger sister smiled deviously. "If...If Shepard had been a woman, exactly the same personality and mind, would you have fallen for him. Well her, technically."

"Ori, that's ridiculous," Miranda dropped her gaze to the glass of wine in her sister's hand. "You are really bad with drink."

"No I am not," Oriana pointed an accusatory finger at her sister. "You're just trying to dodge the question. You know the rules, you have to answer."

"This is a stupid game Ori," Miranda sighed. "I don't know, is the answer."

"Well you see past Shepard's appearance right?"

"Of course, I'm not shallow Ori!"

"Exactly. Therefore, in theory, it shouldn't make a difference."

"Well it would, think about it," Miranda took a sip of her hot chocolate. "We're heterosexual, we look at men and women differently. I have no doubt that I would be very friendly with a female version of John, but not lovers. I don't swing that way."

"That's rubbish, imagine an exact replica of his personality," Oriana gave her a knowing look. "You told me that you had enough of the same old men, the ones that were nothing but muscles. You said Shepard's body was only a benefit, a rather special one should I add, and that his mind was what intrigued you."

"I...Well..." Miranda lowered her voice. "I'm not on that team though Ori."

Oriana grinned mercilessly. "So you've never experimented with another woman?"

"I won't answer that, it isn't my turn now."

"Oh. My. God. You have haven't you?" Oriana's eyes were full of amusement. "I won't tell, but what happened?"

"It was a long time ago, and it wasn't anything serious," Miranda glared. "Honestly, it was a kiss and nothing else. Don't say anything to Shepard, it might get him far too excited."

"Hah!" Oriana laughed, calming herself before speaking far more seriously. "Speaking of Shepard, where is he?"

"Working," Miranda sighed again. "He'll join us when dinner arrives."

"He seems to be really busy with all this Council work."

"Yes, rather busy," Miranda shook her head. "Too busy."

"Is that a bad thing?" Oriana pressed tentatively. "Are they over working him?"

"No, it's the usual," She took another sip of hot chocolate. "He's over working himself."

"Why? Is he still having those nightmares?"

Miranda paused before answering, she regretted telling her sister about them. It wasn't that Oriana would tell anyone, but they were incredibly private for Shepard. He struggled with being open about them with Miranda, so why should she of gone and told someone else? It was true that she had been rather unsure how to deal with the problem, but maybe she should have kept it to herself. Still, what was done was done, and she was sure Shepard wouldn't be too annoyed if he ever found out.

"He is, rather often unfortunately," Now Miranda couldn't stop herself from spilling. "Oh Ori, I hate it when he has them. It makes him seem helpless, a bit like a child even."

"So, you reckon he's trying to overwork to tire himself?"

"Yeah, but it isn't working. And he really doesn't enjoy it," Miranda scowled. "I regret getting him to go for it."

"But he's doing a good job, or so I reckon," Oriana smiled. "The public are really behind him, that's what's important at the moment. And the right things are being done, the recovery is heading in the right way."

"Yes, but he doesn't enjoy it," Miranda protested. "He gave up what he enjoyed."

"Being a soldier?"

"Yep, and being a SPECTRE," Miranda lowered her voice once more. "I worry that this is enough for him, that he's content with this life."

"He loves it here, he loves being with you. It's obvious," Oriana moved from the other side of the corner sofa to sit right next to her sister. "And you worry too much, in fact the pair of you do. He probably thinks the same thing, is this enough for you? And is it?"

"Yeah, but it's different for me. I did a whole variety of work at Cerberus, all of which I was rather good at. I can do any of those things as a job once the baby is a bit older and I'll be happy," She frowned. "And that's organised, I'm going to have a team at Huerta. We're going to be working on all sorts of medical ailments, curing the incurable. I would love to do that every day for the rest of my life, and then I have a family to come home to."

Oriana had a sympathetic expression. "And Shepard?"

"He is doing something because he feels obliged, not because he wants to. I know he wants this family, but what if he wants to go back into service?" Miranda looked down. "I don't know if I could cope with that, but it's selfish of me to stop him doing what he wants and loves."

"He loves you."

"And he gave up everything to be with me," Miranda looked up at her sister. "He almost gave up the galaxy on Horizon, we were all bloody lucky that he survived. But our relationship almost cost the war, I don't want it to cost him his happiness."

"That's ridiculous, I doubt he could be happier than he is," Oriana sighed herself. "If he didn't want this, then why did he risk everything on Horizon? I don't know him that well but, from what I've gleaned, John Shepard doesn't seem the type to just lose it over anything."

"I...Well you're right I suppose," Miranda furrowed her brows. "Maybe I'm just being stupid."

"No you're not Randa, trust me," Oriana took a gulp of wine. "You're being understandable, honestly."

They were interrupted by the doorbell, chiming loudly through the house. As expected Legion went nuts, sprinting out of the living room and barking wildly at the door. A few seconds later there was the sound of the door opening, followed by conversation. The one voice was Shepard's but the other was also unmistakable, the loud and booming Italian accent of Luigi Giovani. Oriana raised her eyebrows at the voice. Miranda rolled her eyes.

A minute later Shepard entered the living room, followed by Luigi. He was dressed in his usual open neck suit, a large and friendly smile across his face. The man was in his fifties, with thinning hair and a growing waistline, but that didn't prevent the seemingly unending youthfullness that radiated from him. His arms were laden with carrier bags, the enticing smell of the food within wafting over to Miranda.

"Ah, Miss Lawson," He placed down the bags. "As beautiful as ever, but who is this bella donna? Surely a relation, yes I see it now. Your sister, no?"

"Yes, this is Oriana," Miranda paused before continuing, saying that she was her twin would probably be rather complicated. "My younger sister."

"Younger? You look like twins." Luigi took a slight bow before them before heading over to Oriana, giving her a peck on each cheek. When he had done this to Miranda for the first time she had to refrain from punching him, the Italian courtesy had been completely lost on her. But Oriana took it in her stride, smiling back enthusiastically. "Anyway, I am honoured to meet you."

"Likewise Mr...?"

"Giovani, Luigi Giovani. I run La Boheme in the village."

"I remember Miranda saying about it," Oriana gestured at the food bags. "I hear the food's awesome."

"Oh it's the best," Luigi winked at her sister. "Nothing but the best for the galaxies ideal couple."

"Jeez, really Luigi?" Shepard spoke for the first time since entering the room. "Do you really have to use that phrase, it's ridiculous."

"But it's true, and soon there will be a little bambino as well," Luigi inclined his head to Miranda. "Of course you have to bring the bambino to Uncle Luigi, to make sure it learns the best way to live."

"And that is?"

Luigi spread out his arms theatrically. "The way of Italia, of course!"

Miranda couldn't help but chuckle, despite his eccentricities she was warming to the lovable man. "We'll make sure to do that, thanks for the food Luigi. Hope it isn't too cold for the delivery."

"Nothing can stop me from reaching my favourite patrons, not even metre high snow drifts," He gave them another bow. "I shall leave you in peace, enjoy!"

He gave both Miranda and Oriana a kiss on each cheek, grabbed Shepard into a bone breaking hug, and gave Legion a pat on the head before taking his leave with Shepard.

"Wow, he's something else," Oriana grinned. "I've never met a proper Italian before."

"His whole family is like that," Shepard had returned to the living room with plates and cutlery, none of them were bothered about eating a proper sit down meal and Miranda was more than happy to laze on the sofa and gorge on brilliant food in front of the vid-screen. "They're such nice people, they have a great outlook on life."

"I found them a bit overbearing at first, but they are nice," Miranda poked into one of the bags, pulling out a large stick of garlic bread. She noticed that it was covered in extra parmesan cheese, just how she liked it. "And they always remember how customers like their dishes served."

Oriana and Shepard shared a look as Miranda bit straight into the bread stick, both grinning at one another. She ignored them and continued to enjoy her starter, grabbing a plate to catch the crumbs. Shepard, meanwhile, unwrapped one of the pizzas from the bags, cutting it into slices and handing over a few to Oriana.

"So Oriana, how are things at the colony?"

"Pretty good actually," Oriana smiled enthusiastically. "I'm really enjoying the work, and we're making great headway."

"Sounds good," Shepard took a bite of pizza, swallowing before continuing. "But there was that problem a few months ago, what was that about?"

"Oh my god, you have no idea Shepard," Oriana gave a scowl. Miranda smirked, she knew what had happened, but Shepard recoiled at the familiar glare. "I was so bloody annoyed, I almost killed him."

"Right. Who?"

"Thomas, he's a guy who I work with really closely at the colony. And he made the emergency call."

Miranda nudged Shepard. "Oh, you'll love this story John."

"The call was for a problem with general things, not security or anything like that, but it's the call used for things like immediate halting of construction for whatever reason," Oriana shrugged. "I didn't need to return from the Citadel, but I thought it was a good idea."

"So, had something stupid happened?"

"That's the point, nothing had bloody happened," Oriana shook her head. "He made a false call to get me to come to see him, I ended up meeting him in a grassy meadow with no one else about. Thomas had set up a picnic for me."

"What?" Shepard's jaw dropped. "He dragged you all the way from the Citadel for a date in a field?"

"Well he didn't know I was on the Citadel, but yes that's the essence of it."

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "So what did you do?"

"I stormed off from his picnic, honestly I have never been so angry, and went home to calm down," Oriana took a sip of her wine before picking up a slab of pizza. "I went to his house the next day."

Miranda grinned as Oriana chomped through the pizza slice, nudging Shepard again. "Now this is the unbelievable part."

"I'm getting to that Randa," Oriana rolled her eyes before turning back to Shepard. "So we had a bit of a row outside his house, all the neighbours were watching. I admit that maybe I lost it a little bit too much."

"I sense a but coming on."

"Well, you know when you're having a row with someone and it's really intense? When you're really close to each other, and really in each others faces?" Shepard nodded. "Well we were like that, and then rather suddenly we were...kinda making out. I was a bit surprised, and so was he, when we found ourselves rolling around in his hallway snogging each other."

"Erm...wow," Shepard rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, but then he began to laugh rather loudly. "That's hilarious, I never knew the Lawson's had a particular method for relationships."

"What?" Oriana furrowed her brows before a look of realisation appeared on her face. She also began to laugh. "Of course, that's how you two started isn't it?"

"Yep," Miranda polished off her garlic bread, sucking her fingers clean. "Great minds think alike right?"

"It's a risky tactic girls, what if the guy doesn't take the bait?" Shepard grinned. "You just end up with a row."

"None of you can resist us," Miranda gave Oriana a wink. "We're too good."

"Too true Randa," Oriana smirked back. "My little niece will be like that too, you'll have your hands rather full Shepard."

"How many times? It's clearly a boy," Shepard protested. "You'll see."

"No, we won't John. But don't worry," Miranda smiled sweetly. "You still have Legion."

"Yeah, that's true," On cue the big dog trotted over to Shepard, giving a massive yawn as he patted it on the head. "On the rather small chance that you are right we'll retreat to the shed and play around with power tools. Doing manly stuff, really butch manly stuff."

Miranda rolled her eyes extravagantly, catching Oriana performing the exact same action in perfect synchronisation. Shepard swallowed rather nervously at the two sisters before speaking tentaticely. "So, anything good on tonight?"

"Not really," Oriana shook her head. "Just that rubbish doctor program Miranda likes."

"It is not rubbish," Miranda protested weakly. "OK it has some bad acting, but it's interesting."

"Whatever, have you got any films?"

"Take a look behind you Oriana." Shepard grinned, though Miranda rolled her eyes.

"He always wants to show off his collection."

"Wow!" Oriana was stood in front of the shelves to the left of the vid-screen, running her finger across one row of vids. "You have hundreds, I've never seen so many hard copy vids in one place."

"Yeah, I like having the physical things on display, rather than just downloads," Shepard reached into one box of food to pull out some strips of Milanese chicken and place them on his plate. "Choose something to watch if there's anything that takes your pick."

"OK," Miranda watched her sister peruse through the vids, she was looking for a couple of minutes before she pulled one out. "What's this? 'The Alamo'."

"Oh God no Ori," Miranda shook her head jokingly. "Not a western, please no."

"A western?"

"You aren't familiar with westerns?" Shepard gave her a knowing look. "Well you will be, I'll have to teach you as I did with your sister. Basically it's about cowboys, and it's a classic. It's about this small force of Texans holding out against a huge force of Mexicans, a bit of a last stand. There's no Indians, but it's still a western. And it's got John Wayne in it."

"It's a really rubbish film from the mid twentieth century is what he means," Miranda smirked as she began to fill her bowl with pasta. "He only likes cowboy films cause him and Garrus were cowboys, minus the hats. You know, I reckon those two would suit being cowboys Ori, two mates going off into the wilderness together. A bit of brotherly love going on."

"Not sure about that," Shepard muttered quietly, though Miranda could still hear him. "That sounds more like Brokeback Mountain to me."

"What was that?"

"Nothing," Shepard was quick to clear that up, changing the subject back to the vid. "Oriana, put that on if you want."

"OK."

Oriana placed the disk into the vid-screen, hoping back onto the sofa as they all resumed eating. Miranda opened her omin-tool up, searching up the phrase 'Brokeback Mountain'. A few minutes later she found what it was, an old film about a pair of cowboy best friends. Who were actually gay. She broke out into fits of laughter, the others staring at her rather bemused.

"What's so funny Miri?"

"Oh, I'm just imagining you and Garrus in cowboy hats and on horses," Miranda grinned. "And then becoming gay lovers like those two in Brokeback Mountain."

"You will forget you ever saw that Miranda Lawson," Shepard huffed. "And Oriana, you never heard that!"

A/N Next chapter is pretty important...Hint hint...