A/N: Thanks to LeroyZanzibar for betaing (as usual, at this point)! If you enjoy reading OCs, you'll enjoy his story: Mass Effect: Friend of a Hero. It's funny, quirky, and is a great novelization of Mass Effect. It's worth reading, really! :D

Disclaimer: Mass Effect is copyright of Bioware. Many of the characters contained herein—Shepard included—are property of Bioware. Shepard is partially of my forging, since I am able to choose many of his reactions to events within the parameters of the game. The sequence of events and their outcomes are property of Bioware. The interpretations of and reactions to the events are largely my own. Ci-Ci is mine. Please do not repost this story or any parts of it herein. Always give credit where it is due. I owe the Mass Effect Wiki a great deal for helping me figure out timelines, details, and other such things that I did not pick up during the game.

I welcome constructive and/or encouraging reviews/critiques. Thank you for reading. Enjoy!

5 June 2185—Liara's Offices, Illium, Tasale System, Crescent Nebula

"Shepard," Liara greeted, turning from her window screens to face him.

"Liara," he answered coldly. His eyes narrowed. "You don't sound surprised."

"I'm not. I heard rumors of your survival, and I recognized your style on Omega and Horizon."

He clenched a fist. "So you knew I was alive."

"Yes."

"AND YOU DIDN'T FUCKING TELL ME THAT SHE WAS?"

Liara was undaunted. "I had no reason to. There was no definite evidence of your survival until you walked into Ariadne's gallery." She smiled. "I must say, that was rather impressive. I do not think I have ever been jealous until I saw that."

Ariadne paled. "You were watching, too? Is that going to be put on the holo-net?"

Shepard smirked. "It'd teach all those amateurs a thing or two."

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, and I'd die of embarrassment. I'm a bachelorette by reputation."

"Not if I have something to say about it."

"You didn't say anything."

"I used my mouth. And tongue."

"That's what she said."

"He did, too."

"Hah! I can't believe you let me say that!"

"I missed it," he grumbled. "Besides, everything you add that line to I expect you to do to me at some point."

Ariadne turned crimson. "Oh my..."

"And this is how you shut her up."

"Hey!"

"What?" he asked innocently.

Liara tried not to laugh. It was remarkably good to see them again. As terrifying as Shepard could be, his interactions with Corinthia could be downright adorable. Still, Liara was worried. What if Corinthia snapped into a bout?

"Be careful not to push her too far, Commander. She is not completely herself."

"If you're talking about the accent," he answered levelly, "I think it's sexy."

Liara frowned. "You haven't told him? Ariadne!"

"I did," Ariadne answered.

"All of it?"

Ariadne studied her feet. "You know very well that I can't."

"What the fuck?" Shepard asked. "I know that she spaces out, and it's... it's scary—" He couldn't believe that he was saying that to anyone, "—but it's not a problem."

"You need to tell him," Liara pressed, "before it gets worse."

Shepard narrowed his eyes. "What?"

Ariadne interrupted LIara before the asari could say. "You'll see, when we get into a fight."

"You mean that you and I fight each other or that you and I are fighting some mercenary pussies or something like that?"

"Unfortunately, both. I'll explain when we're alone."

He nodded. "So, Liara, what have you been up to other than not telling me that she was alive?"

"I have been trying to find the Shadow Broker," Liara replied. "I am close, now, and I could use your or Ariadne's help. In return, I will help you."

"I'll do it," Ariadne offered, opening her omni-tool. "What do you need?"

"The usual."

Ariadne rolled her eyes. "Where do I have to go this time?"

"It's here on Illium. I'll give you the locations."

"Is it going to take long?" Shepard asked testily. "I have things to do."

"Yes," Liara answered, opening her computer console. "You need information on where to locate Thane Krios and an asari Justicar called Samara."

"How do you know that?"

"I know many things now, Commander, and Ariadne has given me access to much of your data now."

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "Can you get rid of the Illusive Man for me?"

"My skills and connections are to find the Shadow Broker, not him. My only work with Cerberus has been to help Ariadne track them, but only to identify their cells, not find him. He is too well protected. Ariadne might, however, considering her clientele."

"Liara!" Ariadne hissed.

Shepard slowly turned his gaze to Ariadne. "Please tell me that it isn't how it sounds."

"It's not," she answered quickly. "I'm known for being untouchable."

Shepard snorted. "Don't you mean oblivious?"

"No, and you're to blame for that." She bit her lip, winked, and began working on her omni-tool. "And, just so you feel better, I'll see what I can find on your... boss."

Shepard nodded. "Good. Now, Liara, tell me what I want to know."

7 June 2185—Dantius Towers, Illium, Tasale System, Crescent Nebula

Shepard couldn't believe it. Corinthia was... He didn't know how to describe it. It was like they were back on Elysium, when she was fighting without caring of the danger and simply did as she had to. Shepard had compared her to a Valkyrie then, but now she made that look like she was something far worse. Even Shepard was scared, though perhaps less of her and more for her. This wasn't normal. Yes, she was better in a fight, actually killing her targets instead of disabling them from a distance

"Ci-Ci!" he shouted, grabbing her by the shoulders. "Ci-Ci! Snap out of it!"

She threw him off, narrowing her eyes at him dangerously. She had yet to say anything since they'd entered the towers, but she hadn't had to. She'd followed orders (something Shepard wasn't sure he'd ever seen her do).

Mordin stroked his chin. "Interesting. Not herself. Perhaps... yes, possible."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Shepard demanded.

"Will explain on ship. Not here. Too dangerous. Have job to do. Yes. Must work." Mordin checked his mini-machine gun and moving ahead. Corinthia followed him.

Shepard gritted his teeth. No one seemed to answer his questions when he wanted answers. "Let's just find this assassin quickly."

They reached a bridge, the last real obstacle between them and Nassana Dantius. Corinthia came behind him, grabbing Xerxes and firing it to the far end. She ducked into cover, Shepard automatically puting his body protectively over hers.

"Damn it, Ci-Ci, what the fuck were you thinking?" he demanded.

She looked around, confused. "Did I just kill a lot of things?"

"Are you fucking serious?"

She paled. "Oh, God, I did it again, didn't I? I'm so sorry, Shepard."

He checked the damage. "At least the bridge is still intact."

"Bridge? What bridge? Where are we? What's going on? I'm confused..."

Shepard frowned, worry settling into his gut. "You knew exactly what you were doing a minute ago."

"I did?" she whispered. "Why does this always happen to me?"

"We'll talk about it later. You need to focus right now."

She nodded, opening her omni-tool. "Alright. It looks like you—I—we killed everything."

"Good." Shepard stood and helped her to her feet. "Mordin, let's go. We don't want to keep Nassana waiting."

"Nassana Dantius? Didn't we kill her sister?" Corinthia asked.

"Yes, and now this assassin's trying to kill her."

"Huh. No loss, there. She stole two of my best pieces and I still can't get her to pay."

"You need stronger tactics."

"Ariadne isn't exactly violent."

"Not according to what I just saw."

"Can you tell me what that was?"

"I don't know myself," he answered quietly. "I can just tell you what I saw."

"That doesn't sound good."

"Let's just say that I've never seen anyone take more headshots in my life."

"That's... not good."

"It was fucking amazing, that's what it was." He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her forehead. "But it wasn't you. C'mon. Let's get this over with."

They entered Nassana's office. The asari spun, her mercenary guards pointing guns at everyone. Shepard snorted. "Why the hell do people think that they can fight me?"

Ariadne pointed her pistol at Nassana's head. "You owe me quite a bit for those Prothean statues. I'm here to collect, and I brought friends."

"Ariadne Enig," the asari answered, turning. "And... Shepard? I thought you were dead."

"I got better," he answered darkly.

Nassana looked back to Ariadne. "Corinthia!"

"Doesn't change the fact that you still owe me money," Corinthia answered. "I'll take that now, thanks." She opened her omni-tool and fiddled briefly. "Well, you may be paying millions for this system, but it's worthless."

"Whatever they're paying you, I'll give you double," Nassana said quickly, looking at Shepard.

Corinthia snickered. "You can't afford double. You can't even afford to pay me for those statues, so I'll just take what you've got..."

A dark figure silently fell out of the duct system. He deftly dispatched the two guards and snapped Nassana's neck before anyone knew what was happening. Corinthia squeaked and darted behind Shepard.

"It's fine, Ci-Ci," he muttered. "Someone moving that silently would have us dead already if he wanted it."

The assassin folded his hands and lowered his head.

"What are you doing?" Shepard asked.

"Praying," the assassin answered, his voice low, gravelly, and almost processed.

"For her?"

"No, for me."

Corinthia came out from behind Shepard. "You? You're Thane?"

"You know him?" Shepard demanded.

"We crossed paths a few times," Corinthia answered. "He tried to kill me. Sort of. Not really. I thought he was, but then he didn't..."

Thane chuckled. He was a drell, a species that was rarely seen away from their home planet. He had green, black-streaked, snake-like skin and features that came directly off a Greek statue. His eyes were large and nearly black, though up close there was a hit of orange in them as well. He wore all black, his chest slightly exposed under his jacket and boots.

"Cassiopeia is being unclear. I was sent to kill her and found that it was my employers who deserved death instead of her."

"Was this before or after she died?" Shepard demanded.

"This was shortly after your death, Commander," Thane answered calmly. "We met a few other times afterwards, but to aid one another, not kill." He clasped his hands behind his back. "Your Illusive Man contacted me." He glanced back at Nassana. "This was to be my last mission."

"Please come, Thane. It'd be good to have friends, you know?" Corinthia asked. "Besides, you never did finish showing me all those moves of yours."

Thane shifted his gaze to Shepard. "If I have his consent, of course."

Shepard narrowed his eyes. "Ci-Ci..."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh my God... You think I'd, you know...? Thane's plenty sexy and all, but he's not you."

"There was nothing every between us, Commander," Thane continued, "nor will there be."

"I'll prove it later," Corinthia murmured in Shepard's ear. "You have to trust me, alright?"

He touched her cheek and nodded. "OF course. Need anything else here?"

"Nope."

"Then we're leaving."

SSV Normandy SR-2, Shepard's Quarters

Shepard climbed out of the shower, nearly jumping out of his skin when he saw Corinthia sitting on his bed. "God, Cassie, can't you knock?"

She blushed deeply and quickly turned around. "I didn't know you'd walk out without a towel!"

"It's my room!"

"I said there was a later, didn't I?"

Shepard found some clothes and put them on. "It's safe, Ci-Ci."

"I'm really sorry, John, but after today, I... Well... I thought I needed to explain. Everything."

He joined her on the bed. "Alright. Need me to make any kinds of promises first?"

"No, I... I don't want you to." She took a deep breath. "I know I wasn't on Noveria with you, but I heard what Benezia said... about Sovereign and how it got into your head... Well... It happened to me."

Shepard shook his head. "Impossible."

"I was one a Reaper for... I don't know how long, but afterwards there was all this... muttering.. and a few weeks ago I found some Collectors. You've fought them, so you know what happens when they start to glow? Well, that voice was talking to me... hacked my omni-tool... tried to convince me that I should fight for them like Saren did. I... I couldn't take it. I blacked out and then everything was dead. I... I think I'm going insane, except that I know the source of my schizophrenia. John, I'm so sorry. I should've told you sooner."

He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "Mordin said that you were showing symptoms of a split personality," he said quietly. "He guessed that it was because you couldn't handle the separation from me."

She shook her head. "I was devastated, but it didn't break me. It made me stronger, though maybe not in the best kind of way... I matured, a lot, but I didn't snap. I never snapped. It's just that when someone tells me to do something I don't want to, or when I think I can't think... It goes black." She shivered. "Maybe there is another side, because whenever I think that Harbinger's going to start whispering, another voice overpowers it and tell it to shut the fuck up and let me think in peace. It works, though sometimes I lose track of time and get a wickedly bad headache, but..."

Shepard covered her mouth his his, doing his best to let her know that he didn't care without pushing her limits. Her arms curled around his neck and she shuddered as she held back a sob.

He pulled away, wiping away her tears. "You were always crazy, Cassie. I never cared. It's why I love you." He tucked her hair behind her ears. "Anything else you want to tell me?"

"That you're amazing and I love you with all my being." She got onto her knees and took a deep breath. "If... you know..."

He shook his head. "I want to, and you have no idea how hard it is..."

She giggled.

"Okay, bad choice of words, there, but I... I swore that I wouldn't... try until I was ready to marry you. I... God, this is fucking hard to say... I love you, really, but I can't see... that... until this is through. You told me how you saw love making, and I don't want kids unless there's somewhere safe for them to be."

She blinked. "You mean you want kids?"

"After I'm taken off active duty."

"You'd be able to handle that without going insane?"

"I give you permission to shoot me if I ever start giggling inanely."

"Mm, I dunno. I might be able to make that happen. There was something I wanted to try."

He groaned as she crawled towards him. "Cassie, what did I just tell you?"

"No, what I want to know is if you're ticklish or not."

Outside of Shepard's quarters, Kasumi nearly jumped out of her cloaking device as Shepard started laughing uproariously. She shook her head and snuck back downstairs. Whatever was happening in there was none of her business, even though it would be fun to see exactly what Corinthia was doing.

Miranda was, for once, standing in the CIC. She raised an eyebrow at Kasumi. "I didn't expect to see you here, Kasumi."

"Shepard's busy," Kasumi answered. "If you need him, he won't be answering."

"Corinthia?"

"Yep. I gotta say, I didn't think he could laugh,and that was knowing that she's insane."

"Yes, I heard about that..." Miranda shook her head. "Of course the one person he chose to bring along would be the one that could truly jeopardize the mission."

"I don't think so. She's got another side to her, sure, but Mordin said that it's only a danger to her enemies. Besides, Shepard seems to snap her out of it."

"We'll see. I read Dr. Solus's report and if her skills increase so much, Shepard may not want to revive her next time."

"You haven't seen them cuddle."

"Kasumi, have you been eavesdropping? Again?"

"Of course not, why would I do that?" Kasumi watched as Jacob went by. "I was up there to ask Ci-Ci for a favor, but it'll have to wait."

"Yes, I guess so. I don't think I'd could survive the consequences of interrupting him. Then again, he has gotten a lot better since Ci-Ci arrived. If I could get her on our side, she might actually convince him to help the Illusive Man."

Kasumi shrugged. "I don't care, so long as you all keep paying me and fulfill your end of the bargain."

"Yes, don't worry about that. Isn't that party soon?"

"Next week."

Miranda pursed her lips. "And there is still more business to conduct on Illium... much more..."

Shockingly, Corinthia walked out of the elevator, a little flushed, but grinning like a baboon. "Heya, Randy. Sumi."

"Randy?" Miranda repeated.

"'Miri' doesn't fit you."

"And 'Randy' does?"

"Aside from the body and lack of danglies, you aren't exactly effeminate."

"I should have you know—"

Kasumi giggled. "She's right, you know. The 'tough guy' thing really only works for men."

"LIke Shepard," Corinthia added.

"Or Jacob."

"Grunt."

"Zaeed."

"Garrus."

Corinthia and Kasumi exchanged looks. "Or Thane," they said in unison.

"Hey, what about me?" Joker called.

"Nah," Corinthia and Kasumi answered, locking arms.

"You're whipped," Corinthia continued.

"Totally," Kasumi finished.

"What are you talking about?" Joker asked, looking around nervously.

"EDI," they answered.

"You've got to be kidding me... You'd think on a ship full of hot girls that one of them might have pity on the cripple..."

"Cripple my ass," Corinthia replied. "You got yourself upgraded big time by Cerberus and now you can walk without the crutches. I've seen you, Jeff."

"Eesh, you don't have to sound like my mother."

"Well, you need the watching. Right, EDI?"

"I have found several illegal items on Mr. Moreau's personal computer," EDI answered.

"Don't give a list," Joker said quickly. "Gimme a break! I'm just the only pilot qualified to fly this damned thing..."

Corinthia snickered. "Calling your baby a damned thing now, are we?"

"A father's allowed to curse his offsrping."

"And a mother's allowed to flick his ear for it," Corinthia answered. "EDI, spike his computer or something. Please."

Miranda actually smiled. "Ci-Ci, might I speak to you for a moment?"

"Sure," Corinthia answered, shrugging. "No eavesdropping, Sumi. I think Jacob's about to start his work-out routine, anyway."

Kasumi licked her lips. "Mm. Jacob..." She and Corinthia exchanged another look before bursting into laughter.

After Corinthia and Miranda had stepped into the elevator, the latter crossed her arms. "Is there something I missed?"

"Kasumi thinks that Jacob is gorgeous," Corinthia answered.

"That he is."

Corinthia raised an eyebrow. "Old flame?"

Miranda shook her head. "We're better friends than lovers. We found that out the hard way."

"Yeah, I know that feeling..."

"Shepard seems happy."

"I'm not talking about Shepard. He's my best friend and happens to be the guy I'm in love with, but he wasn't my only friend. I had other crushes. Still kinda do, somtimes, but it usually doesn't last for more than a few seconds." Corinthia waved to Garrus as they passed him in the mess. She jerked a thumb at the turian. "Like him. He's a great guy, but it's totally platonic. Same with me and Wrex and Alenko and Joker and Thane and everyone."

"Next you'll be saying that you and I are best friends," Miranda muttered.

"I'm pretty sure that this is our first conversation, Miranda, so I'm not going to jump to conclusions."

"You're a little too..."

"Perky?"

"Yes."

Corinthia shrugged. "You're not the first to think that." She sat in one of the chairs in Miranda's office. "So, what's up?"

Miranda sat behind her desk. "I wanted to thank you."

"For?"

"Making Shepard tolerable."

Corinthia laughed. "I'd heard the crew grumbling, but I didn't know he was that pouty."

"That's one word for it," Miranda mused. "My other commends are... well, perhaps a little unpleasant."

"Won't leave the room, promise."

"That... remains to be seen." Miranda remotely closed the door. "Shepard doesn't like me very much."

"Do you want me to comment on that?"

"I already know the answer. He believes that I'm dedicated to a cause that's selfish and idiotic simply because he himself doesn't believe in it."

"I wouldn't phrase it quite like that, but that's the gist of it." Corinthia leaned back. "So you want me to talk to him for you."

"Please. I'm... I'm trying to behave as he expects—well, that isn't correct. I am trying to conduct myself according to his expectations of a crew member, not a member of Cerberus, but it's difficult to know what he wants."

Corinthia smiled. "It's simple, really: shut up, follow orders, argue for what you believe in, do what's right... He's a good guy with a bad-ass exterior. He defies all expectations."

"As I've had constant proof," Miranda murmured. "He has no desire to get to know anyone aboard this ship."

"Yeah, because he's trying to fill his missed quota of me. Look, I'll take him out and socialize him, don't worry."

"I meant that he doens't... understand what it's like... for me."

Corinthia raised an eyebrow. "You mean being a gorgeous in an organization of cutthroats?"

"Not exactly. I am a product of genetic engineering."

"Ah... That would explain a lot..."

"My father... he made me. Created me. Everything from my biotics to my intelligence to my body—"

"Doesn't mean that you're not a person, dabbled with or not. Wait, that didn't come out right... What I mean is that it doesn't matter where you come from, it's how you use what you've got. So far, you've brought Shepard back to me. That automatically makes you epically awesome in my reckoning." Corinthia smiled encouragingly. "You aren't a tool, Miranda. You're too smart for that. If you agree with Cerberus, you agree with Cerberus, but Shepard thinks that you do for some twisted reason like they saved you from a life of crime and prostitution... Those weren't his words, mind you, but it's what I got from him."

"That would be... almost accurate. When I ran away from my father, I went to Cerberus. They accepted me, let me use my skills."

"And be yourself?"

"Maybe... I'm not sure anymore."

Corinthia studied the floor. "Yeah, I know that feeling..."

"I've read your background. There's nothing to suggest that at all."

Corinthia shook her head. "Look, it's... Don't tell Shepard, alright? I hate the Alliance. I hate being a Spectre, having to go kill things, and all of that stuff. I joined the Alliance because it was the only way I could think of to get away from my father and what he wanted me to be... I mean, he put me in a salarian school so that I'd be 'the best of the best' or something stupid like that. Look how I turned out: an eternal child stuck in a soldier's body, now possibly going insane whilst juggling two lives and avoiding being murdered whenever I go out. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating about that last bit, but my point is that I've been a part of things because my skills fit, but not because I wanted to be. If I did it again, I never would've joined the Alliance. I know that if I hadn't, I never would've met Shepard, but maybe I would've been happier... blissfully ignorant, but happier."

"But you choose to fight now," Miranda said. "You could have remained behind as Ariadne."

"Yeah, no. With Shepard not fighting is a non-option. Besides, I missed him. I'd rather fight and be with him than be safe and without him. Wait, that doesn't make sense, because to me 'safe' is being near him. Like when we went after Saren and I wanted to stay on the Citadel but he dragged me along and it ended up being a good thing because the Citadel was attacked a few days later."

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Between all of those words, do you breathe?"

"It's a skill. Breathing in through the nose whilst talking simultaneously."

"I see."

"Hey, it's a skill you didn't develop."

"Because I wasn't made to have one."

Corinthia rolled her eyes. "Look, Miranda, you're getting stuck on being made or not. It. Does. Not. Matter. One. Bit. You've still got free will. You chose to run away and do something. You've made yourself as you are. Seriously, origins don't matter. Shepard's a former drug-running gang member and I'm a former child-prodigy that ended up not being a prodigal genius at all. So, arguments about your past aside, I will gladly be the middle-man for you and Shepard until I get him to come and talk to you on his own, okay?"

Miranda raised an eyebrow. Corinthia had a point, though perhaps redundantly made, and it was worth considering. "Thank you. I... Please ask Shepard to speak to me, then. I need his help with a personal matter. It's... my sister. My twin, to be more precise."

Corinthia nodded encouragingly. "She's in some kind of trouble?"

"Yes. I had... taken her away from my father as well and put her into a new family, but he found out and now I'm trying to move them to safety. I just want to make sure that everything goes smoothly."

"Oh... Where's this happening?"

"Here on Illium."

"When?"

"As soon as possible."

"He's doing paperwork. I'll go get him."

Miranda blinked. "Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious. This is obviously important to you and you wouldn't be asking for help if you could do it on your own. Even if Shep refuses, I'm in, alright?"

"I don't know what to say..."

Corinthia shrugged. "'Thanks, buddy' usually works."

"Buddy?"

"I thought that 'friend' sounded a little silly."

"Not as silly as 'Ci-Ci'."

"But that name fits me, doesn't it?"

"Point."

"I'll be back in two shakes of a lamb's tail."

Miranda cocked his head to one side in confusion before laughing, finally understanding what Shepard saw in Corinthia to begin with.