A/N: Kudos to beta-man, LeroyZanzibar :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!

8 June 2185—SSV Normandy SR-2, Docks, Illium, Tasale System, Crescent Nebula

Miranda was nervous. Not only was is the first time since Omega that she'd bee on a mission with Shepard, but it was also with Corinthia (who, according to everyone, acted strangely when fighting) and it was to recover Oriana. According to Corinthia, Shepard had just nodded and agreed to do it without argument, question, or anything.

We should've looked for her harder, Miranda thought, watching Corinthia suit up, which was in and of itself amusing.

"Can't you just try the armor?" Shepard said, thrusting a breastplate her nose.

Corinthia waved him off. "I like the pants."

"Your shields fried three times last time."

"I don't remember that."

"You weren't ...conscious. You've got all new flawless skin and I want it to be like that when I get it."

Corinthia rolled her eyes. "Let's just call it 'fight mode', okay?"

"Fine. Fight mode. Now, armor."

She crossed her arms and shook her head like a little child. "Nuh-uh."

"Please?"

"No."

"I won't kiss you today if you don't."

The armor was out of his hands and on her body in the blink of an eye. She inspected herself. "This is a lot heavier than I'm used to. I'm still a sniper, you know."

"You also forget than when you-Do we have to call it 'fight mode'? It sounds stupid."

"Do you have a better idea? I mean, she doesn't have a name, yet, does she?"

"She hasn't spoken yet that I've seen."

"Heard."

Shepard shook his head. "Whatever."

"Then call her Imreas."

"Huh?"

"The other half of my last name."

"I guess that works..."

"Your other option is Artemis."

"Valkyrie."

"Val."

"No."

"Please?"

"No," Shepard repeated.

"You're no fun."

"Neither are you when you're like that."

"God, will you two stop?" Miranda snapped. "You're giving me a headache."

Corinthia put her sniper rifle on her back. "Want some medi-gel for that?"

"I'd rather find Oriana, thank you," Miranda replied.

Corinthia put her hand on Miranda's shoulder. "We'll sort it you, you know that, right?"

Miranda nodded. She had already calculated the outcome of the events, even with Shepard's new demeanor and Corinthia's unpredictability. If things went according to plan, there would be no fighting, anyway, So far, though, she'd been surprised more than she liked.

Shepard checked his assault rifle. "Alright, girls, let's get moving. We make the first rendezvous in an hour."

Corinthia raised an eyebrow. "Did he just put us in the same category?"

"I'm not sure," Miranda answered. "But he did make you wear the armor—"

"Instead of a catsuit, yeah, I know," Corinthia finished. "Honestly, I'm not quite curvy enough to fill it out like you do."

"That's a good thing. It means that men don't stare."

"Meh, they still stare, but it's usually because of something I did rather than something I'm wearing."

"What? Did you tell some kind of bad joke?"

"No, just embarrassing things. Like make out with Shepard in front of Captain Anderson and an entire rescue crew or speak Salariain or act completely intelligently."

"Or show up in that red dress," Shepard added with a sly smirk, "and long hair, showing your legs..."

"Shepard?"

"Yes?"

"No."

Miranda smiled. Their banter may have given her a headache, but at least Shepard wasn't snapping or threatening lives. Maybe the mission wouldn't go so badly after all.

183 minutes later — Dock 94, Cargo Warehouses, Illium

"Move faster!" Miranda opened her omni-tool and thrust it into the elevator controls.

Corinthia pulled Miranda away. "Easy, there. What did you expect?"

"Not this... I planned this. I calculated all of the outcomes..."

Corinthia chuckled. "I've tried that before, Miranda. It doesn't work. It never does."

"What the hell is going on?" Shepard demanded. "You said that this was going to be peaceful, but, as usual, the second we walk into a room people start shooting at us."

They had entered the warehouse where the exchange was to take place to find Eclipse mercenaries already there attempting to find Oriana and also kill Shepard.

Miranda sighed. She'd already explained more than she'd wanted to — like that Oriana was only her genetic twin, not born at the same time — but she had to trust Shepard. He was helping her, despite being somewhat reluctant to do it. Besides, Corinthia was doing everything she could (including hacking Illium's security) to make sure that Oriana made it through.

Shepard crossed his arms, opening his mouth to say something cold, but Corinthia stomped on his foot to silence him. He glared at her. "What the hell was that for?"

Corinthia ignored him. "Miranda, please, you have to consider the facts. I know that you trust Niket, but he's probably the reason we're being shot at. What if he sold you out? He was the only one who knew all the details."

"That's not possible."

"What else has happened recently that isn't possible? I'm alive. Shepard's alive. I'm working with you. That's already a whole bunch of impossible things. No one can know everything. Ever. So, you don't have to believe me now, but just be ready for it, alright? Please?"

Miranda didn't want to agree, but Corinthia had a point. "I don't want to believe you, but you might be right." She took out her pistol and turned off the safety. "And if you are, I'm going to finish this."

Corinthia bit her lip. "Don't do something you'll regret, okay? Friends forgive each other."

Miranda spun on Corinthia. "I'll deal with this however I see fit."

"I'm just trying to help. You're always so sure of yourself, but right now you aren't because you don't know, so I'm trying to help you. I'll just shut up now."

Shepard nudged Corinthia. "Scan the area. I want to know what we're in for when we get out."

"A fight?"

"Just tell me for sure."

"I think that Enaynia bitch is waiting for us."

"Enyala."

"I don't know how you remember that."

"Want me to start listing the things that you do that I don't know how you do them?"

"Is it long?"

"Very."

"We can do it later, then. I have a few questions, too..."

The elevator stopped. Sure enough, Enyala and Niket were standing right there. Miranda stepped out, pointing her pistol straight at Niket. "Is it true?" she demanded.

"Miranda..." he answered, clearly guilty.

"Why, Niket? I trusted you!"

Corinthia opened her omni-tool, ready to do... something. Next to her, Shepard was having a staring competition with Enyala, who looked like she fought the same way he did: biotics and big guns.

"You stole a baby, Miranda!" Niket answered. "You had no right."

"I had every right! I couldn't let her be my father's tool!"

"You're wrong. Everyone has a choice."

"I gave her a choice."

"No, you didn't."

Corinthia saw Miranda stiffen. "I'm sorry, Niket, but you betrayed me."

Corinthia glanced at Shepard. His expression was unreadable, like he agreed with both sides and still didn't know which one of them was right. Corinthia gritted her teeth. "Miranda, don't do this."

"I have to, Ci-Ci."

"No, you don't."

"You would have done the same!"

"If that were true, you'd be dead!"

Niket looked between them. "I'm not sorry for what I've done," he said. "I'm doing the right thing."

Miranda made to shoot him. Before Corinthia could move, Shepard stepped in, pushing Miranda's arm into the air and sending the shot into the rafters. "Believe me when I say that you feel worse after getting your revenge than you did feeling like you need it," he growled.

"Oh, please," Enyala muttered. She shot Niket in the back. "Can I just kill you now?"

Shepard exchanged a quick glance with Corinthia and Miranda before they all attacked Enyala. The asari laughed, deployed a biotic field, and sprinted into cover, radioing for enforcements.

Corinthia dodged behind a crate. "Every time!" she growled, glaring at Shepard. "Is there EVER a mission that doesn't end in a fight?"

"When I got you at the gallery," he answered calmly, dispatching several Eclipse enforcers.

"Not true. I hit you, remember?"

"Yeah. My cheek's still smarting."

"I'll kiss it and make it better later. But first, gimme my baby."

"In this small area? Are you insane?"

"Yes."

He shook his head. "No. Just kill the bitch, and for once I'm not talking about Miranda."

"Thanks, Shepard," Miranda muttered, catching Enyala in a mass effect field and slamming her to the ground. Shepard ran to the asari and shot her three times in the head before throwing a grenade at the remaining Eclipse and annihilating them.

Corinthia stood up. "That was fast..."

"And we avoided Imreas, so I'd call that a victory," Shepard answered.

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Imreas?"

"Uhm... I'll explain later," Corinthia said. "And what about you? I mean, how're you?"

Miranda looked back at Niket's body. "Numb," she answered truthfully. "I just want to finish this."

Corinthia went and hugged Miranda. "It'll be alright, you know?"

Miranda blinked, shocked. Though Corinthia was certainly the type to hug, Miranda had never expected Corinthia to hug her. Eventually, Miranda hesitantly returned the embrace. "Thank you, Ci-Ci."

Shepard groaned. If those two were becoming friends, the Normandy was going to be a living Hell. It was bad enough with Corinthia and Kasumi giggling, not to mention the fact that they'd pulled Chambers into it. If Miranda got involved... If Jack got involved... Or even EDI... "Yeah, we're all fucked," Shepard mused.

Corinthia released Miranda and went over to Shepard. "Well, the other couples on the Normandy might be, but you aren't."

He shook his head. "You're obsessed. I don't bring it up. At all."

She smirked. "That's what she said."

"Ci-Ci..."

"I know, I know: No, right?"

"Exactly."

She kissed his cheek. "You're so predictable. Ooh, what's that?" She picked up a necklace. "Huh..."

"Leave the shinies."

"Shinies?"

"Yes, shinies."

"I looks like it's someone's, though. I'm gonna try and return it."

Shepard rubbed his eyes. "Of all the people I had to fall in love with..."

Miranda stepped between. "We're not finished here yet, Shepard. I have to make sure Oriana gets off Illium safely."

"You are going to say something to her, aren't you?" Corinthia asked.

"What do you mean?"

"You know, let her know that she has a sister watching out for her."

"I don't think that's wise..."

"Do it, Miranda," Shepard added. "You're lucky enough to have family."

"Besides, I like having a guardian I know about," Corinthia added, winking at Shepard. "Means I can fall back on someone, you know?"

"I see your point..." Miranda took a deep breath as the elevator doors stopped and opened. Across the crowded dock was Miranda's carbon copy, though with shorter hair and a far less... clingy outfit. Miranda inhaled sharply. "It's her... It's really her."

Corinthia pulled Shepard into a corner. "We'll wait."

Miranda smiled. "Thank you."

Shepard watched Miranda leave. "So... no Imreas."

"Nope. Must be the armor."

"I'm still worried."

"Don't be."

"Yeah, right."

"Really!"

"You aren't doing a very god job of convincing me."

Corinthia sighed. "Sorry, but I'm going to deal with it."

"Like hell you are."

"Shepard..."

He grabbed her hands. "Cassie, I intend to spend the rest of my life with you. You and I are a glorified 'we' and you can't escape that. We are going to deal with it and we are going to get through this alive, alright? So none of this 'me' bullshit."

She blushed and kissed him passionately and lovingly. "God, you're amazing..."

He chuckled and stroked her hair. "You have no idea."

"Not yet."

"No, not yet. And not until we get rid of Imreas."

"Deal. Day she's gone I'm all yours."

"Alright, we're finding a psychiatrist. Now. And then killing all the Reapers so that we can have a safe galaxy for our kids and whatnot. Or maybe a pet first."

"Dog?"

"I was thinking a geth."

"But they're sentient..."

"Okay, fine. Something else."

"A varren!"

"Seriously? Do you know how many of those things I've killed?"

"Twenty-nine?"

"Actually, that's about right..."

"Doesn't mean they can't be cute."

"Ci-Ci, you think krogan are cute."

"So?"

"Nevermind."

Miranda came back, practically glowing. "She's... She isn't mad at me. She understands..."

Corinthia grinned. "Of course she does. She's as smart as you."

"Smarter. And funny. She loves art."

"Ooh. I can send her some things, if you want."

"I... Let's just get back to the Normandy. And... thank you again. This turned out much better than I'd hoped."

"You're welcome," Shepard replied.

When they were back on the Normandy, Shepard knocked on Miranda's door. She looked up from her desk. "Commander."

"Miranda," he answered, sitting down across from her. "Feel better?"

"Yes, quite. I... I wasn't expecting you to act like you did."

"I'm just full of surprises."

Miranda nodded, folding her hands before her. "Which is why I want to apologize. I underestimated you. I didn't think you capable of reason."

"I wasn't," Shepard answered flatly, "not without her around."

"I also underestimated her impact on you."

"That's normal. I can't think of the last person who didn't — including Cassie and me."

Miranda took a slow breath. "I also wanted to apologize for being uncooperative. I'm usually very good at reading people and knowing the outcome of a situation, but you surprised me time and time again..."

"You mean the fact that I'm actually a good guy, somewhere beneath all the gruff exterior." He shuddered. "And that was Ci-Ci talking right there... If I start saying 'sparkly' or 'squishy', kill me."

"Understood, Commander." Miranda smiled softly. "But, yes, I would venture to say that you are good at heart, despite how you act."

"I like big guns and explosions."

"All you need is a damsel in distress to go with that."

"I have one, which is also why I'm here."

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Yeah... You fixed me... Can you fix her?"

Miranda shook her head. "No. I never altered your mind, Shepard, just preserved it. I'm not even a doctor, just very intelligent with very advanced technology. You're better off talking to Dr. Chakwas or Dr. Solus about her... What is the problem, anyway?"

Shepard ran a hand over his head, releasing a slow breath. "She's going insane."

Miranda blinked. "Excuse me?"

"She got stuck on a Reaper and it started indoctrinating her, so now she's going insane... Split personality or schizophrenia or something like that." He leaned forward. "I know that Cerberus isn't exactly humanitarian, so please tell me you guys have done tests on indoctrination or something."

Miranda pursed her lips. "If we have, I have yet to see it, but I'll find out, Commander. She's too valuable an ally to lose."

Shepard smirked. "You like her."

"It's hard not to, especially since it's bearable to be in the same room with you now."

Shepard chuckled. "I'm going to have to say the same for you, now that I know the Bitch Ice Queen's got a heart."

"Don't get too excited. You're not my type."

"And you're not mine, either."

"I'm still surprised you have one at all."

"Yeah, well, I want her back. Whole."

Miranda opened her computer console and started a search. "I'll find out everything I can, Commander. I promise. I owe you that much, after how you helped me with Oriana... and Niket..."

"Told you you'd be glad you didn't kill him."

Miranda nodded. "Yes, I am." She quickly scanned the screen. "That's strange..."

"What?"

"There's no record of... But how would he know?" She frowned and scooted closer to her keyboard. "Would you please excuse me, Commander? I work best alone. I'll send you a report with anything I find."

"Yeah, alright." He stood up. "Thanks, Miranda."

"Shepard."

9 June 2185 —Cargo Bay, Docks, Illium

Corinthia winced. "Eesh. And that is why I don't wear heels..."

Samara, an asari Justicar, serenely turned her attention from the asari's neck she'd just snapped (using her heeled boots) to Corinthia, Shepard, and Garrus. Unlike Liara, who still looked something like a freckled teenager, Samara had an air of authority about her—not the cold kind that Aria bore, but rather the kind that a vengeful mother would carry—and wise, unsmiling eyes.

"Ariadne Enig," the asari murmured. "I see you have assumed your true identity. It is Cassiopeia Corinthia-Imreas, is it not?"

Shepard looked between them. "Ci-Ci?"

"Met her before on the Citadel. It's a long story." Corinthia waved a hand in dismissal. "I just didn't get her name, then, but I couldn't forget that red suit."

"Is there anyone else I'm supposed to recruit that you know?"

"Tali... Isn't she the only one left, now?"

"She'd better be. We're running out of room."

Samara looked between them. "Do not intervene in my business, Commander."

"Listen, lady, I'm only here because—"

Corinthia put a hand over his mouth. "We're sorry, mistress, but we could use your help. I take it your mission is still going on?"

"Yes. She was here. I must find her."

"We'll help."

"WHAT?" Shepard demanded.

"I'll explain later," Corinthia whispered, elbowing him in the ribs.

Samara shook her head. "Though you know of my plight, I must do this alone."

"I understand, Mistress, but perhaps if you heard our plight you may find that it coincides with your code."

Samara narrowed her eyes. "Perhaps. I will hear you out."

They were interrupted as an asari police official came into the cargo bay. Shepard rubbed his eyes. "Figures..."

"Alright, no one shoot," Detective Anaya started. "There's enough trouble already."

Corinthia made Shepard holster his assault rifle. "We're not shooting anyone, alright? I thought we could look into this."

"You have. I've been ordered to take the Justicar into custody." Anaya turned to Shepard. "Can't you take her now and spare me the trouble?"

"I hadn't even gotten to the job, yet," Shepard answered.

"We're hunting the Reapers and Collectors," Corinthia said quickly. "They're trying to destroy the Galaxy."

Samara thought for a moment. "Though your quest is noble, my own comes first."

Anaya groaned. "Why is it never easy?"

"What, exactly, is your quest?" Shepard asked.

"I have tracked a criminal here. As you heard, I seek the name of the ship she escaped on. I cannot tell you more."

"If you get the ship name, will you come with me?"

"The code would instruct me to continue my search alone."

Anaya stepped in. "Listen, make up your minds fast, because someone has to get her out of here."

Samara glanced at Corinthia. "You have helped me before. Perhaps I will help you now. Very well. Detective, I will accompany you. My code allows me to enter your custody for one day. After that, I will leave by any means necessary. Commander, if you find the name of the ship, I will accompany you on your mission."

"Great," he muttered, "more errands."

"It won't be that bad, Shep, promise," Corinthia said cheerily. "Oh, wait, quick question, Anaya..."

"What?" the asari answered irately.

"Can Spectres override your orders?"

"Technically, no, but if you push it, I won't push back. I'll get hell for it, but it's better than controlling a Justicar."

Corinthia shrugged. "Just curious. I mean, we've got two Spectres here..."

Garrus shook his head. "And both of them aren't doing a damn thing with it."

"Gimme three hours and I'll have that ship name and an order for you to release Samara," Corinthia said, smirking.

"I don't like how that sounds," Shepard muttered.

"Thank you," Samara said, walking towards the door. "Detective?"

Anaya groaned. "And there goes the planet..."

Eclipse Base, Warehouses, Ilium

Imreas sat with her back to a cargo freight, omni-tool out and hacking. She had the ship name and all the information this Eclipse faction held. It had been simple. They were weak.

Next to her, Shepard's biotics were ten times more powerful than ever. He had stepped through an illegal biotic-enhancing chemical called Minagen X3. It was deadly and damaging, but it was doing exactly what it needed to: annihilating everything in sight. Hell, he even made a couple Eclipse explode.

"Ci-Ci! Cover my left," he ordered.

She stood up and did exactly as she was told with surgical precision. He took a sharp breath.

"Imreas..." he murmured.

Imreas didn't answer, deftly dispatching the last of the mercenaries.

"Won't you talk to me?" Shepard demanded.

"Commander?" Garrus asked. "What's going on?"

Shepard held up a hand to silence the turian. "Later, Garrus."

Garrus nodded. "I'll just... see what I can find, then..." He gestured vaguely to the other side of the warehouse.

Imreas emotionlessly regarded Shepard.

"Listen, I don't know what the hell you're doing in my girl, but if you so much as think of trying to take over..." He sighed. "That's a hollow threat. I couldn't hurt her even if I was trying... Just... Please. Don't try and take over. I can deal with you being in there and coming out in a tight spot, but I... I can't lose her again."

Imreas nodded. She blinked and her expression softened, quickly turning into a very, very confused Corinthia. Shepard grabbed her shoulders. "Cassie?"

"Yeah, Shep..." she whispered, rubbing her temples. "That was..."

"Do you remember anything?"

"No. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch."

He stroked her hair and pulled her against him. "You're staying with me tonight."

She curled her arms around him and nodded, doing her best to not cry. She wanted to, desperately. Her omni-tool beeped. She took a deep breath and looked at it. "Oh... Well, it looks like Imreas is as good a hacker as I am... wait, strike that... better. Much better."

"Why?"

"She kinda acquired all of the Eclipse's funding and everything they've got in their databases... And sent it to Anaya, by the looks of it. Maybe we should leave. Soon."

"Agreed. That Minagen is giving me a headache..."

"The what?"

"I'll explain on the ship. Actually..." Shepard looked at Corinthia. "The crew needs to know. About you."

"And get them all worried?" she answered. "Yeah, right..."

"Maybe they can... you know... help."

"'Help'?" she repeated. "'Help' is me staying aboard and not going on missions. it's me never, ever being near anything dangerous or that gives Harbinger an edge."

"I'll do it if it means keeping you."

She shook her head. "We can argue about this later. For now, let's get Samara, okay? I'm sure Anaya doesn't want her anymore."

"I wouldn't either, but promise me one thing."

"What?"

"You'll find out who made that outfit of hers and get one for yourself."

She flicked his ear. "You're evil."

"I love you, too."