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!

10 June 2185—SSV Normandy SR-2, en route to the Citadel

Shepard had almost forgotten what it was like to have Corinthia sleeping next to him—well, almost sleeping. She had climbed into bed with him, reclined against his chest, and stared at the ceiling whilst idly stroking his head for the last four hours. He'd drifted off a few times, but would wake when she kissed him lightly, like she was afraid he wouldn't wake up.

He glanced over at the clock. 3:00AM. "Cassie, you need to sleep," he murmured. He shifted when she didn't answer. "It is you, isn't it?"

"Hm? Oh, yes, it's me," she breathed. "I don't sleep well anymore, that's all."

"Do you even sleep?"

"Sometimes... I get nightmares a lot, so I kinda stay awake until I can't stand."

"That's not healthy."

"I know, but..." She didn't finished, instead rolling onto her side with her back to him.

He touched her shoulder. "But what?"

"I'm afraid I'll wake up and it's still two weeks ago or two months ago or a year ago or something where you aren't alive and I'm not with you. And when I sleep, Harbinger gets louder and Imreas comes out and..." She shivered. "I can't remember the last time I had a good dream, and I dream every night."

Shepard embraced her from behind, kissing her cheek and neck. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here when you wake up, alright? Hell, I'd even sing you a lullaby if I could sing without shattering glass."

She laughed.

He smiled and pulled her closer. "That's my girl."

She turned so that her head rested against his throat. "John?"

"Hm?"

"Do you really think it's going to get better?"

He took a slow breath. "I don't know."

"Oh..."

"Miranda and Mordin are looking into it... you. And I'm not going to stop fighting until every last Reaper is gone and you have your mind back."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't make me your motivation."

"Too late."

"You can't be serious... You are NOT that sappy."

"It's not 'sap'. It's a fact. You know I'm selfish. I want you, now and forever, and if that means killing Reapers, I kill Reapers."

"What about saving the galaxy?"

"Call it a perk."

"What about duty?"

"We're not in the Alliance anymore, Cassie."

She sat up. "So all of this is about me?"

"Simply, yes."

She shook her head, gaping incredulously. "I don't know if I should be flattered or insulted."

"You're everything to me. I'm sure as hell not doing this for Cerberus and the Alliance can go fuck itself for all I care. So maybe it's not what I'd tell the media, but I'm not going to lie to you. Believe it or not, I do actually want to stop fighting. I want to have a peaceful life. If that means saving the galaxy, I'll do it. And, yes, I understand that I'm helping more than myself and that it's the right thing to do. I'm just not sure if I had to pick between them that I'd let you go."

She put her forehead against her knees. "You are an even worse hopeless romantic than I am."

He rubbed her back. "And this is a problem because...?"

"Because it's unnerving to be so... central to everything."

"Then why do you fight?"

She straightened. "You really want that answer?"

"I take it that it isn't me."

"Not at the core of it, no. I can't really explain it... It's like I'm fighting for some kind of dream, one that doesn't really exist, but that I'm going to make exist... Maybe it's happiness or peace or sanity or some ideal, but I guess it's really that, when you were gone, I was the only one that could. Now that you're here, we're the only ones that can, and if we don't, we sacrifice everything... literally."

He nodded and fell back onto his pillows. "Thanks for making me feel like an asshole."

She smiled softly and cuddled up next to him. "You can use my version for the media. But, do you know what?"

"What?"

She kissed his cheek. "Corny as it sounds, you are what makes me happy."

He grinned. "Thanks, Cassie. Now, get some rest. If you don't, we're going to be kissing until we get into the Citadel."

She bit her lip comically. "Decisions, decisions..."

"Do you want me to pick for you?"

"Do you want me functional for the next seventy-two hours?"

"If it means that you're passed out in here, then—"

She kissed him, pulling away right as he moved to deepen the embrace. "Night, love. Or, morning, I guess."

"Just go to sleep."

She giggled and snuggled down onto his chest. "Mm... warm."

He stroked her hair absently, now perfectly awake. Though he had been telling the truth, she was right that his focus was off. There was more to the galaxy than them. Maybe she was right and they were the only people that could save it. It was just strange to be fighting without being under orders—to choose to do it. Shepard was so used to having higher orders that the idea of not having them actually intimidated him. He'd been a lieutenant commander in the Navy; you didn't get there at his age unless the Alliance wanted you to go career (which made him wonder how in the hell Corinthia had managed to get to the same rank. She was good, but she wasn't a soldier and everyone knew it). After his revival, his entire world had compressed into Vengeance. Now that it was branching back out, he'd forgotten why he'd ever fought at all... Had he enlisted to escape? Yes, that was it... Some escape. He'd only gone from one hell to another (and found an angel in the middle of it).

Dear God, I'm becoming some kind of pussy, he thought. Angel? Saying I love you every day? What the fuck is she doing to me?

Not that he really cared. He couldn't be icy forever, especially not with her. Hell, he wanted to be warm, if only for her, especially now that she truly needed him there for her, not the other way around. Though he still needed her there to... control some of his more primal urges in a fight, he'd pretty well sorted out what was the right thing to do and what wasn't, and now he had to keep an eye on her in case Imreas came out and went bat-shit crazy.

He closed his eyes, making a mental note not to bring Xerxes out on any missions when Corinthia was with him. As fun as destruction, chaos, and anarchy were, Imreas did NOT need a reason to come out.

Garrus paced the CIC, waiting for Shepard to show up.

"Damn it, Shepard, where the hell are you?" the turian muttered.

Chambers frowned. "Are you alright, Garrus?"

"No, I'm not. Where is he?"

"He and Ci-Ci haven't been down all morning."

Garrus shook his head. "At least he'll be in a good mood."

"That is true... He's always nicer after they've been together for a few hours. He actually talked to me a few days ago."

"Miracles happen. Let's just hope that he can keep making them..."

"He will. I can tell."

"You're almost as perky as Ci-Ci."

Chambers shook her head. "I can't hope to compete."

"Like I said: almost."

The elevator doors opened and Corinthia walked out. "Garrus!" she greeted, grinning and gallomping him with a hug. "Why're you so pouty? Did some turian chick ditch you because of your scars? Where is she? I'll tell her a thing or two..."

Garrus chuckled. "It's not that, Ci-Ci, though I think it would be interesting to go drinking with you..."

"It's happening. We're at the Citadel, right? I know this great club—"

"I have something I need to take care of first. Where's Shepard?"

"Showering." She blushed a little. "He banished me."

"What'd you do? Steal his towel?"

She winked. "Something like that."

"His clothes, too?"

"I kinda put his pants in the fish tank..."

Garrus laughed. "Why?"

Corinthia was trying (and failing) to look innocent and suppress an evil laugh. "I wanted him to wear something else..."

"Alright, stop right now."

"It wasn't nasty, honest!"

"I really don't believe that one bit."

"I wanted him to wear something besides to cargo pants. They look terrible! Besides, you didn't see him in that suit, did you?"

"Yeah, I did. He didn't look like himself at all."

She shrugged. "Well, I liked it. My tastes have developed a little bit since the last Normandy."

"True. You actually do something with your hair."

"Garrus! I didn't realized you'd noticed."

The turian shuffled his feet. "Well, I..."

Corinthia patted his shoulder. "It's sweet, Gary."

"Gary?" he repeated. "You're not nicknaming everyone, are you?"

"Am I?"

Garrus ticked off his fingers as he started listing them off. "Sumi, Din-Din, Jakey Boy, Randy, Joker, EDI Prime, Shep, Mmmmm-Thane, TIM or Lucy Manny or 'that goddamn bastard', Krogy-Wogy Gwunt, Zeedee, Jack..."

"That last one wasn't a nickname."

"Insulting Jack is to insulting you in front of Shepard: Deadly."

Corinthia snickered. "That is true... I can't believe you got them all."

"Yeah, well, Gary can't really help but hear you and Sumi giggle and send the entire ship into an uproar. I swear, if Shepard can't kill the Reapers, you both will with... with whatever it is that makes you laugh so much. If I was still in C-Sec, I'd arrest you for conspiracy."

Corinthia shrugged. "Well, it's for theft, actually."

"I know she's a thief."

"Oh, no, it's not that. We've got new names: the Knicker Nicker and the Purloiner of Leathers."

"But... Wait, what?"

Kasumi's laughter echoed from the Weapons room. Jacob yelled something indistinguishable and Kasumi darted into view. "The Purloiner of Leathers," she repeated.

"We stole Thane's jacket," Corinthia explained.

"And Jack's... er, shirt."

"Shepard's boots..."

"Zaeed's shirt."

Corinthia blinked. "What? When?"

"This morning. He hasn't noticed yet."

"Yeah... no. Put it back."

"You're no fun..." Kasumi still smiled and put her arm around Corinthia. "And she is the Knicker Nicker."

"Garrus knows that already."

"You mean you actually did it?"

"Yeah... he caught me, but I did it."

"Jacob's next."

They exchanged glances and looked towards the helm and said, "Joker!" in unison.

Garrus rubbed his eyes. "I rest my case. The Collector's heads would explode listening to you two."

Corinthia raised an eyebrow. "You know, it's worth a shot."

"If Shepard can stay sane."

"If I can stay sane."

"Don't worry. I'll keep you in line."

"Thanks, Sumi."

"You're welcome, Ci-Ci."

Shepard came out of the elevator to a wall of giggling. He raised an eyebrow. "And I think I'll just keep going down..."

Garrus stepped back into the elevator with the Commander. "Take me with you while you're at it." The doors slid closed and they headed down to the Crew deck. "At least this Normandy doesn't have stairs... We'd hear them everywhere."

Shepard shuddered. "Agreed. What was that all about?"

"You don't want to know. I think they destroyed my brain."

Shepard snorted. "And, again, I wonder why the hell I fell in love with her..."

"She laughs enough for the two of you."

"Point."

"But kidding aside, I need to ask a favor, Commander."

"Go for it."

Garrus took a deep breath. "I found him."

Shepard's expression hardened. "Where?"

"On the Citadel. He's trying to escape. I can't let him."

"He won't get away."

"I have another request."

"What?"

"Don't bring Ci-Ci. She'll... She won't like what I have planned. She wouldn't let me."

Shepard frowned. "That's usually a sign that it's not a good idea."

"Listen, Commander, I trust her, but I want this. He has to die. You understand."

Shepard nodded, studying the ground as they stepped onto the Crew Deck. "It doesn't help anything. Killing one Collector meant I had to kill three more. Then you just go numb and ignore the pain."

"I have to try, Shepard, after everything he did..."

"Just tell her what you have in mind, alright? See what she says."

Garrus shook his head. "I know what she'll say." He coughed and attempted to mimic her voice. "'Oh, Gary, you poor thing.' Then she'll hug me and kiss my scars or something like that. 'I know it's hard, but you have to let go. Just find out if he feels guilty before you do something silly. If he's pouting, leave him. If he's acting like Shepard, kill him.'"

Shepard nodded smugly. "Not bad, Garrus. I'm not sure she'd say 'pouting' over 'pouty', but that's a solid imitation. And, regardless, she's right. Or, as the case it, you're right. You should hear his side of the story first before you go killing him."

"I never thought I'd hear you say that..."

Shepard put his hand on the turian's shoulder. "Trust me. Hatred is not a good thing to hold onto. It eats you alive."

"Yeah, well, at least you have her to cheer you up."

Shepard smirked. "Lonely, are we?"

"Yeah... It's not an easy life."

"Tell me about it."

"Ci-Ci mentioned going to a bar once we're on the Citadel."

"You're on."

12 June 2185—SSV Normandy SR-2, the Citadel, Serpent Nebula

Garrus stormed in. Corinthia opened her mouth to greet him, but he pushed past her and into the elevator. Corinthia raised an eyebrow and looked at Shepard. "Alright, what did you do?"

"I didn't let him kill someone," Shepard answered, running a hand over his head. "I did exactly what you would've done and Garrus was not happy."

"I see... But good job, sweetie." She kissed his cheek. "I'm going out with Randy and Sumi and Kelly. We'll be back later, alright?"

"Wait, what?"

"They wanted to see the Gallery, so I'm taking them. Besides, I need to grab a few things from my place. Don't worry. We aren't going to blow anything up."

"That would be if you brought Jack with you."

Corinthia shrugged. "I asked. She wasn't interested."

"You're insane."

"You know it." She winked. "Or were we leaving?"

"Not yet."

"Good. We'll be back in a few hours."

"Don't spend all my money."

"I'm not spending your money. Okay, that's not true. You left me everything when you died, so... When did you write that will, anyway?"

"After Akuze. You were the only person I knew and I didn't really have anything..."

"But you said that you didn't even really like me until after Torfan."

"Did I say it made sense? Besides, i knew that we'd be friends. Anyway, it was all so confused that I don't even know when I felt what for you."

"This isn't a conversation we need to have right now, but, no, I won't spend your money. Hell, I'll give it back, if you want."

"It's our money."

She blinked. "Wasn't expecting to hear that... But, if you say so, I won't complain."

Kasumi, Kelly, and Miranda appeared. "All set?" Miranda asked.

"Yes," Ariadne answered, pulling out her hair tie and shaking out her locks. "Let's go, shall we?"

"Bring me back something to drink," Shepard ordered. "And something good! The bar in here is shit."

Ariadne winked. "Of course, darling."

Joker cheered when they were gone. "Yeah! Man-time for us! Party!"

"I am still here, Jeff," EDI stated.

Joker gritted his teeth. "Party pooper."

"Yeah, man-time does sound good... That giggling's giving me a migrane."

"Ci-Ci mentioned something about makeovers, so hopefully they'll be a while."

Shepard headed to the elevators. "I think Garrus needs a drink."

"I think everyone here does."

"It's that kind of mission." Joker scratched his head. "You haven't yelled at the Illusice Man recently."

"Miranda's been doing it for me. Besides, I haven't done anything for him lately."

"You also got Ci-Ci back."

"Don't push it, Joker, so shut up."

"Aye, aye, Commander. Shutting up."

13 June 2185-SSV Normand SR-2, en route to Beckenstein, Boltzmann System, Serpent Nebula

Shepard stared at the statue of Saren, fingering his pistol. Corinthia came up next to him, taking his hand away from the weapon and intertwining her fingers with his.

"Kasumi said she got this from you," he murmured.

"Yeah," she answered softly.

"I hope you had a fucking good reason to every sell something like this?"

"Sculpt," she corrected.

"What?"

"I sculpted it."

He tugged his hand away from hers. "WHAT THE FUCK?"

"Sumi asked for it! She... Look, it's not my story to tell, but lets just say that I empathized enough to make this... monstrosity. Besides, she promised that I could shoot it when we didn't need it anymore." She grabbed Shepard's wrist before he could do the same. "Please, just wait. You can kill it later. Besides, I upgraded it." She opened the base, revealing cut outs for armor and weapons. "Room for whatever goodies you could want."

"I don't get it."

"Sumi didn't tell you?"

"No, but apparently we're headed that way."

"Well... why do you think she created Solomon Gunn?"

"To get me into your gallery? I don't know."

Corinthia giggled. "Yeah, she might've given you a name, but she created an entire background with repuation and everything. No, you've been invited to a party and Donovan Hock's house and you're bringing him a gift." She jerked a thumb to the statue of Saren.

"You mean she actually expects me to go to a party and not blow things up?"

"Well... Yes..."

He laughed bitterly. "She expects a lot, then, unless you're coming, too."

Corinthai shrugged. "Not sure. Do you want me?"

"Always."

She blushed and rolled her eyes. "Do you want me to come?"

"Of course."

She winked. "Alright," Ariadne said, "but there's a few things you need to know about escorting a lady to a refined party of criminals."

He rolled his eyes. "You're kidding me, aren't you?"

"No. Ariadne Enig was voted the most eligible bachelorette on the Citadel and she is not won easily. So, to have conquered her heart, you must really be something and fulfill all of the standards she's set to other men."

"Oh my God..."

She kissed his cheek. "Don't worry too much. You already were the standard, though perhaps a bit more Galahad-like then reality. Besides, we've never been in public together."

"Not true."

"Walking to my house from the gallery and to Flux from the Normandy don't count. This is different. This is very different. First of all, we don't hold hands. We go arm in arm."

Shepard let her manipulate him. "This is weird..."

"Don't worry, you'll doing marvelously."

"No, I mean, you being... you. Ariadne. I know that it's you, but at the same time, it doesn't seem like it. It's unnerving."

"Then it'll be easier to—"

He put a finger to her lips. "Look, your voice is sexy like this, but I feel like I'm cheating on you or something..."

"But it's me. Doing a voice."

"Not quite... You changed. You're more confident. Mature. Less likely to say, 'that's what she said'. You're... sophisticated. Like the Miranda version of you."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"This isn't going to be a permanent thing, is it?"

Corinthia shook her head. "No, not at all, but you need to get used to hearing it. It's still safer for me to be dead, you know. Cerberus may not be after me anymore, but the Shadow Broker and Collectors are."

"The Collectors are coming after me anyway and you and I both know that the Shadow Broker agents are pussies."

"Not the ones I got put up against. So, are we going to do this?"

"Yeah, sorry. So, Ariadne, it's arm in arm..."

Ariadne smiled gratefully. "Next, we kiss on the cheek or forehead, not lips... unless I want to, and even then, no tongues."

"You'd better start giving me examples of that last one."

She kissed him lightly, pulling away before he did exactly what she thought he would (deepen the kiss and try and stick his tongue down her throat). "Now, now, none of that." You'll get a nice, long, messy make-out session when you're done with the lesson."

He smirked, but quickly changed it to a soft smile. He kissed her hand. "As you wish, my dear."

She blinked, shocked at the gentleness in his voice... and that, for once, he didn't sound colder than ice. Her mouth hung open a little. He put his hand on the small of her back and kissed her temple. "You know, I knew all of this already. I just wanted to see your reaction."

"Are you going crazy like me?" she breathed.

"Not one bit. I'm completely capable of this, just not when I'm in uniform."

"So you're not a sex demon love god? Damn it..."

His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, "You have no idea."

"I hate to interrupt," Kasumi said, "but we're getting close to Hock's. You can't go looking like that."

Corinthia nodded. "Why do you think I brought all of those dresses back with me?"

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "How many?"

"You'll see them all eventually, but you need a tux, too, Mr. Gunn, and I know you have one."

"I'd hoped to gate-crash in my armor."

"That's why I made this monster." She patted the base of the Saren statue. "Just pick your poison."

"there was only room for my armor."

Corinthia shook her head. "Ariadne doesn't carry a sidearm. She also runs around in heels. So, it'll be just you and Sumi unless you're going to let me do my job in the dress... and I think you'll say no once you see it."

"Will I be able to do my job?"

"You'll get a sneak peek before we leave. If you stand staring for too long, it's doing the right thing." She winked and left arm-in-arm with Kasumi.

Shepard groaned and headed to the elevators. "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"