a/n: Still working on that surprise for you. On another note, boot is almost done. Just a few more chapters. Question is what should I have Shepard do between now and Elysium/Torfan? Any suggestions?

-brittsis

"Recruits this is Primary Marksman Instructor Helms. Under her tutelage you will learn how to hold and fire your weapon." Holland yelled from besides their new instructor. The woman stood at ease besides Holland. She had a sour look on her face, as if she didn't want to be here. It was rumored that Helms was the best with a rifle and could hit a fly a thousand yards out.

"Listen to her well recruits. In two weeks you'll go through another qualification to determine if you're ready to advance."

"Sir yes sir." The squad answered. Holland nodded and left them to Helms control. The woman had them file outside and march to the range on the other side of the base. She instructed them on proper grip and best ways to dampen the recoil when firing the weapon.

"There are four basic firing positions." Helms spoke loudly so they could all hear her. "Each has its merits and its demerits. The first is the standing position. It offers the most mobility but the least stability." Helms raised her rifle and showed them the proper position. "It allows you to move around easily but you depend on only your muscles to absorb the recoil."

She had them all try the position, moving through the ranks to correct them when needed. Afterwards she moved through the other positions. They perfected each stance, committing them to memory before they were allowed to fire the rifle for the first time. The first time Rae squeezed the trigger she was instantly brought back to Mindoir. To this day she can still remember the sounds of screams as she fought to save her people.

Rae gritted her teeth against the pain and squeezed the trigger again. The recoil shook her arms but was easy to control in the prone position. With each squeeze her aim got better and better until she was hitting the bullseye with each squeeze.

"That will do for today." Helms called out and Rae looked up to see the sun setting. She'd been concentrating so hard that she had lost track of time. Shipping her rifle on her back, Rae rose and called her squad to attention. They marched back to the mess hall for dinner.

Rae placed her water bottle against her head, trying to fend off the head ache that was forming behind her eyes. The squad was sound asleep but she was in the common room reviewing some paper work. Team week was fast approaching and she was expected to schedule activities to be approved by the instructors. She already had several ideas written down but wanted back ups. Groaning, she put the paper down and rubbed her eyes.

"Isn't a little late?" Charles voice caused Rae to jump. She didn't hear him approach and thought she the only one awake. Even her personal ghost had retired for the night.

"What time is it?" Rae asked, turning in her chair to find Charles leaning against the door jam.

"Oh three hundred." He walked over and picked up her discarded paper. "Relay race, paint ball, zero-g ball? Shepard are you planning a five year olds birthday party?"

Rae snatched the paper from him and shoved it into her folder. "That's classified Lance Corporal."

Charles grunted, "Pulling rank already? You'll make a fine officer."

Rae frowned but let it pass. "Why you up Freeman? Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"I could say the same about you." Charles leaned against the desk. "I went to the latrine and when I came back I noticed your bunk was made. Figured you had another nightmare and went to find you."

Rae dropped her gaze, ashamed. She didn't realize that anyone knew of the nightmares that sometimes woke her up at night. She never remembered them upon waking though and couldn't describe them to her therapist. So she quit telling people about waking up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, her biotics glowing. He was noticing to much and Rae couldn't afford it. "It's none of your concern Freeman. Go back to bed."

Charles growled this time. "What happened to you Raegan?"

She shook her head, not wanting him to get any closer. "I don't know what your talking about Lance Corporal. Return to your bunk."

"No," he slammed his hand on the desk and leaned in close. His gaze matched hers and for the first time Rae noticed that they were steel color. She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat and rose from her seat.

"I gave you an order soldier."

"And I'm telling you to fuck off." Charles answered and closed the distance between them. "It seems the closer I get to you the farther you back away."

"This can't happen." Rae took a step away from him, arms crossing her chest. "There's regulations against it."

"Bull shit." Charles cursed at her, taking another step. "Child of two military parent's remember. There's leeway in the regulations. Try again."

"You're a fellow squad mate Freeman. That's it." Rae cursed at his and turned to leave. He followed behind her and slammed the door shut before she could exit. He kept one hand on it and put all his weight against it so she couldn't open it. Rae allowed her biotics to glow, fist clenching tight. "Open the door Freeman or you will regret it."

"Not until you tell me the truth. Why won't you let me get close?" He growled into her ear.

She turned around and grabbed his shirt. "Because I want nothing to do with you!"

"Bull shit." He grabbed a fist full of hair and yanked her head back. His lips connected with hers and for the first couple of seconds she didn't react. He thought he had made a mistake but then she came alive. Her hands went to his hair and pulled him closer. He grinned against her lips and pulled back, victory in his eyes. "Tell me you didn't feel anything."

"I felt nothing." Rae spoke slowly, causing Charles to curse violently. He kissed her again, this time using teeth as well. He release the hold on the door to pull her closer, melding their bodies together. His fingers lifted her t-shirt and ghosted across her skin, pulling a moan from her lips. When she melted against him, he pulled away and stepped past her.

"This recruit will be in this recruit's bunk Corporal Shepard." He spat at her and left.

Rae growled but refused to go after him.

The instructors had started with the lowest rank and worked their way up. Calling everyone down to the range one by one for their rifle qualification. They were expected to hit several targets with the last being five hundred yards away. If they failed, they back tracked two weeks for one last try. Charles left the range with a smile on his face and his rifle on his back. When he glanced at her, Rae looked away and fled onto the range. She had choose to ignore the incident and continue their professional relationship. He hadn't pushed the issue since but she found it harder and harder to look him in the eye.

Rae saluted Holland and Helms, pushing everything to the back of her mind. "Corporal Shepard reporting for qualification Sir."

"At ease," Holland waved her over. "You'll start at the far end, fire one shot, then work your way closer. Each target get's one chance. You can pick your stance. Understood?"

"Sir yes sir!" Rae hurried to the first target and unshipped her target. She knelt on one knee and raised lifted her sights. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath then fired her first shot. Rae moved to the next and the next, repeating the process with each one. Getting to the last target, Rae wavered a bit at the distance. She rubbed her eyes and targeted again. This time she pictured a Batarian harassing on of her colonists and pulled the trigger. The bullet flew true and hit the target in the middle.

She rose to her feet and stood at ease while Holland and Helms recorded information into their Omni tools. "Good job Shepard, you pass." Holland rose from her seat and saluted her. Rae returned the salute before leaving the range, a weight lifted from her shoulders.

Eight weeks were gone. The recruits had made it past the halfway point and they could all smell home. Rumor was the last couple of weeks were the worst, but none of them cared. The tailor had been sent in to take their measurements for their uniforms. They wouldn't see them until graduation but it was a minor victory to be fitted for them. Rae had decided to forgo the skirt and got fitted for slacks instead.

"Ye'd look fine in e skirt Dearie. Don't know why ye want to go hidin' them legs fer." The seamstress tsked as she wrote her measurements down.

Rae could only grin in response as she raised her arm to chest level. "I'm not here to look pretty Ma'am. I'm here to fight."

"Of course ye are. Doesna mean ye can't look pretty doin' it." The woman chuckled and waved her off. "All done Dearie."

"Thank you Ma'am." Rae saluted her, despite the woman's protests before leaving. She joined up with her squad outside and lined up in attention. Gonzales had stood guard and nodded approvingly.

"Recruits, you're dismissed for the day. We have a surprise for you tomorrow so be up and ready at first bell!"

"Sir yes sir!" Everyone saluted before they broke ranks and headed their separate ways. Rae broke away and headed for Holland's office. She had to speak to the woman about tomorrow's activities and Holland was expecting her.