A/N: I am taking the author's creative liberty that I can take as many squad members on missions as I want to. (I really just needed more people on the ground)

When Fates Collide

Chapter 11

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The SSV Normandy ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Point, Set & Match

A datapad was plopped carelessly down on the steel table next to the newest guest aboard the Normandy as she shoveled a spoonful of food in her mouth. Not giving the rude messenger the attention they clearly wanted, the guest continued eating as she spied a folded arm marine out of the corner of her eye, who was clearly in a pissy mood.

Swallowing her food before looking up the redhead growled thinking; someone would be walking away with a limp if that had happened on my ship.

When it became clear Chief Williams was not going to get any reaction from the hungry soldier she remarked, "Presley asked me to bring this to you."

Emerald eyes glanced over to the datapad as she set down her utensil and in a barely audible voice asked, "What is it?"

The dark eyed woman shifted her weight, hooked a hand on her hip and disgustedly answered, "It's all the data the Alliance has on Feros. Our acting Commanding Officer thought it would be useful if you took a look at it."

Picking up the datapad Shepard offhandedly remarked, "Thanks"

Chief Williams quickly snapped back, "Don't thank me. I was ordered to do it." Trying to get the upper hand the gunny added, "But don't get any funny ideas. That is a secure datapad. You'll only be able to see what Presley wants you to see."

Shepard's eyes followed the dark haired woman as she left the table, calling out to her just before she exited the mess area, "Hey Gunny!" The proud marine froze in mid step then turned to look back at Shepard. Clearly annoyed, the chief rolled her eyes and placed her hand on her hip but before she was able to begin her retort, Shepard turned away from the testy marine and belted out, "Thanks for being my yeoman, Gunny!"

The chief growled and Shepard didn't have to turn around to know that referring to the marine as her personal secretary had exasperated the woman. As the chief stormed off muttering, "Un- fucking believable;" Shepard snickered and made an invisible checkmark in the air, "Point for me!'

% % % % % % %

After a couple of hours of going over the mission files on the datapad, Shepard sat in her chair and stared blankly at the monitor. Recounting her notes the soldier rambled aloud, "So everyone thinks this Conduit is the key to bringing back an ancient machine race called the Reapers. Captain Anderson assumes the Conduit is some sort of weapon. Liara being an expert on the Protheans, has only heard bits and pieces about the Conduit and suggested it was linked to the Prothean extinction. The true nature of the Conduit is still a mystery."

Leaning back in the chair and folding her hands behind her head, she stared at the overhead, "Well whatever it is, Saren wants it pretty bad and I know one determined soldier who's not going to let that happen."

A few minutes later green eyes shifted back to the blank monitor. Staring at her reflection while languidly tracing with her index finger the word embroidered on her breast as she recalled an earlier encounter with the Normandy's hot shot pilot, "If you call me Commander one more time mister!"

Shepard raised a hand like she was going to swat Joker. He surrendered, wincing at the raised hand while preparing for the blow.

Looking down at her uniform, a disappointed expression layered her face, "I told you, I'm not a commander, much less anything Alliance; not since I was a Lieutenant before the Blitz." Her tone was firm but laced with a tinge of humor.

The relentless pilot beckoned, "But you're wearing a Commander's uniform so you must be a Commander."

Dragging her boots across the steel floor, she rubbed her forehead and released a deep sigh; I'm really not going to win this am I?

Flustered she slapped her hands down onto the galley's counter that served as her hiding spot a few nights ago, "Look you really need to stop calling me that, ok?"

Unphased by her words or actions, the pushy pilot cleared his tray and began his long wobbly walk back to his station as he called out over his shoulder, "Aye, Aye Commander!"

Attempting to rub away the irony of it from her head, Shepard could only laugh at the relentless affections from the pilot.

% % % % % % %

"Are you sure about this?" asked the concerned ex-marine.

"I don't see what other choice I have."

"It's your call Lieutenant Commander."

Looking at his time piece, acting Commanding Officer LCDR Presley said, "I've called an emergency meeting. Everyone should be here in a few minutes. I'll explain it to them."

Turning to the only other occupant in the room Presley asked, "Dr. Chakwas, have you completed your staff preparations for assisting with the colony's possible medical needs?"

As the doctor nodded her affirmation, the ground team arrived and Presley outlined the mission parameters, as he finished he braced himself for the anticipated backlash; it didn't take long for the verbal assault to begin.

"That uniform doesn't make you my superior or a commander!" snapped Ashley Williams, vehemently protesting Presley's decision to have Shepard lead the Feros mission.

Towering over the gunnery chief, Shepard calmly declared, "All you need to know is that I have more credentials than you and I'm better qualified to do this mission than any of you."

Giving a sideways glance to the larger than life krogan with a large scar running across his head she amended her statement, "Well, except for maybe you."

Glancing at the former C-Sec officer, "And you can barely walk much less take on a planet crawling with Geth."

Addressing the squad, Shepard explained, "Look, you need someone who has the expertise of getting the job done. I have more combat training than all of you put together."

Shepard again glanced over to the mighty krogan conveying her intent of not insulting the battlemaster. He grunted accepting her statement with no disrespect to himself. The remaining members of the ground team, Tali and Liara, were more than happy to let her lead the next mission.

"I hate to admit it but she's right." offered the injured turian.

Presley attempted to flex his acting commander muscles and end all further debate by succinctly stating, "Shepard has the most experience leading a squad on a mission. So, she will lead the squad on Feros."

Looking directly at Chief Williams who was about to blow a gasket, Presley continued flexing, "And just so we understand each other; that is an order. Anyone that has a problem with my decision is more than welcome to spend a little time in the brig contemplating chain of command."

Hiding the smug expression on her face, Shepard turned from the group as she mentally noted, Chief Williams, I believe that's another point for me. One more and I will have point, set and match.

Glancing around the room it was clear by the expression on everyone's faces the discussion was over. As the squad filed out of the conference room, LCDR Presley leaned over to the only other senior officer onboard, "I hope you were right about her."

Crossing her arms, the medical officer leaned a little to the side and assuredly replied, "I think she is going to surprise us both. I believe she was born for greatness."

% % % % % % %

Preparing for the mission, Shepard donned CDR Gerrad's N-7 armor. Making the last of her adjustments, she looked into the mirror and took in the remarkable site before her. Wearing the elite Alliance N-7 armor she made a mentally noted, Damn, this thing fits like a glove. Twisting to see her backside she satisfyingly claimed, "Hmph, not bad. I look pretty hot in this thing."

Interrupting the first time she had actually enjoyed her own reflection in years, Joker's voice stirred Shepard from her thoughts, "Away party report to the bridge; estimated departure time, 5 minutes."

Unsure of how the crew would react to her wearing the only armor on the ship that fit her, Shepard hid the butterflies in her stomach as she carefully placed one foot in front of the other as she made her way to the bridge.

Preparing to pass through the gangway of the ship, she heard Joker quip, "Hey! Nice accent to the Commander's armor. Your ass looks a lot better in that then Gerrad's did."

Shepard stopped in mid stride, slowly turned around and walked over to the now petrified pilot. He nervously shifted in his seat as she moved closer, causing him to visibly swallow hard.

Swelling with confidence, she leaned over him in his pilot's chair, placing one hand on his thigh and pressing down rather hard. The other arm went across his chest and gripped the chair under him. Suddenly feeling like he was in real trouble, Shepard seductively purred in the man's ear with a tinge of spite, "That's so you know, exactly which spot you're going to be kissing first, Lieutenant."

Gulping as if he had just swallowed a bug, he sharply inhaled; thankful for the friendly banter even though he had just been burned pretty well.

The airlock door opened up and Shepard stepped back towards it, as her squad consisting of Liara, Tali, Ash and Wrex waited for her.

Taking her first steps off the ship Shepard leaned back towards the wary pilot, "Take care of the Normandy for me, Joker."

After she had spoken the words, an eerie feeling of déjà vu swept over her, but she couldn't recollect or ascertain their significance; breaking her concentration Joker returned, "Aye, Aye Commander!"

Shepard resignedly shook her head at the incorrigible pilot's reply and continued on her way.

The statement caused the squad to react in several different ways: Ashley rolled her eyes and slapped the side of her thigh in repulsion. Tali repeated the word, "Commander" looking to Liara she announced, "I like the sound of that." Liara blushed a bit and wondered what her mother would have thought of the new Shepard. Wrex didn't react at all. His mind was filled with the numerous ways he was going to destroy the Geth.

As the squad waiting for the doors to open, Shepard glanced at red faced marine whose face was now about as bright as her pink colored armor. The marine barely turned to look at the woman clad in the shiny N-7 armor. Shepard could almost hear her hateful thoughts pass through the air. That's right gunny, another point. Consider yourself beaten. Point, Set and Match.