So I feel I must point out to the unnamed reviewer who is irked by Seph's language that Seph is not a canon Bioware Shepard. I'm glad you're enjoying the story but you will continue to be irked as Seph grew up with Miri in Sydney Australia before she fled with her mum to Mindoir if you happened to miss that little point, meaning she does speak more like Miranda who does use the words 'bloody' and 'arse' and she bloody well doesn't have to explain her arse to anyone so why should Seph ;) he he he. Guess tis just a case of expecting to hear language you're used to, sorry if the language offends but being an Aussie myself I'm kind of used to it so it's not offensive to me personally. You may have noticed Seph swore a lot more in the beginning but has calmed down a little in that regard. Jack will influence that again but it was reduced to show that Shepard was hurting, lost and angry with the universe... especially Miri, when she first woke up but she's calming down now she's settling into the mission. That said there are still a few bumps along the road yet.

Now on with the story! Hope you enjoy. :D

Shepard was not impressed. The stick up his arse turian turned out to be one Warden Kurill, a barefaced Blue Suns Commander who ran the prison ship Purgatory. Purgatory happened to be the location of one Subject Zero, also known as Jack, who was a powerful biotic and apparently had one hell of an attitude if their rap sheet was anything to go by. Kurill wanted Jack off his ship ASAP and had the gall to charge extra for every day he continued to contain her from today. She would have been tempted to let him stew but the longer he waited the more he was better off. She was going to give the bastard a piece of her mind when they got there.

Kelly was a little wary of asking what was wrong as Shepard punched in the coordinates muttering about bloody turian bastards under her breath as she did so. She didn't dare point out that Shepard had a couple new messages right now as the angry Commander stormed back to the elevator. Kasumi had taken Rana off her hands for the time being so she could get some work done.

The crew that were in the mess couldn't help but notice the angry aura surrounding Shepard as she stormed towards Miranda's office and they all wondered what the XO had done now. Some of them were even eager for another show down between the fiery women.

Rana glanced at Kasumi nervously, "Does she get mad often?"

"Oh it's usually for a good reason. Apparently Miss Lawson tends to cop a fair share of her ire then again Shep brings out the wrath of Miranda fairly equally. You don't want to get between those two in an argument." Kasumi grinned at the anxious asari.

Miranda glanced up as Shepard stalked into her quarters. Shepard was mad. Question was what about. Had she done anything recently to piss her off? No, it had something to do with that call. "Commander." she nodded to her.

Shepard stood in front of Miranda's console for a moment before taking a deep breath and speaking surprisingly softly given her demeanour, "We've had to change course to pick up Jack. Warden Kurill decided he wanted Jack off his station as quickly as possible and figured charging an extra five thousand credits per day Jack remains in his custody would do the trick."

Miranda nodded slowly and looked to her console, bringing up the course alteration and timing, "It will only add a couple days to get to Illium and if not for our current situation I would have suggested stopping there before heading to Illium any way as it is closer." she offered.

Shepard's steam deflated a little, "Really?" she asked in surprise.

Miranda looked up at her, "Yes."

"You're really okay with delaying..." Shepard frowned, quite shocked at that frankly.

"I won't say I'm not concerned, but I understand. I'd rather not give more to that thieving scum than required." Miranda growled assertively.

"Huh." Shepard calmed considerably, "Well then when we get there I want you to come with me to sort out the finances. Jack's a little out of my expenditure account." she grinned.

Miranda nodded and returned the smile, "Just a little."

The crew were a touch let down that there'd been no fireworks when Shepard emerged a short time later much calmer than she'd been upon entry. She hadn't been in there long enough for anything juicy to happen either so they went back to their duties or meals like nothing had happened, because nothing really had.

Glancing around the mess Rana was easy to spot being the only asari on board. Heading over to her Shepard took a seat opposite her.

"So what was that about?" Kasumi asked curiously.

"What was what about?" Shepard feigned ignorance.

"You looked ready to deck Miss Lawson just then." Kasumi nodded towards the door, watching Shepard's reactions closely.

"Not Miranda, a certain turian who thinks he can extort more money out of me and who's going to end up with my boot up his arse if he doesn't change his tune when we get to Purgatory." Shepard growled.

"Purgatory? That sounds... interesting." Kasumi's wild imagination was running rampant right now.

"It's a prison ship. Our next specialist happens to be a crazy biotic badass with a rap sheet just about as long as my service record. The Illusive Man thinks I can keep this Jack under control." Shepard groaned, "I'm gonna have to be a mean bitch to keep someone like that under control or at least killing the people I need killed."

Rana swallowed nervously at that.

"Great inspiration there Shep, I feel all warm and fuzzy." Kasumi drawled.

"Hey, I can be mean and intimidating, can't I Rana." Shepard smirked at the asari.

"Oh yes absolutely." Rana nodded with a little too much enthusiasm.

Kasumi laughed though she knew it was true, Shepard did have the reputation for it when required and if you were batarian, Omega had certainly proven that.

"I wanted to talk to you about the krogan we recovered. O'Keer died protecting this one, said it was perfect and pure, his legacy." Shepard became serious and looked to Rana.

Rana shifted mindsets and nodded, "I'll tell you what I can but he was different about that one, I didn't actually get to work on it personally he did everything himself."

Shepard frowned, "Damn, I was hoping you'd be able to tell me if he was mentally stable."

"I might leave you two to chat, I've got some research to check up on." Kasumi wasn't overly interested in this particular turn in conversation.

"Sure, just don't get into any trouble or get me into any trouble." Shepard clarified with a stern expression.

Kasumi held up her hands submissively, "Would I do that?"

Shepard didn't respond verbally but her expression said 'hell yes'.

Kasumi sighed, "Fine I would but not this time I promise!" she grinned and dashed away.

Shepard rolled her eyes and sighed, "Okay so talk to me about this imprinting, assuming O'Keer ran it on his prototype personally and it was completed."

This was a topic Rana was clearly well versed in as she'd written the template for imprinting so she launched into it with confidence and depth, surprised that Shepard was able to keep up with her as she did.

While Shepard sat with Rana in the mess Miranda ran a background check on the asari not far away. What she found was decidedly interesting. Rana was five hundred and seventeen years old, had studied at the highly prestigious Academy of Athame on Thessia for two hundred years after she'd settled down from a rather tame maidenhood shaking her arse in clubs from place to place rather than joining a merc band like Eclipse. Miranda had already seen Rana was a coward when it came to armed individuals so that made sense. But coward or not Rana had definitely applied herself to studies, neurology, bio-chemistry, behavioural psychology all across species, asari, turian, salarian, krogan, volus and even elcor. It was no wonder that Saren had sought her out to study indoctrination and O'Keer to work on the minds of his prototypes, she certainly was qualified. Perhaps Shepard did have the right idea. She herself had an extensive knowledge base for the human brain from having to put Shepard's back together and Rana could prove to be quite useful to her. Not just for her own issues but for the fight against the Reapers as well, they would need every scrap of information they could gather on indoctrination as it was a major threat the Reapers would use against them.

The only issue Miranda could have had with Rana's resume was that she'd worked for the likes of Saren and O'Keer. However, given that Miranda was Cerberus and the things she had done for Cerberus in the name of advancement of the human race such previous employer issues were not really of any concern to her. Rana's rather interesting morals could even prove to be quite beneficial.

xxx

It had taken all week for Kasumi to track down that Miranda's girl was Persephone Eve Calleyuss. She found a bunch of images and surveillance vids of the two girls together and it was so odd seeing Miranda Lawson, the frighteningly icy and all business operative, as a smiling, happy teenager. Persephone was a cutie too, a few years younger than Miranda, Kasumi grinned at that, Lawson had been a cradle snatcher! Watching the vids showed that 'Miri' had been adorably protective over 'little' Seph, who was a petite bundle of energy, and Seph was a playful free spirit that brought the older girl out of her high and mighty upbringing and down to earth. Seph was the fun Miri wasn't supposed to have. Which was why daddy dearest had gotten rid of the girl and her family presumably.

Bringing up an image of Persephone grinning up at the camera she couldn't help but feel that there was something familiar about her. Not able to put her finger on it just yet she looked over her information. Persephone had vanished July 2169. 2169 why was that number ringing bells? Kasumi stuck her tongue out the corner of her mouth as this puzzle was getting interesting. Especially since she had a face to go with the name.

Before accepting the Illusive Man's offer to join the crew of the Normandy she had done her research about Commander Shepard. 2169 stuck out because it was the year the files about Shepard began... when she was sixteen. That had been odd to Kasumi, Shepard had nothing before that time. Persephone was sixteen when she disappeared.

Kasumi's eyes widened and she brought up an image of Shepard at sixteen. Her jaw dropped open and her hands fell to her sides at what was on her screen.

Stephanie Shepard was Persephone Calleyuss!

Stephanie Shepard was Miranda Lawson's, or rather Solheim's, first love!

Miranda had no idea that Stephanie was Persephone!

No wonder Shepard had been so coy when they'd had drinks with Kelly in the loft.

Kasumi burst out laughing as the drama played out in her mind. Oh she had to find Shep right now!

xxx

Shepard was currently standing over, or rather on, a semi-unconscious newly dubbed Grunt. "Satisfied Grunt?" She growled at him confidently.

He grunted as his vision was still blurry, his head was pounding and he couldn't quite understand how the little human female had ended up with one foot on his chest and grinning down at him.

As soon as the krogan had awakened and looked up from the floor once his vision had cleared and his mind groggily started functioning he had charged the first thing he'd seen.

Commander Shepard.

Shepard had braced herself and let the newly 'born' krogan slam her into the bulkhead, preparing to defend herself from a lethal attack but willing to suck it up and give the boy the chance to actually see his surroundings.

Rana had ducked behind cover and out of sight, all the krogans had emerged from the pods in a similar manner until their minds had cleared properly.

"Hmm human. Female. Before you die I need a name." He'd growled at her.

"My name's Commander Shepard and you, whelp, had best put me down before I throw your heavy arse on the ground." She'd snarled at him knowing that what O'Keer had programmed into his brain was the epitome of what made a krogan, krogan as prepared by an asari... so didn't make sense to her personally. Strength of leadership demonstrated through force and brutality was what the krogan would respect.

"Not your name. Mine. I'm trained. I know things, but the tank... O'keer couldn't implant connection. His words are hollow." He responded gruffly, ignoring her order. "Pure. Legacy. Grunt... Grunt was among the last. It has no meaning, it'll do." He was momentarily distracted but his arm against her chest didn't slacken. He'd looked back at her"If you are worthy of your command prove it by trying to destroy me."

Shepard had smirked, "You're on tough guy."

With that she'd thrown him with a biotic surge into the plasteel plated glass overlooking the cargo hold. She'd rushed in and sent him flying again with a powerful right hook to which he'd landed on his hands and knees and she wouldn't be telling Chakwas about. Then she'd kicked his arse, literally, sending him head first into the wall so hard it had dented. Rolling him over she was now victoriously pinning him down.

Instead of being angry like she'd suspected he chuckled.

"Nothing in the tank imprints suggested humans were so strong and could be so... forceful. You are strong, Shepard, I will follow you." he nodded.

"Good." She stepped back and didn't offer a hand to help him up but rather watched.

Grunt got up easily, he was still wet from the tank fluids but he didn't seem to notice or care.

Next thing she needed to provide for him was a cause, a really tough fight that would challenge a krogan in battle and bring honour, "I'm on a mission that everyone who knows about it says is suicide. My enemy threatens galaxies and is currently abducting entire human colonies. Their technology is too advanced for the colonies." she explained then growled, "They have the technology to paralyse everyone making it impossible for them to fight back."

This was news to Rana as well and she gasped in shock.

At that Grunt growled in disgust, "There is no honour in that."

"None at all. They don't give a vorcha's arse about honour and we're going to stop them." Shepard asserted with confidence. "Everyone on this ship has earned their place and has a different job to do. Not everyone is a warrior so don't go around hitting everything that moves. You want to spar you come to me." she smirked, "I could use a punching bag that actually fights back." especially since she was banned from her punching bag. Oh wouldn't Chakwas and Miranda be pleased that she'd upgraded her punching bag for a perfect hulk of a krogan.

He chuckled and nodded, "Understood."

"Let's show you around then." Shepard turned, expecting him to follow. The tour gave her a chance to talk with him more, assess his personality and what he'd been trained in as he'd claimed O'Keer's imprinting hadn't taken.

Rana was also very curious, she had after all spent a great deal of time working on O'Keer's project of which this 'Grunt' appeared to be the culmination.

It turned out his training in the arts of war was very thorough as Rana had made clear. He wasn't showing signs of insanity yet but he had only just entered the real world and not the images the template had flashed into his mind. Getting some food in his stomach she introduced him to Jacob and Garrus, handing over the reins of keeping an eye on the newly awakened krogan to Jacob as Grunt had glared at Garrus rather heatedly for some reason. She'd then passed Rana off to Kelly as she had some work to do and Kelly had finished hers for the day.

Heading to the lift she was stopped in her tracks by a stern looking Kasumi with arms crossed and toe tapping.

"You." she pointed to Shepard, "My quarters. Now." she flicked her hand to her door.

Shepard's brow rose, "And should I refuse?" the assertive tone in the master thief had her intensely curious.

"I have a chat with Miranda." Kasumi threatened.

Shepard started walking without another word but she did frown slightly at the petite Japanese woman. It seemed she'd discovered what Miranda couldn't and it was not a conversation to be having outside the lift.

When the doors closed behind Kasumi she activated her console with her omni-tool, "I've cleared the room of bugs in case you're worried about her listening in." she assured, grinning now, "So I found these cute as kiddie pics!"

Shepard chuckled as they came up on the screen, one of Persephone and one of Stephanie, "Gee Kasumi it took you a whole week to figure it out. I thought you were supposed to be the best!" she teased.

Kasumi scoffed, "Yet Miranda has had two years to figure it out." she pointed out lightly then regretted it instantly as Shepard's face fell, all mirth and playfulness gone as she turned back to the images sadly. 'Shit, nice one Kasumi!' she scolded herself. Walking over she took Shepard by the arm and pulled her down into the lounge, "Talk to me." she murmured.

"Well... what do you want to know?" Shepard asked softly, thoughtfully. She wanted to be careful how much she shared without appearing like she was blocking the woman out.

"You still love her, so why haven't you told her?" Kasumi hit her lightly in the arm.

"I tried the day I woke up. She was seriously pissed there was something she didn't know about me and shut me down saying pretty much that if she didn't know it, it was meaningless." Shepard's voice was soft, sad.

Her voice tugged at Kasumi's heart.

"That left a pretty decent hole. Initially I was hurt and furious with her, I mean she wanted to put a control chip in my brain and told me straight to my face." Shepard's fists clenched and she visibly trembled at the memory. "Have you seen what control chips do to people? Have you seen how Batarian Slavers insert chips? There's a reason I was called the Butcher of Torfan. After seeing them cut open the skulls of my best friends on Mindoir then the kids at the camps... their eyes, they just went dead, there was nothing left of them. And Miranda, my Miri, wanted to do that to me." she hissed, eyes open and staring at the images but not seeing anything past her memories. "So of course I didn't fucking tell her who I am and it's a bloody good thing to as whenever she gets close to figuring it out she has a..." she stopped suddenly, wide eyed at what she was about to reveal.

"Has a what?" Kasumi asked curiously reaching over to gently caress Shepard's scarred cheek to calm her a little as her eyes began to glow.

Shepard was startled and turned to Kasumi with a curious expression, "It's complicated, suffice it to say she finds out who I am and she might just have an aneurism."

"Huh?" Kasumi looked to her even more puzzled.

"I don't really know the details, neither does she really, you see she remembers Persephone she just doesn't see me as Persephone. I'm hoping Rana can help her figure it out but until they've made some progress at restoring her mind you cannot tell her this." Shepard gestured to the images.

Kasumi nodded, "Of course Shep, I can keep a secret you know." she smiled reassuringly, this was far more interesting and twisted than she'd imagined. The 'fight' Shep and Miranda had had the other day that Shep had been coy about suddenly took on a very different light.

Shepard relaxed a little.

"So you've gotten over the wanting to put her over your knee and spank her over the chip thing?" Kasumi grinned.

At that Shepard chuckled, "Helped I punched her in the face knocking her out cold and sedating her on Freedom's Progress."

Kasumi laughed.

"Though putting her over my knee would be..." she stopped as the door slid open.

Miranda stood at the doorway with her arms crossed and a look that was both suspicious and expectant.

Kasumi flicked off the images, "Miranda what a pleasant surprise, care to join us for a drink?"

"What the hell were you thinking?" Miranda snapped, eyes glued on Shepard.

Shepard's brows rose at the accusatory tone and all mirth from previous thoughts vanished, "Anything specific you're referring to?"

"You're letting the krogan just wander the ship?" Miranda growled as though Shepard ought to have known already what had pissed her off and was merely stalling. It had been a shock to her when she'd gone to find Rana to see the hulking krogan eating freely in the mess with Jacob, Kelly and Rana as though he were simply a part of the crew.

"So you expect me to what, lock him up? Confine him to quarters? Relax. I assigned..." Shepard began to counter the accusation.

"Jacob is not a babysitter." Miranda strode in and stood before Shepard now, glaring down at her.

Shepard stood up with smooth grace and met Miranda's gaze calmly, "Oh so you're volunteering then are you Miss Lawson? Actually that sounds like a marvellous idea, you did want to study him after all and you can determine for yourself if he's crazy or not." she reached to touch her communicator to contact Jacob.

Miranda's hand shot out and caught Shepard's wrist with a huff, "He should be quarantined until we can determine his systems are functioning properly outside the tank and Miss Chambers and Rana Thanoptis can evaluate him."

"Chakwas is keeping an eye on him through a wrist monitor, I've already talked with Kelly and Rana, they and Jacob are going to work together to keep tabs on him, help him acclimatize and Massani's keeping Jessie primed just in case." she assured Miranda.

"Jessie?" Miranda frowned, no idea what Shepard was talking about but at least she was taking precautions of some sort.

"His rifle, don't ask." Shepard reached up with her other hand and lightly held Miranda's shoulder, "Shall we continue this in your quarters?" she asked quietly.

"That won't be..." Miranda stopped as Shepard gripped her shoulder tighter and her amber eyes hardened, "Certainly Commander." she nodded and turned, breaking the contact with Shepard.

"Somebody's getting spanked!" Kasumi chimed rather joyously.

Both women glared at her which caused her to burst out laughing.

In her quarters Miranda strode over to her workstation and sat, refraining from openly glaring at Shepard and concentrating her gaze on her screen.

"Miranda, I realize you're used to being in charge but that is the second time you've barged in on me at an inappropriate moment demanding answers, three if you include my quarters earlier. The first time being when I was in my bathroom naked." Shepard wasn't angry just yet but was rather annoyed though she kept her tone even and calm.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before Shepard." Miranda pointed out smartly, Shepard had said she'd check with Rana and run tests on the krogan before waking him and she hadn't even informed her she was doing it either.

Shepard bristled, "I'm almost hesitant to ask but would you be comfortable with me barging in on you like that?"

Miranda met her gaze, "I'm sure you'd enjoy it." she retorted quickly.

Shepard stiffened, "Damnit Miri what's gotten into you? I thought we were okay."

"You said you'd discuss with Rana if the krogan was mentally stable." Miranda growled at her.

"And I did that, she was with me even when I woke him and has been monitoring him the whole time he's been awake. Kelly's evaluating him psychologically, Jacob and Massani are keeping him in line physically and I've designated the starboard cargo observation as his quarters to keep him away from the crew." Shepard responded quickly and noted Miranda's eyes narrowed.

"And you didn't think to inform your XO of all this prior to it taking place?" Miranda pointed out icily.

Understanding dawned for Shepard, Miranda was pissed at being left out of the loop. "I'm sorry Miranda I should have informed you but there was no call for little stunt you pulled in Kasumi's quarters."

Miranda's glare didn't abate, "I apologize Commander, I shall attempt to be more respectful of your privacy in the future." her tone was a little too dry to be truly sincere.

"It's not just about my privacy but also the way you approached me. If we were alliance I'd have your arse in the brig for insubordination." she held up her hand for silence as Miranda went to point out the obvious, "Yes I know this isn't an alliance vessel, but I want you to think this through honestly. Would you appreciate your second bursting in on you as you have done and demanding an explanation in the manner you did?" she kept her tone even as she asked.

Miranda prickled, she'd almost prefer Shepard yelling at her rather than this even tempered appeal, "No." she muttered, finally acknowledging where Shepard was coming from.

"I understand you have concerns and I'm more than willing to talk with you Miranda, I thought we'd already established that. Just ask respectfully and it will make a world of difference in how I respond and how much information I decide to give you because frankly if you piss me off I'm not liable to tell you much of anything XO or not. Are we clear?" Shepard's husky tone dropped slightly to get the point across, this wasn't something personal history could override, this was a command position and she was the commanding officer not Miranda.

"Clear." Miranda bristled but nodded crisply and applied her analytical mind rather than the bruising ego that was demanding she assert herself. Shepard could have reprimanded her in front of Kasumi especially considering she'd challenged Shepard in front of the woman, but Shepard had politely answered her questions then reprimanded her privately. She sighed and sat back from her console, "I apologize Shepard." she was actually sincere this time.

Shepard just nodded, relieved to hear she meant it and so glad she'd been able to keep her cool, she was quite impressed with herself actually. "Is there anything else you want to discuss?"

Miranda looked at her, "Any reason why you were looking at images of Persephone with Kasumi?" she asked with a hint of annoyance.

Shepard's mind raced to think of a response that wouldn't get Miranda's brain fried, "Kasumi overheard our conversation on the Citadel and wanted to know about this mysterious lost love of yours. She was pestering me about it and I figured if left to her own devices she'd pester you so I told her to look Persephone up herself if she wanted to know more about her. She was complaining that all information on her stops when she was sixteen and showing me pics of her." Shepard shrugged like it was no big deal.

Miranda looked rather annoyed.

"If you'd rather I send her to you..." Shepard grinned figuring she already knew the response to that.

"I would." Miranda nodded, she was very interested in finding out anything about Persephone, it had been so long since she'd heard anything about her best friend and first love.

Shepard wasn't quite quick enough to cover the 'oh shit' look as that question backfired on her.

Miranda's eyes narrowed, "There's something you don't want me to know?"

"I just think you've got more important things to be doing with your time. It's one thing to keep a bored thief occupied and another to distract you when you have little time for distractions." Shepard shrugged, trying to be as nonchalant as possible.

Miranda wasn't buying it.

Shepard sighed and rolled her eyes, "Fine. One monumental distraction coming right up. And I thought you were the one supposed to be keeping me focussed on the mission." she muttered.

Miranda hesitated, Shepard had a point there, "I'll talk to her when I'm ready." she nodded.

Shepard was stopped at the door by a softer question.

"Did you know her?"

"I thought it was clear that we shouldn't talk about any links between me and your past." Shepard reminded her, wishing she could just tell her, that this horrible waiting could be over. It would be so easy to just say, 'I am Persephone'. But Miranda wasn't ready, they couldn't risk it and she hoped that when the time came Miranda would understand.

Miranda straightened and nodded, "You're right, I shouldn't have asked."

"Are we... okay?" Shepard asked hesitantly, hovering in the doorway.

"Of course. So long as you keep me updated more promptly in the future." Miranda returned quickly and with a warning smile.

Shepard nodded, "And if there's something you want to discuss or yell at me about, keep it private and when I'm dressed." she smirked and her eyes twinkled, "Or I might have to insist equal disclosure."

Miranda chuckled, "You wish, go back to your gossiping I have work to do!" she waved at the door casually.

Shepard saluted with a cheeky grin and when the door closed behind her she exhaled a deep breath slowly. That had been close, too close for comfort. It was clear that thinking of Persephone herself didn't cause problems, it was only when Miranda began to link Stephanie with Persephone that issues arose. Her frown deepened as she thought of Kasumi, the woman had better not let anything slip!

Kasumi came face to face with a side of Shepard she never expected to experience.

"You say something that gets her killed and I will never forgive you." Shepard growled menacingly, her eyes glowing red.

Kasumi bit back a small whimper, "Got it. Lips sealed." she ran her finger across her lips in a zipping motion, "Totally terrified! Can I have nice Shep back please?" the thought of being on Shep's infamous Shit List was a truly terrifying thought, especially after what she'd witnessed on Omega.

Shepard felt a little bad about scaring the woman who'd been nothing but friendly and a genuinely pleasant person to be around, "Sorry. I lost her once, I..." she ducked her face and the glow in her eyes faded.

Kasumi closed the distance between them and hugged her, relieved to have escaped that one unscathed and seriously hoping she didn't jog Miranda's memory.

"She's so close and I can't tell her because it could kill her." Shepard whispered, leaning into the shorter woman but not reaching up to return the hug with her arms as she'd clenched her fists and stood rigidly in Kasumi's embrace.

Kasumi really didn't know what to say. "Want some Sake?" she asked finally, pulling back and looking up at the forlorn amber eyed brunette.

Shepard smiled sadly, "Sounds good to me." she murmured.