Case Notes: Damn, y'all jumped on that cliffhanger for sure! Made me want to take the edge off a bit and hit you guys with another dose of Crash (so basically another chapter). Big changes are coming! Aah! Hah.

Anyway, keep up the reviews and favorites of course, share the story with your peeps and all that too!

Last, I have a proposition for you guys and gals! Anyone that wants to make some sweet cover art, I'll write you guys a custom musical piece, whatever you want! (Excluding techno, can't do that with a notation software). So, email me at Composered if you are interested!

Close Case Notes

The awkward silence between the army of agents and the two friends standing on the porch was suddenly broken, as the CIA team suddenly opened fire, instantly decimating both Cole and Visia.

The End!

Did I get you there for a second? Haha I had to fake you all out with my case note I left at the end of the last chapter! Anyway, on with the Real chapter six!

I was frozen, afraid to even blink. I couldn't turn around to check, but I figured Visia was the same way. "B-b-but Agent C-Coburn, what's all this about? We're not hurting anyone by being here…"

"You know damn well what this is about! Your hospital security guard reported that you took a potentially hostile alien into your own home, and you expect me to believe there's nothing wrong? I should just shoot you right here and now, and I really can. In these situations, I. Am. God! How do I know that you didn't give up potentially threatening information on our military, biology, hell even as simple as how to drive a damn car! Give me a reason not to end the both of your miserable existences right here, right now." With his rant finished, I noticed the ops team under his command tighten their grip on their weapons, ready to fire in an instant. Coburn put his hands in his pockets, almost expecting some stupid response from me.

How could I have known that I wouldn't have the nerve to speak up. Instead of my own voice, I hear Visia's two-toned one from behind me, speaking reserved but confidently. "I can promise you sir, he hasn't told me anything I could really use against you. I only came on a mission of exploration from the governing body of the galaxy. If I wanted to do anything to hurt you all, I wouldn't have spent nearly three weeks here doing nothing. Plus, I'll be out of your hair any day now, a ship is coming to pick me up and take me off your planet. You won't have to worry about me anymore, sir." she said respectfully.

I just stood there, shocked, while the two stared each other down, waiting for the human's response. "I don't give a damn about what you're here for! You're trespassing on my planet, and I intend to make sure you get punished accordingly. And for you, Dr. Hartford, you can expect to spend the rest of your days in federal prison, knowing that you watched your new alien girlfriend die!" The rest of his men lowered their rifles, letting their leader draw his M9 and pull it up towards Visia's head.

Time slowed down for me as I turned towards her. I could see her start to duck out of the way, and almost unconsciously I leapt in front of her, my chest facing the barrel of the gun as it fired, sending the bullet not into the turian's head, but into my left shoulder, hitting the blade of my shoulder as I fell to the ground.

It was hard to describe what I felt. I couldn't notice any change from a few moments ago as I sat up on the dusty path to my porch. It was almost like I was in limbo, everyone's voice seemed distant as I stared at the shocked face of Agent Coburn. After what seemed like an eternity, but most likely was only a few seconds, I could hear Visia scream out my name before rushing up to me. Turning my head, it seemed like she was in slow motion as she knelt at my side and put pressure on my shoulder. That's when it fully hit me. I'd been shot.

I don't know what triggered it, maybe the feeling of blood soaking through my shirt on the shoulder as she put pressure on the wound. Maybe my adrenaline was just wearing off. Whatever the case, it hurt like hell. "Son of a Bitch!" I shouted as I looked at my shoulder in disbelief. "I just got shot! You prick!" I shouted at the man in the suit near us. "You were trying to kill her, you sick f…"

I couldn't finish my sentence, since everything turned into a deep rumbling followed by high-pitched whining. Ignoring the searing pain in my shoulder I crane my head up to see three… gunships… of some sort fly over my house and surround the ops team on the ground. A thin door on each flyer opens, and two dozen turian soldiers total leap out onto the grass of my large lawn. They raise their rifles and form a semi-circle around the agents, while one in slightly different armor with a blocky pistol steps up to Coburn.

"You better not make any more moves against either my officer or that man, human. I guarantee, you will not make it out alive. I'm offering you one chance to leave us. If you do not comply, I will be forced to take the fact that you shot your own kind in the shoulder trying to kill mine as an act of war. We turians excel at war. Would you like to find out?" This turian, who I took to be the captain, stated rather defiantly as he gestured for two of his men to help Visia and myself.

While the turian officer and Agent Coburn had their small staring contest, I could feel myself start to get woozy, while Visia asked the other troopers if they had any spare 'Levo-based medi gel'. Whatever that was, I hoped they had it, because I wasn't particularly fond of bleeding out on my own front walk. As I slipped deeper and deeper into unconsciousness, I saw through the spots in my vision Coburn and his troopers packing up and turning tail, as well as another turian with some sort of stretcher. I felt myself being loaded on, Visia at my side, her hand never leaving my shoulder as she smiled at me comfortingly. "It'll be fine Cole, you're going to get fixed up, just hold on for me…"

With those few words of encouragement, I was taken on the gunship, and felt us start to ascend rapidly as I fully lost consciousness.

-LB-

The next time I awoke, I could barely see through my hazy vision. From what I could tell, I was in some sort of hospital, but no people were there. Was I dreaming up that whole thing? What happened to me? I couldn't shake the grogginess, and I lay unable to really move until someone, no, something came into my vision. It took a moment before I realized it was Visia. So, I wasn't dreaming… She kneels at the side of my bed, "Cole, you should still be asleep, you need to rest and heal more. You nearly died, but you're much better now. We need to keep you sedated for a while longer, don't worry. You're safe…" She smiles again and nods to someone outside my view, and I feel a cold rush as I slip into unconsciousness yet again.

-LB-

I woke up yet again, this time though with much more clarity. I could make out that I was in a very advanced hospital, with many machines I had not seen before. The entirety of the room was stark white, and it smelled very… clean, but not the aggressive chemical smell of most hospitals. I looked around again to find my friend Visia sitting next to me, grinning when she saw me wake up. "Look who's up, I'm glad you're awake. You're all better, the doc took out the bullet and was able to get you fixed up in record time. Sorry you had to be put out, helps to heal you faster." She held out a tall glass of water for me to have, which I was very grateful for.

Taking a long drink, I finally felt well enough to talk. "I'm glad I'm finally up, I was worried I wouldn't make it. What hospital are we at? Somewhere downtown? This is all really high-tech gear…" I let my curiosity get the better of me, since I felt no pain at all from my shoulder.

"Well… about that. We couldn't risk taking you to any hospital, I figured because you're now a wanted criminal just for keeping me with you. So, the Captain agreed, and we did the next best thing. Welcome aboard the Shadow of Menae. It's a turian frigate, they were the ship that was ordered to take me back to the Citadel." I was awestruck, scared, confused, any combination of emotions, and you could bet I was feeling them. I'm not on my own planet?! I'm in SPACE! Going to the CITADEL! Holy SHIT! From the increased beeping, I could tell my heart rate had really jumped at the revelation.

"So… s-so I'm going to the Citadel?! Oh my God…" I could hardly comprehend it. My family was left behind, my job, any friends, and now here I was probably halfway across the galaxy by now.

"Don't worry so much Cole, I have a nice couch you can stay on for a little while, and if you need we can always take you back, but no guarantees you won't be arrested when you get back to Earth. Or, you could just stay with me on the Citadel if you like, become a part of the culture. They'll accept you, no doubt about that, and I figure I owe you, since you took a bullet for me and all, so stay for as long as you need." She suggested.

I had to say, it was a pretty good deal. I hated my job on Earth, working at such a small-time hospital. And I lived so far off from any real friends. So why not start anew, on a station larger than most cities could ever be on Earth? And nonetheless with my best friend. "I'm in. I'd love to be able to stay… thanks." I told her.

(AN: For full effect, turn on Spectre Induction OST, from the ME1 Soundtrack now!)

"That's great, Cole! Now, I've got something to show you. I'm glad you woke up when you did, it's going to be amazing for you… follow me!" She jumped up and went to the door. Feeling well enough, I got up and followed her out, into a long corridor, before turning into another door. This time, it was a darker metal, and as we entered she hit a panel on the close wall.

As the panel turned green, the far wall began to slide upwards, revealing a window. We had found ourselves on an observation deck. As the widow opened more and more, a purple glow shined in, followed by the most amazing view I have ever seen. There, in all its glory, was the Citadel. The five arms of the wards, just as she had described them to me on Earth, connected to the ring with its Council tower at the center. The beautiful nebula it was seated within was like nothing I could have ever imagined. As the ship neared the docks, the two of us (mainly me) watched with wonder at the marvelous engineering and the beauty of space. Our frigate glided past hundreds of vessels of various shapes and sizes, then past the Destiny Ascension, the pride of the Citadel fleet, glowing blue in the vastness of space between the arms. Finally, we drifted through into the turian docks, the glistening stars almost welcoming our arrival, as I felt a slight shudder when the ship finally moored itself to the station.

I could hardly contain my excitement as the ramp connected to the ship's airlock. As Visia and I stood by, the lock turned green, the door opening, welcoming me to my new life.

Case Notes: Holy crap that chapter felt so natural to write… so awesome! What did you guys think of the musical idea I put in towards the end? Anyway, rate and review please, and remember to contact me if interested in the Cover Art for Music deal!