I want to thank "Spyke1985" for being the Beta for my story and proofreading my chapters. I also want to personally thank all the individuals who read, review, and/or mark my story as one of their favorites to follow. I do not take for granted the privilege to be able to write and have others enjoy my work as I enjoy other writers. I do apologize that I am not posting my chapters in a timely fashion. I will attempt to do better in the future. Please be patient. Thank you.

Tabitha did not want to move. Thane was spooned against her back, his arms around her middle, holding her close. Closing her eyes, she prayed, "Lord, I love Thane Krios so much. I do not want him to die. Yes, I know we all have to die some day, but I do not want to raise our child alone." As a stray tear slipped down her cheek, she continued fervently, "I need him. I cannot do this alone. You placed him in my life. You brought us together as life mates. You allowed me to conceive. I would give my life for his, but that would not help our child. Why?! Why this war? Why all the death and destruction? Why me? I am no one…nobody. I am a freak of nature…an abomination. Why is it my task to save the universe? I just want a normal life…what am I talking about. I don't know what a normal life is." A small voice thundered in her heart and mind in reply, "Trust, my child. The miracle which the two of you have made will save you."

Shifting slightly in Thane's embrace caused Thane to open one eye, "Siha, did you have a bad dream," concern evident in the tone of his voice.

Turning to face him, she sighed heavily, "I did not mean to wake you, my love. I was praying and…"

When she did not finish her thought, he cupped her cheek with one of his hands letting his thumb gently rub along her jaw line, his eyes green islands amongst the black sea, voice gentle, "And what?"

"The answer I received does not make sense." Thane could hear the frustration in her voice.

Keeping his voice calm, "Tabitha, what was the answer to your prayer?"

Exhaling audibly, "Trust and the miracle which the two of you have made will save you. I understand 'trust,' but how can our unborn child save us?"

"I prayed also while you were asleep and the answer to my prayer was cryptic." His eyes glassed over as he remembered, "The enemy is within and without. Friends become enemies and enemies become friends. Trust your heart over your mind. What you have stated you will never do again, you will to save the ones you care for."

"Wow!" Exclaimed Tabitha as she pulled herself into a sitting position against the headboard, "You weren't kidding. Your answer is more cryptic than mine."

As Thane pulled himself up next to her, he pulled her up against his chest, "Siha, the answers will be revealed to us in time. We must 'trust.' As I meditate further, more will be revealed. We need to be patient."

Their conversation was interrupted by EDI, "Garrus is requesting entrance."

As Tabitha positioned herself more comfortably against Thane's chest, she responded, "EDI, open the door."

Seeing both Tabitha and Thane's armor littering the floor by the fish tank, Garrus smiled slightly. As he walked down the steps into the living area, he inquired in his gravelly voice, humor evident in the tone, "I see Tabitha did help you with your calibrations."

Smiling, Thane responded, "In fact, I helped her." His voice became serious as he continued, "She had a Kepral's attack."

Smile vanished as Garrus replied, "Tabitha, that's the second time." Turning to head back toward the door, "I'm getting Dr. Chakwas. She should know about this."

Stopped short by an impassioned, "No," coming from Tabitha, he turned back around seeing Tabitha leaving the bed, going to the closet, and putting on a robe. Removing a pair of sweat pants, she tossed them to Thane, who caught them easily. Moving toward the couch, she gestured with one hand, "Please Garrus."

Garrus sat in the chair while Thane and Tabitha sat on the couch. "I'm okay, Garrus. I overextended myself. I didn't allow my body to recover from the first Kepral's attack. Thane noticed the signs and helped me through the discomfort. I just need to recognize the signs myself." Changing the subject, her voice sardonic, "I don't believe that spying on your captain is the only reason you came up here."

A slight blush crossed Garrus' features, "No, Tabitha. Since you were unavailable, EDI contacted me to tell me that Admiral Hackett was on the comm."

Both Tabitha and Thane sat forward as Garrus continued, "Alliance needs assistance in re-taking the colony on Benning. We are about twenty minutes out from the colony. Also, LC Williams was released from the hospital and Admiral Hackett assigned her to liaison with Dr. Bryson with Task Force Aurora."

Standing up, Tabitha spoke, as she gathered up her armor heading toward the bathroom, curiosity in her voice, Thanks, Garrus. I will meet you down in the shuttle bay in fifteen minutes. Wonder what Task Force Aurora is." As the bathroom door slid shut, they could hear Tabitha contacting EDI.

Looking to Thane as he stood, Garrus commented, "I don't think you'll be on this upcoming mission. The colony is in the middle of monsoon season. Will your Kepral's affect her on the colony?"

Standing also, Thane placed a hand on Garrus' shoulder, "I do not know, my friend. Please watch over her." Garrus could see the concern openly showing in Thane's facial features.

Speaking seriously, Garrus replied, "Always. Thane, what aren't you telling me. Commander Shepherd can take care of herself and us and everyone else."

Garrus saw inner conflict behind Thane's eyes before he replied, "Yes, you are correct," his professional mask of indifference in place. Knowing the conversion had ended, Garrus left the room.

Tabitha was putting her armor on as Thane entered the bathroom. "Thane, I need for you to work with Liara and Feron on finding the strengths and weaknesses of our enemies. Benning is in the middle of a monsoon season. Your health precludes you on this mission."

"Yes, Siha," said Thane solemnly as he bowed slightly, keeping his eyes level with hers.

Tabitha winked at him as she left the bathroom, "Even though the dream sequence was quite stimulating, I prefer live action. Remember, I still need to help you with your calibrations and I need your help in achieving a mutual consensus." As Tabitha entered the shuttle bay, she saw Garrus, Javik, Vega, and Cortez. Heading into the shuttle she called back, "Let's go. We have a colony to re-take from Cerberus." A collection of "Yes, Ma'am" and "Yes, Commander" followed her as she entered the shuttle. "Javik and Garrus are with me on counter-insurgence. Vega and Cortez, I need you to fly over to the base and acquire us some equipment, since it is an Alliance supply depot."

With Garrus and Javik on her team, it did not take long for the Cerberus forces to be killed or retreating off the planet. While doing a final check through the colony for Ambassador Osoba's son or his remains, Tabitha spotted a familiar body lying partially inside the cargo container housing units. "No, it can't be," she thought to herself as she ran to the body turning it over. Speaking into her headset, "Garrus, get over here."

"On my way, Commander," responded Garrus. As Garrus came up, he asked, "Is that Gardner?"

Tabitha replied, "Yes, and he is still alive."

As Garrus lifted him into his arms, he inquired, "Do you believe he's still working for Cerberus? If so, I don't think it's a good idea to bring him on board."

Tabitha shook her head, 'no,' stating, "His injuries are from Cerberus weapons. Remember him saying after we destroyed the Reapers, he was retiring to live with the remainder of his extended family? Those bastards…Gardner believed in Cerberus…worked for them...and this is what they do to him. I used some of my medi-gel on his wounds. Get him to the shuttle." Gesturing with one arm, she points in the distance, "I need to check on something. I will rendezvous with you in a few minutes."

Garrus watched as she rapidly moved utilizing her biotics to a distant location before turning toward the shuttle. As Tabitha neared a group of dead civilians, Cerberus troops, and Alliance soldiers, she noticed the remnants of a tattered name tag of Osoba on one of the Alliance soldier uniforms. Bending down, she retrieved the dog tags from the headless corpse saying a quick prayer for all the people who had died on the planet before proceeding to the rendezvous point.

XXXXX

The war room was full for the de-briefing with Primarch Victus, Vega, Cortez, Javik, Dr. Chakwas, Engineer Adams, Specialist Traynor, Liara, Feron, Garrus, EDI, and Thane. Sensing extreme unease in Javik, Tabitha moved over by him speaking softly in Prothean, "What is wrong, father?"

Javik growled under his breath, "Why is the synthetic allowed in this meeting, daughter?"

"She is a part of my crew."

"She is a synthetic and cannot be trusted."

Placing a hand on his shoulder, she calmly replied, "General…father…I respect your opinion, your wisdom, and your insight, but this time period…this cycle is different than yours. Not all synthetics are evil, and not all organics are good. We must learn to work and fight together, or we will all lose apart."

When Javik did not respond, Tabitha moved to the center gaining everyone's attention, "Let's start the first official de-brief. LT Vega, what is the status of our weapons and armor?

"Ma'am. We have an array of light pistols, medium pistols, heavy pistols, SMG's, assault rifles, shotguns, sniper rifles, rocket launchers, and missile launchers, along with all the respective ammo, and a sufficient number of light, medium, and heavy armor. We are properly stocked at the moment."

"LT Cortez, what is the status of our logistics command?"

"Ma'am." At the moment, we have no supply logistics problems. On the planet Benning, we acquired a MAKO and an Alliance gunship. Our compliment at the moment is Feron's ship, one Alliance shuttle, one MAKO, and one Alliance gunship."

"Dr. Chakwas, what is the status of our medical facilities?"

"Commander, we are fully stocked and ready for any and all emergencies."

"Engineer Adams, what is the status of our engines?"

"Ma'am. Our engines are running at peak performance."

"Garrus, what is the status of the main guns?"

"Commander, the main guns are fully calibrated and running at peak performance."

"General Javik, "How was the war conducted in your cycle?"

"Commander, when I was born, the protheans were in the final stages of the war against the Reapers. The Reapers came through the mass relay on the Citadel, wiping out the central government. From the Citadel, the Reapers divided and conquered planet system after planet system. In my part of the cycle, the Prothean Empire was splintered and we were fighting from city to city to maintain control. Indoctrination was rampant and there was no way of telling friend from foe."

"Do you recall if the cycles before you had the same government system or different?"

"I am a soldier, Commander, not a historian, but what history I remember from the echo shard shows the government structure was the same. If I may inquire, what is the significance of the government system?

"Only this, General, the Reapers have fighting strategies against one central government. This cycle is different. There is a Citadel council, but each respective government is autonomous unto itself. The Reapers are use to the same, not different, and that might give us an edge, a very slight edge, but an edge I want to exploit."

"Liara, any more information on the Crucible?"

"No, Commander. I have no updates since the schematics were sent to Admiral Hackett."

Tabitha looked around the group, "Before ending this meeting, does anyone have anything else to add?"

Nervously, Traynor raised her hand. Smiling, Tabitha responded, "Traynor, you do not have to raise your hand. What do you have for us?"

Clearing her throat and stuttering slightly, Traynor began, "I picked up a distress call from Grissom Academy before this meeting. A Turian destroyer replied to the distress call."

Smiling Tabitha replied, "That's good."

Traynor continued, "True, but I noticed something different about the reply. Upon further investigation, I determined the signal matched one from a Turian destroyer which destroyed a Collector ship. The same…"

Tabitha finished, "The same fake signal used to lure us to the Collector ship. You think this is a Cerberus ruse, Traynor?"

Traynor thought for a moment before replying, "Yes, Ma'am, I do."

"Then let's go check it out. I don't want the students at the Grissom Academy falling into Cerberus hands. Joker, set course for Grissom Academy, top speed."

Over the intercom, Joker responded, "Yes, Commander."

Tabitha looked to everyone, "Meeting adjourned." Catching the Primarch's attention, "Primarch, please wait one moment." Putting a hand on EDI's arm, she said, "EDI, please step over here."

Once EDI and Tabitha had moved away from everyone, Tabitha stated authoritatively, "EDI, I understand your sentience and thinking for yourself, but if you ever pull another stunt like you did while I was on Menae without consulting with me or asking permission, I will pull the plug on you myself. You jeopardized the ship, the crew, and the mission. You are a member of my crew and I am your commanding officer. Do I make myself clear?"

EDI saw resolution in the ocean colored eyes and set facial features as she replied, "Yes, Ma'am."

A smile came to Tabitha's face as she clapped EDI on the shoulder, "Good, now let's go rescue some students."

Walking over to the Primarch, "Primarch Victus, I have a request."

"Yes, Commander."

"Garrus has a father and sister still on Palaven. I would like for you to use your resources to get them off the planet."

"You know I cannot do that, Commander."

Stepping closer, voice betraying her emotions, Tabitha beseeched, "Please, Primarch Victus. Garrus is family as I consider all aboard the Normandy family or friends. All I ask is for you to try."

Seeing the affection openly displayed Victus stated, "I will do what I can, "turning and walking away.

Tabitha felt Thane's presence shift from the shadows, "That is why I love you so much, Siha."

As Tabitha took Thane's hand in his, she spoke with passion, "I will not become my father, Thane, I cannot. If we lose our compassion toward family and friends…toward others, we become the enemy."