Season's greetings everyone! First off, I want to say another thank you for everyone following, favoriting, and reviewing this story. Another thing: I'm going to do weekly updates starting today, that way I can work on this story, and on the Adrian Dawn story arc. I'm also going to start another fic with a new character, so I'll be brainstorming on that which will take up some of my writing time.

Anyway, here is the next chapter for Spade. For those wanting to see some Shepard and Adrian scenes this is the chapter for you. Enjoy :)

Chapter 7: Debriefing

Eden POV

We just finished the debrief after recruiting Liara T'Soni, and I just finished my transmission with the Council. I stood in the center of the room, my mind trapped with the memory of Adrian pushing me out of the way, and taking the Warp field. At first I was angered, but after seeing his face, and his injuries, I felt guilty. If I was watching the Krogan, I could've stopped him from launching the Warp. But I didn't see it, and because of it, Adrian received pretty grave wounds.

I've heard of Biotic Scarring, but never seen it before. The blue scars started at the chest, riddling his torso, and the cutting down his arms. I knew he was hurting, but when he took of the armor, the scars started to take its toll. His screams sent shivers down my back. I caused that pain. I was careless.

The door opened. Cadet Tiffany Smith walked in, holding a datapad. She was an assistant for Dr. Chakwas, and from what the doctor told me, she was pretty good. She had a degree in Psychology and like Chakwas, she was pretty good with Alien physiology. She walked towards me, and saluted. I nodded.

"Commander. Dr. Chakwas sent me to get you. She has information in regards to Mr. Dawn's health. Also, she ordered me to give you the report on his psyche reading." I felt my heart drop, and I was nervous. I told Chakwas that I need a psyche reading on Adrian. I need to know what it is that drives him, and what would cause him to risk his life. I've never met an assassin that was willing to risk his life like that.

"Let's hear it." Tiffany took a breath. I read her file and this was her first military operation. She was nervous but she always gave it her all. It was refreshing in a way. She looked at her datapad, pressing a few keys.

"Adrian Dawn. Normally he is a casual character. Sincere enough to not disrespect anyone, but isn't a push over. He isn't scared to say what is on his mind, and he would sometimes answer serious questions with humor or sarcasm. He would probably drive politicians like Udina crazy." I couldn't help but smile. Seeing Udina trying to give a speech and Adrian just firing back with sarcasm.

"However, after that he goes downhill. He tends to shut himself when asked about his past, especially the past seven years. At first he would be open, almost happy, but when he gets further in the subject, his mood changes. He seems emotionally hurt, saddened even. I think he regrets ever being an assassin in the first place. He also express loss. He was comfortable with his parents deaths, so I'm assuming that it is something more recent. Aside from that, he shows signs of rapid eye movement. I asked about any dreams he may be having, but he would just brush it off like nothing happened. Whatever he has gone through, it is taking a toll on him."

I was hoping it would be better than that. I'll have to make the point of talking with him after I've talked with Chakwas.

"Good work Smith. Go get some rest. And if you can, keep an eye on him and let me know if anything happens." She smiled and saluted. I returned the gesture and headed towards the medbay. Dr. Chakwas was sitting at her desk. I noticed Adrian wasn't in a cot. Must be in his room.

"Doctor. What is Adrian's condition?" The doctor looked up at me, and then stood up. She too had a datapad in her hand.

"Commander. Adrian is doing fine. He went to his room a few minutes ago." I nodded. Well at least he is doinh something.

"There is one problem Commander." Oh no. "He has reached the second stage of Biotic Burning." That doesn't sound good.

"What is Biotic Burning?"

"I expected you never heard of it. Being a Biotic yourself, your body will absorb any mass effect fields without harm. However, for those who are not, the case is far more severe. Biotic Burning is when mass effect fields make physical contact with an organic being. Warp fields are normally the initial cause." I gulped. A little bit of me screamed that I just doomed Adrian.

"What is Adrian's case?" Chakwas looked at her datapad. She had a conflicted look.

"He will survive, as long as he doesn't take any more shots. However, he will be in pain. He will experience intensive burning sensations. Luckily, we will know when the scars start to glow. Like you flaring your biotics. If the burning intensifies he can collapse. Thankfully, I have a serum that will dull the pain, however, we will need to make a requisition order for more."

I sighed in relief knowing that he wasn't completely lost. "Another thing Commander. If you, or any other touch him, you biotic's will flare slightly. I've never seen anything like it. Tiffany, who is an L3 like yourself, lightly grazed him and her hand lit up for a few moments. It doesn't harm him, but it could be something to be mindful of." That is interesting.

"Thank you Doctor. And, next time we are at the Citadel, I will place an order for the serum." Chakwas nodded, and sat back down. I turned and left the medbay, heading to the grounds team quarters. As I passed through the door not really paying attention, then bumped into something hard. I steadied myself, and noticed small blues wisps of energy around my arms. They danced slightly in the air, but then vanished. I heard a sigh, causing me to look up. It was Adrian. I tried not to gasp. He wasn't wearing his jacket so his arms were exposed. Blue scars, which looked more like tearing, riddled his arms. They tore through to his wrists and hands. My guilt only deepened.

"You okay Shepard? I didn't mean to bump into you like that," he said. He sounded exhausted. Probably a side effect of the serum, or burns. I tried to smile, hoping that it could help. He gave me a tired smile back.

"I'm fine. I was actually, on my way to see how you were holding up." His smile faded, and he looked around. Some of the crew that was off duty were around. So were some of the ground team. Some were staring at him, or his scars.

"If you don't mind, I rather not talk here. I was going to get something to eat and head back to my room." Speaking of food, I felt my stomach growl. Being a biotic, I burn energy a lot quicker than most organics. Eating didn't sound like a bad idea.

"Mind if I join you?" He smiled and nodded. We got our food, and then headed to his room. I caught some stares from the crew. Mainly from Kaidan and Liara. I felt kind of bad in part that Kaidan asked to have lunch together, but Adrian is hurt. And it was my fault. We walked into his room, he moved some items away. His helmet, some datapads, and clothes. He pulled the chair out for me, waited till I was seated, and sat on his bed. He extended his legs, and had his back to the wall. I smiled. He looked like a kid in college at the dorm. Being a dork myself, I got up and sat on the opposite side of the bed. Leaning against the wall, and crossed my legs for my food tray. He chuckled.

At first we ate in silence. It felt good getting some food in my stomach, but the silence was awkward. Adrian would sometimes shift, but other than that he was silent. I felt heavy, and eventually I couldn't take this silence any more.

"I'm sorry about Therum," I said. He raised an eyebrow and frowned in confusion. Not having a clue on what to really say, but I had to say something. "I'm sorry that I'm the reason you got hurt. If I was paying attention you wouldn't have to push me out of the way. But... Because of my recklessness, you paid for it. I'm sorry Adrian." There it is. If he is willing to except it than great. If he wants me to leave, then so be it.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Shepard." I looked at him with surprise. "I knew what I was doing when I pushed you. Yeah, probably not the smartest thing, but I did it anyway. If anything, I should apologize for making you feel this way." His voice was sincere. I was surprised.

"You don't have to apologize either." I couldn't help but chuckle. "I guess I owe you one." He gave me a sly smile.

"Well there is a way you could repay me." I raised an eyebrow and he chuckled. "Seeing that you know my first name, how about honoring me with yours?" I smiled.

"Fair enough. Eden. Eden Shepard." He grinned.

"Eden... that is a very beautiful name." They way he said my name, with that accent, made my heart flutter a little bit. I couldn't help but smile even more. I took a few more bites of my food. My mind was thinking over what Tiffany and Chakwas said. Then I remembered the initial incident.

"Adrian, I have to ask. Why did you push me? Why take the hit?" He looked at me for a moment. He placed his tray on the nightstand and shifted to probably make himself comfortable. He took a moment, probably trying to find a way to answer.

"It was mainly impulse. I've seen people, good people, killed because of a similar attack. I couldn't let that happen again." I looked away, noticing some of the scars had slightly formed on his neck. He said "again".

"What happened? The first time." He looked down, and took a breath.

"It was during a job. Before, I worked with a squad, similar to the one you formed up. I and two friends were hired to take out an Asari matron who was leading a slaving business. Big credits were involved. At first the job was going smoothly, everything was going to plan, until..."

"Until...?"

He sighed, and got up. "Someone tipped the target off. We were made, and then Eclipse mercs surrounded us. We only had one biotic, Stephanie, but she was no match for a squad of former commandos. I and my other teammate, Robert, tried to fend them off. Unfortunately, one of the mercs managed to get around us. She charged a massive Warp field and launched it on Robert." He paused, leaning forward on his desk. "Robert didn't make it. The blast killed him within seconds. There was nothing I could've done to save him."

I felt saddened. It was like he was blaming himself. "You sound like you are to blame for his death." He looked at me, his expression was blank.

"I was careless. My main concern was finishing the job. Never did I think about my squad mates, and because of that they are all dead. So yeah, I blame myself."

I set my food tray aside and sat up. I walked to him, and placed my hand on his shoulder. A light blue flame started to dance on my hand. "It isn't your fault. You are alive, and I'm sure your friend Robert will want you to live your life not regretting his death." He looked at my hand, and slight smile formed.

"He would want me to leave the business. But, your right. Robert always said that he would rather die during a fight then in a hospital." He turned, causing me to bring my hand back. "Thanks Eden." He chuckled. "That was the first time I ever talked about my past missions. Especially ones involving my squad mates. It was refreshing." I smiled, and went back to my seat and finish my food. I was a slow eater. Adrian also went back to his spot on the bed. After his story, the air was a little sad. I felt bad but also closer to who Adrian really was. He was a mystery to me. Maybe some general questions can help me in my cause.

"We should change the topic. Mind if I ask you some questions?" I asked. He gave me a questioning look.

"I just gave a heart wrenching story, and you want to interrogate me?" He asked. That caused me to laugh for a bit.

"No, not like that. I just want to get to know you. Out of the entire crew, you are a mystery. And I want to solve it." He laughed.

"Alright then. But instead of you asking the questions, we switch off."

"Fair enough." I placed my tray down, finally finished. I started thinking of what to ask, causing me to place my finger on my lips. Adrian started to chuckle. I can't help it if I act like a kid at times, and with Adrian it was easy. He was able to bring that out somehow.

"Okay, what is your favorite color?"

"Between Green and Blue, but out of the two, I prefer Green."

"Really? Green would have to be mine." He smiled, and his eyes reached mine. Wait? My eyes are green. And he is looking at my eyes. Does he like my eyes? The thought caused my cheeks to redden. Crap, I can't think like that.

"Alright, my turn. Favorite music?" Oh, that's a good one.

"I really don't have a favorite. What about you?" He smiled and leaned towards his night stand. He pushed a key on his holo-clock, and I could hear what sounded like blues rock.

"A mix of Blues and Jazz. This is one of my favorite bits from the twentieth century. It is Eric Clpaton Driftin' Blues." I listened to it. The guitar was amazing. At one point we just sat in silence, listening to the music. It was really calming for some reason. After a bit, Adrian started to air guitar, his movements as if he was playing the guitar. I giggled, it was kind of cute. He noticed, and stopped scratching the back of his neck.

"Sorry. I sort of get into the music at times. Mom always had music play in the house when I was a kid. Sometimes we would just stop what we were doing and just start dancing with the beat. She also got me a guitar when I was young. Loved playing music. It's a way to see how a person feels. A way to communicate without words"

"Sounds like music is a passion for you." He chuckled.

"Maybe. I do miss my guitar, though. I left it at home. Uncle probably sold it."

"Well that isn't right, I would love to hear you play."

"Yeah? Well, maybe after this is all over and I'll get myself a guitar I'll play you a song sometime. My treat." His smile made me smile. It was really contagious.

"It's a date then," I said with a jokingly tone. Still, it would be fun. Adrian chuckled.

"Don't tempt me Eden. I may be a cold blooded assassin, but I do know how to charm someone that peaks my interest." Well with that accent yeah. At this point the song changed to another blues rock song. The guitar sent a chill down my spine. Adrian looked at me with a curious look. "Can you dance Eden?" Oh no. Now I felt embarrassed.

"No. I don't think I'm very good anyway." He chuckled, and stood up

"Come on Eden. We all have a beat in us." I laughed a little.

"If that's the case, then I guess I haven't found my beat then." He waved his hand.

"Nah, it's there alright, you just haven't matched yourself with its pace." I smiled. He is defiantly from the Big Easy, especially with that attitude. I was going to reply but my omnitool went off. Checking it, I noticed the message was from Anderson. It was marked urgent and that I should call him when available. I sighed, I was really enjoying this time with Adrian.

"Well, I have to get back to my duties. It was fun though." He gave me an understanding look and nodded. I smiled. I picked up my tray and also took his since I was heading out. He stood up and walked me out of his room. I turned to look at him and he smiled.

"It was fun. We should make this a regular thing."

"Good for the heart right. How did you say it? C'est bon pour le coeur?" He chuckled.

"Oui, c'est bon pour le coeur. Good night Eden. Sleep well." He closed his door. I could hear the music turn up a little louder. I headed for the mess hall, and then back to work. All with a little smile on my face.

Well there you have it my friends. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did. A few days ago I recieved a PM asking what Adrian's personal skills are. Well, the music scene is should be a huge indicator on what that is.

Anyway, I hope you all have an amazing week. And until next time (And in the words of Shepard and Garrus)

I should go. I'm in the middle of some calibrations.