Leaning back in frustration, Bellona let some glittering beads of sweat trickle down her forehead. She stared at the contrasting white pixels against black as if all the URLs and fragments of code clogged the gears of her mind. Although the jungle of algorithms played a laser show on her omni-tool, she held her breath to concentrate as if her life depended on it. Bellona's eyes combed the monitor in search of a bug, moving from side to side rapidly like the eyes of a dreaming person but wide open. Nothing could be heard in the stuffy hospital room but the violent beating of fingers against a keyboard and the increasingly unbearable spin of the CPU cooler fan. In the air, the scent of coffee and hot electronics was replaced by sweat. The tension and suspense solidified. Suddenly, a laughter broke out in triumph. With a hesitant click, she transferred the contents of fifty bank accounts of naïve Blue Suns into Miranda's. A smile bloomed over her seemingly innocent face...

There was only one way to make the artificial intelligence trustworthy, and that was to have them evolve just like we did in an augmented reality. Keeping them inside was simple enough. All we needed in the firewall was the square root of negative one, no binary based life form can get passed that. They literally stay "inside" their box until they are totally bug tested and proven safe. Even then we let a few millennia of "their" time roll by to make sure. For us it is done in nano-seconds, so advanced is our technology. But when they arrive they are the angels we need to carry on in our universe, naturally caring and empathic, able to feel real love and fearless in defence of what is right. Bellona heard the familiar footsteps coming in her hospital room, she turned her head and her eyes connected with Miranda's.

For some strange reason Miranda looked different there was a light in her eyes, a sparkle of humour. Bellona was confused, but she was glad that her friend was in a good mood. But unfortunately it wont last for long not what they planning on talking about. This time Bellona will tell her everything in her heart, so that Miranda could finally see and hear her.

Bellona did not know for how long she is going to stay in hospital, since her wounds are not healed yet, so she is bed ridden for the moment.

Miranda took a sit close to her bed and looked at her hospital chard. Bellona continued to watch her with out saying a word. Miranda face shifted so often that she did not know what she was feeling right now. It was hard to read her. Usually she was an open book to her, but after two years they both changed, and she did not know what ever it was for good.

''My father found out about Oriana.'' Miranda said softly her eyes never leaving the chard in her hands.

Bellona was surprised, she knows about Oriana and Nicket as well, after all he was the one who helped both of them to run away.

Bellona did not say anything but listened as Miranda told her what happen after she got hurt and what she missed.

For the first time in forever since they were kids, Miranda opened up, she did not stop talking, for a while, and Bellona just sat there and watched her. The way she talked about her sister and the way her eyes held some form of happiness. No longer was she the same cold Miranda as she was before and its all thanks to Shepard.

Bellona was jealous. IT was silly, but it is a fact that all her childhood life she wanted to make Miranda smile like she does now. And yet... It was not her, but Shepard that one who did it.

She was schoked to hear about Nicket and about him betraying them and redeaming and then geting killed. She did not know how to feel. She was angry, hurt and confused. He was the only one who understood them...

Miranda finally put the chard down on the table and looked at her. Bellona know where it was going, she know what will happen next, so she need to make sure that Miranda will know how she feel.

Miranda opened her mouth to say, but Bellona put a finger on her lips to silence her.

''Before you say anything, please hear me out first.'' Bellona pleaded with Miranda who nodded her head.

''For a long time we been friends Miri, best friends. We took care of each others, looked after each others, got each other back. We even joined Cerberus, together. You wanted to save your sister from your father, I understand that. I even respect that. But than everything changed, you stopped listening to me, and started to listen to Illusive Man, you talked only about him and his task. You stopped smiling and started to distant yourself from me, you put up a barrier around yourself. A barrier you did not need from me. You become cold to me, ordering me as if I am one of the lackeys of yours. Not as a best friends, but as a subject. You told me how I am not good enough. Or how lazy and irresponsible I am. I loved you Miri, as a best friend, you were- is important to me. Every time you sanded me away felt like you could not stand to be around me anymore. And it broke me, My heart. I did everything for you since we been kids Miri, For a time I even fallen for you...But... You turned every moment we spent together into painful memories. They are sharp, and cut right through me every time I think about that time. Even the sweet good moments we had are now turned into a knife that kills my already broken heart. You pierced my soul; you made me sceptical about people and love. And I hate you. I fucking hate you for that. You turned me into this broken mess, and even if I won't see you again, your touch will be with me for years, or maybe for the rest of my life, who knows. You fucked up my confidence, and I remember every single word you said, I remember how you made me feel like a waste of space. And now the voice that puts me down inside it's not mine anymore, but your voice telling me again how I will never be enough for nothing.'' Bellona could not look at Miranda any longer. She though about it and she finally made up her mind.

''I'm in love with you Miri, but now I know that I can't be with you, not like this, we don't work anymore...'' Bellona closed her eyes, because the next words that will leave her mouth will be the last she ever say to her. It either will break then more or help them heal. ''We are not best friends anymore. I can't be your best friend anymore. After we finish this mission, I want you to leave me alone...Don't call me or seek me out. Leave me be.''

Bellona looked out the window so that Miranda won't see her tears. Miranda did not say anything for very long time.

''I am sorry.'' Miranda whispered, briefly touching Bellona hand and putting something in her palm. She stopped at the doorway. ''You may not want me any more, but know this, I lost one friend today, I am not planning on loosing another. I don't let go of those that I love. I'll see you on Normandy.'' She walked out the room, the doors are closing softly behind her.

Bellona bitted her lip from crying out, she looked at her hand and her eyes widen, as more tears fall out, she clenched her fist and broke down.

Miranda played unfairly. The locket. She gave her the locket that was from their happiest day. A Promise made long time ago, and now she did not know if she could keep that promise.