I am back! Yay!

Backpacking was amazing, although the Italian train system is like pulling train times out of a hat, and we were pretty sure we were going to get murdered at the last hostel we went to, talk about a reincarnation of the shining building... we even had twins girls next door to us...Freaky stuff.

Thanks for all the reviews, favourites, follows and PM'S, I am really glad you guys like the fic! Hope you like the rest of it!

Please leave a review, tell me what you think, if you loved it, hated it, want to burn it in the fiery depths of hell so it would never see the light of day again, I am not fuss, I like criticism. :P

Next chapter up soon!

Enjoy. J

Chapter 10: The Pirate Queen and the Cheerleader

They arrived on Omega with a few hours to spare, the station was exactly how she had remembered it, dark, seedy and corrupt. As Shepard stepped into the station and into the long corridor, she was instantly hit with the stale smell of rotting garbage.

"Now I know why I've never come here." Ashley said, screwing up her face as she the smell invaded her nostrils.

"What's the matter LC. This place is where it's at!" Came James's response.

"It smells like feet." Ashley answered, the tones in her voice seeming unimpressed and disgusted.

Shepard's Omni tool beeped, the location of Miranda clearly flashing on the holographic projection on her forearm.

"We're gonna have to get a cab." Shepard said, she felt a smile cross her face at the fearful expressions on her team-mates faces. She knew she was not the best driver in the world...or galaxy... but she wasn't that bad.

As the three soldiers approached the main doors of the station, they were stopped by a familiar Baterian blocking the entrance.

"Bray." Shepard said happily. He was really the only Baterian she liked…or maybe it was because he was the only Baterian that didn't want her dead.

"Shepard." He nodded respectfully, taking Shepard's hand in his own and shaking it firmly.

"Aria wants to see you." He said, his voice firm.

"Can it wait? I'm in the middle of something."

"You already know the answer to that Shepard. Get a move on."

Afterlife was just as sordid as she remembered, if not, more so. The thunderous music made the club shake with its constant obscure beat, the garish lighting flashing to the pulsating rhythm that seemed to cause an uncomfortable pounding in Shepard's chest. She noticed the Asari strippers dancing on the high podiums, their body's moving suggestively to the music. She also noticed the increase of guards, littered about the club, watching her as she walked passed.

Making her way to where the 'Queen of Omega' sat, Shepard felt a sudden feeling of Déjà vu wash over her. Her mind momentarily flashing to the kiss she 'shared' with the dangerous Pirate Queen.

She pushed the thoughts aside, rounding the corner that lead towards Aria's perch.

The Asari rose from her seat, taking two long strides towards the armoured Commander. Shepard sighed as she climbed the three stars that lead to the balcony. Leaving James and Ashley behind her, the two soldiers staring down the guards that blocked their way.

"What do you want Aria. I'm busy."

Aria glared at Shepard, a look of annoyance on her face. The look was quickly replaced by an expression of malice and lust.

"Is that any way to treat on old friend Shepard?"

"We are not friends Aria."

"Trying to hurt my feelings Shepard?" She said with a chuckle, looking to human up and down. "We haven't seen each other since you become the galaxy's savour…again. Allow me a few pleasantries" Aria said sarcastically, stepping closer to the Commander. "By the way, I really love what you've done to your face." She exclaimed, running a cruel finger down Selena's scarred cheek.

"I always found women with scars so much more appealing."

Selena's jaw tightened.

"Get to the point Aria." She said through gritted teeth. "I don't have time for your games."

"Stop pretending you don't enjoy my company Shepard." Aria said, a wicked smile tugging at her lips. She leaned in looking up at the Commander with dark eyes. Her body, pressing against think metal of her armour. "I'm the only one that can make you squirm." She whispers. Despite her best efforts, Shepard shifted slightly on her feet, causing the Pirate Queen to chuckle cruelly. Moving away, Aria posture become ridged.

"There is nothing that goes on, in this station that I don't know about."

Shepard narrowed her eyes.

"What are you talking about Aria?"

"Your Cerberus defector has arranged a meeting with Grokira Daral. I don't know what you're up to Shepard, but Daral's a dangerous son of a bitch." Aria's expression suddenly turned angry, her biotics flaring threateningly as she stepped closer. Shepard could see Ashley and James reach for their weapons.

"If you start a war on my station Shepard…I will kill you. Is that understood?" The Asari flared her nostrils, showing her teeth. Shepard simply smiled, unaffected by the display of dominance. Leaning forward, she gave Aria a sideways glance, a smirk tugging at her lips as she moved her face just inches away from the Matriarchs.

"Perfectly."

She could feel the anger radiating from the Asari as she turned, leaving the ''throne room' without so much as a second glace. Aria might have been one of the few people that could get under her skin, but Selena knew that she had just the same effect on the Pirate Queen.

They arrived at their destination at exactly 2200 hours, a distinctly gloomy shipping yard in one of Omega's factory districts. Shepard approached the open terrain with caution, her two trusted companions, covering her flank.

"Something about this doesn't feel right Ma'am." Ashley's voice sounded quietly beside her, James grunted in agreement.

"Copy that. Keep your eyes open." Shepard replied, squinting through the hazy darkness of her surroundings. As they rounded the corner, Shepard caught sight of Miranda, her white and black uniform standing out against the smoky darkness that covered the yard. She turned, smiling tightly.

"There you are. Quick, hands behind your back, they are almost here." She ordered, Shepard dropped her gun, glaring at the dark haired women.

"What the hell are you talking about Miranda?"

She raised her gun once more, her finger twitching on the trigger.

"The only way I could arrange this meeting was to tell Daral I had captured the great Commander Shepard."

Shepard's hands tightened around her gun.

"What does he want with me?"

Miranda sighed, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Apparently, you'll fetch a very pretty price in the slave market. Enough to set Daral up for a very long time."

Miranda looked towards the door in the far corner of the yard, a worried expression crossing her flawless face.

"We don't have much time Commander. You're just going to have to trust me."

Shepard was silent for a moment, dark lines creasing her forehead. She clenched her jaw, before dropping her gun.

"Fine."

"Commander." Both James and Ashley argued at the same time, anger and worry filling their voices.

"Both of you get to cover." She ordered. "James, I want you on the ground, Ashley, get somewhere high. Use your Viper."

"Ma'am-" Ashley began to argue, Shepard turned sharply.

"That's an order Williams!"

James moved to cover as Ashley stood her ground, staring up at Shepard with a defiant expression, Shepard started her down. The younger Spectre's eyes faulted as she moved her eyes towards Miranda.

"I hope you know what you're doing."

Alex shifted uncomfortably in the elevator, her hands nervously playing with the data-pad in her hands. She tapped her foot impatiently as the elevator slowly ascended towards the 'loft,' as so many people on the ship had taken to calling it.

She inhaled, letting a shuddering breath escape her lips as the metal box stopped and suddenly, her legs felt like stone, glued to the floor as she stared at the glowing green lock on the door in front of her.

"Ma'am." Her escort's voice made her jump. She had momentarily forgotten he was there. "Do you need to see the Commander or not Ma'am?"

His voice was harsh for such a young solider, a hint of suspicion and dislike lacing his voice. Alex ignored it, licking her lips and stepping out of the elevator. The young solider followed her. Moving to the side of the Commanders door.

"You have five minutes. The Commander is a very busy women."

Alex shook her head, annoyed at the soldier's rude tone. Taking a deep breath, she pressed a shaking hand to the glowing green lock. The doors opened with a quiet hiss. Revealing a large tidy room. The first thing Alex noticed was the glass case filled with model ships.

A feeling of nostalgia filled her chest, Shepard had always loved building those silly little ships, taking hours putting them together, painting them with intricate detail then hanging them from her bedroom ceiling.

"Can I help you?" A voice pulled her back to the present, Alex jumped, the voice making her turn towards the bathroom.

"Oh." She said surprised. "Dr T'Soni, I was not aware you were here." Alex said, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. The Asari looked at her with a calculating expression.

"I do sleep here." She stated flatly, moving past the human and towards the black leather sofa near the bed. Alex followed her, aware she had already overstayed her welcome.

"Do you know where I can find Sele…the Commander?" Alex asked biting her lip, the Asari regarded her coolly.

"She's not here." Liara answered simply.

"Do you know where she is?" Alex questioned.

"Omega"

"Do you know when she'll be back?"

"No."

Alex was getting sick of the 'woman's' short answers, feeling her fist curl at her side

"I have some important information for her." Alex said through carefully contained anger. Holding out the data pad in her hands. Liara took a step towards the doctor, extending a long arm, palm facing upwards.

"I will make sure she gets it." Liara smiled tightly, her eyes never moving from the dark haired woman in front of her.

The human and the Asari glared at each other, the silence between them, disturbed only by the hum of the fish tank. Alex was the one to back down first, placing the data pad in Liar's outstretched hand.

"Make sure that she does." She said slowly. Liara snatched the data pad away, holding in between three slender fingers.

"Will that be all Dr Cater?"

Alex said nothing, her jaw clenched to tight to respond. Turning on her heel she headed towards the door. As she passed her escort, she could faintly see the amused smile plastered on his face, at the look she gave him, the smile faulted, returning to the stoic expression he'd worn before.

That Asari really was a bitch.

Shepard had a bad feeling about this. She felt naked, exposed…vulnerable. She hated feeling like this, she wasn't used to it. If felt strange to her, alien' but as she stood in the middle of the ship yard, no armour, no weapon, with her hands behind her back. She couldn't help but feel a wave of fear wash over her.

When Maranda had asked her to play captive, she had been more than a little cautious, but when the Ex Cerberus agent asked her to remove her armour, warning bells went off in her head. Her eyes darted to where her armour was stashed, the glint from James's rifle making her relax… but only a little.

"Care to let me in on your little plan Miranda." It was more of an order than a question. The woman behind her chuckled slightly.

"Don't worry Shepard. You'll be fine as long as you keep your mouth shut." Miranda said, stepping closer to her and gripping the Commanders arm a little too tightly.

"Are the restraints really necessary, I couldn't just pretend to be cuffed?"

"They'd noticed. Like I told you Shepard. It was the only way I could arrange a meeting with Daral. Once he gets here, your people can take out his men, capture him and interrogate him on the Normandy."

"Why do we want to capture him?" Shepard asked, unconvinced.

"He knows things, he knows where Cerberus is going to hit next, he knows the drop off points for the captives they use for experiments. Hell, maybe he knows just what Cerberus is up to."

"I don't know about you, but I don't think he is just going to tell us all his evil plans." Shepard spat back, Miranda's hand tightening around her arm.

"That's where interrogation comes in handy." The operative said shortly. "Now shut up, I hear voices"

The two women watched cautiously as a group of Baterian's approached, carrying with them, military grade weapons. There were at least six of them that walked behind another Baterian, heavily armoured in black and yellow armour. Shepard tried to control her breathing as she spotted the insignia painted on their chests. The same from the colony that was attacked days before, the same insignia that haunted her dreams each night.

The Baterian at the front of the group seemed to notice her shuddering intake of breath, stepping closer to the Commander and baring needle like teeth. He growled slightly.

"Well, Well, Well. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed it. The great Commander Shepard…in chains." Shepard fought the urge to turn her face away, the alien's putrid breath making her nostrils burn.

"You're not Daral" Miranda's voice made Shepard's eye twitch.

"Daral is busy." The Baterian said, never taking his eyes off Shepard. "I am Gorack, his second in command."

"I was expecting to deal with your boss." Miranda exclaimed, anger evident in her voice. She stepped forward slightly, letting go of Shepard's arm. The Baterian behind him rose their rifles. Miranda stopped, glaring daggers.

"Plans change." Gorack said, his voice stern. "Is that a problem?"

Miranda shook her head, stepping back to Shepard's side.

"Not at all. But you never can be too careful"

Gorack turned his attention back to Shepard, smiling nastily. His rancid breath once again evading her nostrils.

"Do you know how much Cerberus will pay for you?" He said, leaning forward threateningly.

"Probably enough for you to buy a life time supply of breath mints."

She regretted it the moment Gorack's heavily armoured fist connected with her soft unarmoured stomach. She grunted, bending over slightly at the impact. She could hear Miranda tut behind her.

She did tell you to keep your mouth shut.

"You will speak when spoken to." Gorack said, Shepard did not even try and hide the chuckle that escaped her lips.

"I was never really good at the whole, shutting up thing." She spat, challenging the Baterian with the unconscious squaring of her shoulders. Gorack's fist connected with her soft stomach once more, the force the punch making her momentarily fall to one knee. The Baterian bent down so he was level with Selena's face, his putrid breath stinging her eyes.

"We will see how quickly that will change when you're wearing a slave collar!"

Shepard narrowed her eyes, a hot feeling of rage boiling in the pit of her stomach.

"That's not going to happen." She said, then surged forward, head-butting the Baterian to the floor. Before his guards could react, they were on the floor in a lifeless heap.

"All tangos taken care of Ma'am." James voice greeted her through the radio in her ear, Shepard got to her feet, shaking her now aching head.

"A head-butt Shepard, really?" Maranda asked, removing the cuffs. The dark haired women shook her head in amusement, a small smile on her lips.

"You must have been a Krogan in a past life."

Please leave a review :)

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, more to come very soon. My spell check was not working on my laptop so please tell me if I have made any huge mistakes...or little mistakes.. I am not picky. :P

Next chapter up soon.