Shepard rolled her shoulders as she walked out the elevator. Although her conversation with Traynor had gone extremely well, Shepard had hid her rage from her. Someone had messed with her lover. That wasn't going to get past her easily. The commander was more determined than ever before to find out just who exactly was this McNally.

She looked back to when she recruited him a few months ago at the Citadel. He had been helping out with refugees and when he caught wind that the Normandy had docked, he sprung at the chance to join. He seemed fresh off boot camp, still with that innocence of a man not experienced in war and death.

Guess it was all a facade to get in. But why? Time to find out.

The observation deck doors swooshed open, the sight of McNally sitting on a chair with his hands tied back and Williams looming over greeted the Alliance commander.

"Report, LT?"

"This guy's quieter than a mouse. Won't say a word to me." Ashley responded.

"Cat got your tongue, Reynard? C'mon, you're not getting out of this one. It'll be easier if you-"

A low chuckle interrupted the redhead. "Do you really believe you have a chance at stopping the Reapers?"

"Well, with your help, no." Shepard replied sardonically. "Who do you really work for? Cerberus?"

"Who else?"

"What does the Illusive Man want from Samantha?"

Another chuckle. "He knows she's your weak spot. He wanted to exploit that. You are his prime target, after all. Don't you see Cerberus is the only way to survive from the Reapers? You've spoken to them before from what I know. You must see the benefits."

Shepard's hands clenched. "The only benefit I see is tearing out your-"

"Jane," Ashley interrupted. "Keep a level head, yeah?"

"Ash, this guy is fucking Cerberus. He's lucky if I kill him quickly."

"Shepard, I hate them as much as you, but-"

The woman in question grabbed McNally by his uniform's collar, gripping the fabric tightly with her two hands, her face mere inches from the man's smug look. "Listen to me, you little shit. Cerberus may think that they're winning, but they are sadly mistaken. If you're their attempt at a double agent, they need to up the ante on their little game. Now you tell Mr. Illusive Shit-Face to back off from us unless he wants a bullet between his eyes, which I will gladly grant him."

She let him go, red scars glowing fiercely. Scars left from this self-serving organization that feigned wanting what's best for humanity. Cerberus is going to fucking pay.

"What do I do with him, Shep?" Ashley asked, shifting in place at the sight of her comrade's fiery red scars.

"Tie him up and throw him in the cargo deck. Get James to keep an eye on him. He could use a new punching bag."

The lieutenant began dragging the double agent out. "You can't win, Shepard!" He yelled. "Cerberus will see to the Reaper threat!"

The red head crossed her arms over her chest, breathing heavily. Perhaps if Ashley had not been in the room, she might have done some questionable things to that filth of a man. A voice in the back of her head reminded her that Sam was her priority now, and would have to do whatever it took to keep her safe.

"You can't be serious." The thick London accent remarked. "That's insane!"

"Sam, please understand how I feel about this right now. That guy was after you. Cerberus is after you, to get to me. It's the only way I can keep you safe."

"Locking me up in the ship with a guard isn't going to help me, Jane. You can't do that."

"I can make it an order." Shepard said calmly, straightening.

Traynor's jaw nearly hit the floor. "You're pulling rank, now? Shepard, it was just a hack. You're overreact-"

Like a feral cat, Shepard pounced, landing a fierce kiss on the woman. She poured every single worry, care, and love into the kiss, breathing heavily through her nose, limbs trying to keep the darker woman as close to her as possible. She slid her tongue into Sam's mouth, eliciting something between a surprised and enthusiastic sound from the communications specialist. Shepard clawed at Sam's back before pulling away, breathing heavily.

"Sam..." Shepard breathed. "I've lost so many things, so many people. Mindoir, Virmire, the Citadel, the old Normandy. You're all I have. This war has always driven me crazy, since it first started back at Eden Prime. Ever since I met you, when you walked in my cabin that day, stumbling over your words, I wanted you. I just knew. You're beautiful, smart, talented. You're all this poor soldier has. I just want to protect you. That's I all want."

Samantha seemed lost in Shepard's eyes, eyes that seemed to only enforce the truth behind the commander's words. "I... I don't know what to say to that. I'm bloody speechless right now."

"That tends to happen a lot to you, doesn't it?" A small, playful smile grew on Shepard.

"Shut up." Sam whispered, landing a soft slap on Shepard's arm. A moment passed. "You're all I have as well. This war is crazy. Everything that's happened is crazy. But I remember who's fighting the bad guys, and I feel a whole lot better. Sometimes I also want to lock you up in the ship and not let you go to your missions. Silly, isn't it? I don't even have the rank to pull that off. The galaxy would be pretty screwed if I did that, too. I worry about you, Shepard. Locking you up isn't going to solve anything. Locking me up won't either. We just have to beat Cerberus."

"You're right, as usual. I need to deal with Cerberus. And I will. Right now, however, I just want to stay here with you."

AN: Wow, my writing has gone slightly downhill. I need to practice more.

Anyway, I'm still wondering whether to continue this or not. But for now, this is it. The end. Fin. Extra cheesy at the end, just for y'all. Hope you enjoyed it. If not, please tell me. Really. I need critique. :)