***Author's Note***

Hey, sorry it took so long :/ but like I said in the last chapter, I had stuff to do.

So to make up for it this is a super long chapter! :D

Hope you enjoy.

Thank you to Gamer072196!

Chapter 12 - Citadel

"Hey Kelly." Shepard put in coordinates for the Citadel and turned to the Yeoman. "How's it hangin'?"

She laughed and tucked her hair behind her hair. "I'm fine, commander. However, Garrus received some news that put a fire in his eyes. And I think you should check in on Thane." He nodded and made to leave for the elevator. "Also, you've received new messages at your private terminal."

He sighed. "You know, you could just say I have a message."

She shrugged. "I know. I also know how it annoys you when I don't."

He cocked his brow at her and moved to read the message.

Hey Shepard,

I'm on the Citadel. We should meet. I don't know if you got my last message and apology, but I hate how we left things on Horizon. I'd like to speak to you and get some things of my chest.

I'll leave it to you.

-Kaiden.

Shepard palmed his face. "Whhaaatttt..."

"Did you say something commander?"

He shook his head and read the next message.

Hey sweetie,

I'm glad you messaged me. Let me know when you're next on the Citadel and I'll try to be there.

Love mum.

He replied hastily with his ETA and hoped she would receive it in time. Now, on to business. Garrus first, then Thane and then Marie...

"Shepard, I'm glad you came by..." Shepard grinned as he let Garrus' voice surround him. "...I've got something." Yes, yes you do...shut up Shepard. "I may need your help. You remember Sidonis? The one who betrayed my team? I found a lead on him."

Garrus strolled past him and into the hallway that led onto the Mess. He lifted a gloved hand in greeting at the members of the crew and team who were stood there. Thane and Marie stood in the kitchen mixing mugs of tea, as was their custom, with Tali stood beside them as she went over some mods that Marie had developed for the teams shields. Miranda was sat at a table with a data pad before her, her brow screwed in thought. Grunt and Kasumi were comparing weapons.

"There's a specialist on the Citadel named Fade. He's an expert at helping people disappear."

"Where do we find him?"

"I've arranged a meeting. We'll meet him in a warehouse near the neon markets down on Zakera ward." He looked around before meeting Shepard's eyes again. "Thanks Shepard. I appreciate you taking the time to help me..."

Shepard pulled his hair into his hands. "Anytime, man."

"You didn't even question me...or anything." He began to walk back into the Main Battery.

"You don't have to explain anything to me. Unless, you know, you go out and kill the crew...or a load of innocents...or-"

"I get you Shepard." And the door shut between them.

"I'm glad." He knew Garrus could hear him.

The door for the Life Support room opened with a swoosh and Shepard let himself in. He amused himself with thoughts of catching Marie and Thane doing something...dirty. However, he was instantly let down when the smell of solder filled his nose.

He stepped around the wall and sighed.

Marie was sat at the desk as she soldered mods into a piece of Grunt's massive armor. The piece took the entire desk up and the small woman was barely visible behind it all. Her head was bopping as she worked and the sound of tinny music could be heard.

"Shepard."

Shepard nearly jumped out of skin as he noticed Thane for the first time since entering the room. He was sat with his legs folded beneath him on Marie's cot, hands clasped before him as usual. He took a cursory glance at Thane's cot and saw it piled high with various bits of the crews armor, including his own.

"Umm..." He looked back to Thane who had watched Shepard take in the scene. "Kelly said you wanted to see me, or something." He looked at Marie again would had yet to look up.

"Indeed." He climbed down of the cot and stood before the commander.

"Would you like to go somewhere private?" He gestured at the woman.

"No. She cannot hear us, she recently acquired some music she used to listen to on Earth and she listens to it as she works." A faint smirk was on the drell's lips.

"Yeah, about that. Why isn't she working in te cargo bay or engineering?"

"She likes to work alone." Shepard cocked his brow at Thane. Alone? "Barring myself, of course."

"Okay, whatever." He perched himself of the cot. "Is there something wrong?"

"Yes." He paused for a moment. "Now that you are here though, it seems more difficult to talk about it."

"Shit. Are you feeling sick? I could get the doctor, get you your own room?" He glanced at Marie who was still casually bopping her head and soldering wires.

Thane held his hands up. "No, no. Though I suppose that is a part of it. My mortality has me...dwelling on things." He turned to the shelves of mixed equipment; guns, medical supplies, ration bars, photographs of Marie's family. He gingerly put his green fingers onto a picture that contained just her siblings. "I had a family once. I still have a son-"

"What!?"

"Please, let me finish. His name is Kolyat, I haven't seen him for a very long time." He pulled his hand away from the pictures and settled them behind his back.

"How long has it been since you talked?"

"Ten years. He showed me some of his school work and asked if we could...dance crazy..." The pink of his cheeks and neck darkened. "We did that when he was younger."

That is so fucking adorable. "What sort of dance is that?" Shepard said with a slight chuckle.

"It's-" His eyes widened and Shepard could see the green of his irises clearly, his mouth was loose as a trance took him. "I look through my extranet contacts. I am expecting an update on my next target. Console plays music. Old. Unfashionable. Kolyat jumps into the room. "Father!" He runs around in circles. I scoop him up. Toss him into the air. He shrieks. Laughs. "Spin me!" The console beeps. I put him down. Click the message. "Father, please." Tugs my sleeve. "I need to read this." I said. I don't...look at him." His eyes shut and he bows his head. The sudden quiet of the room was unsettling. Shepard looked to Marie who had turned off her music and watched Thane with sad hazel eyes.

What do I say? "Umm, did something happen to them?"

"I abandoned them. Though...not all at once. Nothing dramatic, no sneaking out in the middle of the night, no final argument or slammed door. I just did my job, I hunted and killed across the galaxy. "Away on business." My wife would tell people. I was always...away on business."

"You've never mentioned this before. Why now?"

A rustle behind them signaled that Marie had decided to get up and leave. They watched her go and suddenly Shepard wished she hadn't left them alone. This is feeling awkward...

"When my wife departed from her body, I...tended to that issue. I left Kolyat in the care of his aunts and uncles. I have not seen him or talked to him since." Thane's eyes were still on the door that had shut behind his room-mate.

"That's not the choice I expected. Why didn't you raise him yourself?"

"My body is blessed with the skills to take life, the Hanar honed them in me. I have few others." He turned back to Shepard, his black eyes boring into his brown. "I didn't want that life for Kolyat, I hoped he would find his own way. If he hated me then so be it, he would not have shared this path of sin." He paused as the door opened again and Marie entered with a tray and three mugs. He smiled at her and took one as did Shepard who nodded his thanks. Wow, I really need this. "I used my contacts to trace Kolyat. He has become...disconnected. He does what his body wills."

Shepard paused as Marie climbed up beside him, her strength still wasn't the greatest but he was too slow to help her as Thane scooped her legs up and placed her beside him. "Thanks, I still have bad days." She smiled at them and waited for the conversation to continue.

"Are you sure you don't want to go somewhere private."

"I have already told Marie. She insisted after I "Ignored" her when I first learnt we were going to the Citadel a few hours ago."

"Is that where he is now? What's happened?"

"Something happened that should not have. He knows where I've been and what I have done. I do not know his reasons but, yes, he is on the Citadel and has taken a job as a hitman. I'd like your help to stop him...he is...this is not a path he should walk."

"Damn...you don't ire a raw rookie for a contract killing." Marie nodded along and sipped her tea.

"I'm afraid someone may have seen we share a name and assumed we share skills. I do not know why he would accept the task." He brought the mug to his lips with his brow furrowed and Shepard followed suit. The tea was floral with a hint of mint and very relaxing as Shepard felt some tension ease from his shoulders.

"To be closer to you maybe?" Marie asked.

Thane looked at her with piercing eyes. "That thought haunts me more than any other."

Marie sat in the cockpit with Joker and, surprisingly, Jack. The Citadel loomed above them as they came into dock and it was amazing.

She had been told many times by Thane and Shepard that the Citadel was nothing like Omega, and on the flip side, she had been told many times by Garrus and Jack that the Citadel was simply a pretty Omega. "You still have the corruption and the gangs, they're just hidden behind red tape." Garrus had said. But this time Marie was adamant that she would enjoy at least one place in this new life.

"Oi, Marie. There are some amazing clubs where girls like us can get good fucks and wasted!" Jack whooped.

"Girls like us, Jack?"

"Don't go all cheerleader on me. I see the way you look that drell up and down every time he walks by,"

Joker snorted but covered it up by leaning forward and flying his hands over the controls of the ship to bring them in smoothly.

"Thane's just a friend. And my room-mate!"

"Hmm, yeah always within reach for a good fuck."

"Jack!"

"Don't let him hear you say that you are 'just friends', you'll probably break his scaly heart."

"You're terrible, Jack."

"And don't I know it." She grinned widely at the bald woman who smirked back with her arms behind her head.

"Jack, Marie! Come on. Marie, I want you with me." Shepard hollered from the airlock.

"Yes, commander." Marie stood and walked over to Shepard, behind her Jack and Joker mocked with high-pitched "Yes, commanders." and flimsy salutes. "Oh, bite me."

"Hey, Marie!" Marie turned to Tali. "These armor mods are excellent!" The group nodded in agreement, even Jacob and Miranda gave reluctant affirmations. "Do you want to come with us? We're having a girly shopping spree..." Marie looked around at the girls gestured too. Jack was grinning with Kasumi who was flipping a credit chit, Tali stood with her hands on her hips and Samara looked on, accepting that she was to be involved in this. Kelly was practically vibrating with excitement. Miranda looked at the group of girls, longing and maybe a hint of sadness tinted her face. Damn.

The commander butted in. "Whoa whoa whoa! You lot spend enough of my money as it is! I don't need you getting Marie into bad habits." Marie sighed with relief, her eyes still on Miranda who was looking down at her hands. "Besides, Marie is on a top-secret mission with me."

The group looked up at the word mission, Thane's mouth hung open slightly as his eyes flickered from the commander and the engineer.

"So, if you'll excuse us." And with that the commander put his large hand on Marie's shoulder and spun her toward the exit. Behind them; Thane and Garrus grouped together and followed the two out, Miranda approached the girls, a sheepish look on her face and the girls (barring Jack) dragged the operative with them, Jacob followed after them, Zaeed and Grunt grabbed Joker carefully and went of in search of a bar.

"So commander, where are we going?" Marie was looking around the Presidium, awe clear on her face as she observed the people around them and gestured at the massive size of the station.

Shepard smiled, "When we lose our shadows we are going to meet and old...'friend' of mine."

She looked behind them and caught a glimpsed of blue armor. "How did you know they were there?"

He shrugged still smiling and directing her to a café that Kaiden had asked to meet at. "When I go off on my own, I'm never truly alone. Garrus see's to that. And I guess Thane is keeping an eye on you." He turned them suddenly into a large crowd and followed with them for a while. "He seems very protective of you, hmm?"

He looked down and watched the blush rise on her pale face and grinned, I fucking knew it. "He's nice I suppose. What about you and Garrus though?" It was his turn to blush.

"Yeah...umm...oh look we're here!" He pulled her into the café and watched as Thane and Garrus followed the group they had mingled with. Haha, suckers.

The café was dim but in a good way, a nice change from the glaring white day cycle lights of the presidium. The commander looked around and picked a table near a window for them to sit at and directed Marie to sit down. She did and turned her face to look out onto the waters of the Presidium.

"It's amazing! Is there fish in that water?"

Shepard smiled as he remembered a Krogan asking the same question. "No, that's the stations drinking, washing and any other water supply. It's all recycled and cleaned and then pumped back into taps, baths, swimming pools...anything really." He expected her to look disgusted but her face simply lit up.

"Like a giant reverse osmosis machine! Wow, it's amazing at how far we've come."

"Oh, humans didn't build this. It's been around for so long that an extinct race of people called Protheans lived here fifty thousand years ago."

"Yeah, well it's still amazing to me that humans live here."

A new voice joined in the conversation. "Shepard. I'm glad you came...with company..." Shepard looked up into the once warm eyes of his ex-liuetenant who was looking intently at the woman beside him.

"Alenko, may I introduce you to Miss. Marie Travis." He gestured and Kaiden sat beside her as she smiled in welcome.

"Hello." He looked around awkwardly and held up three fingers to a serving girl who nodded and went to the bar. "I'm sorry, I thought we would be alone."

"Yes, well. We picked Marie up a while ago and I wanted to show her the Citadel, so here she is." He held his arms wide with a grin and she grinned back.

"Is she another Cerberus groupie for your crew?" He said as he took his beer from the waitress.

Shepard was going to explain but Marie cut in. "Excuse me? A groupie? Boy, I worked for Cerberus long before you were born! And no I don't work for them anymore, I work for Shepard who saved my life." She drank from the froth atop her glass. "Also, if have questions about me, you ask me." Shepard grinned. From the frightened woman he had picked up a couple of weeks ago she had very quickly learnt to harden herself. I'll have to thank Jack and Thane.

Kaiden looked taken aback at her retort and Shepard could practically hear the cogs in his head turning. "How...old?" His eyes flickered from Marie to Shepard and back again.

"I'm one hundred and ninety three...give or take a few years."

Shepard laughed. "We were surprised too, we were expecting an Asari or even a Krogan but instead we got this puny human girl." She stuck her tongue at him.

"Where did you find her?" The sentinel's eyes were on the woman but the question was directed at the commander.

"Oh, you know...floating around in space..."

"You were spaced!?" He took another drink enthralled at this womans story. She nodded and turned to tell him all about it. I knew these two would get along...ish.

His Omni-tool beeped and he looked down at the message from Garrus.

Where are you?

Me and Thane found Fade.

-G

Be right there.

-S

"I'll leave you two kids to it. I have spectre business to attend to." He stood and winked at Marie who nodded that she would be fine. "Keep an eye on her Kaiden."

"Aye aye, commander...Umm, I mean Shepard."

As he walked away he heard them fall back into conversation. "What's a Spectre?"

It had been hours and Shepard was exhausted. He looked back at the body of Sidonis slowly cooling in its own blood as a small crowd and C-sec gathered around it.

Thane sat impassively in the back as he applied medi-gel to a few scrapes he had gained in hunting down Harkin, Garrus sat in the driving seat of the skycar his blue eyes pointedly not looking at what he had just done. He's already regretting it...

"Well, that was easy enough." His hands gripped the controls.

"This is what happens when you let things get personal. I need to know this is over." Shepard looked at his friend, the red lines on his face glowing ever so slightly as his brown eyes bored into his blue ones.

"Yeah. It's over. I can move on." He shut his eyes and took a deep breath, a trill left his throat. Sure, Sidonis had betrayed him but until then he had been a friend.

Shepard placed an armored hand over Garrus' shoulder and hoped he could feel it through the bulk of the metal separating them. "Glad to hear it, buddy."

The Turian looked up then. "Thanks for helping me, Shepard." He turned back to the controls and kicked the skycar into accelerate. "Let's get moving. I need to get away from this place. I'll drop you at C-sec...I need to think."

"Okay, whatever you need."

Thane leaned forward. "Shepard, if I may ask. Where is Marie?"

"I left her with a friend." Garrus looked at him, his brow plates raised. "Yes, it was Alenko. But man, you should have been there. They really hit it off and she put him in his place. It was glorious." Shepard grinned to himself as he saw Thane's eyes glare out the windows and his ribbing darken. Better get a move on, pal.

Marie sat and laughed along with Kaiden as he regaled her with tales of Shepard and his crew before he died. How they took down a rogue Spectre named Saren, lost friends and gained some. Garrus was there from the beginning as was Tali, along with a Krogan named Wrex who lived on Tuchanka now, an Asari named Liara who was on Illium and a woman named Ashley who had unfortunately lost her life in the fight on Virmire.

Then, out of the corner of her eyes she spotted a flash of greenish blue and she turned to follow it.

A Drell was stood at the entrance of the café working furiously on his Omni-tool.

"Hey, Marie. You listening?"

"Sorry..." He seems familiar, his face, they way he moves...

"Do you know that Drell?" Kaiden was looking over his shoulder at the man who could have been no older than twenty, if he was any judge.

"I think so..." Then the Drell moved away and she stood to follow him. "Or I think I know someone who knows him. Ah, I'll see you later, or I'll message you or something." She pinged his Omni-tool so that he had her address. "If Shepard comes back...tell him to message me."

"Are you going to be okay? You don't know your way around and-"

"I'll be fine. Chances are I'm being followed anyways."

"What?"

"See ya." She rushed out of the café and into the street.

She looked around desperately for the Drell and spotted the top of his head as he turned down another path. She ran after him, apologising along the way to all the people she bumped into. An Asari muttered under her breath, "Human scum." Pathetic racist. She turned into the alley and held her breath as she noticed he wasn't that far along into it. She watched him from the corner.

He moves so familiarly...I'm sure I've seen him before, but how could I have done? Maybe all Drell move like Thane.

Her eyes widened at her realisation. Thane? Fuck, this is Kolyat! She was about to call out to him. Wait, he hasn't seen Thane for ten years. And he's here to maybe kill someone...shit he's moving again.

She followed him down the alley, guided by the orange of his Omni-tool.

She followed him for a good while, down streets and through buildings until suddenly they were in an area whose alien population vastly outweighed humans. Looking around, Marie couldn't see any humans and decided it would be best if she kept her head down as she followed Kolyat. People probably wont take kindly to me being here...

He stood by an entrance to a building and watched a Turian and a Krogan intently. That must be his target. The Turian passed him and Kolyat pulled a pistol from a mag strip from beneath his long jacket. He's going to shoot him! I have to do something!

"Kolyat!" She jumped out at him and he turned in surprise. He glowered and turned to shoot, hitting the Krogan body-guard rather than the Turian politician.

He swore under his breath and grabbed the Turian and pulled him to the doors, Marie ran after him and made it just as the doors shut behind her.

"Don't come any closer!" His voice wavered as he dragged the Turian into an elevator and pushed a button, Marie jumped in and was acutely aware that she was in an enclosed space with a raging teenager and a hostage. "I said don't!"

"Kolyat, you don't have to do this." She held her hands up in submission.

"Please, human. Help me." The Turian flanged at her.

"How do you know my name!"

"I know your father. Thane. He told me about you, it was a guess but you look so much like him." She grinned at him but he just glared at her.

"My father? He's here?" He turned the gun on her and she couldn't help but gulp down her fear of this man. "Where is he!?"

"I don't know! I promise! I was with a friend!"

"Liar!" He holstered his gun a dragged her with the Turian to an apartment she assumed was the Turian's.

"Thane!" Shepard ran after Kolyat and the Turian who were being rushed after by the human woman.

"I saw." Thane couldn't believe what he had seen, Marie had tried to save the Turian when she was unarmed!

"They're heading to Talid's apartment. We have to get there before he hurts Marie!"

"Agreed." They ran in and looked at the elevator, noting the floor it had stopped at and took the stairs, running full pelt. Thane felt the sting in his chest and winced.

They opened the door to Joram's apartment and saw Marie and the Turian on their knees before his son. Thane covered the anger he felt by approaching slowly. Shepard approached with his pistol raised and Kolyat went on the defensive.

"Kolyat." His son looked up at him before moving his gun between his hostages. Marie glanced up at the sound of his voice and he saw her relax slightly, her hands behind her head.

"This..this is a joke. Now? Now you show up?" He pressed his gun into the back of the Turian's head before turning to Marie and poking her with it.

The Turian spoke up. "Help me, drell, I'll do whatever you want." Thane rolled his eyes.

The door opened behind them and Bailey walked in. "C-sec. Put the gun down, son."

"Get out of my way. I'm walking out. And these two are coming with me." He nudged Marie and she stood with her hands still behind her head. She looked at Shepard and then himself. A small smile on her face.

Thane approached her and his son. Arashu, protect them. "They'll have snipers outside." He gestured to the flashing lights glaring at them through the windows.

"I don't need your help!" Just then, Marie took the opportunity to bring her elbow round and hit Kolyat in the face before leaning and grabbing a hold of Joram. Kolyat reeled and turned to her. "What the hell?"

She stood and faced him and Shepard gestured to Joram. "Talid, get the hell out of here."

"Yeah, yeah. I will" He staggered to his door.

Bailey nodded as he passed. "Take the boy into custody."

Kolyat raged at Marie. "You son of a bitch!" He raised his hand to strike her but she just stood her ground ad answered him.

"Your father doesn't have much time left, Kolyat. He's trying to make up for his mistakes." She pointed her finger in his face as Kolyat lowered his arm. "And you better fucking listen to him!"

Kolyat turned to Thane who merely nodded. "What? So, you came to get my forgiveness? So you can die in peace or something?"

He approached his son and stood beside Marie. "I came to grant you peace." He lowered his head and thought before he felt a small hand come to rest on his back in support, he sighed and gathered his courage to talk to the young man before him. The young man I created. "You're angry because I wasn't there when your mother died."

Kolyat scoffed. "You weren't there when she was alive. Why should you be there when she died!?"

A valid point. "Your mother...they killed her to get to me. It was my fault."

"What?"

"After her body was given to the Deep. I went to find them, the trigger men, the ring leaders. I hurt them, eventually killed them. When I went back to see you, you were...older." Marie moved to stand by Shepard who looked her over for injuries, Kolyat watched her go with angry eyes. "I should have stayed with you."

"Then I guess it's too bad for me you waited so long, huh?"

"Kolyat. I've taken many bad things out of the world." His young son bowed his head as tears fell from his black eyes, so like his own. "You were the only good thing I ever added to it."

"This isn't a conversation you should be having in front of strangers." Bailey stepped forward with a sad look on his face. "Boys, take Kolyat and his father back to the precinct. Give them a room and as much time as they need." Thane approached his son and rested his hand on his shoulder. He vaguely heard Shepard thank the C-sec officer behind them.

They waited in C-sec for hours. Marie smiled at Garrus who brought her a drink as her legs dangled from the desk she was perched on.

"From what I hear, you've been quite a hero today."

"Nah, I just wanted to help." Her tool beeped and she looked down at a message from Kaiden.

Marie,

You okay?

-Kaiden.

I'll reply later. She looked up at Shepard who just grinned at her as he typed away at his Omni-tool.

"They've been in there awhile." He said as he crossed his arms.

"Kids been through a lot." Bailey shuffled in his seat as he reached around Marie to pick up his coffee. "I ran some searches in the C-sec archives. About ten years back, a bunch of real bad people were killed. Like someone was cleaning house." Garrus snorted. "The prime suspect was a Drell. We never caught him."

Marie frowned. "Ten years is a long time. Whoever was responsible for that probably doesn't exist anymore."

"Yeah, I guess you're right about that."

The door to a holding cell opened and out came Thane. His leather long coat shifting around his legs as he walked over to Shepard.

"How'd it go?"

"Our problems aren't something I can fix with a few words...we'll keep talking, see what happens." He shrugged.

"Your boy shot some people." Bailey looked up at Thane. "No one I feel sympathy for but there it is."

Shepard huffed and pulled his hair from the low ponytail it had been tied in. "I watched those guys shaking down businesses and threatening humans."

"But he can't just get away with it."

"Kid want's to make a difference. Give him community service." Thane smirked at the commander for the suggestion and Garrus openly chuckled as Shepard trampled all over the red tape.

"Community service for attempted murder?" He gestured at Marie.

She shook her head. "I'm not pressing charges, and I doubt Joram Talid will either."

"What jury would agree to that?"

Shepard nodded in agreement. "None that I've seen. This would need to stay out of the judiciary, strictly within C-sec." He winked.

"Interesting I'll think about it. Can you get of my desk please?"

"Oh, sorry." She hopped down with Garrus' help.

Bailey stood and took Thane's hand in his own and shook it. "Thank you, captain."

Shepard grinned and gestured that it was time to move on. "I think we should all go for a drink, hm?"

Marie laughed in agreement.

Hope ya'll enjoyed it :)

Next chapter should be up soonish because I've already got plans for it :P

-Sophus xx