The Citadel

Presidium Commons

The Next Day…

Standing alone on a walkway above the shops, Apollo's coffee in hand, Abby watches the endless stream of SkyCars drone past. Down below at the cafe, Shepard sits at a table chatting with Liara. Joker and EDI browse the gift shop. Even further down, near the bottom of the Ring, C-Sec has an area blocked off while some debris from the Cerberus attack is being cleaned up. Several windows are broken out behind the Assassin. She still remembers fighting for her life here not very long ago.

"I cut down a Trooper squad over there." She thinks to herself, sipping her coffee. Bullet holes adorn the area she looks to, one of the television displays still showing static and sparking every so often. A pair of C-Sec officers maintain a perimeter as a maintenance worker attempts to repair the TV. The aftermath of a massive battle is on full display all around, yet the citizens of the Citadel go about their days as if all was normal.

"It's anything but normal. Wake up, people!" Abby wants to shout. "The fate of the galaxy rests on the shoulders of a select few. Hell, some of them are here amongst you. Yet you all just mill about like nothing's happening."

The Assassin can only shake her head as her point is made for her. Down at the shops, there's a man haggling a cashier about a refund for something he purchased. Frustration mounting, she tosses her empty cup in a nearby trash can and walks towards the shop.

"I'm afraid I can't help you." The Salarian cashier says in an annoyed tone.

"Your manager said you'd give me a refund if I made an appointment." The Human customer insists.

"You aren't on my appointment list, and you don't have the receipt. I don't think we even carry that model anymore."

"Listen. I don't want a new model, or store credit, or anything like that. I just want my money back."

Abby approaches the counter, standing next to the customer.

"There's nothing I can do without a sales record of some kind." The cashier says, quickly becoming irritated with the man.

"What about the warranty book? I have it in my car." The man offers.

"A warranty book doesn't tell me that you purchased this item from this store. Again, sir. There's nothing I can do."

"Are you keeping this guy at work while a galactic war is going on?" The Assassin asks the man.

"Uhh...well...it's his job, right?" He asks ignorantly.

"Actually." The Salarian says matter-of-factly, clearly relieved to have some help. "I'm supposed to be on break, contacting the family I haven't heard from in several days."

"Uhh yeah. I guess maybe…" The Human looks down in embarrassment. "A war is a bad time."

"Maybe? That thought didn't occur to you the other ten times you've visited here this week?"

"Uhh yeah, sorry. I'll just uhh…" The man picks up the box and quickly leaves.

The Salarian looks at Abby with a tired expression. "I've never seen someone so obsessed with getting a refund for a toaster oven. Thanks for talking some sense into him."

Satisfied, Abby leaves the shops and begins to wander the Commons, becoming lost in her thoughts.

"War isn't for everyone, I suppose. I certainly didn't picture my life going this way. I thought I'd end up a typical colony kid. Work a farm, maybe join the local Militia or something, possibly even end up with Cerberus, or follow Ashley into the Alliance. Despite its many flaws, I still do love Humanity, after all."

She passes a group of C-Sec officers being briefed on new patrol routes and possible traps being left behind by Cerberus. A few of them have clear expressions of worry, likely having never been in an environment like this before.

"Even uniformed people probably have trouble with 'the life'. Hell, we have a few of them on the Normandy...Like Traynor...At first glance, she seems like a garden variety 'Fish out of Water' story. After a short conversation with her, you realize that's exactly what she is. Yet that could be an advantage. Me? Shepard? Garrus? People like us were made for this kind of work. People like Traynor, Allers, as well as Donnelly and Daniels are almost on the outside looking in. They have an entirely different perspective."

After a moment, Abby's mind focuses on Traynor.

"Traynor is beautiful, in a way. Her accent, her cute face, how adorable she is when she's flustered. Make no mistake, Samantha. I've noticed how you look at and talk to me. And I've noticed you, as well. God, what's happening to me? I've never had these thoughts about anyone. Too busy training...and killing. The Assassin lifestyle isn't exactly romantic, or friend and family-friendly. It's kind of lonely, now that I think of it."

Abby's eyes start to wander as she walks, lingering for a moment on Shepard and Liara. They're still seated at their table at the cafe, one of the Asari's hands holding the Commander's as they talk. The Assassin lets out a sigh, a never-before-felt pang of emptiness hitting her.

"What's the harm in it? Shepard has the most dangerous job out there, and she's managed to keep things together with T'Soni for how long now? Three years and counting? If they can do it, why can't I?"

"Because of the Brotherhood." Her own mind replies. "Personal relationships are frowned upon. Emotions only get in the way of the mission."

"Fuck that!" The Assassin bites back. "For all I know, I'm the last one left. There isn't much keeping me from breaking a few rules. Besides, a happy killer is a successful killer, right?"

Abby absent-mindedly heads to the elevator at the end of the walkway, pressing the button for the Docking Bay.

"What could go wrong?"