AN: A heartfelt thanks to Lifeisagreatadventure who rose to the challenge of editing my lopsided work.

Chapter 10

Jacqueline Nought walked through the hallways of the Jon Grissom Academy, dribbling a ball in the now empty hallways of the student's dormitories, keeping an eye on the displays of all the rooms to make sure that the students were alright. There were systems that monitored their well-being, but Jack didn't trust them. She didn't really trust the guards either, who occasionally shared the halls with her at this hour.

Hell, Jack wondered who she was trying to kid.

She didn't really trust anybody.

That's a lie.

She ignored the irritating thoughts of the new inner voice she had, even thought it was right. She had always considered herself a creature build on instincts and pure primal fury. She never thought twice about anything but these days, since joining this damned school, perhaps since joining the Normandy, she considered things.

It was the voice that had told her that perhaps, all those weeks ago when Kahlee Sanders convinced her to stay here, she really had nowhere to go and that her time would be better suited to try and help others prepare for the coming of the reapers.

She hated it because she feared that it might make her weak.

It certainly got her stuck in this place, this Alliance school for gifted little brats and future loyal and possibly brain washed soldiers. In the beginning, she had awakened every day with the feeling that she should simply leave yet every day, the voice had told her to stay. That here at least, she was doing something useful while the galaxy figured out what it wanted to do before the reapers came.

If they got round to it at all.

Jack saw a little bit of movement along those lines. She'd have been blind not to. Since she joined the academy, older students had come back, some young recruits that had already joined the alliance military. She had special classes with them, talking about her experience with the husks and how they clumped. Working on their accuracy when throwing shockwaves. Few were strong enough to do it. Those who were, were different. Some older soldiers joined them occasionally, some still with L2 implants in. Jack wondered why they never risked getting rid of the damned stuff. She could see the pain in their eyes when they started to work too hard, but they were a damn sight more powerful than the L3's. They just… burned out quicker when they were finally finished. Some got migraines, other's a strange nervous twitch that reminded her of Abby at her worst. One older gentleman rarely spoke, but when he trained with her, he trained the hardest. He couldn't hold a conversation but damn, he could hold a force field. The funny thing was, she had felt a kind of kinship to some of those soldiers. She didn't know much of the Alliance's biotic program, but she got the impression that it too had had a few rough starts, most notably through a company called Conatix.

It's a fucking tough life, she thought. Which was why she had found herself checking up on her students every now again. The Academy was trying to destigmatise them, to forge acceptance for them in the other human colonies if they decided not to join the Alliance. Yet, outside of the military, human biotics were feared by their own kind, perhaps even hated by some.

No wonder it was so easy for Cerberus to get those kids, Jack thought grimly. I bet some parents just gave away their fucking babies.

She bounced the ball too hard and at the wrong angle. When it bounced wildly away from her, her failed lunge for it sent it down the hallway. Jack growled in frustration and made to reach for her biotics to pull it back when the voice told her to slow down. That such a show of force wasn't necessary and that biotic displays, whether from students or teachers, weren't allowed in the hallways.

She was supposed to be an example.

"Fuck me," Jack muttered and trotted down the hallway. The station itself was just over a kilometre long. On a good night, she could get quite a decent hike in. The ball had rolled around one of the corners and for just a second, Jack considered leaving it and going to bed but then…

What? She asked herself. You lie awake staring at the ceiling? You go to the infirmary and get those drugs they offered you? No. You're better here, near the kids.

She had learned earlier the rooms were soundproof or rather, the sound of the guards patrolling the hallways wouldn't wake the students. Nor, she had learned, the sound of a ball being played with.

She turned around the corner and found herself face to face with the woman who had managed to curse her with this place.

"Jack?" Kahlee said surprised. "What are you…" She trailed off and blinked slowly, her hand tightening on the bag she had in her hands. Jack studied her up and down then fixed her with a look.

"Where are you going?"

The woman shifted from place to place, clearly uncomfortable at being discovered.

"Something has come up Jack," she said, not meeting her gaze. "I have to get to the Citadel."

Jack couldn't pick out the lie but she knew it wasn't everything. The woman looked… What? Scared? Worried?

Jack grimaced and looked around, seeing the ball still a few feet down the hallway.

"Give me five minutes," she said. "Stay here."

"Excuse me?"

Jack gave her a look. "I'll come with you," she said. "I've got nothing better to do with my fucking time."

Kahlee looked as perplexed as she sounded. "Jack you don't need…" She paused and considered her words.

"Jack, this is private," she said. "It's not related to the academy. You don't have to come; this is something I have to take care of myself."

Shrugging, Jack felt a little giddy, thinking that she'll finally get off this station.

"Yeah? Well private business? Your secrets will be safe with my indifference," she pointed out. "I can feel something's off. Let me come with you."

Kahlee shook her head slowly. "Jack, I need you to stay here," she said. "I am serious. This has got nothing to do with you and I need you here. I need you here Jack to take care of my students. I'll be safe on the Citadel; I am meeting up with an old friend." There was something in her tone that made Jack grimace.

"Old friend?" She asked. "Who?"

"David Anderson."

"Well fuck me," Jack breathed as she felt a wave of sudden anger boil up inside her. That was one name that was still on her shit list. "He didn't sort out the last problem one of his friends brought to him."

Despite the haste she sensed in Kahlee, the older woman blinked slowly as her expression softened. She reached out and put a hand on Jack's shoulder, her expression kind. She was one of the only people who never hesitated when she wanted to touch Jack and strangely enough, the biotic enjoyed it. It made her forget who she was sometimes.

"I'd beg to differ," she said. "It brought you here. Please, stay on the station Jack. Keep your ear to the ground, I need you here if my trouble comes this way."

Everybody leaves…

The old Jack stirred.

"I might not be here when you come back," she said. "So, I might not care much for your troubles."

Sanders shook her head with a small smile, calling her bluff.

"I'll see you when I get back," she said and squeezed her shoulder. "I'll be fine Jack; this is just some… old business."

Jack might have changed a lot from the biotic Abby had gotten to know on the Normandy but a few things, she suspected, would never change. Jack had a kind of nervous energy to her, like the cork on a champaign bottle just about to burst open. She was exerting some of that energy now, pacing around the room, her expression dire as she listened to them explain the situation. She wanted to go and see Kahlee, but Abby had convinced her that it wouldn't be a good idea and that she had to keep a low profile because Aria didn't know that she was there. They had finished explaining the situation to her and were now just waiting as she paced around the room, processing.

"So, what do you want me to do?" Jack asked. "Bust them out? I mean, I can go and do that right now." Although Asura had done most of the talking, she kept on addressing Abby.

Asura shook her head.

"Not quite so dramatic," she said. "When Abigail called you, we weren't sure what was going to happen, I have more information now. I received information that they have a track on a ship matching the description of the one the turians reported missing entering our system. We have approximately ten hours before it docks. We're not sure in what state Grayson will be when he arrives but Aria's clearing a warehouse district just in case. That's where they'll try and take him. My hope is now that, in the turmoil that might cause, you can take Anderson and Sanders."

"And get the fuck out of here," Jack said. "Simple plan."

"Complicated execution," Asura said. "From what I understand, Grayson was able to overpower a full section of the turian squad who had found him. They had been on their way to the Citadel to bring him to Sanders. They spoke of severe modifications to his body. And Sanders won't leave without him. I don't think you'll convince her before she's either seen him die or realise he is beyond saving." Jack nodded, glancing at Asura before she turned to Abby.

"And you said this is like, what? Reaper tech? Is he a husk?"

Abby nodded but she was careful not to commit to the idea too much.

"Last time I was with Sanders, I came across her and Anderson discussing that," she said. "That's the assumption but we won't know what he is capable of till we lay eyes on him."

Jack snorted. "The hell we will," she said. "You're not going near him."

Abby held up her hands quickly. "Yes, of course," she said. "I know that. I meant…" She blushed a little. "Well, you know what I meant."

Jack nodded though her eyes were still very piercing. "Yeah, but I'd just like to say it's not good that you got dragged into this either," she said. "This is the kind of shit Shepard wanted you to avoid." She had the audacity to look to Asura to confirmation.

At least they're united when they team up again me, she though wryly.

"It is what it is Jack. So… what do you think?"

Jack glared at the world in general, then paced around the room once more before she went to the couch and picked up the ragged clothing she had discarded.

"Yeah, I think we're going for a walk," she said and motioned to Asura. "Ten hours you say? You better get me into position in that warehouse right now."

Asura blinked at the revelation. "Now?" She asked. "Isn't it a bit early?"

Jack shook her head, her expression set to determination. "Unknown like this?" She retorted. "Her team might already be in there, scanning the area for any unknowns. I must be in there before they set up. And I want to see if I can scout around a bit. If I'm running with two people away from there, I'm going to need a clear path to my shuttle. And it's going to be a bit of a jog. Last time I tried to get someone off this station it didn't work out so well."

When Asura shifted uncomfortably Jack gave her a look then shrugged. "Hey, no fault of yours, I'm not blaming anybody," she sniffed. "But I've learned you need to have a better plan than just fucking up everybody who stands in your way." She fixed a steady gaze on Asura.

"You are going to take me there?"

The asari stood up slowly. "I guess I am," she said then turned to Abby who felt her heart sink a little. She stood up as well.

"Don't you want anything to eat Jack?" she asked. "I mean… You've just arrived."

The biotic hesitated then smiled at her sadly and shook her head. "Not this time Doc," she said. "But… when this is done, I'll come visit. Or you should come and visit." Her face brightened. "I wouldn't mind showing you where I work."

Rubbing at her chest, her heart aching a little, Abby grimaced. "I hardly think I'd be welcome there after this Jack," she said. "But, again, you know you are always welcome in our home."

Jack looked very calm when she nodded. "I know," she said earnestly. "And it means a lot. It means a hell of a fucking lot I can tell you that. When this is over, I'll talk to Sanders, she listens to me every now and again. If you helped her, and you did by calling me, then there won't be any hard feelings."

Abby didn't look convinced, which made Jack chuckle. "Well, you know." She sighed then turned to Asura. "I'm serious. Go on and show me where this is taking place. I don't want to fuck this up."

Asura nodded understandingly and went to get her own coat that she had discarded.

"Just give me a moment," she said and left the room, giving the two of them some privacy. Jack's face shifted immediately, becoming a little bit more tumultuous as the mask slipped away. Angry eyes turned to Abby though the vet knew they weren't aimed at her.

"This is bad business, Doc," she said. "Real bad. But I'm guessing Anderson shouldn't be too mad at you two."

Abby shook her head. "No," she said quietly. "I don't think he will be, if we can get them out safely. I'm… I'm sorry you can't stay Jack."

Shifting awkwardly, Jack struggled with herself then nodded slowly. "Can't be helped," she said, echoing Abby's words. "But, I… I know. I missed you Doc. I missed all of you." The last was said very softly and it made Abby smile a little even.

"Well, Dr Chakwas said that you should write her," she said. "And you said you still hear from Kelly at least."

The biotic nodded. "Yeah, but it's not the same you know. I miss…" she sighed and, seemingly on impulse, kicked the couch. "Well, I hate to say it, but I miss the fucking Normandy." Her eyes grew a bit distant. "I didn't care if we were on a suicide mission or storming off into space with no plan whatsoever." She chuckled to herself. "I mean, that's what made us find you. It wasn't a bad deal."

Abby found herself stepping closer to Jack, sharing in the moment.

"No, it wasn't," she confessed. "I'm going to pack you something to eat at least. It's a long time to wait. Will you be alright?"

Jack's amusement showed in her face. "You're asking me?" She asked. "Of course. Don't worry. But fuck yes, some food will be great. I'll get bored waiting."

Abby weighed those words, realising that her friend had changed almost as much as she had in the past couple of months. She felt a little of the tension in her chest ease.

She's okay, despite all of this, she's okay. She might even be happy where she is now, though she doesn't know it. She won't be this calm if she wasn't.

She packed Jack a satchel full of whatever was easy in the kitchen. Asura returned, dressed a little differently than before, and in such a way that she could hide her identity quite easily. She didn't say goodbye to Abby but came to her in the kitchen and placed a light kiss on her cheek. Abby accepted it, then handed Jack her food.

"I hope this will do," she said, thinking that it still felt strange they only saw each other for such a brief period. "Stay safe Jack."

Jack accepted the satchel but grabbed Abby's hand before she could pull away. Her touch was warm and insistent.

"You too doc," she said. "I mean it, stay out of this. I'll do what you need me to do. And…" She hesitated then inclined her head to Asura. "And I'll keep an eye on her while were out there. If this was something Cerberus did, then I don't know what we're going to get in there."

Abby looked to her partner quickly.

"Are you coming home?" She asked, imagining suddenly that Asura would stay behind as well.

"Of course," Asura said. "I'll go when Aria tells me to, otherwise I'll arouse suspicion. I'll see you later, don't worry."

It was easier said than done.

There wasn't a lot of conversation on the way to the warehouse. Asura had never been one for small talk and neither, she suspected, had Jack. Which was interesting though, because she could feel the biotic's need to say something. It was like a breath she held, making tension radiate from her. Asura was more aware of it than normal, more aware of this woman because she didn't entirely trust her when they were alone. Jack was unpredictable. Younger than Abby and much angrier. Asura understood why, understood the abuse she had suffered at the hands of Cerberus. Jack had not hidden her pure delight when Abby told her of how several Cerberus bases had been hit and their employees arrested. Documents had been leaked, naming those involved in biotic death camps, the seeding of thresher maws on alien mining planets and several other atrocities. Several had been captured, marked to be tried in public for terrorism.

Abby had taken a particular interest in the one bulletin which gave a report on the Akuze incident and how a whole platoon of alliance soldiers had been eradicated by thresher maws. The documentation that surfaced put Cerberus solidly to blame and it gave the Alliance a foothold in the proceedings. Councilman Udina had proclaimed loudly that humanity will take responsibility for its own.

They finally reached the warehouse district.

"It will be in this area," Asura spoke, breaking the silence that had been brewing between them. "If you think it necessary, I can try to get you docking permission here. Where is your shuttle?"

Jack fixed her with a hostile look. "I'll let you know," she spoke in a measured tone. "Is this the actual location?"

Asura shook her head. "No, that warehouse," she said. "It's unused, Aria's people will clear it before day's end, we have roaming vorcha squatters around. We don't want them in the firefight, they might just join for the hell of it."

Jack chuckled. "Yeah, that seems to be a problem here," she said. "How is that vorcha manservant of yours?"

Her light tone and Asura a little suspicious.

"Still working for us," Asura said. "I hadn't the heart to tell Abigail she should get rid of him. And he has proven useful. He takes surprisingly good care of her."

"Who'da thought?" Jack murmured, her face hardening again as something occurred to her. "That's all that matters, yeah?"

"Yeah," Asura said, sensing Jack's change of tone. "That's all that matters to me."

Jack fixed her with a hard look. "And me," she said. "She's… She's a friend you know. I don't have friends. But she's one." Asura waited as she sensed the emotions shifting in Jack.

"Look, before we go further I have something I want to say," Jack said. "Before you and I put our lives into each other's hands."

Asura hadn't thought of it quite that way but indicated to the biotic that she was listening, curious as to what was on her mind. She suspected she knew and her suspicions were confirmed when Jack straightened a little and pointed an accusing finger at her.

"That shit you pulled with Abby was wrong," she said, referring to the day Jack had brought Shepard to Abby's clinic, thinking that they could hide there from the Alliance. "You fucked up in my books. I don't care if you were ordered at gunpoint by Shepard to do it. But fuck!"

Asura remembered Abby's rage when she woke up and it had made her realise that she had gone about it the wrong way. That her power wasn't a weapon to be wielded, not against Abby at least. It had been a bit of a knee jerk reaction. The Alliance had been on their way and they had needed a way to keep all of those in the clinic safe.

"I know Jack," Asura spoke quietly, making sure to make eye contact with the small human. "I won't do it again." She was surprised when Jack's intensity didn't falter.

"That's not good enough," she said. "Not one fucking bit. You try harder Asura. You do your fucking best. I'm in that school now, yeah? And every day I see kids trying their fucking best. And you know what I've learned, it's not good enough. Mistakes? They make them all the time. And I hear those words a lot. I won't do it again. I'll remember next time. Then next time comes, and they make the same mistake. Because it's muscle memory. Because they haven't realised what they did was wrong. And takes one hell of a big mistake to make them realise they fucked up. Then they change. Then they fucking see the light and all I want to do is shake them and tell them if they listened to me from the fucking start then no one would have gotten hurt." She sniffed. Asura thought that she was done and wanted to say that that had been her defining moment. That sometimes she would lay away at night, regretting that moment because the terror Abby felt when she realised, she was being attacked had engrained itself in her soul.

"And the worst part of it," Jack spoke up suddenly, clearly not done. "Was I can't even be angry at you. Because I was the one who fucked up."

Jack's words surprised Asura, because Jack had not struck her as the kind of person to have that kind of self-reflection.

"I…" Asura tried to imagine why the biotic felt that way. "I don't see it that way."

Jack sighed, glaring at her before she turned and stuffed her hands into her pockets. "Yeah, you probably won't," she said. "And I'm not going to explain myself to you. You don't deserve it. But I'll leave you with this. I realised I'm just like those fucking students I'm supposed to teach." She kicked at an imaginary piece of debris. "Maybe that's why I'm so fucking good at it."

Asura said nothing, contemplating. She didn't really know what to say and decided to admit it. "I don't know where you are going with this," she said. "We're…" She let out a slow breath. "I don't feel there should be any bad blood between us. You are still welcome in my home, you always will be. You said that you'll come and visit? See to it that you do."

The biotic glared at her. "I know that," she said. "What I'm trying to say is.. Fuck, I'm not going to hold a fucking grudge when we are in there," she motioned to the complex building Asura had indicated. "And I'll cover your ass as much as I will protect Sanders'."

"And Anderson," Asura reminded her. "He's… Jack, he's the most important one."

The look in Jack's eyes told her that she had not quite squared with the ex-councilman. "Yeah well, he just better keep up," she said. "I ain't that fond of him. Come on, let's go inside. I want to get a feeling for the lay of the land."

Abby was making supper when the bell to their apartment rang. A little surprised, she went to the door and had a look at the monitor. Her surprise grew to shock, and she opened the door, allowing the covered figure to step through without any ceremony. Her heart rate felt as if it had doubled in that time, and she couldn't help but stick her head through and glance up and down their street to make sure that nobody else was coming. By the time she closed the door, Miranda Lawson was already shrugging out of her coat, neatly draping it over the couch as her eyes scanned the apartment in appreciation.

"This is nice," she said by way of greeting. "And I have to say, something smells wonderful."

Abby didn't know where to start but Miranda comment on the food made her rush to the kitchen and turn off the stove.

"Shepard's pie," she said. "Without lamb and well, no potatoes. Miranda I… don't think you should be here."

The Normandy's XO smiled wryly. "No, I probably shouldn't," she said. "But you'll be happy that I am, before the end of this. Where's Asura?"

Satisfied that nothing was going to be burned, Abby grimaced. "She's… out…" she said carefully, wondering if she should bring up Jack. Miranda's face didn't change as she moved around the living room as if she owned the place.

"With Jack?"

Abby didn't ask how she knew and simply nodded. Miranda glanced at her, then stopped in front of a painting on the one wall. It was a strange blend of autumn colours. According to Asura, it was done by a very popular asari artist, but it had meant nothing to the veterinarian, who admittedly had never had a feeling for art. Miranda however, was looking at it in appreciation.

"I have never seen one of these up close," she said. "Very remarkable. Tesolin Brikara, an original, if I am not mistaken. I am assuming that Jack is here for Sanders?"

Abby nodded slowly. "And Anderson," she said slowly. "Asura is putting her in place where they will meet with Grayson."

Miranda's attention turned to her slowly. "And where will that be?"

Not sure how to answer, Abby went back to the kitchen and restarted her cooking effort.

"Do you plan to interfere?" She didn't look at Miranda, knowing that she wouldn't be able to tell if she lied. The ex-Cerberus officer moved to the kitchen where she leaned against the kitchen counter beside Abby. The veterinarian was a little surprised in herself when she realised that she was appreciative of the view.

Fluid sexuality indeed. I have changed.

"Well, I have my own interests in this now," she said. "And now I know Jack is involved, it is perhaps better this way. She'll keep an eye on Sanders but Anderson… Well, you know Jack. She might leave him behind. Her priorities have never been predictable."

It wasn't said with scorn, but Abby didn't like the way she said it.

"Jack's doing well," she defended her friend. "She knows what's at stake." Miranda wasn't swayed.

"Yes, and she also keeps a grudge," she pointed out. "Remember, I worked with her long before you joined the Normandy. She attacked me on the ship one day simply because she had a grudge against Cerberus. If Shepard hadn't interfered, there's no telling how far it would have gone."

Hearing that brought goosebumps to Abby's arms as she remembered the scene from the game. It made her grimace and step away from Miranda, not liking the duality it brought to her mind. She hid her unease by going to a cupboard to get some red wine. Regardless of the meat that she had to use; wine always made it better.

"I'm not exactly sure where it is," she confessed. "I can tell you the area, but I'll have to ask Asura."

Miranda shook her head. "Don't bother," she said. "Again, I'm here for my own reasons Dr Gable, I won't interfere in their cause unless it's needed."

Abby wondered if she should offer Miranda some wine but didn't know whether it was good if the woman lingered. If she planned to, Abby was going to have to warn Asura she was here. The ardat yakshi, though better, had a strange attitude towards finding strangers in their home unannounced.

"What are your reasons for being here?" she asked suspiciously. "Is it to get at Anderson? Shepard?"

Miranda's face was very neutral when she shrugged. "I have interest in keeping Anderson alive, yes," she said. "But you know as well as I do that, I will never get a mile within range of Shepard. Liara has a better chance at that." She fidgeted a little, then pushed herself away from the counter.

"Can you show me the location?" She asked. "I'm sorry to rush you Dr Gable but I do have a few others stops I need to make." Abby felt as if she didn't have much of a choice and reluctantly put the wine down that she had been clutching. It took her a few moments to find the location on the general grid that she had of Omega and those moments were very awkward with Miranda hovering over her shoulder. She knew Miranda was asserting her movements, taking note of her state of mobility. She was starting to reach the tipping point again where her symptoms would start returning. They weren't back yet but every extra day now was a gift.

"There," she said and finally pulled up the schematic of the area, "if I understood correctly, that should be it. How do I send this to you?"

Miranda's eyes were focused on the projection. Her hand came up, her fingers trailing under a small serial number that Abby hadn't noticed before.

"This is all I need," she said and gave her a measured smile. "Thank you, Dr Gable."

Abby still felt uneasy as she let her hand drop. She turned back to her food, stirred what she needed to, then looked back to Miranda to find that she was already moving back to the living room to collect her coat. Abby let her, deciding not to extend the invitation to supper. Instead, she went to the door and waited for the woman to finish dressing. Miranda was studying her again.

"You look worried Dr Gable," she said as she pulled a hood over her head. "I assure you, I'm not here to cause trouble for you and yours."

You are one of mine as well…

"Is this about Grayson?" Abby asked. "Or Kai Leng." Miranda's mouth twisted with distaste at the name, some of the first emotion that she showed since arriving at the apartment.

"Let's… say he won't be a concern your people will have to worry about," Miranda said. "Thank you for your help in this Dr Gable. And thank you for bringing this to my attention. It… Well, turns out it was very useful information."

Abby nodded slowly and opened the door for Miranda.

"Don't let it get you killed," she said. "Please."

Miranda didn't turn back to her, but she saw the small smile on the woman's perfectly shaped mouth.

"Trust me," she said. "I'm smarter than that."

The End of Chapter 10