They strolled contentedly through the park, Trish wrapped around Nicola's left arm while her right threw tennis balls for the dog with a plastic launcher. A blue glow caught their attention through the trees, immediately followed by a shriek and moments later panicked shouting.

"Stay there! Don't come any closer. Get down on the ground! Stand still! Don't come any closer or I'll shoot."

"What- What's happening to me?"

"Jesus Nick, that's a child."

The soldier had gone on alert the moment the light appeared, but at that she pressed the ball thrower into Trish's hand.

"Stay here!" She was running before the words finished leaving her mouth, but Trish ignored her command and was hot on her tail.

They broke through the tree line together, Nikki sticking her arm out to halt her girlfriend so they could take in the scene and observe what was happening for a moment, rather than just rushing in headlong with no clue.

A young girl stood wreathed in blue light, tears streaming down her face as she stared in panic at her hands. The dark energy was feeding off her emotions and flaring wildly, evoking even more fear and trapping her in an unbreakable cycle.

The space directly around her was empty as people fled the scene but true to human nature, a fair few had stopped and turned to watch once they reached what they hoped was a safe distance.

The closest remaining person appeared to be an off duty security guard, his pistol pointed at the perceived threat despite the uncertainty and conflict clear on his face between protecting the rest of the public and having to point his weapon at a kid.

"I want my mummy!"

Trish's heart went out to the child, she could only imagine how scary it must be for her right now. She thought puberty had been bad but at least you got a bit of warning from adults before it happened and the knowledge that, sooner or later, everyone had to go through it.

The percentage of human biotics however was still microscopically small. Even if you removed everyone born before First Contact from the statistics. Galactic entertainment programs had gone someway to normalising the concept of biotics to a degree, but it was still largely seen as something that happened to other species.

Something strange, dangerous and alien. For every child at school who found it 'cool' there would be another three that would call her freak.

At least the Alliance was starting to get better with their handling of the matter. The Ascension program at Grissom Academy included civilian instructors and was merely highly encouraged for newly manifested biotics, rather than strictly mandatory like BAaT had been a decade ago.

Trish suddenly realised Nikki was no longer beside her.

"You know, my mummy always used to say 'I want doesn't get', does yours say that?" The marine asked casually as she closed the distance.

To an outside observer it would have looked like she'd completely ignored the gun being held menacingly behind her, but she had moved deliberately in an attempt to block the security guard's line of sight on the child. More than aware of the fact that increased nerves could lead to itchy trigger fingers and knowingly putting her own life on the line to protect the biotic.

The girl looked over at her in shock, trying to process her random question but coming out with:

"Who are you?"

"Me? I'm Nikki, who are you?"

"Jasmine."

"Did you come here with your mummy Jasmine?"

"Yes, but I lost her and I can't find her and… and..." Sobs broke through once more, the biotic glow flickering and brightening uncontrollably as her emotions overflowed. "I don't know what's happening."

"Hey, it's alright. Why don't you sit with me and we wait for your mum to find us? Do you like ice cream?"

The girl nodded.

"What's your favourite flavour?"

"Chocolate."

"I bet you I can get us ice cream without moving from here."

"No you can't."

"I can too!"

"Can not!"

"Ok, I'll prove it... Oi, Trish! Get us some chocolate ice cream would you please babe!"

"That's cheating!"

"And?"

Trish had no idea what her girlfriend was up to and wasn't particularly thrilled about leaving her alone in a potentially dangerous situation, but she wanted to help and knew that below the carefree facade there was a sharp analytical mind that probably had a plan.

Even if she suspected it was most likely a harebrained one.

Plus she knew this was nothing compared to what the soldier faced on a regular basis at work. Although that thought was only half comforting.

With Judy on her heels she set off at a jog for the nearest food vendor, thankful that she used this park often enough to know where they were located. When she got there she realised the tactical error in not leaving the launcher with Nicola and had to tuck it under her arm as she juggled the ice cream cones in her hands and made her way back, Judy foraging ahead to find her other owner.

"Get off dog! What've I told you, only do that to Trish." Came the loud surprised voice as Shepard squirmed under the wet nose that prodded her in the neck, just behind and slightly below her ear, followed by an enthusiastic tongue. The human trailed off into a quiet mutter as she added: "I should never have taught you that..."

"Is she yours?" Jasmine asked as she reached over, the large puppy happily moving over to the source of greatest attention.

"Yep, her name's Ensign."

"Oh no it isn't!" Came a warning voice as Trish caught up with them, pushing her way past the still rather uncertain security guard who had at least pointed his gun down at the ground, even if it wasn't holstered. She carefully transferred the two chocolates over to her girlfriend who in turn handed one to the young biotic as she cheerfully retorted:

"Oh yes it is."

There was a groan.

"Great, you've turned us into a pantomime."

"You started it."

Trish opened her mouth to protest then promptly shut it again when she realised what she was about to say.

"Why don't you sit down babe, you're blocking the sun. This is my new friend Jasmine."

"Trish, and that mutt you're stroking is actually called Judy."

"Judy... Ensign. po-tay-to, po-tah-to. Same difference."

"Not even remotely."

"You're funny." The child laughed, no longer glowing as she sat eating ice cream and stroking the dog, thoroughly distracted from her predicament by their antics.

"It's a gift." Nikki responded glibly.

"More like a curse." Trish amended promptly.

"To-may-to, to-mah-to. " Was the infuriating reply and if they'd been alone Trish may well have smeared ice cream in her partner's face.

The knowing twinkle in her eyes suggested Nikki had read her mind and that if they'd been alone she'd reach over with her mouth and steal some before she got a chance.

"Anyway... before someone had to distract us with food we were about to be super awesome detectives!"

"I apologise for bringing you food, it won't happen again."

"But what if I want you to?" It was very almost a whine, although it sounded rather put upon, like she was playing it up for the audience.

"Maybe. If you ask nicely... aaand if you let me join your super awesome detective squad."

"Hmm... I don't know, should we let her?" Nikki asked the biotic who merely shrugged. "Well I suppose we could give you a test, see if you're good enough... Reckon you could hack into the local CCTV?"

"Why? Can't you manage?"

"Course I can, I'm just practicing the art of delegating... Plus you'd be faster than me." The spec ops soldier admitted.

Trish didn't answer verbally, merely smirking as she activated her omni-tool, it wasn't long before she was scrolling through the city's footage, tracing Jasmine's steps back until she was seen with another woman and then playing it forwards again, following Jasmine's mother to trace down the location and reunite them.

…

Author's note: Remember how on my last note I laid out how many chapters I had planned before we reached the games? Well... I apologise for this dark and angsty chapter and we'll reach Eden Prime when we get there (aka: 'Oh, hi muse, where did this fluff come from?')

And yes, consider that a warning that there will be a very dark and heavy chapter before we reach Eden Prime, I've had it in mind for months now but not gotten very far on writing it, partly because I hadn't reached that part of the story yet but also largely because I keep worrying about doing it justice.

Thanks for all your follows, favs & reviews, particularly the guest review from Ryan, I always wonder if I get the action scenes right, especially as I don't write them as often, so I'm glad you think I got the balance right.