I'm baaa-aaacckkk. So here is the thing... 2016 has fucked me. Real hard. I'm hoping things will start looking up soon but who is to say. I'm sorry you have all had to wait for so long with new chapters. I actually had it planned to post this chapter on N7 day (happy belated N7 day!) but as soon as I got to work, my radiator started to drain fluid everywhere. Now, why didn't I still go home? I work over an hour away from my home and I was then only about 30minutes from my parents house. I had no extra clothes, no laptop, not even a portable gaming system to pass the time while at my parents' house. My parents also don't have internet in their home and no cell service (waaaay out in the country and nothing is available). So, I finally got home this morning with a fixed car and an emptier bank account. Anyway... I am starting a new job soon so I won't have over an hour drive (one way) and will hopefully let me relax a little more. I hope you guys like this chapter and I hope I can do right by all of you. Love you guys and gals, thank you for staying with me. Thank you for reading/following/favoriting and reviewing.

Chapter 46

"How much more time are you and your team going to need, Tali'Zorah?" one of the quarian marines asked her, passing near the building where she had set up her equipment.

"Really? Are you really asking me that question? Do you know how much data there is to collect? To analyze? To process? This is a PREMATURELY dying sun! And on a land our ancestor's lived on! It's unprecedented!"

He nodded, "I… I get it. It was just a question," he mumbled as he walked off to patrol the northern section.

"Give us a break," Kal'Reegar said from the opposite end of the room, "We are marines. We don't understand this stuff like you do."

Tali turned to him, "This stuff?"

"Don't get started again."

"Ugh! They should have sent more scientists with me instead of more marines."

"Well, this is geth space. Without us, you and the team that is here would be very exposed."

"I should have gotten a larger team…"

"Sorry to be such a disappointment."

"Not that…" she typed on her datapad, "I think one of my sensors has gone down. I need to get it fixed and the others are all busy."

"One of the other scientists can handle it," Kal'Reegar stood between Tali and the door. When he realized she wasn't going to back down he conceded with a sigh, "Let us clear the way first."

"Have you forgotten that I ran around the galaxy with Commander Shepard? The first human Spectre? Do you know what kind of fire-fights we got into?"

"Stop trying to do everything. You are with your people again and this is how we do things. You know this. Now let us get ready to escort you there."

"So we landed out of sight of the quarians," Cara said. "Unfortunately, we didn't get here earlier but you should be able to make contact, discuss with Miss Neema that we are interested in recruiting her and then come back and we will leave so she can have time to think about it."

John checked over his assault rifle and placed it on his back, "Neema isn't her last name. It's the ship she is stationed on," he said casually.

"Right, sorry." She studied him, "So, are we clear on what is expected of you?"

John looked at her and her copilot, "Yeah, we're clear. Talk to her. Leave. Not that complex."

"Alright," she said. "You better get a move on."

John gave a half wave and left. He still wasn't sure if he was the best one to talk to Tali. He had been ignoring her for a long time now.

Jane adjusted her head on the pillow, trying to get a better view of the datapad. She balanced the edge on her chest so she only had to lightly hold the side and scroll through it with one hand; her other was busy lightly running her nails between the plates and fringe of Garrus's head.

Turians weren't known for their snuggling behavior but it was hard not to with a softer human, not that he would admit that to her or anyone else; she already gave him shit for calling her too soft for his liking, way back when. Garrus couldn't help but purr at the attention she gave him while his head rested on her stomach with his arm draped across her legs so his hand could rest on her opposite hip. He felt her take a deep breath so he squeezed her hip in response; he could sense her smile.

Jane smiled at the relaxing interaction between them. Her only complaint was that his mandible was digging into her a little but she would never vocalize it, fearing that he would pull away and wouldn't cuddle with her like this again.

"Do you think I made the right choice for the team?" Jane asked.

Garrus grunted in agreement.

"Are you sure? I feel like I should have picked Samara."

"But then you wouldn't have been able to bring Thane."

"Well, maybe I meant replacing you with her."

"Then you would have two people who don't know your fighting style. Obviously I'm your best choice no matter what." He felt her chuckle and huffed out a laugh as well. He pushed himself up onto his elbow, took her datapad from her, and dipped his head so her hand went under his fringe, "You know what we should do?" He lifted her shirt and kissed her just under her navel.

"Garrus!" she exclaimed through her laugh. She pushed her shirt back down as her legs squirmed, pushing him away. "We have a mission to go on in a few hours."

"Yeah, and that is what this time is supposed to be for… for us to relax…" he kissed her on her stomach again, "…to prepare ourselves…" he continued to lift her shift until he could kiss her between her breasts, "…to 'talk' to those we care for…" he kissed her on her neck, "and anything else we deem necessary for us," he ended his speech with a long lingering kiss on her lips.

It took everything Jane had to push him away. "Garrus, we need to get out of this bubble of just you and me."

He pulled away at her requesting gesture and stretched out on what was becoming 'his' side of the bed. "What do you mean? We're still getting our work done."

"Barely. I check on the crew but I scarcely socialize with anyone except you and Joker."

He groaned. "Fine. But I don't like it." Getting up, he went to Jane's side and helped her up. "Can I at least stay until you change?" he smirked.

She smacked him on his shoulder, "Get out," she laughed. "We both know that you plan on sexually harassing me until I give in. And we know I will give in."

"Not my fault you have a weak will power when it comes to me," he pressed his forehead to hers, "But it is still stronger than mine when it comes to you."

Jane touched a hand to the side of his face and leaned into him, her fingers tracing down his mandible. She whispered, "I should get dressed."

"And I should go," he said just as quietly. He headed for the door but hesitated, "I'll see you in a few hours, unless you stop by on your rounds."

"Bye, Garrus," she said in a whisper. She waited until he had left before she started to organize her desk. Opening a few drawers, she rearranged the items, barely registering what she was moving, her mind in a million places. She stopped and turned to her computer, sorting through her emails, making notes of which missions could be next after they complete their roster and who would be best suited for each team. While clearing out her emails, she had come across one that beckoned her attention: her mother's. Jane knew that she had put off talking to her mother long enough but given their location, she couldn't call her. A message may only work her up… but at least it might ebb her wrath a little next time I talk to her.

Jane took a deep breath.

Mother,

I am sorry that I haven't contacted you yet, and that you had to find out from someone else that I was alive. I would have called but I am currently too far from any relay station that would provide a decent connection. I can't tell you where I am or what I am doing but I should be able to call you in a few days. I really can't give you the details, especially right now, but I really was unable to reach out to anyone for two years. John has been out of touch even to me recently and I've only seen him once. His reasons are his own for getting involved and he didn't talk me into working with them; there is something that I need to do first. I'm sorry, Mom.

Love,

Jane

Nodding to herself, she sent the message and quickly turned in her chair to get up but slammed her knee into the still open drawers. "Shhhaaaaaaa..." she vocalized and leaned over, holding her knee. Grunting, she held her knee with one hand and used her other to start to close the drawer, she stopped, a shiny box catching her eye. She rubbed her knee to ease the pain out and held the box, running her fingers along the edges, wondering what was inside and how to open it. The holo popped up. She activated each key, trying to figure out the tune she had in mind. She played a few notes then tried them in a different order and that was when something strange happened; played in the right order, other notes played. The tune started to stand out to her reminding her of a song. She tried again, this time getting more notes. Smiling to herself, she fingers paused as she hummed the song. It had been ages since she had listened to it.

She started to sing, "And up until now, I have sworn to myself, That I'm content with loneliness. Because none of it was ever worth the risk. Well you are the only exception. You are the only exception…" she let her voice trail off and hovered her fingers over the keys, she took a deep breath, ready to play both in unison.

The alarm on her desk caused her to jump and drop the box back into her desk. "Dammit!" She jumped up, shut the drawers and went into the elevator. She pressed the button for Engineering and tapped her foot impatiently as it went down. Just before it opened, she took a deep breath to compose herself. She exited, nodding to Donnelly and Daniels and moved quickly down the stairs.

"Hey," Jack half-heartedly greeted.

"How are you, Jack?"

"Not too bad, though I expect not as good as you," she grinned.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Jane crossed her arms and squinted at the woman.

"Just come right out and say it, you banging that turian or what?"

Jane rolled her eyes.

"Don't give me that sass. I'm brave but last time I came close to fucking a turian, I almost got ripped to shreds. Had to bail out. Not my proudest moment." She watched Shepard cross her arms and look away. "Ah, so you've got a gentle one. One that really loves you and isn't in it just for the shag." Jack twisted her mouth in a grimaced frown, "Shame, boring."

"Jack, I…"

"I won't say anything. That's your shit to share."

Jane cleared her throat. Should she even bother disputing it or would it be better just to drop it? "Can I ask about you?"

Jack glanced at the commander before getting up and walking over to the corner. "I guess."

They talked about Jack's life, her exploits, the twists and turns that lead her to where she was now. Jane let her talk, only asking questions when necessary.

"There's no reason I should be alive but I am. You know why? Instinct. It has worked for me so far and I'm not going to change." She saw Shepard's lip curl up in a small grin. "Hey, Shepard. No one's ever asked me about this shit. It's strange to talk about… So fuck you."

"Alright, fuck you too, Jack," Shepard started to walk up the steps.

Jack couldn't help but smile. "And thanks for asking."

Jane smiled as she climbed the stairs, thinking that Jack would be a good fit in the long run. She checked in with Grunt but he wasn't in the talking mood, not that he ever had been. Next was the crew deck where she headed to Thane.

"Do you need something?" his voice rumbled but he didn't turn around.

"Have a few minutes to talk?"

"Certainly," he said over his shoulder.

"If you don't mind my saying, you don't really seem like an assassin," she walked past where he was sitting and looked out the window.

"You've spent too much time fighting thugs who think custom painted armor makes them professionals. The Hanar trained me for this role since I was six years old."

Jane turned to look at him, "You've been killing since you were six?" she asked, shocked.

"Of course not. I didn't make my first kill until I was twelve. They were training me. I was not to be used and thrown away. I was an investment."

"You were a child, not an investment."

"I've given you the wrong idea. They valued me, yes, as a resource, but also as a person. They regretted their need for me."

"The Hanar? Excessively polite, worshiped protheans. They don't seem the type to train assassins."

"Every species trains assassins. The hanar are only unusual in that they need other species to do their killing for them. They have a strong grip and natural toxins but have you ever seen one move quickly outside of water or fire a gun?"

"Why did your parents agree to this?"

"The agreement was made under a compact. It was an honor for our family."

"The compact?"

"We live on the Hanar home world because they rescued us, some of us, from extinction. We owe them our lives. That is the compact."

Jane asked about the compact, the drell extinction, trying to find out more about Thane and his history.

"But you don't kill for the Hanar anymore, you're freelance. What changed?"

"I was asleep for a long time, yes. I paid no attention to what my body was asked to do. But then…" he could feel himself slipping into another memory. He knew which one it would be and he tried to fight it but there wasn't a chance he could stop it. "Laser dot trembles on the skull. One finger twitch. Dies. Then… the smell of spice on the spring wind. Sunset coming. Eyes defiant in the scope. The laser dances on the…" he closed his eyes, the memory fading. "My apologies. Drell slip into memories so easily."

"Was that one of your assassinations?"

"Uh…" he shifted uncomfortably, "yes. Perhaps we can discuss it later. I've wasted too much of your time."

She nodded, knowing that she had touched on a sore subject, "Will you be ready for the mission."

"Absolutely."

She left, deciding not to push the conversation anymore. Going across the ship, she entered the room where Samara was. The asari sat quietly on the floor. Jane could see Samara holding her hands out, a glowing ball of energy in them, but Jane couldn't see her face.

"Shepard," Samara greeted.

"Samara, how are you settling in?"

"Well, thank you. Though I haven't been around your crew much. I decided to spend time meditating."

"What are your impressions of Miranda and Jacob?"

"Jacob is an earnest young man. Events will either forge him into a great man or utterly destroy him. Miranda is undoubtedly a hard woman. I respect her strength and determination. She carries many burdens and doesn't share them with others, as it should be. Much like yourself."

Jane ignored the last comment. "How do you think our mission is going?"

"Building our forces is a good strategy. However, the time to strike is coming soon."

"How are you?" Jane walked around the side, approaching the asari slowly. She could finally see the justicar's face and could better see the energy in her hands and saw that her eyes were glowing. Jane wished for control like that.

"I've spent much of the last four hundred years on my own. It is nice to have a colleague to chat with," her biotic field faded from around her. "I may be rusty at it however. If you are patient, I would love to talk," she smiled.

Jane sat on the floor, diagonal to Samara, "How much do you know about our mission?"

"I know that I've sworn an oath to follow you and that you seek to destroy the is enough for me," Samara stared out the window into the vastness of space, her face holding the same appearance.

"You don't want to know why the Collectors need to be fought?"

"When you live by a code that compels you to harsh action you learn the dangers of curiosity. If I must kill a man because he has done wrong, do I really wish to know he is a devoted father?"

Jane nodded. She didn't understand everything about the Justicar code but it seemed that there wasn't much room for emotions. Then again, in the heat of battle, was she much different? "I would like to know more about the criminal you were chasing on Nos Astra."

Samara looked down, her eyes taking on a distance as if she were reliving a memory. "I hope you will understand if I wish to avoid this topic. It is deeply tied to my code and beliefs. You might say it is personal," she looked up, composed again, the slightest hint of a smile, trying to mask what had just been said.

Jane nodded in understanding, "Is it anything I can help with? Is it something that will affect the mission?"

"It will not."

"What do you think of Cerberus?" Jane asked, deciding not to push the topic.

"I've heard rumors, but learned long ago to form my own impressions. There is too much room for the interpretations of others."

"Why were you willing to work for Cerberus when you didn't have first hand knowledge?"

Samara grinned as she looked at Jane, "I work for you, Shepard. Our methods may be different but our goals are not."

Jane smiled, "I should get back to work."

"It has been my pleasure, Commander," Samara said, the biotic glow returning around her.

Jane stood and headed back towards the door.

Samara could hear the footsteps receding and said just as Shepard reached the door, "I have never met a human with biotic powers as strong as yours. Does your family have a history of biotics?"

Jane's foot scuffed the floor, causing her to stumble. She struggled to find her voice, "Uh, no. I'm the only biotic." She turned to see Samara still in her same position.

"Interesting."

"Is there something I should know?"

Samara ignored her question, "It is a lot of energy for a human. It must be hard to control at times."

Jane noticed the lack of a question. "Sometimes."

"You don't use your biotics as a tool. As a part of you. You see them as something foreign."

Shepard didn't answer.

"Ignoring them does not help you." Samara paused but she wasn't waiting for a response. "I have trained individuals in the past. If you would ever like help, you need only ask."

"Thank you, Samara," Jane struggled to say before leaving.

She walked through the ship, a little in a haze. Should she take Samara up on her offer? It would probably be best given what she had already experienced. Then again, her biotics had been better lately. She tried to think of the last time, excluding when she had done the mission for Samara, it had been before she and Garrus had gotten together. Maybe she was better. But she doubted it.

Jane entered Port Observation, Kasumi's room, and was immediately greeted, "Hey, Shepard!" the thief said cheerfully.

"Kasumi, how are things?"

"Good, though I do wish I could go on more missions with you. But don't think that I'm not grateful."

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I wish I could take more of you but so far we have just been recruiting, not a lot of missions to go around. Things should pick up here soon though."

"Not a problem. I know you are trying to balance us accordingly."

"In the meantime, are you having any trouble on the ship?"

"Hmm… not really. But this one security guy keeps staring at me. I think his name is Bert. I'm used to being watched by security but they're usually staring at my eyes or watching my hands. I might have to start cloaking through the CIC from now on."

"Don't you do that now anyway?"

"Hmm… good point. Guess I should make it more frequent."

"Even though you are always here on rounds, I can't help but have the feeling that you are anywhere but here at every other point of the day," Jane grinned.

Kasumi smirked, "I don't know what you mean, Shepard. I just, entertain myself in my down time. I'm sure you can relate."

"Most of my time is filled. Can't let the paperwork pile up."

"Ah yes, paperwork. Then I guess you need to make the most of your time when you do have it."

Jane couldn't help but feel that if she could see Kasumi's eyes, she would have winked.

"I should let you go, Shepard," Kasumi said, still smiling. "I can't take all of your time away from other members of the crew." She stared down at her omni-tool, "Actually… Shepard… there is one thing that I would like to ask you… It's a personal matter."

"Kal'Reegar," one of the men called out.

"What is it?"

"We're getting some interference in our planet-side communications."

Kal'Reegar went over to their communicator and heard the static and occasional cut offs. "Team two, come in." He paused, "Team three, do you read?" He tried again. Turning to the marine, he said, "Maybe we can get Tali to look at it. In the meantime, we need to stay alert, there could be…" his voice faded when he heard a rumble of what sounded like engines. "Do you hear that?"

There was silence for only a few seconds before they heard another marine shout, "Geth ship coming from the east!"

Kal'Reegar returned to Tali, "Get inside, don't come out until we give the all clear."

"No! Give me a gun and let me fight!"

Kal pulled a pistol from his leg and held it in his hand, contemplating his decision. When Tali reached for it, he shoved her backwards with his other hand, sending her to the floor. "Stay put," he ordered and manually shut the door. Once it closed, he typed in the emergency override.

"Kal!" she frantically tried to open the door but only errors popped up on her side, requests for two codes. "EUURGGHHH!" she screamed as she hit the door. Tali crumpled her hood in her hands, hating that she couldn't do anything to help. She could already hear the shots and explosions coming from outside. Pacing back and forth, she tried to block out her fears and what could happen to her fellow quarians. She tried to tell herself that everything would be okay but in mid-thought, a buzzer caught her attention. "Oh Keelah… the sun is coming up…"

John paused in his jog to watch the new arrivals fly over him. He instantly recognized the ships: Geth.

"John, come in," Cara's voice came over the radio.

"Yes?" John went back to his jog, this time a little faster.

"You need to come back. The mission is scrubbed. Our ship isn't equipped to fight and the cloaking can only conceal us for so long."

"Then leave."

"John, we are not supposed to leave without you. Give us your location, we'll meet you."

"Frankly, I don't give a damn. I'm not leaving without helping her. If you want to take me with you, you either need to drag me onto the ship unconscious or dead or help me take out these Geth." There was a long silence on the radio but the silence was quickly filled with engines roaring and shots being fired as he got closer to the firefight.

"Don't you dare die on us. If you do, I'll probably get fired."

"Well, we don't want that now."

"I'll probably still get fired for this."

"I'll put in a good word for you. And, hey, there's no way for me to get my shopping bag from you is there?"

There was a pause.

"I mean, we could drop it somewhere, I doubt the Geth will want to steal it."

"Somehow that doesn't seem practical."

A sigh came through the radio. "It will be waiting for you the next time you go to the Citadel."

"Shepard, our data indicates that Tali is somewhere in these ruins. There is considerable Geth activity and an environmental hazard. Solar output has overwhelmed Haestrom's protective magnetosphere. Exposure to direct sunlight will damage your shields," EDI informed them.

"You hear that boys? No sunbathing here," Jane said.

"There go my weekend plans," Garrus responded.

Jane grinned back at them as she headed towards a ramp. She stopped short, "Well… this is a good start," she sighed, planting her fists on her waist and cocking out a hip, staring at the sunlight. "So much for staying exclusively in the shade."

Thane dipped his head in agreement and stole a look between his two teammates. Now would be a good time to observe them and see what kind of relationship they had with on another on the battlefield so he could better mesh with their style. He paused when looking at the turian. The other male seemed to be staring intently at their commander but not as if he were looking for orders, more like he was admiring her. The turian straightened, looking away and Thane averted his gaze just before the turian checked to see if he had been caught.

"Alright, just no lollygagging when we come across patches like this," Jane said. She ran across the sunlit area and her shields immediately depleted, the alarm in her suit screamed at her.

They navigated the first set of ruins and came to a door, obviously powered and green lit for open. Jane opened the door and saw the bodies on the floor, a message playing on a computer.

"Anyone who hears this, find Tali'Zorah. She and the data are all that matter. Keelah Se'lai."

"Unfortunately, our timing doesn't seem to be on point. I hope we are in time for others."

Jane nodded, looking around herself to see if there were any survivors. Seeing there was no exit, she turned to look at the console. Pushing the button, she motioned for them to follow as the gate opened. "We need to find Tali."

As they crossed into the next area, they could hear the Geth dropships flying over them, depositing their foes. Jane motioned for them to take cover, sending Garrus to her right and Thane on her left. She debated about using her biotics, she wasn't sure until she pushed forward and a missile flew at her from above.

Thane moved with the human and turian, picking up on their strategy pretty quickly. His eyes took in everything on the battlefield, the Geth, the bullets, they way Garrus and Shepard seemed to move in sync. Again, the interaction seemed to be more involved than just a normal commander and crew relationship.

When the came to a long hallway where Geth awaited them on the other side, Jane worried about getting to cover. She spun out, keeping up her suppressing fire with the men behind her. She stopped to reload and bullets ate at her shield. In the split second it took for her to decide, she figured she might as well give in to her powers before Tali got into trouble. Summoning her biotic strength, she pushed it out into her arms and thrust them forward sending out a powerful shockwave that sent some of the Geth flying to the side and other being thrown back into the wall.

They charged to the now vacant end where it opened into a landing. From there, they had a great vantage point to pick off the Geth below them. When everything was silent once again, they headed down the ramp to keep moving forward. Jane looked around them, there were Quarian bodies too. She was too busy looking off into the distance that she kicked something laying a few feet from a Quarian. It was a radio.

She picked it up and a voice came through, "Op one, this is squad leader, Kal'Reegar. Come in. Over."

"This is Commander Shepard of the Normandy. Can we provide assistance?"

"Patch your radio into channel six-one-seven. We were on a stealth mission. High risk. We found what we were after. But the Geth found us. They've got us pinned down. Can't get to our ship and can't transmit data through the solar radiation. We only just got radios back up."

"What's the status of your team? How many of you are left?"

"We were a small squad. A dozen marines plus the science team. We're down to half strength now. We made the synthetic bastards pay for it though."

"What brought you this deep into Geth controlled space?"

"You're asking the wrong person, Shepard. I just point and shoot. Something about the sun going bad faster than is it should. Something about an energy problem."

"Any idea where the Geth came from?"

"One of the patrol ships found us. Started raining Geth down on our heads before we could get off the world. The system is under Geth control, we knew they made sweeps periodically. We hoped going low on missions would hide us."

"Do we have to worry about the Geth sending in reinforcements?"

"I don't think so. Their patrol ship hasn't lifted off yet. The radiation blocks all off world communication."

"How are you holding up? We can be there in a few minutes."

"Take it slow and careful. Direct sunlight fries your shields all to hell. We're bunkered down at base camp across the valley. We left Tali'Zorah at a secure shelter then doubled back to hold the choke point. Getting Tali out safely is our top priority. If you can extract her, we'll keep them off you."

"You've got confirmation that the Geth haven't reached Tali yet?"

"Affirmative. Every marine on this rock is sworn to protect her. As long as one of us is still drawing air, she'll be safe."

"You're going to throw your life away for research?"

"Negative. I'll give my life for the Migrant Fleet all the difference in the world. I'm no tech expert, Shepard. I'm a marine. They tell me to shoot, I shoot. They said to protect Tali and the data. You get her out safe, I've done my job."

"Hold your position. We'll hit their back ranks."

"Wait! Watch your ass! We've got a drop ship coming in!"

They fought their way into the shelter and found the first charge and one of Tali's logs before turning to find themselves pinned down. Jane could barely even get above cover to fire more than three shots.

"I can't get a good shot off!" Garrus shouted.

"I'm getting some heavy fire over here too!" Thane called out as well.

Jane debated her options. She was working on summoning a singularity but her hands kept shaking, her biotics flickering out. Then, she heard gunfire that wasn't in sync with the shots they had been hearing and it sounded farther away. They could hear a Geth die, then another, opening their window to take out the prime.

The prime turned away from them, trying to find the fourth attacker. Before it could do more damage, the giant Geth fell, the power fading from its body. The team moved out of the garage and looked around to find who had assisted them. Assuming it was the quarian they had spoken to earlier, they moved on, heading to the next shelter to find the other demolition charge.

Once they left that area, Jane could see the flash of light off a gun on the walkway above them. She raised her gun but saw a hand wave at her. She knew it was quite a distance above them, but she thought that she saw five fingers, not three.

When silence fell once again, Jane headed towards the door, looking around for their helper. The sound of heavy footsteps began to sound coming down the ramp.

"Hey! Long time no see," John said.

"John!" Shepard exclaimed as she ran towards the other human, throwing her arms around him.

Thane looked between the two humans and turian, picking up on the subtle clues. All three looked shocked to see one another. Shepard gave the man a hug but it seemed to be a feeling of genuinely missing him. Garrus shook the man's hand, a very human thing to do. A look was shared between Shepard and Garrus when the man wasn't looking. Interesting.

"Damn, I missed you guys," John said smiling. He looked around at the ruins, "Hell of a place to find each other."

"John, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here for Cerberus. Supposed to talk to Tali for you first. Warm her up to the idea of joining you."

"Oh," was all she could say.

"Yeah… I know…" he looked up at the sky. "When the Geth ships started to come in I ordered my ship away. I wasn't supposed to stay and certainly not run into you. But, suffice to say, I would appreciate a ride after this or, you know, a spot on your crew."

"Of course, John," Jane said giving him another hug, "I've wanted you back on the crew since Omega." She paused, "So, it's not, uh, going to be a problem with… others on the ship?"

John was pretty sure she meant Tali, "Not at all. It will be good to be on the Normandy again."

Thane stood silently to the side, studying each individual, going over what they truly meant by their words. There was a lot of history with this group and he felt a bit like an outsider, not that he minded. Something had happened between John and Tali, but the bigger question was what was between Shepard and Garrus? Were they friends worried for the other Shepard or were they much more? Their looks were subtle, but he had seen them. His eyes snapped to his commanderwhen she spoke to him.

"Thane, I'm sorry. This is my brother, John Shepard. John, this is Thane Krios."

The drell dipped his head to John, "Nice to meet you though I suspect you knew my name. It's good to finally know yours, I was wondering who the operative was that kept following me."

"Right," John said sheepishly, "Well, you didn't make it easy to try to contact you. I was just looking to talk."

"I couldn't be sure, so I kept you at a distance."

"Right," Jane muttered. "I keep forgetting that you stalked my crew for me."

"Stalked is such a harsh word. But let's not talk semantics, we should keep moving."

"Agreed," Jane said. "First we're going to blow this pillar. Once we're through," she motioned as she spoke, "Thane, I want you on my right flank. John, next to me, and Garrus, you'll be on John's flank."

"You hear that, Garrus?" John grinned while reloading. "You're on my flank but don't get too grabby. I know you missed me but keep your hands to yourself."

"You're not really my type," Garrus said, wanting to look at Jane, I'm more into you sister. When she spoke, it gave him the excuse he needed.

"You, John?Don't you remember? Humans are too soft for him," she smirked.

Garrus rolled his eyes, trying to hide how uncomfortable he was joking about human-turian relations with his best friend while in a relationship with said friend's sister.

Thane was becoming more suspicious and intrigued by the exchanges he was witnessing. He decided to test his theory, "Unless it is a personal preference, I have seen, first-hand, a few human-turian relationships given certain physical compatibility steps were taken. Turian and Drell have similar 'skin' but I for one don't find humans 'too soft' by any means. It is a surprisingly pleasant texture to their skin." He looked around at his comrades who all seemed a little unsure of what to say next. His eyes lingered on Shepard's to better judge her reaction. She blushed, bit her lip and glanced at Garrus, only for a moment, but enough to prompt Thane to look at the turian; he looked furious, challenged.

John broke the silence, "Can you not flirt with my sister right in front of me?"

"Not flirting, merely… commenting," Thane gave a half grin.

Jane cleared her throat, "Everyone take cover. I'm setting the charges."

"Will do," Garrus said, barely able to keep his voice calm and clear. His hands tightened on his gun, struggling not to point it at the drell.

Once the wall had been destroyed, they entered the previously blocked chamber. A Geth crawled towards them, its lighted face seeming to be empty. John was the one who fired first, killing the AI. Quarian and Geth bodies littered the area. The team split up, searching for survivors. Garrus commented on the Quarian architecture but was interrupted when John pressed a button on a console.

Tali's voice spoke, "Our ancestors walked these halls with uncovered heads. The sun must have been normal back then."

Jane looked over her shoulder to see John staring down at the computer as if he could see Tali speaking. He was frowning but not in an angry or upset way, almost as if he felt sorry for Tali. She turned away before he noticed her staring.

Tali's voice continued, "So much space. Walls of stone. It's amazing. I wish my friends could see it. I wish John were here."

Jane's head snapped back to him when she heard that. John didn't have to look up to know that all eyes were on him but he refused to meet any of them. He turned away from the computer and looked down at the Geth destroyer, nudging it with his foot as if to make sure it was deceased. He jumped when he heard Tali's voice again.

"Tali'Zorah to base camp, come in base camp."

Jane was closest to the panel where a holo of Tali had appeared.

"Hello?" Tali's figure moved frantically. "Hello? Is anyone there?"

Jane touched the console and leaned forward, "Tali, it's Shepard. I'm sorry, everyone here is dead. Any survivors must have fallen back."

Tali sighed, "We knew this mission was high risk. Dammit… And what are you doing here, Shepard?! We're in the middle of Geth space."

"I was in the neighborhood. Thought you might need a hand."

"Thank you for coming, Shepard. It means a lot to hear your voice. The only thing that would make it better is if John were here."

Garrus and Thane looked at John who was leaning against a wall on the far end, feigning his lack of interest.

"Kal'Reegar and what's left of the marines got me into the observatory. From where you are, it's through the door and across the field. I got the data I needed and I am safe for now but I've got a lot of Geth outside."

"What is this research you're after?"

"It's about this world's sun. It's aging faster than it should. I can tell you more about it once we've got fewer Geth shooting at us."

"Would it help if I brought in the Normandy?"

"Doubtful. These buildings are centuries old. If you bring down heavy fire this whole place could collapse on us."

"Is anyone else still with you or are you alone out there?"

"Reegar had a team of marines covering me. At least some of them are still alive," she looked to the side, "I can hear them firing at the Geth outside."

"It looks like somebody has sealed the door against the Geth and the console is damaged. Can you get it open on your end?"

"Uh… let me see. Yes! I can do it. It should be unlocked now. Be careful, Shepard, and please do what you can to keep Reegar alive."

The team picked their way through the ruins, hoping to find the Quarians still alive. They entered a small room and looked around. Jane looked over at the locked door then stepped forward to stand at the console. She could hear the men break formation and Garrus stood next to her. She glanced up at him and felt like she knew exactly what he was thinking; they glanced back at John then back to each other. Garrus nodded and she typed on the console, unlocking the door.

As they started to move to the door, the observation screens opened revealing their path. They paused looking across the space to see two Geth working on a door but there was a colossus standing guard for them. It came to life, sensing their presence.

"Colossus!" John shouted.

"Get down!" Jane said at the same time and dived to the ground just as the energy blast hit the stone. She looked around to make sure her team was okay.

John turned to check on Jane first and saw Garrus next to Jane, his arm stretched over her protectively. He brushed off the interaction with more pressing matters at hand.

"John, Thane, you two head up to the catwalk and cover us from above. Garrus and I will start in the middle and work our way around to the side."

"Are you crazy?" John yelled at her, "I'm sticking with you. We only need one sniper, you need someone to watch your back."

"John, do as I say! We will be fine and can give you two time to get there."

He muttered something under his breath, careful not to let her hear.

"Alright," she said more in a final tone rather than one of agreement. "Wait until we have their attention, then move."

She and Garrus ran down the ramp firing at the Geth in the center. They could feel the shots whizzing by them as they slid into behind cover. Three Geth began to move in on their position. Garrus stood behind a tall empty tube alternating with Jane so they could draw the fire off of one another. The colossus energy blast slammed into their cover, causing it to vibrate and heat up. The final Geth in the center fell, indicating that John and Thane had reached their position and were working on securing it.

"To the left," Jane said to Garrus. She sprinted up the ramp heading for the far side of cover so Garrus could have the closer one. Suddenly, she was jerked back by her armor collar just as the colossus energy blast flew by her. Garrus pushed her down behind the cover and headed for the farther one. Jane reloaded, looking at him. His eyes found her, glaring at her as if to say 'don't take risks for me'.

They picked off the troopers and destroyers until they couldn't see any more foes in front of them. Jane motioned that she would be moving and Garrus should follow since they needed to run across the lighted path. John and Thane's gunfire could still be heard as they took out those they could see. Her boots skidded on the stone as she pivoted out from her cover and when they caught traction she pushed off, sprinting towards the next set of cover.

Garrus ran behind her but she was out of reach. He heard the Colossus weapon warming up. He looked in its direction and saw it fire the blue energy blast. Directly at Shepard. She was still in the sunlight, meaning that her shields were still down.

Jane could see the danger coming her way but it was coming too fast for her. She raised her arm, her biotics surging with her adrenaline. She could see her own blue power form a shield in front of her. The energy blast hit her biotic field, melting into it. She threw her arm to the side, deflecting the rest of the blast but she could feel the pain in her arm, either from the effort or from the energy she had absorbed. The hit and deflection had knocked her off balance and she stumbled into the shade barely catching herself on the stack of crates.

Garrus came up next to her, his hand grabbing her elbow to help her straighten up against the crates. He held his gun in one hand, his body close to hers, and put his other hand next to her protectively. "Are you okay?"

Jane moved her good arm so she could steady herself on his shoulder. Her entire body seemed to be exhausted and her right arm was burning. How much biotic energy had it required to stop that blast? She took a deep breath, "Yeah… yeah, I'm good." The crates shook as another blast from the Colossus hit on the other side.

Garrus leaned around the corner to see two Geth troopers coming down the ramp. He raised his gun and fired three shots into the first one as the other dropped from a sniper rifle shot to the head. "We can move when you are good."

John looked through his scope at his teammates. He knew he should go back to picking off Geth like Thane was still doing, but he couldn't stop looking. He had seen a bright blue light as Jane had run across the walkway, attracting his attention. He didn't know what had happened but now she was against a crate with Garrus standing exceptionally close to her. Looking in his scope, he saw Jane nod then Garrus moved out from cover with her following behind him up the ramp towards the colossus.

"John, Thane," Jane said over the radio.

John snapped out of his thoughts, "Go ahead."

"Unless you two see more Geth, we could use some help with this colossus."

"We're all clear up here. We're heading your way."

John paused as the rest of them approached the door. "Uh… I'll keep watch out here and try to contact the shuttle."

Jane gave him a hard look but knew he wasn't going to budge, "Alright," she opened her omni and sent him the frequencies. "You're all set."

"Thank you."

The rest of the team entered the building and saw Tali standing at the console.

"Shepard!" Tali exclaimed and rushed forward to give her friend a hug. When she felt Jane hug her back, she knew that she had been forgiven. "Oh, I'm so happy to see you! And I'm so sorry for how I behaved before on Freedom's Progress. I just –"

Jane put her hand up to cut Tali off, "It's okay, Tali. This welcome is a good enough answer for me. I know it was a bit of a shock."

"And Garrus! You're here too!" she hugged him as well. "I feared the worst when no one could contact you. But now you're both here! Together!" she smiled behind her mask. "Thank you, Shepard. If it weren't for you I would never have made it out of this room."

John paced outside the room. How was he going to face her? He worked for Cerberus, willingly, for two years. How could she forgive him for that? Would she? There was a good chance he would forgive her, fall for her again, when they both joined Jane. He would have to keep his distance. That's what he would do.

A whirring beeping noise pulled him back to his task. He followed the sound and found a light flashing on a geth. Its head turned and a shredded arm reached for a gun. John put a single bullet through its head, causing it to go limp, the lights off and the noise silent. He ran back to where the team was. Without thinking, he burst in, "We need to leave, ASAP. Reinforcements are coming."

"John…" Tali exhaled his name.

"Uh… hey, Tali," John looked away, this would be harder than he thought.

Tali walked slowly towards him. She was silent for a few moments before wrapping her arms around him, "You're alive."

John gave her a half hug in return, looking over her shoulder at the team staring at them. "Last time I checked, yeah."

"I missed you."

John didn't respond.

"I'm sorry," her voice shook.

He pulled away from her, refusing to look at anyone, "We need to go, shuttle is on its way but we can shorten that distance."

Tali watched him walk away to stand by the door. She looked back at Jane, "I promised to see this mission through and I did. I can leave with you and send the data to the fleet. And if the admirals have a problem with it, they can go to hell. I just watched the rest of my team die."

"Maybe not the whole rest of your team, ma'am," Kal Reegar said, limping into the room. John went to help the Quarian but was waved off.

"Reegar! You made it!"

"Your old captain is as good as you said. That colossus never stood a chance."

"If need be, the Normandy can get you out of here, Reegar," Jane offered.

"Eh, the geth didn't damage the ship so as long as we get out of here before reinforcements arrive, we'll be fine."

"Actually, I won't be going with you. I'll be joining Commander Shepard."

"I'll pass the data to the admiralty board and let them know what happened. She's all yours now, Shepard. Keep her safe."

They didn't have to go far before the shuttle landed to pick them up. John stood facing away from the group, acting as the guard. Tali entered first, hesitating to look at the planet one last time. Thane and Garrus entered next, Jane waited for John.

"John, get on."

"You go first," he said not looking at her.

"John, I am the commanding officer. My crew boards before I do."

"Well, I am covering of me as your security detail."

"Get on the shuttle, soldier."

He turned, looking at her with a slight grimace, "Please don't call me that again." He boarded without another argument. Pausing at the entry, he watched Jane step in and the door close behind her. When she passed, he looked to see where he would sit and wished he had sat down earlier; the only seat left was next to Tali. Not wanting to make a scene, he sat next to her but refused to look her way.

"So," Tali started, "How many others do you have on the crew? Any of us originals?" She looked at Thane, "Not that I have anything against new crew," she desperately tried to explain.

Thane waved her concern away, "Quite alright, I understand. A strong bond was formed between all of you in your last mission together."

"Well," Jane said, "there's Joker, Garrus, John, and… you."

"Oh," Tali said, a little surprised. Why weren't more willing to sign back up? "Not Liara?"

"She's busy. Made a life for herself on Illium and seems to be doing pretty well."

Tali nodded, "Wrex?"

John answered but still didn't look at her, "He's on his home world. I tried reaching out but he's not willing to leave."

Tali debated on asking about the last person, but it seemed wrong not to, "And… Kaidan?"

Jane and Garrus shared a look. She answered, "He wasn't interested."

"What was that?" John piped up.

"What was what?" Jane looked at him.

He pointed at her and Garrus, wiggling his finger back and forth between them, "That look. You two shared a look. What was that?"

Jane swallowed the lump in her throat, unsure how to answer, thankfully Garrus did it for her.

"Let's just say he was very rude."

"Very rude, how?" John pressed.

Jane shook her head, "He said I had given up everything I believed in and also said some other very hurtful things. I don't want to get into it. Just drop it."

John crossed his arms, wondering what had happened while he was absent.