A/N: Just a teensy thing. It's snowing like a mofo her in good ol' Texas (like the closest thing to a blizzard we will ever get) and I couldn't sleep. The song "Goodbye" by Who is Fancy kept playing on repeat, and the lyrics inspired me to pen this what if scenario. This is not affiliated with my other axis/Miranda stories, so do not be alarmed.

Disclaimer: I do not own jack. Bioware owns everything, and I just own…yeah, I got nothing.

Axis sat stiff-backed and rigid on her bed, head firmly in her hands. The dark-haired commander looked like hell; her dark hair was messy and tousled, certainly not put together like she normally was. Dark rings clung to her eyes, the beautiful blue dulled and full of so much pain. The treasured N7 hoodie, a physical testament of her bravery and strength and oh so cuddly, hung askew on her body.

The soldier felt sick to her stomach, bile threatening to rise in her throat. It was already scratchy from all the tears and crying she had done earlier. Now, all she felt was empty. Empty and more alone than she had ever felt before in her life. And all of this was happening because of a gorgeous woman with a killer accent and sparkling eyes, a woman who held Axis's heart and broke it without a single thought.

"Baby, I'm home! You wouldn't believe the kind of day I've had…." The Spectre sauntered in through the front door, closing it behind her while precariously balancing her travel bag full of armor, clothing and weapons. Axis had been gone for three weeks on a mission and she was dearly missing her beloved girlfriend Miranda. It had been a crazy two years since the reaper invasion. Axis had not though she would escape the battle alive, but alive she was and the soldier could finally relax and settle down with the stunning Aussie who had stolen her breath and, later, her heart.

Axis set the bag down on the couch, eager to find her girlfriend and kiss those enticing lips that had haunted the hero's dreams the entire absence. Her heart was certainly fonder, so maybe that old saying held some truth. "Miri? Babe, where are you?"

Combat-issued boots thumped as the tall soldier walked down the hallway as Axis made her way to the bedroom she and Miranda shared. That was the only place the woman could be after all, otherwise she would have heard her. Strange; the door was closed. The two women never closed the door as they always had privacy. Axis certainly did not mind if Miranda came into the room when she was in a state of undress.

"Miranda, why is the door clo-" Axis had slowly opened the door, her words cutting off abruptly as her horrified eyes took in the sight before her. Miranda lay naked on the bed, moaning and crying out as a man with dark hair and chiseled muscles thrust into her. Broad shoulders glistened as the faceless stranger canted forward, burying his invisible length into Axis's girlfriend.

Miranda had her head thrown back wantonly, dark hair disheveled and biting her lip sexily as she let the man continue to take her. Heavily-lidded blues slowly fluttered open after a particularly long scream; her signature end to a strong orgasm. She looked about ready to praise the man, until her gaze fell on the stricken soldier standing inside the doorway.

"Oh my God!" Miranda shrieked as she quickly covered her assets, looking like she wanted to be anywhere else. That, or vomit.

"Sweetheart, what is wrong with you?" The man turned his head, dark eyes widening as they landed on Axis. "C-commander Shepard! I-" The man was of course incredibly handsome, amber eyes flecked with gold and just swimming with unbridled lust and machismo. A little stubble hung on his strong jaw, perfect lips hanging just above. He shifted uneasily, lifting his body off of Miranda and covering his assets with one hand.

"You…" Axis was unable to utter another word, her voice not obeying her request. A scream threatened to rip from her throat, but she held it at bay. They would not get the satisfaction of hearing how much she fucking hurt. Getting shot was far less painful.

Axis felt like she was no longer in control of her world. This was one job she never thought she would have to combat. Her world was crashing down all around her, and for once the good soldier was trapped.

"Axis, I-I can explain. Erik, he-"

"Save it."

Axis felt a wave of vertigo assault her, forehead creasing in pain as he head exploded. She was unsure of where to put her hands; Axis was sorely tempted to put them around Erik's neck. She opened her mouth to speak, to rip Miranda apart as surely as with her biotics, ready to hurt the woman like she was being hurt, but the words would not come out. Shaking her head in denial and utter grief, Axis quickly turned tail and ran.

"Axis! Wait!" Miranda yelled out desperately, jumping to her feet and clutching the pile of covers to her body to protect what little modesty she still possessed. The biotic ran from the room to try and stop her lover from fleeing. Erik called after her, but Miranda ignored the words as fear clawed her mind and hastened her movements.

Miranda got to the living room as the front door closed, a final sounding crash signaling Axis's departure. Axis never saw the broken expression that clouded the beautiful woman's face as tears poured from her eyes. A body crashes to the floor, sobbing and clutching the covers, hoping against hope Axis would come back to her.

Axis hadn't. In fact, she actively avoided the woman with everything she had. Axis had packed up all her things and was currently living with Ashley and Sam, both of which had been nothing but pitying looks and soothing words. Axis was pretty sure they had strung up a picture of Miranda in their room and had taken to throwing darts at her pretty face. It did not make Axis feel better.

Nothing could be said that would make this better. Axis watched her hope and dreams shatter before her very eyes with each pump of Erik's hips. The moment her life exploded replayed in her head every waking moment and even in her dreams, and Axis was sick of it. The commander was so tired of hurting, of lies and images that succeeded in breaking what little bit of her remained. Axis wanted to forget Miranda and move on, but her heart said otherwise.

And thus the mighty hero of the galaxy, the very lifeblood of the Alliance, was truly broken. Not by the Collectors or the Reapers, or even the scum of the universe. No, she had her heart broken by the very person she trusted and respected and loved more than anyone. N7 training could only get you so far; it was a shame her uniform could not save her from that wound. It was time for Axis to say goodbye, and goodbyes are never easy to say.