This is a re-imagining of clone Shepard…sort of. A complete over haul…a newer, better…absolutely different version. This is set in ME 2 and through ME 3. And possibly beyond. Jack is my number 2 love interest for FemShep (Number 1 goes to Lady Liara as always). This is a Jack/OFC paring. There is a ton of Jack/Miranda stuff which is all fine and dandy and I love 'em all. But this time around, it's gonna be different. LotSB was done early on in this story.

Was inspired to write this after reading Ravens Mask (Experiments series) and Rae D. Magdon ME stories (I highly recommend you read Asari Nights as well as Omega's Choice/Omega's Pride). All so deliciously delightful. If you're not familiar with their…uh…particular brand of storytelling, I would suggest reading them all. If that's what you're into.

This first chapter…*TRIGGER WARNING* portions of it anyways, will deal with an uncomfortable subject. If that isn't your cup of tea, you can skim through it (or stop reading). This is also FEMSLASH. You have been officially warned.

*Disclaimer 1: I own nothing except for my universe/story/OC…etc…also, any scientific stuff that you read is just from my head. I am no scientist. With that being said, take whatever you read with a grain of salt.

**Disclaimer 2: At some point during this story, you may have to read this on the AO3 site (the link is in my profile). Hopefully it doesn't come to that, but stay turned.

1

"Any word yet on that base Miranda?"

Sighing, Miranda just pinched the bridge of her nose. She was getting frustrated. And she never got frustrated.

"I've pulled every resource I could find. Other then what I've found so far, I've got nothing to report."

It had been several hours since the Illusive Man made known a rouge Cerberus group. At first Miranda and the Commander were skeptical of the news but when the Illusive Man sent over specific details of certain experiments being done under his name. And he wanted them stopped.

"I'm doing everything I can Shepard."

There was a pause on the other end.

"I know…sorry. Let me know when you find anything new."

Miranda found herself nodding.

"Will do Shepard. Try to get some rest." Miranda was sure her commander was smirking as she shut off her omni-tool.

Miranda settled herself in for a long night.

...

"Thanks. She's got pull but not like you," Shepard said. She felt like she was running through hoops for everyone around her.

"My pleasure commander," Liara said with a teasing grin. She knew Shepard well enough to know that the commander was pushing herself twice as hard now. Any help Liara could provide, she would gladly give.

"From what I've heard of that planet, it's uninhabitable and it's too far off Alliance radar at the moment that colonizing this planet is not their top priority."

"But…"

"My sources say that a recent flux in energy centering around a particular area have increased the past several years. My contacts have said that this project was activated around the same time you were being put back together by Cerberus."

That gave Shepard pause.

"And…there was an…incident at the same lab the Lazarus project was being conducted…"

"Yeah. When I woke up, it was being attacked-"

"No…before that. A few weeks after I had given your body…," Liara sighs on the other end of the screen. "There had been reports…more like rumors actually…that a rouge faction of Cerberus had stolen…'information' from the Lazarus project. I don't know for certain-"

"Really? The shadow broker not knowing everything? That's a shock," Shepard said with a grin. Some of the stress she had felt slowly fading.

Liara just gave her a look before continuing.

"Like I said, these are all rumors and I can't find any solid leads yet. I'll let you know what I find out. But in the meantime, I'm sending over the information I do have so far."

Shepard nodded and said goodbye. She glanced at her terminal. She should just take a quick glance at what Liara had sent but her body was giving out on her. She had been up almost 20 hours now and her body was demanding sleep.

With a yawn, Shepard trudged over to her bed and fell onto it – clothes and all. She felt her eye lids get heavy and soon she was out cold.

Unknown planet

"Your blood pressure is good. How is your head feeling?" The young doctor shut her Omni tool off. She glanced over at her patient and waited.

"No more headaches…well at least, not the last couple hours."

The doctor smiled.

"That's good. We're making progress. Keep taking your vitamins and you should feel much better soon." And with that, the doctor turned to leave.

"Ah…about that…when will my memory come back?"

Slowly turning, the doctor gave her patient a sad smile.

"That takes time. We've been through this before. You need to gain your memory…naturally. I only agreed to tell you about your parents as to not give your mind too much of a shock. The rest…well…you need to keep up with your exercises. It'll help with regaining your memory. Now if you'll excuse me," with that, the doctor turned and left.

As the doors slid shut, the doctor sighed and entered the adjacent room that held the two way mirror.

"How is Experiment-13 doing doctor?"

Spinning on her heel, Doctor Leslie gasped and held her chest. She should have known he would show up. The stench of cigarette smoke filled the air a like bad perfume.

"oh…uh…Illusive Man…didn't expect to see you again," Doctor Leslie sputtered.

Taking a drag from his cigarette, the Illusive Man remained silent. Doctor Leslie swallowed nervously.

"uh…she is doing exceptionally well considering she was created from nothing but a small piece of DNA three years ago. Her cognitional neuroplasticity is improving as well as her…uh…other functions…," the doctor blushed as she read her notes on E-13.

The Illusive Man stayed in the shadows.

"Good. How long can we bring in the other subjects for further testing?"

Doctor Leslie cleared her throat as she tugged on her lab coat nervously.

"Is there a problem doctor?"

The doctor pursed her lips together as she straightens herself.

"About that sir…I don't feel comfortable with proceeding-"

"You just told me that it is functioning well enough."

"Yes, but-"

"I don't need you growing conscience doctor. I need results."

"That's not it sir!"

"Then what is it? I understand you've grown…fond of E-13." Doctor Leslie felt her cheeks burn.

"That…that's not it. She's…she's been asking about her memories. She's been asking about her identity. I've put her off for some time now. But don't you think Conner needs to know the truth?"

The Illusive Man was silent. He took a long drag from his cigarette before he answered.

"It doesn't need to know anything. It was designed for spare parts. But since we obviously don't have a problem with that now, it will have other uses. I just need you to give me results doctor. Or should I look for someone else?"

Doctor Leslie shook her head. She hated what she had to do.

"No…no sir. I'll get those tests done."

"Good. You better hurry. I hear Shepard is exceptional at what she does."

Doctor Leslie's eyes widened. The Illusive Man turned and left her alone.

Normandy

"You're not going to like what you hear Shepard."

Shepard sighed. Since she woke up that morning, her head had been pounding. Miranda had offered little news on their current dilemma. And now this.

"Good…thought I was running out of bad news."

Liara gave her lover an understanding smile.

"From what my sources found…that accident I told you about? Well that was no accident."

Shepard felt her stomach churn at the sick possibilities of what Liara uncovered.

"Shepard…parts of your DNA…they were stolen."

Shepard felt her stomach fall. She felt like throwing up.

"Shepard? Are you alright?"

"Are you sure, Liara?" Shepard knew that the Asari's Intel was sound. She just didn't want to believe it.

Liara didn't reply at first. The implications of Shepard's stolen DNA would be disastrous.

"I'm sorry…I just-"

"You do not need to apologize. Not to me. I understand your…reservations. That's why I tripled checked the data, just to be sure. I'm sorry Shepard. I wish I had better news for you."

Shepard gave Liara a tired smile.

"This…this is more than I had an hour ago. Thanks. Look, don't say anything to anyone…yet. Let me talk to Miranda. She'll probably deny it, but it's worth a shot. I'll see you soon."

"I'll hold you to that Shepard," Liara said with a small smile. Shepard signed off and ran a hand through her hair. She was going to get an answer. Either from Miranda or the Illusive Man.

...

"I see your girlfriend didn't waste much time," Miranda said as she waved a data pad around.

"Why didn't you tell me about my DNA being stolen?" Shepard demanded. Placing her hands on the operative's desk, Shepard leaned over it and glared.

As expected, Miranda didn't even bat an eye. She glanced at the info that Liara had found and was impressed at how quickly the asari found it all.

Miranda waited a beat before answering. She knew Shepard well enough that trying to evade the question wouldn't do much good. The straight forward, no bull shit approach was what Shepard respected in her officers. So that was what Miranda was going to give her.

"The amount that was stolen was deemed insignificant."

"Insignificant!" Shepard roared. "That's my DNA they stole!"

Miranda held up a hand indicating she had more to say.

"The amount that was stolen is the size of a dust particle. That isn't enough for any sort of experiment to survive initial testing, let alone transport. You have nothing to worry about." Miranda stood and glared back at Shepard.

"Still should've told me. I don't care how insignificant it was. It was still my DNA!"

"I understand. If it eases your mind, I conducted a thorough investigation. I can send you the report," Miranda offered calmly. She had made sure that every single stone was turned when she did her investigation. She didn't want any unexpected surprises in the future.

Shepard nodded. Although she distrusted Cerberus, Miranda had been as honest as she could be with her.

"Thanks," Shepard said as she turned to leave, "oh, and for future reference…I'd appreciate it if I don't get any more surprises like this." And with that, she was gone.

Miranda sighed. When she had found out about the theft, she had thought the same thing – how much was stolen and for what purpose. When she took her findings to the Illusive Man, he had seemed genuine at the time. But as she was collecting more information about this new 'mission', she was starting to have doubts about her employer and about why he was having Shepard investigate.

Unknown planet-three weeks later

Dr. Leslie set down her data pad and pursed her lips. The Illusive man had gone ahead and initiated the second portion of their experiment. It was taking longer for E-13…Conner to go along with it. Granted, she had no idea what was really intended.

"We've already been through this Conner," Dr. Leslie asked. She crossed her arms over her chest and sighed.

"I…I know…I know. I just…do I have to?" Conner asked genuinely upset. "I mean…she's my friend. I'm not attracted to her…not in that way." Conner felt her cheeks burn.

The Illusive Man had 'found' a young female in her twenties that was suitable for their experiment – no family…no one that would miss her if she disappeared. They had kept her away in a separate room and the only time she was let out was to interact with Conner. In the beginning, the young woman was terrified but Conner never did anything more than talk to her. Eventually, the two grew closer since it was just the two of them most of the time.

Within those three weeks, Dr. Leslie had been pestering Conner about various things. 'She's pretty' or 'you two are getting close'…then it hit Conner. But why would a rehab facility want her to do that?

Dr. Leslie pinched the bridge of her nose. She needed those results and the Illusive Man was breathing down her neck to get them.

"I just don't understand, Doc. What does…doing that, have anything to do with me regaining my memory?"

Dr. Leslie sighed once more and tried not to sound irritated. This wasn't what she had envisioned for herself when she became a doctor not long ago. Straight out of med school, she was approached by agents of the Illusive Man. Here she was six years later, still trying to figure out what the hell she became.

"Conner…sometimes we do things to advance the greater good. Sometimes the things we do don't always make sense. But we have to do them to complete our end goal. This," Dr. Leslie motioned around the room, "is one of them."

Dr. Leslie swallowed. She didn't want to do this, but she had no other alternative. The Illusive Man would have her head if she delayed much longer.

"Now, you have a choice. I bring her back in and we start again."

"I don't want to hurt her! Please!" Conner begged.

Dr. Leslie waited a beat before continuing.

"Or we use the other method." Dr. Leslie watched as Conner's swallowed nervously. They had done this several times over the past three weeks when Conner refused to co-operate.

"I don't want to hurt her," Conner whispered close to tears.

Dr. Leslie nodded as she reached out and undid Conner's draw strings. The light material fell to the ground and pooled around Conner's ankles. She stood still as she felt Dr. Leslie wrap her hand around her semi-hard cock.

Conner closed her eyes tight and willed herself not to cry. She gripped the bed railing behind her to keep herself grounded to reality.

The first time Dr. Leslie had done this, Conner had been curious but a little uncomfortable. Now, Conner just wanted to die. She didn't want this to happen, but she didn't want to hurt her friend even more.

Dr. Leslie kept her touch gentle but steady. She watched the emotions run through Conner and felt a slight twinge of guilt course through her. A part of her wanted to stop but the depraved monster inside her wouldn't allow it.

Dr. Leslie reached out with her other hand and carefully placed it on Conner's shoulder. She felt the muscles there tense at her touch. She remembered when she did her initial physical exam of Conner, how the young woman's well defined muscles played over her skin. In 2 ½ years, Conner went from a blob of nothing to a wonderfully built specimen.

It was a shame that the Illusive Man kept her under lock and key.

"Shhh…it's ok. Just relax," Dr. Leslie said softly. She brushed the hair from Conner's forehead and placed a soft kiss there. Her other hand continued to stroke Conner's ever growing member.

Conner clenched her jaw and whimpered softly as Dr. Leslie added a slight pull to her grip just below the bulb of her cock. She tried to keep from crying out but when the doctor repeated the motion again, Conner couldn't help herself. Her hips moved in time with Dr. Leslie's stroking hand.

The doctor smiled gently at Conner when she saw the younger woman's eyes open.

"You like how that feels don't you? Feels good doesn't it?" Dr. Leslie said quietly. Conner couldn't say anything. She was lost in the sensations that she was receiving.

Dr. Leslie glanced at the hardened cock. It was already slick with pre cum but what grabbed her attention the most was the texture of it – its smoothness. Its warmth and how it grew with each stroke – not too big but most certainly not small. Most importantly, it was incredibly hard - almost bursting.

She hadn't realized how quickly she had been pumping her hand. The only indication she got was when Conner cried out and her eyes fluttered shut. Her head was thrown back as she panted for release. Conner's abdominal muscle clenched and unclenched with each stroke of her hand. The doctor just smiled as she added a little bit more pressure to her grip. She knew that soon, it would be over.

Just then Conner's head snapped forward, her eyes bright, face flushed. She reached out and held on to the doctor's forearms as she felt the pressure rise until it was unbearable.

Crying out loudly, Conner held tight to the doctor as her body tensed for a brief moment before trembling uncontrollably.

Dr. Leslie gripped the cock tighter as she grabbed the container next to her. Just as she placed it in front of the cock, cum exploded into the cup. The doctor continued to pump her hand as Conner emptied herself into the cup.

After a long moment, Conner reached down and grabbed hold of the doctor's wrist.

"No more," she panted raggedly. The doctor nodded and let go. But not before she gave a brief squeeze which made Conner's hips jerk.

The doctor turned around to cap the container and to give Conner a moment to herself.

"How are you feeling?" The doctor asked as she turned around. Conner didn't answer. She quickly pulled her pants up and retied the draw strings shaking fingers. She had a hard time looking at the doctor.

Dr. Leslie reached out and took hold of Conner's chin – the same hand that was wrapped around her cock a few minutes ago. Conner cringed at the thought.

"Conner, I-"

"Please don't do that again," Conner whispered.

Dr. Leslie moved closer but stopped when Conner backed away.

"I'm sorry."

Conner stood still as Dr. Leslie left the room with the small container. She wanted to cry but found there were no tears to be shed.

With her shoulder's slumped in defeat, Conner climbed onto her bed and curled into a ball. She hoped sleep would find her soon.

Normandy

"What the fuck!"

Shepard sighed and rubbed her forehead. She was leaning against one of the bulkheads as she watched Jack pace back and forth. Shepard thought it would be a good idea to be forthcoming with where they were going.

"We blew the fucking place up! Jesus fucking…fuck Shepard!" Jack finally stopped and glared at her.

"Jack…you did blow up Pragia. But there's…another facility conducting experiments. We need to take a look at it."

The convict shook her head.

"I don't get it Shepard," she said a little more calmly. "Isn't one torture palace enough? How much more is fucking Cerberus hiding from us?" Jack slumped down onto her cot shook her head.

Pushing herself off, Shepard made her way over to Jack and hunkered down next to her.

"Hey now…we don't know what this place is. There isn't much info we've found yet. But I promise, we will find out."

Jack looked at her. She tried to see if Shepard was just bull shitting her but she wasn't.

"And if it's what I think it is, then what?" Jack said quietly.

Shepard looked Jack in the eye and said with confidence, "We blow it up."