CHAPTER 1: AFTERMATH

INT. NORMANDY SR2 – MIRANDA'S OFFICE - EVENING

After Normandy and its crew escape from the Omega 4 Relay, Miranda begins to clean up her computer terminals and paper mess around her desk and floor. Emotions running high from what had transpired, she was somewhat relieved and disturbed by what she saw on the Collector Base and about the revelation that came from the Illusive man himself.

She was pissed and yet was loyal for many years and believed in what Cerberus stood for. The Cerberus cheerleader, the nickname she received from Jack of all people. It annoyed her but it was in fact true. All of it, she questions now, was it all a lie… a brainwashing tactic used by the man she sought shelter and protection from the very thing she despised. To be use and discarded as a tool. No. It wasn't until after the fact, her faith in the Illusive man was shaken, let alone working with Cerberus. Miranda had to figure out what she wanted to do next.

Her computer terminal began to chirp constantly. "Now what?" She asked with bitterness.

She casually walks over and sees several Encrypted Transmissions from the "Illusive man." She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. With her left index finger over her mouth and her right arm supporting underneath, she thinks for a brief moment. She leans in and clicks play against her better judgment. She needed answers of her own.

"I've spoken with Commander Shepard. It is clear in his decision to cut all ties with Cerberus. He believes he will be able to stop the Reapers without my guidance and that *I* should report to him. I report to know one, Miranda. Make him aware of that. He needs me, my ship, my resources and information..."

Miranda scoffs at the last statement. "Highly unlikely."

"By the time he figures that out, it will be too late. A mistake he will likely regret." He takes a small puff from his cigarette and continues. "He forgets I am the one who made his resurrection possible to save humanity. Free reign and the resources to complete his tasks without hindrance from the Citadel Council or the Alliance's in-effectiveness to deal with the Reaper threat."

She spouts off at the computer screen even though it was a just a video message. "Funny… I watched over him while he was being rebuilt, put two years of my life into him, while you just sat on your ass giving me orders that I wasn't doing it fast enough!"

Next message plays:

"Miranda… I hope you realize what you've done, done to humanity. You were the best and the most valuable… *inhales cigarette* member of my organization. You were to persuade and to keep Shepard on track with our long-term goals. To side with Shepard could be seen as a betrayal and you know how I deal with such matters. Allowing Shepard to destroy the Collector Base has put humanity at risk and the fate of the entire galaxy. We could've learned a lot of valuable information and reverse engineer any technology we'd find and use it against the Reapers. Now we will never know."

"I'm sure you'll think of something…" Miranda rambles off.

"As to your resignation…" He extinguishes his cigarette into a small hole in his chair. "I don't believe you are willing to carelessly walk away from everything that I have given you. The amount of freedom you had with being Project Leader and the safety of your sister from your father. I cannot guarantee information will remain safe for long. Choose wisely Miranda… I'll give you some time to reconsider. That is more than I have ever allowed anyone. You are important to our mission to save humanity. Remember that. If I don't hear from you soon, I will take your admission of silence that you've already decided. I'm sorry it has come to this but you know my views of betrayal and leaving loose ends. To do otherwise would be dangerous. Consider this a warning…"

Miranda paces back and forth thinking. Going over all that she knows about Cerberus and how he deals with treachery and now blackmailing her into submission with the safety of her sister at stake. That pissed her off the most. It bothered her so much that she uses her biotic power to slam a chair, against the bulkhead making a loud noise but with minimal damage to the hull.

Miranda closes her eyes for a moment. "Get a hold of yourself." She demanded. She breathes in deeply to calm herself.

INT. NORMANDY – ENGINEERING – EVENING

Shepard walks through the lower deck watching several crew members clean up and do repairs. It was getting very late in the evening but he wanted to make sure repairs were well on their way before heading to back to his cabin for the night.

Tali stops working on one of workstations that seems to zap every few seconds. She walks in his direction. "Commander…"

He stops. "Yes Tali."

"I wanted to say thank you. It was invigorating to be on a mission with you again… it was so intense and a little bit disturbing, what happened on the Collector Base with the human reaper and all. You've done the impossible once again, Shepard." Tali says with her almost Russian like accent through her alien head mask.

"I couldn't have done it without you, Tali. I hope I have your support in the months ahead. It still isn't over."

"Do you even need to ask?" Tali says with warmth.

Shepard's facial expressions lighten up with a smile. "I guess not. How are the engines?"

"Running beautifully. There is only minor damage but nothing that can't be fixed."

"Good, give Miranda a report on the repairs needing immediate attention. I have to go."

"Alright, Shepard." She sighs as the man of her dreams walks away.

Tali didn't like reporting to Miranda, Shepard's second in command. She despised that woman, not only for her association with Cerberus, a sworn enemy of her people but because Miranda was doing her best to pursue Shepard romantically. Tali, was on board the Normandy to help Shepard and no one else.

INT. NORMANDY – ENGINEERING LOWER DECK – EVENING

Shepard heads out of the Engineering section and down the two set of stairs to check on Jack.

"How are you doing Jack?" He asks looking at Jack lying down on her cot.

"Good Job blowing that Collector base all to hell. No way the Illusive Man should get the chance to fuck with it. Besides, awesome explosion, right?

"I guess."

"Anyhow, I have to deal with that Cerberus bitch later. She actually made me work to keep her ass alive. I don't want this to be an easy fight. I'll let her rest a little."

Shepard shakes his head. "Jack… I thought we handled this situation between you and Miranda. Don't make me put your ass in the brig."

Jack sits up and looks up at Shepard.

"We did. And I promised to keep her ass alive long enough for her to acknowledge what Cerberus did to me was wrong. Like that will ever happen."

"If it is any consolation, I did talk to her about that. She admits it was a mistake and corrected once they found out."

Jack stands up and approaches Shepard. "It's not. I need to hear it from the bitch's mouth. Otherwise, she's got a fight on her hands."

"Jack, I'm warning you not to pursue this!" Shepard says sternly.

"Or what Shepard." Jack pushes at Shepard's shoulders taunting him.

Shepard keeps his cool but looks at Jack with harsh eyes. "Don't do it, Jack!"

"You do that… now can I get some fucking rest or do you want to talk my head off some more." Jack asks pissed off.

"Remember what I said Jack… I'm in charge."

"Yeah, yeah… fuck you, Shepard." Jack says and she lies back down on her bed.

INT. NORMANDY – MIRANDA'S OFFICE – LATE EVENING

Jacob walks into Miranda's office with a data pad in hand. He notes the room looking rather organized compared to the rest of the ship in disarray.

He sees Miranda working hard at her computer terminal. He couldn't see what she was typing but she did it very quickly and didn't even stop once he entered the room either.

"I have the reports from the various crew members on the status of Normandy. It's not as bad as it looks. Well, it is bad… I won't lie. When we reach Illium, we'll be able to concentrate on getting the more extensive/expensive repairs done, maybe."

"Thank you, Jacob." Miranda says taking the data pad from him. She places it down next to her and continues to work. Not really paying any attention to him standing in front of her desk.

"Miranda." Jacob asks with some concern.

Miranda looks up at Jacob with a squint in her beautiful blue eyes full of contempt.

"Wild ride huh? Taking it directly to the Collectors and when it comes down to keeping or destroying the Collector Base and your resignation to Cerberus. I didn't think you had it in you. Here I thought we might have orders to kill Shepard or some stupid thing."

Miranda looks down, stops what she is doing for the moment and gets up. "Don't be absurd, Jacob. Commander Shepard has my loyalty and he damn well better have yours. For all he did for you and the rest of the crew. For you to even suggest doing such, I'll kill you myself."

"Woah, Miranda. I would never. He has proven his loyalty to the crew. We got the job done. I just hope we can do the same with the Reapers. Send them all to hell."

Miranda sighs for a moment paces back and forth.

"What aren't you telling me? The Illusive man did ask you to stop him?" Jacob asks.

Miranda turns around and looks at Jacob with frustration in her eyes. "Yes…"

"You have a thing for Commander Shepard?"

Miranda looks out the window.

"Damn, Miranda."

"I'm happy, for once."

"But the Illusive man doesn't care about such crap as that. What are you going to do?"

Miranda turns around smirking at Jacob.

"Oh… that can't be good." Jacob watches that familiar look. "I sure hope you know what you're doing, Miranda. I'll watch your back but damn… He's going to be pissed."

Jacob takes that cue to leave Miranda to her plans, whatever they might be.

Miranda turns her gaze back towards the window, looking out at the stars.

INT. NORMANDY – CREW QUARTERS – LATE NIGHT/EARLY MORNING

After several hours of working on various reports and talking with her sister via a secured extranet chat relay, she leaves her office with a data pad in hand. She makes her way towards the elevator. Everyone had retired for the night or should have, considering it was way past 3 am. Only the hum of the engine remained. She enjoyed the quietness. Miranda steps into the elevator and turns around. The elevator door closes.

INT. NORMANDY – CAPTAIN'S CABIN – LATE NIGHT/EARLY MORNING

Miranda walks into Commander Shepard's Captain's Cabin. She couldn't believe he was still awake and wanting the reports ASAP. Miranda had hoped working would put her to sleep. It did the opposite in fact. Kept her awake, energized and away from thinking about what happened before and after the assault on the Collector Base.

"I have the damage reports for the Normandy you requested." She says handing it to him. He glances over and takes the data pad from her. He stands there reviewing it briefly then sets it next to him near the computer terminal.

She notes the large display of model ships. His quarters looked almost normal except for a few chairs tipped over. "Repairs are on-going but I believe we will be in peak condition within a few weeks a month tops."

Shepard nods as he checks other important messages on his computer terminal.

The adrenaline she was feeling earlier was beginning to wear off making her very tired. Miranda with some hesitation… "You're obviously busy, was there anything else?"

Shepard glances into her beautiful blue eyes and dark brown hair, down her slim body. He turns back and logs off his computer terminal. He turns around and leans on the desk a little.

"I thought we'd celebrate in private and unwind. I have an extra bottle of Asari wine."

"Commander. I'm really tired. All I want to do is sleep." She turns slightly wanting to leave and not deal with what she's feeling right now. She needed time to think about what happened.

He touches her arm. "Hey."

She glances back as he hugs her from behind. She closes her eyes feeling comforted by his embrace. "I can't believe we did it." Trying to act calm but it wasn't working.

"What, the mission or the hot sex in the engine room?" He asks.

Miranda remembers how passionate it was. "I didn't think we'd survive the mission but you proved me wrong."

"Disappointed?"

"No… I was hoping you'd do the impossible."

"We did. And you did a fine job leading the fire team. Yeah it was a bitch and we had to improvise along the way." He relaxed his embrace. "Everyone gave 100 percent, like I demanded and we gave them a damn good fight!"

Miranda turns around and smiles slightly with almost tears in her eyes. "Yes, we did."

"What's wrong, Miranda?" He attempts to caress her arm.

She walks towards the fish tank and turns around. "I'm worried about what is left to come."

He follows. "We'll find a way…"

"We better. There is no telling when they will strike at us. The entire galaxy is at stake. You saw the data Joker gave you."

"I have you. Your tactical abilities and intelligence will prove valuable in helping me defeat the Reapers."

"Shepard." She then smiles briefly at the compliment.

"And we have Liara. She's the expert on Protheans and an information broker. At least she is someone I can trust. She won't put our people in danger, unlike the Illusive man."

That seemed to annoy Miranda but she tried not to let it show. "She's very good at collecting information, at least."

"I instructed Joker to head to Illium, we need to restock our supplies and do some repairs on the Normandy."

"That's not a bad idea, actually."

"A lot better than Omega…" Shepard replies.

"I agree. The crew would appreciate some shore leave. I have a few errands I'd like to do while we are there."

Shepard nods. "Have you spoken to the Illusive man?" Shepard asks following Miranda down towards the large double bed.

"We had some words… well he did mostly. He left me several messages. He's angry about what you did, his disappointment in my resignation... I haven't contacted him since we left the Collector Base."

Miranda turns and looks at Shepard. "I'm concerned about my sister."

"You think he might try and blackmail you with it? Wait, when does he not leak information?"

Miranda shakes her head. "So far she is fine, when I talked to her earlier. No one knows where she is. Not even Cerberus. She's safe."

"You don't have to do it alone you know. I'm right here."

"You've done a lot already. Thanks Shepard for catching me before I fell off the platform."

He steps closer and rubs his palms down her arms to her fingers. "I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you when we were so close."

Miranda and Shepard embrace each other for a few moments. "That's what worries me."

He rubs his hands up and down her back comforting her. After a brief moment Miranda releases from the warmth of his arms. "Are we going to celebrate or what?"

Shepard gives off a coy, close-mouth grin as he reaches down for the bottle and begins pouring the red wine into the glasses.

Miranda smiles briefly. God… you're sexy when you grin like that.

He hands a glass of wine to Miranda. "A toast, to the Normandy and its crew… We live to fight another day."

Miranda nods in agreement and takes a sip following Shepards lead.

Shepard looks at Miranda as she brushes past him to sit down on the long sofa by the glass window display of ships. Miranda placing her wine glass on the table and gets comfortable after removing her black high heel boots. Shepard follows and sits on the right of her. He smiles back at her and follows suit, tossing his shoes to the side.

Miranda takes a few sips from her glass of wine. Shepard and Miranda gaze in to each other's eyes for a moment. They both smile at each other. Shepard checks out Miranda's body, her full pink lips, medium-sized breasts and those small hips he so wants to touch. Miranda smiles and takes another sip, feeling his eyes wondering her body.

He leans back and takes a few deep sips of wine as she begins to check Shepard out more thoroughly and smiles pleasingly. His broad shoulder, toned chest pressing outward in his tight shirt, to strong hands, thin waist line, and the bulge hidden within his pants. Miranda sighed. She felt this hunger within her, wanting him.

Shepard reaches over towards the bottle on the table and pours himself another glass. He offers to fill up her glass. She accepts. He places the bottle back down on the table.

Miranda's sexual desire for Shepard is too hard to resist. She takes another long sip from her glass and then places it on the table. She moves over towards him and takes the glass of wine he was just about to take a sip from. He smiles and watches her place the glass on the table and moves on to his lap with her legs on either side of his.

She looks into his light blue green eyes and caresses his face softly. She couldn't help but notice his hair starting to grow thicker. She found him incredibly sexy bald with that barely thick, goatee growing around his mouth. She starts kissing his lips slowly. They were soft and moist as she remembered.

"Mmm…" She starts to breathe a little bit faster. Kissing him passionately, wanting to consume him up.

His hands rub up and down her back. He was totally into this. He enjoyed it when she took control; taking charge of situations… it turned him on. It was one of many reasons he found her so incredibly sexy beyond her physical appearance.

Her kisses become a fiery to be reckoned with. She gasped and moaned unable to control herself; his hardness was threatening to tear through his pants and directly into her. She wanted him inside of her so badly it ached. His hands firmly grasps at her ass pressing her into his bulging member. It made it even more difficult for her to resist the urge to take him right then and there.

Miranda lifted off his white shirt so many of the other officers wore around the ship. Her fingers began to explore his bare chest. How she remembers watching him come to life. The first time he looked into her eyes, disoriented.

FLASHBACK

"There on the monitor something is wrong."

"He's reacting to outside stimuli. Showing an awareness of his surroundings. Oh my god Miranda. I think he's waking up."

"Damn it, Wilson! He's not ready yet. Give him the sedative." Miranda spouts off to Wilson, the senior doctor on the project.

"Shepard. Don't try to move." Miranda pushes his hand down. "Just lie still. Try to stay calm…"

"Heart rate still climbing. Brain activity is off the charts." Wilson says almost frantically.

Shepard starts to panic, breathing faster.

"Stats pushing into the red zone. It's not working."

Miranda walks over to the monitor. Pushing Wilson gently away. "Another dose, now!"

"Heart rate dropping. Stats falling back into normal range.

Miranda looks at Shepard with great concern.

"That was too close, we almost lost him." Wilson says more calmly.

"I told you, your estimates were off. Run the numbers again." Miranda watches as Shepard drifts off closing his eyes.

Commander Shepard was a man with an outstanding military record full of accommodations and recognition, some good, some bad but she barely could measure up to his accomplishments and leadership skill. She was jealous of him but she took pride in her work. She was responsible in making sure he was brought back to life exactly the way he was. Failure was never an option for her.

"Miranda." Shepard caresses her face with his hand gently seeing that she was lost in deep thought.

She smiles and looks up into his eyes once again.

"I care about you, Miranda." He says.

"I was just thinking about when you first woke up."

"God you're beautiful. I thought I was in heaven."

Miranda starts to laugh to hide how she really felt. Discomfort, yet flattered. He leans up and kisses her lips.

After a brief moment, she whispers quietly enough for him to hear her. "Shepard. I'm falling in love with you and it scares me."

He caresses her back with his hands and hugs her. An awkward moment of silence looms between them.

She waits for him to say something, anything, but he remained quiet. She asked herself 'why…' it made her panic. She releases her hug, looks at him and starts to stand up.

"Miranda. Stay with me tonight." He says softly. "I need you."

He said it, finally. Miranda stands there looking at him. Taking his words for what they were. She could tell by looking in his eyes. He needed her. She takes his hand as he stands up. They walk towards the bed. She looks down thinking for a second. About the implications of taking this relationship further. She wanted this. She wanted to lose herself in the moment. To feel loved, desired and happy for once. He hugs her from behind just like he did when he arrived to meet her in engine room. His warm, strong hands start to move over her body around her abdomen and upwards towards her breasts, squeezing them gently. Miranda couldn't wait any longer. She unzips her black Cerberus outfit. He pulls it down her shoulders. She turns around revealing her sexy black lace bra and underwear, the same one she had revealed earlier in the engine room.

His fingers trail down her breasts towards her belly. He looked into her eyes. She looked into his. He leans in kissing her lips with passion and desire. Her fingers pull down his pants, finding him hard within his dark blue boxer-briefs boxers. She moves her hands around his waist as he presses himself into her from below. She smiles slightly.

Moments later he's making his way up her naked body kissing the top of her left knee, running his hand down underneath her knee making her chuckle slightly, kissing down her thigh and up on to her belly. He continues up towards her breasts, running his tongue over her left nipple, kissing and sucking it. Miranda arches her back with desires. His soft hands run along the lower part of her arms, pins her palms down with his own. She could feel his warm body on hers, her biotic abilities stimulated so much so that they release randomly in blue mists, all over her naked body full of excitement and desire. Shepard lips make their way up her neck, chin to her soft, full lips. He gives her the most tender and loving kiss ever. Miranda takes his kiss and adds a hunger, a desire, as she melts from his love.

The sexual desires from them both are so overwhelming they both moan and gasp all throughout their love making session. Miranda's hands freed by her need have him inside of her right now! Her fingernails press into his buttocks. "Take me, satisfy my desires… Shepard." She says breathless, almost pleading with him.

He presses himself within her slowly at first. It was almost too much for her bare. She gasps as pleasure increases dramatically and desires for all of it within her. He thrusts into her with rhythm enjoying the sensation of warmth and wetness of her surrounding himself within her. He was in pure heaven.

Feeling tired after several long but beautiful minutes he rolls them both over. She moves her body upwards as he sits upwards a bit. He gasps, sweaty, but not yet satisfied. His hands move to bring her head down towards his lips. They kiss deeper, slowly and frequently. He runs his palms up and down her back. His hand begins caressing her soft dark hair as they kiss. She leans up as he lies back down on his back. They smile at each other breathing heavily. She starts grinding her pelvis back and forth on him with renewed strength and stamina. Her breasts move with the motion.

He loved watching her move, her breasts, her hair flowing with the movement and her hand combing over her erected nibble. Her eyes close briefly with the aching of desire and pleasure. Her body wet with sweat and pinkish tones.

His hands on each side of her waist; he thrusts up within her at timed intervals with some force but in a gentle way. He could see her gasp unexpectedly but smiles enjoying this. The palms of her hands grab hold of each of his shoulders as she continues. The glowing blue mist around her beautiful, naked body releases into Shepard. He moans feeling this was way too much for him handle, the sensitivity of his penis was getting almost unbearable. His orgasm was coming faster than he wanted. Her gasps and moans just made him want to come all the more.

Her pace on top of him quickens, faster and faster. She was reaching the point of no return… "Oh god… ahhhh uh..!" She exclaims breathless.

Her orgasm came violently, shaking through her body were waves of blue mists, sensations from within her brain down her body, limbs and downwards deep within her. The rhythm within her pulses with such intensity. She collapses on his chest, breathing hard. His arms wrap around her.

The moment Miranda had her orgasm it overwhelmed his senses. It came like a flood gate was open releasing all of him within her. Wet and explosive, he felt the most wonderfully, satisfying release ever. Time had stood still, he moaned with satisfaction, feeling totally and completely in love with her. Not just because of the incredible sex they had but completely in tune with her body, mind, and soul.

INT. NORMANDY – MEDICAL LAB – EARLY MORNING

Dr. Chakwas poured another glass of wine. "Garrus, how may I help?"

Garrus walks over towards her for a moment. "I need to borrow one of the bed cots. The humans are too noisy in the next room, snoring and all."

"By all means. I don't think I can sleep. Not with what happened earlier. I'm still shaken up a bit." She sits down and takes a sip of wine.

Garrus nods. "What it's worth. I am glad we got there in time."

"Thank you. You're a good friend to Commander Shepard. I hope you know that. He relies on you, you know. He'll need all the friends he can get to lean on."

"He's one heck of a Commander. He has my respect and loyalty. I'll be there when he needs me." Garrus says walking over to the bed.

"Good to hear." She hiccups.

"Good night doctor." Garrus lies down to rest.

She toasts her wine glass in the air. "To the future, whatever it may bring." She drinks down the last of what's in her glass.