A/N: Here's the first intermission/request story! The requester asked not to be named, but the request was for a story where Nihlus survives Eden Prime. I really liked the idea, so it may turn into a multi-chapter monster at some point. But this should be good for now.

This was a call he just knew was going to be awkward. Reluctantly, but knowing that delay would only make things worse, Nihlus accepted the incoming call from his mentor and friend, Saren.

"Good morning, Saren. Or is it afternoon where you are?"

The scowling image of his mentor did not change with the pleasantry.

"Nihlus. I just heard about your recent recommendation for Spectre candidacy. What were you thinking?"

Nihlus barely managed to keep the scowl from his own features; long experience had taught him that showing his own frustration only made Saren angrier.

"It's a solid recommendation. You know that the Spectres have accepted people with fewer accomplishments in the past. Your objection is based solely on her race."

"And you don't think that's enough? Humanity is presumptive; demanding respect and privileges they haven't earned. What you suggest will compound the problem!"

"Or perhaps it will not affect the problem in any way, Saren. You're assuming that all humans have the same mindset. Perhaps by getting to know more of them as individuals, we'll all learn differently. Perhaps this will give the humans an opportunity to earn the respect that they have been demanding. Have you looked over my reports? Her service record is flawless."

Saren's mandibles clamped tightly against his jaw, his sub vocal tones rumbling with anger.

"Yes, her service record. A record kept by the human military, provided by human diplomats, who want a human Spectre. I do not find that particularly persuasive."

Nihlus bit back a sigh, and struggled to keep his own sub vocal tones calm.

"I can see that this conversation is getting nowhere. I had hoped you would at least trust my judgement, even if you distrust humans and the information they've provided. I am positive there were those who thought you foolish for recruiting me. Regardless, I will not be swayed. My recommendation does not require your approval, nor do I. I would have liked it, but I will not withdraw my support for Commander Shepard's Spectre candidacy simply because you disapprove of humans. Thank you for your time, Saren."

As he leaned forward to terminate the connection, Saren spoke again.

"You will regret this, Nihlus. Where humans go, death and destruction follow. This will not end well for you, Nihlus, you may be sure of it. I am trying to protect you."

Nihlus didn't even bother responding, he simply cut the connection.

….

A few days later, Nihlus stalked scowling through the Normandy, ready to concede that at least some of Saren's dislike of humans may have a foundation. He certainly didn't feel welcome on the Normandy; most of the crew ignored him completely, while some were downright hostile. Always respectful - they were well trained after all - but definitely not happy to have him there.

He had to admit, he could see their point. Having a council spectre on a routine shakedown cruise practically screamed "there's a secret here!" He was interested to see how Commander Shepard would react to his presence; they would pick her up later today at Arcturus Station.

In the meantime, he had been offered the Captain's quarters on board the ship, and he was well practiced at keeping to himself. He'd spent most of his life standing at a distance from his fellows - even fellow turians - and as a spectre he tended to work alone, so it was an experience that stood him in good stead. It had occurred to him, usually when he was butting heads with his friend and equally solitary mentor, that there might be a better way; but he rarely spent time on such useless thoughts.

When the pilot's voice came over the comm speaker, announcing their arrival and imminent docking at Arcturus Station, Nihlus nodded to himself and stood up. He headed towards the airlock, taking a position from which he could be easily seen, but not an immediate part of the proceedings. He knew that welcoming a new XO on board would be something of an event; he wanted to observe the humans around him, and Commander Shepard particularly, but he always wanted to ensure that no one gave her an idea that this might be more than a common shakedown cruise. It wouldn't do for her to know too soon that she was being evaluated.

….

Commander Shepard stood stiffly at attention, as the airlock finished cycling through it's decon procedure and the door slid open. A fairly large group of people were standing in the small space beyond the airlock, but Shepard's eyes immediately locked on Captain Anderson at the front of the group, and she snapped to attention.

"Commander Grace Shepard reporting for duty, sir."

Anderson nodded calmly, his smooth voice dispelling the slight tension she felt at beginning this posting.

"Welcome aboard the Normandy, Commander. It's a pleasure to have you here."

"Thank you sir." She relaxed slightly at Anderson's nod, bending to pick up her gear bag before stepping onto the ship for the first time.

A round of introductions followed, Shepard automatically storing names, faces, and ranks for future reference. Navigator Pressly, Dr. Chakwas, Lt. Alenko. The pilot, Joker, who didn't stand, but offered a half-serious, half-mocking salute from his chair. The entire time, half her attention was focused on the turian leaning in the shadows against the far wall, watching.

Commander Shepard had met turians before; she'd been bouncing around the galaxy on Alliance ships since she was born, after all. She'd never seen one who was quite so physically striking, though. With dark red plates, bright green eyes, and the most graceful colony markings she'd ever seen, this turian certainly caught her eye.

When Captain Anderson turned to lead her through a tour of the ship, he caught sight of the turian for the first time. A slightly surprised look crossed his face, but she couldn't tell what had caused it. Nonetheless, he waved a hand at the turian.

"Commander Shepard, this is Spectre Kyrik. The Council sent him along to observe our shakedown cruise. Spectre, this is my XO, Commander Shepard."

The spectre stepped forward, offering Shepard his hand in the human gesture of greeting. She shook his hand with no evidence of surprise that he knew the gesture, and none of the obvious concern most of her species showed with physical contact with a turian. Interesting. Before he could consider her attitude further, Captain Anderson was speaking again.

"I hope you'll excuse us, Spectre, I was just about to show Commander Shepard around the Normandy."

Nihlus didn't have a chance to process the smooth dismissal before Shepard was speaking up.

"Actually, sir, if you don't mind, I wonder if Spectre Kyrik might join us? If you have time of course," she added as she turned her attention back to Nihlus. "The ship was designed by both our people; I would appreciate your input on the turian aspects of the design, and the reasons for them."

Nihlus looked closely at her. It was an intelligent request, certainly, but did she have an ulterior motive? He didn't have time to determine the answer right then, the two human officers were waiting for his answer.

"Of course, Commander, anything I can do to help."

He nodded to Anderson, and when the Captain stepped past him, he and Shepard fell in behind and to either side as they followed him around the ship.

….

Two hours later, his suspicions were completely allayed. Commander Shepard didn't need ulterior motives, she was terrifyingly thorough. Not only did she know everything about the ship that was included in the specs, she had a good working knowledge of turian ships and protocols, how they affected the design and layout of the ship, and how they would interact with the human military practices. She was well on her way to knowing all the crew members - by name - and something of their service background.

Nihlus had the feeling that if she'd had any previous knowledge of his presence aboard the ship, she would have investigated him just as thoroughly. That she hadn't spoke to her lack of foreknowledge. He didn't expect that to continue, though; there weren't many records available about him, but he was fairly sure she'd get what she could before they next met.

Captain Anderson brought the tour to an end outside the crew quarters. Commander Shepard glanced around, one eyebrow raised questioningly.

"For the the shakedown run, I offered my quarters to Spectre Kyrik. Since he accepted, I took your quarters. Dr. Chakwas offered hers for your use. They're smaller than the XO quarters, but Dr. Chakwas says she's just as happy to sleep in the med bay if there's nothing catastrophic going on, so you'll have them to yourself. We'll play musical rooms again later."

Shepard smiled. "As long as it has a bed, I'll be fine, sir. Thank you for the tour. What time am I on duty?"

"Not until 0700 tomorrow, Commander. Take some time to settle in and relax." He nodded to Shepard, and to Nihlus. "I'll see you in the morning, Commander. Spectre."

As Anderson walked away, Nihlus turned his attention back towards Shepard. She was watching him, and her eyes met his easily when he looked at her. Something about that was rather… unsettling.

"Thank you for your insights on the tour, Spectre Kyrik. I appreciate the time you've spent. I won't keep you any longer. Perhaps I'll see you tomorrow? I believe we'll reach Eden Prime the day after."

"Indeed, Commander. I'm certain we shall run into each other before then. Excuse me."

Turning, he made his way back to his quarters. There was something about this human that he couldn't quite name, but it made him slightly nervous. He'd been too aware of her quiet, observant presence next to him throughout the tour; too aware of the way her warm brown eyes watched him steadily, reading not just his words but his posture, his gestures… she certainly had an uncanny way about her.

She would make an excellent spectre, he was still convinced of that, but for the first time he began to wonder: did he really want to spend the next two or more years in constant close contact with her?

….

For the first time since coming aboard, Nihlus was appreciative of the way the human crew ignored his presence. A large, armored turian couldn't really be called 'inconspicuous,' but the Normandy's crew made an effort to ignore him, and the result was almost the same. As long as he stayed out of Commander Shepard's way, he could watch her without drawing her notice.

Mostly, he evaluate her on a professional basis. She was clearly comfortable with her position of command, and she had no problem dealing with the myriad personalities of the other Alliance crew members. From the over-eager Corporal Jenkins, to the the star-eyed Lieutenant Alenko, to the surly pilot. Shepard worked with or around each of them, quietly directing their attention where it was needed; gently deflecting hero worship, attraction, and brittle humor. If her combat skills measured up to her people skills, Nihlus knew she would be an outstanding spectre.

At the same time, he couldn't help by observe her on a personal basis as well. He was surprised to find that she was as much an outsider among this crew as he was among his fellow turians, though for entirely different reasons.

He was an outsider because of double birth-sins of location and association. To be born on a small outpost outside of Hierarchy space was bad enough; those turians whose parents had possessed the good sense to live within Hierarchy space cast superior and suspicious looks at him. To be born on a mercenary outpost was even worse; it practically guaranteed that he had no honor, no loyalty, and no idea of what proper turians considered important. Though he wore his mother's clan markings, and had entered the military at her insistence, he was his father's son. He'd learned fighting and tactics from one of the best merc commanders around, a fact which often got him in trouble when his father's unorthodox teachings proved effective, but not popular with his commanding officers.

Commander Shepard though, was an outsider for almost the exact opposite reason. She was everything a commanding officer wanted in a soldier. She had a determination that never balked at challenges, a natural ability to read people and situations and make quick decisions, and a charisma that made people want to follow her and impress her. Combined with a frightening attention to detail and a dedication to constantly surpass her own best skills, these qualities made her a rare commodity. But they also made everyone who worked with her feel as if they were being judged against her - and found wanting. Everyone wanted to be on her team, whether it was for combat drills, skill checks, or maintenance work; but there was always a sliver of resentment when she led them successfully.

He hadn't known what to expect, really. That she didn't quite fit among her people didn't bother him - it would most likely make becoming a spectre more appealing; many spectres preferred to work alone, and embraced the opportunity of doing things their way without the red tape of a chain of command.

But somehow, seeing that she was as isolated in her own way as he was in his, planted some thoughts that he didn't want to acknowledge. Would their strengths and weaknesses mesh well? He suspected they would; if he thought about the odd feeling that had tingled through him when her warm brown eyes had met his, he suspected they would work together all too well.