A little side-project I had to start for fun (like I need another right?). It will likely be shorter than my usual and will be released fairly slow since I have other stories to finish, however I'm impatient and wanted to put it out there.

The beginning of the story takes place between ME2 and ME3. Renegade Shepard continues to work for Cerberus rather than turning herself in to the Alliance, after ME2. Rated M for drug use, language, and sexual situations (possibly more explicit later).

The Illusive Man, seated in his usual dimly-lit room, watched cautiously as she approached. The way she moved clearly gave away the fact that she was a professional solider to the core. But he didn't need to see the way she held herself that she was the type who got things done no matter the cost. He'd experienced it first-hand since Project Lazarus had resurrected her and she began working to defeat the Collectors. But despite the things she had done for Cerberus and humanity, he didn't fully trust her yet. She was quick, cunning, fearless, and should in no way be taken lightly. Leaning a bit in his chair, he took a small sip from is glass before addressing her. "Shepard. It's good you're here."

The corners of her mouth turned upwards in mock-amusement. "Expecting me, were you?" she said in a playful voice, sweeping a hand lightly over his shoulder as she passed to stand behind him.

He didn't react; never did. She was very difficult to read and he couldn't be certain if she was genuine in her apparent interest, or merely playing him. He most certainly didn't want to give her the satisfaction of the latter. "I have a job for you Shepard. One that I think you would find quite a challenge."

"A challenge, hmm?" she asked, curiosity piqued.

"I need you to head to Omega. I have a small transport ship that will take you in unnoticed."

"Omega?" She made a face, but one she was certain to not let him see. "That rat hole? Why?"

"Because that 'rat hole' is nearly under our full control. We just have one problem that won't… disappear."

"Let me guess… Aria."

"Precisely."

"You're expecting me to kill her?"

"Not exactly," he replied. Taking a long drag from his cigarette, he exhaled a sizable puff of smoke before continuing. "I think she'll serve us much better as an example of defeat. And that's where you come in. I need you to show Miss T'Loak exactly what she's up against."

"'What she's up against', huh? You mean me? Or Cerberus?"

"Both. If she knows that you've joined Cerberus for good, it may thwart her attempts to retake Omega, for now." He flicked some of the ashes from his cigarette into the small tray on his armrest. His hand froze when he felt her chilly fingers press up into his hair, twisting gently around the short silvery locks.

"You actually think Commander Shepard working among the ranks of Cerberus is enough to intimidate Aria T'Loak?"

"If we're lucky, yes," he replied, taking another sip from his glass in a forced attempt to relax.

"You've come to rely on me a great deal," she purred. "When are we going to take this partnership a step further?"

"What did you have in mind?" he asked.

"Cerberus's continuing expansion will soon be difficult for one man to manage. I could be your right-hand. Give out your orders. Do the dirty work that you don't have time for." Moving her hands through his soft hair, she could almost feel him shudder beneath her touch. "I have many skills that are currently underutilized," she hummed, an unseen grin crossing over her shadowed features.

"While your dedication to humanity is without question, your loyalty to Cerberus is not," he replied, only seemingly unphased by her suggestive tone.

Her eyes narrowed and it took much of her waning self-control to keep herself from ending the Illusive Man's reign right now. But she could be patient. She had to be. "Then I suppose I'll have to work harder at proving my loyalties," she replied in a calm, even voice. Removing her hand from his silver hair, she took her leave without another word.

A shiver trickled down her spine as she inhaled the line of red dust that powdered the glass surface. The surge of biotic power that flowed through her was more intense than the feeling of euphoria the drug provided. However, she could already tell it wasn't enough to give her the biotic edge she would need when facing Aria. She was about to breathe in another line of red sand when she felt a sharp edge press tightly against her throat.

"Don't you think you've had enough?" a cold voice rasped in her ear.

Shepard stiffened with the awareness of cold metal against her flesh. "What do you care?" she huffed.

When the blade left, the sweep of a hand across the back of her neck and to her nearly-bare shoulder sent goose bumps over her increasingly sensitive skin. The sudden sensation of warm breath and soft lips against her ear drew a breathy gasp from her. "I doubt the Illusive Man would approve if I sat back and allowed you to dust yourself to death."

Smirking, she shrugged him away coldly. "Anyone ever tell you how unhealthy your obsession with pleasing him really is, Leng?"

Sheathing his weapon, he stealthily skirted around the black leather loveseat to meet her face-to-face. "Is it?" he asked evenly. "Then why did you stay with Cerberus to serve under the Illusive Man? Why are you not with your Alliance, or your precious team?"

Her dark eyes stared back at him chillingly. The hollow expression plastered on her face held no inkling of emotion as her hand idly found its way to him and began to stroke down the length of his side. He continued to kneel before her, frozen, his features deceptively hidden behind his visor. He didn't trust her, not for a moment, but his curiosity held him in place.

"You should know why I stayed, Leng," she murmured, a seductive twist in her voice.

Her hand nudged against the slight bulge in his leathers. Though the act was enough to distract him for only the briefest moment, it was a moment too long. Before realization had the chance to hit him, his blade had already been lifted from its strap. A cruel grin flashed over her face a fraction of a second before she tackled him. His back hit the floor with a forceful grunt and the sharp blade's edge pressed dangerously against the vulnerable exposed skin of his neck.

Hovering above him, she lowered her face toward his, her lips turned up in that same patronizing grin she'd often given him. "I'm here because I want to be. Because Cerberus needs Commander Shepard." Her words were cold, seemingly boastful, but they held truth. She gave them Reaper tech. She gave them Legion. And she was the reason Cerberus obtained a sizable number of new recruits as of late. But Leng… he refused to give her any credit and would never admit that she was better than he. But, eventually he too would have to make a choice. It was only a matter of time.

"You overrate yourself, Shepard," he snarled through clenched teeth.

She laughed softly, tossing the blade away and pushing herself back onto her feet. She stared down at him, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Maybe," she responded with a shrug. She wasn't crazy enough to be blinded to the truth in his words. However, if she wasn't overestimating herself, then this stepping stone to her higher goal would soon be accomplished. On the other hand, if Leng was right… Well, let's just hope he's not.