Okay this is my rewritten version of Compromise isn't an option, the first one I know was shit, so I've rewritten it to the ever so high expectations everyone has (By the way if the guest who placed that *Ahem* creative criticism is reading this, invest more points into subtly) anyway same premise just redone. Story time now

Location: Dark Star lounge, Citadel, Widow Nebula

Shepard sat in the bar, if he was going to face the council again; he'd need a drink, a strong drink at that, even if he couldn't get drunk

"You sure you should do that Shepard?" Garrus asked, Shepard chuckled

"Garrus my implants don't let me get drunk"

"I guess Cerberus didn't want you any less then you were" Garrus and Shepard gave a Chuckle, he downed his Batarian ale and felt a slight buzz for a second but it was cut off relatively quickly

"Well let's go Garrus; I think we've kept them waiting long enough" Shepard and Garrus stepped out of the bar, and walked towards the Transport terminal

"Fifty credits says they, say no"

"Up it too a hundred and you're on Garrus"

"Deal" Shepard and Garrus had always done that, before every fight or anything major, they'd place a little bet, they entered the transport and took off to the Presidium, 'here goes nothing' Shepard thought that maybe after two years of her being dead, they would have changed, who knows.

Location: Sector B-5, Border of Tau space

Markus sighed; he sat in his quarters reassembling his rifle, he'd done this a thousand times, then again growing up on Cadia he'd learned to do it when he was a toddler, he put the rifle back together and words his mother once said to him echoed through his head 'this weapon is more than a gun it is an extension of you don't think of it as a gun think of it as a part of your body' she told him this on his sixth birthday when he was given the first of his ever faithful Las-Pistols the first which he named Fate, the second he was given upon joining of the Guards 8th Cadian he had named it Devotion, these two pistols had been with him during the Cleansing of Cadia, and thousands of more battles, he placed both pistols on his table, both their names etched into them 'fate' his first, named so to remind him of his fate as a guardsmen to fight and die with a weapon in his hand and a curse to his enemies on his lips, the second 'devotion', named so for his undying loyalty to his regiment and to his god emperor, his life, his death, his meaning, his loyalty, his fate and his devotion.

Markus had finished the maintenance of his weapons, he now stood in the training room practicing his hand-to-hand, he'd rarely got caught in Melee combat, but when he did he wanted to make sure he came out on top, his opponent was his friend and comrade Katharine

"You're a bit off today Markus" she spoke as she landed a hit in on his jaw, she took another swing he dodged and countered

"Hardly Kath" he spoke with a rather cocky tone, as he took her down, he helped her up as they prepared for a second match, the Inquisitor walked in Inquisitor Viktor Forge of the Ordo Malleus, Markus had been in his service since the Cleansing of Cadia, they both stood at attention

"At ease" they relaxed but not fully, they never could around him, since he was one of the more, Radical Inquisitor it wasn't very uncommon for them to enlist the aid of Xenos, at first it was silent for a time the Inquisitor said nothing, so both Markus and Katharine went to spar again, the Inquisitor took a seat watching both closely, the second match was quite heated, Katharine would land a few hits or a counter, to which Markus would also counter or land a hit, they both tried harder as they did in the Inquisitor presence, nothing but their best was expected, even when training, the match ended with no clear winner, as both had hit the ground, the Inquisitor applauded

"Very well done, very well done indeed, then again I would expect no less from you two" both of them were a bit tense, the praise wasn't uncommon, the Inquisitor valued the effort they put in winning was praised, failure was punished quickly and severely, "Now you two, I need to brief you on our next task" both nodded and followed the Inquisitor.

Location: Presidium Embassies, Human office, citadel, widow nebula

Shepard was outside the door, he was hesitant to open it

"What's the matter Shepard scared of losing your money?"

"You wish Garrus" he opened the door seeing Anderson talking with three holograms,

"I'm sure he'll be here…" he turned as the door opened "Speak of the Devil" Andersons face lit up as Shepard entered the room

"Hello old friend" Shepard spoke as he shook Anderson's hand

"Good to see you Commander"

"Please Anderson it's just Vince now" Anderson smiled

"Sure thing Commander" there was a faked cough form nearby they both turned to the holograms of the council members, he did his best to remember each of their names, the Turain was Spartus, the Asari was Tevos and the Salarian was Valen if he'd remembered it right, he took a slight bow.

"Councillors, a pleasure to see you all again" the only one to return his greeting was the Tevos, Valen nodded and Spartus tried to hide a scowl

"The Pleasure is our Shepard, were glad to see you again…"

"Don't speak for all of us Tevos" Spartus was never very subtle, Tevos gave him a glare which shut him up rather quickly

"Regardless of what Spartus says, Shepard we are glad to see you again, however we were hoping that you could set a few things straight for us" Shepard sighed

"This is about Cerberus isn't it?"

"As perceptive as ever Shepard" Spartus growled, Valen spoke instead of Tevos this time

"Yes it is frankly we've been hearing some disturbing things"

"Yes one of the main reasons we held this meeting was so that you could explain yourself and your actions"

"Explain myself? Councillors may I ask what kind of things you think I've been doing?"

"We have it on good authority that you have made an agreement with Cerberus and that you're working very closely with them, we also believe you have two Cerberus Agents serving on your ship one of them as an XO?"

"Believe me Councillors I don't trust them any farther then I could throw them… which now that I think about it might be a bad example" Shepard chuckled at the thought of throwing Miranda over his shoulder

"Regardless of whether you trust them or not, we have no idea of what they could have done to you, what sort of implants they've put in you they may even be recording this conversation"

"Councillors I assure you, I had an old doctor friend of mine go over me and identify every single implant they gave me no recording devices or alterations to my brain, I am as I was two years ago just a few new scars" he said pointing to the surgical scaring he had on his face

"But we still can't be sure if…."

"This is Bullshit!" The councillors all gasped at Andersons outburst "Shepard has done everything you asked and more, he's the reason this council is still standing, he's the reason every single one of you is still breathing"

"Calm down Councillor Anderson, we meant no disrespect for what he's done for us we just…."

"So you're basically telling me No Again!"

"Shepard it's not like that we just…"

"No-no I get it, no need to help the person who not only saved the citadel and the whole galaxy, but your lives as well, that you can't help…well then remind me next time your lives are in danger not to come running to help" he turned to leave

"Shepard wait" he turned to her old friend,

"Sorry David, but I've no intention to listen to any more political bullshit" despite being quite calm and tactful, the bulk of the time, he'd reached his wits ends a difficult task.

"I understand Vincent, good luck out their"

"Take care old friend" Anderson nodded, he turned to the councillors and took a bow "so long councillors, maybe you'll see my pictures in the Vids when I save this Galaxy, AGAIN" he turned and walked out

"Shepard wait, please wai…" Tevos voice was cut short by the door, as he and Garrus walked to the elevator

"I know this is a bad time…but they did say no" Shepard gave a wave of his omi-tool, and transferred the a credits to Garrus account, he gave a smile, Garrus always knew how to make him smile, even when he was completely pissed off, he step out of the elevator and heard and advert nearby recognize her, she sighed most likely the Thief Kasumi, at least this trip was worth something

ALRIGHT THEN first chapter done, hope this is as good as you ever so cynical critics hope it would be, (Yeah you try doing this shit and see how well ya do) any way that aside hope you enjoyed, if only a little and if not well then I guess I can't please everyone right….Bye…