A/N - This is a collaboration with Kendrene, who graciously lent her OC Malena to the story. It is also dedicated to her, an inspiration who has brought many stories to life.

Teach Me

Trine Reanna stood in the shadows of the upper balcony, watching the drills with a practiced eye. The matron had just returned to Thessia, the restlessness which drove her still unquenched. She had spent countless hours here training maidens, sculpting their biotics along with their combat skills until they were the most lethal of warriors. The asari commandos she had mentored were well known for their excellence in many skills, they would emerge as the great leaders as they matured. She sighed as her thoughts flew back to the maidens that had been in her care. Every one of them held a special place, but none as unforgettable as Malena Therasu. Reanna shook her head to clear the memories, but as expected, thoughts of the brilliant commando refused to give way.

"Again," the elder asari instructed with clenched teeth. "Your form is wrong."

The younger warrior got up from the practice ring's floor and ignoring protocol, rushed her instructor. Attacking with the whirling staff, aided by a biotic barrier, she managed to force her mentor back a step. Smiling as their eyes met, she felt a moment of elation, of victory, before it all came crashing down and she found herself on the ground, her teacher's staff at her throat.

"Enough, Malena," the trainer fought to control her frustration. "You must fight the battle in your mind first, if your body will ever be able to claim victory. You must have salarian blood in your veins with the speed in which you wish to do everything. Quick victories are for children's stories, girl, you need to learn patience."

The young maiden's features wavered before the steel curtain slammed into place, hiding her emotions from her mentor. She so wanted to gain this matron's approval. Trine was just different from the other instructors, there was something more to her. The stoic exterior was just a mask the young asari hoped to uncover. Malena had been chosen for her biotic strength and her physical prowess. She knew she was capable, she just couldn't concentrate the way she must when Trine was near. The maiden got up again, dusted her hands on her practice tunic and readied her weapon. She paced her mind through the simple centering exercise and felt the tension drain away. Watching her mentor's defensive weave, she analyzed the pattern and let her mind drive her movements. In one quick motion, the maiden's staff clipped the trainer's arm driving all feeling from her hand. The look of surprise on Trine's face was replaced by a grin as her staff clattered to the ground, Malena's staff leveled at her chest.

"Excellent!" the elder asari commended her. "You are done here for today, see to your other studies."

Malena returned her teacher's smile, basking in the praise her eyes conveyed. She thought she saw something else in those eyes as well and hesitated. Trine gazed into the deep blue depths of the young asari and saw the strength that the maiden would grow into. This one had a bright future, but also something else, a spark, a fire, that none of the other students could match. Realizing that she had been staring, the trainer dropped her eyes as she bent to retrieve her staff.

When she straightened up, the maiden was gone. Trine sighed as she shook her hand trying to regain feeling. This asari was indeed special and she should be pushing her harder, driving all the lessons home with all the intensity she could muster. But when she saw Malena smile or watched her lithe body as she trained, too many other thoughts clouded her vision, none of them appropriate for the Academy's lead trainer. She knew she should turn the maiden's training over to another teacher, but she couldn't bear the thought of losing the time spent with this wonder. The old argument played again in her head as she turned and made her way back to her quarters.

Trine was intercepted by Matriarch Astraea, the head of the Academy.

"So, how is your latest project coming along?" she asked.

"Well, Malena is improving, but I see much more potential to be developed," the matron replied, wondering where this questioning was leading.

"I have heard that you spend many hours with her in conversation. Is that part of the training?" the matriarch's tone had taken on an accusatory tone.

"Why, yes, she has a very curious mind, is there something wrong with that?" Trine answered defensively.

"I guess that depends on your intentions," Astraea stated. "Do not forget the power her family wields. They will not be forgiving should something, umm unforeseen, happen."

"I do not understand what you are trying to say, Astraea," Trine was now getting angry at the matriarch's overbearing commentary.

"Just behave, Trine, try to stay within our boundaries. I know that can be difficult for you sometimes."

The matriarch turned and left without giving Trine a chance to respond.