A/N: I found boarding the Collector ship one of the best parts in Mass Effect 2, the suspense, the discoveries, entering the unknown it made for great game play, keeping me at the edge of my seat. Now in my first fan fiction I will try to relive these moments, taking liberty from both the game and dialogue. My inspiration for this piece was James Cameron's classic Aliens. I hope you enjoy it, please review, I welcome any criticism or comments.

I don't own the story, or the characters, Bioware does.

Prologue

It was late in the evening, the simulated time on the ship was past two am but Normandy's SR-2 XO Miranda Lawson was still up, she sat at her desk, stifling a yawn, her terminal was on, the option glowing on it was accessing Commander Shepard's private messages.

She groaned frustrated at her current conundrum, what is the matter with me? I never had a problem with this before?

Miranda massaged her head gently, trying her best to force out the aches and frustration, which she felt building up in her mind.

Looking back up at the terminal, she still couldn't get herself to enter Shepard's private messages. Damn it.

Miranda didn't want to acknowledge the fact but her opinion and feelings towards the Commander had changed drastically since they joined forces, a thought that the Cerberus agent would have deemed impossible. However now she was unable to access Shepard's messages, clear proof that new opinions and thoughts were forming about her commander, not all of which she could understand.

Miranda could hear several voices coming from the mess hall, they were of several members of the crew, Mess Sergeant Gardener, Private Hawthorne, Private Goldstein, Private Hadley, the engineers Donnelly and Daniels and their very own commander Shepard. They were playing poker and had been rowdy all night.

It was something as simple as playing poker with your crewmen that brought many of the crew on board into loyalty for their commander, he had gotten their respect from his previous missions but not their loyalty. He earned that with wanting to talk to each one, wanting to know them better, wanting to know if they needed anything, it was true dedication to everyone on board.

But now after hours of playing poker, the crew seemed that they were finally calling it a night, chairs were being pushed in, the men were saying their good nights, Miranda could hear Donnelly complain about how Shepard had hustled him, but the other engineer Daniels only laughed telling him it served him right for trying to hustle the commander. The crew laughed and went off to their barracks.

Miranda's own relations with the crew had been a lot better in the past few weeks since Horizon. She had eased up on them, not watching over their backs, or asking for constant reports, even allowing them the occasional break. All of these had been recommended by Shepard.

Miranda at first declined believing it was wrong to breach protocol, it was how she was taught in Cerberus but when she finally relented in the last few weeks she was surprised at the results.

It was not just the crew the squad was also beginning to look at their XO differently. A mutual respect was always there, but there was still animosity towards each other. It was when Miranda's own personality began to show especially when she was around Shepard, clearly affecting the other squad members who up to that point always looked at her as the Ice queen or as the Cerberus cheerleader.

One person had brought all of these changes on her and it was the person she would have never suspected Commander Shepard. He had even helped her take down thugs who were after her sister, not allowing her to shoot Niket when it was revealed that he had betrayed her and then urged her to talk to her sister. Just thinking of Shepard's name brought a new confusing feeling to the Cerberus operative.

Deciding she needed a break from her office, Miranda got out of her office, walking over to the kitchen where she was sure Gardener kept some contraband.

"Miranda?"

Miranda was caught off guard at the sound of her name, not expecting any one to be up. Her quick reflexes toned from years of training, had her spin around to see Shepard was sitting at the table alone in front of him was Gardener's whiskey and his glass.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you," Shepard said clearly amused at the reaction he had gotten from the XO

"You didn't scare me, I just thought everyone went to bed," corrected Miranda.

"Oh ok, are you looking for something particular this late?"

"Yes, but it seems that you and the crew already got to it," answered Miranda honestly noting that less than a quarter remained in the bottle.

Shepard looked confused for a moment before realizing that he had the Whiskey in front of him. He released a small smirk, trying his best to look innocent, "there is still some left."

Miranda approached him unaware of how much he had consumed during the poker game. "I do not know if it would be appropriate if both the commander and the XO were drinking."

Shepard chuckled, "relax Lawson, this is my first," Shepard held his cup; a little bit of brown liquid could be seen before he finished it in one sip.

Miranda sat across from him, as Shepard slid the bottle to her. Miranda wondered how much the crew had drank, wondering how they would be able to work during their next shift but Miranda's own XO frets suddenly stopped upon noticing that the commander was watching her. A new feeling came over her no longer caring about the repercussions, taking a long sip from the bottle, feeling the burning sensation tingle her throat before she put the bottle to the table. She was even more pleased with herself noticing Shepard's surprised expression.

"I didn't take you for a girl who liked whiskey."

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me Commander," Miranda said a bit to informally.

Shepard smiled but did not speak, leaning back in his chair, his attention on the ceiling.

"How did the poker game turn out?"

Shepard released a small chuckle, "were we that loud?"

"Enough to know what you guys were doing but not enough to distract me."

"Gardener spent most of the game drinking, so he lost the majority of his credits, before falling asleep at the table. Besides collecting Gardener's money, it was pretty much even."

Miranda was pleased to hear that the crew did not partake in as much drinking as she had thought. You're doing it again, Miranda caught herself thinking the way she always did, frustrated with her old habits, she was determined to silence her old self for this conversation with her commander.

"There was something I always wanted to ask you," Miranda said suddenly interrupting the silence.

Shepard slowly returned his attention to Miranda, "Which is?"

Miranda was hesitant, she didn't know how to ask the question but it was something that lingered in the back of her mind since her days at the Lazarus project when she read all of Shepard's reports. "It was about Saren, I read the reports that you, Garrus, Wrex and Ashley filed after the attack on the citadel."

"I thought those were classified?" interrupted a confused Shepard.

"Cerberus has its ways," Miranda replied vaguely.

"So what do you want to know?" asked Shepard deciding better not to ask about how Cerberus got the files.

"I just wanted to know if it was true, that you actually persuaded Saren at the citadel tower and he ended up killing himself?" asked Miranda.

Shepard only nodded, pouring himself his second drink.

"But why?" the words came out before Miranda could stop herself.

Shepard looked a bit amused, "you mean why I would show him mercy? And not just run in there with my guns a blazing?"

Miranda didn't answer; she honestly would have had it played out that way. But the way Shepard addressed that option it sounded to clearly have been the stupid choice.

"I am sure because of your Cerberus connections you know about Virmire. It was on Virmire when I got this scar. (Shepard pointed to a thin crescent cut under his right eye) More importantly it was also when I realized that Saren wasn't truly convinced about the choices he had made. Saren was still there, the honorable spectre wasn't gone it was only buried. So when I faced him on the Citadel I was sure I could speak to him. Thankfully I was able to persuade him that the choices he had made had been wrong, he repented before killing himself," Shepard spoke seriously but his words almost sounded casual as if the accomplishment wasn't even worth mentioning.

"After all the wrong he committed, why bother talking to him? Lives were at stake Shepard." Miranda said voicing her own opinion on the situation trying her best to keep her tone professional.

Shepard smiled amused at Miranda's quick and confidant reply. Does she even know how predicable she is Shepard mused before taking a long sip of whiskey, nearly draining his cup, the burning sensation tingled the back of his throat before moving down.

Miranda sighed inwardly, realizing that she was doing it again; she was judging him, allowing her Ice Queen persona to dominate her voice. "I am sorry Shepard; I shouldn't be questioning your actions especially after everything you have accomplished. You have proven yourself time and time again and yet with me," Miranda paused she didn't know if she should continue or not, Shepard already had a lot of burden to shoulder. It would be selfish of me to vent all of my frustrations on him.

"You are referring to your dad?" Shepard asked his eyes were fixed on her. "Miranda you are too hard on yourself, you're a very good officer and have proven it, time and time again during this mission."

"You don't understand Shepard, I was designed to be perfect, my looks, my genes, my training, my intelligence was all developed by my father, but even with all that was given to me, you are my superior in every way." Miranda said her voice was soft, laced with a burden that she had carried silently to herself for all of her life.

"This isn't a competition Miranda, because you don't need to worry, I am not trying to replace you as the Illusive man's sidekick." Shepard joked.

Miranda released a smirk but did not speak keeping her head down, staring at the table, lost in thought from all that she had known and was taught and how even with all she had been given she failed.

"Sure your father created you and Cerberus high toned your skills, but does that mean that I cannot compliment you on your talents. Because your actions and choices make them your own, not your father, not the Illusive man, only you," Shepard said in a more serious tone.

"Compliments?" Miranda asked playfully, looking up to see Shepard's fiery eyes were staring at her intently.

"There is much to admire," Shepard answered in a very casually tone.

"Shepard wait." Miranda said believing that this conversation was about to head in another direction.

Shepard reached his hand across the table, gently brushing back strands of Miranda's hair, which had fallen in front of her face. His hand grazed across her soft cheek before he brought it back to the table.

Miranda's body quivered at his touch, though she wanted to lecture him on protocol, she found herself unable to speak, as her heart beat faster and faster, secretly yearning for his touch.

"Miranda you can't deny the way you feel," Shepard said his voice soft but strong.

"No Shepard I can't but the mission is too important," replied Miranda sternly.

"Miranda what I believe we have is something important too."

Miranda had never felt this way before a part of her wanted to lunge across the table towards Shepard but the more experienced and sensible Miranda wanted to withdraw to her room before temptation could arise. "Maybe it is but this mission is likely a one way trip."

"Then maybe this relationship will properly encourage you to want to come back alive."

"Fine I do feel something for you" Miranda admitted very relieved to have finally admitted out loud her feelings for Shepard. "But if I lost you… you just have to promise me you won't die." Miranda stopped at her words; she didn't want to sound to cold or cautious because when it came to Shepard, she was willing to risk it all for him.

"I already died once Miranda, I don't plan on doing it again," Shepard replied sincerely not wanting to cause Miranda any pain.

Miranda smiled realizing that Shepard meant every word in which he spoke, "so then where does that leave us?"

Shepard returned Miranda's smile, he leaned across the table and before she could react, he kissed her gently but passionately.

Miranda returned the kiss, releasing all of the built up restraint that she allowed to fester for so many months. She ran her hand across his face, tracing the outline of his Virmire scar with her fingers.

"Commander," Joker's voice echoed over the loudspeaker.

The Commander and the XO parted from their embrace; both were a bit amused and annoyed with the helmsman's interruption.

"Yes Joker?" asked Shepard.

"It is the Illusive man, he wants to speak with you. He says it is urgent," informed Joker.

"Alright, I will be in the briefing room right away. Thanks Joker,"

"Joker out."

"Do you know anything about this?" Shepard asked.

Miranda shrugged before shaking her head.

Shepard stood from his chair, "then I better see what he wants."