A/N: Thanks to all those who are reviewing, reading and have just favorited this story. It means so much to me and gives me the drive to continue on. Things are getting fairly busy right now in the real world (School is starting, I'm pregnant, etc. It never seems to end, and I'm so tired all the time), so I'm starting to fall behind on updating. I am trying to write a little every day and will hopefully keep updating at least once a week, hopefully twice a week. I hope you continue to enjoy the story as we see where this takes up. (And for those Shenko lovers, there will be more soon, I promise!)

Also, this is pretty raw. If you find anything freakishly awful, please let me know and I will fix it. I will be re-writing and cleaning up once I get the story fleshed out, but I need to keep posting to keep up momentum.

What is giveth...

Rain came down in sheets as Shepard crossed the square to the operations base. The wreckage brought in the night before still dominated the square, blocking the most direct path between the buildings and abandoned when the rain hit. And, of course, she was not able to find an umbrella or anything before she left. Her mood soured with the drenching of her clothes. She was cold, wet, and now hungry as she entered Hackett's office.

"Sir." She started, disregarding protocol by interrupting his conversation with one of the relay engineers. "What happened last night?"

The look on his face plainly displayed his frustration, with her, with the situation, with everything.

"We're still trying to figure that out, Shepard. Major Coats is heading up the investigation." She nodded at him before turning to hunt down the major. She found him in the body of the large church.

"Ah. Shepard." he said, seeing her approach. "I had heard you were still among the living." His levity brought a smirk to her lips.

"On borrowed time, apparently." He chuckled at the joke, knowing that they were all living on borrowed time.

"What can I do for the woman who single handedly shoved a very large boot up the Reapers' arse?" He smiled. She couldn't help but chuckle.

"Actually, I'm wondering what happened to the transports out there."

"Ah, bad bit of luck, there. Seems to have run over some sort of improvised explosive on the way back from London. Killed three and toasted some of the supplies we were bringing back. Injured five more, but none too seriously. Chakwas will have them patched up quickly."

"Why would there be improvised explosives on the road to London?"

"We found a lot of IEDs as we moved toward the countryside—traps locals laid for the Reapers."

"But wasn't the way into the city cleared?"

"That's the strange part. The road was clear. I've lead teams down it—God, hundreds of times since then with no problem."

"So, who planted the bomb?"

"I don't have an answer yet, but whoever it was seemed like an amateur. The explosion was fairly weak. The transports look much worse than they actually are."

"So, what? You think maybe some survivors who are out on their own did this?"

He shrugged.

"I don't really know what to think? There have been a few people we come across who would rather stick it out on their own, so maybe. But it doesn't make sense. Those who keep to themselves do so because they don't want our help, but they are pretty opportunistic, so why leave the material behind after the explosion?"

"Maybe they are trying to make a statement?"

"If they are, they haven't come out and said it yet. I hate to say it, because it might mean more of the same, but before we can point the finger at anyone, we'll need more information, more evidence."

"Right. Well, if you need any help or get any more info, let me know."

"Sure, Commander." He turned back to his work, but then looked at her as an afterthought struck him. "Oh, and Shepard. If you're not busy, could you check in on Engineer Daniels for me? Donnelly was injured in the blast and I promised him I'd keep an eye out for her given her... condition." She raised an eyebrow at him, but he didn't elaborate. "She's working on the refit of the Normandy, though she really ought to be taking it easy."

"Sure, I'll check up on her."

It didn't take too long for her to find a truck of supplies headed for the Normandy. Hopping in the bed, she nestled down between a couple of crates and rested as best she could on the bumpy trip to the spacecraft. She thought of why she was heading to the Normandy again.

Do I really look that desperate that everyone is giving me these little errands? Or do I just inadvertently ask for them? Ugh. Either way, I feel pathetic. Her mind wandered as it drifted between sleep and wakefulness. Her body was feeling sore from her exertions the night before, but it also felt stronger than it had since she woke up and the Reapers were gone. She considered additional options at times of lucidity.

I could probably get a decent enough workout just lifting my pistol. Her mind was bitter at the thought. A chime sounded on her omni-tool, indicating she had a message. It was from Doctor Chakwas. Shepard scowled as she red the note, which chastised her for missing her check-up and therapy this morning. With all that was going on, this new mystery and the request to look in on Daniels, she had simply forgotten. She was just tapping out her response when the truck stopped.

Peaking over the side of the truck, she saw the Normandy glistening in the sunlight. The earlier rain had washed it clean of the dirt and grime that had collected on it, baptizing it anew.

She slipped out of the truck and made her way up the open cargo ramp. She had offered to help unload supplies and equipment, but the young drafted workers had refused. So, she found her way to engineering, where she figured she would find Daniels.

Gaby Daniels sat at her station as Shepard entered, looking just as she had remembered the young woman. She watched for a moment while the engineer was engrossed in her work. It reminded her of watching her father as a child.

"Gaby." She said gently.

I always hate this part of command. She thought, But at least he's only injured. Shepard frowned at the thought. The young engineers' attraction to each other had never been a secret while they all served together, even back at the beginning after Cerberus revived her. They had even asked her to marry them before they headed back to Earth for the final confrontation with the Reapers. She, unfortunately, wasn't able to make the time to do that particular task.

Gabrielle Daniels turned around at the sound of her name and smiled as she saw Shepard standing in the doorway.

"Commander Shepard." Daniels said, getting up from her chair. Shepard's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the younger woman's swollen belly. "So good to see you." Daniels said, her voice dreamy and her face practically glowing.

"Shit, Gaby. Congratulations!" Shepard pulled the young woman into a hug, studding both Daniels and herself for a moment.

"Thanks, Shepard."

"When are you?" She started to ask before Daniels cut her off.

"Two months. I've been counting down." Gaby smiled. "We're so excited."

"Oh, damn." She shook her head as she remembered why she was there in the first place. "I... Major Coats asked me to let you know that Donnelly was injured last night. There was some sort of explosion, but he'll be fine. He was just worried about you, so... don't worry..." She realized she was rambling, so she let her voice trail off.

"What happened?" Daniels asked. To her credit, she managed to keep most of the emotion from her voice.

"They aren't entirely sure yet, but it looks like some sort of improvised mine. The best people we have are looking into it."

"But he's alright?" Daniels asked, needing clarity.

"Fine, or he will be once Chakwas is done with him." Shepard smirked, knowing the reputation of the aging doctor.

Gaby smiled and sighed in relief.

"That's good. Thank you." They stood in silence for a moment. "So, Shepard, since you came all this way, would you mind giving me a hand with a few things?"

"Why not? It's not like I have anything better to do."