Thriller

Orientations were always a long affair. Lots of speeches by people you don't know yet whilst sitting next to a bunch of new recruits you also don't know yet. The whole thing seemed impersonal to her and not to mention long as hell.

During a particularly long speech by what had to be the oldest man alive, she inadvertently let out an audible sigh. "I know, right? Maybe his specialty is boring the enemy to death." Jane turned her head to her right and saw a boy the same age as her shifting in his seat.

"What?" she replied.

"I mean it! He's got to be a least a hundred years old," he said. Then he adopted an older, shakier voice, "'Back in my day we had uniforms made of cotton; none of this, new-fangled poly-blend material. And we had to hike fifteen miles to get them cleaned!'"

"In the snow!" Jane retorted.

"Uphill!"

"Both ways!"

The two recruits' shoulders started shaking from attempting to hold in their sniggers.

"Well at least there is one good thing to come out of this orientation," Jane said between silent giggles.

"What's that?" the boy asked.

"A new friend," she stated, holding out her hand. "Jane Shepard, thrilled to meet you."

The boy gave her a sideways smile and took her hand. "Jeff Moreau; likewise."

A/N: So yeah, here's my story. I always liked the idea of Joker and Shepard having met before the Normandy. For some reason it just makes sense to me. Anyway, I'm going to try and make this Shepard as ambiguous as possible so people can imagine their own Shepard (or themselves...) as her. Sound good? Ok! More to come just keep your pants on...

Disclaimer: All characters, locations, etc. belong to Bioware.