Hey guys!

This is the official last chapter of the first part of this fic. Go check out the second one. In my opinion, the writing is far better, and so is the character development.

I look forward to hearing what you guys think, there's some new things I'm going to put in there and hopefully you guys that were fans of the flashbacks will love this just as much. So go check it out!

Please rate, review and even PM me if you have anything you'd like to say.

Thanks!

"We can't, it's dangerous, we're not ready."

"We just had three more guys seek US out to join the cause. We're getting our name out there, people know us!"

"Just because we're known doesn't mean we're ready to do this!"

"Since when are we on your clock, Melanis?!"

"Fuck off, Ripper, I earned the right to speak my mind after that last run!"

Natasha rubbed her temples as she sat on the floor with Rayhel, her eyes closed as she tried to block out the shouting of the two men. Calpurnia got to her feet quickly, putting herself in between the two of them, pushing Melanis away from Ripper and pointing in his face.

"Watch your mouth, there's a kid in here." she said sternly before looking at the two of them in turn.

"Neither of you call the shots. Just shut up."

Natasha looked up at her as she stared down the men, who eventually gave up their argument and walked away from each other. Calpurnia shook her head, putting her hands on her hips.

"Where's Garrus?" Natasha asked.

"Probably still going over the plans with Weaver and Erash."

Natasha sighed, rubbing her temples again. Rayhel tapped her shoulder lightly. She looked over at her.

"Mommy, tired."

"Come here." Natasha replied, opening her arms so Rayhel could crawl into her lap. "Are you going?"

Calpurnia shrugged, watching Rayhel get comfortable.

"He hasn't asked me."

"He will." Calpurnia sat next to her, sighing heavily, the silence between them saying all the words that she wanted to say. Natasha gave her a small smile. "I'll be ok."

Calpurnia put her arm around Natasha, laying her head down on her shoulder.

"I'll make sure he stays safe."

Natasha laughed lightly, stroking Rayhel's fringe idly as she drifted off to sleep.

"I want you both to be safe."

"I'd be a nervous wreck if I was you."

"What about Caeus? He goes off to work everyday and you don't even know what he does."

"I trust him to be safe."

"Just like I trust you guys to be safe."

Calpurnia lifted her head from her shoulder, giving her a look of worry.

"What would you do if we died?"

Natasha bit her lip, shrugging slightly.

"I don't like thinking like that."

"If I get hurt and I'm dying, I'd like to be reassured that you're going to be safe, and with Garrus you will be. If we both die, what will you do?"

Natasha stared at her friend for a moment. She shrugged again.

"I'd probably go back to the Citadel."

"Garrus said it's not safe, that's why we came here in the first place."

"Well I can't stay here. It's not safe for Rayhel."

"We're in pretty deep, it'll be hard for you to leave. These guys will look to you if we're gone."

"What do you want to hear, Cal?"

Calpurnia sighed, looking away from her. She was silent for a long while before she looked back to Natasha.

"I'm scared."

"Why?"

"I don't want to die."

"You're not going to."

"You're my best friend, Tasha. You're the closest thing I have to family... After everything that we've been through together, with our bondmates dying and raising Rayhel and doing this for the past eight months, it's hard for me to just be ok with going out on a run and not coming back. I hate that feeling."

Natasha hated the topic Calpurnia had chosen, but she knew it was important to talk about in case it ever became a reality. Anything she needed to say needed to be said before she left for the next run. Natasha did her best to give her a reassuring smile.

"Garrus would keep you safe too."

"I know… I guess I'm just paranoid."

"Yeah. I know the feeling."

"Archangel is your boyfriend, I think you're good."

Natasha smiled at the nickname Garrus had been given by the civilians they were working hard to protect. It suited him well.

"Well, whatever he does, your boyfriend does a good job too." The two of them were interrupted by the sound of a door opening. They looked up to see two of the men leaving the room Garrus had called them into. Garrus himself was nowhere to be seen. Natasha scooped Rayhel up and handed her to Calpurnia. "Watch her."

The two men stood up straight as she approached them, waiting for her to say something. She gave a small smile in return.

"His plan is sound." Weaver said.

"Where is he?"

"He's still in there. He seems tired. I think. Turians are hard to read." Erash said, shifting his weight.

"Thanks." Natasha replied, walking past them. She closed the door behind her, seeing Garrus standing at the table, looking down at a data disk. "Hey."

He didn't respond. He hardly acknowledged her as she walked over to his side. She looked down at the data disk, seeing a map of what she assumed was the Talons' headquarters. She took it from his hands and he finally looked up at her.

"What?"

She knit her eyebrows together at his tone, not allowing him to take the disk when he reached out for it.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm working, you should go."

She shook her head at him.

"Talk to me."

"I don't have time for this." he sighed.

"You have time, or you'll make time." she replied sternly.

He grumbled at her, a look in his eyes she'd never seen.

"What do you want?" he said forcefully.

She hit his arm lightly as she huffed at him.

"Garrus, stop."

He stared at her, taking a few moments to relax before he rubbed his face, taking his visor off. She put a hand on his face, feeling his anger subside. He brought his hand up to hers, his thumb stroking it softly.

"I'm sorry." he groaned. "It's not you."

"What's going on?"

"It's everything…"

"Are you tired?"

"I'm stressed."

"So take a day off."

He smirked at her.

"I'm Archangel, haven't you heard? I don't take days off."

She smiled, leaning up to him to give him a kiss. He wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Well, even Archangel can get overwhelmed. Take a day off."

"I have to keep you safe. The day I take a break is the day the mercs decide the fight comes here. I can't let that happen."

"I can run the place for a day."

Natasha was slightly offended as he laughed at her, putting a hand on her shoulder like she was a child.

"Yes, I'm sure you could." he teased.

She shook her head, setting the data disk on the table.

"Fine. Calpurnia can."

His smile faded as he cleared his throat.

"It's more than the leadership that makes it stressful, to be honest."

"What else?" she asked.

"It's hard, being a soldier. Killing isn't fun. Sniping makes it even worse… I've been doing it for a long time, but it doesn't make it easier. I have to wonder if I'm doing any good by killing mercs."

Natasha thought back to the batarian she'd killed, nodding at him in understanding.

"I know…" she said. "I'm sorry."

"This isn't your fault." She had a hard time believing him, but she nodded anyways. "Where's my daughter?"

Natasha laughed at him, raising an eyebrow.

"I'll have you know she has been attached to my hip all day."

"It varies. I guess she was following Weaver around all day yesterday. He said he'd turn around and she'd pretend to hide."

They laughed at the thought. Natasha enjoyed the fact that the rest of the team loved Rayhel just as much as they did. She was like the team's spirit. She could make anyone smile.

"Come on." Natasha said, grabbing his hands.

"Where are we going?"

"Your daughter is currently taking a nap with Calpurnia. If we wake her up, she'd love to play with you."

"Isn't parenthood supposed to be stressful?"

Natasha turned back to him, giving him a concerned look.

"Sometimes." she replied.

He smiled, shaking off the look she gave him, rubbing her arms reassuringly.

"Honestly, it's the only thing in my life that isn't stressful."

She smiled, sinking into a hip.

"So I'm stressful to you?"

He groaned, closing his eyes.

"Let's go." he laughed.

She laughed, leading him out to the small living area to find Rayhel. Natasha smiled widely at the sight of her running from Weaver, her arms in the air, a loud chirp echoing through the room. Garrus kneeled down, reaching his arms out.

"Daddy, save me!" she yelled.

He laughed, picking her up as her small laugh replaced her chirp.

"You're lucky." Weaver said, putting his hands on his hips as he smiled at her.

"Daddy loves me." she replied, resting her head on Garrus' shoulder.

"I do." he replied before kissing her head.

Calpurnia walked over to join Natasha, crossing her arms over her chest with a smile on her face as they watched the guys play with her.

"He ok?"

"Stressed out." Natasha replied.

"He's such a good guy." Calpurnia sighed.

Natasha smiled, looking over at her.

"What makes you say that?"

"It just takes a real man to step up like he has. Especially when he didn't have to."

Natasha nodded, looking back over to him.

"I love him."

"Any wear and tear on your end?"

Natasha shrugged.

"Kinda sick of the guys arguing all the time. The testosterone around here is… Insane."

Calpurnia laughed at her.

"So let's leave."

"What?"

"Let's go have some girl time."

Natasha gave her a look, shaking her head.

"I have to watch my daughter."

"Why, she's just fine, look."

Rayhel squealed as Garrus peeked around the couch to find her in her hiding spot before running to another one. Natasha laughed.

"What would we even do?"

"I don't know. Get drunk, steal some stuff." Natasha shook her head. Calpurnia grabbed her arm and shook her slightly as she whined. "Please!"

"Fine, fine." Natasha said, getting out of her grasp. "We'll go."

"Thank the spirits!" Calpurnia groaned before raising her hand in the air. "We're leaving!"

Garrus looked over at them.

"What?"

"We're gonna go find some girl stuff to do." Natasha said. "You guys think you can handle her?"

Rayhel squealed loudly again, popping out of her hiding spot and running over to Garrus to hug his leg. He laughed before nodding at Natasha.

"Don't be gone long."

"I promise."

"Take a gun."

"Yes, I know."

She walked over to him, taking the pistol he held out for her. He kissed her before she turned away.

"Be safe."

"I know."

"Two drinks, like, now." Natasha laughed at Calpurnia's urgency to have alcohol in her system as they leaned against the bar in Afterlife. The bartender handed them their glasses as they scoped the place out. "Spirits, it's different being here instead of Chora's Den. Or Flux."

"I know. I haven't been to a bar in a while."

"You just had to have a kid."

Natasha laughed before taking a gulp of her drink.

"Someday you'll have kids, Cal. Plural. Kids. And you'll be begging me to take them from you so you can have some freedom back."

"Rayhel isn't so bad."

"What if I had three of her?"

"I'm not having kids." Calpurnia laughed.

Natasha shook her head with a smile.

"Someday."

"No."

"What are you going to do when Caeus wants to bond and have kids? Say no?"

"That's not even relevant, we're just dating. Kind of."

"Kind of?"

"Well, he's never taken me on a date, but still."

"So? Garrus hasn't taken me on a date either."

"Where he lacks in dates he makes up for in being Rayhel's father, so…" Calpurnia replied, swallowing down her drink before signaling the bartender for another one. "So when are you two gonna tie the knot?"

Natasha laughed, trying to shake off the question. Calpurnia sat silently though, waiting for an answer. Natasha shrugged.

"He hasn't asked."

"Would you say yes?"

"I don't know."

"You don't know?"

"Well how would that even work? I already have a mark."

"He'd make a mark over it."

Natasha idly rubbed her shoulder as she gave it some thought.

"I don't know. It's still early for that kind of thinking. Plus he hasn't asked."

"I'll get him to ask."

"Leave him be, he's got enough to worry about." Natasha said sternly.

"Alright, alright."

They were quiet for a moment as they took a few drinks from their glasses. Natasha watched the crowd of people dancing as a turian made their way over to them.

"Do you know her?"

Calpurnia looked over at the turian Natasha motioned towards, her stomach dropping at the sight of her.

"Yeah I do."

The turian seemed to look at her for a moment before continuing over to the bar.

"Who is she?"

"My sister."

Natasha watched the two of them stare at each other.

"Calpurnia."

"Nyreen."

They hugged each other tightly, enjoying that they finally got the chance to see each other.

"How have you been? I haven't seen you in a while."

"I've been busy." Nyreen replied.

Calpurnia looked at her for another moment, letting go of her.

"You have clan markings." she pointed out. "Do you have a bondmate?"

"No. I took the markings of my team."

"Team?"

"It's a long story." Nyreen sighed.

"Mom would be upset."

"When isn't she upset?" Natasha smiled, which Nyreen seemed to pick up on. "Who is this?"

Calpurnia looked at Natasha, who held out her hand. Nyreen shook it.

"I'm Natasha."

"Good to meet you."

"We've been good friends for a while." Calpurnia told her.

Nyreen stared at Natasha momentarily, a small smile on her face.

"You're Nihlus' bondmate, aren't you?"

Natasha nodded before shrugging.

"Well I used to be."

"Right. Sorry, didn't mean to be rude."

"That's ok."

"I knew him. He was a good man."

"He was." Natasha agreed.

She couldn't help but remember the fact that the woman had been a casual partner of his before Natasha had married him.

"I heard about Saren too." Nyreen said, looking back to her sister.

"Yeah."

"I was going to contact you, but then the Citadel was attacked. You had left afterwards."

"I've been here."

Natasha was glad that Calpurnia got to see her sister; She'd been expressing the want to contact her since they'd come to Omega. Once they were finished talking and Nyreen left, Calpurnia seemed content.

Caeus idly wiped down his gun as he sat in the headquarters he'd been assigned to. He heard an unfamiliar voice talking with Tarak in the next room. He lowered his brow plates, walking to the door to listen, staying out of sight.

"I want them finished. Whatever it takes."

"I can get you any intel you need, just don't hurt her."

"I'll kill her if you don't get them out of my way."

"I swear, I'll get it done, sir."

"Go."

"Yes sir."

Caeus watched a turian walk out of the room, recognizing him as one of the team members that Calpurnia worked with. He caught up with him, touching his shoulder lightly.

"Can I have a moment?"

"I really have to be going."

The man looked at him for a moment before recognizing him.

"Let's just talk a moment." Caeus replied, a firm look on his face. He lead Sidonis over to a corner, looking around to make sure no one was watching before putting a finger in his face. "What the hell are you doing?!"

"Listen, I have to do this. You don't understand-"

Caeus shoved him into the wall, glancing around again.

"Do you realize what you'll end up doing if you give their intel away?!"

"I don't have a choice!"

"If you hurt them Sidonis, I will kill you. I will hunt you down and kill you."

"What about you, huh?" Sidonis replied, shoving the turian off of him. "Does Calpurnia know you're a merc?"

Caeus looked down at the blue armor he wore before shaking his head.

"She doesn't know I'm undercover."

"Undercover, huh?"

"For C-Sec."

"Well it won't matter in a few hours anyways."

Caeus balled his hands into fists.

"If you touch her, I swear to the spirits Sidonis, I will choke the life out of you."

Sidonis smirked at the growl emitting from the man.

"You're hurting her by helping these guys. You're no better."

Caeus shoved him to the wall again, harder this time.

"If you hurt her, it'll be the last thing you do. If you hurt her, Natasha, the kid, anyone… You'll die. I'll make sure of it."

The turian's smirk faded.

"I have my reasons for what I'm doing."

"There's no reason for letting these mercs slaughter innocent people."

"They have my bondmate."

Caeus loosened his grip on the turian, letting him stand straight again.

"What?"

"They have my bondmate." he repeated. "They're going to kill her if I don't tell them where headquarters is."

Caeus thought over the problem for a moment, nodding as he came up with a solution. He put a hand on Sidonis' shoulder.

"Listen. I need you to work with me here…"

"What?"

"I have a plan."

"Hope it's good."

"You're going to act like you're gathering the intel. If Tarak asks for anything, make an excuse, tell him you're working on it. Tell him you're busy with jobs Garrus is giving you, I don't care. Make it up. I'll get your bondmate out of here, and I'll make sure she's safe."

Sidonis' face turned to a look of hope.

"You will?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Other than the fact that I want the team safe? You're my turian brother, and it's reason enough to help you. I would do anything to protect a bondmate if I had one."

Sidonis returned the grip Caeus had on his shoulder, respect being exchanged between the two of them.

"Thank you."

"If you turn on them after she's safe, I mean it, I will kill you."

"I wouldn't expect any less."

Caeus nodded, letting him leave now. He took a deep breath, running a hand over his face as he looked around the empty headquarters of the Blue Suns'. He sighed heavily. What a mess this case was turning out to be.

Caeus was able to keep the peace easily, getting Sidonis' bondmate to safety and helping him to give Tarak fake intel that gave them some time to work out what they'd do to keep the team safe. As time went on, though, it grew harder to keep Tarak at bay. He wanted to know where Archangel was, and he wanted him dead, along with any other person associated with him. Caeus did his best to keep them all safe. It lasted for a few long months before another mess presented itself.

He sat with his Omni tool open now, listening to his commanding officer's instructions over and over. His mind was on over-drive, trying to think of a way around doing what he was being ordered to do. He sat for over an hour, thinking it over before he finally got enough nerve to get himself up. He had to tell her. There was no way around it anymore. He had to tell her, and he had to keep her safe. The shuttle ride to Archangel's headquarters was a long one.

He signaled the people watching the bridge before they let him pass. He wished they'd refused him so he could go home and call it a day. He walked across the bridge though, reluctantly, idly balling his hands into fists as he thought over what he'd say to her. He was greeted warmly by the team as he entered the living quarters. Calpurnia's face lit up as she stood, hugging him tightly before giving him a kiss.

"What are you doing here?"

"Wanted to stop by." he replied shortly, looking around at the men. They were all playing a card game in their down time. "Where's Garrus?"

"He took Natasha and Rayhel out. I guess he's never taken her on a date before, so I talked him into doing it while they had some time for themselves."

"Right." Caeus said with a forced smile. "Can we talk?"

"Sure." She lead him out of the room, to the one she called her own, closing the door behind her.

"What's up?"

He sighed, looking into her hazel eyes before working up the courage to tell her what he needed to.

"You're in danger."

She smiled at him.

"Am I?"

"Yes."

"Are you going to hurt me, Caeus?"

She laughed playfully at him, reaching out for his hands. She kissed the sensitive part of his neck slowly. His eyes lulled shut at the touch for a moment before he put his hands on her shoulders and made her step back, keeping her at arm's length.

"I'm not playing Cal. You're in danger."

Her smile faded slightly.

"Why do you say that?"

"I'm not what you think I am."

Her smile returned.

"Are you going to take off a mask and reveal a different turian under there?"

He groaned, giving her a stern look.

"Listen to me, I'm serious."

Her smile vanished, nodding at him.

"I'm listening, go."

"I'm-"

He was cut off by the sound of gun shots in the other room. They both snapped their heads in the direction of the door, surprise taking over them before they both took out their guns.

"Stay here." he told her before leaving the room.

"Fuck that." she replied, following him out. Caeus recognized the Blue Suns that were in the base, firing at the squad in the living area. Calpurnia growled instantly at the sight, raising her gun and shooting rapidly at the mercs. Caeus stayed by her side the whole time, his anger rising quickly as the mercs shot back. He spotted Tarak as he walked into the base. Caeus figured the men up top were dead if the mercs made it across the bridge. Calpurnia raised her gun at him, snarling loudly. "You."

"This is who you've been protecting?" Tarak asked Caeus with a smile.

Caeus couldn't react quick enough as Tarak raised his rifle at Calpurnia. She pulled the trigger on her gun, but he was a better shot. She recoiled slightly, dropping her gun in the process. She fell to the ground instantly. Caeus growled loudly, pointing his gun at Tarak.

"I'll kill you."

"I'm disappointed in you. C-Sec sent a good candidate. Unfortunately, you don't look to see if you're being followed when you leave our HQ."

Caeus cursed himself internally, glancing down at Calpurnia, who coughed heavily. Blood coated the floor where she lay.

"Unfortunately, I'm a better shot than you." Caeus replied, pulling the trigger on his own rifle.

The batarian recoiled, falling limp to the floor after being hit between the eyes. Caeus quickly ducked down behind the couch, pulling Calpurnia into cover with him. She coughed, holding her stomach. He sat her up, setting his rifle down.

"Here." he said, giving her some medi gel.

Her breathing was more clear afterwards, but her bleeding didn't cease the way he wished it would have. He put his hands on her face, her eyes locking on his.

"You were right." she whispered.

"I'm sorry." he said, his voice shaking slightly.

"You're one of them."

"I was undercover." he replied, looking down at the gunshot that she held her hand against. "I was keeping you safe, I just ran out of time."

She coughed again, blood spurting onto her lips. He wiped it off as best as he could.

"You have to get Garrus, tell him to keep Natasha and Rayhel away from here."

Caeus just stared at her. He knew if he got a hold of Garrus, he'd come here anyways, and so would Natasha. Calling him would just require time that Caeus wanted desperately to give to the turian in front of him.

"I have to get you help." he replied.

She looked down at herself, taking her hand off the wound before hissing in pain.

"It hurts." she told him, replacing her hand on the hole.

"Just don't move, ok?"

"Caeus."

He looked into her eyes again, feeling nothing but guilt as she gave him a small smile.

"I don't blame you."

"Stop."

"It's not your fault."

"Stop."

"Caeus-"

"Stop it-"

"I love you."

He felt himself losing control of the emotions that ran through his mind. He shook from the nerves, stroking her face lightly as her eyes lulled. He could tell she was fighting to stay awake.

"You have to hold on."

He gave her more medi gel, which seemed to wake her up a bit. He opened his Omni tool quickly, calling an emergency shuttle to their location. He didn't care if Garrus would yell at him for giving their headquarters' coordinates away. He wouldn't sit here and keep Calpurnia alive with all of his medi gel just to watch her die after he ran out. She was tough and she fought to stay awake, but he knew the bullet had done some damage. Once he heard the shuttle outside, he carefully lifted her up to him, one arm behind her knees and the other wrapped around her back. He rushed out of the base, the emergency team helping him get her in the shuttle once he was outside.

"Mommy, I want a star."

Natasha laughed, holding Rayhel tightly as she sat on the railing of the station. Garrus leaned closer to her.

"You can have any star you want."

"That one!" she said, pointing fiercely at the sky.

"It's all yours."

"Thanks Daddy, I love you."

"I love you too."

Natasha smiled, enjoying the sight of the stars above the station as Garrus' Omni tool beeped. He was silent for a moment before he grabbed Rayhel and took Natasha's hand into his own.

"What's wrong?" she asked as her feet rushed to keep up with his pace.

"We have to get to the hospital."

"Why?"

"Calpurnia's hurt."

Natasha's mind went numb at the words. The anxiety was immediate, but she kept her questions to herself. They got in the nearest shuttle, driving quickly to the hospital in silence.