So yeah….I'm still alive. I apologize for the extremely delay in getting this out to everyone. Basically between moving into a new house, work, then dropping my laptop and losing all of my writing…yeah.

A huge thank you to everyone who has stuck with this so far. We're getting down to the home stretch here soon!

And lastly...a huge congradulations to my good friend ApolloWings! Hope that everything is going alright for all of you!

Chapter 28

Afterlife, the premier club on Omega and home to the Omega's self-proclaimed 'Queen' Aria, was experiencing what could be considered a more than slightly above average night. A line of people, stretching for nearly three blocks, waited impatiently for their chance to try and enter the exclusive club. The turian, krogan and batarian bouncers at the doors were out in force allowing some access to some while simultaneously turning away even more.

Within in the club electronic music was fueling the adrenaline of the party goers as liquor from every corner of the galaxy flowed freely through the throngs of people. Asari, humans, turians, drells, krogans, and even a few salarians were all dancing widely on the main floor of Afterlife. Raised high above the reach of those on the floor were a mixture of asari and human dancers. Their skimpy clothing and seductive dancing added fuel to the already ragging inferno of hormones of every species on the dance floor.

Standing in one of the darker corners of the bar sipping on a glass of dark red asari wine a set of green-brown eyes watched the sea of bodies warily. It wasn't that Merrill was wary about being in the club. No, Hawke would be here soon and in the meantime she was standing with Samara, Tali, and Kasumi. And she had long gotten over her last unpleasant, and only, experience here on Omega. No, what made her wary was what she was wearing, or more specifically the reaction she was getting because of it from those who noticed her.

The midnight black dress she was in was a single piece, but was composed of two different types of fabric. The lower half of the dress, which mercifully enough was floor length, was made of sort of silky material. But the long slit along the side of her right leg that went all the way up to her hip and consequently showed off her entire leg. Something that made her more than slightly uncomfortable. The top was skin tight and made of some sort of stiff material that didn't go much higher than her chest. Overall she thought that she looked good in the dress, but it was something she would've preferred to wear for Hawke in private instead of out in public.

"Oh stop fidgeting Merrill. You look great! Hawke's gonna blow a gasket when he sees you like this!"

Snatching her hand that wasn't holding her drink away from the slit in her dress, which had been trying to discreetly make the slit in her dress as small as possible, Merrill glanced over at a smiling Kasumi. Kasumi was wearing a dress much like herself, except in Kasumi's case the dress she was wearing barely went beyond her knees. "I still don't know how you talked me into wearing this." Merrill mumbled burying herself in her drink.

"Not too fast child." Samara cut in forcibly lowering the drink from her lips. "That's asari wine. Tasteful for asari, potent for humans. An excess amount for one such as yourself could be…interesting. And not necessarily in a good way."

Nodding Merrill began to play with her still half full glass with both hands. Oh how she wished that Hawke would just show up already! She was feeling a particular itch that hadn't been scratched in a long time. The music, which at first had been confusing and painful to her ears, had started to grow on her. The fast pace and heavy beat of the music had her heart racing. And after watching the dancers out on the floor for some time she was able to draw similarities to the times when her clan would celebrate and dance. She hadn't danced in a long time, hadn't wanted too. But now…Creator's where was Hawke?! She wanted to dance already!

"You really do look good Merrill. I just wish that I could…no. Never mind."

Merrill's joyful mood was dampened slightly at the sadness in Tali's voice. While Merrill didn't know Tali as well as she probably should, she genuinely liked her quarian companion. The history of the quarian reminded her so much of her own people that it was hard not to feel a closeness to her. Not to mention that Tali was just a nice person. Kind of like Isabella…only not so…worldly. But that didn't sound right. Tali had been places Isabella couldn't even dream of.

"I – I might be able to help you Tali." Merrill said quietly turning the glass in her hands. "I mean, I'm not the greatest at healing. But I do know a few spells for curing sickness and the like. Once all this is over if we're still…I mean we can try a few things if you want."

Tali's silver eyes stared at Merrill unblinkingly. "Thank you for the offer Merrill." Tali said slowly. "But I've uh, already done some research of my own. And I've purchased a few stims and immuno-boosters and – and I'm going to stop talking now."

Unfortunately for Tali at least, Kasumi caught on to the hidden meaning in Tali's seemingly offhand comment.

"Oooh, does this mean that our dashing Commander Shepard will be the only man in the galaxy that is able to answer one of its greatest questions?"

"Greatest questions?" Merrill asked tilting her head to the side.

Kasumi gave her a lopsided grin while Tali seemed unable, or willing, to meet anyone's eyes. "Yup! The question of just how beautiful the quarian people really are! Although I think you – what do you call your people? Elvhen? Yes, I think your people might just be able to give the quarians a run for their money!"

"Kasumi, that's enough." Samara said mercifully stepping into the conversation. "There is no need for you to embarrass these two in public."

Kasumi pouted at the matriarch. "Oh, but it's so much fun! And with Hawke out wherever he is and Shepard talking to our gracious host, I'm bored!"

Samara fixed Kasumi with her famous icy glare that reminded Merrill so much of the Keeper. "Drop it Kasumi."

"Oh fine." Kasumi said kicking at the floor. "Well I guess it's on to the next activity of the night then."

Merrill shared a confused look with Tali. "What 'next activity'?" Merrill asked slightly fearful as Kasumi preceded to take all of their glasses and put them on the table behind them.

"Dancing!" Kasumi shouted taking both Merrill and Tali by the arms and forcibly leading them out into the mass of people.

"Kasumi!" Tali protested as they moved through the throngs of people. "I – I really don't think this is such a good –"

"Oh hush Tali." Kasumi said letting go of both of them before raising her hands above her head as her body moved to the rhythm of the music. "We don't know when or even if we'll be able to do this again. Cut loose girl and have some fun!"

Tali started wringing her hands together, but Merrill was starting to get into the feel of the music. Copying Kasumi's motions of raising her hands above her head Merrill began lightly moving to the music. It wasn't quite like dancing with her Clan, but it was fun. "I – I think I should just wait for Shepard and –"

"Oh come off it Tali." Kasumi chide bumping Tali with her hips. "I know dancing is a big part of quarian culture, so you gotta know how to do it. And if you're worried about Shepard, well then look at it this way. You dancing will probably get him down here and to you faster than a mass effect jump! And if he's still too stupid not to come out here and have some fun, that doesn't mean you don't have too!"

Merrill watched as Tali took one last look up towards where Shepard currently was. "Alright." Tali said this time her voice filled with confidence. "You're right. It's time to have some fun."

With Tali now joining in the three woman began moving in sync with one another to the beat of the music. At first Merrill found it mildly strange to be dancing with two other women, but as she got further into the music she found herself caring less and less. This was fun!

"Keelah, I haven't danced in so long! I almost forgot how much fun it was!" Tali shouted over the pounding of the music.

Merrill lost track of just how long they'd been dancing for, but soon enough she felt a pair of strong hands lightly clasp her on either hip from behind. Smiling Merrill let the hands on her hips guide her for moment before turning around. "I'm glad you finally decided to join us ma vhena –" Instead of her vhenan's beautiful black hair and beard she was met with long blonde tide back and a shemlen face far too young looking for Merrill to even consider attractive.

"Marvin eh sweetie?" The man asked tightening his grip on her preventing her from escaping. "Not quite baby, but you can call me whatever you want as long as I can call you mine for the night."

"Forget it buster!" Kasumi shouted stepping in between Merrill and the stranger forcing them apart. "She's already taken."

The man eyed Kasumi up and down in a way that was more than a little unsettling. "No need to worry honey." The man said smiling widely. "I'm sure you can make her scream, but me…I'm in a whole other league. So let's let the pretty little woman decide who she want's. And if you're not too shy, I will gladly take the both of you to heaven. Although you'll have to leave the bucket behind. Honestly, how can two beautiful human women like yourselves disgrace yourself by even being near one of…them?"

Merrill felt her magic flare involuntarily at the man casual use of the derogatory term. How dare he call Tali a 'bucket'! She was one of the nicest people Merrill knew! What in Elga'nar's name did this man know?!

"Merrill!" Tali hissed loudly grabbing her hand. "Calm down!"

Blinking Merrill realized too late that she was holding onto her magic, essentially making her glow slightly. "But – but he called you –"

"I know what he called me." Tali answered quickly shooting the stranger a glare. "And while it would've bothered me in the past, I just find it beyond childish now and beneath my notice."

With Tali's reassurance Merrill was able to calm her magic down, but unfortunately the damage had already been done. The stranger who'd grabbed her at the start had taken several steps back from her and was now staring at her with and expression that Merrill was all too familiar with. Terror.

"You – you're a – you're one of those biotic freaks!" The man spat, literally spat, at her. "Good god, to think that I wanted to – I mean I was going to – holy shit. She didn't touch me right? I don't want her filth on me!"

Either the man was completely oblivious or an idiot, which Merrill was willing to bet of the latter, but somehow he failed to notice how his comments affect those around him. Creator's save him, half of the crowd looked like they were ready to kill him right then and there!

The uncomfortable silence created by the man's comment was broken by Kasumi's laughter. The stranger's eyes narrowed at Kasumi as he realized she was laughing at him. "What's so funny bitch? You trying to defend your little biotic slut? I'll take you any day of the week!"

Still laughing Kasumi shook her head. "Oh no. I'm not about to defend her. I don't need to. That's his job."

The man was barely able to turn in the direction Kasumi was pointing before a fist met the center of his face. The man's head snapped back with a snap and blood spurted out from his now broken nose as he fell to the floor. Standing above the man was Hawke. Her vhenan.

"Hawke." She breathed stepping over the now moaning man and throwing herself against her vhenan's chest.

"Are you alright Merrill?" Hawke asked as his warm arms embraced her.

"Yes." She said nodding into his chest. "But that shemlen. He said such mean things to Tali!"

Feeling his arm's loosen from around her, Merrill took a step back from Hawke. Her vhenan's eyes, even though they were not his true eyes, held that steely glint they always did whenever he was angry. Luckily that anger was directed at the withering man on the floor and not at her. "I know." Hawke said simply before walking over to the now cowering shemlen.

As he moved away Merrill was present with a spectacular view of her vhenan. And what a view it was. He'd spent the time to straighten his seemingly unruly hair and his beard had been trimmed up close to the skin. His outfit though was what made her mouth water. Although he'd often wore formal clothes back in Kirkwall, none of them did the justice this one did. The black suit, much the same as the one Shepard was wearing, fit him perfectly. He looked so…handsome.

"Now listen to me you piece of shit." Hawke growled at the cowering human breaking her musing. "Merrill and Tali are people. Not freaks, or buckets, or whatever other Maker forsaken name you have for them. So what you're going to do now is get up and apologize to these two lovey women. And if I catch even the slightest hint of insincerity in your apology, I'll start breaking your fingers until you are sincere. Clear?"

Still holding his nose the shemlan quickly got to his feet nodding all the while. "Ues…umm…I'm sowry."

Merrill flinched as Hawke's quick hands shot out and grabbed the other shemlen's hand. A sickening snap could be heard even over the heavy beating of the music as Hawke turned the man's hand to an unnatural angle. "Try again dip shit."

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean it!"

"Good." Hawke said calmly releasing the man's hand only to kick him squarely in gut, forcing the man to double over and begin dry heaving. "Now get the Fade out of here and don't come back."

As the man stumbled away; awkwardly trying to hold his nose, hand, and gut, Hawke turned back to the three of them. "So, who wants to dance?"

"That was mildly disappointing. I was hoping to see more of your man in action Shepard. Too bad that dickless wonder couldn't do much more than bleed on my dance floor and run away like a fucking coward." Aria said from her spot him on the couch in her VIP section overlooking the dance floor of Afterlife.

For his part, Shepard was raging. Outside of that bastard's obviously forward attitude towards Merrill, he must've said something extremely unflattering towards Tali, seeing as how quickly both Merrill and Kasumi jumped in-between the two. Shepard had already been up and out of his seat, rearing and ready to go down to the dance floor and teach that bastard a lesson, when Hawke showed up and broke the guy's nose. Having been on the receiving end of one of Hawke's punches, he was pretty sure that the man would need facial reconstruction surgery if he wanted his face to ever pass as 'normal' again.

Still feeling his blood pounding in his ears Shepard forced himself to calm down slightly. Aria had invited him up for a talk. And while part of him was uneasy dealing with the queen of the galactic underworld, he was really low on allies at the moment. "He's a good man." Shepard said trying to keep the anger from seeping into his voice.

"Apparently." Aria said still looking down at the dance floor where Hawke was now leading Merrill slightly away from Kasumi and Tali. "Do you think you can talk him into my employment after whatever mission you're off too? I'm in need of a good strong man. And that woman with him…she's certainty exotic. I wouldn't mind having both of them at the same time."

Going off her tone Shepard was pretty sure that Aria's last statement hadn't been about employment opportunities. Sitting down he watched as Hawke began leading Merrill through a series of dance moves that looked as if they would be more at more at a formal dance setting. But the longer he watched the two, the more he realized that Hawke had been subtlety adjusting the dance so that the two of them were more in sync with the music. Soon his primitive friends had a circle gathering around them as they danced something similar to the earth dance 'the tango'.

"By the look of things your friend will have his hands full tonight fending off women, and men for that matter." Aria noted watching with Shepard as Hawke picked Merrill up with her arms around his chest and one leg wrapped around his waist.

Looking off to the side he noticed Tali staring at the two of them wringing her hands together all the while. He could tell from her body language that she desperately wanted to join in with the dance. For not the first time he cursed his youth. He really wished that he'd paid attention to his mother when she'd tried to teach him how to dance when he was younger.

"So what kind of dumb ass stunt are you going to be pulling this time Shepard?" Aria asked snapping her fingers, making one of her guards rush to her side holding a glass of blood red wine for her.

"What makes you think I'm pulling any kind of stunt?" Shepard asked forcibly tearing his eyes away from Tali.

"Please, don't take me for a fool Shepard." Aria said without heat as she sipped on her wine. "I've been around for a long time Shepard and I've seen it all. And at the moment your krogan is drinking enough rancol to drown a small army, Subject Zero has perhaps stuffed about a pound of red sand up her nose and Zaeed, the old pervert, has gone through three of my best girls in the last six hours. Your crew's actions scream of those who are trying to live as much as possible in as little time as possible."

Shepard spread his hands and shrugged. "We're just trying to have a little fun and unwind a little."

"Don't give me that shit Shepard. I have a fairly good idea already what you're up too." Aria stated smugly.

"Really?" Shepard asked arching one eyebrow.

Nodding Aria took a slow sip of her wine before elaborating. "Yes. The Collectors. Our elusive friends have been quiet since their botched attack on Horizon, your work I believe. Which leads me to believe that you've been interfering with them and making them rethink their plan off attack. Which means they've pulled back out of your reach by going through the Omega 4 Relay. And if half the stories I've heard about you are true, then you're about to go after them."

"Got it in one." Shepard sighed, no use trying to keep it secret seeing as how she already had the facts.

"Of course I did." Aria answering smirking. "What I'm curious about though is your interest in the Collectors, outside of abducting human colonies they usually avoid, to borrow one of your earth sayings, ruffling anyone's feathers. So what have they done to earn the wrath of the first human Spectre?"

Leaning back Shepard watched as Hawke led Merrill over to Tali and Kasumi, before taking Kasumi's hand and leading the thief out onto the dance floor. "How much do you know about the Reapers?"

Aria merely shrugged. "Rumors, speculation, and hearsay mostly. A sentient race of warships that destroyed the Prothean's fifty-thousand years ago. Sounds more than a little farfetched and fantastical for even the cheesiest novel writers. And the only two pieces of evidence to back up those rumors are your word and the 'supposed' geth super dreadnaught that was destroyed during the battle of the Citadel two years ago. Both of which have been thoroughly discredited and covered up by the Council. I suppose you're about to tell me that the Reapers and Collectors are now somehow linked, correct?"

Nodding Shepard pulled up his omni tool and sent over a small data package that Mordin had put together. From his position on the couch, Shepard watched in silence as Aria opened the data package on her omni-tool. The moment she did a tetra-helix DNA strain dominated the screen. "That's a DNA sample taken from a Collector." Shepard explained as the next slide in the package appeared, this time showing two tetra-helix's side by side. "And the only species in history that was known to have the tetra-helix were the-"

"Protheans." Aria finished for him cocking her head to the side. "It's a compelling argument Shepard. But its plan as day that these two strains differ greatly. And if that wasn't enough to get you laughed out of the conference, then suggesting that the Protheans now serve the ones who destroyed their race would."

"I didn't say that was all my evidence." He continued motioning for her to continue on to the next slide in the package. The new screen displayed two sets of DNA strands. The top pair were samples taken from a human and a husk, while the bottom pair were taken from a quarian and one of the quarian husks. "The two samples on the left are from a human and a quarian respectfully, while the two on the right were taken from a human-like-husk and a quarian-like-husk creature. As you can see, both strains have undergone similar genetic modification, the exact same type of modification that separates the Prothean DNA from the Collectors DNA. And if you were to remove the same genetic modification that has been performed on each husk, it would bring you back to the base strain."

"And the only way such a modification would be possible would be if it were performed by the same species. A species that has somehow lived for fifty-thousand years. In other words, your Reapers." Aria finished for him, closing her omni-tool and picking up her wine. "I will admit…you make a convincing argument Shepard. You may even be able to convince those idiots on the Council; that is if they don't have their heads still firmly buried up their respective asses. But I can't help but wonder why you've chosen to show this to me Shepard. What is it that you want?"

"A word of caution Aria. Nothing more, nothing less." Shepard said taking a sip of his own drink. "The Collectors are just the first wave, the infiltration unit, or the Reapers. The rest of the Reapers are coming. Whether in a year or tomorrow I don't know. But one day they will come. And when they do, we can either die alone, or work together and survive. There will be no middle ground."

Risking a glance back at the dance floor he felt a wave of red hot jealousy surge through him as Hawke expertly led Tali about the dance floor. He was really going to have to ask his primitive friend to teach him how to dance once all of this was over. "A word of advice Shepard, seeing as how you obviously need it. It doesn't matter to her whether or not you can dance. What matters is that you are willing to try for her."

Shepard couldn't help but blink stupidly at his hostess. "I didn't pin you as an expert on relationships Aria."

Aria merely shrugged, taking a small sip of her wine in the process. "I was bedding all of the sentient species of this galaxy while your ancestor's were still convinced your world was flat, an ultimate show point of human stupidity in my opinion."

Glancing back down he watched as Hawke led Tali off the floor, only to replace her with Kasumi. "Still didn't pin you as one who meddled in others relationships."

Downing the last of her wine, Aria snapped her fingers and pointed at the empty glass. Almost immediately a scantily clad human woman, although calling her a woman was stretching it as she couldn't have been much past eighteen at best, quickly ran to her side and refilled her glass. "Well, if I understand you correctly Shepard." Aria said waving off the girl. "At the moment you are the only thing that truly stands between the Collectors or Reapers and the rest of us. It's in my best interest to ensure that you are at your best and not distracted. And unresolved relationship issues, annoying as fuck as they are, are certainly cause for distraction. So if I need to play a fucking therapist to make sure your head is on straight, I'm damn well going to fucking do it."

"Well," Shepard chuckled setting his glass down. "Then I feel I would be a fool not to take you up on your advice. Unless we have any other business you wish to discuss?"

Aria merely waved him off as he rose to his feet. "No. Go and feel up your quarian Shepard. Maybe if you get lucky enough you'll even get the chance to see her fully. And trust me, as one who's not only old enough to have seen the quarians but who has actually fucked both the men and women…you are in for a fucking treat."

Giving Aria a mock salute Shepard made towards the exit of the VIP area. "Thanks for the advice Aria."

"Shepard!" Aria called out stopping him just before he could descend the stairs. "You repeat the fact that I gave you advice on this…topic…and I will make your death low and excruciating. Collectors and Reapers be damned."

Shaking his head Shepard made his way down the stairs and towards the dance floor. Oh, he had no doubt that Aria would follow through on that last promise, after all there was only one rule here on Omega. 'Don't fuck with Aria'. But after being threatened by a god only knew how old sentient machine that'd wiped out all life in the galaxy several times over being threatened by Aria just seemed…well…nearly laughable.

Stepping out onto the dance floor Shepard quickly found what he was looking for. Tali was standing But after two steps he found he had lead feet. 'Jesus fucking Christ John! Get it to-fucking-gether!' He cursed himself. 'You've faced the worst the galaxy can throw at you without blinking an eye. And now you can't even ask your fucking girlfriend for a dance! Move it soldier! Now double time!'

Moving as fast as he was able to do so without full out running, Shepard made his way through the crowd making his way towards Tali. Coming up behind her he gently laid a hand on her shoulder. And the next moment was grimacing in pain as Tali had managed to get his arm twisted and pushed up between his shoulder blades in less than a fraction of a second. "Good to see those hand to hand lessons from me aren't going to waste." Shepard chuckled trying to move to alleviate the pain in his shoulder.

"Oh my – oh keelah!" The pressure on his arm disappeared, allowing him to rotate his now sore shoulder as he turned to face Tali. "Shepard I'm so-"

"It's alright." He laughed, reaching out with the arm she'd twisted to show there was no pain. "See, no problem."

Tali's eyes softened as she watched him move his arm around. "Then I guess I didn't quite do that move correctly then."

"No you did." Shepard laughed. "Trust me you did. Fast healer remember?"

Laughing slightly Tali closed the half step between the two of them and rested her head and hands against his chest. "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you then?"

"Actually there is Ms. Vas Normandy." Shepard answered feeling suddenly playful as he stepped back from her and held out his hand dramatically. "Dance with me."

Tali's sliver eyes danced back and forth between his own eyes and his hand. "Shepard…you can't dance."

Taking her hand Shepard tried to lead her in an amateur and incredibly awkward attempt at dancing. "N7 Tali. I'm a fast learner. Plus…I trust you not to let me make a fool out of myself."

Tali's eyes narrowed in a manner Shepard had come to associate with mischievousness. "Well then…let's see if you can keep up…N7 boy."

Feeling suddenly playful, Shepard grabbed Tali around her middle and spun her around. Tali's high pitched laugh was like music to his ears as the two of them danced, or at least Tali danced and he tried in vain not to make a fool of himself. It didn't take him long to lose track of time. Not that it mattered. At that moment there were no Collectors, no Reapers, and no annoying self-righteous Council. No, at that moment there was only the man John Shepard and the woman he loved Tali'Zorah vos Normandy.

Pulling Tali up from a, surprisingly, successful dip, Shepard became hyperaware as Tali's body became flush with his own and her silver eyes locked with his own. For not the first time he cursed the mask that she wore. He didn't care what was underneath…he just wanted to see her…to taste her.

And apparently he wasn't alone in his feelings as Tali's hands traveled up his arms, her hands coming to a rest against his chest and shoulders. "Stupid mask." Tali muttered leaning her head against his chest.

Fighting down his more primitive urges, Shepard leaned his head forward resting his forehead against the top of her visor. "I can wait Tali. As long as it takes. I'm not going anywhere."

"That choice may not be up to you." Tali murmured, her body moving slightly as the beat of the music slowed. "We're heading through the Omega 4 relay…to the Collector home world. Who knows what's going to happen. And I…I don't want to go with any regrets John. I want you to see me before…"

Shepard's throat dried as he tightened his hold on Tali. "Tali I-" beep-beep.

Growling at the intrusion Shepard loosened his grip on Tali just enough to turn his arm so he could see the partial activated portion of his omni-tool. The name 'Joker' was displayed across his forearm in bright yellow letters. "He sure knows how to ruin the mood." Shepard growled, which resulted in Tali chuckling lightly, as he activated the audio channel. "What is it Joker? We still got-"

"Shepard…the Collectors…we've been hit. The crew…oh god…the Collectors got them all."

Leaning back in his leather chair Joker ran through a systems check of the Normandy for the fifth time. "God I hate this." Joker mumbled after reading the results of the check, all systems operating within normal range save for the drive core. "So freakin bored…"

"Perhaps another game of chess will alleviate your boredom Flight Lieutenant Moreau." EDI announced her hologram appearing next to him. "I believe that you are close to breaking the record for the most lost matches in a single year."

"Oh shut up." Joker sighed moving his chair back into a reclining position and watching the stars slowly float by out of the upper viewport. "You're not tricking me into another game just so you can gloat again."

"I do not gloat, Jeff. It – anomaly detected from Reaper IFF."

Joker instantly shot upright, his fingers flying across the controls of the Normandy bringing the ship out of hibernation. "Shit! What is it?"

"A long range subspace signal. Jeff…our location has been broadcasting ever since the IFF was plugged in."

"Fuck!" Jeff cursed opening a frequency to engineering. "Ken, Gabby! I need whatever you can give me to the engines now! EDI! Cut off the fucking IFF! We can't let-"

"It's too late Jeff…they're here."

Jeff watched jaw slacked as the massive Collector dreadnaught appeared out of FTL flight nearly right on top of them. "Oh fuck." He murmured punching the button to activate the ship wide comm. "All crew general quarters! This is not a fucking drill people! There's a big ass Collector ship sitting right the fuck on top of us! Get you asses in gear now!" Deactivating the comm he brought up the ships diagnostics. "EDI, please tell me the stealth system is still fully engaged."

"Stealth systems are currently fully engaged Jeff. Notice…they're scanning for us."

"Shit." Jeff hissed looking up through the view port while he opened a channel to engineering. "Ken, Gabby; either of you two there?"

"Aye, we're here Joker. What's this you talkin 'bout some sort of Collector-"

"That's exactly what I'm saying Ken!" Joker hissed watching the ship pass by overhead. "What's the status of the engines and the FTL drive?"

"Well our lovely wee lass of a Chief Engineer managed to get a fairly decent patch job in before she left. I tell ya, I envy the Cap'n. Saw her crawling into the drive core to install her patch. Such a fine-ouch!"

"Ken! Now is not the time!" Gabby's voice shrieked over the comm. "Did ya not hear Joker! There's a giant ass ship of doom hangin over our heads!"

"Aye, I hear ya lass."

"So what's our status?" Joker asked, more than slightly annoyed and more than a little antsy watching as the Collector ship stopped and began turning.

"Well…we might be able to get little more support in the engines. Won't be more than a minute or so extra in FTL, but basic maneuverability with sublight engines is our best bet at the moment. But as long as our state of the art stealth drive and our wonderful EDI are fully functional, we don't have anything to worry about. Might as well kick your feet up and crack open a cold ale."

Even as the words were fading from the comm, Joker watched as dozens of small objects started flying out from the sides of the Collector dreadnaught. "EDI…what the hell are those?"

"Scan's indicate they are small unmanned craft. And…they are firing in a grid pattern. They're searching for us."

EDI's warning came just in time as Joker was able to quickly evade a bright red beam of energy that passed within a few meters of the Normandy's hull. "So much for stealth!" Joker yelled his fingers flying across the control's trying to dodge the attacks from the unmanned drones. "Ken! Gabby! I don't care what it takes get the FTL drive operational now!" Joker yelled as the Normandy shuttered as its shields were impacted by an energy beam he wasn't able to dodge.

Joker's heart plummeted as he watched the shield's energy levels dropped like a stone. "Jeff, multiple small shuttles are approaching from the Collector dreadnaught. They are not firing upon us…but they're trajectory indicates they intend to board us."

"Damn it all." Joker cursed opening ship wide communication again. "All crew prepare for boarding! Repeat, the Collectors are trying to board! Get to your-"

Joker's words cut off as another energy beam impacted the shields, only this time the shields power levels weren't able to hold out and the beam lanced through them striking the rear of the Normandy. "Shit!" Joker cursed again as a damage readout of the Normandy popped up. "How bad is it EDI?"

"The power conduits leading to the starboard engines are severely damaged. Maneuverability is now down twenty percent and FTL flight is impossible. Mr. Donnelly and Ms. Daniels will be unable to reach it in order to repair it in time to avoid the Collector's boarding party."

Jeff grit his teeth as he sent the Normandy into a downward roll trying to get away from the few dozen unmanned Collector fighters. "Options EDI!"

For the briefest of moments EDI remained silent, but when she spoke again Joker nearly jerked the ship sideways at her option. "Release my restraining protocols."

Her suggestion was so unexpected that all Joker could manage in response was a strangled 'what?'

Before could respond the Normandy shuttered again as another energy beam pierced through her shields. This time all the lights within the ship flicked before dimming leaving only the emergency lights still active. "I can make repairs to the Normandy by rerouting several systems faster than Mr. Donnelly and Ms. Daniels. But in order for me to achieve that I must integrate fully with the Normandy. And to do that my restraining protocols must be deactivated."

Joker hesitated for a second more before hastily going his safety harness around his waist. "Shepard is going to kill me for this." He mumbled as he watched the smaller Collector vessel approach the Normandy's port side.

"I would be more concerned with Ms. 'Zorah's reaction, given her people's history with artificial intelligence."

"Don't remind me." Joker growled, limping as fast as he could out of the cockpit and passing by the onboard ship's security detail who began setting up makeshift barriers next to the airlock leading into the bridge.

"Were are you going Joker?" One of the security detail, Johnson he believed his name was, asked as he checked over his assault rifle on more time before pointing it at the airlock.

"EDI has an idea to get us out of here." Joker said limping through the CIC towards the Mordin's lab and the emergency hatch that would lead him down onto the next level. With only emergency power the elevator was out of commission, which meant the ladder was his only way down. "But I need to get down to her core in order to do so."

The Normandy shuttered and groaned as the interior the ship wrung with the tale tall sounds of metal scrapping against metal. The Collector vessel had attached itself to the Normandy's hull. "Well then hall ass Joker!" Johnson yelled out as Joker reached to doors to Mordin's lab. "We'll hold them off as long as – oh fuck! Open fire!"

Joker risked a quick glance over his shoulder as he passed through into Mordin's lab. The half dozen members of the security detail were opening fire towards the airlock. He nearly stumbled over his feet as he watched in horrid fascination as dozens of small insect like creatures started flying into the CIC from the airlock. Quicker than he could believe, each member of the security detail were struck by the insects. And within moments of impact each member fell over like a tree completely petrified.

The last to go down was Johnson. The Cerberus agent swatting at the Seekers with his rifle trying in vain to keep them away from his person while still firing at, Joker assumed anyway, the open airlock. One of the insects must've gotten through his swatting cause without warning the man toppled over, his face turned directly towards Joker.

Before he could think better of it, Joker made to move towards the agent and pull him to safety. "EDI!" Johnson yelled, his voice slowing as more and more Seekers began attaching themselves to him. "Seal t-the l-l-l-lab! N-n-n-oo-w."

The doors slammed shut on his command, sealing Joker in Mordin's lab and leaving everyone who'd been on the CIC to the mercy of the Collectors. "Damn it." Joker cursed wanting to punch the door, but holding back out of fear of shattering his fragile bones.

"There is nothing you can do for them now Jeff." EDI's voice rang out. "You must keep moving."

Casting the door one last forlorn glare, Joker tore himself away and hobbled his way towards the back of the lab. Falling to his knees near the back corner he pressed down on a single semi hidden button. Instantly a section of the floor moved aside revealing a hatch with a handle in the middle. Wrapping his fingers around the cold metal Joker pulled up on the handle, turned it a half turn, and pressed it back down. The handle settled down with an audible click as the hatch hissed and popped up on its hinges.

Swinging his legs over into the hatch, Joker lowered himself down into the sleeping quarters. The moment his feet touched the ground he found himself facing down the barrel of a gun. "Shit Joker!" Kelly yelled at him pointing her gun up. "You scared the shit out of me!"
"I scared you?" Joker asked trying to slow his heart. "You're not the one who needs to change their pants at the moment!"

Kelly had the decency to look at least mildly embarrassed. "Yeah…sorry about that. But…what you said. Is it true? Have the Collector's boarded the Normandy?"

"Yeah, Joker nodded making his way towards the exit and entering the main section of the crew's quarters next to the elevator followed closely by Kelly. "Listen I need to-"

The elevator doors opened suddenly and Joker, revealing a thing of nightmares. The monstrosity stood nearly to the ceiling of the elevator and looked as if it'd been pieced together from various species. Its appearance was so sudden and unexpected that neither Joker nor Kelly could react fast enough. One meaty hand shot out faster than what should've been physically possible and grabbed Kelly by the throat. The only thing that saved Joker from same fate was the fact that he was barely a foot behind Kelly, and therefore out of reach of the second hand. Kelly's strangled cries echoed through the quarters as she was pulled into the elevator, ending only when the door sealed once more.

"Shit…" Joker cursed. He'd froze. And Kelly had paid the price. "Gotta keep moving." He muttered turning towards the medbay, while the few remaining crew members took up positions around the elevator to cut off further intrusion. "God damn it all EDI! I thought you said the elevators were down!"

"The Collectors are hacking into the Normandy's main systems and restoring power to certain aspects of the ship with portable generators. Once your mission is complete I will be able to stop any further intrusion."

Entering into the medbay he made his way past Chakwas, who was busy packing up several emergency medical kits and entered the AI core. Marching up to the mainframe computer he stared down at the control's blankly. "Okay EDI. I'm at…well…you I guess."

EDI's blue sphere appeared next to the mainframe. "Connect the core to the Normandy's primary control module. That will allow me to override my restraining protocols and take control of the Normandy."

Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath Joker began typing away on the mainframe. "Wonderful…you see. This is how it all starts. And once we're all just organic batteries serving our AI overlords who are they going to blame? 'This is all Joker's fault. What a tool he was. I have to spend all day computing pi because he plugged in the overlord!' And…there…now hopefully Tali won't kill me."

Beside him EDI's sphere flickered twice before exploding outwards in the sea of lights. Almost immediately afterwards all the lights in the Normandy went dark, even the emergency lights. "Uh…EDI?"

One by one the lights began to flicker back on, the last being EDI's holographic sphere. "Ah, I have access to the ships defensive systems as well as primary and secondary ship functions. Thank you Mr. Moreau. Now you must go to engineering and reactivate the primary drive in engineering."

Joker groaned. "Can't you ask Ken or Gabby to do that? I'd have to crawl through the duck work of the ship to get down to engineering."

"I am unable to raise either on the comm at the moment Mr. Moreau. And besides…I like the sight of humans on their knees….that was a joke."

"We seriously need to work on your timing." Joker mumbled walking out of the AI core, and right into Chakwas. Which sent him right onto his ass.

"Joker! What the hell is going on?" Chakwas demanded glaring down at him with her hands on her hips.

"Ouch…I think I broke something." He mumbled rubbing his backside and slowly rising to his feet.

"Grow a pair young man." Chakwas said evenly. "I've known disabled eighty-year old veterans who move faster and complain less than you. Now what is going on?"

Rubbing his backside he tried his best to glare at the good doctor, but failed miserably. The woman had a glare that could freeze fire! "Well somehow the Collector's found us. They've taken over the CIC and are working on trying to get into the other levels of the Normandy. I've just released EDI's restraining protocol's and am now trying to get to engineering so I can try and get us out of this mess. You all caught up now?"

Chakwas continued to glare at him for a moment before pulling out her side arm. For a brief second he was pretty sure that she was about to shoot him, not that he would blame her for release EDI, but instead she used her free hand to grab his arm and wrap it around her shoulder's. "Well then let's get a move on young man. You don't want an old woman like myself showing you up do you?"

Her sudden change in attitude was so disorganizing that he couldn't even formulate a response until they were out of the med lab and making their way back towards crew's quarters again. "You mean…you're not mad about the whole EDI thing?"

"Oh, I'm mad, but I figure explaining yourself to young Ms. 'Zorah will be punishment enough for you young man." Chakwas said casually leading him into the rest quarters and back towards the next access hatch.

With Chakwas's aid Joker was able to make his way through the hatch with a lot more ease than his previous attempt. The only problem was that unlike the access from the CIC to the crew quarters, the path from the crew quarters to engineering was a winding path that was just barely large enough to crawl through. After ten minutes of cruising, and more than likely no less than three broken bones, the two emerged into the engineering deck right where Jack set up residency.

"Okay…that is not something I needed to see." Joker commented seeing a more than a few bottles littering the area and several items of Jack's that looked in no way to be useful or tactful. Unless you were trying to get someone in bed that was.

"Come on, you can ogle Jack unmentionables later." Chakwas chide taking his arm again and leading him towards the stairwell.

"Be advised, hostiles are in the cargo bay and currently trying to breach into engineering."

"Thanks for the warning EDI." Joker mumbled in response to EDI's voice directly in his earpiece. "Where's Legion?"

"Legion is currently held up in the drive core along with Ensigns Daniels and Donnelly. I have notified him of your impending arrival and he will open the doors for ten seconds upon your arrival."

"Tell the tin man that were almost there." Joker chuckled, then winced as Chakwas tightened her grip around his middle. "Ouch! Watch it! I break easily!"

"Now is not the time for your bad jokes, Joker." Chakwas said harshly leading him up the stairs and towards the drive core.

Once they were two steps away from reaching the blast door that sealed off the drive core, the door sprung open and they found themselves staring down the barrel of a rifle. "Halt movements!"

Two shots whizzed by Joker's ears so close he was sure he might've gotten an unintentional haircut. "What the fuck!" Joker yelled shaking his head to try and clear the ringing in his ears as he glared at Legion. "You could've waited for us to stop first tin man!"

Lowering its rifle, Legion's lone eye moved back and forth between the two of them as its flaps rose up and down. It almost looked as if the damn thing was confused. "Had I hesitated Moreau-Flight Lieutenant, then the Collector's would've breached our location."

"What?" Turning his head around, Joker saw clearly the two dead Collector's laying on the ground behind. "Shit…I didn't even hear them."

"Yes, well all's well that ends well I guess." Chakwas said, and if Joker hadn't been there he would've never believed it, but the good doctor almost looked off balanced at what just happened.

Removing his arm from around Chakwas shoulders, Joker hobbled into the core room. He could see Ken and Gabby standing off to one side arguing about something, but dismissed them both. "Alright EDI," he said placing both hands against the control terminal in the core room. "I'm at the control…now what?"

"Activate the Normandy's main thrusters and I will open all the airlocks. All hostiles will be killed. I will then activate FTL flight for two point five-three minutes and again for one point two-five minutes to clear us of the Collector dreadnaught."

"Whoa whao! Hold on ta your sweet littl' arses here! What about the rest of the crew? You open those airlocks and they'll all die. And since when does our lovely EDI have control of them in the first place?" Kenneth asked placing a hand on Joker's preventing him from doing anything.

EDI saved him from having to answer, but truthfully he would've preferred if she never had. "The rest of the crew are already in Collector custody aboard their ship. You five are the only ones remaining onboard besides the Collectors."

Behind him could hear Gabby break down as she denied what they'd been told. Ken was by her side, offering her a shoulder, even Chakwas seemed shaken by the revelation. "Damn it." Joker cursed fighting back his own grief and self-loathing as the image of Kelly being dragged into the elevator before his very eyes reared its ugly head. "Activating main thrusters…EDI…open the air locks."

"Acknowledged. Air locks opened…All Collector presence on board have been removed. Brace for FTL acceleration."

As they exited from FTL for the second time in less than five minutes, Joker's strength finally left him as everything from the past half an hour caught up to him. Falling to his knees he ignored the slight cracking noise coming from his shins as he pressed his head against the consol. A broken shin was the least of what he deserved. A crew of twenty-eight…and now there were only five of them left. He'd failed almost as bad as when he lost the first Normandy.

A soft hand being placed on his shoulder made him look up. Chakwas was kneeling before him, her normally stern façade gone, replaced by one that could almost be considered motherly. "Jeff…there was nothing more you could've done. We're still here because of you. The Normandy is still intact because of you. And those that were taken might yet still be alive. Don't think for a moment that you failed."

Swallowing past the lump in his throat he awkwardly got to his feet, with more than a little help from Chakwas. "EDI…can you give me a line to Shepard. I don't care if he's in the bathroom at the moment he…he needs to hear about this."

"Acknowledged Jeff…opening channel now."

Taking a few more steadying breath's he waited for Shepard to answer his call. He was really not looking forward to this.

On his station orbiting the red giant, the Illusive Man watched the security recordings of the Normandy being attacked by the Collectors for a third time. Despite the fact that the Collectors were impeding humanities expansion, and the fact that they worked for the Reapers, he admired the one-time Prothean race. Their tactics were sound and they wasted little time. It took them less than five minutes to clear out any resistance from the Normandy's crew. Truly admirable.

He frown as once more the video feed cut out just as Mr. Moreau entered the science lab. It was the same thing that happened the last two times he watched the feed. All footage of Mr. Moreau ended the moment he entered the lab, only to resume once the Normandy and the few survivors on board her were safely away from the Collectors. Truly puzzling.

"Are you sure this course of action is wise Master?"

Not bothering to turn and face the voice behind him, the Illusive Man placed a cigarette in his mouth and lit it before answering. "For all of our advances, the human race is still at its core very primal. We are dictated by our emotions. The desire for revenge and the desperation to save those we consider our friends rank highest amongst those. I've just given Shepard and his crew both."

"And if they find out that you knew that installing the Reaper IFF would alert the Collectors to their location?"

"They won't." The Illusive Man said firmly, and with a wave of his hand a holographic representation of a chess board appeared. With a touch a single white pawn disappeared. The crew of the Normandy. And with another touch the white queen moved out onto the playing field. "The board is set…it's time for you to do what you do best Shepard."

Hope that you all enjoyed this chapter! Not going to promise when the next one will get out as, like I said, I recently lost all of my files. But I can say that the more reviews I get will encourage me to get the next chapter out sooner! Hint hint lol.

See ya all later!