Opening Notes; Vergil1989; It's been a while due to RL issues cropping up, (see profile for more details,) but I haven't forgotten about this story or my other ones for that matter. Things got real interesting in the first chapter of this, needless to say, and they are about to get far more interesting. Not only did we save Jenkins, but Nihlus was also spared the bullet meant for him, thus changing everything that's likely to happen from here on.

Archer83; Yup, we are really ripping the Mass Effect time / space continuum a new one with this highly AU story! Look for 'flashbacks' of Vergil's original work next chapter.

Chapter 2: Seeing Is Believing.

March 3rd 2183 CE

Eden Prime Colony

07:42 (Local Time.)

At the understandably confused look on Giselle's face, Kaidan repeated himself. "I didn't see anything, did anyone else see anything?" Kaidan asked, shrugging off the shock of finding out they had an alien among them this whole time. It wasn't the strangest thing he had seen in his life, and he was sure it wouldn't be the strangest yet. At least, something in the back of his mind said as much.

Ashley just gave Alenko her best confused look, as a smirk pulled at the corners of her lips. "What are you talking about LT? I didn't see a damn thing." As far as Williams was concerned, alien or not, Davidson had been at their back and in the thick of it with the rest of them. That made Giselle more than alright in her book. While she wanted to know what in the Hell she was as well as where she had come from, those answers would come later she was sure.

Looking to the rest of those nearby, Giselle was surprised to see that even Nihlus didn't so much as bat an eyelash at the change when her illusion had fallen. Not only that, but it seemed they were all willing to keep her secret. Jenkins however, seemed to feel the need to make that abundantly clear to her. "It's okay ma'am, I promise I won't tell a soul. It's the least I can do...for saving our butts back there and all."

It's a nice change from the usual reactions I get. Pushing that thought to the side, Giselle looked to the stage mask in her hand. Despite the urge to crush the thrice damned thing under her boot, she still needed it, but not around the crew she had suddenly found herself a part of. Instead, she nodded and tucked the mask into her pack as she looked up to the new found friends surrounding her. "I know you have questions, but as Alex would say, it's...on a need to know basis. I couldn't say anything, as you can probably guess, no matter how much I wanted to."

"The Council report was true then. You're a native of Toril, eighth planet of the Bahak System." Nihlus wasn't surprised to find his suspicions had been spot on. He had been sure of them the moment she had introduced herself when they had first shipped out back at Arcturus Station. For appearing as a young human woman, there had always been something behind her still brown eyes that had made Nihlus think of a battle hardened soldier. It was still there, plain as day as their gazes met again about the same time the backwash of the ship hit them, making Giselle's silver gray braid fly over her shoulder.

"Yes, I am, but now's not the time to talk about it. Help me get her inside. Once we've gotten settled and we're on our way back, and regardless if I get permission from the Council, I'll tell you everything." The Council heads were not going to like this, but with Nihlus's support behind her, Giselle was sure the 'gag order' would be rescinded, given the circumstances. She had a long story to tell, and she wanted to get it out of the way before anything else happened. "It's the least I can do for keeping up the deception."

Ashley, Jenkins, and Kaiden carefully helped Giselle lift the unconscious Shepard onto the medical gurney Dr. Chakwas had brought out at a run, with the aid of one of the other marines on board, practically having shot off the edge of the hangar ramp as the ship settled.

A limping Jeff had made his way to the elevator on crutches, damned and determined to check on Shepard for himself after hearing she had been injured. As the elevator door slid open, he found he wasn't the only one that had to stop and stare at the woman that stood by Chakwas's side, as they pushed the gurney back on board with Alex strapped down in the middle. "Holy shit. Her ears are so...pointy. Is Davidson suddenly twenty times hotter, or did I just have a wonderful, wonderful stroke and no one told me?"

"Don't start Joker. Please move out of the way." The calm whisper was somehow many times more unnerving than any shouted order she could have issued, and it had far greater effect, as the pilot moved without hesitation. Nihlus nodded his approval of just how effective that gentle command had been, finding he liked the unmasked Giselle far more than when she had been concealed in plain sight.

"How's the Commander, Doc?" Ashley asked, as they all managed to pile in tightly around the comatose officer.

"She's stable at least, but unresponsive to stimuli." Chakwas informed the concerned group as she flicked a penlight in one of Shepard's eyes, disturbed to find no pupil response whatsoever. "Whatever that beacon did, it appears to have overloaded her nervous system. Whenshe wakes up, we might be able to get more answers." A wry grin appeared on the concerned doctor's face when she had a moment to glance at Giselle. "I believe you've misplaced something Ms. Davidson. Oh well, too late now."

"Agatha's Mask is still with me Karin, but I was tempted to smash it under my boot when everyone here accepted me as I am without it." She admitted, rubbing the back of her neck when those around them stared at the two with surprise. "Doctor Chakwas is one of the few people that know who and what I am. As I said, it's a very long story."

"I would hope so. Two hundred years of experience does make for an interesting story however." Karin countered, drawing out a small smile from the onyx skinned woman at her side.

"Wait...so pointy ears and experienced?" Joker decided it was probably best to shut up when everyone in the tiny compartment glared at his utter lack of taste, or good timing for that matter. His deeply worried thoughts returned as he glanced down at Alex's still form. Right. You better damn well wake up Shepard, I have so many, many questions...like why we have a hot, badass elf onboard for one.

"Lieutenant, meet me in the comm room when you have a moment. I think it would be best to speak with the Council together. Saren's traitorous actions need to be exposed before he goes too far." As much as the words stung to say, Nihlus wasn't going to let it stop him from doing his duty to the Council, and the galaxy. He had a feeling they were going to be very busy from this day on.

"Of course, let me just see to the Commander first." Giselle was beginning to wonder who in the Nine Hells had designed the abominably slow elevator, just as the door finally saw fit to open.

"You and Nihlus might as well give your report to the Council first. It'll be awhile before I have a full preliminary done on Shepard. Don't worry Giselle, if anyone can survive this, it's her." The gentle hand on her back, while unfelt through the armor she favored, didn't go unnoticed to the sword bearing woman. As their eyes met, Karin's grandmotherly compassion was hard to ignore as Giselle nodded at the doctor's good advice before following Nihlus, leaving Karin and the others to tend to Alex.

Thirty-three minutes later...

"How no one has gutted those incompetent fools by now is beyond me! And they are supposed to be the wisest of this civilization?!" It didn't take a mind reader to know that the meeting hadn't gone well as Nihlus chased after the infuriated Drow all the way back to the med bay.

"They have every reason to doubt us. We failed to recover the beacon and let Saren escape, and until the Commander awakens, we have no idea what information she might have gathered from the now destroyed artifact. I know we did all we could, but that is not how they see it. Besides-" One highly annoyed look from the onyx hued woman was enough to slam the brakes on his train of thought.

"They sit on their lofty thrones and they think to command us? They weren't there! They didn't see what we did! Show me a warrior out of the three of them and then I might consider them worthy to follow, until then, they can forget it!" If she thought the crew members darting out of her path had anything to do with the usual way she had been discriminated against in the past, she would have been wrong. Their quick escape from her presence had far more to do with the look of murder in her chocolate eyes than anything else.

Stopping her with a taloned hand on her shoulder, Nihlus forced her to look him in the face before he started speaking in a calming voice as possible. "First, all of them have served in their respective militaries, a fact that isn't common knowledge. Second, they might seem disconnected from the rest of the galactic community, but that is far from the truth. You're a woman of action Giselle, I can respect that, but without leaders that can see the bigger picture, we are nothing. I know how it might look, but they are doing the best they can with what little we have to offer them at this time. We need evidence. And against Saren, who has been their best agent for far longer than I have, we need strong evidence. It's not just us they have to worry about now, not if we're right about his intentions."

The unnervingly calm soft whisper was back, and to make it worse, her eyes had narrowed to slits. "The only thing I know is that your traitorous comrade had no compunctions about murdering... slaughtering everyone in his way. He needs to be stopped."

"And we will stop him. But we have to do it the right way, or we will be no better than he is." Nihlus paused for a moment as they reached the med bay hatch. "Whatever the reason Saren has given into this insanity, I know you are a far better person than he is. You saved my life, and the lives of those that stood behind you and Commander Shepard. And...I saw what you did for that young boy." At the sudden intake of breath from the woman in front of him, Nihlus was quick to continue before she could react further. "I might have done that same, but I mostly likely wouldn't have been half as caring as you were. For those actions alone, I think my evaluation will extend to you as well as your friend."

Still reeling from her shock at having been observed during such a trial, it took Giselle several seconds to register what he had said. "Wait? ...What?" Nihlus only shot a grin her way as he departed for another section of the ship, about the same time Anderson came down the stairs after them.

"Hello Lieutenant. Lose something?" If Karin was the unofficial grandmother for the crew, Captain David Anderson was the grumpy grandfather figure whose respect was hard earned. But, those who served under him quickly learned once you had that respect, you had his unshakeable loyalty for life. Giselle found herself feeling like a disobedient child as his gaze struck her, even if she was nearly three times the man's age. "Come on, let's go check on Alex shall we?"

Giselle could only get two words past her lips as she followed the kindly officer into Chakwas' domain. "Aye sir." Alex looked so helpless, yet peaceful, that it made the ebon skinned Drow's heart ache just to gaze upon her. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say she was simply in a dreamless sleep...and hadn't been struck down by some machine that is well beyond our simple understanding."

David had read the reports, and he knew from past experience that the woman before him no doubt blamed herself for whatever had happened to Alex. "You didn't know, none of you could have known what would have happened Giselle. It was not your fault."

"It doesn't make me feel any less foolish sir." Slumping into a vacant chair, it looked as if every one of her long years had suddenly fell on her slender frame, as she folded her hands under her chin and looked forlornly at the comatose woman that had changed her life beyond measure. "If you and the Doctor don't mind, I'd like to stay with her until she wakes up."

Anderson just nodded his approval as he turned to gaze at his unconscious XO. "Of course Lieutenant, be sure to alert me the moment she improves, will you?" Giselle nodded, a ghost of a smile coming to her face once more.

"You know Giselle, what you should do is get some sleep." Karin knew that was a hopeless cause, but it didn't stop her from fighting the good fight where a crewmates' health was concerned. "Alex is lucky to have you as a friend... Do try and get some shut eye Giselle, I promise I'll wake you the instant she shows any signs of recovery.

"Thank you Karin. Despite my better judgment, I might actually listen to you for once." Giselle replied, a hint of a grin on her face until she looked to Alex once more. "Find your way back…." She whispered before slowly giving in to her exhaustion and closing her weary brown eyes.

Onboard Sovereign. (Enemy Dreadnought Class Vessel)

Seven hours later...

"I should have known it wouldn't have been that easy, but you were a fool to think you could take them by yourself, Arterius." Saren glared murderously at the woman that stood behind his chair, knowing even with all of his talents, there were some things even he couldn't begin to understand. The being behind him was one such creature. Despite the illusion of life she projected with every 'breath' she took, the woman hadn't been alive, by her own admittance, for close to five hundred years.

"I have never been so thoroughly humiliated in my life! Do not vex me further you knife eared temptress!" A dark blue glow surrounded Saren as he stared down the moon elf sorceress after all but jumping from his chair. His hand stopped just shy of the woman's pale white neck as he regained control of himself. His cold dead eyes met the ravened haired woman's own, and neither was willing to yield to the other. "You might have supposedly mastered life beyond this mortal coil, but I know you can still die. I have slain your filth before."

"Shades are nothing to a true mistress of the darkness like me Saren. You'd be wise to remember that. I wield power comparable to the gods of my planet, and your technological advantages would be nothing for me to crush under my heel." To prove that particular point, sparks of electrical energy danced between the vampire's slender fingers, and she had every intention to use it if Saren made a move to strike her down.

The sound of someone clearing their throat caught the attention of the verbally sparring pair. "We identified the ship that touched down on Eden Prime. The Normandy. A human Alliance vessel. It was under the command of Captain Anderson, they managed to save the colony."

"And what of the beacon Matriarch?" The elder of the two asked, her voice soft as silk as she turned her head to look upon Benezia's serene but wrinkled face. If only you were an asari still in her youth. A certain half breed warrior she knew to be on that ship had slain the last woman the vampire had taken a keen interest in. Revenge would be hers, in time, but there were far more pressing concerns on her mind.

"Yes, what of the beacon Benezia." Saren glared contemptuously towards Benezia while his far calmer counterpart merely nodded her head for the elder asari to continue her report.

"It is likely the human, a Lieutenant Commander Alex Shepard, might have used it before it self destructed." Saren growled in rage at this less than stellar news, but one glare from the creature between them silenced the turian in a heartbeat.

After taking a moment to calm his rage, Saren gave the only order that would keep their plans from being unraveled. "Then she must be eliminated."

"I would have it no other way." A hint of her fangs were revealed as the sorceress smiled wickedly at what would be unleashed upon the Normandy's crew if she had any say in the matter. It pleased her to see that the elder asari also seemed just a touch eager for raising a little Hell of her own if it meant success for their mission. A thought raised its head however, and another plan started to take shape in the sorceress's mind. "Isn't your daughter in the middle of a dig right now Matriarch Benezia?"

"If you are thinking of going after her yourself, that is one line I will not allow you to cross. She is of my flesh and soul, and if anyone should go, it should be me." It was one of the few areas of her psyche that had been untouched by Sovereign's will. Her love, as twisted as it was now, would not allow the Reaper complete control over the Matriarch.

"Do you really think I'd ask for your permission if I wanted her? But, for the sake of our alliance, I will leave her be. Do not let her fall into the enemy's grasp, or I will find a way to make you pay for it." The moon elf's long slender fingers ran up against Benezia's cheek as she tried to look away. "There are far worse things than death or undeath for that matter. You'd be wise to remember that old one."

Catching the offending wrist between her fingers, Benezia glared daggers at the vampire before her. "And you would do well to remember your place here. All of your power will count for nothing if you push me too far."

Yanking her hand away, her pale flesh in stark contrast to Benezia's dark blue skin, the vampire only grinned wider. "It's reassuring to see Saren hasn't broken you completely." The humor vanished from her face a moment later as a feral, animalistic snarl twisted her otherwise unearthly and beautiful features. "Do your job, or I'm sure we can find someone far more suitable for the task."

"As you command." The sarcasm was clear in the Matriarch's voice, but she knew her daughter's only hope rested in her ability to keep this vile thing in check. There were indeed far worse things than a quick death, and she had just left one such example behind as she gathered her personal retinue of asari commandos before making preparations to leave for Therum, where her daughter had last been reported to have been seen.

Only when Benezia had gone did Saren look to the only other woman so close at hand. "You baited her." It wasn't a question, and the rogue Spectre wasn't sure he liked the gleeful smile on the pale woman's face. "Why Arya?"

"Because, I take what I wish...when I wish, Arterius. If she succeeds...her daughter will be mine, in time. If she fails...her daughter will be mine all the sooner." Going to a nearby control console where she had left a wine glass and a bottle of turian blood for herself, the vampire sipped at the liquid slowly before turning her red eyes on her companion. "I have lived for several centuries Saren. When you have lived for as long as I have, you find eternity gets stale rather quickly. You find ways to bring that spark back. My latest method has been taking young asari to my bed. I like intelligence and youth in a conquest. But most of all...I like stripping away the innocence of naive young beings, such as this Liara of hers for instance."

"Your taste extends to Eclipse mercenaries as well." At the flash of the animal hidden behind Arya's otherwise serene face, Saren allowed himself a grin of his own. "I know all about you Arya, and how you made it out this far into the greater galaxy. I know you lost that which you almost loved, in your own way, and that you are willing to risk everything for petty revenge."

Vampires couldn't truly love anymore. Every emotion was twisted because of the curse placed on them. However, Arya was stronger than even the sire that had created her, and she had made the curse her own. Love hadn't been far out of her reach, and the loss had hurt, truly hurt her. Taking her lost asari lover's ship had been the hardest decision of her unlife. "Says the man who would let the galaxy burn because of the death of a brother...I think we are far more alike than you would admit, turian."

Before they could come to blows a second time, Sovereign spoke, his booming voice filling their warring minds. "Enough." While its indoctrination couldn't affect her, Arya still recoiled anytime she felt the Reaper in her mind, as if she had been touched by something truly foul that made her look holy by comparison. "You will assist in our ascension, or you will perish along with the other organic vermin of this galaxy."

"We won't fail you Sovereign. The Conduit will be ours, no matter the cost. We can be useful for the Reaper cause, and you will see there is no need to destroy all of us if we but serve." Saren was hoping the elven vampire hadn't ruined his very thin chance to spare some of the galaxy the fate of total annihilation.

"Don't look to me to beg Sovereign...you are simply a false god, a pretender." Arya's hand was shaking as she took another sip from her wine glass, but she did her best to ignore the effect the dreadnaught had on her. It was a losing battle. She was old, but the ancient machine she stood within, it made her look like a child by comparison.

"Such titles hold no interest for us. Your further compliance does. As you stated, there are far worse things than death. Allow us to demonstrate." Arya let out her first terrified scream in centuries as the lighting on the bridge instantly changed, and her skin began to slowly burn away. There was nowhere for her to hide as she ran for the door only to have it slam in her face. The raven haired vampire curled up into a ball in a far corner, but it did little to stop the light from burning her as she felt her flesh start to give way. Saren merely looked on, a feral grin on his face as Sovereign slowly intensified the artificial daylight in the room.

A pile of ash had formed around the vampire by the time the Reaper turned the lights back down, and over seventy percent of her body had been badly burned. It'd take her hours, if not days to fully recover. Her bottle was slowly placed before her, but its contents were viciously smashed on the deck as she painfully reached out for it. "Oh, I do apologize Arya, looks as if you'll have to crawl away to find your next meal."

Talking was almost beyond her ability as the vampire wheezed and coughed out her next words. "I'll remember this…." If not for the terrified tone in her voice, the threat would have had some weight. Crawling away was all she was capable of, but Arya was too fixated on escaping as fast as possible before Saren or Sovereign decided to finish the job they started.

SSV Normandy,Med Bay

Karin had only touched Giselle's shoulder and the dark elf had woken up almost immediately. Even after five years, some things never change. "She's waking up. Just be gentle with-" Chakwas simply shook her head as the Drow woman proceeded to race over to her patient and hold her tightly in joyous relief. "Or you could do that, I suppose." Why do I even bother? And more importantly, when will they stop wasting precious time...

A pair of deceptively strong, slender arms had tightly wrapped themselves around her as Shepard's eyes started to flutter open. Giselle had barely gotten to embrace a slightly confused, yet oddly enough not complaining, Alex before the woman's crystal blue eyes had shot open in apprehension. "Fuck!" With that colorful, short statement, Alex proceeded to grab the simple mask off the women's belt, jam it on her face, and pull her by the arm out of the med bay.

"Will you slow down?!" Giselle shouted as she jerked her arm free of Alex's grasp. "They already know, you fool!" Giselle would have gladly slit her tongue if it would have gotten those words back in her mouth. "Alex, please, let's get you back to...Doctor Chakwas?"

In the confusion, Karin had followed them out of her med bay and into the crew deck, all the while waving a few portable medical devices over Alex while she checked the results on her omni-tool. "Don't mind me, I've gotten used to examining her on the move. I'd never get much knowledge of her well being otherwise, or your own for that matter Giselle."

"You're supposed to be the best kept secret around here and you tell me that you let it slip?!" Shepard jabbed a damning finger towards the now invisible mask on the woman's face. "Literally?!"

"I didn't let it happen on purpose! You've been unconscious for seven hours Alex! I...we didn't know if you'd wake up again or not." Whatever else Giselle had planned to say died on her lips a moment later.

Because a certain someone started chanting the same word over and over. "Catfight! Catfight! Catfight!" Joker's gigantic grin only got bigger as the two glared at him with looks that promised a very slow, painful death. "Trouble in paradise?"

"Shut up Joker!" Alex and Giselle shouted at the arrogant pilot before glaring daggers at each other once more.

"Hey Commander! Good to see you're feeling better!" Jenkins' beaming smile caused both women to blush slightly, as for the first time they realized they had a large audience. In their hurry to yell at each other, they had failed to notice the fact that the members of their squad, along with a few other crew members, were currently situated at the tables, enjoying a well deserved meal and some down time.

"All of you, get off your asses and follow me." Oddly enough, Alex didn't have to specify who you meant, as everyone from the mission shot to their feet. Even the 'grinning' resident Spectre didn't have to be told twice. Shepard turned her back and headed for the closer set of stairs, obviously assuming her order was going to be carried out.

"I apologize for her less than tactful treatment everyone, Alex always was...a tad overprotective of-" Said marine had apparently doubled back after all, as she once again grabbed Giselle by the arm like a five year old prone to run away at any moment. If she were anyone else, that entire arm would be on the floor. At least it's comforting to know she cares, even if she insists on showing it by mortifying me in public.

"Comm room. Now." As much as she wanted to argue, Giselle didn't say a word as she yanked her arm free again before falling in behind Alex.

"Yes...moth-" Giselle immediately thought better of that when Alex's icy blue orbs burned into her soul for a fleeting moment.

Alex just held up a finger in Giselle's face as she continued to drag the Drow across the CIC. "Don't. Even. Start. I am NOT in the mood."

"We can see that...ma'am." Ashley chimed in before she could stop herself. Swallowing nervously as Alex's soul burning glare turned on her next, the Gunnery Chief wondered if being killed on Eden Prime by a Flashlight Head would have been quicker than what she saw etched on the Commander's face.

As they all filed dutifully in behind the righteously pissed off N7 marine, Alex put her hands on her head before quickly lowering them to her sides as she glared at the assembled. Minus Giselle, who stood at her side. "Okay, this is how it's gonna go. I will talk. You...WILL be silent unless spoken to. Is that in any way unclear?"

"But ma'am, if we can't talk, how will we answer any-" Alenko figured he had just saved Richard Jenkins' life by slapping his hand over the Corporal's mouth. He hoped the finger he held against his own lips got the point across to the eager young marine. Jenkins nodded and didn't say another word, having gotten the message loud and clear.

"Thank you Kaidan, I was almost tempted to use Dick's hide for target practice." Shepard started pacing back and forth before the men and women in front of her. All the while, Chakwas was still following her back and forth as she took readings on the Commander's rapidly rising blood pressure. "With the exception of Admiral Hackett, Captain Anderson, and Doctor Chakwas...stop that!" Shepard waved off the ever thorough doctor, as Karin finally relented. "...and myself, you five are the only ones outside the Council itself that know about her." Alex all but growled before forcing herself to relax. "Now, before I make a call to a damn Fleet Admiral, anyone want to fill me in on exactly what happened down there?"

Not too surprisingly, Jenkins was the first to speak up, after Alenko had hesitantly removed his hand. "The beacon blew up ma'am. Also, it's not just us. Pretty sure the entire crew knows about Lieutenant Duro...D'urdin?" The young marine rubbed the back of his neck nervously, as he glanced to Giselle for a little help.

"Do'Urden." Giselle corrected, seemingly on automatic before meeting Jenkin's gaze. "After my father to be precise."

If it wasn't for that goddamn puppy dog look in his eyes... "Thanks Giselle. Care to elaborate Corporal?"

"Well...not too much to say really, the LT just didn't put that cool mask thing back on when we got you back to the ship and-" Kaidan slapped his hand back over the Corporal's mouth, as he was pretty sure Alex was three seconds away from blowing up in the kid's face.

Luckily, Giselle literally stepped in between Alex and the naive young marine, telling Alex what she actually wanted to know. "After you pulled me away from the beacon Alex, it trapped you in its energy field instead. After it was done...doing whatever it did to you...it self destructed. Agatha's Mask must have fallen off in the confusion because after you were released, Kaidan was handing it back to me." She wasn't about to admit to holding Shepard in her arms after she had hit the deck.

"The LT looked pretty shook up holding you like she was. We figured her hair color was a little less important than everything else at the time ma'am." Ashley's smirk vanished as a pair of brown eyes settled on her, promising something most likely unpleasant in her near future. It's an even toss up between who's more terrifying with their respective glares. Still gotta put my credits on the Commander though.

Nihlus quietly cleared his throat, instantly grabbing the room's attention. "Yes, quite right Chief Williams. I believe you've come to an understandable, but inaccurate conclusion Commander. All of those involved have already come to an agreement concerning your unique friend. All they require now is an explanation, nothing more. One that the Council is reluctantly willing to allow, at your leisure of course." By then Giselle had removed the mask once more and had slipped it onto her belt, seeing no point in concealing herself among the crew since they knew her true appearance.

"Fine, just let me get one thing over with first." Alex did her best to hide the doubt eating at her as she entered the Admiral's contact info into the nearby console. A tall, distinguished looking man with a rare feature in modern times, a large facial scar over his right cheek, appeared before them in holographic form. "Admiral Hackett, Lieutenant Commander Alexandria Shepard reporting sir. I seem to have a slight...problem."

Hackett took one look at the scene and could only shake his bearded face in a mixture of amusement and annoyance. One could almost say he had expected this to happen, as his confident gaze turned to Giselle. "I'm surprised and impressed your secret held up for so long Lieutenant. Just be sure to remind your crew mates that they can technically be shot for telling anyone of your existence."

"I think they most likely realize that already, but I'll be sure to pass the message along Admiral." Turning her brown eyes to those around her, Ashley and the rest nodded their heads vigorously, obviously unsure if that had been a dark bit of humor, or not. Even Nihlus gave the dark elf a solemn nod, before mildly shaking his head at the others. Alex didn't react at all, save to sigh heavily at where this day was likely to go before it was over.

With a brisk nod of his own, the seasoned officer gave her a blunt reply before cutting the link. "Hackett out."

Alex couldn't even get a word in edgewise before Giselle addressed the group. "Before anyone gets the wrong impression of me, this was not my decision. By your own rules, those set in the UP3 if I remember correctly, I had to come with Commander Shepard after….we met on my homeworld. I went willingly, but there were some...strings attached."

Alex was quick to follow with her own two credits. "She's politely saying that the Council threatened her with life imprisonment if she exposed the truth. To put it mildly...if the inhabitants of her homeworld, Toril, were to suddenly be exposed to the rest of the galaxy, it would most likely end badly for everyone. They have met very few alien species outside their world, and even then only because of stranded ships, and illegal criminal activity. Not to mention that the Council seems to have a slightly justified fear of the...'technology' Giselle's homeworld possesses spreading unchecked through their space."

Ashley was the first to clue into part of what had happened to bring Giselle all this way. "You're from an underdeveloped planet huh? That explains a few things, but how in the Hell does your little stage mask work? It's almost-" But that's impossible...and yet I saw it myself. We all did.

"Magic? It's actually a simple illusion spell, but the fact it's permanent, as far as I know, makes this..." Giselle casually handed the mask over to Ashley, as if it wasn't one of the most precious things she owned, before continuing. "... an exceptionally rare and desired item." The way she talked about it made it pretty clear that such things were common for her.

"If I hadn't seen it for myself ma'am, I wouldn't have believed it was real. Even now it's beyond what I thought I knew." Kaidan added in, as Ashley handed Agatha's Mask over to the biotic who took it gingerly, as if expecting the plain mask to dissolve into dust. "It's only skin deep I take it?"

"In a manner yes, but that's not the important part of this whole affair. The mask is merely a tool for me to move about your world undetected, one that I do not relish having to employ." No one missed the angry note that had seeped into Giselle's voice as Jenkins was next to be given the magical item.

"I can't say I blame you Giselle, having to hide who you really are for our benefit. I'd go nuts, I know that. I mean, not even being able to see your own reflection?" No one missed how Williams shivered slightly at the very idea.

"You're more perceptive than I would have thought Ashley. It was difficult, but I've been able to see and learn so much over the last five years because of-" Did I say something wrong? Why are they all staring at me so intensely? Alenko was the first to answer her unspoken question.

"Five years?! You're telling us you had to wear that thing for the past five years?" Kaidan was able to recompose himself a few moments after his little sympathetic outburst, and tried not to blush at the appreciative look in Giselle's brown eyes.

Everyone's going to be in her space, constantly asking her annoying questions. Unless...I bite the bullet and get this part over with right away... "You better not tell him how badly you were discriminated against on your planet Giselle. Kinda like quarians are, now that I think actually about it. Otherwise, they all might start hovering around you mercilessly. Oops. Did I just say that out loud?"

"You can be a real...asshole...sometimes, you know that Alex?" Giselle's cheeks turned a shade darker as she quickly looked away. She was oftentimes amazed on how quickly she had taken to the curses thrown about by her human companions. "Unlike quarians however, as Shepard was so kind to point out, half of what I am is hated and feared for very good reason, but I'll get to that later."

"I don't hate you Giselle, not even half of you. Love the ears by the way, they really look sharp." Joker shrugged, having quietly sat in one of the nearby chairs as all eyes turned to him. "Just sayin' is all."

"Huh, that almost sounded nice, coming from you Joker." Richard said, as he considered putting the mask on before deciding better of it and handed it off to Nihlus. The turian merely handed it back to its rightful owner, having seen it enough for one day. He didn't feel the need to examine it further.

"I highly suggest that we endeavor to keep knowledge of this item just as contained as Lieutenant Davidson's existence. There are those who would pay handsomely to get their hands on either, no offense intended." Giselle waved her hand, having expected the Spectre to say as much.

"The mask is merely a tool, and a pathetically weak one at that compared to barely a fourth of what I could name off the top of my head." To prove the point she had just made, Giselle went for a pouch on her belt and pulled out an onyx carved panther figurine out and laid it on the ground at her feet. "Please heed my warning, and keep any hands away from your weapons. It would go badly, for you, if you were to startle her."

"Um...her who?" Joker was the first to ask, swallowing nervously at the mischievous grin that had appeared on Alex's face about the same time a sly wink was thrown out to the group at large.

The pilot nearly jumped out of his seat as a new voice spoke up behind him. "You'll see soon enough Joker." Captain Anderson said, as he walked into the room, recognizing the figurine on the ground at Giselle's feet immediately. "It looks like I came in just in time. Please, don't stop on my account Lieutenant." This should be interesting...I bet Jenkins will be the only one naive enough to not panic immediately.

The woman grinned, and nodded before turning her brown eyes to the onyx figurine. "Guenhwyvar, come to me my shadow." Giselle whispered, her voice echoing across the very planes of existence, unbeknownst to everyone except Alex, Karin, and David. A black fog formed where the figurine had once stood, drawing a collective gasp of surprise as the fog cleared and a six hundred pound panther stood before them moments later. It then casually walked right over to Alex, while everyone in the room visibly tensed, with the exceptions of those few that knew what to expect.

"Holy shit! Commander. Don't. Move." Joker whispered in utter fright, and about fell from his chair as he grabbed onto it for dear life. "That thing is going to-" Jeff stopped short as his jaw dropped at the sight of the huge animal gently rubbing itself up against Alex. "...nuzzle you apparently? I am so confused right now."

"She's not a dumb animal Joker." Alex replied as she knelt and scratched behind Guenhwyvar's ears, earning a contented growl from the animal before her. "It's been a while Guen."

"She's beautiful." Ashley was in awe of the green eyed beast despite its very unnatural appearance in the comm room. As she met the panther's gaze, Ashley couldn't deny the spark of intelligence she saw in those eyes. "Why do I get the feeling she can understand everything we're saying?"

Damn. Looks like I underestimated Williams. David just walked up to the large creature and nonchalantly gave her a gentle pat on the head, while scratching behind her ears. "Because she can Chief, better than some FNGs I could name."

Alenko gave Williams a terse whisper out of the right side of his mouth. "Chief...I wouldn't exactly call the giant furry killing machine, three meters from us, beautiful. More like utterly terrifying." It was all Kaidan could do to not pull Anderson away from the creature, and put a barrier between those around him and their new 'guest'.

A curious Jenkins bent his knees slightly, and lowered himself to eye level with the massive cat after Anderson stepped to the side. "I think the Chief is right LT, she's amazing! And I don't think she liked what you said about her, going by how she's looking at you right now."

"Huh...I think you're right Corporal. Better apologize to the lady Alenko, wouldn't want to hurt her feelings would you?" Kaidan found himself wondering if everyone around him had suddenly gone insane, when he noticed the playful smirk on Anderson's face.

Guenhwyvar was looking at Kaidan, but she made no move to attack as she turned her gaze back to Jenkins, before casually letting her rough tongue flick across his nose. That got a cheerful laugh from the young Corporal. Upon spotting Karin, the magical panther regarded the good doctor with what the others would have sworn was a nod of her head. "It's good to see you too old friend."

"Why are you showing us all this?" Nihlus managed to ask before anyone else could interrupt him again. "I know there's a reason, I'm just curious as to what it is Lieutenant."

"That is an easy question to answer. I wanted you to have a glimpse of my world before Alex and myself started to share the story that brought us together with you. It's a very long story, and one that involves a certain level of….suspended disbelief, I believe is the term? For those that haven't seen anything like this before."

"We're staring at a huge, green eyed panther in our comm room. I think you have everyone's attention by this point." Kaidan said, still warily eying the beast in front of him. "And I um...apologize? I certainly don't think you're a large furry killing machine." Yes I do. I totally do. How the hell am I getting all of us out of this in one piece?

"Relax Kaidan." Alex said as she once again knelt next to the giant panther, idly scratching the creature's flanks while staring at the nervous biotic. "I've seen Guenhwyvar tear a man in two in the time it takes most of us to breathe. If she wanted to have your head, there'd be little chance of you stopping her on your own." Guenhwyvar rolled onto her side, giving the uncanny image of a giant cat wanting her belly rubbed which Alex was more than happy to oblige.

"Thanks Shepard, that particular image really helped calm my nerves." Kaidan's biting sarcasm wasn't lost on Alex, as his whiskey eyes flicked to her before locking back onto the contented animal by her side. "Wait...is it...is she purring? Chief...don't ever think about-" Ashley jerked her arm away from Alenko's still less than convinced grasp, as she stepped closer to the panther and hesitantly laid a hand on her silky black coat.

"See Lieutenant, she's just a big soft lovable-" A rather loud roar echoed around the small room, as if it disprove Anderson's statement. The captain merely rolled his eyes, knowing the roar for what it was. "Very funny you oversized furball." The panther thunked her head back down on the deck in quiet defeat as she reveled in the attention from the others.

Guenhwyvar didn't so much as look at Ashley, funnily enough, as the Chief ran her hand through her fur, earning a warm smile from Giselle as she nodded her approval of her very dear friend's willingness to be handled by strange people. Alex hadn't been exaggerating in the least about Guenhwyvar's ability to kill her enemies, but she didn't plan to tell these people that just yet. "She's spoiled. I blame that on Alex." Giselle chuckled even as her friend punched her on the the joke.

"I'd tell you to bite me Giselle, but that might be pushing it with Guen between us." Alex rolled her eyes when she saw the look on Richard's face. He appeared to be working up the courage, not to approach the beautiful animal further, but to ask for permission to do so. She just gave the kid a 'come here' gesture as he slowly walked over to kneel next to Ashley. Alex noted that one person in particular still looked like he was planning his stealthy escape when the cat wasn't looking. "You want in on this Joker? Feel free to ask."

"Ah...I'm good right here Shepard." To the pilot's distinct horror, 'Guen' got up off her large haunches and slowly started in his direction. "Oh shit...shit...shit...SHIT! I'm lunch aren't I? Don't tell my folks I went out as a chew toy...that would just be embarrassing." To his amazement, the giant cat only sat at his feet, her head cocked to the side as if asking him 'what are you going on about?'. "Nice giant kitty...with razor sharp teeth." I swear I'll never watch another hanar-asari porn vid again if I get out of this!

David managed to keep his amusement down to a quiet chuckle as Guen lowered her head, expecting a gentle pat at the very least. For some odd reason, having her sharp teeth all the closer to his groin didn't seem to do anything to calm Joker's rattled nerves. Better let the poor bastard off the hook before he shits himself. Anderson gave Giselle a slight shake of his head as he turned back to a shaking, damn near vibrating, Joker as he grabbed onto his seat.

"Now Guen, be nice! Jeff has barely been to a zoo, let alone met a majestic creature such as yourself. Shoo! Go on, get moving. And don't you flick that tail at me!" With a mildly affronted sounding huff, the gigantic cat backed off, in an obvious reaction to Karin's disapproving frown. To the good doctor's mind, it never ceased to amaze her just how humanlike Guenhwyvar was in her nonverbal responses at times.

Giselle didn't need David's subtle look, or Karin's outright glare, to tell her to call her friend back. She just sighed in exasperation, and beckoned the chastised Guenhwyvar back to her side. "Oh for the gods sake Joker, relax! You as well Kaidan. She's the calmest one here and she's a six hundred pound magically summoned panther." The officer cocked an eyebrow as she turned to glance to Shepard. "Are you sure you want these brave warriors around when we go after Saren, Alex?"

"Hey!" It was Joker's turn to be offended. "Sorry to burst your bubble Pointy, this might be normal for you, but this is a bit much for us non-dungeons and dragons people."

"Would you like you see my dragon next?" Her deadpan delivery had everyone, even Nihlus, looking at Giselle as if she had grown a second head. "That was merely a jest." The Drow found herself having to look away from the slightly disappointed expression on Jenkins face, when she exploded into deep belly laughter moments later. "I assure you, there are dragons where I come from Corporal, but we keep on getting away from why we called this meeting."

"Dragons, magic, and who knows what else? I'm definitely looking forward to this story Lieutenant." Ashley said as she leaned forward in her chair. "So, what are you waiting on Giselle, that is your name right?"

Giselle nodded once more towards Ashley, before sitting down in an empty chair with Guenhwyvar at her feet while Alex sat on her left side. "Again, you're more perceptive than some of the people here. My full name is Giselle Daermon N'a'shezbaernon. However, I know that is quite the mouthful, so if you wish, all of you may call me Do'Urden. Davidson was an alias, forged as my human name so I could move about undetected and unmolested."

"I wonder how you could have possibly came up with that one Lieutenant." Anderson could just barely make out the blush on Giselle's cheeks. It wasn't exactly a state secret that her alias was a show of appreciation for his help over the years.

"So, Lieutenant, um...yeah, I'll just go with Do'Urden, how did you meet the Commander?" Jenkins snapped his fingers and grinned like a kid on Christmas morning. Oh! Let me guess, she saved your life right?!"

"It actually worked both ways." Alex smirked as she leaned back in her chair, getting comfortable for the next few hours. "She's good, but as you saw on Eden Prime, she's not unstoppable."

"I think what your Commander is conveniently forgetting to tell you, is that it was I who did most of the 'saving' on our first meeting." Giselle crossed her arms over her chest, only to let them hang at her sides when she saw Alex's smirk widen.

"Uh oh, I think there's some friendly competition between them guys." Ashley grinned at the idea that there was the possibility of them keeping score of who saved who.

"Very funny Giselle. You'd be right though Chief. I got one up on her after today. What with that selflessly heroic leap of mine...not to mention this headache." Alex rubbed at her temples, preemptively waving off a concerned Chakwas that she just knew was already scanning her with something. And to make it even more apparent, Guenhwyvar casually swatted the device out of Karin's hand with a flick of her long black tail.

She always hides her pain...I hope that she hasn't managed to get herself permanently injured saving me, yet again. "If you say so Alex. Besides, that rather messy business in Baldur's Gate sewers doesn't count. We agreed." Upon bringing up that particularly bad memory, both women shivered, making it clear whatever had happened hadn't been enjoyable for either of them.

"Ahem." Nihlus interrupted them before they could start arguing further. "I believe you owe us a story, preferably before we all die of old age."

"Right." Alex rubbed the back of her neck about the same time Giselle looked away from the Spectre before Shepard continued. "I was posted on a ship about a year and a half after the Blitz, the SSV Hastings-"

Ashley gave the XO a confused look as she held up a hand for her to pause. "Wait...that can't be right ma'am. Wasn't she destroyed out in the Terminus Systems? I heard it was batarian pirates. Had more than a few casualties on our side as I recall."

Giselle was quick to intervene before they got too far. "That was only a half truth. While there were batarian pirates, as well as very real losses among Alex's crewmates, that wasn't the whole truth. As Joker is fond of saying, only an idiot believes the official story."

"Hah! I knew it!" Guenhwyvar gave Joker a lazy glare from her spot on the floor next to Giselle, silencing the pilot on the spot. "Um...are we going to need a giant litter box or something?" The panther's green eyes appeared to glower at the anxious pilot. Joker's hands shot out in a placating gesture. "I'm just asking!"

"Guenhwyvar, feel free to take a bite out of Joker's leg if he interrupts again." David said, as Joker tossed him a look of complete betrayal. Guen only huffed again, about as interested in the scared pilot as she would have been in a field mouse.

Giselle abruptly cleared her throat, instantly getting the room's attention once again. "As we were saying….Alex was hopelessly out of her depth, when her vessel crashed on my world."

"Hey! Who's telling this story?" To no one's surprise, Alex crossed her arms and glared at the unphased woman next to her. "Besides, you already got two things wrong. I'm never out of my depth, and we didn't crash. We just landed a bit roughly...in the middle of a forest.….that happened to be full of the ugliest SOBs I've ever seen in my life…."

"Maybe we should start at the beginning?" Giselle interrupted before Alex could brush over the finer details any further. With an annoyed sigh, Alex nodded and waved her hand for her friend to continue. Everyone around them, even those that had lived through parts of the story about to be told, leaned forward or gazed intently upon the notable trio.

Ending Notes; Archer83; This is a first for me folks. Vergil is being so damn creative with this one, even I don't quite know what's going to happen next. So far we've drastically altered the timeline...the crew has met a hot badass elf...with a giant panther apparently...and introduced a pointy eared vampire with a taste for asari. In two chapters. Something tells me this is going to get real interesting, real quick.

Vergil1989; What gave you that idea? :P In all seriousness, a lot of the items and places mentioned from Toril is canon for the stories I've read, as is the races, cultures, etc, that are going to be popping up in due time most likely. However, I DO plan to change some minor things but nothing that will upset fans, I hope lol. Anyway, feedback is always welcome, but I do ask that you don't mention anything further related to Spelljammers and that particular brand of 'magic'.

For simplicity's sake, Toril is an isolated world that has had little contact with anything beyond their skies. That and I know about the supposed 'ET related' magic that can be found in one of the DnD sourcebooks, and I say someone was desperate to mix a little sci fi with an otherwise fantasy world. Or maybe I'm just in a bad mood from lack of sleep. Whatever the case, feedback is always welcome no matter the form. Adios and have a good one!