For TalkElsannaToMe, my dearest friend. I couldn't have done this without you!

Elsa awoke the next morning to find herself on her back, with Anna sprawled across her. The first night she seemed so reserved, sleeping stock still on the very edge of the bed. But now she seemed to have relaxed much more. The heavy mask was digging uncomfortably into Elsa's shoulder, and the warmth of Anna's body was making Elsa sweat. Carefully, she extricated herself from the tangle of limbs and sat up. A spike of pain lanced through her left temple, and she clutched at her head, eyes watering. At the same time, what seemed to be a black shadow flashed by at the side of her vision. She blinked, but as quickly as it had come, it was gone.

Groaning slightly, she slowly clambered out of the bed and made her way to the bathroom. As soon as the doors were closed, she turned on the shower and began disrobing. She examined her body in the full-length mirror as usual, inspecting every curve. Something didn't feel right today, it was almost as if she were not quite there. As if she was elsewhere controlling her body from afar.

Probably just tiredness, she thought.

She stepped carefully into the shower, the scalding water cascading down upon her pale shoulders. Silently, she stood, trying to analyse what she was feeling. It felt as if there were someone, something there with her. No, inside her. As if something were forcing its way into her and pushing her out. She closed her eyes and concentrated, almost as if she were trying to reclaim lost ground.

Half an hour later, and feeling no better, Elsa emerged from the shower. Shivering slightly at the cool air on her bare skin, she began to dry herself off. Her thoughts drifted to the young quarian girl. Over the past few days she found herself oddly drawn to her. Her personality was infectious, she found herself wanting to be with her often. When Anna was upset, so was Elsa, and it wasn't simple empathy. It was as if she actually shared in her pain.

Elsa blushed as she realised her hands had been lingering on her breasts while she thought of the sleeping girl in the room next door. Quickly, she whipped her hands away and began dressing rapidly.

Entering the bedroom once more, she was met face to face with Anna, who was sitting bolt upright on the edge of the bed.

"Anna!" Elsa said, rubbing her temple as the shadow once again fleeted by at the edge of her vision. "I-how did you sleep?"

"Well enough, thank you. I see you didn't, however!"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Have you seen yourself, Elsa? You're deathly pale!"

"Very funny, Anna." Elsa had always been somewhat self conscious about her complexion.

"No, seriously. Come with me." Anna stood and dragged Elsa over to the small mirror on the dressing table. When Elsa looked at her reflection she gasped. Her skin was almost grey, her eyes sunken and her cheekbones were showing.

"Oh, my god! I was fine not ten minutes ago! What...what is this?"

Anna shook her head. "I don't know, Elsa. Come, lets get you to the sickbay."

Groaning, Elsa followed Anna out of the room, across the corridor and into the elevator.

"Deck six."

The elevator whirred into motion, speeding downwards. Moments later, it had arrived at deck six, and the doors slid open.

The two girls walked slowly down the long corridor, Elsa dragging her feet slightly. Suddenly, she clutched her head in her hands and collapsed to her knees, screaming.

"Elsa? Elsa! Somebody, get help! Now!"

One of the confused crewmembers bolted down the corridor in the direction of the infirmary.

Elsa finally found the strength to lift her head. She squinted. At the end of the hallway sat...something. It was tall, jagged, and blacker than the blackest night. As it drew closer, Elsa recognised it as the Shard object found on Heshtok. But why was it here? It had been sent to Rannoch for study. Elsa didn't understand, and the fog in her mind did nothing but complicate everything.

"What is that?"

Anna touched a hand to Elsa's shoulder. "What's what, Elsa?"

"That!" Elsa exclaimed, pointing. "Right there!"

"I-I don't see anything, Elsa. Just...stay calm."

The Shard gradually glided closer and closer to Elsa until it stopped about a metre away. It began to glow, though seemingly without losing any of its terrifying darkness. It slowly began to rotate on the spot, and a small portion of the tip dissolved, forming a tendril. Snaking its way towards Elsa, it struck her chest before she could react. She clutched at her heart, gasping.

"No!"

"Elsa, what is it?" Anna inquired.

Elsa did not reply. The Shard was rapidly shrinking in size, pouring itself into Elsa's very being. She felt an immense pressure build and build, and finally, when she thought she could bear no more, it exploded outwards from her. She barely had time to clutch at Anna before she hit the deck, consciousness rapidly leaving her.

The next thing she knew, she was lying in a hospital bed in the infirmary. Anna stood at the foot of the bed, with Dr. Jameson to her left. There was a figure to Elsa's right, but she could not quite tell who. With great effort, she managed to turn her head, and laid eyes on the only person she wanted to see.

Rachel.

She slowly raised her arm, and her best friend grasped her hand. "Shh, Els. Everything is going to be okay."

Elsa smiled. Despite everything, Rachel always seemed to have the power to make Elsa feel better. The second-in-command turned to the doctor, a look of concern on her face. "What's the word then, doc?"

Jameson furrowed her brow. "In all honesty...I don't know. Aside from elevated levels of adrenaline, you're in perfect health."

Anna huffed. "She certainly didn't seem in perfect health!"

The doctor nodded. "Indeed. But fainting spells aren't that uncommon. Often they can be attributed to something minor. We'll keep you in overnight for observations, Commander, but I wouldn't worry."

Anna was not satisfied. "She saw something!"

"Anna!"

"What? She needs to know!"

"What did you see, Els?" Rachel inquired.

"It's...it's nothing."

"She saw something!" Anna continued, without waiting for Elsa. "Right before she passed out, she pointed at something."

The doctor frowned. "I see. Well, it's been known for people on the brink of consciousness to experience hallucinations. For now, I see no cause for concern, but let me know if it happens again."

"Thank you, doctor," Elsa said. "If you all don't mind...I'd like some time alone."

Anna nodded. "Of course." She turned and strode from the room, Dr. Jameson closely following.

Elsa reached out and grabbed the hem of Rachel's shirt as she was turning to leave.

"Wait!"

"Yes?"

"I...um...please stay? I just didn't want everyone crowded around me."

Rachel smiled at her friend. "Of course I'll stay, Els." She leaned down and kissed Elsa lightly on the forehead. Taking her hand, she sat at the edge of the bed.

"Thank you, Rach."

"For what?"

"For...everything. For being here for me. For being such a wonderful friend. You truly are amazing, Rachel."

Rachel blushed. "Awh, Els…"

Elsa smiled gently up at her friend, as she felt the tendrils of sleep begin to take her. "Stay with me…?" she mumbled, barely awake.

"Always, Els. Always."

Elsa woke slowly the next morning, her mind reluctantly rising from the fog of sleep. Blinking wearily, she turned her head to see Rachel slouched at the side of the bed, asleep. Leaning over, she shook her friend's shoulder gently.

"Rach!"

"Unf. Eh?" Rachel muttered. "Oh...Elsa…" She jolted upright. "Elsa! You're awake! How are you feeling."

Elsa frowned slightly. "Honestly, great. Really great. Fantastic, even."

"Really?"

"Yeah...I don't get it either. I honestly felt like I could die last night. Come on!" She rose from the bed and leaped out, making the way for the door.

"Els, wait!"

"What?!" she snapped.

Rachel widened her eyes, obviously taken aback at Elsa's brusque retort, but spoke nonetheless. "Well, firstly, you can't go on duty looking like that," gesturing to the hospital gown Elsa was wearing, "and secondly, you need to actually be cleared by the doctor before you can leave."

Elsa scowled. "I'm the commander of this ship, Lieutenant! I can leave here if I want."

"Actually, you can't," came a voice from the doorway. Dr. Jameson strode into the room, clutching a clipboard and ominously drumming her fingers. "Doctor's orders."

Elsa shot her a look of death. "Fine!"

"Lie down, please. This won't take long."

Elsa complied, albeit begrudgingly. She lay on the bed wringing her hands as the doctor attached her to various machines. As she locked eyes with Rachel her expression immediately softened.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Els."

"No, it's not! I don't know what came over me, but that's no excuse to treat you badly. You're too good for that."

Rachel said nothing, only smiled.

"Okay, we're all done here," Dr. Jameson said. "Remember, Commander, any symptoms at all, and I want you to-"

She was interrupted by a knock at the door. Anna stood there, hesitant to come in. Elsa felt an odd flutter in her heart, but pushed it aside, eager to speak with the young girl.

"Hello, Anna."

"Um..hi. I-I just came by to-that is-I..uh…"

"Spit it out, young lady." Jameson said.

"I...I realised something this morning. About Reegar. When we first discovered the Shard, one day he told me about something that happened. Something that he saw, and upon consideration, I think it sounds similar to what you saw."

Elsa frowned. "You think it's related?"

"Well, you've both come in contact with it. I'd say its a safe bet, yes."

"But why me? Why not Victus? Or Beck?"

"I can't say. We barely scratched the surface of what this thing can do."

"That's...troubling."

Rachel rubbed Elsa's shoulder affectionately. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Els. Trust me."

Elsa smiled weakly. "Thank you."

Jameson turned to face Elsa. "I see no reason not to release you right now, but you are restricted to light duty. At least for a few days. As for what Anna here told me...we will have to wait and see, I'm afraid."

"Very well. Thank you, doctor."

Anna took her leave, and Elsa sat up to allow Jameson to remove the leads from her chest and arms.

"One last thing, Commander. Your EKG showed something...interesting just then."

"What's wrong?"

"Oh, nothing at all. Here, look." She directed her attention to the monitor at the bedside, and moved back in the log a few minutes. The beat of her heart was in regular intervals, except for one place, where it was missing.

"There," the doctor said, pointing. "Right when Anna walked in."

"I don't undersand."

"Your heart literally skipped a beat, Elsa."

Behind her, Rachel let out a quiet "Awwww".

Elsa scowled. "Why are you telling me this?"

The doctor shrugged. "Just something I found interesting. Thought it'd brighten your mood. Maybe Anna would find it interesting too…"

Leaving the statement hanging, Jameson turned on her heel and walked out of the room.

Rachel was stood behind Elsa, a look of glee on her face.

"Don't give me that look," Elsa groused.

"What look would that be?"

"The 'I told you so' look!"

"This isn't my 'I told you so look'. That would be this look" - she pulled a different face, causing Elsa to giggle, despite herself. "This is my 'I'm really happy for you' look."

"Rach, there's nothing to be happy about! I shouldn't, I can't get involved with anyone right now, least of all her! What are you laughing about!?"

"Because I was right! You want her!"

"I do not!"

Rachel grinned impishly. "Whatever you say, Els." And with that, she turned and walked out of the room.

Elsa racked her brains. Truly, she did care for Anna. She found her funny, relatable, caring, and sweet. Surely it wasn't possible to be developing feelings for her? Elsa didn't do feelings. It was all too alien to her. Attempting to push the issue to the back of her mind, she began to dress in her uniform, and then made her way to the CIC, a spring in her step.