This is my first ever blog, and my first ever fanfiction, but if anyone has any adivce at all please, don't hesitate to tell me because I always enjoy constructive critiscism. Hopefull there will be more to come soon. Also, please feel free to comment, the more the better as not only does writing give me something to do, but I want to make this as good and interesting a story as I can for everyone and not just me.

P.S.-I apoloigize in advance for anything that seems to be too close to the work of other fanfiction authors, but as they say Imitation is the best possible form of flattery and anything that I might borrow from the work of others is only because I personally believe that this portion of their work is simply too good to not be spread by others in acknowledgement of their work.

P.P.S.-Just some background info on my Shepard his name is Alexander, he is a Spacer, War Hero. And other pieces of Shepards personality and his actions and hobbies are somewhat of a reflection on me, but you will get to see those all in due time. And also the story itself is set right after the final cutscene of Mass Effect 2, and also lets assume that everyone survived the final mission.

P.P.P.S.-I originally wrote this for the Bioware Social Network blogs, and when I transfered these files to her I decided to leave them in...

Read, and Enjoy!!!

Prologue:
Walking towards the elevator at the rear of the cargo bay Shepard was avidly staring at the data that they had obtained from the Collector base before its destruction. He was still smiling at the look on The Illusive Man's face when he walked out from the range of the Holo-Projector. He was already thinking of what he would have to do to get everything back up to speed onboard the Normandy, and looking around at everything that was screaming the Cerberus Logo at him he realised that the first thing on his list was lots and lots of paint.

Looking over at the other person in the elevator he saw Joker, who was still holding his shoulder a little bit. "joker, you need to talk to doctor Chakwas you look like you damaged something during your little act of heroics".

"I'm fine commander seriously nothing to worry about". The look on Joker's face was plainly broadcasting that he wasn't as fine as he looked.

"Well either way just go up and check in with her, we need you in good order. Besides, you're the only person I trust to fly this ship".

"Okay okay, I'll go see her, but personally I think we have bigger things that we need to worry about".

Looking up at the cieling in the elevator Shepard started to speak. "EDI, I need a damage assesment, do you think we would be able to make it to the Citadel or not"? As he finished the sentence he leaned over and pressed the button for engineering.

EDI in her cool crisp voice said, "Maybe Commander damage was extensive, but mostly structural and superficial at that so long as Joker doesn't put me through any particularly showy stunts we should all be just fine".

Right then the door to the enginerring deck opened and Shepard walked out, turning around before the door closed Shepard said "Set a course for the Citadel, but not before you get checked out alright. If you can handle it as you are then fine, but don't start piloting before then".

Looking thoroughly exasperated he said "Okay, fine geez, your starting to sound like EDI".

And out of the speakers built into the cieling EDI's voice said "You know I can hear everything you just said", her voice clearly annoyed now.

Looking up and flashing his 'patented' Joker Smile he exclaimed "Sorry Mom"! Joker leaned over and pressed the button for the Crew Deck and flash Shepard a half hearted icy look that was meant to say well thanks for getting me in trouble with the Missus.

Shepard flashed his own smile back before turning and walking towards the engine room. As soon as he entered Tali turned around and just started talking, "Just So you know, I'm running a fever, I've got a nasty cough, and my sinuses are filled with something that I can't even describe. And it was totally worth it."

Putting on a stupid smile he promptly began strutting around and looking at Tali. She giggled and gave him a little shove. He walked in close to her and grasped her hands in his and he looked down at her more growling than actually saying "I was wondering, do you have any of those antibiotics left? After such a stressful mission I think that we need to relieve some stress". He put special emphasis on this last word as he let go of her hands and walked away. Saying "I'll see you later". As he walked away he waved, and the only response he got in return was a giggle before Tali turned around to get back to work, she sighed. She couldn't wait for later.

Walking out he went back up to the Crew Deck, and stopped off at the medbay, walking in he saw that Joker was still there. He said "So doc, is Joker gonna be fine to fly the ship, I don't like the idea of anyone else flying the ship and we are just floating adrift at the heart of the Terminus Systems.

Doctor Chakwas turned from the scanning bed where Joker was lying down and said. "He'll be just fine a couple of hairline fractures but nothing too serious."

"Good, Joker you already know where we need to go." Shepard turned around and left, he looked over and saw that Rupert was already hard at working cleaning up after leaving everything as it had been when the collectors had taken control of the ship and abducted almost the entire crew. Shepard nodded at him and Rupert responded in turn. Shepard's next stop was to Miranda's office. As soon as he walked in without even looking up Miranda started talking.

"Hey Shepard, since our break with The Illusive Man earlier I have been busy disconnecting the remaining bugs that were installed throughout the ship. Each one takes awhile and the only person who effectively removed them all so far was Mordin. I have actually been busy working with him on this endeavor but it will still take a couple of days for them all to be removed."

"Good, and while your working on it I already have EDI working on a damage report, but I am worried that she won't even be able to acknowledge the existence of areas where her internal sensors have been damaged."

"Sure I'll let you know if there is anything that EDI can't identify on her own."

"Also if you could compile a shopping list for me while we're on the Citadel I'll see what we can get to fix this ship up right." At these final few words he banged his open fist up against the bulkhead. And with a smile he made an about-face and left.

Miranda had a pretty good idea what it was that had given Shepard that extra little bounce in his step, despite the fact that only an hour or two ago thay had all somehow managed to narrowly escape the clutches of death. And while the idea of something bringing happiness to Shepard gave her Happiness. She also realised that she was unhappy at it not being her that gave him that hapiness.

Heading up to the CIC Deck Shepard checked in with kelly, and after having nothing new to report he then went straight up to the Captains Cabin. For another hour or so he was busy doing paperwork. Organizing Shore leave for everyone, especially Kelly that last outburst that he had experienced while talking with her had him seriously worried. He also was trying to create a shopping list. And from right at the top just like he had promised himself that he would was Fresh Paint. Also looking down at the uniform he was wearing and seeing the large Cerberus Logo emblazoned upon he realized that he was going to have to get both himself and the rest of the crew new uniforms. That was of course, for any of them that wanted to stay with him. He'd have to get Kelly to check on that, since she new every single member of the crew as well as can possibly be expected in such a short amount of time together.

In probably less then an hour Shepard felt a pair of hands from the muscles at the base of his neck, around his neck, and onto his shoulders before he was turned around in his swivel chair. She had wanted to surprise him, and so she had popped off her facemask before entering the Cabin. Shepard looked into the face of the beautiful women before him. He was dismayed to see that she had actually been downplaying the effects of their last intimate encounter only a few hours before. Feeling a little bit nervous at being exposed to open air all of those fears began to drift away when she saw the smile that He flashed her, the one that made her melt every time that she saw it. All she could say was "Hey Shepard."

Showing a slightly upset expression at the word Shepard Tali quickly became worried that she had done something wrong. But before she could start to apologize Shepard stopped her, saying "Please Tali, don't call me that not anymore Alex is just fine."

Confused at first, but quickly catching on to the fact that it wasn't really her fault at all she managed to stammer. "Ohh-oh-okay, Alex." She started to lean in for a kiss when he stopped her.

"Tali, are you sure you're alright, I can wait, I don't want to force you to do anything that you don't want to do. And you don't look like you're just a 'little bit sick'". The concern and anguish at the idea that he had made her this sick already was plain to see on his face.

Horrified at the look on his face, she hadn't realized that her getting even a little bit sick would cause him such anguish and worry she immediately started to think that this entire thing had been a bad idea. She said "Shepar-Alex, I don't want to cause you any pain. I mean if you are going to get thi-this upset over me getting mildly sick then I shouldn't have even told you how I-how I feel."

Shepard smiling at the still over-the-top nervousness of the beauty that was in front of him pulled her closer, saying "Tali, I love, you and there is no one else in this entire galaxy that I want except you I just want you to be safe."

Stammering after looking at that damn smile, the one that got her every time she saw it. She managed to say "Alex, the thing is-I know that I don't feel well right now, but whenever I'm with you that makes it all better." Before he could stop her she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Leaning back some so that she could speak she whispered "Besides the more time we spend together the better my immune system will be better able to adapt to you." She kissed him again, a little bit nervously, but less than she had been.

Giving a deep, animal-like growl he picked her up saying "Come here."

She giggled. Wrapping her arms around his neck as he scooped her up into his arms he carried her over to the bed.