NOTICE: I do not own, or claim any of the affiliated rights to, copyrighted materials utilized for this story. Additionally, it is Rated M for graphic violence, crude language, and sexual themes as well as possible (but not guaranteed) future depictions of lots of other things unsuitable for kiddies. Just warning you now that the lives of the people around or involved with Shepard are potentially very brutal, in case you didn't notice already.

Well, here I am writing my first non-anime fanfic. It's been a while since I have written anything outside of academic work for public consumption. Please be understanding with reviews, but all feedback will be appreciated.

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I was intrigued by a statement made by one of the people from Bioware made shortly after the news came out that Shepard could permanently die in ME2. The statement was that should Shepard die that a new Shepard would be needed for ME3.

Though this has since been clarified to mean something different, this got me to thinking, "Who is this new Shepard that takes over?" Now, obviously, it could be someone with a past totally unrelated to the original Shepard, but then why would someone continue his mission when the galaxy doesn't believe the danger, just so happen to share a name and not be related somehow? I doubted that Bioware would go with the clone concept either. Someone can only be brought back from the dead so many times before it gets stupid.

You can see where this is going. Shepard #2 should, at least in my mind, be related to the original by law if not by blood. Because of game limitations though, it cannot be a known relative of his. The backstories point to him/her being an only child or orphan, though the 'spacer' backstory includes the possibility of living parent(s). Likewise, the fact that Shepard doesn't have to have an Love Interest and the potential of love interests whom is genetically incompatible in addition to time constraints rule out the possibility of Shepard #2 being Shepard #1's offspring.

It was trying to resolve this issue in my head that the first vestiges of this story were born. It starts in the almost-immediate aftermath of Mass Effect 2. While I won't say that this is my version of Mass Effect 3 because I'm plotting this as I go along, so I have no idea if the story will include any of the coming Reaper onslaught. Just a note, this story is obviously a SPOILER for the first two games.

For those of you who have played the game extensively enough for this info to be useful for you, this story will use the following in-game decisions; from ME 1: Male Shepard, Soldier, Spacer, Sole Survivor, Ashley romanced, but dies, Wrex lives, Anderson selected for the Council, Council saved; from ME 2: Reinstated as a Specter, Normandy fully upgraded, Everyone survives (even Kelly), all loyalty missions completed successfully, Collector ship destroyed, ties with Cerberus severed, Tali romanced.

In any case, without further ado, the first short chapter in this tale.

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Avalon

Chapter 1 – Aftershocks

John Shepard came into his quarters, one of the few places untouched in the firefight at the galactic core. The rest of the team was already here. Mordin was inspecting the fishtank, undoubtedly thinking of biologically-related things despite it being devoid of fish. Zaeed was leaning against the wall next Shepard's armor locker. Garrus stood next the model display case above the steps. Jack lounged herself on the stairs, trying to make the most of being out of her "hidey-hole." The rest of the ladies were seated on the couch with Thane, engaged in some sort of small talk. Jacob was leaning against the wall next to Miranda at the end of the short half of the L couch. Grunt was standing between Zaeed at the stairs. Legion had wedged himself into a corner next to the bed. He was being surprisingly fidgety for a Geth, looking at the bed and then the model ships, basically taking in the room. It was the first time the being had been in a room intended for the alien concept of "sleeping."

Close quarters all around, but it was important to meet away from the crew. Important decisions needed to be made and the consequences could be... dramatic.

Shepard sat unceremoniously on the edge of his bed, slightly embarrassed to be the center of attention in his own room, a theoretically private space. "Well, we've gone and done it. I'm sure the Illusive Man wants my head now..."

Jack snorted at that. " 'bout fucking time. I had enough of getting jerked around with by that dumb shit."

There was a feeling of general agreement throughout the room, even if most would have put it much more eloquently then the resident 'toilet mouth.' Few had respect for the Illusive Man's motives from the start, seeing him and his organization as, at best, a dangerous tool for completing the mission at hand.

Mirada leaned forward, her expression unreadable and eyes trying to bore core samples out of the Commander. "What exactly did happen between you and the Illusive Man?"

"Ties have been officially cut. I didn't rule out continued Cerberus support for the cause or was particularly rude about the parting, but I am running the show and I will go where and work with who I need to. I have payed my life debt in full. To be honest though, I would just assume that he doesn't maintain relations. Association with Cerberus has only hindered our ability to work with other powers. The Alliance thinks I'm a traitor and the Council is keeping me at a very long arm's reach. Anderson is the only major ally we really have on the Citadel."

Shepard to a deep breath before continuing. Here was the important part, the whole point behind this meeting. "Now that we are effectively on our own, many things are going to end up changing. Goals will need revisioning, plans will need making, relations will need to be assessed. The Reapers will require the full attention of the galaxy, but we are the only people who know what is truly coming. I would like to thank each and every one of you for your commitment so far. You all know that the battle is uphill from here. I want you all to think about your possible continued effort. If any of you wish to leave I will not hold it against any of you for a moment. The same will go for the crew. Just know that I am in this to the bitter end. We will make allies and we will make enemies, to be sure. The Reapers undoubtedly have many more aces up their proverbial sleeves."

He paused for a moment, fearing that he was rambling. Several member of the team looked riled up by what had been said so far, so he kept taking despite his best judgement to prevent this from turning into a bandwagon-around-Shepard rally. It was important that people made decisions for themselves without the recklessness-inducing influences of the others. "In the meantime we have more basic needs. The crew has been traumatized and the ship is in desperate need for repair. EDI, do you have any recommendations?"

EDI did not bother materializing her holoform since the projector was across the room. "While not the most ideal place for a shore leave, the best place to put to dock for immediate repairs would be Omega. The amount of stress generated by Mass Relays would make their further use unadvisable until major outer hull repairs are complete."

"You all heard her. Omega it is then. In the meantime I would like everyone to assist in the current repair and medical care. If any of you wish to talk to me in private about our future direction, I will be available. I would also encourage you all to talk amongst yourselves. We came through this as a team. Sometimes a second opinion is needed to put everything into perspective. Dismissed."

There was an awkward moment where everyone seemed to want to not be the first to talk or the first to leave. Garrus and Shepard shared a knowing look. Everyone needed time to process. Only problem was that his room was not the most convenient place for them to do it in for several reasons.

Garrus started bodily guiding Mordin, who appeared to still have a fascination with the lack of fish, out of the room. "Say, Dr. Solus, I was wondering what you thought of some countermeasures I came up with. Care to talk about it in your lab?" Whatever Mordin said in reply was muffled beyond understanding as the door closed behind them.

Fortunately others took that as a cue to leave. Thane and Samara both nodded to Shepard respectfully before wordlessly heading out. Zaeed and Grunt shared some kind of joke that sent the Krogan laughing. Probably involved violence. Jason saluted as he always did before walking off, followed by the sound of Legion's servos. Jack must have stalked off at some point, because there wasn't hide or ink of her.

Shepard stood up from his bed, unconsciously wiping his hands on his trousers as he got up. Miranda was still here, her expression pensive. Tali seemed to be talking to her about something, but too quiet for him to hear her. Whispering would be a more apt description, if one could actually do that with a suit auditory system. Something told him that it was a conversation that he didn't necessarily need to hear anyway. Girl talk, most like.

He went to his desk. It was the first time he could get to check his personal messages since their trip into the galactic core, so there were piled up. Some were the usual sex enhancement messages. You know, the ones talking about Krogan... well, yea. Another message from is mother about his continued silence, which was surprising. In the past, she would have just waited, not wanting to be overbearing. It had been Dad's job to be the nagging parent, part of a practice of being far from the Alliance core and the rest of the family, starved for information. One of the results of being a marine. Then again, death can change the people who are used to being around you. Just look at what happened to Liara or any of the other members of the old crew.

There was an update message from Oriana as well. Apparently she was settling in fine with her parents and she had gotten into a local university. She didn't mention what she was studying or where the family was. All for the better, to be sure. The message had been addressed to him, but was really written for both him and Miranda. Shepard couldn't decided whether to forward the message to her or assume that she was still reading his mail.

He was just closing out his terminal when a pair of arms traced themselves down his chest. They stayed like that for a minute enjoying the proximity, Tali leaning against the chair and Shepard's head resting against her bosom.

Tali broke the silence. "What are you thinking about, oh captain, my captain?"

That was quite the question! What wasn't he thinking about? Shepard's voice was laced with cheekiness. "The vastness of how deeply I very much love you?"

She sighed and lightly smacked him on the chest. "Bosh'tet."

He chuckled at her response to his teasing and linked fingers with her. "What were you and Miranda discussing so ardently?"

She rocked playfully, making the chair gently spin several inches back and forth. "Oh, this and that. She is still trying to come to terms with being separated from Cerberus. I guess it would be like if I had been exiled from the Fleet when one thinks about how much it has shaped her life." Tali had been on the mission with Shepard to save Oriana, so the two of them probably knew more about Miranda's past then anyone on the ship other than Jacob. "Speaking of fleets, I think we will be needing more ships."

"We are going to need more of everything." Shepard sighed before continuing. "Before ships, we need more manpower." As morbid as it sounded and raw the feeling was, causalities needed to be replaced. "Oh, and I would like you to go through the ship with EDI and Miranda and remove all the Cerberus taps on the surveillance devices. Then, we need new uniforms and a new paintjob, preferably a new registry..."

Tali interupted him with a chuckle. "I think you need to get your head together with Zaeed, Miranda, and Yoeman Chambers. I'm good at fixing things and leading teams, not convincing people to join grand causes or organizing military bodies."

"We'll just have to see where things go." He turned around and pulled Tali to sit on his lap. His forehead rested on her shoulder blades and his hands rested on her thighs. He whispered far less confidently, "I am in so far over my head."

"We'll make it. We always seem to." She placed her hands on top of his and dragged them farther up her legs in a slow, sexy manner, her voice sensual. "Right now, I would rather have your undivided attention."

"Hmm, I think I can fit you in..."