A/N

This is my first story for the website. I've been coming here for awhile and have enjoyed many of the stories here. This story is going to revolve around Shepherd's life on Earth, and his time with the Reds. Shepherd is a paragon, lone survivor, earth born, left Kaidan on Virmire, and destroyed the Collector base. Includes all dlc drom Mass Effect 1&2. Romanced Miranda. All reviews are appreciated and expected. Suggestions are welcome.

Shepherd was stressed out, to the point of tearing out what little hair he had. He was staring at some poor soul who resembled a cancer patient, without the cheery attitude. The black bags beneath his eyes were accentuated against his white skin, resembling twin black eyes. These in turn were offset against his bloodshot eyes, showing his lack of sleep. His slumped shoulders and slightly hung head showed both his physical and mental exhaustion. Finally, a scar over the crown of his head, barely hidden by his hair, completed John's reflection. This scar had once extended down past his eye, though it miraculously healed so that it only created a line a relatively short line into his hair. Considering the incredibly dangerous situations he was often found in, his crew had just assumed it was the result some battlefield injury. All the better for him, he thought. Only Miranda, and Liara before her, had seen the other scars that had littered his body after spending a night together. He hadn't the courage to reveal their true significance on either of those nights, nor to Liara again at the lair of the former Shadow Broker or her visit to the Normandy. Not even to Miranda now, the love of his life that he knew he could lose any time with the Reaper invasion pending. His self pitying was interrupted by Joker over the comms.

"Commander, where are on a landing course for the Alliance headquarters. Our ETA is one hour." Joker's comm went silent again.

Shepherd took a deep breath and looked once more into his reflection. Trying to find some form of confidence or reassurance in himself, he found none. It had been just over seven years since he been back to Earth. He had always humored the thought with anticipation, finding it odd that he had become more accustomed to society on the Normandy and the Citadel. Also, he was eager to get some form of shore for himself and his crew, who were predominantly human, and his alien crew members as well. He laughed at himself, acting like a child who wanted to show off his brand new toy to his best friends. However, this trip was for business, not pleasure. He needed to convince the Alliance to prepare for, or at the very least acknowledge the Reaper threat. He was also being called back to answer for his destruction of a mass relay and the deaths of many Batarians in the process. He knew that it had to be done, but that hardly eased the burden.

Shepherd left his cabin and decided to wait out the rest of the hour in the mess hall. Gardner was in his usual spot preparing meals for whoever was brave enough to eat them. The special ingredients Shepherd had bought for him had since run out, forcing him to go back to basics. It seems that Hawthorne, despite his teasing, did enjoy his food because he was waiting for what was looking to be a pasta dish. He saw Chawkwas through the window of the medical bay. She was consulting with Mordin about one of the Salarian's wild theories. This was a common occurrence, as Mordin had few people other than Shepherd and Chawkwas who were intelligent enough, and patient enough, to hear the true genius of his ramblings. Shepherd looked ahead to see the door to the gun batteries was open, but empty. It would seem his best friend Garrus had finally gotten the guns calibrated to his satisfaction and had left, hopefully to get some sleep. Just then a cup of water was placed before him, and a sexy curvaceous body gracefully slid into the seat next to him. This perfect creature had a smooth, delicate voice with an accent that sent a shiver through him from head to toe that he thought he enjoyed almost too much.

"You look like hell." Miranda said in a tone dual laced with both playfulness and concern.

Damn, even her insults are amazing.

"Well, considering we just pulled off a suicide mission without losing anyone, spat in the face of the Illusive, and have a race of sentient, genocidal machines gunning for us," He said without even a hint of seriousness.

"I think I can be excused if I forget to put on my make up."

This is earned a laugh out of Miranda, a beautiful sound that he began hearing much more since their relationship began. Her icy exterior had melted to reveal the person she was on the inside. This woman desperately needed friends but was too unsure of herself to allow it. Now she had begun warming up to every body. Even Tali had started to let go of her grudge against Miranda and Cerberus, but this was likely because of her adoration for Shepherd, and her secret (or what she thought to be secret), crush on him. Shepherd loved Tali too much to tell her that he knew, and he made sure that no one else told her either. Garrus and Katsumi were particularly troublesome. His attention was torn back to the lovely woman in beside him when she laid a gentle hand on his.

"So it has nothing to do with the fact that the Alliance has called you back to Earth to answer for the destruction of an entire inhabited system, which belonged to a species that has made it very clear that they don't like humans?" She deduced immediately.

It was a rhetorical question, he knew, but he answered anyway.

"Yes, it does. I need to answer for this. Everyone has to know that the Reapers were that close to us, and that it had to be done. If there was any other way, I damn sure would have," He was cut off when she placed her hand on his cheek, staring at him with an understanding look. He realized that he hadn't taken a breath during that entire rant, and that he was clenching his fists.

"Shepherd, you don't have to explain yourself to me or anyone else on this ship. None of us envy your position, nor do we think any less of you for what you've done. You're our commander and our friend. You've helped everyone on this ship more than we can ever repay, and saved the galaxy twice over now. You are a hero. You've experienced things most people have nightmares about, losing your team on Akuze and leaving Kaidan behind on Virmire. Bad things have happened to you, but you aren't a bad man for doing what needs to be done." She finished with a smile showed her sincerity.

Shepherd returned the smile and the couple shared a kiss as deeply passionate as the night in the engine room. A sharp whistle blew from Katsumi's lips, who was using her cloaking device to eavesdrop on the conversation. Miranda, never moving her lips from Shepherd's, used her biotics to hurl the cup of water she placed on the table and threw it at the thief. Katsumi expertly dodged it, and went back to her room, giggling all the way.

That is my first installment in a story that I have no idea as to how long it will go on for. Apologies for any problems with how the story is formatted. I consider myself to be handicapped when it comes to computers, so hopefully I can get these other chapters rolling.