Hello everyone, a quick foreword.

If this is your first time reading this. Please stop, favourite or follow this for later when I post a new chapter.

I am currently re-tooling the chapters. Clearly, there are a barrage of errors. I have a beautiful editor, Sparkles of Youthfulness, helping me retool this story, nothing will change much on the main plotline, just the dynamic of the characters. I am going to add more post-mission briefing one on one, make it so Fem!Shep and Male!Shep aren't working together right away and reveal more of Melody's backstory sooner on in ME1 storyline. I am also going to make her OC love interest a bit more involved in the Normandy work. So stay tuned, loyal readers, for a new chapter update, until then I will be retooling from ME-1 to ME-2 before I move on to the Weddings that would be the prologue to ME-3.

Thank you also, everyone, for getting this story to 10,000 views. I thank you all for reading and sticking with me as I grow and learn.

And here we go.

-M

"Lieutenant Melody Milan, reporting for duty, Anderson, sir," she saluted, her heart swelling with pride. She was a young guidance counsellor serving on a brand new ship with her mentor's old friend. It was a dream come true, especially with the other decorated officers that would be boarding and surrounding her soon.

"At ease Milan" Anderson smiled politely with a gentle wave of his hand. "I appreciate the enthusiasm and the early arrival. Most of the docking crew have yet to disembark, and our pilot isn't even expected for another hour."

Melody was practically shaking with excitement before she took a calming breath. She stood at parade rest in front of her superior. "Being the ship's Counsellor, I thought it wise to arrive early in case anyone else feels alone in their nervousness and excitement. This is an important day for humanity, and I wish to be at my best and assist the crew in keeping a level head, sir."

"Of course," Anderson nodded, taking a heavy sigh. "Kahlee was right about you, as she always is. She's a good teacher huh?" he seemed to brush the last statements off like she hadn't heard it. "We have heavy hitters and highly trained specialists on our crew for the Normandy's maiden voyage. Commander Shepard, Lieutenant Alenko, Flight Lieutenant Moreau and, most importantly, Spectre Kryik."

Melody nodded sharply, the name of a Spectre made her stand straight. "Is our guest here to evaluate or assist?" she then added. "Sir."

Captain Anderson smirked and responded as flatly as he could manage, "That's classified ship's Counsellor. I only wish I could confirm or deny any suspicions to keep the crew content."

Melody nodded understanding she would get nothing else out, "In that case, sir, should I prep an area on crew deck or remain in the CIC, sir?"

"Up here is just fine Milan." Anderson rubbed his temple for a moment as if they had suddenly moved to a more informal setting. "Expect Joker first, or else we'll be doing flight check without a Flight Lieutenant."

The Captain fumed slightly and headed off to peruse the Normandy. He dismissed her with a curt nod.

She reflected about how she had come to land a job on this wondrous ship. It had actually been by pure luck of who she knew. Melody was still pretty young, straight out of the fire from a now deserted Alliance base she had been on tour last with her friend Joker. They had bonded when Melody first got assigned to their previous had been ground support and he ship's pilot. But she tried to make him slip up with his wit and wisecracks often, which made for a right sort of budding friendship.

However, Joker being helmsman didn't get her in. It was her old teacher, and mentor, even though she hated the word, First Lieutenant Kahlee Sanders. The First Lieutenant was a teacher and friend at Grissom Academy, where Melody had learned to hone some of her biotic power, and her teacher had even gotten her interested in tech. Lt. Sanders had contacted her about a month ago, while she was still on shore leave, on Earth. She explained the whole thing, a turian-human design ship, funded by the Citadel Council. Flying aboard the Normandy would be a tour or two with Kahlee's old friend, Captain Anderson. To Melody though, it sounded like they weren't always just friends, but she knew better than to ask. The opportunity to do something on a new ship, meet new people, maybe rise the ranks if she was lucky, it was hard for Melody to pass up.

Melody took herself out of her daydreaming and made her way to the station that was hers for doing her reports. She used her omni-tool for extranet resources and downloading information and files while she sat, getting used to the chair. After a while of tinkering with her 'cloud' storage, she had a whole library of music in her omni-tool and loaded more of data and files on mending the hearts and minds of her military comrades.

The door to the ship's exit abruptly hissed open, and about a half hour early hobbled in Joker. The flight-lieutenant struggled a little with his crutches, making his way to his seat up in the cockpit. Melody strode over wanting to bug him for being late, "Long time no see chum." she chuckled.

Melody could say they had been close drinking buddies; he did the drinking, she did the listening. They even drank to celebrate when she got promoted to Counsellor for their previous ship, all the training she'd done in psychology had paid off.

"Oh, hey Mel" he beamed. Joker was always so lighthearted even while being so serious about the actual flying. "Can't chat too long, I've got to start flight check before Anderson gets here."

"Captain's already aboard," she smirked back. He hung his head in defeat, but she pressed on. "He's making sure the maintenance and dock workers clear off so we can get our checks started."

"Why do they always beat me to the ship?" he sighed exaggeratedly. "And you're here early; I thought you went to have a last drink with your C-Sec pal last night."

She shook her head, "Jaliyna? She cancelled. She was called back a little early from her vacay due to a huge red sand bust." She shrugged it off and sent him a knowing smirk. "Drinks are on her now next time we hit the Citadel."

He beamed with a little brow wiggle, "I hope you don't mind me tagging along-"

She cut him off. "The woman is taken. bud," she responded firmly, making sure the words stuck. "And she'd flatten you if you asked for a free drink. Yes even with the crutches."

Joker sighed in defeat again and started up some systems on the console. "So," Melody could instantly tell he was winding up for a mischievous question. "Has Anderson given you a briefing about our Spectre aboard?"

"Nope," she answered, keeping her tone honest. "He just stated it was classified and that's as far as he let me question." Melody shrugged and continued, her eyes almost flashing with glee. "However, he let me keep the tactical cloak I confiscated for our voyage. Soooo, I imagine he hopes I will put some sleuthing and sneaking to work and figure it out. Which I may if no one else shows up in the next little bit."

Joker grinned wickedly and doubled over in laughter as a good joke struck him. "Please, please." he choked. "I want you to follow Kaidan and grab s-some embarrassing snaps on our cruise."

She grinned wickedly, using a stern tone as she said. "For a price Moreau. Compromising and unflattering pictures are hard to time, and dangerous if I slip up. I am risking my life for blackmail, and I won't take a credit less than asking price."

He smirked as he tried to keep the chuckles down. "Of course ma'am. Just let me know when the juicy shit hits the market."

Melody nodded and turned, striding over to her station on the bridge. She sat in her empty chair and watched the crew filter in, daydreaming about what they might come across. She didn't happen to see anyone filtering in as she skimmed through the crew's dossiers, taking note of the names within. Seeing as these reports didn't have id photos she'd have to walk around later and speak to everyone. Some names stood out; like the Commanders and Captains. Only the Lieutenant Alenko and Officer Jenkin's had a harsh report; Jenkin's was a little cocky with authority sometimes which caused friction and Alenko had L2 implant problems. Even if she might have an edited look into what she would be working alongside, it was still good.

When they exited the Sol relay, Anderson finally explained the destination over the ship's comms; Eden Prime. The most beautiful and successful human terminus colony. There was a confused murmur. If this was Council funded then why were they exiting Council space?

Melody knew to keep quiet about orders. She decided enough of sitting around and headed to the cockpit for information. Maybe find out how long until they arrived and if Joker had information on the ground team.

As she strode over, she heard a voice, a warm and deep one talking to Joker and another man.

"They don't send Spectre's on shakedown runs." the new voice stated.

"So, there's more going on here than the Captain is leading on," Joker agreed as if had proved whatever he had said previously.

She stalked into the pit and sat down as silently as she could muster. Watching the scene between the dark-haired men unfold as if she hadn't entered. The man that was standing nearest the entrance wore all black N7 armour. The N7 large and red on the left of his chest. His face looked strong and warn, a bit of a tan, but a space fairing man, judging from the fading of the colour. His eyes just as warm, a bright blue. A scar ran up from his hairline back that seemed to prevent it from growing around the buzz cut.

Melody's eyes widened as she realised the one in the armour—Commander John Shepard. Military backgrounds ran in the family, so he had excelled quicker than most Alliance trainees, but he was a little older than her. He had single handily earned the title of "War Hero" on Elysium, mere spitting distance from Grissom Academy. His twin sister, Jane, was rumoured to have been the poor soldier who survived Akuze.

He quickly surveyed the gear on him; she could remember a bit about classes. Judging by the pistol and shotgun on John she assumed him to be a vanguard. Meanwhile, Melody was under the adept classification.

Melody could hear Anderson over the comm but didn't gather a word of it. She just looked the Commander over; if this was what a peak Commanding officer looked like, then she would have to struggle to fight up the food chain. He was definitely a picture perfect soldier.

"You get that Commander?" Joker said, shaking Melody from her thoughts.

John smirked. "I'm on my way." he nodded and exited the cockpit.

"Is it me or does the Captain always sound a little-pissed off?" Joker turned to the tanned man in the co-pilot's seat, who was making a few adjustments.

"Only when he's talking to you Joker." he quipped back, a truthful tone to his joke. His voice kind of took Melody off guard, it was velvety smooth and controlled.

Melody gripped Joker's cheek startling the man; "If only we could sew that pretty little mouth shut Joker."

The tanned man almost fell out of his chair, but Joker just smirked, brushing off her hand. "I knew you couldn't resist coming up here and flirting with me like that."

"I can't help it." she smiled at the unnamed man. "I like startling the new ones."

Joker must have realised introductions were needed. "Right. Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko of Canada, meet Counsellor Melody Milan also from Canada."

Kaidan raised his hand and shook hers informally, shocking her with his casualness even considering ranks. The man was trim and tanned, with warm, dark eyes and short, dark hair. His hands were calloused and warm, even during the brief shake. She turned to Joker; "If you're trying to hook us up the answer is no thank you. I don't date crewmates." she spoke evenly and sternly to him like a scolding mother. She was trying to play it off cool. She didn't want to date anyone. "If you break up with them it just becomes hard to work together."

Kaidan blushed and rubbed the back of his neck nervously. "I...um...actually have eyes from someone else. But thank you for the flattery. I guess?"

Melody gasped a little, realising how rude it sounded and blurted. "Oh, that's not what I mean. I am ship's Counsellor, so I can't be dating crewmembers. I try to be friends with everyone I meet outside of a situation where a friend is trying to hook you up or…." her voice trailed, and she coughed to save face. "What I mean is; 'Hello my name is Melody, I will be the Normandy's Counsellor for our tour. I do wish to remain friendly and professional with the crew where it is needed.' I also swear I will loosen up on shore leave."

Kaidan chuckled, and Joker shook his head. Joker spoke up in a sing-song tone of voice; "So Kaidan, care to tell me who you have the hots for?"

Kaidan turned redder than before, but his eyes bore a hole into Joker. "Not a chance! It's more of a far-off crush and admiration anyway."

Melody tried to hide her giggle and said calmly. "Let me know if I can help out. I am good at reading people and can give you an idea if you should go for it."

He looked at her for a moment as if she had grown another head, but slowly relaxed and shook his head firmly. "You have to earn that trust Lieutenant. Sorry." He slumped back into his seat. "I know you're here for that sort of thing..."

"Not a problem." she smiled warmly, as she exited. "I am here to help if you change your mind. But be wary that someone else doesn't snatch him or her up."

Melody gave a two-fingered salute and headed out. Joker was laughing at the quip she made, as Melody walked away to the CIC she could hear Kaidan grumble. She was headed down to the other deck to see if she could grab herself a bite to eat

It was going to be a long trip ahead of them.