A/N(16 Jan 2013): I wrote this story before Mass Effect 3 was released. I speculated on what would happen in the game. This is also my first fanfic. Since playing ME3, I consider this story to be AU.
Enjoy.
This is my canon femShepard. Paragon/Spacer/War Hero/Soldier
Chapter One
It's been 17 days since the Alliance won the Battle for Earth. What was left of Earth anyway. Almost complete devastation. Even though it has been almost three weeks, the planet is still burning in places. All major cities are rubble. Amazing people survived, but survived they did. The Normandy has seen better days, but she made it through the battles which is all that matters to Shepard. Commander Shepard and Alenko take the shuttle to the surface to see the damage up close. Plus she had a meeting with a few members of the Alliance brass, Admiral Hackett in particular. The UT-47 Kodiak Drop Ship lands in a cleared area of rubble in what used to be Stockholm, Sweden. Staff Commander Kaiden Alenko remarks, "It looks worse than it did from orbit. It's going to take a long time to rebuild."
"I know. I know, it will be hard. It will get done. We will find a way. We always do, Kaiden.", coming from Leia Shepard as she turned to look at him with a determined look on her face. Kaiden just gives a slight smile. The doors of the shuttle open and they see standing in the distance Hackett, Councilor Anderson with Udina in tow. Shepard chuckles softly to herself after the image of Anderson punching Udina in the stomach from one of the videos Liara set up for her to view came into her head for no reason. Was it a little stress release, Shepard wasn't sure, but she did chuckled and that was a good thing considering...And the Citadel Council?
Just seeing the turian Councilor puts the image of his air quotes while saying, "Ah Reapers, we have dismissed that claim." makes Shepard want to throw that back at him with "Ah Reapers, I just destroyed them" complete with air quotes and a complete sarcastic tone. She knows better than to actually to that, but it was a nice thought. Leia smiles. Alenko says,"Why so happy, Shepard?" after he notices the smile on Shepard's face.
"I'll tell you later, Kaiden." reply Leia.
Kaiden nods, "If you say so." Both salute Admiral Hackett.
"Good to see you both in one piece." Hackett comments while returning the salute.
"Thank you, Sir.", was said in unison. Both Shepard and Alenko stood at attention.
"If you two would follow me to the bunker," Admiral Hackett turns and points down the street full of rubble.
Kaiden had a puzzled look on is face, "Bunker?". They walk about two kilometers before Kaidan and Shepard noticed the bunker the leads underground.
"These where built during the 20th and saved many lives all across Europe and North America. All we know of right now." comments Hackett as he opens the door. Shepard didn't grow up on Earth. She was a spacer kid. Military brat you could say. Followed in her parents footsteps when she joined the Alliance at 18. Leia had been to Earth a few times on shore leave, but never knew about this. She studied the construction and was amazed how well it handled the Reaper attack. "Commander Alenko, excuse us for a moment", Hackett lays his hand on Shepard's right shoulder and nods away from the others.
"Commander, you never stop doing the impossible. This time you're going to get the medal you deserve. Unlike that farce of a trial. But that is not why I wanted to speak to you alone." Shepard nods while still standing with her arms behind her back. Hackett continues, "As you well know, there is massive devastation on many worlds across the galaxy. Many of them look just like Earth and there are survivors. "I can't believe I am about to tell her this. Standing in front of me is the Hero of Elysium, Savior of the Citadel, and the whole goddamn galaxy. But here is goes... "Shepard, you and the Normandy are going on what the Council is calling it a good will tour of hope". Shepard looked like she was about to say something when Hackett puts his hand up to let her know he wasn't finished speaking. "I know is sounds corny as hell, but you did just save the galaxy from the Reapers and too many people put their head in the sand and refused to see the truth are now going to kiss your ass. Let them, Commander, you do deserve it."
"Yes, Sir." was the only thing Shepard could say. Actually, she was a little surprised and content with it just the same.
"I just wanted to warn you before talking to the Council. I think the turian Councilor is going to eat a little crow. That brought up a huge mental image and a slight smile to Shepard's face Let's join the others.", Hackett turns and walks towards the others with Shepard one step behind.
The first to speak was the asari Councilor, "Commander Shepard, once again this council owes you a great debt. Only this one...is going to be hard to repay." Leia could tell this was going to be a very awkward conversation with the Council. Just nod and listen, Leia, just nod and listen. Smile slightly too. Shepard smiles slightly and nods. The asari pauses.
Then salarian Councilor starts speaking, "Commander, ...we ..would like to apologize for not believing in you sooner. If we had..." he looks down in thought.
But before he could finish the turian Councilor blurts out, "I was wrong. I did not give you the respect a Spectre deserves." Shepard just smiles and nods. Smiles and nods. "I should not have used a sarcastic tone with you." Hackett was right, he is going to eat crow. Good! "I was bias and I did not want to believe a human could be tough enough to be a Spectre. And because of that, I am stepping down from the Council as soon as a replacement from Palaven can be found." Everyone gasps.
Anderson was the one to break the silence, "Councilor, there is no need for that."
"We can discuss it more later." was the last thing the turian said. Shepard thought, Wow, that is more than eating crow. That is falling on the sword.
"Commander" the asari trying to get the conversation back on track. "Like I said, we owe you a great debt. We, the Council, would like for you to take the Normandy once she is repaired. Travel across the galaxy both in Council Space and the Terminus Systems. Help those that need it and give hope to everyone. People want to see you, Commander, you, the Normandy, and your crew."
The salarian takes over, " We will forward to the Normandy the list of places you are to visit. The governments have been told to give you some space if you so desire." Anderson concludes, "Think of it this way, Shepard, it's a tour of shore leave if you like. The people do want to see you and I feel that this will help the galaxy at large to start rebuilding. If they see you, you give them hope that we can start over. Besides, between the Collectors, the trial, and finally the Reapers, you need a break." Anderson nods to Shepard with a content look on his face.
Kaiden and Leia both give each other a sideways glance. Neither of them knows how to respond to the comments made by the Council. Shepard looks straight at the turian, "Don't resign, Councilor, the galaxy needs everyone right now." Leia pauses looking scanning the Council to see their expressions. "I accept your offer to tour and give hope and help. That is what I do best." Adding with smirk, "besides blowing stuff up." That comment lightened the mood some as it made everyone present chuckle.
The asari speaks again, "Is there anything we could do for you, Commander Shepard?"
"I would like to take the time to think about that if that is alright with the Council," replies Shepard
"Of course, Commander, take all the time you need," comments the asari Councilor.
"Thank you, Councilor.", reply Shepard.
"Thank you again, Commander, and again please accept our apologizes." is the last thing the salarian Councilor said. That being said, the Citadel Council minus Anderson turn and took their leave. After all they wanted to get back to the Citadel and start the rebuilding process. Shepard couldn't blame them. This was going to be a hard long rebuild. It will get done.
"That didn't go so bad.", Hackett comments, "I thought the turian was going to eat crow, not resign." Shepard, Alenko, and Anderson all nodded in agreement.
"His confession does make me think though." says Anderson.
Hackett chimes in, "Now that the Council has left, Commander Shepard, I have a surprise for you." Shepard looked to Admiral Hackett with a puzzled look on her face. "Follow me." Hackett turns out the door and turns left down the hall.
"Yes, sir.", Shepard follows Hackett out of the room. Anderson just shrugs his shoulders at Shepard as she walks by. David Anderson has known Leia Shepard for years, she was his XO when he was the CO of the Normandy. That was before the mission to Eden Prime. This is one surprise he is happy to play dumb about. "Sir, where are we going?", asks Leia.
Hackett didn't respond to her question. He just took a few more steps and opened the door. "Commander, I think you know, Capt..."
Shepard looked into the room to see her...MOTHER! Admiral Hackett smiles, shuts the door, and walked back down the hall towards the room with Anderson and Alenko. "Mom!" Shepard's eyes start to glisten with shock and happiness of seeing her mother, Captain Hannah Shepard of the SSV Orizaba. Mother and daughter embrace with both having tears of joy and relieve that each other made it through this. Leia was the first to back from the embrace. "Mom, I don't recall seeing the Orizaba in orbit."
"The Orizaba is in dry dock or is in line to be repaired.", answers Hannah. Every ship in the Alliance was either damaged or destroyed in the Reaper attack. Supplies are going to be limited and repairs are going to take a very long time. Just like every where else in the galaxy. "Leia, you make me so proud.", she leans in and gives her daughter a kiss on the check. "I hear you are given priority at the Citadel to get the Normandy repaired. And then going to tour both Council and Terminus space."
"Yes, mom, they also asked if I wanted anything and I am going to think on that." Leia looks at her mom, but has Liara on her mind and just smiles brightly. Not only will she think about her future, but also wants Liara to be happy too. That is as important to her as anything else in this galaxy. We have a lot to talk about that much is for certain.
After about 30 minutes, Kaiden knocks on the door. "Commander Shepard, I am headed back to the Normandy. Both Anderson and Hackett want me to go on the tour with you." I thought maybe with my Spectre status, I would have my own missions to do, but they both want me to join you. Not that being with Shepard is a bad thing it is actually it is good fighting with Shepard again. Or not fighting as this case may be. "I will instruct the shuttle to land back here to pick you up later."
Commander Shepard turned her head towards Alenko,"Thank you, Kaiden, but not necessary. I have invited my mom to see the Normandy after we are finished talking here. We will ride in her shuttle."
"See you both aboard the Normandy." and with that Kaiden Alenko turned and headed back to the shuttle.
Hannah looks at her daughter is amazement. Here is my child, Hero of many battle and yet she still amazes me with her strength and character to helping those she can. "Leia, what are your plans after this tour the Council has you taking is over?
This in a way caught Leia off guard, "I have plenty of time to think about it and to discuss it with someone special. Someone you will meet once we get aboard the Normandy."
Hannah raises an eyebrow, "Someone special? And aboard the Normandy? What are you doing, Leia, fraternizing with a member of your crew?" Hannah stopped suddenly as she realized she was sounding more like Leia's CO instead of her mother. "I didn't mean to sound like you CO, Leia. Forgive me."
Nothing to forgive, mom. She is not part of the Alliance," beams the younger Shepard.
Hannah has a slight puzzled look on her face, "She?"
Commander Shepard just smiles when thinking about Liara, "Yes, mom, she. Her name is Dr. Liara T'Soni. An asari that helped me defeat Saren and the Reapers. She is a Prothean expert that helped me understand the message the I got from the beacon on Eden Prime. Liara is also the one of the reason I was able to come back after the original Normandy was lost." Hannah nodded while listening to her daughter talk about Liara T'Soni. She could tell right away how much Leia loved the asari because Leia's eyes and face lit up every time her named was mentioned.
Two more hours have past and both Shepards were getting hungry. Leia asks, "You ready to head to the Normandy? Have some dinner then tour the ship?" "
Of course. I am a bit hungry myself. Got something better the MRE?", Hannah asks.
"Yes, mom, but I have no idea what today's menu consists of," replies Commander Shepard. Not that matters to either mom or daughter.