Jane Shepard was normally an emotional person. At least that's how my father spoke of her, it was something he loved about her. I remember whenever I asked about Jane he would talk for hours about her, how her emotions often got her into trouble but that they were a part of her. While she'd try and hide it from others Jane could never hide it from her crew, or from my Father. Yet as I read this prayer with her I see no emotion, I see nothing of the Jane that punched me in our first meeting. Instead I see ice, as if an ice wall is forming around Shepard so that she can't show any emotion. Perhaps my Father in his final moments can see the emotion she's hiding but all I see is a cold determination. This is no longer the kind Jane my Father spoke of with a smile. This is the cold and ruthless Shepard that her enemies have faced and failed.
After Shepard has closed the eyes of my Father's body I begin to wonder if I should pray to Amonkira for Shepard's journey. Or if I should pray to Kalahira for the enemies that she will face in the coming days. For anyone who will face her now I fear that they will meet a painful end. When a white sheet blocks our view of my Father's body Shepard turned and pushed me out of the room with her.
Shepard moves us to the side so that we can speak immediately the orange glow of her omni tool comes. Shepard explains that she is sending me a large sum of credits to pay the cost of the funeral. I try to tell her that we had set aside some credits for this. But she insists saying "I won't be there for the funeral, at least I can be there for him in some way." Quite honestly I can't argue with her. I thanked her and for a moment I thought she would say something to me but a Turian hand grabs her shoulder and the idea of whatever she was going to say was gone. When I saw the two of them leaving impulsively I reacted and asked for a moment of the turian's time. Easily he turned to me and finally I could say something to someone.
The Turian didn't look used to this type of talk, I suppose he'll have to get used to it before this war is over. "You're Garrus right?" I asked hesitantly, while my Father told me much of the crew I had yet to meet many of them. Thankfully he replied in the affirmative, "Yes, you're Thane's son. Kolyat right?" I nodded to him and shook his hand in greeting. "I'm sorry about your Father, he was a good man." Condolences, I should expect that from now on just like when Mother died. I shake my head no sense slipping into old and painful memories now. "Thank you, but that's not what this is about." I begin cryptically. "It's about Shepard, I fear my Father's death has done more damage to her than it has to me." I watch as Garrus' mandibles click and flare. A threat to a friends pain seems to agitate him,..good."My Father told me about her heroics, and how she gave every enemy a chance to leave when she could, and how if needed she would kill quickly. I fear that Shepard has entered her 'battle sleep'." I let the words sink, but I see they have little effect. "I fear that she will change. I ask this in place of my Father, he would not want her soul to be damaged because of her revenge. Please watch over Shepard and don't let her soul die." I see that I have thoroughly confused the older Turian. But there is little else that I can tell him as Shepard has decided it is time to leave. As I watch the two, I realize I have given the task to her close friend and he will help her.
Once they are gone I can't help but to slump against the wall. The blood donation has left me weak not to mention the emotional turmoil I have suffered in the past hour. My hand covers my face as I think of my Mother. When she died I felt like an orphan, but now I truly am. I knew he was dying, kepral's is a death sentence there is no cure. I know he preferred this death to wasting away in a hospital room, but still we were finally.. No I can't think about that now. Yes there are questions that will never be answered, yes I will grieve but I can't not now. I will help make this place a little better. I owe it to my parents, Commander Bailey, Shepard, the refugees, and myself to fix this mess. There are orphans being made everyday. My story is not important, if I help no one.
My hand slips from my face and I look around the hospital. Looking at my Father's room one last time I stand and steady myself. "It's time to get to work." My Father and Shepard did the hard work, they stopped the coup, now I have to fix this mess. I'll go to Commander Bailey and see what he needs me to do. My life isn't important, not anymore, I will live to serve and help those around me. When I die I want to know I have left the universe brighter than when I lived in it.
Authors Note: Obviously first time writing. This is an idea that took hold of me and plagued me at work until I wrote it down. I have some of the next chapter written. As well as a general points that I want this story to hit. Don't worry this story won't be Shepard throwing tantrums this will be more of a story of how I think a person in 'Battle Sleep' would act, more specifically how I envisioned my Shepard to react. I'll continue simply because the idea now formed won't stop. I appreciate any criticism. Thank you for your time and have a great day.