Okay, so this is my first fanfic, it takes place after ME 1 and goes onto ME 2. The timeline has definitely been altered and so has the story. This chapter begins two weeks after Saren's defeat/Ilos and carries on more as foundation for what the story will be about. Please review and I hope you enjoy!
Marie Shepard sighed, "I'm not sure how I feel about sitting on the sidelines for 9 months." Her mother cut in "12 months at the least." Shepard even more wary now and hung her head, Kaidan took this opportunity to reassure her, "There's still a lot that you can do behind the scenes. Gathering Intel is major part of our operation, and I'm sure you could persuade even the Shadow Broker if needed to. It's just safer this way, " Kaidan stopped briefly to look Shepard in the eyes, "For all of us."
Shepard placed her hand on her stomach, knowing that life was growing within her, Kaidan was right, she would have to make do with desk work. Hannah Shepard took this time to speak up "So what is the official story going to be Marie? Your one week of mandatory shore leave got out of hand while celebrating Saren's defeat?" Marie rolled her eyes, "You always have a way with words mother." Her father cut in, "They'll separate the two of you otherwise, and neither of you want off this operation. When this is all over you can work it out, maybe then one of you can leave the Alliance and not have to worry about fraternization."
Marie turned to her father, "You and mom managed." She said pointedly. "Note that I'm never on assignment off station, somewhat like a permanent grounding." He responded. "So what, I'm just some hero who can't keep her legs together and bed hops the first man I can find?" "Apparently." Hannah responded dryly. Shepard was about to read her mother the riot act when her father spoke again.
"Alcohol impairs your judgment and decision making, find someone in the Alliance, hell, even council space to argue otherwise. The father has wished to remain anonymous. You are staying on the operation as Alliance intelligence contact. There really isn't anything else you should have to disclose to the Alliance, or the Council. You just saved all their asses, they owe you that much." Marie took in all her father said and then turned to Kaidan. He gave her a half smile, that indicated her father was correct in all he had said.
Hannah cut in again, "Name Kaidan the godfather of your child, as your "good" friend and comrade." The emphasis place on "good" was not lost on either Shepherd or Kaidan. Tim Shepard walked over to his daughter and took her face in his hands, "Marie, we will be here all the way, don't worry." He kissed her on the forehead and left the room. Hannah nodded toward her daughter and followed her husband out.
Kaidan sat down beside Shepard and wrapped his arm around her shoulder bringing her head to lean against his chest. "It will work out, right?" she looked up at him. "Yeah, it will." He assured and held her closer to him. "It's just a shame the father wants to be anonymous" he said, Shepard chuckled, "Yeah, what an asshole." She smiled then leaned up and kissed him.
Hannah Shepard cradled her three month old granddaughter, smiling warmly at the child who already favored her father in looks; dark wisps of hair and tanned skin, not the pale and blonde beauty her mother had. But when she opened her eyes, those deep blue orbs where all Marie's.
They had named her Kira, Marie pointing to how she had loved name ever since she heard it, so long not remembering where, but never forgetting the name. Her 'godfather' had just gotten in last month, finally able to see and hold this darling girl, and now they were both leaving.
The Alliance had handle Shepard's pregnancy quite well, the fact that she told them she was not abandoning the operation and would return to the field as cleared by the doctors no doubt helped. The Council was a bit pricklier, but Anderson smoothed things over nicely, especially seeing how his fellow Turian councilor had an Asari love-child he visited on Illium every month.
Kaidan and Shepard's relationship was not discovered, just like the "anonymous father" of Kira. Kaidan had taken over as head on the Normandy in Shepard's absence, so his communications with Shepard weren't odd, nor were his two visits to collect physical intelligence, evidence that had to given to him directly. And his visit now was to welcome his commanding officer back into service. He had been diligently watching Kira since he arrived a month ago and was now sitting across from Hannah waiting on Shepard to ship out.
Hannah stood and placed Kira gently into Kaidan's arms, the infant cooed happily at the sight of this oddly familiar stranger who had visited her this past month. Hannah smiled and left the sitting to find her daughter.
Marie had finished packing her Alliance issued bag and was now fastening the side of her Onyx armor. "Ahem", she looked to see her mother in the doorway. "What's up?" she asked. Hannah sighed and the spoke, she had been thinking on every word of this conversation for some time now, "Your sure about this? Just leaving your daughter like this?" that came how more harsh then she had intended. Shepard looked up at her mother with impatience, "We talked about this already didn't we? You're worried I'm going run off and play 'Soldier Mom' and miss out on her growing up, right?" Hannah looked her daughter straight in the eyes, "I missed out a lot with you." Marie sighed and placed her hands on her mother's shoulders "I know we can be short with each other, but I love you Mom, and I know you had your reasons." Marie swallowed and the her tone became serious, "I've been out of commission for a year now, and by someone's grace the Reapers have held off hitting us. I'm doing this so that I don't have to worry that my daughter and everyone else I care about might suffer at their hands." And with that Marie hugged her mother and walked out of the room.
Tim Shepard looked painfully at the empty coffin before him. The Alliance flag draped across it looked faint and old despite that it was new. His wife held their granddaughter who was innocently unaware of the sad occasion taking place around her.
Across from him on the other side of the coffin was a somber man, who was staring so intently at display before him one would think he could see inside to the empty chamber. He looked up and locked eyes with Tim and then looked mournfully to the child resting in caring arms beside him. Tim knew then that Kaidan Alenko would no longer play the role of 'godfather', he would make every move to be in his infant daughter's life.
Tim turned his attention back to the coffin. Marie hadn't even been back on duty for more than month when the Normandy was shot down by an unknown vessel in the Terminus system. Her body was never recovered. And so before them was a hollow box, dressed to look like a proper coffin, and the memory of the woman whose loss was so great that none would fully recover.