[[This was written by my best friend and I, both avid Mass Effect Fans. My version of Shepard is mine and Claire is hers. I'll put her name in the foreword of a chapter once she makes an account. We hope you like it. Bioware owns the Mass Effect universe and any characters that are not our Original additions.]]
It had taken Veronica days to get the apartment together, getting her military pay cycled in for rent. She didn't need much money for supplies; the Alliance was going to make sure she was well taken care of and she'd have a roof over her head. It was Claire that she worried about. The age difference between them had always made her protective of Claire. She'd been looking out for her for years, and signing up for the marines was partially to look out for her "baby sister" Claire.
The gangs of Earth were starting to get too rough to try and raise a young teenager, and she needed a more dependable income. The Alliance didn't care that she was an orphaned punk with little education; her scores on the test were phenomenal. She had asked for her first paycheck in advance, and the only reason they had agreed was because of a Captain that had been in the recruiting office heard her say why. To take care of her baby sister.
David Anderson. Bless that man, wherever he was now. She opened the curtain in the living room and let the light shine in for a moment. She had paid the rent for three months, which was approximately how long it would take for her to graduate from basic training. Once she got to the trade school, she'd be able to talk a bit more freely and carefully regulate the money. She loved her little sister, but she knew that Claire was more likely to buy parts for mods than remember to eat.
Holding back a laugh, she put a sheet over the cheap couch she bought and went into the hallway. Both bedrooms had futons for beds for the time being. It was nothing major, just enough for them to sleep. The bathroom was fully stocked with shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a detangler(for Claire), and a few different hair brushes, two toothbrushes, and some toothpaste. Sadly, the only things in the kitchen were canned goods. She'd leave some money in the account that Claire could access for other kinds of food.
Veronica stepped into the bathroom and sighed, brushing a strand of long red hair out of her face. It had always reminded her of blood; it seemed only fitting that now she might actually get blood in it. Anxiety was spiking in her though, she was leaving tomorrow and their friend Jen was supposed to bring Claire over tonight. Jen had been a lifesaver when they needed somewhere to stay that was away from the gangs. Eventually, she'd have to pay her back.
The knock on the door nearly made her jump, but she spun around and walked to the door as she fiddled with the lock. A lock! It was such a small thing that meant they would both be safe from now on. She wouldn't have to worry about anyone stealing from them or about people taking the spot they camped in for the evening. They'd been worried about those details for ages now; six years to be exact. To this day she still didn't know why the six year old Claire had followed her when she'd run away from the orphanage, but they were family now. No matter what.
Veronica opened the door and smiled at the two people standing there. Jen was about twenty or so and had brown hair, golden eyes, and dressed rather plainly. Function over fashion seemed to be her style, and it suited her mom-like demeanor. Most of Veronica's attention was on the twelve year old girl next to her, scrutinizing everything with pale blue eyes. Her hair stood up in different directions, frizzed out and practically platinum blonde. The curls were hard to manage, and Shepard had wanted to make a fresh start by trying a few different kinds of brushes for the bathroom. She honestly didn't know what kind of brush would help manage that hair.
"Hey Claire. I got a surprise for you." She said brightly, gesturing for her to come in. "I'll see you in the morning Jenna, right?" She was still nervous that she'd get screwed over by someone, despite all Jen had done for them both. If anything stopped her from going to the military, she'd be charged with going AWOL, get arrested and leave Claire alone.
"Bright and early. We'll get everything squared away," Jen said brightly and waved to Claire before she went down the hallway back towards the elevator.
Claire looked up at Veronica as she walked into the apartment, hands tucked into the pockets of her jeans. She was skinny, with patches and rips in her clothes. "Not much here, V. Are we meeting a job here?"
Veronica cringed, hating that her first thought was of an illegal rendezvous with the gangs. She was too young to have seen this much. If Veronica could have joined up with the Alliance sooner, she would have to spare her. "No, Claire. It's home. I...I signed up with the Alliance to give us a home. It's not much yet, but it's paid up for awhile. My pay will cycle into the rent to make sure that we don't get evicted and that the power will stay on. It's not much...but it's something, right?"
Claire nodded thoughtfully and started to walk into the living room, following Veronica. She was ruffling her own deep red colored locks and watching her right back. Claire was studying everything even more critically than before, as if she expected something to happen to the furniture or their few belongings. Veronica couldn't help but think she didn't feel secure, and wondered guiltily if that was her fault. She loved Claire as if they were actually blood sisters, but she'd always wondered if she'd have been better off back in the orphanage. She had been young enough to probably be adopted, while V was nearly a teenager and a petulant one at that. She hadn't stood a chance.
"It's ...nice. Really white." the young girl muttered and wrinkled her nose a little bit. "It's almost like a hospital."
"Yeah. I didn't really have time to paint it. Or the money. Paint is more expensive than I realized," she laughed and tugged on a strand of hair, her locks hanging down halfway down her torso.
Claire smiled up at her and started to turn in place, like a garden sprinkler. "Greens. Or blues. They'd match your hair and compliment it." she stated with a nod of her head and tapping a finger to her bottom lip. She was visual, Veronica could almost hear the gears in her head clicking as they imagined colors on the wall.
"Yeah? And what about for you? What colors would compliment you best?" She asked as she walked over and flopped onto the couch. As discreetly as she could, she pulled up her omnitool and used a bit of her own money that she had left and ordered them Chinese food. Sweet and sour chicken, extra sauce, for Claire and an order of Bourbon Chicken for herself, and she didn't dare forget the crab rangoon to share. Claire would pout for days if she forgot that, it was her favorite.
"Not pink." She said firmly. "White and blue? Black and blue?" She asked curiously, clearly paying more attention to her older sister than her own preferences.
"Fair. Remind me to get some paint when I get back from basic, okay?" She asked her and then patted the seat next to her on the couch.
Claire nodded her head and smiled, moving over to sit next to Veronica. "I'll try to. Paint isn't high on my priority list," she said with a thoughtful nod. That was before the squeak when Veronica grabbed and started tickling her, leaving the young blonde shrieking as she laughed and tried to get away.
"Not high on the priority list, huh? Huh?!" They laughed and fell back onto the couch as Veronica let her escape. Her eyes fell closed and she sighed. "I hope this goes by quick. I'm going to have to adjust to discipline." she muttered, sticking out her tongue and wrinkling her nose. Claire's laugh soothed her, and she was confident she'd be able to do it for her little sister. Hell, maybe she'd even like it.
Claire quietly folded her last remaining clothes into her backpack, making sure they covered her handful of pictures to protect them. They were precious memories that she'd wished would have never ended. That wasn't meant to be, however.
Veronica was gone to basic, and had gotten herself an apartment to come home to. The younger was left behind, and it stung bitterly but she told herself she understood. Veronica was moving onto bigger and better things, growing up. Claire shouldn't be surprised, she couldn't expect Veronica to take care of her forever. She'd been lucky to spend six years with her.
She finally tucked the only stuffed animal she'd ever had into the bag. It was a dingy, cuddled-into-shabbiness, baby blue teddy bear. Veronica had gotten it for her when they were still in the orphanage, plucking it from a pile of donated Christmas presents before anyone could claim it.
No one had ever cared about Claire like that. That was why, when Veronica was sneaking out the unlatched back door of the overcrowded and underfunded home for unwanted kids, Claire had followed without a question. She'd rather have nothing with Veronica than everything alone.
Some choices weren't hers to make, though. A bitter Canadian winter would be here in only a few weeks, and she needed to find somewhere to sleep. She was on her own now.
Two and a Half Months Later
Sunday phone calls had rolled around again, and Veronica was surprised when she heard a chime on her own omni-tool. Normally she had to be the one to instigate conversation, and recently Claire had been rushing her off the line. Instead, today he saw the little image of Claire's caller ID on her screen. Pressing the button. she leaned back in her bunk with her hat still on her head.
"Shepard here," she chimed brightly, seeing the grainy picture of Claire show up. The Alliance had upgraded Veronica's omni-tool, wanting her to have good equipment for missions once she got out of here. She'd be graduating top of her class. Still, the picture was bad quality, like Claire was in a dark room.
"Hey, V," Claire squeaked, holding back a sneeze as she wrinkled her nose and then cleared her throat some. She sounded like she was getting really sick. That was worrisome. "So, I got your message. With the ticket... And money. Are you wanting me to give that to Jen?"
The young marine stared at the image for a long second. "What? No! I mean, I miss her, but it's for you, goofball. I figured you'd have whittled down the funds in the account getting Chinese without me. Why? Did you already buy yourself a shuttle ticket? I already booked a hotel for us. I get three days of leave before they ship me out and I thought I'd spend it with my favorite little sister."
Silence answered Veronica for awhile as she saw Claire fidget. Her movements were tense and subdued, as if she were in a small space. Had she made a fort? Veronica narrowed her eyes at her as Claire finally glanced up. That was the I-done-goofed face.
"Um...you mean you actually want me around?" She asked quietly.
"I thought that was clear when I booked the apartment so you'd have a roof over your head…." She froze. "Wait a minute. Claire Schatzi, where the hell are you?" She demanded, her voice sounding less like a sister and more like her drill sergeant.
"Tenth St?" Claire murmured. "In the back alley."
"Doing what?"
"... Sitting in a box, at the moment."
"Get your skinny ass back to the apartment right this damn instant." Veronica hissed, instructions tumbling out in a rush of anger and concern. "Right now. Go bathe. Go eat something in the cabinets if it didn't all expire, and go sleep. You will stay in the apartment until it's time for your shuttle. And you will get your ass on that shuttle to come and see me," she barked, though her face showed more concern than actual anger at the situation. Good God, how long had Claire been outside?!
"Really?" Claire questioned softly, shifting in her seat just long enough for Veronica to see a few of the their pictures taped up on the cardboard wall behind her.
"Yes really. Go home. Rest. I'll see you in two weeks, okay?" Veronica said more softly as a few of her comrades looked over at her with raised brows for the shouting. She mouthed "I'm sorry" at them and then focused back on her omni-tool.
Claire nodded her head, starting to pull down the pictures very carefully as she glanced outside of her makeshift home. She seemed stunned, and a little overwhelmed. "Okay…"
Veronica frowned as she watched the background change. It was snowy outside, and the box Claire was climbing out of was wet. Her thin coat was too.
"You take a hot bath too, okay?" She murmured. "I'll see you soon. I miss you."
"I miss you too, V." Claire murmured weakly, dragging her backpack onto her shoulder. "Just two weeks?"
"Yeah. Two weeks. Hook up to the account I left for the apartment. Express order yourself a coat. Get some rest, and keep warm. If you need medicine have it delivered. Stars above know that there's enough money just sitting in that account now that it's worth the delivery if you're sick." She could feel herself rambling like she used to before basic. She bit down on the inside of her mouth to keep from doing it again.
A small smile curved Claire's lips now at that same rambling from her big sister. "Yes, ma'am. I love you, V." She murmured softly, about to hang up.
"I love you more, goofball. Stay out of trouble for two weeks, yeah?" She almost pleaded and heard a soft laugh from Claire in answer and a nod before the young blonde hung up the call.
Veronica closed her omni-tool and shook her head, a few of her friends from boot looking over at her with a bit of amusement. Rather than get into a debate or an insult war with them, she shrugged her shoulders and tipped her hat down into her face for a nap. Claire would end up being the death of her eventually.
Graduation Day
Graduation had taken much longer than Veronica had expected; all she wanted now was to get some food. She was starving, but before she could go find a restaurant she had to find her little poof ball. She'd gone outside to be more easily found, and started sending messages to Claire's omni-tool.
Outside. Needed some air. Come find me, goofball, so we can get food.
Once the message had sent, V stood as straight as she could in the "at ease" position. The last thing she needed was one of her superior officers coming out to ask her why she was slacking off. Even though she had leave for a few days, as long as she was in uniform she belonged to the Alliance. And one more reason to find Claire and get out of here. But before Claire could find her, she heard someone walking up from behind.
"Shepard, good to see you. I think a few of the military families are upset their children didn't get top of the class," a familiar voice muttered, warm and hinting at a laugh as she turned to face him. It was Captain Anderson.
"Sir," she moved to salute and he chuckled.
"I'm not on duty, Shepard. At ease" he smiled fondly as she relaxed back into an at ease position. "From what they've told me, you have a promising military career ahead of you. Perhaps we'll be able to work together before too long."
"I'd like that, sir. Thank you again for your help earlier this year. I'm not sure what I would have done for Claire," before she could finish the sentence, a weight collided into her back and she stumbled forward a step. "Speak of the devil." she laughed, looking over her shoulder at the girl.
"Veronica!" The young blonde shouted, hugging her so tightly she couldn't turn around to return the hug. Instead, Veronica put her hands over the younger girl's arms and laughed.
"Captain Anderson, this is my younger sister Claire. Claire, that's Captain Anderson." She said in introductions as she tried to rotate the girl to the front. "Could you come here and hug me properly, Schatzi? I haven't seen you for months and you cling like a koala?" She teased, a smile curving her lips and feeling more like herself again. She'd been a soldier every waking breath for months; it was good to feel like a person again.
Claire darted around her older sister's body and hugged her tightly, which Veronica returned with a sigh leaving her lips. She was relieved Claire seemed recovered from the cold or flu she had in their last phone call. All she could hope for now was Claire would listen to her a bit more carefully. She could have sworn she had used words like "we" and "our" when she had shown Claire the apartment.
"It's nice to meet you, Claire. Your sister has a promising future in the Alliance," Anderson said with a smile.
Claire glanced over her shoulder over at him, studying him for a moment without letting go of V. "Hi. I guess it's nice to meet you too."
"Claire. This is the Captain that helped me get everything set up back home. Are you going to keep studying him like that?" She asked quietly, glancing between the two. She was grateful to Anderson, but that didn't mean that her little sister would feel it too. Claire wasn't known to be very trusting of authority figures.
The silence stretched between the three of them for a moment before Claire turned around, leaning her back against Veronica as she looked up at Captain Anderson. "Well, thanks. You wanna get Chinese?" She offered the only truce she knew and Veronica shook in silent laughter.
"You're welcome to join us, Captain. Though I'd like to get into civvies first," she murmured, removing her hat to run a hand through her recently cropped hair that just barely brushed her jaw line.
Claire smiled in triumph, pleased that the awkwardness was smoothed over. She tilted her head back to look at Veronica and her eyes widened. "Your hair!"
V smirked as she put the hat back on and shrugged. "It got in the way. Besides, I think I look good, kid. Come on. We're going fancy tonight, I'm thinking hibachi." She grinned as Claire's eyes widened to the size of saucers. That was fancy Asian food, and a big deal for two broke runaways. Veronica was excited to get Claire to eat a vegetable.
"I'll meet you ladies there, and don't you try to pay, Shepard. You don't have anyone to treat you for your accomplishments, so allow me." Anderson said with a smile as he strode off to call a cab.
"He's not creepy right?" Claire whispered to her sister. Veronica ruffled that mass of platinum blonde hair with a shake of her head and a laugh.
"No, not at all. Come on. My stuff got sent to the hotel and I need to get cleaned up. Then we feast." She chuckled. It seemed some things never changed. Like Claire's suspicions.
