Chapter 2

"Mars. Fucking Mars. I fucking hate Mars." Shepard muttered to herself, adjusting the babe to rest against her hip as she made her way to the elevator, followed closely by Ashely and Vega. The child dropped its head against Shepard's shoulder and opened its mouth, spittle leaking out.

"Uh-huh," Shepard adjusted the child again, feeling the spittle soak through the cloth. "None of that now. Wait no – no – no don't do that!" Shepard panicked when the child's face screwed up and tears began to leak out of the corners of its eyes. "Okay fine! Here!" The babe's head was presented with the Commander's shoulder and it clasped its mouth over it again. Ashely and Vega had to hide their smirks, Shepard's dark scowl not deterring Ashely from snapping a few pictures with her Omni-Tool.

When the elevator's doors opened to the CIC, Shepard didn't hesitate before marching out and making her way to the cockpit. She ignored the outright stares and secretive whispers from the Normandy's skeleton crew. She paused in the door.

"Joker?" She peered incredulously at the capped head in the piolet's seat.

"Who else, Commander?" The chair swiveled around to face her. "This ship is my ba- ba-" His mouth hung open in shock. "Baby?! Shepard you had a baby?"

"Commander I was under the impression that human females' pregnancies normally take at least nine months." EDI's synthesized voice resounded throughout the small cockpit, crowded with the four humans and child.

"No! I mean, yes EDI, no Joker!" She held the child out in front of her for Joker to see. "Not mine! Well, mine now, but not mine! I found him! Her…?" She looked at the child. "Actually, now that I think about it, I don't know if you're a boy or girl." Shepard bounced the child in her hands, causing it to giggle and reach its arms out to her, open and clasping her pudgy fists. It cooed at the red haired Commander, spittle bubbling against its lips. Shepard scowled at it, fighting against the flutter in her heart and the smile pulling at her lips. Dammit, he –she is too damn cute.

The babe's eyes looked at her, so filled with trust that Shepard swallowed nervously, and looked away from those dammed blue eyes. She had a soft spot for blue … everything. She shifted the child to her hip.

"Joker, set a course for Mars, we've got a Prothean expert to rescue."

"Again? Jeez Shep, what's with you and archeologists?" Shepard scowled at him, muttering under her breath as she walked away, still followed by the two Marine Specialists.

"Suit up and restock your heat sinks." She told the two of them. "You think you can scrounge up a spare set of armor for me?" The small group stopped by the galaxy map so Shepard could plot the course for Mars. Vega exchanged a look with Ashely, who nodded. "Yeah, for you, but I can't promise anything your kid." Shepard stopped short and whirled to face the pair only to see them making a bee line for the elevator. She could see Ashely and Vega peering out through the closing doors and glared at the two of them, ignoring Vega's little jaunty wave and wink. She growled under her breath, causing the child resting on her shoulder to lift its head and give her a curious look. She looked into blue eyes and murmured to it softly, bouncing it against her hip.

"There, there. Shepard wasn't growling at you, she was growling at those two big stupid idiots. Heh, you think that's funny?" The child giggled and cooed, making nonsensical noises. It reached up one hand and fisted it around a fiery lock, yanking it.

"Ow, ow, ow. None of that now, ow." Using one hand, Shepard tried to fruitlessly free her hair. A throat cleared behind her, and she froze, almost guiltily.

"Uh, hey." She said to the woman before her. The woman gave her an amused look, and Shepard awkwardly cleared her throat, glancing at the bars on her uniform. "Eh, Specialist. A little help if you don't mind?" Chocolate eyes sparkling with repressed laughter, the Specialist saved her commanding officer from the terrifying grips of the child. Shepard let out a sigh of relief when she was freed with most of her hair still attached to her head.

"Thanks, Specialist… ah,"

"Traynor, ma'am." Traynor balanced the child on her hip and offered a sloppy salute.

"Traynor. This child is your charge until I return." Shepard turned and practically dashed for the elevator, ignoring the Specialist's shocked looked.

"Oh, and by the way," She popped her head out of the lift. "I think he – she is hungry. So yeah. See if you can find something to feed…. It?" She pulled her head back into the lift and it descended to the armory.

Well, that could've gone a helluva lot better. Shepard thought to herself when Hackett ended the conference call. She sighed, and dragged her hand down her face, feeling the skin pull and a headache forming behind her eyes. The rescue mission on Mars was a disaster stewed, brewed, and cooked on high.

Pros: Found Liara, recovered vital Prothean data, new prototype to study. Successful mission.
Cons: Found Liara, Ashley near death, Vega courted death, lost vital Prothean data, traumatizing metal death bot on board. Critical Mission Failure. But hey, Liara's back!

Speaking of Liara, the asari was saying something about analyzing the data on the way to the Citadel and sending it to the Alliance Fifth Fleet. She nodded numbly and followed the asari to the War Room, hearing the far door open. She looked to it and saw the Specialist with her responsibility. And despite herself, Shepard felt her heart warm at the gummy smile on the child's face when it saw her. The child's arms reached out to her, grasping at the air, making noises at the Specialist and squirming in the grip.

Shepard crossed the room quickly and took the child from Traynor, bouncing it against her hip, trying not to completely melt over it. She heard a throat clear from behind her. Damn, she thought to herself, seems like everyone is clearing their throats at me today. Shepard turned to see Liara giving her a knowing look, a small smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.

"So do you want to tell me what's going on, or do you want me to guess?"

Shepard swallowed nervously. Ah, dammit.

A/N: Yeah, so I know these chapters are short, but this is a little side project I'm doing for fun. Alright, so to the four of you who've already reviewed; many thanks! I live off of reviews! And sorry for the tease at Liara's reaction, Faith's Fangs and golden8184, but you'll have to wait 'till the next chapter. To Master of the Blood Wolves: 1) I like your name and 2) I'm guessing it's not often that you leave a review? And last, but not least, Leez! Glad I've got your attention, but don't worry! That was purposeful and I have a plan! And Mama/Renegade FemShep is the best. Anyways, leave thoughts and such! Have a good day/night!

Namelessgal