Chapter 2: Mother Knows Best

"Mom," Shepard said as he struggles to sit up in bed. Though most of his wounds have closed and started to fade, his strength was still not back. He slowly moved his leg toward the edge of the bed as he attempted to stand.

"You didn't have to come to see me," Shepard was trying to put weight on his right leg.

"I'm your mother. Where else should I be?" said Rear Admiral Hannah Shepard. She saw John was trying to stand, so she walked quickly to his side and put her arm under his left arm to support him.

"You really shouldn't be standing John. You're not ready yet."

"I don't know how much longer I can stay here. I need to get back out there and finish this." He tried to put weight on the left leg. But as soon as he did that, he felt the left leg buckle and sat forcefully back down on bed taking his mother with him.

"Stop! Before you break something!" commanded Hannah.

"Where is Captain Williams? I thought she would be here watching you."

"The soldier outside told me she went to Paris to meet up with the Normandy's ground team. But she should be back soon."

"Mom, I know you're busy with repairs on the Orizaba, you didn't have to come. Besides, you call every day..."

Hannah let out a brief sigh, "I know it must seem like duty to the military always came first for your father and I, but we have always loved you. Orizaba lost one third of its crew during the attack and sustained heavy damage. I had to stabilize the ship before I can leave. I am sorry that I was not here sooner. When I first heard that you were missing and may have been killed, it nearly destroyed me. I could not imagine losing you again. Even though the Reapers were destroyed and victory seemed imminent, I thought I lost the world. You are everything to me, John! Don't you forget it!"

John was at a loss for words, "Mom, I- I love you."

"And I love you, John Shepard," replied Hannah.

"John, I also have some good news for you. You asked me to look into Ms. William's family. We finally found them."

"That's great news! Where are they?"

"In North America," replied Hannah. "When the Reapers attacked the Citadel with husks, most of the citadel population hid inside security bunkers. But then the attack stopped. Reports say that the husks just stood still as if someone turned off a switch. At the same time, the Citadel arms closed and they were being transported through the relay. During this time, Commander Bailey worked with the Council and came up with an evacuation plan. They had figured out the Reapers were taking the Citadel to Earth. When they reached high Earth orbit, Commander Bailey led the remainder C-Sec forces in an attack against the husks. He held them off long enough to allow most of the population to escape in the shuttles. The predetermined escape location would be the west coast of North America. It was the furthest location from London, where most of the Reapers were gathered."

"Did Bailey make it?" asked John, even though he knew the likely answer.

"No. I'm sorry John."

"He was a good man. We've lost too many good people like him in this war."

"Yes. We have." Hannah and John were both silent for a while reflecting on the many friends they've lost.

But John's thoughts came back to Ashley, "Mom, it would mean so much to Ashley to be able to see her family. Are you able to bring them here?"

"Of course." replied Hannah. She put a hand on John's hand and asked, "You really love her, don't you?"

"Yes. I do. And Mom..." John paused for a moment, "I'm going to ask her to marry me."

Hannah looked at his son lovingly, "to tell you the truth, I had some reservation at first when I found out she is the granddaughter of General Williams. But I know she must be someone special for you to have stayed with her through all of this. You know I want the best for you. I want you to be happy... Are you happy, John?"

"Yes. I am happy."

"Good. That is so good. I'm so happy to hear that," she hugged her son and held him for a moment.

"Admiral Shepard?" this private moment was broken by the voice of a soldier standing outside the doorway.

"Yes?" Hannah replied.

"Apologies Admiral. There's a vidcom call for Admiral John Shepard from the Council."

"Oh. That's right. Of course." Hannah stood up and wiped her tears. She straightened out her uniform, "we have two admirals in the family now."

"Mom, you don't have to leave. I can tell the Council I'll call them back."

"No it's alright. I have to get back to the Orizaba. Also, I want to send out the shuttle to pick up Ms. William's family."

"Mom, could you send the shuttle here to pick me up. I want to go out there with Ash."

"Are you sure you're okay to leave the hospital?" Hannah questioned. "Tell you what, if Dr. Chakwas says you're okay to travel, then you can go."

"Mom -" John said in protest.

"John, Hackett may have promoted you to be an admiral, but I'm still your mother. And that out ranks you any day," shot back Hannah.

John knew better than to challenge his mother and he relented. Hannah left the room and the solider brought in the vidcom.


"Doc. I'm fine," pleaded Shepard.

Chakwas stood at Shepard's bedside with her arms folded shaking her head, "Shepard, it has only been five days. You nearly died on the operation table, your implants has just started to come online, your wounds are still healing, and you don't have the strength."

"Doc. I'm going crazy lying in this bed. I just need to go on this one special trip and then I'll come back here. I promise."

"Where are you going anyways?" asked Chakwas curiously.

"Yes, Shepard, where are you going?" said Ashley as she walked in.

Shepard was hoping to surprise Ash, but now all hope is gone. He came clean, "My mom told me earlier today that she has found your family, Ash."

"John! That's great!" Ashley burst out with a mixture of laughter and tears.

"Where are they? Are they all okay?"

"California. And yes, they're all fine"

"That's great news!"

"My mom is sending a shuttle to pick them up and I thought you and I can go together. But my admiral mother won't let me go until Dr. Chakwas gives me the okay."

"John, I will go. You stay here and rest," replied Ash. She still can hardly contain herself. She can't believe it. Her family is okay. They made it.

"Ash, I know how much your family means to you. They mean a lot to me too. I want to be there."

Dr. Chakwas saw how much this meant to Shepard, "Captain Williams, if I let him go, will you look after him at all times and not let him get into any trouble?"

"Yes. I will keep my sisters away from him," smiled Ashley. She is very close to her sisters and frequently spoke to them about John. She recalled the time when John walked in on a vidcom call she had with her sister Sarah. Sarah had just commented on how cute John was when John walked in on the conversation. Ashley nearly died of embarrassment.

"Shepard, if you can stand on your two feet and walk, then I will let you go just for this one trip. But you have to come right back to the hospital. No sightseeing or other adventures. I mean it!" said Dr. Chakwas.

"Yes Ma'am!" said Shepard wondering how he got into this position with all the women in his life giving him orders.

He turned his attention to his legs. He put two hands on the bed and pushed up and stood up. He staggered a little and Ashley rushed to hold him up. Shepard gently waived her off.

He took a step with the right foot, then the left foot. He looked at the doctor, "Doc, what do you think?"

"I don't like it. But you can go if you come back here in 24 hours. Captain Williams, you will be responsible for him."

"I will take care of him, Doc. Just give me some tranquilizers to take with me just in case."


Shepard and Ashley walked out of the hospital tunnel together. Ashley had Shepard's right arm over her shoulder for support. As they walked out slowly, the soldiers all stood in attention where they were and saluted them. As they approached the waiting shuttle, they heard thunderous applause echoing in the tunnel. This was the first time Shepard had left his hospital room. There was a medic waiting at the shuttle. He saluted Ashley and Shepard and said, "Welcome aboard Admiral Shepard and Captain Williams. Dr. Chakwas requested I go with you."

"Of course she did," Shepard smile as he stepped into the shuttle.