The Citadel was quiet, there were very few people awake, much less roaming the wards. Even the holographic sky was still dimmed, allowing everyone rest. Shepard was suddenly startled awake, her omnitool was blasting obnoxiously loud music. She was not fond of loud music in the early morning in the slightest. Not that anybody really did, anyway.

The time: 0600 hours. She had roughly an hour to get ready before the start of her new assignment. It was a liberal amount of time allotted, but she figured she might as well enjoy the last few moments of privacy before she returns to crowded life on a ship.

She took a deep breath, while gliding her limbs across the silken sheets, then rolled towards the edge of the bed. A few seconds later she's standing, and trying not to fall back into bed. Groggily, she raises her arms above her head, and then bends at the waist, feeling every pop along her spine. That's much better, she smiles to herself.

There's a slight bounce in her step as she moves towards the blinds in her room, then yanks them open… just to cover her eyes and hiss at the brightness. She was definitely not ready for that.

"Next time I'm here, I'm bringing a lovely pair of sunglasses…their day/night cycle is borderline ridiculous." Shepard mumbled angrily to herself as she took in her room's view. She had a perfect view of the intricately built pathways that connected both sides of the presidium, letting people travel easily across to access the many stores and political embassies that littered it. The presidium almost had an innate glow, probably due to the immaculate upkeep by the Keepers.

Keepers creeped Shepard out.

She then turned and dragged her feet towards her bathroom. Time for her to enjoy the last time she can shower in privacy in who knows how long.

The bathroom was decorated in muted grays and charcoal hues. Giving her feelings of comfort. The tiled floors were heated, so she didn't have to worry about her toes freezing. The vanity was stocked with her personal toiletries and big fluffy towels and wash cloths were hanging on the towel rack.

Shepard then undressed, haphazardly threw her clothes in the corner of the room, and stepped inside the shower. She didn't take long to shower, even though she wasn't in a rush.

Getting out of the shower she almost slipped, but thankfully caught herself using the towel rack. Good thing it was sturdily mounted to the wall. She chuckled at her clumsiness, then proceeded to dry down and make her way to the mirror.

She looked at herself, but focused on her hair. Jet black, light reflecting off it in a halo. It was still slightly wet, but she took a few strands of it and twisted them between her fingers. Then she glanced at her eyes, bright, striking blue. She never gets used to her reflection, even though it's been that way for a while.

"Alexandria, where are you?" Her bully shouts, she can't even remember his name looking back. He's tearing apart the playground looking for her, just a sign that she's still there so he can push her around and hurt her.

If I'm quiet he won't find me, she thinks.

He keeps looking, nearing her location in the bushes. She holds her breath, hoping that he won't see the red of her hair.

Right, when she was this young she had red hair. Red hair and bright green eyes. She was only ten. A tiny ten year old that barely weighed 25 kilos.

She covered her mouth when she thinks he spotted her, holding back a scream. Her arms are covered in black and brown bruises.

Thankfully, he leaves. Mumbling about not being able to make her scream and cry.

She never went back to that playground, and she left her orphanage forever.

This was the day when she became a true street rat.

She shook her head, clearing the memory.

Years later she changed her hair color and eye color for a new start. Just to leave her past behind. It wasn't all bad, however.

I still have my freckles, though, she smiled to herself.

Her hair was finished drying so she quickly styled it into a high bun, and she clipped her bangs back with a Bobby pin. Add a little nude lipstick and light mauve blush and she was ready to go.

She regarded herself in the mirror, gave a smile, and turned back into her room to get dressed.

Shepard was wearing her uniform and making her way down the docking bay when she spotted her captain. She quickly joined him in front of the Normandy.

"Commander Shepard, reporting for duty. I've received my orders, Captain, and I look forward to serving alongside you on the SSV Normandy." Shepard saluted, locking eyes with Captain Anderson.

Anderson saluted back and smiled, "likewise, Commander." He then gave her a pat on the shoulder, "don't have to be so formal, though." He smiled.

"Hell of a ship," Shepard commented. It wasn't huge by any means, but it was the best of the best. New technology, handpicked crew, and it was extremely hush hush. Need to know basis right from the top.

Shepard thought the press release would kiss ass for the council, the Alliance wanted their favor. Showing that the Turians were working with them on a project not so long after they were fighting them would definitely look good.

"That she is, ready to meet the crew?" Anderson turned towards her.

Wait… Haven't I already met the crew?

"Um, Anderson, haven't I already met the crew?" Shepard asked, clearly confused.

"Yes, you have. Except for the pilot and… a Council Spectre." He said, ominously. Almost like he was hiding something.

" A Spectre? That's a surprise. Thought this was supposed to be a standard shakedown run…"

"It is. The Turians just wanted one of their own to join us. Show of unity." Anderson replies, a little uneasily.

"Ah, that actually makes sense," Shepard brushed it off, "I'm fine with it either way, sir. I'm ready to meet them, lead the way." Shepard motioned for him to lead her.

Shepard immediately was amazed as soon as her and Anderson stepped foot onto the Normandy. The ships VI warned them to standby, as decontamination was in progress. Just the airlock looked immaculate. Shining metal, perfectly applied paint, bright bulbs illuminating it.

Shepard decided she already liked the ship.

When the doors whooshed open, she definitely decided she liked the ship. Granted, it was a little dim inside the ship, but it felt like home immediately.

The ship was bustling with crew members awaiting their first orders, a few crew members paused and saluted at them. After saluting back, Anderson quickly gave his apologies and said he realized he was needed in the ship's conference room. At least he gave her the okay to explore.

First, she decided to turn left to introduce herself to the pilot. Upon entering the cockpit she noticed just how many terminals were needed to actually pilot the Normandy. All these scanners, systems, and read outs were all over the place. It was staggering to see so much in such a little space.

"So, you just gonna stand around with your mouth hanging open?" The pilot immediately shot at her.

While she was looking around in awe, he had turned his chair around to face her.

"Damn, you waste no time making a girl feel welcome. I'm Shepard, Commander Shepard. You're…?"

"Oh, shit, you're Commander Shepard? I didn't mean anything with the mouth comment, uh, ma'am. I'm flight lieutenant Moreau but just call me Joker. Everyone does." Joker hastily responded. Once he realized who she was he became a little nervous.

"Calm down, Joker. Don't get all stiff and serious now that you know who I am. Call me Shepard." Shepard laughed at his sudden change in demeanor. People need to stop freaking out over who she is. She was just a normal person.

"Sorry Comman- uh, Shepard. It's just your reputation, single handedly defending Elysium during the Blitz? You're practically famous." Joker looked star stuck, like he met some famous movie star.

Shepard shifted, crossing her arms and jutting a hip out.

"Right," Shepard sighed, "the Blitz."

Shepard was 22, on shore leave, and walking around early in the morning trying to clear her head.

She didn't know if she wanted to accept her N commendation and go through training, or if she thought she was nuts for even considering it. It would be a huge responsibility and she couldn't take it back. Was she really N material? Huh.

She decided to sit down against the city's barrier wall. Maybe if she relaxed and took in the scenery it would give her an answer.

After a few moments, she thought she heard someone on the other side of the wall speaking in what sounded like Batarian. Almost like someone was giving orders. That got her attention.

She looked around for a way to get a vantage point to see over the wall, and she was met with a tree. Perfect.

Upon climbing it, she noticed a small group of Batarians were gathered and speaking quietly. Then one of them crouched down and pulled out a makeshift bomb device. That wasn't good. She quickly sent out a message via omnitool to her fellow friends, reported it to the police, and prepared for the worst.

After a couple of seconds, the Batarian with the explosive device attached it to the wall.

Yeah, they were definitely going to use it on the wall. Of course Shepard just had to be there.

She might as well delay them breaching the wall for a couple of seconds, but her guys some time.

"Get the fuck away from here!" She shouted at them, as she used her biotics to throw the front of the group into those behind them.

The clinking of armor and pained grunts chorused together as those at their flanks got into a ready position. Those who were thrown quickly scrambled back into an upright position and immediately I holstered their weapons, awaiting orders.

"Blast the wall!" The presumed leader screamed.

Shepard immediately dropped down and used her biotics to alleviate her landing, and got in cover behind the tree.

Fuck. She's riding this one solo.

It happened in slow motion, the wall blew up and chunks of metal and concrete flew in all directions, the grass in the immediate area was just torched earth. The damage from such a tiny makeshift device was catastrophic, she hoped her friends would get here soon and already alerted the city.

Fuck, fuck, fuck, Shepard internally screamed when the gunfire started.

She reached down to her sidearm, the only gun she had on her, and switched the safeties off. At least they didn't have the rely on ammunition, just had to wait for the gun to cool down.

She took a deep breath and held it, as soon as she heard a break in fire, she leaned out of cover and took aim…

A/N: hey guys, wrote another chapter for you! I have a plan for this story and how I want to write it and I hope I improve as time goes on, but for now, bear with me! Leave a review and let me know what you think. I'm trying to be subtle with cues here and there that reveal Shepard's past and give insight to her actions, personality, etc.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! XOXO