SSV Orizaba – Bridge
"I thought you were dead?" She asked trying to comprehend what she saw on the display.
"I have been hearing that everywhere I go lately." He said with a slight chuckle over the holographic display.
"I sent you a message. Why didn't you reply?"
"What could I have said? 'Hi Mom, just to let you know I'm not dead' is that really how you want to know that I'm alive thought a message?" he replied with a touch of sadness in his voice
"No, not really. Seeing you in person is much better." A small smile came on her face.
"Shepard, what is going on?" Asked Admiral Hawke, trying to understand what was happening.
"Admiral Hawke, this is my son, Commander Robert Shepard, Humanities first Spectre, saviour of the Citadel and the Council."
"I thought he died?"
"I got better." He replied with a smirk.
"How can you be sure that he is your son?" Hawke asked with doubt on his face.
"I know my son."
"He could an imposter, an agent of the Geth."
"I know my son, David."
Hawke know that she only used his first name when she was so sure about anything. He turned back to the holographic display, placing his arms behind his back. "Commander Shepard, can you tell us why your ship is registered as Cerberus, and why are you in this system?"
"It's a long story Admiral." Replied Shepard, rubbing the back of his neck.
"We have time, Robert." Hannah replied.
"We destroyed the Collector base, the species that have been attacking our colonies."
"I thought it was slavers?"
"That's the official story, Admiral. But we have evidence proving it was the Collectors." A look of doubt comes over Hawke's face.
"Please continue, Robert."
"Then we escaped though the Omega-4 relay to escape the blast. No course was plotted so we ended in the Utopia system by chance."
"The Omega-4 relay? No ship that has entered is ever seen again, how did you survive?"
"Our IFF is recognised as friendly by the relay, so it allows safe passage for us."
"From everything I just heard it sounds like you need to send some time in an Asylum, Commander." A slight look of anger came over Hannah's face at Hawke's statement.
"Admiral, what I'm saying is the truth."
"Though it sounds insane, I believe that you're not lying to us."
"Thank you, Admiral. It's more then I was expecting."
"But can you explain why your ship is registered with Cerberus?"
"Cerberus was funding our mission and providing Intel." A look of concern came over Hawke's face.
"Although I think that is more than unlikely that's going to happen anymore." Shepard added.
"Why is that?" Hannah asked.
"I more or less said to The Illusive man that he can 'fuck off'." A displeased look came over Hannah's face, she never liked her son swearing. Shepard saw her face and gave an apologetic look in return.
"You said that to The Illusive man?" Shepard nodded, Hawke gave a small chuckle. "Anyone who says that to him is alright in my books."
"We are planning to get the IFF changed when we enter a dry dock for repairs."
"I believe that has answered all my questions, Commander. We won't keep you any longer. I hope to see again in the future."
"Problem with that we can't leave the system."
Hannah raised an eyebrow "Why is that Robert?" before Shepard could respond Joker Interrupted.
"Well the hull is weaker than a Salarian beer."Shepard face palmed his face at the pilot's fitting analogy. Removing his hand from his face, he looked back at the holographic display.
"Yeah… our hull integrity is weak and a transit through FTL or Mass relay would rip our ship a part. We were waiting for a ship to discover us, so we get transported to a dry dock for repairs."
The Captain turned the Admiral away from the holographic display, she whispered into his ear. Shepard never heard their conversation. They turn back, Hannah cleared her throat. "Robert we can repair your here onboard."
Shepard smiled "That's real nice of you, Mom."
"Think it as present for two birthdays and two Christmases that I owe you."
"That is really nice of you. I should get you something, as I have missed two Mother days along with the birthdays and Christmases."
"You just being alive is the best present anyone son can give to their mother." A small tear of joy rolled down her face. "I will meet you when we have docked." wiping away the tear she turned towards the elevator with four soldiers following behind her. "I'm sending some soldiers with her, just for safety precautions."
"I understand, Admiral."
"I will see you soon Commander. Also while you are docked your crew are free to walk around the Orizaba, as long they don't go into any sensitive areas of the ship we are fine."
"Thank you Admiral. Also there is an area of my ship that none of your crew is allowed. I can't tell you why, just that your crew can't go in."
The holographic display disappeared. Hawke looked at Crook. "Crook, tell the engineers to be ready to repair the Normandy when it docks with us."
"Aye Aye, Sir." He moved his hands around the display pressing various buttons.
Normandy SR-2 – Bridge
"Normandy, this is Crewman Crook, I will be guiding you in."
"Roger that Crook." Joker said placing his beer down into the cup holder in his seat.
"Our engineers will need a report of the Normandy's damage."
"We will send you the report ASAP."
"Thank you Normandy. We will be waiting, Crook out."
Joker disconnected the communication before turning to EDI's hologram projector. "You heard him, EDI. Get a damage report ready for the engineers."
"Very well, Jeff." She said as she disappeared.
Then Joker turned to Shepard. "So…"
"You what to know how I am feeling about meeting my mother for the first time in two years, after thinking that she would never see me again. And trying to comprehend what she might do when she finds out about my quarian girlfriend." Shepard said rapidly and took a deep breath after his 'speech'.
"In a nutshell… yeah." Joker said calmly while reaching for his beer.
"Well… I feel happy about seeing my mom again. But I also feel guilty for making her think that she lost her son forever." Sadness had filled his voice at thought of what his mother must have gone through her mind at the lost of son.
"Hey it's not your fault for dying you know, it's the Collectors fault for killing you, not your own."
A small smile came onto his face "Thanks, I needed that."
Joker smiled at Shepard's comment while sipping his beer. "Now, that was your feelings, what about Tali?"
Shepard's face went into deep thought, after a few minutes of deep thought and Joker finishing what was left of his half filled bottle of beer. "Well it could go two ways. She either, accepts my relationship with Tali and it is all rainbows, bunnies, and butterflies, or she doesn't accept our relationship and doesn't even consider that I'm her son for dating." Air quoting "a filthy quarian beggar." He left out an aggressive sigh at calling Tali that raciest stereotype.
"I think that is the worst-case scenario." Joker responded.
"You're right that is the worst-case scenario. I'm just expecting the worst, so when it doesn't happen I will be pleasantly surprised."
"You have been spending too much time with Garrus." Shepard chuckled at the pilot comment.
"Jeff, I have the damage report ready for the SSV Orizaba." Said EDI appearing into the bridge.
"Thanks EDI. I will send it in a minute."
"Very well Jeff."
"Oh, one more thing you need to stay out of sight until the engineers have finished."
"So they don't panic and try to destroy me?"
"Basically." Joker said reaching into his mini-fridge of another beer.
"Well, best inform the crew about the situation."
"The PA system is online Shepard."
"Thank you, EDI." Shepard reached over to the microphone and pressed the button.
Normandy SR-2 – Deck 3
Tali, Garrus, Kasumi and Jacob were sitting around table talking about the mission, before being interrupted by Shepard's voice over the PA system.
"As we all know we have suffered massive damage from the suicide mission. And we have now made contact with the SSV Orizaba and they will repair our ship. So there will be Alliance engineers coming aboard, so I want best behaviour from everyone. As they are working on the Normandy we are allowed on the Orizaba for shore leave." Cheers were heard thought out the Normandy "Also do not let them into the AI core for any reason, I don't want to explain that we have an AI and a Geth onboard. That is all."
"The SSV Orizaba? Isn't that the ship Shepard'smother serving on?" Garrus asked.
"Yeah it is. I heard about it on while we were on the Citadel." Replied Kasumi.
"I saw it on Galactic News online." Added Jacob.
Kasumi turned to Tali "So Tali, this may your chance to Shep's mother." All eyes turned to her. She could feel the blood rushing to her cheeks. "I thought I'd never be so grateful for this helmet" she thought to herself as she played her fingers in her nervous manner.
"It might be. But I don't what she will make of our relationship."
"Don't worry about it, Tali."
"How can I not worry, Kasumi? What if she rejects our relationship? What if she hates me? What if she hates her own son for dating a Quarian?" she said trying to catch her breath.
"Tali! Stop for a minute ok? You are going to run out of breath." Tali stopped and took a few deep breaths.
"Thanks, Kasumi."
Jacob sat up straight "Tali, from what I heard from Shepard is that she is a really nice woman. So I think you are overreacting to what might not happen, so relax and take it easy."
"Tali, you and Shepard are going to be fine when you meet his mother." Garrus said with a Turian equivalent of smile on his face.
"That's what I just said Garrus."
"No you didn't." he said shaking his head.
Tali and Kasumi giggled at the two "You boy know how to cheer someone up." Garrus and Jacob looked at each other and both decided to leave. Jacob left for the Armoury, while Garrus headed to the Main Battery as he needed to do some calibrations to the Thanix Cannon.
Normandy SR-2 – Deck 4
The elevator doors opened to the deck. Shepard step out and stared out the window looking at giant holes that littler the walls of the hanger. He turned towards the port cargo hold Grunt's 'room' ,so to speak. As Shepard entered he saw Grunt looking at his terminal.
"Grunt?"
"What Shepard?" Grunt said still staring at his terminal.
"What are you looking at?" Grunt stood up and turned to Shepard.
"Nothing, just watching something called Asari Confessions." Shrugging his shoulders. Shepard looked over to the terminal to see if what Grunt said was true, and sure enough it was true. Shepard looked back at Grunt. "Uh… Grunt, do you know what Asari Confessions is about?" He said become noticeable uncomfortable.
"Something to do with Asari confessing about crimes they did or something. I was just started watching it before you came in."
"You might what to turn around and see what's happening." He said trying to keep a straight face. Confused with his Battlemaster's face, Grunt turned back to his terminal to see what he was talking about. What he saw confused him even more.
"What is this? It's just two Asari kissing."
A large grin came across Shepard's face "Asari Confessions is Asari porn that sometimes involves different species."
"This isn't what I wanted, I got all 26 episodes. Now I have to delete them all." The anger in Grunt faded away as he continues the watch the scene on the terminal. "I guess I will watch them all, you know? As I got them so it would be a waste of credits just to delete them without watching them." He turned back and paused the video; he turned back his unusually calm expression.
Never seen him this calm before he thought to himself. "Now the reason I came down here is to tell you that some Alliance engineers are coming aboard and they might come in here."
"And your point is?"
"Cooperate with them if they come in here and don't threaten them okay?"
"I will help them if they ask, and I will only threaten them if they threaten me."
"That's all I can ask for."
Grunt nodded and turned back to his terminal. Shepard turned to leave them stopped and turned backed. "Grunt?" Grunt turned to him. "Don't have that playing if they do come in, it's a thing you watch in private." Grunt turned back as Shepard left with a large grin.
Normandy SR-2 – Sub-Deck 4
Shepard walked down the stairs to Jack's 'room'. Jack was sitting on her cot still reading the Cerberus files on her. "Hey Jack."
"Hey." She replied.
"Still looking at your files?"
"Yeah, never know what you will find."
"I take it you heard about the Alliance engineers coming aboard for the repairs?"
"Yeah."
"They might come down here to do some work."
"So?"
"Just try not to rip them apart with your Biotics if they do something you don't like."
"As long they don't bother me everything will be fine." Jack continued looking at files. Just as Shepard was about to leave he heard Joker over the PA system.
"Commander, we have clearance to dock with the Orizaba."
"Thanks Joker. I will be right up." Shepard jogged up the stairs heading to the elevator. He enters and pressed the button to the CIC.
Normandy SR-2 – Deck 2
The elevator doors opened to the CIC. Shepard jogged through the CIC to the bridge.
"Good timing Commander. I was just bringing us in now." Joker said as reduced the engines to bring the ship into dock.
The Normandy was dwarfed by Alliance Dreadnought. As the frigate slowly entered the docking bay they could see GARDIAN lasers track them. "They really don't trust us do they Commander?" ignoring the comment Shepard continued watching them enter the Orizaba. As they went further a voice filled the bridge. "Normandy this crewman Crook, follow the orange lights to the docking station."
"Roger that Crook." Joker replied. He followed the flashing orange light to the magnetic clamping station, Joker guided the ship into clamps. A firm thump secured the Normandy in place.
"Normandy power down you engines, you not going anywhere."
"It's a trap."
"You've been watching Star Wars too much, Joker."Joker chucked as he turned his head the airlock camera. He saw Hannah with four soldiers behind her.
"Shepard someone's at the door. Better go answer it" he chuckled. Shepard just shook his head as headed to the airlock. He got to the outer door, the door opened to the sight of his mother. A large smile came across both of their faces, they moved closer and hugged.
A/N Would have gotten this out sooner but I was busy for two weeks then my Beta reader (SergiusTheGreat, thanks for beta reading) said I needed to make it a bit longer (Good call I say)
Update: Noticed some errors, fixed them. And I changed"Salarian Beer" to"Salarian ale". Why? It's sounds better.