Title: A Day in the Life

Summary: Just as the title says. A collection of one-shots that describe a day in the life of the Normandy crew. Taking Requests!

Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use.

Request Info - Name, Theme (if any), Pairings (if any), Universe (ME 1, ME 2, AU), and anything else you might want. Just review or pm/email me.

AN: This was a request by RayneEthalwulf: "Shepard has a daughter, and wants to tell the crew why she fights the way she does." I had to cut down a lot of things to make it a one-shot but I'll probably do a sequel to give more details (or make a whole new story, I don't know). But I hope you like!

And there are a lot of run on sentences for a reason. What little kid can actually talk with correct grammar?

Hidden Secrets

Thane/F!Shep

Shepard touched the glass in front of her, looking down at the planet below her. Earth. She hadn't set foot on it in nearly three years, two of which she had been dead. Shepard closed her hand into a fist, her chest tightening in fright; would she even remember?

"Shepard."

Although she did not jump, she was genially startled at the sound of Thane's voice. She turned and gave him a small smirk. "We're going to have to put a bell on you are something."

Thane chuckled, moving over to her side. "So you have said. Mr. Moreau has gained us access and we shall be landing shortly."

"Any problems?"

"No, but I believe it is because EDI had us repaint the hall."

Shepard laughed. "That was a good day. Is Kolyat still in his room?"

"Yes. I cannot get him to come out."

She sighed. "I'll talk with him after the meeting."

Thane tilted his head to the side. "Meeting?"

"Right, forgot to do that" Shepard gave him a sheepish grin and rubbed the back of her neck in embarrassment. "EDI, can you patch me through to everyone?"

There was a moment before EDI responded. "Done."

"Attention all crew. As you can see, we are landing on Earth. As a thank you for all you have done, I have given each and every one of you one hundred thousand credits and three weeks of shore leave. Any of you who do not wish to come back are welcome to leave, just leave your info with me or Operative Lawson

"To my ground team and Joker: please be advised there will be a meeting after everything is settled and locked. That is all."

Even through the thick doors, the cheers of the crew could be heard, making Shepard laugh and shake her head. "Think I went a little overboard?"

Thane gave her a smile. "No, they deserve it."

Shepard's smile waned, and she looked at Thane seriously. "I'm going to announce something big at this meeting. I, uh, damn." She reached over and took his hands in hers, more for her comfort than his. "I want you to know that I love you, and Kolyat, and I hope this doesn't change anything."

"Siha…"

"Please. I want to tell the crew as a whole, not just you."

Thane bowed his head a little, giving her hands a comforting squeeze. "As you wish."

"Ah, Commander, I hate to interrupt your little lovey-dovey time, but everything is locked and loaded. And there are two people asking for permission to board."

Shepard internally swore; she thought she could at least tell her crew first. With her heart beating out of her chest, she answered Joker; "Let them in and direct them to the briefing room. I'll be there is a few."

"Roger that."

She looked at Thane. "Why don't you go ahead, I'll follow in a moment."

Thane looked like he was about to protest, but he nodded and placed a kiss on her forehead - she felt the love and comfort through it. "I will see you in a few."

As soon as the door closed behind him, she turned back to the window. The view was now of an open docking bay; ships, crew, and maintenance workers were in the foreground while lush green grass spread behind it. Taking one last deep breath, she headed to the briefing room; it was now or never.

Just as she had ordered, the entire ground crew was waiting for her - her heart filled up with pride and awe that she had not lost a single crew member. But her eyes sought out the one person she had so longed to see.

"Mama!"

Her eyes filled with tears as she knelt to the ground, arms wide open. As her little bundle of joy finally tackled into her, the rush of emotion so balled up was finally released. "Grasshopper," she whispered out, burying her nose into her daughters hair.

The tiny twin pulled back only a little, grinning at her mother - and showing off a missing front tooth. "I missed you mama! Uncle Chris said that you were on a very looong mission and that it was a secret and I couldn't tell anyone! He said that because you saved everyone from those meanie aliens that you were a hero and you had to save other peoples and mommy why are you crying?"

Shepard chuckled and ruffled her hair. "Mommy's crying because she missed you Grasshopper. She was worried you had forgotten about her."

The child huffed and stomped her foot. "How could I forget mama! You are the most awesomest person ever!"

Shepard chuckled. "You got that right." She finally looked up at her crew, taking in their shocked faces. "Sweetie, how would you like to meet another kid that lives here while I tell these people why you're here? Then afterwards, we can go get ice-cream."

That got her a grin and an excited bounce. "Okay!"

Shepard sighed in relief, thankful for the kid's curiosity. "EDI, can you escort Grasshopper here to Kolyat's room?"

EDI's blue orbed popped up, making the little girl squeal in delight. "Of course Shepard."

When she could no longer hear her daughter's excited babbling, she looked at her crew, rubbing the back of her neck. "Yeah, that didn't quite go as planned."

"Why didn't you tell us, Shepard?" The question came from Miranda.

Shepard sighed and looked down at her hands. "I'm surprised Cerberus didn't know, but I guess that's a point for me. It wasn't so bad, before I became a hero, because I was just a regular soldier with a kid. But afterwards, who knows who would've went after her?" She shook her head. "Not many people knew anyways; only my mom and one of my friends, whose her guardian when I'm away.

"Allison," she paused, chuckling, "Grasshopper was born a year after Akuze happened; a mistake, but I would never take it back…"

"Hi!"

Kolyat blinked and looked at the little girl in front of him. She was a tiny little thing, and human. Her red hair tumbled past her shoulders, and her green eyes stared at him questionably - reminding him of someone.

"How can I help you?"

The little girl grinned. "My name is Allison, but most people call me Grasshopper. Mommy sent me down here to meet you." She tilted her head to the side. "Why do you look so sad?"

Kolyat huffed. "My father wants to marry a woman and wants us to rebuild our home, but they will just leave me, like he always did."

Grasshopper frowned. "Why do you think they'll leave you?"

"Father left me to do his duty, and never once came to visit; now he wants me to be apart of a family. He and Shepard are both soldiers, they can't settle down and raise a family," Kolyat said, nearly spitting out the last word.

Grasshopper frowned, her eyebrows creased in thought. "Mama once told me that family comes first, no matter what. She too, was gone a long time, but I knew she loved me. She did everything she could make sure that she put my happiness first. While it is sad that he was gone a long time, you should know that he loved you and would do anything to make you happy."

Kolyat looked at the little girl, the stubborn look on her face resembled one he knew all too well. "You are Shepard's daughter?"

Grasshopper grinned and nodded. "Yupp!"

"Hey you two, are you getting along?"

Both of the kids looked to the door, Grasshopper immediately going to her mother's arms. "Hi mama. Me and Kol-y-at were talkin' about how you and his daddy are going to get married!"

Shepard looked at Thane, eyes wide in alarm, and looked between the two. "You are, huh?"

Kolyat nodded and went up to the pair. His shoulders slumped, and he couldn't hide the tears in his eyes. "I am sorry for what I said."

A hand gently gripped his shoulder, making him look up. It was Shepard. "Hey, its no problem. I understand that it's difficult. I want you to know, and your father agrees, that family comes first, no matter what."

Kolyat looked at Grasshopper, and then back to his…parents. "Yeah, I understand that now."