AN: Chapter 3! Ok, we'll be jumping around. Because I don't intend on making Shepard think about Ashley after every single fight or have all the awkward conversations that slowly become less awkward between Shepard and Adrien. So we're jumping to where Garrus has only just come aboard the Normandy.


"Of course, because after what I've seen over the past two weeks, calibrating a big gun could be dangerous for me." The words were sharper than what he normally expected from his friend, and Garrus paused to take a deep breath. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to say it like that. I just need this to center myself. I can't imagine what it's like on Earth."

"Don't remind me. And we had to leave just as the Reapers were falling on top of us. Then we had to leave Anderson to hold the Reaper invasion off as long as possible." It was like watching one of the Prothean Cipher dreams, but now it was set on Earth with his kind being annihilated instead of another.

"I know Ash being in the hospital can't be easy. I know you still care about her. But at least there's a silver lining." The turian's face plates arranged themselves into what Shepard had understood to be a smile. But wait a second. . .

"What's the silver lining? I'm no longer under house arrest?" He might as well try something cautious, test what Garrus really knew.

"No. Being this near to your son is." Ok, how the hell does he know that?

"Something you want to tell me Garrus?"

"Ash was . . . different before she disappeared under Alliance 'deep-cover' for long enough to have a child. Whether you humans believe it or not, turians actually have a good sense of smell. Whenever you were in the same room as Ash on the SR-1, you were both swimming in pheromones. Your attraction to each other was obvious. The fact that you were professional about it kept anyone from telling. Ash smelled different before the SR-1 went down. She was still swimming in hormones, but completely different ones: ones normally made during human pregnancy. The facts that she wasn't going on missions anymore and was starting to show a little weight were the other two differences, though without the pheromones I probably would have missed them. He's your son. I know that much. If you had known you were a father, you would have reacted a lot more strongly before we hit the Collector base or on Horizon. I understand you Shepard." He had always guessed that the crew had known something. Hell, he had guessed that everyone knew the relationship. He trusted Garrus, but to have the turian's faith in him shown in such a dramatic way was astonishing and humbling. The turian was his brother-in-arms, and he suddenly felt more appreciative of his friend.

"Guess I can't hide it from you that well. But please don't mention it in front of the crew."

"Of course not. I know that it wouldn't be acceptable in your military, and I respect you and your son's right to privacy. Not to mention that Ash's retribution would be hell." He had to chuckle at that one.

"Good to know. Well, I guess I'll mention who does know so you know who to talk with. Chakwas and Liara already know. EDI could know but she respects my privacy. Not sure if Joker knows either, but if EDI knows, then he does too. But other than that, no one else knows."

"Alright. Thanks for the heads up." Shepard turned to leave as Garrus went back to his calibrations. They would be at the Citadel soon, and he needed to see Ash if she was awake.


He walked into Ash's room in Huerta and was instantly glad that he came. Ash was sitting up and awake. He readjusted the surprise behind his back as he approached her bedside.

"Hey. How's my little soldier doing?" Of course, her first words would be about Adri despite the fact that he had helped Adri write a letter to his mom.

"He's fine. Everyone on the ship has been helping to keep him occupied. Also, he wanted me to bring this for you." He brought the small present from behind his back. It was a collection of poetry from several species and time periods, and a small data-disk of pictures that Adrien had drawn. Her smile seemed to light up the room as she began to pull up the pictures.

"Thank you. Just seeing these make me feel better. Do you think you could bring him next time you visit? My face should be healed up enough. I don't want to startle him. He didn't see me while I was unconscious right?" He shook his head.

"No. The crew and I helped keep him occupied long enough to get you here." She relaxed at his statement.

"So how have you been feeling?" He knew she would play it down, but he wanted to know what she needed.

"I'm doing pretty well given the circumstances. Ready to leave once I woke up, but you know how doctors are." He smirked. They both were known to walk around before Chakwas would say that they were 'fully healed'.

"Rumor has it this isn't the first time you've seen my room. I don't remember it though. Was I awake?"

"No. You had only just gotten out of surgery when I came in." She winced.

"I'm guessing I didn't look that good at the time."

"You were pretty beat up. But I didn't stay for long, just enough to give you and Adrien enough information for an update. I can understand if you don't feel up to it now, but . . ."

"No. I'm good. I was hoping that we could get a chance to talk. They told me that you kept Adrien in the mean-time since you couldn't find any of my family."

"Yes. Though now that you're awake, you can let me know what you think is best for him. He is your son after all." She smiled at him.

"You did the right thing. I've been reading reports. They say that Sanctuary is the place to go, but it sounds like everyone not running to the Citadel is running to Sanctuary. Both of those places are going to be running low on food and space." She shook her head. "I couldn't send him to either place. Not if he's alone. And I won't run from a fight." She paused and sighed. "I guess what I'm saying is that I want him to stay on the Normandy. Everything else is too unstable right now. It wouldn't surprise me if there are shortages soon. The Citadel, anywhere where refugees are hiding will have to start turning people away. And the Reapers will eventually choose them as targets. On the SR-2, he'll have a ship full of people who care about him." She touched his hand as she said that, and he knew what she meant: that he cared about Adri. "He's safer on the Normandy than anywhere else in the galaxy. I trust you." Those three words meant the world to him at that moment. "Though I wish I knew where my family was."

"What do you know? I had Liara use her information network, but we couldn't find too much."

"My mom and my sisters were on Earth when the Reapers attacked. I was just so worried about Adri at the time that I didn't even think about them. I think everyone has gotten off. One sister, Lynn, sent me an email, said she was heading to Sanctuary with her daughter. Mom said that she was volunteering on a military ship. She knows enough to find her way through a military ship and found a ship that needs her help. I haven't heard anything from Abby, and that's worrying me. Sarah was able to find an evac shuttle off Earth too. She's here on the Citadel, waiting for news about her husband. He's a military man and was called back. She's alone right now." She was fidgeting. It was obvious that she hated not having any news about Abby. It made him want to help them however he could.

"Anything I can do to help?"

"Not really. But could you have Liara keep an ear out for any updates?"

"Of course." She relaxed, and he saw her start to suppress a yawn. "You're tired. I'll let you sleep. I'll keep in touch, and you should get another email from Adri soon." He started to get up.

"Wait, there's something else I need to talk about." There was almost an edge of panic in her voice.

"Ok. What do you want to talk about?"

"What about us? Things have been different over the past few years. It's been quite the rollercoaster. I can understand if there are barriers to entry on this." She stopped for a minute, not looking at him. Wait, she thinks I may not want a relationship with her because we have a kid?

"Ashley," he shook his head as he took her hand, "that is many things. But it most certainly isn't a 'barrier to entry'. Don't you understand? There's only been you. Horizon hurt like hell, but I knew that you needed time. Garrus has made mention of this being the equivalent to walking into hell. And I wouldn't want anyone else by my side. I had most certainly hoped that I had made myself clear on Mars. If you want to make this work, I do too. I can understand if you want to walk away, but I want to make this, us, work." She looked stunned for a moment. I guess that I'll take that as a 'no'.

"Well, damn. You were always a sweet-talker, but it would seem it doesn't take that much to make this girl weak in the knees." Even hearing her talking about her injuries in such a nonchalant way was enough to remind him of why she was there in the first place: she was already walking with him into hell.

"It wouldn't surprise me. You've spent how long in bed?" Her face grimaced a little, not wanting to be reminded.

"Thanks for the reminder." She settled back. And there goes your smooth charm.

"Sorry. I took it the wrong way. It just killed me to watch that thing do that to you and be powerless to stop it." Her face softened as he explained himself.

"I can imagine. You started fussing over me when you first found out about Adri." He could still remember it so clearly: laying on the bed next to her, rubbing her still flat stomach and whispering 'I love you' twice. He had made her stop going on missions as much, claiming that she still had a broken bone that was healing. Technically, she could go on missions, but he was doing what he could to protect their child. He shook himself out of the memories as she did too.

"Can you blame me? But regardless, you're still healing, and your son still needs you. Get better soon, Ash." He reached over and squeezed her hand as she smiled at him.

"Bring him the next time you visit me." She poked him in the chest for emphasis.

"Will do." He nodded and got up. As he walked out of the hospital, he felt lighter for having talked with her. She really does want to make this work. Let's hope the cosmos don't try to keep us apart again.


Shepard had only just gotten back from the Citadel a day ago and looked considerably better. Joker could guess that by his expression, everything with Ash went smoothly.

"Jeff?" EDI suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes EDI?"

"I have some strange data."

"Strange how?" His voice instantly showed his concern and he felt his heart speed up. This couldn't be good. For all they knew, strange meant a Reaper was sneaking up on them.

"It is nothing to be concerned about Jeff. I do not believe it is a bad thing."

"Then don't do that. You freak me out when you do that."

"I will not do that in the future unnecessarily."

"Good. Now, what were you gonna ask or tell me?"

"The Commander has been different lately."

"Different how? The Reapers are here, Ash nearly died on Mars, there's a kid running around that the ship is raising even though Shepard thinks it should be his responsibility, there's a lot of things about Shepard that are different."

"I have noticed increased paternal behaviors that correlate with his proximity with Adrien. Based on these observations and observations of several crew members, I believe that-"

"EDI?" He quickly interrupted. She definitely couldn't say that observation of hers out loud.

"Yes Jeff?"

"Did you mention this to anyone?" Please say no, he inwardly begged.

"Including the Commander?" Oh shit.

"Especially the Commander." Please don't let her have told him, he silently pleaded.

"No I have not." Joker relaxed in his seat. Dodged a bullet there. Definitely didn't want to become space-goo.

"Good. Keep it to yourself. The last thing he needs right now is scuttlebutt going to town on the ship. Especially where that reporter woman is involved. And most importantly, if scuttlebutt starts going around, I will not have it traced to me."

"Very well Jeff."


AN: SPACE-GOO! I came up with that, and I giggled at my own words. So yah, turian stuff. Not too sure on what protocol is with turian senses, so I'm taking liberty with my AU category. I think I wrote enough bro-mance. Did I? And Shepard and Ash finally admit to liking each other. Can they make it work? Will I become maniacal and make a tragedy? Will I write a Shakespearean comedy? Did I write characters to be totally unlike themselves? What did you think? Unfortunately, I'm not a biotic, so I can't read minds. *wink* So tell me!

And in case I didn't make it clear, Diana Allers is on the ship now. *rolls eyes* I know, she isn't very interesting, but my Shepards always put up with her to get extra war assets. IDK, I may write her out. *shrugs*