Everything has been a bit off since Lola and Scales went at it. Never seen a human punch a Turian to the ground, if it hadn't been in those circumstances I would have laughed. After the whole incident scales stayed in the main gun, and Lola wouldn't call him out for missions anymore. Before the citadel Lola would shift the team about but always either Scales or Doc was there with her. Sure on the first mission it was just me, Lola, and Major Alenko But now Doc never gets called out for missions and neither does Scales. Now it seems to be mostly myself and the Prothean, or as I like to call him Cucarracha. We've been moving along trying to put a dent in the Reapers somewhere. But it lately feels like were just barley holding ourselves up. The moral in the crew is shit, there's no other word for it. Everyone knows we are in an impossible situation and now it seems like Shepard the Savior of the citadel is falling apart right in front of us. Shits scary. I've seen the Major come out and try to speak with Lola when she's in the war room. But she just keeps dodging him. Thankfully I know how to listen to people and from the gossip I hear Lola and Major Alenko were an item on the first Normandy though it seemed that those feelings were long since passed. But still they served together, there's still a bond dammit.

I couldn't figure out what was eating Lola up so I started digging, didn't have to look very hard.

We were in between missions at the time and most of us were eating. Doc came out looking exhausted sat down next to Scales and I heard everything. Seems like Lola lost someone just like Esteban had lost someone. I remember pulling him out of those moments and things started making sense. She didn't have the luxury of griving Lola was a Commander and the fate of every race was on her shoulders. No time for a pitty party. When I learned about that I knew I had to do something. So I spoke with the one person that would know what she was feeling, Esteban.

"Hey Esteban!" I called out when I came back down. There he was dutifully working away at the ship I crashed, don't think he'll ever forgive me for that one.

"What do you want Burro?" He asked in his usual manner. I slumped against the side panel and said one word "Help." That caught his attention, not like me to ask for any.

"With what did you break something else?"

"No this thing broke on it's own. It's Lola, she's hurting."

I saw him finally step away from the machine and wipe his hands clean from the grease. With a sigh he started "Look, I'm your friend but if you think I'm going to help you try and screw our commanding officer-"

"Woah! You got it wrong I don't see Lola like that. She's a marine, nothing else."

He gave me a simple look that said 'I'm not sure if I believe you quite yet.' So I clarified the situation.

"She lost someone important just like you did." That wiped his look right off his face. And unfortunately caused him to slump down in a nearby chair. I knew he wasn't completely over it, but at least he was better. Seeing as he wasn't punching his best friends face in like Lola.

He took a moment or two before responding. "She's not exactly in the best position to deal with this right now either." He stayed silent as I started explaining all I knew and he sat listened and thought. After a bit Esteban spoke again "Vega I know you want to help her get over this but that's not your part. You need to get her laughing again, get her eating in front of people again." He put a hand on my shoulder explaining something so simple yet so difficult. "Be her friend, she'll help herself when she's ready." That was the advice I got so that's what I ran with.

It wasn't hard wanting to be her friend, though it was damn hard to be her friend in the beginning. I tried the typical hanging around after missions and sparing. But I only got the same coldness she showed everyone. So I changed tactics. On the battlefield she was just as reckless as I was so I showed her how to have fun with it. So instead of silence on the radio with her I started hedging bets on who'd kill the most X, Y or Z. Ragging on her when she missed, treating her like I'd treat any other guy in my old squad. And soon I was rewarded for my efforts, one day after one of those Ravagers exploded on me on the way I said "Argh Now what girl's gunna want me?." as I tried and shake some of the gunk off me. I don't know if it's what I said or how I must have looked with all that gunk or seeing a grown man whining about a girl not wanting him, but Lola laughed and threw it straight back "Vega no girl wanted you before anyway." After that there was no longer silence on the radio just manic laughter, violent banter, classic ribbing, and of course bets. But that was on the field, on the ship it was back to normal and Lola was silent, and hidden from the crew.

One day coming back from a pretty hard fight me, Lola and even the Robot were beat. As we were walking back onto the ship and removing our armor I said "I think I'm going to eat all the food stores on the ship." Lola only scoffed saying "Yeah not if this biotic has anything to say about it." We chuckled for a moment until the robot piqued up "But Commander it would be impossible for you to thwart Vega's attempts to eat his way through the stores if you solely receive your meals in your quarters." That stopped the humor and we were silent as the robot left us. I looked over to the Commander and watched her sigh and for a second I thought we'd lose this playful thing we had going. But Lola shocked me by saying "Well I guess it's time for me to come on down." and we left for the galley. Scales looked shocked so did half the crew. Though Scales and Doc seemed happy as hell to see Lola down eating with the crew. Sure I got her in the room but she didn't talk and barely smiled. Even though I was loudly telling everyone about some story. Even Major Alenko tried getting a word out of her, but all for naught. She ate her meal and nodded to her crew before going back to the elevators. I watched as Doc followed her. Lola stopped in front of one door and for a moment looked like she wanted to go in. Doc said in that calm voice "Shepard, why don't you come with me to the war room." And like that the trance like look on Lola's face was gone and you couldn't get Lola away from that door fast enough.

I watched the whole exchange confused as hell until Scales came up and slapped my back "Thanks for getting her out here." He said and fully intended on leaving my side but I asked a question. "What's up with that room?" Scales halted and looked at that room sadly "Those were His quarters, guess she forgot about that room, until she actually saw it again. Don't think she's ready for that part quite yet." Scales said before simply moving away. Just like that everything continued moving, but I couldn't help but feel Lola had made a step forward.

Later on I was sitting in the mess having a late night snack, when I looked up to see Lola come out. I knew she hadn't noticed me, but I noticed the bottle in her hands. Her steps faltered as she moved through the area. I moved to a better hiding spot, drunk Lola was something I hadn't seen before, who knows if she'd throw my ass or laugh like a maniac. But nothing really happened she moved and then stopped in front of that same door. I watched my commanding officer sway before taking another hit from the bottle. "I can't sleep." She admitted in a soft voice that I had to strain to hear. Waiting I listened to her talk to a door. "You always helped me sleep." The slender woman before me took another hit "I Miss you.." She whispered and bowed her head. I stepped out of my hiding spot when I heard a small sob. I was going to step forward right before that now empty bottle crashed against the door. "You lied..." She spat at the door as she stood swaying. I was going to move forward but Major Alenko came out from his quarters obviously curious about the sound. He looked to me confused and all I could do was gesture toward Lola. Major Alenko gave a sigh and moved toward our drunk commander.

"Shepard." Was all he said and she flipped her head towards him, and for the first time tonight I could see her face. A tear had fallen, and more were about to. But as quick as I saw those tears they disappeared. She didn't say anything only stared at the Major. In some ways she looked like a scared animal and in another she looked like she would throttle him if he got too close.

Major Alenko moved forward but paused before stepping on the broken glass. "Looks like you need another bottle." That obviously was not what Lola expected him to say, the shock clearly showing. But she nodded numbly, before moving toward the Major. He ushered her into the lounge but before he was gone he turned back to me. "Get Liara." He ordered before the door closed.

I had to admit this was weird. So like any good confused man I followed orders. Thankfully Doc answered her door rather quickly. Her blue face seemed to be fighting off sleep as she spoke. "Lieutenant, this a surprise."

I chuckled "Tonight is full of surprises." I said but shook my head before continuing "Major Alenko needs your help Lola- er Shepard's in the lounge with him. I think she might have some cuts on her feet though."

That made the blue Doc wake up "Cuts?" She asked confused. I pulled her into view of the shattered glass on the ground. The Doc sighed "She's drunk." was all she said before returning to her room and getting a small first aid kit.

Before she entered the room Doc turned to me "If you could sweep that up so no one else gets injured, I'd appreciate it."

"Yeah I can handle that." I confirmed but before she disappeared I asked a question "Is she going to be okay?" When the words left my mouth I felt like an idiot.

That question seemed to take a toll on the Doc. She turned her head slowly "Yes, but it'll take time." And with that she was gone into the lounge. I just stood there for minute letting the situation sink in. I know not many still believed but I sent up a small prayer to La virgen María. Hopefully she could offer some peace to Lola, lord knows she needs it. Now to clean up the floor.