Sunshine:
Hope everyone is doing very well! As always thank you for reading! Peace!
Disclaimer: I do not own these lovely characters of Mass Effect, wish I did :)
...
"Nothing different? Well that's good news so to speak." Shepard responds to Mordin after her morning check-up.
"Shepard I have done some extensive digging. *breath* You are the only case that has ever existed." Shepard lets out an exasperated huff. " But, I will continue our check-ups as usual. They will be documented for future reference. They might be help for future people in the same circumstance."
"I like that it could be of help for other people going through the same as me." smiling a little, then she turns to Mordin. "Is there anything else you needed?"
"No, I think we're done for now."
"Alright, cya round." Shepard says cheerfully and hops off the table and strides through the doors into the C.I.C.
Walking over to the railing she leans on it facing a certain Miss Chambers. "Hey Kelly, sock it to me. What's the news today?"
"Hey Shepard! Not really much to say. How's everything with Garrus? I imagine you guys had a lot to catch up on."
"He's doing ok considering, but I would like you to keep an eye on him for me. I don't want him to know you are though, so nothing drastic. I'll still be talking to him, but right now he's dealing with some deep stuff and he wont let me in yet. Just make sure he doesn't do anything stupid like go off on his own. If you see him leave by himself or seem like he's going to do anything reckless please message me immediately, got it?"
"Yes, of coarse Shepard. I understand."
"Thank you Kelly. If that's all I'm going to start my rounds. Talk to you later Chambers."
"Cya Shepard" Kelly responds then turns to her console again.
Shepard walks towards the cockpit "Matthews, Hadley. How is everything this morning?"
Garrus huffs out a yell with every punch he delivers to the now decrepit heavy bag. With one last burst of energy he round house kicks it. He does it with such force that it flys off the hook, hitting the side wall with a loud "THDONG!"
He snarls then roars loudly, sounding like a large feral beast. He drops to his knees, holding his head in his large, taloned hands.
"Mr. Vakarian, it might not be wise to destroy the equipment."
"Oh shut up EDI!"
"Hey leave the AI alone, she's just doing her job." Shepard interrupts winking at the camera.
"Shepard? Go away and leave me alone I'm not in the mood for your "pep" talks right now." Garrus growls getting up and turning his back to go retrieve the heavy bag.
"Oh don't you worry. You made your point the last time we spoke." Garrus flinches and stops walking.
"Even if we aren't friends you are a part of my crew. I am obligated to check on you at rounds. So with that said, how is everything going? How are the guns calibrating? Do they need anything to improve them?"
Garrus turns around and looks at her for awhile, both of them maintaining a tense stare. Garrus finally turns around and walks over to the punching bag and picks it up. "I'll forward the upgrades to your console as soon as I'm back in the battery."
"Thank you Vakarian, if you need anything else just message me. Have a great day." Shepard returns without feeling. She turns and walks over to the elevator getting in and pressing the button.
As the doors close she allows her face to morph into the reflection of her heart. One tear escapes her right eye and drops in a single line down her face.
Garrus walks over and drops the broken bag on the ground. He stares at it without really seeing it. She hasn't called me Vakarian...ever. Have I lost her?
"I just need to kill Sidonis and everything will fall into place. I know it will." he says to himself. A very cruel, toothy turian grin mutates onto his face. "He will pay for what he's done." Garrus mutters under his breath with venom.
Finally they arrived at the Citadel on the second day. Every one of the crew was abuzz with excitement. Some talked of what who was doing with whom and how wasted they were going to get. Some were talking about their families and letters that needed to be sent.
Shepard walks into the C.I.C smiling, affected by the excitement like everyone else. She walks down the line waiting to get off the ship grasping shoulders, patting backs and all the while she's smiling fiercely.
"Everyone be safe please and as always have fun." at the last word everyone raised a cheer.
"Are you coming tonight to Dark Star Commander?" Kelly yelled.
"I might make an appearance." she said with a smirk. "Now you kids stay outa trouble ya hear!" she shouts over her shoulder as she walks away, waving.
Most of the crew answered with a subdued "Yes mom". Shepard turns around and lifts an eyebrow then points her two fingers at her eyes then at them "I'm watching you." she says with a slight smirk.
Turning, after a fews scattered laughs, she walks into the elevator pressing the Captains Cabin button. "EDI who remains on the ship?"
"Miss Lawson, Dr. Solus, Mr. Moreau, Mr. Vakarian, and Dr. Chakwas are still remaining Commander."
"Thank you EDI. By the way did you find the songs I have been looking for?"
"Yes Commander I placed them in your media files and you can access them from your wall console if you wish to listen to them."
"Oh, thank you very much EDI"
"You're Welcome Commander. Signing you off."
Shepard walks over to the wall media and lights console. She scrolls down through her playlists smiling when she reaches her favorite mix list. The thrumming beats of the chillstep compilation fills her room.
An hour later she's finished replying to her messages and writing her reports. She leans back into a long stretch over the back of the chair then stops suddenly as an idea forms in her head. Why haven't I asked Miranda about the correlation with my implant and the symptoms?
"Mordin's prolly already asked, but I might jog her memory. Who knows? Hey EDI, is Miranda in her office?"
"Yes Commander, would you like me to inform her of you coming to see her?"
Shepard barks a laugh "I guess this time I will. Even though it was hilarious seeing her fall on the floor. Tell her I'll be down in a minute."
"Of coarse Commander. Anything else?"
"No, thank you EDI. You spoil me. I'm getting lazy. I love not having to run around to communicate with people or find them."
EDI pauses, processing the last statement.
"I'm only doing what I was installed to do Commander. Spoil is not a relevant word."
"Alright, alright, thank you EDI"
"You are welcome as always Commander. Signing you off."
Shepard hops up and walks to the elevator and pushes the crew deck button.
"What should I name my new little kitten? Oscar?...Oliver? Hmmm..." she taps a finger against her cheek thinking while the elevator slowly drops to the right level with a steady, comforting humming.
"I will just have to name it when I meet them. It's decided." shes states matter-of-factly.
The doors ding open and she walks out glancing at the kitchen, hesitating. With a smile she stroles over to the kitchen intent on a hot cup of Chai tea.
A few moments later she leaves the kitchen with two mugs of Chai at home in her capable hands. Making her way over to Miranda's office she walks through the doors.
"I come bearing a peace offering." she says tentatively setting one mug on Miranda's desk.
"Come in Commander what can I help you with?" she hears from behind the wall.
"Well I wont bug you for long I just wanted to ask you something." Shepard walks over and sits on the chair by the window.
Miranda walks out from behind the wall wearing some grey yoga pants and a black hoodie. "Shoot" she replys sitting in her desk chair and turning it towards Shepard.
"One, it's nice to see you at ease for once." Shepard says smirking.
"I know how to be comfy on a day off like every other woman." she says laughing daintily with a small smile.
"Well put" Shepard says joining in a laugh. "Second, it popped in my head to ask you about what the correlation between my biotics going wild and my implant. Since you were director of the Lazerus Project I figured you might have more insight than Mordin, even with his vast knowledge."
"Mordin has come to me already and I really had nothing to tell him."
"Where did the implant come from though?"
"It was a prototype that we had tested before. Funny enough it originated from technology found in a prothean ruin. After careful research and testing we figured out that it was a biotic amplifier. So we replicated it and tested it with many human biotics before we found out the extent of what it could do. If you'd like I can send you everything to do with only that area of the project."
"Wouldn't Cerberus be angry if I got a hold of information so sensative?"
"Not in this instance because it's not exactly a secret device. They have been found before and recognized as biotic amplifiers, but the only differences is that we have put it to use on an existing species. The mechanics of how we adapted it will not be present in what I will send you, but I will send you logs and non-sensative notes."
"Ok sounds fair." Shepard shrugs and takes a sip.
Miranda follows suit taking a small taste, then takes a longer sip. "Mmmm. Commander what is this?"
"Don't tell me you've never had Chai tea before?"
"Chai tea? Nope. This is delicious. Where did you get this?"
"There is a delightful tea shop owned by a Drell named Velarz and a Human named Sara. They seem to collect any and all tea from everywhere. They even have some creations from Earth, Palaven, Kahje and other planets. I try to get something different everytime I'm in the Citadel. I haven't been in awhile so I grabbed some chai tea on Omega"
They sat there in peace for a moment and finished their cups.
"I liked this Shepard. We should do this again soon."
"As long as I bring this tea right?" she says smirking.
"Well duh." she says grinning.
Shepard gets up and takes Miranda's empty mug. "Well better be hitting the dusty trail. Have a good shore leave. Maybe I'll see you cutting loose at Dark Star." she says winking.
"Hah, not in this lifetime or any other Shepard. Talk to you later." she says waving as the doors shut.
"Mission: Success." Shepard mutters to herself as she cleans the cups in the sink.
...
Thank you everyone for reading! I love writing this story. It's fun for me to make it up as I go. Speaking of which. I need some ideas for the name of the kitten and what sex it should be. I know it'll be a spunky, courageous, yet gentle kitten and that's as far as I got. Will be looking forward to your thoughts! Hope everyone takes care and stays safe! Peace!