Chapter 6: O Captain! My Captain!

The blue Kodiak docked in the shuttle bay. Shepard and Ashley stepped out.

"It's good to be back," Shepard said to Ashley as they walked toward the elevator.

"Yes, it is," Ashley smiled as she held Shepard's hand. "John, how do you want to handle this?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this," She held up her ring finger, "and also you being the Admiral and I'm the Captain."

"You're right, things are different now," said Shepard as they stopped in front of the elevator.

"By the way, where is everyone?" He just noticed there was no one in the shuttle bay.

"It's around lunch time, they must all be in the mess hall," replied Ashley as she looked around.

"The ground team should be back as well since Miranda said they were finishing the Paris operation."

"Ash, the Normandy is your ship now. You are her captain. You give the orders. The crew will be looking to you as their skipper."

"You will always be my Skipper," smiled Ashley as she leaned to kiss Shepard gently on the lips.

"As for us... well, we'll just let the ring speak for itself," said Shepard as he held the elevator door open for Ashley, "after you, my Captain."

"EDI. Please ask the crew to assemble in the mess hall."

"Yes. Captain Williams. Welcome back to the Normandy Captain Williams and Admiral Shepard."

"Thank you EDI," they both replied.

The elevator stopped at the top level and opened. Ashley wanted a moment to collect herself before facing the crew. The door to the cabin opened, and Shepard walked in first followed by Ashley. This room held so many memories for them. He can still remember the night before Ilos. And then he remembered the hours leading up to the Omega 4 Relay. He sat at the desk staring at Ashley's picture.

"Ash, I love you so much." Shepard said as he turned around and gently held her at her waist.

Ashley reached up and wrapped her hands around him, "just shut up and kiss me."

Garrus and Tali were already in the mess hall when they heard EDI's announcement to assemble.

"I wonder what this is about." asked Tali.

"I don't know, maybe they're going to tell us the menu selection will be different for dinner?" joked Garrus. They were sitting at the main dining table facing each other.

"May we join you?" asked Miranda as she and Liara sat down next to Tali. Wrex and Vega soon joined them followed by Joker and EDI.

"So EDI, why did you want us here?" asked Miranda.

"Captain Williams asked me to make the announcement," replied EDI.

"Is Captain Williams here?" asked Liara.

"Yes. Her shuttle docked 10 minutes ago," replied EDI.

Shepard and Ashley had not announced they were coming. Most of the crew still assumed Shepard is in the hospital. There had been no news on the Alliance network regarding his release.

Low level conversation went on for another 5 minutes in the mess hall as rest of the crew gathered.

The elevator door wisped open, and Ashley walked out.

"Captain on deck." said Miranda as she stood up and saluted Ashley. Everyone else stood and saluted as well.

Ashley returned the salute, "at ease, everyone." At that moment, Shepard walked out of the elevator. A sudden loud burst of noise erupted in the mess hall. It was a mixture of shouting, laughing, crying and clapping. The crew mobbed Shepard hugging, clapping, or just trying to touch him.

Ashley took a step back and stood by the wall next to the elevator. This was his moment. This was their moment. She shared in the joy that was all around her. But as she glanced around the room, she saw Miranda, standing still. She was looking at Shepard.

After a few minutes, Ashley called for everyone to be quiet, "let's let Shepard say a few words."

"I just want you to know you all did a hell of a job in kicking the Reapers' collective ass!" exclaimed Shepard. "I am proud of each and every one of you. You did not give up, you did not run. You all fought gallantly. Some have given the ultimate sacrifice - Admiral Anderson, Thane, Zaeed, Jack, Samara, Legion, and Mordin. It is my honor to have served with them and with you, the finest crew in the galaxy. I salute you and our fallen heroes!" Shepard looked straight down the mess and saluted. The rest of the crew collectively saluted. They held the salute for about a minute and silence filled the air.

After the salute, Shepard continued, "As you may have heard by now, I am no longer the skipper for the Normandy. Captain Williams had been given command of this ship. But our mission remains the same as it ever was - to safe guard the future of this galaxy. I know each of you will make me proud by following Captain Williams the same way you've followed me. "

Shepard finished speaking and the crew gave him a thunderous applause.

Ashley was clapping as well...John you sure know how to give a speech. You can say anything and they will love you.

"Admiral Shepard. Thank you," Ashley began to speak, "family is important to me." She paused for a moment to let that statement sink in.

Then she continued, "Just yesterday, I found my mother and my sisters and I am so glad they are safe. They are my family through my bloodline. But as I stand before you today, we are bonded by a different blood - the blood of battle. As Shakespeare once wrote:

"From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers'

For he today that shed his blood with me

Shall be my brother"

"We here are band of brothers. We are family. We will live, fight and die with each other."

As she finished those words, another round of applause broke out along with cheering and shouting of agreement.

"I will be talking to each of you shortly. But for now, I want to introduce our new executive officer, Miss Miranda Lawson." When she said this, she can hear a few whispers in the crowd.

Ashley went on, "Miss Lawson is ex-Cerberus. There is no one in this room that has been more critical of Cerberus than me. She looked briefly at Shepard as she thought about Horizon.

"But Miss Lawson has repeatedly demonstrated her loyalty to the Alliance, to this crew, and to me. She was instrumental in the success of the Collector Base mission, in exposing the Sanctuary horror, and most importantly aiding us in tracking down the Cerberus base."

Miranda could feel herself blush. She was looking down not wanting to make eye contact with Shepard.

Ashley continued on, "Miss Lawson has my utmost confidence and thanks for accepting the position of XO."

"Lastly, the Normandy is no longer an Alliance ship. She has been reassigned to be used by the Council. Over the past few years, we've had a crew that was made up of Alliance, Cerberus, Quarian, Asari, Krogan, Salaria, Turian, Geth and even an AI. We are no longer identified by our race, color, or past affiliations. We are now all vas Normandy." She finished speaking and looked at Tali. Tali gave her a gentle nod.

The crew broke out again in applause.

Shepard looked at Ashley and was filled with pride and love. She was going to be a great captain.

After the crew was dismissed, Garrus asked for Shepard to sit down at the table to talk with the squad. Miranda stood up and excused herself, "It's good to see you, Shepard."

"It's good to see you, too," replied Shepard disappointed that she was leaving, "can we talk later?"

"Sure, I'll be in my old office."