A/N: Not sure if anyone is still reading this. If you are, I am humbled that you stuck with it. I almost never finished it. You've waited far too long and I sincerely apologise. It is a simple chapter that ties off my tale. I remind you that this is slightly AU. It leads fairly well into the start of ME3. More from me at the end.
Ch 8 The Beginning of the End
"There's a message for you Commander," Yeoman Chambers chirped as Shepard stepped out of the elevator into the CIC.
"Thank you Kelly," Shepard sighed. She wasn't looking forward to this at all.
The soldier stood motionless before her personal computer and stared at the flashing green light. A minute passed; then two. Shepard felt a comforting hand grasp her own and a warm breath on her neck as Kelly rested her head on the Commander's shoulder. The two of them watched the light blink, oblivious to the scowl on Miranda Lawson's face as she approached from the cockpit.
The Normandy's most recently appointed Commander was not in the mood to deal with the Yeoman's obvious affection for Shepard. "Dismissed Yeoman," Miranda announced curtly as she approached. Startled to attention Kelly let go of Shepard's hand. "Yes, Commander Lawson," Kelly bravely stood her ground. "I was just..."
"I know exactly what you were doing," Miranda's words pierced the air. It was followed by a steel glare that would turn fluffy rabbits to stone. "Yes ma'am," Kelly scuttled back to her console.
Miranda crossed her arms, assuming a familiar pose as intimidating as it was alluring and turned her attention to Shepard who was unusually quiet. She expected a smart comment or a playful tease but the soldier simply lifted her gaze to look at her. Miranda looked into a face she barely recognised. Gone was the fire in the soul before her. The soldier's brilliant blue eyes seemingly grey and her familiar grin nowhere to be found. It almost broke her heart.
"Shepard?" she whispered. "I'm with you." Miranda draped her arm loosely around the soldier's hips. Reaching an ivory finger forward she clicked the flashing green light. The pair tensed as Admiral Hackett came into view on the screen.
OOOOO
Miranda surmised that it was a good thing that Shepard was a soldier and not a biotic if the mess in her quarters was anything to go by. Responding to Kelly's urgent message that the Commander had 'gone ape' in her quarters the former Cerberus operative wasn't certain what she would find when she entered the cabin.
Pausing outside the door she could hear the red headed woman screaming through the bulkhead. "They were going to start a war. Why can't that pompous arse see that?" It sounded as though Shepard had continued the earlier discussion with Admiral Hackett. Miranda strained her ears, trying to pick up the muffled comments between loud thuds. The Commander was clearly in a bad state. Miranda summoned her biotic barrier to protect herself from anything Shepard might hurl in her direction and with resolve, opened the cabin door.
The normally spotless cabin looked like a tornado had hit it. Pieces of armour and clothing scattered were everywhere. Data pads and papers were strewn over the floor and the remnants of a pillow minus its stuffing rested on the couch. Miranda traced her palm over an unfamiliar dent near the door. "Shepard," she growled, but received no response.
Miranda eyed the fish tank, relieved that the creatures had escaped the soldier's wrath. She wondered what stories they could tell about what happened in that cabin. The tank looked eerily blue. Miranda caught the reflection of her biotic barrier on the glass and released it. Scanning the room she found Shepard crumpled in a corner, her face strewn with drying tears as she stared down at her N7 helmet on her lap. Miranda joined her partner on the cabin floor. Silently, she took the woman's hand and simply stroked it gently. Several minutes passed with neither woman moving.
If it was a stubbornness competition each had met their match. It was Shepard that finally broke the silence. She was trapped in a rip of sorrow and rage and the tide was turning again.
"What choice did I have?" Shepard growled. "The Reapers were coming. I had to stop them. I had..." Her anger subsidied as her sorrow for the 300,000 souls she sent to their deaths consumed her. Shepard found herself crying into the shoulder of the woman beside her. Miranda held her tightly as the soldier sobbed long overdue tears.
"It was an impossible choice Shepard."
"No," the soldier sobbed. "There was no choice. I had to sacrifice the Batarians to save the galaxy. Just like I sacrificed Mordin to...to..."
"Save Jack," Miranda finished. She had only recently come to terms with Shepard's decision to save the convict over the scientist. It was true she had admitted that Jack's powerful biotics would give her the best chance at surviving the Thresher Maw's venom and aid in her recovery. Yet Miranda still harboured sadness that Mordin had to be sacrificed. She was glad that she did not have to make that choice. It might not have ended so well for either of them. "The burden of command, Shepard. You know this."
"Then why must I relinquish it?" the solider hissed.
There it was; A challenge to Shepard's pride. The great Commander Shepard, while not accustomed to titles had accumulated many: the sole survivor of Akuze, slayer of Sarin, saviour of the galaxy, the first Human spectre. Though she frowned at such titles she proudly wore the scars of each battle like a medal. This last scar was deeper. It churned in her gut and made her question her decision. Perhaps this is what hurt her the most.
Hackett had ordered the Normandy to the Citadel where Shepard was to stand down from command to face an enquiry into the Alpha relay incident. Shepard had destroyed the mass relay as a last resort to halt the Reapers imminent invasion. The destruction of the relay generated an enormous explosion which destroyed a nearby Batarian colony. Three hundred thousand Batarians lost their lives that day and Commander Shepard was given another title – the Butcher of Batarians.
"Those two faced bastards!" Miranda spat. Her strong Australian accent was crisp in the air.
Shepard couldn't resist a little smirk. "You mean four eyed?"
"No I mean two faced," Miranda retorted. "They were building a super weapon to attack a human settlement. They deliberately set out to slaughter humans. To start a war. Yet they demand justice for what you...for what was a horrible sacrifice that had to be made for the greater good."
Shepard wiped away a tear. "They want someone to pay for what happened to that colony. It makes sense that it should be me. But the Reapers are still coming Miri. We must keep fighting. I can't do it groundside." The soldier took the raven haired woman by the shoulder and looked into her eyes. "You must take the Normandy and keep fighting."
"The Normandy is grounded Shepard." Miranda's interjection was met with a typical Shepard grin.
"When has that stopped the Commander of the Normandy?" the soldier smiled and leaned in close to nuzzle.
The two women smiled.
OOOOO
"What's up Doc?" Shepard grinned as she strolled into the Medical Bay.
"Oh Commander, thank goodness you're here," Chakwas replied. "Jacqueline is refusing to come to the Med Bay for her treatment. I sent Crewman Burrows down to Engineering to get her but Jacqueline did something to upset her and she's refusing to have anything to do with her now."
Shepard laughed heartily. "If Burrows called her Jacqueline I'm amazed she made it back at all."
Chakwas growled. "There is a time for humour Commander but I assure you this is not it. If I can't get the patient to the medicine I will send the medicine to the patient." Chakwas handed the Commander a silver case. "It seems you have a new mission Shepard. Both injections please."
The soldier smiled. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun." Shepard left the med bay with a spring in her step.
OOOOO
She heard the thud of military boots on the metal stairwell above her. She clenched her fists, her body glowing a light shade of blue. Shepard didn't see the blow coming but certainly felt it as she slammed into the wall of the lower engineering deck.
"Greet all your friends like that?" the Commander scolded the convict. "Nice to see you too Jack."
The convict relaxed her fists and the glow slowly faded. "Sorry Shepard. I thought you were Burrows."
"Ahhh...," Shepard smiled. "So its just the crew and the senior officers you like to bounce off the bulkhead?" Shepard needled the convict, dragging up an uncomfortable memory of Jack and Miranda's cat fight that left a large dent in the Communications room wall.
Shepard waited for a retort but was denied it. Setting the case on the floor she took a seat by the convict on her stretcher bed. The two women sat silently, listening to the hum of the Normandy's engine. Shepard used the time to assess the convict from the corner of her eye. She noted Jack's colour had returned to her body. Her body tattoos looked striking against the pink canvas of her skin, particularly in the soft orange light of the lower engineering deck. They had looked so foreign when the colour drained from her body after the attack by the Thresher Maw.
Jack stiffened. "You should have left me."
Silence.
"I don't owe you anything."
Silence.
"Fuck you, Shepard."
The Commander grinned. "Now we've got that out of the way, how about you take your medicine like a good girl and I won't bring in a Krogan to hold you down while Garrus shoots you with a dart gun?"
The convict glared at the soldier. Shepard noticed what looked like a new tattoo under Jack's left eye. It almost looked tear like...like she was crying. Suddenly aware of the Commander's interest in her face the convict wiped away the mascara that ran down her cheek. She started to mumble something...anything to distract the Commander from what she had just seen but instead she found herself enveloped by strong arms. Her face pressed firmly against Shepard's chest as the Commander hugged her tightly. She didn't struggle. For the first time in a long time the convict actually enjoyed the touch of another human being.
They stayed like that for what felt like hours but could only have been a few minutes. Jack felt her body relax in the Commander's arms. Her breathing slowed to the steady rhythm of the Commander's heartbeat as it thudded close to her ear. The tender moment interrupted by an odd sound and a not so gentle prick as Shepard discretely administered the first shot of Jack's medicine into her arm.
"You bitch," Jack growled through gritted teeth.
Taking the convict's hand Shepard pulled her up from the stretcher. A wide grin crossed her face as she fumbled to undo the convict's belt. The normally decisive convict found herself completely stunned as the Commander yanked down her pants.
"Sh...Shepard?" she managed in a shaky voice.
"Don't flatter yourself Jack," the soldier smiled. "Now bend over."
The Commander was far less gentle with the second shot.
OOOOO
Shepard was surprised to find the Yeoman in her cabin.
"Can I help you Kelly?"
"Commander," the Yeoman blushed."I was just...feeding your fish."
"I see," Shepard smiled. "Next time don't use the invisible fish food. It confuses them."
"All right Commander," Kelly laughed. "I wanted to speak to you."
Shepard gestured to the couch and the women took a seat.
"I'm worried about Jack and Miranda," Kelly blurted. "They have been so withdrawn. I think they need to talk about what happened but they won't."
"I can't order them to talk to you Kelly."
"Maybe I can get them to talk to each other?" the Yeoman pondered aloud.
"That would be something to see," Shepard laughed. "Have a repair team on standby just in case."
Kelly giggled and playfully punched the Commander's arm. The soldier responded with a warm and friendly hug.
"I don't think you need to worry Kelly. Jack is even tougher than she looks and knows how to take her medicine." Shepard grinned mischievously. "Miranda will be relying on you more than ever when I leave the Normandy."
The Yeoman's face turned white. "You're leaving?"
"It's temporary, I hope. I've been recalled to Earth."
Shepard looked deep into the young woman's eyes. "This is important Kelly. The Reapers are coming. The Normandy's mission must go on. Miranda will need your support to rally the crew behind her."
"She hates me," the crewman sighed.
"No she doesn't. She's just very protective of the people she cares about. Whether you know it or not Kelly you are one of them. Just keep being your usual charming self and you will have Miranda eating out of your hand in no time," Shepard grinned. "Just like the fish."
OOOOO
A usually confident voice was unusually wavy as it sounded across the cabin.
"Do you have a moment Commander?"
Shepard unconsciously grinned at the sound and rose to greet her visitor.
"For you...Always."
Miranda embraced the soldier warmly. Unspoken words were shared as the women nuzzled and caressed each other. They had put off their goodbye long enough.
Miranda began reciting what was likely a long list of the ship's status and preparedness for the mission ahead. Shepard interrupted her with a passionate kiss which Miranda returned eagerly. Neither wanted to part. Finally the ever efficient former Cerberus operative broke the kiss.
"Ohhhh...," pouted Shepard.
Miranda gasped for breath. "If I left it to you Shepard we'd never stop."
"Don't you forget that," the Commander grinned.
Shepard took Miranda's hand and guided her to the small desk in her cabin. Scanning what was left of her belongings; her eye was drawn to a familiar outline that hung prominently above the desk. Shepard ran her finger over the model of the Normandy, her mind racing with memories of her crew and their journey together. Miranda's thumb swept away an errant tear that dared to cross the Commander's cheek.
"It's only temporary," she whispered. "I promise to look after them."
"I know you will. The ship couldn't be in better hands Miranda." Shepard placed the model in Commander Lawson's hands and cupped her fingers gently around it.
OOOOO
As she left the Normandy Shepard passed a young Lieutenant scuttling towards the ship with an over packed duffle bag. On sighting Shepard the young lieutenant dropped the bag on her foot. Stifling a yelp from the pain jarring in her toe, the lieutenant snapped sharply to attention and saluted.
"Shepa...Com...Commander," the young woman finally acknowledged her superior and was stunned to see the biggest grin cross the Commander's face.
"Relax LT," Shepard chuckled to herself as she returned the salute. The Commander motioned to the young officer's luggage. "Looks like you are going to need a bigger ship."
Embarrassed, the lieutenant stepped over her luggage, trying to hide it from the observant blue eyes that were looking her over. "Yes, ma'am. Lieutenant Commander Corazon reporting for duty ma'am."
"Ooohh..." Shepard rolled her eyes. "It's Commander or Shepard. Whatever you do don't call Commander Lawson ma'am."
"Commander Lawson?" the young woman appeared genuinely confused.
"Miranda Lawson is temporarily in command of the Normandy. You should report to her once you get settled."
"Yes ma...Commander."
Shepard stepped behind the young woman and picked up her heavy bag. "Have you got a Krogan in there or something?"
The Lieutenant blushed. "The Normandy frequently operates in the Terminus System for weeks at a time. I just wanted to be prepared."
Shepard grinned as she handed the young woman her bag. The LT was prepared for the Normandy, but was she prepared for Miranda?
"As you were LT," Shepard smiled.
The lieutenant watched as the Commander turned sharply and strode with determination down the ramp towards her future.
- THE END -
A/N: *Massive sigh* This story was only ever meant to be a one off chapter. I enjoyed the journey you encouraged me to take in pursuing the tale of the Normandy with two Commanders. I am sorry this took so long to end. I was very reluctant to write it after playing ME3. How could I send my Shep to that end?
I was thinking about writing a Shep/Liara story about when they first met, but CloudedWater has written a lovely tale that encompasses much of what I wanted to say.
I really want to thank Lieutenant Commander Corazon (Wren) for her encouragement and companionship through the latter chapters of this tale. Without you Wren – it never would have been finished. Hope you don't mind my little homage to really cool girl.
Do I have any other tales? Not at the moment. I'm such a moody writer. If I get inspired I may write again. Feel free to entice me with a great story idea LOL.
Thank you for your patience. Hope you continue to enjoy all of the great stories on Fanfic.
TJ
