This chapter is shorter than I wanted to write since this will be my last update for a little bit but I'm sorry for not updating in a while but anyway hope you enjoy this one. :D


Shepard woke up with an intense hangover from the night before. She loved drinking when the situation called for it, like last night for example. Drinking because well it was Saint Patrick's Day and to drink the sorrows out from the death of Kaiden. Shepard got up from her bed and realized that Ashley was already up since her side of the bed was already made. The two didn't mind sleeping with each other but sex was yet to come as Ash wanted to wait for a special time, which was understandable in most regards. She got up and looked around the room and headed over to the bathroom to clean up. Her hair was shaggy and so were her cloths to go along with her hair. She reached for a nearby brush to try and got the knots of her nice long wavy fiery red hair. After spending about 30 minutes freshening up, she found some suitable clothes in her drawer. Even though she was recovering from her hangover she went over to the mirror and she looked new as ever with her N7 hoodie and a pair of khaki shorts.

"Hey, Shepard how was last night?" Garrus said as he saw Shepard walk past as she headed over to the coffee maker.

"Well it feels like my head is going to explode and my body feels like shit so in a sense I feel great." Shepard said grinning as she took a seat with the crew at the mess deck.

"What's the plan today, boss?" A crewman shouted from the opposite end of the table.

"Well as much as well love R&R." Shepard said smirking and the rest of the crew started laughing "We got to find Matriarch Benezia on Noveria."

"Hey as long as we get to kick some ass then we'll be fine." The far side crewman shouted

"Yeah, not on your life Hendricks, you couldn't harm the wings off a fly!" Garrus said as he was about to leave the table.

"Wanna bet, Garrus?!" Hendricks said as the crew still sitting at the table were watching intently.

"Bring it on! Hundred creds say I rack more kills than you do!" Garrus said

"It's a bet!" Hendricks said as the mess deck started cheering with anticipation.

Shepard waited until the rest of the crew left the mess deck "Way to go, Garrus trying to boost their morale. It's been tough on everyone after we lost Kaiden." Shepard said

"Yeah well you just got to roll with the punches in life." Garrus said leaving for the cargo bay to make some calibrations to the Mako. Shepard headed up to the CIC to plot a course for Noveria to capture Matriarch Benezia. She finally realized how it might affect Liara, seeing as she was her Benezia was her mother. Shepard walked down to the crew deck to speak to Liara about how the current situation might arise.

"Liara, are you okay?" Shepard asked spooking Liara by accident, Liara regained her composure and replied

"Yes, Shepard I'm fine. What is it?"

"Well, it's about your mother, how are you going to feel once we find her? I don't if bringing you along on this mission would be wise. I want to make sure as your CO and friend that you are suitable for this mission both physically and mentally." Shepard said

"Shepard, my mother betrayed all that she had lived for to throw it away for that Turian bastard. I am with you 100 percent on this. All you need to do is ask and I will be behind you." Liara stated assuring Shepard that there was nothing to worry about.

"All right, that's all needed to know. Thanks Liara." Shepard said leaving her little makeshift office to head down to engineering to speak to Tali. Shepard always thought what quarians really were under those masks or how they body would function without the suit. It's almost like living in a bubble for the rest of your life, Tali has been more than helpful on this mission and the only reason why they aren't dead or in a million pieces is because of Tali's mechanical genius. Shepard had a little crush on Tali since they first met but she knew that she was Ashley's and didn't want to make a big deal out of it, she wandered if Tali had the same feelings for her but that wasn't important right now. So she put the thought at the back of her head and walked toward the stern of the ship toward engineering.

"Hey, Tali." Shepard said

"Oh hi, Shepard!" Tali said sounding excited

"You seem awfully excited." Shepard said

"Well, it's just that you've been so good in treating me like an actual individual." Tali said "not just you but I mean the whole crew, especially Engineer Adams who even said that he wished that he had more people like me."

"Glad to make you feel at home, how's your pilgrimage going by the way?" Shepard asked

"Not as well as I had hoped but I'm sure I'll end up finding something worthwhile to bring back to the fleet." Tali stated

"Well, if you need anything at all, don't hesitate to ask. You're part of my crew now so it would be my privilege to help." Shepard said putting her arm on her shoulder "I'll always be willing to help no matter the situation."

"Thank you Shepard, I appreciate it greatly." Tali said placing her hand on Shepard's shoulder, they both hugged each other and Shepard had thought that they had made a connection but just savored the moment and didn't say anything. Shepard had walked out of the engineering compartment and headed for her quarters only to find Ashley in the room.

"Hey, Ash what are you doing here?" Shepard said walking into the room.

"Figure we should talk." Ashley stated "You know you really shouldn't think out loud."

"I don't exactly know what you mean." Shepard said sounding nervous

"Listen, its okay if you have a crush on Tali. It just wouldn't hurt if you said something next time." Ashely said "If you want to break us up than I understand completely but if you want to continue it, that's okay too. Hell if you want to bring Tali into the mix with the three of us then that's okay too. All I'm saying is that whatever you want to do I support it and I'm not just saying that because you my commanding officer but as your friend as well. Just remember that I love you Shepard and all you need to do is speak up and I'll be perfectly fine with whatever decision you make." Ashely had finally completed her monologue and left leaving Shepard in her room dumbfounded she was ready to say something to herself but Joker broke in over the comm.

"We're about 10-15 minutes away from Noveria, I suggest you start getting your team ready." Joker stated

"Alright thanks Joker, tell everyone to meet in the debriefing room."

"Roger." Joker said and she had made her way up to the room finding all the seats filled except for Kaiden's and that just made her tear up a little but hid it as best she could

"Alright here's the deal, right now we have no solid intel other than that Benezia is here. Liara since it's your mother I'll leave it up to you to decide whether you'd like to go or not. Tali, and Williams will both be joining me on this mission but if I need the rest of you standby just in case. Crew dismissed." Shepard said dismissing the crew and Liara coming up to speak to the Commander.

"Commander, I have made up my decision on whether to go or not. I feel if there's any way to talk my mother out of this, it's me." Liara stated

"Good to know, Liara pack your things and get ready to move in five." Shepard said and Liara left the room leaving her by herself "I hope I know what I'm doing by bringing her along." Shepard said to herself and left the room to get ready for whatever Noveria had to throw at her.