The mess was abuzz with conversation, the usual cliques and groups less clear as people merged together trading stories, memories and emotions. Leaning against a wall the commander closed her eyes and let the voices wash over her, grasping snatches in all directions.

"I can't believe he's dead."

"They were still releasing songs right until the end"

"When I was 12..."

"Did you hear the new album they released last month?"

"What about Jelen..."

"One's bad enough but three of the greats in just two weeks!"

"I remember the first time I saw..."

"Did you hear the rumours about a cursed biotiball player? Every time she scores..."

"No, no, no the best vid he was in has to be..."

A huge galactic war, millions of unknowns dying every day, occasionally a crew member would get bad news about their family... All it did was break people down into individual units of despair, a few close friends trying to help them through it, but here? She opened her eyes as she heard Garrus' voice.

"One time when I was with C-Sec, we got a call for drunk and disorderly behavior on the Presidium. So we drive over and there he was..."

Shepard smiled as the crew became engrossed in the story. Despite the sense of loss and sadness, the deaths of such legends were pulling people together. Three people who's artistic talents attracted fans across the generations among all species in the galaxy. Sure emotions were high, but it was a shared emotion and among it all was a sense of appreciation for the work they left behind. Laughter broke out as Garrus finished his story and several new conversations popped up.

...

Samantha was engaged in a discussion with Private Westmoreland and Ensign Copeland along with Lieutenant Munroe and Jim from engineering. Some sergeant she didn't recognise was adamant that the late-great star's best role was in some unknown vid from early in his career but the rest of the group weren't having it, each pitching in with their own suggestions. The debate petered out as the turian's story filtered over to them and they listened in rapt attention. Peering around the mess hall Traynor saw a similar effect on other groups before catching sight of the commander. It was the most relaxed Sam had seen her onboard ship, leaning back loosely against the wall, a small but genuine and full smile loose on her unguarded face and (most rare of all) reflected in her eyes. The frowns and scowls, the lines of worry, exhaustion or anger were all missing, leaving her looking almost serene and utterly beautiful. Without really knowing what she was doing, Samantha found herself standing up and walking over. The commander shook her head with a chuckle as Garrus finished his tale, before noticing the approaching specialist and acknowledging her presence with a nod.

"You seem happy Commander".

"We're all off-duty Traynor" she replied pointedly but lightly before continuing, "I forgot how much I missed this."

"Missed what Shepard? Celebrity gossip?" Samantha joined her CO in leaning against the wall, tilting her head to the side to better observe the Spectre who remained forward facing.

"No, this." The soldier waved her hand in an all encompassing arc of the mess. "It was like this back on the SR-1. Everyone interacting together, that feeling of..." She shrugged unable to find the right words. "You know what it's like in here normally; my squad sit there, engineering, officers, marine corps..." Her finger pointed out each table in the mess as she listed the standard occupants. "There's no animosity, everyone gets on and everything functions more than satisfactorily, but it's still... individual departments instead of one solid crew. My fault really."

"Is there anything you don't claim responsibility for Comm... Shepard?" A slight chuckle.

"I didn't invent medi-gel." She shrugs. "The Normandy was my first command, I was a N7 marine, used to working alone or in very small teams, a typical ground pounder and a mustang. I wasn't entirely sure what I was supposed to do with a whole ship full of P.O.G.s So, I just treated everyone the same as the ground team. The SR-1's atmosphere was the result. When I... came back, and found myself with a Cerberus crew I didn't want to interact with them. I shut myself out, would only talk to Joker, Karin and the ground team. Guess I haven't broken out of that habit."

"You talk to me."

"True." The commander looked pensive, as if she was trying to discern a possible reason that would fit into her theory, before shrugging dismissively. "Still, you're one of the few. I've hardly spoken to any of the new bloods, even the old-timers struggle to get much non-work related conversation from me. This crew deserves more than that."

"You've been busy..."

"Don't excuse me Traynor. We're in a war for humanity, there's no sense losing it along the way. Now watch the reactions out there, see if you can spot my old crew." So saying she hit a few buttons on her omni-tool and upon next speaking her words were broadcast over the ship's tannoy.

"Attention all personnel! Tonight's tribute vid will be played in the mess at 18:75 ship time, so start voting for his best role. Oh and no, his 10 second cameo in 'Fleet and Flotilla' does not count. Now on a more personal note, I would like to apologise to you all, especially the old SR-1ers who requested transfers back to my command. This ship has been running efficiently, but not properly. It is an Alliance vessel under Spectre command and that means one thing... a return to the Shepard regs." Traynor spotted them then. Crew members dotted around the room who's faces lit up, heads turning to try and make eye contact with people on different tables. "All new blood's will receive details of the changes before the end of the day but just a reminder that the Shepard regs are superseded by Alliance regs whenever an Admiral is onboard. Carry on everyone, and don't forget to vote. Shepard out."

A hundred conversations burst out at once, trebling the volume in the mess hall. Garrus sought out eye contact with Dr Chakwas, nodding his agreement when she flashed both a smile and a shrug his way. Witnessing the exchange Traynor wondered how much extra communication had been in the look that she missed, before noticing a small selection of NCOs and officers from various parts of the room converging on her position. She watched bemused as they preceded to make physical contact with the commander, a mixture of shoulder claps, forearm shakes and even a fist bump as they voiced their individual variations upon the theme: "Glad to have you back Shepard." Traynor began to feel a bit overwhelmed as they clamored round, but they didn't stay long, hopeful from the announcement but still wary of outstaying their welcome. As they left she wondered if she'd been forgotten and should depart as well, but the commander suddenly turned back towards her with a smile.

"That went relatively well. Now for the big question; film night tonight. We're on an Alliance frigate, in wartime, in the middle of the Attican Traverse... Do you think I'll be able to find enough popcorn for the crew within 2 hours?"

...

Author's note:

As you might have guessed from the first section, this chapter wasn't originally planned but was instead reactive to the very high celebrity death toll this January. I wasn't entirely sure about posting it, hence why it's so much later than other online tributes, plus the second half was shockingly terrible and took a lot of work. I've also noticed I've been spelling Shepard wrong for the entire story, pretty unforgiving but at least I was consistent with my use of 'Shepherd'. I'll re-edit the earlier chapters as and when I get a chance and will attempt to keep a closer eye on it in future.

Mustang - A Commissioned officer who was originally an enlisted service member before getting Battlefield promotions.

P.O.G. - Personnel Other than Grunts. Pronounced Pogue. Non-combat and support staff. (Thanks to reviewer The Astartes for pointing out I was spelling it how it was said instead of properly)

18:75 ship time - The Mass Effect wiki states that Galactic Standard Time contains 20 hours in a day and 100 minutes in an hour.