Saturday, February 3, 2187 C.E.

Nocturne,

Epsilon-One District,

Omega, Sahrabarik System

Returning to Omega, Shepard is sitting alone in Nocturne, a nightclub owned by the same people who owned Purgatory on the Citadel. Shepard didn't feel like finding action with anyone, so he decided to go somewhere more-low key. Nocturne is a very different nightclub since you get service food with the show. Alan looks up at the strippers who are doing a ballet performance. Unlike Afterlife, all of the strippers are human females since Nocturne's clientele is different. Traveling back to Omega, Shepard even attempted to called Dawn or Bristol but only spoke with Dawn's sister, Dayna who he hadn't seen in years. He is deep in thought when he hears, "The Great Commander Shepard!"

Alan turns to see Fist walking toward him with a Batarian and Salarian both who Shepard doesn't know. Alan sighs, why did Fist have to show his ugly face today? Fist stops and says, "So look, Delle we have the Great Commander Shepard here or should I say…"

"Fist, just walk away," says Shepard, not bothering to correct Fist that he is now a Captain and no longer a Commander. The Batarian, named Delle Rodkawar and the Salarian named Laenar Izu both look pissed off and ready for a fight causing Shepard to think, 'Great!' while Fist responds, "…look here boys. Who would think that the Great Commander Shepard would socialize with people like us? People who had their lives ruined by his actions!"

"You ruined your life Fist," Shepard replies, standing up and attempts to leave the club, but Delle blocks his way. Fist chuckles at Shepard's response before saying, "You and that Emily Wong ruined my life. The OSD you took from me means if I ever set foot on the Citadel or in Citadel space I will be arrested. Then you had the stones to take that piece of ass as a lover. I guess that Quarian bitch wasn't enough for you! You…"

Fist doesn't get to finish his statement as Shepard punches Fist in the face causing him to do a back flip across the table behind him. Shepard angrily says, "Don't you dare call her that again!"

"Oh, so touched," replies Fist, getting back to his feet, while rubbing his jaw, "But I'm not the only one who had a problem with you Shepard. See my two friends, you harmed members of their family too. Laenar's brother was fired after Bel Anoleis was arrested. He's still unemployed because of Parasini investigate and then there is Delle's family who was left homeless because of the Alpha Relay Incident along with losing everything. I think they would like to thank you for everything you had done."

"Gentlemen, I'm sorry that your families have suffered but Delle your family is still alive because of my actions and Laenar that was your brother's fault, not mine. If he was working with someone who was taking bribes and didn't tell anyone, then that's on him," comments Alan, but that only enrages Laenar who charges at Shepard with all of the strength in his body while Delle pulls out his knife and also charges at Shepard. 'Crap,' thought Shepard, realizing Delle's knife is a Khar'shan-class knife specially designed to penetrate Colossus Armor. Laenar tackles Shepard sending both men flying. Shepard, on his back, struggles with Laenar, reaching a hand up to grab Delle's hand in an attempt to stop Delle from bringing the knife straight into his face and killing him. Alan managed to knock off Laenar, throwing the Salarian into Delle and getting to his feet when he sees a female dressed in an Alliance Marines uniform kicking the piss out of Fist. Delle and Laenar are thrown into another Batarian. 'God damn it! This should keep getting better and better!' think Shepard, seeing the other Batarian is Salkie from the Blue Suns and one of the few to survive the battle with Shepard back in 2185. However just seconds later, Alan hears a gunshot and looks to see Captain Preitor Gavorn and Grizz standing with their M-97 Vipers loaded. 'Thank God!' thought Shepard, as Gavorn began to speak, "What is going on here? Captain Shepard is under the protection of Aria T'Loak!"

"Because nobody in their right mind would cross Aria," chuckles Grizz, who like Darner Vosque wants some of Aria's blue ass but that is never going to happen because beside Shepard, Grizz had never seen Aria flirt with any males, like she does with Shepard and according to the rumor mill Aria had fallen in love with Shepard. Gavorn just shakes his head at his friend, before asking, "Captain Shepard is everything alright? Do you want us to take…"

"No, that's alright Preitor. I'm sure that this won't happen again!" says Alan, loud enough for everyone to hear it, "Though, would you please escort those two back to the Normandy."

Shepard is pointing at the female marine and some other human woman that didn't even get involved with the brief fight, but Shepard had seen both women before. Preitor nods and answers, "Aria has ordered her muscle to follow any command you give us."

'How nice,' Shepard thought, as Preitor and Grizz escorted the two women back to the Normandy. Despite seeing those two before, Alan does not know their names, but he would find out soon.

Conference Room,

Deck 2, S.S.V. Normandy,

Omega, Sahrabarik System

The Marine Corporal, First Class Melanie 'Mel' Stallard, who Shepard first saw on the Citadel, is in the Purgatory talking to Sergeant, Second Class Brayan Wallman. Shepard had been speaking, "…Now, I would like to thank you for coming to my assistance back there in club, but Corporal why're you on Omega?"

"Huh, I like Omega," mumbles Mel, who is nervous being around the Captain. Shepard, seeing the nervousness of the Corporal says, "According to your service record you're currently assigned to Hong Kong, but Captain Rimmel said no one had seen you since the start of their deployment, on the 1st of January."

"You spoke to Captain Rimmel?" asks Mel, who never reported to the S.S.V. Hong Kong, a Hefei-class Heavy Frigate, that replaced the S.S.V. Hong Kong, a Changsha-class Heavy Frigate destroyed in 2183 during the Battle of the Citadel. Shepard shakes his head no, before explaining, "I only checked your record. Rimmel filed an AWOL report on you after you were missing from his ship…"

Mel seems even more nervous, as Shepard continues, "So what is going on Corporal? Given your service record, this seems out of character for you. Unless, it is because of what happened to the Columbus, but you were cleared to return to active duty."

Mel almost breaks down in tears, as she and her squad were assigned to the S.S.V. Columbus, a Cincinnati-class Light Cruiser. However, the Columbus engaged the Reapers during the Reaper Invasion and got boarded by Reapers forces with a large number of the crews killed before Captain Nicolas Satterfield set off the self-destruct destroying the Columbus and the Reaper's vessel. Only 70 of the Columbus crew survived the destruction of the cruiser, drifting for days in the escape pods before rescue came.

"At first I was alright but as my deployment date grew closer and closer I begin to be freak out about the next deployment. I lost my entire squad and shipmates," Mel says quietly, with Shepard having a tough time hearing her, "I don't know if I can continue my military service. I feel lost, sad, and depressed inside each time I look at myself in the mirror. I keep asking, why me? Why did I survive when, so many others died?"

"Alright Corporal," says Alan, gently laying his hand on Mel's shoulder, "I think I know someone who can help you handle this. I will speak to Admiral Hackett on your behalf to make sure you're not in trouble for going AWOL. I could also ask for your reassignment to an outpost or station, if that would be better?"

Shepard let Mel ponder his question, while he sent for Ashley to come to the conference room. Upon Ashley's arrival, Alan introduces the two women before he explains Mel's situation. Ashley asks, "Alan, can you give us some time?"

"I will be in my room," says Alan, before kissing Ashley on the cheek. He knows it goes against policy, but he honestly doesn't care anymore since anyone aboard knows he is fucking her.

Captain's Ready Room,

Deck 2, S.S.V. Normandy,

Omega, Sahrabarik System

Under guard is Rylie Smallwood, the smuggler who Alan overheard talking on the Citadel. Shepard steps into his Ready Room which doubles as his office and says, "Sergeant Heywood."

"Yes sir," snaps Sergeant, First Class Dillen Heywood, who is guarding Rylie along with Private, Second Class Hadrian Barnwell. Heywood and Barnwell served under Lieutenant Audwin Willmon with the three men serving aboard the first Normandy and survived its destruction in 2184. Shepard just stares at Rylie before asking, "Sergeant Heywood, has the prisoner say anything?"

"No sir, she's been quiet since she was brought aboard. Willmon checked the database she had several warrants out her arrest. She is also the sister of Ryan Smallwood starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons," responds Heywood, who himself is a fan and supporter of the Terra Nova Dinosaurs of the Space Football League, SFL one of two leagues that makeup the Universal Football Association. The other league is the National Football League. This caused Rylie to shoot a dirty look at the Sergeant before saying, "I haven't seen or spoken with my brother since our parent's divorce when I was in sixth grade. He was already a rising football talent, so he moved in with my father for high school and I was left in the care of my mother. So, forgot him!"

"Sergeant, take the Private and wait outside," orders Shepard, still staring at Smallwood. Sergeant Heywood and Private Barnwell quickly exit the ready room allowing Shepard to ask, "So, I guess the question becomes what should I do with you?"

"What do you mean?" asks Rylie, "Are you going to turn me in?"

"You have a lengthy list of warrants from several Earth nations," comments Shepard, looking through Rylie records, "Wanted in the United States for smuggling and theft. Wanted in Russia and Korea for transporting illegal goods. Wanted on Terra Nova, Proteus, Eden Prime, and other colonies for theft, smuggling, bootleg and armed robbery. Wow, quite the rap sheet!"

"A girl got to eat," says Rylie shrugging her shoulders, "A girl got to survive. After my mom died I was on my own."

"That is a sad tale," commenting Shepard, "Both of my parents are still alive and together, but they were largely absent during my childhood. However, to answer your question I'm not turning you over. I actually had a job for you if you're interested. It is a high-risk, high award type."

"You are not what I expected. I guess some of those rumors about Lord Shepard are truer than I thought," comments Rylie, who while on Omega, had heard about Shepard. Plus, it was all over the extranet when Prime Minister Amul Shastri expressed concern over the Cult of Shepard and the growing rift between elements within the civilian government and the military hierarchy over how much power and influence Shepard has.

Shepard chuckles, "I don't think of myself as Lord Shepard. I'm not Darth Vader but some of those rumors are true. The rift between the military and civilians over the quote-unquote 'Cult of Shepard' isn't because of myself personally, that's only the tip of the iceberg. It is deeper than that. It runs all the way to the core of the Systems Alliance. The issues had existed for centuries. Do you think that meeting aliens was somehow going to fix all of the problems that have plagued humanity for the last several thousand years? There is civil war come within the Alliance and that conflict will spill over into the council spaces. The Alliance is fourth largest power in the galaxy, behind the Asaris, Turians, and Salarians. Think about it this way, a civil war happening in the United Kingdom. How much of a disaster that would be for the global economy? Then you have the thing like considerable number of refugees and other effects on the great powers. This is why the Citadel Council dragged their feet to give humanity a seat on the Council. I didn't understand these four years ago but now I do. The Alliance was founded out of fear more than anything and that can never last. Matthews 24-6, ""And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.""

"You're not the simple meathead that everyone thinks you are," says Rylie, suppressing her chuckles, "I thought you were just a tool who was trained to kill and follow orders without question."

"Thank you, I think," responds Shepard, "What I need is your freighter, the Stellar Envoy. I want you to starting smuggling items between Omega and the Citadel. I have a friend in C-Sec who will be your contact on the Citadel. Sergeant Weatherley works at the C-Sec Office on Level 27 of the Zakera Ward. Is that clear?"

"Sergeant Weatherley?" asks Rylie, "She is a bit of a hard ass."

"Yes, she is a bit of a hard ass, but she lost her brother and nephew during the Batarian's attack on Mindoir," explains Shepard, who knows that Sergeant Aylin Weatherley puts on a front since she doesn't want anyone to see her weakness and pain regarding the loss of her brother. Aylin's brother Michael raised her after parents died. Aylin joined C-Sec to honor her nephew, Tony, whose dream was to become a C-Sec officer. Shepard motions for Rylie to follows him and walks the short distance to the War Room. Stopping at the center console, Alan stops and pauses before saying, "So what is your answer? If it is yes, then I will have the Stellar Envoy upgrade while it's docked at Omega."

"When do you want to start this little job? How much are you paying?" asks Rylie, "And what am I smuggling?"

"The pay is negotiable. I want you to start immediate with a simply case of Savant Type X bio-amps. You won't be smuggling drugs or anything like that, just some weapons and technology."

"Alright, I want double my normal rate and I want you to speak to Aria. Her thugs have been harassing me and making some comments," responds Rylie because if one more of Aria's thugs stares at her tits she is going to kill one of them.

Shepard ponders for a moment before saying, "That sounds acceptable…"

"That was easy," comments Rylie, causing Alan to chuckles.

Alan says, "…You may not realize this but I'm sleeping with Aria, actual in a relationship with her. She will never use that term. But, I think she will like you."

"Oh, well I know everyone in this universe loves Asari but I'm the exception to that rule. I only like men, Asaris don't do a thing for me. I don't even see why people fall over themselves to sleep with them," replies Rylie, again causing Alan to chuckle again before he asks, "What, do you think the Asaris are using a type of mind control or Jedi mind trick?"

"No, I don't think that. I just don't see the reasons why everyone goes crazy over them," responds Rylie, but then is interrupted with Traynor's voice over the intercom, "Shepard, there is a message for Ashley I think you need to listen to it."

"Alright," answers Shepard, finding it odd that Traynor would be bring a message to Ashley to him. Shepard turns and orders, "Sergeant Heywood, please escort Rylie back to the airlock and see her safely to her ship. Rylie, I will contact you once I had spoken with Aria. When you dock with the Citadel contact Aylin."

"Alright and thank you Shepard for not turning me over to the Alliance," says Rylie, before quickly exiting the war room. Shepard then accesses the message to Ashley from her sister Abby, "…Sis, I need you to come home! We are having some problems with people harassing us because they said you had betrayed humanity by working for the Citadel Council. Last, night some guys threatened mom and Lynn as they were walking back from the store. I need you to come home and see if you can figure something out. Mom is really worried, but she didn't want me to contact you. So please come home as soon as possible. Ash, I never asked for your help, but I need my big sister and maybe Shepard's help too."

Starboard Observation,

Deck 3, S.S.V. Normandy,

Omega, Sahrabarik System

After reading the message a streaming mad Shepard finds Ashley, who had finished speaking with Mel in her quarters, Starboard Observation. Alan can clearly see that Ashley has been crying but is also steaming mad when he says, "Ashley, I'm so sorry about all of this. How do you want to handle all of this?"

Ashley looks up with tears running down her face and wraps her arms around Shepard's neck and whispers, "Just hold me, please."

It is rare that Shepard sees Ashley in such a vulnerable state. She is always so tough, so in control, and so strong. After spending several minutes holding Ashley, Shepard says, "I will order the Normandy to travel to Amaterasu immediately. I love you and that makes your family my family and no one messes with the people I love! I will lock down the entire colony if necessary!"

With her head on his shoulder Ashley says, "For right now, all I want is for you to hold me then maybe later we will talk."

"I will hold you however long you need me to Ashley," says Alan looking into Ashley's brown eyes seeing a sea of raging emotion.

Williams's Residence,

Defiance, Amaterasu,

Naboo System, Orion Nebula

Several hours later the S.S.V. Normandy is in orbit over Amaterasu with Shepard and Ashley taking a shuttle down to visit Ashley's family. Shepard had only met Lanaya, Abby, and Lynn once. He only met Sarah twice, but they were family. Lanaya is a fearsome, strong, and extremely protective of her daughters. The door swings open as Ashley and Shepard approach it. Standing in the doorway is Lanaya, tears running down her face seeing her oldest daughter. Quicker than a flash before Shepard can say anything Lanaya embraces her daughter and says, "I'm so glad you're here Ash. You need to go find Lynn since she is taking this harassment personally. It is good to see you Shepard."

"Nice to see you again Mrs. Williams," says Alan, hugging the older lady who he could tell had been crying. Lanaya gives him a look, "Call me Lanaya, you are practically my son-in-law."

"Alright Lanaya," says Alan, who put her arms around Ashley and walks her into the house while she asks, "Is Alan still giving you…"

"MOM!" yells Ashley, who talks to her mother about everything including her and Shepard's sex life. It was her mom who she talked with after her and Alan relationship derail in 2183 when Ashley was naive enough to force Shepard to pick between her and Liara. Lanaya chuckles and says, "There is no secret within this family. I'm not some old prude I know you are having sex and it would seem amazing mind-blowing earth-shattering sex. Now if…"

"MOM!" screams Ashley who is going to die from embarrassment. Shepard just chuckles to himself as his mother can also embarrass him and reduce him to a little kid again. Shepard guesses the saying that no matter how old you are your parent can still embarrass you has some truth to it. Shepard follows them into the house, and greets Abby, Lynn, and Sarah. Shepard feels a little out of place as the five women chat the night away but what can you do?