Chapter 10.

Felicia was proud of Miranda. For an hour she had stood there in front of the counsel and the assembled audience, answering questions and providing explanations for and about both herself and the new academy. Today the council recognized the academy as its own separate and distinguished entity with the same rights as if it were a new race. This meant that the academy would hold a place at the council, be granted the same privileges and rights as any other council race and in return would be expected to act accordingly and held to those same standards.

In addition, they had approved of a budgetary allowance to be provided equally from amongst the other races in exchange for the services that the academy would provide. Getting everyone to approve had been surprisingly simple. The idea of a military institute made up of Admiral Shepard and his crew, along with some of the most brilliant minds from all the races had sparked the interest of all. Even those who had not seen eye to eye with Shepard had their worries silenced as they learned that the governing body had members from all the races and would be reporting directly and publicly to the council.

All of that had been routine and easy enough. What made Felicia proud was how Miranda had handled the questions about herself. To be honest, this whole session was mainly a show for the rest of the galaxy. All the decisions had been previously approved by the council, and many of them for weeks or even months. Still, the questions had been grueling and a touch embarrassing.

They had spent a lot of time covering Miranda's time with Cerberus. What she had done. What she had been associated with and even what she had been accused of regardless of proof. Miranda had answered truthfully and honestly. She backed up what she could with facts, accepted what she had done and rigorously denied what was false.

Miranda had spent numerous hours over the last several months working through her past. Felicia knew it well as she had been the person Miranda had chosen to confide in. She had watched and listened as Miranda slowly came out of the shell that she had built around herself over the many years. Piece by piece, a session at a time, Miranda revealed more and more. Eventually, the walls finally weakened enough and shattered. Miranda had broken that day.

Felicia remembered it well as that was the first day, they truly became friends and not just patient and doctor. A lifetime of grief, sadness, confusion, desire, angst, anger and loss spilled out of the woman. Her issues with her father. Her conflicts with the Illusive man. Decades of hardening herself against the galaxy and the people in it. The uncertainty of what she would do now and if she could ever truly be forgiven by anyone, including herself.

Felicia had cancelled her remaining clients for the day and excused herself to the breakroom. She had returned with ice cream and a bottle of scotch. She remembered looking Miranda directly in her tear stained face and told her that she was no longer her therapist. Today, she was her friend. The girls stayed in that room for the rest of the day and well into the evening. Miranda laying on the couch and Felicia sitting on the floor next to her. They finished the ice cream, ordered dinner and by the time they fell asleep, the scotch too was finished.

The next morning as they groggily woke up, Miranda asked if Felicia had meant what she had said about being her friend. Felicia had replied, "Of course I am Miranda. Why would you not think so?"

"I just started to think that it was probably something you were required to say as my shrink." Miranda lowered her eyes as she finished speaking and in a quieter voice said, "People don't befriend me. I'm not sure if I really have a friend. I mean, people respect me and are nice to me, but they are not really my friends. Even with the promotion, the pardon and the support of the Alliance brass, I think they are still weary of me. They don't trust me."

"What about Shepard? You know as well as I do that he thinks of his crew as family. Surely, he is your friend."

"Yeah, if anyone is it would be Shepard. I don't know, I guess I just don't think of him that way. Maybe I did once. I certainly wished at one time that there could have been something between us, but I knew that his heart belonged to Tali. No, to me Shepard is more like a brother. We care for one another and would do anything to help when asked. We have each other's backs with trust and without question. He is my family. That is not the same thing as a friend."

"I get that. He does have that effect on those he cares for. What about the others?"

"Oh, we get along just fine. They are all friendly towards me, but I can feel the distrust. It is the Cerberus aspect that keeps coming up. I know that they keep seeing me as "that Cerberus bitch". You can understand, right?"

"I can, but I don't think that is completely true. Miranda, I was in Cerberus same as you. I believed in what we were doing same as you. My thoughts, feelings and actions were changed by Shepard's influence, just like you. I've faced that same distrust, the same sideways looks and it scared me. I spent months hiding and trying to be someone different. I even went so far as to kill off my former self and change into Felicia.

I cast off Cerberus completely. I forged a new path and while I can't forget my past, I can forgive myself for it. Once I did that my eyes were opened to the fact that I had friends and people I could turn to. I let my guard down, let them in and I became stronger. Now it is time for you to do the same."

"I'm scared."

"I know."

"What happens if I fail?"

"What happens if you don't even try?"

"Will you still help me with this shit? Even if you are no longer my doctor?"

"Not only will I continue to help you with this "shit," but as a friend I can show up whenever you need me with more ice cream and scotch."

"Ugh, maybe not so much scotch next time. Even with my biotics my head still hurts. Otherwise, that sounds nice. By the way, my friends call me Miri." Miranda smiled shyly at her former therapist turned friend. Felicia smiled back.

Their friendship had started that day. Over the next months, they had spent a lot of time together. Miranda's position as commanding officer of the new academy kept her busy and after the wedding, she was often called away to Rannoch. When it was announced that Miranda would be the academy Liaison, Felicia took up a permanent position on the Citadel to be with her.

As the time passed, they had become closer and closer until at last, one month ago to the day, Miranda had asked her out on a date. Felicia had been hoping that she was reading the signs right and that Miranda felt the same but was afraid to push. She wanted Miranda to be comfortable and find her way. Also, she didn't know if Miranda was into women. From their time together, she knew that Miranda liked men. She had seen her eyeing Shepard during their time on the Normandy and knew of rumors between her and Jacob.

Not wanting to risk losing her friend, Felicia had chosen to stay quiet about her feelings. When Miranda asked her out to dinner that day, Felicia felt like her prayers had been answered. They had gone to a new restaurant down in the wards and had a lovely meal. Afterwards, Miranda had invited Felicia up to her apartment. Miranda had taken her hand as the two women made their way from the wards back to the Presidium. It was a small gesture, but Felicia knew what it had taken for Miranda to do that in public. Nothing could have held more meaning for them.

Today, as Felicia watched Miranda stand in front of the council and the assembled galaxy, she reflected upon the changes that Miranda had undergone. Before her was the strong, powerful woman that Miranda had always been, but now more human. Her stance was less hostile, less on edge. Her eyes were filled with warmth and passion where before they had been mechanical, calculating. Her voice no longer held a superiority and disdain for those around her. It was warm and friendly. Her emotions could be felt in her words as she talked about the academy and herself.

That new humanity in Miranda is what made her likeable by the council. It was what made her the perfect candidate for this position. She was not some naïve, inexperienced person given a token position. She had lived both sides of the law. She had at one time believed in both sides of the good and evil war. She was not a black and white person and understood the complexities of life and the varying sides and issues. She had learned to navigate those dangerous waters and prevail.

Perhaps most importantly, she had been humbled. After a lifetime of thinking of herself as superior, she instead began to think of herself as a regular person. One that had exceptional skills and knowledge in certain areas and one that was flawed and in need of help. She now listened more and found reason and compromise with others.

It was this new-found woman Felicia loved and listened to with pride as Miranda explained the naming of the academy.

"We chose Shepard Academy as our name for many reasons." Miranda started her response to the question put forth by the council. "The most obvious, and least explanation needed, was simply to honor the man that has done so much for the galaxy, Admiral John Shepard. We were not the first to name something after him, and if I'm not mistaken, the name John Shepard will be assigned to many more institutions in the coming years.

While I know that there is some concern about naming a council group after the Admiral, as it could be perceived as favoring some of his controversial tactics as well as the personal and political differences, the name holds a deeper meaning.

The name Shepard is derived from the name Shepherd which derives from the title sheep herder. On Earth, a sheep herder or shepherd as they are officially called, was entrusted to taking care of sheep. For those who do not know, a sheep is a small, simple and rather defenseless and dumb animal. Extremely valuable for their wool to make clothing, and a food source, they required a lot of care as they were prone to harming themselves.

A shepherd would be assigned to watching over the sheep. They were usually young adults or youth and from lower class families. They were given immense responsibilities though as they not only had to watch the sheep, but tend to them, protect them, sheer the wool and slaughter them when the time came. They saw the sheep from birth to death. Year after year, in good times and bad. This was their charge. They often did it alone. They were looked down upon by the communities as the shepherd tended to be poor and from the lower working class.

They covered great distances on foot as they moved their flocks around to graze. They did this with no tools, no aid other than a shepherd's crook, a long walking stick with a hook on one end. They fought off wolves and other humans alike that came to take sheep. They did this generation after generation stretching back into the deep recesses of human history.

The Shepard Academy wishes to cultivate that same kind of person. Someone who gives of themselves to protect those who need it. Admiral John Shepard has spent his life dedicated to living up to his namesake. No one could be a better person to honor for what we are attempting to do than Admiral Shepard."

There was silence in the council chamber as Miranda finished speaking. The long morning had come down to this final point. Miranda had defended herself, and the academy. She had presented the information to the galaxy for acceptance and approval.

They had feared this issue above all. Even though Shepard was a galactic hero, not everyone was his fan. There could be some potential political fallout from this. For the council to show support meant more than just approval of Shepard. This would also be the long awaited for confession that the council had been wrong. That Shepard was the reason they were alive today and that he now had their support.

Yes, the council had been replaced and the current members were not responsible for the past. Yes, the council had honored and awarded Shepard after his recovery as well as those who had helped him. This was all expected, if not mandatory of them and would have led to their immediate dismissal by the galaxy at large had they not. To give the new academy his name would be the first honorific they could bestow upon him voluntarily to signify their approval. While none of this would be mentioned, the weight of the unspoken words would carry far more significance than the ones to be spoken next.

The Salarian councilor slowly rose to her feet as the assembled audience and council turned to look at her and hear what she had to say. Cadall Baerallo was far more progressive than her predecessor had been. She had been one of the few Salarians who openly opposed the continued genophage on the Krogan people. While she recognized the validity of the decision at the time it was made, she had seen that the continuance of this path was wrong.

When Mordin had returned home after the Collector war, he had sought her out to try to better understand why Maelon had done what he did. She told him that she had only met Maelon on a few occasions. While they had both agreed that the genophage needed to end, she disagreed with his methods. She had argued instead to help her show reason to the governing bodies and their fellow scientist. This had only pushed him further away. Mordin had shared with her Maelon's work and later when he had worked directly to find a cure, she had had aided him as best she could as a consultant.

After Mordin's success and self-sacrifice, she had made it a point to ensure he was honored for his work rather than shunned. Making the Salarian people see reason and change their minds became the most important thing to Cadall. Throughout the war she spoke about the changes the Salarians needed to make. She rallied people to her and became as fierce of a fighter in an auditorium as she was on the battle field.

Cadall Baerallo was not only a scientist, but also an STG agent. She had spent much of her time in the STG far away from Salarian space working as much with the alien races as with her own people. She had worked hard to stay in the light with her work as opposed to the typical Salarian shadow operations that were favored by her colleagues. She had become one of the few Salarians that were on speaking terms with some of the Krogan clan chiefs and was welcome equally in both the Citadel Council chambers and seedier places like Omega.

After the war ended and the Salarians began to restructure themselves in the remains of the galaxy, her name had been forefront on the list for a spot in government. As the existing council faced pressure to step down, Cadall Baerallo found herself thrust into the position to replace Councilor Valern. After weeks of refusing the position followed continuous requests to take it, she finally relented.

Councilor Baerallo looked around her at the people assembled in the new council chambers. All the races were present today. The media had cameras placed around the room broadcasting to all corners of the galaxy. She took a few steadying breaths and began to speak.

"Thank you, Admiral Lawson. You have been through a trying ordeal today. You were forced to speak not only about the new academy and its mission, but you had to publicly talk about yourself. Things that were private, embarrassing and uncomfortable. I wish you had not had to go through that today, but I believe you did yourself credit.

Today we are convened to approve the start of a new program. One that will not only replace the SPECTRES, but hopefully aid us in our desire to maintain unity among the races. I think it is safe to say at this time that we are all impressed with what you have achieved already in planning and believe that this is the start to a bright future.

What has convinced me though was not solely upon what you said of the academy itself. What left the biggest impression on me was you Admiral. Your past, your present and your future already tells me the success of the academy. This will be a school whose day to day teachings and expectations, values and commitments stem from people exactly like you Admiral Lawson. People who speak with experience. People who speak with passions about why this place is so important. Why the people who will go through those doors must and will hold those same standards of honor that you yourself value.

This is a place made up of people who had been broken, lost and set on the wrong path. People who willingly chose to change themselves for the betterment of all. People who will hold those entrusted to their teachings to do the same. I cannot think of anyone better to lead them than you.

As to the name Shepard Academy, is that not fitting? If we believe in people like the Admiral here, and the other military and civilian officers, scientists and teachers who have signed up to work at the academy, why should we not honor the man who made this all possible? After all, Admiral John Shepard is the reason people like Admiral Lawson became who she became.

My fellow councilors, I move that we approve the name Shepard Academy. We all know this is the right course of action. Let us vote in solidarity to take this from the theoretical and make it a realization."

Councilor Baerallo finished her speech and looked continued to stand and look out over the audience. A second passed and then another. The Turian councilor shuffled in his seat and with that slight motion the entire council stood as one. The assembled audience broke out in cheering support. Doctor Hannigan cheered loudly along with them and watched as an exhausted Admiral let out the breath she had been holding and smiled.

Councilor Baerallo raised her hand for silence after a few minutes had passed. The room quieted and she spoke again. "My deepest congratulations. Now I have the distinct pleasure in welcoming our newest councilor, Admiral Miranda Lawson, Commanding Officer and Liaison to the Shepard Academy on Rannoch. Please join us Admiral."

Miranda approached the raised platform upon which the council conducted business. She took her place at a reserved chair between the Krogan and Quarian councilors. For the first time in days Miranda felt the tension leave her body. She had done it. Now they all had to live up to what was promised. That was for tomorrow. Now, she would celebrate.

As the reporters asked them to please face the front for pictures, Miranda's eyes swept the side of the chamber where she had left Felicia. It didn't take her long as Felicia had moved to the front row and was smiling brightly, her eyes damp with joyful tears as she kept trying to take her own pictures using her omni tool. As they made eye contact, Miranda had never felt happier in her life. She raised her hand and blew Felicia a kiss.

That image made the front page of Khalisah al-Jilani's article the next day.

"Miranda really has changed a lot." EDI spoke to Jeff as they watched the crowds slowly disperse. The council was still stuck on stage posing for pictures and quotes for the assembled reporters. EDI and Jeff had sat and watched the meeting intensely. Their future was riding on this being a success. They also wanted to show their support for Miranda.

"She has indeed EDI. Then again, we all have." EDI turned to look at Jeff. Since the war had ended, he had started to grow more serious in his speech and manners. He still lived up to his nickname, Joker, but he also took his job, and life, more serious than ever before.

"Yes, but most people changed through responses to the situation and only to the point they had too. After war, most people have reverted to close approximations of who they were. Miranda chose to continue her personal growth and leave behind the person she was to become the woman she is today. That is admirable."

"EDI, you do remember that just a couple of years ago you were a disembodied voice, regarded as little more than a fancy computer program. Today, when people meet you for the first time, they rarely think of you as anything other than human." He smiled and hugged his wife.

"Thank you, Jeff. I guess we don't always see the changes in ourselves. Felicia once told me that change often happens in unexpected ways at unexpected times. It is how we deal with it when it occurs that shows us who we are."

"I think that is something that we all deal with all the time. We all must make choices on whether to change or stay the same. Do we accept the hand we are dealt, or do we choose to challenge it? I think that there are good paths in both choices. I'm glad that Miranda chose to change. I'm even more glad that you did too EDI."

EDI kissed him. She was still adjusting to having emotions and she could feel the love Jeff had for her. Hearing him talk to her, praise her, admire her made her love for him overflow. The only thing she could think to do was kiss the man she loved.

They too made the news.

Dawn broke over Rannoch much the same as it did every morning. The Eastern sky slowly changing from darkest black through deep shades of blue, gradually growing lighter till an orange haze begins to push up from the distant horizon. Fiery streaks of red, yellow and orange spread across the sky, heralding the new day.

As the shadows retreated from the rising light, the parade grounds of Shepard Academy came into view. A large grassy courtyard spread out to the inside of the main gates. A wide path split the yard into two as It marched up to the waiting administrative building. Under normal circumstances the path would be clear, but this morning there was a stage erected a short way before the steps leading up to the building's doors.

Upon center stage was a podium with two rows of chairs behind it for the staff. Facing the stage on the left were additional rows of seating. These were for the invited guests. To the right the field was empty. The new cadets would soon assemble themselves in formation and stand throughout the ceremony.

At last, the sun fully crested the horizon. The front doors to the admin building opened and Admirals Miranda Lawson and James Vega emerged and slowly walked down the steps towards a flag pole located just aft of the podium. They walked in sync with each other. Bodies held in tight military bearing and only the sound of their boots striking the paving were heard in that courtyard.

Miranda held out a folded bundle of white cloth as James released the lanyard rope from its cleat. With a couple of practiced motions, the cloth was secured to the lanyard and he quickly hauled it up. The cloth unfolded in the morning breeze as it raced up the pole and upon reaching the apex, the wind took hold and the white cloth snapped outward to reveal the academy's flag; a simple shepherd's crook lay diagonal across a pure white background.

James secured the rope and both he and Miranda took a step back and saluted. For ten seconds they stood there saluting before lowering their arms in a crisp drop and marching back up the steps and into the building.

"Well, I guess that means we are officially open." James spoke as the doors closed behind them. "We did it, Miranda."

"I guess we did." She replied. "I never doubted that we could, I just wasn't sure if we would be allowed to." Miranda fell silent as she turned to look out the window. Gazing over the parade grounds her eyes slowly took it all in. The waiting chairs, the stage, the new grass, the outer wall of the school upon which at evenly spaced intervals, more banners of the same white cloth and crook were rising. The other staff had waited until the main flag had risen for the first time before raising their own flags.

Miranda turned to face James. He had joined her in looking out at the grounds. She could see the anxiousness in his face and knew he could see the same in hers. "Now, we get to see if it works."

"That is what I'm worried about. I do not know of anything more we can do. We have a solid plan, the best people and secured funding. All we can do now is keep moving forward and execute that plan. Still, I doubt I will stop worrying any time soon."

"Me either and I know the others feel the same. It will be years if not decades before we can really tell if what we are about to do here will be a success or failure. Till then, we will just keep doing what we can."

They fell silent again and resumed looking out the window. The sun continued to rise in the Eastern sky and as they watched, the last of the shadows were driven from the courtyard. The minutes ticked by as the two friends stood and watched.

Miranda's comm beeped and Ashley's voice came out saying it was time to open the gates. Miranda acknowledged and told her to do so. From their vantage point they could see the double gates to the school part in the middle as each leaf swung inward creating an arched opening in the wall.

Slowly the gathered crowd made their way through the opening and into the waiting courtyard. The new cadets had been briefed the night before on where to go stand. The other guests were directed by Quarian volunteers from the city to the waiting chairs.

Miranda and James were soon joined in the admin foyer by the rest of the staff. They were all dressed in the new uniform of the academy. Reminiscent of the old US Navy uniforms of Earth's past, they were cut in similar fashion to the dress uniform of the alliance but were in all white. The gold bars on black backgrounds signifying officer rankings were embroidered on the epilates upon their shoulders and ribbons and medals adorned their chests.

Miranda looked at her colleagues. They stood looking back at her. Her gaze shifted to Felicia, who was smiling back. Taking a breath, Miranda addressed the group.

"Today is a day that we have been working hard towards for a year. We had been given an incredible mission: replace and improve upon the SPECTR program. Create something that will unite a galaxy. Something that will bring honor and pride to its members. Something better than what had come before.

I believe that we have done it. In just a few hours, all our work and planning over the past year comes to fruition. Today is where we really start to work. Today is the start of our test and make no mistake, it will be a test. The entire galaxy will be watching and judging us to see if we succeed or fail. There are plenty of people on both sides of that debate and they will make their voices heard.

We will stumble, make mistakes and have failures in this program. They are inevitable. We cannot expect perfection, but we can constantly strive to achieve it. When we fail, we must admit it, learn from it and improve. This I know we can do. We will make this a success. I know that none of us will settle for anything less."

Miranda paused in her talk. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she exhaled, and she bowed her head forward. When she looked up her eyes were wet with tears she was trying to hold back.

"I want to say thank you. Thank you, everyone here. You have all done so much, not just in the formation of this school, but you have done a lot for me. You put your trust in me. You followed me into a risky situation. Not life threatening perhaps, but politically and socially dangerous. That you have trusted and believed in me as I have in you, means everything. So again, thank you."

With those words Miranda brushed the tears that had finally begun to fall from her face and stepped aside as James came forward.

"Miranda, I think you have said everything of importance that needed saying, and so I will echo your thanks to everyone here and add one more thing." James smiled at Miranda and at the assembled faculty. "Miranda left out something important. We are a family here. Over the months I have watched as strangers became coworkers, coworkers became friends and those friends have become family. I know I would do anything in my power to help anyone of you and I feel that you all would do the same as well.

If we truly are a family, then those cadets forming up outside are our children. It will be up to us to teach them, guide them and care for them as any parent would a child. Then, when they have learned what they need to, they will leave, but will always be a part of our family."

Smiles and nods from the people gathered gave approval to what had been spoken. The staff of Shepard Academy did feel as though they had become a family. They were ready to begin this new adventure and finally put into practice the plans they had been working on for many months.

The administration building was crowned with a tall bell tower. The bells within began to chime and after their musical tribute was concluded the large bell began to loudly ring out the hour. Those waiting in the courtyard quieted down and quickly made their way to their places. The opening ceremony was about to begin.

Back inside, the smiling faces disappeared to be replaced with the blank, still features of military conduct. This was the moment they had been anticipating. Miranda had cleared her face of the tears and James stood waiting for her at the doors. She approached him and nodded her readiness. They turned to face the doors as they parted to reveal the academy's parade grounds and the first class of cadets to join the Shepard Academy.

John and Tali sat on the cliffs above the academy watching the ceremony unfurl. They had a com device that allowed them to hear everything being said and Diana Allers' broadcast allowed for close up visuals as well as additional audio. They had opted not to be a part of the opening. John had told his friends that his presence would just be a distraction. Today was about their achievements and those shouldn't be overshadowed by him. James and Miranda had both objected to this, but in the end John won.

They would of course be on campus soon enough as their roles would come into play in the next few days. As no one knew with certainty that the Shepards would be teaching, their surprise appearance days into training would have a greater effect on the cadets and much less of a commotion in the media.

The couple held hands as they watched the events take place. James led most of the ceremony with Miranda stepping in only for a brief public speech thanking the galactic community for their support. Admiral Vega addressed the gathered crowd in his talks about the academy, their goals and giving those watching a brief overview of the programs awaiting the new cadets.

None of the others spoke during this time, only standing in recognition as he introduced them one by one with name and position within the academy. John watched with pride as many of his friends and former team mates stood at the announcement of their names. Others were introduced as well. Some of them familiar names from the past, others belonging to people he had met only weeks or months ago. He was proud of them all. They were a good team with good leaders. They were going to make the galaxy proud.

The ceremony wrapped up and the audience began to disperse from the grounds. After the yard had been cleared, the cadets were led from the site by their new instructors to the barracks where they would live for the next four years. The rest of the staff similarly disembarked the stage and returned to the administrative building.

This was to be the only opening ceremony done in this fashion. Typically, they would not be broadcast, and the only civilians invited would be those friends and family of a limited number for the cadets graduating from the program. Today was more than a commencement of a single class though. It was the official start of an entirely new organization. As such, it was due a bit more ceremony. In four years, they would have another such ceremony when this same class was scheduled to graduate.

As the Shepards began to trek back to their home, Tali's comm sounded. Answering it, Dr. Chakwas' voice came out asking if they could come see her at the medical center right away. They told her they would be there shortly and altered their course for their sky car.

Kasumi watched her husband finally relax. He had been tense, and rigid since last night. She knew he hadn't slept much if any, and this morning had only gotten worse. She had tried to calm him and convince him that everything was going to be fine, but truth was, she was just as nervous.

Looking around her at all the slumped bodies in the staff room chairs, she supposed most everyone in that room shared the same relief. She felt bad for Ashley, Garrus and the others who oversaw the cadets right now. They would have to bear with the stress for some hours, yet as initial processing would take all day and much of the night. Granted, they were more accustomed to that sort of thing hailing from military backgrounds that were very much like those employed here.

Kasumi had a much different background. She had never served in the military. The complete opposite in fact. While she had always maintained a strict discipline, it was her own standards. It wasn't until she had taken up the mission with Shepard that she had been introduced to military standards. While she wasn't a cadet, the next few years would be as much of a learning experience for herself as those they were training.

Fortunately, she had talked to James and Ashley about this problem and they had put her through a mini boot camp over the last month so she could get a bit of a taste of what the cadets would go through. Her pregnancy had prevented them from going all out on the woman, but after a month of drilling by Ashley and Garrus, James just couldn't stop laughing at his wife to be serious enough, she understood military life much better.

Kasumi had some time to learn. The way the program was designed, the cadets would not get to choosing their specialties until year three. The first two years were considered basic training. This meant that they would only get the most basic of training in the individual specialties offered. The focus for these years was to drill in the fundamentals that would be needed to be a success.

When year three was reached, cadets who picked her specialty would be given dedicated time to develop and hone their trades while continuing with general instruction. During these years, the cadets would no longer be under the watch of the general drill instructors. Instead they would be relocated to skill specific housing to allow for more convenient training facilities. This would also free up the general instructors to take on the new cadets. This would prevail until graduation. As this was the first class with no others on site yet, Kasumi had time to learn all she could in order to be a proper instructor.

James joined her on the couch and put his arm around her. She leaned her head against his shoulder and sighed. Across the room a large video monitor lit up and on it they could see Garrus and Ashley processing the new cadets. They were in lines collecting their basic uniforms, bedding and miscellaneous items that they would need. Soon they would be taken to medical and finally individual interviews so the instructors could get a personal sense of their charges beyond what the original applications provided.

Anyone not on the floor assisting with in processing were slowly taking their seats. Drinks and snacks went around the room and people settled in to watch. Kasumi watched them and suddenly her eyes widened. She sat up and looked at James. "Where are Tali and John? They said they would be here."

At the main hospital, the Shepards sat waiting in Dr. Chakwas' office for their friend to return. As they had arrived, she had been called off for an emergency, but had told them to wait as it would only be a few minutes. They were nervous. It wasn't like the doctor to call them in with no explanation and they could tell something had her worked up by the tone in her voice and body language. John had taken Tali's hand in his as they waited and they both sat silently, deep in thought.

At last, the door opened and Dr. Chakwas entered. She stood just inside the room and looked at her friends. She could see their nervousness and realized what she had inadvertently done. AS soon as the door closed behind her, she began to apologize.

"John, Tali, please forgive me. I did not mean to make you upset or worried. I actually have good news for you both, just today has been a rather unusually busy day with a lot going on as you have, I'm sure noticed."

They nodded to her and the tension they had both been holding seeped out from their bodies. Chakwas crossed the room to a shelf behind her desk. Taking down three glasses and a bottle of brandy, she poured drinks and turning, she gave them each a glass.

"Congratulations my dear friends. You are going to be parents." Chakwas lifted her glass as she spoke the words. In front of her stood two utterly stunned people. She watched their faces and later reflected that it was like watching a damn burst. Slowly, the news registered in their minds and then the frozen shock gave way to overwhelming happiness. Smiles stretched across their faces, bodies relaxed, and two sets of blue eyes began to glow brighter and brighter as their shared emotional connection intensified the joy that was coursing through their bodies.

Tali screamed in delight and threw herself into John's arms. He caught her up and they spun in a circle, arms tightly holding onto each other and mouths locked in a kiss. Tali's hair flew out and wrapped itself around their heads, as though to shield their faces in this moment of intimate joy. The forgotten drinks sloshed out of the glasses and splashed the couple and Chakwas' office equally, but no one in the room cared. Karen simply lowered her own glass to the desk and turned to pick up a towel and the bottle. Her own happiness for the couple overriding any annoyance at the mess.

As the kiss ended and John lowered Tali to stand on her own again, they remembered Dr. Chakwas. Turning back to face her John replied. "Thank you, Karen. This is indeed the best news you could give us." Tali could form no words and instead, practically flew around the desk and embraced the doctor with every ounce of strength she could. Karen returned the hug equally.

Finally, the hugging ended, and Karen tossed John the towel so he could dry himself and Tali off. She renewed the spilled glasses and they toasted the news. As the drinks were finished, they all sat down, and Karen began to talk.

"John, Tali, I am so very happy for you both. This has been something that you both have wanted for a long time now. I wish you nothing but happiness in your future as parents. However, we need to discuss a few things. Remember, a Quarian-Human pregnancy is a first. There are no records I can reference, no cases I can study or any kind of factual knowledge on the subject. Even the theoretical information has primarily been done by me, and a few others and mostly in the past couple of years. We are truly forging into the unknown.

Second, you are having twins." She paused as she was again met with stunned looks. This time she thought it best to continue. "Tali, as you know there have never been any Quarian twins, or at least none on record. Therefore, I do not know how your body will react to carrying multiple babies.

Third, Quarian gestation cycles are much shorter than a human's, five months compared to nine. This is largely due to the extreme modifications and adaption your species went through during the centuries in the flotilla. Your species always had faster cycles, six to seven months prior to the exile, but your biologists found a way to reduce it further. My concern is that since we do not know how your DNA will mix to form this new life, we do not yet know how the gestation period will affect the babies or if your gestation cycle gets extended."

Chakwas stopped talking to let everything she had said sink in. As she had talked, she watched as John had pulled Tali towards him protectively. Now they sat together, his arm around hers, looking down at the floor in contemplation. As the silence descended, they gradually lifted their heads and looked into each other's eyes. The blue glow intensified as they shared unspoken words. Finally, Tali spoke.

"But the babies are healthy right?"

"They are."

"Good. So, what can we do, or should we do?"

"I want bi-weekly checkups at the least, possibly more as we get further into the pregnancy. I know that you will be busy with the academy, so we can do the checkups there. As I am running the medical division there it will be no trouble at all. Mostly Tali, I just want you to be aware of yourself and let me know if anything doesn't feel right."

"I will Karen. Thank you."

"Good. Now, I apologize for upsetting what should be a joyous day, but I know that you both appreciate honesty and the facts upfront. So, I hope this puts you more at ease. The babies are both fine and healthy right now with strong heartbeats.

Remember also, Mordin knew what he was doing when he made the medicines to allow you to be together. On top of that, you two are something special. Something different and more than any other Quarian or Human alive or dead. I do not think that whatever force decided to make you this way would do so without thinking through all of the complications."

Tali and John both nodded their agreement with those words, and she could see the worry that had lined their faces recede and become replaced with the same joy that had been there earlier.

"Thank you, Karen." John said. "I appreciate you being upfront with us. It will make things easier later, I think. But you are right in that this is a time to celebrate. We are going to have kids! We will need to let everyone know…" John's eyes widened suddenly. "Oh no! Tali, we were supposed to meet in the staff lounge with everyone. They are probably wondering what happened to us."

Tali looked just as shocked and quickly brought up her omni tool. "I have ten missed messages from Kasumi. She must be worried sick."

"I have several from James and Miranda also." John replied. Turning to Dr. Chakwas he said. "Karen, we need to get over there. Is there anything else you need from us today?"

"No, you are free to go, but there is no need to rush. I too was supposed to be there remember. I notified them that I was unable to make it due to an important appointment that could not be missed with the both of you. They know where you are, they are probably just concerned. I will let them know we will be joining them shortly. While I do that, there is one person I think you should tell first, and she is already here."

Chakwas stood up and walked over to the door. Opening she motioned for someone to join them. I moment later Admiral Shala'Raan walked into the room. Making a bee line for Tali the elder Quarian wrapped Tali in her arms and hugged her tight.

"Are you okay child? What is wrong?" Raan began to question but Tali quickly interrupted.

"Auntie Raan, I'm okay. In fact, I'm better than okay." Tali began. She looked at John who smiled and nodded. Disentangling herself from the Admiral's hug, she stepped back and wrapped her arm around John's waist. "I'm pregnant."

Cheers had erupted in the staff lounge as Tali and John told them of their news. They had spent another half hour in Dr. Chakwas' office with Shala'Raan before finally joining their friends at the academy. James had instantly brought John a drink to toast his news. Kasumi's face was still wet with tears as she had broken out crying as soon as the announcement was made. She was so very happy for her best friend.

The others had each offered their own personal congratulations as the day wore on. Garrus and Ashley had had to run across campus during a break to congratulate their friends. Garrus promised to buy drinks when they had time. Not being able to stay for more than a few minutes as the cadets would be waiting for them, they quickly exchanged hugs and well wishes then vanished back through the door to resume training.

By the time they went home that evening, word had spread throughout the area and by the next day, the press had gotten ahold of it. The news that Admirals John and Tali Shepard were expecting their first child was flooding the extranet. Diana had tried to stifle it at first, but Tali told her to quit. There was nothing to hide and it was going to get out anyway.

The eyes watched the news report of the Shepard pregnancy again and again. The skin around them flushing red as the anger coursed through the blood. Looking away from the video screen, they found a picture frame on the desk next to an ashtray. A hand reached out a picked up the frame. The eyes narrowed as they looked at the picture. "I will not fail you."