All right, it's another day. Time for another chapter. I don't have a lot to say today so I'm going to be brief. The thing about the ranks still apply. You will see the effect more so this chapter than the last one. However, I think he was still enjoyable evening with that error. I hope that you pardon my foolishness. Let's get onto the chapter!

SHEPARD DOWN

Chapter 10

An irritable Shepard was one thing, but an irritable-pregnant-and-trapped Shepard was a nightmare. She was impossible! Nothing made her happy. Not that Kaidan didn't try. He pulled out all the stops. Yet nothing worked. He was at wits end! At first, she demanded that they get married. Something that he wanted to do anyway. Next, she went on about how he only wanted to marry her out of obligation! Which was completely untrue. Of course, he wanted to marry her. The baby had nothing to do with it. It just accelerated the timetable a bit. That's all. He planned to ask after they retook Earth. He was thinking maybe in a couple of months once things settled down. Then he'd ask her. That didn't seem right anymore. He tried to convince her of this, but she refused to believe him. She kept going on about how she was going to raise their child on her own. Which was ridiculous. There was no way that Kaidan was going to abandon either of them. He wasn't that kind of man. She should have known that by now! He loved her but he was getting frustrated. Why wouldn't she believe him?

On top of that, for last two days now Jane kept trying to escape her room. She had tried cajoling, begging, and bribing to get out. When that failed she went for the good old fashion sneak out the door routine. Like that was going to work! He was going to notice that. Okay, so he didn't notice a few times, but he had an excuse: He was exhausted. He had recently been seriously hurt in all. So he might have nodded off during an conversation or two. She shouldn't have taken advantage of it. Jane knew better. She was here for a reason. Nobody was going to let her out before she was ready. Not Kaidan, not the doctors, or the guard posted outside. No one was going to let her out. She had to stop trying! Where was she going to go? This was a ship after all. The only thing outside was space. She wasn't going to go there now was she? It just didn't make any sense.

He wasn't sure if it was her situation, the drugs, or the pregnancy that was making her so crazy. Maybe it was a combination of all three. He didn't know. What he did know was that she was making his life a living hell. She had to stop! Not that she was going to, but it would be real nice. It would give him a break. To be honest, Kaidan wasn't sure how he was going to make it through nine months. The stress was already starting to get to him. This was only month two.

At least the woman had finally agreed to marry him. It took forever to get her to say yes. She refused to believe that he actually wanted to marry her. That there was no sense of moral obligation tied up in the offer. He just wanted to be with her and their child. That kept her from saying yes. Even though that's exactly what she wanted. Which was frustrating to say the least. Since it was a genuine offer. He wanted to marry her. True, the timing sucked and it wasn't as romantic as he wanted it to be. That didn't make it dishonest. He wanted to be with her for the rest of his life. Where was the problem?

Jane was doing so well that the doctors agreed to allow her to go back to the Normandy. She no longer needed their services. Once the appropriate paperwork was filed and the transfer approved she would be free to go. They could leave. A true miracle in itself. She would be on restricted duty, but she would be allowed to leave. Something that everyone wanted very badly. Jane was a horrible patient. One that most doctors couldn't handle. They would be glad to send back to Chakwas. That way she will have to deal with her. It will make things a lot easier for them. He was sure that they would glad to see her go. Not that he blamed them. Shepard was a notorious pain in the ass when it came to taking it easy. It just wasn't in her vocabulary. It was miracle that they had gotten her to stay put for as long as they had. That couldn't last for much longer. She had to get out of here soon or else . . .

A day before she was to be released they received a visit from Admiral Hackett himself. He looked exhausted and more than a little irritated. Which did not bode well. Hackett was not a person that you pissed off. At least if you wanted to have a career that is. The man could imitate anyone - even the bravest Turian. He was a force of nature. A true legend. It was terrifying to caught in his disapproving gaze. It made you want to run away. Not that it that would help. He would find them anyway. Then it would be so much worse. They might as well take their lumps now. It would be a lot easier and less painful.

"What am I going to do with you two?" He asked rhetorically before turning on Jane. "Not only did you fraternize with your subordinate but you end up with his child! Up till now I've been willing to ignore your activities. Turn a blind eye to it. I can't do that anymore. That much is clear. We have to put an end to this immediately."

This was not good. This was so not good. Hackett was infuriated! They were so screwed.

"Commander Shepard." She paled. "If you were anyone else I would have you drummed out of the service. Make a fine example of you." He shot a pointed look at Kaidan. "As I would of you, Major Alenko. It is not acceptable to carry on this kind of relationship. To allow it to cloud one's judgement."

Jane interrupted. "I never allowed that to happen!"

His eyes snapped back to her. "That is other reason why you are not in custody, Commander. I know that you have always done your duty. There was no one else more dedicated to stopping the Reapers as you were. You never allowed your personal feelings to cloud your judgement. If you had then we would be having a very different discussion."

"Yes sir." She responded quickly.

"I am disappointed with the two of you. I expected far better than this. Know that you are officially on report."

"Yes sir!" They said together.

Hackett relaxed a little and sighed. "Still, what am I going to do with you?" He crossed his arms. "Shepard you can't keep bedding your subordinate. It has to stop. It is wildly inappropriate." He gestured towards her stomach. "Yet, you've clearly made that impossible." He sighed again. "I'm not going to deprive that child of it's father. There's enough of that going on right now as is. I refuse to add to it." Hackett leaned back against the wall then carried on for effect.. "What to do. What to do . . ."

Hackett had already made up his mind before coming to see them. They knew that all too well. He was not the kind of man that acted on a whim. He was always ten steps ahead of everyone else. No, this was all for show. To really hit home how he felt about the situation. It was also to remind them that they were at his mercy. He could really stick it to him. He wasn't, but he could if he wanted to. They knew that this was all an act. Still, it wasn't wise to stop him. Best to just let him rant. It was better that way.

"Suppose that I have no choice: Major Alenko."

Kaidan flew to attention. "Sir!"

"You will be advanced one step in rank to Lieutenant Colonel. That should eliminate our problem."

He saluted. "Thank you, sir!"

Hackett shook his head. "Don't thank me just yet." He turned his attention towards Jane. "Commander Shepard."

"Sir!" Jane called out.

"In recognition for your efforts in stopping the Reapers you will given the medal of honor again. Along with the Assari Medal of Freedom and the Turian Right of Citizenship. Something that has never been given to member of another military before. You are now an honorary Turian. Congratulations."

"Thank you, sir!"

"These are honors never given to humans before. You should be proud." He paused for effect once more. This was the most important part. The real reason why he was here. "There is one more thing. I selected a a replacement for Councilor Udina. I would like you to take his place."

Jane looked as if she had been kicked in the stomach. "Sir?"

All right, that's it for today. I'll see you next time. See ya!