Note:Short chapter this week.
Enjoy
Chapter Ten
After returning to the Normandy, Commander Shepard, inspects everyone at their station. Liara just went up to their living quarters, so she could start to unpack aftervhat would be called a honeymoon. They spent three wonderful lust filled nights melding. They ate at LuLu's one last time. Shepard commented it was her new favorite place to eat and every time from now on when they came to the Citadel, they had to have a meal there. Liara agreed it was her new favorite restaurant. Ms. LuLu Montana's staff always gave them the best service without making the couple feel like they were were the most famous couple in the galaxy. Which if course, that is exactly what they are, the most famous couple in the galaxy.
There was little disappointment for the couple, Capt, Hannah Shepard couldn't make it. As much as Liara wanted Shepard's mother to be there. If she was actually able to make it, Liara was going to have her witness their ceremony. This was the only thing the bummed Leia out and it was something that Liara couldn't fix. As much as she wanted to. A Shepard always put duty before personal matters. After putting away her stuff, Liara sits on the couch, yawning slightly. We just spend three nights in a hotel room and I think we actually slept eight hour total. She smiles while reliving the past few days. Liara picks herself off the couch and flops down on the bed and dozes off.
Commander Shepard is talking to Mr. Ramsey, the human in charge of fixing the hull. They are standing on the dock where the Normandy has been sitting for the past few weeks looking over the hull. "The Normandy looks like she's never seen any combat, Mr. Ramsey. You and your crew do outstanding work," comments Shepard with a surprised look on her face.
Mr. Ramsey replies, "It's my job, Commander, the Normandy is one of several dozen ships I have contracts to fix. They are not all Alliance vessels either. My next job is the Destiny Ascension." This surprised Shepard, the Citadel gave the Normandy higher priority over the Citadel's own flag ship. Ramsey continues, "All I need to know Commander Shepard is how you want the Normandy painted then we will be done."
Leia thinks for a moment, "Put the Alliance colors back on her, Mr. Ramsey."
Ramsey makes a note into his omni-tool and says, "The paint will be finished tomorrow, Commander."
Yawning slightly, Commander Shepard notices someone walking down the dock towards her. Her eyes get big as she sees Captain Hannah Shepard. "Mother? I was under the impression you couldn't leave Mars?"
Which is where the SSV Orizaba is docked receiving repairs. "I couldn't leave until yesterday, Leia, I'm sorry I couldn't get here sooner." Mother hugs daughter tightly then kisses Leia's forehead.
Commander Shepard beams at her mom and says, "Liara would love to see you, mom."
Hannah looks over the unpainted, but finished Normandy. She comments, "Looks like you need some new paint and you will be leaving soon."
"Yes, we are going to test systems out in a couple of days then head to Palaven to see the Turian Hierarchy. Then I'm not sure if I want to visit the salarians or asari next. I'm not sure if Liara is ready to see what happened on Thessia. She's been mum about it actually,"replies Leia. Mother and daughter then head inside the Normandy. One of the first things Capt. Shepard noticed this time being aboard the Normandy is how relaxed the crew looks. Smiles on most faces and stoic on a few faces.
The door to Commander's private quarters opens and the two Alliance officers find Liara sleeping on the bed. "Well, mom, looks like she is sleeping. I think the last three days wore her out." Leia laughs to herself at that comment. Wore me out too, but with my training to deal with little sleep, I handle it better than Liara does. Did we actually sleep? Or just meld the whole time. A mischievous smile crosses Leia face that her mother did noticed and smiled. Leia walks over to the bed and places her hand on Liara's back and says, "Liara, my mother is here."
Dr. T'Soni stirs some then opens her eyes and sees two humans looking at her. Her eyes are not completely focused and she thought for a moment she was seeing double because Leia looks so much like her mother. "By the Goddess." Liara blinks her eyes trying to wake up. "Oh my, hello Hannah." The older Shepard smiles at her new daughter-in-law.
The younger Shepard kisses Liara then her mom, "I have to get back to work. I've slacked enough the past few days." Winking at Liara as she leaves.
Liara winks back, "Slacking? I don't think so. I don't think I've been so tired in years." Leia leaves laughing out loud. "Hannah, will you excuse me a moment?"
Hannah nods to her, "Take your time, Liara. I'm here all day."
Liara goes into the bathroom to wash the sleep from her eyes. Liara comes back after a few quick minutes, "Is there anything I can get for you, Hannah?"
Capt. Shepard just shook her head, "Nope. Seeing you and Leia is enough. I just wish I could have been here the day you two got married. I did want to attend. So, tell me all about." Liara sits next to Capt. Shepard and starts telling her everything that happened over the last few days, well not everything of course.
Several hours later, Capt. Hannah Shepard leaves to go back to the barracks the Alliance uses on the Citadel. Leia walks her mom to the elevator. "It was great seeing you, mom. Too bad we don't see each other enough." Hannah then kisses her daughter's cheek. "I know, Leia, but duty calls. And with you retiring before me, I now have a place to visit on my leave instead of going to random places around the galaxy. Do you know where you and Liara are going to settle down?"
"No, mom, we haven't really talked about that just yet, but it is also not completely up to Liara and I. My pilot, Joker, has agreed to continue to work for me being the helmsman of the Normandy and he wants some input to where we live. You do know I own the ship now?" inquires the Commander.
Her mother had heard rumors, but when inquired about it got stoned walled by Alliance brass. Captain Shepard says,"There are rumors, but no one would tell me if it was true or not. There are people thinking the Citadel went overboard when they gave the ship to you."
Leia looks a little concerned while saying, "I didn't ask for the Normandy. I was actually quite taken back when they offered it too me. I thought about saying no, but Anderson said that the title was already transferred before they even told me about it."
Hannah hugged and kissed her daughter again, "I have to go, I have to get back to Mars. I just wanted to make a quick trip to let you and Liara know I am thinking of you and I will see you in the future."
Commander watches her mother leave then heads back to the Normandy to catch some shut eye. I bet Liara is already sleeping. Sleep sounds good right now. Commander Shepard slowly makes her way up the dock to the airlock. Right when she was about to enter the airlock, she hears the sound of the elevator doors open. Looking in the direction, Leia notices a red-haired woman walking in her direction.
"Commander Shepard, pardon me for the late hour.", says Kelly Chambers, former Cerberus member and ex-Yeoman of the Normandy. It wasn't that late 1900 and Kelly had just gotten off of work. She still felt a little guilty coming by at this hour. "You wanted to see me, Shepard?"
Leia Shepard did want to talk to Chambers, but right now wasn't the best time. Shepard was never one to let being a little tired stop her from doing her job. Setting up a crew to help the colonist was part of her job. Or at least add someone with Kelly's skill. A psychologist would help the colonist greatly or at least that is what Shepard was hoping would be the result. "Yes, Kelly, I did. A few nights ago, wasn't the best time." Shepard inhales deeply then exhales slowly. "I don't know what you know or don't know about what the Council has the Normandy doing."
Ms. Chambers says, "I've heard things like they are sending you off to all the Council species home worlds. Other than that I don't know."
Shepard nods to Kelly, "That is just part of it, the other is helping rebuild a colony or planet of our or I should say my choice. Even though I am taking input from the entire crew. I think your skills as a psychologist would be very helpful to the colonist, Kelly. I would like for you to join the Normandy for this trip. We are going on a trial run in a couple of days for system checks. Once everything checks out, we are headed to Palaven." Shepard flashes a smile to Kelly.
Kelly just stood there thinking. I am not so sure about this Shepard, I had a huge crush on you. Then you left Cerberus and that broke my heart. Not that I thought you really were working for the Illusive Man, but only tolerated him from how it ended, but I just don't know. Don't know if I can, Shepard. "I would like to think about it some, Shepard, but my initial reaction is no, I'm sorry. I will think think about it some tonight and give you my answer tomorrow."
Shepard replies rather quickly, "Kelly, don't worry about it. I'll take your no now. I just wanted to offer this to you." Kelly smiles slightly then leaves. I suppose she is still pissed at me. She could really do some good, but if she rather not. I can respect that. Thought Shepard when she headed back inside the Normandy.
As Commander Leia Shepard walked into the bridge, EDI informs the Command that Dr. Chakwas was wanting to speak to her in the Med Bay. "Thank you, EDI." Down in the Med Bay, Dr. Chakwas is staring at a bottle Serrice Ice Brandy, fondly remembering the last bottle she shared with Commander Shepard.
"You wanted to see me, doc?", asks Shepard when she walks into the Medical Bay.
Dr. Chakwas says, "Oh, yes, Commander. I think I am the last member of the crew that has not giving you an answer to stay working with you or not. Jeff..Joker told me he was staying. I still would like to open a private practice, but working for you is probably the best think I could do right now."
Shepard nods to the medical doctor and takes a seat in a chair next to Dr. Chakwas. Shepard chimes in, "I know we will be settling down some place, I or I should say we, haven't decided where yet. Any input on that, it does concern you too, doc." "Not at the moment, Commander."
"I appreciate you staying, doc. Need anything else?" asks Shepard.
"No, Commander." Dr. Chakwas goes back to looking at the bottle of brandy. Shepard leaves to head to her and Liara's quarters.
Two days later, The Normandy SR-2 leaves the Citadel for the turian homeworld of Palaven.
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See you next week.
I promise, next week's chapter is longer. Don't fret.