A/N: Hey everyone, decided to write an author's note to thank all the readers who have had the patience to keep up with this story so far despite the sporadic gaps between updates. Just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the feedback I get and more is always welcome.

Bearing that in mind, I have a question. Do people think that it would be better if I named my chapters or just kept them as numbers from 1 to X? Quite indecisive about this sort of thing so any helpful shoves would be much appreciated!

"Citadel Control, Citadel Control. This is the SSV Normandy requesting a vector and a berth." Joker spoke clearly and concisely as he glided the Frigate through the small tunnel of space cleared specifically for military traffic. It was a token attempt to ease the passage of approaching ships on important business without the risk of crashing into the thousands of freighters, liners, haulers and warships that made their way through the Serpent Nebula towards the capital of galactic civilisation; the Citadel.

Right now the great space station was clouded from view, hiding behind the swirling purple concentration of gasses which filled the nebula like a great fog. Indeed, the only evidence that it was there at all were the fleet's worth of ships surrounding them and the navigation equipment that was guiding them in.

"SSV Normandy, this is Citadel Control we have you logged. Please maintain vector and we will transfer you to an Alliance Operator." The voice was gravelly and deep, that like that of a turian's. Joker raised an eyebrow,

"Huh, that's a turn up for the books."

"What is?" Kaidan was sitting in the seat to his right, running through some final diagnostics before they docked.

"We're actually landing. I thought their only response was 'please enter waiting vector and lock channel open'. That's Citadel code for; we're full right now, please piddle about in circles until we can kick a ship out of the way."

"Well, we're not exactly here on routine business."

"That's true. Hey! Do you think we could keep this sort of VIP status? How long is Shepard going to be in the medical bay for once we dock?"

"Minus two minutes." Kaidan and Joker whipped around as that familiar voice echoed in the cramped cockpit. Standing there, resplendent in the military uniform of the Alliance Navy, sleeves rolled up, arms folded over her chest and a broad grin on her face, was Commander Shepard herself.

"Hey Commander," Joker exclaimed as she slipped into the seat opposite Kaidan's, "damn. There go our parking privileges."

"Don't you know it's rude to talk about a lady behind her back?" Shepard's focus was fixed straight ahead, but Joker could tell she was peaking across at him.

The pilot snorted, "When I see a lady, I'll bear that in mind."

"I don't think strippers count as ladies." Shepard retaliated and Joker burst out with a snigger.

"So Commander, how are you feeling?" Kaidan was looking across at her, concerned.

"Fine. The Doctor's kicked me out so I must have done something right." Shepard brought up a panel in front of her, "we on an approach vector?"

"Yup, we'll be hitting the docks in five minutes." Joker went back to his instruments for a quick glance to ensure everything was still fine, "You ever been to the Citadel Commander?"

"First time." Shepard replied.

"Aw you'll love it Commander. It's full of people. Lots of people. Some don't even want to rob you!"

"It's not as bad as that. You will like it Shepard. There's some quite beautiful views." Kaidan retorted.

"Did I mention the bars? And the Nightclubs?" Joker grinned.

Shepard chuckled, shook her head and went back to her own readouts. After just a few moments, she felt her gaze being pulled out towards the cockpit window, out towards that churning purple matter. Any second now, it was going to clear…

The mist, seemingly obeying her command, melted away from the cockpit window to finally give her an unobstructed view of the Citadel. Shepard felt her breath taken away.

There it was; the great space station known as the Citadel. It was like a great circular ring, surrounded by five great curved arms that reached out, a silver cylindrical shape, as elegant as it was beautiful. When the light from the star behind caught it, the entire thing seemed to gleam like a piece of polished silver. Shepard could only gape in wonder.

"Well, what do you think?" Kaidan asked. He had not turned around to look.

"It's amazing." Shepard exhaled.

"It's the seat of the Citadel Council, the capital of Council Space, headquarters of the Citadel fleet and the epicentre of politics, trade and culture in the galaxy." The Lieutenant spoke cleanly, as if from memory.

Joker looked around with an eyebrow raised. Kaidan looked at him, confused.

"What?"

"Sorry," the pilot sniggered, "I thought you'd started a tourist commercial there."

"Oh leave him alone." Shepard did not turn around. They were passing through the barrier formed by the Citadel Defence Fleet. Most of the ships that drifted lazily by turian; curvy and swept back like the feathers of a bird as opposed to the blocky and rather square ships of the Alliance fleet. She also recognised a few others that were Salarian and Asari, including one massive ship that sat amongst the fleet like a giant amongst men. It was enormous; she could not even begin to imagine the dimensions. Compared to it, the turian cruisers looked just like toys. A great concave vessel with a hollow centre, built around four slender arms arranged like a cross.

"The Ascension." Kaidan answered the question that had been on the tip of her tongue, "Flagship of the Citadel fleet."

"Look at the size of it, it's huge." Shepard murmured.

"That's what she said." Joker mumbled in reply.

"Look at that main gun." She went on as though he hadn't spoken, "It could shred any ship in the Alliance fleet." She was thinking of the dreadnoughts that the humans possessed, how powerful she had thought they were. It certainly served as a good reminder that while humans had come a long way very quickly, they were still an age away from challenging the big guns.

Literally.

"Commander Shepard, Lieutenant Alenko." Shepard finally tore her gaze away from the wonders confronting her as she heard that familiar English tone. Anderson stood in the cockpit, both Joker and Kaiden suddenly very interested in their instruments, "Get suited up. We're going ashore to meet with Ambassador Udina."

"Aye Sir." They both replied. Without another word, Anderson turned and strode away.

"Yeah I'm fine Sir, thanks for asking." Joker peered around his chair, although he made sure Anderson was out of earshot before he spoke.

"What do you think the Ambassador wants?" Kaidan asked across at Shepard. She could tell he was suddenly nervous.

"I doubt he wants to congratulate me for a job well done." She could only reply with a biting, bitter sarcasm. Kaidan didn't deserve it but she hand to find some way to hide her own nerves. A meeting with Ambassador Udina was a very big deal and she was fairly confident that he would not have much positive to say to her. That former thought of her taking the fall for Eden Prime resurfaced. She suddenly felt butterflies.

"Nah, it's probably just for coffee, biscuits, one of the Councils top agents going rogue. You know, standard stuff." Joker spoke airily while guiding the Normandyever closer to the Citadel. He seemed completely unaware of the nervous atmosphere in the cockpit.

"We had better get ready." Kaidan motioned towards the rear of the ship. Shepard returned the gesture with a nod, relieved just to be moving.

As they left Joker behind, their footsteps in sync with one another, Shepard could feel Kaidan glancing sidelong at her. Even between the two of them, the nervous anticipation only got worse.

"Shepard, I just wanted to say, I'll take full responsibility for what happened to the beacon," the Lieutenant suddenly burst forth, catching her a bit off guard, "It was my fault it was destroyed. If the Ambassador says anything, I'll take the rap."

"That's...sweet Kaidan, I appreciate the thought," Shepard spoke slowly, trying to regather her thoughts, "but if Udina does try to lay this on us...on me, then we need a united front. Neither of us speaks. Let Anderson do the talking."

"But..."

"He believes us Kaidan. He'll fight tooth and nail and you'd better believe that the Ambassador will put more weight in his words than ours."

"I guess so."

"I know so." Shepard nodded as they stepped into the elevator; displaying a confidence she did not quite feel. Anderson had a lot of weight in the Alliance, but Ambassador Udina was one of the most powerful men in the entire human race. Did she really believe that Anderson alone could protect her from powers far beyond her own?

As the elevator began it's slow crawl into the bowels of the ship, she was disconcerted to find she had no answer to that question.