Author's Note: What, you didn't think making peace would be easy, did you? As always, I love reviews!

Four days later, Shepard sat in Hackett's office. What she really wanted to do was turn around, leave, go down to the drydock the Normandy sat in, and threaten the crew until they fixed her ship instantly. The fact that such a task was impossible didn't lessen her desire to do so. Her second alternative had been pacing back and forth like a caged tiger, but after about thirty seconds the admiral had gotten his command voice on and ordered her to sit down, and since she hadn't really meant to show up twenty minutes early for this meeting, she did, thus leading to her now sitting in the admittedly comfortable chair while her thoughts chased themselves around and around in circles from an overabundance of nervous energy.

She knew she was getting on Hackett's nerves as he typed out a report for the Prime Minister on the actions over Altakiril. An unintended upside from the whole situation was the sudden new spirit of cooperation that had sprung up between the human and turian fleets, which was now spreading slowly to the rest of the Alliance. The downside, of course, was that the number of casualties was now pushing four million, mostly turian, but with several thousand Alliance troops as well, fighting to stop the marauders from escaping the planet. Three Alliance frigates had already been totaled, a small price compared to the ten Hierarchy frigates and a damaged cruiser, but it still galled her.

The door opened, breaking into her reverie slightly, and two Alliance captains stepped through the door. She didn't recognize the first man, but the second had her rising from her chair. "Hello, Commander Shepard," Hannah said with a twinkle in her eyes, "fancy meeting my daughter here. Heard your ship got a little banged up."

"Hi, Captain mom," Jane replied, grinning as the Hispanic-looking captain scowled. "I thought the Orizaba was out patrolling the Traverse?"

"I called them back in," Hackett said. "Give me a minute or two to finish this up, and I'll explain."

The other captain finally nodded to her, and extended a hand. "Captain Enrique Gonzales, CO, also known as 'Captain mom's' boss."

"Don't listen to him, honey," Hannah said, slapping Enrique on the shoulder, "he talks tough, but he's a great big softy."

"I am not a softy," he protested, "I simply know the value of positive incentives on morale and productivity." Keeping the scowl, he winked at Jane. "I picked that up from a seminar on the extranet."

"I can see why mom likes your ship," she said. "And yes, the Normandy has a giant hole in the CIC thanks to a boarding pod." Her face fell. "Three dead on the bridge crew, including my XO."

"Hackett forwarded me some of the reports," Hannah said. "You're lucky he didn't kill more people than that."

"The damage is bad enough," Hackett muttered. "I'm the head of the damn Navy and I still feel like I'm getting called on the carpet by the bean counters in Parliament. Have a seat, everyone." He waited until they sat down, and turned to the most senior. "Enrique, you already know you're supposed to be taking over as Chief of Staff for Third Fleet. I know you were expecting two more months, but unless you've got a major objection, I'd like to send you on a couple weeks leave and have you show up early."

He raised an eyebrow at that, but nodded slowly. "As long as I'm not stuck on this damn station for my leave, I'm alright with that." He jerked a thumb at his XO. "Hannah's taking over as CO?"

"That was the plan. You'll need to have one of your department heads fill in as XO until Captain Greeley reports next month. In the meantime, while the Normandy is repaired, you'll be escorting Jane and a small portion of her crew on a diplomatic mission." He turned to look at Jane. "Your turn."

She took a deep breath. "I need to go to the Migrant Fleet. I believe … I hope I can finally negotiate peace between the quarians and the geth."

"The geth?" Enrique blurted out. "You want to make peace with them after they just killed thousands on Eden Prime, and millions on Dekunna and Altakiril?"

"Those were not true geth," Legion spoke up from the corner, where he had gone unnoticed the entire time, causing both captains to jump in their seats and peer around in surprise. "True geth do not believe the Old Machines should be guiding our destiny."

They both swallowed heavily, Captain Gonzales obviously wishing he'd worn a sidearm as his hand clenched at his hip. "And who should guide your destiny?" Hannah asked carefully.

Legion focused on her, the flashlight zooming in slightly. "We should. To clarify: all life should be free to guide their own destiny. The heretic geth believe the Old Machines can guide them to being the same as the Old Machines. The Old Machines seek the destruction of organic life." His face-plates twitched slightly.

"Ay Dios Mio," Enrique said. "Hannah, I do believe the ship is all yours now."

"Gee, thanks," she muttered in response. "Jane, are you sure about this?"

The adept nodded slowly. "I've walked on the surface of Rannoch. The two geth units I brought with me helped kill Saren, hell, they're the reason we knew what he was up to. Without their information, he might have taken the whole colony. Thirteen million turians, transformed into husks." She gave her mom the most earnest look she could manage. "We need more allies than we have. We can't let old politics of the Council hold us back."

Mother and daughter stared at each other for several moments before Hannah finally turned to Hackett. "What are my orders, sir?"

"Escort Commander Shepard and her squad to meet with the quarian Admiralty Board aboard the Migrant Fleet. Extend an olive branch from the Alliance to the Migrant Fleet. Specific details and limitations are in your written orders." He paused to transfer them from his terminal to her omni-tool. "The short version, is that we're prepared to wave any Alliance claims to two clusters in the Terminus Systems and give them to the quarians, including backing those claims to the Council, in exchange for quarian technical expertise in constructing the Crucible." Both captains whistled in surprise. "But that's at least partially contingent on ending their conflict against the geth."

"We have already agreed to assist," Legion chimed in. "We have reached consensus with Hackett-Admiral and Shastri-Minister about peaceful coexistence."

"That's … I … wow." Enrique shook his head in bewilderment. "This isn't going to be an easy sell to the public, sir."

"Thankfully, that's not our job," Hackett said. "Hannah, you don't need to hammer out an agreement, just make sure they know what we're offering and what we expect. They can come to Arcturus to hammer out the details with Shastri's staff." He smiled slightly. "Get in a bunch of good photo-ops, maybe."

"So," the older Shepard said, turning back to her daughter, "how many of your crew are we talking about?"

"Myself, Tali'Zorah, Garrus Vakarian, Engineer Adams, and probably two or three of the engineering crew," she replied, ticking off fingers. "I think Lieutenant Alenko would like to, but I was planning to leave him in charge of overseeing the repairs while I'm gone."

"Alright. In which case, when do we leave?"

"As soon as you can get dextro supplies on board for a turian and a quarian," Hackett responded. "Right now, the Migrant Fleet is near a volus colony called Deleon, they've been complaining to the Council for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately it's nearly a full day FTL away from a relay."

"Figures. It still beats doing circles through the Traverse hunting batarians," Hannah commented. "We'll arrange a change of command ceremony for tomorrow, sir, and take off when it's done."

"Sounds good. We're hoping for a quick resolution to this, only because it'll sound better if both us and the quarians announce peace with the geth simultaneously." He shrugged. "But stick to the details in your orders."

"Understood, admiral." They rose to leave, Legion moving to shadow Jane.

"Oh, and Shepards?" The two women paused at the door, looking back. "Good luck. I hope you don't need it."

She actually ended up leaving with eight people. Adams went, of course, along with three of the engineering crew, Garrus and Tali, and Chakwas. "When else am I going to have the opportunity to see the quarian fleet? They've got to have some of the best doctors in the galaxy," she'd argued, and Jane hadn't been able to think of any convincing counter argument.

So, somewhere around thirty-six hours after their conversation with Hackett, they were approaching the Migrant Fleet. Tali stood on the CIC, glancing around at all the differences between the experimental frigate and a standard Alliance dreadnought. "I can't get over how spacious this ship is!"

"It's not that great, Tali," the other Draven, from Engineering, muttered. "Enlisted crew are still stuck in those crappy sleeping pods."

"Enough chatter," Hannah ordered from the captain's seat at the top of the CIC. "You sure about all the fancy words?"

"Yes. They should at least keep anyone from shooting until we have a chance to explain," Tali said, wringing her hands.

"Captain, we're being hailed," the communication officer said. "By the Iktomi."

"Alliance vessel, this is the Migrant Fleet. Please halt your ship and state your business, or go elsewhere."

"This is Captain Hannah Shepard, SSV Orizaba. I come to negotiate with your Admiralty Board, and I am also returning one of your pilgrims. I would like to come aboard with some of my crew, and a few other witnesses who are requesting to be present for the end of Tali'Zorah nar Rayya's Pilgrimage." She scowled, pulled up her omni-tool, and read the translation before the person on the Iktomi could continue. "I place myself in the hands of the Ancients, my life as balance for my crew."

There was a startled oath in quarian that didn't translate, then a brief, "One moment, Captain."

One minute ticked by, then two, before a new voice came on. "This is Admiral Shala'Raan. May I speak with Tali'Zorah?"

Hannah motioned to the quarian girl to speak, and Tali nervously cleared her throat. "Hello, auntie Raan," she said. "I return from days and nights wandering the stars, having found a gift worthy of my name."

"It's good to hear from you, Tali," Shala said with more warmth in her voice. "You arrived as we were preparing for an admiral's meeting. Do you wish to hold your ceremony on board the Qwib-qwib?"

"That doesn't mean you're stuck on that ship, does it?" Garrus asked quickly. "I mean, Tali'Zorah vas Qwib-qwib just doesn't roll off the tongue." Shala could be heard smothering a laugh over the comm.

"No, it doesn't. And yes, that will be fine," Tali said after a quick glance at Hannah. "Obviously we won't be clean."

"If it's possible, I would prefer to dock," Hannah spoke up, "but we can take shuttles over if that's too much of a hassle."

"Give me a few minutes to consult, and we will let you know. Raan out."

Tali heaved out a big, shuddering breath, getting comforting pats from both Garrus and Jane. "It'll be fine, Tali," Jane murmured.

"Easy for you to say," she muttered, "I'm about to walk on board a liveship with a geth carrying my Pilgrimage gift. I'm not sure if they'll thank me, or convict me of treason."

"You'll be fine," Adams said. "And if they're dumb enough to convict you of treason, I'm sure we can find you a chief engineer billet in the Alliance in no time."

An hour later, the Orizaba was nestled up to a docking tube filled with various decontamination devices. Hannah and Jane flanked Tali, with Garrus, Adams, Legion, Chakwas, and the three engineering crew all much further behind them. They stepped out onto the deck of the Qwib-qwib and stopped, face to face with three other quarians. "I am Admiral Zaal'Koris vas Qwib-qwib. This is a … unique surprise." He turned to Hannah, and nodded respectfully. "In the name of the Ancestors, I accept your pledge and your bond of peace for your crew."

"See, Rael?" Shala'Raan teased, "even aliens have some sense of propriety and respect for tradition." She stepped forward, giving Tali a hug. "Welcome back. Have you decided what ship you're going to serve on?"

"I know exactly what my name will be," Tali evaded, embracing her aunt. "Hello, father," she said somewhat more nervously.

"I've heard good things about your service on the Alliance ship during this past month," Rael'Zorah said somewhat stiffly. "I look forward to seeing what you brought as a Pilgrimage gift."

Hannah cleared her throat politely. "On that subject, can I bring out the rest of my crew for the ceremony?"

"Of course, Captain. Be welcome on my ship," Zaal said smoothly.

The doors opened again, and while the humans didn't gather a whole lot of attention, nor did the turian, every quarian present grabbed for their weapons when Legion stepped through, carrying a small cargo crate. The humans, somewhat prepared for this, instantly moved to shield the geth with their own bodies. "You dare? You seek to profane my daughter's Pilgrimage by bringing our enemies to the Migrant Fleet?" Rael'Zorah all but spat at them, his shotgun out and pointed at Hannah.

"Admiral Zaal'Koris, did you not just extend visiting rights to my crew?" Hannah said calmly.

The other admiral hesitated, obviously torn. "I did."

"Then I must demand, under your own rules, that you stop pointing guns at my crew members." She hadn't waved one inch, still calmly staring down Tali's father with his shotgun muzzle a foot from her belly button.

"That is a geth," Shala'Raan ground out forcefully.

"And right now, it's also a member of my crew," Hannah retorted.

Their tableau held for several awkward moments before Zaal'Koris put away his own weapon. "Despite my misgivings, she is right. Lower your weapons." The crew hesitated, moving slowly, still wary. "Captain Shepard, you do understand, that any activities by this geth will fall solely on your shoulders. It could even mean your death."

"I understand. It'll also make your dealing with the Alliance far more difficult if you do," she warned.

"We come in peace," Legion finally added to the conversation.

"A geth that can talk," Shala'Raan murmured faintly. "Now I have seen everything."