Shepard was still in hospital. While he was physically getting stronger, the over used amps, plus the prosthetic and broken appendages still kept him on bed rest and required him to attend various sessions of Physical therapy. One day however, Hackett called, wanting to address an important matter. Shepard had been attempting use of his prosthetic as Hackett called. His therapist said her goodbyes before Hackett had even opened his mouth.
"Hello Admiral. Since when have you started making calls to healing soldiers?" He asked, saluting.
"Shepard. We're equal rank now. I'm not your boss anymore and plus, we've been in the foxhole so many times at this stage, we should have dropped the formalities long ago." Hackett said. Extending his arm, he offered a handshake, which Shepard accepted.
"Good to see you're getting your strength back... How are you by the way? Hackett asked.
"Good, all things considered. Miranda said I'm here until I get control over my arm and up until they replace the amps in my head, but we're hopeful that I'll be out in a month. While I'm grateful for the visit Hackett, Why not tell me what you're really here to talk about." He said, leaning back.
"Can an old soldier not call and see the son of his best friend. Me and Benedict were thick as thieves growing up in the Alliance." He said, laughing.
"Well yes, but you must be so busy right now trying to get the Alliance back in shape. Why call to me?" Shepard asked. Just then, the door slid open and a communications officer walked in, holding a monitor in his hand.
"Admiral Shepard? We received a message from one Specialist Miranda Lawson from an FOB in Sydney, Australia. She wishes for you to contact her at your earliest convenience. She says its regarding her mission." He said, before pivoting on his heels and leaving the two admirals alone. There was a heavy silence for a moment, before Hackett started talking again.
"Ok Shepard, I admit there was another reason I called in to see you. I've been coordinating with the other races and we've decided to come together and form a militia of sorts. It would involve all the other Milky Way species and it would look after affairs all over the galaxy. It'd be allied with every military and would receive funding from all sources. I'm telling you this because after a unanimous vote, you were placed in charge of this task force. We're calling it Coalition. I'll be back to talk to you about it again, but congratulations. This is a monumental moment and a true sign of galactic unity." Hackett said, heading for the door.
"One moment Admiral. Me and Specialist Lawson are a team. I take it that there is still time to refuse the position? Well, I will bring it up with her. If she agrees, I will contact you in two days time to set up a meeting. If she disagrees, I'm sorry, but I will also refuse to take part in this task force." Shepard told him, a look of seriousness in his eyes. Hackett nodded in acknowledgement.
"I'll see you again Admiral. Rest up." Hackett said, as the door closed behind him. Shepard looked down at the band on his finger.
"We're a team Miri. We either do this together or not at all." He thought. Suddenly he remembered that he was to call Miranda. Bringing up his Omni-tool, he tried to call her. After a short few minutes, her familiar face came into view and Shepard relaxed, knowing that she was still ok.
"Hey Miranda. How's Sydney?" Shepard asked.
"Oh well, you know.. Sun.. Sea.. Rolling beaches.. and mounds of zombified husks roaming the streets... How's London?" She asked.
"Pretty much the same, Only no sea, sun, and sand... What did you want to talk to me about?" He asked, curious.
"I didn't really need to talk to you about the mission, just wanted to hear and see you. They wouldn't have let me see the most famous Admiral in the galaxy if I said that 'his fiancée was bored and wanted to see him', even if she is his doctor.." She said, a sly smirk across her face. Shepard laughed.
"Well I'm happy you decided to give the small white lie. Hey Miri? Are you going to be in Sydney for much longer?" He asked.
"Yeah... until at least a week from Tuesday. Why?" She replied, slightly concerned.
"Hackett informed me about something. I need to discuss it with you. It's urgent. I'll get on a shuttle and meet you there. Plus, Edi and Joker have been meaning to go down south." He said.
"No you won't! Do you not remember that your doctor placed you on bed rest while your legs finish healing?" Miranda retorted.
"Well, I overruled that order. I'll see you soon.." Shepard said, before ending the call. Climbing out of his bed, Shepard put on his trousers and slung his leather jacket up on his shoulder. Placing his Carnifex in his hip holster, he grabbed his cane and walked out to the Comm technician.
"Could you call a shuttle? I want to go to the Docking bays." Shepard asked. The technician did as he was asked and within twenty minutes, Shepard was standing outside a fully repaired Normandy that had been sent back to Earth. Shepard felt an overwhelming sense of pride in his ship. While this version had been built by Cerberus, the spirit of the Normandy had been with him before the whole business with the reapers even started.
As he approached the sky gate, the soldiers watching the entrance, scrambled to get in line as they saw Shepard approach. The all saluted him as he walked by, but he told them all to be at ease and that they could get aboard as he was taking the Normandy to Australia on a mission. As they walked aboard, Edi's familiar voice came on over the intercom, alerting the crew that the C.O was aboard. On board however, they were shocked to see what was going on between Joker and Edi.
Edi was sitting on the armrests of the pilot's chair to avoid breaking Joker's pelvis and they were kissing passionately. While it warmed his heart to see them together, he quickly realised that the soldiers that had come aboard were watching them with their eyes wide and mouths agape. Shepard cleared his throat, which caused the soldiers to come back to their senses. They made so much noise that Edi jumped slightly, falling and since she had such a hold on Joker, he had been pulled down with her. As he ended up on top of her, she chuckled and then Joker started laughing. Telling the soldiers to report to their stations, he helped Joker off the ground.
"Shepard! I'm happy to see you back up again. What are you doing here?" Joker asked.
"We're headed for Sydney, Australia. Officially, we're helping with the reclaimation effort. Un-officially, we're a really nice taxi service." Shepard said, keeping his voice low.
Joker turned and started to fiddle with the controls. After a few seconds the Drive Core came online and soon Adams was over the intercom asking what was going on. Shepard informed him that they were headed to Australia, to which Adams simply replied that it was good to see him aboard the Normandy again.
Joker opened the comms and asked for the docking clamps to be disengaged. The docking official asked what was going on as they hadn't the Normandy on any of the departure manifests. Shepard, giving his name, rank and registration, cleared that up quickly and soon they were on their way.
Landing in Sydney, roughly twenty minutes later, Shepard headed for the FOB while his crew either followed him to the FOB or went about helping in reclaiming the city. Joker and Edi had other plans however and after Shepard gave them the key, decided to retire to Shepard's quarters as there, they would have the most privacy.
Miranda watched as she saw the shuttle land. She'd have to talk to Shepard about this. Taking the Normandy for some sort of Taxi, just to talk to her when she'd only be away for roughly another 12 days. Leaving hospital in spite of his condition and all just to talk to her. She wouldn't admit it but she liked the idea of her fiancée travelling around the world to see her, but she wouldn't falter. She was not happy.
As soon as Shepard stood off the shuttle however, she lightened up when she saw the look on his face. He looked blissfully happy as she limped over toward her and embraced her, burying his face in her long, raven locks. She hugged him back and directed him over to her personal tent, and they sat inside.
"Ok... What the hell is so important that you needed to travel all the way here for?" Miranda asked.
"Well, Hackett came to me while I was in hospital and told me that I was to be put in charge of a collaborative multi-race militia called the Coalition. I told him that since we were a team, I wouldn't do it without you. So I came down here to ask whether you wanted to do it or not?" He replied, smiling slightly.
"You travelled down here... In a warship... to ask a question?! You could have called me!" Miranda sternly pointed out. Shepard pouted.
"Well, if I did, I couldn't do this!" He said, as he snaked his arm around Miranda's waist, pulling her in for a kiss.
"I missed you, you know. A lot" he whispered.
Miranda missed him just as much, but after returning the kiss she didn't realise she badly wanted, she mentally shook herself. 'Damn it Miri, you're angry with him... ah damn, he's doing that cute thing with his eyes..' she thought.
"What are the specifics about this 'Coalition' then? Where would we be based? Funding? What would the work include?" Miranda asked, swatting Shepard to get him to stop the puppy dog eyes.
"I don't know where we'd be based but the funds, missions and personnel would be a total collaborative effort. We'd be connected to every military in the galaxy but that's as far as my own knowledge goes. I told Hackett that if you decide to come aboard, that we'd set up a meeting in two days time to go over the specifics. So what do you say?" Shepard asked.
"It sounds tempting... OK! I'll do it. Set up the meeting, but where will we hold it?" Miranda inquired.
"Well Joker told me that they have to run some stress tests to make sure the Normandy is in full working order, so how about then? I'd rather be on my ship talking about it then discussing military issues from my hospital bed.." Shepard said.
"Perfect! Well now that the business is taken care of, how are you? Oh! I was talking to Ori and she agreed to be my Maid of honour. Well that was after she stopped screaming and her voice came back into audible range. Who are you going to ask to be your best man... Oh wait, I think I know." Miranda said, arching an eyebrow.
"What? Me and Garrus made a pact a while back. I'd be his best man and he'd be mine. We made it while we were seeing who could hold the most liquor but we decided to keep it all the same." Shepard said, smiling.
"How about we return to the Normandy. I'd like to see some of the gang again." Miranda wondered. Shepard happily agreed.
Walking out, they called a shuttle and within a couple minutes, were outside the Normandy's main entrance way. The door slid open as Edi told any crew members that the C.O was aboard. Strangely, the cockpit was empty and there didn't seem to be a soul aboard. Shepard headed for the lift and took it up a level to where his quarters were. He hadn't been here since the Normandy had been repaired, so he wasn't sure if it had changed or not.
As the door opened, Shepard and Miranda walked in to see Joker and Edi cuddled up on his couch. Edi was the first to notice and quickly stood up, slowly followed by Joker. Edi walked up and hugged Miranda before turning to Shepard,
"Admiral, If I could ask you for a favour?"
"No problem Edi. What is it?"
"I would like you to wed Jeff and I."
I had to include JokerXEdi as I always loved those adorable so and so's. I'm sorry if you think there's not enough action right now but don't worry, it'll come. Please review, if you think that there's anything I can improve on.