A/N: I am currently writing this at my anime convention; so, I will be gone for the next four-five days, but will try my best to update if I find myself with some downtime.
Thanks again, so much, for all the reviews, alerts, and favorites; I hate that I can't reply to each review individually, but know that they are appreciated! ^_^
Disclaimer: Biowaaaaare.
The next three to four weeks that passed were uneventful, save for the rebuilding efforts by, not only the human race, but all the races combined – the Citadel had been returned to its home in the Serpent Nebula and, as Shepard stepped out of the SSV Normandy's Airlock, she was glad to see it was nearly as active as it had been. Most the refugees that had been stationed here when the Reapers took the Citadel had died, along with the council, and most of the Citadel's population – but if there was one thing life was, it was resilient. Shepard refused to let what the Reaper's had done change anything; the Reapers were gone, dead – forever this time – and they were free to go about their lives as they had before, the only exception being the decimation their perspective home worlds had suffered. They continued to rebuild, and even in the wake of the Reaper's devastation – they thrived(And Liara had finally written her, though it had been brief and congratulatory only).
Hackett had asked her to deliver a message to the possibly council candidates about who would step up in Anderson's place as the human representative; that's why she was here, though she would be taking the opportunity to stop by Huerta Memorial and see how the pregnancy was faring. By her calculations, as well as Chakwas' readings, she was two months now – maybe a bit more – and just beginning to show a bit of a baby bump(as Kaidan affectionately called it). As well equipped as the SSV Normandy was, it was a state of the art warship – their medical facility was nice, but if she wanted the best, the Citadel was the place to go; they had saved Kaidan, and that made her certain that she was going to the right place.
First, the Embassies.
Shepard walked through Docking Bay D24, into the elevator. "Spectre status recognized – which floor, Admiral Shepard?"
"Embassies." The doors closed and the elevator hummed as it moved her between floors before, after a minute or two, the doors opened and allowed her to step off into the Embassy Floor. There were several of each race chatting amongst themselves, and Turian guards stationed much like they had before – if she hadn't just experience the Reaper War, she may have thought she'd dreamt it. It was almost as if nothing had changed, unless you knew what you were looking for – she could see it; the desperation had caused them all to age some, lines on youthful faces, and eyes with more knowledge of death and despair than they should have.
The Turian guard at the bottom step greeted her with a salute, something that nearly set her off balance. She never recalled any Turian – save Garrus – that had ever seen her equal in rank or title. To see a Turian saluting her, acknowledging that, was nearly surreal. "The others await you in Udina's old office, Admiral." His dual-toned voice made her give him an almost nostalgic smile; he even looked a bit like Garrus.
"Thank you, but you don't need to salute me," she said with a slight half shrug of a shoulder.
"Negative, Admiral. You saved Palaven from the Reapers – if I didn't who you the respect you deserve, my mother would kick my ass." His mandibles fluttered in the way she had come to know was Turians smiling. Or grinning.
She chuckled and snapped off a return salute. "At ease, soldier. Keep up the good work." He moved and she passed by him, shaking her head with a small laugh; would the wonders never cease? She was beginning to feel like a commander of the galaxy, not just of the Alliance; it was a good thing she wasn't the egotistical sort, or this could have very well gone straight to her head. The walk to Udina's old office wasn't long and she was stepping in before she even realized it. Down the steps and to the left into the main room where she expected them to be waiting for her; the Asari was expected, as well as the Turian, and the Salarian(though after what the Dalatrass had tried to coerce her into doing, she was not all that fond of the Salarian hierarchy right now), but she was pleasantly surprised to see a Krogan – and not just any Krogan, but Eve.
"Eve!" Shepard greeted her warmly, clasping her hand and shaking it once she had offered it.
"Commander Shepard – it is pleasant to see you again."
"You have no idea how happy I am to see you," Shepard grinned. As much as she wanted to continue to talk to Eve, she had to speak the whole of them not just the Krogan. Her body turned slightly, so she could address them as they gathered close by. "Hackett sent me to negotiate who you will have taking place on the council as Humanity's representative. He said you had someone in mind."
The Asari nodded softly. "We do, yes."
"There really was no one else in mind; if there were, we would be as blind as the previous council was." The Salarian nearly scoffed, waving his hand almost dismissively as if the conversation was pointless, as if the decision was made, not just in consideration.
"It was a unanimous decision, Shepard." The Turian was next to step up. "If you would gladly accept, Admiral, we would like you to be Humanity's representative."
What – what? Shepard's brain nearly blacked out as shock settled in. Her? On the Council? Representing all of humanity?
"There is…no one else?" She asked cautiously; she made sure to keep her voice steady, not wanting to appear ungrateful.
"There is no one else, Shepard." Eve said as she folded her arms across her chest. She nodded, as if acknowledging it to herself. "If it weren't for you, there would be no galaxy to council, no races left to inhabit our worlds. You single handedly defeated the Reapers and are the best that humanity has to offer."
Her voice failed her, as did her words; they just wouldn't come to her. Her lips moved as she floundered for something to say, anything really. A gesture uncharacteristic of her, a hand raised and rubbed the back of her neck as her thoughts ran at nearly incoherent speeds. It was the kind of job Kaidan and she wanted her to have; out of the way, no fighting – and yes, important, because Kaidan said she deserved it. However, in the last three years the council had nearly died twice, and then actually did die. Though, the responsible parties were now quite literally six feet under thanks to Shepard.
Could she say no? Should she say no?
"I have to admit that for once I find myself at a loss…" She chuckled softly.
"That's understandable, Shepard. It is not a decision to take lightly." The Salarian offered, helping to ease her mental anguish over her indecision.
"I would ask for some time to think on it, if that's acceptable."
"Of course, Shepard." Eve took her hand again and shook it, clasping her arm in a warrior's gesture. "Please, give it some thought – you would do great, I know it without a doubt."
Shepard's mind was nearly in a whirl as she left the Embassies and took the lift to Huerta Memorial; whether she should take the job, she needed to discuss it with Kaidan, ask her friends, along with all the thoughts that came with her pregnancy. There were risks to joining the council, she knew, but she would also be better protected – Kaidan could be assigned as a fellow Spectre to be a personal bodyguard. Something she knew he could do with his impressive biotic abilities. Despite their differences, she knew she could trust him to watch over her – he would not risk any harm to her or the baby.
The baby…she could find out the sex, if she wanted. Earlier detection was possible in this age. She wondered if she should ask, or leave it for later, as she moved off the lift and into the lobby of the hospital. It was calm, and quiet, a nice change from how hectic it had been during the war.
"Spectre," the woman at the desk greeted her with a nod.
"I have an appointment with Dr. Michel."
"Ah, yes, I believe she mentioned that. Through the hall, first room on the right." Shepard smiled slightly, almost nostalgic; the same room Kaidan had been hospitalized in. Fate had a strange sense of humor.
Shepard thanked the receptionist and moved down the familiar path, the one she walked many times when visiting Kaidan, both when he was conscious and when he wasn't; even now, he still wasn't aware of how often she had visited him when he was unconscious, sitting at his bedside, holding his hand and praying to every and all Gods that he wasn't taken from her like so many others that had come before him, friends and otherwise. Dr. Michel was waiting for her when she walked into the hospital room, her eyes lighting up when she saw her walk through the doors.
"Commander Shepard! So good to see you!" She exclaimed. "I am so happy for you, a baby iz such a wonderful thing." Her smile was almost infectious, the corner of Shepard's lips twitching ever so slightly. "If you can lie on ze bed, we can get started and make sure all is well with the pregnancy."
Chuckling to herself, Shepard moved to the bed and sat back, lying there and looking up at the ceiling for a long moment. Dr. Michel hit a series of keys on her console, then fired up her omni tool, syncing the two; a sensory rod whirled to life and Dr. Michel moved it to settle just over her slightly extended abdomen. She felt the warmth as the sensory machine did its work, mapping her abdomen, her womb, and the life growing there as Dr. Michel's omni tool took all the normal sensory readings that were necessary. The whole procedure only took a few minutes and it was over before Shepard had too much time to dwell on it – the slight, few moments she had to think were spent praying there was nothing wrong with her baby. After all they had been through, Fate would get a serious ass kicking from her if something was wrong with the one perfect thing her life had been given(well, besides Kaidan).
"Alright, you can zit up, Shepard." She did as the doctor said and stretched slightly, popping her back.
"Good news I hope?" Shepard asked cautiously.
"I would like to think so." Dr. Michel smiled. Almost beamed. Shepard's brows rose slightly. "Everything iz healthy with your babies."
Wait – did she say babies? As in more…than one? "W-what?" Shepard's voice cracked and she cleared her throat.
"Two babies – twins to be exact. Both girls."
Oh lord. Not one baby, TWO.
…And now she had even more to tell Kaidan; this was turning out to be an interesting day, to say the least.
A/N: I apologize for any mistakes, as I said before, I am at my anime convention so my brain probably isn't entirely all here; regardless, I hope you like the update! All reviews are loved - loooovvveeeeed. :D
