AN: Here we are with another chapter! They come a bit slower and more spread out after this one, mostly thanks to my decision to have a Mass Effect marathon. I am attempting to get through the series from 1 to 3 and...it's going to take up a sizeable part of my time. Big thanks to everyone reading and reviewing.

"You destroyed a mountain?!" Even though the translucent hologram sacrificed some detail for ease of communication, Anderson's shock was clear.

"No!" Shepard replied quickly and defensively, "...well...maybe...okay, yes. But it wasn't like that!"

Anderson chuckled, holding up his hands to suggest he did not wish to debate the matter, "no need to explain to me Shepard. I understand you did what you had to do. Udina is less than satisfied. He feels that the loss of such a ruin 'undermines our bargaining position against potentially sensitive species'. His words, not mine." This news only seemed to cheer the Captain up more.

"You can tell him I said 'you're welcome'." the woman rolled her eyes, unsmiling. Udina had already made his point abundantly clear during his own conversation. He had fired the whole lecture at her, letting her know how she was representing humanity and he had to clean her messes up. He sure as hell knew how to drag down a victory. She remembered wondering how he would have reacted if she had failed. His bollocking was just one of many communications that had reached the Normandy during the night, with such frequency and regularity that she was considering moving her office into the debriefing room. Without fail, they were about the coming ceremony and she was getting sick of hearing about it.

"Don't worry, I will." Anderson nodded, his own smile slipping a little. Even though they were separated by the vast ocean of space, he could still tell something was wrong, "Udina is part of the reason I'm here actually, Shepard. There's been a lot of...concern...over your guest list."

"My guest list?" she folded her arms over her chest, ready for battle, "what's wrong with it?"

"Udina's not happy that you've invited your entire team."

"They're my team, Anderson. They've fought beside me. They're going to be a part of this as much as I am."

"Yes well, Chief Williams and Lieutenant Alenko are not the problem. Even Vakarian is fine. It's Tali and Wrex."

"What about them?"

"Well...Udina is uncomfortable with the thought of having a quarian and a krogan in your corner. They're...not exactly popular with the Council."

"Well, Udina is going to have to cope. I asked them along and they've accepted."

Anderson was surprised, "Even Wrex?"

"I told him about the free tab."

The Captain looked less surprised, "Ah, I see. What do you want me to tell Udina?"

"I don't know," Shepard squeezed her temples with one hand, eyes closed, thinking, "tell him that it promotes cultural unity and human tolerance."

Anderson laughed, "I think that must just work Shepard. Udina could definitely twist that into something acceptable. He's fighting with the Council on everything anyway, even what you're allowed to wear."

Shepard just looked at him, "Clothes, I hope."

"The Ambassador and I want you to wear your Dress uniform; Udina because he wants you to look good for the recruitment photos and me because...well, you still consider yourself an Alliance soldier?"

"Sir, yes sir!" Shepard gave a mockingly sloppy salute. That had always annoyed him.

"That's what I thought." he twitched, "The Council don't want you wearing anything so...obviously biased towards one side. They want something more neutral."

"Alright..." Shepard wondered how debates over her clothing for a formal ball had taken on greater significance than her mission to track down and arrest one of their own traitorous agents, "I'll leave that battle in your capable hands sir."

"I can handle the Ambassador," Shepard could well believe it. She put a hand to her head again, "are you okay Shepard?"

"I'm fine, just a stubborn headache."

"How long have you had it? How bad is it?"

"Since yesterday, it started after the Therum business and it's not that bad." She was surprised to see how concerned he was by the simple statement, his holographic form bent over slightly, as if attempting to bridge the vast distance that separated them.

"Have you gone to Chakwas?"

"First thing this morning. She ran some scans and she's performing tests now. I'm going to head to her once I'm finished speaking with you."

"Then don't let me keep you. Any further communications relating to the mission will be addressed to Pressly. Any business on this ceremony can wait until you return."

"Christ Anderson, it's just a headache, not an outbreak of the Bubonic Plague."

"Even so Shepard, I want you to keep yourself in top condition. It was okay when you were just another grunt but now, things are different. To beat Saren, you have to be at the top of your game. It might just be a headache to you but to him it's an edge. Now go see the Doctor. I'll keep the hounds from the door. Anderson out." the image flickered and died away, leaving Shepard in the perpetually murky darkness of the Normandy's interior. Thinking on what he had said, she pondered his words, then how long it had been since she had worn a dress.

A very long time.

"Well Doc, give it to me straight. How long do I have to live?"

Chakwas rolled her eyes at the ship's commanding officer, supposedly, who sat perched on the edge of one of the beds, blue eyes following her keenly, "ten seconds, these are literally your final words."

"Udina's a git."

"Well said Commander, very moving. May we?" The grey doctor gestured towards the datapad she held in her hand. Shepard nodded and her eyes, though still filled with childish mirth, flashed with nervous anticipation.

"Shepard...there's nothing wrong with you."

"Really?" she seemed surprised by that, "you sure?"

"Absolutely. I did all the tests I could and a few more besides. Physically you're in perfect shape. No swelling, no inflammation, nothing. You're fine."

"I see," there was a pause. The commander was considering something. Chakwas just let her work it out, "do you mind if I get a second opinion? The problem might not be entirely...physical..."

Chakwas frowned, deep in thought. She was surprised by how seriously Shepard was taking a headache, especially as she had laughed off much worse injuries than this in her time. Even the way she was watching her was off, gaze fixed on the doctor keenly, waiting. After a while, the elder woman just nodded,

"I'm no psychiatrist Commander. Doctor T'Soni might be able to give you some help if you need it. She's in my office," She nodded to the room at the other end of the medical bay.

"Thanks Doctor." Shepard flashed her a smile and jumped down from the bed, heading for the private Office.

Chakwas waited until the door had hissed shut before looking at the report again. Maybe she had better run some more tests...