Chapter Thirty-Seven – The Reunion: Part 2

The sun had set over the horizon not too long ago, but there was still some light leftover in the sky. The party at the Shepard-Vakarian home had moved outside after some relaxation inside. Music was playing, string lights on tall stakes illuminated the yard, the grill was on with the charcoal smell emitting in the warm air, and more importantly, everyone was chatting it up and having a good time.

Shepard, with Garrus standing next to her, watched as Kaidan cooked a variety of foods on the grill; a few hamburgers sizzled in one corner while a rack of ribs rested at the back. Kaidan took a moment to brush some barbeque sauce onto the ribs while Cortez added some corn on the cobs in another available space.

"That smell delicious," Garrus mentioned. "Too bad it's all levo."

"But I recall that you've actually tasted some levo samples before that didn't harm you," Kaidan reminded.

"Yeah, but it's always a risk when you try new stuff."

"Generally, isn't trying anything new, especially something that's unknown, always a risk?" questioned Cortez.

Garrus laughed. "That's true usually, but not when biology is involved."

"Fair enough."

"Speaking of levo foods I've actually eaten and turned out fine," Garrus started as he pointed at the corn on the cobs that were starting to cook. "I can say for sure that turian mouths were not meant to eat corn in that form."

"But that's the fun part!" Shepard called out. "Especially when you put lots of butter on it."

"My mouth is watering already just thinking about it," Cortez added.

Kaidan chuckled as he turned his attention to Cortez. "Just be patient, Steve. You won't regret it."

Cortez smiled warmly at him. "I haven't so far."

That definitely caught Shepard's attentioned as she shifted her eyes between the two of them, a smile growing on her face. "Soooo... are you two..."

The two men laughed a little nervously as they stared at each other as though asking each other a silent question. There were a few beats before Cortez finally said with a smile, "I'm sure they figured it out by now."

"Yeah, we are," Kaidan finally said with a chuckle. His cheeks were a bit flushed, but it was hard to tell whether it was from the heat of the grill or the current conversation. "But with our jobs and everything, we've been taking things slow."

"I thought I noticed something going on between you two last year when we were in London," Garrus pointed out as he lightly patted the both of them on the back. "Congratulations."

"Seriously," Shepard agreed. "I'm so happy for the two of you."

Cortez smiled warmly again. "Thanks Shepard."

"That means a lot," Kaidan agreed.

"Just... do me a favor," Shepard started. "If you two ever decide to get married... please don't have a Shepard-themed wedding."

"A what now?" Kaidan asked confused.

"You remember Conrad Verner and that girl Jenna we helped at Chora's Den when we were on the SR1?" Garrus asked. He continued after Kaidan nodded. "Well long story short, they both threw their first Shepard-themed wedding together and ended up on the news for it."

Both human men burst into fits of hysterics after hearing that, causing Shepard to narrow her eyes at them."You done laughing now?" she grumbled. "Because I think those burgers are starting to overcook judging by the char smell."

"Oh sh-!" Kaidan yelled out as he grabbed a spatula to flip the burgers.

Shepard happened to turn her head just in time to see a small group consisting of Wrex, Grunt, Joker, Jack, Jacob, and Vega by the lake. Grunt was taking off his armor as the others whooped and cheered. She knew right then and there that Grunt was about to jump into the lake.

"Eh... excuse me," Shepard uttered as she began to make her way over to the rowdy group.

For once, she was grateful for her slow legs because when she was halfway to the group, Grunt, who stripped to his undersuit, went running as fast as possible towards the lake. "CANONBALL!" he hollered as he jumped forward. He curled himself into a ball before landing in the lake, a large splash following after. The waves went up and out and soon soaked everyone within range, the edge of it just landing in front of Shepard's feet.

"My hat!" Joker cried out.

"Good thing I brought a change of clothes," Jacob said.

"That was nothing!" Wrex called out with a laugh.

"Fuck, man!" Jack yelled out as she removed her leather jacket. "Now my make-up's probably running."

"I didn't think you'd care about that sort of thing," Vega pointed out.

Jack glared at the younger soldier. "I oughta throw a shockwave at you and knock you into the water."

Vega laughed. "Actually, that'd be friggin' awesome."

"Let's not," Shepard warned as she approached the group.

"Awe man," Vega grumbled in disappointment.

By then, Grunt emerged from the water in howling laughter. "That was fun!" he called out as he got out of the lake.

Vega suddenly laughed as a thought came to him. "Okay, Grunt, one of these days I have to take you to a human water park. They have water slides, and this one I used to go to as a kid makes waves in this one pool that's bound to be a challenge for you to fight."

"I can only imagine that sight," said Jacob.

"Heh, heh, heh," Grunt rumbled with glee. "That sounds awesome."

"Do humans really waste all that water for humor?" asked a baffled Wrex.

"Don't look at me," quipped Jack. "I've never been to a water park before."

"Next time I go, I'll take you," said Vega.

Jack snorted. "What, like a date or something?"

Vega's eyes suddenly went wide at that. "Uh... no, that's not... not, like... I meant when I take Grunt, you can come with us."

Now Jack was laughing. "Did you think I was actually serious when I asked that?! But why the hell not? Watching Grunt go down water slides oughta be interesting."

"I'd tag along if the wave pool alone didn't risk breaking a femur," added Joker.

"I still think it's a waste of water," grumbled Wrex.

Joker turned his head to Shepard, who was listening in on the whole conversation. "Hey Commander, if Vega manages to take you to the water park too, take a ton of pictures, especially of you screaming while sliding down the 'world's tallest water slide' attractions."

Shepard chuckled at that. "We'll see."

By that time, Kaidan called out to let everyone know that some of the food was ready to eat. Upon reaching the serving table Garrus placed out earlier, Shepard served herself a cheeseburger with a side of potato salad and a couple of ribs. She then moved over to one of the tables that were set out under the string of lights. For now, she sat by myself since it looked like, at another table, Liara was having a quiet conversation with Javik, the two of them with meals already in front of them.

Javik grumbled something under his breath before he finally said, "So... am I to assume what whatever is on my plate will be ruling the galaxy in fifty thousand years?"

That earned a baffled gaze from Liara. "Eh... I don't know. I, eh... don't think cows are that advanced yet."

Javik snorted at that. "The Protheans thought the same thing about humans all that time ago. Look at them now. Then again, they were just able to speak while living in caves."

Now Liara just simply rolled her eyes. "Let's just... eat."

Suddenly, Javik glared just over Liara's shoulder. "I know you're there, human! You can't hide from the advanced eyes of a Prothean!"

A giggle was heard as Kasumi removed herself from cloaking mode. "Sorry. I was just thinking how you should really try to ease this tension between you two. You know, Liara, that Illium restaurant offer still stands if you want to take Javik with you... or Traynor instead."

"Kasumi, stop!" Liara yelled out just as the human ran off and went into cloak mode again. That was when Liara happened to see Shepard and let out an exasperated sigh. "You saw that, Shepard. That's the second time she pulled that on me today."

"I know," Shepard replied. "I'll can try to tell her to lay off if you want."

Liara groaned a little as she rested her face on her hand. "Something tells me that'll be easier said than done."

By then, Miranda joined Shepard at her table, a plate of corn, green salad, and a couple of ribs on her plate. "Hey Shepard."

"Hey Miranda," Shepard greeted. "Enjoying the party?"

Miranda smiled. "I am actually. I haven't been this relaxed since, well... your last party. The fresh air this time is definitely a plus."

"I should throw one of these every couple of years or so," Shepard said. "It'd be a great way for all of us to get together again."

"That's true," Miranda agreed. "When else can we all get together like this?"

"Hopefully not during a war," Shepard answered.

Miranda chuckled at that. "True. We'll just stick to parties then."

From there, the two of them talked a bit more while eating their meals, mainly about Miranda's work with setting up security protocals alongside the Alliance. The work, of course, was primarily focused on the Citadel arms, and the Presidium, that were still operating.

"They believe Zakera Ward will finally reopen within a year," Miranda mentioned. By then, she had finished her own meal. "That would just leave Tayseri, except, well... most of it is beyond repair. The parts that were salvagable might be used for a memorial for those who died on that ward."

"Really?" Shepard uttered with interest.

"It's just a thought right now, it just depends on how the project will look and whether that ward is able to support it." Miranda stood up then, taking her empty plate in hand. "Do you want a cocktail?"

"I'm good with the iced tea for now, but thank you Miranda," Shepard said. "Enjoy the rest of the party."

Miranda simply smiled before she left. A few minutes later, Shepard took the time to enjoy her meal (and reminded herself to thank Kaidan... he really was a great cook). As she did, she was surprised to see Samara and Zaeed walking side by side with a plate in each hand. Samara looked a bit bored and Zaeed didn't seem to notice yet.

"So," Zaeed started. "If you, eh... remember my offer about sitting in front of the fireplace and snuggling? That still stands if you want to take it."

Samara glared at the merc. "My answer is still 'no.'"

Zaeed raised his hands at that. "All right all right. Didn't hurt to ask again. But, eh... have you ever heard of taxidermy?"

"I don't believe I have."

"It's a work of art, let me tell you," Zaeed continued. "And it's something I think would work well in the dark wilderness such as the one we're in now..."

Shepard shook her head in amusement as they were now out of her earshot. Shame... she was curious to know what Samara thought of taxidermy.

She had just finished the last of her potato salad when Tali, Traynor, and EDI joined her. Tali and Traynor had their own food (with Tali's in a sterilized container) while EDI didn't need any nourishment.

"Since you're sitting here by yourself, I thought it'd be the best time to bother you," Tali teased as she got her meal set up with her 'emergency induction port.' Shepard managed to surpress a smile over that little memory.

"Thanks for that Tali, and it's not a bother at all," Shepard replied. "Have you tried the dextro beer Garrus got sterilized for you yet?"

"Not yet, but I plan on it. I'm trying not to get too drunk like last time... ugh, keelah, that was embarassing."

You're telling me, Shepard thought, deciding not to voice that. She then turned to the AI next to her. "Are you having fun, EDI?"

"I am," EDI answered. "Observing human behavior at gatherings like this is always fun."

"That's... comforting," Traynor said unsurely.

Deciding to change the subject, Shepard turned her attention to the communications specialist. "Hey Traynor, how are you these days?"

"Doing well actually," Traynor replied before she took a bite of her barbeque cheeseburger. She took a moment to enjoy it before she swallowed and continued. "The Alliance is keeping me busy with establishing comms between settlements around the galaxy. I work mostly in Vancouver, but sometimes they'll send me out to other places when needed. Once the job is done, they think they want to have me posted on a ship since I did so well during the war."

"No going back to the lab?"

Traynor smiled. "For now, no. My experience on the Normandy has spoiled me from lab work. I blame you, Commander."

"That was exactly what I set out to do all this time," Shepard teased.

Traynor laughed. "Well then, glad I had a great teacher."

After dinner, Shepard rejoined Garrus at one of the other tables. Also there were Zaeed, Joker, EDI, Vega, Tali, Jack, Kaidan, Cortez, and Traynor. Liara, Javik, Samara, Miranda, and Jacob went back inside the house for right now while Wrex and Grunt headed off to town for a beer run (and hopefully not get themselves in trouble).

Vega was pouring everyone a drink, convincing all at the table moments ago to play a drinking game. "This one is called 'Never Have I Ever-'"

"Ugh, really Vega?" growled Traynor.

"Oh come on, this ought to be fun," quipped Shepard.

"If Shepard's in, so am I," said Zaeed.

"Oh great," Traynor groaned. "This going to be one of those moments where some kind of truth comes out that makes everyone get into a fight."

"I'll make sure that doesn't happen," mentioned Garrus.

"Unless you're too drunk otherwise, Vakarian," said Jack.

"Says the woman with the advantage of biotics," replied Tali.

"What about EDI?" questioned Kaidan. "I don't think she can get drunk."

"I only plan to watch and observe this game," EDI answered.

"In other words, she's probably going to record all of this," guessed Cortez. EDI only replied with what looked like a subtle smile, but no one said anything.

"Anyway," Vega continued after topping off everyone's cups. "For those who never played the game, here's how it goes. Each of us will go around the table and say, for example, 'Never have I ever drank beer.' If you actually never drank beer... which is doubtful but that's another story... then you don't drink from your cup. If you actually did drink beer, even that one time when you were a teenager, take a sip from your cup. Whoever drinks the least at the end of the game wins."

"Something tells me we're not going to keep track," mentioned Joker.

"Probably not," Vega chuckled as he sat down. "Okay, so I'll start. Never have I ever, eh... cried in public because of a song."

"Okay, that's lame, especially as a starter," said Kaidan... just as Cortez took a sip of his drink. Kaidan sighed at that. "Now I feel like an asshole..."

"Don't worry about it," Cortez assured him.

"Out of curiosity, what song was it?" asked Shepard.

"Not sure actually," Cortez replied. "But it was playing while some of the other fighter pilots and I were taking a shuttle to a dock location in Eden Prime. I thought my helmet would hide my reaction, but well... turned out the mic was on. Luckily, no one gave me hell for it."

"Okay, my turn," pipped up Jack. "Never have I ever had sex with my superior officer."

"You make it sound so much more dirty than it should be," Garrus replied right before he took a sip of his dextro beer while Shepard laughed.

Kaidan also took a sip of his own beer. "Tell me about it," he agreed. "Okay... never have I ever, um... dined and dashed."

Not surprisingly, Zaeed, Jack, and Vega took a sip, but everyone was shocked when Traynor took a sip, too!

"Okay Traynor, story time," Joker chuckled.

"It happened when I was a student at Oxford and it wasn't even my fault!" Traynor called out. "No one even told me what was going on. I happened to have too much champagne and everyone was suddenly gone. I thought the bill was paid, but it turned out everyone was aware of the plan except me!"

"You sure they try to make sure you paid the bill with that move?" questioned Zaeed.

"Actually, they were sure I knew the plan," Traynor said. "Though if I really did know, I would've had no part in it at all! Either way, I never stepped foot in that restaurant again. And they had great champagne, too!"

"Look at you Traynor," Shepard teased. "Such a rebel you are. And all this time, I never knew. They do say it's always the quiet ones you don't expect this from."

"Ugh... if we weren't already playing this game, I would've drank the rest of my beer."

"Whose turn is it?" asked Jack.

"Mine," replied Cortez. "Never have I ever... worked with someone I hated with the burrning passion of a thousand suns."

Of course Jack took a sip and everyone knew it was about Miranda. Then again, everyone tasted their own drinks in that moment.

"So, there's one we can all relate to after all," said Tali.

"Speaking of," started Joker as he turned to Jack. "How are you and Miranda these days? Have you kissed and make-up yet?"

"The cheerleader's a little better than usual, though I still hate her bubbly butt," Jack replied after rolling her eyes. "My guess though is that she recently received a good screw if you know what I mean."

"Yeeeah didn't want to hear that," grumbled Cortez. "Traynor, you're next."

"All right," Traynor responded. "Never have I ever... looked through someone else's messages without permission."

Shepard sighed as she took a sip. But so did Garrus. "Hey, it was part of our jobs, you know," he explained. "Being a detective and all."

"Uh huh," teased Vega. "Joker, you're next."

"All right then!" Joker called out. "Never have I ever flashed a bartendar for a free drink."

Of course Jack took a sip, but everyone was surprised when Shepard did, too!

"What?!" Garrus yelled out in shock. "When was this?"

"Long before I met any of you," Shepard laughed. "It was my birthday and it was done on a dare by one of my fellow comrades in arms during shore leave." She purposefully primped her hair with her hand. "I was such an innocent bird back in the day."

"Whatever you say, Commander," uttered Vega.

"Hey, for the record, it worked! I got four free drinks out of it!"

"EDI, did you want to throw in a question?" asked Joker.

"No thank you," EDI replied. "I'm enjoying myself as an observer."

"Honestly EDI, I would be too," Shepard admitted.

"That makes it my turn then," said Tali. "Never have I ever... had children."

No one took a sip... except Zaeed, much to everyone's shock. After his finished his drink, everyone fell quiet, unsure of what to think of that revelation. It was something he easily could've lied about, but for some reason decided to reveal it anyway just by that action alone.

It was Tali who finally said something. "Keelah, I'm really sorry Zaeed. When I asked that, I was assuming that everyone here didn't have kids and thought, 'hey, here's a free card for everyone!'"

"Yeah, well, I never talked about it before so you had no reason to assume otherwise," Zaeed replied.

"Care to share?" asked Cortez.

Zaeed shrugged. "Not much to share. I was married briefly to a woman for a short time, but left after our son was born because the marriage was miserable for both of us. Kid grew up without me around because I was too goddamn busy with merc work. He was better off not knowing me anyway."

Kaidan hissed slightly at that. "That's... heavier than I expected."

"If you don't mind me asking," started Shepard. "Do you think you'd want to try to reunite with him someday?"

"Even if I wanted to, that ain't gonna happen," Zaeed answered. "Last I heard, he went off to join that Initiative that headed towards the Andromeda galaxy a few years back. Those ships are probably out in dark space by now if those goddamn Reapers hadn't caught 'em on their way to obliterate the rest of us arseholes here."

Hearing all that had everyone fall into silence for a few seconds as no one was sure of what to say. Eventually though, Garrus cleared his throat. "I believe it's my turn. Never have I ever sung karaoke in front of people."

Joker, Vega, Tali, and Traynor all took a sip of their drinks. To lighten the mood, Shepard asked, "Any of you remember the songs you sang?"

"Totally was 'Hooked on a Feeling,'" replied Vega. "If I recall passed my drunk state at that time, it was that Hasselhoff version from the 1980s."

"The what now?" asked a confused Garrus. "My translator glitched at... whatever the hell you said."

"Just the name of who sung it at the time," Vega explained.

"Don't even ask," added Joker. "I couldn't even remember the bar I was singing in at the time."

"Mine was 'I Was Lost Without You,' from the Fleet and Flotilla soundtrack," said Tali.

"Of course it was," Garrus chuckled. "Okay Shepard, your turn."

"Mine's not all that creative," Shepard warned. "Never have I ever pressed send and immediately regretted it."

Garrus sighed as Kaidan, Cortez, Traynor, and Tali all took a sip from their cups. "Does that one time involving Felix and an important message to Victus count?" the turian asked.

Shepard laughed. "Yes it does, Vakarian."

Garrus groaned before drinking his beer.

"Okay, here's one I'm sure almost everyone has done including yours truly," Zaeed said as he realized it was his turn. "Never have I ever punched someone."

Except Joker and Traynor, everyone else took a sip. "I'm sure I would've joined all of you on that if I didn't risk breaking my fingers more than your guys," Joker mentioned.

The group went a couple of more rounds at the table before they realized that they lost track of who drank the most (though poor Traynor looked more inebriated than the rest, though no one was sure whether or not it was from drinking more than the others or being a lightweight). During that time, Samara, Miranda, Jacob, Liara, and Javik rejoined everyone outside and watched the game (with Javik mumbling, 'what's the point?' at one time). Everyone it stopped once Wrex and Grunt returned with cases of beer and spirits from the town's liquor store.

"Hey Shepard," Wrex said when he approached her a little too carefully even for a krogan. "I, eh... should let you know that the liquor store we went to, well... eh... not only did Grunt break half the bottles while running around, but by the time we left, it was on fire."

Shepard's eyes went wide in horror upon hearing that after nearly dropping her cup of beer. "WHAT?! YOU DIDN'T!"

Grunt suddenly burst out laughing. "HA! I told you the look on her face would be great!" By then, Wrex was chuckling too at the small prank he just pulled.

Shepard slapped Wrex in the arm, even though it probably felt like a feather tickling him. "You jerks! One of these days, I'm gonna get back at you for that!"

"I'd like to see that, Battlemaster!" Grunt howled.

A few minutes later (and after Shepard calmed her nerves after thinking she was about to get kicked out of town), Liara made the suggestion of another group photo together. Everyone agreed to it and settled under the stringed lights with chairs in one row and all the taller partiers stood behind the chairs (except Garrus, who sat next to Shepard right in the middle of the row of chairs). Liara's drone, Glyph, was taking the photo again, hoovering a few feet away in front of the small crowd and waited patiently.

"Okay everyone!" Shepard called out as everyone was settled and ready. "Let's do it just like last time! Say, 'Normandy!'"

Everyone repeated the word aloud once (and once again, Garrus let the word linger on his tongue after everyone stopped) and Glyph snapped the photo. Later, long after the party was over, the picture would hang on the living room wall inside the Shepard-Vakarian home, right next to the one they all took together a few years back on the Citadel...