The door to Javik's quarters slid open and Shepard walked into the room and saw Javik standing at the workstation and looking at the monitor.

Javik glanced over his shoulder and said, "Commander."

"Javik. Ready to see the Citadel?"

The Normandy had been in transit for close to two days and was only hours from exiting the Citadel relay for the final 50 minute flight to the Alliance's base on the Citadel where they would dock and Alliance engineers would start to repair and service the Normandy.

Javik turned to face Shepard, "I appreciate this, Commander. Seeing the Citadel under less gunfire."

Shepard nodded. His eyes were drawn to the monitor where he saw the familiar blueprint of the Normandy SR-1 and its technical specifications.

"Looks familiar," Shepard pointed out.

"I've been reading. Studying," Javik said. "The Normandy before this one which was attacked by the minions. News said you died, afterwards there were a lot of rumors on this you call the extranet about your fate. But you survived the attack to work with Cerberus against the minions."

"Something like that," Shepard mused.

"Impressive for a primitive to survive such an attack."

Shepard glanced at Javik and shook his head, the prothean was bound to find out sooner or later, "No. I died, Javik. Cerberus found me and Miranda resurrected me. Cerberus wanted me to fight the Collectors and the Reapers," he shrugged, "although the Illusive Man's original intent was quite different, but I was still successful."

This surprised Javik, "You died, Commander? And Lawson-human resurrected you?" He mused, "Impressive technology for primitives. This Lawson-human seems clever."

"She's got a few brain cells," Shepard deadpanned. He continued evenly, "Maybe you and I have a thing in common. Both of us were…spared to fight the Reapers."

"Perhaps. But you have something else. The reasons you fight are still alive. My race is no longer. My family was killed…or worse. You have the friendship and camaraderie from the people around you. And more…"

"More?" Shepard asked.

"Lawson-human and you are joined," Javik pointed out.

"Oh, right. Yeah."

"She is devious…I've yet again found more pheromones in the port observation room. I can sense her mark, it's strong, and she's taunting me when leaving these memory markers."

"Oh…" Shepard said flustered and continued sardonically, "this isn't awkward at all, Javik."

Javik ignored Shepard and pressed on, "Is it because of Lawson-human you're fighting? A future? An offspring? Her affection?"

Shepard nodded slowly, wondering where this was going, "Yes, I do. Otherwise all I have is fighting, war, destruction and death in my life. I don't want to grow old alone and missing out on life."

"But you have to do what's necessary, or that future with Lawson-human will be no more. You've to shut down this empathy for others, you've to defeat the enemy, not just for this cycle, but all those before. If the Reapers succeed those you hold close will perish. I know this, because my Empire failed, I failed."

Shepard glanced at Javik, he saw a man tainted by the horrors of his own cycle. Seeing family and friends, his entire species eradicated meant that all that was left in Javik was his will to fight the Reapers until he or the Reapers were vanquished. Was Javik a pretext to what Shepard himself could become? What if Shepard had been frozen and awakened 50 000 years later, seeing everyone gone, seeing how his cycle had failed and the Reapers on the offensive again? He would likely have the same point of view as Javik if that happened.

"I'm very well aware of what's at stake, Javik," Shepard countered.

"Synthetics are created, Commander, they have a purpose compared to organics. This 'peace' between the geth and the quarians will do nothing, the quarians are still wary of the geth – and for good reason." Javik said disgusted, "And now when the geth upgraded themselves to think they are organics with individuality I fear they will conclude that wiping out the quarians will be the best solution. The next step is the rest of the galaxy. Machines will always end up destroying organics, this is why you must defeat the Reapers."

"There might be war again between the geth and the quarians, you're right. After all, Admiral Xen is still around, and hell, we should not assume that all geth will always be benevolent," Shepard said. "Just as there might be war between any other organic species. Earth nations have been fighting wars against each other since forever. Don't you argue for survival of the strongest? In ecology there's a similar concept, 'two different species can't occupy the same niche.' Why? One species will always be slightly better suited to the niche and will eventually push the other species to extinction. I agree with that, but that doesn't mean that I advocate that the 'weaker' should be conquered but rather protected."

"Natural selection," Javik said. "But organics are always advancing, we create synthetics with a purpose, and because of their design they will always surpass organics. Pushing organics to extinction. We cannot allow that."

"That's why I will do my outmost to defeat the Reapers," Shepard iterated. "Because they are a threat to everyone."

"But the geth are machines, you cannot treat them like organics," Javik argued.

"I don't. Even Legion once said that no two species are identical, and that we have to judge different species on their own merit. Because if we don't, and treat every species like one's own that is racist and even benign anthropomorphism."

"That a synthetic understood that is surprising," Javik reluctantly said.

"What about you, Javik? I understand and respect your reasons for being aboard this ship and fight the war with us. But…you've mentioned this family you had. I get the sense there's something more."

Javik glanced over Shepard's shoulder and the small table at the wall with the memory shard floating over the small pedestal in a blue glowing light. Shepard turned and looked at the artifact as well.

"They're called Echo Shards," Javik explained in a low and glum voice. "They were passed to soldier from soldier. Prothean to prothean. Each adds their memories to it."

"Like a beacon," Shepard mused and turned to Javik. "How far back does it go?"

"To a time before the Reapers. Centuries," Javik said softly. "The only thing left of my people."

"And if you touch it, it brings back pain," Shepard surmised.

"Yes. Imagine if everyone you knew was dead, you could not remember their faces, their voices or the color of the sky above your home," Javik said in anguish. "The memories were gone. But so was the pain. Would you want to remember that, Commander? Even if it meant watching everyone die again?"

Shepard glanced at the shard. It amazed him how well Javik was able to keep things together considering everything he had gone through, and Shepard asked himself whether Javik was asking for his opinion on what to do with the shard. If Miranda died in the war, and Shepard had the occasional nightmare, he wasn't sure if he wanted to relive it, to have such painful moments spring back to life. Just the thought of Miranda dying was hard. Reliving painful memories vividly was certainly nothing he wanted someone else to experience just as little as he wanted it.

Shepard turned to Javik and shook his head, "Reopening old wounds never ends well. Especially big ones."

Javik glanced at the shard as well and nodded slowly, "Perhaps you're right. There were others." He turned to Shepard, "Soldiers who served under me. Like your crew."

"What happened to them?"

"They're dead where I left them."

"We have a saying; 'let old ghosts rest.'"

Javik mused, "Then there's some wisdom in this cycle."

"Yeah, if you can live by it," Shepard said.

"I want to visit the Citadel, if you would like to join me when time permits."

"Of course," Shepard nodded. "There's also a shore party in the planning a few days from now." He deadpanned, "A great way for you to observe primitives."

Javik mumbled uninspired, "Why? No one will remember in 50 000 years."

"Yeah, but we will until we die. It's a good way to hopefully forget about the war for one evening. Also, Miranda is finalizing the procurement list so we are restocked before we embark again, and considering you're still alive you're probably eating our food. If there's something specific you want send her an e-mail."

Javik snorted, "I've resigned myself to this primitive sludge you people call food. I don't have much choice in the matter."

"It's better than starvation," Shepard reproached. He knew he could always check in with EDI and her sensors to figure out what the prothean preferred, but he didn't want people to be monitored 24/7, he wanted them to feel some sort of privacy on a cramped war ship.

"I'll send Lawson-human a list," Javik mumbled.

"Good. I have to go, we'll talk another time."

"Yes, Commander," Javik said and turned to the workstation.

Shepard left Javik and strolled to the elevator and called it down with the press of a button, but it was already on its way down and stopped. The door opened and Garrus was inside.

The turian greeted, "Hey, Shep."

"Garrus," Shepard replied and entered. "Going somewhere?"

"The armory to pick up the Javelin, I'm bringing it to the turian base and its R&D department. Where to?"

"My quarters, but let's drop you off first."

Garrus nodded and pressed the button for the Cargo Bay.

"How are you?" Shepard asked.

"Good, it'll be great with shore leave," Garrus said. His mandibles twitched and he revealed happily, "My dad and sister escaped Palaven."

Shepard smiled and patted Garrus' shoulder, "That's great, Garrus. I told you so."

"Yeah…you did. Dad called me the day after Utukku as they boarded a transport. He called me last night again, they were settled at a asari refugee camp."

The elevator stopped and the door opened, but Garrus didn't leave right away.

"And they're fine?"

"Yeah, well my sister broke her leg but the medical staff on the transport fixed it."

"That's good." Shepard smiled, "I'm happy for you, Garrus."

Shepard knew his friend had been hurting about his father and sister, and to finally know they were safe probably did a lot for Garrus' morale.

Garrus nodded, "Thanks. I'm going to get the rifle, I'll see you later."

"Of course," Shepard nodded as his friend left the elevator.


The Normandy soared past the outer defense ring of scores of Citadel Fleet ships onwards to the Citadel on approach to the Alliance spaceport on the Presidium. Joker followed the designated flight lanes to the massive military base and its spaceport which was cramped between civilian spaceports. The massive Alliance spaceport on the Presidium only had a few frigates docked, and the base grounds were dotted with dozens of buildings in various sizes. The frigate slowly crossed through a massive barrier curtain which was suspended on the outskirts of the spaceports which kept the vacuum of space at bay, thus people could work without wearing sealed suits. The frigate settled on the designated dock, overlooking a nearby civilian spaceport. Electromagnetic docking clamps on either side of the dry dock attached to the airframe to keep the frigate secure. An inclined docking tube connecting to a platform and a sprawling gangway on the docks was raised and secured at the airlock.

In the CIC and the War Room the crew started to shut down their terminals, they eagerly and amicably chattered about the weeklong shore leave that was about to start, what places to visit, and most declared they would be partying all waking hours. They were also surprised, and happy, about the party Shepard was arranging for later in the week. The final shutdown of most systems and the drive core would be carried out by the aerospace engineers and maintainers during the overhaul.

Shepard strolled past the galaxy map after exiting the elevator and headed down the hallway to the cockpit, he was going to check in with Joker and after that he would head down the Crew Deck and say his goodbyes to the MARSOC Marines.

The crew around him began rising from their seats and headed to the elevator. The space outside the elevator was getting crowded when the War Room crew showed up as well, so the crewmembers split up in smaller groups for the elevator ride to the Crew Deck. They were going to the crew quarters to change into civilian clothes and retrieve their duffel bags. After that they would leave the Normandy to be met up by Alliance personnel that would show them to their temporary quarters in the main complex of the base.

Shepard entered the cockpit where Joker stood up from his seat after deactivating the haptic displays.

"Shepard," Joker greeted and took a few limping steps towards the Commander.

"Set for shore leave?"

"Oh yeah," Joker grinned.

"So where and when do the two of us meet up?"

Joker started fiddling with his omni-tool, "I searched for some good places and finally narrowed it down. It took a while and they balked because they didn't have any tables so I had to drop your name, so now we got a table."

"Wait, I think I told you a few days ago not to impersonate me," Shepard said uninspired.

"I didn't," Joker clarified and looked up. "I told the guy on the channel that I was to make reservations for Commander Shepard and Lieutenant Moreau." He chuckled, "And believe me, once I said Commander Shepard the doors flung open. Suddenly they were very helpful when the credentials checked out. We're goddamn rockstars." He murmured, "Well…you are at least."

Shepard sighed resigned and prodded, "Alright, so where to?"

"Ryuusei, it's a sushi place on the Silversun Strip, a few kilometers away from your place."

"Raw fish?" Shepard grimaced bewildered.

"It's one of the fanciest places on the Strip, probably the entire Citadel!" Joker exclaimed to make a point. Joker pointed out, "You got to get a little more cultivated. That's why it took so long to get a reservation even in your name." He quipped, "I think they kicked out some poor rich kid and his date for us, so you better show some appreciation for what I've done."

"Okay, okay, okay," Shepard said defensively. He joked, "I'm already getting cultivated by Miranda."

"Well, now you get some more. It got like three stars in the galaxy edition of the Michelin Guide."

"Do they have beers?"

"Hell, yeah. They got a fully loaded bar, with everything you can imagine."

Shepard nodded pleased, "Alright, that's something."

"Not into sushi?"

"Well…not the first choice." He smiled reassuringly, "I'm sure it'll be fun, though."

Joker punched his omni-tool and Shepard's chirped, "I'm sending you the reservation info and directions. We have a table seven hours from now."

Shepard nodded and glanced at his omni-tool, "Sounds good, Joker. I'll be there on time."

"You better be," the pilot joked. Joker suddenly glanced down the corridor and said tongue-in-cheek, "Hot Marine inbound."

Shepard turned curious and saw Malaney approach, she was trailed by her Marines, everyone had their combat armor on, weapons were holstered to their armors and they had their helmets in hand. The CIC was empty now as the crew had left for the crew quarters. Chakwas had made her brain wave tests in the past days and found no abnormalities and as far as she could diagnose, none of the Marine Special Operators was indoctrinated.

"Anyway, I'm gonna head down and grab my bag. I'll see you later, Shepard."

"You got it."

Shepard walked forward and stopped near the airlock and Joker left the cockpit as well with a nod to Shepard and passed the Marines to the elevator, the enlisted saluted Lieutenant Moreau and he saluted back.

"Malaney," Shepard greeted friendly. "Are you guys leaving?"

Malaney stopped in front of Shepard and nodded, "Hey, Shepard. Yes we are."

"Well, I hope you enjoyed your stay."

The other special operators hovered nearby.

Malaney purred a bit and smiled slyly, "Oh…it was very interesting, Shepard."

The days through the relay network hadn't exactly been boring for Malaney, she had met up with Vega during the evenings and nights for some lustful romps in the showers, and eventually the operators had been cleared by Chakwas, and thus cleared by Shepard to have access to the Cargo Bay, so Malaney and Vega had snuck down there and more specifically to the secondary shuttle. She had even exchanged contact info with Vega as they had planned to meet up during the shore leave. After all, they were both going to be housed on the Alliance base. And even if she sadly hadn't been able to get Shepard to fuck her, she did have some good conversations with the Spectre during the transit. He was a very likeable guy who she would have loved to take out on a date. At least they had exchanged e-mail addresses, and Malaney didn't mind being friends with the Spectre and keeping in touch.

Sundberg walked over and chided her Lieutenant teasingly, "What our sassy Lieutenant means, Commander, is that she appreciates you getting us out of Benning."

A low chuckle was heard from the operators and Sundberg grinned while Malaney glanced quickly at her Sergeant with a glare.

Shepard quipped, "Of course she is." He grinned a bit and clearly enjoyed watching the banter between the two operators.

Malaney turned back to Shepard she said grateful, "Yes I am. I'm in your debt, Shepard. Thank you." She extended her hand and Shepard shook it.

Shepard smiled, "Don't be. We're…eh…siblings in arms I guess."

"That honors me, Shepard," Malaney smiled brightly. She cleared her throat and continued a bit sheepishly, "Well, I'm sorry for my brazen flirting earlier. I hope I haven't gotten you into any trouble with your girlfriend."

"It's fine," Shepard assured. "Although, you're very persistent, Malaney."

Sundberg quipped, "She is very persistent when it comes to hot men."

Malaney rolled her eyes, "That's enough, Erica."

Sundberg grinned wide at Malaney's discomfort.

Shepard inquired, "Are you always like this, Malaney? Friendly?"

Malaney was still a little flustered, "Well...I'm friendly to people. And men."

Sundberg laughed jovial, "She's our sassy Lieutenant!"

In the back, Marino nodded in unison, "She's teases, flirts, and then she curses like a Marine and talk shit with everyone. She's one of us."

"One hell of a shot," Arshad interjected near Marino. "Mean in hand-to-hand combat. She can take down most of us, even us big guys."

"Great team leader," Sundberg praised professionally.

Maleney was almost blushing now for all the praise from her team with Commander Shepard near her. She ordered, "That's enough." But a faint smile broke out.

"What's next for you guys?" Shepard asked casually.

"I've promised these characters a shore leave as well," Malaney quipped and gestured over her shoulder, "the base has room for us so we will be staying there just as your crew."

Shepard nodded, "Maybe we will see each other again."

"Oh, I hope so, Commander," Malaney said flirtatious with a sparkle in her eyes.

Sundberg huffed teasingly, "See, Commander. This is why I've to keep her in check all the time."

Shepard chuckled and he said cordial, "Keep safe out there, Malaney, and good luck in the war." He offered her his hand which she shook.

Malaney nodded professionally, "You too, Shepard. It's been an honor to meet you."

Sundberg took a step forward and shook Shepard's hand, "Thank you, Commander. I've to echo Raveena and say it was an honor to see you and come aboard this famous ship."

"It was my pleasure," Shepard replied.

The Marine Special Operators massed towards the airlock and they to thanked Shepard and shook hand while he made some small talk with them and wishing them good luck in the future. Eventually the Marines stacked inside the cramped airlock and the door closed behind them and they were decontaminated.

Shepard left the airlock and strolled down the corridor towards the elevator to return to the Captain's Cabin.


Grunt stomped away towards the elevator from the infirmary. He longed to get his hand on a chestplate and backplate again, he had been without one since Benning. He had managed to contact his company and had made preparations for a few of his soldiers to meet him on the Citadel and they would bring new pieces of armor with them. Although he wasn't enthusiastic about the impending hospital visit. Chakwas said that the shoulder and ribcage was still healing and that to strenuous force upon it could shatter the bones yet again so she had insisted on a few more days of hospital visit. It was only because his Battlemaster had shared the same sentiment that the krogan would honor that request. Hospitals made him feel weak, and he only showed his strength in front of others. He only let Shepard see the weakness. That weakness which he harbored because he lost his men on Utukku.

In the hour since the Normandy had docked most of the crew and all the special operators had duly left, only some of the ground team and Chakwas remained aboard. Grunt would say his goodbyes to Shepard and head for the hospital, Shepard had arranged for a cab that was waiting outside the Alliance base that would take the krogan to Huerta.

Grunt stopped at the elevator and called it up, apparently it was already on its way and stopped a few moments later. The door opened and revealed the prothean leaning in the corner.

Javik looked up with an impassive face and scrutinized the krogan. He gave a curt nod, "Krogan."

"Prothean," Grunt replied and stepped inside. He hadn't seen much of the prothean since Utukku. Shepard had explained that the ancient warrior rarely left the port cargo room, his former quarters. Apparently the prothean wasn't enthusiastic about the primitive races.

Grunt pressed the button for the CIC Deck and the elevator ascended.

Javik glanced at Grunt, "You're the krogan who lived in my quarters."

"Yes," Grunt nodded.

"You've fought with the Commander against the minions?"

"The Collector bugs? Yeah."

"What do you think about the Commander?" Javik prodded curiously.

"My Battlemaster has no match," Grunt replied confidently. "You should be in awe. He is strong, bound by honor and commands loyalty. He taught me to be a warrior."

Javik peered at the krogan and only hummed intrigued by the staunch support yet another primitive showed Shepard. And from what he had seen on the rachni world, this krogan appeared confident and strong in battle.

Grunt had been without direction when he stepped out of the tank, a wild and confused krogan. Shepard had guided him, helped him. He owed a lot to Shepard. Grunt was wary of this prothean, but if Shepard trusted him then Grunt would accept that.

The elevator stopped and the door slid open and both stepped out into the CIC. Shepard was at the corner of the galaxy map near his private terminal and was conversing with Garrus and Miranda. Shepard was waiting for the lead engineer and her staff to arrive so he could hand over the Normandy. Most of ground team had left for the main complex where their temporary quarters were. Garrus was very ecstatic to bring the Javelin to the turian base, he really wanted it reversed-engineered so he could take it into battle.

Everyone had a duffel bag of personal items either over their shoulder or on the floor. Javik on the other hand didn't have a bag, he had nothing he wished to bring him with him. He had wanted to bring his rifle, but Shepard had explained that without a proper license he would not be allowed to carry it on the Citadel. This had annoyed the prothean, but he was a very powerful biotic so he would be able to defend himself against the primitives.

Traynor was at her terminal, typing away, she gave the aliens a quick glance before she continued working, finalizing some work before she too would depart, although she suspected it would take some time, but she had no trouble remaining aboard for a while, she had EDI keeping her company. She was cueing up archives to be backed up just in case the engineers did something which wiped their databases, after all EDI was the ship's electronic warfare suite and other functions were operated by the crew.

Javik lingered in the background and leaned his back on the wall near the elevator.

Shepard excused himself and approached Grunt, "How are you feeling?"

"Ready to fight Shepard," Grunt growled.

"I just checked, and your cab is waiting so you're right on time."

Grunt declared, "I still think this is a waste of time, Shepard." He hated hospitals. All full with the weak and sick. And he was neither.

"Maybe, but we need you to be in top condition fighting the Reapers," Shepard assured the tank born.

Grunt nodded silently.

"I'll swing by Huerta and see how you're doing in a few days. And Wrex is in the neighborhood as well. And don't forget the party later this week."

Shepard had been sending out e-mails and checking dates. Getting everyone to synchronize had been a little bit of a puzzle but Shepard had finally locked down an evening to throw the party. All that was left was to buy beverages and snack foods.

Now that was a word Grunt liked; party. He grinned, "I'll be there, Shepard. Showing you how krogan party."

Shepard chuckled, "Good to hear. You want an escort to the cab?"

Grunt huffed, "I'll find my way."

Shepard nodded and patted the krogan on his shoulder, "I'll see you soon."

Grunt nodded and stomped a way with a faint smile to his Battlemaster.

The elevator announced its arrival and the doors opened, this time Liara strolled out with a hefty duffel bag over her shoulder.

Shepard smiled at the asari who approached him, "Liara, didn't think we'd get you to leave your computers."

"Well, even I have to concede it will be good with some rest. Although I still have to work," she patted her duffel bag, "I got some laptops with me, and of course Glyph, while my servers and computers are shut down." She couldn't let the Shadow Broker network stay unprotected with all the unknown engineers and maintenance personnel running around the ship during shore leave.

Shepard looked at Liara displeased and said gently, "Liara…you've to take a breather now and then."

"Maybe, but the war doesn't stop because we take some time off. Nor does…my work. Plus now I got more time at my hands."

"More time?" Shepard asked confused.

"Yes. I'm more used to Galactic Standard Time which is much longer than Terran time. I can get much more done now than I can aboard the Normandy."

"That makes sense I guess."

"And I got my hands on the prothean language tutorial a while back, and I have so many digitally archived artifacts to translate," Liara proclaimed giddy. "Finally I have time to do that as well. Think of what I can learn!"

Javik only gave the asari a disinterested frown, her obsession with the protheans irked him, it was just another reminder for him that his people were extinct.

"Don't work yourself to death, Liara," Shepard implored.

"I won't," Liara assured.

Shepard wasn't so sure, she had truly become a workaholic since she assumed her role as the Shadow Broker. He nodded resigned.

Liara left Shepard's side and approached Garrus and Miranda.

Shepard approahced Traynor and asked curious, "You're not leaving, Specialist?"

Traynor looked up, "I got some final things to take care of, I should be finished within an hour or two."

"We're on shore leave," Shepard pointed out.

"I'm almost done, Commander," Traynor assured him and turned to her terminal. "And it's nothing, I rather enjoy my work and I can spend a couple of more hours aboard. It doesn't bother me."

Shepard conceded and gave her a nod.

EDI's voice was heard in the intercom, "Commander? The lead engineer and her staff are in the airlock."

"Understood, send them my way."

Shepard returned to the others and waited and saw the entourage of a handful of engineers exit the airlock and walking down the corridor to the CIC.

Coming down the steps was the officer in charge, a woman in her thirties, who saluted as she approached, "Commander Shepard. I'm Lieutenant Commander Rutkowski, I will be in charge of the overhaul and maintenance of the Normandy."

The engineers gave Javik in the corner astonished looks. A low curious murmur was heard from some of them, but the prothean ignored the primitives.

Shepard saluted Rutkowski, "Lieutenant Commander, good to see you."

The engineers stopped near Shepard and the others.

"Thank you, sir," Rutkowski replied. "I must say this is an honor and we're very excited to start work on the Normandy."

"Understood," Shepard replied friendly. "Well, without further ado, Commander, I hand you the SSV Normandy, take good care of her. I want her in top condition and ready for action."

Rutkowski nodded, "I assure you, sir, that she will be repaired, refueled and rearmed. We will take a look-see on the onboard systems and sensors as well. A complete overhaul of everything."

"Great." He gestured in the direction of Traynor, "My comm specialist has decided to stay a while, she apparently has some lingering duties to take care of."

Traynor rapidly looked up and saluted before she turned her attention to the computer again, "Ma'am."

Rutkowski gave Traynor a quick nod and she turned to Shepard, "Understood, sir, that will not be a problem."

"Alright." He called out to EDI, "EDI, what about Chakwas?"

"Standby, Shepard," EDI said. A few moments later she informed, "She will leave soon, she is currently packing her bag as we speak."

Shepard nodded, "Alright. How about everyone else?"

"The only ones left are those of you present in the CIC. The rest of the crew left earlier."

Shepard addressed Rutkowski, "EDI is our ship's AI and I believe she can be of great assistance in regard to our systems."

EDI informed cordial, "I'll do my best to assist you and your team, Lieutenant Commander."

"Thank you, EDI," Rutkowski replied. She addressed Shepard, "We all have been briefed on every aspect of your ship, sir."

"Okay than," Shepard said, "The Normandy is all yours."

"Thank you, sir," Rutkowski replied and saluted. She turned to her staff and they walked away and began talking about the upcoming work on the Normandy.

Miranda smiled at Shepard, "Finally. Your final official business I hope. Let's get to the apartment."

"Gladly," Shepard nodded. He called out, "EDI, we'll be leaving then." He quipped, "And do try to be nice to the engineers."

"I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do."


The entourage had left the Normandy and briskly walked down the long inclined docking tube, Garrus and Liara small talked about their plans for the shore leave while Javik trailed the entourage silently. Shepard and Miranda were in the front. The group exited the tube and reached the wide platform and gangwalk.

Shepard stopped and looked at the docked Normandy, as did the others. For the first time Shepard could see the battle damage in person. Large portions of the stealth ablative armor panels had been blasted away from the left wing and exposed the hull and the stealth ablative coating painted underneath the armor panels.

No wonder the shield power units had taken a beating, Shepard mused concerned. They had definitely dodged a bullet and were lucky the ship wasn't more damaged.

The stealth ablative panels and paint was incorporated into the Normandy's hull to provide a reduction of the Normandy's radar signature. This was just one of many technologies incorporated into the Normandy to make it as stealthy as possible in atmospheric conditions, and not just space. Of course the advanced system which stored heat in a network of lithium heatsinks was the crown jewel of stealth technology while operating in space.

Garrus mused astonished behind Shepard and Miranda, "Damn! We were lucky."

Shepard nodded, "Exactly my thoughts."

Liara chimed in, "I'm sure everything will be repaired."

Garrus said jovial, "Well, it's not our problem now. I'm gonna settle in to my quarters here on the base and after that I'm heading to the turian base with the Javelin."

Shepard and Miranda turned around and the group started walking.

Shepard mused, "Good luck with that. We're heading to the apartment."

"Sounds better than some small room on a military base," Liara mused.

Miranda quipped, "I certainly hope so."

The group headed down the gangwalk towards the massive main complex in the distance where the others would live for the duration of the shore leave. They reached a crossroads leading either down the gangway overlooking the massive Citadel arms or to a path further into the base. Liara, Garrus and Javik would continue to the main complex while Shepard and Miranda would exit the base for the parking lot outside where they would borrow a skycar from the base's carpool.

At the crossing Shepard saw Cortez leaning his arms on the guardrail down the gangway while he peered out over the Citadel and the heavily trafficked lanes of starships in the distance. His own bag was near his feet.

Shepard stopped and turned to Miranda, "I'll just go and exchange a few words with Steve."

Miranda glanced at Cortez some 30 meters down the gangway. She nodded, "Okay."

Shepard said his goodbyes to the others who continued towards the main complex. He dropped his duffel bag near Miranda and strolled over to Cortez while Miranda leaned her back on a crate and began surfing the extranet on her omni-tool.

Cortez glanced over his shoulder when he heard Shepard's footsteps approaching.

"FUNGUS," Shepard greeted with a smile.

Cortez chuckled, "I should never have told you about my callsign, Shepard." He turned back to look at the sprawling vista of the arms and the densely populated skyscrapers rising upwards. In the far distance the lone star shinned brightly.

Shepard stopped near Cortez and leaned on the guardrail and said amazed, "Wow, what a view."

"Yeah, it is," Cortez replied. "I bet this beats D24. When we docked here after the coup I didn't venture out here to look out over the Citadel, but I'm glad I did now. It's comforting seeing all these ships in flight, even with the chaos all around." He glanced over at the Normandy in the distance and the docked frigates lining up beyond her, "And the view isn't bad here on the docks either."

"No," Shepard agreed as he glanced at the Normandy. "She's gotten us through a lot."

"Yeah."

Cortez peered out over the vista again and saw a turian frigate moving very slow in the shipping lane, other ships moved by it much faster. Cortez squinted but couldn't properly make out the hull number.

The pilot pointed, "Look at that slow moving, lone turian frigate."

Shepard turned and saw the ship, "Not part of the Citadel Fleet? Wonder what she does here?"

"Looking for dry dock probably," Cortez pondered. "Look at the wave in her drive core emissions, she's seen battle damage." He continued despondent, "Alone. Limping. Looking for haven. Maybe it would have been better going down fighting instead? Like the families back home."

"Are you talking about the turians, or yourself, Steve?" Shepard asked concerned and glanced at the pilot.

"I should have been there…with Robert," Cortez said glum.

"I'm glad you weren't," Shepard said encouragingly. "You'd be dead, we'd never have met, and I wouldn't have you flying us into hot spots, and getting us out once we're done."

"Yeah…that's the one good thing from this mess," Cortez mused. He turned to Shepard and mustered a faint smile, "I'm glad to be serving with you, Shepard."

"Those turians haven't given up because a lot rests on their shoulders. We haven't given up either, because future generations rest on our shoulders. That's why nobody's giving up. We have to find a way to survive." He tilted his head to the ship in the distance, "Those turians are still in the fight, as are their comrades in arms fighting the war. I'm not giving up. And neither are you."

Cortez breathed out and shook his head exasperated, "I got to let go for real this time."

He couldn't wail about the past forever, it wouldn't make things easier. It would only weigh him down. He couldn't live like that. The thoughts of Robert's final words erupted in his mind, fear and emotions gripped Cortez even if he remained stoic on the outside. Most of that day was blurry, but he could clearly remember Robert's call in minute detail. He didn't even need to listen to the recording. It was so vivid and entrenched in his mind.

I love you, but I know you, don't make me an anchor. Promise me, Steve!

He wouldn't forget Robert, but he had to move on. After a few moments he turned to Shepard, "I've been thinking of visiting one of those memorial walls that are placed all around the Citadel by refugees. They place mementos of lost loved ones there. I was thinking of doing the same."

"What's stopping you?" Shepard asked gently and glanced at Cortez.

"Nothing really. If you could tag along Shepard, I would appreciate it."

Shepard nodded, "Sure, we got a week at our disposal, I'll do that."

"Thanks, just…let me think about it for a while."

"Take your time."

"And don't let me keep you here, Shepard, I'm going to stay here for a while."

"Are you going to be alright?"

Cortez nodded, "Yeah."

"Okay. Don't forget about the party in a few days. I want to see you there," Shepard said friendly.

Cortez smiled, "Sure, I'll be there."

Shepard patted Cortez on his shoulder, "I'll see you around, Steve."

"Yeah," Cortez replied and looked out at the vista deep in thought, admiring the ships.

Shepard left the guardrail and returned to Miranda and collected his duffel bag. They walked throughout the base grounds and past the buildings and to the main gate where Shepard identified himself and was given the keycard to the red skycar. After that they strolled to the parking lot of skycars and found their designated skycar.

Shepard opened the canopy which lifted up and the clamshell door opened and Shepard was about to take a seat in the driver seat.

"I'm driving," Miranda said and stepped up next to Shepard.

Shepard turned to her and protested, "What? Why? I can drive."

"Not really." She continued snarky, "After the car chase in Nos Astra I'm not letting you drive a car with me in it again. Chasing Leng was a spur of the moment thing…and that didn't end well, did it?"

"Okay, that was not my fault," Shepard said defensively. "And in Nos Astra that crazy asari careened into me, not my fault either."

"I'm driving," Miranda iterated. "I have collision coverage in my insurance, you don't."

"Now, that's just mean," Shepard replied dryly and relented. He dropped his duffel bag in the backseat and so did Miranda who took the controls of the car.


The Strip was a 7 kilometer lavishly decorated boulevard on the Zakera Ward riddled with restaurants, clubs, casinos, shopping centers, exotic and exciting entertainment venues, fabulous resorts and luxurious residential high-rises. The boulevard's colorful and dramatic architecture had established the Silversun Strip as one of the most popular destinations on the Citadel. To traverse the strip you had to walk, use the monorail or take a skycar as the boulevard towered high above the sprawling and densely populated superstructures below which was usually referred to as the underbelly of the Citadel.

Miranda settled the skycar on the vast parking lot right outside Tiberius Towers which was dotted with a dozen skycars. They grabbed their bags from the backseat and left for the main entrance to the apartment high-rise. They entered the Tiberius Towers and found themselves in a large lobby with a series of elevators in the far end, the couple headed down to one of the elevators while they passed a strategically located, and very expensive, furniture department store named Home Spun. Shepard punched in a code into the keypad so the elevator would ascend to his private floor. The couple entered the elevator and took it up to Shepard's apartment, he noticed amused that Miranda was very relaxed and comfortable, fitting right at home in the more luxurious parts of the Citadel. The elevator stopped a few floors up and they exited into a glass-walled hallway overlooking the other side of the Silversun Strip. Skycars passed by outside, but the engine noise was almost nonexistent thanks to the thick protective windows and the sound dampening baffles built into the building.

They approached the door and Shepard punched in the access code in the panel near the door which slid open a moment later revealing the grand apartment, the lights turned on automatically when the sensors picked up their movement. Shepard and Miranda stepped into the hall and both were marveled by the sight of the luxurious apartment with tasteful lighting and lushly carpeted floors.

Miranda turned to Shepard with a sly smile, "I can definitely get used to living here, John."

The door locked behind them.

Shepard chuckled, "Yeah, me to."

They proceeded inside to take in the sights of the apartment.

The ground floor was a very open area, facing the Silversun Strip with tall and wide windows thanks to the tall ceiling. On the door's left in the corner of the windows was a black piano, and on the right of the door was a glass fixture which encased the stairwell leading upstairs. Decorative plants gave the area a very fresh atmosphere. There was a seating area further in with a large isolated wall parting the seating area from a living room on the other side. The wall had a fireplace on both sides, which at the moment was shut off, there were two couches and a coffee table facing the fireplace. As they wandered further they noted that all furniture had protective plastic covers on them. In the living room there was a bar with a few stools and an L-shaped couch facing the large flat screen TV on the wall.

A luxurious kitchen was on the main floor as well, cabinets and counters filled the length of both walls with a cooking island in the middle facing the sink, and it had two stools across the electric stove which functioned as a table. A quick look in the fridge and freezer showed that there was no food available. Further into the kitchen there was a spacious alcove with a large dining table dotted with chairs around it. The table, which also doubled as a conference table with a holographic projector, had a decorative model of the Normandy SR-1 model on it. In the hallway outside, near the stairwell, there was a bathroom with a toilet and a shower enclosed by frosted glass walls, and further into the apartment on the right of the kitchen was a bedroom with one wall of closets on one side of bed, the other wall had a large shelf of books. In the corner there was a punching bag near a smaller room where the doorway had a pull-up bar set up. The room doubled as washing room and storage closet, housing washing machines, VI operated vacuum cleaners and assorted items for the apartment. On the left of the kitchen there was a massive lounge. At the left of the doorway was the apartment's second bar, and on the right of the doorway facing the bar was a lone couch alongside the wall. In the far, left hand corner there was a U-shaped couch island with a coffee table in the center. Nearby the couch island was a gambling table for four. In the far, right hand corner was an office with an L-shaped mahogany desk. The walls near the couch island and the office had shelves with an impressive collection of books.

Miranda was surprised by the books, she had never pictured Admiral Anderson as such a devotee of reading classics, and on a first glance she found some very interesting titles. She relented that it just showed how stereotypical she viewed some Marines, although the interactions she had had over the years had reinforced her views over and over again. But it appeared Anderson was a very educated man with a love for the classical. Unsurprisingly there were a lot of books on military history, and just as John, the Admiral seemed to enjoy reading about that.

Leading into the lounge from the ground floor itself was a short hallway with an indoor waterfall, the path leading to the living room was surrounded by gravel beds, and just outside the hallway was the second stairwell leading upstairs. The couple continued upstairs past a spacious art gallery which overlooked the ground floor directly above the kitchen, it had two L-shaped couches in each corner. Down the hall from the art gallery was the main seating area with a large U-shaped couch and a coffee table between them. Further down the room on the left was another bedroom, it resembled the one below but had a private bathroom instead of a washroom/storage room.

Finally the couple entered the master bedroom, which was the largest of the three bedrooms. They left their bags near the king size bed and toured the room. The far wall was divided in several closets, the other wall had a mirror and an associating table, nearby there was a two-seat comfy corner couch, and the wall facing the bed had a large wall TV, and in the other end of the bedroom was the entrance to a very large bathroom with a spacious shower in the opposite corner with frosted glass walls surrounding it, and a toilet in the other corner. On the opposite side of the room there was a large bathtub, which was currently void of water.

The couple stood in the doorway of the bathroom and marveled at the exquisitely white tiled room.

Shepard slid an arm around Miranda's back and mused amazed, "The blueprints didn't do this apartment any justice."

She nodded, "Definitely not." She turned to Shepard with a smirk and murmured huskily with insatiable desire in her eyes, "I guess we've to fill that hot tub with water." Miranda wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her voluptuous body to his. She planted a few lingering, soft kisses on his lips which he reciprocated as he hugged her closer

Shepard groaned apologetic but still lustful because of her actions, "I'm sorry, Miri. But I promised Joker to meet him for late dinner. And if I slip into the tub with you, both of us naked, we're not getting out of there unless it's to try out that bed."

Miranda pouted theatrically, "But I want too…"

"I'll be back tonight and we can try out the bed," Shepard suggested with a goofy smile.

"Fine," she said faux serious. "But you better be available tonight, you are after all my boy toy."

Shepard teased, "And you're the rich, older woman just using me, don't you?"

Miranda purred, "You're learning your place. Good boy."

The couple laughed lightly at their silly antics.

Miranda glanced at the large bed with a plastic cover over it, they would have to make the bed. She looked back at Shepard and said evenly, "Well, we've some things to attend to. We've to remove all the covers from the furniture. And order up food and beverages so we can eat, or we won't survive long."

"It's a little empty in the fridge at the moment," Shepard agreed.

The two of them proceeded to remove the plastic cover from the bed and arranged new bed sheets and pillows. When that was finished they collected the plastic covers from the furniture throughout the apartment and fired up the fireplace. Although the beds in the two other bedrooms were left as they were. The plastic covers were folded together and stored in the cabinets of the storage room. The apartment finally felt like a real home.

They stopped in the kitchen and took a seat at the kitchen island and spent some time on Miranda's omni-tool and the extranet to buy food for the week. There were several online grocery stories available on the Citadel with home delivery and they placed an order which would be delivered within a few hours.

Miranda shut down her omni-tool and glanced at Shepard next to her sipping on some tap water.

"So where are you two meeting up?"

Shepard put down the glass and turned to Miranda, "Some sushi restaurant a couple of kilometers away. Ryuusei."

Miranda looked at Shepard surprised, "Ryuusei?" She declared, "That's my favorite sushi place! I want to go there!"

"It was Joker's idea," Shepard clarified confounded. He didn't know Miranda even liked that restaurant. Or knew of it.

She looked even more flabbergasted now, "Joker? He…? I didn't expect that from him."

Shepard chuckled and then sighed sardonically, "Oh, honey, that wasn't presumptuous at all." He continued sympathetically, "If one doesn't take your snarky attitude seriously you're quite funny."

Miranda narrowed her eyes on Shepard, "What?"

"If you talk to people you might learn something new. I know you're guarded around those you don't know, but you know the usual suspects on the ship."

Miranda grimaced dismissively, "Fine. Whatever. I still want to go to Ryuusei." She softened a bit and explained gently, "I had planned to drag you with me for a date. And you being famous, I hoped we could use that to get a table. It's like a month-long waiting period, and it seems like Joker knew about that as well."

Shepard smiled and said softly, "I'm flattered. But we can still go tomorrow or something, I can go there with you."

Miranda's shoulders sagged a bit, "But it won't be the same. It won't be a surprise to you."

Shepard reached out and drew circles on the small of her back, "But I'll be on a date with you."

Miranda smiled, "I guess."

Shepard leaned forward and kissed her cheek and deadpanned, "I can act surprised."

Miranda chuckled, "No, that's fine. We'll go there on a date later in the week."

"I'd really want that," Shepard said lovingly.

"Good." Miranda raised an eyebrow seriously, "Do you have a suit?"

"Eh…no."

Miranda sighed and said, but she already knew the answer, "And your dress blues is on the Normandy."

"Yeah."

"Well, that would draw more attention than you'll already get. We better go and buy you a suit, because you're not going in there in BDUs, even if you're with Joker. It's a very respectable place."

Shepard looked at Miranda wary, "I know we tease and joke that I'm your toy, and you're the rich mistress, but let's not push it too much."

Miranda scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous. Look at it as a gift, I'll buy you a suit or two. If you're going on dates with me you need to look the part. After all, I'll go by my apartment tomorrow to find me some outfits." She leaned forward with a seductive smirk and planted a soft kiss on his lips, "Dresses I know you'll appreciate."

"Yeah?" Shepard asked with a goofy smile.

Miranda hummed with a sparkle in her eyes and said huskily, "Mhmm. I know you will like them. They're very…snug."

Shepard kissed her lips and whispered with a smile, "Sounds intriguing."

"Good," Miranda replied happily. "Let's go." She kissed his lips again, "There are some good men's clothing stores nearby."


Quote: 2001: A Space Odyssey.

This is just an establishing chapter, the restaurant visit is the next chapter and will be uploaded shortly. My first thought was to combine them, but the restaurant chapter is turning into quite an adventure so I decided to split them up.

I wanted to make the apartment bigger with room to spare, there was a lot of wasted space and small rooms I thought, and considering the likely price for the apartment I wanted to be generous. More bang for your buck! For instance, the place didn't come with a dining table, I changed the alcove with conference table into that. I also enlarged the bathrooms, and especially the one in the master bedroom, plus I added closets built into the walls instead, saving space. I changed the model of the ship on the table to the SR-1, it's the SR-2 in the game, but Anderson never really commanded the SR-2, he was about to but got stuck on Earth instead. And I feel it was more appropriate to have the SR-1 as an homage and reminder of its destruction.

Plus come the party, Shepard's friends will need places to sleep, way too few couches for them to occupy in the original apartment, and maybe not all want to share bed with someone.