We are getting so close to the finale and I am getting really excited. All of you that read and review this fic are awesome. Thanks for everything y'all do. Please continue to R&R and enjoy!

Anderson walked with Claire back toward the ship. She was not sure about Luke's plan. He was to break into Udina's office, reverse the order for the lockdown on the Normandy, and get out. If he got caught, Anderson could witness that Luke was acting under spectre authorized orders and have him released. It was risky, but not as risky as breaking into the port controls.

Anderson cleared his throat as they walked pulling Claire out of her thoughts. "I heard about what happened to the cargo bay of the Normandy. I taught you better than that, Shepard. No matter what struggle a crew member is going through, they need to stay in control and never endanger their comrades. Adams and Pressley filed reports. You are lucky I got them before Udina did," Anderson said as they stepped into the elevator leading up to the docks.

Claire lowered her gaze. She felt like she had just been called on in school and she had forgotten to do all her homework. "I understood what he was going through. I've lost people I care about too. I know he went a little over board but-"

"But nothing Commander. The people on board your ship are your responsibility. I am not condoning you for sympathizing with a member of your team. I'm telling you to take command of your ship. If you have someone that might cause a problem, transfer them or deal with it early before it's an issue. I taught you all of this. Remember your training and take care of your crew, your ship, and yourself. You're lucky that Luke decided to leave on his own. If he hadn't, Hackett would have told you to get rid of him. Make sure you file a report and add in a bit where you supported his decision to leave. It will help you retain High Command's confidence in your command ability," Anderson crossed his arms as he scolded her.

Claire felt like a disobedient child getting ready to be grounded for not keeping her room clean, but Anderson was right. She had let Luke go too far. He had destroyed equipment and supplies during his tantrum that they now had to replace. It was not like she did not have the credits to take care of it, but it was a hassle having to purchase replacement parts and repair the ship. Claire sighed. There are times when I think Mallory would have made a better commander. She is always focused on the mission when she is on duty and is a stickler for procedure.

Claire immediately looked up and glanced over at Anderson. "I'll keep all this in mind, Captain. Thanks for getting my feet back on the ground. Everything around me is spinning so much I feel like I'm about to fly off into space." Claire put her head in her hands and massaged her temples with her thumbs.

"You just get to Ilos Commander and stop Saren. We'll be here to back you up. Remember what I told you. Handle your crew, even if you sympathize with them, be the authority," Anderson said placing a hand on her shoulder. Claire nodded as the door opened to the Normandy's docking tube. She saluted crisply allowing a smile to come to her lips. Anderson was more than her training officer and mentor. He was the closest thing she had to a father. He even disciplined her like a parent. She sought his approval more than anyone else and every time he had to correct her hurt worse than a bullet wound.

Anderson returned the salute. "God speed, Shepard. Make me proud."

That was one order she was far more than willing to follow.

000

The embassies were abuzz with everyone preparing for a possible battle in space above the wards. Secretaries were locking documents away and securing emergency shelters in case of damage to the Citadel. Luke smirked. With all the craziness around him, he should have been able to sneak through the halls and offices without being caught. Of course people would see him, but if he gathered up a data pad or two, he could make it look like he was an assistant just doing his job. Though simply jogging up the hall in a half rush should work just as well.

Luke slipped past the welcome desk and jogged up the ramp to the office wing. Inside was even busier than the lobby. Diplomats of every race were arguing about who had command of the individual fleets, what diplomat had priority evacuation status, and what matters were so important that they could not wait.

Udina's office was locked. Luke opened his omni-tool and pressed his palm to the lock. The program was one that he and Tali had come up with together. It could hack through nearly any lock in less than a minute, but a simple lock like an office door could be opened in a matter of seconds.

"Luke Shepard right? What're you doing here? I didn't send for you," Udina asked as Luke closed the door behind him. This was actually what he had been hoping for. Heat rose from his gut as he got closer. The little voice in the back of his mind started warning him that this was wrong, but Luke continued moving. Claire was counting on him. He could not fail.

"Actually ambassador, I let myself in. You are actually going to do me a favor," Luke announced rounding the corner of Udina's desk.

"And what might- uh-" Luke delivered a strong jag into Udina's stomach. Hitting the scumbag like that was even more relaxing than smashing the equipment table, thought Luke was starting to think that that was not one of his best ideas. He immediately delivered a second punch across the man's jaw sending him to the floor unconscious.

"You can be quiet for about ten seconds while I let Claire save your worthless ass," Luke said as he opened the terminal history and selected the order to lockdown the Normandy. He reversed the order and forged Udina's signature on it sending the document to the port control. He then pulled up the security feed for the Normandy dock and watched the Normandy hastily pull away from the dock and speed off toward the relay.

"Good luck Claire." Luke sighed and looked over at the ambassador. "If you only knew what kind of things I could link you to in the next two minutes…but I'm not that way." Luke glanced at the terminal and felt his fingers twitch. "No, no, and no…as much as he deserves it, I'm not linking him to a drugs or the sex trade."

He slipped back out the door and relocked it. With all the commotion, Udina could be discovered any moment, or he could stay in his office sleeping for hours. It was really just a matter of luck. Luke walked at a slow relaxed pace as he headed for the rapid transit station. Claire was off to save the galaxy again and he was back on the Citadel with more credits than he ever thought possible.

"Well, the world may be ending; might as well have a drink for the road." Luke punched in his address. He would need his armor and weapons just in case the fight made it to the Citadel. Of course that was what the fleet was there for right? And Claire was going to kill Saren before he could ever get his attack off the ground right? Then why did he have the nagging feeling that he needed to be in his armor and armed to the teeth?

000

"What's our ETA Joker?" Claire asked as she took off her boots. Her quarters were quiet and dark. Most of the crew was sleeping, and getting a decent night's sleep before they hit Ilos.

"ETA 14 hours commander. Presley and I can handle things up here. You get some rest. Got to have your beauty sleep for the pictures after you kick Saren's ass."

Claire smiled up at the intercom. "Thanks Joker. Wake me up when we are five minutes out from the relay."

"Can do."

The intercom shut off and Claire was left alone in the dark. She changed into a pair of work out shorts and a tank top before laying down on the bed. She had not realized how tired she was until she was laying down. It was as if her mind had caught up with her body as exhaustion started to overtake her.

"Shepard, you mind if I come in for a second?"

Claire smiled as the two toned voice came thought the door. She sat up and slipped on a hoodie with the N7 logo on it and zipped it up.

"Come on in," she answered.

Garrus came in slowly and closed the door behind him. He seemed a little nervous but obviously wanted to talk. "I wanted to make sure that you were doing okay. We are so close to finishing this I don't want you to have any doubts. You are always looking after us, so I thought it was time for someone to look after you."

Claire felt her cheeks blush and her ears start to warm up. He said some of the sweetest things just by trying to look out for her. Just being a simply decent person. It was a little romantic… at least it was to her.

"I'm doing alright. I'm going to miss having Luke on board. And Ash… I really don't want to lose anyone else but this mission is making me nervous," Claire said sitting down on her bed. She was afraid of losing more of her crew, but what she feared most was failing the mission. If Saren won, it was not just her crew that would die. It was everyone in the galaxy.

"You know, Luke and I had this case once. There was a drug smuggling ring down on Zakera Ward that Luke had been undercover in for six months. He told me that they were shutting down and moving to a new location so we had to move. We couldn't get the go ahead from command so we took them down alone. You are doing the same thing right now. You see what needs to be done and you are doing it. It's an honorable way to live," Garrus explained nudging Claire as he came and sat down next to her.

"You sure you're not buttering me up?" Claire asked nudging him back.

"What does butter have to do with anything?"

Claire laughed and laid back on the bed. Garrus turned to her with his head cocked to the side like he was confused by her reaction. She had to admit that it was nice to laugh. Ashley dying, Luke leaving, and Anderson reprimanding her was all weighing on her. She needed to become a stricter commander. She needed to maintain discipline not just on the ground but on her ship.

"I have a question." Claire glanced up at Garrus as he sat waiting for her to continue. "Am I a good commander?"

Garrus seemed to shift uncomfortably but his answer was immediate. "Yes. There are things that you can improve with but you are a good commander."

"This is the first time I have ever been in command of a ship of my own. Ground teams are easy to command because everyone looks to me, but this ship, I don't know. It has become a home for everyone, not just a military vessel. I just worry about Alliance protocols getting in the way of the crew trusting each other. You know I had to get clearance from fleet to bring all non-Alliance personnel on board." Claire rubbed her face and relaxed.

"You are our commander and a spectre. You can do whatever is necessary, just don't play favorites and you'll be fine."

"Garrus, stay here for the night. Just keep me company, please."

Claire watched the turian smile and come sit on the edge of the bed. Claire smiled and slipped under the covers as she stripped her hoodie. Garrus pulled her covers up to her shoulder. Claire felt a slight shiver as his fingers slightly brushed against her skin. His touch shouldn't make her feel that way. No one's ever had, and yet here was a turian that had captured her attention from the moment she met him. She was so glad he had stayed on board rather than leaving with Luke.

"Garrus, with Luke gone, why did you stay?" Claire wanted to know but she was partially scared of the answer. She wanted to stuff those words back down her throat but it was too late. They were buzzing through Garrus' mind now.

"I don't like leaving a job half done. We started off on this mission to stop Saren and the Reapers. I'm not leaving until that is done."

Claire sighed. Part of her was relieved that he was so mission oriented, but the other part, the part that was not the commanding officer or soldier, was slightly hurt that she was not his reason for being on board. But he was staying, for the moment, that was all that mattered to her. Claire took a deep breath and let it out as she felt the turian's hand stretch across her back over the covers and gently rub against her. The motion was so soothing, Claire found herself drifting within seconds. She was soon entranced in a blissful sleep of very nice and relaxing dreams. No thoughts of the mission crossed her mind now. In her dreams, nothing but happiness existed. It was how she stayed sane in her line of work.