Joker knew something was afoot when Alenko asked EDI to come have a look at a piece of malfunctioning equipment in the den. The room furthest from the couch onto which Joker gingerly settled. Shepard and Alenko were both tech-heads to some degree; more than that, if something didn't work and they couldn't fix it, they might just let the stupid thing—whatever it was—stay broken.

"So, what's going on?"

It was weird to think of Shepard being part of a girls' night out, but apparently she'd put one together. He had no idea where they were going, only that, as she'd invited EDI, she'd also invited him to hang out here with Alenko and 'a few of the guys.'

Joker strongly suspected the reason for this gathering of 'the guys' while Shepard was out with the girls had to do with a contingency plan in case something went wrong. The rescue was already mostly assembled and could be deployed as needed.

He thoroughly approved.

Shepard reached under the pillow on the couch and set a small box on the coffee table. Joker recognized it instantly. "Do you need this back, Joker?" she asked quietly, not looking at the box or at him.

Joker picked up the box containing the victory ring he and EDI had bought for Shepard, then opened it. The ring looked so simple, elegant with its matte finish, with the almost flat-cut stone, and its particular backstory. He wasn't much for jewelry, but he had to admit it was a beautiful piece. "No, Shepard, I don't," he answered just as quietly, nudging the box back closer to her.

He remembered EDI bringing the ring's existence to his attention.

There is a jeweler here on the Citadel who produces these. They're made from metals from each Council homeworld. Each metal compounds with the last, making the ring stronger. He calls them 'victory rings.' Due to material shortages, only a few exist. Shepard does not usually wear jewelry, but…do you think she would like this?

For the sentiment represented, if nothing else.

He knew for a fact that one of the only reasons EDI had been able to secure one of the rings was because she wanted it for Shepard, and the jeweler—initially reluctant to let it go to a mere Alliance serviceman and his mobility assistance mech—had eventually recognized EDI as being a member of Shepard's crew, particularly when EDI told him the ring was a gift for Shepard herself. He also suspected, but hadn't asked for confirmation, that while the ring hadn't been free, it had been sold at or close to cost, specifically because it was for Shepard, who had been shouting 'unity is the only way to victory' since before the war started as far as the wider galaxy was concerned.

He had no intention of sharing his suspicions, though.

He knew why she was asking if he needed the gift back: she wasn't sure his credit chit could stand up to EDI following the directions of 'spending it up like a girly-girl.' Shepard was practical, and while she could appreciate a gift…she wasn't used to receiving them. Particularly expensive ones. "EDI didn't just go on a spending spree. She asked me first, if I thought it would be a good gift for you. And it was," he continued. In fact, it had been his suggestion that if EDI wanted a shopping buddy, she ought to ask Shepard. "You've been screaming 'stand strong, stand together' for years. And that's what this is supposed to symbolize."

Shepard accepted the case when he handed it to her, regarding the ring inside. Then, she pulled it free of its case (which she stowed back under the pillow, presumably so EDI wouldn't know about this conversation…which explained why tech-head Alenko needed to consult EDI about something technical), slipped her dog tags off and slid the ring onto the chain so the tags would hold it in place. "Thank you," Shepard said simply, before dropping the ring and the tags back beneath her shirt.

He knew she wasn't thanking him for what he'd said, or even for the physical item. She was thanking him for the thought behind the gift, for the symbolic nature of it. "You're a good CO, Shepard. But you're a better friend." It wasn't the sort of thing he would normally come out and say. His guts simply said she needed to hear it.

Shepard said nothing to this, but the sudden blotchy pinkness on her face said it all. She had no words.

"So go. Play with all your little girl-friends," he teased in the same tone he would have used to tease Hilary. Thinking about her hurt, as it always did, but he shoved the hurt aside. Maybe Tiptree was too small to worry about, when there were multiple big population centers on other worlds…

Shepard grimaced, the pink receding from her face. "Ha-ha-ha," she said archly, getting to her feet. "Thanks, Joker."

"No problem."

Shepard gave him a wry look, then headed back into the den, from which she emerged moments later with a puzzled EDI and Alenko. The latter looked relieved, as if having been rescued from attempts to stall someone.

Within minutes, Tali and Liara arrived. After Shepard and EDI left with them, Garrus, Cortez, and Vega arrived, loaded for bear and for biotiball.

He'd understated when he told her she was a good CO. In fact, he'd done it deliberately, because he didn't like making heartfelt comments like that. The truth was, Shepard was a great CO. Maybe even the best; certainly the best he'd ever served under. Which, by extension, made her the best of friends. Something he felt far from being.

Joker sighed to himself, trying to ignore the memory of that awful moment as she slammed the escape pod closed.

And Anderson had, the last time they spoke, charged him again to look after her. He was willing…he just wished he knew how.