Chapter 2

Note: A fair warning for those who don't like to read sexual content in a story, skip the first scene. It's not to huge, but you were warned...

Chapter 2

(SSV Normandy, Captain's cabin)

Shepard stared at his fish tank and the fish within. Sometimes he couldn't help but think how easy life must be when all you had to worry about was swimming and food. Leaning against the tank he wondered if the fish knew how close to death they had come during the suicide mission. Unable to keep himself from chuckling at the thought he turned and headed for his bed. Two days has passed and half the crew had been dropped off, either afraid to return to Earth or having other issues to deal with. The ship felt half empty, Miranda was gone along with Jacob, Grunt, Thane, Mordin and Legion. The team which had taken down the Collectors had been broken up, and the rest had only one more day to decide whether to come to Earth or be dropped off.

Just before he sat down he heard his door open and turned to see Samara walk in. To be honest he was surprised as she had kept her distance since he had tried to romance her. She glanced at the fish in the tank for a few seconds before moving closer, he remained where he was wondering what was on her mind before a painful thought came to him that she was here to say goodbye.

"Hello Shepard, I'm sorry for coming to you so late," Samara began as she stopped only a few paces from him.

"No problem," Shepard assured her with a smile. "I've been concerned you wouldn't want to see me before you left after what happened," he admitted with a sigh. "I'm sorry Samara, I couldn't help it," was all he could say.

"I understand Shepard, more than you know," Samara told him after a few seconds of silence. "I told you before on my adventures when I was young, things like someone's duty or code meant nothing to me if I wanted them," she reminded him.

"I respect your code Samara," Shepard assured her, wanting to touch her but knowing he could not. "But I feel a connection with you, a kinship and from that I fell for you," he admitted. "I thought since we were on a suicide mission we could put aside our codes for that one moment. I lacked the strength to not give in to my emotions," he added.

"I was tempted Shepard more than I have ever been tempted since I became a Justicar," Samara responded as she looked away for a few minutes. "I feel the connection to you that you speak of, but the code forbids it and the code is all I've had these long years," she told him with a lonely sigh. "But now we face a war that could wipe out all of our races, it could render this universe dead until the younger races grow to take our places," she said and began to pace a little. "And I find myself looking forward and wondering what I will have to keep me focused, to keep me warm in the darkness as hell in unleashed," she said almost as if to herself. Shepard dared not to interrupt her. He could hear the underlining pain in her voice as she spoke. "I ask myself will I have anything to live for through such a monumental event? I have two other daughters who I haven't seen for years, so long that I almost have forgotten their faces," she added sadly before she stopped and faced him again. "I have your friendship and those of our crew mates, but that is it as I find as I sat and meditated not enough," she admitted. "For this one night before we part ways Shepard I do not want to be a Justicar. I want to embrace you as a lover and take that memory with me into the fire," she finally said, her eyes locked on his.

Shepard was to say the least shocked by her admission, especially after how she had reacted when he'd come onto her before. He guessed he might have come on a little strong. But now as they all prepared to face a war unlike anything they had seen before, it was clear she had been reevaluating things. He stepped closer to her, knowing this was probably going to be the only chance for the two of them to express their feelings for one another. He reached out and slowly took her arms in his and pulled her into a soft embrace. She quickly took hold of him as well and laid her head on his shoulder. For a few minutes they just held one another close, and then he felt Samara move her head so he looked up and found himself staring into her eyes which had turned black. He had seen this before; it was a unique feature of the Asari.

"Embrace Eternity," Samara whispered before she leaned forward and kissed him in one of the most heated and passionate kisses he ever had.

They kissed back and forth as they made out until they both felt the need to breath and finally broke off. Shepard stared at her as she stepped back and then pulled the zipper in the front of her jump suit down, exposing even more of her wonderful body. She slowly pulled the suit off, giving Shepard a wonderful view of her rather large breasts and slim body. After a few seconds she stood naked before him all the while she kept her eyes locked on his. He knew what she wanted and quickly stripped himself of his own clothes. He was already hard from her short striptease. Once he was naked she quickly stepped forward again and pushed him into the bed. He watched as she slowly climbed over him and quickly lined herself up with him. The minute she grabbed him he jerked a little, she gave him a small smile before she guided him into her already wet entrance. She gave a small gasp of pleasure as she got used to him, then she began to ride him slowly at first before increasing the pace as they went. Shepard closed his eyes for a few minutes as the pleasure washed over him. For some reason the pleasure felt amplified and then he remembered reading how Asari could meld their nervous systems together thus increasing the stimuli felt during love making.

Opening his eyes again he reached up and began to kiss and suckle her breasts and nipples, making Samara cry out as she held onto him. For the next twenty minutes they made love, changing positions as they went. The whole thing had Shepard's head spinning from the increased stimuli. He now knew why some people preferred Asari lovers even over their own species. It was a unique experience, moaning as he felt Samara bite along his neck he shifted them so she was once more on top of him and watched as she again increased the pace. He was almost memorized as he watched her breasts bounce up and down. He felt her clasp his hands in hers and knew they were reaching their breaking point. He clung to her as they both locked eyes before they hit their climax. Samara cried out as she felt Shepard explode inside her. It doubled her own pleasure as she had her own climax. Once they were both drained they collapsed against each other.

"It has been so long I had almost forgotten how much pleasure two people can enjoy," Samara whispered to him as she rested against him.

"That was beyond anything I've felt before," Shepard admitted as he ran his hand down Samara's back. "I will keep this memory so very close to my heart, it will help keep the darkness at bay," he told her. "And if this is the only time we can join like this then I will accept that and treasure the gift you gave me," he added.

Samara just nodded against him, knowing this would be the only time she broke her vow. With a war on the horizon that she knew would eclipse the entire universe the chances of them surviving were slim and the chances of them encountering each other during such a war even slimmer. Yet Shepard had given her a gift as well. This would be a memory that would help her in the coming darkness. It would remind her why she had dedicated her life to the Justicar code all these years. It would also remind her she had reasons to fight and defend against such forces as the Reapers, closing her eyes as Shepard pulled the blankets around them she quickly fell asleep.

Shepard stayed awake watching her, still treasuring the fact they had made love. He had been so afraid he had messed things up before. Now he knew he had not and their close friendship would continue. Finally closing his own eyes he fell asleep holding Samara close to him, for once his dreams were peaceful.

+OS+

(Earth)

Admiral Hackett looked up tiredly as his door opened, but he quickly woke up when he noted who had stepped inside, quickly getting to his feet he moved to greet his old friend David Anderson. He hadn't known he had arrived. All David had said during his last communication was he planned to be on Earth when Shepard and the Normandy came home.

"It is good to see you Anderson," Hackett greeted him with a smile as they finished shaking hands. "I had no idea you were here already," he added.

"I wanted it to be a surprise," Anderson responded with his own smile. "I'm back for good now as I've given up my position as the representative on the council to Udina and resigned with the Alliance," he explained as he moved to sit down on the sofa of to the side of Hackett's desk. "I was honored to be the first councilor, but at heart I am a man of action and I have a feeling every warrior is going to be needed for what is coming," he stated. "I've been reinstated with my previous rank and privileges much to my relief," he added.

"You really believe the Reapers are coming?" Hackett inquired as he poured them both a drink.

"Yes I do. I've known Shepard a long time and I've seen what he's gone through. Maybe not with my own eyes, but all the evidence backs him up even if most people like to deny it," Anderson answered. "I've done everything I can to make the council take the threat seriously, but they refuse to budge. I thought for sure we were doomed until Shepard came back and was quickly going back to doing what he does best," he explained before he took a gulp of his whiskey. "The war is coming and Shepard has given us a few more months at the least to prepare. Which is another reason I've come back to the Alliance," he informed his old friend. "If I can't get the council to listen, I can at least do my best to ensure the Alliance Assembly will listen and not shoot themselves in the foot by throwing Shepard into jail for real," he stated, quickly finishing his drink off. "He sent me a full copy of the report he gave you to give to the council, they are uncertain whether to uphold his Spectre Status or condemn him and strip him of it," he stated with clear frustration.

"I've done all I can to ensure the Assembly will listen when Shepard comes home, which according to his last report will be sometime tomorrow or the day after," Hackett told him, understanding how Anderson felt. "I saw what Sovereign did and that was only one Reaper. I can't imagine taking on a whole fleet of those things," he admitted with a sigh. "I've been working overtime trying to get those who will support us to help anyway they can. I've been trying to get the fleets ready and in positions that will keep Earth safe," he added as he finished his own drink before pouring them another. "To be honest I'm not sure if anything we do will keep the Reapers away from Earth for long," he admitted even if it made him feel sick to his stomach.

"There is only one way we can win once the Reapers come and that is by standing together with every other species we know," Anderson told him seriously. "Especially the Turians, Asari, Krogan and the Salarians," he stated.

"That's a tall order Anderson," Hackett said with a shake of his head. "There is so much hatred and anger between the Krogan, Turians and Salarians," he reminded him, even if he knew he didn't need to do so. "How do you purpose to get them to put that aside?" he asked.

Anderson gave him a dry smile in return. "Not me. If anyone could pull these races together it is Shepard himself who will have to do it," he replied. "He has friends and allies in each of those races. He also has a lot of political cloud he doesn't even know about," he explained at Hackett's look. "Remember he not only destroyed Sovereign, but he saved the council on-board the Destiny Ascension and the Citadel itself. They owe him," he stated.

"That they do, but in saving the council he cost the Alliance a lot of ships and men," Hackett couldn't help but point out. "That gained him some enemies here, enemies that have come out of the woodwork to try and ensure he is thrown in jail," he pointed out as he finished his second drink.

"I know, but it was the right call. Without the council the other races wouldn't trust us at all and probably would have accused us of letting them die on purpose so we could gain control of the Citadel," Anderson shot back as he finished his own drink.

Hackett couldn't refute Anderson's claim as there was a lot of paranoia about humans where the other species were concerned, it was one of the reasons Cerberus did so well in recruiting new members.

"His recent actions with Cerberus, while in the interest of Earth and its colony's, will still be looked into with great interest," Hackett moved onto the next subject. "The fact they somehow brought him back has been batted back and forth in the Assembly since we first got word Shepard was alive. There are some who believe he is nothing but a bad attempt at cloning him," he told him as he poured himself a third drink whilst Anderson declined.

"He is not a clone. I've seen him up close and spoken to him," Anderson said with certainty. "He is Shepard with all his memories intact, a few new scars maybe and clearly some cybernetics from whatever process they used to bring him back, but it is him," he added. "A clone wouldn't have broken away from Cerberus or disobeyed the Illusive Man and destroyed the Collector base when it was made clear Cerberus wanted it," he reminded him.

"His report on that was detailed and it made a lot of people worried why Cerberus wanted that base," Hackett mused in response as he downed his third drink. He then ran a tired hand through his hair. Anderson could clearly see his friend needed a good night's sleep.

"I think we should call it a night. We'll have plenty of time to talk tomorrow and no offense but you look like hell and obviously need some sleep," Anderson finally said as he stood up. "When the shit hits the fan I don't think there will be much time for sleep. So get it where you can," he advised as he headed for the door.

"You are probably spot on," Hackett agreed as he saw him out. Once his friend was gone he decided he should get some sleep. When Shepard arrived there would be so much to do he doubted he'd get much sleep.

+OS+

(SSV Normandy)
Shepard watched as Samara disembarked on the Citadel. Their goodbye had been quick and simple as neither wanted to make a show of things in front of the others. This would be the last port of call before they headed to Earth, from here on out things would get complicated. Now only Jack, Tali and Garrus remained from his team. He glanced back to see Kelly watching him with concern and he assumed she knew how he felt about Samara. Closing the hatch he walked towards her, she waited for him.

"I am going to miss her," Kelly admitted once he was at her side and they headed for the elevator. "Samara was such an interesting woman, I liked meditating with her," she added with a grin which Shepard returned. "But I feel you are going to miss her more, you loved her," she stated clearly.

"Kelly, you told me we were not exclusive, remember?" Shepard started only for Kelly's laughter to cut him off.

"I am not jealous Shepard. I don't do long romances," Kelly assured him. "I was stating a fact that you love Samara just like you loved Miranda and maybe that Ashley you told me about," she told him, still laughing as they entered the elevator and headed for the bridge. "It is not a bad thing you know, loving different people, for some of us it is just who we are," she said with another smile.

"I just hope we see them all again," Shepard finally said in response.

"We will if we are lucky," Kelly assured him with as much certainty as she could muster. "At the moment my only concern is what happens when we reach Earth," she admitted as they stepped out onto the bridge.

"You and the crew will be okay Kelly. I've done everything I can to make certain of that, and seen as Hackett and Anderson will be helping in that regard then you should be able to leave once they've questioned you," he assured her in return. "Where you go from there is up to you, just be careful Kelly," he whispered so they were not overheard. "I have a bad feeling things will go downhill fast. I'd hate to lose you," he said.

"Same here and I will try and stay in contact, but I won't be joining the Alliance," Kelly told him in reply. "I need to get away from this for a while. The memories from the Collector's base still haunt me," she admitted and Shepard could see it in her eyes. He wanted to comfort her, but knew it wouldn't be right doing it in front of everyone, so he tried to ensure she could see his concern in his own eyes. She nodded acknowledging his concern.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get to you sooner," Shepard said with a sigh as he headed for Joker and the cockpit.

"You came for me, you came for us all Shepard," Kelly called after him. "That is all that matters," she stated honestly to which he nodded as he turned to look back at her. She gave him one more smile before she moved to her station.

Shepard hoped the young red head would be alright and he hated that he couldn't be there for her. If he did not have to go to Earth then he would stay on the ship and keep his crew together. He would then do all he could to help Kelly. They may not be in a normal relationship, but he did love her in his own way. Letting out a sigh he walked over to Joker who as usual sat in the pilot's chair.

"Ok Joker we've offloaded the last of the crew who wanted to get off," Shepard said. "Set a course for Earth and let's get this over with," he ordered.
"Setting a course for Earth," Joker responded. "You know we can still just turn this puppy around and run," he suggested sarcastically. "At least that way we don't get arrested or detained," he added.

"It's tempting Joker, but they would just waste time hunting us and thus give the Reapers an easy walk-through to Earth," Shepard responded with a smile. "Those idiots would rather focus on easy problems than real ones," he said with a frustrated shake of his head.

"Yeah well, when the Reapers show up I doubt they will be able to ignore them, will they?" Joker shot back.

"Not even the Assembly would be foolish enough to ignore a Reaper invasion Joker," Shepard responded.

"I wouldn't be too surprised if they did Shepard," EDI spoke up as her holographic head appeared. "It is a long established fact that humans in power care more for their own positions than the people they are supposed to serve," she stated. "They have in the past ignored signs of impending danger, thus allowing all manner of death and destruction to come down on them and their people," she added.

"EDI has a point," Garrus said as he joined them. "And to be clear it is not just humans in power who are like that, I think it happens wherever there is someone in power," he mused. "It goes to their heads and they soon forget who they are supposed to look out for," he added.

"Well, let us hope that in this case they do not ignore the signs and all the evidence," Shepard replied with a frown. "I take it the crew knows not to say anything about EDI being an unshackled AI?" he asked, EDI's appearance having reminded him to check.

"Yeah we've talked to them all and they have all agreed to stay quiet," Garrus assured him. "And I have great confidence that EDI can play the part of a VI," he added.

"Are you kidding of course she can play the part," Joker said, turning to stare at him. "Right EDI?" he asked.

"Of course I can play a VI," EDI responded. "I just hope they don't start messing around with the ships internal systems," she continued.

"I'll try and convince to leave the ship alone, but I can't promise you anything," Shepard told her. "Once I turn it over they will consider it Alliance property," he said. "Guess we will just have to hope for the best," he added. "So how long to Earth?" he asked.

"At present speed three hours and twenty five minutes," EDI responded.

"Anyone got a deck of cards?" Joker asked sarcastically making Shepard and Garrus chuckle.