Author's Disclaimer: I don't own anyone belonging to "Mass Effect 2."

Author's notes: Just wanted to do a short Mass Effect Shepard POV. Enjoy.

"Beleaguered Return"

A story set at the beginning of Mass Effect 2

"You are working with Cerberus, an avowed enemy of the council. This is treason, a capital offense," Tevos said.

Shepard stood straight and tall in her armor. That it was her old black N7 number sure wasn't helping her current position. She was sure of it. Anderson caught her eye and gave her a quick nod. He had her back. Even after death, he would defend her.

"That's too far! Shepard is a hero. I'm on this council too, and I won't let this whitewash continue!" Anderson announced.

Shepard was grateful for his support. She stood ramrod straight, her hands clasped behind her back in a martial posture. Inadvertently she was imitating Anderson who stood in a similar posture.

"If you keep a low profile and restrict your operations to the Terminus Systems, the council is willing to offer you reinstatement as a Spectre," Councilor Sparatus said. 'Not in Council Space' was what he meant. Shepard felt slighted, bowed under the pressuring stares of the three councilors in the vid call. She was a walking contradiction right now. Cerberus had resurrected her and was apparently backing her. Hell, she'd walked in with two Cerberus operatives. Miranda was diplomatic but was being quiet, a good point. Jacob was a soldier through and through and minded his tongue, leaving the negotiations to her. Good.

It still wasn't helping her case. The Alliance officially wasn't backing her, despite Anderson's word. His opinion was heavily biased, and Shepard knew it. Ever since she was a wet-nosed private coming into training, she'd caught several higher officer's attention. Anderson had been her involuntary mentor and friend for years.

"We have enough problems without you ruining our chances here," Udina complained beside her. Shepard wanted to pinch the bridge of her nose but just blinked instead. Anderson gave an audible exasperated sigh.

"That's enough," he snapped. Udina glared at Shepard out of the corner of her eye. Well, he'd never been a fan of hers. That wasn't new.

The Councilors were no better. If you couldn't discern a turian's facial tells, they tended to come off as scowling to the uninitiated. Shepard DID know turian tells, and Sparatus looked disapproving to her. It was the clenching of his mandibles that told her. Tevos had a small polite smile on her lips that could mean anything, but she wasn't meeting Shepard's eyes fully. Not even through the vid. Valern outright scowled at her. He didn't care, and he didn't care Shepard could see his disapproval.

"What does that mean? Will I need to start filing you reports?" Shepard had to ask. Valern shook his head.

"That won't be necessary. This is a show of good faith on our part," he said.

Shepard caught Anderson's eye. He gave another nod. Shepard knew how much Spectre status meant to him. He'd been cast out of his own try at the Spectres and had endorsed Shepard's nomination. Her reinstatement meant as much to him as to her.

"I'm honored," Shepard said, giving a slight nod of her head in thanks. "I accept your offer. It's good to have the council on my side."

Spectre status back, but zero help whatsoever in her query about the Collectors. The crushing weight of rejection on a galactic level was mind-numbing if Shepard bothered to dwell on it. Later. Not now.

Tevos gave a line of good will, but before anyone could respond, the Councilors ended the vid call abruptly. Just as well, with Shepard's tendency to hang up on them while on the search for Saren. Shepard felt a twinge of amusement on their hanging up on her for a change.

"Well, that went better than I expected," Anderson sighed.

Udina glared. "You think?" he complained. Shepard rolled one shoulder idly. Talking with the council was done, and her thoughts kept drifting to her old crew. And Liara. The Illusive Man hadn't been very forthcoming to where everyone was, only that they weren't available. She had to find her.

Shepard shared a few words with Miranda and Jacob and led them to the C-Sec offices to gather a few supplies. A Spectre had access, after all.

End.

End notes: Hope you liked.

Pen 7/23/2022