"Hello, I'm Allison Mathers with Alliance News Network and I'm here with Admiral Wallin." The news reporter said, smiling at the camera while Lily's dad had his usual stony expression. She couldn't help pick at a stray string on her dress as she waited for her cue to join her father on camera. Next to her, her mom ran a hand through Lily's blonde hair that looked exactly like hers. It always seemed to have a calming effect on her which she needed at the moment.

"Admiral, it has been three years since the First Contact War and two years since the human race has been given an embassy in the Citadel. There have been rumors that tensions between humans and turians are on the rise again and another war is just around the corner. How has the Alliance been handling these rumors?"

She could see her dad sit up straighter as she paused to clear his throat, a habit he always did to allow him time to think.

"It's true our relationship with the turians has been on thin ice since the agreed upon truce. However, we've been talking to the turian leaders along with the Citadel council and we've come to an agreement on a way to improve our relationship."

"Oh? Do tell"

Lily took a few calming breaths as the cameraman gave her the cue to approach the stage and sit next to her father.

"We've decided to send one human and one turian to live on the Citadel for two years. This will show that if a turian and a human can live together in one home then we as a species can live together in this galaxy."

"Amazing. Does that mean your daughter is here because she was chosen to represent Earth?"

Her dad nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder. "The council decided my youngest daughter Liliana would be an excellent choice to represent us."

Allison nodded before turning her attention to Lily. "Liliana, you just finished touring with your theater troupe recently, correct? How do you feel about becoming a symbol for Earth?"

"Yes, we just finished our last performance in Vancouver which was wonderful," Lily answered with a smile. "I wouldn't say I'm a symbol, I feel like I'm more like an example of how humans really are."

"What do you mean by that?" Allison asked and she could see she had piqued her interest.

"Well, from the war until now, I believe most turians have only seen our soldiers and our politicians. Not many regular civilians have traveled to the Citadel so I hope to show a different side of humanity."

"That's wonderful. One more question before we go to break. There has been talk that some believe that the war started with a misunderstanding. How do you feel about this theory?"

Lily could feel her father's eyes burning a hole in her direction as she thought of the right words to say.

"Truthfully, I think it was an accident on both sides. From what I've read online, the turians didn't know we had no idea about what the relay was for originally and of course we weren't expecting to meet another lifeform so suddenly. I think we were both at fault for shooting first and asking questions later but I hope this arrangement will help us both so we can avoid future conflict."

"Thank you both for your time. Up after the break, the pros and cons of an asari beauty regiment."

As the cameraman called cut, Lily let out a relieved sigh. While that last question took her by surprise, it felt like the interview went well.

As soon as she was in the car with her parents, she quickly learned that wasn't the case.

"An accident on both sides?! You should have just said you want to live with those bastards." Her dad shouted from the backseat. She could hear her mom sigh from the passenger seat while she kept her eyes on the road.

"Dear, she didn't say anything like that."

"To any Alliance soldier, she basically said that."

"Dad please, the reporter asked my opinion and I answered."

"If I knew that was how you felt about your own people, I would have kept you at home."

Lily immediately pulled over and parked the car. She was tired of her dad's xenophobic comments. Ever since the end of the war, all he talked about was his hatred for turians and the council picking her seemed to be the breaking point for him.

"That's it, I'm done with this. I'm leaving for the Citadel early." Lily said, climbing out of the car. She could hear her dad cursing from in the car as her mom climbed out of the car to run over to her side.

"Lily, you don't have to do this. Your father is just stressed from the interview and worried about you." Her mom tried explaining while Lily called for a cab.

"No, he's been like this since the war ended. He never even left Earth to fight and yet he's acting like he was on the front lines!"

A cab soon arrived and Lily climbed in. She paused for a moment before looking at her mom.

"While I'm on the Citadel, I don't want dad coming to visit."

Her mom was silent but nodded, watching her daughter drive off before taking her place in the driver's seat of her car. She ignored her husband's ranting as she drove home, wondering if their family would ever be the same after this.

"The council said what?!" Kato stared at his mother on the vid call in shock. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Living on the Citadel with a human? For two years? How could his mother agree to this?

"It wasn't my decision," his mother said as if reading his mind. "The Asari councilor chose the human while the Salarian councilor chose the turian and he chose you. You'll be leaving for the Citadel in three days."

Without another word his mother hung up, leaving Kaso to process in three days, his life was going to change.

"What's going on?"

He turned around to see his girlfriend Parina had come to check on him when she heard him yelling. He sighed and explained what his mother told him. When he mentioned he'd be gone for two years he could see Parina didn't like that.

"But you're allowed to visit me right? They can't just keep you on the Citadel."

"I don't know Pari, I'll let you know when I know more."

He walked over and pressed his forehead against hers, letting her know how much he cared about her with his subvocals. While Pari didn't reply back, he knew that she cared about him as well.

"Just promise me you'll call every day, I don't want you to forget me when you're gone."

"I'd never forget you." He reassured her.

"Of course you won't." She replied, her subvocals told him that she didn't believe him but she didn't say anything. "I'll just go hang out with Cassius while you pack."

She didn't wait for his reply and he watched her leave before letting out another sigh and sitting down on his bed with his head in his hands.

The house the council chose for them to live in was located on the presidium and Kato could see he wasn't the first to arrive when he stepped inside and saw a pair of boots by the door. As he walked in further he could see there was a spacious living room with a large tv and a staircase that led to the second floor. He could hear humming not too far away and followed it into the kitchen where he saw the human he'd be living with for the next two years.

It was obvious she didn't notice he had walked in as she continued to hum a melody he didn't know while cooking. He took this opportunity to observe her. Her fringe, no it's called hair, was so light he thought it was white and pulled up into a bun. She wore tight-fitting pants and a black shirt with a list of locations on Earth printed on the back. As he was figuring out why someone would wear a shirt with Earth locations on it, she turned around and let out a surprised squeak when she saw him.

"Sorry, I didn't realize you were here already. Give me a sec."

He watched as she turned off the stove and put whatever she was cooking on a plate before running around the island to stand next to him.

"I'm Liliana Wallin but you can call me Lily."

He eyed the hand she held out to him before cautiously taking her hand. He was surprised at how soft her hand was as they shook hands.

"Kato Romulus."

While Lily ran around cleaning the kitchen, Kaso thought about her name. Her last name sounded familiar but he couldn't put his talon on it.

"Listen," he said to get her attention. "I'm going to go unpack my stuff. I'll talk to you later."

He didn't wait for a reply from her as he headed to the stairs and into the first open room he could find. Luckily it looked like he picked the room he would be staying in if the turian bed was any indication. Sitting on the edge of the bed he opened the duffle bag he brought with him with some of his belongings while the rest of his stuff would come later. From the bottom of the bag he pulled out a small tin box. Opening it up, he looked through each name inside until he read a familiar name.

Richard Wallin

"Shit."