Shepard looked at herself in the mirror, now able to walk short distances before needing her wheelchair, she stood tall in her dress blues. All her medals hanging from her left breast, her hair trimmed and pulled back into her normal neat bun. She looked alive again, less like a soldier with scrapes, burns and cuts.

Her cybernetics was back to peak condition, meaning she was recovering much quicker than the normal expected rate for a human. Garrus was in surgery to have his new prosthetic arm installed. Though no one could go five minutes without him being too excited not to talk about it.

She wiped the small dust particles from her shoulder before giving herself a full turn in the mirror, finally happy with her look. She was to present herself to most of the admirals, the Council and ambassadors of other species that were selected due to having to be close enough to Earth to actually attend.

Comm buoys had been up and running for a couple of days and the Alliance were rushed off their feet trying to get all the reports sorted and get help to those who were close enough to receive it. Kaidan was also due to be there, he was still officially the Normandy's Captains as Shepard was still not fit for duty. Though he'd outgrew his own blues so had to make do with the Alliance uniform Vega had burrowed to fit his grown muscle in.

Gemma was meant to be there, but she'd not left her room for a few days and would refuse to see anyone. Thane was alive and well, her biotics had done it again. Saving his life and killing the Keprels off, he was still under extreme treatment to get his body back fit and gain the weight back he'd lost, but even he wasn't enough to get Gemma from her room. Shepard promised everyone they'd meet after the summit to figure out a plan to help her.

Kaidan knocked on Shepard's open door, leaning in the door frame as he watched her admire herself in the mirror. "Ready, Commander?" he asks with a smile. Shepard turns to look at him, offering a lopsided smile at his grown body. He looked good, but it wasn't how she remembered the old Kaidan.

"I guess, you?" Shepard got into her wheelchair, wanting to use it most of the way then walk into the meeting. She didn't want anyone to think she had any weaknesses, this meeting would be hard enough to deal with. The Citadel was being rebuilt. It seemed the Reaper's carried enough tech on them to rebuild nearly all that was lost. Their bodies were being harvested for parts and technology they hadn't even discovered yet, it was a lot to take in.

Kaidan got behind Shepard's wheelchair, offering to push her as they both headed to the Alliance HQ just across the large campus. It was sunny outside, with a brisk breeze as they went down the ramps to walk across the short stoned yard.

"It's a nice day," Kaidan comments. Ignoring Shepard's questions as to if he was ready for this. She hums and closes her eyes, taking in a deep breath.

"So are you ready for this then?" she asks him again. Kaidan grunts to himself, walking past the fountain that had a stone Alliance cruiser in the middle of it.

"No, I'm not. I'd much rather go back to my suckling and missing my fiance who refuses to see me," he depressingly says. Shepard sighs, turning her head to look up at him.

"We will get her help, Kaidan. You need to sort your own head out as well, this isn't healthy." Kaidan pushes the buzzer to the HQ, waiting for the receptionist to open the door.

"I know, Shepard. Just give me time," he sternly replies, pushing the buzzer again. "This fucking thing," he shouts, punching the button.

"Jesus, dude. Calm down," the receptionist shouts. "Who do you think you are?" Shepard covers her mouth. Kaidan leans right against the mic, his voice cold as he speaks.

"Major Kaidan Alenko, Captain of the Normandy and Second human fucking Spectre. That's who," he grunts down the mic. The receptionist could be heard almost gasping as he quickly unlocks the door for them both. Shepard looks at him with a disapproving glare, Kaidan shrugs as he pushes her in. "What?" he says nonchalantly.

"Come on, Kaidan. This isn't you, you are acting like such an ass," she scolds him. "You always say to never use status, yet you just used all three main ones you have." Kaidan sighs, he really did sound like an ass.

"I know," he mutters. They both sign in and Shepard gets out of her wheelchair, hooking her arm in Kaidan's so he could keep her stable. The receptionist watched them both as they walked past. "I'm sorry," Kaidan mumbles as they walk past. The young lad only nods slightly at him before turning back to his terminal.

The long corridor was concealing the shouting going on, on the other side. It sounded like wild animals in there. "Too late to back out?" Shepard asks. Kaidan chuckles and nods before opening the door. Everyone in the room fell silent as they all looked at them both. Hackett was standing in the middle, trying to calm the rounded table down.

"Shepard!" Wrex shouts from across the room. He charges over, throwing himself on her as she catches him. Kaidan held them both up, patting the heavy Krogan.

"Wrex," Shepard greets him. "What are you doing here?" Wrex looks at Kaidan before pulling them both closer to him.

He whispers, "keeping these pyjaks in line. Needed a representative for the Krogan as well."

"Fair enough," Kaidan chuckles. He leads Shepard around the table to the two sweats that were directly across from the council who all watched with careful eyes at their two Spectres sitting down. Wrex sits down next to Eve, who was surprisingly looking very pregnant. Shepard gives her a small wave.

"Okay, now we are all here," Tevos, the Asari Councillor, says. "I would like to start with thanking our Spectres. No one would be here in this room right now if it wasn't for you both and your crew."

Kaidan leans forward in his seat, feeling shit for being here without Gemma. "We understand Gemma River is unable to attend, we wish her a speedy recovery," the Turian Councillor says. "We must speak about the future of this planet and the others."

"What is the status of the other council words?" Shepard asks. An Asari ambassador stands up.

"Thessia is recovering well from the war, Illium is struggling due to the heavy fall in our economy. We have offered services to Khaje and Dekunna to help the Elcor, Hanar and Drell rebuild," she says before sitting back down.

"We lost two of our moons, but Palavan and Meane is much in the same situation as Earth. We hold many of your people there, offering what aid we can," Primach Victus says. He'd hated this job in the beginning, but now actually being able to help people was a new sense of happiness for him. The Salarian Dalatrass stands up next, looking at Wrex as she speaks.

"We are recovering well, though many of our people are scattered throughout your Sol System. Some are returning from your red planet Mars after crash landing before the Crucible deployed. The Krogan have taken one of our colony planets for themselves, however," she nearly smirks to get Wrex in trouble.

"Wrex?" Shepard sternly says. He grunts and looks at her.

"I can't control all Krogan, Shepard. We are trying, but we populate quickly and need new planets to colonize," he argues. The Salarian Dalatrass points her long finger at him.

"This was the exact reason we deployed the Genophage upon you brutes," she shouts. Hackett slams his hand down.

"This war has just ended, don't start another one. The genophage was a mistake on your and Turians' part. Commander Shepard and her crew fixed that. Do not dismiss that," he sternly says. The Dalatrass sits down, huffing as she fixes her hood.

"We must speak of the Citadel, it's council property. However, we cannot move it out of this system." Everyone looked at the Asari councilor, it was true. The Reapers made it look easy, but it really wasn't for anyone else. They didn't have the eezo, mass effect fields or people to do it, definitely when a war just ended.

"The Citadel should come under human and Alliance property," the US president says. The Turian councilor almost hisses at him.

"Absolutely not. Your people signed the right for us to have authority when on this planet. Do not forget that," he warns. Shepard waves her hand to calm them all down.

"This will not work, I knew you'd all start fighting over the Citadel. I have one suggestion, but I need an open mind from you all," she says as she looks around the table. Everyone mutters between themselves but nods and goes quiet to listen to her plan. "The Citadel obviously cannot be moved, but it doesn't mean it can't be shared. I suggest we abolish the council and have just executives for each species. One chosen amongst the people, as humans would for a president or prime minister. We'd all have equal rights on the Citadel, but it can be stripped if said species acts out in a way seen down upon by the others?"

"We cannot abolish the council. We are here to represent order and rights to all," the Salarian councillor comments. Kaidan snorts at him.

"Just like how you represent order ignoring our warnings and letting the Citadel fall under Reaper control three years ago?" Shepard kicks him under the table, warning him to shut up.

"Spectre, I ask you to stay respectful to your councillors," Tevos says in a calm voice. "We know you are struggling with the issues of your partner, but you are here to advise, nothing more."

"What about Major Alenkos' relationship with Lieutenant River?" An Alliance Admiral asks. Hackett threw daggers at the man.

"That is not on our topic of conversation today, Admiral," Hackett almost snarls at the man. Kaidan was ready to let rip into the man as it was, but he counted to ten in his head and calmed himself down.

"What if we keep the council, but give more leeway to the ambassadors? The Council are expected to see and review all species demands and ask with an equally open mind? And Spectre's is considered from all species?" he suggests. Tevos does like the idea, the Turian councillor however doesn't.

"A Krogan ambassador or Spectre, that's a sight," he laughs. Wrex growls at him.

"Watch yourself, councillor. I didn't send my people to save your little planet for nothing," he shouts in a deep grumble. Eve puts her hand on Wrex's arm, getting him to sit back down.

"We are not getting anyway!" Shepard shouts. "I've died twice, saved this galaxy three times and yet you all still ignore me. Mine and Kaidan's ideas would work. A treaty needs to be created for us all to sign. The Terminus systems will not be a part of this unless they wish to be, there will always be slavery, mercenary and black ops from all species. It's expected of them, but those bad few people shouldn't make the whole race be looked down upon." She looked right at Tevos. "You have the most power at this table right now if you let us try it this way. We will give you one hundred and ten percent of it, we all will. Each species will step up and we can work together to be a functioning society."

Everyone looked at Tevos as she calmly puts both hands on the table and looks back at Shepard. "Okay, Commander. I have dismissed you many times before and it's never worked in my favour. You have the permission of the council to try this idea. I ask you to give it time for each world and their people to heal and become once stable again."

"That is fair, Councilor," Shepard replies. Hackett stands up from his seat, smiling at this new relationship that will hopefully better help all species and make them prosper.

"I am glad today has been successful. I also have an assignment for the Normandy," he says looking at Kaidan and Shepard. They both almost stiffen at his words. Hackett doesn't give anyone a chance to respond before turning out towards the table. "Could everyone except our Spectres and Council leave, thank you for attending today. We will follow up soon." The whole room erupted in conversation as everyone got up to leave.

Wrex bumped into Shepard on his way around, "fine me later," he rumbles at her as he leads Eve out. She gives a small nod to the Commander whilst waddling her growing stomach out. Kaidan and Shepard stood up, moving closer to the council as Hackett did the same. They all sit in a small huddle.

"I would like to apologize for us being bashful before, Major," the Turian Council says with an actual sad look to his eyes. "You have struggled enough and we are not helping."

"It's alright, Councillor. I'm sorry for responding how I did," he replies. With the air much better to speak in, Hackett opens up about his plan.

"Before anything, there will be a large rewards ceremony for the whole Normandy crew. Those who have helped right through with Saren, Sovereign, the Geth and the Collectors." Tevos moved in her seat, picking a box up by her chair. It was a blue velvet box that had a gold clip to seal it shut.

She carefully opened it, showing a medal that held the colours of red, blue and silver with the sign of the SR2 in the middle. It came in two designs, with one a gold ribbon leading off the bottom and another that would be attached to the uniform with other service medals.

"This is the Normandy Medal, named after the ship and crew that saved this galaxy countless times. It's now an official medal that goes higher than your own military awards. Turian, Asari and Salarian included." Kaidan liked it, Shepard smiled at it but wasn't excited for yet another big ceremony with congratulations, hand-shaking and long-ass speeches.

"It's lovely," she mumbles as she looks at it. Tevos smiles and closes the box, looking at Hackett to continue his previous plans.

"Once that's all over and your crew is fighting fit again. You and the Normandy will be travelling to each council and ambassador world. Representing yourselves and the new alliance formed between all species." Shepard looked at Kaidan, neither of them wanted to do this.

"Sir, we are marines, not sideshows for you to show off," Kaidan said as respectfully as he could. Hackett only smiled, he knew they both would hate this.

"I understand that, Major. I need you both to understand that the fighting is done, none of us can afford to lose any more of our people. The Geth got hit the hardest, they all shut down since the Crucible activated." Shepard knew it was whatever Gemma did that made them and Edi shut down.

"Can they be fixed?" The Turian councillor tapped his talon on the table.

"We believe so yes, we are speaking with the Quarians about what they'd need to get them activated again. You lost a member of your crew to the Crucible correct? Edi was its name?" Shepard gulped, she thought Joker would have done a better job of making her act as his mobility assistance mech.

"Umm... how do you know about... her?" Shepard asks. Tevos smiles at her.

"We have eyes everywhere Commander, your pilot's story was a good one. I'd give him that," she chuckles. "We will still ban AI, but not how you think. AI will still need to be approved by the Council, but if they turn out like Edi or the Geth. They are welcome. Fully sentient only, I might add."

"I understand," Kaidan says. "We got Edi working, but only as a VI. She is confined to the ship and well, isn't the same anymore."

"I see, we will make sure Edi is first before the Geth to be reactivated once the Quarians can reactivate AI. I believe they have found a way with the Reapers. They were AI after all and their technology will advance all species." Hackett was worried that there were hundreds of Reapers around the galaxy. Each could carry different types of technology.

"We will have to hope those who have not heard the news of our new plans don't try to use Reaper tech for their own gain." Shepard hissed at that, forgetting about the Reapers shutting down at whatever location they were at in the galaxy.

"What about indoctrination?" Kaidan asked.

"It seemed to have stopped since the Crucible launched. It died with the Reapers," Tevos says with relief. "Also, Alenko. I may have a way to help Miss River." Kaidan almost fell out of his chair and turned to look at her that quickly.

"Really? How?" he quickly said. Tevos holds her hands up towards him to slow down.

"Not here, I will request you when I have more information," she comments. "We must leave now, we have many other meetings to attend too. Thank you for this... an interesting meeting. Please recover well, Commander."

They all stood up, shaking hands and headed towards the door. The Council gave one last goodbye before leaving with their hoards of guards. Hackett waited until they were far enough away not to hear him. "Well, that was eventful," he comments.

"You could say that," Shepard smiles. She feels her legs giving in as she falls slightly into Kaidan. He easily catches her, waiting for Hackett to get her wheelchair so she could finally sit down.

"You okay?" he asks as he pushes into her chair.

"Yeah, just tired." Hackett smiled at her.

"I need to ask you both something. What will be happening regarding the Captain of the Normandy? I would assume Shepard has it back once she's fit for duty." They both look at Kaidan, he was a higher ranking marine than Shepard, so unless forced out. The ship was his.

"Oh, Shepard can have it back," he nervously laughed. "The Normandy is one hell of a ship to control, she needs her actual Captain back. I am happy to be the XO again." Hackett holds his hand out to shake Kaidan's.

"I'm glad that's settled. I'll leave you both, rest up. Your crew have three weeks of shore leave, make the most of it. Goodbye," he salutes as they return it before turning on his heel and leaving.

"That was a long-ass meeting," Shepard sighs. Kaidan chuckles as they head back to the main campus.

"Just wait till our political meetings start," he replies with a grossed sigh. Neither was looking forward to that.

A/N: I'd like to think this is how the galaxy would meet to sort their problems out after the war. But obviously, the opposite could happen, I'm making sure that it doesn't go south. First, we need to get the crew better and Gemma her memory back! Until next time.