Chapter 35: The Fan

Jack woke up feeling somewhat cold from the lack of a naked Quarian cuddled around him like he expected. He must've been in a deep drug induced sleep if he didn't feel Kal moving away from him earlier. Once again Jack reminded himself to thank Mordin the next time he saw the nosey Salarian. It certainly wasn't typical for a doctor to not only remember a patients anniversary but, also give them mildly illegal drugs to celebrate the occasion. They'd probably never use it again, or if they did only on special occasions. Jack's walking abilities wouldn't be able to handle that on a everyday basis.

His eyes opened up to Kal painting the palladium armor black at the foot of the bed. He was wearing his new replacement suit and Jack had to admit it looked great on him. While it was essentially the same red, gray, and blue colors he had always worn, this suit was a lot tighter. The suit was held to Kal's body through a complicated system of suit seals instead of just a simple zipper that exile suits received. Jack was going to have to relearn how to unhook them all for private activities but, he didn't mind it at all. Kal was going to be just a little safer from germs with that suit on.

He sat up with a groan, "Usually I'm the one to wake up first, what's got you up and painting at..." Jack looked at his omni tool, "Shit, is it really 10:30 right now?"

Kal had a loving chuckle at the question, "Mordin explained that halex sometimes makes people sleep longer because of...I don't remember, he was talking too fast. But uhh everyone that was eating in the mess hall heard him."

Jack sighed throwing his head back against the pillow, "Great...now everyone is going to think we're drug addicts on top of everything else."

Kal kept his amused tone, "Oh no, Mordin was more than happy enough to explain the concept of anniversaries to Zero." He attempted to impersonate Mordin, "When two beings love each other very much, sometimes they hug and have special cuddles. Cuddles can get boring after awhile so on an anniversary it's good to spice things up."

Jack raised an eyebrow looking concerned, "Please tell me that went over her head? And he doesn't know us very well does he?"

Kal stopped painting, stood up, and kissed him, "Nope, but to be fair I don't think Salarian's understand real love. As for Zero, she's sixteen Jack, sex was the first thing she thought of. It didn't damage our relationship any worse than it already is if you were wondering."

He still felt terrible that Zero had shunned Kal away for trying to protect her but, weren't all teenagers nasty at around that age? Hell, when he was sixteen, Jack had enlisted into the Alliance just to spite his mother. She hadn't been willing to tell him who his father was and so, Jack had ran away from home and joined the army, then the N7s. If his future self would've told him he was going to have to go through hell in the Alliance, he probably would've done it all anyways. Being with his soulmate was worth the first decade or so of blood, sweat, and tears.

Jack tilted his head curiously, "Did she talk to you this morning?"

Kal sounded disappointed and looked down at his feet, "Just a fuck you when I asked how she was doing. All I can say is, I'm happy Saren's teaching her how to control her biotics. I'll keep bugging her, we aren't going to abandon her like everyone else has."

Jack's stomach rumbled and he stood up, "If you want me to talk to her just let me know. Now, I better get cleaned up and have some food before your taking me to meet someone."

Kal had a nervous tone when he pulled away gently, "Shel invited us to lunch so I was hoping you'd wait so we could have something at the place?"

Jack kissed the top of his new helmet before rushing to the bathroom for a quick shower, "Of course I can wait cyar'ika. You still haven't told me who we're meeting though."

Kal rubbed the back of his neck while standing by the bathroom door, "I guess I never did tell you about her did I? Shelrrik's an Elcor I met during my pilgrimage on Dekuuna. She took care of me for four years and I consider her the closest thing I'll ever have to a Mom."

Jack smirked in his direction, "By your tone I get the feeling she's not my biggest fan."

Kal was watching him shower but snapped back to the conversation, "She thinks you exposed me to dangerous germs when you kissed me next to the Sovereign debris. I tried to explain what happened but, we got sidetracked."

Jack grabbed some casual clothes and dried off, "Stop worrying Kal, I'm sure once we meet she'll understand I care about you staying away from deadly germs just as much as she does. Where are we going?"

The gloved, three fingered, muscular hand grabbed his and soon they were walking back on Illium's streets together. Jack was worried that The Illusive Man still hadn't reached out to him yet about the Collectors but, he tried not to show it to Kal. If The Illusive Man really did have this supposed lead, what could possibly take him this long to confirm it and send him out there? His fear was that he was much more preoccupied with the coup by his daughter instead of the Collectors. If that was the case, Cerberus wasn't his best bet to take down the Collectors after all. He was better off working alone at this rate.

When they were clearly approaching the restaurant they were obviously supposed to meet at, Jack couldn't help but smile. The building itself was shaped like that of a Hanar's head and the place was called, "Raxium's Famous Aquarium and Food Stop." Admittedly, he had no idea who this Raxium was but, going into an aquarium made him feel like a kid again. Places like this were how he and his own mother bonded after months of being on deployment. He glanced in Kal's direction suspiciously wondering if the Quarian had intentionally picked this place to meet Shelrrik as part of their anniversary. His suspicions were only raised when Kal ignored his gaze and started whistling a tune.

The monotone voice of an Elcor greeted them, "Excitedly, Kal I am over here."

Jack turned and saw the Elcor that had to be Shelrrik. If Kal hadn't told him she was female, he wouldn't have been able to tell on his own. Not that he was a racist in any way but, Elcor in general looked remarkably similar except for the designed cloths draped over their large backs. Shelrrik's in particular had pink swirls towards the center expanding out to all the colors of the rainbow bordered with a dark red color. She was also accompanied by several drones which were busy preparing the table as well as flipping pages of the menu for her. He was curious how Elcor survived before drones since they didn't have hands they could use.

Kal let go of his hand and motioned between them, "Shel, this is Jack'Shepard vas Normandy. Jack, this is Shelrrik vas Illium."

Jack smiled and gave her a nod, "It's nice to meet you ma'am, Kal's told me a lot about you."

Shelrrik's black eyes rolled and she moved around the table to rub her neck along his cheek, "With love and slight impatience, there is no need to be so formal boys, this is not a job interview. I just wanted to meet the man that took my boys heart."

Jack patted her neck hoping that was the appropriate response, "If we're honest, he stole mine first and I've just been along for the ride ever since."

Shelrrik moved back to her spot slowly, "Filled with joy, that is a good answer. Curiously, how did you two meet? Last I knew Kal had returned to the fleet with his horrible father."

Jack idly looked at the menu but smiled, "I think you should start that one. I only know the actual meeting part of the story."

Kal squirmed in his seat looking adorable when he was embarrassed, "I'm sure you read about the Skillyian Blitz right?" When she nodded he continued, "Well, dad thought it was a good opportunity for the fleet to get closer relations with the Alliance and at the same time give me some more field experience. I was assigned as the explosives expert for a team of a multi species squad."

Jack jumped in, "I got to command that squad, so on the first day I had to introduce myself to everyone on the team. Now, I want you to imagine a tense military ship, lots of long faces. Well, Kal was the last person I needed to meet.. When me and my superior opened the door, Kal was singing, dancing, and listening to music with earbuds in."

Shelrrik's mouth folds expanded in what he could assume was a smile, "Amused, it serves him right that his plan to use his son backfired in his face so spectacularly."

The waiter arrived and Jack noticed he was staring, "Commander? The Commander Shepard?! I don't know if you remember me, my names Conrad Verner we met on the Citadel two years ago. It is such an honor to see a hero like you again Commander!"

Unfortunately, Jack remembered Conrad all too well. After discovering Garrus was Saren's adopted younger brother, he had panicked thinking the Turian was going to try and kill Chloe Michel as a loose end. Conrad had been an all too willing cab driver and took him to her medical clinic by ramming his cab into the front door. Jack had tried to convince Conrad to just pull over next to the building so he could get out but, the man had none of it. Conrad had said something along the lines of a hero can never pull over. He was glad the man was still walking after Garrus had shot his leg because of their misunderstanding. Kal and Shelrrik were staring at Conrad as if he was an unknown alien being and this was a first encounter.

Jack coughed looking extremely uncomfortable, "Of course I remember you Conrad...how are you?"

Noticing how tense Jack became, Conrad whispered, "I get it, your undercover." He winked before saying aloud, "He's just an old friend of mine and our joke is that he is Commander Shepard. I mean look how close in appearance they seem!" To his horror, Conrad pulled up an image immediately on his omni tool with the words 'my hero,' underneath in fancy pink writing, "See the jawline and eyebrows? It's uncanny!"

Shelrrik was the first to speak, "Disbelieving, I didn't know Humans could be this stupid. If he was actually undercover you could've killed him. Uncontrollable rage, I would like to have a word with your manager as soon as possible."

Kal quickly extended a hand to stop her from trying to run Conrad over, "I think she's just trying to say we'll have two FizzyWhirls and a water please."

Shelrrik whipped her head around towards him, "With frustration and contempt, do not put words in my mouth Kal. Angry repetition, bring your manager here right now or I will get up and find them."

Conrad huffed taking their menus, "Raxium isn't in the building right now so I'm the manager. I'll have your drinks in a few minutes." He looked at Jack, "You know, you could really use nicer friends Commander."

Shelrrik's drone lit up with the taser function, "Furiously, now you listen here, if you don't find the manager I will make sure you never work again."

Conrad just kept walking away and Kal rubbed her hide, "He's not worth it Shel. Let's just try and enjoy lunch for me... please? Who is he anyways?"

Jack rubbed his forehead, "Remember the cab driver I told you about when I was saving Tali? That was him.. And Shelrrik, I appreciate the concern but Kal's right, we don't need to make a big scene out of him."

Shelrrik looked to each of them and then her plate, "Ashamed, you are both correct. I just don't want him to potentially get someone killed with that kind of stupidity. Apologetically, I'm sorry I made the situation worse Jack."

Jack waved it off and the three of them mostly had a good lunch unless Conrad appeared. Conrad just kept making things worse like questioning if Shelrrik should have this or that because of her weight. It was a miracle they had convinced her not to use the drone to zap him yet. Even with all that going on, he could tell Kal was nervous about something. He was sure it wasn't Shelrrik because the two of them were getting along really well, so what was it? Maybe he had the same concerns about the Collectors in general but, it was odd he was shifting around like that right now.

Shelrrik ate a bite of her salad provided by her drone, "And that is how I met my son, luck and Quarian birthday cake. What about you Jack, where are your parents?"

Jack licked his lips trying not to get emotional, "My mother died during the Blitz saving people. I don't know who my dad is, she never told me before she died."

One of her drones wiped a tear forming in his eye, "With regret and deep sympathy, I am sorry I asked at all."

Liara's voice surprised him and he looked at Kal suspiciously again, "Sorry I'm late, Aria is a talker."

She gave Kal a small package, "Thanks Liara, I hope she didn't want too much from you in return?"

Liara gave him a slight smile, "It was nothing I couldn't handle as a favor for a friend." She looked at Jack, "I can't stay but, I wanted to wish you both a happy anniversary."

Jack raised an eyebrow at Kal, "What was that about exactly?"

Shelrrik spoke bouncing from foot to foot, "With eager anticipation, I am so excited, you will see in a moment."

Kal was fiddling with the package and slowly opening it out of his view, "So, I have a confession to make, I lied about forgetting our anniversary.. Umm when you died I got all of the things you owned in your apartment. Unfortunately, most of it was destroyed on Omega but, Aria maybe found a few things in the wreckage of the base. I called Liara while you were on the Citadel and...well..."

Jack felt all the air get punched out of his lungs seeing Kal was holding his mother's dog tags. He thought for sure that they would've been lost to time supposedly being dead. Yet there they were being placed in his hands like a delicate piece of china. Just when he was about to kiss him and tell him he loved him, Kal pulled out a picture of him and his Mom together. He couldn't have been more than eight in the picture and his mom had her firey red hair he remembered. The background was that of an aquarium, specifically the one on the Turian homeworld of Palaven. A random Turian had taken it and ruffled his hair afterward. At the time he thought it was a little odd since all the other Turians ignored them or were rude.

He practically yanked Kal across the table and kissed his mouthpiece, "You are a bastard, you should've reminded me so I could get you something."

Kal squirmed a hand around underneath him to get another item, "I know, but then I wouldn't have been able to enjoy your face when I surprised you. You can pay me back next year...and by saying yes."

Jack's heart lept into his throat seeing Kal was holding a ring between two fingers. It was old, having to be from his mother's jewelry box. He had never looked in it out of shame for the reason he received it in the first place. Looking at it closer, Jack could see it was engraved but, not in basic. Had dad given her this at some point? On the surface it may have seemed odd that Kal was purposing again since they were already married under Quarian law but, it was clear Kal still thought his one night stand with Erash broke that vow. He was sure Kal would've wanted to redo it the Quarian way but, Quarian Admirals weren't lining up to help so, this was the next best thing.

Shelrrik was trying to whisper, "With baited breath, please say yes, please say yes, please say yes."

Kal was babbling now clearly nervous, "I know you probably think I'm being dumb or silly or I don't know.. I just feel like our old vows are gone and we might die any day now and I don't want to be afraid we won't be together in our next lives. You don't have to, I know we don't have the time right now to actually have a Human wedding and the ring doesn't have a diamond and I have no idea what either of them say and-"

Jack had to interrupt him or he was going to keep babbling so he kissed him hard right on his mouthpiece again, "What did you think I was going to say? Yes you bosh'tet."

Shelrrik's voice boomed around the restaurant, "Overwhelming joy, that is my boy getting married. I cannot believe this is happening."

The kiss lasted a few inappropriate seconds until his omni tool went off, "Shepard this is EDI, The Illusive Man is requesting you in the conference room as soon as possible."

Jack pulled away gently and put on the ring, "Copy that EDI, we're on our way." He gave Shelrrik an apologetic look, "I'd love to stay for dessert but, I gotta get going."

Shelrrik nodded slowly, "Disappointed understanding, the galaxy cannot be saved by itself. I will cover lunch on one condition, you will give yourselves time for an actual wedding in the future and I can attend."

Kal gave her a hug and his eyes were glowing extremely bright, "I promise I'll let you know but, it might be a few months. I love you mom."

The two of them started heading back towards the Normandy and Jack could definitely get used to the feeling of a ring rubbing against his palm from Kal's hand, "I can't believe you were so nervous about asking me that for a second time. I already told you yes last time."

Kal seemed to be walking with extra cheer in his step, "I know but, like I said I thought you'd think it was silly and we're already married. If Aria hadn't described the rings I wouldn't have done it. Good luck with the boss."

They reluctantly separated in the Normandy as Jack headed towards the conference room. If anyone had noticed the two of them were wearing old rings on their fingers, no one said anything about it. It wasn't a secret the two were together at the hip but, the majority of the support staff wanted to treat it that way. He was sure the Cerberus crew were more repulsed by the fact he was with an alien than a man. At least all of them were professional enough to keep their distaste to themselves. The conference room had already transformed to the now familiar office. He was once again spooked by the fact that The Illusive Man always was wearing the same business suit and smoking.

He was greeted by a virtual cloud of smoke, "Shepard, we caught a break. I intercepted a distress call from a Turian fighter patrol. They stumbled on to a Collector ship beyond the Korlus System's Mass Relay."

Jack gave him a skeptical expression, "It's hard to imagine how a Turian fighter patrol could take out a Collector ship."

The Illusive Man took a gulp from his shot glass, "Subject Zero's attack on the ship must've damaged it more than we originally speculated. Make no mistake, information is my weapon, Shepard. The intel is good. Now, I need you to board that ship and get some hard data on the Collectors. Find us a way to get to their homeworld."

Jack was nervously tapping his foot, "Are we sure after the combination of Jack's attack and the Turians that the ship is even intact enough to board?"

He nodded after inhaling more smoke, "Reports I've gathered from the Turians indicate the hull's intact, but all systems seem to be offline."

Jack plugged the destination in from his omni tool, "Looks like it will take us three hours to get there. Will Turian reinforcements be a problem?"

The Illusive Man swirled the empty glass in his hand, "Eventually, but I did intercept the distress call. We're feeding them a few false reports. Your close enough that you can be in and out before the Turians learn the truth. Once your aboard the ship, establish an uplink with EDI. She'll mine their databanks for information regarding the Omega-4 Relay. Good luck, Shepard."

Jack felt tense as the room returned to normal. They finally were going to go on the offensive.