Act I : IV

SSV Normandy

Slade Jordan had been awake for a few moments already, but when he looked around the deserted medbay and realized he was alone, he rolled over and laid back down. It had just occurred to him that this was his first time aboard a ship. Slade always saw them soar across the red skyline of Eden Prime, but had never gotten close enough to touch one, let alone be a passenger. He glanced over at this backpack laying on the cold floor and realized he did not miss home whatsoever.

What do I really have to miss of "home". I've only been conscious aboard this ship for maybe a day and this place already feels more like home than Eden Prime ever did. Only mom could have made me stay and she was gone.

Slade's heart sank in his chest as he remembered his mother. He quickly threw his mind into figuring out his next step before he began to remember more than he wanted to.

What now? I obviously can't stay on this ship forever. I'm sure Doctor Chakwas would help me figure it out if I asked, I'm sure she would figure something out. But I can't rely on her for everything. Nothing good lasts forever, it's only a matter of time before Karin's taken away from me. I like her, but I shouldn't get too attached. She's either going to leave me or get taken away and I'll never see her again. How long has it been since we left Eden Prime? Days? Weeks? I'm in space now it's not like I know how to tell time out here.

A sudden thought popped into Slade's head and he felt immensely guilty he had not thought of it sooner.

The Commander! Where is she?!

The medbay was empty which automatically meant she was not here recovering from her injuries. Slade remembered seeing her lifeless body smash into the ground.

Oh God. If she's not here…..

Slade immediately stopped himself from continuing his train of thought and shook his head vigorously.

No. No way. You saw her in action. She's waaaaay too tough to be taken down like that. Hell, even I survived, so she must've just recovered before I did and left the medbay.

Anxiety now began to build up and cause Slade's palms to sweat. He decided to stop thinking about the future and just wanted to pass the time until Karin returned. He got out of the cot to stretch his legs and walked around the medbay. After he felt more comfortable, he reached down to the backpack and pulled out his book. Slade sat back down on the cot and began reading his one and only book. About halfway through the novel, the medbay door hissed open and Karin walked in followed by an older, bronze skinned man. Karin smiled at him and walked to the back of the room where her office was. She went inside but did not close her door; meanwhile, the older man wearing a pristine officer's uniform pushed a chair closer to Slade's cot and sat down in front of him.

"Hello, son", greeted the man. "I'm Captain Anderson, and I'm the commanding officer of the Normandy, the ship we're both sitting in. How are you holding up? I've heard what happened down on Eden Prime. I'm sure it was stressful for you, but I honestly think Shepard and her team wouldn't have disarmed the bombs in time if it weren't for you. They owe you a debt of gratitude, and so do I. Thank you, son. But enough about that, let's talk about how you are."

Slade was slowly beginning to accept that it was only his fellow colonists on Eden Prime that openly resented him, but he still managed to be surprised whenever someone talked to him with genuine courtesy.

"I'm alright, Captain Anderson", Slade replied with all the respect he could muster. "You don't need to thank me. By letting me stay with you on your ship, you've already done more for me than anyone else ever has. Where's Commander Shepard? Is she alright? I saw her get hurt by the beacon when it exploded." Anderson smiled at him.

"The Commander is fine", Anderson reported. "She's just on the Citadel conducting an investigation. We're hoping she'll find something soon and we can figure out what to do from there. She asked to be updated on your progress once you regained consciousness, so Doctor Chakwas notified her the moment you woke up. Like Karin told you Slade, everybody here cares about you. You got that, son? We all care about you."

Slade felt his face warm up as he blushed and immediately looked down at the Captain's polished leather shoes. He would definitely need to get used to people automatically being nice to him without any promise of reward.

"So," Slade began. "What exactly is going to happen to me now? Are you going to bring me back to Eden Prime?" The Captain leaned back in his chair and inspected Slade for a moment before answering.

"Well, son", he started. "It's actually going to be your decision for the most part. The only thing I'm not going to leave up to you is your medical recovery. You WILL remain on this ship until Doctor Chakwas says otherwise. But after that? That'll be up to you, son. Do you WANT to go back home?" Slade juggled the word "home" around in his head. The medbay he had spent the last day or two cooped up inside had honestly felt more like a "home" than Eden Prime ever did. He glanced over at his backpack and it finally dawned on him that everything he cared about was inside that bag, anything else was expendable - considering his other belongings were probably a smoking pile of rubble back on Eden Prime - Slade was not bothered in the slightest manner.

"Actually, now that you mention it", Slade said. "I never really had a home, not since my mother passed away. This medbay is actually the closest thing to a home I have right now." Captain Anderson gave him a small smile, which Slade carefully returned. Doctor Chakwas finally left her office and walked over to join them. Anderson looked up at her and gave her a small nod, which she returned along with a generous smile.

"As I said before, Slade", Chakwas pointed out. "Until I declare you medically fit to leave my active care, you will not be allowed to disembark the ship; therefore, you must remain here with us and I predict your recovery should take at least 6 more months. Do you agree with my prognosis Captain?"

"That will not be necessary, Doctor", answered Captain Anderson with a small hint of mischief in his voice. "I am in need of an aide and this fine young civilian more than qualifies for the position. I will be making Mr. Jordan a permanent addition to the Normandy's crew. In conjunction with that, I would please ask that you temporarily give Mr. Jordan medical leave so he may join me on the Citadel."

"Granted", Doctor Chakwas said while giving Slade a beaming smile. Slade could not help but smile back at the woman who had done nothing but care for him since he had met her. He thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of giving someone else a genuine, happy smile. Slade then turned to the Captain and mirrored his broad grin back at him. This was the man that essentially handed Slade's new life to him on a silver platter. Slade decided he would spend the rest of that new life attempting to reimburse Captain Anderson for the huge debt he now owed him. He could not hide the radiating excitement he had in his voice, this was really the first time in years that he had felt this happy.

"What's the Citadel?" Slade inquired.

"You'll see", Anderson said with a mischievous smile. "But first, you may not technically be in the Systems Alliance Navy; however, I am still your commanding officer. So, head over to the crew quarters and I'll have some things sent over to you. Get yourself a warm shower, a cool shave and brush your teeth. There'll be a new uniform waiting for you when you're all done, then when you feel you're ready, come back here. Don't worry, I'll also have someone show you around. Any questions, son?"

"No, sir", Slade said in a formal tone. He smiled to himself, savouring the word "sir" in his mind. This was the first time Slade had felt anywhere close to belonging somewhere and he was determined to prolong the feeling.

"Alright then!" the Captain said as he stood up to leave. "Follow me".