They arrived at the restaurant a few minutes later, everyone looked out of the window and some gasped, they were eating at one of the most expensive places on the Citadel, the Horizon. The limo entered the cul-de-sac driveway in front of the restaurant and stopped, then a footman opened the door, helping the women that were exiting the car, then when they were all out of the limo the footman closed the door and the car drove to the parking garage. Kaidan offered Elissa his arm which she took and when they started walking up the stairs she turned saw that the other men in her squad had each taken one of the women by their arm as well: Joker had EDI on his arm, Garrus was with Tali, and Liara was with Jacob.
"Do you need a date, Steve?" asked Elissa as the doors swung open and Steve merely smiled.
"I've got someone waiting for me here, Elissa," said Steve as they entered. Elissa could hear everyone gasping behind her as they all filed into the restaurant, even she was speechless as she looked around, admiring the room. There was one big dining room, a dance floor, a high cathedral ceiling above the dining room that had a giant crystal chandelier hovering in the center, and all about them were people dressed in the finest of clothes.
"Do you have a reservation?" asked the Maitre'D to Elissa.
"We're here to meet my mother, Admiral Hannah Shepard, she said she had the reservation," replied Elissa, a little nervous.
"Ah, yes," said the Maitre'D as he looked down at his list, "Madame Shepard is already waiting for you in our VIP room, if you allow, I will lead you there."
"Thank you, sir," said Elissa and the Maitre'D motioned for the group to follow him to the VIP room. Elissa walked past several tables full of people she recognized from the embassy, mostly ambassadors but there were a few delegates as well, some smiled at her others gave her a rather nasty glare. She gripped Kaidan's arm a little tighter as she passed by the tables, nervous someone was going to pull a gun on her or her friends, Elissa was relieved when they reached the VIP room and saw her mother sitting there already.
"Madame Shepard, your guests," said the Maitre'D and he bowed to them all before leaving. Kaidan led her to the chair nearest her mother and pulled the chair out for her and she sat down, he then pushed in the chair and sat next to her, as the rest mimicked what he had done for her. When they were all seated, a waiter appeared with a couple of bottles of wine and a tray full of crystal wine glasses, he pulled out the corks and poured everyone a glass then passed one to each of the crew mates.
"I hope no one minds," said Hannah as she accepted her glass, "I pre-ordered the wine, but if it's not what you want, then please feel free to order whichever drink you like."
Elissa took a sip of the wine and nearly moaned with pleasure, this was the best wine she had ever tasted, it was sweet but tasted like it would go with any meal she ate including dessert.
"Mom, I have never tasted wine like this before," said Elissa happily.
"Most haven't, this wine is made from frozen white grapes that only are found in Antarctica," said Hannah as she sipped her wine, "I fell in love with this stuff after your father brought a bottle to your birth, to celebrate afterwards, of course."
"This is good," said Kaidan, "but I already have the wine for the wedding picked out, it's a very nice red, made from Venetian grapes."
"Red? Kaidan, I prefer white, you know that," said Elissa slightly upset that he had picked a wine without even asking her what she wanted.
"Well, our menu is beef, and red wine goes well with red meat," said Kaidan.
"Wait, when did you make all of these decisions?" asked Elissa, surprised he already had the menu, wine, and venue already picked out and they had only been engaged for about two days at most.
"I have been planning our wedding since before we got engaged," replied Kaidan, trying to make it sound like he was doing her a favor.
"Well what if she had said no?" asked Joker, who was sitting across from Elissa. "You would have made plans for nothing, Maj."
"I knew she would say yes," answered Kaidan smugly and Elissa really wanted to smack the smug look from his face.
"What else do you have already planned without my input?" asked Elissa, now very irritated with her fiance.
"Flowers, band, guest list," said Kaidan, ticking off his fingers as he named off categories, "let's see, the cake, and I made you an appointment for your dress."
"Kaidan, why did you do this?" asked Elissa in a quiet whisper, "I was kinda hoping to plan the wedding, not do nothing."
"Ella, I just wanted you to be relaxed," said Kaidan putting his arm around her shoulders. "Weddings are stressful and you deserve to be stress-free after all you've been through—"
"Kaidan, you're acting as if I have a fragile demeanor that will crack the moment I experience the tiniest bit of trouble," interrupted Elissa.
"I just wanted you to be happy," said Kaidan taking her hand in his.
"I'd be happier if I was allowed to plan my own wedding," said Elissa through gritted teeth.
"Ella, this isn't the time or place, we'll talk about this later," said Kaidan, also through gritted teeth, trying to make the situation not as tense as it was becoming.
"What are you going to have to eat?" asked Hannah, turning to Elissa, trying not to reach across her daughter and punch her future son-in-law.
"I'm going to have the swordfish with—" started Kaidan.
"I wasn't asking you, dear, I was asking my daughter," replied Hannah looking at Elissa, Kaidan turned bright red as he heard a snicker or two from around the table.
"I am going to have the ricotta stuffed filet mignon," said Elissa grateful to her mother for intervening.
"What about you, Joker, dear?" asked Hannah, deliberately turning to Joker and ignoring Kaidan.
"I think I'll be dining on the rotisserie chicken," said Joker, trying not to look at the glare he was getting from Kaidan from across the table.
"Excellent choice," said Hannah approvingly, "EDI, is there anything we can get you?"
"No, thank you, Admiral," said EDI pleasantly, "I will merely sit and observe while adding to the conversation when I see the proper time for my own input."
"How very kind of you, dear," said Hannah nodding politely.
"What are you going to have, Admiral Shepard?" asked Joker, trying now not to smile as Kaidan continued to glare at him.
"Hannah, please," said Hannah, patting Joker on the arm, "and I believe I'll be having the veal, it's very delicious."
"Sounds like an excellent choice, Hannah," said Kaidan trying to be polite to his future mother-in-law.
"Admiral Shepard to you, Major," said Hannah reprovingly with her eyes slightly narrowed.
"This isn't going to end well," Elissa heard Garrus mutter from the other end of the table and she resisted the urge to laugh. Shortly after that comment, the waiter came by and took their orders, then chatter resumed though Kaidan did not talk much to Elissa, Hannah, or Joker but more to Liara and Steve who were sitting close to him.
"So how did you get your nickname, Joker?" asked Hannah, smiling at him. "You never did get the chance to tell me at lunch."
"My instructor from flight school," said Joker, taking a sip of his wine before continuing, "I never really smiled much in class, so she thought she'd be funny and call me Joker, the name just stuck with me."
"I haven't seen you not smiling," commented Hannah, "why were you so glum in class?"
"I was working too hard," said Joker simply, "I wanted everyone there to know that any and all marks I earned was because of time and energy spent on studying not because I was a charity case."
"I'm glad you were able to accomplish what you had set out to do," said Hannah, "I've known several pilots who couldn't do half of what you have been able to, flying into a volcano is risky for even a veteran pilot."
"You know about that?" asked Joker brightly, looking at Elissa who smiled at him.
"Of course I do," said Hannah, "I know about every time you pulled my daughter's ass out of the fire, I was very glad to hear she had someone looking out for her."
"Someone had to, I mean she doesn't exactly listen when you tell her not to go somewhere," said Joker winking at Elissa who smirked at him.
"Tell me about it," sighed Hannah patting her daughter's hand, "When she was about eleven, I told her not to go walking on this frozen pond near our house, she did listen actually but then a friend of hers decided to go out on the water. Jackie told her not to, and she was right to warn her, her friend fell through the ice and Jackie charged out there without a second's hesitation. She pulled her friend out of the ice, then was scolding her as they got back on dry land, I then reprimanded Jackie for not listening to me about going onto the ice."
"That's what happened with Ilos," said Joker, looking at Elissa as he spoke, "The Council told her not to go, we stole the Normandy, made it to Ilos and then she saved the Citadel and the Council. How do they repay her? They send her on a fool's errand looking for Geth after telling her she's on probation."
"See, that's why I'm glad I only have to answer to other admirals instead of the Council," said Hannah as the food arrived on silver trays. The chatter stopped and was replaced with the sounds of scraping and clattering of silverware against the china dishes, everyone was eating and were enjoying their food too much to stop for much talk.
"Will anyone want to see the dessert cart?" asked the waiter as he prepared to leave.
"Bring it out in about twenty minutes," said Hannah, as she cut into her veal and the waiter nodded, "I think everyone will be wanting something sweet by then."
It did not take Elissa twenty minutes to eat her meal, so she sat there with her empty plate in front of her as she watched everyone around her still eating, then she heard the music playing and saw some of the guests dancing on the dance floor. Elissa started to sway slightly in her seat in time with the music, wanting desperately to be out there dancing with the rest of the people.
"Kaidan, would you like to dance?" asked Elissa, hopefully.
"No, not really, Ella," replied Kaidan as he watched one of the waitresses pouring a glass of wine for Steve.
"Oh, okay," said Elissa disappointed, she looked down at her lap, picking her fingers to keep herself from thinking too much about the music and dancing.
Joker looked at her, he could tell she was upset that Kaidan had rejected her offer to go dancing, so he boldly stood and offered her his hand, "Come on, Ellie, I'll dance with you."
Elissa looked up and smiled at him, accepting his hand and he led her out of the VIP room, shocked stares following them as they left.
"I have to see this," said Jacob, when they were gone, and he stood as well along with the rest of the table and they stood with the rest of the crowd as Elissa and Joker walked onto the dance floor.
Joker put his hand on her waist, pulled her close and then they began to waltz, looking as if they were flying across the dance floor. He twirled her with ease, not hitting anyone as they moved across the floor, he was glad when he saw Elissa smiling as they continued to dance impressing their friends.
"I'm surprised he knows how to dance," whispered Garrus to Steve.
"Looks like they're really having a good time," said Jacob and Tali nodded.
"They look good together, don't they?" observed Hannah to Liara who nodded and Kaidan glared at her.
"He looks like an idiot," muttered Kaidan as he watched on, fuming.
Elissa was amazed at the grace Joker possessed, he had told her he did not dance out of fear of breaking a bone but here on the dance floor, no one would have believed him if told them he had Vrolik Syndrome. The way his legs effortlessly moved in time with the music and the fact he did not have to stare at his feet to know where he was going proved that there was certainly more to him than meets the eye. She enjoyed the feeling of his hand on her waist and the way of her hand felt in his, she surrendered herself to his control and much like how he could make the Normandy dance, he was making her waltz. She did not notice the shocked faces from her friends, the glowing smile from her mother as she and Joker danced by, or the hateful glare that Kaidan was firing at them.
'She's in my arms, I'm actually dancing with her,' thought Joker as he pulled Elissa along with him, her arm was around his shoulders and he was holding her hand, not only that but his legs did not hurt in the slightest. Looking into her eyes, he saw what he had earlier that day while talking in the observation deck, the way her eyes gleamed in the light and her wide smile made his heart soar with joy he had not felt before and he had no intention of letting it stop for as long as he could. The music began to slow down, indicating that the song was going to end in the next few seconds and when it did, Joker dipped Elissa as everyone around them broke out into a round of applause. He was in no hurry to pull her back up, they were both breathlessly laughing from exhaustion and joy, enjoying the applause they were receiving and when he did help her up he was very careful not to get caught by her high heel.
"Wow, Jeff, I had no idea you could dance like that," said Elissa as she caught her breath.
"My sister taught me," said Joker as he escorted her off of the dance floor, "she needed a partner when she was learning and I was her default guy."
"Well, you're aces," said Elissa as they walked back to their friends whom had all gathered by the bar.
"Joker that was amazing!" shouted Steve, passing him a drink with an umbrella.
"I did not realize you could dance!" exclaimed Tali from atop one of the stools.
"You never cease to impress, huh, Joker?" asked Garrus as he clapped him on the back.
Joker blushed as praise was showered down on him, though none of the words his friends were saying could elicit the same feelings that the way Elissa was looking at him in that moment was.
"Where's the Major?" asked Elissa when she saw he was not standing with them.
"Last I saw, he was talking up some waitress," said Jacob and pointed behind Elissa and she saw him leaning up against a wall with a pretty brunette laughing at whatever he was saying.
"Lousy bastard," muttered Elissa darkly, now trembling with rage, "EDI, make sure that the Major does not enter my cabin from now until I say so."
"Yes, Commander," said EDI, "revoking his access now."
"Thank you, EDI," said Elissa grateful that EDI was not being as cold to her as before at least for the moment.
"Jackie, are you going to be alright?" asked Hannah, placing her hand gently on her daughter's shoulder.
"Yeah, I will be," said Elissa, turning back to the group, "I need something strong to drink, right now."
"No, absolutely not," said Hannah firmly, "This is not the time to be drinking, just relax, he's not making out with her just talking with her."
"Fine," sighed Elissa as she sat down at the bar, she glanced over and saw that Joker was now standing with EDI, his arm around her waist.
"Maybe you and I should dance, Jeff," said EDI, looking over at Elissa, trying to be heard over the clamor of the other patrons.
"In a few, EDI," said Joker, kissing her cheek, "my legs need a few moments."
"Hey, Steve, where's your date?" asked Garrus as he pulled Tali closer.
"Right here," said Steve happily as an attractive man in a dark blue suit approached the group, he kissed Steve before turning to the rest of the group.
"Hello, I'm Edward Oakley," said Edward, smiling at them, "I'm very happy to meet all of you, Stevie talks about you guys all of the time, mostly about a certain Commander Shepard, where is she?"
"Hi, call me Elissa," said Elissa, shaking hands with Edward, "it's a pleasure to meet you, please forgive me, I just saw my fiance chatting up a waitress so if I seem out of sorts that's why."
"Understandable," said Edward, "Stevie, would you like a drink?"
"Thank you, Eddie," said Steve as Edward ordered him a Bloody Mary.
"Stevie?" said Joker, trying to control the grin that was spreading across his face.
"Shut up, Jeffie," said Steve in a mocking tone, and Joker blushed.
"Hmm, I think I shall start to call Jeff 'Jeffie' as per your suggestion, Lieutenant Cortez," said EDI and Joker looked as if someone had just canceled Christmas.
"Good idea, EDI," smirked Steve as he accepted his drink from Edward, "Eddie and I are going to head to the Flux in a few minutes, does anyone want to join us?"
"Tali?" asked Garrus, looking at her with hope.
"Sure, what harm could it do?" said Tali as Garrus stood up.
"Liara, Jacob, do you guys want to come?" asked Steve.
"Sure," said Liara and Jacob nodded.
"Joker, are you and EDI going with us?" asked Tali.
"I don't really feel like going out, but if EDI wants to, I won't stop her," said Joker and EDI patted him on the shoulder.
"I will go," said EDI cheerfully, "I would very much like to go dancing at the Flux, and with the Commander indisposed, we should have a better time."
Elissa's head shot up and she gave EDI a surprised look, that was the last thing she had expected to come out of the AI's mouth.
"And on that note," said Steve, standing quickly, "I think we should grab the limo and head over there."
"I agree," said Garrus and Tali nodded, those who were going to the club quickly exited the restaurant including EDI, not giving Elissa the chance to reply to what she had said.
Hannah and Joker stood there looking at Elissa's shocked face, neither one knowing what to say to make her cheer up.
"Ellie, I—" started Joker.
"I don't want to hear it," snapped Elissa, turning around to face him, "I already have enough crap to deal with and now I have a mouthy AI to take care of, all because of you." She pointed a finger accusingly at him as she stood up.
"Because of me?" asked Joker defensively.
"You unshackled her which allowed her to then transplant herself into that body," said Elissa harshly, not really angry with him but she needed to vent somehow and unfortunately he was standing there, "Either you get her back in line or I'll dismantle her myself." She stormed off to the outside of the restaurant, tears threatening to spill, her body shaking with unreleased rage.
"Don't take what she says personally, Joker," said Hannah when she saw his face, "She's just upset about the trial, and that fiance of hers isn't helping matters and neither is EDI, you just happened to be standing here when she lost it."
"I know," said Joker quietly, "I know, she's not having the best week right now."
"I think she needs a friend right now," said Hannah putting her hand on Joker's shoulder, "Take her back to the ship, I'll deal with her fiance." She motioned her head towards Kaidan who was now sharing a drink with the waitress he had been talking to earlier.
"Will do, Hannah," said Joker smiling and he walked out of the restaurant, he saw Elissa sitting on a bench with her hair unpinned. He sat next to her and pulled off his jacket to give to her as a gesture of good will.
"Thanks, Joker," said Elissa accepting the jacket and giving him a weak smile. "Where's my mom and Kaidan?"
"Back inside," said Joker, "your mom's trying to pry the Major away from that waitress he was flirting with, they're having some drinks."
"Bastard," sighed Elissa, running her fingers through her loose curls, "Why did he have to do this to me?"
"You've already answered your own question, he's a bastard," said Joker, shrugging his shoulders, "I'm under orders to take you back to the Normandy but if you prefer to go somewhere else, I'll follow you there."
"I think I just want to go for a walk," said Elissa, standing, "Do you want to come with me?"
"Of course," said Joker standing with a little difficulty, "but we might have to make that a drive, my legs are screaming for me to put them out of their misery."
"I think there's a cab stand," said Elissa, giving him a sweet smile, then she hailed a cab over and they climbed in.
"Think your mom and the Major will be fine?" asked Joker as he slid into the cab.
"Yeah, she can handle anything," said Elissa with a tone of admiration.
"You two are a lot alike," said Joker as he relaxed in the plush seats, Elissa blushed.
"Where to?" asked the cabbie.
"Just drive around," said Elissa as she leaned back into the seat as well, "we'll pay you, I promise."
"Okay," said the cabbie as he pulled into traffic. Joker looked over and saw that Elissa had her head pressed against the glass, looking out gloomily at the lights zooming by as they drove along. He could tell she was thinking about Kaidan and what the outcome of the trial might be he knew he needed to bring her back out of her mind, one of the most dangerous places in the galaxy, so he reached over and pulled her close to him letting her head rest on his shoulder.
"Joker, I—" started Elissa but between the warmth of his body and the feeling of comfort she was getting from being in his arms, she could not bring herself to speak, there was nothing to say right now.
"Comfy, Ellie Belly?" asked Joker and he laughed at the look on her face, it was one of fury and embarrassment, utterly priceless in his book.
"She told you," said Elissa, sitting up looking at his smiling face, wanting to punch him but knowing that would not make him forget her most embarrassing nickname of all.
"Yeah, at the trial," said Joker trying to stifle his laughter, "I think it's cute."
"That's what you said about 'Ellie'," scoffed Elissa as she leaned back against his shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, she could feel his fingers working into her hair and massaging her head.
"Ellie's cuter," said Joker, kissing her forehead softly, Elissa could feel a chill go down her spine as his lips touched her skin.
"Joker, you're the best," yawned Elissa, closing her eyes as she snuggled against Joker, pulling his jacket around her like a blanket.
"Tell me something I don't know," said Joker quietly, smiling down at her, he knew she was sound asleep when he felt her breathing deepen.
"Your wife, she is very pretty," said the cabbie as they continued to drive.
"Yeah, she really is," said Joker dreamily, he was still looking at her though periodically glancing out of the window as the rest of the world went by.
"How long have you two been married?" asked the cabbie.
"Umm about four, five years now," said Joker, thinking about how much time they had served together on the Normandy and the time he had spent watching Cerberus rebuild her.
"Any kids?" asked the cabbie, merging into another lane.
"One, but she's plenty for right now," replied Joker, now thinking of just the Normandy, which was really just like a big baby that he and Elissa were responsible for. "What about you?"
"Oh, I have three kids," said the cabbie, "Robert, Ursula, and Ben. My wife, Laura, is pregnant with our fourth. Our kids have a bet on what the sex is, so far we have a fifty-fifty split since Ben's too young to understand exactly what's going on, personally I'm hoping for another little girl."
"How come?" asked Joker as Elissa moved slightly in her sleep.
"Don't get me wrong I love my sons, but daughters, they give a whole new meaning to your life," said the cabbie, his voice getting a slight lilt to it as he spoke about what it meant to have a daughter.
"So mysterious cabbie who is sharing life wisdom with a total stranger," said Joker, "can I get a name?"
"Marshall Stenson," said Marshall cheerfully, "Do you and your wife live around here?"
"Yeah, we have an apartment close by," said Joker when he realized they were in the housing district of the Citadel, he then told Marshall the address to Anderson's apartment and soon they were pulling up to its outside.
"Ellie," said Joker, shaking her slightly, "Ellie, wake up, you gotta walk and I can't carry you. Come on, Ellie."
Elissa's eyes fluttered open, she blinked a couple of times, then looked up and saw Joker's smiling face, she smiled back and said groggily, "Hey, where are we?"
"The apartment," said Joker as he opened the door and she sat up, careful not to press on any pressure points, then sat back against the seat.
Joker got out of the cab and offered her his hand, "Here, Ellie."
Elissa took his hand and with his help she was able to get out of the cab, without falling on her face, and she stood there while he paid Marshall.
"Here," said Joker, handing him a small bundle of credits, "buy that baby girl of yours something nice, on me."
"Thanks, sir," said Marshall, gratitude radiating from his smile.
"Call me Joker," said Joker as he watched Marshall put the money in the glove compartment.
"See you around, Joker," said Marshall as he prepared to leave.
"Hey, if you do have a little girl, name her Jacqueline," said Joker, patting the gentleman on the shoulder.
"I like that name," said Marshall nodding, "I think we will, thanks again, Joker."
Marshall drove off and Joker went back to Elissa who was still patiently standing by the door to the apartment, when he turned around he saw that she had a funny look on her face.
"What?" chuckled Joker as he pulled a key out of his pocket.
"Why are you on a first name basis with our cab driver?" asked Elissa as Joker unlocked the door.
"While you were sleeping, I was networking," said Joker as the door swung open.
"What did you tell him?" asked Elissa as she walked in, she stood in the hallway, waiting for Joker to close the door.
"I told him that if he had another daughter, to name her Jacqueline," said Joker as he closed and locked the door, double checking just to be sure.
"Why Jacqueline?" asked Elissa as they walked into the living room, "Why not Elissa?"
"Because that's your name, and only you should have that name," said Joker as he walked to the kitchen, leaving Elissa standing there stunned and flattered, that was the sweetest thing she had ever been told.
