Here we are guys, another day, another chapter. Please continue to enjoy the makings of this story and continue with your beloved reviews!

Shepard's POV

Shepard sat there, smiling as he watched Ethan smack his head into the table as EDI held up holographic cards with information on them.

"What species inhabit the planet Tunchanka?" EDI asked, her robotic eyes staring at Ethan as he drummed his fingers on the table and pondered over the question for a minute.

"The Krogan!" Ethan said, smiling as he watched the flashcard flash green. Shepard couldn't help but chuckle as he watched Ethan do a small celebratory dance.

"I think he's had enough quizzing today EDI, how about we take him out to eat?" Shepard asked as he stood up and made his way over to the kitchen counter as he leaned against it.

"Sounds great! Who knew, even in another universe I'd have homework." Ethan said in exasperation as EDI gathered the holographic cards and put them inside a small metal box.

"Shall I contact the rest of the crew and invite them out for tonight?" EDI asked as she stood up and walked over to Shepard as she looked at him.

"Yea, send out a invite to the crew. Tell them to meet us at that high end sushi place." Shepard said as he turned on his heels and made his way towards the stairs to the second floor balcony where the door to his room was located.

"Yes Commander, I shall make a few quick calls then." EDI said as she raised up her arm and pressed a button, bringing up a holographic phone.

"Go get ready Ethan, this place is high end and you'll want to look your best." Shepard said as he looked down at Ethan from the balcony before turning around and walking into room and closing his door.

Later On

Shepard stepped out of the hover car with Ethan and EDI at his side, he smiled when he saw the familiar spotlights flashing through air as small holographic robots hovered around and took pictures.

"Wow, you weren't joking about this place." Ethan said as he looked on in awe as a crowd gathered around the carpet leading up to the front door.

"It may also help the ambiance considering that tonight there is a huge charity event going on around the Silversun Strip." Shepard replied as he looked over at Ethan who was wearing a black futuristic tuxedo that had lines of glowing colors at the collar that were constantly changing.

"I can only imagine the charities you all have in this universe by now." Ethan said, admiring his work when EDI walked up to them dressed in a silk dress that glowed with vibrant colors all over it.

"I still do not see the purpose of this dress Ethan, I do not have a purpose for wearing clothes as I do not have any physical body parts to hide." EDI said as she looked down at herself before looking back to Ethan with curious glowing green eyes.

"You've got to learn how to express yourself now EDI, your not only synthetic anymore but also part organic. You have emotions, start using them." Ethan said as EDI smiled at him as she nodded her head before she heard a cat call behind her. Shepard watched as the rest of the crew walked up to where they were, Joker taking in his girlfriends hot new look as she smiled at him and leaned in for a kiss.

"Damn Commander, what did you do with my girlfriend?" Joker asked as he interlocked arms with EDI as they all made their way down the red carpet.

"Don't thank me, thank Ethan here." Shepard said as he motioned his hand to Ethan who was now at his side as they walked down the carpet.

"Well Ethan, I go to say I'm quite impressed." Joker said as they entered the restaurant ahead of the long line of people waiting to get in.

"How were we able to go ahead of all those other people?" Ethan asked, noticing how the Asari hostess looked at Shepard and greeted them with lighting speed.

"It helps when you've saved the galaxy three times in a row, people start to notice you." Shepard said as he greeted the hostess before she lead them all to a table. Shepard smiled to himself as he sat down and looked at all of his crew. Kaidan talking with Tali and Liara as Joker punched fun at Cortez and Vega, Samantha Traynor looking at the menu as EDI commented on all the fish species. Shepard looked over at Ethan who was looking around nervously.

"What's wrong Ethan? I thought you'd be loving all of this?" Shepard commented, noticing how Ethan smiled at him as his cheeks turned red.

"Nothing is wrong...I've just never been inside such a fancy place dressed in clothes like this. I wasn't what you called popular back where I'm from." Ethan said before Shepard reached out and placed his hand on Ethan's shoulder and gripped it lightly.

"Your not there anymore, your here with us so enjoy yourself and have fun." Shepard said before he leaned back and pushed a menu Ethan's way. He smiled as Ethan took the menu in his hands before finally setting it down and looking back over at him.

"This stuff is so expensive, I couldn't possibly take your credits like that!" Ethan said as he looked down at some of the prices.

"Ethan...quit worrying. Tonight I treat you to something nice, please just get what you want." Shepard said reassuringly as Ethan eyed him for a bit before finally taking a small device and punching a ink mark near the items he wanted.

A Hour Later

Shepard smiled at everyone as they all got up and made their way to the dance floor, their plates cleared and glasses empty. Shepard scooted back in his chair as he stood up and pushed it back in before he felt a presence behind him.

"Hey Shepard, could I have a word with you for a moment?" Ethan asked as Shepard nodded his head and followed Ethan towards a quieter area of the restaurant. Shepard stood there as he watched Ethan fiddle with his hands for a moment before looking up into his eyes.

"I...just wanted to thank you...for everything. You've been such a great help to me these past few weeks and I couldn't even begin to repay the kindness you've showed me. I just wanted you to know that's its made every bit of the difference for me, you and your crew both. I can't begin to express how lucky I am to have been thrust into a world with such kind and caring people." Ethan said as he smiled up at Shepard, the glow of his eyes bright.

"It's been my pleasure Ethan. Also know thought that even though the galaxy may be in peaceful times, there are still things out there that will try to destroy that and thrust the galaxy back into dismay. If the galaxy were truly in times of permanent peace, there would be no need for my crew and I." Shepard said as he looked at Ethan, a serious look on his face.

"I know, and I've been doing some serious thinking the past few weeks. I know there are still things out there that wouldn't think twice at the choice to kill me or someone else. Which brings me to my next point, I want to be apart of the effort to keep peace among all of these planets and species...I want to join the Normandy's crew and serve with you. I want the chance to finally be who I was meant to be all along and protect those who aren't capable of doing it themselves." Ethan said with a serious tone as he looked up into Shepard's eyes with dead seriousness.

"Are you sure this is what you really want? You've got a whole galaxy at your disposal, you can go anywhere, do anything, be with anybody of your choosing...is the Normandy where you truly want to settle into?" Shepard asked as he watched Ethan look away momentarily before looking back.

"Yes, it is. Shepard, I come from a world shaken by war and strife. I use to lay awake at night and wonder if I'd live to sweet thirty years with all of the troubles going on in the world. War had struck a lot of poor countries, and with a growing population resources were limited and riots were spread out among the third world countries. It was only countries like the one I came from that experienced a form of safety, but eventually I knew that would run out as well. I've been thrust into this world with no return to my own, and I finally get to live. I no longer have to worry about the troubles of my old world. I want to be able to protect those who look out into their world and feel the same way that I did, the ones who feel hopeless and neglected. I want to show them that someone does care, and that everything will be okay, provide them that future security." Ethan said as he brushed aside some of his hair away from his eyes and then held his arms at his chest.

"It sounds like your mind is made up, which in that case, I'd love to have you aboard Ethan. You'll have to go through months of training like everyone else, but once it's all finished and done, I'll personally put in for you to be put aboard the Normandy with the rest of us. Now come on, let's join the rest of the crew on the dance floor." Shepard said as he patted Ethan on the back, keeping his arm there as they both smiled at each other, their eyes lingering in each others gaze. Shepard guided Ethan away from the corner as they both made their way to everyone else on the dance floor.

Jane's POV

Jane Morgan wiped the sweat away from her forehead as she stood back and looked at the tent she and Jake had put up together. She smiled to herself as she turned around and watched her mother grab some things from their car before bringing it over and setting it down onto the ground.

"Hey Jake, help me gather some wood for a fire." Ross said as Jake joined the older man at his side as they began to walk around the campsite and pick up twigs and branches. Jane walked over to a nearby log, kicking a few rocks along the way before finally sitting down and looking towards the setting sun in the distance.

"You having fun so far sweetie?" Samantha asked as she walked up from behind and joined Jane on the log, looking off into the sky as she followed her daughters gaze.

"Yea I am. Thanks for taking me out here mom, it means a lot." Jane said as she looked over at her mother, her eyes a bit watery as she wiped her sleeve at them.

"Don't cry babydoll, it's your birthday." Samantha said as she reached over and brushed aside some of Jane's long brown hair. Jane smiled at her mother before returning her gaze back to the sky were slivers of the Milky Way could be seen as the sun transcended down into the sky.

"It's beautiful isn't it? I can only imagine what's out there...just waiting to be found." Jane said as he felt her mother wrap a arm around her shoulder before pulling her close. Jane rested her head on her mother's shoulder as she watched the stars begin to pop out one by one as darkness descended.

"I could have all the stars in the universe, and they still wouldn't compare to the beauty of my darling daughter." Samantha said as she leaned down and kissed Jane's head, smiling as they both looked up into the approaching night sky, Jake and Ross starting a fire in the distance behind them.

"Think I'll ever see the stars up close one day?" Jane asked, seeing a certain star twinkling red in the sky, knowing it was Mars.

"You can do anything you set your heart out to do honey, and I'll be right there watching the stars alongside you." Samantha said, smiling as her daughter snuggled up closer to her as they both began to giggle as Ross and Jake began to holler in victory as they started the fire.

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