Author's Notes: Thank you everyone who is reading this story. It has almost come to an end though so if there are things I haven't addressed or things you are confused about or whatever let me know and I'll try to address them. Otherwise enjoy.

Chapter 9 – An Endorsement and a Proposal

The next day, the couple was awoken by Barry at the door. They got dressed and opened the door. "Oh, Miss Zorah I think the council just wanted Commander Shepard to come."

"It's okay, Barry, she can come along."

"Oh, of course."

As they traveled through the city Barry pointed out certain landmarks and their history. They stopped at the Palace of Westminster which use to house British Parliament. When the couple arrived the Council seemed surprise to see them. "We thought we'd be speaking to you alone, Commander." The Asari councilor said as she looked to Tali.

"Its okay, Councilor, anything you have to say to me can be said around her as we are enjoying the time we have together."

"That's understood, Commander. But we brought you here to offer you a seat on the Council. We know that most of the races are support you and you would make a great addition as you were able to broker peace between the Turians and Krogan as well as the Quarians and Geth."

"I am honored but I wish to leave the spotlight as I have been in it for nearly three years and I am just tired. Also if my mentor David Anderson could not handle all the bureaucracy and red tape I am sure I won't be able to either."

"Capitan Anderson anticipated this the last time we talked to him before he died. So he had a back up candidate who we got to know when we got to Earth. I believe you met Jerma Jones."

"Yes but why do you want him as a candidate? Do you think a Petty Officer can be a respected politician?"

"We actually spent a good deal of time with him during the last few hours of the Reaper war and he seemed to be very knowledgeable about all the races as we had many different races with us from the Citadel. Also he was one of the few individuals that actually interacted with different races while we were in the safe zone. However, the issue we have is that Admiral Hackett does not endorse him which would make him lose creditability at least with humans. So if you don't want the job we suggest that you endorse someone you think would work the best as your endorsement would carry the most weight throughout the galaxy."

"I understand."

"So do you have any candidates or if you need to meet with Mr. Jones to get to know him better he did leave his address with the Human Affairs intern that brought you here."

"I think I'll do that."

"Good. Thanks for your time, Commander."

Once Shepard and Tali exited the room she turned to him and asked. "Are you really going to speak with Jerma Jones?"

"Yeah. Why, Tali, is that a problem?"

"I don't know there is something about him that scares me. I am afraid he might put you in harms way. I know it's selfish of me but I can't lose you again."

"Tali, I am going to be fine. I talked to Jerma and he seems rather unusual but he is no more dangerous than the crew that we have had on the Normandy."

"I still don't know."

"Tali, I love you with all my heart but he seems to have a way for us to be together on Rannoch sooner by taking this position."

"Well, I guess that is true. I am sure if you were the human councilman they'd want you to stay on Earth instead of living on Rannoch. I think I'll go back to the hospital to get our stuff and meet with your mother we're going to be staying in her extra room until we can get transport to Rannoch."

Shepard hugged Tali goodbye and Shepard had Barry take Tali back to the hospital.

When Shepard arrived at Jerma's address, he found Jerma standing in front of a picture of a girl in a meadow which was mounted to the wall. She looked to be in her mid-20s but Shepard could tell the picture was rather old as she was wearing clothes from the late 20th century or the early 21st century. Shepard's eyes then wandered the rest of the room where he saw an assortment of items mounted on the wall, he saw three modern day weapons, two pistols and one sniper rifle. Then there was a unique looking sword next to them followed by a skull of a dinosaur. Shepard wasn't sure of the species all he knew was that it was carnivorous because it had sharp teeth. Shepard then noticed the room was filled with lab equipment but the only equipment he recognized was the balances and microscopes. In the middle of the room stood a lone table with a datapad and a computer console Shepard could see a DNA helix on the computer's screen. His gaze then came back to Jerma. "Hey Jones. Is everything okay?"

Jerma shook out of what seemed to be a trace and looked at Shepard. "Oh, Shepard, you came. Can I get you a drink or anything? Oh and by the way the way you can call me, Jerma. No need to be formal with me."

"Oh, okay, Jerma." Shepard said slightly skeptical. "I don't really need anything to drink though I thought I would talk to you about taking the council seat for humanity."

"Well, what do you want to know?" Jerma said as his gaze went back to the picture of the girl.

"How do you expect to be viewed by humans after all the strange and reckless rumors that are floating out there about you?"

"I don't really care about those rumors. I figure if I have your endorsement I'll be golden. Most races are behind you and if you say I am the man for the job they'll believe you."

"I still don't know. I still feel I know very little about you. Also the fact that you're not human bothers me if you are going to be the human council member. And you haven't mentioned any kind political experience how do I know you can handle it."

"Don't worry about the fact that I am not actually human. I have had political experience though no higher than a right-hand man to a political leader as I like to stay out of the spotlight for the most part. However, I am willing to step up to give your relationship with Admiral Zorah a better chance at survival."

"Wait, what do you mean?"

"Shepard if you were the Human councilman your relationship with Admiral Zorah would be on every major news network in the Galaxy. Your loyalty towards humans and other races would come into question and so will Admiral Zorah's loyalty towards the Quarians. I don't think a relationship can survive that. As for me I don't have to worry about something like that."

"So you have no relationships?"

"I don't like to forge long term relationships as lost is hard even for me. So I tend to avoid love and caring for others."

Shepard looked from Jerma to the picture then back to Jerma. "What about her? Did you love her?"

There was a long pause. Shepard started to fear he may have asked a question that was too sensitive but then Jerma spoke. "I have been unsure if I did love her in retrospect but at the time, yes, I had some type of feelings for her."

The room went quiet again. Shepard was unsure what to do next and he was starting to get uncomfortable so he tried to change the subject. "Well, if you want my endorsement I should know your policies."

Jerma remained quiet and Shepard wondered if he'd ever speak. Jerma shook his head slightly as if he were in a trace again. "My policies? Oh, yes, if I was a part of the council I would be looking to add all sentient races to the council and try to have a united effort to rebuild all the home worlds as well as find a world for Batarians. I just want to keep the unity you forged intact but I won't force them. There are a few other ideas I have but that is really the main policy I have."

"I think I can endorse that. I'll make sure the council knows my decision. I'm sure Tali is worrying about me and I need to finish some paperwork before I can official leave the hospital so I think I should go."

Shepard headed for the door but Jerma's voice stopped him. "Is that really all, Shepard?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I just felt it would take more from me to convince you that I am a good candidate for the council. I mean I told you many strange things I am surprise you would accept it."

"Jerma, I have had many conversations with many individuals over years. I feel I have a good idea of when someone is be deceitful or is completely insane. I do think you are a little crazy but I more or less believe you. I mean no one knows the story about that child AI, except Hackett and Tali, and you were able to give me a very similar story to my own."

"I understand that. But I feel I should be open to you as you have been open to me. As you said you know very little about me." Jerma paused and looked turned to Shepard then back to the picture. "I am sure you want to know more about this girl besides the fact that I actually had feelings for someone at one time."

"That's true but I would understand if it is too hard for you."

"It is not too hard for me!" Jerma snapped. He grew quiet before he spoke again. "The problem is I don't want to say her name as it tends to bring out feelings in me that I hate to have. So it could be difficult to convey what happened. But maybe I could use the initial of her first name and it may work."

"That would work if you are able to do it. I mean it might get it off your chest, too."

"Okay, here it goes." Jerma took a deep breath. "I meet M back in the early 21st Century. As I got to know her, I started to fall for her but once I tried to woo her she disappear without a word. I feared the worst and searched for her. When I did find her I thought maybe she knew what I really was which could be why she left. But I found out that she was in love with someone else which was the reason she ditched me. I just wish she would have been honest with me because it left me without any closure and I still think about it to this day."

"Closure? You could have discussed the situation with her."

"No, Shepard, I couldn't. The problem was when I finally found her I actually saw the guy's proposal to her. I was enraged. I wanted to kill every human around me but because of her I couldn't. So I went away to try and seek some peace to subside my rage. She was to be married on August 8th 2025 in Weston, Massachusetts."

"That sounds familiar."

"It should. That's the day Weston was wiped off the map. Someone blew up the whole town and many different groups were blamed. This lead to a war that had the potential to wipe out humanity. I wanted to watch humanity fall at that point but M came to me and told me to intervene so I did. I found out later it was the Observer and not M's spirit I had communicated with." Jerma shook his head in disgust.

"Wait the Observer can come to you in any form?"

"Yes but it depends on the agenda. He wanted to manipulate me into doing something so he pulled at my heartstrings to accomplish it. Some days I wish I could've let humanity burn but people like you make me think otherwise."

"Thanks, I guess." Shepard said cautiously. "I'll speak to you again."

"So long, Shepard."

When Shepard arrived at the hospital he saw the familiar face of Conrad Verner. Shepard saw he was holding a box. Conrad saw Shepard and his eyes lit up. "Shepard, over here."

Shepard approached Conrad. "Hey, Conrad. What are you doing here?"

"Well, Shepard. I was helping all the people on the Citadel into transports when Cerberus and the Reapers were approaching and this lady in a hood gave this to me." Conrad looked at the box in his arms. "She told me I needed to give it to you. I am pretty sure she was with you when we met on Illium. I have a lot to do the Alliance gave me a job to help rebuilt London. I so excited. I'll see you again, Shepard."

As Conrad left Shepard opened the box. He found a letter on top of some cloth.

Dear Shepard,

I hope this gift finds you well. Since I must be leaving the confines of the Citadel I am unsure when I will see you again. But I wish you and Tali the best. Also I have left you a little gift. I sure you will find a good use out of it whether that be target practice or melt it down into something else.

KG

Shepard removed a cloth to reveal the gold head of Saren. A faint smile came over Shepard's face as he entered the hospital to finish his release.

It took three days for the Council to set up a press conference to announce Jerma Jones as the new Human Councilman. It felt longer for Shepard and Tali who wanted to put everything behind them and finally start their life together on Rannoch.

The press conference was in the same place Shepard met the council. When Shepard and Tali arrived they were separated to their dismay. Shepard was pulled into a room where a person he did not know looked him over to make sure he was dress properly and then he was seated closest to the exit but he was surrounded by people he did not recognize. He looked around and saw a podium and on the other side of the podium sat the three members of the council and Jerma Jones. His eyes wandered into the crowd where he saw Tali by the wall on the other side of the room.

The political spinning began with the Asari councilor greeting everyone then went into a speech about unity. She took a few questions before announcing the new Human councilor. Only one of the questions peaked Shepard's interest as it concerned his former squad mate Zaeed and his possible take over of the Blue Suns. The Asari councilor noted that she knew nothing about this but stated that due to the mercenary group's participation in the Reaper War they have been given a new chance to better themselves. Finally, she introduced Jerma Jones as the new Human councilor.

When Jerma took the podium he scanned the room before he spoke. "Greetings. I'd like to thank my fellow councilors as well as Commander Shepard for this wonderful opportunity. I know many will wonder how I am experienced enough to do this job. My hope is that over time you will find out. Right now, the council has a great deal of work ahead of us and my fellow councilors are giving me the opportunity to announce the plan we have discussed so far. First, with the Citadel destroyed we are going to be working from our home worlds with rotating meetings on each home world. We have also discussed the addition of more council members so every race has a voice in matters concerning the galaxy. Second, we want to improve our galaxy so we are looking for new ways to travel without the Mass Relay system because if they had been destroyed instead of temporarily offline when the Crucible went off we would all be stuck in the Sol System. Also I would like to offer assistance to the Quarian race to help improve their lives. I have research that may make it possible for them to be like they were before the Morning War. They still may need enviro-suits on other planets but they won't need them on Rannoch. Finally, we are looking into establishing ambassadors on every home world for every race. I feel this will give everyone a way to get resources from other races as well as lend a helping hand to their own race on alien worlds. Right now, I only have one ambassador to announce, that is if he wants the job. I have chosen for the Human Ambassador on Rannoch, Commander John Shepard."

The roar of applause snapped Shepard out of his boredom and he saw Jerma motioning him to shake hands. Jerma extended his right hand to Shepard and when their hands met Jerma pulled Shepard in for a one armed hug. During the hug Jerma whispered into Shepard's ear. "Congratulations, Shepard. You deserve this. All of this." Then Shepard was released from Jerma's grip.

When Shepard sat back down he leapt back up with a start. He looked at his chair because he thought someone had put something there yet the chair was empty. Then he searched his backside with his hands and found a box. He sat back down to examine the contents where he found a ring with a purple sapphire on it. Shepard realize that this had come from Jerma and he turned his head where he saw for the first time a smile on Jerma's face although it was a devilish smile.

Shepard then scanned the crowd and saw Tali was no longer there. He could careless what people thought about him, he wanted to find Tali. He found her outside on a bench with her head drooped down staring at the rock he had given her on Rannoch.

"Tali, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Shepard." She said with a half sob. "It's just…just I still have doubts that you are doing the right thing. I feel like I am taking you away from everything you know just for my own selfish reasons."

"Tali, don't say that. I love you with all my heart and everyday I am with you makes the day seem brighter. In fact…." Shepard reached into his back pocket for the ring box. He opens the box to reveal the ring. "This is for you. I don't know the exact Quarian customs so I have to use the human ones." He bent his left knee and held the ring toward Tali. "Tali'Zorah vas Rannoch, will you do me the honor of becoming my bond mate."

Tali was speechless and tears began running down her face. She searched for the right words but all she could muster was "YES!"

The two hugged then Tali put on the ring which fit perfectly. The couple sat on the bench as Tali started to talk about her ideal bonding ceremony. Shepard could not take the smile off his face because he made her so happy which in turn made him happy. However, her musings of her ideal bonding ceremony were cut off by Jerma voice. "It's a beautiful day isn't?"

The couple turned their heads to see Jerma walking out of the building and scanning the sky. "Councilman Jones what brings you out here? Shouldn't you still be in the press conference?' Shepard asked.

"Yeah, well, I have a lot on my plate being the new councilman so I excused myself. Plus I needed to talk to my ambassador to Rannoch."

"Yeah, about that I don't think it is the right job for me I don't want to deal with all the politics."

"Shepard, that's not what I want you there to do. All I need you for is telling me if humans or Quarians need supplies I have access to. There may be other tasks but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it." Jerma looked at the ring on Tali's middle finger. "Oh, and congratulations on the engagement you two deserve to finally be happy. As for the wedding or bonding ceremony….." Tali started to fear Jerma may invite himself to the event and readied her self to shout him down. "I'll have to send you a nice gift as I'm sure I will not be able to attend because I'll be busy cleaning up this galaxy."

"Thanks for the kind words." Shepard said.

"It is not a problem. Anyway, you should know I have a transport ready for you two which will take you to Rannoch. I am sure you know the pilot as he was the Normandy's pilot."

"Joker"

"Yeah, that's him. He'll be taking you and some human workers to Rannoch to provide help in rebuilding. They will also help set up a QEC in your home so we can communicate. Take care Mr. and Mrs. Shepard vas Rannoch."

It was dark when Jerma got to his apartment. He went over to his desk and poured himself a cup of water then plopped in front of his computer console. He pulled up a screen with a DNA helix on it and began typing away which morphed the DNA. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed movement and a feeling of dread rippled through his body. He knew the voice before the words even got to his ear. He knew that it was the Observer coming to him as the girl who he called M.

"Hello, Jerma. It's nice to see you again." She paused for a moment to see if Jerma would speak then approached him from the shadows. "So your not speaking to me I see. Well, I wanted to let you know that I find it cute that you are working so hard to keep those two love birds together. But you must know it is a hopeless cause. No matter what you do their relationship will not last and you will have to live with the guilt perpetuating it all." She paused again but Jerma still remained silent. "You should know that Shepard will become just as dark and bitter as you are and then Tali will leave him like I left you."

"Shut up!" Jerma through the glass of water at where M was but it went right through her.

"My, my, what a temper. That is another reason why I left you."

"You don't know what you're talking about. You're not even her. Hell, you're not even real."

"Of course I am real. If I wasn't real could I do this." She wrapped her arms around Jerma's neck in a loving way. To Jerma it felt as if a real human was doing this especially due to the warmth of her touch. M's eyes looked at the computer console. "Oh, Quarian DNA, I see that you are still trying to fix things that can't be fixed. I wish you the best of luck though Jerma. I'll be watching you and Shepard and hoping you two don't fail miserably. Yet there is no evidence that says otherwise." M kisses Jerma on the cheek then disappears.