Another one for your pleasure. As per a reviewer's observation, I have noticed that the previous chapter has an...how shall I say... overuse of commas. I will rectify.

Of course by the time you read this, I may have changed it... or not.

Now I am just confused.

Nevermind! Here we go!

(I own nothing)

Chapter 6: Launch

Shepard stretched his back and listened as his spine popped.

He could barely suppress a yawn as he pressed the elevator button for the crew deck. True to her word Ashley had made him sleep on the couch in the captain's cabin. Although this normally wouldn't have bothered him, it was rather tense being in a room with Ashley, imagining her eyes burning holes into his back.

He initially thought that she might want to talk to him, to ask him about Isaac and why he didn't tell her about him. But she still seemed to be far to mad to even care what he had to say.

'I may love you Jarryd, but that doesn't mean I like you.'

Kaidan had also slept restlessly, and somehow Ashley had managed to remain firmly asleep through his cries, forcing Shepard to carry him up and down the elevator and around the CIC. The only person their at the time had been EDI, so Shepard wasn't worried about waking anybody up.

'Shepard. It is interesting to see the habits parents undergo with their young' she had said observing him softly trying to talk Kaidan into sleeping.

'May I?' she questioned, her synthetic arms outstretched.

Shepard willingly gave the crying baby up to her, and slumped exhausted into the co-pilots chair. Kaidan cried for a few more minuted while EDI observed him in silence. Shepard was about ready to take Kaidan back when EDI began to hum.

Shocked, Shepard listened as EDI let out a repetitive rhythm of electronic beats. Kaidan stopped crying, and slowly nestled into EDI's arms while she, almost organically, shifted her arms to cradle him.

Shepard observed her in silence for some time before saying quietly.

'You know EDI, you would make a great mother.'

EDI had apparently not been prepared for such a statement. She quickly looked at him, with an expression Shepard would discern as shock. She then gently placed Kaidan back into his arms, staring at Shepard.

He shifted uncomfortably, not used to such an unhuman-like stare.

'I would be lying if I said I have not considered the... Possibility.'

It was Shepard's turn to regard her concerned face. She looked unsure, as if she didn't know what to say. He was once again shocked by how easily he saw her as a living, breathing person. Capable of feeling love and joy, but also fear.

'Trust me' he said intensely 'You and Joker would be the best parents.'

'I am not so sure Shepard. You have seen yourself the initial fear that all organics feel when they meet me. Even if we were to adopt, who would give a child to me? And how would that child feel, growing up with a platform as a mother. And no matter how many times I run the possibilities, the percentile range in which a child could love me is incalculable.'

Shepard watched as she... errr... rambled. She was suffering from something he was all to familiar with, parent jitters.

'EDI' he said slowly so that she concentrated on him. 'A child, any child, unconditionally loves their parent figure. It doesn't matter if you are related or not, it doesn't even matter if you're the same species. Organic or synthetic. A child doesn't care about that. The only way you can lose their love, is if you betray their trust. But I know you EDI, you would be the most overprotective and obsessed mother in existence. You would do anything, be anything, they needed. The fact that we are having this conversation proves it.'

He cradled Kaidan with one arm while placing his other hand on her cold, yet still lifelike, one.

'You would be the best mum.'

She smiled at him, and at Kaidan's dozing form.

'Thank you Shepard. I think you have helped my analysis.'

Shepard walked back into the darkened cabin and gazed at Ashley's sleeping form before laying Kaidan down in his cot at the end of the bed. He gazed at him lovingly before whispering.

'Your mummy might not be talking to me at the moment Kaidan, because I was a silly idiot. But I still think she is a great wife and mummy as well.'

He smiled fondly as he curled up on his couch exhausted. He was just about to doze off when he heard Ashley moving to check on Kaidan. He strained his ears, and heard her whisper to him.

'I love your daddy Kaidan, but lord help him if he does anything this bad again.'

Shepard couldn't help but grin again as Ashley settled back into the bed.

He knew she wasn't asleep.

In the mess, Shepard was helping himself to a strong cup of coffee. Yawning he sat down at the table, watching the night shift swap over with the day shift.

The Normandy had just been cleared for duty after the damage she had sustained during the final battle. And although their mission was important, she had to spend a day in the field, stress testing the finally completed retrofits. As such, Shepard had delayed his mission summary until today, giving the engineers and Joker, ample time to run diagnostics as the soured through the local cluster. Last on the list, before the ground was prepped, was a relay jump taking them to the Citadel, were Shepard had been instructed to inform the council of their mission.

Shepard shuddered at the thought. He had been trying for months to avoid the council, and was plagued constantly by demands to attend award ceremonies and give speeches. Initially he didn't mind, and was quite honoured by the idea, but after the first three ceremonies, Shepard realised they were less for commending heroic actions, and more for pushing political agenda's.

And so Shepard had, behind the council's back, sent out over one hundred personalized messages to all the commanders and individual soldiers who had been scheduled to receive 'commendations'.

He then, with the help of Tali and Kasumi, had broadcasted a galaxy wide message of thanks to all the soldiers and families who had fallen victim to the war.

The council had not approved of his actions, yet nonetheless, still tried to persuade him to go to the presentations.

He had politely declined.

But now he was back in their clutches, and after the heard of his coming from the admiralty board, they had conveniently scheduled a commemoration ceremony. One which he was obliged to attend, as he had already been slated and promoted as the keynote speaker.

As usual, they had no concept of the threat that Cerberus is to the galaxy. When he spoke to them over the secondary QEC, Spartacus 'dismissed his claim' that this parade was eating into valuable and crucial investigation time. But to sweeten the deal, they had offered Shepard full access to SPECTRE resources.

So it was grudgingly agreed to by Shepard.

'Hey loco. What's for breakfast.' James questioned as sauntered into the mess, running his hair through his Mohawk.

Shepard grimaced. James always was a morning person.

'Eggs' he grumbled. He hated mornings on principal. They always seemed to come to soon.

At the sight of the eggs, James' expression grew grim as well.

'You think, us being saviours of the known galaxy and all, would have entitled us to some decent meals' he sighed as he plunked himself opposite Shepard. Regardless of his criticisms he had no problem shoving the eggs into his mouth faster than machine gun fire.

'Wadhs de madda?' he questioned Shepard's disgusted look he, eggs dripping out the corner of his lips.

Shepard just shook his head, and continued to stare into his coffee.

'Ughh' Miranda commented as she sat down next to James, as far along the bench away from him as possible.

James just rolled his eyes at her, before continuing his race to down the entirety of their supplies.

Miranda turned her attention to Shepard.

'I gather you didn't sleep that well last night Commander? I think everyone in the lower deck heard you crying?' she questioned with a wry grin. Now it was Shepard's turn to roll his eyes.

'I myself, have moved down into Jack's old hole as I was unceremoniously kicked out of my old quarters by Liara. Why in this great nation have I been subjected to be roommates with Jack?'

Shepard was about to answer but was interrupted by James' ungodly burp.

This time both Miranda and Shepard eyed him with equally disgusted glares.

Noticing, he paused in his shovelling.

'What?'

Turning his attention away from James' bodily functions, he continued to answer her question with an evil grin.

'I don't know Miranda, you know what they always say, hate is just one step away from true love. At least down there you have time and space to share.'

Miranda shot him a steady glare before conceding with a slight grin of her own.

'Ok, I'll admit, Liara needs the space more than me, and Jack and I no longer want to kill each other-'

'Speak for yourself princess' Jack said as she walked into the mess, eyeing James and positioning herself on the other side of Shepard.

'If you keep snoring like you did last night, I may be forced to smother you.'

Miranda sighed in exasperation.

'No, I mean it wouldn't be that bad if Ken and Gabby weren't so P.O'd that their 'secret spot' is being used by two vagrants.'

'They can complain as much as they want, it was mine first' Jack replied easily, stealing a drink from Shepard's coffee.

'I'll just make sure they know, we can always replace engineers.' She finished with a glint in her eye.

Miranda shot Shepard a wary look, but he just shook his head at her.

You started this he thought.

'Well, I'm done' James exclaimed loudly patting his stomach. Eyeing up Shepard's barely touched plate he asked 'You gonna eat that?'

Shepard wordlessly pushed the plate towards him, and watched silently as he started eating again.

'WHAB!' he yelled through mouthfuls of yolk.

Jack, Miranda and Shepard just steadfastly avoided each other's gaze.

'What do you mean we have to stay for three days, I thought the parade was tomorrow and we could be gone on our way'

The councillor's bristled at Shepard's insolent tone.

'Commander Shepard' started Valern 'We will not be spoken to in such a way.'

'Indeed' Tevos began 'We have a right to be speaken to with dignity and respect, I believe we have earned it.'

Shepard could barely contain his growl. After all the shit he had to put up with over the years with these three, the second the war ended the sticks were shoved right up their asses again. They still thought they could treat him like some sort of annoying nuisance.

'You'll get my respect, when I think you have earned it. In case you forgot, I am on the trail of a highly dangerous criminal syndicate and Cereberus. This problem, can not be delayed just so you can push your own political agenda's!' he bluntly stated.

'Shepard, you forget yourself' Spartacus began 'Not only have we offered support through the SPECTRE'S, something not normally done for a single species matter, we have also given you the opputunity to speak out and denounce the organisation of the parade in three days time.'

'The last time I looked' Shepard started in a dangerous tone 'The attack on the Citadel by Cerberus wasn't just a 'single species' matter. I am so over being treated like a fool by this council. We need to act quickly, in order to have the advantage against them! Can't you see that?'

The new human councillor, a woman who Shepard couldn't even remembers the name of spoke for the first time.

'I agree with the Commander.' She stated simply and loudly over Valern's blustering.

The three councillors turned to her with anger, and Shepard with surprise.

'This is a pointless exercise, forcing Shepard to speak at this parade in exchange for our help. The protection of the galaxy should be our primary focus. I would have thought that the councillors who stood as the leaders during the Reaper War would understand this.' She finished.

'Now see here Councillor Michaels-'Valern began, before she cut him off with a raised hand.

'I find it highly unfair that I wasn't even included in your previous discussion with Shepard about this very matter. I do have, after all, an equal voice to your own. And I believe that this parade, is a waste of Shepard's time. Time that would be better spent doing his job.' She finished with an angry scowl.

Shepard looked her in a new light, maybe someone sensible was back on the council.

The other councillor's fumed silently. They could hardly usurp her authority, as she was technically their equal.

Shepard grew impatient. And addressed the Michaels directly.

'If I may councillor-'

'Commander, how about we go for a walk to the SPECTRE offices, while these three... reconsider hmm?' She questioned quietly, walking down from the podium in the Citadel Tower and gesturing him towards a side elevator.

He followed and she pressed the presidium button, closing the door on the three angry councillors.

She turned to him with a wide grin, and said in a much more casual tone 'Commander Shepard, my name is Alicia Michaels. I am the new human councillor. Congratulations by the way, for the baby. He was named after Kaidan Alenko wasn't he?'

Shepard shook her hand in return and questioned back 'An honour councillor. Did you know Kaidan?'

She nodded, her face turning nostalgic.

'Yes. We met back at brain camp, I'm an L2.' She answered as the elevator stopped at the familiar presidium embassies floor.

They continued walking through the throngs of people standing in line.

'We remained close friends, even after the program was shut down' she said, pushing people gently aside.

'I joined the Alliance at the same time as him, albeit on different worlds. Colony kid myself' she grinned at him ruefully as they walked out of the crowd.

Shepard regarded her fascination.

'How did an Alliance soldier, end up as the candidate for councillor?

'Long story' she said scanning her wrist at the entrance of the SPECTRE offices.

They walked into together, and Shepard was awed by the amount of people in the room.

At least twenty SPECTRE's stopped talking and turned towards the sight of the Commander and Michaels.

A salarian man walked forward, his hand outstretched. Shepard took it, and was surprised to have his hand shaken firmly by the man.

'SPECTRE Eigor Bau, at your service Commander. I believe you met my brother Jondum during his last assignment?'

Shapard nodded releasing the man's hand.

'He was a good man. I am sorry for your loss.'

Eigor shook his head. 'Don't be, commander, he died a good death. Helping people was all he cared for.'

The salarian straightened and gestured around the room at all the other people.

'We are all the currently active SPECTRE's commander. And as per the councillor's request' he said with a nod towards a grinning Michaels 'we are here to offer our aid, in any way possible, with your investigation.'

Shepard was in shock, and turned with a look of disbelief towards the councillor.

'How the hell did they let you in?' he questioned.

She laughed. 'They didn't have much of a choice. When the entire galaxy is out to hate you for your stupid mistakes, you have to take the sanest path, even if it is the least preferable.'

She moved around the room calling out to two people. A short bald man and a tall curvy woman stepped forward. Both bore the SPECTRE symbol on their armour, and both were human.

'This is Major Andrew Winston, and First Lieutenant Anna Churchill.' She introduced, both of them nodding in greeting to Shepard. '

'I have worked with them a number of times over the years in the feild, together they are unstoppable. I like to call them 'The British Prime Ministers.'' She said fondly to the two of them while they rolled their eyes in synch.

She turned back to him. 'They are the newest members of the SPECTRE's, and I have tasked them with their first assignment. They will be directly responsible for any, and all information you uncover during the course of your investigation and our leading the overall SPECTRE inquiry into Cerberus' movements.'

She gave him a brief wink upon viewing his shell-shocked expression.

'Surely you don't have the sole authority over the actions of the SPECTRE's? I doubt the council would willingly offer so much support.'

A wide and feral smile stretched over her face.

'No, but I can be very persuasive Commander. That and the entirety of the SPECTRE's are backing me up on this. You name it, and they'll do it.'

He was overwhelmed. He came to the Citadel expecting meagre help and even less sensibility, and had instead been giving all of the SPECTRE's as a resource, and a councillor whose head was firmly on her shoulders.

'Thank you.' He stated frankly.

She clapped her hand down on his shoulder, waving goodbye to the others and directed them out of the room.

'Don't thank me yet Shepard, I'm pretty sure they'll still want you to go to that parade.'

'We come here today, to celebrate and commemorate the Reaper War. Some might say that this is an age of rebirth, and in many ways it is. But we must never forget the sacrifices that brought us here. We cannot squander the gift we have been given by assuming our old roles. Suspicion must end. The distrust of other species must end. We fought to have a future. We fought so that each person could have a chance to male themselves that future, not on the backs of others, but from their own hard work. Your lives are yours alone, rise up and live them.'

Shepard finished his speech to a resounding applause echoing around the large ballroom.

He made his way to his designated table. He had asked Ashley if she had wanted to come with him, but had been met with a withering glare and a torrent of insults, most revolving around where his head must have been shoved for the past thirty-three years, to make him think that anybody would forgive him that fast.

But despite her anger, she still didn't want to talk about it, and instead reverted to the silent treatment.

So he had invited Garrus, who had only agreed after Tali said she would ignore him as well.

'He's your best friend you bo'sh tet!'

And so, a rather uncomfortable Garrus was sitting in Shepard's plus one seat, pulling at the collar of his dress clothes.

When Shepard sat down, Garrus mimed wiping a tear from his eye.

'Beautiful Shepard. Just beautiful. Although if I may ask, why didn't I get a special mention? I feel I should at least have gotten an award. The engraving could read 'I Shoot Better Than Commander Shep- Owww!'

Garrus rubbed his shoulder while Shepard looked away innocently.

Garrus scowled, his mandibles twitching.

'You may have one this round Shepard, but at least my girlfriend is still taking to me.'

It was Shepard's turn to glare while Garrus conveniently studied the menu.

'You know I always wanted to try a dextro-fillet. I wonder what it tastes like?'

Shepard looked away annoyed at Garrus, and observed the room. It was packed full of politicians and reporters. The paparazzi had already hounded him with questions about his 'top-secret' mission. He had no idea how they had found out about it, but then again, the famous Normandy was hard to miss.

But as of tonight, 'The British Prime Ministers' were feeding them false information about the specifics of his 'mission'. Al Jilani had already reported that an 'exclusive source' had informed her that Shepard was on his way to take back the traverse in the name of the New Alliance.

That had made Shepard laugh. Apparently the newest SPECTRE's had a sense of humour, but he supposed if they were appointed by the sarcastic councillor, they would have to have one.

Still, he was glad to finally have some decent support. The hardest thing about the war, was knowing that thousands, maybe millions, of lives could have been saved if the council had actually listened to him. He hoped the same thing wouldn't happen again.

He sighed, and drained his glass of Thessian red wine. It was quite good, but a bit to fruity.

Next to him Garrus was still talking.

'...and I don't know about you Shepard, but I can't wait to get out of here.'

'Don't worry. The second this is over, we can get back to the Normandy and search for some action.'

Garrus chuckled.

'Yeah. Hey, can you imagine any of these stuffed shirts in a firefight?' he questioned.

'I don't know' Shepard said, pointing out Councillor Michaels who was engaging four batarains, in what looked like a re-enactment of First Contact.

'I reckon some of them would be alright.'

It was then that Shepard noticed two laser red dots creeping up Garrus' shirt and his own.

With a quick glace up to the second floor balcony, he spotted the two snipers, their eyes glued on his.

He dived across the table, pulling Garrus out of their line of fire.

He didn't have time to ponder how the gunmen had gotten through all the security, becuse the second he had pulled Garrus down, all hell broke loose.

The sounds of assault rifles ripping through the tables made Shepard cringe. People began to scream and panic, running away from what must be, the sight of armed individuals. They didn't get far before two sets of explosives went off near the exits, throwing back dozens of people on top of each other.

Shepard felt Garrus move beside him, grabbing the nearest bit of broken glass, wrapping a piece of his torn dress shirt around it so it wouldn't cut him.

Shepard grimly began to do the same.

'You know Jay-Jay, I reckon you should spend less time doing jobs for Erik, and more time relaxing' Isaac said in a singsong voice. Jay had found him on the side of the street again, passed out in a gutter. He was leaning on Jay, stumbling along back to the apartment.

'Please don't call me that' Jay muttered, huffing from the effort of draging his high brother home.

'Why not Jay-Jay? Why not? You know what I think Jay-Jay, I reckon you need to just take a break, and spend some time with little Izzy here' he said pointing at his chest, a smile overtaking his face.

Jay regarded him for a second, a wave of sorrow passed through him.

'And then who would pay for you sand Isaac? What would happen then'

Isaac's expression turned cold and he pushed Jay away, almost falling to the ground himself.

'You know what Jay, you are a real fucking bastard you know? Maybe one day I won't be here? And then what'll you be thinking eh? You'd be in the shit? And all I'll say is-

'Be careful what you wish for, Shepard.' Garrus whispered before lunging at the pair of combat boots in front of the table.

What are the thoughts people? Did we like it or not? I am leading up to stuff, so bear with me... But in the meantime... Review!