I do not own Mass Effect or any of the associated contact. Jagher Shepard is my Shepard and Fayelle Shepard is my friend's Shepard. This is a collection of moments set throughout the games. They're rated for language and violence mostly.

Mass Effect 2: Moments.
A Moment Where Family Matters.

When Jagher opened the door, she found her sister standing there, a weak smile on her face.

"Can I help you?" she asked as she let Fayelle into her quarters.

The younger of the Shepard sisters walked over to the couch and settled herself in the corner seat before she did or said anything else. Her expression had turned serious and her eyes were locked on the Prothean artifact that floated a couple inches above the surface of the coffee table. Jagher sat down on the couch and crossed one leg over the other, eyes on her sister as she waited for Fayelle to speak. Something was obviously bothering her great deal, but Jagher didn't push. Pushing would bring out the bitchy attitude that had helped Fayelle gain her reputation as a ruthless person and Jagher didn't like dealing with that Fayelle.

Fayelle slipped her feet out of her boots and pulled her knees up to her chest, arms wrapped tightly around them. She rested her chin on her knees and fixed her eyes on Jagher, fear working its way onto her face.

"I'm coming with you," she said eventually.

"What? Faye, you can't!"

"Why?" she asked, suddenly defensive. She dropped her feet to the floor and leaned forward slightly. "I came on this suicide mission with you! I'm not letting you go off on your own into another one for the same reasons I didn't let you go by yourself into this one! You're going to fight the Reapers, and I'm going to help in whatever way I can!"

Jagher sighed and settled back into the couch, craning her head back until it was resting against the wall. "Fayelle… I know you don't want to let me run off into the cosmos on my own, but having you on board the Normandy…" Jagher stopped herself and really thought about what that would be like. Since her sister had come on board, Jagher had to admit that she had felt more at ease, calmer than she had since she had woken up on that table on the Cerberus station, even calmer than when she had when Garrus had reappeared. Having her younger sister on board and helped keep her grounded. What would happen when she was gone? Jagher sighed again and turned her bright green eyes to Fayelle. "Faye…"

"I can't believe—"

"Faye," Jagher snapped. "I am glad you came on board and were here for the fight against the Collectors, even if you weren't directly involved, but this is going to be a bigger, badder fight—"

"All the more reason you need extra people hanging around."

"Yes, but are you sure you want to risk your life for this? You don't have to. You can go back to the Citadel, you can go wherever and—"

"And do what? Sit around wondering if you're alive or dead? If you've stopped the Reapers or not?" Fayelle's voice was starting to betray her frustration. "I'm not going to sit on the sidelines, Jag! I've already told you this!"

"I'm not trying to change your mind; I know that's a useless fight. I'm just trying to make sure you know what you're getting into. I signed up for this saving the world gig—as much as I sometimes wish I hadn't—but you didn't. You don't have to put your life on the line."

"You don't have to either, Jag, but you want to. And I want to help you. I'm officially joining your team or whatever you call yourselves."

"What?"

"You heard me."

Jagher dropped her head back against the wall and groaned.

"I'll do whatever you need me to do around the ship—I don't have to fight. I do have other skills, you know."

"I know that."

"You're not getting me off this ship, Jagher."

Finally giving up, the older Shepard huffed and then nodded. "Fine. You can hang around." She accepted the rare embrace Fayelle offered, holding her sister close. "I suppose it'll be good to have someone who knows how to keep me in line around."

When they parted, Fayelle was smirking broadly. "Yeah, I can do that, but I think you'd rather have your lover boy do that for you."

Jagher blushed, but didn't have anything to say to the jibe because, hey, it was true.

Author's Note.

Some interesting stuff about the Moment you just read, or my life, or maybe something profound.

I'm tired.

Next Moment: There isn't one… FOR NOW.