Chapter 14:

Noveria

Author's Note: Not much to say other than this chapter will not follow the typical Noveria storyline and there will be some laughs coming up. That's my plan as of right now, but we know that can change. Also completely not canon! So please read and review. I promise this chapter will be longer then the previous one.

Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect.

"Commander, I feel fine," Patrick snapped, glaring at Shepard with pale eyes while Wrex huffed angrily from behind the Serviceman's shoulder. Their anger and annoyance at Shepard had led them to put aside their petty arguments since both of them were quarreling with the Commander. The quarrel had started between Patrick and Shepard several hours ago when the Commander had ordered him to stay on the ship while everyone else went to Noveria since he was still injured from his last time off the ship. Wrex had jeered at Patrick, supporting Shepard's decision fully until he realized his own injuries prevented him from leaving the ship. Thus the small war between the two humans and the Krogan had begun and it probably wouldn't end until one side gave up. "It's been two days since Feros and I've been preparing for Noveria as much as any member of this crew! I have every right to go on this mission!"

"We, Krogan have the ability to regenerate health and our wounds heal within hours," Wrex growled at Shepard, "You, humans may have soft shells for skin, but it takes a lot more to get a Krogan to sit out on a mission. We fight until we die, Shepard."

"No one is dying as long as I'm in charge, Wrex," Shepard snapped, "I've spoken to Doctor Chakwas about both of your cases and she has advised me to keep you both on the ship until she clears you and she is the boss when it comes to these matters."

"What does a human doctor know about a Krogan's body?" Wrex snarled, "She doesn't impress me just because she has read some books about my species. She hasn't ever cut open a Krogan or a Quarian or an Asari! She doesn't know anything!"

"Doctor Chakwas has taken intense courses on Alien physiology. It was a course recommended for all Alliance physicians," Shepard answered calmly, crossing his arms across his chest. "And you weren't so picky about her skills when you lay bleeding in the med bay, practically begging for her patch you up. You would have died if it had not been for her."

"I would have rather died then be in debt to a human," Wrex growled before walking over to Shepard and shoving him out of the way as he headed over to his usual post, "You think you can relate to the Krogan because you possess strength Shepard, but you know nothing of our way of life. We would rather die then accept help from the enemy."

"I'm not your enemy, Wrex," Shepard called, but Wrex merely shrugged his shoulders, leaving Patrick alone with the Commander who sighed, shaking his head slightly, "I think the Normandy is too small for a Krogan. He needs space to get out his anger without harming anyone and without making a scene in front of half the crew. Will you keep an eye on him, Serviceman?"

"Sure since I'm on ship arrest," Patrick snapped, glaring at Shepard. The Commander was acting just like Patrick's father. William never believed in him either despite Patrick's hard efforts to prove himself. "I'll probably get bored anyway so I'll have to antagonize Wrex for fun. Maybe shoot up the entire cargo hold."

Shepard sighed and rolled his eyes, leaving Patrick alone by the mess hall, glaring at his Commander's retreating back as he left to talk to Liara who was one of the lucky crew members. She had been selected to go to Noveria and while Patrick fully respected Liara's skills in combat, he wondered how she would react to killing her mother. In the game, she had been distraught, but that was it. The game had gotten a lot of things wrong so far. Patrick was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice another figure approach him until Tali'Zorah coughed, "Hello Patrick."

"Hey Tali," Patrick turned to face Tali who coughed again, something that Quarians rarely did. With their environmental suits, Quarians got colds as often as you saw a Krogan scientist. Instantly the air around them shifted as Patrick realized that something was wrong. "Are you okay? I don't think I've ever seen you sick before."

"I'm fine," Tali answered and even through her mask, Patrick could see her failed attempt of a smile. "I was just a little lazy when I cleaned my suit and some bacteria got in. I should be fine after I take a little more antibiotics."

"Are sure?" Patrick asked, concerned and he rested a gentle hand on Tali's shoulder, feeling the Quarian tense under his fingers. "I could go and get Doctor Chakwas if you want her to take a look at you."

"Who do you think gave me the antibiotics?" Tali's voice was playful as she nudged Patrick, her elbow hitting his chest softly, "Anyway Shepard told me to stay on the ship until I felt better. He said that you and Wrex were going to be staying too."

"Sadly that's true," Patrick sighed, "I would give anything to see Noveria though. Who knows if I'll ever be here again?"

"I'll make you a promise, Serviceman," Tali laughed, "When this whole Saren mess is done with, when and if we ever get our lives back, we come here for a vacation? I wouldn't mind extending my Pilgrimage for a little bit longer."

"I might just take you up on that offer, Tali," Patrick grinned, but his smile weakened as he realized that he might not even be there to enjoy the aftermath of Saren's defeat. Would he be home by then, comfortably sitting in his recliner without a care in the world? Or would he be enlisting to join Shepard's crew permanently? Patrick didn't know. At the moment, he didn't even know which choice her preferred. He used to give anything to go home, but the more time he spent away from Jersey and the more time he spent with Tali, Shepard, and the others, the more he felt like the Normandy was the place he was meant to be.

"Ugh!" Patrick and Tali both turned to face Ashley who was walking towards them, an annoyed expression on her face. "Guess what I just found out?"

"Sorry, Ash, but I'm really bad at this game," Patrick grinned, but his humor did nothing to improve Ashley's mood, "Okay. What?"

"John, Vakarian, and Liara are the only ones who are allowed to go on Noveria," Ashley fumed, "He wants the rest of us to wait on board until they all return." Ashley stared at them, waiting for a reaction, but when she got nothing, placed her hands on her hips and snapped, "Why don't you two seem as annoyed as me?"

"Well, we knew," Patrick answered simply, "Shepard ordered me and Wrex to stay aboard the Normandy because of our injuries. He also told Tali to stay because she has a cold."

"What does he think we're going to be doing?" Ashley snapped, "Getting into bar fights? Following him to help them take out Matriarch Benezia? Honestly, I just want to get a simple drink in between fighting Geth and hunting for Saren."

"I hear ya," Patrick grinned, "But what can we do?"

A wicked look suddenly crossed Ashley's face, "Anyway up for disobeying your commanding officer?"

"Another round of drinks," Ashley raised her hand to their waitress, an attractive Asari, as everyone finished their first glasses. It had been two hours since Shepard had left the Normandy and the rest of the crew had waited an hour before living the ship, imaging that instead of disobeying their Commander, they were on their shore leave. Patrick sat in between Tali and Ashley, Wrex and Joker on the other side of the table. At another table a couple feet away were Navigator Pressley, Engineer Adams, Doctor Chakwas, and Kaidan who still seemed a little bit nervous about ignoring Shepard's orders.

"I'm actually impressed," Wrex growled, all sound of aggression gone from his voice as he nodded at Patrick, Ashley, and Joker, "You humans drink a lot for such small creatures."

"You haven't seen anything," Joker laughed, "Honestly if I didn't have to pilot the ship in a couple hours, I'd probably be on the bar counter with my shirt off. Hell, I'd probably do it anyway if I knew that the Commander wouldn't be pissed as hell."

Patrick stared at Joker and grinned, "Remind me never to go heavy drinking with you."

"Hell no, Hamilton," Joker chuckled, "When all this Saren shit is over, all of us, even if we have to kidnap Shepard, are going to the Citadel to cause some hell. No one should care, considering we saved their asses from the Reapers!"

"If we save their asses from the Reapers," Tali commented, "We haven't won yet."

"Damn, you brought down my mood," Joker laughed, grinning at Tali, "Eh, I can't really be angry at you though. You and Adams take great care of my baby so because of that I'm forever in your debt."

"Are you talking about me, Joker?" Adams called from the other table.

"Yeah, how you're a lazy piece of…" Joker began, but the Asari waitress cut him off,

"Here are your drinks, Ms. Williams."

"Thanks," Ashley nodded to the Asari before passing out the drinks to everyone, raising her glass, "To having the balls to disobey John Shepard, our Commander and a damn fine man… when he loosens up of course."

Everyone laughed until Wrex raised his own glass (which was like a mug compared to the tiny shot glasses everyone else was using), "To comrades! I may hate most of you and want to kill you all as soon as I leave Shepard's crew, but you are tougher than most humans I've seen. Some of you at least…"

"I don't know whether to be grateful or hurt," Joker laughed before raising his glass, "To being in love." Everyone stared at Joker who shook his head, chuckling loudly, "I'm married to the Normandy in case you guys haven't noticed."

"Okay to the happy couple," Patrick grinned, "And to being alive today when we may not be alive tomorrow."

"Cheers," Tali laughed and they all drank deeply.

Suddenly a gun shot went off and automatically, every member of Shepard's crew got to their feet, reaching for guns that were gone from their holsters. Ashley looked around, wildly, "Shit. What was that?"

"Probably just some drunken Turians fighting," Joker commented.

"Damn, I'd love to get in on the action," Wrex growled, "I knew I shouldn't have left my shotgun on the ship."

"Remember, we're trying to lay low," Tali advised.

"Obviously Saren isn't doing the same thing," Patrick snapped and everyone followed his gaze towards a dozen geth troopers who were storming into the bar.

"Shit," Joker swore and Patrick was about to agree until the pilot added, "I wanted to finish my drink."

"Okay, everyone get back onto the ship," Ashley shouted, helping Joker into his seat as the rest of the crew filed in, everyone except for Kaidan and Wrex who were still at the bar, trying to hold off the geth. While the guns were still locked up on the ship, Kaidan and Wrex had their biotics which would give the rest of the team time to retrieve the weapons. "Tali go to the lockers and grab everything! Adams, help her!"

"Chief, there is a message coming in from Shepard," The informality that had been present when everyone was at the bar was gone from Joker's voice as he turned to Ashley.

"This day couldn't get any better. He probably knows we ignored his orders," Ashley muttered, "Okay Joker, patch him through."

"Normandy to ground team… Normandy to ground team… Shepard?" Joker asked, pulling up a hologram of Shepard who had his rifle out and was firing at an unseen enemy before turning to face the crew,

"Joker, you need to get out here! Matriarch Benezia is here with nearly five dozen geth troopers and dozens of Asari Commandos. Not to mention the racni. Garrus was shot and wounded badly and we need assistance!"

Garrus was shot? Was he…?

"I can be there in a heartbeat, Commander, just send me your coordinates," Joker nodded and Patrick opened his mouth to explain to Shepard about the situation Kaidan and Wrex were in, but Ashley jabbed him in the stomach.

"See you soon, skipper," Ashley turned off the com before turning to face Patrick, "Unless we want to get our asses kicked off the ship, I say we don't tell Shepard about everything that is going on. Hamilton, the rest of us are going to help Shepard. I want you to take Kaidan and Wrex's weapons to them and help them!"

"Is Shepard going to be curious about why half of his crew is missing?" Joker asked.

"Do you have a better idea, Jeff?" Ashley snapped, "We'll be back as soon as we can, Hamilton. Try and just hold off the geth until we can come back with reinforcements."

"Hamilton, here's you, Alenko, and Wrex's weapons," Adams handed Patrick the two pistols and the giant Krogan shotgun.

"Thank you, Adams," Patrick nodded before giving Ashley a curt dip of the head, "See you soon."

As he turned to leave, Tali stopped him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Be careful, Hamilton."

"I'll use the same caution I use everyday," Patrick smiled softly.

"I think that's what scares me," Tali's words were slow and the two of them stared at each other for a second longer before Patrick exited the ship and the Normandy took off, racing to save its beloved Commander.

Trashed?

Patrick didn't know the meaning of the word until he stepped into the Noverian bar. Tables were overturned and chairs were broken, making Patrick remember his college parties during his brief law career. However the parties at school could never compare to the destruction on Noveria. Especially due to the black marks on the wall that could only be caused by a geth rifle. The worst part though was that there was no sign of any geth anywhere. Scratch that. The worst part was that there was no sign of Kaidan and Wrex anywhere. Patrick could decide if that was better than there being bodies.

"Kaidan? Wrex?" Patrick whispered, taking out his pistol while making sure that Kaidan and Wrex's weapons were still secured tightly on his own body. "Anybody?"

"Shit, human, get down," Patrick barely had time to react when he felt his body be slammed to the ground by a biotic force while two shots were fired where his head had been moments before. Patrick quickly got to his knees; ignoring his aching body… maybe Shepard was right. Maybe he should have stayed on the Normandy with everyone else.

"Wrex?" Patrick called softly and he spotted the Krogan ducking behind an overturned table, making his way over to the alien quickly, hearing the geth fire off a few more shots. "Shit, Wrex, what happened? And where's Kaidan?"

"I'm over here," Kaidan leaned over from the other side of Wrex, smirking slightly, "Glad to know you were worried about me."

"Did you bring the weapons?" Wrex asked and Patrick nodded, quickly handing over Kaidan's pistol and Wrex's shotgun. Wrex chuckled deeply, "It's going to get fun now."

"Thank you," Kaidan nodded as he took his pistol from Patrick, "Biotics are useful and all, but try attacking a whole squad of geth with just your hands?"

Wrex lifted up his shotgun and stood up slightly, "There's still about half a dozen left. I say we just charge in shooting."

"And risk getting shot by the geth?" Kaidan asked an eyebrow raised.

"Or worse… risk getting shot by you?" Patrick added, staring at Wrex.

"Do you have a better plan?" Wrex snarled, black eyes glaring at Patrick who for once didn't care about the Krogan. Right now, they just had to deal with the geth and return to the dock when Joker flew the Normandy in.

Kaidan sighed, "Sadly he's right. We don't have a better plan."

"Excellent," Wrex chuckled, but it sounded more like a growl, his lips drawn into a snarl, "Follow my lead. I'm going to show you how a real warrior takes out his enemies."

Patrick nodded and as soon as Wrex stood up, Patrick jumped to his feet, pulling himself over the table so he was left unguarded. The geth turned to stare at him, their bright heads flashing with interest, and one raised a rifle.

Shit, Wrex. You said follow your lead. Why am I up front?

However before the geth could even pull the trigger, Kaidan shot it quickly and its gray body crumbled to the ground. Kaidan turned to look at Patrick and Wrex, nodding before shouting, "Let's move!"

"I wanted the first shot, human," Wrex snarled, running forward as he pulled a shotgun to a geth's head, giving a loud chuckle as its head detached itself from its body.

"You should have been faster then," Kaidan snapped, taking down another geth with a nice, clean shot.

Patrick followed his comrades' lead and grinned as he watched a geth fall because of his hand. Despite having spent so many days aboard the Normandy, he was still amazed at the life he was leading now. He couldn't believe that he was holding a real pistol and he was standing on a real battlefield. He couldn't believe he had just taken out a real geth.

Within seconds, the combined efforts of the two humans and the krogan destroyed what remained of the geth forces although Patrick suspected there were many more still on Noveria. That made Patrick think about Garrus who was wounded and how that hadn't happened in the game. Had they even fought Matriarch Benezia? Or was Liara's mother still on the planet, waiting to return to Saren and tell him that Shepard knew what he was up to?

"That looks like its all of them," Kaidan nodded with satisfaction, "Good job, team."

"Who died and made you Commander?" Wrex growled, "Let's just get back to the Normandy. I'm in the mood to argue with Williams. I'm up for another fight."

"I hope they're back," Patrick mused softly and Kaidan turned to stare at him, an eyebrow raised,

"Back? What do you mean back? Where's the ship?"

"Shepard ran into some trouble," Patrick explained, "Garrus got hurt and Shepard called in Joker to come and pick them up. Chief Williams sent me to help you two and then to meet them back on the docking bay."

"So Shepard knows we went out for a drink?" Kaidan asked and Patrick nodded.

"Shit."

"Honestly, I can't believe you would all disobey my orders," Patrick winced as he heard Shepard rounding on the crew while the Serviceman, Lieutenant, and krogan were all hovering in the airlock, hoping that Shepard's anger would die down before they had to reveal themselves.

"Okay, we apologized, Shepard, but you have to listen to us," Patrick heard Ashley protest, "Alenko, Hamilton, and Wrex are in the middle of a geth fight and they still aren't back yet. They need our help!"

"I wish there was some way we could tell her without telling Shepard yet," Patrick muttered, under his breath.

"Ha. I don't," Wrex chuckled, "I love watching a human squirm."

"I don't think the geth are their biggest concern," Shepard snapped, "Right, you three? Isn't that why you are hiding in the airlock?"

"Damn," Kaidan muttered, casting a swift glance in Patrick and Wrex's direction, "I blame you two."

Patrick was the first to walk out, followed by Kaidan and Wrex, all of them- even Wrex- flinching slightly at Shepard's icy blue eyes. Shepard was pissed… pissed enough to make a krogan nervous.

"Honestly, what were you all thinking?" Shepard snapped.

"Well, we were thinking about how much of an ass you were being," Wrex began and Patrick felt his eyes widen, instantly feeling like Shepard's son and Wrex was his big brother ratting him out. "So we decided to disobey your orders and get wasted. I'll be in my usual place if you want to see me." And with that Wrex walked away, leaving Patrick to wish he had the same cool as the krogan.

Shepard sighed, running a pale hand through his short brown hair, "I'm getting too old to baby sit." Shepard sighed again and Patrick stared at him, realizing how much the game left out. The game never talked about how Patrick was approaching his mid-thirties yet he was still running around saving the world. The game never showed Shepard being tired. Who wanted an older hero? "Anyway, I guess I need to give a brief summary of what happened with Garrus, Liara, and me."

"Is Garrus alright?" Patrick asked without even thinking.

Shepard nodded, "He suffered some major wounds and was bleeding internally for a little bit, but he will survive. I just… I don't know if we will fight beside him anymore."

"What are you saying?" Kaidan asked, his wounds coming out sharper than he probably intended them to.

"I think that I'm going to talk to Garrus and see if he would want to return to the Citadel," Shepard sighed before continuing, "But anyway we ran into Matriarch Benezia and we…"

"She's dead." Patrick whispered. It was more of a statement then a question especially since Patrick knew what happened.

Shepard nodded.

"Poor Liara," Kaidan whispered, "She's just a kid."

"Things are going to be hard on everyone especially her," Shepard sighed, but then straightened up, "But also while we were flying to retrieve you three, I got a message from the Council. Apparently a planet is being attacked and they want us to check it out."

Patrick felt his stomach drop and for a minute thought he was going to be sick.

Not Virmire…

He wasn't ready…

He wasn't ready to say goodbye to two of his friends…

He wasn't ready to face Saren for the first time…

He wasn't ready because after Virmire came Illos…

And after Illos came Sovereign.

"What's the name of the planet?" Ashley asked Shepard.

Virmire.

Author's Note: Okay I know it was another short chapter, but my muse has been really low lately and I wanted to get out a chapter while I had time. I've been really busy with school and I might be moving soon so I've been having trouble there. Hopefully, I'll have more time soon so my chapters will get a lot better. Please review. Jordyn.