CHAPTER 1

Tally walked around the lake where she grew up on Eden Prime, the green background of the plants and grass always calmed her nerves when she couldn't get a clear head. She had heard stories about this place from her parents since she could remember, then when she started school her sheltered brain had exploded with all the information on her parents and how her mom 'saved the galaxy'. It was overwhelming to say the least to know that was what you had to live up to. Although both of her parents had told her and her sister they could do anything they wanted, all Tally ever wanted to do was join the Alliance.

However, as she plopped down on the hard green ground and stared out over the blue lake she couldn't find the right words to tell her folks that was what she wanted to do, and not go to college. Pulling her knees to her chest she felt the familiar feeling she was being watched. Smiling she turned her head to see Rena who once again had followed her out to the lake. "Squirt, what have I told you about spying?"

"Not to do it?" Rena stated in a matter of fact tone as she grinned at her sister.

Shaking her head Tally couldn't help but chuckle at her fourteen year old sister. "Well you might as well come have a seat then." She patted to the ground beside of her. Trailing her eyes to the short Asari who looked more like a seven year old then a 'teenager' she couldn't help but feel a little glad she was here.

"So are we going to fish?" Rena looked up at her big sister with bright excited blue eyes.

"No."

"Then why are we siting at the lake?" Rena scrunched her nose not understanding the point if they weren't going to be doing something.

"I'm thinking." Tally couldn't help but roll her eyes at her impatient little sister.

"About that girl you took out last week?"

The comment took her by surprise "How'd you know about that?"

Rena giggled. "I heard mom's talking about it the other day, that you were so nervous you forgot to charge the sky car and they had to rescue you."

Tally lay back in the grass, embarrassment flooded over her pale face. "Laugh it up twerp it'll happen to you one day!" Taking a breath in she glanced up at her sister who now looked deep in thought. "What is it?"

"Are you going to leave?"

Tally sat back up and turned to face Rena. "What are you talking about?"

"I heard you talking to momma the other day about the Alliance." Rena looked steadfast again at her sister. "Are you going to leave?"

"I want to see the galaxy. You've heard about what they did, I want to help people like that!" Tally couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice. Until she spotted the figure approaching. "Great. Did you tell her where I was?"

Rena shook her head. "Of course I didn't."

Shepard reached her two girls and sat beside of them. Rena leaned over and gave her a big hug. "Hi momma!" She smiled, it was 'technically' her father, but when she realized Tally called them both mom of some variety she jumped on the ban wagon as well.

"Rena, mom wants you back at the house for your afternoon biotic lessons." Shepard gave her daughter a slight smile knowing how much she hated this time of the day.

"Do I have to?" Rena pouted.

"Afraid so little one."

"Fine, but I don't have to like it!" Rena quickly got to her feet and headed out of sight towards the family home.

Shepard turned her attention back to her oldest daughter. "I had an interesting call this morning from an old friend."

Tally rolled her eyes, she had hoped her momma wouldn't find out, but then again she knew that was a slim possibility. "Oh?"

A slight grin crossed Shepard's mouth. "You went to a recruitment office today?"

"Yeah I did." Tally refused to look at her mother, afraid of what her eyes would say in their stern look.

"What happen to college?" Shepard knew Liara wasn't happy with what they had found out, but she also knew the pull Tally was feeling, she had felt it herself when she was just a little older.

"I hate school mom. You know that. Besides you didn't go to college, and look at you, you're an Admiral!" Finally Tally let her eyes meet her mom's. Instead of the stern look she was afraid of she spotted what she thought was pride? It confused her to say the least.

"You know you don't have to go into the Alliance for me to be proud of you." Shepard patted her daughter on the back.

"I know that. It's about more than that. Some of my happiest memories are when we traveled when I was growing up. I love the feel of a starship under my feet. Hell, the first ten years of my life was on the Normandy! I miss it! When you got stationed here to oversee the new N7 program it was great, and I loved learning to fish here, and learning to shoot with Uncle Garrus was amazing. I just want more!" Tally paused looking up at the darkening sky. "I wanna be up there. I wanna help people."

Shepard looked long and hard over her daughter. She wondered for a moment when she had missed that moment when Tally had stopped being her little girl and the woman who now sat beside of her emerged. "You know it's not all roses and helping people Tally."

"I know that, you've always made sure I knew that. It's worth the risk isn't it? I mean without you taking it we wouldn't be here."

Shepard had never felt more proud of her little… the young woman who sat beside of her. "We just have one issue."

Tally looked confused as her mother smiled. "What's that?"

"How do we tell your mother?" Shepard looked as if she was afraid of that task.

"I've been thinking the same thing all afternoon." Tally admitted.

"Ah I'm sure we'll come up with something" Shepard glanced at Tally before winking.