"This is ridiculous." Cass stated, "Everywhere we turn, Cerberus is there."
"I know," Shepard frowned.
"They're just kids." Cass growled, "Who goes after a school? It's super fucked up."
"Cass, I know." Shepard repeated.
"It's so goddamn unfair- like aren't we supposed to be fighting the reapers? Not Cerberus all the time!"
"Cass! I know. I get it!" Shepard "It's frustrating-"
"Well, Sorry-"
"No. Sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you, but I'm a little distracted." Shepard sighed, trying to hack the door.
"Shepard, I could, um, take care of this for you." Liara added.
"No. I've got it. Where's Garrus?" Shepard asked.
"Patrolling." Liara replied.
Shepard paused, and then grinned. "See! I've got it!" The commander exclaimed, sauntering in through the door. "Kaley, we're in."
"Great, Commander. If you find any students on your way and if it's safe send them back to me." Kaley Sanders spoke though the Commander's com system. "I'll try to work on gaining more control of the system."
"Got it, Shepard out."
"I'm still annoyed." Cass reappeared, catching up to the commander.
"Cass! I know!"
"I had no idea the queen of the girl scouts would show up!" Jack exclaimed cheerfully, "Alright! Amp Check; Prangley those fields were weak, Cerberus isn't gonna lie down out of pity like that girl you took to prom."
"Harsh." Cass laughed; eavesdropping on the Biotic woman.
"Grab juice and an energy bar, we move in five." Jack stated, floating down from the balcony, the woman charged up to commander; her fit connecting with Shepard's cheek. Cass doing nothing to suppress a laugh at the sight.
"I told you Cerberus was no good!"
"I know, Jack." Shepard rolled her eyes; then glaring at her daughter.
"Hey kid." Jack nodded, punching the girl in the arm affectionately.
"Hey." Cass replied. "You look way different; like, you're wearing clothes."
"Shut up."
"It's not a bad thing, but a teaching. I never would've thought." Cass smiled.
"Hey! Cass!" one of Jack's female students called down from the balcony.
"Rodriguez!" Cass' eyes widened. "Shit! You're here!" The teen exclaimed, ignoring the squad and Jack, she ran up the stairs.
"What the hell happened to you?" Cass asked. "I haven't seen you since we were kids-"
"What happened to me, what happened to you?" Rodriguez laughed, hugging the other biotic. "The rumor mill says you were with your mom saving everyone from the collectors. It's true, isn't it?"
"Well, yeah." Cass replied sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head.
"That's so awesome."
"Eh, yeah. I guess so."
"Seriously!" The girl exclaimed "It is!"
"Well, thanks, I guess."
"You're welcome," Rodriguez laughed, a boy walking up from behind her. "Oh, this is Jason Prangley; Jason, this is Cass."
"Cass Shepard?" Jason asked. "Like right hand to Aria T'loak, daughter of Commandeer Shepard?"
"That would be me, yes." Cass nodded.
"Damn." Jason breathed. "You're like practically famous here; like one of the most gifted young biotics ever."
"Well, I wouldn't go that far; I've just had a lot of practice."
"Still, wow." Jason replied.
"Thanks." Cass half smiled, "So, how is Jack at teaching? Last time I was around her she was plotting to become a space pirate."
"She's the best. A read hard-ass, but the best." Rodriguez said.
"Yeah; she's more likely to kick your ass than anything else." Jason added.
"Man this is weird." Cass commented, folding her arms over her chest watching her mother interact with Jack. "I guess war really has a way of bringing people together."
"It does, doesn't it." Rodriguez frowned, exchanging looks with Jason.
"Where's Rodriguez?!" Jack growled.
"Shit!" Shepard exclaimed, jamming the brunt of her rifle against the glass
Jack flared in, her biotics shattering the barrier; while Cass and Liara rushed in, pulling the girl out of the line of fire. Shoving everyone into the available Cerberus shuttles, Cass pulled her friend in while Liara gave them both a tug.
"What the fuck, Rodriguez?" Cass growled. "Are you trying to get yourself fucking killed."
"Cass." Shepard warned.
The teen glared at her mother than at her injured friend. "You never go back to try to put in a hit."
"What- I didn't-" Rodriguez scowled, clutching her injured leg.
"Don't deny it; I saw you go after that assault trooper. You can't pull shit like that!"
"Cassandra." Shepard pulled her daughter away from the injured friend, to the corner of the shuttle.
"What?" Cass shrugged her mother's arm off.
"You're not her commanding officer; you don't need to tell-"
"Well, someone should." Cass whispered. "Do you really think any of them are ready to go into an assault role; I heard you talking to Jack about it. You'll get them all killed, they don't think like we do; they're not soldiers yet."
"Cass, you're not quite a soldier yet either." Shepard pointed out.
"But I have more experience than they do; and, they're not ready- they're just kids-"
"You're a kid." Shepard added, arms folding over her chest.
"Fine. Whatever." Cass clenched her teeth. "But just know that if you send them to the front lines you'll be signing their death certificates."
"What has gotten into you?"
"Nothing- I'm just concerned."
"This obviously isn't nothing."
"Why does it matter?"
"Because it is bothering you." Shepard stated clearly. "So you can tell me what's wrong now, or we can have a long talk when we get back to the Normandy."
"Fine." Cass sighed. "It's just, well, after you, you know, died- I was, um, scheduled to be sent here, before I went to Omega."
"I know." Shepard frowned. "You're a very gifted biotic, but why is that bothering you."
"Because- I don't know. It just is." Cass' fist clenched tightly at her sides. "I could be one of them; I could have been in this position and they, they just don't know what they're getting into."
"Cass. I don't understand why you're upset-"
"Because I'm just getting a taste of the other side, okay?" Cass relented, "I'm getting a feeling what my life might've been like if I hadn't made the decisions I did."
"So you're regretting the decisions you've made?"
"No. Not at all. I'm actually grateful, I'm glad things have turned out the way they have."
"So what is it then?"
"They're naïve." Cass sighed heavily. "They have no idea what real war is like, and they don't know the price they're going to pay and it really bothers me and it bothers me even more that it could have been me."
"Cass." Shepard smiled halfheartedly, pulling the girl into her.
"What?" The teen sighed, falling against the commander.
"I'm not going to recommend they be on the front line and you don't need to focus on what could or would have been. You're here with me now and we're taking it day by day."
"Okay." The teen sighed.
"Good." Shepard squeezed her daughter briefly, "Now go apologize to your friend."
Cass nodded before shuffling through the few bodies to get to the other side of the shuttle.
"Your mom's gonna kill you." Jason Prangley stated, watching Cass take a seat in the chair.
"No, she's going to kill Jack, who's paying for it." Cass grinned. "Besides, I'm just going to get a small one."
"Still." Jason frowned.
"Hey, kid!" Jack called from the register. "You better get something good since I'm buyin."
"You got it!" Cass laughed.
"So what are you going to get?" Jason asked.
"I was thinking a shark."
"A shark?"
"Yeah, I like sharks; dangerous, deadly, but only bite, if you do first."
"That's actually pretty cool." Jason stated.
"Hey, how's Rodriguez?"
"They're patching her up at Huerta Memorial; she's fine. It was a flesh wound at best."
"That's good." Cass sighed. "Think she actually forgave me for ragging on her?"
"Yeah, I'm sure she has."
"Hey James." Cass stated appearing behind the seated Marine.
"What's up, kid?"
"Nothing much, I just got done hanging out with Jack, but I'm not quite feeling like going back to face the music."
"Face the music?"
"I may have gotten a tattoo." Cass held up her bandaged wrist.
"Rebel." James laughed.
"Well, duh." Cass grinned. "Jack offered, so I figured, why not?"
"And your ma doesn't know?"
"Nope."
"Ha, good luck."
"Thanks." Cass rolled her eyes, waving the barman over.
"Woah there. You're underage-"
"And the galaxy is basically ending, nobody cares." Cass interrupted, leaning over the bar to speak with the bartender; the man coming back with two tequila shots. "See?"
"Cass, I'm not-"
"James. Let's have a little fun for once. There's so many rules and all of this bullshit and I saw what could have been today and I am going to celebrate, so are you in or are you in?"
"Fine. I'm in." James relented. "But one word to your mother and I am out."
"You got it, muscles."
Cass sat at the bar, her head laying on the counter; James had left hours ago, leaving the girl to her own devices.
"What are you doing?" Aria's voice rang in the girl's ears.
"Oh. Aria." Cass rolled her head back, to stare at the Asari. "Hey."
"Hey?" Aria's voice laced with venom. "I asked what you're doing."
"Isn't that part obvious?" The girl slurred. "I'm celebrating."
"What exactly are you celebrating?"
"Hell if I know."
"My god." Aria practically groaned; snapping her fingers, two other Asari appeared, helping move the drunken girl over to Aria's private lounge.
"Hey. Ow." The girl grumbled as she was dropped against the seat. "What do you want, Aria?"
"Your mother is on her way." Aria ignored the question, turning her head away from the girl to watch the dancers in the club.
"You have got to be kidding me." Shepard scowled; watching her daughter from across the club; the girl sprawled across the couch next to Aria T'loak. "She has got be kidding, right?"
"I don't think so." Liara sighed.
"She seemed upset earlier, but I have no idea why she would pull something like this." The mother stated, her and Liara falling into step.
"Well, Cass is unpredictable if anything."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, she's a teenager, Shepard. I think that's all there is to it."
Shepard just sighed in response, marching ahead to confront her daughter.
"Cassandra!" Shepard bellowed.
Cass turned around lazily; sloppily grinning at the sight of her mother and Liara; Aria watching with a hint of amusement.
"Hi!"
"What do you think you're doing?" Shepard frowned.
"Um, celebrating." Cass frowned; brows furrowing together. "But I'm not sure what."
"You're kidding, please tell me you're kidding." The mother brought a hand up to her forehead.
"Did muscles make it back to the ship? He seemed a little tipsy; if you get what I'm saying."
"Okay." Shepard sighed, "I think we need to get you out of here." The mother and Asari both stepped forward, pulling the girl to her feet and each supporting her on one side. The commander paused, eyes floating to Aria; her voice growing cold. "There are a lot of things I want to say to you, but thank you for calling me."
Aria merely nodded in response, lips pursed at the trio staggered away.
"Cass, come on." Shepard sighed, rubbing her face out of frustration.
"No." Cass whined drunkenly; lying behind crates of supplies down on deck 5.
"You can't sleep down here." Shepard grumbled.
"Why not?"
"Because I said so."
"So what?"
"Here, Shepard." Laira stepped forward. "Let me try?"
"Sure." The mother nodded, "By all means."
"Cass." Liara spoke softly. "Your mom and I will make you tacos if you come with us."
"Really?" The girl's dark head poking out.
"Really." The Asari doctor smiled reassuringly.
"I'm in!" The girl jumped the barricade; stumbling onto her feet and running past the couple toward the elevator.
"That's all it took?" Shepard frowned.
"Greasy food goes a long way in these scenarios." Liara stated simply, walking ahead of the confused woman.
"Why're you staring at me?" Cass asked from across the table. The girl had slept off the drinks from the night before, and was now sitting at the mess table across from the commander.
"I'm trying to figure out how to deal with you after your little stint last night."
"It's not that big a deal."
"It is a big deal."
"Why?"
"Because you're underage."
"Oh, yes, because I'm the first person to drink underage, ever." The girl stated with an eye roll.
"Cass." Shepard scolded. "This is serious-"
"How is it serious? I was unwinding." Cass sighed, shutting her eyes and rubbing her temples methodically. "Maybe you should."
"Getting trashed is not an appropriate way to unwind."
"Then what is?" The girl growled. "If you haven't noticed the whole galaxy is falling apart. I took one night to myself and hung out with a few friends, got a tattoo, had a few drinks-"
"You got a tattoo?" Shepard nearly shrieked.
"Yeah, didn't I tell you last night- I always thought I talked a lot when I'm drunk, funny." Cass rambled, holding up her still bandaged wrist.
"I can't believe, out of all of the things you've done-"
"Me getting a tattoo is the worst thing I've done?" Cass laughed. "I should do bad things more often-"
"Cassandra, that is not the point."
"I would hope not." The girl said, dryly.
"Cass." Shepard sighed in frustration. "When did you even go to get a tattoo, I thought you went with Jack- Jack. Damn it, I'm going to kill that woman."
"Does this mean you will kill her and not me?" The girl asked lazily, drumming her fingers along the table.
The mother glared at her offspring. "What did you even get?"
"A shark."
"A shark?"
"Did I stutter?"
"Cassandra." Shepard warned in a dark tone.
"Sorry, yes, I got a shark. It's tiny and black and on the inside of my wrist. Sorry, I didn't tell you, er, ask permission or whatever. And I am also sorry I got drunk and inconvenienced you." Cass rambled.
"Cass, you're not an inconvenience, I just don't think it's appropriate for you to be partaking in this… behavior."
"Aye aye, Commander." Cass mock saluted, standing abruptly and walking away. "Won't happen again."
"We're not done talking about this!" Shepard called after her daughter.
"Hey muscles, make it back last night?" Cass asked, settling herself on the Alliance officers work station.
"Of course I did." James replied, slightly indignant.
"Well, you seemed a little tipsy."
"And you weren't?" James laughed. "I tried to convince you, but you were not going to come with me."
"I was still partially sober, and I wanted to have more fun." Cass grinned. "Not my fault you're no fun."
"I'm fun."
"So are not; you were out after like 5 shots."
"My personal record is 17, just because I didn't want to go all the way doesn't mean I'm not fun."
"That's kind of a small number."
"It is not. You would be on your ass if you came even close."
"Yeah, probably would." Cass laughed. "When this is all over, I'm going to beat your record, muscles. You won't stand a chance."
"It's a bet, kid."
"I don't get it, Liara." Shepard frowned.
Cass leaned up against her mother's cabin door, pressing her ear against the wall.
"I don't know what to tell you, Shepard." Liara sighed. "She's a teenager, she's going to get into trouble."
"But, she's my kid. I didn't do stuff like this when I was her age."
"Shepard." Liara laughed. "I'm sure you probably did."
"I did not!" Shepard replied, indignantly. "I was a model student and athlete."
"Ok, maybe that's you're problem."
"What do you mean?"
"Cass hasn't exactly had the standard upbringing."
"So it is my fault, isn't it?" Shepard's voice dropped.
"No," Liara soothed. "That's not what I meant. Cass is special, I doubt any other child in the galaxy could do what she's doing; but I think, sometimes, we forget that she's still a child, Shepard."
"I'm a terrible parent."
"Shepard." Liara sighed. "You're not a bad parent. You're one of the greatest parents I have ever known."
"But I can't even get through to my daughter, she doesn't even listen to me; she should be in so much trouble right now- if all of this wasn't happening, she would be grounded for like forever."
"You can still ground her."
Cass frowned with an eye roll.
"In the middle of a war zone, and I've tried that before, doesn't do anything."
"Yeah, I suppose so." The Asari laughed.
"This is so unfair." Shepard spoke softly. "I wish I never-"
"Don't." Cass growled; throwing herself into the room. "We don't have time for regrets; you can regret all the shit you want later. You're not a bad parent and I'm not screwed up. We're saving the fucking galaxy, mom. So, we can deal with all of this later, if we're still alive. I am sorry I went out and got drunk; I like to forget things everyone once and a while, I'm sure you would like to too."
"Cass."
"Don't- I am sorry you feel this way, but I'm not fucking sorry for being here." Cass cried, stepping forward and shoving her finger into her mother's chest. "So you can either get over it, or I'm out of here, because this won't work if you can't deal."
Shepard sighed, pulling the girl into her and hugging her tightly enough to feel her bones.
"Hey- can't breathe- mom-"
"Sorry, kiddo." Shepard smiled releasing the girl. "And thanks."
"S'okay." The girl grinned, before whipping around to face the Asari with an angry expression. "And you!"
"What?" Liara frowned, what did she do?
"You never made me tacos! Yeah, I remember that shit."
"Sorry." Liara rolled her eyes; ruffling the girl's hair affectionately.
"You better be."
AN: Okay, up next, pretty sure it's going to be the Genophage and the Rachni Queen. Please read and review! Thanks!