Chapter 12
John woke up with Ashley laying on his chest fast asleep, he carefully disentangled himself from Ashley slipping out of the bed, stepping into the bathroom for a shower.
"EDI" he called out.
"Yes commander" she replied
"Did Joseph and Miranda return to the ship last night" he asked.
"No Commander, they did not, would you like me to send a message to Operative Lawson" she asked.
"Yes, tell her we're having a debriefing at 1200 hours and to be back on board the ship please" he commanded.
"Message away, is there anything else I can do for you commander" she asked.
"No EDI thank you" John said turning on the shower stepping in, unaware of Ashley stepping in behind him wrapping her arms around his waist." Good morning skipper" she purred in his ear.
"Hey Ash" he turned to face her kissing her lips.
"So your brothers banging the Cerberus operative huh" she asked wrapping her arms around his neck.
"It would appear so" he chuckled at the thought of Joe and Miranda in a relationship "can't you just see the little cold hearted violent kids they're gonna have" he joked.
"Awwww I'm sure any brother of yours can't be that bad, maybe he can melt some of that ice off of her" she said jumping up wrapping her legs around his waist.
"Yeah maybe your right, oh and I sent a message to Anderson last night told him to reassign you to the Normandy, he said he would take care of it" he informed her gripping her ass as she slid down onto his hardening member.
"Mmmmmm sounds good skipper, now show me why your the commander" she purred.

Miranda woke up in bed looking around trying to remember what happened the night before. The smell of pancakes hit her nose and it all came back to her she smiled genuinely at the thought. She got out of bed walking into the kitchen where Joseph Shepard was once again singing while making breakfast.
"When I see your face, I know I'm finally yours, I find everything, I thought I list before, you call my name, I come to you in pieces, so yoooouuuu caaaannnnn maaaakkkkkeeee me whole" singing while flipping pancakes and bacon.
She stood back chuckling for a moment before walking behind him draping her arms over his shoulders kissing his back.
"Good morning beautiful" he said turning around grabbing her waist placing a short kiss on her lips.
"Hey" she said returning the kiss wrapping her arms around his neck " you are a man of many talents I see" she said looking back at the crisp bacon and the fluffy pancakes.
"Only when I need to be, why don't you have a seat, breakfast will be ready soon, ok" he suggested.
"Ok" she said giving him another kiss before walking off to the kitchen table.
Five minutes later he brought two plates of bacon and pancakes to the table pouring two cups of coffee sitting down opposite Miranda. They ate quietly glancing and smiling at each other enjoying their meals.
"Tell me a story Joseph" she said looking at him over their finished plates of breakfast.
"What am I telling you a story about Miranda" he asked smiling at her.
"Honestly your not what I expected from the first time meeting you up until now, I thought you were-" she was cut off.
"Dumb, psychotic, idiot, criminal mastermind brother of the famous hero Commander John Shepard" he said staring directly into her eyes. "Most people are never what they seem Miranda some good some bad but you'll never get to know unless your willing to find out...do you regret finding these things out about me?" He asked seriously.
"No I don't honestly, I still think we're crazy for even trying this, but I'm willing to if you are" she replied honestly.
"Of course I am I wouldn't be here if I wasn't baby" he said to her leaning over the table kissing her lips.
The next few hours were spent with passionate love making in every room of the apartment. Until Miranda finally checked her omni tool realizing John wanted them back on the ship in an hour. They hastily showered and got dressed rushing back to the ship.

After a visit to Chambers John went to visit Jacob, Jack, Mordin and Grunt, they all wanted him to help them out with something he agreed to look into everything after finding the justicar. Stepping back into the briefing room he waited for Miranda's arrival knowing Joseph wouldn't be far behind. Miranda walked into the briefing room right on time.
"Miranda, good to see you today" John said looking up at her.
"Commander, you wanted to see me" she asked, stepping around the table.
"Yeah, we've successfully recruited the assassin the only one left here is the justicar, EDI said you were looking for me yesterday" he questioned.
"Yes, I was but you already left the ship, so Joseph was kind enough to help me out" she informed him.
"What exactly is going on between you and my brother" he questioned.
"With all due respect I don't really think that's any of your business commander" she responded sharply.
"I'm not exactly trying to get into your business, I understand your a private person, but Joseph's my only brother and I love him. With that being said if your not being legit with him and we find out I won't stop him from taking your life if that's the price" he said calmly.
"Is that all commander"she responded slightly irritated.
"One more thing, tell Joseph to get his ass up here he's coming with me on this one today" John said smugly.
"Of course commander" she replied walking out of the room. "That son of a bitch, he's trying to separate us" she thought to herself before taking the elevator down to the crew deck.
Stepping off she found Joseph locked in conversation with Kasumi, Garrus, and Ashley. They were laughing at something he said telling them stories of John as a kid, Williams and Garrus were listening intently to the man who knew their leader better than anyone.
"Mr. Shepard, can I see you in my office for a moment" she said to him waking into her office.
"Yes Ms. Lawson" he replied looking around at the table everyone had that uh oh look on their faces. He stood up and walked into Miranda's office as she locked it behind them.
"What's wrong Miranda" he asked looking at the anger on her face.
"What the hell is wrong with your brother, last week he didn't have a problem with us hanging out, now he's all rogue protector brother of the damned suddenly" she asked in pure anger.
"Uhhhhhh, I'm sorry I don't follow, what happened" he asked walking behind her wrapping his arms around her waist.
"John just literally threatened me, he thinks I'm trying to play you, why would he think that I didn't even want this for gods sake" she told him.
"Johnny did what, I'm gonna talk to him" he said anger now laced in his voice getting ready to walk out of the room.
"Joey no, don't worry about it, I'm not trying to come between you and your brother, just let it go please" she said grabbing his arms.
"Ok, I won't do anything, but I won't let him disrespect you either ok, I'm a grown man I choose what I do with my life it's my business and I choose you" he said lifting her chin meeting her lips in a light kiss.
"How do you always make me feel better" she asked wrapping her arms around his neck.
"Special skill I'm even better at annoying people as you have first hand experience with that" he replied wrapping his arms around her waist.
"He wants to see you too, I believe he wants your help recruiting the justicar" she informed him.
"Hmmmm that's not smart, why bring me to get a being of justice, I'm a fucking convicted felon" he said looking a little puzzled.
"You have a pure heart, I didn't see it before but as I learn more about you I do, your not a bad man Joseph and you also have a certain aura about you, a presence of power. You hide it behind your brothers very well until yesterday when we went after those mercs your confidence is pretty scary almost as bad as mine" she joked.
"Yours is pretty bad " he said smiling at her "ok I'm gonna go alright, I'll be back later we'll talk some more or something" he said before walking out the door.
"Or something" she yelled to him chuckling watching him leave.

Up in the CIC John was waiting for Joseph and Ashley to meet him at the airlock. They showed up ten minutes later weapons ready as they exited the ship. They made their way to tracking officer Dara, she told them where they could find Samara, so they took a taxi to the police station. There they spoke to Pitne For who informed them that detective Anaya knew where Samara was. They set off to the precinct where they spoke to the detective who agreed to let them into the crime scene. When they got there they fought off a small group of Eclipse mercenaries before reaching Samara and watching her dispatch of two mercs easily, they were all definitely impressed. She stepped over gazing upon all of them speaking, informing them of her situation she needed help with holding her gaze upon Joseph longer than the others. Samara agreed to leave with the detective as long as John found out what ship the fugitive she was hunting left the station on.
Upon stepping back onto the spaceport they saw the lying volus Pitne For, they walked over and made Pitne give them his keycard into the eclipse base. They fought their way through waves of Eclipse sisters uncovering evidence of Pitne For's smuggling to the killer who took out the volus in the alley. Joseph's biotics were extremely unstable due to the red sand exposure but the power behind them was unheard of. They made it to the last room where the merc leader Wasea was waiting for them. Quickly dispatching her they found out that the fugitive left on a ship called The AML Demeter. They went back to the station and informed Samara and the detective of their findings. She agreed to help them and she swore an oath to John before they headed back to ship.
Upon boarding the ship Joe fell face first in the middle of the CIC, John and Ashley rushed him down to the medbay as EDI informed Chakwas to prepare for him.
"EDI what's going on" Miranda asked wondering what all the commotion was about.
"It appears Mr. Shepard had a bad reaction to red sand encountered on the previous mission, upon returning to the ship he fell out into a seizure in the CIC" EDI informed her as Miranda flew out of her office and into the medbay.
"What the hell happened" she asked John looking directly into his eyes as Joseph laid on the medbay table scarily still. Chakwas had to sedate him to prevent another seizure.
"I fucked up" John said walking out of the medbay to the elevator.
"Doctor what happened" Miranda asked Chakwas.
"It appears Mr. Shepard here is highly allergic to red sand" she informed.
"Oh my god, you mean he could have" Miranda asked walking over to Joseph grabbing his hand squeezing it.
"Yes, he almost did, if they hadn't gotten him down here as quick as they did I'm sure he would have" she stated somberly.
"Damnt don't do this to me Joseph" she whispered in his ear kissing his forehead before walking out of the room.
With that Miranda headed straight for the elevator up to the captain's cabin. She had a few words for the dashing commander as she stepped off the elevator knocking on the door. It was answered by Ashley who invited Miranda in, John was in the shower.
"What happened down there chief" Miranda asked Ashley
"The mercs were smuggling red sand we didn't know until we were already at the spaceport, Joseph insisted if we turned back to swap him out with another, the trail would run cold and John and I agreed with him. We were being as careful as we could to not hit the canisters but some of the asari mercenaries were throwing them all around the room. After that his biotics lit up like a Christmas tree I've never seen anything so powerful." Ashley explained
"Red sand enhances biotic abilities" Miranda nodded her ascent.
"John's pretty beat up about this, take it easy on him, we all make mistakes this one almost cost him his brother" Ashley said softly.
At that Miranda got up and left the room heading back down to the medbay to check on Joseph. When she stepped in he wasn't there "doctor, where's Joseph" she asked looking around.
"He left when he woke up, he's as stubborn as his brother I tell you" Chakwas said chuckling.
Miranda left the medbay in search of Joseph, she checked the entire crew deck until she got back to her office. Opening the door to find him naked curled up in her bed. She walked over and laid next to him gently stroking his back and playing in his hair. He turned over looking in her eyes laying his head on her chest wrapping his arms around her waist falling asleep.

John stepped out of the shower walking down the steps sitting on the edge of the bed looking at Ashley.
"I almost killed my brother" he whispered.
"Oh John, it was an accident, you cant kill yourself over this, he's strong he's gonna be fine, we all know the risk when we suit up and walk out there" Ashley said draping her arm over his shoulder.
"I owe him my life Ashley and I almost took his again" he said hanging his head low.
"What happened John, tell me" she whispered rubbing his back.

FLASHBACK
2179

"Johnny you little fucking hero get over here" Joseph called out to his brother. He couldn't have been more proud, his brother had successfully fended off Elysium from batarian raiders and the rumor was that he was going to receive the Star of Terra, the Alliances highest honor.
"Joey, good to see you I missed you" John said pulling his brother into an embrace.
"Cmon hero let me buy you a drink" Joe said pulling his brother into the bar.
"How's work going for you Joe" John asked taking a seat at the bar with his brother.
"Work is good I'm due for a promotion soon actually, Ana is great, we're actually planning a little vacation on the citadel next week" he told him ordering some drinks.
"That's great man I'm happy for you, so you think she's the one" John asked.
"Well It's been four years and I haven't cheated on her once and that's saying something" Joe laughed lighting a cigarette.
"You should and start making me some niece's and nephew's, we need more Shepard's in the family" John joked with his brother.
"Now that you mention it she has been bringing up the subject of kids a lot lately, I think she's ready and I wouldn't mind" he told his brother while taking a sip of his drink.
"Uh oh, well uncle Johnny's always ready to assist" he teased clapping his brother on the back.
"I'm gonnna go take a piss, order me another one Joe" John said getting up heading towards the bathroom.
Stepping out of the stall to wash his hands John didn't notice the guy standing behind him until he tapped him on the shoulder.
"John Shepard, hero of Elysium, my brother was on Elysium, he died that day. Tell me something who the fuck would make civilians take up arms, my brother was a damn mechanic and you made him help you so you could survive take the credit and get labeled a fucking hero" the man slurred out clearly drunk.
"Sir I'm sorry for the loss of your brother but that's not what happened, if we hadn't defended that area an entire colony would of been lost, your brother's a hero you should be proud of him" John tried to explain to the man.
"Bullshit you son of a bitch you made all those people help you everyone that died your responsible for including my brother, is that your brother your here with, maybe I should take your brother and see how you like it" the man said pulling out small .38 snub nose.
Before he could make it to the door John had him by the neck slamming him to the ground pounding his face in. Sitting at the bar Joe wondered what was taking John so long, he got up and walked to the bathroom finding that the door was locked.
"John, you in there" he called out to his brother.
The door opened and he was pulled inside. "Jesus fucking Christ Johnny what the hell happened" Joe said leaning down realizing the man had no pulse. "Johnny he's dead, you killed him" Joe said in shock.
"I didn't mean to, it just happened so quick Joey" John stumbled out. "What am I gonna do Joe, they're gonna kick me out of the marines for this, I'm gonna lose everything" John said on the edge of tears.
"Alright fuck do exactly as I say and quickly before somebody comes in here, take off your jacket and wash your hands" Joe said coming out of his jacket as well.
"Here put this on and go home ok" Joe said slipping into John's jacket rubbing the dead man's blood on his hands and shirt.
"Joey what are you doing" John asked looking at his brother.
"Saving your life John, now get the fuck out and go home right now John" Joseph said sitting on the floor waiting for someone to come in and discover him there as John ran back to Hannah's house.

PRESENT DAY
"Now you understand" he said tears streaming down his face.
"Oh John, I'm so sorry, I never knew" she said in slight shock consoling him.
"No one knows besides our dad and Anderson, I let him lose everything he loved so I could keep a military that turned It's back on me" he choked out.
"John has he ever held it against you or blamed you for it" she asked.
"No he would never do that to me" he replied.
"Then you have to stop doing it to yourself John It's not fair to either of you" she said holding on to him.
"You know she was pregnant when he was arrested" he told Ashley.
"Oh god, did he know" she asked.
"No only you and I know" he said showing her a picture of Jessica.
"John you need to tell him, she's beautiful, he deserves to know" she tried to convince him.
"I was gonna tell him today until all this happened" he replied.

Unbeknownst to them Kasumi had hacked into to camera feed in the captain's cabin. Listening to the whole story almost made her cry as she shut down the feed. She didn't know what to do with this new information. She agreed with Ashley that Joseph deserved to know about his child. She decided that she would give the commander until after they picked up his friend Tali before she went to Miranda with the information. She knew Miranda was about the only one on board that could stop him from killing John, if he had to find out through her.