Disconnect

Two

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As the reapers lay waste to the galaxy, Commander Shepard rushes to rescue his sister from war-torn Earth. But is there a place on the Normandy for a civilian, and does she even want one at all? AU Shepard/Garrus.

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Disclaimer: This author in no way profits from the writing of this story. All characters, dialogue, or other referenced material from the Mass Effect trilogy belong to Bioware.

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"John, I…" Jane choked back a sob, clinging to the radio like a lifeline. "I'm so glad you're alright!"

"I'm going to come for you, Janie, I promise!"

"Oh, John… I've got a whole class full of kids. You have to help them!"

"We'll take them to the Citadel. It's all going to be okay, Jane. I promise. I just need your location."

…

An hour later, a shuttle landed outside the school. Pouring out of it came a turian, an asari, and the largest marine Jane had ever seen. And finally, her brother John. After a tearful reunion, they crammed all the students and teachers into the shuttle, taking off into the night.

Once Jane had her wits about her, she recognized Garrus Vakarian and Liara T'Soni—she vaguely remembered meeting them at John's funeral. She greeted them both as warmly as she could, trying not to think too much of the circumstances of their last meeting.

John stuck close by her side, only occasionally entering the cockpit to check on their progress, and he introduced her to the large marine on his team, James Vega. She pegged Vega immediately as a shameless flirt, and warned him away from her students. He held up his hands in defeat, muttering something about all Shepards being loco.

Before she knew it, they were aboard the Normandy, and traveling lightyears away from Earth. She wondered if she would ever see it again.

…

"Thank you for your help," Jane said to Specialist Traynor, as the young woman finished helping her set up a comfortable space for her students in the observation lounge.

"It's my pleasure," Traynor said with a smile. "The commander was worried sick about you. I'm just glad to see everything come out well."

Jane's smile faltered as she considered her students' fate. It was heartbreaking that 'well' meant they had barely escaped with their lives. They had no home, no family, and little hope.

"When you're done here, your brother would like to see you up in his quarters," Traynor said, breaking through Jane's reverie.

"Of course," she replied. "I'll head up now."

When she entered his quarters, she looked around in amazement. "This place is nicer than my house," she said with amusement.

"Maybe," John said, "But a house is a house."

"A house is probably rubble," she countered.

"Spacious rubble," John replied, and pulled his sister into a hug. "God damn am I glad you're okay, Janie."

"Same to you," she said, squeezing him back. "I was worried you were trapped on Earth like me."

"Anderson had the Normandy waiting for me," he explained. "He expected this to happen, I think. I'm sorry I didn't come for you sooner."

"Don't worry about it," she replied, stepping back. "I'm one person. You've got a whole galaxy to think about."

He seemed to sag at her words, but he didn't acknowledge them. They sat down, talking about what the past few months had held, and what the upcoming weeks would.

"Once we drop off your students on the Citadel, we've got just a few errands to run before we have to meet up for the summit," John said casually.

Jane paused, staring at him. "What do you mean, we?"

"Well, you're staying, of course," he said with a shrug.

She glared at him. "John Shepard, what in the galaxy gave you that idea? I teach English and literature! I'm no use on a military ship! Besides, my students will need me."

John leaned forward. "Jane, I need you. Worrying about you on Earth was hell. I don't want to go through that again. If I'm going to do this, I need you by my side."

She sighed. "I'll consider it," but she didn't really, not until she got the call several hours later, when she was sitting with her students in the mess.

"Jane, there is a call coming in for you on the QEC," came the AI's voice.

"For me?" she asked, astonished.

"The caller requested Jane Shepard."

"Tell them I'll be right there," she said, as she raced to the elevator.

She recognized the man immediately—mostly from news vids, but also from the ceremony where John had received his Star of Terra. She'd clapped and cheered her hardest when John shook this man's hand.

"Miss Shepard," he said.

"Sir?" She didn't know her military protocol very well, but she this man was definitely a 'sir'.

"This is highly unusual," he said, "But I would like to formally request your presence on the Normandy for the remainder of the war, however long that may be."

Jane was silent for a moment, her mind racing. "May I ask why?"

The man's stance never faltered. "Your brother, Commander John Shepard, is perhaps the most integral part of this war. I believe his mental health and stability are tied to your continual well-being. On my end, it is a small thing to request a civilian presence on a warship to ensure that he continues to function at his peak."

"I…" She faltered, feeling flustered. "If that's what you wish, I'll agree. I'll stay on the Normandy."

"Thank you, Miss Shepard. The Alliance appreciates your sacrifice." And he flickered out of view.

Jane took a moment to lean back against the wall and catch her breath. She never thought there would be a day when an admiral was requesting favors of her! She hadn't felt like saying no was an option. Just having that man look at her was intimidating!

…

"I knew you would see things my way!" John said, grinning at her when she told him. "This is going to be great! You'll see."

She didn't have the heart to tell him that he wasn't the one that convinced her.

…

It only took a couple of days on the Normandy for boredom to set in. John and his crew were usually gone on some kind of mission, and the rest of the ship ran with the expected military efficiency. It wasn't long before she began to seek any kind of meaningful employment she could find.

Some members of the crew gave her small tasks she could help with, but others seemed to scorn her lack of skill or training. A few seemed offended that she had been simply given this place on the Normandy instead of earning it. Most of them just didn't seem to know what to do with her, a civilian on a military ship.

She watched the summit on the monitors along with the others, but when John ran off on an emergency mission and the group dispersed, she made her way to the lounge and poured herself a strong drink. "I can't do this," she groaned, dropping her head onto the cool metal bar.

"Can't do what?" came a voice from behind her.

Her head shot up and around, calming when she saw Garrus in the doorway. "Christ, you scared me half to death," she scolded as he entered the room, adding, "I thought you'd be on mission with John."

Garrus shrugged as he settled next to her at the bar. "Wrex didn't need the provocation of seeing another turian right now, even if it's me," he said. "But you're changing the subject. What is it that you can't do?"

"I can't be here on this ship anymore," she said, leaning on the bar. "I'm just sitting here with no purpose, while I could be doing good somewhere else. I feel trapped and useless here."

Garrus let out a hum. "John is better with you here. He was a mess before."

"I heard," she said wryly. "But I can't just be here to keep him sane. I'd be better off working with refugee kids. Helping disadvantaged teens is kind of my thing."

"You were a teacher before, right?" he asked. "What did you teach?"

"English and literature," she said. "Not much use for that here."

"English? That's a human language?"

"It's the most commonly spoken language in the United North American States."

Garrus tilted his head as he poured himself a drink. "Not the official language?"

"UNAS doesn't have one. As you know, we humans are stubborn bastards, and no one really wanted to give up their home language."

"Sounds confusing."

"Maybe. But I always loved that about home."

"You loved that it was confusing?"

"No… I loved that we all retained our culture and originality."

Garrus looked at her with piercing blue eyes. "And you want to retain your originality too. You feel like you're losing it here."

Jane's brows shot up in surprise at his perceptiveness. "I didn't think of it that way, but you're right. I feel like I'm just considered an extension of John here. I need to be doing something."

Garrus was silent for a minute, sipping his drink. "Would it help if you learned enough to go out on some missions? You could contribute that way."

"I'm not a fan of guns or violence, but…" She shrugged. "It might, if you think I can learn enough to be useful out there."

He gave her a uniquely turian grin. "Under my tutelage, you will."

…