A/N:
This is a story that myself and a great friend of mine created via Roleplay. I don't care if you don't like how things played out, or if things seem unreasonable, this is simply a figment of our imaginations and I had a blast writing it. Hope you enjoy, and if not, simply don't read it.
To make it clear, I do not own any characters within this story, all characters, places, etc are copyrighted to Bioware. I only own my imagination in continuing the story after the end of Mass Effect 3.
SOO CHAPTER 2 INBOUND! I probably wont be pumping these out as often as I currently am, but I have a few days off, so. Chapters. Chapters for EVERYONE.
A nice shout out to my proof reader who I will call Wrex here. You are a loveable lump of Krogan.
I also figured I would mention that without my best friend, who I call Garrus even in the real world, this story would be nothing! You are the best friend a gal like me could ask for!
-Feary
As the shuttle landed, and everyone strode through the hangar toward the elevator, Hackett turned his attention back to Shepard, a grey brow perking casually as his hands clasped behind his back in a relaxed posture. "If you are wondering where the crew is, I ordered everyone besides Mr. Moreau to meet on the Command deck. Mr. Moreau will be present shortly after the Normandy is set to Orbit, Commander."
Of course she had wondered, starting to worry internally that everything aboard her ship had changed drastically when she went MIA, again. However upon his explanation, she sighed in relief, and nodded briefly. Rolling her shoulders, she carefully dislodged herself from the arms of the soldiers that helped her on board. A quick murmur of thanks was given with an appreciative grin as she made her way out of the elevator and to the Command room.
The room was filled with chatter, but it all but ceased the second she limped into the room. Her eyes locked onto every face in the room as she scanned for familiar faces, picking a few out here and there while their hushed voices reached her. Although the words were lost to her, she could pick out bits and pieces as she finally limped herself into the room.
"Hello, Normandy crew. Some of you know me, others do not, and all of you expect me to give you a speech of some kind, much to my distaste." She snorted, watching as several of them lit up with smiles. "However, no such speech will be given until Mr. Moreau is with us, as fragile as he is, his poor little heart might break from being left out." She stifled a laugh, but could not hide her smirk as she turned her gaze up at the sound of his words.
"Ouch! Shots fired, Commander, but still it is SO nice to hear that voice again. Just sit tight and we'll be in orbit soon!" She could tell his words were filled with what she presumed was happiness, and she was grateful for this third chance at being what she was best.
"It's lovely to hear yours as well Joker, as manly as it ever has been if I may say so myself." Was her reply as she let out a small chuckle.
As if Vega had read her thoughts, his voice reached her from the crowd. "Well, I for one will officially call it. This chick is never going to die! Nice to see you Loco, OH and Estabon missed ya too!" She could pick out his smirk from here, and flashed him an equally happy grin as the two made their way over to where she stood.
"This Commander is never going down." She shot him a smirk, "Good to see you alive and well Vega, you too Steve."
EDI chose then to speak up once more, "I have confirmed that this is indeed the Commander we all know and love!" There was a certain tone of satisfaction in the AI's voice over the com.
"Well that's good, I was slightly concerned we were going to go mono e' mono with another clone, if everyone remembers how that went.." Joker replied over the coms, which brought a rise of laughter from the crew.
Shepard on the other hand seemed to frown, tilting her head in an attempt to glance down the deck hall where the cockpit was located. "You had doubts?" Her voice filled with mock innocents and feigning a hurt tone. "Rude." She snorted, then laughed with everyone else as the Clone talk surfaced. "Well she wasn't that.. bad. I mean she was but.. never mind." She frowned, but grinned soon after, laughter bubbling from her once more.
"God I missed you guys, even if it felt like I saw you all just yesterday. Speaking of which.. where's Garrus?" She shifted nervously, the Doctors words filling her head again. "And the rest of the gang?" Her gaze flickered to Hackett, who stood idly by, waiting patiently.
Upon hearing the question, he straightened, and strode forward, pulling out a datapad and expanding the edges as the orange screen glowed to life. He had already guessed she would not rest until she knew where everyone was, especially Garrus. "Indeed, I had a feeling you would want to know. I had Alliance Command send me the specs before we broke orbit." His fingers flicked and swiped at the small holographic tool.
"Ah.. here are the latest reports. Dr. T'Soni continues to work as the Shadow Broker, but that is simply from what she has sent me, Alliance Command has no knowledge of her work, and never will, that much you and I owe her, Shepard."
His fingers scrolled the screen for a moment. "Tali'Zorah remains on her planet Rannoch. Along with the Geth, the Quarians have made the planet prosper greatly over the past years, and with her knowledge and help sending spare materials, the relays were rebuilt, one by one, as well as the Citadel.
Jack continues to help with our biotics division along with Officer Kaiden. Wrex and Grunt remain on Tuchanka both with families and healthy offspring, thanks to you and Dr. Solus."
He paused, which Shepard found highly inappropriate as he stared at her long and hard with his piercing blue gaze. "As for Garrus Vakarian.." His gaze wandered back to the datapad. "As for Mr. Vakarian, he is currently working for the Citadel, but not for C-SEC. Instead he is a sort of Mercenary. The council offered him a Specter position, which he turned down for the sake of his sanity we can assume. His whereabouts are unknown, you will have to speak with the Council to find out where he is.
Shepard bottled up the emotions, as she so well did, and simply nodded. Hackett just as she remembered, always on the ball, ready for anything she threw his way. She stood idly, almost on the tips of her toes as she listened eagerly. The rest of the crew silenced themselves, respecting that Shepard would wish to hear everything without interruption.
She allowed her face to light up at the news of everyone's success. Liara, Tali, Jack and Kaiden. "Wrex and Grunt? Oh shit, I bet they already have a few kids named Shepard and Mordin." She laughed, a grin wide on her face as everyone seemed to laugh as well in agreement.
She hardly put it past Garrus to resume his mercenary days, especially after Omega, and a skittering feeling crossed over her that perhaps he was there once more, but jumping to conclusions was not really the best, better safe then sorry. "I wish to see the Council then, as soon as possible. It's.. important that I speak with him. EDI? I need you to send an encrypted message to the remaining crew. I've heard Cerberus is pissed about the Illusive man, so I'd prefer if not everyone in the galaxy knows I'm alive, just yet. Make sure everyone knows I wish to meet up with them. For old times sake."
Within seconds, EDI and Joker walked into the command room. "Yes, Commander. I have already set course for the Citadel, as well as sent out the messages." EDI explained quickly before Joker stepped in to continue. "All you gotta do is let us know, and we're off. Just like old times, huh Commander?"
Shepard grinned widely, everything was just as it once was. Everyone was ready, and everything was set up and ready to go before she even had to think about it. "Much appreciated, EDI. We shall depart for the Citadel once I speak a few words for the crew." She nodded again, mostly to herself.
Hackett couldn't help but let a grin slide onto his worn face. "It's good to have you back Shepard. I think we all know who the Normandy really belongs to. I will take a shuttle back to Earth for the time being. I will be available on Com-link if you need me." Hackett swiped a few more times over the datapad.
Shepard turned slightly, blue eyes locking onto Hackett as he spoke. "It's good to be back, Admiral. I will keep you updated on everything via Com-link, sir." She paused, which allowed the Admiral to continue speaking.
"I've also just revived your specter status, as well as classified the Normandy and her whereabouts. You will have to take a shuttle to the Citadel, and blend in to prevent detection from any Cerberus operatives in the area. We've set up a rendezvous with someone you know who is especially good at blending into a crowd, you will find them upon entering the Citadel, well, more like they will find you. This ship is now a Ghost. Whatever happens to it is up to you Commander. I just relayed the status of the rest of the crew I didn't get to mention to your private terminal. Specialist Traynor will update you about those, as per usual. Keep me posted Shepard." He quickly saluted, awaiting her return salute before striding out of the room.
"I'm surprised the Council agreed to that, but hey, I'm not complaining!" She chuckled softly, the perked both of her brows as she sank into her hip, folding her arms across her chest in her usual posture. It had been ages since she'd gone undercover, she'd almost forgotten what it was like. "Understandable, I will keep my identity disclosed while on the Citadel, those doctors upgraded my helmet with a darker visor, so I will likely go fully armored into the Citadel, however that may pose a problem." She shifted slightly. "I will likely need a security bypass, to prevent having to identify myself and blow my cover. We can figure that out later, we still have some time before we reach the Citadel." She watched as Hackett stood to attention, and she quickly did the same, saluting until he was off the command deck.
Shepard practically sighed in irritation, her posture slacking slightly at the thought of Traynor reminding her of messages over and over and over. She clutched her head and sighed miserably for a moment before her attentions were brought back to the crew. She straightened, figuring now would not be the best time to break down, and turned toward Vega as he spoke.
"Well, we're all here Loco. What's the speech?" Vega grinned with curiosity, waiting to hear one of her famous speeches they all missed.
"Calm yourself, Muscles." She grinned as she took her spot at the command deck, pacing only slightly as her throat was cleared, her piercing gaze scanning the room. "Its been long over due for a talk. I'm back, how? I have no fuckin' idea other then I was saved by those doctors on Earth. There they explained the threat of disbanded Cerberus operatives, and mentioned something about Vorcha, however I doubt they intended for me to hear. I say its high time we get ourselves back into the fight. Let them know that no one fucks with our galaxy." Her tone held strong, and many of the crew nodded amungst themselves. "We will stomp them out, just as we have with every other bastard out there that thinks they can run things their way, but this time, no one is dying. That is an order."
As the speech ended, she dismissed the crew to their workstations, and waited as the room slowly emptied, everyone giving her quick welcome backs as they dispersed. She waited a few moments before limping herself back to the CIC, her hands trialing along the controls she knew by heart. The galaxy map unfolded quickly as she did, and with a few taps, she felt the drive cores kick in as they headed for their destination.
Traynor remained quiet for a few moments, before she nervously spoke up. "Welcome back, again, Commander! Now, I know you just got back and all, but.. you have an extreme amount of messages at your private terminal. I was also asked to relay that Dr. Chakwas would like to see you down in the med-bay. I would recommend you take the time to see her while we head for the Citadel, afterwards, you should definitely check your messages."
God damn it she knew it, not even back for an hour and Traynor was already all over her with the damn message thing. "Uh.. right." She muttered, turning her gaze to Traynor as she swallowed down the bubble of anger that made itself present. "I actually noticed that before I tested out my coms back on Earth. Could I have you sort out the useless junk? It could make it easier to read the more.. important ones. I'll head down to the med-bay now." And away from all these messages, she added to herself before continuing. "Mark any new messages as urgent, just in case the crew attempts to reach me. I don't want them buried in the massive amount already there." Mostly anything from Garrus, she added again before slinking off toward the elevator.
Traynor simply nodded with a grin, clearly oblivious to how the commander felt, and quickly set to work on her task as the commander left.
Shepard fidgeted nervously at the thought of seeing Dr. Chakwas, would she do tests? Would she find out about her pregnancy? A nervous swallow echoed in the confinement of the elevator as it slowly sunk down a single floor. She didn't want anyone to know before she spoke with Garrus, not even Dr. Chakwas.
The door swished open, and Shepard's uneven gait echoed around the halls as she turned right and stood just before the med-bay doors. A gentle knock was given, and the doors slid open with ease as Shepard walked in, her hands twisting nervously in one another behind her back as she put on a smile. "So, remember that Serrice Ice Brandy? Yeah, I didn't forget. I'll pick some up on the Citadel so we can celebrate again sometime." She offered with a chuckle as the Doctor stood.
"Ooh! Commander Shepard, what a pleasure to see you again! You're looking.. good as ever actually, considering you haven't been seen since the defeat of the Reapers." The doctor perked a brow as she inspected her Commander. "Were you in stasis? It looks like you haven't aged a day!" She exclaimed, guiding Shepard to a nearby medical table.
Shepard nodded slightly, swallowing back another nervous feeling that fluttered in her gut. "I tried to communicate to the Normandy after it was over, but everything went down, I ended up on Earth, being fixed up by human doctors. Rebuilt for a second time." She added with a soft sigh as she sat against the cool table.
"Ah, human doctors are the best." She winked with a chuckle as she pulled out some medical equipment. "Just going to make sure the stasis did not effect you negatively, then you're free to go do whatever it is you do, Commander."
Several minutes ticked by, and though as the doctor scanned her vitals, and picked up not one, but two heartbeats, she remained silent about her discovery, taking the hint on the Commander's nervous look, that she knew, and was not yet ready to announce her pregnancy. It awed the doctor, just as it had the other doctors, that the child still remained after years of stasis.
"Well, everything seems to be in perfect order, not even a scar, it's truly remarkable. I wish to see you again soon, Commander." As discreet as possible with her words, but she would continue to monitor the child to insure its health was not at risk. "And that brandy? Don't worry about it for now, perhaps on the anniversary of the Reapers destruction we will have a toast to your success." She grinned, patting her knee gently before helping Shepard off the table.
"Thanks, Dr. Chakwas, and I will." Shepard replied casually as she stepped from the bed. "A toast sounds good." She nodded, turning as her coms beeped with the influx of messages she was being sent. Damn it, all she wanted was a nice nap right about now.
Quickly she ducked out of the med-bay, thinking all went well with her little checkup as she slid into the elevator once more. "EDI, let me know when we reach the Citadel. I need a nap, I feel horrible." She stifled a sigh as the elevator once again made its slow climb to her destination.
"You got it Commander. We have approximately five hours until we are close enough to send a shuttle, but I will wake you when it is time. Rest well Commander, if you need anything, you simply have to ask."
As the link was cut, she sighed in relief as the doors slid open and she slowly walked into her room. Nothing changed, nothing at all. Everything was just as she had left it, the picture of Garrus on her desk, her ship models. Even the squeak of her space hamster, which made her jump slightly. "Hey there little guy! Miss me?" She chuckled, dumping a bit of food into its cage before snatching the picture of Garrus from her desk and plopping onto her bed with a heavy sigh.
The covers lay beneath her and her armor remained on her as she snuggled into her pillows, staring at the picture she clutched in her hands. The swell of emotions made her throat burn with the threat of tears as she stared at it, and without the slightest hesitation, she hugged the frame to her chest, and closed her eyes, drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
It felt like minutes to the sleeping Commander, when in reality it had been well over several hours as EDI's voice echoed in the Commander's room. "Commander? We've arrived near the Citadel. I have your security pass available, please see Vega before you depart to retrieve it. The council is aware of your arrival, and is awaiting your shuttle, Cortez had the shuttle waiting in the hangar."
A soft grumble left Shepard as she slowly untangled herself from the blankets. "Thanks EDI." She managed as she moved about the room, replacing the picture on the nightstand, and moving toward her equipment storage. She snatched her helmet, and attached a pistol to her waistline just before heading to the elevator. Blinking the sleep from her eyes, she pressed at the button for the Hangar, and pulled her helmet over her head, the clasps hissing as they attached and acclimatized her oxygen levels.
"Fucking slow elevators. Always the elevators. I have a feeling this time I might just die in one." She grumbled to herself as she awaited the doors to open, and once it did, she quickly strode within the room, seeking out Vega, and grabbing the security pass. Within seconds it was linked to her Omni-tool, and she was ready to rock and roll.
Cortez leaned against the shuttle, arms folded over his chest expectantly as Shepard made her way over. She scowled slightly. "Sorry, I needed a nap." She huffed, before chuckling as she ducked into the shuttle.
Shit, it was easy, getting into the Citadel, the security pass had the C-SEC officers giving her strange looks, but they did not question her. Slowly she passed out of C-SEC HQ, looking rather lost as she tried to pinpoint the location of the Council towers.
*Pssssst* "Hey, over here! You know if you wanted to hide, you could have asked me for some tips. I for one will always know you when I see you." The voice emerged from the shadows.
Shepard tensed as the voice reached her, half expecting someone to press a pistol to the back of her head and demand all her secrets, however when the voice finally registered, she grinned behind the darkened helmet. "Kasumi!" She whispered with a chuckle.
The cloak faded to reveal the hooded woman, and a smile twisted at her lips as she strode forward. "Now, if you aren't who I think you are, then you saw nothing!" She giggled carefully as she placed a hand on the commanders shoulder.
"Shit if I'd known it was you I was rendezvousing with, I'd have made it difficult to find me!" Shepard snickered before straightening and pulling the woman into a tight hug. "Of course its me, I'll explain everything later, but I really need to get into contact with the Council. I'm.. not familiar with the new Citadel, could you maybe.. point me in the right direction?" She glanced around looking like a lost child once more.
"Sure thing Shep, but on one condition. I want to be part of the crew again. Being on the Citadel is old. I already stole everything I wanted here, and I'm soooo bored. If you say yes I'll get you some new fish, or something." She grinned innocently, hoping to get a positive answer from her friend.
Shepard lifted a brow, well aware that Kasumi wouldn't be able to see it before laughing lightly. "Well, how could I say no? You belong on the Normandy, you can even have the same room if you want." She grinned as they walked on. "Oh.. I dunno about that though. I can never manage to remember to feed them. BUT if by some reason you end up with an Aquarium VI on your hands..." She laughed again, emerald gaze flickering to the master thief. "Kidding, by the way. Welcome back to the crew, Kasumi. Now.. where's the council?"
Kasumi had a fit of giggles, which she hid in the palm of her hand to keep them muffled. "Thanks Shep. The tower is on the other side of the C-SEC district. They put them closer during the new build. See ya on the Normandy, Commander." With that her voice faded just as her shape as she cloaked again, bouncing off to find Cortez more then likely.
"See you there, Kasumi." She chuckled, heading off to find the tower, thankfully it wasn't that difficult, and she nearly kicked herself for having to ask for directions. Bleh!
Along the way she browsed some wares, keeping herself undercover by only nodding or shaking her head when asked if she required assistance. Soon enough the tower's elevator was within sight. A nervous swallow was made as she stepped forward. Last time her and the Council met, it was needless to say she was not pleased about having to go to them for such a matter.
An exasperated sigh left her as she stepped into the elevator, and watched as the people below grew smaller and smaller as she ascended. When the doors finally opened, she rolled her shoulders and strode out like a woman on a mission, heading directly for the center of the room, where the council often met.