Summary: Shepard finally gets to speak with her mother, Admiral Hackett and the Council.

Author's Notes: Thank to HeidiM2574 for the review of Chapter 8 and to all of those that favorited and are following. :-) It means a lot.

Disclaimer: Sadly, I own naught but the plot. However atrocious it might be, it is mine.

Shepard looked over the data pad again, blinking at the words and sighed. The Private stood in front of her nervously and coughed. She glanced at him.

"At ease, soldier." He looked relieved and placed his feet at shoulder width and clasped his hands behind him. She rubbed her forehead and once again tried to read the words in front of her. As soon as Miranda had cleared her fit for duty, so to speak, two days ago Shepard had been inadvertently thrust into the role of leader for the Military. "Why the fuck are they asking me?" she murmured aloud reading the data pad again.

Commander Shepard –

We did as you said and it seems to be working rather well, considering. Our next step is to start trying to clear away the Reapers, but we need you to tell us what exactly to do with them. The scientists here are asking for permission to study some of the Cannibals, the Asari are wondering if you would allow them to study the Banshee, and the Krogan as well as the Marines and Army would like to ask for your permission to study the Brutes and Marauders.

I await your decision.

Major Coats

Quickly she tapped out a response and handed it back to the Private who was looking at her awe-struck. "Take this back to Major Coats." He took the offered data pad and turned quickly, rushing to a do job that Commander Shepard had asked him too with a grin on his face. As the door shut behind him she heard another soldier ask if he really got to speak to her. She shook her head and turned to look out the window.

"Shepard." She glanced over her shoulder and saw Wrex coming through the door.

"How's it going, Wrex?" He gave her a stern look.

"That's not how you're supposed to greet me. We have to do it over. When I come in you have to just say Wrex." She sighed.

"Oh come on!"

"No. Do it Shepard!" The door closed and when he walked back in her smiled at her.

"Shepard." She gave him a look until he made an angry face at her.

"Wrex." He flashed her smile and rumbled out a laugh.

"A-ha, that never gets old." She shook her head.

"What can I do for you?" He stopped and took a drink of her water ignoring her protests.

"I'll get you some more, no need to get your panties in a twist. Anyway, I'm here, officially, to inform you that Admiral Hackett and your mother are available on vidcom as well as the Council who would like to speak to you. Unofficially, I'm here to tell you to ignore everyone. Well, except for your mother. That would probably hurt her feelings." Shepard patted his arm and laughed.

"Thank you. I'm sure my mother has more questions than I would rather answer but I owe her something. She did bring me into this world."

"Did she sit on your egg?" Shepard drew her brows down over her eyes and looked at him with a confused look. He coughed. "Oh. You humans don't do that then. Alright. Learn something new every day," he said shrugging his shoulders. She laughed and shook her head.

"No, we have live births. Our children come out of us kicking and screaming. Like the Asari, Quarians and Turians." Wrex looked at her, his eyes sliding over her body with a skeptical look.

"That sounds painful. You're awfully small Shepard." She laughed again.

"I've never experienced childbirth, yet, so all I know is what I've been told from others and it doesn't sound pleasant. There are women who are smaller than me Wrex and they have kids just fine." He just shook his head.

"Yet? You have plans for children, Shepard?" She felt her cheeks grow hot and ducked her head in embarrassment. "With Garrus? I don't think you'll come out of that looking pretty." She punched him in the arm and outright laughed.

"I don't think biology would cooperate but adoption is always an idea. There are too many children without parents thanks to this war."

"You can always adopt a Krogan. I wouldn't extend that offer to anyone else but you and the crew on the Normandy or you can use Liara as a bridge for you and Garrus." She gave him a quizzical look. He sighed and shook his head at her. It surprised him how often he forgot that she was still fairly new in the Galaxy despite everything she has accomplished then laughed to himself. He'd just had the same reaction to her revelation about having live children.

"A bridge? Asari can only get impregnated from what I know."

"Oh no. Asari can impregnate other females. It's certainly not common and if they do it, it is because they either truly love the person they are with or are extremely close. I've never experienced it but from what I do know they can act as a sort of medium. They can randomize the DNA from you and your partner, take traits from Garrus and make you pregnant. I've heard eye color can even be inherited."

"So I'd have an Asari baby?"

"No. You could actually have a human baby with your DNA but with extensive traits from Garrus like his personality, eye color that sort of thing."

"That's something to consider, but another time. Any idea on what the Council wants from me or what Hackett needs?"

"Sorry. Don't know, Shepard. All I know is what I was told by that ex-Cerberus woman told me to tell you. Did you know that she and that tattooed Biotic are… you know…?" Shepard suppressed a laugh at the look on his face.

"Yeah, I figured it out. I suppose I should get on down to see what they all need." Wrex turned with her and they made their way down to the Communications Room. Soldiers who guarded the door saluted Shepard as she walked by and she nodded at them. "Ever get those colonies back that you asked the Council about?"

"Not definitively. They said the war was too important."

"I'll talk to them about it then." He stopped and looked at her.

"Thank you Shepard," he said grasping her hand in his larger one. "Alright I'll leave you to it." And walked back out the door leaving Shepard standing in front of the link. She stepped forward and pressed the blue light. Her mother appeared and looked at her with wide eyes sparkling with unshed tears.

"Elizabeth!" Shepard smiled at her and had an overwhelming urge to hug her. "Oh honey, it's so good to see you. Steven said he wasn't sure if this would even work but I am so glad to see that you are alive. I couldn't take it again if I thought that I lost you, sweetie."

"I'm fine, mom. I'm tired and more than a little stressed but I'm fine, really," she smiled at her.

"I'm not going to pry and ask questions. I'm sure a lot of it I don't really want to know. I'm just so proud of you, honey. Your father would be too." Shepard swallowed an uncomfortable lump in her throat and gave a soft, quiet laugh.

"He'd call me stubborn and hard-headed." Hannah laughed and crossed her arms over her chest like she was cold.

"He would. He always said that you had a determination to get anything done. I'm sure he's up there watching over you, sweetheart. I know you have other important things to do and Steven wanted to talk to you."

"Steven?" Even through the link she could see her mother's cheeks darken. She raised her eyebrows at her. "Admiral Hackett? Mother!" she laughed. This was unexpected, but not an unpleasant revelation. "Fraternization is not something I would peg you for." Her mother gave her a look.

"I wouldn't have thought it of you either, but alas look at who you are dating. Primarch Garrus Vakarian, Eliza?" Shepard blinked and stared at her, a confused look sliding over her face.

"Garrus isn't Primarch, Victus is." Her mother suddenly bit her lower lip and her eyes widened in ignorance.

"I'm sorry, you're right. I misspoke," she said quickly, regaining her composure. Shepard raised her hand and pointed at her shaking her finger, her brows coming down over her eyes.

"Oh no you don't, mom. What did you mean?" Hannah sighed, looking up and tossed her hands in the air. She looked at her daughter and placed her hands on her hips, assuming her Admiral face and stance.

"I thought you knew. I'm surprised it hasn't reached Earth yet or that Dr. Lawson did not inform you. Perhaps he was waiting to tell you himself. Either way, Adrien Victus was found and declared killed in action. Garrus was next for the seat and when Councilor Sparatus offered it to him he accepted. All the Fleets, not just the Turians, are aware of Garrus' newfound title and we are expected to treat him as such though he wants none of it. Have you not spoken to him recently?" Shepard shook her head, letting the new information wash over her and couldn't suppress a smile. She was positive that Garrus was hating his new position, but she was more than proud of him.

"No, but when I see him again I'll have to talk to him about his communication skills." Her mother smiled at her and looked at something.

"Alright, honey. I need to go and Steven needs to speak to you. I'll try to talk to you again soon. I love you."

"I love you too, mom." Her mother gave her one last smile and turned, disappearing as Admiral Hackett randomly appeared in front of her.

"Commander Shepard," he greeted her. She nodded at him and decided against calling him Steven, with an inward smile.

"Sir, Urdnot Wrex said that you had something you wanted to speak with me about?" He sighed and shifted his weight.

"Yes. I felt that I should inform you of any new developments. I have received Intel that the Keepers have already begun construction on the Citadel. However, we're going to have to get it out of Earth's orbit eventually. The Citadel, if you'll recall, is roughly 28 miles long and 8 miles wide which is much bigger than any satellite we've got. It's really going to do anything right now, but eventually it will have to be moved.

"We are working on repairing the Mass Relays and so far it looks to be coming together fairly well. Luckily, eezo is not in short supply around here and everyone is donating. The Asari seem to believe that the Keepers might have some information. Since you are on Earth, Commander, I would ask if you could organize teams and send them to the Citadel to see what they can find." Shepard nodded. He paused for a moment and looked at her in silence before continuing.

"There is another matter that I would like to discuss with you Commander. As you are more than aware everyone has suffered many losses and we are among them. Many of our Fleets perished in the war as well as too many of our leaders, officers and other essential personnel. Most Government officials from around the world did not make it. Is there anything you can tell me about what is being done about this?" Shepard opened her omni-tool and read through her messages.

"As far as I can tell most of the superpowers are already reestablishing their Governments. The United States is focusing on the Federal Government. Elections for President and new Congress will be held in the coming weeks. I haven't heard much about the states but from what I gather until we have a new President and Congress that's been put on hold. Everyone is looking to the United States for guidance at the moment and the United States, like everyone, is in shambles. All other countries, major countries, have followed suit. England will be holding elections for Parliament and Prime Minister as soon as we have a President. Germany, Italy, Russia and France are will also be holding their elections around the same time. There has been no word from the Asian countries. China, Japan, and Korea have been silent. We're fearing the worst for them but praying that they'll be heard from soon. The African as well as South American countries came up for air to let us know that they are still alive, though barely hanging on. Australia and most of Central America have not been heard from. Intel says that most islands, including Hawaii, have been lost.

"As far as states go, it's hard to tell. Texas was among the first to report in followed by Georgia, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Washington, Colorado and the Carolinas. Texas said they do believe that Louisiana and Oklahoma are still with us. Georgia said that Florida is still there as well, but took a hell of a beating. Mississippi reported in not long ago. Very little has been heard from any of the New England states, but we're assuming that once elections are held we'll know more. Montana, Minnesota, the Dakotas, Nevada and Wisconsin are still with us but that's all we know so far. Canada has confirmed that Alaska, surprisingly, made it almost unscathed. Canada is holding on, but Quebec was lost. Intel says that as soon as elections are held all countries that were a part of the United Nations will be meeting to discuss the futures of each of their countries as well as figure out how to deploy troops, what little there is, to the less fortunate countries to try and help with anything they can." Both were silent for a moment. Admiral Hackett was trying to calculate how many they haven't heard from.

"Commander, that's twenty-nine states that are unaccounted for. Hawaii's loss will be mourned as well as Quebec. I can't even begin to describe how many people we lost if the Asian countries don't come up soon, but they were among the heaviest populated countries. We've lost more colonies and countries than I care to imagine. But we have to push forward and think to the future. Mourning will have to be later. As I said earlier we have suffered many losses and we need officers. I am keeping you as an Ambassador but I want to appoint you as Admiral Chief of Naval Operations. The war is over so I am stepping down as Fleet Admiral. I am sure that once the UN is back in order they will not disagree that you are the best and only candidate to lead the Alliance Navy." He looked at her expectantly and she stared at him, her mouth gaping open.

"I'm not-"

"Do not even begin to say that you are not qualified. You have gone above and beyond the mere call of duty. You saved the entire galaxy. You deserve it. You are more than a soldier; you are a leader, Commander. Or should I start calling you Admiral?" She continued to look at him with shock written across her face. This was very unexpected. She didn't know what to say. She believed she would get a promotion, but nothing like this and a part of her wasn't sure she even wanted to be in the military anymore.

On the other hand, she would no longer be fighting. She would be strictly commanding, though in the back of her mind she believed that she would still find a way to go on a few missions at least. With Garrus being the new Primarch maybe this was for the best. They could find someplace that was close to both Earth and Palaven. They could have the family they talked about.

"I don't know what to say, Sir. I'm honored." He smiled at her.

"No, Admiral Shepard, I am honored. I am honored to have seen you grow, watch you as you rise in rank, witness your incredible determination and doubtless attitude. You believed when no one else did and only you, I truly believe, could have made a team follow you into the depths of hell. You have witnessed things that others can only imagine. You will go down in all history. Now, Admiral, do you have any orders for me?" Shepard laughed, feeling a blush creeping onto her cheeks, and rubbed the back of her neck. That would take time to get used to.

"No, sir."

"You are not supposed to call me that anymore, Shepard," he said, echoing her words that she had said to Vega once which, now, felt like a lifetime ago. "I know that the Council is waiting to speak to you and I will let them know of your new title. I will try to get in touch with Dr. T'Soni so she can let the Normandy know as well as those on Earth so they don't address you incorrectly. I'll leave you to it, Admiral." He laughed at the look on her face and severed the connection.

She took a minute, before connecting to the Council, to take a breath and think. Being an Admiral, the Admiral, was a big change. "Admiral Shepard," she said, rolling it over her tongue and grimaced slightly to herself. She had been Commander for so long that it just sounded strange to her ears. She pictured Liara telling Garrus of her new title, imaging him smiling and beaming with pride. She sighed and touched the side of her neck, near her collar bone, tracing the outline of his anima vincula marcam. The Turian words he had used hadn't translated properly and instead translated it to Latin which, she learned, meant soul bond mark.

She sat back against her couch in the Captain's Cabin on the Normandy, still recovering from the party, and took a sip of water. She touched the scar on her neck and looked at him.

"What do you call this?" He looked at where her hand was, taking his eyes off his rifle, and reached out to lightly touch the spot, an unreadable look on his face.

"Psyceele binologon simarka," she vaguely heard him say but her translator, in her head, said, "Anima vincula marcam commonly known in the English language as soul bond mark". She turned off her translator and looked at him again.

"I want to hear you say, not my translator."

"Psyceele binologon simarka," he repeated. He opened his mouth to say something else but she held up a finger while she quickly turned her translator back on.

"Is your language always that beautiful?" He laughed and gave her a light kiss on her forehead.

"I wouldn't know really. I don't consider my language beautiful at all, but maybe that's because I'm used to hearing it.

"I know what my translator told me, but what does it mean in your language?" He seemed to think about it for a moment, curling his fingers into her, his rifle forgotten about.

"The closest translation I can think of would be soul bound and thus marked. Many Turians don't believe in the soul bound tradition anymore. It's rare to come across a Turian couple who have embraced the tradition wholeheartedly and truly believe that they are soul bound. My parents believed that they were soul bound. Ever since I can remember they were like one person. They moved together, they knew what the other was thinking, and they knew when something was wrong with the other before one of them had even said anything. It's rare to find someone who you are willing to give you entire self too, for the rest of eternity. I never was one to believe in it, even after seeing my parents, but I know, without a doubt, that I am soul bound to you, Elizabeth." He pressed his three fingered hand against the side of her face, thumbing her bottom lip and his cobalt eyes bore into chartreuse ones as he spoke. "When you dove into the ocean in search of Leviathan I knew, without knowing how, that something was wrong when I couldn't feel you anymore. It felt like a piece of me was ripped away and that's a feeling I don't want to have ever again." He leaned forward and pressed his hard, sandpaper like lips against her soft, petal like ones. His hand ghosted over her hair, cupping her face with both hands and pulled back to look at her. "I love you more than life itself. I would do anything and everything for you. If you ever turned me away I would die. My life is worthless without you. You have sunk hooks deep into me, twined your soul with mine, and I can never again take a breath without knowing that you love me and are out there, alive. You are the only reason that I didn't give up on Omega. Seeing you again is what made me feel alive for the first time since you died. I will not lose you again."

She grasped his cowl, tucking her fingers in and her breath hitched in her throat. She stroked the scarred side of his face, memorizing every inch of his face, the azure color of his eyes, the love that filled his eyes and vibrated through him. The fate of the Galaxy rested on her shoulders and there was no promise that she make to ensure that they would all be safe, but she could make him a promise. The only promise that she could make and would have no regrets about, no matter what the cost or decision.

"You will never lose me again."

She opened her eyes and brushed away the tears from her eyes. She had kept her promise and despite how she felt, despite the pain it caused her, she would do it all over again. She missed him more than anyone could possible ever imagine and would give anything to be able to touch the side of face, caress his fringe, and kiss him again. She pulled herself away from the thought of Garrus, her soul mate, and looked at the offending blue light that kept blinking at her, reminding her that the Council wanted to speak to her about God knows what. Stepping forward she laid her fingers against the button and waited for the Council to materialize in front of her.

"Admiral Shepard," Councilor Tevos said. He does work fast, she thought.

"Councilors," she nodded at Tevos, Valern and Sparatus. The three of them looked at each before looking back at Shepard.

"Congratulations on your promotion. It is beyond well deserved," Sparatus said, pulling his arms behind him. Tevos nodded and looked at her.

"Admiral, we have a lot to discuss. There are things that we," she nodded at Valern and Sparatus, "believe only you can decide. Your voice and opinions carry great weight and there are no words that we can say to give justice to what you have done for us, our people and the entire Galaxy."

"The first matter that we bring to you is a need for a new Human Councilor and we believe that you would have the best recommendation above anyone else. Our judgment was poor when we welcomed Udina as a Councilor and we will not do something like that again. We would have extended the offer to you, but your role as Admiral, we believe, is a much better fit. Is there anyone that you can think of that you would like to elect as a Council member?" Valern asked. She thought for a moment.

He was the perfect fit. He was just and he, despite his animosity towards her for a short time, always thought about his actions. He didn't normally do something without thinking and he was not one to make rash decisions. He had integrity and it was something he valued. Something that the Council could use, she thought bitterly.

"Spectre Kaidan Alenko," she said, inwardly grinning at the shocked look on his face when he found out. Tevos looked at Valern and Sparatus. They nodded at her and typed something into their omni-tools before looking at Shepard again.

"Very well. I believe he would make an excellent Councilor."

"The next matter is of the Krogan and Quarians. Urdnot Wrex has requested that we give back some of the old Krogan colonies and we wish to have your opinion on this."

"We know that Urdnot Wrex is a friend of yours and if you believe that he can keep the Krogan in check we are willing to give back those requested colonies and offer the Krogan, again, a position on the Council as well as an embassy, but only if you are positive, without a doubt, that he can lead the Krogan on a righteous path and not one of vengeance."

"I know, Councilor, that Wrex has no plans to exact revenge. He and Bakara want the Krogan to become the species that we believe that they can be and not just mere mercenaries. I have no doubts about that and if I may, I would like to recommend Bakara as the Krogan Councilor." Once again they looked at each other. They seemed to communicate without words, in silence, before nodding and typing into their omni-tools.

"If you believe this, then we will not doubt you Admiral," Tevos said with a slight smile. Sparatus looked at Shepard and cleared his throat.

"Now the matter of the Quarians. We know that they armed their civilian ships with weapons in their war against the Geth and broke many articles of the treaty that they signed, but," he paused taking a moment to look at Tevos and Valern, "given Tali'Zorah vas Normandy's involvement with the Normandy, her loyalty to you, and her determination to secure peace with Geth we have decided to pardon them of all charges."

"Admiral, given your strong ties to the Quarian people do you believe that they are competent and ready to be given an embassy again as well as a Councilor position?" Tevos asked, lowering her would be brows over her eyes.

"I have no doubts."

"But what of Admiral Xen? Do you trust that she will adhere to the laws that we set?" Valern questioned. Shepard sighed and tilted her head. Fucking Xen, she thought. Xen was a pain in the ass, but she listened to Shepard which was probably the only smart thing she had ever done. In her own way she respected Shepard and would be grateful that the Quarian people would be given another chance, despite her own beliefs and convictions.

"Admiral Xen would fall in line, of that I have no doubts. I believe that the Quarians, like the Krogan, have paid for their mistakes and have learned from them."

"We trust your judgment Shepard. Do you recommend anyone for the Councilor position?" Her first thought was Tali, but she knew that Tali would never accept being a Councilor. It was difficult enough for her to be an Admiral and she was not willing to put Councilor of the Quarians on her shoulders. Koris was out of the question as well as Han'Gerrel and Xen. Her thoughts drifted to Raan and her lips turned up in a smile. She would make the perfect Councilor. She was kind, thoughtful and was willing to do anything to preserve her people. Shepard considered her a friend and believed that her thoughts and ideals could help shape the Council.

"Admiral Raan." Valern gave her a funny look.

"Isn't she a bit… emotional?"

"The Council is supposed to be diverse. Bring the best of what each species has to offer. Sparatus has his military background, Tevos is a smart and logical woman, and you are thinker, your people are primarily scientists. Kaidan is a man with integrity and will not make decisions quickly; Bakara is a strong woman, who will, to her utmost abilities, will ensure that the Krogan will work will other species and is not your everyday day Krogan and Raan will bring her experience with AIs to the table and her ability to see beyond what most cannot. The Council will be of all backgrounds and will be what the Galaxy needs. I'm not saying it will be easy, but it's in the best interest of all Galactic civilization."

For a moment Shepard thought that they would disconnect the link but surprisingly they didn't. They seemed to be taking in her words and gave each other those insufferable knowing looks before tapping on their omni-tools.

"You've made your point. We will be contacting them as soon as we are able to inform them of your recommendations. We thank you for your time. If you ever need to contact us, never feel hesitation in doing so. Council out," Tevos said and disconnected.

Shepard sighed; glad to be finally finished with all of her vid-calls but really didn't feel like leaving the room knowing the kind of reception she would get now that she was Admiral and not just any Admiral. She was the highest ranking officer in the Alliance which was the equivalent of General of the Army in the United States Army branch of the Military.

Reluctantly she picked up the data pad and pressed the pad on the door, watching as the green "door knob" swirled in front of her.

Well, she thought, it was now or never.

"Jeff, there is something I have discovered." Joker looked over at EDI, worry etching into his brow.

"Have you figured out what is wrong?" EDI threw him a scathing look and he cringed. She was not taking the fact that she was, well, sick, very well. Tali seemed to be working around the clock to figure out what was causing her malfunction but was still at a complete loss. Liara was trying to help as best she could but there was only so much she could do.

"Every time we jump it deteriorates the Mass Effect core. When we reach Earth the Normandy will be in need of repairs."

"How does that happen?"

"The Mass Effect core is not meant for making the amount of jumps that we need to make it back to Earth. If we are, for example, involved in an altercation with someone we will have to make an emergency jump."

"But isn't that why we installed the drives though?"

"Correct. However, the Mass Effect core was built for emergency jumps only and it was intended for using the Mass Relays for primary FTL jumps. Not for a continuous amount of jumps. If my calculations are correct, which they are, when we reach Earth our Mass Effect core will be completely destroyed and the Normandy will be unable to travel again until she and the core is repaired." Joker sat in his chair for a moment taking in what she said.

"Well. Shit," he said. "Have you told Tali and the engineering crew?"

"Of course. I just sent them a message to their omni-tools."

"Is there anything that they can do to draw some of the power away from the Mass Effect core?" She shook her silver head and swiped her hand over the console in front of her.

"That's just fan-fucking-tastic." EDI looked over at him with a smile plastered to her silicone face.

"You are a very eloquent Human, Jeff."

"Aren't I though?"