Shepard awoke on the couch, a happy cartoon playing on the television. Haku held Shepard in a hug, as a child would hug a teddy bear, and Michael had somehow gotten into the floor, and was in a fetal-position, remote still in his hands.
Shepard stood, taking Haku off of him, and attempted taking the remote from Michael. Michael subconsciously jerked it away. Shepard frowned and stepped on Michael's wrist, then ripped the remote from his hand. Shepard then turned the television off, putting the remote in his pocket.
'My crew will not spend all day watching television,' Shepard thought, and walked over to the refrigerator. Shepard didn't even put his hand on the handle when he remembered that it would be empty, as he cleaned it out the day he left. 'Nearly a month ago.' Shepard remembered. His omni-tool beeped, and Shepard looked at it. It read:
'Messages from Tali (1)
Messages from Garrus (1)
Messages from Lawson (2)
Messages from Anderson (1)'
And the list went on. Every member of his crew (Thane and Mordin passed on due to sickness and old age, respectfully) had sent him a message. Shepard immediately read the ones he knew wouldn't be angry, meaning Tali and Garrus'. Tali's read:
'Dear Shepard,
Garrus says you came through C-Sec today. Why didn't you sent me a message, you forgetful bosh'tet? I'm not mad, though. You've had a rough life, even before...you-know-what. Come and visit me when you have the time, though, alright?
Sincerely, Tali.'
Shepard smiled, and quickly typed a message. It read:
'Dear Tali,
Sorry I didn't send a message. I didn't expect to visit the Citadel so soon. Garrus probably didn't mention the two humans I had in tow, and, Miranda being Miranda, she probably didn't tell you about Haku, so I'll tell you about my new team. Michael's a pilot and T.V. junkie, while Haku is a soldier, and fairly mysterious. Mysterious as in 'I-don't-know-her-gender' mysterious. I consider Haku a she, though, as to not give myself a head-ache wondering about it all day. On another note, can I visit today? I'll bring Michael and Haku, though; Michael might get himself killed, and Haku might start a fight again.
Sincerely, Shepard.'
Shepard sent the message, and read Garrus'. It read:
'Shepard! It's been a long time, Shep. I told Tali you came into the Citadel, though you probably know that because you read her message before anyone else's message. Don't worry, I know you trust her a lot; she helped you out a lot back when life was rough for you. You're life is still rough, from what I hear, but you're still helping people. That human that was with you was enslaved (official story is she was kidnapped, but that's a cover-up. Can't believe the government still covers stuff like that up) was in that station where those batarians were killed, right? Don't worry about me going all C-Sec cop on you; when we're talking (messaging, whatever) it's all confidential.
-Garrus.'
Shepard replied:
'Yeah, I did kill those batarians, but they were going to attack Haku. That guy, Michael, and Haku are my new team of ragtag adventurers. I'll be coming over to visit if Tali gives me the go ahead. Until then I'll be resting and getting to know the team.
-Sincerely, Shepard.'
Shepard sent the message, and Haku walked into the room, her hair messy. She was scratching her head, yawning.
"What's for breakfast?" She asked.
"We'll order out once Michael wakes up." Shepard said, sitting down at the kitchen table.
"Up." Haku said.
"Hm?" Shepard asked.
"We need to change the bandages on your bullet wound." Haku said.
"I'll be fine. I took several bullets during my time in the Alliance." Shepard said.
"But you weren't a fifty-year-old divorcee with more stress than the average politician who's being forced into action that will effect several lives." Haku said.
"That's a specific metaphor." Shepard said, standing and taking his jacket off, then his shirt.
"Oh jeez." Haku muttered, blushing again.
Shepard wondered why she said that, but ignored it. If a bullet wound was infected, it wouldn't matter: it wouldn't stop him.
Haku slowly began taking the bandages off, trying not to hurt Shepard. "So, were you really that charismatic back in the day?"
"Stop talking to me like I'm old." Shepard said. "I'm around forty."
"But your gray hair screams 'I'm old!' You'll never get a woman with hair like that, Shep." Haku said.
"I don't care about dating. I have a singular goal in life."
"And that's not healthy, Shep."
"Neither is getting shot."
"Which is your fault."
"Maybe so, but I'll get shot again before this is over." Shepard said.
"Let's hope not more than necessary." Haku said, putting bandages on Shepard. "It's not infected, and healing relatively quick. Tell me, Shep, why don't you let the Illusive Man go?"
"I'm a stubborn old bosh'tet." Shepard said. "I don't forget a favor, and I don't stop until something is done. We're going to see one of my old friends later today."
"You have friends?" Michael asked, walking into the room. "Where's my remote?"
"Yes, I have friends, and my remote is in my pocket." Shepard said. "We're ordering breakfast. What do you want?"
"A burrito." Michael said, sitting down at the table. "With, like, rice and stuff."
Shepard looked at him, eyebrow raised. "Out of anywhere in the Citadel, no matter how expensive, you want Mexican food?"
"Yeah. Just 'cause you're rich doesn't mean I want fancy food." Michael said.
"I want steak and eggs, like a normal human being would eat." Haku said.
"As part asari, I find that offensive." Michael said.
"You can't be 'part asari' and male." Haku said.
"I've only had asari girlfriends, so I think, by now, I'm at least part asari." Michael said. "Bisexual chicks are hot, right, Haku?"
"Yep." Haku answered.
Shepard kicked Michael's chair over, and Michael slammed onto the floor.
"I'm beginning to think you like Haku more." Michael said, still laying on the floor.