Shepard put a blue polo shirt, jeans, and running shoes on, looking miserable. Haku and Michael had woke him up, jumping on his bed. Apparently, Haku had told Michael that she was taking her 'field-trip' with Shepard today, and he wanted them out of the house.
"It's like getting my parents out of the house when my girlfriend's over," Michael explained. "If I'm getting any, I don't want two old, crusty people near."
With that comment, Michael obviously had his nose broken, so as Shepard put clothes Haku had bought for him on, Haku had fixed Michael's nose.
"This is still a good day," Michael shrugged.
Shepard walked out of the bathroom, holding his hands out. "Do I meet your approval, Haku?"
"Don't make it sound like I'm some dictator." Haku said. "But yes, you do."
"Are you two gonna get married and have kids? Or adopt kids?" Michael asked.
"I can't have kids." Haku said.
"I knew you were a man!" Michael shouted, jumping up and pointing at Haku. "You're a dude! Dude looks like a lady!"
"There are women who can't have children, too." Shepard pointed out, and Michael deflated, falling to his knees.
"Are we ever going to know if Haku is a guy or not?" Michael moaned.
"If Shepard plays his cards right." Haku smiled deviously. "I'll wait in the car."
"Dude, can you tell me how to pick up chicks? I mean, if Haku's not a guy, she's hot. And Miranda was hot." Michael said, wincing when Shepard put his hand out.
"Are you going to accept my help or not?" Shepard asked.
"Oh." Michael said, and took Shepard's hand. The Commander pulled him to his feet and Michael said "You're not as mean as you used to be, y'know?"
Shepard patted Michael on the arm. "Michael, Isabella likes you for being an annoying teenage criminal."
Michael looked surprised. Both because Shepard was insulting and complimenting him.
"Be yourself. If she doesn't like you that way, find another girl."
"But how am I going to find a good-looking human who likes me?"
"I can get you into high-class parties. I am the Savior of the Galaxy."
"Huh. I thought you wouldn't use that card."
"I will for my crew or my goal." Shepard said, and left.
"Thanks!" Michael called after him.
Haku directed Shepard to an office in the Presidium and, after a silent elevator ride, they arrived at an Alliance Ambassador's office. As soon as the elevator opened, the ambassador looked up, and smiled after seeing Haku. She had Chinese ancestry, with short black hair just short of her shoulders.
"Haku!" The woman said, standing and hugging the Soldier. "It's been years! Were you really enslaved?"
Haku nodded. "Shepard saved me. He thinks I'm a girl, so make sure to say 'she'."
"Playing head games with others again?" Sakura shook her head, smiling. "Some things never change."
Shepard walked forward, holding his hands behind his back in his favorite stance. He'd done all of his interviews in the same Alliance Navy stance.
"Hello. I'm Sakura." The woman nodded. "Haku's my adopted sibling."
"It's good to meet you. I'm Commander Shepard."
"Don't you have to say 'ex-Commander?'" Sakura asked.
Shepard shrugged. "No one ever said to, so I never did."
"Well, it's nice to meet you in person." Sakura said, shaking Shepard's hand. "Haku and I started talking to each other over the extranet, though she never said who saved her. I can't thank you enough for saving her."
"No need to thank me." Shepard said, not truly feeling like he needed to be thanked. Shepard was having mixed feeling about Haku; he didn't know if he wanted her as a friend, as more, or if he wanted her near him.
"What a cliché thing to say, Shep." Haku smiled, taking his hand. "Sit down."
"Do you want a drink?" Sakura asked, holding up a wine bottle.
Shepard shook his head. "I don't drink. Can I have water?"
"Sure." Sakura said. "How about you, Haku?"
"Give me the booze." Haku laughed.
Sakura began pouring drinks, talking to Haku about life. Haku skipped around the gunfights, left out everything about any criminal activities any of the squad had done, and omitted Isabella's last name.
"Mike sounds like quite a character." Sakura said, holding her wine glass up. "To Haku. The toughest girl I know!"
Shepard clinked his glass with the girls' wine glasses, and sipped the ice water.
"So, Shepard," Sakura said. "Are you dating Haku?"
Shepard shrugged. "Is Haku a man or a woman?"
Sakura zipped her mouth shut. "Haku's been androgynous since she was a kid, and I've been messing with others since then. If someone thinks Haku's one gender, I go with it. So, since you think Haku's a girl, I'll think she's a girl."
"Hm." Shepard said. "I guess I'll find out eventually."
"So, sis, are you going to date Shep?" Sakura asked.
Haku shrugged. "If Shep wants me too."
"Why are you talking as if I'm not here?" Shepard asked.
"Because you never give certain answers." Sakura said.
"Ask any question, and I'll give you a 'certain answer.'" Shepard said.
"Alright. Do you think Haku's a woman?" Sakura asked.
"Yes." Shepard said.
"Do you still have feeling for Miranda?" Haku asked.
"What kind of feelings?" Shepard asked.
"Love?" Haku asked.
"No."
"Would you still date Haku if she wasn't a woman?" Sakura asked.
"Yes."
Sakura whistled. "He's dedicated."
"Are you happy with me even if I can't have children?" Haku asked. This was, obviously, a touchy subject with her.
"Yes." Shepard said, then looked to Sakura, an idea suddenly presenting itself. "Sakura, can you help me?"
"With anything." Sakura said, completely trusting Shepard.
"I want to have custody of my daughter," Shepard said. "Begin the case, and the press will latch on. Show them I'm completely able to take care of her once I tell you it's okay."
"Alright." Sakura said. "'Til then, I'll search up information and people who'll vouch for you."
"Thank you." Shepard said, for a moment looking like his old self.
"Hey, a friend of Haku's is a friend of mine." Sakura smiled.