Quick A/N: This one starts off at the middle of the suicide mission, from Joker's POV, just because I've always wondered what happened in the meantime when everyone is on missions and stuff. :P
Disclaimer: Bioware owns all. Although I do not think this is necessary considering the website IS FAN …
"Joker! Come in Joker!" Shepard's urgent tone caught his attention through his earpiece. His body stiffened, not that he wasn't already on edge…
"Aye ma'am!"
"Did everyone make it on board?"
"Yes Commander, Jacob just got here with the rest of the crew. Thankfully, no casualties." He replied, making a quick mental head count.
"Alright good job, ground team out."
He turned his seat around and stood up with relative ease as he hobbled over to the middle of the crowded CIC. The whole crew was there, unharmed, but shaken to say the least. Kelly Chambers was the first to notice him and she stood up, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Joker, you're alright! Thank heavens, you made it!" She hugged him eagerly as she let a few tears slide down her cheeks.
He smiled and hugged her back, being genuinely glad to see her alive, then he looked over her shoulder to Dr. Chakwas.
"We were all worried about you when the Collectors came…" the elder woman stated. The dark circles under her eyes were evident signs of a traumatic experience, but nevertheless, a small smile came to her at the sight of him.
Similar relieved comments came from the rest of the crew, including Ken, Gabby and even Rupert, who he always thought had it in for him.
Jacob Taylor was the first to speak through the small crowd, interrupting the reunion.
"Alright people, I know we've been through a lot, but we're not out of the furnace yet. Those who need medical attention proceed down to med bay for first aid only, otherwise, to your stations. Commander Shepard is still in there and she needs us!"
"Aye aye sir!" The crew shouted unanimously, including Joker.
Jacob was expecting at least a few of the ones who were limping to retreat to med bay. To his surprise, no one did. The crew almost immediately scattered to their stations, almost glowing with newfound determination.
"EDI! Integrity status report!" Joker demanded urgently as he took out a small fire extinguisher to put out minor fires around the CIC.
"Exterior hull damaged near lower engineering but breach is contained. Several fires around drive core due to overload. Running system diagnostics..." the monotone voice replied.
He finished putting out a minor fire on the bridge when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Jacob was holding out his other hand.
"I'll put out the fire, you concentrate on repairing that drive core." The dark-skinned man said.
"Fine." He handed over the fire extinguisher and started almost running back to his station.
His fingers moved quickly across the panels as he brought up a full holographic schematic of the Normandy's drive core, attempting to get a full grasp on the situation.
"Diagnostics complete." EDI rang in.
"You sure love to take your damn time don't you!" The adrenaline was pumping through his veins.
Sweat drops were starting to show on his forehead and his scalp was beginning to boil inside his hat. EDI had uploaded a full diagnostics report on one of his screens to guide him. But then familiar memories started flooding his brain…
"Commander Shepard!"
The blinding explosion knocked him into the small pod as he lost his balance and fell on his wrist with a crack. "Ahh! Fuck!" Grunting and ignoring the pain, he gathered enough strength to stand and watch as the commander's small body struggled with her suit. Something was wrong…
"SHEPARD!" Desperately, he banged on the glass with his good hand. No, this couldn't be it!
She had defeated Sovereign, she was the savior of the Citadel, she had sacrificed part of the fleet to save the Council! Vera Shepard could NOT meet her end like this!
Suddenly, she stopped struggling…
His eyes were wide and he felt his heart stop as his lungs took a sharp intake.
A lifeless Shepard ignited toward the atmosphere…
It was on that horrible day that Jeff "Joker" Moreau realized Commander Shepard was not just Commander Shepard… she was human.
He shook off the thoughts in his head, concentrating on the repairs. He had failed to notice his hands were now moving furiously across the panels, detecting software malfunctions and repairing.
The sound of heavy gunfire on his earpiece suddenly caught his attention. He froze.
"AHH! FUCK SHEPARD! SHOOT THE DAMN TUBES!" He could hear Jack in the background.
He could hear heavy weapon fire repeatedly, followed by a small feminine grunt.
"Shoot the tubes, I'll cover you!" Garrus' faint voice...
Radio static, garbling… Jack's yelling. Silence. Jeff felt his heart stop.
"Holy shit, it's back up again!" Jack again yelling.
"Cover me while I blow this thing!" Shepard's voice. His breathing resumed.
He finished his repairs in record timing, even by his standards. Jacob soon informed him that the fires were out and the drive core looked stable.
"EDI, run diagnostics on the drive core again." Joker was taking every precaution.
"Running… drive core stable and functional, Mr. Moreau."
"That's what I love to hear!"
"The Illusive Man wishes to speak to the commander." EDI announced in his earpiece.
"Patch it through." Joker then pressed a button on one of his panels and the Illusive Man's voice could be heard through the ship. "This should be good…" he said, while starting up the Normandy once again.
The crew dropped their duties, listening intently to the Illusive Man's offer to Shepard. Keep the Reaper base intact…? How the hell could he even propose that! For the good of mankind? That was bullshit! Kelly looked repulsed and angry, especially considering she had been in one of those horrible pods. What she had seen… what she had suffered… what good could come from that!
And without a moment's hesitation, Shepard's voice rang clearly through the ship. There was no way in hell she was going to leave this station intact! No way in hell she was going to let Reaper technology fall into the wrong hands, no way in hell she would compromise the galaxy!
He smirked, THAT was his Shepard. His Shepard, his smirk grew wider… The crew whole crew cheered in an uproar as she cut off the Illusive Man mid-sentence.
"Ground team to Normandy, we need pick up! Is the Normandy operational?" Miranda sounded calm and collected as usual.
"Yes ma'am. On my way now. ETA: two minutes."
"Make it less." She said, rapid gunfire in the background.
He made a mocking face, "make it less, nag, nag, nag… you want to do my job for me, be my guest!"
"I heard that, you know?"
"I take it back." He said apologetically, while air quoting.
Heavy fire was heard in the background, and the grind of the Collector particle beam cut through it and Joker was already on his way, maneuvering the ship through the gigantic base.
" Miranda, are you alright?" Samara asked next to her.
"I'm fine, keep running!" The woman replied.
"Structure won't hold much longer!" Mordin exclaimed.
He cursed under his breath. "EDI, take over! I'm going to the armory!" Joker cried out.
"Understood."
He hobbled quickly over to the armory, picking up a burst shot assault rifle. Pleased with his choice, he got back just in time to watch the airlock open while Miranda and the rest of the ground team fought off the Collectors. He saw her limping with Grunt by her side, Mordin was providing cover along with Thane while Samara used her biotics to throw three collectors over the edge of the black platform. Tali was the closest as she jumped into the Normandy, shooting a scion to pieces in the process… blue gunk staining her mask. Once Tali was inside, she helped Joker provide cover for the rest of the crew. Miranda and Grunt were next…
"EDI get us closer!" Joker yelled. The ship slowly moved closer to the edge allowing Miranda to be at arm's reach.
Both Joker and Tali helped pull her inside as she cried out in pain. The blood stain on her leg was getting larger…
"Get her to med bay, I'll handle this." Joker said, turning to Tali.
She nodded in agreement and then Joker turned to Grunt, who jumped into the Normandy with a clumsy roll. Joker smirked as he ejected his clip and replaced it. The others followed shortly, ending with Samara, who made one last biotic blast to clear the platform and then collapsed on the deck.
Suddenly, panic struck over him. Shepard…
"Thane! Where's Shepard?" He asked desperately.
The drell panted as he wiped blood off of his mouth. "We got separated and she went on ahead with Jack and Garrus… she went to the main chamber…"
His eyes opened widely and he found himself flying back to his seat, rifle in hand. The Normandy was on the move once again.
"Do you copy! Commander! Come on Shepard don't leave me hanging, do you copy!" Distress rang clearly in his tone, his hands were shaking.
"I'm here Joker… did the ground team make it?" Her voice had never sounded so sweet. Oh thank God…
"All survivors on board, we're just waiting for you." He replied.
He could hear a light humming… seeker swarms. The Normandy accelerated as he ground his teeth. Her panting was the only thing that kept him from going over the edge. She was breathing, she was running… running back to him.
"EDI!" He stood up, ignoring the strain on his bones.
"Affirmative."
The ship sharply rose to the platforms above them and the airlock opened once again revealing Jack and Garrus running toward the Normandy in a barrage of fire. Providing cover fire, he managed to pick up the couple running towards him. Shepard was still behind…
Come on, come on, come on you can do this!
A large chunk of platform suddenly collapsed, knocking down the platform closest to the ship… the distance was suddenly greatly increased… she would have to leap across the void. A wave of panic suddenly struck him, she wasn't going to make it! His memories returned…
"You're not doing this to me again Shepard!" He yelled, shooting furiously at the Collectors behind her.
She was close enough to the ledge now, he could see her eyes… fear? She leaped, reaching out to him and everything seemed to slow down. Something grazed her arm past her shields. She grunted, but kept her gaze on him, only on him. Next thing he knew, she was hanging on the deck, Garrus quickly reaching out to help her up. His mind traveled back to himself and the airlock closed.
He made his way to his station as spoke up.
"Detonation in 10, 9, 8-"
Annoying! "Yeah I get the gist of it EDI! Hold on!"