A/N:
Someday, we will all have to forgive Miranda for being a slinking cheerleader as Jack would probably put it.

Chapter 13

Forgiving is Hard to do

The two doctors fussed over Jane as Dr. Chakwas tried to scan her and keep her still as Mordin downloaded and skimmed through the data they had retrieved from the Illusive Man.

"Sit still, Jane." Dr. Chakwas commanded sternly. "That biotic hit that you took has me a little worried, I don't want you getting into any more physically demanding activities until you have this baby."

Jane gave her a pleading look and Dr. Chakwas sighed in a way that said: fine, you can still do that, but nothing else. Garrus and Miranda both stood off to the side waiting to be called upon.

"Alright," Dr. Chakwas turned her scanner off and waved Garrus over to allow him to comfort his beloved. "I'm done. There wasn't any damage done to your child. He might have had a little jarring around, but nothing that caused any harm."

Garrus looked up surprised. "It's a boy?"

The doctor laughed. "It's still too early to say, I just have a feeling."

Dr. Chakwas turned and started helping Mordin with the data leaving them to their own demise. Jane looked over at Miranda who was leaning against another medical bed with her arms crossed.

"Thank you for the help." Jane finally admitted.

Miranda smiled weakly. "I know it was hard for you to trust me. Maybe it will still take you a while before you fully trust Jacob and me again."

Jane really did feel bad that she still had a small part of her that did not want to forgive her. "I'm sorry, I really am."

"It's ok, Commander. I understand. That just means we have to work twice as hard at it. Nothing we can't handle." Miranda seemed genuinely happy about it.

Jane cocked her head in slight confusion. Well, at least I can try on my side. "Well, I guess you'll have a hard time doing so if I'm always watching you. I'll tell EDI to stop monitoring you two. I still don't want either of you off the ship by yourselves yet, but I don't care who you take along as long as it's ok with whoever you ask."

Miranda smiled and uncrossed her arms. "Thank you, Commander. I'll let Jacob know, if you don't mind."

Jane nodded a dismissal and Miranda said her good-byes to the doctors before exiting the med lab. Garrus placed a hand on her shoulder as she slumped over a little.

"Am I too hard on them, Garrus?" She asked.

"Hmm… Maybe. Maybe not. I would do the same if it was me." Garrus answered.

Jane chuckled. "You know you can't lie to me, Garrus."

Garrus gave his best "shocked" look. "I would never do such a thing." His features softened a little. "Besides, it does not really matter too much for me. I am upset just as much as you, but it doesn't really seem like their fault. Maybe guilty by association isn't applicable here."

Jane sighed. "Maybe you're right, but that still doesn't change how I feel."

Garrus nuzzled her neck affectionately. "Interesting." Mordin said aloud.

"I don't like how that 'interesting' sounded." Jane said as Dr. Chakwas gave the Salarian a hard look.

"Jane, it seems like the Illusive Man was working with more than just Binary Helix."

What? "Does that mean there are others who may know about… us?" Garrus's voice sounded strained.

Mordin turned toward them. "Very possible. No way of telling for sure. Even so, probabilities of coming after you are… slim."

"You're sure." Jane did not feel sure herself.

"There is always a possibility. But I don't think they will do so now, especially if you go ahead and present this data to the Council now." Dr. Chakwas replied.

Jane gave it some thought before she said anything else. "While it is a good idea to do so, I don't want them to have everything. I want you two to go through it with a fine comb and collect the data only pertaining to the experiments they did to me and any other raw data that may be helpful. Everything else needs to be secured here on the Normandy. I don't want anything falling into the wrong hands. Also keep backup files on the data and it may be a good idea to also send the initial 'medical' data to other researchers who may benefit from this discovery."

Both doctors nodded and went to work. Jane turned to Garrus and planted a kiss on his mandible. "Go tell Joker to head for the Citadel, I need to talk to EDI." Garrus hugged her tightly before heading for the elevator.

Jane turned to enter the AI core to find Legion sitting up in his alcove. Its head swiveled to look at her; the light much brighter than it had been a few hours ago. She smiled and went to go sit with it.

"How are you?" She could not help that she was still upset with both AI's, but she was grateful at the same time and she was worried.

"We are repairing at optimal speed, Commander. All programs will be fully functional within a hour." It flared its eye flaps more fluidly, which was a good sign.

"Good." Jane nodded. "I am going to need your help along with EDI's."

At her name, the AI's bright orb of light filled the room. "I am ready for what ever you need from me."

Jane sighed. She had gotten used to EDI popping in and out everywhere, but sometimes the AI's lack of the understanding of privacy eluded her. Oh well, might as well get started.

"Alright, EDI. We need to access your restricted files and add some new encryptions. I'm going to want you to store the backup data from what we retrieved from the Illusive Man."

Together they worked until Legion was functioning well enough to take over the task. Once the two AI's were at it, Jane left them to get some rest before she was going to have to go before the Council. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

The scene was actually quite funny. At least to Jane it was. It very much reminded her of the day she announced to the Council that Garrus and her were getting married. She had to keep telling herself it would be very impolite to laugh at the moment and clenched her hand on Garrus's to keep from doing so.

All four Council members were speechless and extremely surprised when they informed them of her pregnancy. They even brought Dr. Chakwas and Mordin to help confirm it and to bring along the data they intended to give them.

"This… is remarkable." The Turian councilman stuttered as he looked over the data.

"And very disturbing that someone had the knowledge to do so." The Asari added, looking very worriedly at them. "You are sure that you were able to stop the Illusive Man from continue his work?"

"Yes. We brought back his ashes if you wish to see them." All four shook their heads. "It may also interest you that the Illusive Man was also known as the Shadow Broker." Ambassador Anderson nearly dropped his data pad and Jane had to refrain from laughing again. "Dr. T'Soni has all the information on this and she has told me to tell you all she would be happy to have a meeting to discuses this development."

"Ah, yes of course. We will send her a summons in the next few days." The Salarian tapped his consol.

"May I ask what you all plan to do with this data?" There was not much she could do now but ask. If they decided to not use it, she could always give it to other medical groups, but she rather not have to.

The council members exchanged a few looks amongst themselves. "We will have to discuses this between ourselves for some time. However, it would be a remarkable addition to our medical sciences." The Turian councilman answered.

Jane sighed, she would just have to wait and see then. "I would feel wrong if others did not get the chance like I did. Even if it was without my initial choice."

"You have show us that humanity as more to offer than what we first thought." The Asari waved her hands animatedly as she talked. "Just because a few of your kind are still holding back does not mean that there aren't some things you can give. This just adds to the admiration to your species, quite a few will thank you for it."

Jane did blush a little. "I… uh, thank you. I would like to ask that we put a hold on announcing it if possible."

Anderson coughed. "You know, eventually you will show, and people will begin to talk."

"I know; but until then, I'd like to walk down the Presidium without being bombarded by people who want to ask me constant questions. I'll have plenty of time to do that when I can barely walk thirty meters before having to sit down."

The Council members nodded in agreement. "We will announce your pregnancy and what we plan to do with these findings within a three weeks. Also, until you wish to find a permanent residence, please enjoy the apartments here on the Citadel."

They bowed their heads and wished, a still stunned, Anderson farewell and left to head back to the Normandy. A few more nights on the ship should not be too much of a problem, but it was probably a good idea not to be traveling as much until the child was born.