a/n: Thanks for the reviews guys. They fuel me. This chapter isn't as horrible, I promise, though it is short. I liked the way I ended it and couldn't allow it to go further. Yes I'm going a little off the canon path, but I find it suites my Shepard and will help shape the person she becomes.

-brittsis

She wasn't going back to the hospital. They'd only want to run test that was useless anyways. She was a biotic now, there was no denying it after her little display. Rae decided to ignore her new abilities. It was a problem for another day. For now she was dressed in her best slacks and top, watching the men that put her brother into the ground. Not wanting to cause anything, Rae had stood atop the hill and watched the funeral at a distance. Most of the colony was at attendance. Brandon had been a well like young man that made it his point to help others. He once told Rae that serving in the alliance was his way of helping everyone at once. He had planed on returning home one day. take over the family business and run the farm so his parent's could retire. But while he was young, he wanted to help the galaxy. Brandon had given his life to helping other people.

Rae whipped a tear away and turned to leave, intending to go home and pack some clothes before her family had returned. She'd leave them to their peace and find somewhere else to stay. She only had four years until she was eighteen. Then she'd leave the planet and find work somewhere, anywhere but here.

"Raegan Shepard right?" Rae looked up to find the lieutenant from the ship in his dress blues walking towards her.

"You could say that," Rae answered and shook the man's hand. "I never caught your name though."

"Lieutenant Anderson, David Anderson. I wasn't able to catch you at the hospital, needed to file paper work and help with the clean up. I wanted to give you my sincerest apologies for your loss."

"Thank you Lieutenant, but I must be going." Rae tried to move past him, but he only stepped in front of her.

"I only need but a moment of your time Raegan." Anderson waited until she nodded before continuing. "The brass was asking questions, wondering how so many of ours made it off alive. I told them about you and they want to award you with a medal. Real Admiral Hackett is on his way to pin it on you himself."

Rae flinched at the news. "I don't deserved it sir. I was just doing it because I couldn't do anything else."

"That's exactly why they're wanting to give it to you child. You're exactly what this galaxy needs right now. A hero that does it because she couldn't do anything else. Please just consider it."

Rae sighed and gave a brief nod, "I'll think about it."

"Rae you in here!" Bodie's voice echoed through the empty house. Raegan was in her room, quickly throwing a duffel bag together. She arrived only a few minutes ago and knew it was a matter of time before her family arrived. Bodie's voice had drifted into her room just as her fingers had ghosted over a photo of the two of them. It had been taken by her brother without either of their knowledge. Bodie was sitting on the top step of the porch and she once step down. She was sitting between his legs, leaving against his chest, while he had his chin on her shoulders. They were bother smiling as their fingers were locked on Bodie's knee. Tyron had taken the snap shot as he snuck out the side door and crept around the side. A copy had been sent to Brandon as proof of what their baby sister had been up to while he was absent.

Rae gasped softly and snatched the picture up, tossing it into the bag with her stuff. She zipped the bag closed and stepped out her door as Bodie reached the top of the stairs. Rae placed her finger on her lips before crossing the hallway to Brandon's room. She hesitated for only a moment before opening the door and stepping inside. The room was pristine, cleaned by her mother a few days ago in preparation for her brother's arrival. Rae knew exactly what she wanted and headed right for it. Pulling open her brother's closet, she dug all the way to the back and pulled out an old black hoodie that hid in the back. It was torn, worn, and stained but it was his. Throwing it on, she retreated back out to the hall, closing the door behind her.

"Come on," Rae grabbed Bodie's hand and pulled him out of the house and away from its memories.

They ended up in the back of the gym where Coach had allowed her to set up a cot. She had explained to him what happened and after some arguing agreed to let her bunk there. It was a small room, just big enough for a cot and small desk, for school work as Coach had put it. Rae threw her bag onto the desk and dropped onto the cot.

"You weren't at the funeral, I was worried." Bodie sat down beside her and combed his fingers through her hair.

Rae closed her eyes and for a second could believe that nothing had changed. It was brief but it was delicious. "I was there, just didn't want to disturb anyone."

Bodie frowned but left it alone. There was tome for it later. He put his arm around her and pulled her close, her head falling to his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head and closed his eyes, "I'm here when you want to talk."

"I know."

Her opponent was larger then her, standing at least a head and a half over her. His reach was longer and he wasn't stupid about it. She was faster and younger though, able to get out of situations that would ruin most of his opponents. They had danced around each other for half an hour now, both drenched in sweat but neither tiring. Rae took a step closer, testing his reaction, then quickly ducked his punch. She was able to throw two quick ones into his guy before retreating. He stepped forward and swung, she ducked once again but wasn't close enough to return the favor.

The crowd was thick, the gym filled with spectators and betters, all screaming and yelling for their chosen side. Rae could hear their cries for action as the two experimented, trying to find a chink in the other's armor. It had been awhile since she had such an adversary and she enjoyed the challenge.

"Soldier what's going on here?" An authoritative voiced yelled over the crowd, causing a hush to fill the gym. The man across from her turned from her, arms dropping. Spotting her chance, Rae rushed in and assaulted him. He didn't recover fast enough. She threw three to his head and one to his shoulders when his hands went back up. By then she was to close for him to retaliate. Rae grinned and put one in his gut, causing him to loose his breath. He instinctually grabbed his guy, leaving him open for her three combo killer. He hit the mat and the official started the count. The crowd cheered and groaned appropriately as Rae was declared the winner.

Fight over, Rae climbed down from the mat as medical went in to tend to the man. She sat on her stool and proceeded empty her water bottle. The man from older circled around the matt and approached her. It was then that she spotted the uniform and Anderson tagging behind him. This man was obviously the Rear Admiral that the Lieutenant mentioned a few days ago. The man makes quick time.

"You must be Raegan Shepard," the older man held out his hand. "Rear Admiral Steven Hackett."

Rae took his hand as she stood and tossed the bottle into the recycler. "Pleasure to meet you Sir. Now if you don't mind, I need to hit the shower and get to work on some school work."

Hackett grinned and released her hand. "Just a moment of your time is all I need. How old are you Raegan?"

"Fourteen sir."

"And yet you took on a man twice your age and knocked him out."

Raegan shrugged, "Yes sir I did."

"Why?"

"Because he came into my gym and criticized our fighters. Said that anyone that trained here wasn't half the fighters that were trained at his gym." Raegan grinned, "Sir, nobody comes into my home and slanders my friends."

As she turned and left, Hackett chuckled softly. Anderson grinned and looked at his friend and officer. "She fought him because he slandered her friends, not herself."

"This is why I mentioned her to you sir," Anderson replied. "She's everything humanity needs."