a/n: So many people have added my story to their favorites or alerts, this makes me so happy. I'm going over chapters with my beta now, so expect chapters to be edited. Nothing major, just grammar to save my self pride. I actually used their instead of there -hides-. On another note, I'm going to try, big word TRY, to give you a chapter a day. If I don't get distracted by my roommates. -brittsis

Rae looked at herself in the mirror and frowned. She never did like wearing a skirts or dresses. They restricted her movement and demanded her attention. She preferred to go in slacks but Coached had insisted that the ceremony demanded formal wear. Most of the colony as well as several military officials was in attendance. She still couldn't believe she agreed to receive the award. But Coach had talked her into it, saying that sometimes you had to let other's celebrate your achievements.

"Come in," Rae called and turned from the mirror as there was a knock on the door. Bodie entered, his coat over his arm and tie in his hand. She greeted him with a soft kiss. "You look great." She straightened his collar and took the tie from him. Rae knotted it and pulled it tight before laying it flat at his throat.

"Thanks," Bodie replied both for the compliment and the tie. "You look horrible though, never looked right in a dress." His laugh turned to a grunt of pain as she punch him in the side. His ribs were still tender but it got a smile out of her. "That's better. I've missed your smile. Now let me look at you."

He stepped back and got a good look at her dress. Coach had picked and bought it for her, other wise Rae would have worn slacks and a nice top. Her shoulders were bare as the sleeved only covered her upper arm. The neckline stopped just at her collar bone. It was a emerald with black lace overlay in the shape of vines. The dress fell to just above her ankle where thin black slippers graced her feet. Her hair short hair was curled then tied into an up do by three thin black cords around her head. She simple silver earrings and black elbow length gloves to complete the ensemble. Bodie only had one word for it, "Beautiful."

Rae ducked her head, trying hard not to blush. "Don't get use to it. I hate dresses."

Bodie pulled his jacket on them held out his arm, "Milady, I am here to escort you to our venue. If you are ready?"

She chuckled softly and took the offered arm. "Thank you my good Sir."

Rae tried her hardest not to shift nervously in her chair. Her eyes were glued on the podium at the front of the stage as Lieutenant Anderson told her story and how she earned the award. He had the ability to move the crowd and had everyone in applause as she stood. Hackett meet her at the podium. As he pinned the medal to her dress, he spoke into the microphone. "Raegan Cyrene Shepard, for you actions aboard the SSV Gravely, we, the Systems Alliance, present you with the Medal of Valor."

Stepping back, Hackett raised his hand in salute. Rae could hear several chairs scrap across the floor. She turned to find that every soldier she saved and their friends and families had done the same. Her eyes burned with gratitude as she turned back to Hackett and raised her hand in salute.

After the ceremony there was a lengthy dinner then a ball. It was held in the colony's town hall decorated by the high schools decoration committee. Smooth classical music filled the building while couples danced in the middle and groups gathered around the dance floor. Bodie spun her around and Rae couldn't help but smile and laugh. Her brother's death still hung heavy on her heart but she knew he wouldn't want her to mourn forever. Tonight was a night of celebration. The song ended and Hackett tapped the young man on the shoulder. "Mind if I take the next one?"

Bodie shook his head and bowed out, retreating to the refreshment table. The next song started and Rae took the Admiral's hand.

"I wanted to speak with you Raegan." Hackett began.

"No need to thank me again Admiral. To many people have thanked me enough to last me a life time." Rae took a deep breath and kept herself from frowning.

"I actually have a proposition for you. Do you have a plan for your future yet""

Rae shook her head and closed her eyes briefing. Ever since she graduated from junior high school adults have asked her over and over again about her future. She could do two years of vocation training then another two of apprenticeship, quit school and find a job, or continue her schooling with four years in senior high school. Ayden had done two and two, apprenticing in boxing. Brandon and Tyron had gone to senior high, and Galvin had just finished his two years of vocation training in electronics. The only vocation that appealed to her was boxing and Rae didn't want to work a dead in job in the slums of the colony. Bodie was going to senior high.

"Either vocation or senior high, I still have another month to decide sir." Rae responded, hoping he wouldn't push further.

"What if I said I had another option for you?" Hackett asked then smiled at the questions that flooded her face. "There's a school for special kids like you. Children that have caught the eyes of the Alliance and show extreme promise. It's the fast track to officer training and an early boot for those wanting to join the Alliance. We offer specialized training, even for ones with biotics. But it won't be easy. The school is a boarding school stationed on Earth. You can come home for holidays and the summer but other wise live on campus. It's also strict."

Rae hadn't considered joining the military before. It hadn't even been the remotest of choices before. But now? She would need time to think about it. "Can I have time to think?"

Hackett nodded, "I leave in one week, if you could give me your answer by then. There are arrangements to be made and any later would prove to late to pull it together."

"Thank you sir, I appreciate the thought."

The music ended and Hackett bowed out, "You're welcome dear, until next time."

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Bodie asked. They were sitting at the local park, discussing their future. Raegan had told him Hackett's offer and after some discussion she had decided to take the Admiral up on the deal. The only problem was leaving him behind while school was in session. She had informed Hackett a few days after the party and was now waiting on the paper work to get pushed through. The school started in a few weeks, earlier than Mindior.

"Yes. I want to do something good with my life. I want to help others and the Alliance will allow me to do that." Raegan sighed and leaned against him, head on his shoulder. Bodie wrapped his arm around her and nodded.

"I'll miss you."

Rae smiled softly and took his hand in hers, "I'll miss you to. I'll write as often as I can."

They were silent for a few minutes, just enjoying each other's company and watching the stars above them. "Where do you see us going?" Bodie asked suddenly, scaring Rae slightly.

"I… I don't know. There's just so much changing around us and even more on the way." Rae sighed and lifted her head to look at him. "For now let's just enjoy what we have."