A/N Soo yeah, I'm alive, and it's been a long time since my last update.. Sorry sorry... Dont know how many of you will still care about this story but... I got my inspiration back. This story WILL be finished, I swear on it. Though swearing is bad isnt it? Well life got me down for a few months, and I was in a bad place, one not suitable for writing. I still dont feel a hundred percent now, but I had to update this. I have to say, the beginning is pretty bad. )I forgot the names of almost all the orginal councilors, so if someone would be amazing and tell me the names, that'd be great) Bear with me here, the ending though, I quite like. Made me smile while writing it. Enough rambling, Get reading, my readers! ;P
Ashley took the long hallway to the room she was directed to. It was much busier than Shepard's hallway.
Shepard. Alive, cheating death a second time, Ashley smiled at the thought. With no Reapers to fight against, now what? Ashley thought to herself. She'd never know the answer to her own question, because a load of squeals overtook her hearing and very thoughts. Her sisters stormed toward her, Abby lagged behind a bit though, it's what you get with a broken leg. Sarah however, seemed to lag for different reasons.
While Lynn and Abby hugged their older sister, the youngest Williams was much more hesitant. The fight they had was on the forefront of both minds.
"I'm glad you're alright, sis." Lynn said, bumping her shoulder.
"Yeah, you too," Ashley said to Lynn, then she turned to Abby with an arched eyebrow. "You know, my story is much better," she said, gesturing to Abby's broken leg.
"Yeah well," Abby said with a nervous laugh, "blame the bad guys."
"It's over? It's really over?" Ashley's mom said, making her appearance. "The Reapers, are gone, dead?" she questioned.
"Only the husks remain, but there really wasn't much left in them anyway." Ash said with a shrug. "But yeah, it's uh, it's finally over," Ashley said in awe.
To be truly over, the fighting, the battles, the war, it was overwhelming. Now everyone could start rebuilding. It would be a rocky start, a tough road, but Ashley knew, her soldier's instinct screamed at her, everything was going to be fine. Once of course, she cleared the air.
"That's amazing!" Abby said, with a huge smile. While the other Williams girls talked, laughed and cheered, Ash made her way to Sarah.
"Hey," Sarah said when Ashley was close enough. "I, I can't believe it's over," she whispered. "Thomas, he didn't die for nothing, he helped end this all," she continued.
"Yeah, Sarah, Thomas helped end the war with the Reapers," Ash said with a smile, putting a gentle arm around her sister. She killed people with the hand she rested on her sister's shoulder. She fought, broken it, shattered it, but most importantly she killed with it. Ended the 'bad guys' lives' She also carried the wounded with them, reached out to help someone, saluted with it, and now, here she was just casually resting it on Sara's shoulder.
There was no more war, no more fighting. Now she got to treasure her time, and her life, and all that was thanks to Shepard. Not just Shepard, Ashley thought, Garrus, Tali, Liara, Javik, James. Ashley frowned when she realized she was only thanking the ones that survived, when the real heroes were the ones that didn't make it. Thomas, Ashley thought, glancing at her youngest sister, Thane, that drell. Legion, EDI. All those remarkable men and women in uniform, Kaidan... All of them helped end this war in some way or form. Ashley bowed her head, and said her sincere thanks, along with a prayer for those lost.
"Can we talk?" Sarah asked. Ashley knew that talking to Sarah was her main reason for being here. The main reason she had left Shepard's room. Ashley led them away from the small family group. Once out of earshot, Ashley closed her eyes and shook her head.
"I'm sorry for being," Ash paused, A major, royal bitch? Yeah pretty much, she thought to herself. "cold. I was upset."
"I guess I do understand, you and Shepard were certainly something special. I just can't..." Sarah paused, "I really am sorry, if I would had known things were as bad, I wouldn't have fought with you."
"Looking back at the fight, it was ridiculous, and uncalled for. Tension was high, and I cracked." Ash gave a sad smile. With a squeeze from her sister's hand, Ash decided it was time for some happy news. "But, the main reason I wanted to talk to you was to apologize, and give some news." Ash said. She leaned her arms against the railing, leaning on her forearms, a very casual stance.
Sarah looked at her and nodded, giving Ash the go ahead.
"Shepard is, well, this is difficult to explain. Sarah, he woke up when I was in the room with him." Ash gave a humorless chuckle, "He's going to live, again. Cheating death, again."
Sarah stood shocked, her jaw hanging low, and her eyes were unblinking. The face of shock.
"That's wonderful, Ashley!" Sarah said with a broad smile, before giving her sister a hug.
"Yeah," Ash gave sigh, "you think so?"
"Of course! Maybe now we'll get to meet him," Sarah said with a wink. "You never did bring him around,"
"Well it's kinda hard and all with what was going on," Ash said.
"I know, I was joking." Sarah cast a glance towards the others, "we should tell them the good news too."
"What? They don't know though," Ash said, totally confused.
"I uh.." Sarah gave a sheepish look, "might have told them about Shepard dying," she paused, "And that you were taking it a bit hard,"
Ash stood mouth open, her sister did what!?
"Listen I'm sorry, but, you were upset, I never saw you cry over someone like that, other than dad." Sarah said lowly. "I was worried and asked mom for help,"
"What did she say?"
"That it happens, it's part of the grieving process, that I went through it too." Sarah said, kicking at the ground.
"I just..." What could I say? Ashley thought, I mean, I was upset, and it would've been nice for my mom's comfort, but they didn't need to know everything! Ashley thought.
"I'm sorry," Sarah said, genuinely for what she did.
"Let's just," Ash paused, looking at her family, "go tell them."
They walked towards the group with Sarah leading Ash. Ash didn't hear anything they said, but she could guess they were talking about her.
"Ash, I..." her mother paused, stopping her sentence when Ash shook her head.
"Sarah told you that the medical staff were pullin' Shepard off life support, right?" Ash asked her sisters and mother.
"Yeah, and we all wanted to say," Lynn starts, coming forward and hugging her sister tightly, "we feel your loss with you, and well..."
Ash gave a smile and held up her hand, the fact that her family wanted to help take the burden of a death off of her shoulders was comforting.
"He's not dead, guys." Ash said, glancing at all of them in turn. Their faces were all a single expression. Shock.
"How!" Her mother asked.
"Well, they were going to pull the plug on his machines," Ashley said, reliving the sadness. "But, he woke up, right as I was leaving. It's a miracle that he's alive." While Ash added 'again' under her breath.
"Oh my god! How is this possible?" Abby asked, frowning.
Sarah spoke up, "It's the Commander Shepard, i'm sure he just couldn't leave with Ash here." Sarah joked bumping shoulders with Ashley. Ashley's mouth hung wide, for a moment she was unsure. She quickly glanced around worriedly and back to her family.
"I can explain!" Ashley quickly said, raising her hands in defense. The bewildered look her mother gave her made Ashley groan. This was going to take some time to explain.
"A relationship with your commanding officer!" her mother squealed.
"I swear, it wasn't what you think it is, it's just during our mission together-" Ashley's mother held her hands up, shaking her head and turned from Ash. Ash faltered, this was not what she was expecting. "I-" her mother turned turned and with a huge smile. "What?"
"Ashley Madeline Williams, you don't think I know my oldest daughter like the back of my hand? I was just waiting for you to say something. I knew there was a thing between you two."
"I- Wha- Hold up!" Ash finally stuttered out, "What do you mean, 'you knew'" Ash said using air quotations.
"I was once in love too, Ashley. I was also young,"
"Oh really? You, young? Never knew!" Sarah commented in the back. Earning a playful glare from their mother.
"Anyways," Ash's mother said, steering the conversation away from her. "You should bring him around soon. Once he heals of course."
"Uh, yeah, I planned on it." Ash stated confused, where the hell did that go?
Ashley made her way back to Shepard's room, only to see reporters, lots and lots of reporters.
"Hello! Here we are at the site of Commander Shepard's room, in there now, are the members of the Council. We all want to know what's being discussed with our resident first human Spectre-"
Ashley had heard enough from the female reporter in the purple and black dress, that did not look good on her. Ashley pushed her way through the crowd of Omni-Tools and floating cameras.
"'Scuse me, what's going on?" Ashley asked the reporter.
"Oh wow! You're on Shepard's crew!" then in a stage whisper, "Cameras rolling?"
"No, no, no, no," Ashley said holding out her hands, as if that would deter the verbal onslaught.
"Here we are, with one of Shepard's crew who has agreed to answer our questions." The reporter paused, holding the Omni-Tool under Ashley's mouth. "What is the physical state of the Commander? Will he recover soon? Rumors state that Shepard is in a relationship, can you tell us who with?"
Well, that escalated quickly. What happened to questions on Shepard's state? Ashley murmured her I don't knows and tried to push the Omni-Tool away from her.
"Excuse me, I believe now is the time to disperse." A raspy voice came to Ash's aid. Thanks to Hackett, the reporter looked at Hackett and nodded, then to Ashley with a glare.
In the mere seconds that Hackett spoke, all the reporters, and cameras left. Ashley was standing, frowning, and still completely confused.
"You have to watch out for reporters, Williams. They fire rapid questions, and refuse to let you answer. It's a pain in the ass." Hackett said, clasping his hands behind his back.
"I expected some craziness, but not this much." Ashley admitted.
"Well, Shepard's a big deal, he just destroyed the Reapers, Williams. Stuff like this will happen a lot. Are you ready to face it?" Hackett to Shepard as more than a commanding officer.
Ashley thought a moment. Of course she knew things were going to be covered on the news. She thought about that a lot. Especially after all of this, people were going to need some sort of icon, of normalcy to hold onto. Shepard represented good, and strength, of course the whole galaxy wants that.
"Yeah," Ashley nodded, adding emphasis to her point. "Yes, i'm ready."
"You know, if you decide to go public with your relationship with Shepard, well, that'll make you a target to, and in turn your family."
"I think it's best to decide when Shepard can add his two cents in. I don't really feel comfortable making that call." Ashley said, straightening her spine at the thought of her being in any sort of limelight.
"Wise choice," Hackett agreed. "Now, I have some work for you to do."
"What do you mean?"
"Just reports. Right now as commanding officer of the Normandy, you are responsible for status reports, and all that merry stuff." Hackett said waving his hand as he spoke.
"Aye, Aye." Ash said, saluting, she glanced at the door of Shepard's room and frowned. Was the Council really in there?
"Yes," Hackett answered, seemingly reading Ashley's mind. "They're discussing a memorial, Shepard, even in his fragile state, is trying to convince the Council that one needs to be built to honor those who died. People like Thane Krios, Mordin Solus, Kaidan, even a geth! Can you believe that?"
"Well, that's Shepard." Ashley smiles then the frown falls off her face. "Why is the council here? Or should I ask how?"
Hackett grunted, and rubbed his chin were a growing stubble was obviously recently shaved. "Would you believe me if I said I don't know?"
"Not for a minute,"
"Well, it's a long story, and we really should be going. All I can say is that they're investigating some rumors."
"Must be big if the councilors themselves decide to get a little dirty." Ash scoffs.
"Well, big enough." Hackett started walking away, and Ashley followed.
"Anyways, Williams, will you come with me? Once the Council is done with Shepard, they'll want to talk to you too." Hackett said, gesturing with two fingers in a 'follow me' motion.
"Are you listening to us Shepard? This is serious!" The Asari council member said, obviously frustrated.
"Yeah, sorry, pain medicine hasn't kicked in yet," Shepard lied, to be honest, he really didn't want to talk to them, he wanted to sleep, possibly.
"The doctors said that you may leave, so we are ordering you up, we'll give you five minutes, Shepard." The Turian councilor said, turning around with the rest of the group following. Shepard groaned and sat up, scratching the back of his head. He was really sore, and could really use one of those pain meds but, not as bad as he could be.
Damn, Shepard said, rubbing a finger down his jaw line where his implants glowed with the work of repairing his body. All his scars were glowing, even ones on his body.
Shepard made his way behind the councilors, with the help of a walker. He felt like an old man, hunched over, in loose fitting clothing gifted to him by the hospital.
"Now we have much to discuss, please Shepard, sit." Valern said, gesturing to the chair, there was three chairs, and another three on the other side of the long desk. Obviously a make shift office area.
"'Bout what councilors?"
"We'll get there soon." The Turian councilor said, with a Turian scowl.
"Sorry, It's just that-"
"Sorry we're late, this damn base is impossible to navigate." the raspy voice of Hackett rang.
"That is fine, Admiral, and Lieutenant Commander Williams." Valern said, bowing slightly.
Shepard turned as much as he could seeing Ashley nervously glance in his direction. Shepard sat puzzled, and turned back to the councilors, Hackett had moved one of the three chairs over to the Council's side. Uh-Oh.
The table was high, really high, unusually high. Shepard adjusted his position, and his hand reached for Ashley's. He decided against it though, when Hackett shook his head.
"Now, we gathered both of you here for one peculiar claim." The Salarian councilor started.
"That there was a relationship going on between you two." the Turian councilor said, seemingly looking down at the two in disgust.
"What?" Ashley asked.
"I hope you both know that fraternization between Alliance soldiers is against protocol." Mister-above-everything-Turian said.
"You're not even Alliance!" Shepard said to Turian.
"Will you confirm or deny the accusations, Shepard," Valern, asked. Shepard frowned, then looked down at his hands. He was scarred, bruised, beaten, and broken, this wasn't helping. He never thought this far ahead. He never thought about what might happen if they were found out.
"This has got to be the least of our worries councilor!" Shepard said, trying to buy time.
"Commander Shepard, i'm getting bored, stop stalling." The Turian said with the Turian equivalent of a scowl.
"Will you just answer the question, if you have nothing to hide, then don't hide it." The Asari councilor said.
Ashley stayed silent the whole time. Shepard glanced to her for help, but he got an emotionless gaze back. Shepard sighs, interlocking his own fingers.
"Councilors-"
"Yeah," Ashley said looking at the councilors with a determined expression on her face. "Yes, Councilors, we are in a relationship." Ashley's hand reached for Shepard's as she stared down each councilor, making each one turn their heads to avoid her hard gaze. Except for the Turian councilor.
Shepard squeezed back a smile on his face.
"And I don't see what the problem is," Ashley finished.
"The problem is, Lieutenant Commander Williams, that any relationship between soldiers in the Alliance, is against regulations. Or did you forget?" the turian asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"I see," The Salarian councilor commented.
"Have you not ever had a relationship in your ranks, Councilor?" Shepard questioned the Turian
"No, most definitely not, I make sure the Turian military follows their orders, protocols, regulations, if not, they are dishonorably discharged, which Commander, you will most likely be! Along with Williams here."
Shepard had had enough, and stood, as fast as his bruised body could.
"I don't know if your blind, councilor, or a dumbass." Shepard slammed his hand down, the sound echoing in the silent room. "Have you anything to compare this to? Have anyone of you had a couple of your oh-so-mighty Spectres in a relationship? If you do, you just lied, if you don't, how would you proceed?" Shepard pauses, his hard edge leaving, and his body sags and he leans against the table. "I had only one reason to come back, you won't take that away from me." Shepard said angrily. "Councilor," Shepard said addressing the rude Turian. "I don't have a clue what you have against me, and to be honest I don't care anymore, but if you ridicule me, look around you!" Shepard gestured outside, to the mass destruction of London.
"This used to be a prized Earth city, now look at it! It's in ruins thanks to this war." Shepard continues, in a much nicer and friendlier tone. "Now is not the time for disagreements."
"I don't care! It's principle, if we let you go then how many more?" The Turian questioned.
"Then who the hell cares! People fight harder when they know they have somehting to come back to, I tested and proved it myself."
The Turian's eyes glazed over, and he shook his head, still obviously angry. The Asari stood,
"I don't quite see the problem, and it has no affect on us directly. Who knows, when the public gets wind of this, just think of the good publicity we can get."
The Salarian agreed in a much more intelligent form, and Hackett grunted his agreement.
"And you are okay with this, Hackett?" The Turian asked.
"Yes. Hell I knew about it," Hackett just shrugged. "To be honest, I could care less about this."
"You knew?!'
"Yes." Hackett said easily, shrugging it off as if someone asked him what sports team he liked. "And if this meeting is over, I have much work to get done, so..." Hackett trailed off, letting the other councilors nod and excuse themselves.
Shepard smiled at Hackett, thanking him with a meaningful gaze while Ashley came to his side.
"That sure was something."
"Yeah, suppose so." Shepard said. "I love it even more knowing we're pissing off at least one person," Shepard leaned over as much as he could, kissing Ashley for a long time.
"Wanna know the scary thing?" Ash asked. Shepard looked at her and urged her on with an arched eyebrow. "My family wants to meet you." Shepard smiled and just laughed it off. He draped his arm around Ashley despite the protest in his body and chuckled.
"Yeah? Well, that'll be something far more than I could hope for." Shepard said smiling and walking.
"No, you know, I never brought a guy home, to meet my family. God, I can already hear my sisters squealing," Ash said with a slight smirk on her face, feigning her annoyance.
"You poor, poor, soul. Imagine me! They'll bombard me with questions." Shepard smiled and gently put his arm around her. Mostly because he felt himself getting weak.
"You're not exactly healed though," Ashley said with a frown. Shepard stopped, turned and arched an eyebrow.
"Course not, but i'm as close as I can be in this hospital. The docs really did clear me earlier." Shepard said, lying. Truth was, he could use a few more days of rest in a hospital, but then again, he didn't want to. He wanted to make up for all the time he was gone.
Ashley shook her head, apparently taking her self from her daze, and settled on walking ahead.
Shepard smiled, finally feeling free. They won, they ended the Reaper threat, it was over. He was forgetting something, but couldn't quite remember what it was.
"You okay?" he heard Ashley ask.
"Yeah, how could I not be?" Shepard asks, placing his arm around Ashley's shoulder. She leans into him just a little bit, but they both keep their steps.
"Things are going to be difficult, Shepard," Ashley says. Shepard stays quiet for a long time, long enough to make it back to his room, mulling it over. He just looks down at her, and grins
"Nothing is ever easy, but we can work it out, together." Shepard plants a quick kiss on her cheek, sighs with content.
"Well, together it is then. I needa head back to the Normandy, but, we're invited to my mom's hotel room for-"
"Dinner," Shepard interjects. "Yeah I know, I'll be dressed all nice and maybe I'll even shower." Shepard teased.
"Hey, you know, I can still hurt you. You're not fully healed yet." Ash said shaking her head with a smile. Shepard smiled back, and nodded, giving Ash one last kiss before she walked away. Shepard waited until she rounded the corner before slumping back down and groaning.
The sharp pain in his head was not a good thing. He stumbled through the door and fell onto his bed in a heap. Clutching his side, and grimacing in pain.
Just as soon as it began, it ended, and Shepard gasped for air, as he sat up. He looked at himself in the mirror from his bed, his face pale and his hair ruffled.
"What the hell?" he asked aloud.
Shepard hadn't had another flare up of pain, but he was really worried. Worried enough to even raincheck on the dinner tonight, but that would not be a good idea. Ashley would question it and probably exhaust herself with questions and worries.
Shepard showered, dressed, and started his way towards the lobby of the hospital where Ashley said she'd meet him. Shepard wore his best shirt that he could find, most of his clothing being on the Normandy, and jeans.
He sat and observed the scene. Everything was chaotic, and people rushed about, tending to dying family. Shepard sighed and shook his head. He got another chance, even though these people were suffering. He couldn't help but feel selfish for a moment. He got to live with his friends and family, while people's siblings, children, parents, more, died!
"Shepard?" he heard a voice call from behind him. He turned and couldn't help the smile on his face.
Ashley stood before him, a hand on her hip. Shepard then just realized she was wearing a dressy skirt with an expensive looking shirt. He arched an eyebrow but didn't question it. Though a smirk still rested on his features.
"Oh don't you start on me! I had Joker laughing at me, Tali giggled and blushed, at least I think she blushed, and Traynor aww'd! She 'aww'd' me! It isn't even comfortable." she finishes with a grumble.
Shepard chuckles and takes her hand.
"Well, it's something alright," Shepard let another chuckle escape his lips, watching Ash's eyebrows knit together. "But, you look amazing," he gently rested his forehead against Ash's and smirked.
"You think so? 'Cuz this was not my idea! Swear on it." Ash chuckled too. "Well, we should hurry or we'll be late." she resigns her fate with just that sentence. "This is what I get for bringing you home."
"Hey!" Shepard stops, Ash just a step in front of him. "I'm worth it," Shepard said, holding his hands out wide, an inviting gesture.
Ashley just laughs and turns around shaking her head, making her way through the crowd.
"Wait! Right?!" Shepard yelled after her, taking a jog to catch up with his lover.