A/N: I'm in the process of making some major edits on my next two chapters, so although I will do my best to get them up on time I apologize if they are not. In the mean time, here's an intermission!

"EDI, I'm unavailable for the rest of the night. Unless it's someone from Priority level Alpha, tell them that I'm busy wrestling a krogan."

"Commander, I've scheduled krogan wrestling in from 2100 to 2300 hours. You will not be interrupted unless it is Admiral Hackett, Captain Anderson, a Council member, your parents, or Officer Vakarian."

"Thank you, EDI. Lock my cabin door and dim the lights."

Shepard leaned back into her pillows, grateful that she had a few free hours in the evening to herself. Garrus, Miranda and she had just returned from recruiting Grunt and they were on their way to the Citadel for her dreaded meeting with the Council. She was certain the words of Tavos, Valern, and Sparatus would do nothing but frustrate her as they had with Saren.

Pulling a tray with sweet tea and high-calorie biscuits towards her midriff, Shepard licked her lips hungrily. The tea was overly processed and the biscuits possessed a similar taste and consistency to cardboard, but she was content to simply have a snack in bed. Desperate for something mindless, she smiled faintly as she pulled up Blasto 3 on her omni-tool.

Halfway through the movie, her eyelids were becoming heavy and the vid was beginning to blur. She put aside her tray and closed her eyes, deciding to mercifully give in to a restful night's sleep.

"Shepard, I have a request for communication."

Refusing to open her eyes, she let out a loud grumble. "Remember that Priority Level Alpha thing we discussed less than half an hour ago?"

"You may wish to make an exception. The request is from a Malcolm Shepard."

Zoey's eyes shot open, surprise flooding through her body. She jumped out of bed and nearly ran to her terminal.

Malcolm. I can't believe it.

She threw her hair quickly into a bun. "EDI, patch him through."

Her younger brother's face popped up on the screen in front of her and she had to withhold a gasp. He was in full Alliance regalia, his hands behind his back and his head held high.

He saluted her, and she returned the gesture, a proud smile on her face.

"Commander Shepard," he said.

"Private Shepard."

"Officer, actually. I got the news earlier today. I thought you might want to know."

She laughed faintly. "At ease. Although, I have to admit I never thought I'd say that to my terror of a little brother. I had no idea you had even joined the Alliance!"

"I asked mom not to tell you so I could give you the news myself. You... inspired me to join, Zoey. After everything that happened with Saren and then your death, I wanted to follow in your footsteps. I'm planning on applying for the N1 program next year."

"I couldn't be more proud of you, Mal. Blue's your colour."

"I have to admit, Zo, red's not yours."

Her hand wandered to her chest where the Cerberus emblem was emblazoned on her uniform. "It's been strange being back, Mal. A lot has changed. There are things... Things I want to tell you in person. They tell me these channels are secure, but I know that they're keeping watch of my every movement. What system are you in?"

"I'm aboard the SSV Vimy Ridge en route to the Horsehead Nebula to investigate reports of illegal Cerberus activity." He cocked an eyebrow at her. "You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

"I should have known you'd be using me for my insider info, Mal." She laughed gently. "But that's not us, we're on our way to the Citadel. No chance you're docking there in the next couple days, is there?"

"Not for a while, sis."

"Well I'd really love to see you. Our course is pretty uncertain right now, but just send me a quick wave any time you're on shore leave and I'll see if we'll be in the same system."

"You still have all your old crew with you? I saw them at your funeral, and I have to say, that quarian had quite the body-"

Shepard held her hands up in disgust. "You are not hitting on my crew! Keep in touch, Mal. Shepard out."

She returned to bed and fell asleep almost immediately, a contented smile on her face.