Alright guys, next chapter is out. Or, of course you already know that, if not, how the hell did you find this thing? Gaah, nevermind, my mind is over-taxed at the moment, trying to figure out whether to drop dead on my desk, or give me enough time to post this chapter and walk the painstalkingly long two meters to my bed.

Anyway, I have actually made a poll now, as insane as it sounds, and it would be great if you would spare a minute or two, going to my profile and answer it. It is quite important to the story. Also, I would like to thank Exar Kun IV for the input he provided to this chapter. The 'Divine Wind' is his idea. Thanks mate!

Anyway, again, I have decided to make this... oh, I'll just let you find out for yourselves.

Enjoy

Divine intervention

"So… where is this place exactly?" Ash asks, looking around the maze of walkways that is the center of the Presidium.

"Beats me, I could never find my way in this place before, and I'm the one supposed to know everything." I say, following her gaze as I attempt to see what's at the end of the long ring that stretches to our sides. I swear, it's freaky when you think about it. there could be someone on the other side of that ring, standing heads-down and feet up, looking down at us… or perhaps up at us… damn, my head hurts just by thinking about this.

"Well not everything. You didn't know that John would be a Quarian, that's one thing, and you had no idea the Thorian would be there… Damn, you really scared me there Thom." Ash says, turning to look at me. I'm glad she is smiling again, not the destroyed face of fear and grief she usually has when I wake from some near-death encounter. Now that I think of it, why the hell am I the one with all the close calls?

"Sorry Ash… it's not really something I control. But, at least I will have some awesome stories for my grandchildren when I grow old, no?" I say, looking at her with a grin. I don't realize what I said, or more accurately, the meaning of what I said, until I see her face turn tomato-colored by my words. Aw fuck… what did I say now?

"I believe you mentioned grandchildren, therefore also having children. As Ashley is your current love affair, she might believe that you voiced a wish for her to become the mother of your children."

"Holy- I mean… it's not that… I mean, I guess she would be… I… Ehm… I mean… wait a second, I thought you were locked out of those thoughts."

"I… may have been forced to draw on some available resources to keep your body in working order… one of those was the energy used to maintain this lock. Look at your loss of… privacy, as a tradeoff for being alive."

"You know… for some reason, I can't shake the feeling that you are quite happy with this outcome…"

"Well, I get to keep my job, aaaand watch the love of youth evolve. Ah, such a wonderful feeling."

"Oh Dear… Mara help me if I'm gonna have to endure you in ALL my thoughts now…"

"Ehm… I'm sure it will be Thomas, but that would require for you to be alive, and not actually having succumbed to one of your brushes with death…" Ash says, bringing my thoughts back to the real world.

"Gods, I didn't mean for it to come out like that Ash, I… oh, ehm right…"

"At least take me on a date before you start talking about that kind of stuff anyway, okay?" She says, the red color beginning to be replaced by her normal skin tone. Something's telling me that this is not the last I'll hear of this. I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing.

"Finally, I found the blasted place… or at least, one of them. The closest place to us that sells tea… among other stuff, is called "Divine Winds" and… hmm, it is located on the upper wards… you guys fancy a cap, or do we hoof it?"

"Do we have money for a… Damn, that's right. Was I paid while in the hospital?" I ask, turning to Ash.

"Why wouldn't you be? You were even given a medal, so why on earth should they stop paying you?"

"I don't know… I guess, I thought that since I've been out of service for so long, I… never mind."

For some reason, Nic is standing over at some kind of terminal, poking in what looks like thin air. I am about to ask him just what the hell he is doing when a… well, an aircraft suddenly swoops down in front of him. It's one of those universal flying cars that I can't bloody remember what's called. We, meaning me and Ashley jog over to where he is standing with a smug grin, thumbing at the vehicle. Inside, a Salarian driver is waiting, looking at us with those large black eyes. Back at the clinic, I didn't really get a good look, but now that I do, I realize just how, wouldn't say creepy, but just alien it looks. Or, how alien he looks… or is it a she? Hell I don't know. At least, the Salarian lets us board, and after having gotten some instructions from our friendly heavy-hitting Greenlander, he punches it, sending the car flying through the Presidium. Nicolai is seated up front with me and Ash in the back. I can't resist it but to let my hand run through her hair, that long raven black hair. She lets her head slump onto my shoulder with a happy sigh. I simply can't help a smile. Damn… she is just so… is there even a word for it? Every time I even look at Ash, my body starts feeling like its on fire, but a nice kind of fire. It's like, when I look at her, the rest of the world just… I don't know, but it's just such a wonderful feeling.

As we sit there, in almost perfect silence, as Nic appears to be messing with his Omni-tool, and the driver seemingly content to keep to his driving, I look at Ash. My woman, my kickass beautiful compassionate hardass woman. Her hair, no longer being in the tight knot it usually is in, flows down her shoulders like a black, yet serene and beautiful cascade of water. We sit there for a while, just feeling each others, guess you would say heartbeat, but it feels like being more than that. I feel like I'm feeling, almost touching, her very being. I know it sounds weird, but there is just no other way to describe it. The only thing that disturbs the moment, is that annoying faint humming I hear more and more often. I swear, ever since Roku "lost" those locks, that has happened more and more often. However, I shrug it off; looking back down at Ash now almost sprawled across my lap like some kind of lazy cat. Seriously, this is one of those things that only women are allowed to do. I continue letting my hand glide through her hair as I gaze out the windows of the car. The rings of the Presidium are disappearing behind us, being replaced with some kind of tunnels. The entire place is lit by some kind of LED-lights. Other than those occasional lights, the entire corridor is pitch-black. I return to look at Ash as she looks at me from her makeshift bed… or chair. I'm not really sure what to call my own legs, which causes me to grin. Or, I think I'm grinning. Damn, I have to figure out my own facial expressions, I have no idea if I'm smiling or grinning like a retarded child-molester. And… why did I just consider that possibility? I swear, there could be something to Emhart's guess that I'm autistic.

A beeping sounds from the front seat, and Ash gets up from my legs, stretching. For some reason, she reminds me even more of a cat now, filling the entire backseat as she moans. Or grunts. I don't really know what to call it, but 'moans' just conjures up images from that dream I had on Eden Prime. Man, I'm glad Roku couldn't see my thoughts back then. As she gets up, she stretches across the backseat -part of the car, rubbing my nose with the back of her hand. I am about to retort, or something, when she then, for some purpose, possibly because of some sinister plot devised by Lucifer himself, proceeds to mess up my hair. Since I have not been able to cut it since I was sent to the hospital as more or less a corpse, and the fact that I didn't cut it before I was even sent here, my hair is now covering my face, obstructing my view completely… unless one counts seeing a forest of black and brown as a view. Still, Ash sits upright next to me, and the fact that I can't see her eyes, and she can't see mine… I sneak a, no actually, my eyes simply wander to her… chest, on their own. Well, there are certainly reasons to call this a view, now that I think of it… okay, why did I not feel embarrassed there? Seriously, that was probably the most pervy thing I've thought so far… wait, was that my brain or me? Oh De-

"Hey Thomas, it's for you." Nicolai calls from the front seat. Snapping out of it, I brush the hair from my face, looking towards him;

"Alright, directing you to his ear-speaker now… hang on" He says, apparently speaking to someone on the other end. Connecting me? What does…

"Hey Thom, you there?" A woman says, completely catching me off guard. I mean, I was expecting someone to speak. The thing that bugs me is that the bloody head-thing I'm wearing, I borrowed from Ash. By the way, how many of those things does she have? I mean come on, what kind of girl runs around with dozens of translator-headphones ready for use? Not that I'm complaining, but it just strikes me as being plain… well, odd. Oh piss it, I'm getting off track here.

"Eh… yeah, I'm here… who is this?" I say, tapping the earpiece with my new hand. A bit too hard… that's going to hurt later…

"I'm guessing that means you're pretty lousy at recognizing voices?" The woman says. I swear, I can hear a chuckle in her voice. If I could just… okay, how many women do I know? Let's see… there's Tequila, Kasumi, Liara… Jane… Chakwas… Ash, of course, but she's right here, so…

"Seriously, throw me a bone here. The sound is pretty bad, so give me something to go for." Actually, the sound is just fine, but I can't pick up the person. Think you stupid lump of fat, calling itself my brain.

"How many girls do you know who calls you 'Thom'?" Well, that would be either Ash… or… oh.

"Kasumi?"

"The one and only. Heard you escaped from hospital. Didn't even consider calling me huh?" She says. The amount of fake anger is so large, I can practically see her childish smile through the speaker;

"Yeah well, I kinda lost my Omni-tool. Funny story: I was nearly killed, and it just decided to give out." I say, not being capable of fully concealing the irritation in my voice. She just had to call me when I'm having Ash lying in my lap like a fat cat. Okay, scratch the 'fat' part, but like a cat of some sort.

"Oh… right, you did mention something about that… anyway, I was just wondering if you have had the chance to chat up the clone-guys for me?"

"'Fraid not. I'm heading for a small tea-shop on the Wards… actually, we're in the wards right now. Gotta say, it looks really different than in… than the last time I was here." Damn, I nearly slipped up there.

"Funny, I never had you guessed for a Tea-person… what kind?" I'm… wait what?

"Ehm… Roiboss and Licorice… why?"

"Oh, nothing in particular. Well, I've got work to do, see ya." She says, cutting off the communication. I guess one could say I'm sitting here a bit flabbergasted. The strangest part is, I don't know why. I mean, when I think about it, Kasumi is Japanese, and don't they have like a Green Tea fetish or something?

"That was Kasumi?" Ashley asks. She is probably curious as she has only heard of Kasumi, never met her. I think. Hell, I don't know if they all had a big slumber party while I was in coma. I turn my gaze from the window to Ash, brushing a few strains of hair from her face. Smiling, she leans in and kisses me on the mouth. No matter how many times she does that… I think as I return it …I'll never get quite used to it… when we break away, I feel like I'm the one with the idiotic grin. Not that her smile is idiotic in any way, it's just a way of speaking… I think.

"Yeah… Yeah it was. She wanted to know if I had talked to the commandoes yet… something about toys. You know, you really should meet her. She is a funny person, addicted to ramen and suffering from a voluntary case of kleptomania. The polar opposite of you." I say, rubbing her back. There is that hum again. I'm about to ask Roku if he really can't hear anything, when I notice that it's different from the one I heard in the hospital. That's also when I notice that Ash is the one humming, almost like a cat. I shoot a glance at my artificial hand as it journeys across her back. Am I really thát good at this?

"What's that supposed to mean huh?" She says with a content voice. Still, the frown on her face betrays the fact that I probably just said something wrong. Dammit!

"Well, she is funny, you're a hardass, she- ouch!" I rub my side as she just japed me below the ribs, causing my entire body to jolt.

"What did you just call me?" She says, a playful sneer on her lips. I rub my sore side with my right hand, massaging where she directed her evil attack.

"A hardass? Seriously Ash, I believe I, if no one else, is entitled to call you that." I say, mimicking her sneer, starring into her eyes. In the background I can hear Nic mumble something about a room. Fuck it… I have to retaliate.

"Because you're my boyfriend?" She says, suddenly leaning in and kissing me again. Whatever I was going to do, which actually included testing if she was ticklish anywhere to the point of surrender, evaporates the instant our lips meet. Or, actually, it's more like her lips meeting mine, while I'm too surprised to respond right away. Damn… she just knows how to work me… out, I guess.

"I was going to say 'because I'm pretty sure I still have some bruises from our last sparring', but that one works just fine as well." For some reason, that one earns me a punch as well, albeit a bit softer, and this time directed at my left shoulder.

"My, my Chief… getting a little soft, are we?" I ask jokingly. I barely felt a thing when she punched me. I'm sooooo much beating her the next time we spar.

"Hey Nic?" I say, turning my attention briefly to the front seats.

"Yeah?"

"If… if the thing that happened last time we were in a place like… could you…you know?"

"Knock you out and drag you away?"

"I was more thinking of-" I say. I do not want to repeat that scene, waking up in a cell where I had to spend the following five hours explaining to Nicolai's parents why he had to spend the night in a cell.

"Sure, I can do that."

"Hhhhrrrrr…. Sounds like you actually missed what happened back then…"

"Ah, good times… good times…" I just glare at him. When I finally decide to look out the window again, we are soaring through the wards.

…

"Well, this is a nice enough place." Nic says, walking away from the car. For some reason he will probably inform me off later, he decided to pay the entire bill for the drive… flight… the trip. I'm just standing in front of a moderate sized store, the name 'Divine Winds' spelled at the front with large black italic letters. The funny thing is… they are written in English, but the owner is Asari. Strangest thing… I wonder if the translator is doing this as well, but I haven't even activated anything besides the basic functions. To be honest, I have yet to figure out how to do that… but, perhaps Ash already had it programmed to this? Hell, I don't know;

"Well… shall we-"Ash start, but then… the smell hits me. Or, not smell, but scent… aroma. It… it is hard to describe, but there is the essence of the roots of the licorice-root… the leaves of mint… the sweet crispy bark of the cinnamon… even lemon and… is that… nah, they can't… I mean… God, yes it… Christmas Tea!

It's like everything else just… gets blocked out. By the time Ash has finished her sentence, I'm already at the center of the store. I'm surrounded, on all sides, by boxes and canisters of different sorts of wood. Some are cheap light wood, probably birch or perhaps regular beech, but others are of higher quality, some of oak, maybe even ash or more exotic sorts… I don't really know. The thing is, all these types of wood carry and enhances the smell of tea. A few of the sorts sadly decrease the scents, overpowering them with their own smell. I pay it little heed though, as I find myself before a small container of mixed spiced tea, held behind a plastic-glass with a small lid of wood. The scent, as there is no other way to describe it, tells me of… of… curry? No, that is not it… it… could be thyme? Odd, I do not remember having had that in tea before. I can feel something tickle my chin as I stand here, taking in the smells and impressions. Wiping my face with a sleeve, I notice that there is a bit of drool on it. Figures… just have to keep it together for a little longer… buy the tea, and be out again. I just have to be focused here… just… find out if they have Roiboss… which it smells like they have, and perhaps licorice tea… and maybe some cinnamon… and lemon? And perhaps… no, I need to focus here… if I lose it, Nic will punch me over the head again… and if C-Sec gets me… that Turian will probably have my balls sold to a krogan. And I'm not looking forward to- wait, that smells like… there it is!

In front of me, almost as if positioned on a podium, a cache of dark wood is labeled "Roiboss".

"Keep it together Thomas! I'm not going to lose you again because of this."

"I know, but… but…yes, I'll be careful… okay, I just have to go to the desk, buy what I need, then get out of here…"

"Good."

"Hello there. My name is Yalina. What can I help you with?" An Asari, maiden, I think it is called, says. She is standing behind the desk, having just placed down a book. Hmm… Austen? Not ba- wait… why is an alien reading human books? I can't help but look at it. Apparently, she notices where my eyes are, picking up the book;

"I'm guessing you may be wondering why an Asari is reading one of your books." She says, a warm smile on her lips. I think it is something Asari just can, like smile and attract other species.

"Ehm… well, yeah. I kinda did… I didn't even know Austen had been translated… what is it? 'Pride and Prejudice'?" I ask, keeping my eyes on the book. It doesn't have any other decoration than the name 'Jane Austen'. And a red leather cover.

"You know it?" She says, nodding with a smile.

"Yeah, I… may have read it once…" Nicolai clears his throat somewhere behind me;

"Okay, three times… it is a good read." I say, looking up from the book to her. Yalina smiles;

"It is. I imagine human women often… thought about Darcy, even if he was a fool."

"I'm the wrong person to ask here… but, again, when did it get translated to… your language?" I say. If I stay too long, the smell of tea is bound to cause me to lose it.

"It hasn't as far as I know." Ash says, looking at the book; "And this one is in English as well?" She says, directing her words more towards Yalina than me.

"Yes it is. Stephen taught me to read your language, or at least one of them. It's weird, Asari have one, one written language, but you humans? Phew, I'm getting dizzy just by thinking about it… hundreds of languages… how did you ever manage to organize?"

"Beats me… but… oh, you are bonded with a human?" Yalina gets a sad smile on her face.

"I am. He is the most loving and caring person I've ever met, even gave me my daughter."

"Something's wrong?" Ash says. She must have noticed the expression as well. Wait, I thought Ash was a xenophobe? When did that change? Not that I'm complaining, this was what I aimed for… but was it something I did?"

"I… not really. I guess it is my own fault, for falling for him… but humans just… live so damned short lives." She says, a trace of something else in her voice. I'm not sure if it is to be called sadness, or perhaps grief, but it definitely isn't someone who's ready to sing 'Daisy Bells'.

"I'm sorry… if I may, how… old is he?" Ash says.

"Seventy-two… we've been bonded… married, as humans call it, for forty years." She says, a small happy smile protruding on her lips, briefly replacing the sad smile.

"Well, then you should at least have another forty- fifty years. There is still time, right?" Ash says, giving her a smile.

"I guess, when you put it that way. He may even get to see Daniora join the academy… Sorry, about bothering you with that." The sad smile is slowly being replaced with the typical warm Asari-smile again.

"Hey, it's okay. If it helps cheer you up, we-" Ash says, gesturing at herself and Nic; "-Are actually only here because my retarded boyfriend here…" She says, messing up my hair; "can't be left alone in a tea-shop… don't ask." I get the hair out of my face and send Yalina an exasperated look.

"Well, if it is because he loves tea, then I guess we can't have him go without it. What would you like?" Yalina says with a small grin.

"I… I noticed that you have Roiboss in here… do you carry licorice as well?"

"We sure do. for some reason, only our two people drink tea, don't ask me why, so there arrant that many customers, and I only have to accommodate the needs of humans, since the tea you drink, is the same my people like. Well, almost. For some reason, you humans like that licorice-flavor… I've never been a big fan of it… frankly, it gives me rashes when I'm handling it in spice-form. Which is why we sell them in both jars and tea-bags."

"Okay… how much for… say, two kilos of licorice, and one kilo of Roiboss?" I swear, the look on her face. I could have told her my life-story, and she would not have had eyes this wide.

"T- two kilos? Three kilos in to-total? Are you throwing a party?" She says, wonder in her voice, though I'm not sure why. I scratch my neck without noticing it until it starts to hurt;

"Ehm… no, I don't think so… it's just that we are probably not going to dock with the citadel again for some months, and if I run dry again…"

"Fair enough. You are marines I take it?" Yalina says as she hammers in the numbers on her computer. I have a feeling this is going to be expensive…

"We are. Best there is… or, at least the strangest there is…" Nic says, leaning against a shelf containing crates with labels in some writing I can't read.

"Strangest? How so?"

"Let's just say the crew is pretty diverse."

"I see… what ship do you serve on?" She says, scanning the wares as they emerge from a hatch behind her." This looks almost like Aldi(Supermarket) back home… cool.

"They serve on the SSV Normandy ma'am." A synthesized voice suddenly responds from the entrance to the store. Snapping around so fast I'm amazed I don't get whiplash, I look at where the voice came from.

"Commander Shepard. Good to see you." Ash says, snapping to attention. Both Nic and I hurry up doing the same, although we may need a bit more practice.

"At ease there guys, we're on shore leave, remember?" John says, walking into the shop at a relaxed pace. I'm not, and will probably never be, surprised when I see Tali following him in, looking around in the store. I wouldn't be that amazed if she had never been in a place like this before. I'm guessing she's been shooed out of enough shops to completely avoid them altogether. I just hope Yalina is not a racist. That would kinda ruin the mood. We relax our standings, and I shoot a glance at the Asari. She seems to be wondering over something, possibly over how to react to this, but I can't see any hint of animosity or hostility.

"I guess you can thank me for that one commander." I say with a grin, gesturing at my arm and face. The eye still scratches a bit, but I just force myself to leave it alone. Like how I stopped biting my nails. A synthetic chuckle comes from his voice-emitter, reminding me of Reegar talking;

"Yeah, I guess we do… though you're damn lucky we didn't leave you back on Feros, you know?"

"I guess I can't argue with that." I say, leaning backwards with my arms crossed and a small smile on my lips.

"Oh… and by the way… sorry for not visiting you… I suppose I could say that the council… had my ass, I think humans call it, along with Nihlus as we had to give a long and detailed verbal report on what had transpired down there." I'm sorry, but did John just apologize to me? Hell, I think he did! But… why am I then so surprised about it? Did he have any part in me getting blown up?

"Ah sir… I mean John, I mean… ah sir, you shouldn't apologize for that. I just did my job, and I just wasn't careful enough. Besides, the bigger the rank the bigger the headache right?"

"Yeah, well… how is the new 'gear' working out?" He says, nodding at my left arm. Next to me, Nicolai is, for some reason, showing Tali around in the shop. Who knows, maybe they have Dextro-based tea here as well.

"As good as if it was born on me sir. The new eye scratches a bit, but Emhart, the doctor, said that it would, or at least should stop after a few days."

"You know Thomas, you are starting to sound a lot more like a soldier, and not as some raw recruit. I bet Anderson would be surprised…which reminds me, you should get back to the ship and get on the Navy Blues."

"John? What do… you…mean?" I say, scratching my neck.

"You really thought I hadn't heard that you are supposed to receive a medal? What the Fre'eg kind of a commander would I be if I ignored that?"

"Oh… right. Well, I think we're just going to pay here, and then I'll head back to the ship" Damn… no alcohol then…could be funny as hell though, to show up drunk as a… well, drunk person.

"So… you're Commander Shepard?" Yalina says. I guess the others had forgotten about her, because they all more or less spin around on the spot when she breaks the silence. John nods;

"That I am. It's good to meet someone who doesn't instantly attempt to throw me and Tali out the store the second we've entered. And, you are…?" He says, looking at Yalina with what I guess is a smile… or he could be sneering or pretty much anything.

"Yalina sir. You… may have met my sister, Shiala Tevorna… she… used to follow Matriarch Benezia… but, then they started doing what Saren told them to… I told her some months ago that she should get out of it, that it wasn't safe… she was just… I guess you could say she seemed like she didn't hear me… then, about two weeks ago, she suddenly calls me, apologizing and almost crying. She had been betrayed by Benezia, sold like a thing to some kind of big alien plant… and you people saved her. Please, if there is any way I can help you, any way I can repay you… just ask." Okay… that was probably the last thing I expected. Well, not really. The last thing would be for John to see her and shout 'Mum!', but this is pretty close. So… Yalina is the sister of the Asari whose clone almost killed me? Freaky…

"Actually, there is something you can do." John says, a hand under his helmet's chin.

"Anything."

"Do you have any Dextro-based coffee or tea?" Okay… this one ranks just below the one with the sisters… seriously? I mean, okay, John likes coffee… I'm just having a hard time imagining him drinking coffee. Maybe with a straw?

"I… we don't have any Dextro-tea… but we do have coffee for both Dextro and Levo-based races."

"Alright, hear me out here: The Normandy has a crew of about sixty people, plus the ground-crew. If you are willing to give my mess-sergeant here…" He says, pointing at Nicolai; "… a discount on coffee and tea, let's say about thirty percent, I'll make you the sole supplier for my ship. And believe me, we'll be regular customers." I could have sworn John was smirking there, if… well, if it wasn't because I can't see his face besides the eyes… and sometimes the nose when he is in the right angle.

"Well… well, of course. I would have gone with free, because you saved my sister, and taught her a lesson to stay away from genocidal maniacs, but I'm fine with that as well."

"Good. Just out of curiosity, what has Private Fisher bought so far?" He says, pointing at me.

"Three kilos of tea… do you want it for free?" She says. Wait, she is… for free? Damn, I have to visit more stores like this one… let's see… do I know anyone with family on Noveria? Well, Liara of course, but she isn't a vendor… damn, I think that was it… if only I'd seen the side-missions.

"Don't be silly, Thomas has bought it for himself, therefore he should pay for himself… unless it's for sharing?" Since when the fuck has John developed that kind of evil humor. Dammit! The humming is back again, and I'm starting to have a headache. I'm going to get you back for this one John… just you wait.

"Well Sir… it is for sharing, but I'll pay for it myself. Wouldn't want you to- never mind…" Fuck… what I was about to say… it could not have come out in a good way.

"To what? Piss myself? Jump of a building? Eat cheese?" He says, crossing his arms.

"To eat cheese sir… I am not sure if there is such a thing as Dextro-cheese…"

"You're right… the turians never bothered with dairy-products."

"Riiight… so, Yalina… how much?"I say, turning back to the shop owner. It is painfully obvious that she is finding this whole thing very entertaining. Plus, she just met the man who rescued her sister.

"Well… three kilos a la two kilos licorice and one Roiboss… normally, that would be five hundred and eighty-two credits… but since it's you…" Yes, I get a discount as well!;

"Five hundred and eighty credits." She says. Next to me, Ash cracks down laughing. Two credits? Really?

"Why do I feel like I'm the only one not getting the joke here?" I say, handing over the cash.

…

I wonder who actually folds my clothes… I mean, the last time I remember having this on, I just threw it on the bed. Now it's folded and ready on the bunk. Ah well, just one of life's mysteries. Donning the casual uniform I put on the more 'exclusive' clothes. Actually, I guess they are more of a parade-uniform, but I'm not sure. Haven't really been to a parade before, so I'm not sure. Also, I'm a little nervous.

Okay, scratch that: I'm cold-sweating. I'm borderline panicking here, although I'm doing my best not to show it. I mean, I am supposed to not only receive a medal, which is damn cool. I mean, it is the Purple Heart, one of the more common medals, but it is still on hell of an honor. Seriously, I'm about to go and receive a medal, something I would have never imagined back… back then. I was in the bottom of the classes and skills in Homeland Security, and a monkey was more likely to be given a medal than I was. I guess dying has a way of changing people… dying twice? That apparently just enhances the experience…

Yeah, that's the second thing. Actually, when I think about it that should really be the first thing I should be worried about. I'm supposed to let Roku speak to the councilor from the Salarians. I mean, what the hell was I thinking, revealing myself to him like that? I was just waltzing up 'oh, look at me mister councilor, I'm important, I have a spirit in my head.' Jesus, couldn't I have found some other way of letting them know about the Citadel attack. Sure, I have to make something happen, try and prevent the mass-slaughter that is bound to happen if I don't. But, what if the other councilors are there? Or, what if Anderson is there? Mara that would be embarrassing. If he found out about Roku, or my past… he would perhaps see it as me having lied to him or something, back when he hired me and Ash. Oh dear, why can't my stomach settle down?

Sighing, I take the last shoe between my thighs, having not yet put on the navy-blue pants. Figures… they still use this crap… I growl, rubbing the shoe with a fat-soaked sponge. Why do these things have to shine like polished glass anyway? Sure, let's polish the thing we use to trudge around in the dirt with… who the hell came up with that idea? Even the bottom of it, the sole, has to be polished. Polish that turd! My mind screams at me. Ah, John Oliver… I could use the Daily show now… just, some kind of 'pick-me-up', something to make me laugh or to take my mind of the fact that I'm about to present a divine being to a member of the galactic council. Sighing again, I put the shoe down next to its partner. After the process of eradicating the remaining shoe-polisher on my fingers, which by the way is a painstakingly long process, I proceed to get on my pants and lace my shoes. The entire attire feels like wearing cardboard. It's just so… stiff.

"You know, you should dress up like that more often." A female voice sounds from the door. Looking in the direction but already knowing who it is, I spot Ash standing in the door, leaning against the frame.

"Perhaps, but it doesn't feel right. Like I'm wearing a mask." I say, brushing the attire. I've brushed the thing until it looked like it hadn't been shot at during my last visit to the station, and the brass-buttons have all been polished to the degree where I can see my own face in them. If I move it really close to them that is.

"Well, I don't think we should let you go to the meeting with that beard… and that hair." She says, barely suppressing a chuckle looking at my mane and bear-like facial hair. I bet I, with a bit of imagination, could pass for a lion. With the hair that is… I don't have any whiskers… or teeth like that.

"Yeah well, I am not currently possessing a scissor or a razor or anything like that… so, unless you want me to set my beard on fire, or just rip it off, which I would not be happy with, I don't see how I can get rid of it. John kinda brought us back here before I had a chance to buy a shaver or a razor." I say, looking in a mirror across the room. The crew quarters have a sink with soap and mirror and all. Just, if you need to use the toilet, it's out the door and down the corridor. And that's where I found John in a fetal position… damn, I wonder if he actually still thinks, or ever thought that I had told Ash about that scene… which I didn't.

"That's why I'm here. I went to a few convenience-stores while you were out… about that time when Emhart was adjusting your arm. I knew that you would have to be a little more presentable when meeting the brass, so I thought ahead. You can thank me later." She says, producing a scissor, as well as a humming shaver. I doubt I've been this glad to see a shaver since the day I started shaving;

"Catch." Ash says, tossing the machine at me. Gripping it, I notice that it, as insane as it sounds, looks almost identical to the one I left in my apartment back in Aarhus.

"Oh I plan to. Thanks beautiful." I say, only realizing my words the second they left my mouth. Who just dipped my ears in boiling water? Okay… did I just say that out loud?

"I believe you did. I find your expression, as well as the bright red on your face, to be highly entertaining."

"Oh… shit."

"If it helps, I'm detecting an increased production of pheromones in Ashley, as well as heavy breathing and an increased humidity in her lower regi-."

"No, just… just no, Roku. THAT was just plain creepy!"

"Sorry… just trying to lighten the mood. Now go shave, we only have twenty-seven minutes and ei-seven-six seconds till you have to be to the small ceremony for the medal they are going to give you."

"Sigh… I know." I say, turning on the machine and looking in the mirror. I have a feeling I'm going to have to empty this thing before I'm done. "I just… isn't the Purple Heart a minor medal?"

"True, still it is a medal. Therefore there is to be a small ceremony. Be thankful it isn't the Medal of Honor. Then you would probably be marched to the White House back on Earth."

"Yeah… no thank you. Let John have that one… or, Jacob perhaps? I bet Zaeed could pull of something insane enough to be awarded with that one."

"Like blowing up a refinery?"

"Ehm… now that you mention it…" I'm about done with the left side of the face, using the secondary function on the shaver. If I used the primary, my hairs would be torn out. That would hurt. The secondary juts them instead, so it doesn't hurt like a bitch.

"Hey Thom?" Ash says, remaining where she is.

"Mmm?" I say, removing the half-way beard on my throat. This part was always the worst. It's difficult to get to them.

"Just out of curiosity, what did you mean when you said you 'planned to thank me later'?" Oh fuck… there it came.

"Huh… I was thinking perhaps we could… ehm… I don't know, go on a date perhaps… if ehm you… want?" Mara, why can't I get one good sentence out when talking about dates with her? I swear, it is annoying. This is perhaps the one area where Roku could… no, No! No, I will not have him in this. The cold sweat is starting to make the hairs stick to the shaver. I'm almost done, only thing left is the rightmost sideburn.

"Perhaps? You're not sure if you want to, or is this the old case with you not being able to speak to girls?" Ash says. There is a bit of insecurity in her voice, I think. I have never been good at judging people's emotions.

This is where I could slap myself. Really hard. Way to go, making it sound like I'm not really interested;

"Of course I want to… I mean, if you do. It's just I've… you know, I've never been on one before… I don't know anything about it besides what it's called… and I… may be a little… nervous." I say, shifting between looking at my newly polished shoes, and her eyes. Dammit, why the hell can't I do this shit!?

"Yeah, I want to. I think it's about time we went out. What do you say, if you aren't court-martialed when that Valern finds out about Roku, then we could… go see a movie?" She says, a suggesting smile on her face.

"Huh? I thought dates were when you sat and had dinner with candles and all… it can be- oh for the love of- of course it- ach, never mi- I mean… let me just start over: Yeah, I would love to go watch a movie with you."

"So… it's a date?" She asks, a coy smile on her lips. God, why did I wait for so long before asking her?

"Yes, it is." I say. I can feel my heart pounding the fastest it has done since I revealed the truth to her on Therum, and at the same time my head is spinning while my feet feel like they are made of concrete. Before I can even get the stupid smile on, our solitude is disturbed;

"Oi! Are you two soon done snuggling in here? Thomas needs to get to that meeting, or he won't get that medal. Isn't that how it works?" Nicolai asks, sticking his head through the door. I blow a few strands of hair from my face, looking at him;

"Yeah, I'll be right there… just need to figure out what to do with my hair is all…" I say, pulling it behind my head for the I-have-no-idea-how-many-times time.

"That's what I'm here for." Ash says, brandishing the scissor in her hands. I'm not sure I like this. I've always hated going to the barber, and as a result I usually cut my own hair. Which is also why it usually looked like crap, but at least I didn't have to go to the barber. To be honest, I think it might have been a childhood fear… or perhaps the trauma that followed. So far, Ash hasn't seen me without hippie-long hair, and that is a good thing. Otherwise, she might have remarked on the fact that my right ear is missing a fair snip of it, mainly a bit of the top. I guess one could say it looks funny, and perhaps it looked funny at that time as well, but I was more focused on the mortal wound I had been dealt, than if it looked funny. Hey, I was only four years old.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Mara, not this again..."

…

"Ash… I'm not letting you near my hair again, okay?" I say, giving her the stare of death.

"What? I think it looks nice on you, perhaps even cute." She says, a small smile on her lips betray the fact that she had this in mind all along when she bought that damn scissor and shaver.

"I mean… for… look, why, why a Mohawk?" I say, running my right hand over the cleanly shaved dome that is my head. It's extremely short, except for a broad strip of short dark hair running from forehead to the back of the head.

"Don't know, perhaps because it enhances the badass look with the new eye?" She says, eyeing her work. She better hope I never get to her with a scissor. And perhaps some pink dye. A pink haired Ash… let's hope I can outrun her in that case.

"But… look, you couldn't know this, but to me, the Mohawk belongs to Soap MacTavish." I say, looking at the ceiling in the corridor.

"Who?" Right… gotta stop making game references all the time… at least when other people can hear it.

"He was a captain in SAS back in the 21st century. Took part in the Afghani wars among other things. One of the most highly decorated officers I know of." I say, taking my eyes of the lights in the ceiling to look at her. She still has the snide grin on her face, but there is also a bit of curiosity there.

"Never heard of him… and my family is pretty much straight military."

"I know, but he was mostly in black-ops, so he wasn't that known to the public. I do think he was killed at some point in 2016… but I'm not sure…" I say. It probably would be best to start discussing games with her. Just because she defended me, and accepted Tequila and the clones… Tequila then, I'm not sure if Ash trust the clones yet. Which is probably healthy. I bet if someone gave them, say 'Order 28', they would turn their guns on us in an instant… unless commandoes don't have that. Still, that doesn't mean I should just start blabbering about games and make her feel… I don't know, like I still see her as that. Which I don't, just to make that clear.

"Oh… well, I still think it looks good on you." She says, giving me a teasing punch. Dammit woman… stop playing me like that…

"Hmm… we'll see." I say, looking at the long corridor we are marching through.

The Presidium seems oddly quiet and scary, like the hallway to the inspector's office in Calvin and Hobbes. There are lots of people here, sure, but I can't help the feeling that I could very well be drawing my very last breaths. It doesn't help that people are looking after us, a procession of two Quarians and three humans all dressed in our finest navy blues. Well, John and Tali aren't, but he has, as the commander of our ship, donned the Quarian armor his suit is usually covered by in exchange for what I guess is the Quarian version of fine clothing. More and more people notice us as we are walking towards the human embassy. Why the heck they don't have a fast-transit to that place, but one that goes to Cora's Den, is beyond me. Especially since the Den is a shot-up, burned and bruised bar, now without an owner even. As we pass the reception, I can't help but remember the scene we had with Samesh here. I hope the poor guy actually received his wife's body, and that we weren't just told off. It also makes me remember the expression on that bureaucrat, Vosker I think his name was? It isn't important, but the expression… and the laugh we shared afterwards, me and Ash, while Nic was just looking like a content but confused mother-hen, sighing over her two silly chickens… that was a good day.

Still… I can't help but feel a bit of guilt… a lot actually. If I had just barged out with my secret back on Eden Prime… if I had told them… warned them about Sovereign or the geth… then all of them wouldn't be dead. Or, perhaps they would, some of them, but at least more would have gotten away. The doctor, Melissa, Bolin… even the douche bag above me… they would have gotten away, or would have had a chance to hide or fight back. Maybe we could have used the Mako's in the colony to fight the geth… or… I don't know. Sighing, I notice we have reached the place where the hall divides into two doors. One of them is an embassy for… the Elcor, and the other is ours.

"So, here I am… about to receive a medal for having half my body blown to shit, while other people, like those on Eden Prime, the defenders of Zhu's hope, or just, I don't know, Ash or John. They are both so much better than me, and I'm the one getting a medal? Sometimes I… I mean, of course I am glad that I'm receiving a medal, it's just… sometimes I don't understand how all of this works…"

"Ah… survivors' guilt?"

"Perhaps… I don't really know…" I think, sighing. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" I turn to the others, noticing that John is actually waiting for me to go in first. I breathe in, rolling my shoulders back. Breathing out again, I palm the door's screen, activating it.

Inside, I'm greeted by the sight of three people standing behind a computer, engaged in conversation. One of them is Anderson, which I guess was to be expected. Then there is the second person, Udina. Of course, this is kinda his workplace, so of course he is here. The last one surprises me though.

"Jane?" I say, starring at the red-haired woman talking to Anderson. I'm not sure what to feel right now as she turns to nod at me with a smile. Fear? Could she have snapped or just made her move, convincing Anderson and Udina to take the ship from John and give it to her? Does she actually have her Spectre status here? Or, is she here to congratulate me? Here to give Intel to the bras? And why are her eyes so red?

"Hello Private Fisher. I see I got here just in time." She says with a smile.

"In time for what?" Ashley says, eyeing Jane with a hint of suspicion.

"Well, Thomas's ceremony of course. He's a fellow crewmember, so I thought I had the right to be here… am I wrong Williams?" Jane says, looking at Ash with a bit of irritation, but also something more… sad in her eyes.

"Well… ehm, of course… I just didn't think you…" Ash says, simply stopping midsentence. Anderson seems to realize that the situation, if not helped, will grow more embarrassing by the second;

"Commander Shepard. I'm glad you could be here as well. When the ceremony is complete, I need a word with you." At the name 'Commander Shepard', I can't help but notice Jane flinching a bit. Just enough as to imply that she was about to respond when she remembered something, sighing, she goes to lean against the wall next to the door, arms crossed.

"Of course Captain. But let's get this done by… the book, I think you humans say?" John says. Anderson smiles, probably due to John's attempt on the old phrase. It does lighten the mood, I'll admit that.

"Yes, that is the saying. However, we are still waiting for… Ah, Admiral, come in please." Anderson says, looking at the door behind us.

"Thank you Anderson. It's too bad we only meet at these uptight ceremonies. Now where is the young man?" A female voice says from behind us. I'm almost glad it isn't Hackett's voice… I think I would have fainted if it was him…

"Yes, Private second Class Thomas Fisher. Serves on the SSV Normandy and has taken part in the liberation of Zhu's hope on Feros, where he completed his mission and destroyed a massive sentient plant that had taken over the colonists in the colony." Anderson says. I turn around to see a woman, possibly fifty or fifty-five, with dark red hair. Apart from the specks and strands of silver in it, she could have posed for a forty-year old. Well, that and the deep wrinkles under her eyes. Green eyes? I suppose those are more regular these days than in my time;

"Yes, I read the reports… what on earth made you decide to blow up yourself to take out the Thorian son?" She says, eying me with a shrewd look. Strange, if it wasn't for the scars on her face, most notably the ones over her eyes… they look like inflicted over time, not by an explosion… torture or self-inflicted I wonder… But, if it wasn't for all those scars, she could almost look like an old version of Jane. A little creepy actually.

"Ehm… Permission to speak freely admiral?" I say, snapping to a quick salute. It still feels weird, and I'm positive I'm doing it wrong to a degree that could have me court-martialed, given the 'right' circumstances. I notice Ash, John and Nic snapping to a salute as well. Tali, at least, is worse at it than me, fumbling with which arm to use.

"Granted"

"Well… honestly, I don't think I was even thinking about it… I may just have thought that it… was a good way to destroy a big-ass plant." I say, shifting between mumbling and the occasional stutter.

"Well, there are only a few ways to destroy 'big-ass plants', and I suppose blowing it up can be considered one of them."

"Yes ma'am." Actually, she seems to be much less uptight than I had expected. Hell, the bosses in Home-defense were worse. 'Get up you lazy Maggot!' or 'Are you trying to be sent home you punk?!'… damn, good times.

"Well, I suppose the ceremony doesn't do itself, does it now?" She asks, looking at me. Fuck was that rhetoric or am I supposed to answer that?

"I think you should answer it. My guess is that she expects you to remain silent, but would be pleased with a private taking that chance with an admiral."

"That works, I guess…"

"No ma'am, it doesn't." I say, doing my best to sound casual.

The group, as well as Anderson, Udina and Jane, repositions itself in order to form a line in front of the older woman, while Anderson and Udina takes up a place behind her. I'm a bit flustered here, not having a clue as to what I'm supposed to do.

"Walk up in front of her, and keep the posture straight."

"Thanks… hey, how do you know that?"

"How do you think I spend time when not speaking to you or performing at birthday-parties?"

"I would really rather not know…"

I slowly walk up to the admiral, fighting to keep my eyes straight.

"Good, now turn to face her, back to the crowd."

Turning to face the admiral, I notice Udina standing next to her with an open case. Inside it, I spot two things: some kind of golden fabric, just two lines of it lined against each other. I have no idea what it is, to be honest… but it looks a bit like the decorative lines on the navy uniform I'm wearing. The other is a small ribbon with a heart-shaped medallion of either brass or perhaps cobber… could be gold, but I doubt it. On the medal, a purple heart is placed, and on that a relief of a man with what looks like a wig is placed. That, on the other hand, looks very much like gold. The admiral picks it from the case, looking at it for a moment, as if remembering some old event tied to the object. I just stand as still and straight as I can, desperate not to fuck this up. She then places the medal on my chest, fastening it by piercing the fabric on my uniform with a small needle on the purple ribbon-like fabric. She then steps firmly back, snapping to a salute. I follow up as best and fast as I can with my own. Okay… that went well… I think. The admiral holds out a hand, waiting for me to grab it apparently. Problem is, it is her left hand. Kyraneth, don't let me crush it! Outstretching my own left hand, I grasp hers as gently as I can. Still, I can tell from the way her muscles tense, that it is a pretty strong grip. Letting go again, I look a bit around, not moving anything but my eyes. Looking back at the admiral, I try averting my eyes from hers, instead inspecting her uniform. There is a small nametag on her chest. Absently reading it while she steps back from her position, I can't help but feel an ice-cold tinge going up and down my spine. It's the name on the sign. It… well, it could just be a freaky coincidence, the name, the hair and the eyes… I try to shake it from my system, ignoring the simple coincidence, but I still can't help but feel the gnawing pit in my stomach grow to heights unheard of. The elder woman seems to notice my discomfort.

"Is something the matter Private?" She asks, her tone both calming and demanding.

"No ma'am… I was simply thinking."

"Ah, that is a far too rare trait among you young soldiers. I'm glad you seem to posses it." she says, smiling. Still, her eyes… there is something almost…predatory to them; "What about, if I may ask?" Oh for… come up with something… come up with something… 'yeah, you look like an old version of Jane'… that wouldn't really work…

"Just… this whole thing Ma'am… I'm still not sure if I have… earned this. I mean… I don't even know if I did that much of a difference…" I say, hoping that she will buy it. Technically, it isn't a lie. I have been thinking about that.

"As I understand it, you have been doing your share, and then some."

"How, if I may ask?"

"From what I've been told, you not only managed to acquire four completely unknown commandoes with more than state-of-the-art technology, as well as making sure that the navy serves something actually edible for the first time I can remember. For that last one, I'm surprised you're not promoted to sergeant… but, I guess a corporal is a pretty good step up the ladder, won't you agree?" I guess she is- wait WHAT?

"M-Ma'am? I mean no disrespect, but I think you… may have, ehm… have gotten some facts wrong or something… I'm just a private… not even first class."

"Makes sense… I did think I recognized those ribbons in the case…"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you know what they are? I thought you spent time in Home Defense?"

"I… those are rank-ribbons?"

"I'm not sure that's what they are called… but yes, I should think so."

"Correction, you were a private. Did no one tell you about the promotion? That surprises me, as the commander on the Normandy should have been informed." As she says this, I can't help but to look around for John. Why the hell didn't he tell me? I see him, standing between Ash and Tali. As I send him a look, he simply nods his head towards Ash. For some reason, she is grinning like- she kept it from me? That- why the… and she says I can behave immaturely?

"Oh… now that you mention it Ma'am… I guess I was told. I just had so much on my mind that I simply forgot about it. I am sorry if… I screwed u- I mean, if I did something that isn't worthy of the rank… Ma'am." I say. I might as well try and salvage the situation. It would suck if she or Anderson became upset with John, or worse: Ash. And, I guess that having a lot on my mind can kind of be used as an excuse here.

"Hmm, I suppose that is true. And don't worry corporal. You have but displayed a rather amusing personality. I must admit, I am sometimes a bit fed up with all those 'Yes Ma'am, No Ma'am' and 'May I kiss your butt Ma'am.' I also admit that the last one has had a bit more hits than the first two." I can't help but suppress a small smile at the thought of a marine saluting before kissing her bu… luckily, before I think that line out, she reaches down and procures the two rank-insignias.

"Stretch out your hand, palm upwards. They are to be sewn on later."

"Oh… thanks."

I follow his advice, but not until the woman holds the ranks for me to take. Studying them for a moment, I return the salute she gives me, and I'm about to step down when she lowers her voice to the degree of whispering;

"After the ceremony, I would like to speak with you." Okay… I guess I can do that… am I just going to hold on to these then? I look briefly at the insignias in my right hand, clutching them. The fabric feels like it's made out of a very study material, yet it also feels a bit soft… I don't really know what it could be, and I doubt it plays such an important role anyway. Nodding to the admiral, I slowly step down from the podium, taking my place among the others. I cast a glance around the room. Where Udina looks more like he can hardly be bothered by this trivial occasion, Anderson looks like a proud man. Wonder why, he hardly knew me before John took charge. Meh, maybe it is simply the fact that a guy he handpicked from Eden Prime actually turned out okay.

I notice he is looking straight at me, and actually giving me a smiling nod. I return it with an equal smile before looking ahead like the rest. I'm pretty surprised, to say the least, when Anderson actually steps up to the podium, saluting the older woman. He then stands before us, hands clasped behind his back. Is he going to make a-

"People, ladies and gentlemen from the SSV Normandy. I am proud to stand here today, knowing and having been reaffirmed in my knowledge, that I left the Normandy in good hands. So far, John'Shepard nar Rayya has proven himself an ample captain of the best ship in the Alliance Navy , as well as showing the ability to control his people on the ground. Damn good choice we made back there, if I may say so myself. You commander, along with your crew, have already gained an important ally in the form of Matriarch Benezia's daughter, and you have secured the colony of Zhu's Hope, as well as getting one step closer to figure out exactly what Saren is up to, and what the 'Reapers' have got to do with it" Oh, I'm afraid you'll learn pretty soon. Hopefully Valern will inform you once I'm off the Citadel, and not before."I'm proud and I'm safe, in the knowledge that when you go to hunt for that bastard of a turian, you will have a greater chance of succeeding than anyone else. Good luck, and Godspeed." When he is done speaking, he raises his hand in a salute, and we all snap to as well. Damn, I think I'm starting to get the hang of this…

Alright, how was that for a "filler"?

Okay, a free question to whoever can guess the identity of this new admiral, and what she could possibly wish to discuss with Thomas.

I don't really have that much to say right now, but to ask to things of you:

Tell me if this chapter was worth the words in it, or if it was bull-crap, and please spend two minutes or less on the poll.

Thank you.

(On another note, I'm going to Spain for the next week, so no new updates in that time.)