It felt nice.. To be surrounded by the people he greatly cared for as his own family. Joker turned around to take Shepard's living room in. From a short distance, he could see Tali and Garrus locked in an embrace. Joker felt for Tali. She had to witness almost losing her whole species to the geth, and in return almost be at fault for the destruction of the geth. If it wasn't for Shepard's interruption and ability to get the quarians and the geth to cooperate, Joker could only imagined what would've happened. Tali often surprised Joker. She was small, soft-spoken and a sweet personality, yet was known to insert fear in her enemies. To without question, pick up a gun and take apart whatever or whoever was in her way to get to not only get the mission done, but to more importantly, protect her friends. In a couple of ways, Tali reminded Joker of Shepard. They were both resilient, strong, and always lended a hand even though their own world were being constantly rocked Shepard's ability to bounce back after each and every obstacle thrown at her was something that inspired not only Joker, but everyone else in the team. As his mind wandered from each of his friends, he suddenly thought of EDI and therefore reached into his pocket where he finds the chip the doctor had given him. He pulled it out and played around with it until he grasp it tightly. " I have to try." He said sternly as he got up and began walking towards the door when he heard Garrus's voice call behind him.

" You heading to the Normandy?" He asked.

Joker grimaced before slowly turning to face Garrus. "Um, Yeah. Just going to make sure those workers aren't going to try anything." He scratches the back of his head. "You know, we can't have the same thing happen again." He joked, an attempt to hide his nervousness.

Garrus chuckled as he walked towards him and placed his hand on Joker's shoulder. "Joker, you know you can tell us anything."

Suddenly Joker looked around and noticed all of his fellow crewmates staring in his direction, their gaze seemingly apologetic.

"We know you're going to see EDI and we want you to know that no matter what happens, we're here for you buddy." Added James. The rest of the crew nodded in agreement.

"You know what this calls for? A group hug!" called out Garrus.

Joker let out a small sigh, but nonetheless allowed everyone to surround him as they tightly embraced him. "Thank you everyone." He managed to say as he fought back tears.

"You have to remember Jeff." Liara's soft voice spoke up. "We are all here for you."

"Yeah!" yelled out Glyph as he bounced up and down. "Cause we're a family!" he adds.

"Awh.. You guys are going to make me cry." Joker said as he wiped a tear off his face.

Garrus chuckled and motions Joker forward. "Go to her Jeff. Bring her back with us."

When they finally dispersed, Joker waved goodbye on his way towards the elevator. The second he stepped inside, his heart began to fill with sudden hopefulness. Thanks to the confidence awoken in him by his crewmates.

Once the elevator came to its slight abrupt stop, and its doors opened, Joker was instantly hit with the constant chatter of the Silversun strip that surrounded him. He made his way towards the cab station and waited for a cab to come pick him to take him to the docks, where the Normandy was docked for repairs. Shortly thereafter, slowly came to a stop next to him and Joker shuffles himself inside.

"Where to sir?" asked the cab driver.

"To D24 please." Replied Joker.

"Oh you're one of the Normandy's crew?" Joker nodded as he kept his gaze to the moving world beside him. "We are eternally grateful to you and Commander Shepard for saving all of us out here." The driver said humbly as he took off towards docks.

Minutes later, the skycab arrived near the docking bay entrance and before taking his leave, Joker fiddled with his pockets, trying to find his credits to pay for his fare.

"Oh no sir. You don't need to pay. You guys saved the whole galaxy. That is payment enough."

Joker smiled and tipped his hat at the generous driver. "Thank you.". He slides out of the car, the driver waved one last time before taking off towards his next customer. leaving Joker alone with his impending thoughts.

The weather was nice, considering what had taken place a mere few weeks back. There was sunshine with lingering clouds that flew with the slight breeze. He took a deep breath as he pushed the door and made his way inside.

As he walked the short distance where the Normandy was docked, he noticed people stare after him as they recognized the Normandy's pilot. They were in awe to see him in person and some even clapped and waved in his direction, to wish Joker would simply smile or nod.

He soon arrived at the Normandy's airlock entrance and placed his hand on the scanner. Normally they wouldn't allow any of the Normandy's crew in while repairs and maintenance were being done on the ship, but after the coup attempt, Joker, Commander Shepard, and Major Alenko had all access. With biometric scans that is. He stepped inside of the Normandy and took his ship in. Many of the workers were talking and murmuring to each other, comparing notes and such while others walked by, carrying pieces of equipment or analyzing equipment.

" Joker." spoke a voice beside him, interrupting his thoughts

Joker jerked his head around towards the seemingly familiar voice. "Admiral Hackett! Sir. I didn't know you were going to be in the Citadel." Joker quickly saluted the Admiral, causing him to chuckle.

"At ease Joker. " Joker did as he's told and put his arm down.

"I came by after hearing that Shepard had survived. I wanted to see if she was on the Normandy, but they told me she was taken to Huerta Hospital under critical circumstances."

Joker nodded. "Wow news flies by fast." He mumbled under his breath. "Yeah, I saw her a couple of hours ago. Doctors say she is doing a lot better than when they first received her. Only her bruises are left to heal and much rest in order for her to fully recover. Major Alenko should still be at the hospital if you wish to speak with him. In fact, Shepard might be still be awake."

"Well I'll be damned." Said the admiral as he walked closer towards Joker. "Shepard has been through more hell than anyone else on this galaxy."

Joker chuckled. "Yeah, and I am honored to have been able to be part of her crew. "

Hackett pat Joker on the shoulder. "You guys have done the impossible, and for that, the whole galaxy, and everyone" Hackett motioned to the ship's CIC room, "on this ship is grateful to you." He took a step back and placed his gaze at the floor. "However, after that last mission..I completely understand if you and the team would want to step down from the Alliance. You guys will be seen as heroes throughout every planet, through the whole galaxy, because you have truly saved us all."

Joker was taken aback by the admiral. "Th-Thank you for your kind words sir, but with all due respect, I don't think this will shake us from continuing to what we do, but it's a tough call to make as to when the crew will be ready to come back to action. While the fight with the Reapers shook us, tested our abilities, our trust, and much more, it also made us stronger. We aren't just a team. We are a family. And that's what kept us going. And that's how we are going to keep going. However" He took a deep breath before continuing, tightly gripping the chip that contained EDI tightly in his hand. " A long break may be necessary for some of us."

Hackett smiled and patted his shoulder once more. "The Alliance is honored to have people like you and your team Joker. You guys deserve more than a break, and knowing that Shepard is in critical condition.. You guys are more than welcome to take as much time as you need. From the reports I have received, the Normandy alone is going to need some time before she's ready for action again. So enjoy the time off. You've greatly earned it." He finished with a smile.

Baffled yet again, Joker nodded. "T-Thank you sir. I will let everyone know."

Hackett shook his head. "No need to thank me, Joker." He let out a small sigh.
"Well I should take my leave. I need to go see Shepard, and tell her myself she needs to take time off, or else she'll try to come back." Joker chuckled in agreement. Hackett tipped his hat at Joker, and made his way towards the hallway that connected the Normandy with the Citadel docks. Joker let out a huge breath of air that he realized he's been holding in. He then began to walk towards the CIC room, where the elevator was located. The workers wave and greet him as he passes by. Once in the elevator, he pushes the button for the second floor, where his crewmates usually spent time chatting it up or grabbing a snack, or simply sipping a hot cup of coffee as they worked on reports. The elevator dinged as it reached its destination, interrupting Joker's thoughts so after nodding to a fellow worked, he made his way towards the medical bay.

The doors slid open as he neared and he immediately saw Dr. Chakwas as she was filling out information.

"Dr. Chakwas. I'm surprised to see you here. " He said softly.

"As I, you." She replied jokingly, her voice however, sounded tense. She let out a sigh. "I wanted to go see Shepard, but her doctors wanted to see her medical record sheets and so they sent me back here to retrieve it before I can go in and examine her."

Joker walked next to her desk. "Used to being her only doctor huh?"

"I suppose. It feels weird having others treat her. She's like my daughter. All of you guys are my kids. I can't help but feel uneasy." She said, seemingly frustrated. "You all need to stay out of exploding things." She mumbled.

Joker chuckled. "Well, I saw her a few hours ago. She was responsive and alert. Doctors weren't able to treat her bruises and said she need to stay and rest. Kaidan stayed behind with her."

"Ah. Those two have gone through way more than any couple could imagine.. First Kaidan thinking he lost Shepard, then Shepard almost losing Kaidan." She sighed. "She came as often as she could visit him in the hospital.." She recalled. "Then Kaidan thinking he lost her again.." She let a breath escape her. "That boy is never going to let her out of his sight now."

Joker laughed. "Yeah, that's for sure."

She turned to face him. "How about you darling? How are you doing? "

He let out a sigh and leaned against the corner of her desk. " I could be better.. I..I just miss EDI so much.." His gaze shifted to the ground.

She reached for his hand. "I'm sorry.. I'm sure Shepard will find a way to bring her back.. You'll see." She said with a warm smile.

He reached into his pocket. "That's why I'm here. Shepard gave me this." He pulled out the chip."I was going into the engine room where EDI created herself to see if it would work."

She took a look at the chip. "Here I thought you were just making sure no clone was trying to take the ship again."

He stifled a laugh. "Yeah, don't mention that to Shepard. She still feels grumpy about it."

She handed the chip back to him. "Well it's worth a try. No one should be in there, so you're free to use it. Just don't blow anything up please." She turned back to face her computer as he began to walk away.

"No promises." He said with a smirk as he headed in.