Minutes later, their cab came to a brief stop near the Silversun Strip. Shepard was the first one to step out, as Kaidan took his time paying the driver.

"Wow.." She said in awe. The strip left her breathless each time she visited it. The blinking, bright yellow lights of the Armax Arena shined brightly at people that passed by, hoping to attract new and returning customers. The sound of jackpot machines and loud music from the casino echoed through the murmuring of those that surrounded her. Beside them, stood a model of the newest sports skycar. She let out a chuckle as she recalled the moment when EDI wanted to purchase one for Joker, with J oker's money. Lost in her thoughts, she was taken by surprise when she suddenly felt Kaidan's hand on her lower back, softly bringing her back to reality. She smiled as they took each others' hands once more and headed towards Tiberius Towers, where her apartment was housed.

The ride up the elevator was quiet one. Kaidan held Shepard's hand anxiously, unknown to Shepard what awaited her as she simply lost herself in the quiet elevator music. As it reached its destination, Shepard felt Kaiden's gentle pull away from the elevator, snapping her back what was infront of her. They pass three other apartments before reaching her own. However, once reaching her door, Kaidan dropped her hand and fumbled through his pockets for the keys. "Got it." He gave Shepard a nervous smirk as he grabbed the key and pushed it in lock, opening the door. "After you."

Shepard smiled at her fiance as she inched you before she suddenly hears "SURPRISE!" yelled out by her crew members. They each jumped out from their hiding spots behind the kitchen. Balloons and streamers were also scattered around her apartment along with the smell of freshly prepared food as it suddenly hit her.

Shepard let out a small laugh. "You guys! What's this?" She asked as she tried to hide her tears of joy as they came up from their spots and began to surround her and Kaidan.

Garrus is the first to bring Shepard in for a tight embrace. "I told you we were throwing you a party when you got back."

"Awh, you guys didn't have too." Shepard said as she returned the embrace before stepping back and giving each of her other crew members tight hugs and quick greetings. When got everyone, she casually turned around when Joker and EDI being hand in hand captured her gaze. "EDI!" Shepard cheerfully yelled out as she practically ran to her, her arms flailing in the air.

"Shepard!" Yelled out EDI. They met each other halfway and engulfed each other in a tight knitted embrace.

Tears slowly began to stream down Shepard's face. "Oh EDI.. I am so sorry.."

EDI rubbed Shepard's back. "There is no reason to be sorry Shepard. You did what you had to do. We all did what we had to do." EDI took a step back, but kept her gaze on Shepard. "And if I was needed to, I would do it all over again." She said as confident as ever. However, she felt Joker squirm at her words.

Shepard wiped her tears away quickly.

"Besides. We are both here now." EDI said enthusiastically. "Something that would've been impossible, if it wasn't for you, Shepard."

Shepard nodded. "You're right.. I'm glad you're back here with us."

"Me too Shepard. This galaxy wouldn't have been the same without you." EDI said as she smiled.

"Now that everyone has greeted Shepard.. Let's get this party started!" yelled out Wrex. It was then that Shepard noticed Garrus was standing fairly close to Tali, causing her to raise an eyebrow out of curiosity before changing her focus onto her clothes."I uh.. should probably change."

"But sweetheart, you look beautiful." teased Kaidan as he made his way over, wrapping his arms around her hips.

"Mmm. Maybe for you, babe." She whispered as she turned around to face him and meets his lips with hers.

Kaidan slowly began to pull her body closer to his before Shepard begun to pull away causing him to playfully pout.

"I will be back Major. Till then, enjoy the party!" She fully separated herself from him before scurrying away to her room. Once Shepard was out of view, Kaidan simply grumbled as he made his way towards the bar, where Joker, EDI and Garrus were sharing drinks, and decided to join them.

Shepard let out a sigh as she entered her room. It felt incredible to see EDI again, and having seen Joker and EDI together filled her heart with joy as well. While she's suspected Garrus and Tali becoming close, it made her happy to think they could be exploring a relationship together. They've always shared similar qualities and have been each other's support through the years. Back in the hospital, when Kaiden was catching Shepard up to speed about how the crew has been, he had also mentioned that James and Trainor had been hitting it off pretty well, which surprised her a bit. Lost deep in her thoughts she was unaware of the scuffling noise that came from her closet until she walked in and saw a figure searching through her clothes. Confused, and without her gun, she automatically went into defensive yet wondered who it could be. She swallowed her confusion and spoke up "Hello?"

The figure jumped and almost bumped their head at the sound of her voice.

"Shepard? Honey? Is that you?" Replied a familiar voice.

" Mom!?" blurred out Shepard as she put her readied fist down.

Shepard's mother turned around and completely faced her. She easily resembled Shepard, for like her, she had long reddish brown hair. However, hers consisted of more curls and her eyes, instead of green like Shepard's, were a shiny light brown. She was only a bit more taller than Shepard. Her mother had previously worked with the Alliance, alongside her husband, so she was no stranger to the dangers that came with the job. Therefore, she was immensely relieved to see her daughter in one piece.

Her mother ran over to Shepard and wrapped her in a tight hug. "Oh honey I am so glad you're okay." Shepard returned the embrace and lingered in each other's embrace before Shepard pulled back.

"I thought you were back on Earth with Dad?" Shepard questioned her mother. In the background, she could already hear Glyph had started to play some low tempo music, causing her mom to continue her search through the closet once more.

"I was.. But once I heard no word of what had happened to you.." She stopped. "I had this feeling that you were still alive.." She faced Shepard and stared longingly at her. d. "No one would tell me anything.. Not even of what had became of the Normandy.. Plus you father is still in service..." She took a deep breath. "So when Hackett told me they had found you and taken you to the Citadel, I pulled an old Alliance favor, and got him to bring me. I just arrived a few hours ago and your friends told me you were being discharged today so I thought to surprise you."

Shepard couldn't help but give her mom another hug. "Thank you for not giving up on me Mom."
Her mom chuckled. "Oh honey.. How could I..? This is the career you've been dreaming of since you were little.. Having your own spaceship, and you own crew.. Nothing would've been able to stop you. If anyone could've of gotten through this, it would be you."

Shepard sheepishly smiled at her as she spoke. "Thanks Mom." It was then that she realized they've had this whole conversation within her closet. "Um.. I don't mean to ruin the moment.. but Mom what are you doing in my closet?" She remembered that she had came to change into something more party appropriate than what she had on.

"Well.. I didn't know you were going to have a party.. and the best thing I got are my Alliance uniforms and those won't do.. So I thought I could borrow something from you." She took a quick glance at Shepard. "And from the looks of it.. you do too."

Shepard let out a small laugh as she joins her mom in the search. "Yeah.. I didn't think they were actually serious about it.. But then again with them.. Anything can happen."

Her mother nodded in agreement. "Yeah.. By the way, since it was a party, I took it upon myself to invite a few of you other friends by."

Shepard raised an eyebrow at her mother. "My other friends..?"

"Well.. I went to your laptop to try to contact you father.. and I saw a list of your other friends who were wondering about you. So I sent them a message to let them know. I hope you don't mind!"

Shepard shook her head. She couldn't be mad at her. Least not right now. Plus, it meant she'll see some of her other friends as well.

"Ah! How about this one honey?" Her mother had pulled out a beautiful light blue gown, with a sweetheart neckline. Shepard smiled, then automatically ran her fingers along her arm, conscious of her wounds and bruises. "I don't know.."

"Don't worry about that..They aren't visible, I promise.." Her mother threw the dress at her. "Now go try it on."

Shepard does as she's told and shrugged off Kaidan's t-shirt and her pants and replaced them with the dress. With the help of her mom, she was able to get it zipped in. Her mother turned her towards the mirror and placed her braid on her shoulder. "See, you look beautiful." She beamed.

Blushing, Shepard tried to hide away her smile, but that proved to be unsuccessful. She liked what she saw. Her bruises were barely visible, and her wounds had turned into small scars on her arms. She twirled the dress at her sides and looked at her mom who returned her smile. "You're beautiful baby." Shepard threw her previous clothes into a bin before her mother spoke up again. She had resumed looking for something to wear for selg. "So..Hackett told me you were getting married." Her voice growing stern.

Shepard cringed as she realized she hasn't told her mom. "Yeah.." She said as she hid her face behind her hands."It kinda just happened."

"Is it to the young man? Err. Major Alenko?"

Shepard nodded. "Yeah.." She couldn't help the smile that played on her lips whenever she spoke of him. "He's been by my side since the very beginning. Whenever I needed him, he was there to lend me a hand, or a shoulder." She chuckled as she remembered all the times she's spent talking to Kaidan. "He's given me the motivation to keep going." She let out a sigh. "Don't get me wrong, we've had our obstacles. We've had our moments. But he has taught me love. He has shown me compassion. He's shown me what it means to lose someone. Taught me the pain it yields. But in all, he loves me for me..And that alone, makes me the happiest person alive. He is my world." She looked up to her mother standing in front of her. " And frankly, I don't want to spend my life with anyone else.."

Hannah Shepard lets out a sigh. "Talking from experience, this would normally be the moment where I tell you the huge mistake it is to marry someone you closely work with...But then that would be hypocritical of me, since that's how me and you father met.." This time she lets out a small laugh. "However,I do know of the consequence such relationships can bear.. I've lost many close friends to Alliance missions, as have you.." Shepard stirred at the mention of the all too familiar loss. "But I also know, that the heart ultimately wins the battle over the brain." She takes Shepard's hand. "So I am just going to say that I couldn't be more proud of you and that I wish you happiness and congratulations on your wedding." She smiled brightly at her. Shepard returned the smile before her mother jumped out of her spot, realizing that they've lost track of time. "Well, I am sure you have people to get to, and I still need to get ready….." She ended up mumb