"Fortunately they weren't here long enough to do much real damage." Cortez explained showing Joker and I around the shuttle bay. To be fair, I did help make the damage. "Although I may need some help from James cleaning up the damage to the shuttle bay."

"Plus they overloaded the heat diffusion system firing at us." Joker gave Cortez a cuff on the shoulder. "Not sure if you noticed, but Shuttle Guy here did some crazy stunt flying to keep us in one piece."

Cortez shrugged smiling. "It's nice to fly something a little more maneuverable than the Kodiak." I saw him blush a little.

"How about you, EDI?" I asked.

"I am once again in control of the Normandy. Thank you for asking." I wasn't sure if she could sound excited, but I'd swear she did.

"Glad to hear it. What about the mercs? Any survivors?"

"Just one crappy-ass piolet and her." Joker gestured to Brooks as Cortez brought her front and center. "Alliance is taking her to a high security facility. Maybe she can give them some dirt on Cerberus."

Brooks smiled innocently and I had a chill run up my spine. "I'd be more than happy to cooperate with the authorities."

"Maya, I know that voice."

"Do you really?"

"You're getting a chance to redeem yourself." That's more than I could say for Shepard B. "Don't waste it."

"So serious. Admit it. Some part of you liked having me around, looking up to the legend."

"I had someone like that once. A real pain in my ass."

"We had some laughs and who knows? Maybe we'll have some more someday."

I scowled at her. There was a plan somewhere in there.

"You'll miss me." Brooks broke her restraints and ran in the opposite direction. Cortez missed grabbing her by an inch.

I reached for my M-16.

A shot rang out and Brooks collapsed to the floor.

"I believe." Mordin lowered his gun. "That is what humans call 'irony'."

Joker brought his hand to his ear as if talking to someone. "Ah, maintenance to the shuttle bay."

"The rest of the squad's waiting outside, Commander. We'll have the Normandy back in shape in no time." Cortez was beside me as we waited for the exit hatch to open.

The shuttle carrying the rest of my team seemed to have landed not that long ago and my team was still exiting. Tali and Garrus appeared to be the last ones leaving the shuttle and when our eyes met, Tali waved frantically. "There can be only one!"

"Appreciate it." And I really did. I had a crack team even if they were obnoxious sometimes. They were my family.

"Is shore leave always like this?" EDI asked as we descended the ramp.

"It is with Shepard." Mordin answered flatly.

Everyone started laughing. It was kind of funny.

"Leave the jokes to me, Mordin." Joker said.

"Joke?" The salarian seemed confused. As I figured. He was being totally serious.

"Come on." I smiled wrapping an arm around Mordin's slender shoulders. "Maybe we can take some actual time off. No explosions or anything." I waved my hand as if reveling a magic trick. "Just Team Normandy."

"So." Joker spoke once we entered my apartment. "After a hard day spent fighting an evil clone, you know what comes next?"

"A nap?" I asked hopefully. I was beat and annoyingly hungry again. My plan was to eat and sleep for the next several hours.

"Please. We party down."

"Well, I gotta get going. Things to settle up before I head back to Tuchanka. Always fires to put out when you're in charge, right?" Wrex scratched at his scarred face.

I just nodded in agreement.

He gave a lazy wave as he lumbered to my door. "Let me know if you want to hang out or if you're having that party."

Why had Wrex even come back to my apartment?

"See ya." Joker returned the lazy wave.

"Party, huh?" I crossed my arms leaning on the island in my kitchen. It sounded like a lot of work.

"No pressure. No one's gonna make you throw a party."

The Reapers were right around the corner as they say. I don't like to dwell on the doom and gloom, but this could be the end. "All right." I shrugged. "Let's set it up."

Glyph flew into the kitchen. Did that thing just follow me? "I've channeled discretionary funds into your account for the purchase of any celebratory supplies, Commander."

"Glyph, when did you become my pet?" And why had nobody asked me?

Joker activated his omn-tool and checked something. "Okay, EDI and Cortez and Traynor are in."

I shook my head. I should have known.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"I have also informed Dr. T'Soni about any potential upcoming celebrations." Glyph told me.

I held up my hands. "Wait, wait. I'm in charge of the guest list." The last thing I needed was everyone and their varren in my apartment.

"Yeah, so, there's no uninvite button on this thing."

"All right. But when the time comes, I invite the rest."

Joker turned away. "Cortez just invited James, so." He elongated the 'o'.

I shook my head. I was going to invite him anyway.

"I'm going to go out and see how much trouble I can get into without snapping a femur."

"Good luck with that. A broken femur means a boring party for you."

Glyph sadly remained. "Members of your crew have expressed spending time with you, Commander. You can check your private terminal for messages."

"Thanks, Glyph." I made a vain attempted to push him out of my face. "Guess I should take advantage of some shore leave myself."