Chapter 16: Babysitting

"Thanks again for offering to help me. I know this isn't the kind of situation that the Nemean Enforcer is in the habit of handling." Angelica said appreciatively while strolling the Citadel Wards with someone special who'd paid a rare visit to the station. "And I know how much you guys dislike the Citadel." she quietly added.

"There's no need to thank me. Don't forget, we've got eight brothers and sisters back on Cartagena. There's also the fact that Mal took in a ton of orphans after the war. The mansion used to get pretty full whenever he threw a party for someone or hosted a sleepover. I've got lots of experience handling kids." Vince pleasantly stated. "As for the Citadel…I'm not gonna pretend I'm completely comfortable here, not with all the history that Mal has with the place. But I'm willing to overlook it to help you out. Besides, your uncle is the C-Sec commander and his influence has made my presence a lot less confrontational. I'll have to give Commander Will my regards later."

"I'm sure he'll appreciate it and your being here to lend a hand. This kind of thing doesn't really happen that often, in fact this is a first." Angelica explained.

"To be honest, I was pretty surprised when you gave me the details. I never imagined every Shepard in the Alliance military would be called to duty at once." Vince mused.

"It's been a complete nightmare." Angelica sighed. "Elysium hasn't had to face a pirate raid this big since the Blitz. It's a good thing my unit just finished our operation on Virmire or we'd have likely been deployed to the Vetus System too. Between safeguarding that new Sparrow Research Station that's being constructed and protecting the colony, we're being stretched pretty thin."

"So those assholes are giving you guys a hard time too?"

"What do you mean? Are they causing trouble in the Terminus Systems too? Dad didn't mention anything the last time we spoke."

"And I wouldn't expect him to if I were you. Mal has obligations and he carries his burdens alone." Vince solemnly explained.

"Don't give me that." Angelica irritably countered. "You know about everything he does. He's already officially inducted you into the Terminus Wolves and you're his right hand man and enforcer. Dad trusts you more than anyone." she added sadly.

"I'm just a placeholder, Angelica. My job is to keep to the seat warm for his real successor and I'm okay with that. As far as trusting me goes, I don't really have an argument for that. The truth is, I do know a lot. Far more than the rest of you but it won't stay that way. Lou, Liv, Leon-after they finish their training with Zaeed…let's just say I won't be helping Mal carry the load on my own anymore."

"Why can't he just talk to me? I mean really talk to me? Are we always going to have this barrier between us?" Angelica glumly pondered before coming to a stop outside of a souvenir shop. "Why can't any of them just talk to me?" she quietly reiterated while staring at the holo image of a new breed of space hamster.

It didn't surprise her when a familiar pair arms embraced her from behind. "So, is that what's really been bothering you? I knew this babysitting thing wasn't the real issue." Vince gently inquired.

"Distance, Vince. It seems like that's all I get these days, from everyone. I'm used to Dad keeping his secrets but now…I don't have a clue what's going on with everyone. I'm supposed to be their big sister but they all just shut me out. You all live on the other side of the galaxy, I get it. And they already have Liv, she's older and she's there for them. I get that too. But still…if it weren't for you and Lou, I wouldn't know about anything that's going on. They're dating, the triple threat are about to leave with Zaeed in a few months, they've all taken combat mentors, Lou's planning to move in with Rain after she finishes her own-"

"He what?!" Vince spluttered in shock.

"He didn't tell you." Angelica whispered in horror. "Forget I said that."

"That little-I'll be having a chat with him the next time we see each other." he joked. "Now that I think about it, I shouldn't be worrying. Lou's the most responsible out of all of us. And he's damn sure not a kid anymore. He and Leon are even bigger than me now. Plus he's getting one-on-one training from Mal and Leo."

"So it won't be long before he starts keeping secrets from me too. I can't wait." she replied with a hint sarcasm. " Right now he's the only one I really feel connected to."

"Ouch, were you trying to cut that deep?" Vince replied while feigning being wounded.

"You know what I meant." Angelica berated him. "What happened to us, Vince? We were all so close when we were kids. Now everything's different. Liv stopped calling me Geli, the twins keep me at arm's length and the boys are all doing their own thing."

"You're obsessing over nothing, trust me. Aside from a few details, I know about as much as you do when it comes to what's going on with everyone. You just proved that yourself. They're all just starting to get serious about preparing themselves for the Wolves and there's you know, puberty to consider. Liv's just getting older and growing up. Definitely growing up." he explained while recalling the more mature figure of the girl before pushing the thought from his head. "And the twins have always been secretive. We all used to joke about how cloak and dagger they were…until they actually caught us." he continued before shuddering slightly. "Anyway, my point is this distance that you think is separating you from everyone is all in your head." he assured her.

"Are you sure about that? What about the others? The Terminus Wolves and the Fangs, I know Wrandok hates me but-"

"Wrandok can kiss our collective asses." Vince quickly cut in. "He's been bitching to Mal for years about cutting ties with you and the Shepards. Just let him whine and don't let it bother you. There isn't a single Terminus Wolf on Cartagena who isn't happy to welcome you whenever you visit."

"You didn't mention the Fangs. Or Aria. Or that schizo assassin who's always drooling over Dad-"

"Alright, enough." Vince calmly interrupted. "If you're looking for universal acceptance, you're out of luck. I don't even have that kind of good fortune. Zelia's a nut job, we all know that. Aria barely says two words to me whenever we meet and there are plenty of Fangs who don't like me either." he explained before briefly recalling a somewhat diminutive spy in the Shadow Fangs who never failed to give him the stink eye whenever their paths crossed.

After tilting her head back into his chest and taking a deep breath, she finally relented. "Maybe you're right. But that doesn't explain the little brother at home who's ignoring me."

"What?"

"Nothing, let's just hurry. Uncle Will and Aunt Cassie sounded like they were on the verge of having nervous breakdowns the last time we spoke. With a house full of Shepard kids, I'm not surprised." Angelica joked before leading the way onward.

"Angelica, thank God!" Will gratefully greeted after answering the door of his condo with his wife as screams, laughter and shouts of glee filled the background inside. "And you brought help, good thinking. You're going to need it, trust me. It's hard to believe we're actually related to these delinquents. When you were a little girl, you didn't give us half this trouble when we babysat you. It's enough to drive a man insane-Anyway, sorry for the rambling. It's good to see you again Vince. How's Mal? We haven't heard from him in awhile." he continued before extending a hand to Vince while Cassie offered her own greeting to the pair.

"He's fine, just busy." Vince politely replied after shaking Will's hand. "So, are there any particulars we should know before you both leave ?"

"We sent all of the specifics to Angelica earlier. Isaac and Hannah should be here by tomorrow morning. But we both have to get to HQ. Will has to organize security for the Raloi delegation that's visiting in a few days and I have to investigate a surge in falsified passports before they-"

Cassie's explanation was abruptly cut short as a loud crash echoed across the condo, followed by laughter. "Whoever's responsible for that had better not be one of ours!" she shouted over her shoulder after turning back into the house. "Listen, Cammie is here and so is Leanne. One's been a lot more helpful than the other. I'll let you guess who." she scoffed. "Leanne's been keeping Noah and Keith out of trouble. I can only imagine how upset Allie would be if Keith ended up causing a ruckus outside of school."

"Mom mentioned he got into another fight." Angelica said softly. "I know he doesn't start them, I tried explaining that to her but-"

"But she won't listen." Cassie finished for her in a sympathetic tone.

"To be fair, he is a helluva lot like Darryl. A little brawler if there ever was one." Will joked. "Anyway, you know where you can reach us if there's an emergency. Don't let them run you ragged." he humorously added before departing with his wife.

"So, are you sure you're up for this?" Angelica asked while smiling.

"How bad could it be?" Vince replied nonchalantly causing her to laugh. She almost felt bad about the horrors that he would soon be subjected to.

As Vince stood in the center of the living room of William Shepard's home, he couldn't help but feel slightly uneasy as a crowd of curious but rowdy children stared back at him while sitting on the various furnishings that decorated the lounging area.

"You all remember Vince, don't you? He's going to be helping me today and making sure you don't tear Uncle Will's house apart." Angelica announced while standing beside him.

"Lame," one of her cousins quickly muttered.

"Is there a problem, Cammie?"

"Not at all. I'm thrilled that you and your boyfriend have been assigned to keep us in line. Let's ignore the fact that most of us are old enough to-"

"Then act like it." Angelica sternly cut in, instantly silencing her. "Sorry about that, Cammie can be a handful. It's weird, she's nothing like Uncle David or Aunt Sophie." she whispered in Vince's ear while the agitated teenage girl she'd just admonished glared at them. "Back on topic, I think it's about time we all got reacquainted. Vince, you remember my younger brothers-Jayce, Kevin and Keith."

"Hey."

"Sup."

Keith simply nodded a greeting before turning his attention back to Leanne and Noah as the trio played a new multiplayer game with their omni-tools around the coffee table.

Angelica simply shook her head before continuing the introductions. "You've met my cousin Leanne a few times already. She has the enviable distinction of being the only Shepard who's an only child. During times like these, I'm pretty sure Uncle Ethan and Aunt Zoe are glad they showed a little restraint." she joked.

"Restraint had nothing to do with it, they just got it right the first time and decided not to push their luck." Leanne cheerfully replied causing her two nearby cousins to grin.

"Moving on," Angelica continued in exasperation, "You already got a lovely welcome from Cammie." she stated while eyeing her oldest cousin who was already ignoring her while sending messages on her omni-tool. "Her younger brothers are Benji and Noah."

"How's it going?" Benji politely greeted from the couch where he was seated with Jayce.

"Um, nice to see you again." Noah added from the coffee table.

"Those two shouldn't be any trouble, Benji's a lot like Uncle David and Noah spends all his time with Leanne and Keith." Angelica once again whispered before reaching the final two Shepards. "And finally we have Aiden and Ollie. Uncle Will and Aunt Cassie's two troublemakers." she added after turning her attention to a pair of mischievous youths who were seated with Kevin on a sofa near an aquarium.

"So you're the guy Angelica's seeing?" Aiden playfully mused.

"I wonder how good he is at thinking on his feet?" Ollie pondered before a devilish grin appeared on his face. "Quick! How long have you two been groping each other in secret?"

"What?!" Vince coughed.

"Who's stronger? You or one of the Hunter triplets?"

"Give him something harder." Aiden urged. "Does the Terminus Hunter know about you two?"

"Who'd win in a fight, you or Angelica?"

"No wait, does Grandpa know you're together?"

"Ooh, good one!" Aiden joked before high fiving his brother.

"That's enough!" Angelica shouted. Their playful banter had drawn everyone's attention and served as the first steps towards giving her a monumental headache. "One more word out of either of you and I'll officially be angry. Do you understand me?" she fumed causing the smiles to disappear from their faces as they sank back into the sofa in retreat. "I'm really not in the mood for this." she sighed. "You might've guessed it already but those two will be the biggest agitators. Kevin can get a little wild too and the three of them tend to spread the chaos whenever they get together. Lucky for us we only have to hold out until Uncle Isaac and Aunt Hannah arrive. They'll be bringing Simon and Katelyn but those two are angels compared to the rest." she wearily explained.

"Cool, so we just have to hold down the fort. No problem." Vince casually replied.

"You really aren't worried, are you?"

"Angelica, I once had to track down an escaped colony of pyjaks that were let loose in Mal's mansion thanks to Leon and Nate goofing around on the extranet and an overzealous pet dealer who was way too prompt with his deliveries. If I managed to deal with that mess and clear it up without Mal and Tess ever finding out, I think I can handle a few Shepard brats. And like I said before, I've seen worse. Mal really did rescue a LOT of kids and they aren't all saints."

"Don't say I didn't warn you." Angelica replied before leaning upwards and gently kissing his cheek.

The hours that followed tested both caretakers' patience as they dealt with fights, impromptu departures by their older charges who were attempting to sneak out to meet friends without permission, a small explosion in the kitchen, a medical emergency for the poor fish who occupied the aquarium that was inevitably destroyed in a skirmish, a fire in the second floor bathroom, noise complaints from neighbors, an uninvited guest who'd snuck in to see Cammie and eventually an unexpected takeout delivery that neither babysitter had ordered.

"Two hundred credits?!" Vince raged while facing a slightly trembling pair of humans who'd just arrived with enough Thai cuisine to feed a small army. "If I wanted to get robbed, I'd stay in the Terminus Systems." he grumbled while pulling out his credit chit.

"Sweet, he actually paid for it." Aiden quipped.

"Now I wish we'd ordered more." his brother joked.

"That's it! Get in the kitchen and start setting the table! You punks are gonna eat every last bite, you hear me?!" Vince exploded, scattering everyone present as they all bolted to the kitchen. "Goddammit! Now I know how Mal must've felt all those times we gave him grief." he angrily muttered while stomping off to follow the others.

Angelica couldn't help but laugh to herself before turning her attention to Leanne who was casually flipping through the channels on the living room's vid screen while Noah and Keith slept on her lap. She took a moment to smile at the pair while sitting on the largest couch in the room before looking up at Angelica. "I really do envy you sometimes. It must be nice to have little brothers."

"I wouldn't know. Mine don't bother talking to me." Angelica replied while gazing down at Keith as he slept. "So, let's hear it."

"Well, he's still exchanging messages with your little sister on Cartagena, he's doing well in school except for math and science, and that little fight that happened recently wasn't his fault. A few bullies tried to pick a fight with Noah but Keith beat them down instead." Leanne thoughtfully explained.

"It's a shame I have to get status reports from you." Angelica lamented. "What's the situation with him and Mom? Still rocky?"

Leanne took a moment to place a hand of Keith's face before responding. "He's angry, Angelica. He doesn't feel like he has place here, in this family."

"What do you mean?"

"Practically everyone is planning to join the Alliance or pursue careers in science and medicine. These two are the oddballs." she softly explained while observing her sleeping cousins.

"So what? They shouldn't feel pressured into doing anything they don't want to and I know Mom and the others wouldn't try to force any decisions on them. God, they're still kids." Angelica countered.

"Try to see it from their perspective. I don't think I need to remind you about this family's history or legacy. None of us can really escape it." Leanne calmly continued.

"What about you?"

"What about me?" Leanne chuckled. "I've always said I'll do what I want. But then again, I am an only child. These two have older brothers and sisters who are already setting the bar-"

"Alright, just stop." Angelica interrupted in frustration. Why does this always come back to me?"

"I wasn't blaming you. I'm just being honest." Leanne replied before releasing a sigh. "Like you said before, they're just kids. Kids who are already planning to flee the nest as soon as they turn eighteen."

"And do what? Try to fulfill some silly childhood fantasy about exploring the galaxy and having adventures?" Angelica asked in agitation.

"Now you're starting to sound like Aunt Allie." Leanne warned her causing to Angelica to frown a little. "Their plans are more sensible than you think. But they are eager to leave Earth."

"They're just going to run off once they're old enough? Do you know how insane that sounds?"

"Yeah, that's why I'll have to watch over them." Leanne replied in an offhand manner before checking the messages on her omni-tool.

"What about your plans?"

"What plans? My only plan is to make as many credits as I can without being tied down anywhere. I was already thinking about coming back to Earth for awhile once I leave Grissom. I've got a few tempting offers waiting and the way I see it, I can start building a nest egg while I'm waiting for these two to make their escape. After that, we'll see." Leanne explained rather frankly.

Angelica simply stared at her in utter disbelief. "I guess I really can't compete with you."

Her statement fell on deaf ears as Leanne became preoccupied with squeezing her younger cousins' cheeks while they slowly roused awake and the young Alliance soldier made the decision not to pursue the matter any further, for the moment.

"Thanks again for today."

"It was nothing. What am I saying? It was a complete nightmare. But I guess you're worth it." Vince joked while sitting across from Angelica at a table in the kitchen. It was early morning and most of their charges had only just fallen asleep after having stayed up all night.

"Vince?"

"Hm?"

"Do you have any idea what Lou and the others are planning to do in the future?"

"Yeah, for the most part. Everyone's aiming to join the Wolves. You already knew that though."

"Even though Dad told them they could do whatever they wanted. He told me the same thing at my graduation party. And he even showed up in person to congratulate me after I completed my training at the academy. He hates the Alliance but he came anyway and never discouraged me from going wherever I wanted to. He's never really tried to persuade any of us to go in a certain direction, has he?" Angelica quietly mused.

"Nope, I'm proof of that. When I was six, I wanted to race Kakliosaurs. You know what Mal did? He flew me all the way to Tuchanka and convinced Wrex to introduce us to the best guys in the business. I spent weeks learning how to mount, ride and even fall off the right way." Vince explained.

"I remember that! Linus used to hide whenever you guys would visit because he knew you'd be coming for him." Angelica replied in amusement as they both laughed. "So there's no pressure on any of you to be the next Terminus Hunter."

"I wouldn't say that. It was just never a big deal, I mean it was but we all sort of ignored it. Mal didn't start talking about it until Lou and the others made it clear that they had plans to take on leadership roles in the organization someday. That was probably when he started sizing us all up." Vince thoughtfully replied. "What brought this on all of a sudden?"

"Nothing, I've just been thinking a lot lately about the Shepard branch of my family. And my baby brother. And the fact that I can't be the sister that he needs right now." she lamented.

"Sheesh woman, you are way too hard on yourself." Vince gently scolded before taking her hand. "He'll come to you when he's ready."

"I hope you're right." Angelica quietly wished as her thoughts slowly drifted to the little boy who unbeknownst to them was standing outside the doorway to the kitchen.

"No promises, Angelica." Keith whispered before walking off to the stairs.