I was really on a roll so I just kept writing and all of a sudden another chapter was done. Thanks to everyone who have been reviewing. I appreciate all of the comments, opinions, and advice. Let me know what you all think of Chapter 56. We are only two or three chapters away from the end. Don't worry, we'll see Luke, Claire, Mallory and the rest of the gang will be back in the next fic that I will start posting as soon as this fic is complete. Please read and review. Enjoy!

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His chest felt heavy, like someone was perched on top of him like bird. His stomach ached like he had not eaten in days. The searing and churning in his gut ate away at him keeping him in constant discomfort. Although, the tingling in his fingers and toes was familiar. Synthetic pain relievers. The same used in most medi-gel. His eyes felt heavy and weak as he tried to open them. His eyelids acted like window shades stuck closed. He struggled to open them but the moment he did, bright over bearing light shined down on him. If this is heaven I'm not exactly impressed, Luke thought shutting his eyes tight again. He tried opening his eyes again, this time slower as to adjust to the light.

Above him was a neutral gray ceiling with small pale blue lines separating individual tiles; a sanitary setting but with a certain calming effect on him. Luke groaned as his eyes found the source of the light; a window on the right side of his bed.

"Must be a hospital," Luke said softly closing his eyes once more. His voice was so dry and raspy that he could hardly recognize it. He must have been unconscious for some time.

It was not just the visual surrounds that gave form to his setting. He could smell the disinfectant and the filtered air. There was always a metallic, chemical smell to hospitals that he never really enjoyed. It gave food and water a coppery taste like sucking on an old fashion penny or the taste he got after he liked licked a paper cut. He tried to avoid them mostly because of the smell, but he had seen his fair share during his time with C-Sec.

"Well, it's good to see your grasp of the obvious survived intact."

Luke turned further. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he found Claire sitting in a chair beside him. A long jagged cut was healing running from her right ear down to her chin. Her crimson hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Luke smirked. She only put her hair up if she had not had a shower in a few days. Luke wondered if she had been there the whole time he was out. Though what taunted his mind further was the wonder of if she received the cut on her face during the fight with Saren, or when Sovereign crashed.

"You look horrible," Luke wheezed. Claire smiled at her brother. Luke could tell she had been worried. Her hair was a bit of a mess and it was obvious she had not slept in at least a day.

"You should talk. I'm not the one that got themselves impaled on reaper debris," Claire said as her gaze turned to the floor.

"Impaled?" Luke repeated sitting up slightly. Pain shot through his entire body originating from his shoulder and lower abdomen. He groaned and fell back against his pillow, although that impact made him hurt more. He figured the pain in his chest resonated from the wound Saren had given him after becoming possessed and breaking his chest plate. Could it be where he had been turned into a shish kabob?

"You pushed me into the maintenance tunnel and covered me when Sovereign exploded. You got hit…" Claire's expression turned sorrowful. Luke turned to her and smiled.

"Claire, you're the important one. You've got to survive. Me, I'm expendable," Luke stated, turning back over and trying to relax, yet the pain and discomfort persisted.

"Luke, damn it. Stop playing the martyr. You're important: to the Normandy, to the crew, to me. I know you're mad about Ashley, but getting yourself killed is not the answer." Claire's eyes started to tear up as she stood and turned away from him looking out the window. "I just got you back, Luke. Don't you dare die on me."

Luke sighed. His anger seemed useless now. There was no one else to fight, no more necessary deaths. His eyes found their way across the room to Claire's back.

"Hey sis, I'm not going anywhere. Even if I have to work with Mallory and Kaidan again, I'd like to come back to the Normandy," Luke said.

Claire turned so fast she nearly fell over. Tears lefts shimmering trails down her face in the light of the hospital room. She advanced to the side of his bed and took a gentle hold of his hand.

"Just no tearing apart the ship anymore okay? I don't have enough credits to repair both you and the ship," Claire joked, kissing her brother on the forehead and stroking his buzz-cut hair.

"No promises now that I've gotten a taste for destruction," Luke said giving Claire's hand a gentle squeeze. Claire laughed leaning down and lightly hugging him. "How is everyone else? We didn't lose anyone did we?"

Claire sat back down in the chair placing her elbows on the side of the bed. Wiping her tears away, she smiled and kept her hold on Luke's hand.

"Tali is sick from a suit puncture but she is going to be fine. Liara was stabbed in the side during our little struggle with Saren. Garrus got hit by some debris like you did, but it only broke his arm, and Wrex was wounded but by the time the rescue teams dug us out he'd regened enough to heal on his own," Claire explained.

"What about you? Was that cut all you got?" Luke asked motioning to Claire's face. His concern was genuine. If she had been seriously injured, she needed to be resting rather than watching over him.

"Minor scrapes and bruises. Nothing compared to you." Claire smirked patting his hand.

"Let's hear it. I'm sure there is a list as long as my arm right?" Luke joked raising his other hand. The motion sent ripples of pain through his chest and back causing him to wince and hiss.

"Well, you've got bruised ribs and a cracked sternum to start with, plus the trauma from the debris piercing you through the chest and stomach. Large gashes in your chest, I'm guessing from fighting Saren. Plus a concussion. I swear you have some of the worst luck when it comes to getting injured," Claire said counting the injuries on her free hand.

"But some of the best luck surviving," Luke responded.

"That must be a Shepard thing," someone at the door said. Luke turned to see Captain Anderson entering. "It's good to see you awake, son. How are you feeling?"

"Like hammered shit, but I'll make it," Luke responded. Claire gave his hand a squeeze bringing his gaze back to her.

"The COUNCILOR says that the Council and the Alliance are both presenting the entire Normandy crew with medals for our actions during the battle," Claire said. Luke's eyes widened.

COUNCILOR!? Oh crap! Humainity has a councilor now. Luke cleared his throat as he turned back to Anderson. "Congratulations on your appointment to office, councilor. I don't think they could have made a better choice."

"No need to be formal with me. You two are damned heroes. Same with everyone else on the Normandy. The name Shepard has turned into a household name both on the Citadel and back on Earth. All three of you are highly sought after. I'm sure now that you are awake all kinds of people will be approaching you to offer jobs," Anderson said placing a hand on Luke's shoulder.

"You know where my loyalties lie, sir, and I don't plan on making any changes any time soon," Claire responded.

"Good to hear, Commander." Anderson's attention turned to Luke. All he could do was smirk.

"Once I'm able to, I'll be rejoining the Normandy as an agent for Claire. That is as far as my plans go," Luke informed him. Anderson simply smiled and crossed his arms.

"Command does not want all three Shepards on one ship, however, they can't stop you since you are technically a civilian contractor. I heard from Admiral Hackett this morning that Lieutenant Mallory Shepard, Chief Engineer Greg Adams, Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko, Private William McRath, and Corpral Elaine Troya are all being transferred off the ship. You will have the new roster this afternoon." Anderson shook Claire's hand and patted Luke on the shoulder. "I wish you both luck, but you two seem to have it in spades."

The two laughed as the councilor left. They continued to talk for several hours until Luke's pain relievers finally got the better of him and he fell into a much need slumber.

000

"How is he?" Mallory asked as Claire sat down. The Café was one of the few places on the Presidium that was still able to operate. Even after a week, some fires still burned and survivors continued to be found.

"He's doing better. Woke up yesterday to talk to Anderson and me. Garrus is with him now. I told him to update me on any changes," Claire said checking her omni-tool.

"I got the orders Anderson told you about. They gave me executive command of the Athens. I ship out tomorrow." Mallory pulled the orders from her pocket and showed it to Claire.

"I'm happy for you, Commander," Claire said as she found the line giving Mallory the promotion.

"I'm just trying to wrap my head around it myself." Mallory paused drumming her fingers on the table a couple times. "Have you heard where Kaidan is being transferred to?"

"I thought he would have told you," Claire said. It was confusing considering how close Mallory and Kaidan had become. Claire couldn't understand why Kaidan would not tell Mal where he was going to be stationed. Of course it was a possibility that he was being moved to a classified location and under strict orders to not tell anyone.

"He didn't. He met with some spook from AEIS, got his transfer, and now he won't say anything about it. It's worrying me," Mallory explained wringing her hands.

"Mal, if Kaidan met with AEIS, the transfer is probably classified. Might be something boring like an experiment or it might be a black op they need him for. There is no telling with spooks. It's why I never did any espionage training." Claire understood Mallory's worry. Corsairs were known to be the cowboys of the Alliance, the kind of people that got disavowed if they got caught, but the Alliance Espionage and Intelligence Service (AEIS) was a whole different monster. She had heard Anderson once describe them as criminals with government paychecks. They used assassins, hackers, thugs, thieves, and anyone else they could to get the job done. All they could do was hope Kaidan stayed safe and ended his involvement with them quickly.

"Claire, I'm worried. I just… I don't know. I thought Kaidan and I were…" Mallory started to tear up. Claire moved her chair over next to Mallory and put her arm around her.

"I've seen you and Kaidan together and nothing will ever break that bond. You'll see. Once the mission he's assigned to is over, he'll come right back to you," Claire said rubbing her sister's back. She had not seen Mallory like this since their parents had been killed. Mallory had cried for days after they were extracted. No words in any language were enough to sooth her. This proved several things to Claire. One, her sister was still a girl at heart. She may be known as the Butcher of Torfan and had a scary reputation, but she remained the little girl who wanted her loved ones close. Two, she loved Kaidan. No doubt in Claire's mind. Mal was head over heels.

"I just want something to work out, you know. I mean, the mission was a success, the Council is safe. This should be a happy ending." Mallory sobbed into her sister's shoulder.

Claire sighed. "Mal, we're marines. We expect things to go to hell in a hand basket. Besides, you and I both know that this fight isn't over. The rest of the reapers are still out there. But if you want to know what is going to end happy, it's gonna be you and Kaidan. I promise," Claire said stroking her sister's hair. Mallory sniffed and nodded.

"I'm gonna miss you," Mallory said embracing her sister.

"I'm gonna miss you too," Claire responded.