CHAPTER ONE: Picking up the pieces.

Shepard cleared his throat as the meeting began, his team sitting around the table of the debriefing room. They all had the look of exhaustion on their face and body language but nobody was complaining. It seemed the relief from coming out alive was enough to keep all of them working. Tali was sitting next to him, he knew she had it worse than everyone else having to deal with ship repairs. She looked at him and he knew she was smiling under her helm. Under his helm, he smiled back. Taking a slow breath, he turned to the rest of the team.

"That was a job well done out there people," Shepard began, pride in his voice as he crossed his arms and leaned back. "The Collector threat is over but there are hard times ahead." The room went dark as he projected a holographic image of the Reaper Fleet that he had recovered from data on the collector base. "Hard times. According to the data, it will take one to two years before the Reapers are upon us, and as it is right now, the galaxy will burn."

The crew was silent, and Shepard continued.

"This is why we need to bring them all together as one if anybody wants to survive the war." He switched off the hologram and the lights came back on, "But that will be quite an undertaking in and of itself. As of now, the first priority is the status of the Normandy."

"About that, Shepard." came Zaeed from the far side of the table, the merc had his usual grim demeanor. "I heard you cut off ties from Cerberus, was that the wisest course of action?"

John opened his mouth to reply but Tali beat him to it. "That Bosh'tet has been pulling our strings around since this all started." She was sitting next to him, and her hand slowly clutched his knee from under the table. "Shepard did the right thing back in the collector base. Cerberus showed their true motivations, and if he had allowed them to get what they wanted, they'd become another threat as bad as the Collectors."

"I was talking to the commander, little lady." Zaeed replied, and Shepard knew that the color rose on Tali's face.

"Tali's right, Zaeed." Shepard said, putting his hand on hers under the table, causing the quarian to calm down at his reassurance. "If the Illusive Man got that tech, we may as well have let The Collectors have their way."

"That may be so, Commander." The merc replied unfazed, "But that does leave the our funding severely empty. I'm not questioning the good intentions of everyone on this ship, but the cold truth is that money makes her float almost as much as the mass effect generator does."

Garrus spoke from the side of the table opposite to Zaeed. "He has a point Shepard." He conceded almost reluctantly. "The repairs to the Normandy are one thing but we need a budget to keep her operating. I know a few good ship yards in Omega, almost honest, but repairs will not come cheap. Even with a bit of intimidation; that's just the nature of that place."

"Well…" Jack began, "There are a lot of pirates in the Omega system. We could do a little vigilante justice of our own and take wha-"

"Zaeed and Garrus are right, commander." Miranda said, cutting Jack off briskly and totally ignoring her input, bringing up data and numbers from her omni-tool. "At this rate we'll be broke in 2 months, we need to lay off some unnecessary expenses until we can come up with a more long-term solution to the pro-"

"Great idea, cheer leader!" Jack cut off Miranda, grinning at the other woman's irritated expression. "Let's start with cutting down on your skank budget. Hell, maybe you can even make us some money on Omega."

Their glares narrowed onto each other as Jack continued.

"I hear batarians pay through the roof for some human pu-"

"Listen, you classless little bitch." Miranda started. She normally took the highroad when dealing with Jack, but stress does wonders to your personality. "If you don't have anything remotely constructive to add, you might as well go back to that dank pit you call a room."

"Make me, cheer leader."

Both women started to glow bright blue, as the people sitting next to them slowly started to back away. Arcs of biotic energy from the two of them were already starting to claw at one another. Shepard was already up on his feet, pulling Tali behind him. He had defused a fight between the two before but the proverbial gasoline had already been thrown into the fire now.

"JACK! MIRANDA!" He yelled. "That is quite enough! We just barely got out with our lives and you're practically gonna tear this place apart even more!"

"I don't think they care anymore, John." Tali said behind him as the lights on the ceiling started to crack and break.

Still, he had to try, but Samara got between the two women first.

"Girls." The Asari Justicar said in her pleasant but chilling tone. Her eyes glowed a bright blue and a strong pulse of biotic energy ran throughout the room, breaking the biotic fields of both women and knocking them back into their chairs. "That is quite enough."

"The hell, Grandma!"

"That was unnecessary of you to disable me, Samara. I only acted in self-defense."

The two humans on either side of her may be powerful for their species, but there is nothing like centuries of experience that tempers biotic abilities ever so nicely. Samara said nothing as she walked back to her seat, ignoring the glare of the two other women.

"Look, I don't care who started this little 'feud' you two have had going on," Shepard started, exasperation in his voice. "But this has to end right now!"

The team slowly started to make their way back to their seats as Shepard hopped over the surface of the U-shaped table to stand between Miranda and Jack.

"Not 6 hours ago, you two were fighting alongside each other! Hell, you even covered each other's backs!" He began, shifting his gaze from one to the other, the women not being able to meet his as they stared at the ground. "But every other damn time you're in a room together you do your best to tear the other one apart! Enough is enough, you two will work this out, understand?"

Shepard ran his hand across his visor as he turned and sat back down on his chair. The room was dead silent, when suddenly, one of the damaged lights, crackled and fizzed, dying out while raining him in sparks and pieces of glass.

Grunt snorted loudly, then let out a booming laugh, slapping Zaeed in the back who nearly buckled over the table. Zaeed gave the young krogan a look that could kill. But the longer he stared at the laughing Grunt, his expression softened and he was slowly starting to chuckle himself. Shepard turned to Tali who was snickering quietly underneath her mask. Suddenly, the entire team was laughing, even Miranda and Jack had sheepish smiles on their faces.

There was just something about having surviving a brush with death that brings you closer with people.

"Well…" Jack and Miranda said in unison, bringing their heads up at the same time and unwittingly stared into each other's eyes.

"You first, Miranda." Jack conceded, using Miranda's name for the first time.

"I, I guess I have been unkind towards you…" Miranda said.

"And I've been an awful bitch, I know, I meant to be…" Jack replied.

"Look, maybe we can start over…"

""Maybe…" Jack said quietly, there was a pause in the group, until Jack continued with a wicked smile. "I'm still gonna call you cheer leader though…"

"Quite." Miranda said, smiling at the other woman.

"We good?" Jack said.

"It's a start."

Shepard let out a sigh of relief as the tension in the room broke. "Well that's one problem settled."

"Still 67 left to go, Shepard." Mordin replied, sliding him a data-pad with the ship's major problems on it. "Been doing the calculations; solutions far from conceivable at present. Maybe cut off frivolous expenditures, bare down to the basics. Still, not enough, not enough at all."

"We have money problems, I get it, okay?" Shepard replied wearily, scrolling through the data. Maybe he could pull some long term favors from his alliance contacts. As much as he didn't want to deal with those windbags in the council, he would have to sooner or later. Maybe do a little bit of what Jack recommended. Running through a few high profile bounties could get them back on their feet. Hell, it might do wonders for their reputation.

"Ahem, I think I might have the solution, ladies and gentlemen." Kasumi said in that shrewd tone of hers, stepping on top of the table and capturing everyone's attention. All eyes turned to her as she brought out her omni-tool, linking it to the table and letting out a stream of data. She transmitted the information onto the main hologram projector. "As you can see, I was planning to make this into my retirement plan, but I figured it would be better used as investment money."

The team's eyes went wide at the numbers she was projecting.

"Oh my." Mordin said. "It would appear this will do quite nicely, Shepard." He worked some calculations on his omni-tool. "Not only can we bring back the Normandy to her optimum state, we can further upgrade her."

"Damn, girl…" Jacob stated. "That's a lot of thermal rounds."

"Keelah…" Tali began, "That is enough credits to run one of the larger ships in the flotilla for nearly a year."

"Consensus: The amount is more than substantial to continue independent operations for the foreseeable future." Legion stated, "Recommendations: Accept the offer, Shepard-Commander."

"Kasumi, where did you-?" Shepard began, wide eyed.

"The greybox wasn't the only thing I took from Hock during that little fiasco at his party, I also took interest." She smiled wryly at the stunned faces around her as she linked it into the Ship's credit account. "Naturally when all this is over, I'll be expecting the amount spent plus a little interest on the side, eh Shepard?"

"Sure, sure…" he replied, still going over the numbers. This wasn't just Hock's account, the records showed arms dealing, smuggling, drug running. This was blood money. It made Shepard a bit uncomfortable, but this was just what the Normandy needed. "Would you like me to make you your coffee in the morning, too?"

"No need, Shepard." Kasumi said slyly. She shifted her stance slightly so that her backside was towards Jacob's direction, one hand on her hip, but still looking at Shepard. "I enjoy my coffee black."

Thane simply chuckled silently as Jacob turned a different shade, the other man clearing his throat.

"Since when did you get a sense of humor?" Jacob muttered, lightly elbowing the drell to his right.

"I don't get it." Grunt interjected audibly at Jacob.

"Damnit, Grunt…" Jacob said, ears turning red as he slumped back down his chair.

"I'll explain it to you later, Grunt." Samara said motherly as Grunt furrowed his brow still deep in thought.

Kasumi jumped down from the table and returned to her seat, facing Jacob with a predatory gleam in her eyes.

Jacob cleared his throat again and pretended not to notice.

Garrus kicked his feet up and leaned back, arms crossed over his chest. "Looks like things are slowly falling into place for you, eh Shepard? Money, hot quarian girlfriend, loyal crew…"

"Token turian smart ass." Shepard continued for his friend, making the room laugh some more.

"Racial jokes, Shepard?" Garrus said with a grin, "Really? You must be out of it."

"It would appear that endorphins have flooded our systems" Mordin interjected. "Typical reaction for when an organism is exhausted. All problems have been stated and discussed. Recommend ending the meeting now and give entire crew some R and R."

"I second the good doctor's motion." Zaeed added, stretching his arms, "Feels like I could sleep for weeks."

"All in favor?" Garrus said.

"Aye!" The entire team said in unison, looking at Shepard.

"Right, right, I can take a hint…" Shepard said, standing up. "EDI, arrange for the maintenance crew to work in shifts. The rest of you, dismissed."

"Copy that, Shepard." Edi said.

"Freedom!" Grunt said as he stood up and made for the door. "A good killing always makes me sleepy."

"I'll say." Zaeed said, following after the Krogan.

Soon, most of the team were already making their way to the door. Jacob was too busy checking something on his omni-tool to notice that the master thief in front of him disappeared from view.

"Join me in my room for a drink, Taylor?" Kasumi said as she appeared behind Jacob, catching the man off-guard as he was standing up. "A night cap before sleep relieves tension."

"Um, ah…" He stuttered. He never was good with talking to women, at least not when they fired the first shot, as they say. Thane however was of a much smoother disposition.

"Why Kasumi, Jacob has been going on and on about wanting a drink since we left the Collector base." Thane said as he got up, folding his hands behind his back and made for the door himself, joining the others who were already outside.

"Wait, what?" Jacob said stunned at Thane's retreating form.

"Great!" Kasumi yelled in triumph as she started pulling on Jacob's hand, the man being too flabbergasted to resist. "So will it be shots or are you more of a beer man, Jacob?"

"Yo seriously, Thane." He said as the drell left the room, "Who is putting you up to this, man?"

Outside, Jack sneered at Thane as she handed him a credit chit. "Got to hand it to you, Krios, you play dirty."

"I don't know what you speak of Jack." Thane said flatly as he pocketed the chit, "Looking forward to the next betting pool you set up."

He left her there as he walked down the corridor.

"Fuck you, Thane." Jack said grinning as the doors closed behind Thane. Shortly afterwards Kasumi was practically dragging Jacob with her, talking about her many heists. Miranda followed soon after, standing next to Jack and watched the couple leave. "You'd think we'd learn about letting him in on the pool after that whole Shepard/Samara debacle." She stretched her arms behind her head. "Who knew the 'Shep' would go for princess bucket head instead?"

"Thane, apparently." Miranda said, watching Jacob and Kasumi leave. "My, she is forward." She continued as Kasumi was practically latched onto Jacob's arm.

"Girl knows what she wants." Jack said, turning to the other woman, a mischievious grin on her face. "Jealous that someone else is homing in on your man?"

"He is not my man." Miranda replied near indignantly, "What we have is strictly platonic and professional."

"What, you ain't down for men?" Jack added suggestively. "Didn't know the cheer leader played for the other team."

"You wish. It's called professionalism."

"Sure it is." Jack said, then added. "You know, this girl talk thing ain't half bad, but don't expect me to be BFF's with you overnight."

"Oh don't worry, I haven't been entertaining the thought." Miranda replied, checking her omni-tool for her to do list. It became rather empty since she didn't need to file a report to Cerberus about Shepard's actions every few hours. "Hey, Shepard said you love to read."

"What about it?" Jack said defensively.

"Well, I have my little personal library in my quarters," Miranda started rather sheepishly, "You're welcome to borrow some books anytime if you'd like."

"Fucking hell, are you…" Jack stated, squinting a bit. "Are you being nice to me?"

"It's not happening twice." Miranda replied flatly.

"Thanks…" Jack's face softened, "I'll drop by sometime."

"I'd like that." Miranda said as the two women walked down the corridor and out of the door.

Back in the debriefing room, Mordin, Legion and Samara had excused themselves, leaving Shepard, Tali and Garrus alone in the debriefing room.

"And then there were 3." Garrus said, stretching out and getting up from his chair. "Don't worry though, I'll be out of you two love bird's hair soon."

Tali blushed underneath her visor. "Go recalibrate yourself, Garrus."

Shepard pulled of his helmet and laughed. "No need to tell him that, Tali. It's like he doesn't know how to do anything else."

"Hey now!" Garrus interjected. "You weren't complaining when the cannons ate their way through that collector ship." He ran a hand through his fringe and headed for the door. "By the way Shepard, Donnely's been wanting to make back his losses on some Skyllian Five poker at the end of the week, you in?"

"I'll be there." Shepard replied with a grin. "Though I take no pride in draining Kenneth's life savings away from him."

"Really? Huh." Garrus said with mock shock, replaced by a grin of his own. "Still, you can't fault the man's dedication." He walked past the door and added slyly. "See you two in several hours, do use protection."

Tali was just about to retort but the doors closed, leaving Garrus with the last word.

"That… that…" She simply said as Shepard shook his head in amusement.

"Hey." Shepard said with a smile, causing her to turn to him. All of a sudden, Tali was very aware that they were very alone in the room.

"Hey." She replied, feeling her annoyance ebb away, replaced by something more comfortable yet pensive at the same time.

"We haven't had the time to talk since getting back from the mission." He said, taking her hand in his and looking at her with that disarming smile of his. "How are you?"

"I, I'm fine, really. I've just been a little overworked down in the engine room. Not that I'm complaining or anything, no! Gabby and Kenneth really do pick up a lot of the slack and…" Tali stammered, tripping over her words. "And, and the core, don't get me started about the core… and…" she, put a palm onto her face plate and sighed. "I'm doing it again aren't I?"

"Not as bad as usual." Shepard just chuckled, and then frowned as he started to feel how warm her hand was through her gloves. "You're sick." He began, face filling with worry.

"Oh, this? This is nothing." Tali assured, her voice a little panicked. "I'm running a fever, have a nasty cough, and my sinuses are filled with something I can't even describe…"

"Tali…" Shepard began apologetically.

"But it was worth it." Tali reassured. Shepard smiled; he was getting familiar with the tones of her voice. Even if he couldn't see her face, he knew she was smiling. "Besides, Mordin gave me a cocktail of antibiotics that should flush my system and have me up and running in no time."

"Still, as your commander, it's my duty to ensure your health." Shepard grabbed her and stood up, carrying the surprised quarian like a princess. "I think some bed rest in the captain's cabin is in order."

"John!" Tali yelped as she swung her hands around his neck for support. "People will see!"

"I didn't know I embarrassed you, Tali." He replied mischeviously.

"What I, no! I was just saying… that is… Um… Keelah…" She began, then furrowed her brow. "Hey, you're doing it again! You're making me stutter like a damn fool."

"Sorry, heh, I'll work on it." He said, walking past the door, his lover in his arms. "Don't worry too much, CIC should be deserted by now." There was a long quiet accentuated by his footfalls as they exited the corridor and detoured through the tech lab. "Hey, Tali…"

"Hmm?" She replied, her head buried in his chest.

"I'm glad you thought it was worth it." He said, smiling down at her.

"Oh John…" They made their way into the elevator and Tali pushed the button up to Deck 1. "You are such a dork."

"I try." The doors of the elevator closed and part of Shepard wished he could have this moment forever.

Author: A light-hearted start as the crew wind down from the mission's adrenalin rush. I'm still very new at this and I hope my character banter is fluid enough.