Morning has arrived. This is the last time I'll be here for a while. I head to the pantry and collect the last of the water. Above the sink dried from yesterday's sunlight are my wash clothes. My armor and trophies are placed in storage. A sponge bath removes the filth on my body. Normally I would bathe myself in a river and let the sun dry me off. A magnificent sight to witness. I shake the water off and put on a pair of sweats and a hoodie I saved for this day. When I pop my head through the neckhole, I realize a haircut is long overdue. I give myself one the best I can with just a knife. A lot of practice makes it look somewhat ok. They didn't have barbers in some of the places I've been. I'll see if anyone on the normandy can give me a proper cut.

I exit my building and find the guy who's supposed to inherit it. I email him a document of all the plants, how to use them, warnings, and ask him to take good care of my vacation house. I bestow the keys to Eukark. A gesture only. There is no lock. I gave him a piece of bark carved in the shape of a key. I need something for the symbolism. To hand it over. I say one final goodbye to the friends I made and walk to the normandy. I climb up the temporary stairs to the decontamination area. Ultrasound shakes off any particles my clothes accumulated and an intense UV light running up my body to kill germs. The door opens and I see my former boss who had to beg me to come back and didn't offer me a substantial pay raise. Why did I accept? I also spy a raven haired beauty in a white hexagonal outfit, who wears a scowl.

I turn around "OH NO!"

"You just got here. What is it?" Shepard asks.

"She's a hater!" my arms are thrown up.

"What?" Miranda said.

"Shepard you know I warned you about how some women hate me for no reason. They wear that face!" I point directly to the source of many future frustrations.

"What is he talking about?" Miranda asks Shepard.

"If I told you, you wouldn't believe it" he said.

"Look, have you met me before? Did I do anything to upset you or give you a reason to hate me yet?" I do need someone else to annoy me. I'm keeping my promise to Shepard.

She turns to my friend. No, don't do that. He's supposed to be on my side.

"I don't like him" she said.

I roll my head back "uggh. This is going to be a drag. Hey it's Joker!" I walk up to him and carefully give him a big ole hug.

"Joker! I didn't see you at the funeral. What happened?" I ask.

"I was stuck in the hospital recovering. Alliance insurance is pretty crappy. They only gave me implants so I can walk now. Not a damn thing to reduce fractures for the hero pilot of the galaxy!" Joker said. My brows tense.

"Is that not a good thing? You can walk now" they had nothing like that in my original universe.

"It is okay, but I should have gotten the carbon fiber reinforcements" Joker said disappointedly. I let it go. Future people, future medicine, future problems. Insurance hasn't changed apparently.

A holographic feminine voice comes from the wall. Did I go insane for the fourteenth time?

"Hello ********* I am EDI. An artificial intelligence. My purpose is to assist Shepard and crew."

I put my hand out. "Don't be rude, shake my hand."

"I can not do that as I lack limbs" she said.

I tease "TRY!"

"I'm returning to my duties" Miranda leaves us. I say farewell to the future couple.

Shepard shows me the new galactic map room and introduces me to Kelly. She greets me with a warm embrace.

"Aw hugs are nice" I return the hold.

"I'm sorry I should have asked" she said.

"Nah it's alright" I didn't mind.

"I'm the ship's mental health professional. My duties are to monitor the well being of the crew and I am available for anything. Just let me know. I should let you know all ground team members are required to take biweekly sessions." she is so bubbly. I like her.

"Thank you. I'll accept your aid if I believe I need it. I would like to settle in first before any sessions. Do you have those bowls of chocolate candy?" I don't have any issues I can't deal with on my own.

"You are going to be seeing alot more of me now that he is here" Shepard said.

"No you won't. I made a promise at your funeral if I ever met you again in the clouds I'd stop bugging you. A guess a ship in space kinda counts" I said.

"Really!" why does he look hopeful? "Not at all?"

"I mean if you don't want me to stop cold turkey, the choice is yours. I made a promise. It's up to you if my eccentric flair can return" I said.

"I can't believe I am saying this, but I kinda missed your… you know. Maybe just keep it down for a while. I need to reacclimate to you" Shepard said.

Jackpot "Hehehe I remember those words. Weird a dude said it this time."

"Ok that is my cue to leave. Take care Shepard. I see what you meant. It was nice meeting you *********" Kelly departs.

Shepard shows me where Mordin's lab is. He has a sign up that we can't enter for the moment. We visit the armory instead. I see the beautiful weapons racked on the way. A childish look of wonder appears on my face.

"I like toys" I say to myself.

"That's not even the good stuff. I'm Jacob. Weapons specialist" I shake his hand. Strong grip. I hold back. Art of war. Make them think about your weak.

"Do I get to play with all these?" they look really fun. Jacob glances towards Shepard.

"When you said he was special…"

"NOT THAT KIND!" I take a quick deep breath.

"Hi I'm *********. I don't know what Shepard said about me, but here are some things to know. I respect anything that involves improvement. Craftsmen, bodybuilders, philosopher's etc. I like using those educated parts of my brain as well as caveman destruction GOOD parts from time to time" I said.

"I think we are going to get along just fine" Jacob said.

Kasumi appears behind me. Her nail turns on my shoulder as she spins herself forward.

"Oh la la. Look at him. Who is the hottie?" rough translation. She said it in japanese. I can understand her. I understand all languages. It is a kind of telepathy. I know the intentions of everyone's meaning based on their energies. It's how I can talk to aliens without the translator in my brain.

"Look at me? Look at you. Is that hoodie hiding a beautiful face?" I said.

Kasumi freezes. "You can speak Japanese?"

"I only speak american, but I can understand you" I can't translate my words into other languages without learning it.

"You mean english?" Shepard asks. I grab his collar.

"Don't mention those tea taxers again" those manipulative parliament bastards with their twisty words so they can do what they say then create all kinds of legal loopholes to have their way despite what deals they were supposed to honor.

"What is your name?" I try to sneak a peak. Kasumi makes this cute noise and disappears.

"COWARD!"

"I didn't think Kasumi had a shy bone in her body" Jacob comments.

I say farewells to the weapons master and Shepard shows me the elevator. We ran into Zaheed. He exits the elevator and spots me.

"Never thought I'd see a jacked giraffe" HA. That got me pretty good. Zaheed heads off without saying another word.

"I think he's your future" Shepard jokes.

We head down a level and the elevator is so freaking slow. Are all spaceship elevators slow? Shepherds shows me the asari justicar's room. He knocks on her door. The door slides open and I watch Samara meditate upon the cosmos. She stands then turns around. her eyes dilate and a smile briefly flashes before she composes herself.

"This is *********. The one I complained a lot about" Shepard's new spine is irritating me.

"Hello. I am Samara. I've heard many tales. You are not what I imagined. I sense an old soul. One is carries a heavy burden he can not shake" she cuts deep.

"I…. yeah. I'm not reacting to that. I'm not familiar with justicars. Are you a warrior monk?" I ask.

"That is one of my duties. The justicar code has many requirements" she said.

"I noticed you were meditating. I am an advanced practitioner and am always on the lookout for new techniques. If your code allows it, would you teach me what you know?" I ask earnestly. Her eyes gleam with a slight excitement.

"Really? The young do not show much interest" she said.

"I'm older than I look for a human. Shepard, how old do you think I am?" My body has aged on Tuchunka. I didn't reset as I wanted to keep my progress. I can still convert into energy at will. That is not an issue. A Korgan year is a bit longer than earth years. I'm betting I'm biologically 30ish now, but can pass for late twenties.

"The code welcomes all who wish to learn. You have a strong field. Your biotics make you a suitable candidate for our teachings" she said.

"Thanks but I'm not a biotic" she laughs, then stops.

"Truthfully?"

"No biotics juju in me" I said.

"Are you for certain? Some individuals…" I interrupt.

"I'm sure" I said.

"Odd. You have the presence of one, but upon closer inspection, something does feel different' she squints her eyes.

"I'm I being violated right now?" I cover up the special areas.

"You are so weird" Shepard pinches his nose.

"I should return to my meditations. It's a pleasure to meet you" Samara holds out her hand.

"It was nice meeting you…. AAAAAH! crap NOT AGAIN! Ow it hurts worse the second time" the burn is even worse. That's it no more touching asari.

"A thousand apologies. This has happened before?" She inspects my hand.

Shepard answers her. "Yeah it happened with another asari back on the original Normandy. It only happened once. Are you alright *********?"

"Do I look alright!?" I see what is happening. I felt my energy shoot into her. I've accumulated more energy living on tuchunka somehow. Women's biology makes it easier to absorb energy.

"Let's have the doc take a look" Shepard escorts me to the Chakwas. She bandages my hand, gives me medigel, and takes blood samples to run some tests. No telling what living with the Krogan did to me.

I say my goodbyes and we head to the cannon room. Garrus spends most of his time there. We enter and I see the scarred turian.

"Oh... Garrus. That looks really bad. I mean really bad. That's gotta be difficult to walk around in public with. It's hideous. The scar will help distract from your ugly face."

"Hahaha it still hurts to laugh. I missed you *********. I thought I'd never see you again after the funeral. All things considered" he rubs his burned mandible.

"What do you mean?" I sense something coming.

"After the funeral, the council offered me spectre status" he said.

"CONGRAGULATIONS I knew you could do it" I'm so happy for him.

"I turned it down" Garrus said.

"YOU JERK! I didn't sleep with the asari councilor so you could have a fair shot!" I'm fuming.

"You slept with her? You didn't" Shepard said.

"I said I didn't. Why did you turn it down?" I ask.

"I believed the freedom that came with the job was what I wanted till I actually had it. That day I felt fear. Thinking what I could do to the next criminal and who I'd hurt if I only focused on the. Turian tunnel vison. I remember what you said. I was too hot headed. Couldn't trust myself. I didn't want to become the next Saren" oh. Garrus does have some anger issues. Smart move. Must have been hard to turn that down.

"Then I went to Omega to fight my negative spirits or as you humans say overcome my demons. One thing led to a rocket to the face and here I am" Garrus said.

"That is one way to get a job" I comment.

"You two are going to be roommates. The ship is getting crowded as is. A cot will be set up soon" Shepard said.

I say to Shepard "Do you know those japanese floor beds? Those are surprisingly comfortable" I turn to the invisible woman "Kasumi do you have a spare or know where to get one?"

she uncloaks "How did you know I was here?"

I reply "Hehe, you'd like to know"

"Kasumi get out of here and bring my tools back. Being roommates with you will be great. It was good to see you again *********. I have to get back to calibrating this thanix cannon. I'll see you later" Garrus said, I chuckled when he said calibrating. It was so stupid how that became a meme. Hilarious though. I remember some really funny videos on youtube back in the day.

Shepard introduces me to the ship engineers Ken and Gabby. He said they will probably be asking for my help with some heavy stuff that Grunt is too big and or careless to do. I shake the Scottish man's hand and his female associate. Ken rattles of a list of things they could use my help with, while Gabby squeezes my biceps. I ask her to stop. She does but continues a minute later. I smacked her hand away. I'm uncomfortable with that sort of attention and I make an excuse to go. We exit the engine room.

"Anyone else?" I ask.

Not for the moment. We have someone to pick up named Jack soon. Strongest human biotic. I was on my way to recruit him when Grunt started acting up. That's our next mission. I'd like you to come. I want all humans on the next mission. Jack is listed as volatile and I didn't want to have aliens set him off. Between you and me I don't trust Miranda or Jacob. they were the first people I met when I woke up and that was a year ago. Miranda means well but comes off as a total bitch at times. Jacob seems respectable. He used to be in the alliance then left. I understood his reason but It feels like betrayal. If you ask him he'll say the same. It's smart not to trust them for the time. I really want you on this mission" Shepard desperately asking. He's struggling. I can't say no to those eyes. I accept.

"Hi" my elbow is brushed by an attractive brown haired woman who said those two letters in a sultry tone as she walks by with a runway model gait that locks my eyes in for a moment. It's been a while since I've seen a woman act like that. I lost my composure for a minute. I regained control.

I place my hand on my friend's shoulder "Shepard what kind of ship are you running?"

"Huh?"

"Oh I get it. That's a funny prank. Really clever" I said.

"I'm not pranking you" Shepard said.

"You're not?" I sense his expression generator. It's not powering up in a negative way. He isn't lying or at least believes he isn't lying.

"Shepard something is wrong" I get chills.

"Why what's the matter?" Shepard looks concerned.

"Women tend to like me, but they were rarely touching me without my permission kinda way. What is going on?" Did I earn another upgrade and not know it?

"You.. do seem different than last time. You feel… I don't know and that sweatshirt does nothing to hide your physique. You were tone before but now. What happened on that planet?" Shepard asked.

"I don't know. I got a weird feeling about this."