From their bed, John and Tali watched the distant Citadel and her arms with quiet admiration. Little tiny twinkles of light from hundreds of starships zipped about and around the space city, and the deep rich hues of plum and purple from the Widow nebulae certainly did the moving landscape justice.
Tali had been holding John's hand for minutes now, so she squeezed to get his attention.
"Mm?"
"What do you think Anderson's going to say?" She murmured quietly before fluffing her pillow a little bit to get more comfortable.
"Well..." John cast his look off into the distance before shrugging, "Not really sure."
She pat his chest and gave him a warm smile. "I'm sure it'll be fine though."
"Yeah. I'm sure it will be." John agreed with his own whisper. They carried on in silence for a little longer.
John cradled her with an arm and brought her closer. "We've got a lot of things to do today."
"Like?"
"After we meet Anderson, we'll get some lunch and see about buying some stuff so you can start living in here a little more comfortably."
Tali nodded vigorously. "God, please. That would be great. We'll go clothes shopping then too. Get me some shirts and sweatpants."
"The ones that cuff at the ankles?"
"Oh yes. Didn't I tell you I had like eight pairs of them on the old Normandy?"
"Yeah. You did. Just make sure they're aren't too baggy." John said with a slight chuckle. "Don't want to look too trashy."
"Well." Tali huffed, "I'll try."
John kissed the side of her face and laughed. "We'll go do some grocery shopping too. Buy a fridge and microwave."
"Might as well turn your room into a studio apartment then." Tali said with a beaming smile, "Get a mini washer and dryer. Stove too maybe."
"Excellent idea. Should definitely make a list of the essentials we'll need. Dextro toothpaste. Toothbrush."
"Underwear." Tali added, "Or no underwear. I'm cool with that too."
"I wouldn't mind it." John said as he rubbed his chin with a not-so-coy grin.
"I'm sure." She said before pinching him, "Food. Definitely food." She continued.
"Lots of food."
"Was going to say socks, but I don't think they sell anything like that for quarians."
"Did you ever wear them on the old Normandy?"
"Nope."
John shrugged. " No socks then."
"Shampoo. Body wash. Loofah."
All John did was nod lightly at her growing list.
"Facewash. Lotion. Deodorant... perfume."
"Perfume huh? Got a boy you're trying to impress?"
"Just one."
He faced her with a stupid grin. "Yeah?"
She smiled back. "Yeah."
"Where do you wanna eat today?"
Tali gave John a perplexed look before gazing back up at the ceiling to stare at the Citadel. "Haven't been to Yan'Sues in a while."
"That ol' place?" He nodded at the idea, "Sure. Why the hell not. They had a pretty mean brunch menu there."
She smiled at him. "Good."
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"You should look at all the stares we've been getting." Joker said with a smile as he stared at some of the pictures EDI took of passerby outside, "Everybody looks dazed or stupid."
"Why's that?" Jacob asked as he stepped up next to Joker.
"Cause they think they've seen this ship before." Joker answered.
"It bears striking resemblance to the original." John added himself, "I think Tali would agree."
"I would." Tali nodded, "Definitely similar."
Joker pointed. "Ha. Look at that guy. Nearly dropped his ice cream."
John rolled the kink out of his shoulder and turned on his heel with Tali right behind. "Ready to see Anderson?"
"Saw him almost a year ago…" Tali said with a slight nod, "When Juel lost his arm, we went to the Citadel to get him a new one. Ended up meeting him along the way. I think I told you that already."
John gave her a curious look. "I remember vaguely."
"Well, he doesn't much care for his job."
"Who would?"
She shrugged. "Udina maybe."
"Forgot about him. We'll probably be seeing him today."
They entered the airlock with several others and wait to get sprayed down before exiting out into the Citadel's dock.
As they approached, a C-sec officer rose a hand to halt them with his eyes glued to his tablet. "Stand-by shore party; just getting some documentation cleared up. We'll have you on the station in just a moment. Sorry for the inconvenience."
John glanced at Tali before looking back at the officer blocking them in the middle of the aerobridge. "Uh, not a problem."
"What's your location today?"
"Meeting Councilor Anderson. Have important business to conduct with him."
"Okay," The officer nodded, nonplussed that Shepard had even said they were meeting with a galaxy renowned individual (Or the fact that he was staring at one), "Just a couple more seconds."
John's group all share glances and shrug.
When the officer was done communicating to whoever it was on the other line of his radio, he motioned them forward so they could exit Normandy and out to the Citadel. "Customs will be waiting for you, sir."
"Thanks." John said as they walked. When they were far out of earshot of the officer, he leaned in to Tali. "...And here starts the bureaucracy."
"At least you're not me." Tali mumbled back, "A suit and glass between you and rest of the world makes everyone lose their mind."
"Don't worry about it. You're with me now, remember?"
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"I'm worried."
Udina gave Anderson a crooked brow. "Why's that?"
Anderson paced around his desk and took a breath. "Because we're finally meeting Shepard. Don't tell me you aren't at least a little nervous."
"Guarded would be a more accurate answer." Udina said truthfully as he sat down before putting his glasses on to work on his computer. "You can't actually think it's really him do you?"
Anderson stared at the floor he'd been standing on for the past five minutes before taking another deep breath and letting it all out. "I don't know. If it isn't? C-Sec will handle it."
"Do you know when he'll arrive?"
"He's on the Citadel now. Checked in the wards about half an hour ago." Anderson showed with his omni-tool a picture C-Sec took of Shepard and his group to Udina. "It's him though. It has to be. I really think it's the real deal."
"And he's with some of his old team..." Udina murmured as he looked at the picture, "Incredible. But still. An imposter could be wearing that face."
Anderson looked a little worried about that idea. "...Maybe. But I think Tali and Garrus would know if it wasn't him."
"Maybe." Udina repeated with the shrug of his shoulders.
When Anderson sat back down at his desk, his receptionist paged him. "David, your guests are here."
"I'm assuming it's Shepard?"
"Garrus and Tali too." She added.
"Let them in."
"Of course."
Anderson flattened his overcoat to look more presentable before giving Udina a look that said 'Don't fuck this up'.
A minute passed and, ironically enough, it wasn't John to enter first. It was Tali.
"Tali!" David exclaimed with his merry voice before standing back up, "It's so good to see you."
"The feeling's mutual, Anderson." Tali said happily before giving the man a heartfelt handshake and hug. When they separated, Anderson looked expectantly at her.
"...So?"
"It's him." Tali said with a slight tear of happiness welling in her eye, "It's definitely him. He's back."
"Where is he?"
"Garrus saw one of his old C-sec friends and decided to catch up for just a moment. I decided to head up and see you anyways. You know. So wouldn't worry about John anymore."
He nodded graciously and felt a huge weight lift from his shoulders. "God... It's really a relief to hear that from you."
Tali finally turned to face Udina before bowing her head slightly to the man. He stood up and offered her a handshake, which she accepted.
"It's good to see you in good health, Ms. Zorah." Udina said evenly with a sincere but small grin, "I'm hoping the flotilla has been treating you well."
"Much, Udina. Thank you for asking."
He sat back down and got back to typing up whatever it was on his computer.
John finally entered. When he caught sight of Anderson, his eyes lit up before giving the man a huge smile. "Anderson. Damn, it's good to see you."
"I couldn't say it any more myself, Shepard. You're definitely a sight for sore eyes."
They both give each other a big hug. After, John looked at Udina and kept smiling.
"Missed you too Udina."
"I'm sure." Udina said plainly. John took a slight step back and leaned most of his weight on a foot before crossing his arms and smirking.
"Now you can't still be mad at Anderson winging you in the face all that time ago."
Udina guffawed at the lighthearted jab before shaking his head and letting loose another small smile. "Quite the contrary. It was either that or not be alive."
"So you believe the reapers exist then?"
Anderson's smile fell right off his face as did Udina's.
"Not here, Shepard. Not now." Udina said emotionlessly.
John smile waned and he gave Udina a confused look. "...What?"
"Udina's right." Anderson said, "That's something we can all discuss in private. Over dinner maybe. On your ship."
"Okay..." John said, still relatively confused, "It's, uh... it's a date then."
Not allowing the awkward silence that would've ensued after, Tali cuffed her hands together and bounced on her toes to get everyone's attention. "So... John? where's Garrus?"
"Still catching up with his friend." He answered, "Told me to just go and come up here."
"Speaking of him, how is Garrus?" Anderson asked, "He doing well?"
"He's fine." John said, "Different, but fine."
Anderson walked back around his desk and sat down. "I'm sure he'll be here shortly. Come on. Sit. We can catch up, and then start the meeting with the councilors about your Spectre status."
John and Tali sat.
"It's seriously good to see you Anderson." John said to start off the conversation, "Was really worried about coming here honestly."
"Tell me what's going on, John." Anderson said a little more seriously, "I'm a little in the dark about your sudden reappearance. Everyone is."
"It's really complicated." John murmured all while looking down at his feet, "Really complicated."
"It can't be that bad."
"No. It is."
"...I'm having the feeling that this is going to have to wait until dinner also."
It took John a second to nod before looking at Anderson with a frown on his face. "Yeah... definitely going to have to wait."
"If that's the case, we'll have to put the reunion on hold until later tonight." Anderson said with a understanding sniff, "I suppose we should get on with regular business. The council's on stand-by and waiting for me to initiate the meeting."
All John did was nod. "Let's do it then."
"Think they'll be surprised to see you?" Tali asked with a smirk.
"Happy hopefully, given the amount of headache I've given, no doubt." John replied in kind while nudging her joyfully on the shoulder, "No, but seriously... they're probably going to be a little upset I'm still alive."
Anderson stood up with Tali and John to get the meeting started with.
"As much as you hate talking with the councilors, Shepard, try to be polite."
"You know I always am." John said, "I promise."
Anderson gave John a moment to prepare before flagging the councilors that they were ready for the meeting. Not ten seconds later, the three councilors winked into existence via holograms next to Anderson's desk.
"Well..." Valern said with a rather blank look on his face, "Commander Shepard."
"It's good to see you, Shepard." Tevos finished for Valern, saving everyone a bout of awkward silence.
"Nice to see you all again." John said, greeting them all with a stern and little friendly nod, "Just, uh... wanted to tell you all that I'm alive."
"Yes... quite. I'm sure you're more than eager to submit your overdue quarterlies." Sparatus chimed in with some humor, "Two years is a long time to be dead."
"Quite definitely..." Shepard agreed with a slight frown, "But I'm back. With a lot of strings attached."
"Of which I'm sure someone of your caliber is certainly able to handle." Valern studied with a straight face.
Catching the awkward social shortcoming of Valern again, Tevos put the conversation back on track. "I believe the reason for this meeting was to reinstate the Commander?"
"It is." Anderson replied.
Sparatus leaned on his podium and furrowed his bony brows before sighing. "We're going to need more information on that before we even consider giving Shepard's Spectre status back. We really do need to get caught up with what you've been doing all this time AWOL."
"A big one." Valern said flatly.
"I understand." John replied, "Let me compile a report to you, because it's more than I can explain in a conversation alone."
"Very well." Tevos said, bowing her head, "We'll be waiting eagerly for your report."
"I believe that's all?" Sparatus asked.
"Yes, councilors. That's all to report for now."
"Farewell, Shepard."
With that, the three councilors disappeared and Anderson sat down before nodding pleasantly to himself. "That went quite well."
"I agree." John said with a nod himself, "Was expecting something a lot worse, to be honest."
"You're always expecting something a lot worse." Tali murmured.
Anderson took a breath and looked John straight in the eye. "What's your next move?"
"Give them what they want." He said with a shrug, "The truth. If they don't give me back my Spectre status, it changes nothing."
"How much longer do you have on the Citadel?"
"I leave tomorrow morning. Going back to the Traverse for you know what."
Anderson gave him a crooked brow before leaning in slightly with a little realization. "You're stopping the abductions aren't you?"
"Damn right we are." John said, "Garrus, Tali, me, and a whole bunch of others."
"That's good. That's definitely good." Anderson said with a serious look, "Because I can't do anything about it; no matter how much I or the Alliance want to. It's outside of our jurisdiction and the people out there want nothing to do with us."
"I know. I have a lot to catch you up on, Anderson. We'll talk at dinner tonight. I'll have my Mess Sergeant whip something up. Any suggestions?"
"Whatever you pick. I'll bring beer."
Since Anderson sensed their meeting was coming to a close, he gave Shepard a shake of the hand as he pat his back, "I'm sure you have plenty of work to do."
"Definitely. Take care, Anderson."
"See you tonight." Anderson replied before shaking Tali's hand too, "Take care of yourselves."
They parted, nodded to Udina along the way, and walked out. When they stepped down the stairs, they entered the lobby and saw Garrus still talking with that C-sec woman near an Avina terminal.
"Garrus, you missed the whole meeting with Anderson."
Garrus turned to Shepard and rubbed the back of his neck, "Sorry. Seems I lost track of time. Hey Jarla? You take care, okay? Stay safe out there."
"You too Garrus. Tag some Suns out there for me."
All Garrus did was nod as the officer walked away.
"You have fun catching up?" Tali asked.
"Yeah. She's pretty cool. So, care to catch me up on your meeting then?"
"They aren't considering the Spectre status until I tell them where I've been these past two years."
"How're you gonna go about that? You were dead." Garrus said with a deadpanned look on his face.
"I'm not going to lie to them Garrus." Shepard replied. Garrus gave an understanding nod, but didn't like it.
"Just remember that everything we're doing is in the Terminus systems." Garrus reminded with a shrug, "Getting that Spectre status or not isn't going to really affect what we do out there."
"I know. It just helps to have a little bit of the law on our side." John answered. "By the way, Anderson and Udina are having dinner on the Normandy tonight. Wear something nice."
"Should I bring wine?" Garrus joked.
"You wouldn't even know what to pick." Tali said.
"Yeah." Garrus said with a single nod, "That's true."
"Don't worry about it. Anderson's bringing beer."
"What are you going to tell them?"
"The truth." John said again, "I'm not lying to anyone."
"They'll think you're lying." Garrus said with a sigh.
"That's up to them to decide." John said with a shrug, "Now come on, we've got stuff to do. Things to buy. Supplies to get."
"Right." Garrus said, falling in line next to Shepard.
They all walk to the closest elevator and take it to travel down to the wards. After a minute or so of silence, Garrus decided to talk again.
"How's Timmy been?"
"Just fine." John answered, acknowledging the nickname for The Illusive man, "I think he and I are on the same page with each other."
"John on the same page with a crazy man." Tali said with a drawl, "Right."
"You can't have everything, dear." John replied with a smile.
"You sure you guys want me to tag along?" Garrus said when they finally made it to their floor, "I can like, go somewhere else."
"Come on Garrus, it'll just be like old times." Jon said, "We all still buddies."
"Yeah Garrus," Tali added with a laugh, "Just because John and I sleep in the same bed now doesn't mean anything."
"I've been meaning to ask you about that actually." Garrus said to Shepard as they walked out of the elevator, "What does Tali look like? I've been dying to know."
John gave the turian a low whistle and shook his head. "Well. She's pretty good lookin', I'll tell you that."
"I'm sure."
All Tali did was roll her eyes. "Okay."
"What?" John said facing Tali for all of a second before turning back to Garrus, "It's true. I'll send you a pic next time she's out of that suit."
"Would you pal? The curiosity is killing me."
"Wow."
"She have long hair?"
"Yeah. Pretty flowy now."
"It's black isn't it?"
"Yup."
"John!"
"What about her eyes?"
"Like fireflies."
"The hell are those?"
"Okayokayokay. I think that's enough." Tali said with a not-so-serious frown before crossing her arms, "I think if Garrus wants to know what I look like, he should man up and ask me himself."
"Not fun that way." Garrus jabbed.
John laughed a little before giving Tali a smile. "It's fun watching you squirm a little, hun."
"I'll make you squirm. Bosh'tet."
"In more ways than one. Amirite?" Garrus gave Tali two finger guns and rose his eyebrows. Or whatever passed as eyebrows.
"Wow," Came John's sigh, "So punny."
Garrus' omni-tool went off and he stopped walking.
"What is it?" John asked, noticing the sudden mood change from Garrus, "What's wrong?"
"Trouble at the Normandy." Garrus said, humor completely gone, "It's Jack."
"Jack?" Tali said, her brows furrowing, "What's going on?"
"I don't know. But we need to head back. Now."
"Let's go."
They turned right back around and made their way to the Normandy.
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Ten minutes earlier.
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"Sorry we don't have anything better there for ya, Sidonis." Gardner said as he set the plate down with a bottle of water, "My imagination's a little limited with turian cuisine."
"It's fine. Thank you."
"Don't you worry though," Gardner continued without missing a beat, "Convinced the XO for some provisions and a cookbook for all you turian folk. You'll be dinin' right in no time."
Sidonis gave the man a smile before Gardner turned around to clean the kitchen.
Sidonis looked distantly at his water bottle and bland food before picking it up and heading back to where he lived on the Normandy.
To much of his surprise, his stay on the cerberus ship had been an entirely peaceful one.
No problems with the crew, and everyone exchanged pleasantries with each other. Sidonis didn't have anything to complain about.
Well. Not exactly.
"Hey." Jack greeted with a blank look on her face. "You're Sidonis right?"
The turian glanced at the cup and plate in his hands and thought to himself how open he was to getting attacked by this fucking woman.
"What do you want?"
"Nothin."
"You wanna fuck off then?" Sidonis said harshly, "I'm not really particular to small talking with murderers."
"Excuse me?"
"Get out of my way." Sidonis tried to push past her but she didn't let him.
"How about you apologize?"
"Apologize?" Sidonis let out a throaty laugh, stuffing his lunch roughly into his cargo pants, "You don't deserve that. You don't deserve anything really. Other than maybe a bullet."
Jack's felt an aura of rage grace her. The same feeling she got when she killed people.
"I'm gonna ask you to apologize one more time." Jack murmured.
Sidonis stepped closer and she started to second guess herself.
He towered easily two feet over her. And without anything other than her little shiv (the one she made anyways despite Garrus' clear warning because fuck Cerberus), she really doubted she could really do much before getting overpowered.
"Move Jack. Before I make you move."
She didn't budge.
Seconds pass and Sidonis had about enough. "Why do you think we're standing here like this Jack? Tell me."
She stayed silent, so he continued. "Yeah. That's right. You killed two people. Two good people who'd done more good for the galaxy than you ever will for the rest of your life. How do you feel about that? Probably nothing right? Because you smile when you kill people."
A tear started welling in her eye as the anger inside her grew. "...I'm here aren't I?"
"That won't bring them back, Jack." Sidonis said as he leaned in close enough for her to feel his breath, "You selfish work of trash."
She punched him right across the face.
Missing biotic implant or not, she could still use her blue magic enough to add a couple extra pounds of force to her punch. At least enough to stumble a turian.
Sidonis lost his balance (as anyone would've expected) but recovered faster than Jack hoped. She tried to throw another punch but Sidonis smacked aside the fist before grabbing the woman's neck and throttling her.
"I'm going to kill you. I'm going to fucking kill you. " They fell to the ground and her head hit the deck. That was definitely going to bruise.
Jack's legs kicked and desperately searched for purchase against the man's torso. Veins started to bulge on her forehead.
Juel turned the corner and gasped.
"Oh shit."
If she didn't do something, she was going to die. So she did the only thing she could think of. Pull out her measly little one inch shiv and stab him in the arm.
She got him twice before he let go and yelled in pain. "YOU FUCKING—" He looked down to see blood staining his shirt, "YOU'RE FUCKING DONE."
She tried crawling backward but Sidonis kicked her.
"Dude!" Juel yelled as he tried pulling Sidonis away, "Stop! Both of you! Fuck!"
"Get your fucking hands off me!" Sidonis pushed the quarian away as if he were just a feather. Juel didn't fall, but it took him the entire length of the hallway for him to finally regain his footing.
As Jack curled in pain from the kick, Sidonis grabbed Jack's hand, the one carrying the shiv, and squeezed until she cried and dropped it. Then he picked it up and kicked her again just because she pissed him off that much.
"You fucking idiot." Sidonis said to Jack as Juel walked back up next to the turian, "Can't wait to space you my fucking self."
As Sidonis turned around, he stared Juel in the eye and forcefully handed the shiv to Juel.
"You wouldn't mind keeping an eye on this fuck-stain would you? At least until Garrus gets here?"
"Uh... y—yeah. Sure."
"I'll get you some help too." The turian added before turning the corner.
When the man was gone, Juel faced Jack who'd stayed on the ground coughing.
"Keelah."
"Fuck. Fucking fuck."
Juel didn't say anything to her and kept staring before looking at the shiv in his hand and sighing. It took Juel less than a second to piece everything together. But that didn't stop him from asking her anyways.
"What happened?"
"I fucked up. That's what happened."
"I see that."
"You wanna know what happened? There's a camera staring at us right there." She replied as she sat up before coughing a little more.
Juel pocketed the small pathetic blade before crossing his arms and shaking his head.
"Who started it."
"He did. But I swung first."
"I don't think Garrus gives out threats lightly, ma'am..." Juel said softly with no indignation, "If I remember correctly, he said they'd either kill you or drop you off at a prison."
"I ain't going to prison."
"I'm not seeing an option."
"I'm not going to prison." She repeated, glaring at him. He wasn't fazed by the stare.
"We'll see."
Mordin turned the corner with his omni-tool lit and already in the middle of scanning Jack.
"Uh, hi. Where'd you come from, doc?" Jack asked as she felt for her sore neck.
"Infirmary with Doctors Chakwas and Wilson. Doing test on culture samples. Just heard what happened."
"Yeah?" She murmured as Mordin continued his physical, "I'm sure you were."
"Foolish. Both of you." Mordin said, ignoring her small remark, "Should know better."
"Do I though?" Jack murmured with a docile look on her face.
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Hearing Tali and John approach from behind him, Garrus sighed darkly and shook his head. "Was hoping to catch her in the act." Garrus said without even looking at either of them. He kept his face even while he stared at Jack through the glass cell. "Kill her in the moment and be done with this."
"What did she do exactly Garrus to make you hate her so much?" Tali asked.
"Killed two of my friends." He answered without returning her stare.
Tali hung her head low. "Oh."
John kept his eyes on Jack who'd been sitting on a bench with her knees up to her chin. She didn't meet any of the three stares she was receiving because she knew she was in the wrong.
"How do you want to handle this Garrus?" Shepard asked as he stepped up next to the turian, "You have more experience with Jack than I do."
"Throw her out the airlock mid-jump between relays." Garrus replied. The tight look on his face told Shepard and Tali he wasn't joking at all.
"You know we can't do that."
Garrus shook his head again and took a breath. "She's nothing but trouble, Shepard. It's up to you, but you know what my opinion is. She's worth more to the galaxy dead."
The turian turned on his heel to leave and headed for the elevator.
When he was finally gone, Tali stood next to John before crossing her arms.
"Not even a week on this ship and you're already juggling with people's lives." She said before giving him a small and sad frown. She knew he hated having to do stuff like this.
"Yeah. Can't escape it." He looked at the floor and took one step forward before pressing the button next to Jack's cell-door to talk to her.
"Jack."
She didn't answer.
"Jack, you need to answer me."
"What." She whispered. It was clear to John she'd cried a little while ago, judging by the way her voice cracked a little. The drippy mascara was a clear indicator too.
Where she kept her make-up was beyond him.
"What do you want me to do." John asked. His tone didn't really sound like he was asking a question.
The tatooed woman looked up with her red and black blotted eyes. Jack wasn't really expecting a question like that.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm seeing two options." John continued with Tali still next to him, "You either work with us as a team, together, to serve the common good, or get handed over to the Alliance."
"I'm not going to prison." Jack said for the third time that day.
"I don't do threats, Jack." John said, "But I'm warning you— if you pull anything? Garrus will be in charge of the consequences."
"That sounds pretty much like a threat." Jack said, unconvinced.
Tali spoke up. "You're a criminal. And criminals don't have the heart or discipline to change inside a day. It just doesn't happen."
"Fuck you. Who asked you anyways?"
Tali wasn't taken aback at all by the comment. If anything, it only further proved Tali's point. But it didn't stop her from shaking her head and giving John a look. "And neither does the lifestyle, it seems," Tali remarked finally.
"You're going to stay in here for the next day to cool off. Understood?"
"Crystal, boyscout."
John rose his eyebrows at the unimpressive response.
"Excuse me, Jack?"
"I mean, yessir, Mr. Sir."
John was about to give her a piece of his mind, but Tali interjected. "Baby steps, John." Tali sighed, "Fighting the mind of someone who acts like they're 10 takes time."
Jack scowled and gave Tali a disbelieving face. "Oh fuck you."
"I see your point." John said flatly, ignoring Jack's impulse response before turning off the intercom.
They both turned around and start walking.
"Christ Tali. This a waste of time."
"Maybe Garrus is right." Tali said as they both walked to the elevator, "She's just... I've got a bad feeling about her."
"Same. But if I could make a krogan merc and turian cop work together and become buddies, I have some confidence in pulling all this off for the better."
"Let's hope." Tali said with a dreary tone, "Because this one's a bit harder."
"Yeah. I suppose it is. Given that I'm trying to make a cop turned vigilante and murderer of his friends work together."
She gave John a small shrug and slight frown. "Don't expect any smiles."
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10 hours later.
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The shopping wasn't as enjoyable as Tali wanted it to be because of Jack and the whole issue with Garrus. Above that, they decided not to eat at Yan'Sues until tomorrow, after they'd picked up that thief and after they saw the council. Still, Tali got her essentials and set them down at the foot of their bed. Toiletries, t-shirts, and sweatpants in a variety of colors.
No underwear though.
She grinned stupidly at that.
"How's Juel and Olasie? They get situated yet?" John asked from the bathroom, "What about Olasie's squad?"
"They're all set." She answered. Then Tali thought about it a little more and bit her lip. "Normandy's getting a little crowded."
"I know. Garrus' team and Olasie's squad. That's almost, what, twelve, thirteen people?"
"And that cerberus detachment." Tali added, "And we've still got a list of dossiers, apparently."
John sighed and walked out of the bathroom. "I know."
Tali took the things she bought out of her shopping bags and put them on the bed. "So. Ready for dinner?"
"Yup." John came up from behind her and gave her a light hug, "Beer, steak, and potatoes. You in?"
"I'm in." Tali said with a smile.
"Where we headed after we're done with the Citadel, captain?" Tali asked, still all smiles.
"Not sure, chief. I need to check Miranda's itinerary before I say anything."
"Probably drop Jack off at a more permanent location... wouldn't you think?"
"I'll talk with TIM about it."
"Making sure you don't piss off your terrorist boss?"
"The money's gotta come from somewhere. The engines keep the new Normandy running just as much as the cash does."
Tali rolled her eyes and nodded in reluctant agreement.
"Yeah. I know. You're right. It blows."
John took a deep breath. "Yeah."
"Hey. But don't worry about that." Tali cooed as she turned around to wrap her arms around his waist, "I think I remember you saying something about counting your blessings?"
He nodded and smiled at her. "There's only one blessing I need to count, hun: And that's you."
"Mmm..." She peered at him, "pretty sure you've already passed that one by me."
"Yeah, but I still mean it."
She laughed. "God, you're so mushy sometimes."
"You love it."
"Yeah," She took off her visor with a hand and gave him a deep kiss, "I do."
Garrus twiddled the steak knife in his hand and gave the gleaming silver an empty look. After staring for about ten or so seconds, he gave Tali who sat opposite him a shrug as he ate the last piece of steak on his plate.
'I'm bored.' Was what Tali guessed Garrus was saying just by facial expression alone. She felt much the same.
"Quite the steak there, Mr. Gardner. Very exquisite. I could get you set up somewhere in the wards making three times what you do now just cooking." Udina said with a merry smile as he pat his lips with a napkin.
"Aw, shucks. Thank you much. I'd love to take your offer, but whippin' square meals for the crew is somethin' I just do better."
Gardner wheeled off with his mop and bucket to go and clean the bathrooms.
"So you've got the man who cleans the bathrooms cook the food." Anderson said with a smirk, "Sounds like you're a little understaffed."
"Probably the opposite." Shepard said as he sipped his beer, "We're running out of room in the Normandy and I've only been here four days."
Anderson cleared his throat and folded his napkin over his empty plate before taking a moment to collect his thoughts.
"So what's this all about, Shepard? Why the secrecy? About you, I mean."
John gave his beer a contemplative look before downing whatever was left of his beer. "Well... I wanted to start with telling you both that I really was dead."
Udina finished his last sip of wine before giving Shepard a concerned look. "What do you mean?" He asked simply.
"Means exactly what it means. I was dead and Cerberus brought me back."
Garrus stared at the Normandy's two guests anxiously.
"...I, er, I see." Anderson said confusingly as he leaned into the table a little.
John sighed. "I get it. It sounds stupid. But it's true. I'm sure you've noticed by now that the Normandy is a Cerberus vessel."
Udina facepalmed. "I can see it now. Council member and representative for humanity discovered to be aboard Cerberus vessel. That would be the end of us."
"We buffed out the logo off the port and starboard." Garrus said to help alleviate some of their building anxiety, "And we made sure EDI is masking anything that could give us away."
Tali unknowingly ground her teeth at the mention of EDI.
"Who's EDI?"
"She's uh... She's an AI." John answered without managing to stare Anderson in the eye.
"Christ... Shepard, how deep does this rabbit hole go?" Anderson murmured.
"I told you; me coming back came with a lot of strings attached."
Udina held his straight face, but kept staring at the table to chew on everything Shepard had just said.
"So where do you go from here?"
"After this, we go back out in the traverse, track the collectors, and stop whatever they're doing."
Anderson nodded thoughtfully and gave everyone a serious look. "And the reapers? Is that on the back burner for now?"
"We have reason to believe they're working for the reapers." Tali spoke up.
"Okay." Anderson nodded with a little shrug, "I'm sure telling me how you connected the dots is more than what could be explained in a conversation. I'll take your word for it."
"Sorry I strong-armed both of you like this." John said, "It's a lot of information to internalize. I'm still working on it myself."
"Listen. When and if you come into contact with the collectors, record it. Record all of it. Document everything. I believe you completely Shepard, but this has to be demonstrable. Give them tangible evidence so people can stop chasing after smoke and mirrors."
"We're already prepared for that. If anyone's got an agenda to accomplish after what we show the galaxy, it'll be everyone else but us." Shepard affirmed with a stare.
Anderson interlaced his fingers together. "Good. Now about your Spectre status."
Udina sensed he was supposed to take over for Anderson. "...So we'll be honest with you, Shepard. Your involvement with Cerberus is going to make granting you Spectre status difficult." Udina added with a frown, "I can't see a way of convincing the other councilors."
"I know." Shepard said with a nod, "I suppose I can do without it if I have to. I'll just restrict our ops to the Traverse." John sighed. "But we're going to tell the council the truth. The whole council. I didn't hide anything from them then, and I'm not going to do it now."
"It's your call, Shepard." Anderson nodded, "All you have to do is send your report in and tell them. If you're lucky, they'll approve you for resubmission. Maybe mention how you saved their asses two years ago."
He gave Anderson a little nod. "Maybe I will."
"Here's to hoping for the best," Anderson said as he rose his glass, "Because it's all we'll ever get."
"I'll raise to that." Udina said, following suit.
The others did the same.
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It'd been nearly an hour and still, Tali and John waited with barely a hint of the thief's existence. Most of their time spent had been consumed with small talk, people watching, and looking around their bland surroundings.
Tali swayed her feet idly back and forth, watching carefully for anything that could even remotely look like a sign of this woman named Kasumi Goto.
Tali wasn't entirely certain, but it sounded rather exotic for human names. Most of the names humans had sounded fairly plain to her.
Or maybe it was probably a name she could imagine a quarian having.
"You think hanar are weird, Tals?"
She looked over to him. "Hm?"
"Hanar. Do you think they're weird?"
"I think their religion is."
"Well, aside from that."
She looked at the group of three pink jellies floating across and finally decided to nod.
"Yeah. They're kinda weird."
"How do they even... copulate?"
Tali gave the hanar a perplexed look as she thought about that. "Uhm. Er. You know… I'm not sure."
John crossed his arms and settled into the bench. "Huh."
"Don't think about it too hard." Tali said with a small laugh, "I'm sure it's gross."
"Yeah. Probably is." John mumbled before looking at her with a purposefully weird smile, "We should look it up."
Tali bit her lip. "I don't think I could bring myself to watch that."
All he did was laugh. "Yeah. I don't think I could either."
A minute or so passed in silence as they continued waiting.
"Jesus Christ. How long is this going to take?" Shepard grumbled frustratingly, "We've been waiting for over an hour."
All Tali did was shrug. "Don't know."
Some seconds pass by. So John decided to put an arm around her. "…You know what I realized?"
"What?"
"You don't have a nickname for me."
"I guess you're right. I don't."
"Let's make one right now."
Tali gave him a small chuckle and leaned into him slightly. "Alright. How about… Johnny?"
"Nah."
"Shepard. I'll start calling you Shepard again." She joked. She would hate to call him that again.
"Ha. I know you wouldn't like doing that."
"Yeah, you're right, I would hate that. Oh. How about, Johnnypoo?"
John gave her a small push. "Ha. Yeah. Right."
"You two are just the cutest." A voice said from behind them.
When John and Tali turned around to see who was behind them, they saw a woman sipping on a frappuccino wearing a milky-white long sleeve, navy colored jeans, and white cap-toe espadrilles.
"Uhm, hi." Tali murmured.
"Name's Kaygee." The woman greeted as she extended a hand to shake, "It's quite a pleasure to meet you two."
"Nice to meet you too, Kaygee," John said, recognizing that the woman in front of her was actually Kasumi Goto, "How are you?"
"Having some fun and enjoying the day. How about you?"
"Ah. Just waiting around." John answered, standing, "I think it's about time we head out. Don't suppose you'd like to tag along?"
Kasumi brushed some loose strands of hair behind an ear before fixing her short ponytail. "I would absolutely love to."
The three walked and Tali decided to subtly study their new partner.
The jeans, shirt, and sandals was really throwing her off. She definitely didn't expect someone like her to look so plain.
But that was the point wasn't it? To look ordinary.
"Hey, where'd you get that?" John asked Kasumi, pointing at the frap, "Looks pretty good."
"The Stellar Deer." Kasumi replied happily before sipping on the drink, "It's quite delicious."
"Tell us more about you, Kaygee." Tali said with a guarded smile Kasumi couldn't see.
"There isn't much to know about me, honestly." Goto replied with a rather simple grin, "But I know there's plenty to know about you two."
"Is there?" Tali rose a brow, "Let's hear it."
"Well, there was that whole news line of you two on Illium, and more importantly, Vista Cova; the most romantic place ever."
Tali swallowed.
"Killer love triangle though; between you and the blue one." Kasumi gleamed, "So sad."
Tali felt a piece of her die from embarrassment. She'd completely forgotten all about that. Tali guessed John felt the same way.
"Trust me, they're wrong." John said bluntly, as if something got caught in his throat, "There was no triangle. Ever."
"I know." Kasumi replied simply with a grin, "Just your media's typical ruse of sensationalism."
All Tali did was roll her eyes.
"So tell me what really happened that night." Kasumi snooped, "I do love a good romance story."
"We got drunk. Then we got naked." Tali said, trying to deny the woman a warm blanket of fuzzy sugar, "I'll tell you that much."
John gave Tali an odd look. He wasn't expecting her to say that to someone they hardly knew. And honestly, he wouldn't have expected her to say that to people she did know. But he didn't really care either way.
"With the dreamiest man in all the galaxy? I think I just felt a wave of jealousy grace me." Kasumi put a hand up to her forehead and laughed.
Tali bit her lip and began to wonder if the woman was always this invasive with people she didn't know. It wasn't hard to think she did this to distract you from whatever you were holding. She checked her pockets just to make sure all her shit was still where she left it.
"…You're quite odd, Kasumi."
"Shhh. Don't say my name too loud, sweetie." Goto hushed, "We're still in public."
They took a left down the hallway that would lead them back to the Normandy.
"Right." Tali mumbled.
"So what's your story, Kaygee? Anything worth mentioning?"
"Timmy didn't tell you the terms of my contract, did they?"
John hid the disappointment he suddenly felt. "No. I'm afraid he didn't."
"We can talk about it when we're on your ship then, hm?"
John wanted to roll his eyes but didn't. It was par for the course these past couple days to be getting surprises. Every time it always made him want to drink a beer. It was a wonder he hadn't picked up a bottle lately. "We can do that, friend."
"Great!" Kasumi said all cheery, "Thank you so much."
"How's the bag situation working then? Do you have stuff getting delivered to the ship? Or...?"
"Oh, it's already onboard, hun." Kasumi answered for John as she sipped on her frap, "I put it on there this morning."
"You broke into our ship." Tali said flatly as they made it to the end of the hallway. Kasumi shot Tali a little smile before looking out the window to the Normandy sitting dock. "She's quite beautiful."
"I get it. You want to show how good you are at what you do." John said with a flat face, "I'm impressed. But don't do anything like that again."
Kasumi gave the man a gentle nod. "Wilco, Shepard. I promise."
"Good," John nodded, "I don't aim to treat my crew like children; but I'm going to reiterate with you anyways. Don't test my rules and don't make me repeat myself."
Kasumi put an 'x' over her heart. "I swear."
"Excellent. Go ahead and get on board. We've got quite a day ahead of us." John said very seriously. He urged Kasumi with the wave of his hand to take the lead and step on the aerobridge.
She did as she was instructed and began walking.
When she was far out of earshot of John and Tali, Shepard sighed and crossed his arms. "Quite the team we're building."
"We're going to start making Garrus question why he's on the ship." Tali replied, "So, what's your first impression?"
"Can't decide if I should be keeping an eye on my pockets or her more."
"That's not a great first impression."
"Nope. Not really. But you have to admit that breaking into the Normandy is quite a way of introducing yourself."
"She could just be saying that." Tali said as she kept watching Kasumi walk down the aerobridge.
"She could be." Shepard repeated, even though he was pretty convinced otherwise, "We'll just have to see where she stowed her luggage."
Tali gave a scoff. "I guess you're right though: quite the team we've got so far, huneey."
"See?" A happy little squint, "That's your nickname for me."
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Between the three of them and Anderson standing right by him, Shepard felt... uneasy.
Ordinarily, standing in front of the three souls that decided the dailies of galactic society, he felt confident and strong spoken.
But he realized now that it was usually because he had a reason to be. He didn't have much of a reason right now.
"Shepard," Valern finally rose his head from his reading, "it is by decision of the council that your Spectre status not be reinstated."
Placing his hands behind his back, he sighed deeply before nodding.
He understood their reasoning. It was the sensible thing to do. He had told them the truth, and he knew it was going to compromise his already unstable relationship with the Council.
Disappearing for two years and showing up with Cerberus backing you up didn't look great; no matter how noble of a cause they were pursuing.
After that, it'd only be a matter of time before the Alliance would get a confirmed report of Shepard's return. And as soon as they heard that, they'd catch wind of him working with Cerberus out in the Traverse. Then they'd relabel John from MIA to desertion and failure to report for duty. Along with aiding and abetting a known enemy of the Systems Alliance.
He'd be under treason with orders of his arrest. Pursue at any and all reasonable cost. A poster boy gone bad wasn't a great look for the Alliance. They'd have to make the point that no one was immune from the law.
"I understand your decision, councilors. Completely." Shepard said after he mused over his not so great thoughts.
"It comes with much regret, Commander." Tevos added with a sad frown, "But we do have some good news." She faced Sparatus and urged for him to finish for her.
"We will be withholding your report of arrival and appearance from the Alliance." Sparatus said quietly.
John looked back up with some surprise on his face.
"What?"
"We understand that informing the System's Alliance of your return will jeopardize your mission in stopping the apparent abductions of your colonies. Consider it a favor for saving us two years ago, commander." Sparatus replied.
Shocked was the best way to describe the look on John's face. "Councilors, you have no idea how thankful I am."
"Don't thank us," Sparatus said with the raise of a hand, "We weren't able to grant you what you needed most."
"It raises hurdles. But our space of operation is going to be largely out in the Traverse. You need not worry."
"That's excellent, Commander." Tevos answered, "We wish you and your colleagues the best of luck; and hope for a swift end to your relationship with Cerberus."
"Count on it Councilors." John replied before saluting, "I'll keep you updated, if the situation permits."
"Be safe, and farewell Shepard."
The three holograms winked out of existence and John took a breath. "Before I came, I was expecting handcuffs at the end of this meeting."
Anderson shrugged. "It didn't take much convincing from my end. They were largely on your side when you walked in yesterday."
"So who's pull was it to keep me in the dark from the Alliance? You or them?"
"All of us, Shepard." David answered earnestly. "They trust you."
"It's a welcome change."
Anderson decided to change the subject.
"How come Garrus and Tali didn't come? You guys are usually glued together."
They both sat down at Anderson's personal break area.
"She felt like she'd been procrastinating on her duties. So she stayed. Garrus felt the same way."
Anderson just gave John a small and contemplative nod. "You've got good people with you, Shepard. Does me well to know you're in good hands."
"Could always use another friend to help me out." Shepard said, half serious with the suggestion that Anderson join him.
Anderson looked to the small canopy of trees off their porch area before sighing. "I wish I could. But I'm in my twilight years, Shepard. As ironic as it feels to say it, I would do more good for you and the rest of the galaxy if I sat at a desk keeping the bullshit off your back and making decisions for galactic policy.
John felt disappointed with the answer, but knew it wasn't realistic to expect what he wanted. Anderson was right on all counts. He was old, and probably would do more for him behind a desk.
He supposed it could've been worse. Anderson could've been inside a four-by-four cubicle slaving away over some stack of paperwork his co-workers would never want to do.
"Yeah," John frowned, "you're right."
"I take it you're leaving like you planned?"
"I will be."
"Then I wish you and your entire crew the best of luck. Put a stop to whatever's happening out there."
"Keep the beer cold for when I come back."
"Count on it, Shepard."
They shook hands like men and parted ways.
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John wheeled the third package into the elevator with a dolly and set it down next to the others.
"Thanks for the help Garrus."
"Still haven't told me what all this stuff was for." Garrus said as he eyed the boxes.
"Clean room stuff."
"...For?"
"Do I really need to answer that question?"
"Well," Garrus started, "When you getting it installed?"
"Tonight if I have time."
"I think you will after the meeting and dinner."
Before John could close the elevator door to go up to his cabin, Sidonis reared around the corner and saluted Shepard.
John was a little taken aback by the military formality, but saluted him back casually. "Yes, Sidonis?"
Sidonis lowered his hand and dropped it to his side. "Sir? If I may speak my mind?"
Garrus rose a brow plate.
"By all means." John answered with a nod.
"What in hell are we going to do about Jack?"
Oh. Straight to the point then.
"I've been put under the assumption that Garrus informed you of our pending decision."
"He has." Sidonis replied flatly, "And I think it's going to be a mistake if you keep her here any longer."
"Duly noted, Sidonis; your opinion will be considered."
"I'm not just speaking for myself, sir. I'm speaking on behalf of Garrus' entire team, including him. She needs to be gone. Yesterday."
John took a breath and stared disappointingly at the ground. If experience told him anything, it was that people like Jack were unstable, reckless, and dangerous. Everyone on the crew expressed their opinion on her worth. No one here had come to her defense. And everyone already had their chip in on what would happen next if Jack was back out. She would fuck up again, and this time, it would end up with another life lost. It wasn't the same as it was before, making relationships with each other on the old Normandy. They were talking about a convict with a shady and bloody past full of wrongdoings.
"I know." John murmured quietly with his hard but blank stare, "I know. But I already told her that we'd give her another chance."
Sidonis backpedaled. "Unbelievable."
"Sidonis," Garrus spoke up, "I'm on the same side as you are. But would she have done what she did had you not been confrontational?"
"That's irrelevant. All it takes to set her off is to be confrontational. If you reintegrate her back with the Normandy, there will be consequences to follow that."
"She shouldn't have made that shiv." John said aloud, "That speaks volumes about her motivations here. But as it stands, the decision will be made later, when the time to decide on keeping her or not is made rationally, and not under the heat of the moment."
Sidonis was beginning to look exasperated. "Sir—"
"Am I understood, Sidonis?" John said, denying him further explanation.
Sidonis took a breath and nodded without any hesitation in his voice. "Yes sir. Thank you for allowing me to speak."
"No need to thank me. Your opinion here is valued."
Sidonis saluted again, waited for John to return the salute, and walked away.
"What a fucking mess." John murmured as he pressed the button to close the elevator door. Garrus just gave him a simple nod as the lift closed and ascended.
"It's never easy," Garrus said under his breath, "And it never will be."
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