Chapter Text
The cleanup was going slow. Especially now since the relays were once again operational and species had returned to their respective home systems. Not that Shepard could blame them. She still had the Normandy's crew, at least for now. None of them seemed to want to leave Shepard's side. For that she was grateful.
The Normandy was grounded though. There was still too much damage to her. Shepard was sure the geth would have her operational in a few months’ time. That meant that Shepard had a desk job for the time being. And yes, she hated it.
She had a few new scars, but she was fine. Well, mostly fine. Walking was still hard and tiring, but her stamina grew every day. The tension in her muscles was not fine. She was going stir crazy.
“Shepard,” Hackett said by way of greeting as he entered her office on the Citadel. “I've got more numbers for you to look over.”
Shepard groaned as the muscles in her neck convulsed with the added stress. She really hated this job, no matter how temporary.
“Sit, Shepard.” Hackett ordered.
Shepard obliged. She was too tired to argue. Hackett made quick work removing Shepard's uniform jacket before his warm fingers massaged the base of Shepard's neck. She didn't know how long she sat there as her body slowly relaxed under her commanding officers hands. Quite frankly, she didn't care. Everything was a mess. On Earth and on the Citadel.
It became routine every evening when Hackett brought a new datapad over for her to read. Numbers and shoulder massage.
–
Meetings with other leaders were stressful for all involved. By the time they'd finished with the last meeting, Shepard had missed dinner and the artificial sun had set. When she returned to her office, she was surprised to find Hackett standing at her desk, unpacking meals that smelled suspiciously like burgers.
There were no words, only Shepard's hums of pleasure as she slowly ate her burger. How long had it been since she'd eaten anything other than an MRE? There was honestly no telling. During their hunt for Collector's probably. When Shepard had a personal chef that loved to cook for her. How she missed Gardner some days.
After clearing her desk of the trays, Hackett wordlessly handed Shepard a datapad that made Shepard wrinkle her nose. Hackett chuckled at her obvious displeasure as she took the vile electronic from his hands. Shepard's distaste quickly turned into a sigh as Hackett once again divested Shepard of her uniform jacket and began massaging her neck and shoulders over her regulation t-shirt.
–
“The Citadel is coming together quicker than we anticipated,” Councilor Sparatus commented during a weekly meeting. “The Geth have been a huge help with repairs and filling the ranks in C-Sec.”
“Good,” Shepard replied. “How are supplies holding?”
“Most excellent, Shepard,” Councilor Tevos replied with a genuine smile. “Once again the geth came through for many of our factories that were still standing. With the relay’s working, we’ve got a steady stream of supplies.”
Shepard sighed, grateful for good news after so many years of bad. “Have the Salarian’s chosen their next Councilor?” Shepard continued when both leaders gave her the negative. Humanity hadn’t either. Anderson was still recovering from the trauma Shepard had dealt with a single gunshot. “Okay, then we just continue as usual, I suppose?”
“Yes,” the Councilors said in unison.
“Oh, Shepard?” Tevos added. “The krogan are asking for a seat on the Council. We would like your opinion on the matter.”
Shepard snorted unprofessionally, that was easy. “Urdnot Bakara, the most level headed krogan I’ve ever met. Urdnot Wrex second, but Bakara would be perfect.” Shepard smiled at Tevos’ nod and continued out of the temporary council chambers.
The asari were paying for the crimes of withholding a prothean beacon, but Shepard knew Tevos hadn’t known about it. After weeks of talks, the remaining leaders agreed to let Tevos continue her work, though her leaders would be fined heavily. Shepard thought the heaviness of guilt they felt from the loss of life because they withheld the information was punishment enough. The war could have been won so much sooner.
On her way toward the transport station, Shepard decided to visit Zakera Ward. Just to see how the ward was faring.
When she came through the security checkpoint, she heard a familiar voice. Shepard smiled as the door opened, “Commander Bailey!”
“Shepard!” Bailey said as he turned to shake her hand. “How the hell are you?”
Shepard gave his hand a strong shake before slapping the aging man on his shoulder. “A helluva lot better than you it looks like. Back to C-Sec?”
“No, just lending a hand. Council orders,” he said in an overdramatic whisper that made several C-Sec recruits stand straighter. “Apparently, C-Sec needs more discipline.”
“I see,” Shepard said in reply. “Perhaps you should have the officers that give you trouble help out in the Elcor birthing unit. They always need volunteers.” Shepard did her best to keep her tone in a conspiratorial whisper when a turian officer visibly paled. “Just tell them I sent them over like we did with the last one.”
“You got it, Spectre!” Bailey said loudly before pushing Shepard on her way. “Now get out of here, I know you’re a busy woman.”
It wasn’t until Shepard dropped in to her favorite weapons store that she realized she was being followed. A young turian, probably about six or seven by human standards. He was a small thing. A darker grey than Garrus, striking violet eyes, and white colony markings. Shepard quickly looked around for the kids parents but she saw no one with the same markings. That wasn’t unusual now though. It was possible he was being raised by relatives.
What was a little unnerving was that the child just stood there, staring. Before Shepard could open her mouth to ask the kid where his parents were, an exhausted looking asari stumbled through the gun shop door with relief quickly overshadowing her fear.
“Goddess, you are a quick child,” the asari said as she was catching her breathe.
The child that had been eyeing Shepard with those beautiful, hopeful eyes, suddenly keened as his eyes drifted down to the floor. The asari quickly scooped the boy up and began singing to him as she left the store.
I’m Commander Shepard, and this is my favorite store on the Citadel. Now you work?
“Shepard,” Etarn said, startling her. “That young boy was presenting himself to you, hoping you would find him, by turian standards, good enough to adopt.”
“What?” Shepard said as she jerked around to meet Etarn’s eyes.
“His family is dead. All of them,” He added, his subvocals portraying his sadness. “He wants you to be his mother.”
No, she couldn’t possibly adopt a turian kid. She stared at the man before her, his expression serious, but heartfelt. He’d lost his legs in the war. Shepard knew he’d lost more than just his legs. She hoped someday that his former enthusiasm would return.
“Then it will be done.” Shepard knew she wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about the child, not after his heartbroken keen. She desperately hoped Grunt wasn’t going to be too upset.
“I knew I could count on you, Shepard.” Etarn said, his voice filled with relief. “Spirits bless you.”
“And you, my favorite shopkeeper,” Shepard said as she walked out of the shop in search of the asari.
Etarn’s reply was a raspy chuckle, “Damn straight, Commander.”
--
It was easy enough to find the asari. “Wait!” Shepard called out as the asari pressed a button to call a transport vehicle.
The asari turned with a small smile on her lips, “Yes, Commander?”
“I’d like to adopt this boy,” Shepard said as she tried to calm the tingling in her legs from her fast-paced walk.
The asari’s mouth opened and closed several times before blinking away her shock. “Of course, Commander. Follow me please. I’m sure your Spectre status will have this fast tracked and Mr. Maxus Tobias will be home before the Citadel’s sun sets.” The asari talked the entire way to the makeshift orphanage about how much she enjoyed the new sun set feature of the Citadel. Shepard hoped she made the appropriate noises in regards to the asari. She couldn’t help but be distracted by the tiny hand gripping her fingers tight.
--
“You’re late, Shepard.” Hackett said as a way of greeting without looking up from Shepard’s desk. He’d been spending more time there during working hours. It was easier than running back and for to each other’s offices, she assumed. Poor Kelly had enough work than to have to run back and forth all day for them.
Hackett had been staying in apartments on the Citadel that were reserved for visiting officials before the war. There had been quite a bit of damage to the building but they weren’t inhabitable. His occupancy didn’t stop the keepers from moving in though. Shepard had offered her spare upstairs bedroom to Hackett while his building was under keeper control. It wouldn’t do for Hackett to use Grunt’s bedroom.
“About that, Sir,” Shepard started. “I may have adopted another kid.”
Hackett chuckled, probably thinking Shepard had brought home another full grown krogan. His eyebrows shot up when he saw the shy turian child hiding behind Shepard’s arm.
“I’m just waiting on his case handler to send me the rest of the documents and his belongings.” Was it possible to be more embarrassed? She sighed internally. Of course she was embarrassed. She was a hardened marine. Apparently, with a huge heart.
Hackett just shook his head with a smirk, “I’ll let Kelly know to prepare Grunt’s bedroom.”
Shepard quickly made introductions before leaving her new son with Hackett while she grabbed the food on the table against the far wall. Hackett had seemed to make it his personal mission to make sure she ate. He would stare at her until she did. His stare was somewhat intimidating if she was honest with herself. She’s Commander Fucking Shepard, but Hackett has superior code.
The work they were doing today was hardly classified. Mostly numbers on rebuilding efforts, estimates on supplies for the building. Very mundane things. The numbers rarely changed. But the scene before her did as Hackett pulled young Maxus on his lap and asked the young turian to read him the information on the datapad. Probably for Shepard’s benefit.
As Shepard was tossing her MRE wrappings into the recycle bin, Sparatus walked in and halted in his tracks as soon as he realized there was a turian youngster reading to humanities highest ranking military official. His mandibles twitched in amusement before he shook his head and fully entered the office.
“Shepard, I came to drop off the newest estimates on the Citadel.” He paused only long enough to drop the datapad in Shepard’s inbox. “I see there’s a new addition to the Shepard clan? I caught a glimpse of an adoption request a few hours ago, I should’ve known you were the human applying to adopt a turian orphan. Especially since a Spectre approved it.” There was no disapproval in his voice, only kindness.
“Bau actually approved it, Sir. I didn’t think it appropriate to fast track my own adoption request,” Shepard added as she rounded her desk.
Sparatus nodded, a human gesture. “I’m assuming the child presented himself to you and you couldn’t refuse?”
Shepard chuckled, “Got it in one, Councilor.”
Shepard quickly read over the newest report while Councilor Sparatus introduced himself to Maxus. It was easy to get lost in the numbers. The estimates improved somewhat, once again thanks to the geth.
“Shepard, I can have my assistant send you his family files. When she has time, we’re all spread thin right now. It’s important for a turian to know where they came from,” Sparatus paused. “And what their family died for.”
“I would greatly appreciate anything you can send to help me, Sir.” And she was sincere. She really was grateful. She had no clue what she was doing.
It wasn’t long until Hackett declared it was time to go home. Today had been an easy work day. They were becoming more and more frequent. That didn’t help Shepard’s longing for her ship though.
Maxus was quiet on the ride home. In fact, him reading to Hackett had been the only time she’d heard his sweet, shy voice. He was an excellent reader though. The asari, Neela, whom helped Shepard with the adoption recommended that Shepard keep Maxus out of school for a few days to adjust to his new home. And to become familiar with Shepard. So, it looked like her son would be shadowing her.
As soon as they entered Shepard’s apartment, Maxus took off to explore his new home. “It looks like Kelly has been here,” Hackett commented with a nod to the new food on the kitchen bar.
Shepard excused herself to head to her room. She was about to panic. This was a huge deal. Far more important than anything she’s ever done. Grunt? He was easy, already full grown, knowledge already in his brain. She leaned over the sink in her private bathroom and quickly splashed her face with cold water. She was close to hyperventilating.
“Shepard.”
Hackett.
She didn’t fight him when he quickly pulled off her uniform jacket and pressed his chest to her back. “Breathe with me, Shepard. Calm down.” He breathed slowly against her ear. “You’ve done far more insane and impossible things. Maxus is half grown, he’s already got a strong foundation.” Shepard met his eyes in the mirror. “You are just going to do for him like you’ve done for every other person you’ve brought under your wings.” Hackett began rubbing the muscles in her shoulders as Shepard’s breathing slowed. “Add to him, teach him. That’s all, Shepard.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
“Steven.” Hackett requested.
“Steven,” Shepard repeated, her voice weak, but her inner strength renewed.
With one last squeeze, Hackett released her. “Good. Now let’s get Maxus situated and fed. And you might want to let Grunt know that his bedroom is being used.”
That would be a disaster, Shepard thought. She quickly sent Grunt a message and his reply was instant. Shepard laughed out loud. Grunt was excited. He had someone new to teach about the Aralakh Company.