Chapter Text
DESTINY'S HAND
“Vacation, huh?”
Striding beyond the checkpoint, John Shepard’s observation nearly got lost among the usual clatter and clamor to be found in a docking yard. Sights and sounds, hustle and bustle, it was both visually and audibly jarring after having the past two weeks off. Some ships were in various states of loading and unloading, others were dry docked in various states of repair. At the very far end, there was even one of the newer dreadnoughts, bright and shiny and awaiting its first commission.
Breathing in deeply and hefting her N7 duffle over her shoulder in a smooth motion, Jane chuckled, indicating she’d heard. It was difficult to believe two weeks had flown by with such speed and, astonishingly enough, without incident. No rushing into battle or defending otherwise unprotected innocents from danger. No rogue spectres trying to gain access to the galaxy for some dark space sentient giant of a being bent on galactic domination and destruction. Just fourteen days of calm and relaxation. Of catching up on the latest books and movies they’d missed out on, the latest Blasto movie notwithstanding. Of sleeping in as late as they desired (or not) and no pressing mission calling them to duty. Of ordering in dinner when they didn’t feel like going out to eat or cooking it themselves. Of just being free from the responsibilities of command and service.
All in all, a well earned rest.
“Almost that honeymoon take-two you promised, too,” Jane teased.
Grinning back at her John promised, “Not even close.”
Despite the cacophony surrounding them, finding their ship was an easy enough task. No matter where docked, the Normandy stood out in a crowd. A prototype deep scout frigate from the joint creative minds of the Alliance and Turian Hierarchy, it had more than proved its worth on its inaugural mission. As far as the two N7s were concerned, it was a gem of untold value. It wasn’t pride so much as honor that had them viewing it as their ship before an Alliance vessel.
Out of the corner of his eye, John caught his wife’s slowing steps as the Normandy came into better view. Rolling his eyes -- she always got a little star struck when ships were involved -- he snagged the strap of her duffle and continued forward at a good clip. Turning around and walking backwards, he watched her face while observing, “All tuned up and raring to go, too. Looks like Joker even ran her through the wash just for us.”
“The Commander deserves the best,” the pilot called out from the hatchway, grinning widely as the pair approached.
“Just remember who’s captain of this vessel,” John warned.
With a snort, the pilot’s eyes shifted to Jane’s as he offered a salute and retorted automatically, “Aye aye, ma’am.”
“Ooooo, Flight Lieutenant Snark is back,” Jane greeted him with a grin and a wink. “I’ve missed you.”
“All rested and ready to go, too,” Joker assured her, affectionately patting the bulkhead.
Boarding, Jane turned to him and asked more seriously, “Any problems getting her refit?”
Joker shook his head. “Nope, not a one. As the captain said, she’s fit as a fiddle and raring to go.”
“Commanders.”
Jane’s gaze shifted as Pressly joined them. “Hello, Pressly.”
John tilted his head slightly as he surveyed the Navigation officer, as usual sporting his dress blues when on duty and in the CIC. “Looking pretty spiffy there, Pressly.”
Pressly, well used to John’s occasionally irreverent sense of humor, ignored him. Instead, he handed a datapad to Jane. “Orders from Alliance Command, Commander.”
Jane scanned the details. “Who are we still waiting on?”
“Supplies should finish loading within the half hour. Most of the crew disembarked at Arcturus for shore leave. Everyone is back except for Doctor Chakwas who, I’ve been told, will now meet up with us at the Citadel.” He shrugged, just the barest hint of movement of his shoulders. “Something about a professional paper she was giving at a conference there.”
Nodding, Jane handed the datapad back to him. “Good. Once we’re done loading, get us started to the Serpent Nebula.”
“Aye aye, Commander.”
Walking through the CIC side by side with her husband, Jane nodded at several of the crew members who paused momentarily in their duties to offer greeting, but she otherwise remained silent. It wasn’t until they reached their cabin below deck that John asked, “Okay, what’s wrong?”
“Hmm?”
Setting their duffles aside for the moment he reached out and grasped a hand before she could get too far out of reach. “You aren’t usually so mum’s the word after receiving orders,” he pointed out. “And your shift to all business mode was pretty abrupt up there. Joker and Pressly might not have picked up on it, but I did.”
“You’re imagining things,” she told him.
“Nope. One moment I’m waiting for you to make a crack about keeping the car keys from Joker or something, and the next you are making a beeline for our cabin and barely acknowledging the lower ranks.” He paused, tilting his head slightly to the right. “Something in those orders I should know about?”
Sighing softly, Jane dropped onto the bed. She ran her hands through her shoulder length coppery tresses before leaning backwards, propping herself on her hands and giving her husband a neutral look. “The Council wants to see me as soon as we get to the Citadel.”
John pulled a chair over so he could face her, turning it backwards and dropping onto it while leaning his arms across the top edge, his eyes fully focused on her. “Reason?”
“They didn’t say.”
Frowning, she sat up, her hands moving to rest on her lap while fingers tangled and untangled together. It was a sure sign of her level of irritation and frustration and, possibly, worry. Argue to the contrary as she might, it left him concerned. After a moment, he asked, “You want backup when you go see them? Like before?” They’d talked over certain aspects of their last mission over the past two weeks -- well, more like he’d talked and she’d listened. Most of the focus had been that last mission against Saren and the challenges they’d both faced, none of which had been anything like normal. John had even opened up to her about the personal conflict he’d faced. The discussion had come after he’d vented first.
Smiling over at him now, head tilted so she was peeking through strands of hair, she replied, “You know I don’t mind, but don’t you be surprised if they pull the ‘spectre-only’ card on you and turn you away.”
John grunted softly in acknowledgement. “I’ll manage.” And if they did, chances were she’d update him just as soon as possible afterwards anyway. It was the waiting that nearly killed him.
“Commander, we just received approval to pull out,” Joker broke in, interrupting their discussion.
Jane smirked at her husband. “Is he talking to me-commander or you-commander, do you think?” she asked.
Rolling his eyes, John pressed his comm and replied, “Take us out, Joker. Let me know when we approach the Nebula.”
~ n ~
Arrival at the Citadel was standard procedure by now, and as the Normandy followed the flight path in John and Jane watched from the bridge.
“Wow, they’ve been busy cleaning up,” Jane observed, more than a little hint of wonder in her tone. The station itself wasn’t near completely cleared of battle scars and debris by any means, but many of the major pieces of wreckage that had been left floating around it were now gone. It was definitely an improvement over the post-battle scene they’d witnessed as they’d left two weeks ago.
“I wonder if having Anderson on the Council helps?” John mused. The man was still an Alliance officer despite the change in titles and much of the wreckage now gone had come from Alliance ships damaged or destroyed in the fight against Sovereign.
“We’ve got clearance to dock at our usual place,” Joker told them after a moment.
“Sounds good. Take her in,” Jane replied.
As he maneuvered the ship, the pilot muttered, “I just hope they don’t try that docking clamp thing again.”
Jane chuckled and gently patted his shoulder in reassurance. “We were cleared of wrongdoing for our escape,” she reminded him.
“That’s what they said …”
Jane exited the bridge with John following behind, turning towards the main hatch. “I don’t know how long this will take,” she told him as she secured her pistol at her hip. Things might be well on their way back to normal around the Citadel, but she wasn’t about to leave the ship with some sort of weapon in hand. Just in case. “You know how the Council can be.” Which basically meant it would depend on what sort of moods Councilors Sparatus and Valern were in.
“Well, unless they want you back out on patrol ASAP, in which case I’d expect it to be brief, I don’t see that it matters much. We still need to wait on Williams, Liara, Tali and Dr. Chakwas anyway,” he pointed out.
The main hatch opened allowing them to disembark.
“Or not,” Jane countered, halting just a few steps out.
John paused as Jane slowed, his eyes were drawn to movement at the end of the ramp. “Well, I’ll be damned.”
“Commander!”
The chorus of warm greetings was a welcome one, but almost as soon as it was done, Jane gave them all an apologetic look. “Sorry, but I have to go see the Council. We can catch up when I get back.”
Williams affected a pout and Tali’s stance suggested something similar, since her mask hid her facial expressions. Liara appeared confused at first, at least until Williams not so subtly elbowed the asari in her arm at which point her eyes dropped to stare down at her hands as she slumped her shoulders. Clearly it was a practiced move.
Only the doctor appeared to take it all in stride. That, however, ended when Jane started to walk away. “Commander, have you forgotten our discussion a few weeks back?”
Jane paused mid-stride and turned to face her. “No, Doctor, I haven’t.”
“Then might I suggest we have our conversation first before you --”
Grinning almost sheepishly at the doctor, Jane continued walking ... backwards. “Sorry, Doc, but the Council outranks even you.”
Chakwas folded her arms across her chest and leveled an even stare at Jane. “Commander --”
“Take it up with Councilor Anderson!” Behind her, Jane heard John chuckle. A quick look over her shoulder and she found him calling the elevator with his back to the conversation. “You’re no help at all!” she hissed. To the doctor, she added, “I promise, Doc, I’ll come find you the minute I get back.”
“You had better, Commander,” the doctor threatened, “or I will pull you off active duty until such time as you make time.”
The elevator opened behind her and Jane stepped backwards into it, her hand waving at all four women. “I will make the time,” she called back. “I promise!”
Once the door closed and the elevator started moving, Jane leaned heavily against the wall with a laugh. “Whew! That was close!”
John frowned at her. “What was that all about?”
“My yearly physical,” she explained. “She tried to get me back while we were after Saren, but I kept putting her off.” Sighing, she straightened before the elevator came to a stop. “Guess I’ve finally run out of excuses now that Saren and Sovereign have been taken care of.”