Aftermath

Chapter 10

Despite being mentally and physically exhausted and the high level of alcohol in her system before she attempted sleep, the darkness still found Shepard and haunted her.

She woke after many restless hours to the sound of a Banshee scream. It took her a moment to settle back into reality, blinking hard to erase the nightmarish images from her mind. Once she did she found herself alone in an empty apartment. Her head ached and when she touched it she realized her body was covered in a cold sweat. She pulled herself up to sit cross legged and buried her face in her hands.

Her door beeped indicating someone outside and she realized that must have been what finally roused her from the nightmares. She looked towards the shaded windows and noticed it was morning.

She pushed herself up and made her way to the door. Tapping the vid com she saw Ashley Williams standing outside her door. As if sensing her eyes, Ashley held up two steaming cups of dark liquid. "I figured you might need this," she said through the vid.

Shepard allowed herself a smile and opened the door.

Ashley, looking fresh and pressed in her BDUs, arched a skeptical dark eyebrow at Shepard once she was inside. "Rough night? Geez you need a shower."

"Are you here with a peace offering or are you looking to get your ass kicked again," Shepard grumbled dryly.

Ashley smiled and handed over the coffee. "I thought you should see what's going on in the traverse this morning." The Commander walked to Shepard's personal com and after a moment, a news report was on the screen.

"...the sudden spike in reported sightings of Commander Shepard on the Citadel have the galaxy buzzing today." Several blurred images of Ashley leading Shepard through the Presidium on their way to the Officer Tower appeared. "After deflecting comment for months about the ultimate fate of Commander Shepard, Alliance Chief Admiral Hackett released the following statement just moments ago." The video cut to Hackett, looking impressive and in control as usual. "I can confirm that Commander Shepard did survive the Reaper invasion and subsequent attack on Earth. The details of her whereabouts these last few months are classified. However, the Alliance, humanity and I would expect many species across the galaxy will be happy to know that recently promoted Captain Shepard is alive and well."

The video cut back to the reporter. "No word on if or when we can expect comment from the Savior of the Galaxy herself, but no doubt the Captain will have to address the public soon."

"Is that Diana Allers?" Shepard said squinting at the reporter in the vid over her coffee.

Ashley nodded, "None other. Since her stint imbedded on the Normandy she's become the Alliance's go-to reporter."

"Good for her. I never had much luck with reporters but she was one of the few I didn't want to punch in the face. At least not all the time." Shepard turned the vid off.

"No doubt she'll be using her charms to coax you into an interview soon," Ashley said.

Shepard rubbed the scar on her forehead as had become a recent habit when she was stressed.

Ashley studied her covertly through the steam over her drink. Her former commander looked pale and weary, her blue eyes normally clear and focused seemed instead clouded and uncertain. In a word Ashley thought she looked haunted.

Clearing her throat she asked, "So what's your plan?"

"Plan?"

"Yeah, you always have a plan Shepard."

Shepard sat down with a heavy sigh. "I dunno." She winced, touching her abused left side.

"Well, you'll pardon me for saying so Captain but you're looking a little... puny. All those months in a hospital bed or... wherever the hell you were, didn't do much for you."