The Making of a Commander (Prequel to "At Long Last") Mass Effect Fan Fiction

A Happy Sad Goodbye

 When Grave walked into medical, he saw Tanis sitting with Tara. The way they looked at each other sent a smile to his face. There is no denying the two of them had strong feelings for one another. 'Do Jane and I look that way when we are together?' he wondered. His smile quickly left as his memory flashed back to the message he sent last week excepting a prearranged bonding proposal reminding him that how they felt about each other didn't matter. Just then Tanis looked up and saw his Sargent. "Sargent, Sir" Tanis stood at attention. Grave walked over to the couple. "At ease recruit." Tanis relaxed, but remained standing. "How is Jane?" The young human recruit whispered. Grave looked down at Tara and smiled. "She is fine little one, don't worry, she is more than capable of taking care of herself, as I'm sure you know. I haven't seen recruit Bower yet, but I am more than Certain he is suffering a lot more." He reached down and took her hand. "As he should be." He growled. "Jane will be here as soon as she can I promise. How are you feeling?" "I've been better" She tried to smirk with little success. "You'll be up in no time, and back on the field." He winked "I don't think so Sir." Tara turned her head. "What do you mean recruit, It may seem that way now, but..." Tara interrupted him. "That's not what I meant, I don't think I'm cut out for military life Sir." She released his hand. "I never really was. I just wasn't ready to leave Jane. I was afraid of being alone, but not anymore." Tara turned her head towards her young turian. Tanis took her hand, and looked over at his Sargent. "I have asked Tara to be my Bond Mate, and she has agreed." His chest puffed with pride. "My sister lives on Illium with her Asari Bond Mate, and they just had twins, so they would be happy to have her stay with them until I am finished with my training. They would welcome the help."  Tanis reached down and placed his forehead against Tara's. Grave watched in wonder, just that one small gesture told him all he needed to know. A turian only mark their mate with the scent glands in their foreheads. How many times he had to stop himself from doing the same to Jane. "I am very happy for you both. You are lucky to have found each other." Grave  smiled at the couple. "As are you and recruit Shepard." Tanis grinned. "Yes" Grave felt the sting of guilt knowing well his and Jane's relationship would have to end in a year. He lowered his head unable to meet the young lovers in the eye. 

 Grave decided it would be better to get back to the matter at hand to avoid anymore uncomfortable talk about his and Jane's relationship. "I am going to need a statement from both of you as soon as you are able. I feel with your account of the incident, and the medical report, along with your, and Jane's history, I will be able to keep recruit Shepard's career intact when my investigation is over."  Grave stated. "I hope so, getting in the "N" program is her dream. I would feel awful if she had to give it all up because of this." Tara began to cry. "Don't cry love, the Sargent won't let that happen." Tanis reassured her. "I will try my best. Now, I need to go to the security office. Try not to worry." He gave Tara a nod, and headed out the door, giving the young lovers back their privacy.

 Grave stopped back by his quarters to check on Jane, before heading to security. As soon as he walked through the door, Jane ran to his arms. "What have I done? I am so sorry I never meant to cause you trouble by my actions." She sobbed. "Come now my little Varren, don't you worry yourself, I will handle everything. I would have been more disappointed in you if you hadn't reacted the way you did, but maybe a little less violence would have been better, then again...you are my little Varren." He laughed causing Jane to chuckle. "Now dry those tears, and hurry yourself to medical, Tara is anxious  to see you." "Okay" Jane sniffed reaching up, kissing him on the cheek, then running out the door to see Tara. Grave walked over to his desk, opening the bottom drawer retrieving Bower's file. He though he remembered that he had to disciplined him more than once for his overly aggressive behavior towards turians, but he wanted to be sure. Grave looked through the pages, and smiled. "This should be all I need." He shut the desk drawer, bringing the file with him as he headed to security.

Jane smiled as she walked into medical seeing Tanis and Tara together. "Hey you two!" "Jane!" Tara cried out in a muffled yell. Tanis stood. "I'll leave you two to talk, I'll be right outside." He reached down kissing Tara on the top of her head, making her smile. He placed his talon on Jane's shoulder as he passed her, and gently squeezed, she smiled and nodded. "Jane, come over closer so I can see you." Jane  walked over, and sat in the chair next to the bed. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry." Tara began to cry. "Hey you, stop that. This is nothing. You should see the other guy, I hear he'll be eating soup for a month." They both laughed. "Enough about me, what's up with you and lover boy? I saw how you two looked at each other. Now start talking." Tara blushed. "I want to talk to you about that." She reached over and took Jane's hand. "He asked me to be his Bond Mate, and I said yes." She looked at Jane's face trying to catch a glimpse of what she was thinking. Jane sat quiet for a moment, then reached over hugging Tara as gently as she could." I'm so happy for you, so when is the big day?" At the end of the year when he graduates."you mean when the both of you graduate, right?" Jane could tell by the look on her best friends face, that that was not what she had meant to say at all. Tara lowered her head. "What's going on Tara?" Jane felt a knot form in her stomach. "I have decided not to continue my academy training. I will be staying with Tanis' sister, and Bond Mate on Illium until he finishes his training." Jane wasn't sure how she was feeling right now. She always knew Tara only followed her to the academy, and she knew Tara never really took to military life like she has. The thought of  not having her best friend close made her feel sick, but at the same time she could see how the two lovers looked at each other, and she was happy for them. The two girls sat silently for a long while. "Jane please say something." Tara finally broke the silence. Jane took a deep breath, and exhaled. "I think that's great, I am so happy for you." Jane tried her best to smile. "Are you really Jane, please be honest." Tara frowned. "Because you don't look happy." Jane leaned forward placing her hand against Tara's bandaged cheek. "I really am happy for you and Tanis, it's just that I am also sad that you are leaving me." Jane held back the tears forming in her eyes. Tara looked at her sister. "I will always be there for you, whenever you need me. I'll only be a vid message away." She smiled. "Sister's forever!" Tara pulled Jane closer to her. "Always! Sister's forever." Jane held on to her as they both cried, happy, but sad tears.