Ch.12 - A meal after Feros

The end of the Thorian and lifting of the Geth siege on Feros left much to do.

Zhu's Hope's colonists were reeling from the after effects of the Thorian's control and required to rebuild their homes from the damages the Geth had inflicted.

Luckily, or maybe unluckily, we had no urgent heading without any new information on Saren, his associates, or the Conduit, giving us some time to assist those we've freed.

We could not stay for long, but we did what we could.

The Commander had somehow managed to make a deal with the remaining ExoGeni leaders who had created a camp somewhere between Zhu's Hope and their headquarters. This secured the mid-to-long term continuance of the colony itself and medical assistance regarding possible side effects in the colonists from the Thorian's control.

There were already supplies on the way and with a word to the Alliance, help as well.

Garrus, Tali and Lt. Alenko were leading some crew members in helping the colony repair their systems and set up various relays and defenses they could on short notice. Tali's scavenging expertise shone brightly as she advised the colony mechanics.

Ashley and Wrex were giving the remaining colonists wishing to protect their homes the 'Spartan treatment' by going through at least some basic training at an accelerated pace.

Meanwhile doctors Chakwas and T'Soni had requisitioned me in aiding to provide medical treatment to the wounded colonists and look for immediate side effects in them. My abilities allowed me to quickly learn the necessary skill and knowledge to support them in this endeavor.

A rather useful experience to begin learning medicine and receive some hands-on experience. And beside, I was responsible for quite a few of injuries or wounds, leaving me to feel responsible even though it was for their own good.

I did spend some of my free time with Shiala, asking many questions regarding training my biotics, Asari combat and her former comrades to understand enemy ressources better. Our conversations were enlightening for my training and gave me a better understanding of a commando or matriarch's abilities.

We did spend some time 'bonding' as well, with her sharing knowledge in a more direct manner and myself helping her 'sort' through the information left by the Thorian and her recovery from her twice over thralldom. It helped me learn more about my empathic and mental abilities and practice them.

And although comparatively short, I believe our time together has made us friends. Her positive emotions towards me were enough to convince me of this.

Beyond the Normandy, some ExoGeni researchers were keen to aid us, particularly a pair of mother-daughter scientists, but the justifiable distrust the colonists had in them hampered such actions for now.

But soon enough we had to go.

There were other troubles in the galaxy and with aid from both the colony's parent company and the Alliance now present, the Commander deemed it appropriate for us to depart.

The colonists actually gathered to see us off. Thankful for everything we had done for them.

It was good to know we had helped them. A nice feeling.

-Jane Shepard POV

"Of course Shepard would do anything for a Human colony. *Bamf* Ass." I grumbled as I hit my handy punching bag with council faces on it, the Turian part might be the least intact.

I spend a week in a far out colony attacked by Geth who are led by a Turian traitor who somehow got a massive ship that can brainwash even an Asari Matriarch who has her own Asari Commando, deal with another brainwashing plant thing and the prick thinks i only did the right thing of ending it because those affected were human?

And of course the Salarian wants to have the damn Thorian studied. I'm starting to agree with Neo's small paranoia on that thing and his usage of a dozen grenades to 'burn any possible return to ashes'.

*Beep beep*

'Who wants to talk to me now?' I thought with some exasperation as I checked my Omni-Tool. 'Neo? That doesn't happen often.

Meh, why not see what the big guy wants.'

With a quick reply to his request sent, I thought I should wipe some of the sweat I built up before he got here.

I should at least be mildly presentable before squad mates, and last time's meeting was probably a bit too informal.

It didn't take long for one of my two biggest squad mates to show up in the Alliance fatigues he usually wore since getting things his size just isn't easy, surprisingly without his visor but instead showing eyes which almost looked perfectly human if they weren't a soft silvery light beneath his clear blue eyes. (In case it wasn't clear, he finally got contacts.)

'Mmmh. Mama does like how tight the shirt is.' I briefly thought in pure admiration for just how much muscle the man has and how well shaped he is, not mattering that it was because of some fucked up experiment at all.

Nice is nice.

But then i noticed the two steaming trays of food in his hands.

"Why'd you want to see me Neo? And why the food?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A few reasons Commander. Most of which are out of concern." The blue haired man answered as he set the nicer looking food on my side of my desk and placed his own across it.

"Concern? About me?" I asked feeling a bit baffled and worried.

'Did I do something wrong?' I wondered internally as I tried to remember if anything happened during the Feros mission which could make Neo, or anyone, unhappy.

"Your well-being." He answered, causing me to come up short.

"You're worried about me?" I questioned the large man in disbelief.

"Is this odd?" He asked in return, not seeing any wrong with the concept, which technically it isn't.

"I mean, it's not usually something people under the command of someone usually care about or are allowed to. Especially in the military. That can lead to a lot of trouble." I admitted after a brief moment.

"Then it is fortunate that I am not part of the Alliance and can voice my concerns freely as long as they do not negatively impact our goals." Neo replied calmly, like he almost always is, while taking a seat.

"I guess that's true." I said with a shrug and followed his lead by sitting down for some chow. "So what's got you worried about me?"

"A few matters here and there. The most immediate was simply for your frustrations regarding the Citadel Council and the mission." He said in between bites.

"What do you mean? I don't have any frustrations. I know we'll stop Saren and the Council is in support of that." I quickly replied a bit defensively.

He simply raised a questioning eyebrow before turning his knowing gaze to my still deployed punching bag with a damaged picture of the council stuck to it.

That got me to blush a bit at being caught so easily. A leader isn't supposed to show the bad stuff in front of the troops. I have to be a model for them. Lead by example and set a damn good one.

"*Ahem* That's just for… motivation." I weakly defended as I felt rather naked in front of Neo's eyes.

"Commander, I am an empath. I felt your emotions, more clearly than ever before after expanding my abilities and having touched your 'self' so closely during the mission, leaving me more… sensitive or aware of you than anyone else." Neo countered with a slightly alarming revelation.

'Wait! That means he can feel what I do now?! And he makes it sound like we did it, which is kind of arguable since I've heard that whatever happened to get the Cipher is pretty close to what Asari really consider sex.

Liara explained everything when she was trying to help me understanding more of the information during our time on Feros.' I thought is my mind ran at high speed to work through the ramifications of this.

"Commander, please calm yourself. I would never invade your privacy or abuse my abilities simply because I could." Neo suddenly said to snap me out of my pondering.

"Right, but how would I know that?" I asked guardedly even though I did feel a bit guilty for suddenly being weary of Neo.

He's never done anything bad or even suspicious, but now who knew if that was because he was truthful or could somehow hide the truth using his powers.

"For one, you are remarkably strong willed and powerful yourself, unless you allow me through or are in a state of heightened emotions or weakness, entering your mind would prove to be impossible.

I can simply feel your emotions and general intent, while being capable of possibly sending some of my own or maybe mildly influencing yours. I cannot control beings." Neo slowly explained in the best way he could. "I explored this sort of focus with Shiala during our stay in Zhu's Hope to confirm the depths of this more streamlined sense I now own, but to give it a better example, it is akin to a more focused signal than my usual broad reception."

"So you have this new 'sensitivity' with Shiala too?" I questioned for confirmation.

That just meant it only happened between the three of us, people who basically connected brains for a bit.

"What about Liara?" I asked to clarify some doubt.

"Why would I have such a connection to Dr. T'Soni?" He asked back with confusion in his blinking eyes.

"Well I was wondering if this 'sensitivity' would be extended to someone who bonded with a person you bonded with." I answered while paying close attention to him.

"Not that I have noticed. Dr. T'Soni tends to avoid me for reasons I do not know, as such I have even less of an understanding of her than most of the Normandy's crew." Neo told me with a shake of his head.

"Liara hasn't talked to you about why?" I thoughtlessly asked as I thought back about my own confrontation of her discomfort around Neo.

Back when he joined and I was more on guard against him, I worried he might have done something to the rather naive Asari, but it all turned out that it was because she was sensitive to his biotics. She said she would clarify things, but it looks like her awkwardness around people and lackluster social skills have been hampering that.

"No. Dr. T'Soni remains rather hesitant to approach me, even while we were working together on Feros." He plainly answered.

"Looks like a Liara needs a push." I muttered under my breath.

I didn't want to have potential issues popping up between my main squad members, much less one like this even if Neo looked understanding.

"There is no need to make the Asari Doctor uncomfortable. As long as we can work properly on missions, I have no problems with maintaining my distance from her if she so wish." The big guy stated in acceptance.

That kind of annoyed me. How he just accepted someone staying away from him for no valid reason.

"Yeah, we'll she needs to talk to you anyway. Shiala was fine near you and Liara wanted to see what you got from the Cipher too." I countered a bit heatedly.

"I could simply write down much of what I have learnt. It is very fascinating and enriching." He softly said with actual admiration for the knowledge he had, much like Shiala actually.

"No. You two are talking about this." I decided to stubbornly put my foot down on these two socially awkward people.

"If that is what you wish Commander. I simply do not desire to bring any ire from Dr. T'Soni." He submitted, which kind of blew the wind out my of sails when he just didn't fight her.

"Aren't you against this? Why aren't you fighting it?" I asked with some slight bewilderment.

I mean, even Kaiden would retort in some way when I made him do something he really didn't want to, even if he would do it.

"I have nothing against her, I simply value the gifts of choice and freedom, as such do not want to deprave it in others and respect their decisions.

But while I am under your command, I will follow your orders unless i believe them to be truly detrimental and interpersonal relations are not something I truly understand, hence I shall defer to your expertise." The hybrid explained with no hesitation.

"I am no expert." I rejected that claim firmly.

"I would debate that." Neo replied with certainty that made me look at him queerly.

"And why's that?" I decided to amuse his belief.

"You have brought together Asari, Quarian, Turian, Krogan and a… hybrid, together on a clandestine mission to officially capture one of the deadliest men alive and unofficially halt the advent of a sentient machine race which could erase all advance life from the galaxy.

You have succeeded in nearly erasing much of the xenophobia in your crew, something which many humans have a tendency to hold due to general feelings of inferiority, greed, impatience and insecurity while assimilating most races and giving them a place of trust beside you.

And under your leadership, your diverse squad has demonstrated a growing and strong camaraderie, where they accepted and would risk their lives for each other. Even if Garrus and Wrex bicker, Ashley still holds reservations, Dr. T'Soni is inexperienced, Tali seemingly being vulnerable and Lt. Alenko holding authority in too high of a regard." He said in a more passionate and firm tone than I've ever heard him use.

The belief behind those words, well they were quite touching and even reaffirming.

After our latest mission on Feros, the lack of leads on Saren, how even after getting the Cipher, the information in my head remained near useless because I essentially only had half a map, well I was starting to feel some hesitation.

The Council being less than supportive of my claims regarding the Reapers didn't exactly help, with some frustrations at how they couldn't understand the gravity of the situation as of result their disbelief on top, not helping.

It felt nice knowing someone thought I was at least doing something right.

"Well, thanks for that Neo." I gratefully said to the big man.

"No need for thanks Commander. I speak only the truth I observe." He nonchalantly replied.

What followed was a silence I would deem comfortable as we continued eating our meals, even if they had gotten a bit colder.

"You know, I think we might have gotten a bit off track." I opened with as I placed my fork down. "You said you were concerned about me, and while we will be talking about your new sensitivity again later, I want to know what got you worried. It couldn't have just been because of my frustration with the Council."

"Well, my most pertinent reason is one which came to me some time ago, when I was freshly brought aboard. I simply thought having company and someone to talk to in order to 'deflate' while eating shouldn't be something you are to be excluded from." Neo said with a rather surprising reasoning.

'He came up because he… didn't want me to be lonely?' I internally questioned.

And as baffling as it sounded, it was kind of nice and thoughtful.

I mean, I haven't been able to have an informal meal with the crew in ages, Garrus and Tali need to eat at different times for their dextro food, Liara is always in her room studying or researching, Kaiden is too stiff to relax, Ash hangs out with the crew and my presence would make everyone tense, and Wrex only eats once in a while but in large quantities.

So I've been eating my meals in my quarters or alone.

"*Ahem* And what other reasons are there?" I asked while trying to hide a bit of embarrassment at the fact that I do appreciate the gesture and never realized that even though our talk till now hasn't been the most peaceful, it was still better than just thoughtlessly eating and getting back to work.

"To check on your general well being, be it physically or mentally. As well as to 'chat', as some of the others put it. One cannot always think about possible armageddons or the mind becomes too stressed." He casually answered, looking way too earnest that it almost made me chuckle, but it did make me smile for the first time in over a week.

"Thanks, Neo. For caring enough to do it." I genuinely said to him.

"It is not difficult. I care for your well-being." He suddenly threw out, catching me off guard.

'Those looks and that earnestness and honesty, plus the straightforwardness are really dangerous.' I briefly thought as my face heated up momentarily.

"Why? Cause I'm the one you follow?" I jokingly asked, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"Partially." He admitted, helping me calm down. "But also because I owe you a great debt for taking me in and offering me a place among you and yours, as well as a mission which you allow me to do good for the Galaxy itself. And I desire to see if I could become your friend as well. The experience has been very gratifying with Tali and Wrex."

'Welp, its official, I'm embarrassed.' I inwardly thought.

I really wasn't used to these types of conversations. It's always been things like 'Good job Commander', or 'Exemplary work Commander', or maybe 'You've done a great service to mankind', 'Great shooting' or more… manly acknowledgments/compliments due to the military still being male dominated.

Touchy-feely really isn't where I have experience when I've almost always been treated as one of the guys. Even in school or the academy.

'Is this how he always makes Tali feel? We can all see she's crushing hard, and maybe that's how the big guy got her.' The thought flashed through my mind before a shooed it away.

"W-well in that case, you can't keep calling me Commander." I declared, mustering my usual confidence. "When not on mission and/or in private, you call me Jane. I've got enough people calling me Shepard or Commander, it's almost starting to feel like no one knows my actual name."

"It would be my honor Jane. I look forward to developing a long lasting and bountiful friendship." Neo said with a smile on his usually serene or serious face.

"Same here Neo." I replied with a wide grin on my face. "Now since you're here, you can help me work out that dinner."

"To the hanger then?" Was his suggestion.

"Yup. Let's see how you can take some biotics." I answered with a bit a Savageness in my grin.

"I will not yield easily." The big man declared with confidence as he stood up and took both our plates.

"We'll see." I cheekily said as I grabbed the plates from him in one smooth transfer as he looked at me questioningly. "You brought them up, I'll bring them down."

"If you wish." He shrugged.

"And I do. Now let's go so I can knock you on your ass!" I said, feelings quite a bit lighter and more relaxed than I've felt I weeks.

_______________________________________

EXTRA AUTHOR NOTES:

This turned out to be longer than I thought. Thought I was going to be able to put more stuff in there, but it just didn't feel right.

I just kind of wanted to have a Shepard conversation for Neo, you know the ones that basically throw up flags before getting personal missions that earns the loyalty of party members? Well that, but a bit reversed since the recruitment mission for Neo technically earned his loyalty, especially with Shepard's actions by helping him.

If anything, this is more Neo earning Shepard's true trust even though she valued his abilities before.

So yeah, a meal between Shepard and Neo because he wants to be friends with Shepard, while being in Shepard POV to try and make her more human than a symbol.

In my mind Shepard is a true military woman, and the culture in the Military has always been male focused, hence she would have to shift into being 'one of the guys' to be fully accepted and thrive in general. Her subsequent career would evidently make her into a Soldier and should make her a bit vulnerable to the more normal things others could sort of forget about like earnest friendship, which I would argue Shepard is developing with her first crew now, but now is the one currently making the effort first.

Being able to soften up around someone would just do her good in the long run. Anyone who played the games saw how much the burden of saving the galaxy weighed on Shepard and I want her to have someone who can really help her carry it instead of just supporting her like most other crew members.

I'm still kind of debating between Tali and Shepard or both somehow.

Tali needs to go back to the Flotilla after the events of Mass Effect one. Her Pilgrimage is done and she needs to leave, so I find it hard to develop a lasting thing for them unless I do a 'fond farewell' and 'remember me' bit.

And then Shepard dies for two years, which could be nice for character development while also making a bit of drama or 'it was only one night' kind of stuff.

Then the ultimate fantasy of badass and best girl together, cucking Kaiden, Garrus and Liara.

(Maybe showing Miranda who's really perfect too.

I am a man, so I can fantasize.

But really, Miranda needs some actual love in her life. She might be a bitch for the most parts, but I feel like she deserves someone on her level that can actually love her.)

Anyway, so yeah, that's what going on right now.

As always, hope you enjoyed.