TITLE: Don't Just Tell Me, Show Me

CHAPTER: 20, Epilogue

LOCATION: The Citadel

Can you hear and do you care and
Can't you see we must be free to
Teach your children what you believe in.
Make a world that we can live in

Twenty-Four Years Later

The thirty-year old, commander-selectee, returned the guard's salute and stepped aboard the newly commissioned frigate. Although she noted how his eyes widened at her approach. Her vivid green eyes and black hair created a striking contrast with her fair skin. She was aware of the effect her looks had on people. Most of the time she simply ignored it.

She'd spent her twenties learning, studying and training. That left little time for personal relationships. The young woman graduated third in her class from the Alliance Naval Academy, held a Master's Degree in Astrophysics, her new N7 pin sat proudly on the lapel of her uniform jacket. Pursuing superficial personal relationships seemed trivial in her quest to live up to the to the heritage of her parents.

Once inside, she inhaled deeply. She was here, really here.

The CIC was quiet, as she hoped it would. At this time of day the technicians and engineers should be gone for the day. Walking directly to the ship's nameplate she ran her fingers over the raised brass letters:

SSV SR-3 Normandy in Memory of those who gave their lives and sacrificed so much to save Earth and the Galaxy from the Reaper Threat.

Gone but Never Forgotten ~ Always in Our Hearts.

The galaxy map, the bridge stations, the hatchway into the bridge. She'd visit each section of the ship, but for now she made her way to the first officer's quarters. They were still located to the left of the Main Battery and just to the left of the Mess. With the The MED Bay in its familiar place on the other side. She'd grown up on the Normandy and until she'd been five years old it was the only home she ever known. She'd been many places and done many things, but the Normandy had always been her home. And now, she was back and this was real and she earned her place as the Normandy's first officer.

Sitting on her bed, she unpacked the small bag she'd brought with her. One by one she placed her photographs on the shelf above the bed. First, there was her father and stepmother, Gillian. Her father, with his full head of salt and pepper hair, was as handsome as ever.

He'd been so proud when she'd shown him her orders to the Normandy. They'd held each other for a long time, both of them tearing up at the memories. Tomorrow, he'd be here for the launching ceremony, along with Gillian and their two sons and their families.

Next, she carefully unwrapped her two favorite photographs of Garrus. Garrus Vakarian: Her best friend, partner in crime, mentor and confidant. The first picture was the two of them together at her Naval Academy graduation. The second was of the two of them when she was small enough to sit comfortably on his shoulders inside the cowl of his armor. The memory made her laugh aloud. He'd been so patient with her as she insisted on holding on to his fringe as he let her ride around on his shoulders. She missed him. She would always miss him. He'd died of heart failure the year she'd turned twenty-five. He'd passed into his Spirit world with she and her father by his side.

When she'd watched those blue eyes close for the final time she'd seen a glimpse into what her father must have gone through when her mother died. In spite of trying to be brave she'd backed away from the bed and screamed. Her father had been by her side instantly and while he held her she gradually became aware that he was crying too.

At that moment, something changed in her. She grew up. Her father, who had been there for her always, needed her. She'd stretched her arms around him and held him close. Together they'd cried out their grief for the great soul who they'd been honored to call friend. They'd made it through by remembering the good times. And, there were so many good times. So many good memories and so much love.

Her picture of Joker came out next. It was good to see Joker smiling. Just before she'd snapped the picture, he'd pulled EDI down on his lap.

He was very ill now that he was in middle-aged and could hardly move around. He knew his time was short and he wouldn't live much longer. She was at peace with it and so was he. Joker and EDI lived in Vancouver, so she'd visited them as often as her studies allowed. She'd called him JokerJeff when she was little and he'd been her first crush.

The picture of her mother wearing her N7 hoodie was unwrapped next and placed on the shelf. She ran her fingers over the image, "I'm back, Mommy. I didn't forget my promise."

Later, she headed down to engineering. As she rounded the corner into the Main Battery voices drew her to the lower level of the gun box. Stepping quietly down the narrow stairs she saw a turian and a human male. The turian wore the blue tattoo of the Vakarian clan and the human male was tall with dark hair and broad shoulders. They both turned at the sound of her footsteps.

The human held out his hand to her, "You must be Commander Shepard, my new XO. I do apologize for not meeting with you sooner. She slid her hand into his and was unprepared for the warmth and strength of his grip. She released it quickly. Too quickly and he noticed with a slight frown of confusion. And so had the turian. She'd become very adept at turian facial expression and she'd seen that he'd noticed as he looked from one human to the other.

"No apology required, Captain Marshall," the young woman replied seriously.

The captain noted her serious demeanor and how it contrasted with her exotic beauty. He'd reviewed her records and found her a fascinating contrast of intelligence and beauty. A natural leader, she'd proved herself in battle and in the strategy room. Combined with her varied life experiences and education made her a perfect fit for XO. Captain Marshall looked forward to getting to know her and knew it wouldn't be an easy task.

She greeted the turian in the way of his people with a respectful bow of her head toward him. They didn't touch foreheads, but kept a respectful distance in the way of two people who did not know each other well.

"Commander, this is Sagran Irin our chief engineer."

"With respect, you're name does not match your colony of origin."

"You are very observant. I am a distant relative of the Vakarians. Your friend Garrus was a great-uncle mine."

"Honorari in occursum tibi Sagran Irin." The commander replied in flawless turian. To the captain, she translated: An honor to meet you..."

"Commander Shepard, have you been up to the bridge?"

"Not yet, sir. Just started my rounds and this is my first stop."

"Let's meet in an hour," checking his chrono, "and we'll talk more." Right now go ahead up to the bridge. There's someone up there you should meet."

"Aye sir," she replied reluctantly, thinking her place was here. Refuting his first order to her probably wasn't the best way to begin their working relationship so she complied.

As she walked to the bridge she reflected on what she knew about the Normandy's new captain. Orphaned at age five by the Battle for Earth, he'd grown up in an orphanage and later taken in by a family. From age ten to seventeen, when he enlisted, he'd traveled with that family on a cargo ship. She looked forward to developing a solid working relationship Captain Marshall.

The bridge appeared empty until a hand on her shoulder made her turn around. Smiling that beautiful smile of her's was EDI. Commander Vega understood two things immediately. One, she was glad to see a familiar face and two, for EDI to be here, Joker must be dead. Both reasons catapulted the young woman into EDI's embrace. Her military bearing dissolving into tears.

"EDI, it's so good to see you," she said wiping the tears from her cheeks with her hands.

"It is good to see you, Commander Shepard. Joker passed away in his sleep one week ago today."

"And you were there with him?"

"Yes. I became aware of his slowing heart rate during the night. Then he woke up, turned to me and took my hand. He smiled and said, 'You were the best copilot ever, EDI. I love you.' Then all body functions ceased and I suddenly I was alone. Without him... Without Joker. I realized I did not want to be alone. I could not stay in our house without his presence. After the ceremony, I contacted the Alliance and they reinstated me.

"And here you are and I am so happy to see you, EDI."

"As I am glad to see you, Commander. I am honored to be the Normandy's pilot. Mariposa, Joker asked me to give this to you as a gesture of good luck."

With trembling hands she reached out for Joker's old Alliance ball cap.

~0~

20 Questions, a Homework Assignment

Garrus and Mariposa

"Hi Garrus, she said as she climbed up on his lap. I learned a game in school today. It's called twenty questions. The teacher says we have to do this for... She called it home... Home... ?

"Homework."

"Yes, that's it. She says if we need help to ask a grown up. Are you a grown up?

"Is that question one?"

"No. I made a list. I think I will need help. Ready?"

"Ready, kiddo."

1. Why don't you have a daughter like me?

2. What is my mommy's spirit? If I'm a very good girl will her spirit come to visit me?

3. Why did Aunty Tali have two babies, but my dad only has one?

4. Why isn't my mommy here anymore?

5. I want my daddy to have someone to hold him and keep him safe like Tali and Kal'Reeger. How can I do that?

6. How come my daddy has such big muscles? He says it's because he eats all his vegetables. Is that true?

7. Will I have reach and flexibility? How can I get that?

8. When Joker and I get married will my daddy get married too?

9. What are the weepers?

10. I think a little girl like me should have a mommy. What do you think?

11. Do you think my Daddy should have a girlfriend? A girl at school says everyone should have a boyfriend or a girlfriend. Should I help Daddy get one? Next time we go shopping on the Commons I'm going to look around.

12. People keep telling me I have my mother's eyes. I don't really, REALLY have her eyes do I?

13. I'm almost five now. I want to learn my 'otics. Will you ask my daddy?

14. One of the other boys made fun of my name. He called me a dumb butterfly. I don't like his tone. Can I punch him?

15. My mommy is very pretty. Will I grow up to be pretty too?

16. Will I need to get those bumps on my chest to be pretty like her? That boy at school said I had to have boobs. Is boobs a bad word?

16. When do you think I can get a ship of my own?

17. Zaeed once told me I was born by FM. What does that mean? I thought I was born the regular way.

18. I want tattoos. When can I get my tattoos? I want my clan tattoos! If that tattoo on my daddy's neck is our clan sign, shouldn't I have one by now?

19. I've seen pictures of Tali pregnant. How come there are no pictures of my Mommy when she was pregnant with me?

20. And for the last time and I think I've been a good girl about this, Garrus. So when will you show me your wings? I want to fly someplace. PLEASE!

"That's more than twenty questions, Mari."

"Don't you want me to get a good grade, Garrus?" she asked seriously.

"Of course. Ready? Question number one: My favorite color is Blue"

And so ends my therapy session. I hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Mariposa made me cry several times and so did James. In my Mass Effect world (except for this story) everyone lives happily ever after. So up yours Bioware.

Who knows! Maybe I'll start writing cheerful stuff now. It could happen!

BTW, I wrote the adult Mariposa as wrapped a little tight. With all she'd have to put up with hearing about her mother, being compared to her famous parents, she might just have turned out a bit tense around the edges. An over-achiever and all that.

Teach Your Children

Crosby, Stills & Nash

You who are on the road
Must have a code that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good bye.

Teach your children well,
Their father's hell did slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you'll know by.

Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.

And you, of tender years,
Can't know the fears that your elders grew by,
And so please help them with your youth,
They seek the truth before they can die.

Can you hear and do you care and
Can't you see we must be free to
Teach your children what you believe in.
Make a world that we can live in.

Teach your parents well,
Their children's hell will slowly go by,
And feed them on your dreams
The one they picked, the one you'll know by.

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