The war had gone on far too long. People were beginning to question why it had started and it was becoming harder and harder to bolster the lines of both sides. It was a pointless war, nothing more than petty hate fueling each side. Hate that wasn't even that strong in the beginning but blossomed after a year or so of fighting. Now, after six years, it was fading. Neither side wanted to continue the fight, but since they had held out for so long, they didn't want to surrender.

The Council demanded a peace council, finally, and what the Council wanted, they got. Each side invited their Admirals and esteemed members to come together to talk about ending the war.

Jane ran a hand through her hair, "Damn Turians," she grumbled. Sure, she wanted the war to end, but she didn't want it to be because some third party was demanding it. After all, one of the Councillors was a Turian. She knew he would leave for the duration of the meeting due to his obvious bias. Still, it would colour the rest of the Council's opinions. There was no sighting of humans until the Turians found them and a war erupted between the two.

"Why am I going to this meeting?" she demanded, as she left the bathroom. She smoothed her hands down her blues, double checking for wrinkles. "I'm not exactly a VIP; I'm the Captain of the SSV Iliad. Not some Admiral or General or anything like that."

"You are going because the SSV Iliad has been at the frontal of the defense against the Turians," an accented voice floated back. Chakwas turned around from wiping away dust from Anderson's dress blues, and crossed her arms.

"The Alliance is hoping that if people see Captain Shepard trying to vie for peace they will too," Anderson reassured her. "You can leave when the meeting finishes, you've been away from the SSV Iliad long enough."

Jane released a breath and smoothed some stray hairs down, "Or they'll think we are trying to attempt a power play."

"They will have undoubtedly invite some of their people who have bad reputations amongst humans as well. Remember, our goal is for peace. Power plays will help make us seem strong and we need that. Without a front of strength other races might think we're weak and try to take advantage of our weakened state from this war. We've held out against the Turians for six years, Jane, without them gaining a foothold within our system. Any more and we might not be able to."

She grunted, letting it go. "Then let's get this over with, hopefully this peace talk won't take forever. "

"I think this will be the first time you leave this ship without me worrying you'll come back with a bullet hole," Chakwas teased. and pulled Jane into a hug. "The Turians may be brutes on the field, but they are respectful of the Council and rules."

"If this does come to blows, I'll get her back safely," Anderson promised, "We don't want to create a galactic incident if our girl gets pissed at the highest ranking Turians if they shoot someone."

Jane laughed, "Don't worry, I've got no guns."

"Listen to that, she says no guns, not no weapons," Chakwas shook her head, "Well have some Serrice Iced wine once you get back, and you can complain about all the Turians and politicians who have sticks up their asses."

"Sounds like a plan," Jane agreed before following Anderson into the airlock. They were currently on the Citadel; it would be the first time that a human would step onto any part of it. As the airlock worked to sync the room to the outside pressure, Jane glanced over at Anderson.

It still made her happy whenever he or Chakwas referred to her as 'their girl'. Her real parents had died when she was…god she couldn't even remember. She just remembered living on Earth fending for herself. That was, until a kind woman and man crossed her path as someone stabbed her. The man had reacted quickly, chasing and tackling the assailant while the woman gave first aid. After she had awoken in the hospital, they were asking her where her parents were and who she was.

Jane had never had a name that she could remember, and she didn't know her parents. The hospital staff had been calling her Jane Doe, and so that was who she became. Except, she didn't like referring to her as Doe. So, she stripped that off her name and just settled for Jane. Only a first name was good for the time being.

The stab wound wasn't healing as it should, and as malnourished and sick as she was, she would've died if not for the hospital.

The kind woman and man visited often, both worried over the scared, sick, and stick thin girl. She learned their names, Karin Chakwas and David Anderson.

Chakwas knew what happened to some kids when they went to an orphanage or a foster home, and knowing Jane's history she was afraid the girl would return to the streets the moment she turned eighteen and offered to foster the girl until then.

Once she turned eighteen, Chakwas had told her, she would be free to leave if she chose to.

Jane accepted.

Anderson often visited, and by the time she was old enough to enlist in the Alliance. She had chosen her last name.

It wasn't Chakwas or Anderson, no matter how often the two had informed her they thought of her as family, she still was waiting for the day where they said they were doing it because they pitied her. Not fair to either of them, but it was a deep routed fear. Instead, she had chosen 'Shepard' after Alan Bartlett Shepard Jr. the second man and first American to go into space.

Now she was Jane Shepard, Captain of the SSV Iliad and a rewarded soldier for her bravery in combat.

The airlock opened up and for the first time, she looked onto the Citadel. Aliens of more variety than she had ever seen cluttered around the docking bay as they walked towards the shuttles. Some of the aliens gawked openly at them, while others ignored their presence to the point where she was sure they forced themselves to. Jane tried not to gawk at them, and took as much as she could in with one glance.

As they walked through a scanner, Jane caught sight of a graying man with what looked like a permanent frown on his face. He was glaring at the two of them as they emerged from the scanner and Anderson guided them towards the human. "Ambassador."

"Anderson," the man replied tersely, and gave Jane a disapproving look. Jane kept silent, looking at the shuttle car instead. "Few more minutes and you would've been late. Now, come on, we can't keep the Council waiting."

Jane wanted to comment on that, saying that the Council had kept them waiting so far. They had only recently gotten an ambassador and he before this event, he was never allowed on the Citadel. Who knew if the Turians had already swayed the Council's decision on whether to split the treaty evenly so both sides treated the other fairly? Or if they were going to give the Turians the better deal?

The Ambassador ignore Jane for the most part until they got to the Councillors chambers, he turned to her and grabbed her arm. Anderson stepped forwards, but Jane yanked her arm from his grip. The action made him glare at her, "Don't speak unless spoken to, and support this treaty as if your life depends on it."

Eyes narrowed, she nodded tersely. Anderson and Chakwas had already given her the whole spiel of that and said it in a kinder way. The three walked closer to the Councillors. An Asari and a Salarian. Two to oversee the events of this peace talk. Turians stood to the right of the platform that the ambassadors of both sides would use to talk to the Councillors about what they wanted and to debate. The Alliance took up the space to the left, and everyone else was there for show.

There were a few people Jane recognized on the left and she and Anderson headed towards them. A man slipped away from his companion and headed over to her, "Shepard," he grinned, "Didn't think you'd come."

"Ah, and miss this peace talk? Never, I want this war to be over with as much as the next person," Jane easily replied, keeping the diplomatic appearance up for now. "Nice to see you again, Alenko."

"It's Major Alenko," Anderson stated from her side.

Kaidan saluted Anderson, and Jane raised an eyebrow, "You didn't ask," he said in way of explanation.

Before she could comment on it, a hush fell over the two separate groups. The Councillors turned towards them and were waiting. The Asari lifted her hand. "Now that all the members from both parties are here, we will begin this talk of peace. This war has been going on for far too long, even if the Council had attempted a peace talk within the first few months." It was a slight towards both groups, but no one mumbled angrily or embarrassed at the comment. They stayed silent and stoic. It didn't get the reaction she had hoped.

"Will both Ambassadors step forwards," the Salarian Councillor commanded.

The greying Ambassador stepped forwards. The Turian Councillor took a step forwards but didn't go up to the platform, "Some think that my persuasion is too high due to my place on the council. I will not be representing my people. Instead General Orinia will be taking my place as Ambassador in all matters involving this treaty."

One of the female Turians walked forwards stood beside the other Ambassador; whom she gave a blank look before turning towards the Councillors.

"Each side will give a list of demands," the Asari stated.

Thus, Jane thought, the boring part started. She stood stock still throughout the entire time the two sides gave their demands. A colony in the other system, payment for loss of equipment and personnel. The lists were essentially the same. The Turians spoke first, and she was surprised when the old ambassador didn't demand that the humans speak first.

Somewhere along the talks, she had figured out the man's name. Udina.

"…and our last demand," Udina took a moment to pause, "We need to make a political connection between our two species."

"What are you proposing?" the female Turian asked, a bit suspicious if Jane was able to tell anything about Turian facial expressions.

"On Earth, centuries ago to keep peace and make allies there were political marriages."

A few Turians hissed in protest.

"We cannot force one of our own to marry one of yours," Orinia answered calmly, "We refuse."

"Then how can we tell if you'll stay true and not attack us again?" Udina demanded, "You attacked us first, and without warning."

Jane ignored the rest of their words. Udina was demanding something too high and she wondered if it would destabilize the entire peace talk. If it was just a play to make them agree to the rest of their ideas, an idea that he would give up willingly, then she didn't care that much. Yet, she pitied whoever would have to marry one of the birds.

There was a recess called and the two groups separated as the Councillors discussed in private. Jane sought Kaidan out and smiled when she spotted him. He headed over and crossed his arms, "Can you believe the Ambassador?" he snorted, "To make someone marry one of them? If this ends up actually being a term, then it would be a declaration of war to refuse. Hopefully, it isn't you or me."

"Why's that? Afraid to marry one of them?"

Kaidan's smile faded from his face, an air of seriousness surrounded them. "No, I just wouldn't be able to be with you anymore."

"Kaidan…"

"If either one of you get chosen," Anderson interrupted what she was going to say, "You better commit yourself to that marriage. As much as I hate that it may be part of this treaty, we have to respect this treaty. No stepping outside the lines. We've lost too much and won't be able to bolster our lines if the Turians try to attack again. They might be able to win if this war goes on."

"If it was an Asari, I'd be more willing," Kaidan muttered.

"Good to know our relationship could end if an Asari was willing to bed you," Jane teased, and before Kaidan could defend himself the Councillor's were back. The groups returned to their original spots and waited for the verdict.

"The terms of the treaty have been decided," the Salarian stated, "Ambassadors step forwards and sign the treaty."

The two walked up to the terminal, they both read the terms. She heard an angry hiss from the Turian ambassador, and an unhappy grunt from Udina. They both signed their respective spots.

It was silent, part relief and dread flooding through the room. It was unhappy, but Jane knew that good peace talks always ended with both sides not entirely happy. If someone left completely furious and the other happy, it wouldn't last. If both sides thought the other was not happy with the terms, then they would feel less mad about what they got and slowly the bad feelings would disappear as things cooled down.

Jane let out a breath as the Councillors began to speak to them explaining what colonies would be where in the respective systems. They didn't agree on the marriage.

"Finally, Ambassadors, please state whom is representing you in the political joining. Please keep in mind; it has to be someone high in the ranks that are not already joined with someone."

Shit. It went through. She brushed it off. They would never pick her. She was a Captain and had killed many Turians over the years. They would probably pick someone who was important but wasn't responsible for so many deaths.

The female Turian grumbled, irritated, "Commander Garrus Vakarian."

There was a hiss from a Turian, but another one stepped forwards, his mandibles pulled tight to his face. The Asari Councillor waved him closer. He walked up to stand behind the Ambassador. He nodded towards each of the Councillor's with respect.

Jane frowned, one of her fists tightening. She knew of his name. He was known for wiping out entire platoons of human soldiers. They were trying to intimidate the humans, that was for sure.

The Salarian Councillor nodded, seeming pleased, "Good choice, he is well respected."

"And the humans?"

Udina pressed his lips together, both of the two ambassadors had had to have two sexes so when the other said something, they could chose the other. Unless both chosen were interested in the same sex. Though, right now, they didn't really care if the two were attracted.

Jane felt her body tense up as the man fell silent.

"Captain Jane Shepard."