A/N: *UPDATE* Just a few minor grammatical changes here. Enjoy.

For five years they'd kept their son a secret. The crew of the Normandy knew of course. They had all been present during Shepard's pregnancy and birth. Any thoughts they may have had about leaking it to the press were quickly suppressed by Shepard.

"If you endanger my family I will endanger yours." Dr. Chakwas had finally let her leave the med bay after a week of recuperating. Most of Shepard's Turian like appearance had diminished to slight things that only someone who saw her naked on a regular basis would really know about. The entire crew had assembled in the mess hall and she stood there in a bathrobe with her week old son in her arms and her mate at her side telling them just long it would take a loved one to die if they so much as thought about the things that had happened recently.

For five years their son, Novie, spent the vast majority of his time on the Normandy under the constant supervision of at least one of his parents and Grunt. The Krogan had become quite attached to his battle master's offspring to the point where Shepard officially named him Novie's body guard. If Novie was nowhere to be found all one had to do was find Grunt and Novie would be at his side. Usually learning about things mothers generally don't want their five-year-olds learning about. Like the easiest way to skin a Turian, if such a thing were possible, or where to shoot an Asari or Human to really make it hurt.

For five years they had lived in relative peace and kept their son safe from the fanatics. But this morning they would have to kiss those five years good fucking bye.

"Commander there is an incoming transmission from the Council." EDI's voice woke the slumbering family. Shepard huffed and got up to throw her casual uniform on and make herself presentable. Garrus gathered his drowsy son into his arms and took him into the bathroom where no one would be able to see them.

"Patch through to my quarters EDI." Shepard said leaning on the corner of her desk. The four council members appeared before her looking less than pleased.

"Commander Shepard." Anderson greeted nodding to her with his arms clasped behind his back.

"Council members." Shepard responded nodding to each in turn. Her gaze lingered on the Turian councilor who had a rather disgusted looked on his face.

This is promising to be a lovely conversation.

"We have received some news…" Anderson said looking worried. Shepard raised an eyebrow and waited for him to continue. "Your relationship with Garrus Vakarian is public knowledge as we all know." This earned a scoff from the Turian councilor. Shepard decided to ignore him

At least I don't need a mistress because my mate doesn't want to touch me.

"Please explain to me why you had to call me to tell me something I already know." Shepard ran a hand over her face and shook her head trying to ward the grogginess off.

"Do you have a child Commander?" The Turian councilor suddenly spoke up and Shepard's heart jumped in her chest. She kept her face carefully blank, but couldn't think of anything to say. "Do I need to repeat myself?" He asked after a few moments of silence.

"Is that any of your concern?" She asked her eyes narrowing and her jaw clenching.

"If you do, as we are led to believe, then it may be Commander." The Asari councilor spoke up and Shepard tried to reign in her anger. She failed miserably.

"My personal life is none of your goddamned business! I don't wake you up to ask a bunch of inappropriate questions!" Something shuffled behind Shepard and she turned slightly to see Novie in the bathroom door staring at her and Garrus trying to pull him back out of the view of the council. It was too late.

"By the Spirits!"

"Goddess!"

"Mary mother of God!"

Shepard felt her heart drop into her stomach at the council's reactions to seeing her son. She wondered faintly why the Salarian councilor hadn't said anything. She imagined he was having a heart attack. Wasn't he getting up in years?

"So it's true." The Turian councilor said accusingly. Shepard fixed a glare on Garrus who fed her an apologetic look. She reached a hand out to her dumbfounded son. He entwined his fingers in hers and stood as tall as he could in effort to get a good eyeful on the shocked and slightly repulsed individuals before him. Shepard was almost disappointed to find the Salarian councilor standing upright if not looking a bit paler than usual.

"Shepard…" Anderson said sounding completely exhausted, "we need you to come to the Citadel immediately. Bring your…family." He fixed her with a look that spoke of unpleasant things to come. She simply nodded and ended the connection.

Novie gazed at his mother with a curious glint in his eyes, his mouth forming a little 'o'. "I did sumthin' baaaad." He said as he suddenly became very interested in his feet. Shepard knelt in front of her son.

"No, honey. You didn't do anything wrong. There's just no one else like you in the galaxy and the council is very concerned about the effects that will have." She gently stroked his small pink mandible. He stared at her, his blue-green eyes telling her that he knew that wasn't the whole story.

"I love you Mommy." He said throwing his arms around her neck suddenly and pulling her close. "I know you and Daddy will keep me safe no matter what." Shepard felt tears prick the corners of her eyes as she held him close to her chest. Her eyes fell on Garrus and both of their gazes hardened. They would do anything to protect their child. Morals and laws be dammed.

"I'll tell Grunt." Garrus said turning towards the door. Shepard nodded and pulled away from her son.

"Listen to me, Novie." He stared at her with wide eyes. "No matter what happens on the Citadel you stay with Grunt. Don't leave his side no matter what's happening." Novie nodded and Shepard helped him dress in a long coat that would cover his waist with a hood.

"Mommy…are people going to try and hurt me?" He asked as Shepard fastened the jacket under his chin. She paused.

"I don't know baby. But if someone tries, me, Daddy or Grunt will beat the living shit out of them." Novie giggled. It sounded like music to Shepard.

"I know you will Mommy." His mandibles twitched slightly as his mouth tried to stretch into a smile.

"Go find Daddy and Grunt." Shepard said popping him once on the rear. He laughed and ran to the elevator. Shepard quickly donned her armor and loaded her pistol. She rubbed the cold steel affectionately. "Don't let me down today." She said holstering it and heading towards the elevator.

A/N: Well that completes my update of the first part. Reviews are appreciated.