Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect, any of their characters, or their amazing story/plot lines. Credit for that goes to Bioware and EA. If I did, a movie would be in the works. This fanfic is purely for entertainment purposes. Please don't sue me. I don't have the money to fight back. I'm too busy saving up for all your upcoming DLC. *insert cheesy smile here*

Family Moments:

Ch. 1: Necklaces

She knew he was important.

Where ever they went, no matter what planet in what system, he was always greeted with respectful hand-shakes and smiles. Some women and men even took the opportunity to grace (more like surprise) him with a hug, teary-eyes, and 'thank you's. If that wasn't enough, the eye appealing 'pieces of papers', 'buttons', and 'necklaces' that decorated the halls and fireplace mantle of their home was a dead giveaway. She knew he was important, but never how important.

Today, five days after her fifth birthday, was the day she finally had built up the courage and strength to drag a chair from the dining room to fireplace located in the living room. Hauling herself up onto the chair and standing on her tippy-toes, the girl ran her three-fingered hand on the center 'necklace'; a golden polished star, dangling from a light-blue silk fabric.

After a few long moments she finally closed her hand around the star and tugged the 'necklace' from its display. With a happy smile, she plopped down on the cushion of the chair and cradled the 'necklace' in her hands. Finally she was able to touch it. That pretty 'necklace' that was always teasing her with its beauty.

The first thing she noted was that the star was cold to the touch. That and that the star was very tough; it didn't break, even when she tried to twist it. It was nothing like the necklaces she used in her dress-up games. Those necklaces broke when they caught on anything, and their little pendants always gave-way to her twists. This was the first time she realized that this 'necklace' was special. She was so drawn into the star, that she hadn't even noticed the heavy foot-steps that entered the living room.

" What are you doing?" The question from the human made her jump despite how curious the male sounded. The child reacted quickly, shoving the 'necklace' behind her back; trying to hide the fact she was caught in the act.

" nothhhiiinnnggg." She drew out the word, hoping he would exit the room and leave her alone. Any other time she was running towards the man, welcoming his presence, telling him about every little thing that popped into her mind, fumbling him with questions, and ideas of games; not right now though.

She watched as his blue eyes flicked up to the mantle of the fire place to take in the display missing its 'necklace'. After a moment a soft smile graced his face and he crossed his arms, approaching her slowly," Really? Nothing at all?"

Quickly she nodded, her eyes drifting to look at the ground, then to the wall to her left, looking at anything but him. It couldn't be avoided though, because when she finally glanced ahead of her, she was greeted with the sight of his five-fingered hand; palm up and waiting.

Biting her bottom lip she slowly brought the star 'necklace' in front of her. Taking a last glance at it, savoring the final touches she would have of it, she reluctantly placed the 'necklace' into his palm. Her hands then retreated behind her, where she started to wring her hands behind her back. A nervous tick she had, visually gained from her mother, but with her own spin on it.

She watched as he looked over the star, running his thumb over it a few times before she finally spoke," I…I was just looking at it." She sputtered out nervously," I wasn't gonna break it! I just thought….it was pretty and….and…" Her bottom lip slowly stuck out and quivered. Now she was on the verge of tears.

His laugh threw her off.

" It's o.k. Calm down. I'm not mad."

She looked up with wide-eyes now. He wasn't mad?

Slowly he moved to wrap a strong arm around her before he hoisted her up into him. Like usual she wrapped one of her arms around his neck so he could move his arm down, creating a seat with his forearm for her small bottom. Once she was comfortable she rubbed her eyes with a fist, banishing the tears away." You're not mad?" She checked.

He returned a smile and shook his head," Not one bit."

Silence fell over them for a long moment before she finally spoke," Why do you have so many necklaces?"

He chuckled happily now before he nodded a few times," Ahhh…that's a long story and I don't think mommy would like it if I told you all of it yet."

Curiosity hit her like a freight train now.

" We have time. Mommy's still making dinner. Besides." She leaned into him a bit more." I can keeps a secret." She whispered to him loudly before nodding.

He then carried her over to the couch and sat down, placing her on his lap before he handed her back the 'necklace'." Alright….I'll tell you a little bit." He offered.

Grinning widely, she quickly pulled the necklace on and then stared up at him waiting for her story.

" You know how every year, we go to Earth and see the memorial wall?"

She nodded then," Of course. It's the one with all the names on it. And when we go we always see Uncle Garrus and Auntie Katsumi and Uncle Joker and-"

The man quickly spoke before the list grew any further." Yes yes. Well….That wall, with all the names on it, was put up to honor the people who fought in the Reaper Wars; six years ago." He nodded." You remember your teacher telling you about the Reaper War?"

She nodded her head once firmly, taking a moment to tuck a long raven wavy haired lock back behind her ear." Yeah. But she said we would learn about it a bit later."

" Well….six years ago, I was also in that war."

Her mouth fell open as she let gasped loudly." No. Way."

" Way." He returned before he continued," Not only that….but…I kinda was very important in that war. I had to lead people, had my own special team, heck- you know our ship outside? Well that was the head ship, the one Uncle Joker flew to lead the fleets into battle."

Her eyes were as wide as little moons now, staring up at her father as if he was a hallucination." Really? That's so cool!"

Releasing a chuckle he nodded his head." Yeah. Well in that war I helped a lot of planets and governments, rescued and saved a lot of people from the Reapers. Those people and their planets gave me all the awards and medals." Nodding his head he then pointed at the 'necklace' around her neck." The Alliance gave me that one. It's called a Medal of Honor."

" A Medal of Honor…." The young Quarian repeated as her eyes drifted down to the star around her neck," So…it's like a thank you gift?" She questioned tilting her head to the side.

" Exactly." He replied before he continued," A very, VERY, big thank you gift. Only a few people have ever gotten those; Have ever gotten any of these awards."

" So you did a lot then." She concluded." 'Cause you have A LOT of them."

Laughing the brunette nodded," Yeah…I did a lot; your mommy too. She's got a few up there that are hers." The two glanced up to the fireplace mantle then. Suddenly the girl jumped down from her father's lap and hurried over to the chair still by the fireplace. Climbing back on it, she stood on her toes and placed the medal back on its display. She straightened up then and turned back to face her father.

" I'm gonna get a medal too." She declared then before she jumped off the chair and onto the ground." Like you and mommy, I'm going to get a medal."

The two looked at each other for a long moment before a voice broke their focus.

" John! Lia! Dinners ready!"

" Coming Mommy!" Lia quickly called as she darted from the living room and into the dining room for dinner, leaving her father alone.

John stood then, going over to the chair left by the fireplace, stopping when the medal caught his eye. Looking at it for a long moment he slowly smiled. He couldn't wait for the day he could replaced these medals with ones earned by his daughter. Until then, these old ones him and his wife received through war would have to do.

Author's Note: I'll be posting little post Reaper drabble things in Family Moments sporadically. Honestly the only reason why this came to be is because I've been hitting a road block with 'After the Storm' and 'Official Report'. I can visualize their chapters in my mind, but I'm having a hard time putting it in words. So yeah. If anyone has any cute ideas they wanna maybe see between Shepard, Tali, and their little Lia (or any of the extended Normandy family) drop me a line. I'll most likely attempt to write it for you if you want.

P.s. Little Lia is a Quarian. Just wanna make that clear. I haven't really decided yet if I want her to be adopted or some lab baby miracle. I know, hate me away, but seriously. It's the year 2186 when ME3 takes place, and we all saw what was going on at the base in Sur'Kesh. I mean Mordin cured the genophage on the Normandy when supplies weren't the best. I'm pretty sure a group of Salarians can make a Quarian/Human baby possible by studying how Asari reproduce and making an adaptation of it. You know, by taking at least John and Tali's physical (in the sense of facial, eye color, skin, hair color) DNA pieces and combining them into a Quarian structure so Tali can safely be pregnant and all. I mean if Miranda's father can pick and choose everything he wanted about Miranda, while simultaneously using nearly only his genes- I think they've managed to conquer most of the DNA barriers. Just saying. If you don't like it, you don't have to read.

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