Author's Note: Please bare with me, this is my first shot at Mass Effect fic lol I'm taking this one chapter at a time as I feel out the characters. I've never tried anything from the Mass Effect world yet. But, I'm in love with the games and the pairings. :3

"Raise your arms, if you would Commander. I need to re-wrap your wounds." Chakwas tried not to chide Evie, but it was hard. The Commander was stubborn, that was for sure and she had insisted that she didn't need to stay in the infirmary. Chakwas thought otherwise, but she didn't have the patience or rank to argue.

Evie had suffered extensive wounds on the suicide mission, but she would have broken every bone in her body to ensure the safety of her team. They had lost no one, though no one came out of the fight unscathed. There were various injuries, from cuts to broken bones. Of course, Shepard got it worse than anyone.

Wasn't that always the case?

Six broken ribs, a broken leg, and a dislocated shoulder. Not to mention the facial wounds and bruises. She looked like she had been through the ringer.

Carefully peeling off her shirt, she took a deep breath and squinted her eyes shut. The pain was intense and it made her head flash deep red behind her eyes. Her breath hissed between her teeth and Chakwas could have sworn Shepard growled at her.

"You know Councilor Anderson wants to see you."

"I know, Joker told me."

"I've been begging her to go see him for the past two days, doc." Joker's voice rang out over the system.

"Jeff, it is not nice to spy on them." EDI chided Joker and Evie could all but hear Joker's eyes rolling.

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway. Councilor Anderson is getting impatient with you, Commander. You might want to think about heading in. We'll be in dry dock for…well… until they tell us otherwise. You have nothing better to do."

"Besides heal herself, Mr, Moreau. Which is something you should be doing as well."

"Oh, I am. Leather seats and my own supply of meds; I'm all set." Joker stated.

"Yeah, I'm going to head in after Chakwas patches me up." She had kept her old friend waiting long enough.

"I don't think it is wise for you to try and do this on your own." Chakwas warned.

"Who's supposed to go with me? Garrus and Kasumi are in ICU. Thane has two broken legs. Jacob and Miranda have their own shit to deal with. Tali is sick. I could take Legion with me, but how would the Citadel deal with a Geth following me around. I'm already in enough hot water with the Council and the Alliance. I don't need to add another straw to the camels back."

"You have a point, Commander. But…"

"But, what? Should I take Joker?"

"What? No, thanks Commander, I mean… I would love to, but I would rather someone break my bones first." There was a pause. "What about Zaheed or Jack?"

"Both banned from the Citadel."

"I don't even want to know how that is possible." Joker sighed.

"I'll just take Grunt with me."

Chakwas seemed to go along with the idea. Nodding her head, she sighed. "You won't be able to wear your usual armor, so just as long as you don't get yourself into trouble…"

"Me? Trouble? Naah." Evie smirked and closed her eyes as a surge of pain washed her vision out.

"Joker, get Grunt up here. " Chakwas ordered Joker, but by the time she finished Shepard was dressed and hobbling out of the med bay with her crutches.

"I got it, no worries. I don't need a babysitter." She sighed. Evie had let her platinum blonde hair grow out lately. It curled softly over her shoulders and her bangs hung in front of her face. Though, with the amount of blood she had been covered in lately, she had streaks of crimson stained throughout her tresses no matter how many times she scrubbed it.

Chakwas couldn't argue with Shepard, and neither could the Maker himself. The woman was as stubborn as a mule.

Hobbling her way out of the med bay, she passed Joker in the cockpit before leaving the ship. It would be a good long while before the Normandy would be up and running, not to mention her crew. The Reapers had made minced meat out of her people, but that didn't stop them.

It also wouldn't stop the Reapers – It would merely slow them down.

"Good luck, Commander. I would go with you bu—"

"Jeff, it is not nice to lie to the Commander." EDI's voice cut off Joker. "Commander, I would advise making this a short visit. Chakwas has imputed your vitals into my systems, your blood pressure is above optimal levels."

"Thank you, EDI. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine. So long as nobody pisses me off."

That would be the day… Joker thought to himself as he shook his head.

"If one more person asks me if I need help, I'm going to scream." Evie stated, quite boldly as she made her way to Councilor Anderson's office. "And then I will bash them upside the head repeatedly with one of these crutches. I may not be able to walk on my own, but damn it I don't need anyone's fucking help."

Anderson's secretary looked up from her display and a slightly startled expression crossed her features.

"I – um… Can I help you Mi—"

"Commander Shepard. I'm here to see Councilor Anderson. Do NOT call me Miss… or ma'am." Pale storm gray eyes narrowed on the young woman. Evie was even more volatile than usual.

"Send her in, Lorena. I've been expecting her." A voice came from the office behind the girl's desk and she nodded. "Yes, Councilor."

Evie gave her best smile, but the feeling behind it was empty. "Thanks." Step by agonizing step she made her way in to see Anderson. "I'm sorry it took me so long to see you, Councilor. But, as you see I'm not in the best cond—" Evie's words were all but sucked from her lips as she looked up to see who was standing by Anderson.

Suddenly her chest felt tight, and her knees buckled. If it weren't for the crutches tucked under her arms, she'd have fallen.

"I'm sorry, Shepard. But, if you would have heeded my request sooner…"

With a wave of her hand, she closed her eyes and her fingers pressed into her eyes. Slow, shallow breaths and she waited for the ringing of her ears to subside. "Commander, your blood pressure is extraordinarily high. What is happening? Do I need to send someone to get you?" EDI's voice lacked concern, but that was to be expected of an AI.

"No. No, EDI, It's okay. I think I just saw a ghost."

"I could say the same about you, Commander Shepard." Kaidan's voice was as steely as ever, though the flinch around his eyes showed he had no clue she was coming.

"Very well, Commander. Do try and calm yourself, Jeff is about to jump out of his seat to get you."

"EDI! Why must you do that?" Joker's voice all but squeaked over the comm. "If I wanted her to know I was concerned, I would have told her."

"You're lying again."

"Enough. Just shut up. I'm fine. I'll talk to you when I get back." Evie slapped the comm. On her omni-tool and sighed before a slight smirk curled her lips having just computed Kaidan's remark. "Yes, well…for all you care, I should have stayed dead."

Kaidan flinched. That comment hit a bit too close to home for his tastes. Evie picked up on it and she grinned. It suited her just fine.