Repairs on the Citadel were almost complete. Joker leant on the rail of the docking bay and looked out along the arms. Only the tips were still dark, the blue sky and atmosphere had been back for a couple of months, they'd even got back into their apartment, and life was returning to normal. It was such a pity that nearly eight months on Earth hadn't had the same result. There were still areas that hadn't been cleared, still people homeless and pockets of resistance were still being found.

Looking out across the Citadel there was a false sense of peace and security, just like it had been before the war. Everything appeared normal, food was available, shops were open and movies were playing. All was right with the world as long as you didn't look past the edges.

'Hey, Joker,' James leant on the railing beside him and his eyes travelled the same line as Joker's. 'Are we ready to go?'

'Yeah, just waiting for the last of the supplies to be loaded and Shepard to arrive, this is the last meeting with the Council before the new defence charter is legalised. Hope it's going well, for their sakes.'

'I think they know by now not to piss Shepard off,' James chuckled. 'Do you think this relay test will work?'

'Let's hope so, if it doesn't things might get tenser than they already are.' Joker dropped his head before turning to look at James, 'I don't know how much longer Wrex can keep the krogans under control, he had to fight for the right to lead last week. We're just lucky he's the strongest one here, can you imagine if one of the others took control. We'd have another krogan rebellion on our hands.'

'Yeah, Hackett wasn't happy when Wrex asked for the Luna training facility but he gave it to him just to get the krogan off Earth.' James sighed and ran his hands through his hair, 'can't say I blame them for being antsy.'

'Trouble is, we don't know that it's any better out there. What's left beyond the relay?' Joker bit back the urge to say who is left, it was too painful.

Communications hadn't come back up like they hoped so there was only garbled information coming in and by the time they got whatever they could from it things would be different because of the time lag. Quick travel and communication was taken for granted and it was their downfall. The start-up of the relay in eight hours had everyone holding their breath.

Joker spun and put both elbows on the rail taking in the sight of six marines and their gear, all of them staring open mouthed at his ship. 'New guys?' He chuckled at their excitement.

'Yeah, my new command, first off world posting for them. They didn't know they would be joining the Normandy but they've earned it.' James matched his relaxed lean on the railing. 'Have to say I'm a little nervous.'

Joker patted the new N7 badge on his chest, 'you learned from the best and became one of the best. What's to be nervous about? You've earned it.'

'With a little help from Shepard, getting my training fast tracked was a bonus.'

'Don't sell yourself short,' Joker frowned at him, 'I heard about your little mission to infiltrate that anti-alien cult, if it hadn't been for you we could have had major problems with all the races on Earth right now.'

'Yeah, it was hard not shooting them all,' James scoffed. 'With everything we've been through wanting to blow up other species was crazy.'

'That's what being an N7 is all about,' Joker reminded him with a laugh. 'You get all the good missions.'

'How's Shepard? I can't imagine she's easy to live with right now.' James grinned as Joker rolled his eyes.

'She's blaming me for everything, the lack of sleep, getting up to go to the toilet every ten minutes, the back pain.' Joker grinned and James laughed at him. 'Wouldn't have it any other way.'

As if on cue an air car dropped onto the dock and Garrus stepped out, leaning in to help Shepard climb out. She was rubbing her swollen abdomen and grimacing in pain. Joker was quickly on the move, feeling James alongside him.

'Babe, what's wrong,' Joker looked from her to Garrus who was grinning.

'My water's broke,' she made it sound like a curse. 'Bet the Council loved that.'

'Now! Seriously!' Joker took her arm as they walked slowly to the airlock, 'It's not time yet!'

'It's your child,' Shepard growled at him.

'But the impatience comes from you,' Joker chuckled nervously.

Behind them James and Garrus just laughed and Shepard threw a withering glance over her shoulder.

'I'll just get my team squared away,' James backpedaled.

'I have some messages to see to,' Garrus followed him.

Joker was chuckling as they walked through the airlock, 'EDI, please let doc know Shepard's in labour.'

Chakwas was waiting for them at the medbay door. 'Why did I know your child would be in a hurry,' she chuckled and shook her head.

'It's too soon, doc,' Joker couldn't hide the fear in his voice.

'She'll be fine, Jeff,' Chakwas took Shepard's other arm and helped her up onto the bed. 'Babies come early all the time, besides, we weren't absolutely sure on the dates.'

'I'll believe you, doc,' Joker moved to the side of his wife's bed.

'You know, we've had lots of medical emergencies, procedures and discoveries in this medbay but this is the first birth.' Chakwas grinned at both of them as she helped Shepard get settled and hooked up monitors. 'It's a nice change.'

'You're not allowed to complain if I break your hand,' Shepard muttered and he chuckled.

'Not a chance,' he leaned over and kissed her forehead.

Six hours later Joker settled in his chair and began his pre-flight checks. He was still on cloud nine and he was thankful that what he was doing was instinctual, his head and heart were still in medbay with the two most precious things in his life.

He was a dad. He had helped deliver a tiny little bundle of dark hair and blue green eyes who was eager to enter the world. Katherine Davina Moreau, his little girl who already owned his heart and had him wrapped around her little finger. Chakwas had confirmed that she was healthy and intact even if she was a couple of weeks early and she had her mother's bones not his. She'd met the family who had fallen in love with her just as quickly as he did, even Wrex had been gentle with her. He would never have to worry about her safety with family like theirs around and he could pretty much guarantee they'd never want for babysitters.

'Citadel control, this is SSV Normandy requesting a departure vector.' He brought up his navigation screens and began the undocking procedure.

'Roger Normandy, sending through a vector now,' there was a pause on the other end and Joker glanced at the screen in concern. 'I understand congratulations are in order,' the disjointed voice chuckled. 'Best wishes to you and yours.'

'Thanks control,' Joker's grin was back, news traveled fast.

'Good luck out there today, we're keeping our fingers crossed.'

'Roger that, control, aren't we all.'

'How we doin' Adams?' Joker brought up the engineering screens and the board came up green.

'Ready when you are Joker,' Adams chuckled, 'got your mind back in the game?'

'You questioning my flying skills, Adams?' Joker tried to sound hurt but just couldn't wipe the grin off his face.

'He'll be glad of his seat when the bairn starts keeping him up all night,' Donnelly yelled in the background.

'So far you're the only reason she's cried,' Joker threw back and heard the engineer grumbling in the background to Gabby's laughter.

The docking clamps released and the Normandy slid gracefully out of the dock. Within minutes they were clear of the Citadel and in open space. Joker felt the euphoria of being back in flight. They were heading out this time, not just doing a run to Mars. Coming on top of his daughter's birth it was a natural high and Joker found himself humming.

'You seem exceptionally happy, Jeff,' EDI glanced at him from the co-pilot's seat.

'What's not to be happy about,' he chuckled.

'The relay test may fail, it may never work again and we could have another rebellion.'

'Way to kill the mood, EDI,' Joker grimaced but the grin was quickly back. 'Today's too good for all that to happen.'

'I have a question,' EDI sat back in her seat and looked at him. 'Dr Chakwas asked me to record the birth of your child, she thought you might like to have a copy to watch later.' She paused and Joker frowned at her. 'Would you object to me watching it?'

'Didn't you watch it while you were recording it?'

'No, I believed it was a personal moment that should not be intruded upon. But now I am curious about the event. I wish to learn all there is about being human and although I will never give birth witnessing the birth of someone … special, would allow me to gain a better understanding of both the medical and emotional aspect.'

'I don't have a problem with it but you should ask Shepard first,' Joker felt the surge as he put them into FTL. 'Why weren't you in the mess with everyone else,' he turned to face her, 'have you seen Katherine yet?'

'No, I have not.' She seemed to be unsure and Joker was a little concerned. 'I did not know if it was appropriate or if my presence would upset the baby.'

Joker scoffed, 'she didn't cry with Wrex so you shouldn't upset her. You're part of the family, EDI, you should go and see her, say hello. If you're worried about upsetting her with your appearance you can adjust yourself to appear softer.'

'Perhaps that would be wise,' she was silent and Joker watched in wonder as her hair changed from a solid mass to individual strands and her skin took on a softer, more natural coloured tone.

'Woah, EDI, if you're going to do that you might want to put on a uniform.'

She glanced down at herself and nodded, 'I shall procure one from stores.' She stood up and Joker tried not to gulp at the way she looked. 'I assume from your biometric readings that this appearance is acceptable.'

'Yeah, but you need to cover up,' Joker watched her walk away, her legs, arms and torso were skin coloured but she looked like she was wearing a one piece swimsuit where her plating remained silver grey. A very tight fitting, high cut with a plunging neckline swimsuit that on a human woman wouldn't leave much to the imagination. Joker could just picture eyes popping as she walked past.

It wasn't long before they reached their destination and Joker dropped them out of FTL. A fleet was already assembled and he brought them alongside the Orizaba. Around them were turian, asari, geth and quarian ships, all waiting, hoping and possibly praying that the relay test was successful. If the worst happened and Reapers came pouring through then the fleet would at least give them pause before the fighting began all over again. Maybe the eight months of peace had given them a false sense of security.

'I'm leaving now, Joker, as hard as that is,' Hannah spoke through the com. She'd wasted no time getting to the Normandy once Shepard had gone into labour. 'Good luck if this works.'

'Roger that and thanks,' Joker opened the cargo bay doors so her shuttle could leave. The Orizaba would be staying on this side of the relay, just in case.

If he had to admit it, he would say he was a little nervous about what was coming. If the relay started up, if the probes they sent through gave back a positive reading then the Normandy would be one of the first ships through. The Reaper corpses had been useful after all, their eezo cores had been harvested for the relay with no resultant indoctrinations occurring. The salarians and geth had worked non-stop for the last eight months to rebuild the rings from plans found in the Mars archives and information passed on by the keepers. He had no doubt about their skills, it was what they'd find on the other side that worried him. Or maybe it was what they wouldn't find. What if there was no-one left? What if the Reapers were still out there, still harvesting?

He was getting a little paranoid and he laughed at himself. But he had a lot more to lose now and that made him worry about their safety. He had an even bigger reason now to prove that he was the best pilot in the Alliance fleet, a title he wasn't about to let go of. The com crackled to life and he jumped.

'Stand-by for start-up,' a salarian voice advised.

The fleet had kept their distance from the relay. If the newly built rings didn't hold then debris could fly out in all directions. Joker brought up the relay on his screens as familiar footsteps sounded behind him. He turned to see Shepard walking towards him.

'Aren't you supposed to be in bed?' He scowled at her and she grinned.

'Doc gave me the all clear as long as I don't do anything strenuous and get some rest,' she slipped into the co-pilots seat and Joker was reminded of all the times they'd had quiet conversations or she'd slept beside him. 'I'm not injured, I just had a baby.'

'Right,' he nodded, 'and that's not a big deal or anything.'

'I'm okay,' she sighed and he reached for her hand. 'Katie's asleep and Chakwas is keeping an eye on her.'

'And you just couldn't wait to be back in charge,' he chuckled as she rolled her eyes at him.

Movement caught their eyes and they both turned back to the screens. The rings were moving. Slowly they gathered speed, spinning in tandem and Joker realised he was holding his breath. There was a blinding flash as the eezo core fired up and the familiar blue light lit up the bridge with its intensity before settling into the familiar shine they all knew.

Joker was waiting for something to go wrong, it seemed too easy. Beside him Shepard sat forward, watching intently as the first probe headed towards the relay. The relay picked it up in its electric grip and it disappeared in a flash of light. Joker watched in dismay as the second probe wasn't picked up, the corresponding relay obviously wasn't working. There were five relays accessible from the Sol relay since the destruction of Bahak so five probes were sent out, only two weren't picked up. The readouts had been forwarded to all ships by the salarians and it was an agonizing wait for the signal to come back.

Suddenly the screen came to life. Numbers rolled before their eyes and it took a moment to recognise where they were coming from. Joker watched the readouts and he couldn't help the disappointment that showed on his face.

'What's wrong?' Shepard was looking to him for information, she had no idea what the numbers meant.

'Only three of the five relays came back positive,' he pointed to the number then brought up a smaller version of the galaxy map. 'These are the three, Serpent Nebula, Shadow Sea and Caleston Rift. Arcturus and the Exodus Cluster haven't responded. They could be too severely damaged because they were the closest to the Sol relay. There are five relays in the Arcturus Stream so one of the others might be working, just not the one from here.'

'But this means that everyone can go home,' she was smiling and it was contagious.

'Yes,' he grinned back, 'they can go home. Assuming the relays beyond these three are still functioning.'

Before they'd even finished speaking a salarian frigate set a course for the relay. Joker waited for it to reach the other side where it would send out more probes. He admired the crew of the frigate, they had no idea what was waiting for them but they had volunteered to go. A second ship lined up for the relay before the readings came back and they watched as it too disappeared in an all too familiar flash.

More numbers flashed up on the screen and the galaxy map updated as more relays registered on the network. It looked like most of the network was intact and available. He could hear cheers through the open com and beside him Shepard was laughing. She had never told anyone what happened on the Crucible and he had felt that something was eating at her, that she felt responsible for everyone being stranded and possibly never going home.

Now, for the first time in months, that feeling was gone. It was as if a load had finally been lifted from her shoulders and she could truly relax. The smile she gave him was dazzling and he was caught up in its intensity. A soft cry behind them made them both turn and Dr Chakwas walked towards them with a bundle in her arms.

'Someone is hungry,' she chuckled and handed Katherine to her mother who gladly allowed her to feed.

Joker tried to concentrate on his screens but the gentle humming beside him made him turn and grin at his wife.

'The novelty will wear off soon,' Chakwas patted his shoulder with a chuckle and left them alone.

'You do realise you're humming,' Joker raised his eyebrows at Shepard and she shrugged before returning her attention to their daughter.

Joker laughed and turned back to his screens, not fighting the urge to glance at his wife every now and then. One by one ships lined up for the relay and the fleet slowly disappeared. So far no-one had reported finding any Reapers so the hope that they were all destroyed was becoming a reality.

Shepard looked up as the Normandy moved and heavy footsteps echoed around the bridge.

'Are we going?' Wrex boomed and Katherine jumped, losing her grip on the nipple and breaking into cries.

'Nice going, Wrex,' Joker chuckled, 'and yes, we're going.'

'Good,' Wrex leaned over and stroked Katherine's head gently, 'sorry littly pyjak, didn't mean to scare you.' His rumble of laughter made Joker grin, even the biggest, baddest krogan battlemaster became a softie around his little girl.

'Relay in five, four, three …'

Joker felt the familiar tug and mentally crossed everything he owned that they came safely out the other side. He let out the breath he was holding as they reappeared in the Serpent Nebula. It was strange not seeing the Citadel waiting for them and he wondered if it would ever return, no-one had figured out how to move it yet.

'Board is green,' Joker advised purely out of habit as the checks registered.

He set their course for the relay to the Krogan DMZ and set about punching in the numbers. There were still a few other ships in the nebula, heading for Thessia, Surkesh and Palaven . From his readings all twelve relays in the Serpent Nebula were functioning. It seemed that only those closest to Sol had suffered enough damage to render them non-functional.

Joker had forgotten about the open coms and he jumped as it suddenly came to life. It wasn't just the ships around them, there were transmissions coming in from all over the galaxy. Mostly it was just requests for confirmation that there were others still alive, some were asking for help, some were offering aid. It was a repeat of the pattern in the Sol system after the Reapers were defeated but on a grander scale. The best thing though was that the communication networks were still functioning.

'Looks like we've got our work cut out for us,' Shepard sighed but she couldn't hide her grin and Joker knew she was looking forward getting back out there.

'Joker.' LIara's excited voice came from behind and he glanced over his shoulder to see her almost running towards the bridge.

'You're next Liara,' he chuckled at her enthusiasm.

'What?' She suddenly seemed confused.

'We're dropping Wrex on Tuchanka then we're taking you to Thessia,' Joker reminded her of their planned route.

'No, that's not why I'm here,' she was grinning and almost bouncing on her toes. 'I found them!'

Joker glanced from Liara to Shepard who shrugged. 'Found who?'

'Your family, Hilary and your dad.'

Joker's world spun. He had pretty much given up hope of finding them alive but now he was in shock, he hadn't prepared himself for this.

'That's fantastic, Liara,' he heard Shepard but focusing on her was difficult. 'Where are they?'

That brought him back to earth with a resounding thud and he spun so he could look at Liara.

'They went back to Tiptree two months ago to help rebuild.' She was fiddling with her omnitool, 'Their names were on my list and my network came back up when we passed through the relay. They were on Surkesh but went home when it was safe. I can't give you live feed but you can send a message.'

Joker jumped as his omnitool flashed up with an address. Without hesitation he started typing.

Hey Gunny,

Just found out you're alive and I am too – duh, obviously. Have to drop some important people off but will be coming to see you asap. Have someone I want you to meet – two someone's actually.

Love you and dad

Jeff

He wiped the tears from his eyes and felt Shepard's hand on his shoulder, he hadn't realised she'd moved. He was about to speak when a message came back.

Jeff,

You've made me cry you idiot! Dad too if you can believe that! We knew you were still out there somewhere, never doubted it. Can't wait to see you.

Love you (and I'm guessing Shepard and baby)

Gunny

Joker sucked in a breath and fought to control his emotions. Shepard knelt down before him and pulled him into a hug, their daughter fitting neatly between them. She kissed him lightly and as he met her eyes he saw his tears echoed in hers. He nodded at her to let her know he was okay and she smiled before handing over Katherine.

'I have to go and let the Council and Hackett know that there are people out here who need help and to pass on the Council message about the new galactic order.' She stood up. 'Can you manage or do you want me to take her back to medbay?'

'Always said I can fly better with one hand than most pilots can with two,' he grinned up at her and she laughed. 'I love you.'

'I love you,' she brushed the side of his face before turning and walking away with Liara and Wrex in tow.

'Hey Liara,' Joker waited until she stopped and turned to face him, 'thanks.'

She nodded, smiled and continued through the CIC. Joker spun in his seat, his eyes falling to his daughter who was looking up at him through wide eyes.

'Hey baby girl,' he brought up the relay transition screen and readied them for transit before meeting his daughter's eyes again. The relay gripped the Normandy in its glowing fingers and she turned to look at the flash through the viewport. 'Daddy's going to give you the galaxy.'

END

A/N: And so it ends, and not without a tear or two. This is the end of Destruction but not necessarily the end of Joker and Ari.

So I didn't bog down this chapter with the birth of Katy I have posted another piece with the detail if anyone wants to read it. It's called Precious and you'll find it on my story list.

I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has stayed with this from the beginning, for reading, reviewing, faving and messaging. I've enjoyed writing it as much as you've enjoyed reading it and your feedback and support has definitely made me feel good.

So now it's onto the next story and whatever comes after. ;p