[she wants to swear, or yell, or punch something, but this isn't the time. so instead:]

Sorry.

[it's hard to tell what exactly she's apologizing for. losing her temper? if asked, she would have confessed that it would be for a lot of things. probably not being who he expected, or who anyone expected. pushing him when she'd promised him once that she never would, too.

no point dwelling on it. that's not what she does. this is how it is, and it's time to deal.]

Okay. I'm sorry about that. There isn't a lot making sense right now, so...just. [she sighs, a little aggravated with herself since she suddenly doesn't know how to finish that sentence.]

Everyone's adjusting. [raising her hands defensively:] I'm not your commander, but I'm still Shepard. I hope that's an okay middle ground, with time. [as an afterthought, accompanied by a shrug:] Or someone will figure out what's going on and everyone can go back to where we're supposed to be.

[ she drops a bit of the formal demeanor, the one she wears to sympathize with others she's not particularly close to. it's a subtle difference, but...] Either way, I won't trouble you.

[with a stiff nod and a smile she doesn't feel, Shepard starts walking off, waving]

Catch you around, Vakarian.