CHAPTER 1

I stared out the large hospital window, taking in the sunset that painted the sky and clouds with brilliant hues of blue, orange, and green. It occurred to me, as the sun disappeared behind the rocky horizon, how much people took these sights for granted, always assuming that the next day would begin and progress like any other. In a matter of years, the sun had nearly set on our entire galactic civilization. The grueling conflict we had all endured really put every aspect of our lives into perspective.

My gaze wandered to the modest city that stretched out before me. It was small, even by today's standards, but it was still the largest in the state of New Mexico. Albuquerque, along with several inland cities, had remained largely intact after the Reaper attack. It was for this reason that I had been rushed to the hospital here after I had been found on the ruins of the Citadel, barely clinging to life after the activation of the Crucible.

Coincidentally, I remembered Thane telling me he and his son had taken one last vacation in this state to spend time together. I hoped that Kolyat was safe, not having seen the drell since our last shore leave on the Citadel

I leaned back in my wheelchair with a heavy sigh, trying to ignore the many aches and pains that plagued my being. It would probably be weeks before I could even walk on my own. But I couldn't lose hope, not now. I had been through much worse.

"Commander Shepard?"

I turned to the kindly nurse who had been assigned to watch over me during my stay.

"Hey, Amelia," I smiled tiredly, "Are all the forms in order?"

"Yes, sir," she exclaimed happily, leafing through some papers and a datapad before handing them to me. "You're free to go. I believe your comrades are waiting outside to escort you back to the ship."

"Thanks again, for everything," I replied earnestly. I had no idea how this woman and her coworkers kept up with the stress that came with the high influx of patients and the recent shortage of resources.

"Of course. It's been an honor, Commander," she said with a small dip of her head. She took the handles of my chair and wheeled me out into the hallway, past the bustling patients and medical workers. Despite all my recent trauma, I felt a kind of warmth seeing all of the doctors and survivors recuperating after their terrible ordeal.

"Hey, Shepard! Over here!"

Four of my most trusted comrades stood at the end of the hallway, waiting eagerly to greet me. Kaidan, my right-hand man, XO of the Normandy and fellow Spectre. Liara, the Shadow Broker and one of my closest friends. Garrus, the Archangel of Omega and the best turian soldier I'd ever met. Finally, Tali, our bubbly Quarian technician turned Admiral of the Migrant Fleet.

Although this was far from their first visit to the hospital, seeing them gathered together reminded me what I had been fighting so long for, and why we had emerged victorious.

I smiled feebly and waved as they approached, and I gasped when I suddenly had the wind knocked right out of me. It took me a second to see Liara leaning against me, her arms wrapped around my shoulders.

"Oh, Shepard," she whispered tearfully into my jacket. "I'm so happy you're back with us."

I raised an eyebrow at Kaidan as he hid his shit-eating grin behind his hand.

"Come on, Shep," he chuckled, "We've all been dying to see you out of that hospital bed. Especially Liara."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Shepard," Liara mumbled, pulling away, "I just thought-"

I couldn't help but laugh at the asari's high-pitched gasp as I took her in my arms and pressed her against me once more.

"It's great to see you too, honey," I smiled, rubbing her back soothingly. Liara gripped me tighter, trembling from her suppressed sobs of joy.

"Group hug!" Tali squealed, rushing over and flinging her arms around my other side, nearly tipping my wheelchair.

"Thanks, Tali," I responded, looking expectantly to Kaidan and Garrus. The two men shared a look before the Spectre sighed sheepishly.

"Screw it," Kaidan muttered, coming around behind me and embracing me around the neck. "We've gone through Hell and back, Shepard. I'm proud to have been a part of it."

The Turian before us rolled his blue eyes and, with a half-hearted grumble, came and nestled himself beside Tali.

"Alright, Shepard," he said softly, trying to ignore the cooing of the bystanders. "Just this once."

"I really love you guys," I murmured, the words strangely foreign on my lips.

"Oh, Shepard," Tali sobbed grossly as if she were watching the conclusion of Fleet and Flotilla. "We love you, too."

"You know, I hate to break up this touching moment," Garrus blatantly lied, "But we've got a big shindig planned on the Normandy that I don't plan on being late for."

"Seriously?" I grinned as my companions got back on their feet. "You guys shouldn't have, especially after being stranded on that jungle planet for so long."

"It really wasn't so bad, Shepard," said Liara, "Everything ran like clockwork with Kaidan in charge."

"Like I said," the human Spectre interjected, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was just doing my duty the way you'd want me to, Shepard."

"You'll have to tell me about it on the Normandy, Kaidan," I smiled, genuinely proud of him. "Now, let's get out of here. I've had just about enough of hospital life."

"Alright!" Tali cheered, jumping up and leading Garrus away by the hand. "The rest of the crew is dying to see you!"

"Come on," Liara smiled as Kaidan began wheeling me down the hall. "Let's go home."

Home. Despite all of the destruction this planet faced at the hands of the Reapers, that word seemed strangely fitting. I guessed the old saying really did ring true. Home is where the people you care about are.

I took one last glance over my shoulder. I barely caught sight of Amelia departing, a knowing smile on her kind face.