Chapter 1

John Shepard stumbled, catching himself right before he face planted the floor. The metal was cold under his hands, and he had the thought of just lying down and sleeping. Before these thoughts could fester, he pushed himself back into his feet, groaning with pain and hearing a slight dripping as his blood fell to the ground. He looked up and out the citadels massive windows upon earth, seeing the reapers tear apart the fleets fighting them. So much destruction, so much death, and he could stop it; all he had to do was get closer and shoot until something happened. But his destination seemed so far away, and he was getting light headed. He looked back and saw the catalyst; a blue mass in the shape of what appeared to be a small boy. It looked familiar, but he could barely walk, let alone think about it. The catalyst said nothing, content with just staring at him with its cold eyes. He felt like it was staring into his soul, sending a shiver down his back and making him walk again, slowly, one foot in front of the other. He hobbled forward, towards the giant tube the catalyst gestured towards, leaving a small trail of blood in his wake. The pain had been getting worse fore awhile, but now he barely felt it, the pain leaving and leaving behind a numb feeling, which he guessed was not good. But he didn't have time to worry about himself, worry about dying, worry about how he saw Tali on the ground motionless in a pool of blood. He only had 1 thing to worry about; destroying the reapers.

He heard his footsteps echo as he slowly went onward, getting closer and closer. It was so quiet that everything echoed very loudly, vibrating through his skull and driving him mad. If he wasn't dying he would worry about going insane because of it, but he didn't have time to go insane. He chuckled to himself, not knowing why, turning with the path as it turned and elevated a bit, and making his trip harder. He didn't think he was going to make it, and his vision started going black around the edges. He shook his head, trying to drive it away, and when he felt somewhat in control he noticed he was at the top of the incline. He sighed with weariness and slowly turned left.

There it was, dark and ominous, encased in glass. He was finally close enough; he had made it. He started forward, slowly raising his gun and pulling the trigger. A loud pop, and he saw the bullet hit the glass; his aim was off. He readjusted his gun and shot again. Another pop, making his ears ring, and another bullet hit the glass, making a crunching sound. He was on target this time, but he didn't even break the glass. He lost all thought at that moment, and just started shooting. He did not notice it but as he shot, his walk became more confident, and his back slowly straightened out. He forgot all pain, all of his weariness, his goal in sight. As the glass shattered, he grabbed the gun with his other hand, shooting the dark tube dead on. After his second shot, it set off a small explosion, knocking him back with force, but he kept walking on, shooting until there was a huge flash of light and-

Shepard jolted awake, flinging his blankets off of him and sitting up, panting and slick with sweat. He groaned as his pain danced up his side, still sore and beaten. He laid his head into his hand, waiting for his heart rate to go back to normal. That dream again. It was a memory he could not escape, awake or asleep apparently. He had gone a few days without it, and had thought it was over. But it had come back to haunt him.

He got up, walking straight into the bathroom, stripping off his clothes, and turning the shower on. He let the hot water hit his face and wash over him, relaxing his body. He could not believe it had been over a month since he had ended the reapers. It felt like it happened yesterday. He was completely unconscious for a whole week after they discovered him among the rubble, barely breathing. He almost didn't make it; the doctors made sure to let him know that if they had found him as little as an hour later he most likely would have died. He couldn't believe he had lived in the first place, and his body disagreed as well, pain shooting all over his body until they sedated him. Even after he woke up when Cerberus stole him from death he had not felt such pain. He turned the knob, shutting off the stream of water, getting out of the shower to stand there, dripping. He was almost completely healed now, only scars and soreness to show that anything had happened at all. He had so many scars know he had lost count of them. He didn't really need tattoos; His battles left their own. He stretched, trying to get rid of his soreness, and traveled into his room, searching for clothes. Admiral Hackett had given him leave for as long as he needed, and he planned to use it, putting on regular civilian clothes in what felt like forever.

After taking care of the rest of his morning routine, he headed out the door, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the feel of the suns rays, warming him up. Since he had saved the galaxy, He had been rewarded with a nice apartment, accompanied by electricity and working water. He had objected at first, even though it wasn't permanent, saying he wanted not special treatment. But they insisted, and he now was glad they did; hot showers helped with his soreness, and when he had his nightmare there was no one else nearby to disturb with his thrashing.

He started walking. He could have requested transportation, but he wanted to enjoy the Earth he had nearly lost. Besides, the hospital wasn't to far away, and he wanted to pick up something on the way. He waved at some people passing by, wishing them a good morning, and smiled to himself when he thought of who he was going to visit. Tali, a shy, adorable quarian who had found her way into his heart. When he had first woken up, he was struck with grief, remembering the horrific image of her bleeding on the ground. But not even a full day later Admiral Raan visited him. He was glad she was alive, and when she informed him that Tali had been save he would have hugged her, only his stitches stopping him. She was even closer to death then he had been, Almost dying once from the wounds she received, then again from a mean fever that ravaged her for 2 days. Once she broke the fever, the doctors assured him that the worse was over. He couldn't even describe how happy he was that she pulled through. He thanked the doctors multiple times, and even shed a few tears. He was a hardened soldier, and always tried his best not to show emotions, but said to himself screw it. He and Tali both almost died and he saved the galaxy. He could cry over his girlfriend of he wanted to.

He stopped at a few market stands, scanning their wares. Earth had been hit hard, but they are recovering fast as they always did, and had already opened temporary stands. A lot of people were injured from the war, and they sold merchandise accordingly. He kept looking until he found a bouquet of beautiful red roses, and bought them. He didn't know if Tali was into roses, but every show he watched, person he asked, and book he read told him that he was supposed to buy her flowers or roses. He wasn't exactly a pro at being a boyfriend; he had always been to busy being a soldier to bother with relationships, and he even surprised himself when he admitted to Tali that he had feelings for her. Half the time he had no idea what he was doing, and always second guessed himself, but Tali never seemed mind. In fact, she seemed to love his cheesy compliments. It was due to her accepting him as he was that he fell head over heels for her.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice he was already at the front doors of the hospital, and as he walked blindly forward, he slammed into someone. He was a big guy, but it was him that was sent staggering back. He regained his balance and looked at the roses, sighing in relief when he saw they weren't crushed. He turned towards the person. "I'm so sorry, I was not paying attention. Are you-"and stopped as he heard laughter, and realized it was Garrus he had walked into.

"It's good to see you have not changed in the slightest Sheppard. You're still like a dumb animal, just walking until you hit something." Garrus announced. He looked at Sheppard, and his eyes traveled to the roses in his hand. Shepard felt heat rush to his face, waiting for garrus to say something sarcastic about the roses. To his surprise, his old friend clasped his shoulder. "I just got done visiting Tali" He began. "She has been waiting for u. She's doing a lot better Shepard; she even stood up when I walked in. and I'm sure she will love the roses, no matter how cheesy they are."

Shepard smiled, glad that Garrus saw his unease, and relaxed his shoulders. "Am I that easy to read?"

Garrus chuckled again. "Sadly yes. I've known you for a long time, so I know that you don't have much experience with women. Yet here you are. You almost lost her a month ago; it would be just cruel for me to give you a hard time after that."

Shepard nodded in agreement. "I'm glad you made it Garrus; I don't know what I'd do without you."

Garrus grunted. "You would be dead with you head hanging on some idiots wall most likely." And he walked away, chuckling at himself.

Shepard stood shook his head, smiling, and walked through the door. Garrus was easily his closest friend, and he was glad Garrus made it through with very few injuries. Shepard walked through a few more doors until he came to her room. He took a deep breath, hid the roses behind his back, and opened the electronic door, making almost no noise as it slid apart.

Tali was sitting on the bed, seeming to gaze at the wall. She had a different bodysuit on, since her usual one was ruined when she was hit by the reapers beam. When he walked in, she stood up, which was a very good sign; she was almost fully recovered. "Shepard!" She said, her cute voice making him smile. She walked over to him and was about to hug him when she saw his left hand behind his back. "What do you have there?" She asked, tilting her head slightly.

He shrugged. "Oh I don't know….take a guess." He said, teasing.

She crossed her arms. "Oh come on Shepard." When she saw that wasn't working, she placed her hands on his chest and tilted her head again. "Pllleeasssssee?"

He pretended to think about it, even though she had already won, then smiled. "Well, since you said please." And revealed the roses to her.

She gasped, gently taking them from his hand. "Oh Shepard, they are beautiful!" With that, she embraced him, squeezing him very tightly for someone who was supposed to still be recovering. He smiled, relieved. He had no idea what he would have done if she had not liked them. He hugged her back gently, not wanted to hurt her, but also not wanting to let her go. After a few seconds they separated, and she quickly put the roses on a table next to her hospital bed. She then sat down on the bed and patted the spot next to her.

He sat next to her and took her hands, feeling the material of her suit against his skin. "How are you feeling Tal? It's good to see you walking." He accidently called her Tal a few days ago, and the nickname stuck like glue.

"I feel amazing today" she said, probably beaming under her mask. "I don't feel sick at all, and the pain is down to a dull throbbing. Not completely used to this new suit yet, but they did a good job on it."

He nodded. "They did. I'm glad you're feeling better. Did the doctor say you're free to leave yet?"

She shook her head, squeezing his hands. "No. Keelah, he wants me to wait 3 more days! I've been cramped in here for far 2 long already. I want to get out, stretch my legs, and see how everyone is doing!"

He smiled at her enthusiasm. "Well, the doctors probably know best…" As she turned to protest, he leaned in very close, his face an inch away from her mask, stopping her in her tracks. He leaned his forehead against her mask, and even though she became shy, she didn't back away. "…But I was thinking I could sneak you out of here and walk around, you know, kind of like a date."

They stayed like that for a moment, and then she slowly pulled away. "I…would like that Shepard."

Sneaking out was easier than Tali thought it would be as they walked among the stalls, holding hands. She needed this, as she was getting restless in that room. It's bad enough to be confined to a suit all her life, to also be confined to a small room? It was too much. Shepard must have sensed this, because it seemed he had planned to take her out already. She gazed up at him, seeing his bright blue eyes as he looked at the merchandise. She could never get over how lucky she was; to think that she would be dating Commander Shepard. But she did not care for his title. She cared for him, John Shepard, and would have fallen for him even if he wasn't the famed hero he is. She was just surprised he liked her back. She would most likely never be able to escape this suit, and he could not even see her face, yet he still looked at her like she was the most beautiful being in the universe, and it still gave her what humans called 'butterflies' in her stomach. She was always nervous and shy around him, but she was also happy; happier than she had ever been.

They walked until she started to feel tired, then they sat in the grass and gazed at the sky. He put his arm around her and pulled her close, making her blush. They stayed like that for awhile before she finally spoke up.

"Shepard, thank you. This is the perfect date."

He scoffed. "Perfect? Not by far. Once we get everything up and running, and we are both fully recovered, ill take you to the most beautiful places on earth Tal."

She giggled. "It does not matter that we are not in the most beautiful place. It's perfect because you are here."

To her surprise, he didn't respond, and when she looked up she gasped. "Are you blushing Shepard?"

He quickly turned away. "Who, me?" But she gently put her hand on his face and turned him to face her, and sure enough he was blushing. She giggled, and he looked away, embarrassed. One advantage she had over him is that she could see his face all the time, so he couldn't hide stuff like that from her.

"You're cute Shepard"

He grunted. "Shush" and she laughed. He gave her a questioning look, then smiled and chuckled as well.

Not long after they stopped laughing, they heard someone else laughing behind them. They turned to see James laughing at them. Shepard stood up, helping Tali up as well. She hated needing help, but she was still weak. They walked over and Shepard shook his hand. "James! What brings you out here?"

James was still chuckling. "Sorry to interrupt your romantic scene here, But I was sent here to tell you that you have a message marked urgent for you, from Aria.

She heard Shepard sigh and couldn't blame him. Aria T'Loak was a powerful Asari who ran Omega. She had lost it to Cerberus, but got it back after a lot of fighting. If she wanted Shepard, it meant trouble.

James held out a tablet, and Shepard took it. He read the message, paused then read it again. She bit her lip, feeling anxious for a reason she could not explain. He didn't say anything for a few moments, and then handed the tablet back to James. "Seems that she has trouble. After driving Cerberus out of Omega, she got cocky, and didn't expect any disturbances. A few days ago Omega got attacked by an unknown force. It seemed to be a mercenary group, with less numbers than her, so she didn't take it seriously, sending a small group to take care of it. That was her mistake. Even though they had less numbers, they seem better trained; they slaughtered the group she sent and went on the offensive, nearly reaching her. She escaped, but they are relentless, and she is requesting my help."

Tali started shaking her head. "We just got done with a war and you have not fully recovered. She put herself into this position; let her get herself out of it."

James nodded in agreement. "She's right commander. This isn't our problem. We helped her get Omega back, which should be enough."

Shepard didn't say anything for a few seconds, and then replied, "Even though I agree with both of you, I have to think about this. I might not be particularly fond of Aria, but she has run Omega and not started trouble, mostly. We don't know who this new group is. What if they win, and aren't satisfied with just Omega? This could turn ugly fast." He paused, seeming lost in thought. "…I don't know, but it isn't something we can just shrug off. I'll think about it."

James shrugged. "Hey, you know I'm always down for a fight commander. If you do decide to go, let me know so I can join you. I'll leave you 2 alone now, sorry if I ruined the mood."

Tali shook her head. "It's not a problem James. Nice seeing you again." He nodded and walked away.

She turned to Shepard, who was still thinking. "I still think you should let it be, at least for now, but you are the commander. I leave it up to you."

He looked at her, his blue eyes looking into hers. "Thank you Tal and I appreciate your concern." He then noticed how much she was leaning on him. "I think it's about time to take you back. I don't want you to over do it."

She nodded and, holding on to his harm, they walked back to the hospital.