End Game – Chapter One

The day had been so long, but Tabitha Shepherd-Krios was finally on her way to see her best friend, lover, and mate. Everyone around her moved out of her way not asking questions or making small talk from the purposeful stride, set facial features, and the blood and gore splattered across her N7 armor. Her mind had been on automatic since escaping Earth, acquiring the plans for the Crucible on Mars, rescuing Liara T'Sonia, and finding a live Prothean held in statis for 50,000 years.

She knew that Thane must be worried from all the rumors and haphazard reports coming into the Citadel about the fall of Earth. After checking her omni-tool for responses to her pages to Thane and not seeing any, she tapped her omni-tool, inquiring matter-of-factly, "EDI where is Thane?"

EDI instantly responded, "Thane Krios is at Huerta Memorial Hospital."

Tabitha had been heading toward their apartment on the Citadel, but turned striding toward the elevator to take her to the hospital. "Thane must be having his daily treatment," she thought to herself, trying not to let her mind wander to more dire circumstances. She picked up her pace almost running. She knew that Thane was in the final stages of Kepral's Syndrome. "It is just a treatment…nothing else."

At the elevator, she kept pushing the down button, willing the elevator to move faster. As soon as the elevator doors opened, she jumped inside hitting the button to the floor of the hospital not giving a chance for any other people to get on the elevator. Leaning her head against the cold material of the elevator gave her strength. She had not slept or ate in over three days knowing it was taking its toll on her physically and mentally.

The hospital was busy with wounded, mostly human causalities, as she exited the elevator heading toward the reception area. An Asari looked up from her consol startled, "Commander Shepherd-Krios…I did not know you…are you injured?"

Tabitha smiled weakly, "I am fine. Is my husband here?"

The Asari could not take her eyes off the gore covered armor and blood splattered face of the Commander. Shepherd sighed audibly as she waved her hand in front of the Asari's face, "Ma'am, Thane Krios…is he here?"

The Asari blinked as her eyes focused on the Commander's eyes, "Sorry…it's just your armor.." she stuttered.

Tabitha lowered her head, breathing slowly, thinking to herself, "This is a hospital. Hasn't she seen blood before?" She raised her head smiling, stating calmly, "I have been in a battle recently. I did not have time to change. I apologize for that. Please, is my husband, Thane Krios here?"

The calm voice and smile of Tabitha settled the Asari receptionist's nerves, "I am sorry. This is my second day on the job. I did not think I would be seeing so much…" her voice trailed off.

Tabitha smiled, "I understand."

The receptionist looked at her consol, "Thane Krios is having his daily treatment. Should I page back to his room?"

Hearing that Thane was fine. "Well, fine for someone with a terminal disease," she thought to herself, her heart rate returning to normal. Looking at the receptionist, she stated, "No, I will wait till he has finished his treatment." Tabitha turned to leave then turned back to the receptionist inquiring, "What room is Lieutenant Commander Ashley Williams in?"

The receptionist looked back down at the consol then up at the Commander, "First room on the right past the first set of doors. Please see Dr. Lahari for the status of her condition."

Tabitha placed her right hand on the Asari's shoulder, smiling, "You are doing fine. Keep up the good work."

The Asari beamed from ear to ear, "Thank you, Commander. That means a lot to me."

Gently squeezing her shoulder before releasing, Tabitha stated, "You are welcome." As she rounded the corner, she heard the Asari talking to others in the area, "Did you hear what Commander Shepherd-Krios told me. She said I was doing fine. The Commander Shepherd – savior of the Citadel…"

Tabitha sighed shaking her head, "I am no savior…I ran from the Reapers on Earth, she thought to herself then her mind countered, "No, Admiral Anderson gave you a direct order. You have to convince the Citadel Council and all the alien races to help defeat the Reapers. Yeah, like that is going to happen. Great, now I am arguing with myself. I am going crazy."

As she rounded the corner, she saw two Asari seated in chairs talking. By the conversation, one of the Asari was a counselor and the other Asari was a commando, who had firsthand knowledge of the depravity and devastation the Reapers can do to organics. Upon hearing the Asari commando state she would feel better with a gun, Tabitha walked over hunching down to be eye level with the counselor and commando. Not to provoke any action from the commando, she slowly placed her left hand behind her back detaching her "Shepherd Special" from her armor. As Tabitha brought the pistol into view for the counselor and commando to see, she spoke gently smiling, "I overhead the conversation you two were having and the request for a gun. I know I feel naked without my weapons." She placed the pistol in the Asari commando's hands, "You can have this. When you are ready and do not need it anymore, just give it back to me."

A single tear rolled down the commando's face, "How do I…How will I…?"

Tabitha placed her hands over the pistol gently squeezing the Asari's hands smiling, compassion showing in her eyes and voice, "Do not worry. You will know. As for getting the gun back to me, I will be around. I have friends in the hospital and on the Citadel. The next time I am visiting, I will stop by and check with you, if that is OK?"

The Asari commando shook her head, yes, cradling the gun to her chest, silent tears streaming down her face, as she mouthed, "Thank you."

Tabitha stood turning to walk away seeing the counselor stand as well. Tabitha turned toward the counselor, "Can I help you?"

The Asari counselor moved her head and eyes to the side away from the commando. Tabitha followed the counselor stopping when the counselor turned to face her. Speaking in a whisper, the counselor stated, "Guns are not allowed on the Citadel except for C-SEC and Spectres. By what authority can you hand over a gun to a clinically depressed patient suffering from post traumatic stress disorder?"

Tabitha whispered back in a straight forward military tone, "Counselor, I have the authority because I am a Spectre. I know what she is going through," nodding her head in the commando's direction. "The pistol is unloaded. I know that because I used all the rounds in the last fire fight I was in."

The counselor noticed that Tabitha was wearing full armor and that the armor was battle scarred, blood spattered, and gore covered. "Who are you?" asked the counselor.

Tabitha stated plainly, "I am Commander Shepherd-Krios, first human Spectre for the Citadel Counsel."

The Asari Counselor stood transfixed, her mouth open, speechless. Tabitha shook her head turning to head in the direction of Ashley's room. As she turned, a figure leaning against the far wall in the shadows stepped out.

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