Hey everyone! Another story for you guys.

Welcome back to those that have read my previous story, 'Mass Effect and the Two Spectres' and hello to my new readers (I suggest you read that other story first ;p )

This is a short tie-in to my next story that I will be starting sometime in the near future.

All Mass Effect characters belong to Bioware.

So let's get down to it!

It's Over

June 9, 2183

Citadel - Ward Apartments - Liara T'Soni - 0900 hours

Today is Charlie's funeral. The Presidium has been decorated to give thanks and to honor Commander Charlie Alonso. Shepard has locked herself into our bedroom since we've arrived. It has been...difficult for the both of us. I've tried to join with her a few times but she refuses to share with me with what happened. I want to help her rid herself from this grief and pain but she won't let me. Each meld has ended with Shepard breaking down, crying. It's breaking my heart, seeing her shut everyone away like this. She has even taken the fallen spectre's trait of drinking.

"Shepard?" I lightly tapped on our bedroom door. "It's time to get up."

Silence.

"Shepard please..."

"Go away Liara. I don't want to go. Leave me alone." My heart sank when she mentioned my name. There was anger in her voice. Why would she be angry with me?

"Shepard, it's the least we can-"

"It's the least we can do?" Shepard voice raised and footsteps could be heard, stomping towards my direction. The door opened and out stepped Shepard; her beautifully tan skin had now turned pale due from the excessive drinking and her eyes red from crying. "It's the least we can do?" she repeated, just as angry as before. "We haven't found his body Liara! This is NOT a proper funeral. He of all people deserves better. I won't go."

"But Shepard-"

"I SAID NO!"

That was the last straw. I understand that she is upset but she will not take it out on me. "Don't you dare yell at me Shepard! You think that I enjoy this? I miss him too! He was my friend too!" Shepard's face softened and reached for me but I pushed her away and shook my head. "I know you are hurting but quite frankly, I DO NOT appreciate this treatment."

"I..." Shepard broke into tears once more and sat on the floor. I instinctively followed. "I'm sorry my love. I wasn't thinking-"

"No, you weren't." I snapped. "Now we are going to Charlie's funeral because we loved and respected him. That, Shepard, is final."

Citadel - Presidium - Commander Shepard - 1200 hours

It seemed that there were more people than the ceremony that was held two months ago... When Charlie was alive. I shook my head clear of the thought. I couldn't think like that at this hour. It's not what Charlie would've wanted. He would want me to honor him with respect. Still, I couldn't help but feel saddened as my attention went towards the N7 casket a few yards in front of me on the left side of the podium. It's glossy black finish with the N7 stripe going down the middle. A large portrait of Charlie was placed beside it. He looked so clean and handsome in his Alliance blues. That smile was infectious that I couldn't help but smile at the portrait. I miss his so much.

I felt cold and dead as soon as I looked back at the body-less coffin . Not even Liara could cheer me up; she has grown distant and just as cold as I am feeling right now, and it's because of me. The Alliance sent a small team to the planet of Alchera a few weeks ago and found no sign of Charlie's body. As I stare at the body-less casket, I wished that the Alliance could postpone this public funeral until we find his body.

I had blocked all the speeches and thought of him. His soft brown hair, his vibrant hazel eyes, his beautiful but sometimes annoying smile. I miss his smile. I looked back at the portrait and single tear escaped and ran down my cheek as Admiral Hackett passed the microphone to me. Oh no... please! I begged. I'm in no position to talk about my fallen friend. I... I don't think I can do this. My heart began to race and I began to develop a cold sweat. As much as my brain told me not to go up, my body ignored it and I felt myself walking up to the podium. The crowd was silent, with the exception of a few sobs that could be heard from the crowd.

"I... I didn't prepare a speech today." I looked at the casket and thought of him once more. "I lost one of the most important people in my life." I chuckled as I thought of something he used to say. "I remember that he always told me, 'Jane, you know you can't do this without me. Without me, you wouldn't be standing here.' And he was right. We fought alongside each other for many years. We protected each other; even before enlisting for duty, we were there for one another. We, were a team. Not a day has gone by where I feel like I let him down in his final moments. The last thing he said was that he was saving my life. Right now, I feel the complete opposite. I part of me died with him and I'll never get him back." I looked at the casket once more and I couldn't stay in control anymore. I burst into tears and collapsed on the ground, running my hands along the side of the coffin.

Why damn it! Why did you sacrifice yourself for me?

I felt a hand on my shoulders, followed by an accompanying sobs. I turned around and saw Ashley lying there with me. I did the only thing I could do; the right thing to do: Hug her.

"I'm so sorry Ash. I'm so sorry! I'm sorry I couldn't save him!" I held her tighter. I clenched her shirt into my fist.

"No Skipper. He always told me that you've saved him countless of times. In a way, he was paying you back."

"I never asked him to kill himself for me. I never wanted that!"

"Shhh" Ashley shushed me as her hand brushed through my hair. "It's okay skipper. It's okay. He always told me that he loved you more than anything. I hate that he was taken from us but I will always treasure the time I spent with him. He was the greatest man I have ever met."

Here I was, being weak in front of one of my squads and Charlie's girlfriend. The roles should be reversed but here I am, crying like a baby.

Undisclosed location - Chronos Station - Operative Miranda Lawson - 1230 hours

Charlie is dead? I couldn't believe the news reports coming from the Citadel, I swiped through vid streams, stopping at a stream where reporter Emily Wong narrated the special funeral for the man I still care for. Cared for. I corrected in my head. Tears escaped and made their way down towards my lips. The salt tasted good on my lips. My heart began to pound, as if wanting to be set free. I turned off the vid screen and walked out of my quarters. I needed to breathe and step away from everything.

"Miranda Lawson, please report to the Illusive Man." a man spoke through the PA system. A sigh escaped my lips and pinched the bridge of my nose and made my way to see my boss.

"Miranda," The Illusive Man spoke as he watched the gigantic red sun in front of the station. "I have a job for you." I walked towards him; the loud clack of my high heels echoed the giant, dark tinted glass room as I made my way to stand beside him. "It's about the late Commander Alonso." My body stiffened as soon as he mentioned his name. I remained silent to let him continue. "I'm sure you are aware of the Blue Suns. The Shadow Broker has hired them to search for the Commander's body. Apparently, they have found him before the Alliance could do the same."

What? How? My insides began to shift but I had to stay professional. "You want me to get him back?" I asked neutrally.

"Yes. I suggest you have backup for this... someone like Doctor T'Soni."

"Why her?" I asked as the asari's Dossier popped on-screen.

"The doctor and Shepard seem to be near the edge of their relationship. I think we can help the asari by offering her a brief alliance with her."

"So I go up to her and get Shepard to help-"

"No." The Illusive Man quickly interrupted and turned to face me. "The commander must never know. If we are to get Shepard to join our cause, she must not know what will transpire."

"And what is that sir?" I rest a hand on my hip as Shepard's dossier scrolled on the screen. It would certainly would be easy if she was onboard. I said to myself

"I am giving you everything at your disposal. I am sending you coordinates to Lazarus Station. There, you will find a team of the most brilliant mathematicians, scientists, techs and you will bring a man from the dead."

I did a double take, unsure if I just heard The Illusive Man correctly. "Sorry?"

Despite my confused tone, The Illusive Man laughed as he turned back to face the giant sun. "Miss Lawson, I've known you for many years; I am sure you are not deaf. I trust you to do your job. You are a genius Miranda, you have what it takes to do the impossible. I know you will get it done."

I blankly nodded at him. I'm supposed to bring him back?

July 7, 2183

Illium - Liara's Apartment - Commander Shepard - 0300 hours

I woke up with a cold sweat, screaming and crying out for Charlie as I tried to save him. It's been two months and I still see him haunting me in my dreams. I wiped the sweat from my brow after I swung my legs to the side of the bed. God its 3 AM. I walked out of my room and walked towards the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee.

"Shepard?" Liara spoke as she leaned over the counter. Things have gotten better between the two of us and I am grateful to have her around. I turned and poured myself a cup and looked at my love. Her skin has gotten paler in the last few weeks. She has done so much for me.

"Sorry to wake you." I sadly smiled at her and she returned the smile.

"Do you want to talk about it?" My smile quickly disappeared and I found myself staring at the hot liquid inside my cup. I can't! I said to myself.

I heard a deep sigh, followed by, "Fine." Liara began making her way back to our bedroom. The way she said it broke my heart. I'm shutting her out again. I know she's trying to help but it's my business. I don't want to share my feeling with her. They will no doubt change her and I don't want that to happen. I set the cup down on the counter and followed Liara.

"Something wrong?" I asked as I sat on the bed. Liara laid on the bed on her side, with her back towards me. Is she crying? I leaned in and softly touched her shoulder. "Babe, talk to me."

"Now you want to talk? Why are you so selfish! Can't you see that it hurts me that you don't want to share? Do you not trust me?" Liara now sat up, with her back on the headboard, furiously looking at me. I averted my gaze from her. I don't want her to be angry, let alone at me.

"Of course I trust you. How can I not?" I said softly.

"Then why won't you share with me? I want to help."

"I...I know you do...but" I sighed and scratched the back of my neck. "...Okay"

"Okay?" Liara smiled. I nodded reluctantly. If she really want to see this, I have no other choice. Liara held my hands and caressed them. "Relax Shepard. Embrace Eternity!"

"Shepard! Joker!" Charlie waved as he slowly made his way from the broken down CIC.

"What the fuck are you doing here? Go back to the escape pods. I got things from here."

"Watch the arm!" Joker growled under his breath as I grabbed him a little too rough.

"Nice to see you too, Jane." Charlie said sarcastically and continued. "Liara told me that you were up here and thought I'd give you a hand." Charlie moved to Joker's other side and grabbed the pilot's arms and wrapped them around his shoulders.

The memory jumped to a few moments later, when I was stuck in a stasis bubble. I saw Charlie smile and push the red button that would send me and joker into space.

"Charlie!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as I repeatedly banged on the metallic door. "Noooo!" Tears flowed down my face as I watched the Normandy engulf in flames.

"He's gone..." I've heard those words countless of times but I would never thought I would even use those words when referring to Charlie.

"Goddess..." I heard Liara say through the comms and I felt angry, then sadness. The sadness was Liara's half of the meld. I felt the melding come to a screeching halt.

"Y-you blame me?" Liara eye's turned to her normal shade of blue and tears flew down her cheers. "You blame me for the Commander's death?"

My skin turned pale and my body began to shiver. I shared too much. I shouldn't have shared anything at all! "N-no! I don't!"

"How dare you!" Liara got up from the bed and glared her eyes at me.

"Liara let me explain." I got up from the bed and reached for her.

"Please do!" She swatted my hand away and crossed her arms across her chest.

"I... I wasn't thinking clearly and I was-"

"That's always your excuse!" Liara yelled, throwing her arms up in the air in frustration.

"Oh really? What would you do if you ordered someone to do a simple task and they didn't do it? All you had to do was get everyone to the fucking escape pods!" I yelled back.

"So you do blame me?" She sneered, wanting an answer.

I hesitated, wanting to be careful at first. Then suddenly, I didn't seem to care anymore. "Yes! I blame you. Are you happy now? I blame you! You had one job to do! You were responsible to get everyone to safety!"

"I see..." Liara said softly as she moved back into the shadow. "Get out." She said softly, just below a whisper.

"Liara I-" I reached out to her but she stepped back.

"Get out of my life Shepard... I... I-I don't want to see you...ever." My heart is being torn into pieces, and it's my fault.

"Liara I'm sorry..." I dropped to my knees, begging for forgiveness. My eyesight began to blur from the tears. "Babe please don't make me leave. I didn't mean it." But Liara ignored me and made her way downstairs to her terminal. I followed closeby, only to be placed in stasis by Liara as she typed away. I stood still, watching Liara as she typed in something. It wasn't til moments later when she turned around and walked towards me.

"I have called a skycab that will take you to the Nos Astra spaceport. You will be travel to the Citadel and you will leave me alone. You will pack your belongings and will wait for the cab to arrive. I don't want to see you ever again. You broke my heart Shepard."

I can't do this anymore! I said to myself. I don't know how I can live on anymore. Charlie is dead and the one person that matters most to me hates me. "Liara..."

"Don't Shepard..." Liara averted her gaze, looking away at the night sky out her window. "for both of our sakes. It's over."

Noooo! Not Shep and Liara! :'(

Now, don't worry. Everything will fall in place soon. Trust me.

I hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter of this short story. Please leave a review and show me some love by following me via 'author' and/or 'story'.

If you guys haven't read my previous story, be sure to do so :)

Until next time!