A/N: Before you read this, you should know that this is the old version of the story and I am currently working on a rewrite of it. Things will be different in the rewrite but key aspects and invents (including those included in this version) will be included. Anyway you can go ahead and read this version but just know that Erin Shepard: Her Story v2 is also out there! :] Anyway enjoy.


"I'll be back for you, and I'll bring every fleet I can," Shepard promised, yelling over the destructive ambiance. There she stood on the tongue of the Normandy, staring down at Anderson. She wanted to be there on that platform with him, fighting the good fight, doing what she could for her homeworld.

"Good to hear it," Anderson called out. In this harsh sunlight Shepard could see wrinkles on his tan face that never seemed so defined. The honesty and unspoken friendship in his eyes weighed her down as the Normandy rose off the docks.

"Good luck," Shepard said.

"You too, Shepard." She couldn't hear him, but she could read his lips. Erin Shepard watched Anderson's shrinking figure turn and run down the metal gangway toward a trio of shuttles. A rescue squad helped two survivors into one shuttle, one into the other.

Then Erin saw him: the little boy in the ducts. The ruby glow of the reaper's merciless beam illuminated him. Her jaw fell open as she watched the small child, whom she had seen around the Alliance base many times, run toward a shuttle with his tiny legs. The soldiers were too busy being shadowed by the monstrous synthetic looming over Vancouver to help the boy as he struggled to pull himself inside the vehicle. Shepard felt the slightest bit of relief when the shuttle door shut with the boy safely inside.

But he wasn't safe. Both shuttles carrying survivors were effortlessly decimated by the reaper's beam. A clenching feeling overtook her heart, like someone was grasping desperately inside, trying to keep from falling. Shepard felt like that person.

The Normandy's bay doors shut then. Shepard remained in place.

"Breathe," said a voice.

Erin forgot Kaidan was there the whole time. He moved in front of her, searching for her eyes, eyes that he used to stare into every day. That was before their relationship went downhill after her resurrection.

Still, Kaidan gingerly placed a hand on her shoulder. Like a switch, Erin broke free of her stasis and met his eyes. Kaidan could see the urgency, the severity in her amber eyes.

"Are you okay, Shepard?"

"I'm fine." Her response was quick. She turned and strode deeper into the Normandy. "Thanks for asking."

"Commander, where we goin'?" It was James Vega, the jokingly hotheaded lieutenant with the nonchalant exterior. Right now, he was neither of those things. James followed Shepard hot on her heels, matching the urgency in her strides.

"We're going to the Citadel," she replied, making her way to the elevator.

"The Citadel? The fight's here!" James retorted, brow furrowing.

"Pretty soon, there won't be any fight left unless we get help. The Citadel is where we get that help," Shepard retaliated venomously. She punched the elevator button.

"Tch, no deal!" said the lieutenant.

"Look, Lieutenant, I don't like it either." She took a step closer to his significantly larger frame. "Don't you think I'd rather be back there? If you want to get a ride back to Earth once we get to the Citadel, be my guest. But right now, you're on my ship." For a brief moment they glared into each other's piercingly angry eyes. Then Vega broke off, slightly deflated, dismissing Shepard and her ridiculousness with a wave of the arm.

Joker came over the intercom.

"Commander, Admiral Hackett is requesting communications with you."

So Joker was aboard, too. Good, Shepard thought, I'll need a good pilot, no doubt.

"Patch Hackett through on the terminal, and set a course for the Citadel."

Shepard approached a nearby terminal and watched as Hackett's scarred, aging, but nonetheless imposing face materialized before her.

"Com-der, I see y-."

"It's hard to get a clear signal, Admiral."

"Then I'll k- brief. Head to Mars. D-Dr. T-T'Soni-" The signal cut. No matter.

Shepard tilted her head toward the roof and said, "Joker, get us to Mars." Then she entered the elevator and hit Commander's Cabin.