A/N : This is my second fan fiction and if you guys read my first fan fiction, Forever After, thank you for keep following my work. I still plan on continue my first fan fiction since this story is different than Forever After but don't be surprised when the characters that I created on Forever After reprise their role in this story. Let just say this is an alternate story to Forever After. But this is by any no means will make me stop writing Forever After, that still will be my main focus so I want to warn you guys that I won't be updating this story as fast as I will with Forever After. I'm going to take my time. Anyway for the new readers, you don't need to read Forever After to understand this story but if you want to read it, I am more than happy and it probably will give you more insight on this story such as who are they, what kind of background they had but there will be a few thing that difference about them. One last note, please let me know what you think about this story but please be nice and I appreciate a constructive criticism but please do not bash me since I'm still pretty new in this scene and English is my second language so bear in mind that there will be some grammar mistakes and some typo because sometimes my head said something else and my hand type the wrong thing.

For the new readers or in case you forgot/wonder what kind of Shepard I write for this story, well here a quick summary. My Shepard is Paragade, usually a Paragon but known to take some Renegade action/speech from time to time. Her background is Spacer, War Hero and her class is a Soldier. Ashley survived the Virmire and most of the crews (more like everyone) are alive and well. Not really following the ME3 ending, so it will be my own take. So without further ado….

*I do not own anything except the story and some of the characters on this story, other than that, credits where it's due.*

Chapter 1 : Playing With Fire

Shepard just stood outside the makeshift medical room while looking at Liara who's busy checking the injured Alliance soldiers. So many thoughts running in her head, so many things to say but one thing for certain there's a big possibility that it will be the only chance she going to get to say her goodbye. This is even harder than other goodbyes she had said today… Shepard took a deep breath before start walking towards Liara.

"How are the casualties?" asked Shepard as she's approach Liara but stop short a few feet away.

"They haven't brought in any more wounded." replied Liara as she turns off her omni-tool.

"That's something… How are you holding up Liara?" asked Shepard as she looks at Liara while trying to keep her nerve in check.

"This is it, isn't it?" replied Liara as her calm and collected expression turns into sad and worry.

"Yeah. This is it." said Shepard as she closing the gap between her and Liara.

"I don't know what to say." said Liara as she take a step back before smiling a bit before continuing. "All those little blue children will be disappointed I didn't have a speech."

"We'll make up a good story for them."

"I do have one thing for you, Shepard." said Liara as she turns around to face Shepard. "A gift. It will only take a moment, if you want it."

"What kind of gift?"

"Do you remember when I first joined my consciousness to yours? I can show you some of my own memories… Asari exchange them, sometimes. With good friends… or their bondmates… It can also be a farewell." explains Liara.

"Show me." agreed Shepard.

"Close your eyes." said Liara as she walks closer to Shepard before holding Shepard forearms with both of her hands as her eyes turns black.

Shepard let Liara mind reached her as she closed her eyes before slowly opens it. As she opens her eyes, everything around her turned black, there's only Liara standing in front of her before small lights raining upon them. All they did was watching around them before a bright white light coming from the horizon take both of their attention. As the light become bigger, Shepard and Liara closing their gaps between them before giving each other a passionate kiss between two lover with nothing else matter right there and then.

As the lights consumed them as they kiss, Shepard is brought back to reality with Liara still standing in front of her.

"Thank you. For everything." said Liara as the meld faded and both of her hands are on Shepard hands. Liara slowly break the touch before taking a step back. "I love you. Now let's do what needs to be done."

Shepard could see that Liara trying to stop herself from crying as she turns away from her. Shepard wanted to tell her that everything going to be fine but that's means she just lying. She knew it's not going to be fine and this is probably the last time she going to see Liara. Feeling that the longer she stays there, they harder it would be, Shepard slowly walk towards the right door in the room to meet Anderson.

"This war's brought us pain and suffering and loss. But it's also brought us together… as soldiers, allies, friends. This bond that ties us together is something the Reapers will never understand. It's more powerful than any weapon, stronger than any ship. It can't be taken or destroyed. The next few hours will decide the fate of everyone in the galaxy. Every mother. Every son. Every unborn child. They're trusting you… depending on you to win them their future. A future free from the threat of the Reapers. But take heart. Look around you. You're not in this fight alone. We face our enemy together, and together we will defeat them."

Shepard finished giving her speech as she think about which she will have with her for the final assault. Garrus will always be one of two crew members she will choose as she said before to Garrus, 'there's no Shepard without Vakarian'. Bringing Javik along will give the satisfaction for the Prothean and he's definitely one of the best biotics Shepard ever fought alongside if not the best. As Shepard deeply in thought over who she want to bring with her for the final assault, Liara slowly approach her.

"Shepard. May I talk to you for a moment?" asked Liara carefully.

"Yeah. Sure."

"I want to be a part of the final assault with you."

"Liara…"

"Listen Shepard, I know you want to protect me but I can protect myself. I need to be with you for the final assault. You asked me to leave when the Normandy blow up and then you died, Shepard. I don't want to leave your side for this mission." said Liara firmly.

"If anything happen to you…"

"If you died again, knowing I was not there with you, I don't know if I can go through it again. Please, Shepard. Let me come with you."

Before Shepard can answer Liara, Major Coats approach them to ask Shepard to pick her team now. Shepard gathers everyone around before making her choice to accompany her for the final push to the beam.

"I would love to bring everyone with me but I can only choose two and the other will help the other. Ashley, James, you two will be better leading the Alliance soldiers. EDI, Tali, I want you two to be back on the Normandy and keep the Normandy save in case we need an extraction… Garrus, I don't imagine going for this fight without you. Javik, I want to bring you along but I have to choose Liara instead of you." said Shepard.

"Don't worry, Shepard. I make sure the Normandy at a ready if you need an extraction." said Tali.

"As much as I want to be a part of your team for the final assault, I understand you reason for wanting me to lead the Alliance soldiers." said Ashley.

"I understand, Commander. I will join other team for the final assault." said Javik.

"I'm ready whenever you are, Shepard." said Garrus.

"Thank you, Shepard." said Liara as she approach Shepard.

"Don't make me regret this."

The final push goes a lot differently than Shepard would have wanted as she and her team has to make a run for the beam while it's been guarded by a Reaper. Avoiding the red beam the Reaper send on her way is easy enough to avoid as she had practice on Rannoch but it's another when you has to avoid vehicles too. Shepard was barely duck the Mako flying towards her before she watch another Mako fly towards Garrus and Liara and exploded. Shepard waste no time running back toward her team and after seeing Garrus is alright, she rush towards Liara and help her to a cover behind an upside down Mako.

"Normandy, do you copy." said Shepard through her comm. "I need an evac. Right now!"

"We're taking heavy losses up here, Commander." said Joker through the comm.

"On our way." add Joker as soon as they arrive at their coordinates.

"Come on." said Shepard as she help Liara to the Normandy.

"Here. Take her…" said Shepard to Garrus as they arrive at the Normandy shuttle bay door.

"Shepard…" yell Liara as Garrus take Liara from Shepard.

"You gotta get out of here."

"I'm alright, Shepard…" said Liara despite she's clearly not alright.

"Don't argue with me, Liara."

"You're not leaving me behind…"

"No matter what happens… You mean everything to me, Liara. You always will." said Shepard in her crack voice as she walk towards Liara before stopping in front of her and caress her right cheek.

"Shepard, I… I am yours." that's all Liara could mutter as Shepard slowly back down the ramp.

"Go!" yell Shepard as she saw the Reaper is ready to strike again.

Shepard start to run towards the beam and keep avoiding the flying Mako as the Normandy start to fly. With one glance towards the Normandy, she felt happy that she knew no matter what the outcome of this, Liara will survive. That's all she needs to motivate herself before a Mako overturn in her path and she barely avoid being hit by the Mako. As she got back to her feet, the Reaper starts firing at her.

She had no idea how she survived it but she found herself closer to the beam and badly burn. Her right shoulder also hurt like hell but it won't stop her from making one final push. As she get closer, a Marauder come from behind a rock and start shooting at her and nick her right shoulder. Gathering every inch of strength she had, Shepard shot the Marauder with her Carnifex pistol. As the Marauder dead, Shepard finally arrives at the beam and as she steps into it, it immediately takes her up to the Citadel.

Shepard had no idea how she got there. Now she's facing 3 choices, 3 choices that could change the galaxy. Just 5-10 minutes ago, she was facing The Illusive Man, clearly indoctrinate and he got her to shot her mentor, Anderson. Raged at what The Illusive Man just made her do, she managed to break his control on her as she fired a shot at him that kill him almost instantly.

She was having conversation with Anderson and she remembered vividly that Anderson told her that she will be a great mother some day as he slowly slipped away. Shepard gathered strength that she had to apply her last medi-gel before she realized that she was bleeding in her lower abdomen. As she starting to lose her consciousness, Admiral Hackett came through her comm. to tell her that The Crucible isn't firing. Once again she had to gather all the strength she had to move towards the control only finally to have herself passed out a few feet away.

She was waked up by an AI that called himself as The Catalyst. The AI looked a lot like that kid that was killed on Earth. He told Shepard she has 3 choices, destroy, control or synthesis. He told Shepard that synthesis could be the answer but he also admitted there was other that picked synthesis and it didn't work out. Shepard couldn't believe that if she picks the synthesis it will work out just because the AI told her that she's already a part organic and synthetic.

Control was never an option as she's not even sure if the Reapers didn't indoctrinate her already so that only leaves destroy. Her mission from the very beginning was to destroy the Reapers and she finally going to fulfill but one thing stop herself from doing so. The AI told her that by picking destroy, not only the Reapers dead but also other synthetic in the galaxy such as the Geth. Truth to be told it wasn't the fact the Geth will die too that stopping her, but the fact EDI will die. EDI is not only the Normandy AI, she also a part of her crew and most importantly, EDI is her friend.

But a voice inside her head telling her that if she couldn't trust the AI about the synthesis and control options, why would she trust the AI about the destroy option? Usually she hate the voice inside her head telling her what to do and what she can't do, but right now it make the most sense. Finally made her choice, Shepard start walking slowly towards the destroy console. It wasn't that far away but in her current conditions, it takes a lot more time that she like.

As soon as she arrived in front of the console, Shepard takes a deep breath before start pointing her gun at the console. With every trigger pull all the memories of the war start flooding her thought. The people she loss, the death she saw in front of her eyes and lastly the look of Liara face with her smile that always melt Shepard heart away. As the console starting to blow up, Shepard manage to mutter her last words, "I'm sorry, Liara. I will always love you."

Liara hated it when Shepard asked her to go back to the Normandy. She know she was injured but she want to stay with Shepard. She can't lose her again, she didn't know how to go through it again. No, she CAN'T go through it again. When the Crucible fired, all Reapers instantly died and nothing else was damaged except the Citadel. Admiral Hackett and the Normandy trying nonstop getting through Shepard but they didn't recieve a single answer. That is until Anderson answer but when was asked where'd Shepard is, his answered sting Liara heart.

"I can't see Shepard anywhere." said Anderson

"Was she badly hurt?" asked Admiral Hackett.

"She was badly hurt alright and she still gave me her medi-gel. Damn it, Shepard."

"We're sending reinforcement with search and rescue party to the Citadel right now. We will start searching for Shepard, dead or alive."

"Admiral Hackett, permission for the Normandy crew to join in?" asked Ashley.

"That's a no, Lieutenant Commander. We need the Normandy to get back to Earth. You're all the symbol of hope and success for every species in the Galaxy. They need to know you're all alright."

"But Admiral, Shepard is our Commanding Officer. We have a duty to go find her."

"That's a negative, Lieutenant Commander Williams. That's an order."

"This is a joke right." said Joker as the comm is cut off.

"Unbelievable." said Ashley in frustration.

"You want to pull a Shepard, Ashley?" asked Garrus.

"You means disobeying order?"

"It won't be the first time."

"I'm all for it." said Joker giving his agreement.

"That's settle than." said Garrus as he look at Ashley.

"Why the hell not? She has done a lot of thing to all of us aboard the Normandy, the least thing we could do is to go search for her." said Ashley as she nod in agreement.

It has been 3 weeks since the Normandy crew disobeying order and go search and rescue Shepard. When they found her, she was barely breathing and she has been in coma ever since. Miranda instantly appeared at a hospital on Earth where they treated Shepard to offer her help. Miranda led a handful of others doctors to save Shepard and everything has gone smoothly but they won't know how smoothly until Shepard wakes up.

The Alliance has decided not to take any action on the Normandy that disobeying Admiral Hackett order since they did found Shepard first before the other team that was sent by the Alliance. Also they don't want to get on Shepard bad side when she woke up to find out her crew are in jail for rescuing her… For the past 2 weeks, the Normandy has been helping with rebuilding effort. Only Liara stay by Shepard side as she refused to leave Shepard side until she wakes up.

"Any changes?" asked Liara as Miranda checking Shepard.

"No. I'm a little worried at how long she has been in coma. I'm didn't like it because we won't know what's wrong until she wakes up. With her implants, she should have wakes up by now."

"She will be fine right?"

"I won't know until she's wakes up." said Miranda as she finished checking Shepard.

"She will wake up." said Hannah Shepard as she walk into the room Shepard been treated.

"You must be Shepard mother, Hannah Shepard." said Miranda as she looks at Hannah where she can see a few resemblances with Shepard.

"I wanted to be here sooner but duty comes first… It always has been something that tore us apart."

"It's not my place to judge, Admiral."

"You must be Miranda Lawson, former Cerberus operatives and the woman responsible for Lazarus project."

"I see you have been brief."

"It's one good thing to be Rear Admiral. But I don't seem to recall any Asari." said Hannah as she look at Liara.

"I'm Liara T'Soni." introduce Liara.

"It's nice to meet you, Ms. T'Soni."

"It's Dr. T'Soni but you can just call me Liara."

"So Liara, you must be a part of the Normandy crew?"

"Yes."

"And you must be Grace girlfriend that I heard so much about from everyone except from my own daughter mouth."

"I…" Liara tried to find a way on how to response to Hannah question before she's being interrupted.

"No need to say anything. I'm sure she wanted to introduce us in better circumstances and given everything that happened in the past 3 years, she just can't find that time yet... Truth to be told, I'm surprised to hear the news but she never fall to anyone so easily. You must be very special. But we talk about that in some other time." said Hannah as she realized Liara having a hard time replying to her question. Well more like a statement rather than a question.

"Very well." replied Liara as she breathes a sigh of relief. This definitely is not the way she imagine meeting Shepard mother.

Hannah take a few steps forwards towards her daughter bed before lean down to plant a kiss on Shepard forehead.

"Come on, Grace. Don't make a mother outlive her daughter. Not again…" whisper Hannah to Shepard ear.

It has been 30 days since the Reapers war ended. The Citadel has been moved back to Widow System in Serpent Nebula by the scientist working on The Crucible project. Most of the species that involved in the final battle on Earth has gone back to their homeworld to help the rebuilding effort. But for other species on the Normandy crew, they have decided to pay Shepard a visit first before returning to their homeworld.

"Shepard sure does like her beauty sleep." remarks Ashley as she trying to break the awkward silence in the room.

"Never thought I see the day the queen of the girl scouts this quite." said Jack as she trying to cheer up the room that falls dead silent as soon as the crew saw Shepard body just laying on the bed, motionless while being hooked by wires that making sure she's received enough nutrition's and monitaring her vitals.

"Are you going to wake her up?" asked Tali to Miranda who checking on Shepard implants.

"It is best to let her wake up on her own." replied Miranda.

"We need to remember that Shepard didn't have enough rest ever since Cerberus rebuilt her. With all the responsibilities the galaxy put on her shoulder, she deserve some time out." add Dr. Chakwas as she examine the datapad containing Shepard medical records.

As the crew busying chatting up, Liara saw Shepard fingers moves slowly before Shepard slowly opens her eyes.

"Shepard!" yell Liara as she watches Shepard slowly open her eyes.

"Commander?" said Miranda as she watches closely.

"…Where am I…" mutter Shepard

"You're in the hospital." answered Dr. Chakwas.

"…You're my doctor?" asked Shepard.

"I… Shepard, didn't you know who I am?" asked Dr. Chakwas in a worried look.

"Should I?"

Shepard respond got Dr. Chakwas and Miranda look at each other eyes.

"Do you recognize anyone in this room?" asked Miranda.

"No…"

A/N : Okay guys, that's the end of chapter 1! I hope it's good and yes, I have to end it in a cliffhanger. So this chapter is sort of my own take on what I'm feeling leading to the final assault and what I felt when all of this take place in the game. Anyway next chapter should fill in some details I decided to leave, such as what Liara felt when Shepard said she didn't recognize anyone. Next chapter will also see Maddison made her appearance with a slight different profession she had in Forever After. And for those who wondering if there will be a happy ending to this story, the answer is yes. But before we go to the happy ending let's see when Shepard going to remember Liara and who will steal Shepard from Liara and if Liara can make Shepard fall in love with her again. Even though I said there will be a happy ending, it's not necessarily has to be both of them get married and live forever after. If you want that kind of ending well just read my story title, Forever After…