A/N: I saw a few posts for Sheko Appreciation week on tumblr. I'm not on there (not sure if it would be worth it... let me know if you think it would) but this idea stuck with me so I ran with it. Sorry for the angst.
Stars danced in her eyes in bright flashes, but that wasn't enough to hide the fine red spray that coated the console in front of her. She didn't need to see that to know the brutal truth, though. That last coughing fit left her swaying dangerously and every breath afterwards was a struggle, as if she were forced to breathe through a wet towel just to keep going. Time was almost up, but she wouldn't fail – she couldn't.
"I'm so sorry, Kaidan," Shepard whispered into the dark void of space surrounding her. She promised to be waiting for him, but this was one promise she couldn't keep no matter how much it broke her heart. If stubborn will was enough, she would find a way… but not this time. This was it. She paused on the ramp for one last look at the beauty and wonder of the universe. It had been so long since she stopped to enjoy the view. Kaidan was right – it all seemed so calm and peaceful up here. You'd never expect the horrors taking place out there.
Shepard suddenly jumped; her bright eyes widened and a harsh gasp tore from her lips as she cradled her stomach. Thick rivulets of blood spilled down her bare forearm and dripped heavily to the floor at an alarming rate, but the open wound on her side was mercifully numb. Her focus was deeper within.
"Can you feel it, Shepard? Feel the quickening?" Kaidan's voice echoed through her mind once more. A small thrill shot through her when he said it a few nights earlier, but it was simply an offhanded comment, nothing more. If only he knew… but he couldn't. Her death was going to be hard enough; the full truth may very well kill him. This was one secret she was going to take to her grave.
"I'm so sorry, sweetie," Shepard cooed between soft sobs. Blood smears trailed behind every move of her hand across her swollen stomach. It was so unfair, but there was no other way. "It looks like it's just you and me, kiddo. Let's save your daddy and everyone else out there."