A/N: So I'm attempting tragedy here. Just had a great piece of chocolate cake, and for some reason, it put me in the mood to write something sad. So anyway, please feel free to drop me a review. They are like gift baskets full of money, baked goods, and adorable small animals.

"This task was appointed to you, Frodo of the Shire. If you do not find a way, no one will."

- Galadriel to Frodo, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King. Love that movie.

-XXX-

No matter what choice she made, one thing was certain. This was the end. It didn't help that all the choices sucked. Subjugation was definitely not an option, and synthesis? Let's just pretend that one's even possible. No, the Reapers had to die. At any cost. Even if it meant losing the geth, who were just beginning to know peace, or freedom. Even if it meant sacrificing EDI, who deserved the chance to live, more so than a lot of organics.

Even if it meant that Shepard's own life was forfeit.

"I just have one more question for you. Why me? Why should I have to be the one to decide?"

The invisible mega-Reaper-child-catalyst seemed to stare at her with invisible little eyes.

"There is no data that can be supplied. However, the human concept of destiny may offer you emotional solace."

Shepard would have laughed, but instead she coughed up a thick glob of blood. More of it, dark, thick, and sticky had begun to pool at her feet. She was out of time.

"Normally I would say fuck destiny, except I have no way off this shitheap station."

She started the arduous limp towards the red console.

I don't believe in destiny. But I did believe that I would have more time with Liara. That we would raise those little blue children together. That I would spend the rest of my life with her.

She reached the console, raised her pistol, and then turned back to glare at the Catalyst.

"I'll see you in hell."

And as she fired, she held Liara's image in her mind. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

I'm sorry Liara. Sorry I have to break my promise. I just hope you can forget about me. I hope you can move on, find someone else, be happy. Maybe you can-

And the darkness swallowed her.

-XXX_

Decades later, an asari glanced upwards into the sky, and remembered the lonely mines of Therum, the glittering cityscape of Illium. She remembered the Normandy, and she remembered the time, and the love she had shared with the woman who commanded it.

She would never forget.