Disclaimer: Bioware owns all.
A/N: I adore Thane, but the angst was calling. If you feel slightly disgruntled or bereft after reading this story, then I have done my job. As always, feel free to read and review.
The Waterfall's Edge
It was the lush greenery of the canyon that first caught her eye, a myriad of plant life clinging to the sheer rock face for a taste of sunlight. The mist hung in the air, millions of tiny diamonds floating amidst a riot of color, and the rhythm of the tiered waterfalls, echoing up to greet her as if chanting a lover's mantra. Shepard realized why he had chosen this, of all places: it was breathtaking.
"You came." His voice, deep and gravelly, pulled her attention from the hypnotic sheen of the waters. She stood, for a time, gathering her courage and waiting for him to continue. He stood facing away from her in the familiar pose, arms clasped behind him, back ram-rod straight. She took the time to memorize him, the line of his stance, the curve of his jaw.
"I read your letter." Her voice sounded frail and small to her own ears and she struggled to maintain her distance and keep from running to him. Instead she turned her eyes back to the water, a pool of silver in the fading light.
He was in front of her before she knew it, his hand hard on the back of her neck, eyes blazing in the setting sun. A torrent of emotions flooded his face and Shepard felt a stab of regret that she could not recognize them. She forced herself to remain still and steady as his piercing gaze searched her eyes. She could feel the warmth of his body, the taste of his breath. He was so near. Oh, how she longed to melt into him.
"You knew I would leave." She licked her lips, dry from fear and restraint, and nodded. He had left her behind with nothing but hollow words and empty comfort. His pride had demanded it be so.
"You knew I would come." He continued to meet her gaze, defiant and determined. She found herself wishing that fate would rip her from this reality and into another where they could be together, a reality where her duties did not supersede her desires. Longing burned in her heart.
He released his hand from her neck and turned once again toward the horizon. She struggled to keep from falling forward with the loss of his touch. "I am no longer your arm."
The words fell from his lips with no malice or hurt, but simple fact, and the pain in her chest rose anew. She knew he had been growing weaker by the day as he drew farther and farther away from her and deeper into himself. No longer was he able to protect her as he once had, and Shepard choked down a scream of frustration.
"We have our memories, Siha. Remember me as I was." He continued to look into the horizon, past the vast waterfalls and toward the sea. Shepard struggled to keep a neutral face, to keep from dissolving into a puddle of desolation.
Somehow she managed to turn away from him. Somehow she was able to put one foot in front of the other.
Somehow, she was able to leave him there, alone, beside the waterfall's edge.
