TO: Operations Chief Ashley Williams

FROM: Commander Joseph Shepard

Ash-

You don't have to apologize for what you said on Horizon. I can't imagine what it must've been like for you when I died. All I know is that if our places had been switched,it would've killed me in a way nobody could ever hope to were everything to me Ashley. Everything.

Like I said, you don't have to apologize for what you said, but I am so damn furious with you that it makes me sick. When Cerberus told me what happened, when I was finally able to comprehend what was being said, all I wanted was you. I didn't care that I was working with Cerberus, I didn't care that human colonies were vanishing without a trace, I didn't care if I was still a Spectre or not. All I cared about, all I wanted was you.

Every single time I went on a mission, every time I turned a corner or opened a door, all I could think was "Maybe this time I'll find her... maybe this time I'll find Ashley." That was all I thought, that was all I cared about. Nothing else mattered. And then I got the call about Horizon and I heard you were there. And then I saw you. Cerberus brought me back from the dead, I drank with Dr. Chakwas, I joked with Garrus, I bantered with Joker, but I wasn't alive until I heard your voice, saw your face and held you in my arms. And then you turned your back on me. That I'm less forgiving about.

I needed you Ashley. I needed you more than I've ever needed anything in my entire life. Everyone says they know who I am... Commander Shepard, the Butcher of Torfan, the first Human Spectre but I am nothing... nothing without you. Every single time you have needed me, I have been there. I saved you on Eden Prime, I saved you on Virmire, I saved you when the Normandy died, but on Horizon... when the tables were turned, when I needed saving where were you? You turned your back on me. That I'm less forgiving about Ash. THAT you do have to apologize for.

Everything and everyone I knew is different and changed. The Alliance turned its back on me. The Council turned its back on me and you... you did it too. I need something to hold onto Ash and I'm not sure that can be you anymore.

Take care of yourself Ashley...

-Joseph