Prologue

"I've issued a capture order for Miranda Lawson and a kill order for Jacob Taylor," announced the Illusive Man, taking a sip of his bourbon. "I've also put out a handsome bounty on Ms. Lawson, as well as leaking all of her known covers. Her options should now be … limited."

"What about Shepard?" Kai Leng growled his question.

The Illusive Man knew Leng's envy of the Alliance commander. There would be a time when that envy would need to be sharpened. But now was not that time. "Ms. Lawson brought him back," the Illusive Man explained, pausing to take a drag on his cigarette. "Her work is done, and Humanity has no further use for her. Only her father has any interest in the woman he synthesized, and turning her over to him will help us recoup the costs of building the SR-2. There is a reward for killing her, but a much more enticing reward for bringing her in alive … though not necessarily in one piece. Shepard on the other hand still is of use to us. Leave him be for now."

"We don't need Shepard," spat Leng. "I can take him and …"

"Don't rush to meet him, Leng. Better men than you have tried - they're all dead. Don't worry; you'll have your opportunity when the time is right. Concentrate on Miranda; if you bring her back, we won't have to pay out of pocket."

Kai Leng paced like a caged animal as he thought about Commander Shepard. Miranda was second rate; Shepard was the real prize. Still, Miranda might prove a challenge, and she was fair game. He had always hated the conceited operative. "She thinks she's so perfect. After I'm through with her, she'll beg to be taken back to her daddy."

Miranda and Shepard stood face to face near the Normandy's berth on the Citadel. They had stayed for three days, not wanting to part until they absolutely had to, but by now, the Alliance was getting antsy. Miranda and Shepard, along with Jacob, Thane, Tali, Jack, and Garrus had a meeting with Councilor Anderson, where Shepard gave the Human Councilor a copy of his report on the Collectors and on Aratoht. Miranda, Jacob, and Thane took the opportunity to give the Human Councilor their reports and testimony in person.

The Council had also conferenced in, during which time the six of them gave their testimony and reports for the benefit of the galactic governing body and C-Sec. The Council reviewed the material very quickly, so quickly that Miranda hardly considered it a review, and rendered a decision in support of the Normandy SR-2 crew, and absolving them of any wrongdoing. Anderson was impressed with the both of them, calling them heroes, but also acknowledging that the Alliance would not see it the way that the Council had. The Human Councilor strongly advised Miranda and Jacob to get to safety, and pledged to provide whatever buffer against the Alliance that he could for them, and promised that Admiral Hackett would buffer the couple as well.

Miranda had stocked up on armament at Rodham Expeditions, while Jacob booked passage, finding transport off of the Citadel aboard an Asari liner. Miranda did not even ask Jacob where they were going; that could wait until later. As Jacob loaded her purchases onto the ship, Miranda was having her last moments with the man she loved before he headed back to Earth to face an Alliance tribunal. Garrus, Jack, and Tali, and the rest of the Normandy crew, including Joker and Doctor Chakwas, were already aboard, waiting for departure. Most of the Cerberus crew disembarked at the Citadel as well. They had all said their goodbyes, with Yeoman Chambers breaking down and crying as she hugged the Commander. Now, Miranda was all that was left.

"I hope my meeting with Anderson helps you, John," Miranda began. "I … I wish I could go with you and stand at your side through this …"

"But we both know you can't," Shepard said. "I'll say everything I can on your behalf, Miranda. Admiral Hackett already knows what I think of you, and he's sympathetic to you. He knows who the real enemy is. You just focus on staying alive out there, Miranda. This is not goodbye, not for good, at least."

Miranda pressed against him, laying her head on his chest, smiling as he encircled her in his arms. "I love you, John. I think … I think I always have. I still remember when you woke up early during the Lazarus Project. Something about you … I think that's when I fell." Then she pushed away slightly. "Then after you finally did wake up, I spent the next two months trying to convince myself I didn't love you." She snuggled back up to him again. "What a fool I was."

"Not at all," he replied, stroking her hair. "You had to make me work at least a little; you're not an easy catch, you know? And you're worth every second I spent trying to win you. And every second I've spent since we've been together. I love you too, Miranda. And yeah, you had me at the very same moment; I woke up and saw the most beautiful woman in the galaxy looking down at me … smiling. It's the same smile you have now."

Miranda blushed slightly at the compliment. "We'll find a way, Shepard. You said we will, and I believe you, dammit." She began to tear up, and was now trying to speak without sobbing. "So don't you let them lock you away."

"I'll be in lockdown for a little while," he said, "but I won't let them keep me there long. And when it's all over, I'll find you."

"Or I'll find you," she countered, smiling tearfully. She stood up on tiptoes and kissed him, prompting him to kiss her passionately. She thought he might carry her onto the Normandy, but to her disappointment, he did not.

"You better," he said. Shepard kissed her one last time before letting go. "I should go; Jacob's coming, so you're flight is ready. Time to go make all this happen, Miranda. I promised the Illusive Man that I'd be taking the Reapers on. And I always keep my promises."

"So do I, Shepard. So do I."

"Shepard!" Jacob Taylor joined the two of them, having already had their luggage loaded. "You heading out?"

"Yeah, it's time. You take care of her, Jacob. She means the galaxy to me."

"You got it, Commander," replied Jacob. "Now go convince those Alliance politicians that they need to face the real threat."

"Damn straight," Shepard said, shaking Jacob's hand.

Miranda kissed Shepard one last time, and then the commander turned and boarded the Normandy. He turned around before entering the ship, waving to her. Miranda blew him a kiss, and called out, "I love you!"

"I love you!" Shepard then disappeared into the ship.

"Come on, Jacob," Miranda said, trying not to cry. "Get me out of here."

Jacob took Miranda to the Asari transport, Alustra. The attendant showed them each to their cabins, talking to them the entire way. Miranda did not hear a word of it. As soon as she was in her cabin, she closed the door and broke down in tears. With no one around, she could finally let it all out. Shepard had not been gone an hour and she felt like a piece of her heart had been ripped from her. "You come back to me, John Shepard," she sobbed. "You come back to me."