Author's note:

This is meant simply as a final epilogue scene for my Paragon Shepard, after the new, extended, Control ending in Mass Effect 3. I felt pretty satisfied with the new ending sequence; and wanted to write something that would merge the new ending, with the ending I had headcanon'ed for this character.

I am unsure, yet, if I will continue on with this; so as it stands, this will be a oneshot. I do have ideas for if I continue, but we'll see.

Please feel free to provide feedback. It's very possible I'll edit this as time goes by.

Finally, thanks goes to Shannon Phillips - creator of the Mass Effect 3: Ending Generator, which was the inspiration for the Geth known as "Outreach". :)

Miranda Lawson, head of the Alliance Project: Guardian, enters the laboratory to the sound of a hundred computers and Omni-tools running numbers. Geth work beside Quarian and Alliance scientists. Salarians and Asari check, then double check their work. The room is alive with anticipation.

"Ma'am, vital signs are stable. The Geth say transference is 98% complete."

"Excellent. Neural response?"

"Regular. We won't have full confirmation until subject awakens-"

"Administrator Lawson." It's the Geth Ambassador, Miranda had come to know as 'Outreach'. "Transfer complete. Subject appears to be powering up, Administrator Lawson."

Miranda, for the first time since entering the lab, looks at the table in the center of the room. Lying still, hooked up to various wires, and tubes; is Commander Shepard. His eyes are shut, as if in sleep. The past year the Alliance had worked to rebuild his body from scratch, with the aid of the other races. His skin, organs, and muscles were cloned from DNA the Alliance had on reserve. These were grown around a cybernetic skeleton, built to fully replicate the Commander's Cerberus implants, as per the specs provided by Administrator Lawson. The only difference in Shepard's body was the brain now mechanical. Built to be a receiver, and designed to operate the technorganic body wirelessly.

She didn't know if she was bringing back her lover, or creating a monster. The line was too faint to tell anymore. What her team did not know, was she had not initially wanted a part in this. She knew, though, she couldn't resign herself to the idea that Shepard was dead. Lost forever. Every step had been carefully overseen by her. Her unflinching desire for perfection, and her undying passion for this man steered the project forward. She knew if there was a way to bring him back, she'd find it.

The Geth had laid the groundwork for the project. At first, no one knew what to think when the Reapers turned their sights from destruction to repairing the damage they had caused. Not until the Geth were contacted. Shepard had found a way to take control of them, at the cost of his own life. Vigorous testing had revealed that his memories were in tact. He even asked for Miranda - fearful she might have been hurt during the battle of the Crucible. It was surmised that building a body for Shepard to inhabit, similar to EDI's possession of Dr. Eva, was feasible; and would not interfere with the control he held over the Reaper forces.

All of that was nice in theory. But now, nearing the end of the project; at the moment where the entire room stood silent, with bated breath; Miranda did not know whether her love would awaken, or a Reaper. The computers hummed, simultaneously. Lights flickered on and off, as the cybernetic Shepard powered up. The room fell silent and dark. And as the lights came back on...

It opened its eyes.