A/N: I really wanted to write a Shepard and Ashley multi-chapter fic so here is the start, this story will go from after defeating Sovereign all the way up to Shepard's death filling the month or so between ME1 and ME2. Hope you enjoy, Constructive criticism is highly appreciated, I am also looking for a Beta as I know my Grammar and Punctuation aren't perfect, so if anyone would be so kind just drop me a message. I'm gonna shut up now and let you read.

Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything related to mass effect. And the song "Life starts now" is property of Three Days Grace.

'Cause life starts now
You've done all the things that could kill you somehow
And your so far down
But you will survive it somehow, because life starts now.

Shepard was slowly coming-to, recovering as his eyes flickered open the throbbing pain in his body quickly reminded him where he was, what he was doing, and why his right arm was being crushed by a piece of debris, a piece of reaper debris.

This piece of debris in particular belonged to the ship that was Sovereign, a reaper, the reason for the extinction of the Protheans, now they were returning. Sovereign was bad enough but a whole civilisation of them, Shepard didn't even want to think about it. Instead he concentrated on his arm, the rubble was about the size of an escape pod, so there was no way he could move it with brute force. His military training told him not to panic or struggle it would just make the situation worse, he attempted to focus his biotics into lifting the piece of debris, but to no avail. He could lift this surely he just needed to concentrate; once again he focused on the debris it shook slightly but not enough for Shepard to remove his arm.

Shepard thought back to his basic biotic training, and how they always told him to stay in control of his emotions otherwise this would lead to biotic outbursts. This was exactly what the moment required. Shepard considered what exactly would tip his emotions over the edge. He thought for a second and then focused and centred the point in his mind when he left Kaidan to die on Virmire, how he had left his lieutenant and friend to die. While concentrating severely the anger, loss, and overall guilt of the situation Shepard's biotics began to once again shake the debris a little more vigorously this time but he could still not manage to lift it. "Nearly there, nearly there" a weary Shepard counselled himself, he always was the optimist never let himself become the pessimist, a pessimist is what an optimist call a realist, her familiar voice rang through his head, causing his biotics to flare.

Gunnery Chief Ashley Madeline Williams, Shepard never used her full title simply sticking to "Ash" or "Chief." Shepard had developed a certain attraction to his Gunnery Chief throughout the course of their mission it started with staring, which lead to flirting, which lead to something much more meaningful, which eventually lead to a night shared together before Ilos. In Shepard's mind there was never any doubt of him becoming attracted to her, she had the looks; she definitely had the body and certainly didn't lack for personality. He sat there smiling to himself while thinking about her; the thought struck him about her safety, was she ok? All of his military training went out of the window as he began to worry and fluster himself over her well-being, she was right there beside him he had told her and Garrus to go and then everything went black. If he was a better Commander he would know if she was safe not trapped here, hell even if he was a better man, let alone Commander, he would have made sure she was safe.

The debris suddenly shifted very notably scraping along Shepard's arm making him hiss in pain, realising what he was doing he focused all of his emotion and power onto the object and it lifted about six inches off the floor allowing him to snatch his bruised and battered arm away, his breath caught in his throat as he held back a scream. He looked down at his arm, it was definitely broken, it didn't take a medic to figure that out, he slowly got to his feet finding that a few of his ribs were broke as well as his arm, voices reached his ears as he stumbled to the direction they were coming from.

Ashley blinked a couple of times to discover a bright flashlight shining in her eyes accompanied by an unfamiliar voice, "Captain Anderson, I've found them" Ash blinked away the light to see Garrus sat opposite with a hand to his head, and then looked up to see the dark eyes which held years of experience.

Captain Anderson kneeled beside her, "its okay it's over, you're safe now" he reassured while resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Where's the Commander? Where is Shepard?" Anderson asked with worry in his voice whilst glancing around the area.

Ashley's heart immediately skipped a couple of beats as she scanned the area where she was sat, he was nowhere to be seen, Commander Shepard the hero of the day was nowhere to be seen. Ash looked over to the centre of the council chambers, to where her memory flashed back to when Shepard sent them ahead to save themselves. Ashley's face sank as she stifled tears and sobs; Anderson followed her gaze to see the large piece of debris his face also darkened. Shepard wasn't allowed to die, he was the one meant to save them all from the fate of the Protheans, he was meant to save her, he promised. Ashley instantaneously wished she had told him what she wanted to say just before they landed on Ilos, in that moment she knew it was true, I loved him, Ash couldn't hold back the tears any longer as they spilt down her face creating rivers of salty water down her cheeks, she didn't care if Anderson saw her, her marine stupor was crushed.

Garrus gradually got up to his feet, looking down at the Chief immediately feeling the pain she was going through, she most definitely had the closest connection to the Commander, and if the rumours were true then there was no doubt why she was broken. Shepard had changed his life as well teaching him that every action has a consequence, and that the quickest way is not always the best way.

Garrus' thoughts were interrupted when he heard rustling from the direction of the Council chambers. Apparently Anderson and Ashley had also heard the noise as they gazed in the direction. Ashley needed to make sure her ears weren't playing tricks on her as she stumbled to her feet whilst wiping away the tears, to see a darkened silhouette.

Shepard saw a small gathering people, I only get to save the universe once might as well make an entrance, Shepard thought to himself. Despite the pain of his ribs and arm Shepard began to clamber up the debris that was lodged in the ground, using his left arm as support as he climbed. Shepard stood at the top to see three familiar faces looking up at him, among a couple of others, but there was only one face he focused on. While cradling his right arm Shepard slowly walked down the other side of the debris with a victorious smile engraved upon his face.

Ashley gazed up at the man, he'd done it, she gave off a relieved smile and practically sprinted to meet him at the bottom of the rubble followed by both Anderson and Garrus. Completely forgetting about the people behind her Ashley threw herself into Shepard's arms, earning a sharp hiss from the Commander, but he didn't say anything. "Craig, you did it" she smiled up at him, her eyes still clouded by tears not from sadness but from happiness.

He looked down, his arm still wrapped around her waist, and hers still crushing his other arm, "No we did it" he said, "I am kind of in pain right now" he muttered, and she immediately detached herself.

"Sorry Skipper" Ash quickly apologised; now realising that his right arm was hanging limply across his body.

Garrus and Anderson shared a knowing look while the two soldiers had their reunion. Anderson coughed, immediately startling the two marines. Anderson then began to speak, "Shepard you did it, Saren is defeated, and you saved the Citadel and the Council, you're a hero." Anderson held out his hand to Shepard, who took it in his own and shook it.

"I didn't do it single-handily Captain, I had my team" he motioned his hand to Ashley and Garrus," I couldn't have done it without them." Shepard sent a smile in their direction.

Always the modest one, Ash thought to herself as she found herself returning his grin, "He's too modest" Ashley whispered up to Garrus while Shepard was receiving instructions, and praise from Anderson.

Garrus looked down with what Ashley supposed was the turian equivalent of a smile, "No he's not just telling the truth, he'd be dead without us," the old C-Sec officer scoffed.

"Agreed," Ashley had grown quite accustomed to the turian in the past couple of months, his dry sense of humour and his combat abilities, had made her re-think her ideas about turians, Garrus was a good guy even if he didn't believe it all the time. The pair walked over to Shepard and Anderson, which were both engrossed in their conversation, Shepard was explaining to Anderson about the reapers.

"They could wipe out all galactic civilisations, we've got to warn the Council," Shepard informed the Captain.

"We will, but not now you need rest and a trip to the med-bay I am granting all the crew of the Normandy leave until further notice," Anderson ordered in a Commanding voice, knowing that Shepard would disagree, but just as he was about to speak Anderson held up a hand, "also I'm sure the rest of your crew will want to be aware of their victory."

"Yes sir, where is the Normandy?" Shepard asked.

"It's docked in the wards as it was the least damaged area of the Citadel"

"Thankyou Captain, for everything" Shepard saluted his Captain, Ashley and even Garrus both copied his action.

"Come on Ski...Commander let's get you a lie down, before you fall down" his gunnery chief commented. The three began to walk in the direction of the elevator ready to enjoy their return to the Normandy, as well as the shore leave that would succeed it.