Hello, I'm Mea. This is my first Mass Effect Fan fic. I'm very tired so for those who have read my other works and know my intros to be a tad more lively, forgive me. This idea's just been bouncing in my head since I finished the Synthesis ending. I need my happy ending or I go insane. Ah well, her ya are. Its bound to stray some but I'm going to try to keep the history as cannon as I can possibly get in a fanfic.

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot-line of this story, the OC characters, and the design of my Fem!Shep. No profit was made on this fic. All glory and honor to BioWare.

"Is she awake?" The figures danced before her eyes a blurry blue, orange, and muted green haze. She blinked and slowly lolled her head to the side wondering vaguely what had happened and, more importantly, what was happening.

"Is that really your first question, Wife?" The orange blur grunted and she swore she knew the sound of his voice before. "You should be asking if the dumb thing is alive!"

"Calm yourself Garron," The muted green mused calmly. "Inexari knew that this one will be fine. This soul will survive." She heard a small sound of movement and a cool hand was placed on her forehead. "She is the perfect candidate for your father. She will make a splendid voice for him and an even better addition to the Valkyrie Council."

And just like that, Jane Shepard was sent back into the darkness.

"Come back alive..."

It seemed like an eternity passed before Jane once again regained consciousness. It was still dark, and it appeared she was laying down. Her hands tentatively ran over the spot where her head rested. It felt damp, earthy, and smelled like death. Frantically she pushed herself up best she could, ignoring the throbbing in her skull. She couldn't see three feet in front of her, hell, she couldn't see her own two hands in front of her face. Swallowing the panic rising in her throat, she thrust her hands out in front of her, palms out, and ventured forward. Slowly she counted how many steps she took. She reached twenty before her hands touched stone. The material felt old and some crumbled beneath the gentle pressure of her finger tips. Slowly, and keeping one hand against the stone wall, she followed what seemed to be the length of it before her hand met cool metal. Bars? She felt them. Bars. Slightly newer than the crumbling stone walls.

She let out a small breath. She was in a cell. Where was this cell then? Obviously planet-side, if the dank earth under her feet was any indication. But which planet? Was she in prison? What for? What of the Reapers? Her crew? What happened to...she swallowed hard and fought back the knot rising in her throat. She forced herself to believe that they were all safe. HE was safe. They had to be. She didn't think the Star-Child would have lied to her face. But many of her questions were unanswered and they left a hollow feeling in her gut. She clung to the bars as she sank to the earthen floor. Her body felt like lead. A quick nap wouldn't hurt, would it?

"I...love you..."

She wasn't sure what had woken her. But she was definitely aware of the bright light surrounding her. She looked up. A man stood above her. At first she thought the light was shining behind him, but soon came to realize he emitted the light. She stared at him. He glared at her. She knew he was a man, but his species was not one she found she could place. Humanoid in shape, he was entirely purple. From head to toe. His skin a shade darker than the extravagant robes he wore. His hair a softer magenta. Two thin antennae poked out from the crown of his head underneath his hair. His eyes were silver, pupil-less, and very large. A gold band encircled his head. His stare seemed to penetrate through her and for a moment Shepard wanted to duck her head. She didn't, but the feeling of getting-caught-taking-a-cookie-before-dinner-and-her-mother-catching-her remained.

"You are what my little girl was chirruping about." His voice was regal, yet soft. Firm, but gentle. Admonishing, but loving. "Hm, yes you have quite the strong mind. A noble heart. A compassionate soul. Ah, but what is this?" He stepped forward, silver eyes softening. He reached out a four fingered hand and touched her temple. A gentle pulse shimmered through her mind. "You are in love. And hold love in return." His voice was quiet. "Most ideal."

He stepped back from her and simply observed her. Finally she found her voice. "Where am I? Who are you? What are you? Where's my crew? What happened to the Reapers?" She was shocked by how clear her voice sounded, sure it would have been slurred by sleep and disuse.

A small smile passed his face and reached his eyes. "In order; your body has found itself upon the planet of my beloved children. I am Madera. I am a... god of sorts. Your crew..." He paused and seemed to mull it over before nodding. "Your crew is safe and is in flight to Earth. The Reapers... well what happened to them is exactly what that infernal thing said would happen when you made your choice."

"It... worked? The synthesis?" Shepard was momentarily relieved when 'Madera' nodded. "But wait." A frown marred her face as she thought about the rest of his spiel. "What do you mean my 'body found itself'? My body is right here!" She gestured to herself. Madera gave her an exasperated look.

"Child, your body is neither bloody nor bruised. Did you spare a thought to that? A woman just out of a war zone should have some mark surely after all."

She glanced down at herself. In his light she could tell he was right. Her armor was intact. Not a blemish was on her skin. Aches and pains, aside from an ignorable throb in her head, were not present. She couldn't contain her disbelief. "Wha-?"

"You are trapped, child. Trapped within your own mind." He waved a hand to the cell around her. "My beloved children are keep your body safe and are doing their utmost to heal it, but I will keep you here, locked away, until you can blast this cell apart." He turned away from her.

"Wait!" He paused. "If this is my mind, I'll blast it apart myself now!"

He turned to her and she read amusement and hope in his eyes. "That'd be a first." He admitted slowly. "Show me."

She thought long and hard, willing the stone to bend under her will. It crumbled some but remained solid and confining. She looked at Madera who shook his head. "I am sorry my dear. That was farther than most for their first time. But no- how is it worded in your language?- no cigar. I shall be back tomorrow."

And with that he turned on his heel, and disappeared, taking the light with him and throwing Shepard into the darkness once more.