Prologue

It was time for the final push, their last stance against the reapers. Everyone stood and looked at the beam in front of them, they knew that this was it, they knew that if no one made it, there would be no more hope. When the order was given, every soldier ran towards that beam with determination, none of them faltered.

Shepard, Garrus, and James soon took the lead of the pack striving to achieve what they have wanted to since the beginning, to destroy the reapers and send their asses into hell. Seeing the small army began to travel, Harbinger let out a mechanic growl as it began to fire its laser at them.

The Reaper fired its powerful beam, razing the Earth as it made contact and began to travel toward the charging opposition. Sweeping past Shepard, the devastating weapon annihilated three Alliance soldiers as it continued unimpeded, the determined Commander not even looking back as The Reaper's attack continued, easily disposing of a Mako unit and four more soldiers before the concentrated energy finally dissipated. It didn't seem like anyone was getting anywhere, no one was making ground. Harbinger then turned, causing the ground to quake as it looked directly at Shepard, letting out another metallic snarl before firing once more.

The beam collided with the Earth only a mere ten feet away from Shepard, quickly racing toward her as she unhesitantly charged toward it, Garrus' eyes widen as his mouth gaped open as he watched on in horror. His heart began to race as reality seemed to be happening in slow motion, even the distance screams became nothing more than background noise.

Shepard had froze, lifting her arm to shield her eyes from the bright red light that was fast approaching. His pace quickened as he tried to catch up to her, pushing soldiers and shooting husks along the way.

"ZIVA MOVE!"

Just then James grabbed the Turian's neck armor trying to pull him away from the blast, but it was too late. They were all in the crossfire as it sent them flying backwards knocking them both out cold.

James' eyes fluttered open, he wasn't sure how much time has passed but he knew he needed to get in contact with the Normandy. Slowly he began to stand, using his assault rifle for support. Clenching his jaw, pain began to shoot through his body, feeling as if it were littered with pointy needles.

"Normandy come in... we need... an extraction"

He said weakly as he took in his surroundings.

The line was nothing but static, causing him to shake his head and pound his ear piece with the palm of his hand.

Looking at the piles of rubble and scorched Earth around him, he began to wonder if everything Shepard strived for, everything they had accomplished was for nothing. Taking in a deep breath, he leaned against a large piece of concrete.

"Normandy we need an extraction, come in..."

He called out but again there was nothing but static.

Groaning in annoyance, he called out again.

"Normandy come..."

James was cut short when he heard a groan behind him, his head snapped toward the source of the noise, looking over his shoulder cautiously as he lifted his rifle. Taking a deep breath he turned, gun raised ready to shoot, but when he saw who it was, he slowly put his rifle down and began to walk over to Garrus, sighing in relief.

"Normandy we still need that extraction"

James looked up to the skies as he offered his hand to the Turian, Garrus just stared at it, his face shown signs of hopelessness, disappointment, and to be honest he wanted to punch James into next week. If he would have just let him go then maybe he could have gotten to Shepard in time, pulled her out of the way.

"I could have saved her..."

Garrus said in almost a whisper, his gaze falling to the distance. James looked at him, his eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't like this any better than he did but sitting around blaming yourself wasn't the answer.

"Then what?"

James asked Garrus with a shrug as his face became stern,

Slowly Garrus looked over at the soldier meeting his gaze.

"Do you think she would have wanted you dead beside her?"

Vega asked as he pointed in the direction of where they both saw Shepard last.

"Do you think that would have made her happy? She knew there were bigger things at stake here, she doesn't need you to make a sacrifice out of your self."

Garrus slowly got back up to his feet, looking around at all the destruction. Bodies from both oppositions and various rubble and debris littered the area. Deep, scorched, smoking craters snaked along the ground as well, marking the paths Harbinger's powerful attacks had travelled. As he surveyed the destruction, Garrus knew James was right, however. Ziva wouldn't want him to throw his life away, even if it was for her.

Straightened up, he almost didn't want to look where he last saw her, but he had to, and when he did his eyes began to search the ground as the look of confusion took over his face.

Slowly, he began to walk over to where she was. There were multiple remains and devastated bodies of Alliance soldiers, but Shepard's body wasn't among them.

"Where's... Shepard?"

He asked, agony playing at his voice.

The question made James look around, and he couldn't believe it himself. The beam hit her, he saw it but her body... was...

Shaking his head he began to wonder if it was even possible for Shepard to survive the blast and continue forth.

"I... I don't know"

James then chuckled.

"Maybe Lola is a bit loco."

Garrus couldn't help but laugh slightly as he looked back towards the beam, it gave him hope that maybe just maybe...

"Shore party *static* mandy, what's your position?"

Lifting up his hand Garrus pressed in his ear piece,

" We're by the conduit, seems calm... for now."

" ETA five minu...*STATIC* Shepard al*static* ight?"

chuckling slightly, the image of Shepard storming the gates of hell still fresh in his mind,

"Your guess is as good as mine,"

Following the beam up with his eyes he exhaled a relaxing breath, before he and the soldier began to search the bodies that were scattered around them. They looked for any signs of life, but the only thing they could really offer was comfort, and give them hope that their families would be able to see tomorrow.

It was strange though, the way Harbinger retreated, taking its abominations with him. But if it thought it killed every one, even Shepard, then what would be the point in staying around?

Hearing a faint whistle in the sky, James and Garrus both looked up to see the Normandy coming in for a landing. They began to walk towards the massive ship until they began to hear a peculiar wong sound coming from the beam behind them.

"Jeff, we must hurry, the conduit is over loading and the blast could become... problematic"

Joker looked at EDI strangely as she sat in the 'co-pilot' seat, his eyebrow raised as she sounded more like Mordin but then again maybe it was best that she spared them the details.

" Hey could you guys pick it up a bit? Because apparently we are now in a red zone of total destruction... like we weren't before but I'm sure you get the gist of it."

James looked over at Garrus as he pointed back towards the Normandy with his thumb.

"Does he always have to state the obvious?"

His comment carried more of an annoyed tone than anything else as the Turian shook his head and snickered.

"You'll get used to it."

As the ramp lowered, James and Garrus were ready to board the Normandy until the scenery around them became illuminated by an intense white glow. Slowly, they began to turn around to see the beam pulsating, they couldn't look away from it, it was hypnotizing.

Joker cried out to tell them; to hurry their asses up, but they were too distracted to pay any mind. Soon, the light extended outward like there was a massive explosion, but without the noise, nor the chaos. Covering their eyes with their forearms, the light became too much to bare, causing them to close their eyes tightly.

Soon, the light simply diminished, causing them both to lower their arms as they tried to focus their eyes. The once clear path that laid before them was now full of rubble from the Citadel. The two men took a step forward, James looking up to the stars mouth opened.

"Oh, Dios"

Garrus heart sank realizing the worst had come. James looked over at him sympathetically before he tried to guide him up the ramp, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder, but Garrus shrugged it off.

The hope that Garrus was once carrying was lost.

Ziva laid among the debris, unconscious, her breathing...nonexistent. Suddenly her eyes shot open as she gasped, her lungs flooding with precious oxygen. She felt weak as she slowly took in her surroundings. Swallowing hard she looked up and all she could see was the Moon above, looking down upon her.

A small smile graced her face as she slowly attempted to sit up, but then realized her arm was caught and her legs were trapped under large pieces of concrete. With her free hand, she tried to move the debris off of her but the pieces were too heavy, and she was too weak to use her biotics.

Laying back down, she looked back up to the Moon, her mind attempting to devise a way to free herself. If she was back in London then maybe... Closing her eyes memories of Garrus began to flood her mind.

"Take that last chance to find some calm just before the storm. You know me, always like to savor that last shot before popping the heat sink. "

*giggle*

" Wait... that metaphor just went somewhere horrible."

"I couldn't do this without you, Garrus."

"Sure you could. Not as stylishly, of course."

" I love you Garrus..."

"forgive the insubordination, but your boyfriend has an order for you, come back alive, it'd be an awful empty galaxy without you..."

She exhaled heavily with a sigh..

"Garrus"

Her voice was nothing more than a whisper as she slowly opened her eyes, static playing at her ear piece, laced with the sound of Garrus' voice. Turning her head, she began to wonder if he was anywhere close by. He had to be if she could hear him threw the com.

Taking in a deep breath, she gathered all the strength she had letting out a loud yet strained yell, hoping that he would hear her in her desperation.

"GARRUS!"

The hatch was about to close until Garrus stopped in his tracks, 'did someone just say his name?' he wondered as he slowly turned around looking back up at the rubble.

"Did... did you hear that?"

James looked at him as he began to walk forward, his eyes searching their surroundings.

" All I'm hearing is the ringing in my ears and some..."

"I'm detecting vital signs within the rubble..."

EDI interrupted him,

She continued to explain but it seemed that was all Garrus needed to hear as he continued forth with determination as he spoke her name softly.

"Shepard..."'

James just shook his head realizing how stubborn the Turian was, from the looks of the rubble laying around them it didn't seem like anyone would have been able to survive, let alone Shepard, and even with Edi's reinsurance that there might be a chance, James just continued to board the Normandy.

The artificial Intelligence began to warn Garrus that they didn't have much time, but it seemed his mind was already made up.

" Where's it coming from EDI?"

EDI transmitted him the coordinates of the life form as Joker reminded him of the time restraint, like he didn't know already, but any minute now the Alliance was going to come in and destroy everything around them, even them if necessary.

Walking up to a large pile of debris, Garrus took a few deep breaths before letting out a strained groan as he began to lift the pieces of rubble, pushing them, or throwing them to the side. Soon she became visible, her armor was nonexistent, her sun kissed skin was covered in blood, seeing her like this broke his heart. His brow plates narrowed in a worrying way as he placed his hand over her cheek and spoke softly,

"Don't worry Shepard, I'm going to get you out of here."

There was one last piece that was holding her down, keeping her from him, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't budge it enough to free her.

He was about to give up, ready to tell the Normandy to just go and leave him, but as he began to lower the heavy steel, the weight was lifted off his shoulders. Looking over, he saw James standing there, holding the other side with a smirk plastered on his face.

"What? You thought I was going to give you all the credit for saving Commander Shepard?"

Garrus couldn't help but chuckle as they both lifted, finally moving the steel to the side allowing the Turian to scoop her up in his arms.

"Trust me when I tell the story? It's gonna be all me."

James laughed at Garrus' reply as they walked back up to the ship,

"What ever you say, Scars"

As they began to walk back up to the ship, Shepard's eyes slowly opened as she looked up to see Garrus. A faint smile took over her lips as she lifted her hand, placing it on his cheek. The sudden graze startled him as he looked down upon her.

"Never..."

She said softly to him as her thumb caressed his cheek,

Leaning his head down towards hers he swallowed hard,

"Never"

With that said, her hand slowly fell from his cheek, her soft smile faded before she fell limp in his arms...