Shepard looked out the large open shutter on the Normandy as Joker glided through space. She couldn't believe it was finally over. They had destroyed the Reapers. The casualties had been horrific. She had lost countless friends and colleagues, and entire races had been decimated. The rebuilding would take years. She took a deep breath to steady herself. She had never before faced such insurmountable odds, but she had done it. They had done it, together as a team. She allowed herself a little smile as she stared out the window.
She jumped a little when she felt an arm slide around her waist and a chin come to rest on her shoulder. She pressed back into him to rest against his chest.
"I was looking for you, Siha," Thane said in that sexy, deep baritone voice.
Shepard turned her head slightly and kissed his cheek. She would never get used to the taste of him, which was fine by her. She never wanted to become complacent again. She had risked losing the war to save him, but to have him in her life permanently had been worth the risk. She had told him that they were either surviving together, or dying together. There had been no other options.
"I'm here", she said quietly. "I wanted to see the stars and just relax for a moment."
He kept his arms around her, just stood with her while they both looked out into the vast expanse before them. Shepard could have stood there with him for hours, just the two of them. She rested her head against his cheek and said "I love you, Thane."
Joker gagged loudly, interrupting Thane before he could respond. The couple glared at the helmsman. "Uh, Commander? This is sweet and all but the cockpit's getting a little crowded. You guys mind heading elsewhere?"
Shepard turned to face Thane and saw his smirk. She knew that look. He would gladly head elsewhere, and she knew where: her cabin.
As they walked toward the elevator hand in hand, she let out a happy sigh. The galaxy had been saved and the man she loved was beside her. As the doors opened and they stepped inside, she remembered something he had told her once:
"It's difficult, all things worth keeping are."