Warnings: Major character death, potentially lots of sadness, though hopefully not a lot in the way of angst. Spoilers for 'From Ashes...' DLC and original ME3 ending.

Disclaimer: Mass Effect belongs to EA and Bioware, I'm just grateful they let me play in the sandbox. There is one line of dialogue in chapter 6 borrowed directly from the ME3 - you'll know it when you see it.

AN: Written for the 2013 Mass Effect Big Bang. There's some wonderful companion art to this piece, drawn by the lovely and talented Minque, who did an absolutely amazing job. I'd link them here if I could, and I highly recommend you check AO3 or the MEBB LJ community for links to the artwork, since they make everything come alive in a really wonderful way. Not related to any of my other fics. For you DK fans...I'm working on it, I promise. In the meantime, enjoy-and hey, this one's a completed piece!

Chapter 4 - "You're a natural."

Javik stood alone aboard the lift, focusing on the doctor's emotions rather than choosing his next destination. That had been... surprisingly difficult, he admitted to himself, reluctantly. These primitives and their intense emotions still baffled him, and he wondered idly whether that was something that his forebears, those who had existed before the Reapers came, would have known what to do with.

When the Reapers invaded, the Prothean War Machine had moved into action, and there was no place in the life of a soldier of the Empire for any emotions save anger and vengeance. The fight had already been lingering for quite some time before he was alive; all he had known was the path of rage. Anything else was impossible, with thousands dying every day and the desperate fight to survive.

Dealing with this flood of... feelings in the aftermath of Shepard's death was not something he'd counted on when he'd elected to abide by the request made on the memory shard. Surely there had to be a way to display the memories there so that he did not have to talk about them. That seemed to be most of his problem, especially since so many of them didn't seem to want to refer to it or talk about it at all. Most frustrating. And difficult.

With that in mind, Javik stepped off the lift, still on the third level of the ship, and made his way to the asari's quarters. He wasn't sure whether to be relieved or annoyed when she wasn't there, but drone that she'd been using buzzed around his head when he entered.

"Greetings, Prothean."

Javik was momentarily nonplussed upon catching sight of the thing that they called Glyph; several questions buzzed in his mind, but he started with the most important. "Where is the asari?"

"The Shadow Broker is with Tali'zorah and Garrus Vakarian. Would you like me to ask for her to return?"

"No." As he'd been with the doctor, Javik's response was brusque. His eyes narrowed as he watched the drone buzz about, thoughtful. "How is it that you are still functional?"

"Clarify."

Javik's first response was an annoyed grunt. "Perhaps that answers part of my question. You still function. You respond to my presence, and to my requests, and you offer to help me. I thought that all artificial intelligence had died with the Reapers."

"This unit is not a true artificial intelligence. I cannot program myself or modify my programming. My primary functions include collecting and analyzing data based upon programming parameters set forth by the Shadow Broker, giving information determined by those input requests, and serving as an electronic secretary by managing the Shadow Broker's calendar."

"I... see." Javik paused, thoughtful. "Is anyone able to use your... programming?"

"I am programmed to respond to all requests made by crew members, within parameters set by the Shadow Broker. I have been tasked to assist you in any way you desire, Prothean."

That was useful, Javik thought. "Very well, let us begin."

Javik spent several hours with the Shadow Broker's information drone, and although he had thought that the asari would make her presence known during that time, she did not appear. Perhaps it was just as well; he had been able to find the information he needed inside the drone's databanks, and was able to come up with a way that would enable him to share the information on the memory shard directly with the intended recipients, rather than having to relay the news himself.

That he was considering providing some kind of warning as to how she looked and sounded was an artifact of the time he'd spent aboard ship, he mused. They had all seen the condition she'd been in when she was found, and yet, he still felt compelled to offer some kind of warning. Not for the first time, Javik shook his head as he considered these primitives and their wide range of emotions. It was enough to drive a sane Prothean mad.

After a quick internal survey of the individuals he had yet to approach, Javik decided to start with the easiest ones first. Flawed reasoning, he surmised, but perhaps he'd be better prepared to face the likes of Alenko and the pilot if he had dealt with the rest of the crew already.

The lift carried him to the CIC deck; although the taint of Shepard's death lingered here, as well, it was muted somewhat as they carried out their duties to keep the ship running. Even docked, there were still systems to monitor and repairs to oversee.

Javik paused a moment after stepping off the lift, then headed toward his next target. "Specialist Traynor. May we speak in private?"

Traynor, her eyes red-rimmed like much of the rest of the crew, visibly startled at being addressed by the Prothean. "I...er...yes, of course."

Before the specialist could move too far, Javik added, "I will also need to contact Admiral Hackett when we are done."

Traynor stumbled, but nodded; rather than moving toward the lift, she led the way to the deserted war room and the QEC, engaging the privacy locks once they were inside. Nervous energy caught her hands as she fidgeted, and after several long moments of silence under the Prothean's steady stare, she coughed and stammered, "What's going on?"

Javik held out a small, circular device about the size of his palm. "In London, I gave a device used by my people to store memories to Commander Shepard. She asked me to relay some things. Observe." To the device in his hand, he stated flatly, "Specialist Traynor."

Traynor gasped aloud and tears filled her eyes as an image of a small version of Shepard floated above the device in Javik's hands. She looked awful, but if this had been recorded before she... before, Traynor's mind insisted, that's as far as you have to go, then of course she'd look awful. Before the specialist could open her mouth, Shepard's halting voice echoed out, pausing now and again to cough. "Traynor... Samantha. I'm so proud of you. I know the Normandy's not where you expected to end up, but you've done so well. If you're not tired of being out in the field when it's all over, you should stay. You're a natural, and they could use you. Take care of yourself, Specialist."

As the image faded away, Traynor was left staring at the device in Javik's hand for long enough that he wondered whether she'd speak again. He waited, as impassive and emotionless as ever, but internally grateful that the device he had created with the information drone's help was a success.

At length, her face damp with tears, Traynor finally tore her gaze away from Javik's hand by closing her eyes. It took visible effort to fight back her emotions, but when she did speak, her voice was even, if rough. "Thank you, Javik. I'm grateful for this. Let me find the Admiral for you."

"Yes."

Ah, he was back to being terse again, thought Traynor. Typical. Once the connection with Hackett was established, she hurried out of the room, leaving Javik alone - the longer she could go without hearing Shepard's voice sound like that again, the better for her tenuous hold on her equilibrium.

Javik, meanwhile, gave the Admiral a respectful nod when the QEC connected and launched right into his explanation. "Admiral. As I have told several others, I gave Commander Shepard a device to store memories. I cannot show it over this communication system, but I will show it to you in person when you are here next." It was getting easier to deliver this speech, he mused.

Momentarily taken aback, Hackett nodded his thanks. "Much appreciated. I'm sure there will be a lot of people who'll be interested in hearing her last words, as difficult as it might be. I'm guessing you didn't call just to tell me you had this thing, though. What's on your mind? Or should I be asking what was on hers?"

"The Commander asked me to relay to you that the one you called Anderson was alive when she reached the Citadel. They fought the Illusive Man together, and he died there with her. Although she says he did not say it, she wished one called Kahlee Sanders to be made aware."

Once again, Hackett nodded. "That'll be good for Kahlee to know. Anything else?"

Uncharacteristically unsure, Javik hesitated for a moment. Finally, he asked, "Do you know of the Commander's mother?"

This time, the surprise showed on Hackett's face, but he offered a quick response. "I do."

"Very well. Would you consent to pass along a message?"

Inexplicably to Javik, Hackett's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "I will."

Though he was curious, Javik didn't remark upon it, simply said, "She wished for her mother and her family to know that she accomplished what she set out to do. She had hoped for a different outcome, but knew what might happen and was prepared for it. She knows they are proud of her and will miss them. She asked specifically for her mother to keep an eye on Major Alenko from time to time." He paused. "That is all."

"Thank you, Javik. I'll see to it that her messages are delivered." Without another word, Hackett terminated the QEC connection.

That had been somewhat unusual, Javik mused. Rather unlike what he knew of the Admiral, but not completely outside the realm of what he expected. More important to his immediate situation, however was that he was that much closer to having his task completed.

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