~2 weeks later~

"Where is Ashley, Liara?" Shepard asked in a tired voice as Liara did scans on Shepard's implants.

Shepard stayed still on her back as Liara ran her Omni tool over her body. Stopping at different areas of her body to take notes.

"Ashley is in the Hades Nexus Cluster on a mission for the alliance. Hackett has informed her that you are awake but she has to finish the mission before returning since she is up for promotion again," Liara told her old friend with a smile as she shut off her Omni tool.

"I miss her Liara," Shepard said sadly as she slowly sat up in her hospital bed.

"Shepard, Ashley loves you and has been here every moment she could. She holds your hand, brushes your hair and sometimes cries. It has been five years since the war and everyone has moved on except Ashley. She is always here waiting for you to wake up because she can't let you go. The wait has been difficult,changed her and even aged Ashley. I never quite understood until I felt love myself. I would do the same if it was me," Liara told her with a smile and touched her hand gently.

"Did the famous Dr. Liara T'soni finally settle down?" Shepard joked then watched Liara's cheeks blush.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you who won my heart Shepard," Liara said shy sitting down in a chair beside Shepard.

"Garrus?" Shepard asked knowing he liked Liara for many years.

"Oh by the Goddess no. Garrus married Tali about two years ago. They became ambassadors for their people and work with the council. I married Samantha Traynor," Liara told Shepard who held her heart.

"Specialist Traynor? I would never guessed that one, but was always staring at you. Well actually she stared at all the women on board," Shepard stated with a small laugh.

"She is great by the way. We have a three year old daughter and we are also having a human baby. Sam is three months pregnant," Liara said as her face glowed with joy.

"Congrats. I'm happy for you. Now back to Ashley. What happen to her after I died for the second time?" Shepard asked as her grin fainted and she adjusted her weak legs under the blanket.

Liara watched Shepard and knew she was uncomfortable in the hospital bed. Her legs were still weak from none use, especially her rebuilt leg. She will have a lot of rehab to walk normal again. She looked into Shepard's pleading eyes and knew she needed answers. She needed to know if the woman she loved was emotionally alright.

"Well at first she took it very hard. She drank a lot, locked herself away in your cabin and cried herself to sleep every night. Then one day she was normal again. Took nearly a year but Ashley was back at being herself. I big pain in everyone's ass," Liara said with a smile and a small laugh as she remember the last few months she spent on the Normandy before setting up her office of the new Citadel.

"That sounds like Ashley," Shepard stated with a grin as she remembered Ashley's stubborn personally.

"I think she closed her emotions off during that year. We all did because we thought you were gone, but when we found you she changed again. Ashley broke the moment we told her you were alive. I don't think I have ever seen a human cry as much as she did and also be very happy at the same time," Liara stated as a tear came to her eye as she remember that moment four years ago.

"I wish she was here. The vids are great but I want to see her, touch her," Shepard looked down sadly at her hands. She rubbed her right hand over the scars across her left. Her right hand was new not one scar, but her left was a mess.

Liara touched Shepard's right hand and she looked up with red bloodshot eyes into Liara's blue eyes.

"It will be alright Shepard. She will be back, I promise," Liara gently gave her hand a squeeze before sitting back in her chair.

"So everyone has visited me except James. Where is he?" Shepard asked changing the subject.

"Pour James was killed two years ago in an ambush. He was servicing on the SSV Lincoln and they were attacked by Bartarians. They are the only group giving us problems. Talks about slavers and terrorist attacks on colonies," Liara explained with a sad voice.

"I hate Bartarians," Shepard stated then looked up when she heard the door to her room open.

Miranda entered and gave Shepard a friendly smile.

"How are you feeling Shepard?" Miranda asked approaching her bed side.

"Can't wait to get out of here," Shepard stated.

"Well you may get your wish. Looks like all your implants are working and you should be released soon. First we need to get you walking again or at least walking with a cane," Miranda told her friend with a smile.

"Thank you both for everything. For saving my life...again."

"Ashley left you a surprise," Miranda announced holding up a key card and handing it to Shepard.

Shepard stared down at the card and was confused.

"It's to a small house here on Earth. She set it up a year ago just in case you woke up and she was away on a mission. It's a few miles from the alliance headquarters and the docking station. You will have a place to go when you are released," Miranda explained.

"She thought of everything," Shepard said as tears came to her eyes.

"No, Ashley just loves you, now let's get you out of that bed," Miranda stated moving to Shepard's side.

Shepard moved her legs to the side of the bed while Miranda brought over a wheelchair.

"So old fashion," Shepard stated as Liara and Miranda helped her stand and guide her into the chair.

"Old Fashion sometimes works. Most of the high tech hover chairs are being used at Vancouver Medical, so we get second best. All our budget was used to keep you alive. So either have a hover chair or still be in a coma. Your choice Commander?" Liara joked as she pushed Shepard out of her room.

"At least you get your exercise," Shepard smiled.

"Oh you will be getting your soon enough," Liara stated as she pushed her into the rehab room.

"Time to walk again Shepard," Miranda said standing next to the balance bars and flared up her biotics.

"Let's do this," Shepard said with the same look she always had before entering battle. Serious and ready.