Kaidan jumped as his omnitool beeped. He'd fallen asleep with his head on the table while reading the data files. He rolled his head to release the tension in his neck and looked at the message.

Incoming live feed.

Hid vid screen flickered into life and his breath stopped as he watched Karra Shepard address her crew.

'It's time,' she was saying but he couldn't concentrate on her words only on how beautiful, vulnerable she looked. 'We have been through so much in the last year and I want to thank you all for being a part of my crew, for being my friends. But the time has come to gather humanity and prepare for the Reapers. We know they're coming but we can't beat them alone.

With that in mind I am going to Earth and the Citadel. I need to convince the Alliance and the Council and probably Cerberus that we need to work together. If we don't we all die. I understand that some of you will not be comfortable going to Earth so we will be making a stop at Illium where those who wish to can leave.

I need you to understand that when we reach Earth I will be lending the Normandy to the Alliance and anyone who stays will have to work under an Alliance banner. As a Spectre I do have some say in what goes on with this ship and crew. This is my ship and you are my crew and I will make sure that you are all treated with the respect and honour that you deserve.

You all have time to think about this but I would like an idea of who will be leaving.' She watched nervously but not one hand went up. Whether that would change was yet to be seen but she had never been more proud. 'Thank you,' she said softly.

Kaidan finally looked at the crew gathered before her and he knew not one of them would leave. You didn't leave Shepard without feeling like you'd lost a part of yourself. He also knew she would be true to her word and not one member of her crew would suffer for any actions taken in the course of her missions.

Then it hit him. She was coming to Earth. She was coming to face the consequences of her actions and she would need help. This he could do. He picked up the three clean data pads and started sorting through the ammunition he would need. Several hours later he stood up, took a deep breath and made his way to Admiral Anderson's office. Karra was coming back and he would be there for her.

But first he had to send a message; he hoped that the 'concerned friend' would pass it on. His omnitool beeped and he felt his heart stop when Karra's image appeared before him. One look in her eyes and it was as if they had never been apart, he felt his pulse quicken and his stomach flutter. Damn she was beautiful! And she was smiling that smile that was only his.

'Kaidan,'

'I'm coming home. I'd really like to see you.

Karra.'

'You don't need to do this,' Joker was nervous about their next move and it showed in his voice. He looked up at her from his chair, his eyes pleading for her to change her mind.

'Yes I do,' Karra sighed and rested her hand on his shoulder. 'You more than anyone know we can't do this alone and if this is the only way to get help then so be it.' She stared out at the stars that shimmered through the FTL haze and wondered if she would see them again once they reached Earth.

'We could just send them the information and gather our own army,' Joker suggested. 'Hell, Wrex would be there in an instant if he thought there was a good fight to be had. I'm sure Liara could gather enough troops and the Rachni, Quarians and Geth owe you big time.'

'And we will need all of those behind us as well as the Alliance and the Council.' She smiled at him and couldn't blame him for being worried. She didn't know if he would cope if he lost his ship because the Alliance didn't believe he was capable of flying, although their mission logs should put his previous psych reports to shame. 'Send the message Joker and then head for Illium.'

'Yes ma'am,' he replied almost sulkily but he carried out her order then added softly, 'Or we could fly off into the sunset and find a quiet backwater beach with a bar and cocktail umbrellas and watch the universe go to hell.'

'If no-one listens we might just do that,' she laughed.

Karra headed for her cabin, there was still some things she had to do. She slumped into her chair, rested her head on its back and closed her eyes. Damn she was tired! Maybe Joker was right, if the citizens of the galaxy didn't want to be saved then why should she bother - that beach sounded nice. Because it wasn't in her nature to give up without a fight that's why! She turned her head and gazed at the image of Kaidan before opening her terminal and starting a message, but what to write. Stuff writing, she changed to vid and looked into the camera, thought about what to say then recorded and sent it.

She had to believe there was still hope, that he still loved her. After reading his files she was pretty sure there was still a flicker of something, it just needed to be reignited and she only hoped they would have time. Now it was up to him. She was about to get up when her terminal beeped for an incoming message.

The screen jumped to life and Kaidan was looking out at her. Her heart raced as she looked into those sexy brown eyes, he looked older but damn he was still hot and he was smiling, that special smile with just a slight raise of his lips that was just hers. She felt herself shudder and gasp, he could still do that even after being apart for so long.

'Karra,

I'll be waiting for you.

Kaidan.'

Yes they had things to talk about and yes they would need time to get to know each other again but she couldn't help the feeling of relief that washed over her. Had she really been holding on to so much doubt and worry? Yes she had been fighting to save the galaxy but until now she hadn't done that for her, she was doing it for the good of every race that inhabited it. Now she had another reason to do and that was the best reason of all.

But she had to make sure her crew and ship stayed intact no matter what happened to her. She turned to the AI terminal. 'EDI we need to talk.'