TITLE: Hell is Empty

CHAPTER 7, Epilogue

LOCATION: The Alenko family orchard, Vancouver Canada

GAME TIMELINE: Post ME3

AN: I re-watched a youtube vid of the conversation where Kaidan tells Shepard his family has moved inland to their orchard. It has been bugging me ever since. An orchard. Something must be done with such a romantic setting. If you've come straight here, I hope you will take the time to go back through the previous chapters. I did some much-needed filling in and correcting. Please enjoy the story.


Let us not burden our remembrances with a heaviness that's gone.

The Tempest, 5:1 William Shakespeare


A spring breeze carried the scent of apple blossoms. The lights woven in the branches twinkled against the twilight sky. Tugging at the collar of his dress uniform, Captain Shepard leaned against the trunk of an apple tree. He hoped he stood far enough away from the growing crowd of guests that no one could see him. Not anti-social exactly, he just needed a minute. His mother's voice carried on the breeze to his hiding spot. Shepard followed the sound and from a safe distance watched his mother, speaking with animated gestures, to Kaidan's mother. His mother. Two months ago, Hannah Shepard had swooped into Vancouver and immediately bonded with Kaidan's mother. The two women had their heads together ever since. But, it was too late to change anything now. Wasn't it?

Everyone agreed the ceremony would take place at the orchard. That turned out to be the easy part, but Shepard's relief proved short lived. Everything else required discussion. What they would wear and what they would eat. Who would say what and to whom? The music; live or taped? Did they need a dance floor? Of course, they must have a dance floor. And the guest list grew longer each time he and Kaidan managed to get a look at it.

From casual suits to matching tuxedos to dress uniforms, the discussion over what the boys would wear, raged for a week. Kaidan and John threatened to show up in jeans and T-shirts if they were not allow to decide for themselves. It wasn't until they switched tactics, by vowing to show up in their matching asari silk robes and nothing else, that their mothers finally relented.

Shepard turned his gaze to the beautifully decorated tables where the guests would enjoy simple food harvested directly from the Alenko gardens. Fresh food to satisfy the dietary requirements of their dextro guests was also ready for enjoyment.

He watched the guests talking and enjoying their wine. The orchestra (Yes, an orchestra. Their mothers had insisted) tuned their instruments. One of the workers lit the torches, illuminating the area where baskets of spring flowers lined the small stage. In just a few minutes, he would meet Kaidan there.

Footsteps behind him.

"Thought you could use a drink."

"Better not, sir."

"We've come a long way, John."

"We have and on the other side found happiness I never expected or imagined."

"Neither one of us could, not back then."

The music changed, Shepard's head came up as if testing the air, his mouth opened and closed as he inhaled deeply. "Maybe I will have that drink now…"

Admiral Anderson pulled Shepard's arm through his. "Ready, son?"

The guests hurried to their seats as Kaidan and his father walked to one side of the seating area, Shepard, and Anderson to the other. When the music changed, the four walked to the center, stopping at the stage. Admiral Anderson hugged Shepard and wished him well. Shepard watched Kaidan embrace his father, noticing at the same time Anderson placing a comforting arm around his mother's shoulders. What?

Then Shepard's breath caught in his throat as Kaidan turned that smile on him. Ruggedly handsome in his marine dress blues, Kaidan reached out his hand and Shepard took it. Side by side, they turned to the priest (Another point, from which their mothers would not back down.)

"John and Kaidan, we are gathered here together to witness the love and respect that you have for each other. John and Kaidan are you entering into this marriage freely, voluntarily and without any conditions?"

"We are."

"You may repeat your vows and exchange your rings now."

John held Kaidan's hands as he said, "Kaidan, I come here today to join your life. I pledge to be true to you, to respect you, and to grow with you through the years. We are many things to each other. May only those best qualities continue to shine and may our bond continue to grow stronger. Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here today that this love will be my only love. I will make my home in your heart from this day forward." Shepard slipped a simple gold band on Kaidan's finger.

"John, Kaidan placed a hand on Shepard's cheek. Emotion checked his words and he had to start again. He looked to the emotion mirrored in Shepard's own eyes to help him continue.

"John, you gave me back my life and I come here today to join that life to yours. I pledge to be true to you, to respect you and to grow with you through the years. We are many things to each other. May only those best qualities continue to shine and may our bond continue to grow stronger. Time may pass, fortune may smile, trials may come; no matter what we may encounter together, I vow here today that this love will be my only love. I will make my home in your heart from this day forward."

Shepard watched as Kaidan pushed the matching gold band over the ring finger on his left hand.

"John and Kaidan, as you have consented together in lawful wedlock and thereto have pledged your faith to each other, and have declared the same by joining hands and giving and receiving of rings and exchanged your first gifts as a married couple and by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you as married!"

They sealed their promises with a kiss. It lasted so long that a one or two of the quests giggled and Garrus almost said something, until Tali elbowed him in the side to be keep him quiet.

"Ladies and gentlemen, May I present John Shepard and Kaidan Alenko to you as a married couple. Please help me congratulate them on this happy day."

After pictures, hugs, and well wishes spoken through both smiles and tears, they made their way slowly to the tables. After many toasts (Everyone agreed, Garrus's was the best) and the guests had eaten their fill. The orchestra played the opening bars of "You'll Be in My Heart."

Kaidan retrieved Shepard from James Vega's tequila drinking contest and led him to the dance floor. Moving naturally together, with their arms entwined. All eyes turned to the handsome couple on the dance floor. Everyone knew how far they'd come to get to this moment.

In the middle of the dance floor, Kaidan whispered to his husband, "Hey, remember that day I promised I'd fight like hell to hold you again?"

"I remember, my beautiful Kaidan. I remember."

"I promise to always fight like hell to keep that privilege. Always."

"And I promise to love you. Always and forever."

Shepard swung Kaidan in his arms and their joyous laughter echoed across the orchard.


You'll Be In My Heart - Phil Collins

Come stop your crying, it will be all right
Just take my hand, hold it tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here don't you cry

For one so small, you seem so strong
My arms will hold you keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be broken
I will be here don't you cry

And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always

Why can't they understand the way we feel
They just don't trust what they can't explain
I know were different but deep inside us
Were not that different at all

And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart
Always

Don't listen to them, cause what do they know
We need each other, to have and to hold
They'll see in time, I know

When destiny calls you, you must be strong
I may not be with you, but you gotta hold on
They'll see in time, I know

Well show them together cuz...

You'll be in my heart
I believe, you'll be in my heart
Ill be there from this day on
Now and forever more

You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be here in my heart always

Always...
Ill be with you
Ill be there for you always
Always and always
Just look over your shoulder…I'll be there always