The ocean waves crashed noisily amongst the sand dunes, broken sea shells and rock pools baking amongst the scorching sun rays on the beach's shore. The freezing cold water tickled Shepard's toes as she stood along the tide line whilst it loomed forward and receded periodically, her jet black hair blowing about her face in the cool wind, deeply inhaling the smell of the fresh ocean breeze. She closed her eyes and drank in the sound of the ocean, the familiar squawking of seagulls as they circled overhead, the feeling of peace and warmth that over came her as the familiar hand of a Drell assassin rested on her shoulder.

Thank you for listening, Siha.

I think my translator just glitched. What did you call me?

Siha. One day I'll tell you what it means.

In staying faithful to Kaidan, Shepard had never truly received closure from the intricate and complex relationship that she had developed with her fellow squad member during the mission against the Collectors. Hurting, head reeling from Kaidan's rejection on Horizon, she had found a deep connection she had been unable to explain with the assassin as he himself came to terms with his own demons, a piece of his heart and void left empty when he had buried his wife Irikah. It had the Normandy crew members shaking their heads and scuttlebutt rumours abound as gossip spread throughout the ship that the Commander was seeking solace from her rejection by Kaidan in the newly recruited Drell assassin.

But I met another Siha. Few are priviledged to meet even one.

You still haven't told me what a Siha is.

One of the warrior-angels of the goddess Arashu. Fierce in wrath. A tenacious protector.

No one every actually knew what Shepard and Thane spoke about in their debriefings after every mission, her visits to the life support control room lengthening with every trip. General consensus was that the Commander had developed feelings for the Drell but no one could actually know for sure, save for the Illusive Man as a shackled EDI periodically presented daily reports of the Normandy crew's dialogue and actions for him to scrutinize over a glass of bourbon and endless cigarette.

I confess... I've come to care for you. Perhaps I'm being foolish. We are very different.

Apt to believe that a woman would only actively engage the private company of another man for comfort and intimacy, the Normandy crew had been on the right track about the seeking of comfort between the two hurting individuals, but could not have been further from the truth regarding physical intimacy. In Thane, Shepard had found an empathic ear willing to listen and a shoulder to cry on once Kaidan left her heart in pieces after their reunion on Horizon. Whilst Thane had come to care for Shepard romantically and admitted it freely to her, she realized that she had unknowingly been instigating feelings from his side and had promptly shut down his confession, her heart aching as she watched the hurt and disappointment flare in his dark eyes.

No. I can't replace your wife. We are very different people, Thane. I wouldn't be able to replace Irikah.

You wouldn't have. You can love more than one in a lifetime. I'll respect your wishes. I won't speak of it again. I hope it won't offend you if I carry you in my heart.

Thane had graciously received her rejection and continued to be her ear and shoulder to lean on, but Shepard's conscience had never come to terms with the fact that she had unconsciously broken the Drell's heart, after everything he had done for her. It would not have been fair on Thane to allow him to continue believing that she had developed feelings for him romantically. Whilst he had afterwards continued to support Shepard as she grappled with the knowledge that she still loved Kaidan and was not ready to move on from him, she could never quite shake the guilt that despite the unrequited love he continued to harbour for her, he was selflessly able to put them aside and provide her the comfort and companionship she so desperately needed in those months after Horizon.

Shepard's eyes welled with tears as she reached up to rest her hand atop of the Drell's on her shoulder, the palm of her hand tingling when it made contact with the soft, rubbery texture of his skin.

I miss you every day, Thane.

The ocean continued to lap at her toes as the tide receded to and fro, her toes digging deep into the wet sand as she felt the waves subtly try to pull her closer and closer into the inviting blue expanse. She clenched her hand tighter as it continued to rest atop of Thane's on her shoulder, closing her eyes and savouring his musky scent as it mingled with the smells of the sand and water.

Please, forgive me for what I did to you.

Shepard was unable to control the little cry that escaped from her lips.

There is nothing to forgive. You could never, have never, done me any wrong. Feel no guilt over me, Siha. Even Arashu's strongest warrior would never have been able to stop himself from loving you. I cannot begrudge that I was unable to capture your heart.

Irikah and I will be here waiting for you, when you are ready to join us with Kaidan, across the sea.

Struggling to hold back the onslaught of tears, Shepard felt the Drell move his hand from her shoulder and come around to face her, cupping her face between his hands. With one finger on each hand Thane gently brushed away the salty tears that began to stream down her cheeks before slowly leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss onto her forehead, leaving a pleasant tingling sensation where his skin brushed against hers.

Shepard took in a deep, shuddering breath and placed her hands over her cheeks as Thane's left her face, watching him through her tears as he turned and started to walk into the crashing waves. A smile of relief and contentment broke over the assassin's features as he raised his face in the direction of the sun, drinking in the rays, relishing in the feel of the cold and salty water lapping at his feet, the wind brushing against his face. His Irikah beckoned him further and further into the pristine blue depths. Left alone on the shore, Shepard rested her hands atop of her abdomen, savouring the tingliness as it left the skin of her face, her closure finally found.

Guide him, Kalahira, and he will be a companion to you as he was to me.