Hello awesome people, guess what? No don't guess I'll tell you. Over 1,000 views for the story :D! Yay! Woohoo! Huzzah! Haha but seriously thank you all for reading, this story is doing much better than anticipated.

Also I had something of a epiphany for an idea last night and I think it will be a interesting change in direction. I think I'll be adding dates to the beginning of certain sections of the story to help keep track of time so that nobody is lost, including me haha.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how PJs PTSD is going to play out and affect his well being and others. Also nice job to ARTYOM 1198 for catching the Wolfenstein reference. I personally use that technique and it helps alot. I love references so expect more of them to show up in chapters, but not too much.

Once again thank you all for reading and enjoy :)

2176, 2 months after Skyllian Blitz

PJ sat in his chair as the governor of Elysium prattled on about the attack. He felt uncomfortable between his uniform, the last hour he spent sitting, and the glances he was receiving from the crowd

The Lion of Elysium they called him. He scoffed to himself, more like the Butcher of Elysium. He wasn't the same after that day. He knew, Anderson knew it, Alliance brass knew it. Since that all his training had been suspended. He was given leave until further notice and put up for weekly psych evaluations. Progress was slow for him.

Unfortunately, for him he became the Alliances' new poster boy. Being promoted to an officer slot didn't help either. Most days he spent with Recruiting as they exploited him to help the Alliance gain face and recruit more volunteers. He hated the hero worship he was receiving. He didn't deserve it. He was no hero, just a murderer who couldn't keep his people alive.

PJ squeezed his eyes shut and looked around. Some Alliance brass including Anderson and Hackett were present. Some members of Parliament were there as well. Anderson stole a glance at PJ and gave reassuring smile while nodding. PJ was grateful for someone like Anderson. While PJ was being exploited Anderson was fighting tooth and with top brass to get them to layoff. He knew PJ needed therapy, not another interview.

The roar the crowd brought him out of stupor. Most of the city was here and this was the first time he would make a public speech. He looked down at the paper he had written and written dozens of time for the speech.

"...and now citizens of Elysium, welcome 2nd Lieutenant PJ Pocknett. The Lion of Elysium. "

The crowd roared and cheered. The governor turned and held his arm in PJs direction. He stole one last glance at Anderson before getting up and walking over to the podium. The crowd grew louder as he approached and he felt his heart rate quicken. He shook the Governors hand set his papers down as he faced the crowd.

"LION! LION! LION! LION!" the crowd chanted over and over again.

PJ stared into the see of people. He clothes felt tighter and his hands were shaking. Human, asari, salami an and turian faces stared at him eager to hear him speak.

"LION! LION! LION! LION!"

He wiped the sweat from his brow. He had a death grip on the podium.

" LION! LION! LION! LION!"

"I.. I." His words caught in his throat. His mouth felt dry. He looked down at his paper and was horrified. His carefully written speech was gone. Instead it had "Liar" scribbled all over the page.

"LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!"

PJs head shot up at what he heard. The crowd screaming liar.

"LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!"

He looked back at his papers and started flipping through the pages. Each page was the same, liar scribbled all over it.

"LIAR! LIAR! LIAR! LIAR!"

"I.. I'm sorry I can't do this." PJ stammered as we walked from the podium.

Murmurs of confusion came from the crowd. Glares from Parliament and Alliance brass, minus Anderson and Hackett, followed him as he walked away.

PJ made it halfway to the shuttle before he felt a hand turn him around. Anderson brought him in to a hug. PJ sobbed into his shoulder as Anderson held him.

"It's okay, son. Let it all out."

Hackett trailed behind them and spoke up.

"I tried telling them this was a bad idea. They wouldn't listen, they just wanted a hero to exploit for themselves."

Anderson nodded his head as he held the shaking man. "I know."

PJ out of Andersons' embrace, wiping his eyes. "I'm okay, I'm okay. I just can't do that yet."

Anderson put a hand on his shoulder and gave a light squeeze and reassuring smile.

2183 Eden Prime

PJ sat at the bar staring at his whiskey. The past 7 years were not kind to him. At the same time it wasn't bad either. He made little progress with his therapy in the Alliance. An honorable discharge was his parting gift from the Alliance. Despite Andersons protest he was happy.

A stroke of luck for him was also that his account from the 2000s was never closed and gained interest over the last 200 years. He was rich now. Using his money he moved out into the Attican Traverse on Eden Prime. It was a beautiful colony.

He downed the drink and waved the bartender over for another. This had become a habit for him. Despite the recognition he received, particularly from the marine detachment at the colony, and the money he had, he was drinking himself to death.

Nightmares every night left him sitting in bed sweating. Alcohol was the only escape he could see right now. Despite this he somehow remained presentable and friendly. Provided he wasn't drunk.

"Hey, Poc. Tell us a story from your time again." One of the patrons said.

PJ looked up and turned in his seat. "What would you like to know?"

One thing that helped maintain his sanity was the fact that most of the colony loved his stories. Many even went out of their way to help keep him from dropping further into depression.

"Tell us about the story about your first drunk college experience."

"No, tell us about that rapture craze."

Everybody began voicing what they wanted to hear. PJ could only chuckle as they began arguing amongst themselves.

"Sounds like you're really popular around here."

PJ turned to see a female in Alliance fatigues sitting next to him. She had her hair up in a bun, brown eyes, soft-looking lips, and light skin. Her smile was warm but also cocky.

"That I am." He chuckled. "Don't think we've met before. I'm PJ, but you can call me Poc."

"Ash Williams, Gunnery Chief. And I don't usually come out to bars which is why we probably never met."

PJ shrugged. "Makes sense. So why is that?"

"Between the drunken assholes hitting on you and also getting a new assignment, bars become secondary."

"And I'm not a drunken asshole?" PJ said with a smile.

Ash downed her shot before turning to him. She looked him up and down smiling. "No, not yet atleast. In fact, you're kinda cute."

"Making a pass at me Chief. And we only just met." PJ feigned shock putting his hand to his chest.

"Don't flatter yourself." She said with a laugh. Then she leaned. "If I was making a pass at you we wouldn't be here right now." A hint of lust in her voice.

PJ tilted his head.

"And where would we be, might i ask?"

"And your place, doing a lot less talking."

PJ almost choked on his drink at that.

"Sounds like a proposition."

Ash only rolled her eyes.

"So what's this I hear about a prothean beacon here." He said changing the subject.

Ashs' eyes grew wide in surprise. She leaned close to PJ.

"How do you know about that?"

"Other than those privates over there talking about it." He pointed to a group of marines. "You did."

Ash raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "No I didn't."

"You confirmed my suspicions when I asked and you were surprised. Pretty gullible but it's cute."

Ash turned her head as she blushed at his compliment.

"You clever bastard." She said pushing his shoulder.

"So feel like like sharing?"

"Only that it's leaving on Friday."

"A smart, cute girl like you has to know more than that."

Ash scoffed between sips of her drink. "Nice try buddy. It won't work on me again."

"Worth a shot."

Ash set a credit chit down on the table and stood up.

"Time for me to go. Nice talking to you." Ash swung her hips more seductively as she walked away before looking over her shoulder. "I'll see you around." She said with a wink.

PJ smiled and shook his head before downing another shot.

"Barkeep. Another shot.

Finally getting somewhere eh. Something that I should point out is that this story won't be entirely canon which is obvious at this point. More familiar faces in the next chapter. I been thinking about writing longer chapters but i don't know yet.

I'm so excited :D

Review and thank you all for being awesome followers.