It wasn't long after that we said our goodbyes to Hackett and left Alliance Headquarters, making our way back to Cortez and his shuttle for the return trip. I barely paid attention to the sights on the way back to the Citadel, Ashley and I were giddy about how the meeting transpired and we began dreaming ahead for the future. We were discussing travel plans to meet her family when the shuttle entered the Alliance docking area and passed into the Normandy cargo bay.

Just as the shuttle was settling down my omni-tool beeped with an incoming call. The screen popped up to show a Salarian dressed in red and blue robes with a hood. "Councilor Valern." I smiled in greeting.

"Commander Shepard. I trust you are well?" Valern's response, while it carried a tone of cordiality, was all business. He was never known for small talk.

"Very well, thank you." I said.

"Good. The Council would like to have a private meeting with you. It shouldn't take long, but we would like to hear your account of the end of the battle and what happened when the Crucible was fired." Ashley was just stepping through the shuttle's bay door but stopped after what she had overheard. My brows arched with curiosity. "I gave my account in a report shortly after I woke up, Councilor."

Valern replied. "Yes, we read the report but we have some questions that need answering. And this isn't a request, Spectre Shepard."

I stood a little straighter. "Yes Counselor, when do I need to be there?" Valern replied quickly, "Today. In fact we're free within the hour. Come to the private meeting area in the council tower."

That was odd, the Citadel Council were supremely busy running the galaxy, they weren't known for having an open schedule for less than what they considered serious.

Before I could reply the video feed was cut and the screen folded away. I shut down my omni-tool and took a breath.

Ashley looked at me expectantly. "What the hell was that about?"

I shook my head. "I don't know, but it's obvious they want some clarification. The meeting will probably be private but you're welcome to tag along." Ash just shook her head. "No. I really do have some things to finish here. You go on and I'll meet you back at the apartment before the party starts."

We trades kisses and goodbyes and I made my way off the ship. Instead of taking the long way by going to the Presidium to get to the Council Tower, I used my Spectre status to request a shuttle to take me there directly. Within the hour I was waiting outside a collection of offices a floor below the main Council chamber that was reserved for public viewing. The Turian at the desk didn't even speak, she simply waved me inside the Councilor's private meeting room.

The room, while small, was beautifully appointed; the walls were made of the same burnished metal as the rest of this part of the Citadel, the carpet was a lush blue that seemed to sink as you walked on it and hung at various intervals along the walls was drapery with the five-pointed symbol of the Citadel. Not far from the door was a podium for petitioners, identical to the one in the grand chamber. Facing the podium was a long table set against the far end of the room with four seats and computer stations for the Councilors and at the seats were three of the surviving members of the Citadel Council. The only people in the galaxy a Spectre truly answered to.

On the left was Sparatus, the Turian Councilor. Always the contrarian in regards to whatever I put forward. Dealing with him had always been a pain, one moment he was singing my praises and the next he was denouncing me as a liar and warmonger. However, if it wasn't for his help I wouldn't have been able to bring the Turians and Krogan together to fight against the Reapers.

In the middle sat Tevos, the Asari Councilor. A consummate diplomat, rarely taking a single side except when it came to matters of her species. She was the last Councilor to ask for my help during the war and did so only when she realized that my attempts to unite the galaxy's forces against the Reapers was in the best interest of the Asari. I suppose when you think about your own interests and the interests of your race so often it can be hard to trust others.

To her left sat Councilor Valern, the Salarian Councilor. Ever shrouded in his hood and always balking at stepping out of his comfort zones. Despite this, however, he was often the first to change his mind when presented with real evidence.

There was an empty seat reserved for the human Councilor just to the left of Sparatus. Apparently humanity had yet to appoint a new member since the loss of Councilor Udina just before the end of the war.

As I walked further into the room I was reminded of a conversation I had had with Ashley during our hunt for Saren. It was shortly after my appointment as Spectre and she had voiced her unease with trusting the Citadel Council with keeping humanity's interests in mind, stating that when times eventually got tough they would look out for their own and throw humanity at the problem.

I was skeptical of her claim, I was very much an optimist at the time so naturally I didn't agree, thinking that the Council would see that humanity was trying to be a part of the galactic community. However Ash was a realist and saw what was coming, as the Reaper War unfolded that was exactly what the Council did the first time I asked for their help. They retreated to their own borders and let the Reapers tear apart the Batarians and Humans while they attempted to consolidate forces.

I smiled ruefully as I closer to the podium. I didn't hate them for what they did. Hell, Ashley called it "human nature" for want of a better term. I couldn't fault them for doing what came naturally. It still didn't help the billions of beings who died or were enslaved by the Reapers when they could've put aside their political differences and listened. I shoved aside those thoughts and put my attention to the task at hand.

"Thank you for joining us on such short notice Commander." Tevos began, her voice as smooth and calm as ever. "As my Salarian colleague informed you, we had some questions about the firing of the Crucible."

I stepped to the podium and clasped my hands behind my back. "Of course Councilor, what would you like to know?"

From there I was asked to give my account on what happened. From the time I began the final run to the transport beam on Earth to the time I found myself being offered a monumental choice by a holographic representation of the Catalyst. I had thought it would be a simple mechanism that would help me end the Reapers for good, it turned out to be a Reaper construct that had long since dwelt within the Citadel waiting for the right time to fulfill its original programming.

Sparatus' brow arched. "You say it offered you a chance to control the Reapers? Why didn't you take it?"

I relaxed my stance, resting my arms on the podium and answered. "The Illusive Man attempted and failed to control the Reapers, the same thing happened to Saren. While I might have able to do so with the augmentation of the Crucible I wasn't sure how long before even I would be turned to the Reaper's original mandates. I simply couldn't take the risk and allow that to happen to the galaxy again."

Sparatus and Valern turned and looked at one another. It always bothered me when the councilors did that. It made me think that they had other ways of communicating to one another. Either that or they simply knew each other enough communicate without speaking. Sparatus shook his head minutely, obviously he would've jumped at the chance to control the mechanical leviathans.

It was then that Tevos spoke up. "What about the third option? You said that it offered you a chance to reconcile organics with machines in a way that would prevent further wars between the two."

I remembered that moment clearly. It seemed wonderful at the moment; a chance to have the benefits of both forms of existence along with the collective knowledge of the Reapers, but after thinking about it I knew it was a path paved with the blood of trillions of individuals and countless civilizations. "While a utopian existence as techno-organic beings sounds incredible Councilor, I realized that I was in no position to force that decision on billions of individuals who might oppose such a fundamental change of their bodies and very thought processes. So I decided to destroy the Reapers."

"Knowing that such a choice could bring about the destruction of more than just them?" Valern interjected.

"Yes." I replied. "Control of anything, especially the Reapers is an illusion, but allowing them to fundamentally change us would violate a being's right to choose. From that conclusion I believed the best solution was destruction, despite the possible repercussions."

The Councilors paused, looking at one another again. This time I saw all three of them nod their heads in agreement. As usual, Tevos spoke for them. "Very well Commander. We agree with your judgment, especially in light of how things have turned out in the aftermath."

Sparatus picked his head up and folded his hands behind his back. I knew he was going to start on one of his speeches. "We would also like to thank you for your efforts in bringing an end to the Reapers, Commander. If it wasn't for your actions this council and the people of this galaxy would have been annihilated. While the actions of a Council Spectre are meant to be classified, your name will go down in history as a hero like no other. The sacrifices and actions of you and your companions will have no equal."

While I'm sure the Turian councilor was making the speech to make himself feel better about having denounced my claims of the Reapers' very existence barely a year before. I couldn't help but feel my cheeks flush. "Thank you Councilors. As your Spectre it is my duty to serve and protect. As things stand now, what are your instructions?" I had spoken with them before about my need to get the Normandy back but they had not yet informed me of my next assignment.

Tevos again spoke up. "At this time we feel you've more than earned some rest, Commander. Especially since you checked yourself out of recovery only the other day. Please feel free to take a month to recuperate. When you are done, come back and we shall find something for you to do. Please pass along the same to Commander Williams. She too is a hero that the galaxy will not forget."

I almost turned to go when a horrific thought crossed my mind. "Councilors. I do have one question before I go." Tevos arched an eyebrow. "Ask it Commander."

"What is planned for all of the dead Reapers?" This question should've been on the forefront of my thoughts since I woke up but I had only just realized it. This time Valern spoke up. "We intend to dismantle them and begin efforts to study their technology." Revulsion bubbled up in my throat. "You can't be serious. Even with the energy pulse from the Crucible we have no idea what they're capable of. The dead Reaper I came across with Cerberus and the Leviathan of Dis that the Batarians found, while dead, were more than capable of indoctrinating those that worked near them."

Sparatus bony face grew even sterner. An expression not easily done by a species whose carapace made every Turian look like an angry bird of prey. "The Reapers are dead Shepard, what harm could they bring us now?"

The bile at the back of my throat threatened to rise even more, I couldn't believe their ignorance. They knew the reports of how the Batarians fell. They read my report of the dead Reaper Cerberus had found and studied and yet the Council were falling back into their old habits. "They must be destroyed. Completely. Send them into the sun and every local star you can find. The Batarians tried to study them and were brought to their knees. The majority of their civil, military, and scientific leadership were indoctrinated and shut down their planetary defenses and communications when the Reapers arrived. The last time I read the news they were declared the first endangered sentient species."

Tevos as always tried to calm the situation. "You can't possibly believe that the Reapers pose a threa-"

"Of course they pose a threat!" I shouted, interrupting her. The councilors visibly recoiled at being yelled at. My frustrations dealing with politicians boiled over and my convictions poured out. "You dismissed my warnings about the Reapers time and time again, you disavowed me and my claims when it was politically expedient to do so, and look what it got you. Billions of lives lost, trillions of credits of damage that could take decades to repair, and the pain and suffering of those that survived." I took a breath and calmed my anger. "When will you finally realize that I'm not here to undermine you but to do the job that you appointed me to?"

Sparatus glared at me, his hawkish features resembling a bird of prey eyeing a prospective meal, but it was Tevos that spoke as the voice of calm. "We will take your words under advisement, Commander. You may go."

My shoulders slumped, sometimes you can't win every fight.


As evening came on I made my way back to the apartment to get ready for the party. It wasn't that much different from the last one, however this time everyone was much more at ease. After nearly three years of fighting we could finally celebrate a victory that we had all longed for, fought for, and bled for. Before the party really began I wanted to say a few words. I waited until everyone had arrived…well not everyone.

I gathered them all in the main living area by the piano and stood up holding a tumbler of a now rare Islay scotch courtesy of Engineer Donnelly.

I smiled. "Before we get too drunk I wanted to say something; I wanted to say thank you. I'm often hailed as the greatest soldier in the galaxy for doing the impossible so many times, but if it wasn't for each and every one of you I would've been dead a dozen times over." As I spoke I made certain to look all of them in the eye to emphasize the point.

"Many of you saved my life and a few of you gave me my life back." I said, nodding at Miranda.

"Others were kind enough to sit me down and share a drink and good memories." I smiled at Doctor Chakwas.

"And there was one was able to see the real me below the rank that I wear and was gracious enough to become my fiancé." Ashley sidled up to me and wrapped an arm around my back, smiling shyly.

Traynor gasped and Dr. Chakwas' mouth gaped open. Samara offered a simple nod and Grunt grumbled. "What's a fiance?" All the while Joker, Garrus, Jack, Tali and Kasumi started trading credit chits.

Of course they had a bet going. I just smiled and asked. "Alright, who won?"

Jack cursed under her breath while Garrus shrugged as he began collecting his winning, his mandibles widening in a Turian smile and said. "Took you damn long enough, Shepard."

I shook my head and laughed. "May I continue?"

Joker piped up with a smirk. "If you have to, sir."

I rolled my eyes and continued. "Thank you Joker. So I thank you all. For being my friends and comrades-in-arms in the darkest of times." As I spoke the words caught in my throat. "I would gladly fight and die for each and every one of you."

"I also want to say thank you to those who can't be here with us to celebrate what they fought so hard for. Our friends who died as far greater heroes than any of us could ever aspire to be in life."

Tears welled up as I spoke the names. "David Anderson, Kaiden Alenko, Thane Krios, Mordin Solus, Legion, Charles Pressly, Richard Jenkins, and the souls who died aboard the Normandy SR-1. We will never forget you."

I looked at my friends and few among them had dry eyes. I cleared my throat, raised my glass and said. "To fallen friends." The others echoed my words and we all drank. I let the smoky alcohol sit on my tongue a moment before swallowing. Relishing the burn as is slid down my throat.

Ashley sniffed while I wiped away my tears. "Alright, this is supposed to be a celebration. Let's get to it!"

The rest of the night was spent drinking, laughing, and sharing our stories from the battle and the events that followed. Scars were compared and dreams of the future were shared. The next morning when everyone was bleary-eyed and fighting hangovers they gathered their things and slowly filed out. I was working on cleaning up the mess when Javik stopped me.

Javik was the last surviving member of the enigmatic Prothean race. Their empire once ruled more than fifty thousand years before when they were wiped out by the Reapers. The only reason Javik was standing before me was due to an attempt to cryogenically freeze members of Prothean society to wait out the Reapers harvesting of the galaxy.

"Commander" He said. "I wished to speak with you before you before I left. Before the celebration, I was reading through the Citadel's archives regarding what this cycle had discovered of my people."

"Find anything interesting?" I asked. Javik shook his head. "Despite the Asari's access to the beacon on their planet, their understanding of the Prothean Empire is elementary at best. I decided to add what I could before I left."

Javik had told me about his intentions to leave in the event he survived the last battle. "So you plan to go through with it?" I asked.

"Yes, Commander. Your actions have brought vengeance upon the Reapers and justice for the countless civilizations that they annihilated and with that you have brought my purpose in this world to an end. I wish to rest with my people." I knew better than to talk him out of it. If I were the last of my kind and found that kind of peace, I'm sure I would want to rest as well.

"When we finish speaking I will make ready to go to the Ionian Nebula and end my life where I ended the lives of my crew." I recalled the sad tale he had told me of that event. Attacked by his friends and shipmates who had been indoctrinated by the Reapers, he was forced to kill them all. I couldn't imagine the horror of going through something like that. Having to hunt down my friends and put them out of their misery, one by one. I shook the thought from my mind.

"Very well then, Javik." I offered my hand to shake his. "It has been an honor to know and fight beside the last and greatest warrior of the Prothean Empire."

Javik grabbed my hand and smiled grimly. "The honor has been mine Commander Shepard. I may have been a great warrior, you however are the greatest. The destruction of the Reapers is a testament to that."

With that, he turned and left.


The weeks went by and the award ceremony being held in London had come up. It certainly wasn't something I looked forward to, I hate pomp and circumstance but since it was an order, I couldn't refuse. Even after nearly three months since the end of the war, London still looked like it had when I last saw it. This time it was in the early morning and the destruction was much more visible. Buildings stood gutted and torn to pieces, the streets were still rutted with gouge marks and craters and much of the skyline was eerily missing, however shuttles were flying everywhere and the debris was slowly being removed. It would take time, but humanity would bounce back.

The dais was setup in front of the now deactivated transport beam that led to the Citadel in orbit. I found out during the ride there that the site was being preserved as a war memorial, although the now defunct Reaper tech would be removed so as not to further mar the city. A grand stand had been set up and thousands gathered to see the ceremony. Ashley and I were there, dressed in our Class-A uniforms looking like something out of a recruiting ad. Along with us stood a number of humanity's heroes of the war and various dignitaries and military brass.

Admiral Hackett led the ceremony off with introductions and a brief but moving speech about the need to move forward from the horrors of the war and started things off with the awarding of everyone's medals. Ashley and I both received the Star of Terra, the highest medal awarded by the Systems Alliance, the others gathered with us received lesser but no less honorable medals for service and selflessness. I thought about the countless others who died who should be receiving these awards, but I knew that this ceremony was just that and those whose services were recognized would be given their medals posthumously. The event was winding down when Hackett invited me to speak a few words before we ended. I wasn't surprised, he had come to be a few days before to ask me to speak and I had already been rehearsing my speech. I couldn't help but feel my stomach lurch, like I told Ash before the party. I can do battlefield speeches, but in front of crowds like this, I feel my stomach twist in knots like anyone else.

I stepped up to the podium and cleared my throat, the sound echoed through the drones that flitted about to amplify my voice.

"While this ceremony is meant to award and recognize heroes, we must remember that it was as a whole that we achieved this victory. Without the dedication and sacrifice of so many individuals, from so many races and groups working together, we would not be standing here."

Applause broke out as I looked out amongst the sea of faces, my heart swelled with pride with what we had accomplished. "I say again, we must remember that we can accomplish so much if we stand together. While it may take decades we can and will rebuild our galaxy from the ashes and make it a better place than it was before. Remember and honor those who sacrificed so much to get us here so we never relive the mistakes of the past and secure a future that we can only dream of."

THE END


EPILOGUE

You might wonder what happened to the members of my crew. After the ceremony they went their separate ways to pick up the pieces and started their lives over again.

Garrus and Tali made plans to travel together to their respective home planets and help rebuild. Their little fling had turned serious and later went on to adopt orphans of the war to raise together once they had decided to settle down.

Wrex and Grunt returned to Tuchanka. Wrex, with Bakara (or as Mordin called her Eve) at his side worked to guide the Krogans to a new renaissance free from the Genophage. Wrex remembered the failures of the past and remained diligent to keep the Krogans from repeating history.

Miranda finally stopped running and decided to help the Alliance root out the remaining Cerberus loyalists embedded in the military and various corporations of the galaxy. Last I heard she was working for Alliance Intelligence.

During the party James plucked up the courage to ask Jack out on a date. She decked him and challenged him to a drinking contest instead. The poor guy didn't realize that with her biotics she was incapable of getting drunk, but he certainly gave it a try. When she had literally drank him under the table she declared herself winner and proceeded to go out with James the next evening.

Samara returned to her duties as a Justicar as many of her profession had died during the war with the Reapers. She kept in contact with her surviving daughter, determined not to alienate her as she had done previously.

Kasumi returned to her life of grand larceny. Every once in a while she would send me a message complimenting me on my choice of clothing.

Zaed Massani returned to his old life as a mercenary, but not like before. He regained control of the Blue Suns merc group from his old rival Santiago and jettisoned him into space as payback. Since then, Zaed has been rebuilding the reputation of the Blue Suns from a scummy bunch of crooks to a respectable paramilitary group.

Liara continued her role as the Shadow Broker, rebuilding her lost assets and keeping her eyes on those who might start trouble. She and I often spoke when she found something that would require the attentions of a Spectre. Liara even gained control of a major share of a ship design company that Cerberus used as a front, planting her spies high into the company to gain full control. After that she began using its assets to build retirement funds for everyone from the Normandy crew to ensure we'd never want for anything. Last I heard she and her old friend Feron had begun a passionate love affair.

As EDI could never leave the Normandy, Joker stayed as the ship's pilot. He told me he didn't care about settling down, as long as he could fly with EDI, he was happy.

As for Ashley and me, we held to our duties as Spectres. We never left each other's side, determined to catch up on lost time. We fought many more battles as time wore on, secured peace, and rooted out plots as life in the galaxy returned to "normal".

Perhaps that's a story for another time...


Authors Note:

Thank you all so much for reading this story of mine. I know it's taken so long to finish it. Being a lazy bum is primarily to blame, but I thank all of those that found the story enjoyable nonetheless and thank even more those that encouraged me to finish it. I acknowledge that I took some liberties from the canon events in the final game, but I wanted to have a slightly less depressing ending. All in all, I hope that it entertained and delighted you. -scotiej