A/N: Okay, so after a night of of hardcore Triple H bashing and a little beer, I'm good to go for chapter 10. Yes, I know, I'm 16, and underage. But the age restriction over here is 18 and I've gotten into contact with alcohol since young. No, I'm not some Haymitch Abernathy, nor am I like Ashley, trying to drink her mind off stuffs. I just drink during the family gatherings, or the occasional pissed off moments. You know, the social drink. My dad always said it was important for a girl to be able to hold her drink well. Enough with the rambling. Hope you enjoy this piece.

I can't believe it. I can't freaking believe it. That video recording, I still can't get it out of my mind. I remember how I used to assure you that I was still the same old me. So self-righteous. But I can't even convince myself that I haven't changed in the slightest bit now. I wonder how you managed to trust me. I don't even believe myself anymore.

I was distraught when I saw how The Illusive Man placed all those people by my side, to block my view of what they were really doing. How could I be so stupid? So trusting, so gullible? I should've known. I should have. Then another nagging worry surfaced. You were there as well, standing behind me, watching the recording too. Would you lose faith in me again?

I don't even know what I did in my previous life to incur its wrath like this. I just got you back. That perfect night before our assault on the base. I knew I wouldn't be so lucky to be able to stay by your side for the rest of your life. I never had that privilege. Life never gave me that. But so soon? Is this some kind of sick joke?

I feel like a caged lion in a circus freak show, or like the pawn pieces in a chess game. Because now you were the one that was trying to convince me that I didn't change. To think I was pulling my hair out, trying to tell you that I was still the Shepard that you spent the night with before Ilos.

And now that we're going to take back Earth, everything just feels so surreal, unbelievable. Not just us, but with the Geth, Krogan, Turian, Quarians, Salarians, Batarians, Asari, all standing hand in hand, putting up one last united stand against the Reapers. It's the first time anything like that ever happened, and I certainly don't hope it's the last. Seemed like only yesterday when we left Earth on the first day of the Invasion, when we thought what an impossible feat it was. Yet here we are.

The storm's coming. And we're riding straight towards it. But we're ready. I'm sure of it. After so much loss, sadness, and sacrifice, we're ready. We we have to be. We've waited far too long. This is the moment the whole galaxy has been waiting for.

So let's end this.

Afternote: It's 9.30am now, Saturday morning. I kept my promise. Yay. And the next chapter would be the last entry for this series. I think.