Disclaimer: It's always going to be the same, sad but true.

Still Here

~Musing through memories, losing my grip in the gray. Numbing the senses, I feel you slipping away.~

-Digital Daggers

"I still can't believe the Council, sending Shepard on Geth patrol." Miranda remarked looking at past reports that Pressley sent out to Anderson.

"They want to bury it, it's to be expected."

"Yes, I'd almost call it human nature but…" The Illusive Man faintly chuckled with a nod. "While we're on the subject of the Commander, have you heard from her?" She turned and peered at him over a data-pad.

"No, not since she defeated Saren." He thought of Shepard's words hours to him before her assault on Ilos, pondering them intensely.

"Two months and no word, do you think she's trying to distance herself from Cerberus? After all we're still considered human extremists by the Alliance even with Kahoku in our pocket."

"If that is the case, she gave no hint of it in our previous conversations. However, she's a mysterious woman…" His words were soft as he dwelled on his thoughts.

Several moments passed and there was nothing more than a nagging silence between them. Miranda turned to look at her boss again but instead was distracted as the door slid open and a soldier walked in. The Illusive man pressed a button and his chair spun around. He peered silently at the man while Miranda sauntered over to stand beside him, crossing her arms.

"Report." She ordered and the soldier saluted before giving her a nod.

"Sir," he turned his attention to T.I.M., saluting him as well. "The Normandy was destroyed by an unknown ship nearly two hours ago."

Miranda's arms fell to her sides as her eyes narrowed. The Illusive Man looked at his soldier.

"Casualties?"

"Several engineers, a couple of low ranking officers, and Adams Pressley-"

"Is that all?"

"Ah…uh no, sir. There was one more..."

"Well?" She remarked impatiently her arms returning to a crossed position.

"Commander Shepard…"

Miranda blinked as if she didn't believe what she had just heard and turned to look at her employer. The Illusive Man just sat there; for once an actual emotion graced his features…

Shock.

~x~

Shepard took one last look towards him. He tried to reach out to stop her.

"Commander!" He watched in horror, realizing what she intended to do. This was all his fault if he hadn't been so stubborn this wouldn't have happened. "No, Shepard!"

He was still reaching out as he watched her slam her fist down on the button, he quickly pulled in his arm as the pod door closed in his face and he was ejected from the remains of the ship. He watched as a second beam cut through what was left of the Normandy causing a huge explosion. Screaming he banged on the door trying to get it to open. He wasn't thinking straight, right now all he knew was that the Normandy was no more and she was somewhere amongst the wreckage.

He hollered and cried out until his voice was raw but didn't stop hitting the door until there was no more energy left in his frail body. Slumped over he cradled his head in his bruised and broken hands-

Joker shot up out of bed and winced.

"Damn I think I cracked something…" he eased himself back against the bed and stared at the ceiling, a picture of the Normandy crew projected there. Running a hand through his short hair he sighed as his eyes focused on the woman with coppery red hair and emerald green eyes. She looked worn out and tired but still grinned as they all stood before Normandy at a parade on the Citadel commemorating them for Saren's defeat. "That's right…tomorrow's…" his voice died down and he carefully turned over onto his side and stared out the window at the city lights.

~x~

It was a gray day in Vancouver as System Alliance Soldiers stood in their dress blues saluting a large memorial headstone.

This was the fifth day of saluting, the fifth day of eulogies, the fifth day of "burying" comrades, the sixth day of mourning, and the seventh day since the destruction of the SSV Normandy. Those that had died were being honored and remembered, and now all stood before the large headstone…for she was the last to honor, the last to "bury".

Anderson was standing before a large pulpit addressing the crowd his eyes sullen and dark as he peered at them all. He spoke of all the achievements the woman they were "laying" to rest had accomplished and he spoke all this with the faintest glint of a tear in his eye.

"Lieutenant Commander Shepard was the bravest woman I ever knew. She was fearless and faced her missions head on, and always managed to save as many lives as possible. But she was more than just the first Human Spectre, or the hero of the Citadel, or even the war hero who single handedly held off enemy forces on Elysium. She was a close friend and was like a daughter to me. And I," he had to glance down at the data pad resting on the podium. There was nothing on it for he didn't need a piece of tech to help him remember his good friend; he was simply searching for the will to continue his sentence. "And I," he looked back at the crowd. "Will miss her dearly."

Turning from the crowd he grabbed a red rose from a vase and walked over to the empty coffin that lay, lid propped open, upon a cold metal stand and placed the flower inside upon the satin pillow keeping his hand there, lightly patting it.

~…~…~

"Woah nice digs Anderson…" the woman walked in and turned around grinning. "Guess it pays to be in the big leagues huh?"

He chuckled and closed the door heading to the kitchen grabbing a bottle of Red Janey Special Stock Vodka. "I suppose so. Speaking of which I heard you turned down your promotion."

"I like where I'm at." She followed him to the kitchen, and he watched as she explored the apartment. This was the first time he had brought her to his personal flat, hell it was the first time he ever really put it to use.

"Then I won't force you to take the promotion." He turned back to the bottle opening it and pouring two glasses over ice.

"You know this would be an interesting family home." Shepard called out from one of the rooms off to the side.

"It was intended to be that once…until other things got in the way." He said softly and dwelled on past memories for a time, some ice shifted in one of the glasses and he realized the glass in his hand was sweating. "Guess I zoned out…" Recalling the liquor, he turned. "Drinks are ready." He called and waited for her to respond or return. When she did neither he went searching for her. "Don't tell me you got lost, Shepard, it's not that big." He softly chuckled peering into rooms as he passed them, before heading up the stairs. Turning the corner he found the Commander out cold on one of the couches. "When was the last time you slept, Shepard? I would've thought after defeating Saren you would rest but you only seemed to push yourself harder…" he spoke softly to himself and set a glass gently on the table sitting on the couch across from her deciding to let her sleep.

Chugging down his drink, and hers, he leaned back against the couch and stared up at the ceiling, feeling his own eyes drooping, before sleep slowly took him as well.

~…~…~

Anderson stared at the coffin before removing his hand and returning to his spot amongst the other council members. After Anderson, Admiral Hackett spoke and then Shepard's mother and father before Dr. Chakwas took to the podium.

She stared out at the crowd before looking over at the coffin. "Serving aboard the Normandy was a great honor. While treating bullet wounds and other injuries I came to know the crew quite well. Admittedly when I met Shepard while tending to the soldiers after the Skyllian Blitz I believed she would merely be another soldier and had but brief conversations with; however, when she took over the Normandy I came to know her better. I came to know the real her and she quickly became a good friend of mine."

With that she turned from the podium but did not grab a rose. Instead she pulled out a data-pad with a picture of what looked like unkempt alleyways and hovels, and placed it among the roses in the coffin.

~…~…~

Chakwas sat down across from the Commander in the mess hall. "Still aren't sleeping I see." Shepard looked at her and simply grinned, shrugging. "Nightmares again?"

"Yup or, you know, reports that I've been neglecting." The younger woman sighed and leaned back in her seat one knee resting against the edge of the table, the faintest grin on her lips.

The older woman chuckled and rested her chin on her hands. "I figured that after defeating Saren you'd be a bit more relaxed."

"Yeah been getting that a lot lately." She gave a faint chuckle. "In fact most people keep telling me how exhausted I look."

"Well, they aren't wrong." The elder woman faintly smiled.

"Heh, yeah…I know this was a victory but, it's something I've already lived through. I know this would be a time period to rest but honestly I'm more worried about what's going to happen beyond this point. I'm wondering if, and hoping that, every small event I've changed has made an impact."

"That something different will occur?" The Commander nodded rocking in the chair watching her. "What exactly happens?" Chakwas asked her tentatively, as it was a question that had been troubling her thoughts as of late.

Shepard peered at her and shook her head. "It's best I not tell you. It's…not pleasant, that aside I'm not sure everything will be the same so let's not jump the gun." Chakwas nodded and they spent a moment in silence. "Come on, Doc," she said softly breaking the quiet. "You look like there's a question on your mind?"

"If you will not tell me of the future you experienced then perhaps you can tell me of your past. Is there anything you miss from your previous life?"

"Honestly not much. Like you know I was an orphan and not the most pleasant child to be around." Shepard looked off her eye distant as if recalling her past. "If anything I miss the view of the L.A. slums."

The Doctor cocked her eyebrow and peered at the woman. "The slums?"

"Yeah," the younger woman laughed and looked at her. "It helped at times to watch the underbelly of L.A., reminded me of where I came from ya know. There was one alley in particular where the leader of the Tenth Street Reds would sit and tell all the younger members exciting and gruesome stories about his adventures as a merc. I suppose that image is something I miss the most. That was really the only time before I enlisted that I felt like I had a family."

The doctor watched her smile; this in turn, made her do so as well.

~…~…~

The Doctor felt a tear slip down and she quickly wiped it away before sighing and saying softly. "I wish you had known this was going to happen." Before heading back to where she was originally, looking down at the ground in deep thought.

Kahoku and Toombs both took the podium and spoke of how Shepard aided them in their endeavors and ensured their safety before both placed red roses in the coffin and returned to their families who were silently crying.

Joker took the stand next. He was slow to approach, apprehensive almost, as he blamed himself for this outcome. Swallowing hard not knowing what to say that wouldn't sound like a blubbering excuse, he looked out unto the crowd and shook his head. Sighing he grabbed a rose and slowly walked over to the coffin setting it down before reaching up grabbing the hat off his head and setting it over the roses.

~…~…~

He walked into Flux and looked around, he was surprised to see his commanding officer at the bar looking more bushed then she did when they were chasing after Saren.

"Don't you ever sleep?" He grinned and sat down beside, her ordering a drink and munching on some of the complimentary nuts or what he hoped was complimentary.

"You mean between the autographs and posing for pictures?" She smirked, the sarcasm evident.

Joker laughed slightly as the bartender set a drink in front of him. He took a sip looking around before looking at her catching her staring at him. "You alright commander?"

Shepard nodded and chugged down her glass in one gulp before reaching out, grabbing up his cap and putting it on her head backwards. "My cap was ruined the second week into the flight academy…"

"Commander? Y-you're a pilot?" He blinked, astonished; he had never heard of this before.

She shook her head and leaned on her hand ordering another drink. "Nope, I didn't make the cut." She laughed and grinned widely. "Apparently I was better suited to be a ground soldier."

Joker thought on this and nodded. "Actually thinking about it you probably would've been a terrible pilot, I mean just think about all those times in the MAKO."

"Hey, I happen to be a wonderful driver." She tried not to grin as she said this.

"I think the others would disagree." A silence passed between them before they both laughed and he took a sip of his drink. "So what did happen to your cap anyways?"

"Let's just say drive cores, immature cadets, and hats don't mix well."

They both laughed again and raised their glasses to childish antics. Joker grinned all the while; a little pleased the Commander was opening up to him.

~…~…~

Joker gazed at the cap. He briefly wondered what Shepard's life would've been like had she not been flunked from the academy. Would she still be alive? Would they even have known each other? What would have happened if she wasn't the Commander? He shook the thoughts from his head; he knew she wouldn't have wanted this any other way. Joker lightly patted the bill of the cap and sighed.

"To replace the one you lost."

With a last silent goodbye he stood back in place among the remaining Normandy crew as Ashley made her way to the podium.

The Gunnery Chief stood there, her hands gripping the cold metal of the lectern and she peered at it. "Commander Shepard was a great soldier. She welcomed me with open arms after Eden Prime, made me feel like part of the crew." Ashley's jaw tightened and she gripped the stand tighter. "There's really nothing more that I can think of to say that hasn't already been said."

She pushed herself off the pulpit without grabbing a rose and walked to the casket she pulled out her shotgun and laid it down on the bedding biting the inside of her lip. Ashley was well aware that soldiers die, it comes with the territory, but the Skipper was more than her commanding officer or some random soldier, she was a good friend.

~…~…~

"Hey, Ash…I need a favor…" The Commander's voice rang out from behind her. She quickly spun around to face her CO.

"What do you need Skipper?"

"Can you," Shepard rubbed the back of her neck looking around seemingly embarrassed. "Can you help me train to use a shotgun?"

Admittedly Ashley was astonished; though not from the fact that the Commander was an Infiltrator, and they hardly used shotguns, but rather from the fact that she had enough faith in her to teach her how to use one.

"But, Commander, you're an-"

"I know, truth be told I've always been partial to the shotgun…I even had a little training in it when I was younger, but since the beacon…" She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before peering back at the Gunnery Chief. "I've been a little…off."

"Yeah…" Ashley absentmindedly nodded in agreement as she recalled the events at the Citadel several days earlier. She nodded, more determined this time. "Alright, Skipper, if that's what you want…consider it done."

They shook hands and grinned at one another.

~…~…~

The acrid taste of copper broke through her memory; she ceased the biting as her eyes focused once more on the shotgun before saluting the casket and returning to her position. Kaidan slowly made his way to the pedestal and opened his mouth to say something but closed it almost instantly and ran a gloved hand through his hair. He had a lot to say but feared that speaking any of it aloud would betray his unrequited feelings. Instead he simply grabbed a rose and walked it to the coffin laying it over the shotgun and returned to his place, a memory creeping to his thoughts as he watched Tali heading to the lectern.

~…~…~

Space is a constant silence. It is not something that can be heard when others are awake and bustling about the ship. But when most of them slumbered, on rare occasions when there doesn't seem like much to do, he could hear it, the silence that engulfs them. It was this that made him creep silently to the mess hall even though some part of him knew that he wouldn't actually disturb any of the sleeping crew members, it was an old habit he had yet to break. He quickly came to a stop when he saw a figure drinking coffee at the table. Silently he watched as she pulled the hairband from her coppery locks and focused her drained emerald eyes on the steam of her beverage. Kaidan didn't know why she was awake, but he could tell that she was doing everything in her power to keep it that way. She was so utterly consumed in her own thoughts she hadn't noticed him take a step forward into the light. Mixed with her exhaustion was a deep seeded sorrow that he could plainly see as he crept another step closer. He wanted to reach out to her, to tell her that whatever was plaguing her thoughts they'd pull through it. And even though she had turned both him and Liara down, he still wanted to be there for her as a friend.

However, before he could take a third step her small personal comm unit beeped. She pressed a button and in a split second he saw her countenance change. The sorrow seemed suppressed as she smirked and even though the bags under her eyes still told him she was tired her eyes seemed a little more alive now. Quickly and quietly Kaidan stepped back into the shadows; he didn't want to disturb her, if whoever was on the other end of that call distracted her enough to smile- smirk, he figured it was best not to intrude. As he turned to leave he could hear the beginning of their conversation.

"Ah just the person I was hoping would call. You can keep me up and take my mind off things with a game of chess." Shepard chuckled.

"You know there are other ways to keep a woman from sleeping." A smooth dark voice responded.

"I swear you're more lecherous every time we talk…" he could hear her grumble, probably some sort of obscenity, and could picture her crossing her arms over her chest. "If that's what you're after then it'll be just you and your hand tonight." She retorted, a grin could almost be heard in her tone.

"Charming."

"I try, Timmy-boy, I try."

~…~…~

Tali's tear-choked speech brought him out of his past and he stood listening.

"Commander Sh-shepard was a kind w-woman, who was very considerate even though sh-she'd never admit it. She was really sarcastic an-and blunt about things but she m-meant well."

Tali grabbed a rose and slowly approached the coffin as if weary it would finalize everything.

~…~…~

Tali was seated at the table in Udina's office, hacking into his computer when she felt a sudden presence behind her. Turning around hastily, fearing it was the Ambassador, she sighed in relief to see the Commander standing there with her eyebrow cocked and a small smirk on her lips.

"You know I didn't think you took me seriously when I said someone should hack into Udina's comp."

The Quarian blushed from embarrassment; glad her helmet hid it and returned to the task at hand. "Well I trust you have good reasons to want to see what he's up to, Commander."

"Hah," Shepard sighed and rubbed the back of her neck. "You could say I do, but unfortunately it wouldn't make much sense right now."

Tali continued to work silently. Admittedly, the Commander was practically an enigma, always doing things that seem excessive or didn't make sense and having it all work out later. It was because of this and her judge of character that she had grown to trust her instincts.

"Be that as it may, I trust you and your instincts when it comes to battle and people, Shepard. If you have a feeling he might be hiding something, I trust you."

She turned back to her and saw her give a pained smile before she gently gripped her shoulder. "Thanks, Tali." The Commander turned to walk then stopped and looked over her shoulder with a faint distant grin. "Just…remember that in the future, just in case I ask you to do something really crazy." Now she smirked and they shared a chuckle.

"I'll try." The Quarian nodded and turned back to the computer.

~…~…~

"I wish that we had more crazy adventures together, Shepard. Keelah'Selai." Placing the rose upon Kaidan's she quickly returned to her spot as several other soldiers came up and spoke. After a moment Garrus walked up and stood beside the podium.

"The Commander helped me understand how things should be done, and for that she will always have my gratitude." Turning, gripping a sniper scope tightly in his claws, he headed to the casket and gripped the edge of it tightly. "I should've stayed on the ship…"

~…~…~

The elevator door slid down and he was greeted by an open MAKO and a leg sticking out. He cocked his head curious and walked over, he looked around to see if anyone had an explanation and saw only Wrex in his usual spot just leaning there simply shaking his head and looking off faintly grinning. Garrus peeked inside the MAKO to see the Commander lightly snoozing, an arm over her face, head propped up by her armor. He was surprised at first; he had never seen her so relaxed let alone asleep. His mandible moved and seemingly smirked as he leaned against the edge arms crossed. He watched her a moment, not wanting to wake her since she had been so exhausted as of late, and found that he was mildly amazed how such a petite human woman could do the things she did.

"Careful…you'll make me blush." Shepard's voice had tired drawl as she rubbed her eyes with one hand and held out the other one.

Garrus chuckled and took the hint grasping her hand and helping her sit up. "You should've stayed asleep."

"Hard to sleep with someone leering at me." She gave a weary grin.

"I wasn't leering." He stated amused. "And besides you're sleeping in my MAKO."

"Oh it's your MAKO now, huh?" She chuckled and stood.

"For now, at least." He said dwelling on the fact that within a few weeks he'll be returning to the Citadel to begin his Spectre training.

She nodded and stepped off the vehicle. "I wish you luck, I really do."

"Thanks, Shepard, though I'm not sure if I'll make the cut."

The Commander stared at him as if debating what to say before sighing and smiling patting his shoulder. "Whatever happens, Garrus, I know you'll make something of yourself."

~…~…~

"I will…but…on my own terms." Setting the scope in the coffin he slowly made his way back, passing Wrex.

The Krogan Battlemaster stood before the lectern a moment, however since he's not one to mince words he pulled out a bottle of Ryncol and headed to the coffin, setting it inside the casket and walked back trying to suppress a memory that was coming to the surface, however unsuccessful he knew it might be.

~…~…~

They sat in Chora's Den, music blaring but rather than pay attention to the dancers they stared at each other, both smirking wickedly, a row of shot glasses before each of them and several empty ones on the floor around them. They had had several shots of the weak stuff and had now moved on to Ryncol.

"For a human you sure can drink, Shepard." He had a faint drunken slur as he took his next shot.

"Y-yeh, i-I'm just as…as surpihzed as youh." Her slur much more pronounced as she chugged down hers.

"Heh heh heh." He was smashed but some part of him told him that she was close to losing their little game. Taking another his head began to cloud and he shook it blinking.

Shepard laughed, slightly manically and managed to down another one before laying her head on the cold table. "I'ma just…just rehstin m-meh head…dohn…dohn't start thinkin this is o-ova…"

He let out a loud garbled laugh managing to down another but quickly his vision blurred more and faded black.

~…~…~

The rest was a blur; the next thing he recalled from that night was waking up on the Normandy in the cargo hold Shepard passed out a little ways from him. His eyes stared dead ahead, he had no tears to shed, no sentiments to give, only silent respect.

After a moment no one went to the podium, several from the Normandy crew looked to Liara who stood clenching her arm looking down her expression one of deep thought. Chakwas placed a hand on her shoulder bringing her back to reality. The Asari nodded and headed to the pulpit.

"I honestly don't know what I can say that hasn't been said repeatedly already, but I owe it to Shepard to try." She took a minute to collect her thoughts before setting her hands upon the pedestal and looking determinedly at everyone. "Shepard was a brave, strong, and cunning individual; this we all know…knew." Her determination wavered a moment before shaking it off and continuing. "However, she was also a woman of convictions, who held fast to the ideal that every life was important, no matter their race or upbringing. And though many of us find it hard to voice I know that we thought of her as a friend…and I'm sure…I'm sure she thought the same of us."

Liara stood there a moment before turning around grabbing a rose, taking out a data pad, and pulling up the picture of all of them during the commemorative ceremony after the battle of the Citadel.

~…~…~

"Hey, Liara?" Shepard popped her head through the door. Startled Liara instantly turned off her computer and turned around. This caused the Commander to cock her head with a faint grin. "Liara, are you hiding an online copy of Fornax from me?"

"What?!" Her blue cheeks ignited with a pale violet hue. "N-no! Why would you think th-that?"

The copper haired woman shrugged putting her hands behind her head. "Usually when someone closes out their computer so quickly, that means some form of porn is involved." The smirk remained plastered on her lips as she watched the Asari.

Liara could feel the heat on her cheeks growing worse and she cleared her throat trying to regain herself. Shaking her head she stood, "I-it's nothing of the sort. S-so i-is there something you wanted?" She quickly changed the subject.

"I was looking for Chakwas, just wondering if you had seen her."

"She's off-ship, getting more supplies. Is there anything I can help you with?"

Shepard stared at her as if debating something before shrugging. "I just wanted to vent really."

"Something's been on your mind I take it?" Liara sat back down facing the Commander, crossing her legs and setting her hands in her lap. "I'm willing to listen if you wish."

The Spectre leaned against the wall and slid down to the ground, she rested her arms on her knees looking forward. "I have this feeling I've forgotten something important…at least I think it's important. It's something that I think might help in the long run." She rubbed her brow trying to remember.

"In the long run?"

"We both know that Saren is working for the Reapers. If they're bound and determined to exterminate us, than we should assume that even if we stop Saren they'll keep trying to achieve this goal." She peered at her, a few strands of bangs falling in her face.

"True. Though if you have forgotten something that is important, I'll admit that doesn't sound like you, Shepard."

"Heh," she rubbed the back of her neck. "In my defense when I first heard about, whatever it is, you could say I was a different person back then…and it was a while ago…"

Liara nodded and thought on this before peering at her friend. "What triggers this…feeling?"

"Usually when I think about Eden Prime or the Protheans, like there was something else there, other than the beacon."

"Like an artifact or something, something that might have more information pertaining to the Reapers?"

"Who knows…" Shepard sighed and stood up dusting off her pants. "I can't honestly remember, but even if there's not I think I'd rather be safe than sorry."

"I agree, when I have time I'll look into the area." The Asari stood as well and the Commander patted her shoulder grinning.

"Thanks, Liara."

~…~…~

Placing them both inside the coffin, her hand patting the rose lightly, she softly whispered. "I never told you what I was doing that day. I wonder how you'd react to learn I have begun dabbling in the information trade…" She bit back tears and gripped the stem a forgotten thorn biting into her flesh. "There are rumors that the Shadow Broker is looking for what is left of your body, but I swear to you I'll find it first, and then…then I'll…I'll- I don't know, I'll figure it out after I do. I just know I won't let anyone desecrate your remains." Releasing the stem she drew back her hand, small purple droplets fell onto the white satin lining quickly staining it.

Liara began the trek back to the others when a shoulder brushed lightly passed her own. She glanced back to see who it belonged to and was a little surprised by the sight. A male human, possessing silver-gray hair and yet a relatively youthful face, he was handsome and from how he walked held a high opinion of himself. He was dressed impeccably in a fine expensive black and maroon suit, a deep contrast to the soldiers in their navy blues or others in armor. The man glanced back briefly faintly nodding his head is if this was an apology, his steely blues eyes boring into hers; intricate designs in them making them seem almost prosthetic or perhaps it was due to a special type of contact. She didn't really know which one and he didn't give her much time to examine them as he turned back. Reluctantly she walked back and stood beside Wrex, watching the man from afar with the rest of group.

The man walked right passed the podium, neither bothering to say anything nor grab a rose from the vase and simply walked to the coffin.

"Shepard…" He paused a moment and peered back to the group eyeing Liara then looked back. "I have plans to retrieve you; to bring you back exactly as you were, I will spare no expense…but you already knew this didn't you?" Pulling out a black rose from his suit jacket, he laid it down upon the pillow beside Anderson's. "I recall you saying once that you liked black roses though it seems rather inane to do this, but I suppose it's better to make peace then to regret not doing so later."

He had too many memories to focus on a single one, and most of them were just him speaking to a screen with her face either grinning or scowling on the other end.

As if hearing the drums signaling an end to the service, the gray sky cried out and wept, pouring down rain upon all in attendance. The Illusive man looked up feeling the cold rain on his face before an umbrella appeared in his view, turning his head he saw Miranda standing silently beside him. He nodded to her and turned to step down seeing many were still standing there, still paying tribute. "Miranda, I need you to prepare for the Lazarus project. And," his eyes returned to Liara and this time she caught his gaze before looking away solemnly back at the empty coffin. "Make sure that you contact Miss T'Soni with our proposal."

"Already sent the email." Miranda responded as they walked back to a black car that was waiting for them.

"Good."

Author's Note: Took awhile really really sorry about that, but the finals for this semester are over so here's Chapter 10...heh...