Authors Note: Thanks again for reviewing.

I'll work on that, Ma'am

Are we ready...

Shepard sat surrounded by data pads, agonizing over every single detail. She huffed out an annoyed sigh, pushing the data pads away.

Kal walked into their quarters, noticing her mood, sitting next to her on the bed, "We're ready Lily."

"Are we?"

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close, "You've done the most amazing things. As a result, you have a massive fleet, fighting under one banner."

"I'm scared, Kal."

"I know, but that fear will drive you, you'll see this through."

"If I didn't have you, I'd have never have got this far."

"You would have, you're unstoppable."

"I'm not, I just have incredible people to keep me going."

"You should get some rest, we have Cronus station in the morning."

"I'm glad I have you with me."

"Are you up for this? your 26 weeks pregnant."

"Yeah, I have to finish this. Chakwas says I'm fine. On Earth, I have to be prepared to send you into the fire, although it terrifies me."

"If you do, I'll never give in until we are together again."

"I love you so much, I cant bear the thought of life without you."

"You'll never have too."

"Lets get some sleep. If these two girls allow it."

Shepard laid asleep for a little while, wondering if she'd ever hear Kal's soft snores again. She knew the galaxy had one last thing to throw at her, she just didn't know what.

Shepard approached the coffin, reaching out to open the lid. At first she couldn't tell who was laying in it. She looked around, hearing her name being called, she recognised the voices. Thane, Mordin, Legion, Ashley and Pressly all called out to her.

Shepard turned to see Thane, "Thane, I'm sorry..."

"Do not apologise, Siha."

"Why are you here?"

"To tell you, beware the past," Thane disappeared.

Shepard turned around, looking down into the coffin...

Shepard sat bolt upright, panting, tears streaming down her face.

Kal stirred next to her, "Another nightmare?"

"Yeah, hold me, please."

Kal pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair, trying to soothe Shepard's sobs, he chose not to ask about it. He knew if she didn't tell him herself, she didn't want to talk about it.

Shepard stood in the comm room, thinking about Cronus station. What she had learned really bothered her, questioning if she really was herself.

Garrus walked in, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, "Stop it, Shepard."

"What."

"Doubting if you're really Shepard. Kal told me it bothered you."

"Just seeing it Garrus, makes me standing here feel so unnatural."

"It's not, you being here is right. Don't let your brain think otherwise."

"Kal's worried about me again."

Garrus chuckled, "That man is always worried about you. I wouldn't improve so much, if he wasn't."

A short laugh escaped Shepard's lips, before her face dropped, "I'm so scared Garrus."

Garrus moved closer to his friend, placing his hands on her shoulders, "It's ok to be scared. It will get you through. Now go and kick some reaper ass."

"Garrus, thank you for sticking by me."

"No Shepard without Vakerian."

"You keep him safe, Garrus."

"I will," The friends embraced before laughing at each other.

Shepard got to the FOB, standing at the map of central London, "Everyone, patch in, I want to be in communication with everyone at all times."

Everyone switched to the same channel as Shepard, nodding to her in confirmation.

"I want the Garrus, Kal and STG sniper force in Big Ben. Be Hammerhead's eyes in the sky, eliminate anything that shouldn't be there. Mako, led by James. I want you down in the underground, try to find a path around to the other side. If there is, run for the beam from that side. Hammerhead, led by Kaidan. I want you taking the direct path, Major Coats and his unit will help you."

Shepard sighed, "I hate the fact, that I will be here directing the battle, instead of fighting beside you, but in my condition, I'll be more of a hindrance than a help. I just want you to know, I'm proud of all of you. I'm grateful to say that I've had the greatest of people at my side during this fight. Make sure you all come back, otherwise I'll make Miranda bring you back so I can kill you myself," Everyone laughed with her.

"Lola, I speak for us all. It's been an honour to be with you. We aren't just a crew, we are a family. It's been a good ride, I hope the journey doesn't stop yet."

Garrus patted Vega's shoulder, "It wont. Once the Reapers are gone, we can finally do some living."

"And party," Wrex added.

Shepard smiled, "Oh, we gonna cause some real chaos when this is over."

The group separated, Shepard looking at the destruction of a beautiful city. She felt loving arms surround her, "You better keep your ass alive."

"I will. I want to see our daughters grow."

"What do you think of Earth?"

"Its beautiful, even know."

"I spent a lot of time in London before I signed up for the Alliance."

"When this is over, you can show me some more of Earth."

Shepard sighed, "You better move out. Stay safe, please."

Kal kissed her tenderly, "I'll be back soon."

Shepard watched him leave, as Anderson appeared at her side, "I may never see him again."

Anderson put his arm around her, "You will, just keep the faith."

"We have to win this."

"We will win this."

"Anderson, thank you for being there all these years."

Anderson stroked her hair, "You've come along way from the naughty ten-year old, you once were."

"It's thanks you that I'm where I am now. If you hadn't got me fostered by your brother, who knows where I'd be."

"I wanted to foster you myself, but it wouldn't have been fair. Did you have a happy childhood with us?"

"The best. I did consider changing my name to Anderson, but since my plan was to join the Alliance, I didn't wanna outshine you."

Anderson laughed, "You did anyway. I'm proud of you, Lily."

"Thank you. Lets win this war."

"Lily, Come in?"

"Reading you, go ahead Kal."

"A Reaper just landed a few blocks east of your location, over."

"Understood, what's your status? Over."

"Firing on anything that moves, awaiting new orders, over."

"Sit tight Kal, Shepard out."

"Shepard, move the snipers to for another push to the Beam." Anderson order.

"Kal, come in."

"Reading you, Lily, over?"

"Make a push to the beam, over."

"Understood. Reegar out."

"Incoming beam, everybody down," A marine shouted.

Shepard dived to her knees, Anderson using himself to shield her, as the beam hit the building, rocking the foundations.

"That was close," Shepard said in feared amazement.

"Yeah. You ok Shepard?"

"Yeah."

Anderson helped Shepard up, checking on the other Marines.

"Lets get down there Anderson," Shepard and Anderson left the FOB heading to the beam.

"Shepard, everyone is distracted, maybe we can sneak into the beam."

"Come on."

Anderson and Shepard made it to beam. Shepard heard a gunshot close behind her, looking at Anderson who was clutching his stomach. Shepard turned behind her, she recoiled in horror.

"Do you remember me, Lily?"

Shepard looked at the half husk, half human form in front of her, "Instructor Quinn. You look monstrous," Shepard kneeled down, applying medi-gel to Anderson's wound.

Quinn grabbed Shepard pulling her towards the beam, Anderson tried in vain to reach her, "It's you they want, Lily. Time to sacrifice yourself, instead of everyone else."

Shepard and Quinn went through the beam, Shepard landing with a bump. Quinn wasn't in sight. Shepard got up, her throat tender, where Quinn had grabbed her. She struggled not to vomit at the sight of all the bodies, scattered around her.

She walked toward the door at the opposite end of the room. She was greeted by a large chasm, she walked slowly towards the entrance across a bridge.

Shepard heard shouting at she approached, It was Quinn and the illusive man, fighting. A gun shot made her jump, pulling out her small weapon, she continued.

She watched Quinn and Illusive man turn into husks, she granted them an act of mercy, shooting them both in the head.

She pressed the button, to open the arm of the citadel. A VI appeared behind her, "Victory?

"You are catalyst, you must finish this."

"I thought the citadel was the catalyst."

"No, it is merely the amplifier. You understood our message, you know how to stop the harvest, I warn you, its possible the energy might kill you."

Shepard prepared to fire the crucible, Kal's voice broke through on the comm, "Lily, come in."

"Kal, oh god, go ahead."

"It's too late for me. My leg is broken and we are being overrun."

"I'm on the Citadel, preparing the Crucible. It will probably kill me Kal."

"I love you, Lily. I'm sorry we never got to hold each other again."

"I love you too, Kal. I hate that I'm taking the babies with me."

"At least, we'll be together. I'll meet you at the bar."

Shepard let her tears ago, "You bet your ass you will."

Shepard fired the crucible, consumed by a bright light. Her world went dark, and she fell into nothingness.