Anderson walked through the hospital to Shepard's room, a plethora of emotions running around his mind. He cared for Shepard a great deal. She had become an important part of his life. Now, he was face with the possibility of losing her again. It angered him more than it upset him, as she had given so much and asked for so little. If anyone deserved a happy, full life, it was Shepard. She was the reason billions were still alive, able to build brand new futures.

After she had split from Garrus, he decided to set her up with a man he thought worthy of her. When he started working with Major Coats, he got to know a lot about him. He had his fair share of tragedy and heartbreak, yet he kept going. He was a good soldier and an honourable man. He also, like many other men, had a crush on Shepard. Anderson saw when they first met on the shuttle and he knew there was chemistry between them. Fortunately for the Admiral, Lieutenant Vega knew the Major well and was only too happy to set them up. He didn't know how he convinced a vulnerable JD to approach Shepard, but he was glad he did. According to Vega, they were inseparable and very much in love. It was exactly what Shepard and JD deserved.

He stepped into her room, his heart sinking at the sight of Shepard, unconscious with pale, gaunt skin and JD head slumped against the bed, resting on her left hand. He was asleep and no doubt exhausted. Anderson had been told that JD hadn't left the room once. He only left her bedside to use the bathroom. The nurses grew so concerned for him that they started having people bring food for him and making a bed on the small sofa in the room. No amount of convincing would get JD from her side.

Anderson moved to her bedside, placing his hand on JD's left shoulder to give him a gentle shake. "Son?" He asked, gently.

JD groaned, lifting his head up. "Sir, didn't hear you come in."

"Son, this isn't healthy. Go home and get some proper sleep."

"No point." JD replied, miserably. "I won't sleep without her."

"Or at least get some fresh air."

"Sir, she's been taken in for surgery that might kill her in two hours. I'm not leaving until she's leaving with me." He turned away from Anderson, fed up of people trying to coax him from the hospital. He needed to be by her side.

"Ok." Anderson started. "I'll stay and you get some sleep on the sofa. I'll wake you if I need too."

JD sighed, reluctantly getting up from the chair. "Wake me as soon as something changes."

Thankfully, JD was still asleep when Shepard was taken into surgery. Even with all the chatter and moving of the bed, he didn't wake up. To Anderson, it just proved just how exhausted he was. The Admiral had sat nervously for two hours, praying quietly for all that time that he wouldn't have to tell JD that Shepard died on the operating table.

JD has stirred a couple of times when they brought Shepard back into the room, but still stayed asleep. Anderson was grateful for that, as he knew JD would just question the doctors about the surgery and worry himself to pieces. Anderson himself had questioned the doctors, relieved to know that the surgery was successful and the implant still in working order. Now, all he could do was wait for Shepard to wake up. She was tough, a fighter, but like all fighters, they can't keep fighting forever.

Shepard opened her eyes to the bright lights of the Normandy med bay. When she sat up she realised she was somewhere she shouldn't be. It was the med bay of the SR-1. She had been there many times to recognise it on sight. She slipped off the bed, walking out into the mess. Everything was how it should be, but something was missing. Crew.

"Hey Skipper." The voice made Shepard jump, making the person laugh. "Easy, Commander. When did you get so jumpy?"

"Ashley?" Shepard asked in a high-pitched voice. "Why am I here?"

"You got sick. But you should go back, it's not your time yet." Ashley led Shepard to the stairs beckoning her to walk up them.

"My time came a long time ago, Ashley." Shepard slumped defeated, refusing to walk up the stairs. "I can't fight anymore."

Ashley sighed, turning back towards the mess. "See. Told you she wouldn't listen."

A tender hand squeezed her shoulder affectionately. A rich deep voice chuckling lightly beside her. "Siha."

Shepard turned around quickly, suddenly face to face with Thane. "Thane?" Shepard cried, falling into his arms. "I've missed you."

"You've been brave, Shepard." Thane gripped her forearms, pushing her back slightly. "You've come too far to give up, Siha."

"I don't want to go through life, worried that my body will fail on me again." Shepard looked away from Thane, a little gasp escaping her lips as she was surrounded by loved ones she had lost. "Why are you all here?"

"To convince you to go back." A voice, warm and familiar, spoke. Young Corporal Jenkins smiled. "People still need you."

Shepard laughed, humourlessly. "For me to save them all again."

"No." Another female voice spoke, sternly but with love. "There are people who love you. You'd be leaving a hole in their lives that could never be filled."

Trembling, Shepard held on to Thane for support as the woman approached her. "Mother?" Shepard uttered in barely more than a whisper. "I'm sorry." She sobbed.

Hannah Shepard caught her daughter as her knees gave way, stroking her hair, gently rocking her. "Don't be so silly. What have you got to be sorry for? For being who you are? For living a full life? For saving lives?"

After a few minutes, Shepard managed to stand up straight to look at her mother. "I couldn't get to you."

Hannah kissed her daughter's forehead, tucking her crimson hair behind her eyes. "I'm glad you couldn't. You've made me proud."

"You've made us all proud." Michael Shepard stood behind his daughter, caressing her back. "Go and live, little bird." He pleaded.

Shepard hugged both her parents tight, before looking at all the people gathered around her. Mordin, Ashley, Jenkins, Thane, Legion and her SR-1 crew. They had all gathered for her, to make sure she took the gift of life she was being given. For them she would take it and live it as much as she could. "Everyone will remember you. All of you." She promised.

With a shaky step, she put her foot up on the first step, gripping on to the railings. She heaved a big breath, slowly walking up the stairs. When she got halfway, she turned to look back at the people she loved. It would be easy to stay with them, but there were people living who she loved too. One who was her soulmate. She never believed in soulmates before, but meeting JD changed that opinion. He was her soulmate and they had earned some years together. With a smile, she continued her climb, ready to face anything. Pausing when she got to the door, she watched it open. Gone was the CIC, a wall of white light in its place. "I am Elowen Shepard and I'll stay down when I choose to." She said to herself, moving into the light.

Shepard fluttered her eyes, opening them slowly. All she could properly see was white ceiling tiles. A machine beeped to the right of her and a gentle sob coming from the left, barely made her ears. She listened to a familiar voice trying to soothe the one crying.

"Son. Give her time." She knew it was Anderson. He always came to her side, whenever and wherever. "Shepard doesn't know how to give up. She's far too stubborn for that."

Despite the pain in her side, Shepard couldn't help but laugh, catching the attention of the two men in the room. She gave JD a sad smile when she saw his tired, weary face. He looked like hell, like he'd been through it too. "You need to shave." She said with as much volume as she could muster.

JD laughed for the first time since she had been admitted to hospital. Despite how serious the situation was, he could help but laugh. His soul needed it and she always made him laugh, it was one the many reasons he loved her so much. "And you need to get that beautiful bum of yours out of bed."

"Make me." She teased. "I love you."

JD gave her a tender kiss, rubbing his nose against hers. "I love you. But please, no more almost dying."

"I promise." She grinned. "No more almost dying."

Anderson made excuses, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving the room. He was convinced completely more than ever, that they were meant for each other. It wasn't just love between them, but something much stronger, much deeper. He also knew that the Alliance were about to lose Shepard completely, but he was ok with that. She had done enough, it was time they gave back to her. He would make sure they did.