3 weeks later

Shepard had called the whole squad together in the comms room to break the news of her decision. A heavy lump had settled in her stomach. Her choice was not going to be popular.

She cleared her throat to silence the chatter.

"It's no secret to you all my relationship with Cerberus is at breaking point. The Illusive Man is quite possibly indoctrinated by reaper tech so operating under his flag is no longer an option."

"What are you saying commander?" Miranda narrowed her eyes and frowned at her, arms crossed over her pristine jumpsuit.

Shepard took a deep breath.

"I'm turning myself in. We need the Alliance on side if we are to stand any chance of preparing our forces before the reapers reach galactic borders. Only with their backing do I stand a chance of getting the council races to hear me out." Shepard carefully avoided making eye contact with Thane. He was hearing her decision for the first time along with everyone else. What a coward she was.

"Are you screwing with us?!" Jack cocked her head at her. "They'll just stick us in a cell and sit on it till the whole galaxy's butt fucked".

"I'm out of options Jack. I still have some supporters in the Alliance and a few favours to call in. I just hope they listen. Anyway, Joker's scheduling in brief stops at Ilium and the Citadel before I return to earth. It's up to you where you disembark." She looked round at the squad, old friends and new comrades. She would miss every one of them.

"I know it's been hell at times but I can honestly say this squad has surpassed even my wildest expectations. It's been an honour fighting alongside you and I hope you decide to carry on the mission in whichever way you see fit. Those of you returning to home planets or stations and without, uh, criminal records" she flashed an apologetic smile at Jack and Zaeed "must do your bit to convince the authorities the reaper threat is real. We have hard data and millions of dead colonists to prove it. My final order..." She paused and smiled grimly at Liara. The Asari's face was a maze of emotions. "Stay safe."

She felt a heavy hand slap her on the back.

"Battlemaster you've proven yourself a worthy leader. Once the Alliance has grown a quad you let me know, I'll fight for you." Grunt bared his teeth in a grin.

"Wouldn't stand a chance without you Grunt." Shepard beamed back at him. Her tank born Krogan prodigy had become an impressive soldier and a loyal friend.

"Will you head back to Tuchanka? Wrex could definitely use you. I think it's time you tried your hand at leadership".

Grunt suddenly came over all bashful and grinned a toothy smile at her.

As she turned to talk to Garrus Shepard caught a flash of movement by the door and realised with a sick sensation that Thane had just disappeared from the room. But she didn't want to face that conversation just yet. She needed to gauge the reaction of the rest of her squad.

Liara had appeared beside her.

"The broker's network will be working overtime Shepard. I have plans in motion, leads to pursue and leverage I can use to rally forces the council do not even know exist." Liara pulled her friend into a hug and whispered in her ear. "As soon as I hear word you are at liberty again I'll come and find you".

Shepard chatted with the rest of the squad and then made her excuses. Having told them her decision, the awful consequences that she had tried to ignore now hit her with the full, painful force of reality. The Alliance could throw her in jail and there was no guarantee Thane would live long enough for her to find him again.

The thought was so painful Shepard nearly bailed out of buzzing Thane's door and turned towards her cabin instead. A wash of Shame forced her to reconsider and she turned back. Life support was empty.

" EDI where's Thane?"

"Mr Krios is currently making use of the training facilities in the shuttle hangar Shepard".

"Right, thanks."

Exiting the elevator on the lower deck she found Thane laying into a well used punch bag, his usual refined style of hand to hand traded in for pure force as he jabbed and crossed with venom.

He sensed her presence and lowered his gloved hands but did not turn.

"Thane?" Her voice echoed in the mostly empty hangar.

"You must do your duty Shepard, you do not have to explain." His voice conveyed no emotion.

She sighed, "I wish there was some other way, you deserve so much better than this..." It felt like every atom of her was screaming against the injustice of her situation. What if it wasn't written in stone? What if she could just change her mind?

"Maybe there is a way, maybe... " Her brain raced. "Hell I died serving the Alliance. Who would judge me if i just gave it all up? I could just walk away from everything."

"No you can't," as he turned the sadness in his eyes made her heart ache.

"If you could, you would not be commander Shepard. And you would not be the woman I've fallen in love with".

He moved towards her and laced his fingers into hers.

"I wish we had more time," she whispered resting her head on his shoulder.

"We are both living on borrowed time Siha, let us make the most of what we have left". Thane squeezed her hand. "You owe me a few more memories Commander".

Author's Apology Note

Yes it's been... a while. My bad. I still love Thane, honest! I was digging around my google drive this morning and found loads of chapters that are basically done but just in need of a final edit so there should be more soon. This chapter finishes up my angle on the Shepard/Thane romance in ME2. With Part 2 (ME3 era) I am going to attempt to be more original and use my IMAGINATION yay! Thanks for reading :)