Hannah Shepard Meets Shepard's Love Interest

David was on the podium now. His voice was tired, broken, but still commanding. Hannah reached for her husband's hand and Jim squeezed back, a reminder that this was real and that they were both here.

The coffin behind David was empty. The honor guard stood watch. She wondered idly if any of them knew the Great Commander Shepard. Really knew. Probably not. They looked familiar, but this was not her first military funeral.

So much silence. David had finished speaking. Hadn't he just started? A lone brass instrument's lament filled the room. The honor guard began to fold the flag. Jim squeezed her hand again and Hannah looked up.

"On behalf of the Systems Alliance and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to humanity and a grateful Navy."

She'd heard it before but had always looked away when they presented the flag to the grieving loved ones. She reached for the flag gently and wondered how many people were staring at the back of her head and how many were looking away.

It was over now, the ceremony at least. There was soft shuffling as the people rose from their seats. She turned her head to watch them and the first flicker of emotion she had felt that day overtook her. There were so many people here. And not just in Alliance blues, though the room looked like an ocean of it. Civilians too. And non-humans. She spotted a turian, a quarian, and an asari and with a jolt realized that they were the same she had seen a few weeks earlier, during a very different ceremony. They made their way towards the coffin, the remaining crew of the Normandy not very far behind.

People stopped to pay their condolences, demanding her attention, but Hannah did not process the words beyond the soft murmuring sounds. Her eyes were focused on those making their way past the coffin now. The asari's face was tear stained, and she reached out to touch the cold metal. Her whole body shook. The quarian placed a hand at her back and led her away. The turian stopped for a second and then continued past the coffin. Naval personnel in dress blues followed.

Hannah watched them approach, the asari's uncertainty and awkwardness being the only readable face. The quarian spoke first. "Shepard-" she started, and then quickly looked between Hannah and Jim before starting again more hesitantly, "Your child…was very special to all of us. You have our deepest condolences." The turian nodded and said something that Hannah's translators didn't quite pick up - it was almost lyrical though, as if a prayer.

They looked ready to leave at that, but the asari suddenly clasped Hannah's free hand, "Thank you for bringing such an amazing being into this universe."

She wasn't sure if she said anything in response, but before the shock wore off they were gone. Jim was already acknowledging the first wave of blue dress. Sirs and Ma'ams and solemn faces were traded. A young brunette woman with a raspy voice looked Hannah in the eyes, "Captain, I just want you to know that it was an honor to serve with the Commander."

More dress blues, and an older woman with silver hair, "My deepest condolences." A litany of words of sympathy, and honor, and service. A handsome officer with a deep but clipped voice rounded out the group of Normandy survivors. "I am so sorry for your loss, Ma'am."

They were followed by more soldiers, dignitaries, politicians, and civilians. So many people. Their faces and words all blurred together.

By the end of the day, Hannah had no idea who she had met.