Shepard, Tali, and what remained of the Normandy crew were stood in the shuttle bay, preparing for the departure of the couple. The journey to Rannoch had taken a couple of weeks, but it had been relatively uneventful. With no major concerns, the crew were able to relax. Shepard, with no worries about the next battle, could spend time conversing with his crew or simply relaxing in his quarters. Otherwise, he actually found it all quite boring at times, but finally being able to relax on his own ship was something he appreciated. Tali, on the other hand, returned to engineering when she could. Gaby and Ken were still there, though with the ship running smoothly, and not required to run at full capacity, even Tali found that her services were not exactly needed.

Now, though, was the time for another departure. The crew stood with Shepard and Tali as he gave his final words.

"Are you sure you all want to stay on the Normandy? What I have planned for the ship isn't the most thrilling occupation in the world, but it will keep the Normandy busy. And flying. Nothing worse than a perfectly good ship sitting in a museum. That's the important thing. Joker and EDI, you don't have to answer, I know you're staying no matter what."

"I'm not going anywhere, Shepard," Chakwas answered first, "I've served aboard the Normandy for far too long now, to even contemplate leaving. Besides, Joker still needs medical help with his condition. I'd be delighted to stay."

"Gaby and I are not going anywhere either," followed Ken, "Someone has to make sure that these engines keep on going. The Normandy is just as much our home as anywhere else. As long as that drive core keeps glowing, we're staying." Gaby nodded her head in agreement.

"What about you, Traynor?"

"I'm staying, Shepard. That simple. Someone has to keep an eye on this lot!"

Shepard could only grin at his crew. Their loyalty still remained absolute.

"Tali has spoken to the Admiralty board. There are a couple of quarians who have volunteered to serve on the Normandy. As a favour, to both Tali and I. Gaby and Ken, you will have someone helping you out in engineering. Not saying you can't handle it yourselves, but it's always good to have an extra engineer. The others will simply help, where needed, on the ship. They'll join when you return later on."

"Don't worry about a thing, Shepard, we'll make them feel at home."

"Good. Thanks, Traynor. Now, Joker, what I want you to do is head back to the Citadel. I want a complete refit of this ship. I've already cleared it with the Alliance, they are happy to help. The ship has been on the go for a while now, and you also have the plans for what I want done. While the refit is being done, I want you all to go on a break. One month. All of you. That includes you, Joker. That means off the Normandy! Go somewhere nice. A beach. Relax. Traynor, I already know where you'd like to go."

Traynor blushed.

Finally, there was a succession of nods and grins. With his final orders given, handshakes and hugs were shared between the couple and crew, and with a final wave, Shepard and Tali boarded the shuttle. The engines fired, and the shuttle slowly left the Normandy for the last time.

Once a distance from the ship, Shepard slowly turned the shuttle to watch the Normandy through the front window. His ship, the one which he had served for years.

As XO.

The CO.

The Saviour.

His home.

Where he found love.

Slowly, the Normandy turned and, with glowing engines, pulled away from the orbit of Rannoch. Suddenly, with a flash, the Normandy entered FTL and was gone from his vision. Shepard felt a hand on his shoulder, and he turned to look at his wife. He could see the smile in her eyes behind the mask, one which he returned, though not without a hint of sadness in his eyes, the smile not completely spreading across his face. She gave him a reassuring squeeze, letting him know that everything was going to be fine. Tali then sat in the seat next to Shepard and grabbed one his hands.

With a nod and a grin at his wife, he turned the shuttle and started their descent.

"Inbound shuttle, please identify."

"Admirals John and Tali'Shepard, inbound to Rannoch from the SSV Normandy. Requesting landing clearance at the local spaceport."

"Of course, clearance granted, Admirals. The Admiralty Board has already been notified of the Normandy's arrival in orbit. Identification merely a matter of formality. Welcome home to Rannoch."

Shepard shut off the comm. and continued their descent. The shuttle flew slowly as they took in their new homeworld. Off in the distance, they could already see farmland growing all manner of crops, none of which either could identify for the moment. In the near distance, they could see small settlements established. Turning his attention forward, he noticed the outskirts of a major settlement.

"I think we are only a few kilometres from where you wanted that house, Tali. Beach front property. Remember?"

Tali could only nod, as she quietly took in the view through the front window. "Keelah... Shepard, it's beautiful. I never thought I would live to see the day that all this would happen."

Tali felt into one of her pockets and took out a small rock. Shepard looked across. "You've kept that all this time?"

"Of course, Shepard. As a reminder, that day you made your promise. I just never thought..." Tali trailed off.

"Hey..." said Shepard softly, reaching across to grab one her hands, "We're here. Together. We're home."

Tali could only nod, a sniffle behind the mask. "Sorry, I know I'm being silly. It's just... Even after everything, to know that we're here on Rannoch. My homeworld. It's like a dream."

"Dreams do come true, Tali," Shepard stated with a grin.

Tali could only respond with a grin of her own, as Shepard turned the shuttle towards the spaceport in the distance. A couple of minutes later, and the shuttle touched down.

The couple were on Rannoch at last.

Shepard and Tali were sat with Shala and Koris in a skycar heading towards the middle of town. Shepard had been slightly surprised to see both Shala and Koris were no longer in suits, though the clothing they wore did leave Shepard trying desperately not to chuckle. Quarian fashion sense would probably take time to develop. But, even so, both Shepard and Tali were both far more interested in the buildings and scenery flying by the window.

"So are you able to go without suits full-time now?" asked Tali.

"Not just yet. We can go for at least 48 hours before requiring suits again for a day, or night. But our immune systems having improved significantly. We are hopeful it won't be too much longer until we can go full time. Most of us are now wearing light masks too. Quarians will have to get used to seeing each others faces again. It will be… an interesting experience."

"That means no more pulling faces at me from behind the mask then, Tali" joked Shepard.

Tali just playfully slapped his shoulder. "Not funny, bosh'tet."

"And I still don't know what that means after all this time."

"And you never will," giggled Tali.

Shepard feigned disappointment, before turning his attention to the two quarians in the front seats. "And what's the name of this town?" asked Shepard.

Shala shook her head. "No-one knows, Shepard. We lost nearly everything in the evacuation. Even the geth don't have full records in their archives. We've taking to naming the cities after our ships. So we named this town Tonbay, after my ship, as I've made my home here. It is a stop-gap measure, though. We hope to find something about what all these places were called. The geth are helping with rediscovering much of our own history."

Shepard could only nod. He knew this was a story being repeated about much of quarian culture and history. They tried to keep what they could, but spending 300 years simply trying to survive meant much had been lost from the collective memory of their people.

"Did you get a copy of the house plans I sent?"

"Right here on my omni-tool, Shepard. I also sent your plans to the geth, who were also aware of your plans to build a house. They have already told us that they would be more than happy to assist in the construction. In fact, they insist. First, though, we must go meet the other Admirals, and also the geth representative. They are all eager to meet you both."

"Has the civilian government been established yet?"

"We're nearly there, Shepard," answered Koris, "And I'm glad. While we floated through the galaxy, trying to survive, it worked. The Admiralty Board, that is. But, back here on Rannoch, and now we're at peace, there is no reason for only five people to be in charge. The people need their voices heard. Actually, that reminds me. Tali, what are your plans?"

Tali thought for a few moments. She realised in the past months she had barely given that part of her life a thought. "To be honest, Koris, I really don't know. Do I really need to remain an Admiral? I mean, I understand why I was promoted at the time. But, now that we're at peace with the geth, my position as a geth expert no longer seems to be required. Even returning to engineering seems pretty pointless, though I'd still find it enjoyable."

Shepard was sat there with a small grin on his face that Tali eventually noticed. "What are you smiling about, Shepard?"

"Oh… just thinking. We both could be unemployed soon. Whatever will we do with our time?" Shepard's eyes glinted, the suggestive tone clear to Tali.

Tali was up for the game. "Oh, I don't know Shepard. I'm sure you will think of many things to keep me occupied. Fill my time. So to speak."

Shala and Koris merely exchanged glances in front of them, either completely oblivious or trying hard not to burst out laughing, as the ideas of how to fill each others time because ever more suggestive.

"Shepard Admiral. Creator Shepard. Delighted to meet you. I am Alexander. I am a representative of the geth here in this Creator settlement. I am working closely with the Admiralty Board, during their transition."

"Delighted to meet you, Alexander," answered Shepard, "Again, I must ask, as I do with most geth names - why Alexander?"

"I name myself after Alexander the Great. Human. Macedonian. Conqueror of the known world in his time. Still regarded as one of the greatest human military commanders in history."

"Interesting choice."

"Thank you, Shepard-Admiral."

"Please, it's just Shepard. No need to refer to me as Admiral. And my wife is known as Tali. Or Mrs. Shepard. You have no idea how much she enjoys that last one."

Tali nodded her head in agreement. "I like Mrs. Shepard," giggled Tali.

"You are still an Admiral, are you not, Shepard? And Creator Shepard is a quarian."

"Technically, I am. But no-one calls me Admiral. It's okay, Alexander. I'm just Shepard. And my wife is perfectly happy to be known as Tali. Or Mrs. Shepard."

The geth's eye flaps flickered, as it thought. "Very well… Shepard. And Mrs. Shepard."

Shepard could only grin. Tali giggled again. The geth were still learning.

Shepard then turned his attention to the four Admirals, who sat on the other side of the small conference table. Shala and Koris were their usual relaxed selves. Even Gerrel appeared to be in a friendly mood, his handshake with Shepard, when entering the small office, a real surprise. Xen… well, she was still Xen. Shepard didn't think their relationship would ever change.

Koris eventually spoke. "So, Shepard, we have your plans for the house. Where do you want to build it?"

Shepard looked at the map that lay on the table. He studied it for a moment. Closed his eyes as he thought, trying to imagine the scene in his mind. Re-opened his eyes, then pointed at the map. "There. Right there is where I want to build our home."

The four other Admirals, and Alexander, all looked at where Shepard pointed.

"Shepard," said the geth, "That is not close to this, or any other, settlement. Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Alexander. That is where Tali wants the house. That is where I promised I would build it. It's right near the beach, and the ground is easily flat enough for us to build the house we want."

"Shepard, the geth are ready to start building at a moment's notice. Let me know when you would like us to start."

"Alexander, I can't possibly ask you to just start now. And I have to help. And pay. I have more than enough credits after all I've been through."

Gerrel actually spoke up. "Please, Shepard. The geth want to help. We," as he pointed to the three Admirals beside him, "Also want to help. You have done more than enough for we quarians. Let us help you in return. We all feel we owe you that much. Also, you're in no condition to do any work. That cane you still carry gives that away. And pay? Ha! Shepard, I can honestly say you will find your credits will be worthless here."

Gerrel grinned, to let Shepard know what he meant. Shepard was actually shocked at the generosity.

"You don't owe me anything, Admiral Gerrel," as Shepard waved away his protest with a smile, and wrapped his arm around his wife, "I did it for Tali. I promised her a home. On her homeworld."

Tali blushed beside him, but looked up at Shepard with a loving smile.

"Well, if that's the case, Shepard, let us, the geth and the quarians, do it for Tali as well. We also owe her that much."

Shepard couldn't argue with that logic. She was just as much responsible for the return to Rannoch, and the peace that followed, as he.

"You honour us, Admirals, Alexander," answered Tali, as she bowed slightly.

Shepard could only shrug his shoulders, and grinned. "I guess that's settled then."

"You'll need somewhere to stay while the building is complete. Would a hotel suffice?" asked Shala.

"That will be perfect."

"Shepard, Mrs. Shepard, I will liaise with local geth workers. We anticipate the building of your home to take no longer than three months," explained Alexander.

"Three months? That seems mighty quick for all the work that would be required."

"Geth don't need rest, Shepard. We can work all day and night. I, no, we, all wish to do this. There will be much to do - aside from just the house, we will custom build furniture, you'll need running water, electricity, sewerage plus we'll also take care of the front- and backyard as well."

Shepard and Tali didn't know what to say. It sounded extraordinary.

"Admirals, Alexander. You have our thanks."