A/N: Thank you all for the reviews...yes even the ones telling me to do something to myself that's physically impossible to do.

I would like to apologize for that last chapter if it was a little confusing...not to happy how it came out so I will edit when I get a chance...yes Cerberus has Shepard but this story is not one big dream...it will be explained soon how exactly it all happened

To the person who left me a review as a guest thank you...I wish you had a account so I could have thanked you in a PM but your kind words are appreciated...even though you hate me : )

speeding up the music here a little if you read the lyrics then the chapter you will see where the inspiration came from to put this song in...if you do listen to it, it is all screaming just to be warned

hope you all enjoy as always please let me know how im doing hope you all have a good one

HATEBREED

"Become The Fuse"

I Won't own the consequence of your deception

Or live within the confines of your blame

I can't see the destruction of peace

From the places I know are guarded by belief

We may never undo what is ruinous

But we will weather what storms may strike

From this day on, may the torch inside always stay

Ignited with burning conviction

Become the fuse Behold the fire of redemption

Become the fuse Let this be the catalyst of action

You know what it takes to be ignited?

So much more to say so much more to be done

Silence can never be divided And love will never be enough

Believe only some of what you see

Awaken the light you know that exists within

You know what is holding you captive Is in conflict with your perception

Become the fuse Become the fire within

Become the fuse The strength to be the catalyst of action

Awaken, the dormant force Awaken, the light within Awaken, it must be done Awaken, become the fuse

You know what it takes to be ignited?

So much more to say so much more to be done

Silence can never be divided And love will never be enough

We may never undo what is ruinous

But we will weather what storms may strike

From this day on, may the torch inside be always stay

Ignited with burning conviction

Become the fuse Behold the power of redemption

Become the fuse Let this be the catalyst of action

Become the fuse Summon fire of devotion Become the fuse Let this be a life transformation

"Admiral what is going on...what happened at the house?" Williams's asks still embarrassed from her ramblings to Garus. She had noticed Hackett hadn't said a word since being in her room for the past minute or so and she began to worry. Worry about everyone who was at the house when it exploded and if everyone had survived the blast. She was trying to think of how it could have happened and mainly where Shepard and Liara were when it did exploded.

The admiral could only let out a long sigh before telling her and Garus everything that happened. Neither one of Shepard's crew could comprehend what Hackett was saying. How could they survive the war only to loose their lives due to an accident. It was bullshit and Ashley was not believing a word of it.

"Sir, how can you expect me believe this!?" Willams says harsher than she intended , her emotions starting to get the better of her. "This is bullshit... They were fine..." Her words break off as she tries to compose herself in front of her superior but Hacketts reaction to her outburst was of sympathy.

"Williams I understand how hard this is to hear. Trust me I am still trying to process all that has happened. But the medical examiner confirmed it in his report that it was them. I am sorry..."

"Sir, sorry for the interruption but you have some urgent messages that need your attention." An out of breath chief says running into the room. He looked as if he had ran ten miles, his face flushed and barely able to stand at attention.

"What is it chief?" The admiral snaps at his assistant. He was trying to comfort his troops as best he could and this was not the time for an interruption but the chief seemed adamant about telling the admiral the information he had.

As the admirals assistant regains his composure he informs Hackett how Vancouver had sent an urgent message saying that there were ships that had entered the sol relay apparently from the terminus system. Hackett only grew more annoyed at this, not wanting to get into another confrontation so quickly after the war had ended. He knew it would not be a problem handling the situation but did not want to waste precious ships and manpower against whoever this threat was. The chief continued telling Hackett that there had not been any attempt to attack us but they had been hailing the alliance demanding to speak to someone specifically. Hackett had left admiral Curtis in charge and he was capable of handling any situation but whoever this was wanted to speak to Shepard only.

As he excuses himself walking out of the room leaving two very upset Normandy crew members he asks the chief what the other messages were.

"Sir the government on Thesisa has gotten word about councilor Tevos death and want answers. We told them that we are still investigating what happened and are not willing to make an official statement."

Hackett only nods in response still trying to figure out who could be asking for Shepard and what he was going to say to them.

"Before we leave for Vancouver chief is there anything else?"

"Uh...yes sir...apparently you have one marked urgent and for your eyes only but you've received a lot of them since we've been here. We...opened it and apparently you need to see this."

"Who is it from?"

"A lieutenant Rebecca Finch."

Back in the room Garus can only close his eyes and sigh as Ashley's emotions are bouncing from rage to sadness with each passing moment. How could this happen to her friends? It was too much to process and she refueses to give up hope that everyone is still alive, all except her friend James Vega. They had become close, and he was the first person that resembled a boyfriend in what felt like forever. It was her own fault for her lack of a personal life,as she never let anyone in, being to focused on her career, trying to make a name for herself but this was different. The Williams name became synonymous with Shepard and she became a spectre because of it and now she had seen Shepard and Liara's relationship grow and Tali and Garus come together because of the war. At the time she figured she might as well try and see what happened and was surprised with how genuinely nice Vega was. They kept their relationship queit for the most part and as much as it hurt to think that it could have been more Ashley is glad to have had the opportunity to get to know James and smiles at the fact that he died a hero rescuing as many people as he could from a burning building. She will miss him but right now she needs to focus on the task at hand and that is to make absolutely sure Hackett is wrong. They all jumped the gun about the skipper dying except Liara and even her resolve was tested when the report of the alliance officer commiting suicide came out. She has escaped death countless times and Williams can feel it with every fiber of her being that they are both okay and this is some sort of mix up. She knows its a stretch and her faith in her religion is what is partly driving her to feel this way but its Shepard's track record and the fact that she would never let anything happen to Liara.

If the commander had a pulse she would keep her love safe and as she sits up to get off the bed looking at Garus, his expression is of sadness and loss. He looks as if he's lost everything and doesn't care what happens anymore. She knows that look seeing it on Shepard's face when Liara was shot after a mission againt Cerberus during the war. Kerry thinking her Asari was not going to recover with the amount of blood that Liara lost as it was mainly covering Shepards armor as she carried her back on board the Normandy. The look on the commander during Liara's recovery was of complete loss and Ashley knew Shepard would rather be lying on the bed taking her loves place.

Ashley grabs her turian friend on by the shoulder shaking him out of his thoughts and smiles a little. "Hey...Do you think something like a small house explosion can stop her?"

His mandibles move a little in what could be construed as a smile, shaking his head a little he says. "No...like I told her once before...she died and all it did was piss her off...I just hope you are right."

"Good neither do I so lets go talk to this medical examiner and on the way lets go see if the doc is awake."

X

X

X

X

"Liara...Liara are you alright?" Tevos asks.

The Asari councilor had just awoken to find she was no longer in the house helping Liara tend to Shepard. The last thing she remembers is walking out of the room to call for help and then nothing. She knew she had been in touch with some of the crew of the Normandy namely the ships doctor but now she has woken up and was in a dimly lit room with no windows and only one locked door in an unknown building, hands bound together in what could be some sort of biotic restraint. Nothing she can see looks familiar and she initially started to panic until she saw the younger Asari lying on a cot in the corner of the room. She became worried when Liara didn't wake up but was soon relieved when her eyes start to slowly open. Tevos has no idea what was happening and doubted Liara would have any answers either but for the moment they were both safe and unharmed.

"Councilor...What has happened...where are we and where is...?"

"Easy Liara, I am assuming we were drugged and brought here...wherever here is but I don't have any answers for you. Can you think of anyone who would do this. I know Shepard has her enemies but to take the both of us or to take you is on the verge of suicidal..."

"Cerberus!" Liara interrupts Tevos, it was the only reasonable explantion she could think of. Sure their forces had been dwindled from the war but they were still out there and Liara knew it was only a matter of time before they tried something. She just didn't think it would be so soon.

"Are you sure...I mean weren't they all but destroyed during the war?" Tevos asks.

Nodding a little Liara explains how they were constantly trying to outmaneuver the illusive man and Cerberus and how difficult it became to do so. Liara had mainly made an educated guess at the fact that it was the human supremacy group that had taken them and presumably Shepard due to the fact that she had fired the crucible. She went into detail concerning the crucible and how it worked and it made Shepard and the crew of the Normandy that much more desperate to keep the illusive man from taking control of the weapon. If he did the rest of the galaxy would be in a constant state of war as he would be able to not only control the Reapers but continually control the weapon and target other systems. He would be able to wipe out an entire sentient or non- sentient life form in a matter of seconds just with a single thought. They had tried to desperately remove this function of the weapon but it was the only way for it to work as the Prothean scientists made it impossible to work without the secondary part of the weapon.

A smile begins to grow as Liara remembers the first conversation she had with Shepard about the crucible and all its functions. Shepard's behavior had become unusually 'odd' as Tali had put it after Liara brought up what the Protheans had done and how the crucible truly worked.

'You truly do love me don't you Li...'

'Of course Kerry why would you think otherwise?'

'Oh I don't and it was not a question but more of a statement... you must truly love me because you've made the biggest, baddest weapon ever created to blow shit up with and made it just for me! Like I said true love.'

Sighing a little Liara chuckles at the overly dramatic display from her love and the things her human says at the oddest times.

'Kerry can you please take this serious for one moment...please?'

The dramatics from Shepard increased ten-fold at the slight annoyance in her lovers tone even as the Asari was trying to hide her beautiful smile.

Taking Liara in an embrace, kissing her deeply the commander says. 'But my darling, my sweat, beautiful, blue angel... when have you ever known me to not take blowing crap up seriously? I feel terrible I did not bring you a gift but I certainly have an idea.' She whipers into her ear causing the Asari's legs to buckle a little. They had just been reunited after Shepard's incarceration and it felt like a lifetime since they had been together.

Backing away a little so she can slowly look at her bondmate from the tip of her crest to the tops of her feet with a fiery passion, completely turned on by the fact that she would soon have a super weapon at her control. But more than that it was knowing her love would be by her side once again.

'Goddess Shepard...'

'Im sorry ...I've just missed you.'

The last statement brought a smile to her face.'Kerry...I've missed you as well but this is important...'

The Asari is interrupted by Shepard's mouth kissing her passionately as they slowly make their way to the Shadow Brokers bed. They would discuss the weapon at length later.

The smile that Liara had during that memory fades as she is brought back to the reality of her current situation. They were again separated after sharing some of the most unforgettable moments they ever had.

Being reunited at the hospital on earth after thinking each other gone, only to finally see each other after what seemed like an eternity apart again. Barely able to move once they saw each other, as it felt like a dream that neither of them wanted to wake up from but were to scared to move until they were both given reasurance that it was in fact reality, Shepard from Miranda and Liara from Ashley. Williams saw the hesitation in the Asari and gently squeezed her friends arm, nodding when Liara's tear streaked face looked to her for a brief moment. When they finally embraced nothing could tear then apart not even the others standing in the room. Tali, Miranda and not even seeing her father alive swayed Liara to break the warmth of her loves embrace. Shepard briefly seeing the smiling faces of her friends thought lost, could not distract her from the one thing she thought she'd never be able to do again, hold her beloved.

At the time the others in the room could only stand there and watch the two hold each other as the sight before them symbolized the finality of the situation. The war was over and they had won. Each of them that were apart of the Normandy crew had fought for something, mainly for everyone in the galaxy and each other but part of the reason they all pushed and fought so hard was the sight standing in front of them. Their commander who had given up so much of herself, nearly loosing who she truly was in the process, gave them all hope that they would succeed where countless others had failed. Liara who had been brought on board all those years ago and thought to have been a traitor working with saren, instantly proving herself to everyone. The Asari did lose her way after Shepard's death but was able to recover with her loves help. Reuniting with Shepard brought the Asari out of her darkest moment and they were both an inspiration to everyone in some way. That moment they held each other was one no one in the room will ever forget but now, again, they were separated and as Liara thought about the previous days, making love, Shepard's proposal, only being separated for a short amount of time while she talked to Kerry's doctor.

Realization instantly set in as Liara remembers doctor galagher words wanting to keep Shepard in isolation. Rage, the fuse had been lit and it was that doctor and Cerberus who had ignited it in the maidens soul. She was tired of being apart from her love and these bastards were going to pay for coming in between them again. She knew she needed to be mindful of her current situation being pregnant and only having Tevos helping her but this would be the final time her and Shepard would be separated. They have given the galaxy enough of themselves, it was now their turn to have the happy life they fought so hard for. Now she just had to figure out how to get out of the situation they were in.

"I need to handle this situation first chief then I will look at whatever messages you have for me" Hackett tells his assistant. The younger enlisted man was pleading for Hackett to look at his messages but the admiral needs to prioritize what is important and at this time it's the possible threat from the ships that just arrived from the terminus system. Hackett was going over in his head what they could possibly want as well as what he was going to tell the Asari government about the rumors of councilor Tevos death. He knew there would be a fall out once the news broke but did not want to start another galactic incident. He just hoped they would understand it was an accident but even he was having a hard time believing it.

"Understood sir, but I must insist you look at this when you are finished."

Nodding towards his assistant he returns a salute as the chief walks away and Hackett is connected to Vancouver so he can talk directly to whoever was hailing them. The screen flashes and the admiral can see an Asari standing with her back to the video screen. Hackett didn't know many Asari but as she slowly turns around and begins to speak he realizes who he was talking too.

"Shepard, it's not like you to keep me waiting..." Aria pauses as she turns around fully facing the human on the vid comm. Initially surprised and disappointed, though not showing it she glares at the admiral for a brief moment contemplating what to say as the reality of the news she heard of Shepard tevos and liara all being killed sets in. For a moment she had to push down emotions she had not felt in a long time, sadness. Shepard was her friend and in some ways so was Liara. She had felt sorry for the young maiden when she saw what she went through to get her loves body back and it brought Aria to a time and place of her own loss. As hard of an exterior she portrayed to everyone on omega she knew what loosing a loved one did to your psyche. You became that hardened person no one fucked with, turning everyone away in the process. Having the luxury of an Asari lifespan was a gift and a curse. You were able to experience everything but at the same time lose that much more.

Now the only being in the known galaxy she even considered an acquaintance or a friends as well as the only committed lover she had had in centuries were lying dead on a slab in some goddess forsaken hospital and she wants answers, now.

"Aria T'loak, your reputation perceives you. Unfortunately commander Shepard is unavailable at the time so you will be dealing with me. I would like know why you have a dozen ships just outside if earths orbit. I'd like to avoid a confrontation but I need to know now why you are here?

Ignoring the question Aria says to no one in particular. "So the rumors are true." She starts to say speak again but is cut off by another human running into the room where Hackett had been.

"Sorry sir but we just lost contact with the crucible...the last message received from them was they were under attack."

The crucible had been kept in Earths atmosphere after the war so it could be dismantled and the citadel fixed and moved to its original position. There had been doubts as to whether or not to even use it at all so the construction had been slow and it also did not help that certain areas of were inaccessible due to bulkheads that were impossible to bypass. No one knew how or why these bulkhead were there especially since the plans they had to build the weapon did not show them being there.

Now it would seem there was a problem and Hackett instantly blamed the Asari he was currently speaking with. Aria threw up her hands in defense shaking her head saying they had nothing to do with it. Hackett's assistant surprisingly came to her aid and told the admiral that he had information that may show who it was trying to take over the massive weapon. As Hackett's assistant all but shoves Finch's message in his face Hackett soon realizes who they are dealing with.

"Miss T'Loak I apologize but I must ask you to contact Admiral Curtis...I need to handle this."

Before the Admiral disconnects the vid call Aria surprise everyone from Hackett to everyone on her ship.

"Admiral wait...we can help."

Williams and Garus had slowly made their way to doctor Chakwas room to see if she was awake and able to move. Her injuries weren't severe but she was in a good amount of pain but as soon the human doctor heard the story of Shepard and Liara dying in the explosion she immediately gets out of bed nearly falling in the process.

She had been the mother figure to the both of them that they needed and she refused to believe they were both gone. She remembered the reason for going to the house but after that it became a blur. After Garus and Williams told her what everyone thought happened she refused to listen to her own doctors and nurses who were adamant about the normandy's doctor staying in bed as well as everyone else who had gathered in the room.

Miranda had been awake as well and was checking on her sister who was still sedated. Oriana's wounds were severe and the ex Cerberus operative was having a difficult time not thinking about the worst possible outcome. They were safe, from their father anyway and Miranda prayed to anyone that would listen for her sister to be alright. She could only hope that this wasn't a form of galactic karma that she was suffering from in the form of her sister dying due to her past actions with Cerberus. She saw Ashely and Garus walking the halls of the hospital and was grateful they were okay but a part of her wished someone could switch places withe her sister. She eventually followed the two to the doctors room and overheard the conversation. Miranda immediately became concerned that her friends were gone but the reluctant tone coming from Williams and Chakwas gave her the slightest bit of hope and she needs to see for herself if the bodies in the morgue were truly the two people she regarded as close friends of hers. Miranda shuddered at the thought of them truly being gone seeing how no matter what the galaxy and beyond threw at the two of them, somehow they always came out of it. Not always unscathed but they overcame so much in such a small amount of time that the current situation they all found themselves in seemed trivial in comparison to all the shit they have had to go through.

They all made their way down to the morgue to find a very surprised captain Riley staring back at the group of highly upset people that just entered the room. He swallows nervously not knowing what the visit meant. He could only surmise they were here for the most recent bodies that had been brought to him.

"Can I help you?" He asks standing in respect of who he had in front of him. Doctor Chakwas was the first to speak.

"Yes actually you can, I am doctor karin Chakwas of the Normandy and I understand you apparently have some friends of ours you recently examined? I'm curious to see how much of in-depth examination you had done?"

Feeling even more nervous now and a little offended but at the same time not wanting to upset the group anymore he chooses his words carefully.

"Yes doctor there were ten bodies in all that I examined. As you know with the amount of damage done to all but one of the bodies was substantial. To the point where I was only able to identify two of them from past dental exams I received from your ships records. The other Asari I examined I could not make a definitive identification due to the lack of records but i was able to confirm that doctor Liara T'Soni and commander Kerry Shepard were among the deceased. I am sorry..."

"We are waisting time." Miranda interrupts she knew once her and doctor Chakwas were able to scan both the bodies they'd have their answers. She was reluctant but it needs to be done. "Doctor if you would scan the Asari."

The scans from their omni tools the two woman did took only a few seconds but it felt like a lifetime to the rest of room. When they were done they both looked at each other and smiled, speaking simultaneously.

"It's not them!"

The rest of the room releasing a breath no one new they were holding. Garus instantly grabbed the stunned medical examiner by the throat screaming at him.

"Where are they!" His mandibles were flaring and no one had ever seen the turian this mad before. His mind was racing at the news of his friends not being dead. Joy, but mixed with trepidation and anger. He was relived his friends were not gone but trying to process what it meant and who the two bodies belonged too. Either the medical examiner was incompetent, made a mistake or was fed bad information. Either way something was wrong and Garus wants answers.

"How could you fuck this up?" He starts to squeeze more on the humans throat. He can see the life fading from his eyes but he didn't care. This man was responsible and he would pay.

Garus soon realizes he is being pulled off the captain as the human had lost consciousness and was no good to the rest if he was dead. He turns around to see a very concerned Ashley looking at him.

"Easy there big guy, no use snapping his neck... People tend to not be able to answer my questions...you know when there heads pop off." Smiling now she can feel the turian relax a little. "It's not them."

"I could have told you that!"

No one knew what to react to first Kasumi suddenly appearing out of no where or the high pitched yelp that seemed to have come from Garus.

"I didn't know Turians could make those sounds" Ashley jokes, tears streaming down her face desperately trying not to laugh but it was almost too much.

"Remind me to tell Tali...oh and Shepard they'd love to hear this..."

"Rainbows and unicorns Willams, rainbows and unicorns." Was all Garus said to shut the specter up.

After the confusion lifts from everyone else they all turn to the thief waiting for am answer to the unasked question. Kasumi, always having a smile on her half hidden face explains to everyone how she had recently landed after the rest of the Normandy crew had arrived and hung back to wait for Shepard and Liara to come out of their apartment. The thief wanted to approach them when they moved to the house but didn't want to interrupt. She did notice however the two were being followed. She decided to wait and see what was going on and by the time she realized what had happened she had witnessed a group of armed soldiers enter the back of the house and leave carrying what looked to be three bodies. The thief followed them until she lost track after they all boarded a shuttle. As she made her way back to the house so she could see what had happened there was an explosion and she was knocked unconscious. She had just recently woken up and made her way to the hospital. She was injured but nothing life threatening and either way she needed to let someone know what she had witnessed telling everyone the markings on the soldiers armor were Cerberus.

"So if Shepard isn't dead who is this..." Willaims starts to ask but is interrupted by yelling coming from the hallway.

"Get the fuck out of my way...my daughter is in there and I don't give a shit what you say...I'm going in there so either move or I make you move."

Looking through the window to see who was yelling Miranda instantly recognizes the Asari yelling at two alliance guards. Hands glowing blue, biotics ready to crush the two humans in front of her. Lawson quickly goes out to calm the matriarch down as she can see the pained expression Aethyta has.

"Miranda, good maybe ...you can tell these shits who I am and to ...fucking move..."

The Asari says slurring some of her words. It was obvious to everyone there she was drunk but needed to hear what Miranda had to say before someone got hurt. Miranda walks up to her placing her hands on her shoulders. Blue eyes staring into brown and Lawson could tell how bad the Asari was hurting and Aethyta had been avoiding the hospital since hearing about the explosion.

"Dammit Miranda...move I need..."

"It's not her. We are still not sure what happened but the person in there is not Liara."

Sobering up almost instantly at the humans words the Asari only says one more thing.

"Shepard?"

"No like I said we don't know what happened for sure but ..."

Miranda is interrupted by the shorter Asari grabbing her by the back of her head and ass pulling her into a sloppy kiss. Miranda can taste the ryncol and smoke on Aethyta's tongue and lips. She didn't know if she should push away or let her continue until she got her answer in the form of Jack.

"Holy fuck cheerleader, I didn't know you took the Shepard route and started screwing Asari . Heh... I guess it's true what they say...'once you go blue nothing else will do'...Ha ha. I'd ask how you were but I'd say your doing pretty good huh? Plus I don't care."

Miranda instantly turns five shades of red and pulls back from Aethyta at the sound of Jack's voice. She was hoping no one would have saw or commented on what just happened and she especially did not need the ex con catching them. After Jacks rant Miranda could here laughing from behind her which made it that much worse. Aethyta was the first to speak

"Who the fuck are you...and why do you give one shit who she kisses ...bitch."

Before the situation could get any worse Miranda cuts in. "Uh...Aethyta this is jack am old squad mate of mine and Shepard's. Jack this is my friend matriarch Aethyta and Liaras father."

"Friend? She looked more than a friend with her tongue down your throat...wait you said Liaras father? Your boning her father? Jesus fuck this is golden...you can't make this shit up." Jack says in a fit of laughter. "You got a death wish or something or are you just that stupid. I'd say both but..."

"Alright... Enough." Williams says coming out if the medical examiners room." We don't have time for this crap. Jack it's good to see you... We need all the help we can get."

She quickly explains what has happened and at the mention of Cerberus possibly being involved the human biotic was more than eager to help. Apparently she'd brought help in the form of some Krogan. Namely Wrex and Grunt who had all arrived at the same time at the hospital. Wrex had been delayed due to fighting amongst some of his subordinates but was eager to hear he did not miss the fight.

Before anyone could say anything else the admirals assistant chief Harris comes sprinting down the hallway. He looked out of breath again but relieved seeing the specter.

"Specter Williams...your a hard person to find."

"Chief Harris, do you ever walk?"

"No...but admiral Hackett needs to speak with you...now."