"How long until we reach the Alliance?"
"Captain Anderson is currently on Earth, overseeing military operations on behalf of Admiral Hackett," EDI answered, "Approximate arrival time to Earth is one day."
Joan sighed, "Get us there as quick as possible; did you relay the information to the Admiral and Anderson?"
"We did, Shepard, but Anderson doesn't think it's a good idea for you to dock at Earth, he mentioned there is a high chance at us being detained… you know, since we were working with the terrorists," Joker said.
She paced behind Joker's seat for a few moments, "I won't ask you to take that risk for me."
Joker laughed, "You can make me fly this ship to Ilos and through the Omega-4 relay, and that's me risking my ass, but you won't ask me to risk a little jail time? C'mon commander, we're still a team and I know the risks. I'll get you to Earth in no time; because we're all in a hurry to be jailed up."
"Keep being a smart ass and I'll toss you into the Omega-4 relay myself," she joked.
"Ever the violent one, I'd have figured Thane would have toned you down, but he is an assassin, so the chances of that happening were wishful thinking on my behalf," he paused, before turning his chair around and asking, "You ok?"
"I'm fine, Joker," she answered.
He sighed, "For what it's worth, I think he's great for you… in a killers attract each other kind of way,"
She chuckled, "I should go."
"See you Commander."
She sighed heavily as she made her way to the cabin, it was strange to see the Normandy near empty; she tried to make it a point to her crew that they would be detained once she neared the Alliance. Most of them left, with the exception of a few stubborn people.
The doors of the elevator closed behind her and she closed her eyes as she waited for it to stop on her floor. She couldn't keep her thoughts off of Thane. She breathed in, deeply. Remembering the few times she bumped into him on the elevator and she chuckled. She almost wished he would have gone with her. Almost. There was no way in hell she was going to let him get detained, no matter how strong her selfish desires were.
It seemed like forever when the doors opened and she entered her cabin. A wave of sadness washed over her as she saw the bed. She felt a great ache in her chest as she sat at the edge of it. Closing her eyes, she fell back and inhaled deeply; thinking about the night before they invaded the collector base. She recalled the look on his face as he was distraught and the tears that flowed from his eyes; those big, dark, mysterious eyes that she adored looking into.
Her eyes opened and she stared up into the millions of stars that shone through the window above. They were miles apart, and she still felt a tugging sensation pulling her towards him. A yearning of wanting to turn the ship around and head back to Nos Astra.
If you do that, then the Reapers will come and all will be gone. Even Thane.
She heard the ping on her private terminal. Sluggishly, she willed herself to get up and check what was going on. Her heart skipped as she saw the sender.
Siha,
Although you left just a few hours ago, I could not help but send you a message. I wanted to let you know, that I was so happy to spend those few days with you. I find myself thinking of you every single minute that passes by, I am consumed by you. I close my eyes and I see those ice blue eyes staring back at me.
I understand that you are concerned with the well-being of the galaxy, and there is a darkness that is coming, a darkness that you are aware of and only you can save us all. But please, do not neglect your well-being in the process. I believe in you.
I wish I was with you. I wish I could help you. Please, keep in touch and if there is anything I can do to assist you, you need only ask and I will drop what I am doing to come and find you.
I love you.
-Thane.
A small smile spread across her lips as her fingers typed a response to him. After she sent it, she walked back towards the bed and laid there, feeling a glimmer of hope that she could save them all.
