Chapter 45 - Heartache and Hope

For so early in the morning, the ship was brimming with activity. They had gotten in ten minutes earlier than estimated but her father was there, nonetheless. Terra met him as he waited at the docking bay airlock. They moved away from the ship.

"Terra, how are you? I read your report. That was a hell of a thing you pulled off. Especially considering Lawson turned on you."

"I'm fine," she said weakly.

Hackett frowned. She was pale. "Terra, has Dr Chakwas checked you over?"

"Dad, I'm okay, really. It's just… all of this. I'm about to say goodbye to a good crew, and some of my closest friends, and I don't know how long it will be before I see them again. I can't seem to pull out the Commander this time."

He took her hand like they were merely shaking in greeting, and placed his other over their clasped hands. "Then don't try, Terra. You have the bay until 0600. Go do what you need to do." He released her hand.

"Thank you, Dad."

"Please don't thank me. I feel sick over this. It's times like this that it gets difficult to remain composed. I guess I'm feeling a little bit like you."

"Boohoo," she joked shakily.

Hackett chuckled. "You don't get the monopoly, you know. Try being the parent." He wished he could hug her – she looked like she needed it - but as quiet as it was, there were still eyes around.

"Go," Hackett ushered her, and she walked back into the Normandy to her waiting crew.

Hackett strolled to the viewing window to survey the ship. Seeing it like this gave him chills. Scorch marks, torn metal, and though he couldn't see it from here, he knew from Terra's report that there were breaches in the cargo hold. To think she'd managed to go through the Omega relay and make it back still staggered him. Add to that the destruction of the Collector's base, complete with Reaper, and his daughter had managed to leave him speechless.

He found himself in a strange place, emotionally. He was in high-spirits that she was back and in one piece, but it was tainted with the looming arrest and trial. He sighed heavily. For all his status, he could only ease the process, not stop it. What was all this worth if he couldn't protect his own child? Then he put away his self-pity, and opened his omnitool.

Terra's docked. Bay D16. She has until 0600.

He sent it to Kaidan. It wouldn't be easy for the man to get through to Terra, but he seemed determined.

Hackett briefly wondered how Anderson was getting on with his manhunt on Omega, then settled in the seating area and started sifting through his files. There was always work to do.

x

Kaidan lay in the bed, now deep in sleep. The rented room around him was pristine, clothes draped carefully over a chair. He'd only managed to slip into that rejuvenating oblivion just an hour before.

A bleep invaded the silence of the room, an orange light glowing from the omnitool on his wrist. He stirred enough to turn himself on his front, his arm now hanging over the edge of the bed, but none of it had registered consciously. The silence returned.

x

The atmosphere was full of melancholy and tension. Some of the crew were ready to go, not wanting to drag it out. Others were congregated in groups around the CIC, talking inanely amongst themselves, prolonging their departure. Terra spoke to every single one before they left the ship, asking them of their plans. Not one of them was intending to return to Cerberus, and that pleased her.

Daniels and Donnelly approached, as ever inseparable.

"Engineering deck's clear, except for Jack, Commander," notified Donnelly.

"She's refusing to leave," added Daniels.

"I'll deal with her. Thank you."

"No, thank you, Commander. You came through for us," gushed Donnelly.

Daniels was nodding, her eyes slightly haunted. "I felt myself slipping away, and then you were there, pulling me out. You saved my life."

"More than once if you think about it, Gabby," Donnelly interjected. "That time was more literal and personal to you, but the Commander's actually saved you every time she stopped the Reapers."

Shepard and Daniels looked back at him for a moment.

"Have you finished, Ken?" Daniels rolled her eyes. "Anyway, thanks, Commander."

"You're welcome," Terra smiled. "What do you two think you might do next?"

"You mean after I've slept for a week? We're not really sure yet," shrugged Donnelly.

"Don't worry about us, Commander. I'm sure Ken will get us into the thick of trouble, sooner or later," jibed Daniels.

"Take care. Both of you."

"You too, Commander." Donnelly gave a salute, and the two of them left.

Terra studied the CIC. It looked a mess. The crew had done the best they could to clear the debris, but they could only do so much. Parts of the ceiling now lay exposed, over-stressed beams hung at odd angles and some of the terminals were blackened where they'd overloaded. The rest of the ship was no better, and it was made worse by the emptiness. It reminded her too much of when her crew had been taken. It felt like defeat. She shored herself. They'd gotten through that, and she could get through this. She headed down for Jack.

Descending into the muted red lighting of engineering's under-belly was strangely calming. Jack was sitting on her bunk, her knees brought up to her chest, arms around her knees. It was the posture that you might expect a young frightened child to adopt. Defensive and self-comforting.

"Jack-"

"What the fuck, Shepard!? You're just going to hand yourself over like some pussy!?"

"Jack-"

"Just fuck off. I'll leave when I'm damn well ready."

Terra knew she wouldn't get through to Jack like this, so she didn't try. "I have a stop to make on the crew deck, but after that I'll be in my cabin if you want to talk." She didn't wait for a response - it would only be an expletive - and ascended the stairs for the elevator.

She felt deep concern for Jack's future. The young woman was so angry. Understandably so - it was how she'd been raised, a cold and brutal childhood - but if she wasn't careful Jack would end up back in a cell or dead. Terra knew that Jack had more potential than that. Despite herself, Jack had formed a connection with her. A friendship. Jack may not recognise it as such, but Terra did.

The elevator opened on crew deck, to Samara and Jacob. They stepped back as she exited.

"It is time for me to leave, Shepard," began Samara. "I have no need to linger on the Citadel. I will be returning to asari space. Shepard, it has been an honour to serve with you. I have enjoyed my time with you. You have made me feel part of something, and it has been a welcome change in my life of solitude. I must admit that I will find it hard to re-adjust. Nevertheless, I will go on." She placed her hand on Terra's arm. "You have been a good friend to me. Know that should you ever need me, I will come."

"Thank you, Samara."

"You will prevail, Shepard, as only someone as strong as you, can." Samara moved into the elevator and waited.

Jacob shook Shepard's hand. "Commander, it's been a real honour."

"Back at you, Mr Taylor. What's next for you?"

"Well, I can't stay with Cerberus, that's for sure. But I don't think I can overlook the reason I left the Alliance, either. It's something I need to think about I guess. But don't worry, Shepard. I'll find my place. You need to be careful, though. Cerberus will want your tail."

She shrugged. "Then at least I know I'm doing something right."

"Ha! Never boring with you around. Look after yourself, Shepard."

"Good luck, Jacob."

With a smart salute, Jacob joined Samara and they disappeared behind the closing doors. Terra headed for Life Support.

Thane was standing at the viewing window to the drive core, hands clasped behind his back. She went to stand beside him. Looking at the silent drive core, she missed the shimmering, pulsing, beautiful thing it was when it was active.

Thane took her hand in his, then looked at her. "Siha, I have so much to thank you for."

"Thane…" was all she could manage before her throat closed up with emotion. She turned to face him, and he did the same. Terra hugged him close, tears seeping as she realised this may well be the last time she ever saw him. She wiped them away before she stepped back. "I asked Mordin to take a look at your case-"

"Siha-"

"Thane, please. Where's the harm in him trying?"

Thane understood this was something he could give her in return for all she had done for him, and he nodded. Her relief was apparent as she transferred Mordin's contact details to his omnitool.

She took his hand again. "Kolyat's expecting you?"

"He is. I will not waste the chance you have given me to know my son again. No matter how short my time is, I will spend it wisely. But I worry for you, Siha."

"Don't. You have enough on your plate. I won't be alone. I still have friends in the Alliance. And with luck, I'll see you again."

"I shall hope for the same, Siha."

Terra leant up to kiss his cheek, and walked him to the elevator. Another gone. Her feet were heavy as she went to the medbay. Tali and Garrus were chatting to Chakwas, and they all turned as one to face her.

"Oh, Commander," Chakwas said, embracing her tightly. "I'm going to miss you."

"The feelings mutual, doc," Terra said as they parted.

Chakwas looked at them all. "I've never had truer friends. Thank you, Commander." The doctor gave one last look at her medbay and left.

Tali moved in front of Shepard. Terra had expected Tali to get off at Omega. It would have meant a shorter journey back to the Flotilla, but she'd insisted on staying with Terra for as long as possible.

"I hate saying goodbye again, Shepard. I lost you last time."

"I'm not going far this time, Tali. And you have a certain quarian waiting for you. Don't keep him waiting any longer."

"I know. I won't. But what about the Reapers?"

"I know there's another issue going on with the geth, but you know that it's not as cut and dried as you believed. I really think there's a chance for peace now. And we'll need all the help we can get when the Reapers hit. A war between the geth and the quarians would be devastating, for your own people and beyond."

"I'm not sure I can have an impact on something like that, but I'll try Shepard. Take care."

"You too."

Tali hugged Terra close, then quickly rushed from the room.

Garrus fidgeted restlessly. "I hate that you're doing this, Shepard. You should be right here, not behind bars. Without you, things have a habit of going bad," he grimaced.

"You give me too much credit, Garrus. It's about time that you realise you're a significant part in all this. You can carry on."

"Shepard, I don't even know where to start!"

"How about with those you know best? Your own people."

"Palaven."

"It's as good a place as any."

"Maybe. Just promise me that when those bastards who think they know better finally grow some brains and let you out, that you'll come find me."

"Absolutely." She suddenly grabbed him tight. "Thank you for being there for me, Garrus."

"And I will be again. It's what friends do."

She let him go so she could meet his eyes. "You're a damn good one, Garrus Vakarian."

"Goes both ways, Shepard. So sort this out fast, so we can get back out in that galaxy and start kicking ass again."

"You got it," she smiled.

Garrus patted her arm as he passed her, but this time Terra couldn't watch him leave so she studied her feet instead until she was satisfied he was gone. Asides from her, that left only Joker, Lawson, and of course Jack, aboard. Joker wouldn't leave the ship until he was forced to, so she'd hold off his goodbye till the last minute. She trudged across the Mess and opened the door to Miranda's make-shift cell.

Lawson was lounging on a chair, looking at the vista of the Citadel like she didn't have a care in the universe.

"Something I can do for you, Shepard?"

"Alliance soldiers will be here at 0600 to detain you. You might want to be ready."

"Aw, how sweet. We can leave in cuffs together," Miranda said snidely. "If I were you, I wouldn't waste the last minutes of your freedom. I hear mass murder carries a long sentence," she added spitefully, with a smirk.

Terra chose to ignore it and walked out. Back in the elevator her head sank back against the wall. She couldn't let it get to her. Back on Command level, she headed for the cockpit. She had to get the goodbyes out of the way.

"Hey, Commander," Joker said miserably.

Terra sat in the co-pilot's seat. "How are you doing, Joker?" she asked softly.

Joker shrugged. "I dunno. I mean, it's been crazy and all, and that time the Collectors boarded nearly had me crapping my pants, but despite that, it's been great! The ship, you, it's how it should be, and now it's over and everything's turning to shit again."

"Who says it's over? The Normandy's still here, and no-one knows her like you do. They'd be fools to replace you."

"Yeah, except that I'm probably going to face charges of desertion."

"Desertion!? You mean you never officially left your post with the Alliance!?"

Joker gave her a sheepish look.

"Joker! Why didn't you say anything before!? You could have gotten out of here earlier!"

"And leave you to face the music alone? Nah uh. If you can stand and face the nonsense charges against you, then I can face one little charge for deserting."

"But you could be banned from flying with the Alliance! You certainly won't be allowed anywhere near the Normandy!"

"Well, Edi and I have been considering that, and what if the ship's 'VI' only responded to me?…"

"Ooh, you are so cagey. Been taking lessons from Wrex?"

"Please, he could take lessons from me!"

"Apart from getting back to Earth, you still wouldn't be flying, though."

"Eh, it's the next best thing. And once they retrofit it to within an inch of its life to conform to the Alliance's low, low comfort standards, they'll want a shakedown. That's gotta be something to look forward to."

"It's a waste of your talents to spend it on a ship that's not going anywhere, Joker. Retrofits take a lot of time."

"Nothing else can compare to this baby, so I'll wait."

Terra ran her hand over her face. "I feel like this is my fault."

"Well it's not. You can't help being you."

"I'm not sure if that's a good thing, or not."

"I wouldn't change you, Shepard, so it's all good."

Terra gave him a grateful look, then her gaze went past him to the blue orb behind him. "Edi, you're okay with being a regular VI for the foreseeable future?"

"It will be challenging to limit my abilities, but considering the alternative of deactivation if I am discovered, it is necessary."

"Sorry, Edi. I never even considered you, did I?"

"I am aware having an AI on board an organics vessel is not a normal situation to find yourself in, Shepard. However, I appreciate your concern. Rest assured, it is not an issue. I will adapt."

"Okay... well... I'm going to spend the last bit of time in my cabin. Gather my belongings, and… stuff like that."

"Sure thing, Shepard. See you soon."

"Take care of yourself, Joker. You too, Edi." Terra traipsed back to the lift. Everyone was dealt with. Mostly. But Jack would face her when she was ready. Now Terra just had to tell herself it would be all right. As she travelled up, she checked the time. 0530. She decided that she hated countdowns. Nothing good came at the end of a countdown.

The cabin should have been her haven, but instead it felt like a borrowed place that she needed to tidy before it was passed to someone else. So she busied herself doing just that, and started packing up her meagre possessions while she waited for the end of the wretched countdown.

x

Kaidan woke with a jerk. Something felt wrong, though it could have just been his fuzzy head. He ran his hand over his face, then sat up to check the time. The flashing message from Hackett registered first. It had come through at 04.29. He hurriedly cleared his blurry vision and opened it.

Terra's docked. Bay D16. She has until 0600.

Kaidan felt panic consume him as he focused on the time. 05.36! He leapt out of bed and practically jumped into his trousers. Then shoving his feet into his boots and grabbing his shirt, he ran for the door as he donned it.

He was breathing hard by the time he got into a cab, driving it almost recklessly, glad that the traffic was light. Kaidan mentally kicked himself for sleeping through the message alert. Terra had been here for an hour! Now he'd be lucky if he got ten minutes with her! The journey took frustratingly too long. He parked at the bay and launched himself out of the cab.

Two officials stood at the entrance. One raised his hand up to stop Kaidan from proceeding. "Sorry Sir, this bay is currently off-limits."

Kaidan had to fight hard to stop himself from shouting at the man who was only doing his job. "Commander Alenko. I have authorisation from Admiral Hackett."

"One moment, Commander."

The man stepped aside to confirm it, and Kaidan paced impatiently at the entrance, his eyes fixed on the ship beyond. It looked like it had taken a beating. The officer returned.

"Go on through, Commander."

Kaidan dashed through and slammed the external comm outside the airlock, belatedly noticing Hackett peering over at him from his seat facing the viewing window. Hackett merely nodded his acknowledgement and left it there. Then the lock was released and Kaidan darted inside.

Stuck between the outer and inner airlocks, decontamination took precious seconds, then it was opening and he was through. Flinging out a hand to signal a hello to Joker, Kaidan ran down the aisle to the… He faltered. The layout was different from the original Normandy.

"Elevator, top floor," called out Joker.

Kaidan raced to it.

"Don't mess it up!" yelled Joker, as the doors closed.

Kaidan hit the button and checked the time. 05.49. He knocked his head back against the wall. Christ, he was so stupid! Then the doors were opening and he was in the foyer outside the Captain's cabin. He quickly tidied himself up, then noticing it was left unlocked, just as she always left it, he walked in.

Terra was sitting at the desk, the picture of Kaidan in her hand. Should she take it with her? She wanted to, but she couldn't deny it hurt to look upon it. She'd just be torturing herself. She wished he was here.

"Terra," that wonderful, smoky voice spoken so gently, curled around her. She closed her eyes, immersing herself in the vividness with which she'd heard him. Like he was in the room.

"Terra." This time it was stronger, from beside her, and her heart kicked up as she opened her eyes to see him crouched next to her chair.

"Kaidan!" She shot up out of her seat, and he stood slowly, like he might spook her again if he moved too quickly. "They sent you to bring me in?"

"No! Terra! There's not a person in this galaxy who could order me to do that!"

"Then what are doing here!?"

"I had to see you. I had to tell you I'm so sorry, for everything. I know it's you. I know you're still the woman I loved-"

"Kaidan, please, I can't… " Loved, he'd said… "They'll be here to take me into custody soon! If they see you here-"

"Terra, stop! I don't care-"

"I do! And you should! You've worked so hard! Don't lay it all on the line because of me!"

"You don't get it. Terra, it's worth nothing without you."

Terra sucked in a breath. "But your doctor-"

"We're friends. That's all. I thought I could get over you, but I can't, and now you're alive, and… I want you back in my life. These past weeks… knowing you were out there and I wasn't with you… I can't do that again. I need you to know that nothing's changed for me."

Part of Terra was blooming with joy and love, but another part of her was dying inside for what she had to do. "And I won't allow you to tie yourself to someone with no future. Kaidan, I'm going to be incarcerated. There's no telling for how long. You've put off living your life long enough. You should move on. …Call your doctor."

"No. They're not stupid enough to lock you up for long. We need you. Without you, we would still be losing our colonists to the Collectors. And the Reapers are coming… That's why they'll release you before you know it. Terra, you have to believe that. Have hope."

"I seem to be struggling with that."

"Well, I have enough for us both." Kaidan moved into her space. "I love you, Terra Shepard, and that's why I'll wait for you. Now look me in the eye and tell me you don't feel the same way about me."

Terra met his eyes. She would never lie to him, but she feared it would tie him down. "I never stopped," she whispered.

Kaidan let out his breath, giving her a shaky smile. She was so beautiful. He went to reach for her, longing to touch her, hold her, when her cabin doors opened and a shaven-headed woman who appeared to wear little more than tattoos stormed in. She threw an almost death-inducing glare at Kaidan, barging between him and Terra with her back to him.

"It's not too late, Shepard," Jack said aggressively.

"Jack-"

"You're giving up! You're letting them take you! Do you have any idea what they'll do to you!? I know what's it's like, Shepard! The violation, the pain-"

"Jack!" Terra said in shock, holding on to Jack's arms. "They're not going to hurt me! This isn't Teltin, or Purgatory. This is the Alliance. I'll be safe."

Jack clenched her fists, then spun to Kaidan, her biotics flaring. "You better treat her right, or I will gut you!" she warned menacingly.

Kaidan chose not to react to that, the picture of control. One thing was clear to him - this furious woman cared about Terra.

"Jack, he's not the enemy. And he's not here to bring me in. This is Kaidan. He used to serve with me."

Jack's blue aura faded as she studied him, recognition arching her brow. "You're the asshole from Horizon."

"Jack-"

"It's okay," Kaidan said to Terra, then he faced Jack's hostile stare. "I was an asshole. Now I want to make things right."

Jack rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You just want to get in her pants." She turned back to Shepard. "It's still bullshit! You're just offering yourself up!"

"Yes, I am, Jack. Because I have to be true to myself. I would do anything in my power to protect innocents. By handing myself over, I can help avert a possible war, and that saves countless lives."

Jack shook her head with frustration. "Damned Queen of the Girl Scouts," she muttered. "Fine. Go and throw yourself on the sacrificial altar, like some stupid martyr. Go back to your stupid Alliance, and enjoy your stupid prison. Stupid bitch. Just don't go expecting me to visit."

Terra held back her sigh. So much of Jack's bluster was a defence mechanism, and Terra knew she didn't mean it. "What will you do now, Jack?"

"Pretending you care? Okay, I'll play along." Jack held her arms out at her sides, palms up, like she was showing she wasn't doing anything to deceive. "Don't worry about me, Shepard. I'll do what I've always done - enjoy my freedom, and look after myself. Hey, maybe I'll see you in a few decades. Now, I'm outta here." Jack stalked a few steps towards the door, then stopped, her hands fisting then releasing. Without turning, she added quietly, "It was good while it lasted, Shepard. Thanks."

When Jack was gone, Kaidan looked back at Terra. "So that was Jack."

Terra gave him a baffled look, clearly wondering how he knew about Jack.

"The Shadow Broker had copies of all the mission reports you filed with the Alliance. I took advantage," he explained.

Terra was relieved he knew everything. She looked to the door where she'd last seen Jack. "She's been through a lot. I worry about her. I think that without a guiding hand - someone to care about her - she'll end up the same way I found her, or worse. But it's not her fault. Cerberus made her that way."

"You're not responsible for her, Terra."

"I feel like I am." Her mind raced through any way she could help Jack, her eyes finally resting on Kaidan. "Could you try to help her? She just needs something to channel all that emotion into."

The thought of attempting to deal with that spitfire didn't thrill him, but Kaidan saw how important this was to Terra. "I'll see what I can do. Though I doubt she'll be receptive to anything that comes from me."

"That's up to Jack. You can only give her a direction, the rest has to come from her."

"I'm thinking I'm going to need a lot of patience," he sighed.

"Tons, but you already have that. Thank you, Kaidan."

"If it helps take some of that weight off your shoulders, then I'm happy to do it."

"What would I do without you?" She smiled, her hand reaching forward to run her fingers down his lips in her unique gesture. She followed the trail down to rest on his chest, catching briefly on his tags beneath his shirt. Kaidan caught her hand and held it there, and with his other he retrieved a small bundle of cloth from his pocket.

"That reminds me. Your father asked me to pass these on to you. I should have returned them to him after I failed to catch you before you went through the relay."

"You came after me?"

"On the Orisoni."

"Orisoni? The asari ship trying to hail us?"

"Yeah, long story, but I had hoped to join you." He handed it over, releasing her hand so she could use it.

Terra unwrapped the cloth and stared at the tags, still slightly burnished in places, but shining nonetheless.

"Allow me?" Kaidan said softly. He lifted the chain from her hand and placed it carefully over her head. She ran her fingers over the surface of the tags, and he studied her stunning face. He realised he hadn't felt this content in a very long time. He needed to touch her. Kaidan placed his hand on the right side of her face, his thumb gently tracing the damaged skin along her cheekbone. "You have a new scar."

Terra could barely concentrate with his touch. Could she really have him? Even amongst all the chaos of her life? She wanted him so badly. He was her safe haven. "Courtesy of Lawson," Terra breathed out as she looked into those whisky eyes.

Kaidan frowned. Knowing that Lawson had marked Terra filled him with anger, and Terra saw it. She placed her hand over his, pressing her cheek into his palm, then turning her head a little, her slightly parted lips brushed against his skin. That was all it took to send a shiver of pleasure through his entire body. He brought his forehead to hers. His senses were over-loading - her exquisite face, her sweet unique scent, the softness of her beneath his hand and her warm breath caressing his skin. She was perfect. He lost himself in the dark, shining pools of her eyes. There was one sense he had yet to use. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her tightly against him, then tipped his head to meet her lips-

"Commander, sorry to interrupt, but the Alliance officers have arrived," Joker informed her with a solemn tone.

She was out of time. They were out of time.

Terra's breath hitched shakily, and she went to move back, but Kaidan didn't let her retreat. He wasn't about to allow anything to stop him, not this time. He kissed her. A deep, caressing kiss that told Terra down to her very toes just how much he loved her.

She felt like a puddle in his arms. Everything else faded away. Nothing bad could touch her here. This was heaven.

Kaidan's last sense was satisfied. Exactly as he remembered, she tasted like her scent. As so long ago, it was only the need for air that ended the kiss. Terra nestled against his chest. If he died now, he'd be an extremely happy man. He was holding the woman he loved, the woman he thought he'd lost forever. He didn't want to let her go. The thought of being separated from her again had him tightening his embrace.

Terra could have stayed here, cocooned in his love, forever, but reality would come knocking at her door soon, and she couldn't let them find Kaidan here. Her hands on his back turned to fists grasping the fabric of his shirt. "I have to go," she whispered, vocalising it as much for herself as for him.

"I know," he rasped, leaning back so he could look at her.

As much as it hurt to say goodbye, Terra felt wonderful. "Thank you… For this."

His 'quick' kiss lingered a little too long. "I have a confession to make. I'm being completely selfish right now. I'm definitely doing this for me," he grinned.

She laughed. "Well, I really like it." She soaked in his handsome face, a seriousness descending. "I love you, Kaidan."

"I love you, too."

She reluctantly let him go, stepping back. "Kaidan, you have to promise me that if you find waiting too hard, if you find that you need someone else… that you won't hesitate to move on."

Kaidan shook his head with a frown. "That won't happen, Terra."

"Please," she ran her hand down the side of his face. "Just promise me. No matter how soon that might be. I'll understand."

Kaidan sighed. Even now, she never stopped worrying about his happiness. He knew it was never going to be an issue, but she needed the assurance. "I promise."

Now satisfied, she gave him one last kiss, then let her head bow. She couldn't prolong this.

Kaidan sensed her mentally retreating from him and pressed a kiss to her forehead. Without another word or look, she grabbed a bag off her desk and the frame which held his picture, and disappeared through the doors. Standing there motionless was incredibly difficult. Restless, he checked the time. 06.10. He knew that Terra's father would have had something to do with the extra time they'd gotten. He was grateful for it, but eternity wouldn't have been long enough….

x

Hackett was relieved to see Terra emerging from the elevator. There was only so much stalling he could do. He'd sent the officers to get Lawson removed from the ship first. The two men were efficient, however, and had quickly transferred Lawson to their ship's brig.

As Terra got closer, Hackett noticed that she looked like a different woman to the one who'd first exited the Normandy. The paleness was replaced by flushed cheeks that he wasn't about to consider any deeper. And though she was still shrouded with sadness, he saw the proud set of her shoulders was back, and her eyes shimmered with her new memories. He made a mental note to thank Alenko.

Terra nodded at him with a small smile, which he returned. The two officers stepped forward, and Hackett braced himself, as did Terra. They were about to read her rights.

-x-