A/N: Well here it is, the end. Had planned one chapter but it grew to two, who am I to argue with these characters. Hope you enjoy and there is an epilogue - hope to have it up in a couple of days, it's almost complete.

Thanks again to everyone who has stuck with this, as much as I enjoyed writing it would be nothing without you the readers. Playing ME1 again at the moment so a story is in the works that takes us back to the beginning of this wonderful relationship. Hope I can do it justice.

Thanks again to Bioware for giving us such wonderful characters to write about and a fabulous universe to play in.


Admiral Hackett studied the never-ending reports that flowed across his terminal. As the highest ranking Alliance Officer remaining everything ended up on his desk. There were still politicians out there, some had been on Earth when the attack started, others had been on Arcturus Station. While those that remained were trying to restore order, the Alliance was the only able body that could do anything about it. The Alliance brass had also been on Arcturus, only three other Admirals remained but he had seniority due to length of service. He would have been happy to hand command over but he was the only one with the experience to deal with everything. Thus the inundation on his terminal.

Requests for medical aid, troops to move debris, food supplies, ship fuel and the list went on. He had questions from the Turian, Asari, Quarian, Krogan and Salarian leaders about the progress on the relays, so far the news was not good. The Geth ships were still out there, just sitting dead in space, they had gone dead just before the wave hit them, as if they knew it was coming. The Reaper ships had fizzled and died, it was the only way he could describe it.

He turned and looked out the observation window at the Citadel. The damage was extensive but the Council had pulled itself together and were making inroads into the devastation. There was word that strangely the Keepers were bringing in survivors, repairing and restoring areas that were most needed. It amazed him that the Citadel had survived, that so many who had not been able to flee had survived. Shepard had survived.

He had gone to visit her once she was awake and her report on the destruction of the Reapers had fascinated him. She tried to explain that the decision hadn't been hers, that the Keepers had the final say. He argued that her convictions, her loyalties and beliefs in those around her were enough to convince any race that the Reapers had to be destroyed. As much as she hated the hero title she eventually accepted that without her the Reapers would have won, that what she did was miraculous, in every sense of the word. What he couldn't do was stop the sadness and despair in her eyes when she asked about the Normandy, about her crew. He was determined to see those eyes twinkle again, to see a smile on her face, to see her happy. It was the least he could do.

His eyes closed as he thought about his dear friend who hadn't survived. He and David Anderson had joined up at the same time, served together, shared each others lives for so long. It had been David who put Shepard forward as the first human Spectre, he had been so proud of her. He would have been overjoyed that she had survived, destroyed the Reapers. Hackett made him a silent promise that he would watch over her, although he knew Major Alenko would have that job, if he came home. It was against regs but there was no way anyone was going to separate Shepard and Alenko as long as he was an Alliance Admiral. They both deserved some happiness. Hell, they deserved to retire to a beach somewhere and live out their lives in peace and quiet. He couldn't quite see that happening though and as much as he hated to think it, they were still needed.

He had a headache and he massaged his temples as he sorted through the to do list in his mind. It was only a month since the Reapers had been defeated, but it felt like a lifetime. It seemed unreal that the Reapers no longer existed, they had died because the galaxy had come together, worked together and fought together. All because one person believed. How did you thank someone for that, for saving lives, planets, an entire galaxy? There was one way he could.

'Have we heard from the Normandy?' He glanced at the communications officer. The Normandy wasn't the only ship that hadn't reported in but as heartless as it sounded it was the one ship he wanted to find.

'Not yet, sir, but we've only just brought the Sol com buoys on line.'

'I want to know as soon as we do.'

'Yes sir,' the officer nodded, he knew why it was so important, everyone knew why and everyone wanted to see them come home. Everyone wanted to thank the one person who had saved them all and if that meant finding the Normandy that's what they would do.

A garbled message caught his attention and he worked at clearing it up. It was faint, outside the com buoy range but it was moving, coming closer. He adjusted his equipment, used all his skills to pull the signal in, check the transponder identification. He couldn't stop the smile on his face as he turned to the Admiral.


Kaidan stood behind Joker, his fingers digging into the leather of his seat. He stared out of the viewports willing Earth to come into view. Three days ago they had lifted off the planet they had developed a love hate relationship with. It had saved their lives and provided resources they needed but it had become one of the most uncomfortable places he'd ever been as the temperature soared and tempers frayed.

The tension as they fired the engines was a physical entity, exhaustion and stress making everyone jumpy. But fire they did and everyone cheered as the tension melted away. They weren't home yet and they still had problems that may stop them from getting there but they were on their way. There was hope and relief.

'Major, I can't seem to find any com buoys,' Traynor spoke from the CIC.

'It's possible they were damaged or destroyed by the wave. We may have more luck as we get closer.' They were transmitting a status update request on all frequencies, Kaidan had stuck to Alliance procedure. It was all he had to hang on to.

Joker had been correct about their position and they calculated it would take them roughly two weeks to get home. They had basic systems running with repairs continuing as they traveled, they had thought about waiting a few more days to get systems up but everyone wanted to get home. Joker had his work cut out flying with limited computer assistance and with only partial navigation, but he was good, he was the best pilot in the galaxy. Kaidan had no doubt and he was going to recommend him for commendation, he'd saved them when they landed and he was saving them again now.

'Major,' Traynor called and he turned to look back at her. 'I've found something.'

'What is it?' Kaidan asked as he came to stand beside her.

'I was scanning the frequencies, trying to find any kind of communication, news, something and…' she looked up at him through moist eyes. 'I'm sorry, sir, I found this.'

Kaidan felt his heart lurch, fearing the worst as he looked at her monitor. Traynor had found a news feed coming off the Citadel. Relief washed through him at the thought it had survived, that meant that Shepard could have survived. He corrected himself, she had survived, he knew it.

'Word today that the body of Admiral David Anderson was found among the rubble of the Citadel. Admiral Anderson and Commander Shepard were the only two to make it to the Citadel from Earth in the attempt to defeat the Reapers. Admiral Anderson will be given a full military funeral with honours as soon as it is practical. There is no word yet on Commander Shepard.'

The news report panned back to show the mountains of rubble behind them and beyond that the damaged arms of the Citadel. How could anyone survive that? But she had survived it before, survived Sovereign crashing into the Presidium. He knew she had survived this time. He had to believe that. He looked at the date stamp, two weeks after the final assault.

Kaidan placed both hands on the console and dropped his head, his eyes staring at his boots. Two weeks and they hadn't found her. Was he wrong, was he just holding on to false hope? He didn't want to let go of hope, not yet, he couldn't. He would have no reason to live if he did.

'Let the crew know about Anderson,' he said softly, his voice cracking as he thought about his good friend and mentor. Anderson had been more than his commanding officer and it hurt to think that he was gone. 'We'll put his name on the Memorial Wall.' Kaidan pulled himself upright and looked at Traynor. 'Keep searching for more, for anything. Good work, Traynor.' He gave her shoulder a gently squeeze before heading for the elevator and med bay, the beginnings of a migraine were starting and he couldn't afford to let it take hold, not now.


Hackett stood behind the Communications Officer, his hand resting on his chair, his heart pounding. It had been several hours since he first found that distant signal that had given everyone hope, it was distant and faint, but it was getting clearer. He watched the officer work, his hands moving faster than Hackett thought possible as he adjusted frequencies, fought to gain every ounce of power from the com system. His shift ended two hours ago but he refused to leave. Around him everyone had stopped and was waiting, hoping, crossing fingers and using any other beliefs, lucky charms and simple wishing to make this happen.

'Alliance Command, this is SSV Normandy, requesting status update.'

And there it was, a standard Alliance protocol message for times of war, but it was there. Cheers broke out, people hugged, cried, laughed or silently prayed to whatever deity they believed in. Hackett let out a deep breath and put his hand on the Communication Officer's shoulder, squeezing gently.

'Good job, very good job.'