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Bailey was waiting for them when they arrived at Huerta Memorial. He had been patched up and was arguing with his doctor about getting back to work. "Shepard. You want to weigh in here?"

Zia looked at the doctor, who shook his head at her. Considering the options, she said at last, "Bailey, back to work. You'll drive yourself and everyone else crazy otherwise. Check in with your doctor if you feel the faintest twinge."

"Yes, Commander." He saluted her and the doctor. As the doctor rushed off to attend less stubborn patients, Bailey leaned toward Shepard. "Thane's in the room just down the hall. They won't let me in, but I imagine they'll make an exception for you. His son Kolyat's here. He's in with him now."

"That's a relief," Garrus said. "After all they've been through, that they can be together now? A lot of fathers and sons—" He broke off at the naked pain on Bailey's face, wishing he'd kept his big mouth shut.

Clearing his throat, Bailey added, "If it seems … right, tell him the salarian councilor says he's a hero. Just to … he might like to know."

"I'll tell him."

She and Garrus moved toward Thane's room. Javik had gone back to the Normandy, unhappy that his first view of the Citadel had been when it was under attack, muttering something about it being too much like his cycle.

There was a harried nurse just coming out of Thane's room as they approached. "May we see him?" Shepard asked.

"No, he's … Wait. Are you Commander Shepard? He's asking for you." He hesitated. "We're going to miss him."

Garrus drew his breath in sharply. He had known—seeing the wound, there had been little chance of a good outcome—but to have it confirmed was something else. "This is the end, then?"

The nurse nodded. "I'm sorry, I have to—"

"It's all right. Let us know if we can help."

Shepard and Garrus looked at each other, then approached the door, which slid open for them. The younger drell, Kolyat, was sitting by his father's bedside, head in his hands. He jumped up when they came in. "Thank you for coming. I think—I think he's been waiting for you."

On the bed, Thane stirred. "Shepard? Garrus?" The words came with difficulty.

Shepard went to him, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Don't try to talk. I just came to say thank you for all the times you had my back."

"And all the times you let me take the shot," Garrus added.

"If people knew how many lives you had saved, they would be lining up outside to thank you personally. The salarian Councilor says you're a hero."

Thane gave a weak smile. "Those are … not … words I ever thought … would … apply to … me."

"That assassin should be embarrassed," Garrus said. "Here you are, terminally ill, and you still kept him from reaching his target. I've never seen anything so impressive."

If possible, Thane's chuckle was even weaker than his smile had been. "There is … there is … something … I must do … before …"

Kolyat's voice, young and strong, broke in, and Thane relaxed in relief and what looked like surprise. "Kalahira, mistress of inscrutable depths. Kalahira, whose waves wear down stone and sand, this, your servant, asks forgiveness. Kalahira, wash the sins from this one and set hm on the distant shore of the infinite spirit."

Thane reached a hand toward his son. "You … the priests …"

"Yes, Father. I have been studying the old ways." He looked at Shepard and Garrus. "I brought a prayer book. Would you mind joining me?"

"Of course."

Garrus wondered what the spirits would say to him praying to the drell gods. Of couse, given that he never spent much time thinking about his own religion, maybe the spirits would just be glad he was praying to someone. It occurred to him that he didn't even know what Shepard's beliefs were. He should probably ask her sometime. Then again, if it was important to her, it probably would have come up before.

They took the book Kolyat handed them, Garrus reading over Shepard's shoulder. "Kalahira, this one's heart is pure, but beset by wickedness and contention. Guide this one to where the traveler never tires, the lover never leaves, the hungry never starve. Guide this one, Kalahira, and she will be a companion to you as she was to me."

On the bed, Thane blinked once, then twice, then his eyes closed and didn't open again. Garrus thought he should mourn, but his friend had gone in peace, with his son near him, with friends, with the knowledge that his life had been lost doing something. Thane wouldn't have asked for more than that. Garrus hoped when it was his time to go, he could say the same.

Shepard looked at the still figure on the bed, then at Kolyat. "Why did it say 'she'?"

"Because his last prayer was for you, Commander. For your protection."

"I see." There were tears trembling unshed on Shepard's eyelashes, and she impatiently blinked them away. There would be time for that later. "Thane's was one of the most generous spirits I have ever known. You have a great deal to be proud of, Kolyat."

"Thank you. For … bringing him back from his battle sleep." Kolyat nodded gravely. "I will take care of him from here … and then I will assist Commander Bailey in putting the Citadel to rights. May Amonkira guide your feet, Commander."

Shepard shook Kolyat's hand, and she and Garrus gave a last look at Thane, at peace at last, and left the room.

"Do you think he's with his wife now?" Garrus asked her.

"I do." She smiled. "I hope they have an eternity of happiness."

Garrus reached for her hand, comforted by her certainty.