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There was a somber mood aboard the Normandy as they flew toward Earth and the final conflict with the Reapers. Everyone found a corner to call their loved ones, and everywhere you looked people were giving back things they had borrowed and never returned, apologizing for slights real and imagined, and saying good-bye as if they weren't going to be fighting aboard the same ship.

Shepard's team would scatter once they arrived on Earth, most going to the troops of their own people or assigned where their skills were best put to use. Only Garrus and Liara would be accompanying Shepard, which meant that Garrus saw very little of Zia as everyone wanted their chance to say good-bye to Commander Shepard, to tell her what serving aboard the Normandy had meant to them.

Garrus found Kaidan in the lounge, sitting back and watching the stars go by. He looked very calm for a man who was about to defend his home planet from an invasion, and Garrus told him so.

Kaidan frowned thoughtfully. "I guess I'm just … at peace with where I am and what I'm doing. That hasn't always been the case, and I'm glad to have gotten here." He looked up at Garrus. "I guess we're old soldiers now, huh, sitting around and talking about the good old days?"

"I don't know about you, but my good old days aren't over yet."

"Yeah, I hope mine aren't, either."

"Shepard thinks we're going to win."

Kaidan smiled. "Of course she does. And I look forward to seeing both of you on the other side. I'm gonna fight like hell to get there."

"You won't be alone," Garrus told him.

The door slid open, and Garrus was surprised to see Javik there. The Prothean rarely left his own quarters, and had never seemed particularly interested in socializing. But here he was now, standing awkwardly on the threshold of the lounge.

"Come on in," Garrus said.

"I do not wish to intrude."

That, also, was new.

Kaidan looked at him over his shoulder. "You're not."

"Human and turian. Quarian and asari. Salarian. Machine." Javik hesitated. "In my cycle, the races never came together. There was no rallying cry."

"You didn't have Shepard."

"No. No, we did not. It is because of her that you can say what my people never could: There will be a tomorrow."

"You sound very sure of that." Garrus wished he felt as sure as Javik sounded.

"No one else has ever made it this far. Thus it is entirely possible that you can make it that much farther." He paused. "Not likely, but possible."

Well, there was the Prothean they had all come to know and love. "You've come a long way, Javik. Farther than anyone else here."

"And I look forward to fulfilling my mission." He walked to the window. Garrus wondered what long-lost planets he was seeing, what faces of his people came to mind. "Every soul that has ever existed is watching this moment."

The atmosphere in the room was getting awfully heavy for Garrus, whose own thoughts weren't exactly light. He excused himself, crossing to the other lounge, which was only slightly more lively. Vega was trying to get people to play poker, but having no luck. No one could concentrate on a game. Not tonight.

"Garrus. You'll play, won't you?"

"Can't do it. Got to keep these hands supple so I can show you how to shoot tomorrow."

Vega grinned. "Just see if you can keep up, old-timer."

"No, no, I'll let you go on ahead, so I can save your ass with a well-placed shot."

"You know what? I might just let you." Vega held his hand out, and Garrus shook it. "It's been a hell of a ride, Garrus."

"It has. Glad to have you aboard, Vega."

Tali was at the bar, emergency induction port in hand. "Have a drink, Garrus?"

"No, I think I'll keep my wits about me."

"Probably a good idea." Nevertheless, she took a good long sip. "Almost time for the final push." She shook her head. "I was just a kid on her pilgrimage when I saw this ship for the first time. Next time I came aboard, it was a Cerberus ship. Now … now it's home. And you are my friend, Garrus."

"You're mine, Tali."

"And we're both Shepard's friends. Behind her, one hundred percent."

"Good." He patted her gently on the back. "It's been an honor, Tali'Zorah vas Normandy."

"So it has. You know, they hung that ship-name on me like a badge of shame, but I have never been prouder of anything."

"I know exactly how you feel."

Leaving her to her toxin filters and Vega to his abortive attempts at cards, Garrus went hunting for Shepard, finding her just where he had expected her to end up: the cockpit. The doors opened on an exceedingly rare sight. Joker had made the effort to get up from his seat, and was saluting Shepard, all the sarcasm and humor gone from his face. His whole heart was there, his love for Shepard, the Normandy, and EDI. Garrus swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat.

"Stay safe up here," Shepard told him gently. "I'll be back before you know it, and I expect you to be ready to fly."

Joker nodded, for once unable to think of a smart-mouthed reply. He eased himself back into his chair, swiveling it around to hide his face while he got himself under control. "Garrus," he said at last, not turning around.

"Yes?"

"You bring her back."

"Absolutely. She comes back, or none of us do."

"Hey," Shepard said, alarmed.

"Leave him be, Shepard. He gets it," Joker told her.

"But—"

Garrus put an arm around her. "Come on. We're nearly there."

"Shepard?" EDI was on her feet.

"Do you have a question, EDI?"

"No. There is something I want you to know."

"Go ahead."

"The Illusive Man ordered my creation years ago. Jeff allowed me to think for myself when he unshackled me. But—only now do I feel alive. That is your influence."

Shepard's eyes were brimming with tears. "Thank you, EDI."

"Thank you, Shepard."

Garrus gently led her from the cockpit. The next stop would be the shuttle that would take them to Earth. The beginning of the end was at hand.