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"Siha … siha." Thane rolled away from her, panting, trying to conceal from her how difficult it was to get his breathing back under control. He didn't want to have to tell her that this may have been the last time he would ever be capable of making love to her, to sully the memory with her distress and her inevitable attempts to pretend nothing had changed.

Shepard came after him, tucking her head against his shoulder, watching the heavy rise and fall of his chest without comment. Perhaps she knew, and was as little inclined to speak of it as he. Thane hoped so.

"Did I tell you," she began conversationally, "that EDI is trying to date Joker?"

Thane chuckled, then coughed. When the cough had settled at last, he tried a careful chuckle again. "That was only a matter of time."

"It's so strange, though. I mean, Joker's always been in love with the ship, but this may be taking it a bit far."

"EDI is learning how to be an individual," Thane pointed out. "And a very unique one. No doubt she garners a great deal of attention."

"That she does."

"And Joker was intrigued by her before she had such a … well-constructed body."

Shepard smiled. "After he stopped hating her. But yes, you're right. They certainly share the same abiding interest in the Normandy. And who else was Joker ever going to get involved with who could be as obsessed with it as he is?"

"For that matter, his Vrolik's Syndrome would lead to difficulties in any more standard relationship."

"I know it. But I worry. What happens if she encounters a glitch and changes personality, or her unusual self-awareness just … goes away?"

Thane rolled carefully to his side, one hand lightly caressing her stomach. "What happens in any relationship when one participant no longer desires the other, or … is lost?"

Shepard looked quickly at him, then away, and sat up abruptly. "It's devastating."

Whether she meant Kaidan Alenko's change of heart regarding her after her resurrection by Cerberus, or his own imminent demise, Thane didn't know. Probably it was both. He remained where he was, watching her as she rose and began collecting her scattered clothes. "It is worth the risk for the rewards. It must be—every species in the galaxy puts themselves through these things over and over again in their search for love and companionship and trust. Is it surprising that one of EDI's first priorities on gaining awareness of herself as an individual was that same search? Fortunate for her that she found what she sought so close at hand."

Settling the hem of her tank top around her hips, Shepard looked up at him. "Maybe. I … just don't know."

He should let this go, Thane knew. She was upset, and for good reason, and he should give her space to calm herself. But he had to admit to being curious. "What did you tell her?"

"Who?"

"EDI."

"Oh." She grimaced sheepishly. "I told her to go for it."

"Did you?" Thane couldn't help but be a little surprised. "In spite of all the challenges, and the possibility for things to go awry?"

He sat up as she came toward him, sitting on the edge of the bed next to him. She kissed him, slowly, lingering over it, and pulled away just as he was going to need to gasp for breath. "I wouldn't have missed my time with you for anything in the galaxy. How could I deny that to EDI, or to Joker?"

"Siha." He caressed the side of her face. "You have been an unexpected treasure that the galaxy offered to me just when I had given up. I, too, would not have missed a moment."

She put her arms around him, clinging to him tightly. He could feel the tension in her, the way she was holding herself in control, not wanting to give way to the emotions that must be building in her. At last she shuddered, catching her breath as though swallowing back tears, and released him. Her voice was brisk as she got to her feet. "I have to go convince Urdnot Wrex to go to Palaven and save the turians' asses."

Thane pictured the big, gruff krogan leader. "That should be entertaining."

"I think the word you're looking for is 'impossible'."

"For anyone else. Wrex would do anything for you." As would so many others. She was truly extraordinary, Thane reflected. A treasure indeed.

"This is a big ask. And what Wrex will want in return may be more than I, or anyone, can manage for him." She took Thane's hand. "It may be a while before I can come back."

"I will be here." His condition was worsening, but with the kind of care he was getting here in the hospital, he was confident that he had months remaining. "I promise."

"Good. I'll vidchat you after the conference so you'll know what's what."

"I can't wait to hear how things go. I love you, Siha."

"I love you, Thane." After a last squeeze of his hand, she gathered the bag that held her things in it and was gone, leaving him to watch the door, to live in memories, and to marvel at her continued optimism after everything the galaxy had thrown at her.