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Shepard went straight to the communications room once she got off the shuttle, refusing to admit to the terrible headache that pounded inside her mind. Time enough to deal with that once she'd reported to Hackett, she told herself, squinting to see through the pain.

Fortunately, she was able to get Hackett on the comms quickly, and he stayed silent while she explained everything Leviathan had told her, trying to lay it all out efficiently so that he would understand.

When she was done, he shook his head. "Unbelievable."

"True or not, Leviathan believes it, sir."

"I didn't mean it that way. Everything you're saying makes sense … it just rewrites galactic history as we know it."

"The Alliance wanted more intelligence on the Reapers—I'd say we got it. If nothing else, now we know the Reapers had a beginning. And maybe it means it will be easier for us to provide them with an end."

"You say Leviathan actually took control of the Reaper forces on the planet's surface?"

"Yes. And it seemed to take control of the Reaper, as well."

"Fascinating." Hackett stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I think I'll put together a team and have them deliver Leviathan's artifacts to selected locations in Reaper-controlled territories. Depending on how far Leviathan's reach extends, we could accrue an army of Reaper creatures dedicated to exterminating their own kind."

"Leviathan's reach extends pretty far, sir. It was able to control people on the Citadel—that technician who killed Ann Bryson's father, and Ann Bryson herself."

"You say Bryson shows no long-term damage from having been taken over by Leviathan?"

"Not that we can tell, sir."

"And you, Shepard?" Hackett's eyes were sharp on her face, even holographically.

"I'm fine."

"You would tell me if it were otherwise?" He sounded skeptical, and she forced a smile.

"Of course, sir."

"Uh-huh. Well, keep me posted. Hackett out."

And his image was gone. As soon as it was, Shepard caught herself on the railing in front of her and put a hand to her head. The pain was easing, but it was as though she could still feel Leviathan inside her mind. On top of the Protheans and then Cerberus, it was … disconcerting, at best, to have had another entity inside her, reading her thoughts, speaking to her through a psychic connection. She wanted it to stop. She wanted to kill the Reapers, end the war, and go—away, somewhere. Anywhere. And never have to feel someone else inside her head again.

But that wasn't the reality she lived in. The Reapers were still coming on strong, and there was much to be done. Gritting her teeth against the continued pain in her head, she made her way out of the communications room to check on Joker in the cockpit.

"Where to now, Commander?"

"The Citadel. The asari councilor sent a message she wants to speak with me."

"Weren't we just there?"

Shepard shrugged. "I guess something just came up."

"We wouldn't want them to make efficient use of our time or anything," Joker grumbled, his hands flying over the controls in front of him.

The doors slid open behind Shepard, and James Vega came through them, his worried eyes on Shepard's face. "You all right, Lola?"

"Fine, James."

"Ann called me, said she was worried about you."

Shepard smiled. "Tell her thank you for the concern."

"Shepard," EDI spoke up, looking thoughtful. "It occurs to me that if the Reapers weren't able to fully exterminate their creators, that suggests they are fallible, even on large or long-term scales. That knowledge should help us."

"It does, I think," Shepard agreed. "I'm just not sure how. But having Leviathan on our side should make it easier."

"Maybe it means we pull this thing off after all," James said. "And Ann can see her dad's work finally pay off."

"We couldn't have done it without him. If—when we end this war, it will be in large part because of Bryson. At least, if Leviathan turns out to be on the level." But with Leviathan's voice still reverberating in her head, Shepard didn't doubt its sincerity. Not really. She caught herself as she was about to put her hand to her head. "I think I'll turn in, if you don't mind. Joker, you need me?"

"No, Commander, we're all good."

"Great." She ignored Vega's look of concern as she made her way out of the cockpit.

But another man's worries were harder to duck. Kaidan was waiting for her in her quarters, and as soon as his strong arms were around her, she closed her eyes and leaned against him.

"Shepard! You all right? You want me to call Dr. Chakwas?"

"No. I think I'll be fine after a good sleep."

"If you say so," he said doubtfully. "But if you aren't yourself in the morning, I'm calling her for sure."

"If I'm not myself in the morning, I'll let you," Shepard mumbled, letting him lead her to the bed and start to remove her clothes.

"You scare the hell out of me with these risky moves you take, Juniper," Kaidan whispered as he pulled the covers up over her and began to stroke her back, lightly and soothingly. "But I guess it's also part of what I love about you."

Shepard wanted to tell him that she loved him, too, but she was warm and comfortable and falling gently into sleep. She would tell him in the morning.