"I have no idea."

Alistair's chest seized at her words, the syllables rolling around in his head. Maker save me. "No, no no no! Shepard, you know me! Remember? Alistair? The guy you like to pick up and yell at?" Reaching down he tugged on her arm, fighting down a wave of panic. She had to remember! "You knew my name didn't you?"

Backing up Shepard shook her head in confusion. "I'm sorry, I don't know how I knew that."

The man next to her snorted softly. "Probably just another fan." Reaching down he patted Alistair's back companionably. "Don't take it too hard, the commander has met a lot of people while saving the galaxy, she can't possibly remember everyone."

Another hand came down on his back with a metallic clang, briefly staggering him. A woman with long brown hair pulled up beside him, smiling in amusement. "As long as he's not another Conrad, right skipper?"

"Conrad…?" He blinked, turning to meet Shephard's amused grin. "The man who bought all that fake armor? Didn't you punch him in the face?"

Shepard let out a chuckle and shook her head. "Nah, but I definitely thought about it." She paused, sizing Alistair up with a confused tilt of her head. "You really do seem familiar. I'm sorry I can't place from where… but clearly ..." She sighed and sent him a pained smile. "Cerberus and their upgrades. Who knows what I've forgotten."

Another creature stepped forward, this time a man who looked remarkably like a lizard. His voice rolled out, two toned and deep, his oddly shaped hand gesturing to Alistair's armor with smooth motions before he pointed in turn to Shepard.

Frowning Alistair watched the exchange, shifting awkwardly as the assembled group all chuckled in unison. "Riiiiiggghhhttt. Saving the galaxy, that whole thing." Brightening he faced Shepard, gently pulling her away from the group surrounding her. "How about saving Thedas? Or the mages? That's something you were doing too!"

"Mages?" This from the dark haired man. Kaidan, Alistair mentally supplied, watching as the biotic chuckled in amusement. "Shepard, did you finally get into that net game Tali is always going on about? Galaxy of Warcraft?"

A female alien with glowing eyes and a covered face quickly let out a chitter of excited babble.

Alistair stiffened in mounting alarm as the surrounding group derailed the conversation again in a cacophony of gibberish noises. Clearing his throat he raised his voice over the din. "Not a game, thank you! A very real Blight! All super depressing!" He met Shepards eyes again. "Especially with Aiden, right?"

"I…" Shepard swayed, eyes flicking across his face. "I… everything is so fuzzy all of a sudden… I don't-" She shook her head violently, hand coming to cradle her forehead in confusion.

"You're looking awfully pale, why don't we take a stroll, clear your head?" Alistair asked, tightening his hand around hers, thoughts racing. Were all these people demons? How had she attracted so many?

The large spiky alien from before stepped between the two of them, three fingered hand reaching to push Alistair back. He braced himself, reaching with his free hand for his sword. If he had to fight his way through these apparitions, he would.

"Garrus, wait." She shifted to face Alistair. "I think he's right… I think I need to clear my head."

"Shepard." Kaidan moved forward, grasping her shoulder. "You can't leave. We have a meeting with the Council, remember? After everything with Cerberus and the defeat of the Reapers, you deserve the recognition." He glared at Alistair, reaching over to stroke her hair gently. "And besides… we all just got reunited." Shepard turned, jaw stiffening at the touch.

"Kaidan…"

Something in Alistair's gut twisted at the sight, writhing in his belly. "Shepard." He whispered, reaching down to tug on her hand. "This isn't real. You told me that your Council treated you poorly and would barely have anything to do with you. And him." He gestured to Kaidan. "You told me he left! Far more stubborn than people would have thought, right?" Her eyes widened at his words, flickering to the apparition at her side. "We have to go."

The woman snorted softly. "Come on Shepard, we're supposed to be celebrating defeating the Reapers, not playing nursemaid to crazy over here."

"Just give up, demon!" Alistair snarled, pulling Shepard behind him with a flick of his wrist. Andraste save him but he was sick of the Fade, and he was sick of demons! "This charade is really getting boring." Immediately the woman twisted forward, moving with startling speed to tackle Alistair to the ground. "Maker damn you!" he cursed, grappling for control as she held him down.

"Ashley?!" Shepard reached forward, grasping the woman's shoulders, struggling to pull her from Alistair. "What the hell do you think you are doing chief? Let him up!"

Shepard jerked in surprise, Kaidan's arms wrapped firmly around her as he dragged her back. "Don't worry about him, Shepard." he whispered. "You finally have everything you've ever wanted! You've saved the galaxy! Stopped the Reapers!" She struggled against him, eyes widening in surprise as he held her easily. "Don't you want this?" he asked, grasping her face firmly in one hand. "Don't you want me?"

Alistair growled, grasping Ashley's face in his gauntleted hands before snapping his head forward, knocking the apparition backwards. Garrus rushed closer, clawed hand reaching for his neck. Shifting his weight, Alistair called forth a smite, hitting the demon lizard man as he lunged with his sword to block the hand inches from his face. Maker but these demons were strong!

"Kaidan… I."

Alistair listened to Shepard's softly stuttered words, struggling to push the alien backwards. She couldn't believe any of this, could she? Maker please. Sweat beaded his brow as he shoved Garrus back, shifting to block Tali as she dove for his chest. With a bang the alien froze, body stilled in surprise at the omni-blade shining brightly through her chest. Behind him Shepard sneered, face twisted savagely. "Nobody tries to fuck with me like this!" Ripping her blade out, she turned to stare coldly at Ashley.

Alarmed, the demon staggered backwards. "Gonna kill me again, Shepard?"

Shepard hesitated, eyes trained on the woman kneeling at her feet. "I'm sorry I failed the real Ashley, but you are not her." Smoothly, she stepped closer and dispatching the demon. The woman seized, body shifting until nothing remained but a pile of ash.

Alistair blinked, eyes taking in the collection of demons left strewn across the shining walk way. Hesitantly he climbed to his feet, pushing the remnant of the desire demon off him. "Wow…" he breathed, reaching to sheath his sword. Tilting his head he watched Shepard hesitantly, noting her shaking hands with concern. "Shepard?" A muffled sob echoed through the room, her shoulders shuddering. "Shepard?!" Rushing forward Alistair grasped her arms, turning her to face him. "Maker…" Her face was ashen beneath her freckles, green eyes wide in confusion, and most definitely going into shock.

"What if…? Did I…?" Her knees buckled, hands clinging desperately to his armor. "Did I kill them?" Her face scrunched in pain, clammy fingers struggling to hold him. "Will I kill them?!"

Alistair grasped her firmly, pulling her against his chest. "It wasn't real… we're in the Fade. The stupid magic place, remember? Breathe Shepard!" Rocking her against him he murmured reassurances under his breath, willing her to pull through. Why hadn't the landscape changed? Why were they still in this damn illusion? He listened to her breathing slowly even out, puffs of air brushing the bared skin of his neck.

Hesitantly Shepard drew back, sucking in a harsh breath. Wiping her face in embarrassment she turned away, staring instead at the demons laying at their feet. "They're my family." She muttered softly, "But they never really acted like that." Meeting his eyes she frowned. "Sorry."

Awkwardly Alistair scuffed his shoe against the metal flooring, ignoring his thundering pulse. "I… understand. Hey! We could always have a mutual "that was really weird" conversation once we get out of here!"

She shook her head. "Not now but…maybe… later." Straightening, she surveyed the room, eyes turning to the window, and the calm shadow of space. "So this is the Fade?" Shepard glanced at him, forcing a smile. "I can't say I'm a fan."

With a rueful chuckle Alistair nodded. "I quite agree." Haltingly he moved closer, searching her face. "Do you… do you remember me now?"

Shepard turned to face him, studying him quietly. Abruptly she smirked. "How could I forget you? Who else would I have to pick up and yell at?"

He smiled, relieved to see her acting more normally. "I don't know, Sten seems like an amenable sort for the job, don't you think?"

With a snort she reached over, whacking his breastplate with the flat of her hand. "Sure thing." Pausing she surveyed their surroundings, hooking her hands in her belt. "How do we get out of here?" She froze, eyes widening in surprise as her body began to fade. "Alistair?!"

"Shepard!" He rushed forward, desperately reaching for her hand. Around them the world shivered, the carefully constructed room fading into the dull rolling green of the Fade. With a soft rush of air Shepard disappeared, hand slipping through his. "Shepard!" Oh Maker! No no no no! Alistair growled in annoyance. Really? Turning he stared at the pedestal floating serenely amongst the muggy mist. His chest ached slightly, missing the vast stretch of a million stars, and the soft hum of a thousand creatures he had never dreamed of seeing. "I hate this." He muttered, trudging forward. "You couldn't have even left Shepard with me could you?" With a resigned sigh he reached for the pedestal forcing his thoughts to focus on the next person in their little party. Maker, but this had better work.