A/N: Wow! This is the longest chapter I have written to date, hope you all like it, I wrote it especially for you. Thanks for all of the support, you guys are amazing!


"What's going on, Bailey?" asked Joker in a quiet voice, watching as Edward went back into the prison, "What did Hackett say?"

"There wasn't too much," said Bailey, facing away from the cameras, gesturing to Elissa and Joker to do the same, "His message was cryptic but I gathered enough to determine that you two were in danger, something about Cerberus being part of it, either way be wants you both out of here."

"Has there been mention of a plan?" asked Elissa, crossing her arms, "I'm sure Hackett wouldn't say something like that without having some sort of way to execute it."

"He said to 'wait for the thief to speak,' some jargon I'm assuming only you two would know," said Bailey giving a dismissive wave, "I'm going to help you both the best I can but there are no guarantees, no plan is flawless, not even one of Hackett's. You are just going to have to trust me on this one, which is probably hard for you to do right now, but I'm also not crazy about trusting Hackett when he's left me to fumble in the dark."

"We'll give you whatever cooperation you require," said Elissa, sounding once again like her old self, "Are we safe right now, or is something going to have to change to ensure that?"

"I'm going to be replacing the current Captain of Security in this branch of C-Sec so I can watch over you," said Bailey, "I'm sure you've noticed that the Turians and some of the humans aren't too happy about having to guard you."

"No, the death glares and beatings are their way of being nice," said Joker, crossing his arms and smirking, Bailey was not smiling, "I think you being in charge will be a little better."

"Joker, we need his help," said Elissa through gritted teeth, "Mouthing off about C-Sec guards won't get us anywhere, so just stow it."

Ordinarily, he might have said something smart back but he knew that this was their one chance of getting out of here and back to the Normandy, so he obeyed her order and said nothing in response.

"I'll be back in tonight," said Bailey, "hopefully by then we can get this plan panned out and you two back where you belong."

"Thank you, Bailey, you have no idea what this means for us," said Elissa, shaking his hand, and Bailey gave her a rare smile.

"I don't like seeing innocent people behind bars," said Bailey, "and you two have always been good to my men and assisted me many times, it is an honor to be able to help you out in anyway I can."

"We'll keep you up to date when we learn any information," said Joker extending his hand to Bailey and he was surprised when the captain shook it.

"Good," said Bailey, "Now you two need to keep a low profile, don't do anything to bring any further attention to yourselves, and don't talk about this with anyone except me and your contact."

"Understood, Bailey," said Elissa, and Joker nodded.

"Now, I need to go speak with some of your guards," said Bailey, cracking his knuckles menacingly, "I'll let you get back to your last fifteen minutes of yard time."

They watched the captain leave the yard, both too stunned at their own good luck to really believe that had just happened.

"Ellie," said Joker, taking her hand in his, "Do you think this plan has a shot at working?"

Elissa thought about all she had been through with Bailey and Hackett, neither one had yet disappointed her in a promise, hell Bailey had even assisted in getting Kolyat Krios away from the life of crime he was embarking on, "I think this plan will work, I don't believe that Hackett is flying blind in this, especially if he wants us to talk with Kasumi. We just have to wait, and pray that this doesn't blow up in our faces."

"I'm not one for praying," said Joker, thinking about how many times he had felt abandoned by the god his parents had tried to raise him to believe in.

"I wasn't really either until after I lost Ash," said Elissa quietly, looking up into the sky, "I didn't want to believe that she was going into some dark place, so I prayed for her, and it filled me with an inner peace. After I met Thane, and found out how spiritual he was, I spoke with him often about what might be waiting on the other side and if Ash really was in a better place. Now, I pray every night for those I've lost, not wanting any of them to be in that dark place and to be across the sea with their families."

Joker was stunned, Elissa's love for her friends ran deeper than he had thought, he had always known that she mourned their deaths but hearing that she prayed for them to have a beautiful afterlife made him realize how unique of a person she really was.

"Ellie, you are a truly spectacular woman," said Joker as they headed back inside the prison, walking hand in hand, excited and nervous about the prospect of leaving this hell forever.


Elissa released her breath as she saw the last guard leave for the night, she knew that there were still guards less than thirty feet away in the glass booth outside of their section but there was some relief to know they were not standing just beyond her door. She had been expecting Kasumi's arrival ever since she and Joker had gotten back from their exercise hour and so far there was nothing. There was not even a shimmer from the corner to let Elissa know that she was there it was strange for her to take so many precautions when she had done far more dangerous missions than breaking into a prison.

"Shep," said Kasumi in a gentle whisper, "Are they gone?"

"Yes," said Elissa in equal quiet, and she watched as Kasumi revealed herself, though it had only been a few days Kasumi looked as if she had not gotten any sleep or eaten much of anything since her last visit.

"I'm sorry I haven't been by lately," said Kasumi, still whispering, "I didn't want to risk anything until Bailey was informed, I'm glad Hackett was right about being able to trust him, without a man on the inside we wouldn't be able to even start scheming."

"Who's in on this plan?" asked Elissa, her mind swirling around with different possibilities and scenarios before Kasumi even spoke.

"It's a rather complicated plan, Shep," said Kasumi, "we had to bring in quite a few people to even get the information necessary, Liara for one, and me, not to mention Hackett brought in Miranda—"

"Wait, Hackett is actually working with Cerberus' former second in command?" interrupted Elissa, surprised by this news.

"Of course," said Kasumi as if it was perfectly acceptable for an Alliance admiral and a Cerberus operative to work together, "Anyway, nearly everyone on the crew is involved, there are a few surprise visitors for you when you get back as well. I can't give you all of the details, and I've already told Bailey most of it, with instructions to inform you and Joker the day before we put our plan into action so just in case it goes wrong you and Joker won't get into any further trouble."

"This must be a helluva plan if you can't even tell me," sighed Elissa furrowing her brow, "If this doesn't go as planned, I want you to get Joker out of this place, if you have the choice to choose me or him I want you to pick him."

"Shep, that's not necessary—" started Kasumi, only to stop when she saw the seriousness in Elissa's face, and knew she had meant exactly what she was saying.

"I don't want him to be here anymore," said Elissa, thinking about how hard it would be for him if she were to abandon him to the mercy of the guards, "and if there's an out, I want him to take it, he's far more vital to the Normandy."

"Shep, are you even hearing yourself?" asked Kasumi, slightly outraged at what she was being told, "You and Joker are the heart and soul of the Normandy, without either of you she isn't truly the ship we all love and call home, come hell or high water we are going to get you both out of here and back where you belong."

Elissa chuckled warmly, she had no idea that Kasumi was such a motivational speaker, "You are extremely eloquent, Kasumi, ever consider a job in the Alliance military? We could always use some more motivational speakers."

"Nah, it would mean I have to give up being able to go invisible," said Kasumi and Elissa had to stifle a laugh.

"You'd still be a thief, huh?" asked Elissa after she had recovered.

"Are you kidding me, access to all of those high ranking officer's houses? I'd be like a kid in a candy store, I wouldn't be able to stop myself," said Kasumi, smiling.

"Oh, Kasumi, I'm so glad you're on my side," said Elissa, patting Kasumi on the back, trying not to dwell too much on the lacking details of the escape plan.

"Shep, I know these aren't the best circumstances," said Kasumi, her demeanor becoming sympathetic, "but you have to trust that we're doing everything we can to get you out of here and that we have a reason for not telling you everything."

"I know you do, Kasumi," said Elissa wearily, "I'm just glad to know that you guys are working so hard to get us out, I really appreciate everything you all have been doing."

"I know, Shep, we all do," said Kasumi, standing, "Now, I have to go before James realizes I'm missing, ever since you made him your replacement he runs a tight ship especially when it comes to me. He wants me back on the ship before midnight which is sometimes difficult to abide by since the best places to break into are only the best at midnight."

"He just wants you safe, Kasumi, you're a valuable friend and ally," said Elissa, standing and embracing her friend, grateful for all of the work she and the rest had been doing.

"So are you, Shep," said Kasumi, fighting back tears, "Remember, you still owe me a visit to my Nottingham, to check on my refugees."

"Of course, Robin Hood," said Elissa and she watched Kasumi disappear, hardly making a sound and somehow she knew she was gone.

Elissa laid down on her bed, trying to process all that had happened in these past few hours, not only did was there the prospect of escaping from this hellhole and getting back to the Normandy but she also had a second chance at what should have been her first love. She had spent most of her time locked up thinking about Joker, wondering how it would be to be held in his arms, longing for the feel of his lips on hers and imagining how they would feel on the more intimate parts of her form, and how it would be to have him by her side. That last thought always felt the most right, that he was always meant to be by her side as her pilot, as her friend, as more than her friend. Elissa smiled to herself as her eyes became heavy, sleep enveloping her though she imagined that it was Joker's arms that were.


The lock on the door clicked. Elissa felt herself wake up though her eyes did not snap open, instead she peered out between her eyelashes at the door, 'No one is supposed to be here' and she saw the door open. There was a dark figure standing in the doorway, and by the outline of the armor she knew it was a guard though she could not see his hands which startled her the most, she rolled over and opened her eyes all of the way. She listened as the guard sighed heavily, obviously her turning over was not part of the plan, and heard his footsteps getting closer and closer to the bed and when she saw his shadow on her wall she jumped up off the bed.

This move obviously surprised the guard as he stumbled backwards slightly and that was all the room Elissa needed, she thrusted the palm of her hand upwards with as much force as she could muster, making contact with his nose and she heard the bones crack and felt the warmth of the blood that had erupted on her hand. She knew she had killed him when his body tumbled to the ground, the door was still open and her first thought was of Joker, and she bolted out of her cell and ran down the hall hoping that she was not too late. Elissa got to his cell and looked into the window, seeing a similar shadow and she rushed in yelling, surprising this second guard whom she grabbed by the arm and using the momentum she smashed his head against the wall. She kept smashing the guard's head against the wall, until she was certain her was dead, and only then did she turn around to face Joker whom was sitting up bewildered.

"What the fuck was that, Ellie?" asked Joker, standing up, trying to shake the tired feeling.

"They were sent here to kill us," said Elissa, panting, she saw what was meant to be the murder weapon and almost laughed at the simple rubber cord that was supposed to be used to strangle them, she left it where it was hoping there was still DNA on it from the guard.

Bailey came running in, his eyes scanning the room, lingering on the dead man in the room and the blood splattered all over Elissa, "I saw them come in here and followed them, I guess I was almost too late, quick thinking on your part, Shepard."

Elissa was shaking as her body started to come off the adrenaline high, she had thought that the danger would not emerge for sometime but she had obviously thought wrong, "Bailey, were these men who worked at C-Sec?"

"He just started working here a couple of days ago," said Bailey as he examined the face of the guard on the floor, "I'll check the one in your cell but I'm pretty sure he had just started here as well."

"That's it," said Elissa, angrily, "Joker and I need to get out of here, how long before they send someone else to finish the job? Bailey, you need to contact Liara T'Soni or Kasumi Goto and inform them of what's happened here, tell them whatever they're planning needs to get started yesterday."

"Of course, Shepard," said Bailey and he looked down at the rubber cord, and chuckled, "They actually thought they could stop you with this simple piece of rubber?"

"Amateurs," smirked Joker, trying to remain calm, "it's almost an insult, Ellie, that these morons thought this small and unimpressive murder weapon was enough to take you out."

Elissa smiled as Bailey left, after the door was closed she rushed to Joker, throwing her arms around him trying not to squeeze, "I thought you were dead, I thought I wouldn't make it in time, oh God, I'm just glad you're alright."

Joker kissed the top of her head, his arms gripping her tightly against him, he had thought for sure they were both goners now he was just thrilled to have her in his arms again, "I knew you'd save my ass, Ellie, you have a very large debt to repay for the number of times I've saved yours."

Elissa looked up at him, smirking with an eyebrow raised, "You're terrible."

"You love it," said Joker chuckling as he pecked her lips, holding her tighter against his chest, he could not believe he had come so close to losing her again and this time it was an assassination attempt.

"You're right," said Elissa, reveling in the warmth of his body, resting her head on his shoulder, "I'm not all that eager to get back to my cell, there's a dead guy in there."

"And there's one in here," said Joker, looking at the body, "Should we ask Bailey for a set of new cells?"

"Sure," said Elissa, "but for tonight, I'd feel a lot better sleeping in the same room as you."

Joker felt his heart skip a beat, she wanted to sleep in a bed with him, that was rather unexpected, "I guess there's no harm in asking, hell, maybe we could get a cell together until we're free."

"I can get you each a new cell but I can't allow you to sleep in the same room," said Bailey, eliciting a disappointed sigh from both Joker and Elissa, "Shepard, I sent a message to your friend, she agrees that we need to get you two out of here asap. She's given me permission to inform you of the plan and it'll go down tomorrow, so as soon as you two are in your temporary cell I'll tell you, follow me."

Elissa and Joker reluctantly followed Bailey to a new set of cells, holding hands the entire walk, both excited and extremely nervous that they were going to try and get out of the prison in the morning. The cells they had been given were the same as before, even their clothes were in there, Bailey had been kind enough to bring them each a bag to pack their clothes and toiletries so they would not have to rush to do that in the morning. They sat down on the bed and Bailey sat at the desk, they looked at each other and knew it was time to prepare for what would probably be one of their most dangerous missions.


With trembling hands she changed her clothes, she discarded her usual attire for the uniform of a prisoner, it was a simple jumpsuit of nearly blinding red and then she put on the slip on shoes her hair was pulled into a sloppy ponytail. She had smeared some dirt and oil on her face and in her hair so she would look like she had not been given the luxury of a shower also partly to make her look unrecognizable. Looking down at her body she could feel her skin crawling, even though it was part of the plan, being in the actual uniform made her think if this went wrong she could end up in this forever. Up until now, she and Joker had been separated from the general population of the prison, being held in a private section with certain privileges such as wearing her own clothes and now she was facing the possibility that if she was caught she would end up there.

"Here goes everything," said Elissa as she gathered up her things and left her cell, Bailey had insisted that there no longer needed to be such a heavy guard, that he was enough and the other guards had been more than willing to leave their post of guarding Elissa and Joker. Stepping out, she saw Bailey and another guard waiting with Joker, who was also wearing the standard issue red jumpsuit though he did not seem as tense as she did he even looked good covered in dirt and oil as well.

"Red looks good on you," said Joker winking at her, and she smiled then she looked over at the hulking guard and frowned.

"I thought it was only going to be you, Bailey," said Elissa, balling her fist, ready for a fight.

"Easy does it, Lola," said James Vega, lifting his visor so she could see his face, "It's just me, no need to go all Asari commando on my ass."

Elissa wanted to jump for joy, it had been so long since she had seen anyone from her crew besides Kasumi, "I promise I won't, I just didn't expect you here."

"I had to leave a few details out," said Bailey, throwing James an angry look, "He was supposed to stay in character but I guess the threat of Commander Shepard pounding his ass was a just reason to reveal himself."

"I heard what you did to those other guards, I'm not very eager to join them," said James putting his visor back in place, "You two ready?"

"I'd follow you to hell, James," said Elissa as she and Joker fell into line behind Bailey, and James stood behind him as the rear guard.

Silently they walked out of their section of the prison, Elissa expecting resistance at every check point, but it seemed like no one was really paying any attention to a group of human prisoners being escorted out of the prison. They entered bridge that overlooked the common area, they heard shouts and clamor, it seemed to be the free hour for these prisoners and they were going crazy all over the place. Elissa looked down through the window, the only way to get a decent view of what was happening without being there, she saw several of the prisoners beating the crap out a few of the other ones and the guards were even getting in on it. Her blood boiled, this was injustice at its finest, the ones that were supposed to be protecting these unarmed and helpless people were participating in their agony.

James walked up beside her and rested a hand on her shoulder, "Let it go, Lola, this place is beyond even your help."

Elissa nodded curtly, she was sure she could help but she could only do that if she got out first, and she fell back in line with Joker and they continued to walk on the bridge and came out on the other side now entering the out processing center. She could see the exit doors just beyond the scanners and the few guards that were standing around with data pads, checking the prisoners onto the shuttles that would take them away. Her heart was pounding in her chest as Bailey handed over the data pad that had the forged information on it, Liara and Tali had hacked the prison's databases and found two humans that were scheduled to be taken from the Citadel to Earth and had changed the names so it was she and Joker who were supposed to be departing on that shuttle.

"The fewer humans in this place the better I feel," said the Turian guard as he looked at Bailey with contempt, not even really reading the data pad, "Move along." They walked through the kinetic barriers, now in the entry way of the building, less than fifty feet away from the shuttle port.

Elissa could hardly believe their luck, no gunfire or need for violence, they were simply going to walk out of here without causing any trouble.

"Wait just a moment, Lieutenant," called a familiar voice, and Elissa cringed, it was Edward Oakley.

'Shit, this just got complicated,' thought Elissa as she watched Edward strut up to them with several armed guards behind him.

"What's the meaning of this, Oakley?" asked the Turian obviously angered that a human had questioned his judgement.

"These aren't the humans who are supposed to be going to Earth," said Edward, glaring at Elissa and Joker, "These two are supposed to be in the political prisoners wing, this is Commander Shepard and her crippled pilot."

"Well shit," said James stepping in front of Elissa and Joker with Bailey, pulling his assault rifle from behind his back, aiming at Edward, "and here I thought Esteban had found a decent guy after all."

"You still don't know who I am, do you?" asked Edward as the other guards took aim at the four of them.

"Should we?" asked Elissa, she could see that their inability to recognize him had hurt his ego and she smiled.

"You killed my sister, you bitch!" shouted Edward, obviously having taken the comment to heart and he pulled out his own pistol.

"I've killed a lot of people, refresh my memory," said Elissa as she felt Bailey hand her a pistol and she kept it hidden behind her back.

"Maya Brooks!" shouted Edward as his gun began to quiver, Elissa could see even from this distance that his targeting was off, "You killed my little sister in cold blood!"

"I did no such thing!" shouted Elissa, quietly cocking the gun, "I gave your sister the chance to redeem herself, and she was the one who chose to not take it, besides I wasn't the triggerman that was someone else."

"Like I give a shit who actually did it," said Edward, his arm shaking even more, "All I care about is getting the person who put my sister in the situation to be killed."

"Well that would have been the Illusive Man and I already took care of him," said Elissa, now aiming the gun at Edward's head.

"It was you just the same!" shouted Edward, "If they hadn't have cloned you then she would not have betrayed anyone and not have died!"

"He's just going to keep rationalizing it as your fault, Shepard," whispered Bailey, and Elissa knew he was right.

"This doesn't have to end in a blood bath," said Elissa, "Do you really think your sister would have wanted her brother to become a murderer?"

"No," said Edward, starting to point his gun away from Elissa, "but she would want me to avenge her!" His pistol came up and fired, Elissa ducked, barely missing the bullet as it hit the wall behind her.

"Run for it!" shouted Elissa as she and James started firing at the guards and Edward as Joker and Bailey ran for the shuttle that was supposed to take them back to the Normandy.

Joker could hear the gunfire as he got into the shuttle and grabbed the assault rifle sitting beside the door and started firing at the guards with Bailey, giving Elissa and James some cover fire as they hopped into the shuttle and sped off towards the docks.

"What the hell was that?" asked Joker, sitting down, "I knew Oakley was a bastard but the brother of Maya Brooks?"

"You make more enemies with every one you destroy, Lola," said James as he removed his visor and sat down on the bench beside Joker.

"How are we going to break it to Steve that his boyfriend is a crazy, murderous SOB?" asked Joker, looking at Elissa.

"I think you already did, Joker," said the pilot, turning around and revealing himself to be Steve in disguise as a C-Sec pilot.

"Steve!" exclaimed Elissa and she embraced him as best as she could with her gun in hand, "I'm so sorry about all of this, and especially about Edward, if I had known—"

"You would have tried to keep me away from him, I know, Elissa," said Steve calmly, "I figured he was up to something when he started asking questions about your trial when it had yet to be released to the public."

"Still, sucks to find out that someone you thought you could trust is related to one of the most notorious traitors known to the Alliance," said Joker.

"Thanks, Joker," said Steve, shaking his head, "Anyway, we should be arriving at the Normandy in a matter of minutes, hopefully Major Alenko has finished up his daily visit with the kinetic barriers."

"That's one determined man," said Bailey as he reloaded his own gun.

"To his own detriment," said James, chuckling, "I think he's under pressure to secure the Normandy, he seems more desperate in his attempts to get in, going to far as to try and get a hacker to hack into EDI's systems and gain control that way."

"It didn't work, did it?" asked Elissa, worried that Kaidan would be waiting there when she arrived or that EDI had been compromised.

"Of course not," said James, "EDI's had some upgrades since her run in with your clone and that basic Alliance hacker was nothing compared to her, she actually spammed him with a few terabytes of Krogan pornography, his face was priceless!"

"I didn't realize you had Krogan porn in your private stash, Joker," said Elissa grinning as he turned bright red but he smiled back at her.

"What can I say? I appreciate all species," said Joker in a sarcastic tone, "Remind me to thank EDI for doing that, she really has a twisted sense of humor but it's effective."

"Coming up on the Normandy," said Steve and Elissa looked up and saw a huge well armed welcome party waiting there on the docks for them.

"C-Sec or Alliance?" asked James as he looked out of the windshield.

"Looks like Alliance," said Steve, "Guess, Alenko decided to stick around after all."

"How do you want to proceed, Commander?" asked James, looking at Elissa who was already arming her gun.

"It's risky but I have to tell EDI to drop the kinetic shields and then we get in through the cargo hold," said Elissa, "What's riskier is the only spot to get in is through those soldiers."

"Damn," sighed Joker, his legs were already starting to ache from his run earlier and now he was going to have to do the same thing, only with a lot more gunfire around him.

"I'll inform everyone to be armed and ready, when Kaidan realizes that the Normandy is no longer secure I'm sure he'll make a break for it," said Elissa.

Joker winced slightly, she was still using the Major's first name even though the rest were referring to him by his rank or as Major Asshole.

"This is Commander Shepard," said Elissa, into the radio that Steve had prepped for her, now sounding like her old self, "EDI, when I say so you need to drop the barriers and release the ship from lockdown mode, everyone else, prepare for battle."

"Yes, Shepard," said EDI and Elissa was grateful for once to hear the AI's voice.

"Preparing to land, Shepard," said Steve, and Elissa nodded.

"James, I'm going to need you at my side during this," said Elissa and James nodded, charging his gun in response.

"Ellie, what should I do?" asked Joker, feeling useless.

"The priority is getting Joker on the Normandy," said Elissa and he went wide eyed, "He needs to be the one to get her off the Citadel, he's the only one who can, Bailey you and Steve are going to get him on. James and I will cover you."

Joker really did not like the sound of this plan, it was close enough to suicide that he worried if he'd ever see her again.

"Elissa, this is crazy, we need you too!" exclaimed Joker as they began to descend, shots already being fired at the shuttle. One had to be biotic since the whole shuttle lurched, Elissa caught Joker before he fell and broke something vital.

"Jeff, I don't need any arguments right now," said Elissa firmly, "I'll be right behind you the entire time, just get us in the sky and away from the Citadel."

"Roger that, Commander," said Joker, holding his tongue for the second time in his life, and he gripped the door as they landed between the solider and the Normandy, Steve opened the back door and Bailey, he and Joker all made their way out leaving James and Elissa in the shuttle.

"Now, EDI!" shouted Elissa and she heard the kinetic barriers go down, she flung open the door and started firing at the soldiers, hoping that Joker made it through and was at the helm.


"Shit, shit, shit!" shouted Joker as they neared the Normandy, shots barely missing him as they got to the cargo bay door.

"Open up, EDI!" shouted Steve as soldiers started to close in on them, and the door slid open, Joker and Steve quickly getting through the doorway.

"I'm going back for Shepard!" shouted Bailey as he shot at a few men, "Get this hunk of metal airborne!"

Joker watched as Bailey ran back into the thick of it all, and he closed up the door, hoping against hope that Elissa and the rest would make it through this in one piece.

"Garrus, Tali, get your assess out there and help Shepard!" shouted Steve into his ear piece, "I've got Joker, we're going to start preparing for take off."

"Roger that, Cortez," Joker heard Garrus say as they got into the elevator, Steve nearly broke the console pressing the button for the CIC and off they went, Joker could still feel the pounding of his heart as the elevator stopped.

"Go!" shouted Steve and he pushed Joker out of the elevator and pressed the elevator console again.

Samantha caught Joker and directed him towards the bridge, all he could focus on was getting there and starting up the Normandy, the gunfire getting too concentrated where he knew Elissa was making her stand.

Joker sat down in his chair, starting up his console and rapidly initiating the take off sequence, feeling the engines starting up as the ship came to life, "Commander, we are getting ready to leave, get your ass onto this ship, that's an order."

"Since when do you give orders?" asked Elissa, the sounds of gunfire all around her.

"Since I had to leave you behind," said Joker, "I'm unlocking the airlock doors, you and the rest of the crew need to get on it, just like when we blew up the Collector base and I saved your ass then too."

"Alright," said Elissa, and she cut out.

"EDI, what's wrong with the radio link?" asked Joker, trying to regain the connection.

"Something is blocking all communications," said EDI from the co-pilot's seat.

"Get the airlock open," said Joker, as he pulled away from the dock, "this has to be precise or we're going to lose everyone."

"Of course, Mr. Moreau," said EDI, opening her console and Joker heard the airlock starting to open.


Elissa saw the Normandy starting to pull away from the dock, she knew it was a matter of minutes before they would be ready to leave, "Everyone, get to the airlock!"

Garrus nodded as did Tali, James and Steve, they all charged from behind the shuttle, firing as they passed, hitting a few soldiers before leaping across the landing to the airlock's platform, Elissa stayed on the ground, for a few seconds giving her friends enough time to get on the ship.

"Shepard!" shouted Garrus, he was beckoning her to hurry up as the Normandy was getting higher and higher, she made a run for it not caring that there were bullets grazing past her head as she ran towards the airlock platform.

"Just a few more feet, Lisa," said Tali, urging her friend on.

Elissa nodded as she ran and when she got close enough she leapt off the landing and felt like she was moving in slow motion as her body moved in the space between the two platforms, her hands connected with the edge and she felt Garrus and James pull her up. When she stood she turned around and saw Kaidan aiming his rifle at her then he fired just as the doors started to close, and they pulled out of the docks. The doors to the ship opened and they exited the airlock, all running to the bridge, Elissa put her hand on Joker's shoulder as they flew past several large buildings and then the FTL engaged.

They were away from the Citadel in a shot arriving several lightyears away, floating safely in space, everyone started to cheer, Elissa allowed herself relax, "You did a great job, sweetheart."

"All in a day's work," said Joker and she kissed him deeply, and for a moment he felt like the galaxy was finally back in balance.

Elissa recoiled from the kiss, pain radiating from her abdomen, she put her hand where she felt the pain and when she looked down she saw blood running down her fingers.

"Shepard's been shot," she heard Garrus say, the floor beneath her giving way, everything starting to spin as she made contact with the metal. She felt her breathing slow down, hardly hearing anything except for the pounding of her heart in her ears, she saw Joker's blurry face become clear for a second, his eyes full of fear and then everything went black.