Mass Effect - Kaidan Alenko - An EXTENDED Cut & Epilogue Chapter 9: Mass Effect 3 Extras - Part 2, a mass effect fanfic

Mass Effect 3

Extras - Part 2

An Un-missed Opportunity

"What's keeping you up?" Shepard smiled affectionately.

"An old bit of wisdom I ran across a long time ago. Just resurfaced and won't sink."

"Do tell." Kaidan said sleepily, cozying up closer. Shepard laughed, helping him out.

"The idea goes that anyone who picks up a weapon with the intention of taking a life should understand that a day will have to come when they can put that weapon away forever. When they can look back and say they have accomplished enough, succeeded where they aimed to and the time has come to understand life without...violence...Fail to and you've lost your self, your humanity. I keep running around the question in circles. When is it enough? Stopping the Reapers? Hell, will I even live long enough to ask the question again?"

"Saving the galaxy...we won't top that anytime soon...Problem is, what comes next? We'll be the fastest retired Spectres in history."

"Rolling hills, green grass, clear skies, clean rivers, temperate lakes, and no sign of civilization for miles." Kaidan let out a soft whistle. If that was the expected destination, so be it.

"If you get there before I do, don't give up on me." Shepard smiled.

"Never."

A Break from Calibrating

"Garrus, I need you to tak..." Shepard stopped cold, eyes wide, glancing back and forth between the two in surprise. Not that she hadn't figured on it coming…

"Oh!"

"We were just…uh…"

"I…well, I just…I came to say good-bye and…"

Garrus and Tali stepped apart.

"My mandible got stuck in her breathing tubes when...I tried to..."

"I thought I might have developed a rupture and I asked him to check, and…"

"You know, because of infection risks. Didn't want to jeopardize the mission…"

"So…"

"Yeah…"

"Uh, guys, I'm really very happy for you. I'm just...gonna go...calibrate somethin'...it's not urgent. Find me whenever you feel you're ready."

"Thanks, Shepard."

"I guess it just helps to have someone to come back to." Shepard smiled and nodded.

"It sure does." Shepard stepped backward out of the main battery, turned herself about and headed for the CIC.

"What do you mean...'to come back to'? This is just a fling, Vakarian. I'm using you for your body." Shepard couldn't help snickering as she walked away.

"You are so mean, but I'm okay with that."

Deck 1 – Later On

The cabin doors opened as she picked up a data pad to review the updates Kaidan had passed on so far. She checked on the time. He wouldn't wouldn't be finished with the newest intel reports for a while yet.

"You needed to see me Shepard?"

"Hey. Yeah. I have to talk to you."

"Something you can't tell the Major?"

"Right. He'd probably be hurt - offended - and then he'd shoot me for even..." Shepard let out a tense breath.

"What is it, Shepard?"

"I need you to do something for me. After almost going down with the Geth dreadnaught… I looked at him and I saw someone who wasn't…a loved one, or a friend. I saw a replacement – if this thing ever went sideways. I could convince him, but that would mean bringing the ruthless strategist in me out to assess him."

"You've already done that, and you think that doing it to his face would do damage that could never be repaired." Shepard nodded.

"Viewing this conflict through a lense shaped by experience and less by the Alliance and Council, he's often more perceptive than I am. If we don't succeed, there's no one better able to pull the pieces back together and try again."

"Shepard, what are you getting at?"

"If, one of these days, I don't make it, he has to. If he won't leave me, get him out - no matter what."

"It's probably a good thing you didn't tell him, Shepard. With that look on your face, you're right. Things between you wouldn't be the same. I'll do it. You have my word." Shepard smiled, there was relief in her heart she felt truly guilty for. Guilt she could live with because it was standing hand in hand with something else - hope.

"Thanks, Garrus."

"I should get back to the battery."

"Take some time, Garrus. I'm sure there's something other than 'calibrating' you'd rather be doing."

"I'll be calibrating something, didn't say it was the cannon." Shepard smiled, laughed, and dropped her forehead into her hand, resting her elbow on her desk, giving her head a shake.

"Sounded better in my head." Shepard was trying not to laugh and failing.

"Yeah," she said, giving him a 'get going' wave. "Thanks."

The Last Time

"Shepard, you know you've done everything you could, right?"

"I hope so. I keep re-reading readiness reports thinking I've missed something."

"You know you don't have to take this all on yourself. Look to your crew, to the talented people fighting by your side. What you've accomplished since the Reapers arrived is…it's just nothing short of amazing. It's gonna be…it's gonna be what it is." Shepard nodded.

"What're you thinkin' about?"

"Heh. Well, the good times…and the hard times. It's been an unforgettable few years." Shepard smiled and gave her head a shake, amazed.

"Nine years and my heart still goes crazy as it did that first night." Kaidan laughed, his expression turning to mischief.

"Yeah. I mean, I was pretty spectacular, if I remember right." Shepard bit down on her lips to keep from smiling like a love struck fool. One corner of her lips turned up, and faintly laughing, she nodded. That look in his eyes…he didn't have to try nearly so hard to set her fire. She set down her glass and reached for the underside of his chin, pulling him forward. It was a kiss and a feeling you could lose yourself in.

"I lied. I didn't come here for a quick drink," he admitted wearing a half smile. Shepard donned one in full.

"No kiddin'."

"You know…I'm never going to leave you. I love you." Kaidan exhaled.

"I love you, Jenna. I always have. Through all these years, through…through everything. I'm the luckiest soul alive." Letting her knees slide out, her weight came to rest on his hips. Even through the clothing between them she could feel the heat. Their lips met and sealed as his arms closed around her, trailing up her back. He pulled her in, close and tight. Shepard pulled back, suddenly wondering if this was more for her benefit than theirs. She moved to lift herself away and he took hold of her hand and waist.

"Hey...where are you going?" he asked. Shepard smiled, thinking, Alright. As long as we're in this together.

"Then you'd better hold on tight." Shepard said, resting one hand across his jaw and neck, her thumb settling on his cheekbone. With a kiss, the gate swung open.

"...What you've done, Shepard...is build hope."

"I'm glad I can help you feel that way. But...even I need to find it somewhere, too." Jenna let out a sigh. "The time I spent with Cerberus...I don't know how many times I put my guns down and considered leaving this whole mess behind. The thought that had me picking them up again every single time - that kept me alive - was getting back to you."

"So that's what it was. Here I was, hoping death might actually be afraid of you."

"It should be. 'Cause you know what's changed since then?"

"What?" Kaidan said, sensing a script. Shepard smiled and gently touched his cheek. She felt herself flush as she kissed him.

"Nothing."

The Last Stand

Shepard knelt before the set of photographs she kept - each one a good friend gone on ahead. She lit the incense and waited until a thin tendril of smoke rose. Taking a wisp of smoke in hand, she put her hands together in prayer. Kaidan stopped what he was doing and watched, surprised.

"Honoured friends, grant that my hands be steady, my aim be true and my feet, swift. Should the worst come to pass watch over those I leave behind."

"You said Thane used to ask for forgiveness." Kaidan observed. Shepard laughed shortly, standing and taking her helmet under her arm. She walked over to Kaidan and reached out a hand, grasping his forearm and pulling him close. They stood cheek to cheek for a moment. As Kaidan stood back, Shepard put her helmet on.

"Why would I want forgiveness for myself when a life could be saved instead?" Kaidan nodded.

"See you on the other side, Shepard."

"See you on the other side."

Departure – Fleet Massing

"Hey, Kaidan."

"Hey. There you are."

"You ready?"

"Absolutely. For anything. Bring it on."

"And Biotics Division? Your students?"

"Heh. More than ready. Eager. That's youth for you. Guess we're old soldiers, eh, Shepard?"

"Yeah, we are." When the hell did that happen? she wondered.

"Comrades-in-arms. We know the score. We know this is good-bye." Shepard found and held his gaze.

No. Never.

"'Good-bye' isn't for us. On the other side of this, I will find you. I just won't make promises about when...or where."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm gonna fight like hell for the chance to hold you again." Kaidan took in a strained breath. The muscle wrapped tight around his ribcage made it hard.

"But listen, there're things I want to say...I mean, looking back, I have a few regrets, but not many. That's pretty damn amazing, right? Messed up kid that I was. Never would have dreamed the life I've had. And I owe a lot of that to you."

"And I owe you a piece of…life…I never thought I'd find." I owe you the hope that keeps me going, that has me dreaming about and planning for a future I don't know we'll see, thought Shepard. Kaidan laughed, moving in closer.

"How are you doing? Scared?"

"Oh yeah. But that fear is going to keep me sharp, straight through their heart and out the other side."

"Yeah. Exactly." The moment hit like ice water. Shepard went rigid as her eyes went wide, clinging to every detail she could take in.

"Stay alive, Major," she said, working past the lump in her throat. She looked to the hangar door and moved to go. Kaidan took hold of her arm and brought her back, surprised by how stiff she was and having a hard time keeping himself steady. His lips found hers and thawed her out. Her spine took the shape it needed to leave no space between them. Needing a breath, he pulled away. The moment he had it he was pulled back in. The tension in his jaw relaxed, the quiver in his lips, gone. For a moment, it felt like the armour and clothing between them wasn't there…If he didn't let go now, he never would. He stepped back, eyes narrow and locked to Shepard's.

"I can't lose you again," he said. Shepard replied with a deliberate nod, taking a step back. Kaidan looked away, leaving her nothing to stay for.

"I should find the rest of my squad."

"Yeah." Shepard whispered, moving away and heading for the bay door.

"You know, I've never been to London. Hmn…" Shepard stepped through the hangar door. It snapped closed behind her and she stepped to the side dropping her helmet and leaning back against the wall, eyes far away. She grit her teeth, keeping tears at bay.

If there is breath left in me, I'll use it to find you. I promise you.

The Shepard

"Let's make sure the Fleets are ready." Admiral Hackett said. He headed for the galaxy map in the CIC and suddenly stopped.

"All fleets reporting in, sir."

It might take more than a few firm words to win this fight - not just hope, but belief. And a fire you would follow into hell itself.

"Shepard," he said.

"Sir?"

"Make us believe." Shepard nodded, stepping up to the map.

"Joker, patch us into the Fleet and the allied outposts on the ground."

"Aye, Commander."

Every holographic terminal on the ship, throughout the fleet and on the ground came alive with the Commander's likeness. A deep tone sounded across the network.

"I know many of us, here and throughout the galaxy, are daunted by our enemy – afraid of them. I know because I am. Before accepting command of forces set to deploy on the ground, someone I love told me this: We're old soldiers. Comrades-in-arms. We know the score. We know this is good-bye.

We've parted ways, possibly for good, and those words have me asking myself, 'What, exactly, do I know'?

I know our enemy is not the Reapers. It is darkness - the empty oblivion of non-existence. I know that we are faced with the most terrifying threat any species has ever known. I know that, at the start, isolated by our fears, many of us lashed out at something in the darkness, expecting an enemy. Instead they took the hit, and then took our hands in allegiance. When they did, the darkness receded, and we saw that assumed enemy for what they really are – our allies and friends.

Alone, we are small, and we are weak. But even with darkness closing in around us, we are – none of us! – alone. Because we stand United. Together, we are Strong. We find extraordinary strength in the bonds we share with those fighting beside us, and those we cherish. In the light of those bonds the darkness of our differences and our enemy cannot prevail!

This truth governs all that exists in the universe. It is the nature of life.

With the strength of that unchanging, unyielding truth, the Reapers will be made to know this: We can overcome! We will survive! And we will FOREVER Remember Why!" Shepard stood square to the galaxy map rail, one fist thrust into the air. Steady. Straight. Strong. Undaunted - a figure to be remembered, perhaps forever.

"Normandy out."

The cheer on the Normandy was deafening. Joker cut the feed.

Shepard stepped down from the dias. Admiral Hackett reached out and shook her hand putting a hand on her shoulder. There was something she didn't expect in his expression. Pride.

"The way that started out Shepard, I was worried you'd gone soft on me."

"Well, a very wise woman once told me that whatever we accomplish in life, we're human first."

"Who was that?"

"Kaidan's mother." Admiral Hackett laughed. He couldn't quite pin it down, but around these two, every now and then, a piece of an unknowable puzzle seemed to fit into place.

"Well, that did it, Shepard. Got us ready."

"How do you know?"

"Because it got me." Shepard smiled. Good.

"Let's get you briefed." Hackett said. Shepard nodded, following him back to the QEC.

Crew Address – FOB London

"You know better than anyone what's at stake. You all, for better or worse, know me, you know how I feel about this fight, about you. Today is not your last. So let me give you a piece of advice once given to me: you have a lot of life ahead of you. But take it from me; a future you don't plan for, will never happen. Now, I don't know about all of you, but I've got plans - most of them involving a certain Major and finding oceanfront property somewhere along the Canadian west coast. So let's win this thing, and go Home!"

Push for the Beam

"Shepard! Don't leave me behind." Kaidan said as she handed him over to Garrus. Shepard took hold of his helmet firmly with both hands.

"Survive! That's an order." Shepard shouted over the noise of the battle, her eyes locked into his. As she turned away he took hold of her arm, like he wouldn't let go.

Don't. Facing him, Shepard replied.

"I love you." Three words that break the heart when they also mean 'good-bye'.

Boundlessly. Endlessly.

"I love you." Kaidan answered, letting go. Shepard ran off the ramp toward cover. From the relative shelter of the concrete debris she looked up as the Normandy carried him away.

"Joker, pull back to the rendezvous point!"

"Commander!?"

"NOW!" she ordered, breaking cover and sprinting toward the beam.

On Board The Crucible

The Crucible tower rumbled and shook beneath her feet. Anderson leaned himself back against the bulkhead. He was bleeding out fast. He'd be gone before the Crucible fired. Shepard limped over to him and extended a hand to help him up.

"End of line, Shepard. Not a bad way to retire. Not at all." Shepard grimaced. She leaned down to grab his hand. Anderson shook his head.

"Get going. Or I'll shoot you myself." She smiled half-heartedly and shook her head, falling to her knees. She reached out a hand and he took hold of her forearm.

"Anderson..." Her head hung and it started to feel involuntary.

"You know something, Shepard? It feels like its been forever since I just...sat down." She closed her eyes and smiled, replying.

"Get some rest. You've earned it." Shepard shivered.

"Shepard?"

"Sir...?" She took in a painful breath and looked up.

"You did good, child. You did good."

Shepard smiled, tears in her eyes. Anderson relaxed, letting go. "Anderson?" There was no response. Shepard's upper lip twitched as her expression hardened. She had a promise to keep. She took a breath in and stood shakily. As Shepard hobbled toward the elevator, Admiral Hackett came through over her com-link.

"It is a choice only you have ever had the opportunity to make. Without absolute conviction, it will fail. Doubt it and the Crucible will not respond."

Shepard moved toward the destruction of the Reapers. The star-child walked with her.

"I walk beside of the end of our existence. Before you do this, I ask you, why?"

Shepard approached the terminal, watching as a clear hatch slid back, exposing two rectangular divets in the underlying panel, each large enough for a hand. Shepard holstered her pistol, extended her hands, holding them above the panels. An energy that seemed liquid yet intangible coated the bottom of the panels.

Win or lose, my money's on you, Kaidan; on the hope that we can be better. That we can be wiser, and that this time, we can evolve and we will always remember why.

"Win or lose, my money's on us. Faith is a bridge between what we know and what we believe." Shepard gestured to the battle unfolding outside the tower. "That is my reality. I believe we can peacefully co-exist. I will walk that path, even if no ground exists beneath my first steps."

"If you believe it so certainly, why do you hesitate?"

"I don't want to go alone. Walk with me." Shepard said, extending a hand. The projection of the young boy took hold of her hand. She gently guided him forward, until he stood between her and the terminal. She rested one of his tiny hands on the back of hers. He followed suit as she rested her other hand in the second panel.

"Trust me."

"I cannot 'trust', Shepard. I am a synthetic consciousness."

"Then act as if you do. Just maybe, one day, you'll find you feel the action's meaning."

"For me, that is not possible."

"You know something? It's possible humans logically understood the reason for faith long before the first of us felt it. Stop being so certain. Only by going to where you find yourself uncertain can you hope to experience something...new."

"Shepard...wait..." said the Catalyst. She smiled, thinking, Yes, you do.

"For what little it's worth, if this doesn't work...I'm sorry." She knelt, rested her cheek on the young boy's shoulder and closed her eyes.

I'm ready.

Shepard woke on the floor at the foot of the Crucible terminal. The Catalyst was gone. How much time had passed? It was impossible to know. The gap between her last memory and this felt disturbingly...immense. She found herself feeling less pain. Maybe her mind was simply beginning to shut the pain out, preparing to shut down. Or, maybe, she could move.

She did. Scraping her hand cannon up off the floor as she moved by she limping ran to the panel that had carried her up. Moments after her weight shifted onto it, it began to descend. With the ground still dangerously far below, a stray piece of debris from a Reaper struck the dome overhead. A chunk of an interior beam plummeted toward her.

Shepard dove from the edge of the panel, rolling and struggling to find her feet as the debris landed some twenty feet away. She dropped her rifles and collector beam, shedding anything else she didn't need to carry, hand cannon excepted. She made a direct line to the elevator, limping. She collided with the back of the elevator and selected the departure level. Halfway down the tower. The light of the Crucible overhead left her in awe momentarily. She imagined it might feel the same, standing before the gates of the afterlife. An explosion rocked and halted the car, throwing her to the floor. A series of loud clangs echoed in the shaft over head.

A chunk of debris came crashing through the ceiling. It landed narrowly missing her good leg. She was up faster than she thought she could be and scrambled up the debris up into the shaft. Two feet above the top of the car was a closed door. There were two panels on either side of the door. A circuit bypass on each might trick the system and open the door. At this point there was nothing she wouldn't try.

The door hissed open. A particularly loud clang sounded overhead. Shepard hauled herself through the door, forgoing an upward glance. The debris hurtling down the shaft took out the car behind her. Finding her feet and weapon she tried to discern where she was. Going to a nearby window, it looked as though any remaining transports were docked just two floors down. She started toward an elevator 60 feet away. She froze as a Reaper ran past the end of the hallway. It saw her, turning back. Shepard threw an explosive charge and ducked for cover down a hall just ahead. She paused waiting for any sound of movement.

Looking to her left she noticed a large hatch. She hobbled over to the window as fast as she could manage. There was a maintenance shaft running up and down the building like a vein on a leaf. There was a panel beside the hatch. When she tried to open the panel it sparked and appeared to short circuit, cutting off access.

Using her omni-tool she forcibly pried the panel back. Rerouting a few of the lines still intact powered the deadbolt mechanism. Her last bypass triggered the locking mechanisms. She heaved the panel back and crawled into the shaft behind it. She heard the metallic clank of Reaper footfalls in the hall.

She armed her last incendiary grenade, dropping it into the hallway and scrambling for the external maintenance shaft. 10 seconds passed and the concussive wave of the exploding grenade left her ears ringing and her sight blurred. She moved on downward in spite of it. Her bad leg slipped off its rung.

Dropping her pistol she seized a ladder rung with both hands. With her injured ribs one hand would have given out. She lowered herself down the next 20 feet favouring her good leg. Looking to the right it was apparent she had reached the docking level. The tube below her was empty. She found the hatch in this tube on the opposite side. The bypass circuitry was covered by a panel with a manual locking mechanism. Seemed no one was concerned with anyone getting out of the maintenance crawlspaces. Good thing. She climbed out of the crawlspace, heading for the nearest dock. She rounded the corner seeing three Alliance marines in a running retreat from an oncoming wave of Reaper soldiers.

She made a break for the shuttle, staying behind cover. The shuttle was a civilian model, similar to the Normandy's away shuttle. Just similar enough that that hatch could be bypassed with ease. She fell into the cockpit seat and started the ship's drive.

"Stop! WAIT!"

Shepard didn't hesitate. She sealed the hatch, released the docking clamps and smoothly guided the shuttle clear of the dock. Shepard looked upward considering an escape trajectory. She smiled.

Get low, get fast. The fewer moving obstacles, the better. She burned away from the tower at a reckless pace following one of the stabilizing arms down into the air space above the metropolis encased in the petals of the Citadel. Tense seconds raced by. The Crucible would detonate any moment now. Shepard initiated the craft's landing sequence, lacking a clear choice of landing spot. She quickly scanned the landscape.

Somewhere the surrounding buildings were already down. The Crucible fired. Shepard closed her eyes before they could be seared by the Crucible's obliterating bluish-white light. Opening her eyes again, she fought to keep the shuttle's trajectory level. Her sight went dark.

Disengage

"All Fleets! The Crucible is armed! Disengage and fall back to your rendezvous points." Admiral Hackett ordered.

Joker ignored the order. They were not leaving. Garrus ran up, holding on to an empty chair at the side of the cockpit.

"I repeat! Disengage and get the hell out of here!" Admiral Hackett repeated.

Garrus stepped over, taking hold of the back of the pilot's seat, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"Joker, listen. We have to go." Joker's expression twisted in anger.

"No."

Kaidan took hold of the rung above the door to the cockpit.

"Joker." Joker turned, sadness on his face, starting to shake. There was a shadow over Kaidan's face and intensity to his eyes that erased any question from Joker's mind. He gave the order and his voice was steady.

"Fall back." Joker turned back to the helm, defeat warping his expression.

"Dammit."

Threshold

Shepard opened her eyes. It was blindingly bright...and disturbingly quiet. She was lying down. She moved her arms and despite feeling like she was lying on her back, she found there was nothing beneath her. As she turned to look behind her she suddenly and disorientingly, found herself on her feet. Shepard exhaled, shouldering grim acceptance.

"Yeah. There's no walking away from that. Fuck." she said, grimacing as she thought of Kaidan. She bit down on the lump forming at the top of her throat, swallowing forcefully. She looked around. Her sight wasn't gone. Everything was white. Despite being pure white she still got the distinct impression of undulating movement in the space around her. This was a place anyone with vertigo would hate. Wasn't a problem for her, though. Rock solid. She inhaled. Now to figure out what came next...

"It's been a while, Commander. To you, anyway." Shepard smiled crookedly and turned.

"Ash." Ashley walked up and extended a hand. Shepard eyed her cautiously.

"For crying out loud, I'm not gonna rip your arm off and beat you with the wet end. God knows there was a time when I would've like to." Shepard genuinely smiled, quickly turning the handshake into a hug.

"It's good to see you." As she said it, familiar faces began appearing from underneath the mist. Mordin. Thane...Legion. EDI. Dammit. Joker…

Shepard said the first thing that came to mind. A tear rolled down each cheek.

"Thank you. For everything." So well as each could, they smiled and nodded.

"Thank you, Shepard." Mordin answered.

"I am honoured, Shepard-Commander."

"It was my pleasure." Thane replied.

"You are welcome, Shepard." said EDI.

"How did we do?" Ashley asked. Shepard looked to each of them, slightly confused. Then she found understanding where there had been none before. She closed her eyes, searching. Her eyelids snapped open, eyes seeing into life once again.

The Normandy's hatch slid open and the emergency ramp deployed. Joker...Liara...Kaidan. Thank you...

A classroom...young recruits...Jacob.

Sunshine...a reclining chair...and an umbrella drink. She grinned broadly. Zaeed...

Tali...Garrus…

Raan…

A baby in arms...Bakara…Wrex.

Shepard opened her eyes as she laughed and grinned at Ashley. She began to walk toward the others. Their arms went up, blocking her path.

"Just where do you think you're going?" Ashley demanded.

"Where someone dead usually goes from here." Ashley walked over and levelled her best right hook squarely at Shepard's jaw. Shepard stumbled to the side and blinked, thinking, Now I know I'm in trouble. That didn't hurt.

"The Shepard I remember never gave up that easy." Ash admonished. Thane spoke.

"If I know you, Shepard, and I feel I do, you have made promises to which you must remain true."

Shepard looked between them, confused. Ashley laughed and said,

"Is it over...Shepard?" Shepard turned to her. Fondly, she looked to each of them again, and smiled, satisfied. Nodding, she said,

"It's over." Ashley set herself squarely in front of Shepard.

"Then get the hell out. You shouldn't be here. Not yet." Her fist connected and the sound reverberated through every fibre of Shepard's being as the world went black.

It may be the most extraordinary property of a synthetic device: it's innate ability to detect the existence of a single, faint electrical charge and from that tiny spark, pull itself up by the thinnest of bootstraps, to become something highly functioning, intelligent and, eventually, something more... something...evolved.

The first breath of a new life.

In the Aftermath

Kaidan stepped into the Captain's cabin of the Normandy. The distress beacon was in place. Help had been in contact but there was no way to know when they would arrive. The organizing of salvage and a search for fresh supplies was underway. The window overhead was littered with branches, leaves and other pieces of debris. He seated himself on the bedside, pulling an overturned bedside table upright and placing it where it belonged, by his side of the bed...He rested his elbows on his knees, holding his head in his hands. She had always slept on the right, and he on the left. Not once had he thought of this side as his. Only now.

The contents of the drawers were strewn across the cabin floor. He opened the top drawer to collect the few things nearest the side of the bed. The bright white against the black interior caught his eye. Two dried drops of water marred the paper.

Until you, I never kept, or wanted, much of anything for myself.

Blue skies, tall grass, rolling hills, temperate lakes, clear rivers and clean rains…No sign of civilization for miles.

I always had the distinct feeling you thought I meant 'heaven'.

If a time after 'this time' in our life ever comes, you'll know I meant every word I said.

Whatever lies in the space between now and then, I'll be loving you.

Love me.

Jenna

[Cue Epilogue]

Threshold – "I'll Meet You"

"It's been a while, Commander. To you, anyway." Shepard smiled crookedly and turned.

"Ash." Ashley walked up and extended a hand. Shepard eyed her cautiously.

"For crying out loud, I'm not gonna rip your arm off and beat you with it. God knows there was a time when I would've like to." Shepard genuinely smiled, quickly turning the handshake into a hug.

"It's good to see you." As she said it, familiar faces began appearing from underneath the mist. Mordin. Thane...Legion. EDI. Dammit. Joker…

Shepard said the first thing that came to mind. A tear rolled down each cheek.

"Thank you. For everything." So well as each could, they smiled and nodded.

Ashley said nothing, letting a respectful nod speak for itself.

"Thank you, Shepard." Mordin answered.

"I am honoured, Shepard-Commander."

"It was my pleasure." Thane replied.

"You are welcome, Shepard." said EDI.

"How'd it go, Shepard?" Shepard turned to Ashley, slightly confused. Then she found understanding where there had been none before. She closed her eyes, searching. Her eyelids snapped open, eyes seeing into life once again.

The Normandy's hatch slid open and the emergency ramp deployed. Joker...Liara...Garrus...Kaidan. Thank you...

A classroom...young children...Jacob.

Sunshine...a reclining chair...and an umbrella drink. She grinned broadly. Zaeed...

Tali...

Raan…

A baby in arms...Bakara…Wrex.

Shepard opened her eyes as she laughed and grinned at Ashley. She began to walk toward the others.

"Is it over?" Ash asked. Fondly, Shepard looked to each of them, and smiled, satisfied. Nodding, she said,

"It's over."

"And? Was it enough?" Ash asked. Shepard wore a bittersweet smile, remembering the best of the times they had shared.

I'm not the sort who does that kind of thing, not lightly anyway…

Shepard! Holy…!

A strong, regular heartbeat…

I've never met a woman who…

I love you…

We should record this, and broadcast it for the Reapers…!

The warmth of the living room fire…

Welcome home…

I'm the luckiest soul alive…

"Yeah. It was." Shepard met Ash's gaze squarely, fondness and gratitude showing on her face. Ash gestured toward the others, meaning for Shepard to follow.

"Where to?" asked Shepard. Ashley smiled.

"Where someone dead usually goes from here." Don't give up on me…the words echoed around her. Shepard came to a stop. Ash frowned.

"What is it?" Shepard laughed.

"There's still one promise left to keep." Ashley nodded, understanding. She shook her head, wearing a knowing smile and let go of Shepard. Keeping eyes on her, she backed up a few steps before turning and disappearing into the ether. Shepard stripped off her armour plating, wearing only her jumpsuit. She looked herself over, wondering… Her uniform and jumpsuit disintegrated, swirling away into the ether. Shepard smiled. Slowly, her feet moved until they hung loosely beneath her. Arms spread, her heart racing, she turned her gaze forward, eyes seeing more than ever before.

Wherever he went in this life, he wouldn't go alone.