51 Hours Later

Volunteers were combing through the wreckage of the Citadel. The pulse had disengaged two arms and helped destroy what the reapers didn't finish off. From what they could find there was little hope of finding survivors. Most people were looking for bodies at this point. Reports hinted that a certain Alliance Commander was still unaccounted for back on Earth, which gave teams an idea of what they were looking for. Teams were sent starting from the embassies and branched out to find the one who opened the arms. Group Echo was making its way down a back corridor that lead to the wards. Two asari were moving debris with their biotics while two batarians and some Alliance soldiers were digging through some rubble. A salarian doctor hung back waiting to be needed.

One of the asari walked by a corridor and looked down the dark hallway. "Did anyone check this one?" The batarian shook his as he continued to search a pile of rubble. Turning on the light on her omnitool, she made her way down the corridor. Past some falling panels and a burnt out control consol she could see something lying up ahead. "Hey, I got something in here." She walked over, "It's a body."

The salarian and a soldier came in behind her. The young doctor rolled the body over and started to scan it. The soldier leaned close, and swore, "No fucking way, is that Commander Shepard?"

The salarian consulted the omnitool and shook his head, "Yes, it seems he is a DNA file matches of Commander John W. Shepard, Alliance N7."

The soldier called the others over, "Hey we found him, you guys. We found him. Is he alive?"

"Yes, but his pulse is weak and his injuries are extensive. It is very likely he won't survive treatment." While the doctor was replying, the asari was requesting a medical evac letting them know they had finally found the Commander. "It's a miracle he's been able to survive this long."

A shuttle was sent and the word was out; Shepard was alive and on his way to Earth. An underground clinic was already prepped and waiting for the arrival. That was where Miranda Lawson found herself after being "escorted" by Major Coats and Alliance soldiers. She stood waiting with a group of doctors and medics that gave her sidelong glances. She studied the file again. "Has the salarian given us any more information?"

"No ma'am. All the information we have has been provided." Coats gave her a stern look. He wasn't particularly found of ex-Cerberus agents, and knowing how high up this one was up in the chain of command didn't really help matters. It didn't help that she carried herself like she was God's gift to the galaxy, either. Orders were orders, and if she was the one who brought the Commander back the first time than she was the right person for this. He heard chatter over his communicator, "They're here."

They watched as a shuttle landed and the Alliance crew was pulling the gurney out. Coats had to stop as he saw the Commander. What little was left of his face could be identified as Shepard's, his left side was scorched, and his left leg was just raw sinew and exposed bone. The body lying on the gurney was a far cry from the man he met when Hammer Team arrived. He could remember the man jumping aboard his shuttle narrowly escaping an ambush. He was taller than Coats' 5'8" by almost half a foot. He chose not to wear Alliance colors, and carried a flashy M-11 Wraith and beaten up M-15 Vindicator; not exactly what the Major was expecting. He carried himself tall, but signs of war were starting to appear on his face: bags under clear green eyes, cheeks drawn in under his dark beard, and his overall ashen look. He wanted to not like the man for taking so long, but after meeting him he could tell it wasn't any easier for the Commander. He followed the group towards the operating room when he grabbed Miranda, "Can you really save him?"

She looked back at the Major, and he could see insecurity finally creep into her blue eyes. "I have to try."

Liara stretched her body feeling the most relaxed she could possibly be. The sheets were rumpled at the foot of the bed from the all the activity from earlier. The only light in the room was coming from the fish tanks off to the side. The cabin was quiet; John made sure to turn the COM off. She would never get tired of the feeling of full-bodied contentment that she got after they made love. She stretched again to savor the feeling with a smile. She could hear a deep chuckle as a strong hand reached over to glide across her stomach. She bit her lip as his lips traveled along her neck, and moved along her ridges. Her little gasps seemed to encourage him as his tongue traveled up to her crest. Unable to take it anymore Liara pushed John on his back, and in a lithe move straddled his hips. She could feel his already stiff manhood pressing up against her. His hands were reaching for her breast as soon as she sat up. His beard was growing in thicker, but his hair looked freshly buzzed. She smiled as she touched his cheek. "Did you keep this for me?"

He grinned as he sat up. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he pushed her breasts up to bury his face in her cleavage. "I thought you said you loved the feeling of my beard on your tits?"

She always got a deep physical reaction every time he used course language, and didn't he know it. She squirmed on his lap; "I don't remember saying it quite like that." She knew how to play him just as easy as he did her. With a little smile on her lips she ran her fingernails along his scalp and he growled. He took her lips in a rough kiss as he pinched her sensitive nipples. It didn't take long for the kiss to bring her close to the breaking point. She threw him back down and sank down on him with a sigh. She was moaning as she took her time slowly rocking back and forth, side to side.

He had crossed his arms behind his head and smiled. "Enjoying yourself?"

She was running her nails over his chest and down his stomach. "You know I am." Her hands had wandered to where they were joined and started to stroke herself.

He grabbed her hips and started pumping harder beneath her. She had to lean forward and brace her other hand her on his chest to keep her balance. Her breast swayed with the force his thrusts. "I fucking love your tits." Sweat made his chest glisten, and he started to grunt. "Come for me, Liara. I need you to come right now."

Not one to disobey an order, Liara started stroking herself faster. She felt the tingle at the edge of her consciousness. Her body was awash with pleasure. Not just hers, but John's. The pleasure was just too much to handle as she came hard. She could faintly hear him shout as she tried to remember to breath. The pleasure seemed to radiate from within their shared spaced.

Liara had collapsed on top of John. He was running his hands everywhere, and holding her close. "You really are amazing Dr. T'soni."

"Dr. T'soni?"

Liara's eyes popped open to find a young specialist standing in her office area. She hadn't left her quarters since she found herself there after she passed out. She tried to distance herself from what happened; instead she spent most of her time in her memories with John. Liara now understood why Kasumi buried herself in that gray box.

"Dr. T'soni, we're entering the Sol System. We'll be arriving at Earth in a couple hours. They need you up at the Bridge." The young man was looking very intently at the ground.

"Thank you, Mr. Baker." The specialist left giving Liara a chance to change before making her way up. The bridge was quiet and a bit dim. She looked to the right noting the android still missing. Garrus and Vega were also standing near by, most likely to make sure she didn't start attacking Joker again. "We've reached the Sol System?"

Joker cleared his throat, "Ah, yeah. We should be there in three hours, but that's not the reason you were called. Hackett wanted to talk to you in the QEC."

"Thank you, Joker." She started to walk away before she stopped, "And Joker. I'm sorry."

He became quiet but answered before she walked away, "Its okay. I understand." He looked over at the empty co-pilot chair.

She made it to the QEC with just a few furtive looks. As the Shadow Broker, she had always taken pride in knowing everything that was needed to know. This was an unfamiliar feeling not knowing what was going on when everyone else seemed know. "Doctor, I trust the Normandy should reach Earth within a few hours."

"That is what I've been told, Admiral."

"Good. I wanted to tell you before you heard it from anyone else that we have found Commander Shepard."

Her hands were clutching the railing desperately. "Shepard? Is he . . .?"

"He's alive for the time being. He was found on the Citadel two days ago. We have the best currently trying to help him including Miss Lawson. We have reviewed the information from the Citadel and now know what had happened. Shepard saved all our asses so you can bet everyone is doing what they can to help. I'm sending the Normandy coordinates to the hospital. When he wakes up I want you to be there."

"When, sir?"

"The Commander has to be one of the toughest men I have ever met. They've told me it doesn't' look good, but I can't see him not pulling through. We'll see you at the hospital, Doctor. Hackett out."

As the Admiral's form flickered and disappeared Liara's knees finally gave out. He was alive and on Earth. She felt a drop on her hand and looked down to see another tear fall. She knew he was alive, but to have it finally be validated made it real. She took a deep breath and stood up using the railing as support. She had to see him. She wouldn't rejoice his return until she saw him in person. "2 hours eta to Earth."