Author's Notes: Thank you for reading the first chapter of this fan fiction or at least I hope you read it. I hope you enjoyed it and the chapters to come. I am slightly worried in the chapter that I was able to capture Admiral Hackett's character at least in his dialogue but I think I get the idea behind his dialogue across. So if you feel he would say something different let me know with a comment or let me know if you enjoyed it.

Chapter 2 – Honoring Our Fallen Heroes

After three days, the Alliance had set up designate areas for friends and families to pay their respects to there love ones. Rows and rows of coffins lined these areas some with remains in them others without. In one specific area, two coffins draped with the Alliance flag were on a stage with a podium between them. There was a picture of Capitan Anderson behind one and a picture of Commander Shepard behind the other. Two seats on the stage were occupied by Rear Admiral Hannah Shepard and First Lieutenant Kahlee Sanders. In front of the stage a crowd of all races were standing or sitting. ANN camera's hovered around the area capturing the moment so all lifeforms could see it. Admiral Hackett somberly arrived at the podium.

"We are all here to mourn the lost of many of our people to this war. They made the ultimate sacrifice so we could see another day. They were friends and family, we will never get back. But we also need to understand that their lives were not taken in vain so we need to stand together as one and together we can overcome this grief that has stricken all of us. Right now I am here to honor two great heroes in this war." Hackett paused reflecting on those he lost. "Capitan David Anderson was not only a great soldier he was a great friend. Without him this war may have had a different outcome as he stayed on Earth to make sure there was something we could win back. But he is not why we have a crowd of all races seated before me. He does need to be recognized if not simply for the fact he was the mentor of a human that may become the greatest hero ever for all galactic races. This man is Commander John Shepard. I knew him as a small boy as his parents were servicing at the same station as I was. I can honestly say that I never thought that he would achieve what he has achieved but I knew he would become a great soldier. I thought this may have changed when he lost his whole squad on Akuze. But when the threat of the Geth and Saren came to light Shepard was able to pull together a crew of many alien races, which was something I never thought would possible, and stopped Saren. However, a new threat was revealed, the Reaper threat. From there Shepard was able to make many things impossible possible. He did things like come back from the dead, bring Krogan and Turians together, and ended the Quarian/Geth conflict. In the end we need to make sure Capitan Anderson and Commander Shepard sacrifices were not in vain. We need to stay united and tackle this new challenge of rebuilding not finding over the past or our differences."

"Taps" started to play as a 21 gun salute was fired. All audience members but Tali rose and saluted. Tali eyes stayed glued to the ground never moving. On the stage, the Alliance flags were founded and given to Rear Admiral Shepard and First Lieutenant Sanders respectively. Admiral Hackett then said a few words to each woman and handed them a Galactic Medal of Honor.

After a few hours, Tali remained in the same position in her chair. Garrus, Liara and Dr. Chakwas quietly observed Tali from the exit. Dr. Chakwas cut the silence by saying. "It's been four hours. Maybe we should comfort her and get her home. I am sure the Quarians are going to need her back with them now that the Mass Relays are back up and running so they can rebuild their home world."

"This maybe true, Dr. Chakwas. But it is going to be hard to get through the barrier of grief that she has built." Liara said.

They watched as Rear Admiral Shepard approached Tali. "Tali'Zorah." Tali nodded. "I believe my son would want you to have this." She hand Tali the folded flag and medal. Tali cradled the items into her chest. "I also wanted to say if you ever want to talk I am always here for you."

Rear Admiral Shepard places a hand on Tali's shoulder for a moment. The two made eye contact and Rear Admiral Shepard gave Tali a loving smile. Tali then dropped her head again.

Rear Admiral Shepard approached Garrus, Liara, and Dr. Chakwas. "Garrus Vakarlin, Liara T'Soni, and Dr. Karin Chakwas I presume." They nodded their heads. "I have a personal favor to ask of you and I will not take no for an answer. That Quarian girl over there meant a lot to my son as do all of you. So I would like to be updated on her condition on a regular basis. Thank you for all that you have done for my son."

She gave the group a salute and walked away. After Rear Admiral Shepard disappear the group noticed Tali had left her seat and walked towards the exit. The group did not say a thing but they made sure Tali got to her cabin safely.

In the cabin, Tali laid the flag and medal on her desk. She looked at the nightstand with the rock from Rannoch and the picture she gave Shepard after he liberated Rannoch. She flopped into the bed burying her head in the pillow. Thoughts started to flood through her mind. Thoughts like why she did not have any pictures of Shepard or of them as a couple. She then remembered how he had almost single handedly taken back Rannoch for her. It had seemed everything was looking up for her after so much pain in her life. Then all of that was gone in a heartbeat when he died. Now it seemed she had nothing after feeling as though she had everything. She had lost his face, his touch, and his voice. As she started to weep she heard a muffled voice that she recognized. She quickly got out of bed. "Shepard is that you? Where are you?"

She scanned the room and saw a datapad poking out of the Alliance flag. When she pulled it out Shepard was on the screen in his Normandy cabin speaking. She pressed the play back button. The message played from the beginning. "Mom, I know it has been a long time since you heard from me but this war has taken its toll. I am glad to hear you are safe after what happened on Earth. But now it seems it is coming to an end. After Akuze, I know you were worried about me fearing that I would grow cold and distant from others. And for awhile, I was until Capitan Anderson gave me command of the Normandy and I gained a crew of various individuals to fight the threat we are facing now. It still pains me thinking of the ones who died. Also, I have found someone in my crew who has brighten my life in these dark times. She is a Quarian named Tali'Zorah vas Normandy and with her by my side I have been given hope that we will overcome this Reaper threat. If for some reason something happens to me I would like you to be there for Tali because I love her with all my heart and she will need someone like you to comfort her and keep her strong."

Tali put the video message on repeat holding it to her chest as she got back into bed. She cried herself to sleep listening to Shepard's voice.