Author's Notes: I am happy to see the positives comments for the last chapter. I should probably clarify though that I am aware of the fact Aeian T'Goni story at Huerta Memorial Hospital is probably about Joker's sister. But I drafted that chapter before I was aware of the information because I didn't connect it when I played the game. However, her death is heavily implied and up for speculation accounting to the Mass Effect wiki so I decide to use her because I felt it brought some hope to Joker as character who with Tali were the most devastated characters at the beginning from an emotional stand point. Plus, it takes some weigh off of Shepard's shoulders who already feels guilt about the demise of synthetic and is trying to understand everything that has happened to him since the Citadel. Overall I wanted that segment to have a lighter moment so referencing Joker's sister as being a smart ass to him when they reunited brought that. And the last half of this story really deals with the burdens Shepard must face with many not being easily solved so that is what everyone can look forward to.

Chapter 6 – The Debriefing

A few hours later, Admiral Hackett came into the room. "Commander Shepard, I am glad you had some time to catch up but now we need to talk about what happened on the Citadel." Admiral Hackett looked at Tali and added. "I think we should speak alone."

Tali squeezed Shepard tight. "It's okay, Admiral. I think she deserved to hear what happened."

Shepard got out of bed and took a seat in front of Hackett to be more formal. Tali stayed in bed. "Okay, Shepard tell me what happened."

Shepard started from when Harbinger's beam hit close to him. He then told them about his interaction with Anderson and the Illusive Man. But when he got to the Catalyst he realized that he could not be able to explain how he knew he had be indoctrinate without telling them about the man in the white abyss. However, he wanted to omit this as he still did not truly understand what had happened in the white abyss. So he explained that he realized he was being indoctrinated because he could not make himself refute the claims the catalyst had made like he would normally do. He concluded this is what lead him to choose the destroy option and he was release by the Reaper indoctrination. The room went quiet for several minutes after Shepard finished.

"That's a very strange story, Shepard. I am glad in reality the Mass Relay's only went offline for the several hours because of the energy outburst otherwise we would all be stuck in the Sol System and none of our efforts would have matter."

"Yeah and we would've never left the battle like you saw in your vision. That part makes the least amount of sense. Your crew only left you to find another way onto the Citadel without getting us all killed." Tali said.

"Sadly we did lose the Geth and that Normandy AI named EDI. They were the only others effected by the energy. I don't want your story leaving this room it may anger many people. We will just have to say you got on the Citadel and activated the Crucible then got off before it exploded. Anyway, Shepard I want to announce to the Galaxy your survival and honor the team that found you at a press conference tomorrow. And don't worry Shepard I am going to do all the talking. See you tomorrow." Hackett said and left the room.

Shepard joined Tali back in bed where they cuddled until a nurse brought lunch for the couple. Shepard was surprise they had a dextro-protein paste on hand for Tali to eat but said nothing about it. His mother then arrived and talked with the couple then took a walk with them so Shepard could get some fresh air and get him on his feet. Outside Shepard saw a memorial wall similar to the one on the Citadel. The group went over so he could pay his respects. He noticed there were pictures of Mordin, Thane, Kelly Chambers and Anderson on this wall. But when he noticed that a picture of Cortez's husband was on the wall he realized that many of these pictures were from the Citadel. He asked his mother and Tali about it. They told them that Cerberus came back to the Citadel but C-Sec was able to evacuate most of the civilians and politicians. Some of the refugees decide to bring the photos because it was all they had left and made the memorial once they were settled on Earth. They stood in silence for a long while remembering those who died fighting this war. Shepard wished he had a photo of EDI and Legion to add to the wall but sadly he did not have one.

After dinner, Hannah Shepard left her son and his girlfriend to have some alone time. Shepard flopped into bed slightly exhausted by the day as Tali operated the controls on a wall console. "What are you doing, Tali?"

"I am sterilizing the room's environment to make it more comfortable." She said seductively. "It seems like an eternity since I felt my lips against yours, my skin against yours, and my body against yours. And after hearing what you went through I just want you to take your mind after all that and have you focus on me."

She removed her mask and all Shepard could think of was that he did everything that he has done for the beautiful creature before him. His mind started to think about what the man from the white abyss said about the relationship he had with Tali but those thoughts dissolved away as their lips embraced.

After the night of passionate love, the couple awoke to a pounding at the locked down and a voice over head. "Commander, Admiral Hackett has asked us to escort you to the press conference so could you please unlock the door."

He looked over at Tali who was starting to put her envirosuit back on and then looked around for his pants. "Okay. Give me a few minutes I need to get dressed."

"Understood, Commander."

As they finished getting dress the couple kissed again as they were not sure when they would get any alone time once the media found out Shepard was still alive. When they opened the door two Alliance soldier stood at attention with a wheelchair in tow. "I don't think I'll be needing that." Shepard said as he did not want to look weaken when the cameras were on him.

"Understood, sir." And the soldier wheeled away the wheelchair.

When they arrived the press conference was already started. The six marines that had found Shepard in the rubble were seated to one side of podium and there was an empty chair on the other side presumably for Shepard to sit in. Tali notice Garrus, Liara, Hannah Shepard, and Dr. Chakwas by the back wall behind all the media personnel and she decided to join them. Admiral Hackett was at the podium speaking when he noticed Shepard had arrived. "Ah, it looks like Commander Shepard has finally arrived. Now we can commence honoring him and the brave men that recovered him so he could be here today."

Shepard was escorted to the chair with camera's flashing on him and hundreds of voices asking him questions. Admiral Hackett waited for the crowd to go quiet before he spoke again. "Are there any other questions before we start this ceremony?"

A reporter raised her hand and the Admiral pointed to her. "Yes, Shirley Clain, Alliance New Network. Commander Shepard could you give us more details on what happened on the Citadel and how you were able to get off before it blew up?"

"Miss Clain, I have already told you all that the Alliance can divulge at this time. Next question." Hackett said sharply.

"Jeff Navarus, London Times Blog. Admiral what was the thinking behind deploying the recover team to other areas after Commander Shepard was recovered?"

"Well, they are marines and I felt after recovering Commander Shepard they should be where some action was. Partly for a reward and partly to get them out of London in hopes it would not get leak out because they had other things to worry about. Any other questions?"

"Yes. Paula Warden, Galactic Affairs News. This is for Petty Officer Jones. Rumor has it that you killed some Krogan with your bare hands down in South Africa. Why would you put your life and the lives of others on line to do so reckless?"

"Miss Warden, as I told everyone before the soldiers will not be answer questions today. If you keep trying to address them I will remove all media from the premises. Understood?"

"Yeah but we have the right to know?"

"All I can say is the Petty Officer and I have spoken about his dangerous actions and we are working on a way to remedy his situation. No more questions."

The ceremony started with Hackett calling each individual marine up and giving them a medal and a handshake. The marine would then walk over to Shepard and salute him as well as say a few words with a handshake. All the interactions were the same except with Petty Officer Jones. There seemed to be obvious tension between Hackett and Jones when Hackett gave Jones his medal. When Jones came to Shepard there was a noticeable difference between him and other marines. Jones did not have the same muscle tone as them. He looked as though he was not genetically augmented to be a soldier. Shepard also noticed that Jones had no injuries where all the others had some visible scars from the war. Jones saluted Shepard without a word and walked away with a solemn look on his face.

After the press conference, Shepard enjoyed lunch with Tali, his mother, Garrus, Liara, and Dr. Chakwas. They reminisced about old times and talked about what the future would hold. Shepard and Tali followed this up with sitting on an open deck his hospital floor had. They sat enjoying each others company for hours watching ships clear the debris floating in space. Hannah Shepard interrupted their silence. "John. I need to borrow your girlfriend for a while if that's okay? We'll bring you back dinner though."

Tali and Shepard turned to see her in the doorway. "Okay, Hannah I'll be right with you." Tali said and turned to Shepard. "I hope it is alright. Do you want to go back to the room though?"

"No. I'll be fine, Tali."

"Good. I love you." She said as she went off with Hannah Shepard.

Shepard watched as the sun began to set. Then he heard a quiet, calm voice behind him. "It's beautiful isn't it?" Shepard looked to see who it was. He saw Petty Officer Jerma Jones walking out of the doorway. "I do love a sunrise more than a sunset though. As beginnings are always better than endings. But you still you have to enjoy the little things." Shepard stayed quiet but noticed Jones still had the same solemn look on his face. Jones grabbed the guard rail and looked at the sky. "I am sure you're a man who wants to start to enjoy the little things in life like this. Since you already died twice and came back. It is almost as if you haven't out lived your purpose."

Shepard realized something was wrong now as all known information would say he only died once so why did he say twice. Also he brought up purpose. Shepard's mind started to race trying to decide if this Petty Officer was actually the man from the abyss but if he was why come in a different form. Shepard searched for the question he wanted to ask but all he could muster was. "Are you him?"

"No, Shepard. I am not the Observer."

Shepard gave Jones a confused look. "The Observer?"

"The being from the white abyss. He said he created the universe and he enjoys watching it."

"How do you know all this? Who are you?"