He reached for a glass of water on Shepard's bedside table, still feeling the aftermath and fatigue. Her head rested on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, feeling him rise and fall as he breathed.
"You did pretty well for a dying man," Shepard teased. He chuckled and placed the glass back and began to relax more. She pushed herself up, placing her face atop his. Thane cleared the hair from her face. She couldn't help but gently caress his face. They lay there for a long time, staring into each other. As she leaned in to kiss him, her private terminal interrupted her. Shepard checked her clock. "Damn…"
Thane sighed. "I presume I should take my leave." Shepard looked back at him, pouting. He chuckled again. "Siha. This will not be our last, you understand?" He sat up, looking down at her. She followed suit and rose to meet his line of sight. Her head drooped to his neck, her hands intertwined with his. He let go of her hand to lift her head, and kissed her. He withdrew and smiled, soon standing up to get dressed.
Shepard unlocked her door. "Can I walk with you back to the hospital?"
He beamed. "Of course."
Shepard clutched his hand as they made their way towards the docking bay doors. They stepped off the Normandy returning to public eyes. She hesitantly let go of his hand. Their walk to the hospital was silent.
They had finally reached the elevator. Thane reached for the console. They were alone, for the last time. Shepard gazed upon his face. She stopped the elevator.
"Siha-"
She threw herself around Thane. He let out a short gasp as it surprised him. He returned by hugging her close. "Why… why can't we just… I need you to stay here, with me." She held her tears. Thane embraced her more tightly.
"Tell me your feelings, siha."
She locked onto his eyes. "I'm scared." For the first time she had said it out loud. She caught herself, feeling childish and more exposed as ever. Tears started to make their way down her face. She kept quiet.
"Scared?"
"Yes! I know I have to be strong, and I know I can't act this way in front of my crew, but I'm scared of everything. That boy I saw on Earth, and the destruction of Palaven… How the hell am I, one woman, supposed to unite the races against the Reapers? How am I supposed to do this without you?" She turned away from him and punched the wall, leaving a small dent. Her fist lingered in the spot. Thane reached for her hand and held it in both of his. "I don't know if I'll be able to see you again. There's too much I have to do and-"
He pressed a finger against her lips. He leaned his forehead towards hers. He wiped the streaks of tears with his thumb. They closed their eyes. "Shepard. I cannot relate to these emotions. But I know that my siha is fearless. She dances with beauty on the battlefield, and can invoke desire and vivacity in a man already dead."
She buried her face in his neck. "You know I can't dance…" He let out a small hum. Her demeanor calmed. She let out a heavy sigh. "Sometimes… sometimes I wish I could let go of you. It hurts, more than you know, knowing that you might not live…" She whimpered as more tears ran down her face. "It's frustrating, holding on to the one thing that hurts you the most. Yet… if I let you go… I'll be even angrier with myself knowing I've let go of everything I've wanted. Everything I've needed. Everything I've loved."
"Siha, such sweet words from your lips. If all else whispers back into the tide, know this for fact. By grace given me by the Goddess Arashu, I bid her divine protection to you, my warrior-angel, my siha, to succeed in your destiny. To light your path through the coming darkness. To give you hope, when all else seems lost."
She looked back up at his radiant face. "Thane… I love you. I promise I will come back, even if it's for a short time between missions, I will make time to see you. We'll cross the sea together."
"I love you too. I will be here, waiting for our departure." He reached for the console and reactivated the elevator. She sighed. He lifted her chin up and kissed her for one last time. It was hard yet comforting and soft.
"Thank you."
The doors began to open. They separated. They gazed into each other as Thane slowly made his way out of the elevator. He smiled. She grinned wistfully. He finally turned his back to her and walked towards to receptionist. Still standing in the elevator, Shepard watched as the woman scolded him. She laughed. He was then led through the doors at the back end of the lobby. He turned to face her before the doors closed behind him. She stepped back clear of the elevator doors. She activated the console, and headed to Purgatory.