AN: I hope this has been a fun read for you! It was really exciting writing the whole thing! This last scene is just an epilogue; again, like the second part, I felt like I had to include this in the story. Please review! Thanks!

Loud beats filled the area. The upper floor blasted music, and was covered with people dancing wildly. Shepard kept to the ground floor, heading to the bar. She spotted James Vega.

"Hey, Lola, how's it- woah, you okay?"

"Hey James. Really fucking tired that's all." She waved the salarian bartender over. "Serrice ice brandy, on the rocks, three fingers." He nodded, quickly pouring the drink. "Put it on my tab," she added. "Commander Shepard."

"You wanna talk it about it?" Although James was one of the newest additions to the Normandy crew, Shepard considered him a fairly good friend. She took a sip of her drink.

"No. But I appreciate the sentiment." She looked up at him. "How about you? Hunting your prey?" She grinned.

His face changed; his concern washed away as he became flushed. He let out a small chuckle. "Come on Commander. Can't a guy jus' have a few drinks with his fellow soldiers?" He gestured to a small table surrounded by marines. She turned her head. They were chanting and cheering, pounding drinks one by one.

"They don't even know do they…" Shepard became cross. She turned back her drink, knocked her head back, and finished it. She waved the bartender over again.

"I know, but let 'em enjoy it for a while, alright?"

"Everything's going to shit, Vega. You remember Earth. Hell, you were there on Menae with me barely two days ago. You saw Palaven."

"Commander, I get it." His tone changed. He sounded more authoritative. He put his hand on her shoulder. "But if anyone, anyone, can do this, it's you Commander." She met his stare for a moment and looked back at her drink. She let out a heavy sigh.

"Thanks James. Sorry, it's just… It's so damn frustrating."

"Yeah. Each race has a grudge on another one. It'll be hard gettin' the krogan on board, but once we do- well shit, they're tough sons of bitches."

Shepard snickered. "You keep forgetting I've had the pleasure of working with two of them, one of which is the Urdnot clan leader."

"Yeah! And you're damn lucky!" They both laughed. As the moment faded, Shepard pat Vega on the back.

"Thanks again James." She turned away and started to walk out.

"Hey, no prob, Lola."

"I'm heading back to the Normandy. Be there in twenty."

"Whaaat?" He groaned.

"I don't want to hear your bitching Vega!" She waved her hand as she walked out of the club.

Once outside, she leaned against a railing, and stared off into the Presidium. She let out a large breath. Through life, death, and life again, she has never had someone who truly stood at her side. She thought of him, back to when she first met him on Illium. She remembered how odd he had seemed. Never thought I'd have an assassin watch my back… She remembered something else, something he had said in their first meeting:

'The universe is a dark place. I'm trying to make it brighter before I die.'

Shepard stood up straight and regained her confident composure. She activated her earpiece. "EDI, tell everyone to meet aboard the Normandy, we're heading out."

"Yes, Commander. Shall I let Joker know our destination?"

"Tuchanka. I need to finish this." I need to see him again.