Saying good bye to my own brother was going to be difficult. Though I hardly shared emotion with the world, there were indeed a handful of people I truly trusted with my heart-sleeves. I knew if he had a free moment he'd be at the bar, but more than likely he'd be at the docking bay getting ready to go. Looking up where I was on my omnitool, my mapped displayed my little beacon in the grand blueprint of the Fortress layout.

Taking long, fast, confident strides to Purgatory I knew I'd see my brother there. Stopping off at the nearest of stores at Presidium Commons and purchasing casual clothes, I went to the restrooms to change out of my uniform. It was ridiculous, but if I never saw my brother again I wanted him to remember me well this time. I guess actual death experiences really change perspective for me.

While I was at it, in less than fifteen minutes I dyed my hair from black to a false red, in addition to adding colored contacts to my dark brown eyes. Getting dressed from my descent uniformed appearance to the sensual clubber, I left the Presidium and headed directly towards the bar.

Entering the large club, I saw brightly colored strobe lights flickering on the wall and floor bouncing off of exotic looking alien skin colors. The sounds of heavy techno and occasional metal rap bands pounded my eardrums. The smells of different colognes and perfumes wafted through the air. Heading directly to the bar, I found Kaidan, Garrus, and James. Other crew members of the Normandy were nearby at the surrounding tables just talking and having a good time. Every now and then I would get looks of approval from the very same crew. Approaching the tall seats near my squad mates, they all jaw-dropped at the sight of me, bugged out eyes, drool, the whole works.

"Seems like you've got everything going on there huh Lola?" James called out.

"Well Sucio, I'd love to stay and chat with you, but I'm not really here to mingle." I called over the roaring noise.

"That dress says otherwise, if you know what I mean." Garrus clicked.

"Definitely true Garrus, with that dress, hell I wouldn't know war was going on, in fact I'd say I'm in paradise just by the view." Kaidan added.

"You boys spoil me and I love you for it. But seriously, where is John?" I inquired. Kaidan pointed over to a table with John and his women around him. He seemed to be having a great time, living it all up to the fullest until he leaves-figures.

I walked over and John looked up at me. Immediately seeming embarrassed, he got up and left the table with all his companions pawing for him to comeback. It seemingly brought Tali relief from the competition, and consequently followed John when he grabbed my arm to another table to talk.

"Did the Council agree to help us?" John got to the point.

I shook my head, "Not exactly unless I help them first they won't help us because they want their planets to come first. The Reapers struck everyone hard, John. Don't worry I'll make Alliances, you build the weapon, and together we can stop them all."

John seemed informed but not relieved. "I'm leaving in a few hours Jane." He started off.

"I know that's why I am here." I said, taking his hand into my own. Tali said, "I'll give you two a moment." Her garbled voice said politely, getting up and leaving. It was the only moments I would have with him and it was hard to savor with all the noise of music and talk, but this was better than explosions of C-4 and bullets heading in your direction.

"I miss our parents."

"I do too."

I thought back to the last day John and I would see them. We were on Earth, Kaidan naturally was our neighbor. Over the news it was announced that we were not alone and that the aliens we communicated with were not initially friendly. Kaidan's parents and our own were called off to war. Since we were all military brats we moved with them from station to station, out of harm's way, but we knew that one day we'd possibly get the call. Kaidan was fortunate enough to at least get his mom back, but his father wasn't so lucky. As for us, John and I were hit with a double whammy. On the colony of Eden Prime, our mom and dad were killed by some explosion of Turian design. The worst part of the news is when we came to Eden Prime to positively identify the bodies to ensure that the burnt DNA wasn't wrong, it was only one body. It was our mother. Our father's body was never found. From what the at the time Captain Anderson and Captain Hackett said to us that no one could have survived the diameter of the explosion.

For three years until I was 18, did I get hired by the Alliance. Now at 21, it seems a different world. On the colony I struggled to survive on the streets, only until I got work did I head back to Earth to train for 21 days of combat and then moved into space doing missions. John of course had already done his share of amazing things by this time. When we were re united at the famous Collector Base-either a planned coincidence or a miracle-John said his only regret was leaving me, because since he was older he escaped our struggle on Eden Prime sooner when he enlisted. Now I'd assume he'd tell me he hated leaving me behind a second time here at the bar.

"Jane you know I have few regrets in my life…"

"John, stop. I don't blame you, and if you want forgiveness you have it. Hell, I most likely would have done the same so consider us even. For God sake's John we are fine, that's all that matters. Enjoy our good bye before we depart again ok? You're my only brother, never forget that." I said gently.

He smiled a weak smile, "I couldn't have said it better myself silver-tongue. You've always known what to say to me, I only wish I could do the same."

"I wish dad was here." I added in our reminiscent thoughts. He nodded, "Remember how he said he'd do anything for us? I remember when he used to pour me a bottle of whiskey and say 'don't tell your mother.' And he'd smoke so many cigars." John drifted in his eyes. I also remembered, "I remember dad saying his favorite date with mom was star gazing at their favorite star. I miss that, the idea that stars were beautiful, peaceful, and distant. Now they seem harsh with mechanical life…" I added bitterly.

"What was their star do you remember?" John asked to get my mind off of the war.

"Arcturus. I remember dad said it was a dying star yet it burns brighter than ever." I said.

"Dad was always the philosophical type." John agreed with a smile.

I smiled back.

Hours seemed to have flown by quickly, next thing I knew I was standing at the docking bay while crew were boarding the ship meant to take off for the Crucible. John and I stood there with all of our family/crew with us there. Tali took off her mask and kissed John. It was a heart-breaking sight to see that she might never see him again. Then again none of us might not make it. For all we know the Crucible could be attacked or we could all be shot down in our mission to unite the galaxy. Everyone took turns to say their good-byes, and the nit came to me the last one.

"I'm going to miss you."

"I know, just be safe take care."

"You too, you'd better stay alive."

"Speak for yourself."

John and I hugged tightly, we were all each other ever really had besides the actual crew. It was a long moment of silence that went too quickly. An announcement stated that it was five minutes to leaving time for the ship he was heading on. We let go, but stared for a moment. I couldn't explain it but somehow I knew this is the last time I would see my brother. Kaidan grabbed my shoulder, "Don't worry I will take care of her, Shepard." John nodded. Another voice chimed in, "Don't worry Commander I'll keep him safe." Admiral Hackett said to me. Silently, tears brimmed on my lashes as I did not utter a sound, John and I looked for a second, and then he was gone.

Tears fell down, but I wiped them away. Putting on my cold angry commander bearing, I walked away because now that a piece of me is gone, all I have now is a mission.