Chapter Fourteen: Unforseen

The night seemed to welcome Shepard like a warm parent. Its calming embrace fixated on his worries and fears. Standing there, at the balcony of the Citadel, watching occasional ships soar pass the sky like stars that seemed to fall from heaven and take refuge in star dust.

Thoughts rushed through his mind like falling snow. One by one he contemplated the outcomes, the risks, the chances of his success with such a fleet. Will this be his moment of triumph? Or humankind's greatest mistake? Either way there wasn't any room for second guesses. He needed to end this war between man and machine or forever be looked upon by future races as the one who couldn't deliver them to peace.

"Shepard?" a soft voice called out from the empty corridor. Shepard made no attempt to turn around nor respond. He knew very well he was being followed when he arrived here, "Is this a bad time?"

He shook his head.

"Of course not, you've caught me in my quiet mode." he insisted as he gripped the railing beneath his abdomen.

"Were you thinking of her?" asked Lily as her azure silhouette emerged from the shadows. In truth, behind his thoughts of war and conquer, he was in fact thinking of Liara. No longer where his memories of her ones that made him scowl but in fact they calmed his ever conflicted mind just like the soft glow of the stars that illuminated his very body. His memories had finally befriended him or was it the other way around?

"If you're talking about Williams... then no." he responded shifting his gaze to the lower cities.

"I meant that other Asari. The one you were in love with."

"I'm going to assume you've read the engagement documents that almost processed. Either that or Williams but that doesn't really matter anymore does it?" he said.

"No, I know nothing of that. I can tell what people are thinking and act accordingly. That's how I managed to survive so many encounters with other mercenaries. It's also not a gift I was born with." she replied.

"Oh? Mind sharing how you came across that ability?"

Lily peered down at feet, his question nearly begged her to reveal who she really was. To do so would ruin her chance to reveal another secret that she desperately wanted to tell him. Something that she hadn't felt towards anyone since her last encounter which ultimately ended with her betrayal. Would delivering her feelings to him also condemn him?

"I... I... I was cursed." she hesitated. All she could do at this moment was stare at him with his back turned to her. Go ahead and ridicule me, she thought.

He began to chuckle. Her brows raised in suspicion.

"Cursed huh? Well, we all have our demons."

"You have no idea." she remarked. Shepard sighed.

"How old are you, Lily?"

The question felt like a blow to the stomach. How could she tell him she was as old as 100 universes from beginning of time to the extinction of all races? How could you measure an infinite number? How old is someone who never really aged?

"I don't remember," was the only thing she could come out with.

"Well, judging by the tone of your voice you must be older than me. I'm only 33." he said as he sat at the doorway to the balcony. His back had suddenly begun to ache.

"You're really young, Shepard."

She couldn't help but think aloud.

He smiled.

"I know. I probably won't live this time tomorrow."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, everything can't go as planned. It's part of life and I'm pretty sure my plans no matter who elaborate they may be, in the end, might fail. I've might have already doomed the universe to redo itself." he said with a clear smile on his face. Lily, however, nearly felt tears rush to the brim of her eyes. It was happening all over again and yet the choice no matter which route she took would end up in destruction and despair. In less than 48 hours the final decision would have to be made through her. Would she kill the commander like the last thousands of commanders that lead the same fleet on a final onslaught against the Reapers or would she allow him to be killed by the machines? After all, being the Mother of the Reapers did have its downfalls.

"Shepard..."

"Hey, sit with me. I would love to join you in the dark but standing for nearly three hours really killed my legs."

"Why were you standing for so long anyway?"

"Just to see if I could."

"You humans are very enigmatic things."

"I know."

Lily plotted herself next to the commander whose head rested upon the metal doorway. His eyes seemed heavy and his overall spirit seemed flushed.

"Are you alright?"

"Tired. That's all."

"You should get some rest. I should leave you."

"No, stay."

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't say it if I weren't."

Both Asari and Human sat close not uttering a word until, "What kind of woman was she?"

"Huh?"

"Liara. You're thinking about her right now."

"Well, since there's no use in trying to get out it now. She was strong willed, not at first mind you but she did fill that void I had for a while. I really did feel love for her even though she wasn't my own specie."

"Love yet need not an identity but faith." Lily whispered.

"I guess." he whispered back.

Her voice trembled. The reason behind it unknown but he could feel the small irregular vibrations in her voice. It didn't bother him, he didn't need to hear her to tell she wanted something from him. Her eyes couldn't leave his. Her eyes spelled sorrow in ways he never thought a person could exhibit. He could tell something happened in her past that forbade her to reveal it. He wanted to know.

His hand traveled to her leg which lied outstretched by his own. She wore a beige skirt that traveled down to her knees and military styled boots that were tarnished with wear and tear. Her exquisite frame hidden by a flexible flask jacket but this didn't stop from animal intuition from approaching both of them.

She allowed him to touch her. Something she hadn't allowed anyone to do in... God knows when. She wanted to feel loved, she wanted to feel his embrace. She wanted someone to love her. She needed it.

He leaned over her and gently grazed his lips under her ear and said, "Remember me."