A/N: And here we go, the last chapter of Only Human. I can say, I'm very proud of this! And I know, some of it's not very good and awkward, but I worked hard! :D I guess that counts for something... I also had to rewrite some parts because i made Shepard the dominant one in the relationship, but after some thought i realized Miranda would be the dominant one. Or the "man" of the relationship. But id love to hear what you think! Add it in your review please! :)And not everything is accurate to the actual game, but hey? It's slight AU. I am a bit disappointed by the unromanticness of the ending... which is why there is also an alternate ending I'll be posting soon. It's a bit more cliched but more romanticized. You can expect it soon :) But don't fret, this isn't the end of my tale of Commander Sid Shepard, and of course, Miranda! When Mass Effect 3 comes out, you can expect a sequel! Anyways, for now enjoy and maybe review? Eh?

Miranda and Shepard sat in the Captain's Cabin trying to enjoy what may be their last night of living. Tomorrow they would meet the inevitable, but there was no guarantee they would come out alive. They were both prepared to give their lives for the galaxy, but they both didn't want to lose one another yet.

The silence in the air seemed torturous as Miranda watched as Shepard ran her finger around the edge of her glass. Shepard wasn't a drinker by any means, but she knew she only drank at parties or when she was stressed, and there was no party in sight. Though, Miranda found if a bit humorous that Shepard looked like an experienced drinker, despite the fact she looked barely drinking age.

"Did I tell you about the time I almost resigned from the military?" Shepard finally broke the silence.

Miranda narrowed her eyebrows, "You almost left?" So many things would be different if she had. Miranda would've never met her.

Shepard nodded, "It was only a year into my service on the Normandy. I was only twenty one."

"What happened?"

"I was part of a squad that barely escaped a meeting with the geth. We had no idea they were out there. I decided to take some time off, we all did." Shepard took a sip of her drink, "Kaiden and I shared an apartment for our couple months of leave."

Miranda was genuinely interested, "Were you two together?"

"We were. We had been together about nine months."

"So why did you want to leave?"

Shepard sighed, "We were both disturbed by our encounter with the geth; it was the first real firefight we had been in since leaving the academy. It shook us up. We didn't think the military was for us. Before our leave was up, Kaiden asked me to stay. He said we could get married and start a family that wasn't broken like most Alliance families." Shepard's eyes were sad, "Sometimes I wish I had taken him up…"

Miranda sighed, "I understand, Shepard. But look what you've done, it's remarkable."

Shepard smiled, setting down her drink and standing up. She walked over sitting next to Miranda.

"I would've missed out on a lot. Especially meeting you." Up close, Miranda could now see the tears that threatened to spill out of Shepard's eyes. The blacked haired woman reached up, pushing the hair out of her face. She was amazed at how after losing so much, Shepard still stood tall.

Miranda smiled as she sat down next to the sleeping Shepard, holding her Commander's under clothes in her lap. She was still surprised by Shepard's stature. She herself was five foot seven, five foot nine in her uniform. Shepard on the other hand was only five foot four.

When she first heard of Shepard, before Project Lazarus, she always imagined Shepard as a tall, all business, Alliance woman. What she got was a small, childish, stunningly beautiful, caring woman with the longest hair she'd ever seen on a solider.

Shepard's eyes opened slowly as she yawned. She smiled up at Miranda.

"Good morning."

Miranda took a deep breath, smiling, "Good morning, yourself."

The Cerberus Operative came back into the room. She saw Shepard standing in a pair of long black tights and a white tanktop she always wore under armor. She claimed it kept her cool and increased her mobility. She stood with her back to Miranda, holding a picture of Kaiden that she always had sitting at her desk.

Miranda approached her, putting her arms around the woman's waist. "I know you miss him…"

Shepard turned around, tears in her eyes, and smiled, "I do, but I've found someone else. And I'm not letting those bastards take you too."

Miranda pulled out Shepard's armor, helping her put it on, just like she always had. She had a small fear that it would be the last time she'd ever get to. Shepard pulled her into her armor clad arms before pulling her hair back into a ponytail.

As they stood in the elevator, Miranda's hand found hers. She squeezed.

The heat of battle had ceased for a moment.

Miranda looked to the Commander, "We need a tech specialist to get us through these barriers. It's your decision Commander."

Shepard took a deep breath, this mission was starting to seem much more than she had bargained for. She was a natural born leader, but even she wasn't perfect.

"Tali."

The quarian nodded, "Yes Commander?"

"It's your time to shine." Shepard walked over to her, grabbing her hand.

"You make it out alive, you hear me?" Shepard's voice was reassuring.

"You can bet on it, Commander."

"One more thing, Commander," Miranda spoke up, "We need a leader for the fire squad."

Garrus stepped forward, "Commander."

Shepard turned around, and felt the weight of the galaxy on her shoulder. Even if she wasn't in love with Garrus, he was one of her very best friends. He was one of the last people she wanted to send to his death."

"Garrus…"

"Shepard, you know that I'm the best choice. Now is not the best time to let feelings come into this equation."

The woman took a deep breath, "You're right. Very well, Vakarian, you're leading the fire squad. Don't get yourself killed."

Shepard walked away, "Jack, Miranda, you're with me."

As the door shut, Shepard smiled; everything was going according to plan. Tali walked over to Shepard who smiled, "You've still got it, Tali."

She looked over at a cocky Garrus who held his sniper in hand, "Told you, didn't I?"

Shepard smiled, "You've got me on that one, Garrus. Glad you didn't die." Garrus laughed at her rather blunt humor.

She looked over at Jacob, "What's next?"

Jacob looked at his omni-tool, "We need someone to conduct a biotic barrier to get you through, and a diversion team. You need to pick a biotic and another fire team leader. I personally volunteer myself for fire team leader. And of course an escort for the crew."

Shepard nodded, shaking his hand, "You got it, Jacob. Same goes, don't die." She let out a small laugh and Jacob smiled.

"And, Mordith, you get em back safe, alright?"

"Yes. Commander. We will get back."

Miranda walked over, "Same goes for me; I believe I am the best choice; I can sustain the barrier, Commander."

Shepard hesitated, "No, I don't think so Miranda. Maybe Samara."

Miranda knew this was going to happen. She instantly regretted getting so close to Shepard. She leaned over, "Damn it, Shepard. Stop letting your feelings get in the way. You're being an idiot."

Shepard took a deep breath, knowing she was right.

"Very well, Miss Lawson's going to sustain the barrier. Garrus, Jack, and Samara, you are with us."

"Miranda!" Shepard screamed, the woman was trying to stand but couldn't.

"Hurry, Shepard!"

Shepard ran back, and Jack screamed, "Are you an idiot? We gotta go!"

'There's no way I'm leaving her here, like this.'

Shepard grabbed Miranda's arm, pulling her to her feet, and ran to safety, pulling her along.

Miranda was in shock, she marked the second time Shepard had saved her life.

Shepard stood on the step, Miranda and Garrus climbed up.

"I'm ready," Miranda spoke up.

"Me too, Commander." Garrus joined in.

"Anything to say before we go?"

Shepard took a deep breath, they had just received news that some of the crew had died in the escort as well that Zaeed had died in the fight.

"We've lost some good people; they gave everything to get us here. It's up to us to make it mean something and do them justice. The collectors, the reapers, they aren't a threat to us. They're a threat to everything, everyone. Those are the people were fighting for, that's the scale."

Shepard hesitated, trying to swallow the lump in her throat.

"It's been a long journey, and no one's coming out without scars. But it all comes down to this moment. We win or lose it all in the next few minutes. Make me proud, make yourselves proud."

Shepard turned on her heels.

"Nicely said, Commander," Miranda spoke up.

Garrus looked blown away, "Agreed."

Shepard stood in shock, staring at the crude humanistic reaper.

"Holy shit…"

Her eyes widened as it became aware.

"Shoot the vials, Shepard!" Miranda screamed over the loud machine.

Shepard did as she was told, and quickly took them out. It obviously didn't appreciate it, and began to attack.

"Shit! Get to cover!"

"Joker, get to the rendezvous point. I'm about to blow this place sky high." Shepard smirked as she bent down.

"Roger… Commander, we've got a message coming through from the Illusive Man, EDI's patching it through."

Miranda held out her omni-tool as the Illusive Man came through.

"Shepard, you've done the impossible."

Shepard rolled her eyes, "I was part of a team."

"You did what you had to do and acquired the base. I'm looking at the schematics EDI uploaded. A timed radiation pulse would wipe out the rest of the collectors, but leave the base intact. This is our chance, they were working for the Reapers! This technology could save us."

Shepard scowled, "What, so you can build your own reaper? You're kidding me. I'm blowing this place up, and you're not stopping me. You can count on it."

The Illusive Man panicked, turning to Miranda.

"Do not let Shepard blow this base up!"

"Why? So you can just replace me too? No thank you."

"That was an order!"

Miranda smirked, "I know. Consider this my resignation." She shut off the hologram.

"Do it, Shepard."

When Miranda came to, she was lying on another platform, which currently was not imploding. She looked to her left, seeing Garrus climbing out from under a piece of debris from the reaper. She looked over, seeing Shepard lying under debris, but she on the other hand, was not moving.

Miranda quickly got to her feet, struggling to push the metal off of her. Garrus quickly ran over, giving an extra push. She quickly inspected the body, pulling off her helmet. A small amount of blood pooled in her mouth. She must've gotten internal injuries from the rather large piece of steel.

Garrus bent down, "Miranda, she's not breathing," he looked around, "And, there's a swarm. I can hear them. We've gotta get out of here."

"What? So we just leave her?" Miranda's eyes were wide and teary, "We can't! She's a goddamned hero!"

"She's dead, Miranda!"

Miranda looked back to Shepard, though the swarm was closing in.

"Shit, Miranda we have to leave!"

"But I love her!" She screamed. It was the first time she had said it out loud. She only wished it would've been to her…

Garrus sighed, "Alright. Let me carry her."

He grabbed Shepard, holding her in his arms just like he had the night of her birthday. The swarm came around the corner, "We gotta go! Come on, run!"

Miranda sprinted beside Garrus as the Normandy came into view. Miranda jumped first, clearing it easily. She watched in fear as Garrus jumped just barely making it. Miranda took Shepard setting her down. Garrus lost his footing, slipping.

Miranda quickly spun around, grabbing his arm as he flailed helplessly above deep space. She struggled to pull him up, but Joker quickly gave a hand and pulled him up. She gave a sigh of relief.

Miranda sat in the medical bay when Jacob came in, "The Illusive Man wants to see Shepard, you as well."

She looked up, her cheeks stained with tears, "Screw him! She's on the verge of death. No one meets with him, understood?"

Jacob took a breath, "Understood."

As he left, Miranda looked over at the form on the table. She had had almost every one of her ribs broken as well as torn muscles in her right arm and legs. The former Cerberus Operative walked over, stroking her blonde hair. Dr. Chakwas told her blankly that it would be a miracle if Shepard survived.

"You poor thing… I can't believe this happened to you… It should've been me…"

Shepard's breaths were shallow and quick, the brink of death was near.

Miranda knew she had to confront the Illusive Man, "I… I love you, Shepard."

She turned on her heels to confront him, then heard a cough from behind her. She quickly turned around running over to her.

"I feel like I've been run over by a bus…" she coughed, "Or Garrus landed on me from a very high height."

"You're alive!" Miranda's eyes were wide.

"You didn't think I'd die that easily, did you?"

Miranda began to cry, "I actually did."

"You underestimate me."

By the time Miranda had finished filling Shepard in on what had happened. She was angry.

"That bastard. We're going to see him, now."

Shepard put her good arm around Miranda's neck and she helped her to the conference room. The cylinder surrounded them. The Illusive Man was there, as always, cigarette in hand.

"You look like shit, Shepard. I can't say it's not well deserved. You did destr-"

Shepard cut him off, "I didn't come here for a lecture, so you can save it. I just wanted to say one thing."

"What would that be, Shepard? An apology?"

The woman laughed, "No. Fuck you." She shut off the conference, smiling.

Miranda raised an eyebrow, "…That's it?"

"It's all the bastard deserves."

The woman smiled.

"Oh and, Miranda?"

"Yes?"

"I love you too." The raven haired woman instantly reddened.

Miranda sat cross legged across from the healed Commander. The Reapers were coming, and soon. The invasion was just days away, they knew.

"So, what's the plan, Shepard?"

Shepard took a sip of her soda, "Maybe an apartment on Illium? A couple of kids? Die happy at old age?"

Miranda's expression fell. That hadn't been what she meant, but now more than ever she had something to fight for. A future. One she wasn't afraid of.

And if anyone could pull it off, it was Shepard.