A/N: Okay, this is one of the most touching things I think I've ever written. At least to me. This takes place soon before the Reaper invasion and the idea of Shepard finally letting her past go is something I've really wanted to write. This is more of an epilogue to the actual story, and I think it gives the ending a much more powerful emotion. I imagine that for Shepard to let go, was insanely hard, but she did it for Miranda. It's just... I don't know. touching.

This chapter was partially inspired by the song Skinny Love - Bon Iver, it's a really good song to listen to in the back ground, I listened to it the entire time I was writing this. 3

I first heard the song on Chuck (it's from Chuck vs The Break-Up if you were wondering) and it has one of my favorite quotes from the entire show "I want to be able to call you at the end of a long day and tell you about something funny Morgan did, but instead I find out I can't because you're off somewhere in Paraguay holding a revolution with a fork." - Chuck Bartowski. So cute.

Sorry that was off subject... Anyways, enjoy and review. Because I love reviews. :DD

Shepard quietly slid open the door to Miranda's office, finding all the lights off and the officer lying in her bed. She suddenly felt a tremendous guilt for yelling at her earlier, she had only been trying to help.

Her footfalls were almost silent as she approached the slumbering woman. Miranda smiled into her sheets before opening her eyes to see Shepard kneeling at her bedside, smiling.

"Shepard?"

The blonde woman nodded, her smile falling. Miranda yawned, sitting up.

"I'm so sorry…"

Miranda felt a pang of pity as Shepard, her Shepard, looked at her with innocent sadness. It was in that moment that she realized if she ever lost her, she wouldn't know what to do with herself. She was truly addicted to her, her smile, her silliness, her eyes, her hair, even her innocent charming accent, it made the words flow out of her mouth smoothly and you couldn't help but forgive her for anything.

"It's alright… It was stupid…" Miranda sniffed, her nose bright red.

Shepard smiled, grabbing the bowl off the table, "Here," she handed it to the woman, "Kaidan used to make it for me when I was sick. It's good, I promise. Don't worry, Gardner helped me."

Miranda took a sip and the warm, creamy soup coated her aching throat.

"That's…. wow, really good."

Shepard sat down, "Kaidan taught me to make it… Right before Virmire actually."

"I'm sorry… I know those words don't hold very much meaning to you, but I do. Sometimes… Sometimes I wish that Kaidan was laying here, not me. You loved him so much…"

Shepard's expression fell, "Miranda, I-I'm sorry. I didn't know it bothered you that much. Believe me, Kaidan's in the past. I can't bring him back, but still after almost three years, it's hard to believe he's really gone. But, Miranda, I love you just as much as I did him."

Miranda's face turned pink, "I love you too, Commander. He was a lucky man."

"Thank you… You know, this reminds me of when I had to take care of him during his migraines. That L2 implant really gave him hell, I'm just glad that all he got was migraines though."

"You're welcome. I understand your position, and I'll always be here for you. I promise. Let's move on, didn't you tell me once that Kaidan told you that once everything was over, you know the Reapers, that he was going to marry you and take you back to England?"

Shepard smiled, blushing, "He did. He told me that a lot when we were hunting Saren."

"Would you ever consider going back? For real?"

Shepard looked down, silent for a moment, "I do, actually. London is really a lovely city. Have you ever been on Earth? I mean for an extended time?"

Miranda shook her head, "No, I haven't. Is it really as great as people say?"

Shepard nodded, "It's lovely, but I wouldn't say that it's the greatest place in the galaxy. You know, I think I know what I want to do now, after the Reapers."

"What's that, Shepard?" Miranda set her bowl on the table and turned back.

The raven haired woman watched as Shepard pulled out a necklace she had had hidden under her shirt. As close as they were, even Miranda had never seen it. It was a small silver chain with a matching band on it.

"What is that?" Miranda asked.

She saw Shepard tear up as she stared down at it in her hands. She desperately blinked back her tears as she sat down at the end of Miranda's bed.

"One thing I never told you… was that Kaidan and I were engaged. He proposed when we all realized what we were up against. I'm supposed to Sidney Alenko, but that never happened. And… I think I've finally gotten over it, thanks to you."

Miranda felt her heart sink as she heard Shepard talk; she really had loved Kaidan, more than she thought two humans could love one another.

Shepard looked up at her smiling, "I… This is hard for me, but I need to do it. Before we confront the Reapers, I want you to take this."

She put the ring on the necklace in Miranda's hand and closed it under her own.

"It's a promise, a promise that after this is all over, I'm going to show you London where I'm-Oops, I'm sorry, we are finally going to have our happily ever after. And… should I not make it out alive-"

A few tears had escaped Miranda's eyes, "Shepard don't say that!"

Shepard took a deep breath, continuing, "If I don't make it out alive, at least you'll have this to remember me by. I used it to remember Kaidan, and it's time that I let him go, because I have you now. Kaidan would want me to be happy, and… you make me happy. So take it."

Miranda sat on her knees, stunned by how much Sidney cared for her. She had never had anyone care about her the way she did. She pulled Shepard into a kiss, tears running down both their faces.

"All I can say is that…" Miranda paused, "I'm really looking forward to that tour."

Shepard laughed through her tears, as they rolled themselves back down into the bed.

As the simulated sun rose in Miranda's window on the next morning, Shepard could've sworn she saw Kaidan leaning on the window, smiling.

She rubbed her eyes, leaning up on her elbows.

"Kaidan?" she whispered.

He put his finger to his mouth, signaling her to be quiet. Finally he mouthed the words, "You deserve this, Shepard. I love you."

Shepard felt tears welling up inside her as she smiled, never remembering being quite as happy as she was as she watched him disappear into figments of sunlight.

"I love you too…" She said, almost silently.

She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder as Miranda woke up, "Shepard, is everything alright?" The ring around Miranda's neck caught and reflected a ray of light and the blonde woman smiled, nodding.

"You have no idea..."