A/N: This was actually the alternate ending with a few changes. I actually like this one better, by a small margin. Seems very sweet. Initially, Kasumi interrupted this scene, but I decided to let them have their fun. So what do you think? Good? Bad? Yes? No? well review then. XD

Shepard gave a halfsmile as she looked out at her crew. They had done the impossible... not without casualties of course. Zaeed had died in the firefight and even though they weren't on great terms, she felt bad.

As the rest of the crew sat conversing with one another, she snuck away to her cabin. She needed some time to think things through.

Miranda looked around, noticing someone was missing in the festivities, the one of them that deserved it the most. She turned to Garrus, "Have you seen Shepard?"

Garrus looked over, "I saw her head into the elevator, and she looked a bit upset. I was going to go after her... but it didn't seem like my place. I think you should go check on her, she trusts you the most."

Miranda nodded, "You're right... I'll talk to you later Garrus."

As she headed into the elevator, Garrus called after her, "Tell her I said thank you... for everything."

She nodded as the doors closed.

When she came into the cabin, the distinct smell of Shepard was in the air. It was a certain mixture of coconut and vanilla that drove her mad. She heard the sound of sloshing water and walked into the bathroom.

Shepard's underclothes, including the distinct Superman undies that made her smile, lay distraught over the floor. She looked up to see the blonde woman submerged in her bath, with her eyes closed. Her mass of hair was gathered up on her head to keep it out of water that was covered in a layer of bubbles.

Miranda walked over and Shepard spoke up, not opening her eyes.

"I knew you would come... Look, I appreciate it, but I kinda want to be alone."

"Who said I was up here for you? I thought I could use a bath."

Shepard gave a weak smile, "Fine. But I still don't want to talk."

Miranda shrugged her uniform off, "You don't have to. Believe it or not, I can read you like a book." Shepard rolled her eyes.

She pushed the blonde woman up, "Scoot up now and make room. It's not made for two, but we can probably manage." Shepard leaned up as far as she could and felt Miranda climb in behind her.

When she was settled in a comfortable spot in the tub, she noticed Shepard was still leaning up, "Well come on now, that must be uncomfortable. Lean back and relax, you deserve it after the hell we just went through."

Shepard sighed, leaning back and resting her head on Miranda's shoulder. She leaned into her neck, and the brunette felt the warmth of tears on her neck. She instinctively stroked Shepard's hair.

"What's the matter? You're really upset, aren't you?"

"I-It's stupid," Her breathing and speech was hitched as she spoke.

"It's not, look, tell me. What's the point of having me around if you can't trust me?"

Shepard was silent for a long moment, "...I'm scared." It came out in a small voice that Miranda didn't know existed.

"Of what?"

"...The Reapers, the Collectors, hell, of loosing what we have. I'm scared because I don't know what's going to happen."

Miranda sighed, "I'm going to be next to you every step of the way, alright? I'm not going to leave you alone, ever. If they want to take you, they'll have to take me too."

"I... I know, but it's just so stressful to think about how many people are counting on me... the thought of letting any one of them down feels horrible."

Miranda stroked her hair, "I know, I know. It's going to be alright. I promise."

The tears still spilled out of her eyes as Miranda wrapped her in her arms, "You're just tired... it's been a long day. A long couple of years..."

She stood up, wrapping a towel around herself before picking the smaller woman out of the bathtub, wrapping her up, before carrying her to her bed. She dried the woman off then pulled a bedshirt over her head. Shepard gave her a smile before lying down.

"You... You're staying right?"

Miranda scrubbed the towel over her head before getting dressed, "Of course I am."

Shepard smiled as Miranda lied down next to her. She easily found her favorite place in the crook of her neck and fell asleep. Miranda cut out the lights, and stared at Shepard in the light of the stars for a long time before closing her eyes.

Just the thought of anyone hurting her Shepard made her cringe. There was no way that any goddamned Reaper was going to take her away.