A/N: Yeah, I won't even try to justify the wait. Just know that HaruEclipse wants to kill me as much as you do for taking so long. But, without further adieu, here is Chapter 4! Enjoy, and please, REVIEW! Or the evil gremlins will get you! Heh. ~ GR

Here in this dark void time is immeasurable. What seems like seconds could be hours; hours could be days. For me, I cannot tell how long I've been here. To me it seems like I've been here for an eternity, but in reality it could have been only a few moments or even days. Here time seems as endless as the darkness that surrounds me.

As I lay here, paralyzed in the shadows, voices float by. A constant buzz of noise and conversation fills the vacuum, but my mind is too far gone to comprehend what is being said. A heavy fog settles over me, slowing my mind and clouding my memories. Pain radiates through out my body but it seems far off, like a distant dream. If only this were hell I would know I was dead, but I knew other wise.

'I don't know if hell would be worse,' I begin to wonder, contemplating on the horrors that lie waiting for me. Is the end near? How much longer would I have to endear this dull torture? Would I ever see light again? Will I ever escape or shall I die knowing only this abyss?

I wonder what it would be like to die, to end it all now. Is there really a place after this or would I just cease to exist? The thought alone scared me. Am I willing to end my own life just to end this feeling? Would it be worth it?

Suddenly a jolt of pain ran up my spine, the feeling so intense that it pulled me from my thoughts. My body tensed as the pain turned into a fiery sensation, burning my entire back. Then it felt as if someone was pulling at me, trying to rip something from my body. Again pain shot through me, leaving fire in its wake as the pulling feeling returned, this time more violent than the last.

Slowly everything stopped and I was left feeling a little hollower than before. There was no doubt now. I could not stand to go through this again. I want to end this all, and I don't care what happens next. I want to die.

"S-sir we're losing her!" a voice shouts through the darkness as I try to release myself?

"What?! What happened?" another demands as a bright light blinks into existence, just beyond my grasp.

"I don't know!" I reach out my hand, eager to be in the light again, to be free from this dark prison. "She just stopped breathing!"

"Well don't just stand there; we need to bring her back!"

'No! They can't keep me here!' I want to scream as some invisible force tries to pull me back. I try to struggle but it pulls me back further and further away from the light, away from freedom. Slowly the light fades and flickers out, like a candle blown out by the wind. My hope dies along with the flame. And I'm welcomed by darkness again.

For what seems like forever I lay here. The fog has thickened and I try to hold on to my memories, but more are lost to the mist as time goes by. The pain occasionally flares, swallowing me in fire, but then it weakens to a dull ache like before. The longer I stay here the more I think I'm really dead, and this is the hell I've earned in life. But a part of me still tries to hold onto something, anything, but slowly that dies too. Now I'm nothing more than a tormented soul trapped in the hell of her own mind.

"Shepard!"

'I must be hallucinating,' I decide as I ignore the familiar voice call out to me. All this was was just a sadistic trick, or some sort of desperate ploy to keep me from giving up. But I wasn't going to play along with whatever part of my mind that was doing this. I just wanted to curl up and-

"Shepard!" Again the voice calls out to me, this time more urgent than before. More real.

I try to search the void for some sort of sign that I wasn't alone. But there was no one else here. Was that even real?

"Shepard, I'm coming for you!" I turn in the direction I believe the voice came from and see a light that wasn't there before.

No not again! I cringe at the thought of disappointment. I didn't want to try to go to the light because I knew freedom was behind it, and I knew I couldn't escape. I try to turn away, to forget that the light was there, but it calls to me again. "Shepard!"

Curiosity fills me as I wonder who the owner of the voice is. It's so familiar, and it left a strange feeling in my heart. The haze covering my memories is dense, but I try to find the answers anyway. As I search for a face that fits the voice, it calls out to me again and again, each time the mist thins out. "Shepard!"

'Who are you?' Memories rapidly flash through my mind and I try to search them the best I can. Many faces and names pass by, but none stand out. The sound of shouting and gunfire ring out as battle scenes unfold, and the stench of death fills the air. Battle after battle I notice that one person is always by my side, but it's shrouded in shadow. With new determination I push forward and try to grasp onto that figure, knowing that it owned the voice. 'Come on!'

Suddenly I realized that I was reaching for the light again. It had taken shape, a human shape, the one in my memories. A feeling of doubt passes over me, but it was soon shoved aside when the figure extended its hand. "I'm coming for you Commander; I'll set you free."

Then it hit me and the haze cleared instantly. The light turned into a person. A man stood before me with a straight handsome face, but determination and passion burned like wild fire behind his dark eyes. My heart lightened and a warm feeling spread though my body as I took in the sight. As I held his gaze I remember the times we've shared together and the feeling between us, the fire we created. With a smile I reach out my hand and his name escapes my lips, "Kaidan."

"Commander," A hint of a smile appears on his face as he grabs hold of my hand. His touch feels so strange, but so real and warm. He held on as the darkness again tried to drag me back. But his strength was greater and he pulls me closer to him. Without breaking eye contact he whispers in my ear, "I'm coming Commander, just wait a little longer!"

"I will." I tell him and once again hope returns, but this time it makes a permanent place in my heart. His smile grows bigger and he leans in close, our lips almost touching, but then he releases me. Slowly I return to the empty void, not once did I breaking eye contact with Kaidan.

"Just wait for me Commander, it won't be long now!" he calls out before he disappears. Again I am alone, but this time I have hope and my determination going strong. Never again will I think of giving up, never again will I think of dying. I will endure this torture for as long as it takes. I will wait for Kaidan.

"So," Garrus said, breaking the heavy silence that followed Admiral Anderson's departure. "Now what?"

"Now," Kaidan said, taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders. "We find Shepard."

Samara shifted into the light by the window. "That, I believe, was implied Captain." Her low voice masked amused annoyance. Kaidan smiled softly at the comment. "Of course, Justicar. But the million-dollar question of the day is: How?" He looked expectantly around the room; the light streaming in from the ever-bustling Presidium cast the team in an odd mixture of light and shadow, making them seem almost ethereal in their determination. "Any ideas?"

"Yes," Mordin replied almost immediately, making almost everyone jump in surprise.

"Really? That quickly, Mordin?" Tali asked from the corner, the lights from the speeders glinting and racing across her visor.

"Not quite, Tali'Zorah," he said in his normal clipped tone. "Considered many options from the beginning. This is best method. No doubt. But, must begin immediately." His omni-tool sprang to life, throwing everyone's face's into stark relief against its almost fire-like glow.

"Please elaborate," Legion said simply, his synthetic appearance almost demonic in the odd-lighting; Tali shifted noticeably away.

"What?" Mordin glanced up, clearly confused. Grunt growled in impatience.

"You never told us what your idea was, Doctor Solus, You merely stated that you had one, and that we should implement it now." Thane explained, hands clasped behind his back, his calm demeanor in direct contrast with Grunt's annoyance.

"Ah." The Salarian blinked once. "Yes, of course. Must track Shepard. Much like primitive hunters. But with technology."

"And just how do we do that?" Kaidan asked, moving to the scientist's side.

"Implants." Mordin's head ducked back to his omni-tool.

"Of course," Tali breathed. "We could reconfigure the Normandy's sensors to sweep the Citadel for the specific type of radiation emitted by Shepard's cybernetic healing implants. At the very least we would be able to pinpoint where she had been in the past 24 hours; anywhere not shielded of course." Her voice became more animated as she powered up her omni-tool as well. "Even the lightest of touches would have left a mark on her surroundings. Those readings would give us a trail leading to her – if we are lucky. If not, they will give us a-"

"General location. A starting point." Mordin finished for her, nodding. "Then, get security footage of area. Finally, find Shepard."

"Oh, yes, because it will just be that easy." Garus snorted. "But still," he conceded, "it is a good plan." Kaidan nodded in agreement.

"We will return to the Normandy and make sensor modifications," Legion stated. Kaidan's head snapped up and met the geth's electronic gaze. "Though we were not requested to leave, it would not aid Shepard Commander for us to be seen working with you. It could possibly hinder your progress. Therefore, it would be best if we assist Joker. We are most efficient in detecting synthetic signatures."

"He is right," Tali added. "And I am not saying that to get him away!" She added defensively when everyone just looked at her. "He is the best qualified. He knows what to look for."

"Alright then," Kaidan said, nodding. "Legion, return to the Normandy and get those sensors ready as quickly as you can. While you work, we will split into teams and do what we can to prepare for whatever this turns into." He took a deep breath and met every gaze in the room. "We all know that Shepard may not have much time left, so, time is of the essence. Now, let's get this show on the road."

A/N: Well, there you have it! Let us know what you think!