(Chapter 2: Don't leave me again)
Jack sat, sitting in the leather seat of the shuttle. The hatch was open bringing in the night's cool breeze, along with faint sounds of thrusters from ships and other shuttles alike as they land. Coming together to regroup and assess their losses from war. Boots splashed behind the wounded, through the soiled rich mud, as cries of pain came from soldiers whom were dragged from the thickness of the front lines. Each of them now being carried to medical care and treatment. Jack looked up, only for a moment, before her eyes locked onto the cold ones of a dead soldier whom wasn't so lucky. He was being transported on a gurney. Passing the shuttle's opened hatch, as two of his fellow comrades carried him, going by.
She peered at the other two faces as they passed. Their expressions were that of sorrow and loss for their friend. Mirroring how she herself felt inside for the lost of a friend. The lost of a lover… she exhaled deeply, letting her head drop, as her eyes closed…
"It's hard isn't it…? Seeing so much death like this… the sadness of friends losing friends. The feeling never changes." Jack could hear Shepard within her ears, his voice was as soft and compassionate as she'd remembered it. Speaking as if he were sitting there. Right beside her. Like nothing has happened.
"I could give a shit about those soldiers. It's war Shepard. War never changes," She replied with anger to the voice that lingered in her head. "And people die…there's nothing anyone can do about that." There was a short pause before she spoke again. "Not even you apparently."
"You're upset… about me, aren't you…?"
"I could give a shit Shepard. I knew you were going to leave…they always leave, and you're no different."
"I'm sorry…" The voice was so sincere, causing it to become very hard for Jack to swallow, as she still sat in that seat. Subconsciously pursuing her real feelings concerning Shepard's whereabouts. She tried so hard, hiding that heavy burden of lost she couldn't shake since hearing no news regarding him. But now no one was watching. There was no crowd for her to act for. There was only her, sitting there, left alone with her feelings of grief and betrayal from the one man she cared for.
"Shut up Shepard," she tightened her eyes, preventing herself from shedding any tears on his behalf.
"Jack, I'll never let you go…" She heard those words, remembering that quiet passionate night he'd first whispered them to her. His voice so soft as he spoke, holding her close from behind. While the tip of his nose just barely grazed against the small hairs of the back of her head. She could almost make out the warmness of his breath on her skin, as he slowly exhaled.
"Shit Shepard," she gasped aloud, as her eyes opened softly, letting a light flow of water come rolling down her freckled cheeks. Along with a bit of dark mascara. Falling towards the floor, landing on the steel toe of her boot. "I - I loved you…" A sudden thud at the side of the shuttle had interrupted her small moment of peace, causing her to gather herself. Hurrying to wipe away the remnants of the moisture from her face and eyes.
"It's…Shepard," was all she heard as she glanced up, looking at Garrus. Panting as if he'd just ran a marathon.
"What?" Jack leaped up from her seat, hearing Shepard's name alone. Heart racing, pounding hard like it was ready to burst from her chest at any second. Just knowing there was news was enough to make her feel a bit uplifted. "Where is he?" She said, with her usual hardened tone, making sure to keep all signs of her vulnerability hidden.
"Ships are landing now, at the far side of the outpost." He motioned her to follow him and they both took off in a jog, heading where everyone else seemed to be going. They ran through the space in between shuttles, squeezing by other soldiers and victims of war. Making their way towards the faint sound of thrusters and what seemed to be the light commotion of a small crowd forming.
"Where's…my kids?" Jack asked, following in stride along side Garrus.
"Don't worry…Vega escorted them, along with those soldiers you were with, to medical," he panted. "They're getting checked out now…that young biotic girl-"
"Rodriguez?"
"Yeah…she going to be fine."
Jack nodded. "Good. So what about Shepard?"
Garrus' mandibles corked into a smile, before saying. "They've found him, and he's alive…though, I don't know all the details." Her eyes widened in surprise at his statement. As a huge burden risen from her chest at the relief of just knowing he could still be alive. She could finally exhale, letting a small smile of her own creep onto her face.
Garrus noticed. "Looks like you do have a soft spot after all," he snickered, teasing a little. "Well…at least when it comes to Shepard."
She frowned in defense. "Shut up, shit face."
They began to slow, as they saw the ships landing and people starting to gather. A roar of applause and cheers erupted for soldiers and survivors whom gotten off the ships. Being evacuated from the dismantled wreckage of what was now the citadel. There was a nice change in air as people raced off ships and shuttles, embracing their friends and loved ones that they were separated from and missed dearly. As the hurt and wounded were immediately transported to medical. Everyone finally came together like a real galactic community. No matter what species you were, you were treated as an equal. It's sad that tragedy from war was the glue that finally brought them together.
Jack looked at the faces pouring out of shuttle after shuttle, ship after ship. But none were of the one she needed to see. The one she needed to love. "Do you see him?" She asked, as they pushed their way through the small mob, trying to get a better view of people who ran off a ship or shuttle.
"No, no I don't." Garrus looked about, at many faces, but no Shepard. He peered up then noticed a small frigate stamped with the Alliance's bright blue insignia, right on the side of it. Being steady, as it descended from the sky. "Jack, look." She glanced up, and saw the lone ship beginning to land. Its thrusters as quiet as a whisper. It touched down with a light thump, as the cargo door opened with nothing more than a hiss.
"We need medical attention now!" The valiant voice of Admiral Hackett rang out. As four alliance soldiers came out the cargo hold along side him, carrying another within a tarp. Coming down the ramp with extreme haste, being careful with the load they carried. "Get me someone…! We're not losing him!" Hackett ordered. A handful of salarian and asari medical personnel came rushing to help. As a wave of silence came crashing down upon the crowd, hearing the voice of the Admiral. Everyone was watching intensely at what was now going on.
The medics along with the soldiers, supporting the weight of the motionless officer, barged their way through the gathering of people. Being quick to get the care the man in the tarp desperately needed. "Come on," Garrus said to Jack, he turned around, but she was gone. Following in pursuit behind the medics and marines. "Jack, wait!" He shouted. She didn't bother to look back. She'd connected the dots, seeing those soldiers come running down that ramp like they did. She already knew whom they carried within that dark green tarp. She already knew it had to be Shepard.
"Jack…!" Garrus watched as she faded through the crowd, disappearing right before his eyes. "Damn it." The crowd began to gradually disperse. As people went back to patrolling the perimeter of the small outpost, or helping those whom just arrived and needed it. The area thinned out and Garrus could make out Hackett, meeting with a few of his man at the base of the small frigate's ramp. No doubt planning what was next for them all. "Admiral, Admiral Hackett…" Garrus beckoned, approaching. Hackett dismissed his men, as they returned salutes to one another. "Admiral Hackett, Garrus Vakarian I served with Commander Shep-"
"No need for pleasantries," Hackett stopped him "I know who you are. I read your file, extensively in fact…along with everyone else who've served on the Normandy." He straightened his posture broadening his stature, staring right into the turian's eyes. "I assume that's why you're standing here. You want answers pertaining Shepard's status?"
"Yes sir. Shepard's my friend…and - and with all honesty, you'll be doing me a favor if you'd told me he was going to be alright." Garrus heard the waver in his own voice. He couldn't be sure if it came from his concern for Shepard or the simple fact he was standing in the Admiral's presence.
Hackett cleared his throat. "Well I won't lie to you," he said plainly. "Shepard took some major hits. When I saw how banged up he was, I was surprised to see him still breathing. When we got him aboard we were able to stabilize his condition. He's tough I tell you, but he's still just a man. If It wasn't for that small defense drone hovering over his body - my men say they wouldn't of found him beneath all that rubble." Hackett sniffed. "So, to answer your question. I don't know if Shepard will make it, and truthfully…the odds don't seem to be in his favor." Garrus sadly nodded, showing he understood, and turned to walk away.
"Hey…" Hackett called to him. "I'm sorry."
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"Ahhh…humm…EDI…EDI, a little help if you don't mined," Joker cried out within his pilot's chair, clutching at his right thigh that appeared to have gotten banged up during the unexpected crash landing that occurred after that blazing red blast. "EDI…" There was no response. He glanced over at the co-pilot seat and saw her body slumped forward over her control board…motionless. "Aughh…EDI, damn-it." He wiggled to the armrest as he painfully began to drag himself from the seat, and a sharp stiffness soon shot through the entirety of his battered leg as he did so. Causing his joints to suddenly lock into place. He let out a piercing yell from the fierce jolt of pain, losing his balance and falling to his back. Hard to the titanium flooring. "Shiiiiit…!"
The cockpit door had hissed opened, Ashley came ambling in, a bit shaken from the landing. "Joker wh-" she stopped. "Oh god…" she saw him lying on his back, fighting to make it to his feet the best he could. She hurried and rushed to his side, helping him up, slinging his arm around her neck and pulling him to his feet.
"Aughh…gently," he whined.
"Are you okay?" She asked, supporting his weight.
He groaned through clenched teeth. "I - I think something popped outta place…ugh…shit."
"We need to get you to Chakwas," she began to lead him out the cockpit as his arm was still slug over her shoulder.
"Something's wrong with EDI…her body is down. I think that blasted may have caused it, knocking out all our systems when we got caught in it. Causing me to lose control. She may have been affected too," he explain, walking with her. "We need to send someone to the AI core and check it out…ugh…damn-it," the pain throbbed again.
"We'll worry about that later, right now we need to get you some help." From the other side of the CIC specialist Traynor spotted Ash carrying Joker down the bridge. "I need some help." Ash said. A few crew members, along with Traynor, came rushing over immediately.
"What happen to him?" One of the crew asked.
"It's his leg," Ash replied.
"I'm fine…it's nothing big," Joker insisted. But the pain in his leg hinted other wise. It was almost unbearable, though he didn't want the others to worry. "I just - I just need a moment."
"No, you don't look fine…" Traynor said. "Here let me help."
"Thanks, get his other arm and we'll walk him down together." Ash stated, as Traynor lifted Joker's arm around her neck, so that both her and Ash would be supporting the pilot together. "You other two, warn Chakwas we're coming and gather the engineers. Tell them to meet us in the med-bay…something's gone wrong."
"Yes ma'am," they saluted then ran off.
"What about the rendezvous?" Traynor looked over at Ashley. "Shouldn't we try Admiral Hackett and the fleet…"
"Communications were hit…ugh…" Joker grunted. "Along with most everything else…and there's no way this bird is moving without EDI. We need to get to her."
Traynor nodded with a "uh-huh," as the three of them entered the lift and the door shut behind them.
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"Even through all this, Earth still manages to retain a bit of it's beauty…" Gabby let out a long sigh, looking out the large window in the observation room. She glanced at the sky and watched as a slight ray of sunlight begin to peek from the thick clouds above. She pressed her hands and forehead softly against the cool glass and slowly inhaled.
"Gabby…?"
She turned around then rolled her eyes, huffing. "What do you want Kenneth?" Gabby said at the sight of him, not wanting to talk.
His stare wondered to the floor at his boots as he rubbed the back of his neck, his nerves eating at him. "Gabby I…" he shook his head. "Man, I don't know how to say this…"
She folded her arms. "If this is one of your Jokes or smart comments about someone's ass, I'm not in the mood for it," she turned to glance back out the window. "Can you just be serious, just for today. Please."
"No jokes," he closed the distance between them and placed a hand upon her shoulder. "I just wanted to say…um…well…" he couldn't find the right words.
"To say what?" Her arms were still folded, but her expression turned softer as she watched him stumble over his words. She wanted to know what was going through his mind. Knowing Ken, it was usually something unpleasant. But this time something seemed a little different in the way he carried himself. "Kenny…?"
"Gabby…I-I care about you," he finally said. "It took a while for me to realize my best friend means more to me than anything in the world, but seeing Earth-"
Gabby quickly threw her arms around his neck, cutting him off and tightly embracing him. His entire body seized up for the slightest of moments before relaxing in her hold, and wrapping his arms around her waist. Returning the gesture. "Why can't you be more like this all the time Kenneth…" She said within one of his ears.
He smiled. "And lose my manly charms…hah…I don't think so." There was a small peace that dwelled between them both, sharing the company of the other, as they held each other in their arms. The warmth of this moment was welcomed after seeing what happened to Earth, seeing it lie mostly in runes. But as anything else it can be rebuilt and what was, can be again.
"Ahem…" They both jumped at the sound of someone clearing their throat, as their hug quickly broke. "Nice to see you two getting along so well," Engineer Adams chimed, standing within the doorway with a sly smirk.
"…umm…I-I just wanted to check in on Gabby - see how she's doing. She looked like she needed a strong man to hold her body firmly while he whispers, 'everything will be alright'" Ken joked avertedly with a small chuckle. "You know, with all that's going on-" Gabby groaned, rolling her eyes and pushed pass him. Almost knocking him off his feet. "…ow…"
She paid him no attention as she bumped him. "Was there something you needed lieutenant," She said to Adams.
"Yeah, we're needed. Something's gone amiss with EDI and our systems," She nodded, leaving the room. Adams looked at Kenny and shook his head, pinching at the bridge of his nose.
"What I do…?"
"You opened your mouth," Adams said plainly. "C'mon, you're needed too," he motioned.
Ken followed beside Adams, going towards the med-bay as others did the same. It seemed as if most of the ship's personnel were all gathering within the med-by. "Is this serious…?" Ken asked. "I thought our systems only went dark for a moment?"
"Don't know exact details, but the way we landed - I can assume it's pretty serious."
The door whooshed opened, revealing most the crew. Either sitting on a med-bed or leaning against the wall, watching Chakwas work with Joker's injured leg. "Did he break anything?" Ashley watched as Chakwas gently stretched and bend Joker's leg back and forth. Squeezing on different areas of it, checking for broken bones and making sure mobility was still present.
"Everything seems fine, but he could have suffered from multiple fractures. I'll have to run scans," she glanced up at Joker. "And you may have to wear your braces." He nodded.
"Your equipment still work?" Traynor asked, sitting beside Joker.
Chakwas shook her head, with a small frown. "I'm afraid not. My terminal's been giving me problems as well - I'm just hoping my files were backed up," she lightly laughed. "It seems the only thing working great in here are the emergency lights."
"Hah…you're lucky," Tali said. "It's pitch black down in engineering…keelah…I can't even see my hand in front of my face down there. The drive core is dead too."
"Not surprising, the drive core is integrated with EDI systems," Joker helped Chakwas as they both fastened his brace around his right leg. "If she's down, it's down."
"So what know?" Liara asked, leaning on the AI core room door.
Joker shrugged and looked up at Ashley. "Lieutenant-commander." All eyes in the room soon rested upon her.
Ashley felt the weight of each person gaze as she peered at the faces around her, looking to her for direction. As the highest ranking alliance officer aboard she was now in command of the Normandy and all it's crew. She slowly exhaled shaking off the nerves and stress that came with the sudden realization. Then answered. "I'll tell you what we're going to do," she said in a solid confident tone of voice looking at each one of her subordinates, as her posture straightened. "We're going to get this fine tin can off her ass and get it back up and moving. There's a war that may be still going on out there and I don't know about you all, but I'm not sitting around on my ass while our people could still be dying to those tentacle bastards!"
"Hooyah!" Some shouted as others nodded listening and hanging on every word spoken from her mouth. With the undoubted possibility of Shepard's death being reality, the crew will now look to lieutenant-commander Williams for grace and guidance.
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It's been hours since the alliance flown in, carrying the lifeless body of commander Shepard. The sight of him awed the people, as they stole a peek of their inspired hero, being unintentionally paraded through them within that dark and dirty green tarp. What is left of his life is now being held in the hands of doctors and scientist, whom are doing everything in their power to keep the famous war hero alive. As two of his friends wait in the small dim hall of the newly repurposed building that housed the seriously wounded.
The hall was cramped with soldiers, medical staff, and the injured. All trotting up and down that small facility bumping into anyone who gotten in the way, without even a 'pardon me' or 'sorry' passing their lips. But there was no time for it, everything was like clock work in here. People lives depended on mere seconds as this was now ground zero for the dying. Garrus stood across from Jack, as she sat on the floor. Knees to her chest, elbows resting on them, letting her fingers dangle. She'd rushed to this building in tow behind Shepard as the marines carried him and now she sat, waiting for any news.
She wanted to be by his side through everything, to hold him like he does her, and to assure him that she was right there for him. But before she had the chance, she was stopped. Right before the double doors Shepard disappeared behind at the end of the hall. An asari running security had stood in her way. "Sorry ma'am I can't allow you to pass this point," the asari held her hand out to stop Jack in her tracks.
"I have to get in there…I have to see if he's alright," Jack insisted, a bit winded from the run.
"I'm sorry," the asari said again. "I can't." At her words Jack could feel the fear for her lover, become anger towards the asari. Her brow arched into a frown as her fist tightly clutched, until the nails of her fingers begin to prod at her palms. The anger that hatched from concern, boiled inside her. She wanted release for her built up frustration, and at that moment the asari's face seemed like a good place to start. But a hand placed itself upon her shoulder, holding her back.
"This isn't the place for that," Garrus said. His voice was weary, as if the events of today were finally taking their toll. "Shepard needs you to be strong…for him. Violence right now, won't solve anything."
Her fist had relaxed, falling limp back to her sides, as she took in his words. "No, but it would've made me feel a helluva lot better," she had hissed under her breath. She then shrugged his hand off her shoulder and walked away. She brought herself a few feet away from those doors, placed her back towards the nearest wall and slid to the floor sitting.
Now here she was, both her and the turian. Sitting for hours now, waiting for any news to come from behind those doors at the end of that hall. She looked up at the ceiling and stared at the flickering light above. She hasn't said much after Garrus stopped her, before she could cause a scene. Her mind was miles away. Probably thinking of a better time before the war, or maybe just thinking about how good it would've felt throwing that asari through a wall.
Garrus watched her sitting quietly, her expression was something he couldn't quite describe. "You alright?" he'd finally broke the silence between them. But Jack only stared at him for a moment, giving him a glare, then went back peering at the flicker of the dim light above. He sighed. Him and her weren't very close, they never shared a deep conversation or anything of the sort. But she was something familiar. Even though he didn't want to admit it, he was glad he ran into her. The bond the crew developed during that suicide mission was something real and to him, Jack was considered friend. Even though she may think otherwise.
"So," he started. "What happened to you Jack? Why were you and your students out there fighting that mob…?" He wanted a small dialogue to open between them, wanting to get her mind away from Shepard's situation. "Shouldn't you have been pulling out, regrouping with the rest of hammer?"
Jack sniffed, deciding to indulge him. "It was that bitch of a captain," she stated. Her voice had cracked from the parchedness of her throat. "When the retreat order came in - we were suppose to move. But we ended up getting caught in that blast. The reapers began to pour from the sky, like a shit storm. Almost right on top of our asses…and that bitch - that bitch ordered her men to continue pushing the reaper forces out of that compound. But what she failed to realize is those fuckers weren't dying as fast as they were coming at us, and in minutes we got swarmed." She looked at her fingers and started to dig the grit from underneath her nails. "That bitch almost got my kids killed out there…and when I see her ass I'm gonna express my feelings to the highest fucking degree." Her tone was grim and serious.
"At least you made it out alive," he smiled, trying to make light of the conversation. "Well, with my help anyway."
"Hah…" she blurted. "Your ugly ass cousin was about to get his shit kicked in."
"Before or after he turned you into a stain alongside the road," he countered. "Face it, I saved your ass out there. Just admit it…you were a damsel in distress who needed saving, and handsome Vakarian came to your rescue. Dropping bad guys with one hit kills," he teased as he smirked, folding his arms.
She peered at him plainly, not amused. Not even in the least. "Fuck you shit face."
He laughed. "It's nice to see you still haven't lost your charm…"
"Jack…? Garrus?" Someone had called to them from down the other side of the hall. Two figures passed through people, making their way towards the duo. Jack glanced up to see whom it was.
When she caught glimpse, she let out a sound of annoyance. And only word that escaped pass her lips was. "Cheerleader…"
"I told you that was her," came Miranda's partner. "Always mopin' about like she do. Like someone kicked her god-damn puppy." Jack rolled her eyes at his comment, but with a hint of a smile present as though she was a bit happy to see him.
"Zaeed, Miranda…" Garrus approached holding out his hand, and Zaeed gladly grabbed it giving him a firm handshake.
"Vakarian," Zaeed grinned, slapping Garrus' shoulder. "I'm surprised you managed to last this long," he snorted with a laugh, then looked down at Jack who sat staring back at him. "How have you been girl…? Umm…look different. New haircut?"
"Yeah…something like that," she raised from the floor, staring daggers at Miranda. "What about you old man, I see you were able to train the Cerberus bitch-"
"You damn freak," Miranda grimaced stepping forward, but Garrus put himself in between the two.
"Not now you two." He shook his head. "This is not the time neither the place for your petty feud-"
"No, this is the perfect time," Jack balled her fist. "My students were almost kidnapped by her Cerberus pals."
"Students…? Since when do the alliance recruit sociopaths into their ranks?" Miranda jabbed back, then sighed. "It's been almost a year since I've work with Cerberus, when will you get over yourself?"
"When the scares on my damn body finally disappear you Barbie doll bitch…" A small hue of blue irradiated off both Jack's small fist.
"Oh for fuck sake!" Zaeed shouted, causing everyone in that small section of the hall to stare at the four of them. Everything had went silent for the smallest of moments at his tone of voice, before people had gone back to their own business. "Listen, if you two want to kill each other hurry and get it over with or stop this whinin' and bitchin' - it's givin' me a god-damn head ache. I didn't come to hear you two chirp like fuckin' birds because of this sexual tension that's buildin' between the both of you-"
"Oh please," Miranda rolled her eyes, folding her arms.
"Hey, I'm not finished princess," he insisted. "I came here for Shepard, and I think that's why we're all here - to see if the boss is alright…am I right?"
Jack sighed deeply remembering the reason she sat here in the first place. It was at Zaeed's words she had to remind herself. She closed her eyes and relaxed. "I'm…sorry."
"What…?" Everyone's mind had instantly boggled at the same time in surprise. Did Jack just apologize to Miranda? They watched as she took a step back, leaning against the wall and averted her eyes so that she stared at those double doors.
"Excuse me, 'scuse me," An alliance medical member interrupted, grabbing Garrus' shoulder to acquire the groups attention.
"Medic…?" Garrus said.
"Doctor actually," He pulled at the neck of his armor to let the flow of air somewhat circulate though the plates to hit at his flesh underneath. He looked as a common soldier serving in the war, but was only distinguished by the bright red cross stamped onto the chest plate of his armor. "I managed to serve in active duty."
"This about Shepard?" Zaeed inquired.
"Yes sir," he nodded. "The commander was in serious condition when they brought him in. Cracked ribs, a pulmonary contusion, and a bit of internal bleeding - the guys who operated on him said he was in and out about several times."
Jack heart throbbed. "What the hell do you mean 'in and out'…like dying?"
"Umm…yes ma'am."
"So where is he now…can we see him?" Garrus asked.
"He's suffered a lot of trauma, but is in stable condition - so I don't see the harm in it, I'm was actually heading that way myself." He motioned for them to follow and they fell in line behind him.
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Sadness, anger, and anxiousness had all felt similar right now. She didn't know what emotion was the most important at this very moment. Miranda, Garrus, and Zaeed all had gone into that room Shepard lied in. But not her, she only stood in the doorway looking onward, watching the three speak to the unconscious man that lied helplessly upon the med-bed. Being kept alive by only small machines. From her distance she could make out the numbers of scares and bruises that blemished the perfection of his bronze skin, as she imagined what he most have suffered. "Shepard…" She cried his name in a whisper within herself. "I…" She stopped, not knowing what to say to dull this overwhelming sense of anguish.
The three inside had said their farewells and proceeded from the room. "He's a strong one I can tell you that much," Zaeed commented. "Blown to shit in space and still breathin'…can't imagine what was going threw his head." He sighed, sliding a hand down his face. "I've got to go get some fresh air,"
Garrus nodded. "Count me in."
"Me too," Miranda added.
"What about you girl?" Zaeed looked at Jack, who stayed fixated upon Shepard.
"No," she said. "I - I think I'll hang here for awhile." Zaeed squeezed her shoulder, giving her a nod and the three went off on there way. Leaving her standing alone, with only her thoughts for a sense of company. She held herself for a time before slowly taking that first step and wondering fully into the room until she was standing beside his bed. Instantly she felt herself choke up at the mere sight of his bruised face and the assortment of small bandages that covered cuts and scrapes.
"Fuck Shepard," he gasped silently as her eyes unwillingly began to water. She whipped them before tears could start pouring and leaned her face over his, placing a hand on the side of his warm cheek. Her thumb gently stroked across his lips as she look down at him, hoping he would open his eyes at the feeling of her touch and gaze upon her with those piercing green orbs of his. But she knew she wouldn't be so lucky. He only lied there unresponsive to her presence. A tear formed in the corner of her eye and slowly journeyed down her face.
"You always have to go running off playing hero," she closed her eyes, leaning further in then softly cradled his lips inside her own. She broke the kiss and brought her hand to feel the steady lub dub beneath his chest as the lonely tear had finally fallen from her face, landing upon his cheek. "You could've stayed with me…" her voice trembled in a hush tone as more water began to pure from her eyes in long streams. "I - I need you Shepard," she rested her head onto his bare chest and silently listened to his breathing. The one thing she knew would comfort her. "Don't fucking leave me again…"
A/N : Thanks for taking the time to read this, hoped you enjoyed. Please review to give me feed back, or feel free to IM me about any errors or anything. Moses out!