Chapter 13

"...This blade is from Shangloo's fourth dynasty. See gentle curve the blade forms? That indicates it's from the fourth dynasty and not the third. Third dynasty blades are rather straight. See the ornate carvings on the pommel? These indicate they belonged to a high ranking officer. A general, or perhaps even one of the empress' personal guard..."

Cassandra did her best to pay attention to Liara's enthusiastic expose of asari artifacts. Truth be told, she was undeniably cute, watching her rush from artifact to artifact, expounding on every minute detail, at times squealing with childish glee. They were touring the museum of ancient history of Noolenia. It was extremely expansive, covering 10 stories in height and each floor hosted thousands of artifacts and exhibits. They were on the fourth floor and already she was tired. Of course, part of the fatigue had come from making love much of the previous night. She wanted to spend a few more hours sleeping in. Of course she and Aisha had different ideas. Both were taking turns pushing her along in her hoverchair. Aisha hadn't complained too much so far. Wait until she gets older.

This was the last day of their honeymoon. It had been blissful. Truth be told they hadn't done much, but that was perhaps the point. It had been fun, especially when she'd introduced Liara to the concept of skinny dipping. It was very nice to have some time to themselves, and their daughter.

"So, what do you thinks waiting for us back home?" Cassandra asked Liara. she was piloting the shuttle back to Elyssia. They had a discreet escort, a handful of asari cruisers. Liara was in the co-pilot's seat, breastfeeding Aisha. It had been a wonderful honeymoon. Every instant had been a joy, even being dragged around from museum to museum. Seeing the joy in her eyes was a more than just reward.

Their honeymoon hadn't been totally slothful. They'd gone camping in the Vesuvian mountains, spending three days and nights for away from computer consoles and ubiquitous technology. That had been her idea, a way to feel more at peace and also reacquaint herself with some of her military training, how to cook, set up a shelter. Liara hadn't complained too much and Aisha wasn't more perturbed than she normally was. Truth be told, she was rather quiet, introspective even, like the both of them.

"Miranda's going to give you a stern talking to." Liara said with a wry grin on her lovely face. "She'll force you through hours of tests purely out of spite."

Cassandra giggled. While she was looking forward to the comforts of home, there were other factors which left her feeling ambivalent. Not just the tests, but being reconnected to the grid. How was the war going? She felt restless, angry even, being forced on the sidelines while people were fighting, dying. She couldn't just sit on the sidelines. Stravowsky and Hackett were keeping her in the loop and she passed on what advice she could. It would've been better for the Council to wait and plan more before getting involved, but events had tipped their hand and forced them to act. Miranda greeted them inside, just off the landing pad. It was raining hard, the winds blowing even harder. The few feet it took to get from the shuttle to inside weren't pleasant. Aethyta wasn't with her.

"Welcome back. I need to see you Shepard as soon as you have time." Miranda said sternly.

"Of course, just give me a half hour. Meet you in the lab." Cassandra replied.

"Father messaged me." Liara said as they took their luggage towards the bedroom. "She's out with friends but will be home for dinner."

"I really don't feel like cooking tonight." Cassandra said, unpacking her luggage. Liara put Aisha in a waiting chair while she unpacked. She was awake, her blue eyes aware of her surroundings, observing with quiet wonder.

"How about we order in?" Liara suggested. "Before we left, the news said a new human place has opened on the mainland, serving Indian food. It's caused quite a stir, the first alien eatery to open since the Reaper war."

Cassandra licked her lips. As much as she loved the cooking of her Italian ancestors, she also admired Indian cooking. The heavy spices, the decadent sauces. And poppadoms dripping with mango chutney. She couldn't get enough of that!

"Good idea." She said, packing away the last of her luggage. They hadn't bought too many trinkets, a few e-postcards. Liara had bought a few historical vids and books. "Can you watch Aisha while I see Miranda?"

"Of course." Liara replied. They kissed another goodbye and Cassandra walked towards the lab. The lab was a hub of activity but mostly quiet. A dozen workers were hunched over computer screens, studying formulae, diagrams, graphs, schematics. Miranda was in her office, her voice the only sound carrying further than a few inches. Her desk was rather threadbare, only an OCD and a small PCB chip, spherical in shape, a few centimeters in circumference.

"Listen you little insect!" She thundered on her communicator. "If you don't abide by the terms of our agreement, I will leak all the details about your Red Sand trafficking operations, your war profiteering, the kidnapping racket you ran out of Omega and how you're siphoning funds meant for reconstruction into your offshore, tax-free savings accounts. And while you're being dragged through the mud in public disgrace, I will find you, break every bone in your body and drop you in a nest of starving varren. Am I clear?"

"Yes...ma'am." The other voice replied, sounding chastened and rather terrified. "We'll commence production as per the terms of our agreement. You should have the first batch in a fortnight. Please, you do understand, my shareholders..."

Miranda cut him off before he could continue further. She looked up Cassandra, wearing a subtle grin. She knew exactly what Miranda felt, when you've dealt with so much crap your self-control slips and you snap. She'd lost it herself on more than a few occasions. It wasn't the best thing to do, but it was better than bottling it all in.

"What a massive twat!" She cursed, her look softening as she saw Cassandra.

"Problems?" Cassandra asked.

"Just someone trying to use leverage they don't really have. They're going to manufacture the nanites. If they build it according to specs, they'll be more durable than the ones currently in your system. But that's not the critical thing, it's this." She held up the chip on her desk. "This is currently in you, located next to some of your vital organs. It functions like a heart. It sends out nanites, stimulating and simulating various process. When the nanites' internal battery is low, they return to this unit to recharge. Our current dilemma is increasing the power capacity of the regeneration transistor without increasing its size. Any bigger and it won't fit in your body. And then there's the surgery, which is going to be extremely invasive..."

Cassandra was genuinely interested, but Miranda tended to go overboard on the jargon. She tended to get lost. Miranda recognized this and got to her original point.

"So, the real reason I wanted you down here was to run the standard tests. Just to see how your cybernetics are doing, give us an estimate."

Miranda stood and led her to one of the examination tables. She sat upright while scanning modules activated and did their work.

"How confident are you?" Cassandra asked, "That you can get more power with the size constraints?"

"Very confident, actually." Miranda said. "But nothing's certain. Technology progresses. Humanity first flew in the early days of the 20th century. Less than fifty years later, they conquered the sound barrier and tiptoeing into space. A handful of years after 3D printing was invented, people stopped dying from organ failure or lack of organ donors. When we discovered Eezo and the mass relays, we jumped forward several centuries. It's the same with this. People are recovering from the Reapers and it's still sketchy but progress on advanced research projects like these are resuming. It won't happen overnight, but I'm fairly confident we can come up with a breakthrough before..." Miranda trailed off, afraid to speak about the elephant in the room. Cassandra hurriedly nodded. Miranda looked at the readings from her Omni-Tool.

"Your cybernetics are in good condition, all things considered. The rate of decay has slowed to a trickle compared to when I first examined you. There's also a chance that they'll reach a fall-off point where the decay rate will increase. Let's hope that doesn't happen. I can't give you a precise timeframe, there's so many variables, but I still think two and a half years isn't unreasonable."

They looked at another in awkward silence that lasted for several seconds. "Oh, Miranda." Cassandra said, "We're ordering curry for dinner tonight."

"Sounds good." Miranda smiled. "I'm in the mood for something really spicy. I'll see you in a bit, just need to tidy up. Thanks again, Shepard."

"You don't need to call me that." Cassandra said softly. "I'm not your CO anymore, we're friends."

Miranda nodded and a strange look passed through her eyes, her lower lip trembled ever so slightly. She knew that look well enough by now. She'd first seen it when Miranda told her of Orianna. There were times she wanted to give Miranda a huge hug, and that burying emotion does more harm than good. But she'd been the same way not that long ago, and wouldn't take kindly to being told that. She'd have to discover that on her own, in her own way. You're an amazing woman. She thought to herself. If she could learn to make herself happy, she'd quickly make someone else happy. Cassandra would do her bit to help in that direction. They'd found a handful of geneticists and fertility experts. One of them was Maelon Heplorn, the salarian she'd saved from Mordin's bullet. He'd found a way around the genophage, surely curing Miranda's enforced sterility would be within his talents. They wouldn't tell her yet. It would make it seem like this was some kind of perverse performance based incentive. When her job was done, one way or another, they would give her the contact details.

"I always..." She stammered then shook her head imperceptibly, smiling awkwardly. "Okay, what do you want me to call you?"

"Cass, Cassandra. Hell, you can call me shitface for all I care. Just don't call me Cassie. Only two people ever called me that. And they haven't been around in for a while." She said with some sadness.

Miranda nodded. "I'm glad you think of me as one, Cass." The last word was emphasized, as if it took Miranda extra effort to say it. She could see Miranda was deeply touched, her shoulders relaxed and was more at ease.

"Kinda hard to believe, we didn't exactly get off on the right food did we? I was a massive bitch to you at first." Cassandra chuckled.

Miranda shrugged. "We didn't meet under the best of circumstances. But I never held it against you."

After dinner Liara took Aisha to bed. The rain had stopped for the moment, Cassandra joined Aethyta on one of the balconies, both nursing red wine. The first batch to be brewed on earth after the defeat of the Reapers. Victory Vintage it was called. They stood next to another, leaning on the banister, looking out on the grey horizon.

"Tell me." Cassandra began. "Do you know how much time you have left?"

"Fifty years, give or take." Aethyta answered.

"Are you... ready for it?" Cassandra asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be." She answered. "Look, I know we have the market cornered on being all high and mighty and philosophical. But the truth is, not every matriarch is ready. A lot live in denial, and keep acting like they're still a matron or a maiden. There's no how-to book on how to age. You just figure it out on your own. Or you don't. Tell me, Shep." She said, her tone more neutral, cautious. "Are you ready?"

Cassandra said nothing for several seconds, continuing to look out on the grey horizon. The waters churning with whitecaps, the wind gently blowing.

"I don't know." She admitted. "I want to see my daughter grow up. I want to live with Liara. I still have something to give. With all that's going on now in the Terminus. I want to be there, I have to. I can't stand being on the sidelines like this."

"But it's only temporary." Aethyta quietly insisted.

"Is it?" Cassandra shot back. "I know Miranda can do miracles, but what if she doesn't? I could be out there now, arguing, making decisions. Instead I'm here. Don't get me wrong. I love... everything about being here. But I feel like there's this force out in the universe calling for me, calling me to do something."

"Can you resist this call?"

"Yes, because the call of my heart is stronger." She answered firmly.

Atheyta smiled. A smile of relief and kinship. "No more fools crusades huh?"

"Nope." Cassandra answered, sipping some more wine.

"Thank the fucking Goddess for that!"

Cassandra went on. "But at the same time. I'm...not sure if happy's the right word. But I'm happy with most of the things I've done. I have some regrets but I can live with those now. If the universe takes me tomorrow, I've given it my all. No one could ever accuse me of taking a day off. I did the best I could. And I know it's not polite but, I did some pretty fucking awesome things, didn't I?"

Aethyta nodded with a big smile.

"The good doesn't' wash out the bad, but I can live with it. It's not eating away at me anymore."

"Look," Aethyta said quietly. "Just because you want to live doesn't mean you're not ready for death. Everyone wants to live, everyone has that one extra thing they want to do. But you're doing it... I think you're ready."

More Than Two Years later...

"Aisha, come here!" Cassandra gushed. On her knees. Aisha exclaimed at her name being called and turned to face her. Cassandra opened her hands and Aisha began crawling towards her, uttering all sorts of delightful baby sounds. Her crawling was far from graceful, but it was effective. She crawled into her arms. Cassandra grabbed her and stood up, giving her daughter a ride, lightly tossing her up and down. Aisha giggled in joy and excitement. It was the most wondrous sound she'd ever heard. Mozart could've lived for a thousand years and not composed music that matched the sounds Aisha was making now.

"Cass," Liara called from the adjoining room. "There's a call for you."

"Okay." She called back. She turned and looked at Miranda.

"Aisha? Go say hi to auntie Mirry." She 'flew' Aisha to Miranda's eager hands. It was nice for her to be here after being away for a few weeks. She'd been taking a lot of trips the past few months. There didn't seem to be much progress being made, a wall had been hit. The lab had been flooded with dozens of strangers, some staying for a few days before leaving, never to be seen. Others stayed longer. She knew what desperation looked like. Dark circles surrounded Miranda's eyes. She'd resumed making vids for Aisha, after having abstained for months.

Miranda dissolved into gushiness, laying down a heavy barrage of tickles. Aisha giggled some more as Miranda tickled her. It was such a heartwarming sight. She never would've imagined Miranda could be like this. It hadn't happened overnight, but it had happened nonetheless. And here was proof undeniable. She felt a strange source of pride at this.

"It's Stravowsky." Liara said.

Cassandra sat at the desk of her office and activated the view screen. There was her aide, looking slightly more worn than when she'd last seen her at the bonding ceremony. But she knew more than most how the chains of command weighed one down.

"What's up, doc?" Cassandra asked, a smile breaking out. It was good to her from her friend.

"Same old. How are you doing?" She sounded slightly weary.

"The same." Cassandra answered.

"I just wanted to RSVP your dinner invitation in person. I'm looking forward to it. And I also thought I'd give you an update. The hegemony's surrendering but no one thinks peace is coming. They're just going to wage an insurgency campaign. They still got the Blue Suns backing them. Not too many people are happy about us getting involved in the Terminus systems. Not even Aria could stop us and she tried everything short of shooting at our ships."

"I think we should've waited." Cassandra said grimly.

"We all do, but our hand was forced. And we're in now, we can't just leave. We need to make the best of it, somehow." Stravowsky replied, a fatalistic tone of one who knows all too well just why and how history repeats and rhymes.

"I'm sorry. I guess it's my fault, in a way." Cassandra sighed.

"Don't blame yourself!" Stravowsky rebuked sharply.

Cassandra nodded, raising her left hand in mock surrender. They chatted amicably, like friends, like they were back working together. But they largely stayed away from business topics. It was nice chatting with her again, it was among many things she missed about being Councillor. But it was only for the time being. Only a few more months before Miranda would hopefully solve the crux of the problem. She was frustrated of late, no doubt a lack of progress. She didn't want to dig too deeply into the work, best not to bother her at every turn. Besides if Miranda needed anything she wasn't shy about asking.

She and Liara went to bed a few hours later, the summer sun setting beautifully, it's fading rays reflecting splendidly off the calm waters and into the bedroom. The balcony doors were open and a warm wind was blowing in, filling the room with a nice, fresh smell. She kissed Liara goodnight and there was a strange taste, a foreign, liquid substance. She backed away, Liara's eyes were wide open. She'd felt it too. There was a strange, dark substance on Liara's lips. Her blue eyes exclaimed in horror, looking at her face.

"Cass..." She said weakly, as if she were recoiling from something horrendous. "Your nose."

Cassandra brought her hand to her nose and brought it away. Her fingers were bloodstained. She cursed loudly. She reached for the bedside table behind her and grabbed some tissues. Tilting her head forward she plugged her nose. Liara shot out of bed and activated the intercom.

"Miranda, we need to see you immediately. We're in the bedroom." Liara made no attempt to hide the fear from her voice.S he sat next to Cassandra and fed her more tissues, as the torrent from her nose seemed never ending.

"I'll be right there." Miranda replied.

"Oh Goddess..." Liara whispered, putting her hands to her face.

"It's okay." Cassandra tried to reassure Liara but her own voice betrayed the same fear. Her heart was racing. Why was this happening? Wait, she'd had a few minor headaches the past few weeks but they were nothing, they'd been cured with a few aspirins. She should've told Miranda about those. Was this the drop off point Miranda had told her about months ago? Was Miranda ready?

Miranda arrived moments later, dressed wearing pink pyjamas and a white nightgown. Were anything else happening, she would chuckle. But looking at both of their worried faces was more than enough to drain her of any pretence of humour.

"Shit." Miranda cursed quietly as she activated her Omni-Tool. The device ran the length of her sitting body. She stopped after a few seconds.

"What is it?" Liara asked desperately slamming her fists on the bed.

"It's as I feared. We've reached the fall-off point. Your cybernetics are failing at an increased rate." Miranda said quietly, looking down. A strange look of sadness.

"What does this mean?" Cassandra asked. Is this how my life begins to end?

" Your physical symptoms will only worsen with time. Your body will eventually break down on a cellular level, your immune system will fail, your organs will stop working, you'll begin hemorrhaging..."

"Spare us the gory details!" Liara interjected, squeezing Cassandra's hand so much it hurt. "How much time does she have?"

"Two months at the most." Miranda said.

"Are you ready?" Cassandra asked. It was a question she'd avoided asking.

"Yes and no." Miranda said, foreign tones of doubt in her voice. "I have improved on my original design. But, it's flawed, it's not perfect. I just need more time. Time we don't have anymore."

"What do you mean?" Cassandra asked, lightheaded, everything about this was surreal. Here they were in her bedroom having a life and death discussion and they were wearing their damn PJs!

"The implants I have now will give you an extended life span. At least 100 years, depending on how you live your life."

"That's really good! Why didn't you tells us?" Cassandra asked, knowing 100 years was a blink of an eye to her asari bondmate. But it was long time to a human. She might live to be more than a hundred. Not bad, considering how many times she'd cheated Death.

"I can do better." Miranda said, her steely eyes barely hiding her emotions, they watered ever so slightly. "I want you to live longer, because you deserve it. Your family deserves it. Hell, the entire universe does! There's another reason too... the surgery is extremely invasive and experimental. There's a good chance you won't survive the operation. But I guess that doesn't matter. We need to operate soon. "

"How soon?" Cassandra asked, swallowing a lump in her throat.

"Sooner the better. Two weeks max. Not a day more. And I mean it this time." Miranda said, her voice oscillating between sternness and sadness.

"Okay." Cassandra said, not considering even for a moment deviating from Miranda's recommendation. "I guess we'll have the operation the day after the party."

They'd hosted a few parties over the past few months, but none had the same air as this. She'd invited her past friends at different occasions. Never all at once, hosting more than a dozen people wearied both her and Liara. But this could conceivably be the last party she'd host. The operation could fail, complications could arise, Miranda's improvements might not be as effective. Not every invitation had been accepted, Traynor and Williams wordlessly declined and refused to enter into any further contact with her.

Admiral Hackett and his wife Audrey were the last of the guests to arrive. He and Cassandra shook hands vigorously. She was happy to see him. He looked more worn, older than the last time she'd seen him. Like her, he'd seen, felt too much. It was little wonder he was retiring. His voice was as rich as ever. Audrey was rather pleasant, livelier than he. A perfect foil for him.

The rest were chatting in the main living room, most holding drinks closer to being empty than full. Liara's piano recordings were playing in the background. Jacob and Brynne Cole were chatting with Miranda. Their child was in the nursery, getting acquainted with Aisha. Wrex, Bakara, Grunt, Tali and Garrus were in one group, telling tall tales which could not possibly contain any exaggerations or embellishments. Shepard and Mordin were back on Tuchanka, being "pupsat" by clan members. When she'd asked Tali how they were doing as a couple, she said only two words "reach and flexibility."

Samara, Kirrahe and Aethyta were deep in conversation. Kasumi was around somewhere, probably checking her out lingerie, which had grown considerably since the last time she'd scoped it. Vega and Liara were chatting, the former had just completed his N7 certification. He'd arrived straight from the graduation ceremony, still wearing his formal dress uniform, the newly minted N7 medal shone brightly. Dr. Chakwas, Donnelly and Daniels were in a corner chatting amicably, Daniels had a protruding belly. Stravowsky was here with her husband. She hadn't expected much from him, how much personality could an economist have? But she was shocked, he was extroverted and rather funny, never at a loss for words. They were happy together. Jack was keeping to herself but that was to be expected. Like Miranda she'd mellowed a bit, but hadn't dulled or softened. The three of them had much in common, it was probably why they'd found it hard to get along at first.

They sat down at the dinner table, she and Liara at the head of the table. Two places were made but the seats behind them were empty. These were for Joker and Anderson. She missed the latter more than anyone else except her friends and family from Mindoir. Anderson was the closest thing she'd had to a father after her own was murdered. There were many people she missed. But she was lucky, she had many great friends and a wonderful family. Garrus and Tali had a special meals made just for them. The rest of the guests were served lasagna she'd cooked, using asari spices and meat. It gave it a richer taste.

"I haven't told any of you the first I ever heard of Shepard." Hackett began, flashing a wickedly devious grin in her direction.

"Oh no," Cassandra lowered her head. She couldn't ruin the fun, but she was rather embarrassed about the tale the honoured admiral would tell.

"What's this?" Garrus began, his sarcasm filling the room like a strong smell. "That sainted Councillor Shepard has something embarrassing in her past. I'm truly shocked. I almost think I don't want to hear this. It just might destroy my idealized vision of her."

"She's redder than a tomato, so clearly it's a tale that must be told." Chakwas intoned, smiling in her direction.

"Thanks, doctor." Cassandra shot back, not hiding her sarcasm.

"It was back when I'd just been promoted Rear Admiral. My first day, I had a disciplinary situation come to my attention. I heard that a Master Sergeant had viciously assaulted a Warrant Officer. The Warrant would be spending three weeks in the infirmary, he had three cracked ribs, both his arms and legs were broken in four different places, a pair of black eyes and had his personal correspondence with a mistress made public, giving him a divorce on top of the other injuries."

The table erupted in laughter. Cassandra suppressed a smile. Hackett continued:

"The cause of this beating was a Master Sergeant who'd been recommended for demotion for no apparent reason. I met with this Master Sergeant. She appeared before me. Strong. Proud. Determined. She impressed me immediately. I asked her why she'd beat him. She told me he'd made a pass at her by commenting on her 'firm ass' and he'd fast track her way to officer training if she slept with him. She politely declined by telling him quote 'Even if he were the last sentient being in the entire universe, she'd rather have anal with a nest of thresher maws ' unquote."

Everyone at the table laughed, even Cassandra. She still felt rather proud of herself for that, even if it hadn't been the most professional way to handle that situation. But the Warrant was a philandering creep and had mistresses in every port from Omega to Illium. He hadn't changed after the incident of course. He'd been stationed in Arcturus when the Reapers came. His fate bore no mention.

"What happened?" Tali asked as the laughter died down.

"I had the Warrant transferred. I gave Shepard three months of KP. After a discreet interval had passed, I promoted her." Hackett replied with some degree of pride.

"Someone else would've done the opposite." Stravowsky added.

"I didn't approve of how she handled the situation, you don't attack your superiors. there was something about her. I couldn't shaft her like she was expecting me to. I knew she'd make a great soldier, and she did." Hackett admitted.

Cassandra thanked him. The rest of the meal went pleasantly, everyone loved the food. It was nice to catch up with everyone. Time wound quickly and before she knew it, it was almost midnight, people were tired and beginning to leave. Jacob and Brynne were the first to leave, Jacob holding his sleeping daughter in his arms. She was very cute and Cassandra hoped she and Aisha would grow up to be friends. One by one, people left, with understated goodbyes and restrained emotion. But Cassandra made a point of telling everyone just how important they were to her.

Garrus, Tali and the three krogans were the last to leave. She gave Tali a huge hug.

"I'll see you... when I see you." Cassandra said, fighting back tears.

"I'll see you tomorrow, when your surgery's over." Tali said firmly.

"What?" Cassandra asked.

"We're not leaving." Garrus said firmly.

"We're going to stay until your surgery is complete. Then we will take our leave, Councillor." Bakara said, equally firm.

"Thank you, so very much." Cassandra answered, barely able to speak. Saying goodbye to them was the hardest of all. She and Liara retreated to their bedroom for the night. They lay together and gently drifted towards love making, climaxing to a fever pitch. Cassandra felt her genetic material being sampled by Liara. Aisha deserves a sister. This may be our last chance. Cassandra read Liara's thoughts and agreed. The ecstasy, physical, spiritual and mental, were overwhelming. Both of them desperate to fully experience the other. They made love like it would be their last, as it could conceivably be. Cassandra saw and felt only Liara, awash in a sea of sensuous blue.

They awoke in the morning, refreshed. Swimming in a strange sea of emotions, hope, fear, joy, sadness. She and Liara said little as they awoke and dressed. She changed and dressed Aisha, perhaps for the last time. Every touch lingered, everything she spoke was more than needed to be said. They rode in a shuttle towards the hospital. Another shuttle behind them held her guests. She looked out the window towards Elyssia, wondering if it would be the last time she'd see it. It was bathed in beautiful sunlight, the massive house shining like a hundred suns. So many pleasant memories were there. She was cradling Aisha in her arms, Miranda and Aethyta were in the cabin with them. It was quiet, no one spoke.

The shuttle landed with a discreet bump and the passenger door opened. They remained inside, the warm air rushing in. No one saying anything, Liara touching Cassandra's thigh. Aethyta and Miranda looked away from her.

"Councillor Shepard? Are you coming?" An orderly asked. The orderly had two commandos with her, no doubt assigned by the Council.

Cassandra turned her head from the window to Liara. They quietly nodded to another. They stood up and filed out. The other shuttle landed and the krogans, Tali and Garrus filed out. They all nodded to her as they descended into the hospital. She took them through They followed the orderly. She led them to a small, private room.

"This will be your room for the duration of your stay. An anesthesiologist will be with you very shortly."

The orderly left, the guards remained standing outside. She sat down on her bed. She set Aisha down who was squirming in her arms. She crawled around on all fours, eagerly exploring the hospital room. Liara sat down next to her. Everyone was quiet, not saying anything. Some pretended to be distracted by Aisha's voyages, others pretended to be interested in the bland floor and blander walls. The silence was heavy, ponderous. Cassandra wanted to say something but she couldn't think of anything. How many times had she ever been short of words?

The anesthesiologist entered the room, breaking the silent tension. She gave some quick instructions and set out her tray with the anesthetic devices. Cassandra asked her to give her a minute. She politely left. She stood up and walked to Garrus. There wasn't so much a lump in her throat as a giant asteroid.

"Garrus...we've had a lot of drinks together." She began.

Garrus silenced her with a strong hug. "You're not going off to any bar. Not without me." He said quietly. She choked back tears. She went over to Tali and gave her a strong hug.

"Thank you, for everything." Tali said simply.

"Keelah'selai." She said back. Nothing more needed to be said.

"Shepard." The krogan warlord greeted her. There was a different tone to his voice this time. One of fear, resignation.

"Wrex." She called back and punched both of his shoulders.

"The krogan will always remember you, no matter what. I'll make sure no one ever forgets." The warlord said.

She turned to Grunt next. "You're not going to die, Shepard." The krogan said. "My battlemaster isn't going to die under a scalpel. The Reapers couldn't kill you. No, something bigger's going to end of you." She believed him but believing isn't knowing. But she was at peace now.

She walked over to Miranda next. She was standing nervously. Cassandra walked right up to her and gave her a strong hug. She wasn't as surprised she would've been months ago when Miranda hugged her back. Cassandra gave her a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Thank you, for everything. You've saved my life more times than I can count." Cassandra said. "No matter what happens, contact Maelon Heplorn. He's waiting to hear from you."

"About what?" Miranda asked.

"You'll see. It's our present. To thank you." Cassandra said.

Miranda nodded silently, tears in her eyes. She hugged Cassandra one last time before leaving the room. She said goodbye last to Aethyta. She gave her father in law a warm hug. She'd been a godsend to all of them. She'd helped them all, even when she wasn't in the most receptive of moods. She thanked her gushingly. With Liara she knew what it was to love and be loved. With Aisha she knew what it was to be a mother. With Aethyta she knew what it was to have a family.

Then it was just with Liara and Aisha, still joyously exploring the dark crevices under her bed. They sat facing another, holding hands, looking into another's eyes. There wasn't anything to say, they'd said it all in the past few years. They kissed and held another for some time. Liara giving Cassandra a memory, some of their happiest times together. It was beautiful. Everything she loved about Liara.

The anesthesiologist came back in. Liara fetched Aisha, who'd decided the room held no more wonders and was curious about the hallway. She looked at Liara one more time before nodding. The asari injected her with the serum. Liara activated her Omni-Tool and her music sounded forth. Cassandra smiled. It was the moonlight sonata. Her favourite piece. The piece that had awakened her from her coma. The three lay in bed together, gently touching and kissing another. Aisha stopped squirming and settled into her madre's embrace.

"I'll be here as you sleep." Liara whispered into Cassandra's ear. "And I'll be here when you wake."

"Just like last time." Cassandra said.

"Just like last time." Liara whispered back, kissing her cheek. Cassandra looked into Liara's eyes. It might be for the last time, but she firmly believed this wasn't the end of either of them. Miranda's implants would do their job, and she'd at last get what she deserved: a normal life.

She fought the sluggish drowsiness. She fought to keep her eyes open, she fought to say one last word, to touch her bond mate and daughter one more time. But it was a fight she couldn't win. The darkness dragged her under. Time passed imperceptibly.

And then. Ever so faintly. She heard something. A piano. The moonlight sonata. And a voice. A warm, familiar voice.

"I'm here for you, Cass. My love. Come towards my voice, towards the light."

And she saw light.

THE END

Thanks again to everyone who liked/fav'd/commented/followed/etc. They really make writing rewarding. I hope you enjoyed this tale. I had no idea when I started writing this it would get this big, having only a vague outline when I started. I can state with authority I will not entertain a sequel to this story. If you want to write a story in this Femshep-verse feel free to, so long as you give credit to my two stories.

I started writing fanfic as a way to practice my own writing and I feel confident enough that I should start writing original material. I may write the odd fanfic here or there (I really want to finish the Fallout one that I started back in the spring) but I only have limited time and it's time I devote it to my own stuff.

Thanks for reading and being a fan :)