A/N: This is it! It's the last chapter! Thank you everyone for your patience and support. You'll notice something special about this chapter... I've included the lyrics to Halestorm's "Break In." This particular song was such a great inspiration for continuing this story. Look it up! Hopefully, it will reach you the same way it reached me. :) Anyway, I hope it will make for a conclusion full of feels. Thank you again! Much love to all!

Disclaimer: All rights to Mass Effect belong to Bioware, not me.

Waking Up

Chapter 7

Put your lighter in the air and lead me back home

When it's all said and done, I'll follow the echo

"So, you think you'll return?"

"To the cemetery?" Shepard asked Doc. He nodded in the affirmative. "Absolutely," she said honestly. "That woman I met even invited me to join a widow's group." Doc smiled at that. "I haven't decided whether I'll actually join or not, but it's nice to have that option… the opportunity for new friendships."

"Very good," Doc said encouragingly. "It's good that you won't let the old friendships prevents you from forming new ones."

"I just can't keep doing this to myself," she sighed. Shepard knew that the uncomfortable bout of misery and depression wasn't her and that it was time to start anew. But what was supposed to come next?

I hear you night after night calling out my name

And I find myself running to meet you

"This is our last session," Doc suddenly reminded her. Shepard was taken aback. It had already been twelve weeks? Doc registered the subtle shock on her face and responded with "are you ready for that?" Shepard shifted uncomfortably in her seat, contemplating his inquiry.

"I am so thankful for your patience. And your guidance," she said. Doc glowed. 'I would be lost without it,' she finished mentally. Would she be able to keep growing in her recovery without this man as her coach?

"Separation anxiety?" Doc questioned. Of course, he could see right through her.

"Yes," she admitted.

I didn't want to escape from the bricks that I laid down

"You know, just because our required sessions are complete does not mean we can never meet again. Please feel free to come see me if you ever feel the need," he said. Shepard relaxed slightly at that.

"I've just lost so many people, it's strange losing someone else…"

"No dear, you're not losing me. You're outgrowing me," he said through a warm smile. Shepard returned his expression with a half-smile of her own.

You are the only one, only one that sees me

Trusts me and believes me

"But our challenges!" she suddenly realized.

"What about them?"

"We've only done eleven."

Doc nodded. "So we have," he said. "We're going to part today with me giving you your last challenge. Of course, I won't be following up with you on this, so this is completely on you." Shepard nodded her head once. He sighed and leaned forward. "Decide."

"Decide?" Shepard echoed. "Decide what?"

"Decide what to do next," he said. Uncanny. She had been concerned of this very thing not moments before.

"How do I do that?" she asked, genuinely interested in what he was trying to ask of her.

"Well, there are several questions you need to ask yourself. Do you want to continue in your line of work? Is it time for a change of pace? How about a change of scenery? What do you want, Shepard?"

You are the only one, only one that knows me

And in the dark you show me

The walk back to her apartment was lonely but determined. Shepard knew what she wanted; it was just going to be a matter of getting it. But she was Commander Shepard of the Normandy, veteran of the Alliance. She knew how to stand her ground and work her way through all the logistics and technicalities. But many would consider this new direction out of character for Shepard. Nah, she had had enough "in-character" to last a lifetime. Now was the opportunity for change.

"Shepard, you look well," Hackett told her at their meeting for the consideration of her reinstatement the following week.

"Thank you. I feel well," she responded as she took her seat across from him at his desk. She saw her file open on his terminal in front of him. It was this meeting that would determine her future.

"What did you think of Dr. Barton?" he asked conversationally. It took her a moment to connect the dots and realize he was talking about Doc. They had established such a friendly relationship that she had almost forgotten his professional title.

"He was a great fit for me. We worked well together, and I think you'll be pleased with my progress," she told him.

"Indeed, I am," he said as he nodded toward his terminal. "I received your official evaluation yesterday, and not only am I pleased, I am impressed." His eyes smiled as he finished his statement, and Shepard turned up the corner of her mouth and gave a subtle nod in appreciation.

Yeah, it's perfectly reckless

Damn, you leave me defenseless

So break in

Break in

"The Normandy is yours if you'd like to return," he continued.

"Thank you, Admiral," Shepard acknowledged. "I thank you for your consideration, but I believe it's time to retire. Start with a clean slate." This admission triggered a genuine smile on the Admiral's face, but Shepard had a strange sensation spreading in her chest that made her want to weep. But why? Relief? Sadness? This whole scenario was bittersweet to her.

"You deserve it," Hackett confirmed.

"Thank you," Shepard said again in a quick breath.

You let me fall apart without letting go

Then you pick up the pieces, and you make me whole

"So, where do you plan to retire?" Hackett asked out of sole curiosity as he arranged the official documents needed in order to initiate Shepard's military departure on his terminal. "Here in London?"

"Somewhere tropical," she answered, a smile playing at her lips. She was doing it! She was still going to be able to carry out Garrus's final plans for them.

"I know this great area in Costa Rica," he suggested, and Shepard smiled gratefully in return.

I didn't want to escape from the bricks that I laid down

Shepard worried slightly at how Soldier would adjust being in such a warm place, but after he saw that the whole backyard was his personal litter box, he seemed to settle in rather quickly. The beachfront property was exactly how she had pictured her retirement with Garrus. She leaned against the glass door facing the ocean and sipped at her iced tea when the chimed echoed through the home, signaling a visitor. Shepard perked at the sound and excitedly set down her drink to greet her guest.

"Mrs. Banks! Please come in!"

"Thank you, Ms. Shepard," the visitor said with a smile and a nod. The two women sat across from one another at the kitchen table, and once Mrs. Banks organized all the necessary records, she spoke warmly. "Congratulations," she began. "Everything checks out perfectly. Stoyan will be ready to move in with you rather quickly. We just need your verification and signature on a few more documents before we can complete the adoption process." Shepard nodded, a familiar spark returning to her irises as they fell upon a three dimensional photograph of a young Turian boy.

You are the only one, only one that sees me

Trusts me and believes me

You are the only one, only one that knows me

And in the dark you show me

Yeah, it's perfectly reckless

Damn, you leave me defenseless

So break in

Break in

"I have a personal question if you don't mind me asking Ms. Shepard," the adoption counselor began. "I've been asking this off the record for all inter-species adoptions since the Reaper War." Shepard nodded, an unspoken nudge for the woman to continue with her inquiry. "How are you going to explain to your son why you and he look so different?" Shepard gave a whole-hearted smile, knowing the answer long before Mrs. Banks even thought to ask the question.

"That's an easy one," Shepard stated. Mrs. Banks looked at her warmly, yet expectantly. "It's because he looks like his father."

Put your lighter in the air and lead me back home...

-END-