a/n: So that was Mindoir. I hope you guys are satisfied with how it played out. The events were on my white board for awhile as I worked it out on my head. And over 2000 hits! -preens- Now I want more reviews. Let's hit for 100.

-brittsis

There was gun fire all around her. Her eyes opened for a moment, just in time to see the Alliance push through. She struggled to stay awake but exhaustion pulled her down again.

"Shepard… Shepard open your eyes!" She didn't want to wake up. There was pain everywhere. Everyone was dead. "Open your eyes soldier that's an order!" Lashes parted but she couldn't focus through the pain. "That's my girl. Stay awake now. Cut her down!"

"She over did it with the biotics. They're eating her from the inside out." Someone spoke softly to her right. She groaned and opened her eyes. Anderson came into view and gripped her hand. "You fight child. You hear me? I held up my end of the deal."

She could hear hushed whispering but couldn't see anything. "She's the reason that bunker blew? But she's only a child." "She's more than that doctor. She's a beacon of hope."

Her entire body felt as it was on fire. Pain crippled her as her brain struggled to cope. Visions washed together. Sydney appeared beside her, sporting a pistol as well as her knife, a wild grin on her face. "What's your plan boss?"

"Had to rescue the damsel didn't I?" Ayden chuckled then groaned in pain.

"Well? No excuses this time? No apologies? Look at what you did to this family. You've torn us apart." Abigail spat at her. "Why Raegan?"

"Mom's going to be pissed if she finds out you're here Rae," Brandon whispered and cupped her cheek.

"I think Tyron's right brother. Besides, Rae can hold her own against any unwanted advances." Galvin grabbed some cake and moved closer. "Oh calm down sister," he grinned and pulled back his hand, "and have some cake!"

"Here Shepard, come on harder! Again, again. Faster this time. Keep your hands up!" Coach Charles reached across and swatted the girl on the side of her head.

"Hey Rae, I'm Bodie." The boy grinned and took her hand. "Rae…" Bodie shook his head at her. "Help is on the way. Survive for me. I love yo…" The torturing shoved the dagger through Bodie's heart, silencing him.

Rae woke up screaming. She jumped from the bed and put her back against a wall. There was a feral look to her as she pulled the iv out of her arm. Soldiers rushed into the room, guns raised. She lifted her hands, biotics glowing.

"Stand down! I said stand down!" Anderson fought through the line and swatted the guns pointed at her. He turned back to her, hands raised and palms facing her. "It's okay Shepard. You're safe now."

"Where… where…" Rae tried to asked, shaking the fogginess from her head.

"SSV Brigid. You're in the medical bay." Anderson took a step closer, eyes never leaving hers. "They're all dead Shepard. Everyone of those Batarian bastards."

Her hands dropped and she sank to the floor. Hugging herself she started to cry, weeping for everything she lost. Anderson crossed the distance between them and pulled her into his embrace. "You did good child, you did good."

The number of graves were astronomical. Raegan had tried to count them until her migraine returned. The doctor had warned that stress would trigger it and that she shouldn't attend the service. She had to though, she owed it to them. Dressed in her dress blues, Rae stood on the platform and bowed her head as the priest said a few words. But it wasn't enough, not in her eyes. To many dead, so many lost, and the rest left broken. One by one the coffins were lowered. Some cried but most stood silently like her.

Raegan left the platform and hurried for the edge of the cemetery. She couldn't stand anyone else thanking her, she didn't deserve it. She hadn't been quick, smart, or strong enough to save anyone. It had all been a matter of luck that the Batarians didn't break through city hall before the Alliance chased them off. The true heroes were the ones being buried behind her.

"Shepard… Raegan Shepard!" Rae growled as she heard her name being called out. For a brief second she considered running. Instead she clenched her first and turned around, reading herself for the onslaught. It was only Anderson. She tried to smile at him and he appreciated the effort. "I leave tomorrow back to Earth. We're leaving a some marines here to protect the survivors and help with the clean up. But the brass wants answers."

"I did what I could!" Rae protested.

"I know that Shepard. Everyone here knows that you gave it your all. I wasn't suggesting that you talk with the brass, I can do that. What I was asking is if you wanted a ride back to Earth? Do you want to go back to the academy?"

"The Alliance is all I have left sir. "

They had held a memorial service a year later but Rae couldn't go. She couldn't face the memories or the survivors. Her shrink had questioned her motives but reluctantly agreed that it was for best. Maybe in a few years when the scars weren't so fresh she could return. But right now it just wasn't in the equation. They were discussing a new topic right now., her decision to get the biotic amp implant.

"You realize this is a very dangerous procedure, especially on a seventeen year old. There's a reason they do it to five and six year olds Shepard." The shrink leaned forward and linked his fingers under his chin, concern on his face.

"I know that sir. Reason I didn't get implanted when I started at the academy three years ago. Paralyzes, schizophrenia, brain death, death period. Any number of things could go wrong." Rae answered and leaned against the window sill she was near. Her gaze watched the other children working on their drills, getting ready for championship.

"They why go through with it? You're a fine soldier. You can fight better than most, assess the battle field quickly, and defeat your enemy with little to no casualties. Frankly Shepard, you're one of the best recruits this academy has seen since it opened."

Rae gripped the window sill as the faces of her loved ones flashed in her mind. They taunted her achievements, belittling them until they meant nothing to the girl. "Because I'm not the best." Taking a deep breath, she turned from the window and looked the shrink in the eye. "Sir my biotics are part of me. Sure I can survive with out them and I'm a damn good soldier. But frankly, I'd be better with them. Maybe if I was implanted I could have save more on Mindoir."

"Ahhh… now we get to the root of it." The man wrote something on his pad and leaned back in his chair. "Tell me Shepard, do you still blame yourself for the losses suffered on your colony?"

Raegan's fist clenched and her teeth gritted. She knew the truth, she knew the nightmare still plagued her some nights. But she also knew that if she told them man the truth it could end it all. A figure moved in the corner of her eye, but she didn't turn to look. She knew that figure very well. 'He knows you well doesn't he Rae?' Bodie chuckled and walked to stand behind the man, peaking at his notes.

Rae turned away and closed her eyes. "No sir. But I do blame myself for not using all of my abilities." She reopened them to find her specter gone. "This is my choice sir. I'm getting the implants and becoming the best damn soldier the alliance can provide."