a/n: Did you guys truly believe that Rae's trials were over with? That her past was behind her and she'd be perfect? Hahaha. My brain children have never had it easy and Shepard is no different. Bumpy roads ahead I say. Cheerio good chaps.

And ur da: No he isn't alive. He's a figment of her mind broken from the trauma Shepard has endured.

-brittsis

Rae gritted her teeth as she struggled to move her legs. There had been complications with the surgery, much as suspected. But she had lived through it and the doctors swore, with time, that she would be able to use her legs again. They had insisted she'd only regain some movement and with therapy, in a few years, she'd be able to participate in a support role with the Alliance. It had been a week and she was already walking. It was a slow process and she required the aid of a walker, but the therapist called it a miracle. Rae called it sure will and determination.

Her knee gave out and the orderlies moved to help. Rae growled at them and pulled herself up. She had four months until her birthday, four short months to retrain her body, four months until she signed the paperwork and became a Private in the Alliance Marines.

'Maybe you should stop for the day? Give yourself a break.' Bodie mention from behind her, arms out stretched as if he could catch her.

"Why are you here?" She replied and took another step forward.

"We're monitoring your progress ma'am. Making sure you don't get hurt." One of the orderlies spoke up, thinking she was speaking to him.

'I'm here for as long as you need me Rae.'

"I don't need you. Just leave me alone." Rae's gripped tightened on her walker and took another step forward. It was getting easier with each step.

"I'm sorry ma'am but we can't do that."

Bodie laughed, 'What he said.'

Sweat coated her shirt as the music played a beat into her ear. Her mind was blank except for the reminder to keep her breathing even. Rae jumped and hauled herself over the wall, landing on the other side. With out stopping a beat, she jumped onto the balancing beam and crossed it with her arms out stretched. Sand flew being her as she ran toward the last obstacle, the climbing ropes. Launching herself up, she grunted as she climbed to the top and rang the bell first. She dropped to the ground and grinned, looking back at her accomplishments. Before she knew why laughter bubbled up and took over. She knelt in the sand, clutching her middle as she broke little by little. All her hard work was finally paying off, she was back in prime condition.

It was several minutes before she finally got control of herself. A chuckle escaped once in a while, but at least she could breath now.

'Did you finally crack?' Bodie asked after she turned the music off. He was leaning against the climbing rope frame, arms crossed.

"No, I did that long ago." Rae grinned and walked over to her stuff, grabbing the bottle of water. She poured some over her head and neck, running fingers through her hair. They had shaved her bald after the surgery and it was just getting long enough for her to run her fingers through. She drank the rest of the bottle and tossed it into the near by recycler. Pulling on her brother's old hoodie, she turned back to Bodie. "My birthday is in a week. I'm going to walk into the recruiters office of my own free will and I'm going to sign that paperwork."

'I'm proud of you Rae. Despite everything, you made it. You survived where others would have broken.'

"I owe it all to you Bodie. You've been my rock through it all." Rae slid her bag onto her shoulder and smiled at him. "Thank you."

"Class of twenty-one seventy-two, ten hut!" The Headmaster called through the speakers, causing everyone to jump to their feet and to attention. Silence echoed the hall as everyone watched the students standing proud. "Present arms!" He called and slowly everyone raised their arm in salute. All of the instructors stood on the stage, saluting the students back. "May I present the graduating class of twenty-one seventy-two. At ease Cadets, you're hereby released from service with Hoplite Academy."

"Sir yes sir!" The students answered in unison. Cheers erupted and uniform covers went flying. The students scattered as they found friends and family. Rae moved from the group to the wall, smiling at her classmates' fortune. She watched as hugs and handshakes were exchanges. They would return home to their families and celebrate their new found freedom. Some would continue on to serve the Alliance, others to get jobs in what ever field they studied while in school. Raegan was going home to a small hotel where her orders already awaited her. She had two weeks of leave to get her affairs in order. Then she was to report for duty where her true training would begin.

"Shepard," Anderson called out as he found her at the edge of the room. "I mean Private Shepard." He raised his hand in salute.

Rae grinned as she snapped to attention, her own hand raising up. "Commander Anderson."

"At ease soldier. So how does it feel?" He asked, mouth curling in his own grin.

"It feels good sir. It will be better in fourteen weeks when I graduate boot."

"One step at a time child. Enjoy the achievement. Now I have a week of leave. Mind if this old man shows you around the city?"

'Go with him Rae, you deserve it.' Bodie replied from besides her.

Raegan nodded, "It would be a pleasure sir."

"Anderson please. We're not on duty Shepard. We'll stop the sirs and ma'ams until duty calls again." He clapped her on the shoulder before drawing her from the room.

Rae leaned against the railing on the bridge and watched the ships lazily glide through the water. The sun was just coming over the horizon and she paused on her run to watch it. Anderson had brought her to London instead of remaining in New York. He said it was an exercise to teach her culture but she secretly suspected that he just wanted to return home for a bit. She couldn't blame him the slightest. If she still had a home Rae would've been on Mindoir, discussing her future with Bodie. Thinking of him, she glance around looking for her shadow. She hadn't seen him since they arrived in London three days ago. Part of her wondered if his absence was because of the peace she felt since arriving. There was something about the city that brought a smile to her lips.

Anderson caught up with her, bent in half trying to catch his breath. Grinning, Rae turned from the view and cross her arms. "I was beginning to wonder if I'd have to go find you sir."

Anderson chuckled and shook his head. "And I thought you just recently regained your ability to run."

Rae shrugged, "I guess I'm just built for it. Besides your haven't seen what I can really do."

He raised a brow, "Oh really? Do you remember how to get back to the apartment?" When she nodded, he stood next to her and craned his neck side to side. "How about a race then? Loser buys the other dinner and a round?"

Rae couldn't help but laugh. He really didn't know what she was capable of. Then again, a free meal was a free meal. "Deal." Rae held out her hand and they shook on it. "Ready…"

"Set…"

"GO!" They yelled in unison and took off. Anderson charged down the street as Rae jumped on top of the railing. Balancing, she jumped and grabbed the frame hoisting herself up. Anderson stop and watched lack jawed as she moved through the framing and launched herself onto the building at the edge of the bridge. "Keep up old man!" Rae yelled behind her as she disappeared from view.

Shaking himself from shock, Anderson took off again determined to reach home first. He dodged pedestrians and traffic, concentrating only on his goal. Once in a while he'd hear Rae's laugh as she crossed his path but he wasn't paying attention. He reached the apartment and grinned as she wasn't in view. Climbing the stairs, he pulled out his key and opened the door already tasting that beer.

"So when's dinner?" Rae asked from the rocking chair in the living room, causing Anderson to jump. His jaw dropped as he looked from her to the outside world, trying to figure out how she had beat him. "You might want to close the door sir, don't want to let the flies in."