I'm flattered by all the reviews for that last chapter! Sorry for the cliffhanger. :P Hope you enjoy!
Thane couldn't hear anything. He knew that there was a cacophony of noise around him as every member of the Normandy's crew reacted to the news that they've just been given, but the only noise audible to him was the thudding of his own heart echoing in his ear canals. He didn't think that it had beat since being told that Shepard was dead, but now it thundered in his chest, and it felt like he might burst. Tali had jumped on Garrus, giving him a hug that looked like it could crush bones, and was letting out some sort of high pitched squealing noise. Liara and EDI were both being crushed against Joker's sides, as the flight lieutenant let out a whoop of joy, and similar displays of happiness and celebration were taking place all around him, but Thane had nobody that he wanted to share his feelings with. Nobody, that is, except for the remarkable woman that he had just learned was not dead, as everyone had thought. He wasn't entirely sure that he had heard right, and held his breath, afraid that any movement or noise would destroy the illusion, and he'd find himself awake in Life Support, still alone and with Shepard still gone. Admiral Hackett held up his arms, raising his voice to be heard over the din,
"Quiet, please!" An equal measure of the respect the man commanded and his rank made the Normandy's crew fall gradually silent, and he continued, "It's not all good news. She's in pretty bad shape. The repair crews found her spaced near where the Presidium ring ended up after the explosion. She'd been out there for over three weeks, she was clinically dead when they found her, and whatever happened before that… well, the doctors are doing what they can for her." There were soft murmurs of concern from various people, and Doctor Chakwas stepped forward.
"I would like to help, if I may," she said, and Liara followed,
"And me," she said, "I may not be a medical doctor, but if there's anything I can do…" There was a sudden discord of sound as offers of assistance came from every person present. Thane would have spoken as well, but it was too loud for the Admiral to have distinguished any of what was said. Hackett waved his arms again, and the group fell silent.
"Your offers are appreciated," he said, "and Doctor Chakwas, the medical team that's working on her would be glad to have your help. Right now, though, there isn't much that most of us can do, besides hope."
Garrus stepped forward, "Permission to speak freely, Admiral?" he asked, still following the military protocol drilled into him by the years of training in the Turian forces. Hackett nodded, and Garrus continued, "There are some of us who are… particularly close with Shepard. I, ah, I don't want to imply that everyone here doesn't care for her, but-" EDI cut him off,
"I believe what Garrus is trying to express is that some members of the crew were closer friends with Shepard than others."
"Thanks EDI," Garrus said, his voice laced with sarcasm, "Anyway, those of us who have been with Shepard from the beginning, who fought with her, and talked with her… I think that we should be allowed to visit, at least. Even if there is nothing that we really can do." The young man Thane knew to be James Vega chimed in,
"I've read stuff about coma patients being able to hear people talking to them, and that familiar voices are good." This was followed closely by Tali saying,
"We are her family." Garrus, Liara, Joker, EDI, Kaidan and James all nodded. Thane took the opportunity to add his piece as well,
"We love her." EDI and Liara both smiled at him.
"Alright, fair enough," Hackett said, "A few visitors wouldn't hurt. There'll be medical protocols to follow, though, and you'll have to leave if the medical staff asks you to." Everyone nodded their assent, and Hackett excused himself to return to the Hong Kong. EDI quickly got busy organising how they would get to the location where Shepard was being treated, and everyone started talking amongst themselves. Thane was still stunned. A hand was laid gently on his shoulder, and he turned to find himself face to face with Garrus. He and the Turian may not have been close, but he counted Garrus among his friends, and believed that the friendship was reciprocated.
"You as shell shocked as I am?" the Turian asked him, his mandibles flaring in a way that Thane had come to interpret as a smile.
"I'm not sure what I am," Thane responded. Garrus shook his head,
"Yeah, no kidding. I mean, I should be elated, right? My best friend is alive! But all I feel is… confused." Tali came over and stood with them, and Liara joined the conversation as well.
"I don't care what I'm feeling," she said, "I just want to go see her."
"To make sure it's all real," Tali added, and the other three nodded.
"I'm going to go see if I can speed up the shuttle process," Thane said, "It will be… nice, to not go alone, if we all go together." He got enthusiastic replies in the affirmative from everyone, and left to go speak with EDI. Shepard was alive, and he had to see her.