A/N: So for this chapter there will be original scenes I come up by myself and also scenes that were in the game. There also some scenes where I add both of it (so it will make some sense for this story). Anyway this chapter will take place after the party and just a little over when the Crucible fired. So expect some roller-coaster of emotions.

Chapter 5 : Last Kiss

The morning after the wedding and party, everyone is still dealing with hangover with a few exceptions. As Shepard walks around the apartment and check on everyone, she saw her son standing by himself over a big window, just far right from where EDI stood.

"Thinking of something?" asked Shepard as she walked toward her son.

"Not really. I see you handle your hangover well." said Ryan as he watched his mother stood next to him.

"That's because I didn't take a single drink last night."

"You're kidding right?"

"No. I don't usually drink and I prefer not to have a headache when I wake up this morning. Because I already have a headache without a hangover with all the things I have to do. So I rather not add to that."

"Who's the worst hangover?"

"I have to say, it's Ashley. Joker too it seem."

"I heard Lieutenant-Commander Williams got drunk on ship once."

"Yeah. She did. I jokingly told her that we are going to do a fire drill when I found her lying on the floor."

"What did she say?"

"That she's going to pay me a million credits so I wouldn't do that."

"Haha. So you didn't write her up?"

"No. She was off duty and I have known her long enough. I'm not saying I'm abusing my power, but with war going on and knowing she's dealing with some stuff, I just decided to let it slip. For as long as I have known her, she is nothing but a professional. But just to make it clear, I don't condone it. In under different circumstances, I would have court martial her."

"So you give her a warning?"

"No. I gave a warning to James because he was the one who smuggle a bottle of alcohol."

"You're definitely not like any Commanding Officer I have met or heard of."

"Is that a good or bad thing?"

"It's a good thing because despite your scary reputation, you are grounded. You're easy to get close to and everyone under your command knows that they can come to you for anything."

"What do you mean by scary reputation?"

"You were a war hero for what you did in Elysium. Then there was that first human Spectre. Should I even mention Saren, Sovereign and the Collectors? You might not be scary as a person, but what you achieved should send shivers to everyone who read it."

"Can I ask you a question?" asked Shepard after a few seconds of silence.

"What is it?"

"How can you accept my relationship with Liara so easily? I keep trying to find an answer but I have nothing."

"Why shouldn't I accept your relationship with Liara?"

"Maybe because I'm your mother and we are just being reunited? Or the fact Liara is an Asari?"

"Liara is an Asari was never a problem. I'm not a xenophobic. And if she's a woman and you're a woman, that's not something new... About you're my mother... I don't think I have any right to say anything about whom you're dating and who you're marrying."

"Why wouldn't you? You're my son. Regardless of the fact we just being reunited, you're still my son, my blood. And last I check, you were the one who asked me to proposed Liara."

"I have seen how you two are. I have seen how Liara welcomes me with open arms. In the middle of a war, what I have seen between you two sort of giving me hope. Honestly I can't even figure out why I asked you to propose to her. Maybe because it just feel right?" answered Ryan after gathering his thought.

"But are you sure you're alright with I'm married to Liara?"

"Yes. I am. Liara is a nice person. She never makes me feel unwelcome. And I'm a big boy now, mom."

Shepard was taken by surprise when Ryan called her mom. He never called her that before ever since she last saw him when he was 6 years old. The closest thing he said since they are being reunited was "you're my mother".

"These past few days, I'm starting to remember. I remembered that I was waiting for you to come home. I saw you on news report, they saying you were a war hero after you defended Elysium. I was eager for you to come home and then dad...he told me that we are going for a vacation and that you will find us there. I waited for you for days but you never showed up and I was so angry at you that I finally forgot about you. And I hate myself for forgetting you when it's not even your fault!"

"Ryan... You were just a little boy."

"But you are my mother and they are just two persons who are, no, was nice enough to take care of us. I still mad at myself and that's why I feel like you deserves to be happy. That's why I want you to marry Liara because I don't want to be the reason you stop living your life."

"Ryan... You will never be the reason I stop living my life. Instead you're the reason my life is brighten. And no matter what happened between you and them, they are still someone who took care of you."

"I know... I just... Mad at them, I guess. Because keeping me away from you... You know I remembered how you always brought home a model ship whenever you were stationed in space."

"Why do you think I have model ships in my cabin? Whenever I saw a new model ship, I always bought it because I remembered how much you love playing with it. But I guess now you're too old to be playing with it."

"Haha... I thought you won't even thinking about me."

"Why wouldn't I? I never stopped thinking about you. I just stopped torturing myself from our memories together. Because I know that I need to move on and stop living like a zombie, but I swear that one day I will find you and I did. But I wish that I find you sooner."

Instead of saying anything, Ryan hugged Shepard before whispering, "I love you, mom. And I know that you love me too."

Shepard left the apartment earlier than everyone else as she has to settle a few errands before they leave the Citadel. As Shepard waits for her crew to report back in Docking Bay D24, Shepard has time to reflect back on what happened and what will happens. Before her thought could go any further, her crew arrive and they stand around her as Liara stand next to her.

"I suppose it's back to the fight." said Liara.

"At least we threw one hell of a party. Probably the last one."

"You may be right. But whatever happens, I know you'll see this through. And I'll be right there with you." said Liara as Shepard let out a small smile at what her wife said before Liara too let out a small smile.

"We've been through a lot, haven't we? But it's been a good ride." add Liara before she follows everyone else heading towards the Normandy.

"The best."

They have spends hours trying to figure out where Kai Leng went. Most importantly they are trying to figure out where Cerberus base is located. Despite it has been a few days since their last encounter, Kai Leng doesn't seem to go back to Cerberus yet. He might be trying to cover his track or it might simply because the locater Miranda put on him is broken.

"I don't care how you're going to do it, just DO it!" yell Shepard to one of her Lieutenant after he gives Shepard less than satisfying report.

"Calm down, Shepard." says Ashley as she tries to calm her Commanding Officer down.

Ryan, who also in the War Room, was taken by surprised by Shepard sudden yelling. Since he stepped foot in the Normandy, he never saw Shepard like this. He can clearly see how stress Shepard is, something he didn't even see hours ago at the apartment. How is that even possible? Wonder Ryan as he watches his mother from afar.

"I calm down when I'm dead." said Shepard as she goes through the reports of the possibilities of where Cerberus base is.

"Somehow I doubt that." retorted Ashley.

"Commander, I think we find where Cerberus base is." said Traynor as she gives Shepard a datapad.

"So the locater actually works?" asked Ashley after she received the datapad containing the location of Cerberus base from Shepard.

"It looks that way. He might be trying to cover his track after what happened on Horizon." answered Traynor.

"Good job, Traynor. Joker, set a course. EDI, link me with Admiral Hackett. Ashley, brief the crew." ordered Shepard before she headed to the comm. room.

"Thank you, Commander." answered Traynor.

"Aye aye, ma'am." said Joker.

"Already done, Shepard." said EDI.

"Yes, Skipper." said Ashley.

Shepard is sitting in the edge of the bed as she tries to calm herself down as the end of the war is nearer. Liara who just came into the room after busying herself with Shadow Broker work, clearly know that her wife is in need of some comfort before they assault Cerberus base.

"Do you feel ready, Shepard?" asked Liara.

"You first."

"Ha. Very fair. What I want most is for this war to end while there's still a galaxy left to save. And everyone's counting on you to do that for us. It must be overwhelming."

"How do you get ready for something like this?"

"You cajole and threaten and make tremendous sacrifices. Until the galaxy realizes it has someone worth following."

"You think so?"

"There's no doubt in my mind." answers Liara as she sits next to Shepard in bed before intertwines her fingers with Shepard.

"It would be easy for a single ship to get lost up there, wouldn't it?" add Liara as she looks at the stars.

"Yeah. It would."

"To find someplace very far away, where you could spend the rest of your life... in peace. And happiness." said Liara before she received a kiss in the cheek from Shepard.

"Right now, there's no place I'd rather be."

"Neither would I." said Liara before they kiss.

"I love you, Shepard."

"I love you too, Liara."

"Show me."

There she is again, she is getting tired and annoy at this nightmares. The never ending of chasing the young boy she saw on Earth while she's hearing whispers from Kaidan, Mordin and Legion. But this time, it's different. When the boy and her other self turn to her, the boy her other self is holding is a younger version of her son. They then disappear as fire burn their images away.

Shepard wakes up with a start. Fortunately Liara who is sleeping next to her wasn't startled. Shepard slowly and carefully removes Liara grasp on her before sitting.

"You can't sleep?" asked Liara as she awakes after realizing Shepard warmth is suddenly gone.

"We're almost there." answered Shepard as she feels Liara warmth behind her.

"Already?"

"I hope everyone is ready."

"You don't need to worry about that. You rallied who you could. The Reapers won't get any more chances to divide us. This time, the galaxy follows our lead."

"There will be casualties. I just wonder how many." says Shepard as she's worries that Liara and/or Ryan will be among the casualties. Or maybe even herself.

"You're not alone in this fight now, Shepard. Take strength from that." said Liara before Shepard gives her a kiss.

"Thanks, Liara." said Shepard after the kiss before she gets up to put on her uniform.

"My pleasure." answered Liara as she too worry about what will happens but she push that thought in the back of her mind because she knows she needs to be there for Shepard.

After Kai Leng dead and figured out what the Catalyst is, everyone on board the Normandy is hit with reality as the Normandy heading to Earth. Sensing this, Shepard has orders everyone who not on duty to gather around the crew deck. All of her team members, except Ashley and James are staying at their work place as they know Shepard will give a speech to her Normandy crew's, to her Alliance soldiers, who need to be reassures more than they are.

"EDI, open the comms so everyone can hear what I'm saying." said Shepard as she takes her place in the walkway to Main Battery with Ashley standing next to her.

"Already done, Shepard."

"As everyone has been informed, we are heading to Earth. This is our chance to take back Earth and end this war. I know that some of you are afraid of what will happen, but remember that you're not alone in this fight. Take strength from that. Also remember your training, believe in it and listen to your superior officer. But know that, no matter what happens, I'm proud of all of you. I couldn't wish for a better crew to have under my command."

"I think I'm saying this behalf on everyone that we couldn't ask for a better Commanding Officer to serve. And we are proud that you're leading this war because if anyone can beat the Reapers, it will be you." said Ashley to agreement from every Normandy crew's.

After saying her goodbyes personally to each one of her team members, Joker, Traynor, Cortez, Engineers Adams, Donnelly and Daniels included, Shepard walks towards her son workplace in the med bay. But before she talks to Ryan, she stops by Dr. Chakwas desk to say her goodbye.

"Keeping busy?" asked Shepard as she stands next to Ryan.

"I'm trying to make myself useful." answered Ryan.

"Ryan, can I ask you to promise me one thing?"

"What is it?" asked Ryan as he turns to face his mother.

"If anything is to happen to me, I want you to promise me that you will look after Liara."

"Of course. She is my step mom. You have my words. But you're going to make this out alive. You hear me?"

"Know that I will do anything to come back to her and you."

"Good, because there are so many things we have to do so you better end this war in one piece. And that's an order."

"Aye aye sir." said Shepard before she was hugged by Ryan.

After leaving the med bay, Shepard heads towards Liara's office as there are a few things she needs to say. When she steps foots in Liara's office, she could see that Liara is busying herself with works.

"How are you doing, Liara?" asked Shepard as she stands next to Liara.

"Fine. I'm more worried about you than I am me. It's ridiculous isn't it?" answered Liara as she still busying herself to take her mind away of what will happens.

"No. It's not." said Shepard as she takes her hand in hers and gently squeezed it. Liara then turns around to face her wife.

"I want you to promise me one thing. Promise me you will look after Ryan like he's your own son if anything happens to me."

"He's already my son."

"You have no idea how happy and relieved I am to hear that. Thank you for accepting my son." says Shepard before she saw a look of uneasiness from her wife.

"What's wrong, Liara? Tell me what you're thinking."

"I... I know that I can't make you promise me that you will come back to me but I want to have at least a part of you with me if anything is to happen to you."

"What are you talking about, Liara? I will always be a part of you no matter what. You're my wife and I love you."

"I had spent 2 years without you and I don't want to go through that again. I want you to give me permission to read your DNA, genetic materials..."

"What? No. Absolutely not. It's hard enough to leave you and my son and I don't want to add my unborn daughter to that list." said Shepard as she understood what Liara wants to do.

"Shepard..."

"Please, Liara. I can't. I will give you anything you ask but not this." said Shepard as tries to stifle back her tears

"Commander, Admiral Hackett is requesting permission to come onboard." said Joker over the comm.

"Permission granted." said Shepard after composing herself again.

"I have to go." said Shepard with a crack voice as she breaks away from Liara hold and heading towards the elevator.

Shepard took Ashley and James with her as they begin their first assault. They then arrived in the FOB camp before planning on how to make the final assault. After saying another goodbye to Ashley, James, Garrus and also her former team members, Shepard found herself in a make shift medical room where Liara is checking a wounded soldier. They haven't talk ever since their conversation in Liara's cabin. Shepard knew she must have hurt Liara. It wasn't her intention but what Liara asked of her, taken her by surprise. And Shepard knew she has to make this right because who know if she will ever make out of this war alive.

"How are the casualties?" asked Shepard as she makes her presence known to Liara.

"They haven't brought in any more wounded." answered Liara as she turns off her omni-tool.

"That's something... Listen, Liara. I'm sorry for what happened before."

"It's alright, Shepard. I understand."

"No, it's not. I was being selfish."

"You were not the only one, Shepard." said Liara as Shepard closing the gap between them before taking her hands in hers.

"I give you my permission." said Shepard after she took a deep breath.

"What?"

"This doesn't mean that I'm not coming back. This is just another reason for me to come back alive. "

"Shepard, no matter what happens, I love you."

"I know."

"Now, close your eyes."

Shepard lets Liara mind reached her as she closed her eyes before slowly opens it. As she opens her eyes, everything around her turned black, there's only Liara standing in front of her before small lights raining upon them. All they did was watching around them before a bright white light coming from the horizon take both of their attention. As the light become bigger, Shepard and Liara close the gap between them before giving each other a passionate kiss. As the light consumed them as they kiss, Shepard is brought back to reality with Liara still standing in front of her.

"Thank you. For everything." said Liara after the meld faded. Liara slowly breaks away from Shepard hold before saying, "I love you. Now let's do what needs to be done."

Shepard could see that Liara is trying to stop herself from crying as she turns away from her. Shepard wants to tell her that everything is going to be fine but that means she's just lying. She knew it's not going to be fine and this is probably the last time she can to be with Liara. Feeling that the longer she stays there, they harder it would be to leave; Shepard slowly walks towards the right door in the room to meet with Anderson.

After her speech, it's time to assign her team members with what they need to do.

"James, I want you to lead an Alliance team in the final assault."

"Yes, Commander." said James as he gives Shepard a salute.

"Ashley, I want you to head back to the Normandy."

"What?! No way, Shepard. You're not going to make me miss the fight."

"That is not a request, LC." said Shepard firmly. "I want you to act in as the Normandy CO; the crew needs you to lead them through this. I'm not letting what happened to the first Normandy repeat itself. And I don't trust anyone else to make sure they will make it through this other than you."

"I understand, Shepard."

"Tali, I want you to head back to the Normandy too. Engineers Adams, Donnelly and Daniels can make use of you more than I can here."

"Yes, Shepard."

"You too, EDI. The Normandy needs you more than I do and I'm sure you're more useful in the Normandy than you will in the final assault."

"Very well, Shepard."

"Garrus, like I said before, there's no Shepard without Vakarian so you're coming with me. You too, Javik. It's about time I keep my promise to you. You already missing the action in Tuchanka and Rannoch, I'm not letting you miss the action here."

"Shepard, what about me?" asks Liara.

"You're going back to the Normandy."

"But I want to be with you."

"No, Liara. You're heading back to the Normandy. I'm not going to risk you getting hurt. Please, Liara." pleaded Shepard. Much to Shepard relieves, Liara agrees to her request.

"Normandy, do you copy." said Shepard through her comm. "I need an evac. Right now!"

"We're taking heavy losses up here, Commander." said Ashley through the comm.

"On our way." said Joker as the Normandy arrives at their coordinates.

"Come on." said Shepard as she helps Garrus to the Normandy.

"Here. Take him..." said Shepard to Javik as they arrive at the Normandy shuttle bay door.

"Shepard!" yelled Liara as she appears at the shuttle bay.

"You gotta get out of here." said Shepard.

"I'm coming with you, Shepard." said Liara as she stands in front of Shepard.

"Don't argue with me, Liara."

"You're not leaving me behind."

"No matter what happens... You mean everything to me, Liara. You always will." says Shepard as her voice cracks. Shepard then caresses Liara right cheek.

"Shepard, I... I am yours." that's all Liara could mutter as Shepard slowly back down the ramp.

"Go!" yelled Shepard as she saw the Reaper is ready to strike again.

Shepard starts to run towards the beam and at the same time keeps avoiding the flying Mako as the Normandy starts to fly. With one glance towards the Normandy, she felt happy knowing that no matter what the outcome of this, Liara, their unborn daughter and Ryan will survive. That's all she needs to motivate herself before a Mako overturn in her path and she barely avoid being hit by the Mako. As she gets back to her feet, the Reaper starts firing at her.

This is it, this is the time she ends the war with the Reapers. After she watched her mentor and a father figure, Admiral Anderson died and then losing her rage as she broke away from The Illusive Man control before shooting him. Honestly she has no energy left in herself but she knows she has to do this. She is badly injured and she has used all of her energy just to crawl to the Citadel control only to lose consciousness.

But without it happened, she might not be facing an AI who claimed himself as the Catalyst. He has given Shepard 3 choices, choices that can destroy the Reapers and every other AI, EDI included or to take control of the Reapers as he claimed Shepard has yet to be indoctrinate or to synthesis organics and AI's. In all honesty, Shepard is too tired to even think about which one is better option. Because either way, according to the AI, she will ends up die anyway. But she knows that this is what she was trained for, this is her job as an Alliance soldier and as a Spectre.

In her mind, she can hear the whispers are saying control is the better option. But it also whispers her that who can says that she's not indoctrinate already? And if she chooses synthesis, she will be committing a genocide and she don't want to be the one who take away every species right to make their own decision. Also, how can she be sure this time it will work? The Catalyst said it itself, they tried similar solution in the past and failed. In her heart, she knew that destroying the Reapers are the better option. Ever since this war started, that was what she keeps vowing to do. And also if she will ever have a slight chance to make this out alive, destroying the Reapers is her best option. It might malfunction her implants but who can say her heart will stop working just because her implants malfunction?

But there's the thing about other AI's and the mass relays will be destroy too that make her doubting herself over her choice. Honestly she's going to be fine if the Geth are destroyed but EDI? She's not just the Normandy AI, but she's also a part of her crew and most importantly she is her friend. She can't kill EDI. She just can't kill her even it is for a greater good.

After battling with her inner self, Shepard finally made up her mind. With a heavy heart, Shepard painfully walks to where the destroy option is located. As she drew nearer with the console, Shepard lifts her gun and start shooting at it as her minds filled with images of Liara, Ryan and EDI.

"I'm sorry, Liara." mutters Shepard as tears start streaming down her face because she knew that she just broke her promise to the love of her life as she was thrown back by the explosions.

"We have to go, Joker." said Ashley as she tries to persuade her pilot to get the Normandy away from the Crucible pulse.

"What about Shepard?" argued Joker.

"Shepard made me promise that I will keep the Normandy in one piece and I intend to keep my promise."

"Damn it." said Joker as he reluctantly flew his ship to the rendezvous point.

Back in the med bay, Dr. Chawkas is checking on Javik as Ryan tended to Garrus injuries as arguments between Ashley and Liara erupted in the mess hall.

"Shepard could still be alive! We have to get her!" argued Liara as her blue biotics aura surrounds her body.

"Shepard wouldn't want us risking our lives! And this is what she wants!" said Ashley as she stood to her ground, refusing to show fear to the angry Asari.

"How do you know this is what she wants?!"

"Because that's what Shepard told me! Liara, Shepard loves you and the last thing she wants is for you to get hurt. The reason why she did all this is not just because it's her job or because that's what people expects her to do. She did this so you will have a better future. So her unborn daughter will take her first breath in a galaxy without Reapers threat!"

"H-How did you know?"

"She told me before I headed back to the Normandy. Know that you are everything to her and all she wants is the best for you, your unborn daughter and her son. She doesn't even care if the galaxy burns if that means you three will survive... Don't waste her sacrifice."

"You can't say that! There's still a chance that she will survive!" said Ryan as he makes his way towards Ashley and Liara.

"I know that. If she is still alive, she will find a way to let us know. Now what we need to do is to find someplace safe first. There's no point if we all die, does it?"

"Yes. You're right." said Liara as her blue biotics aura faded before she walks towards her office.

"I have seen her like this before." said Ashley as she watches Liara retreating back to her office with a look of pain and sadness.

"What do you mean?" asked Ryan as he stands next to Ashley.

"It was when Shepard died... She changed ever since that day and I hate to see it happens again. We're not even sure if Shepard didn't survive but what I'm sure is Shepard will hate to see Liara changes again."

"What can we do?"

"If anyone can get through to her, you can. You're the closest thing she has of Shepard. In the meantime, I should get back to the bridge. I only came down here to tell Liara what's going on before she founds out herself." said Ashley before she walks back to the elevator.

Ryan quietly makes his way towards the crying Liara in bed before he sits on the edge of the bed.

"We don't know if she's dead. There's a possibility that she might still be alive. We have to believe that and hoping for the best." said Ryan as he broke the silence.

"I can't lose her again." answered Liara between her sobs.

Not knowing what to say to comfort her step mother, Ryan hugs Liara as Ashley voice comes over the loud speaker.

"All hands brace for emergency landing." said Ashley and not long after that the Normandy roughly land in an unknown planet.

"What is going on?" asked Ryan as Liara got up and ran toward the elevator after seeing the surrounding from her office window.

By the time Ryan arrived on the CIC, Liara was already in talk with Ashley, Joker, Garrus, Tali, James and Javik alongside the Normandy engineers.

"How long does it will take to repair the drive core?" asked Ashley.

"Our first priority is to restore EDI. If we can get her back, our work with the drive core will be much easier." answered Engineer Adams.

"You think we can get EDI back?" said Joker hopefully.

"We think she might be simply malfunctioned." answered Tali.

"Specialist Traynor, how our comms?" asked Ashley.

"I'm working on it as best as I could." answered Traynor from her work station.

"What is going on?" asked Ryan.

"We had to make an emergency landing after our drive core overload. We also cut from all communications." answered Ashley.

"You think it was because of the Crucible?"

"That makes sense." said Garrus.

"In the meantime, we should check around. There might be other ships stranded here or might even be someone planet." said Ashley as she walks towards the Normandy airlock.

There is pain everywhere in her body. Even a single breath already burns her lung. Shepard tries to move, ignoring all the pain but all the rubbles make it hard to move. She tries to keep her eyes open but she's getting weaker by the minutes due to her injuries and blood losses no doubt and before she lose her consciousness again, she could hear voices calling out for her name before blackness took over her.

A/N: So how was it? I hope it's good. Anyway I was thinking of having this chapter in a bitter cliff-hanger but since I'm in the good mood as I type the last few scenes, so I give you a better cliff-hanger instead. Hope you guys like it.