Ever have one of those weeks where it's nearly finals and you have a ton of homework and studying to do? Well, that happened to me! :/ I'm sorry this took so long to arrive, but it's a long one! :D Anyway, let's just get to this chapter; I've been looking forward to this one since I killed the Reapers! :D Mass Effect is owned by Bioware, so please enjoy!

Ch. 29: Don't Let Go

Orbital Despoina

Commander Shepard

Tali and Shepard held each other close as the battle raged around them in the cold void of space. Leviathan controlled cruisers and frigates barraged the desperate Senate forces as Shepard did all he could to keep Tali safe.

As they floated in the debris field, Shepard focused on holding up the biotic barrier. Tali silently murmured as she held onto him tightly. A Geth fighter flew near them and disintegrated as it was blasted by one of the Leviathan frigates. Shepard grunted from the exertion as remnants of the ship hammered his bubble. Tali gripped Shepard even more tightly as this happened.

Tali continued to murmur, and Shepard forced his focus from the area around them to her; sound doesn't travel through space, but they could communicate through their helmet's comms. "Tali? Tali please look at me."

Tali lifted her head and looked into his eyes; it was obvious she was crying. "John... John what are we going to do!?"

Shepard looked down at her; he felt and understood her fear, "I... I don't know."

Tali sniffled. "Just don't let go of me."

Another piece of space debris hit Shepard's bubble and he winced. "Never."

He pulled her closer and turned his attention back to the bubble. The battle continued around them. The remains of countless ships and people floated lifeless in the void around their tiny bubble. Another Salarian cruiser explode and Shepard felt another pang of overwhelming regret... he had failed everyone... he had trusted these Leviathan monsters... he had failed. If he could go back he would detonate bombs over Despoina the second they found the planet, but he couldn't go back. Now wasn't the time for wishful thinking...

He looked down at Tali; he felt her trembling in his grasp. He lightly stroked her back, trying to comfort her, at least to the best of his ability given the circumstances, but another large piece of debris hit Shepard's bubble and he cried out in pain from the tremendous strain of deflecting it.

Tali looked up at Shepard; she looked deeply into his eyes. Shepard looked right back and saw her fear... and he saw something else... something else he had never seen in her eyes before, something that both frightened and comforted him.

"It's over, Shepard." Tali whispered, "We... we can't win this time."

Shepard's gaze didn't waver. "We're making it out of here, Tali... I'm not failing you."

"You haven't failed me, John." Tali spoke calmly as she rubbed his back. "You've saved me more than anyone. If we have to die here, I would have no regrets, so long as I go with you."

"No." Shepard responded. "Neither of us will die, Tali! We can't... I can't fail you!"

"We're together until the end, John, that's all that matters." Tali spoke as she put her head on his chest.

A blast from a cruiser slammed into Shepard's bubble; although neither of them were physically hurt, Shepard's biotic bubble shattered and he let out another cry of agony. He had no strength left, he couldn't... he failed her. He failed everyone... after such a long, painful journey... he had failed.

A tear rolled down his cheek as he looked at back down at Tali. "I'm sorry."

She looked back up at him. "Don't be sorry. Just think about our love, John, clear everything else out."

Shepard stared back at her. He forced his mind to not focus on the negatives; he was doomed, he deserved at least one last moment to think about her. He thought about first meeting her, seeing a strong yet naïve young woman fight against assassins and join his side after giving him the data on Saren that proved he was a traitor. She was so selfless; she would always give of herself, and she had worked overtime on the drive core often, despite not actually getting paid to work on it. He remembered their talks about her life on the flotilla, he remembered her always fighting by his side, and he remembered his hidden love for her, despite his relationship with Liara.

Nothing made him happier than seeing Tali of all people on Freedom's Progress. When she finally joined him after Haestrom, he was ecstatic. Although he focused on the tasks at hand, he always kept Tali in the back of his mind. He remembered trying, and failing, to write little love notes for her, trying and failing to approach her with his feelings, and trying and failing to just give up his foolish fantasy. But then he proved her innocent at her trial and she let slip her own thoughts; she felt the same. Nothing before that moment had ever given him such levels of genuine happiness. He had wondered if he was just insane, or a pervy xenophile; all of his fears rushed away as she sarcastically said, 'how could she possibly develop any kind of interest in him?'

He hadn't expected her to want him so quickly, but their night together before the attack on the Collectors was one he couldn't forget. Despite her inexperience, Tali had been his greatest partner. No one before had so eagerly wanted him, and no one before had felt so wonderful in his arms during the afterglow. She completed him; she was the one woman who truly loved him, and here he was... failing her.

Tears flowed freely from his eyes now as he tried to recreate the bubble with his depleted energy; he couldn't let her die! She was the only person left he deeply cared for; the only one he had ever let in since all of his failures. He wasn't about to fail her.

The bubble reappeared, and for a moment remained steady. Sadly, another piece of large debris struck his feeble bubble and it shattered again. All hope was lost, everything was lost…

Shepard.

Shepard looked into the void of space towards the 'origin' of the unknown voice. He stared for a moment, seeing what looked like a meteorite in the distance, and felt hope again. The bright object was moving rapidly, heading straight towards Despoina!

His mind may have given up, but his heart carried on. In his heart, he knew the war had been won by this one object; it would save them…

Normandy SR-2

Garrus Vakarian

"We have to go back and save the Commander!" James shouted to both Joker and Garrus as the Normandy shook from another blast.

"Shepard would want us to finish this." Garrus said quietly as he tried to keep James out of the helm.

"You're saying that like he's dead, Scars! He's still out there, I know it!" James responded as he tried to get past Garrus.

EDI chimed in. "Shepard's life signs are still active, though he would recommend we finish the mission before trying to rescue him."

"We're leaving him and Tali out there in the void of space! The debris could kill him at any moment!"

The Normandy shook violently again and Garrus fell forward, grabbing James's shoulder to keep his balance. Shepard may still be alive, but he had to make the tough call; ending this war had to come first.

"We have to finish this, James, we don't have a choice." Garrus spoke as he stood upright again.

EDI interrupted their conversation. "I have detected a massive energy signature heading towards the equator of Despoina. Visual identification is possible... it has as much energy as the Crucible's blast."

Garrus peered out the window of the helm and noticed the energy signature EDI mentioned. A bright object flew through the debris, further blasting apart various ship parts. It showed no signs of faltering as it flew into the planet's atmosphere. Garrus could only watch as the gargantuan blast struck the ocean on the planet below.

The initial explosion as the blast hit the surface wasn't the end, however. The blast continued, and the ocean around it began evaporating. The remaining ocean around the beam shifted violently, causing visible waves to radiate out in all directions.

"Spirits..." Garrus gasped as he watched the blast literally rip the planet's ecosystem apart...

Orbital Despoina

Jacqueline Smith

Jacqueline felt the influence recede for a moment; she could control her body again! Hands shaking, she gripped her pistol and rushed over to the lockers. She knew which one tortured her; she knew which one caused her such pain! She yanked the locker open and fired the pistol at the artifact, causing the delicate orb to shatter. Wiping the blood from her nose she smiled and turned back to the helm.

The pilot shook his head and turned to Jacqueline, also wiping blood from his nose. "Admiral... ma'am... what happened?"

Jacqueline looked at him. "It's unimportant, get the fleet into offensive positions. We have a job to finish!"

The pilot nodded, shivering slightly. "Understood, Admiral."

The pilot turned to the controls, mumbling about the 'cold feeling' he felt. Jacqueline looked out of the helm's window at the chaotic battle around them; not every ship had lost the Leviathan's influence, and many would soon reconvert. They had to act fast to finish the war...

She then turned to the right and noticed the gargantuan blast; her mouth opened, astonished, as the blast continued slamming into the surface of the ocean planet. Nothing she had ever witnessed compared to the pure destruction the blast caused to Depoina; she now knew why she was free…

Jacqueline looked away and turned on her fleet comm. The blast caused significant damage to the Leviathan population, but the bombs were needed to finish the job, as not every Leviathan lived on the equator of the planet. She ordered the newly freed bombers to finish their objectives; the war had to finally end.

Orbital Despoina

Commander Shepard

Shepard watched in amazement as the blast scorched Despoina; nothing could possibly survive such a blast! Shepard had watched a Reaper corpse completely disintegrate from the blast prior to hitting the surface, and he could tell the VISIBLE surface damage was immense! Ships around him began silencing their fire and turning towards Despoina, apparently intending to attack it. He had hope once more, and nothing would take it from him again!

Alliance bombers flew past him, each carrying the bombs they needed to use to end this conflict. Although he was still in a dangerous situation, Shepard had never felt happier; the war was finally over, he wouldn't have to struggle anymore...

"Keelah." Tali gasped as she noticed the blast.

"There's always hope, Tali..." Shepard said with ever increasing happiness as he rubbed her back.

"There's always hope..." Tali whispered back as she pulled Shepard closer.

"Need a hand, Shepard?" A sudden voice said over the comm.

Shepard was surprised by the sudden communication, but he kept his head as cool as he could. "Yes, we need immediate assistance! My biotics can't hold any longer!"

The voice chuckled. "Shepard's biotics can't hold anymore? Are we talking about the 'great Commander Shepard' here?"

Shepard sighed, annoyed. "Just save us please."

"Aye, aye... Lieutenant." The voice said as a small craft approached them.

'Lieutenant?' Shepard thought as the craft came near; no one called him Lieutenant anymore, no one except...

An airlock opened on the craft and a man stepped out, clad in a complete space suit. There was a line tied to him that connected to the ship, ensuring his safety while performing such a dangerous task. The man leaped forward lightly, floating towards Shepard and Tali with his arms outstretched.

The man wrapped his arms around Shepard and Tali, holding them together as he tied the line around them. After tying the knot firmly he nodded and the line began pulling back to the airlock; they had been saved! Shepard's smile widened as he was pulled into the airlock and the door sealed behind him; there would be a happy ending to this nightmare! In his heart, he knew there would finally be peace…

Normandy SR-2-Shuttle

Garrus Vakarian

"Drop the bomb in 3... 2... 1... NOW!" Garrus shouted as the shuttle flew close to the water's edge.

The mech detached from the shuttle and fell into the ocean as the shuttle turned to race upwards; the blast from this bomb would be monstrous. Garrus sat in anticipation as the shuttle rocketed out of the blast radius, eager to finally end this conflict.

The screen lit up brightly and Garrus smiled as his victory manifested; the bomb had gone off without a hitch, and more bombs were being dropped across the planet. The Leviathans were no more; they would never control anyone again!

"Get us out of here, Cortez." Garrus ordered as he shook his head at the screen with a smile; it was finally over...

Orbital Despoina

Commander Shepard

"Thank you..." Shepard said to his savior as he pulled off his helmet and collapsed on a nearby seat; the strain from the biotic bubble had exhausted him completely.

"No problem... Lieutenant." The unknown man said as he untied the line.

"I'm sorry, but I passed the rank of Lieutenant a long time ago. It's Commander now." Shepard responded as he breathed heavily.

"My mistake, I haven't really talked to you in a while... sir." Toombs said as he pulled off his helmet.

"Toombs... how did I know... you'd be the one to save me?" Shepard asked as he tried to control his breathing.

"I'm here because you're someone worth saving, Shepard." Toombs responded as he put his hand on Shepard's shoulders. "And because I heard you had a little thing going on with a pretty lady, can't have you leaving her so quickly."

Toombs turned to Tali and examined her for a moment. "Not bad, Shepard, though the alien part surprises me."

Tali sat down next to Shepard, still shocked from the experience of being spaced. "Keelah..."

Toombs smiled. "I remember a time when Shepard said, and I quote, 'there is no way I would do ANY alien woman EVER!' Remember that, Shepard?"

Shepard looked back at Toombs; his past wasn't something he liked thinking about. "Your point?"

Toombs shifted uncomfortably. "Um, well... I guess people change? I didn't mean for it to sound so bad, but the good news is you're safe."

Toombs smiled and shook his head. "I'm just so glad Cerberus, the Reapers, and now those 'Leviathans' are finally done for!"

"You and me both." Shepard said as he began to stand.

"Shepard, you don't have to get up. We'll get you out of here and back to your ship." Toombs said as he put a hand on Shepard's shoulder in an effort to keep him on the seat.

Shepard sat back down. "Thank you. You're a good friend, Toombs."

Toombs patted Shepard on the shoulder. "You're welcome, Shepard, I'm glad I could help an old friend like you, especially after you helped me with the Cerberus scientist... consider this my way of repaying that debt."

"You had nothing to repay Toombs, but thank you regardless."

Toombs nodded and turned towards the helm. "I should leave you two be and see what the pilot's up to. See you later, Shepard."

"Goodbye, Toombs." Shepard responded as Toombs walked out of the room.

The door closed behind Toombs and Shepard suddenly felt Tali hug him as tightly as she possibly could. He chuckled lightly and put his arms around her, smiling as widely as he could. Everything was alright now; for once in his life he had caught a break.

Tali sobbed into his shoulder. "Oh John, I'm so sorry! I... I thought we would die and... and..."

Shepard caressed her back, continuing to smile. "It's ok, Tali, it's over. It's finally over."

"There's always hope..." Tali whispered as she turned her head to face Shepard.

"There's always hope..." Shepard returned as he tapped his forehead to her helmet.

They stared into each other's eyes for a moment, fully realizing the end had come. The fighting was finally over; the Leviathans had lost! Hope would never die because they followed their hearts, and their hearts always led them back to each other.

And not a damned thing would separate them again!

Citadel

Ji-Wilnar

Ji watched as people from across the Citadel were released from the Leviathan's mandate. He had done it; he saved them all once more! His past may have been haunted by his failures, and nothing would redeem how many he had accidentally allowed to die, but today he knew it was over. Not everything would be perfect; that he knew for sure, but peace would finally reign. Hope would sustain them, keep them from destroying themselves as they rebuilt together.

Ji smiled faintly and kept his gaze on the people as they came to. He followed his heart, and his heart saved the galaxy from an endless nightmare.

And not a damned thing would ruin this peace he fought so hard to achieve!

Normandy SR-2

Javik

Javik smiled as the last of the bombs exploded on Despoina's surface; the planet was a husk of its former self, and all life on its surface had been eradicated. That was unimportant, however; Javik knew better than anyone how terrible the cost of war was...

Javik kept his arm around Liara and looked at the Echo Shard in his hands once more; the terrible things he had seen, they were almost too much to bear...

He then looked back at Liara, and his smile returned; she gave him purpose. He had done terrible things, killed his friends, and learned horrible lessons. But she fixed everything; so long as he had her, everything would be alright.

Javik kissed Liara's forehead and stared at her. "Liara…"

Liara smiled and turned to face him. "Yes, Javik?"

Javik gazed into her bright blue eyes for a moment, losing himself in their beauty. "I... wanted to say something."

Liara moved closer. "What do you want to say?"

Javik felt a bead of sweat fall down his forehead; this was it. "Liara... I..." He reached out his hand and lightly stroked her cheek. "I love you."

Liara's smile widened and she leaned into his hand. "I love you too, Javik."

Javik pulled her in for a kiss and felt tears fall from his eyes. He had finally followed his heart, and he finally knew the true meaning of peace.

And not a damned thing would ruin his happiness again!

Normandy SR-2

Joker

Joker grinned as he watched the last of Despoina's surface get nuked away; the Leviathans were defeated! He turned over to EDI and continued to grin, looking into her eyes.

"It's over EDI, it's finally over." Joker whispered as he stared at her.

"I … feel relieved, Jeff, and … something else." EDI said as she stood up and moved closer to him.

Joker took her hand and looked at her. "What else?"

"I love you, Jeff." EDI whispered as she gently kissed him.

Joker stroked her hand. "EDI I... love you too."

EDI gave him another kiss and moved back to her seat, still hold his hand. She sat back down and looked at him, smiling happily.

Joker continued to look at her. They sat there for a moment, completely lost in one another. They had both followed their hearts, and now they were both truly alive.

And not a damned thing would come between them!

Citadel, two days later

Commander Shepard

Crowds roared in applause as Chancellor Hackett walked up to the podium; the Senators stood behind him, every one of them still shaken from their experience. They weren't perfect, but at least they knew how horrible the galaxy could be if they led ineffectively.

Hackett cleared his throat as the applause died down. "Today, we commemorate, once again, our greatest hero. Commander Shepard, Sole Survivor of Akuze, Hero of the Citadel, Conqueror of the Collectors, and overall four-time Savior of the Galaxy, is here to receive our greatest possible reward with his crew and other heroes of the war. Without further ado, here's Commander Shepard."

Hackett clapped his hands and moved away from the podium as Shepard stepped up to it; the crowd roared in applause for a few moments as Shepard moved his hands in an effort to calm them down.

The roar died down and Shepard smiled. "Fellow citizens, I am here today to thank everyone who fought in this war. The Leviathans are no more, and it is because of you. You fought against them, you defeated them, and you saved us all. I was no hero in this war, though I nearly died during it. The true hero, in my eyes, is the friendly Citadel AI named Ji-Wilnar. Ji, could you step forward please?"

Ji's holographic form stepped up next to Shepard with a confident smile. Shepard turned back to the podium and continued. "Without him, the Reapers would have won. Without him, the Leviathans would control us all right now. Without him, all hope would have been lost. But hope lives, my friends, hope lives because of people like Ji. He never surrendered, never gave in, and always followed his heart. If there's one thing I've learned from this war, it's that you have to follow your heart. Just follow your heart, my friends. Follow what you know, deep down, is right. If we can do that, maybe we will have a shot at a better galaxy and a better tomorrow. Maybe we'll have a shot at true, lasting peace. Thank you."

Shepard stepped back and motioned Ji to take the stage. Ji flickered slightly and walked up to the podium, looking at the enormous crowd. "Thank you, Commander Shepard, without you none of this could have happened. We are truly in your debt, and I am glad to be here with you."

He looked at the crowd for a moment, lost in his thoughts. "I am no hero. I simply cleaned up the mess my people started. The original Reaper AI was built by us, programmed by us, and given power by us... It then turned on us all and caused this endless destruction. Although the Leviathans ordered their creation, my people are ultimately responsible, because they listened to them without thinking. This is why I must reinforce what Shepard said: just follow your hearts, my friends. We must only fight to do away with greed, violence, hate, and intolerance! We realized this too late, and look at us now! My people have turned into the Keepers; they are forever trapped here! They will always be the slaves of the Citadel, because we allowed it. We allowed the others to control us, to tell us what to do, what to think, and what to feel. We were never free, yet we embraced it! We believed the path to peace was through control. This was all a lie! Synthetic or organic, it does not matter; greed and lust for power will undo us! In the name of freedom and democracy, let us unite as one! Let us love and keep the hate away! Let us fight for our freedom! All are created equal, no matter the race; synthetic or organic, we are all alive and deserve happiness."

His gaze hardened. "Do not make the mistakes of my people! Do not allow anyone to think they are better than another, for that alone will undo our victory. In the name of all that is good, we must stand together, for we are alive. Let life and love be the reason for our existence, not hate, greed, and control! We as people want to live by each other's happiness; we want to see others smile. That is the kind of galaxy we should become, one built on this happiness. If we cannot do this, we are no better than the Reapers. If we cannot do this, we might as well be under the Leviathan's control. If we cannot do this, we have already lost. It is up to all of us to ensure we do not lose! Each and every one of you must ensure our galaxy lives on happiness and not hate! Just follow your heart, and all will be set free!"

The crowd roared in applause again and Ji stepped back. Shepard nodded and smiled at Ji as he took his place back in the lineup. The war was over, and a new galaxy had to emerge. As Ji said, as long as they followed their hearts all would be set free; the violence would stop. The struggles would stop. Life would be free and beautiful, for love would save all.

Shepard took Tali's hand and squeezed it lightly; it was finally over. The endless struggle was finally over. At last he could know peace again.

And not a damned thing would end it.

Author's endnote: Just follow your hearts, folks. Love will set you free! :D Hopefully this was a satisfying chapter, and hopefully I'll write the next one more quickly. But, as usual, I make no promises! What will chapter 30 hold? Stay tuned to find out! Keelah Se'lai!