A/N: I realized that before leaving for Omega-4 relay, Morgan definitely would not want to have an emotional heart-to-heart chat with Tim. No, she would want to say farewells to the people in her life who actually matter to her. That oversight is rectified in this chapter. I hope you'll like it. :)

Chapter 33 - Those Left Behind

"Shepard?" out of nowhere, there is Jack's voice on the comms. "What the fuck are you doing running around that station like a bunch of idiots?"

"...Jack? Where the hell are you?" Shepard asks, having dealt with the initial surprise.

"I'm sitting in an empty shuttle in a docking bay, waiting for you to stop running around aimlessly," comes the reply. "Sending you my location. Check the HUD for my coordinates."

Shepard allows herself a deep breath of relief. "Excellent thinking, Joker. He must have realized that we might need a swift exit from the station."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, hurry up, I'm getting bored here," Jack grumbles.

They reach the shuttle with barely a minute to spare, leaving the docking bay in haste and moments later the station is rocked by a blast of energy that would have incinerated them all on the spot, if they were still onboard. Of course, now, packed in tighter than sardines in a can, their situation is still not ideal. "What I want to know is where the fuck is my ship," Shepard mutters angrily, pressed between her squadmates, feeling her ribs slowly getting crushed between Garrus and Grunt's heavy armors.

"I am sure that Joker will bring the ship back here as soon as they have dealt with... whatever issues were plaguing them," Miranda says uncertainly.

"We might consider sending a distress signal," Jacob offers. "Not that there are many who could respond to it out here."

"Well, fire it away anyway, it won't hurt," Morgan orders to Jack, the only one feeling comfortable sitting in the cozy pilot's chair.

Two hours later, Morgan, Garrus and Jack have all ran out of anecdotes and stories to share, much to the relief of everyone else on the shuttle. That is also around the same time when Thane catches the visual of something approaching them far in the distance. "I believe that is your missing ship, Shepard," he says.

Shortly enough they are extracted by the Normandy and tumble out of the shuttle in the docking bay, but... something is not right. Usually there would be a few of the Cerberus personnel down here, waiting for them in their posts, but now there are none. More so, the walls near the guard posts have large smears of blood on them. Immediately, all as one they draw their weapons. "Joker?" she quietly tries the comms.

"Up in the engineering, Commander," comes a weak response.

They proceed towards the elevator, finding more signs of struggle and eventually corpses. "Matthews, Goldstein," Miranda quickly identifies the fallen. "What happened here?"

"An excellent question," Shepard agrees, as they reach the engineering, finding another corpse along the way, this time of crewman Rolston, it looks as if someone had first pierced something sharp through his ribcage and then chewed a little on the corpse afterwards.

Joker is lying prone on the floor in the engineering deck, in no hurry to get up. He gives a hysterical little laughter when Shepard offers to get Dr. Chakwas to tend to his injuries, before explaining just what has happened to the Normandy.

The Reaper IFF, after its installation, had immediately broadcasted Normandy's location to the Collectors, and they had boarded the ship shortly after Joker pulled away from the heretic space station. Most of the crew has been captured alive, thrown into the Collector storage pods and taken onboard the Collector vessel. All those who had put up resistance, have been killed swiftly, not managing to even scrape one of their ruthless attackers.

Further examination of the ship reveals eight dead crew members. The rest have been taken, those including Chambers, Chakwas, Donnelly, Daniels, Gardner, and apparently Zaeed as well, they cannot find the corpse of the grizzled old mercenary anywhere.

Miranda is fuming with anger, venting it on Joker without hesitation. "Everyone? You lost everyone, and damn near lost the ship too?" she shouts, ignoring the warning stare Shepard sends in her direction.

"Relax, Miranda," Jacob says. "It's not like he was the only one who missed the signs. Whatever was inside the Reaper IFF, it was probably well hidden."

Miranda relaxes only slightly, and when EDI pops in to agree with Jacob's comment, she explodes again. "And don't even get me started on unshackling the damned AI!"

"It was the only way I could think of to save the ship," Joker manages, as Mordin now drops on his knees next to the battered pilot, starting to examine his injuries.

"I doubt we would be standing here now, if he hadn't done it," Shepard says in a tone that clearly warns Miranda from making any more angry accusations. I wonder if that AI can be shackled anew after this. Or if we should even do that. Maybe she deserves a break, I mean, she did help us when she could have spaced Joker as well and then simply taken over the ship. "EDI, what's the current status of the ship?" she asks the AI. "Is the IFF functional?"

"All systems have been purged and are operating at full capacity and the Reaper IFF is functional," EDI quickly elaborates. "Everything is in place for us to navigate the Omega-4 relay, Commander. Awaiting your orders."

"Right. I don't think we can afford to wait any more if we want to ever see our crew again. Our hand has been tipped," Morgan states grimly. Damn the Cerberus lot, but they have Karin. Damn it. Gabby and Ken, too, they are a good sort. I can't let them die... "Everyone, let's... take care of the fallen, and clean up the ship a little bit. Then return to your posts and resume your duties. Make sure you're ready for what's to come."

"Just carry me to the pilot's seat and drop me there," Joker protests, trying to stave off Mordin's attempts at examining the severity of his fractures.

"Don't make me hit you with a portion of anesthetics, Joker," Morgan threatens him. "It will be at least six to eight hours before we reach the Omega-4. Let Mordin work. I need you in as good a shape as you can possibly be within this limited time frame."

"Damn it, Commander..." Joker finally gives in, his voice becoming a whisper. "Please, Shepard... make sure Dr. Chakwas is alright..."

Several hours later the Normandy SR-2 is well on her way speeding towards the Omega Nebula. The ship has been cleaned up to the best of their ability, and Joker has returned to take the helm once more again, and from the first glance everything appears to be back to normal.

Except there are a whole lot of empty seats on the ship. And eight full coffins down in the cargo bay.

For Commander Morgan Shepard, this is the time to mentally prepare herself for what might be the most challenging task she has ever faced. And that mental preparation involves making several calls to the people who have had the greatest impact on her life, professionally and privately.

"Shepard," the image of Admiral Hackett appears on the screen, as she makes the first of her planned calls. "You look like hell. Is everything alright?"

"Admiral," she replies, mustering a tired grin. "Thank you for reminding me to clean up a bit before I make my other calls. Just... got a bit busy cleaning my ship from dead bodies."

"Dead bodies?" Hackett asks, looking worried.

"The Collectors hit us, Admiral," Shepard mutters angrily. "But now... now that is about to change. We're going to hit them back. It's finally time to put an end to this."

Hackett sighs, shaking his head. "It's just... unfair that we must ask this of you again, Shepard. As if you have not sacrificed enough for the humanity." Morgan stays silent, so he continues. "How do you rate your chances, just between us two?"

"I don't know, Admiral, but we're as prepared as we can be," she replies. "If we're going down, we're going down fighting hard. But... I am hopeful that this is not the last conversation we will be having."

"Gods be willing, Commander," Hackett agrees vehemently.

"Admiral, I... I know I didn't come through on my offer to expose Cerberus," Shepard finally says. "I didn't have the intel until a few weeks back. But by then... circumstances had already changed. If I had disclosed that information... I would have put someone very close to me at risk. I am sorry that I could not do it."

"It's alright, Shepard," Admiral Hackett speaks quietly. "The importance of exposing Cerberus pales in comparison to what you are about to undertake. I wish you the best of luck, Commander."

"Thank you... Admiral," Shepard whispers, terminating the connection. One down, three to go...

"Captain Anderson," Shepard says, recognizing the surprised face of her old friend and once superior officer. "I hope I did not interrupt you from some conference of outstanding importance."

"You did, and I am glad for it," Anderson shakes his head, looking tired, suffering from overexposure to backroom politics. "Days like these, I still sometimes wish I was out there, chasing down geth together with you, Shepard."

"We can make a little side trip and pick you up from the Citadel," Morgan jokes. "We're taking the fight to the Collectors, and your assistance would be appreciated, I'm sure."

"You wouldn't have any use for an old man like me. With all that I've learned in these past two years, I could only talk and bore the Collectors to death." His face grows serious then. "So, it's time, then."

"Yeah," Shepard replies.

"Listen, Shepard. I... I know things have been rough after you came back. I would have wanted to spend more time with you, before... before watching you go through something like this again," there is bitter sadness in his voice.

"Me too, old friend," Morgan manages a smile. "Sadly, it seems, life isn't about getting what we want."

"God help us, we will speak again after your safe return, Commander."

"I can't wait to shake the Cerberus insignia off my shoulders, Captain," she says. "I want to finish this and come home. For real. To Earth. To the Alliance. Where I belong."

Anderson's voice catches with the emotion. "I hope to see it, my friend. I hope to see it."

"Be well, David," she says, switching the connection off. Two down, two to go.

"Mom, is that you?" They have not seen each other for... what, four years now? There have been the occasional messages delivered to her private terminal and the odd FTL comm conversation, but she has not seen the image of her mother for a very long time. Captain Hannah Shepard looks a lot like Morgan remembers her mother, only a few more creases in her brow and several more strands of graying hair.

"Daughter," her mother speaks, shaking her head. "I barely recognize you, Morgan. You have... changed so much. All the responsibility you carry, it is showing."

"Don't tell me I look old," Morgan tries to chuckle.

"Not old. That is not what I meant to say. For the first time I look upon my child and I think 'she's all grown up now'," Captain Hannah admits.

"Aww. You didn't feel about me that way even after the Blitz?"

"No. What happened there... you were too young to face something like that," her mother's face is briefly contorted by anger. "Too damn young."

"Mom. I'm heading into something like that again," she finally admits the reason for this conversation. "I hate to do this to you. But they're calling this a suicide mission, and it probably is at that. Collector Base beyond Omega-4."

"Gods, have mercy," Captain Hannah shakes her head, briefly looking rattled, but quickly regaining composure. "I... understand. You will do humanity proud again, of that I am certain. My child is incapable of anything less."

"Oh god, mom..." Morgan tries to keep her face steady. Don't cry, don't you fucking cry. "You just had to say that, didn't you..."

"I can't help it. I am proud of you," her mother smiles softly.

"There was one other thing I wanted to tell you before we depart," Morgan says. "I... wanted to mention this earlier, but... we were both so busy, it kind of slipped my mind. There's... someone in my life now. Someone important. I'll be leaving her behind too when I go beyond the Omega-4 relay. I will do what I can to return, but if I don't... I just wanted you to know."

"Her? Ah, there goes my dream of ever having grandchildren."

"You could still have grandchildren. In fact, I promise you will, if I do succeed against the Collectors. They'll just be a lovely shade of blue," Morgan grins.

"...an asari?" Captain Hannah blinks. "I should have known. You kids always chase the latest fashion trends and whatnot!"

Morgan finds herself laughing despite the gravity of the situation. "Mom, I fear Liara is more to me than just a passing fashion trend," she says. "You'd love her. In fact, I'm going to make another promise. As soon as I return, we'll find the time to go out for a round of drinks so you can get to know her. Besides... after all these years, you'll also need to get to know your own daughter anew."

"You are not entirely wrong there," her mother admits. "But no matter what happens, know that you will always be my child, Morgan. And I will always love you. Always."

"Love you too," Morgan whispers. "See you soon." Three down, one to go.

"It is time."

Liara is wringing her hands nervously, having trouble finding words. "Goddess, I have been awaiting this call, dreading every moment of waiting. I... suppose, I will be relieved for it to be over."

"One way or another."

"You promised me that there will be only one way this will end, Morgan," the asari says accusingly.

"And I meant that. I will do all that I can and more to come back, you know it," Morgan says.

"I know. I believe you, but it is still... killing me inside."

"I guess this is why they say that it's much harder on those staying behind," Morgan speaks softly, her heart breaking from the haunted, fear-filled expression in Liara's blue eyes. "I can at least determine my own fate with my actions. For those left behind, there is nothing to do but waiting. Hoping. Praying."

"I swore I won't cry," Liara sobs, pressing hands against her face, not wanting for Morgan to see the tears streaking down her face. "Goddess... don't cry, you fool. Be strong for her, be strong."

"You are my strength, Liara. And I am coming back, I promise."

"I know. I know..." the shaking of her lover's shoulders slowly calms down and she wipes away the last remnants of the tears on her cheeks.

"Besides, I just spoke to my mother," Shepard says, trying to smile. "Told her about you, finally. And I promised that after this is all over, we'll all go out for a round of drinks. I can't break promises to my mother and to my lover, can I now?"

"Don't even dream about it," Liara manages a small smile as well. "Did she... approve?"

"She was a little bit surprised, but otherwise accepting. Everything will work out, Liara. You'll see," she says softly.

"I will be waiting for you, Morgan. And I will be strong for you. Now go, do what you must and then return to me," Liara says, her voice threatening to break again. "Just... return to me."

"I promise," Morgan whispers, watching the image of her lover slowly fading away. That's everything taken care of. It's time. Time to grind these Collectors to dust and go home. Once and for all.