Mass Effect: Each Story Has A Million Tales.
Summary: "There is always more than just one side to a story- and more than one lesson to learn. Follow Garrus Vakarian as he stands by a promise that he means to keep, contemplates the true meaning of life, death, and the ultimate sacrifice, and as he confronts someone who should have been behind him all along. Follow Adelais Vakarian as he mends a broken bond, and as he comes to terms with a terrible loss of his own. Follow Kolyat Krios as he navigates through a very dangerous place, only to find another- under the guidance of someone who may or may not be there at all. And follow Commander Joleen Shepard as she goes through her past and present, only to find herself in the middle of a battle for her future." (Garrus' Story: 'The Promise-Keeper.' Adelais' Story: 'The Old Soldier.' Kolyat's Story: 'The Wanderer.' Shepard's Story: 'The Missing.')
Warning: "This is a heavy one- some swearing, angst, implied adult situations, adult situations, a few character deaths, violence, and blood. All the big ones this time. Remember, this is my Shepard, my feelings on the game and what should have happened and will happen, with my own opinions and storyline, so no nasty comments. Got it? Good." (Commander Joleen Shepard: War Hero, Earthborn. Soldier. Paragon. Romanced Kaidan Alenko in the 1st game, Garrus Vakarian in the 2nd and 3rd. Shot and killed Udina during the Citadel Coup.)
Disclaimer: "I do not own Mass Effect. At all. So don't make me say it again."
Author's Note: "Just so you all know, the name 'Adelais,' is Latin for 'Noble,' and the name 'Carissa' means 'the most beloved one.' Personally, I just thought the two names fit the story and what the characters were meant for."
N._.S._.S
Epilogue: The Wanderer.
I can't get used to this. Why won't they just leave me alone already? Kolyat Krios demanded, shifting uncomfortably under the wide-eyed and openly amazed gazes of a good few dozen assorted people as he slowly made his way toward the Normandy's Docks.
His father walked with him, and when he'd spoken, smiled.
They admire you. He responded, simply.
Why can't they go admire someone else?
I find it amazing how you could do all that you did to get here with little hesitation; Thane chuckled lightly as they reached the entrance to the Normandy, Yet you cringe with horror when the thought of answering a few questions crosses your mind.
She ambushed me outside the hospital and stalked me for more than an hour.
All she wanted was to ask you a few questions.
Kolyat shuddered and shook his head. No way.
Thane shook his head and chuckled again.
"Hey, look who's back from the dead already! It's loco!" Vega crowed from the cockpit as Kolyat entered the CIC. Kolyat smiled slightly at him and the nickname.
"You get filled in?" Vega asked as Joker hobbled over to them, "And you saw the Council?"
Kolyat nodded. "Yes, I did."
"And?"
"I turned them down, of course," Kolyat answered, nonchalantly.
"What?" Vega demanded, incredulously, "You really are crazy!"
"A Spectre position may seem great, but being alive and seeing Kahje again is enough for me."
"I'd take that any day," a new voice spoke up, quite cheerfully, "Couldn't have said it better myself."
Kolyat turned to find Adelais leaning against the Galaxy Map base, arms folded. The old Turian's midnight blue eyes glistened kindly as he nodded in greeting at Kolyat.
"You looking for Garrus again?" Vega asked, "If so, he's-"
"Currently at the top of the Presidium with Commander Shepard, and will be back within the hour," Adelais finished patiently for him, tapping the Communicator headset, "Yes; I know."
"Keeping an eye on them, huh?" Joker asked, slyly, causing Adelais to shoot him an amused look.
"Not at all," Adelais answered, in good-humor, "I'm sure Carissa would have wanted grandchildren someday."
Vega and Joker both burst out laughing as Kolyat's smile grew into a wider, amused grin, just as the door to the Normandy slid open.
"I heard that! For Spirit's sake, dad!"
Kolyat, who had been listening to the banter as he leaned against the wall of the cockpit the entire time, chucked softly and finally laughed with the others, turning his head just in time to see Garrus, brow-plate raised in playful warning at his father, and Shepard, her usually pale cheeks burning red with clear embarrassment, enter the Normandy.
Adelais shrugged, dark eyes glistening rather playfully, "It's true."
Shepard blushed even deeper as Adelais finally started laughing at the look his son gave him.
N._.S._.S
Everything is going to change now, isn't it? Kolyat asked, as he slipped into the Life Support Room.
Everything that needed to be.
Kolyat couldn't help but laugh out loud for the second time that day at that statement. Oh? And what would be some of the things that needed to be changed?
Cerberus' destruction, for one. And perhaps the Galaxy uniting again.
You think that'll last?
It will as long as there is someone that fights for it, yes.
"Are you okay?"
Caught off guard, Kolyat spun around as the metallic door to the Life Support Room slid open, and smiled again in relief when he saw it was just Shepard standing there, arms folded and giving him a concerned, searching look.
Touching the heavy bandages of where his right arm and shoulder used to be, he just nodded.
"I'm getting there," Kolyat told her with a nod. Turning back, he added, "This is where my father stayed during the Suicide Mission for Cerberus?"
Shepard's dark brown eyes softened a little at the question, and her shoulders relaxed again. "Yes."
Kolyat nodded again. "You and him talked often?"
At that one, she smiled. "Of course."
"He told me about that," Kolyat told her, without turning around, "About everything you and the others did to stop the Collectors. I thought he was insane for doing something like that... at first." He chuckled, quietly.
"At first?" Shepard asked, entering the room fully and standing next to him.
"Sure," Kolyat answered, "Before I understood why he did it."
"We all had different reasons for coming together and doing it," Shepard declared, gently. "But I understand."
Kolyat nodded again. "You're coming to Kahje with me, right?"
Shepard smiled. "If you want."
"I don't mind."
She actually laughed a little. "You should get some rest before we get there," she said, a knowing grin noticeably lighting up her features, "Something tells me you'll be having some more admirers waiting for you."
Kolyat groaned aloud as Thane chuckled in his ear. "Not another mob…"
Shepard just laughed again.
N._.S._.S
At least they didn't follow me home, Kolyat found himself thinking.
Agreed, Thane responded with a concerned look behind them.
It had taken Kolyat and Shepard almost twenty minutes alone to part the crowds of cheering Drell and politely ecstatic Hanar, with the help of a few SECs, and an oddly cheery Adelais, who actually waved goodbye at him as he and the SECs kept the crowd back enough to let them get away without being followed.
The apartment was left exactly as Kolyat had left it. With Shepard's help, he disengaged the security alarm and showed her around a little.
He took off the jacket he was wearing and draped it over the bed as Shepard looked at the walls, smiling at the little pictures, drawings, articles, and other things Kolyat had hung overhead during the last couple of years he'd been living here, each of them neatly labeled.
"Do you just hang up random things you find?" Shepard asked him, smiling.
Kolyat gestured at the walls with another smile. "Not quite. Look closer, at the labels."
Her eyes squinted at the wall, then her eyes widened.
"A timeline," she said, simply, though awed. "Since when?"
"Since the Citadel incident a year back," Kolyat answered, "One thing each day. It could be a random flower or article in that days' news, or even a photograph. I label them and then stick them on the walls."
"Wow."
Kolyat just shrugged. "It keeps track of my progress. Easier and quicker than a journal."
She nodded and turned back at him after a long moment of silence. "Take care of yourself, all right?"
Kolyat nodded once. "Of course, Commander."
"I'll be checking in on you," she warned with raised eyebrows. "Okay?"
"I'd be surprised if you didn't."
She laughed. "All right, all right," she said, still chuckling.
He opened the door for her as she turned to leave. She turned back to him just before walking out.
"He would have been proud of you, you know," she told him, seriously. "He is proud."
"I know, Commander."
He watched her disappear down the stairs before closing the apartment door, and went back into his room, sitting down on the bed. He picked up the jacket and pulled out the worn, leather prayer-book, and, setting it down on the bedside table, lay down, and stared up at the ceiling, still smiling, even as he gripped the healing wound that he knew changed his life.
She's right, you know.
Kolyat turned his head to see Thane standing next to his bed, arms folded. His form was wavering and Kolyat knew it was time for him to disappear again.
I know, he assured him, You've made that clear.
Thane nodded once as if in acceptance, and then vanished.
Kolyat turned to look back up at the ceiling again, and let his eyes closed.
I know.
N._.S._.S
Next Up: Adelais Vakarian.
And get your tissues ready.
It's gonna be a sad one!
XD
Thank you, Barbex, for the Review.
I seriously appreciate it!