A/N: Ok...So I'm never saying that I will update in that week or the next ever again...I said that line in the story, and in my last, and ended up not updating in forever. Sorry about that, just trying to make sure I steer this story in the right direction, same for my other story...enjoy :D

Shepard's View:

I open my eyes from a unrestful night of sleep. I don't even think I want to call it sleep. I wipe the crust out of my eyes and sit up. I groan and apply my hand to my right side. I remove the IV and look around for something to wear...nothing... Well, I dont really wanna leave this tent in a green paper dress. Just then Liara walks in.

"Shepard, you're not suppose to be out of bed." She frowns.

"I couldn't lay there anymore." I tell her. She walks over to me a lightly hugs me.

"Glad your back Shepard." She whispers into my ear. I hug her back, as much as I can with the strength I have left.

"Thanks Liara..." Before she leaves my grasp she gives me a light kiss on the cheek. Then looks into my eyes.

"What do you want?" She asks.

Shes good.

"I need clothes, I don't really want to leave the tent in this thing." I motion my hands to my paper dress.

"Why? Its kinda cute." She laughs.

"Oh, yeah, there's nothing cuter than a grown man in a thin paper dress, my ass is barely covered!" I laugh.

"Ok, ok! I'll see what I can scavenge..." She chortles as she leaves the tent.

I sit back down onto the stretcher and wait for Liaras return.

10, maybe 15 minutes pass by.

Where the hell is that Asari? Just when I finish my thought she walks in. How convenient.

"Here." She hands me a white tank top, underwear, red gym shorts, socks, and shoes.

"Thank you so much, IOU."

"You don't owe me anything Shepard, you've done enough." She smiles. "Now c'mon, were all waiting out there." She points to the exit of the tent, I follow closely behind her and finely leave this tiny ass tent.

A cool breeze glides across my body. I didn't realize how hot it was in there till I stepped outside. I look around. It's horrific out here. Buildings are barely buildings, there's little to no grass, the grass that is left is dry and yellow, dead. Yet, people are still doing what they can to re-build this place. I guess what they told me earlier really did happen. I really did destroy the Reapers.

Liara nudges my arm and I jump out of my thoughts. I look in the direction shes fixated on, Anderson. I lightly jog over to him. His eyes full of life.

"Shepard, good to see you up." He nods as he grips my hand firmly and shakes it.

"Alive and kicking." I say griping his hand back as much as he does to me.

"I heard you don't remember anything, I just wanted to say, that what you did, was admirable, and brave. You did the impossible. What you did, would have broken most soldiers." He salutes me.

"Thank you Anderson, but really, you don't have to say that."

"No Shepard, I do. You don't understand the greatness of what you have done for this Galaxy."

"Thank you sir."

Ashley awkwardly approaches me.

"Can we talk for a moment?" She asks fiddling with her fingers.

"Sure." I answer.

She leads me to a quiet area, and she releases a breath that I think she was holding her whole life.

"I...I'm sorry for lying to you Shepard. I thought it was the best decision for that moment. Not just for me, but for you, we wanted you to trust someone. You were acting a little crazy, we didn't know what you would do." She finally glances up at my face, and we have direct eye contact.

"Do you forgive me?"

"Of course I do Ash." I reel her in for a hug, she embraces it.

"Well that was easier than when we were on Horizon."

-FLASHBACK-

Ashley walks to me, hurt in her eyes. She walks till there's a bout an inch or two between us.

"I thought you were dead Shepard, we all did." She hugs me. She lets go, and I get a good look of her.

"You don't seem to happy to see me, something bothering you Ash?"

"Yeah somethings bothering me. I've spent the last two years believing you were dead! We had something Shepard. Something real. I...I loved you. I thought you were dead. I almost...How could you put me through that? Why didn't you contact me?" She questions.

"I was unconscious for the past two years while Cerberus rebuilt me."

She steps back and she cringes at the sound of Cerberus.

"You're with Cerberus now? I can't believe the reports were right. Alliance intel said Cerberus could be behind our mission colonies. We got a tip that this could be the next to get hit. There were rumors that you weren't dead. Worse. You were working for the enemy."

"Cerberus and I want the same thing, to save the colonies, that doesn't mean I answer to them."

"Do you really believe that? Or is that what Cerberus wants you to think? I wanted to believe that you were alive, just not like this. How could you turn your back on all of us? You betrayed the Alliance, Anderson...You betrayed me."

"This is about working for Cerberus Ash, Something far more important is at stake. You saw it yourself. The Collectors are targeting human colonies. And they're working with the Reapers."

"I'd like to believe you, Shepard. But I don't trust Cerberus. And it worries me that you do. What did they do to you? What if they're behind it? What if they're the ones working with the Collectors?"

"You re letting how you feel about there history get in the way of the facts."

"Or maybe you feel like you owe them for saving you, maybe its you...Doesn't matter, I still know where my loyalties lie. Im an Alliance soldier, its in my blood. I'm reporting back to the Citadel. I'll let them decide if they believe your story."

"I could use someone like you on my crew, Ash. It'll be just like old times."

"No, it wont. I'm no fan of aliens, but Cerberus has a history of being extremist. Ill never work for a group like that. Goodbye Shepard...Just, try to be careful.

-END-

I open my eyes. How long were my eyes closed? A minute? Second? Hour?

"You ok Shepard?" She asks.

"I...I don't really know. I didn't know of that memory until you reminded me about it...How long was I day-dreaming for?"

"Day-dreaming? You blinked Shepard. Are you sure you are ok? Should I get a doctor?"

"No, no I don't need them. Wheres Miranda?"

"Um...I don't know where she is."

Liara approaches us. "Shes in her tent." Liara points to it. Ashley doesn't look very happy now.

"Sorry Ash, I just need to talk to her. I appreciate the apology, thank you."

I walk straight to Mirandas tent.

"Can I come in? Its Shepard." I say to the tent curtains.

Before I can say anything else, she is before my very eyes.

"Shepard...Do you need something?"

"Yes. I uh..er...need to talk to you about something. I think you of all people would want to know about it. Take a walk with me?" I ask. She nods, and follows beside me.

A/N: Hope you enjoyed that chapter!