Jane knew about the light. It was the light she'd seen after she'd died the first time, and just like before it was just barely out of reach. No matter how far she stretched out her hand, her fingers, her whole body, it was just floating beyond her grasp. Jane was so tired, of fighting, of pretending, and of being Shepard. Now she just wanted the light and just to have it all over with for once. No more battles for the soldier, and no more scars.

No more Jack either, Jane realized. The thought was like adrenaline, and Jane moved away from that light and back into the void quickly. She knew this feeling, and she wasn't going to die, because all she could see was Jack crying that first night in her cabin.

The thick eyeliner Jack wore back then made black trails down her cheeks as she leaned into Jane for comfort. Despite everything she'd seen or done with Jack, this was the most vulnerable that Jane had ever seen Jack. Jane held Jack closely, just standing there for as long as Jack needed.

Jane decided then and there that both of them would make it through this horrible war. Hell or high water she was going to save the universe. For Jack. Because Jack grew up in the darkest part of the universe, and Shepard became the source of light for her. Jane just wanted Jack to never again have to be a weapon, because Jack was the more beautiful and deep person Jane had ever met and the universe wasn't going to swallow Jack's soul and stain it black any more.

Jane wasn't going to let Jack lose herself in grief and bitterness again.

Jane didn't even realize she was opening her eyes until the sight of roses and sunflowers and honeysuckle and flowers Jane couldn't even name assaulted her. Breathing hurt, but Shepard supposed that was how she knew she was alive. It wasn't until she turned her head that she realized the room was empty and that she was completely alone.

In that loneliness, Jane thought of EDI and the Geth. The synthetics had been wiped out to ensure the Reapers would never return. Jane had just killed millions just by pulling the trigger three times. She didn't know how to take that information. Maybe it was true what they'd always thought about her, maybe she really was always willing to just get the job done no matter what. It wouldn't be hard to sacrifice friends, Jane told herself as she aimed the gun and tried not to think too hard, she'd done it before, after all.

The door hissed open and Jane realized that she couldn't see who it was through the tears.

"You- you bitch I thought-" Jack's voice rang out.

"I died once, what, you thought that I wouldn't come back even more pissed off at the Reapers?" Jane said. Her voice was dry and scratchy, and afterwards she coughed into her hand. But it was worth every second of pain to wheeze the words out.

"You... you died three times on the operation table. After the third time they thought you weren't coming back. You fucker..." Jack said, trying to sound angry through the tears, "you made Prangley cry."

"Sorry... if I had known your students would be there I'd make more of an effort not to die."

"Liar."

Jane smiled, but quickly looked away. She had to know. "Is... is EDI all right?"

"Don't know. The Normandy went MIA after all the Mass Effect relays started going down all over the place. The Alliance brass think they're stranded." Jack said, folding her arms. "Why? What happened on that Crucible thing?"

"I'm... I'm not really sure, Jack. I thought it might have wiped out the Geth too. It was... it was an anti-synthetic weapon. I had reason to believe that it might hurt EDI and the Geth."

"Whatever, that can come later," Jack said. "For now, we start planning your welcome back party. I'm thinking shots... some Asari strippers..."

"Maybe just something quiet with the people I know. I did just win a war, Jack."

"Tch, you're too boring, Shepard," Jack said as she moved over next to Jane's bed. Jack sat down on the foot of it, the joking look vanishing from her eyes. "So... what now? That's the big question isn't it?"

"Now, Jack, we spend the rest of our lives together and grow old."

"You're a goddamn sap, Jane."

"Yeah, but I think that's your dream, Jack."

"Fuck yeah it is."