I Should Go

by Nevery

Speeches, farewells, denials, howls of grief and of rage. Those that knew Shepard in life remember the Commander in death. Shepard's gender and any interpretations of romance are intentionally ambiguous and left up to you. Disclaimer: Reading these shorts whilst listening to "An End for Once and For All" carries with it a heavy risk of tears.

5. Five: James Vega

Vega, James

Hey, Shepard.

You really were a little bit crazy weren't you?

This is weird, I mean – I guess I should be saying thanks?

Yeah, thanks for saving... us. That sounds so strange eh?

S'crazy y'know. Seeing all this. Being part of the aftermath. I got so caught up in the fight that I never thought about what it would be like afterwards.

But I guess you showed me that this stuff matters. Soldiering ain't just pulling the trigger and hoping you hit something, it's about the fight, right?

About what you're fighting for – fighting for days like these.

You should be here.

Mierda, you should be here.

We, all of us – we owe you. So much.

And, even though you're gone – maybe even 'cause you're gone – I gonna keep at it, I'm gonna make you proud.

A/N: Going only very slightly against my better judgement, I'm uploading this chapter tonight as well. This probably means you won't get one tomorrow - partly that was always going to happen because I've got a hell of a lot of work to get through, but this just makes me feel less guilty.

A secondary reason for this upload is that there should be a brand new poll up on my profile (or on it's way to my new profile, depending on how quick FF is). If it is there, it should be asking if you want to hear from EDI, Grunt, Liara or Garrus next. If it's not there, then something has gone awfully wrong and we should never speak of this again.

Hopefully, it's up, and you guys can use it, because polls are something I really want to work into this series. Especially considering how many of these I am planning and the intense devotion that these characters inspire.

And... my brain is melting. Blame Steam Powered Giraffe and their distracting melodies.

Reviews! Yes! Reviews! Thanks to GeckoKisses, Trishata96 and Griffendell for leaving lovely reviews. I love 'em, they are just the best, better than bread and water and much more filling.

So thank you. And thanks to everyone who has favourite'd or followed thus far. You guys are all the best.

Anyway, that wraps this up, I'm slightly buzzed from getting through a mammoth essay. Did it show?

Please keep reading and reviewing, I'd love to hear any thoughts or suggestions or anything like that. If you have any questions about where this is going or who we're going to see or anything at all then do not hesitate to ask.

Till next time.

-Nevery.