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.

27. Twenty-Seven: Armando-Owen Bailey

Bailey, Armando-Owen

Couldn't believe it when I heard about Shepard.

Granted, at the time, it was just one more slap in the face in a chain of 'em.

We got word at the last moment that the Reapers were pushing for the Citadel. Bastards on the Council pulled an executive decision, and got away as quick as they could. I got pulled along. Said they needed the "High Value Assets" off-station. I think they just wanted someone who could shoot straight.

I say pulled. I went. And I should have stayed. Heaven forgive me, but I went. And it wasn't even the hardest decision of my life.

Someone in C-Sec took it out of my hands eventually, leaked the information. Of course, there was a rush for the docks

But by then it was too late.

We barely got out. Most poor souls got left for the Reapers.

And then, when the nightmare was finally over, I heard Shepard hadn't made it.

One hell of a fight, from what I hear. Makes me wish I'd never left Earth.

I'm back there now. And I don't plan on leaving.

I found my... wife, afterwards. My family made it through.

Things, they aren't perfect. But my children are alive. They are safe. And we're... healing.

The Galaxy is healing too.

These have been the darkest of days, but the way I see it: thanks to the Commander, we've all got a second chance now.

And I'm not going to waste it.

---

A/N: So "Urdmot" joins "Gath" in the god-awful typos wot I 'ave made.

I made extra sure in this one, but I bet there's still stuff gone wrong in here.

This was actually changed at the last minute, as I suddenly decided that I didn't want it to be addressed to Shepard directly. Bailey doesn't strike me as the kind of chap to hold a posthumous tête-à-tête with Shepard anyway.

That said, I'm a huge fan of Bailey, and I just had to make sure he had his happy ending. I hope you've enjoyed this one.

Samantha Traynor is next up, and should be out within the week.

Let me know what you think, and if you have any thoughts on the series etc. If anyone has any suggestions/opinions other than character suggestions, that would be especially great.

Till next time,

-Nevery.