|Epilogue|
|Date: 12/8/2183|
His oxygen reserves were minutes away from coughing empty.
One of the worst ways he ever wanted to go, he mused quietly to himself.
He had, after being sucked out of the Denmark, made it a sole priority to survive for as long as he could.
And it looked like his chances of coming through with that priority looked good.
The very ship that had gotten them off the planet drifted by. Shepard, despite his labored breaths, smiled.
He jettisoned himself to the ship and got inside.
John's hope waned back to nothing. The vessel was permanently out of commission. He was doomed.
Regardless of the fact, he closed the open hatch behind him before strapping himself into the helm.
It wasn't long before his denial turned to anger. Then to depression. And eventually, to acceptance.
He wept anyways. But this time, it was alone, without a shoulder to lean on. No hand to reach for. Or a way to pull him from the darkness that consumed him.
And for all he knew, everyone was dead. And soon enough, he would be too. His breaths came in mighty heaves not for his own looming death, but for the mere idea that Tali hadn't made it. He cried and cradled his helmet for the chance he'd lost.
"God." He slurred through a choked cry, "Damnit."
He cuffed his emotions and took in a deep breath to calm himself down. Crying certainly wasn't going to help. And he didn't know for sure Tali was gone.
It was best to take the time he had left and use it to make a message if anyone were to find him. And to leave her a parting message if things did turn out better than he hoped. He turned on his omni-tool, took several more shaky breaths, and pressed the record button.
"Lieutenant Commander John Shepard, acting captain of the SSV Normandy, Log... 843."
The lack of oxygen was slowly claiming its toll on him.
"If this message finds anyone, it means my ride's here. I've gotta go, folks."
He drew in a single labored breath.
"Apologies for the brevity. This might sound a bit rushed. Hard to think of a good parting speech when you've got no air."
Another sharp inhale.
"Give the reapers hell. Give them your all. Be proud of what we've done and for who you are. It's been an incredible honor to serve with all of you."
A wry smile spread. A sad one. But it was warm. Soft. Careless almost as he thought of her. The seconds ticked, but the smile stayed. Then it faltered when he realized that he was going to have to apologize to her.
"Tali, I... Ha. I'll keep the cheese to a minimum. Don't want Garrus getting uncomfortable hearing this." He actually managed to force a joke, "But I'm—…I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not holding my end of the deal. But don't dwell on it. This path ends. But it's time to forge a new one. I'll always have your back. I know you'll make me proud."
He took in another empty breath of nothing just to keep the words going, voice fraying into a thread. Yet it still carried a modicum of strength.
"Everything's gonna be okay, someday. I promise. This isn't how I wanted it to end, but this is what we got."
His gaze began to ease. Blackness began to encroach his vision. "I love you."
He squeezed his eyes shut and put every ounce of his focus in his memory of her.
"This is John. Signing off."
He ended the message. His final seconds approached. Darkness beckoned for him. This was it. He was done. He'd done his time in this universe. It was time to go.
"To us, Tals." He murmured with finality, "To us."
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ＴＨＥㅤ ＦＡＬＬㅤ ＯＦㅤ ＮＯＲＭＡＮＤＹ
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A/N:ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ
Don't forget, there's a sequel!
The End of Dawnㅤ ㅤ