A/N: read no further if you don't want spoilers for the ME3 Extended Cut. You've been warned!

This is not a retelling / interpretation of the EC, or an approval / disapproval of the endings. Neither are any of the endings "canon" in this story. It is merely a one-shot of the one scene I really wanted to see (!REUNION!), from Liara's POV. Happy endings abound!

This story begins with the Normandy wall scene. As per the EC, Javik convinced Joker to leave, and the whole crew knew Shep and Anderson were on the Citadel when things went ka-boom. That's how I head-canoned the "presumed dead", anyway.

This may expand into Shep and Liara's life post-ME3... or I may do another story from Shep's POV… or just stop writing ;). It all depends on what you, the reader, think… sound off with a review / PM, and I shall oblige (and if you like it, thank tayg, since I have to bribe her continually)!

Goddess, no. Not again.

Don't argue with me, Liara.

How I wanted to argue, will my broken body off the Normandy and to your side, where I belong. Where I will always belong. I am only vaguely aware of my surroundings, of the plaque I hold in my hands. Your ship mates, your friends, our friends, stand around me, their heads bowed, the air muddy with their silence and their grief. Joker cannot look at me; even though we both know you would not fault our actions, it does not ease the burning guilt of desertion.

You gotta get outta here… GO!

I feel a gentle hand on my numb shoulder, and I realise I have been standing here, unseeing and unhearing, for far too long. I lift my head towards the hand's owner, not trusting myself to speak, even as a tear escapes my eye.

Tali, your sister, is there, as she has always been. Silently, she lifts her hand to her mask, a soft sigh permeating the room as she removes it. Garrus tenses visibly behind her, but she stays his hand as she passes him her only shield against the world. Her delicate eyes shimmer under the harsh lights of the Normandy, and she exhales slowly, her breath tremulous, as we make eye contact for the first time. She looks stricken, even as she closes her eyes and nods; no words are necessary.

Shepard… I… I am yours.

My gaze drifts back to the wall, to the gleaming plaque proudly bearing Admiral Anderson's name. My entire body shakes of its own volition, as I remember you joking about asking him to give you away at our wedding. He was your father, the only one you ever knew. I feel like I am wading through water as I approach the wall, Tali's fingers lingering then falling off my shoulder. The plate I clutch in my hands is light, yet it weighs heavily on my chest, a constricting, tightly-wound corset which makes it even harder to draw breath.

No matter what happens… you mean everything to me, Liara. You always will.

I run my finger over your name; the coolness of the metal soothes the fever in my heart, just as you would, were you here. I raise my arms against the impossible burden, but can only endure for a second. My heart is fraught with sorrow; it is all I can do to keep from crumpling to the floor. This moment… there is an air of finality about it that I cannot bear, an inevitability I cannot bring myself to accept.

You are not leaving me behind.

The look which crossed your face; I had never seen it on you. It was fear, terror at the realisation of what you were doing. But then your eyes softened, a lone tear tracing a defiant path through the grime and the sweat and the blood on your face. You stilled my searing heart with your unspoken words, your sworn oath.

No matter what happens, I will fight till my lungs scream and my muscles burn and my vision fails to come back to you, Liara. I will never leave you again.

Something stirs within my chest, and a wistful smile flickers across my face. Somewhere out there, you are stubbornly defying death, searching for us, for me.

The plaque can wait.

Two solar months. That is how long it has taken us to repair the Normandy and travel back to Earth. Gone are the days of mass relay jumps; instead, we must rely on FTL travel. Two months felt like two centuries as I wandered the confines of the Normandy. Grief and longing are tenacious companions; they never really allow you to be alone.

Time trudges along, life playing at a fraction of its normal speed. It seems almost everything I see reminds me of you; the careless wisps of steam from Ashley's coffee cup, James' slightly crooked nose, Javik's unflappable presence, EDI's dry wit, Tali's perfect imitation of your snort, Garrus' forlorn trophy. I stare at the bottle, a red ribbon haphazardly tied around its neck, a terribly poor representation of a turkey drawn on its surface. The turkey's beak has been fashioned into a goofy smile; art was never your strong point. "King of the Bottle Shooters," reads the inscription. A melancholy smile crosses my face, as I recall the two of you returning to the Normandy that day. You wore an amused yet exasperated smirk, fingers tapping the grip of your Black Widow and a single eyebrow raised as Garrus paraded his victory over and over again for all to hear and see. He misses you, Shepard, more than you will ever know.

Comm buoys everywhere were down; it was not till we were within a few hundred light years of the Sol system that we received the first hails.

You are alive.

If only you were here to see the reaction, Shepard, to see how loved you truly are. At first, the silence was stunned, no one daring to break the moment, undo the magic. Then, the tears came, man, woman, turian, quarian, asari and synthetic finding comfort in each other's arms, as tears of joy faded into laughter and embarrassed sniffling. Only Javik's eyes remained dry, but I sensed his relief that day.

Time. It is too long for us who grieve, too slow for us who wait. From the moment Admiral Hackett's voice broke the news, I have been restlessly, impatiently awaiting our arrival on Earth, our transport to the hospital where you are being treated. Finally, we arrive, Hackett bringing me personally to your door; I do not even stop to consider what an honour I have been afforded. The others are dying to see you too, but they give me time and space. My heart hammers in my chest as I tentatively open the door.

"Hey, you."

My heart catches in my throat, and I find myself unable to move, save for the hand which is trying valiantly to hold back my sobs. You are here, alive, your eyes dancing, your happiness radiating from you like the energy of the sun. Its warmth is such a welcome balm.

"Liara, are you ok?"

The utter ridiculousness of your question makes me burst out laughing and crying in equal measure. There you are, lying in a hospital bed, your crooked, impish grin rebelliously wrestling against the constraints of the bandages adorning your face, asking me if I am ok?

"Shepard… you silly…"

"Stubborn, dazzling sight for sore eyes?"

I see your injuries have not blunted your tongue. Your smile widens, you are chuckling now, completely oblivious to the fact that you have somehow managed to wriggle free of your bandages. They slip off your face, rumpling around your neck and sweeping your tousled hair into your face. Your sparkling eyes peek through the dishevelled mess, like a child playing hide-and-seek, your eyebrow twitching in glee. I am almost horrified to hear myself giggling at the sight; Joker and Tali would have a field day making this image your lasting legacy.

"Come here, you."

I find my stride again, and in an instant, I am by your side. No one, nothing, will ever separate us again. I ache to draw you in, embrace you and hold you forever. But I stay myself; Miranda told me you have some healing yet to do. It does not matter; I have you, and that is so much more than I had a few minutes ago. The silly grin never leaves my face as my eyes and hands drink up everything about you. I sweep your hair away from your face, never taking my eyes off yours.

My smile falters as my finger hovers over your new scar; it is too fresh a reminder of all I nearly lost. But you, you, as always, refuse to let such trivial matters ruin our intoxicating moment. Your touch is tender, your eyes at once adoring and empathetic and ardent as you lift your fingers to my chin, drawing me close. Our foreheads touch, and our eyes close; the air is so thick with emotion and enchanting, vivacious delight that neither of us dare breathe and unsettle it.

Our fingers interlace as our minds and souls entwine, enveloping each other in everything we are. I can feel again. I am completely lost in you as I savour it all; your smile against my face, the gentle breeze of your breath against my cheek, your heart beating in my chest, your strong arms cradling me.

I love you, Shepard.

I love you too, Liara. I am yours. Here… now… always.