The end
"You did good son… you did good...I'm proud of you"
Shepard could feel his body failing, his life was at its end. It didn't hurt, actually he didn't feel much anything. It felt like slowly falling asleep, only it was easier. The only thing that hurt were the memories...so much pain...so many loses...and so much love. The most painful thing was the thought of leaving her alone…
Memories flashed by like they were happening all over again, thought at much faster paste. He saw his entire life right before his eyes. He saw his deepest memories. Some of the memories were more flushed out than other. Key moments from his life seemed to linger longer than other memories. All those friends he had lost...all the destruction he had witnessed...all the love he had felt...Still the man who was like a father to him filled his dying mind.
Commander.
We did it.
Yes...we did... Its quite the view.
Hah... Best seats in the house.
God... feels likes years since I just... sat down.
I think you earned the rest.
Anderson
Err...er
Stay with me... we'r almost trough this.
You did good son... you did good ...I'm ...proud of you.
Thank you, sir.
Anderson!
The last moment with him, the last time he spoke with his "father". His mind repeated it on a loop. Anderson's last words had so much meaning. He was proud of him. He had been with him from the beginning to the end. And now... he was gone, and very soon he would follow. Just like always, Anderson led and he followed his commanding officer, his "father". He felt like he was calling for him… he felt like his "father" was calling him to come home.
He was ready to go. The reapers were gone and the galaxy was safe. She was safe. His job was done. But he couldn't. Something was holding him back... something beautiful.
...but your going to leave again. When the reapers finally arrive you'll dive into the fray.
...I need to know you'll always coming back.
I don't know. Its pretty big promise to make.
Oh, is it.
I have to have something special to come back to.
I'm… open to suggestions.
How about...this.
He could hear her. He could hear the voice of the most beautiful thing in the galaxy. Her image was now burned into his mind. His mind was now full of memories of her, memories of their love. She meant everything to him, she was his only true love. She was the reason he had fought for. He had saved the galaxy for her. He wanted her to live in peace...even if he could not be with her...she deserved peace.
I love you, Shepard.
I love you too, Liara.
Show me.
Shepard could not control his thoughts anymore. It seamed his mind wanted to focus on something beautiful, like her. He felt his mind fading as he slowly ran our of air. The only thing left in his mind was her. He found it comforting, at least he died with happy memories.
The memory of Liara visiting him back at Anderson's apartment came into his mind. He could see the breathtakingly beautiful asari playing the piano. He could hear the piano playing while he shared a moment with her. He remembered wow he grabbed her arm when she tried to step away from him. It was a moment he cherished .
What are you doing?
Making sure you don't run off to something more important.
I can't imagine what that would be.
We should do this more often.
Yes,well. Maybe after…
Every day after.
Shepard.
That had been the moment he realized just how important she was to him. At that moment he realized he wasn't fighting for humanity or for the galaxy, he was fighting for her. Everything he had done since meeting her was to keep her safe. She was his galaxy, and he would do anything for her...he would die for her...as long as she would be safe.
Shepard…
You gotta get out of here.
I'm all right, Shepard...
Don't argue with me, Liara.
You're not leaving me behind…
No matter what happens...You mean everything to me, Liara. You always will.
Shepard, I…I am yours.
I'm so sorry, Liara! I'm so sorry! He thought as he felt his heart stopping. He could feel tears forming in his closed eyes. He was not going to make it. He was forced to leave her behind, a thought that caused more pain than anything had before. He was afraid, he could not see her again. He desperately wanted to hold her for the last time.
The remnants of his mind faded away, slowly the image of her face faded away, leaving only darkness. He felt nothing anymore...This was the end.
Suddenly he could see a flash of blue light.
The blue light filled his head and formed a picture of her...She was crying! The last feelings of peace rushed out of him and he started to panic. He was filled with adrenaline as he tried to hold on to his life. No! He could not leave her alone! He had made a promise!
Shepard!
I love you, Shepard.
You're not leaving me behind!
I need to know you'll always coming back!
Suddenly his body sprung back to life violently. He took breath. His chest rose heavily with a crunching sound, as his broken chest moved. He could feel his body being in pieces. The pain was agonizing. But he was determinant. He would hold on, for her. This pain was nothing compared to the thought of not seeing her beautiful face one more time.
He opened his eyes slowly. It was dark. He couldn't see anything, except for the thinnest string of light coming from somewhere above him. He took breath again. It was excruciating...but worth it...With a single image in his mind he managed to whisper a word…a word that meant so much to him...
"Liara..."