Hey everybody! So finally stopped playing the multiplayer for the ME3 demo and got around to working on this chapter. If you haven't already tried the demo, I recommend it. Much of the inspiration for the last bit with Tali came from InHarmsWay "Shepard is Mine". If you haven't read it than I highly recommend it , I just hoped that I did justice by it with my version. Anyway this will be the last chapter for the ETH story. I had a great time working with it and I hoped that you enjoyed it as much as I have! Enjoy!

Chapter Twelve

Shepard waited in the mess hall for the crew to assemble. After speaking with Anderson he had asked EDI to have all of the crew meet on the crew deck as well as plotting a course to Illium. Shepard had already spoken with Liara and asked her to arrange some transport for any of the crew who wanted to leave. Liara had agreed and had taken the liberty of forging new identities for some of the crew to help them stay low.

He wanted to make sure that his crew knew what was going to happen to him. The crew had become like a family to him, and he loathed the idea of the crew leaving. When they had all gathered, Shepard cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"As you all know by now, we will be heading to Earth for my trial. The Alliance wants me to stand trial and justify myself for destroying one of the batarian systems."

"Sometimes I wonder if there was another way. In reality there was no alternative, with the Reapers coming I had to do what needed to be done."

Shepard paused as he took the time to make eye contact with each one of his crew. These were men and women who he had fought along side with, shared meals, and occasionally played cards with. They were more than just a crew and he could only hope that he had done his best by them.

"You know what we're up against. You know how far the Reapers will go. But the Reapers aren't the only threats we face."

"Although we have severed our connections with Cerberus, I doubt it will be the last we hear from them. After our last mission though, I think they are finally making a move against us. I don't know how or why but they are working for the Reapers."

At this some of the crewmen began muttering amongst themselves. Miranda quickly quieted them down so that Shepard could continue.

"I understand that many of you have family. I wouldn't put it passed Cerberus to go after those that you care for to strike at you and by extension me. Therefore I am giving all of you a choice: You can continue to serve on this ship or you can leave to go back to your families."

"I won't begrudge you for leaving. But if you do, I've already arranged for transportation and new identities for you and your families if you so wish. As for anyone who stays, please know that I am grateful for your loyalty but I must warn you that everyone you know may be in danger. The Alliance might also want to take you in because of your association with Cerberus."

"I want everyone to take the time and think about what they want. I will be checking in with everyone before we reach Illium." Shepard finished with a sense of finality.

Most of the crew was silent as they returned to their posts. Tali, Garrus and Kasumi remained at the table. Not knowing what else to do, he decided to join them. Tali placed a hand on his and he looked up to give her a weak smile.

"So I guess this is it eh Shepard?" Garrus asked.

"Yeah. I don't like it, but it's the right thing to do." Shepard replied.

"Well you don't have to worry about me and Gary leaving, we're with you until the end." Kasumi stated as she nudged Garrus.

"Thanks guys." Shepard was relieved that both of them were willing to stay. Aside from Tali, he wasn't sure if anyone else would stay.

"Besides I can't let you and Tali have all the fun going after the Reapers. Got to have a bit of style in the mix. Not run in and shoot everything that moves." Garrus smirked.

Everybody laughed at Shepard's expense. Although he was feeling somewhat down, the banter helped lighten the mood. They continued to talk about various thing before everybody made their excuses to get back to their duties.

Tali lingered for a moment before giving Shepard a quick hug. Grinning, Shepard kept glancing over his shoulder as he headed towards the elevator. He had to stop when he walked right into the wall while Tali only shook her head with a barely audible chuckle.

Shepard yawned as he leaned back in his chair. He had spent over a hour going through his messages. Many of them were trivial, he did receive a message from Tali however. Apparently she had taken the liberty of informing him that Lia, Kenneth, and Gabby were planning on staying but told him that Jack, Zaeed, and Grunt wished to speak with him.

No matter how hard he tried to distract himself, he kept thinking about whether or not he made the right call. It was always the times in between missions that he found the most unsettling. On the battlefield he always had a clear target, sure it may have been difficult and life threatening but he could always handle it. It was whenever he was alone that he fought an implacable foe, speculation.

Rolling his shoulders, Shepard got up to feed his pets. He watched with mild amusement as he watched his fish dart around each other as they chased down their food. He wished Tali was in cabin at the moment but she was down in engineering. Tali always managed to take his mind off of dark thoughts, whether it was when they were feeling intimate or simply spending time together.

Not knowing what else to do, Shepard headed down to the CIC. He was surprised when he was greeted by almost all of the ops crew as he exited the elevator. Most of the crew expressed their dislike of the situation. Although they were reluctant to leave, they wanted to be with their families again. Kelly and Joker were the only ones who said they would stay.

Hoping that Mordin and Jacob would stay, Shepard made his way to the armory first. Jacob was working with a few of the weapons like usual when he noticed Shepard come in.

"Commander. Can I help you with something?" Jacob asked as he turned away from his work.

"Just checking in on everyone. Almost everybody in ops is leaving."

"Yeah I heard about that. I don't blame them."

"So have decided whether your staying or not?" Shepard asked.

"Well I was planning on staying but I think I'm going to leave."

"Oh. What made you change your mind?"

"Well Miranda is worried that Cerberus might have tipped off her father on her sister's location. She wants to leave so that she can move the family somewhere safe. I know she can handle herself but I feel the need to thank her for that promise she kept after the whole Gernsback fiasco."

"She's worried about telling the rest of us isn't she?"

"Yeah. She has her reasons though, probably doesn't want to distract anyone with her problem."

"Best of luck to the both of you then." Shepard said as the two men shook hands.

"Don't worry Shepard. No matter what happens, we'll help you out in some way. I have my eyes on the prize."

Although he was disappointed that Jacob wasn't going to be around, he hoped that he and Miranda would be alright. Shepard braced himself as he entered the lab. Mordin was busy as usual, working on one of his many simulations.

"Ah Shepard. Expected you to come. Wanted to know if I was staying correct?"

Shepard only nodded as Mordin moved a small crate of platinum aside.

"Regrettably, I will be leaving the Normandy. Must return to Sur'Kesh. STG has informed me of something vital that must be handled delicately. Vital to galatic peace and stability. Can't speak of it now. Hope you understand."

"It's gonna be different not having you around Mordin."

"Yes. Will miss being part of the crew, but very important. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve with the crew."

"No. Thank you for everything you have done for all of us."

Shepard sighed as he headed down to the crew deck. So far it wasn't looking good. Everybody in the CIC was going to be leaving except for Kelly and Joker. He only hoped that he had better luck on this deck. Stepping out of the elevator he made a left and headed towards Samara's room. He almost ran into the asari as she was leaving the room. He noticed a small bundle of Samara's belongings on one of the seats.

"Guess your leaving huh?" Shepard inquired.

"Yes. I regret leaving but I have fulfilled my code and must move on. But don't let this discourage you Shepard. I will return when I am needed. You only need to call for me and I shall return."

"Thank you Samara."

"No need to thank me. I am happy to have been able to help. I wish you and Tali many long and happy years together." With that Samara waited respectfully for Shepard to leave.

Shepard made a quick visit in the crew quarters to find most of the crew either resting or playing cards. The ones who were still awake told him quietly that everyone including Gardner intended to leave. Shepard only shook his head as his crew tried to apologize.

Shepard's next stop was Thane's room. The drell was currently meditating and only stopped until Shepard sat in his seat across from him.

"Shepard. I'm glad that you stopped by."

"How have you been feeling."

"It is difficult. I am finding it harder to breathe. At the moment it seems manageable but other times the pain incapacitates me."

Shepard nodded. He felt sorry for his friend. Thane had proven to be a loyal comrade and he was sad that Thane's ailment continued to grow worse despite all of Chakwas and Mordin's help.

"Hows Kolyat doing?"

"He has been working hard. Hes actually considering a position with C-Sec. I am proud of him. I only regret that I was not in his life more."

"I think you should leave to spend time with your son."

"Are you sure? I am sure he will understand that this is important to everyone. I can continue to help."

"I appreciate it Thane, but we can always manage without you. Spend time with your son. Speaking from experience, your son will want to spend as much time as he can with you."

"Thank you Shepard. I've never had a truer friend." Thane bowed his head.

Shepard checked in with Chakwas after he left the life support room. He was glad that Chakwas was staying. He was surprised to find out that Legion had left the A.I. core to head down to engineering. He wondered what Legion was doing down there in the first place.

Down in engineering Tali was in the middle of consoling Lia. Legion had accidentally scared the younger quarian when she was going to head up to get something to eat. Tali knew that Legion didn't intentionally do it, but she had thought Legion would try to avoid something like this.

"Does Creator Lia'Vael require assistance?" Legion inquired.

"No she's just a little shocked. You really shouldn't sneak up on people like that." Tali answered in a annoyed tone.

"We apologize. We only wished to observe."

"Well with organics its better to inform someone before observing them. Otherwise it's just seen as rude and plain creepy."

"We will remember and apply this new data in our future observations."

To be honest Tali was still uneasy with Legion around. The thought of Legion turning on them crossed her mind several times before and even now. But Shepard trusted Legion, so Tali felt that she could trust it as well.

"Alert! We have detected your mate Shepard-commander has arrived. Ninenty-nine point eight percent chance that he will enter the engineering room." Legion suddenly blared.

"Why did you tell me Shepard is here?" Tali felt herself blush. She was glad that the others couldn't see her face.

"It is under our older sub routines. The older platforms that served the Creators for domestic matters were programmed to alert the Creators of anything pertaining to their mates unless it was deemed personal. All platforms retain this information."

"Why do you keep it then if most geth avoid quarians?"

Legion was silent and for a moment Tali thought that it was hesitant in revealing more information. She shook her head and turned back to reassure Lia.

Shepard waited for the doors to slide open and headed to Zaeed's room first. The mercenary was sitting on his cot staring off into space. He stood up when Shepard came into the room.

"Shepard! I was just waxing goddamn nostalgic."

"One of your old missions I suppose?"

"You got me there. Right well I'm not someone who's known for speeches so I'll get to the point. I'm gonna be leaving soon as we get to Illium. Not saying I don't like it here, I had a helluva time. Reminds me of my old days when the Alliance actually had a pair."

"You helped me out with Vido. I know what I did wasn't right and that a lot of people died that day but I wanted to say that you ever need anything from me, you let me know and we'll blow something up."

"I'll keep that in mind when the Reapers shows up." Shepard chuckled.

"Gonna need one hell of a bang, but your part of the old breed in the Alliance; we know how to get things done. Glad the Alliance managed to beat that into you."

"Watch yourself out there Zaeed. Just because Vido is gone, doesn't mean someone else won't go after you."

"Well if they do their either really brave or bloody stupid. Long as it's not you I think I can manage it." Zaeed laughed.

After exiting Zaeed's room, Shepard went directly to Grunt's room. For some reason Grunt seemed confused. Seeing a confused krogan was a rare instance and Shepard didn't know what to expect.

"Something wrong Grunt?" Shepard asked. He was concerned for Grunt, Shepard was basically a father figure to Grunt.

"Battlemaster. It's not right. You blew up the Reaper. You did everything to help your people and they abandon you like a broken rifle. Why can't we just refuse them?"

"As much as I would like to refuse, I can see their reasons behind it. I was responsible for what had happen to the batarian system, that means I have to answer for it."

"Than what of me? What will happen if they take you away." Grunt replied almost in a child like manner. Shepard had to remind himself that Grunt was barely two months old since he was birthed from Okeer's pod. Grunt relied upon his guidance from time to time.

"What is it that you want to do Grunt? You always have a choice to make for yourself, you don't have to look to me to make decisions. Just choose the one you think that will best impact everybody."

"I..I want to keep fighting to honor you and my clan. If it is alright with you battlemaster, I wish to return to Tuchanka to help in uniting the clans."

"I think thats worthy cause right there. Wrex can use all the help he can get and it will be good to a have united krogan force for when the Reapers arrive."

"I'll make you proud battlemaster!" Grunt promised.

"You already have Grunt. Just remember to listen to your logic as well as your instincts."

Grunt nodded and watched Shepard leave. He would do his best to try to be as good as Shepard. He knew many great battles lay ahead of them all and he was eager to win much honor.

Shepard made a quick detour down to Jack's hidey hole. Jack was sitting on her cot with her feet propped up on a crate. She didn't say anything but merely nodded to acknowledge his presence.

"How's it going Jack?" Shepard asked in a friendly tone.

"Look Shepard, don't try to butter me up. If you want me to leave I'll leave."

"Well I kinda hope that you will. Maybe not for the same reasons that I thought of though."

Jack only raised an eyebrow as Shepard tossed her a data pad. She began reading it while Shepard waited for her finish. Her normally inscrutable face finally betrayed a sense of sadness, quickly replaced with anger.

"I found this while I was aboard the Broker's ship. I think it will be good for you to connect back to your past. Try to build something out of it."

"Fuck. Cerberus has just been screwing with me. All this time I had a family and I didn't even know it." Jack said as she bit her lip.

"I'm sure that they will want to know that you are still out there."

"I don't know. It's been a long time. I've got nothing to lose though, so why the hell not."

Shepard smiled and began to leave when he heard Jack voice her thanks in a faint voice as she stared at the data pad.

At long last Shepard reached his intended destination. Kenneth and Gabby gave him a nod and pointed over to Tali and Lia. Shepard was surprised to see that Lia was sitting against the wall trying to keep away from Legion. He only heard snatches of the conversation that Legion and Tali was having. Legion nodded and move away from the quarians.

"Shepard-commander. We wish to inform you that we will be returning to the main collective. We must share the data that we have gathered to achieve consensus among the geth."

"Couldn't you just link back to the collective and send the data itself?"

"The collective deemed it necessary to isolate themselves to avoid the Old Machines manipulation. We must physically return to reestablish contact."

"Well if you leave will you try to convince the geth to give Rannoch back to the quarians?"

"We will share all relevant data on the Old Machines and peace with the Creators."

"Thank you Legion."

"This platform does not require thanks. We do however appreciate it." With that Legion marched out of engineering.

As soon as the door closed Shepard asked about what happen to Lia. He listened with mild amusement and couldn't help but laugh at Legion's actions. Eventually Lia accepted their assurances and told them that she would go get something to eat before returning to her work.

Shepard watched Lia leave before motioning for Tali to come with him. The two of them moved away from Kenneth and Gabby to have some privacy. Shepard reminded himself of the conversations he and Tali shared in the core room. With a long drawn out sigh he placed his hands on either side of the console.

"What's wrong Louis?" Tali asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"This whole situation is wrong. Almost everybody is leaving. Pretty much all of the crew except for Joker, Kelly, Chakwas, Ken, and Gabby."

"That many? What about the team though?"

"It's just me, you, Garrus, and Kasumi. The ships going to be a lot quieter without everybody around." Shepard listed as he stared absently into the core as if he was hoping it would provide an answer to his dilemma.

"You shouldn't blame them for wanting to leave. With what we're facing, it's understandable they want to be with their loved ones." Tali commented as she tried to pull Shepard out of his shell.

"I don't blame them at all and I do understand. I just hoped that more would have stayed. Guess I shouldn't have hoped for so much." Shepard grunted.

"Don't say that. You know that's not true."

Shepard was silent. She wanted to comfort him but she couldn't find the right words. Instead, she wrapped her arms around him and tried her best to convey her feelings to him. Shepard seemed to loosen up a bit after the two let go of each other.

"Tali?"

"Yes, Louis?"

"After we defeat the Reapers, I want to keep a promise that someone else made to you."

"What promise is that?"

"I... I want to build a home for you on Rannoch. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

"If you did that, I would be the happiest person in the galaxy."

The two of them shared another hug as they wondered what the future would bring.

A few hours later the Normandy docked at the Nos Astra port on Illium. Shepard spotted a few suspicious looking salarains who regarded them with neutral expressions. They must have been Liara's operatives.

Everybody assembled one last time, all their belongings already loaded on to the transports, the crew gave one last crisp salute to Shepard who returned it. The team that was leaving all nodded when he made eye contact with each one. As he watch them go, he felt like a part of him was leaving with them.

Shepard waited as he watched the last of the transports leave before returning to the Normandy. He didn't want to stay here any longer. Those that still remained were waiting for him in the CIC. With most of the crew gone, EDI was filling in wherever she was needed. The Normandy didn't stick around in the system for long, only stopping long enough to refuel before making the jump back to Sol.

When they arrived, a pair of Alliance frigates requested permission to escort the Normandy to Alliance HQ. Shepard had agreed and was informed by the captain that someone was going to be sent aboard the Normandy to speak with him.

Shepard and what was left of the crew waited for the airlock to cycle the occupants through. Of the three people who entered, Shepard only recognized two of them. The one he didn't recognize was well built and suited up as if he was expecting trouble. Shepard was glad that Anderson was there as well as he shook hands with him and the marine. It was the last person Shepard saw that made his jaw lock up into a frown.

Similar reactions could be seen from some of his crew except for Kelly, Ken and Gabby although they were aware of what had transpired. Ashley stood near the door in a new uniform, she had finally let her hair down and looked uneasy from all of the glares she was receiving.

"Is this all that's left of your crew Shepard?" Anderson inquired as he looked around the ship approvingly.

"We're all that's left. Everyone else is going to go back to their families or looking for some more closure." Shepard replied dryly.

"I'm sorry to hear that they had to go. Let me introduce you to James Vega. He will be helping you with anything you might need when we get back to HQ." Anderson indicated as James saluted.

"It's an honor commander." James stated.

"Well since your going to be on the ship until we get back to Earth, would you like anything to eat? Our cook is gone but we still have a lot of rations down in the mess."

"Thank you Shepard. Come on lieutenant." Anderson motioned for the younger marine to follow as everybody but Shepard, Tali, Garrus, and Joker led Anderson and Vega to the mess.

Ash felt as if she was in a boiler with the glares only growing in intensity. Joker who was normally good natured stared at her with a stony expression. Garrus looked liked he wanted to chasten her. Shepard had a neutral expression but his eyes betrayed him, there was a sense of hurt coupled with anger.

But it was Tali who frightened her the most. When they had served on the first Normandy, Ashley had often talked to Tali. She had found the younger women to be very kind and always hoping to help everybody. Now however it seemed as if she harbored a great anger for her. She had her arms crossed and her eyes were narrow slits.

"Shepard. About Horizon, I didn't know alright? I'm really sorry for all the things that I said and-" Ashley said as she tried to defuse the situation before getting cut off by Shepard.

"Already dealt with it Ash. Welcome back. I'll be in my cabin." Shepard stated before he left.

Ash felt a sting of defeat at these words. Although he said that it was old news, she was sure that Shepard hadn't completely forgiven her. She had thought that there might have been something between the two of them. He was never close to anyone at the time and she hoped that there was a still a chance to mend the rift between them.

When Shepard was out of earshot Ashley tried to say something again but was cut off by Garrus.

"Do you have any idea of what you did to Shepard?" Garrus growled.

"Look I didn't know. All I heard was that Shepard was working with Cerberus. What was I suppose to think." Ashley countered.

"You could have trusted him like the rest of us Ash. But I guess you couldn't figure that out." Joker joined in the attack on Ashley.

"I don't care if your back on the ship, but if you think for one second that everything is going to be just like the old days than you are sadly mistaken. Come on guys, lets go." Garrus motioned for Tali and Joker to follow.

"I'll be down in the mess in a bit. I want to speak with Williams." Tali said her voice still perfectly controlled.

Ashley immediately wished she was somewhere else. The use of her last name by someone who she thought of as a friend only enforced the fact that she was going to get chewed out.

Tali waited patiently for the others to leave, until she and Ashley were alone.

"Louis may trust you, but the rest of us aren't convinced yet."

"Look I said I was sorry, what else could I have done." Ashley said defensively. The use of the commander's first name caught her off guard though.

"We were all friends. You had the nerve to tell him that he compromised his principals to join up with Cerberus. Shepard needed people that he trusted and you turned your back on him. You think you have the right to just waltz back on the Normandy and expect nothing to happen!" Tali started out with something akin to a whisper but was quickly elevated to a barely controlled scream.

"Don't think that I haven't noticed those looks you were giving him. I'll warn you once just because we were friends; stay away from him."

"And who are you to tell me that." Ashley scoffed.

"I am his mate now."

This information hit Ashley like a brickwall.

"So you two just hug and rub up against each other. I don't see how anything can work between you two." Ashley shot back. She was sick of being made out to be the bad guy in all of this.

Before Ashley could do anything else, Tali had grabbed her uniform and pulled her close enough until only a few inches separated them.

"He's already seen me out of my suit several times now and I have already shared myself with him. We've been together for over a month. I won't let you take away the one person I could ever call mine. Stay away from him." Tali declared before letting go abruptly causing Ashley to stumble.

Ashley could only shake her head and mentally berated herself for ever doubting Shepard as she watched Tali leave. She knew that her being here would be awkward but never imagined that it would be this bad. Wrestling with her frustration, she got into the elevator and waited for it to take her to the mess. She needed to get something to eat and some decent sleep.

'One hell of a welcome.' Ashley thought bitterly.

While the Normandy was escorted back to Earth. A massive force finally assembled in a unknown system. The massive Reapers waited patiently for the cycle to begin. Their plans had been foiled several times, but in the end it did not matter to them. They were mere delays, nothing more. The eye of the hurricane would soon pass and the galaxy would once again enter the tumultuous events of the cycle.

Well there we have it folks. I tried to get as close as possible to the beginning of ME3, the lack of information of what happens to some of the characters drove me nuts. Hope that you enjoyed it. Be on the look out for more stories from me in the future. I have a couple ideas planned but some will wait after ME3 and others will just be humorous (Well they seem humorous to me, not sure about the rest of you though.)

Quick Author's note: I do not hate Ashley, shes a great character as are all of the ME characters but I just felt like I needed to establish how my Shepard felt like after the whole Horizon fiasco. So please don't rip my head off. Pretty please?