A/N: All right, this is the last chapter. Yes this is slightly AU, please don't send me reviews telling me as such when I've warned you for the past few AN that it was going to be off the track of the original story line. You're just telling me something that I already know people. I want to send a big thank you to Alilypea for seeing this through until the end for me, and to all of the readers who have added this to their favorites and given me a small glimpse of hope that my dream of writing a book one day may not be as far off as I thought it was. If I could reach through the screen and give you all a cookie I would.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything within the Mass Effect universe; I just leave my mind to wander within it a lot.

"Shepard, jump!" Joker pulled the trigger on the submachine gun he had grabbed off of Jacob and watched a few Collectors fall, adjusting his stance and the recoil rocked his body. Shepard really did make this look easy.

Shepard looked at Joker and took off at a sprint, speaking between gasping breaths as the exhaustion of battle started to wash through her muscles. "If I don't make this you need to get the crew out of here. The bomb is going to blow this place."

"Sorry Commander," Joker fired another clip of heat sinks before grabbing another clip to reload, making a mental note to ask Shepard how she could reload her gun just by smacking it. "I'm coming after you, EDI will get the crew out of here."

The end of the platform was getting closer. "Jeff, you promised."

"I lied, so you better make that jump."

Shepard dug her foot in and jumped, using all of her strength and the cybernetic implants Cerberus gave her, pushing hard against the ground. For a minute she thought she was going to make it however that hope quickly dashed as she saw the edge of the airlock just outside of her reach.

"Shit!" Shepard latched her fingers onto the edge of the Normandy's airlock and tried to pull herself up, a sharp pain in her side telling her that a bullet had passed through the soft webbing that allowed her armor to move.

"Shepard Commander," Legion reached down and locked his fingers under the edge of Shepard's armor, pulling her into the ship.

Taking a gasping breath Shepard turned an icy glare towards Joker, barely managing to contain the anger in her voice she spoke to him in a tone that could only be described as a growl. "Get us out of here, now."

Joker nodded and headed towards the cockpit, Shepard turned towards Legion. "Thanks, Legion; you just saved my ass. Do you know where the rest of the crew is?"

"In the cargo bay, Shepard Commander," Legion turned towards the CIC, Shepard followed unclipping her armor and letting it fall as she walked. Legion turned his head towards Shepard when he heard a gasp, "You are injured."

Shepard looked down at her torso and felt mildly sick, her body shaking at the sight. "It's nothing too bad Legion, I'm sure Dr. Chakwas will patch me up." Pausing to take off her boots she felt the FTL drives engage.

"We're out of range of the blast Commander, I'm going to get the Normandy somewhere safe and I'll find you," Jeff's voice filled the CIC.

"Fine," Shepard pressed the button for the elevator. "I'll be with the crew that know how to listen to orders."

"Kai-"

"No Joker, I'm not talking to you about this right now. I'm injured and I'm going Dr. Chakwas."

"Injured?" Joker turned to get out of his chair. "EDI get us somewhere safe, turn on the cloaking."

Joker walked through the CIC to see Shepard leaning on Legion for support, her white tank top a sickening red.

"What happened?"

Shepard took in a deep breath and grabbed at her lower back, pressing gently. "I appear to have been shot, which probably came around the same time when my boyfriend decided to be a total jackass and lie to me."

"I didn't lie really; I told you I would get the crew to safety so I arranged for EDI to take control while I tried to save you." Joker pulled his shirt over his head and pressed it against the bullet hole in Shepard's back earning a hiss.

"EDI, can we hurry the elevator please? I'm really not feeling that hot." Shepard clutched Legion as the room started spinning.

"One moment," a second later the elevator doors slid open and Legion took a step back trying to guide Shepard with him, moving to take a step Shepard let out a startled "oh" as the pain erupted up her spine and her knees gave way.

"Shit, Kai," Joker pressed harder against the wound and found his shirt had soaked through. "You need to get to ."

Making a whirring noise Legion bent over and pulled Shepard into his arms, walking into the elevator.

Shepard let out a weak laugh, earning a confused look from Joker. "If you had told me two months ago that I would be hugging a Geth I would have sent you for a mental evaluation."

Joker laughed, "Yeah well right now all you need to worry about it staying awake, we can talk about you hugging Legion later."

"What is a hug?" Legion whirred in confusion.

Shepard smiled as her eyes started to drift closed, the mix of the battle exhaustion and the blood loss making her eyelids feel extraordinarily heavy, "If I make it through this Legion I'll show you."

"Kai, stay awake," Joker shook her shoulder gently.

"I'm trying, jackass." Kai frowne., "I wouldn't have been shot if you had just flown the ship, you threw me for a loop. I couldn't concentrate on the jump."

"Sorry Kai," Joker shook his head, "I can't live without you, and no way I was just going to fly away."

"Yeah yeah, you're still a jerk." Kai looked at the lights signaling that they had only just made the crew deck. "EDI, what's wrong with the elevator?"

"The Normandy has sustained significant damage Shepard; I'm currently rerouting power from non-critical systems to power the elevator. However there is an emergency first aid just under the control panel that contains medi-gel to slow your bleeding."

Joker made quick work of retrieving the kit, "Legion, put her down…gently."

Legion bent over before placing Shepard on the floor, Joker sorted through the kit before coming up with the needed supplies. "Keep her in a sitting position; she's going to need to lean on you."

Legion dropped to his knees and Shepard rested her arms around his neck, "To answer your question Legion, this is a hug."

"What is the purpose of this 'hug'?" Legion kept his arms around Shepard as Joker cut away the wasted shirt, leaving Shepard in her sports bra.

"It's a sign of affection, sometimes also used for comforting someone in a time of crisis." Shepard groaned as Joker started pressing around the wound. "How does it look?"

"Bad," Joker was pale, "all of your lights are still on but I uh, don't want to put medi-gel on it if I'm not sure if the bullet is still in there."

"The bullet went straight through," Shepard looked down at the exit wound on her belly, thankful that its location probably meant that it had missed anything too vital. "Medi-gel would probably help."

"Shepard Commander,"

"Yes, Legion?" Shepard sighed as Joker started to apply the gel in a thick coat, the pain easing.

"Are there any other steps to this 'hug'?"

Shepard smiled, "Yes, you usually squeeze each other gently; sometimes you rub each other's backs."

Nodding Legion gently pulled Shepard forwards to embrace her; running his hand over her back while avoiding the wound.

"Is this correct?"

Shepard returned the motion, "Yes, Legion."

The elevator stopped and Legion helped Shepard stand walking into the crew deck Shepard found the crew huddled together most in tears.

"Hey," the crew snapped to attention at Shepard's voice, turning to face her with stunned expressions. "Why the hell are you crying? We just beat the collectors."

"Shepard! You're hurt!" Dr. Chakwas made quick work of making a makeshift exam table and Mordin grabbed the medical supplies. Walking over and launching her omni-tool Dr. Chakwas wiped away tears resting on her face.

"What's wrong, Karin?" Shepard frowned as the Doctor did her exam.

"I thought I had lost you, again…" looked at the crew that had gathered around the crate Shepard was resting on, "We all did."

Shepard shrugged as the Doctor made repairs to her stomach. "Takes more than death to keep me dead."

Garrus laughed, "God Shepard, does anything get you down?"

"Being shot kind of sucks," Shepard smiled and slowly sat up when Dr. Chakwas gave her the nod that it was okay, "but you know me, it's just a standard day at the office."

Reaching forwards Garrus pulled Shepard into a hug and before long the rest of the crew joined in. Some laughing, some crying and Zaeed and Jack making loud comments about "mushy emotional crap" but hugging the crew regardless.

Legion stepped towards the group and joined in, his arms around Tali's back and resting on Zaeed's shoulder. "We understand the value of this Human behavior."

Tali looked around shocked before laughing, "I'm being hugged by a Geth."

"He hugged me first," Shepard chuckled, "I think we gave him a taste for it."

"So Commander," Tali pulled back, "you've just defeated the Collectors, what now?"

Shepard thought about it for a minute. "Well, first I say that we all deserve at least a month of shore leave, the ship really needs to be repaired, I'll have to turn myself into the Alliance, and eventually we'll have to defeat the Reapers."

Joker walked to stand in front of Shepard. "I think we have one other thing that we need to do before you turn yourself into the Alliance."

Shepard raised an eyebrow, "Is that so?"

Joker nodded before reaching into his pocket and dropping to one knee, "Marry me?"

The room was silent as Shepard covered her mouth in surprise, "Really?"

Joker smiled and took the ring from its box before grabbing Shepard's hand, "Kai Shepard, I love you. I may not be the perfect guy, but as long as you'll stay by my side I promise that I will always keep trying to be a better person. I've loved you forever, and now that you love me back I can't imagine life without you. Please, say you'll marry me?"

Shepard paused. "One condition."

Joker smiled, "Oh, and that is?"

"You're taking my name."

"Deal," Joker slid the ring into place and stood up to pull Shepard into a kiss.

The crowd around them broke into happy yells, and soon Jack had suggested they move the celebration up to the lounge using the line, "happy times like this call for hard liquor."

While the crew filed into the elevator Shepard took a minute to sit down and look at her ring, Joker had picked a yellow diamond to match the sunflower necklace. Reaching up she felt the weight of the flower on her chest, she had to give Grunt credit as the chain really was strong.

"Do you like it?" Joker was leaning on a crate nearby with an amused expression on his face.

"It's beautiful," Shepard extended her hand. "Come here."

Joker walked towards Shepard before sitting beside her, "How's your back?"

"Fine," Shepard pointed at the red welt on her belly. "Honestly being shot is like an average Wednesday for me now."

"Ugh," Joker winced, "that's not a very comforting thought."

"No," Shepard laughed. "It's not really. It's just a fact of life."

"So, do you want a big wedding? Have all the press there? We could use it to recruit people in the fight against the Reapers."

Shepard pulled a face. "No way, something small, just our closest friends."

"When do you want to do it?" Joker ran his hand up Shepard's back, earning him a contented sigh.

"Whenever, today, tomorrow, next year. I'll let you pick." Shepard felt her skin heat at the contact.

"How about June? June 19th?" Joker carefully pulled Shepard into his lap and kissed her neck.

"June? That's only a few months away." Shepard closed her eyes and tilted her head back to allow Joker access to her neck.

"You said I could pick, besides you know Miranda and Tali will help you plan it." Joker gently bit down on her collarbone.

"Okay, deal." Shepard glanced around to ensure they were alone before standing up and dropping her pants and underwear. Turning to Joker she made quick work of his fly, pulling his erection free of his pants.

"What are you doing?" Joker groaned as Shepard ran her hand over his shaft.

"Getting laid," Shepard pulled Joker to his feet before leaning over the crate they were just sitting on.

"Christ…" Joker could see that Shepard was already wet, "Here?"

"Joker, I'm giving you ten-seconds to be inside me." Shepard felt him approach her, "One…"

With a quick thrust Joker buried himself inside Shepard's heat; Shepard let out a groan and pushed back against Joker's hips. Pulling out until they were just barely connected Joker slowly pushed forwards again.

"Jeff," Shepard looked over her shoulder and Joker could see lust and irritation in her eyes, "you can be romantic and slow later, right now I need you to fuck me."

"Yes, Commander," Joker grinned and dug his fingers into the flesh of her hips, "ready?"

"Jeff, I'm going to hurt you,"

Joker pulled out again before thrusting in with more force, Shepard groaned and dropped her head onto the crate. Taking that as a good sign Joker quickly set up a fast and hard rhythm pumping in and out of Shepard.

"Shit," Shepard groaned and moved one of her hands to work her clit, "harder."

Joker gritted his teeth, "I won't last."

"It's ok," Shepard moaned as she felt her muscles start to tighten, "almost there."

Joker thrust harder, the sounds of flesh against flesh echoing throughout the cargo bay, "Come on Kai…"

Shepard felt the pleasure in her core bubble over and explode throughout her body, "Fuck!"

Leaning over Shepard's body as Joker felt her muscles grabbing at him he was quick to follow with his own climax.

Gasping to catch his breath Joker laughed, "Well, that was different. Can't say I'm too impressed with my staying power."

"Never heard of a quickie?" Shepard winced as Joker gently pulled out.

"I just never thought I would be the guy that got laid in the cargo bay of a ship."

"That's okay," Shepard quickly pulled on her pants, deciding to forgo her underwear and instead tucking them into Joker's pocket with a wink. "I never thought I was the kind of girl that would ever get married."

Joker smiled and pulled Shepard into a hug, "So June 19th?"

"Sounds like a date." Shepard took Jokers hand and walked towards the elevator, "Why the 19th?"

"It was my Mom's birthday," Joker pulled Shepard into a hug while they waited for the elevator to descend. "She would have loved you."

Shepard smiled against Jokers chest, "I hope so, and I think my parent's would have liked you too."

Walking into the elevator Joker chuckled, "What are you going to tell the crew when we get up there?"

"Don't worry about it, I've got it covered." Shepard could hear the crew laughing the second lounge doors opened.

"Hey Shepard, where have you been?" Jack walked over and shoved a beer into her hand.

"Getting laid down in the cargo bay," Shepard laughed as Joker choked on his drink. "I had to celebrate."

"Right on," Jack punched Joker in the arm. "Good job buddy."

Joker let out an awkward laugh, "Thanks Jack."

"So Shepard, have you set a date?" Tali walked over with Garrus in tow.

"June 19th"

"That's only four months away!" Miranda broke through the crowd, "How are you going to get an entire wedding planned that fast?"

"Well," Shepard smiled, "I figured that considering everyone standing in this room is invited you would be willing to help me? I don't know anyone better at organizing things than you Miranda."

Miranda surged at the compliment and pulled up her omni-tool, "Well, yes, I'm sure it can be done."

"Sounds like a plan, we'll figure out details soon right now I think we need to celebrate." Shepard raised her beer, "Who's like us?"

Jacob and Joker were the only ones in the crew that knew the next step but they quickly jumped to attention, "Damn few and they're all dead!"

In Joker's opinion there was no higher form of torture than wedding planning. Shepard had seemed pretty calm about it all but Miranda had gone into overdrive with planning when Shepard had given her the reins on the project. Joker hadn't known how many different shades of yellow there were until he had spent an entire day looking at sunflowers, and still had no idea why it was so important. Looking in the mirror at his dress blues he smiled, finally June 19th had arrived.

The door behind Joker opened and Garrus stepped into the hotel room Joker's wedding party was using as base of operations for the day. "Hey buddy, you're looking good." Garrus opened his arms to show off his Turian military uniform, "Is this going to be ok today?"

Joker smiled, "I still look better, but you're looking pretty sharp. Any news from the girls?"

Garrus nodded, "Apparently Shepard has been throwing up all morning, Tali thinks it's nerves. "

"I hope she's okay," Joker adjusted the cuff of his jacket, "not getting cold feet or anything."

"I'm sure she's fine Joker, Tali said she was in good spirits. Miranda has them practicing smiles for the pictures now."

"Practicing smiles?" Joker laughed, "I'm sure Shepard's pleased."

"Never mind Shepard, Tali keeps threatening to send out her combat drone." Garrus laughed. "Where are the rest of the guys?"

"Zaeed is grabbing his tie from Jack, apparently they were using it last night for something, I didn't ask for details. Jacob is polishing his boots in the bathroom."

Garrus checked his omni-tool, "We've got 15 minutes until show time, we should make our way to the venue."

Jacob stepped into the room. "Zaeed just sent me a message, he's going to meet us at the Presidium, not much point in him walking all the way back across the Citadel."

"Right, let's go then." Joker gave himself one last check over, "Got the rings Garrus?"

"Stop worrying, let's go." Garrus guided Joker to the car waiting outside, "I'll drop you at the venue and go and get the girls."

Joker stood at the top of the aisle smiling and nodding at the guests as they took their seats in the white chairs that lined the inside of the Presidium. Joker's heart did a backflip when the Asari string quartet started to play.

"Breathe Son," Admiral Anderson patted Joker on the back, he had agreed to marry them when Shepard had told him the news. "Your bride will be here in a minute, we don't need you fainting on us."

Joker nodded and took a deep breath, soon Miranda, Tali and Jack walked down the aisle wearing purple dresses with gold detailing. Shepard had mentioned that they matched Tali's enviro-suit so Tali wouldn't have to go through the trouble of changing. Joker smiled at them as they took their places, and the music swelled around them. The guests stood and turned, craning their necks to get the first look as the bride to be stepped out on the arm of Garrus.

Jokers' heart stopped. Shepard was wearing a white sleeveless gown that had a small gold braided belt that sat just under her bust before flaring out and stopping at the floor. The fabric flowed around her as she took each step making her look as if she was gliding. Shepard's dark hair fell in waves around her shoulders and she wore just enough makeup to make her skin glow under the light of the Citadel Presidium.

"Ready?" Garrus leaned in to whisper in Shepard's ear. "If you want to run now I can probably cover you so you can get a head start."

Shepard laughed, "Just don't let me fall in these heels."

Placing his three-fingered hand over hers, Garrus slowly lead Shepard down the aisle towards her waiting fiancé.

Coming to stop in front of Joker Shepard smiled when she saw Joker mouth 'beautiful'.

"Who presents this bride for marriage?" Admiral Anderson was beaming, his eyes glassy.

"I do," Garrus pulled Shepard into a hug, "I love you Kai." Gently stepping back Garrus took his place next to Joker as best man.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please be seated." Admiral Anderson opened the small book and began to read; "We are gathered here today, to join this man and this woman in marriage. If anyone here has any reason why these two should not be wed please speak now."

"If anyone says anything, I'll blast you." Jack flared her biotics slightly to accent the point, the crowd laughed.

"Anyway…"Anderson laughed, "The Bride and Groom have prepared their own vows. Jeff, please go ahead."

Joker reached out to take Shepard's hands in his, "Hi,"

Shepard laughed along with the guests, "Hi."

"First, I'd just like to say you look beautiful," Joker brushed a stray curl of hair from Shepard's face, "second, I want to say that writing vows is really hard. Every night after you fell asleep I would walk over to our desk and look at those little cue cards that you had left out and have no idea what to write on them. Eventually I figured it out, Commander, Shepard, Kai, my Angel; there are no words that can describe how I feel about you. I remember when I lost you, the world seemed so dark. There was no happiness, no joy. When they told me that they were bringing you back I didn't believe it, you had been gone for months and I was sure that I was destined to spend my life alone and miserable. It was a Wednesday, at least a year later before they let me see you."

Joker let out a small laugh before wiping the tears that were running down his face on the back of his sleeve, "You looked like sleeping beauty, and all I could think was wow. It was like I had walked around with this missing part and here it was lying in front of me. That's when I knew that when you woke up I would have to tell you that I loved you, because there is no one else in this universe that completes me like you do. I don't know what we face out there, but whatever it is I'll gladly face it by your side."

"Well done Son," Admiral Anderson smiled, "Kai, go ahead."

"Well, I think I have a tough act to follow." Shepard paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Jeff, I was sure that we were meant to be together when I died, or more to the point what happened after I died."

The guests were leaning forwards in their chairs, hanging on every word.

"My last thought was of you, and if you had made it off the ship alive and then everything went dark. I don't know if I was in Heaven, or if such a place exists but I can remember thinking about you. I missed your laugh, your hats, and your impression of Garrus. While I was wherever I was before I came back the only thing that I thought of was you. When I woke up two years later I didn't even know where to start. My crew was gone, my ship destroyed and two years had passed and I had become a memory for almost all of my friends."

Shepard could feel the tears streaming down her face, she smiled her thanks when Anderson handed her a tissue.

"'Hey Commander, just like old times huh?' and there you were, just like I had never left and I was more in love with you than ever. I can't promise a safe life or an easy life with me as your wife. I can't promise you that I'll love you for as long as I live, and into my heaven when I pass."

"That was beautiful," Anderson turned towards Joker, "do you Jeff Moreau take this woman Kai Shepard to be your lawfully wedded Wife, will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish her from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto her for as long as you both shall live?"

"I will," Joker smiled as Shepard eased the ring onto his finger.

"And do you Kai Shepard take this man to be your lawfully wedded Husband, will you love, honor, comfort, and cherish him from this day forward, forsaking all others, keeping only unto him for as long as you both shall live?"

Shepard paused for a minute before smiling, "We will."

"We?" Joker laughed, "You've been spending too much time with the Geth."

The guests laughed, looking at Legion who was letting out his confused whir. Shepard shook her head slowly. "No," Taking Joker's hand she gently pressed the palm of his hand flat against her belly, "we," Shepard put emphasis on the word, "we will."

Joker's mouth dropped open in surprise and he pressed gently against the small curve of Shepard's stomach that he hadn't noticed before. "Really?"

Shepard nodded, "Really."

Joker took the ring from Anderson and slid it on Shepard's finger before turning back to him, "You better get to the kissing part soon Sir, I just found out I'm going to be a Dad."

Anderson laughed, "all right, with the power invested in me by…well…by Shepard…I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride."

Joker pulled Shepard in tight and placed a kiss on her lips before dropping to his knees and pulling her dress tight to reveal the swell of her stomach and placing a kiss there. "Hey, Baby. I'm your Dad"

Standing up Joker took Shepard's hand in his, "So, together?"

Shepard smiled, and nodded, "Together."