A/N: The idea for this oneshot came to me while I was listening to the track "Resolution" on the new Mass Effect Extended Cut soundtrack. I just kept thinking of the scene with Garrus and the rest of the crew honoring Shepard's memory, and I HAD to write about it.

For those of you interested, the EC soundtrack, which has seven additional songs, is available for free on the BioWare Blog. (Listening to the song while reading it makes it super emotional-I had it on repeat while I was writing to keep me in the necessary frame of mind.)

Anyway, now that this is out of my head, I'm hoping that I can get back to working on the updates for my other Mass Effect fics. Thanks for reading! Enjoy! ~J

Shepard.

It's hard to comprehend that you're not standing here with us right now…with me. Leaving you on that battlefield was without a doubt the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I've always been there when you needed me, always had your six. But…I understand why now, and your sacrifice won't be forgotten. Everyone in this galaxy owes their lives to that single act of selflessness. I will help them remember you.

We didn't come out of it unscathed. There were, unfortunately, other casualties that came along with destroying the reapers. We lost the geth, a tragedy after fighting so hard to make peace between them and the quarians, and Joker lost EDI. But we are alive, and together we will unite and fix the damage done to the mass relays, knowing that we can finally look toward the future with hope.

I…

The plaque that bears your name feels heavy in my hand. Placing it next to Anderson's makes everything seem so final. As I hold it, lovingly caressing the silver lettering, I remember everything that we've shared and something whispers in the back of my mind—an unrest that won't allow me to accept that you're really gone. It continues to grow in intensity with each second that passes, until I just can't bring myself to put it up on that memorial wall with the others that have fallen. I'm not ready to let you go…not yet.

Turning to look back at the saddened faces of our crew, I am suddenly and inexplicably filled with hope. When Joker gives me an almost imperceptile nod and heads to the bridge, I know what I must do. I'll keep your plaque with me for now. It will serve as a reminder, and as motivation to never give up. Because I promise you, Shepard, if you're out there somewhere, I will find you.