Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of any Mass Effect or Bioware intellectual property. Please also note that this story contains some profanity and sexuality. Spoilers present for the games and the DLC.

A/N : I refer to my Shepard as simply "Shepard," since that is how it is in the game. I also try not to give too many physical descriptors since every Shepard is unique though they share the same story.

Chapter One: Promises

She gasped for air, rubble falling from her chest. How long had she been passed out? Her wounds were bad enough it couldn't have been long—she would've bled out. Could she move? It was painful, but she didn't have much choice. She wanted to laugh, thinking back to basic training when her only sympathy from senior officers had been "Do it again." She half dragged, half crawled her way to the strange lift that had brought her to this nightmare.

As before, the strange lift acted on its own. It floated back down to the control panel, to the room where two great men had died. One she shot with pleasure, she hated to admit, and the other she would have shot herself for. Anderson's death seemed unreal. He'd always been there for her. After her father had died in the first contact war he'd taken over that role. She cringed in more pain, remembering his last words "You did good, Child." When he didn't respond she thought it somewhat destiny—they would die soldiers' deaths, just as they had pledged.

She had prayed Liara, Tali, Garrus, Joker, EDI, Wrex—that everyone had made it. The boy…no, the catalyst…had told her that if she destroyed the reapers, that synthetics, perhaps even she, would perish. She was alive. Maybe the Reapers were different enough and the blast had only destroyed Reaper tech—maybe, just maybe she hadn't committed genocide against the Geth. Maybe EDI would survive.

The lift stopped and she looked to her right. The Illusive Man was still lying in a puddle of black blood. Directly in front of her lay her…her mentor, her superior, her captain. She'd never stepped down as his second-in-command. Dragging herself closer, she reached his side. Fuck the catalyst. If she was going to die, she'd die next to her captain. I never did get used to the Admiral promotion, though it was certainly fitting. More than captain, even, she thought, mentally reprimanding herself. Commander Shepard gave what she thought to be her last salute and sighed "You did good too, Anderson." She leaned over to make sure his dog tags were readily apparent, but couldn't see them. Did he leave them in his utility belt for safer keeping? She opened the latch to check and her heart skipped a beat in disbelief, horror, and heartbroken happiness. Why hadn't he used any? He'd stored five medi-gels in his belt and hadn't used a single one. She felt for a pulse, hoping she could bring him back. He felt a bit cold. She dropped him to his back and with little strength, beat his chest with her good arm. Medi-gel heals wounds, but can't restart a heart.

She kept beating his chest, not knowing how much time was passing or had passed until she finally collapsed, her full body weight crashing down on her once captain's chest. She felt tears betraying her. This wasn't just unfair, this was ridiculous. The Reapers, the cycle: all of it was fucking ridiculous. Anderson was the best man she'd ever known. How could anything go forward without him giving the orders? Every move she'd ever made had been a sort of order from him: becoming a spectre, protecting the Citadel, and finally destroying the Reapers as she knew he would have done. There was no choice. She'd been given orders and she would follow them. Any other option meant a risk she couldn't justify making.

Collapsed on the admiral, she felt dizzy as if her head was rising and falling in waves like that comfortable vertigo you feel in the Earth's ocean, floating on your back.

"Shepard?" Anderson choked.

Her head shot up in shock. "Anderson?!"

"What …what happened? Did it work?"

"Yes, sir. I destroyed them once and for all. Man, it's good to see you alive."

"I could say the same thing."

"Damn, you're a tough son of a seadog, sir. By the Goddess!"

"Speaking of your Goddess—any way to contact your intel specialist, Dr. T'Soni, or anyone on the Normandy? We could use an evac"

Pain seized her again, this time fearing she'd never fulfill her promise to Liara. How on Earth would she get to her? "I don't know sir. Neither of us are doing too hot and our omni-tools both only have emergency medi-gel capabilities right now. Shit! I forgot, here!" She started administering a medi-gel packet. He stopped her.

"Do yourself first."

"Sir?"

"That's an order."

"Then maybe it's time I resign."

"Damn it, Shepard, at least save half for yourself. No heroics this time."

She flashed what she hoped was a cocky grin that conveyed As if, sir.

"Shepard!"

"Who me?" she grinned again. Her desire and hope to live came alive again. With Anderson alive, she allowed herself to hope for more than a plaque on the Normandy's memorial.

They were both blinking in the red still, but could hobble rather than drag themselves around now.

"I hate to say it, Shepard, but we need to check some of the bodies up here for more supplies. We need more medi-gel."

"It sucks, sir, but I think any soldiers who were flung up here would agree."

Liara paced her quarters. There had to be a way to get back to Shepard. She could strangle Joker for leaving Shepard behind like that if it hadn't, in fact, been EDI's fault. EDI had survived in the Normandy. Her "body," being Reaper tech, had suddenly exploded, knocking Joker out when her "hair" hit him upside the head. EDI had panicked, thinking Joker was dead for a millisecond. In that millisecond, she had allowed Admiral Hacket's flight commands to the fleet to override her own. Jeff was of course discovered to be not dead after said millisecond, but it was too late.

"By the Goddess!" Liara fumed.

EDI came on over the comm, "Liara...I sent the data you gave me to Admiral Hackett, requesting a part of the Crucible's team of scientists to begin work on this system's relay. He states repairs should be finished in less than three galactic standard days with their incredible expertise and your intel"

Silence filled the air. "Liara…she will be waiting. Alive. She will."

"EDI…I'm not my best right now," she flared slightly in blue biotic pulses. "I hardly trust myself to speak to you."

"I'm so sorry, Liara. Shepard is my commander. I will take you back to her. Miranda Lawson has also received your request to join us on the jump back to Earth and Shepard. She is confident that she will be able to bring Shepard back again, if—"

"Don't finish that sentence, EDI. Shepard promised she would never leave me like that again. You … you are right. She will be waiting for me, for us. Alive."

"Of course, Dr. T'Soni."

Liara could almost feel that EDI had 'left' the room.

By the Goddess, Shepard, hang on. We're coming.

...

The Keepers were disgustingly diligent. They had piled bodies atop one another, removing any supplies, organizing them into neat piles to the side. Shepard and Anderson found enough medi-gels to heal as much as possible without proper medical care. The Keepers were also stacking the ramen shop's ramen packets in a corner—lucky for them that the Citadel was such a mess, the ramen shop somehow had fallen or otherwise found itself here. Or maybe it was the other way around and the central control area had found itself with the ramen shop. At any rate, the dry ramen tasted better than the protein bars that had been plied from her fellow soldiers' rations.

"Anderson," she began, "Even if a rescue—"

"Shepard, you honestly think someone as powerful as your Dr. T'Soni wouldn't call in a few favors and threats to get back here for you? Never mind the rest of the galaxy that has your back. I know Hackett too. He'll want to come back here for no other reason than to retrieve your body for a proper soldier's send-off. They're coming."

Shepard raised her eyebrows. It seemed Anderson had guessed at Liara's identity as well as their relationship.

"Sir, I get it, but I don't think we can leave everything to them. Even if they make it back to Earth, we're in the Citadel and it has relocked itself up."

"I was wondering about that. If the Reapers and therefore that catalyst brat are finished, how did the Citadel do that? And why?"

"I've been asking myself that same question, sir, and have a theory."

"Well?"

"The Keepers."

Recognition flooded the admiral's face. Of course. They had rebuilt the Citadel countless times since the beginning of the cycle probably. They weren't indoctrinated, but bred to keep the Citadel. The scanning results had found no Reaper or other influence on the seemingly benign creatures.

"So how do we get them to open the arms back up? Frankly Shepard, I'm more concerned with making sure we have enough to survive: water as well as food.

"You're right sir. Food, water, shelter, and I wouldn't mind guns to be added to that list, and then we'll start poking the Keepers for a key to unlock this place."

...

Liara held her breath. Joker was readying the Normandy to jump. These had been the longest, most tiring three days of her life, though the Crucible scientists had surpassed even her unreasonable expectations. They'd repaired the relay in about sixty hours. Shepard had more than a Shadow Broker lobbying for her retrieval. The entire galaxy had sent every resource they could to do the job. So many hands made it an easy task with both Liara and the Geth's foresight to uncover the secrets to the relays before their destruction.

"ETA to jump, two minutes." Joker announced over the comm. Liara squeezed his shoulder in encouragement.

"Ow!" he complained, loudly.

"Sorry, Joker! I forgot myself."

He winced before saying "Yeah? Well since EDI's bodaciousness is no longer here to swat you for me, I'll let it slide."

"Jeff, I do not believe I am in any position to 'swat' anyone, especially Dr. T'Soni."

"Guys, just get me to Shepard."

"Damn straight we will." Joker began. "It's a bit shaky, coming out on an end whose relay is likely in pieces, but as long as we don't sling shot into any of its debris…"

"Joker?" Liara faltered.

"Relax. We went through the Omega 4 relay with a lot more crap waiting for us. EDI and I got this."

Tali lay her hand on Liara's shoulder, squeezing it in encouragement as Liara had meant to do for Joker. Liara reached for and patted the gloved hand.

Tali's gargled voice hushingly spoke in a soothing tone, "Shepard would do this with complete faith, Liara. If we do as she would, we will definitely beat the odds."

Garrus, who had been standing just behind Liara, sighed dejectedly. All heads turned his way questioningly—Liara, especially looked ready to space him if he gave any complaints. Joker gave him the same look he always did when Garrus told a particularly bad joke. Tali, paired to him now, glared—he could tell.

He sighed again "You have to admit, the woman sets the bar a bit high. When I see her, I'm going to have to force her into retirement or I'll never catch up."

Liara smiled softly, knowing Shepard was, as she seemed to be everybody's, Garrus's best friend.

Tali chuckled, "You'll never catch up with Shepard. She's a living legend. Despite," she air quoted "'Specialist Brooks' lying about just about everything back on the Citadel, she had that part right."

"I believe she labeled us all legends," Garrus countered.

"So why is Shepard the one you have to keep up with, Vakarian? Shepard's still a commander, while I happen to be on the admiralty board," Tali teased.

"I didn't say Shepard was the only woman who sets the bar high. After all," he cooed and brought her close, "you chose me."

"Ugh!" Joker complained. "Go do that in engineering. I can't barf when we jump. We don't know what could happen."

Liara smiled, though with an ache in her chest. Goddess, I hope I'm pulled close like that again soon. Please, Shepard… "Goddess, please…" she let out in a whisper, staring at the controls.

Tali's hand touched her shoulder again. "She's waiting for us, Liara, I know it." Tali's faith gave Liara a slight twinge of daring hope.

"Shoot!" Joker let out in surprise "ten seconds to jump!"

"Keelah"

Joker configured the controls "We're coming, Commander. I won't leave you spaced again."

...

A lot can be accomplished in three days, even by two limping jarheads. The Keepers too had been busy. When they finally found water, it was because the Keepers were beginning to rebuild the river channels that would eventually feed into the Presidium's famous lake. The soldiers had cleaned the blood off of themselves as well as they could and gathered water to boil for drinking. There was plenty around to burn and plenty of sparking electronics to help them start it. It was a bit like camping. That is, if camping was anything like sleeping, not under the stars, but cut off from them, and the bugs you had to worry about were roughly your size. Still, they had food and water, and had even picked up a couple guns to hold like binkies in their sleep. They slept in shifts at "night," not trusting the Keepers after what Shepard had seen on the Shadow Broker's video panel. They decided to start collecting dog tags for the families of soldiers, should the opportunity to return them ever present itself.

More out of boredom—after all, she hadn't shot anything in three days—than anything else, Shepard suggested they fully explore as much as they could to access the full amount of resources they had at their disposal. Anderson, out of similar boredom, agreed. They both cursed a bit in pain every once and awhile. Shepard suspected she had a few broken ribs and was glad they hadn't punctured her lungs. She'd found some armor that fit and put on the torso's portion to keep it as still and protected as possible.

Daydreaming to herself, her head jerked when Anderson let out an impressed whistle. "Shepard! Come take a look in here." Thinking it would be the remnants of the spectre's specialty store full of armor and weapons of rarity, she was confused more than disappointed at what Anderson had called her to.

"Sir?"

"Well I know Kaylee would probably like something here. Don't tell me you haven't thought about getting something like one of these for Liara."

She rubbed her neck awkwardly, "Well…" Every day.

...

The relay in the Sol system was indeed a mess. Joker and EDI dodged it and Reaper shrapnel left and right, up and down, under and sideways. Garrus, focused the guns on anything that couldn't be avoided. It was the Omega 4 relay all over again, but this time there was a commander to save. They made it out in the clear after what seemed to be an epic battle between the Normandy and the space garbage. In reality, the "battle" had only lasted about twenty-two and one sixth seconds…according to EDI.

Liara had held her breath before the jump and still wasn't breathing. Her hand painfully—even for a Quarian—gripped Tali's hand on her shoulder. Tali and Joker let out a sigh of relief when everything was all clear and EDI announced "Jump successful." Liara's heart began to pound harder. She'd make it to Shepard now, but what would she find?

Tali grimaced, drawing in her breath sharply. Slighting at the sound, Liara turned with a worried look to realize that it was her grip on Tali's hand that had caused the Quarian pain.

"Sorry, Tali," she said, releasing her friend. Tali stretched her fingers a bit. For such a soft creature, Liara is strong…Or her anxiety is this strong.

"It's fine. Quarians are tough…and so is Shepard, Liara. Don't worry. The hard part—getting here—is over. Now we just have to let my baby's FTL engines glide us gently to the Citadel above Earth. Then, we go get her."

"That's the plan," Liara gave a half-hearted smile to her best friend.

Garrus stood up, "Who's going groundside, Liara?"

"I, of course, would like to request your services, Garrus, as well as you, Tali. If she is in bad shape, the more friendly faces she sees, the better," Liara winced at the thought.

"Right, like seeing you won't encourage her enough," Tali teased. Garrus chuckled.

Liara blushed slightly. Her and Shepard hadn't been secretive about their relationship, but they hadn't really shared it with anyone either. Just as Tali and Garrus were obvious, it seemed that she and Shepard were. She smiled at the thought.

"Anyway," Liara continued, "we don't know what we'll find on the Citadel, but I think the three of us can handle it alone. We don't know how stable the Citadel is, so it's probably best not to 'rock the boat' as Shepard" her stomach tightened at her love's name "would say."

"Sounds good, doc. I'll get Cortez to drop you. I don't trust the docks with EDI, er, the Normandy, just yet" Joker stumbled.

"Of course, Joker. Radio Cortez. Garrus, Tali, I'll meet you in the shuttle bay before we deploy. What's the ETA, Joker?"

"About two hours," Joker responded.

"Right, I'll meet you both in the shuttle bay in two hours."

Liara would busy herself with the broker's duties while she waited. Anything to keep from wringing her hands apart. Two hours, three days—all this waiting felt like eternity and not the eternity she wanted to embrace. Her heart hadn't stopped hammering.

Tali watched Liara make her way to the lift. "Garrus…" she started as they followed.

"I know, she's not doing well. Tali, I know this might be hard to hear, but we've both got to prepare ourselves for the worst. Shepard…"

"I know," Tali's voice quivered slightly.

"Liara won't be able to handle it. I know I couldn't if it was you." Garrus continued. "We both saw what it did to her last time. Little, innocent, Prothean expert Dr. T'Soni became ruthless to save Shepard. But when Shepard was back, Liara was so consumed with vengeance that Shepard almost lost Liara rather than the other way around. We can hope that whatever we find, Miranda will bring her back. Let's make sure she has something to come back to this time."

Tali nodded, "I know. If it was you and I didn't find you alive, I'd…I'd break. We'll take care of Liara, but let's hope Miss Prothean Expert won't have any reason to lose herself this time."

"Agreed," Garrus nodded this time.

"So…two hours…" Tali ran a finger across his jaw.

Garrus began to melt, before he held her at arm's length "Tali, I really should calibrate the Normandy's guns after that craziness back there."

He could tell she was pouting. "But…maybe that will require the expert touch," at the word he pulled himself closer to her, "of the galaxy's best engineer?"

She giggled as he pressed the button for the lift. "No, you are right, I should check on the engines. I'll see you in…"

"An hour?" he suggested, "surely that will be enough time to…calibrate"

"An hour." She laughed back.

...

Shepard was relieved that the central control area had been relatively cleared of bodies as she let her eyes wander, waiting on Anderson. How many days has it been? she wondered to herself. Her omni-tool was in disrepair aside from the emergency medi-gel dispenser and she had let herself fall behind the times with Tali's constant help. This model was completely different from the last one she had repaired herself. Upon trying to repair it, sparks had shocked her nearly to next Tuesday whenever that would be. She didn't relish another session of shock therapy to simply know the time. Of course, it seemed she had all the time in the world. Perhaps she'd figure it out in a "day" or two. Still, without its constant chirp to alert her to messages, she was beginning to feel a bit raw with boredom. Raw and…what was the word? Naked? She just felt without somehow—like a limb had gone benign.

She rolled her shoulders and neck as was her habit when waiting in place for too long. Her head was starting to throb a bit—a sign that the ribs would soon need attention after all. The medi-gel was probably numbing her to the true pain she should have felt all this time.

She opened a ramen packet in boredom more than hunger. "Mmm…chicken pack tonight, Sir."

"Better than that shrimp shit we had last night," he looked up, taking a break.

"Ha!" she laughed and winced. Yep, the ribs were definitely beginning to complain.

"You know," she continued, "If there's one superficial thing for us to be pissed about toward the Reapers, you know, aside from them trying to kill us and all other sentients in the galaxy, it's the restaurants they closed down. Goddess, what I'd give for that sushi place with the ridiculous French guy at the door right now."

"You know," Anderson echoed her, "technically that's your fault."

"Ah, not you too, sir. I was being shot at! Not my fault! And besides, the Reapers would've gotten it anyway" she waved around for him to note the destruction.

"True," Anderson chuckled. "So you avoided my question about Liara wanting something in here earlier." He motioned at their surroundings: a galactic jewelry shop in ruins. "Aside from finding some decent grub, what are you going to do once we get out of here? I know I'll be looking for Kaylee." He hinted, knowing the importance of a promising future in these sorts of scenarios—the hopelessly stranded kind.

"Yeah," she massaged her neck again, in more embarrassment. She wasn't used to talking about this with anyone, except for, of course, Liara. Though, she had always talked with Anderson about this sort of thing as his XO. She had learned her version of bedside manner she practiced with the Normandy's crew by observing Anderson. He always checked on his people after a mission, knowing it made for a closer knit crew watching his six when they went groundside. Anderson and her used to talk about personal stuff all the time.

"Yeah," she continued "I've got Liara to get back to. Stupid enough to promise her I'd always find a way back to her. Just glad I can try to make good on it."

"She's a fine woman, Shepard. I doubt you could have said 'no' to any promise she asked of you. Same with me and Kaylee," he laughed, "Her orders to 'stay alive' that you delivered had me feeling a bit guilty before I passed out up there. I was worried she'd have an earful for me on the other side for me someday."

"Women, eh, Sir?" she grinned.

"You don't get to say that; you're one of 'em."

She laughed and threw a pebble of debris at him.

"But, seriously, Shepard, I'm happy for you. She really is a heck of a girl. I was relieved to see her with you again when the Reapers invaded for more than one reason. I know you were going a little crazy with all that Cerberus around you when you were going after the Collectors with no Liara to boot."

"Yeah, we had made it a sort of ritual to always talk after missions when we were going after Saren. Just talk. When she was on Illium, all I had was a picture" She paused feeling her cheeks become a little warm.

"What?" Anderson smirked at her blush.

"I stared at that picture the whole way to the Collector base. 'God-damned suicide mission' as Zaeed would say, and all I could do is ache for her. Funny how imminent death makes you ache for just one more moment with the one you love. You should rest or prepare in some way, but your thoughts only go to…to her."

Anderson smiled "I think that is preparing, Child. You were staring at what you were fighting for. It's no wonder you won."

"Sort of," she scoffed and tossed another pebble. "Damn Illusive Man got his paws on some of that Reaper tech in the end anyway."

"But you stopped the Collectors. Mission accomplished. And now you destroyed the Reapers. Remind me to promote you when the dust has settled."

"WE destroyed the Reapers," she corrected.

"Oh come on, Captain" he emphasized the new title. "In the end, you pulled the trigger. Give yourself the credit."

"That'll take some getting used to—'Captain'. I've grown quite fond of 'Commander Shepard'."

"I'm sure you'll manage," he chuckled. "God, I'm just happy I'll have the time and peace to finally do it. It belonged to you years ago, Child. I'm looking forward to being able to set right and rebuild a lot of things."

"Amen, Sir."

"So, in addition to Liara, what else have you got planned?"

"She asked me the same thing right after she fought the Shadow Broker. I told her 'Marriage, old age, and a lot of blue children.'" She smiled at the memory of Liara playfully pushing her and accusing her of "just say[ing] these things." "That's the plan, Sir. Guess I better scrounge up an Asari wedding necklace like you said. Truth be told, I've only hesitated because I'm not sure how we should pay for it. I don't mind taking the food and supplies we need, but how are we going to track down who we owe for whatever we take out of this galactic jewelry shop? They could literally be anyone in the galaxy and the necklaces don't come cheap."

Anderson arched a brow, teasing her "Is that all? I know the gal who owned this place. An asari by the name of Miatha. If we can't find her, we'll find family and pay them what they ask."

"Oh!" Shepard raised her eyebrows, a little in shock that she could now with a clear conscience, pick out a wedding necklace for Liara…

"You said necklace? They don't do the ring, eh?"

"No, though I'm not sure anyone can be picky after the Reaper attack, can they?"

"Shit Shepard, there's a case full of Asari wedding necklaces over there. Feel free to feel picky."

Shepard leapt to her feet, forgetting her injuries, becoming pale and stopping herself before becoming sick.

"Ha! Take it easy, soldier," Anderson reprimanded her. "I doubt there's a rush. They've got to repair the relays or someone has to figure out a way up here from Earth. You can shop till you drop."

"Let's hope not, Sir. Didn't plan on going down in a jewelry shop." They laughed as she bolted as fast as her ribs would let her to the necklace case.

Liara paced the bridge, thinking of her options. She murmured, talking with her hands as she went over the possible scenarios. "We could open it through brute force, but that might endanger her." Everyone knew who 'her' was.

"She might have tried to find her way out if she could. Perhaps if the Keepers survived... They probably won't open it for years, until they think the Citadel is ready for it."

"Woah, Miss Blue, go talk to Tali and see what she thinks," Joker suggested. Liara practically ran to the lift.

"Tali," Liara exclaimed purposefully when the lift let her out in the shuttle bay. "What should we do?"

Liara started pacing again, Garrus tried not to get dizzy, watching her go back and forth.

"I'm not certain, Liara, but there might be a way to get in the old-fashioned way," Tali mused.

"What's the old-fashioned way?" Liara furrowed her brows.

"We walk."

"What?" Garrus and Liara asked together.

"We get Cortez to take us as planned, but we land on the base of the Citadel where it is most flat and where I, as an engineer, would put a manual hatch for emergency entrance and escape for the Council."

"Ok," was all Liara could manage.

"Ok." Garrus echoed. "It's worth a shot. In the meantime, let's ask EDI to start scanning the Citadel for more information."

"Already, done, Garrus," EDI chimed in. "Tali is correct. There is a hatchway at the base of the Citadel for emergencies."

Liara and Garrus gaped and slowly turned to Tali in amazement.

"What?" Tali looked around.

"Nothing," Garrus laughed.

"We're ready to go, Liara," Cortez interrupted. "Pile in everyone."

...

"What do you think of this one, Shepard?" Anderson asked, holding up a delicate platinum ring with a ruby carefully rested in it.

"Great, Sir. That's like the fiftieth ring you've found. Time to decide. Now, what does Kaylee like?" She fumed a little in impatience despite herself. The only shopping she enjoyed was for upgrades for her guns and armor.

Anderson rubbed the scruff starting to take root on his chin. "She liked some earrings I got for her a long time ago. They weren't too big, too gaudy. She's a military woman through and through, so she likes things clear-cut, simple. The only flare they had was a subtle Irish design in small emeralds. She said it reminded her of home."

"Irish girl?"

"Sort of—she was raised in space like you, but her parents were from Ireland."

"Ok, then I suggest one of these five," Shepard said pointing, exasperated he still had so many to choose from. She had found a wedding necklace for Liara in about four minutes. Not that she had settled on the first one she saw—it just so happened that she found the perfect one right away. The necklace was a delicate Asari design with Prothean cut gems. She'd love it, if for no other reason than she could study it. Shepard smiled, imagining her beloved writing a paper on it with Javik. No way Liara would let Javik disappear into the galactic horizon until his Prothean brain had been picked for its entire knowledge of Prothean life.

"Well," Anderson interrupted her thoughts. "I know she hates yellow gold—again, too gaudy. Ok, that leaves these two."

Thank the Goddess. Shepard thought to herself, in the habit of using Liara's deity in speech and thought now.

"Ok, let's see 'em." One was as the ruby one had been, but with an emerald in its stead. The other differed only in that it had an elegant wave to the platinum.

"Sir, this one is beautiful. Elegant, but simple. She'll love it." Shepard said, pointing to the second.

"I think you're right. Thank you, Shepard. Hope it's the right size."

They fell in unison as a slight tremor went through the floor and the ceiling creaked.

"What on Earth?" Anderson spoke.

"Well, it's not a Reaper landing, so that can only mean one thing sir—we're getting out of here!"

...

Liara, Garrus, and Tali stepped out of the shuttle onto the Citadel's central base on the outside. They made their way to the exact center, where Tali guessed the hatch would be found according to EDI's findings. Sure enough, it was there. Liara reached to open it, feeling resistance.

"I think it's locked somehow," she radioed.

"This should do the trick." Tali placed a similar contraption to the one Liara had used to get into the Shadow Broker base with Shepard. After a few minutes a green light appeared over the hatch. It was just big enough for them to go in one at a time, descending a ladder in single file.

"Joker," Liara hailed the Normandy.

"I read you."

"Have Dr. Chakwas on standby…and Miranda. Shepard might need them."

"Aye aye, Doc."

...

Shepard and Anderson heard a click to their six, just "outside" the store's rubble and more toward the central control. They ran (as much as one could call their fast limping 'running') to the spot. They heard footsteps as if someone was descending a ladder—no, there was more than one coming. Anderson nudged Shepard to unclip her pistol just in case. They could be looters or mercs. She did so. The sound stopped then there was some loud banging. Someone was kicking the ceiling panel from above. A piece of the ceiling flew down in a violent biotic explosion ten feet in front of them. Shepard guarded her eyes with her upraised arm. Her pistol dropped to the floor when she saw the white, grey, and blue armor and the graceful figure it enveloped drop from the ceiling where the panel had been. She opened her mouth to call out, but found her voice uncooperative. The figure stood up, dusting herself off just as she had the first day Shepard had seen her in the Prothean mine on Therum.

"It's safe to land, and it seems the Keepers have sustained the atmosphere," Liara radioed to someone, removing her breather before turning to take in her surroundings. But before she could report further she was being kissed. She froze in surprise for a few seconds before realizing what was happening. Every fiber of her being melted into the kiss as tears spilled in her overwhelming happiness. Her hands reached behind her beloved's neck before she started running her hands along the spectre's back, pulling her closer.

Garrus and Tali landed safely. They saw the scene and Anderson smirking andchose to question the admiral on the last three days, leaving the two women for a few minutes.

Liara and Shepard were lost in each other. The spectre's thumb wiped away the tears that escaped her beloved's eyes as she still kissed her—unwilling to stop. Liara finally pulled away, wanting to look into her beloved's eyes, nearly in disbelief, she said "You did it. And you're alive!"

"Made you a promise, didn't I?" Shepard smiled, brushing Liara's cheek sweetly. Liara's hands slid down along Shepard's arms, finding Shepard's hands as they always did in their intimate moments together. Shepard was holding something though.

"What's this?" Liara asked automatically, turning Shepard's hand over, before seeing the necklace. "Shepard…"

Before she could say anything else, Shepard put two fingers to Liara's lips, quieting her before bending down slowly to one knee.

"Liara," she took the Asari's hands once again. "The first time I met you, you needed me. I rescued you. Every moment since, I've needed you—you've rescued me. When I was told you made yourself at home on the Normandy after our mission on Mars, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. I was so happy I'd be able to see you every day, to have you at my side for every mission. Liara, you asked me what I wanted after the Reapers were gone. I want that forever I asked for. I want marriage, and I want to age with you, and I want children with you. I want every day to be like that evening we shared on the Silversun strip listening to the piano and I want to steal you away after every party to wake up to your embrace. Liara, you know a life with me isn't easy, but I hope you also know that no one will ever love you more. It's just not possible." She gulped, looking down, for the first time taking her eyes away from her beloved's. She looked up again strangely not nervous, but at peace with what she would ask. "Liara, will you marry me?"

Liara stared in surprised awe. She bent down on her own knees to be at eye level with Shepard. She cupped her human's face in her hands, still staring in awe. "Shepard, I would marry you a thousand times. Right here if you wanted. I want you forever too. Goddess, Shepard, of course I'll marry you."

It was Shepard's turn to stare. She reached for a cheek and held Liara's gaze, a smile forming.

"You'll marry me," she didn't ask, she confirmed, though in her own awe.

"Yes," Liara whispered and nodded, reaching for the hand touching her cheek and smiling.

Joker, as was apparently his ritual, broke the silence over Liara's radio. "Um Shepard?" the entire crew on the Normandy had heard and they were dying to have their Commander's presence confirmed. He had waited for silence before interrupting.

Shepard leaned close to Liara's lips to answer. "Shepard here."

"Good to hear your voice, Commander."

"Thanks, Joker, likewise." She turned slightly, meeting Liara's eyes once again. Her lips, already so close to Liara's found themselves upon her beloved's. Clicking off the radio, her arms reached behind Liara's neck finding her crest as Liara's hands grasped at her hair. Breathing in gulps, they heard Anderson cough. Still holding each other, they turned slightly to see the others grinning, attempting to stifle laughter at the pair's obliviousness.

Shepard winked at Anderson before turning back to Liara. "Love, I think someone else would like to be reunited with his match. I assume she wouldn't be left behind and she's onboard?" Liara nodded.

"Ah, ah, Shepard," Garrus reprimanded her. "First things first. Put that on her," he pointed to the necklace.

Liara and Shepard looked down to their hands, both holding it. Liara spoke first, her eyebrows furrowed slightly. "You need a ring."

"Well," Shepard replied, "in the meantime, people will at least know that you are, as we humans say, taken." Liara laughed at the private joke and leaned in as Shepard reached to fasten the necklace.

"It's beautiful Shepard."

"It matches its owner then," Shepard replied, to which Liara answered "and her beloved." They kissed once more, this time Liara whispered in between breaths "The sooner we get you back to the Normandy, the sooner we can find our way to your quarters."

Shepard's breath halted at the wonderful thought. As they pulled apart, she protested "but the Doc will keep me from you."

"You need treatment, my love."

"You know I did just fulfill my promise, you better stay true to your end of the deal," she pecked Liara's neck then accepted her help to get up. "Let's get it over with," she leaned into the radio piece, clicking it on again, "Joker, let Dr. Chakwas know I'm on my way."

"Right away, and congrats."

Liara blushed a deeper blue, realizing their engagement had been broadcast on the Normandy.

Shepard laughed, then grimaced in pain, "Li, Anderson needs medical attention as well. I kind of shot him—"

"Not another word, Captain!" Anderson boomed. "I told you before, it wasn't you, it was the Illusive Man. Besides, the medi-gel patched me up just fine. I'll see her, but after you."

"Yes, Sir!"

"Good, now Dr. T'Soni, come here. I'd like to congratulate the woman betrothed to my child."

Liara knew Anderson was not Shepard's true father, but also knew in so many ways, he was. He hugged her before returning her to Shepard. "I'll take care of her, of course." Liara promised.

"As she will take care of you, I know." He held out his arms for Shepard, hugged her, and kissed the top of her head before letting her go. "I'm so proud of you in so many ways."

"Wouldn't be here without you, Sir."

"Sir?" Liara interrupted this time. "I believe Kaylee is waiting."

"Well," he laughed, tossing the chosen ring in its box in the air and catching it. "Guess it's my turn."

Shepard laughed "He's right Liara, better let him go up first." Liara handed him a breather and lifted the admiral with her biotics, radioing Cortez to be ready.

"You know, we could stay behind, for a little," Shepard said after Garrus and Tali had been lifted to the ladder as well. "I have a feeling I won't get you to myself for a while once we get up there."

"It is as you said, Commander, er Captain?" Liara questioned.

"Not official, yet," she said, but nodded.

"We have had our reunion," Liara continued, "but you have many aboard the Normandy waiting for their CO. They all need to see her in the flesh."

"I need to see you in the flesh," Shepard teased.

Liara chuckled softly "So do I, and you will, but as your soon-to-be wife—" She couldn't finish. Shepard had caught her lips.

"Say that again," Shepard implored.

"As your soon-to-be wife," Liara continued, grinning on Shepard's lips, "I must insist you see Karin first."

Shepard held Liara close. "Well, if my future wife insists," she whispered along the folds of Liara's neck.

"Mmmm, Goddess, Shepard, I'm so relieved that you're safe."

Shepard sighed, "I just needed you to come rescue me."

"Mmm," Liara hummed, not wanted to let go of her betrothed. "Ok," she whispered at last "I'll send you up now." Shepard kissed Liara once more before feeling herself rise. She caught the ladder and started to climb up, making sure her fiancée was following closely behind. When she reached the top, her hand held her rib cage in pain, despite the armor. Liara emerged with a smile that quickly disappeared in concern.

...

"Ow!" Shepard yelped.

"Oh stop whining," chided Dr. Chakwas. "That's what you get."

"For saving the galaxy?"

"For worrying us all," the doctor brooded. She tisked, "You have, as you suspected, some broken ribs, with the rest of your injuries on the mend thanks to the medi-gel. I'll prep the surgery station Miranda installed that can repair them within the hour."

"Miranda's on board?"

"Anyone we thought could be useful in bringing you back if necessary is aboard, Commander, so, yes, the head of the Lazarus Project is on the Normandy," she said annoyed.

"Doc, don't be mad. I wanted to contact you all that I was fine, but the damn omni-tool broke and—"

"And you never bothered to learn how to repair this model because you took advantage of Tali's quick wit with it. Yes, I'll be filing a complaint to the admiral that you did not have the proper training and to the Council that their spectres are not expected to know such a simple thing."

Shepard massaged the back of her neck awkwardly, "Doc…"

"She's just showing you some tough love, no, Doc?" Vega chuckled in the doorway.

"Lieutenant, why are you in my med bay? I assume you didn't break anything staring at yourself."

"Ouch, Doc, what happened to 'do no harm?' No, Anderson wanted an update on Shepard."

"Tell him to follow his medical orders and rest. I thought Kaylee was going to handle him. You marines," she glared at Vega then Shepard "are terrible patients."

"Ah, you love us," Vega teased.

"Yes," she emphasized by undoing the armor around Shepard's rib cage indelicately, "I do."

Shepard winced before cursing Vega, "Hey, I'm the one getting the brunt end of the stick over here. Get out before she kills me."

"Tell the admiral that Shepard will be fine within the hour minus superficial wounds." Dr. Chakwas relented. Vega followed both orders and ran out of the med bay.

"Over there, Commander," Dr. Chakwas pointed Shepard to the back table with new equipment hovering over it.

"Yes, Ma'am," Shepard managed, but as she went to step down from her current table, she suddenly couldn't move. Her body from her shoulders down was glowing.

"Um…Babe?" she asked Liara.

"I believe Karin told you no extraneous movement, Shepard. I'll move you to the table."

Shepard raised an eyebrow. "She was also the one ordering me to the table," she defended herself.

"Oh, I like your choice in fiancées, Commander. She knows what's what in the med bay."

"I think we all know that whatever the Doc says is 'what's what' in the med bay." Shepard retorted, pouting a little.

"That's right." Chakwas confirmed. "Thank you, Liara," she said as Liara gently settled Shepard on the surgical table.

"Um…Doc, You're going to put me out right? I've learned my lesson, honest. No need for torture."

"Yes, I'll be putting you under. In fact, I've already done so. Count down from ten" she ordered.

"Ten—"

"I'll be waiting here when you wake, my love," Liara kissed the Commander's forehead.

"Nine…love you…eight, seven, sihh…"

"Shepard?" Liara questioned. "I think she's out, Karin."

Miranda appeared as the med bay's door opened. "Ready, Dr. Chakwas?"

"As we'll ever be, Ms. Lawson."

"I'll merely instruct so that you can do this on your own next time."

"Next time?!" Liara couldn't help interrupting.

Miranda smiled, "You think Shepard won't find more trouble?"

"I was hoping she wouldn't, but you make it sound foolish."

"It is. She is Commander Shepard. She will always find trouble."

Liara sighed, but smiled at her fiancée, brushing her beautiful locks aside before kissing her forehead once more. "I'll get out of your way," she said to the two women who had saved her beloved more than once.

"She'll be fine. She's actually in one piece this time." Miranda teased as she waved Liara away.

Liara couldn't pull herself away from the med bay's door. A hand landed on her shoulder. "She'll be fine," Jack said.

"That's what Miranda said."

"Cerberus Cheerleader is right for once. Now come on. Shepard made me promise to babysit you, so let's get some of Rupert's disgusting grub while we wait."

"As appealing as you make that sound—"

"Commander's orders are the only ones I follow. And if she says the future Mrs. Shepard needs taking care of, I'll take care of her. Now don't make this difficult." She twirled Liara around forcefully and marched her three paces to the mess area's table. "Now sit while I tell Rupert to get something going for us."

Liara humored the human biotic. Besides, she could stare at the door from here anyway. No doubt the food was an excuse of Jack's that would allow Liara to stay near the med bay.

"How is she?"

Liara glanced over her shoulder and relaxed a little. "She'll be fine, Tali," she repeated the report for her own sake as much as the Quarian's.

"Good," Tali plopped down next to her. Garrus came down the stairs from the guns.

"Well?" he asked, approaching the table.

"She'll be fine," Tali repeated.

"Good," Garrus sighed.

Liara laughed despite herself at the repetition.

They both turned, a bit confused and concerned. "Nothing, nothing," Liara waved dismissively.

"So when are you two exchanging vows?" Tali asked to distract her friend.

"I, I don't know. We haven't had time to discuss it. I hope as soon as possible."

"You have your choice for who will name you paired," Tali continued. "Me, Garrus is ordained, as is EDI, believe it or not."

"You're right, but I believe Shepard might like Admiral Anderson to name us."

"Bet your right," Garrus agreed.

"Tali," Liara leaned toward her friend, "Shepard has asked Garrus to stand with her and she'll no doubt ask you when she wakes, but will you stand for me as well? The both of you?"

"Of course," Tali reached for Liara's hand.

"Double duty's never been a problem with me," Garrus grinned.

"Good," Liara smiled.

"Soooo…" Tali questioned once again. "I heard that proposal—how long do I have to wait for those nieces?"

"Tali!" Liara gently pushed her.

"Oh, come on. I've seen you daydream as you watched families on the Presidium," Garrus encouraged. "Hmmm, you both can conceive. Will you have asari or human children?"

"You both are terrible."

"And?" Tali demanded.

"And… I can't talk about this without talking to Shepard about it first!"

"Please," Tali laughed unsympathetically, "Spill it."

Liara shook her head at the pair and repeated "You both are terrible."

"And?" Tali demanded again.

"And, fine, I want both. I want little blue babies and little pink ones, ok?"

Tali laughed and Garrus grinned.

"Shepard prego," Jack interrupted, returning to the table with a far off look on her face, "now that I'd like to see."

"She'll be a wonderful and beautiful mother," Garrus defended the unconscious spectre.

"Queen of the Girl Scouts? No shit. I'm just picturing the custom prego armor she'll be wearing."

They all laughed. Liara smirked, "As I've said, you are all terrible. Shepard will not be pleased that we talked about this while she lay defenseless and unconscious in the med bay."

"Right, like a couple of blue, doe eyes won't turn her to goo," Garrus chuckled.

"Back to the wedding," Tali turned to Liara. "I have an idea."