EPILOGUE

His palms were clammy and no matter how many times he clenched his fists he couldn't stop the slight tremor that ran through his arms. He could hear the whispered murmurs of the crowd behind him, but he kept his eyes fixed on a point approximately six feet in front of him, just above the small balding bureaucrat in front of him. He felt a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Just breath."

"I… I'm fine. I just don't know what's going to happen."

"Yes you do. She's going to walk through that door, bond herself to you and then control your life from now on. Not that she didn't already."

"You and her both."

"Hey, I just sign your paycheck, Kaidan. And keep your record clean. She decides what colour the nursery is going to be."

Captain Alenko glanced at his best man. Shepard grinned back at him, then gave him a reassuring wink. Kaidan managed to exhale a shuddering breath, "Thanks. No pressure."

"Hey, it was you that wanted to make an honest woman of her. Now relax. I'm going to make sure the ushers haven't done anything to upset the delicate political balance of the galaxy by sitting the Hanar next to a Krogan or something."

"Yeah… I think I saw grunt try to eat a program…"

"Well, if your fiance will insist on the full bells and whistles wedding."

Shepard gave Kaidan another reassuring pat and turned to walk down the aisle, checking the guests. It was quite the turn-out. Not just close friends, but politicians and even the odd journalist - a big society wedding. The Citadel's main registry office was packed. He paused and bent down to talk to Shala'Raan, Tali's aunt, who was sat with the Quarian contingent.

"Good view Shala?"

The Quarian woman smiled at him through her clear breather-mask - the progress made with their immune systems meant that full environment suits were no longer necessary, but they still needed breathers to prevent infection by inhalation. The "revelation of the Quarians", it had been called. Some still wore the full suits, still nervous, but progress was being made. They could only go fully free back on Rannoch and even then only in certain areas. It was a start.

"Wonderful, Admiral. Quite the turnout."

"Well, Kaidan has a lot of pull these days. Lots of people who owe him. And a lot of people who want to see him happy. This is a big event. Got to have all you big-wigs here!"

Shala frowned at the expression, but smiled, "Ah, another idiom. Tali has yet to give me the full course. She picks them up quickly. Mind you, Councillor Descartes has been most enlightening as a cultural ambassador - the Geth do tend to learn rather quickly."

Whilst he wanted to avoid politics, especially today, Shepard felt he had to ask, "I read the reports, I get the official picture. How are things now though?"

Shala cocked her head and shrugged, "Things will be tense for a while to come. But the… incident with Daro'Xen showed us that the Geth are more magnanimous and analytical than we thought. Again we misjudge. They do not judge the race by the actions of a few. We do not want to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors. And neither do they. We live and learn," she quirked a look at Shepard, flashing another smile, "And Councillor Descartes has been happy to help. She passed me a copy of recovered Quarian music data, found on one of our old Colonies. We make small steps, but me move forwards."

"Good to hear. I trust your guests are comfortable. We have laid on purified food for the reception afterwards."

"Ah yes, the ceremony feast. Amazing how in all cultures there are always similarities. My thanks, Admiral. Now, you should attend to the other guests. Favouritism to an aunt-in-law will not do."

He chuckled and nodded, moving among the guests who were settling down. A brief word with Barla Von, catching up with Councillor Victus - the usual. A movement at the back of the vast room caught his eye and he limped towards the doors - he didn't need a cane now at least, but even with the flash-grown replacement joint there was still some restriction of movement. But he wasn't as slow as he had been at least.

He slipped out the door to find Tali waiting. She looked absolutely stunning, all flowing, loose cloth draped around her lithe form. She wore a face-mask now, similar to Shala'Raan's, but coyly obscured by a veil. As he closed the door behind him she lifted herself onto her toes and pulled the veil and mask away, planting a kiss on Shepard's lips. He smiled at her and looked around.

"I hope that wasn't an attempt to delay bad news…."

"No, if I wanted that I'd wouldn't be wearing so much silk… more lace, perhaps... Such nice materials humans use!"

She twirled and he found himself leaning back to appreciate the vision before him.

"You look stunning."

"You're biased!" She dipped her head demurely and looked at him, "But it does feel a lot nicer. Liara asked me to check Kaidan hadn't run off."

"He hasn't. Poor guy's practically nailed to the floor there."

Tali laughed, "I will pass it along. Now, go back and make sure that legendary spectre courage doesn't fail him."

"Aye aye, Admiral. First dance later?"

"How could I resist?"

She enveloped him in a hug, planting another kiss on him and was then gone, vanishing into the gardens that surrounded the Citadel's registry. Chuckling, Shepard disappeared back inside.

Kaidan heard Shepard's approach and glanced to one side.

"This is the worst part."

"The waiting?"

"The waiting. I could run."

"You could. But I would have to wash my hands, disavow any knowledge. Not going to offend the major information broker in the galaxy," Shepard smiled, his voice mild, "And then you'd have to keep on running. And that's nothing compared to what her father'd do to you."

"Always knew you were a fan of cruel and unusual punishments."

"Only for those who bring them on themselves," There was a sound as the crowd moved, all standing. Shepard nodded forwards, "Eyes front, Marine."

Kaidan swallowed as the music began - an uplifting choir of candescent chords, haunting as they echoed throughout the cavernous Officiation room. Haunting and yet uplifting. He felt the presence of someone approach, the sound of gasps and sighs from the audience.

And then she was there, resplendent in a figure hugging dress that seemed to shimmer in the light - an azure gown that flowed into a long train. It accentuated her figure, flowing into her skin almost, almost hiding the gentle swell of her stomach. Kaidan's throat was dry. He watched an older Asari step around his bride-to-be, taking station to one side: Liara's father, Matriarch Aethyta. His gaze remained locked on Liara, relieved and yet suddenly fearful. From the corner of his eye he saw Kasumi and Tali, wearing their matching bridesmaid gowns, step to one side, behind the Matriarch.

He met Liara's eyes and saw there a mirror to his own emotion: hope tinged with fear. The sight cemented his thoughts. Slowly, Kaidan smiled and reached out, taking his fiance's hand in his.

Shepard stood and chimed a fork on the glass in front of him. Slowly, the hubbub in the feast-hall died away, Wrex's booming laugh from the back of the room echoing into silence.

"Ladies and gentlemen. And jellyfish. And Geth. Thank you for coming to help Liara and Kaidan celebrate this special day. I know we all have our own cultural norms, all different and yet so similar. It is my pleasure today to introduce you all to The Best Man's speech. Kaidan, I would like to apologise in advance. Same to you Liara."

He pulled a large sheaf of papers from under the table and looked out at the crowd, a serious expression on his face.

"As you all know, I am a man of few words, not prone to speeches," he had to pause as the laughter rippled gently around the room, "Nor to giving grandiose statements about the nature of others," He fixed a look at Tali, sat on the Bride's end of the table, on the other side of Matriarch Aethyta. His other half was giggling like a mad thing, "So…. I will keep this brief."

He tossed the papers over his shoulder, mock-scowling at the loud sighs of relief from his audience.

"Kaidan and I met under interesting circumstances, during boot camp on Luna… he had just made a pass at one of the instructors and, well…. lets just say that forged him into the fine, quietly reserved man we see before us…!"

Shepard keep it short and punchy, ribbing the poor Captain over his fashion sense, errors in judgement, comedic moments and sentimental pauses. He read out letters from absent friends: Zaeed who told him to that he'd "Finally made the goddamned right choice,"; Admiral Hackett who commented that "He expected him on duty at 0500 the next day", to which he followed up with "Which gives him a whole four hours and fifty nine minutes to think about what happens after the wedding night," Liara practically turned purple.

Finally Shepard wound down with: "...and because we know what a voracious, out-going and frankly predatory individual Kaidan is, I would ask any members of the audience with the access codes to the Captain's cabin on the Normandy to please step forwards and delete them from their omni-tools."

There was light chuckling as several people, evidently in on the joke, stood and approached the wedding party's top-table: a human member of the catering staff, followed by a grinning Traynor, then a smiling Gabby, one of the Normandy's terrible-twosome of engineers. The chuckles erupted as Wrex stood and approached the table, keying his omni-tool. He winked and mimed a "call me" to Kaidan and sat back down. Shepard smiled and raised a glass.

"Now, please be upstanding. I would like to raise a toast to friends absent, friends lost and love found. To the past for the memories had and to the future for the memories yet to come; To congratulate two of my oldest friends for finding each other. And for their impending new arrival. To Kaidan and Liara!"

The audience stood and practically bellowed the response: "Kaidan and Liara!"

Shepard sat and watched. The lights had dimmed in the feast-hall. he was sat to one side, Wrex and garrus chattering away beside him. The party was going well - slow music chimed across the room and in the centre kaidan and Liara swayed, lost in each other and the faint hum of the music.

Councillor Victus slumped into a chair beside him, watching the pair. He heard the Turian chuckle faintly and raised a half full glass to the man.

"Glad you're enjoying yourself Councillor."

"Adrien, please. formality all the damn time, I think we've earned first names by now."

"And now you sound like you're flirting."

The Turian barked a laugh and shook his head, "I could do worse. But no, I have to deal with so many damn politico's, so many knives and plots. It'd be nice to just sit and talk… to a friend."

John Shepard looked across at the man and arched an eyebrow. He managed a smile, "Thank you… Adrien. It's been a damn long time coming, but we're getting there." He sighed and sipped at the drink in his hand; for a moment his eyes saw nothing. Adrien was silent too, watching the slow flow of the dance before them. When he spoke, his voice was quiet.

"We have to enjoy moments like these, John. There's always a new front, always something…"

Shepard gave him a frown, "That sounds like the voice of defeat. Not the Adrien Victus I met on Menae."

"I hate politics Shepard. I'm a damn soldier. All clean lines and battle-fronts, lines of sight. At least the enemy has the decency to attack…"

"Except where they feint. Except where they offer false flags? You're being disingenuous Councillor: battle is nasty and dirty and sneaky. Double crosses and people clawing each others' eyes out for any advantage," he took another sip, relishing the burn of the alcohol, "At least in politics you get to see them squirm more."

"This idiocy with the dalatrass…"

"...is for tomorrow. Let it lie for now. Wrex knows. You know. The Free Salarian Republic knows. For one night, Adrien, just enjoy a drink, find some company and dance."

As if summoned, a blue skinned figure in a form hugging dress appeared from the crowd. She eyed both the men, her eyes settling on Victus.

"Care for a dance with the Father of the bride?" Matriarch Aethyta's mouth curved into a grin. Adrien Victus' mandible's flared into a smile of his own. He inclined a head to Shepard.

"If you would excuse me, Spectre-General."

"Knock yourself out, Councillor. Councillor Aethyta… please don't break him."

Liara's father chuckled and placed a hand on her hip, "As if. He may be a little bruised however…" she bumped a hip against Victus who stumbled, but recovered admirably. Shepard chuckled as he watched them adopt a formal pose and join the dance. He leaned back and just savoured the peace. No gunfire; no distress signals; no fear.

Arms draped around his shoulders. Lips pressed against his cheek. A lithe figure trailed hands across his shoulder, moving into view before settling herself comfortably into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her.

"Hey you."

"Hey yourself… talking politics?"

"Trying not to. Thank god for fathers' in law."

Tali laughed, a soft sound amidst the music and susurration of noise in the hall. Shepard noticed Wrex and Garrus pointedly ignoring them. In the background Kasumi was laughing with Shala'Raan. Grunt, the tank-born Krogan, was in deep discussion with james Vega over something very important. The large pile of bottles near them indicated how deep their discussion evidently was. Shepard felt Tali lean her head into the crook of his shoulder.

Peace.

"You know, I can't believe it's been…"

"I know..."

He nodded slowly. It felt so long ago - barely two years or so. He tried not to count; that would feel like it still had a hold on him. The nightmares were no more at least. Patient arms had held him, gentle murmurs in the dark had reassured him. And he had helped her too; a reassuring presence, a reminder that not everything had been broken. He felt her shift in his lap, heard her sigh.

"Here I am, draped on my human... my father," she quirked a smile at him, eyes soft, "Father would be so proud of you."

He paused as he felt her hand touch his cheek. He looked down and saw her eyes staring at him. Even now she still trembled, as if he was going to vanish; shatter and disappear from her. He squeezed her gently and felt her relax. His voice was soft when he spoke.

"Someone's been having Turian brandy."

Tali tried to look defiant, but now deprived of the mask to obscure her face, her expression were a little harder to pull off: her sly grin breaking out almost instantaneously.

"Maybe. Kasumi is a bad influence. So is Miranda."

"What can I say - I build excellent social groups."

Tali tried to press closer to him, humming contentedly, "True. And I owe Miri a damn sight more drink-wise. There's a debt I'll be paying off for ages."

"Sorry to have put you out so much."

He smiled softly at her - those sort of jokes had to be done carefully. She didn't always appreciate them. This time she just swatted his chest.

"I would pay it a thousand times over. You know that, bosh'tet."

"You know, you still haven't told me what that means."

"It's a ploy to keep you with me - you keep asking, you won't disappear."

He looked her full in the face then. He saw the fear there, still. The guilt. Every time she saw him limp, he saw her swallow. He ran a hand along her jaw-line and smiled. Shepard saw her searching his gaze, as if trying to see the lie, trying to find the trap that would doom her again to a future of emptiness. He pulled her close.

"Never. Never again."

She relaxed, settling again. He felt his hand trail down to her abdomen and press there, protectively. her hand settled over his and squeezed. Memories of lips and tightly wrapped sheets, gasps in the night; loss and recovery gulped in equal measure. Two souls finding each other once more.

"Worked too hard, fought too long, lost so much. Not again, Tali'Shepard nar Rayya vas Rannoch. Not letting you go ever again. Thought I'd made that pretty darn clear."

He felt her adjust herself, her voice a thrum of contentment. He had to swallow and gave her a little look from the corner of his eye. She merely arched an eyebrow innocently. He cracked a smile and they turned their gaze back to the feast. Friends dancing amid colour and light; the sight of laughing, smiling faces; the fear now long-fled. Contentment and happiness settled on the crowd.

"We are here. We survived. And we have so much more time. I love you."

Tali turned her head and lifted herself, pulling aside veil and face-mask, planting a kiss against his lips. She pressed hard against him. When they drew apart, they were both nearly panting. She smiled at him.

"Keelah se'lai."

And there we have it. An ending of sorts. Some of you may choose the former chapter for a better flow. But i think this works too.

Expect more to fill out this universe. Spot the not so subtle hints!

Feel free to PM me with questions, corrections, suggestions etc. I am looking at forum options, should I ever generate enough information / story / ideas!

Quite sad to wrap this one up - I do love the characters, but I don't want to overschmaltz. Or torture them for too long! I think they've earned some form of peace by now.

Or at least a regularity to the insanity.

I would like to thank:

Nightstride

V-rcingetorix

Way of the Sheika

The Sneaky Fox

Your feedback and kind words made this even more a pleasure.

Also, thank you to all who gave me reviews - always helpful and always an honour. It is truly humbling to realise I impacted people, even in a small way. I hope i can continue to entertain.

If you have ideas or suggestions about what you'd like to see from the characters, please feel free to tell me. I can't promise I will follow through, but I always like to bat ideas around!

All the best,

Praetus