MeredithvL
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Poll: Should I continue posting chapters of "A soldier's heart" whenever I have the time to write them? (Please read the foot note at chapter 5 of "A soldier's heart" before replying). Vote Now!
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Joined 04-26-12, id: 3960947, Profile Updated: 07-25-13
Author has written 6 stories for Mass Effect.

I'm a graduate student in Physics, at the University of Buenos Aires.

Update: I'll update Symphony of grief and hope at least every other week but I cannot promise anything regarding my other stories. I SO wish to finish Control the Storm, but I really need to organize my notes for it, I'm trying to find the time.

I love Mass Effect, I can't stress this enough. I started reading fanfiction on this site only because of Mass Effect, and because I was dissatisfied with ME3 ending. That's why I started my own stories, I just can't accept that what happened is was the game showed us. It was such a perfect game until the last 10 minutes!

My feelings about the Extended Cut? Angst! I'm fine now, however. I liked the EC, if you haven't played it, do so, but be prepared to cry. A lot.


The stories I'm writing are about Commander Melody Shepard, spacer, war hero, mostly paragon with some renegade outbursts. Right now I'm focused on Symphony of grief and hope (SGH) and A soldier's heart (ASH). Both take place after the ending of ME3, before the Extended Cut was released. Because both stories are about the same character and happen at the same chronological time, they'll of course be connected, but each should expand into the other. If you want to read only one of them you should be able to understand it, I'm writing with that in mind. I decided to keep them as separated stories because they have a different mood, and they are really telling different things about Melody Shepard. SGH focuses more on her actions, and ASH, on her feelings.

I also added another story following some events in SGH but told from other characters point of view. It's called This is about survival (TIAS). Again, there is no need to read any of my other stories to understand this one. You will find action in many chapters of this story, not in all of them though. I never thought I'd actually have fun writing action scenes. I hope you like them.

Oh, and Alone on the green world is just a one shot I stumbled across inside my mind, and demanded to be written before it would let me go on with my life again. So, there.

I also have a lot of other ideas to write set on the Mass Effect universe. I don't know if I'll have the time, though.

I'll borrow a disclaimer I saw here: I own nothing, Bioware owns everything... including my soul.


Short chronological guide for readers of both Symphony of grief and hope (SGH) and A soldier's heart (ASH).

Chapter 1 and 2 of ASH happen during chapter 14 of SGH.

Chapter 3 of ASH takes place after chapter 16 of SGH.

Chapter 4 of ASH takes place after chapter 23 of SGH.

Chapter 5 of ASH takes place after chapter 30 of SGH.


Short chronological guide for readers of both Symphony of grief and hope (SGH) and This is about survival (TIAS).

Chapter 1 of TIAS starts before chapter 1 of SGH.

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Waiting by TheAngelStrikesBack reviews
Some say that waiting is the hardest part. Apparently those people have never experienced what comes after. Sometimes, however, a few are lucky enough to have someone help pick up the pieces. Story of the C-Sec officer and refugee girl.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Drama/Crime - Chapters: 25 - Words: 119,423 - Reviews: 104 - Favs: 107 - Follows: 87 - Updated: 8/26/2018 - Published: 3/19/2012 - Complete
The Blood Dimmed Tide by Jeitiiea reviews
The evolution of Shepard and Garrus' relationship through the events of ME2.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Romance/Adventure - Chapters: 23 - Words: 154,943 - Reviews: 270 - Favs: 427 - Follows: 510 - Updated: 4/2/2018 - Published: 2/19/2011 - Garrus V., J. Garson
The Siege of Shanxi by Made Nightwing reviews
2157: The Turian Hierarchy launches a secretive war against a new species known as 'humanity'. The first major battleground is the outlying colony world of Shanxi, defended by the 3rd Garrison Division of the Systems Alliance Marines. With overwhelming odds against them, the hopes of Shanxi rest with the fledgling Alliance fleet...and unlikely allies within the ranks of their foes.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Adventure/Tragedy - Chapters: 45 - Words: 237,786 - Reviews: 636 - Favs: 703 - Follows: 688 - Updated: 2/13/2017 - Published: 7/8/2011 - Complete
Sound the Clarion by Amber Penglass reviews
In the chaos of the ongoing First Contact War, the Alliance is contacted by a resistence cell comprised of captured humans on Palaven, and Shepard is drafted for a covert mission to make contact. Her cover lands her where? The Vakarian household, of course. Shepard/Garrus, AU.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Sci-Fi/Romance - Chapters: 21 - Words: 153,255 - Reviews: 890 - Favs: 1,110 - Follows: 1,026 - Updated: 6/1/2016 - Published: 8/12/2011 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Intercept by Plantress reviews
Post ME3. Hannah Shepard runs into Garrus Vakarian while visiting her daughter in the hospital. Dealing with her daughter's alien boyfriend is the last thing she expected to be doing that day.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Drama - Chapters: 7 - Words: 80,677 - Reviews: 61 - Favs: 198 - Follows: 298 - Updated: 10/6/2014 - Published: 5/13/2012 - Garrus V., J. Garson
Galaxy at War: N7 by iBayne reviews
Follows the N7 teams of the SSV Cambrai as they wage war on Cerberus and the Reapers. See the first chapter for details on submitting your own characters to the storyline . Mild coarse language/depictions of wartime violence.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Sci-Fi - Chapters: 532 - Words: 694,563 - Reviews: 2933 - Favs: 307 - Follows: 283 - Updated: 8/6/2014 - Published: 4/5/2012 - OC
Enough by kesla reviews
Garrus, Shepard, and a hell of a lot of banter. ME2 setting with throwback to ME1; friendship and eventual romance with emphasis on dialogue and character development. Rated M for language.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Friendship/Romance - Chapters: 9 - Words: 25,301 - Reviews: 38 - Favs: 71 - Follows: 100 - Updated: 6/9/2014 - Published: 4/13/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V.
Things Change by MadSix reviews
After defeating the Reapers, Commander Shepard falls into a five-year coma. When she finally wakes, she finds she's lost more than time. Alternate ending.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Angst - Chapters: 15 - Words: 23,197 - Reviews: 273 - Favs: 193 - Follows: 335 - Updated: 5/30/2013 - Published: 5/14/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V.
Reminiscence by anonymous moose reviews
"Primarch Vakarian? Uh, sir? I'm here to ask you about Commander Shepard." Shepard/Vakarian.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Angst/Humor - Chapters: 46 - Words: 104,927 - Reviews: 428 - Favs: 622 - Follows: 696 - Updated: 4/6/2013 - Published: 4/6/2012 - Garrus V., J. Garson
Amity in the Stars by Sprightly Grey reviews
Amity in the Stars follows the characters and their building relationships that take place during ME2 and post collector base, leading up to ME3. Ellure Shepard struggles with her past and present as she marches ahead, fighting to be the commander everyone expects her to be. Along the way, she discovers an old friend who shares her scars, knows the risk, and loves her anyways.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Romance - Chapters: 45 - Words: 198,284 - Reviews: 74 - Favs: 121 - Follows: 105 - Updated: 12/12/2012 - Published: 4/16/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Danger by Elesey reviews
When Shepard accidently learns a strange secret about Garrus, her reaction is not what he expected.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Romance - Chapters: 1 - Words: 5,161 - Reviews: 10 - Favs: 54 - Follows: 5 - Published: 11/13/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Manipulations by akg.writes reviews
There was a line in one of her many psych evals about an impressive ability to compartmentalize. She supposed the psychologist hadn't been talking about her ability to dress an amputation in the field in under thirty seconds. Mass Effect 2
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Adventure/Romance - Chapters: 87 - Words: 372,788 - Reviews: 1064 - Favs: 638 - Follows: 638 - Updated: 9/12/2012 - Published: 2/22/2011 - J. Garson, Kaidan A.
Hollow Men A Killjoy Story by Bishabish
The year is 2019. Natural disasters and nuclear war has wiped out half the world's population. Survivors are broken up into two categories: those for or against the corporation trying to control what's left of the world. Wendy and her family find out just how dangerous the corporation can be when a single event sets off a chain reaction of experiences of life-altering proportions.
Misc. Comics - Rated: M - English - Drama/Fantasy - Chapters: 5 - Words: 39,883 - Favs: 2 - Follows: 3 - Updated: 9/10/2012 - Published: 7/11/2012
Silence by TinyElephant reviews
ME3 SPOILERS. Post-Destroy. There's no room for war heroes in peace time. A shattered, exhausted Shepard expected to die. Vega and Cortez, the only ones left of her old crew, won't let her.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Friendship/Drama - Chapters: 11 - Words: 29,617 - Reviews: 90 - Favs: 125 - Follows: 107 - Updated: 7/21/2012 - Published: 4/16/2012 - J. Garson, Kaidan A. - Complete
Infinite Regress by jhoom reviews
As Shepard reaches the end of her life, she finds herself suddenly thrown back on Eden Prime. Will she use what she knows to change the future, or try to preserve the timeline? Kink meme fill. Rating for sex and language.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Hurt/Comfort/Romance - Chapters: 7 - Words: 22,437 - Reviews: 89 - Favs: 160 - Follows: 231 - Updated: 6/28/2012 - Published: 11/30/2011 - J. Garson, Garrus V.
Homecoming by artistic mishap reviews
Norah Alenko wondered how she missed it. The signs had always been there, but somehow she'd never put two-and-two together. Post ME3 AU.
Mass Effect - Rated: K+ - English - Drama - Chapters: 1 - Words: 3,064 - Reviews: 13 - Favs: 48 - Follows: 3 - Published: 6/1/2012 - Kaidan A., J. Garson - Complete
The order by Cilvanti reviews
Shepard has survived the reaper attack, but what happened to her? Why is she acting so, different? My version of the ME3 ending! Rated M for smut! Femshep/Garrus romance! Final Chapter is up!
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Romance/Drama - Chapters: 9 - Words: 16,913 - Reviews: 16 - Favs: 32 - Follows: 27 - Updated: 5/26/2012 - Published: 4/11/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Before the Relay by That'sNotMe reviews
Before going through the Omega 4 relay, Garrus and Shepard have a night to remember. M for interspecies awkwardness. Fluff, too.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Romance/Friendship - Chapters: 1 - Words: 6,518 - Reviews: 13 - Favs: 76 - Follows: 7 - Published: 4/30/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Impregnable by anonymous moose reviews
Certain conversations are like mighty fortresses - you don't want to approach them without a plan of attack. Shepard/Vakarian.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Humor/Romance - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,531 - Reviews: 18 - Favs: 78 - Follows: 9 - Published: 4/28/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Partners Like You and Me by WarlordFil reviews
In an alternate universe, infamous Spectre Garrus Vakarian is resurrected by a shadowy terrorist organization. While recruiting a team for a suicide mission, he crosses paths with a figure from his past life-the Archangel. Fourth of a series.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Romance/Sci-Fi - Chapters: 1 - Words: 6,238 - Reviews: 26 - Favs: 218 - Follows: 38 - Published: 1/22/2012 - Garrus V., J. Garson - Complete
Lost Like You And Me by WarlordFil reviews
In an alternate universe, Garrus Vakarian dies in the wreck of the Normandy. As C-Sec Captain Jane Shepard struggles to learn to live without him, a shadowy figure is arranging for his resurrection. Shepard x Male Turian. Third of a series.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Romance/Hurt/Comfort - Chapters: 1 - Words: 9,891 - Reviews: 42 - Favs: 196 - Follows: 55 - Published: 10/6/2010 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Allies Like You And Me by WarlordFil reviews
In an alternate universe, Council Spectre Garrus Vakarian is recruiting for a mission against a rogue Spectre-and his top choice is C-Sec Captain Jane Shepard. AU,2 chapters, Sequel to "Enemies Like You and Me," Second of a series.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Romance/Sci-Fi - Chapters: 2 - Words: 13,006 - Reviews: 71 - Favs: 346 - Follows: 73 - Updated: 7/26/2010 - Published: 5/21/2010 - Garrus V., J. Garson
Invictus by Fever Dream reviews
Jillian Shepard travels to Palaven in an attempt to convince the Primarchs of the Turian Hierarchy that the Reaper threat is real. However, after a PR disaster concerning her unconventional personal life, complications and cross-cultural conflicts arise.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Sci-Fi/Drama - Chapters: 17 - Words: 89,571 - Reviews: 160 - Favs: 301 - Follows: 88 - Updated: 7/12/2010 - Published: 5/12/2010 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Enemies Like You And Me by WarlordFil reviews
In an alternate universe where the First Contact War never ended, Commander Shepard and Garrus Vakarian meet on the battlefield-as enemies. But destiny will not be denied... Garrus/FemShep, AU. 2 chapters. First story of a series.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Romance/Sci-Fi - Chapters: 2 - Words: 15,349 - Reviews: 101 - Favs: 781 - Follows: 148 - Updated: 5/26/2010 - Published: 5/16/2010 - Garrus V., J. Garson - Complete
Confessions and Lamentations by Selkit reviews
Squadmates, friends and acquaintances react, in their own words, to the new turn in Garrus and Shepard's relationship. Because everybody's got an opinion. Fem!Shepard/Garrus.
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Drama - Chapters: 12 - Words: 14,181 - Reviews: 171 - Favs: 391 - Follows: 122 - Updated: 5/20/2010 - Published: 3/4/2010 - J. Garson, Garrus V. - Complete
Fade To Black by R-I-C-A-R-D reviews
Post Sovereign. Captured by batarians, Shepard finds herself an unwilling participant in a brutal form of 'sport.' Her very survival is at stake as her captors aim to increase falling ratings. Complete.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Adventure - Chapters: 8 - Words: 33,785 - Reviews: 37 - Favs: 15 - Follows: 10 - Updated: 3/27/2009 - Published: 1/28/2009 - J. Garson - Complete
Sort: Category . Published . Updated . Title . Words . Chapters . Reviews . Status .

Die in your arms tonight reviews
What is so valuable about life, that everybody feels the need to preserve it? As the survivors of the galactic war have time to celebrate that death didn't find them yet, one woman will have to learn the very meaning of being human. The story is post Mass Effect 3, including content from Citadel DLC. Rated M for adult themes.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Angst/Romance - Chapters: 3 - Words: 5,167 - Reviews: 4 - Favs: 6 - Follows: 12 - Updated: 8/25/2013 - Published: 8/1/2013 - N. Dunn, Kaidan A.
Symphony of grief and hope reviews
The epic battle has come to an end. Or hasn't it? Commander Shepard had yet another vision... and this one was more terrifying than all she had since Eden Prime. Post Mass Effect 3, before the Extended Cut was out. Sort of IT but not quite. Reviews are greatly appreciated! Rating changed to M from chapter 20, for violence and adult themes. No lemons.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Sci-Fi/Drama - Chapters: 44 - Words: 122,961 - Reviews: 22 - Favs: 12 - Follows: 42 - Updated: 8/20/2013 - Published: 4/30/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V.
A soldier's heart reviews
There's only so much fight in a person. Commander Shepard is exhausted after the war with the Reapers, but she wants to rebuild the unshakable confidence she once had. She wants to live, and love. This story takes place after the ending of Mass Effect 3, before the Extended Cut was out. Rated M for language and adult situations, no smut. Reviews are greatly appreciated!
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Hurt/Comfort/Romance - Chapters: 5 - Words: 17,925 - Reviews: 10 - Favs: 10 - Follows: 20 - Updated: 7/25/2013 - Published: 7/22/2012 - J. Garson, Garrus V.
Control the storm reviews
The First Contact War had been going on for years, and there are no signs that it will stop. Humanity doesn't know of other alien races than the turian, and they have no clue of why they were attacked. Marianne Brice, a human soldier, is captured by the enemy. AU with no Reapers and OC only. Rated M for language and adult themes.
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Drama - Chapters: 3 - Words: 6,896 - Reviews: 11 - Favs: 16 - Follows: 28 - Updated: 1/30/2013 - Published: 11/17/2012
This is about survival
The war for the galaxy had many heroes. Their stories, their fights and their life afterwards deserve to be told. Post Mass Effect 3 from various characters - cannon and OC - points of view, except for Shepard. Connected with my story Symphony of grief and hope, but can be read independently. Rated M for language, violence and adult situations. Reviews are greatly appreciated!
Mass Effect - Rated: M - English - Adventure/Drama - Chapters: 1 - Words: 2,638 - Favs: 2 - Follows: 1 - Published: 7/26/2012
Alone on the green world reviews
After the evacuation of Palaven and the defeat of the reapers, Solana Vakarian finds herself stranded in a turian colony. This story takes places after the events of Mass Effect 3, so there are SPOILERS
Mass Effect - Rated: T - English - Angst - Chapters: 1 - Words: 1,387 - Reviews: 2 - Favs: 3 - Published: 5/18/2012 - Solana Vakarian - Complete