A/N: This is where I remind you to go back and reread the short prologue included with chapter one, if you haven't done so recently.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Inside the comms room, the scanner activates and Shepard's blue-tinged form appears in front of me.

Only now do I fully appreciate the haunted, drained look he sported the last time we spoke properly. The light hasn't gone out in his eyes at least. That fire will never be extinguished.

"Shepard, good to see you," I greet him a tad formally. "Hope you don't mind me crashing this little party of yours."

The comment is light-hearted but there's no hint of that in my voice.

"Not at all," he answers, equally void of any nuance. I think we're both too exhausted for games by now. "Feeling better?"

I nod. "Much. Got a few sideways looks from Alliance brass when I offered to help, but they can't be choosy at this point."

The time for worrying about diplomatic relations or political ramifications should have passed long ago. And for all their concern about Cerberus before this war began, it's been humanity leading the charge against the Reapers. If not ironic or strictly analogous, it's certainly an interesting observation.

Truth is, Shepard's never given up on the Alliance. Whether he had misgivings or felt they were in the wrong, or even when they'd written him off, they were still deserving of his respect. He will always be a soldier in one form or another, the war has cemented that, but will he always, ultimately return to the Alliance?

He opts not to address the underlying point, instead keeping it simple. "I'm glad you made it."

On the surface it's a reserved gesture, but I can tell how much he cares. Even in those deep blue eyes, their hue softened by the vidcomm's transmission, it's clear as day. That's not making this easier…

I can't delay it any longer, I have to share what's on my mind. We play our games, act unconcerned about the danger we face, but this is really it. No more archness, no more hiding behind feigned indifference. Only if I say how I really feel, will I get an equally honest and open answer from him.

With a considerable deal of apprehension, I begin, "Shepard, I… I wanted to say goodbye."

I pause to study his reaction before I go any further.

I've given myself to this relationship and I don't regret that at all, but I can see the end.

Six months of uncertainty while he was locked up was hard enough, and this war has only exacerbated things. Ever since that fateful mission in Bahak, we've been swept along by our circumstances. Whether out of a sense of duty or responsibility or other forces outside of our control.

Even now, we're in the same city, fighting the same battle and yet forced to communicate like this. We'll always be at a distance. There's no helping that, but at least we can stop denying it.

It's easier and less painful if we end it now, knowing that we had a good run. Whatever happens, there will be no lingering doubt. We can have that sense of resolution at the very least.

"What do you mean?" he asks calmly, ever patient with others' concerns.

"If we both come back from this at all, everything… will be different."

That much is certain. You can't defy the Reapers and expect anything to remain the same. The entire foundation of the galaxy has been upended, its toughest pillars toppled.

The asari have been robbed of their overriding prominence, of their faith itself; the turians' military might has been tested and broken; and the salarians will never be viewed in the same light as before. The only reason a united front has been established is pure survival.

If we get through this, the recovery will be long and hard. Trust is at an all-time low and, ever the pessimist, I wouldn't see even that lasting long. You can count on the survivors clinging to the only things they know. They'll reform their institutions and go back to their isolationist ways.

Out of responsibility, Shepard will be compelled to return to familiar ground, to the Alliance.

As for me, I'm ex-Cerberus. That doesn't get forgotten so easily. Whether or not I'll be a scapegoat to many is one thing, but for others, the war's over, and I've already done my part. The fate of Bomer and the rest of 'Overseer' will probably be equally as troubled.

I don't have anyone except Shepard and Oriana, both of whom might as well be stamped 'Property of the Alliance' by now.

I've dismantled or sacrificed my support network, and shed my past as best I can. I gave up Erin, one of the few people who really knew me and still looked out for me. That still hurts me deep down.

Shepard and I are from two different worlds that don't work together.

Even so, I await his answer, hoping for a glimmer of something and not a tacit acceptance of our places in the galaxy. Part of me wants to have faith that we really do belong, wants to be convinced that I'm mistaken in my skepticism.

I used to jest that he brought out the worst in me, but really he seems to have instilled a slightly more optimistic outlook that tends to get obscured.

He's turned away, pacing.

"Sure, everything will change – but on our terms." he asserts, providing the sort of answer I crave. "We've been running until now, Miranda." He turns back, slicing the air with his hand. His tone is restrained but I'm not used to seeing him this animated, this passionate. "It has to stop."

I can feel myself losing my resolve once more, giving into emotion rather than rationality, idealism over pragmatism. Hearing him speak shifts the grey clouds hanging over my thoughts and allows a few rays of sun to shine through.

"I understand, I just… wish I was there. With you," I lament.

"Me too."

"I don't know what to say."

He moves agonisingly close, our foreheads only inches apart. I imagine the warmth of his breath, the touch of his lips.

"Don't say goodbye," he urges.

"Then finish this, Shepard. And find me."

"I will." He pauses and then nods as he utters two final words. "I promise."

There it is. The one thing we've both avoided for too long. The one thing I needed to hear.

Nothing more to say, we decide to end the conversation there and I look to the future.

He understands the significance and the impact held by such a promise given only now.

He's telling me it's going to be all right. And I believe him.

I do.

The End...

And there we have it. I hope that wasn't too much of a disappointment, but ending it like that was my plan all along. Those final words, to emphasise the power of that promise, was always my intention right from the prologue.

I wasn't exactly thrilled with Mass Effect 3's ending (to put it lightly) or the rest of game, really, but I could appreciate the idea behind the outcomes. Each choice was meant to be 'happy' in its own way; it all comes down to your perspective and what you take away from it. Rather than focus on the negative and picking apart people's choices, which has happened a thousand times on the BSN, I wanted to encourage something more open.

Maybe this story's weaker for it, but I'm willing to accept that. It was the goodbye I wanted.

I'd like to thank everyone that read this story, and especially those that left reviews. I am in awe of how many of you gave this a shot as well as touched by all your kind words and thoughtful criticism. Judging by the stats, I know the interest certainly waned, but those of you that stuck around definitely helped keep me going.

Special thanks to Ieldra2, who first showed support, even during those terrible early chapters and before the thing was even on this site. This initial encouragement spurred me on to expand the massive jumble of words that you see today. If you like Miranda stories, he's got some good and varied takes on the character.

And the same gratitude is owed to Awska, an equally terrific writer who has showed tremendous support throughout. I can tell her feedback drove my writing to improve immensely.

Of others who helped with various chapters during their rough stages, there are, in fact, too many to name. dpMeggers, Seracen Beta, sunzeng… If I've forgotten you, I apologise. It's entirely my fault for taking so bloody long with this story.

What now? Well, I might go back over the earlier chapters to try and bring them up to the same standard. I might add in some sort of 'easter egg hunt' in terms of references to be found in each chapter (if I'm feeling even more narcissistic). That also depends on whether that sort of stuff would interest you guys, really.

However, I will be spending most of my energy/ever-decreasing free time reading through other people's work on here to repay the favour in terms of feedback, as well as writing original pieces from now on. So unless some particularly brilliant inspiration for a one-shot strikes, this could be it. That's not to say I haven't enjoyed this, because I will miss it, but I feel ready to leave these characters and the Mass Effect universe behind and to go create something new.

Thank you, once again.