Mass Effect and its characters are property of Bioware.

This story brings together my own coping with personal loss and my love of the Mass Effect Universe. Being disgusted with how the series ended, I stumbled upon because I feel the story isn't over. I haven't written for pleasure since high school, and this is my first fanfic, so please be gentle.

According to several prophecies throughout the ancient world, December 21, 2012 will begin a period of great revelation to the people of Earth. Marking the end of the Mayan long count calendar, on December 21, 2012, the Milky Way will come into perfect alignment. Some believe it will bring about the end of the world, others believe we are on the verge of new age of enlightenment for mankind.

Well, something happened, but it wasn't a natural disaster. It was when I was immersed in the Mass Effect Universe.

December 10th, 2012

My father was fighting pancreatic cancer for the past 8 months. Whenever I spoke with my father however, he would tell me he was fine, not to worry, the treatments are working. Little did I know that he was not only keeping the severity of his condition from me, he had somehow convinced the rest of the family not to disclose to me the severity of his cancer. When I my Aunt Samantha called to inform me dad had been taken to the hospital and was in critical condition, I raced to the airport taking the first flight to Seattle. Samantha picked me up at the airport, taking me to my father's house first. As I arrived just after midnight, I would not be able to go to the hospital until 8am.

"Thank you for coming Shea, he's not looking good" Samantha looked at me with sorrow as we pulled into the driveway.

"What do you mean not good, he told me last week he was in remission!"

"I'm sorry honey, but your father is dying, initially he was responding well to the chemo, but when he went in two months ago for the last pet scan, the cancer spread to his bones and lungs."

"Why didn't he tell me it was this bad, I would have been here the whole time!" I said softly, tears forming in my blue green eyes, futilely attempting to maintain my composure, but I was losing this battle. I was never one to cry hysterically, rather to channel my feelings into something useful, but losing my father was not something I was prepared for.

"Shea, I am sorry, but that is what he has wanted. He didn't want you to see him like this. You have always been strong Shea, but he wanted you to stay in LA. You were doing so well, just starting your career at the radio station, using that beautiful voice your father gave you. He was too proud to let you see him as anything less than the strong man you grew up idolizing. And he has not been alone, your cousin has been here every other day helping him, as your father said 'better his nephew to do the dirty work than his beautiful daughter'" said Samantha, as she put her hand over my should as we walked into the house. "Now, there is nothing we can do at this late of an hour, so you need to get some sleep, I will be here in the morning and we can ride to the hospital together."

"That's alright Sam, I think I'll take Dad's car to the hospital. I want to go for a drive on the way to clear my head. You said 8am right? I'll see you in the morning"

"Are you sure Shea, you don't have to do this alone."

"I'm sure Sam, thank you for your help, but I'll be alright. Besides you can Consider it highway therapy" I attempted to chuckle, holding back tears.

"Okay Shea, but call me if you change your mind" Samantha said as she hugged me before leaving.

Upon entering the house, I went straight to my old bedroom and threw my bags on the floor haphazardly on the ground, not caring where they landed. A burning rage at the demon of cancer began to build in me as I walked to the den. 'Why didn't you tell me it was this bad Dad, I should have been here! You shouldn't have had to go through this alone!

After pouring myself a healthy glass of my Dad's whiskey, setting both bottle and glass on the end table I sat began to build a fire in the fireplace. Dad and I would always sit in front of the fireplace when I was younger, talking about everything. As the flames begin to warm the room, I sit down in my father's favorite chair. After drinking the whiskey in one gulp, I pour myself another. Tears quietly streaming down my face, I begin thinking back to last conversation we had a few weeks prior about our upcoming vacation"

" The station is doing a renovation, and we be running on barebones during the construction, so I have the December 15th through January 15th off. I've booked a beachfront bungalow just north Half Moon Bay, California. They are only charging me $500 for the entire month...It's totally off grid, no neighbors for two miles. Fully stocked fridge, restaurants and shops are only 20 minutes away, and hospitals are much further, just in case, But I'll have total peace and quiet for us Dad, so we can bring in the new year, what do you say"

"Sounds like fun kiddo, but why take your old man on a vacation when you can hang out with your friends." Dad chuckled .

"Cause its 2012 Dad! Remember the jokes we used to make when I said...if there's a tidal wave I'm just going to grab a surf board and right that sucker to Armageddon!"

"Hehe, you know that's not really going to happen kiddo, it's just a galactic alignment, no natural disasters are going to destroy the planet, but you still plan on surfing on that day?

"I don't see why not. It may be cold as hell but it will be fun for both of us! I know you haven't been surfing in awhile, but I did some checking, and if we are careful, you should be able to" I pleaded

"Always thinking of your old man eh kiddo?" my father grumbled.

"You got it!"

"Alright, guess I'm going to California for a month. You'll get tired of me after two days!"

"No chance Pop!"

This wasn't going to happen. During our the ride home from the airport, my aunt had informed me that the doctors estimated dad would pass within the next week, as his organs were beginning to shut down. At 6'5 and 300lbs my father was always an imposing man, To those who didn't know him, he may have appeared as a bear of man, someone not to be crossed. But not even his strength or courage could defeat cancer.

Here I was, barely 21, facing something I wish on no one. I continued to think about the endless nights my father and I would talk. And we would talk about almost everything, from science fiction to politics, and of course radio. Radio, my passion, kept me from my father while he was dying. Curse my fucking voice! My father himself wanted to go into radio, but never had the opportunity. My mother died when I was a toddler, so he took a job as an aircraft machinist, raising me with the help of his sister, Aunt Samantha.

After finishing the bottle, I threw the empty bottle into the fireplace, got some water, and put the fire in the fireplace out. Tomorrow was going to be hell, and I needed to sleep if I was going to drive. After taking a quick shower. I put on the clothes I planned on wearing to the hospital, laid in my bed, and fell asleep just after 2am.

I awoke to my phone's alarm at 6am. While not hung-over, as I probably should have been after all I drank, I only woke with a slight headache. Perfect, time to drive. There it was, my dad's 1969 Dodge Charger, the beast as I used to call it. True my dad's daily driver was his truck, but this was his baby. He said one day it would be mine, but I moved to California, and gas was too expensive, so the car stayed with him.

While the Charger may have looked like a trailer queen, it definitely was not. Dad built it to run. The 400 horsepower 426 hemi would be my therapy today. I needed it. To his displeasure and my request, Dad had added one detail to the car that was not really necessary, a high end stereo system. I said 'Dad I gotta roll in style! I need to be able to hear the engine true enough but I need my radio...you know this!'.

With my 120 mph 'therapy session' now over, I arrived at the hospital, just as my cousin Caleb and aunt Samantha were walking into the lobby.

"Hey Shea, I'm sorry about your dad" said Caleb, as he pulled me into an embrace.

"Thanks Cal, and thank you for taking care of Dad when..." I couldn't say any more, my voice breaking.

"It's okay, Shea, that's what family's for" he said.

"Let's go, he's on level 4, room 425" Samantha said, gesturing to the elevators.

As we neared the room, my heart was racing, blood pumping in my ears.

"You must be Shea" the young nurse said so quietly, as we approached the door I thought Dad was asleep "He's awake, but we just gave him something for so he will not be awake long"

And then I saw it. He looked so frail, he must have lost more than two hundred pounds, because he looked emaciated. His once muscular frame was now thin, tan skin ashen from the cancer.

Glancing at Caleb, Samantha and the nurse "Would you give us a minute, I have something for Shea" Dad said.

"We'll be outside, just call of if you need us" Caleb said as they walked to the waiting area.

Once the door closed, I lost it "Daddy, why didn't you tell me it was this bad?" I cried.

"Oh honey, I didn't want you to see me like this Shea. Watch me waste away, I couldn't do that to you. I want you to remember the good times we had as a family, not to remember me like this" he said.

"But I should have been here! This isn't right, I should've been here!"

"Shea, on the counter behind you is my bag, will you bring it over here please kiddo, I have something for you"

I handed him the bag, and he took out a lock box and opened it. In it were the deeds to the house, title for the vehicles, and bank account information, all in my name, as well as $50,000 cash. There was also another deed and set of keys.

"Shea, I do not have much time left, but I wanted to make sure that everything was in order for you before this cancer beats me. I spoke with your boss two months ago, and you now own the station. You will have the next year off for a sabbatical, as I know you are going to need it to deal with this entire situation. I have also made arrangements at Nelson Mortuary for my cremation. I do not want a funereal. Don't waste the money. But I want you to go on your vacation, and I want you to spread my ashes on the waves as you ride the waves on December 21st. I'm sorry I didn't tell you how bad everything was kiddo, but I did not want you to go through the emotional roller coaster of this disease. I love you, and I will always be with you, remember that."

"Thank you Dad, I love you too!" I whispered

I hugged him as best I could, then sat back in the chair, holding his hand as he drifted to sleep. About 5 minutes later, the heart monitor started beeping slower, than it flat lined. I screamed for the nurse, and everyone came in. My father had signed a do not resuscitate, so they just did their best to console me, even offering sedation to my aunt, but my cousin refused, taking me out of the room.

"It's going to be alright Shea, he's not hurting anymore"

"Caleb, let me go" I yanked out of his embrace and pushed him away "All of you lied to me! You told me he was getting better" I turned away, staring at the wall. Letting out a ear piercing cry, I punched the wall, shattering the knuckles in my index finger and thumb. I fell to my knees, sobbing, Caleb, came and sat behind me, putting his arms around me in attempt to soothe me.

"He told you why Shea. He didn't want you to see him suffer. He couldn't bear it. He said the worst thing about this disease wasn't what it would do to him, but what it could do to you. And you did nothing wrong, you were simply honoring his wishes"

"I know Cal, it just hurts. Why does this have to happen now. He was only 56, now he'll never see me get married, never see me have kids, never...God I have to get out of here. When will they have the cremation done?"

"In three days" he said, as we stood up.

"Ok, I'm going to the house, you can come over later, but please leave me alone at least until tomorrow. I need to think" I said.

"Are you sure Shea? I can come over now if you need it"

"No Cal, I just, I just need to be alone. You know me, I won't do anything stupid, I just need time." I said.

"Alright, but I'll make sure you get home in one piece, let me tell Mom where leaving" with that Caleb told Samantha we were leaving. Samantha was staying to complete paperwork with the hospital on my behalf. Caleb grabbed the bag Dad had given, put his arm around me, and walked me to the car.

Caleb drove home, I guess he thought I was in too much of an emotional state to drive. On his way he had called his wife to meet us at the house. Sarah was already at the house when we arrived and greeted us at the door

"Oh Shea, I am so sorry. I know there's nothing I can say, but know we are here for you if you need it. I know it isn't much, but I brought you some lasagna. I wasn't sure what you remembered to pack last night, so I also brought you some toiletries and put them in the bathroom. I wasn't sure what to get you, but I remembered you liked that Vanilla stuff from last Christmas"

"Thank you Sarah, you didn't have to do that, but thank you very much. I hate to be a bitch, I told Caleb that we can catch up tomorrow, but I really need to get some sleep." I sighed, giving Sarah hug.

"Okay Shea, will see you tomorrow morning." Caleb nodded, and the left in Sarah's van.

I lied, I can't sleep. I am exhausted, but sleep is the last thing I want to do right now. So Dad wants me to go on this vacation? Fine, I'll drive there. I cancelled my flights, and proceeded to go through the house taking stock of what to take with me. I couldn't get much into the Charger, so I thought to stick with basics. It didn't want any of my clothes, as most were gifts from my Dad, so I just packed the surfing gear, a shotgun, and Dad's .357 magnum. Dad always said if I'm going to the middle of nowhere, take protection, because anything can happen. I also cleaned out Dad's liquor cabinet. Dad wasn't a heavy drinker, but he kept it well stocked for entertaining.

I put all the items from the house into two boxes in the garage. Then I went to the basement. I loaded up dad's laptop with about three dozen movies, along with all the music I could put on it. I opened the safe, and took out all of Dad's cash, another $20,000. Dad always kept money in the house, he hated banks, used them, but would rather have cash on hand. I put everything into my hard side case, $2000, then headed out to go shopping. I picked up all the toiletries I would need, and I also bought several new outfits for my trip, including a new leather jacket and boots.

I changed wore one of the new outfits out of the store, new figure flattering blue jeans and halter top out of the store. With green eyes, shoulder length blonde hair, and a sultry but athletic figure at 6', some would say I was a knockout. But I have always been reserved and self conscious, especially as I had weight issues as a teenager. While walking to the car, I received several cat calls and whistles. This brought a smile to my face. 'I may be miserable but at least I look good doing it' I thought as I got into the car and drove away. I didn't consider myself pretty, but many people have said otherwise. 'It's what's on the inside that matters Shea, good looks are only an accident from going away. You make people see who you are not what you are' Dad would say. He was right.

Several days later, I piled everything in the trunk of the Charger, being sure to secure Dad's ashes in another hard side case in the backseat. The drive to California took me a little over 12 hours. Obviously I was not even considering observing the speed limits, going well over 90 for most of the trip. Once I arrived at the bungalow on the 18th, I unloaded everything into the front bedroom.

In addition to the other items, I also brought along my xbox, a portable 20" LCD, as well as Mass Effect games, ME1, ME2, and ME3. I needed to grieve in my own way, but I didn't want to go to a shrink, I didn't want to complain to Caleb constantly. That wasn't my style. Unpacking the games and console, I took them into the bungalows back room, which had a view of the ocean, and hooked the system up. I played ME1 for almost two straight days hours, only stopping late on the 20th. I was exhausted, and needed some sleep because tomorrow I would take my board out to put Dad's ashes in the surf.

I must have been really tired, because I didn't wake up until 6:00pm on the 21st. I showered, got into my wetsuit, grabbed my board and the small plastic urn with Dad's ashes, and headed out to honor Dad's final wished. I paddled out to the waves, but there wasn't much of a current tonight, so surfing wouldn't really be much. sitting on my board about 30 feet out I opened the small urn, said a prayer for my dad, and poured the ashes out. Tears, flowing, I stayed still for a few minutes to collect myself, and began to head back to shore.

Just as I started walking back to the bungalow, a bright light like a headlight suddenly shown on the bungelow, it was coming from behind me. I turned around and though I was hallucinating at first. 'Okay...no more whiskey...I'm done' I thought, because there in front of me is what appeared to be small spacecraft resembling the Kodiak from Mass Effect. I turned back around thinking I was just seeing things, and started to head toward the house, then I heard a small explosion. I turned back and the craft was now making a not so gracefull landing about 50 yards away from me. Near the beach, but still in the water.

'Holy shit' I thought, "Well," I said to myself "Guess I should make sure no one drowns" as I threw down the board and ran toward the Kodiak. As I neared the Kodiak, the door began to open and flooded with water almost immediately. I heard several women speak in a language I did not understand. Whatever they were saying, it sounded like they were in trouble, and I was damned if I was going to let anyone drown.

I made my way to the craft, with my eyes barely open, I was taken aback. The three beings were not women, but I recognized them as Asari from the game. This isn't possible, I thought, but I shoved those thoughts aside, because they needed help. They all appeared to be suffering from different injuries from the rough landing, so one by one pulled them out of the Kodiak toward the beach. Once I had everyone on the beach, they appeared to be very cold, I did my best to gesture to them to follow me into the house, and they followed me. I got everyone into the living room, gestured for them to stay, then ran to the bathroom to get my first aid kids and some brandy from the liquor cabinet.

Each of them appeared to be around my height, one was 5'11, the other two my own 6', all various shades of blue that I could not quite describe. The "short" one must have been there medic, as she was using what looked like and omnitool and applying medigel I remembered from the game to treat the other three and herself. Looks like they didn't need my first aid kids, but I offered them each a glass of brandy, which they took. I then excused myself, gesturing I needs to take off my wetsuit.

"this is impossible, " I whispered to myself as I took a brief shower to get the sea smell off of me. While changing into my jeans and t-shirt "I seriously should get some counseling to deal with Dad's death if I'm thinking Mass Effect is real" then think to myself what the fuck, at least if I'm dreaming it's a good dream...they are hot!

I was only gone 10 minutes, but when I returned to the living room they were still there. Maybe this wasn't a dream? I need to figure out how to communicate with them, because grunts and gestures only get you so far. I probably look like an idiot to them. Two of them were speaking to each other, but I didn't know what they were saying

"Lenea, you realize we would have drowned if this creature hadn't gotten us out of the Kodiak, it's now completely under water" Tiana huffed.

"But can we trust her, she was wearing what looked like a quarian's suit with no helmet? Have you ever seen something like that" Lenea.

"I think she has a nice ass" Antalya smirked.

"All of you be quiet, she's back from the other room, and she IS NOT wearing that suit any more"

"I take that back...she has a nice ass and a nice rack!" whispered Antalya.

'This is going to suck, how can I communicate with them' I think to myself.

"Oh that's easy" I heard, but no one spoke.

'What the fuck, I think I need a drink' , I grabbed the brandy bottle and took two long swigs.

"Don't drink too much" I heard again,

'Are you speaking to me telepathically, and if so how are you speaking English' I think to myself.

"We do not know this "English" but as we do not yet speak you language, nor you ours, this is the most effective way to communicate" said another voice.

'Okay, but this is freaking me out. What happened, why did you guys crash on my beach? God I'm going crazy I am seeing things and talking to myself'

"You are not going crazy and you are not seeing things. We are quite real." said the voice "We were surveying this planet and decided to come down to take some mineral samples, however upon approach one of our thrusters malfunctioned, hence our crashing on your beach. I am Tiana" the tallest one pointed to herself "This is Lenea and she is Antalya. Thank you for pulling us from the Kodiak, we certainly would have drowned if you had not"

'No problem, it was just the right thing to do. I'm Shea. So what now, are you stuck here or something since you crashed.

"No, we were able to send a distress beacon, and another shuttle will be hear within the next hour to pick us up. However, we will have to ask that you come with us. As this is an uncharted planet and your are an undiscovered species, we cannot risk others knowing we were here"

'Why not, can I at least take my stuff with me?' I joked. I still think I'm going insane, but why not play along with the dream. I'm sure I will wake up with a hangover...how much did I drink today?

"Of course, but first I would like to make it a little easier to communicate as the telepathy is rather tiring" said Tiana.

'How', I asked, raising my left eyebrow in confusion.

Tiana got up from the couch and walked over to me, as I was still standing in the doorway. She got within a foot of me, and put her hands to both temples, her pale blue eyes went black "Embrace Eternity".

"What the fuck" I said, as I felt a an minute electrical charge as she entered my consciousness. My entire life played in my mind like a movie on super fast-forward five minutes. At the sixth minute, Tiana's eyes returned to normal.

"You have a beautiful voice Shea, you shouldn't harm it with harsh alcohol" said Tiana,

"Thanks, I guess. Hey wait a minute, why can I now understand you?" I said. I must have looked like I saw a ghost, because Tiana guided me to sit in the chair I was standing beside.

"Through the meld, we are able to learn the languages you speak, as well as teach your our language. Right now we are speaking what is called Galactic Standard, but you will also know Asari, while I now know your English. You look very tired Shea, however we must prepare to get going. Please, Antalya and Lenea go with Shea and help her collect those items we will take."

"Hey what about my car, I can't leave that, its classic and its my..." I stopped before saying it was my dad's a tears formed and I turned away. My back to them, "I can't leave the car"

"I will secure your vehicle, it will be a tight fit, but we will be able to bring it" Tiana said.

"Fine, I'll get my stuff and put it in my car. I'd rather sit in my car it you wouldn't mind" I said, walking with the other two behind me toward the bedroom.

"I'm pretty much still packed because I got here yesterday, so just let me grab my stuff from the bath room and my surfboard, and you can grab those suitcases and boxes."

"I do not think you will need a surfboard in space" jibbed Antalya "There aren't many beaches on the ship"

"I'm not leaving this, my Dad made it!" I barked with a subtle anger.

We put everything in the trunk of the Charger, and I went back in and grabbed my liquor and electronics. Once everything I was taking was in the Charger, I got in and started the card.

"Man that's loud" said Antalya.

"Not that loud, you should here it on the road..she sings"

"She?" Lenea appeared confused at the reference of the vehicle as a female.

"Yea, she. Sometimes I call her the beast, but she's my beauty. My Dad' bought it back when I was born. Said it reminded him of me, I have no idea why, but hell, it's mine now"

Lenea and Antalya both got into the car, with Tiana following suit in the front seat.

"I can take us as far as the grade but I can't get completely on the beach, can the shuttle land" I said, pointing to the solid place on the beach where a vehicle would not get stuck in the sand.

"Yes, and she should be landing soon so we should get moving" Tiana said.

"I told you she was hot" Antalya whispered to Lenea.

"You do realize I can here you right" I said, laughing at the comments.

Antalya blushed, as I saw through the rear-view mirror. I raised an eyebrow, winked briefly then chuckled. If this is a dream it's a good dream.

The shuttle met us on the beach, and very carefully I pulled into the bay. It wasn't much bigger than a garage, but the car fit. I cut the engine, but left the radio on, it was playing "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton.

"I like music for my ride" I said, smiling as I put my hand behind my head and dozed off. If this was a dream, I didn't want to wake up.