Chapter Text
I don't remember much that happened after the Catalyst exploded. Waking up and seeing gray ceiling was not what I was expecting.
I could feel shitty alliance sheets under me. I jolted up, and the fact that I could even do that was surprising. My head hurt but everything was fine.
I looked down at my hands and noticed, I was not bloody. I was not scarred. I was still alive and in my bed. How did I heal so fast? Or how long have I been out?
I pushed back the covers and jumped out of bed. Pulling on some shoes, I left my cabin and immediately noticed something off.
I was on the 3rd floor. My cabin should've been on the 1st but I was in the hallway where the memorial once was.
My room hasn't been here since the SR1 version of the Normandy.
Infact.. this ship looked too much like the first Normandy.
I cautiously walked upstairs and sure enough, I was seeing ghosts. Pressley was standing at the CIC table. I stormed past him and went to the bridge to see Joker was piloting the ship.
"Joker, thank god. Why does this ship look so similar to the SR1 and why am I seeing Pressley?"
Joker looked up at me with a confused look.
"Um.. because this is the SR1 Commander and Pressley is our XO."
"Huh? They rebuilt it? Where's EDI?" I asked.
"Rebuilt? Commander we haven't done anything to the ship and Who's EDI?" He adjusted his hat and looked at me again.
"Okay, I know it's your name but stop joking with me. Where's your girlfriend, Edi? How are we on the SR1 with Pressley still alive?" I looked at him with skepticism, he didn't seem like he was lying.
"Commander, I'm single. I don't even know an Edi. Are you feeling alright?"
My eyes widened with concern. Am I dreaming? I pinched my skin but nothing changed. It stung for a bit and my skin turned red so I had to be awake.
"Joker.. can you give me like the date? How long have I been asleep?" I asked, putting my hand on the console to keep from falling over.
The orange glow lit up my arms as I leaned. Something's not right and my gut was twisting in knots trying to get me to listen.
Had I slept for that long? Did Edi and Joker break up at some point and he's just trying to forget her?
"You've only been asleep for a couple hours, Commander. V.I., Can you give us the date and year in earth time?" Joker said to the air.
"It is July 21st, 2183." The V.I. said.
I leaned off the console in shock.
"Commander?"
"Either that V.I. is broken or I've done the impossible." I shook my head. It can't be 2183. That was 4 years ago. That was the day I became a Spectre.
"Um, Dr. Chakwas can you come up to the bridge? Bring a breathalyzer." I heard Joker say but I didnt register it. I looked at the orange holos trying to think how it was possible.
Did the catalyst send me back in time? I thought time travel was impossible. How would the catalyst send me back? How is any of this possible? Was the last 4 years.. a dream..? No. I remember.. I remember running down that field, I remember defeating saren. It all happened... or will happen.
"Commander?!"
I jump out of my thoughts to see Karin standing beside me.
"I..."
I tried to speak but I couldn't think straight.
"Breath on this please."
"I'm not drunk... i.."
"Please, Commander."
I blew on the thing she held up to my mouth. After I did, I turned to Joker.
"Where are we going?"
"Let's let Dr. Chakwas-"
"Where are we going, Joker?"
"We're going to Noveria."
Noveria... what happened on Noveria.. I believe it's where I killed Matriarch Benezia and released the rachni queen.
"That means we've picked up Liara right?"
"Yes, Commander she's down in her room. Joker the Commander is not drunk or high." Karin told him.
I went off to find Liara, Joker sending Chakwas with me.
"Shepard, are you having side effects to that beacon?"
I ignored her and stormed into med bay.
"Shepard?" Dr. Chakwas kept trying to get my attention but I only had one thing in mind.
Find Liara.
I burst into her office to see a young Liara at her seat.
"Liara!" I said.
She jumped before standing up.
"Goddess Shepard, you-"
Before she could finish, I gripped her tight into a hug. The last I had saw her was getting on a ship injured and me saying that I loved her.
I needed this.
"Joker says, She's acting strange." I heard Chakwas say.
I pulled away from Liara. It was a little blurry through my teary eyes but I could see her big blue eyes staring at me, but in confusion. That's when I realized.. I'm not dating this woman yet. She barely knows me
"Liara, meld with me." I said
"What?!" Both women exclaimed in shock
"Liara, I know you barely know me. I know how special that is meant to be. You'll understand once you've done it, I promise. I think I've... done something incredible.." I looked her in the eyes and she looked like she was thinking it over.
"Shepard we should maybe have you lie Dow-"
"Okay." Liara said interrupting the doctor.
"What?" Dr. Chakwas said.
"I'll do it." Liara said.
I smiled and began to relax. I closed my eyes and heard her say the words I've heard so many times.
"Embrace Eternity."
I opened my eyes to see us inside the meld. We were inside my head.
"You need to look at my memories." I said
I went to the shining light and went to touch it. Liara followed me and gasped.
"What is this?"
"I woke up in my bed after this memory. It appears I've went back in time. I didn't want to believe it but.."
I didnt finish my sentence as I saw Liara looking at a memory of herself and me. It was before the mission on Illos. When we decided to first have sex. She looked at another memory that made me looked down at the 'ground' the memory of me telling Liara I loved her for the last time when destroying the reapers.
"That's why you hugged me so tight when you saw me.." Liara looked at me and I looked into those big blue eyes I fell in love with.
"We were dating.. i.. Shepard this is... unbelievable. The..
Catalyst? Sent you back in time!"
I heard Liara gasp and I opened my eyes.
"By the goddess!"
The Doctor came over and Liara waved her hand.
"Shepard! This is spectacular! You've been given a second chance."
"Should I go?" Karin asked.
"Please.." I mumbled.
She nodded and Dr. Chakwas went back into med bay. Liara's office doors closing behind her.
Liara put her hand on my shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Shepard. I... I do like you. Yet, I'm not her.. I'm sorry if it takes some time to get used to." She played with her hands and I grabbed them softly.
"Hey, take all the time you need.. I can wait but I need your help. You might be the only person who will believe me." I said with a sigh.
"It seems like the council.. didnt listen to you anyways." She said somberly.
I shook my head and slowly let go of Liara's hands.
"We can stop Saren, before it's too late." I said.
Liara rubbed an arm against her forehead.
"Okay.. please-"
"Give you time. I understand. I'll figure out something." I said and then I backed out of her office.