No one pov.

6 laid in the medbay on his stomach as Dr. Chakwas pulled the bullets out. He was currently unconscious as this happened. Roxie laid under the bed. The entire ship was in a sour mood. The loss of a friend in such away had really impacted the crew. Joker wasn't as sarcastic. Wrex wasn't as boastful due to having to destroy a cure for the genophage. Kaidan felt as if he was to blame for leaving them behind. Garrus was upset that saren got away with this. Tali was sad to lose friends. Liara just buried herself in work just as usual to hide her emotions. Lilith seemed to take it the worst. She currently sat in her room crying. She hated making those kind of decisions. What's worse was she had to choose between the man she loved and her own brother. Her brother insisted that she save the salarian team as he and Ashley knew this might be a one way trip after getting the bomb set up. Not to mention the council had called them back saying it's time to do something about saren. That's the only good thing to happen. Lilith wished she had someone right now. That's when the doors opened showing Rex whining before jumping up on the bed cuddling Lilith who cried into the fur. Nothing felt right to her right now. All she wanted to do was go to 6. She felt as if things couldn't get worse. Rex locked her hand making her smile. Dr. Chakwas sighed as she tried her best to fix the damage that had happened to 6 but due to the augmentation in his body it made it difficult.

When they landed at the citadel Lilith took Garrus and Wrex to the tower. "And so we shall set up fleets at the edge of the terminus system and all the mass relays. Saren will not be able to enter citadel space." The asari councilor stated as Lilith listened ready to lead the charge.

"What about Ilos?" Lilith asked as the councilors looked at one another.

"Shepard," the turian councilor stated, "sarens great weapon was secrecy. Now that his plans are out in the open he can no longer operate in citadel space."

"Then send me after him." Lilith demanded.

"I'm sorry Shepard but no. The Normandy has been grounded and you've been locked out." The asari councilor stated as udina smirked.

"Sorry Shepard that's just politics."

"You son of a bitch Udina! Nobody stabs me in the back." Lilith warned as she then stormed off. Any ambassadors got out of her for fear of encuring her wrath. Udine felt a chill go down his spine while sighing.

"Shepard will be the death of me one day." He remarks leaving to go to his office at the embassies.

When Shepard arrived at the Normandy instantly noticed the engineers who wouldn't meet her gaze. She instantly went to the med bay to see 6 still unconscious on his back with bandages wrapped across his chest and torso. She felt helpless and put a hand on his cheek caressing his beard as a soft smile appeared on his lips.

"Please wake up." She plead as then turned to leave finding a spot sitting in the mess hall with her head between her knees.

"Hey commander." Joker spoke softly. "Captain Anderson wanted to meet with you in the flux."

"Okay I'm on my way." Lilith said getting up as she looked once more into the med bay looking at 6 as Chakwas was watching his life signs. She then left the Normandy with Garrus and Liara.

"I'm sorry I couldn't warn you Shepard." Anderson apologized as she sat down. "When I realized what would happen it was too late."

"You did what you could. Udina was the one to blame. So what are we going to do?" Lilith asked as Anderson sat forward.

"We need to stop Saren." Anderson stated as Lilith rolled her eyes.

"How the Normandys grounded." Lilith explained to the captain.

"I can sneak into c-sec security and lift the lockdown from there." He explained as garrus spoke up.

"That's way to risk sir." He warned as Anderson nodded.

"Is there another way?" Lilith asked.

"I can get into Udinas off since he's the one who placed the lockdown in the first place." Anderson stated as he thought about it.

"What will you do if Udinas there?" Liara asked.

"Let's hope he's not for both our sakes." Anderson said. "Which would you prefer?"

"Udinas office. It's much safer." Lilith decided. "Let's go now." Anderson nodded and jogged off as Lilith rushed back to the Normandy. When she got there she immediately went to cockpit and informed Joker. Minutes later the Normandy systems unlocked and joker flew out like bat outta hell heading straight for Ilos. Shepard went to her room to prepare. She looked down at a tablet when her door opened. She expected to see Rex but instead saw the smiling gaze of 6 on leaning in the doorway wearing only jeans and bandages.

"YOU'RE ALIVE!" Lilith jumped forward and hugged 6 who groaned in pain. "Oh shit sorry."

"Nah its Okay." 6 said as she loosened her grip. "But unfortunately I'll be out of commission for a couple weeks. Doctors orders." He sighed sitting on the bed with Lilith next to him. "Technically I should still be in med bay."

"Why aren't you?" Lilith asked.

"I asked the doc what happened on virmire. She told me everything. I insisted that I comfort you." 6 explained as Lilith looked down. "Why did you save me and Kaidan?"

"John talked to me about you a bit ago after the poker night." Lilith explained remembering.

"I don't like him." John said walking into her quarters. "He's hot headed, is to eager to get into a fight, and isn't right for you."

"Are you just saying that cause you're my brother or what?" Lilith asked semi-serious. "Do you think he's just using me?"

"Look I already know you'll have some cheeky counter so just be honest with me." John sighed rubbing his forehead. "Do you feel he cares about you?" He asked as Lilith got a bit confused.

"Yes of course."

"Do you love him?"

"What?"

"Do you love him?"

"Yes I do."

"Okay then. If you have a chance to save him do it. Even if it's a choice between me and him. Choose him." John stated.

"Why would you even say that?" Lilith asked.

"Because I may not like him but he's proven to be a decent guy at least better than some of your previous relationships." John joked. "But honestly I have a feeling he'll be more important in the long run. I just don't want you to get hurt. Especially if I can help it."

"I'll do my best to avoid that decision."

"Wait so the great grumpy John Shepard had good things to say about me?" 6 joked as they began laughing.

"Yeah. But he thought you were a better choice. Not to mention that you actually made a decent impact on him. Despite the fact you hide from him in a box."

"Not my finest moment." 6 blushed looking away. "But I didn't want to fight your brother."

"How noble of you." Lilith chuckled sadly before feeling a warm hand hold hers. She looked up to see a soft gaze coming from 6.

"Do we have a chance?" 6 asked looking into her eyes.

"I'm not sure." Lilith admitted.

"Then let's spend what could be our final night together." 6 said as they then leaned in for a passionate kiss.

"Gladly." Lilith breathed after separating for air.