HOME | DD

Description
John Shepard's funeral, to contrary belief, was a small affair. The memorial service was attended by thousands, but the funeral itself only a select few went. The people he had fought with in the war and his family were the only ones present at the funeral. Councillor Anderson, Mordin, Thane. Dr Chakwas and Jack had already died, but their pictures were there.
The funeral itself took place on Mindoir, he was to be buried beside his parents and sister. The service was held in the small church neighbouring the graveyard. Miranda, John's widowed wife, had been dreading this day. She knew even with his cybernetic implants he would die before she did. It didn't stop the shock of finding him dead in his bed. His electric blue eyes closed, she would never again see the love in those eyes.
She sat at the front of the church as the service progressed. Her two children sat beside her. Lucy, who now worked as a detective in C-Sec, let her tears flow freely down her face. She looked exactly like Miranda, all except the bright blue eyes. James, now in his last her of high school, had wrapped his arms around Miranda crying onto her shoulder. Even Oriana was crying, she hadn't known John during the war, but she made a point of being around after.
Miranda let her eyes wander across the church. Liara had her eyes closed in silent prayer, her head bowed. Most of the SR2 crew sat together on one side of the church. All stared at the priest he spoke one final quote. On the other side was the old crew, all circled around Lirara. Ashley too was praying, her lips moving soundlessly as she spoke the prayer. Tali sat sobbing into her gloved hands while Garrus had an arm around her. The Turian was staring at the picture of Shepard on the alter. His eyes tearless but sadness engulfed them. Even the old Krogan, Wrex, was silent. His large head bowed in respect to his old friend.
Miranda wiped away the tear threatening to spill down her cheeks as the priest finished talking.
"I'd like to say something," Joker said. The priest who hadn't been expecting Joker to speak first looked taken aback as the pilot hobbled towards him. Miranda too stared at the pilot as he picked up Shepard's picture.
"Commander John Shepard," he said into the stunned silence. "I never could figure out how he didn't make captain." He smiled slightly. "We all know the titles, Savoir of the Galaxy, Hero of Humanity. They're title we all helped give him. But none of them can do him justice. He wasn't only a hero, he was the best man I ever knew. He believed the best in everyone, even Udina, before that stunt he pulled with the council when we were after Saren.
"Some people called him weak, but he wasn't. He just cared about people. He made peace between the Quarians and the Geth, I wouldn't risk doing that. He sent the Illusive Man to prison when he should have killed him. He got himself blown up for me. That's the kind of man he was. He'd put anyone before himself, no matter what they'd done. Just remember your Commander now he's gone. I know I will. Goodbye Shepard."
Without looking at anyone in the room, Joker limped away from the alter. Silence fell in the small church as they all watched Joker slowly sit down by Wrex. At this Garrus got up from his seat and made his way to the front of the room. Miranda's view on Garrus had changed drastically over the course of the war. He would always be there for her and John, whatever they needed. He was the rock John needed during and after the war. There was no way John would have been able to do what he had done without Garrus.
"Shepard taught me a lot of things." Garrus said looking down at the picture now held in his right hand. "Taught me there's a difference between what's right and what's easy. Taught me innocent lives should never be sacrificed, there's always another alternative. He was the best Commander I ever served under. He could do the impossible without a blink of an eye. He never had my style but he got the job done. But more importantly he was the best friend anyone could ask for. And according to Miranda he certainly has reach." That earned a smile from Miranda. She knew what Garrus was referring to. "Joker's right, for the first time in his life, Shepard did care. He cared enough about me to save me from myself. Saved me from becoming what I despised, we're all going to miss him."
As Garrus made his way back to his seat Oriana stood up. She smiled at her sister before taking her place at the front of the church.
"I didn't know much about John during the war." She said making a point of using his first name. "My parents wanted to keep me out of it, and Miranda wouldn't have me putting myself in danger. But I do know he was a great man. You only have to look at Miranda to see that." Miranda knew what Oriana meant. Before she had met John, Miranda was a Cerberus ice queen, she didn't care about anyone but her little sister. But she had fallen in love with him. Something she thought she'd never do. Love had always been something other people found, not Miranda. She put up the 'ice queen' facade to make sure no-one got near. She had been afraid, the little girl that was afraid of the dark came out, she hadn't wanted her heart broken. Her father had manipulated her, her friends betrayed her, she had experienced enough heartache.
She hadn't heard the rest of Oriana's speech, her memories of her old life had eclipsed the funeral. Everyone was looking at her, it was time to pay her respects. She got up stiffly from the chair, feeling the comforting hand of her daughter touch her own. Miranda fought back tears as she picked up the photo of Commander John Shepard. The love of her life.
"My father always told me that love was a weakness. That you should only look out for yourself and no-one else. He was wrong, love isn't a weakness. I never knew that, not until I found John. I never thought saving the galaxy would find me happiness. It bought me the best years of my life, two wonderful children and a loving husband. John Shepard, a man you all know, but for different things. Some of you know him as a hero, others a friend, a father. To me, he was the love of my life. I hall never forget him, or what he has done. I will always love you, John Shepard." She let the tears that she had been fighting to keep hidden roll down her face. It hit her then, the fact she had been avoiding. He was dead and there was nothing she could do.