[NOTE: Thane's death did not happen ]

It has been exactly a year since the Reaper threat was put to an end. After you destroyed the Reapers, you were found buried under large piles of rubble and scrap by Alliance soldiers only a few days later. People were in disarray once you were brought back to Earth; all synthetic lifeforms had been destroyed.

You were holding onto your life by a thread when you were rushed into hospital, countless doctors and nurses hoarded over you as you were brought in on a gurney. After many hours of treatment to your wounds and a blood transfusion, your recovery met a swift end as a group of familiar faces approached you. It was your squad from the Normandy.

They were able to convince the hospital staff to release you to their care, reassuring them that Doctor Chakwas was more than capable, and you were brought back home.

The familiar sound of your door swishing open shook you from your reminiscing.

"Shepard, are you ever going to leave your desk?" the soft voice of Liara T'Soni inquired. You didn't respond. "Shepard, the Reapers have been gone for a year now, you've earned time to rest."

"I can't, Liara. All these reports from Admiral Hackett need to be looked at. There's still so much to be done, including getting those damn mass relays back online."

"You haven't stopped working since we got you back to the Normandy! Shepard, the Citadel was reopened not too long ago and we were all thinking of going for some shore leave. We want you to come with us."