EARTH
The room is spinning but she doesn't care or even notice as he finishes on top of her. She grabs the back of his neck and pulls him to her mouth for a final taste. Her blue fingers thread through his jet black hair. She stops and just stares at her hand in his hair, the black against blue.
"What is it with you asari and your fascination with hair?" he says.
Mia rolls her eyes and looks away.
He kisses her chin, "Why don't you ever do that mind thing with me?"
Mia pushes him of her. He starts to lean down again but she pushes me harder so he gets off of her entirely.
"Sorry, sorry, geez."
Mia sits up and takes a swig of day old beer and grimaces at the taste.
"What's with you?"
"You need to leave now."
The human man quickly grabs his clothes and gets dressed. He stops to stare at Mia when she stands up. She is fully naked and beautiful. She leers at him which makes him dress that much faster then quickly walks out of the bedroom and out of the apartment.
Mia puts on baggy sweatpants and a t-shirt that is too big for her. She walks barefoot into the family room and cringes at the sight in front of her. The couch seems to be missing a cushion; there are empty beer bottles all over the room. Some bottles actually made it onto the coffee table others not so much. She grabs the garbage can from under the kitchen sink and starts throwing the bottles out. "Damn it!" She steps onto a wet spot on the carpet and looks under the coffee table and finds a bottle that tipped on its side. "Shit."
The front door opens. "Well holy shit."
Mia looks up at her human roommate Donna.
"What the fuck Mia?"
"What?"
"This place looks like shit."
Mia rolls her eyes and continues throwing out bottles, the glass clanging together makes her wince. A headache has begun as they often do in the morning, she hates mornings.
"Was that Clay I saw?"
"Don't start Donna."
"Hey." Donna stops Mia's hand and touches her shoulder until Mia looks at her. "What are you doing?"
As if it is obvious Mia shrugs off the contact and says, "Cleaning what does it look like."
"You know what I mean. Why do you keep doing this to yourself? I mean look at you. And you're planning on going to Thessia tomorrow? How exactly are you going to pull that off? Are you going to tell them that…"
"Stop, please." Mia sits letting the garbage can drop causing more noise, her hand rubs her forehead.
"You were doing so well Mia what happened?"
"Donna," Mia holds up her hand, "please." She won't look at her.
Donna sighs. "You have another headache?"
Mia nods.
Donna walks into the kitchen and grabs her bag. She pulls out a small black case. She sits across from the asari and waits.
Mia finally looks up at her. This is a song and dance the two have been doing for over six months now. Mia makes progress for a month then slides back, one step forward and two steps backward.
"You need to start taking better care of yourself Mia. The drinking, the …it has to stop."
"I don't need a lecture Donna."
"Yeah Mia you do. When's the last time you took a shower? I mean look at yourself."
Mia glares at her. "Are you going to give me the stuff or not?" Mia shuts her eyes tight, her head is pounding.
Donna looks down at the small black case. She pulls out a syringe. "You're dehydrated Mia you need water."
"I need what is in that and you know it. Now stop fucking around and let's get on with it."
Donna looks at her, "This is the last time Mia. It has to be. You need to stop."
Mia does not reply. She has heard this before.
"Have you told your family yet?"
"They don't need to know Donna." Mia stares hard at her roommate. She doesn't like these lectures and they are happening way too often.
Donna stands and holds out her hand.
Mia lifts her arm then holds up her sleeve off her shoulder. She doesn't flinch when the needle pricks her skin. "You have to tell them Mia."
"No I don't."
"How are you going to manage the trip?"
"I'll manage." Mia stands and sways a little then sits again. She holds up her hand when Donna bends closer, "I'm fine."
Donna sighs, "Fine. Then clean up this mess."
THESSIA
The sun is starting to peek over the horizon. Shepard loves this time of morning when only the birds seem to be awake. She is running on the path she often takes that leads to the backyard of her home she shares with her blue beauty Dr. Liara T'Soni.
It has been five years since the family has seen Mia, their second oldest child. Her daughter had a rough skyball season this year, her worst yet. Her performance has gotten worse as each season passes, Shepard wonders if she will be traded or worse cut. She has been worried about her daughter ever since she left five years ago. It was a terrible time and Mia was not interested in support from her family or any kind of affection. She always thought she would have to worry about her oldest Raina due to her ability to sense or see things before they happen or even Eva after she was brutally attacked by a Batarian Slaver. Her youngest, Little A, named for the late Matriarch Aethyta was never one she worried about because of how crazy smart she was growing up, she was also street smart, but Mia, Mia turned a corner and never got back on track. She changed. Mia shut down and Shepard knows it is because of what happened to her so many years ago with Shadow, an Ardat-Yakshi who tried to kill her, an Ardat-Yakshi who forced her closest friend and at the time love of her life, Dava to tie her up so she could be beaten.
Images of her daughter's pained face flash in front of Shepard as they often do when she is on her last sprint toward home. She hopes this upcoming visit will give her the opportunity to reconnect with her daughter. She has lost touch, not by lack of trying, but Mia hardly takes their calls anymore. The only one that Mia talks to from time to time is Little A, but she won't divulge a confidence and Shepard would never ask her to.
Reaching her backyard Shepard sees Liara in her robe waiting for her with a bottle of water and a towel. This is their morning ritual; at least it has been for the last few months. Liara is still the Shadow Broker but is doing her best not to let it interfere with being a wife, mother or friend.
"I know that look," says Liara.
Shepard takes the towel and wipes her face before grabbing the water and practically draining it in seconds.
"Are you okay?"
"Fine," Shepard says between deep breaths.
"I do not believe you Elly."
Shepard doesn't say anything, what's the point. Liara knows her better than she knows herself.
"I am sure Mia is still coming. I have not heard anything to the contrary."
"Doesn't mean she won't change her mind last minute."
"Eva is about to give birth Elly, I don't think she will want to miss that."
Eva and James have lived on Thessia for nearly a year now. James could not take his job anymore back on Earth. No matter the stories he wrote he never got the recognition he felt he deserved. During a visit two years ago, Valya who is a police Detective mentioned an opening at the Thessia Times. Eva told him to check it out which he did. He was shocked that he got the job, a human man writing for an Asari news organization. Now he is covering the cases where the police get involved so he sees Valya a lot as well as her bondmate Akira. The Medical Examiner and Valya were bonded a year ago.
Shepard lets out a long breath, "I hope you're right Liara."
"I have prepared her room."
"Oh honey, she's staying will Little A."
Liara looks down. "I know."
Shepard reaches out and touches Liara's shoulder, "Are you okay?"
Liara looks at her with tears in her eyes. "I feel as if a total stranger is coming to visit and I don't know how we got this way. I don't know our own daughter Elly, how did that happen?"
Shepard opens her arms. Liara closes the space instantly. Shepard smiles as she holds her tight. It amazes her how her blue beauty so refined and sophisticated can hug a smelly, wet, sweating woman like her. "I don't know honey, but we will get through it."
Liara nods her head and steps back. She wipes her hands on Shepard's towel.
"Sorry."
"I knew what I was getting into when I hugged you Elly," Liara says with a smile on her face. "Time for a shower." The asari turns to head back inside.
"Can I join you?" Shepard stops cold when she sees Liara's robe fall to the ground.
Liara looks over her shoulder, "No need to ask."
Raina feels the soft breeze on her cheek like a perfect kiss. She is on vacation with Jess and today is the day they return.
"You awake?"
No reply.
Jess lies down beside her and strokes her arm ever so softly that goose bumps form. "Not awake huh? Are you sure?"
Raina tries to sink her face further into the pillow. "I don't want to get up. I'm not ready to go home."
"I know." Jess kisses her bare shoulder. "It's going to be okay you know. Raina?"
No reply.
"Raina?" Jess pulls her shoulder back to look at her. She grabs her chin gently. When Raina looks at her she sees tears in her eyes. "What is it?"
Raina shakes her head.
Jess holds her. "You can tell me."
"It's awful, it's …I can't."
Jess props up on an elbow. "You don't want to see her do you?"
Raina sobs into her hands.
Jess holds her as her body shakes. "It's okay Raina."
Raina shakes her head, "No …no it's not. She's my sister. What does that make me if I don't want to see my own sister?" Raina gets out of bed and starts to pace.
Jess bites her lip then slowly sits up. "Talk to me."
Raina stops and looks at Jess, her hands are on her hips and she is furious. There is a fire in her eyes that Jess only sees when the subject they are discussing is Mia T'Soni. "I already told you."
"Not really you haven't. It's okay to not want to see her Raina."
"I …I can't…" Raina turns her back and crosses her arms.
Jess stands and wraps her arms around her waist and leans her chin on her shoulder. "It's okay if you're afraid."
Raina steps out of the touch and turns quickly, "I am not afraid I am furious! She shut me out of her life! Seeing her will just….just…." she looks away.
Jess waits. Though they have been together a little over five years, it is difficult for Raina to express her feelings, seems odd since her profession is helping others do just that.
Raina turns and looks Jess in the eye, "She could ruin everything. I don't even know who she is anymore. She stopped taking my calls over four years ago and she hardly writes. Now all of a sudden we are just supposed to welcome her with open arms all because Eva is having a baby?" She crosses her arms again. "She is going to ruin everything. She will taint the arrival of my little niece, the family's first grandchild. Goddess I cannot believe the words coming out of my mouth! What kind of person am I?"
Jess reaches for her but Raina steps back, the Psychiatrist is not very good at receiving comfort. "Raina," Jess uses a calm tone with a hint of warning. "Stop shutting me out please."
Raina looks at the distance she just moved from Jess and tears spill over her eyes and down her cheeks. "I'm sorry."
This time when Jess approaches and hugs her, Raina does not squirm away. "We don't know what this visit will bring Raina. We need to think positively right?"
Raina clutches at her as she cries.
"What is it? Please tell me."
Raina leans back and says, "I'm afraid. I don't know why but I am so afraid."
Jess holds her tight wondering if this is just nerves or if Raina senses something.
"Dr. T'Soni?"
She doesn't hear.
"Excuse me Dr. T'Soni?"
Little A turns to see a young asari standing in front of her. She kneels down to be face to face, "Yes honey?"
The little asari reaches out and touches Little A's white coat, "Thank you for saving my Ma Ma." Before she can brace herself the young asari throws her arms around her.
"Honey, honey," a male Quarian pulls at the young asari, "I am so sorry Doctor T'Soni."
Little A smiles and lifts her hand to the Quarian. She remembers the asari woman that she saved. It was almost twenty hours ago and she is just heading home after too long a shift. She hugs the young asari and kisses her cheek. "You are quite welcome, but I did not help her all by myself."
The little eyes are wide with mouth open, "You didn't?"
Little A smiles and squeezes her little blue hands, "I had lots of help from other Doctors and Nurses too. Your Ma Ma is very strong. I bet she cannot wait to see you."
The young asari nods her head then walks over to her father to hug his leg.
Little A stands up. She feels like she has been awake for days. Thessia Medical had over five emergencies last night and she was there for every one of them.
The Quarian reaches his hand out, "Thank you Dr. T'Soni, for everything."
Little A takes his hand. It reminds her of Rael, the Quarian son of Tali she had a crush on when she was so young, "You're welcome."
The Quarian nods his head then hand in hand leads his young daughter down the hallway.
"You heading out?"
No reply.
"Yo, Thessia to T'Soni."
"What?"
"How long have you been here?"
Little A reaches out and grabs Malia's arm. "Too long." They start to walk down the hallway that leads to the exit.
"You look awful."
"Gee thanks Malia."
"Don't mention it. "Say hi to Kaya for me. When are you bonding with her anyways?"
"Excuse me?"
"If you don't hurry up and ask her I will."
"Very funny." Little A pushes a little harder than a play push.
"Kidding, just kidding. Don't sick your father on me."
"Don't worry, she will have to get in line behind me you keep saying stuff like that."
As they walk they fall into a comfortable silence. They have been good friends for three years now, Malia transferred in from a hospital located on the other side of Thessia.
Until five years ago Aethyta dabbled in medical courses but when she declared that to be her main focus of study, the asari excelled very quickly. She is currently in her first year residency; she will serve two more years as a resident before becoming a full-fledged doctor. Her current rotation is the Emergency room and so far she likes it. There is hardly a dull moment, but she could live without the twenty hour days.
"I feel like I could fall asleep right here."
"When are you back on?" asks Malia.
Aethyta stops.
"What is it?"
"I forgot to check the schedule." She turns to walk back inside the hospital.
"No no," Malia turns her back toward the parking lot. "You can check your omni."
They reach Little A's sky car. The asari checks her omni. "Oh thank the Goddess."
"What?"
"I don't come in for eighteen hours."
"Wow lucky you. Are you sure you are okay to fly home?"
Little A yawns, "What?"
"That's what I thought." She grabs Little A's arm and pulls her to the sky cab area. There is usually one or two in front of the hospital no matter the time of day.
"Where are you taking me?"
"You are taking a sky cab home. I don't want you getting into an accident Aethyta."
"Sir yes Sir."
Malia waves at the sky cab and leads Little A to the passenger door. She gives the driver the address. "Don't be surprised if she falls asleep." The asari driver nods and smiles.
"Thanks Malia."
"Is Kaya home yet?"
"Another week or two I don't remember." The asari sits inside the sky cab.
"Do you want me to make sure you get home okay?"
"I'll be fine. Just take down the cab number and call the police if I don't show up for work."
"Not funny."
Little A smiles a little as her eyes slowly close.
"See you soon. Sleep well."
Little A doesn't remember the door closing before sleep takes her.
Out of the shower James smells his most favorite smell of mornings, bacon. He has loved bacon since he was a child and Eva serves it to him once in a while. It is not a very common food on Thessia but she buys it with her parents because the Shepard/T'Soni family also loves bacon.
"What's for breakfast?" He walks into the spacious kitchen that is painted in light yellow. He always thinks of mornings in this kitchen. The sun shines strongly through the windows in the morning warming up the kitchen table and chairs. Eva has made their house a home. There is a flare of asari and human decorations throughout the two level home. He kisses Eva's neck.
"Like you need to ask." She steps away from the oven.
James turns her in his arms then kneels on one knee to talk to her stomach. "Hello little one. Are you excited for some bacon?"
"I am not having any James."
"Huh? What?" He continues to look at Eva's stomach. "No bacon for you?" He kisses her stomach, "guess that means there is more for me." He stands and kisses Eva slowly. When he finally breaks away he steals a piece of bacon that is cooling on the counter.
Eva playfully slaps his hand. "Is this what I should expect every time I serve bacon?"
"Every time." He sits down and takes a sip of coffee that is already on the table in his favorite mug. "You are too good to me do you know that?"
"Yes I do and it is one of the rare times that you my dear are right." She sets a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon down in front of him. "Toast is on the way."
"Let me get it." He starts to stand but Eva places her hand on his shoulder, "Nonsense. I am already up. You sit and eat before it gets too cold."
"What about you?"
"James just eat, I will be there in a minute."
He never likes to start eating without her across from him. His parents never ate separately in the morning, he always watched his Dad wait for his Mom before starting.
Eva sets down toast in front of him then sits down. She sighs, "You did not have to wait."
"I am not sure why we seem to argue this point every morning honey." He takes her hand in his and kisses the back of it. "I love you you know."
Eva smiles, it lights up the whole room brighter than the sun ever could. "I love you too, now eat."
They eat in silence for a time. James looks at Eva and his smile slowly fades. "You okay? Are you in pain?"
Eva gives him a small smile, "No more than usual. Our daughter is very active this morning." She has her hand pressed to her side.
James shifts off his chair and covers Eva's hand with his own. He looks up at her, "Anything I can do?"
"You can stop worrying. I am not going into labor right this second."
"I still think I should stay home today."
"Help me up."
James swallows at the sudden change of subject but he stands and helps Eva up.
"We have been through this. I have my bag by the door. You have a bag in your sky car so we are covered. We have everything under control James, you are making me nervous."
"I'm sorry…I..well I am new to this."
"And I'm not?" That comes out harsher than she meant. "Sorry."
"No, you're right. I know we keep having this conversation and I'm sorry, I will try to do better."
That is what you said yesterday and the day before that. Eva cups his cheek in her hand. "Please try James."
James takes her hand and kisses the palm. "I will." His eyes drift to the clock like they do every morning.
"Go, don't be late," says Eva before he can apologize again.
"Are you going to see your mother today?"
"I am not sure, I think so why?"
"Just curious." He grabs his bag which is by the front door. He turns to his wife, "Call me if you need anything."
"I will and try not to worry."
He gives her an apologetic smile, leans down and kisses her tummy then stands and kisses her on the lips. "I love you."
"Love you too." Eva closes the door and lets out a long sigh of relief. She quickly takes care of the dishes then lies on the couch, her favorite morning program is about to start. She never thought she would be addicted to a show, but the two hosts have different guests on and the guest today is from the number one movie on Thessia right now, Galactic Threat. She reaches for the glass of water she placed on the coffee table; she winces and grabs her side. "Calm down little one." Eva takes a few deep breaths. She slowly sits up because lying down is suddenly not very comfortable. She reaches for her water and takes a few sips. When she starts to set down the glass the pain comes again. She drops the glass.
Her vid program forgotten she tries to remain calm. She takes a few breaths, the pain subsides. This is a different kind of pain; this is not the little one kicking. She bends over to reach for the fallen glass but gives up when she can't reach it. She stands then slowly gets on her hands and knees to the side of the coffee table. She reaches the glass and sets it on the table. When she stands the pain comes again and this time she cries out.
Her heart is racing her legs are shaking. She opens her omni-tool and punches a button. "James?"
"What is it? What's wrong?"
"Oh….nothing's wrong exactly…" Eva takes in a shallow breath, "I think it's time."