Three months have passed since Shepard and Liara were married. The Mass Relay field testing proved successful; Shepard and Liara were one of the first groups of people to travel through them when they were officially opened to the public.

They found a beautiful three story home on Thessia near Armali where Liara grew up. The house has five bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The kitchen is a very nice size with two ovens, breakfast bar and the best appliances. The master bedroom is one of the largest rooms in the house with an attached master bath which is larger than Shepard's quarters on the Normandy. It has a whirlpool bath with jets, a separate shower, toilet and two sinks. The house itself is situated on 10 acres of land, but Shepard insisted on buying the surrounding lots as well. Liara felt this was a bit extreme, but when Shepard explained that they could prevent others from building near them and how long they plan on living in the home she agreed it seemed reasonable. They definitely had privacy, but were only ten minutes away by sky car from stores, restaurants, and the theatre, anything they needed or felt like doing, so they were not completely isolated.

Garrus helped with the move before he went home to Palaven. Tali and the Quarian fleet were the first through the mass relay after field testing. She is now with her people building a home on Rannoch. Wrex and Grunt returned to Tuchanka.

Shepard and Liara have been in their new home for almost a month now. The first room they set up after their bedroom was for Liara for her work as the Shadow Broker, duties she splits with Feron. Work has picked up now that the mass relays are working. Three of the four walls of the room are covered with monitors. Shepard refused to allow a bed in the room because she had a sneaking suspicion if there was one she would see less and less of the asari in their own bed, something Shepard would not compromise. Still it was more often than Shepard liked where she would find Liara sleeping in the comfy chair in the corner or slumped over a keyboard.

Shepard has been training with the asari commandos to get in battle shape before starting her work with the Alliance which is just one week away. Her nightmares have come back with a vengeance in frequency and intensity as the date to return to work approaches. She just chalks it up to nerves. Shepard still has no memory of anything after hitting the beam that shot her to the Citadel. All she remembers is the circular room with her, the Illusive Man and Anderson. A part of her is relieved that Liara sometimes falls asleep while working because Shepard wakes from a nightmare drenched in sweat with the bed sheets all strewn about. She feels more comfortable with her torture nightmares, where she is tied to a table helpless while the man cuts into her. Shepard still refuses to know his name; she doesn't want to know anything about the man who wanted her to suffer. She prefers the torture nightmares over her reaper nightmares any day, but still, she wished they would just stop all together. The one man that was still free, the man that planned her kidnapping, Kane, was still unaccounted for. Ashley was still charged for looking for him, but it was on the back burner as she had other assignments from the Council. With the mass replays back in action, things seemed to be getting back to normal.

Liara was working in her secure room at the house. Looking over the various monitors, Glyph her personal assistant VI informed her that she had a call from Thessia medical.

"Hello this is Dr. T'Soni,"

"Yes hello Dr. T'Soni. I wanted to let you know that Commander Shepard has been injured," said the voice.

"What?"

"She is just fine Dr. T'Soni, there was an accident during field drills, she will need a ride home and should be ready to leave within the hour."

"Okay thank you, I will be right there." Liara quickly called Feron to let him know that she would not be working the rest of the day or likely tomorrow. She had no idea what type of injury Shepard had, but wanted to be available to her if needed. Liara secured the room then left the house to get her bondmate.

Approaching Shepard's room Liara noticed two asari standing outside; one looked to be a doctor.

"Dr. T'Soni," said one of them.

A little out of breath due to hurrying down the hall, she said "Yes."

"I am Dr. T'Dolk, I treated the commander," she said as she extended her hand.

Liara took it, her eyes looking at the other asari that stood a few paces behind the doctor. She looked like a commando. The asari nodded to her when Liara met her eyes. "How bad?" Liara asked the doctor.

"She has a broken arm which is being reconstructed right now, bruised ribs and a mild concussion. She should be ready to leave in about thirty minutes. If you will excuse me, I will be back to take off the reconstruction device on her arm but I have other patients I must attend to."

"Of course, thank you doctor." Liara looked at the commando wondering how this happened. As if reading her mind the commando stepped closer.

"Dr. T'Soni?"

"Yes."

"My name is Valya. I am Commander Shepard's training partner."

"Please call me Liara. Can you tell me what happened Valya?"

The commando looked about the same age as Liara, well built, confident, but at this moment Liara saw in her sadness and uncertainty.

Not quite looking at her Valya replied, "We were doing our morning biotic exercises. Where we pair up and throw different abilities at each other. I throw a shockwave, she is supposed to shield it and vice versa."

Liara could tell the commando was nervous. She placed her hand on her shoulder until she looked at Liara. "It's okay, just tell me what happened."

Swallowing, the commando continued, "Well we were doing that for about five minutes. She and I shielding everything each other threw, no big deal. Then we started throwing with more force. I threw a shockwave at her and she just stood there."

Confused Liara asked, "What do you mean 'stood there'?"

"Just that. She seemed lost in thought, she was looking right through me, like she didn't see me at all. Then I saw…"

"You saw what Vayla?"

"She look…looked terrified. She didn't shield herself at all. The nearby Instructor happened to be looking at us when this occurred. She was able to shield the commander but not fully. My shockwave hit her and she was thrown in the wall where she was knocked unconscious." The commando started to tear up. "I am so sorry Dr. T'Soni, it was an accident."

Liara placed her hand again on Vayla's shoulder. "It's okay Vayla."

Composing herself she spoke, "I have really enjoyed being her partner; she is very capable with her biotics. I just don't understand what happened. We have been doing these drills for days, we had our routine. If I had used more power I …."

"Vayla, look at me."

Vayla hesitatingly looked at the infamous Dr. Liara T'Soni.

"If you say it was an accident then it was an accident." The commando nodded. "Now if you will excuse me I am going to check on my bondmate."

"Of course. I need to get back to training, if you need anything please let me know, here is my information."

Liara input the information into her omni-tool then entered the room.

As she entered the room for a split second Liara was looking at her broken bondmate after the kidnapping. Pushing the memory from her mind Liara approached the bed. "Elly?"

Opening her eyes Elly looked at Liara, "Hey."

"Hey yourself," Shepard looked so tired. Liara knew her nightmares had returned. Knew the commander was not sleeping well, she could see the dark circles under her eyes as she leaned in to kiss her on the cheek.

"So I guess I screwed up huh," said Elly.

Liara ignored the question. "How are you feeling?"

"A little groggy. Ribs are a bit sore, but the arm should be good as new soon, how are you feeling Liara?"

"Me?"

"Yeah, you slept in your room again last night; I'm worried you are not getting enough sleep."

"I could say the same to you Elly."

Elly broke eye contact which Liara. Liara was about to ask about the accident when the doctor came in the room.

"Okay, the device is done, you ready to get your arm back commander?" asked Dr. T'Dolk.

"Yep."

The doctor removed the outer casing then the main casing of the device and set it down. "I have your prescriptions here. Please take two tonight then as needed for pain after that. You were very lucky commander; by the sounds of it this could have been much worse." Shepard did not reply. "Do either of you have any questions?"

"How soon can I return to training?" asked Shepard. Liara bit her tongue.

"I would say a couple of days give your ribs and head a chance to heal. You can stop by for a checkup in let's say three days. If you check out, then I will clear you."

"Thanks Doc," said Shepard. The doctor left the room. There was a silence in the air, neither one of them spoke. Shepard grabbed her prescriptions and got off the bed, swaying a little as she stood. Liara reached for her to steady her, happy that Shepard did not push her away.

"Can you walk?" asked Liara.

"Yeah, I got it, thanks," said Shepard. Liara still held her arm to help steady her as they left the hospital.

Liara did not press Shepard on the ride home. It was clear Elly was not ready to talk about the accident plus she was nearly sleeping when the car landed at home. Liara lightly touched her shoulder, "Elly, we're home."

Shepard opened her eyes after a few blinks. Liara moved around the sky car and opened her door to help her out. Escorting her to the bedroom Liara said, "Why don't you get some sleep Elly. We can talk about what happened when you wake up okay?"

Elly did not answer; Liara knew how tired she was. Liara helped her undress, helped her put her nightshirt on and tucked her into bed. "You sleep well Shepard," she said as she leaned down and kissed her on the lips. Shepard was out the minute her head hit the pillow.

Shepard was standing ready for the shockwave Vayla was going to throw. As she saw it come barreling towards her it changed somehow. She was suddenly seeing a large red beam coming at her where there was no escape. She knew it was going to hurt when it hit her, she had no choice but to let it, she could not move. She was engulfed in the red beam that shot from the reaper. Her skin was on fire then it wasn't. Her armor gone, melted off, the hair on her arms gone. She could smell burning flesh and realized it was her own. Suddenly she was in a hallway, dead bodies lined up for for what seemed miles. Beaten and battered Shepard moved as best she could through the hallway. She heard a voice. Anderson? But how? How did he get up here?

Making her way up a ramp Shepard saw a circular room. There was a form standing at a console. Who is that, am I dreaming, what is this place? As she made her way to the top of the ramp onto the circular platform she could not move. Her mind was willing her to move but her body was not responding. Suddenly a sharp pain hit her head she buckled under it. She couldn't see straight, and then there he was. He brushed up against her shoulder as he passed her the Illusive Man.

What is going on, I don't understand, why is he here? If that is the Illusive Man then who is….

Shepard woke with a jolt yelling Anderson's name. Liara quickly entered the room, "Elly, you're okay you're safe, you were dreaming."

Elly felt a shiver crawl through her body. Her ribs ached and her head was pounding. She moved her legs off the bed to sit, hands on her head.

"It's okay Elly you were dreaming," said Liara as she sat next to her rubbing her back. "You're okay now."

Elly didn't say much at first. Wanted to gather her thoughts on what she just dreamt. The hallway was new, she doesn't remember seeing all of the dead bodies before and now she definitely knew that Anderson was with her, but how she did now know.

"He was there Liara, Anderson was there."

"On the Citadel?"

"Yes, but I don't understand how, I can't remember, damn it!" she let out a soft moan as her head did not like that it was no longer on the pillow.

"Why don't you lay back down Elly." Without responding Elly allowed herself to be guided back down on the bed. Liara left for a moment and returned with a cool wash cloth to put over Shepard's eyes.

"Liara I was stupid today," said Elly as she pressed the washcloth on her eyes and forehead.

"Can you tell me what happened?"

"It's hard to explain. I was waiting for Vayla to send her shockwave and then suddenly it wasn't a shockwave anymore."

It was hard to read the commanders face since she was holding the washcloth over it. Liara placed her hand on the commander's, "What do you mean Elly?"

Moving the washcloth on her forehead, Shepard placed both of her hands over Liara's as she tried to look at her, but the light in the room hurt her eyes. "It changed somehow. I didn't see it anymore."

Liara pressed, "What did you see?"

"It was like my dream. I saw the red beam coming, heard that deafening noise and I couldn't move. No matter what I just could not move, I just stood there and let it hit me."

To think she could have lost her bondmate to a stupid training exercise was one thing, but having Shepard imagine something that was not happening was another. Liara was very alarmed and she was happy that Shepard had her eyes closed so she could not see her expression.

Shepard sensed the tension from Liara, she opened her eyes and propped herself up on her elbow. "Hey."

Liara composing herself simply replied, "Hey."

Shepard could see the concern in the asari's face. "Okay, I will see her."

Liara was shocked. She was hoping Elly would start seeing Psychiatrist Dr. Linda Snowden. It was a name Liara received from Dr. Reed when she informed him they were moving near Armali. Dr. Reed was the physician that helped Shepard during her hospitalization from being tortured. Smiling Liara said, "I think that is a good idea Elly."

"I guess," she said with a heavy heart. "I'm not gonna like it, but that can't happen again. I could get someone killed, myself included. I am sorry Liara, I never thought something like this would happen. I mean who's nightmares actually bleed into real life, it's like a bad vid or something." Shepard laid back down as her throbbing head was not letting up.

"It may be the best thing for you right now. Perhaps you should rethink your start date with the Alliance."

"No way Liara," Elly said. "I need to get back to work."

Liara didn't want to argue, she of course wanted her bondmate home safe. But she knew the reason why she loved the commander so much is because of who she is, what she does, how she helps people. Liara knew it was not fair to make her stop even though she desperately wanted her to. "I just meant Elly, that you need to be fully recovered before you start," Liara tried to sound matter of fact, tried to not let emotion get in the way.

"Of course Liara… full…recov...ery…" Shepard slipped back into sleep.

With a light peck to Elly's cheek, Liara left her to sleep as she headed for the family room.

Liara wanted to take things into her own hands, she wanted to call Admiral Hackett to inform him of her recent injuries, but she knew it was not her place but she was worried. Instead she called Dr. Karin Chakwas.

"Hello Liara how are you?"

"I am well thank you Karin. Do you have a few minutes to talk?"

"Sure Liara, let me just….hang on," Chakwas got herself into a secure area as to not be overheard. She was on the Normandy checking over supplies. Commander Shepard was going to be onboard in a week and the crew was getting the ship ready.

"What is it Liara, are you alright?"

"Yes. I am… worried about Shepard."

"Oh?"

"Please keep this between us Karin, she would not be pleased if she knew I was calling you."

"Of course, what is going on?"

"She had an accident today during training," before the doctor could ask more Liara quickly said, "She's okay, nothing serious. She broke her arm, which has been fixed already, bruised her ribs and has a mild concussion."

"Okay, how did that happen?" asked the doctor. She does not remember a time when Shepard was injured during training, injured during missions of course, but never training.

"After talking to Shepard it seems as if she froze. She didn't see the shockwave coming toward her; she instead saw the red beam from a reaper, one she dreams about. Have you ever heard of such a thing, where someone freezes thinking they see something not there?" asked Liara.

"Well yes, but not from a nightmare. Often soldiers suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). They see or hear something that happened during a traumatic time and they flash back as if they are there in that event even when they are not."

"And you think this is what happened to Elly?"

"It sounds like it, but I am not sure. Has she not been sleeping well?"

"No, her nightmares seem to be getting worse as the date she returns to work approaches."

"Hmm. I am not an expert Liara, but it sounds as if she may be anxious about returning, perhaps fearful even. Have you talked about it?"

"When she wants to talk about it," said Liara unable to hide her frustration. "She did just have one where she is convinced Anderson was with her on the Citadel."

"Well that's good," said Chakwas.

"What do you mean?"

"She is remembering more. I think this is a good sign." Not sure what the asari wants from her the doctor just asks, "What do you want me to do Liara?"

"I am not quite sure Karin," I guess I just needed someone to talk to. "Shepard does have a doctor here that will check her out before she is allowed to resume training."

"Don't forget Liara, she has a checkup with me as well at the end of the week. She has to pass that before the Alliance will let her resume her duties."

"Of course, I did forget that. Thank you Karin, I am sorry to bother you. I just needed a friend."

"I am here for you Liara, for both of you. Please don't ever hesitate to call me, I am happy to help."

"Thank you Karin." Liara disconnected the call.

Goddess what do I do? Just be there for her, it will be enough. Why does this have to happen now, things have been so good, why must something always come up to steal our happiness? It's not stolen. Once Elly remembers everything it will be alright. What if she never remembers, Goddess. Have faith Liara.