Birds of a Feather
(Based off the first and second games of the Mass Effect game franchise and I shipped Liara with my FemSheph. No, Angel is in no way interested in Shepard. Their relationship is simply…close friends. Angel helps her find her way again after the events in the second game and she feels as though her relationship with Liara is over.)
I'll never forget the day I met her. Shepard. She was tough. Hard. Of course, being an orphan could one really blame her? However, some part of me saw past that. I saw that fragile girl under the tough exterior. And that led to me become her only real friend. We stuck together a lot. Did almost everything together. And when people tried picking on us, we fought together. I guess that's what led us to joining the Alliance. Fighting for good. Getting off world and exploring the universe. Though, in my case, I really didn't last long. Defending against bullies was one thing. Shooting people and aliens? The first time I ever fired at someone and saw the blood I threw up. Needless to say, I did not last long in the training. That was when Shepard and I parted ways. I decided to go to Earth and became a doctor. A way to help those in need without causing them pain. I'd hear of her making her way up through the rankings through news but it was rare and soon, I stopped hearing of her completely. It's been years since I saw my best friend…
"What do you mean I'm going off world?" The young dark headed woman tilted her head to the side as her icy blue eyes studied the trooper in front of her.
"We need someone with the right experience to assist Dr. Chakwas aboard the Normandy."
"Wait…did you say the Normandy?"
"Yes. Its crew is led by Commander Shepard."
"Tsk. When do you want me to leave?"
"As soon as possible. They've been on some pretty rough missions and need help."
"Then I'll just pack a few things and meet you in a few minutes."
"Welcome aboard the Normandy." EDI greeted as the woman stepped inside.
"Err…thanks."
"Angel Hawkeye. Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?"
The woman turned to see Shepard and chuckled before embracing the other woman tightly.
"Rumors had it you were dead. Guess even Death don't wanna deal with you."
Shepard returned the hug and sighed deeply, tension leaving her body.
"I was afraid I'd never see you again Ang."
"Pssh. You couldn't have missed little old me that much. But, if you have the time, after I get settled I'd love to catch up."
"Sounds great. After you're settled come on up to my quarters. We can have a few drinks and talk."
"Hell yea."
Angel followed the instructions of EDI and was greeted by a few of the others. Once she entered medical to check in Dr. Chakwas walked her through it and showed her everything.
"I'll admit, this is all a little advanced compared to what I worked with back on Earth."
"Well, from what I've seen in your files, I'm sure you'll adapt quickly."
"I certainly hope so."
The door hissed as it opened and Garrus walked in, rubbing at a wound on his neck.
"Hey Dr. Chakwas mind looking at this? I think it might have gotten infected."
"Hawkeye why don't you take a look at it? Get a feel for working on someone here?"
She studied him and nodded, somewhat hesitant on how to approach him.
"I suppose I can. Forgive me for not knowing how though…never worked on a Turian…."
"I'm sure you'll do just fine. And Garrus here doesn't bite."
"Well…unless you ask me to."
He chuckled and winked at her and she smiled.
"Good to know I can be at ease surrounded by aliens."
She inspected the wound and sighed as she looked around for what she needed.
"It's actually a pretty severe infection. I dunno how it affects a Turian but this could kill a human if left alone long enough."
"Well…I guess I should be more careful on missions but I tend to forget the little scrapes."
She applied some ointment and the wound closed.
"Well, I suggest being more careful and coming in if you get hurt and aren't sure. Better safe than sorry."
"Right…thanks…err…"
"Ahh…I'm Hawkeye. Angel Hawkeye."
"Angel? Interesting name."
"Just what my parents named me."
"Well, I think it suits you. Thanks for your help."
She nodded and looked over at Dr. Chakwas.
"I promised I'd meet with the Commander. Can I go ahead now?"
"Sure."
She waved bye as she left Garrus and Chakwas and took the elevator to Shepard's quarters.
"Shep?"
"Come on in. I have your favorite."
"Ohh…girl you remembered."
"Of course I did. Come sit and talk with me sis."
Angel went and sat beside her and smiled as she picked up her glass.
"To best friends."
"Who never stopped remembering one another."
"Hell yea."
They clinked glasses and knocked them back for a few hours chatting and laughing, getting caught up with one another. By the end of it all however, they were both on the floor giggling loudly like a couple of little girls. Angel's mind was in a haze but she could remember this from when they were young.
Laying in Angel's room on the floor, giggling about anything and everything as little girls often did. But now they were both a little older. Their hair longer. Scars on Shepard's face. Angel was a great doctor. Shepard was a hero.
Things had changed. But, things had also stayed the same.
Angel had been surprised at Shepard remembering her and it was as though they had never stopped seeing each other.
Never had been separated.
This was how Tali and Liara found the two of them.
"Err…what is going on here?" Tali asked.
"Ohh…hi…hic…heheh…I'm Hawk…Hawkeye…Shep's best….friend…hahaha…"
Tali and Liara looked at one another as Shepherd tried her best to stand up.
"Shep…no…don't…it's…hic…a trap…you will…"
Shephard fell over and Angel rolled giggling furiously.
"I…hahahahaha…told you…"
"Shut…up…gigglebox…I'll…get you…for laughing…"
"Heheheh…y-you…said the same thing…when I…flew your panties…on the school's…flag pole…hahahahaha…never…happened…"
"You…you…"
"Umm…maybe we should come back later…once you've sobered up."
"D-don't worry…if it's…important…I can…get her sober…now…"
"Well…more or less…Liara wanted to speak with her…"
"Liara? Ahh…y-you're…her…partner…yup…t-that's…hic…important…"
Angel reached into her pocket and pulled out a pill and placed it on Shepherd's tongue.
"S-swallow…like…a good girl…heheheh…"
Shepard swallowed the pill and the haze she had in her head cleared out and she stood up and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Err…sorry guys. Angel and I grew up together and we caught up and things got out of hand…"
"Pssh. Girl, it's always crazy with me around."
Angel stood up as well after taking a pill herself and smiled as she ran a hand through her hair.
"I'm Angel Hawkeye. Here to follow under Dr. Chakwas. You must be Tali and Liara. When you have a chance please, stop by the medical lab. I've never worked with aliens before and would like to run some tests so I know how to help in case you get hurt. Anyways, I'm gonna go get acquainted with the ship."
"I can give you a tour if you'd like."
Tali offered as the two walked out, leaving Liara and Shepherd alone to talk.
"What's up Laira? Something on your mind?"
"Yes…"
"What is it? Something wrong?"
"Well…I just…umm…I know, in the middle of all this we…I mean…I don't even know where to start. I'm stumbling all over myself. Forgive me."
"It's alright. Take your time in figuring your thoughts out."
"Maybe we can talk of something else for a moment. Your…friend and you seem close."
"Yea. We grew up together. Gave me a place and a family when my parents died. She's like the sister I never had. To be honest, I never thought I would see her
again. I really hope you don't think it's anything beyond that. Especially if there's still a chance for you and me. Angel's just a friend."
"I…trust you on that. I just…need time to think…I just wanted to let you know that…that I haven't…forgotten about us."
"I see."
"I'll…talk to you later."
Shepard nodded, biting her lower lip as Liara walked out of the room, the door closing behind her. Shepherd sat on the edge of her bed and placed her head in her hands, wondering how it was all going to end.
Angel rolled her shoulders as she studied the medical records of those on the crew.
"Wow…I had no idea that aliens…they really are similar in ways."
"Yes. It helps with getting them the correct medical help."
Dr. Chakwas smiled as she looked over at Angel.
"So, how does it feel being with your best friend again?"
"I'm happy. I thought I'd never see her again. Though I sense something…she's struggling with something deep inside."
"You do? How?"
"I dunno…I guess since we were so close like sisters…I can sense with something is troubling her. And I'm worried. I know we have this mission of stopping the Collectors but…I feel she needs to be open on this so she has a clear head."
"I certainly hope you can help her then."
"As do I."
"Well then, if you're done with your studies for now why don't you go grab a bite to eat and some sleep? Got a long day ahead tomorrow. Shepherd is thinking of going on a mission tomorrow so we need to be ready to receive any of the wounded."
"Alright. I'll see you in the morning ma'am."
"Goodnight Angel."
She nodded and stood up, yawning before leaving the medical bay and looking up just in time to bump into Garrus.
"Ahh…G-Garrus…umm…sorry."
"It's alright…Hawkeye. Heading to bed?"
"I'm going to try. I don't really want to bed down in the crew quarters. Don't do well sleeping in large groups I guess…"
"Really? You should talk to Shepard about getting your own space. A lot of us have done that ourselves."
"Well…I wouldn't even know where I'd be comfortable at. I've…never been here. On a ship that is."
"Hmm…well, if you don't mind, at least for tonight you could share the main battery with me. There's two separate sides so you know…no worries of me peeking."
"That sounds good. I feel I can trust you at least haha."
Her stomach growled and she wrapped her arms around herself, blushing as Garrus chuckled.
"Lucky you there's leftovers. Come on and get yourself something to eat."
She followed him over and she picked at some of the left over soup before gulping it down while Garrus raised an eyebrow.
"Not what you're used to?"
"I err…don't eat soup that often. Earth's resources are different in different regions. I'm used to vegetables and fruits mostly. Not meat and all that like this."
"Is that why you seem so small?"
"Yes. I don't like it, in fact, I had joined the Alliance in the hopes of beefing up haha. Shep could pick me up easily by the time we were teenagers."
"Well, I think it's just fine. Kinda makes you cute."
"Cute eh?"
"Err…well…yea."
"Heheh. Well thank you. Shall we head to bed? I'm about to drown in what's left of this soup."
She yawned again and rubbed her eyes as Garrus stood and picked her up.
"You certainly are light."
"I guess I'll take that as a compliment."
"I would hope so."
He carried her into the main battery and laid her down on a pile of pillows and blankets.
"Take my spot for now. You really look like you may just pass out. Tomorrow we can make your own little nest."
"Thanks…night…"
She yawned once more and closed her eyes and soon her breathing became deep, singling she was asleep.