Reflections I

Warm relief flooded her system, mingling with the chilled adrenaline that had yet to ebb and wane. Still, it felt like an eternity before the woman in her arms began to relax, the tranquilizer taking its toll. Finally, as Talitha slumped against her, unaware, the commander carefully lowered her to the floor, setting her down as carefully as she could. Stumbling back, Shepard hit the crate behind her hard, slipping the short distant to the gangplank from her crouch.

Being called upon to talk down a suicidal Mindoiran had been a surprise. By and large, Shepard hated surprises, and this had been no different. Worse, perhaps; her connection to Talitha was tenuous at best – her ties to the colony had been cut, years ago.

Her part finished, Shepard studied Talitha's gun with detached professional interest. Girard and his men moved like ghosts, spiriting the girl away. At length, she compacted the weapon and handed it, harmless, to the lieutenant, exchanging paltry words.

Then they were gone. She wasn't, nor was she all there.

"Commander?" When she didn't answer, hollow footfalls crossed the distance. Alenko dropped to one knee beside her; she caught his hand before it reached her shoulder, flicking her gaze to Williams behind him, where she kept a safe distance, arms crossed.

"Leave me alone," she said, an edge to the words.

Her lieutenant glanced to the woman over his shoulder, then to the woman at his knees. Holding up his hands in acquiescence, he backed down, seating himself a safe distance between near and far. Ashley sighed, then plunked herself down beside him.

Shepard ignored them.

Digging up old ghosts wasn't exactly difficult. Burying them again was another story.

Working Title: Reflections

Prompt: Talitha Hug

Original Note: Needed to write anything, even if it sucks. Grabbed a Screenshot and went to town. Dropped it here as proof of having writ. Love I Remember Me, so I could write it a thousand ways and come up with a thousand stories - it's that awesome.

Disambiguation: This series is a personal speed-writing challenge based on screenshots. Alas, I cannot post the screenshots here, but I shall place descriptions in the prompt tab. :)

Published: On the BSN (May 5th, 2011).

Derivative work of material © BioWare, Electronic Arts.