Chapter Two
Kaja watches Karrera look over every bedroom suite in the store. So far, the young violet-colored eyed asari has narrowed it down to two different sets. Both set are within the price range Kaja was thinking about before they left the apartment. One set is very plain basic looking design. Nothing fancy about the headboard or the dresser. It's the cheaper of the two sets. The other set also has a basic looking design, but the color scheme is pleasant to the eye and Kaja likes it. She doesn't care which set Karrera picks out but if Karrera asks, Kaja will say she likes the blue/purple color scheme over the plain white one.
Karrera moves from one set to another. The young asari lies on both beds, she likes the mattress on the plain white set over the blue/purple set. Karrera is starting to like colored bedroom set over the plain white one. "I like the look of the colored set, but I like this bed," comments Karrera as she lies on the plain white bedroom set. She sits up and walks over to the blue/purple colored set. "I really like this too."
Kaja grins and sits on the bed of the colored set. "So, you like this set. But you like the mattress on the white set." The older asari with ocean-blue eyes puts her hand on the headboard of the colored set then points to the white set when she mentions the mattress.
"Yes." answers the young asari. She shows a hint of happiness in her smile. There is a small sparkle in the girl's eyes that was not there this morning.
"Okay, Karrera. Let me take a picture of this for Cass and talk to the clerk about putting it on hold and work out a delivery time once we talk to Cass about it." Kaja opens her omni-tool and takes a few pictures of the bedroom set. She checks on the price and model of the mattress. Mattress is a little pricy, but she picked one of the cheaper sets. So, I don't see why we can't get it for her. Typing out a note for herself about the price of both the mattress and bedroom set, so she can discuss it with her bondmate during the trip to Earth.
Karrera looks at the set again then to her father. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," replies the detective as she gives the young asari a hug. Karrera stands next to Kaja as Kaja makes arraignments to hold the furniture until a delivery date is set. They leave the store to head back to the apartment, so Karrera can pack her things for the trip to Earth.
When they get back to the apartment, Karrera is carrying two bags in each hand. Kaja is carrying the other two bags. The youth walks in her new room and puts the bags on the bed, she takes the two bags from Kaja and puts them with the others. Kaja sits in the deck chair and watches her daughter slowly remove her new clothes from the bags. Karrera opens the new duffel bag and removes the packaging inside of it. "What can I bring with me?"
Kaja still has a smile on her face. Karrera's behavior is surprising. Kaja's seen plenty of neglected kids and most act out in some form or another, but so far. Karrera's behavior has been close to perfect as it gets. Well Vela, you must have taught her some things before you stopped being there for her. Karrera is quiet, well-mannered, and seems very smart. I can only hope to continue to teach her the right things. Or is she a ticking time bomb waiting to explode? Goddess, I hope not. Especially, if Cass is pregnant. If there is ever a time for me to follow my father's footsteps, it's how I raise my children. I'll give Dr. Tattius this, he was right. There are some things my father did I should try to follow. Being a loving, supportive parent is one of them. Thanks Doc for helping me to figure everything out.
"You can pack what you want as long as it fits in your bag. Unless you want to take your backpack with you too and you can put what you want in there as well," answers a smiling father as she leans forward in the chair.
Smiling with her teeth showing, Karrera starts looking through her new clothes and at the new book she has to read. She slowly packs her bag. Looking over to her old backpack and debates if she wants to take it with her or not. Wondering if the old pack is something she can let go of. She's been with Kaja most of the morning and all afternoon and Kaja has shown her more affection than she has received in the past five years. "How long is this vacation?"
"One week. Don't forget the swimming suit. We are staying on an island with a beach. And there is also a pool. I think you'll like it. Or I hope you do, Karrera." Kaja continues to smile at the young asari packing her bag.
While Karrera packs her bag, she thinks about the things Kaja has said to her while they were shopping. Can I really trust her? Mom let me down. None of the foster homes did anything to help me. She seems different. She says she loves me, but I don't see how. She has done nothing but be kind, but what did the Matriarch say to her? Why did mom keep you away? What happened between the two of you? I need to know. She looks at her backpack and grabs it. She takes the data pad out of it and tries again to see what is on it. Karrera knows there is a message on it from her mother, but she can't access it. After hitting a button, the data pad comes to live. "Hey, it works."
Kaja hears the data pad in her pocket beep. She takes it out and notices it is running a decryption program. "I think I found the key. Maybe this data pad is the key to the one you have, Karrera. This is the one Matriarch gave me. It's from your mother."
Karrera's data pad beeps when its done decrypting the message. The youth starts reading it.
Karrera-
If you are reading this, then you've met your father. I encrypted this message to your father's message. I'm sorry, Karrera. She needed to know before you. Karrera, I've done things to you and to your father I wish I hadn't done. I can't change the past not am I going to try.
I know I've broken my promises to you. I know I've been a horrible mother. You always wanted to know who your father was. Well, Karrera, now you know. Maybe not in the manner you had hoped, but at least you know. I've done what I could. What I could handle. Forgive me. If I know Kaja like I think I do, she will give you what I couldn't. Stability.
I'm sure my words are meaningless to you. It's what I deserve, for you not to trust me. Karrera, you've always been smart and quiet. You've always observed the surrounding around you. You always enjoyed reading and solving puzzles. I'm sure you still enjoy those things. Or I hope you do. I have no idea what to say to you. What to say to help you make sense of the chaos I'm responsible for creating. I'm sorry, Karrera. I can't tell you why I kept your father from you. She might tell you, but I can't. I doubt you'll understand.
I know you don't trust me, but try to trust Kaja. What I did to her, no one should ever do to another. Same goes for you. No one should go through the things I put you through. If you can trust anyone in this big galaxy, Karrera, it's Kaja T'Soni. She is the exact opposite of me. She's someone you can proudly say you have as a parent. Unlike me.
Love,
Mom
Karrera shoves the data pad back into her backpack the pushes the pack away from her. She finishes packing her bag in silence. Kaja notices the change in her daughter's behavior. Karrera went from being happy to angry in the short time it took her to read the message on the data pad. "Karrera, are you okay? You seem upset by what you read." Kaja moves from the chair to sit on the edge of the bed closer to Karrera. She wants to see if the young asari will open up.
The youth looks over to her father when Kaja sits on the bed. "May I ask you something?"
"Sure. You can ask me anything, Karrera," answers Kaja.
"What happened between you and my mom? Why did she keep us apart?" asks Karrera.
The asari detective tries to keep an upbeat attitude. It's what Karrera needs more than anything. "I'm not sure I can explain it where you will understand, but I'll try." Kaja doesn't want to keep secrets from her kids like her parents did with her and her two sisters. She moves closer, pulls Karrera close, and holds her daughter as she starts saying, "Your mom and I were friends when I lived in Armali. I served in the military when I lived on Thessia. I thought your mom was a good friend. I went over to her apartment after coming back from my father's funeral. I don't remember much from that night. I remember being drunk before I got over to your mom's."
Kaja rubs her neck, trying to remember what happened that night. Unfortunately, she isn't remember much besides being drunk at Vela's house and waking up in Vela's bed naked the next morning. She vaguely remembers them melding, but isn't sure if they actual did or not. She does remember what Vela told her. Their meld was only to share memories and nothing else happened. "I remember waking up in your mom's bed naked the next morning. I thought something happened, but your mother said she only shared happier memories with me. To make me feel better, but that didn't explain why I was naked and in her bed."
Karrera listens to what her father is saying. None of it so far explain why her mother kept them apart. She decides to stay silent and allow Kaja to finish her story. Kaja kisses Karrera's cheek then continues, "Karrera, I really don't know why your mother kept us apart. She did the one thing an asari should never do to another. She melded with someone for the purpose of reproduction without the other person's consent. She was supposed to only share memories with me. I don't remember, Karrera. I'm sorry." Kaja's eyes start to show some tears in the corners. "Vela moved a month later. She told everyone she got transferred to Serrice and was pregnant. She told me and her friends in Armali she was with a turian. I never talked to her after she moved. She never told me, Karrera. I didn't know about you until today. All I can do is tell you what she told me."
Kaja is afraid what she is going to say is going to make Karrera feel even more unwanted. If she doesn't want to keep secrets, she'll have to say the truth. No matter how much it hurts. Damn you, Vela. Selfish fucking bitch. Goddess, you force me to explain to our daughter why you kept us apart. How in the fuck am I suppose to know why you did what you did? All I have to go by is what you said to me in the message. But is that the truth or your made up version of it? Fuck it, why tell her when she can listen to her mother's words. She can't think any worse of you, Vela. The detective pulls the data pad from her pocket and hands it to Karrera. "Listen to this. It's the only explanation I can give you to why your mom did what she did."
Karrera takes the data pad and plays the message. Half way through the message, she leans closer to Kaja. Which causes Kaja to wrap her arms around Karrera. After the message stops, the young asari hands the data pad back to Kaja, "Thank you." Karrera wraps her arms around her father's neck and starts crying against Kaja's shoulder. She moves her head and feels the uneven muscle of her father's left shoulder. Moving her hand over her father's shoulder, Karrera says with a few tears still rolling down her cheeks, "Why does your shoulder feel uneven?"
"I was shot in the shoulder about thirteen years ago. I was walking Cass home from my apartment down the street from her's. We got ambushed and I got shot protecting her," answers Kaja. She closes her eyes. And here I thought your friends were horrible, Cass. Look what one of mine did. I hope you can forgive me for this. Honestly, Cass, I didn't know. I would never hide Karrera from you. T'Soni looks at her daughter then smiles when she sees her daughter looking at her.
"Oh!" exclaims Karrera. She runs her hand over the shoulder again. "Does it hurt? It feels like it hurts."
Kaja chuckles at the comment, "Not anymore. It did hurt when it happened. I lost some of the movement." She moves her left shoulder as high at it will go and the arm doesn't go past shoulder height. Noticing the time, Kaja says, "We need to leave to pick up Cass from work. So, you need to finish packing what you want to take with you. I'm going to take the of the bags to the car. I'll be right back." Kaja gives Karrera a quick peck on the cheek then leaves her alone to pack her things.
The young violet-colored eyes asari nods to her father and goes back to packing her new clothes in a new bag. She thinks about the message from her mother. Then the message from her mother to her dad. The more the young asari thinks about her mother, the more she starts to hate her more than she did already. Karrera always wanted to know her father, now she knows. All it has caused is more questions. Answers neither one of them will ever receive.
Kaja takes all four bags at the same time and by the time she returns to the apartment, Karrera is sitting on the couch waiting. The youth says, "I'm ready." The anger she displayed after reading the message from her mother has disappeared and replaced with joy she's not felt in a long time.
"Okay. I want to double-check to make sure I didn't forget anything. Are you sure you have everything you want to take with you? We won't be coming back to the apartment once we leave," says Kaja as she walks around the apartment making sure all the lights are off. She puts the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and turns it on. Walking back into the living room, Kaja sees Karrera playing with her cube with a smile on her face. "Okay, Karrera. We need to go pick up Cass."
The elder asari stands next to the front door waiting for Karrera to get off the couch. The youth does a few more moves on the cube before putting it in the bag's side pocket. She joins her father and the duo walk to the car. Kaja and Karrera talk about what the youth would like to do while they are on Earth and Karrera really doesn't want to do anything in particular. What they have planned is fine with her.
As they descend from traffic, Kaja smiles over to her daughter. So far, everything is going well. The youth hasn't done anything that remotely gives Kaja pause to worry about behavioral problems. Kaja says, "Karrera, I rather tell Cass and my mother, your grandmother, everything at once. So, if I seem rude to you, I don't mean to be to. I just want to pick my bondmate up and get to my mom's, so we can try to explain to them what is going on. Think you can help me with that, Karrera?"
"Yes. Will they accept me like you have?" asks Karrera. Her tone is soft, yet serious mixed with concern. The young asari worries her father's bondmate won't accept her. Or her grandmother. She's more worried about Cass than she is about Liara.
Karrera keeps saying things that are hard for Kaja to hear, but is being truthful when she says them. Or when she asks questions. "I'll be very surprised is she doesn't. Cass is a wonderful, kind person. I love her dearly. I love you too, Karrera. Even if you don't think I should yet. Your grandmother has always been very supportive of me and my sisters. I can't see her not doing the same for you. Everything will work out. You'll see."
The car stops next to the museum. Father and daughter exit the car. Karrera walks to the right of Kaja. Cass is covering her mouth with her hand. She thinks the young asari is the same from this morning. When they get a few steps from her, she moves to greet them. She gives Kaja a hug and soft kiss on the cheek. Dr. Mitchell whispers, "What is going on, sweetie?"
"Ah, hm, Cass. This is Karrera. Karrera, this is Cass." Kaja smiles at Cass. She steps closer and whispers, "If you love me and trust me. Allow me to explain everything at mom's. Please." Kaja kisses Cass' cheek.
Cass gives Kaja a sideways look then offers her hand to Karrera, "Nice to meet you, Karrera. That is a very pretty name." She not only loves Kaja, but trusts her completely. Cass wonders what is going on and at the same time is willing to give Kaja the trust she's earned.
Karrera shakes Cass' hand while replying, "Hi, Cass."
"So, Kaja, how was your day?" asks Cass as all three walk to the car.
"Interesting, would be an understatement," answers Kaja. She opens the door to the skycar. Karrera without being told climbs in the back seat next to all the bags. Cass in the front with Kaja. The elder asari drives the car the short trip to her mother's house. The ride to Liara's is silent. Kaja doesn't want to say anything more until she gets to her mom's. Her view is might as well tell them both at the same time instead of telling her bondmate then her mother separately.
Cass turns around in the seat and looks back at Karrera. The youth is doing what she's been doing most of the day. Sitting quietly, playing with her puzzle cube. There is a look on her face that Cass swears is the same look Kaja gets when she is concentrating on something. The human glances over to Kaja, who grins at Cass. Shaking her head, Cass leans over to put a soft kiss on Kaja's cheek, "She's your daughter, isn't she?"
Kaja says softly, "Yes."
Cass sits and thinks the rest of the short trip. Well, this conversation is going to get interesting. If she's your daughter Kaja, I hope you her father. Because if you're the girl's mother, why hasn't she been with you the entire time? And if you are this girl's mother, you're not who I thought you were, Kaja. And that will break my heart. I do love you, you crazy asari. She looks over her shoulder again. Karrera is still moving the cube around in a pattern, trying to figure the puzzle out. Cass looks over at Kaja. The asari she loves and adores looks like she's been punched in the gut. Dr. Mitchell has questions, but understand why Kaja wants to wait until she gets to Liara's. Give Kaja time to say what is going on. If she hasn't been to her mom's yet and with the bags in the backseat, it looks like she has not. So, Liara doesn't know yet. We did want a family. Looks like we're going to have a bigger one than we thought. When do I tell you about us having twins?
Kaja parks the skycar next to her mother's in the driveway. She rubs her forehead after turning the car off. The ocean-blue eyed asari is as ready as she will ever be. Ready to tell the two people who mean the world to her about her daughter, Karrera. Suddenly, Kaja feels a hallow pit in stomach and is suddenly scared to go inside her mother's house. She pushes those feeling to the back of her mind, trying to remain calm. She needs to for Karrera's sake. Everyone gets out of the car and walks to the front door.
Liara greets them at the door. "Hello Kaja, Cassandra. Come in, everyone." The eldest asari smiles at Karrera. She closes the door after everyone comes inside.
Kaja walks through the house and out the patio door. Cass, Karrera, and Liara follow her. Karrera gasps when she sees the backyard. Her expression is one of surprise and joy. "This yard is huge. You grew up here?" Karrera walks over and sits in the grass. She crosses her legs and has her hands in her lap with the left hand holding her puzzle cube.
Cass remembers the first time she was in the backyard. She thought the same thing Karrera is now. The human wraps her arm around Kaja's waist, gives the asari a kiss on the cheek, then sits on the bench next to the picnic table. Kaja sits down next to Cass and holds the human's hand.
Liara already knows all about Karrera and her mother, Vela. As furious Liara is at Vela Tradere, she knows this isn't Karrera's fault. Nor Kaja's. She's a little disappointed with Kaja, but she plans on discussing that with her in private. Dr. T'Soni sits in a lounge chair waiting for Kaja to introduce Karrera and to explain what is going on.
"Yes, I grew up here. Karrera, this is my mother and your grandmother, Dr. Liara T'Soni. Mom, this is Karrera, your granddaughter," says Kaja. She squeezes Cass' hand lovingly.
Karrera gets off the ground and walks over to Liara. The young asari says, "Hi." Just like with her father, Karrera isn't sure if she should call Liara grandma or not. She knows saying an elder's first name is disrespectful, unless they're allowed to call them by their first name.
Liara hugs Karrera, "It's nice to meet you, Karrera. What is that you have there?" Liara points to the cube in the girl's hand.
"It's a puzzle cube. You mix all the colors up and try to get them all back together again," answers Karrera as she shows Liara the cube. The young asari with violet-colored eyes beams with a hint of pride and has a look Liara is all too familiar with.
The Shadow Broker's eyes move from the cube over to Kaja and Cassandra. They sit on the bench holding hands, Cassandra looks like she is accepting the situation. Liara wonders what the doctor told her today. She moves her eyes back to Karrera and her cube. "Have you figured it out yet?"
Karrera nods, "Yes, a few times. There's a pattern to it and once you know the pattern. It's easy to solve. Sometimes a piece or two do not want to fall into place. Which is where I am this time. I'll figure it out."
"I'm sure you will, Karrera," replies Liara as she rubs her granddaughter's arm.
Karrera smiles at Liara then sits back down cross-legged on the grass. She sits the cube on the ground next to her and pays attention to the adults sitting on the patio.
All eyes turn to Kaja, she keeps telling herself to keep an upbeat attitude and everything will work out fine. "Karrera's mother, Vela Tradere, died six weeks ago. Vela and I were friends when I lived in Armali." She pulls the data pad from Vela out of her pocket, looks at it, and hands it to Cass. "The Matriarch who brought Karrera from Thessia gave that to me. It's the best way I can explain, but I don't want to hear it again and I doubt Karrera does either. I played it for her before I picked you up Cass. She asked and I not keeping secrets. Karrera's been through enough."
Kaja stands to walk over to Karrera, "I'm going to show Karrera around the property. By the time we come back, you should have heard the whole message." Kaja's right hand balls up into a fist then she relaxes it. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Liara. Father and daughter walk towards the hanger. Kaja shows Karrera the areas in the yard she's allowed to roam and play in. She is also shows the areas Karrera is not allowed in. Kaja explains the reason for the rules and the youth understands everything.
Dr. Mitchell waits until Kaja and Karrera are out of hearing range of the message. Once she feels they are far enough away, Cass hits a few buttons and the message starts playing. Liara and Cass listen to the message without saying a word to each other. "And here I thought I had shit for friends. How could anyone do that to Kaja? Or anyone else, Liara?" asks Cass when the message stops playing.
"She sounds selfish. She also sounds like she is on something too. I don't know, Cassandra," answers Liara. T'Soni pushes the vindictive thoughts out of her head. The mother is dead, Liara. Focus on supporting them. Not plotting the death of a dead person.
"I wonder how the mother died. I saw them this morning walking towards the building when I was leaving with Tracy to attend my doctor's appointment. Karrera looks better after being with Kaja today than she did when I saw her this morning. I think they went shopping. Karrera was wearing an old worn looking outfit," comments Dr. Mitchell.
Liara knows, but doesn't say. "I think so too. I'm sure Kaja can tell us more. Cassandra, you surprise me. You seem very accepting and have remained calm. I can't imagine what your feelings are about this."
"I don't know what to think, Liara. I'm glad we're on vacation for the next week and have time to get things...sorted. I guess you can say," replies the human with hazel-colored eyes and brown hair pulled back into a ponytail.
Kaja and Karrera return to join Liara and Cass on the patio. Both sit on the bench. Kaja sits next to Cass and holds her hand again with Karrera sitting on the other side of Kaja. "Did you listen to the message on the data pad?" asks Kaja.
Yes, we did, Kaja," answers Cass as she pats the blue hand holding her's.
Kaja takes a deep breath and exhales it slowly before attempting to explain. She isn't sure how well she can explain the actions of someone she hasn't talk to in forty years, but she's going to give it her best effort. "Like Vela said in the message. I don't remember much from that night. I remember being drunk before I went over there. She was someone I could hang out with and just talk. Go out to clubs and enjoy each other company. We were not lovers. I didn't even know she felt that way until I got that message this morning. I remember waking up naked in Vela's bed the next morning. It's not the first time I've been drunk around Vela, but it was the first and only time I was in her bed. Normally, I would sleep on her couch."
Detective T'Soni pauses when she looks at Cass. She starts to feel guilt for keeping a secret she didn't know she was keeping until earlier today. "I'm sorry, Cass. I didn't know. I really didn't know." Kaja hugs Cass and starts crying.
Cass hugs Kaja tightly, "I know. It's okay." The human pulls back from the asari and wipes with her thumbs the tears from Kaja's cheeks.
"I did think something happened between Vela and me the night before, but I don't remember if we did or not. It's the only reason I can think of to why I was naked and sleeping next to Vela in her bed. So, yes, I'm Karrera father as far as I know. Child welfare services in Serrice spent six weeks verifying I was the father. Unless, Vela is lying to me and to Karrera." Kaja wipes the remaining tears from her face with the back of her hand.
"She didn't, Kaja. Or I don't think so. In the short time you three have been here, I've seen Karrera make the same facial expressions you do and your expressions are like your father's," replies Dr. T'Soni.
Dr. Mitchell asks, "What happened to Vela?"
"Mom died six weeks ago. Drug overdose," answers Karrera. Leaning against her father, Karrera closes her eyes and hopes everything is going to work out.
Kaja wraps her arm around her daughter and finishes explaining, "I don't know what Vela was doing before she died, but I do know she was not taking care of Karrera. She been in and out of foster homes for the past five years. Plus she hasn't gone to school much the past two years and I'm just now finding out about it."
"What!" exclaims Cass. She reaches over and touches Karrera's arm. "If we'd known when all of this started, we would have stepped in and done something about it."
Karrera says, "Really?" The happy look on the youth's face, brings a smile to Cass'.
Cass moves to sit next Karrera, "Yes, really."
Kaja moves her arm from Karrera to reach over to caress Cass' arm. Cass looks at Kaja. Kaja looks at Cass with Karrera leaning against her. The asari says softly, "Thank you, Cass. I love you."
"I love you too, Kaja." Cass leans over to kiss her wife.
"Mom, you are being quiet. Nothing to say?" asks Kaja as she looks over at her mother.
Liara answers, "What do you want me to say, Kaja?" There are a bunch of things Liara wants to say, but this isn't the time for it. And Liara knows it.
"I don't know. I thought you would say something," replies the asari detective. Kaja gets up and walks over to her mother. She leans down and gives her mom a hug. "Are you still willing to allow us to borrow the shuttle for the week?"
"Of course." Liara hugs Kaja back.
"Thanks, mom. I love you," says Kaja as she walks to the car and grabs their bags. Leaving Karrera with Cass and Liara.
Karrera watches over Cass' shoulder her father walk away. "She's coming back right?"
Both adults with Karrera sigh when they hear the youth's question. "Do you want to help bring the bags to the shuttle?" asks Cass.
Nodding to Cass, Karrera walks quickly to help her father. Liara looks over to Cass. Cass watches Karrera walk to the front of the house. "You ready for this, Cassandra?" asks Liara.
"I'm about as ready as Kaja is. We'll get through this, Liara. We have no choice. You seem angry. I don't see anything to get angry over," replies Cass. Liara starts to say something when Cass motions to Liara Kaja is returning.
Kaja returns carrying four bags with Karrera carrying her own bag. They walk past Liara and Cass heading to the shuttle docked in the hanger. Cass grabs one of the bags Kaja is carrying and walks with the two asari to the shuttle. When they get to the shuttle, Kaja stows all the bags then shows Karrera around the inside the shuttle.
As they start to leave, Cass grabs Kaja by the arm. "Kaja, you need to talk to your mother. She seems angry about everything."
Kaja turns to face her bondmate, "What about you, Cass? I care more about how you're doing than my mother at this point. Karrera is with us now." Kaja moves her left hand over Cass' lower torso, "What did the doctor say?"
Cass answers, "I know she is and I'm okay with it. I'm not okay with how it happened, but I don't blame you. This happened long before we met and I was still a kid. I am not mad at you. Your mom, I think you need to talk to her before we go." The human smiles without revealing the answer to Kaja's question involving her doctor's appointment earlier today.
"Cass, there is one other thing. Karrera hasn't been going to school and I have a feeling she is behind other asari her age. And I took her shopping. She picked out a bedroom set." Kaja opens her omni-tool to show Dr. Mitchell the picture of the bedroom set and how much it will cost. "I only put it on hold. I told Karrera we needed to talk to you before buying it and I need to see if my mom will meet the delivery guys at the apartment to drop it off while we're gone. We can worry about rearranging the study when we get home. I am sorry about the suddenness of all of this."
"I thought you did, sweetie," says Cass as she cups Kaja's cheek with her hand. "I saw her and the Matriarch when Tracy was picking me up this morning. She looks better since being with you. You must have given her your T'Soni charm. If that is what she wants, get it for her. She does need her own room. Kaja, I think we should come home early. We are going to need move." Cass kisses her wife then walks back to the house. The human has a smirk on her face when she walks away that even Karrera notices.
"Ah, Cass, ma'am. Do you mind if I call you, Cass? Or should I call you something else?" asks Karrera when Cass walks by.
Dr. Mitchell stops and smiles at her step-daughter. "No, I don't mind you calling me Cass. Are you okay, Karrera? I don't know what your dad as said to you, but we will give you a good home. You'll see."
Karrera hugs Cass, "Thank you."
Kaja stands behind her bondmate and daughter. A tear appears when she watches Karrera hug Cass and say 'thank you'. She approaches them while they are still in an embrace and joins for a family hug. "Cass, I have an idea. Mind taking Karrera with you to the diner and grab some food for us to eat during the trip and while you two are gone, I'll talk to mom. Are you okay going with Cass, Karrera?" Kaja puts her hand on her daughter's shoulder.
Cass answers, "Sounds like a good idea. Do you want your usual, Kaja? You coming with me, Karrera?" The youth nods and takes the human's hand.
"Yes, if they have any left. If not, surprise me. I love you, Cass," says Kaja before she gives the human a quick kiss.
Cass returns the kiss then says, "I love you too, sweetie." She looks to Karrera, "Ready to go to the diner, Karrera?"
Karrera Tradere nods at Cass and she is ready to go. The young asari is slowly feeling accepted, but still doesn't say much. The two asari and human walk back to the house. Cass and Karrera walk around the side of the house to the car parked in the driveway. Liara is in her office, working again when Kaja walks in the house. "Mom?" says Kaja loudly when she can't find her mother. She checks her mom's bedroom. No sign of Liara. The detective walks up the stairs to the Shadow Broker's office. Liara is sitting at her desk going over a few files. "Mom, if you're mad, then say so. Take it out on me. Not Karrera. Please."
Dr. Liara T'Soni looks up from her work and says, "Kaja, I'm more disappointed than mad. Here's your data pad." Liara hands her daughter the data pad with Vela's message. "I need the truth from you, Kaja. I've read some of the reports from the investigation to confirm your parentage. A few of Vela Tradere's friends in Armali have testified you were in a relationship with her. Either they are lying or you are. She seemed to know you didn't want a child with her, but that doesn't mean you were not in a relationship with her."
Liara's accusatory tone isn't sitting well with Kaja. The intensity of Kaja's tone equals her mother's. "Are you talking to me as my mother or as the Shadow Broker? You seem to believe some report over me. And here I was more worried about Cass getting upset with me and it turns out you think I'm a liar."
"How dare you talk to me in that tone, Kaja T'Soni!" yells Liara as she stands up and points her finger at Kaja. "Answer my question, Kaja."
Kaja stands behind a chair squeezing the back of it with her hands. "Answer what question, mom? You didn't ask me a question. You accused me of lying to you and Cass. Cass said you seemed mad, but I think you more than mad."
"Were you in a relationship with Vela Tradere?" asks Liara after she calms herself down.
"We were only friends, mom. I was not her lover. If her friends said that, it's because she lied to them and said we were. Maybe she told them I was Karrera father I don't know mom. All I remember is going to her place drunk and waking up in her bed naked. Everything is fuzzy at best. It was the night I returned to Thessia from attending dad's funeral. I was drinking on the transport and close to being drunk by the time I got home. I stopped by Clayre's bar for a few more drinks. Then I went over to Vela's house. I was looking for someone to talk to. Clayre was busy tending the bar." Kaja takes her hands off the chair. She folds her arms across her chest with a serious scowl on her face.
Liara looks at Kaja. Debates with herself if she believe her or not. Liara has read the entire file on Karrera. Matriarch Moirta investigated the girl's parentage for six weeks before she felt confident that Kaja T'Soni was Karrera Tradere's father. All things in the file point to an intimate relationship between them. "Being drunk is a convenient excuse, Kaja. I've read the entire file from the investigation and everything about Karrera. I believe you when you said you didn't know. I don't believe you when you say there was no intimate relationship between you and her mother."
"Wonderful. You think I'm lying. Is that how you see me mom? A liar?" Kaja waves her hand at her mother and walks down the stairs, heading to the basement. Normally, Kaja would go for a walk, but with Cass and Karrera out to get some food, she doesn't want to leave the house until they come back. So, instead of a walk, the asari decides to do a biotic workout with Droney. She hits a few buttons on the display and the combat drone comes to life. Kaja programs a medium effort session. She flares her biotics and hits start on the computer.
After ten minutes, Dr. T'Soni starts looking for Kaja when she notices the basement door is ajar. A light shines through the gap between the door jamb and the door. Liara walks down the stairs. Kaja is throwing warp fields at the hologram enemies. Liara turns the program off. "Kaja, I don't see you as a liar. Something doesn't set well with me. However, I do think Karrera is your daughter. She has some of your father's facial expressions. I love you, little one. Don't think I don't. If she's been in and out of foster homes and I know she's been neglected by her mother. Has Karrera been going to school?"
"Not much the past few years. We talked about school and she seems excited about going to school again. She said she missed it. And her face lit up when I said she could go to college," replies Kaja. She hugs her mom, "I never once melded with Vela for anything more than to exchange memories. She said I kissed her. I don't remember doing that. I could have. She could have kissed me first and I responded in the manner she wanted because of my drunken state. I don't know, mom. Did I meld with her? Yes? If that is what you're looking for. Were we bondmates? No. Did I want to be her bondmate? No. Was I ask if this is what I wanted? No. Will I take care of Karrera? Absolutely."
"You ready for this, Kaja? I asked Cassandra the same question. She said she is as ready as you are," comments Liara.
Kaja nods and grins at Liara. "Yes, believe it or not. For all I know, mom, we could have a baby on the way. Cass said we need to move, but didn't answer my question about what the doctor said. I'm good with this, mom. I'll feel better if you believed in me. Maybe you lost your trust in me. If so, I'm sorry."
"Oh, Kaja. I'm the one who's sorry. Forgive me, little one," says the Shadow Broker when she hugs her eldest daughter. Liara kisses Kaja's forehead.
Detective T'Soni gives her mom a somber look. "I can't blame you for being mad. I was furious this morning, but the more time I spend with Karrera. The more I realize, I can't focus on what happen forty years ago. I need to focus on making my daughter's life better than she's had it until now. I said I love you to her and her response was how could I love her when we just met. It broke my heart to hear her say that. I understand her point."
"I'm so proud of you. You've matured so much since you've been with Cassandra. I didn't expect any asari grandchildren this soon, but I'm happy to have one," says Dr. T'Soni. "So, Cassandra hasn't told you what the doctor said during her appointment this morning?"
"No, mom, she hasn't. She dropped a hint and that was it. I think she did get pregnant this time. I agree with Cass, we are going to need more room," remarks the eldest T'Soni daughter.
Mother and daughter walk back up stairs to see Cass and Karrera have returned with food from the diner. Karrera is carrying the box with four bags of food. "Where do you want this box, Cass?" asks Karrera.
The human shows the young asari where to set the box until they are ready to leave. Karrera puts the box on the kitchen counter then returns to the living room with Cass. Kaja walks up to Cass, gives the human a hug and a kiss on the lips. She turns and gives Karrera a hug and kiss on the cheek. "What did you get?"
"I got two beef sandwiches and a salad. Cass says I will like it. We got you clam chowder. May I try some of it? I've never had clam chowder before," answers Karrera.
The detective grins at her daughter as she says, "Yes, you can try some. It's my favorite soup, Karrera." Kaja looks at Cass, "What did you get, my dear?"
"Spinach salad with avocado and almonds. And a chicken sandwich," comments Cass as she goes to sit on the couch.
Dr. Liara T'Soni stands and watches the interaction between Kaja, Cass, and Karrera. Kaja having a daughter before the age of two-hundred is not what Liara wanted for her eldest daughter. What you want and what you get usually conflict with each other. This is one of those times. Liara smiles then sits in a chair waiting to see if Cassandra is going to tell everyone what the doctor said this morning.
Kaja puts her arm around Karrera's shoulders and they walk together into the living room. "Cass, are you ready to go?"
"Yes, but in a few minutes." Dr. Cassandra Mitchell sits and wonder if this is the time to tell Kaja and Liara the good news. "I do have a couple of things I need to say. First, will you two please sit." Cass points to the space on the couch next to her. Father and daughter sit on the couch with Kaja sitting between her bondmate and her daughter.
Cass takes Kaja's hand and holds it. She looks at Karrera, "Karrera, you are a surprise. A welcomed surprise and I am glad you are here with us." Dr. Mitchell pauses to look over to her mother-in-law. Liara is actually smiling and not looking angry like she was before the trip to the diner. "I do have some news of my own." Pausing again to grin at Kaja, Cass pats her wife's hand. "Kaja, sweetie, you remember when Dr. Gibbs said about a chance of a pregnancy with multiples?"
Kaja sits quietly processing what Cass is saying with her question. "Yes, I remember her saying that. How many, Cass?" She looks over to Karrera and the young asari looks puzzled. Kaja takes her daughter's hand and holds it.
"Twins." replies Cass as she beams with excitement.
Karrera moves her hand away from her father's. She stands up and almost runs to the front door. As she leaves three stunned adults in the living room, Karrera says, "No, I don't want to move again. Every time someone new comes into a house, I have to leave. I don't want to leave..." Karrera leaves the front door open when she goes outside.
Kaja and Cass both take off after Karrera. The youth is sitting in the middle of the front yard, crying, mumbling how she doesn't want to leave. Kaja sits on the ground in front of Karrera while Cass sits next to the her. Cass puts her arm around Karrera, which causes Karrera to move further away from the human. Kaja moves as Karrera does. She reaches out slowly with her right hand and touches her daughter's arm. "You are not going anywhere, Karrera. We, as a family, are going to need a bigger apartment with the five of us." Kaja moves her arm in a circle between Karrera, Cass, and herself.
"Give me one good reason I should believe either one of you? Just one." demands Karrera as she puts her index finger in the air.
Kaja sees the hurt in Karrera's eyes. "I'll give you a few reasons. Only you can decide if they are good enough or not. First one is I'm not your mother, Karrera. I would never leave you. Cass would never leave you. If we didn't care about you, why would we follow you out here? Lastly, Karrera, your my daughter, I'll never leave you. I'm over two-hundred years old and my mom is still here for me. She's here for you too." The asari detective points to her mother who is sitting behind Karrera and to her right.
With Liara to her right, Cass sitting to her left, and Kaja in front of her, Karrera suddenly feels boxed in. The urge to run away is overwhelming, but Karrera doesn't run. The aura radiating from all three adults is calming the youth down. She looks at Cass, who is sitting in the same spot before Karrera moved away from her. She looks at Liara, who has a soft motherly look on her freckled face. The last person Karrera looks at is her father. Kaja smiles at Karrera while offering her hand to the youth. "I don't understand how you can care about me. You don't know me. Every one else who claimed to care doesn't care. Why should you care? Why would you care?" Karrera starts crying.
Detective T'Soni holds Karrera in her arms. The youth buries her face in her father's uneven left shoulder. "I'm sorry, others were not there for you. Karrera, I know words are cheap, but if you can. Please trust me when I say. I am not your mother. Do you still want to go to Earth? If so, we probably should get going."
Cass moves to sit next to Kaja, "Karrera, did you get moved from one home to another because someone else came into the house?"
Karrera looks at Cass with blood-shot eyes from all the tears. She nods at the human sitting next to Kaja. "Yes."
Dr. T'Soni whispers in her daughter's ear. "Kaja, I wouldn't go to Earth. You need to start getting things stable for Karrera and going on vacation isn't going to do that." She rubs her granddaughter's head tentacles, "Karrera, everything will work out. You'll see."
"Can I eat one of my sandwiches?" asks Karrera as she wipes her face with her shirtsleeve.
Kaja helps Karrera off the ground, "Of course you can." She looks at her mother, "Mom, will you take Karrera inside and give her sandwich to her. I need to talk to Cass for a moment."
Liara says, "Come on, Karrera. I'll get your sandwich for you." Liara and Karrera walk back inside the house, leaving the human/asari couple alone in the front yard.
Cass wraps her arms around Kaja's neck and kisses her wife tenderly. "Do you think it's a good idea for us to still go to Earth?"
Kaja wraps her arms around Cass' waist and pulls her closer. "I don't know. Mom thinks we should stay here. Maybe we should. Start looking for a bigger place to live. We need a four-bedroom place. Twins huh?" She kisses Cass.
"Yes, twins. The twins can share a room as long as it is two boys or two girls, but what if it's a boy and a girl? What do we do then?" asks Dr. Mitchell.
"Is that something we need to worry about today or the near future? Do we really need a study? Can't we put the computer terminal in our bedroom?" asks Kaja.
Cass kisses her wife again, "I don't know about you, Detective T'Soni, I was looking forward to lounging on the beach for the next week. This is or was our last vacation alone, but with Karrera with us now. We need to put her needs before our desires. And I do desire to get you alone, Detective. But we have someone who is depending on us. I'm sure your chowder is cold. Let's go inside and eat. Then decide what to do."
The couple walk back in the house holding hands. When Kaja and Cass come back inside the house, Liara hugs everyone and walks upstairs to her office to get some work done. Kaja looks through the bags to find her clam chowder. She feels the container and it still feels warm, but she puts the container in the microwave to heat it more. Cass sits across from Karrera with her salad. Kaja sits next to her daughter with her soup. "Karrera, do you still want to try this clam chowder?"
Karrera nods, "Yes, please." Kaja hand Karrera her spoon and slides the chowder to her daughter. The youth takes a bite then a second bite. "That tastes good." Karrera takes the last bite of her beef sandwich. She asks, "We not going to Earth are we?"
Kaja takes her chowder and spoon back from Karrera. She takes a bite and looks at Cass while she chews. Dr. Mitchell is busy eating her salad. The human says, "Are you wanting to go to Earth, Karrera?"
The youth wipes her mouth with a napkin, "Yes, ma'am. I've never been to Earth before. I've never been away from Thessia before either." Embarrassed because she's never been anywhere until today and it looks like her father and step-mom have been to lots of places. Or she thinks they have.
"What do you want to do Cass?" asks Kaja as she shoves another heaping spoonful of clam chowder in her mouth and dripping some of it down her chin. She wipes her chin then shoves another spoonful into her mouth.
"You know what I want, sweetie. We can leave now. It will be early morning by the time we get there. Stay until Wednesday then we can come back and look for a bigger place to live. We'll be cramped with five people in a two-bedroom apartment," answers Cass.
Kaja T'Soni finishes up the last of her clam chowder. She picks up all the bags and wrappers and puts them in the trash. "I guess that settles it then. We leave for Earth in a few minutes. I am going to let mom know we're leaving and returning Wednesday." She hugs Karrera then places a soft kiss on the youth's forehead. "You and Cass can take the rest of the food to the shuttle. I'll be there shortly."
Karrera grabs Kaja's arm when she starts to get up from the kitchen chair. "I didn't mean to ruin your plans. I'm sorry."
"Please, don't think that way. You didn't ruin anything, Karrera." says Cass. The human gets up from the table. She offers her hand to Karrera and the duo walk to the shuttle. Karrera is carrying the box from the diner.
Kaja walks up the stairs to talk to Liara. "Mom, we're leaving. Cass still wants to spend some time on vacation and Karrera wants to see Earth. We're coming back on Tuesday instead of Friday."
Liara looks up from the monitor. "I still think you should stay and get things settled here before taking Karrera any place. Don't let her out of your sight, Kaja."
"I know, mom. I don't plan on it. We're going to the island and not do much of anything else. Unless Karrera wants to do something. Maybe we'll go to the Citadel for a day. I think Karrera will enjoy that," says Kaja as she walks around her mother's desk and give the Shadow Broker a hug and kiss before she leaves to join her family in the shuttle.
"Kaja, go ahead and stay until Friday. I'll keep in contact with you about apartments. Or do you want a house? I know the Bartholomew's are looking to sell and haven't put their house on the market yet. Want me to check with them about it?" asks Liara. The more she thinks about it, the more she thinks she was wrong. They should go on this trip. Give them some time to get to know Karrera better and it could be the perfect trip to allow Karrera to learn to trust her father and step-mother.
"How big is their house? We need a four-bedroom, mom. Is there a basement?" asks the detective.
Dr. T'Soni makes notes about the size of place Kaja and Cass are going to need now they have custody of Karrera and with Cassandra expecting twins. "Kaja, I'll contact you Monday about some places. You should go. I'm sure Cassandra and Karrera are ready to leave."
Detective Kaja T'Soni says, "I am sure they are ready to go. Thank you and I love you, mom." The oldest T'Soni daughter walks back down the stairs and out the patio door, heading towards the shuttle.
When Kaja boards the shuttle, she sees her bondmate sharing some pictures with Karrera. Cass is showing her step-daughter the pictures from their wedding. Kaja can't believe Cass still has those pictures on her omni-tool. The elder asari smiles at her family. "Are you ever going to move those pictures from your omni-tool, Cass?" asks Kaja as she goes into the cockpit and starts warming all the shuttle's systems.
Cass chuckles at Kaja's comment, "These are copies. You know the originals are at home in storage." Cass leans against the wall between the cockpit and the rest of the shuttle, "You and Liara okay with each other? Your mom didn't seem as angry after we came back from the diner."
All the systems are ready, Kaja pilots the shuttle out of the hanger and out of Elysium's atmosphere. "I think so, Cass." Kaja sighs loudly and slumps her shoulders. The asari feels like she is about to break down. "I don't want to talk about it anymore." She glances over to her bondmate, "Cass, I love you and I'm sorry." Kaja says 'I'm sorry' in a hushed tired tone, Cass barely hears it.
Dr. Mitchell looks over her shoulder to check on Karrera. The youth is back to playing with her puzzle cube. She is working on the fourth row on the puzzle cube. Cass smiles when she see Karrera playing with the cube. The human shuts the cockpit door and walks to give her wife a hug. "You look like your about to break down, Kaja. Are you alright?"
Kaja looks at her bondmate with tears in her eyes, "No, I'm not. I can't afford to let Karrera know that. All I want to do is get us to our vacation home, crawl in bed, and cry." The shuttle makes the jump through the relay. Once they are in the Sol System, Kaja turns on the auto-pilot and stares out the shuttle's window with tears rolling down her face. She is unable to look at her bondmate, Dr. Cassandra Mitchell.
"I love you, sweetie. You having a child with another asari four decades ago doesn't change how I feel about you." Cass drapes her arms over Kaja's shoulders as she stands behind her wife, who is sitting in the pilot's chair. "I'm going to join Karrera and pull out the bed for her. I don't know if she has a bed time or not, but we need to set some rules for her." Not getting a response from her wife. So, Cass leaves the cockpit door open when she joins Karrera. The human pulls out the two beds and locks them both in place. Grabbing a few pillows from the storage, she hands one to Karrera, "Here you go. You can sleep on the smaller bed, okay?"
The youth smiles at her step-mom as she takes the pillow and moves to the smaller bed. "Thank you, Cass." She places the pillow behind her head and continues to play around with cube.
Kaja has her chin resting on her hand with her elbow on the arm of the chair as she continues to look at the window. The tears are still rolling down her face. How did I get here? Why did mom get so mad at me, but you didn't, Cass? Why do you believe me, but mom doesn't? Why? Vela, why did you do this ? Why get pregnant then neglect Karrera? WHY VELA? WHY? Did I really kiss you, Vela? I don't remember doing that. Kaja cries harder and covers her face with both hands. I needed someone to listen to me, be my friend. Not take advantage of my mental state while I was still mourning dad. It took meeting Cass for me to feel whole again. I was in no shape to be a parent when I was living on Thessia. You knew that, Vela. You knew how gutted I was after dad died. You fucking knew. I will never forgive you, Vela. I never loved you. I never wanted Karrera. But you've forced me to take care of her. Thanks for putting your wants and desires before anyone else, you selfish fucking bitch.
For the rest of the trip, Kaja sits alone with her thoughts. By the time they reach Earth, Kaja has no more tears left to shed. She lands the shuttle, shuts down all the systems, and looks at the two sleeping beauties. Looking at Karrera sleeping peacefully makes Kaja feel guilty for some of her thoughts. This isn't her fault. It's her mother's. I promise you, Karrera Tradere, I will always provide the love and support you need. You were not what I wanted, but I can't turn my back you, Karrera. I am NOT your mother. I do love you, Karrera. The asari opens the shuttle door, flares her biotics, picks Karrera up, and carries the sleeping asari to the house.
As she puts Karrera in bed and tucks her daughter in, Karrera wakes briefly to ask, "Where are we, dad?"
Hearing Karrera call her 'dad' for the first time causes Kaja to start crying again. These are the good type of tears. Unlike the tears she shed during the trip. "We're at our vacation home, Karrera. Go back to sleep. I'll see you when you wake up." She kisses her daughter's cheek then goes to grab their things from the shuttle and wake Cass if she isn't awake already.
Cass wakes up to an empty shuttle. The door is open, but Kaja and Karrera are gone. She covers her mouth when she yawns then starts to grab the bags from the storage. Sitting the bags next to the door, Cass puts the bed back in their place under the seats.
Kaja enters the shuttle and trips over a bag and land on the shuttle's deck. "Omph."
Cass has her back to the shuttle door and didn't hear Kaja enter the shuttle until she hears something hit the floor. She turns to see her wife sprawled out on the deck of the shuttle. "Kaja, are you alright?"
The asari stays on the floor, too tired to get up. "Hand me a pillow, I'll sleep down here on the deck."
"I'm not going to let you sleep on the shuttle floor. Sweetie, take my hand," says Dr. Mitchell as she offers her hand to her wife so she can help the asari off the floor.
Kaja takes her bondmate's hand and gets off the floor, gives the human a kiss. Kaja isn't sure what to say to Cass. She is full of every type of emotion she could possible feel. The guilt of some of her thoughts during the trip are now haunting her and she doesn't want to think about them. Let alone talk to the human she loves dearly about it. Kaja grabs their bags and heads to the main house in silence. Cass grabs the lone bag, Kaja didn't carry.
The asari drops the bags on the floor in the master bedroom. She grabs Karrera's bag and quietly takes it to her daughter's room. When she walks in the room, the youth is sound asleep. Seeing her daughter sleeping puts a smile on Kaja's face. She leans against the doorway watching her daughter sleep.
Cass wraps her arms around Kaja's waist as she stands behind the asari. "Come to bed, sweetie. You look tired."
Kaja turns around in Cass' arms. She looks into Cass' hazel-colored eyes, moves a few strands of Cass' hair from the human's face. "I don't deserve you, Cass." Kaja's eyes start tearing up again which causes the asari to move from Cass' embrace and head to the master bedroom. She sits on the bed with her hands covering her face, crying.
"Kaja," says the archeologist as she curls up behind her wife, takes the asari in her arms, and holds her tightly. "What you don't deserve, sweetheart, is what Karrera's mother did to you. I know you don't want to talk about it. You and I both know what we need to do. We need to turn our focus on our kids not things we can't control. Kaja, we've been through worse. She's a good kid and in this short time, I've come to care about her as much as I care about you. How could I not?"
"I feel like I cheated on you. I worried all day you would upset with me. Then it turns out my mother doesn't believe me. I think she's being nice for Karrera's sake. Not mine. My own mother doesn't trust me, Cass. If my mom doesn't trust me, how can I expect Karrera to?" asks Kaja when she moves enough to look at Cass with tears running down her cheeks. "Maybe I really did consent to this? Vela says I kissed her, but I don't remember doing that. I don't remember much from that night. I remember being drunk that I passed out at Vela's and woke up naked in her bed. What happened while I was with her, I don't remember. I thought we melded. I asked about it when I woke up"
Cassandra wipes Kaja's face. "You didn't cheat on me. I told you, Liara seemed angry about it. I don't know what to tell you." She runs her hand over Kaja's cheeks, wiping away the tears. "I want to ask you something. I what were you thinking during the flight here that has you this upset?
"You don't want my answer to that, Cass." Kaja gets off the bed and walks out the french doors and sits in a chair. She looks up to the stars shining in the moonlit sky.
"Kaja, if I didn't want your answer, I wouldn't have asked. I think I know the answer from your reaction, but I still want you to tell me," says Cass as she sits next to Kaja.
The former huntress looks at the archeologist, "I want to kill her and I would not think twice about it. There! Happy now! Your wife wants to kill someone who's already dead and I'd be happy to kill the fucking bitch again! Is that what you thought I would say?" Kaja slams her hand on the arm of the chair as she looks at Cass with rage in her eyes. The retired huntress walks back in the house and starts to take her boots off along with the rest of her clothes then climbs under the covers with her back to the french doors.
The look in Kaja's eyes is a look Cass has never seen before. The look of absolute rage and anger. Cass doesn't blame her wife for having those feelings. After all, Vela did use her. Maybe it an asari reaction. She isn't sure, but the look in Kaja's eyes is similar to the look Liara had after hearing the message from Vela Tradere to Kaja. Only difference is Kaja's look is more intense than Liara's. She wonders if it has to do with how the asari reproduce. If that is the case, the anger is understandable Cass wishes there was something she could say to make Kaja feel better about the situation. At the moment, she is unable to think of anything worth while to say to her wife.
Dr. Mitchell walks back into the bedroom. Before she joins Kaja in bed, she goes and checks on Karrera one more time. She peeks in the youth's bedroom and sees an asari sleeping and looking like she is at peace with the world. Cass whispers softly, "Good night, Karrera. See you in the morning." Cass joins Kaja in bed after she changes into her sleep wear.
By the time Cass joins Kaja, the asari is asleep. The human curls up next to her wife and holds her close. "Things will work out, sweetie. I promise. I love you, Kaja. I love your daughter too." Within a few minutes Dr. Mitchell falls back asleep.
–
A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. Next week is the last chapter for this story. I am still working on my new post ME3 arc. Things are going to be different with the new arc, with some things remaining the same from the old.
Slight preview for next week's chapter. Karrera gets to meet both aunts. Kaja gets into a little altercation with one of her sisters. See you peeps next week. Leviathan DLC tomorrow.