Unharmonic Convergence

by Archer83

They've faced it all. Revolutionists, religious zealots, anarchists, ancient dark spirits, and a slightly unhinged military leader bent on world domination. The Normandy SR-2 and her crew almost smashing into Aang's face before unceremoniously crashing into the bay? That's a new one. The citizens of Republic City just can't seem to get a break.

2. Hands On Healing

Chapter 2: Hands On Healing

Liara was grateful when Tenzin and the young boy she had seen earlier helped her get a semi conscious and irritated as hell Shepard into the saddle on the back of the hovering sky bison before climbing on behind her. "Thank you."

"No problem….ma'am." Kai said and rubbed the back of his head, unable to tear his eyes away from her. "Uh... mind if I sit next to you?"

Elizabeth chuckled only to groan and clutch at her right side, catching Jinora's jealous gaze just as it disappeared from her eyes. "Easy there kid, Liara has that effect on everyone. She's taken, so your boyfriend can stare all he likes, but that's it. Good instincts though." An amused Shepard told her with a pained smirk.

"Boyfriend?! ...I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear any of that and worry about evacuating the rest of your crew." Tenzin muttered before quickly walking off into the crowded metal deck.

Jinora's mortified response was to spur her bison into the sky and towards the island. "Yip yip, Juicy!"

"Oops... looks like someone was keeping a secret from her dad. Consider that your first interesting tidbit of info around here Liara." When the sky bison suddenly jerked mid flight, eliciting a pained groan from Shepard, the redhead blinked and stared at the back of Jinora's head in surprise. "And I don't think she likes me." Shepard said with a smirk, before a deep racking coughing fit silenced her.

"I can't imagine why Elizabeth." A very concerned Liara sighed, as she shook her head in mild annoyance while doing her best to ignore the globule of blood Shepard 'covertly' spat over Juicy's side.

"She's right here. Alright, so maybe Dad isn't exactly the easiest person to talk to about... certain things. And for the record, I trust Kai...mostly." Jinora replied, doing her best to maintain her calm while Kai did his best to appear as insignificant as possible.

Shepard leaned over to give Kai a pat on the shoulder, instantly regretting it as she clutched at her side. "Just not around... confident and beautiful asari archaeologists huh? I really don't blame you, kid. So can you please stop sweating bullets Kai?" She asked, looking towards the girl's partner who was directly behind Jinora.

Kai nodded his head so rapidly, an amused Shepard thought he might give himself a bad case of whiplash. The fact he was frantically wiping at his forehead only made it worse.

"You forgot brilliant." Liara quipped, arching one of her blue eye ridges before turning to address their other rescuer. "You have nothing to fear from me Jinora. Despite Shepard's attempts to antagonize you and embarrass your friend, I am only... interested in her." Liara reassured the girl in front of them, as she gently nudged Elizabeth, frowning at her smirk.

"Interested huh? You still taking notes for that 'in-depth... study'?" Liara nudged Elizabeth a littler harder, this time with her elbow. "Ow. Easy Liara, save the rough stuff for later. Like when I'm not coughing up blood." Shepard admitted, having known Liara would have seen her spitting blood over the sky bison's side despite her attempts to hide the more severe nature of her injuries from her. "Which I totally didn't try to hide from you on the ship. At all. Just started, I swear."

"I believe I'll have to find a proper way to motivate you to be more honest with me." Liara said darkly, her lips curling up into a mischievous grin. "And perhaps give you a bit more incentive to recover as quickly as possible at the same time."

It was impossible to miss Jinora's blushing glance and Kai's embarrassed cough. "M-Master Katara should be prepared by now. She's the best healer in the world. I promise, we'll make sure everyone gets proper treatment."

"Thank you, Jinora was it?" Liara asked, and when the girl nodded, the blue woman nodded in turn. "Then let's not waste anymore time."

"Yeah, better go faster kid, before she takes away the rest of your fragile innocence. Turns out asari are really good at that." Elizabeth chuckled weakly.

"Oh really? I don't remember you being very innocent to begin with." Liara retorted as she lovingly brushed a hand through Elizabeth's shoulder length red hair. "Or am I misremembering my first visit to your quarters on the original Normandy?"

"Juicy, yip yip!" A beet red Jinora and Kai shouted at the same time. Coaxing an extra burst of speed from her sky bison, Jinora soon had them at the giant stone temple's front courtyard, right in front of the main doors where several white garbed sentries were already present, carrying a simple stretcher between them. They only gave Liara a hesitant glance before Jinora had them helping Shepard down from the saddle. "Take her directly to Master Katara."

"Of course Master Jinora." The leader of the guards said while his men gently lowered Elizabeth onto the gurney.

"Master Jinora huh? I feel like I should be saluting you or something." Elizabeth quipped, snickering at the deep, appreciative blush on Jinora's cheeks. "And just as humble as Admiral Tali'Zorah to boot." Before the guards could take a step though, Shepard reached out and grasped Jinora's arm. "Thank you for what you did today kid. I owe you, your old man and your boyfriend, and so does my crew. I won't forget that. Just might have to give Kai some dating advice for starters."

"You don't have to thank us, or give me any advice, it was just the right thing to do." A blushing Kai said with a shrug of his shoulders, as if pulling people out of a sinking ship was a routine affair.

"We live to serve." Jinora replied as she smiled and watched them go.

"Sorry guys, my gratitude and advice tends to be on the mandatory side." A grinning Shepard said after waiting until the two young Airbenders were out of earshot. "Nice kids, even if Jinora does have those weird tattoos like her father. Kinda cute actually, but not my thing. Too pale looking."

"Because we all know you prefer a darker shade of blue. And I would posit that those 'weird tattoos' as you call them symbolize their rank in this monastic style order." Liara stated, and knew she was on the right track as the guards shared a slightly surprised look between them. "I gather from your reaction that I am correct?" All the while, the asari let her eyes wander the beautiful, graceful architecture all around them.

"Uh...yes, you are. Masters Tenzin and Jinora are master Airbenders, having found the spiritual and elemental balance that earned them the right to bear the arrow tattoos."

Liara's eyes lit up in understanding. "Ah, just like the battle scarring rituals among the krogan, or that N7 tattoo on your right-"

"Let's not embarrass the poor guards more than necessary. They're just doing their jobs." Elizabeth interrupted, even as she smirked up at Liara. "But I can see why you'd think so."

It was then that they entered a stone chamber, dominated by several large pools of water and lined with dozens of candles. Their eyes fell on an elderly, kindly smiling woman in blue robes standing by one of the pools of softly glowing water. "I prefer not to be rude to guests, but we should proceed quickly if what I heard was to be believed. You're not the only person I have to treat today you know." She stated, her smile widening a little as she gestured them forward. "I shall need your help dear, to remove as much of her damaged armor as we can."

Liara raised an eye ridge, her expression a mix of curiosity and annoyance. Despite what she'd seen for herself so far, she wasn't sure what the point of all this was. "I respect that your culture believes water to have healing properties but-"

Liara's frown deepened when Katara held up a hand, her smile never faltering. "You are strangers to our world, so I shall inform you that it is far more than mere belief my dear. I have saved more lives than you can imagine. But, I suppose a demonstration will be the only way that a highly intellectual person such as yourself will believe my claims, even after what you've no doubt seen thus far."

"Highly intellectual person... what a kiss ass." Shepard muttered softly when she saw the beaming glow in Liara's eyes.

When Liara continued to hesitate, one of the guards stepped forward. "You stand before Master Katara. A Waterbender and healer without equal, and the wife to Avatar Aang. She knows what she's doing." The frowning man informed them, making it clear he didn't approve of Liara's disbelief and doubt.

"It is quite alright. Without doubt, there can be no wonder in the world." Katara said and put a hand on the guard's arm before turning to face Elizabeth and Liara. "I promise, she is in good hands. Now please, help me assist her."

"Very well." Liara said before helping them peel away what remained of Shepard's armor, wincing anytime a piece came away covered in dried blood. Once she was down to her undergarments, Liara allowed the guards to gently lower Elizabeth into one of the pools of water, so that she was up to her neck with her head resting against the side of the pool.

"This is….sort of oddly soothing. What's in the water?" Elizabeth asked once she had gotten as comfortable as possible. No easy feat, since she was flush against cold stone in nothing but her simple black skivvies. Really need to start wearing something other than a damn sports bra.

Katara was happy to explain as she took up position by the side of the pool. "It is highly charged with spiritual energy, taken from one of our most spiritually enriched springs. Now, try and relax, let the water do its work." Katara stated, gracefully moving her hands from side to side, and the glow of the water moved with her, washing over Shepard's body.

Liara was transfixed as her lover's wounds slowly started to disappear right before her eyes. "By the goddess." She whispered, having never expected anything like this in her long life. At the slightly apprehensive expression on Elizabeth's face, Laira gently grasped her good hand. "Hang in there Liz. Whatever she's doing, it seems to be working."

"Is it... supposed to feel kinda... tingly?" Shepard asked, blushing a little at the strange, but not unpleasant, sensations running through her.

Katara smiled at her patient's nervous glance. "The healing waters affect everyone differently, but will cause no harmful effects I can assure you." Liara glanced up just when a thoughtful look passed over the elderly woman's face. "I must say, you are a strong woman to have endured so much pain without much complaint. You remind me of another strong willed woman I knew quite well. A fond childhood friend actually."

"I've had worse….but not by much." Shepard stated quietly, holding back a great deal from the older woman, a fact which Katara deemed not to comment on as she continued her graceful ministrations.

Liara frowned, gently cupping Shepard's cheek with her other hand. "Just rest now, I'll be here when you wake up. I promise." Softly kissing her forehead, Liara wasn't surprised that when she pulled away, Elizabeth's eyes had closed. Looking up to Master Katara, Liara couldn't meet her kind blue eyes. "I apologize for doubting your abilities."

"It's fine dear. You've come a long way and suffered greatly, of that I have little doubt. Though I must admit, you are the first new spirits we've seen in quite some time. But you obviously care a great deal for each other. That is more than enough to assure me of your heart." Katara quietly replied, her smile all but encompassing her face as she stopped moving her arms. The moving glow in the water stopped about the same time. "I have done what I can for her at the moment. I'll want to see her here again tomorrow afternoon." With a nod, the White Lotus guards gently helped carry her back to the gurney just as another arrival was guided into the chamber.

"Of course, and thank you, truly." Liara replied, her gaze full of gratitude for the kind old woman's aid, quietly filing her odd 'spirits' comment away for further research later as she closely watched the guards around Shepard, her right hand never far from her holstered heavy pistol.

"Hey Liara, how's Shep- Ow. Ow! OW! Watch the arm dumbass!" Joker yelped as he limped into the chamber with a glaring EDI by his side, forcefully removing a guard's hand from his arm. Liara merely smirked at the AI's ever protective attitude when it came to Jeff. "Oh boy, that can't be a good sign. I just know she still hasn't forgiven me for that 'And now the continuing adventures of Get In-Her-Undies Jones!' line."

Liara frowned darkly at Joker's comment. "What is he talking about?"

"It is a crude sexual pun based on the adventures of a fictional heroic archaeologist. I will elaborate further later Liara." EDI promised as Tali, ever the proficient engineer, had been able to fix EDI's vocal synthesiser, which she used to make her displeasure known even as the quarian finished her repairs. "I would advise against harming Jeff again if you would prefer to continue metabolizing oxygen."

"Huh?" The guard asked with a confused look.

"Why are guards always such idiotic bosh'tets?" Tali muttered to herself, glancing around the chamber in awe before quietly departing. There were still a thousand things to do before they could rest easily, and everyone knew the quarian would be one of the last to do so.

"I think she means that you will not continue to breathe if you try to 'help' her companion again." Katara stated, before turning her kind gaze on the metal woman. "And who might you be my dear?"

Smiling briefly at the welcoming woman, EDI introduced herself, much to Jeff's wary irritation. "My name is EDI, I am an Artificial-"

"Yeah... Why don't we skip that part for now? At least until we know how the weird magic using people feel about, you know..." Joker needn't have bothered.

"You are afraid of us discovering she is some sort of spirited mechanical construct? She is rather unique, but I do not think you have anything to be afraid of young man."

EDI and Joker shared a look before the pilot sighed. "Name's Joker, and uh...let's just say where we're from, she's not exactly a welcome sight for most people. Long story."

"A tale I will be happy to hear, but for now, let us see what can be done for you."

Jeff winced as he glanced over that various pools. "Ah, I'm good... no weird glowy water for me thanks. I think I'll stick with the probably-not-having-horrible-side-effects kind."

Liara was quick to speak up in Katara's defense. "EDI, as hard as it may be for you to believe, the combination of the water and her skills as a healer are surprisingly effective at treating injuries. Just look at how much has been done for Shepard already in such a short time." Liara explained, gesturing to a peacefully sleeping Elizabeth before nodding towards the guards as they carried her out of the chamber and no doubt to private quarters so she could rest comfortably.

One long, relieved gaze at a partially healed Shepard later, EDI narrowed her eyes and turned to stare at Jeff. "Please do not resist Jeff, I am going to remove your clothing now."

Jeff about jumped out of his boots at that declaration. "Whoa! Not in front of the old mystic lady! EDI, not funny, seriously, what are you-hey! Alright alright alright, I'm stripping down, sheesh. I can't believe I'm doing this. Certainly gives new meaning to 'resistance is futile.'"

Jeff's discomfort only increased when Katara chuckled and shook her head in open amusement. "Ah, to be young again. Young man, I have done this so many times that nothing surprises me anymore. If it makes you feel better, you can keep your undergarments on."

"Uh...right." Jeff muttered just as he began to hook his thumbs into the waistband of his pants and underwear at the same time. "Not that it'd matter, they're standard issue. Doesn't leave much to the imagination." He continued to mutter quietly even as he jerked away from EDI's nimble metallic fingers.

"As you wish." EDI replied with a nod, one of her hands slowly backing from the waistband of Jeff's briefs after helping to remove his uniform cargo pants.

"Please, help him to the healing pool." Katara said with a gesture towards the calm waters before her. Surprise willed her eyes when EDI gently lifted a protesting Jeff and carried him in her arms over to the pool. "Oh...you must be a very lucky man. That must come in handy during various... situations."

"You have no idea." Joker agreed, a genuine smile flickering across his face even as he resisted the urge to protest against EDI picking him up like a newborn and slowly lowering him into the glowing water. "Whoa….okay, this isn't too bad actually. What's in this stuff? Happy feelings in a bottle?"

"Something like that. Try and relax. This shouldn't take long." Katara said as she began once again. "Just how many broken bones have you suffered through young man?" She asked after a few moments of bending the water to and fro, a mixture of curiosity and concern in her blue eyes.

"That's another long story." Jeff muttered darkly.

"He was born with a rare disease called Vrolik's Syndrome, brittle bone disease." EDI explained, much to Jeff's annoyance. Katara merely filed the information away, knowing when to let a topic drop, at least for the moment.

Suddenly, Ashley and Jack burst into the room, shoving the annoyed guards out of their way, a royally pissed off and bound Zaeed being dragged between them, trying to head butt the shorter, petite biotic in the face. Katara hardly batted an eyelash, having seen it all before in her many years. "Warriors, always the same... He is worse than Zuko ever was. You'll need to remove the armor, how you do that without injuring him even more severely, I leave up to you."

"Hmm. I like a challenge." Ashley taunted as the man struggled to free himself.

"I got this." Jack offered, grabbing Zaeed by the neck. "You gonna be good little grumpy bastard Massani, or am I gonna have to slap your old ass in Stasis?"

"Let go of me you crazy bitch! I've walked off worse than this in my sleep! Hey, what the hell do you-" Zaeed's enraged shout was cut off by a flaring dark blue aura surrounding his entire body.

"Stasis it is then." Jack stated with a satisfied grin, her right hand raised and glowing with biotic energy which had since encased the furious mercenary. "You got two minutes Williams, make 'em count."

"Gladly. Never thought having to bathe a beat up, frail, helpless old man... could be this satisfying." Ashley chuckled, even as her hands flew over the hard locks holding the man's armor together. Pieces were soon flying in every direction. Zaeed barely managed a quiet rage filled grumble as his multicolored eyes burned into the women.

"Awe, those murderous eyes of your's are just so goddamn adorable. I think I'll keep you." Jack said with a grin as she helped Ashley with the last of Zaeed's armor before pulling off his tattered under suit with a devilish wink.

Zaeed was less than pleased by all this if his barely moving lips were any indication. "Mmmuuhhmmm!"

"What was that? You want Williams to take lots of pics?" Jack asked, her grin widening to encompass her whole face. "Hell, take a vid while you're at it."

"You will do no such thing." Katara quietly warned, just as a tendril of water wrapped around Ashley's arm before she could take the picture with her omni-tool. "If you do not wish a more hands on demonstration, I suggest you desist in further embarrassing such a proud warrior."

"Aren't you even a little curious about us?" Ashley asked as she glanced at her omni-tool and deactivated it.

Katara dismissed her tendril with a thought before addressing her question. "Of course. But right now I just see injured and childish people with silly toys, wearing odd clothing."

"And now I feel like I just got browbeat by my grandmother." Ashley muttered, flexing her wrist once her arm was free from Katara's water tendril. "Neat trick by the way."

"You might wanna use that on Grumpy over here in a second." Jack advised as she unceremoniously dumped Zaeed into one of the unoccupied pools.

"I will deal with him after I have finished with your far more pleasant, if sarcastic friend."

"Hear that, I'm the pleasant one for a change." Jeff snarked with a shit eating grin as he watched Zaeed slowly start to reach out to try and choke the life out of Jack, but the biotic was too quick for him as she merely jumped back.

"Keep talkin' brittle britches. I'm gonna break off your arm and shove it right up your ass." Zaeed growled before turning his mismatched gaze on Jack. "And you, if you Stasis me again, I'll forget how we survived Hell together. And celebrated a few times. Actually, that last time wasn't all that bad... Before Joker crashed the damn ship….again."

Jack knelt down and ran her hand through the water Zaeed was swimming in. "Celebrated huh? That what you call a quick sloppy fuck when nobody's looking?"

"No, that first time was the worst, 'specially on my guddamn back. Didn't help any that you like to claw like a damn varren." Zaeed grumbled and looked away, the barest hint of a blush appearing on his scarred, wrinkled face.

"I really didn't need to know that." Ash grumbled as Katara merely shook her head at the pair before moving away from Joker's side, having finished her work on the pilot.

"I could stand to hear a little more." Joker offered, but a glare from EDI had him chuckling nervously. "What? I'm kidding."

Katara only shook her head and chuckled warmly at the bantering taking place around her before beginning to heal Zaeed next. "I had almost forgotten what it was to be so full of life. Despite your strange mannerisms, you truly are not so different from us. Though you my foul mouth friend, are truly brave to try and tame your little smitten dragon."

It was Zaeed's turn to laugh as he finally relaxed in the glowing water. "That's one way of describin' Jack I suppose. And yours truly."

Jack's good mood evaporated like smoke. The murderous glare in her brown eyes would have made most people run the other way, but Katara hardly blinked, not that the biotic cared much. "Smitten?! Do I look like a damn lovesick varren to you old bag?!"

"I have no idea what a varren is... but... yes. If it soothes your ego, know that he cares for you as deeply. You don't get to be my age without noticing a few things." Katara, having finished with Zaeed's treatment, stood to her feet only to stumble. Ashley and Jack both were at her side in an instant, just as one of the guards were. "Oh….I'm fine dears. Just tired from all the excitement. I must rest before more of your friends arrive in need of my skills. My daughter Kya can pick up where I left off if it's a pressing emergency, but I think I'm going to get some rest."

"Do you need a hand ma'am?" Ashley asked, even as the guard that had rushed in took most of Katara's weight from her shoulder.

"No need dear, but thank you for your concern." Katara said and patted Ashley's arm before starting away, the guard at her side staying within arm's reach in case she needed his help.

"Her abilities take more of a toll these days than she would like to admit." A far younger, yet still grey haired woman told them as she walked into the chamber while Katara walked out. Giving the elder woman a quick hug on her way by, the younger blue clothed woman crossed her arms as she closed the distance between the crew and herself. "But stubbornness seems to run in the family. I'm Kya, I take it you already met my brothers."

"We've noticed. And I still have to thank Tenzin and Bumi for their help with our people, with getting them out of the Normandy." Ashley said before holding out her hand to Kya. "Nice mom you've got by the way, did wonders for a few of our injured."

"She is pretty amazing, even if she still treats me like a little girl." Kya stated, and firmly shook Ashley's hand before nodding to the occupied pools, just as Zaeed started to climb out. EDI simply helped Joker to his feet and got him out with minimal effort. "Alright, how many more of your people can I expect?"

Ash opened her mouth to answer, but paused as a small group of injured crew entered the room, one being carried on a stretcher while the other was aided by a fellow crewmember. And two limping armored women arguing over, of all things, who bounced harder around the sealed compartment they had been in when the ship crashed.

"Come on Sarah! A broken leg beats a dislocated shoulder any day of the week!"

"Fine Beth, I'll see your leg and raise you a concussion, my head hurts like a mother. Or as Joker would say, I win, go pout."

"Oh shut up." The other armored woman muttered as she helped support her friend with her good arm.

In front of them, a concerned looking red head was doing her best to make sure the woman next to her didn't pass out. "Come on Sam, don't worry, we'll get you fixed up in no time."

"Kel, it's just a scratch, I'll be fine!" Samantha Traynor groaned in embarrassment as she held her right arm, a sizable gash running from her shoulder down to her forearm.

Kelly Chambers wasn't so easily mollified. "It must be a pretty deep scratch judging by how pale your skin is. Don't even try fooling me, I've already gone over all of the crew's personal files, including yours."

"That can't be legal!" Sam protested, her brown eyes wide with alarm at her new, overly protective girlfriend delving into her psych evals, among other things.

"Shepard 'officially' reinstated me when she took me back onboard. So yes, it is, technically."

"See if I ever come to your quarters for a late night game of chess now." Samantha growled defiantly even as she stumbled, Kelly catching her before she could fall flat on her face. "Alright… so maybe it's a bit more than a scratch."

It turned out Sam wasn't the only one trying to act stronger than they actually felt. "I told ya not to try resetting the drive core heat sink manually didn't I? But no... had to try and be the bloody big damn hero, didn't you?"

"Seemed like a good idea at the time." Chief Engineer Adams muttered before thunking his head back down on the stretcher beneath him. His mistake had cost him. The heat sink conduit had blown up in his face, to put it kindly. Only a bit of quick thinking from Tali had spared him from taking the full force of the blast when she had hacked his personal shield generator and overloaded it, quadrupling its capacity for a few seconds but burning it out in the process. Light to moderate burns covered him from the neck down to the middle of his chest, his arms having taken the brunt of the blast when he had shielded himself as best as he'd been able at the time. Karin had done what she could before allowing the crew to take Adams to Katara.

"You're an idiot Greg." Gabby sternly informed him, as she smirked down at her groaning superior officer. "A brave idiot, but still an idiot."

"That's brave idiot, sir." Adams retorted, managing a weak grin despite his injuries.

"Guess that answers that question." Kya said with a sigh, much to Ashley's amusement. "Idiotic bravery doesn't seem to know any boundaries."

"Nope. It's pretty much universal." Ken told her with a grin as he and the others carefully lowered Adams onto the stone floor. "Uh, what's with the waterworks anyway?" He asked, his grin turning into a frown as Zaeed and Joker got themselves dried off and back in their clothes.

"You'll see. I might not be on my mother's level, but I learned all I know from her. Let's get him out of those tatters first." Kya said before nodding to Samantha. "You're next." Leveling her gaze on one of the guards, the healer was already on the move as she barked her next order. "You, get that arm wrapped. I don't want her bleeding out before I can get to her."

Air Temple Island

Guest Quarters

Four hours later...

Karin Chakwas was surprised, to say the least, as she did a quick examination of Shepard's injuries. "I wouldn't have believed if I hadn't seen it for myself, but whatever this Katara did seems to have greatly accelerated the healing process. Her daughter seems just as gifted, what I wouldn't give in order to be able to perform the near miraculous feats I observed today. Shepard still has a long way to go Liara, but if Katara and Kya are true to form, I think she'll be up and about in as little as a week, two at the most."

"Thank you Karin." Liara replied quietly, truly grateful for the good doctor's assessment.

Karin nodded, having cleaned and bound Shepard's remaining injuries as best she could with what she had on hand. Standing to her feet once she was done, Chakwas put a hand on Liara's shoulder, the asari having taken up a vigil by the Commander's bedside. "You have nothing to thank me for Liara. Even if we hadn't gone through as much as we have together, I'd still do all I can to ensure she has a decent chance of coming out of this in one piece. The Commander would do nothing less for any of us."

"I know…." It was here that the asari looked away. "But at least you remember who you are. I hardly recognize myself when I look in the mirror anymore." Now that they seemed to have come out the other side of the worst war in galactic history, everything they'd face was finally starting to catch up with her.

"I see the same thing Elizabeth does, Liara." Karin said as she turned back away from the door. She understood all too well what the asari was going through. "A compassionate, highly gifted woman, who still manages to hold onto that naive, young idealistic dreamer I met all those years ago. We all might have changed, in some ways for the worst, most of it for the better in the end, but I still see that young girl when I look at you Liara, no matter what you might have become along the way."

"I'll never be able to tell her everything... not without losing her." As the Shadow Broker, Liara had done some terrible things to keep the Reapers at bay for as long as she could. People had met with….unfortunate accidents, others had had their lives ruined, while others still had simply disappeared, never to be seen again. All of them had been either corrupted like Saren, or they had been unscrupulous bastards from the start. Either way, their blood was on her hands even if she had rarely pulled the trigger herself.

Chakwas walked back to Liara's chair and gently pushed her chin towards her so their gazes locked when she tried to look away. She could only guess what Liara had had to do, but Karin wasn't about to let her bear the weight alone. "You might be surprised Liara. What you two share, it's a bond that will never be broken. Tested perhaps, but never lost, not if you believe in it, not if you fight for it. Besides, you aren't the only one that's had to do things that keep them up at night Liara. But I don't have to tell you that."

"No...and you're right. It's just...after all this time, it's finally over. Even if we may be stranded on this strange place, it's still better than a galaxy in flames."

"We'll get through this like we have everything else. 'This too shall pass.', as Ashley would say. We might be lost, but we'll find our way home. And if not, we'll make one here." The younger, yet far wiser woman told her as she patted Liara's knee.

"Home is being with people you care about, not a perfect little house with a white picket fence and a dog... something Elizabeth told me." After a moment of thought though, Liara managed a weak, watery smile as she wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. "Although a bunch of little blue babies and the house sound pretty nice right now. Maybe even a...I believe she called it a golden retriever."

Karin was about to say something more, but a flash of movement on the other side of the door had her smiling instead. "You can come out now. I imagine you have a thousand different questions for us young miss."

"How'd you know?" A young girl asked once she revealed herself, her hair held up with yellow spherical bows on either side of her head. Like most of the Sky Rangers they'd met already, she also wore the yellow and red wingsuit.

"I might be old enough to be your grandmother, but I'm not blind, nor am I deaf." Karin replied with a warm chuckle before looking at Liara, only to mentally breathe a sigh of relief when she hid away her sidearm underneath Shepard's bed. Whatever her thoughts about the young girl, Liara wasn't against company, the subtle gesture of her hiding her heavy pistol said as much.

"Hello, I'm Ikke. Dad said I'm not supposed to bother you, but I couldn't help myself." She fired off, hardly taking a breath between words, much to Karin and Liara's silent amusement.

"Hello Ikke." Liara smiled, finding it rather easy around the excitable girl in front of her. "My name is Liara T'Soni. Doctor Karin Chakwas, you've met."

Ikke nodded with a smile. "I think Uncle Bumi's scared of her, and he's never afraid. Nice to meet you Liara."

"I take it Bumi was in the military? That would certainly explain why he's so nervous around the good doctor." Liara stated rather than asked and nodded for Ikke to take the only seat that remained, which the girl eagerly accepted when she jumped down and beamed up at the alien. "You remind me of myself when I was your age."

"Really? How old are you? What are you? Where do you come from? Why is your skin so blue? Why do you have tentacles on your head? What did you hide under her bed? Oh, I know, it's some type of death ray... or a stunner like Asami's glove maybe?"

"Or something….but it's best if you don't touch it, ever." Liara stated, making it clear with a brief flash of her biotics she wouldn't take it well if Ikke got her mitts on it.

"Whoa! You're all glowy and stuff! How'd you do that? Can you teach me how to do that? Do you glow blue because you're blue? What else can you do?" Liara was stunned by the girl's reaction, even if she did her best to hide that fact. Usually unarmed people ran in the opposite direction when she flared her biotics instead of excitedly asking her even more questions.

"I, um... it's complicated. But I will answer what I can, if you give me a chance to do so that is."

"Okay!" Ikke leaned forward resting her chin on her hands, her gray eyes never leaving Liara's nervous blue gaze.

"It seems as if she thinks you'd make quite the fascinating research subject." Karin could only laugh before she started to leave the room, knowing Liara was in good hands. "I'm sure as a student of ancient xenoanthropology and archaeology you can understand her ravenous curiosity. Have fun you two."

Liara shot Karin an amused if annoyed glare for leaving her with the precocious young girl, but she couldn't blame the veteran Doctor for wanting to check on her various other patients. The fact Liara had become somewhat of a recluse after assuming the Shadow Broker's position was no doubt not lost on Karin, which the asari guessed was also part of the reason for her decision to leave Ikke alone with her. A rather clever 'treatment' the good doctor had prescribed for Liara's inner wounds, and yet another thing she'd have to thank Karin for when things weren't so hectic.

Meanwhile, Karin herself found herself with a tagalong the moment she left Liara, Ikke, and Elizabeth behind. The young boy at her side had his arms crossed over his chest, but despite his attempt to appear uncaring, Karin could see he clearly wanted to ask her something. "What's on your mind young man?"

"Who said anything was on my mind? Maybe I just wanted to see what all the fuss was about? You don't look like much to me. But maybe you're a spy in disguise!"

"I'm a doctor, not a soldier, let alone a spy young man." Karin replied, just able to keep a grin from spreading over her face. "And what about you? Are you a spy? Sent to steal all of my medical secrets no doubt."

"I'm Meelo! And one day, I'm going to be the best Master Airbender and eventually Emperor of the world! Mwuhaha!"

Karin couldn't keep her laughter contained any longer and threw her head back. She regained some semblance of control, even as Meelo stomped his foot and glowered up at her. "I'm sorry, but you are the cutest thing I've seen in a very long time. I'm sure you'll be a fine Airbender one day, but I'm not so sure about the Emperor part young man. Besides, ruling can get so boring and tedious, or so I've heard. You'd be left to plan and worry, sitting on a throne bored to death, while others seek glory and fame in your name."

"Hmmm… I like you old lady." Meelo said after giving Karin's words some consideration.

"That's Doctor to you, you little devil." Karin chuckled again, and left the would be emperor in the hallway to ponder her words. "Tenzin must be so proud." The seasoned woman mused, before turning down the hall just as the master Airbender himself and Lin Beifong, the chief of police, were coming the other way. "Ah, Master Tenzin, Chief Beifong."

"Doctor." Lin replied simply with a nod of her head.

"Did you happen to see my son Meelo?" Tenzin asked, cluing the doctor into his concern that he might have been bothering her or her companions.

Karin waved him off, having expected as much and merely smiled. "He's right around the corner. Don't worry, he hasn't yet managed to conquer the known world. He is quite the enthusiastic young boy though, and your daughter Ikke is the most curious girl I've ever seen. I left her with Liara and Commander Shepard. I can assure you, she couldn't be safer. And if you would, please give my personal thanks to your eldest Jinora. She acquitted herself quite well under pressure. You've done an amazing job of raising them."

"Thank you for your kind words Doctor Chakwas." Tenzin humbly replied with a slight bow.

"They aren't bad kids, even if they can be a handful at times. Especially the little wanna-be tyrant." Lin drawled, a barely visible smile on her face which disappeared when Tenzin glanced her way. "What? It's the truth and you know it."

"I take it this is more than a simple chance meeting." Karin stated rather than asked, sensing a history between the pair that she wisely didn't comment on.

"Your vessel did destroy city property and crashed in our sovereign territory. I was hoping to get a chance to talk with your leader, but I understand she's likely still unconscious. Even so, there's a lotta people demanding answers and the most incessant of them is President Raiko himself. I've been asked to get those answers."

"I understand, and I'll be happy to tell you what I'm able, but I won't risk the Commander's health on a whim just to satisfy someone's curiosity, no matter who they happen to be."

"I had a feeling you'd say that, and I honestly don't blame you Doctor. Still, it's my job. Think you can get your people together, those able to attend I mean? I'll excuse your wounded from questioning, for the time being that is."

Tenzin slammed a hand over his face at Lin's usual complete lack of tact. "Lin..."

"How gracious of you." Chakwas muttered, unable to keep the sarcastic bite out of her voice. "I'll pass your request along to XO Vakarian. Hopefully his omni-tool still works, as does our short range communication capabilities. Otherwise you'll find it rather hard to ask him much of anything."

"Right, I'll leave you to it then." Karin was just about to start walking to see her next patient again only to feel Lin's hand on her shoulder. "You have a pretty good crew behind you doc. I might not know what the hell's going on around here, but I can see that much."

"On that, we certainly can agree Chief Beifong." Which part she was agreeing with, Chakwas tactfully kept to herself. With a nod, Karin continued on her rounds, smirking as she passed by James doing his best to try and teach a few of their hosts Skyllian Five with an old beat up deck he always had hidden somewhere. "How goes it Mr. Vega?"

Having found a few guards that weren't quite as stiff, James had talked them into finding a quiet bench in the interior courtyard and sitting down for a couple hands. "Doin' alright Doc. Apparently nobody around here knows what a bluff is though, takes half the fun out of it."

"Well then, I suggest you do a better job of teaching your new students how." Karin made a point of glancing towards Vega's cards and smirking at the other players "The good Lieutenant always rubs at his jaw when he has a good hand, you might want to make a note of that." The white garbed guards perked up immediately while Vega winced at Karin's comment.

"Sheesh doc, thanks for letting them know. Guess I'm done for. I fold." James said with a sigh and set his hand down, face down on the table. It was just as well because the guy across from him had a hand better than he did. "Nice. That's a full house buddy, one of the better hands in the game. Beginner's luck."

"Whatever you say Mr. Vega." The man said, chuckling in retort before reaching for the small, primitive looking radio on the other end of the table. "Republic City's only good station, not counting the pro-bending broadcast station, but they play some good music."

"I could get used to living around here." James said when a jazzy number began to filter out of the small brown radio at the end of the table.

"Enjoy yourself James." Karin said, smirking widely as she left the men to their game. She needed to find Garrus, or try to use her omni-tool to contact the turian. Either way, she was coming to like the little island, even with the news that the outside world was waiting on answers. And they certainly weren't going to wait long. As for Vega, even if he was doing a good job appearing otherwise, Karin knew he was standing guard over Shepard's quarters by discreetly keeping an eye on who came and went down the hall. It was all the assurance Karin needed to continue on her search for their resident turian sharpshooter.

She didn't have to wait long when she found him talking to Jinora, who was busy feeding her sky bison. "He always had this runny nose problem miss?"

"Yes he has." Jinora replied, clear exasperation in her voice even as she lovingly patted the creature's big head. "And I didn't choose him, he chose me. That's just how it works. And once a sky bison chooses its partner, they're bound for life, trust me I checked."

"Awww, who could say no to this big fella?" Garrus cooed to the massive bison, patting him on the head. "Certainly better than the first pet I had when I was a kid, little varren pup chewed up everything. Never underestimate a loyal pet though. Variaxis got me out of trouble more than once."

Karin watched as Jinora looked up at the exceedingly tall alien, the question she knew was no doubt driving her crazy on the tip of her tongue, but she was too kind to ask it outright. Garrus didn't miss her curious glance and chuckled after handing one last armful of hay and grass to the bison. "You can ask you know. I promise I won't bite."

"Alright. You aren't a spirit, but you came from the Spirit Portal. Just...what are you?"

"What do you think I am?" Garrus asked and looked away from Juicy when it took off, a contented growl escaping the beast. "That's it boy, go on home. Try and annoy your little sister for me, if you happen to have one."

Jinora smiled, relaxing at the easy going, sarcastic humor that practically radiated off of Garrus, much to Karin's silent joy as she continued to observe them quietly. "Honestly? I have no idea." Jinora admitted after giving his question some thought.

"Guess you don't have a lot of science fiction in this little neck of the galaxy then. Come on, ask me some questions, I bet you can figure it out on your own with a little deductive reasoning. Or as a famous human detective once said, 'When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.'"

"Sounds like a smart man." Jinora replied, before putting a hand to her chin. "You have a bird like physiology, you're covered in hard plates, and have talons on each hand instead of fingers, just to go through the most obvious differences. You're clearly not human, yet you're not a spirit either, like I said. I would have sensed you if that were the case. The only logical conclusion is that you… came… from-" Jinora paused at the incredible nature of her personal realization, staring up towards the countless stars above before turning her gaze back at Garrus with newfound awe in her brown eyes.

"Another world?" Garrus finished for her when she trailed off. "You'd be on the right track kid. Mind blowing isn't it? I bet you suddenly feel a lot less lonely looking up at the sky."

"This is….beyond incredible! It changes everything we thought we ever knew about our stars! I mean….that-this-oh just wait until Korra hears about this!" Much to Karin's immense amusement, Jinora all but flew straight up towards the sky before seeming to remember herself. She stopped and while she couldn't stop the wide grin on her face, Jinora seemed to have regained some measure of her composure. "Sorry. But this is beyond life changing, the implications of your existence, of your friends' existence..."

"It's also a very dangerous thing to expose to the wrong people Jinora." Karin said, hating to burst Jinora's bubble, but it was the truth. "Can you imagine the unrest such a thing would cause if this wasn't handled delicately? You're a smart girl, I think you can figure that out as well."

"When Korra brought the spirits back to our world, there was some panic and unrest. This would be many times worse, but that doesn't change the fact it's still amazing." Jinora replied solemnly, much more sedately, but the wonder hadn't left the girl's eyes. "Most of the people here might just believe you're strange spirits, even if you show them proof to the contrary."

"Hmm. A real Archangel... I have always wanted to be worshipped as a living god..."

"And now you've given his already inflated ego a reason to get bigger." Karin deadpanned, earning a quiet chuckle from Jinora and a feigned look of pain from Garrus.

"Ouch. Can't a guy fantasize a little?" Garrus asked, his mock frown only seeming to deepen.

"And I'm sure Jack could use her biotics to convince the masses to bow and grovel before her." Karin drawled, just able to contain her laughter for the second time that day. "But that doesn't make it a very good idea, now does it?"

"Good point. And there goes my dream. You're a real mood killer Doc. The reign of Archangel would have been glorious. Not to mention really good looking."

"Is he always like this?" Jinora asked, her face locked in a perpetual smile at this point.

"You have no idea Jinora." Karin replied, grinning despite herself. "But despite his odd sense of humor, he is harmless to his good friends. And he seems to have grown attached to you already."

"I'm right here doc." Garrus pouted, but chuckled, knowing Chakwas had come looking for him for more than his witty banter and charming personality. "But the doc's got a point. I like ya kid, but my opinion's probably biased since you and your folks helped us out when we were in a bad way. You didn't waste time asking questions, you just went in and got the job done, I can respect that. And I owe you one. If your boyfriend ever gives you any trouble for instance, I'd be happy to have a nice little chat with him. Or say, if a well armed gang happens to be holding someone you'd rather not have to pay the ransom for, I'm your turian."

"Good to know." Jinora replied before hesitantly holding out her hand. "And as I've said before, it's our way to serve those in need."

"Selfless service and sacrifice huh? You and your Air Nomad friends would have made good turians." Garrus told her as he made a point of gently shaking her hand. "Now if you'll excuse us, me and the doc have rounds to make. I'll see ya around Jinora."

"Of course. It was nice talking with you Mr. Vakarian." Jinora said before turning to run off.

But Garrus chuckled and waved her formality off. "Just Garrus to you kid. Mr. Vakarian is my old man." Once she was out of earshot, Garrus turned to Karin, a thoughtful look on his mandibled face. "This place is truly the best we could have hoped for doc, even if you made a valid point. But I think she might have been onto something with all this talk of spirits and the like living among them. Saw a few floating around the kid's head while we were talking and feeding her giant pet. The fallout might not be so bad as it was for your people back in the day."

"Perhaps not, but that doesn't change the fact it's still something to consider. But that's not why I need to talk to you Garrus. We're already being asked to explain our arrival."

"And you want the crew gathered together, those still able to stand anyway." Garrus stated, needing no further explanation as he tapped at his omni-tool. "Short range comms are still functional. Should be able to get in touch with everyone at once. I'll get to work on that when I'm able to sit down for more than five seconds."

"Thank you Garrus. The crew is going to look to you and Ashley for the time being-"

"Hey, we're just keeping Shepard's seat warm. ...If she had a seat in the CIC that is. Turian ship architecture for you, better to look over your officers' shoulders anytime you walk by."

"It worked for us." Karin replied and chuckled before patting Garrus's back. "Even so, you aren't alone in this. This world might be strange, even by our standards, but the natives have been quite welcoming so far."

"And it's my job to plan for when they suddenly don't feel so welcoming anymore. Maybe I'm just getting paranoid... Shepard tends to have that effect on people if you haven't noticed."

"We're no longer in the middle of a war Garrus, we can finally relax. Why do you think I didn't intervene right away when I saw you were occupied with one of our new young friends?"

"I wouldn't be surprised if you left a 'friend' with Liara and Shepard with that reasoning." Garrus quipped, even if he was being completely serious.

"She did." Kasumi chortled, making herself visible to her old friends. Neither Garrus or Karin so much as batted an eyelash. "Charming little lady too, and I thought Liara was overly curious. Ikke's still going a mile a minute last I saw, but you chose well doc. Liara's warmed up to the little spitfire. I think she was originally destined to lecture a classroom full of wide eyed children instead of well, you know."

They both knew all too well what the master thief was hinting at. "I'm glad to hear it." And Karin was indeed very glad to hear that Liara had found someone to talk with, even if it was over something as inconsequential as her favorite food or her favored reading material. Karin didn't need Kelly to tell her they'd eventually need to reintegrate into normal society again. She just wasn't a big believer in taking baby steps, and so had taken her own steps to put Ikke in Liara's path. And Shepard's, if she had woken up at any time since leaving Ikke with the asari and the Commander. Besides, Karin hadn't needed Liara to tell her that they wanted a family together. This was as good a time as any to get a taste of what they'd be in for. And Tenzin's children certainly ran the gamut of what they could expect when expecting.

"How is Shep going to be Doc? Really?" Kasumi asked, her smile having disappeared by the time Karin was drawn out of her thoughts. "When I saw her last….she looked like she'd been put through a meat grinder. Before I became a part of this crew, I lost someone I cared about more than anything else, and now I'm afraid I'm going to lose a second."

"You have nothing to worry about Kasumi." Karin softly and put a hand on the thief's back while Garrus put a taloned hand on her shoulder. "Whatever these people are capable of, their elder Katara did near miraculous work for her physical injuries. Time will tend to the rest, time and our support."

"And Liara's tender loving care in Shepard's case." Garrus quipped, earning a choked laugh from the thief and a playful glare from Karin.

"I suppose I would know better than most... err, about how close they are." Kasumi sighed and waved her arm towards Chakwas, activating her omni-tool. "Erase that data packet for me would you? I don't trust Garrus to actually delete it."

"I'm hurt." Garrus chuckled dryly, doing his best impression of a human smirk. "But probably guilty as charged."

"I'm almost afraid to ask what it is." Karin replied as she put the packet in a secure corner of her own omni-tool's hard drive once it had been downloaded.

"Let me put it this way, Liara's got a surprising amount of reach, flexibility, and strength." Kasumi chortled again, smiling mischievously under her dark hood. "And she cheats with her biotics, poor Shep didn't have a chance of winning those 'battles'."

"So, trading war stories are we?" They all turned to see Bumi's smirking face on the other side of the open air courtyard. "And I missed it? Darn. Hey, you wanna hear how I saved Avatar Korra and her friends with nothing but a flute, a fire ferret, and a polar bear dog?!"

"Um... maybe later? I gotta get back to the proverbial grind." Garrus muttered, uncertain if Bumi was insane or just an outlandish liar. Either way, he was immensely glad he seemed to have missed the very...personal portion of their conversation. "Give me a minute to talk with the crew Doctor, I'm sure Commander Bumi can keep you entertained in the meantime." Garrus told her with a smirk, despite Karin's frigid stare as he walked off to speak in private.

"Have fun Karin." Kasumi chuckled as she disappeared before Bumi's astonished gaze, causing the man to jump as she brushed past him on her way to the island library. If she had her way, a few dusty old tomes would go missing for a short while, and replaced just where she found them. "Boo! Sorry, I couldn't resist."

Karin could only sigh and shake her head when her crewmates disappeared on her, literally or otherwise. "Deserted by my crewmates. I'll remember that the next time they get injured. Or if that nasty scale fungus comes back."

"And you're the Chief Medical Officer, fancy way of saying Master Healer, but probably just as...powerful when it come time to decide who gets to fight and who gets to retire. That makes them either very brave or very stupid." Bumi deadpanned, wilting under Karin's gaze when she directed it his way. "On second thought….I forgot I have some uh...stuff to do for Tenzin. See ya!"

"Wait." Karin called out, and relaxed a little when Bumi stopped. "I'd actually like to hear your story if you wouldn't mind, since, as unbelievable as it sounds, I believed every word." With what they'd been through, it didn't sound so outlandish.

"That'll be a first." Bumi drawled before brightening as if a switch had been flipped. "Still, I'll be happy to tell ya all about it!"

Before he could begin to tell his story, Karin felt rather than saw someone approaching them from the stone stairs behind them. "All about what Bumi?"

Karin only raised an eyebrow when the old military veteran and recent Airbender did a double take, only to relax and smirk wider still. "Oh, hey Korra, I was just telling this very discerning, beautiful woman about how I singlehandedly-"

"Still telling your outlandish stories Commander Bumi?" A second voice called out, an amused note in her voice as she caught up with the first. It only took Karin a moment to guess who these two lovely young women were from all she'd heard while tending to the crew alongside Kya and Katara. "Oh, hello. I didn't know Master Tenzin was entertaining guests. It's nice to meet you. I'm Asami Sato."

"And your friend must be Avatar Korra. We've heard a great deal about you both since our...unexpected arrival." Karin replied, smiling warmly towards the pair even as she debated what to tell them.

"Hey Doc, I've informed the crew. The sooner we get let the local authorities investigate, the sooner they'll be off our backs. I've got a good feeling about Chief Beifong but- Well hello there..." Rolling her gray-green eyes at the overconfident male voice behind her, Asami turned to give him a piece of her mind. And then she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Garrus had all of two seconds to realize his monumental mistake before he jerked back at the last second, a fist wreathed in fire nearly connecting with his jaw. "What the-" He never got a chance to finish when he was sent flying the next instant, a blast of wind slamming directly into his armored chest. "Ow." The turian groaned from his new position on the ground. "Okay, that was my fault."

"Get back Asami!" Korra shouted, shoving the taller woman behind her before she glared down at the groaning thing in front of her. "Whatever you are, you are one ugly-" Korra blinked in confusion. "Wait, did it just talk?"

"It has a name... which I might tell you when my damn head stops ringing." Garrus groaned as he put a hand to his head, feeling like he'd gotten hit by a skycar.

If not for the restraining hand on her shoulder, Korra would have followed up with an earth stomp, further sending the turian flying. "It's alright. I don't think it's... he's... dangerous. Is he dangerous?" Asami cautiously asked as she swept her gaze over the tall, dark plated alien in front of her.

"Far from it. He just looks terrifying, I can assure you." Karin said, hoping to reassure the two women before anything else happened. "Don't mind the scars, he's under the delusion women find them attractive."

"The heavily reduced gang population on Omega would disagree with you Doc." Garrus muttered, rubbing at his jaw. "And of course they find them attractive... I think... at least when they aren't trying to kill me."

"Okay….what exactly happened since we've been gone?" Korra demanded, making it clear she wanted answers right now and she wouldn't be content until she got them.

"Quite a lot kid." Bumi replied, grinning from ear to ear as he helped Garrus to his feet. "Sorry 'bout that. Korra here is just... awfully protective of Asami. Thick as thieves, these two."

"Yeah, I kinda got that impression. She has a hell of a fiery right hook too. Nice trick." Garrus deadpanned as he and the bright blue eyed, brown skinned human eyed each other warily. "You know, usually this is where I would have said 'scoped and dropped' by now... but in your case I'll make an exception."

"What?" Korra, clearly confused, muttered blinking at him owlishly.

"Garrus? Stop talking." Karin deadpanned before turning her gaze on the pair of women. "I know you both must have a lot of questions. I need to check on the crew, but I can work and talk at the same time."

"Sounds better than standing around here all day." Asami replied before looking towards Korra who only nodded her head in agreement.

Before Karin could lead the two away, Garrus decided to open his mouth again. "Mind if we start over? Hello, I'm Garrus Vakarian, I like long walks on the beach and not getting punched in the face. Just to go for the obvious ones on the list."

"Speaking of which, what happened to it... your face I mean?" Asami asked , her curiosity getting the better of her now that she had a moment to peer closer at the incredible strange... whatever he was, standing in front of her.

"Oh, these roguish scars?" Garrus asked, giving her his best impression of a turian smirk he was capable of.

"Um, okay...let's go with that." Korra bit her tongue at Asami's sudden shift from curiosity to amused uncertainty.

Garrus huffed, spreading his mandibles in the process and getting far more enjoyment out of the way Korra flinched then he should have. "Well will you look at that? I didn't think you'd be put on the defensive so quickly kid."

"Keep talking and I'll happily go another round Scarface." Korra grumbled, annoyance radiating off of her in waves.

Garrus waved her off with an annoyed growl, cracking his aching back as subtly as possible before flicking his raptor like gaze to Asami. "But to answer the question I know you're just dying to ask, myself and a few of the crew aren't exactly from around here. " Karin sighed in clear exasperation at Garrus's rare lack of tact. But when the two women only blinked in confusion, the turian struggled to find the words to explain exactly what they were staring at. "You know, as in not from this planet? I'm really starting to appreciate how much more difficult it is to explain certain concepts when none of the locals have heard of science fiction before."

"You... you're amazing!" A wide eyed Asami told him as she dared to lean a little closer.

"I get that alot." Garrus stated with his usual dry wit.

Before Korra could begin to protest, Bumi put a hand on the girl's shoulder before jerking his head towards another part of the temple grounds. "Come on, I'll do what I can to explain kiddo. But suffice it to say, our world just got a lot bigger."

"Alright, I'm listening." Korra replied simply as she fell in step with Bumi.

Asami meanwhile was still staring at Garrus like a particularly interesting schematic. "Tell me, how did someone like... you get here?"

"Here specifically? Well I'm sure it had something to do with the big light show when we were in FTL, trying to-"

"FTL?" Asami asked, her gray-green eyes brimming with curiosity.

"Faster than light trav-"

"Faster than light? How is that even possible?!"

"You'd be surprised how easy it is." Garrus replied before a thought occurred to him. "You know what, I think you and a friend of mine would get along well. Just gotta find her."

"Alright, but what type of airship do you use, I have so many questions... where to start. Is the engine powered with-"

"Well, first of all, it's a star ship. Second, I'm a sniper, not an engineer. I wouldn't know a shield coupling from a socket wrench. That's what Tali's for, she's one of the smartest people on the crew. And I take it you're the brains in your own little group." When Asami's eyes widened slightly at his astute observation, Garrus chuckled and nodded. "Figured as much."

"I want to, I have to meet her. Right now would be good if she isn't busy." Asami demanded, before blushing and remembering her manners.

Garrus chortled and waved her off before she could apologize. "For a fellow gearhead? Just me talking, but she's never that busy."