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Shattered- Chapter 2

Shepard was still sleeping when Liara left the room. Before she walked through the door, she turned back to look at Shepard. Liara wanted to stay, longed to get back in bed and wrap her arms around Shepard but she needed to find out what happened…find out how she ended up with such severe injuries. The woman was reckless more often than not but she was also very skilled. The damage she had taken was excessive even for Shepard. When she asked Shepard what happened the previous night, Shepard said that she couldn't remember anything after the shuttle drop. Liara first went to see Tali. She owed her friend a very big apology. Tali was in her customary spot in engineering when Liara entered. Engineer Adams was also there. He had very studiously avoided Liara since Shepard had allowed him to resume his duties. She wasn't sure if it was because he felt guilty about what happened to her or because Shepard threatened him. Just after they left the Citadel, Liara had gone to him to let him know that she did not hold him responsible for what happened to her when Sovereign was controlling him. He looked terrified to be talking to her and excused himself as quickly as possible which did lend credence to Liara's theory that Shepard threatened the poor man though Shepard denied it.

"Tali, do you have time to talk?"

"Liara, yes, how is Shepard?"

"She is in pain and she has been taking the pain medication without an argument which is so out of character for her that it is troubling. As happy as I am that she is cooperating with Dr. Chakwas, it does make me worry about her. I am sure she will be demanding to get out of bed soon. Tali, I am sorry about yesterday. I do realize that I can be a bit irrational when it comes to Shepard's safety. I know that what happened to her was not your fault. I was scared. You were the only person standing in front of me so I blamed you."

Tali stepped up to Liara and hugged her. "Liara, you don't need to apologize. I did the same thing to Ashley and Wrex when they brought Shepard back to the Normandy. Did you talk with them?"

"Not yet…I didn't want to leave Shepard alone yesterday. It was difficult to leave her this morning. I should go speak with Ashley so I can get back to her."

"I'll come by later to check on her."

TTTTTTTTTT

Ashley was sitting in the dining area when Liara found her. She had a plate of untouched food in front of her and was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't realize Liara took a seat at the table.

"Ashley?"

"Liara…I'm sorry. I didn't see you. How is Shepard?"

"She was sleeping when I left her. Dr. Chakwas says that she will be fine in a few weeks."

"Are you angry with me?"

"No, Ashley. I know that you would not do anything to deliberately endanger Shepard or anyone else on the team. You should not blame yourself. I would like to know what happened. How was she injured?"

"We were on our way here to meet you and passed near what we thought was an uninhabited planet. We received a distress call indicating a small colony was being attacked by mercenaries. When we got there, we found one of the colonists. He said there were about 200 of the 500 colonists left. They were hiding in an underground storage room. The mercs had been rounding up the colonists, loading them on transport vessels and taking them."

"Slavers?"

"That's what we thought but I'm not sure. These mercs were not typical mercs. There were about two dozen of them which is in itself unusual. They had some of the best armor around, all matching, and their weapons were like nothing I've seen before and extremely deadly. We managed to bring a couple of the weapons back when we got out of there. Garrus is going to take a look at them. The mercs sent everyone at us…at Shepard. At the time, I thought it was unusual but now that I've had time to think about it, it seems more and more as if they were waiting for her, planned the whole thing to get her to that planet. They targeted her, Liara. When she realized that their focus was on her, she ordered Wrex and I away…told us to try to flank them and pick them off since she had their attention. We took out about half of them before they started threatening the colonists. They had discovered the storage room where the colonists were hiding. They brought out a girl about 5 or 6 years old, made sure Shepard could see her and shot her in the head. They threatened to do that to every colonist left until Shepard gave herself up to them. So, she did."

"Goddess."

"We tried to stop her, Liara. We told her…"

"She would never allow those colonists to die if she could do anything to stop it. And they had the advantage. They could have killed them all in a heartbeat."

"No, she wouldn't let them die. She convinced the mercs to release half the colonists then she gave me her weapons and walked right into their grasp. They released the other half of the colonists but not before…they wanted to hurt her, Liara. And they did it so everyone could see them do it. They stripped off her armor and took turns beating her. She didn't even fight back."

Liara could no longer hold back her tears. She was feeling absolute hatred and rage for those mercs. "How did you get her back?"

Ash looked down, refusing to meet Liara's eyes. "We didn't. They would have left with her. She was, we thought, unconscious. They were dragging her by the leg to their ship. They boarded but before the doors closed, we heard a grenade blast and saw Shepard appear in the doorway. She was trying to get away but didn't make it clear before a huge explosion ripped the ship apart. She was thrown about 50 yards and hit the side of a building. Wrex and I got her back to the Normandy right away."

"What about the remaining colonists?"

"We went back to make sure the mercs were dead and did what we could for the colonists. They were planning to leave and settle in a more established colony. With only 200 of them left, it would have been too difficult to survive on their own. "

"I need to get back to Shepard, Ashley. I think she would like it if you came by to see her later."

"Yeah, I will."

TTTTTTTTTT

Liara found Shepard still sleeping when she returned to the med bay. She talked with Dr. Chakwas and asked if Shepard could be moved to her quarters to recover. Dr. Chakwas readily agreed when Liara explained that it would be more comfortable and familiar and may help keep Shepard in bed and give her time to heal. Liara then gave in to her own selfish desires and joined Shepard in bed. She carefully put her arms around Shepard and pulled her close. After a while, Shepard started to stir and Liara thought she was waking. It soon became clear that Shepard was having a nightmare.

"Shepard, wake up. Shepard. C'mon, baby, wake up."

Shepard tried to struggle to get out of Liara's arms. Liara loosened her grip but didn't let go.

"Shepard, it's okay. Wake up. I've got you."

Shepard opened her eyes. She was shaking but relaxed when she realized it was Liara holding her. Liara could immediately feel pain and had to grit her teeth to keep from revealing it. Shepard was breathing heavily and had a grimace on her face.

"I remember what happened."

"I spoke with Ashley this morning. She told me. I'm so sorry." Liara was finding it more difficult to contain the pain she was feeling and her body was starting to tense up.

"Shepard, I think I should get Dr. Chakwas. She can give you more pain medication and make sure you didn't hurt yourself when you were thrashing around. Is that okay?"

"Yeah."

"I'll be right back. I would like to talk about what happened."

Dr. Chakwas examined Shepard and gave her more medication for the pain. When she left, Liara sat by the bed and took Shepard's hand.

"You saved those colonists, Shepard."

"Not the little girl."

"You didn't kill her. What happened to her is not your fault. All of them would be dead or slaves if not for you."

"I know but it doesn't make it any easier. Did Ash tell you everything?"

"Yes, she did. Why didn't you fight back?"

"Because they were still holding half the colonists and because I wanted them to see me as weak so I could surprise them and fight back when I knew the colonists were safe. They thought I was unconscious when they got me on their ship. I threw the grenade at their ammunition supply and ran for the door."

Liara was imagining the number of times Shepard could have died during the whole thing and felt her heart start to pound. She loved Shepard for many reasons, some tangible and some beyond her understanding. One of the reasons she loved her was her willingness to do what was needed to protect people, those she loved and total strangers. It was also Liara's greatest source of fear for Shepard. She would throw herself at anyone or anything without regard for her own safety. Liara could see that Shepard was starting to feel the effects of the pain medication. Her eyes were closing. Liara moved from the chair back to the bed. She needed to hold Shepard in her arms, needed to feel her chest rise and fall with every breath.

When Liara was settled in the bed, Shepard moved closer, pressed her body against Liara's. "This is what I need."

"Me too. I always will."

A few minutes later, Liara asked, "Shepard, do you think those mercs were there trying to lure you to the planet?"

"I don't know. There was something not quite right about the whole thing. Why were they willing to take me and leave if they were there for slaves? It doesn't make sense. Did any of them survive? "

"No, Ash and Wrex went back after they got you to the Normandy. The mercs were all killed in the explosion you caused."

"Good."

Liara laid her head against Shepard's, breathed in her scent and tightened her arms around her. I need this too, Shepard.

TTTTTTTTTT

Liara was sitting in a chair watching Shepard sleep. It had been almost a month since Shepard was injured. She had recovered completely from her injuries and had been surprisingly pleasant about the forced bed rest and then limited duties. She still hadn't been cleared by Dr. Chakwas to return to full duty and was starting to go a little stir crazy. During that time, Liara confined herself to the cabin with Shepard and tried to learn all she could about the mercenaries and the weapons recovered from them. She had questioned Shepard, Wrex and Ashley multiple times for descriptions of the armor the mercs were wearing and spent many hours searching the extranet for any information. She was able to find out that the armor was a special order for an unknown customer. Liara was able to get the name of the agent who placed the order but no more. She had been trying to track the agent down but had been unsuccessful. As for the weapons, Garrus was at a loss and Liara's research had turned up nothing about them. She had a very bad feeling about what happened at the colony and felt certain the mercs had lured Shepard there so they could take her. She was afraid to leave Shepard's side, afraid something would happen and she wouldn't be there to protect her. Even now, when Shepard was fully recovered and more than capable of taking care of herself, Liara made sure that she was always close. As Shepard healed and slowly let go of the guilt she was feeling over the death of the child at the colony, Liara decided to keep quiet about the change in her awareness of Shepard, being able to feel her pain & emotions. She knew they would have to discuss it soon but she wanted to wait until the Normandy was docked and they could be alone for a few days. Liara sighed, no closer to solving the mystery and joined Shepard in bed.

Shepard opened her sleepy eyes and rolled over to her back. "Hey, couldn't sleep again?"

"Just doing some more research. I still can't track that agent down. I won't feel that you're safe until we find out who those mercenaries worked for and why they wanted you."

"C'mere."

Liara put her head on Shepard's shoulder and threw and arm and a leg over Shepard's body. "You feel good."

"Mm, so do you. I wish you wouldn't worry so much."

"Shepard, let's think back a few months to when Sovereign thought I would be a good replacement for my mother. Did you worry?"

Shepard pulled Liara closer and said, "Every second until he was destroyed."

"So, be quiet and let me worry about you."

"Okay."

"Shepard?"

"Yeah?"

"It is not only because I worry about you that I want to find the person that sent those mercs. It is also because I want to release the anger I still feel when I think about what they did to you on the person who caused it." Liara kissed Shepard then settled back down to sleep. "I love you."

"I love you, sweetheart." Shepard smiled as she realized how easy it was to say that to Liara; how those endearing names just slipped right out without conscious thought.

TTTTTTTTTT

Shepard and Liara woke when the Normandy's alarms started blaring. There was a loud noise and the ship rocked to the side, throwing Liara to the floor.

Shepard helped Liara to her feet, told her to get into her armor and hit the comm button in her cabin. "Joker, what the hell is happening?"

"We took a direct hit from an unknown ship. Our sensors didn't pick up anything until it was on top of us. It's circling around for another hit. Our weapons don't do a thing to it."

"Get us the hell out of here, Joker."

"We can't, Commander. We're down to half power. I've sent a distress signal to the Alliance."

"Damn it. I want everyone off this ship, Joker. Sound the alarm to evacuate." Shepard cut the connection and within seconds the alarm was sounded directing all crew to the emergency evacuation pods. Shepard quickly got into her armor. As she was leaving the cabin, she kissed Liara, reminded her to grab her helmet and asked her to help get everyone on the escape pods. Outside her cabin, it was chaos. There were crew members scrambling for the pods, others dead from the first hit on the ship. There were several small fires burning, all threatening to expand and engulf the Normandy. Shepard tried to put the fires out as she instructed the crew to get to the pods.

"Shepard."

Shepard turned to see Liara holding the damn quilt that had once belonged to her mother, the only thing she had left of her mother. The fact that Liara would grab that for her made her heart swell with love. She had to make sure Liara got off the Normandy before it was too late.

"I need you to get everyone on the pods and get out of here."

"Joker won't leave… and I'm not leaving either."

"Yes, you are leaving. I'll get Joker. We'll be right behind you."

"I'm not leaving you again."

"Liara, we don't have time for this. I need you to go. Now."

"Shepard, please."

Shepard hated to hear the desperation in Liara's voice. She took Liara's hands and brought them to her heart. "Liara, I need you to be safe and I need you to help get the crew to safety. I'll get Joker and we'll get out of here. Please."

Liara agreed because arguing only delayed leaving the ship. "Okay, I'll go. Don't make me wait too long. Be safe."

"I'll see you soon."

Liara turned to walk away, tears streaming from her eyes.

Shepard made her way to the bridge and got Joker to the escape pod. Before she could follow, the Normandy took another direct hit. The ship shuddered and broke apart. Shepard managed to launch Joker's pod before she was blown through the gaping hole of her ship and sent spiraling out into the emptiness of space.

TTTTTTTTTT

Liara was in an escape pod with Tali, Wrex, Garrus, Ashley and Dr. Chakwas. They made sure the surviving crew members were safely away before leaving themselves. Liara was unharnessed from her seat, staring back at the Normandy when it blew apart.

"Shepard!"

At her cry, the others were up, searching for the escape pod that would be carrying Joker and Shepard to safety. Finally, Garrus spotted it emerging from the wreckage. Liara wanted to believe that Shepard made it out, wanted to believe that she was safe. It wasn't true though. Shepard was not safe. Liara could feel her fear.

"Shepard! She's not on the pod. Goddess, keep her safe. Please, keep her safe."

Garrus was trying to contact the pod but there was no response. "The comm could have been damaged from the explosion." He kept trying to reach the pod where Joker was curled on the floor, unable to believe that Shepard was gone and knowing that it was his fault. If he had left when Liara came for him, Shepard would have been safely on a pod now. She would be alive. He could hear Liara's screams and pleas through the open comm line and wished Garrus would leave him alone.

Liara was crying inconsolably, clutching Shepard's quilt to her chest, screaming Shepard's name over and over. She was begging Shepard not to leave her.

"Shepard, don't leave me. Please, goddess, keep her safe. Shepard, I need you. Don't you dare leave me. SHEPARD!

The rest of the team tried to comfort her, reassure her that Shepard was fine. She didn't feel them touching her or hear them talking to her. She could feel Shepard's panic as it became more difficult for her to breathe, feel her lungs heaving as they tried to pull air into her dying body. She could feel the disbelief, anger, sorrow and regret Shepard was feeling. She knew the moment Shepard died. In that moment, Liara was engulfed in darkness as a hole opened in her heart and her soul was shattered.