From: CC
To: LTS

We are a little surprised you gave the go-ahead to this dossier without any explanation or recommendations. Shepard is well known for disapproving vigilantism, and despite his apparently good intentions, Archangel is a vigilante.

From: LTS
To: CC

Just have her speak to him.


'Tough son of a bitch!'

Jacob broke off his conversation as Garrus walked unsteadily through the door into the Communications Room.

'The doctor wouldn't give me a mirror, how bad is it?'

It was bad. Garrus had taken a glancing blow from a rocket to the face, and the memory of picking up his right mandible for Chakwas to re-attach was one that was not going away any time soon. The Turian's face was now a mess of bandages and scar tissue, with the telltale glow of cybernetics shining through.

But his dark eyes somehow managed to keep their mischievous glint, and Shepard felt a great relief at how little he had actually changed.

'Hell Garrus, you were always ugly. I can't even tell where the rocket hit.'

'Ha- Oow… don't do that, feels like my face is falling apart…'

She shuddered. The phrase was truer than he probably knew.

'Don't remind me. How are you feeling?'

'A bit weak, but not too bad considering. I'll be at full capacity in a day or so.'

'Garrus, you can barely walk, take as much time as you need.'

'Time? Ha, Robocop doesn't need time. Can you see the crazy tech I have in me?'

'Join the club… Robocop? Branching out from zombie films now, Vakarian?'

'What can I say, humans have the right idea about their police. C-Sec should be taking notes.'

Jacob, realising this was a conversation for old friends, saluted and left. Garrus' eyes followed him from the room.

'Not what I was expecting from Cerberus.'

'He's an alright sort. You haven't met Miranda yet, she'll make you feel like the inferior creature you are. But don't worry, she does that to everybody on the ship.'

'I've got to admit Shepard, I'm a bit concerned. I can just about get my head around the "coming back from the dead" thing, but Cerberus?'

'I was hoping you could help me a bit with that. I've been out for two years, Garrus, what the hell happened? Extranet says the Council and all the militaries have completely dismissed the Reapers!'

'It's been bad, Shepard. When you died, they started burying all of your evidence, denying your claims, saying your calls for greater unity and military sharing was a ploy for humanity to get more influence.'

'What!'

'Hey, I'm just telling you how it is. I signed up for SPECTRE training, hoping I could use their resources to get started preparing for the Reapers… but it didn't work out. After Saren and the mess you caused they weren't hiring.'

'The mess I… Christ, I knew they were thick headed…'

'Anderson is doing what he can, but it's like the others don't take him seriously. He keeps reminding them of you, and they want as little to do with you as possible.'

'I saved their asses for this… dammit!'

She felt the scars on her face start to burn, and she knew she must look like a horror. When she had first caught a glimpse of herself in a window on the Cerberus facility she had nearly broken down; she looked like Saren did just before he turned into the Reaper creature. As if there was lava under her skin, ready to overflow and consume her.

Chakwas had informed her that the scars would likely be with her forever, and would visibly react to her mood. She had phased out during the specifics but the short version was that when she was relaxed or happy they would be nearly invisible, but when she was angry or agitated they would break open, showing the horrific red glow and lighting her eyes up like some hellish creature.

'Erm… Shepard?' Garrus looked as concerned as she would be in his place.

'Damn… sorry Garrus.' She tried to calm herself, and felt the pain begin to recede. 'I bet I look pretty terrifying.'

'Heh, yeah, I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that glare. Is that part of the revival deal?'

'Yup. Apparently my moods will be plastered over my face for the rest of my life.'

'That sucks. Good for me though, I'll be able to tell when you're bluffing next time we're playing poker.'

She felt the pain finally subside as she burst out laughing.

'I'm glad you're here, Garrus.'

'Me too, Shepard. Have you thought about getting the others back together?'

'I already saw Tali, on one of the human colonies being attacked. She was there for a Quarian who was on the colony for his pilgrimage; I helped her get him back. She has her own command now, Garrus, I can't believe it. It feels like it was only a few weeks ago I said goodbye when she left for the Migrant Fleet. The others... The Illusive Man says they're busy. But I'd still like to speak with them.'

'A lot's happened, Shepard. It's been two years.'

'I know, I still can't really get my head around it. I can't even focus on it for long, I keep thinking stupid, insignificant questions: like how old am I?'

'How old are you? How long do humans live for, anyway?'

'Sorry Garrus, it's incredibly rude to ask a lady her age.'

'Ah. I'll just guess then. Is that better?'


'Doctor T'Soni, you have a visitor. She says you'll know her: an Asari named Shiala?'

'Oh! Yes, Nyxeris, please let her in.'

'She… doesn't look well, Liara, are you sure?'

'Yes, yes, hold my calls indefinitely.'

Her old mentor! Shiala had taught her how to control the unique mental gifts of the Asari while she was still a child; Liara still had fond memories of wandering the colourful worlds Shiala created in her own mind for Liara to explore, and she was still grateful for the assistance the elder Asari had provided after Shepard had accidentally forced Liara from her own mind during a meld.

Her office door opened as Liara was preparing tea.

'Liara!'

'Shiala! It is-'

Perhaps she should have asked Nyxeris to elaborate on "doesn't look well". Her mentor, previously a deep, attractive shade of blue, was a sickly green, just as she had been when they rescued her from the Thorian.

'Do not worry Liara, I'm not contagious.'

'I… apologise, you… are you well?'

'I'm not getting any better, but whatever is wrong won't kill me for the next few hours. Please, I'll get to why I came soon, but if you have time I would love to catch up.'

Liara honestly did not have the time, but to speak, even if just for a few minutes, about something other than work…

'Yes, of course. Please, sit, I have made tea.'

Liara laid out the tea set, the simple motions relaxing her. When she did this for clients she was on the lookout for telltale signs about why they had come, whether their concerns were genuine, if they were who they said they were. Allowing herself to trust Shiala was a luxury, but one she allowed herself for the moment.

Shiala, also trained by Benezia in correct manners, waited patiently until Liara finished, then took a sip from the drinking bowl Liara handed her.

'What an intriguing taste, which species' tea is this?' one of the many, many curious things that all species shared was the drinking of tea.

'Human. Commander Shepard introduced me to it. It is called "Earl Grey".'

She remembered how Faith had to place a special requisition order to Earth to get it, how the rest of the crew absolutely despised the taste and teased her for wasting the credits. Liara had other flavours she preferred, but always kept a box of the leaves on hand; the taste a bittersweet reminder of those times. She did not usually share it, but Shiala was a special guest.

'Thank you for sharing with me, Liara, I must explore human tastes further if this is anything to go by.'

The exchange was simple: a ritual of small talk that preceded business. Behaviour fitting those raised by nobility.

For possibly the first time in her life, Liara felt comfortable with the exchange. She had always thought such formal pleasantries a waste of time, but in her current situation the distraction was welcome. Shiala's behaviour suggested she felt the same: she must have something important to discuss.

But that could wait.

'You have done well for yourself, Liara.'

'Thank you, Shiala. I never imagined this is the path I would find myself treading.'

'I hear the information trade can be a lonely business.'

'At times. But I have a purpose, and it is important.'

They both knew of the Reapers; Shiala being a victim of indoctrination herself. But they did not mention the name.

'Your mother would be proud.'

'I…' she had not thought of her mother for such a long time. 'Do you think so?'

Shiala smiled, the motion even giving light to her sickly green eyes.

'Yes. I know she did not say, but I believe she was secretly very pleased when you rebelled against her: she did not wish an unquestioning servant to carry the family's name. She would be proud to see that you have carved such a path for yourself at such a young age.'

Mother…

She had been the one to fire the final shot at Benezia. It was… easier… not to think about that day.

She gave a genuine smile. 'Thank you, Shiala.' There was nothing more she could say. But perhaps there was something she could do.

'Is there something I can help you with?'

'I hope so. I admit that my meeting you was not entirely coincidental. Myself and some of the colonists of Zhu's Hope have been suffering... medical difficulties following our release from the Thorian. Exogeni have been surprisingly supportive but this is out of their range of expertise. Ethan Jeong suggested we contact a medical company and allow them to keep all results and any findings in return for helping us. I was hoping you knew somebody who might be able to help.'

'What kind of difficulties?'

'My biotics are unstable, and we all have periods of debilitating sickness that come and go. You can see that my skin and eyes have changed as well. We do not believe the sickness to be fatal, but it is unpleasant.'

Liara thought about her proposal. Jeong was correct: many medical companies had contracts in place for scenarios such as this, in the hope that they may discover some new technology or drug.

'I do know somebody: try speaking to Erinya at Baria Frontiers. I would recommend having a lawyer look over the contract before signing anything; this is Ilium. Also, try to play down that the rest of the colonists are human; she is something of a xenophobe. But Baria Frontiers have done deals such as this before so you may be in luck.'

The woman's face visibly relaxed.

'Oh, thank you Liara, so much. I will see her tomorrow. I am sure you are very busy; if you wish I will leave you to your work.'

Liara checked the time, and mentally tallied her day's plans. She was very busy.

But to have Shiala here... she had not taken a break, much less a holiday, for several months, and her mind was bubbling with questions about her mother, questions that had remained repressed during all of her years as an archaeologist.

'My work can wait, Shiala. If you are willing, I would love to take you out for dinner.'


A/N: This story will not be all doom and gloom! Sometimes our heroes just want to catch up with old friends.

I would love to hear opinions on this chapter, I have many ideas for random little drabbles such as this as well as the more "serious" ones!