Disclaimer: I own nothing but my OC's and my odd imagination.
Rated T for now.
3
As the shuttle finally landed, Shepard looked to Miranda as she started to undo her armor.
"I need you to inform Dr. Chakwas of our…guest. Forward the information you found to me on a-"
"Understood Commander," Miranda stated as she nodded. She shared a brief look with Shepard letting her commander know the message would be secured from prying eyes.
"Alright…come on kid. Outta the can…"
Shepard turned just in time to see Jack helping their young guest off of the shuttle. Conner winced as her feet hit the cold metal. Shepard took pity on her and sauntered over and held out her hand. The young woman grabbed her forearm for balance as Jack gently held her.
"We'll take it slow, ok?" Shepard suggested softly. Conner nodded. It had taken longer than normal to reach the elevators. As the doors slid open to the main deck, Miranda and Dr. Chakwas greeted them.
"Commander," Dr. Chakwas said with a gentle smile. Moving to give the doctor room to take her place, Shepard led the way to the infirmary.
"Almost there kid," Jack said patiently. Miranda quickly glanced at her before returning her gaze to her data pad.
Jack and the doctor helped Conner onto the bed.
"Well, then. I'm sure our guest is tired from her trip. I suggest you all leave now," Dr. Chakwas stated as she looked pointedly at the three women.
"Right. Doc, if you need anything, you`ll know where to find me," Shepard said as she gave a smile to Conner. "And I will see you a bit later, ok?"
Conner nodded silently. Miranda turned and left with Shepard. Conner heard her mention something about the mission reports being ready. The only occupants left in the med bay were Jack and Dr. Chakwas.
"Is there something I can do for you Jack?"
Jack who had been watching over Conner, looked up in surprise.
"Huh? Oh, uh…no…nothing."
Dr. Chakwas smiled as she noticed a slight blush rising in the young biotic's face. She was smart not to mention it.
"All right then."
Clearing her throat, Jack turned to Conner.
"Dr. Chakwas is the best. You'll be safe."
Conner swallowed nervously and nodded. She clenched her hands together to keep from reaching out. Jack noticed and covered Conner's hands with hers.
"Hey kid…everything's gonna be ok. Promise."
And with that Conner slowly unclenched her hands. She inhaled and exhaled deeply. Jack smiled then nodded to Dr. Chakwas.
"Ok kid. I'll come by later. Bring ya something to eat. That ok with you?" Conner nodded.
"Yeah…thanks," the girl said softly.
Jack nodded then turned to leave. Dr. Chakwas noticed the immEDIate change when dealing with Conner. The doctor smiled, knowingly.
Lifting her omni tool, Dr. Chakwas looked at Conner and smiled.
"Now let's see what we have here, shall we?"
Jack took a tray and grabbed two empty plates. She piled on whatever she thought the kid…Conner would like to eat.
Granted, there weren't many choices: mashed potatoes, gravy, peas and carrots and what looked to be steak. There was some dextro stuff for Tali and Garrus. There were other 'healthy' choices for Samara and the other crew but Jack just scrunched her nose.
"Pussies," she muttered under her breath with a grin.
"Good evening Jack."
The ex-convict turned around.
"Hey."
The justicar stared at her for a moment making Jack squirm.
"I heard about our newest guest. Is she alright?" Samara asked as she picked up a tray and fell behind Jack.
Shrugging her shoulders, Jack glanced back at the med bay.
"Dunno. Doc is looking at her right now."
Samara noticed Jack had two plates and was loading both with food. She hid a smile as she gathered her own food. After an awkward moment, Jack turned to the Justicar and felt her cheeks burn.
"I gotta go…her food will get cold." And with that Jack hurried back to the med bay. Samara watched her go with a ghost of a smile.
"Commander? May I have a word with you?" Dr. Chakwas asked before she came any closer. Shepard looked up from her data pad and nodded while gesturing to the seat in front of her.
Dr. Chakwas paused for a moment.
"Privately, Commander."
The tone the doctor used made Shepard look up sharply.
"Of course," Shepard said as she stood and gathered her empty tray and placed it by the sink. She motioned for Dr. Chakwas to follow her to the elevators. The pair waited for the elevators in silence. Once the doors slid open, Shepard hit the button and faced the doctor.
"Something wrong?"
Dr. Chakwas was normally the most professional in even the grimmest of times. But this…this was something the Commander had never seen in all of her years of knowing the doctor. Dr. Chakwas looked as though she wanted to throw up.
"I would prefer if we waited until we've reached our destination, Commander."
Shepard couldn't tell if it was the tone that was used or the fact that her friend was avoiding speaking while they were being watched that made her anxious.
Before she could reply, the elevator stopped and the doors slid open. Shepard motioned for Dr. Chakwas to go first and side stepped her as she went to the door. As they entered, the doctor waited for the doors to shut before she looked up and spoke.
"EDI, would you be a dear and refrain from…listening in on our conversation?" Dr. Chakwas hoped the message was clear.
"Of course doctor." And with that, EDI shut down all recording devices that were in and round the Commander's quarters.
"Now you're making me nervous," Shepard said half-jokingly.
"I'm sorry Commander. But what I've found out on our guest is…well, you might want to look at it yourself," Dr. Chakwas stated as she handed Shepard the data pad. She watched as Shepard sat down and motioned her to take a seat on the sofa.
The Commander switched on the data pad and begun to read. Dr. Chakwas watched her carefully and knew at the precise moment when Shepard pieced everything together.
Shepard felt the blood drain from her face. She reached up to cover her mouth to keep her dinner from remerging.
"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Shepard asked roughly. Dr. Chakwas nodded.
"I'm sorry Shepard. I wish I were wrong about this. I'm afraid there's more…," the doctor began slowly. Shepard looked up with tired eyes, waiting.
"I have a terrible feeling that something more happened down at that lab. She…she is far more frightened when I try to get to close. She inches away from my touch when I mean her no harm. It's only a feeling but…I'm sorry commander…"
The Commander closed her eyes and let the data pad fall onto the coffee table. She had to remember to breath. Feeling like she had to move, Shepard stood and crossed the room to stare out at the large aquarium.
"I've also sent a copy to Liara. I thought she should know as well…and I'm sure you are going to need her right now," the doctor said gently. She stood and made her way to Shepard. She placed a comforting hand on the commander's shoulder.
"If there is anything I can do, please let me know." With that Dr. Chakwas excused herself and left Shepard alone. As she stood just outside the commander's quarters, she spoke softly.
"EDI, please keep an eye on the commander. She may need your assistance until Liara gets here."
"Of course Dr. Chakwas. I will not let anyone disturb the commander until Dr. T'Soni arrives."
Dr. Chakwas sighed as she nodded. She stepped onto the elevator and made her way down back to the infirmary.
Things have certainly changed.
"So you've never been outside your damn room?" Jack asked. She and Conner had finished their dinner some time ago. But Jack didn't want to leave the kid yet so she did something that had been completely out of character for her – she had voluntarily started a conversation.
Conner nodded. She felt oddly comfortable and safe with this woman. Despite the other woman's profanity laced moments, Conner was enjoying the company.
Jack still not truly believing the story, she just shook her head.
"That's…that's fucked up. Shit…even Cerberus let us out at some point but…that's just fucked up," the biotic said with a shake of her head. Conner just shrugged.
"I don't remember much of before I woke up in the room. Just what Dr. Leslie told me," Conner replied. The young woman swallowed the bile that had formed in her throat at the mention of the doctor. She adjusted herself on the bed as she tried to forget what was done to her.
Jack noticed the change and saw the blood drain from Conner's face at the mention of Dr. Leslie. She opened her mouth to ask but was interrupted by Dr. Chakwas' return.
"Jack, I didn't realize you were here. Was there something you needed?" Dr. Chakwas asked slightly surprised but never the less ready to help.
Jack was silent for the moment. She stared at the kid and felt…protectiveness come over her. She shook the feeling off just as quickly as it came and slid of the bed.
"Nah, was just…hanging out with the kid here," the biotic replied as she jerked her head in Conner's direction. The young woman smiled sheepishly. Jack picked up both empty plates and turned to leave but stopped.
"I'll be here kid…you know…if you need to talk an' shit," Jack offered quietly before she turned and left. Conner blinked in surprise. Dr. Chakwas smiled at the display but it quickly faded as she remembered the conversation she just had with the commander. She moved slowly towards her patient when she saw the girl tense at her approach.
Giving the young woman a gentle smile, Dr. Chakwas pulled a chair closer to the bed.
"Well now…tell me a bit about yourself Conner…"
Jack headed straight for her 'room' after she dumped the dishes into the sink. She needed to blow off steam but there was no good place to do so. After her conversation with Conner, Jack got the feeling this Dr. Leslie was not such a good doctor if Conner had reacted the way she did.
Something inside her needed to help the kid. She was no goody two shoes but there was a burning inside that needed to help Conner. But she had no idea how or where to start.
"Fuck," she muttered under her breath. Jack continued to pace back and forth when it hit her. She had a name. She could start there at least. She smiled but then it faded quickly.
When you find 'em, then what dumbass? Jack miserably fell onto her cot. She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn't even notice Miranda leaning against the far wall, arms crossed and a smirk plastered on her face.
Growling, Jack shot up off her cot.
"What the fuck ya want?"
Pushing herself off the wall as if she had nothing else to do, Miranda sauntered over.
"Just wanted to see how our guest was doing. Seems you've taken to her," Miranda said casually. Jack felt her biotics flare as she stood almost toe to toe with the operative.
"Jack, I would highly advise you not to use your biot-"
"Fuck off EDI!"
Miranda didn't move. She just waited. Jack lifted her right fist, ready to attack when EDI interrupted them once more.
"Jack, Dr. T'Soni is aboard the Normandy."
That seemed to work since Jack sighed heavily and lowered her hand. Miranda arched an eye brow and smirked.
"You seem to be going soft Jack."
"Fuck you cheerleader."
Jack looked up at EDI, "thanks." And stormed out of her room in search of the Liara. Miranda watched the other woman storm past her, turning on her heel as she did so.
"What is going on EDI?" Miranda asked.
"I do not know what you are referring to Miss Lawson."
Miranda glanced upwards in surprise. She didn't say a thing as she climbed the metal steps and headed for engineering.
Shepard and Liara had just finished discussing what Dr. Chakwas found. The two were now speaking softly about plans of their future outside the Alliance and Broker ship when they heard a loud and persistent pounding at the door.
"What the hell…" Shepard got up quickly just as EDI came over the intercom.
"I'm sorry Commander. I told Jack that Dr. T'soni was on board." At the mention of her name, Liara stood and followed Shepard.
After unlocking the door, Jack rushed in; her eyes pinning Liara.
"Can you find a Dr. Leslie for me?"
Liara's eyes widened at the demand but she wasn't surprised. Shepard opened her mouth to say something but her bondmate placed a hand on her arm to stop her.
"That name has come across my desk a few times. Why?"
Jack sighed and moved further into the cabin without any invite. Shepard pursed her lips as Liara gave her a quick peck to the cheek then quickly followed the biotic.
Jack made herself comfortable on the sofa that the pair just vacated. Liara sat next to her as Shepard sat in the chair across from them.
"Look, I was takin' to the kid. She got…I dunno…she looked like she was gonna be sick or something after mentioning that name. I just wanna know who this doctor is and what they did to the kid."
Liara stole a quick glance at Shepard. Her bondmate gave her a slight shake of the head. Shepard didn't want to indulge too much information yet. Liara knew it was to protect not just Conner but ultimately Jack. If the biotic knew what happened in those labs or about Dr. Chakwas' suspicions they wouldn't be able to stop her.
"I have my best agents looking for her. At the moment she's disappeared. Why all the sudden interest?" Liara asked gently. She happened to grow quite fond of the biotic after Jack helped Shepard and herself during the Shadow Broker mission. Liara felt that protectiveness of a mother for her child towards Jack.
Jack sighed as she leaned forward, resting her forearms on her thighs.
"Look, I know how these Cerberus labs work. They do shit…a lot of bad shit. Fuck…bad shit happened to me in those labs. I just…I don't want her to end up like me. Ok?" Jack replied sincerely. She looked over at Shepard then to Liara.
"Blue, just find this bitch. Put an end to her. Better yet, I'll do it for you. That's all." And with that, Jack stood as did Liara and Shepard.
Liara took hold of Jack's upper arms and gave them a gentle squeeze knowing the other woman wouldn't appreciate any other form of affection.
"I will do what I can Jack. I promise."
Jack gave Liara a small smile then nodded. Turning to Shepard, she shrugged sheepishly.
"Sorry, Shep. Ruined mommy and daddy time. I'll get outta here. See ya around Blue," Jack said as she moved passed the commander. Shepard smiled as she nodded and waved as the young woman made her way to the door.
When Jack left, Shepard and Liara were silent. The commander held out an arm and Liara willingly slid into it as she wrapped her arms around her bondmate's waist.
"We can't tell her Liara. If she found out what that woman did to my ki-" Shepard stopped abruptly as she closed her eyes and swallowed the lump in her throat.
"I know Shepard. I know. But we have to let Conner be the one to decide whom she tells and who knows. We can only support her."
Sighing tiredly, Shepard nodded. Then quickly moving onto another subject that they had been discussing prior to Jack's visit, the commander smiled at her bondmate.
"I know this isn't how we planned to start our family…"
Liara cut her off with a kiss to the lips. She smiled up at her commander.
"It won't be easy. But we will get through this. Together. We may not share the same DNA Shepard, but she is mine in every sense of the word."
Shepard smiled and leaned in for a quick kiss.
"Ya know, you were pretty good with Jack just now. I think you got this 'mom' thing down just perfectly," Shepard said with a teasing wink.
Liara rolled her eyes as she playfully gave a swat to Shepard's arm.
"You know I'm found of her Shepard," Liara said with a kind smile.
"Yeah…well, she's getting pretty fond of our daughter," Shepard said with sly grin. Liara quickly pulled back far enough to give a smack to the shoulder of her bondmate.
"Shepard! Conner is still just a child!" Shepard laughed as she gathered Liara back into her arms.
"Look at you, getting all motherish already. Honey, Conner is at least a couple years younger than Jack. There's no need to worry about a thing…yet," Shepard said with a grin.
Liara huffed.
"They are both too young Shepard! You can be incorrigible at times, you know that?"
Shepard threw her head back and laughed. As the laughter died down, Shepard grew solemn.
"To be honest, you're taking all this awfully well. Considering."
Liara looked up at Shepard and gave her an understanding smile.
"Considering I trusted Cerberus when I handed your body to them. Considering they stole your DNA. Considering how they made a clone of you…yes Shepard, it's a lot to take in one night. I know it will take some time to adjust to everything. But I have to remember, you didn't ask for this. More importantly, neither did Conner. You saved her from whatever twisted plan Cerberus had for her. You saved our daughter, Shepard."
Shepard felt a swell of pride. Her daughter. Hers and Liara's.
"I love you Liara. We're going to be ok. No matter what happens, you, me and Conner…we are going to be ok," Shepard said with all the conviction she had in her.
Liara smiled and cuddled against her bondmate.
"Yes we will."