"One week!" exclaimed Shepard, "So soon?"
"Yes Elly, I am sorry, I only just found out this morning from Dara."
Dr. Liara T'Soni will be accompanying Dara to Feros on an archeological dig, Shepard is finding out she is to leave in one week.
"If you don't want me to go Elly," says Liara.
"No no, it's not that, it is just a lot sooner than I thought it would be that's all. I need to figure out who will watch Raina while I am at work."
The family is finishing up their breakfast.
"Maybe you can ask Miranda if she will babysit," suggests Liara.
Miranda and Oriana are now residing in the estate Miranda rented while Oriana works at the University. They have been there for almost a month now.
"Hmm, I don't know. I can certainly ask her. I was also thinking of maybe contacting Jack to see if she wants to visit."
"Really?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"I don't know Elly, has she ever taken care of a child?"
"I don't know about an infant. I know she would be good though."
Shepard and Jack have a relationship that not a lot of people understand if one is looking from the outside. Jack's horrific past is not something many can relate to, but Shepard approached her as if she didn't want anything from Jack. Shepard simply treated her as a friend to begin with. It has taken a long time but Jack trusts Shepard and Shepard trusts Jack. When thinking of Jack, Shepard feels that if it weren't for the Alliance finding her on Mindoir she would be just like her; at least how Jack was when she first met the human biotic.
Jack has made great improvements. She trains teenagers and young adults in biotics. Becoming a trainer has done a great deal for Jack and if she is not in the middle of a class now, Shepard would love to have her over for a visit.
"That way if she can come then she and Miranda can switch off days if they want."
"I didn't think they got along Elly, do you really think it is a good idea to have them work together?"
Smiling Shepard replies, "Maybe they need to both grow up a little. I think it would be fine."
"If you say so," says Liara not convinced.
Shepard takes hold of Raina to burp her. "I won't put our little one in danger Liara, you know that."
"Of course I know that Elly. I see a bit of Jack in you, I understand you wanting her to visit I do. I just don't want the two of them to fight in front of her."
"Well that's my point. I doubt they will. I will reel them in if necessary and I know they both will do what is best for Raina."
"So it is a little experiment, yes?
"Maybe a little," Shepard admits.
"Do you think Miranda will be okay with it, I mean watching Raina, not Jack?"
"She and Raina get along very well."
"I know, but do you think it is too painful for her?"
"I …well I guess I don't know. The last couple of times she has been over, it doesn't seem like it. But I will ask her. Which reminds me, I better ask her today if you are leaving in a week."
Shepard gives Raina to Liara. "Are you sure it is okay Elly, I know it is such short notice?" asks Liara."
"I said we would make it work. Hey, I am going to swing by their estate. Do you want me to pick up anything before I get back?"
"No thanks, though Dara did ask if I could go shopping with her for supplies this afternoon. Will you be home?"
"Yes, I will be home before lunch."
"Okay see you soon."
Shepard stands outside the front door of the estate waiting for what seems like ten minutes after ringing the door. She is wondering if anyone is even home or if the estate is so big it takes this long to answer the door.
Turning to return to her sky car she hears the door open behind her. "Shepard?"
Shepard turns to see Miranda "Hi Miranda."
"Hello, what are you doing here?"
Sighing Shepard smirks, "You really need to work on your manners Lawson."
"I apologize Shepard, "I wasn't expecting visitors today."
"Heaven forbid someone stop by unannounced."
"Well I am sorry Shepard, but I am in the middle of something. Do you want to come in?"
"Why do you make it so hard to talk to you I swear Miranda, you really piss me off sometimes."
"I'm sorry. Please come in."
Shepard enters; the entryway is huge to say the least. There is a stairwell that splits into two opposite paths that lead upstairs. There is a rather large vase in the middle of the foyer with beautiful flowers of all colors within.
"Nice place," says Shepard.
"We can talk in here." Miranda obviously has something on her mind so Shepard decides to be quick and does not press her.
"What can I do for you Shepard?"
"Look I can see you are busy. I wanted to ask you something so do you have a minute?"
"Of course, I will be right back."
Not sure why she is leaving Shepard stands there waiting for her to return. The room off the foyer has a few chairs in it so she takes one.
After a few minutes Miranda returns with a bag and those weird glasses on top of her head.
"Okay, I am ready," says Miranda.
"For what? What are you doing?" asks Shepard.
"You are here for me to look at your scars are you not; you never let me finish looking at them."
"Oh…yeah that's right..ahh no actually no. I am here to ask you something else."
"Well we can do two things at once." Miranda kneels down in front of her.
Shepard steps back, "Miranda please stand up. I can't ask you when you are examining me."
Standing with brows furrowed she replies, "Okay."
"Thank you," Shepard begins. "I don't know if we talked about Liara possibly going on a dig or not."
"Yes you mentioned something a week ago I believe, with her asari friend right?"
"Yes that's right, Dara. Anyways, she just found out the class is leaving in one week."
"Wow that quickly?"
"Yes," Shepard says as she rubs at the back of her neck. "I was wondering if you wanted to watch Raina during the day while I am at work. I mean… you don't have to watch her everyday if you don't want to…-"
"I would love to Shepard, thank you for thinking of me."
"Well I have another idea."
"Yes?"
"I was wondering about asking Jack to visit."
"Jack?" Miranda's smile disappears.
"Yes. I have not seen her in awhile and if she is not training her students I thought perhaps you and she could rotate shifts."
"This isn't the Normandy Shepard. I am fully capable of watching Raina on my own."
Smiling Shepard asks, "It's not too much? I mean we are talking every day for a month Miranda. Don't you have your own work to attend to?"
"You come home at night right and you are home on the weekends?"
"Yes."
"Then I can do it, you certainly don't need Jack," grumps Miranda.
"Okay, okay I get the hint."
"What about this party you were going to have celebrating Raina's arrival?"
"Yeah, well that is going to have to wait until Liara gets back, I just hope she doesn't want to return and only stays a month out there."
"I thought it was for only one month?"
"No, it is two months but the students come home one week between the months. Liara said she would stay home, but I have a feeling she will want to go back for the whole thing."
"And you will let her?" asks Miranda.
Snorting, "Well as you said Miranda, this is not the Normandy; I can't exactly order her to stay. If she wants to go then she will go."
"Well I will be here Shepard, so I can watch Raina if it comes to that."
"That is very nice of you Miranda thank you."
"Okay, can I see your scars now?" asks Miranda.
Shepard looks toward the open door.
"Oriana is at work, I assure you no one else is here."
"Okay," Shepard lifts her shirt."
Miranda places the ridiculous looking glasses on her face; they allow her to increase magnification when needed. "You gonna tell me how you got these Shepard?"
Shepard takes a deep breath in and out and fills Miranda in on her kidnapping and her torture. It never made it to the media, but the number of people that know about it is slowly growing which Shepard is not happy about.
"I am sorry Shepard, I had no idea."
"Don't apologize Miranda, how would you know, we were able to keep it out of the media."
"Is this…why you left the bathroom a few weeks ago, before showing me your hip?" Miranda does not look at Shepard when she asks the question. She continues to examine her torso.
"Yeah..sorry about that. You caught me a bit off guard. The memories hit me out of the blue sometimes."
"I apologize."
"Stop Miranda. It's fine," says Shepard.
Miranda looks at her now and stands. "I am not the most empathetic person Shepard. It never occurred to me you received these scars from anywhere other than battle."
"Hey, it's okay Miranda…it really is."
Miranda gives a small smile. "Are you comfortable showing me your hip?"
Sighing Shepard says "Sure." She pulls her pants down to just above the knee to show Miranda the scar on her right hip. The scar starts at the hip and snakes its way toward her knee; it stops halfway down the side of her thigh.
"Oh Shepard," says Miranda.
Shepard blinks back the tears that she feels forming. She doesn't like the empathy that Miranda has suddenly found, the way her voice sounds. Shepard knows she is just being a good friend, but right now she wants the clinical side of Miranda; it makes it easier.
Miranda finishes looking and stands up so Shepard pulls up her pants happy to have the examination over.
Miranda sits across from Shepard and says "There are two options Shepard and I don't particularly think you are going to like either one."
"Hit me," she says not getting her hopes up.
"Well, the scarring is quite extensive. The first option is not without pain but is probably the least of the two. The skin has three main layers, epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. The scar on your hip goes all the way to the subcutaneous tissue. I would need to do a more thorough examination on your torso to see how deep the scarring is, I suspect the dermis level at least.
Trying not to fall asleep, Shepard asks while pretending to yawn, "Uh Miranda, I don't really care. Can you just tell me the options please?"
"Of course Shepard," she smiles. "I could replace your skin with the assistance of nanites. They can in a crude way to explain it, eat away the scar tissue and rebuild the layers of skin. I recommend a drug induced coma."
"What? Uh, noooo I don't think so."
"On the Lazarus Project, making your skin was one of the longest processes Shepard, as I said due to the complexity and the number of layers. It takes a long time to make them."
"You said three."
"Yes well, the epidermis layer alone has five layers, while the dermis is comprised of two."
"Forget I asked," smirks Shepard. "What's the other option?"
"The second option would be a bit more experimental I'm afraid."
"Please spit it out Lawson," Shepard smiles.
"I could create a serum of sorts with nanites. We would have to watch the dosage but I can program them to destroy the scar tissue while rebuilding the skin layers."
"Well that sounds promising."
"As I said, it is experimental, a theory right now and it would be incredibly unpredictable."
"Meaning?" asks Shepard as she stands to look out the window.
"Meaning, I have no idea the amount of pain it will inflict."
Shepard doesn't say anything so Miranda continues.
"We can start with very low doses to see how you handle it, then up it or lower it depending."
"And the bad news?" Shepard asks.
"It could take a very long time."
Shepard turns to face Miranda, "How long?"
"I have no way of telling I'm afraid, I have not done this before and as I said, it is a theory."
Sighing Shepard paces a little around the room. "Well, that completely sucks. Is there another option?"
"I cannot think of one at the moment Shepard, but I can do some more research. There are older techniques, but they do not completely erase the scars."
"Okay, well thanks Miranda. I appreciate you looking into it," Shepard says as she starts to walk out of the room toward the front door.
"Wait Shepard."
"What?"
"Do you want me to make the serum?"
"I need to talk to Liara first, can I let you know?"
"Sure and Shepard?"
"Yeah?"
"I am sorry I don't have better options."
"Don't worry about it Miranda. And thanks for being good with watching Raina. You are welcome to stay at the house anytime if you want or not, it is up to you."
"Thank you Shepard. I will probably bring some items and thank you. I look forward to watching her."
Shepard walks out of the front door, "Hopefully you will still feel that way after a few days. Talk to you later Miranda."
"What more do you think we need?" asks Liara.
Shepard returned to watch Raina in time for Liara and Dara to go shopping for supplies for their upcoming archeology trip to Feros.
"I think we nearly bought out the store Liara. I mean the weather is supposed to be hot from what I have been told and you bought something for each season," laughs Dara.
"One can never be too prepared Dara," says Liara. "I am very excited to get my, what is it the humans say, get my hands dirty again."
"Yes, that is a good saying. They do have the weirdest sayings don't they?" asks Dara.
"Yes. Do you have proper footwear Dara?"
"Yes, I have two pairs of boots and plenty of socks. What about you?"
"Yes, I am afraid I could not decide, so I will be taking four pairs of boots."
"Goddess Liara! How many bags do you plan on bringing? We are only supposed to bring two."
"Oh yes that's right, I had forgotten. Goddess, I may need to return some items."
Laughing, "Ya think?"
Dara sees the sad expression on Liara's face. "Liara it's okay. Why don't we check to see what fits in your bags first."
Showing a small smile Liara replies, "Sounds good. I guess I am a little excited." They both laugh and return to Liara's sky car.
"So does everything fit?" asks Shepard trying to hide her smile.
Shepard loves seeing Liara so happy but seeing her so excited also makes her feel sad because she is going to miss Liara terribly. To be away from her bondmate for one month without sharing a bed, without sharing a meal, without sharing Raina's bedtime routine, it is going to be awful.
"Goddess Elly, I can't make it all fit," says Liara. The extra sets of clothes for every potential type of weather are too much for the two bags they are allowed to bring.
"Well Liara, I am sure you don't need all of those extra clothes do you? I mean Dara said it is supposed to be hot, do you really need these?" Shepard pulls out a couple of sweaters. "I don't think you will need these," she continues as she pulls out winter clothing such as long underwear, heavy socks and a heavy set of night clothes.
"But the weather can change," says Liara. She wants to try to make the clothes Shepard just took out of the overflowing bag fit. "We must be able to make it all fit."
Shepard takes Liara hands with a smile. "Liara…Liara look at me."
Her eyes meet Shepard's, Elly loves looking into her eyes. "What's going on? You know you don't need these."
Liara moves to sit on the edge of the bed, Shepard follows and places her hand on the small of her back.
"It is hard Elly. I am excited but at the same time I feel guilty because I am excited."
Shepard wants to cut in, but she knows not to interrupt her.
"I am going to miss you and Raina so much." She looks at Shepard, "So much it makes my heart hurt. At the same time I am excited to see the dig site and learn again and be with people who share my interests. I just do not like these conflicting feelings."
Rubbing her back Shepard says, "Its okay Liara. I feel the same way."
"What do you mean?"
"I am so happy for you," Shepard takes Liara's hand and kisses the back of it. "But at the same time I wish you were not going because of how much I am going to miss you. I can't imagine what it is going to be like here without you."
"Oh Elly," Liara scoots closer to the human and wraps her arms around her waist snuggling into her neck.
"But it is going to be okay Liara. You will have a wonderful time. You will be so wrapped up in your work you won't even…-"
Liara looks up at Shepard and makes eye contact, "Don't you say it. I will not forget you two I won't."
"I know that Liara, I wasn't going to say that."
"What then?"
Squeezing her tight Shepard continues, "I was going to say that the time will fly by, a month will be over before you know it."
Shepard moves her hand to Liara's chin then kisses her slowly and deeply.
Finally breaking from the kiss Liara says, "I am going to miss you so much."
"And I you."
They sat together with their foreheads resting on the others for who knows how long. Shepard drank in her scent, the feel of her arms around her, the feel of her soft skin, she knows she has one more week with Liara before she leaves, but it doesn't hurt to memorize the feeling now.
The week went by way too fast. Shepard and Raina are at the front door of their house saying goodbye to Liara.
"Remember what we agreed to, you call me every day, I don't care what time it is okay," says Shepard, she is trying not to cry.
Liara cannot help her tears; she is going to miss her baby and her bondmate. "I will Elly, every day I promise."
"I love you Liara," says Shepard as she wipes away a tear on her blue beauty's face with her thumb. "We both love you very much, you remember to have fun okay."
Liara hugs them both again. "I love you, I love you so much." She kisses Shepard as if she will never see her again; it is a hungry kiss an almost angry kiss. Neither one want to forget the feel of each other.
Shepard places her hand on Liara's face and slowly pulls away. "You have to go honey. We are going to be fine, don't you worry."
Liara kisses Raina one more time on her head then gives one more quick peck on Shepard's lips. "See you soon."
"See you soon Liara."
They discussed their goodbye. Shepard did not want to say good bye, neither one of them did, it felt too final, so they agreed on see you soon, it was true enough and it fit their situation.
Shepard gives a final wave to Liara, Dara and Valya since Valya insisted on taking them to the shuttle. Her and Raina watch the sky car take off. She takes Raina's hand and makes it wave as a tear escapes and falls down her cheek. "I love you Liara," she says as the sky car flies out of sight.