A/N: Thank you all for the support with this story and Bioware owns all.
2184: Tuchanka
"Liara?" A voice softly whispers.
"Liara you have to wake up." The same voice says a little louder. This time the Asari stirs a little from her slumber.
"Shepard..." Liara calls her lovers name but does not wake up. A small smile adorns her face, but she turns onto her side, and attempts to drape her arm over the Commander.
Moving closer to the sleeping Asari the Human female tries a few more times to wake her up with no success, so she begins to lightly shake the Asari. Liara mumbles a few more indistinguishable words, and her eyes begin to flutter open.
"Thats it Liara. It's time to wake up now."
It is difficult for Liara's eyes to focus. The Asari is beyond exhausted, in pain, and blinded by the light of whatever room she currently is in. She can't remember much, but with the way she feels right now, she must have been in the Mako with Shepard driving.
"Goddess, Shepard..." Liara wakes up fully, and tries to sit up. She thought she just heard her lover call out to her and wants to look for her, but the pain in her abdomen is instant. Her eyes squeeze shut as she lets out a cry of pain, and is forced to lie back down. With all of the fighting she has been through, and as many times as she has been injured, Liara cannot remember a time when she felt this much pain or has been this fatigued. Every muscle in her body aches and she must have been wounded in her stomach. Placing her hands on her abdomen she can feel the bandages where Chakwas operated on her, but what happened?
"Shepard...where are you?" Liara calls out weakly, face contorted in pain.
Her mind is swirling in a fog and her memories are jumbled. Taking a deep breath she tries to sit up again to no avail. Between the pain and the fatigue she is dealing with it seems to be an immposible task for the moment. Lying back down she opens her eyes, blinking back the tears while waiting for everything to adjust to the rooms light, Liara attempts to look around again, but everything is blurry. Closing her eyes, taking a deep calming breath, Liara tries to relax. She open her eyes again, and this time the room is a little clearer.
Content that her vision is starting to return, the Asari looks around hoping to see her lover. Liara is trying to make sense of everything, and the last clear thought she has is of them fighting on earth, an explosion happening, and then nothing. All she truly knows is that she was with the Commander fighting one minute and waking up in the med bay the next. Normally Liara would not think anything is wrong but it feels like there is something missing. For some reason flashes of Shepard are appearing in her mind. From fighting on earth, to watching her run away towards the beem, then the crucible exploding, Liara's memories are a jumbled mess. There are even visions of the Normandy crew living on the Krogan homeworld of Tuchanka. She hopes that Shepard can help her figure out why she is having these memories but she still can't see the Commander. The more she thinks about it the more it all seems so real, and now her mind is telling her she is on Tuchanka?
Shaking her head to clear these odd thoughts from her mind she looks around the room as much as she can while in her current position. She is still having a hard time seeing clearly but the Asari is certain that Shepard answered her before.
"Shepard...I need you...please?"
"I'm right here." A soothing voice says after a few moments.
Turning over to see a face that is still out of focus, Liara rubs her eyes, and waits for her vision to come back. So many things are uncertain right now and as Liara tries to think of anything that can help clear her mind a face appears. Focusing on the person standing next to her, Liara can now see a woman but it's not Shepard.
"Doctor Chakwas, what happened to me? I'm in so much pain. Why can't I remember anything?"
"It's alright now Liara." The older woman says to the Asari in a calming voice. "I've given you something for the pain, so you should be feeling better soon." The Normandy doctor says in a motherly tone. Chakwas never had a family and adopted the ships crew as her own; with the Asari archeologist and Shepard being her favorite.
"Your memories will return soon enough. It is just a side effect of the sedative I gave you. I know you are still tired and I'm sorry to wake you, but you've been sleeping for the last eighteen hours."
Becoming a little frustrated at the lack of an answer, Liara tries to sit up again. This time the doctor holds her down.
"Careful now, you'll open your stitches."
"Doctor Chakwas please. Where is Shepard and what happened to me?" Her annoyance is ever present. Chkwas has never kept anything from her so she's not sure why the Normandy's doctor would start now.
Sighing a little, the Human doctor begins an examination of the Asari. When she finishes she looks at her patient who has been waiting impatiently for an answer.
"I will answer all of your questions, but I'm sure you want to see your daughter first."
Daughter!
The word brings back every memory that has happened over the last year in an instant. Liara now realizes that her mind had blocked out a large portion of memories, but now everything has comeback to her. It's been over one year since they arrived on Tuchanka. One year since they were forced to use the Krogan homeworld for a last defense effort against the Reapers, and have been fighting there ever since. And it's been more than one year since Liara mapped Shepard's DNA and became pregnant.
They were headed for Earth after defeating Cerberus where the Alliance and the combined forces were going to make their last stand against the Reapers. Liara was admittedly scared that she'd lose her bondmate for a final time, and felt that having a child would keep a conection to her lover that she longed for after the collector attack, or at least give Shepard more of a reason to come back. At the time, Liara didn't think of the repercussions, she only wanted to conceive the Commanders child. Looking back now, the Asari realizes it was a mistake.
"I don't want to see anyone right now." Rolling over as quickly as her body will allow, Liara faces away from the med bay door, and Chakwas.
She still cannot remember why her stomach had been operated on but figures it has something to do with the baby. It doens't matter now, Liara wants nothing to do with anything or anyone, especially a child.
"I sent Tali to go get her for you." Chakwas says while she looks on in concern at the new-mothers actions.
"Don't you want to see her?" Chakwas asks.
"Not right now, I am still tired...maybe later." Liara says nonchalantly.
The young Maiden has convinced herself that she conceived this child strickly for selfish reasons. Liara brought a baby into a galaxy at war, and Arina has no chance at a future, so why admit to even having a child. Her tears try and wash away the guilt that have been eating away at her since that night. Shepard had been so happy after she found out, but Liara could see and feel the uncertainty that were in the Commanders thoughts.
"But Liara..."
"I don't want anyone in here right now." The Asari repeats herself. Her voice is now laced with annoyance and Chakwas has all but had it with her patient.
She has been immposible to deal with for the last few months of her pregnancy but most of the people there have been understanding. Ever since the Normandy arrived the crew has given the Asari space and support when she needed it. They knew she was upset about leaving Shepard along with the uncertainty of the Commanders survival. The crew all saw the Asari deal with the possible loss of her lover in different ways and supported her along the way, but now Liara is crossing a line.
"Liara I am trying to be as understanding as possible but this has gone on long enough. Do you honestly think that we all don't miss her?" Only seeing a slight twitch from Liara at the question, Chakwas knows she hit a nerve but needs to hit more.
"Do you think we all do not hold out hope just as you do for our Commander to come back to us?...to us." The last two words emphasized to get the doctors point acorss.
"Do you honestly think that you are the only one who cries themselves to sleep because Shepard may be gone. Or that we are all not scared since our chances of survival were cut down to nothing when the crucible didn't fire? No matter if we all survive this or not or if she doesn't come back to us, your baby deserves a parent..."
"She abadoned me so what does any of it matter?" Liara screams as she turns over to face the doctor. Sitting up she winces a little at the shooting pain in her stomach, but forces herself to push through it.
"She left me to take care of a child by myself. A child that has no future...none of us do, so why should I even take one look at our daughter knowing she will die, and I cannot save her. I've gone through enough death of loved ones in my lifetime and cannot take anymore!" Tears continue to stream down the Asari's face as her voice grows louder with each word she speaks.
An audience has formed at the door of med bay, with Tali at the front holding the newborn Asari. Everyone who has served on the Normandy under Shepard was already there, waiting to see the child. They have been waiting since before Chakwas had operated on the Asari to retrieve the baby. They are all anxious to hold her but the Human doctor insisted that the mother be the first, with Tali being the exception. She was the only one to stay behind and assist wherever she was needed. From feeding the child to cleaning her, the Quarian was there. So when it was time to retrieve her, Chakwas gave Tali the honor.
Now the Quarian is listening to her Asari friend fall apart, and all but admit that the baby she is holding, that Tali has become so attached to, was a mistake. It is breaking the young engineers heart that Liara would ever say such a thing. Shepard never abandoned anyone, much less Liara, and to hear her mother say that the precious little Asari doesn't have a future brings tears to Tali's eyes.
Looking down at the baby in her arms and making eye contact with the child reminds the Quarian that she is the last of her people; that there may never be another Quarian child born again. The flotilla along with the geth fleet had been destroyed making an escape attempt after the Crucible did not fire. The Reapers ambushed them, killing ninety percent of her people, and all of the Geth. Their deaths ended a chance for her people to once again live on their homeplanet of Rannoch and thrive. Their deaths lost any hope of a future for her people, and as Tali removes her face mask so she can truly see just how beautiful this child is, the sob that escapes her causes everyone to turn and take notice.
She feels strong arms hold her and she knows it is her Turian lover. The small sentiment from Garrus makes her cry harder for all of those that have died, and all of those who will die. She cries for her lost friend and the fact that Shepard was not here to see her baby born, or see her at all. Each tear of sadness that falls represents a tradgedy that has happened to her or her friends. But as soon as she sees the little Asari smile and hear the baby coo, then grab her finger, a smile forms. All of the sad thoughts she had are instantly erased. Looking around the room at everyone she has come to care about, Tali turns to show each of the anxious aunts and uncles this miracle.
After everyone is done fawning over the young Asari, Tali moves towards a very reluctant Asari mother. Tali understands Liara's worry but the Maiden needs to realize the gift that is Arina is just that, a gift. The choice to have her may not have been the smartest or best decision that was made since they are at war, but she is the first good thing that has happened to the crew of the Normandy since this all started.
Standing in front of the Asari who refuses to look at the child in Tali's arms, the Quarian looks at doctor Chakwas who is visibly upset. Between the operation she had to perform on someone who is like a daughter to her, then all of the fighting they have had to do over the last few months, and now the recent conversation with Liara has lead to one thing being certain, Karin Chakwas needs a break. Tali is about to come to the Human doctors rescue when Liara speaks up.
"I am sorry if I upset you Tali." The Asari's voice holds no emotion. It is non-caring, just like her expression.
"Liara look at me." Not getting a response Tali becomes upset."At least look at your child then!"
When she refuses to do either Tali's patience starts to wear thin. She wants to scream at the Maiden and tell her to think about the baby for once. The closer Liara's due date approached, the less she even acknowledged what was happening.
"Liara I love you but you need to hear this...Stop being a Boshtet!...You can not tell me for one moment that you believe that Shepard left you alone to raise this baby by yourself. If you do then you don't truly know her. She has been there for us all... especially you. You and Garrus are still alive because of her." The Quarians voice cracks a little at the mention of nearly loosing her Turian lover. There has been enough death throughout the galaxy and Tali can not stand to see anymore. Holding this baby is helping the Quarian through her emotional turmoil but Liara is still being difficult.
"She would not have even considered having a baby for you to raise it alone and without a future. She is our future." Tali says motioning to the small Asari in her arms. She moves closer to Liara which forces the Asari to look at her daughter for the first time.
The hard exterior finally cracks and tears immediately begin to fall once Liara sees her child for the first time. The Asari doesn't know what is upsetting her more, what she said, or how she has been acting. Her behavior has been inexcusable and yet she has been telling herself that it will hurt less if she forgets it all now.
That she has to forget everything that her and Shepard have shared over the course of the short amount of time that they have known each other. From the first time they saw one another on Therum, to conceiving their child, Liara tried to block it all out, but it only made things worse. Each time Liara tried to repress a piece of her life it only caused her to focus on it that much more.
Up until this point, Liara had all but convinced herself that looking at her baby would continue to remind her of Shepard. It took everyone in this room, all of her friends, and Shepard's old squadmates to make Liara realize that the Commander didn't abandon her, but gave her and everyone else here a chance at a future.
Everyone who has served on the Normandy and has survived the war so far had eventually made it to Tuchakna, and was able to witness Arina's birth. Thinking back on everything that has happened since they left the Sol system and Shepard, Liara is now convinced that her lover has deliberately set all of this up so she and their daughter are not alone, and it has worked so far.
Looking at her child and seeing her wide blue eyes staring back at her brings a smile to her face and a feeling of hope to the Asari. Looking back up towards her friends that have now moved closer to them in order to get a look at the newest addition to the group, Liara holds her little girl up a little so they can all see. And as they fawn all over mother and child they each seem to appreciate the fact that for this one moment there is no fighitng and they can all enjoy it together.
"Futurae nostrae." Liara says to the newborn Asari in her native language.
"Our future." She repeats while everyone else gathers around her to get a glimpse of the newborn child. She is grateful for having the people in her life that she does, and for the first time since they left the Sol system and arrived on Tuchanka, Liara does not feel alone. There is still a war happening and Shepard is still missing, but she has her family, her child, and that is all that matters now.
2235: Illium
Having been awake since Aiden left the room, Arina has been lying in bed bed for the last hour trying to remember what it was like to be near her mother. Liara was the strongest person she ever met even though she seemed to be sad when she was alone.
When Arina would ask her mother about it, Liara's eyes would gloss over and a look of guilt would appear. At first Arina hated to see her mother so upset but soon learned to enjoy everything that happened after. Her mother would stop whatever it was that she was doing, hug her, and stay with her all while talking about her sire. They would talk about the great missions they had went on and how exciting each one of them were. Arina would be captivated by each word Liara spoke, but the love story of her mother and Shepard were always the best.
From Therum to the final moments they spent together before they made their way to the crucible, her mothers demeanor would change for the better. Liara seem to cherish the few moments they spent together just like Arina cherished the time with her mother, but now that is no more. Even when the Reapers would attack all Liara would have to do is put a comforting arm around her and the younger Asari's would feel better.
Now she has Aiden for that, but it isn't the same. Still, the Human loves her and has been trying to get mother and daughter reunited since the day they crashed on Illium. Nothing has worked so far but Arina is appreciative just the same.
Looking up at the ceiling of their room, Ariana is trying not to think about the message on this latest beacon left by her mother. Instead she is thinking about her lover and how their previous converation went. How protective he is and how he is willing to break the rules just for her. The more she thinks about him the more she wants to look into his blue eyes while her fingers move through his short blonde hair while he makes love of her.
Getting out of bed she opens the door to their room and is a little surprised that she doesn't find anyone else roaming the halls. Since there isn't much for anyone to do, most everyone is out at this time of the day. Either they are fixing their equipment which only causes Tori to have a fit and redo everything, or drinking and playing cards, which causes Duncan to have a fit since they will all be to drunk to fight. Now is different, no one is aroud and as Arina makes her way to the main gate she begins to hear a commotion.
Happy to see everyone is alright but concerned since they all look annoyed for some reason the Asari makes her way through the crowd and into the dining hall. She suddenly stops when she sees what everyone else is looking at. Stopping immediately, Arina is trying to convince herself that who she is looking at is real.
It's him, it's the Prothean Javik and she cannot understand how or why he is here. Wanting nothing to do with him she tries to turn and walk out of the cramped dining hall but someone grabs her arm. Turning around quickly she is now faced with the Prothean, and flares her biotics in warning.
"Do not threaten me Asari."
"So then don't touch me you piece of shit!" She yells, pulling her arm free.
The entire room has gone queit as the two stair at each other, neither of them backing down.
"Who let you in here?" Not letting him answer, Ariana grabs her pistol and points it at him. "It doesn't matter, your leaving."
"Arina, wait." Seeing his lover about to turn her anger towards him, Aiden puts his hands up and continues.
"Just hear what he has to say and then you can kill him."
"What could he possibly have to say?" She asks in annoyance. Duncan has approached to make sure nothing gets out of hand.
"Please just listen to him, and then you make the decision, but you need to hear him out."
Not liking the fact that Aiden is allowing any of this to happen, Arina nods but makes her displeasure known as she walks to a private room, holding up her middle finger to the trio that are following her. She cannot understand for the life of her how Aiden or Duncan would allow this piece of crap in the camp. He was thrown off of Tuchanka for unspeakable offenses and Aidens knows this. After Duncan arrived he had been told as well, so this story better be good.
Arriving at another room torwards the middle of the compound, Arina heads for a back corner so she can face everyone.
"Start talking!" The Asari snaps which causes the three males to flinch a little.
Normally Arina always had a nice quiet demeanor like her mother, but piss her off and apparently she has the temper of Liara and her sire, and everyone there knows it.
"You need to know that everyting I say is the truth no matter what you think of me." Not getting a response, Javik continues. "Ever since I left Tuchanka I have been tasked with a mission, and up until this point I have been successful..."
"And what's your mission entail? Getting all of the females of this cycle pregnant so the Prothean empire may strive again." The anger and condesending tone in the Asari's voice is obvious.
"Arina please..."
"What Aiden? We all know the reason why he got his ass tossed off of Tuchanka. So do you honestly think thirty plus years has changed him? That he no longer wants to get every female he sees pregnant..."
"This is getting no where." Javik says impatiently. "I told you she would not listen to me. Her emotions are just like her mother..."
A blue beam of light comes from the Asari's hands and pushes the Prothean acorss the room and into the wall. No sooner does Javik hit the wall and Arina is pushing him against it with her forearm on his throat and her pistol aimed at his gut.
"Do not talk about her!" Arina screams. "You say a another word about my mother and you won't have to worry about being the last of your kind." She says through gritted teeth.
Javik can see the hatred she has for him, and as much as he wants to tell her the truth about why he left Tuchanka, he knows she will never believe him. He just hopes she will listen to what he has to say, because time is important.
"Your mother is why I am here." When Arina's arm on his neck loosens up a little he continues. "She asked me to find Commander Shepard and bring her to Tuchanka, and I have been following her ever since."
"Bullshit...my mother would never ask someone like you to do that, especially since she has been sending out the beacons."
"The beacons are why she asked me to do it."
Arina always hated how his multiple eyes seem to look everywhere other than the person he is talking to; like he is better then everyone. He always acted like he was superior even with his people being long gone, and his next statement only stregnthens that feeling.
"I told her that the beacons your mother had been sending out were attracting too much attention to us and told her to stop...She did not even though I was right. When I was asked to leave she seemed to take unwarranted pity on me and said if I wanted to redeem myself that I can look for your supposed savior. I wasn't going to do it but the Human seems to be the only capable primitive of this cycle..."
The knee that connects to the Protheans stomach was not noticed until Javik doubles over in pain. The glowing fist that hits him in the face however, is seen by all.
"I'm done listening." She opens the door to walk out, shaking her hand to try and get rid of the sting that comes along with hitting someone. The smile on her face goes along with the satisfied feeling she has after punching that asshat. She is about to turn the corner to go back to her room, but stops suddenly when she hears aiden yell to her.
"He knows where Shepard is."