WARNING: This is sad, depressing, dark etc. It also a little odd. If you don't want to read something like this, please skip this story.

Shepard got the call when she was in her office. As savior of the entire known galaxy, it seemed only right that she now serve her people as humanity's councilor at the Citadel. She wasn't used to desk work, and sometimes it was hard to keep still or stop from looking over her shoulder, but was a job to be proud of and so far she seemed to be doing it well. Of course, it wasn't hard to be better than Udina.

She was just finishing paperwork (something she knew how to do well thanks to serving with Miranda) when the call came in. She glanced at the flashing red button. It was the emergency line. Only four people had access to that line: the three other councilors and Liara. Shepard reached for it quickly, suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

"Hello?...Yes…okay…okay…I'll be right there."

The line went dead in her ear and she held it there for a moment, staring off and out the window. It wasn't until a few minutes later that she actually hung the phone up, reaching slowly for her keys and shutting her monitor off, standing. She headed out of her office, nodding to her secretary on the way, who looked up at her boss' sudden departure.

"Emergency," Shepard said quickly. "I'll call you later with details. Cancel everything for today for now."

The secretary merely nodded, knowing better than to question Councilor Shepard.

Shepard headed out to the elevator and stepped into it, scanning her hand to give her lift priority and pressed the button. It was about fifteen minutes without the priority and Shepard sighed to herself as she felt it zooming upward at breakneck speed. They would get there in less than five minutes. She almost wished she had given herself more time to think. But she couldn't seem to focus on anything anyway. The doors opened with a loud ding and Shepard stepped out into the hallway that contained only one door for one apartment. It was yet another perk of being a councilor. The guard at the end of the hall gave her a single nod, as he always did but she did not return it, instead hurrying inside and slamming the door behind her.

Time seemed to slow in the apartment. All of the lights were off but the grandiose windows let in the warm light of the presidium down below. Everything was softened. All of the harsh, expensive appliances were now warm and gleaming happily at her arrival. The temperature could have been a bit warmer, and she glanced at the thermostat before shrugging and turning down the hall.

Liara wasn't here, but she knew that already. And yet it still felt odd to be in their apartment without her. The asari had kept up with her Shadow Broker intel, but now worked at home in one of the two large office suites the apartment provided. With Cerberus on the full retreat and the galaxy at a time of peace, she didn't need as much protection as before, but she was always cautious. Shepard glanced into her office as she made her way to their bedroom.

All of the monitors were on standby, clicking or beeping occasionally with new details or messages. A neatly stacked file of data pads sat on the table, flashing with various messages as well. Glyph glowed softly in the corner, in sleep mode. He would only wake up at the sound of Liara's voice. The thought nearly made Shepard cry and she shook her head, moving her thoughts to the bedroom down the hall.

Their room was big, but simple. A large bed with a nightstand on either side of it. Each woman had a dresser and they shared the large walk in closet. Shepard didn't need any more than that and neither did Liara. They worked well together in that sense. Simplicity also helped with Shepard's untidiness. Liara was always so neat, and while Shepard tried her best, she couldn't compare. Thankfully, the asari tended to the discarded clothes or data pads without complaint. Perhaps she liked cleaning. Shepard had never asked that question.

Licking her chapped lips, Shepard grabbed a small duffle bag and headed over to Liara's dresser, opening the drawers tentatively as if she wasn't supposed to. Her thoughts came back to her when she zipped the bag closed and she realized that she didn't remember packing anything at all. She'd never been so out of it. Making sure that she actually did pack, Shepard slung the bag over her shoulder and headed out of the apartment, taking special care not to look at the room on her right. Though when she passed it, she did reach out and close the door firmly.

She used her priority lift again and pressed another button, feeling queasy. She'd hoped to never return to this place. But she knew that her peace of mind wouldn't last. She just didn't expect it to go so soon.

The elevator opened to a quiet entryway. There was no one waiting, no one even speaking. There was just the small taps of typing from the receptionist. She looked up upon Shepard's entrance and nodded to her. "Councilor," she said professionally, "she's in room four."

"Is there anyone else on this floor, patient wise?"

"No, Madam Councilor."

"Good. If possible, keep it that way."

"Yes, ma'am."

The words fell out of her numb lips automatically and she was thankful for that. The receptionist looked back down on her screen and Shepard found the strength in her legs to move forward. It was becoming harder to catch her breath. Her heart was pounding into her ears. She had been afraid several times in her life. But this was the one instance where she couldn't seem to control it. She couldn't push it back and fight forward. She could only sit in it, letting it absorb even deeper into subconscious.

The double doors opened, leading into the patient rooms. Shepard glanced around and saw the large, stark white number four hanging over the door to the far right. And just like that, she was in front of it, and the door was opening. For the briefest of moments, Shepard panicked. She wanted to run. Run away from all of this and take a dive out of a window. Anything but this.

But then the door opened…and Liara was there.

Shepard's suppressed thoughts came back in full force as she was catapulted back into consciousness. She dropped the bag into a corner and strode over to the bed in two large steps. Liara was asleep, a much paler blue than normal. Blue bags rested under eyes and Shepard saw the needle in her hand, leading up to a clear bag that was almost empty. Another needle was attacked to her other hand, strapped up to a deep blue bag. She was in a white hospital gown. Shepard reached out, noticing that she was shaking, and placed her hand on top of Liara's. Tears filled her eyes but she blinked them away as the asari stirred.

Liara's eyes opened lazily and Shepard could tell they were unfocused. She knelt down and placed her lips to Liara's temple, lingering there as the asari finally focused. When Shepard pulled away, Liara was crying, clinging to the Councilor's waist. Shepard bit her bottom lip, refusing to cry as she held onto Liara and tried to console her. But what could she say? Was there anything that could be said?

"Easy, baby," she whispered, bending down to kiss Liara's crest. She remembered when she'd first called Liara that. The asari had been so offended. She would not be patronized in such a way. It took quite a bit of effort from Shepard to convince her that no harm was intended and though Liara never admitted it, Shepard was fairly certain she had grown to enjoy the term. But now she regretted it the minute it came from her lips. She felt Liara hitch a bit in her arms. "I'm sure this happens all the time."

"Not with asari," Liara replied, her voice hushed as she tried to control herself. "It almost never happens with us. I don't…I don't know what I did. What could I have—

"You did nothing wrong," Shepard answered quickly, bending her knees to be at eye level. Liara's eyes were reddened, her cheeks wet and puffy. "This is not your fault. It's no one's fault. It's just…." She drifted, not knowing what else to say.

"It's just so unfair," Liara finished for her, looking down at her hands.

Shepard kissed her forehead, closing her eyes. It was unfair. Liara's life had been so unfair. Her mother had died a traitor in Liara's arms. When she and Shepard had started out on their relationship, Shepard ended up dying and was gone for two years. Liara finally became the Shadow Broker, only to have to lose her ship to Cerberus. They had faced the end of the world together and somehow survived. Shepard thought it would be over for her bondmate then. She thought she could finally give her the peace she so deserved. And now this. It was so damn unfair.

Liara placed her hand on Shepard's shoulder. "The doctor is here."

Shepard turned and saw the asari doctor standing in the doorway, holding a data pad. Liara gripped Shepard's shoulder. "I…I can't. I don't want to hear it. Please, do it outside," she said quickly, tears welling up again in her eyes.

Shepard could only nod, giving her one last kiss before she rose and politely beckoned the doctor outside. Once the doors shut behind her, Shepard sighed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. The doctor waited patiently. She had kind eyes but pursed lips. Shepard wondered if that came from being a doctor and having to give good news along with bad.

"I'm ready, doctor," Shepard said finally, crossing her arms as she braced for what she was about to hear.

The doctor looked to her data pad once more before clearing her throat. "Liara suffered what you would consider to be a miscarriage. However, given that she was already in her final term, perhaps stillborn would be more sufficient."

Shepard closed her eyes. "Why?"

"We're not entirely sure. Stillbirths in asari are extremely rare. My theory is that her young age coupled with the physical trauma her body had endured in the past…her body just couldn't handle it appropriately. But it is likely we'll never know."

"Will she be able to try again?"

"Yes," the doctor answered confidently, causing Shepard to open her eyes again. The doctor was looking intently at her and she managed a weak smile as she looked at the Councilor. "Asari are very skilled at adaptation. And pregnancy issues do not trend as they do in humans. It is my firm belief that if Liara were to try again, her body would be able to handle the baby appropriately. Though, I do recommend waiting at least a year before trying again."

Shepard took a deep breath. "Well…I suppose that's something."

"We're very sorry for your loss. I would like to keep Liara for the night. I would also highly recommend the two of you see a counselor."

Shepard nodded again and stuck her hand out. The doctor took it, holding it firmly. Shepard had to admit that it made her feel just a bit better. The doctor then turned to leave and Shepard headed back into the room, pulling up a chair closer to Liara's side. She was looking out the window, no longer crying but clearly wanting to. She looked exhausted. Shepard reached out and placed her hand on top of hers again. Liara turned to face her and they both somehow managed to smile at each other.

"There's nothing I can say to make this better, Liara," Shepard began, running her free hand through her hair. "I just…I just want you to know that I love you. Nothing will ever change that. And we'll get through this. It won't be easy but…nothing ever is for us."

Liara gave a single laugh at that and nodded in agreement. She squeezed Shepard's hand before bringing it up to her lips. Then they were quiet for a while.