A/N Inspired by Evanescence "Bring me to Life", Salser's amazing story "Forever as One" and my own loss… Title inspired by Garbage's verse from "My Lover's Box."

Again, a big thank-you to all those who added, fav'd and left reviews. You have been why this little story has grown.

Thanks to Salser for proofing, you're the best! Salser… Nova needs updates. And I won your guessing game Tayg. So here's my bribe to you both.

Bioware owns all, I just make them cry.

Piece by Piece

"Yes that's what the official records say, but… no. David dragged some filthy street rat into my office one day and told me to patch her up, and that she'd just tried to rob him. A funny story indeed."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"Hello David, what brings you to my office today? Aside from the obvious limp…" Chakwas smirks as the newly minted, and obviously displeased, Captain scowls.

"Nothing a good night's rest can't handle, Karin. I do how ever have this…" He then grabs a very young Shepard by the arm and drags her into the good doctor's view. "Tried to rob me, looks like hell, probably a street rat. What's your name, child?" Anderson asks a petrified Shepard.

"Sh-Shepard," she answers not meeting his gaze.

"Shepard what?"

"Um, just Shepard m-mm-mister."

Chakwas looks the little urchin up and down before returning her solemn gaze to Anderson. "You sure you don't want me to have a look at that David?"

"No Karin, thank you. Please tend to this… Shepard." The Captain and former N7 graduate chuckles at the street rat's luck. 'If I had been anyone else child, you may have gotten away with it.' Anderson nods a final good-bye to Chakwas, then leaves.

'Oh fuck… Stupid, stupid fucktard move.' Shepard glances around nervously, looking for any means of escape.

"Bloody hell, when's the last time you had a shower, child? Where are your parents?" Chakwas exclaims, as she takes a few steps closer to the little rat now in her care.

"My parents are dead. I'm with the Reds, they're my family. They all got busted last month… look lady I'm just hungry ok? That's all I wanted. Creds for food."

"There are plenty of shelters here, why didn't you just go to one of those?" the older doctor crosses her arms over her chest in disbelief.

"You have any idea how many people go to the shelters? Last 3 times I went they turned me away. No room, ok? So doctor… unless you've been in those lines, get the fuck off my back."

"Fair enough young lady… fair enough. Now, upon my initial visual examination of you I'd say you're malnourished, dehydrated, have several untreated abrasions and improperly set bone breaks. Now… if you'd kindly indulge me, please remove your clothing, keep the under garments if you wish, and head for the second door to the left. There, my dear child, you will find a shower, something you are in desperate need of… moreso than my medical expertise. Chop chop."

Shepard, still scoping the clinic for valuables and the best way out, reluctantly nods in acceptance.

"Oh and Miss Shepard, I'd get those ideas of yours clear out of your head. I may not be a thief or merc, but I've had 40 years training, and have seen all types of people… including the likes of you." Chakwas didn't know whether to laugh at or berate the poor girl, instead choosing her best "no nonsense" glare while nodding to the way of the poor girl's much needed shower.

Enthralled by the good doctor's story, she finally takes a sip. The sensation in her throat is somewhat foreign, as she rarely drinks alcohol. This however, is an exception. Her life has been thrown out of sorts; nothing is as it should be. She feels like she is alone in the universe, stranded with people she does not wish to be with. So as far as the brandy went: 'Why the Goddess not'.

"Doctor… Karin, I'd hardly call that a "funny" story. Shepard was in terrible condition and was merely looking for a means to survive…" Liara felt slightly flushed as a small scowl reared itself upon thinking of her lover in duress. Having melded and joined with Shepard many, many times, and having seen the nightmare that was her childhood, she could not see how anyone would find her up-bring comical in anyway.

"Liara, I meant no disrespect. Shepard has a natural talent for hacking it seems and did not need to rob Anderson. No, it took some time but I eventually got the truth from her, although I do admit I suppose you had to be there to appreciate the humour in this, given who she is today…"

"Good now that you're clean I can examine you with out the fear of catching some horrific disease by simply touching you…"

Shepard's jaw dropped, and eyes bulged. Surely the cooties rumour wasn't true…

"Relax Shepard, forgive my poor bed-side manners, that was… a joke." Much to Shepard displeasure, Chakwas continued chuckling at the poor girl's ignorance while shooting her an understanding glance.

Chakwas handed the young Shepard a hospital gown while motioning her to sit on the nearby bio-bed.

"Um, can you not look?"

Chakwas complied while secretly chortling to herself as the young girl stripped herself of her under-garments and towel before hastily changing into the garb given to her. She then proceeded to the bio-bed.

"So what in the devil possessed you to attempt to rob Anderson? You know that uniform he was wearing is Alliance issued. Dress blues we call it."

"Lady, you gonna tell on me? I mean, am I gonna go to jail or something? Shit, never been busted till now. He just looked easy you know?"

Chakwas raised a brow, smirking at her young patient. "No I'm not going to 'tell on you', so out with it."

"Ok, well the guys said I got a knack for hacking, suppose why I never got caught and they did. But they said I can't actually fight for shit cause I always hide behind computers. Was like: 'fuck you. Before joining the Reds, I was on my own since I was six, bitches.'"

Chakwas looked clearly unimpressed. "Looks like you missed a spot while showering… your mouth. But please do continue…"

"Uh ya shi… I mean fu… man I've already told you too much. Why do you care, anyways?"

"Well, despite your condition, you almost succeeded in robbing one of the Alliance's most decorated officers and war heroes. All for what? Pride? How old are you Shepard? 13… 14 at most? I reckon David brought you here because, despite his annoyance with you, he must have been impressed. How on Earth did you do it?" She then proceeded to take scans of the young rough neck, her initial assessments all confirmed. She then proceeded to get a series of IV drips, and MRE's.

"Like I said Doc, been flying solo since I was six. Learned some shi… uh stuff. When my parents died, I took their omni-tools. Only thing I got left of them. My dad would show me things, you know. Think he was Red but I dunno for sure. Barely remember them."

Chakwas could see the girl visibly relaxing more and more. This is probably the most attention she's gotten in over a decade. "So… if you'd succeeded in robbing David, what would you have done?"

"Well, what I really wanted was his jacket. Looked sharp. I can get creds hacking but this guy's suit was all out. This place I wanted to take Emma to required 'proper dress attire' or what ever the fuck that means, gotta look straight you know. He just looked like he can get into places with that getup." Shepard's gaze was on the floor as she rubbed the back of her neck nervously.

"So you're telling me you're a hopeless romantic, and the real reason you robbed Anderson was to impress a girl?" She then lets out a bellowing laugh. The thought of Anderson stripped down to his underwear and left to his own devices in the middle of a metropolis brought tears to her eyes.

Onto her third glass of brandy, the kind old doctor continued roaring with laughter.

"While I'll admit she never robbed someone's clothing, she did punch a Yahg in the face to 'win me back', although I was never lost to her…"

Karin noticed the subtle shift in Liara's demeanor as she looked lost in unpleasant thoughts.

"Liara, I have never been one to follow the norm, hence my time with Cerberus…hic. If you truly believe she's alive, then by God, so do I… hic. Good night my friend… hic."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Liara was sprawled out on her bed, monitors lit, with an empty bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy on her bedstand, and a very "agitated" Glyph floating above her head. 'Ugh, ow, Goddess… how much did I…' Glancing over to the nightstand with one eye barely open answered her question.

"Dr. T'Soni, Dr. T'Soni I require you attention." Glyph said as it buzzed around Liara's head.

"Ahhh ugh, what is it?" Liara asked, as she very inelegantly slumped to a semi-seated position.

"I have a traced a fractured recording originating from Alliance Command, transmitted on sub-space channel Delta 19.89, potentially regarding Commander Shepard."

Liara's eyes bulged open, her hangover seemly instantly cured by Glyph's declaration. "Playback the message, now!"

{This is Admira… ett. All…..eets, Com…. ard… fou… alive! She…tical condition, we are…. fering her…..hos… Carrib… shhhhh…..fffffffffffff…..tatatata….ffffffffffff.}

"The recording ends there Doctor. I shall continue my scans."

The colour drains from her, as life seeps back into her. "Goddess, she's…. alive!" Liara's body is wracked with sobs, this time for hope.

TBC 1, maybe 2 more chapters and it's a wrap. Reviews, comments and feedback are what push me to continue this silly little story, which I never thought would get past chapter 1…