Chapter VI
Derek and Eric are up before their parents. They're sitting next to each other watching Derek's favorite cartoon, The Justice Code, on the extranet. The asari cartoon is about a Justicar named Doreen and her fight against injustice in the galaxy. Derek loves the cartoon because it reminds him so much of his momma with her being a detective and putting away the bad guys. Just like the asari Justicar in the cartoon.
Eric eats his dry cereal and drinks his milk and Derek thinks his brother is weird because that is the only way he eats his cereal No pouring milk over the cereal. Eric doesn't like soggy food, especially soggy cereal. Cass and Kaja always makes sure the boys and Karerra when she's with them has something to eat if they get up before they do. Usually it's dry cereal and milk, like today. The boys know not to wake their parents unless it's necessary. "Ah, Derek, not this episode again. Doreen almost gets killed then she magically beats the criminal in the end. We watched this one a few days ago." He points to the monitor.
"I know, it is one of my favorite episodes. Your Aralakh cartoon comes on after this one, so stop complaining," responds Derek to Eric's complaining.
"So, I want to watch Ish, Boy Genius. It's on another channel." protests Eric. "Derek, please, we've seen this one too many times and Ish is a new cartoon."
Derek moves his jaw from side to side making a funny face while thinking if he wants to change the channel or not. "Okay, we'll watch Ish." The older twin by twelve minutes changes the channel to watch the cartoon Eric wants to watch.
"Thanks." Eric drinks the last of his milk. He takes the bottle to the trash and puts the empty bowl on the round table in the corner next to the mini-fridge.
While the two brothers watch the Ish cartoon, Kaja and Cass cuddle in bed. They can vaguely hear the boys in the other room, but neither parent pays too much attention because it sounds like they are getting along and not fighting over what to watch. Cass lifts her head off Kaja's shoulder to place a soft kiss on the asari's cheek. "Maybe we should get up."
"Nah, they're behaving. Or it sounds like it. Besides, I like lying here with you. Feeling better?" asks Kaja as she squeezes Cass then kisses her bondmate's lips.
Cass' tongue duels with Kaja's tongue as their kiss deepens with each passing second. The human finally breaks the kiss to says, "Yes, but don't think he's not still in my thoughts. But I am handling it better. Maybe it's because we left and I doubt he'll ever come here. I still scared, Kaja."
Kaja strokes Cass' graying hair. "Good, I'm glad you're feeling better. I sure you are still scared, Cass. I'm good, so, we're good. Okay?"
"Okay. I love you, sweetie." Cass puts a tender kiss on Kaja's cheek then lies her head back on the asari's shoulder.
"I love you too," responds Kaja as she wraps her arms around Cass to hold her close.
There is a knock on the door. Eric and Derek look at each other. Eric gets off the couch and looks down the hallway to the beds. His parents are still lying there. He shrugs at Derek. There is another knock on the door. Derek walks over to the door and jumps to see if he can see through the peephole. No luck, so he grabs a chair and climbs on it to look out. He sees an asari and a human female waiting outside the door. Derek says at the door, "I'm not allowed to open the door for anyone."
Liv says, "So, get your momma or mom to open the door, silly."
"They're still in bed. You're going to have to wait, aunt Liv." Derek is trying to keep from laughing. He motions to his brother to get either parent.
Liv puts her face near the peephole, so the only thing her nephew sees is her blue-eye. Tracy is snickering behind Liv. "Geez, they behave more every time I see them," comments Tracy.
"Well, Kaja got mad at Eric a few visits ago for opening the door for me when her and Cass were still lying in bed together and they went home early because of it as a lesson to the boys. Harsh, I know, but they have behaved since. Which is probably what they are doing now. It's almost 0900 and I know they usually are up by now," says Liv. She reaches out to squeeze Tracy's hand.
Derek looks out the peephole. All he can see is Liv's eyes. "You're goofy, aunt Liv. Eric went to go get momma and mom. I'm still not opening the door."
"I'm goofy? Well you're silly." replies Liv. She hears Derek giggling through the door.
Eric walks closer to his parents lying in bed, "Ah, mom, momma. Aunt Liv is at the door. Can we let her in?"
Cass looks at her son and smiles at him. She's glad he is remembering the lesson from a few months ago. "Yes, you and Derek may let Liv in. We'll be out there in a few minutes."
"Thanks mom," says Eric, who is now all excited. He runs back to the door to let Derek know they can let Liv in and not get into trouble for it.
Kaja looks at the clock, it reads 0903. "Well, she's here early. I wonder if Tracy is with her?"
"That would be nice if she is," says Cass when she finally gets out of bed. "I'm headed to the bathroom to take a shower."
Kaja runs her hands over her head tentacles before getting up to put a robe on so she can greet her sister. "Okay, I'll let Liv know we still need to get ready. Room service for breakfast or out some place?"
Cass answers before she closes the bathroom door, "Out some place. I'm sure the boys had the cereal we left for them."
"True," replies Kaja when she leaves the bedroom area. "Morning, Liv, Tracy. You're here early."
"Not that early. It is after 0900, you're being lazy like always when you come here," teases Liv before she hugs Kaja.
Kaja hugs her baby sister back. "That's why we come here, to relax and enjoy ourselves. Cass jumped into the shower. Had breakfast yet?"
"Yes, we ate before coming over," answers Liv.
Derek moves to Kaja so he can give her a hug. "Morning, momma. Can we go see the statue now?"
Eric shakes his head at his brother, "You and that statue of granddad and grandma. Can we not see it for once?"
Liv looks at Kaja, who just shrugs and doesn't show any emotion one way or another on the topic. Kaja smiles at Eric, "You don't want to go to the museum, Eric?"
"Not really, we always go there and I want to do something else this time," says Eric bluntly.
Tracy remains silent and sits in a chair. Liv grins at her sister and her nephews and sits on the couch close to Tracy. Kaja thinks quickly then asks, "Where do you want to go then, Eric?"
Eric shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know. Anywhere else."
"Okay, we'll stay here then and not do anything. Sound good to you, Eric?" teases Kaja with a grin on her face when she looks at her son.
Shaking his head, Eric says, "No, no. I want to do something different this trip." He looks over at his brother. "Is that okay?" asks the younger twin.
Kaja kneels down in front of Eric and Derek. She gives each a hug before replying to Eric's question. "Yes, it's okay that you want to do something else." Kaja turns her attention to Derek. "Maybe we can compromise some and just take a quick visit to the statue then do what Eric wants to do. Okay, Derek? He's right, we always go there when we come here."
"Okay, momma. Next time?" asks Derek with a cute grin on his face. A grin that usually yields him a positive response from his parents.
"We'll discuss that later." Kaja pats the top of Derek's head then stands up. She glances towards down the hallway and sees Cass exiting the bathroom. "Okay, you two, time for you both to take a bath and get ready to go and do something. We don't know what it is yet, but we'll figure it out soon enough. Right, Eric?"
Eric hugs Kaja, "Yup, loves you, momma." He then heads to the bathroom to get ready to do something, what that something is, he isn't sure.
Derek hugs Kaja too then follows his brother to the bathroom. Eric already as the water running in the tub when Derek enters the bathroom. Cass watches everything from the hallway and checks on the boys to make sure they don't over fill the tub and actually take a bath and not horse around and not wash themselves. The tub is big enough for two adults, so the boys have plenty of room to wash and play in the tub together.
Tracy finally says something, "I have an idea and I think the boys would like it."
Liv and Kaja both look at the human sitting in the chair, Kaja asks, "Yea, what?"
"Liv, have you seen the ad for that new miniature golf course that is becoming very popular here on the Citadel? They might be busy and there is a good chance we might have to wait to play, but I think they would like it. Just throwing it out there," responds Tracy with a grin.
Liv shakes her head, "No, I haven't, but that does sound fun. I can't golf, but I can try to get the ball in the hole."
"Hey, great idea, Tracy. Yea, I think they would like that. Let me run that by them." Kaja makes a beeline to the bathroom. "Perfect, you're in here too." She kisses Cass' cheek. "Tracy had an idea she thought you two would like." Kaja points to her sons in the tub.
Eric and Derek both say in unison, "Yea?"
"Do you want to play miniature golf?" asks Kaja.
Cass nods she approves. "I like that idea. I'm going to talk to Tracy and Liv." She smooches Kaja's cheek then leaves the bathroom.
The twins look at each other. Something they've not done before, and both nod excitedly to their momma. Eric says, "Yes, please. Right Derek?"
"Oh, yes, momma. That sounds fun. Too bad Karrera isn't with us. She's going to miss all the fun," says Derek then he splashes water in his brother's face.
"Knock it off, Derek. Both of you, wash and get cleaned up. Don't forget to brush your teeth. I still need to shower yet before we can go," says Kaja with a stern tone in her voice. She leaves the bathroom to gather her clothes for the day.
By the time Kaja and the boys get ready to leave, it's almost 1100. The first place they head to is a restaurant for an early lunch. As much as Eric wants to do different things this trip to the Citadel, he and Derek always want to eat at the same two or three restaurants. Today, it's Mick's Grab-bag. It's conveniently located in the Shalta Ward which is where the miniature golf is located.
Mick's Grab-bag is busier than normal and there is a ten to fifteen minute wait for a table. The boys are dead set on eating their kid's grab-bag special cheeseburger with a mystery prize in every bag. Every bag has something different. Surprisingly, they don't fight over the toys they get. They add them to their collection and every toy gets played with by both boys.
Tracy comments, "I bet the new miniature golf is bringing more people here. The place is just down the street." She points towards the people standing in line waiting for their turn to play the elegant eighteen hole course. With the heavy traffic, the owner is already looking to expand to add another eighteen holes. It will give people a choice on which course they want to play on and lower the wait time.
"Well, looks like there's a wait there too. Are you both sure you want to wait in line before you can play?" asks Cass.
"Yes, mom. Isn't it like Adventure Park at home? We have to stand in-line to ride the rides. Isn't that the same thing?" asks Derek.
A little chuckle is heard coming from Kaja. Cass raises an eyebrow to her wife. "Yes, Derek it's just like that."
"Lets go stand in-line then. I wanna play," demands Eric.
Kaja stands next to Eric and puts her hand on his shoulder, "Don't you want to eat first? I don't know about you, Eric, but I'm hungry."
"I can always eat, momma," says Eric as he rubs his tummy with a silly smirk on his face.
Liv can't help but laugh at her nephews. "Here I thought only Derek was the silly one. Looks like Eric is silly, too."
Eric stops rubbing his stomach and snaps his head in Liv's direction. "I'm not silly. He's silly." He points at Derek then to himself. "I'm weirdo. Or did you forget that, goofy?"
Liv puts two fingers over her mouth, tapping one finger on her lips, thinking, looking at one boy then the other. "Yes, you're right. You are the weirdo, Eric. I did forget. Please, forgive me." Liv places her hands over her heart dramatically. Tracy snickers in the background.
"I forgive you, goofy," says Eric as he hugs his aunt.
Cass and Kaja exchange snickers and glances with each other as they both watch Eric's interaction with his aunt Liv or goofy as the boys like to call her. There is one thing for certain. The twins love their aunt Liv and love coming to the Citadel to visit her. Cass moves closer to Kaja. She whispers, "Is it just me or is there something going on between Tracy and Liv again?"
Kaja gives Cass a look which say no kidding. She answers softly, "Yes, I think so, but neither has confirmed it. Let me get Liv alone and I bet I can find out." Kaja winks at Cass with a smirk for good measure.
Cass rubs on Kaja's upper arm in response then moves around her wife so she can stand and talk to Tracy. She starts to say something to Tracy when the host informs them their table is ready. The salarian shows the family to their table, gives each a menu plus an activity book with a four-pack of colored markers to each boy. While the adults look over the menu, Derek and Eric are busy playing with their activity book. Eric is connecting the dots for the restaurant's mascot, a clown with blue curly hair holding a grab-bag. Derek is coloring a random picture in the book.
Kaja orders the boys their usual meal, a kid's cheeseburger grab-bag. Derek hopes this time they get the princess toy, so they can use her with the fantasy setting they've created with their other toys. The boys love the toys in the meals and they never get the same toy twice. Kaja gets a steak sandwich. Cass orders a chicken sandwich, same as Liv. Tracy orders a double-cheeseburger.
Eric looks at Tracy in amazement when she orders a double-cheeseburger. "No way will you eat all of it, Tracy." He draws a thought bubble above the mascot's head and writes in it No way! He shows the picture to Tracy.
Tracy whispers to Cass, "Do you mind if I get something for your little beggars if I can prove to Eric I can eat the double? Which I can."
Cass asks, "What do you have in mind?"
"Game of their choosing," answers Tracy.
"Sure," responds Cass.
Tracy leans closer to Eric. Close enough for her to playfully poke him in the chest. "I bet I can eat it all. If I can, you and Derek can pick out a game and I'll get it for ya."
Derek's attention is peaked when he hears game. He whispers to Eric for him to take the bet. Eric asks, "What do we get if you can't eat it all?"
"You can tease me for the rest of the day that you were right and I can't eat a double-cheeseburger," responds Tracy with a big grin on her face. "I think I can and it's a win-win for you and Derek. Deal?" She offers her hand to the young lad.
"Deal," says Eric as he shakes Tracy's hand cementing the bet.
Their food arrives quickly as per the norm for the restaurant. The boys get excited when Eric's meal contains the one toy both have wanted for months, the princess. They high-five each other then continue to each their lunch. The adults at the table grin at the two boys and keep their conversation to anything but what is really going on. They think this is just another trip to the Citadel to visit their aunt Liv and Tracy not a trip to calm their mother down.
Tracy puts the last bite of her double-cheeseburger back on the plate then pats on her stomach like she is full and can't finish her cheeseburger. Derek takes notices and points at Tracy while smacking Eric's arm. Before Derek can say anything, Tracy winks at the youth then eats the late bite. Wiping her mouth with a napkin, "Well, you little beggars, I hope you know what game you want. It looks like you lost the bet."
Eric and Derek say, "Yea!" in stereo. Eric puts his arms up in victory. Kaja snickers at her sons and at Tracy. Cass and Liv both smile and chuckle at the boys.
The line for the miniature golf is long, but the line is moving at a nice steady pace. The closer they get to the cashier, the more excited the boys get. Because this is Tracy's idea, Derek and Eric both bombard her with questions. Some Tracy has answers for, some she doesn't, which disappoints them. They are slowly figuring out, adults don't always have all the answers to everything and you have to figure some things out for yourself.
The human working the counter gives everyone a putter they can use. Everyone gets a different color golf ball. They let the boys pick first. Eric picks the dark green ball. He claims it's the winning ball. Derek rolls his eyes then picks the light blue ball. Liv picks the color representing her mood, black. Tracy grabs the bright pink ball, while Kaja hands Cass the yellow one and she takes the dark blue one. Tracy takes the score card and writes everyone's name on it.
The course has a unique combination of mythical creatures from all corners of the galaxy. Eric's face lights up like a Christmas tree when he sees the course for the first time. Derek's mouth drops open as he scans the course from left to right then smacks Eric on the arm when he sees a dragon with flames shooting out its mouth. All the holes are a Par 3. However, getting in the cup in three strokes is harder than it looks.
As the boys are finding out the hard way. Derek hits the ball too hard and it bounces off a peg and rolls back at his feet. Kaja works with him and Eric on hitting the ball softer and when they do hit the ball softer, it doesn't bounce off the obstacles on the course as much. No one is getting the ball in the hole in three strokes, but everyone including Liv is enjoying their time playing miniature golf. No one is sure how, but Cass has the lowest score. Tracy teases Cass about winning saying she cheated some how and the twins start laughing at the exchange.
Liv takes Tracy off to the side, "I'm going to steal my sister and head to my apartment while you and Cass with the boys go shopping for the game you promised them. I need to talk to her and I'd rather do it privately."
"Go to my apartment, Liv. It's around the corner," says Tracy.
"You sure?" asks Liv. The asari still feel horrible, but is grateful Tracy is being gracious. "I know where you live."
Tracy senses Liv's apprehension about using her apartment, "Yes, I want you to. It's okay, Liv. Really." She rubs on Liv's upper arm and smiles at the time. "Here's my key," says Tracy as she hands Liv the swipe key.
"Thanks, Tracy." Liv takes the key and puts it in her pocket then grabs Kaja's arm. "I need to talk to you. Tracy's going to take the boys and Cass to buy their game and they'll meet us at Tracy's apartment."
Kaja nods, "Okay." She turns her attention to the twins. "I'm going with your aunt Liv while you two go with your mom and Tracy to buy your game. Surprise me with it? Okay?"
Eric says, "Okay. Any game we want?"
"Yea? Any?" asks Derek. Both boys are excited about getting a new game. Their birthday might have been two months ago, but they always want something new and exciting to play with.
Kaja looks up at Cass who doesn't give her any non-verbal clues then looks at Derek and Eric. "Yes, but only if your mom okays it first." She gives her sons a hug then Cass a kiss and hug. "See you all soon."
Cass and the boys follow Tracy's lead. She claims to know where a nice toy store is in the area, Derek has his doubts. Eric has a little doubt, but she did eat her double-cheeseburger and a salad. So, he doesn't doubt Tracy as much as Derek does. Kaja follows Liv to Tracy's apartment, so the two sisters can talk.
Elysuim
Liara T'Soni sits at her desk, looking at the manifest from the salvaging vessel on the findings in the Omega system. It's mostly SecureTech property, but they also found two bodies. One salarian and one human. She rubs on the back of her neck unsure what to do about them. She is one-hundred percent positive the salarian is Derk and is certain the human is Liv's employee, Ian. Liara sends instructions to the ship's captain to take the remains to the nearest Council military vessel and turn them over and to tell them you found them while salvaging debris near Omega. If they want the find, hand it over, the Shadow Broker will compensate for any salvage lost.
Liara wants to help Olivia the best she can, but if the bodies found are who she thinks they are, it might help put Liv's company in a little better light public relation-wise. Maybe Ian didn't know Derk and Jimmy were on board, she shakes her head at the thought. Some how, Derk knew Ian was on the station and found a way to get on the shuttle. She brings her hand close to her chin, thinking. Maybe, just maybe, Ian didn't know about Jimmy and thought he was just helping Derk. That doesn't help Liv though.
So far, everything continues to point to Jimmy being on Omega. She's hasn't been able to locate his exact location, but she does know he is on the station and hasn't left. Liara did a thorough background search on Jimmy Nichols after his attack on Kaja and Cass. He worked for Eclipse and reported directly to Roma Sederis, the Eclipse leader. The asari forger/tech expert, Jimmy was sleeping with, went off the grid shortly before the Spctre took out Eclipse and Sederis. Even the Shadow Broker is having a hard time pin pointing the asari's location. Liara is sure, Jimmy will try to hook-up with her if possible. Find the forger, she might find Jimmy.
A pop-up reminder about needing to pick up Karrera from Jasmine's house appears in the lower right corner of the terminal screen. Liara smiles knowing she is going to spend some quality time with her granddaughter. As angry as Liara was with Kaja about Karrera, Kaja has made her very proud with how she not only handled the situation, but how she's raising Karrera. The young asari maiden isn't the same quiet asari she was less than seven years ago.
There are times when Liara wonders how much influence Cass has on Karrera. It doesn't matter, the longer Kaja and Cass are together, the more they remind her of her relationship with Leia. Both have patience to deal with twins boys at six-years-old. She can't wait to see how they are when they hit puberty. Liara has read up on human children behavior, so she'd know how to handle them or what to expect when watching them. They're not that much different from her daughters were at that developmental age. Kids are kids, it doesn't matter which species they are. They all do things they're not suppose to do because they are curious and learning.
Liara informs Glyph she's leaving for a while and to queue up anything about Jimmy Nichols, Derk, Ian, or SecureTech. Everything else is at its usual priority. Jasmine's house is a few blocks away, so Liara walks instead of driving. It's a nice day, she might as well get some exercise in and enjoy the sunshine. The area around the house she and Leia built over two-hundred years ago has filled-in with homes and a few businesses. There are times when Liara wonders if it is time for her to move again. With Kaja having kids, it hard for Liara to imagine moving away from them. At least while they're still young.
Jasmine's mother, Adele, opens the door when Liara rings the bell. "Hello, Dr. T'Soni. Please come in. Karrera and Jasmine are still working on their debates. We were going to watch a vid last night and all they wanted to do was work. I don't understand it. Asari their age shouldn't work so hard." Adele is over six-hundred years old and still holds a few older views on asari maidens and working at a young age.
Adele's view is the opposite of Liara's, who likes that when the younger generation works in normal jobs and not stripping or joining a merc band in the Terminus. Liara says when she enters the house, "They do take their debates seriously, I'll say that much." Liara smiles at the older asari.
"I'll go and let Karrera know you're here," says Adele as she shuts the door behind Liara then heads to Jasmine's room to alert Karrera her grandmother's here to pick her up.
"Thank you, Adele." Liara waits patiently by the front door for Adele to get Karrera. Maybe the two youths do spend too much time working on their debate topics, but Liara doesn't see the harm in hard work. Not when it comes to school. Maybe Adele doesn't mind if Jasmine dances at a club like Afterlife on Omega or work for a group like Eclipse. That is something she and Shepard never wanted for their children. Anything but that. Dr. T'Soni feels lucky, she has three daughters and all three found careers early in life, like she did before meeting Leia Shepard then becoming the Shadow Broker.
Karrera with Jasmine by her side enters the living room where Liara is waiting. "Okay, I'll call you tomorrow and I'll see if I can come over after dad and Cass get home and I'll help you it. It's the best I can do," says Karrara to Jasmine. She shrugs her shoulders and has a sympathetic look on her face.
"It's okay, Karrera. I'll figure that one part out. I'll see you at school Monday." Jasmine looks at her mom and gets a look which tells the youth they need to spend time apart and not work together. "Hi, Dr. T'Soni. Nice to see you."
"Hi Jasmine. Stuck on something?" asks Liara with a smile on her face.
Jasmine's face lights up when she talks about her debate topics. "Yes, but Karrera gave me a few things to think about and I think one works. I can figure it out."
Karrera stands next to Liara with her bag slung over her shoulder. "You sure, Jasmine? I don't mind."
"Yes, I'm sure," replies Jasmine. She gives Karrera a non-verbal cue with her eyes it's about her mother and them working too much.
Nodding, Karrera understands perfectly what Jasmine is saying to her. "Okay. See you Monday." She gives Jasmine a hug. "Thanks for having me over. Next time, my house."
Jasmine returns the hug. "Deal."
Karrera and Liara leave Jasmine's house and walk back to Liara's house. Liara asks once they leave the porch, "Adele says you and Jasmine would rather work than watch a vid. It is a weekend, you do need to relax some, Karrera."
"Jasmine was stuck and I was trying to get her unstuck. She's still unsure about it. Her mom wanted to watch a vid we didn't want to watch." Karrera shakes her head in disgust thinking about the vid. She scrunches up her nose like she's smelling something bad.
Liara stifles a chuckle when she sees her granddaughter's facial expression. "What was the vid?"
"Tamberry Park: A Love Quest. It's something I don't want to watch. She has bad taste in vids," replies Karrera. "Good call on walking over, grandma. It's a nice day." She gives Liara a hug as they walk down the street. It's always a nice day to Karrera if the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. They walk a block before Karrera asks, "Why is Cass so upset all of a sudden. I know dad told me to be extra careful around people I don't know and told me the person responsible for her shoulder escaped prison. But why is this bothering Cass so much?"
Liara keeps her arm around Karrera's shoulder after the hug. "I'm not sure if I'm the person you should ask, Karrera. Have you asked your dad about this?"
Shaking her head, Karrera answers, "No, she's busy keep Cass calm. I notice things, grandma. I have noticed Cass acting differently since Thursday night. I get a feeling this guy did something to Cass back then."
Liara takes a few more steps deciding if she should tell Karrera more details about what happened twenty years ago. The youth has already started figuring things out on her own, so Liara answers, "Yes, Karrera, you're right. He did do something to Cassandra and that is why she is upset."
The youth furrows her brow, thinking about her grandmother's answer. What ever he did to Cass, it upset her very much and Karrera doesn't like that idea. In the few years she's been with her father and Cass, the human has shown her more love and guidance then her mother ever did in the previous thirty-nine years. She loves the human as much as she loves her father. Her mother was right about one thing, her father and how she is someone you would be proud to have as a parent. Karrera is that, proud Kaja is her father and not another drugged-out asari. Kaja treats her like any loving parent treats their kids. She's the same with the twins as she is with Karrera. Cass is exactly the same, a loving parent.
Karrera thinks about when she asked her dad about her uneven shoulder when she first arrived on Elysium. "Dad said she got shot protecting Cass. But that's all she ever said. I didn't ask any more questions about it. I thought that happened long before I got here and all I cared about was figuring out where I fit in and if I could trust my dad."
Liara squeezes on Karrera's shoulder. She teases her granddaughter, "And where do you fit in?"
Karrera leans against Liara. "I fit in great. Everything improved after I moved here. Thanks for that, grandma."
Liara kisses Karrera's temple. "You're welcome, Karrera. I think that has more to do with your dad and Cass than me. What do you want to do today? Vid? You can pick. I don't care what it is. I get a feeling we won't be watching any love stories."
"Ah, no, love stories." She scrunches her nose again when she mentions love stories. "There is a new horror vid I've wanted to watch, The Reckoning Device. It's about a mad scientist creating a device that turns everyone into zombie like creatures and a few brave people try to destroy it. It's your typical cheesy horror vid. We don't have to watch it if you don't want to."
Good cheesy fun sounds perfect to Liara. If Karrera wants to watch a cheesy horror vid, then they'll watch a cheesy horror vid. They turn the corner to walk a few more houses before they walk up Liara's driveway. "That sounds good, Karrera. I have an idea since it's such a nice day. Lets go into town and ride a few rides at Adventure Park, pick up a pizza, then watch your vid. I know you have a season pass correct?"
"Sounds great, grandma," says Karrera as she hugs Liara. "I love you, grandma."
"I love you too, Karrera. Go and put your bag in the house and we'll head to the park," comments Liara. She waits by her skycar for Karrera to put her bag in the house, so they can leave for a day of cheesy fun.
Karrera returns with a hop to her steps, which makes Liara smile. Evil lurks in the shadows, Liara knows this all too well. Karrera seems to understand there is a dangerous convict on the loose and that is a good thing. Liara knows the young maiden will do as her father instructs her to do. Keep an eye out when you're around people you don't know. Jimmy as far as Liara knows is still on Omega, but she is sure he won't stay there for much longer. Not with Kaja living on Elysium. He will come here soon enough. Until then, Liara plans on treating each day like a normal day. Or what is normal for her and her family.
Citadel
Kaja sits on the couch watching Liv pace around the room without saying anything. Liv's been like this since they entered Tracy's apartment. Kaja has wondered long enough to what is wrong with her youngest sister and says, "Either start talking or sit down, Liv. Your pacing around is making me dizzy."
Liv stops long enough to respond, "What?"
"Citadel to Olivia, Citadel to Olivia. You brought me here because you wanted to talk and all you're doing is pacing. What's wrong, Liv?" asks Kaja.
"Everything, Kaja. I don't know where to begin. I hope I can safely assume you know about the prison break and who is involved," replies Liv. She sits on the couch next to her eldest sister.
"You can. It's partly why we're here. I'm well aware Jimmy Nichols is out and I'm sure he'll show up on Elysium soon enough. I can't do anything until he does. This can't be about that or it is?" Kaja wraps her arm around Liv's shoulder then gives her a squeeze. "I needed to get Cass away from home to hopefully calm her down. She's been freaking out since she heard Jimmy broke out. The boy's school called me to get her to leave after dropping them off yesterday morning."
Liv leans forward, shaking her head, "Dammit, I'm sorry. I feel responsible because one of my employees helped them get off the station."
Kaja pulls Olivia in for a hug. "You're not responsible for Jimmy breaking out of prison. The only way you are responsible is if you helped Jimmy escape." She leans closer to whisper, "I doubt you'd do that." She then gives Liv a kiss her temple.
Olivia turns enough to look at Kaja, who is smiling at her. "Of course I wouldn't do that, but I have made mistakes, Kaja. Don't think I haven't."
"Who hasn't? I've made my fair share." Kaja waves her hand in the air and holds it up before nudging Liv. "Why do I get the feeling there is something you're not telling me? This can't be the only reason you wanted me alone," says Kaja.
Sighing heavily, Liv says, "It's not. I need to tell you a few things and I'm not sure how you're going to take it. Kaja, I always looked up to you when we were kids. You always looked up to dad, but I always looked up to you. I'm not saying I wanted to be you, because I don't. I always admired your grit and determination when things didn't always go your way. And the patience you had with me where Gaia had none. I think that is why you're such a good investigator, Kaja, and I know it's why you're a great parent to Karrera and the twins. Maybe some day, I'll be more like you and less like Gaia."
Kaja starts laughing loudly. "Goddess, Liv, if you think you're like Gaia, you are way off, sis. Way off. What makes you think you're like Gaia? She's so full of herself it isn't even funny. That isn't you, Liv. I'm flattered you look up to me, but sis, you've done more with your life than I have with mine."
"That's what Tracy said when I said it to her last night. Well, I'm no better than her. I've used people like she does, Kaja. People I care about,"comments Liv. There are tears forming, Liv wipes them away with her shirt sleeve. "Maybe professionally I've done more, but not on a personal level. I'm a complete failure in that area."
Kaja hugs Liv again. "Are we talking about Tracy?"
Liv nods her head, "Yes, I'm talking about Tracy. I'm not sure how I can fix it and I need your advice, Kaja. How do I prove to Tracy I am sorry for the way I've treated her? I can't even stand myself right now. I don't know how she or anyone else puts up with me."
"Well, first you tell her you're sorry and attempt to explain things. Tracy still loves you, Liv. I know she does because I can tell on how she was looking at you while we were playing miniature golf. Go out and have fun with her. It's all she wants from you, goofy," says Kaja as she bumps Liv with her body.
"I did that last night," says Liv as she rubs the tender spot on her jaw from where Tracy slapped her last night. "I don't know if she'll ever trust me again. I can't blame her if she doesn't. Kaja, I love her or I think I do. I don't know if I even know what love it and that bothers me." Liv bumps Kaja back then leans against her sister.
Kaja rests her arm over Liv's shoulder. "I don't want to know what you said to her, but I think it's obvious she still cares about you. Or she's not mad because if she was mad, I don't think she would have showed up with you this morning or let you use her apartment to talk to me."
Olivia feels the tears start to roll down her cheek. The more she thinks about how she has treated Tracy, the more guilt she feels. "I don't deserve her friendship, let alone her love. I've been horrible and I didn't even realize it until yesterday." Liv stands to walk around the room. She needs to move and talk. "I feel so ashamed, Kaja. All these years I thought I was better than Gaia and I'm not. Work isn't fulfilling as it once did. Since you and Karrera found each other, I've been more scared to date and I was too stubborn to call Tracy."
Kaja gets up and gets in Liv's way. She places her hands on her younger sister's upper arms. "Listen to me, goofy." A smile appears on her face when she calls Liv 'goofy'. She usually doesn't call Liv 'goofy'. That's the nickname the boys gave her about six months ago, but Kaja is trying to lighten Liv's mood. "Work less. I'm sure with everything going on with the prison break that is hard to do, but work less. Call Tracy. Tell her you want to go see a vid or go dancing. Or even a quiet night at home. I know you don't cook much, but attempt something simple. Give her more than you did after she moved here. You and I both know you can give her more. If you want to salvage your relationship with her, then you'll give her more than a few weekends here or there. That worked when she lived in Elysium, but it doesn't work when she's a twenty-minute drive away."
Liv is unable to look at her sister. Too ashamed to look at Kaja even though her sister is being nothing but supportive. She buries her face in Kaja's right shoulder then breaks down crying. Kaja wraps her arms around her little sister and holds her. Seeing Liv like this, makes Kaja glad she's with her and not just talking via comm link. "Tell me this, sis, did this all start because of the prison break?"
The computer tech pushes away from her sister and wipes her face. "Yes. I'm more worried about my company than I am about my relationship with Tracy, but it's my relationship with her that has me feeling so ashamed. Maybe those talking asshats on the news are right. Maybe I am too young to run a business. I can't even manage any type of relationship."
"Ha, asshats. I'm using that in the future." Kaja places both hands on Olivia's face, forcing her sister to look at her. "Don't listen to them, Liv. Don't. They are nothing but a bunch of loudmouths that don't know anything about you or what you're capable of." She presses her forehead against Liv's. "You're not alone, sis. I'm sure between you, Breia, and Jena, you'll figure something out. I have a feeling things will reveal themselves and it will shine a better light on SecureTech. Hell, do what other companies have done. Do a name change. Rebrand." Kaja backs away a half-step, "I know how the security works at the prison. I've never served there, but I know one commando who has. Your employee had to go through a few background checks to even get access to the prison."
"Yes, he did. I run a background check on everyone I hire. That didn't stop Derk Liphurn from creating a dummy account then siphon credits from a Council account to it. Oh, I forgot to tell you, Goddess, I'm sorry. I got a message from Derk saying Jimmy Nichols is out and going after another T'Soni. I know that is you. Please, Kaja, be careful. If anything happens to you or..."
Kaja interrupts Liv before she finishes her statement, "Jimmy escaping prison is not your fault. You hear me!" She pokes Liv in the chest with her finger. "It's not! I know he's out and I'm doing the best I can to be prepared for him to come after me or Goddess forbid, Cass or the kids. But I'm not dwelling on it and I don't want you to either. Worry about fixing things with Tracy. I want you to worry about that, not me. Besides, the prison contacted the Alliance on Elysium and I knew within thirty minutes after they made the jump through the relay he was out. I'm more worried about keeping Cass calm so she doesn't freak out the boys than I am about Nichols being on the loose."
"See, this is why I admire you so much, sis. You're calm and confident even though you know bad things might happen in the near future. I remember the look in his eyes when they took him away during his sentencing. I had hoped he would never get out. I'm scared for you, Kaja." Liv tries to smile, but is unsuccessful. She hugs Kaja tight. "I love you, sis."
Kaja hugs Liv back, "I love you too, sis. Don't worry. Things will work out. You'll see."
"Now, you're sounding like mom," chuckles Liv. "Thanks. I feel a little better." Liv puts a small gap between her thumb and index finger.
Kaja opens her mouth to respond to Liv when the apartment door opens and four humans walk in. Derek and Eric both look happy and content. Derek says, "Momma, momma, we got..."
"Pyjak Trap," finishes Eric. "Can we play now?"
Derek adds, "Please."
Cass looks at Tracy, "Mind if we stay here and play with them?"
Tracy leans her head to right with her right hand on her hip, "Seriously, Cass? You just asked me that?" She grins at Cass. "Only if I can play too. You okay with me, Eric? Derek?"
Cass opens the package and sets the GUI board on the coffee table and turns it on. The board lights up with each square highlighted. The game allows up to four people to play at once, so the adults are going to take turns playing with the twins. The goal is to get your pyjak around the board to steal the krogan food horde without getting caught in the trap that slowly gets built when a player lands on a build trap square. Some squares are a lose turn or move back 'x' amount of spaces, but most squares are good ones to land one. The players want the trap built then hope someone else gets caught in it.
The first game doesn't go as Eric planned. His pyjak got caught in the trap. Tracy raises her hands in the air in victory. The next few games go in the boys favor and each win one game. Everyone is enjoying the quiet family time at Tracy's apartment. Liv is really relaxing for the first time in days and she's glad Kaja and her family is with her and she's grateful Tracy is back in her life. The past few days have been rough, but it seems everyone is enjoying themselves.
That is what Kaja wanted most. For her bondmate to relax and her plan to get them away from home for a few days is working. So far, Kaja hopes Cass can continue to keep herself calm once they get back home and the boys are at school. The last thing Kaja wants to deal with is having to deal with Cass again like she did yesterday. The time starts creeping on 1930 when they finally stop playing the new board game. Kaja packs the GUI board back into the box. Everyone heads back to the Saffron Hotel for game of cards after the boys go to bed for the night. It's well past 0100 when Tracy and Liv head back to Liv's apartment.
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A/N: It's Monday again, and time for another chapter. I do hope everyone is enjoying this ride. Five more chapters to go.
To respond to a few comments. The answers you seek are in upcoming chapters. Stay tuned. ;)