Chapter Six
Dr. Liara T'Soni steps out of the bathroom wearing a one of the new dresses she bought for this trip. It is a three-quarter sleeve light baby blue with red accents dress. Shepard thought she looked very sexy in it. But then Shepard thinks Liara is sexy in everything she wears. Liara sees the girls playing a card game down in the living area of the Loft. She looks down next to the computer terminal is a data pad. The information broker picks it up out of habit of wanting to get as much information as she possible could get. It's a note from Captain Kaidan Alenko:
Commander Shepard/Dr. T'Soni,
I really don't know what to say about what happened today. Lt. Vega messed up. There was reason why I didn't inform you of what was going on. I was worried that if I informed you before you landed that Balak would find out and attack your shuttle outright. I wasn't planet side because Balak knows what I look like from the Terra Nova incident. I did trust Lt. Vega with telling you and he failed to follow orders. I did want your help with this, Shepard.
Admiral Shepard as relieved me of my duties, maybe it's time for me to retire.
I am very sorry for putting you and your family in danger. I doubt you'll ever forgive me or trust me again. Know this, I feel very bad for what happened. I should have done things differently.
Captain Kaidan Alenko
Liara tosses the data pad back on the desk, a little to late, Alenko. I don't know about Shepard, but I won't forget this for a long time. She puts all the dirty clothes in a plastic bag. They will go into the trash. Liara walks down the few steps, she asks her daughters, "What are you two playing?"
Both girls say at the same time, "Go fish" Gaia adds, "It's a game dad taught us. Want to join us, mom?"
"No, have fun. I'm going to check on your father and try to get something for us to eat. Stay here. I don't want you wandering around the ship," says Dr. T'Soni as she kisses each daughter on the forehead, grabs the clothes she picked out for Shepard and heads to the elevator. The girls go back to playing their card game, Go Fish.
There is a female guard standing next to the medical bay door. Liara starts to walk into the room, "Excuse me, Dr. T'Soni, I've been instructed to not allow anyone besides Dr. Chakwas into the med-bay until tomorrow."
"Who gave that order?" asks Liara. She does not know who this marine is or her rank. Liara looks around the crew quarters to see is she can see Dr. Chakwas. She doesn't see the human doctor, but she does see Admiral Shepard. Liara walks over to talk to her mother-in-law. "Why can't I see, Leia, Admiral?"
Hannah Shepard turns to face the asari, "Dr. Chakwas wants her to get her rest and she started yelling at me. I'm sorry. I seem to be saying that a lot today. Follow me, please, Liara." The elder Shepard leads T'Soni towards her quarters. After the door to the Admiral's quarters closes, Hannah says, "Leia is upset about me giving her back the Normandy. That is what she started yelling about. I know Chakwas gave her a sedative and ask for someone to stand guard. I can't even see her."
"You want to tell the girls they can't see her? They will want to see her again before they go to bed, Hannah," remarks Liara. The asari is getting very frustrated with the situation she and Shepard have been put into. Now, she is unable to see her bondmate.
"I will if that is what you want, Liara," says Hannah Shepard as she places her hand on Liara's shoulder. This time Liara allowed Hannah to comfort her. "I understand your frustration. I don't blame you either. My hands are tied on this as well. Talk to Dr. Chakwas, but I doubt she'll change her mind on her orders."
Liara is looking out the window, seeing the planet below. "This isn't right, Hannah. I understand what Dr. Chakwas is trying to do, but she has no right to keep me or the girls from seeing Leia. She isn't in the Alliance and hasn't been for over fifteen years." The asari turns slightly looking at Leia's mother, "What did Leia say about the Normandy? I'm almost certain she doesn't want it." She turns back to look out the window.
"She doesn't want it, Liara. I asked her to talk to you and the girls about it before tell me what her decision is about keeping it. EDI, inform Dr. Chakwas to come to my quarters. I need to speak with her," says the human Admiral. EDI didn't respond to the request, but does inform the doctor she is wanted in the Admiral's quarters.
After a few minutes, Dr. Chakwas arrives in Admiral Shepard's quarter to see that Dr. T'Soni is also present. "You wanted to see me, Admiral?" inquires the medical doctor with a salute. Chakwas has an idea it has to do with her order that no one including Liara and her daughters not allowed to see Commander Shepard.
"Yes, doctor. You have to allow Liara and the girls to see Leia," says Hannah Shepard. She really doesn't think Chakwas is going to change her mind, but it never hurts to try.
Liara is looking at the human doctor, "I understand that Leia needs to rest, Dr. Chakwas. She seemed fine before she talked to her mother and I doubt very much either Kaja or Gaia is going to do anything to upset her. This is more about them than myself."
Dr. Chakwas is looking at Liara, "I'm sorry, Liara. I want the Commander to rest. It's just until the morning. We both know how fast she heals. I see her being fine tomorrow and I'll release her from my care. Until then, no visitors. She will still need to take it easy, but as long she is under my care, I want her to rest."
"Then you go up to the Loft and explain it to Kaja and Gaia, doctor," says T'Soni. She hands Dr. Chakwas the clothes she was going to give Leia. "Here are some new clothes for Leia. Please give them to her." Liara leaves the room to go and find something for her and her daughters to eat.
Both humans watch the asari leave. Hannah says to Chakwas, "She's very frustrated, doctor. I can't blame her. They were put into a bad situation today. It shouldn't have happened, but it did. We need to be accommodating to them. I'm afraid if we don't, we will never see them again. Leia stays out in the Terminus for a reason. They go to the Citadel from time to time. Leia contacted me weeks ago asking how the climate was in the colonies and Earth. They fear for the safely of their children. Now I understand why. From my understanding, they don't even go to Thessia."
Chakwas is chewing on the words that Hannah said. Maybe I should allow the Commander to join her family. I want to make sure she is going to be fine. From the looks of it, she will be. Like always. "I'll release the Commander once she wakes up from the sedatives I've given her. She heals faster than normal, Hannah."
"Thank you. Does releasing Leia before tomorrow good for her?" Hannah is concerned about her daughter's health. She is also concerned for her relationship with Liara as well. It seems that everything is deteriorating quickly in that regard.
Dr. Chakwas smiles softly to the Admiral places her hand on Hannah's shoulder in reassurance, "Hannah, I wouldn't release her from my care unless I thought she would be fine. I care about the Commander. What kind of doctor would I be if I put any of my patients in harms way?"
Admiral Shepard closes her eyes for a moment. She takes a deep breath then exhales it slowly, hoping to calm her nerves. "You'd be a bad doctor. You're one of the best doctors in the Alliance. We're lucky to have you, Chakwas." Hannah gives the medical doctor a friendly hug. Chakwas returns the friendly hug then leaves the Admiral's quarters to check up on the Commander.
Liara walks back into the loft with some food for her daughters. She has already ate before she headed back to the Loft. Its nothing special, cheeseburgers and fries. "I brought you two something to eat." The girls are still playing cards, but now they are playing some type of memory game. Dr. T'Soni places the trays of food on the table. She looks through the little fridge in the living quarter to see if there is anything to drink in it. It's empty. Did you not use anything up here, Alenko? No fish, empty fridge? We tried to make this area feel like our home. I guess it wasn't military enough for you. "I'll be right back. I was hoping there was at least some water in this little fridge."
Kaja and Gaia both start eating without saying anything to their mom. Liara leave the Loft one last time for the night. Five minutes later, she returns with three bottles of water. She hands one to each daughter and keeps the last one for herself. Kaja looks up at her mom, "Mom, you didn't cook this did you? It has no taste." Gaia is too hungry to care about the taste or lack there of. She just quaffs it down.
"No, little one, I didn't. Military food generally has no taste. Guess I should say, Alliance military food generally has no taste. I've never served in the asari military, maybe that food taste better," remarks Liara. She is getting tired and also starting to get a slight headache. Liara rubs her head to try and relieve some of the stress she is feeling. It's not working unfortunately.
"It's not that bad, sis. I don't care, I'm hungry," says the youngest asari as she stuffs a few fries into her mouth.
Kaja rolls her eyes at her little sister, "You'll eat anything too. Like that breakfast we had before we left. It looked gross and you liked it." Kaja takes another bite of her burger. She is hungry too, but she is also not enjoying this meal. "Is this all there is?"
Sighing softly, "I'm afraid so. I know it not what you get at home, but we can be fussy right now. Once your father is released from Dr. Chakwas' care, we are leaving. I'm going to lie down and try to get some sleep. We have to share this room, so please try not to make too much noise."
Gaia puts a few fries on her burger then takes a bite. Again her older sister rolls her eyes while shaking her head.. Gaia has a grin on her face. She swallows her bite then asks, "Where are we going? I hope we're not going home."
"I don't know yet. I'm waiting to see what your father wants to do. If she wants to go home, we're going home. If she wants to continue with our plans, then we go to our next destination," answers T'Soni. She is under the covers with her eyes close trying to relax. Even though Liara knows Shepard is okay and in good hands, she very frustrated with the situation and being on the Normandy isn't helping. Why did the Council refuse to change the ownership of the Normandy from Leia's name. I know she won't take it. There is nothing to talk about. I can't pilot is. She can't pilot it. We have no need for a ship this size. Damnit. Those thought make Liara's headache worse. She rolls over onto her side with her back towards the kids.
Kaja smirks slightly, "Mom, I don't want to go home either. If dad is going to be alright, why go home?" She takes another bite of her bland sandwich. She hungry enough to finish eating it, but she doesn't like it. It needs something even though she isn't sure what that something is.
"Kaja, lets talk more about this after your father joins us. I hope it is in the morning, but I can't say for certain. Now please, both of you. Let me try and rest," commands Liara in a stern motherly tone.
Both girls finish their meal without saying anything else. Gaia takes both trays and stacks them neatly on the desk near the bed. They go back to playing card games. It's about the only thing the children can do right now.
Dr. Chakwas is giving Commander Shepard another check up with her omni-tool. Everything is still normal reading wise. The Commander is still sound asleep. It's been over six hours since she gave her the sedative. It's late night about 310 when Shepard finally wakes back up. Shepard finds a glass with water in it and drinks it down. She's hungry as well. Leia notices she is alone in the med-bay and she thinks that is odd. Where is Liara and the kids? Did they leave me here and head home? No, Liara wouldn't do that. Stop thinking like an idiot, Shepard. You know better than that.
After that last thought, Dr. Chakwas walks into the med-bay after EDI woke her to let her know that the Commander was awake. She is yawning as she approaches the bed Shepard is lying in, "Morning Commander. How are you feeling?"
"Where is Liara? I'm hungry and a little sore. Other than that I feel fine, doc," replies Leia as she sits up in the bed looking around the room to make sure she didn't miss seeing her family.
Dr. Chakwas scans Shepard one last time with her omni-tool. She hands her the clothes Liara gave to her. "Liara gave me these. They are up in the Loft, Commander. I'm sure they are asleep. It's after 300. You're free to join them. You need to take it easy for a few days. The wound is healing nicely and I don't see any reason to keep you under my care."
Leia takes the clothes from Chakwas and puts her shirt on. Her back is stiff from the bandage on it. "Why do I have a feeling something is going on that I don't know about."
Chakwas yawns again before answering, "I stopped all visitors after you got upset with your mother. Liara wasn't too happy with it. She's not happy about anything right now. Your mom is worried that she is going to lose you two. What happened to you yesterday seems to have affected your mother more than Liara being distant. I've never seen her like that before."
"Lose me how? I don't understand." Shepard has a very puzzled look on her face as she gets off the bed to put her shorts on. "How is Liara being distant?"
"When was the last time you were in Alliance space?" asks the medical doctor as she keeps yawning. "Sorry, I can't stop yawning. I'm going back to bed as soon as possible. Dr. T'Soni isn't acting like she normally does. All I can suggest is to talk to her, Commander."
That is when Leia realizes what her mother meant. Shepard answers, "Fifteen years ago. When I left the Normandy. Is she afraid I won't see her again? I fear for the safety of my kids, doc. Liara and I can take care of ourselves. Or I can if I'm properly prepared, which I was not yesterday. I know there are people out there that would love to get back at me for marrying Liara and they would use the kids to do it." Shepard sighs some then continues, "I would never cut my mother off from seeing me or the kids. I do value my family. More now than ever. I'm sure Liara is upset at what happened. I'm not happy with it either. I feel used. The same feeling I had when I played nice with Cerberus and you and I both know how that turned out. Badly for Cerberus."
"I know, Commander. I was here with you during all of it. I knew you would end up doing the right thing and you did. I still trust you completely. Cerberus may have brought you back, but they never realize you would never actually join them. I think that was The Illusive Man's plan from the beginning. You're free to go, Leia. I'm headed back to bed. I'll talk to you soon," says Dr. Chakwas. She is headed back to her quarters. It's too early in the morning to stay up.
Commander Shepard waits for the elevator door to open, so she can join Liara and their kids for the first time since she was brought aboard the Normandy. The door to the quarter opens with a swoosh sound. The room's only light comes from the empty fish tank. Shepard notices Liara is sleeping and the girls are in the bed with her. She has a sideways smirk on her face deciding if she wants to wake Liara or not. Leia isn't sleepy, just a little stiff.
Liara has her back facing the edge of the bed, Leia is tempted to wake her up, but from what she was told before she left the med-bay, she isn't sure if that would be a wise idea. So, she decides to sit behind the computer terminal. That is when she notices the datapad sitting on the desk. Shepard reads it. You're right Kaidan, I won't trust you again. I'm not even sure I trust the Alliance in general again. It was bad enough I do a favor for Hackett and the situation I was put into was a no win for me and I almost lost everything because of it. I'm tired of being used. First by the Alliance to get the Council to allow a human Spectre. That I didn't have too much of a problem with. It was an honor, but then the Council never really believed me and that I did have a problem with. I was used again by Cerberus and by the Alliance again. This has to stop. I'm not wonder woman and I don't want to be either. She peeks over to her family sleeping. I want to live my life with my family and not have to worry about being used by any Government. Is that too much to ask? This time it's worse because I feel used by my friend. I would never have done that to you, Kaidan. Never!
Shepard sighs a little to loudly and it causes Liara to stir. Liara opens her eyes and notices the light from the computer terminal. She thought she turned it off. T'Soni gets out of bed and walks up the steps to see Shepard sitting there with the datapad in her hand. She looks like she is thinking and didn't notice Liara is standing at the top of the steps. Shepard tosses the datapad into the corner of the desk and stands up, turns around to head to the couch. Liara is still standing at the top of the stairs with a sleepy look on her face. Shepard notices her standing there, "Oh, Liara, I hope I didn't wake you. I'm free to leave when ever you and the kids are. I do want to leave when they get up."
Liara walks over to her bondmate and wraps her arms around Shepard and hugs, holding her tight. Leia returns the embrace plus adds a kiss to Liara's cheek. Liara takes Shepard's hand and leads her into the area between the door and elevator, "Where are we going? Are you able to continue on our trip or should we go home?"
"I don't know what to do, T'Soni. I really don't. Part of me wants to go home, but I know that would disappoint the kids. Another part of me wants to enjoy the private island you rented," comments Leia as she sits on the floor, Liara joins her. "Have you asked what the kids want to do? This vacation was more for them. We can't always go to the Citadel for our trips. They do need to see different things, but I don't need to be used by my friends either" Leia covers her face with her hands as tears start to form. "This isn't fair to them, Liara. This isn't what I wanted."
Dr. T'Soni places her arm around Commander Shepard's shoulder being careful of the wound and pulls her in close, "I know, Leia. It's not what I wanted either. I still can't believe Alenko did that and Vega too. Your mom is pissed about it as well." Liara kisses Shepard's cheek, "Yes, both of them want to continue the vacation. I told them if you wanted to go home, we would go home. I, like you, am conflicted on what to do next. We can skip Elysium and go straight to Earth. Or keep with the plan. We don't have to be there for another two days." Leia places her head on Liara's shoulder.
"Lets stick to our plan. We can leave for Elysium once the kids get up. You're going to have to pilot the shuttle, I'll probably sleep on the way. Matter of fact, I'm getting sleepy again anyway. Let's head to bed. Might be a tight fit with the girls in it, but I think we can manage." The Commander gets off the floor offers her hand to help Liara up. Liara takes it then stands up as well. The couple goes back into the living quarters and goes back to bed.
A/N: I know I mentioned last week that I thought this story would end up being longer than "The Aftermath". Well, in one aspect it already is. But chapter wise, it is not. Not yet. I do see it being a chapter or two longer. Word count wise, it's already longer. I have a few monster chapters coming up in a few weeks.
I have crated a new villian that you will meet in a couple of weeks, so stay tuned for that.
See everyone next week.