So basically I noticed that my last chapter seven totally sucked so I rewrote it. I'm still not sure about this, but I hope you will all like it.
And all credit goes to the amazing Rae D. Magdon for coming up with Thea Tevos' name!
Chapter 7 – Aria's heart
Life had not been kind to Lakshmi. Her dreams of becoming a spectre were shot down by a turian teacher who made sure that Lakshmi was aware that the council would never make a human a spectre. Humans were still new in the galaxy and there weren't that many options, especially for one who had no ties to the human community except a human mother who had long since left all her human life behind. The girl turned eighteen and graduated but showed no interest in applying for university, she got a job for an asari called Aethyta helping out in a bar. Her mothers hated it but Lakshmi found that the insides of the bar reminded her of Aria. As the time passed by Lakshmi longed for Aria and Omega more and more. Illium was getting riddled with crime and when Lakshmi's sister was accepted at the academy for future C-sec agents, the family decided to relocate to the Citadel. Lakshmi didn't want to and was relieved when Aethyta took her in. The older asari was recently divorced and in need of some company and had taken a liking to the girl.
Lakshmi missed Aria, even though she didn't know why, she didn't even know Aria but the girl had developed some form of hero worship for the pirate queen. When she accidently overheard two asaris discussing dancing in Afterlife, Lakshmi made a decision. She was going to go to Omega, become a dancer and get, something she craved more than oxygen, Aria's attention. Before leaving Illium Lakshmi had scrutinized herself in front of the mirror, she was a woman now and she was beautiful. There was no doubt in Lakshmi's mind that she would get the job as a dancer, and then maybe, just maybe, Aria would see her.
…
They were docking at the citadel now. Aria stood up and walked out of the shuttle, waving for her batarians not to follow her, they had never known about her human protégés and this was not about to change. Her underlings could have a vacation for all she cared, as long as they came to her aid when she needed it.
The queen of Omega got through immigration processing with no problem. Thank you Tevos, the asari thought to herself and then set course for the Presidium.
Thea Tevos was sitting by her desk but couldn't focus on the paperwork in front of her. Aria was on the citadel, Tevos had gotten word as soon as she had gone through security. The councilor felt herself tremble a little bit; she hadn't seen Aria in person for nearly 38 years and the last time things had changed between them. Aria had been vulnerable and Tevos, with an aching heart, had done her best to comfort the pirate queen. Tevos searched her feelings, setting them in check and knew that she would be able to not let any feelings show. But the councilor had to admit to herself that she was almost… looking forward to seeing Aria again. To again be near the asari with the air of confidence that was almost magnetic.
Tevos' door slid open, revealing a very pissed of Aria. She walked in with confident steps to Tevos' desk as the door closed behind her again. The asari criminal put her hands on the desk and leaned forward.
"Do you know where they are?" She asked in her usual soft but dangerous voice.
Tevos stood up and graced her visitor with her usual gentle smile.
"Hello to you too."
"Listen councilor," Aria said, "I don't have time to play nice, so unless you or any other goddess-forsaken matriarch can tell me where my kids are, I am going to call every single ally I have in the Terminus systems. Then the matriarchs will see what it looks like when I extend my criminal activities."
Tevos sighed.
"Please Aria," she said, "Try to remain calm. Your kids, as you call them, are in no danger. I actually thought you would feel relieved."
"You think I want them back?" Aria asked and sounded outraged, "I don't want them back! If they can get normal lives with a human family far away from me, that would be the best. If I could just let them rot it would be good. But I can't because of one pesky promise," Aria's voice dropped an octave, "I have no emotional bond to three humans. I…"
Tevos didn't reply at first and instead scrutinized the asari in front of her. There was something in Aria's eyes that made her shudder. The criminal's blue eyes held the usual amount of anger and irritation but underneath that there was also some tenderness and perhaps even worry.
"I will help you any way I can," Tevos said and meant it. The councilor noticed to her slight alarm that she wanted to help Aria. She had been planning to send Aria on her way as soon as possible, nothing was worth risking her office's integrity for. But with the pirate queen in front of her Tevos found herself incapable of execution, she had to help Aria.
