Vancouver-2192
Night had fallen on the city of Vancouver and the distant sounds of violence and destruction had finally ceased. Kaidan had called to tell Miranda and Jack he'd be staying over night at the hospital with Rahna and that he'd see them tomorrow. Miranda wished that Rahna was her biggest concern.
She was familiar with Matriarch Aquilla by reputation alone. If what Felina said was true, and she had no reason to believe it wasn't, then she may have just stepped in a serious pile of shit.
Miranda laid under her covers as she absentmindedly tried to read a report she had a contact forward her on Clara Moser. She read about how the young girl's biotic treatments had been going well and that her foster family continued to be a good fit for Clara. Soon she abandoned reading the report. So much had happened today, distracting her thoughts proved impossible. A minute later Jack stepped inside the bedroom.
"That was a fucked up day." The convict said.
Miranda didn't respond and instead pretended to go back to her datapad.
"What's with the silence, cheerleader?" Miranda locked eyes with her and it dawned on Jack. "Right. This is about the baby crap. Fine let's talk about it."
"Are you sure you can behave like an adult this time?"
"Miranda, you know exactly why I would never go for that. It was shitty of you to even bring it up."
"It was shitty of me to ask my wife to start a family with me?"
"Pretty much." Jack said as she settled under the covers next to her lover.
"Sleep on the couch tonight, Jack."
"Come on, babe." Jack planted a kiss on her neck. "Don't be pissed at me. Can't we just forgot about that. It's still our anniversary right? Let me fuck you."
"You're unbelievable, Jack. Having a baby has always been an ambition of mine but I suppose that means nothing to you doesn't it?"
"For fuck's sake, Miranda. I'm not having a kid! And you're not gonna guilt me into it. But don't try and act like I don't care about you because you know that's total bullshit!"
Miranda sighed and sat up. "I know you love me, Jack. That doesn't mean I'm not furious with you."
"For what? Because you didn't like my answer?"
"It's not your answer It's how you gave it. You acted like a bloody child."
"Come on, babe. You really think I would know the first fucking thing about raising a kid?"
"Yes. You're so much more than you give yourself credit for, Jack."
"I can't do it, Miranda."
"What are you so terrified of, Jack?"
"I'm not terrified of anything. It's just a bad idea."
"Oh please. We've been married four years you can drop the act. Tell me what you're afraid of."
"Of messing it up! Okay?" Jack cried. "Not just the kid but this...us. What the fuck else do I have? Shit, I've always been terrified of screwing this up. Ever since the first time we fucked. I know I'm a messed up bitch, Miranda. And after all the things I've done who the hell would ever think I have any business popping a kid out?"
"Sometimes you have to let the past go for the sake of the future. I thought you of all people would know that by now. And you're not going to ruin what we have. I didn't marry you because I thought you were perfect, Jack. In fact it's your imperfections that made me fall in love with you."
Jack stayed silent for a moment. "Can we just drop this? I know I was a bitch earlier and I'm sorry. Can we just forget about it?"
"I need some time alone. Please honor that."
"Miranda...Fine." Jack got up to leave before Miranda called out to her.
"Goodnight, Jack."
Jack grunted. "Whatever." before closing the bedroom door behind her. In all their years together Miranda had never tossed her out of their bed. She knew she really fucked up this time.
The convict smashed her fist into the wall next to her. "Shit." she cursed. When they were on the Normandy she used to relish fighting with the cheerleader. Now all it did was put an empty feeling inside her. She shouldn't have panicked when Miranda brought up the baby. But she couldn't help it. Having a child might have been a dream of Miranda's but ever since London it was more akin to a nightmare for Jack.
Kaidan Alenko held the limp hand of his lover tight as he listened to the woman's soft inhale of breath. Even with a bullet in the gut Rahna still managed to be the most beautiful person in the galaxy to the man. The amount of drugs she was on assured she would be sleeping through the night. Alenko knew sleep wouldn't come easily to him tonight.
His attention was drawn behind him when he heard footsteps. Charles Shaw stood in the doorframe. The Admiral was a handsome man who kept his face shaved and his black hair short. He stood tall with the muscular build of a soldier but his age could be seen on the lines of his face. There was always something about Shaw that Kaidan found strange but he couldn't put his finger on it. Miranda's words echoed in his head
Don't trust him.
"How is she?" Shaw asked.
Kaidan stumbled to his feet out of respect to the councilor. "The doctors tell me she's going to be okay. She just needs rest."
Shaw made his way to Rahna's bedside. "Thank goodness. Rahna is a good woman. I'm relieved we got here in time."
"So am I. I'm surprised you're still here, sir. I imagine given everything that happened today you're going to have your hands full."
Shaw flashed a wry smile."I'm sure you're right. Still, I wanted to check back in before I leave the city."
"You're leaving the city?"
"I've spoken with the council. We'll be convening in London soon to deal with this tragedy. Our reinforcements have eliminated or arrested the remaining terrorist forces. So that's something at least."
"I suppose." Kaidan turned back to his sleeping lover.
"You're familiar with that woman Miranda Lawson are you not? You seemed quite close."
"We are, sir. We've lived together for over five years. She's like family."
"And her wife, what was her name again?"
"Jack."
"Jack." Shaw repeated. "She's an interesting woman."
"They both are."
"Indeed." Shaw said, but his voice sounded distant to Kaidan. Almost as if he was lost in thought. Suddenly he snapped his fingers. "Now I remember where I heard her name."
"Miranda? Well she served aboard the Normandy with Shepard just like me."
"No not that. She and this Jack were the officers who shot that assassin who made an attempt on Admiral Hackett's life shortly before his tragic passing."
"Oh yeah. I think that was them."
"They're regular heroes those two."
"If you don't mind me asking, sir. Why the sudden interest in them?"
"Just trying to learn the names of my officers, Alenko."
Shaw stood in silence and reached a hand out to wipe a strand of hair from the dark skinned woman's face. Something about the act made Kaidan's fists tighten. "Are you married?" the Admiral asked.
"No, sir."
Shaw went quiet again for several moments before he suddenly spoke. "I had a wife." he said as if he wasn't even speaking to Kaidan. He kept his gaze set on Rahna before he finished his thought. "A long time ago. She was beautiful just like Ms. Berk. She once told me that life has a funny way of giving and taking."
"You're not married anymore?" Kaidan asked as he was drawn into the awkward conversation he would have rather avoided.
"She passed away giving birth to twin boys. My sons."
"Sorry to hear that." Kaidan said.
Shaw shook his head. "Excuse me, I should leave you two alone."
Kaidan snapped a salute. "Thank you for your help today, sir."
Shaw saluted back. "It was nothing, soldier. Take care of her, Alenko."
"I will."
"I'm sure you will. Nothing is more important to a man then the ones he loves." Shaw said before leaving the hospital room.
Jack laid back on the couch and lazily flipped through the channels on the wall mounted vidscreen before giving up. She kept trying to run through her head ways she could make Miranda forgive her but she kept coming up dry. She tried closing her eyes before she quickly decided she wasn't tired and a moment later she was climbing the stairs. She wanted a drink and she knew Kaidan wouldn't mind her grabbing one of his private bottles of Canadian whiskey.
As she moved past the guest room she heard a gentle voice speaking on the other side of the door. Jack moved closer to hear inside better and after pressing her ear up against the wall she knew for certain that their asari guest was talking to someone. She slid the door open slightly to increase the volume of the veiled asari's voice.
"I-I don't have much of a choice. I can trust them. It's not as if I can simply pass up the chance to rescue you, Marion. You'd do the s-same for me."
Jack stormed inside "Who the hell-" she was ready to hurl accusations and take out her frustrations but she paused when she saw the woman.
Felina's face was unwrapped and Jack got her first glimpse at her mutilated appearance. Her big blue eyes widened in shock and she turned her back to Jack to hide her face.
"Fuck..." Was all Jack was able to say.
"D-Did I do something wrong?" Felina whimpered. Her hands were gripped tightly to the brown leather jacket she usually wore but was now draped across her like a blanket.
"I...who the hell were you talking to?"
Felina was silent for a moment before she answered. "Myself. I apologize, it's a bad h-habit of mine."
"Bullshit, I heard you say a name. Who the fuck is Marion?"
"She...s-she was my friend."
"Was?"
Felina still didn't turn around to show her face again. "We traveled together for quite some times and w-we grew close. She kept me safe but... I lost her."
"So she's dead?"
"I don't know anymore. But Goddess, I hope not. There's nothing I wouldn't give to see her again."
"This chick was your body guard?"
"In a way I s-suppose. She was a C-Sec detective on the Citadel when I met her. But that was long ago."
"So what? Why are you are moping over her all these years later?" Jack said as she stepped further into the room.
"She wasn't just my friend. We...we fell in love."
"Oh."
"You make it sound like it's a bad thing."
"Love can fucking suck." Jack said as she came to a stop at the foot of the bed.
"I-It was the best and worst thing to ever happen to me." Felina agreed.
"So what's your deal?" Jack asked
"My deal?"
"Yeah what the hell is up with you? Why does your mom want you dead? I already got that she's a bitch but there's more to it then that."
"She's...I don't really know where to begin. She always found me to be a disappointment. She doesn't have much patience for things that stand in the way of her g-goals."
"And what are those?"
"I suppose we'll find that out."
"Is she the one who fucked up your face?"
Felina's hands reached for the fresh bandages she had resting on the nightstand. "No. I'm sorry you had to see..."
"Let me see it." Jack said.
"You don't want to."
"I promise I've seen worse."
Felina reluctantly turned around and Jack stared at the woman without flinching. She took in the sight properly this time. Felina's nose was completely carved off her face leaving behind only two exposed gory looking holes for her nostrils. The flesh on her cheeks and above her eyes had dozens of large scars Jack could tell had come from a blade. The random pattern of scarred flesh left Felina's formally beautiful face in a monstrous state.
"Why do you cover it up?" Jack asked.
"Because I'm h-hideous."
The convict shrugged and leaned her head back to show Felina the large nasty scar on her neck. "I got that one when some merc asshole thought he could fuck with me. He slashed my throat with a knife longer then a turian's cock. The blade didn't do much for him when I ripped him apart with my biotics."
Jack turned one of her tattooed arms over to show several needle trackmarks and old scars. "These were compliments of a bastard by the name of Cardo. I was getting scars like these before I was even ten. I never cover mine up, the scars let everyone know you've been through hell and come out the other side. And by the looks of you I'd say you've seen your fair share of hell."
"I suppose I have." Felina agreed.
"So if your mother didn't do that to you. Who did?"
"Forgive me, I don't l-like talking about how I was cut."
"We all have fucked up and painful memories. That's the shit that makes you stronger."
"Perhaps one day I will share them with you, Mrs. Lawson."
"It's just Jack. Mrs. Lawson makes me sound like a school teacher."
Felina chuckled. "I couldn't imagine that."
The convict dipped her head. "Yeah...I'll talk to you later, Felina." Jack said as she turned to leave.
"Thank you...Jack."
"You can thank us when we get you to Shepard."
"Not for helping me. For t-talking to me. Nobody ever wants to talk to me."
Thessia
Jane crossed her arms and glared at her asari lover. Liara tried to hold her gaze but quickly yielded. "Shepard, I know you're upset with me. You have every right to be. But we can't just pass this up."
Shepard shook her head. "I don't disagree with that. But this doesn't make up for lying to me, Liara."
"Love, I'm so sorry. I couldn't help myself and I knew you wouldn't approve."
"Because you knew it was wrong."
"Yes...I made a mistake."
"Were you ever going to tell me?"
Liara finally locked eyes with the human. "Honestly, I do not know."
"I appreciate your honestly." Shepard jabbed.
"How could I ever make this up to you?"
"Promise me something."
"Anything, Shepard."
"Never lie to me again. I don't care if you think I won't approve. Okay?"
Liara took Shepard's hands in her own. "I promise."
"I need to tell Tevos about this. I can tell her to keep it between us but we can't allow everyone to be in the dark about Shaw and this Matriarch. She has a right to know."
"You really think she'll believe you?"
"I don't know."
"I suppose we should alert someone on the council of Shaw's corruption."
"In the meantime Benezia needs dinner."
Liara nodded. "Okay, you're right. But...can you forgive me?"
Shepard turned around. "We can talk about this later."
"Shepard..." Liara whimpered.
Jane spun around. "I would never lie to you, Liara. I wish you could say the same thing."
"I..." Liara was at a loss for words as she tried to muster a defense. She felt tears brim in her eyes when she realized she had none. She had betrayed the trust of the woman who had saved her life, the galaxy and had always loved her. "Will you join with me, Shepard?" she asked hoping that the sharing of her thoughts would help Jane understand.
The human shook her head. "No. At least not right now."
The Migrant fleet had been destroyed, Tali was knocking on death's door and now her own wife had betrayed her trust. Life was supposed to be easy after the war.
Vancouver
Admiral Charles Shaw was staring at his feet as he walked down the ruined hallways of Alliance HQ. A large storm had rolled in over Vancouver and he could hear the claps of thunder sounding off outside.
Shaw came to a stop when he found a blood stain splashed across the wall to his left accompanied by several bullet holes. Too many lives had been lost today he thought before picking up the pace as he trudged through the damaged building towards the elevators. He rode the lift to the top floor to his CIC and private office. Outside of his quarters he found two N7 operatives dressed in full armor with rifles held in the arms they didn't salute with.
"Sir." The N7 on the right greeted him.
"At ease, gentlemen." Shaw said as he returned their salute. "You're both relieved."
"Understood." The N7s marched away from their posts and Shaw punched in his lock code.
After his office door swooshed open he was greeted with a room bathed in darkness. A bolt of lighting flashed in the skyline above Vancouver and illuminated the Admiral's office for a split second. A lone figure was outlined by the flash sitting in his chair. Shaw flicked on the lights and he went pale at the sight of the woman sitting at his desk.
"Boo." Ereyla said with a smirk.
"What are you doing here?"
The asari leaned forward. "Happy to see me, human? I bet you missed me."
Shaw stared at the woman. "Happy's not the word I'd use."
"I'm hurt." Ereyla pointed a stern finger at the chair opposite her on the other side of the desk. "Sit."
The man did as commanded. "Did you have something to do with this attack?"
"Me? Why of course not. What do you take me for, councilor?"
"I know it was her. I don't really need you to tell me."
"Assumptions can be dangerous."
"So I'm wrong?"
Ereyla shook her head. "No."
"We had a deal. You were not to harm humans."
The asari chuckled grimly. "We made no such deal. I said I'd take it under advisement."
"I don't care what the Matriarch has done for me or the Alliance I will not tolerate human lives being lost for her pursuits."
The Commando rose to her feet and moved around the desk to stand behind the human.
"Brave words, Shaw. But you know what they say about bravery?" Ereyla leaned in to place her lips next to the man's ear. "It's just another word for stupidity." she whispered.
Shaw rose to his feet. "Innocent people lost their lives!"
"Suddenly you grow a conscience? How convenient. Tell me where was that conscience when you killed Hackett?"
"I didn't kill Hackett."
"Oh you did. You were just too much of a pussy to finish the job."
Shaw sat back down in defeat. "Are you just here to torment me?"
"No. It's just fun." Ereyla sat back down in Shaw's chair. "I'm here with instructions."
The Admiral looked to his feet. "Just give them and go."
"The council will be convening in London?"
"Yes."
"Good. Here are your instructions, don't get in the way."Ereyla said.
"Get in the way of what?"
"It'll be pretty obvious."
"I won't stand by while you slaughter innocents."
"Nobody's innocent, human. It's in your best interests to stand back and do nothing. I promise none of your precious humans will be harmed. Agreed?"
"...Agreed."
"Good boy."
Notes- So after all the action and foundation laying of the first few chapters I wanted to slow things down here and do some one on one scenes and get a sense of where our heroes are at before they are thrown into this last grand adventure. I wanted to apologize for a stupid mistake I have been making over and over again by calling "The Migrant Fleet" the "Migrate Fleet" rest assured it will not happen again. Oh and to respond to some of the concerns raised over that last Miranda flashback I promise you I have no intention of writing a flashback that does not have a connection with the main present storyline. Some flashback arcs just may take a little longer for their stories to connect. I hope you enjoyed Felina and Jack's little heart to heart and Ereyla and Shaw's reunion, sorry there wasn't space for a flashback this chapter. I hope you'll tell me what your thoughts are in the reviews and that you'll have a great day!
