Chapter 7::…

Solsbury Hill.(Peter Gabriel )

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While everything was going on in and around the surgery room…

Shepard opened her eyes but everything was a haze around her. Things seemed to move slowly. While some sound seemed to softly echo. She remembered that she fell to the floor while giving Miranda a hug. Then the imines pain and everything going black.

She tried to focus on something to get her barring. Then when everything started to come into view she could see doctors standing around. She could hear the sound of beeping and something that sounded like a Volus in the room.

Then everything hit her at once when the face of the person cam into view. It was her they were working on. They were talking about her. That didn't make since to her. She was standing right there or was she. Then she asked herself the obvious question.

Was she dead? Was she just waiting for them to relies that she was dead. None of that made since because if she was dead then the hart monitor would stop making that loud beeping noise. So the question now became what was this.

In that moment was when she was drawn to a quiet sobbing sound. It sounded like a child crying. But from where and why. So she turned her attention to the sound and began to follow it. Then she had that funny feeling that she done this before.

She left the area where she was and found herself in a hallway. The sound was coming from the left. So that where she went. Down the hall and pass three doors. She was just about to turn around. Then the sound got louder and she spotted the child she heard sobbing sitting in a chair.

She walked over to the child and noticed they were alone. She kneeled down and spoke softly to them.

'Hay there. Where's your parents?'

The child just looked at Shepard.

'Are you hurt? Can I help you?'

Then the child shook a no first then nodded a yes. So Shepard held out her hand and waited for the child to take it. The child took Shepard hand and stood up.

Shepard didn't know what to do now. So she just tried to talk to the child.

'Do you know where your mother or father is? I could help you look for them.'

The child looked up at Shepard with a smile.

'I know my mamma is sick. My sister too. They are with the doctor.'

Ok so now Shepard had an idea of what was going on. So maybe now it would be easy to help the child.

'Ok. Where is your father?'

That when the child started to cry. Shepard then picked up the child and tried to comfort the them. Once the crying stopped the child looked ashamed and sadly said..

'I don't know. Mamma talks about him a lot. They got separated by a war.'

Shepard was sadden by that news. The war had devastated the land on Earth and many other planets was completely destroyed.

Families were torn apart by some form of death or harvested by the Reapers. Many were torn apart because of the war due to not being able to cope with energies or the physical or mental kind.

'I'm sorry little one. Do you remember what room your mother and sister is in?'

The child just looked at Shepard. Then made a face like they were thinking real hard. Then the child shook their head no.

'That's ok. So can you tell me your name?'

The child didn't say anything at first. Then smiled at Shepard.

'I like it when mamma calls me her little Klingon.'

Then at that moment the child said…

'We both have to go now.'Then jumped out of Shepards arms and ran off in the direction of the waiting room. Shepard tried to catch up but was drawn back to the surgery room. She then started to feel dizzy and cold. Soon after everything went dark.

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Shepards mother was sitting in a chair next to the bed. She was holding her daughter hand and talking about random stuff. That was when Shepard opened her eyes and spoke only one word.

'Mother.'

Hannah smiled at her daughter. She gave Shepard a glass of water. Then she started to cry. Shepard held her mother hand and stroked her thumb over the palm of Hannah hand.

'Oh My baby. You had us so worried. The doctors said you flatlined twice on them. Are you ok?'

Shepard nodded yes. Then asked….

'Liara?'

Hannah was not surprised to say the least.

'Most of the crew who could make it are waiting to see you. However Liara is still aboard the Normandy. They haven't landed yet.'

Shepard looked sad when she heard the news. She was hoping that Liara would be here. She was in so much pain. Then the realization hit her. She had surgery.

Then she remembered the dream of her and a child. She was starting to get sleepy again. But before she asked her mother to leave they talked just about five minutes. Then she went to sleep and her mother went back to the private conference room and to the awaiting crew.

While Shepard was sleeping the doctors had her moved to a private room.

Grunt and Kasumi was sitting in the room that Shepard was moved to waiting for her to wake up. Grunt was in a sad mood with seeing his battle master being ill. All he ever knew was Shepard was strong and not so soft as most humans. This was new for him. Kasumi however was taking it better then Grunt.

Of course it was sad to see such a strong woman in such a frail state. Shepard had helped her on more then on occasion. She showed her that being a thief was not all there was out there. That she could put her talents to better use. However that was also how she got the scared eye.

Shepard woke shortly after Grunt made a huffing sound.

'Ah your awake finally.'

Grunt said in a happy tone.

'Grunt is that you? And you also Kasumi?'

In a groggy tone Shepard asked but not really asking .

'Of course it is Shep. Who else would it be?'

Kasumi answered in a joking manner.

'Maybe she was hoping it be the asari.'

Said Grunt with a big laugh.

'I'm glad to see you both. How are you?'

Shepard could see that Kasumi had an eye patch and Grunt had some new scars as well.

'We're good. We can talk about that later. How you feel?'

Said Kasumi.

'Yeah you looked as bad as dead Husks.'

Said Grunt with another laugh. Shepard let out a faint laugh as well.

'I hurt like hell, but I'm good.'

Shepard said and looked at Grunt when she said it. Her way of letting him know that she would be ok. The three of them talked for a few moments more before it was time for them to leave. They told Shepard that several more people were waiting to see her and then wished her to get better.

The next two that entered was Jack and Oriana.

'Its about time your dead ass woke the fuck up.'

'Don't talk to her like that.'

'Or what. Shepard knows how I am. Damn get off my case Malibu Barbie.'

'Hay Jack. Hay Oriana. Nice to see you didn't change Jack. So how is military life treating you?'

Shepard was proud of Jack for sticking with it. Hell she even made a good soldier.

'Fuck Shepard. This was your life long dream, not mine. But while your out playing house someone's got to kill shit. Or you know it will all go to hell.'

Shepard just laughed and nodded in approval.

'So I know your in pain. So how do you feel besides that?'

Oriana asked in her usual concerned tone that was also soft.

'I'm good. But where is Miranda and the rest of the crew?'

Shepard hadn't heard the news about who was killed or missing. So when she asked she didn't know what she would find out.

'Oh the cheerleader is talking to the doc. The ones who are not MIA or dead are here. Well all her except for the bastards who got stuck on the Normandy. They should be here in about one hour. Give or take.'

Jack said. Shepard just sighed. She knew that war would bring on many terrible things. Sometimes it's what comes after that really hits home.

Once again they talked till it was time for them to go. Oriana told Shepard that Miranda was trying to get the implants so she may not get to see her today. Jack said that Samara was next to see her anyways. So they left.

Shepard had closed her eyes for a little while. That was when Samara walked in.

'Hay Samara. How are you? How is Falere?'

Shepard said with her eyes still closed and a smile gracing her face.

'I see your keeping up with the meditation. Falere is doing good. She sends you her thanks and hope you get better.'

Samara gave a small smile. Then sat in the chair next to the bed.

'Well that's good. You didn't answer my first question.'

Shepard said and then sat up as much as she could. She turned to look at Samara. Then she noticed that one of Samara arms was slightly of color all the way up to her shoulder.

'No I did not. I am sorry for that. I have not been myself lately is all. Nothing to worry about.'

Samara let her head drop slightly as she talked.

'Samara, you know you can talk to me. If I can help I will. So what's troubling you?'

Shepard noticed that when it hit her. Samara had lost her arm in the war. That she was coping with this new one.

'Shepard it is nothing I wish to talk about now. Once you are healed and out of here then we will talk. So I feel something is troubling you however.'

Samara put her hand on Shepards arm in a comforting manner. She actually gave a smile. Letting Shepard know it would be fine. That they would indeed talk about it.

'There is. I just don't know about this thing with Miranda. Before ending up here she told me how she felt about us and all. I just don't know. How do you deal with something like that? When the person you are is not the person you was?'

Shepard didn't push the subject of the arm. So she talked about her messed up life. She knew it would help somehow. It was just how Samara worked at times. In a strange way it helps both of them.

'Shepard, yourself already know that no matter the outcome someone will get hurt. However it seems that Miranda made a choice when she didn't talk to you when she needed to the most. Now you are on solid ground with Liara. You with a clear head affirmed who you want, but more importantly love.'

As Samara spoke she recalled the many nights that Shepard stayed up because she was missing Liara. Then was the nights Shepard was up because of Miranda. Many night Samara and Shepard would just talk. It wasn't always about the love triangle Shepard found herself in. However it was always a memorable conversation. Ones that was filled with tears, anger and laughter.

'Yeah I did. Your right. She had the chance. I know that with the war, things were uncertain. However the moment when we had the time after helping her with Oriana. That was her moment. So why am I so stressed about this?'

Shepard let her eyes close and let out a breath. Uncertain about what Samara was going to say.

'I believe it is a normal response to the uncertainty of what will happen when the Normandy gets here and Liara is a true presents in you life again.'

She rubbed Shepard arm as she spoke. Given her blessing in whatever Shepard would decided.

'Wow that was deep. How is it you just get me like that?'

Shepard said with a slight grin.

'I'm a mother Shepard, and years of experience. Beyond that I am your friend. I believe you know what you have to do. The path is open and only you know the one you will take.'

Samara gave a slight knowing grin. They talked for a while longer and then Samara left.

As soon as Samara was gone a nurse came in to check Shepard and change the settings on the sedatives. Along with many things medical that needed to be changed or checked.

Shortly after that Shepard was asleep once again. It had been a long and trying day.

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While Shepard was having her visitors. Miranda was talking with one of the doctors about Shepards implants. That was when the doctor told her to go find the person waiting for her in the coffee lounge.

So Miranda did just that. When she got there she recognized Matriarch Aethyta sitting in one of the oversized plush chairs reading something on a datapad. No one else was there. So Miranda walked over to her. She didn't know what to do from there and Aethyta sensed it. So she spoke first in true Aethyta fashion.

'Does a varren have you by the quad or something? Damn say something.'

Miranda almost forgot how Aethyta was with the way she spoke. Considering most asari she knows doesn't talk like that. They are so polite.

'So were you waiting on me?'

Miranda asked.

'Yeah that would be the logical conclusion.'

Aethyta gave a smirk.

'Ok so how can you help me?'

Miranda is not sure if Aethyta could help at all. But she was a Matriarch after all. Maybe she had some weight in the government crap they would come across while trying to get the implants.

Aethyta stood up. Coming to her full height and standing close to Miranda. She looked her up and down first. Miranda didn't relies how tall Aethyta was. She was on average a good three inches taller then her.

'First of it's Shepard I'm helping. Second your gonna help me. That is how this works honey.'

Aethyta was trying to keep calm. Miranda needed to see her as a friend and not the enemy. However it was something she was struggling with because she wasn't use to being polite.

'First off I'm NOT your honey. Second I'm running things. Are we clear?'

Miranda was not taking this shit. In no way was she gonna let some blue alien try to pull that. This was her project.

Aethyta could see that she had gotten to Miranda. So now it was time to pull out one of her many weapons. She had a lot of info on Miranda and she was gonna use one of them. That was if she had to.

'You know you shouldn't talk to me like that. Not with what I know. Also Liara may just flay you alive with her mind.'

Aethyta said that last part and smiled doing so. It was funny what could she say. Even if she talked to Liara about not using that line of her mothers.

'Just so you know I'm not afraid of Liara. So you can leave her out of this. And what do you know?'

Oh now Miranda was starting to feel the heat. So many things could ruin her for life. Then there was a small few that could call for her imprisonment. She so didn't want to think about the last part.

'I know that you love Shepard. But that's not it. I also know that the Lazarus project was based off of the method your father used to create you and your sister. So don't think for one moment I'm gonna let some lab-rat run her mouth. ARE WE CLEAR?'

Aethyta circled Miranda like a mother panther. While she talked. She was able to since that fact Miranda fully aware of what she was implying. That she had more then what she said. So Miranda dropped her head in defeat.

'How do you…, you know what never mind. So about the implants.'

Miranda just wanted to get on with it. If her indications was right Shepard needed the implants to help her heal. Because the ones from her brainstem was causing the distress. In turn causing her body to go into shock and ultimately shut down.

Aethyta didn't want to start off this way but Miranda pushed her. So now it was back to business.

'Sit down and we can talk.'

Aethyta pointed to the chair across from the one she was sitting in at the time Miranda walked in. So they both sat and talked. Aethyta told her what she knew about the implants and where to find more of higher quality. Also what was Miranda role in all of it. She also told Miranda who she had to speak with once she got to her destination.

There was no way for Aethyta to go because the place would know her. It was their best option if Shepard was going to get the best. Once that was all out of the way Miranda was sent off to retrieve the implants.

Solsbury Hill-song by Peter Gabriel

This song is something that not many know of. However what it is talking about and how I used it for my inspiration are not so diffrent. If you want to know more about the song just google it.

Anyways I'm sorry it took so long to get this chapter up. I'm not fealing good. So I will try to get the next on up this weekend.

The next chapter will talk about Liara and also the implants and Shepards health.

Reviews are welcome always. Also this is not beta so all mistakes are mine.