Chapter 7 - Who Needs Sleep
Eternity Embraced
Eternity Embraced, the sequel to A Glimpse of Eternity and Eternity's Struggle, follows the tumultuous relationship of Commander Kiara Shepard and Kaidan Alenko as they wage war against the Reapers that have invaded the galaxy.
Disclaimer: I own only the parts of the individual personality of Commander Kiara Shepard I have developed inspired by the Commander Shepard in the gameplay. I do not own, nor hold any rights, to any of the characters, dialogue, storylines or any part in or of the "Mass Effect" game series. I want to thank Drew Karpyshyn and his staff of amazing writers, animators and voice actors. These are for fan enjoyment only and no money had been made on these stories.
Shepard rubbed her temples as she sat on the edge of her bed, Urz sitting at her feet looking up at her worriedly. Yet another nightmare. She missed the year reprieve she'd had from them. First they had been nightmares replaying the visions she had gotten from the Prothean beacons. When she'd woken up after the Normandy had been destroyed, the nightmares had stopped.
They were back now but this time though they were different. No longer was it images flashing in her head from the beacons. This time it was the little boy from Earth who haunted her dreams. Dark woods, the sounds of his crying echoing in the darkness. He kept running away from her then when she finally caught him, he became consumed with flames. Most nights it was the same dream, or a variant of it. It was exhausting but no matter what she did, she couldn't shake the image of the little boy from her head. How had she lived and he hadn't?
It wasn't just his death that weighed on her. It was the fact that everywhere she looked, there was death. First Earth, then Mars and then Palaven. It looked as bad as Earth, burning in the wake of the Reapers destruction. She knew it was only the beginning and she dreaded the thought of how much more death was to come. She prayed this peace summit would go as planned but she doubted it. The Primarch wanted the Krogan and she already knew the Asari had pulled out from the summit because of it. The fact the Salarian Dalatrass was still going to attend surprised her. She hated playing all these politics but they were a necessary evil.
With a sigh, she patted Urz's head and stood up, moving over to her desk. If she couldn't sleep, she figured she could get some work done. Turning on the console, she began to read through her messages, of which there were many. Reports, orders, mission briefings, people wanting to see her…every time she opened the damn thing it felt like she was being pulled in ten different directions all at once. She opened the next email in the list and immediately a smile formed on her lips as she saw who it was from.
Subject: Is this address correct?
From: Nuara, Tannor
To: Cdr. Kiara Shepard, SSV Normandy SR-2
Shepard,
I've called and I've sent messages, but gotten no response. With Earth's comm system out, I don't expect this will get through, either, but I heard a rumor the Normandy docked here at the Citadel.
Are you alive? I'm at Huerta Memorial Hospital under the name Tannor Nuara. Please excuse the moniker and this email's encryption - in my line of work, it is unwise to advertise my location, particularly when I am not in good health.
We should meet before circumstances force us apart again.
Thane
Shepard's lips remained formed in a smile as her thoughts turned to Thane and knowing he was still alive. Her smile dimmed though as she recalled the complexities of their relationship that had developed there while dealing with the Collectors. She hadn't been able to bring herself to fully let go of Kaidan. Between knowing Thane was dying and her pain over loosing Kaidan, she hadn't been ready to move on with him despite his feelings for her.
Despite the circumstance, they had slept together. It was complicated then and even more at that moment with the state Kaidan was in and the fact he was back in her life. Though she still doubted there was a chance there for a future with him, a small part of her heart held out hope. She knew Thane understood the parameters of what had happened between them and both had accepted that they had found peace briefly in each other's arms for what it was. A part of Shepard regretted it but, at the same time she didn't. She'd been expecting death and they had both needed comfort - comfort from the memories, the loss, and the fear of what the hours following would bring.
Still, it would good to see him, she thought. Though he felt more than friendship for her, she still considered him a very close friend. She wanted to see him and knew he wanted to see her too. Perhaps, if his health was able, he'd could even be willing to join up with them again. She knew she could use all the people she could get to help her with what she had to do and she trusted Thane. He was on the Citadel in the hospital. It'd be easy enough to stop by to see him since they were already on their way back. The summit was still a few days off and other business was pulling the Normandy back in the meantime.
Suddenly, a tightness in her chest sidelined her as she thought of the hospital and Kaidan who was also there. She'd get the chance to see him, or at least she hoped she would. Was he alive? He had to be. She'd have heard otherwise if he wasn't. Or would've she?
With a sigh, she continued moving through her messages. She was almost through them all when her heart skipped a beat at the sight of a message from Kaidan. Her fingers flew as she couldn't open seem to open it or read it fast enough, her eyes scanning over the email.
Subject: Doc says I'm ready for visitors
From: Maj. Alenko
To: Cdr. Shepard
Hey Shepard,
Through some combination of a medical miracle and dumb luck, I survived the beating I took on Mars. The doctors say I'm still not ready to be released, but I'd really like to see you if you can spare the time.
Councilor Udina offered to make me a Spectre. Still thinking about whether or not I should accept. Stop by my room at the hospital when you're on the Citadel. I'd like your advice.
Thanks,
Kaidan
Not only was he alive but he was on the mend and obviously well enough to correspond. Her heart swelled at the thought he was going to be okay. She wanted to know more about his condition, of course, but she was content knowing he was healing. A tension released from her chest she hadn't realized had been there. She didn't even try to deny the emotions that rose up at the thought of him.
He was alive.
Nothing else mattered in that moment.
Not only that but he was being considered as a Spectre. If anyone had the makings of one, it was Kaidan. He was the best choice there was.
She was glad they were heading back to the Citadel already. She knew exactly where her first stop would be.
