Well built, slender and always in a suit. Kane liked to have every last detail planned. He was the epitome of discipline. Never did the dirty work per se, but knew the right people who did. He made a living taking care of things other people could not, it did not bother him who it involved or if it was legal, as long as he got paid. In his early thirties Kane has already amassed a small fortune. He is not sure how he came to be so good at planning and calculating every move, it just came to him naturally. In a gang as a kid he almost died when he left that life, barely surviving the 'exit' of the life. After seeing his brother killed in the same gang he knew he did not have a future with them which is why he got out. Most kids died around age 20. He wanted something better.
He took his skill set and started with small jobs, mainly robbery. It was only in the last two years that he moved up to kidnapping. It was not that hard actually. He found that when people were paid enough money, they were would follow his order without question. He learned what men he could trust and he took care of the ones he could not. He was not new to murder. He did what had to be done.
Having the reputation of one that will do any job if the money is right is not a reputation that you just fall into. It takes discipline. When he was contacted by an old gang member who was in prison for murder, he took the call. His old gang brother had a cell mate. This cell mate had a grudge and wanted help. Kane of course said he would help if his fee was met.
The war with the reapers really screwed up his business. Less and less people, human and alien, didn't seem to want to hold grudges anymore. He thought it odd that it took almost complete extinction for people to realize just how mortal we all are. The fact that now everyone was treating each other with respect would not last, at least not for the humans. Humans think they are above everything. Each having their own opinion and if it is not heard, they want someone to pay for it. So he was not surprised to have his first job after the Reaper war come from a human. The cell mate of his old gang brother.
Kane round up his crew, most survived the war, some did not. For this particular job, he did not have as much planning time as he would have liked. But every job has its risk and the Client knew it. Once Shepard was delivered, he would be paid and would leave. He had no idea what the Client wanted with the savior of the galaxy and he did not care. He never got involved. He just did his job and left. Simple enough, until now.
"What is it Mr. Green? I was not supposed to hear from you until tomorrow," said Kane.
"We have a problem Sir."
"Tell me."
"Shepard suspects something."
Clenching his fist and tightening his jaw, Kane let out a slow breath. No need to let emotion get in the way. "How?"
"Saw her looking around where Squid and Pete were. She found something, and then made a call."
"What did she find?"
"A cigarette butt."
This was almost enough to push Kane over the edge. He wanted to hit his desk as he stood. He was disciplined, but clearly some men on his crew were not. He knew what he had to do.
"Thank you Mr. Green. I trust you have the layout. You know the entry and exit points?"
"Yes Sir."
"Good, please return. I am meeting with the men in 90 minutes."
"Yes Sir."
The call ended. Taking out his pistol from his desk drawer Kane made sure it was loaded.
I can control them don't you see. Look at the power I wield! pop. "Nooo!" yelled Shepard as she jolted almost off the bed.
"Elly?" said Liara.
"Damn it!" said Elly as she threw the bed sheet off of her. "I am so sick of this!" she said getting up and pacing by the foot of the bed.
"What can I do?" asked Liara.
Signing, Shepard stopped her pacing and looked at the asari. God you are beautiful. "Nothing, I am sorry I woke you."
"It is okay Elly. Was it a new nightmare?"
"No," this time she walked over and sat next to Liara. She wanted the asari close to her, to feel her body as a comfort. "I was in the same circular room with the Illusive Man. I woke up at the same spot. Still don't know what was in the rest of the room, if anything."
Liara put her arms around the commander and just held her. "I am sorry Elly; I know how frustrating it is. Lie back with me."
They positioned themselves on the bed were Shepard was nestled into Liara's side, while Liara had her chin on Shepard's head. "I know you do not like to hear it Elly, but it will come to you."
"I know. I am just so damn tired Liara."
"I know Elly, I know.
The men were assembled waiting to hear from Kane. They were in a large one floor warehouse. Kane found it during his planning for this job. Unmarked outside, situated away from major populations, this warehouse was surround by at least a half dozen other buildings that sat empty. It did not take long for his crew to set everything up.
Kane observed the buildings at different times during a day, early in the morning, mid morning, afternoon, evening and the middle of the night. He wanted to know what kind of traffic on the ground and overhead these buildings had. There were next to none. Only a few lights would be on 24 hours a day, so he made sure that those exact same lights were not touched and that additional lights were turned off before the sun went down. He planned for unexpected surprises. He did not want someone to just pass by and see that one building was populated with a bunch of men because a few extra lights were left on.
Kane entered the area where the men were gathered. Their voices hushed and they sat down waiting for him to speak. Though Kane was not a large man, he was in shape and he knew how to handle himself. It was more of his confidence that made people pay attention to him before even meeting him.
Pete approached him, "Everyone is here Sir."
"And Mr. Green?"
"Yes Sir, just in the back over there Sir," Pete said pointing.
"Very good, thank you Pete. Why don't you stay up here with me please, just over here," Kane motioned to a spot to his right.
"Yes Sir."
Kane addressed the men. "Gentlemen, it has come to my attention that we have to push up our time line."
The men started to look around, some were excited because they have been sitting around now for four days waiting for some action."
"Quiet please," the murmuring of voices died down.
Kane continued, "I know most of you, have worked with most of you. You know how I like to keep things neat and tidy. Some of you may not appreciate the need for this. Let me explain it to all of you. I have you turn off certain lights every day before sunset because I do not want to draw unnecessary attention to our location. I expect you all to clean up after yourselves in this place. If this warehouse was found by the police they would find nothing. No wrappers, no cans, nothing. Do you know why that is important?
The men looked at each other, not sure if the question was rhetorical.
"I will tell you why. If a wrapper was found, just a little wrapper, it could be tested for DNA. Which would mean that the police could find you, which in turn means they could find me. Do you all understand why this is not a good thing?"
The men nodded almost in unison.
Pulling out his gun to look at in admiration Kane said "One of you was foolish and did not follow my simple rules." The men looked around for the guilty party. "Because of one of you, we now have to step up our time line which could jeopardize our objective and that gentlemen is unacceptable." He raised his gun in a split second and pulled the trigger. Pete slumped to the floor with a bullet between the eyes. No one dared to speak.
"Now, we need to be ready to execute phase 2 within 24 hours. Mistakes will not be tolerated. I want each leader to follow me to my office now and give me your status. If any of you leave a trace of your presence anywhere in this building or in the field, well you just saw what will happen. Now get to work. Squid, take care of Pete."
Liara was the first to wake. Grateful that Elly was still sleeping after getting out of the shower and dressed Liara went to the kitchen to make some tea and do some research on the extranet.
"Hello Dr. T'Soni,"
"Hello Feron, How are you doing?"
"Doing well thank you. Things are still quiet. Just a few of our agents are on assignment at the moment."
"On Earth?"
"Yes and one on Mars. Small jobs. How is your vacation, is everything alright?"
"Oh yes Feron. In fact, I wanted to share some news with you and offer an invitation."
"Oh?"
"Yes, the commander and I are engaged and have decided to have our wedding ceremony here in 5 weeks. We very much would like you to attend."
"That is good news Liara, congratulations. Five weeks you say?"
"Yes, five weeks from today actually. I have checked with the resort and have requested a set of rooms be set aside for our guests. If you are able to attend you can call to make the arrangements."
"Of course I will attend, it would be my honor."
"Thank you Feron."
"May I ask you something Liara?"
"Of course."
"May I bring a guest?"
"Absolutely Feron, the invitation comes with, as the commander would say, a plus one."
"Thank you Liara."
Smiling Liara did not want to pry, but she also wanted to know who the Drell would be bringing. "May I ask who Feron? Is she someone special?"
Seeing his face light up made Liara very happy. Ever since she and Shepard defeated the Shadow Broker and freed Feron, he took a long time to recover emotionally. He was intermittently tortured for two years. Liara feared he would never truly get over the ordeal, she was hoping this new person in his life was one of the reasons he looked so happy and relaxed.
"She is. Her name is Bria. I met her one evening at a local pub. She is also a Drell."
"I am very happy for you Feron. I cannot wait to meet her. You may want to arrive a day or two before the ceremony. There will be a reception afterwards. This is a party with all of the guests and it will take place here at the resort. You still have the information?"
"I do Liara. I will call them the minute we hang up. I am very happy for the two of you. With all you two have been through…" he did not finish his sentence.
Feron was with Liara when they recovered Shepard's remains after the Normandy was destroyed by a Collector ship. They both stopped the Shadow Broker's men from selling her body to the Collectors and in their escape, Feron sacrificed himself so that Liara could get away with Shepard's remains. His sacrifice is something Liara would never forget.
"I know Feron, thank you. I need to go. I look forward to seeing you and Bria very soon, take care."
"Take care Liara."
Liara did not hear the commander approach behind her, but she did not jump either when she wrapped her arms around her. "So is Feron able to make it?" asked Shepard giving Liara a quick peck on the cheek.
"Yes and he has a friend that he is bringing along, a Drell named Bria."
"Good for him. Is there coffee by chance?"
"Yes."
"Thanks."
Liara got up from the desk in the family room and followed Shepard into the kitchen. "Did you sleep any better Elly?"
"Little bit." When the commander turned to face Liara, Liara could see the bags under her eyes. She looked so very tired.
"I think I might go for a run this morning. Do you want to join me?" asked Elly.
"No thank you Elly, I do not run. I will continue to make some arrangements."
Laughing Elly set down her mug, coffee drained, "Well don't do all the work yourself. I can help too ya know," she approached Liara to hug her.
"Of course Elly. I do not have to continue with the invitations."
"No no, please go ahead. I just want to help where you want me to help, that's all." Elly kissed Liara then turned for the patio door. "I may wander off the path a bit; I should be back in about an hour."
"Elly?" Liara said in a surprised tone.
Shepard stopped and turned to look at the asari, "What?"
"Why do you have your side arm?"
"I don't want to get used to not having it Liara. I sometimes wear it when I train. I don't want my body to forget how it feels when it is equipped." Please believe me; she is not going to buy this stupid story Shepard.
Liara looked at the commander with narrow eyes. "What aren't you telling me Elly?"
See! You cannot fool her, shut up! "Nothing Liara, I swear." She could tell Liara was not buying her story. She continued, "Remember at the picnic when I heard that noise and I reached for my gun?"
"Yes."
"Well I felt like an idiot. My body knew it should have been there and it wasn't. It is just like your ring. Now that you are used to wearing it, I bet it would feel weird if you didn't wear it. That's all this is. Besides the added weight is helpful during my workout and I swear the Alliance runs with guns equipped whether or not they are going to use them, I thought you knew that. Oh nice Shepard reflects back on her that she is an idiot for not knowing that, quiet.
"Okay Elly," Liara said with a smile forming, "that was a good story. You have a nice run and I will make you some breakfast when you return"
Shepard knew Liara was not mad, so she just smiled back and left to start her run. "See you in about an hour."
"What is it Kane? I thought I wasn't supposed to hear from you in another two days."
"There has been a slight change Client." Kane was insistent on calling his Client just that, Client. He did not want to know his name nor did he care if he ever met him. The less people knew about Kane, the better.
"What slight change?"
"Shepard may suspect something."
"What! I thought you said you had this covered. Son of a bitch! I fuckin can't believe this shit!"
Kane let the Client continue for a minute to vent his frustration. There was no use trying to talk to him or anyone for that matter during an emotional outburst. It had to take its course before the person could hear reason, so Kane waited.
"You there Kane, what the fuck?"
"Shepard was seen making a phone call after finding a cigarette butt from one of my crew. We do not know what she knows; I can however tell you that she has not seen any of my men."
"Well fuck a duck Kane. What the hell are you doing about it?"
"I do not tolerate mistakes and the gentleman who made it has been taken care of." The Client knew what Kane meant by the tone of his voice.
"So this phone call," continued the Client. "It could have been anything?"
"Yes. She and the asari are recently engaged and planning a wedding ceremony. The phone call could have been regarding that." Kane did not believe this for a second. "I, however, do not like taking chances. I have moved up the time line. We will have Shepard within the day."
"The day, but I can't get there until two days from now, shit!"
"We will detain her; it will not be an issue."
"It better not be Kane. You keep your fucking crew under control you hear me. I don't want a hair on that head of hers touched, you got me?"
"Of course."
"Anything else?"
"No."
"See you in two days then, if something changes I will let you know. Good bye."
Imbecile, Kane thought.
Shepard's run was uneventful. She checked the area where she found the cigarette butt. She walked further into the woods, even checked the picnic spot her and Liara were at to see if she could find anything. She found nothing. Maybe it was just a guest? Shepard didn't really have reason to believe anyone other than a guest could have dropped the butt, she just couldn't shake the feeling of being watched when her and Liara were on their picnic. The feeling was strong after their meld. But she wasn't sure if it was because of the idea that someone may see them naked together. In any event, Shepard returned to the cabin to find Liara at her desk making calls about the ceremony.
After her shower she didn't want to bother Liara, so she made them both breakfast after signaling to Liara if she wanted any.
"We will see you then, thank you Ashley."
Shepard looked up a little puzzled when she heard Liara say goodbye to Ashley. She quickly tried to hide her expression.
"Well so far we have Feron and Bria, Dr. Chakwas, Joker and Ashley coming. I left a message for James and Garrus."
"That's great, you have been busy," said Shepard as she served breakfast.
"This looks wonderful."
"I hope it's good, I am starved."
After taking a few bites Liara looked at Elly, "So are you going to tell me the real reason for taking your side arm on your run?"
Almost choking, Shepard grabbed her glass of water. Crap, I should have known she would not let this go. "I told –"
"That was a lie Elly. Now please know that I am not currently angry with you, but that will change if you do not tell me the truth."
There it was, the tone of voice that said do not mess with me. Swallowing, Shepard said, "It is just a feeling I have Liara, I didn't want to worry you."
"What do you mean a feeling?"
"Remember when we were at our picnic? Well, after our melding, I got this feeling."
"What kind of feeling?"
"Like we were being watched."
"Goddess."
"Now don't panic. I don't know if it is true or not."
"Is that why you left me and Karin on the path when you did, you went looking for something?"
Nothing gets by you T'Soni. "Yes."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Goddess Elly, must you make everything so damn difficult!" Liara rose from the table and walked into the family room clearly upset.
Eyes and mouth wide, Shepard stood abruptly to follow the asari, "Liara.. what th-?
"Is it so hard to see me as your equal Shepard?"
"What?" truly surprised by the comment.
"Why must you feel the need to constantly protect me? I am not weak. I am very capable in battle, which I have proven to you over and over. Why can't you just answer a question without me having to pull it out of you all of the time!"
Shocked, Elly could not believe her ears. Liara rarely raised her voice and to do it in such an accusatory manner caught the commander off guard.
"I…."
"You…you what Shepard?" Liara's anger was rising, her arms folded at her chest, hip cocked to one side. Her eyes were boring into Shepard.
"What is the matter Liara?"
"What did you find Shepard huh? I am guessing you found something because you left Karin and me alone for almost 30 minutes. What did you find that you were not going to tell me about?"
This is so not like you Liara, just answer her Shepard. "I found a cigarette butt."
Lowering her voice and no longer shouting, Liara said "A cigarette butt. Is that it?"
Eyes still wide and in unfamiliar territory, Shepard simply said "Yes."
"Do you need me to find who it belongs to? Should I run tests on it? Should we go around the resort and ask all of the guests where they were when we were conceiving our child!" At this Liara turned her back and started sobbing.
Not sure what just happened, Shepard slowly approached Liara. She placed her hand on her shoulder. "Liara, what is going on?"
Liara could not talk. She just stood with her back to Elly with her hands to her face tears spilling.
Shepard turned her so she could hug her. Liara at first was hesitant, not moving her arms. Shepard hugged anyways. Finally Liara let her arms wrap about the commander and she continued to cry into her shoulder.
It broke Shepard's heart to see Liara like this. She immediately flashed back to the Shadow Broker ship. They had just defeated him and Liara broke down in much the same way. It was stress, and the realization that Shepard was back, was there in flesh and bone, but now, right now, Shepard was not sure why Liara was crying and she was almost afraid to ask.
Gaining her composure, Liara tried her voice, "I…I am sorry Elly."
"Hey it's okay Liara. I know I can be hard to talk to sometimes."
She always is so quick to blame herself.
Shepard ducked her head to see if Liara would meet her gaze, "Can you tell me what is bothering you Liara?"
Liara would not meet her gaze, "I want to…to ask you something, but I do not know how."
"Here, come and sit down," they sat on the couch. "You can ask me anything Liara, anything," said Shepard as she held Liara's face in her hands to wipe the tears away with the pad of her thumbs.
"I am not so sure."
"Liara, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on."
Trusting her voice now, head down Liara asked, "Are you sorry that we conceived a child?"
Shepard almost let out a sign of relief, but at the same time was very confused why Liara would ask her such a thing. Did I act like I was not happy? Where is she getting this idea? Lifting Liara's chin so Elly could look into her eyes, "Liara, of course not. I can't wait to meet our baby. I am so sorry if I somehow gave you the impress-"
"No you didn't," Liara said as she wiped away a stray tear.
"Then why are you asking me? I mean something must have happened for you to doubt me."
"I jus….I just feel I took advantage of you."
Shaking her head with a knit brow, Shepard simple said "Uh, you didn't, believe me Liara you didn't."
"Are you sure?"
You said you were scared Shepard. "Is this because I said I was scared Liara?"
"Yes."
Letting out a breath, Elly took the asari's hands into her own. "Liara, the moment you asked me, I had a million things run through my head all at once. I thought about what if my nightmares never get better, what if they never end, will I be a good moth… father, where will we live, will I stay in the military, stay a Spectre, what if I die before she goes on her first date, and on and on and on." Squeezing her hands tight now, "Liara, I couldn't be happier that we are pregnant. I mean that will all of my heart."
"I feel so foolish Elly."
Hugging her now, "Well don't. I can understand how you would interrupt my saying I am scared as me being hesitant, but I hope you believe me when I say that I do want our little blue child. And I certainly hope there is more after this one."
Smiling, Liara kissed Shepard fully on the lips then was the first to break away. "I am sorry I yelled at you."
"It's okay Liara. I know I am not the easiest person to get information out of, I know that. We just have to talk through these things. I don't want us to have hurt feelings that are not addressed. I always want us to be able to talk, okay? And I promise, I will try to stop being so over protective, because Liara, I know how capable you are. And I don't ever want you to feel any less than capable because I am being protective, I don't ever want you to feel like you are not my equal, okay?"
"Okay Shepard."
"Good, now that that is settled, let me help you with the wedding plans."