Things seemed a little too quiet with Ellen gone, though Kasumi more than made up for it with more chatter. Chatter that had Father glaring more than once.

"I get why Shep says what she says about your hands, Thane. You're an artist with a sniper rifle, and your son creates magic from trash."

"Father?"

"Kolyat, I would ignore Ms. Goto if you wish to keep your sanity."

"I know when I'm not wanted," the thief said, and shimmered out of sight.

Father went to the door and sealed it. Locked it. Added an encryption layer to the lockout protocol. He'd seen crazy old human door-closing contraptions called "knobs" in an ancient "horror" vid Constable Tsai had recommended him. If his door had such a thing attached, Father would have shoved a chair underneath it to barricade it shut.

"I think it's locked enough, Father."

"One can never be too sure with Ms. Goto around."

"You don't like her, do you?" Father settled back on his cushion, and his grimace answered the question better than most words would. "Why not?"

"She hides herself and eavesdrops on things that do not concern her."

"She could be here right now. I didn't see her once she did that cloaking thing."

"The modifications the hanar performed upon my body were good for many things, Kolyat, not the least of which is detecting those who would hide using tech."

His own cushion felt oddly comforting underneath him, not lumpy it usually did.

"Ellen has some interesting friends."

Father smiled. "A peculiar talent of hers. I have as yet to understand how she manages to tolerate so many differing individuals, especially those like Ms. Goto. I'm pleased you like her."

He nodded. "I wasn't expecting to, but she sneaks up on you. I get the feeling that she has more of a connection to that Alliance soldier than she let on."

"One might say that. Kaidan is the 'idealist' she spoke of."

"And you let her wander off with him?"

"I know Ellen's heart." Father's voice remained dead calm though the offense was easy enough to see in the set of his brows. "My time is short, Kolyat. Ellen will need all the aid she can find when Kalahira finally claims me. If that help comes in the form of the love Kaidan still holds, who am I to deny it to her?"

He swallowed. That was the last thing he wanted to think of. "Do you ever wish you'd met Ellen instead of Mother? It seems like she suits you better than Mother ever did." Not that the second thought was something he wanted to think either.

"Never. I loved—love—Irikah, and she gave me the greatest gift anyone could. A gift Ellen could not."

"What's that?" Though he guessed, even if Father's actions hadn't exactly been proof of it.

"You, Kolyat."

"And you tell me this now, when, 'my time is short?'"

"We've already discussed this. Know that I can never atone for what I've done in the time I have left. All I can…"

"And there's nothing that anyone can do? This isn't fair!" I thought I was done crying, but the oceans will have their way.

Father closed both lids. "I didn't wish to offer you false hope."

"Someone is doing something, aren't they?"

"The hanar have been working on a treatment for my illness for several years, though progress has been slow. Ellen has our salarian doctor working day and night, and from what she's told me, he has obtained permission to review the work the hanar have done."

"Then there's a chance…"

"False hope is worse than no hope. I wouldn't cling to it, just as one must not cling to land when the time comes to release one's hold."

"You're just giving up."

"No. Ellen awakened me again, as your mother once did. If Mordin's research bears fruit, I'll accept whatever transplants the Normandy's doctor may obtain. Ellen would move the galaxy for those she loves, and I cannot deny her wishes, or her gifts."

A slim chance was better than nothing. "I guess I'll have to put my faith in her and the salarian."

"It's better to accept the worst and then appreciate the blessing if the gods see fit to bestow it."

"Father…"

"I love you, Kolyat."

"I know." But knowing didn't clear his blurred vision.

He squeezed both sets of lids shut and tensed his brows as a set of cool arms surrounded him. He's screamed and shed too many tears. His eyes burn, and his throat aches. He's watched a bundle of leaves and rocks sink into an endless wet abyss, to be devoured by unseen fish. He shuts the door and curls himself into a ball on the floor. Kolyat, the voice of failure says, and arms squeeze him as he struggles. They tighten as kelp and pull as if loaded with stones. This time, the arms felt welcome. Familiar. He wished that they had never left him, as Mother had, and as Father had for far too long.

"What is it that you will sculpt for Ellen?" Father's lips brushed his cheek and wetness followed.

In those moments when the arms last held him so tightly, Father had tried to distract him. You will have plenty of time to relive the memory, Kolyat. I found your favorite song if you wish to dance.

"She likes grass, doesn't she? That colony of hers—I need to watch a few extranet vids."

"No need. Ellen has a few vids her father made."

"You've seen the colony? What's it like?"

"The land and the home were not what was most important, Kolyat. I've never seen such love as Ellen's father had for her mother."

"No, I guess it isn't. Father…" He couldn't force those three words out, to echo the way he'd spoken them before Father had left him.

He opened his eyes and slipped his arms around Father.

"I know, Kolyat."