MASS EFFECT
MIRICLES DO HAPPEN

Chapter 9 - Past Haunts / Deep Scars

It had been a couple of days and Sam was feeling much better, few scars left from her war wounds but that didn't bother her much. Ashley had took control of the Cyclon ship, commanding it while Shepard stayed with the Normandy. Both ships seemed to be working well together, side by side, making them a stronger crew than before.

Sam was currently aboard the Cyclon Ship hacking into the former commanding officers files to see what she could find. They were on way back to meet with Hackett and the galactic council, they were very eager in having a chat with Sam. Shepard agreed provided she stayed with Sam all times, backed up by Ashley.

"Sam?" the voice calling her name made her jump a little, turning round she saw Ashley standing at the office door.

"Hey, everything ok?" Sam asked standing and facing her.

"Yeah, i found this in commander bitches office. Wonder if you might know who it is? Just says Traynor on the back" she asked handing the photo of an old gentleman over to her. The photo was old and snagged at the edges.

Sam took it and felt her heart sink but gave a small smile. It was her dads father, her papa, she was close to him, it killed her inside when he passed away. She actually remembered when it was taken.

Sam sat on the grass with her legs crossed drawing, the sun beating down from the sky giving her skin a nice warm feeling.

"There is my beautiful granddaughter, been looking for you everywhere. What you go there?"

"I'm drawing grampa" Sam smiled

"What are you drawing?" The old man asked sitting on the bench next to where Sam was on the grass. His old knees wouldn't take sitting on the grass.

"Look" Sam smiled and stood up taking a seat next to him on the bench "It's a lot of stars gathered together"

"What about that?" He asked curious taking the drawing from her and pointing to the circle she had been so concentrated on filling in black "Kind of out of place amongst those beautiful stars is it not?"

"No silly it's supposed to be there. The beautiful lady keeps all the monsters in there so the stars are safe" Sam smiled showing him another drawing.

"Sammy you have quite the imagination" laughed her grampa

"No" Sam shrugged "She told me"

"Really, what else did she say?"

"She says the monsters want out, but not to worry, she knows what to do"

"Well lets hope she keeps those monsters where they are. Come on kiddo lets get back, your mum and dad. My ship has arrived" he explained taking her hand and giving her the drawings back, both of them walking back to the waiting ship. As they approached Sam's mother quickly snapped a photo. Her grampa smiled and gave her a kiss on the head.

"Be good kiddo" he told her and said goodbyes to her parents before departing

"You ok?" Ash asked noticing her expression.

"This is my dads father, this photo was taken when i was 8, mum took it before he left. He passed away when i was 13. Why would they have a photo of him?" Sam asked confused.

"I was hoping you could answer that. They didn't say anything to you? Ask you any questions?"

"No, just gave me all this coding to crack.." Sam stated pointing to the multiple monitors running different programs trying to crack the numerical coding "Ashley, can i speak with Lilly? She may be able to give me more information"

"Ok but i'm coming with you. Shepard made it quite clear she would slice my head off and hand it to me if i didn't keep you safe" grinned Ash.

"Sounds about right" Sam smirked as the both of them made there way to the brig.

As they approached there was a lot of arguing going on, Vega's voice sounded like one of the angry voices

"Problems?" Ashley asked walking over to Vega and the 2 very agitated Asari's.

"You have no right to hold us and take our ship!" the Asari Commander yelled "I demand to speak with the Asari Councillor, now!"

"Oh i think we do have the right. Lets see, where to start on the charges, biggest one being going rouge"

"I don't explain myself to you. I demand to speak with my councillor"

"Oh don't worry, she's looking forward to speaking to you to, if fact, we should be arriving there very soon"

"I can help you Samantha" Sam groaned in pain holding her head and falling to her knees.

"How.. How'd.."

"It's a gift, don't fight me, that's what makes it painful, relax, let me in i need to talk with you and this is the only way i can right now" the voice said "I know about the dreams, i can guide you, help understand"

Suddenly the pain was fading leaving her light headed, with a slight shake.

"Sam!" yelled Ashley running to her side "Sam what's wrong?"

"I.. I'm fine.. I'm ok" Sam said getting to her feet slowly with the help of Ashley and Vega "I just need to go lay down, can you get a shuttle to take me back to the Normandy please?" Asked Sam totally forgetting the reason she came down in the first place.

She completely avoided looking at the former Lieutenant Commander knowing fine well it was her in her head. She knew all about the Asari Melding but had never experienced it, she knew enough to know the pain was from the forced entry.

"Vega take Sam to the shuttle bay and get her back to the Normandy. I will message Shepard and let them know your shuttle is incoming with Sam.

"Aye aye ma'am! Come on Sammy lets go" Steve wrapped an arm round her shoulders leading her to the shuttle bay.

Back on the Normandy, once again Shepard was acting referee between Miranda and Jack, who were at each others throats over god knows what and to be honest Shepard didn't care what it was about, she was just getting a headache listening to them. Saved however by the beeping from her omi tool.

"Go ahead Ash, what's up?"Asked Shepard stepping away from the 2 girls throwing a warning glance at them.

"Hey, Let Joker know our shuttle is on it's way over. Vega is escorting Sam back."

"She finished already? Or she just missing me?" Grinned Shepard

"Ah.. Well..."

"Ash... Spill it!"

"I don't know Shepard just keep an eye on her and see if Chakwas will give her a check up. She was fine and then she was on her knees holding her head in pain. She says she's ok now just tired"

"What was she doing?"

"We went down to the Brig for her to speak with that Lilly girl, me and Vega got into an argument with the Asari Commander and Sam just went as she did"

"Ok i will meet them at the shuttle bay. Who do you want? Miranda or Jack?" asked Shepard while looking at the 2 girls sternly.

"They at it again?" laughed Ash

"Yep!"

"Either is fine Shepard, send whoever back with Vega"

"I'll go!" Miranda quickly volunteered with a smile.

"I wonder why.." Snorted Jack

"Come with me then, shuttle bay. Joker, prepare for a shuttle from the Cyclon ship"

"Yes ma'am" Jokers response came through as they took the elevator down to shuttle bay.

"Ah, nicely timed commander!" Smirked James raising a hand like a gentleman and helping Sam out of the Shuttle.

"Thanks James" Shepard said shaking his hand and taking his place with a supportive arm round Sam "Miranda is going back with you, Ash is expecting her"

"Awesome" Grinned Vega looking at Miranda's ass as she stepped into the shuttle.

"Have fun" Shepard chuckled knowingly at him with a wink before guiding Sam to the elevator. Once inside Shepard faced Sam wrapping an arm round her waist and using her other hand to stroke her cheek "What happened? The truth Sam, i'm worried. What aren't you telling me?"

"I will talk, but not here" sighed Sam closing her eyes enjoying Shepard's touch. Something about it relaxed every muscle in Sam's body. She didn't know if it was just how Shepard made her feel or if it was deliberate with her slight biotic's, either way it was nice.

"Ok but Chakwas is going to give you a check up then we will go to my cabin and talk"

"I don't need a check up, i'm fine honestly. Please Shepard, i just need to lay down is all"

"Fine, but i'm not happy about it, i'd rather the doc checked you over"

"Let it go, i'm ok" persisted Sam exiting the elevator as it opened on Shepard's floor. Shepard followed her into the room with a sigh taking her boots off and throwing them to the side and pouring herself a glass of water.

"You want a drink?" She asked Sam while leaning against the unit watching her as she also took off her boots, along with her top and bottoms, Shepard couldn't help but stare and admire the beauty in front of her with a loving smile.

"No thanks" Sam smiled back laying on top of the bed with just her black bra and matching panties and closing her eyes. Shepard finished her water in one gulp and Sat on the edge of the bed next to Sam running her fingers lightly over Sam's skin from her face, neck, chest and stomach and back up.

"So.. What happened baby? Ash sounded concerned"

"Ok" sighed Sam still keeping her eyes closed "Promise me you won't get all angry and protective"

"Depends what you are going to tell me.." Shepard eyed her stopping what she was doing making Sam open her eyes and look at her.

"Please?" asked Sam

"Ok... Fine, i promise"

"Well, while Ash and Vega were talking to the commander, i felt a sharp pain inside my head and then it started to feel like it was going to explode. At the same time, someone was talking to me"

"Forced melding.." Shepard angrily narrowed her eyes "Which one?"

"LC T'Ann" Sam responded "She said she could help me understand"

"Understand what?"

"She somehow knows ive been having dreams.. Some strange, some memories and some down right chilling"

"How exactly can she help with that? Why haven't you told me about these dreams?"

"Because it's nothing i can't deal with. It's just dreams, confusing yes but just dreams. Anyway she said something about guiding me, i really don't know, i was more focused on the fact my head felt like it was going to explode open, now.." Sam yawned "I'm just tired, i need some sleep"

"Ok.. I'm going to go down and speak with Liara, i will be back up soon" Shepard gave her a soft kiss on the lips noticing Sam was already sleeping. She grabbed her boots and left the room putting them on and waiting for the lift.

"EDI?"

"Yes commander?"

"Monitor Sam please and make sure she is ok, alert me to anything out of ordinary" Shepard was glad EDI was still with them even though she no longer had her body.

"As you wish commander. Samantha is my friend, i always watch over her"

"Thanks EDI" chuckled Shepard stepping out of the lift and to Liara's room. EDI still had her charming personality they all loved. Shepard knocked on the Asari's door

"Shepard, come on in" Liara smiled holding her datapad as Shepard stepped through the open door.

"Do you ever stop working?" Smirked Shepard

"Shadow Brokers work is never done" Liara smiled back taking a seat next to Shepard and putting her datapad down "What's wrong" the Asari asked tilting her head to the side slightly looking at Shepard.

"The Asari LC force melded with Sam"

"Oh.. That's not a good thing, not only is it intimidating, degrading and extremely rude but it's a painful method that tends to be only used on criminals in the Asari justice system. See the meld can be used for both good reasons and bad. How is Sam?"

"She said she felt like her head was going to explode, now she's just got a slight headache and is tired. She's upstairs sleeping. Ive asked EDI to monitor her"

"Did Sam say why she was in her head?" Liara asked concerned.

"Something about dreams and guiding her to help her understand"

"No. Shepard you must keep Sam away from her" Liara stated with concern "Amongst the Asari it's called Dream Walking, it's used amongst Asari to help guide their loved ones for various reasons, coming out of a coma, helping pass on, helping take control of whatever your sub conscious does. Very dangerous for an Asari looking to abuse it"

"Is there a way to stop her forcing her way into Sam's mind as she done earlier?"

"I can teach Sam how to control how much of the meld gets through, even how to block a forced meld, but it's a lot of work and for another species it can be very distressing"

"Sam.. She..." Shepard sighed rubbing the back of her neck.

"What?"

"What i'm going to tell you has to stay between us Liara, Sam can't know i told you"

"Ok, tell me"

"Chakwas noticed markings on the back of Sam's neck that hadn't been documented. Turns out she was in the collector pods with 4 others longer than anyone else. Sam got away but the other 4 were taken by the Alliance and put through stress tests as they called it. See how much pain they could take before cracking, doing blood work and so on. Anyway point is, they could take it. Ashley helped Sam when she noticed the secluded area and got rid of her documents, they never knew she was even on Horizon. Sam was never put through those tests thankfully but we don't know if she would have the same results as the others"

"By the goddess" Liara shook her head "That's awful. What you are saying is perhaps Sam may have the ability to cope with the distress of forced blocking? It will take a lot of her energy Shepard"

"She needs protection right now Liara and this is something i can't help her with. You know your kind better than me. I understand it won't be easy for you either and will drain your energy also and i totally understand if you won't do it but even if there is anything else we can do, i'd be grateful"

"It won't be as bad for me Shepard" Smiled Liara "I want to help Sam, i will help her, she has to agree though, i presume she doesn't know you're here?"

"Hey i did try and tell her but she was out for the count by the time i finished talking" Chuckled Shepard "Thanks Liara, i owe you big time"

"No you don't. If anything i owe you, the galaxy owes you. Don't ever forget that" Liara smiled back "I'm happy to help where i can. I will do some research on our prisoners and let you know what i find. I will also dig up what i can on the collectors and what Sam's markings could be"

Shepard smiled and gave Liara a hug, which she returned and turned to leave.

Back in Shepard's cabin Sam was still in a deep sleep after her stressful day, she was pretty restless.

Sam was sitting in a small club called Hellfire on Omega drinking her brandy. Sitting back on her chair and relaxing she watched the Asari dancer that had decided to walk all over her table and get her attention. It had been a hell of a day. She had enough arguing with her parents and stormed out and took the first shuttle off Horizon and went to Omega. Her parents never liked her going partying, especially in Omega's nightclubs. She was 18 goddamn it! They had no right to tell her she couldn't go away for a week to Omega to meet her friends.

Sam would meet up with her friends every 2 weeks in Omega and stay there for a week before going back home. She had been doing it since she was 16.

"Heeeyyy Sammy.. Getting started early are you?" a voice said grinning at the Asari dancing in front of a grinning Sam.

"Not my fault you're late to the show Kelly. Sit, have a drink"

"No no no, i will go get us a round of drinks Sammy, you enjoy drooling over your Asari babe" Kelly winked

Sam just chuckled and went back to watching the show the Asari was putting on for her. Damn those Asari knew how to move, there was something about the Asari species that was very seductive and intriguing.

"Catch your drool Sammy and drink up"

"Red? What the hell did you get me?" asked Sam, it definitely wasn't brandy.

"House special bar tender says, i figured we'd try it. I'm in the mood to go wild tonight!"

"I thought Joan and Elsa would be here by now"

"Oh sorry.. Didn't i mention they aren't coming tonight, just me and you Sammy. Looks like your stuck bunking with me tonight in the hotel"

"Fine by me" Sam smiled downing the rest of her drink "God that's amazing, i feel better already. Lets get another and go dance"

"I'll get them, you go ahead to the dance floor i will meet you there"

"Ok!" Sam chirped happily skipping to the dance floor.

Sam woke with a sore head, sitting up and looking around the place was a mess, Kelly was nowhere in the room, Sam rubbed her head and tried to think back how she got here, she ached all over, she threw the covers off and swung her legs off the side of the bed feeling a chill realising then she was naked.. This made her confused even more. Covering herself up she walked to the small lounge area noticing something playing on a small monitor sitting on the table. Sam gasped as she watched it, tears starting to stream down her face.. It all made sense now..

Sam gasped as she jerked out of her sleep and quickly sat upright taking in her surroundings.

"Sam, it's me, relax" she heard Shepard say turning to see her sitting on the bed next to her. Liara was standing at the bottom of the bed and Chakwas was sitting on the edge of the bed at the other side. Sam groaned and lay back down.

"Bad dreams?" Shepard asked.

"More like intense dreams" Chakwas stated checking Sam's vital stats again now she was awake "I'm going to give you a check up later just to keep an eye on things. Shepard a word outside please" Chakwas pointed to the door for Shepard to follow. On the way passed the commander gave Liara a nod.

"How are you feeling Sam?" Liara asked walking round and sitting next to Sam where Shepard previously was.

"Ive been better" Sam responded eyes still closed, she was finding it a little hard to breathe, no chance was she going to tell anyone though "Shepard told you everything didn't she?"

Liara looked surprised at Sam, who already knew the answer, she took Liara's silence as a yes.

"I'm not angry about it. You were bound to find out sooner or later" Sam stated getting up from the bed and throwing on lounge bottoms and a hoodie "Tell me, is my old friend still on the ship?"

"Kelly? Yes i believe she is" the Asari tilted her head slightly "Why?"

"She wanted to catch up earlier but i wasn't in the mood, feeling better now though. I'm ready for that catch up" Sam smiled as she left the room, giving the doc and Shepard a smile before dissapearing down the lift

"Sam wait.. Damn it.." Shepard said turning as Liara came out looking a little concerned "Oh god what now Liara? Where is she going?"

"Kelly"

"Ah shit!" yelled Shepard calling for the lift "EDI ask Jack to get to Kelly at the CIC ASAP, i'm on my way" Shepard and Liara made a dive for the lift leaving Chakwas standing outside Shepards room with her head in her hands, Sam really did have deep scars and they were only starting to show, from this point on Chakwas vowed to do everything in her power to help Sam get through, the whole team would. Closing down the video on Liara's datapad, she had saw enough.