Chapter 10::…
What could have been. (Novembers Doom)
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Aboard Nerio's ship….
Nerio stayed manily on the bredge. She was in no shape to really move about. She gunshot was to her right side wasn't a threw and threw. The wound was infected but nothing that couldn't be maintained. There was pices of armor stuck in the tissue that once back on Earth would need to be taken care of.
Miranda had sucured the package for Aethyta and went to the bridge to check on Nerio. When she got there Nerio was asleep in the chair once again.
She knew they should talk about the kiss but it was obvious that Nerio didn't want to talk about it. At least for now. Miranda wasn't going to do to Nerio what she did to Shepard. As soon as Nerio was awake they were going to talk.
Miranda then went back to the cabin that Nerio allowed her to stay in. She had to think about how to approach Nerio. What to say. She knew that the kiss wasn't just a thank you for shielding me type of kiss. Somehow that kiss went from a simple thank you to a I wasn't to fuck you. Somewhere deep down she knew Nerio knew it too.
For Miranda that had clarity written all in that kiss. She was able to kiss someone like that and it not be Shepard. Yeah sure she had kissed a few people after the war while Shepard was healing. She tried to move on from Shepard before all her emotional turmoil hit. Then Shepard ends back up in the hospital. Causing her to be here now. So somehow something inside her changed and allowed her to kiss someone like that and not feel guilty. Maybe she was over Shepard after all. She just needed a death defying moment to realize it.
Nerio sleep for about two hours. When she finally got up she asked Ace to help her to the cabin. She had to talk to Miranda. Ace put the ship on autopilot to help her. When they got there she asked him to leave. She needed to do this alone.
She knocked on the door and waited. She didn't have to wait long before Miranda opened the door. As soon as Miranda opened the door she stepped to the side to let Nerio in. Miranda wasn't sure what to expect. She was going to say something but Nerio started first.
'Ok, I know that we should talk about the kiss. So just hear me out.'
Nerio said and pointed for Miranda to take a seat.
'It was very clear that kiss was more then a "Thank you for shielding me from the bullet" kind of kiss. It may even been intended that way at first, but it sure didn't stay that way. It turned into a "I wanna fuck you" kiss.'
Nerio was pacing as she talked. She looked at Miranda from time to time to see if she was following her. And she was so she continued.
'So whatever caused it. Well lets just say that I'm cool with it. Also if your not involved with anyone I would like to take you out. Like a proper date. So what you say?'
Once Nerio finished she stopped pacing and faced Miranda. She didn't expect Miranda to answer right away. She just wanted to know something.
Wow that was so not what Miranda was expecting to say the least.
'That was a lot to take in all at once. Ok so first things first.'
Miranda said trying to give herself time to properly respond.
'The kiss surprised me also. Yes it was to be just a "Thank you" kiss. But like you said it didn't stay that way.'
She looked at Nerio and then down at the floor. This last part was going to be hard. She would love to go out with her, but then what of Shepard. Wait what was she thinking. She already knows where her and Shepard stand. So Miranda answered truthfully.
'I would like that very much. I just have to clear some loose ends up first. To be honest. I believe that what happened opened my eyes and heart once again. So Yes a proper date is lovely.'
As Miranda was about to finish she stood and took Nerio hand and helped her walk over to the bed.
The both of them then sat in silence for a time. Then Miranda spoke again.
'You need to take it easy so you can heal. Why don't you take the bed.'
Nerio looked at her. Then shook her head no.
'I would feel better if you did. Please, you are exhausted I can tell.'
Nerio exhaled and a sharp pain shot through her. But she still tried to lie.
'No I'm good. Besides I can sleep better on the bridge.'
That wasn't a complete lie. Miranda seen through it thou.
'Look I know what your doing. Its not going to work. I could hear the pain in your voice. So lay down. I'll stay on the couch if that's ok.'
Nerio gave in. She was too sore to try to argue. She also knew Miranda was right. But she also knew that couch wasn't fit to sleep on let alone sit on. It had things poking through the seat at times. She was just to lazy to get rid of it.
'Miranda you don't have to sleep on the couch. Besides its broken. You can share the bed with me. Please.'
She couldn't just let Miranda sleep on that thing. It was wrong.
Miranda said she would share the bed. Then she helped Nerio get comfortable. Nerio pushed the com button on the table next to the bed. She had to let Ace know she would be sleeping in the cabin and Miranda was going to take care of her. That things are fine. Once that was done she closed her eyes and was off to sleep. Miranda stayed for a while then left to make something to eat.
Somehow Miranda knew this was going to be a beautiful friendship if nothing more. But who was she kidding. She knew that it would lead to at least getting laid. So now all she had to do was brush up on her turian biology.
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While things with Miranda and Nerio was going on….
Shepard had a visit with her mother. It was short but she informed her of what was going on finaly with Liara. Leaving out the fact that Liara is pregnant and carring twins. She thought it best that Liara be the one to tell her. They talked about many thing. One of which was Miranda. Shepard did her best to tell the basics of her relationship with Miranda. Also in the process she told her mother that her and Miranda would remain friends and nothing else. She also told her mother that she was going to tell Miranda that when she ended up in the hospital.
Hannah Shepard knew that things between them haven't always been good. Not like some familys. She was not always the best mother. However her daughter had made her proud. Even before saving the galixy. Knowing her daughter has tried to make things right in her adult life but knowing that people will get hurt sometimes. That is what makes her smile and gives her the feeling of pride.
When Shepard mother left fot the day she seen Nichi Vitelli. Nichi was her daughters ex-girlfriend/ex-fiancée. Things between them ended not completely on a bad not but it was far from something you would call a healed relationship. She had keept tabs on her but when the war hit she lost her in the suffle of things. Hannah Shepard last knew that Nichi became some kind of tech specialest or something for the Alliance.
Hannah was going to go talk to her until she seen Nichi talking to a nurse. She looked sad. The nurse looked confused for a moment and then looked susprised. After a moment of talking the nurst gestered for Nichi to follow her. Hannah had an important meeting to attend so she couldn't spy on her. She would findout later anyhow so she left.
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While Rear Admrial Hannah Shepard was gone…
A nurst led Nichi to Shepard room. Before letting her enter the nurse went in first. To make sure Shepard was awake and up for another visiter. Not knowing that Nichi would be one of the last people Shepard would want to see. Shepard wasn't awake but would need to be for her intake of medical fludids and pure oxygen regiments that would be aministered in the next hour.
The nurse told this to Nichi when she came out of Shepard room. Nichi asked if she could at least see Shepard and leave a note before she had to go. This was somewhat a lie. The nurse said it would be ok and was going to stay and make sure she left but got called away before she could do so.
While the nurse left Nichi went into Shepard room and took a seat next to the bed. She had at least an hour before the doctors and nurses would return to check on Shepard and give her meds. So she just sat there. So much time had passed since they both was in the same room together. They both changed some. Shepard had become scarred not just from the surgery but mainy from seeing so much combat.
Herself had gained a few scars while she's been apart of the Alliance. This was something she knew could happen to the both of them. Moreso to Shepard. However there was only a few things about Shepard that susprised her. One was Shepard becoming a SPECTRE. The other was Miranda Lawson. Yeah the N7 thing was a susprise at first but only the fact that Shepard made it in to them so young. She knew that Shepard would be N7, call it a hunch. She just thought it would take longer. Some of the other things was not too susprising. Others like saving the galixy was something that took everyone by susprise.
Nichi just watched Shepard sleep. While she did things started playing in her mind. Things of what was.
-_-_-Start Memory-_-_-
Sitting on the beach watching Marz surf. Blue swimsuit and a longboard wooden surfboard. The bottom of the board was painted in a fantsy/mystical style. It depicted a female elf holding a baby water dragon in some kind of water ruins.
While she watched Marz surf. She was also picturing Marz teaching their son or daughter to surf while she got lunch ready. A family outing at the beach.
-_-_-End Memory-_-_-
Just as Nichi sighed from the memory not to be, Shepard woke up.
Not sure what to say Shepard just made a sound. Something between a yawn and a grunt. This caused Nichi to look at Shepard and see she was awake.
At first Nichi didn't know what to say, but finaly she said something.
'I'm not here to start shit. I just came to see you. So now I'll leave.'
She got up to leave when Shepard grabed her arm.
'No don't go. Please stay. We should talk.'
Shepard was so groggy and it hurt to talk but they need to. It was a long time coming. Shepard didn't want to wait because who knows when she would have this chance again.
'Ok. So what now?'
Nichi was lost. She at first knew why she wanted to see Shepard. Now it was real and she felt lost.
'Look why don't you talk and I lisen. Tell me why you're here and go from there. Or whatever makes you confortable.'
Shepard had to force the last part of that out. It felt like needles poking at her throat.
Nichi got up her nerve.
'First I want to say I'm sorry. Sorry for how I treated you and how we ended things. It shouldn't of happened that way. I don't want to get into it now. We can talk about it later if you want. I realy just wanted to see you. To… I don't know. Just to see how you were and to say congrats. I wish you and Miranda well.'
Nichi didn't know Shepard wasn't with Miranda. But she was able to say the truth and it felt good. She also ment what she said about talking later. It was something that would best be done privately and when Shepard was better.
'Ok. I'm also sorry for how it ended. You don't blame yourself. I also share the blame. Your right we can talk about that later. Oh and I'm not with Miranda.'
When Shepard said that. Nichi had a look of susprise on her face considering the last she heard was Shepard and Miranada was together. How in the hell did she not know that.
'Oh I didn't know. Wow, and don't make some smart ass commit about how it got pass me. So if no Miranda then you single?'
Nichi wasn't sure if she wanted to know or not. The biggest part being if not who was Shepard with. Did she realy want to know.
'She's not able to be by my side. She's here in the hospital, sick is all I know. My mom says she's ok. Her name is Liara T'Soni.'
At first Nichi wasn't sure she heard right. Then the name and everything came together. Ok so she was defently slipping. The powerhouse couple both in the hospital. Along with the fact that one is the hero of the galixy. Now will be a parent. This keeps getting better.
'Yeah, I'm sorry about that. Anyways congrats on becoming a mother. Wait technicaly you're a father. So yeah congrats. Got a name picked out?'
There it was. Shepard looked dumbstruck. Ok something was defentaly off thought Nichi.
'Yeah you would be right. That is if me and Liara was having kids. We're not yet.'
Shepard said and as susprised as ever. Along with being confused.
'Wow,so you don't know. How is it you don't know? Liara came in not just because she is sick. But because she was having problems with the baby. I can't believe noone told you.'
Nichi couldn't believe it. She also hoped this didn't cause problems. Why wouldn't anyone tell Shepard. Was it because something was wrong with the baby. Or could it be something like they wanted Liara to tell Shepard. Whatever the case Shepard knows now.
Sherpard was just about ready to say something when a nurse walked in.
'Oh I'm sorry I wan't told you had a visiter. I just came to check your chart and vitals. I can come back later.'
The nurse said. She didn't realy want to have to come back because it was the end of her shift but she also didn't want to intrude on Shepard having visits.
'No its ok your not interrupting anything. I was just about ready to go. So Marz I will talk to you later.'
Nichi was going to leave but once again Shepard stoped her. Shepard had to know more. So once again Nichi stayed and waited for the nurse to leave.
After some time the nurse left and the two of them talked once again. While they talked Shepard found out that Liara was indeed pregnant. However Nichi didn't know about Liara having twins so Shepard would have to find that out later.
They talked about the breakup and how it went wrong. How they would have to sit down and talk more. To make things right or what Shepard would call it. They both knew that there wasn't realy a way to make it right, but they both still had things to say. Make things clear and be honest. That was important for both of them to heal. Nichi left about ten minuets before the doctors came in to do whatever it was with Shepard. She was drained and so was Shepard. All in all it was a good visit.
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Down the hall in Liara's room….
Aethyta was watching Liara's vitals. They have been going through some strange fluxes. It wasn't right. The meld was not working. All that work was starting to loose its hold. That ment Miranda had better get back and fast. Because what she was bringing was their last hope. Nomatter how unconventional and somewhat dangerous it was. It wasn't deadly but dealing with anything like what Liara was going through was always dangerous.
So now she just had to wait. She watched Liara for a time. While she did memories of her younger years flooded threw her mind.
-_-_-Start Aethyta Flashback Before Benezia(1)-_-_-
She was shaking her ass in some slezzy bar. It wasn't what her mother wanted her to do. So here she was doing it anyways. Her father didn't care because he knew she could take care of herself.
He raised her right he would say. She was so much like him. Foul mouth and all. That's what you get for having a Krogan as a father. Or at least that's what her mother got for having a Krogan as a bondmate and the father of her child.
Aethyta was almost done with her shift when a stranger walked in. The stranger walked up to where she was and placed 5,000 credits on a private dance from her. So now she was in a private room with this stranger who just for now wanted her to dance.
A few drinks and an hour late and her shift was over. However the stranger had paid for a full night. So now all she could do was oblige. She was about to do another dance when the stranger stoped her by teling her that it wasn't needed and she was free to go.
She didn't know what to think. Hell she din't know how to thank them. Because as soon as she steped down from the stage the stranger was gone. All that was left was the empty glasses and a note writen on a napkin. It simply said….
"Thank You."
Truth be told she din't even know if the stranger was male or female. She did know that they were humanlike. Meaning they wasn't krogan turian salarian or some other species she knew of. Hell for all she knew they could even be another asari.
One that was maybe a Matriarch who didn't want to be known.
The stranger had a hood and keep their face covered. The mask muffled there voice when they spoke. The rest of the outfit was not reveling in anyy form. It wasn't loose but not to tight. Just the way it was warn and fit you couldn't tell.
So here she was changing and getting ready to leave. Left wanting to know more. If they would come back. Just anything so she could thank them.
-_-_-End Aethytat Flashback Before Benezia(1)-_-_-
Wow, Aethyta thought. That memory was one she would never forget. That was one of her first times she met the stranger. The one who din't make her feel like just some asari dancer shaking her ass. It was weeks before the stranger returned. Hell it would be even longer when she was able to learn the strangers name. Well the one they used anways.
She looked back over at Liara and a smile creeped across her face. All the years spent watching Liara grow up, but always from a distance. Now her baby was having babies. She never thought she would be a parent let alone a grandparent.
-_-_-Start Aethyta Flashback Before Benezia-_-_-
Weeks passed and the stranger didn't returne. Aethyta was starting to loose hope that they would ever returne. It was two weeks and three days to the day the last time she seen the stranger.
She just got change and was heading out the door. That was when she seen them. They were talking to the bouncer. She knew it was them because it was the same type of outfit from before. She didn't know if she should go up and say something or not.
That's when the bouncer pointed to her. Indicating to the stranger where she stranger turned and looked at her. Well staired actualy.
Then they must of noticed she was dressed to go home. They turned back to the bouncer and gave her something. Then they went for the door to leave.
That's when Aethyta ran after them. She just had to know. She even would stay if they did. Even as tired as she was she would stay, but only for them. Somhow this person got to her.
She was something…maybe intreged was the right word. Hell whatever it was caused Aethyta to want to stay.
"Hay, wait. You don't have to leave. I can stay and dance for you."
Nothing but the stranger did stop walking.
And their head went down. Ok so now what.
"Ok, so…could you say something. At least let me know if I need go back in and get ready."
A deep breath she heard coming from the stranger. It was like they were trying to decide. Aethyta was about to walk away when the stranger said something.
"Ok, a private room like last time. Lead the way."
Something about this would look crazy to the outsider watching. However for Aethyta she felt safe strangly enough.
So they walked back in and Aethyta had the bouncer to get them a room and a few drinks. Once inside the stranger sat down on the couch in frount of the dance stage. Aethyta was about to go behind the stage to change when the stranger spoke.
"I don't want you to danc. Not tonight. You're still gonna get paid for your time."
This was new. Ok now what Aethyta.
"Ok so what do you want me to do?"
Oh great did she just ask that. Yep she did. This could lead to all kinds of truble. Aethyta wasn't showing she was nervous. However the stranger must of already knew.
"I just want you to sit with me. I enjoy the quiet. I enjoy the company of a beautiful person. And allowing me to enjoy them both would please me."
Ok this was defently crazy, right. So sit her and not talk while they enjoy the quiet and with her. Sound simple enough.
The stranger sat back and got comfy on the couch. Then patted the seat next to them for Aethyta to sit also.
"Ok we can do this. Is there anything else you want or need?"
Aethyta asked. Not sure what to expect. The stranger just shook their head no and let out a deep breath.
-_-_-End Aethyta Flashback Before Benezia-_-_-
It was the sound of Liara coughing that pulled Aethyta form that memory.
When she looked to make suer Liara was ok she found Liara was awake.
'Father is everything ok?'
Liara asked in a horsed voice.
'Everything is fine. You just need to rest more Little Wing.'
Aethyta said and tried to make Liara more confortable. Giving her some water. She didn't know what more to do. She could see Liara was physicaly drained. Her skin was hot and felt clamy to the touch. It wasn't bad yet but it was getting there. Oh how she hoped that Miranda would make it back soon.
Liara even as weak as she was could tell her father was worried about something. However she was to weak to even stay awake let alone ask about it. She slowly drifted off back to sleep while her father rubed her arm.
It didn't take long for Liara to get to a deep sleep. Her father stayed and keep watch over her.
-_-_-Start Aethyta Flashback Before Benezia-_-_-
Another week had passed and this time the stranger had been at the club every night. It had become the same old thing. They show up and pay an unbelievable amout of credits for a private room with Aethyta. Some times they would just want to sit and enjoy the quiet.
Well tonight was different. The stranger wante only one dance. While Aethyta danced the stranger watched. Just before the end of the dance the stranger gave Aethyta a name.
"I'm called Riala."
Then they sat back and watch the last of the dance. Aethyta finished and got dressed. She returned and Riala was gone. Left on the couch was a note on a napkin. It simply read…
"Thank you Aethyta. Riala."
So that was that. Aethyta left and went home. So now she knew. More questions would come. Some would be answerd while causing more questions. She knew that Riala was different from the regular customers. There was no groping or making cat call when they came in.
It was simple and just a moment of your time. Now the questions were what was Riala looking for. Was there something or someone they was running away from for that hour.
Several weeks and the same old thing with Riala. However six month went pass and that was when Riala revealed themselves to Aethyta.
When Riala took off the mask Aethyta could see three deep larg scars that went form the left bottom lip down the neck and to the chest.
Riala took off the top part of the hooded cloke. Revealing female breast. So there it was a human female. With some badass scars. Under the hood was a gorgeous red hair that was wavy. Finaly Riala opened her eyes and revealed that her eyes was almost colorless. Just a faint red circle that outlined the iris of the eye. The pupil wasn't what you would call black but more of a dark purple.
It was amazing realy. Aethyta had seen her and seen the beauty that was her. Over the next few months Riala and Aethyta got to know each other. Hell they were now considered a couple at Aethyta's work. Even if they wasn't a couple they sure was heading that way. That was until Riala was gunned down in frount of Aethyta. Riala was rushed to a hospital by the clubs bouncer. Riala died before they got help.
-_-_-End Aethyta Flashback Before Benezia-_-_-
That memory caused Aethyta to shed a tear. So she went to the restroom to wash her face. She didn't want to take the chance someone would see her like this. Crying over what could have been.
After washing her face she returned to sit next to Liara's bedside once again. That was when she fell asleep herself.
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While Aethyta sleeped….
Several hoursed had passed. Nerio's ship was making its final aproch to Earth. During that time Nerio had sleep. Miranda had watched over her. While doing so Nerio had developed a slight fevor. As long as it didn't rise Miranda knew Nerio would be fine.
Ace radioed the hospital to let them know that Miranda would be ariving shorly with the package. Also he asked the hospital for a doctor by the name of Dr. McCoy. He said it was of utmost important that his captian be seen by her doctor due to having a gunshot wound.
So shortly after that a hospital broadcast went out on private channels. The hospital was preparing for Miranda to arive. Also a page went out to Dr. McCoy to be available to attend to a personal patient.
As soon as the ship landed the hospital staff was waiting. Dr. McCoy was also there. Miranda handed the medical team that was in charge of Shepard healt the implants. She then went to find Aethyta.
While she was gone Ace showed Dr. McCoy to where Nerio was. The doctor looked at the wound and immediately started to doctor the wound. After cleaning the infected area and removing the scrap metal from the area. Dr. McCoy added a proteen overlay and stiched the area. Then covered it with gauls. It would scar but nothing new there.
Nerio had a few and didn't mind them on bit. So another one was like ading a badge of hornor or courage. Each one told a story. This one was a story in the making.
Ace was given a list of meds Nerio needed to take along with a personal contact number if Nerio needed anything. Then the doctor left. Nerio would be fine in a few weeks.
As soon as the medical team recived the implants Shepard was rushed off to be preped for yet another surgery. This one however would take several hours to complet as long as nothing went wrong.
Miranda was pointed to a nurse who knew where Aethyta was.
When that was going on. The specialist that had preformed the type of procedure was being paged. Liara herself was also being prepaird for what was about to come.
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The hospital went in a sectional lockdown. It was so what they were about to do with Liara would have a smaller chance to be leaked out to the public.
Besides it wasn't a known knowledge that you could inject a pregnant asari with liquid Red Sand and Minagen X3 and three grams of Hallex. It was a combo mixture that was not completely safe to asari but the Red Sand reduced the risk when added to the mix.
What the effects would do was something on the bases like a biotic flare. Except this was administered strait to the womb and into the birthing fluids. Causing the baby or in Liaras case babies to produce extreme biotic flares.
The Matriarchs was also the ones who would be joing their minds with Liaras to give her the mental stability. Aethyse would be involved by guiding the connection between Liara and the babies. This would be a extream process that would take hours and cause extream exhaustion in the Matriarchs. No matter what they had to maintain the meld until the prociduger was over.
There wasn't anyone could do while the medical team was working on Liara now except wait and of course pray to whatever God or Goddess they found confort from.
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Down the hall was Shepards medical team. The procedure was going extremely smoothly. They had only a few problems that was nothing unexpected. The task of what they were doing was monumental in scope. The original plan whas just to replace the damaged implants with the new ones.
When the doctors took a closer look they decided it would be best to redo all the crucial implants. This was more of a way to insure that the major organs would not fail due to the old inplants.
It would be about 12hours before the implants would be almost done. Several more hours before it would be done. Giving the doctors a total of 16hours of actual surgical time and three hours of closuer time.
In all once Shepard was done it was 24hours later when she was moved to recovery. Shepard would have to stay in an isolated area for up to three months. It was kinda like an adult form of an incubater that preme babies would be put in. Only doctors and nurse staff would be allowed to enter the room. They would also be required to ware specilised suits to help prevent cross contamination of any bacteria that would cause infection.
It was several hours later when Liara was moved to recovery. She would have to be closely monitored for the next several hours. This was to allow her body to adjust and relax. The procedure was successful. They knew the moment Liara started to vomit and the Matriarch started to get nose bleeds. The first sings that it took to indicate it was safe for the process to end the meld.
So while all that was going on Miranda went back to the ship to check on Nerio.
So I gave Aethyta stranger friend the name Riala to show how or why Liara ended up whit her name.
Its kinda like how in the real world are named after someone close to our parent or parents. Like a grandmother or grandfather or an uncle or aunt. Someone that could also have died before we was born. In a way to remember and hornor that person even if they are alive. I don't know if I explaned it righ tbut I hope you understand.
Also the title of this chapter came form a song with the same neme.
What Could Have Been - By Novembers Doom. They are a death/doom metal band that has some mellow music like this song. You may just like it if you check it out.
Just so you know the next chapter is gonna jump in time. It will take place after Liara and Shepard are already out of the hospital.
As always this is not beta
Reviews are welcom.
Hope you all enjoyed the hollidays and stayed safe this New Years eave. I hope your year to come is filled with happyness.
thank you to all my followers and to the ones who do review along with the ones who just read it.