The air smelled of death. The sky was grey with streaks of red. Flashes of white light can be seen. Machines float hardly moving while remnants of other ships slowly die. Shepard does not have time to process what she is seeing when she looks up at the sky. The street she is on demands her full attention. There are human husks everywhere and she hears screaming and is trying to get to it before it is too late.
There is rubble everywhere and Shepard is thankful for the constant flashing in the sky so she can see where she is going. It would be pitched black otherwise. She is alone but doesn't know why. She does not remember if she was separated from her unit, she has no memory of where the Normandy is. Her main focus is trying to keep her footing and make it to the person who is screaming.
Shepard never loved the sound the reapers made it jarred her bones and shook her from the inside out. This scream is very close to that. She cannot get it out of her mind. It is familiar but she doesn't know how it is familiar she just knows she has to get to it.
Careful with each crunch of her boot Shepard navigates over the rubble and kills every human husk that stands in her way. She is tired and her muscles are screaming at her. She has no idea how long she has been doing this. The screaming is right next to her and it doesn't faze her why it is suddenly next to her. Looking to her left she sees what looks like a rundown house. Carefully climbing over concrete blocks careful not to reopen the gashes already on her legs she enters the house. It is eerily quiet. There are no husks inside that she can see, in fact she cannot see more than two feet in front of her.
She strains to hear anything. There is no screaming anymore. She hears whimpering. Slowly placing one foot in front of the other weapon pointing wherever her eyes are focused Shepard makes her way to the back of the house. The whimpering gets a little louder but not by much. She hears shuffling behind her and she quickly turns to see what it is. Her weapon is knocked out of her hands. She feels hands on her and hears moaning. She is pushed back and falling. She hits the ground in a huff air barking out of her lungs. This is when she sees what is on top of her. It is her mentor and former Commander, Admiral David Anderson. But it isn't really him but a hollow form of him. He looks like a husk and yet doesn't.
Shepard struggles to get him off of her. Her muscles are weak and a simple move to shift her body weight takes all of her concentration. She manages to get up off the floor. She is ready to strike with her fists but there is nothing there. Looking around hands raised there is nothing. She forgets why she is there then hears the whimpering again. Forgetting about her weapon Shepard starts to move rubble out of the way in order to reach the whimpering. After a few minutes of throwing brick and concrete out of the way Shepard sees a door. She knows the whimpering is coming from behind it.
Though her eyes have adjusted to the darkness the flashing in the sky still illuminates the house within since there is no roof. "Are you hurt?" Shepard asks.
The whimpering stops.
Shepard waits. She wants to know if this is her imagination or if someone is really behind the door. She is too tired to care that she just gave away her position which she knows is not like her but in this moment she doesn't care.
The whimpering begins again. Shepard's hand reaches for the door knob. She turns it slowly. She cautiously opens the door, "I am not going to hurt you," she whispers.
Shepard cannot see what is inside; the door is now fully opened. "Hello?"
Silence.
Shepard stands there waiting to hear something. She hears a shuffle of sorts and a soft whimper. She believes it is a child but has no idea of really knowing. It is more of a feeling. Shepard starts to extend her arm into the darkness when she suddenly feels something tugging on her calf. Instinct kicks in and Shepard turns fast ready to strike. When the flashing in the sky lights up the room she sees Raina.
Shepard jolts awake sitting up on the couch. She is breathing hard and sweating. Her eyes search frantically trying to figure out where she is.
"Da Da," says Raina.
Shepard sees a very concerned Raina standing by the end of the couch, the end where Shepard's legs are.
"Raina?"
Shepard realizes she is on the couch and she must have fallen asleep. As she gathers her senses, she notices Mia crying softly not five feet from her and Raina looks to be close to tears as well.
"Nightmare?" asks Raina.
Shepard cannot slow her breathing just yet. She swings her legs to the floor. "It's okay," she says though feels far from it. "Da Da okay." Shepard places her head in her hands, elbows on her knees to try to calm herself.
Raina hugs one of Shepard's calves. The feeling on her leg is the same feeling she felt in the dream. She believes Raina pulled on her leg to wake her up. Shepard looks up to find Mia making her way to her. She just watches her youngest. She hugs her father's other calf mimicking Raina.
Shepard cannot stop her tears. She places each hand on the back of each child. "Da Da okay."
As if neither child is convinced they squeeze.
Shepard wipes away her tears and gently moves them off of her calves and sits on the floor in front of the couch. She wants to give her children a proper hug. The moment she sits both kids are crawling into her lap and wrapping their arms around her neck. "Shh Da Da okay."
"Nightmare?" asks Raina.
"Yeah nightmare," says Shepard. She looks at her oldest. "Thank you for waking me."
Raina smiles and hugs her father harder.
"I am sorry I scared you two."
None of them heard Liara come in.
"What's going on here?" asks Liara. She is happy to be home with her family and loves the sight she sees before her until Shepard looks up with red eyes. "Elly?" Liara knows something is wrong.
"Hey." Shepard clears her throat. "Ma Ma's here." The kids don't leave Shepard's lap. She coaxes them to get off of her. "It's okay, go say hi to Ma Ma."
Raina and Mia turn to look at their mother.
Liara hides the concern on her face as she kneels down, "Hi you two." She opens her arms. Both children walk to her and each give her a hug.
Shepard leaves the family room to be alone.
It doesn't take long for Liara to follow her. "Elly?" She finds Shepard in the bathroom. She is sitting on the floor with her back against the bathroom cabinet. Her knees are up and her hands are covering her face. From the movement of her body Liara knows she is crying.
Liara checks their bedroom door to make sure it is closed. She told the kids to play with their toys while she checked on their father. Liara enters the bathroom and sits next to Shepard. She wraps an arm around her crying bond mate and holds her close.
After a few minutes Shepard clears her throat and asks "The kids okay?"
"Yes Elly they are fine. They are playing with their toys. I am more concerned about you at the moment," says Liara.
Shepard is silent.
"Can you tell me what happened?" asks Liara.
Shepard wipes her tears and lets out a breath. "Another nightmare." She stands up and helps Liara up. She washes her face.
"Want to talk about it?" asks Liara.
Shepard dries her face. "Not really. I can't believe I fell asleep watching the kids that they…."
…they what?" Liara is concerned.
Shepard moves to pass Liara but the asari blocks her path. "Elly what were you going to say about the kids?"
"Raina woke me up okay. Mia was crying and Raina looked close to tears. I scared them Liara. I sc…." Shepard cannot finish her sentence.
"Oh Elly I am sure…" Liara moves to hug Shepard but the human evades her touch and walks around her. Liara quickly grabs her arm which produces a hiss from Shepard as she pulls her arm out of Liara's grasp.
"What? What is it, what happened?" asks Liara.
"Can we please talk about this later Liara?" asks Shepard.
"I don't want you to leave in this state Elly."
"I'm fine."
"You are NOT fine. What happened to your arm?"
Shepard takes a deep breath in and out to calm down. She approaches Liara and gives her a quick peck on the cheek. "I will explain everything once the kids are down okay? In the meantime I need some air. I am going to go get some dinner unless you already made plans?"
"Elly." Liara wants Shepard to talk to her.
"I promise Liara...later." Shepard cups Liara's cheek with her hand. Liara places her hand over Shepard's.
"Okay."
"I'll be home in a bit." Before more is said Shepard walks out of the bathroom and out of the house.
Walking up and down main street Shepard comes across of all things a pizza restaurant. By the size of the crowd and the signs outside it is newly opened. Shepard stands in line hoping it won't take too long. A pizza sounds really, really good.
"Fancy seeing you here Shepard."
Shepard turns and sees Valya. "Hey Valya."
"Hi. Geez Shepard what's got you so down?" asks Valya.
Shepard gives her a half smile.
"Hey you okay? Has something happened?"
"No not really," says Shepard.
"What does that mean?"
"It means no. What brings you here?"
"Dara wants to try this thing called a pizza. So I am here to get her one."
"You have never had one?"
"No, why have you?" asks Valya.
"Well duh of course."
"Like I'm supposed to know." Valya nudges Shepard playfully.
"Every shore leave I would check for a place that had pizza. Ever since I had some when I was posted on Earth I never could get enough of the stuff. How long has this place been here?" Shepard is very happy for this distraction.
"Not sure. Dara knew about it. I didn't."
"So how is Dava?" asks Shepard.
"She is great. I love being a father. You were right Shepard."
"Oh yeah? About what?"
"About being a parent. I don't know why I was so scared about losing my connection with Dara. If anything I feel closer to her ya know?"
"Yeah I know what you mean. But just wait."
"What …wait for what?"
Shepard smiles at her asari friend. "Things get worse the older they get."
"What?" asks Valya, "how do you know?"
Shepard shrugs her shoulders. "That's what I've heard." She can't help but smile.
Valya narrows her eyes at her, "I don't believe you."
"No?"
"No," says Valya.
"Have you thought about her dating yet?"
"Dating! Are you mad? She's only one."
"Yeah now, but not for long."
"Hmm somehow I don't think she will be dating at age two either Shepard. But you're right. I bet she will be ready to move out when she is three." Valya elbows Shepard, but it doesn't hit her side instead it hits her sore forearm. The asari notices her flinch. "Sorry Shepard you okay?"
Shepard rubs at her arm, "Yeah."
"You hurt yourself?" asks Valya.
Not sure what to tell her friend she decides to lie, "Yeah." She rolls up her sleeve.
Valya hisses in sympathy. "That looks like it hurts …. A lot."
"Nah it's okay. Just hurts when I touch it."
Before Shepard can roll her sleeve down Valya has one hand behind Shepard's elbow and the other holding her forearm closer so she can see better. "How did you do this?"
"I must have bumped into something," says Shepard.
"Uh huh." Valya knows she is lying but doesn't press her.
"Finally the line is moving," says Shepard.
"So you have had these before. Any suggestions on what I should order?" Valya looks at Shepard. The human woman is looking at something but what she cannot tell. She is not moving at all her eyes are unblinking. Valya tries to follow where Shepard is looking but only sees the back of people's head inside the restaurant.
"Shepard?"
Silence.
"Shepard?" Valya touches Shepard's arm lightly.
Shepard jumps a little. "Huh what…what did you say?"
"Is everything alright Shepard? What are you looking at?"
"This is just not my day," says Shepard.
"What…why?"
"Huh? Oh nothing Valya sorry about that," says Shepard. She sees of all people Jordan Brown. She does not see Rajanni and hopes that he is doing what she and Valya are doing, grabbing food for dinner and going home.
"Okay Shepard are you going to tell me what is going on?"
"Sorry Valya but no I'm not. Now what did you ask me?"
"Who do you keep looking at?" asks Valya.
"No one so please drop it." Valya has heard that tone before, it is a warning.
The asari lets out a sigh. "What should I order? Do you have a recommendation?"
Shepard is very happy that she called Liara from the line for pizza. It took a little over an hour to get the food, so Liara gave Raina and Mia a snack to tide them over. Shepard finally enters their home.
"Food is here!"
"Yeah!" is the combined yell from Raina and Mia.
Liara meets Shepard in the kitchen while the two kids trail behind. "Why did it take so long?"
"New place I guess. There was a really long line," says Shepard. "Now I know you didn't want the kids having pizza yet but I did get cheesy bread."
"What is cheesy bread?" asks Liara. She is placing the kids in their high chairs.
"Just like it sounds." Shepard opens up a container. "See? It is bread with melted cheese on it."
Liara smells it. "I am not sure Elly."
"Well maybe they can try just a little. I can scrape off most of the cheese and they can try the bread."
Liara takes a tentative bite. "Ouch!"
"Careful it's hot," says Shepard.
Liara waves a hand up and down in front of her mouth. "Thanks for the warning."
"Sorry." She gives Liara a quick peck on the cheek. "Do you like it?"
"It's too hot to taste anything."
"Okay we can let it cool then," says Shepard as she places pieces of pizza onto two plates. She also includes a piece of cheesy bread on each plate.
Liara gets the kid's dinner ready. "I gave them half already while we were waiting for you."
Shepard sits at the table. "Sorry about that. I probably should have left but I was actually in line with Valya."
"Really?"
"Yeah, apparently Dara read about the new restaurant and wanted to try some pizza, so I helped Valya with her order."
"And they are doing well?" asks Liara. She blows on her piece of pizza before trying a bite.
"Yeah."
"And how are you doing? You seem in better spirits."
Shepard looks at Liara then the kids then back to Liara. She gives her a look to say not now and not in front of the children.
Liara nods with a smile.
The family enjoys the rest of their meal. The pizza was actually pretty good. Liara said she would eat it again. And though it is not like the pizza Shepard has had in New York it is pretty descent.
Shepard and Liara play with Riana and Mia for an hour after dinner. All of them are going through their nightly routine. Shepard changes the diaper of one child and puts her in her pajamas while Liara takes the other child. They often switch who changes which kid each night so they can spend special time with each one.
Though tired Shepard grabs a beer from the fridge and gestures to Liara. She shakes her head no. Shepard grabs her water instead and meets her on the couch in the family room.
"I don't know who gets worn out more after play time me or the kids," says Shepard.
She knows Liara is waiting for her to open up so she takes a long swig of her beer. Liara waits patiently.
Shepard rolls up her sleeve to show Liara her forearm. There is a beautiful purple, red and black bruise already forming. "This happened today after my appointment with Dr. Snowden."
Liara gasps a little. "My Goddess Shepard, how did that happen?"
Shepard lets out a breath. "Rajanni."
"What!" Liara is beside herself. She stands up and starts to pace much like Shepard does when she needs to think and talk. "I am going to give that asari a piece of my mind if it is the last thing I do."
Shepard can't help but smile. Shepard stands "Hold on Liara."
"No Elly I mean it! I cannot believe her. After all we have done for that woman. I am talking to Jordan tomorrow…"
"…whoa whoa whoa Liara you are NOT talking to Jordan."
"You just watch me."
"Liara are you listening to yourself?" asks Shepard.
Liara stops her pacing and has her hands on her hips. "What?"
"We should not get involved with them."
"We are already involved!"
Shepard moves to Liara and takes her hands into her own. "Liara what happened to she is going through something right now and she is confused?"
"It is one thing Elly for her to say things to you it is quite another for her to physically harm you. I mean how did this happen?"
"I was walking to my sky car and I felt someone coming and I turned raising my arm and she hit me with something. I don't know what it was. I hit her with my biotics, but I didn't use my full power. She threw something at me which missed then I hit her again."
"Then what?"
"Well," Shepard turns her back on Liara.
"What Elly?"
Shepard can still see the utter look of fear in Rajanni's face when she closes her eyes. "She told me it wasn't over and I told her not to threaten me."
"And?" Liara places her hand on her shoulder. She knows there is more.
Shepard is quiet.
"Elly?"
Liara places her other hand on Shepard's shoulder and turns her so the human is facing her. "What aren't you telling me?"
"You should have seen the look on her face Liara. I terrified her," says Shepard.
"Good."
"Good?"
"I mean it Elly. She cannot attack you and expect to walk away."
"Liara listen to yourself."
"What. I can hear myself perfectly well Elly."
"Look Liara. We need to show some compassion here right. I mean she has been through a lot. I thought you would be angry with me."
"Now you listen to me Elly. She is a threat to you and to our family as far as I am concerned. I am glad you scared her. She cannot think she can continue to come after you. How did she know you were at Dr. Snowden's office anyway? Do you think she is following you?"
Shepard sits back on the couch.
"Elly?"
"She was in with Dr. Snowden before my appointment."
"What?"
Shepard knows what Liara is thinking, "Liara."
"It's my fault she was there."
"No it isn't."
"Yes it is Elly. I gave Jordan your doctor's name. I cannot believe I did that. I didn't even think about you running into her, how could I be so dense!"
"Liara please sit down."
"How can you be so calm Elly!"
Shepard pats the seat cushion next to her and waits to talk until Liara sits next to her. Shepard sits facing Liara with her leg bent on the couch. "Rajanni went through the wrong door after her appointment; it is not your fault that she saw me."
"What do you mean?"
"Remember how I told you that Dr. Snowden has different doors to her personal office? One that opens into the waiting room and one that exits out to a different room out of her office?"
"Yes."
"Well Rajanni exited through the wrong door and she saw me waiting to see the doctor."
Liara thinks a moment. "So she waited for you to finish with Dr. Snowden then attacked you in the parking lot. How exactly is this supposed to calm me down Elly?"
Shepard takes Liara's hands into her own. "Look Liara. I dealt with the situation. I am hoping I got through to her. Let's just wait to see what happens okay. I really do not want you talking to Jordan okay?"
Liara won't look at her bond mate.
"Liara you look at me." She does. "Please tell me you will not approach Jordan and discuss this? As far as I am concerned this is between Rajanni and me okay?"
"Okay Elly I won't approach him."
Shepard lets out a sigh and leans back onto the couch placing her foot back on the floor. Liara nuzzles close. "Thank you Liara." Shepard kisses Liara on the top of her crest.
"I hope this is the last we hear from her Elly."
"Me too."