Chapter 11

Their quarters looked no different than when she and Luc had left, but fundamentally they were never going to be the same. She was not so lost in her grief that she neglected the fact that she was grimy, and had several different types of blood on her. She found her way to the shower and got clean, but when she went to get dressed again she ignored her normal tank and shorts to pull Steven's T-shirt over her head and a pair of his boxers up her legs. She pulled one of his uniform shirts from the hamper, and brought it up to take in his unique scent. Her tears finally won then. She just made it to the bed before she collapsed, and mourned until unconsciousness claimed her.

Gable entered his quarters and found his wife sitting on their sofa with Lucas' head in her lap. The boy didn't look any better than Leah had, but he was asleep. "Hi," he greeted her softly, so as not to wake their guest.

"Hey," she sounded exhausted and dejected, "Leah never called."

"No, I just sent her home. We still haven't found him." He shook his head. "What are we going to do without Hackett? He was the highest rank in the Alliance and the only one to advocate sanity." He came to sit with her, and take the comfort she represented. "I'm going to miss him, Rin. We were friends for a long time. He was so close to getting the life he deserved with Leah and Lucas."

"I know. How was Leah?" The two hadn't been friends in a long time, but Rin didn't think the other woman would have changed all that much.

"Not good. She's been ill, probably since he ran out of air." He sighed. "She'll pull through, we won't abandon them. She said she'd come pick Luc up in the morning." He couldn't stop the nervous way that his hand was caressing her arm.

"Babe, I'm so sorry." She leaned her head on his chest.

"Thanks. Let's get to bed." He stood and helped her to ease out from under Luc's head. "Luc's taking it hard, I guess."

"He's been a nervous wreck all evening. Sam had fun with him for a while, but a couple hours ago Luc couldn't take it any more. He just fell apart." She sighed. "Guess he was timing it too." John nodded, sadly, while he changed for bed.

"They've both been through too much to be able to ignore things like that." He crawled into bed and held her close when she joined him. They slept for a few hours before his comm went off. He took the message and then rushed from the bed. Rin wouldn't find out what was going on for several more hours.

John raced into the medbay expecting the worst. What he found instead was unbelievable, but such a relief that he felt his knees weaken. "Good god, Steven. How?" Hackett was sitting on the edge of one of the beds protesting treatment.

"I'm an engineer by specialty, John. I tapped into the oxygen lines. It took me almost all my air time to do it, but I got it done before I passed out." He swatted the nurse's hands away again. "I'm fine. I have some people that I really need to see."

"Hold on a moment, Admiral. From what I can see you might have some broken ribs." Gable moved closer to keep Hackett where he was.

"Not broken, John. Bruised all to hell, but not broken." He shifted uncomfortably as the nurse applied some medigel to his injuries. "I know the difference."

"Let me look you over. If everything is okay I'll let you go home. If not I'll call Leah, personally." Gable grabbed a scanner and came to take a look. "She was devastated when I sent her home. Luc's currently having a fitful night on my couch."

"Hurry it up, John. I want to go home." Hackett was getting impatient. "I'll tell you more later, but in a few days I'll need you to stand with me. I'm not waiting any longer."

"Shouldn't you make sure she'll say yes?"

"She already did. I asked her three days ago. We aren't waiting any longer." He moved away as the scanner finished. "What did I tell you? I'm fine."

"Okay, they aren't broken, but the bruising is extensive. You'll be sore for the next few days. I am relieving you of duty until further notice, Admiral. You need recovery time, and I think your family is going to need you close for a bit anyway." Hackett nodded.

"We'll come get Luc later. I need to see Leah." He sounded as determined as Gable had ever heard him.

"I mean it Steven, take it easy. The ribs aren't broken but it's a near thing." He was stern now.

"Believe me, I don't feel up to anything extensive at the moment. I just need to get to her. She's lost enough. I know what she must be feeling, and I need to get there."

"Okay, you're good to go then. Just take it slow for the next week or so."

"I'll do that. Guess the honeymoon will have to wait for a bit." He chuckled and then groaned at the pain that radiated from the bruised ribs. He eased off the bed and started slowly for the door.

"Never mind. I'll escort you to your quarters." Gable came forward and pulled Hackett's arm across his shoulders. "I don't think you'll make it without help, and I know you well enough that you'll keep trying until you hurt yourself worse."

"Thanks, John." He knew then that Hackett was hurting tremendously. The man rarely accepted this type of support. Steven let them into the darkened living area, and they could hear Leah's cries from the door. "Get me in there, John!" The doctor picked up his pace and they made it in time to witness Leah jerk up screaming for the admiral.

"Leah, I'm here." He pulled away from Gable's support and hobbled to the bedside. "I'm okay, Sweetheart."

"Steven?" She focused on his face. "Oh Gods, Steven!" She met him at the edge of the bed, and surprised Gable when she put her hands to the admiral's face instead of crushing him to her. "You're here. Really here. I'm not dreaming."

"Not dreaming." He reassured her, with his lips caressing her forehead as he spoke. "I'm a little battered, but I'm here."

"Thank the Gods. Steven, my Steven." She was touching him everywhere that she could reach, and noted the pained sound he made when she touched his torso. "Hon, I'm sorry."

He shook his head and took her lips. "I'm not. I thought I was done for when that corridor came down."

"Don't you ever do this to me again, Steven Hackett." She buried her nose in his neck and inhaled deeply. "I can't do this again, Steven, please. I love you. I can't lose you yet." She was breaking down in his arms now.

"I'm sorry, Leah, I'm so sorry. It's okay now. We're okay." He soothed her with an even tone and letting his hands roam her. "We're fine, Love."

"I'm so sorry," she was purging all the hurt and worry from the last hours.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Leah. I've got you." He was kissing her tears away. Neither noticed Gable leave them. They sat there for a long time clutching one another tightly. Finally, when he'd assured himself and her that he was still with her, he pulled back to look into the chocolate gaze. "I need to get cleaned up if we're planning on sleeping in this bed."

"I'll help you, Hon. You don't need to over do it. Don't think I didn't notice how tender you are, or that John was supporting you into the room." She looked around for Gable, but wasn't surprised he was no where to be found. "Come on. I'll help you to the shower."

He let her walk him in and get the water going, and then help to undress him. "That's one uniform I'll have to replace." He chuckled regretfully.

"You've got a spare. You won't need it for a while anyway. I'm guessing that with all this bruising John isn't going to let you near your office let alone the construction." She commented eyeing his bruised body. "Are the ribs broken?"

"No, but only just barely. I've been relieved of duty for an unknown period of time." He offered. "Don't worry, Leah. I'm going to be a little more hands off with the construction from now on. I can't do this again either." He caressed her cheek with the backs of his fingers.

"Good, Steven, good." Her face went from relief to panic. "Gimme a sec, Hon." She rushed for the toilet, and emptied her stomach into it again. "Guess the emotions are still tearing me up." She washed her mouth out and returned to him. Leah stripped herself down and helped her admiral into the shower spray. "You just rest against the wall, I'll get you cleaned up."

Hackett was fast losing his strength to exhaustion, and just nodded. She was gentle and efficient, and had him washed up shortly. She helped him out of the shower. Shortly after, Leah had him dried and wrapped in a robe. She led him back to their room, and sat him in a chair he had always kept there. She quickly stripped and re-sheeted the bed. She then pulled him up delicately from the chair and led him over. She disrobed him and settled him against the pillows, then got herself dried using his towel and joined him.

"I really am sorry that I worried you, Sweetheart." He was on his back, as comfortable as he was going to get for now, and pulled her as close as he could. She snuggled up to his side, careful not to touch his ribs.

"It's okay now. Just try not to do that again. Luc and I need you, Hon. I don't want to be without you, Steven, and Luc really does look up to you." She looked up into his drowsy eyes. "He was scared when we got word. He told me he didn't want to lose another dad. He wants to be a part of our family. He didn't even mind that we might have our own kids one day."

"He thinks of me like a father?" She nodded and kissed his brow.

"He loves us, Steven. He needs us. Both of us." She moved down to his nose and kissed there too. "I need the both of you." Her lips trailed to his and took long moments to battle his tongue with her own. "I love you so much."

"Really, I couldn't tell." His fingers were running through the short hair massaging her scalp.

"I'd show you, but I think I'd break you at this point. It'll have to wait until you are healed." Her lips brushed ever-so-gently across the left side of his ribcage. She settled in with a hand over his heart and her face to his side. This contact was enough for now.

Leah was up well before the admiral and had a hearty breakfast made by the time she heard him groan in pain as he tried to get out of bed. She made sure the stove was off and rushed to him. "Don't you dare move, Steven. Just sit there and relax. I'll bring your breakfast in."

"I'm fine. Just a little stiff, and I will not eat in bed. We need to go get Luc too." He was persisting in getting up.

"You stubborn man." She was more amused than annoyed. "Let me help you then." He sighed and nodded. Leah walked over and lifted his face to meet her gaze. "I love you." She said before leaning down to kiss him gently.

"What did I ever do to deserve you?" He wondered softly when they parted.

"I don't know but it must've been something terrible." The small joke had the desired effect as his mouth twisted from grimace to grin. She flashed him a brilliant smile and helped him to sit up on the side of the bed. "Stay there, I'll grab you some clothes." She retrieved a comfortable pair of pants and a shirt and helped him get them on. "Now, let's get you to the couch. I'll go get Lucas when you're settled."

He nodded and let her support him to the living area and settle him on their couch. She brought over a tray with his breakfast, and left him eating to call Gable.

"Morning Leah, how's Steven?"

"Stiff and sore, but he'll live. Luc up yet. I need to come get him."

"Not yet, he had a rough night."

"I can imagine. I should've called him and let him know that Steven is okay." Leah was feeling a little guilty about that.

"I think he'll forgive you this time. Want me to wake him?" Gable asked.

"No, let him sleep until I get there. Won't be long. I'm just going to let Steven finish his breakfast and then tuck him in on the couch before I come for Luc." She glanced over at Hackett to see him watching her. She winked at him and turned back to Gable. "I'll be there shortly, looks like my patient is done with breakfast."

"Okay, we'll be here." He cut the call and Leah retrieved the tray and dishes to return to the kitchenette.

"I won't be long, Steven. Stay on this couch until I get back." She ordered him.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" He said a little amused.

"Oh, I am. I have you at my mercy for now. I mean it, I don't want you hurting yourself worse. I'll be back with Luc in twenty minutes, unless Corri wants to catch up."

"Corri?" He was confused now.

"Ah, Rin. Turns out that I've had a friend aboard this whole time, and it's the one person I had yet to meet before yesterday. John's wife and I knew each other in college. We were even roommates for a bit, though there were so many of us sharing that house I didn't see her much. We ran with very different crowds, but we got along. Even considered one another a friend." She sighed and leaned over to give him a quick kiss. "I'll be back shortly. Don't over do, if you need something comm me and I'll come back quick as I can."

"I'm sore, not an invalid, Leah. I think I can make it too and from the bathroom on my own." He was a little petulant.

"I know. I'm just being cautious. I got the scare of my life last night, Steven. Let me be a little overprotective for a while?" Her fingers were tracing his face.

"Okay, but I'm all right, Leah." He trapped her hand to place kisses to her fingers. He nibbled one and she shivered.

"Stop that, you aren't cleared to be that sexy yet." He grinned and she shook her head at him. "Insatiable." She muttered and kissed him thoroughly. "Satisfied?"

"For now." He chuckled at her. "Take your time. I'll be here."

"I know, but I think Luc will want to see you as soon as he can. He was really scared, last night, that he'd lost you too." She was solemn again thinking of their close call.

"Hey, stop thinking about that. I'm here." She nodded and kissed him again.

"Need anything before I go?" She asked a last time.

"I'm good here. See you in a bit." He was already shifting to lie down. "Think I'll rest some while you're gone."

"Good. It's what you need to heal fast." She left him with a last kiss to his brow.

Leah buzzed the Gable's door and was greeted with a hug from Corrine. "I'm glad he's okay, Leah. You both deserve the chance to be happy."

"Thanks, Corri." She returned the hug. "It's good to see you, by the way."

"Yeah, it was a nice surprise. Sorry we lost touch."

"Not your fault, life happens. I'm glad we can get to know each other again though." Leah offered. "Luc still sleeping?"

"Yeah, I'll let you wake him." She led Leah into the quarters that she shared with John.

Luc was on their couch facing away from her. Leah stepped closer and sat beside him. "Luc, buddy, wake up. It's Leah." He woke up gently, but then yesterday's events came rushing back and he started to crumble. "Whoa, hang on. He's okay. He's at home sleeping on the couch. I'm sorry I didn't come for you last night." She had her hands on his shoulders to steady him.

"The Admiral's okay? How?" He asked, disbelieving.

"Ya know, I'm not sure, I was so happy that he was okay that I didn't bother to ask." She chuckled at herself. "Wanna come with me and find out together?"

He nodded. "I guess I should get changed first." He was still in the clothes he'd worn yesterday.

"I'll wait out here and talk to Corri and John." She said and let him up. He surprised her with a long hug before he gathered his bag and headed into the bathroom to change. "Thanks for keeping him." She turned to the Gables.

"It was no problem. He was great to have, even scared to death he's a good kid." John said.

"He was great with Sam. Our son is ten and he's a little awkward with people. Luc helped him with some homework and they got along great. After he realized that Hackett had to have run out of air, he tried to focus on Sam to distract himself. He even played with Addy. She's two, and a handful." Corrine said. As though on cue, the little girl came running though the house with a pad clutched tightly. Her older brother was hot on her heels.

"Adaline, that's my homework." He called after her. Leah could tell that he wasn't angry, but playing with his little sister.

Leah paused at the name, and tilted her head in confusion toward Corrine. "Adaline? Did you know that's my middle name?"

"I did. That's why I named her that." Corrine smiled. "You made an impression back then, Leah. I was headed down a dangerous road, and talking with you all those times, it showed me a better way. I wanted to thank you for that, so I named my daughter for you."

"Corri, I had no idea." Leah reached over to put a hand on her arm.

"I know. I hid that side pretty well, and you were just open and truthful and so full of fire to do the right things." She smiled a little. "I was ashamed that I wasn't more like you. So, I started trying to be. After I got out of that house it was easier."

"I can understand that. When I found out what was going on I didn't stay long either. Only a couple weeks longer than you." She grinned. "My dad was furious about it. I think he gave an anonymous tip to the locals and the twins were busted a couple weeks later."

"I didn't know that, thank god I left when I did." She pulled Leah in for a hug. "Thanks for helping turn my life in the right direction."

"You did the hard work, but you're welcome." She returned the hug. "So is it still okay to call you Corri or do you prefer Rin?"

"Either will do." She laughed and the pair of them noticed John watching from the sidelines.

"You really are a remarkable patient, Leah." He stated.

"Oh, stop. I'm not. This is a hell of a coincidence, I'll admit, but that's all." She rolled her eyes. "We'll have to get together some evening for dinner, let the boys hang out." She offered. "Oh, Corri, you can help me plan the ceremony." Leah was a little excited now. "As soon as his bruises are healed I'm marrying that stubborn admiral of mine." She stated firmly.

"I'll gladly help out." Corrine agreed as Luc came back into the room, he'd washed up a little before getting changed. "We'll set up that dinner and talk more then." Leah nodded.

"Ready to go, Lucas?" He nodded.

"Thanks for letting me stay last night." He said to Corrine. "Thanks for keeping me distracted. It helped."

"You're welcome, Luc. Anytime you want to visit, let me know. Sam likes you, you're good with Addy, too. I've never seen her sit still that long for anyone other than her dad." Corrine informed.

Luc shrugged. "I've had a lot of practice with little kids."

"Have you ever." Leah said. "I'm glad you still like them after all those months helping me out."

"It's hard not to." He grinned. "Kids are fun to watch. I kinda like helping them figure out new stuff."

"Well, feel free to come and corral my daughter any time." John stated with a chuckle.

"I'll check my schedule and get back to you." He joked a little, and Leah took it as a good sign even though the joke was a little lack-luster.

"Not today though, we need to get home. Speaking of, damn you have some nice quarters here." She commented on the size of their home.

"Steven should have a similar suite, but gave the admiral's quarters up for the smaller rooms. He's always been like that." John said. "He didn't need the space, so he offered them to a subordinate that had a couple kids and one on the way."

"Well, I'll have to have a chat with him if we ever expand this little family." She laughed. "We should get back to him." She stated, getting a little antsy to be home. "Thanks again."

"Make the admiral behave, Leah." John stated. "He's a pill when he's hurt."

"Don't you worry. I've got him figured out. He won't know what hit him if he crosses me." She mock threatened.

"He really has met his match. Good luck to you, Luc." Gable laughed at the boy's confusion.

"All right, we'll see you guys in a few days." Leah ushered Luc out the door.

"Tell Sam I'll come hang out soon. Maybe he can come have a sleep over sometime."

"He'd like that. Thanks Luc." They finished their good byes and started for their own quarters.

Luc was silent for a bit and Leah noticed his tension. "What's going on in that head, young man?" She put an arm around his shoulders. She suddenly realized he was as tall as she was now.

"He's really okay?" He asked uncertainly.

"Really, really okay." She assured. "I am proof of that. I was a wreck last night when John sent me home. It was before they found Steven and we all assumed he'd run out of air. I was physically ill over it. That's why I didn't come get you. I needed some time to deal with things, but he's okay."

"Good. Can I clobber him?"

Leah chuckled at that. "Not for a while. He's got some bad bruising to his ribs. We have to take it easy on him for a while. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"You said that you didn't want to lose another dad, do you really see him as your dad?"

"Kinda, he's not dad, but he could be. Like you feel like a mom to me even though you aren't my mom." His words moved her beyond words and she tightened her hold on him. "I didn't mean to upset you."

Leah shook her head, "I'm not upset with you. I'm relieved you feel that way. I have been trying so hard not to replace your mom, sweetie, and I didn't know how this would work. You know I love you like my own, but I wouldn't ever want you to think…"

"I don't. I know my mom and dad would want me to be okay and I think that they'd like you and the admiral. I think they'd be happy that I've got you now." Luc stated and put an arm around her waist. "I haven't said anything cause I didn't know how Steven would be with it."

"I know he's okay with it, but I'll let him talk to you about it." She stated and pulled away to let them into their quarters. Steven was waiting on the couch.

"Haven't moved, boss lady." She stuck her tongue out at him with a wink. He grinned. Luc had frozen just inside the door. "I'm okay, Luc." He said, sobering, and stood gingerly. "A little beaten up, but okay." He made his way to the boy. Leah had a hand in Luc's hair offering comfort and support.

"You're really okay." He sounded close to breaking. "I was scared to believe it." He was chewing his bottom lip to fight off the tears. "I was scared I'd lost the second dad I was lucky enough to get." Luc said as Hackett stopped in front of him.

"Come here, Son." Hackett pulled Luc in and hugged him despite the pain it caused. The boy needed comfort more in that moment. "I'm really okay." Luc lost it then grabbing on for dear life. Hackett let out a pained huff, but hugged Luc just as tight. Leah let herself fade into the background so the two could share this moment. They both needed it. Luc had been affectionate but reserved with Hackett to this point. She hoped that this would open that reservation up to a genuinely affectionate bond between them.

"How? You should have been out of air." Lucas asked after a while, but refused to let go.

"Ease up, Luc." Hackett was starting to really feel the pain from Luc's grip. "Let's sit and I'll tell you all about it." Luc let go quickly.

"Sorry, I'm sorry. I forgot."

"It's fine, Luc. You needed that and so did I." Hackett said. He used his arm around Luc's shoulders to steer them to the couch, grabbing Leah on the way. Once they were settled, Steven between the other two, he told them about the cave in and tying in to the station's air supply to extend his own. He told them what he thought about when he thought he might not make it and they really started to heal.

Eventually, Luc went off to his room, and Leah settled in with Steven's head in her lap. He dozed off with her fingers in his hair or tracing the lines of his face. She just watched him sleep for a while, then grabbed her sketch pad from the table and started drawing him there in her lap. Over the next days, Hackett continued to get better and the three of them started planning the ceremony that would make them officially a family.

They had that dinner with the Gables and enjoyed the camaraderie that they had found. Leah and Corrine fell into an easy friendship, after their shared history it wasn't all that surprising.

It took the better part of a month to get schedules arranged, but Leah and Hackett now stood on the verge of their wedding. They were both jittery and Luc was amused at them. "You guys are basically married already, Steven." He was saying as they waited at the front of the chapel on the Orizaba.

"I know that, Luc, but this makes it official. I've never thought about being someone's husband before her. I'm an old fool, aren't I?" He was looking over the seated guests, and noticed that Shepard and several members of her crew were in attendance. Kahlee Sanders was there as well with her infant son, David. Hackett was glad to know that there was still a David Anderson in this galaxy.

"No, you're not," Luc laughed again pulling his attention back, "and I'm telling her you said that."

Gable, standing with them, chuckled as well. "Already in trouble and you're not even married yet."

"When am I ever not in trouble with that woman?" Steven joked, and they all sobered as the music started and Addy Gable came toward them down the aisle. She was adorable in her little yellow dress, dropping the fake petals as she came forward to her dad. Corrine was next, in a brown wraparound dress.

"Leah has fantastic taste in dresses for her bride's maids." Gable said with his rowdy daughter, calm for the moment, in his arms.

"She is fantastic." Hackett had eyes only for the woman now coming toward him, on her own, but head held high. She was wearing a strapless gown with an empire waist and beaded pleats that came to mid-calf on her. "Breathtakingly fantastic." Their eyes were locked and she was grinning at the stunned look on his face. When she finally reached him things seemed to speed up, the ceremony rushing past them in a cacophony of images, watching her eyes tear as they exchanged vows, the feel of her hand on his as the ring slid over his knuckle, being pronounced and the taste of happy tears on her lips when he kissed her for the first time as her husband. Then the toasts and now they found themselves out on the dance floor. Leah was whisked away from Hackett by John, and the admiral found himself facing Commander Shepard once more.

"I can definitely say you look happy now, Sir." She said in reference to the conversation they'd had at her own reception.

"Happier than I think I've ever been, Shepard. Thanks for coming." He stated trying to be attentive to her, but finding his eyes wandering to Leah, now clumsily dancing with Luc. The boy was trying, but was all gawky teenage limbs.

"I wouldn't have missed this for anything, Hackett. I'm not the only one that was carrying a huge weight the last few years." She didn't mind his distraction. She was rather distracted herself watching Garrus dance with the flower girl. The little girl had been hell on wheels since the reception started, and to see her so mesmerized by the large Turian was amusing. "I'm glad to see that Garrus' wish for you came true."

"What do you mean?" His attention was back on her, laser-like in its intensity.

"Right before I came to dance with you the last time, I commented that you looked happy with Leah. He wished for you to find the same happiness that he and I had." She explained.

"I'll have to thank him for that." Hackett was moved. He had no idea that her mate held him in any regard. Most of his contact had been with Shepard or Liara at that point. Shepard smiled and they finished their dance. Hackett was not so distracted as not to notice how settled she seemed. After a while he caught sight of Shepard on the dance floor with her adopted son perched around her baby bump, and understood her contentment.

"Hi there, handsome." Two smooth hands slid around his shoulders from behind. "Want to have a last dance before we leave?" The sultry tone of her voice made him shiver.

"I'd love to, but only with my wife." He stated bringing a hand up to cover hers and hold them to his chest.

"Well, let me just go find her then." She made as if to pull away, and he swung her around in front of him. She ended up in his lap.

"I found her first." His lips met hers and she melted into him. He signaled Gable who announced that this was the bride and groom's last dance of the evening and Hackett led Leah out to pull her close and sway to the music. "Luc all set to go with John and Rin?"

"Ready and willing. He likes hanging out with Sam. I think he likes having someone look up to him." She said into the hollow of his throat.

"Maybe we should think about giving him someone that looks up to him in our own home." Steven suggested.

"If I tell you a secret, you promise not to tell my husband?" She asked slyly.

"Depends on the secret, Woman." He was looking down into the dark depths of her eyes.

"I went to Dr. Gable for a check up recently, and had him remove my birth control implant." She had gone up on tiptoe to whisper this in his ear.

"How very interesting." He said with a grin. "Would it shock you to know I've had the same procedure done?"

"Not really. We have the same ideas pretty frequently. I thought that since we'd be married anyway that I wouldn't really need it any longer, and that you could keep yours until you were ready to start trying." She tickled his ear with her breath. "Does this mean you want to try?"

"Absolutely, I do." He was trembling for her.

"Then let's finish this dance and go get busy." She giggled and kissed him soundly.

He loved that sound from her, and let it carry them through the rest of their dance. They said their goodbyes and hugged Luc and promised they'd be back in a week. Then they boarded a shuttle for Earth. They had agreed to spending their honeymoon at the house in Colorado. They even made it out to see some of the sights and go skiing once or twice.