THESSIA

The world is a haze. Atalia feels as if she is stuck in a hole of wet mud and it won't let her out. She is not sure she wants out. Mouth full of cotton, the lead detective licks her lips and swallows before trying her eyes. Aware of a beeping noise the asari slowly opens them.

"There she is," says Akira. She places the straw at her lover's lips.

Atalia slowly sips the water. She swallows again, "How long?"

"A day."

Atalia turns to look at Akira. Pale blue with green eyes that sparkle she is beautiful as ever. "She's dead isn't she?"

"Yes."

Atalia turns her head away.

Akira continues, "You took two bullets, one to your hip and one lower to your leg. They want to start you on physical therapy as soon as possible. Then I can bring you home. Atalia?"

Silence.

"Meryl was in earlier to check on you. She was worried. Naava and Sara are following up on Shadow. That is the word you kept saying over and over when Malin and I were trying to help you. Do you remember?"

Silence.

Akira wipes her cheek as a single tear falls down her face. "Valya is being released today. She said she would stop by before she leaves. You will be happy to know that her daughter was found. She is in custody at the station. It is quite the story. Dava showed up in the middle of the night at the Shepard/T'Soni household. Apparently she was wondering out in the storm…uh it stormed last night. Anyway, she was fine one minute then the next she tried to attack Mia." Akira stops her story hoping Atalia will say something. She doesn't. "They are fine, the kids are all fine. Apparently their parents are off planet, did you know that?"

Silence.

"Atalia? Will you please talk to me?"

A nurse and doctor enter the room. "How is our patient this morning?" says the doctor.

Akira wipes her cheek again. "She's awake."

The doctor moves to the other side of the bed to look at Atalia. "How are you feeling detective?"

Silence.

The doctor and nurse exchange a look. The doctor runs a scan. "Surgery went well; your injuries are healing as well as can be expected. I will check on you tomorrow to see about starting you on physical therapy. Do you have any questions?"

Silence.

The doctor looks at Akira who shakes her head.

"Very well. Rest up, I expect a full recovery but that is up to you and how hard you work in your physical therapy sessions."

Silence.

"I will be by again in the morning." The doctor gives Akira a nod and a smile, she and the nurse leave.

Akira stands from her chair. "I am going to get something to eat. Do you want anything?"

Silence.

The medical examiner leaves the room.

"No!"

"Sh Sh Mia it's okay," Raina sits on the couch to hold Mia. Mia has had a horrible night and early morning. Her sleep has been restless and full of nightmares.

When Raina, Mia and Eva subdued Dava the police were quick to respond. They were hoping to see Valya or Atalia but Naava and Sara showed up with other officers. Mia was a bit in shock, she could not believe how Dava just changed in front of her eyes. She sat and told the detectives what happened from the moment she opened the door to the asari to when she seemed to change and attack.

When Naava asked Raina where she fit in, she simply said the storm woke her up and then she heard voices. She was at the right place at the right time. Naava suspected more but did not push. She saw how shook up she and Mia were. When Raina asked what would happen with Dava, the detective said she would be detained at least overnight. It was then that the Shepard/T'Soni kids heard about Valya being hospitalized due to Dava. "You were very lucky," said Naava.

The detectives and officers left very early in the morning, around 3 AM. All of the kids decided to sleep in the family room together. They all agreed to let Mia have the couch. Raina did not sleep however, she watched. Every time Mia stirred Raina was there to whisper in her ear that she was okay that everything was okay.

It is mid-morning now and Mia's last nightmare has finally woken her for the day.

"You're okay." Raina rubs Mia's back.

Little A lifts her head up and without opening her eyes asks, "She okay?"

"Yes go back to sleep," says Raina.

"You want breakfast?" asks Eva. She is sitting up looking at the couch.

"You hungry Mia?" Raina asks.

The asari doesn't answer she just continues to hug Raina.

"In a while Eva thank you."

Eva stands up and gathers her pillow and blanket. "I am going to get cleaned up okay Raina. You look exhausted; did you sleep at all last night?"

Raina shakes her head.

"I'll take over when I get back okay?"

"Did..did you see her eyes?" asks Mia still holding her sister. "Sh-sh-she tried to kill me. I don't understand. What did I do? What did I do that was so wrong?" Mia starts to cry.

Raina holds her tightly. "You did nothing wrong. Something is wrong with her Mia, something is very wrong with her. You did nothing wrong."

Little A gets on the couch and hugs her two sisters. "She is sick Mia, simple as that."

"But she wasn't," Mia breaks the hug, "she..she was fine for a while I don't understand."

Raina wipes Mia's tears. "I do not understand either."

"She said she thought she hurt someone."

"What?" asks Little A.

"She told me that she thought she hurt someone. She..she didn't know. She didn't remember hurting her own father."

They are silent for a few minutes. Raina finally says, "I did see her eyes. They were pitched black."

"Like when we meld?" asks Little A.

"Yes. It wasn't Dava that much I know."

"How…how did you know I was in trouble?" asks Mia.

"I had a dream that you were in trouble. When I woke up I heard voices so I opened my bedroom door and saw Dava on her knees. I had…." her voice trails off.

"What?" asks Little A.

"The feeling was overwhelming to say the least." Raina yawns and then wipes her cheek. She doesn't realize she started to cry.

Mia hugs her and Little A joins her.

"You sleep Raina." Mia helps her up. The two sisters help her to her room.

"Maybe we should call grandpa," says Little A after her and Mia put Raina to bed.

"And say what? We will only worry her."

Eva comes back downstairs. "What's going on?"

"We made Raina go back to bed," says Little A.

"Should we call grandpa?"

Mia and Little A look at each other.

"What?" asks Eva.

"I don't think it is necessary to call her, but do what you want."

"Where are you going?"

"To get cleaned up. I have to study for tomorrow."

"How can you study at a time like this?" asks Eva.

Mia turns to look at her sisters. "I would rather focus on code and numbers than my nightmares."

Eva gives her a small smile. "I'll make some breakfast."

"I'll help," says Little A.

TUCHANKA

The sun is nearly down. The Krogan civilians are ready for a fight. They are on the outskirts of a city. It is a small city but it is an important capture if the Krogan can overpower Clan Jurdon.

Shepard suggested a stealth approach not the typical scream and run and start shooting approach. They are outnumbered at least two to one and this will be the battle that either begins victory for taking back Tuchanka or it will end them. Shepard sent a message to Liara telling her she loves her. She didn't dare risk a longer message, though at this point she wonders why. She figures Jurdon Gran must know she is on the planet and helping Wrex by now. In either case, she did not send too long a message.

Shepard is in a sniping position. Wrex insisted she hang back. He wants to ensure her safety. He said that Liara would haunt him in the afterlife and he would not know peace if anything happened to her. Finally, Shepard agreed. She is proficient with all weapons, that is not the point. She is used to being on the front line directing troops and running in first. Now she is on the radio and directing Wrex and Eli's Krogan.

"Sector A is changing guard," says Eli.

"Standby," says Shepard. "Teams sound off."

Each Krogan team sounds off letting Shepard know they are all ready.

"I see fourteen Eli," says Shepard. "You are good to go."

Eli signals to his Krogan. Quietly they move forward.

"Stop," says Shepard.

Eli and his men quickly kneel.

"Shit. Six more are coming. This was not part of their changing shifts."

"All teams are ready?" asks Eli.

"All teams said they are ready."

"We progress. Shepard, watch our backs." Eli signals to his men. They move forward.

Shepard readies her sniper rifle. "On your right, firing." Shepard fires once, the Krogan is hit in the head, Eli is there to finish him off with his shotgun.

"All teams move in, move in! Shepard it takes at least two shots with their armor on." says Eli.

"Copy that." Shepard takes out as many Krogan as she can as she watches Eli's team deal with the reset of the Krogan in front of them. She scans the area. "Left," Shepard fires. She is able to take one down but not before one of Eli's Krogan fall.

The sound of gun fire dies down a little. "We are good here Shepard, move your position," says Eli.

"Moving." Shepard grabs her sniper rifle and runs to her next position.

The fighting lasts a few hours. Each hit was precise from the positions Shepard helped suggest. The City was won before the sun came up. Fifteen of Clan Jurdon Krogan were captured, the rest killed. Elli and Wrex's Krogan lost five and have three wounded. The civilians did a phenomenal job and as they all gather to celebrate the energy in the air is electric. Shepard cannot help the smile on her face to see how the Krogan are uniting to take their way of life back.

"Well done Shepard." Wrex pats her shoulder. They are sitting outside around a fire, just the two of them. He said what he wanted to say to his fellow Krogan and left to let the men celebrate.

"What's next?"

"I sent scouts ahead to try to find the women. Jurdon Gran will hear of this victory soon. We must continue to press forward."

"Main city?"

"Main city."

"That is what, two, three days away."

Wrex starts coughing. Shepard grabs him some water and hands it to him when his coughing subsides.

"Yes…two days if we push hard." His breathing sounds like it takes effort.

"You okay Wrex?"

He growls.

She wants to ask if he is going to make it but decides not to. She knows how stubborn Wrex is. He will make it; he will make it to see Tuchanka as it was meant to be. That is her hope.

En Route to Omega

With her pilot shift over Liara is in her quarters calling her girls before some much needed rest.

"Mom is that you?" asks Eva.

"Hello Eva yes, how are you?"

"Good, how are you? Are you on Omega yet?"

"Soon. It is so good to see you and to hear your voice." Liara's eyes well up.

"I miss you Mom. Did the program work? Are you able to speak to Dad?"

"Not yet honey."

"That's weird right?"

"I am not sure why it is not working. Perhaps there is too much interference. I am not sure. I do not have the tools here to find out."

"I'm sure it will work soon, I mean…I am sure Dad is fine."

"Yes she is. I heard from her a few hours ago."

"You did! That's great! Hey Mia, Little A, it's Mom. They just came down Mom hang on."

Liara waits a few seconds then sees all of her girls on her monitor, all except Raina.

"Hi Mom!" says Mia and Little A.

"Hello you two. Where is Raina?"

The three look at each other, finally Little A says, "She's sleeping."

"Sleeping? What time is it there? Is she not feeling well?"

Liara sees the girls look at each other again. "Mia Benezia T'Soni tell me what is going on right now." Liara sees fear in her daughter's eyes and her heart aches.

It doesn't take long for Mia to fill in her mother on the events that occurred last night. Dava is in custody, Valya is in the hospital and that is all they know.

"Mia, are you sure you are alright?"

"Yeah."

Liara knows better. She has never wanted to hug her daughter more. "Is..is there anything I can do?"

"We called grandpa. She is going to stay with us," says Little A. Is it okay if she uses your room?"

"Of course." Liara feels some relief that at least her father will be there.

"She's just tired Mom," says Mia, "Raina really is okay. After my exam tomorrow I am meeting with a recruiter from Vancouver. Aunt Oriana said she would come with me. The team looks really good Mom. I think they may be the one."

"That's wonderful Mia. Are you ready for your exam?"

"As ready as I can be I guess with what's happened."

"I could contact your professor."

"No it's okay. I need to learn to focus right? I will be fine. It's two hours and then I can go back to worrying about everything." Mia laughs a little. Mia turns to her sisters and says something Liara cannot hear. Then the two step out of view of the camera. "Mom?"

"What is it honey?"

"When I was helping Dava," she looks down, "I …well it was like it was the old Dava ya know? The one I fell…" her voice trails off.

"What happened honey?"

Mia looks up with tears in her eyes. "I loved her Mom. And to see her…she wanted to kill me and I don't understand." Mia covers her face with her hands and starts to cry.

Liara's heart is breaking. "I know you loved her Mia and I do not understand what is going on with her, but the Dava you know, the Dava you loved. That is not the same Dava that wanted to hurt you."

Mia wipes at her face, "You think so?"

"Yes honey I am sure of it. And when your father and I return we will help you find some answers. We will try to figure this out together."

"You promise?"

"Of course honey I promise."

Mia calms down, her tears have stopped. "Thanks Mom. I hope everything goes well on Omega."

"Thank you honey."

Eva and Little A walk into view of the camera. "Bye Mom we love you."

"I love you too." The call disconnects. Liara crawls into bed under the covers and quietly sobs before falling asleep.

THESSIA

"We don't have time for this Valya."

"Dara, I need to see my partner."

"We need to get to the station and see what is going on with our daughter."

"She is not going anywhere."

"I cannot believe you just said that."

Valya stops. She has been leaning on Dara for help. She is still a bit dizzy but the doctor said she could go home and left Dara with instructions. "Honey." Valya cups Dara's cheek. "I only meant that we have time. I need to see my partner. Dava is not going anywhere."

Dara lets out a sigh. She kisses her bondmate quickly. "Okay."

They reach Atalia's room. They see Akira leave the chair by her bed and approach.

"How is she?" asks Valya.

"She isn't speaking to me. How are you?"

Valya doesn't pry. "Better. I thought I would stop by quick before we head to the station."

"I am going to get some coffee. You two want anything?"

"I will come with you," says Dara.

Valya enters the room and walks to the other side of the bed, the side Atalia is facing. "Hey partner. We have to stop meeting like this."

Atalia looks at her then turns her head away.

"I see, so it's going to be like that. Akira told me what happened with Caressa. So are you just going to lay there and give up? Don't you care about catching the person who murdered her?"

Akira turns her head toward her, "I murdered her didn't you hear?"

"Did you pull the trigger?"

"I might as well have."

"I see. Well from the sounds of it Meryl came down on everyone hard and you followed your gut and your gut was right. It led to our first lead in over a month. I would say that is excellent work."

"I got her killed Valya!" Atalia sits up in anger and immediately regrets it. She hisses threw her teeth and lies back down clutching at her hip.

Valya places her hand on her shoulder. "Easy, easy try not to move around."

"Don't touch me!" Atalia slaps her partner's hand away, the movement makes her hiss through her teeth again.

"So are you just going to feel sorry for yourself then? Is that how this works?"

"Fuck you, get out!"

"A young asari is dead and…"

"I said GET OUT!" Atalia sits up again despite the pain it causes. She throws an empty water cup at Valya. It doesn't hit her; it just bounces around on the floor.

Valya starts to bend over to pick up the cup, but stops when the world starts spinning. She goes down on one knee and closes her eyes.

"Valya?"

She hears her bondmate's voice. "Goddess Valya are you alright?"

"I'm…I'm fine, I just got a little dizzy." Valya leans heavily on Dara.

"You want some help?" asks Akira.

"Please," says Dara.

The two help Valya walk out of the room and to the sky car outside.

"She will be fine Akira," says Valya before she enters the sky car.

"I'm not so sure. She blames herself for Caressa's death. We both know what she does to herself once a year." Akira is referring to Atalia losing her sister when she was young. She fell asleep babysitting and her younger sister sneaked out of the house to meet up with some friends. She never made it. Her body was found days later and her mother blamed her for her sister's death. Every year on the anniversary of her body being found, Atalia drinks so she won't remember.

"We have to be strong for her right now. She will see that it was not her that caused this. It was this Shadow person." Valya sways a little on her feet.

Akira steadies her. "Are you sure you should be going home?"

"I insisted and the doctor agreed."

"Uh huh."

"I'll be fine." Valya sits in the sky car.

"You two call me if you need anything," Akira looks at both Dara and Valya.

"You do the same," says Valya. She squeezes the ME's hand.

Akira steps back and closes the door.

Dara places the sky car in flight mode and heads to the police station to see their daughter.