Waking with a start Mia is not sure what is going on. She is extremely tired. She looks at the time; it is the middle of the night. She has no idea what woke her. Having a hard time keeping her eyes open Mia lets them close then she hears a scream. Bolting from her bed Mia shields herself with beautiful blue biotic energy. She is in the hallway now her breathing is fast….she makes herself wait. She is not sure where the screaming came from. All she can hear is the pounding in her ears then there it is….a soft moan. It is coming from Raina's room. Mia slowly opens the door of her sister's room.

"Mia?" the voice is raspy.

Opening the door all the way Mia enters the dark room with concern, "Raina are you okay?" Before waiting for a reply Mia turns on the bedroom overhead light which illuminates the entire room. Her sister looks to be in pain and she has fresh tears on her cheeks. "What's wrong?"

Raina sits up a little with a wince. She hugs herself her ribs hurt so badly. "My ribs," she says through clenched teeth.

Mia looks at her not sure what to do. "What can…"?

"Can you get Mom or Dad please," it takes effort to speak because it hurts to breathe. Raina does not want to worry her sister, but the pain oh the pain is just awful. "Please."

Mia can see that her sister is in distress. "Be right back." She runs to her parent's bedroom.

"Mom…mom wake up," Mia is shaking her mother's shoulder ever so slightly. When that doesn't work she places her small blue hand on her mother's face. "Mom you need to get up it's Raina she needs you."

"Hmm?"

Mia jumps at the sound. It's her Dad. She runs to the other side of the bed. "Daddy Daddy wake up!" Mia is talking very loud now.

She sits up careful not to let the sheet fall. She and Liara never put on their pajamas. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Raina's hurt."

"What's going on?" It's Liara now. She is starting to sit up.

"Raina's hurt."

"Okay honey step outside please we are coming," says Shepard.

Mia is wondering why she has to step outside. Shepard knows this because of her furrowed brows. "Now honey."

Mia steps outside of the room.

Shepard and Liara are on their feet. Shepard puts on her tank top and pajama pants while Liara just grabs a robe. Shepard is just not a robe person, never has been. "Where are Raina's pills?"

"Do you think that is the problem Elly?" Liara heads for their master bathroom.

"I think so yeah. Her pain pills probably wore off. Damn it I forgot to set the clock."

"Worry about that later, I have them." The parents leave their room following Mia upstairs to Raina's bedroom.

Liara enters first, "Hi honey." She tries not to let her face show how concerned she is for her oldest child. Raina looks pale and has been sweating. She is clutching at her side. "Are you in pain?" Liara asks as she sits on the bed next to her.

Raina nods quickly.

Liara opens the pill bottle careful to get the correct dosage in her palm. "Hold out your hand."

"Hang in there kiddo," says Shepard. She grabbed a washcloth in the bathroom next door and is wiping her forehead.

"It…hurts."

"I know sweetheart," says Liara. She grabs the glass of water that is sitting on the bedside table and hands it to Raina.

Raina's hand is shaking so Liara holds it for her as she takes a few drinks in order to swallow the pills. "Can you lay back?" asks Liara.

"I…think..so." Raina scoots down a little. She lets out a small cry at the movement.

Liara holds her hand. "You will feel better soon honey."

Shepard kneels next to the bed. She continues to wipe Raina's forehead.

"Hurts…to..breathe."

Liara stands up along with Shepard. "Let's get you on your side honey," says Shepard. "You will feel better in a minute." Both parents move her on her side. They both kneel down to look at her. "Is that better?"

Raina takes a few deep breathes then finally nods her head.

"She gonna be okay?" asks Mia.

"She will be fine sport," says Shepard. "Why don't you go back to bed?"

"I want to stay."

"Come on, I'll tuck you in." Shepard scoops Mia up into her arms and walks her back to her bedroom.

Liara takes over wiping Raina's sweaty brow. "It will take a few minutes before the medication kicks in."

Raina is holding her mother's hand as if it is her lifeline.

Liara touches her shoulder. Her eyes go black.

Raina can feel a little push in her mind. Her eyes go black.

Before her is a beautiful scene of dark green trees, blue, yellow, red and white flowers, the petals floating on the slight breeze. The grass is as green as she has ever seen. Not too far ahead of them is a swing set. This is a scene Raina has seen before from her mother.

"Thank you for the distraction Mother," says Raina though it is a thought not spoken word.

"Shall I push?"

Raina sits on the swing and Liara starts to push. "What do you suppose will happen with Caressa?"

"Do not worry about that right now little one."

"Mother you do not need to coddle me."

Liara smiles. She forgets how grown up Raina is in their melds. "I hope, as your father would say, they throw the book at her."

"What does that mean again?" Raina asks.

"It means I hope that whatever can be done as punishment will be done. I do not believe they should go easy on her."

"Do you think she will be expelled?"

"At the very minimum yes."

"You don't think they will take her away do you?"

"What do you mean?"

"The police? I mean I want to see her punished but not go to jail Mother."

"I do not believe it is up to us. Though I do think your Father is looking into pressing charges."

"No. I do not think that is wise."

Liara stops pushing the swing and stands to the side so she can look at her daughter. "Why is that Raina?"

"I," she averts her gaze.

Liara presses further into her mind but Raina is blocking her. Not something she often does. "Raina what aren't you telling me?"

"I …I feel sorry for her."

"And you can feel sorry for her honey there is nothing wrong with that. But there must be consequences to her actions otherwise she will continue to do it. If she is not punished why would she stop?"

"I was going to ask you a similar question."

"What?"

"If she is punished why would she stop?"

With Mia down Shepard returns to Raina's room. She finds her and Liara in a meld. Something she can never do for her daughter and it is times like these that she really wishes she could. She envies Liara for being able to feel what they are feeling. Sure her kids can initiate the meld, but that's it. Liara will forever share a bond with their children that she just can't. She sits in Raina's chair and waits.

"What are you not telling me Raina?"

"She has not had an easy life Mother."

"That does not excuse her behavior. People with far worse backgrounds do not go around school and bully people. It is not okay that she did what she did Raina. I hope you know that."

"I do."

Liara feels remorse from her daughter and she is not sure why. "Do you blame yourself Raina, for what happened?"

"No."

She doesn't believe her.

"Maybe a little."

"Why?"

"I don't know."

Liara probes her mind but again she feels resistance. She could easily break through Raina's barrier. The little asari is not skilled enough to keep her walls up indefinitely and Liara senses that the pills must be taking effect because the little resistance that is present is fading.

"I just feel for her I guess."

"It is not your responsibility to make sure she is happy Raina or that she make the right decision. You can only be responsible for yourself and your actions. Do you understand?"

"I do, but unfortunately it does not make me feel better."

"You do not think she should be punished for hurting you?"

"No I do I do. I …I just don't want her punishment to turn her into something worse."

Liara sends her daughter love and comfort. She knows she is getting sleepy. "You cannot worry about that Raina. It is out of our hands. Only she can determine how she will respond to the punishment."

And with that Liara ends the meld.

Shepard sees their eyes turn from black back to blue and to green. Raina squeezes her mother's hand. Her breathing is normal now and she I no longer sweating. She carefully moves onto her back. Shepard can see that the pills have kicked in. It doesn't take long for Raina to fall back asleep.

Liara kisses her brow then stands. She takes Shepard's hand and they leave her to rest.

"She okay?" asks Shepard as they descend the stairs and head to their bedroom.

"Yes she is fine. And Mia?"

"Out like a light. I can't believe I forget to set the alarm. I am going to do it right now." Shepard brings up her omni-tool and sets an alarm to wake her in four hours. "The prescription says every four hours so I will get up and give her her next pill."

Liara takes off her robe and gets under the covers. Shepard leaving on her pajamas joins her. She snuggles up close. "I'm sorry Liara."

"Elly don't worry about it. I forgot about setting an alarm as well. Raina is just fine."

"How was your meld?" Shepard can see that Liara is worried. She props up on her elbow, "What is it? Did you see something?"

"No nothing like that."

Shepard lies down again; her arm is around Liara's waist. "What then?"

"Raina feels sorry for Caressa. She said she has not had an easy life."

Shepard makes a grunting type noise.

"What?" asks Liara as she trails her fingernails up and down her bare arm.

"Raina is taking on too much. She feels too much Liara. I don't like where this is heading."

"I know, but what can we do about it?"

"We have to convince her somehow that no matter what she sees or feels from other people that she sometimes cannot change the outcome or fix the person."

"That is a lesson I think she needs to learn for herself, don't you think Elly?"

"Yeah, you're right as always."

Liara hugs her tightly. "Always huh?"

Shepard leans up and they kiss. "Okay, almost always."

Packing is always a pain in the you know what. It seems like for weeks that is all Oriana and Mark have been doing. It is amazing what a person can accumulate over a five year period. Thankfully they have movers and Oriana's side of the estate is nearly empty.

Miranda has been a big help. She has spent as much time with her little sister as she possibly could. She has it in her head that she will not see them for a very long time, something Oriana continues to argue.

"Looks like we are set," says Mark as he watches the last box being hauled out of the estate. He puts his arm around Oriana and kisses her cheek. "I will wait for you outside."

Oriana requested that Miranda and Arelia not come to see them off. She prefers more private good byes and asked that they say it at the house.

"You sure you have everything Ori?"

Giving her big sister a sad smile she says, "Yes. We tripled check."

"Well if I find anything I can always have it shipped." Miranda's eyes start to well. She looks away blinking quickly.

"Miri." Oriana moves closer and gives her sister a hug. "I love you Miri. Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for being my rock and my protector."

Miranda holds her close. She does not know how long it will be before she can touch her sister again or smell her sweet perfume. "I am going to miss you."

Still hugging, "I am going to miss you too."

They both finally step back from the hug. They both wipe their own tears. "Remember our night okay Miri. Don't get lost in your work and forget to call."

"I can say the same to you." The sisters have set up one night every week where they will set aside time to talk to each other.

"We will visit Miri, but we need time to settle in."

"I know. Maybe when Rose is a little older we can come to Earth."

"We would love that, but I do plan on seeing you before she turns two Miri."

Miranda just smiles and nods. She knows how time has a way of flying by. She suspects she won't see Oriana for at least two to three years. She is not sure why she thinks that she just does.

Arm in arm they leave the estate to find Mark, Arelia, Shayna and baby Rose waiting by the sky car outside.

The sisters hug one more time. Oriana says her good byes to the rest of the family and just like that shshe and Mark fly away.

Arelia puts her arm around Miranda's waist and leans her head on her shoulder. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay." Miranda's head rests on hers. They stay that way until they can no longer see the sky car. Miranda feels a tug on her hand.

"Dad?"

"Yes Shayna?"

"Can I go swimming?"

She looks at her bondmate who approves and says "Yes. Just wait until one of us is there before you go in please."

"I will I will!" Shayna runs inside to change.

"I think you should join her Miri, it will do you some good."

Miranda kisses Arelia fully on the lips then kisses Rose on her forehead. "I think I will. You want to join us?"

"I will be there in a minute to watch the two of you." She sees Miranda wipe at her cheek. She takes her hand and gives it a squeeze, "You are a wonderful sister Miri and nothing is going to change that."

"Thanks." Miranda walks inside to change for the pool.

The weekend is nearing an end. Raina is healing nicely. She is still very stiff and will not be attending school tomorrow. The doctor wanted her to be able to breathe and walk around without pain before returning.

The family is enjoying the late afternoon sun in the backyard. Raina is sitting with a blanket over her legs in a chair watching her sisters play. Liara is sitting next to her feeding little Aethyta. Shepard is inside on a call.

"Are you feeling all right Raina?"

"Yeah, just tired. Those pills really make me tired."

"Is it time for another one?"

"I don't think so."

"Well it's done," says Shepard. She joins them by sitting in a nearby chair.

"What's done?"

"That was the school."

"What?"

"What did they say Dad?"

"They had an emergency meeting due to the criticality of the situation. All three kids have been expelled for the school year."

"Good," says Liara. She looks over at Raina. She does not look very pleased. "What is it honey?"

"What else Dad?"

"They are not welcome at the school again."

"So the kids can't ever return to that school?"

"That's right kiddo."

Liara is relieved.

"So where are they supposed to go?" asks Raina.

"There are other schools on Thessia Raina," says Liara.

"Not in Armali."

"Hey hey," says Shepard, "what's the problem? What they did to you and your sister is inexcusable Raina. They need to be punished."

"But Dad."

Liara places her hand over Shepard's. A sign to calm down and hear their daughter out.

Shepard lets out a deep breath.

"What did you want to have happen Raina?" asks Liara.

"I don't know. I want them punished but not being able to return to school. How will they get to another school? Are there ones close by?"

"Honey," says Shepard, "you cannot concern yourself over that. That is up to their parents to figure out. This is a good thing. This is a wakeup call for them honey. It tells them that they have to change their behavior or certainly something far worse is going to happen. Look at it as a good thing because it is."

"Your Father is right Raina. This is exactly what those kids need. They need to know that they cannot go around hitting people."

"I guess." Raina yawns.

Shepard checks her omni-tool. "It's about time for your pill kiddo."

"What are we going to do tomorrow?" asks Raina.

"Well what do you want to do?" asks Liara. "We were thinking we could watch vids all day and eat food that is not good for us."

"Junk food Liara, it's call junk food," says Shepard.

"Does that sound fun to you?"

"Can I pick the vids?" Raina asks with a smile.

"Of course you can," says Liara.

She smiles for the first time since she was beaten by a bully at school. A bully she feels sorry for and worries over.

"Can you help me up? I think I am going to go to my room."

Shepard gets up and gently helps Raina from her chair. "How's the pain?"

"It still hurts but not as bad."

"I'll walk you in."

"That's okay Dad. I can make it on my own."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes thank you."

"I will be up in a few minutes to give you your pill."

"And we will bring you some dinner honey," says Liara.

"Thanks." Raina makes her way into the house.

"Well at least she won't be running into those girls anymore," says Liara.

"Not at school anyway," says Shepard. "I bet Mia will be relieved."

"But Raina was not."

"I know."

"How do we convince our daughter not carry the weight of the world on her shoulders?"

"I don't know."

"But I do know that the school did right. They want me to talk to Mia about using her biotics."

"What?" asks Liara in shock.

"It's okay really. Mia already knows she wasn't supposed to use them but she was left with no choice. And the adults that helped them saw her control. She could have really hurt them Liara but she didn't. They said they are overlooking the infraction due to the circumstances."

"If they didn't overlook it they would be hearing from me."

Shepard takes her hand, "And me too believe me."

"So what are you going to say to her?"

"Nothing. She knows she did the right thing and I don't want her second guessing her instincts."

"I suppose we should go in soon and get dinner ready."

"I already took care of it," says Shepard. She has a great big smile on her face.

"Let me guess…pizza?"