After the Kodiak docked in the cargo bay, leaning on Garrus, Shepard stumbled up to the med bay, the wound more severe than she thought at first. Chakwas awaited her already. Shepard laid down on the bed. "So I heard you acted like a fool on the battlefield." Chakwas snorted at Shepard.

"A fool or not, I got the job done." She stuck out her tongue to Chakwas, just to piss her off.

"Laugh about it if you want, but now I need to stitch you up, again." The motherly voice returned in her voice while she stitched the gaping wound on the left side of her abdomen. "Try to leave these intact for once, please." She gave Shepard a weak smile. "What where you thinking anyway, Shepard?"

"I don't know… I just… lost it.."

"Again." Chakwas interrupted. Shepard shot her a glare of death.

"Yeah well, you try being me! always trying to save the damn galaxy, seeing my friends die or getting hurt. Try dying yourself!" a silence followed. "It is just…"

"It'is ok Quinn. I understand. I just don't want you killing yourself because you're pissed off." She put her hand on Shepard's shoulder. "Now I ask you again, could you please try to leave this stitches in for a change? You are starting to look like the pig I practiced on when I was a first year resident at the academy." She winked at Shepard

"I'll try, Karin, but in a few hours I have to go on a mission again." Chakwas rolled her eyes and walked away to throw out the bloody bandages. Eve used this to adress Shepard. "Commander. I never had the chance to thank you in person. It means a lot for me and my species that you trusted me, us, and giving us another chance in this Galaxy."

"It's all good, Eve."

"No it is not. No one else would ever given us this chance. You are an exceptional being. I will make sure you will never regret your trust in me, in us." Shepard didn't know how to reply to this so she just laid down her head. The battle on Tuchanka and all the medigel took its toll. She lolled in sleep within a few minutes and again her dreams continued.

Surrounded by mountains, the only way out of Quinn's street was following the same path as the Batarian took. Quinn considered her options. If she stayed and they returned, she could be caught. If she would take the same road, she could be caught. Quinn came to the conclusion staying would probably be the safest option, yet she left. Ok why am I doing this again? You know staying would probably be the best way to go…. Ohyeah… because I am stubborn as hell. It sounded like something her mom would say. This upset Quinn for a moment. Ok get a grip. Mom wouldn't want me to stand and cry here. That is not why she saved you. She took a deep breath and tried to shake off the fear and grief. She slowly walked down the path that would lead her to the town square, and the Batarians. She stayed in the shades and near anything she could use as cover. After a few minutes she heard the Batarians talking, but couldn't understand a word they were saying. She peeked around the corner to see where they were standing. Ok about 10 meters, with their backs to me. She sprinted silently to the other side of the road so she had a better view. She crawled behind the huge roots of a huge tree. Are they rounding up all the people in 2 groups? The Batarian divided the people in a group male and a group female, elderly and young children. A transportation shuttle landed. The males where forced in. Woman screaming and children crying. Oh no… they wouldn't… Quinn started to straighten up again, blowing her cover until out of nowhere a hand covered her mouth and pulled her away before anyone could notice she was there.

Shepard jolted up while letting go a scream. A pain surged through her body and she slapped her hand on her wound. She felt the warmth of blood trickling through her fingers. Great… torn stitches. Never mind. I need to get prepped for the next mission. She stood up from her bed, moaning. She felt stiff. Trying to stretch it off wasn't a good idea. She felt another stitch pop. Fuck it! When she looked around to find a towel and some fresh bandages, she saw Eve. It looked like she was in a trance or something. Shepard felt she should say something but decided against it. Can talk to her later. She found the fresh bandages she was looking for, changed it with the old ones and washed the blood of her hands. At the moment Shepard wanted to walk through the door, the door already opened and she bumped into Traynor. "Oh Commander, I am sorry!" Traynor squealed.

"It's fine." Shepard gritted her teeth from the pain that surged through her, covering her wound with her hand again. Traynor looked down at her hand, and up again. "You don't look that fine to me."

"I'll be fine Traynor. What are you doing here anyway?"

"I heard you got shot, and well…. erm… I wanted to check if you're okay." Traynor avoided eye contact this.

"I'm OK, have been worse. Been dead before, remember?"

"Might be, but you don't look fine, as I said before." This time she looked Shepard straight in the eye, giving her a concerned look. "Is there anything I can do for you, Shepard?"

"Not really. Popped a stitch, and for now maxed out on medigels. It's quite painful though." A smile appeared on Traynors face, which made Shepard raise her eyebrow. Is she laughing at my pain?"

"Just sit down for a moment. I'll be right back." Shepard did what Traynor asked. What is that girl up to? A few minutes passed before Traynor got back. She laid down a few herbs on the table and walked to the kettle. "What are those?" Shepard asked.

"Are you kidding me? You don't recognize them?"

"Erm… No?" Shepard felt ashamed, even though she didn't know why.

"Those are Ginger, Turmeric and Holy Basil. These three herbs are the most important once in the Ayurvedic medicine."

"In the what?"

"Ayurvedic medicine." Traynor smiled at Shepard. "It is the oldest medicine system in the world, originating from India. It goes back 4.000 years. Even today Ayurveda is still important for the Indian community." The water started to boil and Traynor got a mug from the cabinet and put the herbs in there with the boiled water. "These three herbs have to stay in the water for about four minutes and then you may drink it. It will help you with the pain within a half an hour." She smiled at Shepard. "My mum taught me about it when I was about eleven years old. I always have these herbs with me. Just in case something happens…. Like you." She looked at the tea. "Looks about right. Do you want me to chiffon it, or are you going to drink it with the herbs."

"It's OK Traynor, I'll drink it like this."

"Hardcore Shepard, I didn't expect anything else from my girl." Shepard looked up when Traynor said that. Realizing what she said, Traynor quickly turned her back to Shepard and started to rumble through some stuff on the counter. What did she just say? My girl? A warm sensation fluttered through her again. Please don't let EDI say a thing. The PA system stayed silent. Thank god! Ok lets do this! Shepard picked up the mug and started to drink the broth. Oh my god! That tastes hideous! She started to cough but finished the mug anyway. "My god Traynor. It tastes like ass!" Disgust showed allover her face. "Are you trying to kill me?!" Traynor started to chuckle.

"Well, I never mentioned it would taste lovely, did I?" She looked over her shoulder and grinned at Shepard.

"No you didn't." She grinned back. "Thank you, Traynor." Shepard walked to the observation deck to lay down for a few more minutes. Traynor followed her. "Shepard, are you OK?" Shepard looked up at her. "I mean, I uh I heard you screaming before I wanted to go in the med bay."

"Did I?" Shepard couldn't remember that part. Traynor nodded at Shepard. The Commander laid on the couch she was sitting on and sighed. Traynor sat down at her feet. "I guess I was dreaming." Shepard continued.

"You want to talk about it… Quinn." Traynor asked carefully. Shepard lifted her head and raised an eyebrow at Traynor. She dropped her head again.

"Euh well, I don't know… Sam."

"It's OK, Quinn." Traynor laid her hand on Shepard's leg. "You know where to find me if you want to talk about it." Traynor stood up and walked away but stopped at the door. "Shepard, don't forget. You have to be ready in an hour for the mission. You want me to send you a message in thirty minutes?"

"It's okay Traynor, I am going to stay here for five to ten minutes and then I'll get prepped." She replied. Traynor wanted to walk out the door. "Sam." Traynor turned around again. "Thank you… for taking care of me." She lifted her head above the edge of the couch and gave Traynor a small smile."

"It's okay, you are my commanding officer, I need you to lead us to victory, so basically I did it for my own good." Traynor winked at Shepard and left. Shepard laid her head down again sighing. Ok… She felt butterflies flutter in her stomach. But why now, why do I fall in love with someone while we are going to be extinct soon? Thinking of the that, the darkness swelled up again. It doesn't matter, she probably doesn't like like me back anyways. Look me… I am a wreck. Full of scars, and don't let me get started about myself mentally... She is just friendly, like she is with the rest of the crew…. Quit sobbing Shepard... Just let's try to survive the next mission.