CHAPTER TWELVE – THE BITTER TASTE OF VICTORY
The blood ran from the clean bullet wound in his head, over his face to pool like a lake on the ground. He was dead. Holy Mary mother of god… He was dead. I didn't know what to think… what to feel. Hating Ryan had been my whole life. Now what? I was… numb. It wasn't even a pleasant feeling. Wasn't I supposed to feel blessed relief? Joy? Freedom? Anything but this cold emptiness.
I dropped the gun to its owner and turned away. My eyes met Thanes. He was standing just a few meters behind me. As was my habit now when it came to him, I allowed my eyes to trace the beautiful contours of his face and the stunning markings on his head. He stood to attention, waiting patiently for me. He didn't seem at all phased by Ryan's death. He just stood there, calm and collected. I let that calm wash over me. I… borrowed it from him.
Slowly I became aware of the rest of reality moving around me. There was crying and I spun round for a split second thinking one of the reds might have got away and was hurting one of my girls. I was wrong. I had to force myself to relax.
Kolyat had lead Hope over to Amy, who had scooped her into a tight embrace and was sobbing into the poor child's shoulder. Hope herself seemed to be in shock, her emerald eyes focused on Kolyat as she tried desperately to process what had happened to her and her devoted mother.
"Where's Dad?" She finally said her voice steady to anyone's ears but my own. I recognised this hidden tone of utter terror buried beneath the surface. She was such a beautiful child, strong and courageous. She deserved so much better.
I heaved a heavy sigh as Garrus stepped forwards to break the news to the two of them and express his condolences. God bless Garrus, I didn't have the strength. Finally Hope burst into tears, crying openly against her mother and screaming for her fallen father. She wanted him to come home… she couldn't quite believe what Garrus was telling them, he couldn't be gone… he just couldn't. Her father was too brave, too clever… too quick. Amy tried to comfort her, but her own heart had been smashed. She had been in love with Carter the moment she'd understood what love was. He had been her only.
I felt a hand on my arm, gentle yet persistent. "Siha." His voice was barely a whisper, yet it was as refreshing as spring rain. I bathed in it. I turned to face him and he handed me my under armour. "You should dress… in case any more reds show up."
I nodded silently and took the armour from him piece by piece as I reequipped my shell. Finally came my helmet. I held it in my hands, staring at the glass visor for a long moment.
"Seryna?" Amy's voice was shaking. I folded my helmet under my arm and walked over to her and Hope.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
Amy shrugged. "Shaken up. We're ok though. Thank you… thank you for coming for us."
I raised a hand and straightened some of her flyaway hair. "I told you I'd always protect you Amy… I'm just sorry I couldn't keep my promise to Carter."
Her eyes fixed on the floor and filled with tears. "He wanted to give us some time… He sent us ahead to find Bailey but we didn't even get halfway before Ryan caught up to us." She sniffed down a deep sob. "He died for nothing."
"Like hell he did." I snapped, startling them both. I leaned down and took Amy's face in my free hand. "He died for you Amy. He died defending you the only way he knew how. He died because he loved you! Don't ever let that be in vain."
Tears streamed down her pretty face, but she nodded. "I won't." She murmured. I leaned down and pressed a loving kiss to her forehead. I wanted to take the pain away… I wished to god I could feel it all for her, to just give her a moments peace.
"Commander Shepard." Bailey had arrived with a small troupe of c-sec officers. They had begun their work, taping off the area, taking scans and readings. "I'll need to take statements from everyone back at the precinct…Kolyat will take Amy and Hope back now… they shouldn't have to stay here."
I nodded and glanced up at the drell boy. I had never been more thrilled to see him than that moment when he appeared behind Hope, pulling her to safety. I hadn't seen everything… but I knew he'd saved her life. "I owe you one Kolyat."
He shrugged. "Call it even Commander." He turned to Amy and offered her his hand. She took it and he pulled her up, wrapping an arm around her shoulders gently and walking her and Hope slowly from the warehouse.
I watched them out of sight before turning my attention back to Bailey and trying my hardest to absorb everything he was saying.
It was a long night. I answered all the questions, filled out as many forms as I could before pulling spectre rank on them and telling them to make the rest up if they had too.
I leaned back in Bailey's chair at his desk as Garrus bought me a coffee. "Here." He said handing it too me. "How you holding up?"
I arched a brow at him. "What do you think?"
"Well… you're hiding it well."
I sighed and rested my head against the back of the chair. "Good. How's Amy and Hope?"
"Kolyat is taking care of them. Hope won't let him out of her sight. I think she's pretty traumatised."
I nodded. "She hides her emotions pretty well too."
"Odd since her mother is so open with hers." Thane remarked from beside me. He'd perched on the edge of the desk the moment I'd sat down and refused to budge for anyone.
I shot him a sharp glare. "Don't even go there frog boy."
"Amy must have been sixteen when she gave birth… am I right?"
I narrowed my eyes and turned my glare icy. "Your point? Teenage mothers are unfortunately common in gang culture."
"Indeed." Came his cryptic reply. "I imagine it is also common for a teenage mother to give up her child for adoption should she think they would do well elsewhere… perhaps in the care of a trusted friend?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"She has beautiful eyes don't you think?"
I shifted in my seat and fixed him with a spiteful glare. "I thought I told you not to go there?"
"So you did Commander." He inclined his head. "Though I should inform you that Hopes attachment to Kolyat is mutual. He seems more than happy to take the two of them under his care so to speak."
I glanced to the other end of the precinct where Amy and Hope were sat, Kolyat close by and speaking in hushed tones to the child perched on her mother's lap, silently crying still. He rested his hand on her small arm as he assured her that she and her mother were safe, that the reds that had killed her father were also dead and that he wouldn't let anything happen to her. I felt a small smile creep over my lips. "Good. Perhaps they'll be a good influence on each other."
Thane inclined his head politely, but I could see that he was pleased too, both with Kolyat's attentiveness and with my blessing. I figured he was feeling pretty proud of his son. Hell knew I would be in his shoes. In the space of a week Kolyat had matured from a whining brat, into a fine, strong man. I was pleased that he hadn't wasted the opportunity I'd given him.
Bailey finally approached me. "Ok… I think that's everything. I have your statements and the remaining red is in custody."
I sighed. "Has he told you anything?"
Bailey shook his head. "Won't say anything without an advocate. Smart lad."
I smiled a little. "I taught him well. His name's Harry Wilson… he's a good kid, been loyal to me from the start." I paused a moment, thinking hard. "I believe the alliance is still running their rehabilitation program? Perhaps you could forward Harry's details to Anderson… use my name."
Bailey smiled a little. "If that's what you want Commander."
I nodded. "Kids like Harry are victims of circumstance. They just need a chance to prove themselves."
"Kids like Harry… or kids like you Commander." Bailey said carefully. I shot him the 'don't go there' look and he silenced. "Well, he did say that the reds aren't likely to go after Amy or Hope anymore, apparently it was just Ryan King that had the vendetta against them."
I nodded. "Yeah, the other reds won't touch them. I know that."
I felt Thane's scaled hand cover my own and it was then that I realised how blank I'd been, my face, my tone of voice… all cold and expressionless. I mustered my energy and pulled some expression back into myself.
"What will happen to Amy and Hope now?" I asked.
"C-sec will of course keep a close eye on them, just in case. I believe you've arranged with the shadow broker for new identities to be provided?" He gave a disapproving glare that didn't meet his eyes and continued. "They'll be relocated to an undisclosed location on the citadel, somewhere they'll be safe."
I nodded. "Keep them close to Kolyat; I think Amy and Hope could use a friend."
Bailey nodded. "My thoughts exactly. I think he'd benefit too."
"Anything they need… any costs… you forward them straight to me." I told him firmly.
The Captain nodded again. "Of course commander. They'll be safe."
"So are we free to go?" Garrus asked.
Bailey nodded. "Sure. You might want to say goodbye first though." He indicated at Amy and Hope who were still talking with Kolyat.
I heaved myself to my feet and Amy's eyes immediately snapped to my face. She looked at me with pleading eyes, afraid that I was about to just vanish from her life again. With a sigh I pulled my hand from Thane's insistent grasp and strolled over, trying to remain calm and casual.
Amy got to her feet and reached out to grasp my gloved hands. "Keep in touch this time?" She begged. "It seems we're in as much danger without you… I miss you."
"I… don't know if that's a good idea." I confessed, pulling one of my hands away to rub at the back of my neck nervously.
She gripped my hand a little tighter. "Hope could use having an 'aunt' to look up too." There was a weak smile on her lips as she tried to tempt me.
"Amy…" The child in question detached herself from Kolyat for a moment to approach me. She moved to her mother's side and gazed up at me with blood shot eyes, swollen from tears.
"Thank you Commander Shepard." She said gently. "For saving me and my mum… and for killing that man." Her hand crept up to grasp her mother's free fingers as she spoke, her eyes full of courage and determination.
Thane drew up beside me. I felt his presence without needing to look. "What harm could come from it Seryna?" His voice was barely a whisper and I felt his breath on my neck as he leaned forwards to speak. "Would it be wrong for this child to know she has one more person to love her?" He twisted the words I'd once spoken to Miranda, if I couldn't accept my own truth…
I sighed heavily before leaning down on my ankles to Hope's height. "It was my pleasure." I told her gently. "You were very brave… shooting that red. I'm impressed. Don't get into too much trouble though… It'll come back to bite you in the ar…um… behind."
Hope managed a small smile. "I don't want to get into trouble. I want to be a dancer!"
I arched an eyebrow, unable to hide my own small smile. "Really? You know… I wanted to be a dancer at your age."
Her green eyes grew wide. "Really? Why did you join the alliance?"
I shrugged. "I didn't have a choice in the end. Tell you what though; you keep out of trouble… keep up in school…and I'll see what I can do about finding you a good dance academy."
Her eyes lit up. "Really!?" She was breathless, thrilled. "Can I write to you commander? I'll tell you how good I'm doing in school!" She promised.
I hesitated for a split second, my stomach twisting uncomfortably. "Sure." I said at last. "If you like. I'm sure your mum will keep me updated too."
Amy's smile brightened.
Bailey joined us and I pulled myself up off my ankles. "The car is ready for them. Kolyat will take them to the hotel… they can stay there until the apartment is ready for them."
I nodded. "Send me the bill…"
"Seryna…" Amy tried to protest but I held up a hand to silence her.
"Don't sass me girl." I warned in the authoritative tone I used with her all those years ago.
She smiled, then threw her arms around me in a neck braking hug. Kolyat had to prize her off me and I watched him lead them out of sight, Hope turning and waving at me as they left.
I swallowed hard, emotions raging around my head and trying to find their way to the surface. I turned and snatched my helmet from Bailey's desk, snapping it into place over my head just as the tears began to fall. "I should get back to the Normandy." I mused aloud.
Garrus nodded in a firm agreement and I shook Bailey's hand before allowing both Thane and Garrus to lead me back to my ship, Thanes arm brushing against mine as we walked and Garrus a step ahead, eyes wide as he searched for any signs of trouble.
God bless my friends.
