Chapter Fourteen
The taxi drops off Commander Shepard, Dr. T'Soni, Captain Alenko, and Emily Wong at the spaceport. Alenko pays the fare. He feels it's the least he could do. Shepard grabs a dolly to put their bags on, so they don't have to carry them. She still has the one bag with her and it's hanging off her shoulder. All four adults start to make their way towards Shepard and T'Soni's shuttle after the cabbie places all of the bags on the luggage dolly.
Liara asks, "Ms. Wong, why are you here?" She has an idea on why the reporter is with Captain Alenko, but Liara wants to hear it from the reporter.
"I was invited by Captain Alenko to get more information on the story. On what happened at Shanxi. Dr. T'Soni, if you have any comments, I'd love to hear them. The Commander already told me no comment," replies Emily Wong. Her tone is soothing and the soft smile on her face shows Wong cares about the story, but also doesn't want to upset the couple. Shepard has always been good to Wong and Emily would like to keep it that way. She doesn't want to sacrifice her story, but she doesn't want to get on either T'Soni or Shepard's bad side. There has been rumors over the years on what happens to reporters that get on either T'Soni's or Shepard's bad side. That is the last thing Emily Wong wants.
"Liara, it's okay. I am going to make copies of the two data pads I have and I'm giving the copies to Wong. I have nothing to say at the moment. The data pads is all I need to say," says Shepard to her bondmate. She also rubs her hand over Liara's back to let Liara know everything is going to be okay.
T'Soni arches her back slightly to Shepard touch. The other two humans do not notice the interaction between the couple. Liara smiles to Shepard. She is noticing that Leia is back to acting like her normal self. Or is at the moment. The asari knows Leia has things she needs to discuss, but that isn't going to happen if Alenko and Wong are around. Dr. T'Soni is thinking that is the reason Hannah told them to meet at the cafe at 1100.
They reach Shepard/T'Soni's shuttle, Liara puts in the security code to open the shuttle's door. Shepard starts moving the bags from the dolly and places them on the floor of the shuttle. Liara takes them from the floor and puts them away. Shepard tells Alenko and Wong to go ahead and board the shuttle. Shepard is still holding on to the bag with the data pads. She isn't letting this bag out of her sight. Not until Wong gets a copy of them.
Commander Shepard steps aboard the shuttle, walks into the cockpit. She looks down and sees the broken chair and grins at the memory of how it got broken. "Give me a few minutes, Ms. Wong and I'll have something to give you."
"Thank you, Commander," replies the reporter as she sits down. She has a very good feeling that what ever Shepard has on those data pads, it's something big. The Commander isn't commenting on them, but Wong has a feeling it's big.
Dr. T'Soni follows Leia into the cockpit, "Are you sure you want to give that to her, Leia? What if this hurts the Alliance?" Liara knows how proud her lover is about the Alliance and the time she served. It is a good idea to make what was said during her meeting with the Prime Minster public? T'Soni isn't sure on that.
"Liara, I was used by the Prime Minister. I don't owe him any loyalty. This whole thing was set up by him to get me to rejoin the Alliance. I think he insulted me and our relationship to get me to go off on him, so he could use that as leverage to force me to rejoin," retorts Shepard as she hooks up the empty data pad to the one from two days ago. It is the one with the biggest file on it and will take the longest to copy. She pulls out the other pad and tosses it to Liara, "Here this is from yesterday's meeting. It's short meeting where this one is longer."
The asari catches the data pad and starts to play what is on it. She has the volume down on to where only she can hear it. She gets to the part where Prisenscot says that if he has his way all humans would not be allowed to marry any asari. Alliance Space or not. The shock on Liara's face is telling, "Oh Goddess, does he really mean to do that?" She continues to play the rest of the meeting. A smile crosses the information broker's face when she hears Leia's comments backs to the Prime Minister. "I almost don't want to hear what is on the other data pad. You said he insulted you for over an hour about me and our bond?"
Shepard offers the pilots chair to Liara, "You might not want to hear it, T'Soni. I am glad I'm not a biotic, I would have thrown his sorry ass across the room. I've always tried hard to do the right thing and to save the innocent, but this guy. He is as bad as The Illusive Man. There is a message from Lt. Vega that I have not gotten a hold of yet. It was sent to your office in my name. I need to see what that message is about, Liara."
Liara sits in the only chair available and gets on the terminal. They made sure when they put this terminal in that is had the best security and firewalls available. And it gets updated monthly. The information broker contacts her assistant on Illium. The message Liara sent asks about a message that was sent to her office in Commander Shepard's name. A few minutes later, the assistant sends the message from Lt. Vega to the shuttle. Liara downloads it to an empty data pad, without reading it she hands it over to Shepard. "Here is what Vega sent you, Shepard."
Commander Leia Shepard takes the data pad from Liara. The human is very unsure is she is wanting to read it right now. What could Vega say to make his disregard for the safety of civilians justified? Shepard looks up to Liara, "Do I want to look at this right now? What could Vega possibly say to justify his actions?" She looks back down at the data pad pondering what to do. Did the Prime Minister have something on you, Vega? And what could he have on you? Shit. The Commander decides to look at the message from Lt. Vega.
Commander Shepard,
There isn't anyone I respect more than you. I need to explain my actions on Shanxi. I was given orders by both Captain Alenko and Prime Minister Prisenscot. They conflicted with each other. I'm sorry, Commander. I had to do what the Prime Minister wanted. I had to, Shepard. I doubt I can explain why that will make you understand. I'm not like you, I don't have a way with words.
About ten years ago, I got into a situation that the Prime Minister covered up for me. At that time, he was a politician on Earth. I've done many things, Commander that I regret. Today tops the list. I am tempted to run, but what good would that do? I'll do what I've been shown to do. What you shown me to do, face the music and take the hit.
Anyway, about the situation I found myself in. I was on leave on Earth. I ran into a little trouble with a powerful organize crime lackeys of the D'Lognio family. When they found out I uses to serve under you, Commander, they contacted Prisenscot. Who is like the family's guardian angel. He told them to let me go, but under one condition. Do what ever Prisenscot wanted in the future or I die. Maybe I should have let them kill me. After seeing the blood trail to your shuttle, I knew I should have gone to Alliance brass or Capt. Alenko. He knew nothing about any of this. Don't blame him.
I don't know how to say this, Shepard. You were not the target. Dr. T'Soni was. I couldn't do what they asked of me. I was suppose to separate you two and get both of you away from your shuttle and allow the batarians to do what they were paid to do. Which was to kill Dr. T'Soni and your two daughters. Balak knew you where going to Shanxi, Shepard. He was tipped off by the D'Lognio family on Prisenscot's orders. I do not know how he got the information.
He was hoping if you lost Dr. T'Soni, you would rejoin the Alliance. The Prime Minister think T'Soni is controlling you. Prisenscot has some extreme hate for the asari, and Dr. T'Soni in particular.
I'm not talking to anyone. I'm sending this to you and that is all I am saying about it.
Do not go after them, Shepard. They are one of the strongest crime families on Earth. If you do, get a squad to help. I can't do anything to help you, Commander.
One more thing. If they find out you know about the D'Lognio family, they will come after you. Please, Commander, be careful.
Again, I'm sorry, Commander. I let you and your family down.
J.V.
After reading the message from Vega, Shepard face suddenly grows pale. The data pad hits the floor because her hands are shaking. Commander Shepard can not believe what she finished reading. The Prime Minister is mixed up with organize crime and wanted her bondmate killed. All to get her to rejoin the Alliance. Did Prisenscot really think that would motivate Shepard to rejoin the Alliance? That is one of a few thoughts running through Leia's mind.
Liara notices the color leave Shepard's face and the data pad hitting the floor because of Leia's shaking. Her own voice crackles with concern as she asks, "Leia, what's wrong. You've turn pale and have the shakes."
T'Soni reaches down to pick up the data pad when Shepard says, "NO! You don't want to read that, Liara." Shepard reaches down and picks up the data pad, shoves it into her pocket. She hears the soft beeping of the other data pad, the one with the meeting on it, is done copying the file. She grabs another blank data pad and starts to copy the second meeting. The second file is very short compared to the first one and it only takes a couple of minutes.
The color in Shepard's face is slowly returning, she turns and leaves the cockpit to talk to Emily Wong after the second transfer is complete. She ignores Kaidan Alenko. "Ms. Wong,..." Shepard double checks to make sure she is giving Wong the correct data pads. The two in her hand are the ones she wants to give to the reporter. "...these data pads contain audio from two different meeting I had with Prime Minister Landon Prisenscot. Do with them what you will. You did not get them from me, do you understand, Ms. Wong?"
The tone in Shepard's voice told Wong, she better leave Commander Shepard's name out of her report. "I understand perfectly, Commander. I got this from an anonymous source." Wong gives Shepard a smile that says thank you and a slight nod too.
"I really don't want to be rude, but I need for both of you to leave. I have a few things I have to deal with before I meet with my mother and children for brunch," comments Shepard. She has nothing to say to Alenko or Wong at this moment. She's not even sure if she can talk to Liara right now.
Kaidan notices the sudden change in the Commander, "Shepard, are you alright? I do have something I need to talk to you and Liara about."
"Out now, Alenko. What ever it is, it can wait," Leia gives Kaidan an evil glare, and the tone of voice to go with it.
Wong is already out of the shuttle. She does not want to get on Commander Shepard's bad side. She is slowly walking down the passage way to the main concourse of the space port. She is going to wait for Captain Alenko there.
Kaidan doesn't move, he stands his ground, "Shepard, I've been instructed to tell you something. Something your mother refused to do. It's not..."
Before Alenko can finish his comment, Shepard gets right up in Alenko's face, grabs the front of his shirt with both of her hands. She is moving him towards the exit to the shuttle, "I said out and I fucking meant it." She shoves the Spectre to the tarmac then shuts the shuttle door and heads towards the small restroom.
The Spectre picks himself off the tarmac. He looks to see where the reporter, Emily Wong went, he doesn't see her any where near the shuttle. Kaidan is debating what to do. Leave Shepard alone or attempt one more time to tell her what Councior Maclin wants Shepard to know. He isn't liking being put into the middle of this problem. He is sure Shepard isn't liking what is going on either. Maybe that is what caused her to toss him from her shuttle.
Liara watches the exchange between her bondmate and Alenko. She is wondering what did Vega put in that message the set Shepard off. This behavior Leia is showing is anything but normal. She gets mad, but never gets physical with anyone unless they deserved it. Liara doesn't think Alenko deserved getting shoved from the shuttle.
He decides to try to tell Commander Shepard what he needs to say. Kaidan starts knocking on the door, "Shepard, I need to talk to you. Please let me." He continues to knock on the door until it opens.
Shepard walks back out of restroom to hear Kaidan knocking on the shuttle's door. Ignoring the knocking and the pleads to be let in, Shepard grabs the two data pads from the meetings with Prime Minister Prisenscot. She looks down at them thinking, You son of a bitch. Being insulted was bad enough now I find out you want Liara dead. And our kids. Leia takes a steps back and bumps into the wall, she slides down the wall to sit on the floor. Looking straight ahead and deep in thought, Leia is oblivious to everything around her.
Alenko is still banging on the door, asking to be let in. Liara looks over to Shepard sitting on the floor then over to the door. T'Soni opens the door to the shuttle and steps out, closing the door again. She gives Kaidan a pat on the shoulder, "I'm sorry about that, Kaidan. I don't know what has come over her. Something in the message she received from Vega set her off. Any idea what he could have said that would have done that?"
Hearing Liara mention a message from Vega, Kaidan thinks with certainty he knows why Shepard is acting out of character. "I might, Dr. T'Soni. Admiral Shepard was asked to tell the Commander something and the Admiral wouldn't do it. Now, it's up to me to tell her. I think she found out from Vega. Now, I understand why Admiral Shepard refused to tell her." He smiles softly to the asari standing next to him.
"Are you going to tell me, Alenko?" asks Liara as she crosses her arms. Her stance shows annoyance that Kaidan didn't miss.
"Ahmm, I'm not sure if I should be the one to tell you, Liara. It's bad and it's about you, I'm afraid," replies Captain Alenko. He gives her a sympathetic smile.
Liara glares at Kaidan, "Damn it Kaidan. Either tell me or please leave." The information broker's stance hasn't changed, only Liara is getting more annoyed.
Kaidan doesn't have it in him to tell Liara. Even though they are friends, he can't do it. If Shepard's mother can't tell her, there is no way he can tell Liara. "I'm sorry, Liara. Dr. T'Soni. I can't." The human Spectre turns away from the asari and walks down the walkway towards the space port concourse. He pauses, turns to look back towards the shuttle. Liara is still standing there looking at him with her arms still across her chest. He turns back around and goes to find Emily Wong.
Commander Shepard opens the shuttle door to see Alenko walking away, "Is he finally gone?" The color has completely returned and the shakes have stopped. "I know it's getting about time to meet up with my mom and the kids, but I need to tell you something first." Shepard motions with her hand for Liara to come back into the shuttle. Leia needs to tell Liara what the message said. Shepard realizes she can't bear this alone nor does she want to. Not when their children lives are at stake.
"Only if you promise to tell me what is going on, Leia Shepard," Liara is tired of being left in the dark. She refuses to move until Shepard gives her the promise.
Commander Shepard says with guilt in her voice, "I promise. Now please, come back inside." Dr. T'Soni steps back on the shuttle, Shepard closes the door behind her. The human takes the asari's hand, "Liara, this is bad." Not knowing what else to say to the love of her life, Leia Shepard hands over the pad containing the message from Lieutenant James Vega. Liara grabs it, but before Shepard lets go she says, "You will want to be sitting when you read it"
Dr. T'Soni walks over to sit down and begins reading the message. "Oh Goddess. Why? What have I done to Prisenscot that him hates me so much? I've never even heard of this D'Lognio family. Maybe I need to pay more attention to human affairs." The asari information broker's mind is racing. She is unsure what to do. They can't run into this problem head on. That will not work, Liara knows this. She is sure Shepard knows this as well. "What should we do now, Leia?"
Shepard sits next to Liara while saying, "My gut tells me to get the kids from my mom and go home. That is me being a protective parent. I do think we'll be okay as long as we don't say anything about this. I know I gave Wong the recording of the meeting, but there is no mention of the D'Lognio family in it. We need to find out where on Earth they are located. If it's New York, we need to be extra careful. We might want to be extra careful anyway. " She pats Liara on the thigh then places her arm around the asari and holds her tight.
Liara stands up, getting out of Shepard's embrace, "We need to meet up with your mother and the girls." Liara has turned off her emotions, much like she did after the Commander died back in 2183. She turns to look at Shepard, who is still sitting down looking at her, "You coming?" There is a cold determination in Liara's voice.
It's a determination Leia Shepard has seen before. Back in '85 when Liara was hunting the Shadow Broker. It's the type of determination Shepard had hope to never see again. Only this time it's not about a friend, but her children lives plus her own. Then add in the fact that Shepard is recovering from a bullet wound, Leia knows Liara will not let this drop and if it takes years, it takes years. "Not until we talk this over, Liara. I don't want it hovering over us while we're with the kids. Lets come up with some type of plan of action, then calmly head to meet with them," says Leia as she stands up and moves between Liara and the shuttle door.
Liara steps closer to the Commander, "Lets head back to Illium so I can get to work finding out what I can, Shepard. So, lets go get Kaja and Gaia. Explain to your mom that we can't drop her off and head home." Liara takes another stop towards the door and Shepard gets in her way.
Even though Shepard hasn't been active military for fifteen years, she flipped the switch in her brain that put her personal feelings on the back burner so she can think clearly and level headed. She grabs T'Soni's arm and calmly says, "That is what they want, T'Soni. I refuse to give these people the satisfaction of us going home before our vacation is over with. I'll hire protection first."
Those words resonated with Dr. T'Soni, she lowers her head and closes her eyes. Thinking. Thinking about what Shepard is saying. Deep down, she knows Leia is right. Now that they both know there could be dangers lurking in the future. They will be more cautious and more alert when on Earth. "Okay," says Liara as she lifts her head up and looks into Leia's eyes. Those blue eyes are full of confidence, compassion, and bold determination and are comforting to the asari. "We don't need to hire anyone. You and I are enough. We're already late, Leia. We should go."
"What do we tell my mother? She will want to know why we are late." comments the human with her smirk Liara loves so much. Shepard is still a big ball of emotion. She refuses to give in to anyone. Not about Liara and especially the kids. She is really needing to get in a gym and work out for a few hours. It helps relieve some tension plus it's also a place for her to gather her thoughts when she is punching the punching bag.
"I don't know, Shepard. We can't tell her the truth. No one must know. The safety of our children must be our highest priority right now," answers T'Soni. Liara eyes have a tired look. She wraps her arms around the human standing in front of her and puts her head on Leia's shoulder.
Commander Shepard holds Dr. T'Soni in her arms. The revelations of the day is taking its toll on not only Liara, but on Shepard as well. Neither one is really wanting to take the kids to the zoo, but their two girls are wanting to go. So, they'll suck it up like good parents and take them. At least they have a third set of eyes with them, Admiral Hannah Shepard.
"I agree. We'll tell her we lost track of time. Which isn't a lie per se, but isn't the whole truth either," replies the Commander as she gives the asari in her arms a loving squeeze. Leia hopes her mother doesn't ask questions or if she does not many. This is on a need to know basis and no one else needs to know. Not right now any way. "One more thing before we head out."
"Wha..." is the only word the escapes Liara's lips before Leia plants a sloppy kiss on those blue lips. As they kiss, they feel their bodies become one. Time stands still for the briefest of moments. Within that moment their worries and concerns are washed away. Shepard's fortitude mixes with T'Soni's determination gives the couple a renewal of inner strength that for too long laid dormant. Liara breaks away from the kiss, smiling at Shepard.
The human opens the door to the shuttle and gives the area a quick look over. Everything seems fine, but she isn't going to take any more chances. Leia offers her hand out to the asari and the couple walk hand in hand towards the exit of the spaceport. It's past the time to meet with Hannah and their children.
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A/N:Not the happiest of chapter, I know. This is just the beginning. More to come when it comes to the Prime Minister. And yes, this guy is a real big doucher. Stay tuned for more.
See everyone on Monday. I do hope you are still enjoying this so far. I'm still not completely done writing it. I am very close to the end, I think. I keep thinking that and yet I keep writing more. This feels like the never ending story. :O)