Miranda showed Shepard and Liara to Arelia's bedroom, she failed to tell them what happened to her.
"Goddess!" Liara quickly sits next to Arelia on the bed. "What happened?"
Arelia was near sleep when the three entered her room, hearing Liara gasp with concern she slowly lifts her head. "Liara?" her voice is still a bit hoarse.
Shepard and Miranda are at the foot of the bed closer to the doorway of the bedroom. Shepard leans close to Miranda and whispers "You didn't do that did you?"
Miranda replies with a look that could kill.
"Hey, just making sure," says Shepard. Speaking to the group now Shepard steps closer to the foot of the bed, "Mind telling me what the hell is going on?"
"Careful Shepard," snarls Miranda, "She can't be trusted."
Shepard and Liara exchange looks. Liara hands Arelia some water to drink while she runs a scan.
"I already did that she has a mild concussion," says Miranda.
"Wow Miranda so nice for you to be concerned about your girlfriend," says Shepard sarcastically.
"Shut up Shepard."
Liara holds onto one of Arelia's hands, "What happened?"
Miranda is about to speak again but Shepard raises her hand warning her not to.
"Two men attacked me in the parking lot," says Arelia as she finishes the bottle of water.
"She needs food," says Liara as she looks at the two human women.
Shepard stands straight crossing her arms, she looks at Miranda.
"Fine," says Miranda as she leaves the bedroom to get some food.
Shepard sits in a nearby chair. "What's going on Arelia who did that to you?"
Blinking away the pain in her head, Arelia explains to Liara and Shepard that she and her now deceased bondmate Michelle have a daughter named Shelby. Though Shelby was not fathered by Michelle, but by another asari, the human was fine treating her as her own. Shelby is 92 years old and was kidnapped by Cerberus forcing Arelia to find out information from Miranda Lawson. The two men who jumped her were from Cerberus warning her that she has one week left to get the information or else her daughter dies.
Miranda is standing outside the bedroom listening.
Liara pulls up her omni-tool to check something.
"What are you doing?" asks Shepard.
"Some of the search parameters I was running were not finished when we left the house." Liara looks at her bondmate, "What she says is true Elly she has daughter."
"They took her," says Arelia, as fresh tears start to fall. "I have ruined everything."
Liara moves closer to her and hugs the asari.
Shepard narrows her eyes, "How long have they had her?"
Sniffling a little Arelia replies as Liara leans back, "Over six months now."
"Wait…what? That's about when we moved here," says Shepard.
Liara looks at Arelia with concern.
"Cerberus knew you were moving here Shepard. They took her knowing that eventually Miranda would show up; at least that is what they told me."
"I have never known Cerberus to be so patient," says Shepard.
"Elly."
It was all Shepard had to hear in Liara's tone. Of course they can be patient they waited two years to bring her back.
"How did they know we were moving here?" asks Shepard.
"Elly it is not a secret that the savior of the galaxy lives on Thessia," says Liara kindly. She turns to Arelia and asks "How do you know they have Shelby?"
Arelia gestures toward her omni-tool, Miranda removed it and it sits on the nearby bedside table. "They send me a vid of her every week.
Shepard gets the omni-tool and hands it to Liara.
"Every week I have to see her try not to cry when she records a message. She does not know why she is being held and she always looks so frightened. I …I ," Arelia wipes her tears away she is growing tired of crying. "I tried to find her, but .."
"But what?" asks Liara.
"I don't know if I was getting close but some men visited me a few months ago, told me to back off or they would kill her and find another way to get the information they want."
"Is that when you took a few days off of work, you never told me what you did or where you were," says Shepard.
Nodding Arelia says "Yes. I was recovering. My beating was a bit harsher than this," she gestures to herself.
"Why did you not ask us for help?" asks Liara.
Shaking her head, "I couldn't…I couldn't risk your family. They warned me that something would happen to you Liara and to your child if I asked for help."
"Goddess Arelia, I am so sorry you had to deal with this alone."
Still outside the bedroom Miranda's heart aches for Arelia. She wants to go to her, to comfort her, but how can she. She is not sure she believes the asari. She enters the room with tray in hand, it is food for Arelia.
Miranda can feel Arelia's eyes on her as she sets the tray down on the bed over the asari's lap. In a softer tone she asks "You need anything else?"
Arelia tries to touch Miranda's hand but the human woman quickly moves it away. "No…no thank you Miranda," she says.
Liara looks through Arelia's omni-tool, something catches her eye. "Arelia why do I only see vids from over two months ago, have they not sent one since?"
"That's about when Ori and I showed up," says Miranda she is standing at the foot of the bed.
"You are correct Miranda. The vids stopped just prior to your arrival. They started calling instead. They threatened you," Arelia gestures to Liara and Shepard, "and they said they would no longer send the vids, that I didn't deserve to see her and if I wanted to see my daughter ever again then I would need to get what they wanted."
"What information do they want?" asks Shepard.
"Something about the Lazarus Project," says Arelia. She looks at the people in the room and notices that both Shepard and Liara seem to pale, not Miranda she just looks pissed she has been that way since Arelia told her earlier.
Liara is the first to speak, "What do you know about the project?"
Arelia shakes her head, "Nothing. I have no idea what it is; I suspect it is code for something. I do know however that the rumors about you Shepard are indeed false, that you were brought back from the dead."
"Is that why you drugged Miranda?" asks Shepard her tone not too nice.
"What?" Miranda asks shocked.
Arelia wonders how they could possibly know.
"I only gave you two doses," says Arelia as her eyes meet Miranda's before quickly looking away in shame.
"The tea! Of course how could I be so stupid," says Miranda.
"You drank the first cup before I could stop you.."
"…don't you dare try to blame me for this Arelia!" spits Miranda.
Arelia continues ignoring the human woman's outburst. "I wanted to see what information I could glean from a meld, but I…I just couldn't do it."
"Do what?" yells Miranda.
Liara shoots a look at Shepard to do something about Miranda. Shepard places a hand on her arm to try to calm her.
Arelia is losing her patience with the woman. She knows she is in the wrong but Miranda is not being fair, not that she is expecting it but she does not have to put up with it. "Are humans always this stupid," she utters to Liara.
Liara does not reply she doesn't have a chance; Miranda is yelling again, "Oh so now I am stupid is that it!"
Her head throbbing Arelia decides to bite right back "I could have gotten the information I needed from you Miranda, I could have gotten it easily, I am a Matron for Goddess sake! But you would have died in the process!" The exertion is too much Arelia has to lean over her bed as she feels she is going to throw up, the tray over her lap and its contents tumbling off the bed. Shepard quickly runs to move the nearby waste basket to get it under the asari which she manages to do just in time as she vomits. Her entire body is shuddering; Liara has her hand on her back to try to be a comfort.
Calmly Liara says "She is right Miranda. If she wanted the information she could have retrieved it from your mind with no problem leaving you as you humans say a vegetable, either that or kill you."
Shepard keeps quiet as she picks up the food and plate that are strewn along the floor.
"But…I don't understand," says Miranda.
Arelia curls up on her side after finishing. She cannot sit up any longer she internally begs for sleep.
"She needs to rest," says Liara. She moves off the bed to get a damp washcloth.
Shepard throws the food away into the bin and leaves to empty it, it is not a fun job but it needs to be done.
Miranda is just standing like a statue watching. She is confused. Why wouldn't Arelia just take what she needed from her why did Arelia resist the melds, it was Miranda who pushed them. Miranda wants to shut away the voice inside her the voice that reminds her that Arelia loves her. Miranda doesn't notice Liara standing next to her or talking to her. "Miranda?"
"Sorry what Liara?"
"Arelia needs to rest. You can come in later okay?" Liara gently nudges Miranda to the door.
Miranda looks at her in confusion, she is stunned yet again. "Why didn't she just take what she needed?" she asks Liara.
Liara smiles it is a knowing smile, "I suspect you know Miranda."
With the two humans out of the room Liara moves to help Arelia. She rewets a cloth with warm water and slowly dabs along Arelia's forehead and face.
In a small whisper Arelia says "Thank you."
"You rest now Arelia everything will be okay."
"You can meld with me if you want to Liara, if you are concerned about my honesty."
The thought had come to mind but Liara would not presume to ask. "Are you sure Arelia? I do already believe you."
Smiling a little as she adjusts the pillow under her head she says "Yes."
Liara's eyes go dark. The meld does not last long just long enough to see what Arelia wants to show Liara. She feels the love the asari has for Miranda, she sees the two men attack her in the parking lot and sees them again from an attack Arelia said took place months ago. Liara knows them to be Cerberus agents by how they carry themselves. Liara is able to see the men clearly in her mind. Liara pushes feelings of comfort to Arelia which is reciprocated with appreciation. Before Liara ends the meld Arelia shares a memory of her former bondmate with their daughter Shelby. She senses the sadness in Arelia and suddenly the drowsiness Liara can feel the throbbing pain, slowly pulling away from her mind Liara leaves feelings of security as she slowly ends the meld. She leans down to kiss the asari on her cheek.
Arelia whispers while Liara is near, "I love her you know..I couldn't…I just couldn't.."
"….shh you rest now Arelia. You are not alone in this anymore."
Liara sits with Arelia until her breathing deepens and she knows she is asleep.
"How is she?" asks Shepard as Liara joins her and Miranda in Arelia's family room.
"She is finally asleep." Liara sits down next to Elly on the couch punching buttons on her omni-tool.
"What are you doing?" asks Shepard as she leans close to Liara to place a quick peck on her cheek.
"I am running cross reference checks with the Shadow Broker databases to see if anything can be picked up on the vids of Shelby."
"Yeah about that," says Shepard. "I don't think I buy what Arelia mentioned about what Cerberus said regarding sending the vids.
"What do you mean?" asks Miranda.
Standing now to pace the room Shepard continues, "If I am Cerberus I would want to keep Arelia motivated. Sending the vids keeps her motivated to the task I want her to complete. By stopping the vids where's the motivation?"
"She said they threatened our family Elly," Liara says.
"I know but at this point we would have known Arelia for about four months or so.."
"…you think she would sacrifice our family because she didn't know us that well, I do not agree Elly not at all," says Liara.
"Okay…"
Miranda interrupts "Unless something happened to Shelby."
They all exchange looks. Shepard is nodding. "Exactly."
" do you mean?" asks Liara.
"She means the vids stopped because something happened and Shelby is dead. Cerberus still wants what they want so they start to threaten instead saying no more vids..it makes sense to me," says Miranda.
The cold tone to Miranda's voice is not lost on Liara and Shepard they just exchange glances which speaks volumes between the two. They know Miranda is struggling with all of this that she is struggling with her feelings.
"Do we tell her your suspicions?" asks Liara.
"Let's wait and see," says Shepard. "While you were with Arelia I called Ash to see if she knows anything since she is still tracking down Cerberus cells on Earth."
"We don't know if Shelby is on Earth Shepard," says Miranda.
"True but it doesn't hurt to ask. She said she would let me know but she hasn't seen an asari with any of the cells they are monitoring."
"So what are we going to do?" asks Liara.
Miranda huffs a little, "How can you be so sure she is telling the truth, she could be with Cerberus?"
"Arelia is telling the truth," says Liara. "I did a shallow meld with her. She showed me the men who attacked her, how Cerberus initially approached her, her daughter and…" Liara looks at Miranda.
There is an understanding between the two, Miranda knows what Liara was going to say, that Arelia loves her.
Miranda is happy to know the information and she does believe it at least she wants to believe it but she cannot stop the voice within that reminds her that Arelia deceived her that her interest in her was to get information.
"I am positive she is telling the truth," Liara continues. "I felt her despair."
Miranda chimes in, "Fine, so she is telling the truth now what?"
"We need a plan," says Shepard she is getting antsy she wants to do something.
"I can check into my old contacts see if I can come up with anything," says Miranda.
"Good that's good," says Shepard.
"I don't want to leave her alone," says Liara. "I can stay with her."
"I don't want you to be alone Liara. We have no idea how closely they are watching her. How about I pick up Raina and some things and we camp out here tonight, I am sure Arelia would not mind and Valya probably wants to get home."
"She has enough bedrooms," says Miranda, this gets a smile from Shepard and Liara.
"Okay let's do what we do," says Shepard.
Shepard is gone to get Raina and Miranda is in a room doing research and making calls, Liara is bringing a tray of food into Arelia.
Entering the room Liara hears Arelia crying softly. She sets the tray down and moves quickly to her side, "Arelia?" Liara places her hand on Arelia's shoulder as she is still curled up on her side.
Arelia shifts into a sitting position, Liara helps with the propping of pillows. "Sorry Liara, I didn't hear you."
"Don't apologize Arelia, how are you feeling, I brought you some food."Liara grabs the tray and sets it over Arelia's lap.
"I am not even sure who I am crying for anymore everything has gotten so out of hand," says Arelia. "I am so tired of crying."
Liara runs a scan to make sure Arelia is not getting worse or previous injuries were missed. She is happy with the results. "How is your head?"
Arelia offers a small smile, "I have had worse. The pain has thankfully dulled a little." She takes a bite of food. "Thank you for your help Liara."
"Of course Arelia," Liara places her hand on the asari's, "You are not alone do you hear me?"
Arelia is grateful to have such good friends. "Are you not angry with me?"
"No. You are in an impossible situation Arelia, I am just so sorry you had to bear this alone, until now," says Liara.
"Is she still here?"
Arelia is referring to Miranda and Liara knows it.
"She is. She is trying to see if she can find information about the two men who jumped you by looking into her old contacts."
"I see."
Liara notices the mood shift in Arelia. "She will need time. I believe she loves you Arelia."
Miranda stopped outside of Arelia's bedroom when she heard the two asari talking, she knows she shouldn't eavesdrop but she cannot help herself.
Arelia nods with a small smile but it fades quickly. "I ..I told her I loved her before telling her about my daughter. I ..it was selfish of me but I wanted her to know before I told her the whole truth. She actually said it back Liara."
Liara squeezes the asari's hand. "You two are good for each other."
"I don't think there is an 'us two' anymore."
"You don't know that," consoles Liara. "Eat Arelia you need your strength."
Arelia take another bite. Shaking her head she says "I am a horrible mother," the heat in her eyes start again.
"What..no you are not..why would you say such a thing?"
"I have failed my daughter and now I have failed Miranda."
Liara moves the tray off of Arelia and out of the way then sits down and hugs her friend as she cries. "Nonsense, we will do what we can to find your daughter Arelia …and Miranda…I know she cares for you I know she does. She will just need time that is all. You are going to be alright Arelia everything will be alright."
Miranda decides to make her presence known by clearing her throat before entering the room.
The two hugging asari part and Liara grabs the tray again and sets it over Arelia's lap. "You eat all of this Arelia, you need your strength," Liara says as she walks away. She places a hand on Miranda's arm with a slight nod before leaving the two alone.
Miranda sits on the nearby chair, "She's right, you need your strength Arelia you need to eat."
Arelia takes another bite. She is not sure what to say to Miranda where to start, she feels as if she has ruined everything.
"You look a little better, your color is better," says Miranda.
Her soft tone is nice to hear. Arelia just nods and continues to eat; she cannot bring herself to look at Miranda not just yet.
"So I want to talk to you Arelia and I am not always good with this type of thing. So just listen okay?"
Arelia looks at Miranda now; the look she is receiving in return is not the look of hate she saw earlier but of sadness. Arelia wants nothing but to hug Miranda right now tell her sorry and that everything will be okay but she knows better, she simply nods to the human.
"For months you have been worried about your daughter who was taken from you. You are forced to go along with your work everyday not telling anyone what is really going on. You become friends with Shepard and Liara because of your working relationship with Shepard but your friendship is real."
Arelia is not sure where she is going with this she just continues to eat and listen.
"I finally show up and Cerberus applies more pressure, pressure for you to get to know me. So we meet." Miranda pauses. "Did….did you purposely seduce me Arelia to get the information you needed?"
Setting her fork down Arelia looks at Miranda square in the eyes and answers confidently, "No."
"Then why?" asks Miranda afraid of the answer.
Arelia takes a moment to compose herself, "When I first met you at Shepard and Liara's I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever met. My bondmate Michelle was beautiful of course, but you Miranda they way you hold yourself your confidence your beauty, I …well I have not felt those feelings in a very long time. I knew right then I would not be able to get the information Cerberus demanded."
"Soooo?"
Arelia knows Miranda is questioning Arelia's real feelings. "After meeting you Miranda I wanted to get to know you better. When we worked out together watched Raina together, I enjoyed our time together a lot. Then when I kissed you and you kissed me back I….well I got lost in you. I was thinking that with time I could just simply ask you about the information Cerberus seeks, but then they gave me a time limit."
"When?" asks Miranda.
"It was after we were together a few times, we had already melded. They gave me a month to get the information their warning…well it brought me back to reality I guess. When we were together I didn't think of my daughter..I ….am so selfish. I put my happiness in front of my daughters well being and now it is too late." Arelia wipes away tears that are falling.
Arelia continues "You were so eager to want to meld. I grew desperate Miranda and for that I am sorry. I tried the sedative to see if I could find information from you, but I did not like how it was affecting you; it was making you ill so I stopped. I…I just couldn't hurt you like that..not anymore."
Miranda shifts in the chair. It is hard to hear this but she wants to she wants to understand. "Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I don't believe so."
Miranda is about to say something when the door bell rings.
"I'll get it," they both hear Liara yell from the family room; Miranda figures it must be Shepard and Raina.
"Do you want to go out into the family room Arelia; I know they will want to hear what information Cerberus is looking for."
"Sure, I just need to get dressed."
Miranda walks over and removes the tray off the bed and sets it down on her dresser. "I can help you if you want," she asks.
Miranda cannot fool herself, she loves the asari and she understands why she did what she did. Even though it is hard for Miranda to believe that Arelia's feelings for her are real what she has seen and heard prove it to be true, part of her knows that and it's the part of her that she wants to listen to.
"If it is not too much trouble," says Arelia she does not want to make Miranda uncomfortable
Miranda offers her hand that Arelia gladly takes happy for the contact. She stands though is a bit wobbly, Miranda moves closer to steady her with both hands now, "Easy."
Their eyes lock on each other. Arelia so wants to move in to kiss her but she feels like that is asking too much. Miranda also hesitates she wants the same thing. "Do you want to take a shower first?" Miranda asks.
Arelia smiles she didn't even think how she must smell. "Yes I think I can manage." Arelia is able to walk on her own into the bathroom, Miranda waits in the bedroom for her to get cleaned up.
When Arelia and Miranda enter the family room they find Shepard on the floor with Raina while Liara is sitting on the couch looking at her omni-tool.
Shepard scoops up Raina in her arms and stands up, "You are looking better Arelia, you feeling okay?"
"I am feeling better yes thank you." Arelia slowly moves to the couch to sit.
Sensing that Miranda wants to sit next to her Liara moves off of the couch to the nearby chair. She smiles when she sees Miranda sit next to Arelia.
"I can't thank you all enough for your help," says Arelia.
"Hey, you are like family now Arelia," says Shepard "We are going to do everything we can. By the way, I hope it's okay I brought Raina over, we didn't want to leave you alone so we are all staying here tonight."
"That is fine..thank you."
"Goddess!" exclaims Liara.
The group looks at her.
She looks up, "I think I may have found where they are keeping Shelby."