Chapter 21
Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect or any of its Characters. Those belong to Bioware and EA.
Thanks everyone :D
Arisa's heart raced as she, Miranda, and Jack met up with Shepard and Samara outside of Afterlife.
"What's going on Shepard?... Miranda said Eric was in danger" She said looking at Shepard.
Shepard glanced at Samara who nodded and explained the situation with Samara's daughter.
Arisa's heart raced even more after hearing about the terrible acts that Morinth had committed.
With everyone that had been going on she really hadn't gotten to spend any alone time with him. She knew he was still hurting from Alena's death. She knew he had went to get drunk as a way of trying to cope with his pain. She didn't understand why he had done it and now it might cost him his life.
"We don't have much time. According to what Information that we were able to retrieve . Morinth has an apartment here in complex A. Its a penthouse suite. We have to be careful here. She'll be wary but we have to move fast to save Eric's life." Shepard said breaking her train of thoughts.
All nodded "Miranda! Take Jack and Arisa search this section" She said indicating the northern section of a small map display hovering over her Omni-Tool. "Well head south. Take care and move quick" Shepard said as they went their separate ways.
Arisa prayed to that he was ok and that he would remember his Omni-Tool.
*************Eric*******
"You have some interesting pieces" I said turning to look at Morinth.
The Asari sat on the couch smiling at me as I walked around the room staring at various works of art.
My gaze rolled across a Krogan statue "It was from a potential suitor. He was after me for a long time. I eventually gave him what he wanted though I don't think its what he expected." She said giving me a smile. I smiled back.
My eyes came across something hidden behind a few statues "Wow you have an ancient Samurai sword?" I asked turning to look at her.
I almost jumped considering that she was now standing behind me. "Yes its a piece from a human suitor I met on my travels. He valued it tremendously and didn't want to part with it though I changed his mind." She said giving me another beautiful smile.
She started walking back to the couch when she stopped and turned her head to me "Your different than most Humans I've met. You seem more strong willed than most. Others would have practically ripped my clothes off by now to be with me." She said casting me a curious glance.
I gave a glance and turned back to admiring a picture. Truth be told that the Alcohol I drank was wearing off. Thankful Arisa had planned for my hangover by putting some detox into my Omni-Tool to be dispensed if I needed it. I had hit the button the moment the Asari started pulling me to her apartment. Hopefully the effects would end soon. Morinth was beautiful but strange.
"Like I said to you once before I'm different" I said looking at her.
She regarded me with a curious look before sitting back down on the couch and once again she was smiling at me.
"Why don't you come over here so we can talk" She said.
I had grown tired of walking around and I felt something drawing me to her.
I made my way over to her and sat down.
She smiled at me and slid her arm around me "Your very intriguing." She said moving her face close to mine.
"Your not so bad yourself" I said realizing it sounded cheesy.
She smiled and kissed me.
I immediately felt weird. It was as if the room got colder suddenly. I felt a shiver run down my spine. I felt a pulling sensation pulling at my head. I jerked my head back breaking the kiss. I looked at her face to notice her eyes were black.
"How...How did you break contact?" She asked her eyes changing to normal.
"what?" I asked. I started to move when she closed a hand around my throat. Suddenly I felt a force pushing hard at my mind.
I looked up to see her hovering over me her eyes once again black. "Show me your secrets." She pried.
'Pain... God It hurt...'
I struggled vainly in an attempt to stop her. I heard her growling "Let me into your mind damit" She yelled.
I felt my resistance sliding. Damit I was still slightly dazed from the Alcohol affects.
"You've mated with an Asari before... Ahhh you gave her a child.." She said. I struggled harder at her attempts. "Hmmm... it seems my mother planned to kill me here.. to bad now just a little deeper and I'll kill you than. Your going to be so delicious. Thank you." she said with a coldness in her voice that made my body shudder.
"Wait..I can't why!" She said squeezing my throat tighter. My vision started to grow dark. She pressed harder again and I let out a scream. She smiled "It doesn't matter what else you have hidden. Now its time to give you your just rewards. You wanted to screw me... now you get what you asked for." She said smiling a cold predatory smile.
I felt terror unlike anything ever before as She moved her face close to mine and kissed me.
I felt a creeping sensation again this time different as it entered my mind. I started to feel myself lose itself in the blackness that was pulling me when something happened.
***********Jack********
They had finally came across the last apartment after searching countless others "It would be the last one." She grumbled. Arisa immediately started hacking the door.
It opened and they stepped in to see Morinth on top of Eric kissing him.
Jack became infuriated. He was her friend. She had enjoyed their talks they had. And after everything he still treated her just like another regular person. He was probably the first person to not want to use her for something or want something from her. And now this bitch was killing him.
She went to move when something strange happened.
***********Eric*********
"What.. How.. argghhhhhh!" She screamed breaking the link and leaning backwards grabbing her head.
She heard a noise and before she could react she was slammed against the window. She did a sharp intake as the air left her body. She looked up to stare into the face of her attacker.
My vision was fading.. Everything was growing darker.. I struggled to turn my head.. I saw Jack looking the most angry I had ever seen her.. My thoughts lingered on her a moment before darkness consumed me.
********** Jack *********
Jack turned to look at Eric and noticed that he was now unconscious. Anger raged in her. She turned to the Asari as she dropped to her feet on the floor.
"Your going to pay for that you blue BITCH!" Jack yelled throwing a shockwave at her.
Morinth having recovered dodged the attack countering with a throw. Jack dodged and launched a slam catching Morinth as she moved spinning her and slamming her against the wall.
Jack took the moment to tell Miranda and Arisa to grab Eric and get the hell back to the ship while signaling for Samara and Shepard.
Morinth started to get to her feet as Miranda and Arisa lifted Eric up in both their arms. As they passed Jack Miranda turned back to the woman "Jack let me help... with our combined Biotic's we can defeat her in no time."
Jack eyed the operative. "Worried about me cheerleader?... I didn't think you cared... Now get him to the ship.. This bitch has made this personal." Jack said turning to look at a now thoroughly pissed off Morinth.
Miranda glanced at her one last time "Good luck Jack" She said before heading out the door with Eric and Arisa.
"Alright you blue bitch... let's see what you got!" Jack yelled.
Morinth smiled and launched a singularity at Jack. Jack rolled out of her way. As she was coming to her feet she was greeted with Morinth standing in front of her. The Asari smiled and brought a knee to her face causing Jack to rear back in pain. Morinth used a pull to slam Jack sideways towards the Thin glass dividing wall. She crashed through it into the main bedroom.
Jack got to her hands and knees and shook the pieces of debris off of her. She coughed and saw some blood hit the ground. She turned to see Morinth walking toward her. She waited till she got close and with a quick movement she used slam to grab Morinth and slam her to the ground. As the Asari bounced up Jack spun and did a roundhouse kick the the woman's head causing a scream of pain as her body shot and slammed against the wall.
Morinth gasped for air as she slid to the ground. She started to get up. She turned to see Jack's fist connect with her head.
The two women resorted to hand to hand throwing their Biotic's aside.
Jack slammed her fist into the woman's stomach causing her to gasp in pain. Jack moved to swing her right when Morinth headbutted her causing Jack to stagger.
Jack struggled to recover when Morinth rammed into her head first grabbing Jack around the waist and slamming her onto the bed.
Morinth quickly straddled the woman and connected a fist to her head. Jack grunted and as Morinth threw another Jack grabbed it with both her hands twisted it causing Morinth to scream in pain. Jack brought a foot up kicking the Asari in the head sending her flying off the bed and landing with an audible crack as she caught the corner of the nightstand.
Jack grunted as she got to her feet. She wiped the blood from her mouth. She looked at the Asari who had a nasty cut under her eye. The blood was flowing freely as she stared at the convict.
Jack moved closer when the woman grabbed and picture frame and slammed it onto the Biotic. Before Jack could recover Morinth Stabbed her with a piece of glass from the frame and then sent a kick knocking Jack back through the whole in the wall that she had created earlier and into the living room.
Jack gasped in pain. She turned to see Morinth her face bruised and battered badly step through the whole.
Jack grunted and gasped as she broke free of the metal frame. She scrambled to her feet clutching the wound in her stomach as she stared at the Asari.
They circled each other staring each other down.
"You fight for this man with such fierceness... can it be that you care for him?" Morinth asked stalking her prey.
Jack stared at the woman as they circled each other. Morinth smiled.
"Want to know his inner thoughts... his inner desires.." She laughed sending a slight shiver through Jacks spine.
"Before I attempted the union I was able to pull some out of his mind. Do you want to know it Jack?" She said inching her way a little closer.
Jack growled and took a step back.
Morinth regarded the woman. She watched her as they continued circling.
"Shut the fuck up" Jack said shaking a little.
"You care for him Jack... that's so touching... I saw it in his mind" She said with a sinister smile.
"I can tell you want to be with him... your body and face says it... but he wouldn't want you would he now... he wouldn't want someone who is broken... someone who is lower than trash on the street.. do you really think he could love you Jack... that he could love a killer. I mean look at what he has already.. The perfect woman to screw at his mercy... And a Quarian that is so love struck that she'll stay by his side even if she can't be intimate with him." Morinth said continuing to draw closer to Jack.
Jack's body began to shake and she growled louder at the Asari.
Suddenly Morinth stopped. "Oh and there's just one more thing." She said smiling.
Jack stared at the woman.
"If he dies its a real shame. His lips... his taste was exhilarating. Now that I think about that.." She said looking at Jack "I think I'll find him. I could live off of him for a long time. Of course he'll be a shell of the man he once was. It'd be a shame to let that go to waste." She said.
Jack lost it and launched herself at Morinth.
Morinth smiled and sidestepped Jack.
Jack gasped realizing her stupidity and struggled to regain her footing but it was too late as Morinth brought a knee up catching her in the gut. Jack gasped in pain as the air was launched out of her. She looked up as Morinth brought an elbow down onto her head.
Jack hit the ground with a sickening crunch crying out in pain.
Morinth walked over to her prey and turned her over.
Jack gasped and started coughing up blood.
She was too weak to move. Her body felt broken.
Morinth kneeled down next to the convict. She pressed her knee onto the woman's stomach wound causing her to scream in pain.
"Looks like poor Jacky won't get to tell Eric that she's got a soft spot for him!" Morinth smiled as she pressed harder into the convict's stomach causing her to scream.
Jack's eyes widened and narrowed at the Asari.
"Do it you BITCH!"
Morinth nodded. She raised her hand balled it into a fist. Her body glowed with Biotic energy as she gathered it behind her fist. She launched her fist at the convict.
Jack closed her eyes as the Asari threw the punch. She waited for the end but strangely it didn't come. She opened her eyes to see a hand clamped over Morinth's.
Morinth turned her head to stare into the face of her mothers "Mother" She muttered. "Morinth." Samara replied. Before she could move Samara connected a punch fueled by her Biotic's to Morinth's head sending the Asari flying and crashing through the coffee table.
As Morinth struggled to crawl away Samara quickly approached her. Samara pounced onto Morinth kneeling above her chest.
Morinth looked into her mothers eyes "Do it!" She spat blood into her mother face.
Samara winced as the blood hit her face. "May you find peace in the embrace of the godess!" Samara said. Morinth's eyes widened as Samara's fist came down connecting to her head causing it to spin which snapped her neck.
*************Shepard***********
She cursed herself for suggesting that they split up. After Miranda contacted her she immediately spun make her way towards Morinth's apartment.
Miranda reported over the com that Eric was injured by Morinth. They were unsure as to what extent and that Jack had engaged her in single combat. Shepard was pissed but strangely she was wondering why Jack had did that. It was extremely unlike Jack to fight for another individual.
Shepard rushed into the room to see Samara kneeling over Morinth's body. Her attention shifted to see Jack laying on the floor with blood slowly pooling around her.
Shepard ran up to Jack pulling out some Medi-Gel in the process and slapping it over the convicts wound causing her to grunt in pain.
She was in trouble Shepard could tell. The wound stopped bleeding and she picked her up and turned giving Samara a glance who had finally turned from Morinth's body and bolted for the direction of the shuttle. Not surprised at all Shepard noticed no one cared that she carried a wounded person running through the streets of Omega. It was the hell hole of the universe after all.
She heard gasps from the crew as she made her way through the airlock and straight for the elevator. She cursed as the elevator took its sweet time. She kept checking Jack's pulse constantly.
Finally the deck opened and she ran for the Med-bay. Past A very shocked and surprised Miranda and Arisa. Chakwas looked up as she entered and placed Jack on one of the beds.
As Chakwas moved over to Jack and began work Shepard noticed Mordin hovering over Eric who was still unconscious.
"How is he Mordin?" Shepard asked.
Mordin started to reply but Chakwas cut him off "Shepard if you don't mind you need to leave. We have to treat both patients right now. We need to perform surgery quick on Jack so I need you to leave. Thank you" Chakwas said pushing Shepard out the door and locking it behind her.
Shepard walked over to a very worried Miranda and Arisa. "How are you two holding up?" She asked with genuine concern in her voice.
Shepard looked at Miranda as she turned to her. The Operative had been crying causing the mascara to run. "Were trying to stay strong Commander... It's just he didn't respond to anything... I don't know what to say if that bitch did something to him." She said her face contorting into a scowl.
She heard Arisa growl and she turned to her. She couldn't see the Quarian's face but she could tell by her body expressions and her voice that she was upset. "I pray that Eric will be ok. I don't know what I'll do without him." She said with a quiver in her voice. "I wish I could have torn the Bosh'tet apart myself." She said.
Shepard heard the elevator door open and she turned to see Samara stepping out and making her way over to them.
"Are you ok?" Shepard asked her. Samara nodded and turned her attention to the Med-bay.
Shepard wanted to say more but decided to save it for later.
After a time a very exhausted looking Chakwas walked out with Mordin behind her.
"Jack will be fine. She'll need a few days to heal but I'd recommend giving her bout 2 weeks before being full combat ready." Shepard nodded.
"What about Eric?" Miranda and Arisa both asked.
Chakwas turned to them and glanced at Shepard.
She was getting an uneasy feeling in the stomach with the look that Chakwas was giving her.
"What is it doctor?" Shepard said not trying to force the issue.
Chakwas looked at her one last time "We did a scan when he first came on the Normandy while treating him for his fight With Tela. We could tell then as how advanced his Biotic's were. We did one a little while ago and found out that what physical injuries he had from the encounter with Morinth had healed already." She said.
"Wait a second... How can he heal that fast he's not a Krogan!" Arisa said.
Chakwas turned to her "Every human's body pushes itself to heal a wound. Given certain medicine that process spends up. It's why Jack will be back up in a few days even though she sustained some serious injuries." The doctor said.
"Are you saying he's invincible?" Miranda asked.
"No not at all. He'll just heal faster than everyone else. Shepard had mentioned to me after what happened in the CIC that his body was changing evolving somehow. I think this is one of the changes. It appears his body is building up defensive measures to protect itself." She said.
They looked at her for a moment "That explains why Morinth was grabbing her head and screaming." Miranda said.
They all looked at her including Samara whose gaze made the Operative a little uneasy.
"Explain Miranda!" Shepard said.
"When we arrived in the apartment we noticed Morinth grabbing her head and screaming. If your right doctor his mind reacted to her unwanted intrusion." Miranda said.
"I believe your right Miranda.. Liara mentioned something about him trying to block her when she first met him." Shepard said.
Everyone looked at her to explain more but she said it was for another time.
"Regardless that's not what concerns me.. Physically he's fine.. but its his mental state I'm worried about. So far I've been unable to wake him. I've noticed rapid eye movement. And judging by the expression on his face he appears to be in a great deal of mental pain." The doctor said looking at them.
Miranda and Arisa looked horrified "Can we go see him now doc?" Miranda asked.
Chakwas nodded and The two women entered the Med-bay.
"What aren't you telling me Doc?" Shepard said looking at the woman.
Chakwas sighed "I didn't want to worry those two anymore than I had to. Shepard... he's dying.. I'm not sure why.. I'm guessing it has to do with his mental condition at the moment. He's heart rate has slowly started slowing down. It's like his body is giving up."
The gray haired woman said.
"But you said that he could heal..." Shepard started but Chakwas cut her off. "Yes his body can heal but the mind can make the body do several things it doesn't want to do as I'm sure your aware of." Her gaze turned to Samara.
Samara regarded the woman with a cold stare that sent shivers down Shepard's spine.
"Doc we have to tell them... maybe their being there for him will help." Shepard said.
Chakwas nodded "Your right Shepard... Lets go." She said turning to the Med-Bay.
Samara watched outside the windows as Shepard and Chakwas related what was happening. She felt her heart leap as She saw the shocked expression on Miranda and as Both women collapsed into heaps crying their eyes out.
She turned and headed to her room. She needed to mediate.
*************3 days later**** JACK**********
"Jack wake up baby!" She grumbled. "Jack wake up!" "Just one more minute." Jack get up now are were going to be late for Dylan's birthday party.
Her eyes snapped open and she looked into the smiling face of Eric.
"Christ don't get so fucking close to me you idiot." She grumbled closing her eyes again.
"And just why can't I get this close to my wife." He said sliding his hand up her thigh.
"get your hand off before I break it off." She growled. He chuckled.
She was about to growl again when he placed his lips over hers.
Surprise crossed her features. She wanted to be angry. But she felt her body giving into him and she kissed him back passionately. Finally they broke their kiss.
"Wow.. we haven't kissed that hard in awhile. Now hurry up are were going to be late taking Dylan to his birthday party." He said sliding off the bed.
Jack growled again "Who the hell is Dylan?" She asked.
He turned to her looking very hurt "What are you talkiing about.. He's our son.. are you ok?" He asked with worry written on his face.
"What the hell is going on" She said grabbing her head. WAIT! What the hell. She had hair.. long hair.. What the fuck was going on.
She was about to demand the answer from him when a small figure burst through the bedroom door.
"Mommy Mommy.. Are you ready to go have fun at my party today. Arianna and Sa'Keira said they all three of us were going to go to the lake afterwards. Oh mommy it's going to be so awesome. Dad said If I was really good I could get a pet Varren but uncle Garrus said they weren't the best of pets." The little boy said.
Jack stared at the boy.. He had her features but they were mixed with Eric's... She had a son.. A son by Eric... What the hell was happening..
She turned to Eric when the door opened and in walked Miranda and Arisa.. Her eyes almost jumped out of their sockets as she noticed that Arisa wasn't wearing her suit but regular clothes like Miranda. Two blurs darted past and jumped on her. She grunted trying to push the two bundles off and heard laughter. She looked into the faces of an Asari child and What appeared to be a Quarian Human mixed. She was about to say something when everything froze. No it really froze like time standing still kinda thing.
"I'm sorry for doing that Jack... but I had to put your mind in a bit of confusion. And what better way than to show you a glimpse of your future." A voice behind her said.
She turned and it was Eric's dad. "What the hell. How are you in my mind? I thought the memory imprint was gone from Eric's mind." She stated.
"When Samara had initiated the meld before you were drawn into his mind as well as the other two. I knew from the flashes of the future that he encountered while sleeping that something was going to happen that would cause this in him. I stored just enough of myself and transferred it to your mind." He said.
"If you knew something was going to happen why not tell Eric then?" She said starting to get pissed off.
"And having him constantly looking over his shoulder? Would you want to live like that?" He asked.
She was about to reply when her vision started to shake. She grabbed her head and groaned.
His turned to worry. "Jack the time I had with this imprint is gone... Fine Samara.. Get her to meld with him.. It's the only way... the only way to lead him from the darkness that Is tearing his soul apart." He said flickering.
"What?" Jack asked feeling her eyes heavy.
"Remember what I said!" He said one last time.
Suddenly her world turned dark.
***********Med-Bay********
Shepard was sitting by Eric's bed. Strangely over the last 3 days she kept finding herself sitting here worrying about the man. She felt bad for Miranda and Arisa who were currently passed out in Miranda's room after having taken leave of their Vigil over Eric.
She sighed and leaned back. They were currently on their way to Illum. Even with two crew members incapacitated she still had a mission to complete. They were going to attempt to recruit Thane considering the fact that he may be already gone.
She turned to look at Eric.. Why was so many people being drawn to him.
It was true. First Alena, then Arisa, then Miranda... hell apparently even Jack seemed to have a soft spot for the man. She really couldn't see what was drove a Quarian and A top Cerberus Operative to fall heads over heals for this man.
She studied his face. Sure he was handsome.. The scar that lined his face did give him kind of that bad boy look.
She leaned closer. The thing she noticed is he seemed to produce confidence in those he was around.
"ERIC!" Jack screamed bolting upright in her bed causing Shepard to jump and fall backwards out of her chair.
Chakwas rushed over to Jack who was taking in deep breaths.
Shepard had finally recovered and rushed over to the convict.
"Jack are you ok?" Shepard asked.
Jack stared at the wall... Finally she turned to Shepard.
"Jack I think you should..." Chakwas didn't get to finish as Jack grabbed Shepard's collar and pulled her close. "Get Samara... Get her to meld with him.. She can lead him back.. go now.." Jack said releasing Shepard and falling back onto the bed.
Shepard looked at the woman who was once again asleep.
**********Samara*************
Her door opened and she turned to look at Shepard.
"Can I help you commander?" She asked curious.
She hoped that the commander didn't want to press the issue about talking about her daughter again.
"Samara I need your help!" She pleaded.
Samara looked puzzled but nodded and got to her feet.
"I will do what I can commander... what would you have me do?" She asked.
Shepard stared at her.
"I need you to meld with Eric... I believe it's the only way to bring him back." Shepard said.
Samara stiffened. "Why?"
"I believe it Is the only way to help him.. We have to try something or he will die!" Shepard said.
Samara actually let worry show on her face and it took the commander by surprise.
"Samara are you ok?" She asked.
Samara realized she had been pacing. She stopped and turned to the commander.
"I apologize commander... I will do as you ask... but there is a risk... The last meld I attempted with him was not my doing as you know. This time I will be going into his mind by my own free will" Samara said.
Shepard could swear she was hearing fear in Samara's voice.
"Samara why are you so frightened." Shepard asked.
Samara stared at her "Commander.. I'm nearly a 1000 years old. Asari that live that old sometimes have trouble with the meld. They sometimes have the inability to not take genetic material from the partner. Even though I'm doing this not in that kind of act. I might unintentionally take it without realizing it." She said.
Shepard stared at her. "So what does that mean?" She asked slightly puzzled.
Samara grew frustrated. "You've slept with an Asari and you don't know what that means?" She asked.
Shepard felt her face burn. "Sorry... I wasn't exactly thinking about the whole genetic thing when Liara and I...well ya know." She said feeling her face still burning.
"In other words I could conceive." Samara said.
Shepard stared at her. "I'm sorry Samara I didn't know." She said.
Samara regarded the woman a moment longer.
"Come child!" She said walking past her.
Shepard turned and followed the Elder Asari.
As they walked through the Med-Bay they noticed Miranda leaning back in the chair asleep.
"Samara are you sure you want to do this?" Shepard asked eying the Asari.
"If we do not... he will die!" She stated.
Shepard nodded as Samara placed her hands on Eric's head.
Shepard felt the room grow eerily quiet.
Samara closed her eyes for a moment.
They shot opened turning black "Embrace Eternity!" She said.
A/N: Well I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I spent awhile working on It lol.. Thanks everyone. Oh and make sure you check out Gray Spectre Warden Boom's story Odyssey 2183.. The third part 2185 is up now. Take care everyone see you next time.