Chapter 25: The Transition.

There was still a lot more that Asura wanted to tell Abby, to ask her. But, as they sat down again, Jack came into the infirmary and it made her pause.

Asura wasn't entirely sure where she stood with the biotic. She was the first Normandy crew member that she had encountered, back on that fateful day that Jack followed Abby when she snuck away from the ship. She had heard from Abby that Jack had been assigned to 'watch her back' in the beginning and the little biotic took the role to heart. It was she who had stood between Lenelle and the vet when the Ardat Yakshi tried to kill her. Asura was grateful towards her, but she still got the impression that Jack would stand between her and Abby if she saw the need. She also picked up very quickly that Jack had a very lax way of looking at killing and violence. As much as it horrified her, she admired that freedom. Because killing excited her, she tried to be very careful how she approached it and made very sure that she killed only in self defence or the defence of others.

Or, that had been her plan originally but Lenelle had warped it…

Grimacing as she noted the way Abby smiled at Jack when she came into the room, Asura reached out and took the woman's hand, studying Jack as she first made a detour to Shepard's bed. She stood there for a moment, then - satisfied that the commander was alright - Jack approached them. Her expression was neutral as she glanced first at Asura and then at Abby. Her piercing gaze found where their hands were entwined together and she actually glared, shoving her hands into her pockets.

"Garrus and I found some rooms," she said. "We did a sweep of the whole fucking base. I think you should go lie down Doc."

Don't we all? Asura glanced at Abby to see her reaction but the woman looked surprisingly calm as she shook her head.

"I'm alright for now Jack," she said. "I'll wait around until the Normandy comes. I don't want to leave them."

The biotic responded by intensifying her glare. "Then take a wink on the fucking floor," she snapped. "Has anybody looked at you yet? You were in a fucking car crash!"

Abby smiled but a shadow crossed her features as she shrugged. "It was a bump," she said. "No more. I'm fine Jack and I'm not going to lie down on the floor." She glanced at Asura. "Not now."

Wondering what the look meant, Asura smiled at her, but she felt awkward under Jack's intense gaze so she let Abby's hand go and stood up. "I have to go see to something," she said and glanced at Jack. "Will you sit with her until I return?"

Jack's features relaxed and Asura couldn't shake the sense that it was because she was leaving. "Yeah, sure," the biotic said but didn't move. "It's not as if there's anything else to do around here. Garrus and I did a sweep of the base and there aren't any fuckers left."

Nodding, Asura returned her attention to Abby. She wanted to bend down and kiss her on the cheek but Jack's gaze stopped her. "I'll come back," she said awkwardly. "Call if you need help. And... lying down for a moment or two might not be such a bad idea."

Abby reached out and briefly touched her hand, smiling as she did so. "I'll be here when you come back," she said then turned her attention to Jack. "You don't have any injuries, do you?"

She could tell from the vet's tone of voice that she was joking with the biotic, who didn't look like the kind of person who'd just let anybody touch her. Asura left them but stopped at the door and looked back into the room. Jack continued to remain standing in front of the woman, her body language awkward and defensive. She turned around abruptly and stormed to the one open cupboard where they had found the blankets earlier. She took one out and brought it to Abby, spreading it over her shoulders.

"I should've fucking gone with you guys," Asura heard Jack say as she pulled the blanket's edges together almost violently, looking as if she wanted to strangle Abby with it. "Shepard should just have let me fucking go with you to Nos Astra. There's no fucking way I'd have let that asari bitch take you."

A look of pain crossed Abby's features and Asura could only guess that she as reminded of what she had to endure. But, then she smiled sadly and took Jack's hand. The biotic flinched and tried to jerk away before she took a hold of her instincts and remained where she was, watching Abby with a strange combination of habitual mistrust and grudging acceptance.

"It worked out alright Jack," the vet said softly, her voice barely audible to Asura. There was an awkward pause in which they stared at each other. Abby let go of Jack's hand, who immediately crossed her arms over her half-naked chest.

"Still think you should lie down," the biotic grumbled, her attention shifting to Commander Shepard's body. "She looks happier than she has in days. Sleep is fucking awesome." Now that the little biotic wasn't looking at Abby, Asura saw the vet's features shift to a look of deep appreciation and fondness. She started to say something but paused and shifted her attention to the door. Asura blushed and, for a reason she couldn't quite explain to herself, stepped back and quickly walked away, not wishing to be seen spying on them.

'We have a good feel for each other.' Abby had said earlier. 'But there are missing gaps. And if you ever want to lay claim to me again or demand an explanation to something I've done, we have to fill in those gaps.'

At least she seemed willing to try it, Asura thought as she walked down the corridor, back to the main control room where she suspected that she would find Dr. T'soni. She didn't know where the turian was, but she had a feeling that he too would migrate toward Shepard. The woman was like magnet, no, a sun, drawing people to her. She frightened Asura and she could understand why the Justicar left. If someone held so much power over you that they could make you lay aside the very code that you lived by then they were definitively meant to be avoided.

Thinking about Samara, Asura shuddered. Despite the Justicar's oath to Shepard, she had still found herself looking over her shoulder when she left Omega. She couldn't believe that a single woman's wishes could be stronger than the millennia that upheld the Justicar's code.

But Shepard's wishes were and it was even more proof to her that the human commander was dangerous.

She found Liara T'soni standing behind the main console, her face illuminated by the display. The younger asari hadn't responded to her entry but remained focused on the one monitor, her eyes troubled as she scanned through the messages. Asura let her be for the moment and walked to the body of the yahg. His blood had spread in a black pool around his head and his dark eyes already had a white film over them. Asura sneered at it and, unable to help herself, gave him a rough kick. There were a few things she regretted about the day and not having the satisfaction of killing him herself was right at the top of that list.

You killed my family, she thought bitterly. Your meddling, your ambitions. You killed them.

It brought her some comfort that she had a hand in his demise but not enough. There was too much blood on her hands because of him. She had killed too many people before she realised that Lenelle was manipulating her. And she hadn't even had the satisfaction of killing the other Ardat Yakshi herself. She sighed and turned to find Liara looking at her, her youthful features questioning. She had marks over her eyes like human brows and Asura wondered whether she had marked them on before or after she met Shepard.

"Are you alright?" Liara's query was hesitant but it wasn't fear that moved her uncertainty. Merely curiosity, as if she wanted to understand what fuelled Asura's anger. Sighing, Asura shook her head and moved to the console.

"I started killing because of him and Lenelle," she offered by way of explanation though she didn't think that the asari would understand. She might've been a pureblood but she was at least normal.

How does that feel? She thought bitterly. To have a life that can promise love around every corner?

Liara raised her brow and turned her attention back to her console. "And now they are both dead," she said softly, without looking up. "And you are still changed. You can't go back to the way you were."

Surprised, Asura bit her lip and glanced back at the yahg. Yes, she thought. Damn you, death is the easy way out. The urge to cry came and went when she sighed miserably. If Abby wasn't going to come with her, she didn't know what she was going to do. She turned back to Liara, studying her. The young maiden was still busy with the console, but her body language was a little tense as if she spared a section of her concentration for Asura. That tension drew Asura towards her and she moved in behind her, not touching her but leaving enough space to do so if she wanted to. She felt more than saw the way Liara's shoulders stiffened but in her credit, the younger asari didn't turn around.

"I'm sorry about your family Asura," Liara continued softly. "I lost my mother two years ago." She hesitated. "It's difficult to be alone. If you're the only one. I don't have a sister but I've always wished I had one."

Asura didn't reply but tried to see what Liara was reading. "Does it say anything there about me?" She queried. "Is there information on my family?"

Liara shook her head and turned around, folding her arms over her chest as she did so. She was slightly shorter than Asura and looked up at her, her clear blue eyes worried. "There's a lot of information on all of us," she said. "I don't have the time to read through it now, I'm still trying to…" She trailed off and blushed, looking embarrassed. "Do damage control."

Curious, Asura gave her a questioning look. "On what?"

Liara bit her lip as motioned to the consoles. "I'm going to stay behind," she whispered. "I want to see what information is here, what we can use. What we can't. So, I'm making sure that the transition is seamless. That none of the Broker's informants suspect that he's dead or that anything has changed."

Asura frowned at her uneasily. "So you'll become the Broker?"

Liara's mouth thinned but she nodded, determined. "If that's what it takes."

This time, it was Asura's turn to take a step back, away from the intensity that she saw in Liara's gaze. The youth would be good at it, she suspected. She had used her occasionally as an information broker and she always delivered whatever Asura asked. She had even given her Abby, but that thought made her frown.

"You set me up in Omega," she said. "You purposefully send me there so that Shepard could find me."

Liara didn't deny it but crossed her arms over her chest again. "With respect," she said coldly. "You should be grateful. I think your life's worked out better for it."

Asura wasn't to be intimidated but met Liara's gaze defiantly. "As yours have now?"

Liara's mouth thinned but she turned away. "We make do with what we have," she said and opened up another message. "And we use what's been given to us. Believe it or not, that's something I've learned from Shepard."

Angry suddenly, Asura took a threatening step towards her. "As she decided to use Abby to find this place?" She queried. "As Lenelle decided to use me? It's a very fine line Dr. T'soni that's between what the Broker decided to do and what Shepard did."

Liara remained surprisingly calm in the face of her anger and shrugged, not even looking back. "I should say Asura that it was my suggestion to let Vasir take Abby. Shepard wanted to save her in Nos Astra. But I convinced her not to. I don't regret what I did." She straightened her shoulders. "If we hadn't come here, you would've been pulled into the Shadow Broker's embrace by Martin Fen and there's no telling what would've happened then. So, be grateful that there are people willing to make the decisions that are uncomfortable."

Asura glared at her head, desperately wanting to argue against her but immediately realising that there was some truth in her words. None the less, she found herself stepping towards her again and forcefully turned her around. She made sure to show all of the anger that she felt, using it to hide her ever present lust. She wanted Liara to focus on her completely, without her mind wondering instinctively what it would be like to sleep with her.

"That's all very well," she growled and felt a distrubringly satisfied twinge of desire when she saw the fear in Liara's eyes. "And, yes – I am grateful that you interfered. But hear me and hear me well Dr. T'soni. If you use myself or Abby again in an attempt to manipulate a situation I will make you regret it. And I won't kill you." She let go of Liara's shoulders and motioned to the yahg. "Death's door is too easy a way out."

Clearly, there was nothing that Liara could say to the threat. Asura saw her master her fear and nod. They stared at each other until Asura sighed and pulled herself back, feeling her own weariness and pain. The day felt as if it was stretching into eternity and Abby's stubborn refusal to rest was forcing her to remain awake as well because she couldn't make herself leave the vet alone. Rubbing her brow, Asura started heading towards the door again but paused and glanced back at Liara.

"Is Dr. Chakwas still on the Normandy?"

Liara looked up immediately, clearly puzzled by her question. "I... presume so." She pointed out. "Why?"

Asura shifted uncomfortably and shrugged. "I want her to have a look at Abby," she said. "Although clearly not life threatening, I think her injuries are worse than she lets on. If I remember correctly, Dr. Chakwas had a way with her." To her surprise, Liara smiled acting as if she hadn't been threatened just a moment before.

"Dr. Chakwas has a way with everybody," the archaeologist pointed out. "She was very kind to me during my first days on the Normandy." She paused. "How long were you there?"

The question was neutral enough, but Asura didn't miss the way Liara's attention remained on her, the curiosity in her eyes undeniable. "A day or two. I didn't want to overstay my welcome and you must know that they had a Justicar onboard."

She could tell immediately that she had Liara's full attention.

"I heard that," Liara said. "I told them where to find her when Jane came to Nos Astra originally. I... Never had the pleasure of meeting her myself." She hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "I've only ever heard of Justicars through stories. What was... she like?"

A part of Asura didn't feel like answering. She had said all she wanted to say to the younger asari and she could tell immediately that it wasn't Justicars per se that interested her but rather Samara herself. But, she didn't want to return to the infirmary to face Jack's glare and there was nowhere else for her to go on the ship. So, she shrugged and tried to act casually despite the fact that thoughts of the Justicar and others like her made the Ardat Yakshi's skin crawl.

"She was intense," she said. "As they all are I suspect. Luckily, she's the only one I've ever met. My... kind does not normally walk away from such an encounter."

Liara was clearly uncomfortable with the topic of Asura's kind and showed more discomfort now than when Asura threatened her. "You're taken to the monastery?" She queried.

Monastery? Asura thought bitterly. Prison. "If we're lucky," she said. "I guess. Until Lenelle, I haven't met any others of my kind. Though apparently Samara's daughter was also an Ardat Yakshi." The way Liara's brow lifted showed that this was news to her.

"That's unusual," the maiden pointed out but Asura simply shook her head.

"Not if you keep in mind that she killed her. The code is usually very clear on such matters."

Liara grimaced and turned away. She was silent for a very long time as she worked things out in her head. Asura suspected that she knew what was going to be asked next and waited patiently.

"If she killed her own daughter," Liara began finally and Asura knew that she had been correct. "Why did she leave you alive? Was it because of Dr. Gable?"

Asura considered this, replaying in her mind the night she and Abby found Samara leaving the Normandy. "No," she said after a moment, remembering how awkward Abby had been around the Justicar. There was no love lost between them. "No, if you ask me I think it's because of Shepard." She glanced towards the yahg purely because she didn't want to look at Liara immediately. "The commander assured me that she'll deal with the Justicar. I think she simply... asked her not to pursue me. For Abby's sake naturally, I don't think Shepard would've spared my well being a second's thought otherwise."

Liara frowned and shook her head. "Shepard's not like that," she said. "She gave you a chance because of you Asura. From my understanding, you were the biggest victim in all of this. Shepard would've seen that from the beginning." She hesitated. "Still, I am amazed that a Justicar listened to her. Going against her code..." She trailed off and shifted awkwardly. Asura kept on studying her, unsure of where she wanted to go with the conversation from here. She turned to leave but Liara's uncertain voice pulled her back once more.

"What were they like together?"

This time, it was Asura's turn to become awkward as she shrugged and looked to the ceiling, trying to push away the memory of Lenelle and her fight to get off of Omega. "I never saw them together, apart from being in battle." She pointed out. "I'm the wrong person to ask. But they were..." She fumbled for words, remembering how the Justicar had fought them after she thought that Lenelle had thrown Shepard off of the roof. And, she remembered vaguely, while staring at Lenelle's blood steadily spreading across the roof, how the two had sat in each other's arms when they were reunited. She could think of only one word that stood out and said it clearly.

"Magnificent."

For the first time she saw that ever present calm that she had felt in Liara shift. Asura watched as what could only be described as a look of pain cross the younger asari's features. She bent forward over the monitors, squeezing her eyes shut but before Asura could consider stepping closer, she straightened.

"Thank you Asura," she said simply. "And thank you for all that you've done here."

Knowing that she was being dismissed, Asura merely nodded and left the room and the new Shadow Broker behind her.

Liara watched Asura leave and allowed herself the luxury of sitting down for the first time. Her knees were trembling and her mouth was dry. Part of it was because of Asura and the sheer force of the Ardat Yakshi's presence when she had grabbed her. But, part of it was because she had finally received the conformation that she had been fishing for ever since she began to suspect that Samara's departure from the Normandy had touched Jane deeply.

Liara shouldn't have been surprised. She and Jane were different people than before - she knew that. Whatever caused the break, it had been there long before... Samara. But still. Still. Could the Justicar be why things couldn't go back to what they were before? It would be so easy to lay the blame there.

She bit her lip and rested her head on her hands, desperately trying to ignore the empty ache inside her. She could not afford to be sitting down and feeling sorry for herself. There were messages to reply to, contacts to follow up on and a whole system to be mastered. So, she calmed herself and got up again. She moved to the console, calmly replied to two more messages stating that all was well and that she wanted a report on their recipients' activities. She was about to start a third message when she realised that she had started crying. Liara tried to summon the anger and will power to fight her tears but she couldn't. Unable to remain standing as the day's events rushed over her, Liara sank down to her knees and sat there, on the floor, alone. She stared at the console through the haze of her tears but she held onto her calm with an iron hand, breathing deeply to keep the threatening sobs at bay.

She remembered doing this when her mother died. Having been labelled as the 'daughter of Benezia' she knew that her every action was being closely monitored in the event that she had lied about her alliances. It hardly seemed right to be mourning her mother's death among the humans in view of everything she and Saren had done together. But... She had wanted to. When they returned from Noveria, she retreated to her little hole behind the infirmary and had stood there, breathing just as she was breathing now. Trying to still her emotions, trying to control it. It was the first time she had ever tried and then she had failed horribly.

Was it then that things had truly started to change for her? She wondered as she finally managed to pull herself together. Was it in that moment when she realised that she was truly alone and that her world would never be the same again? Did she blame Shepard for her mother's death? It dawned on her that she never spoke to the commander about it, even when Jane came to her and asked her if she was alright. Was that her first mistake? Was that were all of this truly started?

She could not say. Perhaps it had and perhaps she and Shepard had just been doomed from the start. She had just been too young and innocent to notice at that stage. But now, they were different. Both of them. And, as much as it pained her, she was willing to accept that and move on with her life. She remembered suddenly a prayer her mother used to whisper to her when she was still a child, asking for strength and enlightenment when the night seemed to be most dark. And the prayer asked for the courage to take that first step that one needed to walk on the path chosen for you by the Goddess.

Liara had not whispered it in many years but she sang it now, softly in their ancient tongue as she pushed herself up and returned to the console.

Asura returned to the infirmary when Abby got up to look at her two patients again. The vet expected Jack to leave now that the Ardat Yakshi had returned but the ex-convict, who had made herself comfortable on the floor in the corner of the room, remained where she was. The tension between the two biotics was clear but Abby, thinking them both childish, decided to ignore it. If they were men, she would've told them to go and have their pissing contest outside but as both of them held enough power to tear the ship apart, she didn't think that it would be such a good idea.

So, Abby didn't say anything but returned to her chair and fiddled with her omnitool, acquainting herself with all the new functions she had been introduced to during the course of this examination. Asura came to sit next to her but didn't touch her again. Abby held out for another hour but the day was catching up to her. The infirmary chair became uncomfortable and her ribs throbbed with every breath that she took. She merely wanted a moment's relief from the pain and closed her eyes.

She jerked awake when a hand touched her shoulder. It was tender to touch and she sat up with a jolt, disorientated and thirsty. She expected Asura or Jack but to her surprise it was Dr. Chakwas who smiled at her.

"Easy Dr. Gable," she said softly, her voice warm and comforting. "It's alright."

Abby blinked at her and glanced around the infirmary for Asura, seeing her standing in the corner near Jack. They weren't the only people in the infirmary. Miranda was already by Shepard, her unmistakable silhouette moving behind a barrier that obscured all details from view. Mordin was there as well, talking softly to Feron who appeared to be conscious for the first time since he collapsed. Abby's heart skipped a beat when she realised that she could've missed something important when she dosed off but looking back to Dr. Chakwas she relaxed a little. A lot of people had told her that things were going to be alright over the past few hours but in the eyes of this woman, she believed it for the first time.

Abby risked a smile. "It should be," she said and tried to get her dysfunctional nerves to work and get her standing. "I'm a pretty good vet." Dr. Chakwas sensed what she wanted to do and moved to her side with a laugh, first pulling on her injured shoulder but quickly taking her hand away when Abby shook her head sharply and nodded towards the other.

"For a gypsy that is," the doctor said in mock disapproval. "What happened to your shoulder?" She helped her up and it took several moments for Abby to find her centre of balance. Rock bottom, she thought and remembered the crutches in her cottage in a world that didn't exist anymore. I'm as I were before. The thought didn't frighten her and she looked to Asura again who was moving closer to help her. The Ardat Yakshi had to stop however when Dr. Chakwas gave both her and Jack a sharp look.

"I want both of you out of the infirmary," she said. "There's no need for you to be here."

Asura wanted to protest but Abby gave her a quick smile and nodded. "I'll come out when I'm done," she said. "We're just going to compare notes. I'm fine Asura." She could see that the Ardat Yakshi wanted to protest, but one sharp look from Dr. Chakwas made her drop her head and leave the room. Jack was already gone, having left immediately when Chakwas send her out. When Asura was gone, Abby could close her eyes and leaned more heavily against Dr. Chakwas who had gently put a supporting arm around her.

"Let's have a look at you," the doctor said softly. "I'm so glad that you're safe Dr. Gable. We were very worried."

Abby barked a laugh and shook her head as they moved forward to an open bed. She didn't know how to respond to that and decided that saying nothing was the safest. It was a blessing to lie down and she didn't say a word as Dr. Chakwas examined her, confirming what she already suspected that she had a set of broken ribs and a badly sprained shoulder. There was nothing that the doctor could do for her but strap her ribs again and immobilise her shoulder as much as she could. It was while the older woman was busy with this that Abby finally risked a glance at the other two patients in the infirmary. Miranda was still with Shepard though when she sensed Abby looking at her, she glanced at her and nodded ever so slightly.

All is well.

"She's fine," Dr. Chakwas whispered, sensing her thoughts. "We had a look at her data before we came, you did all you could do for her. And you definitively saved the drell."

Abby nodded wordlessly, watching as the older woman filled a syringe from at least two different phials. She was reminded of Vasir suddenly and the memory hurt. I should've send Shepard a message, telling her not to kill her. She pulled away from Chakwas before the woman could administer the drug she had combined.

"What is that?"

The doctor smiled at her and took her arm in a no nonsense fashion. "A broad spectrum antibiotic," she said. "And relatively strong pain killer that will act as a tranquiliser. You need rest." She deftly searched for a vein and slipped in the needle when Abby didn't protest. "When last did you have a memory relapse?"

Sensing that they were done and not really wanting to discuss the matter, Abby pushed herself off of the bed. Dr. Chakwas gave her a critical look and steadied her immediately.

"You can stay here and sleep," she pointed out but Abby shook her head, thinking of Asura.

"I'll find somewhere else," she said. "I'm tired of this place Dr. Chakwas. And I'm tired of infirmaries." She gave her a careful smile. "I've spend enough time in them. Also... I'm fine with the memories. Lenelle is..." She sighed. "Far away for now. My body is..." Mine. "Not a good vessel at this stage. It's grounding." Without being summoned, Asura appeared in the doorway and immediately approached the bed.

There was an edge of hopelessness in Dr. Chakwas's gaze when she saw the Ardat Yakshi. "Abby," the doctor said quickly, softly. "Remember, you don't have to go with Asura. Not now and not when this is done. I know some of the best doctors in the galaxy. We can make another plan."

Abby blinked at her words and quickly held up her hand, stopping Asura from coming closer. She sensed Dr. Chakwas's concern which stopped her from becoming angry. None the less, she was irritated with the comment and made sure to show some of it in her voice.

"Nothing's been decided," she said. "I just want to go to bed Dr. Chakwas. It's been... A terribly long day."

The doctor looked as if she wanted to protest but then, finally, she nodded and motioned to Asura to come closer. "She needs sleep," she said to the Ardat Yakshi, her voice sharp. "Nothing else."

Asura nodded as she stepped closer and took Abby's hand. "I'll make sure she gets it," she said. "Thank you Dr. Chakwas."

The older woman nodded, but didn't say anything else. Abby, already starting to feel a little bit light headed as a warm sensation began to numb her pain, briefly touched Dr. Chakwas's arm wishing that she could tell her that it was alright.

"I'll see you later doctor," she said as Asura started to lead her out of the infirmary. "Don't worry."

Abby was clearly very drowsy by the time they came to the empty room that Asura had found. She stood against the wall and blinked at Asura as she prepared the bed then sank down to the floor and fumbled to remove her shoes. Without waiting to be asked, Asura went to her and helped making sure that she had firm hold on her instincts that would normally have screamed at her to meld with the vet. She fumbled embarrassed with Abby's clothes, not really used to undressing somebody else. When she saw the dark asari blood that had stained Abby's arms and knees she wished that the vet could've taken a shower before sleeping but there was no way Abby could've accomplished it on her own in the state that she was in. So, she dressed her down to her underwear and the loose shirt that she had been wearing. Then she led her to the bed and helped her slip in underneath the covers. Abby's body shuddered periodically and Asura did not miss the soft sigh of relief that she uttered as her head finally touched the pillow.

The Ardat Yakshi felt an overwhelming sense of appreciation as she watched the vet and then gently pulled the blankets over her. She stepped away from the bed so that she could turn off the light but Abby stirred suddenly and opened her dark eyes in alarm.

"Don't leave," she whispered and reached out to her. "Please."

Asura's heart leapt as she immediately reached out and touched Abby's outstretched, trembling hand.

"I'm just going to turn off the light," she whispered. "I'll stay right here. I promise Abigail."

The vet didn't let her go but carefully pulled her forward, willing her to get onto the bed that would've been big enough for a krogan. Sensing that Abby wasn't going to let her go, Asura carefully got onto the bed with her and awkwardly pulled off her own shoes with one hand while Abby still clung to the other. The vet had closed her eyes again but when Asura shifted in under the covers with her she immediately moved closer to her.

"I've... been alone enough for the day," Abby whispered, not looking at her. "It was a tough day."

Awkward, but not uncomfortable, Asura gently pulled the woman into her arms, disturbed by the tremors that she felt.

"It will only get better from here," Asura whispered softly and kissed the vet's head. The sensation of her hair delighted her, but she took a firmer hold on her instincts and refused to think about it. Instead, Asura forced herself to remember her little sister and all the times the young maiden had come to her for comfort, crawling in next to her just like this. It was a sobering thought and it made her hold onto Abby even tighter. I'll protect you, she thought as she stroked the vet's back, feeling her drift off to sleep.

I promise.

The End of Chapter 25