Kane is not Mitch; Mitch is not Kane this cannot be. Alhe told Shepard what Nicols suspected that perhaps the man they picked up a few nights ago was maybe not Kane; this would explain the man in the suit at the house they just survived.
No no no, how can this be. Shepard never knew what Kane looked like. She met a man named Mitch in a bar, he had approached her and they talked on two different occasions. The man they took, the man she had strapped to a table, the man she killed, that man was Mitch. He never gave any indication that he was not Kane, even when she approached him while he got up from his bed waiting for her and her team to take him he seemed to agree that Mitch and Kane were the same man. How is this possible?
Shepard lies in her hospital bed waiting for the restructuring device to finish rebuilding her bone as she tries to wrap her head around everything. Liara is fine she had what the doctors call a panic attack. She insisted Alhe take her to a nearby hotel to rest, the baby is okay but how much stress can the asari take.
Shepard feeling much like a hypocrite asked Liara to take the pictures they had of Mitch, which they took while watching him before taking him away, and comparing it to the pictures Liara has of all of the visitors Peter Jones had in prison. Jones was a cellmate to Brad Whitmore the man who tortured Shepard, Brad got Kane's name from Jones. Liara told Shepard that even though the men in the pictures who visited Peter Jones are from a few years back she could use facial recognition programs to see if a current picture of Mitch matches to a picture taken of him from years ago, this would prove that Mitch and Kane are the same man.
Nicols has to be wrong it makes no sense that the man is not Kane; this is what Shepard is thinking as she waits for the device to finish rebuilding her bone. Nicols is on heavy duty pain killers she has to be wrong, she just has to be. Shepard feels bad enough for killing Kane while he was defenseless and unarmed, but if Kane is not Mitch well she doesn't allow her mind to go there, not yet at least.
Shepard also sent a message to Councilor Tevos with a current picture of Mitch to ask her to confirm that he is the same man, she has yet to hear back. Now all she can do is wait and Shepard hates waiting.
Her omni-tool beeps, Shepard answers.
"Hello Shepard," says Councilor Tevos.
"Councilor, thank you for returning my call. Do you have confirmation on Kane?"
Shepard notices the councilor tense.
"I am sorry Shepard, we are not aware of what Kane looks like."
You have got to be kidding me. "I don't understand."
"Our dealings with him were not in person."
Shepard is speechless.
"Shepard?"
"How did you work with him?"
"He provided intel on the Cerberus cells via message, we spoke only a few times and there was no vid display."
"What about Squid? Can you arrange a meeting?" Squid is one of the men that worked with Kane in Shepard's kidnapping.
"I'm sorry Shepard, Nathan Bender is dead."
"You get enough to eat Liara?" asks Alhe. The woman solider told Shepard she would stay with Liara until Shepard was discharged from the hospital.
"I did yes thank you Jen," says Liara.
"I feel I have to apologize again Liara, I should not have sprung Tricia's theory on you like that."
"You can stop apologizing; you did not know I was going to respond in that way." Liara checks her omni-tool, she will be notified once the programs she is running are done compiling, and she is checking it to make sure she didn't miss the notification.
Liara is nervous. She does not want Kane or the idea of him to slither his way back into their lives. She is ready to let go, but now she is doing more research because Shepard needs it. The subroutines she ran to identify the man in the suit outside of the house that exploded returned no results. The man was not in any of the law enforcement databases, spectre databases or her Shadow Broker databases; it was like he was a ghost. Liara is waiting for the facial recognition programs to return results to see if Mitch and Kane are the same man.
Liara sighs when she sees the programs are not complete yet.
"You okay?" asks Alhe when she hears the sigh.
"Yes, I … I was just hoping for some answers," she gestures to her omni-tool.
"Still no word?"
Liara shakes her head, "No, not yet."
"I am sure something will turn up soon."
"I hope you are right," says Liara.
"Hey Doc, I hope your visit means this device is done."
The woman smiles, "Need I remind you Shepard that you would have been out of here yesterday had you not decided to take a swan dive off of your bed."
Raising her eyebrows Shepard replies, "You're in a good mood." Shepard likes this doctor. She helped calm Shepard down after her stupid 'swan dive' when Liara was wheeled to the obstetrician department. "You know there are not a lot of people that would insult me like that doctor."
Dr. Kilmer looks at Shepard and just smiles as she removes the outer casing of the restructuring device. "How is your pain?"
"Manageable. The ribs are a bit sore but no big deal."
The doctor removes the rest of the casing freeing the captain's leg. Shepard quickly starts scratching her lower leg, a slight groan escapes and she seems quite pleased.
The doctor smiles, "You ready to try it?" she of course is referring to the leg.
"Yes," says Shepard as she swings her legs over the side of the bed.
The doctor moves close to Shepard to put her hand under Shepard's elbow. Shepard stands placing all her weight on her left leg first. Once upright she shifts her weight slowly onto her right leg to see if it can handle it. Smiling Shepard is thrilled that her leg feels fine and can handle the weight.
"This mean I can get out of this place?"
"It does Shepard. It has been…interesting to say the least," says Dr. Kilmer.
Walking on her own now Shepard turns to the doctor, "You're lucky I like you Doc. Hopefully I won't ever see you again," says Shepard as she flashes her sly grin.
Liara and Jen hear a knock at the hotel door. "I got it" says Alhe as she checks the vid screen to see who is at the door. Seeing that it is Shepard she does not equip her sidearm as she opens the door.
"Hi Shepard, you look good," says Alhe.
"Alhe," the captain says as she enters the room. "Where's Lia…" Shepard sees Liara in the main part of the hotel room, "Hey Liara how are you?"
Shepard all but runs to her bondmate when she sees her. She kneels in front of her grabbing her hands and looking into Liara's eyes.
Smiling, Liara says "I am doing well Shepard, what about you. How is your leg?"
Liara can see the tears in Elly's eyes, which she is trying to hold back.
"I'm going to head out and visit Tricia. Good to see you back Shepard," says Alhe.
Shepard does not hear her, but Liara does look at Alhe and smiles. "Thank you Jen, we will see you later."
After the door closes Shepard lets her tears fall as she hugs Liara around the waist burying her face into her lap.
Concerned, Liara rubs Shepard's back "Elly what is it?"
Needing a minute to compose herself when she finds her voice Shepard finally asks, "You sure you and the baby are okay Liara?"
"Yes Elly we are both fine." Liara knows something more is bothering Shepard but she doesn't press her.
Shifting from knees Shepard rises up and kisses Liara fully on her lips. Liara can taste Shepard's salty tears. "We really are okay Elly," Liara says again.
Shepard stands and starts pacing wrapping her arms around herself. "Have you heard anything about Mitch and Kane being the same man?"
"No, not yet."
"Damn it." Shepard is not sure where they are going to be safe. Staying in New York has its advantages because of Alliance HQ. But returning to Thessia is preferable. Liara's doctor is there, they want the baby there and Liara is getting closer to her due date. With this man in the suit and not knowing whether or not Kane is alive or dead, Shepard is unsure of their next move and she hates it.
Deciding to distract Shepard Liara asks about Nicols, "How is Tricia Shepard, did you check on her before you came?"
"What?"
"Tricia?"
"Uh..yeah. ..she is going to be fine. She will need physical therapy for awhile. She was pretty out of it when I stopped by to see her."
"Elly why don't you sit next to me," says Liara.
Shepard continues her pacing as if not hearing her. "Squid is dead."
"What, when?"
"I don't know. I spoke with Councilor Tevos this morning, she finally decided to actually return my call at her earliest convenience," Shepard snarls. "She told me he was dead. Shit! I ask her one simple thing, is the guy in the picture Kane and you know what she tells me?" she doesn't wait for a response. "They never met Kane! Can you believe that! So she can't tell me if Mitch and Kane are the same man! What if I killed an innocent man Liara? What if Mitch is just some guy Kane paid to sit in that house until we picked him up, what if he was paid to talk to me at those bars?"
Liara realizes for the first time the guilt Shepard is feeling over killing Kane. She wants to help but not sure how. Liara feels the man deserved to die and they are better off for it.
"I believe it is highly unlikely," says Liara.
Shepard looks at the asari, "You do?" There is a hope to her tone, "Why?"
"That is a lot of trouble to go through Shepard. If the man you met at those bars was sent by Kane, then he is just as guilty as Kane. I don't believe he is some innocent bystander that was picked by Kane to approach you. That is too risky and from what I have seen regarding the lack of his digital footprint, I would say Kane is not careless. Hiring a man to approach you and pretend to be him in my opinion is careless."
"Well then he could just be part of the organization then right?"
Liara doesn't want to admit it but replies, "It is possible, but we should not jump to conclusions Elly."
Snorting a half laugh, "No we wouldn't want to do that. I …"
"What is it Elly, what is really bothering you?" Liara interrupts.
Shepard waits a minute before she replies. It is hard to put it into words, but she tries "I don't know how to protect you Liara."
Liara stands and walks toward Shepard. "Elly."
"No I mean it Liara," she steps away from her. "I don't know what to do, I fucking hate this! I need to know who that man in the suit was, I need to know how big Kane's organization is."
Liara approaches her again and hugs the human woman from behind. "We will find out Shepard, it will be okay."
"But how, we don't know who the man is."
"We will, it will just take time."
Shepard moves out of Liara's embrace, "Yeah time the organization will use to get stronger and more dangerous. Shepard starts her pacing again. "I can't do this again Liara I can't."
"What Elly, tell me."
"I am such a fucking hypocrite! I tell you you are obsessed with Kane and now I am having you do more research, I …"
"Elly please, you need to calm down."
"I can't..I can't Liara. We have to figure this out. I mean I killed him, I fucking killed him and nothing has changed, nothing is better. I …How did we get here?"
While Shepard paces Liara grabs a glass of water for her. She does not like seeing Shepard so worked up, but can hardly blame her. It is very upsetting to know there is an unidentified man they now need to worry about. And to think that Mitch and Kane are not the same man, well the asari is afraid it will be Shepard's complete undoing.
"Drink some water Elly..please."
Liara is not able to get too close to Shepard as she continues her incessant pacing.
"How can you be so calm!" Shepard looks at Liara; really looks at her. She didn't notice it before because she was so wrapped up in her own problems but Liara looks tired. "Liara," Shepard's tone changes to gentleness. "Liara you need to rest, when is the last time you slept?"
"Elly, I am fine."
"You don't look fine Liara," she says as she takes Liara's hand and leads her to the bedroom. "Will you do me a favor and lie down please?"
Liara is tired but she is more worried about Shepard, but she does comply. "Only if you lie down with me Shepard."
"I don't think I can sleep right now..-"
"Please Elly," she interrupts. "I need you to hold me."
Shepard feels a tremendous pang of guilt at Liara's request. She has been so preoccupied about everything else she should have been thinking about her wife and unborn child.
"Of course Liara. Do you need anything, water…tea?"
Liara lies down on the bed to get comfortable, "Just you Elly."
Shepard gets in on the other side of the bed and wraps her arms around her, kissing her neck. "This okay?"
Loving how Shepard's arms feel around her Liara says "Perfect."
"I'm so sorry Liara."
"For what?"
"For not taking care of you."
Liara turns around to face Elly, their foreheads resting on the other, "What are you talking about?" Shepard would not look at her. "Hey, look at me Elly."
"I just…" the tears form again. "I just want this to be over and I should have seen how tired you were when I came in, I.."
"Shhh shhhh, you stop that Elly. I am fine our baby is fine. You have a lot of responsibilities Elly."
"But that's just it. You should be my only responsibility Liara."
"What do you mean Elly?"
"I don't want to be away from you anymore Liara. I don't want to work for the Council anymore and I think it is high time I retire from the military."
This is music to Liara's ears, but the timing may not be the best right now. Plus Liara cannot be sure if Shepard has really thought through it.
"I just want to focus on you and our child Liara. I am so tired, I mean I don't think my body can really take much more of the abuse I give it," says Shepard.
"How long have you been thinking about this?"
"Awhile."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I just ….well never knew when to bring it up."
"You tried didn't you?" Liara believes Shepard probably tried but she was too obsessed with Kane at the time.
"Just a few times Liara, it's no big deal."
"It is Elly."
Shepard puts a finger to Liara's lips, "Now it's my turn to tell you to stop," she smiles. "What's done is done."
"I cannot believe I am going to say this," says Liara "but I think the timing may not be ideal to retire."
"What do you mean?"
"Without knowing the level of threat we face right now, remaining a part of the Alliance has its advantages."
"For protection you mean."
"Elly, I feel safe with you make no mistake. Additional protection may not be a bad thing right now."
Shepard strokes her cheek, "You're right as usual Dr. T'Soni, God you're beautiful." Shepard leans in for a kiss.
Liara never tires of hearing that.
She snuggles into Elly's side, "You are beautiful too Elly."
Liara senses Shepard tense suddenly. She looks up to see her face, "What is it Elly?"
"I just thought of something …I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner."
"What?"
"Remember how a man talked to me when I was in that room? I think it was Kane. Do you think maybe you could meld with me to see that memory, and then compare it to the memory of me meeting Mitch and see if the voice is the same? I mean, I never saw the man that spoke to me in the room, but maybe their voices match."
"That is a good idea Elly, yes I can do that."
Liara adjusts herself on the bed to get more comfortable. "Do you think we should wait, you look pretty tired Liara?"
"I will be fine, try to relax."
Shepard squeezes Liara's hand then kisses it while she relaxes into the bed.
Liara's eyes go black. The pictures within Elly's mind whip by. Relax Elly.
Liara sees the pictures that represent Elly's memories slow, she sees where she needs to go. It is an area that Elly does not keep too open for the asari. She probes further into the memory and feels Elly's resistance. Shepard does not like sharing these memories with Liara, they are too painful. It's okay Elly, I am here with you.
Liara can sense that Shepard is strapped to the table. She hears Shepard scream because she just woke up and a man was on top of her. Liara is in the room listening to the scene unfold. Of course she cannot see what is happening because Shepard could not see due to the hood she had on her head, Liara can only hear and sense what Shepard did. She hears men enter the room. One man speaks to Shepard, Liara can sense he is near her while she is on the table. "I apologize. This will not happen again. I am going to touch your top and pull it down; I am not here to hurt you. Do you understand?"
Liara holds Shepard now as she feels her bondmate tense at the memory. I am here Elly, relax.
Liara moves to another memory, Shepard is in a bar and a man approaches her booth asking her if she wants to dance. This memory is a bit harder to see as it is blurry around the edges because Shepard was intoxicated and her senses were less than sharp.
The man known as Mitch sits down in the booth next to her, Liara smiles when Shepard was so shocked by such a bold move. Liara stops the memory as if freezing it in place. She listens to the man's voice again but it is hard to discern it over the loud music of the bar.
Try this one says Shepard as she pushes the memory of the night of his capture to Liara. He is lying on the bed fully clothed when Shepard and her team enter to apprehend him. The man does not say a lot but Liara watches the scene.
"Of course Commander, or I suppose I should say Captain. I didn't think we would see each other so soon," is what Mitch said when Shepard called him Kane.
Liara moves back through the first memory where she listens to the voice, she blacks out all images and focuses on the two memories so they both can listen. She plays them one after the other.
Liara feels intense relief from Elly as they both realize at the same time that Mitch and Kane are indeed the same man. Liara feels Shepard holding her tight as her tears come. Thank you Liara …thank you.
Liara slowly leaves the meld. She holds Shepard tight, "It's okay Elly; it's going to be okay."
They continue holding each other as they both drift off to sleep.