A/N: One of the things I loved about Mass Effect was how even the minor characters were real. They had their own stories so I dusted a couple off. Thank you playfuldragon for the kind words. I appreciate each of you that follow along.

As she lay with her eyes closed the remnants of her dream fell away. She considered the last few months. Every thought and deeply held belief had been eviscerated in the light of their recent discoveries. Though her theories on the cyclical extinction pattern were confirmed, she'd been entirely wrong about the Protheans. Javik had made it clear they weren't the benevolent stewards she'd imagined. Instead it was an empire built upon the ruthless tenant of assimilation or destruction. It was nearly as devastating as learning that the Goddess she'd worshiped her entire life had been a Prothean. Despite everything she'd believed having fallen apart she was content, he loved her. She couldn't suppress the smile at the thought.

"I'm glad you have finally gotten some rest. However there's no reason for you to languish in bed when I can put you to work."

Liara opened her eyes to find Doctor Chakwas sitting patiently at her bedside.

"Do you ever sleep?"

The woman laughed.

"I have managed to get a few hours in here and there."

The human stood and tossed a bundle onto the bed.

"I'll wait outside."

The human left the room leaving the Asari to dress. She slipped on her pants followed by her boots. She picked up the chest piece expecting to find it utterly ruined. Instead she found it carefully stitched up and the scaled armor plate had been repaired. She smiled remembering the old days on the Normandy. Ashley excelled at armor and weapon repair, while Tali had a knack for sewing. The lilac stain was the only evidence of the violent encounter. She slipped on the tunic carefully buckling it into place before grabbing her jacket and heading out the door.

She found the doctor waiting, she motioned for her to follow. They maneuvered around the gurney filled corridors dodging the hectic medical staff. Liara took in the sight of so many injured and wondered how many more they could accommodate. The Doctor seemed to read her mind.

"It's not that bad. The Geth were able to reclaim the Mars facility and transitioned it to a triage. They are handling minor cases and forwarding anyone in serious condition here. Wrex and Jacob are on Earth organizing the search for survivors along with much needed medical supplies. I was going to wake you to go with the Normandy back to the Citadel, but I needed you here."

The Asari's mind was processing the information as if it were one of her feeds.

"I take it they have a lead on the population on the Citadel?"

The human nodded.

"Yes, but that can wait. I need you to monitor the Commander's mental state."

Liara was torn between her concern for her father and her lover. She'd never imagined she'd ever be in this situation.

"I thought the surgery was successful?"

The cacophony of frenzied activity died down as they moved deeper into the facility. They passed a security checkpoint as the doctor explained.

"The surgery went better than I expected. He's recovering, but even with cloned organs there's the possibility of his body rejecting them. The Geth nanites with a steady supply of anti rejection medications should facilitate a full recovery."

The doctor entered the Commander's room and began checking his vitals.

"Then why do you want me to monitor his mental state?"

The doctor pulled a chair next to the enclosed biobed and forced Liara to sit down.

"One of the side effects of the nanites is his ability to resist sedation. He awoke on two separate occasions during his reconstruction. He's actively fighting his sedation. If I was a betting woman…and I am, he's sensed your absence."

She had barely noticed the doctor had left as she sensed his frustration. She didn't hesitate, she allowed herself to find him once more.

Liara found herself aboard the Normandy. She moved effortlessly through the command center towards the sound of his grunts and the rhythmic sound of two objects colliding. She turned towards the airlock and pushed the button to open the door. She found him about to kick the door once more when it opened she smiled at the sight.

"What are you doing?"

He abruptly pulled her into a suffocating hug.

"I…I couldn't find you."

A strangled laugh escaped her constricted lungs.

"You are in a medical coma, of course you could not find me."

He released her and she could see true concern in his eyes.

"I could feel your fear and then…."

He shook his head…

"Nothing."

This wasn't the time to discuss her ordeal, so she changed the subject.

"I am fine. Sit."

He stared at her for a moment.

"There's something you're keeping from me. I trust you'll tell me when you're ready."

He complied with her demand as he spoke. She'd always liked the way the leather jacket accentuated his broad shoulders. She gently kicked his legs apart and took a seat between them. He wrapped his arms around her placing a tender kiss on her cheek.

"You have shown me every memory that you thought would prevent me from loving you. Now, I want to see ones that exemplify your true nature."

She could feel his laughter vibrate in his chest.

"That's a tall order.."

Liara recognized his cabin aboard the Normandy immediately.

He paced the room while the diminutive human sat drinking her wine.

"Shep, relax. I can always break you out if they lock you up."

He shook his head.

"No. I'll accept my punishment."

She started to say something when the door opened. Kelly Chambers entered the room.

"You wanted to see me Commander?"

He nodded and motioned for her to sit. She sat next to Kasumi and looked at him expectantly.

"I need to ask a favor. It's not small by any means."

He looked down at his hands.

"There was a girl from Mindoir. Her name is Talitha. She spent years in captivity before she was rescued and brought to the Citadel. They asked me to speak with her. I talked her down and got her the help she needed."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"The mistakes I made on Mindoir…caused her capture. I should have... done things differently."

The redhead shifted forward to the edge of the sofa.

"It's common for survivors of such events to take personal responsibility, but there was nothing you could have done. It is not your fault."

He lifted his hand for her to stop. He reminded himself that they didn't understand.

"I petitioned the court to make her my ward. The control chip the Batarian's implanted, the trauma of her capture, and years of abuse have left her mentally disabled. I wanted to know if you would be willing to take her to a friend of mine on Feros. The Reapers are going to come eventually. I want her to experience…"

He shrugged and turned away as the pain ripped through his chest. Images of green eyes danced in his head.

"Something more …I'll understand if you refuse to take on my responsibility."

He couldn't see her but he knew she'd heard the pain in his voice.

"Why me?"

He turned around forcing himself to let go of the pain.

"You're uniquely qualified to teach my friend how to care for her and I trust you."

She nodded as she thought it over.

"Why is Kasumi here?"

"I received a message from Talitha. It said one of the doctors works with the people I work for. It's a veiled threat. Councilor Anderson has already removed her from the situation, but Cerberus won't let that stop them for long."

Kelly's face reflected concern.

"You believe they would kill her or worse?"

Kasumi calmly sipped her wine.

"I'm going to make sure she disappears. I already have her new identity and travel arrangements in place. I just need to know whose going to travel with her. I'll need to make them a new identity as well. Given Cerberus' track record with retirees..."

The thief let her words sink in. Kelly sat quietly for a moment. She finally stood and approached Sheppard.

"Commander, I couldn't live with myself if I didn't at least try to help Talitha. I'm honored that you would think of me for such a responsibility. I can't imagine how I so misjudged Cerberus. To threaten someone so…damaged is reprehensible. It would not be a favor, but my duty."

He nodded and the woman hugged him before she left.

The thief stood up and stretched.

"Thanks for the drink Shep. If you change your mind about busting you out later you know how to contact me."

He laughed.

"You just want to prove you can do it."

Her voice trailed off as she headed for the door.

"What makes you think I haven't already?"

He heard the sound of her cloaking after exiting the room. He shook his head. The woman had no concept of boundaries. He looked up.

"EDI, did she really leave?"

"Yes, she asked me where she could find Jacob."

"Of course she did. Thank you EDI."

"You are welcome, Commander."

He took the opportunity to lie down and get some rest. His life was about to become a lot more complicated.

"That's why you had me send an emergency evac team to Feros."

She felt him nod.

"Imagine my shock when I learned you'd adopted the girl. I lost track of her after Anderson took her from the facility. I assumed Anderson had placed her into protective custody."

He shrugged.

"I destroyed her life. It was my responsibility to try to make it better. I figured you'd find out once you became the broker. You'd done so much for me already. I didn't want to ask for more."

She leaned back into him resting her head on his chin.

"I can never do too much for you. You do realize that even had the colony been alerted to the slavers you would have been unable to save them."

She felt his sadness as he nodded.

"It doesn't matter. I let my anger at the adults cloud my judgment about the children. It's still my fault. Talitha and God only knows how many others would have been saved."

She lifted her hand and caressed his cheek.

"You were a child. As I recall no species has children able to comprehend the full ramifications of their actions."

"Must you always use science to prove your point?"

She smiled happily.

"I am after all a scientist."