THESSIA

Mia is in the shower. She just got home from working out with her father. Her leg is feeling good which is a huge relief to the asari and her family. She heads for Vancouver tomorrow. The coach from the Storm called Mia yesterday to welcome her to the team and told her that a player will be meeting her when she lands in Vancouver to show her around and to get her to her room. She will have a roommate and all she knows is that her name is Beth and that she is human.

"Elly?"

"In here." Shepard is finishing her own shower.

Liara enters the master bathroom, "How is she?"

Shepard turns off the water and takes the towel Liara is holding out for her. "She's strong. It's like her leg was never broken." Shepard dries off.

Liara looks at her bondmate.

Shepard lets out a sigh, "She didn't say anything Liara and I didn't push."

"Elly, she leaves tomorrow and she has yet to talk about what happened. She hasn't even visited Dava in the hospital."

Shepard walks into their bedroom to get dressed. "I know honey but what do you want me to do? You can't force her to talk about it."

"It's not healthy." Liara paces while Shepard dresses. "She needs to talk about it Elly she needs…"

"Hey hey hey," Shepard places her hands on Liara's arms, "she is dealing with this in her own way Liara."

"That's just it Elly, she is not dealing with it at all."

"She just needs time." Shepard returns to the dresser and grabs a shirt.

"Maybe we shouldn't let her go."

"You cannot be serious. Liara. She is an adult. It is her life. It is her dream. We are not preventing her from going."

Liara sits in a huff on the corner of the bed. "I know I know I just…" she stands and starts to pace again, "I just wish she would talk about it instead of dealing with it like…" Liara stops herself from finishing the sentence.

Shepard looks her way. "What? Like me?"

Liara averts her eyes. "Elly I'm sorry."

Shepard approaches Liara again. "Mia is leaving tomorrow. When I asked about us flying with her she said no. She does not want us going with her. She wants to be on her own Liara and we need to let her go."

"I don't like it."

Shepard cups Liara's cheek with her hand. "We don't have to like it honey we just have to be there for her when she needs us."

Liara takes her bondmate's hand in her own. "I don't understand how you can be so calm."

"I'm not calm on the inside believe me. I am just as worried as you. But we have to trust our daughter Liara and we have to hope for the best." Shepard kisses her blue beauty. "Want to help me for tonight?"

"So we are still having dinner?"

"Well of course. It's our last dinner with Mia. We need to do what we can to show her how much we love her and how happy we are for her. Is Valya coming?"

"No." Liara follows Shepard to the kitchen. "She is exhausted Elly. She has been by Dava's side all week."

"I know. I just thought she would like the distraction."

"She appreciated the invitation but said some other time."

Shepard grabs a few pans from the cupboard, "So they hope to wake Dava tomorrow?"

"Hopefully, yes. When I saw her this morning Valya said that the bones have finally fused. The Doctors said they should be able to withstand movement now so tomorrow is the day."

"So we head to the hospital then after we drop Mia off at the transport ship?"

"If that is okay with you."

"Sure. Can you grab the meat from the fridge please?"

"Yes." Liara grabs the meat and hands it to Shepard. "You okay here?"

Shepard looks at her, "Yep."

Liara checks the time. "Raina should be starting her interview soon. I still cannot believe she did not reschedule. Lacy's service was only two days ago."

Shepard does not say anything. She agrees with Liara, it is too soon.

"I am going to walk to Father's house and bring her back. Elly are you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah I'm fine."

Liara cups her cheek, "Where were you just now?"

Shepard takes her hand and kisses her palm. "I was thinking about Raina. I hope everything goes well."

"Me too. We are going to get through this aren't we?"

Shepard squeezes Liara's hand, "Yes we are."

Liara moves closer and kisses Shepard fully on the lips. She hugs her close, "I love you Elly."

"I love you Liara. Now go and get your father. I will have a glass of Ryncol waiting for her."


Little A and Kaya are walking around a park near the Shepard/T'Soni home. Since the incident they have seen each other as much as possible. They have been walking hand in hand for the last ten minutes in silence.

"Can we sit?" asks Kaya. She sees a bench up ahead.

"Sure."

Little A sits and places her arm around Kaya as they both lean back onto the bench. "It sure is beautiful today," says Little A.

Kaya nods her head.

Little A looks her way and notices tears. "Hey," she sits up, "what's the matter?"

Kaya shakes her head," Sorry…" she wipes at her cheek.

"For what? What is going on?"

"I can't stop thinking about Lacy and her service and…"

Little A takes her hand, "And what?"

"I can't help thinking that…that it could have been me and then I feel horrible because I should feel grateful that it wasn't me…" Kaya cannot finish, she starts to cry.

Little A wraps her arm around her, "It's okay." She kisses her temple, "it's okay."

"I'm sorry Aethyta I am so sorry." She hugs her tightly.

"Oh hey, you have nothing to be sorry for."

"It's…it's my fault what happened…" Kaya continues to cry.

Little A shakes her head. She places her hands on either side of Kaya's face. "You look at me Kaya. It was not your fault. It was not Lacy's fault do you understand?"

Kaya looks at Little A.

"It was Shadow's fault and no one else. Do you understand?"

"I…I can't believe Lacy is dead." Kaya hugs Little A again as she continues to weep.

"I know. I know."

After a few minutes Little A says, "Are you still coming over for dinner tonight? It is Mia's last night with us."

Kaya sits up as she wipes her cheeks. "Has she talked to you about anything?"

"No."

"Has she seen Dava?"

"No and I have not asked her why."

Kaya cuddles close to Little A. "Has she talked to anyone?"

Little A lets out a long sigh. "It's been weird around the house. Mom and Dad are trying to act all cheery but Raina is not doing well and Mia is ….well they both have put up walls around them." Little A leans her head back and closes her eyes. "I just hope that they will be okay. I mean with Mia leaving I …well I don't think she is really dealing with what happened."

"Maybe this is her way of dealing with it."

"Maybe. Anyway, we are having dinner tonight. Giving her a proper sendoff I guess. She leaves tomorrow morning." Little A takes her arm away from Kaya and sits up.

"What is it?"

"I just realized that I have no idea when I will see Mia again."

"Oh Aethyta." Kaya rubs Little A's back.

"I mean before this happened I was super excited for her ya know? I wanted her to go and be a great success like I know she will be. But now…," Little A looks at Kaya, "now all I want is to keep her close by because I am afraid of what this distance will do to her."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean she is not really dealing with what happened. She will be with new people but she will be alone. If she doesn't talk to anyone it will eat her alive."

"Maybe she is setting this whole thing aside right now and focusing on her training. I mean her leg is better than ever. I couldn't believe how well she moved yesterday when we were hanging out in the backyard. It's like nothing ever happened."

"I know."

Kaya uses her finger to touch Little A's chin so the asari will look at her, "That's a good thing Aethyta. Think of what would have happened if her leg could not be fixed. Her dream would be shattered."

Little A smiles, "You're right, as usual. Though I fear it still could be." She takes in a deep breath and lets it out then stands and holds out her hand. "I think we could learn something from Mia."

"What's that," says Kaya as she takes her hand.

"Set it aside for a bit is probably not a bad idea. I just hope she doesn't try to bury it away and ignore it. Things like that have a way of coming out one way or the other."

They start walking around the park again. "I think I will pass on dinner tonight Aethyta."

"What? Why?"

"Because it is family time. I don't want to intrude."

"Kaya," Little A stops and looks at her, "you are family."

Kaya smiles. "I love you too Aethyta but I think it is best that I not come. Mia may want to talk or Raina might who knows. Maybe they don't feel comfortable sharing with me in the room."

Little A is silent.

"It's just one night Aethyta."

"I know."

"Tell you what. Why don't you call me when the dinner is over, you know before you go to bed okay? Then you can tell me all about it. Deal?"

"Deal."


Shepard is sitting outside in the backyard drinking a beer while her daughter Eva is writing next to her. She likes the silence. She likes how creative her daughter has become. Eva is a little lighter blue than her mother. Shepard smiles because Eva looks content as she concentrates on whatever she is writing. Shepard takes another swig of her beer.

"How are you doing Eva?"

The asari finishes something on her data pad then looks at her father. "I'm okay."

Shepard sits up. "Just okay?"

Eva lets out a breath. "I'm sad. I feel for Mia and I feel awful for Raina. I know she is blaming herself for what happened to all of us and to Lacy."

"Has she said that to you?"

"No, but she doesn't have to Dad. You know how she is."

Shepard takes a sip, "Yeah, like me, taking on all the burdens of the world. Something I wish she did not take after me."

"Lacy was someone Raina could talk to and now that she is gone…well I don't know who she will confide in."

"I wonder if I should call Abby. Tell her what happened."

"I don't think that is such a good idea Dad."

"Why not?"

"Because Raina would know someone called her and be mad."

"So?"

Eva smirks at her Dad. "Why are you asking me if you already made up your mind?"

Shepard laughs a little.

"What?"

"You sound like your mother."

Eva grows quiet.

Shepard reaches out and touches her daughter's shoulder. "What?"

"I am afraid for Mia and for Raina. I almost feel like our family is tearing apart, that Shadow won after all."

Shepard feels the heat behind her eyes she blinks quickly to fight the tears. She takes another long swig of beer.

"Sorry Dad. I didn't mean to upset you."

"No no…" she clears her throat. "You didn't. I…I should check on dinner." Without another word Shepard gets up and enters the house. When she reaches the kitchen she sees Raina enter through the front door. "Hi sweetheart how did it go?"

Raina does not respond she just walks to her room.

"Raina?"

"Huh?" She turns to look at her father.

"I asked you how it went." She waits. "The interview?"

"Oh. I don't know. Good I guess." Raina turns to open her bedroom door.

"We are having a family dinner tonight. We eat in a few hours."

"Okay." Raina closes the door behind her.

"Hi Elly," says Liara as she and her father enter the house.

"Hi." Shepard moves to a cupboard and grabs a bottle of Ryncol. She pours a glass for her father-in-law. "Here you go Aethyta."

"Thanks."

"You okay?"

"Yep." Aethyta sits down looking a little winded.

Shepard and Liara exchange glances. Shepard thinks Liara looks worried.

"Raina just got home."

"Oh really? How did the interview go?" asks Liara suddenly excited.

Shepard shrugs. "Not sure. She didn't really talk much. She just walked into her room."

"She still not talking?" asks Aethyta.

"No she isn't and neither is Mia and it is driving me insane," says Liara.

"It takes time kid, you have to be patient."

"See," says Shepard as she nudges her bondmate's shoulder.

"I understand that but this just feels…"

"Helpless," says Aethyta.

"Yes." Liara sits next to her father at the breakfast bar.

Shepard pours a glass of wine for her bondmate and sets it in front of her.

"Where is everyone else?" asks Liara.

"Eva is outside writing, Mia is up in her room and Little A is still out with Kaya. She sent me a message. Kaya will not be joining us tonight."

"Why?"

"Something about family time. Kaya thought it best to not come seeing as it is our last night together as a family."

"She is very considerate," says Liara.

"They make a good couple," says Aethyta.

Liara looks at her father.

"What?"

"Do you know something father?"

"Like what?"

"About the two of them?"

"You mean have they done the deed?"

Shepard laughs then coughs. "What? No she hasn't has she?"

Aethyta smiles.

"Goddess has she?" asks Liara. "I would have thought she would have come to me to talk about it to ask my advice to….

"…calm down." Aethyta laughs a little. "You two need to relax you know that?"

"Yes father thank you. Tell me what you know."

"They haven't melded if that is what you are asking, not that kind of meld anyway. I know Little A loves her and with everything that has happened she wants Kaya close to her, like all the time."

"Yeah I noticed that," says Shepard.

"Elly I really think we need a family meeting. Everyone is trying to deal with this on their own when we should be dealing with it together."

Shepard lets out a sigh then finishes off her beer.

"Well?"

"Well what Liara? I don't have the answers, I wish I did. I want our daughters to stop hurting just as much as you do but I know if we push they might withdrawal all the more. I don't want that to happen. I figure if they want to talk about it then they will."

"Makes sense to me kid," says Aethyta.

"Oh not you too." Liara takes a sip of wine. "I feel like our family is growing apart."

"Sometimes something has to break before it can be fixed."

Shepard and Liara both look at the Matriarch.

"What?"

"What the hell does that even mean?" asks Shepard.

The Matriarch shrugs.

"Well I for one am not waiting for that to happen." Liara walks up to Raina's door. She lightly knocks. "Can I come in honey?"

Liara enters Raina's bedroom.

"So?" asks Aethyta.

"What?" asks Shepard.

"What are you going to do?"

Shepard grabs another beer and sits.


Liara sits at the foot of Raina's bed. Her daughter is sitting against the headboard.

"How did it go?"

Raina shrugs her shoulders.

"Raina?"

"It didn't."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I was sitting there and I heard nothing but echoes. My hands were sweating, my heart felt like it wanted to burst out of my chest and I didn't answer one question. I …" Raina gets up off the bed and turns her back on her mother. "I failed. It's over."

Liara slowly stands. "I…I am sure that is not true honey. Maybe you can talk to them tell them the circumstances."

"Don't you get it!" Raina turns to face her mother. "I can't do this anymore!"

"Do what honey?"

"How can I possibly help people when I couldn't….I couldn't…."

Liara moves toward her daughter with open arms but Raina moves away.

"Don't."

"Raina."

"Don't just…don't. Please leave mother. I …I want to be alone."

Liara does not move. "It is not your fault Raina."

Raina turns her back again.

Liara sees her shoulders are shaking. "It is not your fault."

Raina hugs herself as a sob escapes. "It is…it is."

Liara touches her shoulder.

Raina turns and clings to her mother. "She's dead because of me."

"No." Liara's eyes tear up as she holds her oldest daughter. "No honey it is not your fault."

It takes a few minutes for Raina's sobs to quiet.

"Will you let me call your professor honey?"

"No."

Raina steps out of the hug and wipes her cheeks. She sits on her bed.

"Well you do not have to decide right now."

"I…I just don't think I can do it….not now…not…" Raina clears her throat and hangs her head.

Liara sits next to her and puts her arm around her. "You need to heal honey. You need some time."

Raina shakes her head. "I keep wondering how…how did I miss it? I didn't suspect Lacy at all. I have had tea with her all of the time and I thought nothing of her bringing some over."

"Honey I thought nothing of it either. She was under Shadow's influence. You cannot blame yourself for not knowing."

Raina stands, "But I should have known Mia was in danger, I should have…"

Liara remains seated.

"I can't believe she leaves tomorrow. I mean…" she turns to her mother, "are we going to see her again?"

Liara stands and hugs her daughter again, "Of course we are. Oh Goddess Raina of course we are."

"I think she blames me."

Liara leans back to look Raina in the face. "I don't believe that. She is dealing with things as best she can. We all have our ways of dealing with things."

"You sound like Dad."

Liara smiles, "I do don't I. Well sometimes she knows what she is talking about." Liara winks at Raina. "Why don't you join me in the kitchen and help with the dinner preparations. Get your mind off things."

"Okay and Mom?"

Liara faces her daughter.

"Thanks."

"Anytime honey."