Liara and Raina are in the park. Shopping has worn the pair out and they are enjoying the beautiful early evening on a park bench. The pair is meeting Shepard. She wanted to go out to dinner tonight. The park itself is not that large, about the size of a football field. It has swing sets, climbing obstacles, plenty of trees and benches.

"Well fancy meeting you here Dr. T'Soni, are you following me?" asks Nala, the asari matron from earlier.

Liara tenses and stands up moving in front of Raina who is sleeping in her stroller "Oh hello again Nala," she nods in respect. What brings you out here?"

Nala eyes the young asari suspiciously. She notices how Liara stands in front of her child. "Tell me Dr. T'Soni, are you expecting someone?"

Liara feels her heart pumping almost out of her chest. She wants to call out for help, but the park is nearly empty. She is clearly no match for a matron.

"Yes I am actually…"

"Hey Liara."

Liara hears Shepard's voice and has never felt utterly relieved and terrified at the same time.

Liara calmly tilts her head at Shepard who approaches from behind Nala.

Shepard senses Liara's discomfort, sees the fear in her eyes. She almost reaches for her side arm but stops herself. Instead she faces the asari she has not yet met. "Hello there," she says as she stands next to Liara.

Nala looks at her with disgust but then changes her facial expression quickly, but Shepard catches her initial look. She smiles, "Ah Captain Shepard, so nice to meet you. I met your bondmate here earlier today and I just noticed her sitting here alone. I thought it wise to see if she was waiting for someone. You never know who could be lurking in the shadows."

"That is very thoughtful of you. I feel a bit at a disadvantage. I did not catch your name." Shepard already suspects who it is.

Nala smiles, though it is an eerie smile. "My name is Nala Captain." Nala watches the human very closely.

Shepard tries not to show that she already knows who the asari is. The way Nala is studying her face she suspects the asari knows.

"I suspect you already know that don't you," says Nala.

Shepard clinches and unclenches her fists, her right hand inching toward her fire arm. Liara is not sure what is going on only that Nala is a threat, she can tell by Shepard's posture and how she is speaking.

"What do you want Nala?" asks Shepard, her hand is resting on her weapon now.

Nala's eyes move to Shepard's hand, she notices the human is ready to use her weapon. Her eyes move to Liara, to Raina then back to Shepard.

Nala says, "Arelia has been trying to tell me that humans are not that bad. Here I meet THE human, THE savior of the galaxy and you are nothing but rude. Are you really going to shoot me Captain?"

Shepard does not take her eyes off of the asari. She does not want trouble, not with Raina here. "I think you are done here Nala." Shepard will pull her pistol if necessary.

The asari's lip press together, her eyes are ice cold, "That is where you are wrong human." With a slight flick of her wrist and before Shepard can draw her pistol, Shepard is flying through the air, Nala has thrown her across the park. Shepard slams into a climbing obstacle and falls to the ground choking for air.

Nala's hand is around Liara's neck squeezing before the younger asari can react. "I am just getting started," she seethes. She looks at Liara, "I can't believe you let her touch you." Nala moves her mouth close to Liara. She licks Liara's cheek. "Tell me Doctor is she good in bed?" Nala's eyes go black. Liara's head feels like it is going to explode. She is surrounded in darkness. Her mind is being violated and Liara is trying to quickly put barriers in place. Nala is precise, maneuvering quickly through Liara's mind looking, looking. She sees images of her and Shepard, when they first met, when they first kissed, when they first made love. Liara cannot stop her she is not strong enough. Her head is pounding; it feels as if hours have gone by. The quickness of the memories are very disorienting, Liara feels dizzy. Nala senses her fear and revels in it. What do we have here? You are pregnant…

Suddenly the meld is interrupted. Liara collapses to the ground and Nala blinks wondering what happened. She feels a piercing heat in her leg. She looks down and sees she has been hit twice. Looking up Nala sees Shepard pointing a gun at her about ten yards away. Shepard had to aim low to make sure she did not hit Liara.

"I thought I took care of you human," snarls Nala.

"You thought wrong," Shepard says as she fires again and again, she empties her clip into the asari. Nala's shield comes up quick, quick enough to block all of the bullets. With the wave of her hand Shepard is pushed back once again, but Shepard is able to shield herself this time.

Nala, forgetting about Liara on the ground, moves toward Shepard. Pulling her lips back into a snarl she thrusts her hand forward and a blue ball of energy shoots toward Shepard. Shepard has shielded herself; she dives out of the way of the blue ball. The climbing obstacle that she was thrown into suddenly is thrown a few feet; it would have been her had she not dodged the attack.

Rolling to her feet Shepard throws a shockwave. Nonchalantly, Nala steps aside and throws another blue ball of energy. She doesn't stop at one though she continues to form the balls and throw them until Shepard is finally hit with the fourth one. The ground races at Shepard's face, her shoulder screams at her in pain, she has landed mostly on it and her face. Trying to get up Shepard is hit again. She is lifted into the air a few feet and slammed violently into the ground landing on her back.

Shepard tries to take in a breath but winces. Clenching her teeth she tries to breathe again, it still hurts. She tries to get up but Nala's boot is on her chest. "Hard to believe you took down reapers," she says. "I will be seeing you Captain tell Arelia I am coming for her soon." The last thing Shepard sees is the bottom of the asari's boot.


Arelia and Miranda are hand in hand. Shepard asked them to meet in the park before all going out to dinner. They didn't expect to be delayed though and now they are walking in the dark hoping Shepard and Liara are still waiting for them. They are about twenty minutes late.

"I hope they are still there," says Arelia as the couple rounds the corner that leads to the park. As they walk closer it looks as if the park is empty.

"They would have called us if they went ahead to the restaurant wouldn't they?" asks Arelia.

"I believe so," replies Miranda.

They hear crying.

Arelia stops in her tracks, "Did you hear that?"

Miranda stops and tries to listen. Crying is heard again.

"There," says Arelia. Before Miranda can confirm that she hears something the asari is running. Miranda quickly follows.

Arelia sees Raina in her stroller crying and wiggling trying to get out. She also sees an unconscious Liara next to her. Arelia quickly looks at Raina. She suspects she is just hungry, "Check her," she motions to Miranda. Arelia kneels next to Liara. "Liara? Liara can you hear me?" Arelia checks for a pulse, it is weak.

"How is she?" Arelia asks Miranda.

Finishing a scan on Raina Miranda says, "She's unharmed. What about Liara?"

"She is unconscious, I don't like her color, she is very pale and her pulse is weak."

Miranda looks through the baby bag on the end of the stroller and finds a blanket to put over Raina. She also finds a snack for the infant. She moves to Liara and starts a scan when she hears a noise not too far from where they are.

Stopping her scan she asks "Did you hear that?"

Arelia looks toward where she thinks the noise is coming from.

Hearing is again "Shit, that's Shepard!" Miranda runs toward the noise.

Shepard is on her stomach trying to crawl toward Liara. Miranda quickly kneels in front of her placing her hands on her to stop.

"Shepard what happened?"

"Lia…ra" she groans.

"She's okay Shepard hold still," Miranda says. She is not sure if she is lying but the last thing she needs is to have Shepard further injure herself. Miranda runs a scan.

"Liara?" Shepard groans. She turns to be on her back hissing through clenched teeth at the movement.

The scan finishes. "Shepard, how is your breathing?"

"Hurts," she manages.

"I am going to turn you on your side Shepard. You have a dislocated shoulder, a few broken ribs and one has penetrated your lung. Can you breathe easier?" she asks after Shepard is on her side.

Shepard nods.

"Liara….Raina…"

"…shhh Shepard they are both fine." Miranda dials for emergency services. She is too far away from their sky car and does not have anything on her medically. "Shepard you need to stay still. I know it hurts to breathe; you have to hang in there for me okay. Help is on the way." Shepard nods a little.

"Check Lia…ra…plea..se"

"Okay Shepard. I will go check on her. You promise me you will lie still." Shepard nods. "I will be right back." Miranda quickly runs to Arelia's location.

"How is she?" asks Miranda as she kneels down next to Liara across from Arelia.

"Her pulse is still very weak Miranda and she is non-responsive."

"What the hell happened?" Miranda keeps her voice down. Raina is still crying. Miranda takes her out of her stroller, the infant is shivering. Miranda quickly covers her up and holds her close while she kneels next to Liara.

"I don't like this Miranda, something is off. I am going to try something," says Arelia.

"What?" asks Miranda.

"I am going to try to meld with Liara to see if I can see what happened."

"Is…is that allowed? I thought you weren't supposed to do that? Besides I am pretty sure I know who did this"

"We aren't supposed to do it, but this is an emergency."

Miranda sees the worry in her lover's face. "I called emergency services. Shepard has a dislocated shoulder, a punctured lung and some broken ribs. What do you want me to do? I have to get back to her."

"Just stay here for one minute, I won't be long." Before Miranda can protest, Arelia's eyes go black.

Arelia tried to be prepared before entering Liara's mind, but nothing could prepare her for the utter fear she feels. She tries to remember that she is in her friend's mind that the fear she is feeling is not hers. Arelia pushes the fear away and pushes back with feelings of love. She searches for a remnant of Liara's spirit. It is pitched black there is no source of light at all. Arelia has no doubt that Nala forced a meld on Liara. She knows that Liara is dark to protect herself; she hopes she can find her asari friend. Liara, It is Arelia. I am here to guide you. Make your presence known.

Silence.

Liara, I know you can hear me. It is Arelia honey. You are safe. Shepard and Raina are safe. Make your presence known. Arelia needs to coax Liara from wherever she has hidden herself within her mind. Liara I am not here to harm you young one. I am here to help you. Please Shepard needs you, make your presence known.

Arelia sends feelings of calm as best she can. She sends waves of strength and pride. She is hoping Liara can come out. The longer Liara remains hidden within her own mind the harder it will be to coax her out and the more likely it will be that she never wakes up.

Shepard?

Arelia is relieved to hear and now sense Liara's spirit though she still cannot see anything but black. Yes Liara, Shepard needs you. It is Arelia. I need you to wake.

Arelia?

Yes. Can you wake with me, are you ready?

No! I can't. I….she is out there. Arelia is inundated with pictures of Nala and what she did. Arelia quickly sees how Nala easily threw Shepard across the park. How Nala grabbed Liara by the throat and what she did to Liara inside her mind before she lost consciousness.

It is safe young one I promise. You trust me don't you Liara?

Arelia can feel a change in Liara's feelings. She is still very frightened but she is becoming stronger. Arelia can finally see a white light in the darkness. It is a brilliant bright white light that is slowly getting bigger in size.

Yes.

We must wake now Liara.

Wait.

What is it? Asks Arelia, though they are not speaking.

My baby, can you sense her? I cannot….I cannot sense her.

Arelia is thrown. Liara may be more injured than she thought. Raina is not within her anymore unless… Arelia concentrates to see if she can sense another life form. She feels the panic rising from Liara.

Miranda hears Shepard coughing. Worried she leaves Arelia alone. She hears the emergency vehicles coming. "Shepard?"

Shepard moved back to her back. Miranda's flashlight reveals blood coming out of the side of her mouth. She also notices that Shepard's cheek is badly cut which she did not notice before.

"Can't….bre..athe" says Shepard.

"Okay Shepard." Miranda helps her adjust back onto her side so she can breathe. "Is that better?"

Shepard nods weakly.

"Hang in there Shepard help is on the way."

She is here Liara. I sense her. I can feel her….Try Liara you can too. Arelia is relieved to have been able to find the child within Liara. She must be very, very new Arelia almost did not find her.

I do I can sense her.

Please Liara I need you to wake with me. Are you ready?

Arelia knows she is ready by the feelings of gratitude she feels from Liara. Arelia slowly recedes from the meld. She is holding Liara's hand "Liara wake up honey, open your eyes." She hears the emergency vehicles coming and sees the flashing lights in the darkness.

Liara stirs slightly and groans.

"That's it Liara, you are safe now."

Liara moves her hand to her head and she winces, "My..my…head."

"Help is on the way, hang in there," says Arelia.

"Shepard…Raina?" Liara tries to get up but the movement makes her violently vomit.

Raina has stopped crying and she seems to be warming up as Miranda holds her. Shepard is struggling to breathe and Miranda is losing patience.

"You lay still Liara. Raina is okay. You and Shepard are going to be fine."

The emergency vehicles arrive. Arelia points the first set of medics to Miranda's location. She directs the second set of medics to carefully lift Liara on the stretcher. "She is very nauseous; do you have a waste bin? She will probably need it." As Arelia finishes her sentence Liara vomits again nearly falling off the stretcher.

The first set of medics is at Shepard. Miranda informs them of her punctured lung and to keep her on her side. She walks with them as they put her into the vehicle. The first vehicle is gone with Liara in it.

"I'm going with her," Miranda says to Arelia as she hands Raina over to the asari.

"I will meet you there Miranda," says Arelia. "I will feed Raina first."

"She should get warmed up Arelia. I will call you soon. Stay at the estate. I don't want anything happening to you."

The medics tried to protest Miranda joining them but she told the medics that she was Shepard's personal physician. The medics shocked that it was Captain Shepard and Dr. Liara T'Soni in the first place did not put up a fight when Miranda insisted on accompanying them to the hospital.


Arelia lands the sky car outside of the estate. She gathers up Raina and enters the house. Miranda has baby supplies since they babysit a lot. Arelia undresses Raina and gives her a warm bath to warm her skin.

Arelia quickly dials her omni-tool.

"Hello?"

"Oriana?"

"Yes, hi Arelia."

"Oriana are you safe?" asks Arelia trying not to sound panicked.

"Y-yes I am fine. I am at the lab why?"

"Nala attacked Liara and Shepard tonight. I am at your place with Raina. I need you home now Oriana. I want you safe."

"O-okay."

"Oriana. You get an escort to your car do you hear me. I do not want you alone."

"Okay Arelia. I will be there soon."


Miranda is sitting on a chair between two beds, one holds Shepard and one holds Liara. They are both sleeping. Shepard's ribs have been fixed. Her shoulder has been reset and her lung that was punctured has been repaired. Liara, well Miranda is not sure what happened to Liara. Based on her symptoms Miranda suspects she was forced to meld. Since Nala did that to Arelia it is logical to think that is what happened to Liara. That and the fact that every time Liara tries to move she is so nauseous she has to vomit.

"Miranda?"

Miranda looks up to see Arelia. She is relieved and hugs her tight.

"Where's Raina?"

"Oriana is watching her," says Arelia. "They are safe. How are you doing?"

Miranda has not let her go yet, Arelia can feel her shaking.

"Better now that you are here." Miranda breathes in Arelia's scent. She finds such comfort in the smell. She smells like lilacs.

"How are they?" asks Arelia.

Miranda steps back from the hug. "Shepard is recovering from surgery. Her shoulder was dislocated. She has a few broken ribs and her lung has been repaired."

"And Liara?" Arelia looks toward the sleeping asari.

"The doctor's say it will take awhile for her to recover based on what happened to her mind, but I don't really understand it." Miranda is not very familiar with asari physiology.

"Yes well, Nala forced a meld on her. And by the extent of the damage I would say she was in her mind for nearly a minute."

"Just a minute?" asks Miranda. "That does not too sound bad."

"On the contrary," says Arelia. "Nala is very skilled Miranda. I only saw fragments of what she did to Liara. There is no telling what damage she did to her."

"Do you mean brain damage?"

"It is possible, but I am speaking more about her emotional state. Her physical symptoms will fade away, though it will take time. What Nala did to her was far worse than what she did to me."

"My God Arelia, you were in bed all weekend when she did that to you."

"I know. I suspect Liara will need a lot of time to recover." Arelia leaves the fact that Liara is pregnant again to herself. She does not feel it is her right to tell Miranda. "I am hoping she can recover at home though."

"Me too. I know once Shepard wakes she will want out of here, she hates hospitals," says Miranda.

They both sit down.

Sighing Miranda asks, "What are we going to do about Nala?"

Arelia shakes her head. "I can only think of one thing."

Miranda furrows her brow, "What?"

"Offer myself up."

Miranda grabs her hand and looks her in the eye, "Out of the question."

"Miranda…"

"…no. I don't want to hear it. You are not giving yourself up."

"Miranda.."

"..no. No."

"I cannot have the people I love continue to be hurt by her."

"You cannot control what she is doing. You are not responsible for what she is doing…"

"…aren't I?"

"What?" asks Miranda.

"If she wants me Miranda then I should give her what she wants. Then she will leave you and everyone else alone."

"You don't know that."

"Miranda."

"Arelia T'Jala, I will not sit here and listen to this do you hear me?" Miranda is very stern.

"Can you two argue someplace else," groans Shepard.

They both snap their heads toward Shepard.

"Shepard," says Miranda. "How are you feeling?"

"Where's Liara?" she rasps.

"She is here. She is sleeping. She is fine Shepard see." Miranda and Arelia move so Shepard can look over to see Liara's sleeping form.

"Water?"

Miranda quickly pours water and sets the straw against her lips.

Shepard drinks some water and then clears her throat.

"Where's Raina?"

"She is with Oriana Shepard. She was unharmed," says Arelia.

"We are assuming it was Nala?" asks Miranda.

Wincing Shepard tries to sit up. Miranda quickly stops her. "You can't get up Shepard. You had surgery and you need to lie still for awhile."

"Fine," Shepard lies back down. "Yes it was Nala. What did she do to Liara?"

Arelia and Miranda share a glance.

Shepard sees the glance, "Tell me."

Arelia takes a breath and lets it out. "Nala forced a meld on Liara."

"She what?"

"I …I had to meld with her Shepard to see what happened," says Arelia.

"Why?" asks Shepard, she is not hiding her anger.

"Her pulse was very weak and she was quite pale. I suspected what Nala had done since she did the same to me. I only melded with her to aid Liara, to help her wake up."

"Did it work?"

"Yes it did."

"And the baby?"

"Baby?" asks Miranda.

"Arelia, what about the baby?"

"The baby is fine Shepard. I sensed her as did Liara before she woke."

Shepard sighs in relief.

"When did this happen?" asks Miranda.

"A few days ago," replies Shepard.

"Wow, congratulations," says Miranda.

Shepard gives a small smile. "I want to see her."

"Shepard you cannot get up.."

"..then move the bed!" she yells. She is upset. Upset that Arelia didn't tell her sooner about Nala to warn Liara. Upset that Liara got hurt. Upset that Raina could have gotten hurt. Shepard is just incredibly upset.

"Okay Shepard," says Miranda. We will move your bed next to hers. Arelia and I are staying here tonight in case Nala decides to visit."

Shepard doesn't say anything. She is afraid what she will say so she clenches her jaw shut.

"Can I get you anything Shepard?" asks Arelia in a soft voice.

Shepard shakes her head.

Miranda and Arelia move her bed while she is still on it. If she was not so upset she might have said weeeee. Instead her eyes don't leave Liara's body as the asari's bed gets closer. "Leave us." It is a statement not a request.

Miranda and Arelia step outside the room.

Liara is sleeping on her back. Just looking at her face makes Shepard think she is in pain. Shepard leans close to kiss her on the cheek. "I am here Liara. I love you." Shepard moves closer to her, but not off of her own bed. She holds Liara's hand. "I am right here. just ..gonna sleep now."

Shepard smiles when she feels Liara's hand tighten on her own.