CHAPTER 35

Doctor Chakwas was fully settled; all the doctors and nurses in the clininc were already dancing to her tune. When Rosemary asked to be directed to her office, the request had been met by suspicion, then alarm when she had given her name.

"Incredulously: Fletcher? With some trepidation: The Rosemary Fletcher? Oh – please come right away," the elcor nurse somehow managed to slowly sputter.

Elcor weren't a particularly nimble race, yet this nurse managed to guide them through a maze of offices, laboratories, and operation rooms with competent efficiency. When they reached Doctor Chakwas' office, which was at the end of a long, and strangely intimidating hallway, the nurse pleaded, "Imploringly: I ask that you do not tell the Doctor Chakwas of the delay... that I inconvenienced you. Desperately: The great doctor can be a demanding, and harsh mistress."

Oliver stared after the elcor as it ambled off. "Is she that bad?" He frowned. "I read all four-hundred pages of The Ultimate Normandy Fan – and not once is she mentioned to be in any way intimidating."

Despite his dubiety, Oliver was surprisingly obedient when upon glancing at him, Doctor Karin Chakwas curtly ordered him to "Take a chair, young man – and be quick about it. Do not let the civilian surroundings fool you; this is my territory, and I have a decidedly militant attitude in running it. Sit up straight and be silent while the grown-ups are talking. I will have no shenanigans."

Rosemary knew that last comment rankled Oliver; in his mind, he too, was a grown-up. But he still sat, and didn't let his outrage show. Her respect for the doctor doubled; this was an impressive woman! Doctor Chakwas bestowed a final severe look to her brother before regarding Keeya, who was hiding behind Rosemary.

"Young lady, you would do well to follow suit. Despite the mysterious nature of your biology, you are not a grown-up."

The toddler hurried to the chair to the right of Oliver. It took some effort, but she managed to scramble into the seat in the end. Rosemary stepped forward.

"Are you settling in well, Doctor Chakwas?"

"Yes, thank you. The accomadations are excellent." The doctor got right to business. She gestured for Rosemary to take the seat next to Oliver. She sat in her own chair, crossed her fingers, and viewed Rosemary seriously. "You and your brother are the only UEFs that we know of, Ms. Fletcher. I honestly don't know why they didn't do this earlier – but thank you, Keeya, for being here."

The doctor sounded genuinely grateful. Startled, Keeya could only nod. "Welcome?"

The doctor pulled up several files on her terminal. "Alright, what the experts did discover is that your abilities have nothing to do with DNA – well, not exactly. You come from sturdy stock, yes, but that's not the answer."

Rosemary frowned and waited for the doctor to continue. Oliver wasn't so patient. "Then what is?"

Doctor Chakwas cleared her throat, somehow intimidating Rosemary's brother into silence once more. "Rosemary – you can absorb more hybrid energies than your brother, and it's not just age-related. Keeya: Are Rosemary and Oliver the only ones you were able to... choose?"

Keeya wrinkled her nose. "Able?"

Rosemary took over. "Were me and Ollie the only ones you could pick, Keeya?"

Keeya shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think so. I feel... sparklies when I'm outside – but I don't go outside much. Mama didn't like me seeing other people, too."

Doctor Chakwas leaned forward, her gaze intense. "What do these... 'sparklies' feel like?
The hybrid child took a moment to think. "They... feel tingly... in my head."

The doctor straightened. "Those must be the excess energies. Keeya, what did Oliver and Rosemary feel like?"

"The sparklies... get more bright... and more happy... And when I threw them at Rossey and Ollie, their sparklies answered back and took some of my sparklies to live with them. Then their sparklies weren't sad anymore."

The doctor, Rosemary, and Oliver frowned. "Sad," Oliver pressed, confused.

Keeya nodded, suddenly shy at their intense expressions. "Yes...? Your sparklies were... sour. Different from... mine. Dark."

"Anything else," the doctor asked, trying not to sound overly eager, sensing Keeya's nervousness. "What else can you tell us about their... 'sparklies'?"

"They were... lonely, and angry. Sharp."

Sharp. That word struck a subconscious chord with Rosemary. She pressed a hand to her side, to her... old wound. Could it be...? No... "Keeya?" Oliver, Doctor Chakwas, and Keeya looked at her. "Where on my body were the dark sparklies?"
Keeya pointed right at Rosemary's side. Oliver stiffened. "Rosie?" He sounded afraid.

Rosemary looked at the doctor. "I... was bitten by a husk during the War," she explained to her. "But Oliver wasn't."

Her brother twitched. Rosemary stared. "Ollie?"

Oliver couldn't look at her. "I... was, too."

"WHAT?!" Rosemary exploded, standing up from her chair. "When?!"

Her brother had a guilty, dark expression on his face. He looked at Chakwas. "It was when Rosie was bit. She was getting patched up in some ruined building, and when she was unconscious... I stayed by her side. It... attacked out of nowhere. One minute, I was yawning next to Rosie's cot, the next..."

The doctor's tone was still firm, but gentler this time when she asked, "What was this husk like?"

Oliver shrugged. "I don't like to think about it, but it was gray like all the others... with glowing blue parts, purple eyes, huge..."

Chakwas' eyes widened. "Purple?"

Rosemary gaped. "Huge?"

Oliver eyed Chakwas strangely, but finally looked to his sister to answer, "Yeah, huge. It wasn't all scrawny and creepy like the others. It wasn't giant – but I remember it being pretty brawny."

A memory surfaced for Rosemary then: a painful one. The husk that had pounced on her, and had ripped into her side with its teeth... it had been weirdly large, too. "The one that attacked me was pretty big, too," she told Chakwas. "I don't recall... if it had purple eyes, too."

The human doctor pursed her lips. "Purple eyes... I'll pass that along to the Council. It might mean something."

"Oh, and it had a watch. Always thought that was weird," Oliver mumbled.

They stared at Oliver. A husk... with a watch? That wasn't weird – that was downright bizarre. "A watch?"

"Yeah... old-like, like you like, Rosie."

Rosemary froze; a sudden chill crackled down her spine. "Red strap? Golden face?"

Oliver frowned. "... Don't remember the strap, but yeah – it had a golden face. Noticed it when it cut my cheek when it attacked."

"Where did the creature bite you," Chakwas asked Oliver sharply.

Oliver hesitated, but lifted up his arm. He pulled back his sleeve to show her a wound, almost identical to Rosemary's, on the underside of his arm.

Rosemary realized... "... So that's why you never wear short-sleeves." She had never questioned it; she had attributed it to being his personal style. She shook her head, reminding herself to focus. "The Alliance marine that saved me... he had a watch like that. It caught my attention when he carried me to the nearest medic."

Chakwas' lips thinned. "Right. I'm going to have to make some calls. We're going to need answers."

XOXOXOXO

To keep herself busy, Rosemary threw herself into the everyday operations of Bridgeton. It was all she could do; waiting for results from Chakwas' contacts was nerve-wracking. On the third day after that fateful visit, Rosemary brought in fresh loaves of bread with Imitha.

The west cafeteria was right in the middle of serving lunch when they arrived. Without missing a beat, Rosemary and Imitha promptly inserted themselves into the work. Imitha began working the stoves alongside the other cooks, while Rosemary replaced trays at the buffet tables with the other servers.

As she worked, Rosemary noticed that everyone was looking much better. When the hybrids and their families had first arrived, they had all looked drawn, haunted... and soul-scarred. Now... they were looking healthier; she could even see a scattering of smiles on a few people's faces.

She didn't want to admit it, but Councilor Eastment had been right after all. Albeit indirectly, she was still making people smile in a comfortable environment – but on a much bigger scale, now. She had been given power, and so far, it was a gladdening thought to know that she seemed to be using it well.

Imitha burst into the kitchen just as Rosemary picked up a stack of freshly cleaned trays. "ROSEMARY!"

Her friend looked absolutely panicked; her mandibles were clicking, and her nose ridges couldn't stop twitching. Rosemary was immediately concerned. "What's wrong, Imitha?"

"Daddy's here! What do I do?!" The turian's subharmonics was a keening wail.

Rosemary huffed. That's it? Imitha and her theatrics... Still, she tried to sound concerned/surprised when she said, "Wait... your dad is in the cafeteria? Is he eating?" Her surprise was half-genuine. She'd known Castis Vakarian for nearly two years; Wakey Brews was about as common a place as he'd allow himself to eat. He was the elitist sort, who tended to frequent the higher-ended restaurants whenever he visited Little Palaven. And he was in a cafeteria? Still, she couldn't help but voice her frustration; Imitha really needed to get her dramatic tendencies under control. "Okay, it's your dad. Why are you so panicked? It's not like you haven't met him before."

Imitha didn't hear Rosemary's teasing. "He wants coffee – and one of my pastries!"

Rosemary sighed. "So I'll run out some coffee to him. I know his usual. And give him one of your scones."

Imitha's nose ridges stilled in their twitching. "Scones. You think he'd like scones?"

Oh, for... "That's what you gave him on Earth, remember? You were passing them off as Wakey Brews' scones, but they were yours. He seemed to like them."

Imitha was already nodding her head, but she was still anxious. "Right. How could I forget? Oh Spirits – I'm so nervous."

Rosemary had never seen Imitha like this; and that was saying something. The very foundation of Imitha's personality was drama. "What's really wrong, Imitha?"

"He's... brought family."

"Pardon?"

"He's brought my grandmother, my niece, Uncle Koquem – Rosemary, they're horrible," Imitha told her, wincing.

Rosemary was starting to understand. "How... horrible?"
"My grandmother's xenophobic, my uncle's a sexist jerk, and my niece is a manipulative little brat."

Rosemary winced now, too. "Oh. That kind of family." She took off her apron. "My poor Immy; I'll go with you."

Imitha looked immensely relieved. "You will?"

Rosemary smiled. "We're best friends. I told you years ago I'd walk through hell with you – and that just what I'm going to do."

Imitha hugged her. "I love you, Rosemary! You're the best!"

Rosemary patted Imitha's carapace affectionately. "I love you too, sweetie. Now let's go meet your demons."

XOXOXOXO

Rosemary was very fond of Castis, Imitha, and Garrus Vakarian, but... lord, oh lord the rest of the family were dicks. Imitha had summed up their personalities perfectly.

When Rosemary had approached their table, the elderly Vakarian had outright hissed at her. Judging by the cracked colony markings, which were usually indicative of a turian's age – this was Imitha's grandmother, Castis' mother.

Castis, a distinguished turian, had stood and greeted Rosemary with a warm hug – much to his mother, brother, and great-niece's horror. He introduced them, "This is my brother Koquem, my great-niece Kenndris, and my mother – "

"I'd rather die than hear my name on a human mouth," Grandma Vakarian snarled.

Castis' stormy blue eyes flashed. Even he, who hadn't been very tolerable of humans in the beginning, had at least been polite and conservative with his prejudice. His mother was being downright vulgar.

Imitha quickly placed a tray on the table, a peace offering of her very best scones, fresh and hot from the oven. Castis beamed. "I've been dreaming of these for months – to think it was my daughter who was making them."

Rosemary was glad that Castis sounded proud of Imitha – but he was being open about it... and friendly. … Why? Castis took care to treat everyone civilly, but took equal care to being without excessive emotion. Castis Vakarian being openly pleasant and friendly was just... wrong. Rosemary preferred the old Castis, whose respect had had to be well-earned. It had made their friendship all the more delightful.

"Rosemary here had a coffee shop on Earth – Wakey Brews. It was a very charming place, with very good coffee."

Castis' brother, Koquem, frowned. "Isn't 'coffee' a human... beverage?"

"It is indeed, brother, but she taught herself to adapt and serve dextro-friendly brews. It's really quite impressive."

"Hmph," was all Koquem said to that.

"Thank you for the drink, Rosemary." Castis accepted the mug from Rosemary, looking very grateful. Rosemary couldn't wipe the frown from her face. Yeah, this is just weird.

"Sure, Castis," was all she could say. She saw her mistake immediately. The use of his first name made all three of Imitha's distinctly unpleasant relatives bridle with outrage. She tried to change the subject. "It's nice to see you again – but surely Wakey Brews would have made a better venue for a reunion."

Castis sighed. "I agree, but my mother insisted on meeting with Imitha right away upon her arrival."

Grandma Vakarian humphed. "But, of course. I haven't seen the girl in almost five years, Castis!" She focused her hawklike gaze on the 'girl' in question. "Imitha Vakarian – I am ashamed! I understand the military not wanting you – there isn't an athletically competent bone in your body – but to cook for a living?"

"Mother," Castis growled, his warning plain.

Ignoring her son, Grandma Vakarian went on, "You're not even married! You've become an utterly useless individual."

Castis's nose ridges twitched – a sign Rosemary knew was of an impending explosion. The turian had always had an admirable grasp on his temper, but where family was concerned... She'd seen him snap at Imitha on more than one occasion; it hadn't been pretty.

"My daughter," Castis said quietly, a steel tone in his subharmonics. ", runs and owns a successful business on the Citadel – I will not allow you to insult her." The quiet menace underneath his dark tone caused Grandma Vakarian's mandibles to twitch nervously.

Rosemary suppressed a smirk. Ha. Even Castis's mother knew to be wary of her own son's anger.

Castis's brother intervened, in placating tones, "I agree; from what I've heard, Wakey Brews has become one of the most popular spots on the Citadel. But... I am concerned, Imitha," he ventured. "Do you have any prospects? You're not getting any younger."

Castis relaxed and nodded, in full agreement with his brother. "He has a point, Imitha."

Imitha didn't like this; from what Imitha had confided to Rosemary over the years, Castis and Koquem rarely agreed on anything! "No, I don't, but..."

"I'll speak plainly, Imitha," Castis began. "We came to talk to you about your future. I am pleased with how much you've matured in so short a time, but now you must think of your future – and the future of the Vakarian line."

"I wouldn't go that far, Castis. You still have Garrus; he's unmarried," Koquem pointed out.

Castis shook his head. "He won't marry. He has made it clear that he doesn't intend to ever marry."

Grandma Vakarian was aghast. "Surely the rumors aren't true: that he had a relationship with Shepard."

Rosemary thought things were finally getting interesting. Imitha had dragged her into this family drama, but she couldn't not say anything. She wasn't a statue. "It's true," she confirmed. "They were in love with each other."

Grandma Vakarian ignored her. "It's bad enough he slept with a human, but the villain who corrupted life itself? It's because of that human that these freaks even exist," she spat, waving her hand around. The surrounding people bristled; most of the hybrid children paled at the pure derision in her voice. Every single one of the non-hybrids, however – their families – glared daggers at the elderly turian.

Little Kenndris broke the horrified/awkward silence with a snicker, "They are freaky-looking. It's kind of smart, though – putting all the freaks in once place – away from normal people."

"Little brat," a nearby batarian growled. He held a young batarian-asari close – who looked terrified.

Rosemary stood straight. Enough was enough. Everyone had a xenophobic relative or three; but to bring that hatred here? She wasn't going to have it. "I think it's best if we move this reunion elsewhere," she told them coldly.

Imitha's niece shrugged and got up. "Thank you. This place smells, anyway."

Grandma Vakarian drew herself up proudly. "Yes, we should leave this place. Human, direct me to the cleanest lavatory, if you please."

Rosemary shook her head. She wasn't some servant the elderly Vakarian could order around. Still, if it got her out of here faster. "I'll take her," she assured Castis, whose nose ridges had started twitching again.

She led Grandma Vakarian to a female restroom just off the cafeteria, past everyone's hostile looks. The turian stared at the line. "Isn't there anywhere else?"

Rosemary didn't look at her. "The private restrooms are upstairs, and solely for personnel use," Rosemary said, keeping her tone neutral.

"Hmph."

After a few minute of waiting, Grandma Vakarian had to speak again. "Is it true?"

"Is what true?"

"That you are in a relationship with Balint Fortem?"

I also slept with your nephew, Rosemary wanted to tell her. But she didn't. "Yes, I am."

Grandma Vakarian's voice turned even colder. "I know Fortem. He was my nephew's partner. I liked him; I thought he had more sense. More pride."

Rosemary was really getting tired of hearing the female's voice. Still, she kept her ire to herself. "I'm sorry you're disappointed."

"You... opened this... circus of abominations. Have you no shame? Cavorting with other species – it's sick."

Rosemary mentally counted to ten. "I'm sorry you think that way."

"No, you're not sorry," Grandma Vakarian challenged. ", and you should be."

Rosemary said nothing.

"You don't deserve to exist – none of you people do," the turian said nastily.

Rosemary grit her teeth and turned. "Excuse m–" A sharp pain sliced through her body – she looked down and saw a dagger sticking out of her chest.

She looked up in disbelief to see Grandma Vakarian's ugly expression – twisted in hate. "Saeli was right about you," she hissed. "You're nothing but a Spiritless whore."

Shouts were erupting around them, but Rosemary couldn't really hear them. Her vision was already wavering. "How..."

"She was right," the turian gloated. "Stick you when you're guard's down – by the time your krogan-skin hardens, it'd be too late."

Rosemary couldn't believe what had just happened. "You... bitch."

She heard Imitha's scream and the evil old turian lady was pulled off of her. She stared at the dagger and tried to focus. Seriously? A stabbing now? When... will it end? She grabbed the handle. Great. Should have... known better than to insert myself... into a family drama. I'm... a goddamn idiot. She saw Imitha's crying face over her... then... nothing.