THESSIA
Shepard is packing. She is not happy about it. Liara is keeping her distance while the human grunts and throws things into her suitcase. She is slamming dresser drawers and talking to herself. See Miranda and Arelia stopped by again. Miranda all but begged Shepard to go to Earth with her to take down Blake.
According to Oriana, now is the time to strike.
Since Oriana and Claire have produced serum that is very promising the next phase they are doing is turning that serum into a vaccine. Dr. Sadler assured the two scientists that getting through the phases quickly is all but guaranteed based on the results of their simulation. Miranda is insistent that the lead scientist be dealt with as soon as possible.
All Shepard wanted to do when the two were over was tell them to leave, to get out. I have done enough! Is what she wanted to yell. But she sat there fists clenched trying to put a smile on her face. She finally said yes she would accompany Miranda to Earth. She wanted the ex-Cerberus operative to just leave, so they did and now she is packing.
She and Liara talked about it. Shepard was adamant she not go along. Liara is not happy with her for that decision. She doesn't agree, but Shepard doesn't want the girls starting school next week and not having either parent home for them. And though Aethyta is more than capable of watching them Shepard just does not want Liara in any danger. The asari knows that but that doesn't make her any less angry about the situation. It's not like she wants Shepard in danger either.
Liara is in the kitchen making breakfast. The girls are sitting at the breakfast bar and kitchen table when they hear an occasional slam or crash from the master bedroom.
"So how long will Dad be gone?" asks Eva. She seems to be the only one with enough guts to talk about the situation.
Liara lets out a sigh as she sets plates of food in front of each daughter. "I am not sure."
"You want to go with her don't you?" asks Little A.
Liara gives her littlest one a sad smile and continues setting plates down.
"Why don't you go with her?" asks Eva. "I mean we will be fine."
Liara is about to say something when Raina chimes in, "I do not believe she will have to go at all."
Then as if on cue the doorbell rings.
Liara looks at Raina and sees a spark there, she wonders what she knows. Liara starts to head toward the door but Shepard emerges from the master bedroom.
Shepard storms toward the door. "She's early. She better not have moved up our flight up."
No one says anything. It is rare to see their Dad so upset like this, they know just to let her be, work out her anger. Shepard opens the door and sure enough there stands Miranda.
"What."
Miranda is not fazed at all by her mood; she has seen it plenty of times in the past. "Good morning to you too." She walks right by her into the house.
"I don't recall inviting you in Miranda."
Miranda ignores her and smiles at the family. "Morning everyone."
Liara is not exactly happy with her but she sees the same spark behind Miranda's eyes that she saw in Raina. "What is going on Miranda?"
"I have good news. I thought about calling but this is too important for that."
All of the girls just stare at her in anticipation. It amazes them now little the human has changed all these years. She is still as beautiful as she has ever been.
"What news?" asks Liara. She still feels the anger flowing from Shepard. It is hard to miss seeing as the human is standing with her arms crossed over her chest and throwing daggers with her eyes.
Miranda looks around at the kids. She wonders if she should talk in front of them.
"Either talk or get out Miranda," says Shepard telling her how it is going to be.
Miranda's mood does not falter. "Oriana is not sick."
This news surprises Shepard. Her arms uncross, "What?"
"It is a long story. I have been speaking with Oriana all night and it's true, she does not have RUST."
The girls know a little about what is going on from what their parents have told them, but they never knew that Oriana was sick. They remain quiet.
Miranda is about to continue when Liara stops her. "Let's take this into the other room." Liara does not want Miranda to mention Blake's name in front of the kids. They have not shared everything with the kids on what their father or what Raina went through during the time when the retired Captain was being controlled.
Shepard seems to get her meaning right away. She looks at the kids and tries to lighten her mood. "You kids finish your breakfast, we won't be long."
The adults make their way into the secure room. Once the door is closed behind them Miranda continues her good news.
"Apparently Blake did something to the food that she supplies to the scientists. It altered her blood test."
"Slow down," says Shepard, her tone is a little better but it still has a hint of I don't want you here.
Miranda inhales then exhales. She is practically beaming, neither Liara nor Shepard have seen her quite so happy in a long time. "Blake supplies food to her scientists. She drugged them I guess I mean that explains the blood tests. She figured each scientist may test themselves and she must have thought that having the virus would be a motivator to work harder on a cure."
"That is pretty risky Miranda," says Liara always the voice of reason.
"Well it is a working theory that Oriana and I came up with."
"How do you know she is not truly infected?"
"She tested her blood at least four times while I watched via vid."
"That doesn't make any sense," says Liara. "why would…"
"It makes perfect sense," says Shepard. They both look at her. "She doesn't want to hurt anyone."
Miranda's beaming face takes on a cold look.
"She wants a cure so she does what she has to do to get a cure. If that means she makes people think they are sick to motivate them, then that is what she does. It makes sense to me. Seems to be how Blake works. In the end no one is sick. She walks away with the cure which helps everyone. Just like last time."
"Excuse me?" Miranda crosses her arms.
"She let me go Miranda remember that?"
"You can't possibly think that how she went about this is okay? She made my sister think she was dying I thought….." She gathers herself. "We still have to get her Shepard that has not changed."
Shepard just glares at her.
Liara places her hand on her shoulder then looks to Miranda. "What do you think Blake is planning next?"
"Not sure," says Miranda. "She made an announcement yesterday that they are officially moving into the next phase which can usually take a year or two to do. She is definitely pulling strings."
"This effort is privately funded is it not?"
"That is what I am trying to figure out. When the effort started Blake said it was a combined effort between Earth and Thessia. I would think they would need to move through more red tape than this. Now things seem to really be moving."
"What do the financials tell you?" asks Liara.
"That's just it," says Miranda, "they all point to different corporations. I tracked down one that is a ruse, it's a dummy corporation. I believe Blake is funding the whole thing. I believe that Earth and Thessia working together on this is all a lie to get the best scientists in the room and with her resources I believe she can and has pulled it off."
"And you are certain that Oriana is not ill."
"She took some food home because Mark and the kids went hunting and she didn't feel like cooking for herself. She decided to test the food and sure enough she found a weird substance. Turns out it was enough to alter her blood sample to make it look like a positive result for RUST. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that she doesn't have it."
"What are her plans now?" asks Liara.
"Blake also announced that they have funding to see the serum to full vaccine status no matter how long it takes. She also stated that most of the scientists could go back to their lives as they were no longer needed. She is only keeping on about a half dozen, Oriana and Claire included of course."
"Why?"
"To save money I would imagine. Having more resources doesn't necessarily mean a faster outcome."
"So why do we have to go to Earth?" asks Shepard.
"Are you serious?" Miranda asks. "She needs to be stopped Shepard."
"Stopped?"
"Yes stopped."
"Sure okay stopped from finding a cure that helps Earth and Thessia okay that sounds reasonable." She is using her sarcastic tone.
"Oh come on Shepard!"
"No! I am not going Miranda. I am done with this. Your sister is not sick and I am incredibly happy for her and for you. Blake's tactics may not be good but she just managed a cure. If you want her you are going to have to do it on your own. I'm out."
"What about what she did to you and your family?"
"What about what you have done to me Miranda!"
Miranda and Liara are both shocked into silence.
Shepard is fuming. Her hands are fisted at her sides and her whole body is stiff.
The retired Captain has worked hard to put her past where it belongs, in the past. Miranda's constant pleas for justice are not about justice at all, it's about vengeance and Shepard does not want to go down that road. She doesn't see how she will return from it if she does.
"Look," Shepard lets out a breath. "I understand the pain you are going through Miranda, the anger you have toward Blake, I get it….believe me I get it. If you want her arrested then you need to contact the Council or call the Alliance and see if they will take her into custody. I am not your lackey, I am not your subordinate, I am not going and that is final."
The ex-Cerberus Operative just stares at her. She knows her decision is final but she is still reeling from Shepard's earlier statement. What has Miranda done to Shepard except give her life and a very long life at that? If anything the retired Captain should be thanking her and should help her whenever she needs it.
"So you are saying you won't come to Earth with me to track down Blake? Is that what you are saying?"
"Looky here folks we have a winner, yes Miranda that is exactly what I am saying."
"Just because she let you go?" asks Miranda, "you suddenly have a soft spot for her?"
"Stop right there," says Liara. The asari steps between the two humans. "That is not fair Miranda."
"Fair! Don't talk to me about fair Liara."
"Enough!" Shepard moves to the side so she is not blocked by Liara anymore. "I want you to leave Miranda. My reasons for not going are just that, my own. You can either respect that or not, but I am not going with you and that is final."
Miranda looks her up and down. "I never thought I would ever see this day."
Liara and Shepard look at her wondering what she is talking about.
"I never thought I would see the great Captain Shepard cower in a corner." She approaches her, they are nose to nose, "you Shepard are a coward."
Shepard goes stiff. Her eyes remained fixed on Miranda.
"Get out," says Liara. She has moved next to her bondmate and has taken her hand though Shepard's hand is a fist.
After a few tense minutes of silence Miranda walks out of the secure room and out of the house without saying another word.
Liara looks at her bondmate who is as stiff as a board. The human has a single tear trickling down her face. "Do not listen to her Elly she is just upset because she is not getting her way."
Shepard continues to stare forward, almost as if she doesn't hear Liara at all.
"Elly?" Liara steps in front of her. "Elly look at me."
She finally does.
"You are not a coward, do you hear me?"
Another tear trickles down.
"This is not your fight Elly." Liara kisses her cheek, her other cheek. "Do you hear me?"
Shepard pulls her into a hug. "I am just so tired Liara."
"I know," she rubs her back up and down, "I know."
Holding her tightly Shepard says, "We fought for this. I mean we earned this didn't we Liara?"
Liara pulls back from her, "What honey?"
"Rest." More tears spill from her eyes. "I just want to enjoy my family Liara is that too much to ask?"
"Not at all. Miranda was out of line."
"Was she?"
"Yes," Liara is firm in her answer. "She is upset because you will not do her bidding."
Shepard laughs a little at the comment. She moves to one of the chairs in the secure room and sits down. "I keep thinking about what happens if I do take Blake into custody."
Liara also sits. She waits.
"I mean the woman is brilliant right? She has brought together the top scientists and produced a cure that will help the galaxy. Her actions are not the best but she gets results."
"You think we need her, people like her in the galaxy don't you?"
"Don't you? I mean if it weren't for her there would be no cure."
"There isn't a cure yet Elly."
Shepard looks at her. "So you think she might not produce it?"
"We do not know what she will do. She could produce the cure and take credit and gain power. Or she could use the cure on herself and destroy the data making the path to a cure that much longer. I do not know what motivates her."
Shepard sighs. "So she needs to be stopped then."
"But you do not have to stop her Elly."
"If not me, then who?"
And that is the million dollar question. If it is left up to the Council they could screw it up, or Blake could escape. No, if you want something done right you have to do it yourself.
Shepard stands and looks at Liara. "I have to Liara. I thought I could let this go but she needs my help."
Liara stands. She does not like the sadness in her bondmate's eyes. "Elly you do not have to go."
"I thought I could move on. I thought I could forgive her and just keep living but Blake could show up again. She could invade our lives and she could hurt us Liara."
"Elly."
"I cannot take that chance. I have to stop her."
"Then what?" Liara takes her hand. "Then what Elly? You wait until you are asked to don your weapons once again? Wait until you are the only one who can help? You do not have to do this Elly. I know you don't want to. You do not owe Miranda Lawson anything."
Shepard takes her hand and kisses the back of it. "You know that is not true Liara. She gave me life."
"You have already repaid that debt Elly tenfold if not more. You do not owe her anything."
Shepard pulls her into a hug, "I love you Liara, protect our children. If anything happens to me…tell them that I will always love them." And just like that Shepard steps out of the hug and leaves the secure room.
Liara wants to follow but she will only see her bondmate leaving the house. She has seen that look of determination before. Shepard has a job to do and she is going to do it whether or not she wants to. She has seen the fight within over the past month. She has seen how Shepard doesn't want to do this; she wants someone else to handle it. But because it is a personal favor her bondmate feels the pull to be her old self ever more. In this moment Liara as never hated someone as much as she hates Miranda Lawson.
EARTH
A sold sign is planted in the yard outside of Dr. Blair Sadler's home. She and Cooper are moving on and it cannot be fast enough for him. He wanted to leave the minute they saw Dr. Cochran improving but Blake insisted she wait a little longer to see what happens.
Dr. Cochran is sitting up and eating on his own. The color in his cheeks is back and he is even joking with the staff. He was on death's door not two weeks ago and now he seems to have a new lease on life. He told Blair that he feels good really, really good.
His blood tests revealed that the serum Blair injected is slowly killing the RUST virus. She did not expect him to be cured, he didn't think he would be cured, but that is exactly what seems to be happening.
Blair went back to the lab and started her work. Using Dr. Lawson and Dr. Grossman's serum, Blair in a sense copied the serum many, many times. She stored numerous samples in her bag. She also prepared the data, encrypted it and stored it. She wrote a note to Dr. Lawson because she knows she will understand. Then she left the lab.
Cooper has been packing their essentials. The house sold quickly, it only took one week. Their place is already set up; Cooper has been flying under an alias to get the place ready. He doesn't like that Blake doesn't seem happy about the move. He wants to get off Earth altogether because he does not want to lose the woman he loves. He looks over at her. He has gotten used to her long brunette hair. He wonders if she will change her hair color again once they are settled. He likes the way it settles just over her shoulder, how there is usually a stray hair or two that he likes to tuck behind her ear. He loves her, he has never loved anyone as much as he loves her and though she started out on a path of destruction, they both did, they are now on a very different path. He likes it now. Doing good things actually feels good. His anger with the world has diminished. Knowing that he helped…well partly helped getting a cure for RUST feels really good. He cannot help but smile when he looks at her.
"You done over there or are you just going to keep staring at me?"
He can hear the smile in her voice. "I love you you know that?"
She turns her head and looks at him. "I love you too Coop."
"We are going to be okay ya know."
"I know."
He sees it, something behind her smile. She is not sure it will be okay. He ignores it for now. He is done packing. For the past month he has been sending boxes to their new place so now all they have to worry about is small enough to fit into their luggage. "I have the tickets, you ready?"
She packs her computer into her shoulder bag. "You sure we need to take public transportation?"
"Here." He hands her her new identification.
She opens it and looks at it. "Really?"
"What?"
"Where did you come up with that name?"
He smiles at her. He gives her a quick kiss, "You love it. Let's go."
They leave the house and the future that could have been. Their path leads elsewhere now.
THESSIA
Shepard is standing outside of the Lawson estate. She has not knocked yet. When she left the house Raina followed her to the sky car. Her daughter told her everything would be okay that she would not be leaving after all. Shepard is not sure what to make of that information. Her daughter was pretty confident. She hopes she is right. She knocks.
Miranda opens the door. She looks a little shocked. "Shepard?"
"I'm ready when you are." The human is holding her gear bag and there is another bag at her feet.
Miranda just looks at her. "We don't need to leave." She opens the door and steps aside.
Not sure what she means Shepard steps inside and sets her bag down. Miranda grabs the other bag and sets it down inside the house.
"What are you talking about?"
"Come with me." Miranda leads her to her secure lab. They don't talk during the walk.
Miranda opens the lab and steps inside. Arelia is looking at a monitor.
"Hi Shepard."
"Hi Arelia."
"Oriana called about an hour ago," says Miranda. "We were going to firm up our plans. Anyway, Mark has been watching Blake."
"What?" asks Shepard.
"Mark works part time now and during his off hours he has been doing surveillance on Blake's house and general whereabouts."
"And?"
"She's gone. She and I believe his name to be Cooper, left."
"Just like that?"
"They have probably been planning a move for a while but Mark has only been watching them for the last week or so. He saw a for sale sign go up and two days later he saw that it was sold. He saw Cooper take boxes away but didn't follow him to see where he shipped them. I am trying to track that information now but I believe he used an alias."
"So they are no longer on Earth?"
"I do not believe so no." Miranda looks at her, "I thought you would be happy about this. Now you don't have to help me."
"Miranda," says Arelia, she uses her warning tone.
Shepard steps toward her. "I am sick of your shit Miranda." She walks past them out of the secure lab.
"Go after her," says Arelia.
Miranda just stands there with her jaw set.
"You stubborn fool. After everything she has done for you, for me, this is how you are treating your friend?"
Miranda didn't think about that. She wants Blake, she wants her stopped. How dare her trick her sister into thinking she way dying. How dare she do that to her sister, to her.
"Miranda Lawson you go after your friend right now." Arelia all but pushes her out of the secure lab.
Shepard is grabbing both of her bags when Miranda catches up to her. "Shepard wait."
The human does not stop she just walks out. Miranda follows her outside. "I'm sorry Shepard!"
Shepard sets her bags down. She turns to look at her.
Miranda approaches. "I am sorry Shepard. You are not a coward; I should never have said that. You are the bravest woman I have ever known. You have done nothing but help me and my family when we have needed it. I….please accept my apology." She holds out her hand for a hand shake.
Shepard looks her up and down then looks at her hand. Her eyes are locked onto Miranda, piercing green locked onto piercing blue. She ignores her hand as she steps closer, "Call me a coward again and you won't be able to walk."
Miranda recognizes that look. It pains her heart that it is because of her that she sees it in her eyes. If looks could kill Miranda would have died a thousand times by now. "I won't Shepard I promise. Please accept my apology." She extends her hand once more.
Shepard ignores it grabs her bags and places them into her sky car.
Miranda doesn't want to lose her friend. She feels like she is losing her. She stands in front of the driver's door.
Shepard looks at her, she is not happy.
"Miranda you need to move."
"Look I am not very good at this stuff. Please don't go away angry. I'm sorry Shepard I really am. I just got caught up in …..dammit."
Shepard lets out a breath. She places her hand on her shoulder. "You can be a real cold bitch you know that Miranda?"
She smiles a little, "So I have been told."
"My fighting days are over Miranda. I am retired. I want to watch my family grow old can you understand that?"
"I can yes. I am sorry Shepard."
The retired Captain looks at her. She shakes her head as she smiles. She extends her hand.
Miranda gladly takes it.
"I'm glad your sister is okay."
"Thanks."
All but Raina are surprised to see Shepard home so soon. She is not leaving for Earth after all. After hugging her they all look to Raina and hug her too. Liara helps Shepard unpack. Both of them have silly smiles on their faces.
"So she is gone then?" asks Liara.
"Yep. I called Mark on my way home asked him about it. He said that the house is empty has been sold and they are nowhere to be found. He felt bad that he could not do a proper job following Cooper every time he saw him leave with boxes."
"I could contact Feron …"
"No Liara. They are gone. If they want to be found they will be found. She is not a threat."
Liara agrees. Blake with her resources could have done something by now to her bondmate to her to her family. She believes Elly when she says that Blake is not a threat. Most likely they will not hear from her again.
"And Miranda?"
Shepard shakes her head, "She really knows how to push my buttons."
"Are you two alright?"
"Yes." Shepard takes Liara into her arms and kisses her fully on her lips. When she breaks from the kiss she says, "I love you my blue beauty."
"I love you too Elly."
"I cannot wait to see what our kids become. I am so thankful that I will be able to see it."
"Me too."
SOMEWHERE IN THE GALAXY
Cooper is flying a small shuttle to their destination. Blake is next to him looking out the window. He takes her hand and kisses the back of it. "You send everything you needed to?"
"I did yes. The Lawson sisters should be getting it shortly."
Blake sent a letter to the sisters outlining the phases the cure has to go through. It contained names of contacts that can help speed up the process. In her communication she outlined how the cure can get to market as fast as two years from now. She hopes Oriana will follow her advice. She did mention that she knew that Oriana broke her contract because she spoke to her sister. She thought it was a good idea to let them know that she was aware and did nothing about it.
She also wrote that she means no harm. That she has destroyed the reaper that was in the lab. She mentioned that Dr. Cochran is doing better and gave Oriana the address and access information to visit him and to eventually see him discharged from the clinic. Blake is handing everything over to Oriana, the lab and the clinic. She told Oriana to do what she thought was best. Blake wants peace just like everyone else.
She knows they will not be found. They are too good at covering their tracks. Blake is not sure what she and Cooper will do next. She is just happy that she has a future. She prepares the syringe with a smile. She gives herself a shot of the serum. If her calculations are correct the RUST in her system will be completely gone within a month's time. She looks over at Cooper, "I love you Coop."
"I love you too Blake."
THESSIA ONE WEEK LATER
Shepard and Liara are up early. They want breakfast for their girls to be perfect for them. They go back to school today.
Miranda filled them in after she heard from Oriana about what Blake's note said. Oriana is still not sure what she is going to do. Having everything left to her is a little daunting. She told Miranda that she and Mark would discuss it and let her know. Miranda never did tell her sister that Blair and Blake is the same person. She is not so sure she ever will; she doesn't really see the point.
Valya called last night to let them know that a home has been found for Caressa. The former commando met the asari parents and thought they seemed like real nice people. Shepard could hear the relief in her voice when she said that she thinks the asari is going to be okay.
Raina is doing very well. She has been in touch with Abby who is extremely busy but happy to hear from her nonetheless. Raina also took Little A's advice and called Lacy. It has been too long since she spoke with her friend. She is looking forward to seeing her at school.
Mia has her first skyball game at the end of the week. The pills in her bag are for muscle soreness prescribed by her physician which was a relief to Raina when her sister told her that. She took the writing all over her with a laugh. It took almost a week for it to come off. Even though Mia is extremely young there are talks that there are select teams looking at her to partake in training with them. If she is selected then becoming a professional player is certainly in her future.
Eva is set for school. She has shared some of her writing with her parents and they feel she has quite a talent. She evokes emotion very well, Shepard nearly cried when she read one tale of how a girl was lost and then finally found. Her daughter's grasp on language is astounding to say the least. She and Liara can hardly wait to see what she learns in her class. Perhaps they have a budding author in their midst.
Little A though sadden by her kind of break up with Rael is also excited for school. She is going to try her hand a skyball this year to see if she likes it. Raina and Eva also tried it at her age, but they didn't grow to love the sport like Mia does. Little A hopes to expand her horizons by making new friends this year. She told her parents last night that she thinks she spent too much time with Rose to really get to know anyone else. Something she will work on this year.
As Shepard and Liara watch their girls eat breakfast they just stand there arm in arm with silly smiles on their faces. This is what it is all about, family. Each of their girls unique in their abilities, unique in their personalities, they all have so much going for them. Shepard is extremely grateful that she will be able to watch them grow up. Her nanites will allow her to see them perhaps even get married someday and wow perhaps see her grandchildren.
Liara looks at her bondmate, "Are you making a memory Elly?"
"I am trying to memorize this moment yes."
"Are you happy Elly with how everything turned out with Bla…"
Shepard kisses her to stop her from saying the name. "I am happy with you Liara and with our kids. This is what we fought so hard for and I will never let anything interfere with our family."
Liara gives her a hug. "I guess we should get ready to take them."
Shepard turns to her and says, "Thank you Liara for giving me such a wonderful family. You blue beauty are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I love you."
"I love you too Elly Shepard."
THE END
A/N: Well thank you for coming along on this journey with me. I want to thank everyone that has followed me, favorited me, sent me PMs, and taken the time to write reviews. Your constant feedback has kept me going and always put a smile on my face so thank you for that. I have been writing Mass Effect fan fiction for a little over one year now and feel that I have improved (well hopefully you think I have too). I remember exchanging email via this site with CommanderShepard93 asking her how the heck you post anything LOL. So thank you for helping me over a year ago with that. I didn't know you could put in page breaks – that is how new I was to this whole thing. LOL The people on this sight are just amazing. I am so glad I found this sight and I am glad to have heard from you. I thank you for your kindness. There are some of you that review every chapter, you know who you are. I do not want to list the names because I am afraid I will miss one and leave hurt feelings, so I say this to you – thank you very, very much. I am not lying when I say reviews bring a smile to my face. I love receiving feedback, to know what you think – so thank you my constant companions thank you.
I may be taking a break from fan fiction for a bit. So if you want to see if I come up with anything in the future please make sure to follow me. I am sure I will not be gone long since I love the Shepard/T'Soni family. Take care all!
