Chapter 56
Garrus was leaned back and away from the screen in front of him. "EDI, go ahead and analyze this implant. I can't think straight." "This will take some time, Advisor." He went to the chair at Cassidy's side and took her hand. EDI's voice, "Advisor, Drs Chakwas and Freilich request to bring Dr Brian Handyside aboard." "Permission granted." He got up and started cleaning up the cups that were littered around the med bay.
Dr Chakwas came in with Dr Handyside. "Garrus, this is Captain Brian Handyside. He is the resident psychologist aboard the Philippines." Garrus reached out his hand and shook Dr Handyside's, "Good afternoon, doctor." Dr Chakwas continued, "Garrus, I am transferring Cassidy's care to Dr Freilich and Dr Handyside. Dr Freilich and I are here to prep her for transfer to the Philippines." Garrus' flanges drew up tight, "I see. So, while she recovers there, we will do the Arcturus mission?" Dr Chakwas said, "That is in your purview, Spectre. We do expect that her recovery will be some time."
Dr Handyside said, "We should give Dr Freilich and Dr Chakwas some room. Where can we have a comfortable chat?" Garrus led him out and around into the main battery. Dr Handyside stood opposite Garrus. Garrus growled, "Why? What can be done aboard the Philippines that can't be done here?" Dr Handyside answered, "Boundaries. Hers have been violated on a most personal level. She needs time and space to re-establish her boundaries and the confidence that those around her will respect those boundaries. Even if you are the most patient of husbands, she will blame herself for the agony she feels when she thinks about letting you close, precisely because she feels that she should want to let you close and it should not be painful but joyful. She needs time with people she can legitimately keep at a distance."
Garrus' flanges stayed tight, "How long?" "I can't be sure. Since she was not conscious during the violation and since she did not view the vids, she may have an easier time of it. I generally treat soldiers that had to face their attackers, but there have been a fair number that were drunk at the time or drugged. We'll see. How long will the Arcturus mission take you?" Garrus paced, "Depends. Probably about two weeks." Handyside said, "Like I said, I can't be sure. Also, I can generally tell you that you and she will have issues to work out, to get back on the same page. But, I know from the reports and from her friends that she is a very determined woman, and I know she is deeply in love with you."
Garrus nodded, "I should go pack a bag for her. She will want to swim for physical therapy. She likes to swim." Dr Handyside said, "I'll meet you back in the med bay." They left the main battery.
When Garrus came back down with a bag for Cassidy, he found Dr Chakwas standing outside med bay talking with Hannah and Melanie, who had her bag with her. Melanie came over and hugged him. "I'm going to miss you, dad." "I will miss you too, Mel." He hugged her firmly. He kept an arm over her shoulder and looked over to Dr Chakwas, "Is Cassidy ready?" Chakwas replied, "Yes, we had a gurney brought over from the Philippines and moved her onto it. Now that you're here, we can go."
They all filed over onto the Philippines and over to the med bay, which was much larger than on the Normandy. Garrus took a moment to kiss Cassidy's forehead and whispered, "I will be back as soon as we can. I love you, Cassidy." Hannah took a moment also, kissing Cassidy's cheek, "I'll see you on Palaven, sweetheart." Melanie took Cassidy's hand, "I'll see you tomorrow, mom."
Drs Freilich and Chakwas rolled Cassidy's gurney into the med bay. Dr Handyside took his leave. Garrus looked at Melanie and said, "Let's go get you settled, Mel." Garrus took Melanie's bag. Garrus, Hannah and Melanie went to Administrator Sanders' office.
Kahlee came out and greeted them. She shook Hannah's and Garrus' hands. Garrus and Hannah each hugged Melanie goodbye. Melanie took her bag and went off with Kahlee.
Garrus and Hannah returned to the Normandy. When leave was over, Garrus directed the Normandy to Palaven. Garrus joined Hannah for a late dinner in the mess hall. Liara and Solana joined them. Solana said, "How about a farewell game of bridge after dinner?" Garrus said, "Sure." Hannah and Liara agreed.
James, Javik, Steve and Adams were playing poker with Clowder serving as the dealer when Garrus, Hannah, Solana and Liara arrived. Gabby was on the couch, reading. James said, "So, Admiral, how is our Captain doing?" Hannah replied, "She is having her glucose reserves replenished. She will finish her treatments and physical therapy on the Philippines. Hopefully when you return for her, she will be more than ready to return to command and to you all." Clowder said, "The swimming pool on board the Philippines will be particularly useful to her in her therapy." Adams added, "I saw her in the pool last time we were there. She seems to enjoy it."
Hannah and Solana won the bridge game. Just as they were putting the cards away, EDI announced their arrival at Palaven. Steve said, "I'll meet you all at the shuttle." and he left.
Hannah, with her bag, Garrus and Solana boarded the shuttle. First, Steve landed them at in the Victus' parking garage. Hannah stepped out and Adrien was there to take her hand. A private took her bag. Hannah turned back and waved goodbye, then allowed Adrien to lead her to the elevator down.
Cortez lifted off and headed out to the Haldat estate. Garrus and Solana met Garvin up in his suite. Garvin touched foreheads with each, then inquired, "What is the latest about Cassidy? Solana, your last message said she had been take to med bay on the Normandy." Solana looked at Garrus. Garrus said, "She needed more extensive treatment and therapy, so she is on the Alliance flag ship for that while we go on a mission." "Then her condition must be more serious than you knew, Solana?" Solana said, "They did an initial set of scans in the hospital on Illium but once the attack started, they didn't get to scan her again until they got to the Normandy. Complications arose, apparently." Garrus said, "She's got the best of resources now, so she should recover fully by the time we get back."
Garvin said, "Complications? 'Should recover fully'. Hmm, your demeanor is all closed in and defensive. You are feeling inadequate. She was kidnapped from a crash scene, missing for days. They want her on the flagship because the Normandy doesn't have . . . a psychologist. She was sexually violated?" Solana said, "Father, you are prying." Garrus waved Solana back, "Astute as always, sir. It happened sometime between the traffic crash and her arrival in the cave system where we found her. Admiral Shepard and Dr Handyside both said things about trust and boundaries."
Garvin, "It is a difficult thing, to try to empathize with something you have not experienced. If its about trust and boundaries, I imagine that it may be like having your ship hijacked." Garrus thought back to hearing Joker's first message about the Collectors taking the crew. About how he had kept checking around corners, imagining that a Collector was just out of site. He realized that his sense of comfort and safety on the ship had disapppeared that day. Garrus nodded, "Dr Handyside said that she needs to keep people at a distance for awhile."
Garvin set out a tray of snacks. "So, you're here for a short visit, I take it? Anxious to get your mission completed and get back to her." Garrus said, "Yes, sir. We'll be returning to the Normandy in a couple hours. Admiral Shepard is staying at the invitation of the Primarch." "Is that so?. Hmm. The Admiral seems to be a strong person, much like her daughter." Solana changed the subject, "What's the status of the restoration efforts?" The conversation continued from there.
Garrus and Solana returned to the Normandy and Garrus directed Joker to take them back to the Sol System, then to begin interclusteral jump to Arcturus. Garrus went up to the cabin.
He hadn't cleaned up the room for a few days, so he did that first. Callista twisted herself between his legs. He sat down and she climbed up under his crest and began purring. He checked his messages and there was one from EDI concerning the chip that had been in Cassidy's back, which she had determined was a data recorder, but customizable to determine what signals to record, with a trigger to transmit when in range of a certain signal. EDI said she had the trigger ID filed away and she would alert him if she came in contact with it.
Garrus missed his mother. She would have had valuable advice for him. He pulled up a video she had recorded for him, when she still had more lucid days than not. Just hearing her voice relaxed him and he mostly let her voice wash over him, not really hearing the words this time. He went to bed with her voice still in his mind. Callista curled in his belly and slept there.
–
Cassidy woke. She was tired but not quite as deeply tired as she remembered being. She looked around, confused. This was not Normandy's med bay. She still had the neck brace on, so she couldn't see much beyond the dimly lit bulkhead behind her and monitoring machines. She heard a door open and footsteps, then a male voice, "Captain, I've asked Dr Freilich to come. Is there anything I can do for you in the meantime? Some ice, perhaps?" Cassidy rasped, "Ice, yes, please." The footsteps went out the door.
Cassidy looked to either side and determined she was in a private room. That must mean she was on a big ship, probably the Philippines, she guessed. She felt around on the sides of the gurney with her hands and with the right hand found a control. She lifted the head of the bed some and the knees some.
The door opened and Dr Freilich came into view. She handed Cassidy a cup of ice. "How are you feeling, Captain?" "I have a vague headache, my throat is dry, and my bruises ache in an offhand way. I'm guessing there are pain meds to thank for that?" "Yes, and the report of your growing resistance to sedatives is apparently more true than I was willing to believe." "Are we on the Philippines?" "Yes, your are here for more extensive therapy while the Normandy is on the Arcturus mission."
The door opened again and another doctor came into view. "Captain, this is Dr Brian Handyside, ship's psychologist. You are also under his care while you are here." Dr Handyside said, "Pleased to meet you, Captain, though I expected we would be doing this when you were further in your treatments, and so more physically comfortable." Cassidy explained, "A side effect of my fancy implants from when Cerberus resurrected me, I believe, Doctor. So, you are here as the SOP for a personal violation, I'm guessing." "Primarily, yes." Cassidy asked, "Primarily?" "Well, the Alliance was remiss in your support while you were taking out the Collectors and spectacularly remiss afterward, and then there was a war with galactic civilization riding on your shoulders. So, while we're talking I'll help you any other issues that may come up."
Dr Handyside asked, "Are you comfortable in this position, Captain? It looks to me like you would like your head and knees higher." "A little more folded up would be good, yes, Dr." Dr Freilich asked, "Would a reading chair do, like the one you were in on the Normandy, Captain?" "Yes, please. That was quite comfortable, Dr Freilich." Dr Freilich called for a reading chair to be brought in. "While we're waiting for that, let me scan you again, Captain."
Dr Handyside waited while the scan was done. When Dr Freilich finished, he asked, "What else can we do? Your omni-tool was taken? Let me get a datapad in here for the meantime until you can get an omni-tool of your choice. I imagine Spectres can get some fairly amped up ones." "Being a Spectre has its advantages, yes. Thank you, Doctor." "Order placed, the datapad will come probably before the chair. Now, what questions do you have?"
Cassidy asked, "Melanie?" "She was placed under Administrator Sander's command at the Grissom Academy. Advisor Vakarian and Admiral Shepard saw her off. There are still a few days before the class begins but the other students will be trickling in in the meantime. Melanie said that she would come to visit tomorrow." Cassidy said, "OK".
The VI's voice said, "There is an seaman outside with a datapad for you, Captain." Cassidy said, "Come in." The seaman came in and handed the datapad to Cassidy. She also had a cup with a straw and a tall insulated container. "Petty Officer Tandy says she hears you like strawberry banana, so she made that sort of shake for you, Captain." The seaman handed the cup to Cassidy and put the container on the table next to her. Cassidy said, "Thank Petty Officer Tandy for me, Seaman." "Aye, aye, ma'am." The seaman left.
Dr Freilich said, "Captain, we need to move you to the side to make room for the chair which is on its way." She and Dr Handyside moved furniture aside and pushed her gurney to the side. Dr Freilich opened the door and Cassidy saw a couple burly soldiers with a reading chair on a cart. They lifted the chair and carried it into the room. Then they came over and got on either side of her and gently lifted her, carried her over to the chair and placed her in it. Dr Freilich reattached the machines to a pole behind the chair. Dr Handyside found the chair's control pad and placed it in Cassidy's lap with the datapad. The soldiers went and collapsed the gurney and took it out with them.
Cassidy was stuck in an anxiety attack. Her barrier was up, her heart was racing, she couldn't seem to catch her breath and she couldn't find the threat to deal with it. Her hands glowed blue. Dr Handyside noticed, "Captain?" He looked into her eyes and saw that she wasn't tracking. "Captain, take control, look at us. Your mind is wasting your energy. There is only Dr Freilich and myself here in your room in the med bay. Captain, take control. Feel the cup in your hand, hear my voice, look at your hands, let the biotic energy go."
Cassidy's mind took her back to the Cerberus station, Miranda's voice telling her to get up and get out. Mechs saying "hostile presence detected". She should have a pistol. She had something, but it didn't feel like a pistol. What did she have?
Cassidy's eyes tracked again and she looked at her glowing hands, with the cup of milkshake in them. She looked around. Dr Freilich and Handyside were backing out of the door. "Its okay now, Doctors. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to threaten you."
Handyside walked back in and sat down again. "What did you see, Captain?" "Blackness, at first. I felt threatened, but I couldn't find the threat. Then I was back on the Cerberus base, having no clue why I was there and mechs everywhere trying to kill me." "I suspect it was triggered by being carried, Captain. Your mind interpreted that as a breach of your boundaries."
He continued, "I imagine that your kidnapping involved you being carried, probably not so gently as those gentlemen did, but carried nonetheless." Cassidy said, "I don't remember that, but it makes sense. I was probably lifted from the cab and probably carried to that hole they dumped me in. Dr, if that happens to me from something so simple, then I'm a danger to anyone in the room, biotics or no." "I agree, Captain. Dr Freilich, please make a note that nobody is to touch the Captain, at their own peril." Freilich said, "Marking it urgent."
The VI announced "Admiral Hackett to see you, Captain." "Come in." said Cassidy, her heartrate still somewhat high. She took a strong pull on her shake. Dr Handyside brought another chair up next to Cassidy's chair. Hackett came in, "At ease. Dr. Freilich, Dr Handyside, Captain." Dr Handyside motioned the Admiral to a chair then sat himself. Dr Freilich pulled up a chair on the other side of Cassidy. "Captain, I'm glad you got off Illium in one piece. You are most welcome here on the Philippines. Doctors, report please." Dr Freilich said, "She is scheduled for a final pair of bone treatments in the morning, then skin treatments for two days. Then physical therapy." Dr Handyside said, "She is showing signs of damage from the incidents on Illium. Treatment has begun and will continue throughout her stay with us."
Hackett said, "We have locked down the ship until you are mobile, Captain. No visitors, no guests, except Grissom Academy students. Administrator Sanders will greet the families at the docking tube. They will be confined to their floor, with the exception of your daughter, Captain. We are keeping tabs on her as well. We don't want the Eclipse to have any opportunity to come at any of you while you are healing. Can you think of anything more we could do, any of you?" Cassidy said, "Is the ship equipped with a VI or have you upgraded to an AI?" "VI for now. However, we now have a geth liaison on board, 'Congregation' is his name. I'll ask him to come see you later on." Cassidy said, "I look forward to meeting him."
Cassidy yawned. "I'm sorry, Admiral." "Nothing to be sorry for, Captain, it is, after all, still in the wee hours of the night. I'll come back later in the day, when you're more rested." Hackett got up and left. Dr Handyside said, "Captain, I'll come and have breakfast with you, in about 6 hours." Dr Freilich said, "Let me top off that shake for you. There. Just ask the VI to page me if you need anything. There is a nurse just outside, also. Is there anything else you need?" "I'm good, Doctor. I'll finish this shake and then sleep." Dr Freilich left.
