Rain: Hello everyone. This fic is back from grudges of Writer's block. Now some news, I will be updating this chapter along with the next two but after that, Captain Blues-
Captain Blues: That's me.
Rain: -Will continue this fic as I am leaving Fanfiction to focus on my own book so let's get this chapter done!
Mario: Here we go!
Mass Effect: Sins of the Future
Chapter Twenty-Three: After Noveria, Time for a Break
The Normandy – Barricks
Liara T'Soni
"I-I know I've done wrong by you…But I-I want you to know that youare the greatest gift I have ever brought into this universe and I-I'm so proud of you…"
Tears fell down the young Asari as she stared at her hands. Just hours ago, she had cradled her mother's head in these very same hands and now she was gone, in the garage on ice to be buried.
All of the arguments they had seemed so petty and childish now. All that time was wasted and now she was alone in the world, with no mother, no father.
Nothing.
"I don't blame you…I should have believed in your dreams…But despite that, I'm happy for I got to see and Jasmine again. That is all I ever wanted before my passing to the great light…"
But at least, she granted her mother's wish to see one more time.
But why did that only make her feel worse?
The door before her opened up and there was Jasmine. The other woman stood there for a moment and despite the dark, Liara could see the tears shimmering in her eyes. Despite her own feelings, she was upset to see the normally strong and tough woman as weak as she felt.
"Jasmine…" Liara whispered softly.
Silently, Jasmine walked to her and knelt down and gingerly took the Asari into her arms. Liara was shocked at the gesture before she felt more tears fall down her face. Liara hid her face against Jasmine's neck and wrapped her arms tight around the other woman and began to bawl harder.
She knew that there would be time to talk but for now, this would be enough.
The Normandy – Training Area
Commander Rock Shepard
"So you let the Rachni Queen live?" Shepard asked with astonishment.
"I know. Wrex was not pleased but going by your past, you killed them, and they became a huge issue when you did. Let us see what mercy gives us," Jasmine said as she took a sip of beer.
Shepard nodded at this and took his own sip of beer and replied "When you say Wrex wasn't pleased…"
Jasmine grimaced.
"We nearly came to blows after that first encounter but when the Rachni Queen said that they only wanted to live in peace and teach their children of harmony, something seemed to change in him," Jasmine said softly. "He seemed angry but at the same time, I think he felt for them. After that, he told us to be done with it and left."
Shepard nodded at this and said, "We should talk to him later…I know Vimire is next and I'm terrified of what will happen because of the choice you made on Noveria."
"I am too…" Jasmine admitted sadly.
The two were quiet for a moment but Jasmine could see that Shepard wanted to ask her something and she had a fairly good idea on what it was. She took a deep breath and asked "Ask it Rock…"
"How are you taking things?" Shepard asked immediately. "I mean, your whole reason for joining was to see what happened to the Matriarch…"
"Honestly, I don't know," Jasmine admitted softly as her eyes began to glisten. "I can't come to terms for what I'm feeling…."
"I'm so sorry Jasmine…" Shepard told her as he placed a hand on top of hers. "Have you talked to Liara about your history about her?"
"Admittedly, I've been terrified to talk to her. I mean I held her as she cried before coming here but…" Jasmine replied as she frowned a bit. "There is a lot we need to discuss. Maybe we should use this time relax. Vimire does not happen for another week. Why don't we have a shore leave?"
Shepard nodded. "Yeah. We need to relax before this tough mission. It'll give us a chance to not only talk to Liara and Wrex but to give the rest of the crew to relax."
Jasmine nodded then asked, "But where should we go?"
"Perhaps the Citadel?" Shepard suggested but immediately frowned and shook his head "Actually never mind."
"Aren't we near a resort planet?" Jasmine asked.
"We are but I doubt we have enough credits for an entire crew to stay there," Shepard answered.
The two were silent for a second before their eyes brightened and in unison they shouted "Earth!"
The Normandy – Garage
Garrus Vakarian
Turians were supposed to have control of their emotions.
His father had drilled that into his head time and time again but ever since Garrus arrived on this ship, he had been in a constant state of flux emotionally when it came to the Gunnery Chief.
He went from being annoyed by her, loathing her, striking up a friendship of sorts and now, they had nearly kissed at the end of their mission. He had never felt so out of control like he did now, and it terrified him.
How did a mission to hunt down that traitorous Turian Saren turn into this?
He heard the elevator open and when he looked up, he saw Wrex walk out and the Krogan looked agitated, confused, and upset. It was surprising to see that on the normally smug face of the larger alien.
"Wrex, what's going on?" Garrus questioned.
"The Rachni were on Noveria…" Wrex explained.
Garrus felt his heart stop. "W-What?" he stammered.
"The Rachni were on Noveria. Jasmine, Kaidan, Liara and I encountered them during the hunt for Benezia," Wrex explained. "We spoke to the Rachni Queen herself and we had the option to destroy it."
"Well did you guys?" Garrus asked.
"No," Wrex answered.
"What?!" Garrus shouted in horror. "Why?!"
"When the Rachni Queen spoke to us, there was an implication that they were not in control during the wars and all she wanted was peace. The way she spoke to us, the royal yet pleading tone, I could the sincerity that she only wanted peace and did not want to strike but my blood was telling me to slay her but…I couldn't." Wrex explained. "And I cannot figure out why…"
There was so many things Garrus wanted to say. How it was foolish to allow the Rachni to live once more and how soft the Krogan was, but he could not. Instead, he asked Wrex "Do you trust her word?"
"Annoyingly, I do…" Wrex replied. "I just don't understand why I requested for them to live…"
"It seems being on this ship has confused more than just myself," Garrus said with a sympathetic tone.
Wrex gave a small chuckle in response. "I suppose," Wrex replied. "What has you confused on this day?"
"Ashley," Garrus replied. "I never found myself to be attracted to a human before and yet, I nearly…I nearly…" Garrus took a deep breath. "In the Mako after our mission, she and I nearly kissed."
Wrex looked at him long and hard before Garrus was subjected to the longest laugh he had ever seen Wrex give.
The Normandy – Barracks
Ashley Williams
"It's not funny!" Ashley shouted with reddened cheeks as Tali and Lizbeth giggled uncontrollably while Kaidan smirked. "Come on, we are all supposed to be friends!" Ashley muttered as she crossed her arms with a frown.
"I-I'm sorry," Tali giggled out. "I just had no idea you two were going to kiss behind Shepard and I. No wonder you two looked so awkward when we got out of the Mako. Keelah, this is priceless."
"I can't believe you two went from hating each other to nearly making out," Lizbeth said with a cheeky grin.
"We did not do all that…" Ashley said as she looked away. "It was a near kiss. That's all."
"Okay ladies stop teasing the Gunnery Chief," Kaiden told them but his amused smirk stayed in place. "Though admittedly, I am amazed to see that you two are so close. I never thought that was possible."
"Neither did I," Ashley muttered. "I always thought I would find a human guy to marry and have children but somehow, this Turian of all aliens come into my life and turns it upside down and I don't know what to do…"
"I mean, you two nearly kissed, yes?" Tali asked. "Does that mean you have a crush on him?"
"I-I don't know!" Ashley exclaimed. "I thought we were doing good as friends and then one thing led to another…"
"Does Garrus feel the same way?" Lizbeth asked.
"M-Maybe, I don't know," Ashley replied.
"Don't worry, I'll do some work," Lizbeth said.
"No!" Ashley exclaimed, which caused Kaiden and Tali to laugh but it was then everyone's Omni-tools lit up with a message. "A meeting? Probably found something about Saren," Ashley said.
"I hope not, you guys just got back," Lizbeth said. "And I'm so close to finishing the grenades…"
"Might as well see what's going on," Ashley said.
Now if only she could figure out her feelings regarding the Turian C-Sec officer.
The Normandy – Meeting Room
Commander Shepard
"Are you sure it's safe to have a shore leave while Saren is still out there?" Garrus asked. "Not that I'm complaining but it doesn't seem wise…"
"I know what you mean," Shepard said with a nod. "But the entire crew, not just us, have been working day and night in the mission to stop Saren and we ourselves have been put through the ringer physically, mentally and emotionally…"
Shepard thought of Liara, who was currently missing from the meeting. He did summon her but when she did not show up, it was unsurprising that she did not arrive. Jasmine left once everyone was gathered, no doubt needing to think in silence as well.
"We are not machines…We can bend and we can break. Even the strongest of us and we all need to
"If you think its wise Shepard, we'll go with it," Wrex said as he crossed his arms. "So why Earth?"
"Figured we need a change of pace," Shepard said. "Space is nice but if I have to go back to the Citadel one more time, I was going to lose it."
The group laughed at this, which made Shepard grin. "I already told Joker the plan and he is already taking us there so get ready to have some fun."
Shepard could see the excitement throughout his team as they began to talk amongst themselves but Shepard hope that after Vimire, they would all still be in this joyous mood.
Rain: And that is the end of this chapter. Only two more to go. The next chapter will be our team on Earth and a lot of bonding between Ashley/Garrus, Shepard/Tali, Jasmine/Liara and Kaidan/Lizbeth along with the appearance of…Well, you'll have to wait and see so until then…
Mario: See you next time!