From Ashes
Chapter Thirty: Come Back
A/N: Hello everyone, and thank you so much for continuing to read this and my other works! It's been a bit since I've updated anything, and I suppose I needed to take time away from Mass Efect to really get that gripping appreciation for it that I've missed. Thankfully, the Legendary Edition of the trilogy has done just that! Here is the long-awaited 30th chapter!
"You do know that the Consort is one of the station's best at relieving stress."
"Mmhmm."
"And that you could probably use a month's worth of this to relax your muscles."
"Mmhmm."
"Ah, I forgot to mention that I am being replaced by a vorcha who has an obsession with three-legged varren."
"Mmhmm… Wait, what?"
"Took you long enough." Tevos could hardly suppress a laugh as her fingertips glided over the other woman's skin.
"S'pose I'm a little distracted." Shepard admitted in a slightly sluggish tone.
"By what, I wonder."
"I can think of a few things." Shepard said casually. The two were sitting in a foaming hot tub and enjoying what was left of the evening. The talk on the presidium had led away from the more serious topics and they had gone for a few drinks and dinner. "Hot water, massage, and a gorgeous woman over my shoulder; it's a wonder I'm still coherent."
"Even in semi-coherence, you still manage flattery."
"Still good for something, then."
"More than that." Tevos rested her chin against Shepard's shoulder. "Much more than that."
"Mmmm." Shepard hummed before her eyes shifted lazily to the side. "Still haven't gotten those markings replaced?" She finally asked.
"Not yet." She admitted. "I will have to eventually."
"Have to, huh?"
"The fact that it is disproportionate aside, it is…" Tevos paused as she raised a hand to where the white facial markings were now absent. "Expected. One must look the part, or at least that is what some argue."
"I hear you." Shepard shifted slightly. "Even when on shore leave, we're supposed to be wearing some sort of uniform." She air-quoted the word 'supposed' as she said it.
"I think I prefer your being out of uniform."
"Bet you do." Shepard then turned so that her back was resting against the wall and her left arm lay on the outside of the bath. "Plans for tomorrow?"
"I didn't even look to see if I had pending appointments." Tevos frowned slightly as she assumed a similar position. "I wonder what would happen if I just…" She paused for a second while choosing her words. "Chose to delay them."
"Your extranet inbox would be flooded with messages wondering where you were, and C-Sec would probably show up."
"You really think that would happen?"
"Want to find out?" The two shared a laugh and Shepard found she liked the spark of mischief she saw in the other woman's eye at the idea.
"What is the worst that could happen?"
"I could be arrested for distracting a political figure." Shepard offered. "According to C-Sec regulations, it is still on the books as an infraction."
"If that was still enforced, the presidium would lose half of its residents."
"Think it would do any good?"
"More than likely not."
"Picture it," Shepard made a slight gesture forward by flicking her wrist. "The queue of those arrested would reach the Widow relay."
"Let me guess, you would be at the forefront."
"Something I'd gladly take the blame for."
"At least you are a welcome distraction."
"Mmhmm." Shepard hummed as a news broadcast took over the display nearby. It was only then that she took the time to consider the simple luxury of a relaxing bath and the ability to still keep up with galactic events. It had been a rarity when going from spaceport to spaceport as a kid. What was being said on the broadcast had something to do with Illium, by the looks of the skyline, and it piqued the councilor's interest.
"Illium was always the proverbial problem child of all asari worlds." Tevos commented as she used her omni tool to adjust the volume so that they could hear it more clearly. "There is always something going on."
"Tensions rise in Nos Astra as a recent spike in gang activity forces police to take action." A reporter was saying. It was a female salarian by the sound of it. When the image changed to a live feed, they could both see the salarian in the lower left corner of the display as she was speaking. "With Illium's laws being more lax than on other asari worlds, mercenary guilds' activity normally goes unchecked, but recent reports suggest that there has been a shift in power within Eclipse ranks." The camera hovered over what looked to be active combat between local police and Eclipse mercenaries; yellow uniformed asari, salarians, and humans using biotics and tech coupled with a healthy amount of mechs. As this was being shown, the reporter kept talking. "The sudden flare-up between the Eclipse and Illium Law Enforcement has residents worried for their safety as well as others'."
"You couldn't help yourself could you, Jona?" Tevos muttered while shaking her head slightly in disappointment.
"By Jona, you mean Jona Sederis." Shepard assumed and was met with a slight nod. "Last I heard, she was being held here on the station."
"She is. I received notice a few days ago that she is meant to have another hearing." Tevos said while still watching the captured vid feed on the display. "Not that it will do her any good. She's been considered insane for a year or more; calling for the death of all Eclipse' enemies. She just had to get some members of her organization riled up before she makes another public appearance."
"Eclipse was originally an all-asari organization, right?"
"Originally, yes. It was also a more honest one in its infancy."
"Honest? Not a word I'd use to describe them."
"Originally, they were a security firm." Tevos had to smile at that last comment. "Most don't remember that, though. They only see an over-powered leader who saw more profit in the drug trade and smuggling than actually providing a good service."
"If the hearing won't do her any good, why even have it?"
"I've brought that up before, but it seems she has some strings in the legal system here." Tevos shrugged. "She will make her appearance and act more or less civil in front of the reporters and cameras until one asks the wrong question."
"Then all bets are off," Shepard picked up on where the thought was going.
"And she will start spouting death threats."
"You've been through this before."
"I've been present at every one of her hearings." Tevos nodded stiffly. "I will not miss one, either."
"History with her?"
"I had a run-in with the Eclipse, yes." With that admission, Tevos frowned slightly. "A crowd of people saw it."
"When was this?" It was hard to imagine the asari next to her anywhere but on or around the Citadel, but Shepard knew that she hadn't lived here her entire life. "What happened?"
"It happened three hundred odd years ago, but three of them opened fire on an entire walking bridge full of people in Serrice."
"Any idea why?"
"No, but she does make a point to mention it when our paths cross."
"She knew you were there."
"She knew." Tevos nodded finally. "I was the only one injured." At Shepard's look, she added: "It wasn't a fatal shot, but had it been less than an inch closer, we wouldn't be talking."
"You were the only one injured and what, in your early hundreds?" Shepard did a little quick math and estimating before continuing. "Who would want you dead at that age?"
"That is what I have tried to understand." Tevos shrugged again. "Unfortunately, Jona isn't the type to just give information freely."
"I'll guess that she has mentioned a bargain."
"Even that is no guarantee she would talk. Ah well," Tevos dismissed her own thought then. "Until she does, I suppose I am left with my imagination."
"Hopefully not too wild of an imagination."
"Something I wasn't gifted with."
"There's a lot more there to make up for it." After a second's pause, Shepard finished with: "I'll leave that to your imagination."
"Why?" At first, it sounded like an honest question. "When it could be a reality?"
"My point, exactly."
"We may be looking at an inside job."
Those were the first words out of Steven Hackett's mouth after the door had closed securely behind him. 06:00 in the morning, and he was already pacing on the carpet in front of Anderson's desk. The councilor, who had just managed to finish his morning coffee before the admiral had entered, now sat staring at him.
"What?" David Anderson blinked; the normal time it took for the caffeine to run through him still lacking by a good ten minutes.
"The Kilimanjaro." Hackett elaborated as he finally came to a stop. "Some information came through last night that suggests that the takeover could have been an inside job."
"Alright, slow down." Anderson leaned forward; fingers interlaced. "What information?"
"Someone was questioned late last night about a shipment of supplies that had been brought aboard the station by a supply ship shortly after the failed supply drop." Hackett was already at work pulling files from his omni tool for export to a datapad. "The items in question were tagged as suspicious and cross-referenced by someone. They came up as a match for the Kilimanjaro's payload."
"Do we know who cross-referenced them?"
"C-Sec is supposed to be getting the footage now."
"I'll speed that along." Anderson sent a quick message, and within a few minutes, he received an attachment via email. "Chief Williams." He muttered as he looked over the small amount of footage provided. "One of Shepard's people."
"Call her in." The admiral said while turning his back to the desk again to gaze out at the presidium. "We need to know how much she's found out."
"She wasn't alone." Anderson said finally. "A turian and krogan, presumably the same ones that Shepard has been working with, are with her. I'll send for them now."
"Morning, Doctor." Ashley Williams said as she exited the crew quarters and made her way to the coffee pot.
"Morning, Chief." Karin, who was already there, tapped something on the countertop twice in rapid succession before opening her hand and letting the insides of an egg slide out of its shell and into a pan. "Breakfast?"
"Sure, why not?" Ash placed fresh water into the pot and replaced the filter before setting it to brew. "Divide and conquer. I'll grab the bacon."
"A sound strategy."
"Seen Garrus or Wrex yet?" Ash went to oiling another pan and let it get hot before placing strips of bacon in it.
"They headed out early; said they had people to meet before things got started this morning."
"Well, we're ship-shape to head out early tomorrow morning." Ash said after a brief yawn. "Checked last night. How are things on your end?"
"Preparations are complete here as well." Karin motioned toward the medbay. "I spoke with the requisitions officer last night, and he said our last shipment would clear today by noon."
"One less thing the commander will have to worry about."
"She does have enough going on at the moment, doesn't she?"
"Aside from the weep of the fringes and all, yeah." Ashley said while focusing on her task. "The situation with the Kilimanjaro and her mother is probably still pressing in on her."
"I still find it strange that the Kilimanjaro, an Alliance dreadnought, could have been overtaken so easily."
"That's what got me curious." Ashley and Karin turned to find Tali joining them. "I studied the general schematics of the Kilimanjaro, what I was abl to get a hold of, anyway." She sent an image to a nearby display using her omni tool. "Thee is no easy way to overtake a ship of that size and scale without inside help or cyberwarfare software."
"Cyberwarfare software isn't used as a standard on Alliance ships." Karin shook her head in thought.
"No, it would require an AI to ensure that it was utilized properly." Tali confirmed. "And I don't see the Alliance using AI," She then paused for a second. "But that VI on Earth's moon makes me wonder…"
"No kidding." Ashley took up the bacon and dropped it into a wire basket lined with a napkin. "Breakfast? Pretty sure there's some dextro stuff in here."
"Thanks, but I actually ate right when I got up this morning." Tali went to the table and continued to study the schematic on the display. "I appreciate the offer, though."
"That VI on Luna, Ash brought the subject back around. "Were they trying to push it toward slf-awareness? I know you mentioned you were going to have a look at the logs."
"It seems so, but I can't be sure. They wanted it to react, and I think they managed a breakthrough." Tali then added a secondary image: the numbers that had ben on the displays after the VI had been destroyed:
01001000
01000101
01001100
01010000
"That looks like binary." Doctor Chakwas joined Tali at the table; she and Ashley having brought over their morning meal.
"It is, and after conversion, it translates to this." Tali replaced that image with one bearing one word:
HELP
"That's not good." Ashley stared at the message for a moment with an oddly uncomfortable expression on her face. "If that means what I think it does…"
"It was gaining awareness while we were shooting at it." Tali confirmed.
"Surely, the Alliance would know better than to do something like this with the current climate." Karin shook her head in disbelief.
"May have not been them." Ash sat down and nipped at her bacon. "With the crap we've seen, could have been Cerberus."
"So, we've got nothin'."
"In a way, yes." Garrus shrugged as he and Wrex walked away from one f the docking bays. They had gone down there early to catch a certain dock worker that owed him a favour, and it hadn't really paid off. "We know that the supplies came from the Kilimanjaro's last run, but that's about it."
"Dock worker said it was on a normal trade ship that comes by the Citadel frequently." Wrex muttered. "That could have been anyone, then."
"Maybe we can narrow it down by speaking to the other merchants around the area." Garrus suggested. "They have to have specific permits to sell what they do. We could then cross what trade vessels normally supply them."
"Sounds like shooting through a black hole and hoping to find your bullet on the other side." Wrex dismissed the idea. "Too many to track down in such a short time." He then checked his omni, which was chiming. "Huh, this should be good."
"Expecting someone?"
"Nah." Wrex answered the call then. "Problems?"
"Sort of." Ashley's voice came through. "Just got a call from Councilor Anderson. He wants you, Garrus, and me in his office pronto."
"Garrus is here. We'll meet you on the presidium."
"See you there."
"Well," Wrex closed out the holo interface and turned to the turian next to him. "Looks like our presence has been requested."
"Mmmm." Garrus humed in acknowledgement. "Who and where?"
"Human councilor's office. Bet it's about the mess we stepped in last night with Morlan."
"I'll second that bet."
It had been a quarter of an hour since that call from Ashley to Wrex. Shepard had met her on the presidium as she was heading up to Anderson's office. Not much had been said, but Wrex and Garrus had joined the chief in the embassies' atrium. When they had cleared the stairs, she had gone the opposite way; the embassy lounge, after being remodeled, was open and quiet. Finding a secluded spot on one of the curved benches on the forward balcony, she went about recording a message.
"Hey Mom," She began in a casual tone, but even that didn't last. Her voice, while strong for the first word, began to shake. "I know you may not get this, but…" She trailed off for a second. What she had planned to say had all but faded as it approached her lips. All that was left was a simple want; one that she hadn't planned on voicing. "I don't care what you have to do. I'm not losing you to a god-damned raid." It sounded harsh, even as she said it, but she finished her thought. "We lost Dad to one, and I won't let you go the same ay." The words burned in her throat. "As soon as this sweep of the border is finished, I'm joining the search. Whoever is responsible for this had best pray that they don't cross my path." She paused the recording for a moment. Emotions were running high, and the corners of her eyes had started to prickle. While waiting for it to pass, she couldn't think of anything else to say. She resumed recording; her voice nowhere near as steady as she wanted it to be.
"Just… Do wnatever you can to stay safe and come home."
She ended the recording and sent it before she could change her mind. When the message was away, she let her arm drop to her side and leaned back against the padded bench; finding a point beyond the balcony to focus on. The green and brown hues of the trees blurred while her eyes glazed over. Eventually, a tear broke the water barrier and fell. Normally, it would have been a cause for frustration, but she couldn't be bothered with it at present. Even as a hand rested on her shoulder, she didn't bother making a move. Instead, she closed her eyes and let the rest fall.
"What am I going to do if I lose her, Liara?" She asked thickly; not having to look up to know who was there.
"If there was an answer to that question, I would tell you."
"She wouldn't want me to be like this-"
"She would want you to be honest with yourself." Liara countered. "To let the soldier take the brunt of the pain won't solve anything. Eventually, that shield will break."
"We both went through this before." Shepard activated her omni tool again and retrieved an image of a man in uniform. "She and I waited for news when Dad went missing. Turned out he was captured by Batarian pirates and left to rot on a station whose life support was failing. By the time Alliance forces got there, he had been deprived of oxygen for too long."
"I didn't know."
"I won't find her like that." Shepard rose suddenly; omni closing as she did. "Any idea what that meeting with Anderson is about?"
"No," Liara, while startled by the sudden change in subject, recovered quickly. "Tali said that it was a sudden invitation. She said that Ashley contacted Wrex and Garrus, and on her way to the lift, she mentioned that it probably wouldn't last long."
"How are things on the Normandy?"
"Everything is done. Doctor Chakwas received the medical supplies that were requisitioned. That was the only thing we were waiting on."
"Good." Rounding the bench, Shepard checked the time on the display that was showing some stock reports, clips of sporting events, and a new trailer for the newest Blasto installment. When she turned to Liara, she found the asari regarding her with a concerned eye. "What?"
"Don't put this aside." Liara warned.
"I'm not. I'm just doing what I was asked to do: focusing on the task at hand until I can get back to this."
"Just remember that it is easy for someone else to say that when they are not directly involved."
"I know." Shepard let her shoulders drop slightly. "Believe me." She added before straightening her posture again. "Head back down and let the others know that we're leaving earlier than expected. I've got some thigs to sort out here, and I'll be heading that way."
"Alright." Liara nodded curtly and made for the door. As she crossed the threshold, she looked over her shoulder. "See you soon."
"You will." Once the door had closed behind Liara, Shepard made to follow her. While she was heading down to the dock however, the commander crossed the embassy atrium. She was headed for Anderson's office. If the meeting with Ashley, Garrus, and Wrex was still going on, she would wait, but she needed a word with the councilor before heading out. As it happened, time was on her side. The three were walking out of the office as she approached. When they saw her, they stopped for a greeting.
"Morning, Skipper." Ashley started off. Wrex and Garrus nodded and added their usual greetings:
"Shepard."
"Ash, Garrus, Wrex." She acknowledged. "Figured I'd let you know that preparations are complete. We're heading out earlier than expected."
"Figured." Ashley nodded in approval.
"We'll go ahead and be ready when you arrive." Garrus nodded toward himself and Wrex.
"Liara and Tali are already aboard, along with the rest of the crew." Shepard called after them. Ashley remained where she was, however."
"Hey," She began. "Figured I'd let you in on what this was about." She motioned toward Anderson's closed door. "It was about something we found out last night. Garrus, Wrex, and I followed up on a lead and it paid off."
"What did you find?" Shepard, while not expecting this, leaned against the wall; motioning for the other woman to continue. "Anything solid?"
"Supplies from the Kilimanjaro's drop were here on the station. They were delivered to Morlan, down in the wards, and he was asked to hold them until someone came to get them."
"He have anything to do with this?"
"He's clean." Ash shook her head. "C-Sec is working with Alliance Requisitions to sort through it all. They're also hoping to catch the one coming to retrieve the supply drop when they contact Morlan. That's what we were filling Councilor Anderson and Admiral Hackett in on."
"Hackett's in there?"
"Yeah." Ash shrugged. "Not used to being around Alliance Brass." She added. "He played it pretty close to the chest in there, but I could tell that he was more worried than he let on. He have a history with your mom or something?"
"Not that I know of," She stopped to think about it. There had never been any mention of him when she and her mother had talked before; even privately. "It seemed a little personal when he made a few comments last time we spoke; something to the effect of: I got my strength and drive from her, and that I was more like her than I knew. It did seem a little more personal, but that's all that was said."
"Thought you should know about this anyway." Ashley said as the door opened and the topic of conversation stepped out. "We'll be ready when you are, Skipper." She then addressed the admiral. "Sir."
"Chief." He nodded. "Thanks again for that information. That gives us a few angles to work with."
"Anything I can do, Admiral." Ashley then turned on her heel and left for the stairs.
"Shepard." Hackett greeted.
"Admiral."
"I take it that you're getting an early start on that border sweep."
"The sooner we know, the better."
"I expected no less." He made to move past her but spoke over his shoulder. "Remember, If we find anything, you'll be the first to know. I have people following up on what we have so far."
"It's all I can ask, Admiral." She said in earnest. She waited until he walked away before entering Anderson's office. When she did, she saw him sitting down in his chair slowly; a frown creasing his brow. He looked up at the sound of a new arrival, and the frown was replaced with a curious expression.
"Shepard," He greeted; preparing to stand again, but she motioned for him to remain where he was. Instead, she crossed to his desk and took the chair opposite him. Anderson, in turn, leaned forward slightly. "I'm sorry we haven't found anything new in regard to your mother."
"I didn't expect it to resolve itself overnight." She admitted. "I know my duty and that it's being handled."
"But?" Anderson tilted his head slightly. "I know there's more to it."
"But I did have another name to look into." Shepard finally said. "Lieutenant Ernesto Zabaleta."
"I saw something about him in your notes." Anderson nodded. "He served with your mother on the SSV Einstein."
"He was on the Citadel a while back with an alcohol problem." Shepard nodded. "I referred him to the VAO, and he sounded like he was going to give it a shot."
"Again, but?"
"I know how hard those things can be to kick. Dad's brother Owen had an addiction he couldn't drop, and it led him to do stupid things."
"You're concerned that Zabaleta is involved based on that?"
"No." Shepard shook her head. "I can't describe it, but I got a bad feeling when dealing with him. He had it bad on Mindoir, and we saw what Toombs was willing to do."
"I'll keep that in mind, and I'll run a check on him." Anderson accessed his terminal and did a quick search. His frown returned with the results. "He didn't check in with the VAO. As a matter of fact, he is suspected of pick-pocketing a few people while loitering there."
"Figures."
"You said it yourself, it isn't an easy thing to get over." He closed out his terminal after flagging the file for further examination. "You're lucky ou had a good support system after Elysium."
"You're right." She stood from her chair again. "That was on my mind, so I figured it was best that I let you know." She took his hand as Anderson extended it. "I hope I'm wrong, but it just hit me, and… I don't know…"
"I hope you're wrong too, honestly." Anderson stood up as well and met her gaze with understanding. "Normally, chasing shadows isn't a good start, or a healthy one, but we can't afford not to." He thought for a second and then said, with some reluctance: "We are thinking that it could have been someone on the Kilimanjaro that allowed for the takeover."
"Have they vetted the crew?"
"No red flags as of yet. That's what Admiral Hackett meant by working with what we have." He shrugged. "Honestly, I'm not convinced, but they are looking at it from all sides."
"I appreciate it." Checking her omni tool, Shepard got an "All systems Go" message from Ashley and nodded. "The Normandy's prepped, and we'll be heading out within the hour. Thought you should know."
"Good luck out there, Commander." Anderson cuffed her on the shoulder then. "I'm hoping that there is nothing out there to find."
"You and me both."
She left the human embassy and made her way back down the stairs. The atrium was a little less crowded than it had been earlier, but there were still a few people milling about. One, a robed salarian, was approaching the desk where Saphyria was waiting. She greeted them and directed them up a set of stairs that led toard the embassy lounge and the Executor's office. When the salarian had moved on, Saphyria waved Shepard over.
"Good morning, Commander." She started in a more cheerful tone. "I was hoping I could catch you before your departure."
"Good morning to you too." Shepard approached the desk. "Everything alright?"
"Yes, actually." Saphyria nodded toward the salarian that was vanishing beyond the door at the top of the stairs. "I would have caught you sooner, but I was asked to alert the turian embassy when the dalatrass arrived. The asari councilor was looking for you. I believe she was on her way to the tower."
"When did she leave?"
"Just a few minutes ago. She wasn't in a rush." Saphyria looked past the commander and raised a hand to indicate something. "There, just past Avina."
"Thanks."
"Good luck out there."
Shepard turned and headed for the exit. When she passed the Avina terminal, she didn't have to look too hard. The councilor was standing by the rapid transit terminal; hands hanging over the barrier. She was looking down at a newly planted tree that was meant to replace the one that had been killed during Sovereign's attack on the station.
"Saphyria said you weren't in a rush. Glad to see she's right." She said it in a quieter tone as she came to stand by the asari.
"Thankfully, not this morning." Tevos' eyes didn't leave the small tree that was starting to show new growth; little buds coming out and turning lavender as they bloomed.
"Said you were headed for the tower. No events to shape galactic policy, I hope."
"No," A laugh, almost nervous in nature, escaped the councilor then. "There is nothing scheduled for today. There is just something that I need to do." Finally turning away from the view ahead, Tevos posed a question. "Will you join me?"
"Of course."
They began their walk around to the tower's entrance at a slow pace. Conversation started off on a casual note: the morning's events, the arrival of high-level diplomats, and the like. Then it moved to matters more serious. The sweep of the Terminus border was mentioned along with the fact that there was no news on Shepard's mother. Once they had cleared the lift to the tower, they began the long walk around the fountain and up the flights of stairs. It was only then that Shepard noticed just how empty the tower actually was. There were usually people standing around and talking in low voices, keepers working at various hubs throughout the tower, and a general hum of conversation. Today, only the keepers were present, and there were only two of them visible.
"Odd to see the tower so empty." They had rounded the fountain and were approaching the first stairwell. Shepard noticed that it wasn't the only thing that was quiet. When they reached the top of the set of stairs, Tevos kept going; her eyes set on the path ahead. Shepard followed.
"They are limiting access to the tower for the time being." Her response was just that, a response. The words were hollow. The sound of them made Shepard want to stop for a moment and get a better look at her companion, but there was no time for it. She kept moving forward. Only when they had reached the top of the final set of stairs did Tevos slow her pace. They were on the extended bridge that led to the terminal that could access Citadel Control. Shepard took this opportunity to study her expression. It was painfully neutral.
"Nice view, but what are you really doing here?" They were at the very edge of the bridge now. Shepard cast an eye down toward the grass-covered area below. The charred trees had been replaced by new ones, and new seed had been sewn to cover the scorch marks left behind by Saren and Sovereign.
"I've come here to remind myself." Again, the words rang with no volume throughout the topmost level of the tower.
"Of?"
"Of the fact that we are still vulnerable."
"What made you think about that?"
"Last night, honestly."
"Really?" It came as a shock. What had transpired between them the previous night had been centered around the two of them; not the galaxy at large. "How do you figure?"
""It was one of the times where I saw the woman behind the unstoppable force that humanity needs you to be."
"That has happened before, you know." Shepard turned away from the bridge's edge to regard the woman beside her. Expression still a forced neutral, Tevos' eyes were on the opposite side of the chamber.
"This was different." It was a quick response, almost knee-jerk, if Shepard had to put a label to it. "It wasn't what I saw in the physical sense… It was something more." Tevos tore hr eyes away from whatever she had been seeing to face Shepard then. "I saw a daughter worried about her mother, felt the tremors born from unstable ground, heard the whispers of something terible from the galaxy's edge, and came to terms with just how short this life really is."
"You got all of that from last night?"
"It isn't difficult when one's mind is open to that extent." She admitted with a slight shrug. "In truth, the full extent of it didn't register until I reached the embassy this morning."
"How did that come about?" Shepard could feel that question hanging in the air between them for a few seconds. She knew that there was a reason for this trek to the Council's chamber. It was just a matter of time before it became clear.
"As it is now." Tevos turned back toward the distant end of the chamber; the four podiums standing unattended. "Even as I stand here, I see an echo of who I used to be." A frown creased her brow then.
"I take it that you don't like what you see."
"She mocks me with cold and unfeeling confidence."
"Don't sell yourself short." Shepard stepped closer and placed a hand on the other's shoulder. "I would't go so far as to call it cold and unfeeling. I will give you the one, though; there was confidence. It will return."
"Is it compulsory or voluntary when it comes to seeing the best in people?" It was a genuine question. Shepard had to think for a second on her reply.
"Both. Compulsory as a job requirement." She started off. "The Alliance secretly demands that I be something of a diplomat, along with my other duties; or at least that is how I have it figured. As for voluntary, that one is pretty exclusive; utilize when there is a real need."
"And where do I land on that scale?"
"You don't." Shepard dismissed with a flick of her free wrist. "Both of those subsets require effort. You don't, because it comes through naturally."
"I…" Tevos faltered; turning again to regard Shepard. As she spoke, her tone was damp with hesitation. "I have never heard that before, but that does bring the conversation around to why I wanted to see you before you leave."
"Take your time." While she had been raring to leave earlier, everything about this exchange was compelling her to stay. There was something at the heart of this conversation that was worth waiting for.
"You are prepared to leave-"
"It can wait." Shepard replied evenly.
"Everyone is counting on the result of your sweep of the Terminus border to be a positive one; to prove that Council-controlled space is safe." Frustration edged its way into the asari's tone then. "The truth is that it will never be as it was before-" She cut herself off suddenly; her own words seeming to hit her. "No… No, that is wrong." Tevos glanced briefly toward her own podium and back again; eyes shifting from green to a rich brown, and then back again. "We were never as secure as we believed; we only thought we were."
"That makes all the difference." Shepard nodded slowly in confirmation. "When something like this hits home, that's when we truly understand the magnitude of the situation."
"I never imagined that a single being could personify what you have come to represent."
"What's that, hunamity's organized chaos?" While it was a serious matter, making lifht of it eased the slight tension that Shepard could feel creeping in. They were close to the heart of the issue now; she could feel it.
"Now it is you who shouldn't sell herself short, as you phrased it earlier." Tevos allowed a small smile to curve her lips as she stepped closer; closing the short distance between them. "In a short time, you have become a living definition of safety, security, and stability; an unyielding shelter from a constant cosmic storm."
"You don't mean on a galactic scale, do you?" Shepard too, moved forward; her hand gliding down the asari's shoulder. "If so, that would make for one hell of a resume."
"I cannot speak for them…" They were dangerously close. "This has progressed so quickly," Tevos' hands encased Shepard's then. "More than I ever thought possible."
"You're worried." Though it didn't seem so, Shepard had to voice it. The hands that held hers suddenly tightened their gentle grip; their owner stiffening slightly.
"No." There was no hesitation, no room for doubt. "I have never felt a stronger connection with anyone as I have with you over the last few months; never one so defined."
"I have to admit that I'm surprised." Shepard offered honestly. "Honoured, but surprised." After a few seconds' pause, she went on. "I should also add that the feeling is mutual. I think that we both know what everyone else expects us to be, but somehow, in this organized mess, we've let our barriers down; we've seen one another for what we are at our core." The words came freely from her as if they were a pre-defined script, but they sounded natural, even to her own ears. "Vulnerable,"
"Flawed,"
"And yet I couldn't have imagined a better sight when I woke up this morning." That did it. The tension brought on by the seriousness of the conversation cracked. When they embraced, Shepard could almost feel the weight of what had been said rolling off of the other woman's shoulders. With Tevos' next murmured words, Shepard tried to suppress a shiver; lips so close to her neck, the councilor's breath made feather-light pulses against her skin.
"I need to know that you are always coming back."
"Count on it."
It was all that she could manage. They were too close to back down now. Her heart had practically skipped a beat with those last words, and the trace amounts of perfume toying with her nose from the asari's collar didn't make things any easier. Shepard pressed her lips against the exposed fold of skin just below Tevos' scalp. It provoked a soft intake of breath from the other woman, so she pressed the advantage. Shifting so that her back was resting against the singular podium on the extended bridge, Shepard wrapped her arms around Tevos' waist; securing her grip. The asari, in turn, let her hands glide over Shepard's body until they found their resting place on her shoulders.
"…You say this so casually…" She managed when Shepard's lips broke contact with her skin; her voice barely above a whisper.
"Because I would re-arrange the cosmos if I had to to get back here." Shepard's voice, slightly rough in texture, was slightly more audible. "All I ask is that you believe that."
She took a second to search her companion's face. After a few brief seconds, any trace of hesitation or doubt were gone. She found affirmation in the asari's eyes, which had shifted from their normal hazel to a startling onyx. Shepard was staring into a limitless void. Her hands remaining where they were, she could feel echoes of fingertips pressing against her spine. For each next action, there were phantom reactions. Two pairs of lips met in a slow and drawn out barrage of kisses. It was strange; she could almost anticipate Tevos' next action before it was taken. In turn, it seemed that Tevos could guess Shepard's every reaction. Only then did it click. This was what Liara had been talking about: the gentle merging of nervous systems and a connection that went far beyond any physical limitations. Periodic breaks for air were lost to the sensory overload that was gently drowning them. Soon, the Council Chambers, the tower, the Citadel, and all other reminders of the world around them were only there in the periphery.
Only when both acknowledged that they had to separate, did the station and all of its' ambient sounds begin to surround them. The shadowy void that they had found to be a refuge was fading. Before it could be completely overtaken by the reality that the Council Chambers restored, a request was made, and a promise was bound to it.
"Come back to me."
"Always."
A/N 2: The holidays have arrived, so to those just discovering this story and to my current readers, I'd like to say seasons' greetings and Happy Holidays to all! Consider this a fresh start to a slew of updates :) I'm back and in a serious writing mood.
Also, as a fair warning, you know what comes next ;) On to Mass Effect 2's storyline. Have your tissue box handy, all. Next chapter, the intro!
