Chapter 9 – The hospital

Shepard had suffered massive internal injuries and severe head trauma, leading Dr. Chakwas to place her in a medical induced coma to relieve the swelling. Her hospital room was crammed with her crew and all those who could be there. The nurses had given up trying to clear them out after Wrex had threatened to bring a Krogan army in to watch over her. They did draw the line on the Varren pup however, who was being looked after by any crew not visiting.

"How bad is the damage Dr?" Garrus asks, he hadn't left her bedside since he had been able to move. The restraints only lasted long enough for him to receive emergency care.

"As bad you can imagine, I'm afraid. The scans are not encouraging, they show signs of someone who had been indoctrinated and fought it. Which has caused an incredible amount of damage…" She pauses seeing how her news has affected Garrus "but you know the Commander she has fight in her."

Garrus returned his gaze to the sleeping Commander, he was bandaged from his own wounds and not able to wear his armour, as his bones were broken and damaged. Wrex thought he looked too fragile without it but wouldn't say it to him. Instead, he would joke "that's what happens if you let a Reaper fall on you." Or "Damn, who knew Turians were hard to kill. You sure your mom wasn't a Krogan." The most he would get from the Turian was a smirk before he returned to his vigil.

Garrus's father and sister were being looked after in a field hospital, where her leg was worked on. They would phone for updates and once she was able to walk they headed on their way to the hospital. The conversations were always the same, asking him if he'd eaten, had rest. He would just mutter "When Shepard wakes." The conversation would end with "I'm proud of you son/Brother."

Wrex and Grunt would take turns telling war stories to the unconscious Shepard. They felt she would appreciate the most brutal ones. Some nurses would stay and listen before remembering they had other patients, others would turn green and make sure they weren't on schedule the days the Krogan were on guard.

When Tali visited, she would fuss over her bedding and continually fluff her pillows, making sure she was comfortable. She would grab Dr. Chakwas at any change in her vital signs. But it was always nothing.

Liara would come in and out, leaving Glyph behind once she had managed to stabilise him again. He would tell her the minute anything changed. He originally questioned the inaccuracies of some of the Krogan stories but eventually learnt to let them speak. Perhaps it was for Shepard or because Wrex would threaten to feed him to some Varren.

Javik had not fully recovered but didn't want to be stuck in a bed, he agreed to come for check-ups but would not enter Shepard's room, he did not understand the purpose of waiting round a bedside.

"It's as much for them as it is for her." Liara would tell him when she spotted him staring at the room and its occupants.

He would not reply but would continue to stare and shake his head. He began to consider what his life would be now, he had been happy to die as the last of his species. But to live as the last that's a different story.

"What will you do with yourself now Javik?" She asked, "Now that the Reapers are gone."

"I have no purpose." He replied dryly

"We have to rebuild... having a Prothean help and guide us. That could help shape our future." He wouldn't respond and would leave, only to return the next day to check on the Commander again.

Miranda would come in at night, checking her vital signs and leaving bits of tech she felt was needed behind. The first night she did this, she believed Grunt and Garrus were sleeping. As she hovered over Shepard, she felt the eyes of the Krogan on her and saw the weapon no one had dared remove from him.

"I brought her back from the dead once before, I can do it again. Though I'm shocked these doctors haven't killed her yet with their incompetence." Arrogant as always.

The gun remained on her.

"I know how much she means to you Grunt."

"If Shepard dies, you die." She knew he meant it too.

Each night this routine would happen, Miranda working quietly under the threat of a Krogan watchful eye.

Kasumi was similar in her approach, she still preferred to be cloaked when checking in on Shepard. She didn't want to risk any of the bounties she had on her head coming for Shepard, though she was tempted to risk it and watch Grunt take them out. He needed a good fight she thought.

Jack would come in and tell her how she was just napping,

"I bet she wants us all to hold hands and sing songs. Then she'll wake up and go, got yah." Her face would betray her though, the worry was written over it.

"Damn crazy bitch. On your feet slacker." She would say too as she left the room.

Cortez and Joker would drop by together, Joker would end up making the nurses or visitors laugh and Cortez would share his struggle to cope with loss and how Shepard helped him face it with others. They were both there for whoever needed them.

Vega was there the first day but had to start his N7 training. "No time like the present." The rest of the crew would drop by.

Hackett would call for check-ups but couldn't leave his post, work still needed to be done. The relays although damaged were still intact and operational however use of them was restricted as no one wanted to risk overloading them. Hackett was in charge of allowing human forces to use them and arranging supply drops to cut-off areas. Repair teams were sent through the relays first so a squad was present at each relay. With the battle for Earth most species were present in the Sol system, a procedure was put in place to allow some of each species to return home.

Admiral Anderson was found a few days after Shepard and was recovering from his injuries in another room. The crew would bring him updates and then when he was able to get out of bed he would join in the vigil at her side.

"You deserve the rest Commander, I'm proud of you." He would say.

Ashley was there for a few days, but Spectre duties called, she felt happier doing something than sitting around waiting for Shepard to wake up. She kept in contact as much as she could. Samara was the same, her Justicar duties forced her to leave and go where help was needed the most, but not before meditating and saying a healing prayer by her Shepard's sleeping body.

Zaeed was not one for sharing in the vigil or expressing his feelings. He was happy tracking down Reaper forces that still needed to be taken down. Making sure he had a few extra stories to tell her when she woke up.

As the days passed Wrex was feeling the pressure to return. He had Krogan's to rally and had made a promise to Shepard that it would be different this time. He left Grunt in charge and returned to his troops. He kept troops on Earth and Palavern to help with the clearing and rebuild. He even offered troops to the Salarian homeworld as a show of truce. The Dalatrass wouldn't even take his call. He sent troops wherever they were needed and he and Eve became quite the political leaders for the Krogan. Eve now leaving Tuchanka to spread the word of peace and friendship to other worlds. The Krogan that disagreed would not have allies for long as more of them warmed to Wrex and his rule. Of course, Wrex was never afraid to be challenged and would defeat in battle and on the odd occasion show mercy where he saw fit. He would think of Shepard in these moments and hope she would be proud.

Castis & Solana's journey took longer than expected as the passenger ship they had been traveling on had not been approved access to the relay system. It was still being used only for priority travel at this time. Castis Vakarian was not one to be told no to however, and once he told the pilot to inform the relay controllers that they were carrying the father of Garrus Vakarian and father-in-law of Commander Shepard their access was approved. Much to the delight of the other passengers. He and Solana enjoyed hearing the stories from them of how Shepard and Vakarian had saved a family member or settlement they knew of.

When they finally arrived they made their way to the hospital room. Garrus was alerted to the presence of new visitors as Grunt raised his weapon and sprang out of his seat. He looked up and saw the two familiar faces at the door.

"Dad, Solana…. What are you doing here?"

Grunt withdrew his weapon as quickly as he had fixed it on the visitors. He seemed almost deflated that he didn't get to shoot something.

"You'd think we'd miss visiting you at the hospital?" Solana said, she smiled but she couldn't hide the shock of seeing her brother looking so ill. Her father hid it better but the tension in his mandibles gave him away.

"I erm…" He was so unsure what to do, he hadn't expected them this soon. Or maybe he had the days just flew together.

They both looked at the sleeping Commander and understood his demeanour she looked like death. Garrus jumped up, a bit quicker than he should have.

"Grunt you've got this." The Krogan nodded, he didn't even think to introduce them, he just had to get them out of the room. He ushered them into the hallway.

"Shepard, wouldn't want you to see her like that."

"I understand son. When did you last eat?"

"A few hours ago I'm sure of it."

"Garrus why don't we go for a walk?"

"Your leg Sol, how is it dad, said it was broken?"

"I'm fine Garrus, I'm more worried about you. Why don't we go for a walk, get some fresh air?"

"I erm… I don't want to leave her."

"If she saw you right now son, what would she say?"

"That I should go for a walk... get some food."

"Exactly, listen to her."

Garrus looked back.

"I think she has enough visitors right now, are all these for her?"

Garrus chuckled "yeah, she's made a lot of friends these last few years. The hospital got so annoyed they started giving them jobs, Geth delivering meals, Quarians sanitising rooms, Turians and Krogans on security."

"It seems this Commander Shepard is quite remarkable."

Solana grabbed her brothers arm before he could change his mind and dragged him off, pretty quick for someone with a recently broken leg.

"You should have heard dad on the ship Garrus, we were delayed going through the relays, we were there for ages whilst dad waited to find out what the issue was. Then they said our ship couldn't go through and dad went all "I'm Castis Vakarian my son and daughter in-law saved the galaxy and are waiting for me" it was so funny I've never seen him like that." Solana did her best impression of her father but obviously exaggerated it much too his annoyance.

"That doesn't sound like our rule following dad Sol, are you sure it was him?" He laughed.

"Perhaps I learnt from my rule breaking son."

Hospital room

Gradually Shepard's vitals improved, and they considered waking her, not sure what they would find. The remaining crew by her bedside would only trust Dr. Chakwas feeling afraid that someone with a grudge could hurt the Commander. Another reason they gave for the bedside vigil.

The Dr released the drugs into her system and told them they would have to wait. Not even she could be sure whether or not the Commander would wake, and if she did whether she would still be the Commander.