Three day's. Three day's since the Reaper war had finally come to and end. Three day's and no word from or about Shepard.
Liara was in the Normandy's medical bay being treated for injuries she sustained when charging to the beam with Shepard. She has been unconscious since he left her in Garrus's arms as he went to save the Galaxy again.
soon after the Normandy had pulled up to get to a safe rendezvous she collapsed and passed out. The last thing she saw was Shepard charging for the beam and Harbinger's lazer barely missing him.
Since then Garrus has been keeping and eye on Liara. Shepard would kill him if no one had watched over her if he was ever unable to. For the past three day's reports of survivors had popped up from 2 of the 5 citadel arms that had crashed to Earth's surface. However the Normandy's crew had received bad news and Garrus did not know how to tell Liara.
Ash, James, and Tali, had been in and out of the med bay to check up on her. Even Javik came to visit from time to time. He respected the Normandy's crew, and had a strong respect for Shepard especially since he was the man who destroyed the Reaper's and gave Javik the revenge he had so longed to have. Javik would like to have helped Shepard. The only way he can is by keeping and eye on Liara.
Garrus was in the observation deck looking out at the Alliance base that was refitting the Normandy and tending to it's crew. They had docked there after being evacuated from the beam. He was recalling the conversation he and Shepard had before they went to the beam.
Garrus I need you to do something for me.
Anything Shepard.
If..if I don't make it I need you to take care of Liara for me.
What?
If I die...
Now hold on your going to make it. Your going to go out there and give those reapers hell. Then afterwards we'er all getting fancy medals and finally get a much deserved drink. You've survived everything they have thrown at you and your still standing. Hell you defied death. She doesn't need me to look after her. She's got you and you got her.
Thanks. you've always been there watching my back. Garrus I'm gonna do all I can to make sure we all make it back. But please if I don't I need to know she's got someone to look out for her. To keep her safe.
You got it. But Shepard your gonna beat them and you'll have the peace you deserve.
Garrus was like a brother to Shepard. Shepard trusted him with not only his life but Liara's also. Garrus said that no matter what he would always keep her safe. But that it wont be necessary because Shepard was going to make it back just like he always has. Though he would liked to have believed that he still made Garrus promise, to which he did. Finally after the flashback of his and Shepard's conversation he headed for the med bay to check on Liara and see if she was awake. knowing that they would have a lot to talk about and not exactly looking forward to the reactions or words Liara would have to say he continued on to the med bay. When it came to Shepard's safety she could be just as stubborn as him. Even more so if the situation commanded it, and this was one of those situations.
Liara was beginning to wake up. She cursed the lights always being this bright when she woke up from an injury.
Doctor Chawkwas has been tending to Liara since she had been unconscious and demanded she be her doctor. The Alliance did not argue with the Doctor. As she was a well known and respected physician.
"She..pard". barely above a whisper she managed to speak. Doctor Chawkwas was right by Liara side checking her vitals.
"Try to rest Liara your injury's are nearly healed and I don't wont you hurting yourself". The old Doctor said with a soft tone.
Liara immediately realized where she was and what had happened and said. "Where is Shepard?!" She tried to move but felt dizzy as soon as she raised her head.
"I will explain in a moment but I need you to lie down." This was not a request. Rather an order.
Liara has heard this tone being used on Shepard when he has been treated by the Doctor. It is one she will not argue with so reluctantly she laid back down thankful for the dizziness to subside.
"Thank you. Now you received quite the battle wounds Liara. You need to give your body time to rest."
"Karin how long have I been here?"
With a sigh the Doctor began to tell Liara what has happened when Garrus had just enter the med bay. Happy to see she was awake but worried what to tell her Garrus became anxious. Liara heard the doors swish open and seen Garrus approaching. She was in need of answers to all the questions that was causing her pain.
Josh would never leave my side if I had been injured. She thought to herself feeling the fear approach her. Unless something had happened to him.
"Garrus where's Shepard?" Liara snapped starting to sit up again. The fear of Shepard being hurt or worse was to much for her.
"Liara I told you to lay still!" Placing a hand on the Asari's shoulder she began to ease her down.
She was beginning to lose her patience but she could not imagine the emotional pain that Liara must be in right now. But she had a job to do and that was keep the crew safe and especially her. The Doctor knew how much she meant to Shepard and the effect she had on him that changed him for the better.
"Karin I need to find him is he alright why isn't he here?" She could feel the heat in her eyes make their presence.
"Doc I got it. Could you give us a minute." Garrus knew he needed to tell Liara. Shepard told him to look after her so this is what he was doing.
"Yes but I will be back to give you your medication for your Liara. Then you will need more time to rest to recover from your wounds."
Though the doctor was happy it was not her informing Liara on what had happened. She felt for Garrus. But she knew Shepard trusted him like a brother and if he would have wanted anyone to protect her and tell her he did not make it. It was Garrus.
"Of course Karin. I apologies. This is all a bit confusing." The fear kept making it's self known to Liara. The fear of Shepard being harmed or worse.
"I understand I will be backs shortly" The Doctor gave the Asari a little squeeze on the shoulder for comfort and reassurance. To which Liara managed a small smile.
The Doctor left the med bay Liara turned her attention to Garrus.
"Goddess please tell me he's safe." She said hoping her worse fears were wrong.
Garrus did not know what to do. He had no idea if Shepard was alive or not. Though he hoped he was, he believed that even Shepard could not have survived the events that transpired. could he? After realizing Liara was still waiting for an answer to her question. Garrus field her in on how a red beam had emerged from the citadel killing all the Reaper's.
Liara said with the utmost gratitude "He did it, Goddess it's actually over." with a hint of sorrow that he kept one of his promise's to her.
Shortly after a moment for her to come to terms with the fact the Reaper's where no more Garrus continued edgily.
"Liara we..we have had no word from or about him. I'm sorry but we don't know where he is."
She was at a complete loss for words and felt as if her heart had been ripped out. Garrus had a look on his face saying there is more.
"Garrus please I need to know." The desperation in her voice gave Garrus the push he needed to go on.
"Two bodies were recovered". Liara gasp as soon as the words exited Garrus's mouth.
"Don't worry Shepard was not one of them".
Though this comforted Liara a little she still was worried sick for Shepard and wanted to find him. She looked up at Garrus who was staring aimlessly to the other side of the room. Not wanting to make eye contact. He had to pause there was more for him to say the news hit him hard and he knew it would hit Liara hard to.
"The first of the bodies found was the Illusive Man's a single gun shot wound to the head. If you ask me I think he took his own life like Saren did when Shepard convinced him to fight the Reaper's. But maybe I am just jumping to conclusions."
Liara could tell Garrus was avoiding the other body that was found. She thought it must be someone close to them all if Garrus could not bring himself to tell her.
"Garrus?" Liara said with a soft tone. He looked at her from staring to the other side of the med bay. "Who was the second that was found? It's alright." she said whilst placing her hand on his to help him.
With a long sigh Garrus said "Anderson".
Liara could scarcely believe it ,tears began to show for him and Shepard. Garrus had told her that Anderson followed Shepard up but did not expect him to be dead. Her hopes of finding Shepard alive were failing. However Liara would never abandon that hope. If there was even the slightest chance she would find him then she would take it. After coming back thanks to Cerberus Liara never doubted Shepard again.
"Garrus how could they have recovered the bodies if the Citadel was in orbit over Earth?" she asked with a puzzled expression that shown.
"They weren't found in space the Citadel exploded after the beam was fired." Garrus had to stay strong he needed to for her sake.
Oh Goddess no please be alright. Her heart began to ache. The tears made there presence known again. After a minute or so she finally broke the silence.
"Garrus we need to find Shepard. You know Anderson was with him when he went for the beam."
Liara was trying to get out of bed but her injures got the best of her. Her dizziness returned and she began to feel nauseous. At the moment Doctor Chawkwas walked in and was immediately at her side trying to calm her down.
The Doctor had come to the assumption that Liara knew Anderson had died and that Shepard had not been found yet. It was hard for the crew to have no news of their Commander and more so with the death of Anderson who they all highly respected did not help either.
"Liara I told you to stay in bed."The Doctor was easing the Asari down.
"Karin you know full well that I will do no such thing please is there any way I can be out of this bed with in the next hour?"
"What on Earth for?" The Doctor replied puzzled.
"To find Shepard." Garrus interrupted. He knew Liara was right either way they would find him or bring his body home. He deserved that much.
They both looked at him.
"Yes to find Shepard." Liara repeated she gave him a nod of appreciation.
"Garrus you can not be serious. Now I am not one to question Shepard's determination but there is only so he can do. The chances of finding him alive or at all for that matter are very low."
The doctor regretted saying those words as she knew it would hurt Liara. However she also knew if Liara found Shepard dead or worse not at all than the pain would be even worse
"Liara..I am sorry. I'm only trying to protect you."
"I DON'T NEED PROTECTING I NEED SHEPARD!" She said with anger. Tear's were welling down her cheeks.
"Liara please." Said Garrus. "Doctor you know as well as I do that if it were any of us Shepard would not give up until we were found."
The Doctor knew Garrus was correct. She flashed back to when the Collector's abducted the crew and were building a Human Reaper. Shepard saved them all and stopped the Collector's from hurting anymore colonists and they all safely returned from the suicide mission the Doctor agreed with the pair.
"Very well but I am coming with you Liara no arguments now wait a moment."
The Doctor went to one of the store cupboards and returned with some medication.
"Here take these. They will enhance your muscle tissue and make you stronger for a time. Giving you the ability to move around and take away the pain from your wounds take two every 6 hours."
The Asari was over joy that the Doctor did not give up. Even more so that now she could stand and find Shepard.
"Thank you Karin."
Giving her a hug Liara took the med's and began to feel immediate effect. She stood from her bed and made her way to the her quarters to prepare for the recovery mission as she was leaving she said.
"EDI please inform Ashley, James, and the rest of the crew we are bringing Shepard home."
Within seconds of silence Liara repeated puzzled "EDI?"
Garrus was about to say something when a voice over the coms appeared.
"She wont hear you." a voice struggled to speak. It was Joker.
"Joker what happened is EDI okay?"
"Sh.. she's gone Liara. She's gone." He repeated she could hear the pain in his voice as he said the words.
"Goddess Jeff I am so sorry how.."
"It's fine Liara the Normandy should be up and running soon. Let's get are commander back. No one else is dying to day I promise you.
"Thank you Jeff that means more to me than you know. I am here Jeff if you need me." She said hoping to give him comfort. but he did not reply.
The transmission cut off.
Liara was close to tears and just standing by the med bay doors lost in thought of the hope she has of finding Shepard diminishing with all the death around her.
Goddess so much death.
"Liara?" said Garrus his concern growing.
Liara was brought back to reality when she heard Garrus's voice
"I need to be alone please tell me when we're ready to find him." Was all she could manage her back still to them both.
Before Garrus could say anymore Doctor Chawkwas put her hand on his shoulder and said "Of course."
Liara exited the med bay and went to Shepard's cabin. She needed to be alone. She had to be around Shepard's things for comfort and where no one would disturb her. Letting her emotion's out in the elevator She wept out loudly knowing no one would hear her. Not that she would care if anyone one did. She huddled on the ground before making her way in to the cabin. Curled on Shepard's bed she said aloud whilst staring at a picture Shepard had of the two of them on his bed side table.
"Thank you for saving us please be alright I am coming."
Saying these word's whilst running her fingers across the picture. She felt numb after being bombarded with news of death but of hope also he saved everyone, however she wanted him at her side. Liara would fight for that with her last breath. She was going to find him no matter what. Though the med's the Doctor gave her were working she still felt exhausted. Liara griping one of Shepard's N7 t-shirts to remember his smell that always comforted her fell asleep.
