Painful memories continued to swarm in Lana's head even when she had been settled down onto her bed, soundless screams still erupting from her throat, accompanied by endless sobs and moans. The hair tie that once secured her hair had been torn out and was nowhere to be seen, her once fair hair now a wild clumped mess, tangled in her clasping hands that hung onto her scalp as if for dear life. She felt a familiar emptiness in the pit of her stomach, and a feeling of sorrow that clung on inside of her like a cancer. Every now and again she slapped away a hand which gently brushed on her cheek, attempting to caress her. She was very much aware that Vann was beside her, his arms hovering over her form in an attempt to comfort her. She knew very well how she appeared to him, a broken and distraught women who needed some moral support. She couldn't help but grin to herself, only to return to her misery, her hands now covering her face. Almost instantly Vann's hands were on her arms, and she tore them away from her, yelling a curse and tearing herself from the bed in a pitiful attempt to stand. Falling to her knees, a frustrated sigh escaped her lips. She felt like a child, and she found herself unable to cave in the embarrassment that Vann had to witness this. The thought made her attempt to hold back tears become more desperate. The sound of a figure lifting itself from the bed, gliding across the room and quietly stand in front of Lana made her look up to meet the turian's concerned and loyal eyes, before bowing her head in shame. In almost an instant, hands were pulling her up to her feet and were wrapped tightly around her, her head to his chest, her hands floating with unease and anxiety.

"It's alright..."

Her hands were on his upper arms, pushing on them, attempting to get them away. He wouldn't budge. Now, woman who didn't like to be touched was wrestling with the unhindered arms that held her.

Grasping and whacking and punching and tackling.

"It's alright, Lana."

Fighting and yelling and cursing and screaming.

"Don't fight me..."

Moaning and wincing and whimpering and sobbing.

"Shh..."

Sadness erupting, Lana fell into the turian's arms, unable to hold back the flooding tears that filled her eyes. She was sobbing against his chest, her hands resting on his waist, warmed by the circular motion of his hands against her back and the stroking and combing of her hair with his fingertips. She felt his chin rest on the top of her head, soothed by his occasional humming and soft words. She felt so comfortable, so safe in his arms, that she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her back. Her tears felt never ending and uncontrollable, even when she was through with crying. The two stood now, embracing silently with only the sound of space to be heard. Realizing her silence, Lana recalled the feeling of embarrassment that clung to her, instantly lifting her head to meet Vann's gaze. Almost instantly his handsome emerald green eyes entranced her, striking her speechless.

"I..." Lana attempted to form a sentence, only to be stopped by Vann's calm smile.

"It's alright." Vann's voice lulled, his hand now on her cheek.

"But... I'm sorry, I-"

A single kiss was planted on her forehead, leaving her at a loss for words once again. In a thoughtless second, his forehead was on hers, and she felt herself fall into darkness again.

Lana woke with a gasp, her eyes feeling heavy from the crying earlier. Shifting her weight onto her lower arms and raising herself from the bed, Lana heard a faint 'hello' from her side. Turning her head, she saw Vann, sitting in a chair facing her. With a faint smile, he rose from the chair to sit beside her on the bed, his face now a picture of questions and worry.

"Vann.." Lana started, remembering the apology she needed to give.

"I'm so sorry about before. I must have scared you so much, I don't know why you stayed and-"

Vann gestured for her to stop with a lifted hand.

"Lana, it's alright. Honestly. You needed to... get that all out. Don't apologize."

There was a moment of relieved silence, Vann looking down at his hands shyly.

"Lana," he mumbled, searching for his words. "I... need to ask you something. You don't have to answer."

Lana nodded hesitantly, knowing almost instantly what he would ask. Vann leaned in slightly, his brows furrowed with the lists of questions in his mind he wanted to ask. Finally, his eyes left the floor and gazed into hers, desperate for answers.

"What happened to you?"

Lana felt her heart sink, automatically feeling unsure and without confidence. Her eyes fled his, her knuckle at her lip, afraid that she would cry once again.

"You don't need to answer." Vann reassured.

Lana shook her head, knowing that this had to be done.

"No, I need to tell you. I need to tell someone." Lana turned away from Vann, staring at the chair beside her bed.

"Before I was part of this crew, the way I am now, I was a soldier. A damn good one as well..." she paused,

"During that time, I met someone. He was... well, I thought he was perfect. We served together for almost two years, always together, we had so many plans. He proposed to me one night, just out of the blue, told me that when everything was over, we'd be together. We were... happy. On top of that, there was my brother, who served with us. He was always there for me, always making me laugh. Always telling me new things. I had quite a lot of friends too. I thought my life was perfect, and would be even more so when we could leave..." she took a breath.

"Then, there was a mission. A suicide mission. We all got onto a ship and flew off to fight like always. But something went wrong. The ship was hit. There was fire everywhere, people were dying in front of my eyes and I could do nothing. There was nothing I could do. Before I knew it, he was dragging me to an escape pod. Just me, no one else. He put me in it, and... he closed the door. I was flying away from him. I saw him... burning against the window. The ship exploded and-" a tear escaped her eye.

"I lost everyone. Everyone died. Everyone!" Her head was in her hands.

"My fiancee, my brother, my friends..."

Vann's arms were around her again, only this time, she too was holding him. The two sat together in a warm embrace which lasted for what seemed like forever.

"I'm so sorry... for what happened to you." Vann whispered in her ear, holding her tighter. A contented smile grew across Lana's lips, her cheek moving to his. The two moved away almost instantly, their eyes meeting, both sharing a look of want and emotion.

"Lana..."

Their faces drew closer to each other, now just inches away. His hands were on her jaw, his thumb against her lip, and hers on his shoulders. Lana felt his breath on her lips as they brushed on his, a shiver of delicious attraction shooting through her body.

"This is Commander Davis, will everyone who isn't injured or distressed please report to the Combat Information Center at once."

An announcement blared through the ceiling, the two separating from each other. Lana could see the disappointment in Vann's face as he left the side of the bed, facing towards the door, away from her view.

"I should go." Vann mumbled.

Lana frowned. "I'm coming too."

Vann turned his head to look at her.

"It's alright, you need some rest, and your arm..."

Lana looked down at her arm in confusion, not noticing the bandage around it the entire time.

"Oh... alright." Lana agreed blankly.

Vann couldn't help but smirk before walking towards the door.

"See you."

Before Lana could respond, he was gone. Resting in her bed, her head buzzed with thoughts on what had happened. Why was she feeling this way towards him? He was shy, but he cared, and he was there was her.

'After all I've been through, is this... happiness?' Lana thought.

Smiling to herself, Lana turned on to her side to sleep.