"We'll be fine!" Vari dismissed the worried ramblings of her younger sister as the Normandy approached Omega's orbit.
"Really? 'Cos I think air control will know 'at they're talkin' t'a bunch a' kids."
"Nuh uh. Not with," Vari clipped on the muzzle around her mouth "mama's voice moju- madul- voice changey thingy."
Izzy's only response was to slowly quirk an unconvincing eyebrow as her elder sister strolled passed, up to the flight deck. Kal, who had assumed role of Chief pilot, jumped slightly as her hand graced his shoulder.
"We're really doing this?"
"We're really doing this."
Izzy couldn't help but feel a small squirreling in her stomach as Vari seemed to miss the trepidation in the young Quarian's words. Before she could raise further protest, a crackled voice spoke through the system's comms.
"SSV Normandy, hail. State your intent on Omega or vacate the immediate area. Immediately."
"Shore Leave. Permission to dock."
"What? I- no. Voice print is unrecognised. State your name, rank and intent. If you've stolen the Normandy, that's cool and all, but we don't want that kind of heat here. Unless you have some kind of proposition for Aria, beat it."
"Ask Miss Aria one question. Ask her if she has faced an Asari Commando Unit before-"
A decidedly feminine cackle cut through the comm. channel, interrupting Vari.
"Oh my, but that is cute." The sickly grin could practically be heard over the speaker. For the first time today, Vari faltered. So this must be the fabled Aria T'Loak she had heard so much about.
"How sweet of you to drop by. Hope you brought the kids this time. Allow the Normandy passage." Vari felt as Aria moved closer to the mic, addressing her directly. "I'll be waiting on the couches, as always."
Getting permission to dock, 'Din and Kal began the landing sequence. Vari swallowed, allowing only the faint crease between her brows to express her worry. That was... unexpected. Still. They had made it. Vari quickly shook any uncertainties from her head, replacing them with fantasies of their soon to be had adventures.
Calling for her friends to suit up, Vari bounced in front of the airlock, a less exuberant Izzy at her tail. Turning around, the makeshift Commander frowned at the two absentee members of her shore party, instead sitting stubbornly, unsuited, in the cockpit.
"C'mon Vakarians! We got bad guys to stop."
It was Shala that spoke, less defiant but no less worried than her brother.
"You mean out there? There's proper bad guys out there. We were just playing a game. I don't want to get hurt. Not for real."
"Awww, Come on!" Vari stomped petulantly, the pistol she had liberated from the armoury swinging wildly in her hand.
"No way!" Kal shook his head vehemently. "You wanna go out there and get killed, you rock on. But we're going to stay in here and remain decidedly not-dead."
"Chickens!"
"We are not!"
"What's chikuns?" Xand'r asked.
"Sumthin' Papa cooks sometimes. 'Parently it tastes like everything."
"Hmm." Xand'r's brow furrowed, in what must have been the very first instance of contemplation for the young Krogan. "I would like to sample this 'chikuns'. Are we going, whelps?"
"Yeah!" Vari started. "Wait, no. I mean, Yeah, we're going, but don't call me a whelp. I'm like, 18 and a half months older than you."
"Enough!" Came 'Din's exasperated bellow. "If we're going, let's go. If not, leave them here to play with their toys."
"Yes Ma'am." came the embarrassed echo of two blushing Asari and decidedly cowed Krogan pup.
.
.
Walking through the markets of Omega, Vari was surprised how little attention they brought to themselves. Sure there was the odd glare or glance that lasted a fraction too long for her to be fully comfortable, but on the whole, it was cool just to blend in and be a part of the crowd, without people clamouring for autographs or offering platitudes of thanks to her parents. This must've been what it was like for Papa growing up on Earth. Free from any stuffy old rules, allowed to do what you wanted and when.
Along with Izzy, using their rudimentary understanding of earthen language, the Asari duo managed to root out the local human goods kiosk for an increasingly whiny Xand'r. Seeing a selection of meats, it was the peppered skewers that finally caught her attention. Running over, she picked up four for her squad and dolled them out accordingly.
Without second thought, Vari and company turned to walk away, only stopping at the startled yelp of her younger sister. Spinning around, she saw Izzy, hanging by the wrist, grasped by the gnarled human shop keep.
"'Ope you're gonna pay fer those, little blue. Be a shame if sumthin' were t'happen t'ya. Lot's'a rats go missin' down these parts. Rats'a different colours, too."
"V-Vaarrii!" She panicked, looking to her sister for help. Vari patted herself down, looking for her cred chit. When she came up bare, she turned to her friends, only to find themselves equally penniless too. Oh Goddess. Mama and Papa always dealt with the money. She had never really thought about it before. What to do? Quick, think! The vids always said Papa had a tendency to shoot first, ask questions later. So that's what she did.
The Human let out a yelp as his hand was scorched, allowing the little Asari in his grasp to fall to her feet and dash over to her friends, who were already running through the crowd.
"Stop! Thief! Little ingrate thieving bitch!" He yelled at the mercs casually perusing the stalls around him. "What the fuck do I pay you for!? Go and get those little fucks and tell them what happens when you mess with Kano!"
Nodding grudgingly at the proprietor, the band of mercs set off after their quarry.
Hastily shoving their way through the crowds, Vari couldn't help but feel bile rise in her throat, the gun in her hand shaking mercilessly. She had shot someone. Like, actually shot them. And it didn't feel cool. It didn't feel cool at all. She failed to understand how all the vids made Mama and Papa look fierce doing this. Because Vari certainly wasn't' feeling fierce right now. All she felt was eternal thanks that her jelly legs were still barrelling her along, instead of melting into goop below her. Behind her, she heard the panting snorts of her two Krogan friends mixed with the soft huffing of her sister, against a back drop of angry and confused yells further back.
She snaked around the Omega labyrinth, failing to make note of the path in her panic. After Goddess knew how long, they had arrived at what appeared to be an abandoned housing district. She panted, waiting for her squad to catch up. Her brow furrowed when moments later, only the blue crest of her sister came bobbing around the corner, neither of her two Krogan comrades showing.
"Where-?"
"They're not comin'," Izzy puffed, catching her breath. Before the elder child could open her mouth, Izzy spoke once more.
"'Din- said it was- too dangerous,- said if you- wanted to- get y'self killed- go ahead," she let out a wheezy half chuckle. "She had to drag 'Xand down a vent'lation duct kickin' an' screamin'."
Vari let out a grumpy snort.
"Fine. Leave 'em. We can be heroes on our own. C'mon."
She started off back down the hallway, only stopping once more as she failed to register the tap of feet following her. Turning around, she saw Izzy, rooted to the spot, Large opal eyes shimmering up at her worriedly. No wonder she had Papa wrapped around her finger.
"Vee, a-are you sure? I mean, I think we should pro'lly head back. Maybe we're a li'l in over our heads?"
"What?" Vari cursed internally, that had come out slightly more whining than she had intended. She glared impetuously. "If you wanna head back with them, fine. But I'm going on. Papa and Mama are retired, but there's still bad guys in the galaxy. Someone has to stop them."
"I-I do wanna go back wi' 'Din and 'Xand." Izzy's fingers flexed uncomfortably around the pistol in her hand. "But you know wha' Papa says. 'A good soldier never leaves a man behind'."
Vari gave a derisive snort. " I'm not a man."
"And I'm not a soldier. But here we are." Izzy gave a weak shrug, stepping up to her sisters side. Vari's expression softened, and offered the younger Asari a small smile, which was returned. Behind them, gruff, angry tones echoed through the hallways, alerting them to their impending company.
"Well then, let's move out." Their smiles blossoming into devious grins, the pair bolted deeper into the complex.
.
.
Goddess. This thing was supposed to be the fastest ship on Tachunka? Liara stalked impatiently behind Joker, fire raging behind her eyes. In the hold further back, Garrus and Tali spoke frenetically between one another, occasionally shouting up to the cockpit, their Omni tools flashing in sync as they scanned networks, homing in on the Normandy's signature. Further back, Wrex and Grunt held a low growl of a conversation, occasionally nodding and smirking, more impressed with the children's quads than anything.
In the corner sat EDI's platform, solid, cold and unmoving. Perched on the seat opposite was Shepard, knuckles white and jaw clenched almost painfully but equally quiet and immobile. If it weren't for the myriad of emotions caught in the Commander's eyes, Liara guessed it would have been near impossible to spot which figure was the automaton.
A slight bump signalled they had exited the Mass Relay. Expectantly, Liara turned back to look out the cockpit window to see Omega looming in the distance. Liara turned once more to offer her Bondmate a few words of reassurance but Shepard was already disappearing to the lower decks, no doubt preparing to suit up for what lay ahead. Liara's shoulders slumped.
"Unidentified Vessel, hail. State your intent on Omega or vaca-"
A curtain fell over The Asari's features, and cold anger returned to her once more.
"Get me Aria. Now."
"I-I-Please state your-"
"Perhaps you misheard. Fetch Aria, or I will flay y-"
"T'Soni?" Liara relaxed slightly, apparently the Queen of Omega had heard. Liara frowned slightly. Aria had sounded momentarily confused before reasserting the casual arrogance in her tones. "I think you and I have some catching up to do. I'll be upstairs. Try not to keep me waiting this time."
The Airlock mechanism barely had time to finish clicking before Shepard, who had materialised, now in full armour, stormed through the doors and into the throng of Omega. Following the Commander, Liara quickly matched her long strides, the rest of their party fanning out not too far behind.
A startled yell from Garrus and the crew quickly converged on the source of the Turian's disturbance. Carving an unkempt path through the crowd, two young Krogan darted about. They quickly gave chase, more skilfully navigating the mass than the two youths. Only when they were within lunging distance did Wrex announce their presence with an almighty bellow. 'Xand and 'Din both halted, along with most of the crowd within a ten meter radius. Seeing the danger in the storming War Lord, the crowd quickly dispersed, leaving a rather guilty looking 'Xand and bashful 'Din. If asked five minutes ago, Liara would have thought it impossible for a Krogan to pale and under other circumstances, she decided she would have found the scene quite amusing. Stalking towards their progeny, all it took was a deathly glare from their fathers for the children to begin panicked babbling, equal parts remorseful and glee.
"We just wanted to play-"
"-flew all the way from Tachunka-"
"-tried to say it was a bad idea-"
"-pyjaks tried to shoot at us, but we were too fast!-"
"-nearly singed my crest!-"
Grunt held up his hands, quelling the two. "That's enough. Where are the others?"
The pair suddenly became bashful again, 'Din having found a compelling interest in her feet.
"I-they, they didn't want to come. Shala and Kal are back on the Normandy, and Vari and Izzy are... well..."
"Well?" Shepard asked, not unkindly, but with an expression twice as intense and perilous than anything her two Krogan compatriots could muster. 'Din was suddenly flushed with a painful surge of guilt at abandoning her friends and swallowed deeply, ready to answer the barely contained fury of The Shepard. Before she could open her mouth however, it was 'Xand that spoke.
"They're fighting bad guys. We told 'em it'd be too dangerous, to come back, but they didn't want to. We-we dunno where. It just kinda turned into corridors after a while. I-I think the guys called themselves The... Glue Guns or something."
The Commander gave a sage nod and 'Din couldn't help the small, relieved snort that escaped her.
"Blue Suns, dummy."
"Oh. Yeah." A faint expression of understanding dawned over him. "That... That would make sense."
"Alright, Whelps. You're coming home with us. We're gonna have a long chat about what's gone on today." Wrex said, already shepherding the children back towards the Krogan shuttle. Grunt held back momentarily, placing a comforting hand on his Battle master's shoulder.
"You need assistance going to Aria? Wouldn't hurt to have an extra gun, Shepard."
"Nah, We'll be fine Grunt. You go, get the kids home. I'll get in touch when we've got the rest."
He nodded, giving the Human one last lingering look, as if imbuing her with all his will and determination through his eyes alone. Another firm pat and he was off, quickly catching up with the rest of his clan.
Taking the place vacated by the Krogan, Tali stepped forward, fixing Shepard with an equally determined stare, punctuated with her eyes, glowing darkly behind her transparent visor.
"We'll head to the Normandy with Joker, see what we can salvage."
Shepard watched the remainder of her squad disappear into the throng, led by the glowing orange of Garrus' omnitool. Once again alone with her Bondmate, The Commander felt a lump forming in her throat as slender fingers wrapped themselves around her hand.
"We should go, Shepard. Find Aria. If anyone knows where to find them on this station, it would be her."
"Yeah."
Shepard began to stalk off towards After Life, but was halted by her clutched hand, Liara still rooted to the spot, fixing her with a worried gaze.
"Remember who their parents are. They're going to be fine, Alex."
"Yeah."
Liara's stomach sank. Although she knew the no one else would see it behind the curtain of rage that painted the human's features, not even the Pirate Queen herself, the sheer terror that swam in Shepard's dark eyes put a strange fear in her own. Steeling herself, Liara began to stride alongside her Bondmate, swallowing whatever emotions threatened to overwhelm her.
They we're going to be fine.
Right?
.
.
Looking through the one way mirror, Aria eyed the throng that was Afterlife's crowd, moving and twisting to the omnipresent drone of the club's beat. The matriarch's eyes, however, were sharp in their surveillance, searching for her quarry. She had known Shepard and T'Soni for several years now. People around her tended not to last nearly as long. They were becoming dangerously close to being considered 'friends'. Aria didn't do friends. Far too complicated. Feelings got involved. Feelings like a small knot of worry that may or may not have been growing in her stomach. The Normandy had been docked what? Five hours now? Shepard was at the helm, that much had been reported from control and not as much as a by-your-leave had been heard since then. Which was very unlike either The Spectre or Information Broker. Then to hear T'Soni arriving on a separate vessel, frayed nerves evident in her voice. Something was up. And Aria didn't like it. Not one bit.
The doors to the club opened, and Aria almost missed the streak of red and black that zipped in, immediately melting into the crowd, with a smudge of blue following behind. Settling back to her usual position on the couch, Aria let her air of relaxed confidence return before lifting her Omni-tool to her lips.
"Grizz, Keep the two lovebirds down there for a bit. Let them sweat. Aria doesn't like to be kept waiting."
She heard a grumbled affirmative and sat back, waiting. Barely thirty seconds went by before Shepard and T'Soni stormed through the door, followed by a very disgruntled Turian. The witty retort that was on Aria's lips died as she fully took in the dangerous expression covering the Commander's face.
"Where are they?"
Aria merely raised an eyebrow and reclined her head slightly.
"You're manners? Goddess only knows, Shepard. Five hours and not even hello? You know my one rule, Commander."
"I don't give a fuck about your rules!" The human exploded, biotics flaring uncontrollably. At the click of safeties being turned off, Shepard growled and spun away, hands combing erratically through her scarlet hair. T'Soni stepped forward, quieter and more composed, no less intimidating. The ice to Shepard's fire.
Not that Aria was at all intimidated of course. She swallowed. However, if she was, it would be understandable. While other Matriarchs saw a young Maiden with ideas above her station and the naive immaturity to start a family with the sentient equivalent of a mayfly barely a century into her life, Aria was under no illusions. She was aware she was facing down the Shadow Broker, and furthermore, she knew the path the younger Asari had taken to become such. Aria had just invited the Broker and her Pit bull into her own inner sanctum. Anyone else would be quaking in their boots. Anyone who was not Aria. Of course.
"Our children, Vari and Isabela, They docked here earlier with friends. We have found the rest of their party, but they are still missing." Liara's eyes dipped to the floor momentarily, before flicking over to her Bondmate. The look between the two calmed the Spectre, who halted her pacing and regained some of her characteristic composure. Her gaze returned to Aria's, boring into her.
"You wouldn't have heard anything of them, would you?"
The elderly Matron let out a steady breath she hadn't realised she had been holding and her features shifted to a more thoughtful expression. This was an interesting development. And judging by the Commander's current state, this would be adequate repayment for taking back her station all those years ago.
And hell. Shepard, for all her brash human-ness; she was a good kid. Reliable and cute in how she wore her morals and beliefs like an armour. And T'Soni. It was the Queen of Omega who Aethyta called on, devastated after T'Soni Senior had abandoned her in favour of career glory. But hey, that's what sisters were for. And she'd be damned if she let her big sister's youngest suffer like this. She let out another breath, letting her emotions steady before speaking.
"I heard something. 3 hours after the Normandy docked; there were disturbances down by the market, moving into the Scycanto district; the ghost town-"
"Why didn't you stop them getting off the ship!?" Shepard barked, incredulous, A blue hand on her hand the only thing stopping her from lurching forward.
"We thought it was you at first, Commander. Kid must've fooled the operators." She held up a hand, quieting any potential reproach before they could be voiced. "If I knew who they were, they would be sat here now. Trust me. They're too valuable to be let loose to run around."
For a second, Aria almost regretted the stinging remark at the uncharacteristic hurt that flitted over the Human's features, and the hardening glare in the Broker's. Goddess, the girl was far too like her mother for her own good. After another second of silence, Shepard spun marching out the door.
"Scycanto. Ghost town. Let's go."
Lingering only to allow her deadly glare to sink in, Liara too vanished through the door way to catch up with her Bondmate.
Turning back to the one way mirror, Aria let out a sigh, watching the pair barge through the crowd, less graceful than they came in.
They were family, technically. Idly, she wondered if the pair knew. Most likely, knowing T'Soni. She could see a lot of Aethyta in the young Maiden and in her two daughters, in their scant passings in the past. Her eyes widened a fraction as she managed to put a name to the pit of worry she refused to acknowledge rumbling inside her. It was something she had felt once and one that she would argue never really left her after Liselle. And at once her heart swelled with sympathy for her 'family'.
Hardening her face she sat back down but beckoned for Grizz. Giving orders to section off the ghost town, Aria was left to her thoughts and for the first time in a very long time, she found herself offering a silent prayer to the Goddess.
.
.
OhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGodOhGod. Maybe this was a bad idea. Vari peeked over the upturned crate only to duck back down and bolt for new cover as heat singed her crest from bullets above. Why didn't she bring any weapons from the Normandy? She shook her head. It was too late for should have's and could have's. They needed an escape plan. Back to the Normandy, home and dry.
"Vee?"
Escape Plan. Escape Plan. Escape Plan.
"Hey, Vee?"
Even just a vent or something. Heck, a map would be nice!
"Vee? Please? I-I need-"
"Not now, Izzy! I'm thinking! Trying to find a way not to get us shot!"
"Vari!" The utter terror in her sister's tone made the elder Asari turn around, her body turning cold at the sight.
Izzy sat sheltered in the corner, panting heavily as tears of pain slid silently down her face. Vari's eyes travelled down the littlest Asari's shuddering form, already terrified of what awaited her further below. At her stomach, Izzy's trembling hands covered what was an ever growing purple stain, shiny with the growing blood seeping between her fingers.
Vari's throat closed up as she sat, tensed. That-That Can't be real, can it? By the Goddess. It certainly looked real.
"Vee? I-I'm scared. I wan' mama and papa. I wanna go home."
"I-I-" Vari struggled to form words, thoughts, other than to reiterate her sister's statements. "I know."
"I'm sleepy Vee."
"No. no no no no no. None of that." Vari flustered "No sleeping. Not until we're home."
"I don't think I can wait that long, Vee. I'm really tired."
"You need to, Iz. Just a little bit longer. I promise. We'll get out of here. Somehow."
She, with considerable difficulty, hefted the younger Asari into her arms and, as deftly as she could, moved for cover once more. She heard an increase in muffled steps and barks of gun fire bearing down on their location and glanced around once more with fear filled eyes.
How in fuck were they going to get out of here?
.
.
The path to follow was relatively clear for the couple as they thundered through Scycanto. Scuff marks and fresh bullet holes in the wall led them to the distant growls of voices and gunfire. With every step Shepard's senses sharpened until she could practically smell the sweat, metal and alcohol typical of mercenaries. Only when they came to a t-junction, did Shepard curse, liberating a few bricks from a nearby wall with a powerful kick.
"Shepard. Alex." Liara's voice was strong, commanding, allowing Shepard something else to focus on than her growing anger and anxiety.
"We should split up. Keep in touch over Comms and first hint of anything, we come running, alright?"
"Yeah." Shepard allowed herself, Silently thankful for how grounded her partner was being. She didn't know how she could do this without her.
A resurgence in gun fire broke the silence. Coming together to touch foreheads for a last second of comfort, the two parted and with a terse nod, bolted down their respective avenues towards the chaos.
.
.
Vari whimpered at the confident snarls of the mercenaries patrolling mere feet away from their current position. Absently, her hand stroked along her younger sisters crest yet unwilling to look down at the child's current state, painfully aware of the blood threatening to puddle around her boot already causing her to gag. Her eyes sharpened and breath caught in her throat as one mercenaries growling turned into a shocked yelp.
"What d'you mean she's here? She died! Didn't she?... Fuck it. Call in reinforcements... I don't care how old they are, these bitches are going to learn what it is to mess with the Blue Suns."
Vari froze as several frightened footsteps smashed up to join with the stalking merc, voices raving wildly. Puzzled, with fear momentarily forgotten, The child cautiously peeked her head from behind shelter.
"It's her! It's the Shepard! She's here! The Shep-"
The frightened man's head exploded in a spray of red as his words were cut short. Terrified screams erupted as blue light illuminated the area, announcing the arrival of death itself. A blur of red and black fury swept through the handful of mercs, gunfire and fists flying liberally.
Vari however knew at once who it was. Papa was here.
And She. Was. Glorious.
The vids didn't do her justice as she swept through the throng, graceful as a ballerina, masterful in delivering a swift end to her opponents. Vari's heart unclenched. Everything was going to be alright. She bent down to her little sister.
"Hey, Iz! She's here! Papa's-" She froze at the pale pallor of the younger Asari as heavily lidded eyes fought their way up to hers, a faint smile painted across her lips.
"Knew she'd come. S'what Papa does. Don't she? Ca-can I sleep now?"
"No. No. Shh." Vari's voice wavered, threatening to break. They were so close.
The sound of fighting ahead died down and Vari once again broke from cover.
Commander Shepard stood, bodies of various races, all decidedly dead, blood splattered across her form, breath heavy and a wild, angry expression carved over her features. Suddenly, Vari understood the reputation her father had carried. The hushed voices and wary looks she sometimes got when out in public. She was terrifying.
Spotting the dot of blue in the otherwise drab environment, Shepard's glare fixed on Vari, taking a second to recognise and soften ever so slightly. Vari's gut chilled at the stranger looking at her. This wasn't the same Papa that sung songs, kissed boo boos and read bed time stories to her. This was Commander Shepard. Saviour of the Galaxy. Defender of truth and justice. The Goddess and Spirits and Kalros combined. So swept up in this image, Vari barely registered the Commander approach them and failed to see the Commander barely contain her wretch at the youngest child. Taking several deep breaths, Shepard turned to Vari, her voice void of the soft, warm quality she was used to, instead replaced by a hard edge.
"You. You remember how to handle a pistol, don't you?"
"I-Yeah. Yeah. You told me." She spluttered out, not wanting to disappoint the Commander.
Shepard gave a gruff nod and handed Vari her pistol.
"This one's better than the pea shooter you're carrying. They called for back-up. Give me covering fire while I try" Her voice wavered momentarily " I try and patch her up."
Vari extended the pistol in her shaking hands, trying her best to remember the fleeting lessons Papa had given her before Mama had put a swift end to them. Relaxed stance, grip. Deep breaths.
Behind the cover, Shepard was tearing open a second medi-gel pack to cover the child's abdomen, Izzy's coat already lying in tatters beside them. Fumbling for stim packs, Shepard tried her best to remain calm, eyes focused on her daughter's face, offering a reassuring smile, only glancing down at the wound when she needed to. Finding the pack, Shepard tore off the sheath, revealing a thin needle she immediately pierced into Izzy's arm, trying her best not to think too deeply about what she was doing.
The effect was instantaneous. Izzy began rapidly panting and The Commander could swear she felt the rapid beat of her little heart as adrenaline coursed through her system. Taking another few deep breaths, Shepard began dressing the wound.
"Papa, it's really tight." Izzy wheezed, a slight grimace on her face.
"I know sweetie, I know. That means it's working." Shepard offered, cursing the weakness in her voice.
"Papa! They're here!"
Shepard bolted up as Vari let off a few rounds, in the general direction of flattering footsteps, Clipping two mercs in the shoulder and one in the chest. Shepard had to give the kid her due, She was shaping up to be a damn good shot. Momentarily, She ducked down, forcing her eldest down with her, fixing the child with a hard stare.
"Vee, listen to me. Whatever happens, your sister is your highest priority. Protect her at all costs. If," Another deep breath. "If anything happens, you're in charge. It's up to you to get both of you out here alive. Now, cover me."
In one fluid motion, Shepard leapt over the side of the cover and charged into the new throng of enemies, biotics flaring spectacularly. Forcing herself to calm, Vari managed to incapacitate another few mercs for her father to end, keeping the heat off of her. In a moment that could have lasted minutes or hours, the ruckus ended and the three were left alone once more. While Papa activated her comm., no doubt talking to Mama, Vari ducked down to check on her sister.
"Iz, Izzy, you alright?"
"I.. I.." She responded, head drooping, eyes threatening to roll back into her head.
"Hey, T'Soni!" She barked, in the strongest imitation of her father she could manage. " Look alive!" She whipped her hand, just enough to deliver a stinging slap to her sister, who immediately sprung awake, a petulant frown across her brow.
"You're a tool."
"And what are you gonna do about it?"
"I'm-I'm gonna kick your- you right up the bum."
Vari gave a dangerous grin. "You'll have to catch me first."
Izzy made to lunge for her, immediately gasping at the pain in her abdomen. Vari immediately calmed down, putting a hand on the younger child's shoulder.
"No, relax just now. We're nearly done."
"Right," The pair's Father announced, joining her children. Bracing herself, Shepard grasped the smaller child, making sure her arms were wrapped around her neck and legs around her waist, cradling her with one arm and with her Hurricane in the other.
"Vee, I need you to keep your eyes peeled. We'll rendezvous with Liara just up there. Move out."
Nerves jangling painfully, Vari didn't dare blink for fear of missing anything.
"Papa, over there," Vari pointed her gun, her father's laser sight lighting up the shadow of movement.
"Lower your weapon Vee. It's your mother."
A second later Liara appeared from around the corner and Vari couldn't help but startle at the age that seemed to have gathered on her features in the past few hours. The sound of a shuddered breath from her father brought Vari back to the present.
.
.
Relief flooded Shepard's every pore and it took every ounce of strength for the Commander to maintain her facade. Tightening her grip on her daughter, Shepard lowered her head to her daughter's crest, whispering.
"It's okay baby. Mama's here now. We're all going be fine." She raised her voice. "Li, take point. Vari, get in the middle. Back to the Normandy. Let's go."
They made their way out of the warren at a steady pace, cutting down any straggling Blue Suns foolish enough to approach them. The first few made Vari jump but quickly, being wedged between her parents and moving as unit she felt safe. Oddly enough, the weight of the gun in her hand and flex of her fingers around the grip gave her a strange sense of calm.
Everything was going to be okay. For the first time today. Everything was going to work out. Now she just had to deal with her parents.
.
.
Vari followed in the shadow of her father, who stormed through the throng of people, along the Normandy and into the Med bay, where Chakwas stood, already waiting. The young Asari barely registered the ghost of her mother's hand guiding her onto a nearby bed, Vari's eyes too intently focused on the shuddering body of her little sister opposite and the terrifyingly un-dad-like demeanour of her father. The Commander stood, pacing furiously as Chakwas' hands flew around Izzy, the sound of leather cracking through Shepard's clenched fists cutting through the omnipresent hum of medical machinery.
Satisfied with the condition of her eldest, Liara glanced up at her Bondmate, hand clenching unconsciously around Vari's shoulder. Vari felt as her mother braced herself and step forward, guiding her Bondmate towards the back door of the med bay. With Chakwas engrossed in aiding her younger sister, The little Asari took her opportunity and slipped in the room behind her parents and into the shadows as the door swished shut. Hunkered down behind a server, Vari let out a quiet sigh.
No one told her about this part of Intergalactic Spectre-ing.
.
.
As soon as the door behind them shut, Shepard let out an angry curse, booting the hull of the ship so hard as to leave a considerable dent in the wall. Knowing best when her Bondmate required breathing space, Liara remained standing at the door, waiting patiently for a chance to speak.
"Shepard, it's going to be alri-"
"No! It's not! I- She- This is all my fucking fault." The anger that had first exploded quickly dissolved, making way for a painful quiet in her voice. Sensing her opportunity, Liara took a tentative step forward.
"How exactly is it your fault, Shepard?" She tucked a finger under the Commander's chin, forcing her eyes up to make contact.
"I-Because- Because... They're too much like me." Shepard murmured, her eyes defiantly pointing down, avoiding the gently chiding gaze and single cocked brow of her Bondmate.
"I fail to see how this is detrimental."
"Because!" Shepard let out an exasperated cry, unshed tears shimmering in her eyes. If Vari didn't know better, she swore there was hint of petulance in her father's voice. "Because! They stole the Normandy, did god knows what to EDI, and damn near got everyone-" she fumbled around the word, her mouth unwilling to let it slip "-hurt. Because of me."
Liara cupped Shepard's face in her hand, giving a soft stroke to her cheek. Vari looked on, watching the exchange with rapt attention. She had never seen either of her parents talking so candidly and looking so delicate, so fragile. When her mother spoke, her voice was gentle and warm, laced with a barely audible sternness as if she were schooling the Human.
"And why, my brave Commander, is it 'because of you'?"
Unable to maintain eye contact with her Bondmate, Shepard's gaze floated downwards once more, darting about the contents of the room.
"That's... That's the kind of shit I used to do. Damn it, I was a trained professional and nearly killed myself on every mission. And I actually did die, once!" Shepard's eyes, wild, shot up to Liara's as she panted, almost manic before all wind seemed to leave her, the Commander deflating visibly.
"Even before that, I got up to all kinds of shit growing up on Earth. With Vega and the others. But we did that 'cause we had to. Kill or be killed. And even then, little Ivy... I lost her." Shepard's voice cracked as her lower lip trembled. "She was my baby girl, Li. I-I can't go through that again."
And Vari felt a tightness in her throat and pain her chest as she witnessed her father crumple in front of her. Deep sobs shook Shepard's frame as she was ensconced in Liara's arms. It was awful.
Papa. Her Papa. Big, brave strong Papa that the universe loved. Papa, who's deadly precision made Turians envy, who's sheer presence made Krogans quake, who's grace and poise and utter indomitability Asari so coveted. Who was now Crying, broken. Because of her. And her stupid actions. Because Vari knew best. Even though Papa made her promise and put so much trust and pride in her. And she made Papa cry. Papa never cried. She'd been angry at Vari before, yes. When she spilt things or got in trouble at school. That she could handle. But she let Papa down. And Mama. And Izzy. Goddess, Izzy-
"Do you know how Asari children are conceived?"
Shepard sniffed as she lifted her head from Liara's shoulder, shooting the Asari a confused look.
"Is this really the time for a biology lesson?"
"Do you?"
"I-yes. I hope so. We've made two."
Liara allowed herself a small grin, thankful for the touch of sarcasm that had re-entered Shepard's voice.
"Asari mothers are able to pick and choose specific traits from their partner; those deemed most beneficial to the continuation of the Asari race. In some bondings, the connection can be so strong, that one is able guess at the child's paternal species, the traits they inherit being so fundamental and inherent in their sire.
So yes. Our children are a lot like you, Shepard. They wear their hearts on their sleeves, and as much as I try to teach them otherwise, They have an awful habit for charging head first into things instead of sitting back and using their brains.
And just like you, They possess outstanding courage and unparalleled loyalty and empathy for those around them." Liara smiled, and the two Bondmates calmed ever so slightly, relaxing. "And like their father," she spoke, a small glint in her eye. "They don't know when to quit either."
"Remember, Shepard. You died. The Galaxy had deemed you finished, a relic of the past. And you said no. And came back. Stronger than ever. The Galaxy didn't like that and threw everything it had at you, and what did you do in response? You won. Through sheer will and determination, you faced the impossible and came out on top. Because you don't know when to quit. Because you are-"
"Bone headed." Shepard murmured, a soft snort escaping her. Liara's smile widened at the remark.
"Well. I was going to say indomitable. But that works too, I guess."
An easy silence fell as Vari watched her parents leaning on one another for support, their foreheads touching. Softly, Liara spoke once more.
"And young Vari and little Isabela are exactly the same. Just you watch. Izzy is far too stubborn to let something as trivial as a bullet slow her down. Because, just like her father, she is-"
"indomitable?" Shepard offered, teasingly.
"-Bone headed." Liara chuckled. "Now you, go off, see how everyone else is coping, I'll stay with Izzy, see if I can initiate some sort of meld, help calm her."
Shepard gave a small nod and moved towards the door. Hand over the panel, she turned back around, offering a small smile.
"Li-I, thank you."
"No need. It's what I'm here for. Now go," she made a shooing motion with her hands. "Command things."
With a small chuckle, Shepard left. Allowing the door to close, Liara let out a shuddering sigh.
"I'm sorry you had to see that."
Vari startled, realising it could only be her that Mama was talking to.
"You can come out now."
Timidly, Vari disentangled herself from the back of the shadows, cheeks blushing a deep scarlet as she came under her mother's gaze
"You knew I was there? Did Papa?"
"No. I don't think so." Mama's voice was serious, but gentle. Vari felt she didn't deserve such hospitability.
"Why didn't you say anything?"
Liara let out another, softer sigh as she bent down reaching the child's height.
"Because, while I did not want for you to witness this... side to your father and I for another decade or two, I felt that following today, you perhaps needed to."
And for what was becoming a depressingly familiar occurrence, shame flooded the little Asari once again, the tips of her crest wilting ever so slightly, tingeing pink as they did so.
"You see, your father also tended to forget that her actions had consequences. That reckless and endangering behaviour hurt those around her who cared for her more than life itself. And like your father," Liara continued, nudging the young Asari's chin upward. "I know you'll be kicking and screaming at yourself the minute you are left alone. But you don't need to, little one. It's going to be alright. Everyone makes mistakes."
Running out of further arguments, Vari gave a meek nod, linking her hand with her mothers and allowing herself to be lead out of the back room and into the Med Lab.
While Liara took a seat next to her unconscious younger sister, Vari opted to stand at her side, peering over the bed. They remained in silence for several minutes, the quiet only punctuated by the steady beep of machinery. Vari watched her Mother's movements. It was only Liara's elegant and calm grace that kept Vari from crumbling completely. She watched as Liara delicately traced her fingers up and down Izzy's arm, bringing out a soft smile in the comatose child.
"How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Liara tilted her head in the direction of her eldest, whilst keeping her eyes on the child on the bed.
"Keep so... cool?"
Mama laughed.
"Cool? I don't think anyone's called me that since your father did when she was, what? Fourteen?" She gave a soft sigh, her voice becoming more serious and reserved. "I don't. Believe me. The amount of times Shepard has had to console me after you two go to sleep." She glanced over at her Eldest. "Remember, when you were sent home from school for head butting Sarah and Izzy followed soon after for accidentally hitting her with a warp? I was a wreck for days following that. I just thank the Goddess for your Father finding humour in the situation."
Vari fidgeted where she stood, unable to meet her Mother's gaze once more.
"But what about now? This is a bit bigger than head butting somebody who was bad mouthing you and Papa."
"You're right. And if you really want to know-" Vari nodded earnestly, "-once Izzy wakes up and Doctor Chakwas gives her the all clear, I-I'm going to need Papa. What you are feeling right now is exactly what I feel. Except, my getting emotional now will help no one. Izzy needs me, you need me, Papa needs me right now to keep calm and wait for everything to turn out." she gave a humourless chuckle. "Normally Papa is better at this than me. But- But I think this was one step too far for her."
And just like that, the gnawing guilt was back again, Vari's head dropping, as if weighed down by the shame.
"Papa needs you, little one. You should make sure she's alright."
Vari's head shot up, confusion lighting her face.
"Papa doesn't want to see me just now. Not after everything."
Liara's eyes shot to those of her daughters, and the young Asari was caught by how piercing the gaze was.
"Vari, sweetheart, if you don't think your father wants to see you, then you don't know your father."
.
.
Propelled by her Mother's own magic brand of parental guilt, Vari found herself outside the starboard observation deck, willing up the courage to take one last step inside. Hearing footsteps coming her way, Vari quickly took the leap inside.
Door swishing shut behind her, the young Asari was struck by just how quiet it was on the deck, insulated from the rest of the ship.
On the sofa in front of her, Papa's still figure sat. On the glass table in front, lay a bottle and tumbler of whiskey, untouched. The only movement in the lounge being the idly swinging tail of Jones and infinitesimal scratching of the cat's ear by its human master.
Swallowing thickly, Vari advanced. Rounding on the profile of her father's features, Vari was struck by just how Commander-ish Papa looked right now.
It was rare she ever got to see the fearsome side of Commander Shepard. Often people's recollections of the deadly Spectre confused the young Asari. The Papa she knew was goofy and happy, always having time for Vee or her little Sister, her jokes and cheeky winks often getting a smack across the back of the head from Mama. The Human sitting in front of her now, however, looked positively lethal. Vari was honestly impressed that the ship's hull was withstanding the pressure emanating from her father's glare. When the Asari finally spoke, her voice was little more than a squeak.
"Papa?"
Shepard let out a breath, tensions easing from her frame ever so slightly.
"C'mere, kiddo."
Vari frowned. While Papa's voice was stern and as commanding as she expected, there was no anger in her tone. Just a simple request from her Papa, not some order from the Commander. Before she even realised, she was being hefted onto the Spectre's knee. Quickly, she found herself wrapped in strong arms, being hugged into the Commander's breast. Thankful for the absence of anger, Vari relaxed into the hug, wrapping her smaller arms around Papa's midsection.
An easy silence fell once more and the Young Asari could swear she felt her Papa calming with every breath.
"Papa, I'm-"
"Don't. It's alright baby. Everyone's safe now. We- We can deal with this later. But just now, let's just be thankful, okay?"
"I-yeah."
"Hey, Vee? I've been thinking. I'm not happy with you and Iz running around toting guns for a long time. Like, I'm talking centuries here,"
Vari allowed herself a small smile, hidden by the front of the Commander's shirt. Papa was rambling. She liked it when Papa rambled.
"-But, like, if you want, I-I could talk to Mama about sharpening your biotics. Make sure you can defend yourselves. And hopefully, no more Sarah incidents."
Vari gave a little hum in acquiesce and was glad that the tension had been broken.
"Am I in trouble, Papa?"
"Oh yeah," Shepard snorted, but her comforting grip around her daughter never wavered. "But later."
Lulled into another silence, they sat together, quite comfortably before they were eventually interrupted by the swoosh of the door behind them. Papa only turned around when clipped British tones wafted through the air.
"Commander, Private. I have a little girl wondering where her two soldiers are."
The pair straightened immediately, Vari hopping off her father's knee with haste, unconsciously standing to attention. Taking Papa's hand, the pair marched to the med bay, Vari's throat tightening with every step. Entering the med bay, Vari's breath caught in her throat as she saw her little sister, paler, but kneeling up in bed with an exuberant grin on her face. Yanking her gown up to her chin to reveal a darkened starburst decorating her cobalt torso, Izzy gave a triumphant bark.
"Vee, Papa! Look at this! Grunt is gonna be sooo jealous!"