Chapter11

Restoration

Miranda awoke in Huerta Memorial. She panicked for a moment when she couldn't see, but she realized that her eyes were bandaged up. They no longer hurt, though she did not know if she could actually see. She still could feel pain where she had been cut. Her whole body ached. Her right hand was held out from the bed and restrained by something. No, she realized, some one. Someone was holding her hand. She smiled. She knew the feel of Shepard's hand. John's hand. She could hear him breathing. He had dozed off. She suspected that he had stayed through the night. Or nights. She had no idea how long she had actually been there.

"Miranda." The voice was soft. It was familiar, but she could not place it immediately.

"Who's there?" she replied with a panicked whisper.

She felt another hand, a woman's hand. It held her left hand gently. She felt the woman's other hand stroking her cheek.

"It's alright, Miranda. We're here."

"Everything hurts," she whimpered. "I don't know if I'll ever see again. My biotics are gone. He took the amp, the interface, and then he took them from me."

The woman just held her hand for a long time. She did not need to speak. Her presence was all that Miranda needed. A peace came over her as she lay in the woman's presence. But she knew that she did not deserve it.

"He was right," she finally said. "I am a failure. And now I'm just a shell of what I was."

"He was a failure," countered the woman as she held her hand. "He had the perfect daughter. But he couldn't love her. You can love. Care. You have a beautiful spirit, Miranda."

The voice . . . Miranda knew that voice.

"You wanted what was best for humanity. You stood by him when I could not. And you'll stand by him now that I cannot."

Ashley, she thought. I must be dreaming.

"He never gave up on me. And he'll never give up on you," the voice that sounded like Ashley said. "You have amazing things ahead for you. For everything that has been lost, you will be given something new. All your life has been preparation for what is to come. Stand with him. He needs you. He may not show it, but he does. Take care of him. Take care of Jan. They need you." She felt Ashley's lips gently brush her cheek. She whispered into Miranda's ear.

"You are loved, Miranda."

"Ashley," Miranda finally said her name aloud. "Ashley, thank you."

But she was gone. Her presence was gone. Miranda was now fully awake.

"Miranda," came John Shepard's voice. "Are you awake?"

She waited a moment, pondering the dream. If it was a dream. It felt real. So very, very real. Miranda did not believe in ghosts, but the dream had brought her a measure of peace. Perhaps that was all that mattered. Dream, spirit, or something else, whatever it was, it had calmed her inner turmoil.

"John," she said softly. "I saw Ashley in my dream."

"Me too," he said. "It was nice."

Miranda smiled, wondering what Ash had said to John, but not asking. It was his dream and it was not her place to intrude.

"How long have I been out?"

"A week," he replied. "A long time, but less than two years."

She laughed weakly.

"Have you been here the whole time?"

"As much as I could," he replied. "I come after Jan is asleep."

"What time is it?"

"Four thirty."

"Morning or afternoon?"

"Morning," replied Shepard. "Afternoon is 16:30."

She laughed.

"Are the lights even on?"

"No," he said. "I've been resting with you."

She felt herself blush, though in the dark, he would not see it.

"I . . . I heard you kill my father."

"He lived. Though he's unconscious and has lost his legs from the knees down as well as one hand. The clone is dead, though."

Miranda stiffened at the news that her father still lived.

"What will be done with him?"

"He'll stand trial for his crimes. If he survives."

"What did you do to him?"

"Everything he did to your crew."

She smiled at that thought.

"What of Petrovsky?"

"Seeing your father's work really affected him. He's not a scientist himself, so he never got his hands dirty with the things Cerberus' labs did. Seeing it first hand, I think it really sickened him. Anyway, he went back to his prison. He did what I asked. I made good on my promise to request that he be considered for some kind of posting in the military. Whatever happens, he helped me save you. And for that, I am thankful." He squeezed her hand gently as he finished.

"Were there any casualties?"

"Riley suffered a concussion, but she'll be alright. Bailey's career probably took a fatal blow. Are you thirsty?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact."

Shepard got her some water and she drank deeply. The cool water soothed her, made her feel better. As he took the glass, she clasped his hand.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He held her hand for some time. She was not sure how long, but she eventually fell back asleep. It was truly and finally over.

Miranda felt the bandages being removed from her by the nurse. It had been a full week since she had first awoke and John had stayed with her every night since and Ori had come to visit. Even Riley had paid her a couple of visits. Ori and John stood with her as the nurse unwrapped her eyes. As the bandages came off, she saw light and shapes, but she could not make them out. It was more than she thought she would have, but not as much as she had hoped. She tried to pick out the people in the room, but all she could make out were blurry shapes with vaguely human form.

"Your eyesight should return," said Dr. Michel. "Your other injuries have healed, and you may go home now."

"I don't … have a home," she said. "The Normandy was my home. Since then, it's been hospital beds and the Yorktown."

"You have a home," said Shepard. "I'll take care of you while you recover. Or for as long as you need me."

"John, you're the human councilor. You can't take care of me."

"I'm working from home and am only functioning on an as needed basis until I've had time to put things back together. I worked it out with Oriana. She'll help out as she can. And Jan is looking forward to hanging out with you."

Miranda had no words. She hugged John tightly. She felt the tears come, but they were tears of joy. Ori had had a surrogate family since she was an infant. Miranda finally had a family now too. One that was not on a warship. Finally, she was going home.