Hello everyone. In this chapter I experimented with a flashback, and managed to confuse both my editors! (oops) Now I have labeled the sections, and it should be clear. Reviews are most welcome!
Chapter 6, Come back to me
***Six months earlier.
"How is she?"
The words shook the asari out of her slumber. She rubbed her eyes, and realized the speaker was standing next to her.
Garrus had entered quietly, unaware Liara had been asleep. "Sorry T'Soni, I actually did not realize you were asleep."
Liara still did not speak, sleep clouding her mind; whatever focus she could muster was exclusively on the unconscious figure in the bed.
Commander Karli Shepard was completely surrounded by medical equipment and monitors. Her mouth was obscured by a large breathing device, multicolored wires led to her arms, and two tubes were running fluids into her: one in her carotid artery, and the other one in her arm.
The last few months had been very hard on the asari. Unable to assist Shepard in any way made her feel useless, and her inability to eat much projected a gaunt shadow on her face.
"No change from yesterday," she finally managed. Or the day before that, or the entire week before that. "She hasn't moved since Miss Lawson replaced those Cerberus implants, that was two weeks ago."
Garrus hummed, in his own unique way, while he pulled up a chair. "Hmmmm, she's been through hell, Liara, she will pull through this."
Liara nodded, she was finding comfort in the familiarity of his voice; Garrus' company was always a pleasure; "I agree with you on both points, she is the strongest person I know."
"Her death stare once took a brute's head clean off. True story."
The asari managed a giggle, as she replied; "On Tuchanka I saw her down more Ryncol than an entire krogan battalion. Of course we had to carry her home."
They shared a smile, as fond memories of years spent together crossed their minds.
Liara raised her hand, and brushed aside a stray lock of Shepard's dark brown hair. She fought the desperation. Please wake up, please wake up, I want you to wake up.
Not wanting to look away from Shepard's unconscious form, Liara continued her conversation with her old friend. "Garrus, I would have expected you to return to Palaven, now that Earth's relay has been repaired."
"Well Liara, call me a sappy old fool, but I want to be here when Shepard returns to us; she believed in me when C-sec turned their backs. I would have died on Omega if not for her. We've been through so much... I do have a small trip lined up with Kaidan, but we should be back in a few days. Speaking off the man..."
Major Alenko quietly entered the room, box of chocolates in hand. "Hi Liara... I got these for Shepard, but I think you'll enjoy them too."
Liara's face lit up as she noticed the sweets. "Spectre Alenko, it has been very kind of you to visit her this often. And, you have been a good friend to me as well."
During the last two months, Kaidan and Garrus made almost daily visits, and besides the moral support, brought Liara fruit and refreshments. To get her some fresh air, they had taken walks outside through the town of Colorado Springs.
The hospital room had become Liara's home. The only breaks she took were visits to the Normandy, where she attended the Broker's network, even though Feron could handle it by himself.
"The air and space academy is just down the street, Liara. It has been good to see you and the Commander this often, I just wish I could have seen some improvement in her condition. The Normandy sets out tomorrow, but I expect it to be a very short trip."
Last week Earth's relay had been repaired, to great celebration across the planet. The first ships through the relay had been turian, the quarians following one day later. The Council had called upon Spectre Alenko to aid an asari colony, which, unbelievably, seemed to have trouble with batarian slavers.
"Hmmm, can you believe that Liara? The entire galaxy nearly destroyed, but for the slavers it's business as usual." Garrus' voice was full of bitterness, and he spoke with the sad resignation of a lifelong policeman.
Again Liara did not answer. She was confident that Karli would return from the threshold of death, but it had been so long... Wake up, wake up, let today be the day!
"I... I wish you a safe journey, friends. And please be kind to Feron, will you?"
I will be lost without you...
In a supportive gesture, Kaidan placed a hand on her shoulder, and gave her an encouraging smile; "You keep the Commander safe, and we'll be back soon."
The asari did not hear him.
Garrus and Alenko stood on the bridge, while the Normandy slowly moved from its docked position.
The turian was in a particular good mood. That morning he'd finally been able to contact his family on Palaven, and found out that his mother and sister were in good health.
"Joker, report!" Commanded Kaidan.
"Yes sir! - Leaving Colorado Space Academy, course set, we should hit the relay in about four hours. Please put your seats in the upright position, let us go save some asari maidens!"
Garrus blinked twice, and whispered to Kaidan: "It's good to know some things don't change!"
Laughing, the Spectre ignored Garrus' concern. "Joker's true home is in open space, those months on the ground made him even crazier - He even saluted me on the way in!"
Vakarian grabbed a railing to steady himself. "That's not right!" He exclaimed.
Present day.
Chief Grom Kuwek surveyed his fellow krogan in the hall. The largest part of two clans had come, more than he'd hoped for. Around five hundred, and once we get food, there will be more.
He stomped his feet, then spoke, his voice a low rumble. "Brothers! We have been patient for a long time, but something has to happen!"
"Fighting reapers was fun, we had a good time, but being stuck here is not what we signed up for! Now we do heavy lifting, while the turians order us around. Rebuilding their puny homes - are we just cheap labor now?"
The sound of collective grunts, accompanied by nods came from all around.
"And the food rations, they expect us to work, and then give us tiny pyjak portions?"
Many of the krogan in front of him stomped their feet in approval.
"Must I really mention our camp here on Palaven? It's more like a prison camp, the turians sure put up a big fence."
The crowd was now incited, a few friendly punches were being thrown, most of them were ready to charge out the front gate.
One of the chief's assistants looked around nervously. "Are you sure this is wise, Grom? Urdnot Wrex has told us - Uuughh..."
He staggered backwards after a massive head butt by the chief.
"Urdnot Wrex is not here, is he? He is comfy on Tuchanka with his female and all the varren he can eat." His voice was now a menacing growl, "Don't question my decisions again, Burr."
Once more he addressed the restless krogan, "Listen brothers, I have a plan. Five miles from here are some large warehouses with food. Tonight, we will send a small team, two trucks. If they do not give us food, we will take it!"
The hall filled with cheers.