SPECIAL A/N: It is with great privilege that I post this, unfortunately un-betaed, chapter today as it is my 1 year anniversary of posting Chapter One of When Fates Collide. When my beta finishes her edit, I will repost, but I couldn't resist the temptation to post today. My apologies for the grammatical errors; however, the story must go on. LoL. Thank you all for reading and inspiring me, because without you, this story would not have been written. So I humbly thank you all, from around the world. I am truly honored.

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When Fates Collide

Chapter 27

~ ~ A Bond Rekindled ~ ~

A week later at the end of another sleepless night, Shepard sat alone in her cabin writing in her captain's datalogs. The new commander had been studying the mystery planet she was to visit, hunting Saren, the rogue spectre. Deep inside the Voyager Cluster laid a small universe named the Amazon System. Within it was Sybin, the fourth planet to revolve around its sun, little was known about the desolate planet. What Anderson had sent the spectre about the small rock, was that it was an icy planet with an extremely thin atmosphere of hydrogen sulfide and thane. Sybin's frozen surface composed mainly of magnesium and silicates with deposits of iron. Quickly abandoned from mining, there was little to no use for the small world due to the significant deposits of green serpentine, a mineral formed by volcanic activity. This evidence suggested that the tiny globe was a more geologically active world in the distant past.

No matter how many times the redhead read the report on Sybin, she couldn't get past the sinking feeling pitting deep within her stomach that they were headed in the wrong direction. Even observing the Matriarch's warning made the soldier's gut instinct louder than ever. However, as strong her primal feelings were, she couldn't justify changing course because of her queasy abdomen. How could she explain to the older and wiser galactic console that human soldier's instincts save lives?

Glancing over to the time device on her personal desk, the redhead silently chastised the clock for the umpteenth time, signifying that morning had not yet come. Massaging her forehead, the galactic commander pondered that she might venture out for early morning chow. Letting her hand drift to her stomach, remembering she hadn't eaten much for dinner, Shepard pondered, Perhaps I could eat an early breakfast. Feeling a grumble under her palm, the redhead affirmed, "I guess I am pretty hungry." She thought anything to get out my cabin and out of my head. The spectre had endured a great deal over the last few weeks, and she hadn't allowed herself to truly dissect everything that had actually happened to her. If she did, she would have to admit: she was fighting for good now, on the Alliance's side, on the galaxy's best ship, that wasn't stolen, and was beginning to enjoy the power that her position as captain and spectre gave her. The most dangerous thing she didn't want to acknowledge at this time was perhaps, the one thing that scared her most; her personal feelings for the resident prothean expert.

Fastening the last button on her royal blue blouse, the redhead was interjected by the Normandy's alternate pilot, Michaelson, over her cabin's speaker. "Good Morning Commander Shepard. I apologize for imposing." The man's nervous voice stammered from hailing the spectre so early in the morning. "Was I interrupting anything? I'm sorry ma'am. My sensors indicated that you were actively logged onto your console. I really hope I wasn't…"

Stopping the junior pilot from further tripping over his words, the redhead stated, "Lieutenant Michaelson, I've been awake for a while. You're not interrupting anything. What can I do for you?"

Relieved to hear that he wasn't going to be spending a few days in the brig, the dark haired pilot, with olive skin responded, "You have a private message on a secure line, heavy inscription I must say; virtually untraceable. It's marked for your eyes only."

Glancing into the mirror to make sure everything was in place, Shepard asked, "Who is it from?"

The seasoned warrior heard confusion in the man's voice as he answered, "I don't know. Heck ma'am I don't even know if it's even human. I've never see anything quite like it before. All I know is that it says you have an incoming call that well, technically doesn't exist."

Mystified herself, the commander straightened her collar and readied for the holoscreen to awaken. In the back of her mind, she thought that perhaps it was another message from Matriarch Tevos. That would explain why the galactic lieutenant would have never seen anything like the hailing security code. Readying for a pleasant voice to greet her, the redhead's fingers floated through her hair one more time before commanding, "Go ahead Michaelson, patch her through."

"Yes ma'am."

Awkward silence filled the cabin before the spectre took it upon herself to initiate the conversation. "This is Commander Shepard."

Static and humming of electronic systems filled the other line. Someone had connected on the other side, but the redhead was unsure of whom because nothing was said. A few more ticks of the second hand drifted before the spectre's patience began to wear out. "May I ask who I am speaking with?"

Again, the air was filled with silence. Growing rapidly annoyed with the mystery transmission, the woman was about to end the call when she suddenly heard a man's muffled voice in the background. "Captain! I've got Commander Shepard!"

Not liked being left in the dark over the secrecy, Shepard repeated louder, "This is Galactic Commander Shepard, Commanding Officer of the SSV Normandy! May I ask who is on the other line?!" When there was still no reply, the redhead all but blasted, "Please state your business!" Another deafening bout of silence draped the heroine before she considered severing the transmission again. Moving her hand forward to end the speechless broadcast, Shepard unexpectedly heard a woman's voice.

"Katherine, thank God it's you!"

A moment passed as the confused soldier strained to discover who was on the other line. When Shepard's side became silent, the last female voice in the universe the redhead expected to hear rang out again, "Katherine honey, it's me, your mother!"

Feeling as if she had just been gutted, every piece of the commander began to shutter hearing the voice. Shell-shocked the shaken the redhead immediately placed her hand over her mouth suppressing a wave of unexpected tears.

"I'm sorry this connection is weak... we are out in deep space... three relays out..." Static was breaking up her words. "Honey, how are you?"

A short and almost unforgiving "Fine!" answered the senior Shepard, Hannah, as the junior fought to regain her composure.

Unaffected, the senior officer stated on her side, "Wilson, if you want to keep your job on my bridge, I suggest you find a way to clear up this call."

An eager and respecting Lieutenant shot back, "Yes ma'am Captain Shepard."

The static immediately began to dissolve. Satisfied with the clarity of the transmission, Shepard's mom reported to her only child, "I was vaguely briefed that you were recruited as the first human spectre, by the Citadel council. Baby girl, I am so proud of you."

Uncontrollably a single tear broke free and streamed its way down the spectre's cheek. A dry voice uttered, "Yes ma'am" as she fought back the pool of water forming at her tear ducks. Pulling her self together, a strain voice cracked as she spoke. "Mom, why didn't you come after me?"

Hearing the pain in her daughter's voice, the infamous Black Irish answered, "I wanted to honey. You have to believe that! My ship was grounded, fearing the safety of the crew and severing what negotiations were going on at the time." The redhead could hear the hurt in her mother's tone she had longed for. "Your father, being a top Alliance cryptologist sold me out…sold us both out honey."

Scoffing at the man, she had tried to impress her entire life, Shepard spat, "Father was always pissed that you kept your maiden name."

"Well, remember it comes from a long line of noble Alliance Officers. I wasn't going to give it up; even to a man like your father. He has become an entirely different man every since you were taken." The senior officer sighed heavily, "Kit Kat, I don't even know him anymore." Hearing a bit of rage in the Captain's voice, the younger Shepard flinched appreciating that the twenty year service veteran wasn't directing that aggression at her. "He told the alliance I would never stop looking for you. A week later you were pronounced killed in action" declared the senior alliance officer.

Pausing for a period of time, Katherine speculated hat her mother had been fighting back her own raw emotions. Interrupting her somber train of thought, Hannah choked, "Kit Kat, I almost died that day they told me! When your father had your body scuttled before I could reach you, then I knew something wasn't right. I was transferred faraway shortly afterwards, so they could have their dogs watch me."

Combatting her own fury, the younger Shepard asked, "Why didn't they just discharge you or…"

Knowing her daughter well, the famous Black Irish interjected. "I knew too many people in high places. My service jacket is impeccable. It was all they could do to keep me under control. I was kept busy by patrolling the borders of the Verge."

The spectre could see her mother habitually pacing angrily in front of the screen. Hannah's steel blue eyes clashed with her pale skin and black as midnight hair, highlighting her indignant state. The redhead chuckled within, imagining much like she did when she was younger, how terrifying it was to see her mother marching about in such an intense manner. Briefly looking down at her boots, the spectre wondered if her mom's bridge crew was also intimidated by the concentrated marching.

Characteristically staying on pace, the senior Shepard reported, "It was so stupid. They had me out there maintaining peace with the turians." Abruptly halting, the woman turned towards the screen as her voice melted into butter, "But pretty green eyes, know I never stopped wondering. I never gave up hope."

Rather than breaking down, or blasting her mother like she had in the hostile scenarios that flooded her dreams, the spectre felt a warm comforting sense of pride; knowing that her mom had never stopped caring. Beaming at the hologram of the senior dignified Shepard staring back her, the pristine and honorable alliance officer continued, "When you did resurface, I went before the Alliance Defense Board demanding that you were being controlled, brain washed or something. I demanded they send a strike team after you." Releasing a stiff laugh that was anything but funny, the captain added, "They of course denied all such claims, saying it was useless – especially when Senator Udina showed up providing his testimony."

"You're kidding! Oh wait, no you aren't. Oh my god mom, that must have been awful."

Slipping into a musing tone, the veteran alliance officer stated, "I did get a little revenge. When his solicitor called you a traitor to the human race…" The younger Shepard sucked in a gust of air. "…I showed him exactly what Alliance Officers are made of."

"Oh God Mom!"

"It's ok Kit Kat. A slightly fracture hand was undoubtedly worth knocking that ass of a man to the floor." Amusingly, Hannah said, "Once I was restrained, it's funny how Udina's team didn't use that term again." Allowing the minor victory to pass, the veteran officer reported, "I've been on the Kilimanjaro ever since. Unfortunately, I missed you on Eden Prime by a few days. We received the distress call and headed there immediately. Hell, I even missed you on Feros; my battle group was sent to lend ground support to the colonist. I was pretty much kept away from Zhu's Hope, but I did manage to speak with a lovely young asari." Crossing her arms as she reflected, the senior officer muttered, "Well, I guess she wasn't very young after all. She was older than several generations of Shepard's." Bringing herself back to the present, Hannah stared directly into the spectre's eyes with a piercing gaze as she announced, "Anyway, she was quit lovely. I had a very interesting dinner with one such commando by the name of Shiala."

A huge smile lathered the redhead's face as she remembered the kindness she provided the asari warrior, who had now shown her mother that same kindness.

"By the way, she sends you her best."

"Thanks Mom, She is good people."

"I am usually a good judge of character, and I could tell that commando was special. She has been through a lot. I was greatly impressed by her inner strength. From the horror stories she shared with me, veteran admirals would have run a hide with their tails tucked between their legs after what she has been through."

Smirking, the redhead blushed thinking how more impressed her mother would have been about the commando's mistress as well, Matriarch Benezia. "Yes, she is pretty amazing."

Shifting her weight to one side, the senior alliance officer cocked her head to one side, and suggestively asked, "Oh before I forget, she said I should ask you about someone called Liara."

The spectre's eyes shot wide as she nervously rubbed the back of her head, "Of course, she did." Hesitantly alternating her weight between her feet, the redhead stammered, "Well it's sort of a long story mom."

The senior Shepard returned one of those replies a kid never wants to hear; one of those all knowing motherly rebuttals, "Uh-huh." Seeing her daughter squirm, even though she was commanding officer of the galaxy's best ship, made the senior woman smile brightly. "I had better get going. Tevos said she wouldn't be able to hold this untraceable line very long."

"What?! You spoke to Tevos?"

"Yes, another very delightful asari to dine with." A self assured smiled accompanied the statement. "She arranged this whole little secret meeting. She said it was a departing gift from her. Oh by the way, she sends her regards to you, and someone called, Little Wing."

The junior commanding officer's eyes shot to the floor. Allowing her daughter to fester in her wild imagination, the senior waited before she began again. Making the N7 soldier's head fly upwards, Hannah expressed, "I love you, Kit Kat." Instantaneously, tears streamed uncontrollably down the spectre's face as she listened to the words she had longed to hear again after so many wondering years. "Don't you ever forget that, you hear me?" Not allowing the highly emotional moment to linger too long, the senior officer announced, "Now go make me proud… and you better not forget to tell me about this Liara person. Captain Shepard -" The alliance officer stopped and corrected, "Love you honey."

As secretly as the transmission began, it ended.

Stunned by the conversation that had just taken place, the astute solider sluggishly staggered towards her desk. Attempting to wrap her brain around the fact that she had spoken with her mother for the first time in years, she reached out to the table to brace herself. The galactic commander shifted her weight as her other hand came to rest on the metal desk she was towering over. A tidal wave of emotions slammed into her, emotions she believed that she would have time to process later; much later. But to her surprise, a single image washed over her. It was Liara's bright face encouraging her to go on when all else seemed bleak. Unexpectedly feeling a new kind of inner strength the warrior had never felt before, the commanding officer released a heavy sigh.

Releasing the table, Shepard slowly turned around and sat on the edge of the desk, clearing her mind. Mindfully controlling her breathing, the redhead felt a surprising geyser of relief after hearing from her mom. Brushing her hair to the side, the spectre straightened and gradually let go of the table, as the ill feelings she had been harboring over her mother washed away. Glancing at the mirror image of herself, Shepard sucked in a slow, deep gust of air and released more than just the table.

The former alliance officer took a few steps forward as she felt a sense of pride and confidence dwelling inside her; stronger than ever before. Glaring at her reflection, for the first time, the veteran soldier honestly believed every word she preached to her crew. She was now absolutely sure, as long as there was breath left in her lungs; she was going to bring an end to Saren Arterius' terror.

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A few days later, the worrisome galactic spectre was up late, as usual, pacing her cabin. However this night, the commanding officer moved about with great intensity. Attempting to keep sheer frustration from overwhelming her, the redhead glanced back over to the blue beauty fast asleep in her bed. Taking only a split second, the veteran soldier's breath was effortlessly stolen by the lovely asari. Shepard studied the maiden fondly tucked between the soft sheets, tracing every curve of the professor's arm that rested above her head. Following a captivating path downward, the human's eyes paused upon Liara's other hand, delicately relaxing on her svelte stomach. Like an overpowering calm to a violent storm, Shepard felt her heart flutter. Despite her best efforts, every time she looked at the asari maiden, she was moved by the graceful woman.

Dragging her feet, a few steps closer to the bed, anger, and fury clouded the woman's thoughts. Greatly disturbed, the spectre recounted the day's events and how she almost lost the asari maiden on Sybin. Chastising, Shepard scowled at herself. "Dammit, why didn't I listen to Tevos?" The spectre turned away from the alluring maiden, but her desire to ensure her absolute safety, pulled her back around. The professor's slow and steady breathing from her rising and falling chest hypnotically calmed the stressed spectre.

Clinching her jaw, the soldier released a gust of air, pushing a strand of hair away from her face. A pair of weary hands mindlessly wiped what she felt was guilt or perhaps even anger from her face. Frustrated, the woman buried a finger hard between her eyes, massaging the worry further into her soul. Suddenly a deep sigh escaped the sleeping asari, stirring the veteran soldier's gaze back to the azure prothean expert. Watching the peacefully slumbering woman caused a sense of relief to wash over the spectre as she matched the steady breaths of the maiden's chest. Staring at the young T'Soni, Shepard was relieved that the professor was now safe and sound; in her care; in her quarters, in her bed. Earlier, the spectre had announced that Liara would be safer in the captain's cabin as she would sacrifice her own life to keep her safe, for it was her responsibility, her promise.

Fading into a memory, like the many she wished she never had, Shepard recounted the unexpected Geth ambush when her squad touched down on Sybin. She recalled radioing back to the ship, that everything looked remarkably serene with no signs of life. Then all hell broke loose and she couldn't have been more wrong. The heavily armed commander recollected hearing a loud explosion, and watching the asari disappear in a large cloud of dust, as the ground below her imploded; taking the young maiden with it.

Shielding her mouth as the memories unfolded, Shepard brought back to mind, leaning over Liara's limp body calling out her name. Praying to whatever God, or Goddess, who could hear her, Please don't take her from me! Not now, I have so much I want to tell her… The spectre gently caressed the maiden's tender face; wiping the dirt away, "…so many things I need to show her."When seconds passed like hours, the heavily panting soldier suddenly felt the asari in her arms begin to stir, then regain consciousness. "Liara! Liara! Are you ok?!"

Smiling at the beaming heroine above her, the young asari tenderly answered, as the spectre desperately moved a few large rocks from around the fallen asari. "I am fine Shepard. I am uninjured."

Covering her face, the commanding officer once again stressfully wiped her façade, trying to rid herself of the day's events. The experienced marine, sat at the edge of the bed and started a few relaxing techniques she learned in N7 training. The soldier's thoughts began to drift to the later day's occurrences. Still in a bit of shock that Dr. Chakwas was the one to suggest that the prothean expert recuperate in the commanding officer's stateroom, Shepard remembers her stating, "Liara would greatly benefit in the quiet chambers, cutting her recovery time in half."

Shepard hesitantly peeked at her favorite hated object in her cabin; the clock that often reminded her of how much sleep she wasn't getting. Furrowing her brow, the slow ticking device indicated that it was now a little past two in the morning. Shifting her weight at the edge of the bed, the spectre finally stood and drifted over to the far wall of the room; leaving the asari to slumber undisturbed. Expecting another sleepless night, Shepard glanced back over her shoulder at the resting maiden, and whispered a simple sentence, "Matriarch Benezia, I almost failed you."

Standing in the near opaque chamber, illuminated only by a faint amber glow, Shepard sighed heavily. Staring into the darkness, the soldier's deep thoughts penetrated her bare soul. Even from the dead, she sends shivers up and down my back. A great sadness fell over the spectre as she brooded; I'd give everything back, just to be bossed around by such an epic woman again. Shepard debated that one of her greatest regrets, to date, was not being able to tell Matriarch Benezia how truly honored she was working with her; even if it had been under her, as Saren saw it.

Rubbing her forehead, the redhead paced in the silence of her stateroom. Her bare feet moved without purpose as she absentmindedly meandered around the far corner of her cabin. The only sound made by the skilled killer was the off, and on again tapping of her former alliance dogtags clicking so very subtly between her breasts. Coming to an abrupt halt, as if a provoking thought had entered her head, the spectre gripped her dogtags knowing she would give her life, if needed, fulfilling her promise to the noble matriarch. In your absence, I will protect Liara… at all cost. The former rogue soldier slammed her fist hard against the thick bulkhead. Saren! You bastard! What happened to Benezia was your fault.

The livid redhead slowly twisted, pushing her back against the wall behind her. Shaking her fist from what little pain she did allow to seep through, the experienced soldier exhaled heavily before glancing at her throbbing hand. Struggling to calm herself, the trained killer tried switching gears as her weary knees began to give way. Sliding down the cold wall, the thin N7 tanktop did little to protect the woman's flesh from the chill of the freezing steel behind her. Had the spectre been more aware of her physical surroundings, it would have bothered her more, but being in such an intense mental state, her body barely noticed. Reaching the floor, the distraught woman pounded her sore hands on the ground, as a lone tear snaked its way down the soldier's cheek. "I will make him pay for what he did to you Benezia. That I swear!"