When Fates Collide

Chapter 33

~ ~ Doctor's Orders ~ ~

Normandy

Before the savior of the galaxy even had time to resist, she promptly found herself firmly pinned to the deck below. Balancing only inches from her chest, practically sitting on her, Williams was wheezing; straining to hold down the spectre's arms. Using her one good arm to try and push off the intruder, the commander shockingly realized her legs were unable to assist against the surprise attack. Quickly glancing at her feet, the restrained warrior saw her friend, Garrus, struggling to control her legs. "Dammit Garrus, get off of me!" The subdued woman spat as she bucked and kicked wildly the best she could.

Hovering high above the council's champion, not physically involved, Dr. Chakwas cynically remarked, "Williams, you are supposed to be holding her down."

Hanging on for dear life, the chocolate haired woman blurted, "What do you think I'm doing?!" Huffing as she labored to suppress her hostage, the gunny shot back, "Have you ever tried to hold down a pissed off spectre?!" The fierce bucking made the marine feel like she was riding some cheap pony at a two bit rodeo. Squeezing her thighs as tight as possible, the white armored marine battled to restrain the galactic heroine.

"Ash, get off me!" Glaring down at her confined legs again, the outraged N7 officer shouted, "Dammit Garrus! I'm going to have your head when I get out of this!"

Panting heavily, the gunny chief beckoned as she tightening her grip around Shepard's chest, "I knew we should have brought Wrex!"

Irate, the angered ship's captain blasted the trio, "You're going to pay for this. You're ALL gonna PAY!" Opposing her captives, the Alliance officer bellowed, "I mean it. I'm gonna strand you all on a varren infested planet."

Slicing through Shepard's rebellious threat like she had said nothing at all, the experienced doctor reassured the faithful marine, "The reason I did not send for the mighty battlemaster is that I wanted to pin her, not crush her to death."

"Good point" returned the turian still wrestling to maintain control over the illustrious figure's feet.

Tired of the unwanted bucking bull ride, the dark skinned human drew in a sharp breath as she shouted back at her abductee, "This wouldn't hurt so bad… if you'd just… hold still, commander!"

Releasing her wrath on the undeserving chief, the redhead erupted, "I knew I should have left you on that damn Cerberus base!"

The young marine froze for a moment, stunned by the hurtful statement. The ring leader of the ambush calmly sighed before declaring, "Ash, she didn't mean it."

"The hell I didn't!" The defiant soldier barked, thrusting her head upwards; her face beat red as her hair.

Not permitting the gunny chief to lose focus, the medical officer continued, "She is just a little mad."

Tightly penned on the floor, the first human spectre cocked her head to the side and roared, "A little?! You think?!" Even the former C-Sec officer chuckled knowing the soldier was more than 'a little mad'.

Further stunning the suppressed commanding officer was the doctor's next announcement. "Ash, you were right. Shepard is being a big old baby."

All eyes shot wide as the illustrious figure suddenly stilled herself and starred ferociously at the marine on top. Allowing the fury to swell within her, a surprisingly loud pop silenced the room breaking her from the rage building. Dr. Chakwas' plan to distract the council's champion just long enough, had worked as the N7 officer abruptly sucked in a deep breath. Per the physician's instruction, everyone quickly released the heroine and instantly scattered towards the door. Alone and flailing on the ground, the illustrious fighter gripped her previously dislocated left shoulder in absolute pain. Her heavy boots striking the floor loudly with each wave of agony that floated over her body. Streams of fresh sweat dripped down her caked on muddy face.

Teetering between the ward and the back office, the dark skinned soldier questioned, "Is she going to be ok, doc?"

Gently massaging her hand that had been crushed in the struggle, the grey haired woman replied, "Yes. She just needs a moment." Studying the harden warrior on the ground, clutching her recovering shoulder, the specialized practitioner added, "She'll come out when she's ready. She's a tough bird alright." The avian man immediately sneered at the misspoken words of the British woman. "Oh, sorry about that Garrus, no offense intended."

The brief apology was enough for the Palaven native as he and the Alliance soldier started out of the lab. Looking over her shoulder once more as she walked, the concerned gunny retorted, "That's good." Crinkling her nose at the thought of the future possibilities of what the redheaded woman might do to her, "I think", muttered Ash.

Realizing there was nothing more the medical specialist could do to help her commanding officer, Chakwas stepped back inside the med bay to check on her two other sleeping patients. Hearing a soft whimper coming from the far bed, the distinguished medical officer glanced over at Liara embracing her left shoulder. The same shoulder Shepard was on the ground holding. Moving closer to her patient, the distressed prothean expert muttered, "Shepard. Shepard." The certified physician peered back at the commander lying on the floor, intrigued by the strange coincidence. "Interesting. Very interesting in deed." the refined woman whispered as she padded her chin.

Instantly checking her internal data base, the distinguished officer scanned through her memory of any record of two separate individuals sharing a common conscious. "They both seem to be experiencing what Shepard is feeling." she pondered before turning to check the biotics' vital signs. The asari maiden suddenly sat straight up on the bed, sending Chakwas back a few feet. "Shepard needs me". The weak and heavily sedated professor announced, in a stern tone never heard by the chief medical officer before; further confusing the experienced doctor.

Hearing Liara's outcry, the fry stealing marine turned on the heel of her boot and asked, "What was that all about?"

As baffled as everyone else in the room, the doctor twisted around to face the concerned soldiers ready to provide a reasonable explanation. However, after glancing between the commander on the ground and the prothean expert on the bed, the physician returned with a thick British accent, "I am afraid I have no idea."

Not taking another minute to further ponder the situation, the clinical specialist rushed over to attend to the powerful biotic. Gently lowering the asari back down on the table, the refined doctor consoled the worried maiden, "Shepard is fine, Liara. I promise." Tenderly she stroked her crest until the prothean expert quickly fell back asleep, despite the mutual pain she had experienced from Shepard.

Later the next morning, Commander Shepard was awakened by the devious ship's doctor. Seeing that the galactic officer was much calmer, Dr. Chakwas took this moment to update her on the medical synopsis of her resident engineering genius; informing her that the quarian would be fine and that she had only sprained her right foot. Releasing a heavy sigh of relief, the spectre sat quietly and listened to the doctor's report.

"Tail is a very lucky lady. She didn't even rupture her suit."

Slightly surprised that the commander had nothing to add, the physician decided to add something herself, hopefully cheering the warrior up a bit. "You know you had something to do with that?"

Ripping her eyes off the slumbering prothean expert, the red head quipped, "What?"

Remaining still for once, the clinical specialist reported, "You did a good job taking care of those two."

When the redhead realized she wasn't receiving another lecture, her gaze returned to Liara's bed and where the quarian used to be.

"I can't imagine what would have happened to them if you hadn't been there to protect them." The woman's British accent commended.

Stealing her attention once more, the experienced military doctor gently placed her hand on top of the soldier's. "You did good Shepard. You did real good." Allowing the tender moment to linger, the chief medical officer picked back up with her report. "Our young quarian friend should be able to return to her duties a few days sooner than anticipated. I gave her a healthy dose of antibiotics to ensure that the joint doesn't swell any more than it already has."

Contrasting her demeanor only five hours earlier, a soft and meager voiced answered the gray haired woman, "Thank you doc."

The medical specialist continued, "Speaking of biotics, Liara will also be making a full recovery after a few days of much needed rest." Knowing this was something that would certainly boost the warrior's mood.

As the drained redhead listen to the details of the medical professional's report, she began to characteristically massage the back of her neck. "What the heck?" she blurted, finding a small swollen lump on the side that was not there the night before; at least not that she could remember.

"Oh, that. I gave you a sedative and painkiller last night to help you sleep and ease any pain you might be experiencing." The sneaky physician informed her patient.

The council's champion glared at the doctor as she lightly massaged her bruised shoulder.

Feeling a bit proud, that she was able to administer the dose without a fight, the refined woman added, "Just a little cocktail I conjured up."

Carefully examining exactly where the medicine was injected, the veteran soldier sarcastically shot back, "Gee thanks".

Continuing to shut down the monitoring systems above Liara, Dr. Chakwas murmured, "No problem." Allowing a snarky smile to smear its way across her own face, she added, with a hint of amusement in her tone, "Anytime."

Realizing the medical officer was turning off the prothean expert's equipment, the redhead questioned, "What are you doing? Doesn't Liara need those?"

Flipping the last switch, permitting the machine's humming to silence, the grey haired woman revealed, "Nope, not any more. I am releasing her, so she can get some uninterrupted rest."

An unexpected chortle erupted under the commanding officer's breath. She knew that there was no such place onboard the busy Alliance vessel. "Oh really, and where would that be?" Mocking the medical physician, Shepard pointed in the direction of the designated spaces. "The crew's berthing or perhaps your little storage shed back there?"

Apparently striking a nerve of her distrust in the experienced doctor, the seasoned professional twisted around to face the stunned warrior. Frozen in place, the sophisticated woman placed her hands on her hips in a fashion the green eyed woman never wanted to see again. Suddenly feeling like a 13 year old child, Shepard sank low in her chair as the chief medical officer spoke. "No, I don't expect her to recover on a hard field cot, Commander."

Damn, she used commander. Now I know I'm in trouble.

"I am going to confine her to quarters for the next 72 hours."

Confused, the savior lipped, "Quarters? She doesn't have designated quarters."

"Precisely, that's why I am sending her to the captain's stateroom."

The galactic warrior's puzzled face immediately transformed into a flat expression as she slowly stood up from the chair. Stammering the redhead questioned, "My cabin…but why?"

"It is easily the quietest and most inaccessible place on the ship." Glaring at the now hopeful heroine, Dr. Chakwas instructed, "She is to rest Commander. Is that understood?"

"Yes ma'am!" affirmed the illustrious soldier, a bit too eagerly.

Relaxing her lecturing stance, the steel blue eyed woman went on. "You should also get some rest. The bruising in your shoulder needs to heal." Spinning around as she opened the curtain around them, Dr. Chakwas muttered, "Besides, your body looks like it's been dragged through hell and back."

Bringing her full attention back to the space born combatant, the refined woman disclosed, "I will arrange that all your meals are delivered to your cabin." The veteran soldier smirked as she stared down at the slumbering prothean expert. A lifted brow indicated that perhaps the doc's instructions weren't so bad after all. Jotting down a quick note on her omni-tool, the grey haired woman conveyed, "I will be making periodic visits to see how things are going."

The council champion's head shot up at the mention of 'periodic visits'. "Don't worry, Shepard. I will announce myself with plenty of notice."

Just as one solution seemed solved, another problem arose in the warrior's mind. "Wait, I can't be confined to my cabin for 72 hours, who will run the ship?"

Rolling her eyes for thinking her unprepared, Dr. Chakwas informed the commanding officer. "I already met with the department heads this morning. The Normandy will be on a skeleton crew helping out the Citadel in any way they can."

"And what about you? There has to be a lot of injured people out there."

"Correct. My presence has been requested on the Destiny Ascension. She received severe damage during the attack, and since I have thorough knowledge of asari anatomy, I have been asked to assist in their recovery efforts."

"Chakwas, please go help. Take whatever supplies you need" stated the enthused spectre.

"Thank you Shepard. I plan to help in any way I can." Placing her long slender fingers around the asari's cobalt wrist, the doctor measured the young maiden's pulse one last time. "I'll be back in about fifteen minutes. Liara should be awake by then. I'll provide you with a list of instructions; including medications. The galaxy needs the two of you back on your feet as soon as possible."

Twirling on her heels, the grey haired woman headed towards the medbay exit, leaving only Shepard by the prothean expert's side. Adding in one last demand, the senior woman stated, "I want you in bed for the next 72 hours, Commander. That is an order from the chief medical officer." When no reply answered, the physician added, "And let me warn you, it is not a good idea to disappoint the ship's doctor. God knows what kind of concoctions I can conjure up."

Gently dragging her thumb over the resting asari's hand, the redhead's eyes floated over the young maiden as she muttered, "You won't get any complaints from me doc, that's for sure."