Chapter Two
Kaja walks through the cemetery heading towards her father's grave. The cemetery is peaceful and quiet. There are birds chirping in the trees. The asari looks down to her omni-tool. She wonders if she is correct in thinking the message Droney gave her is from her father, Commander Leia Shepard. Who else could it be? She doubts her mother would leave a message or either of her sisters. Her brain and heart are telling her the message is from Shepard. She will not know until she listens to it.
The asari stops next to Commander Shepard's headstone. The marble headstone is from Earth. The details on the headstone is what Leia wanted. Nothing flashing, just basic information. It has both the Alliance and Spectre logos on either side of the Commander's name. Above the name is the N7 logo. Under the name is has two dates. 11 April 2154 and 5 May 2360. Kaja wipes a few leaves off the headstone as she sits next it. Again she looks at her omni-tool. Debating with herself if she really wants to listen to it or not.
Kaja talks in a hushed volume to the headstone, "I miss you, dad. Mom, told me about your death in 2183. I don't understand everything, but I wish you hadn't kept it a secret. Dad, I'm at a crossroads and I don't know what to do next. Mom says all she wants from me is for me to be happy. I hate what I am doing. I joined the military to be like you. To help people, but I'm not doing that. I go around investigating officers fraternizing with enlisted personal or other offences. I am on a forced leave for the next two months. This is the first breaking I've taken since your funeral."
The commando pauses to look around to make sure she is still alone. Sighing heavily, Kaja continues, "I'm unsure what to do next. My CO knows my feelings which is why she forced me to take the next two months off. To either clear my head and stay doing what I am doing or I have to talk her into allowing me to transfer to an actual commando unit. If they don't allow me to transfer, I'll have to get out. I can't continue to do what I'm doing, dad. I also feel if I get out now, you'll be disappointed. Mom says that wouldn't be the case, but I don't know. I wish I'd talked to you about this before now. I was too scared to talk to you. Scared you would be disappointed."
She pauses again to wipe the tears that have started trickle down her cheek. Again, Kaja looks at her onmi-tool. This time she presses a few buttons and a holo of her father appears. Shepard looks like she recorded this a few months before her death twenty-seven years ago. "Little one, I'm recording this because I want you to know how much I love you and how proud I am of you. Don't worry. I also left messages for your sisters as well. Not with Droney, but in other parts of the house. I knew you would come home one day and check on the practice room. There is one thing I feel you must know, Kaja. Every time you've come home the past few decades, I've noticed you have not talked much about what you are doing with the military. I have a feeling you're unhappy. If you are unhappy, little one, then get out. Don't stay in because you feel it is what I want you to do. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. Following in my footsteps wasn't something I wanted for you. It was what you wanted, so I didn't try to keep you from joining."
Pausing the message, Kaja lies on her back, looks up to the blue sky. It's has a cloud formation that looks like a rabbit from Earth. The clouds keep moving in different directions and the rabbit look in the cloud disappears. There are tears streaming down her face when she sits back up to finish listening to her father's message. "If you do decide to get out, Kaja. Please, don't join Eclipse or any other merc band. I doubt being a dancer is something you'd do, but please don't do that either. Those are the two things I never wanted for you or your sisters. Do what will make you happy. Not what you think I want you to do. You've always made me proud, Kaja. I love you, little one." The holo disappears after the message is complete.
"Thanks, dad. I love you too," says Kaja as she wipes her face with the back of her hand. Hearing the message makes the huntress feel better about getting out of the asari military if they don't allow her to transfer to a commando unit. Kaja is still unsure what to do if she does get out. She still has a couple of months to figure it out. As the commando stands up, she notices four people walking in her direction. Three krogan and her mother. Quickly she tries to look like she hasn't been crying. Kaja's eyes are bloodshot, so they'll notice. Or her mother will.
As the group approaches Commander Shepard's grave, Liara says to Kaja, "So, this is where you went. I had a feeling you would be here. I know you found your father's message." Liara gives Kaja a motherly hug. "Kaja, you remember Wrex, Grunt, and Bakara."
"Yes, mom. I remember them. Hi Wrex, Bakara, Grunt," waves and replies Kaja as she starts to leave. "I think I'll take my leave. See you later, mom." The eldest daughter gives her mother and friends an attempt at a smile before she leaves the grave site.
Bakara asks, "Is Kaja alright, Liara? She seems upset about something."
Liara replies, "I am not sure, Bakara. Kaja's conflicted about her job in the asari military. She has to work it out herself." Liara watches Kaja walk away and hopes her oldest figures out what she is going to do next. The asari smiles at Bakara, "I'm ready when you are."
Bakara nods to Liara before she starts the annual ceremony Wrex and Bakara have honored Commander Shepard every year on the anniversary of her helping cure the genophage. Wrex is standing to Bakara's left with Liara standing to the female krogan's right. Grunt stands behind Liara and Bakara. The group stands in silence before Bakara starts talking, remembering the brave woman who gave the krogan back their future.
–
Kaja T'Soni finishes listening to her father's message for the second time while sitting in the taxi. She decides to see if the old amusement park is still open and what type of rides it has after all of these years. As she drives away from the cemetery, Kaja remembers the first time she rode on a roller coaster. Those memories brings a big toothy smile to the asari's face. She says softly to herself, "That was a fun day."
The park's parking area is full. Kaja recognizes a few of the rides. Or the tracks anyway. The amusement park has changed names a couple times over the past century. So has most of the rides. There is one ride in particular that has never had a name change. The signature ride of the park, "The Torpedo", happens to be Kaja's favorite ride. There is a little bounce in her step when she see her favorite ride is still around and still popular.
After paying her admission fee to the park, Kaja walks around taking in the surroundings. So much of the park has changed and yet it is still the same. There always seems to be more humans than any other species. Not surprising though, after all Elysium is home to more humans and is protected by the System Alliance.
As Kaja continues to walk around the park while making up her mind which ride she wants to ride first, she sees a new section added to the park. It looks like it has been added within the past year. The area has a theme all it's own. The theme seems to be about the heroes of the galaxy. Kaja shakes her head at the theme that seems to be about her father. It makes her wonder if her mother knows about this and if she does, did she approve it? Do they even need approval?
The asari huntress walks around the new area of the park. To her surprise, the area isn't about her father, but comic book heroes from Earth. Old 20th century comic book heroes. One ride is call "Batcave". Since Kaja has no idea who or what a batcave is, she decided to ride it. The wait isn't too long about forty-five minutes. While standing in line, Kaja notices two human females who are staring at her. It's not the first time she has people staring at her. Sometimes people think she is her sister, Gaia. She smiles and nods at the two humans then turns her attention away from them.
To Kaja's surprise, the ride is great. She still has no idea what or who this Batman character is, but the ride is fun. She walks over to another ride in the heroes area. This ride is a water ride and it's theme is Aquaman. Even though this is an amusement park, Kaja is learning something today. Learning more about human history and their fascination with super heroes.
After riding on the "Aquatic Ace" and getting soaked, Kaja walks around the park to dry off. It's a warm evening and it doesn't take long for her clothes to dry. She sits at a bench near her favorite ride, "The Torpedo". Kaja notices the two humans are looking at her again. This time she ignores them completely. If they think she is Gaia then Kaja will let them think that. A third human female joins the other two who are staring at Kaja.
The third human looks a little older than the other two. Kaja thinks she might be in her late twenties or early thirties, but it's hard for the asari to tell human ages. The three humans are talking and pointing in Kaja's direction. She is trying hard to ignore them, but they keep staring and pointing at the asari commando. Kaja moves away from the three humans and blends in with a crowd. She uses tactical cloak to disappear, so she can get closer to the trio without them knowing it.
Kaja hates having to cloak to spy on the trio, but she is getting uncomfortable with them pointing at her. Normally, people stare thinking she is Gaia and move on. They don't usually point and gawk. Now she understands why Gaia needs bodyguards and an entourage around her all the time. The more work Gaia does the more popular she becomes. Kaja wonders if Liv gets people doing the same thing she is going through now. People thinking she is her famous sister. Kaja never has like that type of attention. It makes her uncomfortable. Her parents saved the galaxy and are very famous. Her father has a few statues in her honor for saving colonies. Elysium has one and so does Terra Nova. The Citadel has a statue with both parents along with the rest of the ground crew from the original Normandy for saving the Citadel against a rogue Spectre and the geth.
The older of the three humans says, "Listen, that is not the actress, Gaia. Trust me on this. She wouldn't come here alone. She always has people around her."
"How would you know, Cass? You act like you know the family or something," says the human with long sandy blonde hair that is pulled back into a pony tail.
Cassandra looks at her friend shaking her head. "Della, don't you remember when I worked for Dr. T'Soni before going to college on Earth? You know the asari information broker, who still leaves here on Elysium."
"What? Oh damn, Cass. I did forget. How do you know she is not Gaia?" asks Della. She smiles to her friend, Cass.
"I already said why. Gaia always has an entourage with her. She never does anything alone. I know the oldest is in the asari military. Maybe she is home on leave and the youngest is a top-notch computer tech. If I remember correctly, she works at the Citadel," answers Cassandra. She has shoulder length dark brown hair and hazel color eyes.
Kaja hears most of the conversation between the humans. She mingles with another crowd and finds a spot to uncloak without anyone taking notice. Slowly, she walks back to the humans talking about her and her family. When she walks by, Cassandra gives the asari a warm smile. Which Kaja ignores. The commando sits on a bench to look at the park map. While she is looking at the map, she is keeping an eye on the three humans.
Kaja looks up to see the three humans are leaving the area. She smiles to herself. Kaja is glad they finally are leaving her alone. The Torpedo is looking very inviting. The huntress remembers the first time she rode on it. Screaming the entire time while enjoying the ride. With a grin on her face, Kaja makes her way to the queue for "Torpedo, The Ride".
After the park closes, Kaja heads to a waiting taxi. Cassandra is standing by the exit, waiting for Kaja to leave the park. The asari notices her standing by the exit, but walks by without saying anything to the human. Kaja has a feeling the human wants to talk to her. She seems to know too much about her family and that s gives Kaja a bad feeling. When her gut tells her something is bad, more times than not. It's bad.
As Kaja gets into the taxi, Cassandra approaches. "Excuse me, Kaja, my name is Cassandra Mitchell and I would like apologize for my two friends. They shouldn't have gawked and pointed at you." Her two friends are yelling at her to get into their car. Cassandra waves them off.
"Thank you. It's okay. It isn't the first time that has happened," answers the asari. She gives Cassandra a nod to go with her grin. Kaja is about to close the door to the taxi, but feels Cassandra has more to say. So, she waits to see if her feeling is correct.
"Ahmm, Kaja, I was wondering...ahh...if would be interested...ahmm, never mind," comments Cassandra as she shuffles her feet and looks at the ground. Her cheeks glow red from embarrassment. She has her hands clasped behind her back.
Kaja can sense her uneasiness and says, "Do you want to do something? Go out for a drink maybe? A bite to eat? I think that is what you were going to ask me." She is trying hard not to snicker at the flustered human, so she smiles instead. The asari points the open seat next to her, "Please get in. If you don't want to do something, I'll give you a ride home."
Cassandra replies with a soft tone in her voice, "Okay, but only if you're sure." She is still embarrassed, but she gets into the taxi with Kaja anyway. She knows of Kaja but has never talk to the maiden until today. She feels safe enough in her presence and very nervous at the same time. As the taxi starts to leave the amusement park's parking lot, Cassandra says, "There is a small diner across the street from the history museum. The food there is very good and they are open until 200."
"Sounds good," replies Kaja as she drives to the diner. The drive takes no more than fifteen minutes and neither occupant says anything. Kaja is waiting to see what Cassandra wants and Cassandra is too nervous to say anything.
The human closes her eyes trying to regain some composure. Her hands feel clammy and her stomach feels there is a dozen butterflies flying about. The feelings of years past are now on the surface again. Those eyes are even more radiant in person than they were in the one picture she has seen of Kaja. Kaja's patience is appreciated. Cassandra shakes her head from side to side thinking she is acting like a teenager. Or is having those type of feeling again. She tells herself to snap out of it.
Kaja notices the nervousness of the human sitting in the seat next to her. She isn't sure if she should feel flattered or worry there is some type of ulterior motive in play. Kaja has never experienced another person like Cassandra. Usually, most can at least talk to her. The commando keeps glancing over to the human. She isn't sure what to say to calm Cassandra or make her less nervous. Kaja parks the taxi in the lot next to the museum. As she gets out, she says, "Are you sure you're okay, Cassandra? I'm not sure why you're so nervous. It's radiating off you. " The asari has her arm leaning on the door as she looks at the human with a smile on her face. She offers her hand to help Cass out of the taxi.
Cassandra takes Kaja's hand and gets out of the car. She wants to tell Kaja why she is so nervous, but thinks better of it. Grinning as she lets go of Kaja's hand and feeling less nervous as seconds tick away. They start to walk across the street when they both stop when they see a large crowd outside the diner with Alliance personal manning a perimeter around the building next to the diner. Cass says, "I guess we'll have to go some place else." Looking at the ground then over to Kaja, Cass sighs to herself before saying, "You make me nervous, Kaja, but not in a negative way. I...I've..." She is unable to finish her thought. The human turns and walks back to the car.
Rubbing the back of her neck, Kaja watches Cassandra walk away. She has a smile on her face that turns into a smirk. Kaja now understands what is causing Cass' nervousness and curiosity is getting the better of her. She calls out, "Cass, stop. Please." When she realizes the human isn't going to stop, Kaja starts to jog after her. Catching up to Cassandra, the commando reaches out and touches the human's shoulder, "Cass, wait."
Feeling the asari's hand on her shoulder, Cass stops and turns to face Kaja. Not knowing what to say causes Cassandra to look into Kaja's eyes. Seeing those ocean blue eyes makes her feel her heart is skipping beats. "I'm sorry. I don't know what to say." She looks away and walks over by the car and leans against it. Sighing, she starts to think, she would feel better if she says what's on her mind. "The summer between high school and leaving Elysium to attend college on Earth. I worked with your mother, Dr. T'Soni. More like she was my mentor and tutor in archeology studies. I work here at the museum as assistant curator. I saw a picture of you. And, well..."
Kaja stands with one foot in front of the other with her arms folded across her chest with a smirk on her face. This human is peaking the maiden's curiosity the more she talks. Kaja moves to lean on the car next to Cassandra. She keeps her arms folded across her chest waiting to see if Cass will finish what she started. T'Soni is debating with herself is she should try to comfort Cassandra or not. The investigator in her says to stand there and give the human her space. The civilian in her says to reach out and comfort the human. The investigator wins this one and Kaja stands there patiently waiting with a reassuring smile on her face.
"I was eighteen then." Cass glances over and sees the smile on the asari's face. "You're going to think I'm weird, Kaja. After seeing your picture once, I had feelings. I thought those feelings had gone away until tonight. I wrote it off as a high school/teenage crush." She looks away thinking she might have said too much.
Thinking that's unexpected and for some reason, Kaja isn't surprised by it. Cassandra Mitchell has left herself vulnerable and Kaja wants to know more. Knowing she can devastate Cass if she does the wrong thing. So, Kaja reaches out with her right hand and touches Cass' left arm in a reassuring manner. "I don't think you're weird. Actually, I would like to get to know you better. I'm on leave for the next several weeks. I was thinking of going to Earth for a few days. Other than that, my schedule is free."
Cassandra exhales the breath she's holding. She places her hand over Kaja's. "You're too nice. Thanks. I appreciate it. There is something about you, Kaja T'Soni. Something I can never explain, it's only a feeling." She realizes as she is talking why she is so nervous, shy, and unable to think much less speak. She looks over to the asari sitting next to her, grins softly. Cassandra Mitchell knows if she says what she is thinking, it might cause Kaja to back away. She is also willing to chance it because the aura she senses from the asari tells her Kaja will show patience with her.
Kaja notices the Alliance personal are leaving the area. "I think we might be able to get into the diner now, if you're up for it. What we do next is up to you." The commando's curiosity is high, she isn't willing to put any pressure on Cassandra. She wonders if this is something she want to even pursue. More things for her to think about during this leave.
"I think I'd rather go for a walk in the park. It's usually not very crowded at night," says the dark brown-haired human as she gets into the taxi.
"Okay," replies T'Soni. Walk in the park at this time of night seems odd to her, but she thinks she knows why Cass wants to go there. It's out in the open. Fewer people might help Cass to relax.
The taxi lifts into the air and heads to Shepard Memorial Plaza. One of the biggest park on Elysium. Within ten minutes Kaja parks the taxi in a parking spot. The first thing Cassandra notices is where Kaja parked. The furthest lot away from the statue of Commander Shepard. She finds that curious. She figures Kaja has a few secrets as well.
There are other people walking around the park. A few couples are sitting on benches. On the gazebo, there is a band playing. The biggest group of people is by the gazebo and a few are dancing. It's busier than either expected. They start walking on one of the lesser used paths. Taking Kaja's hand, Cassandra starts to finish what she feels Kaja needs to hear.
Kaja stops and faces Cassandra, she places a finger on the human's lips to silence her. "How about this, Cass. What ever you thought or felt before today is immaterial to anything we do from now on. I get it, you never thought you would ever get a chance to meet me. Well, here I am." Kaja has both arms stretched out. She points to herself with her left hand, "I'm here with you now. An intriguing human approached me to apologize about her friends. That's who I want to get to know, Cass." Before she realizes what she is doing, Kaja leans in closer and gives the human a soft peck on the Cass' lips. Their kiss starts with a peck and grows in intensity as the seconds tick by.
Realizing what she is doing, Kaja pulls back saying, "I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry." She turns away. "Goddess, what am I doing?" says Kaja in a soft tone to herself. The asari brings a hand to her forehead and quickly thinks what is it about this human that has me drawn in? Maybe she's the answer to my work problem. Or does she compound it? Kaja looks down to her arm with the omni-tool then wonders what advice her dad would give. Slightly shaking her head from side to side, she glances over to Cassandra. Kaja is happy to see she is still standing there even if Cass has a look of concern on her face.
Cassandra tilts her head to one side as she watches Kaja. "What's wrong?" asks Cass. "I get a sense it has more to do than the kiss we shared. Which I enjoyed by the way." Cass gives Kaja a coy looking smile as she moves in front of the asari and places her hand on Kaja's shoulder.
With a smirk on her face, Kaja answers, "Nothing's wrong. Oh, who am I kidding." The huntress closes her eyes and then rubs the back of her neck. When she opens her eyes again, Kaja notices over Cassandra's right shoulder is the statue of her father. Seeing it brings her doubts about her work with the military and how much she wants to please her father back to the surface. Would dad approve? Kaja thinks why is she so concern about what her father would say. She's been dead for almost three decades. She looks at the hazel-eyed human with tears forming in her eyes then to the statue again. "Would you mind if we went some place else? I don't care where we go."
"Okay, how about my place? I do live alone, so we'll have some privacy. If that is what you're looking for," replies Cass. She looks behind her and see the statue. Looking back to Kaja, she thinks Kaja's change in demeanor has to do with her father, Commander Shepard.
"Where ever you want. And Cass, you're right. There is more to this. I promise, I'll tell you when we get to your place," remarks the grinning asari. Kaja leans closer to whispers into Cass' ear, "I enjoyed it, too."
Feeling Kaja's hot breath on her ear, causes Cassandra to shiver in delight. She is experiencing feelings and sensations she has never felt before. It's terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. "I'm a little hungry, mind if we pick some take out on the way? I'm buying," asks Cassandra Mitchell
"Sure why not." Kaja shrugs her shoulders and grins to Cass. The asari can eat about anything and is getting hungry herself.
They walk back to the taxi in silence. Kaja stops to look back at the statue. She tries to dismiss the thoughts in her head and isn't doing a very good job of it. When they get back to the taxi, Cass takes over the driving and heads her favorite place for a greasy burger and hot chili cheese fries. The service at this restaurant is one of the best in the city. It goes with having the best food on Elysium. They both order a cheese burger, but Kaja gets cheese fries instead of the chili cheese fries.
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A/N:I know in "The Aftermath" I had Wrex dying leading the krogan against the Reapers. Now, after playing Mass Effect 3, I feel it's important to have Wrex survive the war, so I decided to change that little detail. Wrex and Bakara I think can keep the krogan in from going to war with the salarians/turians. Missing one or the other...well, their might be problems.
I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, next chapter next week. See you then.