Chapter Eight
Dr. Cassandra Mitchell along with Drs. Liara and Olivia T'Soni are watching Lieutenant Kaja T'Soni argue with the nurse about getting into the hover chair, so she can get to her meeting with the asari Councilor. Cass has her hand covering her mouth when Kaja says "I am capable of walking. What do I need the chair for? While Liv shakes her head in disbelief. Liara stands there with her arms folded across her chest. Dr. T'Sakos walks in to see her patient being uncooperative with the attending nurse.
"Well, Lt. T'Soni. This only means one of two things. Either you're ready to go home or I need to keep you another day or two. Get in the damn chair, Lt. That's an order." commands Dr. T'Sankos. The medical doctor points to the chair. "After your meeting, I will take a few more scans. If I like what I see, you can go home. If not, you're here a while longer. "
Kaja sits in the chair as commanded by her doctor. "Where is this meeting taking place? I don't even have any decent clothes on." She sneaks a glance over to Cass and gives the human a little smirk.
Liv answers the question, "There is a meeting room on the 10th floor. Dr. T'Sakos was nice enough to arrange the use of it. Come on, sis, I'll take you to see the Councilor." As Liv walks with Kaja to the elevator, she says, "Kaja, I know you're not happy with me about this meeting. Honestly, I didn't think Matriarch Jilianea would have gotten so upset about it. Nor did I think the Councilor would contact her about it. I'm sorry."
"I know you meant well, Liv. Do me a favor in the future. Let me handle my business unless I ask for help. After what happened with Eclipse, being mad at you seems pointless," responds the asari huntress.
"I promise," says Liv. She escorts her oldest sister to the meeting room. "I hope what she has to say to you, sis, helps you with your future."
Lt. T'Soni's chair stops next to the long conference table. The huntress stands and greets the asari Councilor. "Thank you, Councilor, for coming here for this meeting." Kaja sits back down. The young maiden wonders what the Councilor has to say to her.
"Your mother is very persuasive, Lieutenant." Councilor Tevos sits in a chair opposite of the huntress. "Not only is your mother quite persuasive, so is your sister, Dr. Olivia T'Soni. I know you've wanted a transferred from your current post for several decades. Your sister believes you need to know why your requests keep getting denied."
"I always thought it was High Command saying no with Matriarch Jilianea influence," remarks Kaja. The huntress has a military, stoic expression on her face. Even seated with her left shoulder heavily bandaged, she has an aura about her.
Kaja's demeanor reminds the Councilor of the human who saved her life more than once. Commander Shepard. Councilor Tevos is having a hard forming the words needed to explain to the huntress why she didn't allow her in another unit. "Lt. T'Soni, I persuaded High Command to keep you in the unit you are in. My recommendation plus a few of the other Matriarchs agreed with me. That is why you've been unable to transfer, Lieutenant. "
The Councilor paused long enough for T'Soni to ask, "Why, Councilor?"
"I thought it was what your parents would have wanted," says the asari Councilor. Her face shows signs of regret. She brings her hands up to stop Kaja from saying something, "I am prepared to make amends, Lieutenant."
"Did you ever contact my parents or did you just do this because it is what you thought they wanted?" The commando is very skeptical of the last comments. She carefully puts her right arm over her left. "I'm listening." Kaja's tilts her head a little to the left and her face is still holding the stoic look.
Councilor Tevos inhales and slowly exhales before saying, "No, I never contacted them, Lt. T'Soni. Knowing what they went through to keep you and your sisters safe, I really didn't think they wanted you to join the military in the first place. So, I made it where you were not in harms ways and still serving." She pauses and looks at the huntress. Giving the young asari a somber grin then continues, "I want you to know you are an excellent investigator, Lt T'Soni. And because I realize I was wrong to keep you from front line service. I can offer you more choices on what you do next. If you can pass the physical from your shoulder injury, you can transfer to the Armali sniper unit. Or you can use your investigator skills and become a Council Spectre. Or be one of the Councilor's bodyguards. I'm retiring from the Council. The next Councilor will need good people around her. That is you, Lieutenant."
Kaja blinks a few times, trying to make sure she is hearing this correctly. Rubs her chin with her right hand. "I'm skeptical. Why do this now? Also, do you need my answer now? Or can I think about this, Councilor?" Kaja thinks about the message she received from her father. The Councilor is correct, she didn't want her to join. But her parents also were not going to talk her out of it, if that is what she wanted. Which makes this whole thing worse in Kaja's eyes.
"I need to make this right, Lieutenant T'Soni. I thought making sure you were not risking your life is what your parents would have wanted. After talking with your mother last week, I know that was wrong. You have until your shore leave is over to decide. I do believe Matriarch Jilianea wants your decision when you return to Thessia. If I am to understand the situation correctly, you are thinking of leaving the military. That option is still available to you. I do hope you decide to stay in." Councilor Tevos stands up and clasps her hands behind her back and nods to the huntress.
"How many members of my family are going to poke their nose into my life without talking to me about it first?" asks Kaja as she shakes her head. "Thank you, Councilor. You've given me a few things to think about."
"Lieutenant, I contacted your mother. I was seeking her advice. Now, your sister, that is a different matter. That is what I get for hiring your sister's company to clean my system before I leave the Council. Or what I get for keeping messages that are centuries old. I understand why Dr. T'Soni did what she did, Lieutenant. Your sister thought you deserved to know. Now, take your time. Think this through carefully, Lt. T'Soni," replies the Councilor.
Lieutenant Kaja T'Soni nods as she continues to ponder the Councilor's comments. I will." She maneuvers the chair and leaves the meeting room. The chair doesn't go very fast, but Kaja is pushing the chair's motor to its limits. She doesn't stop to talk to her youngest sister and heads straight for the elevator.
Olivia gives chase, "Kaja, stop." She gets to the elevator at the same time the doors close. Kaja doesn't make eye contact with Liv. "Oh, crap." Another elevator door opens and Liv gets inside to head down to the sixth floor. When Liv gets to the sixth floor, she sees her sister going into room 618. She walks into the room and sees Cassandra helping Kaja out of the chair and back in bed.
Dr. T'Sakos enters the room to check on her patient. "I hope your meeting with the Councilor went well, Lieutenant," comments the medical doctor as she runs her omni-tool over the huntress' wounds. She runs the scans again to double-check the readings. "Looks like everything is healing fine. Are you experiencing any more headaches?"
Kaja has a headache, but she doesn't think it's from the concussion she received. Lying to the doctor about it won't do her any good if there really is something wrong because of the concussion. "I now have a headache, doc."
The asari medical doctor makes a note about the headache. She examines the commando's for signs of the concussion. "You said you didn't have any headaches yesterday. Did you have this headache before the meeting with the Councilor?"
"No, I didn't. I felt fine," answers Lt. T'Soni.
"I'm keeping you a while longer. I'm not going to give you anything for your headache. I want to see if it goes away in a few hours. If it does, you can go home. If not, I'll need to run more tests," remarks Dr. T'Sakos. Before she leaves the room, she tells everyone to leave to give Kaja time to calm down. The medical doctor isn't sure if the headache is from the meeting or being caused by the concussion.
"Doctor, please allow Cass to stay," says Kaja with a hint of pleading in her voice.
Dr. T'Sakos looks to the human then back to her patient. "I'm sorry, but no. I want you to rest and nothing else." T'Sakos finally leaves the room, but only after everyone else does. The doctor walks down the hall to tell a nurse to keep a close eye on room 618. No more visitors allowed for the next two hours.
Kaja nods to the doctor then winks to Cass before Cass leaves the room. The commando closes her eyes trying to relax enough for her headache to disappear. She hopes she can go home today. Kaja is really tired of being in the hospital and the crappy food. She really appreciates her sister taking time from her business to check on her well-being. What Kaja doesn't appreciate is her poking her nose into her life when it wasn't necessary nor wanted.
–
Dr. Cassandra Mitchell is driving Kaja T'Soni to her apartment after being released from the hospital. Drs. Liara and Olivia T'Soni are following behind Cass and Kaja in another car. Cass glances over to Kaja, "Are you sure you want to go back to the apartment and not your mom's? You'd have more room there."
"Yea, I'm sure. I need to a place of my own. To think. I can't think straight at my parent's house. Not sure if I can think straight with you staying there too," replies Kaja with a hint of sarcasm to her voice when she says the last sentence.
"Is that so, Kaja?" comments Cass with a wink as she turns to park the car in a lot next to the apartment building. "I won't always be home. Suppose you'll have to do your thinking then, Lt." She leans over to carefully place a kiss on Kaja's cheek.
Kaja starts laughing as she waits for Cass to help her out of the car. "Goddess, Cass, don't make me laugh. It hurts to laugh."
Cass offers her hand to the asari and helps her out of the car. After Kaja gets out of the car, Cass reaches out to caress Kaja's left cheek. "Well does this hurt?" asks Dr. Mitchell as she kisses the asari on the lips.
Pulling away from the kiss, Kaja answers, "I'm not sure. I think I'll have to try it again." They start kissing again.
Liara and Liv walk up to the couple. kissing Liv looks around the neighborhood to ignore her sister and Dr. Mitchell's kiss, "Nice enough neighborhood, sis."
The Shadow Broker coughs in her hand to get the couple's attention. Kaja breaks away from Cass and looks at her mother with a grin on her face. "Didn't see you standing there, mom. Liv. This place is small. I wasn't planning on having a bunch of people over. Yes, Liv, the neighborhood is nice enough." She takes Cass' hand and leads everyone into her apartment.
"Damn, Kaja, this isn't small. This is tiny," remarks Liv as she looks around the apartment. "My dorm room was bigger than this."
"Have a seat, both of you. I told you it was small. It's what I need. I wasn't planning on having a bunch of people over. At least I have a place to do a little cooking. Unlike your dorm room. And Liv, you shared that room with three other people. Of course it was bigger," replies Kaja as she rolls her eyes at her youngest sister. The huntress sits on the edge of the bed and debates with herself if she should lie back or remain sitting.
Liv waves her hand at Kaja. "Yea. Yea, details. It's actually cozy. Why not stay at mom's?" asks the computer expert. Dr. Olivia T'Soni sits in the living room chair. She is still looking around the apartment. She notices on the dresser is a Prothean relic. Liv walks over to the relic and gives it a good look. "Dr. Mitchell, where did you get the Prothean memory shard?"
"From the dig site on Eden Prime. I was working on my post-graduate degree at the time. None of the museums wanted it, so I kept it. With permission of course," answers Cassandra. The memory shard is Cass' most prized possession.
Bringing a kitchen chair over by the living room chair, Liara says, "I'm surprised no museum wanted it. Was the dig sponsored by the university's museum?"
"Yes, the university sponsored the dig and wanted all artifacts found. The museum didn't want the memory shard.. I still don't understand why they didn't want it, but I contacted a few museums on Earth and none of them wanted it either. I even offered to give it to the museum here and Dr. Reinhart told me the museum didn't need another Prothean relic," comments the human archeologist. Cass thinks it is nice to talk about the memory shard and not have to explain what it is.
Lt. T'Soni lies on her back listening to the conversation about the memory shard. It's wonderful because she feels Cass is fitting in with her family perfectly. As she lies there listening, it dawns on her. She is the only one in the apartment that does not have a P'hd. Kaja starts to lose herself in her thoughts about the future. Spectre huh? Does that trump a Ph'd? Does it even matter? Do I even want to do that? That possibility has never crossed my mind. I was only promoted to Lieutenant, so I could do cases against other officers. To make it easier for me to get around. Or how I took the promotion. I don't see another reason for the fast track on the promotions. Could there be more at play within High Command? Politicians, blah. Do I want to deal with them? I don't know. I get a feeling the Councilor is blowing smoke up my blue ass about the transfer to the sniper unit.
The commando places her right hand gently on her left shoulder and closes her eyes. Will my shoulder heal so I can transfer to the sniper unit if they let me transfer? I'm still skeptical about it. It's what I have wanted for decades, but would the other huntresses even accept me? Knowing what I've done the past century. What about Cass?
She's been at my side the entire time, but does she want to be a soldier? I suppose she does, she moved in. I can always give her the apartment and stay at mom's. I know that won't be a problem. I have so much I need to talk with her about, but at the same time, I'm scared to. What are you scared of, T'Soni? You know Cass brings you an inner peace. She is replacing what you lost when dad died. I do love her. I need to tell her that. I'm scared to do that too. Why?
Liv sits on the opposite side of the bed and lies back like Kaja. "You seem lost in thought, sis. What did the Councilor say to you yesterday?" asks Liv.
Kaja glances over to her youngest sibling. A big grin cross her face, "I don't want to talk about that, Liv. I will say this, she did give me more to think about. Like I didn't have enough to on my mind before the meeting. Thanks."
"Welcome. I hope things work out like you want, sis. I really do," says Liv. She moves to rest on her elbows. "How is your shoulder?"
"Hurts, but I'm alive. Cass is safe. That's all that matters to me," answers Kaja with a smirk.
"You're crazy. Just like dad. And I love you for it." responds the computer expert before she kisses her sister's forehead.
Kaja shakes her head at Liv's comment. "I love you too, sis. Even if you still have the knack of getting me into hot water with someone." Kaja gets off the bed slowly after she remembers she needs to file her report to Matriarch Jilianea. Moving the chair in front of her terminal, the huntress starts to fill out her report to the Matriarch.
Liara asks when she sees her daughter typing with one hand, "Kaja, what are you doing? You need your rest."
"I need to file a report with Jilianea, mom. I was giving twenty-four hours after the meeting to file it. It's been longer than twenty-four hours. I'm positive Dr. T'Sakos has kept her updated on my condition. I still need to give her this. Wounded or not," answers Kaja. She pecks away at the keyboard, typing her report. The huntress explains very carefully the different offers from the asari Councilor and she is still thinking about them and will have her decision when she returns to Thessia. Lieutenant T'Soni also sends Matriarch Jilianea a detailed report of the incident that put her in the hospital.
"Olivia, are you ready to go? We should go, so your sister can rest. Do you need anything?" asks the Shadow Broker. She walks over to Kaja and puts her hand on her daughter's good shoulder.
Kaja looks over to Cass who is shaking her head no. "No, I don't think so. Thanks for the offer. I appreciate it very much. I love you, mom," says Kaja as she hits send. The commando shuts the terminal down and closes the case. She gives her mother and sister a gentle hug before they leave.
Dr. Mitchell tells Liara and Liv goodbye and gets the door for them. After mother and daughter leave, the archeologist looks over to Kaja. "Are you alright, Kaja? You look like you could use a nap."
"My shoulder hurts is all. It's going to for a while yet. Nap does sound good," replies the wounded asari as she makes her way back to lie on the bed. Kaja slides under the covers. The bed is softer than the bed at the hospital.
"Nap does sound good. Kaja, are you going to tell anyone what the Councilor said to you? I know you sent the Matriarch your report, but you've not spoken about it. Did something bad happen? You can tell me anything," says Cass when she sits on the edge of the bed.
Lt. T'Soni shakes her head with a grin on her face. Reaching out with her right hand to take Cass' hand., Kaja replies, "No, nothing bad. She gave me a lot to think about. Councilor Tevos explained poorly why I have not been allowed to transfer. I still think there is more to it than she what she said to me. She sees she has made a mistake and gave me a few choices on what to do next. I am still thinking about them. I want your input on my decision. It will affect our relationship. Or I think it will."
Cassandra lies next to Kaja and gives the asari a smile and soft kiss. "What are you choices?" Cass has some news as well. She's been offered to lead a team of post-graduate students at a Prothean ruins site on Feros. Cass has until tomorrow to give them her answer or lose the opportunity to get back in the field instead of working in a museum.
"A transfer to the unit I been trying to transfer to for over a century. She also said I am a good investigator and said I could be a Spectre. I don't know if I want to do that. Being a Spectre never crossed my mind. Or I could be part of the Council's security detail. And I can always get out," replies T'Soni.
"Wow, that's unexpected. No wonder you haven't said anything. A few choices is an understatement." Cass gives the asari another kiss on the lips. "I have something I need to tell you. I found out yesterday and they need an answer by tomorrow." The human pauses to look into Kaja's eyes. "I have been offered to lead a team of post-graduate students to excavate a Prothean ruin on Feros. I applied for this job six weeks ago and done two interviews. If I take it, I leave in six weeks and I will be gone for months. I'm sorry to drop this on you. You have enough to deal with without me adding to it."
Kaja sits up a little, puts a couple of pillows behind her back then takes Cass in her arm. "Take the job, Cass. I was close to having my mind made up before I left Thessia about getting out. I don't know if my shoulder is going to heal enough for me to join the sniper unit. I don't appreciate the political games the politicians are playing when it comes to my military career. Thinking they know what my parents would want for me and don't even bother to ask them about it. It's bullshit." She squeezes Cass with her right arm.
As Dr. Mitchell lies on Kaja's right side, she makes sure her body weight isn't causing the asari any discomfort. "I'm sorry the Councilor did that. Are you sure about Feros?"
"Yes, I'm sure about Feros." Kaja moves to lie back down and to the right to relieve the discomfort in the left shoulder. "Let's finish this after a nap. My shoulder is bothering me and I just want to rest."
"Okay." Cass is lying on Kaja's right shoulder with her right arm over the asari's torso with her eyes closes. One of the last thing on Cass' mind before she dozes off is Kaja and how much the asari means to her.
Even with the right side of her face is still sore, Kaja leans her head on top of Cass' head. Several thoughts run through her mind as she lies there wishing she could hold Cass with both arms instead of one. That is what I get for not pay better attention to my surrounds and thinking what happened with Eclipse was no big deal. Things happen for a reason. I don't know what being ambushed means. Maybe, being a huntress isn't my calling. I am good with a rifle though. Sniper rifle especially. I learn from two of the best. Dad and Garrus Vakarian. Thanks dad, Garrus. Too bad I'm wasting my skills being an investigator. What else can I do to use that skill? Outside of being a merc. Not doing that. Not after Eclipse came after me. Not before then for that matter.
Dad would haunt me from the grave if I did that. What would dad have done in that situation? One she probably would have had a gun with her. And she most likely would have taken Eclipse seriously. I screwed up. I know this. As soon as I heard Cass yelling, I had to do something. Even if it got me killed, I had to do something. No way was I going to lose Cass without a fight. Which I lost, but the most important thing is Cass is safe.
Kaja turns to lie on her right side and it causes Cass to stir. The asari softly says, "Sorry." Kaja continues thinking about her life and what to do next with it. Is being a Spectre the answer? I don't know. Reporting to a bunch of stuff shirts. Or worse being around them every day. What was Tevos thinking? Like I want to do that. Come on! I'd rather join C-Sec than be part of the Councilor's security detail. Maybe I can do that. If my shoulder can handle a sniper rifle again. I wonder if the range is still functional at mom's? If I remember correctly, they did rent it out to Alliance troopers who wanted to keep their skills sharp. I'll have to ask mom about that.
Maybe I should get out. Take some time off. See if Cass wants my company while she is working on Feros. Is that asking for too much? We're sharing a one-room apartment. Are we going too fast, but Goddess, it feels right. For the first time in far too long, I feel content and happy. Oh Goddess, my shoulder hurts. That damn modded ammo. Tore me up bad. Dad, I really could use your advice. About Eclipse and about Cass. Or would you say the same thing as mom. Be happy. Well, Cass does that. And she was at the hospital more than she was at work. That means so much. Kaja has a grin on her face as she thinks more about Dr. Mitchell before the asari finally falls asleep. Cass is lying next to her already sleep. It's the first time in days, Dr. Cassandra Mitchell has actually slept in a bed.
–
A/N: I skipped ahead a few days with this chapter. I have decided to turn this story into a duology. This is part 1 and focuses more on Kaja's relationship with Dr. Mitchell and which path she takes for her future.
Part 2 is going to deal more with Eclipse and the back story with Eclipse on Omega. And how that issue gets dealt with.
I know I have left a lot of details absent, but I will get into them in part 2. I have the epilogue left to write and then I'm going to work on the shorts for "Lover Mode" Then I'll start part 2 to this story. Hopefully by then, we'll have the EC and I might start a whole new arc depending on what is shown in the EC DLC.
Until then, see everyone next week for Chapter Nine.