Epilogue
Eight months later
Archeological Dig Site-Feros
Dr. Cassandra Mitchell sits at a table carefully cleaning an unknown object. The site has been full of unknown objects. The objects are not Prothean, too primitive looking. For the past six months, Dr. Mitchell has tried to figure out not only how old the pieces are, but which cycle they are from. She has sent a few pieces back to Earth over two months ago. Cass still hasn't heard anything back about the pieces she sent to Earth.
The dig site is bigger than expected and full of unknown artifacts. Because of that, the Alliance has sent a small team of scientists and a squad of marines to help Dr. Mitchell and her students maintain the site. The scientists are as stumped about the pieces as Cassandra is. Dr. Mitchell considers contacting Dr. Liara T'Soni about the artifacts, but Liara is dealing with a situation on the Citadel involving Kaja. Cass hasn't heard from the former huntress in almost two months. Liara keeps telling her everything is fine and Kaja is unable to contact anyone off the Citadel. That hasn't stopped Cass from worrying about her girlfriend.
A young female marine walks towards Dr. Mitchell. The marine doesn't look older than twenty. The young woman with short jet-black hair says as she approaches the archeologist, "Excuse me, Dr. Mitchell. There is a private shuttle inbound requesting your presence at the landing zone. I do believe the owner of the shuttle is..." The private looks at her omni-tool quickly to verify the owner of the shuttle, "...L. T'Soni. From Elysium."
Cass bring her lips together to form an 'O'. "Oh, okay. How long before the shuttle lands?" Stunned by the news there is a shuttle approaching and it's owned by Liara T'Soni. The last person she is expecting is Liara. She gets a little excited because maybe it's Kaja not Liara. Or both.
"Five to ten minutes, Doctor," answers the female marine. "I'm to escort you to the shuttle."
Cass hears the time then starts thinking who is in the shuttle again and didn't hear the marine say she is to escort her to the shuttle. "I'll be there in a few minutes," says Dr. Mitchell as she uses the brush to carefully clean the unknown object.
The jet-black haired woman repeats herself, "I'm to escort you to the shuttle, Dr. Mitchell."
"Oh," says Cass before she gets up from the table and leaves the artifact she is cleaning and studying. She walks with the Alliance marine to the landing area on the far side of the dig site. Between the dig site and the landing area is the living quarters for all the personal at the site. The last building is the small cantina a couple of students started shortly after arriving on Feros.
When they arrive at the landing pad, the shuttle is within eyesight. After a perfect landing, the shuttle door opens with an asari emerging from the shuttle. A big, bright smile appears on Cassandra's face when she sees who is in the shuttle. The human with hazel-colored eyes wants to run into Kaja's arms, but remains calm and walks over to the former huntress.
Kaja T'Soni takes a few steps before Cass wraps her arms around the asari. For the first time in months, Kaja can wrap both arms around Cassandra's waist. Kaja holds Cass tight against her body and whispers, "I've missed you, Cass. I'm sorry, I've been out of contact. It wasn't by choice."
Putting a little space between her and the asari, Cass moves her head so she can give Kaja a passionate kiss. The kiss lingers long enough for the two Alliance marines to walk away. Cass pulls away from the asari saying, "I love you, Kaja T'Soni, but what is going on? I've not heard from you for the past two months?" There is a mixture of happiness and concern with a hint of anger in Cass' tone.
An impish grin appears on Kaja's face. She looks around to see if anyone is pay attention to them. No one seems like they are pay attention, but that's doesn't mean they aren't listening for any type of gossip to tell their buddy during the off-duty hours. "Ah, C-Sec custody," says Kaja.
"What?!" exclaims Cass. She places her hand on Kaja's cheek.
Kaja moves Cass' hand from her check, places a soft kiss on it, and asks, "May we go some place...ah...more private?" She kisses Cass' hand again. "I love you too, Cass."
"I have a small living quarters. We can go there," replies Cass. Kaja kisses Cass' lips quickly before grabbing her bags. Cass takes one of Kaja's bags and heads down the row of prefab building they are using for housing. The archeologist's quarters is the last door on the right side of the road. She opens the door to reveal a living area about the size of Kaja's Elysium apartment. Except there is no kitchen area. There is a full-size bed with a three cushion sofa with an ottoman. There is also a long rectangle desk with a computer terminal plus Cass has the portable terminal on the desk as well. And a deck chair with wheels. There are few shelves hanging on the walls and they are mostly empty.
Kaja puts her bags on the floor near the door. The first bag she opens has the Prothean memory shard and the artifact's display case. She takes both the case and the artifact out of her bag. Putting the shard in the display case, the asari puts it on one of the empty shelves above the desk. "I am sorry, Cass. I never intended to be out of contact for two months. Hell, I didn't think I was going to be in C-Sec custody for two months either." Kaja sits on the couch, puts her left arm on the back of the couch, and rubs her neck with her right hand.
Cass joins Kaja on the couch. She leans against the other arm of the couch and puts her feet in Kaja's lap. "I can't wait to hear what happened, Kaja." The only thing Cass knows is something happened on the Citadel involving Kaja. She is fine, but unable to contact anyone. "Thank you for having your mom keep me updated. I'm worried about you, sweetie."
Kaja takes off Cass' boots and socks. The asari starts to rub her thumbs on the balls of Cass' left foot. "I got a tip from Specialist Trippolis about an assassin waiting for me when I got to the Citadel. Lorrea was on Elysium following on a lead from a message from Anika's cousin, Jimmy. He's been convicted and in prison for attempted kidnapping and attempted murder. He is serving his time in a prison on Elysium. Even after my discharge, Matriarch Jilianea was still looking into Eclipse. I doubt Lorrea freelanced going to Elysium. She follows her orders without question. She also wouldn't do something without the Matriarch knowing about it."
"Eclipse still a threat?" asks Dr. Mitchell. She closes her eyes as she enjoys the massage she is receiving.
"No, they are not. That problem went away the other day. And why C-Sec allowed me to leave. Cass, I wasn't held because I did something wrong. They kept moving me from different apartments in the shittiest part of the Citadel while under C-Sec protection. By order of the asari Councilor. I only had contact with two people. Liv and my lawyer. Liv got the lawyer for me," replies Kaja. She picks up Cass' right foot and starts to use her thumbs to massage the human's foot.
Cass opens her eyes and looks at the asari sitting on the other side of the couch. "I'm confused. Why would the Councilor order your protection?"
"Huh, yea, well." Kaja looks over to Cass with a slight grin on her face. "When I got to the Citadel, I noticed the assassin as soon as I got off the transport at the dock. He wasn't very good. I was one of the last ones off the transport, so the area had cleared out. He took a shot at me. Since I brought up my barrier, the shot deflected off it and hit a wall. He took off running and I gave chase." The asari gave the human a look of regret when she sees the look Cass is giving her.
Cassandra glares at the asari, "You did what? You told me you wasn't going to go after Eclipse." She moves her feet from Kaja's lap and puts them back on the floor. "You lied to me, Kaja."
This is the moment that is going to test all the progress Kaja has made with her therapist over the six months before Kaja took her trip to the Citadel. "I'm sorry, Cass. I went after him without hesitation. It was a reflex to everything I've been told since I can remember plus my huntress training. Cass, my dear, that instinct doesn't go away because I left the military. It may never go away." Kaja gets off the couch and walks over to one of two windows in the room. She puts her hands behind her back and looks out the window. "He didn't even get back to his car before I put him in a stasis field. Then without a second thought, I threw a warp field and it sorta...caused...an explosion. A few minutes later, C-Sec shows up. They were a little slow at reacting to the gun shot. At that point, C-Sec placed me under arrest." Kaja closes her eyes and shakes her head. She balls up her right hand then releases then does it again while smacking her fist against her outer thigh.
Cass has her hands covering her face and her elbows on top of her knees. The human isn't sure why she is getting so upset with Kaja. She knows this is what Kaja is going to do. Go after the bad guys. Especially ones who are trying to kill her or her loved ones. Cass is almost certain Liara would do the same thing. Go after the person shooting at her. Not only is Kaja like her father, Commander Shepard. She is also like her mother, Dr. Liara T'Soni in some aspects. The younger asari might not agree with that assessment, but it is how Cassandra Mitchell sees it.
She gets off the couch and joins Kaja by the window. She stands behind Kaja so she can wrap her arms around the asari and puts her chin on Kaja's right shoulder, "I don't know why I'm getting mad at you, Kaja. You did what I expect you will always do." She moves to face Kaja. As she looks into the asari's ocean blue-colored eyes, a smile appears on Cass' face. She is smiling because she still sees in those eyes, the asari she is in love with. Even if she is a little annoyed with Kaja about being out of contact for almost two months. "How did you go from being under arrest to under protection?"
"I know why you're upset with me and I don't blame you. I said I wouldn't go after Eclipse, but this guy was so amateurish I would have spotted him without being tipped off before hand. And he shot at me, Cass. What do you expect me to do?"asks Kaja.
Dr. Mitchell remains silent to think about what does she expect Kaja to do? "I expect you to do what you did, sweetie. I don't know why I am getting upset with you. I'm sorry, Kaja. Please continue."
Rubbing her forehead, Kaja continues her story, "Since there wasn't much left of the assassin after the explosion. They scraped some samples for DNA testing, but that was about it. C-Sec took me to their headquarters and put me in a nice cushy room. Once they figured out I wasn't lying and they got the name of the assassin. He had no association with Eclipse He was low life thug hired by Jimmy and he is still in jail on Elysium. So Jimmy gets another attempted murder charge against him and by the Citadel this time. When the new asari Councilor, Annavas, I think is her name. Anyway, when she read the C-Sec report she stepped in. Between the Councilor and the lawyer Liv hired for me, C-Sec only held me for a day or was it two? Then they moved to several different safe houses over the past two months. The Councilor knew about the deal between me and Tevos. She also knew about Eclipse and contacted Matriarch Jilianea about it. Needless to say, Cass, the last two months were horrible. And I never want to go through that again." She wraps her arms around Cass and holds the human.
"It's okay, sweetie. You're home now." Cass rubs her hand over Kaja's back. "One last question then you don't have to talk about it again. What happened to Eclipse?"
"A Spectre took out Sederis. Then the Spectre might have let a few krogan troops into their base on Omega and then the one on Illium," replies Kaja in a stoic tone. "The krogan are Blood Pack. So as far as any one knows, Blood Pack took over Eclipse."
It is shocking to Cass to hear what happened with Eclipse. Especially since the Council ordered an assassination. Even if the target is a criminal. Cass is still surprised by their action. "Why would the Council send a Spectre after Eclipse because of you? I don't understand. Is that the official story or unofficial?" asks the human.
"I don't know if that is the official story or not. It's what one of the C-Sec officers assigned to watch me said before they let me go. I felt like a prisoner and I didn't do anything but defend myself. Councilor Annavas and the other Councilors have had enough of the Terminus thugs harassing supply lines and with Eclipse. They went after a military officer from a Council Race. Even though my discharge was medical. The Councilor feels if Eclipse hadn't shot me in the shoulder with modded ammo, I would still be on active duty," says Kaja before she takes one step and sits on the foot of the bed. "I don't want to talk about it anymore, Cass. It's what happened. Please, believe me." Kaja lies on her stomach with her arms folded under her head. She is facing the window and watching people mulling about the dig site.
Dr. Mitchell believes the asari. As unbelievable the story is, she can see it happening to Kaja. Cass straddles Kaja's lower back and starts rubbing on her shoulders. The human's hands move from the asari's shoulders to her neck. She leans down and lays soft kisses on the folds on the back of Kaja's neck. Soft sounds escape the asari's lips with each kiss Cass places on her neck. With each sound coming from the asari, makes the human's kisses more erotic and sensual.
Kaja slides out from under Cass when she notices one of the younger humans watching them. She closes the curtain part of the way before Cass grabs the back of Kaja's shirt and pulls her back on the bed. She says so softly, quietly Kaja barely heard it, "Let them watch." before she attacks Kaja's neck with her tongue and lips. More soft moans escape the asari's lips as her hands fumble with the zipper to Cass' pants. Kaja finally gets the zipper to corporate and the pants end up quickly on the floor. Followed by even quicker are the rest of their clothes.
Since Kaja is able to use both hands, they explore every centimeter of Cass' body. The human arches her back to give the asari more room to work with. Kaja's right hand lightly caresses the expose flesh of Cass' lower torso. She brings her left hand up the human's outer thigh and over the hip. The asari grabs Cass enough to force the human on to her back. There is a hunger in the asari's eyes. It's the same hunger and desire Cass' body is radiating with each caress or flick of the blue fingers across her skin.
"Relax, Cass." says Kaja before her eyes turn from their normal ocean-blue color to solid black. Those are the only two words spoken between the bondmates for the next several hours. Their nervous systems intertwine with each other being one entity. Every move they make is in perfect harmony. The only sounds heard from the couple are moans and gasps from both the asari and the human. Which at times is heard by others if they are close enough to the building.
The older humans are trying their best to ignore the sounds of pure sexual pleasure coming from Cass' living quarters. A few of the grad students are taking bets on how long they last for. The shortest bet is ten minutes. Which makes everyone laugh who are taking part of the bet. The longest bet is until dinner. Which made everyone shake their head and saying, "No way, will they last that long."
Dinner time comes and goes. Still no sign of either Cassandra Mitchell or Kaja T'Soni. The cantina opens at 1900 and closes at 2300 Sunday through Thursday. Stays open until 0100 Friday and Saturday. Dr. Mitchell's only rule is, don't come to the dig site drunk or hung over. If anyone does, the cantina will close and will not reopen. Most of the people at the dig site go there for the a drink or two. Some of the Alliance personal play poker at one of the tables in the corner away from the bar. The small building is starting to fill up and the students notice Dr. Mitchell is still in her quarters with the asari.
"Why is it every time we join, it's sunny out, but when we're done it's dark?" asks Cass when she finally regains her breath. She points to the window with the moonlight shining through.
Kaja gives Cass a quick kiss, "I don't know. I do know, melding with you is like nothing I've ever experience before.
Cass brings her hand to her forehead, "We missed dinner. We might be eating out of machines for dinner."
"I think I filled up on Dr. Mitchell tonight." jokes Kaja. "We can always say screw dinner and stay in bed until morning."
Cass gives the asari a sideways look. "Still hungry, sweetie?" asks Cass as she presses her lips firmly against Kaja's lips. They roll over and with Kaja on top Their lips never break contact while they move about.
The asari's eyes instantly turn black when Cass grabs at an overly sensitive area on the asari's lower back. "Oh, Goddess, yes." replies Kaja before she presses her thigh tighter against Cass' inner thighs and starts kissing behind the human's ear. The aura of lust and desire fills the room and seeps to the surrounding area near the living quarters. No one at the dig site sees either of them until the morning.
–
The next morning, Kaja wakes up before Cass does. The asari is loving how she is now able to hold her dear with both arms around the human. Because of the damage caused by the modded ammo, Kaja is unable to lift her left arm above her head. She is able to hold is straight out to the side and forward, but is unable to lift it past shoulder height. When Cass starts to stir, Kaja gives her a tender squeeze with both arms, "Good morning, my dear."
"It's the best morning I've had in a long time, sweetie," replies Cass as she kisses Kaja.
The asari smiles at the human lying next to her, "Yes, it is." Kaja leans closer to Cass to plant a kiss on the human's lips.
After Cass breaks the kiss, she says, "I need to get cleaned up and get ready for work I don't know what you plan on doing while I working. I can't take the day off like I did yesterday." Cass gets out of bed and grabs her robe and a towel.
The asari grins, "I'll manage. I need to contact my mom and a few others. I should have done that yesterday, but well. You know. I do have a job offer to consider. We can discuss it when your work day is over. I love you, Cass."
"Sounds good. I love you too, sweetie." Cass kisses Kaja quickly then heads to the showers. Dr. Mitchell has a private living quarters, but everyone shares the showers and toilets. Including the Alliance marines. When Dr. Mitchell finally comes out of her quarters, a few students start clapping. Cass puts a smile on her face, shakes her head, and walks to the showers.
A few minutes later Kaja T'Soni walks into the showers. Cass is the only person using the showers. "Looks like your students enjoyed our...ah...mmm...show yesterday."
"I agree and I don't care." Cass is rinsing the shampoo from her hair. The human quickly finishes washing herself, so she can get to work. Dr. Mitchell puts on her robe, walks closer to Kaja without getting wet again. "Kaja, I should show you where everything is. We are slowly turning into a small colony. I'll be waiting for you in our room."
The asari nods her head in acknowledgment while Kaja lets the water run over her head and the back of her neck. She smiles with teeth showing when she watches Cass turn and walk away. Kaja moves her head back to let the water hit her in the face. For the first time in two months, Kaja feels free. Free to come and go and not have an escort right next to her or right behind her. Free to contact people besides secret meetings with her youngest sister, Olivia. Kaja lets the water turn cold before she turns the shower off and quickly dries herself off. Wrapping a towel around her slender blue body, Kaja walks back to the her room.
Cass dresses in a pair of navy blue pants, a short-sleeved pink shirt, and boots. She also has a bucket hat on her head. Dr. Mitchell sits at the desk looking through an old book on artifacts from Earth. She carefully turns the pages and looks over some of the pictures of vases, pitchers, and cups. Cass brings her fingers and plays with her lower lips. Pulling it some then letting the lip go. She keeps at it until she stands up and walks outside.
The Alliance scientist, Dr. Harris Jacobson, is talking to one of the students about a piece the student finished cleaning. Dr. Mitchell walks over to the older human. "Excuse me, Dr. Jacobson, I think I may have found something interesting." Cass watches Kaja enter their room. A smile appears on her face when she sees the asari walk by.
"What is it, Dr. Mitchell?" asks Dr. Jacobson. The older human is in his sixties. He is six-foot tall. Average height for a male. He has brown eyes and gray hair. Some of the students think the scientist looks like someone was hit in the face too many times with his wide flat looking nose.
"If you wait right here, I'll show you," replies Cass. She turns and heads back to her room. Kaja is fully dressed and sitting on the couch with her feet on the ottoman. "Give me a few minutes. I need to show Dr. Jacobson something. I'll be right back. Try not to stray too far," winks Cass as she grabs the book with her finger on the page she wants to show Dr. Jacobson and walks back outside.
Kaja watches Cass come into the apartment, say something, grab a book , then quickly leave. Kaja goes outside and sits on the steps. She takes in the surroundings. Seems peaceful to the asari, but the military presence makes her wonder how peaceful this place really is. Kaja looks to her left and sees a group of three male students and one female students all four of them are looking in her direction until Kaja makes eye contact with one of the males. The eye contact with the student causes him to walk away and he takes his friends with him.
Kaja looks to her right, she sees a lot of fresh dug dirt and what looks like a big hole in the ground. The asari thinks this is the main ruin where they are finding everything. The sun peeks out from behind some clouds and shines bright. Kaja leans back on the stair, closes her eyes, and enjoys the sunshine and fresh air. She starts thinking about the job offer from C-Sec. Nothing beats actual sun and air. Living on the Citadel would be nice, but the air and sunlight are artificial. Kaja remembers the short time they stayed there when she was a child and how she thought it was too crowded and busy.
A century and half later, Kaja still feels that way. Is working for C-Sec, heading up a new task force what she really wants? Kaja isn't sure. The Executor along with the Council are wanting to push back against the mercenaries from the Terminus Systems who are conducting illegal activities on the Citadel and in Council Space. Maybe working away from the Citadel would be best, but what would Cass think? Kaja opens her eyes, shakes her head at the thought of being gone for days or weeks at a time and possibly with little or no contact with each other.
Cass grins when she see Kaja outside enjoying the day. "It's a nice day today. Want to take a walk, so I can show you around. Or go inside and talk? Your choice."
Kaja looks up to see Cass hovering over her. It's a view the asari enjoys seeing. With a smile on her face, Kaja answers, "We can go for a walk."
The human offers her hand to help Kaja off the steps. The former huntress takes it and gets on her feet. Cass starts showing Kaja around the site. First place she shows the asari is the ruin itself. They don't bother any of the students still combing through the area. Next, she shows Kaja the cafe. It's not much of a cafe. They have one hot meal a day and eat from the vending machines the rest of the time. It beats the field rations, Cass has had at other sites.
While they are near the machines, they both grab a bite to eat. Neither has eaten anything since yesterday and Kaja really hasn't had much to eat in a couple of days. Kaja grabs another sandwich from the machine and eats it while Cass shows her around. As they walk past the cantina, Kaja asks, "You allow your students to run a bar? I'm surprised by that, Cass."
"They are all legal drinking age and adults. So far, no one has gotten drunk and into any fights and there hasn't been any one hung over either. I did give them rules to follow, Kaja," replies Cass as she leads Kaja back to their room. After Cass closes the door, she sits at her desk, sets the book on the desk, then says, "I got some news from Dr. Fredrric when I was showing Dr. Jacobson some of the similarities in the artifacts in this book," Cass puts her left hand on the book. "The Alliance is taking over the site. They told the University of Penn, they are taking over the site and they want the students and I to leave within the next two days."
"Why? Something else here they want to keep secret?" asks Kaja. She is sitting on the ottoman, facing Cass.
Dr. Mitchell slumps her shoulders and rubs her temples. "In a way, I'm glad. This has been frustrating ruin to deal with. Everyone agrees. What is here isn't Prothean. But no one knows which species used these items or how old they are. I did notice when thumbing through this book some of the pitchers and vases had designs similar to items found in the UK dating back to 1 CE and before. That doesn't mean humans were here before ExoGeni formed a colony here. It means some species made items like humans did on Earth. Majority of this planet is a big Prothean metropolis. What we found here is too primitive and not Prothean."
The human with hazel-colored eyes moves from the desk to the couch. "I know that didn't answer your question. I don't know why the Alliance is telling us to leave. I'll be honest, Kaja. I don't care. I'm ready to leave and go back to Elysium." Cass sits on the couch running her fingers through her shoulder length hair.
"I think you should contact the university and see what they say. Or is Dr. Fredrric from the university?" Kaja sits next to Cass and holds the human's hand.
"Dr. Fredrric is Alliance and the man in charge now. I guess you could say, Kaja. I just got fired, but I can't leave until the students do. I'm glad you're here." Cass sighs and leans against the asari. "Perfect timing too. You arrive and now we can leave together." She kisses Kaja before getting off the couch to talk to her students. "I need to talk to my students, to tell them to pack their things. I doubt they will want to leave, but we don't have a choice."
Kaja sits on the couch after Cass leaves to talk to the students. She debates whether or not to contact her therapist and her mother or just her mom. If they are going back to Elysium in a day or two, she can wait to contact Dr. Tattius. Kaja grabs the portable terminal and sets it on the ottoman. The asari types in her password and the terminal comes to life. A few more keystrokes and Liara in holo form appears. "Hi, mom."
"Hello, Kaja. Make it to Feros?" asks the Shadow Broker. Liara already knows about the Alliance taking over the site. That information has already crossed her desk. She feels bad for Dr. Mitchell because the asari knows why the Alliance is taking it over. The Alliance scientists feel Dr. Mitchell is in over her head and at times she seems unfocused. Too bad, Liara can't intervene in the situation. As much as she wants to, the Shadow Broker knows she needs to treat Cassandra like she treats her daughters and not meddle in their affairs when information about them crosses her desk.
"Yes, I got here yesterday during the afternoon. It looks like we will be back on Elysium in a day or two. So, I can finally return your shuttle. Mom, thanks for letting me to continue to use it after what happened on the Citadel," comments the eldest T'Soni daughter. She leans back and places her right arm across the back of the couch.
"So soon? Well, you can always come here. I have plenty of room," says the Shadow Broker. Liara smiles at Kaja. It's the first time she's seen her since she left for the Citadel and Liara thinks her daughter looks good. Maybe a little ragged around the edges, but she still looks good. "How are you doing?"
The former huntress answers, "I'm good, mom. Unsure about the job C-Sec offered me before I left yesterday. They want my answer soon."
"Take your time with it and talk to Cassandra about it. Then you'll know if you should take the job or not. If they don't like how long you take to think it over, it's not worth taking, Kaja." says Liara with her motherly advice. "I'll see you both soon. I have another call. I love you, Kaja." The holo of Liara disappears.
Kaja doesn't even have time to say "Goodbye or I love you" before Liara terminates the call. She is almost afraid to check her messages. Two months worth of messages are waiting for the asari to read. Kaja's fingers move across the keys and opens her messages. "Oh, crap. Over a thousand." She starts to delete all the spam messages. The number drops to three hundred eighty-six messages. Most of those are from Cass.
Kaja creates a 'need to read' folder and puts all of Cass' messages in the newly created folder. She doesn't have the desire to read them now. She has a feeling they will bring her nothing but sadness and regret. Two emotions she can't afford to feel today. Not with Cass finding out the Alliance relieved her of her duties. So, she reads the two messages from her sister Gaia instead.
The first message is Gaia complaining about how this movie she is working on is going to flop and desperately wants to quit the project, but knows if she does. It gives a bad impression to other directors and producers. Gaia's second message is how she hopes everything is okay and Liv contacted her and told her what was going on. Kaja replies to Gaia and lets her know she is fine, on Feros with Cass, and probably headed back to Elysium in a day or two. And she asks if the movie shoot she was complaining so much about is over yet.
After sending her message to Gaia, Kaja shuts off the terminal and closes the case. She puts it back on the desk and returns to sitting on the couch. Cass storms back into the living quarters, grabs her bags and starts to hastily pack her clothes. She looks over the couch and sees Kaja giving her a curious look, but isn't saying anything. The patience the asari always shows is a trait Cass loves about Kaja more than anything else. "We have to leave within the next hour. I don't think you have unpacked much. I have a few things to grab, so we can leave."
"Okay." Kaja grabs the few dirty clothes she has and shoves them into a bag. Everything else is still in her bags. Everything except for the Prothean memory shard and the display case for it. Kaja grabs the display case and removes the shard from it and puts the items into her bag. She wraps a shirt around the display case and the shard. "I'm done. Need some help? I can actually help this time."
Dr. Cassandra Mitchell stops packing to look over at Kaja. "There should be a box on the floor under the desk to put all the book on the desk in. I'll explain once we get on the shuttle and leave. All I am saying now, this is bullshit." She points to the desk then goes back to putting her clothes in bags.
Kaja nods without saying anything and starts packing the books. Putting the last book in the box and closes it, Kaja puts the box next to her bags. She walks over to Cass and pulls her in close and holds the human in her arms. "What do you need me to do, Cass?"
Cass looks around the room. The shelves are empty except for a items provided by the company contracted to assemble the prefab building and to furnish the rooms. "You can start taking our things to the shuttle. I want to make sure I have all my things before we leave."
"Okay, my dear," answers Kaja before she puts a soft kiss on Cass' left cheek. Before she picks up her bags and the box, the former huntress turns to say, "I love you." Kaja puts a bag over each shoulder. The lightest bag hangs over the left shoulder. She carries the third bag in her hand along with the box of books. As she walks to the shuttle, Kaja starts wondering if she is the reason the Alliance is taking over the site and sending the students and Cass home. By the time she gets to the shuttle, she thinks maybe someone contacted someone else complaining about what yesterday's activities.
Kaja stows her bags and the box of books away. She leaves the shuttle and heads back to help Cass. Dr. Mitchell meets her half way between the shuttle and the living quarters. Cass walks past Kaja without saying anything with a scowl on her face. Kaja looks towards the living quarter and sees a human who she thinks is Dr. Fredrric. She walks briskly to catch up to Cass. Kaja takes one of the bags and the extranet terminal case from Cass' hand and walks next to her. Once they get inside the shuttle, Cass puts her belongings in a storage compartment and sits in a seat with a foul look on her face.
In the cockpit, Kaja turns on all the shuttle systems. Waiting for all the computers to come online, Kaja peeks her head out the cockpit door, "There is a co-pilot seat if you want to join me up here." Cass only shakes her head. "Okay, if you change your mind, feel free to join me." Kaja turns her attention to piloting the shuttle when the all the systems are ready. The old Shepard/T'Soni family shuttle takes off from the planet Feros heading to the Mass Relay to make the jump to the Vetus System.
Dr. Cassandra Mitchell sits and stews in her frustration and her anger at the Alliance and at Penn until they make the jump to the Vetus System. Cass finally gets out of her seat and joins Kaja in the cockpit. "They are throwing me under the bus, Kaja. Blaming me for not finding the answers in eight months. The Alliance thinks I'm unable to run a dig site and the university agrees. I sent a few artifacts to Earth before you went to the Citadel and I still had not heard anything back about the finds. But it's my fault no one knows what we are unearthing. It's bullshit."
"Cass, be honest with me, how much did your work suffer because of me disappearing without contact?" asks Kaja. The asari programs the auto-pilot for the rest of the trip. Elysium is on the far side of the star and at the furthest point from the Mass Relay, so the trip will take a few hours longer than normal.
"I did my job, it was the off-hours that got hard. Knowing I couldn't see you on the screen telling me about your day. Or how you can't wait to come and see me. Yes, you being unreachable affected me. I don't think my actual work suffered. I didn't know what we were dealing with six months ago, let alone two. We're not finding any usable DNA, but it's my fault. So, no, it's not your fault I got let go. I'm sorry, you don't need to hear me rant about what happened," responds Dr. Mitchell.
Kaja turns her chair to face Cass sitting in the co-pilot's chair, she places her ankle on her knee, and smiles to the human. "Don't be sorry. If we can't tell each other everything, then who can we tell everything to? I don't want any secrets between us, Cass. I contacted my mom before we made the jump through the relay, so she knows we are on our way home. If that is where you want to live, we can go anywhere."
A slight grin appears on Cass' face. The first thing Cass plans on doing when she gets back to Elysium is contacting Dr. Reinhart about returning to the museum. "It's where I want to live, Kaja. I like living on Elysium. It's a good mix of different cultures and there are plenty of things to do. Maybe we can go ride a few rides now that you have healed your shoulder."
"We can. I don't have any restrictions. Only thing is I can't put my arm above my head." Kaja moves her left arm up and it doesn't go higher than shoulder height. "Cass, I got a job offer, but I don't think I'm going to take it. I don't think I want to live on the Citadel. Do you?" asks Kaja.
"C-Sec offer you something? Or your sister, Liv?" asks Cass back without answering the question Kaja asked her.
"I can always go work with Liv. That offer is always in place. She is willing to open another department to her computer security business and offer personal protection if I want to head that department. We've talked about it off and on for several decades. To answer your question, yes C-Sec offered me a nice position actually. To head a special task force to go against the mercenaries groups from the Terminus Systems and deal with them as I see fit. I would be working for C-Sec, but with the Citadel Council approval to go off the Citadel and deal with problems within Citadel Space. That includes Alliance Space. I wouldn't exactly be C-Sec or a Spectre, but sorta a combo of the two and I could pick who works on the task force. I would either be stuck behind a deck and on the Citadel or gone all the time. I'm not sure I like the idea of either one. Do you?"
Cass thinks Kaja isn't being fair. She keeps wanting her input and Cass isn't wanting to give her an answer. Cass thinks she is being selfish, but since Kaja is asking she'll give the asari her answer. She says, "Kaja, I want you home every night. I'd understand if you do something and have to take trips, but I don't want you gone for days or weeks at a time. Which sounds like this job offer is going to do. I know I sound selfish, but I know you, you'll be in the field working. Not sitting behind a desk. Actually, I have a hard time seeing you behind a desk."
"You're not selfish, Cass. Being home is what I want too. I'll start looking when we get home. Mom's house okay until we find jobs? Or until we find an apartment? I do have a small income every month. I really don't have to work. I do make enough to have a small apartment. About the size of the one I rented before..." Kaja doesn't finish her comment. She flashes a toothy, goofy grin at Cass. A look her grandmother, Hannah Shepard would love.
"I love you, Kaja T'Soni. You do know how to lighten the mood." Cass snaps her fingers and says, "Hey, I know what you can do. Go work for the local police department. Can you pass a physical with your shoulder?"
Kaja shakes her head, "I doubt it, but if C-Sec is willing to take me, why wouldn't Illyria's police department? I can still use my biotics without any issues. I can still shoot with a pistol and SMG. No more using the sniper rifle. Which breaks my heart." Kaja places her hand over her heart. "I love that gun." Kaja pouts a little about not being able to use her sniper rifle.
Cass starts laughing and slaps her knee with her hand. "Your too funny, sweetie. Seriously though. Go and talk to them tomorrow while I go and talk to Dr. Reinhart about returning to the museum. What's the worse that happens? You get told no. Then you look for something else. I'd really like to stay on Elysium at least for a while."
"Here is how I am seeing it, Cass. You follow your career path, to where ever that leads. If that is Elysium. Then it's Elysium. If it's on Earth. Then it's Earth. If you found a job on the Citadel, we'd move there. I'll be honest, Cass, I don't want to live on the Citadel. I really don't. Especially after what happened the past two months. All I thought of was you and how much I missed you. There were times I thought you wouldn't want to see me again. Because I fell off the grid without telling you why. If it wasn't for the therapy I did and Liv keeping my spirits up, I would have lost it after about a week of being in the safe house. I went twice a week for four months before it dropped to once a week before I left. Speaking of which, I need to contact him tomorrow." The console starts flashing, alerting Kaja they are close to Elysium and she brings them out of FTL flight.
It take another hour before Kaja lands the shuttle in the hanger. She shuts down all the systems and checks again to make sure everything is offline. Cass starts to grab their bags when Kaja opens the shuttle door. Liara steps into the shuttle to give her daughter a hug then she gives Cass a hug. "I'm sorry, Cassandra. It is good to see you. Even if the situation is less than ideal."
"Thanks Liara," replies Cass. She takes a bag in each hand and heads to the house. She notices her car is in the hanger along with all of her stuff from storage. "Ah, Liara. Why is all my stuff out of storage?" asks Dr. Mitchell.
"So you wouldn't have to pay a rental fee. I have plenty of room and thought I would save you the credits. I hope you don't mind," replies the Shadow Broker.
Dr. Mitchell starts crying. They are not tears from a broken heart or tears of anger. They are tears of joy Kaja starts to take Cass into her arms when Cass puts her arm out to stop Kaja, "No, it's okay. Thank you, Liara. To both of you. Dr. T'Soni, you've always shown me respect even when I was a teenager trying to figure out your book about the Prothean, Javik. Now, you've made me feel like part of the family. Thank you. It means a lot."
Liara gives Cassandra a motherly hug. "My pleasure, Cassandra. We should get your stuff inside. I have some leftovers I can warm up if you two are hungry."
It take two trips to get all the couple's belongings from the shuttle. Kaja takes a small square box from her bag and puts it in her right pants pocket as she unpacks her bags. Most of her clothes are hung in the closet. She puts the memory shard back on the top shelf of the desk and sets the case with the extranet terminal on the desk. Cass sits on the bed, leaving most of her clothes in the bags she tossed them in.
Kaja says, "Follow me, Cass." She moves her arm in a 'follow me' type motion as she heads out the bedroom door. Cass follows Kaja out of the bedroom then out the patio door. The eldest T'Soni daughter leads the human the big rock near the path to the sniper range. Kaja sits on the ground with her back on the rock. "Please, Cass, sit." She pats the ground to her left.
Cass sits on the big rock instead of on the ground next to the former huntress. She removes her boots and socks then moves directly above Kaja to rest her feet on the asari's shoulders. "I love this place. So, peaceful and the view."
"That it is. Which is why my room faces this side of the house. Gaia and I got to pick our rooms. Liv got the room we didn't want. Which is the room closest to mom and dad's bedroom." Kaja runs her hand up Cass' right calf and back down then does the same to the left calf.
"What about Liv? Or was she too little to pick a room? I know your mom has lived here for close to two centuries.
Kaja lifts the pant leg up and lays small kisses on the human's lower leg. "Well, it's hard to pick a room when your still in mom's womb." comments Kaja with dead-pan humor. She pulls the pant leg back down and repeats with the other leg.
"Huh, I guess so. If you thought bringing me out here was a way to cheer me up, it's working." Cass leans back with her forearms flat against the rock.
There is the clue, subtle hint that tells the investigator in Kaja this is the perfect time to give Cass her gift. She grabs the square box from her pocket, turns to faces Cass, then hands the box to her.. "I got this for you before I left the Citadel yesterday. It's my answer. To the question you asked me before I..." Kaja pauses to think of the exact wording she should use, "...had my breakdown."
Dr. Cassandra Mitchell opens the box to reveal a stunning sapphire ring. The big gemstone is heart-shaped with smaller gemstones arraigned around the bigger gemstone. Cass gives Kaja a big hug and kiss. She looks at the ring in the box. A smirk appears before teasing the asari with her question, "Your answer to what question, Kaja? I don't remember asking you any questions."
Kaja scratches her chin, "Hmm?" The asari rubs the back of her neck, "Well, maybe it was some other human. But I could have sworn it was you. Maybe it's one of the other humans I'm seeing. I get so confused because I get so many throwing themselves at me. It's hard to say no." She flashes the Shepard smirk.
"Hmph," Cass closes the box, so the ring doesn't fall out of it while she places her hands on her hip in fake anger. She goes back to being serious. "Kaja, this is a beautiful ring. What are the chances it fits? Will you?" Cass hands the box back to Kaja.
"Well if it doesn't fit, I'll take it back once I know your ring size." The asari removes the ring from the box and slides it on the human's left ring finger. Kaja has Commander Leia Shepard's luck. The ring fits Cass' finger perfectly. "I'd love to share my life with you, Dr. Cassandra Mitchell."
The human archeologist gives the asari a wet, sloppy kiss. "You know something, Kaja. I think I'm the one who is supposed to give you the ring considering I asked you."
Kaja thinks for a moment or two. She says, "Okay, Cass." Kaja removes the ring from Dr. Mitchell's finger. Before the human can protest, the asari asks, "Cass, will you give me the privilege of being my bondmate?"
"The privilege would be mine, Kaja," replies Cass as Kaja slides the ring back on her finger. She takes Kaja's cheeks with both hand and kisses the asari passionately.
Over the next couple of hours, Cassandra and Kaja talk about what type of ceremony to have. How big? Both agree less is more and to keep the guest list to parents and siblings and some close friends. They also agree to have the ceremony on the property with a good view of the mountain and nothing too fancy. The date is still undetermined. If Kaja gets accepted by the local law enforcement, that will determine when they can have their ceremony.
Kaja and Cass hold hands as they walk back to the house. Together they tell Liara their plans. Liara gives them both a hug and kiss. Kaja walks into the study and does a search for apartments. As much as Cass loves the view from the yard, Kaja doesn't want to stay long. Her goal is to find something and move in by the end of the week. The next thing Kaja does is contact her therapist. Lucky for the former huntress he is still in his office and is willing to do a vid-session with her.
While Kaja is in the study talking to her therapist, Cassandra is using the portable terminal and contacts Dr. Reinhart about returning to the museum. Dr. Reinhart has held the position for Dr. Mitchell. Instead of replacing her, Dr. Reinhart stayed at the museum and doesn't go out-of-town as often as before. He tells her she to start next week. So, she can have a few days off before going back to the daily grind at the museum. After her conversation with Dr. Reinhart, Cass stands outside the study and waits for Kaja to finish with her session.
Her session with Dr. Tattius last for fifty minutes. He still wants to see her once a week. Dr. Tattius gives Kaja his approval and thinks this is good for the asari. He will give the police department his assessment of her mental state which he feels is solid. Kaja's therapist approval and his support puts Kaja in a wonderful mood. She unlocks the study to see Cass waiting for her in the hallway. The asari beams, takes Cass' hand, and heads to their bedroom to tell Cass about her session with Dr. Tattius.
The next morning, Kaja and Cass leave the house to go apartment hunting. Kaja found four different apartments in the nicer neighborhoods. Two of them seems too small for the price listed. The other two apartments are on the same street, different buildings. Rent for both apartments are the same. One apartment is on the fifth floor, which Kaja says is safer than living on the ground floor. Which is the floor the other apartment is on. Kaja talks Cass into the apartment on the fifth floor. They can move in to the apartment in two weeks.
Cass drops Kaja off downtown at the police headquarters then heads to the diner across the street from the museum for some carry out. She orders clam chowder and today it comes with a bread bowl. Cass knows this will make Kaja's day. The owner of the diner comes out from the kitchen and talks to Dr. Mitchell. He tells Cass how he thinks the museum hasn't been the same since she left eight months ago and is glad she is back. After getting released from her job yesterday, hearing how much others missed her at the museum makes Cass' day. When the waitress brings the bags of food, Cass thinks to herself that Kaja is right. Things do happen for a reason.
Kaja's interview/talk with the Illyria police department chief is going well. The police chief is explaining to Kaja because this is a human colony under Alliance control and because she is an asari, she will never receive a promotion past the rank of Captain. They tell this to all the other species, but especially to asari because of how long their life span is. The chief also explains because of her experience and service record with the asari military, she only needs to pass the shooting range with a weapon of her choice and does not need to go through basis training.
The chief of police welcomes the asari to their ranks. The chief sets up a time for the range. Next week is when the recruits going through training take the shooting range test. So, she has arraigned for Kaja to join with recruits at the shoot range. The only request Kaja makes is to see the range first and be given a few practice rounds first. Which she is given. If she passes the shooting range, which Kaja has no doubt she will pass. Because of her rank in the military, Kaja will bypass being in a uniform and straight to detective . Which unit is still undetermined, but the chief thinks either homicide or the drug unit. Most likely homicide. Kaja shakes her new boss's hand and thanks her for the opportunity to join their ranks.
Cass is waiting for Kaja when she exits the building. Kaja gets into the car and smells the soup. "You got clam chowder didn't you?"
"Yes, I did. Bread bowl included. How did everything go?" asks Cass as she merges with traffic. They head to the amusement park for the rest of the day.
Kaja tell Cass all the details the chief of police told her. Cass thinks everything is falling into place. She starts back at the museum next week. They move into their apartment in two weeks and all Kaja needs to do is pass the shooting range with a weapon of her choice and she starts her new career soon.
As they sit in the parking lot of the amusement park, Kaja thinks how everything is slowly working out. The asari's life has taken a few twists and turns over the past eight months. Those ups and downs have put Kaja on the path to happiness. She never dreamed she would find happiness and contentment outside the military, but Kaja has. The asari is grateful to have Dr. Mitchell in her life. Kaja's new goal is to maintain her happiness by making the human she adores happy. She knows it won't always be an easy task, but no relationship worth having is easy. Her parents are the example to that. And Kaja hopes she can live up to the example they set for her and her two younger sisters.
Cass and Kaja finish up their lunch and head to the ticket counter to pay their way into the park. Kaja shakes her head at the thought because she can't believe she is even thinking it. "Cass, let's ride the train first."
Fini
–
A/N: I do hope everyone enjoyed this story. I did enjoy writing it.
I'm sure Kaja's career choice is quite a shock to people. Ah, the power of therapy. I'm not sure I can write a good therapy story. Why I never wrote anything about Shepard and the therapy she did after her break in "The Aftermath". And the reason I'm hesitant to write one with Kaja.
I have two more completed stories to post. Next one is next week. So, until then, enjoy.