Chapter 2: Out of the Frying Pan

The admission slipped from Liara's tongue like water and she suddenly felt flushed and ill as the realization that this mere mortal in front of her, might, and, given her current state, very likely could - stop her.

Chakwas' response made her blink. Rather than the resounding "no" she anticipated, the doctor threw her head back and laughed. The sound resonated with the quality of fine chimes, full-voiced, but oddly pleasant, infectious.

The asari wasn't sure whether to attempt to get up and run, not that she could do that easily or that she would be successful, or to laugh with the human at the insanity of her own resolution. Instead, she sat up and placing her hand on her friend's shoulder, inquired, "Dr. Chakwas?"

"Liara, you are as mad as a hatter!" The doctor's laughter ceased and once again she regarded her patient with a practiced eye. Solemnly, she asked, "I don't suppose I could dissuade you from this fool's errand?"

"I am not certain as to what a "hatter" is, but no – you cannot convince me to remain on board. Not while she is out there." Glancing down, Liara's brows drew together and her eyes welled as she picked at the sheet hiding her nudity. She would never feel whole or right if she failed to act. Once again she looked directly into the doctor's eyes. Her heart cried, but her voice was steady. "If our positions were reversed, Shepard would never quit until she found me. She would never abandon me. I will not abandon her. I must to do this."

Drawing her arms across her chest, Chakwas responded coolly, "Then I have no choice..." Liara felt her heart in her throat as the doctor drew out the words. "...I will have to accompany you."

The breath Liara had been holding exploded from her parched mouth. This was not at all what she'd expected. "Wait – what?"

"I said. I am going with you," the woman enunciated as she stood and stretched. A look of mischief flashed across her features, a smile warming her face. "Since we are going to be companions on your mission of mercy, I suggest that you call me Karin."

"I can't ask...y-you can't...just leave...can you?" Liara sputtered.

"As a matter of fact, I can. And – I've just now decided to do so." Karin briefly drew back the privacy curtain, exposing the med bay and its many attendants to the asari maiden, then swiftly pulled it back into place. "Look around. There are others now. I am not the sole occupant here. The Normandy doesn't need me. But frankly my dear, you, and possibly Commander Shepard, will need my help. You can't possibly think that you are in any shape to try this alone. Truthfully, you're not in any condition to try it period! But you are right. Shepard didn't leave me, nor would she ever leave you behind. So, yes, if you are determined to go – we go together. Now, what is your plan?"

Nerves afire, Liara began her revelation. "I...that is, we...will take a shuttle back to the perimeter of the LZ and try to trace her from there. Then -."

Her plan was cut off by a new voice. "What's this about a shuttle and an LZ?" Ashley Williams stepped past the curtain, long fingers resting on her hips as she leaned into the gurney.

Liara sucked in another deep breath knowing she couldn't lie or evade the issue. "I'm, er..," gesturing to Dr. Chakwas she continued, "rather we're - going after the Commander."

"What's this about going after Shepard?" Another very excited voice joined the fray as Vega poked his head around the curtain, his oversized hand mostly covering his eyes. "Not without me!"

"Well said, Mr. Vega!" Karin sounded absolutely delighted.

Williams raised her hand. "Whoa. Just stop a minute. What are you thinking, Liara?" She exploded. "Don't you think the risk is too high? You could be killed just trying to get to her."

The maiden realized it was imperative to have Ash on board. In Shepard's absence, Williams was in command. She could could help immensely, or she could scrub the whole thing with a word. Liara might be the Shadow Broker, but she was on an Alliance frigate.

Rather than delivering the fierce defense that hovered on her tongue, Liara schooled her voice, set her jaw and answered. "The plan is to take one of the Kodiaks, make our way back to the LZ and retrace Shepard's trail until...until I find her. Then, to render whatever assistance we can...whether it's getting to the beam, opening the arms of the Citadel or...or goddess, just bringing her back." She stopped to choke back the tears rising from that last part. Suddenly, time whirled into essence, her deepest instincts spurring her sense of urgency. That sudden worry made the room spin and chilled her flesh. "As to risk...what risk is it really? There is no place that's safe anymore – not even the Normandy."

At first, Williams looked like she was going to furiously resist, but in the seconds of silence that followed she must have realized the depth of the maiden's conviction and determination. As the truth seemed to sink in, her expressive brown eyes softened and her squared shoulders dropped. "I hate to admit it – but you're right." She gently gripped Liara's upper arm, the contact surprisingly supportive and comforting as she appeared to skeptically consider the asari's condition. "You're sure about this?"

Liara nodded. "Absolutely."

"Well," Ash cocked her head. "There was no evac plan or exit strategy in place. But, then again, there never is. No offense - but I doubt they thought one would be necessary." She bit her ample lip, pausing, her expression suddenly thoughtful. "Maybe they don't know the Skipper very well after all."

A silent plea in her eyes, Liara brought her hand up to cover Ashley's grip on her arm. "I have to go. I have to do this."

"I know." Williams tossed her head, whipping her chestnut hair over her back, then she blew out a breath and made her position clear. "I don't like it. But I understand. Man, it's just, well - I want to go too! But, I can't. No matter how much I want to, I have to stay with the ship. I have to be here for the crew. I hope you understand."

Relief washed through Liara. "I do. I would expect no less from you and I know that Shepard wouldn't either. You are the Normandy's XO. The Commander trusts you. You're needed here."

"Dear God. Hackett is gonna kill me when he finds out." Ash bent and gave Liara a quick hug. "Okay," she said as she stood up, "okay. I'll do whatever I can to help."

"Yesss!" James brayed gleefully behind the curtain. "We're going!"

"C'mon Vega." Ash called to him as she began to retreat, "You have a shuttle to warm up." She glanced at Liara and the doctor. "Meet James in the cargo bay ASAP. You're going to have to hurry. We've been ordered to bug out when the Crucible is ready to fire. We've got to get you gone." Quickly, she hugged Dr. Chakwas. "Okay, I've got to get back to the bridge." With a sad smile, she said her farewell, "Godspeed – to all of us."

Watching as Williams disappeared behind the curtain, an impish grin on her lips, Karin turned to Liara. "That was fast. It's gratifying when a plan comes together, don't you agree? Ah well, let me find you something to cover up with and then we can go by your office and get you more appropriately attired."

"Um, Karin?" Liara felt her face infuse with purple as her mind filled with bittersweet memories of her last moments in the correct destination.

"Yes, Liara." The doctor handed her a crisp lab coat and began packing a medical bag with medigel, drugs, freeze-dried platelets and other odds and ends.

"My armor is in the loft." Despite the gravity of the situation, Liara smiled.