Tuchanka
Shepard hardly recognizes Tuchanka. Last time she was here the place was a desert, nothing but rust colored rocks as far as the eye can see. Now she sees grass and sand and dirt along with the rust colored rocks.
Shepard is in the same area she was all those years ago during the reaper war where she had to activate to maw hammers to attract the mother of all thresher maws, Kalros. It was a crazy idea, but it worked. Dodging the red beam from the reaper Shepard activated the levers while Liara kept her and Garrus shielded as best she could. It was chaos and a sight she will never forget. Kalros made an appearance. Shepard was not sure it really existed. It shot up from underground in a flash and attached itself to the reaper. It's weight and inertia toppled the reaper and Kalros wrapped itself around the metal monster and burrowed into the ground. She and her ground party did not hang around to see what happened next, they flew away to safety to watch it snow.
It wasn't actual white snow that is seen during the winter months on many planets. No. This snow had a different purpose. It was the Geneophage cure. Mordin Solus, a Salarian Scientist, sacrificed himself so the Krogan could thrive once again.
Shepard has been waiting for over two hours now for Eli. In his cryptic message he said you know the place, well this is the place. The retired Captain is losing her patience as the wind is picking up. She does not exactly like this climate, it is hot. And with her armor on it is very hot. It's a dry heat. One where you don't have to move a muscle to sweat and it is hard to swallow because your throat gets dry fast. Wiping her brow Shepard paces wondering what could be taking the young Krogan so long.
Eli is Grunt's oldest son. Shepard and Liara were both shocked to hear that Urdnot Wrex and Grunt were killed during a hunt. He told the couple that they were too close to a thresher maw nest and the whole party of twenty Krogan were killed by a half dozen of the snake-like beasts. She didn't believe it not for weeks because she knows that Wrex and Grunt are not that careless. But they never returned her calls, not one. That was over six months ago and now Ashley is dead. The only crew she knows that could still be alive is Samara, but she has not heard from the Asari Justicar in decades.
Drinking from her bottle Shepard quickly takes cover. She hears a Tomkah in the distance. Taking out her binoculars she tries to see who it is. The armored vehicle reveals nothing so she stays hidden.
The Tomkah tires skid on the gravel road as it comes to a halt about 100 hundred yards away. Three heavily armed Krogan exit the vehicle. With helmets on Shepard cannot tell if Eli is among the three. They are heading in her direction.
"Thought you said she'd be here."
"She will."
It is a voice she recognizes. Shepard stands with her pistol up, "Helmets off now!"
One Krogan raises his shotgun, the other just stands there weapon down, but down and the third one, the one in front signals to them to lower their weapons. Without dropping his shotgun the Krogan lifts his helmet off his head. "Hello Shepard."
"Eli. You want to tell your friend there to lower his weapon?"
Eli turns on the Krogan with a raised shotgun and head butts him. The poor guy drops to a knee. Eli smacks him hard on the shoulder, "Told you." He turns to Shepard. "Thanks for coming."
Shepard holsters her weapon. "What's going on Eli?"
The Krogan looks left and right. "Not here. You have gear?"
Shepard grabs her pack and slings it over her shoulder.
"Follow us, we can't talk here."
Normally Shepard would argue but this is Eli. She trusts the Krogan because he is Grunt's son and Grunt was like a son to her though only Liara knows that she felt that way. They had a mother/son type relationship really. Shepard helped him in his Rite of Passage. She shared stories with him about Urdnot Wrex and what it meant to him to be a Krogan. Grunt learned while in his tank, but what Shepard provided was more tangible to him, more real somehow. Shepard freed the Krogan when she could have killed him. Grunt never forgot about that and his loyalty to her never faltered. That loyal continues through his children. Having over twenty children Shepard lost count after the fourth one. Grunt often joked that he did too and started naming them all the same name so he wouldn't forget. But not Eli. Eli is his first born and is named after her, Elly.
Once inside the vehicle Eli holds up a blind fold.
"You serious?"
"Afraid so."
Shepard shoots him a look.
"It's not for me Shepard but my clan.
"Your clan?"
"Please."
Shepard takes the blind fold and places it over her eyes.
"Let's go," says Eli. The Tomkah fires to life and jolts ahead to who knows where.
THESSIA
Miranda Lawson is making breakfast. Her sister Oriana has been there now for two days. Things are worse than she thought.
"Morning Miranda."
"Hi Arelia." The asari gives her a kiss on the cheek.
"You okay?"
"She still has not come out of her room Arelia, so no I am not okay."
The asari sits at the breakfast bar. "She just needs …."
"So help me if you say time one more time Arelia!" Miranda lets out a long sigh then turns around to face her bondmate. "I'm sorry."
Arelia shakes her head without making eye contact.
Miranda sets down the spatula and walks over to the breakfast bar. She takes Arelia's hand between her own. "I am sorry honey. I know you are only trying to help and you do not deserve me biting your head off."
Arelia looks up at her a little confused.
"Snapping at you," says the human trying to explain the Earth saying.
"I don't know how to help you Miranda. I try to offer you words of encouragement which you just snap at. I try to explain maybe why Oriana is acting the way she is and you don't want to hear it."
"I said I was sorry."
"That is not good enough."
Miranda stands up no longer holding the asari's hand.
"You need to let Oriana be. You want to control her Miranda."
"I do not."
"You do. Yes you do. You want her to grieve on your schedule. Well she is not going to do that. Just let her be."
"I think I know my sister better than you do Arelia. I know what is best for her."
Arelia takes a deep breath in and out. "You knew what was best for her before she was married Miranda. You have changed since then, she has changed since then."
"So what exactly are you trying to say?" Miranda crosses her arms and cocks one hip.
"Oriana knows what is best for Oriana. You need to listen to her. Respect her boundaries. And if she wants to remain in her room for weeks then let her. She will ask you for help when she is ready. She will talk to you when she is ready, not when you want her to."
Miranda lets out a sigh and returns to the stove top. "I am bringing her breakfast and she is leaving her room today."
Silence.
"Did you hear me Arelia?" Miranda turns and sees she is talking to an empty chair. She lets out another breath and finishes preparing breakfast.
"Come on you can do better than that Eva!" says Mia. The T'Soni sisters are in the backyard playing Skyball. Mia has a lot of energy. She has been meeting with multiple team scouts over the past few days. Meetings that have left Liara's head spinning as she tries to keep them all straight.
"Hey give me a break, I caught it didn't I?"
"Yeah yeah."
Liara is watching her girls play while she relaxes with some wine on her Adirondack chair. Looking to her left it is hard not to glance at the empty chair beside her. Shepard usually sits with her. Liara smiles when she thinks of how many sunsets and sun rises they have watched from these two chairs. All of the heart to hearts they have had, the dreams they have discussed the tears they have shed. She hopes her bondmate is safe on Tuchanka. She has not heard from her in over twelve hours. They agreed that Shepard would touch base at least once per day.
"You okay Mom?" asks Raina.
Liara looks up at her daughter, "Yes honey I am fine. Are you done playing?"
"For now. May I?" Raina gestures to the chair beside Liara.
"Please."
"Haven't heard from Dad in a while then?"
Liara smiles.
"What?"
"I forget how perceptive you are sometimes, that's all."
"Sorry."
"No need to apologize. I appreciate you asking. She will call in the next few hours I am sure."
"How many more of these team meetings is Mia dragging you along to?"
"I would not say she is dragging me Raina."
"Oh so you like to go do you?" she smiles at her mother.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Just to me I think. You put on a good show."
"I didn't mind the first few meetings, but I do not want to repeat a day like yesterday again. Having six meetings in one day, I was so tired afterward I don't even remember which teams we talked to."
"Mia is very excited. Have you seen the program she put together?"
"No I haven't."
"She created a small program where she pulled all of the team's data from the extranet, put it in her program along with her own ranking system of what she thinks about the scout, what she thinks about the players, the potential of the team, the location then it spits out a numerical value."
"So the higher the value the better that team's chances of her signing with them?"
"Exactly."
"Impressive."
"Well I think programming is her second love."
I am pleased she received her Master's in programming."
"Are you upset that she will not receive her Doctorate?" asks Raina.
"No not at all. She can always finish it if she wants to."
They watch Mia and Eva and Little A play.
"How is your dissertation coming?" asks Liara.
"I have completed the first draft. I want to have another look before I give it to you if that is okay."
"Of course."
"I need time away from it for a few days otherwise I will not see my mistakes because I know the content so well."
"I know what you mean. You need to look at it with fresh eyes."
"Yes exactly. So I will probably look at it again in the next couple of days then I will give it to you for your comments."
"Have you spoken to Malin?"
"No I haven't. I was hoping to have her over for dinner when I am ready to approach her with the business plan to buy into her practice."
"That is a good idea."
"First things first though. I need to finish my dissertation."
"You will honey, you will."
Tuchanka
Shepard is not sure how long the bumpy ride took, about ten minutes if she had to guess. No one spoke during the ride and she wonders now if perhaps she should not have come. Liara tried to tell her that she was running toward something she did not know was completely safe. It could be some sort of trap the asari said but Shepard would hear none of it. Someone needed her and dammit she was going to help.
The Tomkah skids to a stop. Shepard doesn't move. She hears the door open and close then another door open.
"Okay Shepard, you can take that off."
Shepard takes off the blindfold. She steps out of the vehicle.
"We have to walk the rest of the way," says Eli. "It's about a 5 minute hike."
Shepard turns to grab her bag when Eli stops her. "He will take your bag." Eli throws the bag at the Krogan who did not lower his shotgun. The Krogan start to walk.
The sun is starting to set. Shepard follows Eli. The dirt path they are on looks well worn. There is less grass cover here and a lot more rust colored rocks. "You gonna tell me what this is about Eli?"
"We are almost there."
Shepard grabs Eli's arm and spins him around like he weighs nothing at all. "You tell me what is going on and you tell me right now!"
"You never did like to be in the dark did ya Shepard?"
Shepard turns. She cannot believe her ears. She cannot believe her eyes. Could it be? "Wrex?"
"Good to see you." The Krogan slams his hand on her shoulder. She knows better than to wince.
"I…I don't understand. He…He told me you were dead."
"Yeah sorry about….." Before he can finish saying anything else Shepard punches him in the jaw.
"You son of a bitch!" She goes to hit him again but Eli and another Krogan pull her back away from him. Shepard turns fast and knocks one Krogan off her and punches Eli hard in the stomach then the face and then head butts him.
Wrex wipes blood from his mouth as he watches, "Tough as ever eh Shepard?"
Shepard stops. She is panting hard. She cannot believe Urdnot Wrex is alive and standing five feet in front of her. She and Wrex lock eyes.
Wrex steps closer. "It is good to see you again Shepard, it's been too long."
She hugs the Krogan. "Grunt?"
Wrex growls. "Don't know. He was taken Shepard."
"Taken?"
"I have a lot to tell you, but we need to get inside."
Without another word she follows her friend.
THESSIA
"Remember your curfew Aethyta."
"Aww Mom are you serious? I am an adult do I really need a curfew?" asks Little A.
"An adult that whines?" asks Eva.
Little A shoots her a look.
"You know the rules," says Liara.
Little A lets out a long sigh, "Fine."
"What time does the vid get over anyway?" asks Eva.
"None of your business."
"Okay you two enough. If you want to discuss it further you can stay in tonight."
Little A remains quiet.
Liara hands Little A the keys to the sky car. "Please be careful."
"Thanks Mom I will."
"And have fun."
Little A gets in the sky car and flies toward Kaya's home. The ride takes about ten minutes. The two have been dating for about six months now and Little A is crazy about Kaya. The feelings she has are a bit overwhelming at times. At night while lying in bed before sleep takes her, Little A dreams about kissing Kaya, about touching her, about melding with her. They have shared memories with each other but they have never had a meld where two bodies become one, two heartbeats become one. Her mother Liara always talks about the importance of being careful with melding and with emotions. But when it comes to Kaya, Little A finds it difficult to think straight. Tonight she wants to tell the asari that she loves her.
She lands the sky car and sees Kaya outside waiting for her. Already she feels her heart beating a little faster and her palms getting a little sweaty. Little A quickly gets out.
"What are you doing?" asks Kaya.
"I am getting the door for you of course." Little A gives her a little bow. She opens the door. Kaya leans in and kisses her quickly on the lips.
"Thanks."
Little A closes the door. When she enters the car she looks at Kaya.
"What?"
"Nothing just…."
"Aethyta T'Soni what has gotten into you?"
Little A swallows and starts up the sky car again. "I made a reservation at that pasta place, I hope that is okay?"
"Yes I love that place."
"Great."
Dinner felt a bit awkward for the young asari. Kaya kept asking what has wrong with her. The night is not going as Little A planned. She never thought of herself as a coward, but she sure cannot find the words to tell Kaya how she feels. She hopes that maybe after the vid before taking Kaya home she can tell her. Little A tries to relax and enjoy their dinner.
"Has your sister made a decision yet? Aethyta?" Kaya reaches across the table and touches Little A's hand, "Little A?"
"Huh? Oh sorry, what did you say?"
"Can you please tell me what is going on? You have been acting weird all night."
Little A squeezes her hand, "It's nothing."
"I don't agree. Something is on your mind. Are you worried about something? Is it Mia? Did something happen?"
"What? No. Mia is fine. She is still trying to figure out which team to go to."
"She must be excited."
"I think she is going to move away." It hits Little A right then and there. She never really thought about what it is going to be like without Mia at home anymore. She cannot help the welling in her eyes.
"Hey?" Kaya moves from across from her to the seat beside her and hugs the asari. "What is it?"
Little A wipes her tears. "Sorry."
"What is it Aethyta?"
"I…I just didn't really think about her leaving until right now I guess. Sorry."
Kaya takes her hand in her own and gives it a kiss. She looks into Little A's bright blue eyes. "No need to apologize for loving your sister. It is obvious you are going to miss her."
Little A smiles. "I am going to miss her. I am going to miss all of them."
"All of them? What are you talking about?"
"Soon Mia will not be the only one leaving the nest."
"I'm sorry, leaving the nest?" asks Kaya.
"It's an Earth saying my Dad sometimes says. "It means the kids leave the house; they grow up and move out. It's what life is all about. I mean that is what she says." Little A looks down.
"You okay?"
"I'm sorry." She wipes her cheeks again.
"Why don't we skip the vid and go somewhere to talk, how does that sound?"
"Are you sure? I mean I thought you wanted to see…."
Kaya quiets her by kissing her. When she pulls away she looks Little A in the eye, "I am sure. Besides we can see a vid anytime okay?"
"Okay."
Little A pays the bill then after they leave the restaurant then just walk hand in hand down main street. Little A told Kaya all about her sisters. The asari who is a few years younger knew a little bit about each one but Little A gave her the whole scoop. Without realizing it Little A talked for almost an hour straight.
They circled the park on the paved path that surrounds it. When the sun set the automatic lights came on to light their way. Sitting on a bench Little A felt spent. She cannot believe how she just went on and on and on.
"It must be nice to have such a big family."
"It is, it really is." Little A takes Kaya's hand into her own. "I am sorry that I monopolized the evening Kaya."
"Don't worry Little A, you worry too much has anyone ever told you that." The asari nudges shoulders with her.
Little A looks into Kaya's grey blue eyes. "Kaya?"
"Yes?"
"I…"
"Little A is that you?"
Little A, now upset that she was about to say the three most important words ever created in any language, looks around to see who is talking to her. "Dava?"
"Yeah hey what are you doing…" Dava stops. "Oh geez are you on a date?"
Little A stands and pulls Kaya to stand with her keeping her date behind her. The asari likes Dava, feel sorry for her even, but she does not trust her.
"Sorry, geez I'm sorry. I thought you were one of her sisters. Sorry."
"What are you doing out here Dava?"
"Oh..well it's a beautiful night. I'm taking a walk."
"By yourself?"
Kaya squeezes Little A's hand. Little A knows the asari is nervous.
"Yeah by myself. What's so wrong with that?"
"Nothing, I mean I didn't mean anything by it."
Dava steps closer. "I mean ever since your sister won't talk to me anymore I don't have much of a choice now do I?"
Little A does not move back, instead she stands up straighter. "Dava. I hope you have a good night. It was nice to see you." Without another word Little A pulls Kaya with her and they walk away.
Dava says nothing, does nothing.
Little A looks back once to make sure Dava is not following. She lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding and continues to walk briskly back toward the restaurant where the sky car is parked.
"So that was scary," says Kaya after a few minutes of silence.
"Are you okay?" Little A stops and looks at Kaya.
"Well yeah but I mean, who was that?"
"That was Dava."
"Oh." The asari has been mentioned before.
Little A cups Kaya's cheek with her hand, "Sorry. I wanted tonight to be so different."
Kaya steps closer and kisses Little A. "How did you want tonight to go?"
"Well more of that for one." She pulls Kaya close and kisses her hard then lightens up as she squeezes her ever closer against her body. Her hand travels down to Kaya's butt which produces a soft moan.
Little A hears a few snickers from people passing by. She finally steps back from Kaya to catch her breath. Kaya nearly falls into her.
"Wow."
"I know," says Little A.
Kaya playfully slaps her arm. "My my aren't you confident."
"Oh no…I was talking about …I wasn't talking about….I meant to say I agree. I am simply agreeing with you."
"Uh huh."
They finally make it to the sky car. Little A puts it in flight mode and heads to Kaya's house.
After landing she runs around and opens the door for Kaya. "Thanks Kaya for tonight, for listening to me. Sorry if I seemed a little out of it."
"Nonsense. You have a lot on your mind Aethyta. Just know that I am here for you."
"I am here for you too Kaya."
"You proved that tonight. I know you feel sorry for her, but Dava gives me the creeps."
"Well if you knew her before she was like that she wouldn't."
"Still. I think you should stay away from her."
"Believe me it was not my intention to see her tonight."
Kaya presses her body into Aethyta who is pushed up against the sky car. "What were you intending?" Kaya slowly kisses her neck. She trails small kisses along her jawline.
"Uhh…Kaya…oh..Goddess." Little A's knees get weak. She holds onto Kaya, which makes the asari start to laugh a little. Little A places her hands on either side of Kaya's face then kisses her. She ends the kiss by biting her top lip ever so softly.
They press their foreheads together to slow their breathing. "Are you going to tell me?"
"Tell you?"
"What you were intending?" Kaya steps back and looks at her. "Are you okay Aethyta?"
The words have to come out she cannot contain them anymore. "I love you." She holds her breath.
"What?"
She swallows, "I…I love you Kaya. I love you."
Kaya smiles. She kisses Little A quickly. "I love you too." Kaya heads toward her house.
"Wait." Little A grabs her wrist. "Is…is that it?"
Kaya furrows her brows. "Is what it?"
"You're leaving?"
"Well yes Aethyta I have to. Like you I still live at home which means I have to follow my Mother's rules. I have a curfew, didn't I tell you that?"
"Oh Goddess!" Little A checks her omni-tool for the time.
"You okay?"
"I …I have to go!" Little A kisses Kaya quickly. "I love you!"
Kaya laughs and steps away from the sky car.
"I love you Kaya!"
"Go." Kaya waves her off to hurry her up.
Little A quickly flies off hoping she will make her curfew. If she doesn't it was well worth it.
