THESSIA
The doctors disagreed on allowing Dava to wake even if it was for an hour or two. After speaking with the Justicar and with Meryl the doctors decided without Valya that they would not wake her after all. It was too risky is what Meryl later told the detective.
An officer escorted Valya home where she retrieved her sidearm given to her by the police department. The Officer told her that Valya was to turn it in personally to Meryl. Valya told the Officer to go fuck herself and left the young asari staring at her with a look of shock on her face while Valya flew off in her own sky car.
That was yesterday. It is early afternoon now and no one from the police department or the hospital has heard from Valya. At least that is the reply Akira got when she asked around. The medical examiner is no longer on the Ardat-Yakshi case; she was told that her counterpart Lilly will be working it. Due to her actions Akira is suspended. She figures her boss and Meryl spoke with each other and decided to hand out equal punishment. Akira was told that it was unprofessional and outside of her scope of work to assist Valya the way she did. Because the asari has been the medical examiner for a very long time, they did not fire her. The bosses upstairs needed to make an example of her so they did.
Now the asari is sitting on the front step outside of Valya's front door. She has been waiting most of the morning for Valya to come home. Atalia still does not want visitors. Akira heard her yelling at the nurse for even asking to let Akira say hello. At least the lead detective has started her physical therapy. That gives the medical examiner some small comfort that her former lover is at least starting to work on her recovery.
"What are you doing here?"
Akira didn't even hear the sky car approach let alone land. She looks up and sees Valya dripping with sweat. The way the sun glistens off her toned arms and torso, Akira looks away to hide the blush on her cheeks. "I..." she clears her throat, "I wanted to see how you were doing." Akira stands.
"I need to be alone Akira." Valya walks past her and works the lock on the door. She looks at the medical examiner then stops what she is doing. "Are you okay?"
Akira averts her eyes as she tries not to cry. She could just kick herself for being emotional like this when she wants to be there for Valya. "It's nothing." Akira starts to walk away when she feels a hard on her arm.
"Tell me."
Akira's heart melts. True compassion. That is what Valya is showing her even with all the detective has been through. She looks at the former commando, "I heard what happened and I wanted to check on you. I…I'm sorry I bothered you." Akira turns away again.
"What is that?"
The medical examiner slowly turns to see Valya eyeing the box she brought. "I thought you might be hungry."
"Is that pizza?"
Akira smiles a little and nods. She can see the turmoil Valya is in. Akira figures she wants to be left alone but at the same time it looks as though company is welcome.
"Come in. I need to get cleaned up."
"You go ahead Valya. I can just talk to you later."
"Akira."
The medical examiner makes eye contact.
"Please come in. I won't be long."
Akira bends down and grabs the cold pizza box. She enters Valya's home.
"Just give me ten minutes."
Before Akira can say anything Valya is gone. The medical examiner sets down the pizza box on the counter. It is an old house that looks a bit outdated. The appliances look like they have seen better days and the countertop is cut in places and peeling at the corners. The detective has lived in this house for as long as Akira has known her. She wonders if Valya will ever update the place or if she even cares.
The kitchen table and chairs look about three decades old. Akira makes her way into the family room and she sees worn leather. One of the chairs has a rip it in along the side. She wonders how that happened.
On an end table is a family picture of Valya, Dara and their daughter Dava. She is very young in the picture, they all are. Akira guesses it was taken when Dava was around twenty or younger. She genuinely looks happy. It is a look the medical examiner has never seen on Dava's face before.
"Sorry to make you wait."
Akira startles a little, she didn't hear Valya approach. She looks at the detective. She is wearing shorts and a t-shirt with a towel around her neck. "Where have you been?" Akira asks as she sets down the picture. She joins Valya in the kitchen.
Valya turns on the oven after checking the pizza to see if it is hot. "Gonna warm this up. Want something to drink?"
Akira notices she doesn't answer her question. She doesn't press her. "Do you have beer?"
Valya hands her a beer and grabs a water for herself.
"You're not drinking?" asks Akira.
"If I start I won't stop." Valya looks between Akira and the picture she was looking at. "It was taken when Dava was eighteen. It is hard to remember her so happy, she has been miserable for so long." Valya takes a long swig of her water.
"I'm sorry Valya. I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to speak with Dava. I heard what happened."
"Maybe it's for the best. Until we can help her I don't want her hurting anyone let alone herself." Valya's voice cracks at the end of the sentence. She quickly takes another drink of water. She places the pizza in the oven to warm it up. "So what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
"Come on Akira. What happened?"
Akira wonders how Valya knows something is wrong. Is she perceptive or is Akira just obvious? "I was suspended."
"What? You have got to be kidding me. Those fuckers! Did Meryl call your boss? That bitch, I cannot…"
"It's okay." Akira raises her hand. When she does Valya stops talking. "I can't say as I blame them. I did make some questionable decisions."
Valya sets down her water and makes a fist. She looks Akira in the eye. "I'm sorry. I did not mean for you to get into trouble."
"Hey, it's okay Valya."
"No it isn't!"
"You didn't force me to help you. I wanted to help you." Akira moves closer to the detective. She is holding her hand and she doesn't remember grabbing it. "Do not blame yourself okay. I wanted to be there for you. You…" Akira reaches up and cups Valya's cheek with her hand. "You mean a lot to me Valya."
Valya covers Akira's hand with her own as she leans into the touch on her cheek. The detective lets out a sigh and closes her eyes, "I can't Akira."
Akira tries to pull her hand away. Valya does not let go of her hand.
Akira notices the detective seems to be conflicted. "I'm sorry." Akira pulls her hand again and again Valya will not let it go.
Valya finally makes eye contact. "You mean a lot to me too Akira. But I just …I just can't right now, not with everything going on. I'm sorry."
Akira feels her skin tingle and her heart flutter. "It's okay."
Valya is looking down at Akira's hand between her own. She raises the hand to her lips and kisses the back of it. "You are a beautiful asari Akira. Believe me, there is a part of me that wants to forget what is happening right now, just…just take you right here and now. But I can't." Valya looks up at Akira. "I cheated on Dara a long time ago."
"I know. Atalia told me."
"I was involved with another asari before I met Dara. She came back into my life and well…I didn't resist. It nearly cost me my family. I…I have changed Akira. I'd like to think I am a better person now, that I am not that asari anymore. Doing this," she gestures between the two of them, "now…well it feels like a betrayal even though it's…" she can't finish her thought. Valya let's go of Akira's hand and checks the pizza.
Akira is not sure what to say. "I understand Valya. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Valya pulls the pizza out and sets it on the table. She grabs two plates and some napkins then sits. Akira also sits.
"You didn't make me uncomfortable. I appreciate you being here Akira I really do. I just can't do that with you right now. Besides, you and Atalia may not really be over."
Akira's throat tightens suddenly, she looks away.
"What is it?" Valya starts to reach for her hand but stops herself. "What happened?"
Akira shakes her head as she fights the tears from spilling. "She doesn't want to see me. She refused to see me today."
"I'm sorry."
Akira gives her a sad smile.
They eat their pizza in silence.
Valya rises and places the remaining slices in the refrigerator.
"I probably should get going," says Akira.
Valya shows her to the door. She gives the medical examiner a hug. "Thank you for stopping by, it means a lot."
"Please call me if you need anything. I can help with the arrangements if you want me to."
Valya looks puzzled. "Arrangements?"
Akira touches her arm, "For Dara."
Realization seems to hit the detective. "Oh..right." She turns from Akira and walks back into the kitchen to clean up the plates.
"Valya?" Akira follows.
Valya has a plate in her hands. She is just staring at it.
"Valya?"
Suddenly the detective throws the plate hard into the sink and it shatters. Valya lets out a scream.
Akira quickly moves to her to hold her.
Valya's knees give out. Akira eases her to the kitchen floor where she holds the sobbing asari.
Mia is restless. She feels like something is going on. Oriana would not look her in the eye when she asked about going home. The human just quickly changed the subject last night to the idea of staying up late and watching vids. Well enough is enough.
It is nearly noon and Mia wants to go home. She along with her sister Eva and their friends Shayna and Rose all slept in the family room of Miranda and Oriana's estate. Mia is quietly packing up her stuff.
Gently shaking Eva's shoulder Mia whispers, "Wake up, we need to get going." Mia continues to gather her things.
Eva opens her eyes and stretches. "What? Why?"
"Shh! Don't wake them."
"What's the matter Mia? Can't you sleep?"
"I want to go home. I can't get ahold of grandpa and Raina and Little A are not answering their omni-tool. I think something is going on and I want to get home."
Eva props up on her elbows. "Like what?"
"I don't know Eva," Mia is losing her patience. "That is why I want to go home and see."
Eva rolls her eyes, "Fine, but why all the secrecy?" Eva gets up and starts to fold her blankets.
"You tell me. Oriana dodged every question last night. She knows something."
"Not everything is a conspiracy Mia, Goddess."
Yeah until it is. "Just keep packing."
"Okay, okay."
The girls finish gathering their stuff. They head for the front door.
"Morning girls," says Oriana, "or should I say afterno…" her voice trails off. "What are you doing?"
"We are going home," says Mia.
Oriana looks a little panicked. Her eyes dart between Mia and Eva. "Don't you want something to eat first?" The human steps in between Mia and the front door.
"No thank you Aunt Oriana. We need to get home."
"But you two must be hungry."
Mia looks back over her shoulder at her sister, "Told you."
Eva steps up next to her sister, "What's going on Oriana?"
The human looks away when her eyes suddenly get watery.
Mia and Eva exchange looks. Mia is worried that something happened with her family. She starts to say something but Eva stops her.
Eva walks up to the human and touches her arm, "What is it?"
"Umm can you two just stay here a minute please?"
"Come on we have a right to know!" says Mia.
Eva looks at her sister and raises her hand to stop her. "Yes, we can wait."
Oriana quickly leaves the room.
"What the hell Eva?"
"Mia," she lets out a sigh, "sometimes you have to treat people with care and not just make them talk to you."
Mia rolls her eyes, "I will give her two minutes."
"And then wait Mia? How exactly are we going to get home without a ride?"
She hadn't actually thought that far ahead. "I'll call for a sky cab."
Eva smiles at her. "Just wait."
"How can you stand to wait like this?" Mia starts to pace after dropping her bad on the floor. "Something is going on, you see that right?"
"I do."
"Aren't you worried?" Mia stops and looks at her with hands on her hips.
"Yes I'm worried."
"Well then?"
"Let's just…" Eva lifts her chin a little to indicate Oriana is returning.
"Can you two follow me please?"
Eva holds out her hand. Mia takes it. They follow Oriana into a small room. There is a vid display up.
"I'll leave you two alone." Oriana closes the door.
Mia and Eva step in front of the screen to see their parents.
"Mom? Dad?" asks Mia. She squeezes Eva's hand when she sees how sad their mother looks.
"Hi sport," says Shepard.
"What's going on?"
"We should be home soon, a few hours in fact. Miranda and Arelia have been pushing the ship."
"What's going on Dad?" asks Eva. "Mom what's the matter?"
Shepard and Liara look at each other. Shepard turns to the camera, "We were hoping to tell you in person."
"Tell us what?" asks Mia.
"There was an accident. Dara died."
"What?" asks Eva.
Mia lets go of Eva's hand. She suddenly feels numb. She couldn't have heard right.
"How?"
Shepard shrugs her shoulders, "All I know is that there was an accident honey. We are hoping to find out some answers when we get there."
"What about Dava and Valya?"
"I'm told they are both fine. I have not been able to get a hold of Valya yet, but we plan on stopping by her place when we land before we go home."
"We are just heading home ourselves," says Eva.
Shepard and Liara exchange looks. "About that," says Shepard. "We would like the two of you to stay there until we pick you up."
Eva looks at Mia. Her sister is just staring straight ahead. "Mia?"
"Mia honey?" asks Liara and Shepard in unison.
Eva looks around the room and grabs a nearby chair. She helps Mia sit. "Mia? Can you hear me?"
"Did…did she do it?" Mia barely speaks above a whisper.
Eva's eyes go wide when she realizes what Mia asked. She looks at the vid screen.
"Is she okay?" asks Shepard, "we can't hear her."
"Ahhh…she wants to know if Dava killed her." Eva cannot believe the words coming out of her mouth.
Liara's hand covers her mouth. Shepard places her arm around her shoulder. "Why would you think that Mia?" asks Shepard.
Eva looks at her sister. Mia is not responding. "I...I don't know Dad," says Eva.
"Mia T'Soni look at me." Shepard uses the tone reserved for her soldiers.
Mia's eyes snap up to the vid screen. She blinks then looks between Eva and the screen. "What?"
"We don't know what happened to Dara so let's not jump to conclusions okay?" says Shepard with a softer tone.
Mia nods.
"So we want you two to stay put until we get there."
"Okay Dad…" says Eva.
"Why?" Mia interrupts. Mia slowly stands, "What else is going on?"
Shepard looks at Liara then turns back to the camera. "Everyone is fine."
"What happened?" asks Eva.
"Your grandfather was attacked, but she's fine."
The sisters wait for more.
"Little A was hurt."
"What!" Mia and Eva say in unison.
"She's fine. A window broke and she was cut up a bit."
"Goddess," says Eva.
"We have to see her," says Mia.
"Now hold on."
"What? What the hell Dad?"
"Mia please calm down," says Liara. "There is a threat. An Ardat-Yakshi attacked Aethyta and she is still out there. Your father and I don't feel comfortable with you being on your own without us there."
"Was it Dava?" asks Mia. She grabs Eva's hand trying to find some comfort.
"No honey it wasn't Dava."
"Where's Raina?"
"She is at the hospital with your sister and grandpa."
"But she's okay?"
"Everyone is fine. We heard from my father an hour ago. Little A will be released soon. Then the three of them will go home."
"Why can't we go home when they get there?" asks Mia. She just wants to be home.
Shepard and Liara exchange looks. "That's fine Mia," says Shepard. "We will call Aethyta. We will ask her to call you when they are home okay?"
Mia nods.
"Why keep this from us?" asks Eva.
Mia looks at her sister; she looks to be on the verge of tears.
"Oh honey," says Liara, "we were not trying to keep things from you. We just wanted to be there in person when we told you the news. We figured you two were having fun with Shayna and Rose and we didn't want to ruin that."
"Okay."
"You two going to be okay?" asks Shepard.
"Yeah Dad," says Mia as she puts her arm around her sister's shoulders. "We will stay here until we hear from you or grandpa."
"Thanks Sport. Oriana has opened her home to you two; I hope you are on your best behavior."
"We are Dad," they say in unison.
"Good. We love you both."
"Very much," says Liara, "We will see you soon."
The call ends.
Mia and Eva stare at the empty wall for a few seconds. Eva turns to her sister. "Why do you think Dava killed her mother?"
Mia shrugs her shoulders and averts her eyes. "It was just a thought." Mia starts to leave the room.
"Wait," Eva grabs her arm. "Do you know something?"
Mia looks at her, "Like what?"
"I don't know Mia, you tell me."
"I don't know anything. I am just as shocked as you. And I still don't think Mom and Dad are telling us everything."
"What do you mean?"
"Why did the Ardat-Yakshi attack grandpa? They didn't tell us that."
"Maybe…maybe they don't know."
"Oh please Eva, didn't you see how Dad did most of the talking?"
"Mom was upset, she was trying not to cry," says Eva.
"Maybe."
"I think you are reading into things Mia. You heard them. It can't be easy relaying this kind information via vid. We just have to sit tight until they are here then everything will be all right."
"Yeah sure." Mia gives her sister a smile. She doesn't believe for a second that everything is going to be all right.
