THESSIA

The ship finally landed. Shepard and Liara decided to split up. The asari was not exactly thrilled with the idea but Shepard insisted on seeing Valya by herself. She tried to explain to Liara the bond the two of them have. It only made Liara cry again because of the special bond she had with her friend Dara. She knew exactly what Shepard was talking about.

Miranda and Arelia have been great. They stayed up the last few shifts to pilot the ship to make sure to get back to Thessia as fast as possible. Arelia and Liara were able to have additional conversations while the commando was piloting and Liara still could not sleep. They remembered Dara and the friendship they had with her. How she had such a zeal for archeology. Liara shared with Arelia that Dara really enjoyed teaching and would often have tea with Liara to run ideas by her on topics to lecture on.

Arelia shared stories about Valya and how in love the former commando was with Dara. Though they had their troubles, it was obvious that Valya was devoted to her and to her daughter. When Liara asked Arelia if they were nervous for their daughter's safety she said no though Liara was not sure she believed her. There was a little glimmer of worry on her face when she replied.

Now Miranda, Arelia and Liara are outside of the estate. Miranda has the bags and Arelia is opening the door. She isn't quite fast enough; the front door swings open and out pops Mia and Eva. They run to their mother and hug her hard.

After Shepard and Liara spoke with Mia and Eva, Miranda and Arelia had some vid time with their children Shayna and Rose. They didn't think it was right to leave the burden of telling them what is going on to Oriana.

"Where's Dad?" asks Mia as she steps out of the hug.

"She is on her way to see Valya."

"It's so good to see you mother," says Eva. She keeps an arm around her mother's waist.

"We are ready to go," says Mia.

Liara cups her cheek with her hand. "Just a few more minutes okay Mia?" Liara walks past her with Eva at her side. They walk back inside the estate.

"Hi Aunt Liara, I'm sorry about Dara," says Shayna. She and her sister Rose both look sad.

"Thank you girls," Liara pulls them both into hugs. "Thank you Oriana for letting our girls stay. I trust they behaved themselves."

"Yes, they were no problem at all. We had a good time didn't we girls?"

They all nod. Liara looks for Mia and sees that she is outside waiting. The asari walks up to Miranda and gives her a hug. "Thank you Miranda for everything."

"Call me if you need anything."

"I will." Liara turns her attention to Shayna and Rose. "Thank you for hosting, I'm glad you had fun."

Shayna and Rose smile and nod. They quickly give Eva a hug before she leaves.

Liara walks outside followed by Eva and Arelia who is flying them home. Liara pulls Mia aside.

"I know you want to get home but you are being rude. I want you to go inside and thank Oriana along with Shayna and Rose right now."

Mia rolls her eyes.

Liara tightens her grip on her daughter's arm, "Right now Mia."

"Fine." Mia pulls away from her mother and in a huff walks into the house.

Liara watches from a distance. She sees her daughter hug all three of them before coming outside again.

"Happy now?" Mia's tone is not a good one.

Liara steps in front of Mia. "What did you say to me?"

Mia looks away. "I'm sorry. I just want to go home Mom is that too much to ask? I know you are keeping something from me."

Liara looks at her daughter. "What do you mean?"

"Why did that Ardat-Yakshi attack grandpa?"

"I don't know sweetheart."

"Liar!"

Liara is shocked.

"Mia!" Eva walks up to her sister and under her breath says, "What is the matter with you?"

Liara is exhausted. She has not been sleeping and she sure was not expecting an outburst.

"Mom are you okay?" asks Eva.

"Please get in the sky car, both you. We can talk about this more when we get home."

"Where are Raina and Little A?"

"On their way home. Now I am not going to ask you again."

Eva grabs Mia's arm, "Come on Mia, Goddess."

Mia finally enters the sky car behind her sister.

Arelia looks at Liara who wipes her cheek. The commando walks over and gives her a hug. "They are just worried Liara."

"I'm sorry Arelia. I do not know what has gotten into her."

"No need to apologize. Let's get you home."


Shepard has been knocking on Valya's front door for the past few minutes. She is starting to get worried because the asari is not answering. "Valya?" Shepard bangs on the door now. "It's Shepard! Valya!" She is about to check out back when she hears something. She cups her hands around her eyes and looks in the window. She relaxes a little when she sees Valya slowly walking to the door.

The door slowly opens.

"Valya? It's Shepard." The asari looks like she just woke up from a deep sleep.

Valya opens the door and turns around and walks back to the family room past the kitchen. Shepard follows and closes the door.

"Valya?" Shepard finds Valya slouching low on the couch. Her eyes are closed. Shepard sits on the coffee table directly in front of her. "How are you doing?"

Valya lifts her head and wipes at her eyes. "You're back."

"What do you need Valya? What can I do?"

Valya looks at her. "Who told you?"

"Meryl."

Valya sighs. "Why would she call you?"

"We are listed as your emergency contact. And she called to let us know about Aethyta being attacked."

Valya yawns.

Shepard places her hand on her shoulder, "I'm so sorry Valya. What can I do?"

"You're a little late aren't ya?"

"What?" Shepard wonders if she heard right, the asari spoke barely above a whisper.

Valya buries her face into her hands. "I'm tired Shepard. You woke me up."

"I'm sorry."

"And yet that changes nothing." Valya stands and moves past Shepard.

"Valya what…"

"What do you want me to say Shepard?" She is yelling now. "You want me to thank you for stopping by. Thanks! Now get out! There is nothing you can do for me!"

Shepard is stunned. She doesn't move. If she has to be Valya's punching bag, so be it.

"She's dead Shepard! Dead!" her voice cracks. "And you want to know the best part? It's my fault!"

Shepard starts to shake her head.

"Oh yes yes it is! And you want to know why? Because I thought your Justicar friend wanted to kill my daughter. So I had Dara take her to a safe house. And that's where it happened."

"My Justicar friend? You mean Samara? She's here?"

"Yes. But you haven't heard the best part yet. Dava was taken and when I found her she was covered in blood. I still don't know if my daughter killed my bondmate. Can you believe that? How fucked up is that?"

Shepard takes a step closer to the asari.

Valya takes a step back. "Don't!"

Shepard stops.

"See this is punishment. I deserve this Shepard."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"For cheating. What is that Earth saying? What comes around goes around. I was unfaithful and this is my punishment. It's like the galaxy is paying me back. But I am not the only one suffering now, my daughter is too. She…I can't believe I am going to say this. She should have died in that damn shack Shepard."

"Valya, you don't mean that. You're upset." Shepard takes a step closer.

Valya backs up; her back is against the wall now, "Don't I? If Dava would have died back then Dara would still be alive." Valya starts to cry. "Do you know when I was approaching the body at the house…I felt like I was walking through molasses or something. I didn't want to know who it was. But if I had to choose, if it were up to me, I was hoping it was Dava." Valya's back slides down the wall until she is sitting on the floor. "What kind of person does that make me Shepard?"

"It's okay Valya."

"No it's not! I wish I was the one, why couldn't it have been me?"

Shepard kneels down in front of the asari, "It's okay Valya, it's not your fault."

"It is," Valya's voice cracks again.

Shepard moves in to hug Valya but the asari tries to push her back. Shepard pulls her into a hug. "It's okay Valya; it's going to be okay."

Valya tries to struggle out of the human's grip. "No…no it's not! It' s never going to be okay!"

Shepard holds her tight. "It is, you'll see. It's not your fault Valya. It's not your fault."

Valya grabs onto Shepard and sobs onto her shoulder.

"I got you….it's not your fault….it's not your fault."


The sky car lands. Mia and Eva quickly get out of the car when they see Raina in the doorway.

"Liara?"

"Hmm?"

"We're here."

The asari opens her eyes. She realizes that she nodded off on the ride home. "Oh Arelia, I'm sorry." She looks behind her.

"They are right there."

Liara looks through the sky car window and sees Mia and Eva and Raina hugging along with her father.

"You going to be okay Liara?"

"Y-Yes thank you. Thank you for taking us home."

"My pleasure. Please call if you need anything."

"I will." Liara kisses Arelia's cheek, "Thanks again." She gets out of the sky car and grabs the bags.

"Can I help?"

Liara drops the bags and hugs her oldest. "Raina how are you?" Liara holds her for a few seconds longer than usual.

"I'm okay Mom, how are you holding up?" Raina bends down and grabs the bags.

"I am happy to be home."

"I have drawn a bath for you. Eva sent a message saying you were on your way. I thought you could use it."

Liara hugs her again. Her throat tightens, she cannot speak.

They continue to walk to the house. "Little A is doing fine. She is on the couch. She has already compared her scar to mine," Raina laughs a little. "I still think mine is better, though her story is more interesting."

Liara laughs a little too as she wipes at her cheek. "Thank you Raina. I am sorry if you have felt overwhelmed with everything while your father and I were gone."

"It's okay Mom really. Besides, grandpa helped a little." Raina sets the bags down just inside the door.

They make their way into the family room where Mia and Eva are sitting on the floor in front of the couch talking to Little A. Matriarch Aethyta is sitting across from them in the chair.

Liara looks at the floor to ceiling windows. She cannot tell which one is new.

"I had them all replaced this morning," says Aethyta. She stands. "They are shatter proof and help with UV rays so your floors and furniture won't fade."

Liara smiles at her father and closes the distance to hug her.

"It's good to see you kid."

Liara steps back from the hug, "Are you sure you are alright?"

"Eh," Aethyta gives her a dismissive wave.

Liara turns to her youngest who is reclining along the length of the couch.

"Welcome home Mom."

Eva moves out of the way so Liara can reach Little A. She kneels down and gives her daughter a careful hug. She cannot fight the tears in her eyes. "Are you in pain?"

"Not too much anymore." Little A lifts up her shirt to show the bandage. "Did Raina tell you mine is better?"

Liara cups her cheek and smiles. "She told me, though I believe she thinks hers is better."

"You two," says Eva. "Does everything have to be a competition?"

"Yes." They both say it in unison.

Little A's smile turns to worry when she sees her mother crying. "I'm okay Mom really. I hardly felt a thing."

Liara hugs her gently again. "I am so sorry I wasn't here." The crying just snuck up on Liara. She leans back on her heels while still on her knees and cries into her hands.

Little A touches her hand and Liara grabs it. Eva hugs her mother from the side and Raina steps over Mia to hug her on her other side.

Mia doesn't move.

"I'm okay Mom," Little A says again.

"I know….I'm just…I am just so relieved." Liara looks to see who is hugging her. "Thank you, I'm okay now, I am just so happy to be home."

Raina holds out her hand to help her mother up.

When Liara looks at Mia she sees her with her arms crossed. She is obviously upset.

"Let's get you into the tub," says Raina as she walks with her mother to the master bedroom.

Eva scoots over on the floor and slaps at Mia's knee. "What the hell Mia."

"What?"

"You know what. What is the matter with you?"

Mia just shrugs and looks at the floor.

"I still think my scar is better," says Little A.

"Let me check the water," says Raina. She quickly enters the master bath and starts the water again. "It is still warm. Would you like some tea?"

Liara does not respond.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?"

"Your bath is ready. Do you want some tea?"

"Oh yes…my bath." Liara covers a yawn with her hand. "Thank you Raina." Liara starts to undress.

"Tea?"

"No thank you."

"Okay then. I will be outside if you need anything."

Liara doesn't seem to hear her. She just continues to undress as if in slow motion.

Raina closes the door.

"She okay?" asks Aethyta.

"I think she is exhausted. She seems a little out of it."

Aethyta wraps her arm around Raina's shoulders, "I'm sure she will be fine, she's tough."

Raina sees Mia going upstairs. "Mia?"

"What?"

"You want some dinner?"

"No." Mia walks upstairs.

Raina and Aethyta exchange looks.

"Go. I'll take care of dinner."

Raina smiles at her grandpa. She gives her a kiss on her cheek. "Thanks grandpa."

"Yeah yeah."

Raina goes upstairs. She knocks softly on Mia's door. "Can I come in Mia?"

"Yes."

Raina enters to find her sister on her bed. She is lying with her back up against the backrest with her arms crossed. Raina sits at her desk chair. "Are you all right?"

Mia shrugs.

"What is going on? Did something happen with Shayna and Rose?"

"No."

"Then what is it Mia?"

"I think Mom and Dad are lying."

"About what?"

"Oh come on Raina! The police were watching over me. I'm not stupid."

"That was because of Dava being unaccounted for."

Mia sits up and swings her legs off the side of the bed, "That Ardat-Yakshi came here looking for me Raina and instead she found grandpa! And Mom and Dad won't tell me the truth about it!"

Raina calmly says, "You don't know that Mia."

"Like hell. Why else would she come here? She obviously did something to Dava. Dava wanted me for some reason and now this. It doesn't take a psychic to see that."

Raina takes in a breath and lets it out. She is trying to ignore the sting of her sister's words. "So what are you going to do about it?"

"There's nothing I can do. If they want to lie to me that's their business."

"I don't think they are lying Mia. I think you are jumping to conclusions."

Mia shakes her head. "You know this was supposed to be a really happy time for me right now. I mean…" her voice cracks a little. Mia takes a deep breath. "I feel awful that Dara is dead…I just…"

"...feel over looked because you are going to be leaving soon and now everyone is focusing on someone other than you?" Raina says it as nice as possible. She knows her sister is hurting, she can see it and she can feel it.

"You make it sound like I am a selfish bitch."

"I didn't say that Mia."

"You didn't have to, I know I do. I mean what kind of a person hears about someone dying and all they think about is how does it affect me? I know I am being selfish I know I am. And I feel for their family but I am tired of feeling so hurt because of Dava." Tears start to fall now.

Raina moves to the bed and sits next to her sister. "I don't think you are a selfish bitch Mia." She wraps her arm around her sister's shoulders.

"I…I loved her once and now...now I feel like I just hate her Raina. I hate her. I don't like these feelings I am having. I mean do they even know who killed Dara yet?"

"I have not heard." Raina looks at her sister. "You think Dava killed her don't you?"

"Don't you?"

"I…I don't know. I mean I have not had a feeling about it."

Mia stands now and starts to pace back and forth. "I don't think you need a feeling Raina. You saw her when she was here. She was fine one minute then the next…if you hadn't stopped her I would probably be dead. I think she killed her mother. I think whatever happened to her in that shack caused this. I mean what did I do? I don't understand why they wanted me, why did Elina want me? Why did they have to take Dava?" Mia stops her pacing and has a shocked look on her face. She turns to Raina, "Is this my fault?"

Raina stands, "What?"

"Think about it. Dava was taken to lure me Raina, me!"

"Now you stop it. This is not your fault Mia T'Soni."

"Well it sure as hell feels like it is!" Mia goes to her closest.

"What…what are you doing?"

"I can't stay here Raina. I feel trapped."

"What are you talking about? You are not leaving this house."

Mia turns to face her sister. Her eyes are puffy and red and there are streaks on her cheeks from falling tears. "I just want it to stop! I don't want to feel like this anymore!" Mia moves to the bed and sits down hard.

Raina sits next to her to hold her. "It's going to be okay Mia, you just have to hang in there."


Shepard held Valya until the detective fell asleep in her arms on the floor. The retired Captain used her biotics to carry Valya into her bedroom so she could get a proper night's sleep. Shepard spent an hour cleaning the house up, emptying garbage, throwing out bad food, that sort of thing. She sent a message to Liara that she would be staying overnight so she could be here for her friend. She also sent a message to Aethyta and to Raina.

Shepard misses her kids terribly but if she can't be with Wrex in his final days then she is going to be with her friend that needs help right now. She is too wired to sleep so she calls someone she has not spoken with in a very long time.

There is a slight knock at the front door. Shepard opens the door and gives her friend Samara a great big hug.

"Hello Shepard, it is good to see you."

"Valya is sleeping in the other room. Thanks for coming over, I'm sorry for the late hour." Shepard closes the door when Samara enters.

"No need to apologize, I was up. How is the detective?"

"How do you think? She's horrible. She tells me she thought you wanted to harm Dava."

"Untrue Shepard."

"And now?"

"I am after Shadow."

"That does not answer my question Samara."

"As I told the detective I am after Shadow. Once I catch her then…"

"Then what Samara?"

"If she has killed Shepard, if Dava is an Ardat-Yakshi, she cannot live. You know that as well as I do."

"Did she kill her mother?"

"That is unknown. But it does appear that she killed the asari that took her."

Shepard narrows her eyes at the asari. "So let me get this straight. Dava defended herself by killing the asari that kidnapped her, a possible murderer no less and you want to kill her? That asari probably killed Dara."

"It is not that simple Shepard. As far as who killed Dara, you would have to speak with the detectives on the case."

"I'm speaking to you Samara. And where is Valya's partner in all of this?"

Samara fills Shepard in on what happened with Atalia. Based on the report Meryl allowed the Justicar to read she informs Shepard that Caressa was killed and that Atalia was shot twice by Shadow.

Shepard looks toward the room where Valya is sleeping. "Shit." She slowly sits at the kitchen table.

Samara sits down as well. "Are you all right Shepard?"

"She's been through so much, no wonder… I can't believe she has been alone this whole time."

"Valya has not been alone Shepard. Akira has been helping her."

Shepard looks at the Justicar. "What does that mean?"

"Only that she has been helping her. Akira was with Valya when they found Dava."

Shepard shakes her head. "I can't believe all of this happened while I was gone." Shepard looks at Samara, "I want to help."

"With what?"

"Tracking Shadow. Let me work with you."

"That is not necessary."

"Oh really? You have been tracking her for how long and have not been able to catch her? She wants my daughter doesn't she? She wants Mia? That is why she came to the house."

"I do not know."

"It would explain a lot don't you think? Elina 80 years ago wanted Mia. If Elina was under Shadow's influence it would make sense that she would also want Mia's power."

"The logic makes sense yes."

"But?"

"Shadow is very intelligent. She does not often make mistakes. Going after Mia, which she must know is your daughter, is not a smart move."

"Perhaps she likes a challenge."

"Perhaps."

"So when do we get started?"