THESSIA

I cannot resist. I must go to her. I can do this. She must never know.

"There you are. I knew you would come. You certainly do not disappoint Dava."

"Shadow." Dava's head is pounding but she hides it from the asari. "Why are we outside of my parent's house?" They are on a hill overlooking the place.

"Now now, you must have patience."

"And we are supposed to see what exactly? It's pitched black out."

"The moon is all we need to see."

"See wh -?

"There," says Shadow.

"Yeah my parents. What's the big deal?" Dava has an uneasy feeling. She does not like the knowing smirk on Shadow's face.

"Look closer."

The light inside Dava's house is like a spotlight. She can clearly see two asari inside. One is her father and the other is…what the hell? Where's my Mom? What does Shadow know that I don't? She sees the two asari inside hug. Dava feels her stomach burn. Something is wrong, something is very, very wrong.

Dava feels a blinding red hot pain shoot through her mind. She cannot scream. Shadow is in her mind again. Feeding her thoughts, feeding her visions, feeding her emotions. Dava wants to block them out but she can't. Dava is inundated with her own memories of her parents fighting during the time where Dara found out about Valya's affair. It is something Dava has not thought about in decades. The visions, the sadness, the anger, the fighting, it's too much for Dava. And just as fast as the pain started it is over.

"You know what she is Dava. You know what you must do."

"Yes Shadow."

"First you must rest. You are probably still tired from those damn drugs they were giving you. You remember where to go?"

"Yes Shadow."

"Good. See you in the morning. And Dava?"

"Yes Shaow?"

"Welcome home."


Shepard and Liara are up early. They are in the kitchen making breakfast for the family. They didn't sleep very well after hearing the news about Dava escaping the hospital. They checked and rechecked their security system and security cameras. The problem is Dava has been to the house so often she if very familiar with the placement of the cameras. Something they both did not have to voice to one another.

They both gave up on sleep about an hour ago and decided to make breakfast though the sun won't rise for another thirty minutes at least.

"I hear from Eli," says Shepard.

"When?"

"While you were in the secure room I got a message. They found Grunt. He is okay."

"That's wonderful Elly. Is there any news regarding Wrex?"

"He's the same, not worse not better."

Liara hugs Shepard from behind, "I am sorry Elly."

Shepard taps Liara's hand. "Yeah. This can't be easy for you either."

Liara grabs some vegetables from the refrigerator to cut up. "Do you really need to go with Samara today?"

Shepard looks at her, "What do you mean?"

Liara turns to face her bondmate, "I mean do you really need to go?"

Shepard moves the pan off the burner. She looks Liara in the eye, "What's going on?"

Liara averts her eyes.

"Liara?" Shepard cups her cheek with her hand, "What is it?"

"With everything we have been through I cannot believe how utterly terrified I am."

"Hey," Shepard pulls her into a hug. She kisses her temple. "It's going to be okay. Everything is going to be okay."

"Do you promise?"

Shepard places her hands on either side of Liara's face, "Yes I promise." They hug again.

"It's different now with the children. If anything happens…"

"Hey hey hey, we are not going to let anything happen to any of them. Do you hear me?"

Liara gets very quiet.

"Liara?"

"We cannot control that Elly, not really. Soon each child will move out and begin their lives like they are supposed to." The asari looks at her bondmate, "We cannot prevent bad things from happening."

Shepard pulls her into another hug when she sees tears forming in Liara's eyes. "What is this all about?"

"I miss her Elly, I miss her so much."

"I know honey, I know." Shepard kisses her temple again while continuing to hold her. "I miss her too."

"How will Valya and Dava survive this?"

Shepard leans back from the hug, "By taking things day by day and by leaning on us."

Liara wipes her cheeks.

"And as far as our kids, all we can do is hope for the best. Raise them with the values we feel are important and then let them go. It's our jobs as parents."

"You sound like me Elly."

Shepard laughs a little. "I have learned from the best."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I would have thought fighting the reapers would have prepared me for this, but it hasn't Elly. I am scared for Mia, for all our children."

"We are going to finish this Liara; we just have to be patient. Shadow will make a mistake. Detectives Kendall and Andrea already found one of her followers."

"And you think this follower will lead you to Shadow?"

"That is the hope yes. Samara and I are going to relieve them for the day while they get some rest while Sara and Naava check out other leads."

"I still don't like the idea of you not being here with me and the kids."

"Your father will be here. Shadow couldn't beat her alone Liara. She would have to be pretty stupid to attack the house with you and Aethyta here not to mention our girls. They may be young but they are strong. You saw to that."

"We both did."

"Morning."

"Morning Raina," says Shepard. She has returned to the pan to prepare the food.

"Am I interrupting?"

"No honey. You are up early, are you okay?

"Yeah, I just didn't sleep very well."

Both parents look at her expectantly.

"I didn't see anything, sorry."

"It's okay honey. It is not fair for us to expect you to."

"I just feel this incredible sadness."

Shepard finishes her work at the stove. She places the food in the oven. "Maybe you are just picking up on everyone's grief. I mean it's understandable."

"I guess."

"You think it is something else?" asks Liara.

"I'm not sure. I have not felt this level of sadness before. I mean I feel like crying right now and I don't know why."

Liara moves around the breakfast bar and hugs her daughter. "I am sorry you have to deal with these feelings."

"Thanks Mom. I am sure it will pass."

Liara kisses her crest. "How is your dissertation?"

"I turned in the paper before you two came home. I am just waiting to hear about my interview."

"That's great honey," says Liara.

"That is fantastic!" says Shepard. She has a great big smile on her face. "We are so proud of you."

"Thanks Dad."

"I think we need another celebration."

"Not just yet. I want to get my interview completed first. Then I will know if I have earned my Doctorate."

Shepard hands Raina some juice. Liara returns to finish cutting the vegetables.

"What is it?" asks Shepard of Raina.

"Well….I was actually hoping you could help me…with my interview I mean."

"Of course we will help you."

"Really? I thought you had to leave today?"

"Oh…you meant today? I'm sorry Raina, yes I do need to leave."

"I can help you Raina. Do you have practice questions? I am sure your grandpa would like to help as well."

"It's okay," Raina breaks eye contact and looks down.

Shepard goes to her daughter. "Hey. I can help tonight when I get back."

"Thanks Dad, but I know how busy you are. I am going to get cleaned up."

Shepard watches her daughter leave. She turns to Liara, "Ouch."

"She will be okay."

"Maybe I should call Samara and tell her to fly solo today."

Liara touches Shepard's shoulder, "Raina will be fine. Besides, you cannot leave Samara alone. You need to watch her back." Liara kisses her cheek. "I am going to get cleaned up as well."


Breakfast is finished; Raina and Little A are taking care of cleaning up the dishes. There is a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," says Shepard, "It's probably Samara."

She checks the monitor and sees the Justicar along with the medical examiner. She opens the door.

"Morning you two. Akira I am surprised to see you."

"I have an update for you."

"Come in."

They all go into the family room.

Akira starts to speak then stops seeing as Mia and Eva are present.

"It's okay Akira, anything you say to us you can say to our girls," says Shepard. "They are part of this and they deserve to know."

Akira looks behind her and sees Raina and Little A join the group. "I decided to tell you this in person instead of on the omni. The detectives have been giving me updates even though it is against procedure since I have been suspended. Sara tells me that the blood splatter evidence shows that there was a third person in the apartment where we found Dava."

"That means Dava might not have killed the asari that kidnapped her," says Liara.

"Exactly."

"That's fantastic," says Shepard.

"What's the big deal?" asks Aethyta. "If Dava did kill it was obviously in self-defense."

"It is just nice to think that perhaps it was not her," says Liara. She gives her father a look that says please be quiet.

Aethyta shrugs her shoulders.

"I thought it best to tell you in person. Arelia relieved me this morning from Valya's so I am going to go home and get some sleep, before heading back there."

"Thank you Akira. Would you like some breakfast?"

"No thank you Liara. I need to get going."

"We will show you out," says Shepard.

The two escort Akira outside. "How is she doing?" asks Shepard.

"Not great."

"I can stop by after my shift with Samara if you think it will help."

Liara takes Shepard's hand into her own.

"It's okay Shepard," says Akira. "You stay with your family. I am fine covering tonight and Arelia already told me she is fine for tomorrow during the day."

"Are you concerned that Dava may show up at the house?" asks Liara.

"About that." Akira breaks eye contact.

"What?" asks Shepard.

Akira looks at the two of them. "I didn't tell Valya about Dava escaping the hospital."

"What?" Shepard and Liara say it in unison.

"You know her. She would have left the house and gone looking for her. Valya is very vulnerable right now. I do…."

"…Akira." Shepard interrupts her. "What do you think she is going to do when she finds out you knew and didn't tell her?"

"That will be far worse Akira," says Liara.

Akira lets out a deep breath. "She is not doing well. I found her in the bathroom curled up with Dara's clothes. She kept saying she is disappearing that her scent is disappearing. She fell asleep only to wake to nightmares. It took hours to get her calm enough to fall back asleep. I don't think her knowing is going to help things."

"Except the shock she will experience if her daughter does indeed show up at the house," says Liara. "Akira, you need to tell her."

"What? Now?"

"Yes. If you do not tell her, I doubt you will have a future with her. She will see this as a betrayal of her trust Akira."

Shepard looks at her bondmate. She wonders what Liara means by future.

Akira studies Liara for a minute. "Okay. I will stop there before going home. I'll tell her."

"Thank you Akira," says Liara, "and thank you for stopping by." Liara's tone turns a bit cold.

"Of course."

"Take care Akira," says Shepard, "get some rest."

The two of them watch the medical examiner's sky car fly off. Shepard turns to Liara, "Care to tell me what that was about?"

"She has feelings for Valya."

"And that gives you the right to be mean to her?"

Liara looks at Shepard with her ice blue eyes, "Dara was just laid to rest Elly. I do not want her taking advantage of the situation."

"Come on, you honestly think she would do that?"

Liara raises her eyebrows.

Shepard furrows her brow and shakes her head. "I don't think Akira is like that."

"We don't know her very well Elly."

"So what was that exactly? Posturing? A warning?"

"She understood my meaning. Nothing more needs to be discussed."

"Is that so?"

"Are you upset?"

Shepard stops just outside the front door. "Liara, I don't really think it is our business."

"I disagree. Valya is in no shape to make relationship decisions. She shouldn't even have to face having to make a decision so quickly after Dara's death."

"You don't know if that is happening."

"Elly. I have seen the look. I know."

Shepard looks at her bondmate. She knows Liara means well regardless if it is her business or not. "Okay."

"Okay? What does that mean?"

"It means this is one of those times where we are going to have to agree to disagree. I don't think it is our business. You do. I do not want to fight about it. I just want to find Shadow and get this mess over with so we can get back to normal. Can we do that?"

Liara kisses her cheek, "Yes, we can do that."


Samara and Shepard meet up with Kendall and Andrea. The detectives have been watching a house overnight.

"Any movement?" asks Shepard. She and the Justicar get in the back of the sky car.

"Nothing," says Naava.

"Are you sure she is still in there?" asks Samara.

"Never saw her leave, so yeah."

"She have any visitors?" asks Shepard.

"No," says Kendall, "it's been very quiet. She arrived midday yesterday and hasn't left since."

"If they are planning something that seems a bit odd."

"Maybe," says Andrea, "but if she is not high up on Shadow's list, maybe she is just a pawn ya know. Maybe she doesn't know the plan until the last minute."

"That could be true," says Samara. "We will take over from here. You two get some rest."

Samara and Shepard leave the sky car and enter their own which is parked a few car lengths back. Once inside they give the thumbs up to Andrea and Kendall. The two detectives fly off.

"So Samara how have you been?"

"I have been well Shepard. And you?"

"Well outside of Mia being a target and Dara dying I'm great."

"I am sorry Shepard."

"Well thanks. Truth is Samara I have been blessed. I am with the love of my life and I have four smart and talented daughters not to mention beautiful."

"Indeed. You must be proud."

"I am I really am. Mia is going to be a professional skyball player did you hear that? She signed with the Vancouver Storm."

"That is wonderful."

"Yeah…" Shepard grows quiet.

"Are you all right Shepard?"

"Yeah..I…I just can't believe she is leaving."

"It is difficult to let your children go."

Shepard looks at the Justicar. "How is Falere? Is she still at the monastery on Lesuss?"

"Yes. Last I spoke with her she was well."

Shepard swallows; she is not sure what more she should ask her friend. "Is…is there anyone with her?"

"Two others."

"They survived the bomb?"

"No. They were found in the Terminus system. They were given a choice. Live at the monastery or die. They chose to live."

"I see."

"Falere is well Shepard, you need not worry. After the war I was able to return to Lesuss and help her with rebuilding. She continues to garden even though the soil is stubborn. She does quite well."

"Good, that's good….I'm glad."

They sit in silence for a bit. The house they are watching is quiet.

"Family life suits you Shepard."

Shepard looks at the Justicar, "You think so?"

"When we met you carried the burdens of the galaxy on your shoulders. You seem more relaxed now, happy. It is a good look on you Shepard."

"Thank you." Shepard shifts in the sky car seat.

"I see you are still inpatient."

Shepard looks at Samara. She smiles, "Is that a joke Samara?"

The asari continues to look straight ahead, but Shepard can see a slight smile on her lips.


"Akira. What are…"

"Valya awake?"

"She is in the shower. What is going on? Has something happened?" asks Arelia. The commando is watching Valya.

"I didn't tell her."

"Tell her what?"

"That her daughter escaped the hospital last night."

"What?"

"I'm sorry Arelia. With everything going on she would only leave and try to find her and you know it."

Arelia lets out a breath. She studies the medical examiner. "Okay. What should we do?"

"Well I think I need to tell her."

"Tell me what?"

Both asari look at Valya.

Akira is a bit shell shocked.

Arelia sees this and says, "We have some news."

Akira approaches Valya with her hands out as if to ease a scared child.

"What's going on?" Valya backs up from the medical examiner.

"It's about Dava," says Arelia.

"What about her?"

"She escaped from the hospital last night," says Akira.

Valya goes to sit down but there isn't a chair behind her. Akira quickly grabs her arm. "Careful."

Valya is just staring straight ahead.

"Valya?"

Finally the former commando looks Akira in the eye, "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Y-You had such a hard time falling asleep again last night you…"

"Last night!" Valya moves her arm so Akira can no longer touch it. "You knew about this last night?"

"Valya take it easy," says Arelia. She steps in front of the open front door in case the detective has any ideas of fleeing.

"I heard around 3 AM. You had just fallen asleep Valya, I didn't think I should wake you."

"And this morning? Before Arelia arrived? What is your excuse for not telling me then?"

Arelia approaches Valya and places her hand on her shoulder.

The detective out of pure reflex almost hits the asari.

"We thought it best you get some sleep Valya," says Arelia. "We were hoping there was more information on Dava's location before we told you about her. We did not want to panic you unnecessarily."

Valya looks between the two asari.

Akira cannot believe Arelia is helping to shoulder the blame.

Valya takes in a deep breath and lets it out. "Any news on her location?"

"Not yet no," says Arelia.

"We have to look for her."

Akira is about to say something but Arelia gives her a look to remain silent.

"I would be happy to look with you Valya, but we need to check in with the Justicar and Shepard."

"Why?"

"The detectives have found a follower of Shadow's. They are taking turns watching her in hopes she will lead them to Shadow."

"You kept that from me too Akira?"

The medical examiner looks away.

"We are all on edge Valya," says Arelia. "We are trying to do what is best for you."

"Finding my daughter is what is best for me!" Valya heads for the open front door, but Arelia blocks her way.

"Is it?"

"Excuse me?"

"Just hold on." Arelia blocks her path once more. "What if she is an Ardat-Yakshi Valya? What will you do if you find her? Are you ready to kill her if necessary?"

The detective is surprised by the question. It is something she has thought a lot about. "If…if I have to."

"Can you understand Valya why we did not tell you right away? None of us want you to have to go through that."

"But…" Valya turns to Akira who has tears in her eyes. "What about your cure?"

"Cure?" asks Arelia.

Akira clears her throat. "I have developed a serum that could be a cure but I have no one to test it on."

"Until now."