THESSIA
It doesn't make sense. The images. Shadow, Mia, my Dad. What is happening to me? Did I help or did I hurt? Mom where are you?
"I need to be with her!"
"You need to back off Valya. You are suspended. Do you want to lose your job permanently?" says Meryl. The Captain was called to the scene by Samara once the fighting ceased.
Dava was taken to the hospital. She did not regain consciousness before emergency services took her away. Sara and Naava were called to the scene, they were told to keep everyone there. Meryl gave instructions to not let anyone leave if they did not need medical attention.
When Shepard heard this she almost punched Sara in the face, she would have if Liara had not stopped her. The retired Captain told Sara that Meryl could find them at the hospital. They would accompany their daughter Mia to the hospital and that was final. Sara knew better than to try to stop the savior of the galaxy.
Mia was in and out of consciousness. It looked like she recognized her parents but then her eyes fluttered shut and she did not wake when she was put in the emergency services vehicle.
Now Valya is standing outside of the abandon building. Akira is a few feet behind her, ready to help if necessary. Valya told the medical examiner to give her some space. It is killing the detective that she cannot be with her daughter.
"Where the hell have you two been anyway?" asks Valya when she sees Sara and Naava approach.
Akira quickly grabs her arm, "Valya don't."
"Easy Valya," says Naava.
"Well!"
"We were watching a follower of Shadow."
"Really? Where?"
"Valya," Meryl warns her.
"Tell me where!"
"Okay okay."
Valya jerks her arm free from Akira.
"It's a housing area northeast of main street."
"That's on the other side of town."
"I know Valya," says Naava. "What is your point?"
"What did you find?"
Everyone is quiet. Valya looks between the two detectives. "Well?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing. Meaning no leads and no follower right?"
"That's right."
"Did you know that Samara and Shepard had the same thing happen to them?"
"Yes Valya we are not stupid," says Sara.
Valya gets in her face and threw clenched teeth says, "I beg to differ detective. While you two were sitting on your asses we were fighting for the lives of two young asari!" She feels a hand on her shoulder. She knows it is Akira. She does not move out of Sara's face.
"Valya back off please," says Meryl. When she does the Captain continues, "Let's all take a breath. Shadow has a lot…"
"Had Captain….had," Valya looks at her.
"Had a lot of followers. I suspect it will be a few days before we know just how many. It was my call Valya, to have them stay at that house. Since Samara and Shepard came up empty I was hoping our luck would change." Meryl takes a breath, "It was my call."
"How did you know?" Naava asks Valya.
"What?"
"How did you know about this building?"
Valya looks at her trying to remember. "I ah…I got a call." She brings up her omni-tool. "See." She shows the message to the detectives and her boss along with Akira.
"Who sent it?"
"I…I'm not sure. I don't recognize the number."
"Run it," says Meryl.
"I don't have the proper authority anymore," says Valya.
Meryl smiles at her. She brings up her omni-tool and punches a few buttons. "You do now." Meryl places her hand on Valya's shoulder, "When you are ready to return to work we will be waiting."
Valya gives her boss a small smile, "Thanks." She punches buttons on her omni-tool. "Goddess."
"What is it?" asks Akira.
"It was Dava who sent me the address."
Shepard and Liara have been waiting in the waiting room for what seems like hours. The retired Captain continues to run a line back and forth along one wall of the room. She hates waiting. Liara is not faring much better. She is hugging herself walking back and forth along the opposite wall.
"She is going to be fine," says Shepard more for her behalf than for her bondmate's. "She is going to be just fine."
"Did…did you see her leg Elly?" Liara lets out a small sob. She covers her mouth.
"Hey." Shepard walks toward Liara. She pulls the asari into a hug. "She is tough. She takes after her mother."
Liara softly cries into Shepard's shoulder.
"She will be okay. She will."
"Excuse me?"
Shepard and Liara both turn to see an asari doctor standing at the door of the waiting room.
"Yes Doctor?" says Liara as she wipes her face with her hands.
"You are here for Mia T'Soni?"
"Yes," they say in unison.
"I thought I recognized the name. She is out of surgery. The damage to her leg was too extensive for a restructuring device which is why surgery was warranted. We had to repair what we could."
"What…what does that mean?" asks Shepard.
"It means we had to remove over three dozen bone fragments. We got them all and now she is sedated while the bone restructuring device is being attached."
"Oh Goddess," says Liara.
"Will…will she walk again?" asks Shepard.
The Doctor smiles. She has a very warm smile. "Yes. Before the device can do its work no loose fragments can be present in the area in which the device is attached. By removing the fragments the device can do what it is designed to do. Due to the severity of the damage, we will be keeping your daughter sedated for at least twenty-four hours while the device starts to rebuild the bone. It is imperative that she not move during this time. After twenty-four hours we will see how her leg looks. We should be able to wake her up then as the device finishes its work."
Shepard and Liara let out breaths they did not realize they were holding.
"She should be able to go home in a few days. But let's wait and see what happens after twenty-four hours."
"Can we see her?" asks Shepard.
"Of course, though not too long. After you visit you should get some sleep. Your daughter will not wake until this time tomorrow night."
"Thank you Doctor," Shepard extends a hand to shake.
The Doctor shakes it with a smile.
"Thank you," Liara does not shake the Doctor's hand, she hugs her instead.
"It…it is my pleasure Dr. T'Soni. A nurse will be in shortly to escort you to her room." The Doctor bows her head in respect then leaves the bonded couple.
"So Dava must have been fighting Shadow's influence this whole time," says Akira.
"You have one strong daughter," says Naava as she pats Valya's shoulder.
"Excuse me Captain," says a police officer, "we have something over here."
Valya sees the police officer look her way, "What is it?"
"It's a body."
Valya's heart sinks. "Show me."
The group follows the police officer around the building to the back where there are a line of three garbage dumpsters.
"Looks like the body was dumped. I am not sure how long it has been here."
"Any ID?" asks Meryl.
"No Captain."
They make their way around the building. The police officer stops and looks at the group. "She is a young asari. We are thinking maybe one of the followers."
"Let me look," says Valya. She does not want to but she has to know if she knows the asari.
The police officer points to the dumpster.
Valya approaches. The other nearby officers back away. Akira is behind the detective. There is a small step stool so Valya can step up to see what is inside without touching anything. She takes a step then two, Akira has her hand to help her with balance.
The dead asari is staring straight ahead. There is a gash on her forehead but Valya cannot see any other physical signs of trauma. "I was afraid of that."
"What? Do you know her Valya?" asks Akira.
Valya steps down from the small stool. "It's Lacy."
Akira's eyes go wide, "Raina's friend? The one who drugged the family?"
Valya lets out a long sigh, "Yes." The detective cannot think of more to say.
Meryl approaches, "Akira, a word please."
The medical examiner walks away to speak with the Captain.
"You know her?" asks Naava.
"Yeah. She is a friend of Raina T'Soni."
"Goddess."
"What's going on over there?" Valya juts her chin toward Meryl and Akira.
"Not sure but I think Akira's suspension is being lifted just like yours. I mean you guys broke the case. Either that or they want the blood samples Akira took from Shadow."
"To test the cure? So she can still use it?" asks Valya.
"Not sure."
The Captain and Akira return to Naava, Sara and Valya.
"Captain, may I please go to the hospital now to see my daughter?" asks Valya.
"Yes. Thank you for your statement Valya. I hope Dava will be all right."
"I will take you," says Naava.
"Thanks." Valya looks at Akira. The medical examiner gives her a smile and a nod.
"Hey guys," says Sara. "I just got a call from Kendall and Andrea, "Kaya was found in her house sleeping. Her parents found a data pad on their kitchen counter. It said something about not feeling well, so they didn't think it was odd that she was sleeping."
"She okay?" asks Valya.
"Yes. Kendall and Andrea told her parents what happened and she woke up while they were there."
"Are they getting her statement?" asks Meryl.
"Yes boss."
"Good." Meryl turns her attention to Valya. "Go detective. And call me when you are ready to return to work."
"Yes boss. Thank you."
Valya leaves the scene with Naava and heads to the hospital.
"Do you need anything else Grandpa?" asks Raina. She is trying to keep busy.
"No thanks kid." The matriarch watches Raina clean the kitchen counter for the fourth time. "Will you sit down please?" She uses a stern voice.
Raina stops and looks up at her Grandfather. "What?"
Aethyta lets out a sigh. "Raina come and sit down."
Raina does what she is told.
Eva and Little A are sitting outside watching the city lights glow in the dark. The sun set about an hour ago.
"What is it?" asks Raina.
Aethyta takes her granddaughter's hand. "You need to calm down kid. Your parents said Mia is going to be just fine. They would not be coming home if there was a problem."
"I…I just can't shake this awful feeling I have. Something is not right and …well I need to keep busy."
"You need to relax. You are going to drive yourself crazy."
Raina pats her grandfather's hand then pulls her own away. "I have to deal with this my own way grandpa. I am sorry if you cannot understand that." Raina leaves the kitchen table and goes to her room without another word.
Aethyta lets out a sigh, "Shit."
The Matriarch slowly stands then makes her way through the family room out the patio door.
"Oh hi grandpa," says Eva.
"How are you two holding up?"
"Better now," says Little A. "I just heard from Kaya. She said she is fine, just really, really tired. The police were there when she woke up so she was scared for a while."
"We have not heard anything about Lacy," says Eva.
"That's Raina's friend right?" asks Aethyta.
"That's right."
Aethyta sits next to her two grandkids. "This is a great view better than mine."
"I think I might ask Mom and Dad if I can build on part of our land," says Eva.
"What?" says Little A. "What are you talking about?"
"I cannot live at home forever. It is just something I have been thinking about asking that's all."
"I'm sure they would let you. Hell you can have my place when….," the Matriarch stops talking.
Eva and Little A look at their grandfather, "When what grandpa?" asks Eva.
"Yeah grandpa what are you talking about?" asks Little A.
"Eh," she waves a dismissive hand, "It's nothing. I think you asking your parents for some land is a great idea. It's nice to stay close to home."
"You…you don't think it is childish of me to want to remain close to home?" asks Eva.
"Not at all. If I could change things I would. I ….if I could I would have loved to see your mother grow up."
"You got to see us grow up," says Little A.
"I am sure it is not the same thing," says Eva to her sister.
"It's not, but it has been great. I would not change that for the world. I am grateful to your mother and father for that." Aethyta leans back in her chair and closes her eyes.
"Are you all right grandpa?" asks Eva.
"Fine kid, just fine."
"I wish we could see Mia," says Eva.
"Dad says she will be out until tomorrow night," says Little A, "we might not be able to see her for a few days."
"Do you think she will still leave for Vancouver at the end of next week?"
"Sure she will," says Aethyta. "She is tough just like her parents."
Eva and Little A look at each other. They are not so sure.
"Dad! Mom!" Eva stands and runs through the family room when she sees her parents enter the front door. She stops short when she sees the look on their faces. "Wh…what's the matter?"
Liara is the first to go to Eva. She gives her a hug.
"Is it Mia?"
"No honey….no."
"Then what?"
Liara and Shepard look towards Raina's room when the door to her bedroom door opens.
Liara squeezes Eva's hand, "Can you give us a minute please?" Eva looks behind her to see Raina in the doorway on the verge of tears. She also sees Little A walking into the house. She quickly meets her little sister and pulls her back toward the family room.
Liara slowly walks toward Raina.
"No…no…"
"Honey…"
Raina puts her hands over her ears, "I don't want to hear it!" She steps back into her room and slams the door shut. "Nooooo!"
Liara, crying now, places her hand on the door and leans her forehead against the surface.
Shepard goes to her. "She just needs time."
Little A steps around her sister and slowly approaches. "Wh….is it Lacy?"
Eva hangs on to Little A's arm and hugs it waiting for an answer.
Shepard kisses Liara's shoulder then walks to her daughters in the family room. "I'm afraid it is yes. She is dead."
"Oh Goddess," Eva raises her hand to cover her mouth.
"And Mia?" asks Little A.
"She is going to be fine. The doctor is keeping her sedated while her bone regrows."
"Will she be able to play?"
Shepard looks back to her bondmate who is still outside of Raina's closed door. "Yes honey, I think so. The doctor believes she will make a full recovery."
"And Dava?" asks Eva.
"Ah…we are not sure honey. We are not family so the doctor could not give us specific information and we did not see Valya."
"I heard from Kaya," says Little A.
"And?"
"She was asleep in her bed at home."
Shepard lets out a breath of relief and pulls her daughter into a hug, "Thank God."
Eva hugs them both.
Shepard kisses their crests. "Come on. You two must be tired. You should get to bed."
"When can we see Mia?" asks Eva.
"Hopefully two days. We will have to see."
"I love you Dad." Eva gives her a huge hug.
"I love you too honey." Shepard turns to Little A and hugs her again. "You two sleep well. We will see you in the morning."
Eva and Little A say good night to Liara who gives each a hug but she remains at Raina's closed door.
Shepard steps outside. She sits down next to Aethyta.
"Shepard."
"Aethyta."
The matriarch hands her her glass of Ryncol. Shepard takes a drink then returns it to her in silence.
"How is she?" Valya asks the doctor.
The detective is in the room with her daughter who is still unconscious.
"Both of her shoulder blades were broken. We were able to set the bones during surgery. There could be nerve damage but until she wakes and we run some coordination tests, I will not know if the damage is permanent."
Valya rubs her forehead. "Anything else?"
"We ran a few scans of her brain. She has had extensive damage I'm afraid. I have called for a specialist which will arrive tomorrow. In these types of circumstances I have seen remarkable recoveries detective. The asari brain is a wondrous thing. She will be in the best of hands."
Valya looks up at the doctor, "Thank you Doctor. Can I stay with her?"
"Of course. You are welcome to use that bed." She gestures to the second bed in the room. "I will inform the nurse. I must set your expectations detective."
"Yes?"
"She will not wake for a few days. She cannot move around so we do have to keep her sedated. Once her bones set and I feel are strong enough to withstand movement, then and only then will we slowly wake her. It could take days detective even a week. I want you to be prepared. This will be a long recovery."
"Thank you Doctor."
"I will check on her in the morning. In the meantime, if you have any questions please ask the nurse and I will get back to you as soon as I can."
Valya nods to her. "Appreciate it."
When the doctor leaves the room Valya sits next to her sleeping daughter and holds her hand. "Hang in there Dava. You are strong, I know you are. I saw what you did honey. You are my hero." Valya's eyes fill with tears. "Covering Mia like you did…" she clears her throat, "it…it was nothing short of amazing honey. I love you Dava. I …" she wipes her cheeks, "I love you."
