THESSIA
Dinner was not what Liara wanted. All of the kids were quiet. Mia hardly looked at anyone, Raina looked on the verge of tears, Eva kept her head down as if not wanting to get involved and Little A sat quietly enjoying her meal with a small smile on her face.
The asari tried to start up a conversation a few times but no one bit. Shepard helped as best she could as did the Matriarch but it was obvious everyone was not in the mood to talk. Liara is not sure if it is because Mia is leaving tomorrow or if her family really is breaking a part.
When Liara notices that everyone seems to be finished with their meal she stands almost knocking her chair over. "Family room now."
Shepard stands and whispers while everyone makes their way to the family room, "You sure you want to force this?"
"I am."
The kids all sit around the room, some on the chairs, some on the couch, one on the floor.
"Couch." Liara points to the couch. Raina, Mia, Eva and Little A all move to the couch. Aethyta takes a chair as does Shepard. They all wait for Liara to speak.
The asari takes in a deep breath then lets it out as she looks at each child. It breaks her heart that only a few of them are actually making eye contact. "We need to talk about what happened."
Silence.
"I do not want Mia leaving tomorrow without this family talking about what has happened to us."
There is a long pause before Raina finally speaks up. "I have something to say."
Liara moves to the arm of Shepard's chair and sits, "Go ahead honey."
Raina slowly stands and steps to the side so she can look at everyone in the family room. She clears her throat. "I'm sorry."
Mia crosses her arms not making eye contact. The movement is not lost on Raina.
"I am sorry that I did not sense that Lacy was going to drug us and Mia I am sorry you were taken. I know you all know I cannot control when I see or feel things, but I feel responsible for what happened" Raina sits. Eva takes her hand and gives it a squeeze.
More silence.
Liara is about to say something when Mia mumbles something. All eyes look at her.
"What was that Mia?"
"She chose Lacy so you wouldn't sense a thing. It's not your fault Raina." Mia looks up and makes eye contact with her sister. "It's not your fault. It was her plan all along."
"How do you know that sport?" asks Shepard.
Mia quickly stands. "I don't want to do this but since you can't let this go I guess I have to." She looks at her mother who says nothing.
Mia wraps her arms around herself. "Shadow showed me."
"I don't understand," says Liara.
Mia takes a deep breath and lets it out. "She forced herself into my mind."
"What?"
"It was when you two, well when everyone was fighting. She showed me exactly how she infiltrated this family, what she did to Lacy…" her voice trails off. She blinks quickly and clears her throat. "She knows …knew about your ability Raina. I don't know how. But she chose Lacy on purpose. Why would you suspect your best friend? It's not your fault. Shadow tricked all of us even grandpa."
All eyes move to the Matriarch.
"What do you mean?" asks Little A.
"When you got hurt. It's because Shadow wanted it that way."
"But Shadow hurt me."
"Not directly," says Aethyta. "I threw something at her and she moved out of the way. I am the one who shattered the window. I am the reason you got hurt kid. I wanted to tell you sooner but there has been so much going on. I'm sorry."
Mouth hanging open, Little A says, "It's okay. I …I didn't realize." Eva takes her hand and gives it a squeeze.
"She has been planning this for a long time you guys," continues Mia. "She showed me what she did to Dava in the shack. She laughed about it. Everything she showed me felt like a lifetime. She assaulted Dava's mind over decades."
"Goddess," says Liara. Shepard takes her hand.
Everyone waits for Mia to continue.
"She lost someone on Lesuss." She looks toward her parents.
Shepard realizes what she is saying. She goes stiff.
Liara senses it and gently asks, "What do you mean Mia? Are you talking about the war with the Reapers? The explosion at the monestary?"
"Yes. She showed me this asari. The images…they were fast but I still see her in my dreams. It was Shadow's sister who died."
"Everyone was dead honey," says Liara, "except Samara's daughters. We saw no other survivors before the bomb went off. She probably was turned by the Reapers."
Mia shrugs her shoulders, "All I know is that she blamed both of you for her sister's death."
"Oh Mia, my Goddess."
"She was there wasn't she?" asks Shepard.
Mia and her father lock eyes. "Yes. They were blocked behind a door. Shadow got out, her sister didn't. I don't know how, I just know what she showed me, both of you and Uncle Garrus."
Liara starts to stand. She wants to hold her daughter. But Shepard does not let go of her hand because she sees Mia looking toward her sister Raina.
"She was there that day on the playground Raina. The day you stepped in front of me and took the beating by Caressa."
"What?"
"She showed me everything." Mia shivers. She bends down and grabs her glass of water she brought from the dinner table. Her hand is trembling. "How she purposely used Dava. She wanted me to suffer because of it." Mia clears her throat again. "I know you guys think I am being cold for not visiting Dava in the hospital."
"Oh honey that's not true," says Liara.
"Mom." The look Mia gives her mother is a pleading one; one that says let me say what I need to say.
Liara nods at her.
"I don't need you to understand why I have not visited her but I do ask that you respect my wishes. I know Dava saved my life. I know Shadow had her claws in her. But that does not change how I feel. Dava forced herself into my mind and that is NOT okay. I know she fought Shadow as best she could, I just wish she did a better job."
Her sisters exchange looks on the couch.
"I'm afraid of her," continues Mia. "Dava is the one who tied me up." She hears a few gasps but doesn't look to see where they came from.
"Dava is the one who handed Shadow the mallet that broke my leg." Mia shifts from foot to foot. She takes in a deep breath and lets it out.
"Don't get me wrong, I am thankful to her for taking the blows that were meant for me. But I am extremely angry with her at the same time and I cannot reconcile the two. Not right now. I am really trying hard to blame the one I know is to blame and you all need to do the same. That includes you Raina. I have no idea what you were thinking going ahead with your interview today. You have a habit of blaming yourself, I think we all kind of do. But this isn't your fault. I know it's not Dava's fault I know that in my head, but that doesn't stop the images I see of her hurting me, binding me…" Mia's lower lip starts to quiver.
"I have loved her all my life. But I…I just can't anymore. I have to move on. And I'm asking you to let me. I know you all think I should visit her but I just can't." She shakes her head, "I can't. Instead I plan on focusing on being the best rookie the Storm has ever seen. I want to start fresh and focus on my dream. And I don't want to feel guilty about that. I have worked my ass off for this opportunity and I am not going to let some fucking Ardat-Yakshi ruin that for me." Mia wipes her cheek when a tear falls. She looks at her parents. "May I be excused please?"
"Honey I think…."
"Go ahead sport," interrupts Shepard. She squeezes Liara's hand hoping the asari will understand.
Without another word Mia leaves and heads upstairs.
Everyone is quiet. Liara is not sure what to say. She knows she asked for this, she just hopes it does help even though it is very painful right now.
Raina clears her throat, "I think I will call my professor tomorrow, explain what is going on. Perhaps I can be slotted during the next time they conduct interviews."
"That's great honey," says Shepard. She looks at the rest of her kids on the couch. "Anyone else want to talk about anything?"
"Kaya feels responsible for what happened," says Little A. "She told me today. She feels guilty for living when Lacy didn't. That's why she didn't come tonight. She didn't think anyone would talk if she was here." Little A looks around, "Is that true? Are you guys not comfortable with her?"
"I don't think that's it," says Eva. "Kaya is a wonderful person and you two are great together. I think because we try to be private it would have been harder but not because it's Kaya, but rather because…"
"…she is not part of the family," Little A finishes her thought.
"I personally think of Kaya as family, but sharing our feelings is hard enough as it is. Does that make sense? I think Kaya was right to stay home. She probably thought it would be easier on us if she did, only because it is difficult sometimes for us to share like this."
"Eva's right," says Shepard. "I'm afraid I am the one to blame for that. I …well I tend to keep things to myself; I tend to push people away when I need them the most. I am sorry you all seem to take after me in that respect."
"Not all of us Dad," says Little A with a small smile.
"Yeah Dad," says Eva. "I think we did pretty well tonight."
"What about you Eva?" asks Liara."
The asari looks at her.
"You have been pretty quiet yourself since all of this happened. Is there anything you want to talk about?"
Eva shrugs her shoulders. "I…after I woke up from the tea I had this feeling that something awful was going to happen. I was so scared for Mia. I am still scared for her especially now that she told us what Shadow showed her. I suspect she did not tell us everything. I felt like we were falling apart truth be told and that really scared me."
Raina takes her hand and gives it a squeeze.
"We have been such a close family for so long and with Mia leaving," she swallows, "well things will be different now. And I am not sure I am looking forward to a life where Mia is not on Thessia." Eva wipes at her cheek.
Raina hugs her. "I know what you mean. I am going to miss her so much."
Little A joins in the hug, "Me too."
"I for one am glad the bitch is dead," says Aethyta.
The kids laugh. "Nice one grandpa," says Little A.
Raina and Eva both wipe at their cheeks.
"Can we be done now Mom?" asks Little A. "I want to call Kaya."
Liara stands, "Did you want to talk about anything?"
"Not really no. I mean, don't ask me how, but I knew we all would be okay even after waking up and knowing Mia was missing. I knew you guys would find her and bring her home." Little A smiles at her parents. "It's what you guys do, you can't help it. You're heroes." She gets off the couch and hugs her Mom and then walks over to the chair to hug her Dad. "I love you guys."
"Love you too honey," says Shepard.
Aethyta stands, "You two actually believe that shit? She just wants to go upstairs and call her girlfriend."
"Grandpa!"
The Matriarch laughs and opens her arms. Little A gladly hugs her.
Raina and Eva stand and hug their parents then their grandfather before retiring to their rooms.
Shepard puts her arm around Liara, "You did good Liara."
"Thanks Elly."
Shepard kisses her temple, "I mean it. I really thought pushing them was not the way to go. I am happy, this once, to be wrong."
Liara pokes her in the ribs with her elbow. "This once huh?"
"You caught that did ya?"
Liara turns into her and kisses Shepard fully on her lips.
Aethyta clears her throat, "Standing right here."
Liara looks at her father while still in Shepard's arms, "I hardly noticed."
THE NEXT MORNING
Shepard is up before anyone else in the house. She wants to make her special omelets for Mia. She cannot believe her daughter is leaving. After everything that has happened the retired captain is taking it harder than she thought.
The front door opens. Shepard quickly grabs a knife.
"Whoa Dad! It's me!"
"What the hell Mia!" Shepard looks toward Raina's bedroom door. She quickly lowers her voice, "What the…where were you?"
Mia's eyes never leave the knife in her father's hand.
Shepard sees her terrified look and quickly sets it down. "Sorry, sorry Mia." She pulls her daughter into a hug. "I didn't mean to scare you, I am so sorry honey." She holds her at arm's length, "You okay?"
"Y-Yeah."
"Here sit. I'm…geez you scared me."
"I scared you?"
Shepard sits next to her, "What are you doing? Where were you?"
Mia looks away.
"Honey? What is it?"
"Don't be mad."
"Why would I be mad?"
"I…I went to see Dava."
Shepard lets out a breath. "You didn't have to go alone honey. Was she awake?"
Mia shakes her head.
"Was Valya there?"
"No."
Shepard furrows her brow. "You okay?"
Mia shrugs her shoulders.
Shepard swallows. She waits.
"I …I just sat with her. The Doctor recognized me from when I was there. I mean I pulled the Shepard card."
"The Shepard card?"
"Yeah you know. I'm the daughter of the great Commander Shepard. Please let me just sit here."
Shepard smiles at her daughter. "Did it help?"
Mia shrugs, "I guess. Why are you up so early?"
Shepard allows the change in subject. She does not want to press her daughter. "I'm up to make you your favorite."
"Really?"
"Well of course. We can't let you leave on an empty stomach."
"Can I help?"
"If you want to."
"We are making enough for everyone right?" Mia stands and washes her hands in the kitchen sink.
Shepard follows her, "Of course."
Mia opens the refrigerator. "Can we make everyone's favorite?"
Shepard looks at her, "Sure thing."
After an hour of cooking Mia makes the rounds to wake everyone up. Once everyone is gathered at the breakfast bar she shows off what she and her father did.
"We have everyone's favorite. We have omelets, French toast, pancakes, crepes, which Mom I know you love. I hope I got them thin enough."
"They look wonderful Mia thank you."
"We got hash browns, bacon, sausage…"
"Everyone else notice this is all Earth food?" asks Little A as she takes a sausage link and bites into it."
"We love Earth food!" yells Eva.
Everyone starts to laugh.
"That's my girl," says Shepard and she winks at Eva.
"Help yourself everyone," says Mia.
"You first," says Raina.
Mia takes a plate and grabs an omelet, one pancake, one piece of French toast, bacon, sausage and finally some hash browns then sits down.
"There is juice and milk on the table," says Shepard.
Liara hugs her from behind and kisses her neck, "This is wonderful Elly thank you."
"Hmmm I am so hungry!" says Little A. She is the next in line to grab one of everything. "We should do this every time Mia comes home for a visit."
"That's a great idea," says Shepard. "What do you say Mia?"
"Sounds good to me."
They all sit at the table. It is a very different atmosphere than last night's tension filled dinner. This morning everyone is relaxed and genuinely happy. Happy for Mia. Happy that she is following her dream. Happy that the family is on the mend.
"What time do you leave Mia?" asks Raina between bites.
"Two hours."
"You have everything?" asks Eva.
"I think so. I checked like four times."
"If anything is missing we can ship it to you or you can just buy what you need once you are there," says Liara. Her throat tightens.
Shepard squeezes her shoulder. "You sure we can't take you to the transport ship?"
"What?" Liara looks between Shepard and Mia. "Of course we are taking you? Aren't we taking you?"
"I…I thought I would say my good byes here Mom. Please don't be angry."
"You knew about this?" Liara looks at her bondmate.
"We decided this morning honey."
"Mom, I don't want to cry in public okay?"
"I think it is nice that we say good bye here," says Little A.
"I agree," says Eva.
"Me too," says Raina. She winks at her sister. Mia smiles back at her.
Liara nods her head as she swallows. "All right then. If that is what you want."
"Thanks Mom."
"Of course." Liara takes a sip of juice, only Shepard notices that she is not swallowing but instead trying to compose herself.
"Eat up everyone."
"I can't believe this is it; I mean this is really it." Liara is holding Mia at arm's length. The sky cab is waiting while they are all outside saying goodbye to Mia. "I love you so much Mia." Liara pulls her into a hug, "I am so proud of you. Please call when you are through the mass relay okay."
"I will Mom I promise. And I love you too."
Liara steps back. She doesn't bother wiping her cheeks.
Mia hugs Raina. "I'm sorry about Lacy."
"I know, me too."
"You reschedule that interview or else I am coming back here Raina."
"I will, I promise."
Mia steps back from the hug, "Promise me you will stop being so hard on yourself."
"I'll try if you do the same."
Mia smiles at her. "Deal." She moves to Eva and gives her a hug. "I love you Eva."
"I love you Mia. I know you are going to do great things. Be safe."
"You keep writing. I loved your last chapter."
Eva steps back and gasps, "You read it?"
"Sorry."
Eva playfully slaps her arm.
"Careful now. I am in training. It was good Eva, it was really, really good. Can I read the rest of it?"
Eva blushes a little. "I will send you what I have, but remember it's a draft."
"Thanks."
Mia moves to Little A. "Love ya sis."
"I love you too. You knock 'em dead you hear me? I want you breaking all of the rookie records okay?"
"I will do my best."
"It's all you can do." Little A nudges her shoulder. "Seriously Mia, be safe out there, don't do anything stupid with your teammates or anything."
"My my little sis, you worried about me?"
"Yes silly of course I am."
Mia puts her hand over her heart, "I promise to behave most of the time."
Little A smiles at her as tears pool in her eyes.
Mia moves on to her grandfather. "I love you grandpa."
"Love you too kid. You show them who's boss and don't take shit from anyone, got me?"
"I got you."
Mia moves to her father. She hugs her Dad tightly. "Thanks for everything Dad."
"I'm proud of you sport, so very proud." Shepard sniffs then clears her throat. "You need anything do not hesitate to call okay? And here." Shepard hands Mia a chit card. "I love you Mia."
Mia hugs her again, "I love you too Dad. And thanks." She puts the chit in her pocket.
"One more time please," says Liara. She moved next to Shepard during the good byes.
Mia laughs as she wipes her cheek then hugs her mother again. "I love you Mom, thanks for everything."
"I love you too. Don't forget to call."
"I won't." Mia steps out of the hug then walks toward the sky cab. She turns to face her family, to take a mental picture of her parents, her grandfather and her three sisters. She wipes her cheek again and gives them one final wave before entering the sky cab and flying off.
