THESSIA
Today is a day Valya has looked forward to and dreaded at the same time. Her daughter Dava comes home after weeks of recuperating in the hospital. To look at her Dava appears completely fine physically but emotionally is another matter.
Valya has been doing very shallow melds with Dava while she has been in the hospital so her daughter is not fearful of them. Dava has grown more and more confident, knowing she can trust her father. There are times during their meld that Dara comes up and Dava breaks the meld immediately because dealing with her death has been incredibly difficult for the young asari.
Valya is officially on leave from the police station. She met with her boss Meryl a few days ago and told her that she needs time to spend with her daughter. Meryl said to take her time that her job would be available when she was ready to return. Another good bit of news is that no charges will come against Dava. It has been confirmed that Dava did not kill her mother. It was a huge relief for Valya to hear that. She had hoped that was the case and hated thinking that perhaps her daughter was capable of killing her own mother, but now…now she doesn't have to worry about it. The detective almost broke down in front of her boss.
Her boss continued to inform Valya that the third person in the apartment where Valya found Dava was identified. She came forward and evidence backs up her claims. Dava did kill the asari in the apartment. This asari was the same one who kidnapped her from her home after killing her mother. The prosecutor is not pressing charges because it is clear that it was self defense. The witness that was a follower of Shadow said the asari was out of control, killed Dara and would have killed Dava had Dava not protected herself.
Before bringing Dava home, Valya first helped her partner Atalia go home and get settled in. Their conversation with each other felt forced at first but then they quickly eased into their back and forth banter as if nothing ever happened. It made Valya feel really good. She is happy to know that her partner is not standing in the way of a possible relationship with the medical examiner. After speaking with Akira, the medical examiner knows that she and Valya will not be an item for quite some time. Valya is taking things slow. She and Akira have not had sex nor have they had an intimate meld. Valya wants to work with her daughter first and talk to Dava about Akira before even going on a date with her.
The sky car lands. Valya looks at her daughter. She appears very nervous. Valya takes her hand, "You okay?"
Dava swallows. She does not look at her father.
"It's okay honey. Take all the time you need." Valya gives her hand a squeeze.
Dava closes her eyes, takes a deep breath in and out. She looks at her father, "I'm scared."
"Of what?"
Dava shrugs.
Valya squeezes her hand and says, "One step at a time right? You want to get out of the car?"
Dava nods her head. She lets go of her Dad's hand and opens the door and steps out of the sky car.
Valya quickly grabs the bag from the back seat. She walks around behind the sky car to stand next to her daughter. They stand in silence for a minute.
"You hungry?"
Dava looks at her Dad. "A little."
"I have pizza inside. Just have to heat it up."
Dava smiles a little. She looks at the front door then to her Dad.
Valya holds out her hand.
Dava takes it and follows her inside.
Valya sets the bag down. She keeps hold of her daughter and brings her to the kitchen then the family room. "I have not changed anything as you can see. Though I did have the place cleaned."
"I was wondering."
Valya looks at her daughter, "Wow was that a crack?" She nudges Dava's shoulder which makes her daughter smile.
"You are not very good at cleaning Dad that was always Mom's….strong suit." Dava turns quiet.
"Hey, I miss her too. Look here." Valya leads Dava to her bedroom. "I cleaned your bedding. I bet you can't wait to sleep in it tonight."
Dava lets go of her Dad's hand and walks into her bedroom.
"I'll grab your bag, be right back."
When Valya returns she sees Dava looking at a small vid display. It shows photographs on a loop. Many of them are of her mother, their family and of Mia.
"Dava? You okay?"
"Huh?"
"I turned on the oven. The pizza should be ready to heat up soon."
"Okay thanks." Dava sits on her bed. She continues to stare at the vid display.
Valya clears her throat. She is not sure what to do. "I will leave you alone honey. I will call you when the pizza is ready."
"Dad?"
Valya stops in the doorframe and faces her daughter, "Yeah?"
"When did Mia leave? I…I don't really remember how much time has passed."
Valya swallows, "A few weeks ago honey."
Dava just nods.
Valya sits on the bed next to her daughter. She wraps her arm around her shoulders. "You okay?"
"I will be."
Little A and Kaya are walking around their favorite park hand in hand. The day is a gorgeous. The sun is shining without a cloud in the sky. Little A senses Kaya has something to tell her but the asari hasn't said anything yet.
"So we watched that vid last week," says Little A, "you know that one about the warrior woman who saves the galaxy."
Kaya does not respond, she just keeps walking.
"Kaya?"
Silence.
Little A stops and keeps hold of Kaya's hand. Kaya is surprised at the sudden stop. "What? What's going on? Why are you stopping?"
"Where are you?"
"What?"
"Kaya, what is going on? You have been quiet our whole walk. It's obvious you have something on your mind. What is it?"
"Oh Aethtya," Kaya hugs Little A tightly; she nearly knocks her off balance.
"What? What is it?"
Kaya starts to cry. "I…I am so sorry."
"What, Goddess Kaya just tell me already." Little A holds her at arm's length.
Kaya wipes her face. "I…I got that internship."
Little A furrows her brow. There are many mathematic internships Kaya applied for. She cannot remember where all of them are. "Well that's great isn't it?"
Kaya pulls Little A to a nearby bench and sits in a huff. "I leave in two weeks Aethyta." She waits a beat. "For Sur'Kesh."
"Sur'Kesh?"
"Don't you remember? We talked about this."
"Hold on." Little A thinks. Her mind is going a mile a minute. She looks at Kaya who is clearly fighting more tears. "How long will you be gone?"
Kaya swallows. She hangs her head. "A year."
Little A feels like she has been hit in the gut. All of her air is suddenly gone. Her world seems to tilt.
"Aethyta?"
Little A feels a hand on her leg.
"Are…are you okay?"
Little A takes her hand and finally remembers how to breathe. She looks up at Kaya. "Goddess."
Kaya's lower lip quivers, "I know." She hugs Little A.
They sit in silence for a while.
"I think we should celebrate," says Little A.
Kaya looks up at her, "What?"
"Kaya. This is a wonderful opportunity for you." She stands, "we should celebrate!"
Kaya wipes her cheeks. "I…I don't understand. Aren't you sad?"
Little A holds out her hand and pulls her up when she takes it. "Of course I am, but it's only a year Kaya and wow what a great opportunity. This is awesome don't you see that!" Little A picks her up and spins her around until Kaya starts to laugh a little. She sets her down and kisses her. Little A steps back and looks at Kaya, "Goddess I am going to miss you."
Kaya has a devious look on her face.
"What?"
Kaya smiles a great big smile. "Come with me."
"What?"
"Come with me. You can do your studies remotely can't you?"
"Uhhh."
"Oh Goddess Aethtya it would be wonderful! Come with me!"
"What would your parents think Kaya? Geez what would mine think?"
"Ask. We should ask Aethtya. I do not want to be away from you for a whole year. I almost turned it down because of that." Kaya hugs Little A tightly then gives her a quick kiss on the lips. "Let's do it!"
"Now hold on….just…just wait a minute."
"What?"
"I need to think."
"What is there to think about? It will be utterly amazing. Our own adventure. Sur'Kesh is beautiful Aethyta. You will love it there."
"Just ….just slow down a minute…. please."
Kaya stops smiling. "Okayyyy."
Little A hears the question in her response. The unspoken question of don't you want to come with me? She looks at Kaya. "Don't look at me like that."
"Like what? Don't you want to come with me?"
"Kaya it isn't as simple as that."
"Why not? It is a simple question. Yes or No do you want to come with me Aethyta?" Kaya has her hands on her hips now.
Little A takes one of her hands and kisses the back of it. "Of course I want to come with you, of course I do. I love you."
"So what's the problem?"
"Well for one, my family has been through hell lately Kaya. Mia just left. I am not sure how my parents will react to my wanting to leave. Two. I have to check my upcoming school schedule to even see if I can do my classes remotely. Three. Where would I stay? Four…"
"With me."
"Four. Are you allowed to have someone come with you? Five. What about money? Shall I go on?"
Kaya pulls her hand away and starts to walk, "Fine."
Little A lets out a breath then catches up to her and walks next to her. "Are you honestly upset with me because I am thinking things through Kaya? That is not fair." When the asari won't reply Little A grabs her arm and stops her. "You can't just spring this news on me and expect me to make a pretty big life decision within minutes Kaya. I thought you knew me better than that."
"And I thought you liked adventure. Or was that all talk?"
"Oh my Goddess Kaya! I want to go with you but give me a break. You are not being fair." They stare at each other for a few minutes.
Kaya finally relents. "You're right." She squeezes Little A's arm, "You're right. I'm sorry. I am …well I was so nervous about telling you and then the thought of you coming with me just came to me." Kaya lets out a breath. "You're right. There is a lot to think about."
Little A smiles and takes her hand. "I will check with my parents. I want to come with you I do. I think it would be wonderful. But I don't want to distract you from your work Kaya. And I need to finish my work too."
"I know. I…I just hate the idea of not being with you for a whole year."
"I know. I don't like the idea either. But if I cannot go, then we can always talk about a visit. Right?"
Kaya hugs her. "I miss you already."
"Hey…hey." Little A leans back. "Let's just see what happens okay?"
"Okay."
Little A kisses her softly on her lips. "You still want to grab lunch?"
Kaya nods her head.
Shepard and Liara are sitting outside in their Adirondack chairs enjoying the early afternoon. Eva is in her own chair closer to the woods writing.
"Is Kaya coming for dinner tonight?" asks Shepard.
"I believe so yes." Liara looks at Shepard. She has a sly grin on her face. "What Elly?"
"If we are not careful Liara she may be the next one that leaves the nest."
"The nest?"
Shepard takes Liara's hand and gives it a squeeze. "Our home."
"Oh Elly don't say that." Liara takes her hand back.
"Why not?"
"It's too soon that is why not Elly. She has another year of classes then that program she was thinking about enrolling in. That is another two years. If anything, she will be the last child to leave the nest as you call it."
"You never know Lia…."
"What is going on with Eva?"
Shepard follows Liara's gaze and looks toward Eva's direction. The young asari is jumping up and down. "I don't know," laughs Shepard, "whatever it is she seems pretty happy."
"Let's go see." Liara and Shepard walk to Eva's location. The asari is absolutely beaming.
"What's going on Eva?" asks Liara.
"Oh…oh hi."
"Everything okay Eva?" asks Shepard.
"Well yes," Eva smiles, "I would say better than okay. I uh…well…"
"Spit it out," laughs Shepard. "What is it?"
"I sent in an application for this program along with a sample of my writing. It…it's sort of a scholarship."
"That's wonderful Eva," says Liara.
"Yes…it is…Umm. I really didn't think I would have a chance at being selected. Oh Goddess."
"What's the big deal?" asks Shepard.
"Well. It is a two month intense course …and…"
"And?" Shepard nods a few times to help her daughter along.
"And it's on Earth. And I would need to leave next week." Eva swallows.
"What?" asks Liara. "Next…what?"
Shepard puts her arm around Liara. She clears her throat. "Wow."
"I know….I know…I would have given you more notice but like I said….I really didn't think I would be selected. But it is such a wonderful opportunity and I ….well I really hope you will allow me to go."
Shepard feels the tension in Liara. She waits for her bondmate to speak.
"Ah..well honey…we need more information."
"Like what Mom?"
"Where on Earth is it for one?" says Shepard.
"Yes, and when specifically you need to leave and when would you come home. Also, your contact information. Who all is going with you?"
"Does that mean…oh Goddess!" Eva jumps up and down. "Does that mean you will let me go?" Eva clasps her hands together as if in prayer. She is ecstatic.
"It means young lady," says Shepard, "that we need details and then your mother and I will discuss it. Fair enough?"
Eva nods enthusiastically. "Fair enough." She hugs both of her parents. "I will get the information for you right away." Eva practically skips to the house and disappears inside.
Shepard turns to her bondmate. "Are you okay?"
Liara slowly shakes her head. "It's started."
"What has?"
Liara looks at the retired Captain, "One leaves they all leave."
"Oh honey," Shepard laughs a little. She pulls Liara into a hug. "They are not all leaving."
"What if you are right about Little A?"
Shepard leans back to look Liara in the eye. "Honey, I was joking about that."
"You could be right you know."
"I seriously doubt that. It's like you said. She has at least three more years with us." Shepard puts her arm around her blue beauty. "Right?"
"Right now I am not so sure."
Valya is asleep on the couch. She is suddenly jolted awake when she hears screaming. "Dava!"
She quickly runs to her daughter's bedroom. She finds her daughter batting away invisible foes in her sleep. "Shh honey…honey. Wake up. Wake up Dava wake up."
"Mom! Run! No no Mom!" Dava sits up reaching out for her mother who isn't there.
"Shh I got you, I got you, you were dreaming honey." Valya pulls her into a hug.
"Noooo," cries Dava as she sobs into her father's shoulder. "Noooo."
"Shh Shh it's over now…..it's over."
Dava clings to her Dad. "I…I couldn't save her," she says between sobs.
"It's not your fault."
"IT IS! I…I couldn't stop her."
"I know honey….it's not your fault. It's not your fault Dava."
"She…she was so scared Dad. I …I couldn't stop it."
"I know honey, it's okay. It's…"
"Not it's NOT okay!" Dava pushes her Dad away but Valya is too strong. She holds Dava close. Dava fights her. Pushes at her. She starts to hit her but Valya will not let go.
"It's not your fault Dava. It's not your fault."
"Stop….saying…that….let….me…go!"
"I love you honey. It's not your fault."
Dava stops hitting her father, she slumps further into Valya's arms instead and just cries.
"It's not your fault Dava, it's not your fault. I love you. I love you very much."
Dinner is finished at the Shepard/T'Soni household. Kaya left about ten minutes ago. The family is sitting in the family room. Eva is nervous. She was told that she would receive an answer after dinner.
Shepard and Liara are sitting in the chairs while Eva, Little A and Raina are on the couch waiting for their verdict.
Shepard begins. "Eva," she clears her throat. "First your mother and I want to tell you how proud we are of you. We think what you have accomplished by being selected is a great honor."
Eva gives her Dad a small smile. She does not want to jinx anything so she waits.
"We still need to speak with the professor that is teaching this course and you have to agree that one of us accompany you to help you find a place to stay."
"Does that mean?"
"Yes honey, you can go."
"Yes!" Eva jumps to her feet and starts jumping up and down clapping her hands together. "I can't believe it I can't believe it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Eva runs over and hugs her Dad hard then her mother.
"We need the number of that professor Eva."
"Yes Mom. I will get it for you. And they have dorm rooms Dad, so I don't need to rent an apartment or anything."
"Oh. I…we didn't realize that."
"Sorry."
"Honey," says Liara with a mildly firm voice, "please give us all of the information okay?"
Eva calms down a little, "Yes Mom. Sorry. I…I must have forgotten to give that to you."
"It is quite all right. But we do need everything all right?"
"Yes Mom."
"And one of us will still accompany you," says Shepard.
"But Dad. I am sure other students from the school aren't having their parents escort them."
Shepard looks at her daughter. "What did I say not two minutes ago Eva?"
Eva stands still. She swallows. "Sorry." She takes her Dad's hand and holds it with both of her own. "Sorry. Yes one of you can escort me. It will be fun."
Shepard nods at her. "Okay then. Get the rest of the information like your mother asked and we can start making arrangements in the morning."
"Thanks Dad!" Eva hugs her father. "Thanks Mom!" she hugs her mother. "I'm going to call Shayna and tell her." She starts to head for the stairs then stops and turns toward them. "May I be excused?"
"Of course," says Liara with a smile.
Eva runs upstairs cheering.
Little A lets out a big sigh.
"What is it Little A?" asks Shepard.
Slowly making eye contact the young asari says, "This probably is not the best time to ask."
