A/N: Thank you for all the input and the new followers! FYI, I have never played this DLC, so my info came solely from YouTube vids. If I got the overall feeling of the characters wrong from how the story went, I apologize. I'm making them the way I want them to be…so canon-ish, not canon perfect ;) P.S. I'm not a lawyer either. P.P.S. Hell, yeah it's fluffy!
HERS
Liara looked so confident now. Not like the child she seemed to be when Shepard met her on Therum. It didn't matter that the asari was 3 times her age. Her time as an information broker had really changed her. Shepard was surprised to see how ruthless and calculating her friend had become. She was also glad in a way. A naïve person couldn't survive in this galaxy long.
"Did you enjoy the tour?" Shepard asked as Liara entered her quarters. She's carrying something.
"Yes, it's a beautiful ship, and I ran into Joker. He seemed happy to see me. Although he did ask if I had 'embraced eternity' lately." Liara's eyes rolled.
"Yeah, that sounds like Joker," Shepard laughed, shaking her head.
"I brought you something. I know it won't seem the same coming from me, but well, I thought you would want this. It took some digging, but…" Liara held out a frame with Shepard's dog tags.
"Oh my God, Liara." Shepard's voice trembled. "I thought I'd never see these again." She gently removed the tags from the frame. Lovingly she gazed down at the names on them. Her heart gave a sad little thump.
"Kaidan told me about your engagement at your memorial service. I, um, hope I'm not complicating things for you with this."
"No," Shepard sighed. "Things are already complicated enough. I haven't spoken to Kaidan since I saw him on Horizon. That's been almost a year."
"That wasn't long before I saw you on Illium the first time, was it? It wasn't until much later that I came upon these. Do you remember Admiral Hackett?"
"Of course I do, he never gave up on me, and was still sending me missions despite my 'traitorous affiliations.'" Shepard's voice turned bitter.
"Well, he knew about you and Cerberus because the Illusive Man himself sent him the tags as proof you were alive. I helped Cerberus retrieve your body from the Shadow Broker, and maybe you hate me for it, but I'm so glad you are alive." Liara leaned in and hugged her friend.
"I don't hate you, Liara. You gave me a second chance. A second chance at everything." Shepard put the tags around her neck.
HIS
Kaidan was pleased with his students. They became more capable than he had anticipated. Most of them had already been sent off-world to start covert operations, and were reporting back to him on their progress. A few still needed some work, but they'd be ready soon.
A beep on his omni-tool took his mind off of work. He looked down to see a message from his mom. Received a letter for you at our house. You will want to see this. Love, Mom
When Kaidan arrived, his mom was preparing supper in the kitchen.
"Sweetheart, this came for you," she said handing him the mail pad. He opened the message.
Attn: Mr. Kaidan E. Alenko
You are receiving this letter in regards to your L2 implant that you received on January 14, 2167. In compliance with the Alliance Parliamentary Subcommittee for Transhuman Studies order, you are hereby the recipient of reparations for your pain and suffering as a result of the implant.
A check is embedded in this message and requires a retinal scan and a thumbprint authorization for the credits to be released to your account.
This is a final action, and no other legal actions may be taken. Please accept our humblest apologies.
Sincerely,
Chairman Martin Burns
Subcommittee for Transhuman Studies
Kaidan looked at his mother, who had taken a seat. "I was with Shepard when we tracked down the MSV Ontario. A group of biotics with the L2s had taken this Chairman Burns hostage. I don't know how she did it, but she talked them down and they released him. He had promised that the reparations would come. I never expected anything, because migraines in comparison to dementia and everything else?" He sank into the chair beside her.
"You know what, Mom? Sometimes I try so hard to forget her, but she's just part of everything I do. Then something like this shows me how much she fights, or at least did, for everyone else too. I just keep thinking I should be able to get over her. I got over Rahna. Why is this so different?"
Emily Alenko rose and stood behind her son, placing her hands on his shoulders. "Honey, sometimes love doesn't always happen at the right time, but it's still the right person. Just wait. If it is wrong, it will fade and you won't miss it. If she's right, you'll just know."
Kaidan stood up and placed a kiss on his mother's cheek. "Thanks Mom. I'm going to be giving this money to you and Dad. I seriously doubt Alliance retirement pays very well." Thank you, Rachel.
