Resistance

by ela11

With the Reapers gone, the Leviathans are ready to resume their place as the apex race. One child, Aurora Alenko, threatens that goal, and they want her eliminated. This time the galaxy's races have pledged their aid to stop this from happening, and two human Spectre's once again lead the Resistance. A sequel to 'Struggle'.

37. Chapter 37

Chapter 37 – Where There's a Will, There's a Way

Edi had laid out the copious amounts of research taken from the labs, including the data Bau had grabbed.

Coats and Bau had joined Shepard, Kaidan and Hackett, as had Wrex, his chest sealed but still awaiting a replacement heart. Terra was still slightly uneasy at that, but after his continual arguments, Chakwas had finally conceded that there was technically nothing wrong with him.

Shepard chided herself for continually worrying about him and the others. They were all fine, asides from Cortez and Gardew, and Chakwas had them in hand. It seemed she was stuck on 'mother' mode these days. That thought conjured up Rorie, and Terra wanted nothing more than to call her little miracle.

"Edi. Tell me about their spore research," started Kaidan.

That re-focused Terra's attention back to the room. Like her, foremost in Kaidan's thoughts was Rorie, and he didn't want to have to read through the streams of info running down the terminals to get it.

"One avenue is to make the spores redundant. However, they have made little progress to accomplishing this aim. They are also researching a way to boost their own mental strength in order to force their way through Aurora's mind and destroy the spores, just as they'd done to the original strain in Shepard."

"Bloody hell," griped Coats. "So even if Solus succeeds in recreating the spores, we're just on borrowed time until they break through it?"

"It's not like we could really expect the Leviathans to accept defeat if we succeed," reasoned Kaidan, seemingly prepared for this news. "Without their tools, they wither and die. When it comes to their survival, they won't give up any more than we will."

"It is only a concept at this juncture. They currently have no way of making it a reality, and so it is unlikely that they could reach completion for some time."

"When it comes to time, we take whatever we can get," Terra said.

"Another bleeding timer," frowned Coats. "No surprise there."

"The krogan have spent a thousand plus years on a timer," Wrex said. He was staring at the datapad of beacon images from the base on Parnack.

Shepard didn't need to take another look. It was a grisly scene down there, akin to something not seen on Earth since its medieval days. Heads of the fallen were being detached from their bodies and mounted on spikes - the krogan ones having been prised out from their head plates - forming a macabre wall around the base's periphery.

Choose the one, or the many…. The Leviathan's voice on the Citadel replayed in her mind. She'd refused to sacrifice her daughter, and so many had paid the price.

In response to what he was seeing, Wrex was getting visibly tense with growing rage, and Shepard put her hand over the screen. "No more, Wrex. Fuelling that anger will only lead to more deaths. We have to find another approach."

"Like what?" he growled.

"That's what we're here to assess," answered Hackett. "One thing's for sure: we need to break the Leviathans hold on those yahg even more so than before. This is escalating fast. There's no way of knowing if these other yahg factions have their own ships. Our intel is confined to this one area. If they do - and I'd say it's likely - it won't take long for the Leviathans to improve them to rival our technology. We've officially pissed off the whole of Parnack."

"I can't believe we were so close to that artifact," lamented Kaidan.

Edi had created a holographic representation of the underground structure they'd found, and they stared at the room Bau had discovered, complete with Reaper.

"I didn't see anything in that room asides from the Reaper, though I ran out of time to check the walls," muttered Bau.

"It is not a Reaper," informed Edi. "The data Agent Bau gathered was incomplete, but provided enough information for me to recognise a stream of programming that is consistent with an advanced artificial intelligence. In its core program is a clear directive: to create a solution that would ensure the continued existence of the Leviathans as they currently are, and the organic tools they require."

"Solution? You mean it's a new Intelligence!" exclaimed Kaidan.

"Affirmative. Though it is only at the beginning of a state of awareness. At the time this information was retrieved, an external device was downloading data to it. It appears to be the memory core of the original Intelligence."

"So it wouldn't need further eons to gather data in its bid to find that solution," said Kaidan, gravely. "It just needs to pick up where the previous one left off."

"With adjustments. Some data had been removed prior. I would gauge this to be the point where the original machine decided on the Leviathans' fate."

"Cherry-picking," Hackett muttered. "But surely there's no reason this new Intelligence wouldn't come to the same conclusion: destroying the advanced races before we develop our own AI's. The Leviathans have just protected themselves this time round."

"Can they really be so stupid to do it again?" Kaidan spat.

Shepard looked at the holo image of the Intelligence, which had been fashioned after its creator, just like the Reapers. "It's arrogance, plain and simple. They think themselves above the possibility they were wrong."

"But where is the artifact?" wondered Bau, bringing them back around.

The holographic image zoomed in on the room and the Intelligence. Then Edi superimposed a spherical orb right within the clutches of the Intelligence's appendages.

"Ah," nodded Bau. "Clever. I assumed it was nothing more than in an inert position. Asides from the fact I thought it was a Reaper, I barely gave it a second look."

"Which means we have to get back inside," murmured Kaidan.

There was silence as the impossibility of that resounded in their heads.

"What about this?" Shepard pointed to the blast doors that created the ceiling above the Intelligence. "Any way we can access that?"

"Its control is connected to the Intelligence," explained Edi. "However, given that I now have the frequency of the scrambling system it imposed on its surroundings, I will now be able to counteract it."

Shepard stared up at the air. "Edi, would you please join us? All of you, that is."

Within a minute, Edi was stood at Shepard's side.

"To take control from the Intelligence you'd have to interact with it," Shepard said, with concern.

"Yes."

"Whoa. Is that a good idea?" frowned Kaidan.

"It is necessary."

"Open that blast door and we can focus an air attack right down at it," said Coats, addressing Hackett, who nodded. "Take out the Intelligence and the artifact in one go."

"Like you did with the Reaper on Rannoch," Bau smiled. "We wouldn't even need to set foot on the ground. A sound plan."

"I'm not so sure," Shepard worried, her gaze firmly on Edi. "With all due respect to you, Edi, this Intelligence has to be incredibly advanced. Maybe far beyond anything you could cope with."

"It is likely to be a difficult process. Failure is a possibility. As such, it would be best for me to be isolated to this shell; my link with Normandy severed so the ship is not placed at risk."

"You can do that?" asked Coats. "Aren't you part of the ship?"

"Yes, but once the AI Core is taken off-line, neither I nor an invading presence will be able to reconnect. Although this unit could be used against the crew, with the skills of those aboard it would be relatively easy to make it inoperable."

"And what about you?" stressed Shepard.

"I will back up all my systems beforehand. Should the encounter end with my destruction, the infected system can be purged, and I can be re-installed. Provided you chose to," she added, lightly.

Shepard couldn't find levity in any of this, as she worked it through in her head.

"You'll need to get in close," Hackett said, to Edi's nod. "So you'll need air support to keep those on the ground away."

"If this works, won't we need someone on the ground to paint the target for our air strikes?" Kaidan asked Edi.

"Once inside its system, I can emit a signal that the ships above will be able to lock on to."

"Even with the artifact destroyed, we're still going to be left with a planet full of angry yahg," pointed out Coats.

"One step at a time," said Hackett. "We don't even know this is going to work."

"We know where it is now," Wrex said, impatiently. "If Edi fails, we storm those tunnels and do it the hard way. So when do we do this?"

"Not yet. We need to be prepared," cautioned Hackett. "For an air attack, maybe even another ground one if it comes to what you're suggesting. We're simply not in the shape to do that right now."

"We're giving them time, too," complained Wrex.

"Wrex," Shepard said softly, and the krogan leader braced himself over the console. She didn't need to say any more. He knew he was letting that anger take over common sense.

"We go back to the Citadel," Hackett continued. "Our ships need fuel and repairs. Our people either need to be transferred to hospitals, or given time to recoup. We need to replenish our numbers. This isn't the end, but we need to re-gain our strength."

"What of me?" Coats mumbled, gaze fixed on the holo artifact. "I'm a liability."

Shepard stared back at him. She'd thought the same thing of herself earlier. If they were to attempt this plan with the fields compromised, she wouldn't be able to captain her ship, and Kaidan moved closer to her side like he could read her mind and was there to give her support. "Edi is there any way we can... fix the fields?" she asked weakly. It sounded stupid and desperate as the words left her mouth.

"The Leviathans simply discovered the frequency to cut through the distortion. A simple solution, which also offers us a simple way to neutralise it."

"It does?" she blurted out in surprise.

"Yes. I believe that with only minor tweaks to the frequency, we can maintain the effectiveness of the fields."

"Won't the Leviathans just be able to adjust too?" asked Kaidan.

"Yes."

"Then it's no good to us," Coats retorted. "We'll just get caught out again."

"Not if we insert a program that randomly changes the frequency, periodically."

Shepard smiled at that. "Edi, you're a genius."

"Compared to some, I agree."

"Is she referring to us?" Kaidan asked in a light aside to Terra.

Terra laughed. "Maybe. Can't say she's wrong." She felt better knowing she wouldn't need to be left behind.

"Admiral, I have an incoming call from Utukku. Voice only."

Terra exchanged a glance with Kaidan. "Thank you, Traynor. Put it through to the main console here."

"Admiral Shepard. My name is Farine. I am the asari messenger for the rachni queen, and I will serve as her voice."

"Understood."

"She's got some explaining to do," growled Wrex.

"Shepard." There was an added echoing whisper behind the asari's voice that indicated that the queen was now speaking. "We had thought those who soured the songs of our mothers had been silenced. We were wrong."

"What happened?"

"We sang to our children, a melody to unite, to fight beside your allies. But another drowned out our song with its piercing, dark resonance. The sour notes are discordant, telling them to deceive and harm, and so they comply."

"Convenient excuse," barked Wrex. "How do we know that's the truth? Maybe you simply saw it as a chance to get a little revenge against my people."

"No. We wish to live in harmony. We wish to remain free from those who seek to control us."

"The Reapers had to contain you in order to force you into silence before," uttered Shepard, her mind racing. "This is different, isn't it?"

"Yes. We do not understand this."

"I think I do. That first invasion that led to the war between the rachni and the other races…. It never made sense to me that the Reapers would do that. What would it achieve?"

"Weakening the races for their future attack?" suggested Coats.

"They'd have been far more effective if they'd held back until the attack itself," parried Hackett. "Imagine the hordes of rachni all those years would have created. In the midst of a full-scale Reaper attack, the rachni coming into all of that would have been a nightmare. We'd have been swamped."

"There would also have been the krogan hordes," countered Wrex. "Without that rachni war, my people wouldn't have gotten uplifted and subsequently sterilised."

"Except there was no way of foreseeing what the races would do in response to that rachni attack," pointed out Shepard.

"It wasn't the Reapers," murmured Kaidan.

Shepard nodded. "What if the Leviathans were testing the rachni's strength, not to ultimately destroy the other races, but to use them as tools against the Reapers?"

"Then it backfired. They ended up with no rachni and a diminishing krogan race."

"Like I said, there was no way of predicting the course of events it would lead to, and I doubt the Leviathans were overly concerned. They've presided over eons of races that were eventually wiped out. What difference would it make to them if they helped one more on its way?"

"They couldn't lose, either way," added Hackett. "The rachni being destroyed just meant they couldn't be used by the Reapers. The Leviathans had to know that if they could control the rachni, their creation would also attempt to."

Kaidan addressed the queen. "Is there anything you can do to bring your children back from the Leviathans control?"

"They believe the song they hear is their mother. We… I have tried. Our crescendo goes unheard to all beyond our home-world."

"Then sing louder," Wrex snapped back.

"We cannot."

"There's always a way to be heard," Hackett insisted. "The Reapers tried to bring down our communication networks, but we found a way around it. You have the network in place, there's just interference – someone talking over you."

"That's right," Shepard nodded, thoughts of the Leviathans' plans to bolster their minds, giving her an idea. "You just need to find a way to amplify your voice."

"Amplify…. We understand. We will engineer. We will construct."

"If you need assistance, let us know," added Hackett. "I have clever people who might be able to help."

"Thank you. For believing. For aiding the rachni once again."

"Well take it from me," warned Wrex, "this will be the last time the rachni are allowed to massacre my people. It happens again, and I will personally send you all back into extinction."

The messenger returned to herself and ended the call.

"They didn't attack through choice, Wrex," soothed Shepard.

"So they say. And I'm giving them the benefit of that doubt, which is more than most of my brethren would do. This decision is going to seriously put my leadership into question. I've denied the clans salarian blood over Linron's plan, and now I'll be denying them rachni blood, too. Just as well I don't have two brains, or I'd definitely have twice the headache right now."

"I have every faith in you, Wrex."

He just grunted back at her.

"I'll begin ordering the return to the Citadel," announced Hackett. "Only a few scouting vessels need remain to keep an eye on things down there. In the meantime, get some rest," he bid, exiting the war room.

Wrex was also heading out, with Edi and Bau trailing behind. Coats, though, was still staring at the image of the artifact floating in the central console.

"Matt?"

He didn't seem to hear her, and she looked at Kaidan, who nodded at her, about to leave her to talk with Coats alone. That's when her omnitool resounded its alert that a call was waiting. For it not to have been announced meant it was Rorie. Conflicted, Terra couldn't keep her baby waiting, so she transferred it to Kaidan to answer while she switched off the holo image.

Matt was confused at first at the sudden emptiness, then realised he'd been entranced by it. "Sorry, Ter. I was just thinking how incredible it is that something so small and innocuous could have such a huge impact."

"It's just a transmitter, that's all. It's what's at the other end that's the problem."

Coats suddenly sagged. "I killed my men, Ter."

"No, Matt. The Leviathans killed them."

He nodded, drawing himself up. "I know. It's just hard knowing those men never saw it coming. That they never had a chance, because the Leviathans were able to take control of me." He ran his hands over his face like just maybe he could rub away the thoughts that pulled him down. "I need a drink."

He began to walk out, probably headed for the lounge, and Terra followed with the intention of joining Kaidan who had moved to the conference room. "We'll get the fields sorted out, and we'll end this."

Slowing just outside the glassed-off partition that separated them from where Kaidan was talking with Rorie, Matt turned to her. "Taking away the puppets still leaves their masters. How do we find them?"

"I don't know. Yet. For now, this is all we've got. But we will find a way to get to the Leviathans. I won't give up on that."

"Then we can't fail," Matt said, with the barest of smiles, then the sweet, excited voice of Rorie filled the air, making him truly smile, along with Terra. "You should go talk to her. I've kept you from her too long already. Thanks, Ter. I'll be okay."

Matt hugged her, then kissed her cheek, and it was at that point that Terra caught a strange look on Kaidan's face as he noticed them. In the blink of her eye it was gone, but she wondered what it was. "Talk to Traynor on the way out," she said to Matt. "She'll get you settled somewhere for the trip back."

Then Matt was leaving, and Terra was already revelling in the lovely sound of father and daughter laughing together, and she needed to become a part of that. Kaidan drew her in instantly when she got to his side, and they stood, cuddled up as they listened to Rorie recounting her adventure on the Presidium, complete with secret-keeping flowers and a wet but heroic grandpa.

oOo

Liara entered the hospital room with far less bravery than she'd managed to gather during the trip over. The sight of the bed, equipment, and Dr Solus, had sucked it all away.

"Please. Make self comfortable. Fine as you are. Only need single injection."

Her heart thumping, Liara sat on the edge of the bed and tried to calm herself down. She could see Samara through the internal window, waiting in the corridor beyond. Then it was blanked out by Narin.

"Understand stakes. Outcome will be successful Dr T'Soni. Relax," smiled Narin, indicating that she should lie back.

Complying, Liara did so self-consciously. Inhaling deeply, she let it slowly out in an attempt to send her nerves with it. He was so certain….

Solus moved a small tray closer, and after swabbing the injection site, then lifted the syringe. Liara opened her mouth to ask what it was exactly, but her voice wouldn't work. Thankfully, Solus appeared to be tuned in to her worries.

"Virus. Often used in gene therapy. Contains corrective gene to replace defective one identified in tests. Virus merely acts as vector to deliver gene. Will start working immediately once defective gene located. Currently, defective gene allows system to overload potential mates, while also suppressing body's natural reproduction process. Replacing with normal gene found in all asari. Will correct both mating and sterility issues."

"You mean I… I will be able to have children?" Liara stumbled out in surprise. She had never considered that a possibility.

"Of course. May find some discomfort in lower abdomen as reproductive system starts to function, but will be nothing to worry about."

Solus was so casual about it all, Liara found herself unable to feel anything but hope now.

"Ready?" checked Narin.

"Yes," smiled Liara.

There was a prick of the needle, a slight heat from the liquid as it was sent into her body. A virus that carried a new future.

"Good. Now we wait." His omnitool bleeped, and Narin became animated. "Must go. Results in from spore research. Will return in several hours to check on you. Rest."

Then he was gone, and Liara was left alone, wondering about the spores, then considering whether to call Aethyta and let her know where she was. It was a decision she didn't have to make when her father strolled through the door looking equally annoyed as she did concerned. Feron came in behind her.

"Really, Liara? You didn't think to tell me you were about to have your gene treatment? Has it affected your brain, now? You shouldn't be doing this alone. You need... you know….support. Even Samara knew that. She's the one who called us."

Liara wasn't sure if she was surprised by that or not. Her view of Samara had changed over the last hour. "I did not want you to worry."

"Well shit, in that case, quit being my daughter," Aethyta answered wryly. "It comes with being a parent, Little Wing."

"And a friend," added Feron.

"Friend," muttered Aethyta. "What's the matter with you young people? Once this is sorted you can stop dancing around each other and get down to it."

With an air of awkwardness between her and Feron, Liara also found there was something very comforting in her father's business-as-usual demeanour. She was lucky to have her. And Liara was very relieved to have them here while she waited.

oOo

Jack woke, her body still humming with the complete satisfaction she'd fallen asleep with. Only it was more than that. It was deeper than great sex. It was a connection she'd never felt before.

Cocooned in James' arms, Jack ran her cheek against the hard muscle of his chest, remembering.

She was the first to act, of course. She jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and he'd caught her like she knew he would. Her heart was beating rampantly inside her, not just from excitement, but also utter fear. She was going somewhere new. Revealing herself – all of herself – to this man. He tasted so good as her tongue explored his mouth; their kiss hot and demanding. His hands caressed only her skin were it was exposed, and she swiftly removed her leather top. She watched his eyes appraising her, felt one hand sliding to touch her more intimately, while the other supported her. She wanted to feel his skin too. Literally tearing off his shirt, she got her feet under her again, her hands gripping his trousers, and he stopped her.

"Easy, Bella. I want to savour every second, every bit of you."

His mouth went to her breasts, causing her breath to hitch. Then he sank down on his knees before her…

Jack shivered as desire renewed inside her at the memory. James had taken over, driving her wild as he…loved her. It was the only way she could describe it. She'd never felt anything like it before, and it had made her cry. She'd felt stupid and weak for it at first, but he'd just whispered that she was safe. He honoured every inch of her with hands or mouth, and her body was on fire by the time he allowed her to take him in hand. 'Making love'…. She had always scoffed at the term. As far as she'd been concerned sex was just that: an act of intense pleasure. Now she knew there was far more to it when you shared yourself with someone who really loved you.

Feeling him stir beside her, Jack looked at his dozy face. The first thing he did was pull her closer, and she thought it ridiculous how much that thrilled her. That warm grin was instantly there for her, his lips kissing hers in a way that would have been chaste if she hadn't demanded more.

By the time she was done with the kiss, she'd manoeuvred herself on top of him, her hips wiggling suggestively over him.

"Again?" he arched a brow at her. "Not that I'm complaining."

"What can I say? I have stamina. Think you can match me?"

"I'm more than happy to find out, but I was supposed to be bringing you to medbay." He ran his hands gently over the places that were raw from the fight, a slight frown on his face.

"Forget it. I've had worse. Right now, the only thing I need is you." She went to move her hips but he stopped her.

"Promise me we'll go there straight after."

Jack rolled her eyes, though she liked the way the 'we'. "Fine. Now how about you quit worrying about me, and start satisfying me? That is, if you're up to it." She shifted again and smirked back at him. "I think that's a yes."

"You know it, Bella." He gave her a hot look, then those magic hands moved, not over her body, but to her face, cupping her to draw her down for a kiss, and that reminded her of those three words he'd said….

As Jack threw herself into that kiss, her body yearned him. All of him. She broke the kiss, looked him in the eye, and as she brought him into her body again, she whispered, "I love you, back."

It was James' turn to hitch a breath, and he kissed her in response – a kiss deep and filled with emotion. When he turned them so he was in control, Jack surrendered to him without fear, feeling only his love.

oOo

oOo

Joker was walking through the CIC. Despite the late hour, he'd noticed there was a restlessness pervading the ship that was keeping everyone up. They congregated in the lounge and their quarters, talking. Not about anything in particular, just seeming to need the inane chatter.

As he closed in on the cockpit, he could hear Altair talking too. Then he frowned as the tone of her voice told him she was upset.

"Momma, please. I can't do this now. I'm on duty."

"You ungrateful little bitch. They stick you on some ship and now you're too busy to accept my messages?"

"I'm sorry-"

"You should be. You're pathetic. I'm surprised you haven't fucked up yet. I was expecting you to be sent home, either in a box, or in cuffs for screwing up. It's just a matter of time, I suppose."

"All right, that's it!" interrupted Joker, seething. "You've got no business speaking to Robbie like that. It's clear you know nothing about her. She's thriving out here. She's proving her worth. So guess what? The only way she's coming home is if she's crazy enough to want to grace you with a visit, you nasty piece of work. You are done beating her down into the dirt for something that wouldn't have happened if you weren't some drunk."

"You can't- Who is this?"

"I'm Flight-Commander Moreau-"

"Commander, huh? I see. She's sleeping with you, so you'll cover for her."

Joker sneered at the suggestion. "I'm her commanding officer, and Serviceman Altair is pilot of the Normandy under the command of Admiral Shepard."

"Shepard!"

"That's right. That's how good your daughter is, despite your attempts to destroy her. Now don't call here again. You're not welcome on this channel."

He slammed shut the connection and looked at Altair. Tears ran down her face, and he suddenly realised he'd just inserted himself into her relationship with her mother. "Sorry. Look, I didn't mean to make things difficult for you. I just…. She shouldn't speak to you like that. No one should speak to you like that." Shit, he'd experienced enough crap in his early days, but none of them were people who mattered. Family mattered. He had no clue how a mother could talk to her own child like that, and he sure as hell didn't know how Robbie had managed to deal with it all this time. Except she hadn't. Not totally. It was the reason she was in his seat, after all: the failed combat sims.

He crouched beside her, his bones aching. "This is gonna shock you – I can't even believe I'm about to say it – but I'm glad you're in my seat, because whether you know it or not, you're actually sticking two fingers up at that woman. You've fought through all that poison to be here, and you should be damn proud."

"Thank you," she whispered, wiping her eyes. "For everything you said. No one's ever said stuff like that about me before."

He waved it away now that he understood her tears had been over what he'd said about her. "Don't go all gushy on me. Apparently I have actually learnt something from Shepard. Just don't tell her I said so. She'll only lord it over me. She'd pretentious like that."

Altair chuffed at the blatant lie. "My lips are sealed."

Then Joker noticed her sitting straighter in the chair, a new air of confidence shrouding her. "You're going to be just fine." He rose up, wincing as his bones stressed at him, and sat back in the co-pilot's seat. "But just so you know, when you get your lieutenant rank and your first official ship assignment, this baby's all mine."

She just grinned back at him, her brows arching mischievously. "We'll see."

"I knew it," he grumbled. "Usurper." Then he sat back and enjoyed the laughter.

oOo

Kaidan had decided to fill in for Cortez. He wanted to keep busy, his earlier sleep in medbay had messed with his internal clock, and with Terra checking in with everyone he had decided to make himself useful.

Standing alone in the shuttle bay, he buffed the armour pieces, thinking how the bay seemed to be in disarray without Cortez down here.

Kaidan was surprised when Clay stepped out of the elevator, the young quarian hesitating when he saw Kaidan.

"Sorry, Sir, I didn't expect anyone else to be down here. I was going to start repairs on the shuttle."

"Aren't you off-duty by now?"

"Yeah, but… I don't think I can sleep."

"Seems to be a running theme throughout the ship. Most are up in the lounge."

"I guess I needed somewhere quiet to contemplate things. May as well make myself useful at the same time."

"I hear that," agreed Kaidan, gesturing to his own work.

Grateful for the understanding, Clay made his way over to the shuttle which had been returned to its usual home, and opened his omnitool to begin diagnostics.

"Anything particular on your mind?" checked Kaidan.

Clay sighed, not out of irritation but sadness. "Admiral Koris notified me that my father will be undergoing his trial when our ships are no longer needed over Parnack. What am I supposed to do? Do I carry on like he doesn't exist? Or do I go and sit through it all? I mean he's my father, but… I put him there."

"No you didn't. What he did was his own choice, and you did the right thing. Your choice saved lives, probably even your whole race, and as a result, we had a way to repel the Leviathans pulses. None of that would have been possible if your father's plan had come to fruition. As for what you do? I think you already know. There's no reason to leave yourself feeling regret later. For all his faults, he's still your father, and you still care about him."

"I have duties here."

"Shepard will understand."

"I'll think about it." Then Clay turned his attention to the shuttle, and Kaidan carried on sorting the armour.

oOo

Shepard thought it strange how no-one was retiring for the night, like everyone felt displaced. Even Grunt had decided on company, and had turned the corridor leading from the Mess to the Battery into a makeshift range for displaying his new-found skills with daggers – though not before Garrus had thankfully insisted on placing empty crates to protect the Battery door. Someone had drawn the head end of a Leviathan on the upper crates, and the eyes had become the prime targets. Grunt had done surprisingly well, and the mystery of just where Grunt had been during his time on the Citadel if he wasn't in the Arena, had been revealed. Target practice. He'd been spending his time on a range, trying to sharpen his precision. It seemed Massani had made an impact. Shepard begrudgingly accepted that Grunt would only benefit from that skill.

Jack was finally in medbay, James at her side, and Shepard had heard the scuttlebutt regarding the couple's…union. Adams had been laughing over having sent Clay to get a piece of equipment from below deck, only for the young lad to have gotten more than he bargained for. Needless to say he'd returned to Adams without the part. Shepard was pleased for the two.

She'd spoken with most everyone now. As she exited onto the corridor outside Engineering she could see Clay talking with Kaidan in the shuttle bay below, so she headed straight for Javik. Jack had been biting in her thoughts on Javik's action during the mission. These were all the little pieces she was missing; the things that Kaidan, Garrus and James were deliberately omitting. But she didn't want protection from the truth. She wanted to know everything and wondered if there was anything else.

Walking into the cargo hold, Shepard saw Javik at his usual place, hands trailing in the water.

"No doubt you have been told what happened during the mission. I will not apologise for what I was prepared to do," he said. No greeting, his back remaining to her - that was Javik.

"You have nothing to apologise for. I simply came to check in with you."

He turned to her then, surprised and confused. "I would have ended you in that room."

"I know."

"Yet here you stand. As yourself. I would have been wrong. The others fought for you. I did not."

Shepard cocked her head. Despite what he'd said, was he apologising? One thing she did know was that he was bothered by it. "I don't believe it was a choice you made lightly. I don't blame you for that. In fact, I'm glad you were there – that you'd have pulled the trigger. If things had gone differently…. I caused enough harm to my squad. Better my life than theirs."

Javik nodded his admiration at that, though he looked no less troubled. "It would not have been easy to take your life. You are…a friend. More than that. Your daughter calls me uncle…. I have not had such acceptance, such…attachment…in a very long time. But there are times when you have to be stronger than your feelings in order to survive." He hung his head then. "I would appreciate time alone."

Respecting his request, Shepard left without another word.

oOo

Kaidan flinched as hands slid around his waist. He'd been so focused on Terra's armour that he hadn't heard her enter the shuttle bay. At the feel of her pressing her face against his back, he could only relinquish his task and turn to her. It would have felt wrong to the very core of him to keep his back to her.

As she fit within his embrace like she was made to be there, Kaidan was suddenly assailed with that image on Parnack of Coats touching her. He internally cursed the damned Leviathans.

"Kaidan?"

He realised he'd tensed, and she'd felt it. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't prevent her from seeing the simmer of anger and…jealousy.

Frowning, she pulled back as she stared up at him. "What else happened down there? It's something to do with Matt, isn't it?"

Kaidan marvelled at her intuitiveness - she'd seen his thoughts cross his face in the conference room, too. She shouldn't have to deal with his irrational thoughts, but there was no evading the subject now. With a sigh, he decided this wasn't the place, and taking her hand, he led her into the elevator.

"The Leviathans used Coats to get to me…by having him touch you." He saw her pale.

"How?"

He moved to her back and slid his hands over the woman he loved. Normally, she would sink back into him, caress her hands up into his hair, reach back to his thigh, but this time she stood there rigid, her hands fisted, and her head bowed forward.

"Kaidan-."

"It's okay." He held her tightly to him, kissing her neck, and this time she reacted just as he expected, because this time he wasn't re-enacting an unwelcome memory. This was just him. "I know it wasn't Coats, it's just…there, in my head, and when I saw him hug you before, it re-surfaced. Along with the feelings. Call it the caveman in me again. You know he likes to show up every now and then," he shrugged helplessly. In response, Terra brushed her lips over his cheek.

"I'm yours," she said, huskily, voicing what he deliberately hadn't said but was thinking. "Only yours." She turned in his arms and whispered over his lips, "You can say it."

"You're all mine." Then he kissed her, lifting her off her feet in the process, and taking her through the doors that were waiting for them to alight, and into their cabin.

But of course the galaxy wasn't about to let them have each other just yet, and they both groaned in annoyance as her terminal chimed a waiting call.

"We could just ignore it," she suggested, kissing her way along his jaw to his ear, and causing everything inside him to coil in pleasure, eliciting a groan with a whole other meaning.

"We definitely should." But as he dipped his head to kiss the hollow at her throat, he made the mistake of glancing at the terminal, the caller ID catching his attention. He lifted his head to Terra's protest. "It's Narin."

Stilling in his arms, Terra was already turning to look, and he lowered her back to her feet.

"This had better be important." She answered it, and the image that greeted her was of a very excited salarian.

"Good. Both here. Have good news! Last simulation a success! Am confident I have cracked the problem and can transfer spores from Aurora to donor, intact!"

There was silence in the cabin as both Kaidan and Terra were stunned.

"Narin, you have no idea how superb your timing is," declared Kaidan.

"It must run in the genes," smiled Terra. "Your uncle always came through in the nick of time."

Narin grinned back at that. "Do what I can. Need patient for first real procedure."

"That'll be me," Terra said instantly. "We're already heading back to the Citadel."

Kaidan checked the time. "Rorie will still be asleep when we get in."

"As soon as she wakes and is ready, we'll bring her by."

"Excellent. Will also be able to confirm success of Dr T'Soni's procedure by then. The morrow will prove to be a productive day!"

"Wait a minute!" exclaimed Terra. "It's happened?"

"Of course," Narin said, like it was obvious. "Complex gene therapy, my speciality."

"Well, that's great news! We'll see you soon, Doctor." Signing off, Terra exhaled with a puff, looking a little dazed.

Kaidan knew how she felt. Things had gone so badly it was a shock to the system to have something go right. But in the same breath, logic told him to be cautious. As much as he wanted Terra safe from the Leviathans, he didn't know enough about the procedure and its chances of success. Narin appeared incredibly positive, but…. It was like they'd been put in a bubble of hope, and he wasn't sure whether to trust it in case it burst and sent them tumbling back to the ground, with the potential to take his wife's life with it. A rush of questions to ask Narin came to him, as his head took over. Then his worries were all thrust aside as Terra grabbed his face and pulled him in for a kiss.

"This is it," she hushed out. "This is the game changer. We're on the home-stretch. I can feel it." She was tugging him towards their bed, a new light in her eyes to accompany the desire.

He didn't know where she found that optimism, but Kaidan was happy to borrow a little for as long as it took to get to the Citadel. For as long as it took to lose himself in his wife.

oOo