Ok Dear Readers. Second chapter of this project. If you liked it or not, please leave feedback if you can. :) It really helps. I'll probably be posting a new chap every 3-4 days or less. And yes, this is a Shakarian / Shenko drama too. :) For you who like it steamy, be patient. It'll come.

*hugs*

Have fun!

Chap 2: Alive

Evening of day six. The crew covered too much for the day, and it was time to set down and camp until sunrise. Their spirits were up, finding the little kid re-fuelled their morale and even though she had no bullet wounds, there were no reasons to absolutely rule out finding any more survivors.

Sitting around the source light for the night, the area they finally settled on was completely devastated. The beam structure was nearby and was extremely well guarded during the attacks. Now, there were no more enemies in sight, and barely any buildings left either. You could see that the reaper forces had levelled a 6 blocks radius to install the beaming structure. Its base, composed of 4 wide based concentric poles, was relatively small, 8 maybe 10 meters across, but tall, extremely so; perhaps 15 or 25 meters tall.

A sense of utter desolation filled Oishy when he looked at the cold bluish metal posts. It must have taken several million dead up to the Citadel.

The night was oddly warm for London standards. Oyshi could see Xahx had finally conceded to Shaggy. The little guy apparently had chosen the Krogan as his alpha and wouldn't leave his side. The team was quiet, not much talk, just enjoying the silence and the absence of explosions and pained screams.

In the background, he could hear the labs playing. The little poodle was still comfortably cuddled near Xahx's leg and Oyshi suspected the Krogan was stealing some ear scratches here and there when he probably thought no one could see.

From the deep soothing silence, emerged anxious sounds of barking, constant and pointed. The dogs had found something. Near the rubble close to the beam structure, the dogs were digging frantically. Without a second thought, but still disbelieving the small voice in his heart that maybe they would have a second grace of luck, Dr Irumy Oyshi and his team ran towards the dogs.

The place near the Beam structure looked like a metal cradle with chunks of blocks of the destroyed construction which once stood there. There was a thick, broad and long metal sheet on top of it, blocking whatever was beneath it from their eyes. Xahx and Ixor each held one side of the sheet to lift it and reveal what lay beneath.

Flashlights on, the whole area was suddenly illuminated by every piece of light emitting equipment they had, revealing an N7 breastplate. The soldier's skin was covered in soot and dust. The hair was caked with dried blood and dust. There was no way of telling the ethnicity of the figure laying there. An arm lay at a wrong angle, and almost as if this rock cradle was made for the poor soul deposited there, the figure stood still, maybe a little too still, motionless.

'Soldier, can you hear me?'.

Oyshi came closer and held the... man? No, woman's wrist and sought for a pulse.

Soldier.

Yes, I am one.

There's a dull brightness tinged with flesh tones.

Breathe.

As his fingers touched her skin, the small form in front of him inhaled one full and long breath. The soldier was alive.

It was chaos. Kira was already contacting the base camp, while Oyshi ran diagnostics. A simple swipe of an omni-tool revealed Captain Shepard's ID embedded in her dog tags beneath her breastplate. She was severely dehydrated, but nothing was broken; a dislocated shoulder and wrist and the arm in between riddled with hairline fractures, torn ankle ligaments, some small spots of internal bleeding which were already being taken care by her implants and some ugly but superficial wounds.

In less than 10 minutes, all the essentials were there. In a parade of colours, vehicles started to pour in - a couple of transport shuttles with personnel to secure the area (a bit of overkill but hey, this soldier was worth it) and a medic-evac shuttle which opened to reveal one other trauma doctor and a nurse along with Dr. T'Soni herself.

A bustle of movement began, with the rescue team and the doctors trying to plot the least damaging way to move the commander on to the shuttle.

Military efficiency at its best, granted the scanns did not reveal anything which could make this difficult, commander Shepard was rolled onto a gurney and sledded to the medic-evac which along with the worried and efficient leading of Liara, left for the Anghaile Memorial in Longford, Ireland. One of the least devastated places in the region.

oO0~0Oo

There was a symphonic rhythm in what Liara could observe, the medic and nurse in an effortless choreography of testing and diagnosing and treating, one step at a time; one priority at a time. Placing a line for fluids, checking for consciousness, clearing the airway, blood pressure, heart rate... so similar to Assari. Shepard lay still on the gurney. What hurt Liara the most was that Shepard didn't open her eyes.

In the back of her mind, Liara wondered if this would be it, a vain rush to the hospital so her dear friend could die in peace. An even smaller, daring you might say, voice in her whispered that this was her friend, and nothing would be able to stop her.

Liara wouldn't let herself hope, or maybe she should. In a life where the people closest to her were distant colleagues, an estranged parent and a dead mother, Shepard stood at the centre. A dear friend, a force of nature who took Liara out of the confinements of a laboratory and delivered her to the world, to love and life. Any romantic feelings which lingered in her heart were now solely devoted to the friendly love she held for the human laying in front of her.

'Doctor, do you have a preliminary status?'

Dr. Aoife Flanagan, the emergency trauma specialist, gave one long inhale and exhale while looking at all the data produced by the handful of equipment in the shuttle, blinked and looked at Liara.

'She's stable. As far as we can see on all scans, she's been battered to hell and back and her body managed to survive it decently. She has lost some blood, is dehydrated and most certainly exhausted. She is responding to exterior stimuli but does not interact with anything, revealing that there is some level of consciousness. To know more about her state, I will need further testing. I worry about head injuries because of this gash here in her right temple, but there is only indication of a moderate concussion. More than that, I cannot say.'

The smooth flight to the hospital was quiet, marked only by the soft beeps from the medical apparatus. The nurse and the doctors were busying their time with cleaning and sewing up the visible gashes on Shepard's arm while Liara watched her only "family" fight for her life.

The galaxy is safe, thanks to this remarkable woman. But now, where will we go from here?

oO0~0Oo

There was an entire crew waiting for them at the roof landing pad when they arrived at the hospital. Liara stood back, letting the ones who knew best to do what they did best. Efficient trades, exact hands, a ballet of movements sliding her friend into the heart of the care centre.

'We have a room waiting for the Commander. Would you like to wait there, miss?' very polite nurse aked Liara. She looked unfazed by all the commotion. Liara guessed by the lines in the woman's face, that she was probably used to all this, and war or not, protocols existed to bring back order to the chaos.

'I guess. If it's possible I would like to accompany my friend. May I?'

'I believe it won't be possible, miss. She'll be in for a lot of scans, and the doctors need their full attention to be on the patient. I hope you can understand.'

'Of course. You are correct. Please lead the way.'

The room was a decent size with a bed in its centre and a couch under the vast window. Everything was white, stainless and sterile; another thing which crossed species. Liara was still dazed. Looking around her and seeing no one, the door to the room closed, she sat on the couch and let her emotions go. The war was over so abruptly that her body didn't know how to accommodate the safe feeling that sterile room gave her the feeling of completeness now that her friend, her family had been found.

Thessia was devastated, Palaven was no more. Sur'Kesh's main cities were devastated in one wave. There wasn't a single largely populated planet which hadn't sustained horrible destruction. Earth fared little better. Shepard managed to amass the whole galaxy to save her home, and since the Reapers focused on the main heavily populated cities, the countryside and remote areas were unscathed. Billions were slaughtered, but the planet still stands.

Memories of the fights started to overwhelm Liara's mind but at that moment she heard a giggling scream. When she looked out the window, she saw the most curious scene - a human child playing with a Turian soldier. She was climbing on his arms and shoulders, and when she reached the top he would pick her up and gingerly set her down so she could climb again. Every time the soldier said anything the kid's face would light up and for no apparent reason beyond his voice, she would laugh and giggle. She decided to let her mind soak up that scene, so she could use it to lighten up when it started to get dark again.

oO0~0Oo

Beeping.

Someone touching my hand, my arm.

Where is my gun?

'Commander Shepard, can you open your eyes for us?'

Pain in my chest. Ouch! No! Stop!

Commander Shepard opened her eyes, and the whole room took a relieved collective breath. As far as they knew, there was no reason why the commander shouldn't be responding to outside stimuli.

'Miss, can you tell me your name please?'

Blinking, Shepard took in the room she was in; masked faces, scrubs and head caps in a very white room. Ah, I'm at a hospital. I don't want to...

'Joan, my name is Joan Shepard.' –

'Was I in an accident?'

'No, you suffered some serious injuries during the final battle against the Reapers. Do you remember any of it?' – Dr. Flanagan

It all came back to her. She remembered Garrus, arriving on Earth, finding Anderson, saying one last goodbye to her squad mates, coordinating with Anderson the last push into the Beam. The Ilusive Man, Anderson shot... the Conduit... A tear escaped Shepard's eye. She didn't want to remember that. Her heart broke all over again. Waves of desolation and grief overcame her, and she was now sorrow personified.

Watching carefully, Dr. Flanagan started to ready Shepard to be moved to her room. The other assistants left the commander for her privacy. It was clear that whatever may have happened to her body was nothing compared to what made such a powerful woman crumble like that.

'Yes. I remember.' I need to pull it together, no one can know. Shepard took one long breath and tied her feelings in the back of her mind.

'All your tests show your conditions are improving. You'll be staying for observation and 2 more calcification treatments. I believe you will be out in 10 days at the most. I'm going to take you to your room now. I believe - your friend, Dr. T'Soni, is waiting for you there.'

Dread filled Shepard's belly. Liara... how would she be able to face her friend after what happened? She had nowhere to run, she actually didn't know how to run; from anything. Masking her features as blank as she possibly could, she answered the doctor.

'Thank you.'

oO0~0Oo

It was night already, and the Turian and the little girl were long gone. The warmth from that scene was starting to fade from Liara's heart when she heard the soft rasp of wheels outside the hospital room. With a soft click, the door opens to reveal a stoic Shepard. Bandages bulked and bumped under the thermal sheet covering her. Her face's pale skin was a map of greens, black, blues and purples which crept under her curly hair, always locked in a bun.

'Shepard!'

'Hi, Liara.' – A sad smile blooms on Shepard's face which she immediately erases. This is no time for emotions.

'Thank the Goddess, you survived. I'm so happy to see you.' – emotions swelled up in her throat as Liara walked up to her friend with a smile on her face and wide spread arms, and was welcomed in spades. Shepard held her tight and didn't make any movement to let go until Dr. Flanagan interrupted.

'Just a moment, you two. I need to set you on the bed first, and afterwards, you may continue. Do we have a deal?'

They let go from each other, and while Liara observed the doctor use a mass effect field to smoothly lift and place Shepard on the bed, she couldn't help but notice something was different in her friend. Beyond the bruises and bandages, Shepard's brown eyes were tired and sad.

With the equipment attached, IV checked and treatment schedule explained the doctor took her leave and closed the door behind her, encasing the two beings in the room on a tomb like silence.

With a slight tremble in her voice, maybe afraid of what she could not see in her friend, Liara asks: 'How are you feeling Shepard, are you ok? What did the doctors say? Would you mind if I ask?'

'It's ok Liara.' The sad smile makes its appearance again. 'Doc' Aoife says I have a couple of concussions, one on each side of my head. Apparently I took a full body hit on my left side because I've got a dislocated shoulder, cracked bones, fractured wrist, bruised ribs, a hip crack and a torn ligament on my knee and left ankle. A bullet was removed from my right side muscle on my waist, several cuts which are now sealed, a nasty one on my right temple' – she places a hand there and winces – 'and bruises... a few of them.'

Liara blinked slowly. She couldn't believe how matter of fact Shepard was with this list of horrible things.

'But how do you feel?'

'I'm good. All this will go away, just give time for my body to heal.'

'I understand. Do you want to talk about the device? How did it work? How did you manage to come back from the citadel?'

'I don't know.' Shepard lied. 'It's one big blur. I remember saying goodbye to Garrus and Kaidan, the explosion and then running to the Beam, arriving in a dark place, killing the Illusive Man... Anderson. He was there. The Illusive Man killed him... after that I passed out... I was so tired...' With dead eyes, she looks nowhere in particular, fighting her memories, wishing she really did not remember what happened next.

'I have no idea how I came back...' And in this she wasn't lying. She had no idea. Maybe the conduit beamed her back when she shot the red tube?

'It's ok. The memories will come, or not. You are back, and that is all that matters.'

Shepard burned to ask about Garrus? Where was the team? Did the Normandy survive? But couldn't. The weight of her actions drowned her voice.

'How are things outside?'

'I must say that Earth took heavy losses. The main cities became slaughterhouses and whatever they didn't transform into Husks, they killed and beamed them to the Citadel. Much like the Collectors were doing. The smaller and more remote the city the less damaged they were. We are in Longford, Ireland, and the city has a lot of refugees, but not enough. They didn't have time to attack this area. I'm afraid the other densely populated urban hubs of this island were completely lost.'

'So, they were spreading out from large cities to smaller ones. I don't know what to think. Should I be happy few survived or sad that billions died?' – Nothing remotely like this was ever covered in any training, in any experience I've ever had.

'I decided to take a survivalist approach. We are alive, billions are still alive. We now must start from there and move forward with rebuilding and taking our way of life back.'

'Good point.'

'Well, I will leave you to rest for now. I have to go back to the base and continue on with the pest control.'

'Pest control?'

'Yes, without the Reaper's signal, their ground troops appear to just stand there and not do much but be put down and carried to a landfill. Whatever modifications they did to them took away their most basic reasoning and instincts. They are now only flesh shells, empty hardware.'

'Good.'

'Alright, I'll be going then. Here's an Omni-tool, I imagined you could have lost yours in the final battle. We will be able to keep contact through it. It also has a few upgrades and like mine and your old one, it can contact the Normandy if it is in range.'

'Thank you, Liara' – Shepard could verify that her old Omni-tool bracelet was nowhere to be seen, a thin strip of flesh coloured hardware which linked to a small circle embedded on her palm. She scratched her palm and the old circle emerged up from the superficial layers of her skin and fell on the sheet covering her lap. She placed the new bracelet on her wrist, and its attached circle warmed up and replaced the old one under her skin.

'Alright, I'll be back in two days. I'll try to bring you some necessities.' Liara leaned to give her friend another long hug. She may not look shaken, but when her arm closed around Liara, she could feel how distressed Shepard was. In time, she'll talk to me. In time.

oO0~0Oo