Chapter 9
Doctor Erin Sidorova strolled onto the bridge casually, placing her hands on the back of the pilots seat and leaning restlessly towards it. Looking down at the turian woman at the helm, she frowned as she spoke in an exaggerated whiny tone. "Are we there yet?"
Ces turned her head, looking up at the doctor in disbelief. "Wha- I announced our ETA less than five minutes ago, Doc!" she exclaimed, pointing her talons at the window as she continued "Also, you can clearly see the station! You know, sometimes I worry about you."
Erin sighed deeply, having failed once again to illicit laughter from her turian friend. She'd succeeded on occasion, but it was rare. "Yes, I'm the weird one." she scoffed "You know, for someone serving in the Alliance and having dealt with humans for twenty years, you don't exactly have a good grasp of our humor."
"Maybe you just need better jokes." Ces retorted "And don't even get me started on those colorful expressions of yours. I mean, what's wrong with just saying what you mean?"
"It's called culture, Ces." Erin said with a sigh.
"Ah, yes, because expressions like 'up shits creek' are real cultural." Ces huffed, throwing her talons up and drawing quotation marks in the air in front of her.
"You do realize how ridiculous it looks when people with three digits do air quotes, right?"
"Hey, that's racist!" Ces exclaimed mockingly.
"Yep, a little bit." Erin chuckled, and she could hear the faint subharmonic trembling of a soft laughter from Ces. "And with that, I declare victory." she said triumphantly, patting the helmsman on the shoulder.
They were interrupted by the voice of a man coming in over the comm. "Arcturus Control to SSV Narva, confirm ident and specify approach."
Ces cleared her throat and tapped her communicator "Roger that Arcturus Control, SSV Narva transmitting verification. Requesting medevac docking priority, we have wounded."
The comm was silent for a moment before the mans voice returned. "Confirmed, Narva. Proceed to bay Alpha-7. Patching you to medical." The comm hissed briefly, followed by a set of tones and beeps before the voice of a woman filled it, requesting the identity of the patient, as well as his present condition.
Erin supplied it diligently, feeling a deep frown forming on her face she was glad the transmission was audio only. Having finally finished the procedure, both women groaned loudly as the comm fell silent. Docking was always stringent and formal, but Arcturus Station took the proverbial cake when it came to having a stick up their ass about protocol and regulations. Erin had always hated red tape, and the red tape of medicine in particular, it left her mouth feeling as dry as Rakhana and krogan or not, gave her an intense urge to headbutt something. "Well, I'll prep the Chief for the transfer." She said after a long moment of silence. "Send the team down as soon as they've boarded."
The civilian sector of Arcturus Station reminded her a lot of the Wards on the Citadel, only with less diversity. It was quite a bit smaller of course and the technology wasn't as impressive, but it still gave her the same feeling of amazement.
"I've never seen so many humans in one place before." Jani gasped, and despite the helmet Shia could tell that she had that cute bewildered expression on her face, a mixture of apprehension and overwhelming curiosity.
"Well, it's the capital of the Systems Alliance after all" she replied with a smile.
"I thought Earth was the capital?"
"Well, it is, just a figure of speech. And if you're shocked at the amount of humans here, you should see Earth. It's pretty crowded."
Janie reached out for Shias hand before she responded. "I'd like that."
Shias smile grew wider as she turned to face Jani. "Well, I've only got about two more months on the Narva. I would love to take you there."
Janis eyes grew wide with excitement behind her visor "Really?"
"Hell yeah!" Shia exclaimed with a laugh. "Have to show my girlfriend where I grew up, after all." Girlfriend... Shia hadn't used the word before, but it felt good.
Jani let out a light squeal as she jumped up and hugged her tightly. "Still walking with a crutch here." Shia said with a laugh, and Jani pushed herself away at arms length again, her hands fidgeting slightly. "Right, sorry." she said, appearing mildly concerned before she turned her eyes back to Shia. "Wait... I thought you had to serve for longer than that?"
Shia sighed. "Yeah, I thought so too. But I got a message from the Officer Candidate School in Vancouver saying I've been granted an early admission." the pale spots above her eyes formed into a frown. "I was going to make a call to check it out actually."
Shia pressed her palm against the holopanel in the QEC booth, an artificial voice greeted her. "Identity confirmed. Welcome, Corporal Shepard. Please enter your call-code on the interface in front of you."
"Yeah, yeah..." she muttered as she punched the numbers in. What time is it there now, anyway? 11 pm? Should still be awake... Her thoughts were interrupted as Liara appeared on the screen in front of her.
"Shiala, it's wonderful to see you. I was wondering when we'd hear from you." she exclaimed, beaming a bright smile at her.
"Hey mom." Shia replied brightly. "How are you guys?"
"Never mind us, how are you doing? I heard your ship was involved in some kind of skirmish?" her smile did not manage to hide the concern in her voice.
"You know about that?" Shia asked, slightly confused.
"You're father's an Admiral after all. She won't tell me any details though, says I worry too much... I could find out for myself-"
"Mom, please..." Shia interrupted her mother. "It was nothing serious. I'm fine, you don't have to worry."
"It comes with the job, little wing."
Shia chuckled. "I know, mom. But really, I'm fine. I just had something I needed to talk about with dad, is she home?"
"Sure" Liara replied, visibly disappointed that the conversation would be a short one. "I'll go get her. I love you."
"Love you too, mom" Shia smiled as she watched her mother walk out of view. She was replaced almost immediately by her father, who had obviously been standing nearby waiting.
"Hey sweetie." Sarah said merrily, turning her head to the right briefly, making sure she was alone. "So, how are you, really?" She gave Shia a piercing look, and she realized that her father probably knew the whole story already.
"Well, aside from the hole in my leg, I'm good." Shia said with a laugh, waving her crutch in front of the screen briefly.
Sarah nodded understandingly before she spoke "Something's definitely brewing in the Verge. Can't say I'm happy about you patrolling the area, but I promised not to interfere."
Shia bit her lower lip, careful not to sound too demanding. "Yeah, that's kinda what I wanted to talk to you about... I got a message from OCS in Vancouver saying I'd been granted an early admission, cutting my field service in half."
"Really? That's great sweetie. Making officer in record time I see." Sarah beamed at her daughter.
"Dad..."
"Don't give me that look. I had nothing to do with it."
"So why did I get it then?"
"It didn't occur to you that you might just have earned it? That you might just be that good?" she said, bringing up her omni-tool and holding up a hand before Shia could interrupt. "File says the admission was granted on behest of Commander Nielsen. Seems you single-handedly saved a superior officer by carrying him to safety while under heavy fire, sustaining injury in the process." A proud smirk crept across Sarahs face.
Shia was at a loss for words. "H-he recommended me?" She managed after a while.
"He did, and I can certainly understand why... I'm proud of you sweetie, you deserve this." Sarah replied, her face beaming with pride.
"Thanks dad... It's just... I don't know-"
"You're worried you might not be up to it, now that you've seen action?"
Shia smiled, her father had always been able to read her way too easily for her comfort, but sometimes it was nice to not have to use words. "Yeah, I mean I don't regret what I did... but I guess a part of me feels that I should."
Sarah was silent for a moment, exhaling softly before she spoke. "Shia, having to use deadly force will never be easy. But deep down inside, you realize that you did what you had to do. What makes a good soldier is the ability to do what needs to be done, but always considering it to be a last resort. You clearly realize this." She paused again, locking eyes with her daughter before continuing. "You'll do great, I know you will."
Shia simply nodded, a smile on her face.
"Now." Sarah continued with a smirk. "You have some shore leave to enjoy, and I bet there's a certain quarian who's waiting for you."
"Yeah... you were right about that too." Shia said with a laugh.
"So, I take it you're seeing each other now?"
Shia looked down slightly, unable to keep from blushing. "Yeah..."
"Good" Sarah said ponderously. "If there's one thing I've learned it's that life's too short to delay your own happiness... no matter how long your lifespan might be."
Shia lifted her gaze to face her father once more, nodding in response.
"I'm happy for you, sweetie. Now go. I hope the leg starts feeling better."
"Thanks dad, I'll call again soon."
Sarah smiled widely. "You better. Love you."
"Love you too, dad. Bye."
The screen flickered out and Shia sighed deeply. Talking to her father always seemed to put things into perspective. Only a few years earlier, the fact that she seemed to always be right about everything had driven Shia mad. She had even resented her for it, maybe not earnestly but the feeling had been there all the same. It was something she would always regret, even though her mother insisted that it was all part of growing up. She smiled at the memory, not because they were happy ones, but because of how lucky she felt to have her parents, even if she hadn't realized it at the time. She logged out and exited the booth as the artificial voice wished her a pleasant afternoon.
The walkway was still buzzing with movement, and Shia looked around for a moment to locate Jani in the crowd. She saw her standing by one of the large windows, listening to an older human man playing some kind of instrument, from the sound of it Shia guessed it was a cello. The low, somber notes filled her ears as she approached, mingling with the form of her lover in front of her. She walked up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder gently to let her know she was there, but without startling her. "Enjoying yourself?"
"It's beautiful." Jani replied quietly.
"Yeah... it is."
"So, how did it go?" Jani asked when the music stopped.
"It went well..." Shia said with a smile "We should go find some accommodation. The ships being overhauled tonight, so we won't be able to get much sleep on board."
Jani nodded, and Shia noticed that she was fidgeting with her hands like she always did when she was nervous about something. "I was thinking..." she said finally "That maybe we should get a room... you know, t-together?" The way she said it made it sound like a question, and she looked up at Shia insecurely as if apprehensive about the answer.
Shia took her both of her hands and steadied them before she spoke. "If you want to, then I do too... but I've never..."
"No, me neither... but we don't have too. And if we do, then I'm happy it's you." Jani replied warmly.
The hotel room was very spartan in its design, but it was large enough to breathe and the bed seemed comfortable, and was of a decent size. They stood in the middle of the room, arms around each other as if dancing without the aid of music.
"When did you know?" Jani asked softly, raising her head so that the shining silver white of her eyes met the emerald hue of Shias.
"You know that first night on the Narva, when I brought you the tea?" She asked, planting a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Yes, I was sick and looked like a mess." Jani giggled into her chest.
"I'd never seen anything more beautiful in my life... granted, I haven't lived long, but I doubt I ever will."
Jani cupped her cheek in her hand and brought their faces together. They kissed deeply, and Shia felt a warmth rising in her body, a faint blue hue starting to ripple over her skin. She gasped faintly as her uniform slipped off. They embraced tightly, lips locked as they stumbled backwards onto the bed. All the insecurity and apprehension melted off them as the outside world and its troubles faded mercifully from their minds. They caressed each other softly at first, but with growing intensity. "Keelah..." Jani gasped softly as Shias hands swept over the curvature of her lower back. The blue hue flickering from Shias skin intensified as her eyes flared dark, and in an instant they ceased to be separate beings. They could feel every inch of the others body without the need for touch, and together as one they lost themselves in the bliss of their deep bonding.
Shia awoke in the early morning, Jani still firmly nuzzled up to her. She smiled warmly, pushing a lock of hair from her face just as she had that first night in Janis quarters. The quarian woman woke up slowly from the touch, nuzzling in closer to Shia with a sigh that conveyed a feeling of contentment.
"Good morning." Shia said softly, kissing Jani lightly on the cheek before nuzzling her neck lovingly.
Jani giggled from the touch before responding. "It certainly is." She cooed. "You've been awake long?"
"No, I just woke up."
Jani leaned in a and their lips met. "Last night was amazing..." she said dreaming.
"More than I ever imagined it would be." Shia said, smiling at her lover and holding her tightly.
They held each other for a while, allowing themselves to wake up properly.
"So, what happens today?" Jani asked while propping herself up against the backrest of the bed.
"I don't know. We're still on leave, so I guess we don't have to do anything." Shia replied with a smirk, her expression becoming more serious as she continued. "But I was thinking of visiting the Chief in the hospital."
Jani stroked her cheek soothingly. "Want me to come with?"
"Yeah... I'd like that." She said as her smile returned.