Loyalties:
Mass Effect Trilogy is a Bioware game. For any reference to the Official Game All rights are owned by Bioware. The Fan Fiction "Mass Effect At Dawn Again" is fruit of my imagination and my work, it is a free tribute, passionate and personal to a great video game. It is not allowed any use partial or total for profit and not.
Chapter 22
Everything to lose
… When we came back from Tuchanka, you had the pain in your eyes! I felt in my stomach how much you felt bad for Mordin, and I was dying to see you! I wanted to be close to you, and I wished with all my heart, I was able to comfort you at least some!
When I entered your cabin, you had just woken up. You were washing your face, by trying to recover, after having had that nightmare once again! Ashley's voice tormented your sleep, fueling your guilt every night, then the poor child started to burn, waking you suddenly up!
I'm always scared when you're trying to control your voice, because you only do if you're very bad, and never want to show off your pain. You spoke through the closed door, making me worry more than a bit! That day, I felt you greatly needed me. So, I made my heart speak ...
L: Shepard ... I feel sorry for Mordin!
You bowed your eyes, swollen with gloom, suddenly you couldn't hide your pain longer. I came closer, holding your shoulders in my hands, tenderly wrapping you with a comforting touch, while I was looking in your eyes, saying ...
L: Hey, I know what you were friends! You know, I had a few occasions to talk to him. He was simply brilliant! Once, he told me that no one had ever been able to cause him trouble about genophage ... no one except you! He regarded you highly Shepard, believe me! Mordin was tormented! You've been a great help, to face his own demons ... to defeat them!
Your voice became pained, while little by little, tears danced in your gaze, just clinging to your stubborn resolve not to drop them down. Your eyes were scanning the floor, as you were talking to me in a low voice, and bitter ...
S: Yeah! I know, he told me just before he died! But, it's not true! The truth is that I failed, Liara! ... Once again! I've seen no fucking way to get him out of that shit! It was the turn of Ashley before, and if Grunt is alive, it's certainly not thanks to me! Mordin today is dead, and ... tomorrow?! I dare not think whom I could leave behind tomorrow! ... Just because I won't be able to make my work done! Maybe, this ship deserves a better commander than me, Liara! Perhaps it would be better if the Normandy returned under the Anderson command!
You hid your face in your hands, while your words deeply scratched in my heart. Your voice quivered more and more, as you struggled not to cry ...
S: Oh, shit! ... Shit! I hope at least that ... Mordin will find Peace!
There was no doubt that, the entire galaxy was expecting a lot from you! However, it was nothing compared to the unending perfection that, you always asked to yourself! You felt unjustly guilty, but I had no intention to let you do this! I was searching for your eyes with my hand, guiding your face into mine. I wanted with all my heart to erase from your mind those horrible thoughts, once and for all, so I firmly said ...
L: Oh, by the love of the Goddess, Shepard! What the hell are you saying, My Love?! … Emily, you cannot find a way ... when the way doesn't exist! You always do your best, and your best is nothing less than ... heroic, Shepard!
Every day, we face our destiny, with obstinacy everything to lose! We firmly cling to the only possible option ... fighting! No matter the price!
I swear, Sweetheart! It's only thanks to your incredible skill, if so many lost lives are torn every day from annihilation! You are amazing, Shepard! I really can't believe that, you've never considered the fact where, if Anderson thought to command the Normandy, better than you do, he would be here now! Is it so farthest from your mind that, Anderson is not here, simply because he is convinced that you can do the work better!?
Oh Shepard! In front of the loss of a friend, it certainly cannot be enough, I know, but ... you've been absolutely great on Tuchanka! You've accomplished a very complicated mission, virtually impossible. I'm sure, we got something exceptional done, where anyone else would have failed!
The genophage was cured! Krogans and Turians will fight side by side, from now on! Oh, I really don't believe it! Our hopes are improving! I'm so proud of you, Shepard!
Oh, Darling One! This war is horrible, and just one thing we know! Without the commander Shepard in her own position, our chances to come out on top would dramatically decrease! The Normandy will never get a guide better! I swear, no one, from the first to the last member of this crew, would like to have another in your place ... My Captain!
If I have to fight for my future, Shepard, I will fight at your side, until the end! Just one thing is sure. It would make no sense ... if you weren't, right here, in your place! And ... I love you, Shepard! So much that ... I cannot breathe!
... Without even realizing, I was holding you in my arms, caressing your face. I gently stroked your hair, as you embraced me, giving my caresses back. Your hopelessly sad eyes mirrored at the bottom of mine ... However, gradually, you found your temper. Your tone became firmer, you recovered a whole sense of purpose. Your eyes glowed with light, while the strength was beginning to flow in your voice, feeding your energy, and ... mine ...
S: Oh Liara, I love you too! I can't live without you! You were great on Tuchanka, and I don't wish anyone else to get my back! I can't do this, without you! Your trust, can rescue me! You touch my soul, you make me feel stronger! If you are by my side, I cannot fall!
L: Neither do I!
Your mood was greatly improved, and I burst of happiness with the feeling to make you feel good! So, in love tone I said ...
L: Well, in this case, whenever you need me, you just have to look inside your embrace because, that's where you will always can find me!
My lips couldn't stay away from yours no more, as your smile was looking for my breath, insistently. You touched my lips gently, fusing them with yours, in a vibrant kiss, which overflowed all the love that was exploding even more fiery, inside our souls ...
L: Oh Emy ... I love you! You're not alone, you know this, don't you? We will overcome this pain, you'll see... in the usual way!
S: Hey, my little Baby Girl! Of course, I know! ... I love you, too Liara, and everything I need ... it's you!
I tightened you with rapture, by wrapping you intensely, tying your soul down in mine. I dove on your lips so sweet, urgently needed of refreshment, greedy of relief lips, and consolation ... flooding them with all the sweetness as I could, finally saying ...
L: At least we are together!
S: Yeah! Now that you're here ... everything is better!
Unfortunately, duty called loudly, and we had to try to control our involvement. So, I did my best to go away...
L: Oh, same here! However, maybe ... you shouldn't keep the Councilor Valern waiting so long ... Shepard!
Maybe, it was already too late! Your dangerously seductive voice awakened all my senses, arousing my imagination ...
S: hmm, maybe I should... lock the door, and kiss you "like that," as long as you will lose even the last glimmer of your concentration! Then, I will be able to hold you in my arms ardently, intensely, and tenderly ... through the night!
You whispered everything, stroking my face with your lips, squeezing me in your arms with fire. Turning my desire on, feeding it with yours, while I went crazy with excitement. I don't even describe how much I wanted to let me go!
L: Oh Emy! There is nothing ... in the whole Galaxy, I want more, but ... it's a privilege that we cannot afford ... you know this ... not now!
Your heart was pounding furiously against my chest. I felt your passion conquer my desire, more and more, until I began consciously to reject any rational thought! Your scent was so exciting, your voice so seductive, and ... my willpower getting thinner ...
S: I crave you so much, Sexy Thing! How about some ... Light Speed Love? I'm afraid I'm ready! It would take just fiv ... three minutes!
L: Oh Emy! I want you madly! But, I don't ... we don't ... oh, OK! Three minutes ... not a second longer!
One minute, to find ourselves madly immersed skin to skin into each other. One minute, to wrap our bodies inside an unbridled kiss, merging our minds in the turmoil engaging of the senses, and to drag our thirst higher and higher, up in the heat of passion. One minute, into the cyclone of pleasure, to fly together in the rapture of our feelings, by floating in an irresistible whirlwind, and wonderful... right on the crest of the storm, and down!
… Liara gasps, as if she is not able to find enough air to breathe. She closes her eyes, while her wowed smile stretches out. She clasps at Shepard's hand, gently, as she says ...
L: Oh, Goddess! Three minutes flat, to be out of breath! It was really at light speed, yet so ... overwhelming! For a few moments, we were in the grip of our senses thrilled. Made it hard to regain our balance, as we were still tossed at the mercy of an angry wave! Your voice struggled to regain control, while you went towards the door with a determined stride, exclaiming ...
S: Councilor Valern ... it's up to me and you!
I found the word just in time to let out a scream, getting you to stop just an instant before the automatic door burst open ...
L: Stop Shepard! Not another step!
Thanks to the Goddess, your reflexes have always been nothing but lightning! You immediately stopped, as your nonplussed voice asked ...
S: What the hell...?!
L: OK, just stay right there, Shepard! You bend slowly your head down, then please, look at yourself!
Only at that moment, you realized that, you were going in the Comm Room completely naked! Your reaction was really hilarious! You were motionless for several seconds, as if paralyzed. Your still wide open arms, and your eyes glued on your private parts. Until, in a conciliatory tone you said ...
S: Oops! ... Do you think that this uniform could distract Traynor?
Oh Shepard! You were really a hoot! I swear, to stay serious was complicated! I needed every last drop of my proverbial Asari self-control, as I answered, choking back my laughter in the more reflective tone that I could...
L: Well, I'm afraid yes, Sexy Thing!
After a couple of steps back, you turned on your heels, quickly heading to the closet, as in identical tone you added ...
OOOK! I gonna wear something more... sober, just in case! Actually, I need the specialist to stay focused on the galactic map!
L: hmm ... clear! We would not want that, her concentration slipped stealthily on such a delicious undercarriage, isn't it, Commander?!
S: Absolutely no, ma'am!
… It was a really exhausting day, but deeply moving. It is late, and Liara is very tired, but happy. She knows that also Shepard is! Liara kisses her gently, before saying goodbye to go to sleep.
... Karin turns the comm off, looking at Aethyta. The matriarch is sitting motionless, wrapped in a blue halo, the all-white eyes, in her face a peaceful look. Aethyta is enlightened like in a beautiful dream. Karin does not want to disturb her. Aethyta just seems too beautiful to be carried away from that dream!
So, Karin sits, staying long to observe, in silence, with eyes filled with love. She surprises herself once again to think that ... she would not want to let her go, anymore! Karin pretends not to hear, but the thought remains. So, she tries to cast it out away, driving it into the darkest place in her mind, to make it disappear. When, the deep blue of Aethyta's eyes light up again, Karin feels flooded with intense emotion ...
K: were you in meditation?
The Aethyta's gaze is satisfied ...
A: Sorry, I didn't realize that Liara had already left.
K: Oh, never mind, you were so beautiful! Are you OK?
Aethyta seems very peaceful, her voice excited is thinly veiled of sweetness ...
A: Hell yeah! Don't be, Sugary, I'm cool! My parents are in harmony with the Universe! I perceived clearly their energy. I'm sure that, they have finally found peace, and ... me too! Holy Tits! It was amazing Karin! I'm so proud to Liara. My little chick is really terrific! You know, I wish that ... her mother could've seen how much brave she is. The great deal of skill, and talent in battle she has. Ha. I bet, Benezia would have her tits broken out, in wonder!
K: Heh, heh, don't worry Sweetie, I'm sure that wherever she is, she could see everything!
Aethyta gets up, her smile grows out of all proportion, while approaching. She bends over to Karin's neck, touching it with her lips, as her voice becomes sensual ...
A: Hey, tiny Sugary! You know, I'm all pumped up tonight, so ... I might even dance for you!
Karin does not believe what she hears. A shiver of excitement runs across the length and breadth of her skin, while she answers...
K: Wow, hot stuff! I'm gasping!
… The darkness slowly fades away, to give way to dawn that opens the world to the new day. Liara's eyes are closed. Her expression is peaceful. She is still asleep, dreaming of a small deserted beach between the rocks, sunken in a fragment of natural inlet, almost inaccessible. The beach is wrapped in the blue crystalline sky, hidden from all eyes, and surrounded by the deep blue of the sea.
Shepard is holding Liara in her arms. Caresses her face, smiling sweetly, as the sun sets in a color explosion, plunging into the sea. Liara feels to sink in that embrace, while shaking Shepard stronger. Then, they smile again, kissing each other, and Liara's heart seems to go crazy. They remain long clung to that kiss, as the sky lights up with a firmament of stars.
When Liara opens her eyes, she realizes that it was a dream! At the moment, it was just a beautiful dream! She smiles as she dresses, thinking back to one night, one promise ... to Shepard. She always keeps her promises! When Liara enters the Shepard's room, whatever she wants is to continue. So, she sits beside the bed, and begins to remember right away ...
L: The Salarians Councilor was very concerned. Something strange was leaking out about Udina's financial movements. We certainly had a real reason to investigate. When we drove to the Citadel, the Cerberus troops were everywhere. They had taken control of docks. We saw the Commander Bailey when Cerberus cut him down before our eyes! We just wanted to reach him quickly. Thanks to the Goddess, he was still alive!
… Cerberus left no survivors! Blood was scattered everywhere, along the corridors, and on the walls of the rooms. Lifeless bodies lay abandoned on the floors. Such brutal deaths, so unjustifiable, shouting in our eyes, they were too hard to look at! We all got a huge bone to pick with the Illusive Man, and our determination to stop him, it was feeding off greedily of anger and resentment!
… Just when it seemed over, Kai-Leng, jumped down from above, right in front of Councilor Valern. His plan went without saying. Udina had sold the Council, so Cerberus had sent his most infamous henchman to cash out the credit! That character was really unsettling!
His devilish smile gave me the creeps. Everything about him exuded heartlessness and depravity. His appearance was distressing. His eyes hidden behind a sinister visor, were nothing but two bright slits which deprived him definitely of any shred of human kindness!
… The gun appeared out of nowhere, just behind Leng's head. Thane Krios could never deny you his help! Despite the Kepral's Syndrome to more than one terminal stage, he moved with great agility in hand-to-hand combat. His talent was nobody's business, and Kai-Leng, was on the ground in no time. Thane looked definitely in the lead. However, the shots of his gun had no effect.
Thane hopped over to Leng in an attempt to hit him, getting his barrier off, but Cerberus' assassin got the inside position, and his long sword, pierced Thane ... with no way out! Thane fell down to the ground, quickly wrapped in a pool of blood! The sharp pain of your heart, cried like an echo into mine!
… All shuttles had been destroyed at the Hangar. Every exit point sounded precluded. Kaidan was escorting the Council. His wary look was able to cut your soul like a blade. The suspiciously voice of Kaidan scratched your stomach, worse than a sharp claw. Udina spewed his venom against you. Kaidan's gun aimed your heart, and it was the thing that hurts most!
… You never liked Udina! Too self-serving and arrogant. He was a big-headed politician. Sometime, he used to put his business before those of humanity. Nonetheless, Udina's betrayal caused you great bitterness. It weighed on your shoulders with the burden of the defeat. While you hoped with all your heart not be forced to pull the trigger!
… Your words had the power of the sincerity, the strength of the friendship, the tone of persuasion. Finally, Kaidan decided to listen to you, and ... his timing couldn't be better! For a moment Kaidan's eyes sparkled confidence in yours, as his hand was lowering the gun. While my heart started beating once again!
… When Udina struck the Asari Councilor throwing her to the ground, he already knew it was over! He felt trapped. Udina drew his gun, threatening Tevos, with ready for anything eyes. You had him at gunpoint, but Kaidan had a better line of fire. For this, you have given to him a few seconds.
A Spectre must defend the Council, at the cost of the life! Udina had become a major threat, and you would not have hesitated. Even Kaidan was a Spectre, for this he couldn't pull back. So, he had to get off his shot! Just one clean shot, straight to the heart. Udina fell down with a thud, not even time to repent for what he had done. Paying with his own life, for every foolish mistake!
… Thane already had surgery. Even Koliat had rushed to the Huerta Memorial, to give blood. However, the illness prevented the Thane body to get over the trauma. His condition was too serious to leave the light of hope. The voice of the Doctor was damn hurt, as your heart refused to listen to that ...
Dr: His son Kolyat, he's in there saying his goodbyes. You might want to say yours…!
You entered that room with courage, looking straight at your pain! Another close friend was going away ... it was time not to leave him alone!
"Guide this one Kalahira, and she will a companion to you, as she was to me." Those words, so poignant and beautiful resounded in the heart of Thane and in your soul. Until, they wrapped Thane in the last embrace, taking him away forever!
You approached the bed gently. Your hand turned his look off eternally, with a sweet caress. Thane could start staring away, over there ... across the sea! A lump of tears wrapped your throat. Your voice shaking with emotion, in the last intense greeting ... the farewell one ...
S: Goodbye Thane, find Peace! You've been a good friend ... I won't forget you!
… You needed to get back on the Normandy, as soon as possible, trying to win the dismay, the deep sense of loss, of abandonment. The terrible feeling that, nothing was the same as before!
… I've been looking for you for quite a while. I never imagined to find you at the Hangar. You were intent on polishing your assault rifle, with maniacal obstinacy. As soon as, I touched your eyes, I realized that Thane was dead, and you couldn't reconcile yourself to!
I felt my heart in pieces! Your pain took root in my soul, and my desire to take care of you, became every second looming and looming. I hoped to convince you to go to sleep...
L: The mission was very intensive, you should try to get some rest!
No reply. Your fingers running nervously back and forth. They polished and polished... tirelessly.
L: Emily!?
Your fingers never stopped to rub, with extreme accuracy. Then, the answer came laconic, lighting with anxiety your voice, dilating with disquiet my concern ...
S: I know! I don't have the slightest intention of getting that damn nightmare once again! Reality seems already quite crappy that ... oh shit! I'm sorry Liara, I just seek not to make my state of mind worse!
I approached you more. You were tight as a drum, and you couldn't stop harassing your rifle. I stopped your jittery hands, putting them carefully in my hands. I kindly convinced your fingers to lay the rifle on the table, without speaking. Finally, I took your gaze, driving it deeply in my eyes, immersing myself into yours ...
L: hey, I know how you feel, and ... I am sorry! If you don't sleep, certainly it will not improve! Emy, I don't want to leave you tonight! ... So, why don't you come to me?! I'll be with you. I think, you shouldn't stay alone! We can talk, if you feel like, until the sleep will surprise us! Maybe, if we are together that nightmare will stay away!
At last, I felt your tension was slowly fading away. Love was shining in your eyes, which barely even smiled. You picked up my hand, crossing you in my fingers, pressing it against your neck. You gently dragged my backhand to caress your cheek, by touching it with your lips, kissing it tenderly. Then, your wistful gaze settled back in my own, caught me up in all your urgent need of me ...
S: hey, my little Baby Girl! You are kind to take care of me ... thanks! I'll be up in a minute.
… I was exhausted, so I went straight to bed. After a few minutes the door opened. You entered the room in the darkness, noiselessly. You took off your uniform calmly, carefully putting it on the couch, next to the bed. Finally, you slipped on me, in silence. I clutched to your pain, trying to make it less unbearable. Immediately your arms gathered me passionately, in your usual loving embrace. I kissed your neck, whispering softly to your ear ...
L: I love you!
Your voice was limp, but very loving tone ...
S: I know ... I couldn't go on without you!
I squeezed you more, tenderly stroking, in trying to blunt your wistful discomfort ...
L: ... Did he suffer a lot?
S: No ... he's gone peacefully, his son with love to support him ...
L: and yours!
S: Oh, I will miss him very much! ... It was, so deep and sensitive. You know, I always felt very close to. We understood one another. All in our heads, in our hearts, far beyond what the words say. Thane was a wise, and ... a good egg!
L: ... a murderer ...
S: Yes, it's curious, you know! One day, he told me that he had killed ... once only!
L: That's quite a curious statement! Why don't you tell me about!?
S: Thane was married, and ... madly in love with his wife! One day, while he was away, Batarians murderers came, and ... they killed his wife cold-blooded, for the sole purpose to get back at him! Thane went crazy with grief, and he went to look for them. One by one, he hunted them out, and killed them. But, slowly and painfully. Thane made them wish they were never born! He got his revenge, but not any peace for his soul, anymore!
Your story froze my blood. I felt so sorry for Thane, but I also got a suffocating sense of déjà vu!
L: Oh Goddess! It's terrible! Thane must have been torn apart by guilt! ... I totally get it! I know exactly how he should feel! ... I would like to exterminate the entire species of Collectors with my own hands, me too, if only I'd been able to! Even though, I knew it wouldn't be enough to bring you back! ... Even though, I knew it wouldn't be enough to save my heart from all of that tremendous pain! ... Even though, my hatred could scare me even more of my pain!
I felt you raise your pulse, while you rolled over me. I was warmed by the heat of your skin. You caressed my cheeks gently, brushing my lips with love. Your face was serious. You looked at me with soulful eyes, as you firmly whispered ...
S: We've killed every last one of them, Liara ... together!
I kissed you sweetly, while I stroked your hair. Suddenly, the dark memories brought back in my mind. I felt the past suppress my safety, undermine my confidence, lighting my fear! The thought of losing you again was wildly digging its way into my heart. I tried to hide the shudder which shook my skin, while softly I took refuge urgently in your conviction ...
L: Shepard!? … Are you never afraid?!
Your expression grew more intense. Your eyes caressed my face, you kept me safe in your embrace. Your voice, sweet and strong wrapped of courage my chills, as I felt my heart become more and more strong ...
S: Hey, my little Baby Girl! Of course I'm afraid! Every day we push ourselves a little bit over the limit, and... this makes me feel completely terrified!
L: But, you really seem fearless, Shepard! ... How can you suppress it? How can you not be paralyzed by?!
Your gaze paused for a moment deeply in my eyes, in silence. Then, you smiled sweetly as you said...
S: because, it's you, where I come and hide... whenever I'm afraid!
My heart skipped a beat, then suddenly it burst out with joy. No word could find the way of my voice, while my lips quivered with emotion. So, I kissed you again. A great desire to react took the form from that kiss. I felt deeply connected to you, indissolubly joined in your own destiny. My strength was expanding, it became light. Moment by moment it grew, making it way through the dark ... Finally, my voice became your relief ...
L: Who knows, maybe ... Thane will have already found his beloved, across the sea, and eventually he will join with her ... for eternity!
S: Hey, come here ... I love you!
L: I know ... I couldn't go on without you!
Finally, your smile came looking for me, flooding my lips of tenderness, while you were clinging on my consolation stronger and stronger. We cuddled up together for several minutes, as I've had an idea ...
L: You know Little Star, I was thinking that, maybe ... we should try to imagine something beautiful, and we should fall asleep with this outlook. I bet, it will take away all of your nightmares, and ... all of mine!
S: Yeah, you might be right! You know, I was thinking about us! We've been together for over three years now, and yet ... we had so little time for any of it! I just realized, for example, that, we've never been to the movies or together for a concert, and not even out to dinner!
L: Oh yeah! You've to take me to dinner, hon, and then ... a movie! I might look for a nice romantic movie ... where love trumps everything! Shall we?
Your answer was late to come. You hid your eyes on my neck, caressing it with your lips. You tried to conceal your embarrassment, but you began to sweat, as you said ...
L: Oh, well ... of course it could be a good idea ... just in case, we ate so much that, we could not fall asleep! Otherwise, I'd like to take you to a little quiet restaurant, with outdoor seating on a moonlit warm night, dine by candlelight. Then, I might look for a good movie, full of action and adventure. Overwhelming pace ones, and breathtaking special effects! Maybe, with a romantic love story in the middle, between the two intriguing protagonists, who will fight to stay together, against all kinds of adversities! Eventually, of course, love trumps everything, and our heroes will live happily ever after. How about that?!
L: Wow, the little restaurant intrigues me to die, hon! As for the movie ... I don't know why, but ... I get the sense of having seen it before! However, I am very interested in ... the last part!
S: Heh, heh, in that case, after dinner ... we will go straight to bed! ... By the way, can you swim?
L: Yes, I can ... well enough!
S: When this war will be over, I'd like to take you to the sea! I know a tiny, wonderful deserted beach in Rio. I went there alone, almost always at night, in the rare pauses, during the backbreaking N7 military training. It made me feel good about myself again, energized. You know, Little One, it would be great if I could watch that sunset together with you!
L: Oh Emy! It would be so ... romantic. I love the sea!
S: Oh, me too, but above all ... I love you!
L: So, hug me, and don't you dare leave me ever again!
S: Hey, never forget. I'm always coming back ... to you, my Eternity!
… I fell asleep in your arms, with the image of that sun on fire, which painted of purple the sky, and it set fire to the sea, burning on the water, until it disappeared beneath the waves. The sweet melody of the surf was playing only for us. You held me tight in your arms, but ... that feeling, it was not just a dream because, when I woke up, you were still there, asleep by my side.
You really were sleeping squeezing me in your arms! Your face was relaxed, your expression was peaceful, as you were dreaming about something extremely pleasant. Perhaps that same beach, the same wonder. I couldn't resist the urge to put my face in your pillow, to be even closer to you. I tried your lips asleep, caressing your breath. I closed my eyes, to find myself inside you, completely safe, and in total harmony.
I don't remember, how long I watched you sleep. You were so beautiful! Finally, you opened your eyes inside mine, brightening me in blue and tenderness, as I reflected myself in the light of your smile …
S: Hi, Little One! ... So, it wasn't a dream!
You clasped me hard, fondling me gently, tying me to you. You touched my lips with a light kiss, then another, deeper, and so sweet, which didn't want to end anymore! Then, your voice caressed my soul as you said ...
S: Here, my wonderful reality!
My heart was pounding out of my chest. It was so full of love that I quavered as I said ...
L: Oh, Shepard! ... We'll go to that beach, won't it?! I want to watch that sunset ... together with you!
You were deeply immersed in my gaze, and your eyes didn't know how to lie!
S: hey, Baby Girl! ... We'll go there, you can bet it ... I promise!
… A deep blue halo surrounds the Shepard's body. Liara is sitting on the bed, hugging her. Liara's face resting on Shepard's pillow, and she is tenderly holding her hand. Liara's eyes look at the eternity, merging up their minds in a single thought, their bodies into a single emotion, their memories into a single shared wonder.
When fusion ends, Liara sighs of trepidation, sitting on the chair. She picks up the Shepard hand in her own. She smiles, laying her eyes on Shepard's quiet face, still motionless ... always unchangeable. Finally, the silence fades away, in the excited voice of Liara ...
L: Oh Emy, you're not gonna believe this, but ... this night I dreamed of that beach! It was so real, full of details, and incredible! You were kissing me, and ... aw, it was beautiful! It was just the same beach, I guess! I could have absorbed the memory from you, through any fusion, and ... well, in that case, you were right because, it's an absolutely wonderful beach! Hey ... you promised, remember? You will take me there!
… Karin turns the communicator off, like every evening, for more than three months. Karin also got out of hell alive. After much destruction, so much pain, she never expected she could be so happy again. Karin has never planned to fall in love at her age, and she is pleasingly surprised to feel so young, and deeply alive. She looks at Aethyta who smiles, and she feels as she has never lived so fully before.
Then, "the thought" comes suddenly back! It scratches and it bites, and it hurts more and more! Karin desperately yearns for another way! The emotion makes its way, feeding the pain. It clings to her throat, and she cannot prevent the tears from sliding down. Aethyta's voice is sweet, but her stomach it twists into knots because her heart has already guessed the reason ...
A: Hey, you're crying, Sugary! What's wrong?!
Karin would disappear, not to fall into sadness. She tries to be strong, but she cannot resist to the caresses of Aethyta. Karin cannot ignore her great need for her. She has to make a big effort to control herself, as she answers ...
K: it's nothing, don't worry, I was just thinking ... to us!
Karin's eyes filled with tears, as they try solace into the deep eyes of Aethyta. Matriarch immediately gets up, holding Karin tight in her arms, while Aethyta's chest seems like about to burst out ...
A: Hey, my little sexy bunny! Please, don't cry! I'd love to comfort you Sugary, but ... oh shit! It's a hell of a mess, 'cause, I just found out that, I can't see you cry! Hey, come here! I love you, Karin! And I bet, we still have a hell of a lot of time to "play doctors" ... just you and me! You're not gonna pass it crying, aren't you?
The Karin unease has turned into pain. She is aware that, if she tries to ignore it, it will be worse. So, it is far better to deal with it right away. Karin is in need of share with Aethyta, trying to overcome it together, to get some solace ... to find the strength. Karin wipes her eyes with the cuff of her dress, while her voice trembles, precariously in balance with the emotion, as she says ...
K: No, of course not, but ... oh Thyta! I'm really trying to! For months I sought a solution to get Shepard awake, but ... aw hell I ... I can't do this! I feel completely out of my depth trying! ... Shepard can feel Liara, she responds to some stimulation. Proof of this lies in the fact that, her heart speeds up, sometimes goes crazy, totally off the charts ... but, I don't see how that could ever be enough! In this way, Shepard cannot come back!
So, the night I wake up, and I study the whole database again and again. I do simulations, I try any experimental drug, but ... I find no solution! Apart from a purely theoretical concept that I'm analyzing! ... However, there's no guarantee! There is no evidence that it works, and the practical application is virtually impossible! Not to mention the damn experimentation risks. To the point that, if I'm wrong, Shepard will die!
So, I can't help but think that, soon I'll lose you, and ... I'm going crazy! I love you, Aethyta! As I never loved in my whole life! I dare not think about the giant hole in my heart if ... if you walk away!
Aethyta can control her own emotions if she wants, thanks to her extraordinary mental abilities. She has decided that she does not want to cry. It would just make everything more complicated and painful for Karin.
Aethyta does not even want that Karin to know, how much she feels tormented with the idea of leave her alone, and ... how much she wants to stay! Even Aethyta feels to have an ice knife stuck in the middle of the heart. Every breath she takes, more hurt it makes.
She knows she will have to stop lying to herself, sooner or later! She is hoping that Shepard wakes up, for months! But, it is pointless to pretend otherwise ... when the time comes, she will do what she has to do! However, inside her ... Aethyta only want to stay!
Aethyta tightens Karin stronger, seeking her gaze, stroking her lips ... whispering sweetly in a breath of voice, with all of the love she knows ...
A: ssh, all right, you just hold on, Baby! This means that we must be ready for the worst, but even ... that we can be crazy enough to keep hoping! It's not your fault, my Love! So, please, don't cry anymore! I'm freaking sorry Karin! I was not going to hurt you! I know how much it hurts! It's making insanely hard for me too, but... I'm madly in love with you Karin, and this worth the price of any pain!
K: Oh, Thyta! If I could go back and choose again, I would make the same choice a thousand times, and then a thousand times more! You make me so happy ... no matter what!
A: Hell yeah, same here! Tonight I am here, Sugar! Tonight I love you madly, and that's I call "fucking will to live!" I wanna live with you, Karin ... until the last bloody, bloody breath!
K: Yeah! Until the last bloody breath I love you! Hug me tight, Sweetie! ... you'll have to hold me against you, all night long!
A: hmm, that sounds really hot, but ... may I even kiss you?
K: Oh, you ninny! Clear you can, and … you have to!
To be Continue ...