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 29

With no reason to hate!

(one last reason for faith!)

… Karin starts talking to Aethyta, with a delicate smile. She cannot hide a thread of emotion in her voice …

K: Oh, Thyta! You've such a sweet daughter! You know, when Liara remembers the most intimate moments with Shepard, and deeps, I feel like my heart burst out of tenderness! Well, I'd really want to run out and embrace her! I'd really want to hold her tight, with all my affection, and let her know, how much close I am!

Athyta gets up to reach Karin. Her eyes getting wet in secret, as soon as she looks at her. The love flames the Aethyta's inside, like a sweet fire able to warm all her soul. Karin is still back turned. She is standing, motionless, next the terminal. Aethyta approaches her mate, and wraps her waist with her own arms. She gently leans on Karin's back, looking for her neck. Aethyta touches it with their soft lips slightly-parted, as she closes her eyes. She sighs, as she feels Karin, who wraps her arms, and tilts her head, putting it on Aethyta's shoulder, gently, while they both float into the sweet tenderness of that embrace. Then, Aethyta makes a grimace with proud, exclaiming in a shiny tone ...

A: Oh yeah ... that's my Little Chick! Here is the best example of brain, charm, and quad, all in the same amazing creature! You know, Little Nugget, I can't even describe, how much I want to hug her, too! Holy Tits! I'm so proud of her, Karin! I love her, beyond all fucking limit, and... well, I really hope, one day, I'll get the chance to prove it to my daughter!

Perhaps, Aethyta's words did not mean "that thing," nevertheless, Karin feels the beating of her heart quickly reach a wild unbridled rhythm. Her stomach is suddenly upset with the feeling of losing the love of her life that is exploding both in her head, and soul. Every time the thought comes, she feels totally unprepared for. Karin feels a sharp pain spreading within every part of her body, like if she had been struck by the slap of a giant hand. Although her voice is sweet, reassuring, her scared look urgently needs of confidence. So, it runs to take refuge in the Aethyta's passionate eyes. Just a moment before talking, Karin realizes, she is going to answer with the precise words that, she had promised herself not to say ... anymore!

K: Aw, I'm sure you will!

Karin pauses quickly her words. All it takes is staying cool, to find the proper spirit, a good balance of her will over her fears. The Aethyta's love can revitalize the mood of Karin, cleared away any fear. Karin follows her instincts able to guide her voice, as the power of her love ignites her gaze of light. She is really happy only when Aethyta is happy. All that she wants is looking at her who smiles. That is why, Karin can hide all her fear under the soothing tone of her words ...

K: Fear not, Sweetie, it's never too late! There are times in life, no matter how adult you are, you will always need a father! Liara's got a long life ahead of her, a fascinating future, and unknown! Your presence, your priceless support will be a precious commodity to her, my Love. I feel it deep down inside. You'll be a great father to Liara, Thyta ... from now on!

Aethyta puts her bright smile on Karin's lips. She kisses her in silence, very gently, until her gratitude leaves way to a heightened state of arousal ...

A: Hey, Little Bunny... hmm you're spoiling me, and you know that, don't you?! Oh, but please, Sugary, don't try to stop you because, I go crazy when you spoil me! You know, Babe, your confidence means a lot to me ... thanks! Anyway, I don't wanna look like a crybaby, or an old fucking moron drowned in a sea of saccharine, but... oh, to hell! I'm so sorry for the Legion! He was a pretty cool guy, with his pockets full of rattle noise, but with a true heart, with much more soul than many dick heads, and pancake butt, I can recall!

Karin wants to cry and laugh at the same time. She gently moves in the Aethyta's embrace. Her hands are looking for her lover. They stay silent for a moment, standing, facing each other. The fingers intertwine the fingers, gazes adoringly each other, their lips still seduced, with the same excited breath. Finally, they comfortably sit on the bed, wrapped one in the arms of the other, as Karin, with a breath of seduction in her voice, whispers ...

K: Yeah, you hit the nail on the head! You know, I'm pretty sad too. Poor Legion ... he was my friend! So, my "hot piece of cake", I'm afraid, we seriously need to brainstorm, if we want to get the evening straightened out.

Aethyta can barely hide her grimace of excitement, while her deep voice is becoming ever more seductive ...

A: So, well! How about hot stuff like ... sex, sex and sex ... and then, cuddles and cuddles, and finally, some more ... sex?!

Karin can barely handle the wave of chills seducing her skin, while her sweet voice becomes more and more intriguing ...

K: Hmm, actually, your plan sounds intriguing like hell! But, first ... you have to dance!

… The night of Liara is sleepless and dark, so long that it seems never to end! She clings tightly to her pillow, in the solace of the sheets. When she closes her eyes, she can feel like into the Shepard's reassuring warm embrace. She hopes all her anxiety gets swept away in a gust of wind. She wants to be falling asleep, not to think about tomorrow, but... she cannot do it! She is consumed by anxiety impossible to ignore. Every time Liara thinks back to Thessia, and all that horrible agony, she feels an unbearable physical pain! The slow, but inexorable torment of that day, completely takes her breath away. Whenever Liara thinks that, tomorrow she will need to find the strength to relive the Thessia's nightmare with Shepard, the chills run on the skin, her heart starts to ache!

Liara knows how difficult and painful for both of them it will be. She is scared about because her wounds are still open, and she is wondering if they will never stop bleeding. However, she is aware that, recalling that day can help Shepard to come back. So, Liara tries to get some comfort, thinking that tomorrow, she will be able even to perceive the deepest side of Shepard, back inside her. They both will be closely connected to their most intimate memories as a single soul. This seductive thought makes it possible for Liara's mind to escape the pain. So, she lingers in some beautiful memories, and pleasant, which belong only to them. Those moments so important and unforgettable, to be infused in the silent dark of the night, the strength and all the courage that Liara immensely needs!

Finally, the frightening darkness that is still creeping in Liara thoughts dilutes in the morning light. The painful discomfort, which heavy on her heart fades away. She has to get up in a hurry, to face that terrible day, she must do it immediately, and with determination! No matter how it hurts! Liara repeats herself, she can do it because, she is not alone!

... Liara sits next to Shepard, emphatically squeezing her hand. She keeps the Shepard hand jealously guarded into her own, not saying a word, as her heart starts beating like a drum, once again. So, she takes a big breath, trying to control her voice as best it can. She knows full well that Shepard already guessed ...

L: Once we came nearby my home planet, I was stabbed in the middle of my heart, by the harsh reality, like an ice knife. Eventually, the Reapers arrived on Thessia! The moment that I always dreaded had come! No one had been able to avoid it ... I hadn't been able to! I felt my heart burst in my chest, beating in my throat, hammering in my head. After the Earth, Palaven, Tuchanka and the battle on Rannoch ... it was the turn of Thessia! My house ... my people ... we were put to fire and sword!

Just one certainty inside. You'd never leave me alone in such a terrible time! As we were walking to the Hangar, you came closer, guiding my gaze firmly in your eyes full of light. Your voice was soothing, determined, and tenacious. As if by some miracle, it ripped me away from my anguish ...

S: Hey, calm down! You've to stay quiet, you heard me?! No panic, Liara, stay sharp! ... Whatever happens, you're not alone! Remember, I'll be there, beside you, all along, and I won't leave you alone! I love you, Little One! We gonna stop them, Liara, in the usual way! If you hang in there long enough ... everything will be okay!

You wrapped me with your conviction, like the warmth of a soft blanket, near the fireplace fire, so heartening. An immediate relief pervaded me. My tone became stubborn, the sweet, but determined voice, as I said ...

L: Yeah, we will! I love you so much, Emy! And ... I couldn't get through this, without you! So, you stay by my side, and don't worry because, I'll never give up! Let's go!

… In the black sky above Thessia, the Reapers seemed to me bigger and bigger, invincible. They were landing in forces, determined to annihilate the all of us, with no reason to hate! They were sweeping away my people, with no mercy, no way out! You felt my thoughts within your heart, like a scream. You knew so well the kind of torment I was facing in my soul. You had already suffered the same despair, on your homeworld! So, you just wanted to protect me from your same pain!

S: Don't worry, we are about to find the Catalyst, and we'll save Thessia!

I wanted to believe you, but ... there was too much love in your voice! Nevertheless, I clung my heart to your words, with all the strength of my despair, trying to turn your words in my conviction ...

L: I hope you're right!

… I just couldn't hold myself focused! The sight of my planet, so cruel and senseless was beating on me! Just once in my life I felt something more awful and intense, before. When ... you were dead, and ... it lasted two years! I was obsessed it was too late to stop them. I couldn't put a lid on my concern, as my dismay was spreading across!

The town was a nightmare! Our eyes scratched by nothing but desolate battlefields, scattered of rubble, burned. Everywhere explosions, and dead, and smoke. Just a dense black smoke that wrapped the cries, stifling my hope in the darkness, as I was struggling wildly, with all my might not to burst into tears ...

… The more we went ahead, the more my mood got worse. Nothing was as I remembered, and I couldn't get over it! Wherever I put my gaze, my own people were falling! We were pouring down, like unstoppable tears shed from desperate eyes, so grieving! The supremacy of the Reapers was crushing us, their brutal arrival, and ruthless left no way out! The Reapers were uprooting us, from our land, with the utmost indifference. They were falling down from the sky, to eradicate us, from our beloved home, like weeds from the ground. They were everywhere, totally indifferent to any prayer, or reason. With the cold insensitivity, they were determined to turn to dust any faint hope, and every fragile life, who bravely tried to stop them!

I kept looking at my planet burning down, and I felt as tore apart. Luckily, you had no intention to allow me to surrender! Your voice was like a shake, a firm grip that induced me not to give up, pushed me to react. I couldn't stop myself, I had to grab onto your conviction, with all my strength. I needed to hope, until the end!

… My anger grew step by step, turning into fury. So huge, so violent, so out of control that, I could face anything, and tear it down! We moved fast, made our way through a powerful suppressive fire. We were so determined to reach the Temple that nothing seemed able to stop us!

We went through the dozens of destroyed buildings. We climbed mountains of desolate ruins. We crossed galleries teeming with enemies, avoided fires. The smoke, and the smell of death, were endless. They were scattered everywhere, like an unbearable cloak which crawling in that hell, maliciously! The battle raged all around, as my people fell to the dozens ... hundreds, overwhelmed by an unstoppable river of death and pain!

The only thing that kept me from going crazy, losing my mind in that nightmare ... it was you! ... Oh, Shepard, only your Love that, I felt pulsing unbridled inside me, prevented me from losing my reason forever, into the fiery flames of Thessia!

… No pain from the shots I suffered, no sign of fatigue, no fear. Just anger inside me! A fierce and ravenous rage, which was devouring me from within, preventing me from falling. I was supported by the fury that made me move tirelessly toward to a single one destination, and vital!

Thanks to the courage of the lieutenant Kurin and her troops. To the specialist Cayla, to the last one soldier survived at the Outpost Tykis. Thanks to Taron one, to Taron five, and thanks to all those ones who sacrificed themselves to protect us, eventually, we managed to reach the Temple. I was bleeding inside! I just wanted, with all my heart that, so much sacrifice was not in vain!

... The Temple was so vast, and deserted, and silent. The scientists lying on the ground, just below the altar. Their gorges were brutally cut off!

All my life, I had believed my race was special, clever, and by its very nature evolved. Javik talked in his usual insensible tone, saying knife wounds instead of words. So, on a sudden, my Goddess wasn't a Goddess, and my people weren't the people I believed! Knowledge, power, influence! Unfortunately, what Javik was saying made more and more sense.

How gullible I'd been! I thought, the Asari were above the ordinary political interests, far from the usual dirty power plays. I believed my people were friendly, and selfless ... that our civilization arose from our own mind, certainly not thanks to the Prothean's elevation! Instead, all of our history seemed connected to a secret, with a bang! Some precious relics obtained who knows when, and who knows where. Something so jealously concealed, over the millennia, for no other purpose than selfishly benefit of the technological advantages that it kept, for our own gain!

I never felt so stupid in my whole life! I was deceived, betrayed, and left with a bleeding heart! I was ashamed of my species, but ... I felt too bad to accept it, yet! I was heart and soul hoping it wasn't true! However, the real truth was right there, just in front my eyes, hidden in plain sight, behind the altar of an ancient Goddess, but fake!

My people had disguised the presence of a Prothean artifact just in front of an altar of the faith! They did all this not to share the content with anyone, to gain some benefits! It was really humiliating to know! Humiliating and unforgivable! Suddenly, the legendary "Asari Civilization" was crumbling under my feet, into a thousand pieces. It was crashing noisily to the ground, along with the giant statue of a false goddess!

… When the sparkling sphere of energy began to speak in a graspable language, we were astonished. In a blink of an eye, our hope of survival reached a spike of optimism! We had some questions in urgent need to be answered, and no intention to lose such an opportunity!

However, according to the "bright spark" revealed by the Prothean VI, our only option was annihilation! We couldn't agree with such unacceptable plan! We knew far too well, how critical the situation was. However, the successful completion of the Crucible was too close, to give up! We had no intention to accept our role of victims, and we desperately wanted to escape our destiny! No one was allowed to tell us to surrender, without fighting ... not even Vendetta!

S: Then, we'll be the first. Tell us what the Catalyst is!

… When the VI detected indoctrination presence, someone we did not expect to meet was entering the Temple! Cerberus sent his vilest henchman to take over our data! The Illusive Man's delusional exaltation made you both angry and shivering! He was raving, trying to convince you to help him, getting the Reapers control.

You've tried in every way to tear that mad man away from his own insanity, but in vain! There was an unbridgeable gap between the Illusive Man and us. He seemed to be lost forever! When you realized, you couldn't convince him to desist from his foolish intentions, your bitterness mingled in the contempt, the anger turned into mercy. Your debt of gratitude grew into disappointment, your frustration in deep grudge. There was nothing else to do, but putting an end to your connection with him, once and for all, in the only possible way!

S: You're either with me or against me. There's nothing gray about that!

… That infernal snake was preparing to fight! We had a score to settle, and we were waiting for! When his powerful barrier began to yield, Kai-Leng realized that, sooner or later, our combined approach would take him out. So, he had planned to draw you out first. Leng kept one move ahead, and he plunged his sword on the floor, as he was jumping in a flash toward me, screaming!

He caught me off guard, like an unskilled dumb! I didn't even have time to react. Leng swooped down and threw me up against Javik, who was quite far away. I hit on him so hard way that, we both fell down the ground ... very painfully!

Kai-Leng ordered the Gunship fire on the Temple's supports. He used me, to lure you into a trap, by getting you were on the shooting line of the Gunship. You started running immediately, but it was already too late, saving yourself, virtually impossible! Missiles crumbled the columns, you were very close. The wave from the blast threw you into the air, with violence. The floor was crumbling all around your feet, while the columns were disintegrating, one by one, everything precipitating in the underground.

You rolled, jumping like a cat, in the desperate attempt to avoid the chasm, which was swallowing you up, but in vain! The floor of the Temple no longer existed, all around you. When I saw you fall down, my heart stopped! - "Shepard!" - ... I heard my scream into your mind. I was immediately imbued with the power of your promise that was resounding, tireless and everywhere, bouncing in your thoughts, and all around myself. - "I love you, I love you ... I swear, never again!" - ... I felt your muscles painfully contracted, all your strength gathered in your hands, all your faith wildly clung to your love for me! Then, a peremptory word, from your anger to my anger. - "Get him! C'mon, put that damn bastard it down! Hurry up, Liara, go!" - My cry of pain was so acute that, it ripped you out of our connection straight away.

For a long moment, I ran out of my breath, frozen in terror! Until, I saw your honey color hair that climbed up from the crater on the floor. That's when I realized the pain I've felt was my own! I was stunned, confused, and I couldn't move. My left shoulder badly beaten from the fall. All over my body sharp pain prevented me to walk. I was struggling with myself, to not pass out. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get up! I was totally helpless, so powerless. I could only look at Kai-Leng, who seized our data. I couldn't keep Leng from causing another collapse. All I could do was stand there, helpless once again, watching you while you were falling!

My whole life was suspended in midair less than a hair's breadth from my grief. My destiny desperately bonded to your fate, once again! You were hanging in the void, still hovering over the edge of that abyss. Just the four fingers kept grabbing you to your life. You were struggling, with all your strength, not to let you drop down! I felt your presence explode inside me back, with all the power of your Love. The intensity of that invincible promise was caressing my skin, tenderly. It deeply ran through myself, in every meander of my soul, echoing. - "Never again, I swear, never again!" - Your strength was nourishing mine, it filled my resolve! ... I couldn't watch you die. I didn't want to ... never more! - "Oh, please, my Love, hang in there!" -

This time, I could help you, and I wanted to! I had to react, whatever the cost. I wanted to find the strength to get up, to run, to reach you! For once, I had to be on time, no matter what, or ... or I had to hold you tight, while we both were falling down into the void, bonded together with the same heavy fate! My terrible fear of losing you again gave me the strength! So, I simply stopped listening at my pain. Finally, no wound could stop me, no more. I got back on my feet, screaming your name! I quickly reached the edge, and I threw myself towards you, leaning out as much I could ...

L: Shepard! Hang on!

I held you firmly, with superhuman energy, I never had before! I couldn't explain how, but I was holding you in my arms, and ... Goddess! I couldn't let you go! You were clinging in my arms, with all your last strength, hanging on to me, and crushing, and climbing on my body. Unfortunately, when you managed to rise, Leng was already out of range. He was running away aboard a shuttle, into the Thessia's leaden sky!

The huge Reapers obscured the sun. They went down inexorably, and swept away our last defenses, our last hope. Comm signals cried in horrible ways, getting our impotence dilate. The heaviness of our defeat exaggerated in our helplessness!

L: Oh, my Goddess, why?! How can they do that with ... with no reason to hate?!

… I was reaching for your eyes on Thessia, but you ran away from me, eluding every glance. You didn't say a word! We both were soul wounded! I felt like if the frost paralyzed my heart. The ice, invading every painful thought, so hurting. We were sitting in there in silence, for all the way back. I felt your guilt heavy, spread all around my grief, and your pain merged deeply into my own, nourishing it. I wanted to talk to you, but whatever I tried to say did immediately suffocate in my throat.

… The last person you wanted to see was Tevos! You had not even the courage to put the comm on. You were waiting, abandoned against that wall. Your arm resting on the partition, your eyes painted with darkness. You were broken inside, and you felt like a knot around your throat. You struggled hard against your tears in balance on your obstinacy that barely fought them back. The time resounded endless in the communicator's cry, which bounced tirelessly against the walls of the room. Its echo was cutting your soul like a damn blade. It took a lot of trouble, to find the spirit to answer ...

S: Councilor ... the mission ...

You told her everything. You ripped out every single word from your heart, and you got in return a deep soul wound. As long as, the words got a voice, all your wounds began to bleed, profusely, as you felt like your soul was screaming. The term "defeat" was which hurt you the most!

… For a fleeting moment, I met your gaze, in the War Room. Your eyes had the color of defeat, but your feelings hadn't changed, and ... not even mine! Your guilt trip was blazing into the fire of my torment, and now more than ever, I felt bonded to you. We both were burning with pain together, like we were merged in the same flame.

… After the briefing, I went looking for Javik. I couldn't bear his high and mighty attitude a second longer. There was so much anger in my veins, and disappointment, and shame! Suddenly, I felt like the dumbest person of my species! Javik never missed an opportunity to be blowhard, he made me feel like a moron! The Protheans turned out to be a species of imperialist, generally ruthless colonizers! Javik wanted everyone to know that, he considered all the other races like inferior beings. He really was the last "shining example," and insolent of his own species!

All of a sudden, I was feeling the disappointment growing within me. I've spent 50 years of my youth, studying a race, with such behaviors and attitudes, so controversial towards the other races, who sometimes sounded nothing less than despicable! Javik knew some things about my species important enough to get the outcome of our mission changed, but ... he didn't say anything! I felt like I would never forgive him for that!

I burst in his cabin, screaming. My body protected into a blue cover, my hands, ready to throw energy spheres. I was furious. I felt like I might explode in a terrible storm able to slash the Javik's cabin in two halves.

L: You! You arrogant, overbearing, and self-important specimen of your race! You perfectly knew the meaning of the Temple artifacts. Maybe, you also took part in a number of so-called "elevation" missions, didn't you?! Oh, but you couldn't help but feel like the best in the Galaxy! Of course, your precious breath didn't even worth a shred of reply to some simple requests, regarding crucial issues!

I wonder why you "enlightened mind" have never considered, how important could it've been for us, to know any precious details about my people's elevation?! For example, the religious pretext, able to handle some findings such as the beacon on Thessia in a more efficient way!

Javik kept turning his shoulders, entirely unsympathetic, like if he did not even hear me. Until, his haughty tone of voice set my rage on fire ...

J: Stop whining Asari! Do you think you defeat the Reapers with tears!?

L: Ah, of course not! But, for sure, it'd be a lot easier, we pull that off thanks to your goddamn arrogance! Anyway, if you don't like this cycle, Javik, don't worry! You know, we might be even least developed than you, but I tell you, our stasis pods are perfectly efficient. All you have to do is ask! I'll provide you personally with a new and perfectly functioning one. So, we'll remove our trivial stupidity from your presence, and we'll get rid of your arrogance for at least another 50,000 years, all at the same time!

Suddenly, your voice pierced the room like a shot, wrapping my wrath of tenderness. Gradually, your endorsement softened my voice, it stopped my hand, got my anger faded away. Until, I felt my contempt turned into compassion.

… I was running back to my cabin, as my torment inside was going through the roof a second at a time. My urge to cry was unbridled. I felt tears spilling out of my eyelashes, out of control, while sighs were about to explode in my throat. I locked the door just in time, before I burst into tears, like the river overflows its banks.

I fell on my bed, and I let myself go, easy prey of my despair. After a few minutes, the buzzer started ringing, but I wanted to be alone. I didn't want to speak to anyone. So, I let it buzz, as long as, the EDI's voice got startled me ...

E: Liara, please sorry! I didn't want to be forced to break into communications, but we need to talk, urgently! I apologize, I infringed your personal privacy, but I am very ... worried. This is about Shepard!

EDI's voice was moderate and measured, but some sort of subtle undertone of anxiety could be guessed. I was both surprised and alarmed, and my tension got me immediately stopped my tears.

L: Shepard!? ... EDI, what does it mean?

EDI spoke gently, as if she had the purpose to reassure me, and at the same time, she was trying to comfort me ...

E: My scanning reports of Shepard's armor during the mission detected stress levels really alarming, Liara. Greater than those of the Skillian assault, even major than those on Elisyum! You know, my findings had never been as out of range as today, in no other mission, not even on the Collectors Base. Actually, I suppose this was far more than a mission for Shepard. So, she is feeling really guilty about not saving your home planet, your people, and ... well, that's hurting her! You know, when Shepard wears her armor, I constantly get under control the bio-metric conditions of her body, and ... when Kai-Leng hit you ...

EDI paused, while I felt like if the whole universe suspended in the air was about to crumble into a thousand pieces. In the room the silence was both unbearable and deafening, and sharp as a razor. Finally, she said ...

E: Well, she must love you so much, Liara! You know, there was not a single bio-metric value, not meaningfully altered. I'm not very good at matters of the heart, yet. I just thought, you needed to know! Maybe, it might help you both to overcome with this pain. Come on, Liara, you've to stay strong because ... I'm sure even Shepard needs you!

The words of EDI, such a display of friendship brought a wave of positivity. For a moment, I even had the feeling to feel better!

L: Oh, EDI! Thank you for saying that, my friend! I can feel inside how much Shepard needs me, believe me, and ... you know, I need her so much! But, don't worry, I'm very close to her, and she can feel that. None of us is alone in all of this!

E: Oh, I see. That's good for both of you. I glad to know.

EDI's tone became dark, pretty confused ...

E: Liara, I'm so... sorry for Thessia!

The fate of Thessia had been killing me, so I took it out with EDI ...

L: Oh EDI, how many lies! If at least, I had known about the beacon! Perhaps, the Council would listen to us! Maybe, Shepard didn't have to spend six months in jail! And, who knows ... maybe, we could have finished the Crucible years ago, and today, we should not see the destruction of all our planets, helplessly! Oh, Goddess! My mother knew it, can you believe?! She ... she knew the truth about the Temple! But, how the hell did she know about the beacon?! Oh, why?! Why didn't she never speak me about that?!

Soon, other tears began to press hard on my discomfort, becoming more and more difficult to suffocate. EDI's voice was sweet and peaceful, once again. In spite of everything, EDI's words sounded like plausible. I got a new perspective that, incredibly, made me feel like I could love my mom even more than I did ...

E: Information to theorize are insufficient! However, my projection of possible scenario shows as foreseeable that, after hiding the beacon for millennia, to reveal its presence, it would be backfired badly to your species, and cause for contempt. Most likely, the Asari would've run out of their political authority, and they would draw many enemies in the whole galaxy. In addition, you should consider that, the subtraction of Prothean's technology is severely punished in the Council space. So, it's highly likely that, your mother just wanted to protect you, as well as, she was trying to protect your species.

… Shepard is still, between her bed clothes, her eyes are closed, her expression is peaceful, as if asleep. Liara feels an intense need to dip in the Shepard's senses, an urge to feel her inside, to mix their emotions, to take comfort in each other. She gently holds in Shepard's hands, wrapping their bodies with a vivid blue halo. Liara's heart slows, the breath becomes deep, then, her eyes embrace the eternity.

… Aethyta has been silent for a long time, in Karin's room. She was motionless, lying on the bed, closed eyes, next to Karin, hand in hand. Aethyta's fingers twisted through the Karin's confidence, her soul tangled in the sweet solace of Karin. Aethyta did witness every word with emotion, reliving each moment together with Liara, in a vortex of emotions. Pain and consternation turned into anger and dismay.

From time to time, a silent tear, escaped from Aethyta's eye, then from the other one ... a few times from both her eyes. She has listened, speechless, dragged herself through the darkness of the memories. She has been carried away, into a dark river of sadness, where she inevitably was absorbed.

As soon as Liara begins the mental merge, Karin is approaching her lips to Aethyta's hand, gently touching it. Her voice is very attentive, as she tries to smile ...

K: I'm so sorry, Sweetie! I know how bad it is! Hey, why don't you come here ... in my arms?!

Liara's mood ran over even through the Aethyta, who feels lost. She is still looking for a safe path through the darkness. A refuge able to shed some light, to start walking, to find her way home. Aethyta approaches Karin in silence, hugs her. She seeks her lips, as she leans on Karin's cheek, abandoning herself completely to her love. Aethyta tries to hide her suffering tone, but it is difficult, most and more.

A: Thanks, Sugary, I love you so much! ... Shit! It was horrible! My poor little kid! She had to find a shit load, all at once, and in a fucking hell!

Karin hugs back. Aethyta feels warmed by the heat of her feelings, caressed by the softness of her voice ...

K: Oh, I know! That day, I was there! We all were in despair! Liara was upset, and Shepard ... well, she was crushed! Joker called me. He told me about the armor scanning report. You know, the extremely high levels of stress were pretty normal for Shepard, because she never had "ordinary missions"! So, as her doctor, I used to observing very often her values out of range. However, that day it was different! Shepard's vital values could kill any other human being, instantly. But, in spite of that, her body did seem like she was in great shape!

Anyway, I must admit that, I was very concerned about! That's why I told Joker that, I was gonna go to check on Shepard right away. But, he did start sniggering, exclaiming, -"Check on her?! Oh ooh, you can forget about it, Doc! You know, she's just gone to Liara. Since the poor girl feels even worse about that, they'll put their noses out of that cabin who knows when! Do you know what Shep told me, when I pointed out to her the EDI's reports?! - "Don't worry about me Joker. I'm fine. I'm just in love, that's all!" ... Oh, well, poor Joker! You know, he cared of Shepard, too!

Then, Karin asked the only thing that Aethyta never would have wanted to reply ...

K: By the by, tell me about you, Sweetie ... perhaps were you there that day?

Aethyta lingers for a moment. She withholds the answer within, while a part of her wants to get away. Aethyta's mind quickly goes opt for a number of possible options, while her stomach begins to hurt. She feels the heart suddenly jumping into her throat. It starts beating like a drum, as if Aethyta's chest was not big and strong enough, to keep it in. Suddenly, the fear comes, like a storm wave, able to shake Aethyta, through and through, before leaving her alone in the grip of her confusion.

The Karin's loving gaze is awaiting with a hint of concern. As she looks at Aethyta, a deep sense of empathy is softening on Karin's face. The presence of Karin produces a great joy in Aethyta that can explode, and makes her burn like a fire. Aethyta is deeply in love with Karin, and overflowing with emotion. She can feel the love of Karin, growing in every cell, to travel in every sensation. It is a simple question, but with a reply pretty darned complicated. However, Aethyta cannot lie ... she won't! Her voice becomes steady, innocent. She is conscious that, the time to tell the truth has come...

A: No, I wasn't there! Thanks to the Goddess, I was already gone away! ... Actually, after the Cerberus attack at the Citadel, I came back on Thessia. You know, I stayed there for a while because, I did stick around the Temple. There were some stuffs urged to be verified. Anyway, I didn't stay long. So, when those bastards attacked Thessia, I was on Illium!

Karin cannot hold the gasp of astonishment. She touches lightly the face of Aethyta, eye to eye. Aethyta would like to hide her embarrassment, to be run away from the veil of reproof in the Karin's gaze, but instead... she cannot do. The Karin's tone of voice sounds like a bitter rebuke, as she says ...

K: Hey, wait a moment! What does it mean you had to "stick around" the Temple, Thyta?! What the hell were you doing in there?!

Aethyta feels her own heart beating in her neck, all her veins get pulse. She feels invaded by inexorable fear. The last thing she wants is to hurt Karin. Aethyta takes the hands of Karin, and kisses them tenderly, with closed eyes. When she looks up, the curiosity of her mate melts together the dark of her eyes. Aethyta's voice is like a sweet whisper ...

A: Well, I needed to check the security seals! ... You know, Little Nugget, I suppose, it's time to tell you, who I really am! Come here, let's sit down. You know, it's a long story!

to be continued ...