Shepard Stories

by Da Foaming Dragon

These stories are just fragments of Jonathan Shepard life through the first three games and his life afterwards. These stories will also be of his family. What lies ahead for him, his lover and his children? The stories are in chronological order, and one will explain another whether it's next or further down the line. Shepard Stories is currently being edited.

26. Defiant

Shepard Stories II - Chapter 26: Defiant

Main Characters: Shepard, Liara and their daughter Anna

Armali, Thessia. T'Soni-Shepard Estate

Shepard stormed through the front door as his daughters went upstairs. He walked over to Liara and said "You need to have that motherly talk with them."

Liara grimaced "Now? Why?"

Shepard grunted "Yes, now and you know why."

Liara blinked several times then said "My mother never had that talk with me. I don't even know what to say!"

Shepard placed his hands on his hips as he said "Well, YOU told her that she could date this guy. So, figure it out and fast." Then waved his hand toward the stairs.

Liara quickly replied "No, I said she could go on a date. That doesn't mean anything."

He pointed to the stairs "GOOOOO!"

She huffed then looked at her omni-tool when she heard Benezia call her "Hey, mom do you think Mili can sign up for sports?"

She tapped at her omni-tool and responded "I don't see why not. She does technically live here." She looked over at her bondmate who was glaring at her then she groaned "I'm heading up I need to talk to you all about something."

As she walked up stairs Shepard was talking to her in her mind

(You tell them that those boys need to wrap up their shit too.) Shepard snipped

She stopped in the hallway outside her daughter's bedroom as she made a face then replied

(What does that mean exactly Jon?)

(Their junk…)

(What?)

(Their penis Liara.)

(I don't know what you mean by wrap it up. You didn't wrap yours for me.) replied Liara

(Ummmm… you're right I didn't. I wasn't a slutty whore bag either. It's for protection, not a present.)

(Lovey, it's 2215 we're not in the dark ages here. We have cures for just about everything that's out there.)

(Just about everything, not everything. Men can be some nasty asses, Liara. Nasty disease-ridden asses. I've heard of some horror stories of the sexually contracted nastiness. Then the doctor has to take a look at your swollen disease mutated—)

(Gross please don't tell me. Yes, I've heard of stories. I remember my roommate in college who got something now that you mention that. I thought it was a gym fungus that we were all cautious about, but she did sleep around a lot!)

(What about the Normandy? Hmmmm? Who brought the scale-itch on it, huh?)

(Well, it wasn't me, or you would have known. I've always been disease-free, thank you very much! Besides, that disease is carried by varren… Ewww that's just nasty!)

(So have I, my lovely blue lady. Like I said men are nasty…. I'm assuming women can be too.)

-/

All four girls had just been staring at Liara for the last five minutes just standing in the hallway outside the door. They looked at each other, then Anna whispered, "She must be having a conversation with dad."

"That always just looks weird especially when she's making facial expressions and moving her hands, but nothing comes out of her mouth." responded Milizkia

Liara turned toward the girls then walked into the room. She looked over at Riley and said, "Ry, I need to speak to these three privately if you would please head out and shut the door behind you."

Riley looked at her sisters, and her cousin then got up from the bed "Yes, ma'am." She walked out and went downstairs.

Liara grabbed Anna's desk chair and rolled it over to them. She sat down and before she said anything she looked around "Goddess Anna, your room is… disgusting."

Benezia just erupted in laughter, "I told you!"

Liara brought the back of her hand to her nose, then said, "What is that horrendous smell?"

The girls started laughing, "Umm, that was Anna before you came in here." Said Benezia

"Whatever it wasn't JUST me." Said Anna as she glared at her sister

Liara waved her hand in front of her face "Goodness… that's just awful."

"Oh, like you don't fart mom…" grumbled Anna as she rolled her eyes

"I didn't say I didn't Anna, but mine do NOT smell like that." Liara got up and walked over to Anna's dresser and pressed the scent activation unit. The unit sprayed out a deodorizer then Liara waved her hand around to spread the scent around. "Ok, that's somewhat better." She looked over at Milizkia. "Mili, you know you don't have to be confined to this room, right? There are several other rooms to choose from."

Milizkia laughed, "I know, I took the room down the hall across from the stairs a while ago."

"Oh, good." She rubbed her hands together slightly then said "Ok, so the reason I came up here was to talk about sex." she said then heard them all groan.

"Seriously, mom? We don't need to do this." said Anna

"Your dad said, human boys Mike's age, all they think about is sex, and well I want you to be prepared." Said Liara

"What does this have to do with Mili or me?" said Benezia

"Because… well, Mili is the eldest, and you're not far behind Anna." Said Liara then looked over at Mili "Mili, has Tevos or your mother talked to you about this?"

Milizkia shrugged slightly then said, "Not really. Mom talked about it sort of but not the process. We were on the topic of it before I left Omega. She said I was around that age and wondered if I've had sex yet. That's about it."

Liara gently rubbed her hands together then said "Ok… well, I just want to make sure you all know the process and the ramifications of what could happen if our process is done incorrectly. That's what I'm concerned about. The physical part ummm can be learned on your own as I did."

Anna rolled her eyes then said with irritation, "Mom, are we really doing this right now?"

Liara cocked her head, then said, "Yes, Annabelle!"

"It's sex, mom. How hard can it be? I mean… gawd you and dad do it practically every night." said Anna condescendingly.

Liara swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm an adult Anna, I can do whatever I want in my house and if I want to have sex every night with my bondmate then I will!"

Liara looked down then asked Shepard (Goddess babe have I been that loud?)

(No babe, we're just upstairs in the secondary master and they just happen to be closer than normal. I thought we were pretty normal in our quietness, but I guess we need to be quieter or move to the other master bedroom by the stairs.)

(Wouldn't matter… Mili is over by that one.)

Anna shook her head, "Whatever mom but the rest of us don't need to suffer through it." She started to mock her mother "Ooooh goddess Jon—"

Liara eyes widened "Anna, I'm not that loud. Maybe you shouldn't linger around my door after we go to bed."

"Yea yea... it's bad enough we've had to listen to auntie Miri, and uncle Alex have sex now it's you two." mumbled Anna

Liara took a breath "Ok, so tell me if you were alone with this guy, who let's say you really like, and he starts touching you sexually, and your sexual aura ignites. What do you do? What are the consequences of not releasing it?"

Anna shrugged as she shook her head "I'm sure I can just look it up on the extranet. I don't need you to walk me through this."

Liara glared at her, "I'm not talking about porn, Anna!"

Benezia and Mili snickered

Anna's eyes widened as she turned a slightly darker shade "I wasn't referring to porn, mom!"

Liara rolled her eyes "Right… and the extranet is going to walk you through the asari process? I'm assuming you've already looked into the physical process."

"Will you stop! I don't need this, and I sure as shit don't need you! Will you just get out!" Anna said smugly as she crossed her arms

Liara's eyes dropped as she sighed then clenched her fist slightly "Fine, Miss Know It All. You don't want me to tell you then I won't. I'll let you learn the hard way. You obviously Don't Need Me!" She snipped then walked out of the room.

"Anna, that was an ass thing to do. Ya know… You take your mother for granted…" said Milizkia with irritation as she got up from the bed. Benezia just shook her head at her sister then got up as well, and they both left.

Milizkia looked up and saw her aunt walking toward the stairs, and she called out to her. "Auntie Liara?"

Liara took a breath then turned, "Yes, sweetie?"

Milizkia looked down as she rubbed her hands together then said "Ummm I wouldn't mind knowing the process. I mean… you don't have to—"

"No, no, I'll tell you if you want to know." she looked over at her daughter, "Do you?"

Benezia shrugged "Sure, why not. Let's get it over with."

Liara smirked, "Goodness, Nezzie, you make it sound like a prison sentence."

-/

Anna walked out of her room about an hour later and walked over to Benezia's room. She knocked on the door, and when there was no answer, she knocked again, then opened the door. "B?"

She walked down to Mili's room and knocked on her door. "Mil?" She knocked again then opened the door, and it was empty as well. She walked downstairs to an empty room until she saw a commando standing at her post, "Hey Sanava, where's everyone at?"

"Gwyn is in her room from the last time I heard, and everyone else is outside." replied Sanava

Anna walked outside and over to her dad and youngest sister playing with the varren "Hey Dad?"

"Yea?"

"Where's Mom?"

"Why? I thought you didn't need her." He said in a bitter tone. Her youngest sister looked at her then shook her head and continued to play with the varren.

"Dad… I—"

"Anna, I don't want to hear it. You won't understand until the day comes when you'll want or need her, and she's not around to give you what you want. Then you'll think back on the day you said you didn't need her. Because it's not like your mother didn't just save you a few weeks ago from some shit ass mountain while she couldn't save your sister from being shredded and traumatized! Who by the way, is now helping her cope with her nightmares almost every night." He snipped

"Dad, that's not what—"

"And I told you I didn't want to hear it!" He snarled

"Well… she won't answer me…"

"Well… maybe she doesn't want to talk to you. Ever thought about that?" snipped Shepard.

She rolled her eyes, "Ugh… whatever…"

—/

Liara, Milizkia, and Benezia were strolling the perimeter of the T'Soni-Shepard property discussing sexual melds and whatnot. Milizkia laughed gently, then said, "Wow… I know my mom would have never explained it the way you did. Sooo, I didn't realize that those are what those are but good to know."

"But know that you can't activate your own erogenous zones… someone else has to. Well, …those particular ones anyway. Those are the ones that can spark a sexual meld." Said Liara

Benezia scrunched her face, "Mom… umm so is that why I like my crest massaged?"

Liara laughed, "No, you silly. It's the crevices in between that are zones not on top."

"Oooh. So, the other day when we were in a meld. It's like that but different?" asked Benezia

"Well, yes, once you get there, yes. Then like I said you'll release and then you go back just as you do in a regular meld. But don't ever abruptly leave." Replied Liara

"But how do you know when to go into your meld and when to leave?" Said Milizkia

"That part is… difficult to explain. You just know when to go into your meld, and your body just knows when to release and then you exit. Just know that you don't need a physical release to have a sexual meld release those are two different things, but they're normally done at the same time."

Milizkia nodded then said, "Yea mom covered that."

"Mili, I'm assuming you've done melds before?"

"Ummm… yessss?" she said as she cocked her head and squinted an eye

Liara stopped walking and looked at her "You took a moment to say that. Has your mother never done melds with you?"

"Auntie… mom doesn't do well with gentle guidance. She's so used to being a dictator that either you get what she's telling you or you don't. If you know what I mean..."

"I do. We can work on that if you like."

Benezia smirked "Well, get ready for her to "help" you file away all your thoughts and memories."

Liara huffed as she placed her hands on her hips, then said, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing mom. You just tend to be OCD about certain things. Our minds being one of them."

"Well, your minds shouldn't be cluttered Nez. When they're clutter-free, it's easier for thought processes and biotics to flow. It's easier to do information melds and other things when it's clutter-free in there."

"Really? Well, mom didn't say it like that, but she did say "clean your shit up" I guess that's what she meant, but she didn't say how." Said Milizkia

"We will go over how. Any other questions?"

"You covered a lot, but I don't think so. If I do, can I come ask you?" Said Milizkia

"Of course. If there's something on your mind, don't be afraid to come ask me." Replied Liara

She smiled, "Ok thanks." Milizkia looked down, then said, "Sooooo...can I ask a personal question?"

"What's that?" replied Liara

"Is sex as pleasurable as you make it sound?"

(Wow… did she just really ask that?) said Shepard

(Yes, she did.)

Liara turned a darker shade of blue. "Umm…wow…ok… ummmm... from my own very minimal personal experience, yes, it is. But that's me, and yours might be different. I've heard first times are not always the best experiences, but I thought mine was. Not every male is the same or species or gender. Just because my sweet loving man was very compassionate, gentle, loving, and very patient with me the first time and several times after that, but that doesn't mean your partners will be. Your mom and Miranda might have something completely different to say."

"Hmmm, I can't ask my mom stuff like this. She doesn't know how to do "mom" stuff. Miranda, on the other hand, does but I don't know if she'd talk to me about that kind of stuff." replied Milizkia

"Don't underestimate your mother. She may put on a show for everyone, but I know she can't be harsh all the time, especially at home. If you ask Miranda, I bet she'll tell you a few stories."

Milizkia kicked the grass in front of her "Yea…."

Liara looked at her niece kicking the grass. "You were pretty mean to your mother the other day."

Milizkia rubbed the back of her neck "Yea I know… I was right though. She'll never put me or anything else before Omega." She sighed "That's just who she is, and I'll never understand it. That place is disgusting, and I don't know why she wants to rule it so badly."

"I agree, it is disgusting, and I don't know her logic behind it. It doesn't change the fact that she's your mother and always will be." replied Liara

Milizkia nodded, "Yea... I know, and I love her. I should probably call her. I haven't talked to her since that day."

Liara smiled "Yes, you should, and I'm sure she misses you. I'm not sure of your relationship with your mother, but maybe you can tell her how you feel instead of saying I hate this or that. I'm sure there are things that your mother does for you that you are not aware of. She knows an extensive amount of information on subjects that I probably know nothing about, and she would be more helpful than I would be. I would highly suggest that you attempt to mend what happened because having a conversing relationship is better than nothing at all."

Milizkia looked down as she closed her eyes, then nodded, "You're right, and thank you."

Liara rubbed Mili's back as she smiled. "Good." She let out a breath, "Now ladies, I know Anna, and she'll be nosey and want to know what we talked about but don't tell her. If she wants to know, then she can come ask me. Oh, one last thing…Don't ever rush into sex just because people say to. You ladies have plenty of time for sex."

Benezia and Milizkia grunted and rolled their eyes.

"What? I'm just saying. We'll talk more about the consequences of it too…"

"Mom, you already covered that."

"Oh, yea.. Well, it's all fun and games until your vaginal orifice is inflamed—"

"Mom, we get it! You don't need to go through the STDs. Goodness… I'm already grossed out thinking about it. It's bad enough knowing that "things" get put in there or that watermelon size babies come out of it." said Benezia

Liara laughed gently when she said things. "Well… then I guess we're good for now."

-/

Anna looked out and saw them walking up to the house then walked over to them, "Hey…"

Milizkia and Benezia curled their lips at her, then walked by her and didn't say anything. Anna looked at them and huffed "Mil…? B…? Ughh…"

Liara walked by her as well, then her daughter said, "Mom?"

Liara stopped but didn't turn around. "Yes?"

Anna rubbed the side of her neck, "Nothing…"

Liara pinched her lips to the side, then just plainly responded with "Ok." Then walked back to the house.

Anna opened her mouth, closed it then looked down for a brief moment then back up to see her mother walking away.

Shepard looked at his wife (Babe… you, ok?)

(I was expecting an apology from her and I didn't get one. I'm highly irritated with her. She thinks she doesn't need me and that's fine. We'll see… about that. She also thinks she can just run her mouth without consequences. Can you please tell her that I don't want her new friend over here? She can do whatever she wants to do but not on our expense.)

(Ummm… Lia…)

(You heard me. Ohh and I'll need her very expensive omni tool and auxiliary piece. If she wants one, then there will be a basic Echo on the counter if she wants to use that one. If you could relay that for me…) She walked over to her bondmate and kissed him "Please my lovey. I love you." she said as she batted her eyes at him and pouted.

He sighed, "I love you too." He called out to his daughter, "Anna?"

"Yes, dad?" she said as she looked up and over at him.

"Come over here."

She walked over to him, "Yes, sir?"

"Ummm… your mom has just informed me that she doesn't want Mike to come over here and that you're free to do whatever you want but not at our expense." Said Shepard

Anna just stood there looking at him, "What the hell does that mean exactly?"

"However, you want to take it, Anna." He pointed to her omni tool "I need to take that. If you could remove it for me, please."

"What? Why?" she said as she took off her omni tool "I don't understand."

"Your mom said if you want an omni tool, then there's an ummm… Echo or something on the counter for you to use."

"An ECHO? That thing is shitty. What the hell?" she shrieked

He just shrugged. "I don't know Anna, that's what your mother said." He pointed to the side of her head. "Ummm, I need the auxiliary piece too."

"What the fuck dad?" she hissed

"Anna, watch your mouth!" he snarled

-/

Liara walked into the house then turned to her right-hand commando "Shay, Annabella is on basic restrictions." She said as the other girls in the house stepped closer as they listened in as to what was happening.

"Meaning what exactly ma'am?" replied Shandri

"Meaning, she gets everything a lower class asari would receive. She gets basic everything in this house from food to extranet services to her tv service in her room. Our chef will make her very basic dishes, and she will not receive anything we do, and she can launder her own clothes. She's free to leave, but the commandos will NOT shuttle her anywhere. She is no longer allowed in the recreation building. Her bank account has just been limited to a hundred credits. So, if she wants to go somewhere, then she can call a local service to come get her, but someone will follow her at a distance if she does leave." Replied Liara

Shandri pinched her brow markings "Yes ma'am. I'll relay the message."

Benezia snickered and mumbled to Mili "Serves her right."

They watched Anna storm into the house and shriek out, "Mom? What the fuck!"

"Annabelle, you will not talk to your mother like that!" said Shepard sternly

Liara raised a brow marking at her eldest daughter then walked to the living room and sat down.

Anna walked over to the kitchen bar countertop and grunted when she opened the box to the Echo. "I mean… what the fuck… this thing is a fucking brick. What a piece of shit!"

"Anna, your mouth!" hissed Shepard.

Gwyn walked over to her older sister and looked at the Echo. "Yea that thing isn't light at all. It has several more ounces on it. You'll have to—"

"Gwyn shut up!" Anna growled as she shoved her sister's head away with two fingers.

"Oww," Gwyn said as she rubbed her head then mumbled, "I was just trying to help."

"Gwynne come sit down love." said Liara gently

The girls softly laughed at Anna, getting agitated with the Echo. "I mean come on… seriously… Just work. Oh, my gawd it's soooo slow. This thing doesn't even have video call or chat to chat." She dug through the box. "It doesn't even have an auxiliary piece. How… what the fuck?" She hit the box, and it slid down the counter before she stormed up the stairs "Whatever!"

Liara looked up and watched her stomp across the catwalk then listened to her stomp all the way to her room. She waited a minute then looked at the girls and held out a hand, five…four…three…two…one. She smiled when she heard her yell.

"Mom! My tv isn't working correctly! MOM! Why aren't my channels working?... I'd use my chat to chat, but I DON'T HAVE ONE!" yelled Anna. She waited for an answer from her mother but didn't receive one then yelled again, "MOM!" She grunted then yelled, "DAD!"

Shepard rolled his eyes as he looked up toward the ceiling and yelled, "What Anna? You have messaging on your omni tool use that and stop yelling!"

Anna walked to the balcony, "Mom? When does our cleaning person come for laundry? I'm short on clean clothes." She looked down and waited for her mom to answer her, but she didn't. "Mom?...Mom?"

Shepard looked up as he let out a breath, "Anna, if you need something washed, then go wash it and leave your mother alone."

Anna scoffed "Ugh… What? What do you mean? I don't even—"

"Seriously Anna… You don't know how to wash your clothes?" Milizkia said harshly as she got up "I'll show—"

Liara quickly snapped her fingers at her and shook her head no.

"MOM! What…? What the FUCK!" screamed Anna

"ANNABELLE! I swear to Christ if you say "What the Fuck" at your mother one more time. I will take EVERYTHING away." yelled Shepard.

"Dad, I don't understand what I did. Why am I getting punished?" asked Anna

"Anna, if you don't know what you did then you deserve it." replied her father. He looked over at his wife, and he saw she had a big grin on her face.

Liara typed on her datapad then looked up at Anna, "Oh Anna?"

"What?" she snapped

Liara glared at her "Come down here and sign this." She waited for her to get all the way down the stairs then held out her datapad.

Anna walked over to her and grabbed the datapad, then said, "What's this?"

"Why don't you read it and find out." Sneered her mother

Anna read over the datapad and scrunched her face "What the… you're enrolling me in an all species public school? Why? I'm not going to school with those low life grunge bags. Hard pass!" She said as the other girls made faces at each other at the thought of public school.

"Yes, you are." replied her mother.

Anna looked over at her sisters "You guys are ok with this? Did you sign yours already?"

"Oh, this doesn't involve them, just you." Said Liara.

Anna pinched her brow markings as she huffed "Mom, If I go to public school, I'll lose my captain status on both Arena and Skyball! Not to mention my reputation."

Liara arched a brow marking "Oooh…. That's too bad. Now sign it."

"This is bullshit!" she snarled

"ANNABELLE! Your mouth!" snapped Shepard

Anna scribbled her name on the datapad angrily. Instead of handing the datapad back to her mother, she tossed it into the chair next to her. She turned to walk away, and Liara looked at her then over at her datapad. Liara snapped her fingers a few times then held out her hand "Excuse me? My datapad please."

"Yea? What about it?" snipped Anna

"Get it and hand it to me." She demanded

Anna walked closer to the stairs, "Nah, I think I'm good."

Liara glared at her "Annabelle, get your butt over here and pick up this datapad right now!"

"Or what mom, you'll take something else away? Oh wait, I'm sure you already have." She said smugly

Liara cocked her head at her as she stood up "You're right, now that you mention it, I have. Only the rules have just been changed. Get over here and pick up this datapad!" She growled as she stared down her daughter and pointed to the datapad.

Anna crossed her arms, "No!"

Liara's aura grew around her as she angrily clenched her fist next to her side. "Annabelle T'Soni-Shepard if you don't come pick up this datapad. So, help me—"

Anna smiled broadly, "You'll what? Squeeeeeeeeze the life from me?"

Liara took a deep breath then let her aura fade away then pointed to Shay, Kirre and Anra "You three follow me." She pointed to Genrie, "Grab some empty garbage receptacles and then head up to Anna's room."

Liara swiftly walked up and into her eldest daughter's room. "Ladies, grab all her clothes, and I mean ALL her clothes and put them into a receptacle. Take everything off her bed, take her tv, her datapad, and her laptop. Disable this door to be open at all times and take her dual pro power toothbrush. Shay have someone run to the closest Value Mart store and pick up a few sets of the shittest brand of clothing for my ungrateful daughter. The scratchiest most uncomfortable underwear they can find and a pair of god-awful shoes. Also, she needs a basic toothbrush, plain ol basic itchy ass sheets, hard-ass pillows, and a comforter."

"What size is she?" asked Shay

Liara quickly shrugged then said "I don't really care at the moment. Tell them to guess and if they don't fit then, oh well."

Shay frowned then looked around at the clothes in the room and relayed her size to her crew.

"Shay, everything is off-limits to her, and I mean everything. Tell Chef Jielle she gets three basic meals a day and water. That's it. No favorable snacks, no fruit, no juice, no dessert, no specialty anything. She can have a lovely MRE snack if she gets hungry. Can you have someone bring her those disgusting snacks in for me? Not only is the recreation room off-limits. So is the gym, the training facility, and the gun range. If she decides she wants to hit up the Armax Arena, she will NOT take her armor or her weapons, but she can use the facilities rental armor and weapons."

"Yes ma'am."

Liara walked back downstairs. "Anna!"

"What!" she snapped

Liara whipped her head over at her daughter, "Young lady, I'm about this close from slapping your face!" She seethed as she pinched her fingers together. "As you've already figured out. You're on the lowest of basic restrictions. You have been stripped of everything. What we lavishly enjoy every day no longer applies to you. Your clothes, your electronics, your food, your bedding, your door, even your toothbrush and whatever else I want to strip from you. This will continue until I say so. Now please remove yourself from the vicinity!" Liara walked over to the chair, grabbed her datapad, and sat down.

Anna stood there with her mouth gaping open.

(A bit harsh babe)

(Not at all. She will not treat me that way.)

Shepard nodded (You're right, a lesson she needs to learn, I suppose.)

Liara tapped on her omni tool and set her omni tool to speaker "Jielle?"

"Yes, ma'am." Replied Chef Jielle

"What's for dinner tonight?" asked Liara

"I'm not sure yet. Do you have a taste for something?" replied Chef Jielle

"I do, actually. I feel like uhh... hmmm let's see….a nice juicy tender cut of steak with some sautéed mushrooms. A baked potato with all the yummy trimmings, a nice leafy salad and a tasty cake for dessert."

"I think I can handle that ma'am. So, that's a steak dinner for six, correct?" replied Chef Jielle

"That's correct."

"Ok and what for Anna? The same as the commandos? She asked

"Oh no no that's way above basic. Let's see, I don't know. Whatever you can scrape together. Maybe some pyjak meat and some old Brussels sprouts. I believe Brussels sprouts are her favorite greens."

Anna scrunched her face as Benezia, and the other girls strongly withheld their laughter.

Liara heard Jielle clear her throat then say "Ok… I'm sure I can find something for her to eat."

"Don't go to too much trouble. If you can't find anything for her just serve her a packaged MRE with some water. Actually, I think that'll suit her just fine."

"Yes, ma'am. So, six steak dinners and one prepackaged military meal ready to eat. Got it!"

Anna grunted as she stomped her foot, "Dad? We don't even eat those when we go camping!"

Liara rose a brow marking and looked at her bondmate. He cleared his throat, "Sorry, Bella, you dug your grave, now you have to lay in it."

"This is complete and utter fucking bullshit!" yelled Anna

"Anna, I'm tired of your nasty mouth. How about you go sit in your dull, empty room!" snapped Liara

Anna walked up the stairs, and when she got to the top Liara snapped her fingers, "Oh Anna?"

"What?" snapped Anna

"I'll take that Echo." She said then held out her hand

Anna glared down at her mother and groaned loudly. She took off the omni tool, then dropped it from the balcony. It made a loud clunk noise when it hit the wooden floor next to her mom. Liara eyes fluttered closed as she grit her teeth.

(Did she just drop that from the balcony?) said Liara

(She did! Little asshole.)

(Is she still standing there?)

(She is. What's her punishment now?)

(I don't know, but I'm done.)

(Oh… I know!)

Liara eyes lit up as she jumped out of her chair the moment, she heard her eldest daughter say, "You're a bitch!" She whipped her head up and growled "Have you lost your damn mind?! Who the hell do you think you're talking to? I'm not one of your girlfriends, a squad mate, or some unknown person. I'm your mother! You will NOT talk to me like that EVER! Now get your ass down here and pick up this omni tool!"

"Or what? What more can you take away?" she screamed

Liara laughed then took a deep breath and said, "You know what? Get out of my house! I am done with this! I am done!"

Anna scoffed, "Yea whatever you can't be serious!"

Shepard stood up and yelled, "ENOUGH! Anna get your ass down here NOW!"

Liara glared at her defiant daughter "Excuse me? I am very serious. What you can't seem to comprehend here, is this… This is MY house! Everything here is MINE, I own it! My mother left ME all this. Not you! ME! Everything you own and have is because I allow it, ME! Now get out of MY house!" She seethed then turned and sat back down. She looked over at her bondmate (Sorry I didn't include you, but you own everything with me. I hope you know that.)

(I know.)

Liara waited to hear footsteps down the stairs, and when she didn't, she looked up at her daughter then over at Shandri. "Shay, if you could please escort her out and off the premises."

"Yes, ma'am," said Shay as she walked toward Anna. "Anna, if you could, please. Don't make me drag you out of here." She said as she held out her hand and looked up at her from the bottom of the stairs.

Anna looked at her mom then at Shay, "Are you both for real?"

Shandri nodded then said, "I'm afraid so Anna."

Anna walked down the stairs and looked at everyone then at her dad, "Dad?" Her dad just shook his head at her, then looked away.

"Mom…?" squeaked Anna

Liara didn't respond to her but instead said: "Thank you, Shay."

Shay patted Anna's shoulder "Come on, Anna." Anna walked out with her head down.

As the front door closed, Benezia said "Mom… that was brutal."

"Would you like to join her?" snapped Liara

"No, ma'am." She said softly

Liara took a breath "I'm sorry Nezzie but your sister has me extremely angry right now. I didn't mean to snap at you. Your sister needs to learn her place and when to stop. She went way beyond the line."

—/

1940 hours

Anna looked up at the starlit sky and sighed.What the hell were you thinking? Now what? No way they'll leave me out here for much longer.Anna turned her head toward the gate when she heard it open. She saw Shandri emerge then stand there and look at her.

She shook her head then waved her on "Get up let's go."

Anna stood up and wiped her shorts off, then walked over to her. "I guess my mom is not pissed off anymore?"

"Oh no, she is. What were you thinking?"

Anna noticed she wasn't walking back to the main house, "I don't know. Stupid time to test my limits with my mother. Where are we going?"

"Don't test your mother, you'll lose every time. She doesn't want you in the main house, but she's generous enough to not leave you outside." Shandri opened the door to the guest house. "V.I lights eighty percent throughout the main living quarters."

Anna walked in "Sweet. So, I can stay here?"

Shandri smirked "Anna, this isn't a vacation the same rules apply. Everything from the main house is cut off to you too. There's a room unlocked down the hall and some food in the fridge." Shandri said then started to close the door.

"Shay…?"

"Yes, Anna?"

"How long am I supposed to stay out here?" she asked

Shandri shrugged "I'm not sure. She didn't say."

"So… what do I do for breakfast?"

"There's food in the fridge, in the kitchen."

Anna pinched her brow markings "What's that mean? Like I have to make it?"

Shandri laughed, "You got it kiddo. Welcome to the real world."

Anna looked back toward the kitchen and said "But…"

"Anna… everything you need is here in this house." Shandri tapped the com unit on the wall. "Whenever you want to return to your previous lifestyle, you just hit the main house button here."

She looked at the wall com unit then said, "That's it? I just hit that button."

Shandri smirked "Anna… there's more to it than that, but yes. You do know that you'll have to confront your mother about what you did. Right? There's no sweeping this under the rug."

Anna took a deep breath, "Yes, I know. Do I have to confront her? Can I just talk to my dad?"

Shandri shook her head slightly "Anna, the issue was with your mom, not your dad. Are you scared of her?"

Anna rubbed her foot into the floor as she mumbled "I'm not scared… I just connected better with my dad."

"I know that you and your dad are very close. Your mother is very forgiving and loves you very much. She will listen if you talk to her, not yell at her." She said as she tapped the com unit, "Whenever you're ready. Someone will answer and direct you to your mom."

Anna grimaced "Ok thanks." She said as Shandri shut the door. She walked down the hall until she reached a room with the door open. Anna walked into the small room and looked around. "No tv, no datapad, and no laptop. Great…" She looked at the bag on the bed "Value Mart? What the fuck?" She grabbed the bag and dumped it on the bed and shifted through the contents. "Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me…" She grabbed all the clothes and shoved them back in the bag then tossed it in the corner. "Fucking gross!" She huffed then looked at the naked bed and groaned, "Come on!" She grabbed the sheets out of the bag and rubbed them with her fingers. "What the fuck kind of fabric is this? It's like sandpaper. I can't sleep on this." She sniffed the sheets. "Eww what the hell is that smell? Smells like a factory or some shit." She wrestled with the sheet then threw it and walked out of the room.

Anna made her way to the kitchen. She opened the fridge and saw a plate of food, and she pulled it out. "Thank gawd I don't have to make anything or eat an MRE." She pulled the cover off and put it in the re-heater and hit a button. She smiled when she smelled the sweet aroma of her dinner.I'm starving!After several minutes she pinched her lips to the side.Hmmm, how long should that be in there for? Umm can't be longer than ten minutes. Right?Her food popped loudly, and she jumped, "Holy shit that's not supposed to happen." She hit the stop button repeatedly until it stopped, opened the door, and grabbed her food. The moment she grabbed her food, she jerked back and immediately dropped her plate. "Fuuuuuuuck!" She yelled as she cupped her hands and looked at her throbbing burned fingers. "Owwww!" She looked around for her mom, then pouted. Ok well… ummm first aid… ummm burn means cold, so ice.She opened the freezer section of the fridge and grabbed a piece of ice and rubbed it on her burns.

Anna leaned against the counter and stared at the plate.Ok dumbass the plate is hot. Find something to pick it up with.She opened the drawers to look for something and found a padded cloth.This should work.She set the plate on the table and sat down. She looked around, then walked back to the kitchen and opened all the drawers until she found silverware. She then opened all the cabinets until she found a glass and got some water and sat down. She hungrily took a bite of her food then spit it out quickly. "Fuuuuuck!"You are fucking retarded. Hot plate equals hot food you fucking idiot!

Her stomach growled loudly; she sighed then scolded herself. "Yep, today was an awesome day to completely piss off your mom, the fucking Queen of the household. Yea, real fucking smart Anna…real fucking smart! What are you going to do, mom? Take everything from me? Check! Oh, what's that? Keep running your mouth. Ok, yea sure… cause I'm ignorant. Yep! Check! What's next? Oh, let's call your mom a bitch! Because that was fucking smart! Can you be any fucking dumber Anna? Sure, can! How about you grab a hot fucking plate then bite into extremely hot fucking food! CHECK!" she took a deep breath then yelled "Fuuuuuck!"

After she finally ate, she sat on the couch, grabbed the tv remote, and clicked the button. She looked at the black tv screen and snarled when she saw the words displayed "Access denied." She turned the tv off and grabbed the blanket off the couch and laid down.

She woke the next morning when the sun was beaming on her face through the large sliding glass door. After she relieved herself, she walked to the kitchen. She opened the fridgeOk… I can do this… what can I eat?

—/

Several days went by and Liara expected Anna to tap out by now. Shepard looked over at his wife "How many days has it been?"

"Six…" she replied

Liara softly chewed on the inside of her cheek then turned to Shandri, "Shay?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"She hasn't asked anyone for assistance?"

Shandri shook her head "No, she hasn't"

"Hmmm." Liara looked at her omni tool "She hasn't logged on to her omni tool since I put her out either." She looked toward the girls, "Have you all been helping her?"

They shook their heads then Milizkia replied: "I've sent her several messages, but she never responded."

"Yea same here and none of us have been over there." Said Benezia

Liara pinched her brow markings together then looked at Shay as she said, "When's the last time someone checked on her?"

"Last night Teyr did recon and said she was still alive in there and that you'd be surprised."

"What's that mean exactly?" Said Liara

"She didn't say" replied Shandri

Shepard smiled (It's killing you not knowing.)

(Oh, you hush…. Yes, it is.)

(She's stubborn, and she's going to play it out.)

-/

After Liara knew her bondmate was asleep, she checked on Benezia then made her way over to the guest house at 0200 hours with Shandri. Shay did a quick perimeter check and hurried back over to Liara. "All lights are out."

They quietly walked through the front door. Liara smelled the air and could smell that she'd been cooking. She looked at Shay, gave a quick nod then crept to the kitchen and was surprised that it was clean. Liara opened the fridge and noticed all the food was being utilized. She grabbed a plate of leftovers and smelled it.Hmmm doesn't smell terrible but looks questionable.

They walked toward her room and stopped at the bathroom. She took a quick peek inside and noticed it was clean then touched the towel and smelled it.Hmmm clean and a bit softer than it was.They listened for any noise, and when they didn't hear anything, Liara quietly opened the door. She peeked her head in to see her daughter sleeping on her bed with her back to her. She looked around the room and saw that everything was put away and that she was sleeping on the sheets she provided. Liara quietly walked inside and over to her. She looked her daughter over then left quietly, Liara closed the door then walked down the hallway and out of the house. She stood there for a moment then spoke softly, "Maybe she doesn't need me."

Shandri gently patted her back. "She needs you, Lia. Anna is just trying to one-up you. You're still providing everything for her. If she thinks this is the real world, then she's gravely mistaken."

Liara nodded slightly, "True."

-/

Anna recently came back from the bathroom and was just falling back to sleep when she heard her bedroom door open. She laid still as she heard someone walking closer. Anna breathed in, and the moment she smelled her vanilla and lavender scent, she knew it was her mother. She heard the door softly close, and she sat up quickly and smiled.She came to check on me. You can't keep this up.She looked down at her bandaged hands.This week has been fucking rough, and I want to go back home. Everything sucks here. I've learned my lesson. I need my mom, and I've wanted her this whole week.Anna quickly got out of bed, walked to her door, and opened it. "Mom?" When she didn't get a response, she quickly walked down the hall and looked around "Mom?" Anna teared up when she didn't see her mom.Did I imagine it?Then she heard voices outside, and she quickly opened the door. She saw her mother and Shay turn toward the door with a surprised look on their faces.

Liara was about to speak when her daughter jumped into her arms and hugged her. Her daughter embraced her tightly and sobbed out, "Mom, I'm so sorry. I do need you. I've needed you every day here. I love you, and I've missed you terribly. I'm sorry for being nasty and ugly to you. I'm so sorry. Please…please don't make me stay here anymore." Liara closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she wrapped her arms around her tightly.

Liara fought back tears as her daughter's words warmed her heart. "Oh, my baby, I love you, and I missed you as well."

When Anna pulled away, Liara pinched her brow markings at the wrappings on her hands, "What happened to your hands?"

Anna fiddled with a piece of the bandage "Ummm accidents in the kitchen."

"Oh, Anna, why didn't you go to the med bay? Or call someone?" Liara said gently

"Shay said I wasn't allowed access to anything from the main house. The omni tool didn't work, and neither did the com unit on the wall." she said then shrugged, "I thought I was in complete exile, and no one ever came over." Anna said as she continued to fiddle with the bandage on her hand, "I found a med kit in the laundry room.''

Liara looked at Anna then at Shay with wide eyes "The com unit on the wall doesn't work?"

Shandri opened the door and walked over to the unit and pushed the button. She waited, and no answer then pushed it again and nothing. She clenched her teeth then looked at Liara with a scrunched face and said, "Nothing."

Liara closed her eyes briefly as she shook her head then looked over at Anna "I'm sorry, honey. How many times did you hit the button?"

Anna shrugged, "I dunno. Several times over the last few days. I thought you hated me and just didn't want anything to do with me."

Liara hugged her tightly "Noo baby, I could never hate you. I thought you didn't want to come home. So, I let you continue to stay out here. Then I missed you soo much that I needed to come over and check on you myself. Come on…let's get you over to the med bay and have someone look at your hands."