Ashes Part 4

Hackett smiled gently at Hannah. "If you'll allow me Admiral? Your daughter isnt in this ward but rather Ms. Lawson took her to a specialized ICU. Apparently she was notified by Anderson and now they have your daughter in surgery."

Hannah's fists clenched then relaxed. "Ill com Thomas then we'll meet you there....thank you Steve." Shooting the beligerent Hanar one more daggered look she turned on her heel and headed towards the Docking Bay to meet her husband.

Abord the Normandy:

Joker turned the intercom on. "Confirmed citidel control, proceeding to docking bay D84, Normandy out."

In Shepard's Cabin:

Startled by the sudden announcement Liara nearly dropped the old framed photograph of herself and Shepard. Sighing with some relief she gingerly set it upon the bedside table and hung her head. Her whole body ached. All she wanted was packed tight into this one room. After everything that happened some part of her couldnt believe the Reapers were truely gone. She sank greatfully into the oversized bed and wraped Shepard's N7 jacket around her. It almost felt like her bondmate was there, just holding her in a loving embrace, with a ready smile and "looking for trouble" glint in her eyes.

"I really should apologize to Chakwas for the medbay," she mumbled. She knew Kaidan, Tali, Garrus and everyone else just wanted to help but it felt like her whole world just stopped. In a way she resented it. The cheers on Earth, Palavan, Thessia and all across the galaxy seemed to just add further salt to a wound. The Shadow Broker in her just saw everything anaytically. Yes yes, trillions saved, very good! Now on to these steps to rebuild but the best parts of her, the core that was Liara T'soni was still reeling with emotional shock and outrage. Yes she was angry. Angry at Shepard for taking foolish risks, proud of her for saving everyone, heartbroken that she left her behind to be evacuated and a million other feelings crashing around like a hurricane ripping thru the desert.

One whisper in the dark held so many things: "Why...why did you leave me behind?"

Garrus glanced up from his datapad while everyone else gathered in the airlock, ready to disembark, then winced when he saw Liara step into the chamber with them. Haggard was the best way to describe her. Puffy red rimmed shot eyes looked gloomily ahead seeing nothing. Her usual coat was missing and in its place was Shepard's N7 jacket. She turned to Garrus and nodded. Kaidan looked at her and tried to smile but the tears threatening to escape down his cheeks ruined the effect. As one the crew of the Normandy left and headed out into the main bay.

Liara's throat tightened and she almost cried out in joy but at the last second she realized it wasnt her Shepard but her bondmate's mother. Standing close by the hatch was Dr. Thomas James Shepard. Formerly a Med Professor interning with Alliance command. Mainly his job was to help research new ways to improve medigels and other forms of cybernetic implants to help wounded vets recover from battles. Hannah held out her hand to the young asari. "Well well, my baby girl sure knows how to pick them huh? Well at least she wont need something blue at the ceremony." The slight comment about human marriage ceremonies went right over Liara's head but the look in Hannah's eyes was sad but welcoming at the same time.

The look on that young woman's face broke Hannah's heart. Not giving two shits about protocol she walked over to Liara and gathered her up into a bearhug that would scare even Wrex. No words were needed. Just the small bit of physcial comfort from someone so dear to her bondmate was enough to send the young maiden over the edge. Hannah just held Liara until the slient tears abated. The keening turned into muffled sobs then finally her breathing evened out. By now there were no dry eyes in that docking bay. Then as one group they all made thier way to the medical facility where maybe one more impossibility would occure.