Elysium: In the Garden of Eden

Grissom Spaceport, 2 hours before Attack, Disembarking Port 212.




Etched next to the 212 sign is "Remember Ashley Williams and all those who died to give us hope and victory. Underscore by initals, S-N7. Faithful even in death."

A rather curious sight greeted the Alliance officals comming into work this day. A Krogan family of all things left the docking bay in the company of one Col. Kaidan Alenko, 2ed Human Specter and former crewmate of the colony's somewhat reckless hero General Shepard. It was kind of funny. Nobody would dare call Shepard by her first name. That was left to friends and family and even then it was still strange to do so. Well for anyone but Wrex. In the way of Korgan naming...Shepard was just Urgnot Shepard and one of his adopted children had the honor of being named after the honorary clanmate. Urgnot Bakura was next. As the chieftess of all Krogans, she held even more sway then an Asari Matriarch in thier society. Plus she was a mean shot with that Graal Spike Thower of hers. She named it Queenie. Along with the quad to knock down any bosterious males that decided being guided by females was silly. Oh yes...they tried that route before and with the genophage it nearly destroyed them. Wrex didnt care about power or influence for himself, he just wanted the Krogan to survive into the twilight of Galatic civilization. Even if he and Bakura had to headbutt all of them into sensable goals.

Grunt was next, followed by the holy triad of terror for Urgnot. Mordin and Shepard were the females and of the 3 got into the most trouble. Secretly Wrex hoped that the General would teach them a trick or 10 with some Cains. Then came Urth, the solitary male cub of the group. All at about 30 standard years old. Techically 8 or so in human terms. This would be an interesting visit indeed. Urz, General Shepard's stalwart Varren companion, exited next followed by Kei-9. The mech dog had taken an instant liking to the varren when Shepard and the Normandy did a victory cruise around the known Galaxy after the R-day. Of all the planetary visits, the victorious specter stayed on Tuchunka the longest, not only for the Rancol but to see all the newly born krogans. It was the stuff of legends. Shepard managed to out headbutt everyone barring Grunt and Wrex. Liara was abit preturbed when in honor of such a feat many female clans promoted proxy breeding rights with the specter. If she was a Krogan with the ability to do so Wrex would have had Shepard sire the entire planet. The look on the Shadow Brokers face at that remark remained etched in the Battlemaster's memories as his most fondest.

For his part Kaidan looked restful, relaxed even until Wrex trotted over and said, ""These are my newest kids, freshly adopted into clan Urgnot, Mordin, Shepard and the lonely male cub over there is Urth. Poor boy. Better watch out for this Shepard's biotics too Alenko. Those L2 implants wont save you if there's chocolate or pyjack sammiches within a 1 mile radius of that cub."

Kaidan thought his old crewmate might have been joking but Sheppers gave alittle krogan roar and nearly tackled the mocha coffee vender across from the landing pad. Her little stub of a tail was abuzz with delight. "MISTER!! 4 CHOCOLATE THINGS!....PLEASE!!" The vendor just grinned delightedly and forked over the delicious chocolate morsals. Funny how nearly every morning on the way to the EDF training facility Gen.Shepard herself would stop by and load up on the caffinated goodness. Half the time she would react nearly the same depending on her current level of wakefulness. Doc. T'soni Shepard would smile and get a latte. Her husband would smirk and say, "Are you sure thats all you want?" The vendor had no clue on why T'soni would turn an interesting shade of purple but by the way Shepard glanced at her bondmate he knew there was more to this coffee business but out of respect could only speculate. "No charge little Shep, Ill add this to big Shep's account, they have more then enough credit here." He smiled as Wrex picked the cub up over his shoulder for a ride. "HA! I knew Shepard was addicted. T'soni owes me more credits!"
Sheppers waved bye to the vendor and the whole family made thier way out to the causeway of the spaceport plaza. It would be good to see Shepard and the others again.

EDF training Facility

Hannah and her daughter had similar looks plastered on thier faces. Hannah was merely suprised but her daughter was slightly more shocked. Liara and Thomas didnt even bat an eyelash at the sight. For different reasons of course but T'soni aways liked to suprise her bondmate in different ways. Shepard might win abit more in the bedroom but outside that the Shadow Broker usually held the reigns as far as tricks and such went. Thomas on the other hand had been notified by the Geth in question about his arrival.

A huge Geth Prime stood patiently at the entrance. His armor was Blue with Red highlights with a white Alliance Logo depicting the N7 Weapons Division on his Chestpiece. "Shepard-Admiral, LG-GP0017 reporting for duty." He fired off a textbook salute that made both Shepards fire off returning honors in response. The specter realized this was one of the Primes that defected during her Rannoch missions. She was glad to see Geth relations were doing well after R-day. Some part of her was afraid that the Quarians might return to war but with Tail and Vas Quib Quib as a rallying point many Quarians had begun to heal old wounds.

"Luggy! Hot damn! Its good to see ya alive and computing!" Hannah strode over and gave the Geth a good natured slap on the back. Lugnut's lens flared in welcome and he held out his hand to the younger Shepard. "Shepard-General!"

She grasped it in welcome and turned to her mother. "So how did you two meet anyway?" Thomas started laughing then said, "Well it all started when a certain kiddo of ours recruited some rachni and scared the heeby jeebies out of the brain trust......"

Crucible Project. 1 1/2 Years ago. 2200 hours. Admiral Hannah Shepard's Personal Cabin.

Thomas groaned as Hannah's omni tool bared out a signal that was loud enough to wake the dead but in his wife's case it merely made her grunt and pull the covers over herself. One good thing about the end of the universe was the amount of rack time his wife was piledriving onto him. Having one's seriously devoted wife taking absolute husbandly advantage was glorious in every sense of the word, Made him feel heartened that Birth Control was so simple nowadays. Otherwise the unvierse would have been repopulated by clan Shepard alone. He grinned smuggly into the darked room. "Dear..." He poked his wife repeatedly in the ribs...."Hackett...end of the world...our kid probably saved the citidel again....or crashed more Makos into the sun..." He kept on poking until her slightly foggy eyes narrowed on him.

"Smexy scientist husband....the poking only works in foreplay...." He grinned and kissed his wife on the forehead. "Just go see what the problem is huh? They wouldnt call if it wasnt truly important you know." She sighed in agreement and pulled her causal uniform on. Simple alliance grey tee with standard black pants and boots. "Meh...If its over the Raid Bugs again. Ill kick those other eggheads in the face...barring David. He's the best one of the bunch. Although Kas is my kinda kid. Where in the hell did my baby find all these wonderful frackers anyway?"

"Admiral on Deck!!" The Master At Arms saluted then guided Hannah to the entryway to the docking section. Kasumi and David nodded from thier stations and the master thief grinned knowingly. The Admiral barked, "Chief? Why the hell is this door on lockdown? Did the husketeers move thru and no one notify me??!

The MA responded crisply, " No ma'am, per Hacketts' orders, new arrivals will be quartered off from gen pop until reviewed by you ma'am.!" She grunted in response then biotically charged through the door. She was too drunk to play this kind of game. Fraking civvies.....

Once on the other side and one partially demolished doorway later....a most interesting sight greeted her. "Thats one huge frucking Grade A geth...."

"Shepard-Admiral, LG-GP0017 reporting for duty. Consensus suggests that you have a 58.8 % chance of demolishing that door in your current disheveled state. Recommend immediate decontamination of all foriegn fluids. Detecting abnormal levels of Terran Wiskey in your system....do you require reboot?"

Hannah looked up at the Geth Prime with bemusement...."My daughter is gonna be the death of these poor eggheads...first rachni now......Lugnut Geth units?"

"Lugnut....complying data: a fastener that secures a wheel to a vehicle....searching...Animated Childrens Vid....Earth Year 1980s to 2040s peroid ...Lugnut is the strongest of the five main Decepticons, with a sense of absolute loyalty to Megatron to the point of religious fanaticism. Unfortunately, his devotion annoys even Megatron, and is often mocked by the other Decepticons. He also has a rival in Shockwave, who also has loyalty to Megatron equaled and compared to Lugnut's. Though he carries a payload of mega-bombs and can spew liquid napalm with laser-like accuracy, Lugnut much prefers to rip things apart with his bare hands. His trademark attack is called the "Punch of Kill Everything", where he retracts his hand, replacing it with a pressure-sensitive pad before smashing it into the ground to unleash a shock wave with the power of a small nuclear bomb. Source Wikipedia Extranet site....Agreeable callsign...redesignated Lugnut."

Hannah smiled, "Well well....lets go find you some Reapers to punch shall we?"

Kasumi startted to laugh at the shocked looks on everyone's face except David. His eyes light up and he greeted the new arrival with a series of sounds and notes to fast to follow. Lugnut greeted him warmly in response. Hannah grinned and slapped them both on the back. "Lets get to work killing some Reaper bastards shall we??"

"Affirmative Shepard-Admiral...optimizing weapons suite for melee re-enforcement and close combat techniques...addendum....lack of biotics dissapointing...reconfiguring.....New line of Cain series highly sought after by this unit...aggreeable trade of information and schematics requested...."

Shepard laughed uproarishly and Kasumi suddenly relized exactly where her former CO got her quirky side from. If those 2 women were ever in the same room the master thief would stay at a safe distance then grab all the delicious tech left in thier wake. "This Shepard unit is highly aggreeable to reaper slaughter....Ill req those Cains for you Luggy. Just hit me up with anything else you need."

Kas stared at her updates from the SB contact,"Oh....well well...looks like Sheppy just foiled another Reaper issue.....oh lord...Admiral...your daughter just took out a reaper mid class....on foot? With the Quarian fleet and geth help...with a CAIN??? No wonder we all survived the Omega 4 relay adventure...."
Lugnut and Hannah looked at one another, "Get this geth as many Cains as we can spare....!"

EDF Facility, 1 Hr Before Attack.

Liara smiled as Thomas finished his somewhat colorful retelling. For her part Hannah merely nodded sagely and gave Lug another thumbs up. "Many Reapers got KOed by this lovely tank of a geth here. It was a blast working with him...literally!"

Shepard grinned, "Well its good to know WeapDiv has such an ethusiastic memeber...well besides you mum. The way I hear it the Rio Cadre is still pissed that they stole you from them. They kinda felt the same when the Citidel shangi'ed me for Specter too. Still its nice to know you'll have this big Lug with you while we get everyone from the Spaceport. Ready for more Adventures with Suicidal Mako Driving doc??"

Liara rolled her eyes and replied, " Only if you dont stop to run over more Pyjacks this time. Goddess you, Garrus and Wrex can be so childish at times." Shepard concidered this with some seriousness and reponded good naturedly, "Good thing I have my lovely blue angel here to keep me sane then." She winked at Liara then spied a certain Turian and Quarian walking up the main throughfair of the plaza.

"Time to test out another theory Li, our advanced party has arrived. Ill see you later glorious parents...we have more havok to weak upon poor Elysium."

Elysium National Park: 10 mins after the Attack




"I wish seeing all of you again was under better circumstances but it seems the galaxy has poor sense of timing."

Shepard's normally relaxed demeanor was gone, in its place was a battlescar'd vet ready to get down into the trenches once more to defend a colony and home she loved, along with the knowledge that Lugnut probably KO'd many Cerberus mooks at the EDF facility. Wrex and Bakura safely escorted the cubs and dogs to the Mako. The look in his eyes was frightening enough but mamma Krogan was even worse....and the resolute command of "Stay put!" in her gaze rivited them to the spot. A subdued and somewhat slient Jack took up parameter watch while General Shepard laid out a battleplan.

Shepards' POV:
"Alright as of this moment there are 4 bombs to disarm and dispose of. Each team will have a technical expert..."

My mother's voice sounded somewhat strained over the channel: "EDF facility secure, Lug, Thomas and I are inbound, eta 3 minutes. Thomas will coordinate with docs on the gruond."

I glanced around: "Jack, Kaidan, you will take the west. Garrus, Tali, East. Lug and Admiral, will take northern path. While Liara, Wrex and I will enter the main complex and disarm the final trigger. Clear?"

Everyone nodded and Hannah spoke up, "Understood, rerouting now," It looked like Thomas would be along for the ride afterall.

I turned to Bakura, "Ma'am Ill need you and the rest of EDF to stage yourselves along the park at checkpoints. Kill any Cerberus operatives you encounter. Specter Authority granted. The Broker has already updated your Omi-tools on all current mooks." She nodded and grinned savagely, "Queenie needs some target practice." A grim smile blooms on my face. "Indeed, I think we all will get ample time for that." I look once more to all my old comrades, "Alright people, lets move out and end this mess once and for all." The look in Liara's eyes was determined and she smiled sending a wave of reassurance along the Bond. I glance at Wrex and we both have a similar look on our faces, a look born from shared battles and sorrows, but like a duck to water we both dive back into the fray.

"Hey Shepard? Whos gonna count this time?"

I laugh at the smirk in his tone. "Well Wrex, If I remember correctly, we were counting Maws last time and how much the Mako could jump. Lets see how we do this time."

Main Complex:

I hold up my hand, signaling for a stop, the main building looked deserted but the signs of battle were clear. Broken glass and stains littlered the ground and the surrounding area. Advancing with caution we enter the main foyer and stare. Strange symbols were etched into the walls all around the complex. Suddenly my Cypher kicked in and blasted my senses with data and memory. "Eyeless Horde....the walking dead.....Indroctrinated slaves....We are mere puppets for thier pleasure..." Liara laid a hand upon my shoulder, "What did you see?" I shake my head. "I think there might be some Collectors here but how would they remember any language? Didnt Mordin mention that all that knowledge was dead to them? At the vary least its Prothean but what the hell is an Eyeless Horde. Javik never mentioned anything like that."

Wrex just grunted and continued to scan the area. Meanwhile Liara went over and used her Omi-tool to hack the feeds. I gingerly step over the broken seats and various framework. I wouldnt put it past Cerby to place IEDs in the wreakage. "Shepard..." The tone of her voice stops me dead in my tracks. I make my way over to the monitor. All the missing civilans were gathered in the main hall. They had similar markings all over thier bodies. Many were only in thier undergarments, with blank lifeless gazes, they were chanting something over and over. At the apex of thier singing they all pulled out sharpened objects, turned to the others next to them and as one grotesque unit, slit thier throats. Even though Liara wasnt a stranger to violent actions she still turned away. I put my hand on her shoulder. "Come on Doc, we have a job to do." She looked at me, gathered her wits, then nodded.

Even Wrex looked disturbed by the footage, "Damn...and here I thought Reapers were the worst of it." He rolled his massive shoulders made a low rumbling growl at his surroundings. "Lets find out where this bomb is and blow this place back to hell."

We ventured further into the complex. Some animal part of me was screaming in the back of my head. Everything here was unreal and had even more outragious elements then our battle with the Reapers. Wasnt that it to the galatic threat? What kind of weapon did TIM aquire to turn people into those sad souls on the monitor. The oppressive atmoshpere was getting to all of us. Once we got to the elevator there was only one option. Down.

"You know Shepard," his deep baritone held an edge of amusement, "I'm really beginning to hate these damned things. They always lead to awkward conversations or death."

"All aboard for more fun and adventure. Next stop: Zombies."

I used whatever levity I had left to attempt to shake this horrid sensation I had but it didnt have too much of an effect. As we decended Liara threw any social reservations to the wind and embraced me. She was content enough to stay wrapped up in my arms. If I was going to die...again.... or get blasted..... again or whatever the hell else the universe decided would be hilarious to throw at me at least I would die happy. Well relatively, with a certain future uncle krogan looking on it kinda killed the mood to live out one last moment of Eternity Bliss but the look in his eyes promised more ribbing in the future. Well if we had one. With him here that was getting more likely.
Whatever.....like any lovesick dumbass in my family I decided Id rather get my fair share of kisses in before we had to step into the thick of it. For once Wrex didnt even make a peep. That was either a blessing or a curse. Either way getting the Shadow Brokers' eyes to turn black again cheered me up emmensely. Even if it would lead to a week or 10 on the couch.

More writing covered the walls as we advanced. The cypher was going nuts. I eventually had to put my helmet on to avoid getting an information overload. My head felt like it was going to explode. It was errie, like being deaf and blind, with only your nose to guide you. Imagine the worst kind of hellish landscape and that would be like paradise compared to what was in this lower level. Even the ruins of London at the time were more reconizable then this nonsense. Wrex kept his head on a swivle. Even I nearly pulled the trigger a few times at the plants for heaven's sake. As we rounded the last corner we came into the main hall littered with bodies. The bomb was situated in the middle of the room but that wasnt the horrid thing....we could hear it....the blood pounding in the room. Suddenly voices were heard. They spewed forth from the dead like locusts.....

"We see you....ohh yesss.........like moths to a flame...we cultivate.....what a wonderious creature you are....you bathe in blood...destroyed our pets with escasty....the pain formed your cruible...we shall drink from your cup and be enriched by humanity and those who stand with you will be as gods in our comming.....as the collectors bowed to the Reapers they too bowed to us....on your knees...."

They started keening. It didnt matter that Wrex was a 1200 lb badass or I was an elite soildier or even Liara's amazing biotics, we all fell to the floor in pain then the Cypher went insane again and I could feel my body seizing up. The images came fast and brutal. I couldnt stop the words from spilling from my mouth.

"Eyeless...they watch...wait....to be indoctrinated was a blessing....the Reapers....darkspace hid them....the Eyeless beyond the twilight spaces....the first shall be the last....unending. Ascend....Beyond darkspace....its all a lie..."

Liara and Wrex managed to crawl over to me and take turns draging me from the room. Then Liara pulled out a crudely fashioned EMP. It's yellow hued hud blinked slowly. She planted it at the base of the door and then they pulled me further back. I still couldnt control the gibberish comming out of me. It terrified me....what the hell did those protheans discover or rather was it even prothean at all? Did I somehow gain some of Javik's sensory ability? All I knew was if I didnt get away from those voices my brain would burst and there would be no Miranda to pull me back from the dead. There would be nothing left. It was the longest 10 mins of our lives. I could feel Liara's tears hitting my cheek as she pulled me along. By the time we got to the elevator Wrex had just enough streghth to push the access keys to make the metal fucker move and we asended out of the abyss. I finally stopped muttering and screaming...I just curled up in Liara's warm embrace and decided that later we would drink ourselves senseless then sleep for 5 days strait....that would do it.

She was the first one to speak, "Shepard....what was that language you were speaking? It wasnt Prothean....please....why....werent the Reapers enough? Damnit...." Using what sense I had left I managed to make myself sit up. I rested my forehead on hers. She caught on quick enough and the whole world faded away. Two minds blended together then one word formed......"I'shallan"

We looked at one another...."Lovely....good thing your Indiana Jones on crack...which dead world would that be doc?"

She smiled slightly, " I dont know yet but Ill send out an inquiry on the SB net. See what sticks." I just nodded and closed my eyes. Wrex came over and slumped down next to us and he rested his chin on the top of my head. "Well my friend...I have 3 years worth of ranchol in my luggage. We shall get shitfaced then blow whatever monstrosity that was in the brains with shotguns and Kalross." I nodded most agreeablely. "Sounds like a plan....plus the ranchol sounds about right at the moment. My head feels like its gonna split any second."

Liara planted a tender kiss upon my brow. She whispered in my mind, "Plus showers..." I laugh abit at that. Water is most definately my newest favorite element. Amen!

Liara pulled out the transmitter for the EMP just as we got to the top. After the doors opened she fired it off and the bomb signal dissipated from our Omi-readings. It seemed the others had found and deactivated thiers as well. For now one mini crisis was over but what to tell everyone about the class A clusterfuck found below? For once I dreaded giving an afteraction report.

As we exited the building a warning blared over the comms: "DOWN!" None of us hesitated. We all dove for the ground. Liara gasped as I threw myself forward, completely covering her from head to toe, all the while sniper fire rained overhead. She growled in my ear, "Dont break your promise to me Specter." Damn....she was upset to say the least. I recipocated in kind, "I love you Broker. If you die we are all screwed." Her eyes were still hard and unyeilding. Here was the spark of Benezia in her. I could feel her trembling in outrage. She still hated it when I put her safety above my own. Then she grasped my hand, the one that had our bonding braclet on, and she whispered some sort of prayer. I could feel my wedding ring bite into my flesh. Her biotics flared. The ground began to quake and heave and Wrex shouted.

"Shepard! Liara!" The world became a grey wasteland as the building colapsed around us. I opened my eyes slowly. Our biotic barriers were enterwined. Shimmering like waves cresting upon the shore. Time slowed and I released Liara had formed a bubble of emmense size around all of us. Wrex gasped in wonder. Half the building had caved in on us but Liara had managed through sheer rage and determination to prevent it from crushing us whole. Slowly the rescue crews dug us out. All the while Wrex and I fed our own biotic energies into the field. Never once did she let go of my hand. When we finally were able to exit, she whispered, "No one messes with my Specter and lives...."

Wrex grinned like a shark, barring his teeth at Liara, then said, "So there's steel under all that velvet eh? We might make an Urgnot out of you yet Doctor."

3 Hours Later: Shepard Family Estate, Moave Coastline




Hannah looked at Thomas and her daughter with some concern. She was still dazed from the ordeal. He was rechecking her vitals and feeding more fluids into the IV. Liara and Wrex were finishing in the kitchen with all the foods and drinks everyone would need to recouperate. Her daughter in law still looked haggard but a calculating gleam was in her eyes. It would seem Cerberus had the full attention of the Broker and heads would roll. Hannah smiled at T'soni, "Call me if you find anything dear. I can make things rather interesting for our gallant 3 headed dogs." Her blue eyes glinted with some irony. "Oh I plan to Admiral. You can count on that." She walked over to her bondmate and wiped her brow. The tension left Shepard's body and she releaxed.

Thomas smiled and proclaimed, "Now all she needs is a day or 2 of bed rest. No more adventuring for you for the moment. On a lighter note at least we are all here huh?"

Urgnot Sheppy ran up to Thomas with some childlike trepidation."Uncle Doctor! Is Big Thresher Shep gonna be ok? She said she'd show us how the Mako runs over things!" Garrus nearly choaked on his dextro lemonade. Tali descretely patted his back. Thomas just put his hand on her head and replied, "Sure thing kiddo, in just awhile my girl will show you all the best there is in this universe." His eye's misted over abit. The Shepard family was a sucker for small bite sized packages and it showed in the gentle way Thomas treated all the Normandy children. One of these days Hannah hoped small blue bundles would make thier way into the world but for now watching over the budding Urgnot clan would suffice.

Kaidan and Jack looked across the room at one another and smiled. The day those kids learned how to drive would be an interesting one indeed. Jack walked over to Liara and motioned her away from the common room. Once alone she handed over a data pad. Liara nodded and thanked the biotic. "As promised Jennifer....the rest of the information on your family."

Subject Zero was agitated over showning much weakness or needs but still this was one thing that suprisingly ment alot to her. Ever since Grissom Academy and seeing her kids in action she wanted to know what her full past was. She was still a rebel but now she had things to care about beyond herself and fuck everyone who got in her way of protecting them. She would find TIM, smash that smug burbon drinking ass into dust, drink herself silly and then maybe celebrate with that delicious looking Alliance Brown Eyed babe over there. In all what counted the most that it was now complete open season on Cerberus bastards everywhere and they would know just how deadly and just plain fucked up she truely was. No need to hold back now that the playing feild was so clear again. Liara turned to walk back into the room but a word from Jack stopped her.

"Hey Blue...when Shepard wakes up, take her down to that beach, punch her for being a selfish self serving paragon of virtue and then frack her silly girlscout ass into literal dust. I think this time you'd win best position."

Elysium: Waterfalls Pt 2

It had been a long time since she just floated aimlessly in the water. The last time she even thought of doing something like this was during her younger years at the university. The glittering beachfronts on Thessia always offered something new and exciting to discover and the waves crashing upon the shores always helped her cope before testing sessions.

Even armed with the natural grace and other fine attributes of her race didnt save her from all forms of suprises. At first she felt a slight tickling sensation or was it......bubbles....but before she could react a shape emerged from below. Arms locked around her in a firm grip from behind. Liara was so startled that she launched a singularity sending her attacker reeling to the far side of the lake almost to the base of the waterfall. Caught in a mass effect field all poor Shepard could do was flail around abit and bring up her own barriers in response.

"Ow! Guess... that idea backfired...", the specter grimaced.

"Goddess! Shepard!" She swam as fast as she could to the beleagured Commander. Instead of helping that only made things "worse". Liara became caught in her own field and both of them landed in a messy heap behind the curtain of the waterfall. Liara could feel her bondmate start to laugh, her whole body was shaking and finally the tears spilled out, and she gasped, " Remind me to never play any Holloween tricks on you love...." Shepard could see the doctor blushing and then it deepened as the look on her face turned heated. Yes the Crucible's energies nearly killed Shepard but obviously her libido was back in full force. Liara noticed that for some odd reason her bondmate was still nearly fully clothed.

"This is hardly a fair setup Shepard, " the Shadow Broker remarked sarcastically. The Specter smiled laviously.

"Whats your prognosis doctor?," was the tart reply.

Just to frustrate Shepard further she decided to botically take charge of things and pinned her bondmates hands above her head. Not fazed in the slightest Shepard responded by bringing her leg up until her knee met the apex of Liara's "Azure".

"So are you a betting person doc or will I have to deal with the Broker to get some interesting data?" The smile in Shepard's voice turned somewhat silky.

Blue eyes dissappeared, replaced by black on black, in a rush of emotion. "Hmmm....I'll work hard to win then."

If anyone was to happen upon the two of them at that moment they wouldnt have been able to reach the waterfall. In fact the biotic energies ripping through that lake and the surrounding area upended smaller trees and foilage. Local birds took fight wondering why in the hell the weather became somewhat hurricane like in the last few minutes. Even Joker wouldnt have made it through that meadow alive to see the festivities. Much to his supposed dissapointment. A few techs in C-Sec control thought the Bioshere in the garden was malfuntioning until an all clear signal from Liara's omi-tool gave them false enviromental readings. It didnt matter how long it lasted.

All that mattered was the result: two minds together in a way that defied explanations or borders. Pent up emotions surged and were consumed in the fire of thier combined passions, hopes, fears and images of the future. While it was true that Liara had become much more private while in the open she laid bare everything she was for Shepard in these twilight moments. The small beats in the spaces between the void. In every sense it made the Commander realize just how lucky she was to have such a person in her life. Someone to share any and all hardships with. Maybe one day....

Just three simple words were spoken. Nothing else was needed.


Present Day: Elysium Defense Force Training Facility.

When Liara didnt respond to her question Hannah got abit worried then noticed the asari's intense gaze was settled on her daughter. A wave of emotions ran across her features in a blink. A tender smile played on Liara's lips and again the elder Shepard smiled. To be young and..... well scratch that....she and her husband still acted moronically in love and they were glad that thier daughter inherited this particular family lunacy.

Hannah turned at the sound of another set of boots hitting the ground. Her smexy doctor of a husband trotted up next to her and gave her a look of pure glee.

"Guess who finally found out what those Reaper Mass Effect fields were doing to us? This guy and David Archer!" His smug grin widened as Liara and Hannah looked inquistivitly on.

"It appears that humans just might live abit longer then expected now. At least 240 years now. Those bastards were sending out singals via the Relays to dumb down our natural abilities. Wonder what else they were doing...."

Hannah's eyes narrowed abit as some long forgotten memory struggled to break free. "Hmmm indeed Doctor. Well what about those reservations dear? Good italian cooking isnt the only thing Ill be enjoying tommorrow."

Thomas blushed as his wife looked on with the same intensity as his daughter usually displayed. "Ahem! Well my over exuberant admiral, our reservations are ready, along with all the liqiors requested."

"Did someone say beer?" General Shepard waltz into the room with a rough and ready smile. She nodded pleasently at her parents and gathered Liara up in a welcoming embrace. Liara wrinked her nose slightly. "Shepard....what did you and those EDF guys get into?"

She grinned and wagged her eyebrows at Liara, "Wouldnt you like to know or better yet...join me? Those showers can get mightly lonely sometimes. Besides remember our last water adventure? Sans singularities of course."

Thomas coughed then nearly yelped when his wife decided to go for a below the belt from behind manuver. "Hannah Clarie Harris Shepard!" His daughter looked over and grinned at Hannah. Both of them shared a sub secret marine signal and both spouses in the room just rolled thier eyes. He turned to Liara and said, "See what kind of family your with now Blue? Utterly terrible social skills...oh the things I do for love. At least I have a daughter in law who appeciates the finer things in life unlike you two gropos."

Sharing a laugh the Shepard clan left the building to prepare for the Normandy's arrival. Still Hannah couldnt shake a nagging feeling that she was forgetting something important. Ahh well maybe tommorrow she would remember.

Mass Effect: From The Ashes (Prequal to Elysium Story)

Ill still work on my parody version but for now I need to get some of this out of my poor head. Bioware I didnt want to have to make my own Reunion stuff...seriously. Make your OWN adventure Shepard. *sigh* So Ill put in my own from the rubble moment....*finds some Zen moment coffee* For other fans out there I wont use my Shep's first name So we can aaaaaaallll squee with the normandy crew when they find her. In fact I wont even describe my Shepard physically. Much. IE Green eyes ect.

Ch 1: Whatever Happened to Commander Shepard?

Hey! Shepard! Wake up...
Her brown eyes look harried and somewhat serious. "Commander! You still have a job to do...I cant pick you up again. Dont make that face at me Skip, it wont work! You arent gonna leave her behind this time are you? You know how angry she'll get!"

Ash? I cant see anything...where are you? God, I cant feel my arms or legs anymore.

"Heh means your still alive Shepard...dont fall on this sword for the universe. Remember what you told me? Virmire? Dont make everything I did in vain Ma'am. Otherwise Ill go poltergeist on your ass and Alenko's."

A sharp intake of breath...smoke...burnt flesh.

I'm tired Chief....just go...

"Go? Hah! Is that what you'll tell those kids of yours later on from a fraking hoverchair....wah! I give up! I kicked the ass of the Galaxy into motion but not my own??

I bare my teeth in a grimace of outrage.

FUCK YOU CHIEF!

"No ma'am! Thats not in my job discription! Besides I dont want to end up in a non-exsistant coffee cup for trying that manuver." Her brown eyes twinkle merrily. "Besides Im not yours remember?" The grin in her voice is umistakeable.

Such sadness in those blue eyes.....a person could......


Initalizing Cerberus Protocol EMS........Stabilizing Heartrate.....Respiration Normalizing....Sending automated SOS...

Meanwhile....On the Normandy:

"Joker...I know you hate it loco but we gotta go!" James Vega detested this corse of action it to his very core...bitter that once more this type of decision fell to him but everyone else on the crew would die to gain thier commander back. He would too but it was akin to an outsider still peering in to a close nit family.

"Jeff...." EDI's eyes looked hallowed out. If such a thing was possible for an AI.

"DAMMIT!", Joker pounded the console until his knuckles spilt....."....damn......."

The Normandy relucantly jumped to the point of no return...at least thats how it felt to everyone aboard.

"Jeff..." Something in EDI's voice caused the pilot to glance over and he stared in shock..."Who's going to explain this to Liara?"

Joker's eyes closed shut. Oh no.....

To say that Liara T'soni was angry would be a gross understatement. There were no words needed. Luckly Dr.Chakwas wasnt in medbay when Tali told the young asari the sitrep. It was a sublte quaking at first. Tali could feel the slight brush of biotic power engulfing the room. She nervously withdrew to the safety of the dining hall. Garrus reguarded her with sympathy and held out his hand.
The quarian took it like a lifeline, feeling adrift in the emotional chaos, greatful that friends were here but saddened that the one that needed comfort the most found no refuge from the storm.

"EDI!!!" Such anguish in that one cry.

EDI felt something tugging at her concious mind. Well of course it wasnt a mind really but she felt that way all the same. She tried to turn to Jeff but her limbs no longer responded. Suddenly she saw something. A white light, the Reaper forces arrayed against Earth and...SHEPARD! The commander was talking to someone or something...the AI let herself drift amoung the cybernetic pathways....NO! SHEPARD! DONT BELIEVE IT! She could see the AI for what it truely was....quicky she reached out to the Geth hive mind and sent out a warning....the Reapers hold over everyone would soon be delt with. With some difficulty she was able to locate the cerberus SOS orginating from within the Commander. Soon they would find Shepard and the AI's newfound family would be whole once more.

Quitely she slipped back onto the familiar paths of the Normandy. Unfortunately her sudden departure caused quite a stir.

"Jeff?"

Everyone looked around the Crew Hall in shock.

"EDI? Where are you!?!" Joker's voice cracked with worry.

"Well it appears that the Commander was successful in Eliminating the Reaper AI hub. Fortunately I was able to warn the Geth in time to retreat to the Consenus hubs. Unfortunately our Physical shells are inoperable. Furthermore her Cerberus EMS activated and we should return to the Citidel asap. "

Tali pratically jumped up and down, dragging a grinning Garrus along for the ride, he didnt seem to mind one bit.

Back at the Citidel:

"Having strange dreams ma'am?"

Shepard was sitting with Ash on a chair, overlooking a wonderful crystal clear beachfront, wondering where this Serrice Ice brandy came from.

"Ha! Wow! Everyone marooned on some pretty gem of a planet? Plus poor Anderson with a memorial? When did you get that notification Skipper?"

Shepard turned to Ash with a frown on her face.

Are you Sassin me Chief? Oh lord...the Ally HQ is gonna have a field day with my brain. Ohhh look....Im having conversations with the dead. That will look great in the after action report.

"Unpleasent implications there Shepard...99% probablity this is a near Death Experience." Mordin grins at her, "but luckily you seem to survive many impossible odds yes?" Mordin picks up a sea shell. Hums a familar tune and smiles at the Commander. "Wake up!"

A storm gathers overhead and rain falls, soaking Shepard, sending her mind reeling even further.

David Anderson was having one hell of a day. The last thing he remembered was following Shepard through the Beam Relay to the Citidel. Groaning he stood up and looked around.

Bodies littered the floor everywhere. Keepers were everywhere, dragging corpses to and fro with no clear goal in sight, almost like a vital system or command was missing from thier usual brisk if somewhat detatched manner. Like a man walking on hot coals Anderson made his way forward.

A flash of white ahead caught his attention and then the world suddenly exploded in an array of Red light. The last sound he heard before getting knocked onto his ass was the wretched sound of a Dying Reaper. But not just any Reaper. The head bastard himself was screaming in pain. "Thats my girl!!" Anderson's smile became wolfish then something all together odd happened. The room shifted suddenly until a doorway appeared. Rising unsteadily to his feet the Adimiral causiously made his way to the apex of the room then gasped in shock and dismay.

A battered and brusied form lay slumped over the console. Her N7 armor was chiped and cracked everywhere. A rictius grin plastered across her face. The image of Harbringer wavered above the console. Its howls of fury turned to desperation. It moaned weakly..."we were your salvation....now....you merely play at......you shall regret this Shepard...we were merely the.......Vangua....." With one final horrendous cry the entity known as Harbringer died. Its yellow eyes turned to Anderson and then dimmed. Quickly he recovered from his shock and made his way towards the Commander praying that his dear friend still defied the impossible.

((OK in room with DJ playing his musics and such in the chat and too much volka in this wolf from screwdrivers so dont want to write something silly, nmore tommorrow.))

With suprising speed Anderson made his way through the rubble. His whole body shook with worry as he inspected the Commander. Her hair was disheveled and matted with blood, a new scar ran across her face, while the rest of her looked like a mass of brusies. As gently as he could he moved Shepard to the center of the room. Then set upon the grim work of removing her damaged armor in order to apply much needed first aid. All the while his tears fell like rain upon her face. "Don't you give up on me Shepard, you need to wake up, yell or scream or demand some R and R! Otherwise Ill throw you in the council chambers for the rest of the day!"

The rain continued to fall and Shepard felt like a child again, not knowing anything, needing the confort of something familiar to cling to.

ASH! MORDIN!? ANYONE??

"Dont you give up on me Shepard!!"

Anderson? Where? I cant see you! I....why is it so cold here....

I peer around me and all I can hear is the roaring of the waves and the thunder overhead. A form takes shape in the mist. Familiar. Heartbreaking but as sure as Death itself.....Thane. Why am I dissapointed with this....

"What do you want after this is all over?" Her eyes light up with mirth. I want to see her smile forever.

He grins at me. He scans his surroundings with practiced grace. "Shepard, my friend you are breaking your promise! This sea is not ment for you yet. Why do you cling to it? This isnt your home." As he points behind me I turn and see a building in the distance. Maybe a mile or two inshore. With renewed vigor I head towards the house. A hand clasps my shoulder. I glance over and nearly trip.

Mommy?

"Funny....it takes this to see my baby girl again....I knew I should have mailed you more but with the Reapers and all and protecting your father...Earth....all those lame ass excuses seem trivial now."

Meanwhile: Triage Center Alpha. Presium Level.
Adm.Hannah Shepard nearly decked the insolent clerk blocking her access to her baby. The one person that made much of this victory possible and this BIG DUMB JELLYFISH was denying her? HER OF ALL PEOPLE! A familar tick ran along her mouth. Grinning wildly she changed her stance. Hoping to catch the Jelly off guard and give it a sound thrashing with her fists, both synth based and flesh, but a familar alliance gloved hand stoped her.

"Hannah?"

She turned and smiled grimly.

"Steve."

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.

Medical Ward Omega. ICU section.
Thomas Shepard wasnt always so emotional but for the past few years his life felt like one giant rollercoaster ride. Between the antics of his wife and child he was somewhat amazed that his hair wasnt completely grey by now. He was touched and amazed by the courage Lawson displayed. She looked ragged beyond belief but her blue eyes were clear and focused.

Miranda was almost flabbergasted by the amount of lives the Commander had. Of course she had seen her in a much worse state during Project Lazarus but that seemed like a lifetime ago. Now looking down upon the sleeping specter she couldnt help but wonder what really went on in that Crucible chamber. From what Anderson said it looked like hell had swallowed Shepard up and spit her out again. She glanced over to the bedside once more and hoped that the presence of so much family and friends would somehow wake the Commander from her coma. Only time would tell if thier efforts would finally pay off.

When first entering the room Liara and everyone else were terrified on some level of what they would see. How much of Shepard would be left. Fortunately thanks to Miranda and her knowledge of Shepard's enhancements for the most part it looked like the commander only got into a fight with a drunken Krogan. Well execpt for her synth bandaged face and her right shoulder that is. Liara could feel the tension drain somewhat from Hannah. Dr. Shepard on the other hand went immediately to the EKG chart displayed next to the bed.

His voice sounded somewhat distant, almost detatched, mainly due to letting his professional exterior take over. The father in him was terrified. "How much cranial damage is there?"

Miranda winced and then spoke:

"Substantial but her enhanced skeletal implants prevented some serious brain damage. Its almost like something was attacking her on a mental and physical level all at once. After Anderson did some triage he looked around the area but no other bodies or blood other then Shepard's was in that room."

Hannah laid her hand upon her daughter's shoulder then spoke softly into her ear.

"Funny....it takes this to see my baby girl again....I knew I should have mailed you more but with the Reapers and all and protecting your father...Earth....all those lame ass excuses seem trivial now." Her voice cracked slightly and she grasped her child's hand.

"We're all here for you kiddo. Dont you dare give up now. Especially...." Her voice trailed off with a trace of sadness. Liara sat down next to Hannah and then placed one of her hands tenderly upon Shepard's cheek.

"I am yours", she whispered sliently into Shepard's mind.

Thomas almost dropped the chart. His daughter's eyelids fluttered abit then she settled down once more. Then he walked over and sat next to Liara and all 3 of them waited patiently. Hoping that thier concern and love would shine like a beacon in the darkness of thier loved one's mind.



Shepard glanced around but wasnt able to find her mother along the path.

It almost feels like she's here. But where? Hello???

Something warm and loving brushed against her mind. Automatically Shepard touched her cheek then smiled slightly.

The sky above lightened somewhat and she gasped in shock.

Leering yellow eyes peered down at her. YOU WILL SUBMIT!

You bastard! I killed you! Your not allowed here!

Shepard began a mad dash for the house setted upon the trail. One last battle would be fought and she was determined to see it to the end. No matter the cost. Everything in her life led to this moment.

Ive already sacrificed loved ones and friends you cuttlefish abomination! Genetic destiny my ass!

Summoning her remaining energy Shepard sprinted even faster. Her eyes steely and certain. The archway before the house appeared and with a great leap she vaulted over the fence and laughed like once possessed. Blocking her way to the door was none other then Saren and just beyond him was the Illusive brat himself.

Shepard merely glared at them both. I made a promise! I wont fail her again!

Saren bared his teeth and then started to scream as husks rose up from the ground, grasping and clawing at the turian's legs and torso, tearing him apart until a reddish hued skeleton remained. It looked a Shepard with dead eyes and said, "You have won nothing. We were merely the Vanguard."

Shepard gave it one of Jack's favorite responses and smiled wolfishly as the ground swallowed the skeleton whole. Then she turned her attention towards the other Reaperized fool blocking her way.

Shepard's pulse started to race. Not this time you maniac! This time Ill make damn sure your dead.

The gloating look on TIM's face faltered then he snarled at the Commander.

"We were ment to control them Shepard! You wasted so much potential!"

I glared at the utter stupidity of his statement. How in the hell did he get so successful in the first place? People like Miranda carrying him? My hands clench then I grin at him. Just for shits and giggles and for some odd reason highly satisfying:

Mildy Amused: Potiental? Really? The honor of being the center of the Reaper's attention would only mean that the next cycle would have been munched on by a bunch of stupid apes with wierd digits for fingers! The elcor would have been a truely horrid looking reaper. Murderous Intent: Submit Fleshy Organic Cycles to our massive bulks of swirly paste.

Extreamly satisfied Clarification: Ha! I sent them strait to hell or darkspace or whatever freakish void they came from. You failed and I cant wait to see what kind of idoicy you try next.

I almost take the mockery even further but the sight of TIM's eyes rolling into the back of his head stops me. His whole body starts to convulse and then sinks into the ground after Saren. I eye the door with some trepidation and then I slowly turn the handle.

Anderson smiles at me warmly from the couch.

"How many times do I have to tell you Shepard, call me David from now on, we just saved the fracking universe!"

Inside the ICU: Approximately 1am EST
Joker placed his Omi-tool next to Shepards bedside. It was loaded with the complete set of Elcor Hamlet. He smiles to himself: I dont care if she gets pissed at me later. This stuff is crazy enough to wake anyone up.

Aboard the Normandy EDI could only shake her virtural head with bemusement. Either the Commander would appreciate the gesture or it would be entirely possible that Liara would find him and extract some form of payback. Hopefully for Jeff it would be of a humorous nature.

ICU: 8am
Anderson walked over to the Commander's bedside and smiled slightly at everyone gathered there. "Mind if I join in? I figure maybe if I keep talking she'll wake up and decide to take a decent vacation for once."

Hannah smirked then nodded. Liara looked at Anderson with some amusement. "Well when she does get out of bed dont plan on sending her out for anything for the next 1000 years! She made a special promise to me."

Hannah and Thomas shared an affectionate look. Dr. Shepard whispered to his wife: "So want to take bets on how many grankids?"

Anderson decided the best way to get a pep talk in would be to just address her if she was awake.

"How many times do I have to tell you Shepard, call me David from now on, we just saved the fracking universe!"

He clears his throat then in a suprisingly gentle tone....

((For reference....well guess what this conversation is happening in real time for Anderson but Shepards responses are still in the Coma house. It had to be inserted. If you want based on preferences for blue babies and such you can think dad to yourself if ya wish.))



Liara's blush deeped and she hid her face using the hoodie on Shepard's Jacket.

Anderson gave her a joyfully paternal look. "Ill be first in line for Uncle of the Year! Well if Wrex doesnt get there first."

Hannah put her arm around Liara and whispered," Just dont let then push you into it! Knowing my husband and that cheeky old coot over there they will be planning for a Shepard clan takeover of all major Alliance forces. Even if they are blue and last 1000 years."

"Keelah! Joker! How is that going to help her at all?"

"Come on Tali! IF anyone needs some humor its Shepard. Besides its gonna be a few hours before the rest of them get back anyway!"

Tali shook her head with resignation. "If Liara catches you.....jeez. Wonder what kind of effect this is having on my captain's dreams....."

Joker positioned the vid screen closer to the bed and grabbed more popcorn. "This is gonna work! Next Ill get my private collection out! What do you think? Blue Moon in the Mist or would Justicars of the Universe work? That would cause a reaction for sure!"

Tail mentally counted out the number of hours Joker would live outside a coffee cup. It wasnt looking good for him.

Meanwhile within the mental corridors of the Commander's headspace:
Why do I have the oddest feeling Joker is here?



Turning I see another door appear. Its simle but elegant. Completely white with a gold handle. For some reason a part of me was somewhat nervous. Hmmm. well might as well make a go of it!

Yea....someone pinch me.....gotta be dreaming or orr.......umhhh....
Liara was stark naked on the bed with a delighted look on her face.

"Hiiii...." Oh great! Thats a smooth one! Why do I feel like Im mentally running into everything when your here.

One simple smile and my world melts. Doesnt take much with her at all. The great Commander Shepard completely at a loss for words. Yea, only you could do that to me T'soni. Right now...so tired...hmm...you and that bed look nice.

The more I tried walking to that bed the further it got away from me.

"Hey Liara! Seriously...oh god!...."

Hmm? Is it really that simple? I can hear something....like glass breaking and then....voices...

"Hey Liara! Seriously....oh god...umm....It works in the movies!!" Right now Flight Lt Monroe thought he would die in many interesting ways.

Hannah started to laugh until she couldnt see anymore. Dr Shepard wasnt doing much better. In fact he was leaning over the tableside, gulping in air at a terminal rate, tears rolling down his face. Liara didnt know what to do about Joker's "assistance" with Shepard's recovery, instead she went over to the vid and shut it down just as the "Justicars" on the screen were apprehending suspects for being too sexy.

"Godess...how is that supposed to help her come back?!" She went over to the bed and nearly yelped in suprise.

Shepard's eyes were open and she looked strait at the Asari with affection and a familar glint in her gaze.

"Hey...hon....dont...kill...Joker....ship...flyin...beaches....swimsuits....you look good in white...."

Everyone in the room turned to Joker....then Garrus spoke up.

"Joker, did you break Shepard's brain?"

Hannah and Thomas went over to Liara and looked down at thier daughter. The matriarch of the family took over for a moment.

"Kiddo....welcome back and this time try to duck will ya?? Its sad enough that poor Garrus over there looks like he won that challenge!"

Everyone started talking at once but Shepard had eyes only for Liara. Both elder Shepards grinned at the goofy look on thier daughter's face. As careful as possible Liara climbed into the bed and laid her head upon her bondmate's shoulder and for the first time in weeks slept soundly.

As for Commander Shepard she glanced over at all her friends and family in the room and gave them a huge thumbs up. "Mission Accomplished....now wheres the liquor you promised me??"

Elysium: Waterfalls

On the Elevator down to the Presidium:

"Goddess I forgot how long these things were." Liara was bouncing with impatience. The idea of dragging her bondmate through various waterfalls filled her with glee. Oh yes...that Specter would be hers for the evening.

Shepard grinned at her date, "Ahh yes....Elevators." She did a fairly good impression of everyone's favorite turian council member. Complete with air quotes. "Besides Liara, remember all the fun conversations we used to have in these things? Explosions, Krogan Wrestling, Tali's shotgun, oh aaaaand whos a better biotic. Plus Ash always had these awesome quips on how much politics sucked." The grin on the Commander's face melted away. Her eye's darked abit as she remembered her former team mate and friend.

Liara squeezed Shepard's hand in response. They would have gone much futher but the presence of two elcor passengers within the elevator stopped them from getting too out of hand. Shepard could hear it now: Alliance Hero of the Frakin Universe Snogs Hot Asari Scientist while Speechless Elcor look on in Aroused Lust. The amount of ale and other things in her system was playing havoc with her imagination........what if the power to the waterfalls didnt work....maybe the lake would do. She turned to her asari and smiled somewhat lavasiously. Blue eyes reguarded her Commander with some curiousity mixed with exaspiration. Why wasnt this miricle of modern science going faster!

Tentative Statement: "Commander....thank you for saving my family from our homeworld.....we do not wish to intrude but could we have an autograph?"

His companion, mate really, nodded enthusiastically.

The elcor held a small blasto toy in a carryon on his back. His baby daughter snoozed contentedly next to it. A strange look came over Shepard. It was a mixture of hope, longing and a suprising gentleness. Liara gazed at the tiny elcor sleeping away her eyes softened. Shepard could still suprise her in the best of ways. She was a deadly weapon, trained by the best, to over come any obsticles but undernieth it all she was still an ordinary human. Or at least thats what Liara felt from her bondmate when they melded. The Commander always saw herself as someone just doing thier duty and trying to stay true to friends and allies. Her heart was bruised by loss and other things but the bright spots outweighed the tarnish. Liara was determined to guard her bondmate from futher tramas if she could.

Next time she would speak to Joker and see if they could get off the grid for a while. Shepard finished signing the toy and smiled at the Elcor couple. The elevator stopped and adorable family exited. His wife turned back around and said:

Gratefully: "Live long and happy lives Commander."

Tears formed at the edge of Shepard's vision. A blue hand cupped her cheek and gently wiped them away before they could fall. She felt like a heavy weight had finally been lifted. The Reapers, TIM, the betrayals and frustrations with politics in the face of everything faded away. All that mattered now was the person standing next to her and whatever would come thier way. Peferablely a decent house, white fences, gravity and real oxygen for a while. Being a spacer kid made Shepard realize she wanted to raise her family planet bound. She would always love ships and consider the Normandy home but she wanted to give Liara and her parents a stable place to come together. A solid foundation to start a new Shepard legacy.

Presidium Level: Quanish Botantical Gardens

The smell hit first. Enticing and exotic with a hint of cherry blossoms in the air. Shepard and Liara could hear the raging waters near the back corner of the plaza. Birdsong floated on the breeze as a variety of speices chooed and chipped with contentment. Appearntly the lack of gunfire and reaper forces aggreed with the small avarians. Feeling extreamly bold the Commander lifted Liara off her feet in a hug and spun her around. Both of them started laughing. For months the worry of the war and everything else had put a strain on thier relationship but today for once it would be just them. Here they could just be two people rediciously in love and none would damn them for it or critize.

"So where to first doc?"

Still encircled within Shepard's arms the doctor in question thought.

The Shadow Broker was more then content to keep her head nestled against Shepard's chest. She took her time savorying the rapid exicted beating of her bondmate's heart. "Hmmm......I know this sounds silly but how about somewhere quiet. Like a meadow...I cant remember the last time I slept." Shepard smiled and nodded then with suprising grace and speed for someone as iniberated as she was she gathered up her lover in her arms and swaggered into that forest for the best mission of her life.

Near the center of the level there was a plesent shady meadow with vibrant green grass and a gentle breeze. Shepard removed her costom made leather jacket and made a pillow near the base of a giant willow. As Shepard stretched out on the ground Liara settled down next to her and felt altogether drowsy. She could feel her bondmate smiling as she found the best spot to lay her head down. "All comfy now doc?" Liara could only mumble in response. Shepard nearly laughed. The big bad Shadow Broker was nearly purring if such a thing was possible. Her breathing evened out and she was asleep. The commander just looked on dowsily until her eyelids became heavy. Eventually Liara's warm presence and the chiming calls of birds lulled the Specter into a dreamless slumber. The first kind she had since high school. Nothing in this whole damned universe could hurt them now.

At the edge of the shaded area the black orbs of Keeper 20 noted the occupants then left on its silent predetermined journey.

((Lunch Break...Ill finish the rest in a bit :D))

Liara usually didnt dream much...well if she did usually it wasnt worth remembering but in this instance the supressed emotion was so vivid she couldnt turn away.

"Mama!"

Her feet struck the pavement as she ran frantically after Benezia. Her mother was always 2 or 3 steps ahead always just out of reach but so far away. This frustrated Liara to no end. First the short curt comments about her supposed father and now her mother was refusing to speak with her. She was already 50. Surely that was old enough to know some truths. 

The buildings around her started to crumble and fire arced across the sky. Omnious shapes appeared in the prestine skies above and tore through Thessia, scorching the planet and all who lived on it. Her mother's fine dress ignited and from cracked bloody lips: Liara, little wing, fly from here. 

The ground benieth her feet caved in and swallowed her whole...

"Please....dont leave me here alone..."

With a start Liara awoke trembling. At first she didnt realize why she couldnt move but then reality came flooding back in. Shepard was still asleep and her right arm was still wrapped around Liara in a protective embrace. Even in her exshausted state it seemed her bondmate still wanted to watch out for her. Tears pricked at the edge of her vision. Still the shade of her mother haunted her. As quietly as she could Liara left the Commander slumbering peacefully. Then with one more fond look she turned and made her way down to the waterfalls.


A few minutes pass and a somewhat grumpy Specter awakes to find that her sexy scientist decided to wander off on an adventure without her. With a determined glint in her eyes Shepard decided to rectify that situation post haste.

Liara did a full scan of the area with her upgraded Omni tool. Wouldnt do any good to have live camera feeds active in this particular area. The water was moderated to stay at a stable temperature. This particular waterfall had quaint enough surroundings. The thermal rocks kept the heat from dissipating and allowed for extended visits to the various lakes and eddies surrounding her. Confident that nothing would disturb her she quickly removed all her garments and sank greatfully into the water. At a stable 79 standard degrees she could easly see herself taking forever in this pool. Maybe even have enough time to gather her thoughts before seeing to Shepard. It wouldnt do any good to ruin the Commander's restful slumber now. If anyone in this universe deserved 2 weeks of off the radar R&R is was her bondmate.

Of course Liara's enthusiastic silly half had other plans.....

Shepard scanned her surroundings and grinned. She spied the slight imprints left by one bearfoot asari and decided things were definately looking up. Quietly she crept forward and through the foilage spotted Liara near the base of the waterfall. Her clothing was neatly arrayed along the shore and the commander was somewhat crestfallen that she didnt think to wake her up but then a familar confidant grin bloomed. Ahh yes....suprises. Shepard knew what she had to do then.

If Liara had any clue on what the human movie "Jaws" was she might have had a chance at spotting Shepard's devious little plan but alas the asari was still learning the common cultural asides or cornball references.

Elysium: Countdown

12 hrs Before Cerberus Attack on National Park

Hannah Shepard grinned at her daughter's antics. The other guards in the Elysium National Defense Force didnt really have a chance against a Specter but it seemed both parties were having a blast on the training grounds. In reality half the force there were survivors from the Blitz. They had a bad case of Hero Whorship and wanted to learn from the woman who had saved them and thier families all those years ago.

Hannah turned around at the sound of footsteps and smiled even more brightly. For her part Liara nodded pleasently at her "mother in law" and grinned when the elder Shepard put her arm around the asari for a half bear hug.

"Well well! If it isnt my daughter's best half. How ya doing kiddo?"

Blue eyes sparkled with joy. "Apparently Wrex and quite a few of our old Normandy friends are going to be flying in tommorrow. It will be nice to see how everyone is doing.....well for my husband anyway." Hannah smirked and nodded coyly. She was one of the few humans besides Hackett and Anderson that knew who or what Liara truely was. Even her Thomas had no clue and it would probably be best that he never found out. Her eyes twinkled slightly at Liara's use of Husband. For the asari some words didnt make a much sense but it was still endearing to see her try to incorporate other cultures words for some things.

"Ha! Husband huh? My baby will get a kick out of that for sure. Ill make sure Thomas has those reservations at Marco's tommorrow night. Plus all sorts of liquor just to make sure things stay lively!"

Liara shot a bemused look at Hannah. "Admiral....do you remember what happened last time everyone had too much to drink? We werent able to pry my bondmate off the roofing complex of Huetra Memorial for 5 hrs. C-Sec and Bailey still havent quite forgiven us for that incident yet."

Hannah started to shake with laughter. Ohhhh yes! That incident! "My poor kid will never live that one down will she? Well at least Garrus and Grunt added to the festivities that time. Never thought my baby could headbutt things that well. Didnt think the Turian would be able to preform the "Moonwalk" on a drunken dare either. Ha!"

Liara blushed slightly. Of course everyone would remember those parts of the "party" they had on the roof but she remembered a much more personal experience. One she wasnt quite willing to share with even her husband's mother let alone her own father. She could picture it now: "If it isnt messy your not doing it right!" Goddess....messy didnt even cover the jubilations of that particular night. Theres a reason the Eve of Reaper Destruction kick started a "Baby Boom" feeling in people. One day she would decide on children but for now she was content to spend time with family and friends.

((Shortly after Shepard is released from the Hospital. First day free of Reaper Control))

Shepard was gloriously drunk...."I AAAAAAAAM KROGAN" she screamed at Grunt and they both met on the roof of Huerta memorial with a loud Kurthunk! Grunt started to grin as his battlemaster held the football in her hands. "TOUCHDOWN!! I gain 54 credits! WOOO!!"

Grunt replied with equal brain induced drunkness...."NOW FOR MEAAAAAAAT! PYJACK SAMMICHES!

Garrus and James decided to have a danceoff. With Admiral Anderson and Shepard as judges. The elder Shepard grinned and shouted, "Moonwalk you morons! For Organics everwhere!"

She activated her omni tool to play an old human record:

Suprisingly due to Garrus' interest in human jokes and culture he preformed an excellent Moonwalk redition that made even Anderson weep. "Damn son....I'm astonsishedhh...Hannah....letsh go find some Karoecha machines and sing more...this needs more..."

Shepard and Grunt joined in. Of course all the Commander could do was shuffle but who cared at that point. Grunt bear hugged Shepard and yelled, "MY FAVORITE BATTLEMASTER ON THE CITIDEL!"

Liara looked on with some charin but eventually even all her worries started to melt away with the hilarity ongoing. Tali stood next to her and was tapping her feet to the music flowing over the Citidel Speaker system. Somehow the admiral had hacked into it and now M. Jackson was everywhere.

Shortly the two high ranking Ally officals came back with mics and some old tapes. "Hey daughter O mine....start the guitars damnit!

The Commander grinned and suprisingly:

Everyone stared in shock....she can sing??! Well everyone but Hannah. Mother Shepard only grinned and slapped David on the back. "See? Suprises still from my family eh?"

Liara was for a lack of a better word....completely entranced. How she never picked up this nugget durning thier melds was beyond her at the moment. The last notes played and the Commander was smiling and laughing..."Happy mum? See I dont frack everything up...." Hannah shook her head and threw another brewsky at her kid. The Specter caught it with shocking speed and chugged more down. "Im Commander Shepard and this is my favorite drink on the Citidel! All proceeds will go strait to the Sammiches that digest in my gullet....peas be with you good eating meats...."

Tali started laughing and took Garrus' hand. Both of them exited stage right to start thier own festivities. Liara could see the heat forming behind Shepard's eyes. They stared into her demanding some sort of release that only she could give. The Commander walked  over to her Asari Scientist and whispered..."Ohhh dooc....I'm feeling abit feverish...got any remedies that might work?" Liara put her hand on Shepard's forehead.

"Hmmm...it appears you need a good soaking....I hear the Presidium has some nice waterfalls."

Both of them smilied at that statement and wandered off.

David grinned at Hannah and stated: Where's my 100 credits Shep? I win!" Hannah smirked and forked over his winnings. They still had the ongoing bet of Blue Babies to deal with so she and Thomas werent out yet.

Next time: AHH YES! WATERFALLS!! Muahahah! XD

Elysium Chapt 1

1 Year after the Battle of London. Eysium Colony. On the express way to Grissom Spaceport.

Garrus suppressed a bit of laughter. Poor Tali was looking rather pensive in the seat next to him. With Shepard driving the Mako Mrk 3 many of his former squad mates within it were having all sorts of mixed feelings. Especially one Dr. Liara T'soni Shepard. The turian Specter could only grin slightly at the mixture of relief and charin pouring off the young asari in waves.

Shepard glanced over at her wife and beamed at her.

"See?? I can drive nicely when motivated! Arent you glad Wrex is only gonna be here after we get him at the spaceport?"

Liara could only shake her head with bemusement and replied, "For your sake I hope you will contain your enthusastic ways and just maybe Ill think of something special to reward you with."

Jack started gwaffing in the backseat. OHHHHHHH that would be a sight indeed.

Shepard blushed slightly. Her eyes lightened on the prospect and then her laughter became muffled as Liara brushed her lips against Shepard's. Tali glanced at Garrus and the both of them shared a small smile.

For her part Jack could only laugh harder. She remembered the demure and military ceremony from thier wedding but could tell that the both of them just wanted to get out of that chamber and into bed to start the real festivities. But even her somewhat rough exterior belied a loney heart underneith it all. Some part of the biotic wanted the same safty and security T'soni had with Shepard. In a way she was slightly preturbed by the fact that the general brought out these kinds of feelings. Before meeting the Specter she was a loner and prefectly content with that but now??

Garrus looked out the window and noticed the Mako's tragectory was starting to veer to the right way too much. He coughed politely. The Shepards took no notice of him and the improptu makeout session continued unabated and was in reality gaining "steam." Oh dear! He thought to himself and then hacked out, "Oh Spirits Cliiiiiiiifff....!!!!" He waved his arms around wildly.

Shepard and Liara jerked apart with the Shadow Broker in question shooting him an aggrivated look. Then the asari giggled slightly at the silly grin on her bondmate's face. Totally worth it!, she thought smuggly. As for the Specter in question:

"Hey Garrus....remind me to bring up the Bottle session next time you want to mack on Tali for a bit. Im sure Ill find a way to barge into your festivities quite spectatularly!"

For his part Garrus merely nodded jovially and replied, "Sure thing Shepard! Just remember who's heat sink went off first will ya?"

Liara blushed an interesting shade of purple while tears ran down Jack's face. Shepard smirked and stated rather drily, "Last time I checked you said you had a tendency to pop off too quickly...my record on the other hand..." She gave Liara a smoldering look.

Usually T'soni was extreamly private with her displays of affection and would rather save the more adventurious side of herself for her bondmate alone but something in the way Shepard was looking at her prompted the young asari to respond with some self satisfied glee , "Goddess our week long "honeymoon" as you human's call it wasnt enough of a endurance test for you?"

Tali's eyes widened and Garrus' smart reply was cut off by the frank statement. Dear Spirits....Ill never live this one down....

Shepard wrapped her right arm around her wife in a tender manner. "Well doc...nicely played there." Liara merely smiled and buried her face in the nook of her bondmate's neck. She never imagined things would be so wonderful. The War with the Reapers took alot out of everyone and the ability to smile and laugh with friends and loved ones was something the Shadow Broker in her wanted to protect for as long as she could.

Jack was about to say something completely colorful and relevant to this metaphysical double talk olympics when suddenly:

Over the coms an alert went out:

"ATTEN: ALLIANCE PERSONNEL! THIS IS NOT A DRILL TERRORIST ATTACK UNDERWAY>>>>ELYSIUM NATIONAL PARK!!!

Alliance Major General Shepard took over and her eyes were alight with determination. "Com Wrex. Tell him to meet us at the park."

The Shadow Broker nodded and sent out her own alerts across the network. It would seem a specter's work is never done.

Wrex's voice filled the compartment:

"Shepard...how many and where clanmate? "

"Elysium National Park.....Everyone."

Then another voice entered. One that everyone there thought was dead and gone to dust.....

"Shepard....so glad we could meet again....our last encounter felt lacking...." The Illusive Man's tone was cold and distant. Almost alien but unmistakable. Liara scowled darkly and her biotics flared all across her skin. Shepard pressed a gentle kiss to her bondmate's forehead.

"Tim! Sorry we didnt invite you to the dinner party....we didnt have enough genocidal mooks in attendence...besides I dont think I would have found a big enough coffee cup to fit your bullshit perameters."

Liara grinned wolfishly at the steely tone in Shepard's voice. In her life only 3 things mattered and utterly demolishing the former Head of Cerberus was number 100 on things that needed the most attention. The asari responded sardonically, " Im sure Miranda will send her reguards. Besides its the thought that counts."

Tim's voice held an edge of menace, "Ahh T'soni...or should I say Doctor Shepard? So sorry I missed your big day. How is your Mother in Law anyway?"

Shepard's heart seemed to stop and then one more voice cut into the Alliance com channel.

"Why Im just peachy Mr. Cerberus. You think some silly commando units can kill an Admirial as batshit insane as me? Ha! N7 Weapons devision sends its reguards."

Hello from me! Yes! My real voice...scaaaary isnt it? XD

And so...it begins! OMG the pebbles cannot vote.....OH noooos! Wolves are unleashed upon the innocent masses! XD

Hmm, technical difficulties: wait a moment XD There we go!!

Ahh yesh! The Zombie Konga! AKA BRAAAAiNS!!!

Yes! Zombi everywhere! What brain munching games have I enjoyed:

Left 4 Dead Series
The Walking Dead Arcade Episodes

Dead Pixles: A xbox live indie side scrolling RPG zombie game( 1 dollar! GET IT NOAW!!) *paws up approooooooval*

Dead Island but the intial trailer was far more dramatic. Still a fun game though.

Deadlight Trial: dont have the points to get at the moment but eventually will have Youtube channel with funny wolfish commentary on it. Warning! Might have too many Space Screwdrivers of Volka variety while playing. ESP durning Leviathian Playthru. DRUNKEN SHEPARD VARRRRRRRUM!! XD

Lets see: OH YEA!

Fallout 1/2 and New Vegas: Ghouls kinda count right? XD

Well those are the few I can think of at the moment. Any one else have favorites???

More Mass Effect Madness and Ramblings!

While surfin around I found some pics that I found amusing or just daaaaaaawwww inducing!

Ahh mako! You'd make my Dovakin veeeeery happy! If only....man having Shep and Dova go after Reapers would be hilarious.

I mean come on bioware! Would it have been to hard to put in a Reunion scene. A real one, not the no sign on the memorial wall, seriously! A concrete ME1 style reunion would have knocked my emotional socks off. Still want one rectoned in with the DLCs. You still have a chance to satisfy me emotionally. Logically? Not so much. :P Sorry I hate that starkid and all he represents even more then TIM!

Yes, my vanguards including Leah Sheppy taunt Banshees this way. XD Go team VAAARUUOOMM!!!

So thats what happened to our Dinos. N7 T.Rex we salute you! Sorry we couldnt kill the Starkid solid enough from Canon.

Again the Mako memories....god I love that thing. I did this so often that I always wondered if everyone brought barf bags.

Random LULZ! Ahh yes, Banshees, the supposedly rare type of No Snu Snu asari population exploded with the Reapers arrival. Samara! Where's the Justicar records? Seriously! Did the reapers Knock them all up with Special Water?