Aftermath

Chapter 28

"You made a deal with the Prothean Vanguards despite their numerous vicious attacks on targets galaxy wide?!" Delatross Pravia bellowed. The Counsel member was on her feet, her eyes burning as she glared at Shepard.

They were in closed Counsel Chambers gathered around a conference table in the Presidium. All four Counsel members were in attendance in the flesh as well as Admiral Hackett, Shepard, Liara and Traynor.

Once the evac ships had returned to the Citadel, the Protheans were sequestered quickly into a holding area. Shepard insisted they receive medical attention and food immediately. Then and only then did she allow herself and the two others to be looked after. Once they'd had a quick but thorough medical exam and were cleaned up, they were hustled into the emergency gathering with the leaders of Counsel space.

Shepard glared across the table at the Salarian Counselor but remained seated. "Delatross Pravia, we have made many concessions in the name of peace and cooperation in the last several years or have you so easily forgotten."

"But these are terrorists!" the Delatross insisted.

"They are a people from a different time," Liara interjected.

"My focus was on stopping the threat once and for all," Shepard stated.

"By offering friendship?!" the Delatross exclaimed.

"By offering anything," Shepard snapped.

"Let us all keep in mind Delatross that we would have fallen victim to yet another attack if not for Captain Shepard and her team's effort," Hannah Shepard interrupted calmly.

"Indeed. This situation is unusual to say the least," Tevos agreed, her hand on her chin thoughtfully.

"But not one unfamiliar to us," Liara added. "Do not forget that we have had personal past contact with a Prothean. If anyone were to know how to reach them... reason with them, it would be Shepard."

Traynor was staring at her hands, unable to fathom the fact that she was sitting in a room face to face with the most powerful people in the galaxy. Not to mention what she had survived. She was startled when Victus addressed her, especially since the Turian had been silent up until that point. Her head snapped up meeting his steady gaze.

"Specialist Traynor, how did you find these Protheans? Do you trust them?" he asked evenly.

Traynor glanced at Shepard who nodded her encouragement to speak openly. She turned back to Victus and cleared her throat. "No, sir." Victus and the others frowned. Traynor straightened and squared her shoulders. "That is... not yet sir. But they have shown potential to be trustworthy. Certainly we relied on each other to get here today. I think, as Captain Shepard has said, we have to start somewhere. We have the upper hand now but to crush them, to master them, would only make us as bad as they are. If you want peace, I think we have to show mercy... to show kindness... to extend an olive branch and give them a chance to start over. Someone has to take the first step, take a risk.. a chance. Given that, if they take advantage, then at least we know we tried."

She glanced again at Shepard who was giving her the oddest smile, sort of lopsided and proud. She sincerely hoped she hadn't overstepped her bounds.

"Well said Specialist," Victus said finally.

Delatros Pravia settled back into her seat with a huff.

"So Captain, how do you suggest we handle this situation now?" Tevos asked.

Shepard grimaced, "It would have been much easier if Vanguard Yarus had lived. He was the elder of the three and his word held a great deal of sway over his people. He was logical and not reactionary. They are going to need strong leadership if this is going to work."

"And what of the one that is left? Kovas?" Hackett asked.

"Kovas has a great mind but he is not a strong leader," Liara commented.

"I may have the answer," Hannah Shepard said, standing.

All eyes turned to her. She placed her finger on the com, "Lt Vega, please escort our guest into Counsel Chambers."

All eyes turned to the door as the familiar large figure of Vega escorted in the new arrival. Shepard's jaw dropped open. Liara burst into a grin. "Javick!"

The proud Prothean's presence was undeniable. He nodded, "It is good to see you both."

"We thought you were dead," was all Shepard could manage.

"The irony of that statement is not lost on me coming from you Captain. Once the Reapers were defeated I had no reason to remain."

"So how are you here now?" she asked.

Hannah Shepard spoke up, "Once you disappeared on what was suspected to be a Prothean vessel I was contacted by an agent of the Shadow Broker. He passed along information that Javick may still be alive."

Shepard hazarded a glance at Liara. She suspected Feron was the source of the information. A quick glance from Liara confirmed it.

The elder Shepard continued, "I then engaged Lt Vega to investigate and retrieve Javick, if in fact he could be found."

"I aim to please," Vega said with a grin.

Javick stepped towards Shepard and Liara. "When I heard there might be others I had to come."

Shepard placed a hand on Javick's shoulder, immediately relaying through touch all of their experiences on Voltanis. She stumbled a bit at the exchange but Javick steadied her with hands on her arms. Afterwards their eyes met and the Prothean smiled. "Shepard, you are indeed everything they say you are," he said quietly. Then he released her and stepped back, glancing around the room. "I will lead my people to a path of collaboration and contribution. You need not worry about any further attacks." He met Shepard's gaze again, "And you may count on us, in whatever you need."

###

The debrief went on for hours. First the Counsel, then the Alliance.

Shepard didn't remember falling asleep but when she woke for the first time during the night she was thankful it had been a deep, dreamless one. She reached out and her hand found warm skin near her. She felt Liara turn into her arms, their eyes meeting drowsily in the dim ambient light of the night. Blue locked on blue and held. Shepard reached up, never breaking her gaze, and ran her hand gently along Liara's face.

They had spent this latest ordeal together and yet distant, only able to share brief times of rest or comfort, glances, smiles, quick reassuring touches. Now it was over. They were alive. They were together. The wave of desire hit them both suddenly and quickly their bodies met, pressing and sliding, building to a quick, frenzied passion that peaked hard and swift. Then they began again, much slower, reaffirming their connection and their dedication to each other. This time at the climax they held each others gaze, fighting the instinct to close their eyes as the wave of ecstasy took them.

When Liara woke sometime later dawn was just beginning the lift the darkness of the night. She reached for Shepard but the place next to her was empty. She found her standing by the window on the other side of the room, watching a sleeping Citadel, a sliver of Earth visible far below. She walked up behind her and slipped her arms around her waist. Shepard placed her hands over Liara's and pulled her tight against her back.

"Can't sleep?" Liara asked.

Shepard shook her head.

"Bad dreams?"

Shepard smiled to herself. "No actually." She was quiet a moment. "I feel... good. I feel... optimistic about the future. That there will be a future."

Liara slid around until she was in front of Shepard, her arms still encircling her tightly. She leaned back to look into the blue eyes she loved and found them bright and focused. Familiar and yet new. She smiled. "Me too."