Breathe - A Mass Effect Fanfiction

Chapter 1 - A New Day Begins

The first thing Shepard could remember was voices. "Is he stable?" The voice of a gravelly man asked. He could then hear the voice of a woman cut in. "Yes sir he's doing---" Her voice was cut off by monitors buzzing. "He's....Waking up..." She said in a mix between shock and awe. "It--He shouldn't be able to for...weeks." Another voice cut in, one he knew but he couldn't place..not yet. "I-Is he okay?!" She asked worriedly. He tried to speak but he couldn't, his body unable to move. "He'll be fine Dr. T'soni...Give him time." The gravelly voice asked once more. He tried to keep himself awake, to speak, but found himself unable to as weakness and sleep consumed him.

The next time he awoke all he could feel was extreme pain. He managed to open his eyes slightly, the frst sight to him through foggy eyes being Liara practically nose deep in a book across the room. "Bookworm..." He just barely whispered out through cracked lips. The look on her face was one he would never forvget a mix between Shock, Relief, Anger?, And Happiness. He'd never seen an Asari look so shocked, for that fact he'd never seen an Asari look shocked at all.

That particular morning Admiral Hackett was on his way to Shepards hospital room on Palaven. While the planet still sustained some damage the Krogan reinforcements managed to hold the Reapers off long enough to prevent heavy losses before the crucible was activated. Admiral Hackett had expected what would usually happen, He would come in with his coffee, Liara woud be reading, He would say Shepard's doing better, and Shepard would be out as usual. What he would se would be much more surprising.

As he walked in the room of course he was supised to see Liara talking to Shepard but he remained his normal calm. "Ah Shepard I see you're...up." Shepard couldn't help but let out a weak chuckle from his croaky voice. "I'm up...Got any reapers for me to shoot at?" Admiral Hackett gave Shepard a small smile. "Luckily not Commander, Whatever the crucible did dealt with them...And-" He stopped himself "Well you need time to rest..You can file the reports later."

Liara finally spoke up "I let out a few calls...You should have some...friends here soon." Shepard looked at up her, being cut off by the door opening. "Well, Well, Commander Shepard not shooting at something?" Garrus Vakarian chuckled out. "Garrus, even tied up in a bed like this I could still beat your ass." Shepard said with a smile.