Red Sky at Night Ch. 04

October 27th, 2186 CE

Normandy SR2

Full on war had plagued the entire galaxy for well over a month now. The Reapers had invaded, just as Jane had suspected they would. Right when the Alliance brass was about to grill her over the destruction of the Bahak System earlier in the year, The Reapers hit Earth directly. Jane had barely escaped with her life, taking off in The Normandy with old friends and new ones. That was back in August, but things had moved at such a pace it felt like just a few days ago.

Mars had been the next stop, where she'd been reunited with Liara again, and she had been thankful for it. Not just because Liara was incredibly helpful to the point of almost being key to defeating The Reapers, but also because her presence gave Jane somebody to truly share her emotional pain lately. It still wasn't exactly clear what their relationship was right now, but Liara seemed keen to get involved with Jane again, despite being distracted with her work to help stop The Reapers.

As time went on, things seemed to get both easier and harder for Jane. They now had an idea of what they might need to do to defeat The Reapers, and Jane was gathering allies to fight the good fight every few days. She'd even brought back some old familiar faces, most notably Garrus, Dr. Chakwas, Engineer Adams and most recently, Tali. Wrex had joined her temporarily too, but left to continue helping his people after they'd cured the genophage. That in itself was another boon, as was the seemingly impossible task of Jane getting the quarians and Geth put their differences behind them and work together.

But there were downsides, of course, and none of them were small ones. Dr. Mordin Solus had sacrificed himself on Tuchanka just over a week ago, and the drell assassin Thane Krios had also made a similar noble gesture during an assassination attempt on the salarian councilor. Cerberus had invaded The Citadel recently, and with each passing moment The Reapers spread further and further throughout the galaxy, either killing its denizens or transforming them into horrific abominations. Reports from Earth got worse by the hour it seemed, and every time a transmission came in from Admiral Hackett, Jane worried that it was going to be to inform her of Anderson's death.

Her mentor, former commanding officer and friend was now her primary concern as far as individuals went. For a while it had been the fate of her mother that concerned her the most, because for weeks she hadn't heard a thing about Hannah Shepard or the SSV Orizaba. Her fears were put to rest though shortly after her time on the reclaimed quarian homeworld of Rannoch, when Admiral Hackett informed Jane that he had not only found Hannah, but also recruited her for the Crucible Project and promoted her to Rear Admiral. Jane wanted to speak to her mother directly, but knew they were both too busy to exchange pleasantries. That was about to change though.

Admiral Hackett had just sent through a new message: he wanted Jane to bring the Normandy to the near-complete Crucible, not because of Jane herself, but because he wanted some input from the prothean Javik, and some of the scientists also wanted to speak directly with Liara as well. Jane was concerned that it could delay the work they were doing, but Hackett assured her it would only take a few days, and certainly not a week or more. Jane agreed, and the Normandy SR2 sped to the secret location as fast as Joker and EDI could allow it.

Once the Normandy had docked with The Crucible, Jane had expected to see Admiral Hackett or some Alliance brass to be the one to greet her. What she didn't expect was a teary-eyed mother who didn't say a word before just running up to wrap her arms around Jane's neck. "Oh, thank God you're okay!" Hannah sighed with relief from over Jane's shoulder. "I feared the worst."

Javik, Liara and Garrus were just left dumbstruck, also clearly expecting something more formal. Javik in particular shook his wide head in his typical disapproving prothean fashion then looked to Liara as if expecting an explanation. Liara smiled warmly. "I take it prothean families weren't particularly affectionate?" she asked.

"There is a time for affection, asari," Javik replied coldly. "War is not that time. Especially when it is war with The Reapers."

"I find war is the best time for affection," Liara argued. "It reminds us of why we are fighting and who we are fighting for."

"We are fighting for survival. Nothing more!"

"Yes. But that survival extends to our loved ones too."

"So, this must be Liara," Hannah said, her attention being drawn away from her daughter briefly before she looked back to Jane. "I can see what you were talking about, Honey."

Jane was shocked at Hannah's reaction. Whenever she'd mentioned Liara to her mother in the past there'd been this sense of disapproval and dislike from Hannah. This time she sensed none of that. In fact, Hannah seemed very complimentary and, dare she say it, proud of Jane's choice of partner.

"Rear Admiral Shepard I presume then," Liara said with a polite bow of the head. "I've looked forward to finally meeting the mother of the woman I love."

"Don't be so formal, Miss T'Soni," Hannah said with a laugh. "Just call me 'Hannah.'"

Liara was about to respond, but another Alliance officer interrupted the group with two armed grunts in two. He saluted. "Excuse me. Doctor T'Soni? Mister Javik?"

"Yes," Liara answered, while Javik merely looked down what passed for his nose at the new arrivals silently.

"If you'll follow me I'll take you where you've been requested to meet the others."

Noticing the two Shepards, he saluted again with an apology that he hadn't noticed them. They returned the gesture, and the Alliance officer began leading the group away down the corridor, with the exception of Hannah and Jane who remained behind. Liara made a final comment about looking forward to catching up with the two of them again later before heading off to wherever they were going, leaving the Shepard woman standing alone in the docking chamber.

"I've missed you, Mom," Jane said sincerely to her mother as soon as the others left their sight. "I'm so glad we got a chance to catch up again."

"I made a point of it, Honey," Hannah revealed. "When I heard that they wanted the prothean that was on your ship to come here, I made sure they sent the Normandy itself and didn't just have you chuck him on a shuttle or something."

"Mom!" Jane exclaimed. "You can't just do that! I'm doing important work out there."

"Honey, calm down." Hannah soothed. "I know you are, but we are too. And Liara and your prothean's input here could be crucial."

"Let's not talk here," Jane said after a deep sigh. "Come on. We'll chat in my quarters."

Jane and Hannah proceeded to Jane's quarters, where the argument continued for about a minute. Both Shepards were stubborn, and in the end both ended up agreeing with each other, while also not outright approving of the other's point of view. Jane could see Hannah's reasoning, and Hannah could see Jane's. They just both thought the other one was wrong. But it wasn't until Jane discovered the real root of Hannah's reasoning that she felt bad for getting angry about it.

"Bringing me here wasn't that important, Mom," Jane said in a tone that was trying to be sympathetic. Instead, it just made Hannah cry, which in turn made Jane's heart sink. "Mom?"

"I'm sorry, Honey," Hannah said between sniffles. "You're right. In the grand scheme of things, bringing you here wasn't that important. But..."

Hannah sobbed a little more, and then looked over at Jane, who now was looking close to tears herself.

"Go on, Mom," Jane encouraged, placing one hand upon her mother's shoulder.

"But... but it was important for me," Hannah finished. "I had to see you again, Jane. With this war on, I just had to. Because... because I knew that we might never see each other again. And... and I couldn't bear that thought, Jane. I just couldn't."

Jane let her own tears flow then pulled her mother into a hug. "I'm sorry, Mom. I... I didn't know."

"It's okay, Honey," Jane said, followed by a long sniff. "I'm being selfish, I know. And I'm probably worrying too much. But I wanted us to at least have another few days together. In case they are our last." Hannah paused, then let out a semi-contented sigh. "You mean more to me than anything or anyone, Jane. I couldn't handle losing you without at least one or two more last happy memories with you."

"I'm glad you called me here, Mom," Jane said. "I'm sorry I got upset. I was being selfish too."

"No you weren't, honey," Hannah said with a sobbing chuckle. "You were thinking of the entirely galaxy over your own wants. If you had been selfish, there wouldn't have been an argument."

"You hear that, galaxy?" Jane called out around them. "Even the apparently great Commander Jane Shepard is taking advice from her Mommy after all these years."

Hannah chuckled and squeezed her daughter tightly. "Apparent nothing! You ARE great."

The two separated from each other's arms and Hannah stroked Jane's cheek softly. "I'm so proud of you, Honey. You truly did become humanity's best, just like you sought out to be from the start. Hell, nuts to humanity! You're the entire galaxy's best!"

"Now you're just looking at me through the rose-tinted glasses of a mother's eyes," Jane said as she rolled hers.

"I know it hasn't been easy for you," Hannah said more seriously as she patted Jane on the shoulder. "But you're strong. You always have been. That's why you're still here. Anybody else would have failed long ago."

"I didn't do it alone, Mom," Jane said matter-of-factly. "I couldn't have. I've had a lot of help, especially since this whole thing started on Eden Prime."

"I'm glad you've managed to make so many friends and allies, but don't sell yourself short. There's a reason they all follow you. I could see it even just from those few moments I spent with your friends in the docking port. For instance, that prothean didn't respect anybody else in there, but I could tell he respected you."

"He respects Liara too," Jane defended.

"If he does it's likely only because of her connection to you," Hannah said. "He likely knows you wouldn't choose an idiot for a mate."

"Mate?" Jane said, raising one eyebrow. "You speak like we're breeding stock, Mom!"

"I'm sorry, Honey," Hannah said genuinely. "I didn't mean it like that. She seems like a very intelligent, charismatic young woman."

"She's not that young, Mom," Jane corrected.

"Yes, of course. I keep forgetting that. In either case, if she's not too busy on The Crucible, the three of us should have dinner together tonight."

"Sounds good," Jane said. "I've been hoping to finally introduce her to you. The scheduling was just always a problem." Jane paused. "I'm glad the first impressions are good though. I wasn't sure you'd approve."

"Honey, as long as you're with somebody who makes you happy, of course I approve," Hannah said, and she took Jane's hands in hers. "I'm glad you are. You need somebody like Liara to be with in times like these. Somebody who can be with you and love you in your darkest days." There was a pause, and then Hannah's gaze drifted away for a moment and she added, "I just wish..."

Hannah let the sentence hang there, and Jane just gave her a look that said "wish what?" without words. Hannah saw this, then blinked away some tears and forced a smile.

"Nothing honey, don't worry about it," Hannah said.

"Out with it, Mom," Jane said firmly. "You said these could be some of our last moments together. I don't need any doubts or untold secrets from you now."

Hannah's bottom lip trembled slightly and no amount of blinking stopped the tears from flowing.

"I... I just wish that I'd found somebody like that too," Hannah admitted from the depths of her heart. "I wish there was somebody special to help get me through these dark times too."

Jane stared at her mother's reddened eyes for a while as silence hung in the air, then pulled her into a hug. "We'll get through this, Mom," she said. "We'll stop them."

"If it were anybody else saying that, I wouldn't believe them," Hannah said, returning the hug full-force. "But because it's you..."

The two Shepard women stood there for a while in each other's arms, before a call over the ships comms called for Hannah to return to The Crucible, and the elder of the two of them pulled herself away from her daughter.

"I'd better get going," Hannah said, taking out a handkerchief to dry her tears. "Duty calls and all that. If you can get that pretty asari doctor of yours to drag herself away from those Crucible scientists that meal in a few hours though, I'd appreciate it."

"Will do, Mom," Jane said with a warm smile. "See you then."

Hannah waved back to Jane, and then disappeared from sight behind the Normandy's elevator doors. This didn't stop her presence from still hanging in the air of Jane's quarters though, as the redheaded commander plonked down onto her bed with fresh thoughts swimming through her head. "Our last moments," she whispered softly, a single tear rolling down her cheek at the thought of it.

Liara returned to the Normandy about an hour and a half later, thrilled at the suggestion of dinner with the two Shepard women that evening. Jane contacted her mother and Hannah showed up, dressed rather formally in her dress uniform, while Jane had also done the same. Liara had chosen a nice dress, in fact it was the gossamer number Shepard had first seen her in when she visited her on the Normandy for the first time after becoming The Shadow Broker.

The three women spoke cheerfully as they ate, most of their casual banter involving Hannah's involvement with the Alliance since she'd last spoken with Shepard back in February. Hannah asked a lot of Liara during the meal too, specifically on how she and Jane had met and what she had done before that fateful day. Of course, Liara had to keep silent on a few details, especially her more recent role as The Shadow Broker, but Hannah seemed to understand, at least in the same vein that classified Alliance information was never to be spread. Jane was happy to see the two of them getting on well, and remaining fairly quiet throughout the experience. She was just enjoying being in the company of the two women she most loved in the universe. And yet, she couldn't help but feel a little uneasy too.

Eventually the trio's time together came to an end, well after the meal was finished. For the five or six hours that the three spent eating, chatting and laughing together, it was like the whole Reaper war had been put on hold. It was at the back of each of their minds so never forgotten, but that was enough to make it an enjoyable affair. There was a bit of a downer towards the end of it all, as Liara mentioned that both she and Javik would probably be done within the next 24 hours. They realized this was good news for the rest of the galaxy, but that it wasn't so good for Hannah and Jane. Liara could tell that they both only just felt they were starting to catch up again after so much time, and it tugged her heartstrings to know that they'd be parting again so soon.

Hannah left, giving both Jane and Liara pecks on the cheek and promising her daughter she'd find some time to catch up again the next day. Liara had stated that she'd be with the Crucible scientists again most of tomorrow from about 10am until they were done, so Jane suggested catching up with her mother then on the Normandy again. Once her mother had left, Jane and Liara cleaned up Jane's quarters and prepared for bed. Liara kept complimenting Jane on how charming she found Hannah, which elicited vague noises of agreement from Jane most of the time. Liara noticed that Jane seemed distracted by something though.

"I'm fine, Liara," Jane said. "Just thinking is all."

"You're worried that after tomorrow, you'll never see your mother again," Liara said plainly.

"That's part of it," Jane said with a labored sigh. "In a way I'm more concerned about her losing me. I've all she's got now."

"You should make the most of the time you have with her now then. You can't stop whatever fate has in store for the both of you, but you can spend time with her now," Liara said.

If only Liara knew. "Were you and Benezia close?" Shepard asked.

To Liara the question seemed completely out of the blue. The asari's brow furrowed and she thought for a few seconds before answering. "Not as much as I'd have liked. At least not, towards... the end. We were closer when I was younger, before I started out on my own hunting through prothean ruins. She taught me a lot then and I valued our time together. It wasn't until she died that I could really say I appreciated it though."

"Are asari mothers and daughters generally close?" Jane asked.

"It varies, like I guess it does with most species. Our mothers are often instrumental in raising us and teaching us what it means to be an asari, and we probably spend more time with them because of our life span than your species do. But some asari are extremely dependent once they hit the matron stage. Others, quite close, to the point of never moving too far from their mothers."

"What about joining?" Jane asked next, sounding rather awkward and somewhat reluctant.

"Huh?" Liara responded.

"Joining. Or melding. Do... do your mothers generally teach you that?"

Liara blinked at Shepard's question, then went quiet for a while. "Most of the time they do, yes. Sometimes if a child's mother is too busy though, they'll have a teacher do it instead. It's not something that's quite as natural as most biological factors in most species after all. It's something that must be controlled and honed, as well as regulated to a degree. Especially when we're young. The melding process can be powerful and even dangerous when not properly controlled."

"Does that..." Shepard cleared her throat. "Does that include the mating aspect of the meld? Or do you tend to discover that when it happens?"

Liara turned to Jane, raising one eyebrow at the question. A flush came to Jane's cheeks and she averted her gaze like a timid schoolgirl. "Sorry, I didn't mean for that to sound weird. I'm just curious."

"It's okay, Shepard," Liara said. "To answer your question, again, it varies. The joining is, after all, essentially the same process and function when it's used to mate as when it's not. It's just a lot deeper in the case of the former. It's rare for asari teachers to delve too deep with a student, since they don't need to in order to get that aspect across. The fundamentals are already present in the milder forms of the meld, and it's merely a mental switch that triggers the level and type of meld it is. It's kind of like teaching somebody to pilot something in a way. You can give them all the instructions and teach them to fly a ship without going over a certain speed, and they don't need you to take them to maximum speed in order to know they are capable of it."

"You said it varied though," Jane noted.

"Yes. Well... there are exceptions to this, like with most things," Liara admitted. "Some teachers on occasions have gotten too involved with their students, for one reason or another. Sometimes the teacher can be a predator, or sometimes the student will develop a crush on their teacher and things go further than they should. Sometimes it's largely innocent and two asari just end up connecting, even if one is by all considerations too young to become involved in such relationships, or at least with somebody so much older than them. Some students have issues with control, though if both of them realize this and have the will, they can pull out. As I said though, there are usually controls put in place to minimize such occurrences, so they're generally rare."