Chapter Text
She sits on the front porch, glowing in the yellows of the sunset, holding little Benezia on her lap, whose eyes flutter, fighting sleep. She watches Liara and Javik outside in the grass, datapads and various archeological finds spread out between them, in a heated exchange over what appears to be some kind of cooking utensil.
“It was not used for any rituals.” Javik grinds out, arms crossed.
“Then why was it unearthed at a temple dig sight among sacred objects?” Liara counters, waving a datapad in his face.
“Because priests require food too, asari!” He snaps, and Shepard snorts.
“But- why would they place common kitchenware among such priceless objects?” She flounders, sounding desperate, and Javik pinches the bridge of his nose.
“If I could tell you the motivations of an aging priest 50,000 years dead I would, but there is a limit to even my abilities.” He says, sounding mentally and physically exhausted, “Just know none of our religious rituals involved anything related to food.” She sighs, defeated, and throws her datapad to the side.
“So much of what we believed, all a complete lie.” She groans, and Shepard chuckles from the side, jostling Benezia, who whines in protest. “And this is only the bits you remember.”
“You were the one who wished to write this book, T’soni, not I.” He says, “I will be able to tell you more once…” He trails off, and Shepard tenses.
“These bits are plenty enough as it is,” Liara replies, faux causal but as tense as Shepard, “There is no need to rush.” But he tries again.
“When I am far along enough in my...” It took Shepard nearly a year to convince him to go to a single therapy session, and another month to get him to go again, and even after all this time with the best therapist out there (found with Liara’s connections) he still refuses to say the word, “Treatment, and I am able to relive my memories, I will tell you more.”
“Of course, Javik.” Liara says with a soft smile, “No need to stuff it all into one book, we can just write another!” Javik seems to realize what he’s done, and groans.
Then Benezia begins to squirm in Shepard’s hold, making grabby hands at her mother, and Shepard rises.
“I think someone wants her mom.” She says, walking over, and Liara grabs her datapads before getting up.
“Of course, thank you for watching her. We should be returning home now anyway.” Liara replies, trying to hold the toddler in one arm and the datapads in the other, when she’s relieved of the datapads by Javik.
“Leave them here,” He advises, “We can continue when you return.” She gives him a grateful smile, before glancing down at the artifacts.
“Remember to be careful when wrapping them, and always-”
“-put them right-side up. We know, Liara.” Shepard says, smiling, and Liara hesitates, before nodding.
“You sure you’re okay in that ship up there? The northern continent is supposed to be pretty brutal, especially during the winter.” Shepard asks, petting Benezia’s head to help calm her.
“The previous shadow broker’s ship endured far worse, this one will be fine. And I have Feron with me, which means I also usually have Kolyat, so there’s no need to worry.” Liara assures, glancing down and around to ensure she hasn’t forgotten something, “It’s actually quite convenient. The storms keep travelers away, and Rannoch is far enough on the Outer Rim for there to be little through-traffic.”
“If you’re sure.” Shepard replies, “We’ll see you soon. And feel free to bring her whenever, she’s a sweetheart.”
“Or you could have one of your own.” Liara says, eyes bright with mischief, “Unless that prothean doll you’re keeping is a present for Benezia.”
“Keep your relationship meddling to Feron and Kolyat.” Shepard replies, hands on her hips.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Liara dismisses, “I simply needed Feron to make a covert pickup on the Citadel where Kolyat happened to work.”
“During Kolyat’s shift.” Shepard says flatly, and Liara shrugs, “And the next three shifts after that.”
Benezia’s head rises, groggy, and she shakes it.
“Not tir’d. Wanna play w’t bi’ti’cs.” She whines, grabbing for Javik, who chuckles.
“I’m afraid not today, young one.” He replies, and she pouts.
“Wanna play!” She insists, squirming, and Liara sighs.
“She got this stubbornness from the genes you donated.” She grumbles, trying to rearrange Benezia, who’s not having it.
“You wanted a daughter with a unique genetic background.” Shepard reminds her, trying not to laugh at the scene.
“You also seem to be ignorant to your own obstinance.” Javik points out, and Shepard grins.
“That too.” She agrees, and Liara just shakes her head, before turning and walking to her shuttle.
“Oh, and you should give Garrus and Tali a call!” She calls back, glancing behind her, “Apparently Jona just completed his pilgrimage!”
“We will!” Shepard replies, waving.
She walks back over to the bench once Liara’s shuttle has left, and Javik follows her.
They sit in silence for a while, watching the waves.
“You ever imagine it would end this way?” She asks finally, laying her head on his shoulder.
“I did not imagine they would spend the night, if that is what you are asking.” Javik replies, glancing down at her, and she laughs.
“No, I mean… before everything. Before we beat the Reapers, before you woke up, did you ever think you’d get to just… sit here, and watch the sunset like this?” She clarifies, and he looks out over it once more.
“I would dream of it, on rare nights.” He admits finally, “A peaceful ending with the one I love.” She hums.
“I’ve always dreamed of this kind of peace, too.” She thinks of Thane, Mordin, Legion, Ash, Anderson. Of the nightmares that still wake both of them in the night. Of the memory shard that sits untouched on their fireplace, below where both their armors’ hangs. “It’s not perfect, but it’s ours.”
“We have fought through fire and death to be here, Jane. I would hope it is ours.” He replies, and she gives a soft laugh.
“We have, haven’t we?” She muses, “Sometimes it’s hard to believe it’s all really over.”
“But it is,” He says with finality, “And we are here.”
There’s another long silence.
“If we get one young enough to name, I want to name her Ashley.” She says, and he gives a rumbling purr.
“And if it is a boy?” He asks, glancing down at her.
“David.” She answers simply, and he chuckles.
“Predictable woman.” He teases.
“I could’ve said Thane!” She protests.
“You would not take that from his son.” He replies.
“You know me too well,” She murmurs, not sounding particularly upset, “What about you? Any suggestions?” She waits, as he stares off across the sea.
“A few.” He replies, and she smiles.
“Let’s hear them, then.” She says, and he lists them, one by one.