Aftermath

Chapter 16

Hannah Shepard flew the shuttle north, away from the city and into the highlands. The rolling hillsides became lush and green and the signs of civilization and scars of war were left far behind. It almost seemed like they were traveling back in time.

They landed on a small flat area, barely big enough for the shuttle to touch down. A chill wind was blowing and the air was crisp and smelled of earth and moss, a far cry from the sterile environment of modern cities, space stations, starships or war zones. Upon exit, Hannah led them up a rocky path to a small, quaint stone house that looked well-kept for being centuries old.

Hannah smiled slightly as she motioned them in. Once inside they were overwhelmed by the warmth of colors and textures filling the space. The walls inside, much like outside were of rough hewn wood and native stone. Textiles of rich woven fabrics adorned the walls and seating areas. It was retrofitted with modern appliances, environment controls and conveniences, but they remained mostly tucked away and hidden, preserving the rustic charm.

Shepard looked around, at a loss. This was not the type of environment she would have imagined her mother escaping to. The Hannah Shepard she'd grown up with lived in the sterile spaces of Alliance stations and ships. Her world was about regulation, organization and minimization. This was... anything but that.

Liara was instantly fascinated by the antique decorations and promptly began moving around the space soaking them in. She picked up a Celtic design carved in wood and began turning it over in her hands. "These are fascinating," she exclaimed, almost under her breath.

Hannah smiled in appreciation but her eyes were studying Shepard.

"Jess you look positively appalled," she said finally to her daughter, who stood frozen in the threshold.

Finally Shepard shook herself, "I just... It's just... I'm sorry mom, it's not exactly the kind of place I imagined you calling home."

Hannah nodded in understanding, absently rubbing a piece of woolen cloth between her fingers. "It never was. My attention was always focused on the stars. On leaving Earth and exploring beyond." She looked back at Jess. "Your father on the other hand always loved Earth."

Liara was brought out of her musings by the mention of Shepard's father. William Shepard had been an Alliance medic. He died while attempting to evacuate Turian soldiers who were under attack by Krogan clans. It was in one of the earliest Alliance rescue missions that began to turn the tide in the Turian/Human relations after the First Contact War. Shepard had been very young at the time and she had never really spoken of her father.

Shepard for her part looked pained at the mention of him.

But Hannah continued, walking into the main room where a stone fireplace stood cold. She ran a hand along the wood mantel rubbed smooth by years of wear. "This house has been in your father's family for generations," she said quietly. "It was built by your great, great, great grandfather in the early 1900's."

Jess's eyes wandered over the walls as if suddenly seeing something familiar. "When your father died," Hannah continued softly, "he left this to us." A mirthful chuckle escaped her. "Well, to you when you came of age."

"You never mentioned it before," Jess mumbled, her fingers running over the rough stone as if she could feel a connection to her ancestors through the walls.

Hannah shook her head, her expression showing regret and pain, "I hadn't been here for years. Since right after..." she let the sentence end, knowing Jess understood that it had been since her' father's death. "Then over time you find that things change you."

"War," Jess muttered, thinking of how it had changed her in ways she didn't even understand.

Hannah stepped beside her and placed a hand on her daughters shoulder gathering her attention, her eyes brimming with sadness. A sadness Jess hadn't seen in her mother since she was very young. Hannah touched her daughter's cheek tentatively, "Or the loss of a child. Loosing you."