Chapter Text
Liara stared at Javik as though he'd grown a third pair of eyes. "Who told you that?"
"It does not matter," Javik said impatiently. "Truth is all that matters. Can you do it?"
"I..." Liara swallowed, her mouth dry. "Technically, yes, I suppose such a thing is possible. Your nervous system is organic, and a father species need not be physiologically similar to be a viable partner."
"Then it is true after all," Javik said triumphantly. "You shall be the savior of my species. Prothean minds shall return to this galaxy from within Asari bodies."
"Wait a moment," Liara protested. "The Asari aren't a means to an end. And as for me--"
She broke off as Javik stormed up to her, his gaze fiery and magnetic. "How long have you wished to know what the Protheans were thinking, Doctor T'Soni?" he demanded. "I have read your papers. You spent your time yearning for understanding, daydreaming of being one of my people. Well?" He spread his arms wide. "Now is your chance to understand. To bear a Prothean child and bring back the greatest of civilizations."
"It isn't like that," Liara said weakly, trying not to let panic creep into her voice. "Asari children are always Asari, just with the DNA of another species. The Protheans would not return, merely Asari with Prothean traits."
"Then that will have to be enough!" Javik glared at her. "Why do you fight this? The gods would not have put you here for me to find, if it were not meant to be."
"For YOU to find?" Liara shot back, anger joining the panic. "If it weren't for my research, you'd still be buried in a vault on Eden Prime."
"You see? It was inevitable." Javik shook his head "You are placing barriers in the way of destiny. You are confused, I can feel it, and frightened, but you need not be. Let me rid you of your doubts."
"No--" Liara began, but before she could try to raise her defenses, his consciousness had enveloped hers.
It was like chasing a rabid dog as it tore its way through her mind, upending everything in its way. Unwanted memories flitted before her eyes, disjointed and impossible to follow. "Please, stop," Liara begged, as she felt herself being dragged from one memory to the next. Gathering all her remaining strength, she shouted, "Stop!"
In an instant she was back in her quarters. The room was unchanged, but cold sweat now chilled her as though she'd walked out an airlock. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, whether for protection or warmth she didn't know. "Get out," she said weakly. "Please, Javik, get out of here."
The Prothean did not answer. He was staring at her with unconcealed rage. "Where is he?"
"Who?" Liara asked blankly.
"The Turian. The one in your mind," Javik replied impatiently.
"Oh." Liara winced as her head throbbed. "I... don't know. Probably dead. That dig site was on a planet that was hit early in the war. Though he might have left for another project by now."
"And the Asari on the red dust planet?" Javik demanded.
"I don't know. It doesn't matter." Liara glared at him. "I told you to leave. You have no right to my mind, any more than you have a right to my body. I will not become an, an incubator for a dead race. I will not share myself with you just because you demand it. Get out."
Javik's eyes narrowed, but he did not reply. Turning on his heel, he left in a rush. As the door closed behind him, Liara felt her knees give way. She hit the floor hard and remained there, tears running freely down her face. It had taken her years to transform her mind from a tangled web of hope, fear, and pain to an organized system of files. Yet in an instant, Javik had retrieved some of the worst memories she'd stowed away, the moments she'd hoped to forget. That he'd been able to enter her mind at all without her permission was terrifying. She felt violated, as though her mind no longer fully belonged to her. Did he need to be near her to invade her thoughts? Was anywhere safe from such power?
Unable to do anything else, Liara let herself sob quietly until she had no more tears left to cry. Then she rose to her feet and limped to her bed, curling up on top of the blankets with her knees drawn tight to her chest. Her entire body ached. Exhausted, she fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.