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Hallowed Truth	By : Spiritwolf71 Category: +M through R > Mass Effect Views: 3767 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Mass Effect and its world is owned by Bioware, I make no profit from this tale.

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After hiding Ryan and giving him very descriptive instruction they had begun the long drive back to Vancouver. Sam found she could no longer not compare this little journey to when she was whisked away by the Normandy. There was no Commander Shepard on this ride but there was Alana Flynn and even though she did not believe it, Sam thought she was just as amazing.

She certainly did not have a large group of friends like Shepard did, nor did she have the strong Alliance backing, as a matter of fact the Alliance was one of several people hunting the young Marine down. But she had the drive and the ambition and seemed to just keep on going, no matter what. She had lost her childhood, her family, he daughter and now her freedom but she was unstoppable.

She could not help but think of their short time together. The Marine had stormed into her life, threatened to kill her, forced her out of her home, dragged her through a good portion of Vancouver and then continued to pull her along through a wild road trip. Sam had not really been scared of her since they left her house and after watching her discover Gary’s betrayal Sam had truly wanted to help her. It wasn’t until Lanie gave her freedom that she realized she didn’t want to leave and had come back to help the Marine.

Then in the data room, the look on Lanie’s face when that French bitch held her hostage said everything to Sam even if Lanie could not. She had noticed the fear in her eyes and felt her shaking when she had dispatched the woman. She had felt something in the way the Marine held her after and even at one point Sam almost kissed her.

She tried to shake it off and pawn it off as Stalkholme but she was beginning to wonder. Yes Lanie had made some idle threats in the beginning but Sam had never really feared the woman for some reason. She could not really say Lanie wasn’t a killer because, that was her job and Sam got the impression she was very good at it. It was all she knew, that was what she had said.

Sam wanted to tell her about the possibility of her daughter being alive. She wanted to see a smile on that beautiful face and she wanted the woman to experience some kind of happiness. She knew what would happen, though, if she did tell Lanie. The marine would head straight to Gary’s house with guns blazing, shooting everything that got in her way. She would risk everything and if anything went wrong, would lose it all.

The Comm. Specialist firmly believed that Lanie could have her daughter and live a happy life. She was just afraid that if Lanie found out she would rush things and it would go horribly wrong. If Gary’s daughter was Lanie’s she was sure there were several safeguards in place in the event Lanie found out.

As they continued to Vancouver in silence she continued the debate. Lanie had not spoken more than two words since they had left the observatory and two hours had passed, they were half way there and she was starting to get tired from the drive.

“Do you think we can stop somewhere?” Sam finally asked breaking the silence that had engulfed the car for the last little bit. Lanie turned to her.

“Sorry?”

“I’m not much of a driver to begin with and we still have a couple hours to go, we’re almost at Pemberton and was just wondering if we should stop.”

Lanie looked out the window for a long time. “We still have those credits you, got?” She said almost saying stole.

“Yes,” Sam answered tersely, stealing credits from the credit machine in Hope had not been proudest moment of her life.

“Why don’t we stop at that Inn the log cabin one?” Lanie said pointing at a sign as they passed.

“Well, because your face is on every screen across the world,” Sam cautioned.

“Has being dead, I’m just a look alike, uncanny isn’t it.”

Sam could not help but note that Lanie’s voice was flat and dry; she wanted to ask what was wrong but was afraid of the answer.

“I can get us room with ground floor access. Then you can come in.” Sam said as they followed the signs, pulling off route 99 onto Elmwood Rd. The place was huge with several obvious additions since it was opened, some hundred years ago. Sam often wondered how places like this survived over the years. Of course she could see the attraction, the wood houses and the sign boasted several rooms with hot tubs by the fireplace. She could only imagine how much it cost, but she knew they had enough. It was also summer so more than likely several rooms would be vacant. With Whistler close by and Mt Curry in its backyard this was more of winter tourist attraction.

As she entered she was surprised to see an Asari behind the counter. Since the war several aliens had made Earth their home but Sam was still always surprised to see them, but she could see the draw for the Asari, the place was beautiful. She wondered if it was owned by the aliens or if the blue woman just worked here.

There were a few people milling about the lobby and Sam made her way to the counter and smiled, waiting as she finished up with a customer.

“Hello,” the Asari said as she moved to Sam. “Welcome to the Log Cabin, my name is Hasina, how can I help you?”

Sam smiled, this was going to be a wonderful stop, “Me and a friend need a room and I was wondering if one of the cabins was available?”

“Yes, we have a couple, we have the regular cabins and then the couple suite,” Hasina smiled, “They have a nice hot tub next to the fireplace with a beautiful view of the mountain. It comes with a complimentary bottle of champagne and robes and slippers for each guest.”

Sam looked back to the car for a very long moment and decided that Lanie deserved a break she smiled as she looked back to the Asari. “That sounds fabulous,” she said and activated the omni to transfer the funds. As she did she noticed that it started raining. “Well, I guess no hiking for today; we’ll have to try out the hot tub.”

“I bet,” the Asari smiled knowingly.

“No, we’re just friends, we just need a break.”

“Of course,” it was obvious Hasina did not believe her as she handed her a card. “All the information you need has been transferred to your omni. Our dinner times, and a menu, room delivery is free and part of the cost of the couple’s cabin. Thank you Miss Limbic and I hope you enjoy your stay.”

Sam raised a brow and glanced at the name of the omni tool, Francis Limbic, what a name, she giggled as she left the reception and headed to the car. “Well apparently the account that the omni made for us had a sense of humour Miss Limbic.”

“Limbic, eh?” Lanie smiled slightly which made Sam smile even more.

“Yes, and I got us a cabin.” She looked to the map and then manoeuvred the vehicle towards it. “It’s the last in the row, so we only have one neighbour.”

Lanie took the omnitool and began to look over the resort and planning emergency exits if need be. Having a private cabin was a nice touch they would have complete privacy and there was a running trail which was great for skiing in the winter. There was horseback riding offered and, her eyes moved back to the room. A couples room, she looked over to Sam and then back out the window.

They had no luggage except Lanie’s back pack and they made their way into the cabin. It was absolutely beautiful with the wood and the warm carpet and the fireplace already lit, helping to dry them off from the rain that had begun to fall. She noticed the champagne and hot tub right away. Apparently Sam had splurged a little bit, making it hard for Lanie to do what she needed to do next. She dropped the back pack on the bed and sat down. Sam moved about the room exploring everything and even squealed slightly when she noticed they had computer terminals.

It only took Sam a few minutes to realize something was wrong. She turned to Lanie, “What?”

Lanie winced inwardly, she had really come to enjoy Sam’s company and wanted nothing more to spend a lot of time with her but she was scared. The incident at the observatory had scared the hell out of her in more ways than one. She had realized she had some deep feelings for this woman and she had no idea how to handle them, she had never had them before. They were jumbling in her head and confusing her.

“Sam,” she started and took a deep breath.

“Oh, Lanie, that doesn’t sound good.”

Lanie almost stopped when Sam’s face fell, she stood and started to pace. “I think that the safest place for you would be with James.” She finally spit out, fast, so fast that Sam looked at her, not understanding. “I think James would keep you safer then I could. I think we should contact him and you should go with him.”

It was silent for a long time as Sam looked to her, letting what she had just said sink in. Slowly she shook her head. “No, I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Sam, you could have died or even worse in that observatory, Demona, she was something evil.” Lanie looked away and then moved to the large widows that surrounded the hot tub and stone fireplace. She watched the rain fall and slide down. It was getting harder to think straight. “If she didn’t kill you she would have destroyed you, neither option I can live with.”

“You need me.” Sam countered, “You really suck at hacking into computers, and with your face you can’t go to a lot of places and, Lanie, and I’m not going.”

“You can’t stay, Sam, I can’t be responsible for ruining your life. You have a future, you’re going places and honestly, I think I’m pretty much dead at the end of this little adventure, laying somewhere in an unmarked grave one way or another. I can fight but I don’t even know what I’m fighting.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” Sam said. “I know what you’re fighting Lanie, at least I think I do. Everything seems to be pointing at Terra Firma, which Garry is a part of. I learned so much for you, Lanie, please don’t do this, you don’t need to be alone.”

“Sam you don’t understand, everyone I have ever loved has died. I just don’t know if I could handle it if you died as well.”

“That’s not going to happen, you won’t let it happen.”

Lanie turned to her, “Sam this is not a game, people are out there searching for me to kill me. Terra Firma, the Alliance, Remi and who knows who else. I will be damned if I drag you down any further. You can get out of this and have a life. James will make sure you are safe, you have connections.”

Completely off topic Sam’s mind made a connection, it was like a sudden click and she had not even been thinking about the subject. It just all suddenly made a whole lot of sense. “James, James Vega, he’s your James?” It was a statement and a question all rolled into one. “He’s the father of Charlotte.”

“What?” Lanie took a step back, “Are you changing the subject on me?”

“Are you avoiding the question?” Sam said suddenly regretting passing her information on to Vega. She never would have if Lanie had told her. “It’s kinda important don’t you think.”

“It’s not your business,” Lanie said defensively. This whole conversation was taking a turn she had not planned on.

“You drag me half way across gods green acre, involve me in shoot outs and hostage situations and you make me like you and you tell me it’s not my business. Geez Lanie, you know you can let people in, not everyone is going to go away. Some people want to take that chance on being on the inside.”

“It’s not going to happen Sam, and we need to get you to James as soon as possible,” Lanie said but looking at Sam she almost caved in. The hurt look on her face was almost more then she could bear. “End of discussion, don’t turn things around, this is the way it has to be.”

“And you get to be the one that calls the shots; I don’t have a choice in the matter?”

“No, Sam, you don’t we are not playing games.”

“I know that,” Sam started but Lanie interrupted her.

“Do you, champagne, hot tubs, fireplaces, this doesn’t look like a game to you,” Lanie said raising her voice slightly. She knew why Sam did it, she knew Sam did it to make her happy and she really appreciated it, but she needed to get Sam to safety and if she didn’t leave on her own Lanie would give her no option, even if it meant being nasty. At least she would be safe in the long run. “We’re not on a girls retreat here Sam, this is real life shit.”

“I know that, I have more blood on me then I have ever had in my life, Lanie, I know what’s real,” Again Lanie cut her off.

“I don’t think you do you and your sheltered little life. Not giving a fuckin shit about the stuff you don’t know about. As long as you have a warm bed at night and a safe job to go to you don’t care how you fucking got it.” Lanie was winding herself up and hating herself for it. Watching Sam face fall she just wanted to close the gap between them and take her in her arms and, tell her how she really felt, why she was really terrified. She just wanted to tell Sam that she had feelings for her. “You need to get to James and get back to your quiet fucking oblivion.”

“That’s not fair,” Sam whispered. Lanie couldn’t take it anymore that looked of betrayal on Sam’s face, it was breaking her heart. She moved to the door. “Where are you going?”

“I need to clear my head, I’m sick of being here right now.” She said curtly and opened the door to the, now pouring rain. Without letting Sam say anything else she exited the cabin, slamming the door behind her. She stopped and leaned against the door for a few seconds and closed her eyes, only to envision Demona hurting Sam, shaking her head she starting running.

Running always had a way of helping her to clear her mind and think things through, but now it was hard. It was hard to imagine just over two weeks ago life had been normal and she had been on top of her game. It was hard to imagine the people she trusted stabbing her in the back. She should have known better, life never went smoothly; she was living proof of that. She ran through the trail as the rain soaked deep into her skin. She was at a loss, with no idea of which direction to go.

She really did not want to separate from Sam; the young woman had been a god send. She had gone from being a hostage to being a trusted ally to being a friend in less than two weeks and now Lanie was having feelings for her that she had never experienced before. She wanted to believe they were real but the doubt always kicked in and she could only wonder if it was because of the circumstance. She had heard stories of relationship that lasted as long as a battle, that the stress finds a way to relieve itself. It certainly had the time she had been with James. She did not want that with Sam, it felt different. It felt like something she wanted to hold on to and that scared her.

She ran harder her feet splashing through the mud the trail was becoming. If anything happened to Sam, Lanie realized, she wasn’t sure if she could handle it. James would be able to take care of Sam and she would be safe, but she wasn’t sure she really wanted the woman to go. She had become her strength. Sam was able to take care of herself to an extent, but Remi and Terra Firma and those she didn’t even know of yet, they were not the thugs that had attacked at that home days ago. She knew she would kill for Sam, but she did not want to put Sam in the position where she would have to kill for her. She wasn’t even sure Sam could do it.

Lanie ran around a corner and came into a clearing where she could see the mountain fully and she slipped and fell to her knees, she sat up staring, letting the rain fall in her face. She could continue to push Sam away and be miserable and lost. Sam was her key, she had the information and she could get so much more. Or, she could embrace whatever it is she and Sam were developing and face the future with some hope for once in her life.

She took a deep breath and looked to the mountain as she got to her feet. Even in the rain it was impressive and beautiful. She smiled slightly and turned and headed back to the resort. She owed Sam an apology and an explanation and she just needed to figure out how to do that. Dealing with people was not her strong suit, hence the reason she usually worked alone.

It took her longer to get back to the cabin and by then she was starting to feel waterlogged, slightly cold and tired. Her feet were covered in mud and heavy. When she arrived she stood in the rain staring at the door trying to figure out what she was going to say to Sam, her mind drawing a complete blank.

She was about to turn around and go for another walk and practise some speeches when the door opened and Sam stood there looking at her. They simply stared at each other for a long moment.

“I, I don’t really want you to go Sam,” Lanie said moving forward to stand at the door, still in the rain.

Sam went to speak but Lanie placed two fingers over her lips, “Shhh, just let me fumble horribly through this,” she said and then started the shuffle, looking down to her feet as she leaned from one leg to the other. Sam waited patiently watching.

“Sam, I’m not really good at, umm, this talking about feelings thing and not used to, ahh, well friends or things like that.” She finally looked up and looked into Sam’s eyes. “I just, I mean we really don’t know what’s going to happen tonight or tomorrow or a week or a year from now and ah, well, I just don’t…” She looked down for a second before looking back up, “Well, screw it,”

She stepped forward closing the gap between the two of and placed one hand on Sam’s check and pulled her close with the other, she leaned down and brushed her lips lightly against Sam’s at first and then more firmly when she felt Sam’s hands on her waist. Her thumb and finger circled Sam’s ear and her thumb gently caressed her cheek as they embraced. They slowly parted and Lanie was back out in the rain. “I, umm,” she chewed her bottom lip slightly.

“What took you so long?” Sam said with a smile and pull Lanie into the cabin, moving to her tippy toes to return Lanie’s kiss, wrapping her arms around the warrior, her hand moving through her hair as Lanie wrapped her arms around Sam, holding her close as they embraced again. When they parted this time Lanie was smiling as if a great weight had suddenly been lifted off her shoulders. The only problem was she was at a complete loss as to what to do now. She shivered as she felt the dampness deep in her bones, but not wanting to miss the moment, afraid to lose it.

“You’re soaking wet,” Sam said finally with a mischievous little grin on her face.

“Just a little bit,” Lanie said and grabbed Sam’s arm as she moved to get her a towel, she pulled her into another embrace, “I don’t think I’ll be needing the towel,” She walked them slowly towards the bed as she kissed the smaller woman. They both reached for her soaking wet top and pulled it off, letting it fall to the floor. Sam inhaled sharply. It wasn’t the first time she had seen Lanie naked but she had never really been looking before.

Lanie lowered her onto the bed as she pulled at her shirt and threw it to the top of the bed, not really caring where it landed. She felt the tips of Sam’s fingers on her shoulder and back as they entwined their bodies together and suddenly she was terrified again. She froze slightly and looked down to Sam, her own fingertips exploring her face and cheek and neck. She had never been with a person like this before. She had her time in the slaves den and then her time with James, but never had she ever had feelings like this for the person she was with. It was almost overwhelming.

“What’s wrong?” Sam asked sensing her fear. Lanie placed her forehead on Sam’s and closed her eyes.

“This is a, well a first,” Lanie managed to finally spit out.

“But James?”

Lanie smiled slightly, “No, not that kind of first, it’s the first time I have ever been with someone I truly care about and want to spend a long time with.”

Sam smiled up and placed a hand on her cheek and looked into her eyes, “Then we will go slow and savour the moment,”

“We will,” Lanie agreed and placed her lips on Sam’s once more, her eyes closing as emotion slowly over came her and she gave herself completely to Sam.

__

The sun had given way to the night a long time ago, not that one really saw the sun through the clouds and the rain, not that either Sam or Lanie had any idea of what time it was. All Lanie knew was that Sam’s arms were around her, she could feel her fingertips swirling on her back and over her should and occasionally to her neck, which always sent the most wonderful shivers through out her body. She could hear the rain still pounding away against the glass walls and there was now thunder and lightning accompanying it. Her head rested on Sam’s chest, her own fingers moving up and down Sam’s arm.

“You know I think the thing that I find most endearing about you is your smile,” Sam said, Lanie giggled, she couldn’t help it, she felt giddy, almost like a child giddy and the giggle simply escaped before she could stop it.

“No, change that,” Sam smiled, “I think that giggle just about beats anything else I can come up with, I don’t think I have ever heard anything so endearing ever before.”

Lanie smiled and brought her fingers to Sam’s side and then to her breast, letting them caressing softly. She heard Sam moan slightly.

“And that is what I find most endearing about you,” Lanie said and smiled. “You think we could stay here forever, just pause time to this moment.”

“I don’t know about forever but we still have the rest of the night,” Sam answered, Lanie looked over to the clock, regretting it the moment she did.

“Or the rest of the morning,” she said a bit sadly.

“You know what?” Sam asked. Lanie shifted until she was beside the woman, resting her head in her hand, looking down to her.

“What?”

“We have forever, Lanie, we do. Really we just found each other and there doesn’t have to be an end, does there?”

Lanie smiled slightly looking down into Sam’s beautiful bright brown eyes, “Not if we don’t want there to be, but first we have to muddle through this whole mess I’ve gotten myself into.”

“We will, I have faith.”

Lanie took a deep breath and reluctantly slipped her legs over the side of the bed and stared at the fire in the fire place. “I don’t know, it’s an awful mess Sam and I don’t even see a way out. I’m going to guess Terra Firma has more power than anyone even knew they did.”

“There is a way out Lanie,” She felt Sam’s fingers exploring the scars on her back. “You have always found a way out, first from the Batarians, then Cerberus, you have always fought back, and this is no different except for one important thing.”

“What is that?”

“This time you have friends, James and his crew, me. We will help you find a way out of this.”

Lanie was quiet for a long moment and looked back over her shoulder to Sam, “Yes, Vega is Charlottes father,” she said answering the other woman’s question from hours ago. “It was a one shot thing, a stress release but there was never supposed to be strings attached. I never told him because he had a goal and a desire and I don’t think it was to have a family at that point and even then there was no love. We liked and respected each other but it was just a fling and I didn’t want to burden him.”

Sam looked up to Lanie then moved to sit beside her as she realized the mistake she had made giving the information about Gary’s daughter to him. Unless he didn’t have a clue, but she had feeling that James was good at math. However she was still reluctant to mention anything to Lanie until she had proof. False hope was always a back breaker, especially in this circumstance. However all roads did seem to lead back to Lanie’s old handler.

“I understand,” Sam said even though she really didn’t agree with it. She knew James and knew that he would have been a fantastic father. It was something they would deal with together eventually.

Lanie stood up and held a hand out to Sam, Sam looked to her. “Well we have a great hot tub and a warm fire and we have not taken advantage of it. I don’t know about you, but I have some great fantasies that involved that sort of a set up.”

Sam smiled and took her hand, “Wow, you’re really learning this romantic stuff quickly,” Sam said as Lanie giggled slightly. She really could get used to that giggle on a regular basis.

Ok so, I was going to be all risqué here and everything but I chickened out. Sorry. Oh and yes a fluff piece obviously, was not going to have this happen for a long while but the scene would not leave me alone. Also if I get any request to extend that scene I just might…
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Hallowed Truth