New Covington - the next day

[allie_vamp]

Even thought she'd been fairly certain it would work, waking up to find out that Zeke's blood had cured Kanin was still an incredible relief. They drew two more vials of blood, Allie got injected with one and one was carefully tucked into Kanin's pocket for the trip back to Salazar's tower. Surprisingly even Jackal agreed that it was best not to let Salazar know the source of the cure, not if Zeke ever wanted to leave the city.



The trip back to the the Tower was mostly uneventful. They had one run in with bleeders and knowing there was now a cure, they did their best to leave as many of the infected alive as they could. When they arrived in the Inner City they were quickly escorted to Salazar's office. There was a tense moment when Allie wasn't certain that Salazar would keep his word and let Kanin go, but the Master Vampire proved surprisingly honorable and said they would be free to leave the next evening, once he had confirmed for himself that that the cure worked.

Once Salazar had dismissed them, Jackal disappeared, muttering under his breath about spending time with real vampires instead of a bunch of do-gooders. Everyone else headed back to their rooms to get cleaned up and rest. Or at least that's what Allie thought. Up until the point Zeke knocked on her door.

After a long conversation and more then a few heated kisses, Allie found herself alone once more. She understood why Zeke had gone back to his own room, and while she understood and agreed with his thinking, it didn't mean she had to like it. But it was for the best, plus it gave her time to talk to Kaidan about the decision she'd made.

Allie was almost to Kaidan's door when the servant hurried up and pressed a book into hands. Allie recognized it at once. The children's book from Stick's office. Her mother's book. "Mr. Stephen said to make sure you get this," the woman said before she hurried away. There was a slip of paper sticking out of the top. Allie pulled it out, recognizing Stick's loopy scrawl immediately. Allie, This is yours. I was going to burn it, but I want you to have it instead, because if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here now. -Stephen She crumpled the note in her hand. Stick wasn't giving her the book to be kind. It was a reminder that he was the Prince's aide because Allie had taught him to read. But Allie didn't care. She wouldn't let him ruin the memory of her mother.

Tucking the book in her pocket, Allie raised her hand and knocked on Kaidan's door.



Kaidan

Kaidan'd been too fixated on this mission to think about anything important-- the downtime wasn't doing him any favors, though the quiet helped. It was... a weird kind of dichotomy, and he was looking forward to going home (home home) to clear his head in the hopefully near future.

But at least the knock was a welcome distraction.

He opened the door. "Hey."



Allie

"You're awake. I wasn't sure if you would be. It's been a long few days," Allie said when the door opened. "But I'm glad. I need to talk to you if that's okay."



Kaidan

"Can't really sleep," Kaidan admitted, running his fingers over his his hair self-consciously.

Stupid biotics wrecking his hair.

"But yeah, come in."

He stepped aside.



Allie

Allie stepped in and leaned against the side of the dresser. "I bet you're looking forward to getting home tomorrow aren't you?"



Kaidan

"Not that this hasn't been... nice." Yeah, not really. "But I could use the break."



Allie

That made her let out a soft laugh. "I really am sorry about dragging you into all this. But then again, if I hadn't, I don't know if things would have turned out the same way. So I am glad you were here."



Kaidan

"I wouldn't have skipped out on this even if I'd known," Kaidan said with a tiny smile. He crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall. "But this... this situation is pretty fucked up, Allie."



Allie

"Ya think? I grew up out there. I know it's messed up," Allie replied. "I wanted to change it. But there wasn't anything a street rat from the Fringe could do."

She looked down, studying her hands. "That's changed now."



Kaidan

"How d'you feel about that?" Kaidan asked quietly.

He wasn't exactly new to being the second, here.



Allie

"Excited, nervous, scared?" she admitted with a shrug. "I haven't decided yet. But I talked to Zeke before I came up here." Despite herself, Allie couldn't help smiling a little at the thought of Zeke and how that conversation had ended. "I did make a decision about what I'm doing tomorrow when we leave here."



Kaidan

"Which is...?" he prompted.



Allie

"Kanin's going with Zeke back to Eden. I'm going to go with them," Allie said in a rush. "Not back to the island."



Kaidan

Kaidan blinked. He had to... process that.

He wasn't in any position to argue, he knew that - his own place on the island could end any day, following just one word by his superiors. And he definitely got the duty issue. And yet, still...

"Okay," he said finally, when being quiet got a little too conspicuous.



Allie

Allie had been biting at her lip as she waited for Kaidan's response. Even though she was pretty certain he understood, nerves about the entire situation kept her talking. "I'm not just going because of Zeke. If vampire blood can help them come up with a cure. I have to try. Does that make me crazy?"



Kaidan

"No, it doesn't make you crazy, it makes you brave," Kaidan said. "It's a good choice. They need you."



Allie

"I suppose." It might be the right choice but it didn't mean Allie wasn't going to regret giving up the simple, quiet life she'd found in Fandom. Or the friends she'd made there.

"I know Zeke says they're not going to treat us like lab rats. But if I wind up strapped down to another table, you're going to come rescue me again, right?"



Kaidan

That at least got Kaidan to crack a smile. "You just call, okay?" he said. "Anything happens-- I'll be right down. And armed."

He meant that. Very strongly.



Allie

Allie grinned, even if it was still a little sad around the edges. "I'm counting on that. They won't know what hit them."



Kaidan

"But I think you'll handle yourself just fine," he added. "You can kick some ass, okay?"

He offered her a hand.



Allie

Grabbing onto Kaidan's offered hand and squeezing tightly was a lot easier then trying to get out all the words that were stuck behind the lump in Allie's throat.



Kaidan

Kaidan released a little sigh and pulled her in for a tight hug.



Allie

Allie returned the hug just as strongly. "It's the only thing I regret about staying. Just that it means leaving you and my friends," she admitted quietly.



Kaidan

"I know," Kaidan said. "And I'm gonna miss you. But some things-- some things are bigger than friends, you know? Knowing you're putting in something-- that you're doing something that matters."



Allie

Allie nodded, still not quite ready to let go. "Oh, I know. I'm just being selfish for a minute. After everything this week, I think that's allowed."



Kaidan

"I can let you get away with that," Kaidan said. He wasn't gonna move out of the hug until she was done with it. "This once."



Allie

That earned Kaidan a gentle punch towards his shoulder as Allie reluctantly let go. "Gee, thanks," she drawled.



Kaidan

"You're welcome," Kaidan said, shooting her a smile.



Allie

Allie smiled back, content that that hug had said more then any amout of words could.

"So tomorrow morning, well evening really. God, you'll probably to get back to normal people hours," Allie said, amused. "Zeke and Kanin want to get an early start and get out of here before Jackal notices. We'll get you a portal and then we'll start own trip. Is that okay with you?"



Kaidan

"Sure," Kaidan said, nodding his head thoughtfully. "Whatever works for the rest of you-- it's fine with me."

The Alliance was probably starting to wonder where he was; it felt like weeks since he'd last been home.



Allie

"Good. I'm going to try and convince them to take a way out that doesn't involve the sewers." Because god only knew, they'd spent enough time there this week. "But I can't make any promises."



Thirty minutes after the sun had set, Allie was frustrated and anxious. Despite their talk of an early start, there was no sign of Kanin, Zeke, or Kaidan. After making sure she had her sword and her mom's book, Allie stalked across the room. She'd go and find them herself.

She nearly ran into Kanin outside the door. "Dammit, Kanin! Where were you? I was just about to go looking for you."
The look on his face had Allie's voice trailing off. "Come with me," he said in a low, strained voice, and immediately started walking away.

Allie scrambled after him. "Where are we going? What's going on? Where are the others?" She jogged along, trying to keep pace with him. "Hey, you're kind of scaring me."

"I'm sorry," Kanin almost whispered. "I can't say more, Allison. You'll see when we get there."

Numb with terror at what she was going to find where ever they were going, Allie followed.

There was the tower's basement hospital. The Prince was there, his dark eyes glittering with anger. Jackal, the doctor and several guards all surrounded a single cot in the middle of the room. A body lay atop it, the sheets beneath it soaked in blood.

No! No! It's not him. I can't be him!

"He was found outside the towers, early this morning," Salazar said, his voice tight with rage. "We brought him in, but there is nothing more to be done. It is a miracle he has survived this long. He has been asking for you, Kanin's daughter."
Salazar and the doctor stepped aside and Allie saw who lay atop the bed.

Stick's glassy, pain-filled eyes widened when he saw Allie across the room. HIs expression was filled with pain and fear, and all the bitterness, rage and hurt Allie had felt towards him melted away as he held out a pale, blood-spatterd hand. "Allie..."

She took his hand as she stepped to his side. "What happened?" Allie asked, looking over his wounds in despair. He'd been stabbed through the gut, a wound that was painful. And fatal. He didn't have long. "Who did this to you?"

"I'm sorry," Stick whispered, his voice choked. "I'm sorry, Allie. I didn't know. I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what?" she murmured as he began coughing blood. Allie glared at Salazar. "Do something! You have a doctor here! Don't just stand there and watch him die."

The Prince's eyes narrowed. "I do not make a habit of aiding those who betray me."
"What? How?"

"Allie," Stick whispered again. "S-Sarren. It was Sarren. He came back."

The blood in Allie's veins turned to ice. "Sarren did this to you?"

"I...led him there," he went on. "I led him to Sarren. He was waiting for us. Promised to...take him away. Didn't know...he would stab me. I'm...so sorry, Allie."

Took him away? "Who?" she demanded. Stick gasped and his eyes rolled back. "Stick!" Allie growled and grasped his collar. "Who did Sarren take? Who did you lead outside?"

"Zeke," Stick wheezed. "It was Zeke. Sarren...has him now."

"Son of a bitch," Allie heard Jackal growl behind her. But she couldn't think straight. Could only stare at the thing she'd once called friend.

"He said...you would know...where to find them." Allie was barely listening. Sarren had Zeke. Zeke had been with him, all night. "He said...they would be in the place where you left him...in pieces."

The hospital. Sarren would be at the hospital. And Zeke would be there, as well. Alive. He had to be alive.

"I just...wanted to get you to see me," Stick continued, pleading. "I wanted you to know..that I wasn't useless. That I...could be strong, like you. I wanted you to see me, that's all. Just...me."

"I do." Numb, Allie stepped back from the bed. "I see you now."

"Allie..."

"Go to hell, Stick." He choked and clutched at her arm, but Allie ripped it out of his grasp. She turned away and swept through the doors, leaving behind the corpse of someone she used to know.

"Allison!" Kanin's booming voice stopped Allie just before she hit the elevator doors. "You cannot rush off ot confront him alone," he said as he joined her. "If you wait, Jackal and I will come with you."

"Wait?" Allie snarled. "There's no time to wait. We have to find them, now! Where's Kaidan? He'll go with me."

"My guards have informed me he was seen leaving the Tower shortly after Stephen and your other pet did." Prince Salazar informed them as he stepped through the door.

Allie shook her head, not willing to admit to herself what that probably meant. Kanin and Salazar exchanged a long look before the Prince boarded the elevator.

Allie started forward to join him, but Kanin grabbed both her shoulders and held her back. "Listen to me," he insisted. "You need to hear this. Ezekial has been with Sarren for hours. Alone. He knows were Eden is. He knows the scientists are working on a cure, and Sarren will want that information. Sarren has seen what the Commander can do. There is no way he'll let that escape him. Allison..." Kanin squeezed her shoulders. "You have to prepare yourself for what we may find. You can't let it destroy you."

"They're going to be okay. They both are."

"This is Sarren," Kanin reminded her, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "You saw what he did to me. You know what he's capable of. Your humans are strong. But they are only human. And Sarren is the best at what he does." His voice softened even more. "This is our world, Allison. It's pain and blood and death, and this is the reason I wanted you to keep your distance. To not get attached." He let her go and straightened. "Whatever we find," he said quietly. "Whatever you see or hear, you must be prepared, because it will be worse than you could ever imagine. Do you understand?"

"Yes," Allie hissed as tears stung her eyes. Kanin was, as always, right. But it was too late. Allie was attached. And if Kaidan or Zeke were gone, she didn't know what she would do.

"Well," Jackal muttered as he finally joined them at the doors. "I guess saying 'I told you so' is pretty pointless now. I knew I should've ripped that skinny bastard's head off when I had the chance. Back to the Fringe again, huh?" He groaned and gave Allie a look that was almost pitying. "Fine. Let's go see if there's anything left to rescue."

It was snowing heavily when they reached the hopsital grounds. There was no blood, and no sign of a struggle at the entrance to the hospital or in the ruined foyer. Allie didn't know if that was a good or bad sign but she was hopeful.

All that changed when they opened the door to the last room.



The scent of Zeke's blood was everywhere, and mixed with it, the faint scent of ozone Allie had always associated with Kaidan's biotics. The smell slammed her in the face as soon as the door opened. Allie's stomach turned, and her legs nearly gave out but she forced herself into the room, gazing around in terror, afraid of what she was going to find. Where were they? Had Sarren locked them in a cell? Strung their bodies up? Where? And then, she saw.

The table where she'd been trapped the night before, the bed with the straps and the thick leather cuffs, sat in the center of the room, a spotlight trained on it. It was covered in blood, just like the tools on the cart beside it, and the floor surrounding it was streaked with red. The straps were empty and surface clear, except for a battered laptop in the very center of the bed.

Numbly Allie walked to the table and stared down at what lay on top of the computer. She recognized it at once, Zeke's silver cross, now covered in blood. She picked it up in a daze, not ready to acknowledge what it meant.

Her hand moved, almost as if it belonged to someone else, and pushed up the screen of the laptop. There was a soft click, and a faint whirring sound as the computer turned on.

"Hello, little bird," came Sarren's faint, disembodied voice. "The camera on this computer is shot to hell, I'm afraid, so we'll just have to be content with audio. Pity. I really wanted to show you what I've been doing. But, perhaps a song is worth a thousand pictures, hmmm? Show her what I mean, Ezekial. Sing for us."

A scream, horrible and gut-wrenching rose from the computer. Allie clenched her fist so hard, Zeke's cross pierced the skin of her palm. She wanted nothing more then to close the lid but she forced herself not to move, to listen to Zeke's agony, until the scream finally died away and the sound of tortured breathing took its place.

"You should be very proud, little bird." Sarren's voice slithered out of the computer, cruel and soulless. "He's held out remarkably well. But I suspect he's reaching his limit. I wanted you to be here for his final moments, to realize just how much you've lost. It's only fair-you did take my arm, after all. A man can get very attached to his arm. Well, shall we get on with it then?" There was a faint metallic clink, as if Sarren picked up something small and shiny. "Ezekial," he crooned. "I have asked you this before, but perhaps now you are more inclined to talk to me, yes? How did you survive the virus? Where did you find a cure?"

"I...don't know."

Allie bit her lip so hard she tasted blood as she listened to Zeke's choked whisper. It was too easy to picture him strapped to the table, his eyes bright with pain.

"You don't know?" Sarren repeated mockingly. "Jackal gave me the impression you were at death's door. Are you certain you don't remember?"

Jackal let out a quiet curse from where he'd be standing behind Allie. Before she could even realize what that meant a scream of anguish came the laptop. Allie's blood turned to ice as she waited for it to stop. But it didn't. For several long minutes, it ebbed and flowed, sometimes fading to breathless, gasping sobs, sometimes to piercing heights of agony. For a second Allie was vaguely aware of Kanin standing rigid beside her, but after while, everything shrank down to the soul destroying noise coming from the computer, the sounds of someone wanting to die.

Now, Ezekial," Sarren whispered when the screaming finally stopped. "One last time. Where did you find that cure. And if you lie to me, we can continue this all night. And the next. And the next. I have all the time in the world..

Zeke took several more ragged breaths before whispering, in a voice of utter pain and defeat. "Eden. The cure...is in Eden."

"Now we are getting somewhere," Sarren rasped. "So little prince, there's one more question for you to answer. Where is Eden?"

Sarren chuckled when Zeke remained silent. "Oh Ezekial, you'd been doing so well. Don't stop now." When Zeke still didn't say anything Sarren's voice turned ugly and terrifying. "Three seconds, little human. Before I make you wish you were never born. Before the pain you experience up until this point will seem like a pleasant, half-remembered dream compared to what I am about to do. Be very certain this is what you want. One."

"Allison," Kanin's voice was low and tight. "Close the laptop. You don't want to hear this."

"Two."

Allie shook her head. "No," she whispered, clutching the cross tightly. "I owe it to him, to remember."

"Three."

She braced herself for the worst.

It was worse. Far, far worse.

When it stopped Allie was numb, unaware of anything other then the sounds coming from the computer. Sarren's voice, flat and merciless. And Zeke, gasping for breath, choking on blood. "This is not the end, little human. This is just a reminder that you can stop this at any time. But it makes no difference to me. We have many more hours to go, and I am just getting started."

"Stop!" Zeke sobbed, panting, his vocie broken and empty. "I'll tell you. God forgive me...I'll tell you. Just...no more."

"Where?"

"An island," he whispered. "Eden...is on an island, in the middle of Lake Eerie."

"You're lying, little human," Sarren's voice hissed and Zeke made a choked sound of fear and dread. "Tell me where it really is or we'll do it all again."

"No!" Zeke's voice cracked. "Please. I can't give you another answer, that's where it really is. Oh God....I've betrayed everyone. Just kill me already. Let me die."

"Soon, little human. Soon you will feel nothing. But would you first like to say good-bye?" Allie could hear the smile in Sarren's words and she never hated as much as she did at that moment. "The knight will rise and your friends will be arriving soon, I expect. The little bird might want to hear your voice, one last time. Is there anything you would like to tell her, before we say good-night?"

"Allie, I'm so sorry," he whispered, sounding horrified. Allie wanted to reach for him, to grab his hand and never let go, but he wasn't there. "I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough. I couldn't...You have to stop him. Stop him from getting to Eden. He's planning to-" His voice dissolved into another scream. Allie hadn't been expecting it and cringed, squeezing Zeke's cross in a death grip.

"Now, now," Sarren chided mildly. "Let's not spoil the surprise. Is there anything else you'd like to add before I kill you, little prince?"

Zeke panted, his voice growing faint. I don't regret...anything...I just wish...we had more time...that you could've seen Eden with me. I should've told you earlier...love you."

Allie dropped her head into her hands, unable to hold back her sobs any longer. For just a moment, she'd had hope and now it was gone.

"We'll... see each other again someday. And then...it'll be forever."

"Magnificent,"Sarren said. "Truly touching. A fine requiem. But it is time to say goodbye, little prince. Are you ready?"

Zeke's voice was calm and unafraid. "I'm ready."

"Then let me release you from this mortal coil, and send you gently into the eternal night."

Allie listened to Zeke's breathing. It was ragged at first but then there was a long, agonizing slow exhale before he tortured breaths stopped forever.

"Good night, sweet prince," Sarren crooned.

The recording clicked off.



Jackal

"Well, that's too bad," Jackal said, arms crossed as he leaned against a wall. "But you know it had to happen soon or later. Bloodbags rarely last very long."



Allie

So Jackal wanted to die today? Allie would be happy to oblige him.

She snarled angrily and rushed at him, too caught up in fury to even bother drawing her sword. Allie was just going to rip his heart out with her bare hands.



Jackal

Jackal side-stepped her, keeping out of her reach. "Deal with it, sister," he said. "They're mortal. They die. We don't. It's going to happen again and again if you keep hanging around with them, so you better get used to it."

He was trying to make a point, but he was admittedly being a dick about it.



Allie

A huge dick. So huge Allie was regretting pulling him off the spike the day before.

"But it was my fault! They were both here because of me! They died because of me!" Because Stick was a jealous little shit. Because Sarren was a psychotic bastard who was out for revenge.

Grief, rage, and heartbreak meant Allie wasn't really thinking too clearly at the moment and just assumed the worst.



Kanin

Kanin was thinking more clearly and one small sentence had given him hope that not all was lost.

The knight will rise...

"Go," he ordered Jackal. "See what you can find."

Remember who brought you into this world Jackal. Now that he'd recovered, Kanin would have no problem taking you out.



Jackal

"Fine, whatever," Jackal said, throwing up his hands.

He paused on the way out. "They died because of their own choices, sister, not yours."



Allie

Allie shook her head, unwilling to listen at the moment, or maybe ever. She was Kanin's daughter after all. Guilt was going to be a way of life.



Kanin

"Allison," Kanin said, once Jackal had left the room. "Those of us who live this long so often become jaded. It is hard to hold on to what made us human. It is easier to simply let go, to become the demon everyone sees in us. I thought I was done being surprised. But you have managed to surprise me at every turn." He paused, his next words quiet, almost hesitant. "I cannot tell you how to live. But...it would be a pity if you became just another monster because of this. You would not be honoring your friends and the sacrifices they made if you abandoned everything you've fought for until now."



Allie

They were wise words and maybe they'd make a difference later when the pain and rage wasn't so fresh.

"It's too hard," Allie said. Get voice broke as she continued. "I don't know if I can do that."



Jackal

"That's what she said," Jackal said, returning to the room.

He was unceremoniously dragging Kaidan behind him. "Found him!" he said cheerfully.

That probably wasn't going to help with Kaidan's already existing bruises, Jackal.



Allie

Allie was moving before Jackal had even finished speaking.

"He's still alive," she said, focusing on Kaidan's steady heartbeat. "How's that even possible?"



Kanin

"I believe he is both very strong, and very lucky," Kanin observed. For Allie's sake he was relieved that Kaidan had survived. "He needs medical care."



Allie

Zeke's screams were still echoing in Allie's head but she made a conscious effort to ignore them and the blinding rage that made her want to rip things apart. She'd lost Zeke, she wasn't going to lose Kaidan if she had anything to say about it.

"I know he does. But not here. I'm not letting any of Salazar's people near him."



Kanin

"Understandable. You'll take him to your...island?" During their long trek through the Fringe Allie had explained some of what she'd been up to since they parted. While Kanin believed her, Fandom and all its quirks was still a difficult concept to wrap his mind around.



Allie

The island was one option. But then Allie remembered Navaan worked at the clinic and suddenly that wasn't such a good idea after all. For a moment she debated poking at Kaidan's omni tool. She knew he could make calls on it, maybe someone would answer and be able to help her arrange a portal to the right place.

Or, Allie realized, she could call someone from the right universe who definitely would be able to arrange a portal to wherever they needed to be.

"I've got a better idea."

Pulling out her phone, Allie dialed the number for the Portalocity office in Fandom and hoped like hell Sam was working.



Sam

Sam didn't pick up on the first ring -- her current game of internet chess was incredibly engrossing -- but she did pick up.

"Hello? Erm, that is -- Portalocity office, Traynor speaking."



Allie

Allie had been getting quietly frantic with each ring of the phone.

"Sam, it's Allie, Kaidan's friend. He's hurt and I need your help to get him out of here." Maybe Sam would remember her from the date night thing at Caritas, maybe not. All Allie cared about was getting Kaidan out of there. The fact that Kaidan wasn't making the call himself should give Sam an idea of how bad it was.



Sam

"Oh, no," Sam gasped, hastening to pull up the portal reservation system on the monitor at her desk. "Right, I just need your universe ID number and location and I can have a portal there momentarily. What's happened?"



Allie

"I'm pretty sure he went a few rounds with a psychotic vampirer," Allie said after she'd rattled off the information Sam needed. "He's lucky to be alive. Listen can you put us through to a medical place in his universe? I don't trust the clinic in Fandom." They'd hired Navaan after all.



Sam

"Erm, sure," Sam said. "I'll have you off to Huerta Memorial Hospital on the Citadel, all right? The portal should be waiting for you in sixty seconds."

A notification popped up on the screen, and Sam frowned. "Oh."



Allie

"Than...Oh? That doesn't sound good." Which was par for the course after the week they'd had. "What's wrong?"



Sam

"Erm, well," Sam said, poking at her screen as though it might change its mind about what it was showing her. "I can still put this request through, but it looks like we're suspending service to and from your dimension quite soon. There's some sort of... health-related dimensional quarantine."

Suddenly she was much more worried about Kaidan. And Allie too, for that matter.



Allie

Health-related quarantine. Of course it would only happen after they'd found a cure for the virus. But the implications were clear. If Allie left, she might not make it back.

"Put it through. All that matters right now is that he gets out of here. Thanks Sam. I owe you one." Allie said before disconnecting the call. Sorry for the abruptness Sam, but she had vampires to deal with.

"I'm sure you both heard that."



Kaidan

Kanin nodded, his face impassive. "Do what you need to do. We will go after Sarren."



Jackal

Jackal snorted. "Fine, get out and leave us to deal with the psycho. How about you stay and I take him and go see the sights?"



Allie

"Not happening," Allie said flatly.

There was a flash as the portal opened. She reached down and easily maneuvered an unconscious Kaidan until she was supporting his weight against her shoulder.

"I'll be back. As soon as I can."

She didn't wait for an answer, just stepped through the portal to the Citadel.

[OOC: And that's the end of the spam aka Allie's Book 2 canon catch-up. Just in time for book 3 to come out on Tuesday. I have to give huge, huge, huge thanks to not_a_whiner, trigons_child (who played the voice of Jackal and did obnoxious amounts of coding), and playsforkepesh for working with me to get this written.]