Sowing The Seeds of Victory

"Miss Parasini is here to see you, ma'am," said the secretary, as she moved aside to allow Gianna entrance.



The dread Gianna had been feeling all day was showing no signs of subsiding.  Ever since she had gotten the summons to Binary Helix HQ again, she had felt certain that the jig was up.



She had strung Killira along for as long as she could, promising her that she'd have results soon, and denying any attempts to get a face-to-face meeting to make a progress report.  She was always too busy chasing a new lead or meeting with a possible suspect, never enough time to get back for a one-on-one chat.



But delaying it probably hadn't been the best idea.  Because at this stage, no amount of baggy clothing could hide the swelling of her stomach from anyone who saw her.  At this point her fear was almost as much for the new life growing inside her as it was for herself.  Shepard had given her this precious gift, and she had every intention of protecting it with everything she had.



She walked – well, more like waddled – into Killira's office, taking a seat without saying a word.  The asari matriarch at the other side of the desk watched her, expressionless as always.



Finally, Killira spoke.  "Ms. Parasini, I brought you into inform you that your services will no longer be required."



That was all that was said for a long time, the silence seeming to last forever.



Gianna worked up the nerve to speak.  "I'm… sorry, Ms. T'Nama."



Killira shook her head.  "Honestly, Ms. Parasini, I should be the one apologizing to you.  I'm sure there are any number of important cases you could have been working on during this time, but instead I had you running around on a... what is it you humans call it?  A 'wild goose chase,' I think is the phrase?"



"Wild goose...?" Gianna started to say.



Killira gave her a nod.  "Upon further research, our people determined that the rash of pregnancies among our employees was little more than a statistical anomaly.  A bit of an over-reaction on our parts, it seems.  So again, let me apologize for wasting your time, and rest assured that you will be well compensated for your time and efforts."



Gianna didn't know exactly how to respond to this.  "Uh, thank you?" she finally blurted out.



"Be sure to see Ms. Nalanya on your way out," Killira said, as she rose to her feet, "She'll have details on your payment."



"Of course, I..." Gianna started to say, before her breath caught in her throat.  From behind Killira's desk, Gianna hadn't been able to see the outward curve of the asari's stomach.  Killira noticed her look and smiled.



"We truly are blessed, aren't we, Ms. Parasini?" the pregnant CEO said.



Gianna nodded as she carefully rose to her feet.  "Yes, we are," she said, shaking Killira's hand as she felt the smallest of kicks from inside her womb.