A/N: Hello, and welcome to my interpretation of the FemshepxLiara pairing. The goal here is to expand on what we get in game without simply rehashing the main conversations. Some of this chapter will be very similar to what is said in game, but I wrote that strictly from memory, knowing that I don't actually know the scene word for word. I added my own dialogue in there to keep it fresh and to cover the gaps in my memory. This is supposed to feel like the ME1 romance so that is why I kept some of the dialogue. Besides, Liara's embarrassed stumbling at the end couldn't possibly be replaced by anything fan made; it's wonderful dialogue on Bioware's part. There will also be completely original chapters that take place between the in-game conversations. So, I hope you guys like it.
1
Liara was feeling much better. She had to admit that perhaps it was foolish of her to attend the commander's debriefing. However, she just had to learn what was going on.
Mother, I-I just don't understand. Why would you ally yourself with that-that turian bastard! Perhaps if we had been speaking I could…. Oh, don't be dense, Liara! What could you have done? The young Prothean expert thought bitterly.
Maidens were meant to receive counsel from matriarchs, not the other way around. Her mother had lived for over eight centuries and Liara could only hope that she knew what she was doing. Perhaps she did, after all, Liara had only lived just over a century herself, and the Matriarch would have more wisdom than she could ever hope to gain.
Thoughts of Benezia depressed her more than usual now and normally she would have buried herself in her work. Unfortunately, it was her dig site that was buried now.
Perhaps the commander would find that amusing….
She didn't know what to think of the human. Commander Shepard, the first human Spectre, and the first human she had ever met. On one hand, Shepard had been kind to her. The other human with her had been quick to accuse her of working with that foul turian; with her mother…. She had also failed to address her by her proper title. Dr. Liara T'Soni had worked very hard for her degree and devoted fifty
years of her life to her field.
"'Miss Prothean Expert' indeed!" Liara sniffed.
That brought her back to the commander. Despite all her years of research, it was Commander Shepard that possessed the Prothean vision, Shepard that finally gave a name… a reason as to why the Protheans had vanished all those centuries ago. Shepard, Saren and her mother, perhaps, that held those secrets.
How could you not tell me, Mother? Did it not cross your mind to inform your daughter that specializes in the Protheans of what you learned? Is my field really so trivial to you? How… how could you believe so if the Reapers truly exist?
Liara began to shake again as her biotics made themselves known by throwing her energy drink into the bulkhead. She forced herself to calm. Not only was it unbecoming of a matriarch's daughter to lose control as she had, but the kind, human doctor had also advised her to rest. This included not utilizing her abilities.
She was mopping up the liquid when she heard the storeroom door open.
"Commander," Liara said in surprise, "Are you coming in to check on me?"
She had not expected this. While the commander had shown her kindness in the ruins, she did not anticipate that the human would personally see to her health.
The commander had one of her red eye markings raised. Liara wasn't sure what to make of them. They were very similar in size and shape to her facial markings but the texture was noticeably different. She had more of the material on her head and the color appeared to be a defining characteristic and differentiated between humans. The pilot, Lieutenant Alenko and Miss Williams possessed it in a shade varying from brown to black. The doctor's was grey and the commander's was a striking red.
Everything seemed to be striking when it came to the commander.
"What did your canteen do to upset you? Couldn't get it open or something?"
"Commander, I believe I have sufficient self-control to abstain from taking my temper out on inanimate objects."
At least, I believe my self-control to be sufficient enough to avoid doing so consciously….
The commander's lips seemed to twitch. Liara didn't know if humans had the same facial cues as asari, but in her species, that would have been an expression of suppressed amusement. Embarrassment filled her at the thought of, once again, failing to spot human humor.
"Do all humans make jokes, or is it something you and your pilot share?"
The commander shrugged, "I guess it is a human thing. Joker and I are definitely not the best at them, though. How are you feeling?" Shepard asked kindly.
Liara was glad Shepard had dropped her odd human humor. It was alien to her and she was certain she'd make even more a fool of herself if they continued that line of conversation. Besides, it was refreshing to have someone act so kind towards her. Liara had spent much of her time alone and when she wasn't so, she was usually with others of her species and they had a tendency to act awkward and stilted in her presence. Some were put off by her mother's identity, others because of her other parent. Most of the time, she herself contributed to her less than optimal social life. Liara wished she had the social skills of her mother quite often.
"Dr. Chakwas assures me I'm going to be fine. I was quite impressed with her knowledge of asari physiology," she said as she smiled shyly.
"You're in good hands. Dr. Chakwas knows what she's doing."
Liara expected the commander to take her leave now that she knew she was fine, but the human surprised her yet again. Shepard knelt beside her and began to help her wipe up the mess she had created.
"Commander, you don't have to—" Liara started in embarrassment.
"Don't worry about it. Besides, this gets me out of finishing up all that paperwork that's beginning to stack up on me…," Shepard grinned.
"So, you are only here to— Commander, perhaps you are better with you humor than you believe."
The commander chuckled, "You aren't really good unless you can make the other person laugh. Enough about me though. I'd like to know more about the asari."
The asari. Yes, I can do that….
The doctor only hoped that she would not bore the commander with her, at times, overly clinical choice of words. However, she soon discovered she need not have feared. The human asked many questions and seemed genuinely interested in her people's culture. She felt she should have known where this line of questioning would go, however.
"Benezia never spoke of her partner," she said quietly, "I do know that my father, if you wish to use that term, was another asari. I am what is known as a pureblood, though no asari would ever be cruel enough to say this to my face."
"Wait a second; your people actually have a name for that? I thought the asari strived to be the tolerant ones in the galaxy," the commander frowned with her eye markings furrowed.
"Tolerance is something my people aspire to. However, I fear this is not always so. Like all other species, we have our prejudices as well."
"I guess the asari are like everyone else then. But still, I imagine your people didn't start out melding with other species when there weren't any. Why do you think this way now?"
"You have to understand, Commander, that my people can meld, and subsequently reproduce, with different species. We believe that our daughters take on traits from the father species. This is not considered true for asari couples. If the child is of two asari, then nothing has been gained, or so conventional wisdom has told," Liara said uncomfortably.
"No offense, but that doesn't sound very wise to me. Sounds like the asari don't think they add anything to their own children. Or that they've forgotten that they are asari and not some mish-mash of different species," Shepard told her as she crossed her arms.
Liara wasn't familiar with the term "mish-mash" but she was certain she knew what the human was saying.
"I must admit, your view is refreshing," she told the commander, "However, I do not believe that my people with adopt it any time soon. It is likely that my father was embarrassed to sire a pureblood daughter."
"Maybe she wanted to meet you, but couldn't. Maybe she passed away," Shepard offered.
The asari did not truly think that either scenario was likely, but she was touched that the commander was even trying to reassure her. She wondered if it was foolish to attempt to hope that the human was correct.
"You may be right, or at least I hope so," Liara said with a sad smile, "But, in any case, that is why my people do not typically mate with one another."
Silence passed between them for several moments. Liara began to fear that she had said something she wasn't supposed to. She had thought that their conversation had gone rather well, but perhaps she had stunted it into awkwardness. It wouldn't have been the first time.
However, the commander seemed to have her markings furrowed. Liara would have normally associated this expression with thought, but she realized that it could mean something entirely different for humans.
"Do you know why Benezia is working for Saren?" the human finally asked.
Liara's heart sank at the reminder.
Did you really believe the commander would not ask you of her? She has a mission to complete. I should have expected this….
"Benezia and I have not spoken in many years, but I know her and this is not like her," she said emphatically.
No, this was not like her mother at all and no matter how many ways she looked at the matriarch's involvement, her confusion would not lessen.
"This hurts you, doesn't it?" Shepard asked.
She thought she saw compassion in the human's eyes, but could not be certain. Even if she was able to read a human's eyes with any accuracy, Shepard's would still have escaped her, she felt. Her green eyes were filled with a variety of emotions and thoughts, but they had a hardness to them that seemed to most define her. It spoke of experiences and trials that Liara would never face. That she, perhaps, would never wish to face. They were just as striking as the rest of her….
Liara had to admit that she was hurt by her mother's actions. It seemed like Benezia was not even thinking of how this would affect her, or what she would think. Despite the fact that she was a maiden, she liked to think that her opinion mattered to her mother. At least on some matters and this one especially.
Benezia was also widely known by her teachings and her treasonous activities seemed to spit on them. How could her mother work with the anti-human former Spectre when she was known for preaching cooperation and tolerance between races? It was perhaps another reason she was glad to be working with the commander now. Liara did not think she could handle her people's reaction to Benezia's activities if, or rather when, they eventually became known.
"None of this makes any sense to me," she admitted, "I can only hope we eventually find the truth."
"We don't know why Benezia has followed Saren," the commander allowed.
Shepard looked away from her, however, and Liara thought it was at this moment that she finally received a clear read of the human.
I fear you are correct, Commander. If-If Mother is indeed working with Saren and his horrible intentions, I don't know if I will be able to do what may be necessary.
She didn't know if she wanted to even leave the ship, let alone attempt to actually track down her mother. She wanted the truth more than anything, but the young asari was also acutely aware that she may not be able to handle it. Liara was also aware that she was an accomplished biotic, despite not being a commando. Her mother had insisted on her training properly and Shepard may desire to take advantage of that fact in the future. Could she deny the commander in good conscience after the human saved her life? While she consumed resources on the Spectre's ship?
Another silence took root and Liara was certain that this one was tense. Perhaps the commander had realized that she did not enjoy speaking of Benezia. It was also likely that Shepard did not take pleasure in questioning her about her mother.
"I'd like to know more about you," the human said suddenly.
"Me? I am afraid that I'm not very interesting."
How could she be compared to the first human Spectre? Not to mention the manner in which the other humans had treated the commander. The respect they gave her was obvious and Liara was sure that there was even more to Shepard than she knew. She could not see how her life would hold the human's interest.
However, contrary to the doctor's thoughts, Shepard was still regarding her with open curiosity.
Another human trait or something unique to Shepard?
"I spend much of my time on remote digs," she continued.
"Sounds dangerous and lonely," Shepard commented.
"I do not mind. I am not so good with people. Being a matriarch's daughter means people assume that I will help lead the asari into the future.
"It sounds so silly when I say it like that. That I chose to study the Protheans to escape my mother's influence."
"All children rebel against their parents. It's a natural part of growing up," the commander stated matter-of-factly.
Liara could not hold back her laugh.
"You have the wisdom of a matriarch. That is exactly what Benezia told me when I informed her of my career choice."
"So you spend your time alone in potentially dangerous ruins?" Shepard pressed.
"It is not so bad. As I said, I prefer to spend my time alone. I would sometimes run into pirates and mercenary bands as well as the occasional hostile indigenous life. But, I never found myself in a situation my biotics could not handle."
"You said you've spent the past fifty years studying the Protheans. I can't imagine that."
"It is not so long for a species such as mine. It is part of the reason my work isn't taken as seriously as it should. The Protheans were an intelligent and highly advanced civilization! They would not just disappear as a result of something they did themselves. Someone, or perhaps as I understand now, something cast them down from their position at the apex of the galaxy."
"The Reapers," the commander stated for her," You're very passionate about the Protheans."
"I find them extremely interesting. They are the reason I find you fascinating as well."
"You find me fascinating?" the human asked in surprise.
Liara cringed inwardly. She did not mean to state that as she had. It was always something like this that caused her interactions with others to be less than satisfactory.
"You were touched by a Prothean beacon. Who knows what other knowledge was imparted to you? If I could only find out exactly what the beacon did to your mind…," she trailed off as she thought of all the possibilities.
"It sounds like you want to dissect me in a lab somewhere."
Liara's eyes widened. Surely the commander didn't think she was serious. No one had any real idea on how Prothean beacons even affected other life forms. It would be more than dangerous to perform any kind of invasive experiment on Shepard if only to fear meddling with whatever balance the human managed to achieve with the beacon in order to stay sane. Did the human truly believe that she would go that far? The safest course of action by far would be to merely observe the commander closely.
"What? No! What I meant—uh, I never meant to offend you Shepard! I was only trying to convey that you would be interesting for an in-depth study. I-oh, that's even worse…."
Fool, now she will begin to think you only view her as an object….she thought in a mixture of embarrassment and glumness. Liara would not be surprised if Shepard did not wish to speak with her any longer.
"Calm down, Liara. I was only joking," Shepard said with obvious humor coloring her tone.
"Joking? Oh, by the goddess, you must think me so dense. Now you see why I like to spend my time without company. I always seem to say the wrong thing. Please, let's just pretend this conversation didn't happen."
Liara did not think that likely, but she could hope. She rather enjoyed speaking with Shepard. The human showed an interest in her that others never did, save for her mother. Unfortunately, the Prothean researcher was familiar with how others usually reacted to her poor social skills. They would exit the conversation and avoid her.
Shepard smiled, "I should go."
Her stomach twisted.
"Goodbye, Commander."
Liara returned to her make-shift desk once the human left the room.
Goddess, why doesn't this ever seem to go right?
She pressed her forehead to the surface.