Notes -

Yes this is A.U.
Yes there are references to pop culture. No I don't profit from making the reference.
Yes this is a fShepard, Miranda, Liara fic.
Yes there are things in here that are outside the storyline. This is something after the Reaper War.
Yes part of it can be a what if story. There are some things that are mentioned that do happen in real life.
I don't profit from this. This is for fun and is not cannon.
No I didn't Beta
I wrote what wasn't in English in English for you just below that same area.
Anything else I didn't say I'm sorry.

Thank You and I hope you enjoy the story.

Every man is guilty of all the good he did not do. - - By: Voltaire

Chapter 1- Gone

The war has been over for some time now. Much had changed. Shepard had destroyed the Reapers. Much of the rebuilding was still going on even after so many years. So much death and destruction. Some things you just never forget. But that was neither here nor there, or was it.

XXX XXX XXX

Miranda awoke to a chill coursing over her body. She went to snuggle into the warmth of Shepard's body only to find Shepard wasn't in bed. It wasn't the first time she awoke and found Shepard not in bed.

Many nights Shepard couldn't sleep due to nightmares. Miranda never knew what she would find on nights like these. She felt the space where Shepard's body was last. It was cold, no freezing. Giving away that it had been hours since Shepard was in bed.

Miranda looked over at the hologram clock it was 0500(5am). Then she sat up slightly and took a deep breath. Complete silence except for the fish tank and the sound of her own breathing. She waited a few more minutes before slipping on a robe and going to look for Shepard.

She mad her way out the bedroom and down the hall to the office. Sometimes Shepard would be in there going over old data like something would change how the war turned out. In a way some good did come form going through the old data files.

Shepard had found everything on how EDI was made. That information was given to Kasumi and some other tech specialist. They already had her new/old body and all the backup storage memories. In the end they was able to bring back EDI for Joker. In the process of doing so the tech that had been destroyed or damaged was now able to be recreated. But that was taking time.

When the door opened to the office. Miranda noticed a glass with some scotch overturned on the table. The very distinctive smell of a cigar that was just lingering. Then a blinking light caught her attention. It was coming from the computer. With what little tech was working this was a few that was up and running throughout Earth and some ships that had survived.

Miranda was just about to look to see who had sent a message when she heard a noise. It sounded like someone in the kitchen. She had to go check it out. Leaving the message for another time.

When she walked into the kitchen there was a mess all over the floor. The pyjack that Shepard insisted on keeping had gotten out of the cage. Was making a mess of things. Eggs and milk was forming a puddle onto the floor. The pyjack had gotten into the fridge and also the cereal that Shepard loved so much, Honey Comb.

Miranda- Bloody hell. I swear Jujo I will feed you to Worf if you keep doing this.

Before she could deal with the mess she had to put Jujo back into her cage. When she returned to clean up the mess the varren Worf was already licking up the milk on the floor along with the Honey Comb. He was staying away form the stickiness of the eggs. That was a good thing because he was allergic to eggs. Something Miranda found out the hard way.

So with the not so helpful help of Worf she cleaned up the mess. This was so not what she had in mind when she went to look for Shepard.

She had went to take out the trash when she noticed something was a miss. The house was too quiet. Shepard would have done something about Jujo getting into things before it got this way.

That's when it hit her. Shepard wasn't in the house at all. That could only of meant that Shepard was out in the back building that they used as a training room along with a shooting range. She was thankful that she had a light jacket next to the back door. The early morning air was a bit crisp.

She made her way to the building. As she did so she passed the car. Or would have if the car was there. As soon as she noticed it she ran back inside. She looked around trying not to panic.

She didn't remember Shepard having an early morning. Then as she looked into the livening room she noticed that Shepards duffle bag was gone. As she was about to make her way to make a call. A knock at the door stopped her.

She couldn't answer the door looking like she did. So she ran to their bedroom and threw on some sweatpants and a tank top. Then went to answer the door.

When she looked out the peephole she seen an Asari standing there. She was dressed in a black gentleman's suit. A nice one at that and if Miranda wasn't mistaken it was Armani brand. However the thing that Miranda noticed was the band around the arm. It was red and the symbol on it was the symbol that Aria used for Omega.

She opened the door. Looked down and noticed the Asari had combat boots on and was holding something. At least it wasn't a gun.

Asari- Are you Miranda Lawson?

Miranda- Can I help you?

Asari- Is your translator broken?

Miranda- No. I understand you.

Asari- Then are you Miranda Lawson?

Miranda- Yes I am. Can I help you?

Asari- I was asked to deliver this to you and give you these.

The Asari handed Miranda keys and pointed to a car. Miranda followed the direction the Asari was pointing. Her eyes settled on a car. Just not any car but her and Shepards car.

The Asari was starting to leave when Miranda grabbed her arm. The Asari jerked away and turned to look at her.

Asari- Don't ever do that again. It could get you killed.

Miranda- I'm sorry. It's just you never said who.

Asari- Who what?

Miranda- Who asked you to come here. To give me these.

Asari- Aria T'Loak.

The Asari went to leave again. This time Miranda stopped her again but used her voice.

Miranda- Wait please. I don't understand. Please come in. We can talk freely inside. Tell me what you know.

The Asari once again turned and looked at Miranda. She could see panic on Miranda's face. She dropped her head. This wasn't what Aria asked her to do. However Aria said that Miranda would push the issue. So she wasn't to surprised that it was leading this way.

The Asari took a deep breath then let it out.

Asari- Fine. Lead on.

The both of them went inside and Miranda was at a lose for a moment.

Miranda- Please have a set. Would you like something to drink? I don't want to be rude but I can't just call you Asari while we talk.

Asari- No thank you. Bones.

Miranda- I'm sorry what?

Bones- Call me Bones.

Miranda- You got to be.. Never mind. Ok so Bones, what is going on?

Miranda knew that wasn't her name, well not her real name.

Bones- I don't know what to say to be honest. Aria T'Loak asked me to deliver the car and keys. Nothing more.

Miranda- Ok, so how did Arai get it?

Bones- I don't know.

Miranda- Ok. We aren't getting anywhere.

Bones- I don't know what you want from me.

Miranda- Where is Shepard?

Bones- Once again I Don'tknow.

Miranda started to pace. This was starting to be pointless. She didn't even know where Aria had set up the new Omega or Purgatory or whatever she calls the nightclub.

Miranda- Ok so where can I find Aria?

Bones- I can't tell you that. Invite only, sorry.

That was what did it. Miranda was angry.

Miranda- Tell Me NOW! Or I swear to your blue ass goddess I will TEAR you Apart!

Bones gave a chuckle and stood up. This wasn't her place. Aria wasn't paying her enough to deal with psycho bitches. She went to leave once again. As she made it to the door she heard the crackle of energy. A very familiar sound. Biotic flaring. Just as she turned to face Miranda. A force slammed her against the door.

She shook it off and sent a wave of energy at Miranda. With such a force it pushed Miranda down into the chair behind her. Miranda looked up and noticed that Bones hadn't moved from her spot at the door.

Bones had just raised her hand and sent the blast out with a flick of her wrist. As she extended her arm out and her hand palm up facing Miranda. She was able to hold Miranda in place. It was like Miranda was a fly on the wall being squished.

Bones- DON'T DO THAT AGAIN! It could get you killed.

Bones then dropped her arm back down and in the process let Miranda go. Miranda was gasping for air. She couldn't believe it. That was very powerful.

Miranda- You almost killed me.

Bones- No, not really. If I wanted to I would of put force behind it.

Miranda- I'm sorry. Please I need to know what happened to Shepard. Please just tell me. Anything.

Bones- I told you what I know. What I was to do. I'm sorry I can't help.

Miranda- Please tell Aria to contact me.

Bones- I can do that. I'm gonna go.

Then Bones left. She walked down the street and around a corner to an awaiting car. She got in and they drove off.

Miranda had an idea. She remembered that Bones said that the nightclub was invite only. She knew Shepard had gone a few times. So she just had to find one of the invitations.

She made her way back to the office. Where the computer was blinking and that reminded her of the awaiting message. She went over to the computer and had a set. She pulled up the message window and opened the most resent message that was flashing.

It read…

…

2188 CE May 12 0300hrs(3am)

Shepherd,

Prendere la macchina per Longhorns. Ossa lo consegnerà una volta che se ne sono andati. Non farmi aspettare.

Aria

(Shepard, Take the car to Longhorns. Bones will deliver it once we are gone. Don't keep me waiting. Aria)

…

Miranda though, Well that was no help. Not really.

Then she noticed another one dated several days before the last on. It was from Shepard's therapist. The one Shepard was seeing for the Post-Traumatic Amnesia.

Miranda was always worried about it. However it seems that Shepard had recovered. Even with all the damage Shepard took. Shepard was in a coma for much of the year following the end of the war.

Miranda didn't read the message from the therapist. She didn't believe it would help anyways. So she got up and went to get changed. It was going to be a long day and she had to find Shepard.

XXX XXX XXX

Aria like many was stranded on Earth. She had promised to help Shepard against the Reapers. She gathered all she could and traveled to Earth. It was something she would find out later had saved her life. Omega had been devastated by the Reapers. It was something that saddened her because of all she went through to get Omega back under her control. In time she came to accept it and even like Earth. There was just as much if not more people here that was like the ones she catered to on Omega.

So she found a place to call home and overtime opened up another nightclub she called Phoenix Rising. It was mostly for invites only with one section open to all. It was a four story building. Two of the levels was used as the nightclub. The top floor she used as her personal living quarters while the basement level was storage and a parking garage.

When the first wave of news came that the war was over and Shepard had died. She wasn't sad in the very least. She actually was somewhat happy to know that Shepard wasn't alive. She knew what Cerberus did and now that they wasn't around or able to function. Shepard would be able to rest. Then when the news came that Shepard was found and alive. She cussed Shepard for being so strong because she knew somewhere someone would want or need Shepard to solve their problems.

Now with time things changed. So did Shepard. That's one of the very reasons she has weekly meetings with Shepard. The damage Shepard suffered from caused not just basic memories loss. Shepard had trouble remembering people. Not just people but loved one and that is what cause the situation Shepard found herself in now and the very one Aria was helping Shepard with.

Aria had received a message from Shepard. Like many nights before when Shepard had trouble sleeping and didn't want to deal with Miranda. Shepard would send a message to Aria. They would meet up and have a few drinks and chat about everything and nothing. Sometimes it was mostly nothing and just a few drinks. Aria even would dance with Shepard. Something very few people knew was Shepard was a good dancer. Not great but not as bad as she would appear to be in front of others.

This night was no different or Aria thought. That was until she got the last message that even now while waiting on Shepard to arrive she was reading over again.

The message read…..

…

2188 CE May 12 0250hrs(2:50am)

Aria,

Me ne vado a trovare Liara. Ho solo bisogno di avere qualcuno restituire l'auto a Miranda. Questo è tutto quello che ti chiedo. Mi fermo da prima di partire. Prendete le mie cose ho lasciato lì. Allora io sono fuori di qui. So che questo è sbagliato. Che faccio. Non riesco a fare con Miranda. Non adesso. Io non so nemmeno perché ha fatto quello che ha fatto. Possiamo parlare quando mi arriva.

Shepard

(Aria, I'm leaving to find Liara. I just need you to have someone return the car back to Miranda. That is all I ask of you. I will stop by before I leave. Pick up my things I left there. Then I'm out of here. I know this is wrong. I do. I just can't deal with Miranda. Not now. I don't even know why she did what she did. We can talk when I get there. Shepard.)

…

Aria had sent Shepard a message telling her where to leave the car. That someone she trusted would return it to Miranda. Of course she also said not to keep her waiting. Just in case Miranda read it. She so enjoyed fucking with Miranda like that.

Aria was just about to call it a night. Believing Shepard chickened out. Or Miranda found out and was now on her little bitch path. Aria gave a chuckle at that image. Miranda throwing Shepard out or whatever she could do.

Aria was walking into her bedroom when she heard her main door open. She knew it was Shepard. Only Shepard had the key to her apartment. Shepard walked in and called out for Aria.

Shepard- Aria you awake?

Nothing. No response. Shepard was just about to grab her stuff and leave the keys to the apartment when Aria walked out.

Aria- Oh not so fast. Sit. We got to talk.

Shepard- Yeah ok.

They both sat on the plush white oversized couch. Aria wasn't sure what to say. Not at first. So much had change from three days ago when Shepard was here last. So Aria decided to start where their last conversation left off.

Aria- So what happened to cause you to want to do this now?

Shepard- I told you. When the therapist was able to unlock the memories of Liara. That was what changed. Everything.

Aria- Don't you dare pull that shit on me. You know damn well what I'm talking about. So spill.

Shepard- Yeah ok. When that happened it wasn't just Liara. It was so much more. Like that single moment unleashed everything. I remember it all. Faces, names, places I've been to, things I've done. Even the things I wish I could of done.

Aria- That's good.

Shepard- Not really. With all this opened up again. I now know what I did. Not only that but this thing between Miranda and myself. It's wrong. Not just wrong, but I hate myself for it. For what I did to Liara. I cheated on her. I became…

Aria stood up. Looked and pointed to Shepard.

Aria- Don't you even finish that. Don't you dare! What happened wasn't you. By the Goddess Shepard, Liara will know that. Just like I know that.

Aria started to pace.

Aria- When you came to me. To help you make sense of what was going on. What that human therapist was doing. I melded with you. I seen the love, the struggle the guilt. I seen the questions you asked yourself. The why do I not remember being with Miranda like this. You…didn't know…you wouldn't let me help you unlock the memories.

Aria sat down in a chair across from Shepard.

Aria- It wasn't about not trusting me. It was fear. Fear of what I would find and most importantly fear of what you would remember.

Shepard- Yeah I know. If I just let you unlock them. Then maybe not all but a great part of the past few months could of be avoided.

Aria stood and reached her hand out to Shepard. Shepard took it and Aria pulled her up. Giving her a hug at the same time.

Aria- So lets get you to Liara.

Shepard grabbed her things and was about to leave when Aria spoke again.

Aria- So was it worth it?

Shepard turned to face Aria.

Shepard- What?

Aria- Any of it? All of it?

Shepard- Yes and No. Sometimes I question why me. Was I really the only one? Then as I look back on things. What I knew. Well then the answer becomes…Yes.

Aria- I bet. You know being able to fuck Miranda Lawson was a perk.

Shepard- Fuck you Aria.

Aria- I didn't know you wanted to. Lets go before you change your mind.

They started to walk together. Taking the elevator to the basement where Shepard had a spare car. One she bought without Miranda knowing. One she knew Liara would like.

Shepard- Aria fuck off.

Aria- All kidding aside. Was she worth it?

Shepard- Liara is always worth it.

Aria- What about….

Shepard- Miranda is…. Something.

Aria- Yeah, well…

The doors opened up to the garage and Shepard stepped out. Aria never finished that sentence. Just said her farewells and went back up to her apartment. Shepard got in the car and drove off.

So I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

I will update as soon as I can.

Thank you all.

On to the next...