AN/: So my latest attempt at riveting angst. Set after all of Liara's Mass Effect 2 Illium side missions. Let's just see where it goes. My Shepard is the default female, which by the way is much, much better looking than default male Shepard. Adept, Spacer, Sole Survivor, paragon with a streak of renegade. Her first name is Zelda, after the classic video game. So, here we go! And special thanks to Theodur for inspiring me to write this.

-xXx-

Shepard took another swig, the ryncol searing her throat on its way down. Her conversation with the illustrious archaeologist gone information broker, Liara T'Soni, kept spinning in her head, like a malevolent hurricane.

"Shepard. It's good to see you again. So, what can I do for you?"

"How's the Shadow Broker hunt going?"

"Better, with the information you got for me. But the lies run deep, and I've yet to even scratch the surface of any big leads… I have a feeling that isn't really what you came here to talk about."

"No, it wasn't. Actually, I came here to discuss… well, us."

Liara sighed. She couldn't avoid this forever.

"Look, I'm glad you've returned, that Cerberus brought you back, but I really don't think this is a good time…"

"Why not? Back on the Normandy, I thought you… I thought we had something, but you behave as though that never happened…"

"You died Shepard. You were gone."

"But I came back."

"And now you expect everything to be back to normal?!" Liara's voice rose uncharacteristically, causing Shepard to actually step backwards in surprise.

"Two years have passed! You have no idea… "

Just as suddenly, her voice dropped back down to a weary half-whisper.

"I can't… you can't just… Please, I can't talk about this right now. I have a lot to do."

"Okay then. Fine. Right. See ya."

Shepard spun on her heel, and went straight for the bar.

And there she sat, confused and hurt, thinking, and drinking.

What does she mean she can't talk about it? I can't believe she yelled at me, since when does Liara yell at people? She's changed so much in two years; it's logical to assume that… that maybe her feelings for me have changed as well. But then why didn't she just tell me that?

The emotional turmoil, combined with no small amount powerful alcohol, triggered tears to spill over her cheeks, a few of them splashing onto the bar.

That matriarch -Aethyta- came over with a fresh bottle of booze.

"Hey babe. What's eatin' ya? Wait, wait, lemme guess. Someone broke up with you?"

"The funny thing is, I'm not entirely sure. I think that was implied."

"Trust me, the best thing you can do in that kind of a situation, is give it some time. And a little space is also a good idea. If you're lucky, things will work themselves out."

"And if they don't?"

"Then you have to move on."

-xXx-

As soon as Shepard left, Liara allowed her rigid posture to relax, shoulders slumping with the heavy ache in her heart. She loved Shepard, she always had, but Shepard had died, died and left her alone. Her death was the hardest thing Liara would ever endure. Each day, she would work tirelessly, and each night she would retreat to her apartment, and cry. She cried for her lost love, and her shattered heart.

But then Shepard had returned, Lawson and her project succeeded, so maybe-

No.

I can't do this again. I can't get involved again. I know Shepard. Inevitably, she will die for the second, and probably final, time, and I can't go through that again.

Never again.

-xXx-

Miranda Lawson sat in her office chair, reading her private messages.

From: Oriana

Subject: Hey Sis!

From: IPartners Connections: Member ID: MMmYummies

Subject: Whazzzup good lookin' !

From: The Illusive Man

Subject: An important proposition.

She clicked on the last one.

Miranda,

I'd like to discuss something with you. Contact me via the QEC.

T.I.M.

Miranda pursed her lips. If he wanted to speak in person (more or less) the situation must be dire.

-xXx-

The Illusive Man was seated in his chair, trademark cigar and brandy in hand as Miranda stepped onto the holographic panel.

He exhaled a puff of smoke.

"Miranda. I know you're busy, so I'll be brief. This concerns Shepard."

"What about Shepard?"

"I want you to seduce her."

She blinked, not entirely sure she had heard correctly.

"Excuse me?"

"I've quite recently received intel that Shepard has had a falling out with her love interest, Liara T'Soni. This is the perfect timing for your intervention."

"Sir, this seems incredibly unorthodox. And irrelevant."

"Allow me to elaborate. We need a contingency plan, in case Shepard decides to leave our employment after the Collectors are defeated. This isn't so much about getting into her pants as it is getting into her heart. I need her to trust someone explicitly loyal to Cerberus. You happen to be the perfect candidate."

"Shepard is extraordinarily strong willed. I highly doubt she would allow herself to be influenced or swayed, especially by a Cerberus operative such as myself."

"For all her strength, Shepard is still only human. You've studied her psychological profiles in depth. Get her to trust you, to care about you, to value your opinion; so that if the time comes, you can convince her to remain loyal. At the least, gain her friendship, although I suspect you can do better than that."

So what'd you guys think? Feedback highly requested. The next chapter will be up soon. Have a nice day!