Liara stepped off the elevator and paused a moment to gather her thoughts. She hadn't seen Shepard since just before the Commander and her team had set off through the Omega 4 relay, ostensibly on a suicide mission. Against incredible odds not only did Shepard survive, but so did her entire team. They even saved all the crew members abducted by the Collectors. Liara allowed herself a small smile – that was human stubbornness for you.
Further down the corridor Liara heard a door open and close, ringing footsteps soon carrying Kasumi into view. The thief nodded at Liara as she passed her and entered the elevator, hefting a small bag she held. "I have a personal matter to attend to on Illium that may take some time. My quarters are yours for as long as you require." The elevator doors hissed closed and Liara was once again alone.
Gathering her resolve Liara walked slowly down the corridor towards the Port Observation Deck, reviewing what she knew of Shepard's actions since her return from the Collector base. Much of what Liara had learned came via her new role as the Shadow Broker, though at first she could scarcely believe the reports. A mass relay destroyed, the Bahak system vaporised, over 300,000 killed. As more information flooded in it became clear that not only were the reports true, but that Shepard was responsible.
Pausing briefly once more before opening the doors to the Observation Deck, Liara stepped into the room and was greeted by the dazzling sight of a nebula shining through the unshuttered window. A slight clink of glass off to Liara's right gained her attention and she turned towards the source. Shepard. Oblivious both to the beautiful vista and Liara's entry into the room the Commander was standing hunched over in the corner of the bar, toying absent-mindedly with a half full glass of liquor.
Liara watched her for a moment, the Commander's posture and the absence of her body armour in favour of a simple uniform making her seem uncharacteristically small and vulnerable. Taking a wide berth, Liara stepped up to the bar a short distance to Shepard's left.
"Shepard."
The human started slightly, turning towards Liara as she brushed an unruly lock of auburn hair out of her eyes and swept it behind her ear. Bloodshot eyes struggled to focus on the asari.
"Liara? What are you doing here?"
Liara hesitated, staring at the glass in Shepard's hands for a few seconds before returning her gaze to the woman's face. The pain and exhaustion etched there caught Liara's breath in her throat and she struggled to answer.
"I came to see you, Shepard. I have heard a great many stories about what happened in the Bahak system, much of it very disturbing but none of it from you. I want to hear about what happened there from you."
Shepard gave a short, harsh laugh. "Ever the information gatherer aren't you?"
Liara baulked slightly at the remark, a reaction Shepard didn't miss. Crumbling even further into herself as regret flickered across her face, the Commander returned her gaze to the glass in her hands before raising it and quickly downing the contents.
"I'm sorry Liara, that was uncalled for."
The asari stood quietly as Shepard poured herself another drink, sensing that the Commander would open up in her own time. She didn't have to wait long.
"300,000 lives Liara. Gone. Ended because of me. No one should ever have to make a decision like that." Shepard drained her glass again but didn't immediately refill it, her hands instead reflexively tensing and relaxing around the empty vessel.
"You're wrong Shepard. Someone had to and the only person who could was you. I've read your report, there was no other way to delay the Reapers. Who knows how many lives you saved?"
The Commander sighed, and turned slightly to regard the asari. "But I know exactly how many people I killed. I wiped out an entire solar system. All I've done is buy us some time but what if that's not enough? What if the Reapers win anyway?"
Liara closed the gap between herself and Shepard, lightly placing a hand on the humans shoulder. "However this ends Shepard, you did your best. No one could have expected you to give any more of yourself then you have. You have given your life once already, isn't that enough?"
Shepard raised her left hand to her face, lightly tracing the scar along her jawline. "It should have been more than enough" she murmured, "but it wasn't. It wasn't!" Snarling in frustration, Shepard clenched her left hand into a fist and slammed it down on the bar. Her right hand closed around her empty glass with equal force, the fragile container protesting the mistreatment by shattering. Bright red blood started welling between Shepard's fingers and trickled slowly onto the bar.
"Shepard." The woman glanced at Liara then followed the asari's gaze to her injured hand, seeming almost surprised to see the small pool of blood puddled beneath her fist.
"That was a little silly, wasn't it?" conceded Shepard wryly. "I make it through dozens of fire fights with barely a scratch only to lose out to a glass."
Liara reached across the bar, gesturing towards the Commander's injured hand. Shepard acquiesced, turning to face the asari as she drew the woman's still-clenched fist closer for a proper inspection. Wincing as Liara gently uncurled her fingers, Shepard was unsurprised to see a large shard of glass embedded in her palm.
"Oh Shepard..." Still cradling her hand gently, Liara looked at the Commander. A slightly sheepish look crossed the woman's face before she broke the asari's gaze and dropped her eyes back to the glass protruding from her hand.
"That looks, and feels, like it needs a med kit. Doctor Chakwas should have one up in the medical bay."
"I'll go" Liara volunteered. "It will be nice to see the doctor again and anyway, we can't have you bleeding all over the ship." Shepard smiled slightly at that, some of the tension momentarily vanishing from her face.
The Commander withdrew her hand from Liara, holding it in front of her chest as she stepped around the scientist and walked behind the bar. "Sounds good" she agreed. Finding a clean cloth on the shelves beneath the bar top she carefully wrapped her hand, avoiding placing any pressure on the glass itself.
Liara stared at Shepard briefly, seemingly uncertain as to whether she should leave her alone or not. Resigning herself to the fact that the Commander was a grown woman, and a very strong willed one at that, Liara pushed herself away from the bar and walked to the door. Stopping for a moment on the threshold the asari glanced back to see Shepard sit a fresh glass on the bar and pour herself another drink. Worry creasing her forehead, Liara hurried for the elevator as the doors closed behind her.
MWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWM
Doctor Chakwas swivelled in her chair to see who had entered the medical bay the moment the doors opened.
"Doctor T'Soni, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?"
Liara smiled at the doctor. They had gotten along well during her time on the original Normandy and Liara had missed her. Knowing that Shepard was surrounded not only by a loyal crew but by friends as well had been no small measure of comfort to the asari.
"Hello Doctor Chakwas. I came to visit the Commander." Liara paused, unsure if she should elaborate further. Deciding, she plunged ahead. "In truth I was worried about her, especially after what happened with the Alpha Relay. I wanted to see if she was alright..."
Trailing off awkwardly Liara lowered her gaze, trying to hide her concern for Shepard from the doctor.
Warm hands grasping her own drew the asari back from her reverie, and she found Doctor Chakwas standing before her. Offering an encouraging smile, the doctor squeezed Liara's hands gently.
"Commander Shepard is lucky to have you Doctor. She has been through more than anyone should have to endure in a dozen lifetimes. I believe that having you in her life has kept her going, far beyond what she would have been able to achieve otherwise."
Doctor Chakwas watched as a myriad of emotions stormed across the asari's face and tears welled in her eyes, before Liara blinked them away and took a deep breath.
"It is very kind of you to say so, Doctor. Thank you."
Giving Liara's hands a final reassuring squeeze, the doctor stepped back slightly. "Was there something in particular I can help you with, or is this just a social call?"
Worry creased Liara's forehead again. "Actually, I need to borrow a medical kit. The Commander has had a small... accident." Seeing the doctors demeanour immediately change, Liara hastily continued. "It's nothing really, just a small cut from some broken glass."
Sensing there was more to the situation, but satisfied that Liara could handle it, Doctor Chakwas nodded and quickly fetched a small field medical kit. Passing the kit to the young scientist, she again grasped Liara's hands gently.
"I meant what I said Doctor T'Soni. I can see that the Commander is very important to you. You are also very important to her. Thank you for coming to visit her, it will mean a great deal with all that is still to come."
Liara's eyes welled with tears again, and she swallowed hard, fighting the urge to break down in despair. Not trusting herself to speak she nodded at the Doctor and left the medical bay, drawing curious stares from the few crew who saw her as she hurried back to Shepard.
MWMWMWMWMWMWMWMWM
Liara re-entered the Observation Deck to find Shepard sitting on one of the lounges staring at the ceiling blankly, her feet propped up on a nearby table. A bottle that was far emptier than Liara remembered it being when she had departed for the medical bay was on the table as well.
Stirring at the sound of the doors sliding home Shepard raised her head to look at Liara and that look almost broke the asari's heart. After everything the Commander had done, after all she had been through, to see such helplessness in her eyes...
Closing her own eyes briefly, Liara drew on her inner strength. Shepard had supported her through many trials, now it was her chance to do the same for the Commander. Moving smoothly to sit at Shepard's side, she set the medical kit on the table and set about cleaning and dressing the woman's injured hand.
The cut, while long, proved to be fairly shallow once the glass was removed, with no evidence of any damage to tendons. Securing the bandage neatly around Shepard's wrist, Liara packed away the medical supplies. Shepard hadn't said a word since the asari returned. A slight movement caused Liara to turn towards the woman and she was surprised to see Shepard's face streaked with tears.
Wordlessly gathering the Commander into a gentle embrace, Liara held her close as the woman's body was wracked with silent sobs. In time the asari felt the sobs subside as Shepard took a deep breath and she relaxed her arms, allowing the woman to sit back slightly.
"How long will you be here for Liara?"
The asari smiled softly, deferring her answer until she had wiped away a single tear that still clung to Shepard's cheek. "For as long as you need me, Commander. Feron can take care of things for a while. Physically he has recovered from his ordeal and having work to focus on will help his mental recovery. Besides, I'm sure he'll be glad to be rid of me for a time, I fear I may have been fussing over him a little too much."
Relief flooded Shepard's face and she grinned cheekily. "You can fuss over me all you like."
"Then fuss I shall." Liara relinquished her hold on the Commander, and stood up. Offering a hand to the woman, she indicated the lounge in front of the observation window with a tilt of her head.
"Will you sit with me and watch the stars go by?"
Liara watched as the light from the nebula played across Shepard's face. The Commander had been dozing for some time now and Liara didn't wish to disturb her. Rest was one thing she sorely needed. Intending to leave Shepard sleeping the asari started to quietly stand, her movement arrested by strong fingers circling her wrist.
"Please, stay."
Shepard shifted on the lounge, laying along its length with her right arm stretched out onto the widest section. Gently pulling Liara in, Shepard sighed happily as the asari lay down in front of her, resting her head on the Commander's outstretched arm. Circling her left arm around Liara's waist the woman pulled her close, relaxing as the sensation of their bodies being in contact flooded through her.
"Thank you Liara" Shepard whispered sleepily as she softly kissed the back of the asari's neck. "Thank you for everything."