Liara gazed through the glass wall in the waiting room of Huerta Memorial Hospital, looking past the backwards lettering to scan the Presidium below. The sight spread out beneath her was a strange mixture of twisted metal wreckage and green foliage, and somehow, it managed to make her feel both depressed and hopeful at the same time. Many of the shops were destroyed, but cleanup crews were hard at work restoring them, and untouched patches of garden colored the landscape with bits of lively green.

In the end, the urge to smile won out. The level of destruction was horrifying, but it could have been so much worse. Shepard had managed to stop Sovereign, and though many had lost their lives, hundreds of millions of innocent people had been spared thanks to the commander's efforts. And yours, Liara reminded herself, in a thought-voice that sounded surprisingly like Shepard's. You were part of this too. If your mother had lived to see what you've accomplished in these past few months, she would have been proud.

But it still felt like there was so much more to be done. The Citadel was in shambles. The Council was on Shepard's side for the moment, but Liara doubted their good will would last once the repairs were finished. If her recent adventures had taught her anything besides her own surprising capacity for courage, it was how far people were willing to go to preserve a sense of normalcy, even when everything was falling apart around them.

Well, perhaps that's not the only thing you've learned...

Heat blossomed across her cheeks, and she chewed nervously at her lower lip, glancing around to make sure no one else in the lounge was studying her too closely. She had changed a great deal since Shepard had rescued her from that mine on Therum, but some things had remained the same. You might be a hero now, but you're also still the same awkward, stammering maiden you were as a graduate student... and you still have no idea what to make of your attraction to Shepard, or this new intimacy between you.

It had taken every bit of bravery she possessed to approach Shepard before their mission to Ilos and offer herself, but she didn't regret her choice one bit. Despite the fact that death had been hanging over their heads, it had been one of the most magical nights of her life. Shepard had been sweet, and patient, and considerate, and she had whispered things in that low, husky voice of hers that had made every inch of Liara's body burn. Just remembering some of them was enough to make her squirm on the bench.

'You're so beautiful, Liara... Oh God, you're so wet Liara... so wet for me...'

"Hello, Liara."

The sound of another voice speaking her name was enough to jolt Liara out of her memories. She let out a squeak of startled embarrassment, whirling around to see a tall, fit human woman staring at her in confusion. Unfortunately, it wasn't the tall, fit human woman she wanted to see. "Chief Williams," she said, forcing a smile onto her face that she hoped wasn't too awkward. "How is she doing this morning?"

"Good," Ashley said cheerfully. "Better once I told her you were on your way over too." The news made Liara's heart swell. It had nearly stopped when chunks of the Presidium had crashed down on her new lover at the end of the Battle of the Citadel, burying her beneath the wreckage. Mercifully, it hadn't been as bad as it looked, but Shepard had still spent the last few days recovering at Huerta Memorial.

"Thank you, Ashley. If she is waiting for me, then I suppose I should go in."

Ashley gave a knowing nod. "Yeah, definitely. I'll see you back on the ship."

Liara returned a shy smile to the gunnery chief as she walked past. When she had first come onboard the Normandy, their coexistence had been uneasy at best, but no more. Sometime during their quest, they had become comrades and now, she liked to think, friends.

When she came into Shepard's room, Liara's spirits continued to rise. The commander was sitting up in bed, her freckled face less pale than it had seemed on their last visit and her green eyes twinkled. "Hey, Liara," she said brightly. "Ash said you'd be stopping by. It's really good to see you. Now c'mere and give me a kiss."

Liara's heart beat faster as she crossed the room and sat on the edge of the hospital bed. The way that Shepard could speak so easily about what she wanted was something she found amazing. Where was the awkward sputtering? The agonizing pauses as she tried to find the exact right word? The commander made what had always tied Liara's tongue in knots seem so incredibly easy.

None of that mattered once their lips met. She could feel both Shepard's improving health and her affection in the kiss. It was warm and sweet, with more than a hint of passion, especially when the commander's hands cupped her face and pulled her closer. Heat spread through Liara's body, and the urge to climb into bed with her and take things further was powerful. Their one night together had been a dream that Liara was eager to repeat...

When Shepard was well enough. Reluctantly, Liara drew back from their embrace, albeit not entirely. She still stayed close, one of her hands tangled in the commander's hair. Its exotic texture was just one of the many things she was eager to learn more about when she got the chance.

Lost in her fantasies, she scarcely noticed Shepard's grin. "Good kiss," the commander said with a wry smile. "Seems like you'd like a few more of them." Shepard's voice dropped an octave, becoming distinctly seductive. "Maybe in a few other places."

"I—oh, I… yes, I certainly would," Liara mumbled, distinctly aware of a dark purple flesh spreading across her cheeks. "Though perhaps, um, it should not be here?"

Thankfully, Shepard wasn't put off by her stammering. "Then it's a good thing I'm not gonna be cooped up in this place much longer, huh?"

Liara had no chance of keeping the excitement out of her voice. "You mean the doctors have decided to release you?"

"Yup. One more day, and I'm back where I belong: on my ship, with you."

Liara's heart leapt with excitement even as her stomach fluttered. She was thrilled to hear that Shepard would be returning to the Normandy, but at the same time, she couldn't help feeling nervous as well. It had been easier to submit to her feelings and grasp for what she wanted during their one night together, because she hadn't been certain there would be a tomorrow. Now, Shepard was healing, and the galaxy was saved. That meant she and Shepard had a potential future together—a future she could easily ruin by making a complete fool of herself.

"That is good news," she said when she realized that Shepard was still waiting for a response. "It has been lonely on the Normandy without you..." Does that sound too desperate? No, surely not. The two of you have embraced eternity. She must already know how much you've missed her... how much you care for her...

"I'll bet it has," Shepard drawled, lips twitching into a smirk. "So, are you going to let me take you on a proper date once I break out of this joint? You know... a nice dinner, a stroll through whichever part of the Presidium Gardens didn't get burned up... maybe a nightcap? I don't know about you, but after everything that's happened, I need a chance to relax and blow off some steam." Liara gasped as Shepard reached out to take her hand, twining their fingers together. "And I can't think of anybody I'd rather spend my first night out with than you, Liara."

She stammered for a moment, cheeks heating up as she struggled for words. Try as she might, she simply couldn't think of what to say. She felt like a fool, and it was only the unwavering kindness and gentleness in Shepard's eyes that kept her from hiding her face. "I... I mean... it would be... yes? I would..." She cleared her throat, trying again. "I would love to, Shepard. Thank you."

"No pressure, though," Shepard said, skimming a thumb over the tops of her knuckles. "I really enjoyed what happened between us before Ilos, but I know those were special circumstances. When I say a date, I just mean a date. What happens afterward is completely up to you, okay?"

Liara breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was already certain of what she wanted, it was comforting to hear that Shepard wasn't going to place any expectations on her. "I appreciate your patience, but I'm sure of my feelings. Our night together was very special, and I want to experience that again. With you."

A big smile spread across Shepard's face, dimpling her cheeks and stretching from ear to ear. "That's my girl. You always know just what to say," Shepard said, leaning in to place another soft kiss against her lips.

Liara shuddered as soon as their mouths met, whimpering a little when it ended too soon. No, Shepard, I don't. I really, really don't.

Back in her room behind the medical bay, Liara found that she was no closer to a plan than she had been at the hospital. During their first night together, she had been grateful for Shepard's obviously far greater experience when it came to sex. Her hands had shaken when she first went to touch the commander, and her words had caught in her throat, but Shepard had shown her what do. Her skill and her thrilling, intoxicating instructions had guided Liara along a very pleasurable journey until the surety of the meld could take them over the brink.

Tomorrow, though, would be different. Tomorrow, her lover—and just thinking the word was enough to both thrill and worry her—would be fresh from the hospital, and might not be ready to take such a leading role again. Pride, too, was involved. Liara was a star student, not used to being a bumbling amateur, especially not with something so important to her.

And what did you do when you wanted to understand more about a subject at university? Research! That's what I need.

This was hardly her usual area of inquiry, but surely the mysteries of sex could be studied just like any other topic. It was a field that Liara had tended to avoid in the past. There had been a few tentative searches in the more purent corners of the extranet when she was younger to be sure, but nothing extensive. Her own hand and her imagination had generally been enough to see to her personal needs, and so much of what she'd found had been more tawdry than she prefered to look at.

This time, though, there was a purpose to her inquiries beyond mere self-gratification. This was for Shepard, and so Liara set aside her apprehensions as she sat down in front of the small terminal at her desk. It was hardly as sophisticated as her research set-up back on Thessia, but she had learned how to manipulate the primitive interface well enough, and a quick swipe of her finger called up a search window.

But what to put in it? I suppose I should start with something simple.

'Human sex.'

Liara's eyes widened as the results of her search appeared on the screen. There were a variety of images of humans of both genders engaged in an even greater variety of sex acts with other humans, asari, turians, and…. Goddess, is that a pair of krogan? Quickly, Liara closed the window, flushing with embarrassment and grateful for the privacy her small room provided. The thought of someone like Wrex or Joker, seeing her at the moment was mortifying. Still, she couldn't give up her search so easily. Perhaps refining her terms would provide more useful, and less distressing results.

'Human female asari sex'

The next set of images were indeed more promising. Most of them linked to vids that seemed relevant to her problem, and she she scrolled through a number of them before settling on one in particular. It appeared to star a dark purple-skinned matron and a pale human woman whose fringe of red hair, if not her build, reminded Liara somewhat of her commander. With renewed hope, albeit accompanied by a heavy dose of trepidation, she hit "play."

After an establishing shot accompanied by some fairly distasteful music, the scene cut to what was supposed to be an extravagant house. The matron Liara had seen in the opening image was lounging outside on a beach chair, dressed in a pair of high heels and an extremely impractical garment that barely concealed her charms. With a sigh, Liara decided to ignore the implausibility of the situation. In her experience, asari rarely wore such things, preferring to swim nude whenever pools or beaches were involved.

Do humans like them? Is that why she's wearing it? Perhaps I should pick something similar up from the Presidium... from one of the shops that wasn't destroyed, of course.

She didn't have much time to consider the prospect, because a few moments later, the second actress made her entrance. The human was dressed in similar beachwear, also feminine and impractical. She rang the doorbell, and the asari matron peeled herself away from the chair to answer it. Upon seeing each other, both of them struck impressively seductive poses. "Excuse me, ma'am," the human said, licking her full lips, "I'm here to clean your pool."

The asari gave the human a long up-and-down. "So I see. You're right on time. Come inside. I'll make sure you're... comfortably situated before you start."

Liara heaved a sigh. Although the acting was over the top, well past the point of believability, she still couldn't help feeling inferior. She was sure her own attempts at seduction would prove even worse once Shepard got out of the hospital... That is why you need to study. Don't give up, Liara. You are already learning a great deal. Perhaps you can surprise her with this 'cleaning' ruse as well to make yourself seem more alluring.

While she pondered that, the actresses continued interacting on the screen. The asari matron had led the scantily clad human out to the pool, but she wasn't doing any cleaning. Instead, she was currently engaged in spreading what appeared to be some sort of oil over the asari's back. Liara wasn't sure as to its purpose, but she wondered if she should also look for some during her search for appropriate bedroom wear. The idea of peeling Shepard out of her clothes and rubbing oil all over those impressive muscles was a hundred times more appealing than the display on her monitor...

She was so lost in thoughts of dragging her palms down Shepard's broad back and cupping the firm cheeks of her ass that she almost missed what happened next. The asari had removed her top, and the human was admiring her (admittedly impressive) breasts. "Nice tits," the human said, as Liara watched with rapt attention, trying to make mental notes. "I bet your bondmate appreciates them."

"My bondmate isn't at home right now," the asari purred. "Actually, I was about to ask for your help. I wouldn't want to get a sunburn..."

Liara's brow furrowed in confusion. Asari don't generally suffer ill effects from exposure to the sun. And even if we did, couldn't she just put the protective lotion on herself? She can reach her own... Oh. It seemed obvious in retrospect, but as she watched the human spread the liquid over the asari's now-shimmering breasts, she understood the appeal. She resolved to do something similar for Shepard at the earliest opportunity. Now that she thought about it, her lover had spent a good deal of time kissing and kneading her own breasts during their first time together, and the sensations had been very pleasurable. She hadn't thought to return the favor, and she was eager to see if she could produce similar results when she did.

While she'd been distracted by that particular fantasy, the action in the vid had progressed somewhat further. The asari had started kissing her partner while working to strip off her swimsuit. "I know I shouldn't be doing this," she told the human breathlessly, "but I've been so lonely without my bondmate here. And you're just so sexy." She ran her hands through the dark red strands of the human's hair. "This is so strange, but I love to play with it."

As she brought it up to her nostrils so that she could inhale its scent, the human's mouth fell open and she cooed, "Ooh, I like it when you do that. I want you to play with all the parts of my body the same way."

"Then lie back, because I'm going to show you what four hundred years of experience can do."

Sadly, I don't think that line will do me any good, Liara reflected. She was only one hundred and six, and she had no experience, though the pleasure of her first time had made her wonder why she had waited so long to get at least a little practice.

The human settled down on the pool chair while the oiled matron began running her hands all over her skin. The camera now seemed to be situated behind her as she made her way down the human's body, stopping to linger on her generous posterior. It was undoubtedly lewd, and yet Liara still felt a little flush of excitement. There was no denying how attractive both participants were.

Soon enough, the asari had peeled off what remained of her partner's swimsuit and was burying her face between her legs. This was one thing Liara was familiar with at least; Shepard had done it for her during their night together, but she hadn't gotten the chance to return the favor in the same way. Judging by its effects, however, it was definitely something she should try. The human was writhing and screaming out a variety of obscenities Liara had never heard before.

"Oh, yes. Eat my fucking pussy, you purple slut!" the human demanded. Liara recoiled in surprise and a little bit of horror, but far from being offended by the degrading words, the asari seemed to be excited by them. Two of her fingers thrust down beneath her own swimsuit bottom as she continued to pleasure the human. Both of them were moaning loudly now, and the human was cupping one of her breasts while her other hand clutched at the asari's crest.

Somewhere in the middle of her task, the asari looked up. "Your human pussy tastes so good," she purred, her voice low and husky. "I could just lick it all day long..."

"Liara?"

Liara almost jumped out of her skin at the sound of her own name. It was coming from the other side of the door, and after her initial spike of panic passed, she realized that the voice that had interrupted her belonged to Doctor Chakwas. Oh Goddess, can she hear this?

Frantically, she closed the window on her terminal, stumbling out of her chair and over to the door. "What is it, doctor?" she asked, hoping she didn't sound as flustered as she felt.

"Oh, nothing important. I was just wondering if you'd gotten back from seeing Shepard yet? How is she doing?"

Either the doctor wasn't aware of the vid, or she'd chosen not to mention it, but Liara wasn't going to be the first one to raise the topic. "Shepard is doing well. She says that she will be coming back to the Normandy tomorrow." And clearly I have a great deal of preparatory work to do before she gets here, she thought to herself. Even if I am still a bit confused about all of this.