Author's Notes:

This idea sprouted after stumbling across a Liara dialogue in LoTSB. Basically, she says, "…I don't think people like us go on dates…" Afterwards, I wondered, "Where did she come up with that idea?" The following tidbit is the fruition of said thought.

For clarification, this story was originally going to be a chapter in my on-going fic, Evolution of Command, but it just didn't work into the mold or overall theme of those vignettes. [You may consider that shameless promotion…and heck, you'd be right…] Plus, it is going to be longer than one chapter, so it's best to be posted as its own tale.

This story takes place between ME1 and ME2, with Lakota Shepard, and her lover, Liara T'Soni. Lakota is an Earthborn, sole-surviving, paragade who loves her sniper rifle, Styx, but don't be fooled, she's also very fond of Liara.

Thanks to those who read, Fav, Alert and/or Review! Your interest and feedback are greatly appreciated and motivating in the most cleverish of ways. For those who are so inclined, please let me know how the in-story dividers work...I am still figuring out the best visual method for depicting in-chapter scene shifts. Also, I am playing with dialogue and taking some liberties with speaker tags- ie: she said this, she said that... my questions to readers is then this - "Are you able to follow the dialogue easily? Was there any place where the conversation seemed confusing?" As always, I am seeking to improve my storytelling abilities, so any and all feedback is helpful. Thank you for your time!

Note: On 12/11/11, I re-edited the story and removed the "author's notes" on the following chapters (added a new one at the end of Chapter 4, too). Now that the story is complete, there's no need for them.

Thanks again! Hope you enjoy the romp!

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Chapter 1: The Blue Rose

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The commander was in a particularly good mood. Not only had the upgrades for her sniper rifle, Styx, arrived, but she and Liara arranged their schedules so they could meet later in the day. Because quality time had become a sparse luxury, they kept the plan simple: spend the evening together, starting with dinner on the Citadel. Lakota knew of a small, hole-in-the-wall bistro that served wonderfully authentic, cross-cultural meals.

Sadly, Lakota's good mood did not influence her ability to choose an outfit for the evening's events. Forty-five minutes of sorting through and trying on clothes had gotten her no closer to figuring out what she was going to wear to the rendezvous. She glared in irritation upon the jumbled wardrobe strewn across her bed and wondered if she could threaten the inanimate objects into producing something sleek, but with a touch of sexy.

In some ways, this evening was a scarier proposition than facing Saren or Sovereign. At least when confronting them, she knew what was at stake and what she would have to invest: the galaxy and her life. Going on a date with Liara was a completely unknown battlefield with its own unique pitfalls and slippery slopes. Would she meet the metaphorical wolf at the door, run afoul the verbal snake in the grass or stumble upon and consume some self-sabotaging death in the pot? When considering personal risk assessment, the threat of danger seemed significantly higher with Liara, if not just a little more ambiguous, but Lakota always liked a challenge and felt the asari scientist was worth the risk.

Hoping that some magical clothes genie was playing a trick and hiding a prized possession amidst the chaos of fabric lying upon the coverlet, she flipped through the collage of choices once again. One thing was certain, eleven years of nomadic life with the Alliance did not equate to a burgeoning selection of casually elegant clothing.

"Incoming message."

"This better be good, Joker," she grumbled in annoyance.

"Sorry, Commander…It's from the Citadel Council…"

Lakota cursed under her breath. "For the love of all things blue…"

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Bursting into the med lab, Lakota bemoaned, "Liara! I am so sorry, I'm late." When she didn't immediately catch sight of her lover, she whined to empty space. "But it wasn't my fault! I swear!"

"It is okay, Shepard," sounded the lyrically soothing voice from behind. "Doctor Chakwas mentioned you had been called away by the Council."

Lakota spun around to meet her lover face to face- "Yeah, but thaaaa.…oh…" -and was dumbstruck by what she saw: Liara in a form-fitting, full length, white dress of gossamer descent. The silken fabric had a luminescent sheen which highlighted the grace and elegance emulated in the asari's natural poise. Although the sleeveless, turtleneck gown hugged all the right places and accentuated wondrously adventurous curves, it left just enough for the commander's imagination to run rampant. "..um…WOW."

With a self-satisfied smirk, Liara batted her eyes coquettishly. "See something you like, Commander?"

"You could say that. Personally, I was thinking it's 'something I can't do without'."

Liara smiled shyly, her initial brazenness overcome by the commander's naked desire.

Quickly crossing the distance between them, Lakota admired, "Yea gods, T'Soni, you are quite the catch."

"Thank you." Liara's gaze slid along the lines of Lakota's ass-flattering, boot cut black leather pants, appraising the commander in her own demurely aggressive fashion. The outfit was completed with a burgundy, silk halter top and a pair of black leather boots with sensible heels. The commander was not usually one for wearing jewelry, but tonight, silver bangles adorned her left wrist in a complimentary contrast to her darker toned outfit. "I believe I am in good company."

"Seriously, Liara, you are breath-taking."

"I will keep that in mind, Commander. I may be able to use that to my advantage later this evening."

"I've no complaints about you trying it out now."

Smiling fondly, Liara stepped close placing a sweet, lazy kiss upon Lakota's lips.

The commander's hands instinctively captured Liara's hips and drew her in while the asari's arms simultaneously wrapped around her lover's shoulders. Lakota's coal-black hair was pinned up in her characteristic ponytail giving Liara's fingertips ample room to slowly trace sensuous, nondescript paths along the back of her neck. Soft lips parted slightly allowing for the teasing dance of inquisitive, playful tongues and eliciting a beguiled, low moan from the Spectre.

Lakota's left hand drifted up her lover's back and her right snaked around her waist. Gently tightening her embrace so their bodies were pressed against one another, she deepened the exotic kiss by granting full access to her lover's silken tongue's explorations. Lost in the blissful temptation of luring and being lured, Lakota's world faded until only the sensations bequeathed by the asari's deftly skilled enticements were her sole breadth of life.

Liara reluctantly pulled her lips away and placed her right forefinger on her lover's pursuing mouth. Hoping to clear her heady fervor, she took a deep, grounding breath and shakily exhaled, "We could keep up this up and never leave the lab or we can go to dinner."

Weaken by the force of her lover's aroused demeanor, Lakota fumbled, "Huh…oh…well…huh?"

Smiling devilishly, Liara said, "Dinner awaits, Commander."

"Damn the luck."

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Once they disentangled themselves, the pair arrived at The Blue Rose with relative ease. Despite the fact that it was located in the Wards, the restaurant had escaped any major damage during the attack on the Citadel, and reopened their doors once the operational restrictions had been lifted by the Council. The asari and salarian couple who owned and ran the successful bistro seemed well-suited for the restaurant business.

The asari matron acted as the welcoming hostess. Her species' universal attraction and her own gregarious personality formed into a powerful combination that drew the attention of many diverse patrons. The salarian was the genius in the kitchen. Lakota assumed that his natural aptitude for research and non-linear thinking were the driving force behind the creation of the fantastic meals. Undoubtedly, needing only one hour of sleep a day granted lots of time to experiment and invent new combinations of scrumptious cuisine. Their partnership worked well for the bustling establishment.

Before the attack on the Citadel, reservations needed to be made weeks in advance, but since the attack, the list was pushed out to months. Unless you were the first human Spectre and had the title "Savior of the Citadel." A few days earlier, Lakota made a mutually beneficial deal with the owners: she agreed to endorse the bistro after she and her date enjoyed a quiet meal together.

A colorful assortment of customers were lined up outside the trendy restaurant. Although the chance for such an occurrence was highly unlikely, they each were hoping to take advantage of a cancellation or an unexpected no-show. What caught Lakota's eye, though, had nothing to do with the multi-species patrons waiting hopefully in line; her interest had been captured by the outside décor: flora from earth. In an instant, a wicked thought took form.

Turning to Liara, Lakota innocently noted, "Some of this plant life is from earth."

"Are you surprised? Earth has some very unique varieties."

"I'm not surprised by the plants themselves, but…," Lakota smoothly extolled, "…I am surprised how they remind me of you."

"Of me?" Curiosity piqued, Liara said, "Please explain."

They walked over to the ornate garden bed which ran the entire front length of the restaurant. The bed's path disappeared around the right corner of the building, so they followed. Upon turning the corner, they saw that the flourishing garden continued down the side until it blended in with a towering wall of blue roses. Once the commander was certain they were out of customer eyesight, she stopped their progress.

Stepping next to the scientist, Lakota pointed to a clump of fifteen foot tall, green reeds. "Those are bamboo." Leaning in, lips inches away from her lover's hearing canal, she provocatively whispered, "And bamboo represents a strong but resilient character."

Liara could feel the commander's warm breath on her skin as the reverberation of words tingled down her spine lighting sparks in a place where arousal was born.

Placing her hands on Liara's bare shoulders, the commander gently turned her to the right and pointed to another perennial evergreen. "That is a dwarf, Japanese Black Pine."

Liara sensed Lakota standing directly behind her. She felt the commander's hands slide down her back in an agonizingly pleasant motion until they settled at her waist. She heard the words being ushered through her, but was overwhelmed by the sensations of the commander's thumbs: they were gently massaging her lower back in unison with her descriptions of the flora.

"Pine embodies…longevity…"

The word should have meant something to Liara, but only the tantalizing, mounting pressure incited by the commander's spellbinding digits carried importance.

"…persistence…"

Her knees weakened as thumbs salaciously rubbed her back in deliberate, circular motions. Each new radius being punctuated by an exotically murmured declaration…

"…tenacity…"

Breath quickening, Liara's hips instinctively swayed to the rhythmic kneading that slowly edged its way to the center of her universe.

"…and dignity."

The commander's thumbs continued to enthrall and incite with their masterful application of seductive pressure to well-mapped, beguiling areas. Adrift in her own longing to please and evoke pleasure, Lakota's thumbs surreptitiously stroked the one spot they had, until that moment, been exquisitely avoiding.

Liara inhaled sharply and stepped back into the commander's embrace forcing an end to the erotically charged moment.

"Goddess," hissed the scientist. "You…are evil."

Lakota smiled wolfishly.

Wrapping her arms tightly around Liara's torso, Lakota, on tip-toes, reverently kissed her cheek. Pointing her right index finger to a small pinkish-white flower, she said, "The lotus is used to symbolize purity."

Liara leaned further into the loving embrace. "Something you need to work on, Commander."

Ignoring the jest, Lakota's arms once again enveloped her lover from behind. Nodding her head in the direction of small fruit bearing tree, she purred, "The flowering plum is one of the most important symbols of Asian folklore…it represents renewal and strength of will…and undying love."

Liara's pulse was still racing and her throbbing had not yet abated. In an attempt to alleviate her frustration, she shifted her weight from one leg to another and forcibly directed her full attention to the commander's words.

"The chrysanthemum," Lakota pointed to a cluster of small, tightly bunched white flowers, "is used to symbolize splendor, luster and the courage to make sacrifices for a natural life."

"Hmmmm…you say 'sacrifice' and I cannot help but think about paybacks." Smirking deviously, "I believe Ashley once equated them to 'hell'."

Raising an eyebrow in mild apprehension to the scientist's thoughts of appropriate revenge, Lakota gulped, "Ahem…yes…well…" In hopes of distracting the asari's attention, she indicated to tall, single stemmed fiery-orange flower. "That, my dear, is an orchid." Tightening her embrace in a tender bear hug, Lakota placed another chaste kiss on Liara's cheek. "Modesty and beauty are woven into its meaning."

"How do you know all of this?"

"I like folklore and mythology. On earth, Asian culture has a rich history of symbolism imbedded in their folklore."

"Folklore and mythology? Admittedly, I am surprised by your interest in such things."

"I believe they can illustrate generalized values and worldview assumptions of a species. Plus…I enjoy the reading. But I have to warn you, elcor mythology is very dry…and long winded. Two volumes for what a human would say in one chapter."

"You continue to surprise me, Commander."

"Let's hope that never changes, Doctor."

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Upon entering the bistro, to the chagrin of those still waiting in line, Lakota and Liara were immediately guided to a secluded table on the back patio. The enclosed, tight nit main entryway served as a waiting area only. In contrast, the outdoor, open-air environment of the dining area had zen-like characteristics reminiscent of a Chinese garden.

In the center of the courtyard was a seven foot fountain built with a bluish-green, luminescent river rock. The gently bubbling water added to the serenity of the tranquil atmosphere. A pond filled with lily pads sourced the faux falls peaceful cascade of water. Unlike the Presidium though, this pond possessed abundant fish. The courtyard was surrounded by twelve foot walls of azure-hued, climbing rose bushes. The lush, bountiful vines provided ample seclusion from the sight and sounds of the outside world.

The ceiling was a backdrop of starry, deep space. The holographic image completed the peaceful scene of being woven into an outdoor environment. The constant starry night bathed the courtyard with enough subdued, ambient light in which to see comfortably.

The asari hostess led them to a table in the rear alcove of the courtyard. Out of habit, Lakota sat in the corner chair so her back was to the rose wall and she could have a full view of the dining area. Liara sat directly across the table from the commander.

A white, satin cloth covered the sparse table-top which had been adorned with a centerpiece of blue roses. Two long-stemmed glasses were next to a vintage bottle of asari wine that dated before Liara was born. While filling their glasses with the purplish-red liquid, the hostess informed them that no menus would be given tonight because her bond mate was cooking "off-menu" for them. With a knowing twinkle in her eye, she left leaving a promise to return soon.

Liara gazed thoughtfully at the woman sitting across from her and marveled at the fact, at the rare phenomenon, that no uncomfortable silences existed between them. Especially when their communication resided between the lines. A smile, a look, or tilt of the head…those gestures spoke volumes in a vacuum of silence. When mere words failed to fully express or capture the mixture of emotions and half-formed meanderings swirling in a heart and soul, another type of communication pierced the void.

With Lakota staring back at her, Liara was content to linger in silence: smiling, studying and wordlessly filling the space between with the sprightly exuberance bubbling within. By a single look, she could tell the commander felt the same way. It was in the way Lakota's whole-self smiled, as though the effervescent bliss of the moment reached her eyes and, in turn, her eyes sparkled impishly, bestowing an ease of being to the private universe springing from their locked reverence.

Time stretched freely between an instant and eternity.

"This place is beautiful, Shepard. Thank you for bringing me."

Lakota raised her wine glass and waited for her lover to do the same. "I'm glad we both made the time." After clinking Liara's glass to complete the toast, Lakota took a sip of the dark liquid. Its scent carried a light earthy aroma and its flavors were reminiscent of sweet cherries and raspberries mixed with a hint of cinnamon. The feel of the wine was like liquid silk gently caressing her palate.

Noting the wall of blue in her periphery, Lakota remarked, "The scent from the flowers is nice, but not like a rose from earth."

Liara breathed in deeply as if scrutinizing the air itself. "Undoubtedly they created their own hybrid. A strongly fragranced flower could interfere with someone's meal. Some species have very sensitive olfactory systems."

"And that is one of many things I love about you."

"Commander?"

"Your ability to analyze facts, form a theory and then deconstruct that theory down to the basic motivational factors of an individual…"

"Well, I am not always successful."

"No?"

"I am still working on you."

"Oh really? And where are you at in your analysis?" parried Lakota whimsically.

Holding Lakota's mirthful stare, Liara took the playful challenge. She looked around their surrounding once again before saying, "Much like the wall of roses, you intrigue individuals with your beauty and outward charm, but those who attempt to pierce your protective veil are rarely able to navigate through the maze of petals, vines and thorns. Instead, they are deftly circumvented by your distracting visuals, the complexity of your growth and alluring scents."

Lakota's forearms were lying on the table as she casually leaned forward, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "You make me sound so mysterious."

"You are to me, Shepard."

Smiling at Liara's outward honesty, Lakota's attention was momentarily drawn to other patrons who seemed to be staring at their table. Liara noticed the commander's distraction and quickly followed her line of sight.

"It seems others have noticed they are dining with a Spectre."

Attempting to brush off the unsolicited stares, Lakota said, "Nah.. Ignore them. They'll eventually go away."

"That does not seem likely, Shepard."

Optimistically, Lakota tempted fate. "Let's try it anyway."

Liara shook her head in amused exasperation. Hazarding her own angle, she plunged their dialogue into contested territory. "What did the Council have to say?"

"Oh, no…we're not going to ruin our date by talking about the Council."

"Oh…this is an official date then?"

"Hell yes, it's a date. Didn't you get the memo?"

"Apparently, not. It seems you were too busy with other things."

"You're a sneaky one, Doctor, but you'll not get the information out of me that easily. Not like you did a week ago." Lakota was referring to an incident just after she got new orders from the Council. She had not been happy to find out they were sending the Normandy to hunt geth, consequently Liara stumbled upon her in a foul mood. That mood led to an acerbic conversation illuminating long-buried details about the commander's past.

"I learned a lot about you that day."

"Oh sure, try to put a positive spin on my dilapidated state. I'm not falling for it a second time, T'Soni. I don't repeat my mistakes."

"Then how do you explain your attempt to run the Mako over a thresher maw…twice?"

"Only one person at this table is calling that 'a mistake'."

"Your ability to make light of serious subject matter continues to astound me, Commander."

Knowing the researcher would keep on digging until she found something interesting, Lakota offered, "I'll tell you about the Council later. Just not now. Not tonight. Instead, I'll tell you that the Council and I would do a lot better if we spoke a common language, but I'm afraid I don't speak 'dumb-ass'."

Liara laughed at the slanderous comment and then laughed further at the thought of the Council being privy to her lover's commentary. Knowing Lakota's history with the interspecies group, she was aware it had a distinct possibility of becoming a reality. In the midst of stifling her amusement, Liara ruefully admitted, "There is something adorably compelling about you, Shepard."

"It's my good looks, right?"

"I was going to say your childlike brashness, but good looks will do, too."

Catching sight of a familiar face making a beeline for their table, Lakota tempestuously cursed, "Hellfire…"

"What is it, Shepard?"

"I'm sorry, Liara," Lakota stood abruptly, "but we've got to go. NOW."

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Next Chapter – The Big, Blue Adventure