After Liara had confessed that she was attracted to her, Shepard found herself coming to visit Liara down in her room more often. She didn't want to pressure Liara but it was difficult for her not to do anything with her own feelings of attraction. She always had the impulse to act and patience was not one of her virtues. Her heart had ached for Liara when Benezia died and Shepard knew that it had hurt Liara deeply despite her brave front. More than anything, Shepard had the impulse to pull Liara in close. And now, chatting with Liara in her room, she felt the impulse again. Shepard stepped closer to Liara. After the briefest hesitation, she wrapped her arms around Liara's waist and back and pulled her in tightly. Shepard felt her own organs dancing around inside her body at the contact but felt Liara's body stiffen.
"Relax, Liara. I'm not trying to pressure you into anything. But to say that you've had a bad time of it lately is an understatement. I just wanted to give you a hug. Surely, the asari give each other hugs."
Shepard felt Liara's arms tighten around her body and she felt Liara put her chin on her shoulder. "I don't need you to comfort or protect me, Commander."
Shepard smiled. "I know. Because you are big and tough and independent. But indulge me." And the asari never have sex unless there is a deep, spiritual bond. And if they are seen all over dancing in bars, it is because they are being exploited, not because they want to do it for quick, easy credits and a thrill. "Sometimes, when we talk, I feel you are giving me interview answers instead of the whole truth."
She felt Liara pull away. "I have never lied to you, Commander."
"I know that. What I'm saying is that you've already proven your value as a crew member. I already like and respect you. Maybe we could get to know each other as real people a little bit? Let down our guard just a little with each other?"
Shepard could see that Liara was slightly miffed. "Okay, if we are being honest. Sometimes, when we are on a mission, I get the impression that you really do not know what you are doing and are just, as you humans say, winging it."
Only sometimes? Shepard smiled. "Hah! That's true. This whole thing was thrown at me without much intel or warning. And much of the time, I am just winging it. But I am confident in my ability to figure it out as I go along and to adjust as needed. I happen to be very good at what I do. But you might want to keep that little truth to yourself though. I need to be able to know that my people are following me without me looking over my shoulder all the time. And they need to be confident in my abilities in order for that to happen."
Liara thought about it for a moment. "They all respect you. Some of them are in awe of you but even the veterans like Wrex and Garrus, respect you."
"That's good to hear. And what do you think about your Commander?"
I am one of the ones in awe, Liara thought but instead said, "I think you are very skilled and capable. I feel confident that I made the right decision to follow you."
Shepard grinned and lifted her eyebrows. "Yes, but don't you find me just irresistibly cute as well?"
Without missing a beat and without the slightest indication of a smile, Liara responded, "You are alright but I am an asari. Beautiful women in my culture are a dime a dozen."
Shepard laughed. "I do believe that you are messing with me, Dr. T'Soni. I gotta go but thanks for the hug and the insult." She turned on her heel and headed for the door, a smile still on her face. At the door, she turned and faced Liara again. "But then, maybe it was actually a compliment and not an insult. Maybe you are calling me beautiful?" Liara only smiled in response. "Something to ponder then", Shepard said as she gave Liara her most charming smile, before she turned once again and left the room.
The next night, Shepard was in her cabin going over reports when she decided to get a late-night snack. As she exited her room, she almost ran right into Liara who had been standing outside her door.
"Can I help you with something, Liara?"
Liara twisted her hands together and was looking down at her feet. When she finally raised her head to look at Shepard, Shepard saw her puffy eyes and reddish- purple nose. It was obvious that she had been crying. Liara was turning to leave when Shepard gently grabbed her arm and pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms tightly around Liara and walked them both backwards until they were inside the CO's cabin. Liara started sobbing into Shepard's shoulder and neck. After a few moments, Liara stopped crying and pulled away from her.
"I am sorry, Shepard. I did not mean to break down like that. It is just more difficult at night and I needed a friend."
Shepard grabbed a tissue from her desk and gave it to Liara. She then smiled and cupped Liara's cheek with her hand.
"I'm not sorry at all. I am here any time you need me and I'm glad that you see me as a friend."
"I will leave now and let you get some sleep."
"Actually, I was about to sneak out to the mess and go steal some milk and cookies. Do you want to join me?"
"Cookies?"
"Yeah. They are sweet. It's a human comfort food. And then they say that if you heat up the milk a little, it acts as a natural sleep aid. Might be just what we both need."
Liara smiled at Shepard shyly and nodded.
A few days later, Shepard, Liara and Tali were back on the Citadel. They had wandered into yet another unexplored area and discovered the offices of Sha'ira, Citadel 'consort'. It only took a couple questions to the receptionist before Shepard figured out the true nature of the business. She had never had to pay for companionship in her life and she wasn't about to start now so she politely declined the invitation to be put on the waiting list. Still the 'consort' was an asari. When Liara had related to her the 'rapturous' nature of asari couplings, Shepard realized that she very much wanted to experience it before she left this life.
In fact, as she was listening to Liara describe asari melding, Shepard had very much wanted to experience it with Liara right there and then. But Liara had disappointed her, saying that they were not ready for it. Shepard had assured Liara that she was, indeed, completely ready for it but Liara wouldn't budge. She left Liara's room in an agitated state but she realized that Liara wasn't deliberately teasing her. She realized that Liara was nervous about the whole thing and it probably took all her courage just to discuss the subject with Shepard even though she did so in a mostly clinical, academic manner.
When the Consort asked her in to discuss a problem she was having, Shepard's mind automatically went to asari melding.
"What exactly do you do?", Shepard asked Sha'ira innocently.
"That depends on your needs. I offer advice to some. Comfort to others."
The Consort looked like she was about to continue but Liara cut in.
"That is fascinating. You wanted to meet with the Commander?"
Shepard could hardly believe her ears. It wasn't so much what she said as the way she said it. The jealousy and possessiveness in her voice were unmistakable. And she hasn't even let me kiss her yet! Possessive little thing.
After Shepard had helped Sha'ira with her problem, Sha'ira had been grateful but had not offered her the recompense that Shepard had expected. Instead she gave Shepard a 'gift of words'. Shepard was barely listening as the Consort went on about some nonsense about her having tough skin. She couldn't believe that some people actually paid for shit like this though Shepard suspected that it was not words but the other that they mostly paid to receive. She also realized that with a little push, she would be able to get the other from the Consort but Shepard could feel Liara's eyes almost boring holes into her back. Shepard sighed internally and said farewell to the Consort. She thought Liara was way better looking anyway. She also felt very attracted to Liara and didn't want to spoil any opportunity she might have with the young asari or in any way, cause her any more pain. Shepard just hoped that Liara would get ready sooner rather than later, preferably before she died from natural or unnatural causes.
