Shepard's eyes cracked open slowly to a dull throb in her skull and a cramp in her neck. She attempted but failed to stretch it out before rolling over to sit on the side of the bed. To be honest she was surprised her head wasn't hurting as bad as she thought it should have after drinking most of the bottle of brandy alone. With a huff she stood, wincing slightly as she made her way to the bathroom. Her thoughts drifted to the scenario from yesterday and felt the immediate urge to ram her head into the wall.

How could she be that damn idiotic? It was out of cowardice that she treated Liara the way that she had, regardless of how loose the alcohol made her tongue. Shepard always prided herself on remaining rational and in control of her emotions no matter the situation. Not only had she allowed her emotions to run amok, she'd done it in front of another person. Her damned communications specialist was privy to the current state of her personal relationship with Liara. How rude and unprofessional could she be?

She stepped up to the mirror that had witnessed her shame the night before and began to brush her teeth. The need to apologize to Liara created an ache of anxiety within her chest that bubbled up and constricted her throat. The cycle of pain had to end. Her need to lash out and cause misery because of her own misery was just too exhausting; too destructive.

Liara had brought out the best in her from the moment they became friends. Shepard had spent so much time helping the archeologist sort through ancient relics and researching the conduit during their time chasing after Saren that she couldn't help but become enchanted. Loving Liara was so natural it was like second nature and their relationship progressed without much effort. But then again there are two sides to a coin and she soon learned when it came to Liara, Shepard could be the coldest person she's ever been. More ruthless than when she was a member of the Reds. Anyone out of their mind enough to cause harm to the young asari was basically destroyed and yet here she was years later being the main antagonist to the one she protected fiercely.

Shepard stepped over to the shower berating herself out loud. The Reapers were tearing the galaxy to shreds and she actively chose to harbor and clutch to the heartbreak of losing the first person she had honestly ever fallen in love with. She could only hope Liara would be willing to hear her apology. Given her behavior, how could she blame the asari if she sent her away?

After a thoughtful shower, she dressed and checked her messages quickly. Shepard hoped she could catch Liara before she had breakfast so that she could bring a peace offering in the common language of food.

"EDI?"

{Yes, Shepard} came EDI's quick reply over the speakers.

"Has Liara eaten the morning meal yet?"

{Dr. T'Soni is currently not aboard the Normandy. Would you like for me to send her a message?}

Shepard ran a hand through her hair and chewed on her lip as she thought of a new plan. "No, that won't be necessary EDI. Thanks anyway."

{Commander?}

"Yeah EDI?"

{Specialist Traynor is on her way to the mess hall}

"You're nosey as hell, EDI." Despite her tone Shepard smiled and headed for the elevator.


Shepard stepped off the elevator onto the crew deck and fixed a smile to her face. She rounded the corner to the kitchen and began preparing a plate of breakfast from the small buffet. She made small talk with the few crew members milling around and searched for a seat at the mostly empty tables. Her eyes scanned the available tables until landing on a lone small figure looking as if they wanted to disappear. She made her way toward the woman who ducked her head down and shoveled food into her mouth.

"Mind if I join you Sam?" Before Shepard's inebriated catastrophe last night, she and the woman had shared a blossoming friendship. She could only hope that she could begin to salvage the relationships she had ridiculously jeopardized, starting with this one.

Dark eyes peeked up at her with a cautious smile, "No, not at all Commander. I was just about finished."

Shepard didn't hide her disappointment. "I was hoping to talk with you. Would you mind staying while I eat? I'll cover for you with the boss if you're late back to your post." She said winking and earning a more genuine smile from Traynor.

"I don't think my boss would mind much being that I'm off duty today." Shepard chuckled in response as she chewed a forkful of eggs and studied Samantha. She could tell the younger woman was growing anxious under the intensity of her gaze but she just wanted to get a better look at the woman that was probably filling in the gap she'd left within Liara.

Finally Shepard spoke, "I'd like to apologize, Sam. The-" she waved her hand side to side dismissively "personal problems between Dr. T'Soni and I...shit. I was out of line regardless of how much I had to drink. There's no excuse for that type of behavior. I should have never put you or Dr. T'Soni in that position."

Samantha's brown eyes widened in disbelief, "Oh no Commander. There's no need for you to apologize. You didn't offend me and I completely understand the drunken part. Honestly... I've been in your shoes before. That's why I left."

Shepard smiled around another bite of food. "So you've been a jealous ex-lover before? Drunk yourself so stupid you created your own little soap opera in front of adults under your command?"

Traynor looked embarrassed but smiled, "Well, no, but I have been a drunk angry ex-lover before; much worse than you last night."

"That's definitely hard to imagine."

"Why is that Commander?" Sam cocked an amused eyebrow.

Shepard took a moment to think of the adequate words, "You're so... refined. Can a person be refined? In any case that's the word I believe describes you. I can't picture you acting coo coo." She twirled her hand around the side of her head for emphasis.

Samantha barked out in laughter. It was a rich and contagious sound and Shepard shook her head and chuckled along with her.

"I don't believe bleaching a lover's entire wardrobe and scattering all the clothing on their new friend's lawn then punching said new friend in the face when she came out to confront me would constitute as being classy."

Now it was Shepard's turn to bark a laugh. "You punched her in the face?"

"Multiple times in fact Commander." An easy smile spread across Traynor's lips.

"You're more vicious than you look Traynor. Perhaps you should accompany us groundside." They shared another laugh and Shepard continued eating in the comfortable silence. She took the time to ponder what she wanted to say. Traynor was a gentle person by nature, kind, and intelligent. She could probably make Liara a hell of a lot happier.

"You know." Shepard pointed her fork in Sam's direction as the comms specialist looked up from typing on her omnitool. "You're good for her."

For a brief second confusion flashed across Samantha's face and then she blushed. "Ah... No Commander. It's um... It's not like that between... Liara-" she shook her head and pointed between herself and Liara's cabin.

Shepard smiled gently. She knew there was something developing between the two even if Samantha denied it. Truth be told, she hoped Liara didn't find Samantha attractive but would live with the fact if she did.

"It's okay Sam. I'm not angry about it," Shepard couldn't maintain eye contact so she dropped her gaze down to her plate. "I had a chance and I screwed it up royally but Liara should be happy… that's what she deserves. Uncomplicated happiness and I haven't given her that. Not even as her friend recently."

Samantha stared at her, her mind obviously working over Shepard's words. It took a few seconds before she spoke again.

"From what I can tell Commander, you are not the type of woman to run scared with your tail tucked between your legs. There is a palpable tension between you and Liara but I believe you have a good heart. You can make her happy if you so choose. As if you need my counsel, I'll share with you what my mother's mother once told me 'Anything worth having is worth fighting for'. I heard you went hand to hand with a yahg so I'm sure Liara doesn't stand a chance when Commander Shepard puts her mind to winning her heart back. Besides, everyone deserves to be happy; especially the both of you."

Struck by Traynor's words, they fell back into a comfortable silence. Why did it take her months to realize what took Sam only weeks of observation? What other forms of stupidity has she subjected Liara to? Shepard looked back up to Samantha to see her fiddling with her spoon idly.

"You don't sound like a woman out to snatch my girl away from me." She commented jokingly.

Traynor laughed unreservedly again, "Trust me Commander, if you snooze on her you'll definitely lose. I play for keeps and I'll woo Liara until she completely forgets the amazing Commander Shepard. It may take me some time so make sure you win this war."

Shepard threw her hands up in the air dramatically, "First Vega and now you. I'm surrounded by a bunch of vultures! This meeting is officially dismissed Specialist!"

They both laughed and collected the remnants of their meals. As Samantha stood to leave she added, "You still have my back regarding the boss? I've been trying to get a shoo- in with her since I still need a new toothbrush."

"Keep trying Traynor." Shepard deadpanned with a smile.

Feeling more at ease with fixing the situation between Traynor, Shepard wanted to use the momentum heading into her heavy weight bout with Liara. The decision had been made: Liara T'Soni was definitely worth getting up from the mat before the count to ten determined her out.