"Whatcha doin'?" Shepard asked Liara from behind, leaning over the asari at her desk in the cabin. It was getting to an obscenely late hour and she didn't like going to bed at a different time than her bondmate.
Liara closed her eyes, savoring the gentle kiss Shepard placed on her crest. "You inspired me to write my own fantasy."
Shepard grinned down at Liara as the asari looked up with a smile. "Do tell."
Liara laughed and turned the chair around to bring her bondmate into her lap. "Ready?"
"Always," Shepard smiled.
"Still working?" Shepard strolled to Liara's desk in her apartment on Illium.
Liara held her forehead in her palm as she read a datapad, trying to keep a headache at bay. "Yes."
Shepard smiled at her workaholic of a bondmate and decided she needed to spoil her a little bit.
She went to the kitchen and started opening up drawers, placing things on the counter as she found them. A few minutes later she returned to Liara's workspace. She set a cup of tea and a small plate of digestives down, kissing the crown of Liara's crest as she did so. "Here you go, my love."
Liara smiled as she looked at the small treat. She looked up and said "Thank you, Shepard." The Commander rubbed Liara's shoulders as she bent to give her another kiss on her crest. "No problem. I'll be doing my reports on the couch. Let me know if you need anything."
Liara shook her head a little, still smiling warmly at her. "All I need is you."
Shepard absolutely melted. "Same here." She took Liara's chin between her forefinger and thumb and bent to give her a small peck. Liara blinked sweetly after her as Shepard made her way to the couch, waving behind her.
Shepard laid down on the couch, tapping her omni-tool to bring up her latest report. She stole a quick look back at Liara and smiled when her bondmate brought the cup to her lips as her eyes remained glued to her work. She turned back to her report, enjoying the mere fact that her and Liara were in the same place at the same time. Reports were heaven if that was the case. As she typed she saw an instant message icon pop up and let out a breath of a chuckle when she saw it was Garrus.
G: Hey, When are we getting out of here? Tali's getting antsy.
S: As soon as the Normandy's cleared. They said it could be a few hours.
G: Can't Liara bump us up on the list?
S: That's called abuse of power.
G: Said the spectre.
Shepard laughed a little, trying to stay quiet to not disturb Liara.
S: Just take Tali to get a drink or something. I know you like her.
G: You're changing the subject. And besides, I think you just don't want to leave Liara's apartment.
S: Guilty as freakin charged
G: Ha! Alright, well tell her we say hi
S: Will do
She returned to her report, typing away.
Liara stood with a datapad and made her way to the couch. She tapped Shepard's legs so she could sit with them in her lap and Shepard complied with a smile, sitting up slightly. They typed silently, both smiling. The rain outside, tapping gently on the windows completed the picture for Shepard. There was no place she'd rather be. Liara rested her hand on Shepard's knee, caressing it idly. Shepard couldn't help it when a laugh escaped.
Liara looked up surprised. "What is it?"
"Sorry, I'm a little ticklish there."
Liara's eyes widened slightly as she smiled. "Really?"
Shepard let out a short chuckle. "Heh. Yeah. Don't go abusing that knowledge and power, T'Soni."
Liara looked guilty all of a sudden. "Shepard…"
"Ah, Li, I didn't mean anything by that."
"No, Shepard, I…um…"
Shepard tilted her head inquisitively. Liara hardly ever struggled for words with her anymore.
Liara sighed and confessed "Shepard, I may have done something bad."
Shepard's brows furrowed. They had done a lot of 'bad' things together, a lot of plotting, killing, plundering of corpses…what could Liara have done. "Oh?"
Liara's eyes darted around the room to avoid eye contact with Shepard. "You won't be mad, will you?"
Shepard let out a short chuckle again. "I doubt it, but I won't know till you tell me."
Liara bit her lip a little nervously and met Shepard's eyes finally. "I may have…detained you here with me today."
Shepard cocked her head to the other side, wondering aloud "What do you mean?"
"I have a good working relationship with the docking manager and I asked her to delay your clearance."
"Oh. I see." Shepard nodded.
Liara looked pleadingly at her. "I know you have to return to your mission, but I just had to see you a little longer. I'm so sorry, Shepard."
The spectre's lips formed into a smile. "I'm not."
"You're not?" Liara tried to read her.
"Nope." Shepard said and lounged back on the couch, returning to her report.
"Aren't you going to ask me to clear the Normandy for takeoff?" Liara asked, puzzled.
"Nope," Shepard said again, not lifting her gaze from the report.
Liara touched the top of the spectre's omni-screen, tilting it so she could see her. "Shepard?"
"Liara," Shepard sat up slightly, still smiling. "I died. I'll take advantage of every single second you agree to spend with me, even if it's spent doing nothing but filing reports all day while you work."
"I feel bad," Liara insisted. "I made you stay, but I have all this work to do still."
Shepard shook her head. "Like I said, I'm fine with that. Just do your work and I'll stay as long as you let me."
Liara smiled at her. "I may never let you go."
"Oh no!" Shepard said in a mock tone. She chuckled "Can you make that a promise?"
Liara grinned at the spectre's playful mood. "We're on Illium. Better make it a contract."
Shepard pursed her lips and turned to the side to give her a suspicious look. "I don't know…you asari can be tricky. I'll probably sign my way into being your slave. Wait, that sounds great!" She sat up animatedly. "Where do I sign?"
Liara laughed and put her datapad down, lowering them on the couch so that she was hovering over the spectre as she laid on her back. She pecked the spectre's lips. "I missed you so much," she whispered.
Shepard smiled. "Hmmm…I think my waking up in a Cerberus facility and learning that you were the one to give me to them clued me in on that."
Liara gave a near silent chuckle. "Shepard?"
"Liara?"
"Will you…maybe after your mission… will you …asari don't usually…but with you…I want…" she stammered nervously.
Shepard looked puzzled "What is it?"
Liara's cheeks turned a gorgeous lilac. "Shepard, will you…marry me?"
Shepard's eyes widened and she felt her heart pounding. Then she grimaced. "Ah, man!"
Liara sat up quickly. "I'm sorry, Shepard. You just got back and I'm putting all this pressure on you. I'm so s—"
Shepard cupped her palm over Liara's lips to silence her as she sat up next to her. She laughed, her eyes becoming glassy with the tears she wouldn't let escape. "I'm an idiot. I'm just a little sore you beat me to the punch." She turned her eyes back on Liara. "Yes, my love, my light, my all, I'll marry you."
Liara's breath caught and she leaned to kiss her, parting from her to say in a whisper "Thank the Goddess. I want you forever."
Shepard held Liara's face in her palms. "You can have me until the end of time. I want you too. I love you," she looked up with such adoration Liara felt the world disappear and she only saw her love's eyes.
"I love you too, Shepard."
"Just one problem," Shepard frowned a bit.
Liara matched her. "What is?"
Shepard's frown evaporated into a smile. "I don't want to wait until after the mission."
Liara's heart pounded in anticipation. "When?"
"You name the day, Love," Shepard brushed Liara's cheek with her thumb.
"Today," Liara breathed in a desperately happy whisper.
"Today," Shepard confirmed in a breath as leaned to claim Liara's lips. She parted from her to ask "How?"
Liara thought. "Well, let's see. We can have the license written up in no time. Mainly we just need someone to officiate and two witnesses. Tali and Garrus?"
Shepard smiled. "Definitely. Ok, so that leaves someone to perform the ceremony. Hmm. It'd be nice if we knew the person."
"Wait!" Liara said excitedly and ran to her workspace, abandoning a giddy but confused spectre.
"What?"
"I knew it!" Liara smiled victoriously. She looked back to the couch, but the spectre was already beside her. She smiled as she was wrapped in her human's arms from behind. "Joker can do it."
Shepard chuckled. "He'll probably make a few jokes, but that's fine. It'll keep me from blubbering all over the place."
Liara turned in her arms. "I love you so much."
Shepard smiled and kissed her. "Then marry me. Call Garrus and Tali. I'll hail Joker."
Liara nodded happily and went to her vid comm.
Shepard just about did a victory dance as she hailed the Normandy.
"Hey Commander, I was just about to call you. Someone did not want us leaving this planet. I finally straightened everything out though. Looks like we're cleared."
Shepard grinned as she spoke. "Change of plans, Joker. I need you ashore."
Joker was silent.
"Joker?"
"Commander, I'm good with a pistol and everything, but wouldn't Zaeed be a better choice?"
Shepard laughed. "No, nothing like that... I hope."
"Commander?" Joker asked, confused.
Shepard brought up the vid for the call and they were face to face when she spoke. "Joker, Liara and I were wondering if you could marry us?"
"What, both of you?" he laughed.
Shepard facepalmed. "Joker!"
He laughed still as he spoke. "Commander, I'd be happy to. When are you planning on it?"
"Now."
Joker's eyes bulged. "Now?"
"Why do you think I asked you to meet me?"
"I don't know, to ask me in person. Sheesh! Well you're extreme people. Why am I surprised you're doing this this way?"
Shepard shrugged.
"Alright, Commander. I'll get pretty and meet you…where am I meeting you?"
"Liara's apartment."
"Ok, see you soon, Commander."
Shepard hung up and walked over as Liara was talking animatedly to Garrus and Tali on a screen. Garrus caught sight of Shepard and said. "So now I know why you were keeping us here. Can't believe you didn't fill me in."
"Don't look at me," Shepard smiled at Liara and pulled her close. "She's the one who—Wait, were you planning this? To propose, I mean?" she asked Liara, thinking for the first time that Liara's scheme to keep her planetside was more than a way to just spend time with her.
"I've had a ring in my drawer since you woke up, Shepard."
Shepard raised Liara's hand to kiss it tenderly.
"Charmer," they heard Tali tease and Shepard grinned looking up at them. "So you guys on your way?"
"Let us catch a rapid transport, Shepard and we'll be right there." Garrus nodded.
"Great," Shepard smiled. "See you soon."
With that Liara set one of her brokers to work on the license. Now all they had to do was wait.
Liara tapped a foot impatiently.
Shepard chuckled.
"What?" Liara smiled at her and asked.
"You're kinda cute when you're impatient."
Liara rolled her eyes. "I'm an intimidating, extrememly scary broker, Shepard. Not cute."
"Keep telling yourself that," Shepard laughed.
Liara tugged her forward with a Pull. "What do humans call each other when they're betrothed?"
"Fiancée?" Shepard suggested.
"Then come here, Fiancée," Liara smirked and leaned in for a kiss—
"Hey Commander!" Joker interrupted.
"Don't kill him. Don't kill him." Shepard chanted under her breath, making Liara laugh.
"It's nice to see you again, Joker," Liara greeted him.
"You too, Blue. So what kind of ceremony were you guys thinking of having?"
"The small and private kind," Shepard warned. "You didn't press your famous 'invite everyone' button did you?"
"Nah, that's up to you guys. I meant the vows, Commander."
"Oh!" Liara said. "We haven't really had time to think about it. Are there traditional ones? What would you like Shepard?"
Shepard smiled at her. "As long as it says in there somewhere that I'll cherish you for as long as you live I'm good."
"Ugh, boring." Joker joked.
Shepard laughed. "Looks like the traditional stuff, Lieutenant."
"What about witnesses?" Joker frowned.
"Garrus and Tali are on their—"
"Shepard," Garrus said as he entered. "Do we have time for a bachelorette party for you? That bar under Liara's office has an asari dancer."
Shepard gave him an incredulous look. "You can't be serious."
Garrus gave a low chuckle. "Thought not."
Liara's brow was raised at Garrus. "An asari dancer? Really? You couldn't even think up something original like bottle shooting or something?"
"Hey, I just found out, T'Soni. Give me a break."
Tali shook her head at him. "Men."
Shepard laughed. "You're the only one in this room that goes for 'em, Tali, so I don't think you get to say that."
"I'm the only one that has to deal with them, so yes I do," Tali countered with a laugh in her voice. "Keelah, Shepard, I can't believe this is finally happening."
Shepard grinned. "Yep!"
"Well, everyone's here," Joker interrupted. "Time to lock her down, Commander."
Liara's brows knit. "I never read anything about that part of the ceremony."
Shepard grinned as her eyes took in the cabin once more. "Well that was cute." Liara blushed slightly making the Commander grin further. "So if there hadn't been the whole issue with Feron or the Shadow Broker, I would have gotten a proposal?"
Liara met her gaze with a perplexed expression. "Of course, Shepard. You know I love you."
Shepard's stomach tightened in nervousness. "So that's something you want too?"
Liara's eyes scanned for any hesitation in Shepard's. "Yes. To quote you, my love, I want 'marriage, old age, and a lot of blue children' and I want it with you."
Shepard's grin returned. "Well said, Dr. T'Soni."
"I try," Liara grinned back, pulling her in for a kiss.
A/N: I've been in a proposal-ish mood with these two, some of you may have noticed XD I'm not sure why...yes, I do. It fills me with warm fuzzies and major swoonage X) Also, Liara is hardly ever the one to do it, so I wanted to try it out-especially since this is her fantasy ^^
