Shepard glanced around warily at the fashionable crush. After a brief and admittedly frustrating debacle at the door with Donovan Hock Kasumi had been forced to seek another means of entry, leaving Shepard to navigate the party alone.

She had made a thorough sweep of the room, scouting out potential exits and any natural barriers she could take advantage of if this didn't play out right. The balcony in particular had attracted her attention, there were fewer guards out there than there were within. Thanks to Hock's careful planning, at least she could be sure that none of the guests were armed, it simplified her work immensely.

Shepard paused when her ear-piece crackles, "Shepard, I need you to look for any sort of switches or pressure plates; there's a biotic field here but no sign of any way to disarm it."

"Copy." She muttered, smiling at an asari who eyed her askance.

She made her careful way to the bookshelf, ostensibly examining the titles, if she were going to put in any sort of mechanism it would be somewhere the guests wouldn't be expected to go, somewhere like… there. The plaster cast on the table made a satisfying click as she turned it.

"Try it now."

She could hear a smirk in Kasumi's voice when she replied. "Got it. As you were."

Shepard wrinkled her nose, "As you were." Kasumi's tinkling laughter followed her back out to the balcony and into the main atrium.

"Too soon to tell, but we might have a problem on your hands." Kasumi murmured.

"What's that?" Shepard smiled at a server, gesturing to his tray.

He frowned perplexedly, "It's champagne, ma'am?"

"It's heading your way, you should see it any minute now. Don't get too worked up; we can handle it."

"Kasumi." Shepard growled threateningly.

"No, ma'am. It's Walter."

Shepard sent the server a pitying look, if she blew her cover it would be none of his doing. The last thing she needed was another glass of champagne, she gestured him away and watched as he hurried to put as much distance between them as possible. She really wasn't cut out for these undercover sort of affairs.

Surprisingly she found she was enjoying herself though; a few sips of champagne, some idle chatter with the other guests stowing away any incriminating comments they made for later review, all had her feeling a bit giddy. Of course, she tried to remember that they were on a mission; Kasumi could have need of her at any moment, but for now her job was to mingle and look natural. She glanced around the floor curiously, evaluating her choices carefully. Kasumi had said she was going to go to work on Hock's safe so she should probably confine herself to the outskirts of the party, the better to disappear when Kasumi called for her.

With that thought in mind, Shepard made her slow way to the alcove off the main hall where myriad pictures hung and artsy statuettes propped up every wall. She smiled flirtatiously at a younger woman engaged in conversation with a salarian, tipping a wink when she saw the answering smile. There really must be something in the drinks, normally she wouldn't have even considered playing these games; she was beginning to think the suit might have been a bad idea after all, clearly it was clouding her judgment.

Shepard moved to the wall, leaning against it nonchalantly, she gestured to a server gracefully and took another glass of champagne. This was her third, right? She had to knock it off after this one or she wouldn't be able to shoot straight, but then Kasumi seemed to have the situation under control, a few more sips couldn't hurt. The brunette woman sauntered toward her, snatching a flute gracefully from the tray as the server passed; it seemed she had been a little too inviting, now she was going to have to find a way to defuse the situation before she ended up cheating on Liara. That could prove hazardous to her health, not to mention heart-breaking for both of them.

As the woman neared, another guest intercepted her, an asari in a backless, low-cut violet dress. Shepard couldn't see her face, but there was something in her stance that reminded her of Liara. Wishful thinking; Liara was safe on Illium, not dabbling here with crime lords. And then the asari turned toward her, gesturing the other woman away sharply.

Shepard gaped, Liara- here.

What the hell was she doing here? How did she…? When?

Liara glided forward smoothly, "You're staring, Gunn. It's considered quite rude, I understand."

"What are you doing here?" Shepard snapped; suddenly she wasn't looking forward to any sort of action, she just wanted Liara out of here and safe.

"Information broker, remember? I was going through my files and found mention of an 'Allison Gunn', mercenary extraordinaire. I was concerned; I had never heard of her before, and yet she seemed so prolific. I did some research and imagine my shock when I found your image attached to the identity, with your name on an invitation to one of Donovan Hock's infamous gatherings. I couldn't let that pass unchallenged… Gunn."

Liara's eyes narrowed as she glanced across the crowd to the human woman, now gossiping with her partner once more, shooting the occasional venomous look in Liara's direction. "Were you enjoying yourself?"

Shepard swallowed nervously; she had nothing to apologize for, she had done nothing wrong but there was something in Liara's tone that set her on edge. "I was wishing you were here, but now that you are, I'm not certain it was such a good idea."

"I can see that."

"Liara, I'm not exactly here for a good time; Kasumi and I have something to find and appropriate. It was a hassle just to get in, Kasumi didn't make it past inspection. Speaking of, how exactly did you get in? I don't think your title would carry much weight with this crowd."

"It doesn't. Like you, I created a new face; it was a little easier for me, you are Commander Shepard after all."

Shepard's eyes widened, "Keep it down, it won't go well for either of us if that gets out."

"You think he doesn't know? I'm not so sure."

Liara smiled briefly, a hand reaching out to smooth down the line of her suit; "I like you in this outfit, but you really should have worn a bow-tie. Easier for me, I suppose."

"How-" Liara's hand twined in the fabric of her tie to pull her down for a brief but hard kiss, her other hand pushing Shepard back into the wall. Shepard groaned softly, any chance she had of dismissing Liara as a casual acquaintance or connection was long gone now, but damn her lips were demanding.

Liara pulled back, licking her swollen lips and panting softly, Shepard caught her breath first, glaring at Liara.

"Relax, Gunn. Just a greeting between lovers- I imagine that hussy will think twice before she approaches you again. That was what you wanted, right?"

Shepard hated to admit it, but she was finding this possessive facet of Liara endlessly fascinating; she was more than just the shy archaeologist from Therum, that much had been made clear during their meeting on Illium, but she hadn't known until now just how deep the differences ran.

Shepard pulled her close, curving a firm arm around her waist to tuck her into her side, "I think you've made me the envy of the party."

Liara smiled, "You're a flatterer. Don't think though that I haven't seen those glances you've been throwing to every available female here. I won't forget that so easily."

Shepard pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, walking in step with her as they made their way toward a portrait on the far wall.

"I needed some reason for being here, I lost my escort at the door; it wasn't going anywhere."

Liara hummed softly, opening her mouth to comment and Shepard froze, hearing the crackle of her comm.

"Shepard, his security is pretty airtight; I need a voice sample, and then we need to find a DNA sample."

"Leave it to me."

"Have you met the new guest yet?"

"She's here with me, thanks for the heads up."

Kasumi chuckled, "What does she think of the suit, anything special?"

"Damn it, you were watching us." Shepard whispered forcefully. "I shouldn't have to remind you that we have a job to do."

"Like I said, I need a few more phonemes. See what you can do."

Liara was grinning excitedly, "I take it that was Kasumi? What does she need help with?"

"We have to talk with our gracious host. I think it would be best if you stayed here, I don't want him to make a connection between us."

"It's too late, and I am determined to accompany you."

Shepard sighed gustily and set off, pulling Liara with her at a fast clip.

"Let me do the talking."

"Of course."

It was said in such a meek tone that Shepard glanced over in dismay; "meek" was not a word one could typically apply to Liara once she had the bit in her teeth so to speak. It was with no small amount of trepidation that Shepard began to approach her mark, Liara hanging on her arm and simpering oddly. Where had the stubborn Liara gone? The possessive one that had voiced displeasure in her casual flirtations? This couldn't be good.

Shepard smiled widely as she came within view of Donovan Hock, if Kasumi only lacked data on his cadence and a few phonemes then it really shouldn't matter how she went about coaxing him to speak; Carte Blanche to be as rude as she pleased.

"This is quite the party, Hock. I wonder which of your little expeditions you used to fund it?"

Don't talk business Kasumi had said, now to see what would happen if she challenged that directly.

She was sadly disappointed when he turned to look at her, sneering slightly; "I'm sorry, Gunn. I was speaking with my colleague and did not see you approach. Did you have a question?"

He turned back before she could speak again and Shepard fumed inwardly, she was not used to being so casually dismissed; Liara patted her arm warningly as she gestured to a server with her other hand, just what had got into her?

"I was just wondering if you were using your connections on Noveria to pay for this little soiree."

Hock stiffened, spinning on his heel to glare at her again, "I'm sure you can appreciate my need for discretion, Ms. Gunn; given your own line of business? I hope you will-" He cried out as a cascade of wine spilled over his white suit, Liara frozen in the act of knocking the tray over. For a moment her face lit with unmistakably smug pleasure before being replaced with false horror.

"I'm so sorry, did you get any on your suit?" She ignored Hock in favor of patting at Shepard's spotless sleeve.

"Son of a-! Gunn, would you-?"

Shepard shook with wicked laughter, this moment was too perfect. That crystalline second when the frustration written in his eyes had transformed into sheer horror would occupy a cherished place in her memories of this night, as would Liara's self-satisfied smile.

"Who are you?" He fumed, motioning furiously for a towel. As Liara opened her mouth to respond he cut her off, "Never mind. It is irrelevant. Jut get out."

Shepard sobered, surreptitiously wiping tears from her eyes, she had forgotten for a moment that she too had hoped Liara would leave, but this was as good a time as any.

"It's been an eventful evening, my thanks for the invitation, but if you will excuse us, we have other matters to attend to."

"Yes, by all means." His voice was thick with sarcasm and disdain, if she hadn't known they would be robbing him blind later she might have been offended; as it was, she made a note to look for something special in his collection to give to Liara as a commemoration of their joint effort.

"Did you get what you needed?" Shepard muttered.

"Only just," Kasumi sighed; "I wonder if you could try to be a little more cooperative next time? You know, for variety."

"As long as we have what we need I'm sure it's fine."

"Will Liara be joining us?"

"Absolutely not, she's going to meet us back at the Normandy."

"I thought I had made it excessively clear that I would be accompanying you for the evening?"

"Not this time; this is a little more personal and I don't want him to have even more reason to remember your face."

"There was a time your orders would have been sufficient to deter me, Shepard. Now, we are not aboard your ship and you do not have the right to restrict my movements."

"Liara, please. This is going to be dangerous."

"And I have never been in danger before?"

"Let's not argue-"

"We're already arguing; we can stop as soon as you concede the point."

Kasumi cut in before she could respond, "Whatever your decision, make it fast. I have another problem."

Shepard groaned, "What is it this time?"

"I need some DNA from Hock."

"Like blood?" Shepard chirped gleefully.

Liara shook her head despairingly, "I take it we need a DNA sample? Hair would serve just as well. Shepard."

Shepard wilted slightly, "Fine. Kasumi, do you know where his rooms are?"

"Look for the door that actually has guards; I leave any further details to you. Actually, put Liara on this one; I don't want to know how you would do it."

"Ten- four. Liara in charge."

Liara smirked, "I like the sound of that."

Liara chuckled on the uneasiness apparent on Shepard's face; "I take it you don't?"

"Surprisingly, all the trouble we have landed ourselves in this evening can be traced directly back to you."

"An interesting theory. Evidence?"

Shepard snorted, hooking an affectionate arm about Liara's waist as she she headed toward the balcony; "We had a plan; sneak in, steal a few things, sneak out. When you appeared, the plan changed."

"Only because there were factors you had not accounted for."

Shepard spoke over her objection, "And then, when we finally found a way around the new impediment, you deliberately antagonized our host."

"That has no bearing on anything; it's not as though he would have simply told you the key to his safe mechanisms, or did you plan to seduce him?"

Liara smiled teasingly, tugging at her dress shirt. "Not a bad idea; I might try that yet."

"Shepard, if you so much as tease there is every chance you will not leave here alive." Liara nipped her arm playfully, half-teasing, but her eyes said she was a little offended at the jest.

"And where are we going?" She murmured, "His rooms are back that way."

"We don't have clearance to enter his quarters, and I don't feel like arguing with his lackeys/ I saw a balcony back here that should do the trick."

Liara sighed despairingly, "Kasumi said I was in charge, you're going to have to give up command sometime, Gunn." She nudged her in the ribs warningly.

"You can be in charge later; this is a good idea, and you know it."

"I'll hold you to that, Shepard." There was a certain darkly satisfied undertone to her voice that made Shepard's skin prickle in intimate awareness.

"And this is not a good idea. I am in a gown and you're in a suit, and they will probably both be ruined."

"I remember hearing that you should never wear the same outfit twice, anyway."

"If you were Allison Gunn that might be acceptable."

"Tonight, I am. Remember that." Shepard leered and Liara rolled her eyes, smiling fondly.

They slowed as they approached the balcony railing, peering over to the balcony below.

"It's not unguarded; let me go first."

"I remember hearing that it was customary to let ladies go first. Besides, there is the old adage about age before beauty."

Shepard moved almost before she had the last word out, swarming fluidly over the railing and dropping to the surface below.

Liara hissed in dismay, promising herself a satisfying revenge before all this was through. Sure enough, no sooner had Shepard landed than she was accosted by two guards; her suit was stiff and her movements ungainly, but with a little help from her lover's biotics they soon lay unconscious at her feet. Liara kicked off her heels, vaulting over the railing quickly to land gracefully beside Shepard.

As she bent to slip her shoes in again she was shocked to feel Shepard's hand running teasingly up her thigh, squeezing her ass appreciatively. "Damn, I like this dress. You should wear it more often."

"I thought you said a dress wasn't meant to be worn more than once?"

"I've been known to make mistakes on occasion."

Liara shoved her inside briskly, twisting to pin her to a wall as her fingers twined through her hair. Their lips met with a desperate lust, each frantic to taste their lover on their lips.

Shepard pulled back first, drawing on Liara's lower lip, licking at the bruises she left teasingly. "We have a job to do, but when we're done I suggest you accompany me back to the Normandy for a more personal debriefing."

Shepard gasped in shock just before Liara took her lips again, hands gliding down to fist in the material of her suit. "Kasumi said I was in charge."

Just one minute couldn't hurt; the length of Liara's body was pressed so temptingly against her, the warmth of her lips was almost relaxing until she began pulling at Shepard's shirt, her shockingly warm hands sending tingles up her lover's spine.

Shepard leaned into her, deepening the kiss and pulling Liara closer, callused hands running down the open back of her dress to slip beneath the material.

She tried to pull back when one of Liara's hands cupped her breast, lifting the weight, her thumb circling the nipple at a maddeningly slow pace.

"Liara, we can't-" She cut off at the feel of Liara's clever fingers working the buckle of her belt, pulling it away to slide a hand beneath the soft material.

"Nothing beneath? Shepard, were you expecting me?"

When Liara smiled like that there was nothing she could do save kiss her again, tensing as Liara's hand slipped lower to cup her heat, nails digging into the sensitive flesh of her breast.

Liara pushed her back again, "You look so dashing in this suit, I can't wait to take it off."

Shepard growled in frustration, "Too risky here; we finish the mission and then we can worry about clothing options."

"I thought that was what you loved about being a Spectre… the risk."

"Liara, no-"

"I can change your mind. Sweet goddess, you're wet already. No use protesting, I think."

Shepard's knees buckled, two of Liara's fingers swirling her wetness about her clit as another teased along her slit, never quite dipping in.

"Don't worry; I'm in charge. No one will blame you for obeying your superior."

"That's not the way it works- SHIT! Kasumi!"

Shepard clawed at her ear, desperately trying to remove the transmitter; she could hear tinkling laughter over the link. Fuck. How had she forgotten that? A becoming flush raced over her features and Liara pressed a comforting kiss to her neck, biting down sharply. "Don't take it out."

"The hell-"

Liara's fingers began a frantic pace and Shepard clutched at her shoulders for balance, caught off guard.

"Leave it in, I said." Liara's smile turned predatory, "I'm going to make you scream."

She sucked in a breath as Liara raked her nails down her stomach, leaning forward to pull at the buttons with her teeth; one popped off and fell to the ground, bouncing along the floor.

"See what you've done. The shirt's ruined."

"Not yet." Liara purred; another button joined the first, her tongue darting into the gap to lick at irritated flesh.

Shepard struggled to speak, but between Liara's attentions and her embarrassment it was becoming increasingly difficult.

"Can't go back upstairs. You have to stop."

"All you have to do is say no. And mean it." She pushed her thumb into Shepard's heat, swirling it around in the moisture for emphasis. "There's bound to be something in Hock's closet you can appropriate. Or Kasumi and I could finish this alone… better yet, we could move to the bed for now and worry about this later."

"No."

"You're right; this is much more fun."

There was an ominous rending sound as Liara tore at the front of her shirt, Shepard found her shriek muffled by the warm weight of Liara's lips, her tongue pushing in to explore her lover's mouth. The fabric of her dress seemed rough against Shepard's bare skin, though a moment ago it had seemed as soft as the body it concealed.

Liara rubbed against her provocatively, using her palm now to massage Shepard's clit, her fingers pushing against Shepard's walls, pulling her into the thrusts of her lover's hands. Shepard slid down the wall slowly, legs opening as far as the dress pants would permit; Liara followed her, kneeling on the floor, her gaze locking with Shepard's challengingly.

"Still eager to leave?"

Shepard swallowed hard, fighting not to gasp. She hadn't heard another peep from Kasumi, had the thief elected to let them have this time alone? Not likely.

"Answer me."

"No. Stay." Her voice was curiously hoarse, but as long as that was all that was required of her…

Liara's rough caress gentled and slowed, "Tell me why you want to stay, Shepard."

Shepard shook her head stubbornly, arching her hips into Liara's palm to generate the friction she craved.

Liara traced her fingertips over Shepard's clit, her touch so light it was hardly there. She leaned forward to take a peaked nipple into her mouth, her tongue laved around it, teeth nipping lightly. She pulled away from Shepard's pants, fingers tracing moisture over the neglected nipple. Shepard tilted her head away, conflicted despite herself. It had been so long since they had just played like this. Then again, this really wasn't the time.

Damn it to hell, why not? Hock wasn't here; he had a roomful of notable guests to entertain; Kasumi was probably monitoring comm traffic and she clearly knew exactly what they were up to. Maybe it was the champagne clouding her judgment but at the moment this didn't seem like such a terrible idea. Especially not with Liara tonguing a trail down her middle, leaving tiny love-bites here and there.

"I'm still waiting, Shepard."

"I'm going to get you back for this. Just wait until you're aboard my ship; this might not seem like such a great idea when the tables are turned." Shepard stuttered to a stop when Liara slid the rest of the way down, pressing her mouth to Shepard's center and licking up into her. Shepard dug her fingers into Liara's crest, nails tracing the shallow grooves there. Liara moaned softly and Shepard shuddered, canting her hips to Liara's greedy mouth.

She cried out when Liara's thumb brushed across her clit, tongue following the path of moisture she had traced there. Shepard curled into herself, Liara's palm at her hip limiting her movement somewhat. She arched and gasped as her climax hit her; Liara chuckled softly, determined to take every bit of the wetness from her lover's body.

Shepard simply lay in silence for a moment, her hand brushing Liara's face absently; "Rest assured. You're going to get it; don't be smug."

"Promises, promises. I never said I was finished with you, Shepard. We have business to attend to now. You should tidy up."

Liara rose and Shepard was relieved to note she was a little shaky on her feet, her hand brushing between her legs surreptitiously. Poor darling, still hot and bothered; that would make her vengeance all the sweeter when her chance came later.

"Let's finish up here and get the hell home."

Liara laughed, "We have to find a way to fix that shirt, first." She pulled the jacket together, frowning at it critically.

"I'm beginning to rethink the buttons."

Shepard smirked, "Too late now. Guess I'm just gonna have to go topless."

Liara's eyes sparked dangerously, "Don't take that risk, Shepard. I fear if anyone looked at you the way I do I would have to claw their eyes out."

Shepard smiled contentedly, she loved when Liara cut up possessive, but their primary task now was getting out with only a modicum of attention.

"I hate to interrupt this charming conversation, " Kasumi's voice sounded a little breathy, "but we still need Hock's DNA and I need you two up here ASAP."

"Hock's wardrobe it is! Care to help me dress? Last time Kasumi-" Liara stopped her mid-explanation by the simple expedient of a deep kiss, already pulling her toward the wardrobe.