Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of any Mass Effect or Bioware intellectual property. Please also note that this story contains some profanity and sexuality. Spoilers present for the games and the DLC.
A/N : I refer to my Shepard as simply "Shepard," since that is how it is in the game. I also try not to give too many physical descriptors since every Shepard is unique though they share the same story.
Chapter Two: Bliss
Shepard lifted her eyelids slowly, trying to convince them to open fully despite the brightness of the room. Nothing came into focus, but she knew the soft blue that descended on her lips was Liara. "Hey Beautiful."
"Hey back," Liara cooed. "How do you feel?"
"Sleepy."
"Fight that Commander, for just a few seconds," the doctor interrupted. "Your surgery went perfectly. The only recovery you'll need is from the anesthesia. But first, let me check a few things." Before Shepard could protest that she was fine the doctor said "You're right as rain, Commander. Sleep tight."
With the doctor's blessing and Liara's encouraging kiss on her forehead, the commander obeyed.
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This time she woke without the grogginess. She rubbed her eyes a little, forcing them to focus. Dr. Chakwas was in her chair and as she continued to turn her neck she saw Liara next to her, her head resting on folded arms. She swallowed, cotton-mouthed, "Liara, Love?"
Liara's head jerked up "Shepard!" You're awake," she said yawning. "How do you feel?"
"Better," Shepard smiled at her sleepy asari. Liara smiled back.
Dr. Chakwas patted Liara's shoulder to ask permission to get a better look at her patient. Liara rose to get the commander some water. "Commander, one last check, before I release you." Shepard waited a few seconds. "Ok, that's it. Your new omni-tool will report your vitals to me. Liara you can take her to your quarters or hers, though I'd prefer yours as they are only a few steps away."
"Agreed, Doctor," Liara nodded sleepily, playing along and handing Shepard her dress brass and blues. Shepard arched an eyebrow at the formal wear.
"They're the only ones clean—laundry supplies are a bit low and there's really nothing else for you to put on, Darling." Liara yawned again.
"How long was I out, Babe? You're exhausted."
"Not terribly long; It's simply been a long week—finding my love, saving her, getting engaged to her," she teased leaning in for a kiss. "This time I'll ask: Can I carry you in stasis to my quarters?"
"Uh…I'd rather my crew not see me being carried. I don't think I'd ever hear the end of it."
"I thought not," Liara smiled. "Very well," she handed Shepard the water who gulped it up.
Shepard prepared herself for the pain she expected as she slowly moved her legs to the edge of the table. She propped herself up slowly as well, only pausing because she felt her blood rush a bit at the change. "Weird," she spoke.
"What is it?" Liara frowned, glancing between Shepard and the doctor for answers.
"I feel fine—no pain at all."
"The beauty of the Lazarus equipment Ms. Lawson installed, Commander." Dr. Chakwas smiled, her irritation at the commander forgotten now that she was healed.
"Wow," Shepard was impressed. "Li, I'm going to use you for just a sec as I get down, while I find my balance." She stood, let the dizziness pass, and then said "Wow" again. "Right, I feel great. I'll take it from here, my love. Can't let the crew see anything that might concern them, especially when I'm fine." Liara brought Shepard's hand to her lips, kissing it in encouragement.
Shepard dressed then rolled her shoulders and neck before making her way out the med bay doors to…everyone?! The crew deck erupted in cheers. Grunt clapped her back, expelling all the air in her lungs and before she could recover Tali squeezed her in a hug. Garrus shook his head, laughing. Shepard gave him an sarcastic glare. Everyone was here. She turned her grin from one friend to the next, ecstatic to see them all safe and then she nearly toppled over in surprise.
"Mom?!"
"Of course I came! Oh I'm so proud of you, come here," Rear Admiral Hannah Shepard took her daughter in her arms tightly.
"Ugh!" Shepard complained a little. "Mom, Good thing the ribs are healed. How 'bout we don't re-break them?"
"Sorry," Hannah laughed.
Next to her mom was Admiral Anderson. "Sir," she said, clasping his arm in a shake.
"Shepard," he smiled. He was in his dress uniform. Come to think of it, so was her mom. "What's the occasion Admiral?"
"Well, I doubted you'd remember to remind me, and I figured with a second officer aboard" he said, placing his hand on the elder Shepard's shoulder "we can make it official," he pulled stripes and purple heart from his jacket as he finished "Captain."
Shepard stared at the box holding her new honors. Anderson pinned the medal to her uniform and the stripes on her shoulders. "Thank you, Sir," she managed, then remembering herself, gave a sharp salute to him and her mom. They returned the salute and Anderson clapped her shoulder in praise as her mom swooped in for another hug. "'Bout time!" she kissed her cheek.
"Thanks Mom, er, Ma'am."
The elder Shepard chuckled before releasing her.
Liara laced her arms around the newly stripped captain and purred softly from behind into the spectre's ear "congratulations, Captain." Shepard closed her eyes, basking in her lover's arms and embrace before turning to cup Liara's face with her hands and kissing her soundly. "Thank you, Dr. T'Soni."
Liara chuckled in her love's embrace, "Shepard, we are not alone." Shepard stiffened suddenly, remembering the crew, Anderson, and her mother's presence.
"Right," she coughed and turned back around. "Mom, I'd like you to meet Dr. Liara T'Soni, my prothean and intel specialist on the Normandy, and" she took Liara's hand, bringing her close again, "my fiancée." Her mom laughed, "Honey, you were out for some time. We met."
Shepard awkwardly massaged her neck. "Right."
Liara laughed this time.
"How did that go?" Shepard asked as she looked from one to the other.
Liara moved from her love's side to rest her arm on Hannah's shoulder casually. "I see from whom you inherited your beauty and charm," she smiled.
"And I couldn't approve more. Besides, she promised me grandchildren," the elder Shepard winked.
"Mom!" Shepard blushed, rubbing the back of her neck again.
"Oh relax Honey, we had a long talk and love each other. Be happy; that's an order."
"Yes, Ma'am," Shepard smiled, before pulling Liara back to her side. "I plan on it."
"About that Shepard," Liara looked down.
Worry lit Shepard's face, "Second thoughts already?"
"What?!" Liara flustered a little, "No! The opposite, in fact." She shifted away a little to reach into her pocket, pulling out a dusty looking box. Shepard jerked her face in her mother's direction, recognizing it. "Mom?"
"She informs me it was hers when she married your father," Liara confirmed.
"It was your grandmother's. It's been passed down from one loving marriage to the next for generations of Shepards. Now it's your turn," her mother nodded.
Liara knelt before Shepard. "Shepard, you're right, you rescued me on that day we met in more ways than one." She stammered a little, still nervous around so many people, especially for this. "I told you after the Broker's base that I had everything I wanted because you were alive again, but I was wrong. I want you, but I want what you do as well. I want marriage, to age with you, and to have children with you. I want peaceful evenings on the couch next to you and violent battles where I can protect you. I want to be at your side from this day forth. Shepard, you've asked me, now I'm asking you. Will you…will you marry me?"
As Liara had done on the Citadel, Shepard lowered herself and responded with her hands cupping her love's face, "Liara, I would marry you a thousand times. Right here if you wanted." She smiled as she repeated her love's answer, as it was her own.
"I was hoping you would say that," Liara smiled.
"Us too," said Garrus, bringing them back.
The comm began softly playing Liara's song on piano. Liara began to rise, pulling Shepard up with her. Shepard looked around, noticing now that everyone looked a little more formal than usual. Anderson took his place at the top of the stairs leading to the guns and Liara led Shepard to the stairs just below him. Garrus and Tali framed the couple.
"Liara…" Shepard whispered in awe, realizing what was happening. She glanced at her mom, who despite military training, had let a tear escape. "You were busy while I was asleep." Shepard continued.
Liara smiled, "Yes, my love, but I had help."
At this, Anderson spoke "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here not only to welcome our hero back but to join her with her own hero here today. I've witnessed their love only a short time now, but they share a bond I've only seen in couples that have known each other and loved each other whole-heartedly for years. They have, as they have proclaimed, rescued each other from the depths of uncertainty time and again. They've already been there for each other for better or worse, in sickness and health."
He regarded the two women, speaking to them, "Shepard, Liara, the woman standing beside you is about to become your wife. At this moment, you are individual persons, friends, and companions. I ask you at this time to please face each other and join hands as you are now ready to evolve, joining your hearts into one.
Consider the hands holding yours. They will work alongside yours as you build your future together. These are the hands of your best friend as they pledge their love and commitment to you forever."
"Liara, please repeat after me. 'I, Liara T'Soni, daughter of Matriarch Benezia T'Soni, vow to love, honor, and protect you in good times and bad. I will love you with all my being, forsaking all others save you. I will cherish you and our union forever. I ask you to share this life with me, from this day forth.'"
Liara repeated the vows, staring and smiling at Shepard the whole time, rubbing her thumb across the newly placed ring.
"Shepard," Anderson turned to the new captain, "please repeat after me." He guided her in a repetition of the vows Liara had just spoken.
"You are now vowed to each other in a union recognized by galactic law and your shared faith in each other."
"A contract of eternal bond of love,
Confirm'd by mutual joinder of your hands,
Attested by the holy close of lips,
Strengthen'd by interchangement of your gifts;
And all the ceremony of this compact
Seal'd in my function, by my testimony.
You may seal your vows with a kiss."
Shepard closed the gap between them in a heartbeat, cupping her beloved's face delicately, kissing her with all her love and soul. Liara found the back of Shepard's neck, holding fast to her hair—Goddess, she loved Shepard's hair—and pulled her closer. Garrus and Tali nudged the pair and they begrudgingly parted. The deck erupted in applause again. Shepard and Liara held each other's sides as their family—all of them, were after all, family—gave them congratulations.
EDI, apparently D.J. for the night, switched the music to a more party-worthy tune.
Shepard's mom hugged both women. "I'm so happy for you, honey. Now the life you've always wanted is complete," she told Shepard, reminding her of their conversation they'd had just before the they defeated the Reapers as she held Liara. "But seriously, don't tease me, when do I get those grandkids?" she arched an eyebrow expectantly.
Shepard laughed, "Take it easy, Mom. Let a girl enjoy marital bliss."
Liara returned to her wife's side, giggling softly in Shepard's ear, whispering "I think that's what she has in mind."
"Har har." Shepard whispered back, kissing Liara's temple.
Rupert served the Normandy's finest ingredients to the witnesses and Dr. Chakwas brought out a case of bottles of Serrice Ice Brandy. The couple stayed at each other's side, parting reluctantly if someone asked for a dance, though most avoided encouraging Shepard.
Everyone congratulated the pair a second time at the end of the night when they made their way to the lift, leaving the crew deck to the continued celebration. The lift shut and Liara collapsed into Shepard's arms as the other did the same. Liara leaned against Shepard who was propped against the lift's wall and they gently enjoyed a kiss. The door opened to Shepard's—now officially, the Captain's—quarters. Shepard swooped Liara into her arms to her new wife's delight.
"What are you doing?" Liara teased as she had on the Silversun strip.
"An old human tradition. I'm carrying you across the threshold," she kissed Liara, making her way across said threshold.
"How are you feeling, Shepard?" Liara's face was painted with concern again.
"You heard the Doc herself, Liara, I've barely got a few scratches from the battle. I'm fine."
Liara laughed, "I think I heard 'She'll be fine' about fifty times this week."
"They were right."
"Thank the Goddess," Liara breathed out, leaning her forehead against Shepard's when she was returned to her feet.
"Can I make one request though?" Shepard asked, nudging her way to Liara's neck, trailing her lips along its length to the shoulder.
"Uh huh," Liara managed, smiling.
"I'd like to take a proper shower. The presidium's river channels could only do so much after all," she chuckled nervously.
"Hmm…" Liara kissed Shepard, "I think I'll allow it as long as I can join you." She began unbuttoning Shepard's dress uniform, lifting her eyes to the comman—the captain's. She'd have to get used to that.
"Deal," Shepard purred, pulling Liara's gear off, starting with the tunic, letting it fall. She lifted her arms to help Liara lift her own shirt off. Shepard punched the shower's door lock as Liara helped her with her belt and she kicked off her dress shoes. Liara kicked off her own boots as Shepard started the shower, the water rushing with heat. The steam began to surround them. Shepard backed into the stream, pulling Liara with her. Liara let her palm rest beneath a soap dispenser, surprising and delighting the captain who had closed her eyes when she felt Liara's hands washing her body. Liara turned Shepard around, massaging the soap into her wife's back and neck.
"Mmm." Shepard sighed in pleasure. Liara pulled close to her wife's body, hugging her from behind, cherishing the feel of her once again.
Shepard turned in Liara's arms to face her wife. "So," she kissed her as she spoke. "Am I Mrs. T'Soni or are you Mrs./Dr. Shepard," she teased.
"I thought that practice was becoming archaic to your people, Shepard," Liara smiled.
"Well, it depends. Dad took Mom's name, though who could blamed him. Shepard's a pretty great name," she teased again.
"Ha ha," Liara chided.
"Only joking, my wife," Shepard pulled herself into Liara. "I love your name—it's entirely you, Dr. Liara T'Soni."
"Mmm, call me your wife again," Liara kissed Shepard's shoulder as she reached around her to receive some shampoo from the dispenser and began massaging her wife's scalp, delighting in the practice.
"Mmm," Shepard echoed, "my wife is very good with her hands," she sighed, relaxing as Liara lathered the shampoo in. Shepard lifted her chin to rinse the shampoo, wiping water from her eyes and upon opening them saw an awestruck asari staring at her doing so.
Shepard grinned, "I should've brought you in here a long time ago."
"I've just…" Liara began, "never seen your hair wet before. It becomes so sleek and dark." She trailed her fingers through some of the wet locks.
Shepard kissed the fingers, holding them to her cheek afterward in bliss before grinning. "So about those babies," she began before Liara snatched her hand back to playfully slap her wife's thigh. "Shepard!"
"Before I say anything stupid, I have to ask: Are you pregnant, Li?"
"Shepard!" Liara repeated.
"That's not an answer."
"Not at the moment, no!"
"Ok, well, I just want to make it clear that there's no pressure. I have no problem being selfish and having you to myself for several years," at that she tilted her wife's chin for a kiss before continuing, "One more question…" Liara arched a brow, daring her wife to press further. "Here me out. After the Broker's base, I said blue children, but again, no pressure. If you don't want to put your body through that, I'll understand. We can check with the Doc to see if I can still conceive or we can adopt. I know the Reapers have probably left a number of orphans across the galaxy." Shepard felt Liara's fingers shushing her lips.
"It is as you say, Shepard. I'm feeling very selfish. I want you to myself for a few years. We'll talk about this again, but right now," she let her hands slip along her human's hip and pinned her against the shower wall, kissing her enthusiastically. "I just want you, my wife."
Shepard caught her breath, "Ok."
"Ok," Liara echoed, amused. She pulled Shepard's leg up to encircle her own hip, continuing to kiss her new wife greedily. She pulled herself as close to Shepard as she could, their breath syncing together laboriously. Shepard's leg squeezed Liara forward into her at the same time. Liara kissed Shepard's neck, nibbling an ear, before returning to her favorite lips.
"Liara," Shepard breathed her wife's name. Liara's hand trailed her wife's hip while the other cupped Shepard's left breast, savoring the weight in her hand before it trailed lower. She felt her beloved shiver in delight. She turned her head, allowing Shepard to kiss her neck, to caress her with her lips as Shepard's hands caressed Liara's hip and found azure. Liara gasped, her eyes turning black. Shepard gasped in unison as Liara entered her mind with a loving caress. The steam around them turned blue as the biotic pulses circled the newly married couple.
"I love you," Shepard whispered into Liara's neck.
"As I love you," Liara purred.
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Shepard woke with a start. The Reapers—she had been fighting them on Earth—how was she back in her cabin? She shook her head, glancing at her shoulder where an asleep Liara lay with nothing but a necklace on under the covers. The realization swept over her and she bit her lip before she let out a sigh and pulled herself closer to her wife. Over Liara's crest, she lifted her left hand to peek at her ring and smiled.
A tired Liara nuzzled into her embrace further, "Mmmm…you are awake aren't you?" Liara said more than asked sleepily. Come to think of it, Shepard had no idea how long asari liked to sleep in a galactic day.
"Yes," she answered, kissing Liara atop her head, teasing the folds of her wife's crest.
Liara smiled, her eyes still closed. "Just a little longer, my wife. This is my heaven."
"As it is mine," Shepard cooed, kissing her wife's nose this time and pulling herself closer. She rubbed Liara's back lightly, trailing her fingers up and down the spine.
"I love you," they said at the same time. They both chuckled and found each other's lips.
Liara pulled herself atop Shepard further, bringing the covers with her. She sat up straddling her wife and lazily rested her arms on either side of Shepard's shoulders. She leaned down to kiss her again, "You aren't going to let me sleep any longer are you," she teased.
Shepard trailed Liara's thighs with her fingers on either side of her. "Nope," she smiled, unapologetic.
Liara grinned as she bent to kiss her wife, "Good."
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They dressed each other slowly, kissing any uncovered flesh as they went.
"Tell me again," Shepard groaned or rather moaned in both pleasure and torture, "Why I have to leave this room?"
Liara chuckled. She looped her wife's belt around, hugging her then leaning slightly away to fasten it. "Because I promised your mother we'd visit some more before she had to return to Earth per Hackett's orders. It's been years since you two saw each other, I know. I couldn't say 'no''."
"Yes you could have," Shepard said. "You could've, but you, my sweet wife, are too wonderful." She kissed Liara's neck as she reached around to fasten the tunic. Her fingers traced the wedding necklace back to the center of her wife's chest. She chuckled.
"What?" Liara grinned.
"Just ridiculously happy," Shepard answered, touching her nose to her wife's.
"I know the feeling," Liara planted a sound kiss on Shepard's lips before sighing and laboriously parting from her. "We should not keep her waiting."
"Ok, but maybe we should return to Earth as well in a few days. Go on a proper honeymoon."
"Honeymoon?"
"It's what humans call the vacation they take with their new partner after marriage. I think I'm going to check out the South Pacific for us. I bet the Reapers hadn't reached that paradise yet; they were so busy with London and all the big cities."
Liara reached to hold her wife's hand and pulled it to her lips for a kiss, "anywhere with you will be paradise, my love."
Shepard returned the kiss on Liara's hand as the lift opened. They made last minute touches to each other's uniform on the way down. Liara tried to calm a cowlick of Shepard's to no avail. "Your hair is particularly uncooperative this morning."
Shepard flashed a smile, "That's what happens when your wife takes you to bed before you can dry your hair."
"Ah," Liara tried to stifle a grin unsuccessfully.
Shepard grabbed the hand trying to smooth her hair, pulling Liara unprepared into her arms. They didn't notice the lift open until a crewman walked by, stopped, saluted hurriedly, and fumbled over himself as he bolted away. The two women laughed. "At least it wasn't your mother," Liara smirked.
"Where are we meeting her, by the way?" Shepard asked. "I automatically selected the command deck."
"EDI?" Liara said to the air.
"Yes, Liara?"
"You know what," Liara teased, having fully forgiven EDI now that Shepard was safe.
"Rear Admiral Shepard is on the bridge with Joker."
"Thank you, EDI."
"Of course, Liara, and congratulations again to the both of you."
"Thank you, EDI," Shepard said this time.
Shepherd stepped out of the lift noticing Specialist Traynor's wave who had forgotten herself before saluting. "Good morning Command—Captain. You have new messages on your private terminal."
"At ease, Traynor. As far as I'm concerned, we're all on well-earned leave despite still being on the ship," she winked.
Traynor blushed, hurriedly turning around to her post once again before calling out over her shoulder, "Liara, Shepard, I'm so happy for you two."
"Thank you, Samantha." Liara replied.
Nearer the bridge, Shepard felt a spank and jumped in surprise rather than hurt.
"You tease," Liara chided.
"What? Traynor? I wink at everyone. Ask Williams."
"Williams, while she is admiring of you, is not infatuated with you."
"You can't know Traynor is infatuated with anyone."
Liara answered with her wife's trademark step back into a crossed arm pose with a raised eyebrow.
"Alright, alright. I'll curb the winking at Traynor," she threw up her arms.
Liara smirked. "As you were Captain."
Shepard closed the space between them, "Careful. Insubordination is punishable by and according to the CO's whim. I wouldn't want to have to confine you to quarters," she teased, biting her wife's lower lip. Liara's eyes flickered black, then back to blue, before she playfully pushed Shepard's shoulder. Shepard laughed, leading Liara further toward the bridge.
What Shepard found there amused her to no end. Joker had actually relinquished his precious seat and control of the Normandy to Rear Admiral Shepard.
"No! You don't want to select that while the drive cores are... No! Not that either!" Joker nervously corrected.
"Lieutenant-Commander, I didn't realize I released you from duty of the helm." Shepard barked.
"Well, your Mom, aka scary Rear Admiral Mommy Shepard did. And wait—" he stopped, "you just said Lieutenant-Commander," he frowned.
"As Captain, I believe I'm entitled to promote my crew when I deem they are ready," she returned the frown. Liara pushed her shoulder again from behind, causing Shepard to break her character and laugh at Joker's speechlessness. "We'll have an official ceremony as soon as possible, L.C. Congrats."
"So not cool, Comman—Captain. Damn, all these promotions are hard to keep up with. Sooo…" he lowered his voice. "Wanna get your mom to give me my seat back?" he whispered, pointing behind him comically.
Shepard meandered to the controls. "Mom, you know EDI's only running a simulation. We'd be crashed in the Pacific by now otherwise. You're a brilliant strategist, but I remember your driving."
"Ha!" the elder Shepard returned the seat to a relieved Joker.
"EDI, why didn't you tell me?" he questioned.
"I thought it obvious, but when you did not realize the deception, the joke became too good to ruin."
"You monster," Joker chided her.
"So, Honey," Hannah turned to Shepard. "What shall we do? It's been so long since we've actually seen each other. How about a rematch?" she grinned.
Liara's eyes widened and she stared in amazement.
"You sure you're up for it old lady?" Shepard crossed her arms. "You know, once you're a rear admiral they never send you groundside anymore—too fragile."
"Shepard!" Liara's mouth gaped.
Her mother didn't miss a beat. "You said it yourself, Captain, I'm a brilliant strategist. It takes more than youth's brawn to best a rear admiral."
"Have it your way. I'll meet you in the shuttle bay at…" Shepard glanced at her omni-tool, "08:30. Wouldn't want to cut into your morning nap."
"Laugh it up, Junior, while you can," the elder Shepard jogged to get into sparring gear to meet her daughter in ten minutes.
"Shepard! What is going on?" Liara pressed.
"Pretty curious myself, Cap'n." Joker urged.
"Make your way to the shuttle bay to find out. Don't worry, Liara, it's sort of a tradition of ours. We always spar when we meet in person," her eyes began to light up. "I'll always try to beat her and she'll always stays on her game to never let that happen. She's my favorite sparring partner-" she paused smirking, "-aside from you-because I've never beaten her. Goddess, this is going to be great!" The revered Captain skipped a little toward the lift, leaving a baffled wife and L.C. gaping after her.
"Did my wife—hero of the Citadel, conqueror of the Collectors, savior of the galaxy—just say she's never beat her mother in hand to hand combat?"
Joker opened and closed his mouth, finally saying "R.A. Shepard must be badass! I can't miss this. Oooohh! That's probably why Shepard gave it ten before the start—so the whole crew could make it." He brought up the comm controls, "Attention all crew, the Captain and R.A. Shepard will be holding an impromptu sparring lesson down on the shuttle bay level for us to observe. Ten minutes to the match—place your bets wisely." He shut off the comm.
"Bets?" Liara questioned.
"This is going to be epic, Liara, and with the little insider information I just learned, I plan on leaving the shuttle bay a very rich man."
Liara brought her hand to her lips, pondering, truly curious about the scene to soon unfold. "Joker," she asked, "do I bet on my wife—the one I've only just vowed to always support—or my new mother-in-law who I'm sure could make my life miserable if she chose?"
"Doc, you best sit this one out."
"Agreed," Liara shook her head. "I'll assist you to the lift."
Joker nodded, not minding Liara's help, as she simply discreetly protected his legs with biotics so that he could walk normally.
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Liara made her way through the crowded shuttle bay to a table Vega had reserved for her to sit on, abandoning Joker to a crowd of betting crewmen, offering him chits to hold as they placed their bets.
"This is loco, Doc!" Vega shouted above the roar.
"Muy loco, LT." she agreed. "She said she's never beaten her mother in sparring."
"Serious?! Shepard's the best I've ever faced."
"Myself as well," Liara nodded, bringing her hand to her lips again, wondering who would win.
"Well…" Vega began.
"What?"
"You really think she'd ever go all out with you?" he challenged.
"Believe me, Vega," she smirked, "we go all out," she winked as she said it, taking a page out of her wife's book.
"Damn!" Vega grinned. They laughed. "So where are they anyway?" Vega asked.
"Probably changing. They were both in full uniform three minutes ago," Liara answered. At that, her wife appeared, parting the crowd. She had indeed gone to dress in sparring gear, even her mouth guard.
Liara bit her lip, seeing her wife in an athletic, sleeveless, N7 midrif and shorts.
"Easy, tiger," Vega elbowed her in a tease as Shepard approached.
"Hey Babe, kiss for luck?" Shepard asked. Liara nodded, indulging her wife by pulling Shepard into her with her legs, gripping Shepard's plush helmet's straps. They had gone from not being public about their relationship to married in front of everyone. Liara didn't feel shy anymore. Whistles and cat calls ensued.
Shepard grinned as they parted, "to be continued," she whispered, returning her mouth guard to its place and beginning to stretch.
She was jogging in place when she saw her mother arrive, parting the crowd as she had. The older Shepard wore the same gear, but in Alliance blues, making a few of the female-inclined audience members blush and shift. She was in fantastic shape. Hell, she looked barely forty even though she was approaching sixty—not quite middle-aged since humans lived to over 150 these days.
"Ready, Junior?" she called.
"I've been ready. You're getting slow in your old age," Shepard retorted.
"We'll see."
Garrus entered the center, holding a glove of each Shepard, announcing "Two out of three points is the match. Them's the only rules. Judges will call out points when they see them and EDI will give a replay upon request. Now, begin!"
Liara pulsed some biotic energy into her eyes, allowing her to see the match in slightly slower motion. The two Shepards flashed before her despite it. They missed each other left and right by millimeters. The elder Shepard caught one of her daughter's swings in midair grinning, showing her mouth guard. Shepard grinned back, already countering with the other arm toward her mother's ribs. The elder Shepard weaved to the side, then ducked with a back sweep, catching the captain off guard. The crowd whooped then fell back into cheers for the spectre as she kip-upped and checked her mother's side, earning her the first point.
"First one's always free; you know that," her mother grinned again.
"One more to go—may the best Shepard win."
"Planning on it," she winked at her daughter.
"Now I know where she gets the winking from" Liara said watching, intrigued.
"I think I know where Shep gets pretty much everything now," Vega said wide-eyed.
Liara recalled that Shepard had teased Vega for liking older women. Uh oh, she smiled.
Daughter and mother bumped gloves before returning to the center for Garrus to call the next round. "Second round, first point to the captain. And, begin!"
The Shepards blocked each other as if mirrored. One jabbed a left to be caught by the other's as their feet equally checked each other-who said Shepard couldn't dance? The spectre suddenly went into a back flip, narrowly avoiding her mother's second sweep. She landed two feet from her mother grinning. "Won't work again,"
"Nice to see you're learning," her mother praised. She closed the gap her daughter had created with a tornado kick the spectre barely dodged. The elder landed with her leg in between her daughters' and hooked the spectre's front leg, tripping her and checking her daughter's newly healed ribs as she fell, before helping her back up. "I told you you'd have to work for the second one," her mother tutted.
"Hey I'm just giving you your own courtesy—first one's free," and with that, she returned her mother's wink. The elder Shepard threw her head back laughing.
"Ok, those two are seriously loco," Vega asserted. Liara smiled again. Like mother like daughter. She remembered her own mother's training with a sad sigh. The elder Shepard was no doubt teaching her daughter with this match. The reason her wife was who she was today was entirely because of her mother, just as Liara was who she was today because of what Benezia had been before Saren. She smiled once again, seeing the awe and understanding come across the other spectators' faces in waves. Jack was nearly bouncing off the walls, wanting to join in. Tali was commanding multiple media drones, recording the fight at different angles. Good, I'll want a copy, Liara thought.
The Shepards' gloves bumped again and they returned to the center with Garrus. "Very nice, ladies. Next point is the match. And, begin!"
Shepard kicked where her mother's head had been, recoiling it sharply to block her mother's answering kick. They began circling each other, looking for an opening. They both grinned, knowing there wasn't one. Shepard feigned a weakness in her left ankle.
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Right," she said mockingly.
"Just checking," the spectre sent back.
"What just happened?" Traynor asked behind Liara.
Vega responded, "Comm—Captain Shepard tried to feign a weak ankle so her mom would attack—Jesus, listen to me—but her mom saw it a kilo away."
"Wow!" Traynor exclaimed. Liara was surprised Shepard had even tried it. Hannah was a true match to her wife which meant a trick like that would never work. What do you have planned?
After the fake, they'd gone back to full sparring, blocking and striking as mirror images. It would have been difficult for Liara to tell them apart without her biotics. She noticed a slight hesitation in her wife's right leg (probably a slight injury on the mend), too faint to truly be noticed, but to her surprise, the elder Shepard had caught it. She went in to take advantage of this true weakness, but the spectre had been planning on it. She forcefully lifted her right leg despite itself to counter her mother's coming attack, grinning that she'd lured her in. To her surprise, Hannah spun on her planted leg, landing a kick on her daughter's back—or at least it would have if the spectre hadn't caught it just in time. Liara saw the elder Shepard grin this time as she jumped up to pull her daughter down with both legs trapping the blocking arm to the mat. Hannah landed with an arm lock on the spectre and a wider grin as Shepard tapped out, earning her the winning point.
The crowd shouted in applause, the elder Shepard let her head fall on the mat, laughing again before releasing her daughter's arm and helping her stand.
"Maybe when I'm eighty, kid," she bellowed again.
"Har! Har!" Shepard snapped back though she was wearing her own grin as they bumped gloves for a final time. Garrus took one of the elder Shepard's gloves and raised it, declaring her the winner.
Liara was the first to the center, her arms laced around her wife's waist. Shepard turned in them, her eyes lit with excitement. "Did you see that move!? Mom-I'm stealing it."
"As you always do," her mother replied, taking a water handed to her by her new fan, Vega.
Jack rushed in, "Holy shit, Shepard, you just got demoted to Princess of the Girl Scouts. Your mom's queen."
Shepard's grin widened as she saw her mom raise an eyebrow mid drink. "Mom, this is Jack, psychotic biotic extraordinaire and apparently your newest fan." Jack clapped the elder Shepard's out-stretched arm.
"Good to finally meet you. Alright, Honey, I think I'm headed to the showers."
"I'll show you the way," Vega piped up. Hannah torqued her head toward Vega, smiling at her daughter in a very "Hmmm, shall I" sort of way.
"Chm!" Shepard coughed. "That won't be necessary, Vega. Mom, you can use my quarters. Top floor. It's the only real shower anyway." The elder Shepard visibly pouted earning a glare from her daughter and a blush from Vega. It was all in good fun. A rear admiral would never fraternize with a junior officer, but Hannah enjoyed teasing her daughter. She left for the lift grinning.
Liara sighed sadly behind Shepard who spun around at the sound with her eyebrows in a V. "Liara, not disappointed, I hope? You saw her. She's me with thirty years more experience," she said giddily, still full of adrenaline.
"Of course, not. Well…I am a little disappointed," she gave a soft sigh again.
Shepard frowned, searching her wife's face. Liara pulled Shepard into her and whispered "I was hoping for a shower of my own." Shepard chuckled, her hands resting on Liara's hips, pushing her backward toward some crates to sneak behind. "Maybe, after, my love."
"After?"
Shepard slipped Liara behind the crates to take advantage of her asari with only Tali observing the act at whom she winked. Tali elbowed Garrus, gesturing toward the newly married couple disappearing. He shouted above the crowd that was busy exchanging credit chits "Alright everyone, show's over, you can settle your bets later. Back to work and stations."
Joker was humming merrily, counting his new chits. Tali approached incredulously, "You bet against Shepard?"
"No," Joker smirked, "I bet on the original."
"You bosh'tet."
"What? You heard the Cap'n. She's Shepard new game plus—thirty years her senior. Odds were against the Cap'n, really." Tali and Garrus ushered Joker to the lift, leaving the shuttle bay empty as Vega had followed the elder Shepard like a puppy, claiming she'd need his help to find the captain's quarters despite it being the only thing on the fifth floor. Cortez had enough foresight and decency to take his lunch two hours early when he couldn't see Liara or the captain in view.
A crate fell over in the corner as a light, asarian giggle escaped from behind the stack. "Shh!" someone let out before another giggle followed.
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After her mother, Shepard took her own shower sans asari. Liara was entertaining Hannah instead. "So any grandchildren to report yet?" Hannah teased.
"Hannah!" Liara laughed.
"You know I joke, or at least half joke, Child. I'm just so happy to have you for another daughter." Liara beamed, making her wife clutch her heart as she descended the steps toward them.
"Whatever you told her, Mom, say it again. She was positively beaming." She leaned down to kiss her wife's head.
"I was telling her how happy I am about you two."
"Well, I coulda told you that, Babe. My mom is a sucker for asari, just like me," she teased, sticking her tongue out at her mom's crossed arms and stern look.
"Darling!" Liara chided, "Your daughter, Hannah," she said as if exasperated, tisking.
"Ha! Your wife, Liara. She's yours now." Hannah served back. At that, Liara beamed again, but at Shepard this time.
Shepard raised Liara's chin for a quick kiss. "So now that you've kicked the savoir of the galaxy's butt, what do you want to do Mom?"
Hannah laughed. "How 'bout a proper tour so that James fellow doesn't get himself in trouble 'showing me around' anymore."
"Absolutely. It'll give you a chance to meet everyone as well."
The tour was a hit. Hannah was impressed with the ship, the crew, and especially EDI.
They ended the night with another victory to Hannah, this time in Holo-Scrabble. Liara pouted a little, saying she would have won if they were using Asari and Prothean words, though she was in second place, beating her tipsy wife. Dr. Chakwas had gifted the couple a bottle of their own Serrice Ice Brandy.
Hannah excused herself around 22:30 to sleep in Liara's former quarters below. "Goodnight, honey, see you in the morning. 07:00 hours for breakfast?"
Shepard glanced at her wife who nodded approvingly and lovingly before saying "Goodnight, Hannah, and thank you for today."
"I should be saying that to you. Not many new brides would entertain their mother-in-law all day when they have every right to horde their new partner."
"We have such little time before you must return to Earth's Alliance headquarters, Hannah. I have Shepard forever, and what's more, she has been given leave for as long as she wants it, so I can share and am ridiculously happy to do so with you."
Nearly echoing Dr. Chawkwas' approval, Hannah responded, "Oh, I like her. This one's definitely a keeper, Hun."
"I know," Shepard smiled at her wife. "Night, Mom," she half saluted as Hannah pressed the button for the crew deck.
As soon as the lift's doors shut, Shepard hoisted Liara over her shoulder, earning her a shrill giggle as Liara called out "Shepard!"
The spectre gently laid her wife down on the bed, removing her N7 hoodie before pouncing on her. She was wearing another N7 sports bra underneath. Now that she knew the response it issued from her wife, she'd take advantage of it. Liara pulled Shepard to her, curling up on her chest, nuzzling on the border of motor-boating, causing Shepard to laugh. Liara lifted her head with a grin to meet her wife's eyes, then held herself up, propped on her elbow as she brushed Shepard's hair behind an ear and locked eyes with her wife.
"What are you thinking?" Shepard asked, staring into Liara's eyes with so much love, the asari took a moment to catch her breath and answer. "For once, I'm not worrying about you or tomorrow. I can just be happy and enjoy this." Shepard leaned toward Liara, kissing her with all the passion she'd been curbing for the last few hours. Liara met kiss for kiss, stroking her fingers through her wife's hair.
Shepard grinned mid-kiss, "You really like my hair don't you?"
Liara smiled, "Very much." She continued to stroke her fingers through it.
Shepard let her head fall back on a pillow, sighing in pleasure, "It feels so good when you do that."
"It does?"
"Mmm hmmm." Shepard confirmed.
Liara bit her lip, trying not to rush into the night's happiness.
"Liara?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for marrying me. Best thing ever." Shepard cooed softly.
Liara chuckled, "Thank you, too."
Shepard smiled, her eyes still closed, enjoying her wife's light touch.
After a few minutes, Liara kissed her wife's shoulder, gripping some of the hair to pull Shepard closer, unable to wait any longer. Shepard quivered in pleasure, rolling on top of Liara, pinning Liara's arms above her head and kissing her flirtingly, teasing her lips with only slight touches and licks. She kissed Liara's chin, her collar bone, then nuzzled Liara's chest, still holding Liara's arms back, despite their protest. She began kissing Liara's breasts softly above Liara's thin shirt until Liara suddenly used her biotics to force herself free, scrambling to take off Shepard's N7 sports bra.
Shepard grinned, "I thought you liked it?" she teased.
"Don't torment me anymore Shepard. I need you now."
"I'm yours," Shepard purred, allowing her wife to do with her as she wished.
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The next few days were more of the same happiness. Shepard's mom showed Liara her picture files of Shepard growing up, with a few embarrassing videos to boot. Liara would look or watch delighted, stealing kisses when she glanced up to her wife who was, in turn, watching her.
On the last day they were to spend together, Liara asked "What was she like growing up, Hannah?"
"Oh, she was a good kid. She studied like crazy, frustrating herself sometimes because she tried to move too fast through the vid-lessons. Her dad and I had to block calculus from her in the fifth grade. Other parents blocked adult vids. Nope, not us; we had to worry that she would make her head explode. I think she wanted to get school over with so she could join the Alliance as soon as possible. I'd tell her to go play to which she always said 'If I work now, I can play later.' And she would. She would do a few hours of school work and then go join some kids in the martial arts bay. Kid was disciplined. I hardly had to lift a finger aside from telling her to eat right."
"Oh, come on. No, what do you call it, 'tom-catting' in her teen years?" Liara grinned.
"Ha! There was a little bit of that, but I trusted her. She wouldn't screw up her chances of getting into the Alliance by getting pregnant or in any legal trouble."
"When did you start sparring each other?" Liara asked.
"I always play fought with her a bit when she was little. When did we start going full out, kid?"
"High school, after I'd gotten my fifth-degree black belt."
"What does that mean—'fifth-degree black belt'?" Liara turned to her wife.
"On Alliance ships, you study martial arts from day one if you want." Shepard answered. "I was a black belt at around age seven—that's the highest level you can achieve in many martial arts, but there are others still that give higher degrees of black belts as you master not only the skills, but yourself—your mind, body, and spirit together. It's how I learned to control my adrenaline rushes on command as well as dealing with what happens on the battlefield. The highest level is tenth-degree."
"What are you now?"
"Guess," Shepard grinned.
Liara raised an eyebrow. "Tenth?"
"Bingo. I only just got it a few years ago, just before I met you. Mom was the one who gave it to me, actually. She's also a tenth-degree."
"I'm not surprised," Liara smiled at Hannah. "Was your husband as well?"
"He was never as into martial arts as we are," Hannah mused. "He liked his guns too much. Didn't see much use for all the free hand training."
"Shepard seems to have inherited both loves," Liara held her wife's hand.
"Yes, I'd say so" Hannah chuckled surfing through her old files on her omni-tool. "Here. This is a vid of her testing for her first black belt."
Liara watched, a grin pasted to her face as she clapped and squealed at her wife's adorableness at age seven, chopping, punching, and kicking.
"Mom…" Shepard protested a little in embarrassment, but watched with them patiently over Liara's shoulder. Liara reached back, playing with a few strands of Shepard's hair as she watched in glee. Shepard leaned her chin on Liara's shoulder after kissing it softly.
Hannah smiled. "You two are too cute like that. I better get a picture of you before I go." Shepard brooded a little, but stopped when she saw her mother's glare, daring her to protest. "Alright, you two, smile for me." They did. "Ah, it's beautiful, sweeties. I'll send you a copy."
"EDI?" Liara called to the air.
"Yes, Liara?"
"Could you take a picture of the three of us? Where should we look?"
"Direct your eyes in the direction of the fish tank feeder in three, two, one." EDI responded.
The picture appeared on Shepard's comm screen for them to preview. Shepard forwarded it to her mother's mail right away.
"Alright, honey, duty calls."
"Ah, Mom, I'll miss you. Liara and I are thinking of taking a little honeymoon on Earth in a few days once we get packed and a few things settled. We'll stop by headquarters before we leave or before you have to."
"Sounds good, Hun. I don't want it to be years this time. And if it is, I better be rewarded with some dang grandchildren."
"Yes, yes," Shepard humored her.
They said their goodbyes in the shuttle bay, Hannah hugging Liara, promising to send her all her daughters' files and telling her she couldn't have asked for a better partner for her daughter. She hugged Shepard for a long time, then gave her some instructions for improvements before they sparred again and told her Hackett wanted a word before too long.
"Ok, Hun. I'll shoot you a message to let you know I'm settled on Earth. Let's do a vid call sometime."
"Soon, Mom. Love ya."
"Love you too. Both of you. Bye Bye."
They watched her fly away. "Aw," Liara pouted a little. "I'm going to miss her."
Shepard smiled at her wife she was hugging at her side. "One Shepard isn't enough for you, huh? We'll see her soon. Ok, you. Start getting ready. We're going somewhere with a beach. No terminals. No Glyph. So do all you need to do to prepare Feron to be without you for a while."
"How long will we be away, Shepard?"
"A year?"
Liara flitted her wrist, lightly slapping her wife's chest with the back of her hand at the half joke.
"Ok, I was thinking a few weeks. How's that sound?"
"Like paradise," Liara purred, facing her Captain, her lips catching the other's.
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"Agh! Come here!" Shepard couldn't contain herself anymore. She needed Liara. Now. It was the day before they'd leave on their official honeymoon and Shepard had finished packing what seemed like eons ago. Hackett had merely wanted to tell her congratulations on the promotion and the wedding and told her to report to headquarters when she returned.
"Shepard!" Liara chided her, "You said you'd let me work a few hours tonight so that we could leave in the morning."
"I know, but damn it, I..." Shepard fell on her back to the bed in Liara's office dramatically giving up.
Liara smiled, knowing exactly how the captain felt. "I know."
"Then…" Shepard looked up at her, trying her best to give her wife the 'doe eyes' she always fell for, before pleadingly saying "Come here."
Liara shook her head, closing her eyes to avoid temptation, still smiling. These were the times when it became readily apparent that one of them had lived over a century while the other had only begun her third decade. Having lost two years when Shepard had been spaced and then another year while the commander searched for the Collectors and then turned herself in after the Batarian…tragedy, Liara found herself a very reluctant Shadow Broker these days. With the Reapers gone, she no longer felt that purpose that she had held onto to keep her focused with all the intel at her fingertips. Now…it seemed a burden. But who do you give such a burden to? If something happens, wouldn't she be to blame? Besides, when Shepard returned to her duties, the intel network would prove useful once again.
"I have to do a little work, Shepard. How about you 'come here.' Sit by me."
"No good," Shepard frowned, resting on her elbows as she sat up.
"Why not?"
"I'll want to…" Shepard grinned, trailing Liara's form with her eyes and biting her lip. "…distract you. But I have another idea."
"I've told you before," Liara grinned in return, "I'm open to suggestions."
"You exhaust me with a few passionate hours over here—" she said, pointing down to the bed, "and I fall asleep while you get some work done," she teased.
"You know it will exhaust me as well. I think I have a better idea, Miss Restless."
"Ah, ah," Shepard tutted. "It's 'Mrs.' I'm a married woman you know," she jested, lifting her left hand and waving her ring finger, "who is missing her wife very much right now."
Liara shook her head again, "Soon, Shepard, I promise. For now…" She brought up the controls for their comm. "James, I believe the Captain needs a punching bag. Care to oblige?"
"Anytime, T'Soni. You know I love a good dance. Tell her to come down here if she thinks she can handle it."
"Ooooh, you are a very sneaky woman. You know I can't let that slide." Shepard narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips, shaking her head as she accused her wife.
"Yes," Liara smiled deviously. "But when you get back, I promise I am yours."
Shepard bolted for her sparing gear at the promise and was out the door, waving cheerfully as the door closed, saying "I'll hold you to that."
"Phew!" Liara sighed, smiling to herself. She could only resist Shepard for so long. Truth be told, the network was fairly self-sufficient now with Feron's help and with Glyph rigged a bit further, but the 'fairly' part was what needed tweaking. A few hours and she would be prepared to leave for their honeymoon, provided another galactic catastrophe like the Reapers didn't erupt. She shuddered at the thought. Perhaps Tali or EDI could help her make another Glyph. She sighed, happily knowing she would spend the next few weeks otherwise occupied and smiled, thinking it wasn't such a bad thing that they had to suffer this interruption. She would enjoy Shepard's eagerness at the end of the night.
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"So Lola, you gonna tell me why you need a punching bag?"
"Let's just say the Mrs. needs the room for a few hours."
"Sick of you already?"
"Ooh, you want a good beating tonight, I see." Shepard glared, cracking her knuckles.
"Alright, then afterward we're going to drag Cortez and Garrus down here for a game of poker."
"Please. You still owe me from last time."
"We'll bet something else then. Something better than money—duties or something."
"Like if I win again, you're going to be the one to walk around and deal with everyone's daddy issues?" she grinned. She cared about every one of her squad members, but couldn't help laugh a little at how often the root of the problem had to do with daddy.
"More like, if I win, you get to be the one to polish these guns," he said flexing his biceps.
"I think I'm gonna be sick."
They laughed.
"Alright, Lola, let's go."
They sparred until they became sloppy. Shepard 56, Vega 22.
Shepard brought up her comm on her omni-tool. "Garrus, I'm bored. Get down here and join Cortez, Vega, and me for some poker."
Garrus reached for the back of his neck, a little awkward, apparently picking up one of Shepard's ticks. "Didn't you 'fleece' all of us last week?" Garrus joked.
"Like I said, I'm bored."
"You really need to get a hobby, Shepard. Some of us have our own girls we'd like to spend time with," he shook his head.
"Is Tali there? She should come too."
"Shepard…" Tali began, coming into view. "It's kind of a special night for us. Maybe some other time?"
"Ah, no problem, Tali." She wouldn't interfere there.
"I should have you talk to Shepard for me more often. I was getting nowhere." Garrus laughed. "Goodnight, Shepard," he continued, "Don't bankrupt everyone on the ship. You lost them all enough money the other day when your mom kicked your ass."
"Har har, night guys." She switched off the comm. "Shit," she frowned. "Well I'll call Cortez."
Cortez came in a bit loud when he answered, obviously in a club somewhere. They had docked just outside Vancouver. "Hey, Captain, what can I do for you?"
"Entertain me for a few hours. James and I were thinking of another poker night before Liara and I head off tomorrow."
"No can do, Captain, I've had a bit to drink and I can't do any driving for a while. Rapid transit still isn't up either."
"We'll come get you."
"No no no no no!" Cortez stammered. "You both are worse drivers sober than I am drunk! Besides, what good would I be at poker, right now? It'll have to be another night, Captain."
"Alright, you got a place to stay? I'll send chits to a hotel if you need."
"Naw, I got it, thanks though Captain. Night."
"Night." She turned the comm off again. "Ok, I'm starting to think Garrus is right. I need a hobby besides beating you up," she turned to Vega.
"Eh, you'll be back to work soon. The galaxy can't handle itself without Captain Shepard."
"Is it bad I kind of hope you're right?"
"Naw, just messed up," he laughed. "So, hobbies."
"I'm not very crafty, so don't go suggesting anything girly like...I don't know, quilting."
"I've always thought of you as very crafty," he laughed, leaning against his work table. "Alright, Captain, from what I know about you, no 'hobby' is going to do it. You need something that will keep you challenged, not just occupied. What if you hired a new martial arts instructor. Master a new style."
"That's not half bad, Vega. You know, Thane had some pretty crazy moves. Maybe his son Kolyat would come aboard."
Across the galaxy, the Crucible scientists were finding their ways to each system to restore the relays. Wherever Kolyat was, they could certainly manage to get him to the Normandy after the few weeks of vacation that had been ordered for the entire Normandy crew at Shepard's request to the Council and the Alliance. It was the least they could do for the heroes of the galaxy. Of course, some chose to return to their home worlds if they could to mourn, reconnect, or help in reconstruction rather than the vacation. Shepard was planning on finding supplies and maintaining beneficial trade amongst the different races with Liara's help after the honeymoon as well as whatever the brass wanted. Right now, with only FTL travel to rely on for most systems, war would have been inconvenient, so Shepard felt at ease leaving things alone for a while. Besides, most of her squad was made up of leaders of each race anyway. If anything was brewing, she'd hear about it and smack skulls together if need be.
"There you go, Lola. Problem solved." Vega grunted, bringing Shepard back from her thoughts. He was trying to beat Shepard's record of 183 pull ups that she'd set when he'd challenged her on the Silversun strip. EDI updated them for every twenty-five he did.
Shepard started to fumble through her omni-tool options for the compose message function, but saw a message in her inbox waiting for her. She frowned. All it said aside from letting her know it was encrypted was "Commander Shepard, please meet me at Alliance Headquarters when you get a chance. You'll know me when you see me."
"Cryptic," she snorted.
"What?" Vega grunted.
"Just someone wanting to see me, but not telling me who they are or why."
"Ah, so it's back to business as usual then," Vega joked.
"Meh, Liara and EDI will figure out who sent it and if not, I'll handle it. Maybe it'll be more CAT6!" she became excited. "I'd love to give those guys some more action."
"Uh…I think you killed just about all of them."
"Hmmm…."
"50" EDI announced.
"Don't break yourself, Vega. You know I'll just push it to 283 if you beat my record," Shepard harassed him.
"Uh huh." Vega grunted, continuing to pull himself up and then letting himself down. "Just enjoy the show."
"You know, Liara's going to hear you say that one day and you'll be eating a singularity."
"She can watch too," he grinned.
Shepard wrote her message to Kolyat, and then began whistling in more boredom. "Just so you know, your N7 status is official. Got the go ahead earlier. It's just like you said back on the Citadel: I'll be your trainer." When he didn't respond, she said "So…got a push-up record I can beat?"
"Not telling," Vega grunted.
"Aw, is it that bad?" Shepard grinned from ear to ear.
"No, you, couldn't handle it," he grinned back, continuing to grunt in his efforts to do pull-ups and talk at the same time.
"Aw, now you're hurting my feelings," Shepard mocked.
"Fine. Prepare to be put to shame: 4003."
Shepard narrowed her eyes, "No way."
"Yes way," he breathed as EDI announced "75." "And EDI's got it on vid if you're feeling frisky."
"Shut up," she said, still in disbelief. Then she grinned, "I've never really tried to see how many I can do…"
"Shepard if you get all the way up" he grunted, "to 4004 and stop, I'll be pissed." He grunted again. "You gotta go for at least 200 more. Rule for pull-ups now is twenty. I'll be breaking yours by that tonight," and with that his pace sped up a little.
"We'll see," Shepard raised a cocky eyebrow, lifting a dumbbell. She was finished sparring, but knew Liara needed more time. Liara'd call her up when she was ready. She better get back to work soon after the honeymoon or she wouldn't know what to do with herself. She smiled, thinking of Mordin and his seashells. Wrex had called her on Tuchanka yesterday to tell her Mordin's memorial was put up where the Shroud had exploded. A plaque below the statue read "'Had to be me. Someone else might've gotten it wrong.'—Mordin Solis, Curer of the Genophage." It was a bittersweet homage for Shepard.
"100," EDI announced.
"Mmm, that first one hundred. I'm sure the next set will be easier, L.C. It's not like you're getting tired," she cooed, using his new title she'd put in for him.
"Feelin' gooood, Captain. I might beat yours by fifty."
She laughed, switching the dumbbell to her other arm. "Beat it by 100 and that poker debt is forgotten. EDI, can we get some music down here? That piece that Anderson had in the apartment on the Silversun apartment?"
"Of course, Captain."
The music came on. She began to lift to its rhythm, lost in the mundane exercise. Before she knew it, EDI announced "200."
"No fucking way!" Shepard shouted, in shock.
"That was a joke."
"Oh, so not cool, EDI!" Vega grunted angrily. "Where am I?"
"153, James."
"Sweet Goddess, I was ready to bring Kasumi down here to tempt you down or at least weigh you down," she laughed, remembering Kasumi sitting on James in stealth mode during the push-up contest between James and Jacob at the party in her apartment.
"Hmph." He grunted.
"Oh, come on. She thinks you're cute for some reason and Jacob is definitely out of the picture. You'd be an idiot if you hadn't done something about it yet." The chick seemed to go for brawny guys these days.
"One date."
"And?"
"Good," he said curtly.
"You're so eloquently verbose, Vega. It's no wonder she's fallen for you. Where is he, EDI?"
"164, Shepard."
Shepard counted the next twenty as she lifted the dumbbell and hissed "Damn it, Vega."
"Mmmm, that first 184," he echoed her, mockingly.
"Alright, alright, you've proven your point. Get down here," she pointed to the floor and stopped lifting.
"Nope" he refused, pulling himself up.
"That's it, I'm calling Kasumi."
"Go ahead. She'll see me decimating your record. Might get her hotter for me."
"Damn it, Vega" she repeated.
Just then her omni-tool chirped with a message from Liara: "Thank you for being so patient, my love, but I'm afraid I'm not feeling as generous. Please 'come here.'"
Shepard felt her stomach flit in excitement. "Wife is calling," she grinned.
"Look at you—the mighty Shepard at beck and call."
"You would be too if you had what I have waiting for me," she shot back.
"I'll only break your record by…" he thought for a second "100, Shepard. That way you'll have a shot at it again."
"EDI, watch him like a hawk."
"I am much better than a hawk, Shepard," EDI said in a matter of fact tone.
Shepard rolled her eyes, jogging to the lift and selecting the button for the crew deck. When she arrived, Liara looked frustrated as she stared at her terminals. "I thought you were done for the night?"
"I received a strange message that I'm having an impossible time with trying to trace."
"You too?"
Liara snapped her head in Shepard's direction. "You've received one? What did it say?"
"Nothing much. It was encrypted and said to meet them at headquarters when I had a chance. Vague, but at least they weren't pushy. No way I'm cancelling our vacation for a mystery meeting," Shepard shrugged. "You?"
"Similar. They know I'm with you—just about everyone knows that your former teammates save for Jacob, Samara, and Wrex came back to get you. You are right. Mine was rather vague and did not seem urgent either. They said to respond with a desired meeting place at my convenience. I'll ask EDI to attempt to decrypt the message and find the sender. EDI?" she asked, switching off the privacy filter that scrambled the comm in her office. Shepard had asked Tali to install the switches in her cabin and Liara's room. She suspected the guns' room had one too. EDI had actually been eager for the install, wanting to be able to "look her fellow crew members in the eye" once she had a body again. As curious as she was about organic interaction, there was a line she was learning to tread.
"Yes, Liara?"
"Shepard and I received some strange messages. Can you work on figuring out who sent them and from where? I'm uploading them to you now."
"I will do my best, Liara."
"Thank you, EDI," she said, switching the filter back on. She paused, staring in frustration at the terminals before she heard Shepard chuckle.
"What?" Liara demanded, not looking away.
"You can't peel yourself away from digging up a mystery. Should I go back down to beat Vega some more? He was working on breaking a record of mine; I hardly need a better excuse."
"No…" Liara pushed herself from the terminals and keyboard with her eyebrows still furrowed. It was difficult to do so. Not knowing was a nagging feeling she rarely experienced. She brought her fingers to her lips inquisitorially before shaking her head to break her gaze. She looked at Shepard, noticing a few strands of her hair clinging to her temples and jaw from the workout. "…I believe I told you to 'come here.'"