I was going to make this post-ending of ME1 since I wanted these one shots to be about ME1, buuuuuuuut actually decided to change it to ME3 during and after the plot of the Citadel DLC. I think I'll be sticking to one shots!
Same Shepard, same Liara. I always do Citadel just before storming TIM's base. A lot of the dialogue is from the actual game, as I like to be as accurate as I can but I also apologize for it as it reeks of lazy writing. However, for me, it needed actual in-game moments from Citadel to piece it together! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favourited and followed these one-shots!
SO, WHO EXACTLY HAVE YOU BEEN WITH?
The crew of the Normandy finally had a chance to have some R&R on the Citadel. Even Commander Shepard was having time off. However, as usual, shit goes down. Liara T'Soni couldn't think of a better way to put it. Now, they were fighting an unknown enemy who they were all pretty sure wanted Shepard dead. Again, as usual.
Shepard had been required to infiltrate a high-end function at the Silver Coast Casino, and Liara had been asked to accompany her. And finally too, even though it's a mission it's still nice to spend some time with her Liara thought to herself as she, Shepard and the Alliance officer Staff Analysist Brooks walked into the casino.
"I'll get to the ventilation shaft. Wish me luck!" Brooks said as she climbed the stairs.
"Liara, you have any input?" Shepard asked her as they followed Brooks.
Liara remembered what she had discovered about this Casino and Khan before the mission, "Khan has a lot of surveillance set up. I'd mingle with the guests if you want to look normal."
"Okay, time to meet the riff-raff!" Shepard grinned as they climbed to the top of the stairs. Liara stood beside her, brushing a random piece of fabric off of her dress. Shepard grabbed her hand as they looked around the casino. Shepard seemed to be calculating who to walk to first.
Liara was looking at the Quasar machines, her Shadow Broker poweress thinking over how she could get an agent to hack the machines maybe I should ask Kasumi she thought to herself but was distracted by Shepard's yell "Sha'ira!"
"Commander Shepard," Sha'ira, an attractive blue asari, said in the same dreamy voice she had been using to talk with a potential client. The blonde male human seem disgruntled as Sha'ira turned her attention onto Shepard.
"It's been a long time," Shepard replied, smiling pleasantly at the asari.
"My idea of a long time is different than yours," Sha'ira responded simply, and Liara could've sworn that Shepard winced. It must be painful to be reminded of such a short lifespan.
Shepard however, brushed off the comment and laughed, "What can I say? I've put a lot of living in the last few years."
"Indeed," Sha'ira replied, not even looking directly at Shepard. Sha'ira hadn't even acknowledged Liara's existence. Not that she cared, but, still, a little recognition would be nice. Shepard rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly.
"Do you have any advice for me this time?" Shepard asked smugly.
Sha'ira merely shrugged, "win," she said simply, taking a sip of her drink. Shepard and Sha'ira continued to speak, something about journalists making up some stuff and how she left. Liara was only half listening; she was trying to keep an ear out for Brooks as well as listening for new information from EDI.
"Commander, I'm upstairs by the grate leading to the shaft. But there's a problem. Can you meet me?" Brooks asked over the comm.
"We're going to go to the bar; it was lovely to see you again," Shepard smiled.
"Likewise," Sha'ira replied, "and glad to see you've settled down. Not as wild as the Commander I remember from three years ago – have a great night," Liara watched her wink as she sipped her drink again. Shepard and Liara walked off to help Brooks.
"What was that about?" Liara asked curiously.
"I helped her out with a bit of sticky business a few years ago on the Citadel," Shepard explained, "She gave me a trinket and random advice."
"Uh huh," Liara nodded, not quite believing she had the full picture.
.
After the Casino infiltration Shepard and Liara found themselves back in the apartment. She had a nice time despite the circumstances, even grooving out on the dance floor. However Shepard's conversation with Sha'ira had resonated in her mind and kept gnawing at her thoughts.
When had she helped the consort? Liara vaguely remembered visiting the Citadel for a while when she had been recruited. Shepard had not used Liara as part of a ground squad until Noveria. Who normally went with Shepard? Liara thought to herself. She slapped her forehead; Garrus was always Shepard's second! She was hardly seen without him on the battlefield. Was it possible Garrus went with her for something as menial as this? It was worth a shot. Liara remembered back then Shepard always had someone with her on the Citadel.
It was late, and many people were going back to the Normandy for the night. Shepard was busy talking to EDI and Joker by the entrance of the apartment. Garrus stood on the second floor, leaning on the railing and looking dreamily out of the window. Liara climbed the stairs and he smiled at her approach.
"Hey Liara, what can I do for you?" Garrus asked as he turned to face her. Liara leant on the railing next to him, opening her mouth a few times; trying to think of the best way to phrase what was on her mind.
"Do you remember precisely when-," Liara said slowly, piecing the words together, "-when Shepard helped an asari consort named Sha'ira?"
To her surprise, Garrus began to chuckle, his flanging affect quite evident, "I remember that! I know we had gone to Feros, and gotten you. I know Ashley was still alive anyway," Garrus said, remembering the day, "it was some drama about the elcor ambassador's secrets being leaked by a turian named Septimus Oraka. Well, Shepard did some talking with that quick wit of hers and problem solved."
"Did – did Sha'ira give any advice?" Liara asked, knowing she was pushing her luck.
"I have no idea," Garrus replied, scratching his fringe, "Kaidan and I waited outside for a while, so you'd have to ask Shepard."
"Cool, thanks Garrus," Liara smiled.
"What bought this on?"
"Ran into Sha'ira in the casino, had no idea who she was," Liara replied, then corrected herself, "no, I know who she is. I don't live under a rock," she smiled, knowing she was pulling her tongue around human phrases, "However, I didn't know she knew Shepard."
"Ah," Garrus said, "That makes sense."
"I'm off, are you heading back to the Normandy?" Liara asked.
"No, thought I'd have a drink with Shepard,"
"Okay, see you Garrus!"
"Catch you Liara," he said as Liara began to walk down the stairs. She was torn, half of her wanted to stay with Shepard but the other half wanted to go and find information on Sha'ira from her terminal.
Shepard was waving goodbye to Joker and EDI as Liara approached, "Liara! Sweetheart, do you want to stay for the night?"
Liara felt herself turning purple, it was an offer that she almost couldn't resist, Shepard's seductive smirk and twinkling eyes almost pulled her in. She shook her head to pull herself out of the daze, "Sorry, not tonight, work to do. Was going to look more into this Khan character," Liara literally pulled the lie out of nothing.
Shepard looked at her briefly, and Liara held her breath, "Oh, that's fine Liara. When this is over, we'll make some time," Shepard smiled. Liara pecked her on the lips and walked out of the apartment. Stealing a last glance, she saw Shepard staring at her longingly. It took all of Liara's strength not to go running into the Commander's arms, but she held strong.
.
Back on the Normandy, Liara stood staring at her terminals. What she was about to do felt like a huge invasion of privacy. This is my job Liara argued with herself, trying to justify what she was about to do. Staring at her terminal she slowly typed the words:
Surveillance footage, citadel, consort chambers, Commander Shepard, 2183
2 hits.
Liara clicked on the first one, which showed the Commander, Garrus and Kaidan talking to Sha'ira. Liara focused, watching as Sha'ira gave Shepard a hug.
"Ergh," Liara replied, the noise tainted with revulsion. Even though Shepard and she weren't close at this point, it still stung to watch Shepard being hugged this way. Shaking her head, Liara clicked on the second surveillance video.
This one, dated a day later, showed Garrus and Kaidan leaving the room just as Garrus had described. Liara was starting to feel her paranoia was ridiculous, but her eyes widened as the Commander began to peel off pieces of her armour, and Sha'ira stripped off her outfit. Liara didn't need to see the rest. She slammed her fist into her terminal, shutting off the video and probably breaking it.
"By the Goddess!" Liara snapped. A memory surfaced in her mind that, if anything, made her feel worse.
Liara sat with Shepard in the Captain's quarters. The crew had just saved the Citadel from Sovereign and Saren. While now technically on shore leave, the Citadel was in dire need of repairs so most of the crew remained on the docked ship, few venturing out to shop for supplies and personal items.
Shepard was pulling off her boots while Liara sat on the edge of her bed. While she and Shepard had had sex in here, Liara still felt like she was trespassing. She watched as Shepard stretched out on her bed, resting her hands behind her head.
Liara struggled to remember most of their conversation. Asari lived for a thousand years, and Liara was having memory troubles now? She worried for her memories in the future, but maybe her recall would improve.
"You – you love me?" Liara had asked, flabbergasted.
"Yes," Shepard had replied, "the minute I laid my eyes on you I knew you were the only one for me. I've never been with another asari before, and I'm glad the first was you. I love you."
Liara remembered blushing, calling Shepard a sweet talker, and then proceeding to meld again, and finally have sex, "I can't believe that was a lie," Liara grumbled, wringing her hands in frustration as she paced around her cabin.
She knew she had to ask Shepard about this, it would tear at her insides until it made her bitter if she didn't. She could not become bitter; it was possible Shepard had a perfectly reasonable explanation.
"Duty first, personal life later," Liara said to herself.
.
After possibly the weirdest mission in which Shepard had discovered she had a clone, and the clone almost getting away with stealing her identity and taking the Normandy, things had settled down again. Liara should've forseen the clone's creation; after all she had given Shepard to Cerberus.
Shepard had invited Liara to her apartment. Liara had not seen Shepard since the end of the mission, and was nervous about the encounter. She had no idea what she was going to say to Shepard. She knocked on the apartment door, but no one answered. Shrugging, she let herself in.
Shepard should really lock this door Liara thought to herself as she stepped inside, Glyph trailing her. Liara heard a faint sound of trickling water, maybe Shepard was in the bathroom? She stood in the apartment, awkwardly rolling her feet and clasped her shaking hands behind her back. As she scanned the room she noticed the grand piano.
Liara walked over and brushed the keys. This piano glistened under the artificial lighting. She strummed her fingers along the keys, playing a sweet soothing piece, and also the only one she knew. Why did I never find out the name?
"Greetings Commander," Glyph had randomly appeared, and Liara jumped, turning to see Commander Shepard smiling at her. She was wearing her N7 jacket and casual pants, Liara felt that jacket quite suited her.
"Shepard," Liara said, her voice too longing.
"I didn't know you could play?" Shepard pondered as she strolled over.
"Actually," Liara turned her back on Shepard, staring out the window, "this is the only song I know."
"Why's that?"
Liara couldn't believe the words flowing out of her mouth, "there was always something more important to do. Another ruin to uncover, intel to gather…a commander to save," she said turning toward the Commander. Stupid Liara! Hadn't she come here to yell at Shepard?
"Ha," Shepard smirked, "you couldn't sit still long enough."
Liara giggled, feeling her cheeks turn purple, "could you?" Dammit Liara, what are you doing? You rehearsed this!
"Is there something special about this song?" Shepard asked. Liara placed her hand to her forehead; she had gotten herself in quite a pickle now.
"On one of my first digs, a storm swept in. We were trapped inside. I was so restless; I wanted to get back to work," Liara smiled at the memory, "one of the other archaeologists, Dr Olena, had this keyboard, she took it everywhere," Liara played some of the song again as she remembered, almost as if the grand piano was the keyboard, and that Shepard was Dr Olena, "she taught me to play this song while we waited."
"It's a good song," Shepard complimented.
"Thank you, Shepard," Liara said, her voice hanging to the last word. Now that she had played it again, her fingers felt the piano and she played some more, although her last few notes were off and she winced as the wrong note hung in the air, "I've always loved that song," Liara said idly, going to walk away from the keyboard and confront Shepard. She walked to the window, and felt Shepard following her.
The song began to play again, and both Liara and Shepard turned to see Glyph hovering in the piano, the keys glowing as it played the song. Now's really NOT a good time Glyph! Liara yelled in her head. Regardless of the mood music, this needed to happen now.
"Shepard, I-," Liara began, and turned away from the Commander. But as she turned Shepard reached out and grabbed her arm. Liara turned to stare at the Commander who had a seductive grin on her face, "What are you doing?" her question came out far more gentle than she would've liked. Liara! LIARA! Her consciousness was screaming at her.
Shepard pulled Liara in close to her, "making sure you don't run off to something more important," she said matter-of-factly. The music still played in the background, and Liara couldn't help but begin to be swayed, especially standing this close. Shepard's hazel eyes twinkled with a cheeky youth. Liara admired her features as the closeness and electricity started to cloud her judgement.
"I can't imagine what that would be," Liara felt herself saying. Yes, because the most important thing right now is ASKING ABOUT SHA'IRA! Her consciousness was screaming in her head.
"We should do this more often," Shepard said simply, still smiling at her. That smile! Liara pulled herself together, and attempted to try again.
"Yes, well. Maybe after-," Liara began but Shepard grabbed her hands and held them close.
"Every day after," she said, misinterpreting what Liara was going to say. The music continued to play in the background. Liara looked down at her hands linked with Shepard's, and then up into Shepard's eyes.
Big mistake.
Shepard was drawing closer. Liara could see all the imperfections on her face. Slight scarring from the Cerberus cybernetics, Shepard did still have a mean streak occasionally causing those cybernetics to flare up; the iconic hooked nose – or Roman, that was what the humans called it, her lips slightly too full for her face. Liara closed her eyes and leant in, feeling Shepard's lips on hers. The music still continued to play in the background.
Liara felt her consciousness kicking and screaming, LIARA WHAT ARE YOU DOING? OI! She came to her senses so sharply that she jumped backward and almost fell over. Shepard was stuck in a mid-kiss, her lips still pursed, before a split second later she became aware of what was happening.
"Liara?" Shepard asked, looking confused yet concerned.
"Glyph! Get out of here please!" Liara said forcefully, directing it toward the door. Once Glyph was outside, although she knew it'd still hear everything, she shut the door and paced the room. She would not let Shepard seduce her again, not until this was sorted.
"Liara?" Shepard repeated, looking worried and walking toward her.
"I have a bone to pick with you!" Liara said, and before continuing, she praised herself. Her human slang was vast improving.
"Oh?" Shepard asked.
"I have recently learned that you helped the asari consort, Sha'ira, in 2183," Liara began. Shepard remained silent, shrugging silently, still evidently confused so Liara ploughed on, "to the best of my knowledge I was on the ship. Apparently, I have been notified that you had sex with a certain asari!" Liara couldn't be bothered with the dramatic build-up, instead just getting it out.
Shepard opened her mouth but stopped before any words or sound came out, instead looking like a bus had just hit her. She stood still, her eyes showing panic as her memories activated.
"While my memory is not as good as a drell's, I do remember you informing me that I was the only asari you'd ever been with and that 'I was the only one you wanted'! You lied to me!" Liara had never felt such venom come out of her mouth. Shepard wasn't helping. The Commander looked as those she was in stasis, unable to move or say anything. Liara felt her anger climbing, and in an attempt to control her sudden rage, Liara paced in front of Shepard, holding her own shaking hands.
Several seconds passed before Shepard finally spoke, "Liara," Shepard said simply, "I-," but she stopped again, unable to form the correct words. Liara bit her tongue, determined to wait it out. If anything, Shepard's struggle was actually calming her down. If Shepard didn't care she would've spewed an excuse straight away.
"I had actually forgotten about her," Shepard said simply. Well, there went Liara's theory about Shepard caring.
"I didn't realise you went around having sex with random women? You just fuck them and then forget! Is that what I am to you?" Liara's rage was reaching boiling point again.
"That's not how it is at all!" Shepard snapped; her own temper beginning to flair.
"Did you do it with anyone else?" Liara asked.
"Huh?" Shepard asked, as though her brain had momentarily stopped working.
"Have you had sex with anyone else since knowing me?" Liara rephrased.
"N-no," Shepard said.
"You hesitated."
"No, I didn't!"
"Dammit Shepard," Liara grabbed at her scalp crests and felt like pulling them out of her skull in frustration, "let's clear the air, right now! Who was it?"
"Liara, will you slow down! Let me explain!"
"Well go on then, let's hear what the great Commander Shepard has to say!" Liara held her arms out in front of her, motioning for Shepard to speak.
"I actually did forget I had sex with Sha'ira. I was bored, and she's attractive. You and I had only just met, you coming on the ship a week or two prior, according to my memory. I didn't even consider you a friend then. I don't like to form close friendships, especially romantic relationships with my crew."
"If you didn't consider me a friend-," Liara said, "what was that sparring session we had?"
Shepard raised her hand to head, as if trying to conjure the memory, "the one where I punched you in the face," Liara prompted, and waited for the recognition to play over. In a short time Shepard's face looked as though she remembered it.
"I remember. I think the endorphins from exercise had built up and I had been hit. I wasn't thinking straight, and you had just lifted me with biotics! I don't know Liara! All I know is I wasn't your friend at that point."
"You don't actually give a shit about your crew?"
"Not what I said! I don't like forming close friendships because it causes me to make stupid decisions. I like knowing my crew, but not too closely. I'm friends with Kaidan, and I made the irrational decision to save him on Virmire. I don't regret my decision, but Ashley was the more logical choice. I murdered Kirrahe that day because I chose to go back to the bomb to save my friend! However, being friends with my crew works wonders – after all Garrus and EDI pulled me to safety while the clone was left to die by Brooks."
"But why did you have a relationship with me?"
"Because I fell in love with you!" Shepard snapped back as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Dammit Liara! I don't use people. If I want casual sex, I let them know. Did you think I loved Sha'ira or something?"
Liara's anger flared again, and she changed the subject, "what about when you were with Cerberus?"
"Christ Liara! What is with this interrogation?"
"Just tell me! It was Kelly Chambers wasn't it?"
"I didn't have sex with Kelly Chambers!" Shepard looked as though she was going to cry with frustration, "I just wanted her to feed the fish. The stupid things kept dying, so I became friendly with her and had dinner in my cabin, but we didn't fuck!"
"You're holding back…" Liara knew enough about humans, or at least Shepard, to tell when she was hiding something from her.
"FINE!" Shepard roared, kicking the piano stool over, "GARRUS AND I HAD A THING!"
Liara opened her mouth, but couldn't find words. Her mind blanked completely. Shepard's chest was heaving, and her hands curled into fists.
"What?" Liara eventually choked out after a pregnant pause.
"Well, it was a shit time! I woke up around a bunch of strangers, shoved onto a Cerberus frigate and was told 'go kill these Collectors'. You hadn't even tried to contact me! Aside from Joker and Dr Chakwas, Garrus was the first familiar face, and my only familiar squad mate. I thought I harboured feelings for Garrus, I was confusing myself. He was awkward too, given he knew I loved you. However, I hadn't heard from you and no one was telling me anything, so I assumed you hated me and what I had become. I assumed we were through.
"However once I saw you on Ilium, I just….I knew the feelings I had for Garrus were platonic. I was just pushing romantic feelings on my first familiar. Garrus helped me through, he was there for me. Always has been. Once we left Ilium I called it off, he was actually relieved I think. We were both under stress and confused. I think my cybernetics were fucking me around, along with the fact Garrus had taken a rocket to the face so his mental state was fucked around too."
Liara could tell Shepard was not lying, it was her gut instinct. Even being the Shadow Broker she hadn't known about the fling with Garrus. Despite her title, she normally avoided Shepard's personal and private info. Garrus had kept very quiet about it all too.
"Look, I'm sorry I lied to you that day. But it wasn't intentional. I've never loved anyone before, and Sha'ira was literally a stress release. She didn't matter to me. But you," Shepard paused, "you've always mattered to me."
"Did you and Garrus…?"
"No," Shepard interrupted, "once I had seen you I called it off. We never did anything aside from flirt and make suggestive comments. There was no one else."
"Feron and I are just friends also," Liara added, "just making sure you knew that. I'm the same – I've only ever loved you."
"I'm so sorry," Shepard picked up the stool and placed it by the piano and then plonked herself down on it, holding her head in her hands.
"I'm sorry too," Liara said, walking over and placing her hand on Shepard's shoulder. Shepard took her hands away from her face, and they flopped uselessly in her lap. Liara placed her hand under the Commander's chin and pulled her head up. Shepard was crying. The tears overflowed from her eyes and slid down her cheeks. Liara could not recall a single time she had seen Shepard cry. She felt as though something in her chest tore. This felt more like an invasion of privacy than watching the Consort security footage.
"Shepard…" Liara cooed, pulling her hand away from under Shepard's chin. Liara made to step back, but Shepard grabbed her hand, and stood up. Liara looked into Shepard's eyes, still red from tears. She didn't realise she had caused the love of her life so much pain in this fight. Liara wrapped her arms around Shepard's waist, and Shepard pulled her into the embrace, burying her face into the base of Liara's neck and shoulder.
For how long they stood, Liara would never know. Eventually however, Shepard pulled away. Liara let her go. Shepard walked over to the window again, and pressed a hand on it, seemingly lost in thought.
"If you'd like some time to yourself, I can leave?" Liara suggested as she moved toward the door. The fight had emotionally exhausted her, and while she didn't want to leave Shepard – she wouldn't object if she was forced away.
"No," Shepard's voice sounded thick, "please, stay."
"Okay," Liara said. She opened the door anyway, and Glyph hovered back into the room.
"Glyph – can you play that song again?" Shepard asked.
"Of course Commander," the VI replied, hovering into the piano again. The gentle melody began. Liara watched as Shepard turned and walked over to her, and held out a hand. Liara gently placed hers in Shepard's, unsure of what Shepard had planned. Shepard gently wrapped her arms around Liara's waist, and Liara looped her arms around Shepard's neck as they swayed and moved slowly around the room to the music.
Liara wanted to live in this moment forever. The arms of her beloved around her, she had never felt so safe in her life. The fight was still raw in her mind, but she tried to push the bad feelings out so they wouldn't spoil the moment. This memory, this was the one she needed to hold onto. This was a memory worth keeping for a thousand years.
"I love you," Shepard whispered, a huge amount of emotion evident despite the softness in her voice.
"I love you too," Liara replied. Her eyes met Shepard's and she gazed into them for several long moments, before finally leaning in, where their lips met.
I hope everyone enjoyed this one! I was going to romance Garrus in Mass Effect 2, but as soon as I saw Liara on Ilium, I knew I couldn't cheat on her. So I called off the romance with Garrus, poor darling. I guess Shepard was just confused – well, it was a confusing time for her. But, Shepard and Garrus still maintain an excellent friendship. Still, I liked the bombshell that Shepard had feels for Garrus!