Note:Reformatted to make it easier to read.
Enjoy.
Chapter Two
Staff Commander Alenko had already informed the Normandy crew that Commander Shepard's mother was going to be visiting. Kaidan still has some feeling for the Commander, but knows that Shepard's heart belongs to Liara. When he found out that Liara was the reason Shepard was with Cerberus he was furious. Then after realizing she did the right thing, he found a new respect for Dr. T'Soni. Well, not the Cerberus part, but having Shepard be brought back to life. Alenko still at times has a hard time wrapping his head around that because it seems that Shepard didn't change one bit. Okay, I will give Cerberus that. Miranda and her team, Lazarus Project, did something good for once. Unlike the things they saw from Cerberus while chasing after Saren. Not that Cerberus is going to be a problem in the future. Shepard made sure of that.
Kaidan notices for the first time since they defeated the Reapers how at peace the rest of the crew is. They are determined to fix the Normandy quickly, but they don't have all the supplies they need to finish the job. Engineers Ken Donnell and Gabby Daniels reported when he got back on board that the FTL drives were almost complete. That would make the trip to the Citadel faster. The quicker they get the Normandy fix the sooner they can complete their mission. And a long one it's going to be. Kaidan is going to let that news come from Shepard when she returns. Dr. Chakwas walked up to a chair next to Kaidan and sat down. "How are you feeling, Commander? Any headaches?"
Alenko turned his head and grinned at the doctor, "No, no headaches. Sorry, just thinking. Still can't believe it is over." Dr. Chakwas patted his arm and then started eating. Kaidan looks down at his tray. Not sure what the meat is, but the corn and mash potato looks appealing. Smells good too. Which is a surprise. The Normandy's cook isn't know for making tasty meals. He looked around the mess hall. Tali, Garrus, and Joker are at a table talking about EDI. The engineers look like they are discussing more repairs. Two or three other small groups were either eating together or standing round chatting. Every one but Dr. T'Soni.
Liara was in her office, which use to be Miranda's office. Ex-Cerberus operative, Miranda Lawson, died while helping Shepard take out the Illusive Man. Liara sighs, every since Staff Commander Kaidan Alenko informed everyone that Leia's mother, Capt. Hannah Shepard was stopping for a visit, Liara has been nervous. She is also concerned because she has been trying to contact Feron at the Shadow Broker base without any reply. I'm going to talk to Leia about making a trip to Hagalaz to check on the base. Sighs again, what did Leia tell her mother about me? Oh stop it Liara, you know how Shepard feels about you. That last thought put a smile on Liara's face. She gets up from her desk and goes and looks for something different to put on for Leia's mother. Not that she has much to choice from. T'Soni finally picks out the most causal outfit she has at the moment, the Alliance issue causal jumpsuit. Similar to the one she wore when Shepard saved her life on Therum. Liara feels confident, but wants to wash her face. EDI comes over the ship comm "Commanding officer on board." as Liara heads to wash her face.
Commander Shepard walks with her mother, Capt. Hannah Shepard, from the bridge through the CIC towards the elevator. "Very nice ship, Leia. I can't believe Cerberus built it. It doesn't seem right."
"Thanks, mom. It's not right, but it's an Alliance ship now and that is all that matters." They get near the elevator, Leia asks, "Want to tour now or after we eat?"
"Food sounds good right now, Commander." winks Hannah and smiles.
"Food it is then.", as Shepard hit the button for the crew deck. The elevator door opens and everyone turns and looks at mother and daughter together. None of them have ever seen that before. Liara is sitting across from Dr. Chakwas talking with her and Kaidan when she noticed the curly short red-haired blue-eyed younger Shepard and noticed how much she looks like her mother. Capt. Hannah Shepard has the same curly hair, only it a little darker red with gray mixed in and green eyes. The hair is longer too, but the face was Leia's. Commander Shepard introduced her mother to everyone before getting two trays of chow. She turned to head towards the tables, noticing how quickly her mother is liking Liara. Leia noticed in Liara's body language she was a little nervous having her mother here, but now noticed Liara is much more relaxed. Good, warms my heart to see my mother and Liara getting along. Leia set the trays down on the table and scoots one towards her mom. "Hope you like it, mom, it's mystery meat. It really is good, the cook never tells us what type of meat being used. It varies from meal to meal."
Hannah takes bite. Chews the scrunches up her nose. Chews more making another goofy face. Liara didn't have a clue what to make of it and looked over towards Leia to see her reaction. Leia just shook her head and kept eating. Knowing full well her mother was enjoying acting like a goof-ball to lighten moods. Shepard winks at Liara and smiles. Captain Shepard finally acting like an Alliance officer instead of being among family and friends says, "This is very good. Mind if I steal your cook?" After saying this she just winks at her daughter. Shepard just laughs.
By the time Commander Shepard and her mother finished eating the only people left in the mess area were mom, daughter, and Dr. T'Soni. Liara takes their trays and puts them away. "I'm heading back to my office. I have some work I need to get done.", giving Leia a hug and a soft kiss on her cheek. Then turns to Capt. Shepard and gives her a hug too. "I hope to see you again, Capt. Shepard.", smiling as she walked towards her office. "Please, Liara, call me Hannah.", Hannah tells Liara. "You sure you don't want to go on the tour with us?", ask Shepard. "No, spend more time with your mother, Commander. I will see you later.", Liara states then walks into her office and the door closes behind her.
"I like her, Leia. She really cares about you," Hannah then gives her daught a motherly hug, "Please, show me around." With that Commander Shepard shows Captain Shepard the Normandy SR-2.
Commander Leia Shepard watches her mother's shuttle leave the hold and head back to her own ship, SSV Orizaba. Shepard turns to head back towards the elevator when she notices Tali sitting alone on some crates. "You ok Tali?" as Shepard walks towards the quarian. It does sadden Commander some knowing that Tali has to live in her bio-suit all the time.
"Oh, hi, Shepard. Yes, I am fine. Seeing you with your mom just, I don't know, made me think of my father." Shepard gives Tali a hug then sits next to her on the crate.
"I'm sorry about your father, Tali. I wish there was more I could do for you," says Shepard.
Tali's smile is noticed through her mask, "What is next, Shepard? I think it might be time for me to go back to the Flotilla. But I don't know, if I can leave just yet. I want to finish repairing the Normandy, but I also want to help the Migrant Fleet", Tali starts wringing her hands together.
Shepard just listens, nods, then hugs Tali again before getting up, "Tali, you can stay aboard the Normandy for as long as I am the CO of this vessel. I do have an announcement to make, but I am going to wait until tomorrow. I was given orders while on Earth."
"Oh?", Tali sounded confused. The Normandy is not in any condition to go on any type of mission. How can they give us a mission when we are barely able to use the FTL drives? We still have holes in parts of the armor. This makes no sense.
"And Tali, keep that between us. There is a meeting at 1000 tomorrow when I will tell everyone what is going on.", Shepard just smirks and walks to the elevator.
The elevator doors open on the crew deck. Leia walks into Liara's office to see she is not there. Walking back to the mess area, she see Garrus and Kaidan talking among themselves. She smiles and nods at them and they return the acknowledgment. Shepard goes back into the elevator and goes towards the bridge. She was right, Joker was sitting in the pilots seat going over some reports with EDI. Commander Shepard asks, "Anything to report, Joker?"
"No, Commander. Nothing you don't already know already.", says Joker.
Shepard nods then says, "EDI, please make an announcement to everyone that there is a meeting at 1000 tomorrow in the briefing room. I have an announcement to make because we have orders.", Shepard turns and walks back down the CIC.
"Acknowledge, Shepard.", EDI then announces there is a meeting in the morning.
Shepard walks into her private quarters and notices Liara sleeping on the sofa. She looked at the clock and noticed how late it was really getting. It was well past midnight. Walking past the fish tank, Leia makes sure the fish got fed. She removes her uniform and puts on a pair of N7 shorts and tank-top. Shepard leans down and kisses Liara on her forehead and caresses her cheek. Liara opens her eyes sleepily and notices Leia standing next to her. Leia offers her hand to help Liara off the couch then pulls her close and kisses her soft blue lips. Shepard pulls away from the kiss. "I don't know about you, but the bed is looking good right about now. I don't know if you heard EDI's announcement, but there is a meeting at 1000. We are going to the Citadel for repairs. We are one of the first ships to get fixed. We been given high priority by the Council. They are then sending us on a good will type tour to help through out the galaxy once the Normandy is fixed. They said it will be good for everyone to see the Normandy and her crew. They are kissing my ass, Liara. The turian Councilor resigned today. I really didn't know how to react to that."
"They need to kiss your ass, Leia. They wouldn't listen to you for years and look what happened.", was Liara's retort. Shepard kisses Liara again, hearing a gasp and moan from Liara sent chills throughout Shepard's body. Liara pushes Leia back onto the bed. Shepard grabs Liara's back side then her eyes go black...
Shepard woke up about 830, leans in and kisses the asari's neck tenderly, then gets out of bed. Walks into her quarters private bathroom and takes a nice hot shower. 15 minutes later, Shepard feeling nice and refreshed, finally ready to see what the Council has in mind for this "tour" of theirs. It didn't read too badly. Seems they want the Normandy to travel to every major hub in the galaxy. Trading supplies or try and set up trading if able. They are not asking for any reports on a regular basis, but would like to be updated every few months on what is going on. They also requested that all members of the Normandy which includes non-Alliance personal to go on this tour. This was a mix species ship and they want the galaxy to know we all can work together to solve problems. Not so sure how that will work. Biases run deep, Councilors. Hatred will take a long time to get over if ever. Hmmmm, wonder why no Batarian based planets nor colonies. They couldn't all be gone, could they? Shepard looks over at the picture of Liara on her desk, then over to Liara herself still sleeping. Liara is now stirring under the covers slowly waking up. "Morning, beautiful, sleep well?", smiling towards the bed as she looks at T'Soni. I must be the luckiest human alive to have such a wonderful person that makes me want more out of life than a military career. Which is all I wanted since I was a kid, but now I want more.
The asari's simply replies, "I always sleep well with you next to me, Leia." flashing Leia a sheepish grin she high tails it to the shower.
"Suppose I should pick this mess from last night up.", as Shepard get out of the chair and starts picking up the clothes she threw on the floor and putting them in a hamper. It's starting to get a little full. Time to do some laundry, oh it can wait another day. I'm taking today off and hopefully have a talk with the love of her life. Exactly how I am going to start that conversation, I haven't figured that out yet. Maybe the first thing I should do when we get to the Citadel is some shopping for a special gift. That thought brought a bright smile to Shepard's face just as Liara steps out of the bathroom.
"What has put that big smile on your face?", Liara asks with a smirk on her face.
"I'll tell you later, ready for the meeting?" as Shepard offers her and out for Liara to take. They both walk towards the elevator hand in hand.