Opening her eyes slowly, feeling a different type of softness beneath her face, Elly realized she must have fallen asleep on Liara's lap. Thoughts working back to the middle of the night, Elly remembered her nightmares. How Liara just held her. I love you Liara T'Soni. Not wanting to wake her, Shepard slowly sat up. Liara was asleep against the wall, head back, mouth open not looking very comfortable. Standing up and stretching to work out the kinks, Elly checked the bed to make sure it was not wet from hours before where Liara threw water on her to wake her from her nightmare. Patting each side of the bed, they felt dry. Shepard walked over to Liara's sleeping body, bent down and slowly reached under Liara's legs, under her armpit to get a hold of her upper back and lifted Liara. Liara's head slowly rolled onto Shepard's shoulder a soft moan escaping. Moving to the bed, Elly slowly laid Liara down covering her with the bed sheet. Thankful she did not wake up; Elly left Liara to sleep as she took a shower.
Checking on Liara after she was dressed, Shepard noticed it was almost Noon. She decided to check the fridge to see what she could make for lunch. Opening the door, Shepard saw a fully stocked fridge and freezer. Liara you thought of everything. She must have arranged to have this stocked for our arrival.
Looking through the contents Shepard tried to decide what to make. She didn't have a lot of recipes memorized, but had a few specialties. She loved to cook for Liara, but did not have the time to do it often, she never had the time. Checking the cupboards, Shepard decided to go with the easy option, spaghetti. She found the wine and opened a bottle to let it breath, while she browned the meat. Checking the spice rack she was thankful she had what she needed. Adding the tomato sauce and paste to a big pan she started adding herbs, salt and pepper. After straining the meat, she added it to the sauce and placed it on the stove burner on low heat to slowly cook.
The aroma started to fill the kitchen. Setting the pasta on the counter, to be made when the sauce was ready, Elly checked on Liara. Looking in Liara was still sleeping. Shepard poured herself a glass of wine and sat outside.
It was a gorgeous day. It was hot, but there was a slight breeze.. Sitting in an Adirondack chair Shepard relaxed and let her head rest back while she closed her eyes and enjoyed the sounds around her. It was peaceful here.
"What smells so good," said Liara as she hugged Shepard from behind.
Jumping, Shepard felt arms around her neck. She grabbed on to one of the wrists.
"Oh sorry Shepard, were you sleeping?"
Shepard looked behind her not letting go of Liara's wrist. "Oh sorry Liara, I must have dozed off."
Noticing she still had Liara's wrist, she gave it a kiss and let it go. Getting up she hugged Liara and kissed her. She took in Liara's scent; I don't ever want to lose this Liara, your smell, your touch, you.
"Well, what was that for?"
Shepard grabbed the other chair and scooted it toward her chair. "Do I have to have to have a reason to kiss you?" The chair in its spot Shepard took Liara's hands into hers. "Liara, I wanted to thank you for helping me last night, for waking me up."
"Anytime Elly, you know that. I am always here for you, always." Liara leaned in and kissed Elly. Elly wrapped her arms around her and held her tight. Deepening their kiss, they both separated at the same time. Looking at Liara, suddenly Elly said, "Oh crap! What time is it?"
"It is a little after 1:00 I think, why?"
"I need to check the sauce. I hope you are hungry, it should be ready in about an hour." Walking toward the door that leads inside, Elly turned back and asked if Liara wanted anything to drink.
"That wine looks good,"
"Be right back."
Liara sat in the chair next to Elly's taking in her surroundings. There were places that seemed untouched from the Reaper invasion, this place was one of them. It was called Jackson Hole Wyoming, Liara found this resort on the extranet. The lake was gorgeous, the breeze causing the water to ripple. The trees were a beautiful dark green swaying slightly. The mountains in the background were gorgeous, that looked close enough to touch. It was very peaceful and perfect.
"Here ya go; I also brought some cheese and crackers to munch on."
Taking the glass of wine from Elly, Liara said "Thank you. It is so beautiful out here."
Sitting next to her, Shepard taking a bite of cheese replied, "Yes it is, you did good Liara. How did you find this place?"
"The extranet. It's as if the war never happened."
"Yeah, you can say that again. If I lived here and saw vids of the Reapers, I am not so sure I would believe it, this place looks completely untouched. Did you get enough sleep?"
"Yes I did, thank you for moving me to the bed."
"Well you looked pretty uncomfortable against the wall. It's the least I could do." Taking a sip of her wine Elly wanted to talk to Liara about her nightmare but wasn't sure how to begin.
Liara let the silence between them remain as she helped herself to some cheese and crackers. She knew Elly wanted to talk and to not push her.
What do I say? Sorry I dreamt that you were killing me, will she understand? What if I am slowly going insane? What if these nightmares never end, what kind of life can I give her?
Deciding to break the silence Elly asked Liara, "How do you like the wine?"
"It's quite nice." Don't say anything else, Shepard will talk eventually.
Letting out a deep sigh Elly said "So I want to tell you about my nightmare, but I am scared of what you will think." There that wasn't too hard to say.
Setting her glass down, Liara looked at Elly and said, "Shepard, I won't think any less of you because of what you dream."
"Even if the dream is about you and not in a good way?"
"What do you mean?" asked Liara.
"Instead of me telling you can you just meld with me and see?"
"Yes, but is that what you want?"
"I do, b-but it is not going to be easy. I am afraid of what you will think. I don't think of you that way Liara and I don't want you think I do."
Since Shepard does not really share a lot of her nightmares with Liara, Liara is happy to know she wants her to meld with the Commander, but can see how nervous she is.
"I am not following you Elly."
Not looking at her Elly said "I dreamt that you were trying to….to kill me."
Feeling there was more, Liara did not respond. Oh Goddess.
"You were indoctrinated and you were …"
Placing her hand on Elly's arm, "It's okay Elly, you can tell me."
Putting her hand on top of Liara's she said "…torturing me."
Hearing the words Liara was not sure how to respond. Goddess, her screams last night were because of me?
"Now before you say anything Liara," Elly turning to face her saw Liara's eyes start to tear up.
"Hey, hey," said Shepard as she got up and kneel down next to Liara. "Don't cry Liara, it's just a stupid dream. I know you are not indoctrinated, and I know you would never hurt me."
Wiping her tears away Liara looked at Elly, "I know Elly, I am just so sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for Liara. I am the one who should be sorry. I can't seem to stop these nightmares; I don't know why I am having them. I don't want to upset you but I don't want to keep things from you either."
"I don't want you to keep things from me Shepard." Getting out of her chair Liara took Elly's hands into her own. "I want you to tell me everything Elly. I am sorry for my reaction; it just caught me off guard. When I could not wake you I was very scared. Your screaming was.. hard to hear."
Elly hugged Liara, "I can only imagine. I am sorry I put you through that. Why don't we just talk about something else?"
Elly started to break away from the hug but Liara would not let her. Elly looked at her, "What?"
"I want to see Shepard, let me join with you."
"Are you sure Liara?"
"Yes."
"Okay"
Liara's eyes went dark, "Embrace Eternity."
As she was seeing herself torturing Shepard, Liara claimed her own thoughts and feelings and had them rush over Elly. Elly felt love and comfort from Liara. It was soothing and weird at the same time, to see a torture scene in front of her eyes but to feel complete calm and love at the same time. Shepard smiled and returned her feelings of love back to Liara.
Liara took this opportunity to continue deeper into the meld, navigating through Shepard's mind. Elly knew what she was doing and Liara could feel fear rising from Elly. Its okay Elly, trust me. I trust you Liara.
Liara saw the first nightmare of the night, where Liara was thrown into a concrete wall while Shepard was running toward the beam. Liara saw the red light envelope Shepard, where Shepard in an instant was on fire, then not on fire her armor completely gone. Sensing Elly's fear Liara again sent love and calm toward Elly.
Liara could feel herself being lowered onto the ground. Elly was lying on top of her kissing her, wanting more.
Liara moved deeper into the meld. There heartbeats becoming one, their bodies becoming one, one mind, one heart, one thought. Liara shared a memory with Shepard of her playing in the park as a young girl, digging in the grass looking for ruins. You told me about this on the Citadel thought Elly.
Yes Liara replied in her thoughts.
You were so cute Liara, did you find anything? Total peace surrounded them now. The fear left Elly as she was seeing Liara's memory. Love built up in their thoughts, happiness. Elly just let go, she let Liara probe deeper into her mind. Not wanting to hold anything back from Liara.
As Liara went deeper, with every bad memory of Shepard's she was able to counteract with a good memory, with feelings of love, comfort and happiness. Liara wanted to make sure she was careful with Shepard. Shepard was slow to trust and even though they have been together over three years now, Shepard was finally letting go. Finally realizing that Liara did not need to be protected from her Elly let her guard completely down.
Passion building in both as they were now one, one heartbeat, one emotion, one person, one thought. They basked in it. Then slowly, slowly Liara started to recede from Elly's mind. Leaving emotions of love and comfort as she slowly came out of the meld.
They were in each other's arms legs tangled together. Liara's check was resting on top of Shepard's head. "That was amazing Elly."
Elly didn't reply, just held Liara. Concerned Liara placed her hand under Elly's chin to meet her eyes. "What is it Elly?"
Elly allowed her head to be lifted and looked at Liara with tears in her eyes.
"What's the matter Elly?"
"I'm just so sorry it took me so long."
"So long for what Elly?"
Elly could not form the words she just returned to hugging Liara quietly crying.
Liara held her tight stroking her red hair. "I love you Elly, I love you."
Wiping her eyes, Elly looked at Liara again. "I'm sorry it took me so long to let you in Liara. I never knew I could feel such love again."
"It's okay Elly."
"No it's not, think of the years we have lost because I …"
"Stop it." Liara said sternly. "You do not beat yourself up do you hear me? You took the time you needed Elly, don't be sorry for that, do you understand me?"
Hearing that tone Elly knew not to argue, plus she knew she was right. Why dwell it was could have been, focus on today.
"You're right as always Dr. T'Soni." Elly said as she gave a quick kiss on the lips then stood up to get dressed.
"Where are you going?"
"I think we should eat something. After that I am tired I can only imagine how tired you must be as well. We need to refuel so we can do it again!" Elly said as she offered a hand to help Liara to her feet. As Liara got to her feet Elly pulled her in close with a deep kiss. "Thank you Liara, that was amazing."
Smiling Liara replied, "Yes it was."
They both dressed and walked into the cabin to refuel.
