Seeds -LT
Sometimes people never consider an idea until someone else brings it up. And once that seed of that idea has been planted it just grows and grows until you just have to talk about it. If only to air out the idea and to kill it completely. Especially if the idea ate at your deepest doubts that you kept buried for a reason.
And that is how in the late hours of the Normandy, Liara and Tali were on the Engineering Deck looking down into the hanger. Down below Garrus and Jane were sparring, while their perspective partner looked on casually and chatted.
A lot of the crew thought that Liara and Tali only hung out because of Jane and Garrus. Most never thought that Liara and Tali could be friends on their own. And maybe, if they met today, that might be true. Liara, as the Shadow Broker, was a much harder and jaded person then she was 3 years ago. Tali was confident in her own right, wielding power as one of 5 admirals guiding the Quarian civilization.
However, years back both were young girls being swept away on a grand adventure that would change the galaxy. Both were uninitiated in the galaxy, had overbearing powerful single parents who they were always trying to get out of the shadow of, and both were aliens on a human ship. Being the young ones and with the least combat experience, they were often left behind as Jane, Garrus and Wrex would go forth and wreck things. So Liara and Tali were friends from the beginning, if only by default. Still, they kept in touch the most after Jane died, and their friendship had been maintained to this day.
"Did EDI catch you up on the latest gossip?" Tali asked Liara.
Liara chuckled. "Yes. The crew seemed to think we were either swingers and swapping partners or in a large polyamorous relationship."
"That, or Garrus and Jane were cheating on us with each other." Tali commented. Both ladies were quiet a moment contemplating that. "They wouldn't do that, would they?"
"The thought has crossed my mind. Sometimes I wish they would." Liara didn't need to turn her head to know that Tali was staring at her with a look of disbelief on her face. "Don't tell me you haven't considered the possibility."
"Why would I? Garrus and Jane are too loyal to cheat on either of us."
"No one is too loyal Tali. And everyone makes mistakes."
"Did you make a mistake Liara? Is that why you are bringing this up? Was it Feron?"
"What? No."
"Then why are you bringing it up?" Tali asked turning her gaze back down at the hanger.
"The gossip got me thinking. They would be a better fit to each other than either of us are."
"You're Asari! You fit with everyone. You can even given Jane a child someday."
"But they are both warriors. They live and breathe combat. They share a special connection born from that. Yes we've been there with them too but it's the same connection. We're not fighters on the same level as them. They've saved the galaxy together once already and are doing it again. Just think about it. I'm a researcher and finder of knowledge at the end of the day and you are an admiral rebuilding a civilization. Garrus and Jane? They are leading their respective species against the Reapers. They run in a different circle then we do. So if they let off steam as Garrus would say, with each other, somehow I wouldn't be surprised. "
"They're too loyal." Tali said again. At her core she believed it to be true. While Jane and Garrus had admitted they had had previous lovers, it was expected of them really given their life styles. And more importantly in the past. And while Tali wasn't an expert on humans, she was fairly sure that long term monogamous was the norm for them. It was for turians. Garrus had told her so and for life once properly mated. In a society based on discipline and service to the state, loyalty to family and the state were paramount.
"The four of us would have a four way long before those two wandered off on their own. They are just too dedicated to us to do anything as hurtful as cheating on us with each other. And I'd like to think we are the same way." In the back of her mind, Tali knew that Liara would out live them all by a huge margin and have multiple partners over her long life. However, Jane was Liara's world as Garrus was Tali's. Still, Tali was going to have a word with Garrus about Liara's behavior. It would only be fitting as a concerned friend. While Tali was sure that Jane would take her word for it, having the concern come from her best friend would have a deeper impact.