And here we go, finally the 3rd chapter^^ Sorry for the delay but I had to prepare for an important exam and was a bit...ok, very lazy after that thanks to the summer. Again, thanks a lot to you guys for reading and reviewing! Please continue to do so, not just because it's good for my soul, but so that I can improve my writing as well ;)
! ATTENTION ! To those who haven't played the Omega DLC yet. First, why the hell not?! ;) and second, you shouldn't read this if you don't wanna be spoiled. It won't be a retelling of the whole DLC, but a certain scene with other references regarding the content.
Btw, I highly RECOMMEND the story "A Retelling" by Lecterville which explores everything around the DLC very detailed. Loved reading it and I think there's more to come.
A special thanks to Ines and Kendra, I'm so glad to have you!
"And you are sure about this?" Shepard sat in Liara's 'office' aboard the Normandy and listened to her friend's voice while watching the monitors behind the young Asari as she paced back and forth in front of them. Maybe she shouldn't have told her about Aria's plan, but in case something happens she wanted to have backup. "Why? You want me to stay out of it?" They both knew that once Shepard has made a decision she wouldn't change her mind that easily, but Liara wasn't just anyone and the Commander always took her concerns into consideration.
"I don't know Shepard…of course it is important to weaken Cerberus as much as we can, but we are talking about Aria T'Loak here," her voice was surprisingly firm and Shepard had to smile as she thought of the Asari a few years back. Working as the Shadow Broker was definitely good for her confidence. "Believe me I'm well aware of that," she smiled at her friend and crewmate and added after seeing the doubt in those light blue eyes, "Do you think she won't give the Alliance the troops and supplies afterwards? I know Aria is a criminal and self-centered bitch, but it wouldn't do her any good in case she'll need my support again."
"Yes, you are right. But still, I do not trust her and now she wants you to go to Omega without us. Please tell me you haven't agreed to this…" the redhead didn't answer verbally and instead avoided looking at Liara, following Glyph's movements around the room with her eyes.
"Shepard! Why? Do you really think you can fight alone against a whole station full of Cerberus? Almost alone? I may be used to your tendency to crazy decisions but th-"
"Calm down Liara, Aria's with me and her men as well. Nothing bad is going to happen ok? And you know better than most that I can kick ass!" The Commander grinned and winked at the scientist who huffed exasperated and put her hands on her hips, trying to look as angry as possible. "Yes, I know. I just do not understand why she needs you when those gangs are on her side."
"Well, even Omega's Queen seems to recognize what the great Commander Shepard is capable of," Liara rolled her eyes and shook her head, not able to suppress an annoyed sigh. "I'm sure that's the reason…Commander. Promise to be careful please?" her friend looked serious again and maybe a bit pleading as well. She knew Shepard couldn't say 'no' to her. "I promise. Just stay within the Terminus System and be ready if we need you," the Shadow Broker had to smile and was a bit relieved as the other woman allowed the Normandy to stay nearby for backup.
"Does Aria know about this?"
"There's no need to tell her and get on her bad side from the start. And it's not like she's telling me more than I need to know." Shepard added after a second and dismissed the thought about a very pissed of Asari warlord.
"But you trust her," she looked up again as Liara regarded her with a strange look she couldn't place and was even more surprised about the answer she gave without hesitation. "At least to some extent, yes. Sounds crazy doesn't it?"
She chuckled and ran a hand through her red strands. Liara wouldn't say anything yet, but she still knew the signs, remembered how she and Shepard had behaved when they'd been interested in each other during their fight against Saren. She'd never have thought about the possibility that her former lover could be interested in someone like Aria but maybe…hopefully, it was only her own very creative imagination.
"Maybe, but you know her better than me," the Asari's eyes went wide as she realized that she'd voiced her thoughts that were supposed to stay in her mind and tried to look innocent although her former lover noticed it anyway.
"What do you mean?"
"Why?"
"You sound…kind of snappy." The Commander narrowed her eyes as she thought about Liara's sulky statement. Was she only concerned about the mission on Omega? "Oh…no Shepard it's…I noticed that you have been to Purgatory to talk to Aria on several occasions," the maiden answered with guilty eyes that tried to avoid the Commander as much as possible but couldn't help that it had bothered her for quite some time now. "And you have not spoken to me for a while although you don't feel well. Do not try to deny it, I know you very well Commander." Her best friend and ex-lover only used the rank when she was angry or irritated nowadays but what Shepard caught off guard was the not well hidden accusation in the Asari's voice.
"I don't wanna be a burden to you Li."
"But I'm your best friend right? Regardless of our…history." The maiden spoke with bright wide eyes, not able to understand why Shepard had told Aria about personal problems instead of discussing them with her.
"Of course and you always will be. Aria is…sometimes I need a good kick in the ass and we both know you could never do- HEY!", they smiled after Liara slightly kicked Shepard and looked at each other. "Alright. If Aria can…help you with her unorthodox methods, so be it. As long as you don't cut me out entirely. Be careful though."
The red haired human stepped closer and hugged her overprotective scientist.
"I will be."
Retaking Omega had been a lot more exciting than Shepard had estimated when she'd joined Aria's forces several hours ago.
Not only did they scarcely make it onto the station and were almost constantly attacked by Cerberus troops, but Omega's Queen had proven to be a better teamplayer than the Commander expected. Aria had stayed true to her words and did what she was told in combat. Of course Shepard knew that the Asari Matriarch wasn't feared without reason, but she was definitely more powerful than most of the other Asari the soldier had met so far. Normally this species was more composed and controlled than others, but the Pirate Queen fought like a released animal, a storm on the battlefield and was yet astonishingly precise and aware of every single move.
Seeing Aria fight was like watching one of her dancers in a way. She knew exactly how to use her body, how to maintain balance no matter how heated it got. It wasn't a secret that the Queen had once worked as a dancer herself during her maiden stage, but Shepard had never seen someone being this brutal, violent and at the same time so graceful while killing. Was it morbid to enjoy such an amazing view?
She showed no mercy against their enemies and although the human soldier admired her for this resolution, Aria tended to do anything necessary and more to get what she wanted. If it hadn't been for Shepard, probably thousands of civilians would have died had she listened to the Asari's demands and even though the Queen had been anything but amused about the redhead's stunt, the Commander didn't regret her decision for a second and stood her ground during their staring contest afterwards. Still, it was nothing compared to Aria's anger that was now directed at the defeated General.
Shepard barely heard the cheering crowd from Afterlife's lower level as she stood on the balcony which was hard to recognize as Aria's former 'throne'. Far too...uptight as the Asari might say and Shepard did not even try to suppress an amused smile while this thought crossed her mind although the defeated general lay on one of the controls, helplessly struggling and stuttering. The Commander watched Oleg Petrovski as Aria kept on choking him, decreasing the pressure only to start anew, repeating the procedure a couple of times without interference.
"It's no use Oleg. I will end your pathetic life right now and for what you did...you won't get an easy death, I can promise you that much."
"Sh...Shepard pl...se, I'll give y... all you need t... know," Omega's reinstated Queen stopped to choke him for a moment but kept her hand firmly around the man's throat as she waited for some sort of reaction from Shepard.
"I doubt that you have any information valuable enough to justify your existence after what you did to Omega's people."
"You know...as well as I that sacrifices...are sometimes necessary for the greater good Commander. You m-make it sound as if I'm the tyrant and...Aria the saint in...this scenario."
"Aria is anything but a saint, don't think of me being delusional General. But at least she doesn't pretend to be one, not like you and Cerberus...promising to help people just to use them for your sick experiments. I've had enough of this!" She turned her back towards the man as the Pirate Queen increased the pressure on his throat again. "You pr..fer t.. let her have...revenge rather tha... my intel?" Without looking back, Shepard replied unusually cold, "You don't have to stay alive to give me the information," she glanced to Petrovski's executioner and cautiously, asked a silent question. The Asari's eyes turned obsidian without hesitation and the shocked General didn't get another chance to speak up before his body finally stopped moving and his eyes stared lifeless at the ceiling after another few seconds. Bray chose this moment to climb up the stairs and looked between his boss and the Alliance soldier, obviously surprised that Shepard hadn't done anything to save the General's life. Aria stepped over the crumbled corpse, "Get that filth off my station Bray," and headed towards the rail where the redhead stood.
"And here I thought that you were rubbing off on me Shepard, but maybe it was the other way around. You're hard to read I'll give you that much," the Asari watched the human woman closely as she stood beside her and it took only a second to notice how empty the Commander's eyes seemed to be in that moment. "Ceberus is capable of almost anything Aria. I underestimated them once but I won't make the same mistake again," Shepard's voice was laced with guilt but also with determination and Omega's re-entitled Queen nodded in silence. Under different circumstances, Shepard would have tried to persuade Aria into handing the General over to the Alliance of that the Asari was sure. Or maybe she and the human were more alike than she'd originally thought.
"Shepard I...never thought I'd enjoy having a partner," and before the other woman had a chance to reply, she felt herself being pulled against Aria's body and blue lips on her own. Shepard needed a moment to register what was happening, but just as Aria was about to retreat, the redhead closed her eyes and responded to the kiss. The Queen's lips were surprisingly soft and warm and although their kiss lasted for just another very few seconds, she felt a light tingle on her lips as they parted and she blinked a couple of times to come back to her senses. Shepard risked a side-glance, but Aria seemed unaffected as she stared straight ahead and her voice was even.
"Killing that bastard was deeply satisfying. And don't worry, I'll give you everything I promised to help you." The Commander used this moment to recollect herself and watched the people below them calling out the Asari's name, holding their guns in the air as they waited for the first words of their re-entitled ruler. "I knew you wouldn't go back on your word Aria there was no reason to worry about that," Shepard nodded once as the other woman raised an eyebrow and allowed herself a small smile.
"What now?"
Aria observed the Commander, trying to detect anything out of place, anything different but Shepard seemed to be at ease as if nothing has happened. Good, no annoying questions she'd have to listen to, no hopeful eyes she'd have to look into like countless times before. Easy...comfortable...but why the hell did Shepard have to kiss her back? It wasn't meant to work this way, absolutely not. The thought that this could happen hadn't even crossed Aria's mind; otherwise she wouldn't have kissed the woman. Right.
The Asari frowned and noticed Shepard's expectantly raised eyebrow which brought her out of her thoughts within a blink of an eye.
"Well, there's a lot to rebuild and I have to get rid of the Cerberus bastards who are still crawling around. It'll take time to whip the station back into shape, especially Afterlife," her voice sounded almost sad as she looked around, taking in the destruction and the bloody corpses lying all over the floor.
"I wonder if I'll ever really enjoy the pole-dance in here again," Shepard let out a small laugh at how exasperated Aria sounded then and grinned at her.
"I'm pretty sure you will. It's just..." Shepard sighed and briefly thought about the last hours fighting along Aria's side while the Queen patiently waited for her to continue. "Your people have been through a lot and not just the mercs that shout your name again. And before you say anything, yes, I know who you are Aria and what you're capable of. I'm very much aware of your position," she stepped closer to the intrigued Asari who couldn't resist to let her blue eyes wander for a second but Shepard chose to ignore it and spoke up again, more quiet this time. "But it is always good to know that someone has got your back instead of trying to stab you from behind right?" Shepard gave Aria another smile and stepped back, making her way towards the exit when she heard the very distinctive low laugh behind her and stopped without looking at the smirking Asari.
"I've lived for a thousand years Shepard and you may be the most dangerous and baffling being I have ever encountered," although amused, the Commander could hear the sincerity within this husky voice as well. And maybe something else she couldn't pinpoint. Yes, she knew that Aria respected her but it was very unusual for her to verbally admit it.
"That a good or bad thing?" Now Shepard looked over her shoulder and the Queen stared right back with one hand on her hips before she turned away.
"I haven't decided yet."
On her way back to the Normandy, the people around them were celebrating together and she was glad to have Bray at her side; this way the others didn't dare to approach the tired Commander who just longed for a long, hot shower. And something to drink – something strong so she wouldn't have to think too much about what happened between herself and the infamous Queen. Of course she knew it didn't mean anything and that is was only Aria's 'special' way to show her appreciation, nothing more nothing less. But it's been ages since someone had touched her like that and it had felt so damn good. Thinking about the kiss fuelled something deep inside of her which she'd tried to ignore during her missions to not get distracted but even the great Commander Shepard was only human...with a few extra bits and pieces, but still human. And Aria was without a doubt an exceptional attractive Asari so who could blame the redhead for feeling desire in that moment? They arrived at the docking bay and Bray nodded briskly.
"Time to save the galaxy Shepard, thanks for the help," he sounded a bit less grumpy than usual and the human flashed him her famous grin.
"Sure, 'til next time," she was about to enter the Normandy when she suddenly remembered something and turned back to the Batarian who wondered what that sudden glint in the Commander's eyes meant.
"Wait a moment, I'll be right back."
He made his way through the destroyed club and walked up the stairs to the balcony where Aria silently stood, looking over the rail with a kind of pensive expression on her face. Bray shuffled, not sure if it was wise to approach her, so he waited for his boss to acknowledge him knowing that she was aware of his presence.
"What is it?" the voice sounded tense a also tired but the guard knew better than to mention this and simply held up Shepard's gift as soon as he reached the Asari who raised an eyebrow at the sight of a bottle of fine but oh so strong Noverian Rum.
"Shepard wants me to tell you...uhm...'home sweet home'?" Bray looked confused, evidently not familiar with that expression whereas Aria grinned as she took the bottle, delighted by the other woman's gesture.
"I take it she already left?"
"Yes Aria."
"Get me a glass Bray, will you?"
The Batarian came back just a short moment later and handed her a crystal tumbler before he retreated to let his Queen alone, staying near the exit to keep an eye on everything. Aria took her time as she filled the glass and closed her eyes when it touched her lips, taking a small sip and enjoyed the strong taste of rum, the slight burning on her tongue before the liquid ran down her throat. Her mind drifted back to the events of the last few hours and, just as Aria had expected, the Commander proved to be a valuable ally. She would never admit it to the human or to anyone else for that matter, but she wouldn't have managed to retake Omega without her support. Indeed, Shepard proved to be far more interesting than she'd originally thought after their first meeting almost two years ago and not just on the battlefield. She set down the glass and wondered when she'd see the passionate Commander again...if she'd see her again considering the war against the Reapers. The powerful Queen had to admit that the galaxy would be far less entertaining without the soldier, not to forget her emerging personal interest in the human.
Maybe she should keep an eye on Shepard...
Shepard let out a relieved sigh as she entered her cabin after letting Liara know that yes, she was still very much alive and no, Aria didn't try to kidnap her. She hadn't told the scientist about every detail of the mission considering how personal some of them were with regard to Omega's Queen and fortunately Liara hadn't pushed the issue and was just happy that everything went well without further complications.
It would take a couple of hours until the Normandy reached the next location in order to stock up their supplies for the next mission and the Commander wanted to use this time to relax...at least for while. The only problem was that her mind thought otherwise and wanted to keep her busy. Fighting alongside Aria was for easier than expected but that definitely hadn't been the most surprising element. Thinking of Nyreen brought a sad smile to Shepard's lips as she fed her fish, watching them drift up to the surface. No matter how unreal it had seemed to meet someone like the Turian on Omega fighting the good fight and believing in a better world, she certainly had not deserved such an ending.
Shepard had seen a lot of death throughout the years as a soldier but to see someone explode right in front of you was not a sight she wanted to be confronted with again. And Aria's control had slipped...for the first time since they'd met, the redhead had witnessed the Queen's rage and not be because someone had broken her rule but because it was something personal on an emotional level, not business. No matter how or why the two of them had ended their relationship at some point, the Turian's death affected the powerful Asari. The Commander laid down on her bed with her arms crossed underneath her head, staring at the ceiling and thinking about how odd the former couple must have looked together. Or maybe Aria had a soft spot for 'stupid people playing hero' as she'd once put it which made the redhead laugh. At least it would explain the Asari's constant innuendos and the kiss. She wouldn't just kiss anyone right?
Shepard frowned and closed her eyes, trying to think of something else...no matter how good it may have felt, she was probably only tired of being alone all the time and reacted therefore like a little schoolgirl.
Although she was pretty sure that Aria wouldn't deny her a night between the sheets should Shepard ever ask her. Too bad she wasn't the type for such things, relationships with no strings attached...too bad indeed, because the Pirate Queen was damn hot and very likely as passionate in the bedroom as on the battlefield. Another laugh followed by a grin and it was clear that the chances were good for a very different dream this time. Sleep well indeed...
Please let me know if you liked it :)