Paragon Shepard/Liara

"Are you coming back to bed, sweetheart?" Liara turned around at the question, giving Shepard her best smile along with an excellent view of her body, clad only in the short, grey robe she had borrowed. Still, some of her nervousness must have been visible, because the Spectre's next question was, "Is everything okay?"

"I'm not sure." She walked over to the small bed, sitting down at it's foot. Shepard's head was poking out from beneath the sheets, and Liara ran her hand through the rumbled red hair atop it. When she'd first come on board the Normandy, she hadn't been sure what she expected to happen between her and Shepard, but after a tour of the ship had ended with them making love again in the commander's cabin, things had become clearer. "This last week has been incredible. But we'll be at Thessia soon."

"I know. Where does the time go?" There was a regret in the commander's green eyes that gave Liara the strength to continue.

She shook her head, a small smile on her dark lips. "Mostly, I think it was spent in bed."

Shepard laughed at that. "True enough."

The memories were wonderful, but Liara made herself focus rather than getting lost in them. "There's something I have to tell you something before we get there." Shepard nodded, and she continued, "So, you guessed that my last name wasn't actually Armali, but you don't know what it really is."

"No, I guess not. It never seemed that important."

"It might be. My name is T'Soni. Liara T'Soni."

"T'Soni…" Shepard's brows furrowed as she searched her memory. "Wait. This party on Thessia, I seem to recall that one of the hosts is a Matriarch named Benezia T'Soni. Are you…"

Liara lowered her eyes and bit her lip uneasily. "I'm her daughter."

"And you ended up dancing in Aria's club on Omega? Why didn't you just call your mother for help? I'm sure she would have sent you the money to get back to Thessia."

"I suspect she would have sent a squad of commandos after me. But I didn't want that. My mother and I… we haven't always seen eye to eye. She didn't want me to become an archeologist in the first place. I was ashamed to admit to her just how badly things had gone on my expedition. I'd insisted I could look after myself, and the least I could do was find my own way home."

"Well, you did," Shepard reassured her. "So, why tell me this now?"

"Two reasons. First, when you speak with my mother, please don't let her know how we met. I'm not… I'm not ashamed of what we did, but it could cause a terrible scandal for her. The T'Sonis are a conservative family."

Shepard grinned and she rolled up out of the bed to place a kiss on the tip of Liara's nose. "No problem. I'll just tell her we ran into each other at the library."

"Um, I'm not sure she would believe that. Perhaps… perhaps you could just mention that we met on Omega but leave out some of the details."

"Whatever you need is fine with me. So what's the other reason you wanted to tell me about your name?"

Liara's heart beat faster as she prepared what she was going to say next. She'd spent far too much time over the past couple of days while Shepard was on duty planning out the arguments she would make, but now that the moment was here, she still felt unready. And yet, she had no choice but to go forward.

"There are some things I have to take care of on Thessia first, but then I'd like… I'd like to join your crew. I know I'm not in the Alliance but neither of some of the other people here and I have skills you might find useful. I'm a powerful biotic, and I know a lot about alien cultures. I was able to escape from the pirates who kidnapped me, and I hope that you'd be willing to give me a chance to prove I can be valuable."

She knew she was babbling again, but fortunately it was a trait Shepard seemed to find endearing. The commander wrapped her arms around her, pulling the two of them down onto the bed. "Seriously," she asked as she lavished kisses on the side of Liara's neck. "You want to give up the life of an asari princess to serve on this cramped little ship?"

Liara squirmed under Shepard's touch, purring as the Spectre's tongue lit up her sensitive skin. "I already gave it up, even if my dig didn't work out the way I would have wanted. And serving here seems like it could have additional benefits."

Shepard raised an eyebrow, a mischievous smile appearing on her face. "Really? Additional benefits? And what might those be?"

Rather than respond with words, Liara decided to give a small demonstration. She still had a great deal to learn when it came to physical intimacy, but she had picked up some idea of what Shepard liked. Her arms wrapped around the Spectre's naked body, her hands running along its sides, and her thumbs brushing over the swell of her firm breasts. Shepard let out a sharp sigh. "I think I get the idea."

Liara placed a kiss on her freckled nose. "I'm glad. I've never met anyone like you, Shepard. Anyone who affects me in this way. On Omega, you gave me a chance to walk away without dancing for you, but I needed to explore how I felt. And I still do. If I let you leave without me, if I abandon this connection we have, I'll never forgive myself."

Shepard felt as if her heart would melt. She'd been dreading the end of this week almost as soon as it began. Her relationship with Liara had begun as an unexpected encounter, turned into a brief, dazzling affair, and now… Now she didn't know where it was going, but she wanted very badly to find out more.

She cupped her lover's cheek, looking into those lovely, blue eyes as she replied. "Liara, I may have been with more people than you, but I haven't fallen like this for anyone since I was a teenager." Liara gave her a puzzled look, and Shepard realized the term might not have translated quite right. "Since I was in secondary school. Humans tend to have a lot of crushes around then, often very intense ones, since we don't have much experience dealing with those feelings."

"Ah." Liara smiled, seeming to understand now. "Among asari, we call those the mad forties. I wasn't one of them, but many of my people have brief but intense love affairs around that time in their lives."

"Sounds about the same," Shepard agreed. "Well, whatever you call that period, I haven't been this taken with somebody since then." She ran a hand over the ridges of her lover's crest. "This seems like something special, Liara, and I'd like to think I'm old enough now to know when that feeling comes from more than just physical attraction." Liara let out a purr at that, nuzzling up against her chest, and Shepard continued. "Anyway, what I'm trying to get at is this: I'd love to have you stay here. You'll need some training to get up to speed with Alliance procedures, but I can get somebody to help you out with whatever I can't take care of myself."

"If your crew's stories about your last mission are any guide, a little pistol practice might not go amiss either. I have some combat experience, but I've mostly used my biotics. My other skills are a bit rusty."

"That, I can do. There's no better shot on this ship, not matter what Garrus or Ashley might claim. There's only one thing I need you to do for me in return."

"Anything, Shepard."

"Help me figure out a plan for tomorrow night. Rogue Spectres are no problem, but an asari society party is a whole other animal."

Liara gave her that shy smile Shepard was already growing to love. "I have never been any good at such things either. But," she added, accompanying her words with a passionate kiss, "We can figure it out together."

Renegade Shepard/Liara

"I never thought a room full of this many hot asari could be so dull."

Beside her, Wrex chortled at her misfortune, the krogan squeezed into a suit that she thought was ridiculous but which he insisted made him look dashing. "You're just mad that these ones probably won't let you bend them over the couch."

She returned the chuckle. "Is that a challenge?"

Wrex shook his head. "I know better than to bet against your charms. I'm gonna go see if they've got any booze worth the name at this party."

The krogan headed over to the bar, and Shepard returned her attention to the sea of glamorous asari mingling and dancing all throughout the massive, marbled ballroom. In spite of her earlier bravado, she hadn't really been in the mood for her usual seductions lately. She'd even let their last stopover at the Citadel pass without a visit to the Consort's establishment; a real rarity for her.

It wasn't because of that dancer. At least that's what she kept telling herself. Just because it was the best sex I've had in a long time, or because I keep thinking of Liara when I jill off doesn't mean anything.

While she was shaking her head in an effort to clear Liara out of it, a tall, slim asari with teal skin and pink facial markings had set her sights on her. Mallene Calis, she reminded herself as the woman approached, trying to recall the details of the briefing packet she'd been given for the party. She works for some amp manufacturer the Alliance wants to make a deal with.

"Hello, Commander," the asari told her. "I trust you're enjoying yourself tonight."

"It's certainly an impressive party, Ms. Calis," she replied. Technically true, even if I'm mostly impressed by its ability to bore me out of my head.

"I'd love to take credit for planning it, but sadly, I'm just a guest here, if not one quite so famous as you. The wine really is divine though," she added, taking a sip from the crystal flute she was holding and giving the commander a flirty smile. "I think it may be going to my head."

Normally, Shepard would jump at the opportunity; a cute asari with good booze was definitely worth a second look. Tonight, though, she found herself staying all business. "Hopefully, you're not too buzzed," she replied. "Because there was actually something I wanted to bring up with you."

She didn't get any further before another asari joined their conversation. This one was taller and, Shepard couldn't help but notice, quite impressively built, her body flattered by an elegant black and sapphire blue dress that managed to be both regal and revealing at the same time.

Benezia T'Soni. One of my hosts, and also one of the most influential Matriarchs on Thessia. "Hello," the older asari said. "I am sorry to interrupt, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to speak to the guest of honor."

Mallene gave Benezia a respectful bow. "Of course, Matriarch Benezia. I'll find you later on, Commander."

She made herself scarce and Shepard offered Benezia her best smile. "Hello, Matriarch. I'm pleased to meet you. I've heard great things."

"As have I. We all owe you a great debt for dealing with Saren Arterius. I, myself, spent some time in his company, and his attitudes towards your people were a disgrace to everything that the Council is supposed to represent."

Bickering, self-interest, and loads of paperwork? "I was just doing my job."

"You did it well. But there is no need to worry further about such unpleasantness tonight. Tonight is a celebration, and a chance for you to see and be seen." She gave Shepard a winning smile, one that suggested the two of them were privy to a deeper understanding of the evening's purpose than most of the guests. "And speaking of mingling, I would like you to introduce you to my daughter, Liara."

Benezia stepped aside to reveal the maiden in question and Shepard's jaw nearly crashed into the floor. Standing there, clad in a tight, black dress that left her shoulders and arms bare, was "Liara Armali." It took every ounce of self-control the Spectre could muster not to blurt out something that would've given their past away, but somehow, she managed to keep her composure.

"Hello, Liara… T'Soni. I guess that's what it must be. "You look lovely tonight."

"You certainly do, dear," Benezia agreed before turning back to Shepard. "She seldom comes to these affairs, so something about you must have intrigued you."

"Well, you do have an intriguing reputation, Commander," Liara offered. "Perhaps you'd care for a dance?"

She must have agreed somehow, because she soon found herself out on the middle of ballroom with Liara's arms around her neck, trying to keep time with the music.

"It's good to see you again, Shepard." She could feel the heat coming off of Liara's body, and the view the dress offered of the tops of her breasts was stirring up powerful memories. "You did tell me to look you up if I got the chance. This seemed like a good one."

"I thought…" She paused, lowering her voice before she continued. "I thought you were a university professor, not part of the nobility."

"I am a professor. My mother does not approve of my choice of careers." The asari gave Shepard a coquettish look. "I doubt she'd approve of much that I've been up to of late."

In response to her words, Shepard smiled and Liara felt her hopes rise. The encounter she'd had with the commander had been perhaps the most memorable night of her life. The whole trip back from Omega, she'd been able to think of little else, and when she found out that Shepard was going to be here on Thessia, she knew she had to see her again.

But she'd been scared. The Spectre was so much worldlier then she was, and what, to Liara, had been an incredible revelation, might not mean the same thing to her. Shepard had certainly enjoyed herself that night, but that didn't prove Liara had been more than a good time.

As the music trailed off, Liara guided their dance towards a more isolated corner of the room, one mostly shielded from public view by the ballroom's marble columns. Her fingertips brushed over Shepard's neck, one of the few patches of bare skin that the dress uniform left exposed. The Spectre's lips fell open slightly, and Liara could see something light up behind her eyes. "Doctor T'Soni," she asked, quietly enough that no one else could hear her, "Just what are you doing?"

She leaned in close, her breath hot on the human's ear. "I would think that was obvious."

Shepard's smile returned, a devilish grin that set Liara clit throbbing against the silky, red panties she was wearing beneath her dress. "I didn't want to presume. I mean, now that you're back to being a powerful Matriarch's daughter and not a club dancer."

Liara's face flushed at that, but thankfully, she'd chosen her spot well enough that no one else had heard. She knew she was putting herself out there, but boldness had gotten her this far, and maybe it could carry her a little further. "I am," she agreed. "But that just means our next encounter can be in more comfortable surroundings. If you were interested in more than just a one-night stand, that is."

The little hitch in Shepard's breath could have been missed, but not if one were listening as closely as Liara was. To her, the reaction was unmistakable, and it made her pulse race. "I am," the Spectre replied, and the hunger behind her words confirmed Liara's hopes.

"I'm glad to hear it." She tried to keep the eagerness out of her voice, but she doubted she'd succeeded. "If you check your extranet messages, you will find the location of my room here. I'll be there if and when you manage to get away from all of these Matriarchs."

Shepard's grin returned. "Consider me suitably motivated." The Spectre pulled her closer, and Liara shivered when she felt the slight bulge press against her thigh. A part of her was shocked that Shepard would wear her cock to a formal occasion, but mostly, she was excited. This promised to be a very good night and, she was starting to suspect, the start of something more.

I hope you enjoyed this little story; the 2 Shepard's twists was a lot for fun for me to write.