Waking, Shepard looked over to see Liara lying next to her. She checked the clock, 8:00 AM. Before getting her hopes up that she actually made it the rest of the night without a nightmare, Shepard checked the bathroom. Finding nothing there she stepped into the family room, took a deep breath then looked left to where the kitchen should be. Letting her breath out, she is relieved to see the actual kitchen. Excellent!

Elly made her way to the kitchen, set the table and decided to make some omelets. There were fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, hmm hmmm hmmm. As she sautéed the ingredients, Elly made her way to the bedroom. Slowly crawling from the foot of the bed toward Liara as if stalking its prey, Elly slowly crept alongside Liara. Leaning in and kissing her on her lips, Liara slowly woke up a smile forming. "Good morning sleepy head," said Shepard. "I am making omelets, so you need to get up; it is going to be a great day!"

Elly rolled off the bed to return to the stove. "You are leaving so soon, that is not fair commander."

Turning, Elly noticed Liara's pout. "Pouting will get you everything Doctor. But after we eat, now get up."

Signing Liara lay back down and stretched before getting out of their warm bed. Before she sat up, she realized to herself, no nightmares. Thank you Goddess.

Popping her head into the kitchen Liara asked, "Do I have time for a shower?"

"Nope, it is ready. We can shower after."

Sitting at the table, "Oh I like that idea."

Setting down Liara's omelet in front of her Elly said, "Here ya go, I hope you like it."

"Hmmm it smells good. I could get used to this Shepard."

"I could too actually. I wouldn't mind sleeping in everyday, waking up next to you. I love the fact that I actually slept. It feels good."

"I can imagine. I am glad to see you so happy Elly."

"Well I know I have been a downer lately Liara, I am sorry for that."

"Downer?"

"Umm, feeling down, not myself."

"Shepard, it is understandable and I don't agree that you have been a downer."

"You are far too patient with me Liara. That is just one of the many, many things I love about you," Elly said as she finished her omelet.

Noticing her empty plate, Liara smiled, "Shepard, you need to slow down a bit don't you think? I have barely eaten my omelet."

"Yeah I know. Sorry. I am just so used to eating fast because I have always had to. Besides, this way I can just watch you eat." Elly propped her elbows on the table and laid her face in the palms of her hands staring at Liara.

Bringing her fork to her mouth Liara could see Shepard out of the corner of her mind. She took the bite and slowly chewed, not looking at the commander, trying not to smile. She could see that silly grin on Elly's face. Using her fork to grab more food, Liara raised it to her mouth. She stopped and looked at Shepard. "Are you going to just stare at me?"

"Yep."

Smiling, Liara took her bite. "It is quite good Elly."

"Thanks. I'm glad you like it. I am running out of recipes."

"Already?"

"Yeah, yeah I know. I know like 3 by heart."

"Oh what is the third?"

"Well okay, maybe just the two."

Giggling, Liara finished her last two bites.

"Well I had other things to attend to Dr. T'Soni," Elly said as she took Liara's plate to clean it off before placing it in the dishwasher. "Ya know with all of our technological advancements, you would think someone would come up with a way to not do dishes."

Liara came up behind Elly with a hug and kiss to the neck. "That was wonderful Elly, thank you. I do recall you mentioned something about a shower?"

Turning around in her arms, Elly faced Liara. "Hmm, is that right?"

"Umm hmmm," replied Liara as she kissed Elly full on the lips.

Elly wrapped her arms around Liara holding tight as their kiss deepened.

Breaking from the kiss together, they rested their foreheads on the others. "Ya know, we should probably leave this cabin at some point don't ya think?"

"I suppose so." Neither one of them moving.

"Tell ya what. How about we take that shower, then we take the sky car to go shopping?" suggested Elly.

Looking in her eyes, "You hate shopping."

"I know, but this is a beautiful place and I think we should see it. I mean you did take a lot of time and effort researching the place."

"I suppose you are right. Maybe after a bit of shopping we can have a nice dinner out, and then come home to watch a vid?"

"I think that sounds perfect." Walking arm in arm the couple made their way to the shower.

Not sure what is worse, being stuck in a nightmare or shopping with Liara, thought Shepard. Utterly exhausted as she sat in a chair outside of the dressing room, the eighth dressing room in the eighth store they have entered. I just had to suggest shopping. Genius Shepard, genius.

"How do you like this one Shepard?" Coming out of the dressing room, Elly has seen what seems like 100 dresses on Liara at this point. Without looking up, "That looks wonderful Liara."

Not hearing a response, Elly opened her eyes and saw Liara standing in front of her with her hands on her hips, not looking too pleased.

Yawning, Shepard replied, "Sorry, Liara."

"Need I remind you Shepard that this was your idea?"

Finishing her yawn hand over her mouth, "I know, you're right. Turn around let me see."

Liara turned.

Shepard looked left then right to see if anyone was looking their way.

"Well?" Liara asked wondering why Shepard was looking around.

"Um, I don't think you should get that one."

"What, why not?"

"It shows off your curves way too much Liara. I feel like you should be covered up." Shepard stands up looking around.

Turning toward the mirror, the yellow dress fit her blue asari figure perfectly. Liara always dressed conservatively, every dress collar reaching near her chin. "I don't think …" Seeing Shepard approaching her with a long coat, "What are you doing?"

Shepard placed the coat over Liara. "Shepard, what.."

"Seriously Liara, you cannot get that dress. Please go back inside and change into something else."

"What, why Shepard? What is wrong with it? What has gotten into you?"

"Liara, just trust me," said Elly as she entered the dressing room to look at the other dresses yet to be tried on, "Here try this one."

Liara stepped into the dressing room blocking Elly's exit. "Elly? " Liara looking closer at the commander's face, "Are you blushing?"

"Wh-what? Noooo. I just think you should-"

Liara stepped closer and took the dress Shepard was holding from her hand and let it drop to the floor.

"Liara, you really should hang th-"

Liara cut her off with her lips. Shepard looking to make sure the dressing room door was closed kissed Liara deeper. Feeling like she could lose herself, Elly broke off the kiss panting. "Whoa, what was that?"

"I think this dress is perfect Shepard. I like it very much, and I think you like it too. Why are you standing over there?" Elly had moved to the back of the dressing room, not trusting herself to be able to stop if Liara got too close, which she knew Liara suspected.

Putting her hand up, "Liara, don't do this to me. We have packages outside, anyone could take them, plus we are not exactly alone in here."

Liara followed her gaze to the ceiling. "Shepard, they do not have cameras in the dressing room."

"You don't know that."

Having fun with the blushing commander, Liara sauntered closer to her.

Keeping her hand up, Elly sees what Liara is thinking in her eyes. "Liara, what are you doing?"

Slowly unzipping her dress Liara does all of the talking with her eyes.

"You can't do this Liara, wha…what are you doing, are you nuts?"

"I thought you said I should not get this dress, I am just merely taking it off to hang it up."

"Uh, Liara, don't do this, there are people here." Shepard said in a whisper. Turning her back to the now nearly naked asari, "I'm not looking. I am not looking."

Smiling Liara hung up the yellow dress and hugged Shepard from behind planting soft kisses along the back of Shepard's neck. "Liara, please you need to stop."

I have you right where I want you commander.

Not letting up, Liara let her hands wander. Grabbing her hands Elly turns, "Li!" Stopping herself to whisper, "Liara."

"Oh come on commander, you need to…what do you humans say, live a little." Liara leaned in with her lips since her hands were being held. Finding their target, Elly restrained Liara's hands as long as she could, which was about three seconds. She let go and wrapped her arms around the asari pressing her own body into her.

Whispering into Liara's ear, "You do not play fair Dr. T'Soni."

"Are you complaining commander?" Liara was working on Elly's shirt buttons.

"Everything alright in there, do you need a different color or size?"

It was one of the store's attendants. Elly clamped her own hands over her mouth hoping to not laugh. But Liara could see the smile in her eyes.

In a calm voice Liara replied, "No thank you, I have a few more to try on."

"Okay, are these packages out here yours?" asked the attendant.

"Yes they are my bond mate must have stepped away for a minute. I will be right out."

Oh bond mate, I do like the sound of that, thinks Shepard as she stands perfectly still trying not to make a sound.

"No hurry just let me know if you need anything."

"Yes I will thank you."

After a moment of silence, Liara turns back to Shepard; it was about one second before they both started laughing. "Shhh" waved Shepard, "they will hear us. I gotta get back out there."

"Do you have to?"

"Don't even try that pout on me Liara." Without looking at her, she slowly opened the dressing room door. When she sees it is clear, she runs to resume her place in the chair. Phew that was close. Looking around, she doesn't see anyone that noticed her come out of the room.

Liara, deciding that she has enough outfits brought the dresses out of the room. The attendant returning right on queue noticed Liara leaving the dressing room.

"I can take those for you."

"Oh thank you, but I have changed my mind; I won't be purchasing them today, thank you."

"Hold on," interjected Shepard. "We will take the yellow one."

Liara's eyes widened as a smile crossed her lips.

"Excellent choice," said the attendant, "I can take care of over here. Let me prepare this for you."

"Thank you," said Shepard.

Leaning in to whisper in her ear, Liara said, "Thank you Elly."

"Anytime Liara." She pecked Liara on the lips. "Just please don't do that to me again, you nearly gave me a heart attack." Taking the asari's hand she kissed it, "You go get your new dress and I will get the rest of the packages."

Meeting at the entrance of the store, Liara noticed Shepard looking at something. "What are you looking at?"

"Huh? Oh nothing. You all set?"

"Yes, do you want to have dinner now?"

"Um, ya know what? I think we should probably put these packages in the sky car. Then we don't have to worry about them.

"Oh, okay, that is a good idea. Why don't you let me do it?"

Yes! "Are you sure?"

"Of course Shepard, it is the least I can do after dragging you around."

"Thanks, I will check on our reservations, meet you at the restaurant?"

"Sounds good."

After watching Liara turn the corner, Shepard crossed the walkway quickly and ducked into a jewelry store. Okayyyy. Rings, rings, where are the engagement rings.

"Can I help you?"

"Ah yes, please, "checking the store's entrance for signs of Liara. "I am looking for an engagement ring. And I need to know what to do, what do you need?"

"Yes of course." Noticing the woman continuing to look at the store's entrance, "I take it you don't really have time right now to look?"

"Huh, yes, that's right, sorry. I don't really. I am not sure how this really works. What kind of information do you need?"

"Well the gender would be nice."

"Th- huh? OH of course, she is asari."

"Very well. Do you happen to know her ring size?"

"Ring size, hmmm no idea. Any ideas how I am supposed to get that?"

"Well-"

"Shepard?"

Crap. The store clerk could not help but notice the grimace on the woman's face. "Hi Liara."

"What are you doing in here?"

Seeing that the woman was speechless the store clerk decided to chime in. "I am afraid it is my fault ma'am. "

Shepard looked at him not sure where he was going with this.

"Oh?"

"Yes, I am afraid that I recognized the commander here and I all but forced her inside. See my son is starting boot camp soon with the Alliance and I wanted to get an autograph for him, I do appreciate you tolerating the inconvenience commander."

Nice save. Mouthing the words thank you to the clerk, Shepard replied, "Not a problem at all. Please tell him to listen to his superiors and he will be just fine." Shepard extended her hand and he took it shaking it.

"I will thank you. And if I may, are you by chance Dr. Liara T'Soni?"

"Yes."

"I just want to thank both of you so much for what you did for us, for all of us, thank you."

"You are welcome, Mr.?" asked Liara.

"Zane, Edward Zane."

"Mr. Zane. How long have you had this store, you have beautiful items."

Eyeing the commander, seeing her nod her head in approval, he continued, "Oh yes, thank you. Here let me show you some items that just came in."

"Oh I don't know," said Liara looking to Shepard. "We have reservations."

Shepard replied, "We have time, doesn't hurt to look."

"Here we are," said Mr. Zane as he placed a set of engagement rings in front of the asari.

"Oh my, these are beautiful. What makes them sparkle?"

"They are called diamonds. Here let's see if this fits," said Mr. Zane as she handed the ring to Liara.

"You place it on your third finger, here," helped Mr. Zane.

"My, oh, Shepard. Look it is beautiful."

Stepping close, "Yes it is Liara."

"How is the fit?" asked Mr. Zane.

"I'm sorry?"

"The ring should be able to glide on, but stay on, not too tight and not too loose; you don't want it to fall off."

"How does it feel?" asked Elly.

"It feels a little odd. I am not used to having anything on my finger, but it is so beautiful, I can't take my eyes off of it."

"And the fit?" Asked Mr. Zane.

"It fits fine I think."

"May I?" Asked Mr. Zane, Nodding at Liara's hand.

"Oh of course" said Liara as she started to take the ring off.

"No please, keep it on, I meant please give me your hand."

"Of course, my apologies."

"Checking the ring on her hand, Mr. Zane concluded, not too tight and not too loose, it is perfect."

"It is beautiful Liara. Do you like any of the others?" asked Shepard.

Looking over the tray, Liara did not find anything that held her gaze as the one she was wearing. "No, I like this one Shepard."

That was easy. I need to get her out of this store, I can't propose to her now.

"Do you have the time Mr. Zane?" asked Shepard.

"Yes, it is 5:15."

"Oh, we better get going Liara, otherwise we will be late."

"Okay," trying not to sound too disappointed, Liara took off the ring and returned it to Mr. Zane. "Thank you Mr. Zane."

"My pleasure Dr. T'Soni, nodding to the other woman, Commander Shepard."

"Thank you, have a good night," Shepard extend her for him to shake, when he did, she slipped him a credit chit.

Understanding her meaning, Mr. Zane knew to put the ring on hold for the commander.

Putting her arm around Liara's shoulders, Shepard led her out of the store.