A/N: I don't mind writing a story that changes how the canon version goes, but it's not my favorite thing. But this story most likely re-writes parts of the upcoming comic and ME2.

No spoilers. Shepard is attempting to recruit a potential squad-mate that I invented on my own.

Liara and Shiala's mutual history is also my own creation, as is everything Kaidan has been up to.

While Liara traveled back to the Citadel, June Shepard, Miranda and Jacob finally meet with Aria, in order to locate the whereabouts of Archangel, the Batarian outlaw.

Miranda shook her head slightly at the dimly lit Afterlife Club. She hated being back here. If it weren't for Shepard's bizarre little rendezvous with Liara T'soni . . ., no, as her luck would have it, they would still have returned to this place at least a dozen more times. Her luck was not very generous. The Commander she idolized hated her. She was also stuck with her ex-boyfriend, Jacob, who always acted as if nothing ever happened between them. When the Illusive Man asked her to accompany Shepard on this mission, she was elated. But now, none of what she envisioned was coming to pass. Through her double-role between being a spy Alliance, her carefully played ploy for Cerberus, and her supposed "in" with TIM, she was finding nothing. No new information to pass onto her contacts in the Specialized Intel branch of the Alliance.

In fact, she wondered if would be better if she struck out on her own. That damned Asari gained more information on Cerberus, hunting her "fling " down, than Mirnada herself knew, working for Cerberus.

The three approached the same Batarian guard as the day before. He nodded to them, in an almost friendly manner, motioned for them to come along, and they three followed the guard to the upper level of the Club.

The stairwell opened into a loft-like section that overlooked the rest of the club. The three got the sense that this area was usually for 'preferred' members only. The lights were a little brighter up here, and the noise was less intense. They walked a little ways, toward a bar, probably Aria's personal bar, with the Asari herself sitting in front of it, surrounded by two more Batarian guards, and another Asari commando, lingering over the side.

Meanwhile, back at the Citadel

Liara returned to where her personal ship was parked in the docking bay. She entered it, and allowed herself a good cry, and a warm drink that used to be her mother's favorite. She sent a vid-mail to Shiala, who was apparently still on Feros. Shiala had been one of her mother's favorite disciples. Liara felt the most comfortable with Shiala. Because, although Shiala respected Lady Benezia, she never blindly believed everything that the Matriarch taught. Just like Liara, Shiala also had an inquiring mind, and questioned everything.

Liara turned on the extranet console, and logged into her account. She began her recording, "Shiala, I need to speak with you. It's an urgent matter, and I need all the help I can get. In two days, I will leave for Feros, and hopefully meet you there. I hope you are well." Liara sent the vid-mail, and left the ship. She traveled to the lower wards, where a certain former staff member of the Normandy worked.

The Biotic Training and Research facility on the Citadel functioned as a specialized school, specifically for the children of Alliance soldiers and the children of biotics themselves. It was a joint operation between human and Asari scientists, soldiers, and teachers. Kaidan Alenko never would have found himself working in any facility remotely resembling BAat, but times have changed. After losing Shepard to an Asari, and his tight-knit crew to a bizarre, random attack, he retired from the military. He had seen enough. His migraines have also intensified greatly since the accident, so it was either willing retirement, or forced permanent sick-leave. The relaxed nature of his new position was necessary for his health.

Kaidan had several reasons for working at BTR, but the most rewarding was being able to see biotics who did not have the same side0effects that the L2's suffered. That, and he was still involved with the Alliance, albeit a very indirect role.

He was attending to some work, sitting behind his desk, well past the end of the day. Some habits never left him; he was in some sense, married to his work.

A light knock on the door, and one of the Asari researchers peeked through the door. "Kaidan, why am I not surprised that you are still here?" She pushed the door open, and gazed around his very orderly office. "You have a visitor," the Asari announced simply.

"Ok, well, I am about done anyway. Who is this visitor," Kaidan looked up from his desk, and leaned back, stretching out his shoulders and arms.

Liara popped in behind the other Asari. Kaidan looked down for a second, and breathed deeply. He wasn't really prepared to see Liara, again.

"I'll just leave you two. See you tomorrow, Kaidan," The Asari walked out, and Kaidan completely ignored her. He looked up at Liara, and rose, thinking the two of them could walk around a bit.

"Actually, Kaidan, I think you should sit down for this," Liara said.

"I've heard it all before. What else have you found out? Is this more on Cerberus, or Shepard?" Kaidan said this in a very tired tone. It's been a long day, he thought. I really, don't need this right now.

"Shepard is alive," Liara breathed, trying to control her voice.

"What?" Kaidan sat down again, an expression of disbelief crossing his face.

"Shepard, she's alive. And she's in the Terminus systems. She's working for Cerberus."

This was too much for Kaidan. "What?" He said loudly, "This is ridiculous," he muttered, and rubbed his eyes.

Liara tried again, "I told you what I found out. Cerberus has kept her alive. It proved true. I saw her, and –" Liara blushed, and stopped herself, knowing that it would not be appropriate to share more detail, especially to Kaidan.

Kaidan looked out his window, lazily watching the traffic below, for a few minutes. Then, he said, "Ok, she's alive. What are you doing here? Why aren't you with her now? What's she up to?" Kaidan swallowed nervously, not exactly wanting answers. He was glad that Liara found Shepard. He just forgot about the pain of losing a woman he loved twice in the same year; first, to Liara, and second to that attack. Any joy he found in knowing Shepard was alive was quickly replaced with the jealousy he never completely shook off.

"Well, I thought you would want to know, Kaidan. You care about her," she said.

"Thanks," Kaidan replied curtly. "What else is on your mind?" Kaidan saw she had something else to say. He became familiar with her habits since they worked together at the beginning of Liara's search for Shepard, before he took the Head Trainer post at BTR.

"Shepard is working with Cerberus. She didn't elaborate, but I know it has to do with the disappearing human colonies. She is hunting for very specific individuals around the galaxy. Specialists, of some sort. She asked me to return to Ilos, and extract whatever I could from Vigil."

"I knew we should have done that when we had the chance," Kaidan interjected. "Why don't we go for a walk. This office is secure, but you can never be too careful."

Liara nodded, and with Kaidan leading the way, the two of them headed towards the exit. For a bit, neither of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts. They walked in the direction of Kaidan's apartment, located in the only human neighborhood of the wards. Finally, Kaidan broke the silence.

"How does she look?" he managed to say, then immediately wished he had asked something else.

Liara paused thoughtfully, "Different, yet the same as always," she said simply.

Kaidan chuckled, "Do you care to elaborate?"

"Well, she has a few extra scars on her face, and body," Liara admitted, "but she was the same, determined woman." Liara slowed her pace, and looked intently at Kaidan. "I need to ask you a favor."

"Fire away," Kaidan said, expecting another heavy request.

"I don't ask this of you lightly. It's just that, you've been such a help to me before," She bit her lip. "Of course, I understand if you can't . . ." She broke off

"Liara, you haven't asked me yet. What do you want?" Kaidan asked patiently.

"Kaidan, will you go with me to Ilos?"

To be continued . . .