On the next morning, it took Liara a moment to realize where she was, because the feeling of a warm body next to her was uncommon. Tevos' head rested on her shoulder and the Councillor had slipped an arm and leg over her. Liara did not know what to do. She never had been in this situation - the morning after – and in that position sneaking away wasn´t even an option. Though, not like she wanted to. She wanted to stay a moment longer in the warmth and comfort of this embrace.
A few minutes later, she heard a sigh, indicating that Tevos had woken up as well. "I had hoped we still had some time." Tevos whispered, stroking Liara's flat belly, sliding over the tight muscles and a not yet fully healed wound at her side. Her hand went further, to a larger scar on Liara's thigh. MediGel would make them disappear, but Liara had not thought about it yet and now she was embarrassed because of the scar.
"So young, and always on the front line..." Liara blushed at the words that Tevos breathed more than said. The Councillor raised her head and looked into Liara's eyes, their lips met and with a smile Liara said "Good morning."
Tevos rested her head again on her shoulder. "I was a bit worried that you would regret it. I ... had not planned it..." Liara slid her fingers over the smooth skin between the folds of Tevos' tentacles and elicited a pleasant sigh from the Councillor. "Me neither," she admitted softly, "but it was nice." Tevos agreed with a hum.
"I wish I could invite you to breakfast, but I have a really early meeting." She got up slowly and gracefully, walking naked to the adjoining small bathroom. Liara followed her, leaned her shoulder against the door frame and watched as Tevos turned on the water. "I must also get back on board; we fly off in about two hours." She said, but did not move.
Tevos looked at her, then to the shower and she smiled mischievously. "Would you like to accompany me?" Liara did not hesitate, but nodded. In the shower, she leaned with her back against the closed door, letting the warm water rain down on her and enjoyed the feeling as Tevos rubbed her with soft foam.
Tevos especially dedicated time to the muscles in Liaras neck, which she massaged with gentle biotic showers. Liara leaned her forehead against the cool glass door and groaned, as more and more tension left. Her knees buckled and she threatened to sink to the bottom, but Tevos held her. She turned Liara around and pushed her knee between the younger Asari's legs. Their lips met and they melted into each other again. It was short, intense, and a little desperate, but they came powerfully and clung to each other.
After one last longing kiss, they left the shower, dried off and Liara pulled her dress back on, whereas Tevos slipped into her Councillors dress and in the position that she held. At the door to the elevator, she went to the young Asari, placed a hand on Liara's cheek and stroked her with her thumb.
"Be careful out there, we need you." Liara smiled and nodded. "And visit me the next time you come back to the Citadel." Liara nodded again. Her throat felt much too tight to speak and her feelings threatened to overwhelm her. She had to think about it, about what had happened.
When the elevator was almost on the ground floor, she reached towards Tevos' hand. "Thanks," she said softly and smiled. Tevos nodded to her and as they exited the elevator, they parted ways because Tevos went to one of the other outputs where her driver was waiting.
Liara returned on board the Normandy. It was still early and everyone else had probably returned last night, so she managed to get into her rooms without being seen. First, she put on her normal work clothes, the white-blue uniform. She ran her fingers one last time over the velvety fabric of the dress and smiled dreamily before she put it in the laundry chute. Then she glanced at the news of the day and her mood dropped immediately the second she saw her photo in one of the gossip pages with the title:
"Is the Asari Councillor Tevos conspiring with Lady Benezia's daughter?"
The caption was not really suited to brighten her mood. Under a picture of herself and her mother from better times and a picture just before Benezia's death, she could read:
"Read all about Lady Benezia's and Saren's attempt of conquering the Citadel for the Reapers three years ago and their plan to open the doors to our galaxy.
- an exclusive report from Khalisah Bint Sinan al-Jilani"
Liara closed her eyes. Her fingers flew over the terminal and she brought the news site to crash. It certainly would not last long, but she had to admit that it gave her a certain satisfaction. She resisted the urge to blackmail the reporter. That would only bring al-Jilani to the idea that something about this story could be correct. Liara decided to send a copy to Tevos in the unlikely event that her staff had not seen it and concentrated on the other reports she had received over night.
It did not look good, one colony after another fell. When she was finished with the examination after some hours, EDI reported that they were on approach to Surkesh. Liara wondered what they would expect on the Salarian home world and silently questioned if the genophage could actually be cured.