AN: Thank you for all reviews and story/author adds, it is greatly appreciated. I am humbled by the outpouring of support over the turmoil in my personal life as well as the keen interest in this and my other stories.
Hope you you enjoy the added content for my revised Chapter 7. I am presently working on two additional chapters, and hope to have them complete by Sunday. Alot has happened the past few months, but I appreciate everyones patience in dealing with my lack of updates. Thank you for your continued support, and as always, I'm a fiend for reviews and PMs so please do so.
The remaining crew, having seen Shepard and Liara leave with Grunt in tow, wound down festivities at Afterlife, moving the remains of their party to the Normandy.
Having left the main floor of Afterlife as the commander and her Asari guided the large krogan back to the ship, a familiar voice echoed through the airlock.
"Shepard..." She heard Tali's slurred call "Leaving so soon?"
"Yea Tali, Grunt's had a bit much, Liara and I need to get him back to the ship. You can stay though, enjoy the party. Where's Garrus?"
Tali pointed to the sofa beside them, where an it appeared Garrus had consumed an entire bottle of Turian brandy.
"Come on Tali, let's get him back to the ship too, let him sleep this off."
Shepard and Liara returned the incapacitated Grunt to the port cargo hold to sleep off his excessive consumption of Ryncol. While it was true Krogan were notorious drinkers, despite being fully grown when flushed from the tank, Grunt remained inexperienced when it came to knowing his limits.
Liara shook her head, smile playing on her lips as she watched the Commander put her 'son' to bed. "Goddess, I did not recall Wrex ever having consumed that much in one night."
"Looks like I'm going to have a little talk with jack and Zaeed about this." Shepard huffed as the pair exited Grunt's living space. Waiting on the ever so slow lift, the human rolled her shoulders, glancing at her companion. Taking an azure hand in her own, a delicate caress of lips upon he palm sending a shiver through the Asari's body, Shepard whispered "I missed you."
Tears formed, marring the perfection of Liara's beautiful blue irises she regarded her commander "I missed you as well Shepard." Taking a deep breath to center herself, she continued.
Goddess, I was so foolish to treat you when you arrived.
Shepard began to reply to the emotional doctor of protean archeology turned information broker, when she was halted by a single blue finger to her lips.
"Let me speak." Liara asked earnestly, Shepard's response to be her warm, crooked grin as she pulled Liara into an embrace as she continued "Shepard, when you died, it felt as if a part of me died as well. And while I hoped and prayed to the Goddess for Cerberus be able to deliver on their promise to bring you back, it was such an elusive endeavor that I did not expect them to actually succeed in resurrecting you. But they did, and I allowed fear of losing you again to dictate my actions. And for that I am sorry. I love you."
"And I love you Liara T'Soni." Shepard smiled into Liara's slender neck as she replied, tracing the delicate jawline with the finger. As they waited for the elevator, that for as technologically advanced as the Normandy was, seemed could not be approved upon. "I need to go check on Joker. Why don't you stop by the lounge and grab a bottle of champagne Li."
"Alright, but I am an concerned, did you not already have a bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy at Afterlife before I arrived?"
"Well yea, but I worked that off already. Besides, it's a special bottle. I think you'll enjoy it." Shepard smirked as the reached the crew deck. "The lounge is to your right." Shepard indicated as the Asari exited the elevator, leaving the commander as the elevator's lone occupant.
As Liara approached the Normandy's lounge, her ears were greeted by the sounds of an enthusiastic conversation between two of her oldest and dearest friends. Friends who had been there for her, despite their own sense of loss and despair, as she grieved the loss of her love.
Echoing in the hallway was Tali, speech slurred from the large amount of filtered brandy she had consumed that evening"...Did you see Liara? I did not see her...Joker said she was there but I didn't believe she'd show. If she did she was lucky. The bosh'tet, I hope she realizes just how popular with the Asari Shepard is. If I see her I am going to give her a peace of mind for what she said to...Oh, Liara so now you show up!" She spoke, body language displaying the emotion hidden by her face mask.
Garrus, in an attempt to save Liara discomfort, did his best to quell the Quarian. But, given his own strong feelings he held for Shepard, he was reluctant to simply let Liara off the hook for what had taken place in her Illium office. Spirits, there was hell to pay for the hurt he saw on Shepard's face.
"Oh look…its Liara! Hey Liara." Tali slurred, the triple-filtered Turian brandy she had consumed having worked its magic.
Garrus, supporting Tali with a steady grip, regarded the Asari with the twitch of mandibles that would equate to the Turian version of a smile "Hello Liara. What brings you to the Normandy? I mean not that we aren't happy to see you, but after Shepard and I left Illium I would have thought you had pressing matters to attend to."
"Yes, well it seems my priorities were not as they should have been Garrus."
"That would be an understatement T'Soni. I don't think I've ever seen Shepard so distraught. She just shut herself off from the crew, her friends. I was, no I am worried about her."
"I know Garrus. For what it is worth I am sorry. I was not thinking clearly about what impact my pushing her away would have on Jane. But, I can thank Tali for, what was it Ash called…a gut check?"
"Well good. Garrus, while addressing Liara respectfully as they close friends they are, remained stern as he regarded the Asari." Look Liara, I love you and consider you a dear friend, but spirits you can't toy with Shepard's emotions. You better be damn sure this isn't some game your playing with Shepard."
". I cannot excuse my prior behavior, it was..it was uncalled for and certainly did not have the results intended. You can rest assured Garruss that this is certainly no game. I am here for Shepard, however she needs me."
"Hmm..." Tali mused, speech slurred from the brandy "So...what were your intentions in acting like such a bosh'tet in the first place? One would think you wouldn't push her into the arms of that... Cerberus Cheerleader!"
"Now now Tali, Miranda isn't Shepard's type." Garrus said with a light chuckle "I'm sure it was a misunderstanding? Right Liara?"
"Yes Garrus, it was a misunderstanding to be sure. One I shall not repeat.
"I hope so Liara. Because I'm sure you weren't trying to have Shepard run off to Omega in search of the first piece of Asari a...Oh hey Sheppard" Tali' looked behind Liara to see Shepard standing in the lounge doorway.
"I did what on Omega ?" The commander inquired, placing a possessive arm around Liara's waist, pulling her close.
"Nothing Shepard, we we're just catching up with Liara, welcoming her to the new Normandy." Garruss spoke for the fidgeting quarian, who had since retreated behind the bar to fix herself and Garrus another drink.
"Giving you the third degree babe?" Shepard's green eyes gazed in to Liara's sapphire depths with nothing but devotion.
"No. Garrus, Tali and I were simply catching up. It has been some time since we merely, what was it you called it, shoot the breeze." Liara answered with a small, taking Shepard's hand in her own, relishing in the contact.
AN: Thanks again everyone. More to follow soon.
