A quick notification: To ensure a better flow, I splitted the previous chapter and took it's last part as a start for this one.
"...and you persuaded the volus to do this in two hours? Jane, this must have cost you a fortune!"
"Yeah, but it wasn't as bad as you think. We cut a deal, and in the end he did it without charging extra."
The two freshly engaged women are lying on the blanket, their bodies snuggled against each other tightly. Resting her head on Jane's shoulder, Liara admires the diamond ring on her hand, reaching out into the sky to watch glittering sparks of light dancing over the flawless gemstone. Still impressed by the incredible short time Jane needed to advance her plan, she pushes further.
"You said this before. But... How?"
The red-haired woman purses her lips sheepishly.
"Um, to be honest, I have another favourite store on the Citadel..."
Liara turns her head, looking at her bondmate wide-eyed.
"Jane, you didn't!"
Smirking smugly, the spectre scratches her head awkwardly, accentuating her words with small bobs of head.
"I did. But this time it's true! Although..."
Jane uses her ellbows to push herself up into a half-sitting position and takes a deep breath.
"I'M COMMANDER SHEPARD AND THIS IS MY FAVOURITE SPOT ON THE CITADEL!"
Giggling uncontrollably after her exclamation, Jane lies back again, deliberatly ignoring Liara's raised brow markings.
"What?! This is the place we got engaged! After the war, I'm going to remove every little piece of it and use the Normandy to ship it over to Thessia. And then I'm going to rebuild it in our backyard."
"So we're going to live on Thessia?"
Forgetting the ring for the moment, Liara raises her head curiously. Jane nods approvingly.
"Definitely. My daughters will grow up amongst other asari. And I really would like to see this particular park in Armali, too... But, Bluebird, you didn't tell me, yet. Do you like the ring?"
Liara is deeply touched by her bondmate's declaration. It was just what she was hoping for, and Jane said it without a moment of hesitation. Trying to hide her feelings, Liara takes on the new subject thankfully and returns her attention towards the diamond ring.
"Very much. And you said you designed it by yourself?"
Taking a closer look, she notices something familiar.
"Jane, these ornaments... These are prothean symbols..."
Her bondmate is smiling contently. The letters, hidden between decorative flourishing, are apparently a detail she's especially proud of.
"Yeah, you're right. Can you read it?"
Jane's smile is mockingly challenging. Of course. Because of the cipher, she's able to read prothean just fine. Liara herself, despite being a prothean expert, normally needs some time and a dictionary to translate elaborate text fragments. Knitting her brows in concentration, she pronounces her translation out loud.
"Let's see...'Blue shadowed'...No! 'Blue shaded'...'creature'...'flying'...'on'...'small'...No, that's wrong, tutor T'rianis warned me about mixing up this symbol, it's 'little'...What symbol is that? It looks like 'flying'... Oh!"
The last symbol was 'wings'.
"Jane, that's so sweet! 'Blue-shaded-creature-flying-on-little-wings'. This is prothean for 'Bluebird', isn't it?"
Rewarding Liara with a short kiss, Jane nods appreciatevly.
"There was no direct translation for it, so I had to jury-rig one. After some experiments, I had three versions in the draft, and I chose this one, because... You know."
'Little wings'
Swallowing heavily, Liara uses her thumb to rub the ring repeatedly. Everytime she thought she had figured out her bondmate, she was surprised with something new. For example spending Jane's birthday doing something Liara likes. Or the decision to live on Thessia. And now this...
Oh mother, I wished you would have known her!
Placing a quick peck on one her bondmate's freckled shoulder, Liara signals her that everything is allright.
"It's a very thoughtful detail... Has the rest of the ring a special story, too?"
Liara asks curiously, but Jane doesn't answer. Looking up, she actually watches Jane blush in embaressment. Rocking her hips against the human's body encouragely, the asari pushes for an answer.
"Um, yes. The diamond is from the mines on Therum. And the ring itself... Um, it was propably a silly idea..."
Knitting her brows, Liara inspects the material of her ring closely and is surprised by the result.
"Steel?"
Her bondmate nods sheepishly.
"Yeah, good old stainless steel. Pretty cheap, I know, but your ring is made of particular high-grade material, considering what it's been through..."
Clearing her throat, Jane takes a glance down to Liara's eyes.
"The volus used... my old dogtags. I... I thought it would be sort of... poetic. The last part of me that survived Alchera, molten down and forged into a new form, just like I was. Symbol of a new beginning, and all that... Um, like I said, it was a silly idea..."
No, it wasn't. Liara has worn these dogtags for almost two years. Knowing it's origin, she looks at the ring at her finger in an altogether different light.
How can I possibly explain her?
Liftening herself up, she crawls onto her bondmate's body and rests her head between Jane's breasts, murmuring towards the freckled skin above her lovers cleavage. She needs to feel as much from Jane's body as is possible now. Using her left thumb to stroke the soft flesh of Shepards throat gently, she starts to whisper. Her shimmering eyes are fixed to her ring finger the whole time.
"Your dogtags... were more than just a keepsake. On Ilium, they used to be my... lifeline. I did cold things to survive. Cruel things. I... I lost myself, Jane. More than once. But they saved me. Everytime I touched them I felt your hands, holding me back from the abyss."
The sensation of Shepard's strong arms closing around her body the next moment is almost too much to bear. It's the very same feeling she imagined everytime she touched Jane's dogtags back on Ilium. The absolute certainty of being safe.
"Are you mad they are gone?"
Jane's question is filled with empathy. Moving her ring finger slowly, Liara watches the reflections of light on the ring's silvery band. For a moment she gets lost in a particular memory.
I was so close to loosing her forever... And yet she forged the symbol of my failure into a sign of her love...
Forcing her attention back to the present time, Liara uses her left hand to reach further than before and caresses her bondmate's freckled cheek.
"No. It was a wonderful idea."
They are lying there together in silence for a long time and Liara starts to get pleasantly sleepy. Not being afraid for the first time since the Reapers arrived, she's just feeling protected. Protected and loved. Liara moans softly and cuddles herself into Jane's chest, seconds away from falling asleep.
"I love you..."
Mumbling the words, her mind wanders off into pleasant dreams.
"And I love you, Liara T'soni. And I love you..."
Whispering her answer, Jane is pulling Liara even tighter against her body and listens to the adorable little sounds the asari makes while asleep. It's a moment Jane wants to last forever...
I'm always coming back to her. No matter what happens, I'm always coming back.
The promise has been a huge burden in the past, but now, she only feels determination. Savouring the moment, Jane stays awake, holding her future wife in her arms and watching her sleep.
After two blissful hours, Liara starts to move in her arms again and Jane looks down into the two big blue orbs of her eyes.
"Hey there..."
Still half asleep, Liara starts smiling happily and pulls her body a few inches upwards until she's able to reach Jane's lips for a long, sensual kiss.
Moaning contently, the asari is stretching herself in an almost cat-like manner and sets her body aside Jane's, purring against her shoulder.
"I want to do this again..."
"Every day after, Bluebird, I promise. But for now... are you hungry?"
Her question is answered by a loud groan of Liara's stomach. Her future wife blushes immediately and Jane can't help herself but start chuckling. Liara darts a apologetic glance at her and rubs her belly.
"Starving, actually..."
"Well, we have a table at this new sushi restaurant waiting for us whenever you like. You wanted to visit it for months, right?"
Liara nods enthusiastically. Content with the reaction, Jane is standing up and helps Liara onto her feet, placing a peck on a blue cheek. After grabbing the blanket, she takes Liara's hand and walks with her towards their waiting skycar, whistling happily as she enters the cabin.
It was a perfect day, and it was not over yet. Smiling dreamily, Jane starts the engines and programs a course leading to the wards.
After a short flight, they are reaching their destination, a landing pad approximately a five minute walk away from the restaurant. They are just leaving the cabin, when Jane notices a familiar voice behind her.
"Jane! I can't believe it! Honey, is it you?"
Pressing a deep growl through her gritted teeth, Jane's shoulders are stiffening immediately. Liara steps to her side and looks at her askingly, but Jane is to upset to say a word.
Today. It had to happen today... Fuck!
Turning around slowly, she faces the source of the voice, a middle-aged woman hurrying towards them. It's like looking into a mirror... Liara seems to notice it, too.
It's pretty obvious. Although the other woman is considerably shorter and lighter in build, everything else is an almost perfect match to Jane. The hair, showing some strains of silver, has the same shade of red. The nose is the same, as is the shape of her lips. Even the eyes are the same shining emeralds.
Liara reaches out and takes her hand. Jane answers the unspoken question on her face by adressing the approaching woman with a cold glance and a professional nod.
"Hannah."
The unpersonal greeting freezes her mother in place and Jane watches the woman's smile fading away, a sight that fills her with grim satisfaction. Flickering with uncertainty, Hannah Shepard's eyes are glancing towards Liara.
"Oh, honey. It's so good to see you! I think about you every day. I try not to worry, but..."
Took you only 33 fucking years to develop this feeling...
Narrowing her eyes, Jane answers sarcastically.
"Yeah, I bet..."
Her mother seems a little taken aback by Jane's tone. Obviously not sure what to say, her mothers eyes dart to Liara, who seems to get pretty uncomfortable with the whole situation.
"Is this Liara? Anderson already told me she's gorgeous, but..."
No, you closed this door a long time ago!
"None of your business, Hannah!"
"Jane!"
Both Liara and Hannah are flinching at Jane's aggressive bark. Feeling a pang of guilt, she squeezes Liara's hand apologetically and tries to calm her raging feelings. It's a task she fails miserably as she notices the new stripes on her mother's dress blues. Jane's voice is getting malicious.
"As I see congratulations are in order, Rear Admiral. How fitting... Lower deck rumor says backstabbing and cowardice has a long tradition in the Admiralty..."
Liara seems to be distracted by her bold words and gasps heavily, but her mother is infuriated.
Good...
"Jane Hannah Shepard! How dare you..."
The two red-haired women are staring at each other, both enraged. Jane starts snapping her answer, but in the end she's practically shouting.
"I know it, Hannah. The Killimanjaro was stationed at Sol during the whole six fucking months, and yet... What was it? Were you ashamed for your crazy daughter, the war criminal? Or did you just simply NOT CARE? AS ALWAYS!"
Hannah's face looses it's color and suddenly the woman looks very old and weak. It's sweeter than everything Jane has ever seen. She wants to hurt her mother. Ignoring the pulsing pain along the barely visible scars along her jaw, Jane proceeds.
"During the first two months I cried every night, Hannah. Every. Single. Night. I prayed for you opening these doors and getting me out of that hell. I FUCKING prayed! But... Ooch! Shit..."
Flinching as a sudden sting of burning heat runs through the side of her face, Jane is pressing the palm of her hand against her jawbone and inhales sharply.
Goddammit! Dr. Chakwas warned me about it...
Liara is standing right in front of her and cups her hands around Jane's cheeks. The startled expression in her blue eyes and the aftershock of the stinging pain is enough to drain her completely. Sighing tiredly, Jane looks at her mother, barely noticing the concern and guilt in her eyes.
"What do you want, Hannah?"
Her mother wipes her eyes and answers after a brief moment of hesitation.
"I just felt I needed to... I'm sorry, Jane... I tried. I really tried, but the Alliance didn't let me. Mikhailovich said you had to stay under isolation because they were still interrogating you, and... I'm so sorry!"
It's the same story everyone told her. All her friends and even Liara... But it doesn't make it better. Sighing in resignation, Jane massages her aching temples.
Small steps.
"I'm sorry, too. It's been a long time, and... Listen Hannah, we'll talk, ok? I'll call you, and we'll... talk."
"I'd like that. But now... I should go..."
Using her typical farewell, her mother turns around and walks away. Liara, however, is suddenly coughing surprisedly. Jane wrinkles her brows and watches her mother leave.
Typical, she didn't even mention my...
The same moment Jane feels a pang of sadness, Hannah is turning around. The old womans voice is thin and broken.
"Happy birthday, Jane. And... I just want you to know that I am proud of you, honey. So proud."
The words are stinging right into her heart. Jane waited for them, no, craved for them her entire life, but no matter what she did or what she achieved, her mother never told her. She doesn't know how to react.
Sniffling softly, Hannah starts walking away and the picture of her mother is blurring because of tears filling Jane's eyes. A feeling of helplessness starts to overwhelm her. Suddenly she feels the feathery touch of a blue hand on her forarm. Liara squeezes it reassuringly and says one word.
"Jane..."
Weeks ago, it was her turn to encourage Liara to speak with her father. But the situation now is somewhat different... When realisation strikes her, it's like a moment of clarity. The whole situation with her mother is the same Liara had with Benezia. The same mistakes. And, if one of them would die in this war, the same regrets.
"Hannah!"
She croaks her mothers name and the woman hesitates for a second. It was not enough. Clearing her throat she shouts a word she didn't used since she was a child.
"Mom! I'm sorry!"
This time her mother stops and turns around. Her face is glistening with tears as she just stares at her daughter. Jane swallows, but the lump in her throat doesn't vanish. Stumbling towards her mother, she shouts again.
"Stay. Please!"
Jane runs towards Hannah and hugs her tightly. At first her mother seems to stiffen in her arms, but soon she relaxes and closes her arms around her back, too. It's one of the most wonderful feelings Jane has ever experienced. After some time, both women are loosening the grip of their unusual gesture of affection. Jane wipes her cheeks dry and manages a little smile. Closing one arm around her mothers shoulders she gently turns her towards Liara.
"There is someone I'd like to introduce you to..."
Liara seems to be a little self-conscious, but she greets her mother with a lovingly smile anyway. Hannah bobs her head politely and glances at her daughter expectantly. Jane takes the direct approach and coats her voice with proudness and devotion.
"Mom, this is Dr. Liara T'soni, my girlfriend and fiancee."
Fiancee. It's the first time she uses this word, and it makes her smile. Given the little sparkles in her eyes, Liara seems to approve as well.
Her mother, however, is simply speechless and uses a hand to cover her lips. Smiling proudly, Liara raises her left hand to present her engagement ring and Hannah steps towards her, involuntarily grabbing Liara's hand and staring at the ring. Suddenly her mother's head turns around to Jane.
"You got engaged and didn't call your mother?"
Hannah's tone is teasingly dry, but the look in her eyes is full of happiness and pride. Jane steps besides Liara and places a quick kiss on her blue lips. Turning her attention back to her mother, she grins smugly.
"Well, we did it just a few hours ago, and there was a looong list of persons to call..."
"Smartass..."
Her mothers answer is merely a whisper, but it does something with Jane. She feels like a child again. A happy one.
Still staring towards Liara's ring finger, Hannah's head suddenly bobs up and the old woman blushes deeply as she loosens the grip around the asari's fingers.
"I'm sorry, that was incredibly rude... I'm Hannah. If you want to blame someone for this little troublemaker you're going to marry, it's propably me."
Liara chuckles softly and smiles affectionaly.
"Oh, she certainly has her moments... Nice to finally meet you, Hannah. It's 'Liara'."
"It's my pleasure, Liara. So, and now you two lovebirds are going to tell me how exactly my grumpy daughter managed to win the heart of such a lovely young lady. I want to know every little detail!"
Jane makes a face. Something tells her she's going to be embaressed soon, but watching her mother accepting Liara so quickly makes her heart jump. She clears her throat to get her mothers attention.
"Um, we actually have a reservation at this newly opened sushi restaurant. A table. Maybe..."
She darts a questioning look into Liara's eyes and her fiancee nods immediately. Sighing happily, Jane closes one arm around Liara's waist.
"Would you like to join us, Mom?"
Hannah hesitates for a moment, but a quick glance towards her freshly engaged daughter gives her the assurance she needs. Nodding thankfully, her lips are curling with a small smile.
"Very much. Thank you, honey."
"... We used to make up these bedtime stories. She had her own ship and crew. The stories were always filled with adventure and danger."
"That's just like her!"
The three of them are sitting at their table and Liara is holding her fiancee's hand while listening to another childhood story. Her future mother-in-law happend to be a surprisingly pleasant companion; They spent hours chatting and eating, and the atmosphere is notably relaxed. Liara is really enjoying their time together, and Jane seems to approve as well.
Looking very thoughtfully at her mother's words, Jane rubs her chin and a little smile appears on her face.
"Oh, yeah. Huh. Haven't thought about that in awhile."
Hannah chuckles quietly.
"Me neither. You'd always swoop in to punish the bad guys to save the day. So... there you are. Even when you were little, you dreamed of the life you have."
Suddenly the grip around Liara's fingers tightens, and she notices a flicker of insecurity in Jane's eyes.
What is she so afraid of?
"I did, but... I'm going to resign, mom. As soon as the war is over. I know military service runs in the family..."
Oh...
The older woman seems to sense her daughters distraction and reaches out to stroke her shoulder.
"Shh, it's ok, honey, I'm not mad with you! You want to settle down?"
Jane glances towards Liara and nods confidently.
"That's wonderful! I've been waiting for years to see it happen."
It's obviously not the reaction Jane has expected. Not sure what to say, she's just staring at her mother, until the older woman takes pity on her.
"Jane, you're still my little girl. I wanted you to find someone you'd be happy with and start a family with her. A lifetime full of war and duty isn't something to be proud of, honey!
Watching you together with Liara and see how much you love each other... This is the happiest day I've ever had..."
Hannah's omnitool beeps with an incoming call and interrupts the touching moment. Reading the text message, the old woman knits her brows angrily and sighs frustrated.
"Well, that's what I was talking about... I'm sorry, that dumbass I call my X.O. is in trouble and I propably should go and help him out..."
Jane wipes her eyes and manages a understanding smile.
"It's ok, Mom, I understand. And... thanks."
Hannah's face softens and she stands up.
"I'm the one to thank you, honey. It was a wonderful evening. And... Listen, it's propably a little bold, but my shore leave ends tomorrow 18:00. Would you like to visit me at my apartment before that? Silversun Strip, 1027 A. I know you two lovebirds propably want to spend as much time in privat as possible, but..."
This where Liara breaks her silence and chims in. She's sure Jane wouldn't object.
"Gladly! Thank you for the invitation, Hannah."
Jane's mother smiles broadly.
"It's entirely selfish. I have to become acquainted with my future daughter-in-law, haven't I? But now I propaby should hurry... I'll see you tomorrow! And Jane? Keep her safe, ok?"
"Will do, Mom. Bye."
The old woman leaves the restaurant with quick steps, but not without turning around one last time and smiling at them. Liara watches her departure with mixed feelings. In the last months she was somehow afraid of meeting Jane's mother. But actually...
"I like your mother."
Jane wipes the last tears of emotion from her face and smiles.
"Yeah, me too... Thanks, Bluebird. For making me realise it."
Smirking smugly, she reaches out to grab a handful of her fiancee's red hair and pulls Jane closer to her.
"Well, I suppose that is something you should have expected from your fiancee..."
Jane understands immediately and starts to kiss her, but the very moment their lips meet, they are interupted by a nervous voice.
"Commander! Commander, this is urgent!"
Growling in frustration, they are turning their heads towards the source of the voice. Liara watches a woman in Alliance dress blues stumbling through the crowded restaurant. Jane notices her, too, and grumbles desperatly.
"Has the Alliance given order to interupt us whenever possible?! First Joker, then Traynor and now this! I know they are taking this 'fraternisation' bullshit serious, but..."
Liara chuckles softly, but she can't help but feel a little concerned by the look on the womans face. Arriving at their table, the Alliance officer begins to stumble hurrily while still gasping for air.
"Commander Shepard, I'm Staff Analyst Maya Brooks. Alliance... excuse me... Alliance Intelligence. There are people trying to kill you."
"You don't say..."
Wrinkling her brow markings at Jane's sarcastic quip, Liara decides to take charge.
"Are you trying to say there is a new party involved?"
The analyst sighs reliefed. Turning her attention towards Liara, she explains further.
"Yes. Someone is hacking her account. Comm channels, personal records... They are targeting her specifically."
Liara feels her heart rate speed up and activates her omnitool. Maybe there would be new information on the Shadow Broker network. Accessing her files she gives Brooks a sharp glance.
"Do you have intel regarding their intentions?"
This is the moment hell breaks loose. The analyst just opens her mouth to answer, when a small object on the ground slithers besides their desk. Jane is the first to react. She grabs Liara's arm, jumps across the table and barks one word.
"GRENADE!"
They are too slow. The small cylinder explodes the second Liara is on her feet and a flash of incredible bright light and noise is overwhelming her with irresistable force. When she finally hits the ground, she feels a sudden sting of pain in her shoulder, but, besides a nauseous dizzyness, it seems the only damage she has suffered.
My barriers where not fully up. Maybe some shrapnel from the desk. Flashbangs are not lethal, but they do explode...
Liara shakes her head to get rid of both the thoughts and the high-pitched noise in her auditory canals. Then another thought is hitting her like a charging krogan. Her vision is still blurring, but she doesn't care and starts shouting.
"Jane? Jane, are you all right? JANE?!"
"Shhh, I'm right here, Bluebird. I'm fine. Stay down."
Hearing Jane's voice, she is following the order and lays down flat to the ground. The sound of gunshots just a few meters away suddenly overtunes the noise in her head, and Jane seems to be in close combat with at least one enemy. Hearing the damp clashes of fists hitting a body, accompanied with a occasional huff originating from Jane, is almost unbearable. She wants to do something, but she's in no condition for it. Not being able to help the woman she loves is almost physically painful.
Then she notices the familiar humming sound of an omniblade and a jerky scream. Liara sighs in relief as Jane says one word.
"Sitrep!"
She lifts her head carefully and tries to see something between the blinding sparkles in front of her eyes. After a few moment of blinking she spots what she was looking for: Her fiancee has taken cover behind a broken desk and inspects a pistol. Liara swallows heavily.
"Shrapnel in my right shoulder and still feeling dizzy. Can't help you... I'm sorry."
Her fiancee raises her hand in a reassuring gesture and smiles at her confidently.
"It's ok, it wasn't your fault! Hang tight, Bluebird, I'll take care of those punks..."
"I love you!"
"I love you too, Liara."
Jumping over the table, Shepard opens fire immediately and soon Liara looses track of her. Distant gunshots tell her that Jane is still in the fight, but the suspense is killing Liara. Gritting her teeth, she starts to crawl towards Jane's last position. Taking cover at the table by herself, she glances around it's corner.
The next moment a scream escapes her lips.
Given the number of dead bodies, Jane's counter-attack was successful. She is just helping Brooks to escape into cover, when the enemies open fire again. The bullets are hitting short, but a loud crack fills the air and Jane seems to be frozen in place. For a second Liara is looking right into Jane's eyes and a sad smile appears on the red-haired womans face. Then, falling through the ground, she's gone.
"JANE!"
Liara jumps up and stumbles towards the place Jane vanished. The aquarium, of course. The aquarium hundreds of meters above the ground.
Goddess, no! No, not today, please Jane, not today...
The next moment a concussion round hits her dead on. Lying on the ground, she feels her consciousness slowly drifting into darkness. The last thing she sees is Jane bending over her body, a curious look on her face. But something is unfamiliar.
Her hair. Why does she have long hair?
Then she blacks out.
Yeah, cliffhanger! Don't worry, the next chapter should be there on sunday.
Next chapter: Liara in trouble, a paragon gone renegade and shaken confidence
And for all of you asking themselfs which memory startled Liara: Check out my first companion piece "Symbol of failure, sign of love".
