A/N: Another nod to the inspiring invention of Rae D. Magdon. Rae, you rock. :) Yep, you guessed it, this chapter is a bit on the naughty side. Not too much though.

Chapter 8 - A Worthwhile Purchase

Year 2191 CE
The Citadel, Serpent Nebula

Spectre Morgan Shepard was sitting cross-legged on the bed, blanket wrapped around her legs and covering up to her midsection, as she was completely immersed in studying a certain datapad, trying to calculate the total cost of the purchases on Matriarch Aethyta's list. She didn't even react when Liara entered the apartment together with Shiala, the asari commando carrying a tray with covered plates of food.

"I cannot believe I am pampering you so much to allow you have breakfast in bed," Liara grinned, watching Shiala place the tray next to Shepard, while Morgan slowly pulled the blanket up to her chest to cover herself. Even though living on Thessia meant that she had lost some of her inhibitions, making sure she didn't feel uncomfortable or self-conscious in front of Shiala, she didn't feel like showing herself off to others on purpose.

"And I cannot believe that your father wants to part with eighty thousand credits for her sex toys," Morgan grumbled, briefly putting the datapad down and reaching to grab a toast and softly boiled egg spawned by some kind of chicken equivalent.

"Eighty thousand credits?" Liara blinked, also surprised. "She did not mention it would be this costly. I mean... of course, we can afford it, but... it is just surprising."

"Yeah, there's this one... item that is particularly expensive," Shepard elaborated further. "Fifty-five thousand credits... what the heck could make a dildo so expensive? Is it hand-carved by naked volus maidens, engaged in a ritualistic dance during a full eclipse of the star Aru?"

Liara let out a sharp bark of laughter, stepping closer to the bed. "Can I see that?" she reached out for the datapad, Shepard shrugging as she passed it over to Liara, now too focused on devouring her breakfast, realizing that her research of Aethyta's list of curious implements had left her starving. Starving for food, that is, she added mentally.

"Oh... I have heard about this model, Shepard," Liara spoke up suddenly. "It is very... advanced. It provides..." she leaned closer to Morgan, her voice becoming a whisper as she finished the sentence.

Shepard froze minutely, having heard Liara's words, slowly placing the toast back down on the tray, turning towards her bondmate with a disbelieving stare in her eyes. "You're kidding, right?"

"I am completely serious, the sensory feedback is..." Liara leaned closer again, whispering the rest of the sentence in Morgan's ear.

The stunned, disbelieving stare was now accompanied by a slight twitch in Morgan's cheeks. "The... hell?" she eventually managed. "It lets you do... that?"

"That and more," Liara grinned, quietly elaborating in Morgan's ear again.

For a while, Shepard simply sat there, looking slightly catatonic, Shiala and Liara beginning to exchange worried glances. Then Morgan reached for the datapad again, pulling it away from Liara with trembling hands, starting to type something on it.

"What are you doing, Shepard?" Liara asked, sounding a little concerned.

"Oh, nothing... nothing much," Morgan answered after considerable pause. "Just some... last moment adjustments." She reared her head, looking at the asari commando standing a little away at the window, appearing a little amused. "Shiala, dear, I'll need you to do a little errand for us... well, for Matriarch Aethyta, really. Run by Morlan's 'famous emporium' and pick up all this stuff, would you?" she said, throwing the datapad to the commando who nimbly caught it in the air. "By the way, how did things go with your girlfriend, she reacted well to the melding?"

"More than favorably," Shiala beamed happily. "In fact, she could not get enough of it. She took an almost scientific interest in it, wanting to explore more and more different aspects of it... I was a little relieved when she finally passed out."

Shepard burst out in laughter, Liara also smiling broadly. "Yes, those scientists..." Morgan added, giving Liara a wink. "Insatiable types, I hear..."

"Mistress Liara, the things I must learn about you," Shiala dared to tease, together with Morgan sharing a laugh when Liara blushed adorably. "Anyway..." the commando said, having checked the datapad Morgan had tossed to her. "I can take care of this, if you're willing to trust me with such large sum of credits."

"Of course we trust you, Shiala," Liara spoke quickly. "How much do you need?"

"I've got this covered, Liara," Morgan said, reaching out to grab her credit chit from the nightstand and throwing it to Shiala, who once again caught it deftly.

"One hundred thirty-five thousand," Shiala read from the datapad.

"What? That's not what you said at first!" Liara protested. "No... wait a moment," she said, slowly starting to realize just what 'adjustments' Shepard had made to that list. "Oh... I see!" she eventually managed, giving Morgan a very intense, appreciative stare that sent exciting flutters through Shepard's stomach. "A wise decision, Morgan... most wise," there was that special tone in Liara's voice now that almost forced Morgan to forget all about her breakfast, chase Shiala out of the apartment, drag her bondmate to the bed and do unspeakably wonderful things to her.

"So... there's no mistake?" Shiala asked, one more time, just to make sure, ruining the intense moment between Shepard and Liara. "You really want to spend all these credits on sex toys?"

"Well, you can't argue with Matriarch Aethyta," Shepard shrugged. "Besides, I'm always happy to help enhance the reputation of the asari people as the most sexually depraved species in the Council space."

"I just bet you are," Liara gave Morgan a mildly admonishing stare, before looking back to the other asari. "There is no mistake, Shiala," she said. "Please, do take care of it now, we will be ready to leave by the time you return with those... purchases."

As Shiala nodded and quickly left, Shepard returned to her neglected breakfast, pouring herself some orange juice and drinking it, muttering something between the sips that sounded suspiciously like 'better be worth all those credits'. "So... what have you planned for us today, Morgan?" Liara eventually interrupted her, seeking some kind of distraction.

"Well... you've definitely taken care of your publisher, yes?" Morgan asked one more time. The evening before Liara had explained to her that she had managed to sweet-talk the volus into accepting her proposal, the publisher unable to refuse Liara's generous offer to fund the advertising campaign for her own book, dropping the request to 'sex up' the Prothean research, insisting only on some minor changes that Liara was all too happy to make.

"I wrote to Karin that we would like to see her and Chloe, and she said that they might sneak out of their clinic for an hour or so to meet us for lunch," Morgan explained. "There's a small but comfy tea shop next to where they work, apparently."

Liara immediately broke into a smile. "That is a wonderful idea, it will be lovely to spend some time with them," she nodded.

"And after that, I need to speak with Kasumi..." Morgan said, still deep in thought about that conversation, wondering how to make her sales pitch more convincing. "Later in the evening, we are free to do whatever we want, I have nothing on my schedule. Aria and the girls would have arrived, but from the way Tevos was acting yesterday... she'll want them all to herself for at least a few days," she added with a chuckle.

"I would not mind a quiet evening... just for the two of us," Liara said idly, but with a hint of promise.

"Mhm, yes," Morgan nodded distractedly, trying her best to ignore the tone of Liara's voice. Much as they loved their child, Lita had on countless occasions interrupted their amorous fun and games back on Thessia, inadvertently causing some stress and frustration for her parents. With Lita back on Thessia with Aethyta, the distractions were completely removed and their sex drive had returned with such vengeance that Morgan felt it was actually more of a sex overdrive. Sometimes it took only an innocently spoken word by Liara, the way she looked at Morgan or a sudden movement, to ignite the spike of need in her, and Liara felt exactly the same if the past few nights were to be taken as any evidence.

Because of how much they had gone through together already, Shepard also now and then tended to forget that Liara was still a very young maiden, and despite her more serious disposition compared to other asari of her age, very much welcomed regular sexual activities, which was something that Morgan was all too happy to participate in. However, she did not necessarily want Shiala returning from her shopping trip and finding her and Liara writhing naked on the carpeted floor, in the bed or pressed firmly against the wall, with Liara's legs wrapped around her waist. Damn it, now I'm doing it to myself! Morgan cursed silently, shaking her head to wave the mental images away, with relief noticing that Liara had retreated to watch the Citadel News Network while sitting in one of the comfy chairs nearby.

Shepard had just taken the breakfast tray away and finished dressing, fastening the last button on her leather jacket, when Shiala reappeared in the apartment, casually putting two large bags with her purchases in the corner, Liara and Shepard pointedly making sure to ignore them for now. Morgan only noticed that the bags were printed with Morlan's broadly grinning face which seemed to be saying 'There's a sucker born every minute, and you're right on time!'.

Ten minutes or so later, Shepard was sitting side by side with Liara in the speeding skycar, steered by Shiala, Morgan checking on the location of the tea shop that Karin had given her, passing the address to their asari driver. The small establishment was ran by a human, by his appearance Shepard figured the wizened old man's ancestors probably hailed from India or somewhere in that region. Considering that this was a tea shop, Morgan thought it was an encouraging sign.

It was not difficult to notice Dr. Karin Chakwas, the small establishment only held four tables to serve visitors, and only two of them were actually occupied at the time. It was, however, surprising to find that Karin was meeting them alone, Shepard had understood that Chloe Michel would be joining them as well.

"Please accept heartfelt apologies from Chloe," Karin said, having hugged tightly both Shepard and Liara. "She truly wanted to meet you, but then she got an urgent message from her mysterious paramour, asking her out and she could not refuse... ah, to be young and in love!"

"Mysterious paramour, huh?" Shepard chuckled. "Any idea who it might be?"

"She is being very tightlipped about the whole thing," Dr. Chakwas admitted reluctantly, acknowledging her defeat in coaxing more information from her close friend and business partner. "I only know that he's a turian."

"Dr. Michel does have some fascination with turians, it seems consistent with her attraction towards Garrus," Liara nodded, watching as Karin poured them both some tea from the pot she had ordered earlier. She gave an experimental sniff of the sweet aroma, nodding approvingly before taking a small sip, immediately breaking into a delighted smile.

"I'm sure you will discover her secrets in time, Karin," Shepard smiled. "How is your clinic doing? Are you happy there? You did say that you much preferred to serve on ships... I was surprised that you even accepted Chloe's offer, surprised, but pleased."

"To be honest with you, Shepard, I have enjoyed it far more than I expected myself to," Chakwas admitted. "Perhaps it is me getting on in years... perhaps it is the experience of Rannoch... but I feel as if something has changed, and for now I feel content working with Chloe in our clinic. It has been very enjoyable and rewarding."

"We are very happy to hear it, Karin," Liara said happily, reaching out to pour herself more tea, having already finished the first cup.

"Are you keeping in touch with our people here on the Citadel?" Morgan asked. "I've met some of our old friends, but there are still some we haven't heard of."

"Oh yes, I meet the others regularly. Admiral-... I'm sorry, Councilor Hackett calls me regularly, and we have dinner together at least twice every month. The poor man has such challenges to face in his new post, I hope it does him well to sometimes unburden himself to someone. And they do say that we doctors are good listeners."

"Yes, I spoke with Steven yesterday," Morgan nodded. "I might have a solution for at least one of his problems... uh, sorry, I think that's classified, though," she added hastily, sensing Karin's questioning look.

"Fair enough, Shepard," Chakwas said, calling the proprietor of the shop over to order another pot, seeing that Liara was determined to finish the first one off all by herself, completely enamored with the flowery taste. "What about Jeff, is it safe to mention his name to you?"

"Of course," Morgan replied, a little bitterly. "I know he's still serving on the Normandy. How is he doing?"

"I won't deny, it's been a struggle," Karin sighed. "He is still very conflicted with what happened between you two, he goes through periods where he is being crushed by guilt over what he did, then something happens, and he begins to blame you again... it's a vicious circle. I think it would help him if he knew that you forgive him."

"Yes, I'm going to deal with that... soon," Morgan said unhappily. This particular vacation was supposed to be all about happiness, relaxation and sexy times with Liara, she didn't particularly wish to drag up these old ghosts that stood between her and Joker. I'm going to be back on the Normandy soon anyway... I'll deal with it then, surely a few weeks here and there won't matter, she then decided, knowing that she was being cowardly, and thus not feeling much better.

"What of the others?" Liara asked, wanting to distract the lingering gloominess. "Lieutenant Cortez is still posted on the Normandy, yes?"

"Yes, such a wonderful young man, I am very pleased that he seems to be so happy and radiant these days," the shadow of unhappiness instantly cleared from the face of Karin Chakwas. "He has found a regular partner, an Alliance engineer, and they have been together for three years now. He tends to stop by the clinic now and then and brings me flowers and candy for every birthday. Such a lovely young man, as I said."

"Yeah, he's really just a... nice guy. Doc, it's like you once said about Jenkins... it's people like him that make the Alliance great," Shepard smiled. "I think it applies to Steve perfectly."

"Indeed. Oh, and I have not even mentioned Ken and Gabby yet," Karin said, shaking her head as if to reprimand herself for forgetting. "It was my pleasure to deliver Gabriella's baby three years ago, and I'm happy to say that she's pregnant again."

"I imagine she has trained Mr. Donnelly into an exemplary bondmate by this time," Liara remarked with a grin.

"Exemplary husband, but yes, you are right," Chakwas chuckled. "Here, I should have several pictures of them together," she said, fiddling with her omni-tool for a bit until finding the relevant images. "Well... actually I have several hundred of images... there's something about young parents and compulsive need to exchange baby pictures," she added meaningfully, causing Shepard and Liara to share a guilty look.

"Now, that is a cute baby," Shepard admitted, having stared for a while at the first of the pictures that Karin brought up. "Not nearly as cute as Lita, but still cute." She couldn't stop herself from smiling as Karin continued to show her more and more pictures with Gabby holding her child, looking radiant and beautiful, Ken posturing proud like a protective peacock over them.

"I have noticed quite a few humans wearing garments like Gabby has on," Liara remarked, making Shepard chuckle.

"Yeah, I noticed she's very fond of short skirts when not wearing a uniform... but she does have very nice legs to pull it off," Morgan grinned. "How come the asari don't have something like that? Or you had and it just went out of fashion? I mean, you do have the legs for it."

"No, the asari people are too dignified to wear something with the sole purpose to titillate others," Liara replied with faked haughtiness. "We are not so shallow as to form our relationships based on physical attraction."

"So that outfit that you put on last evening... that wasn't very dignified, now was it?"

"That was because you asked me to put it on, which only serves to show which one of us is shallow, Shepard," Liara huffed, then bursting into giggles as Morgan gave a despondent sigh.

"See what kind of abuse I have to contend with every day?" Morgan turned to Karin, the good doctor busy wiping the tears of laughter from the corner of her eyes.

Suddenly, another voice rose over the table as someone approached them. "Hey Shepard, Liara!" Kasumi almost bounced up to them, looking surprised to notice Karin as well. "Dr. Chakwas! So good to see you too!"

"Ah, Kasumi," Chakwas smiled up at the master thief, pulling up a chair for her and urging the woman to sit down and pour herself some tea. "I never did thank you properly for those supplies of cipoxidine that just mysteriously showed up in our clinic overnight."

"I am sure I have no idea what you're talking about, Doc," Kasumi chuckled, delicately taking a sip of her tea.

"Of course... but you needn't have bothered, we are well stocked and can afford everything ourselves," Chakwas admonished the young woman.

"Hey, it's not like I stole them," Kasumi replied defensively. "I was with Jondum when he went to retrieve some intel from a destroyed salarian frigate, drifting lost in space. Figured I'd raid their medbay for something useful."

"Can't fault Kasumi for doing that, I think it was the right call," Shepard nodded approvingly, looking at Chakwas, Karin having to admit defeat, thanking Kasumi again, before checking her chrono and realizing that she should shortly rush back to the clinic to cover for Dr. Michel. The last few minutes together were spent by Karin Chakwas interrogating them about their life in Thessia, showing keen interest to find out how Shepard was coping with the cultural differences, as well as asking at length about Lita and the various habits the baby was developing.

After Karin had left them to hurry back to the clinic, Kasumi wasted no time to jump Shepard with a direct question. "Alright, Shep, what's up?" she asked. "You wouldn't have just asked to see me alone unless you had something in mind. Nothing good, most likely!"

"Actually, I think it's something excellent, Kasumi," Shepard grinned. "I have a once in a lifetime opportunity to offer for you! I have found employment perfectly suited for you, you make your own hours, the pay is stellar, and you have the license to shoot anyone that gets in your way."

"I'm not sure that's exactly accurate, Morgan," Liara intervened.

"Shush, I'm making a sales pitch here!" Morgan hissed back at her bondmate.

"Ha ha, that's very funny, Shepard," Kasumi glared at her. "I've been suckered by you twice now. Yes, I know, fool me twice, shame on me... but that was the last time I'm getting recruited by you, Shep!"

"Hey, I can't lure you in to fight Reapers anymore, because they're all dead," Morgan shrugged. "Now, stop being ridiculous and just listen to what I have to say." Grumbling, Kasumi dropped her protestations and assumed a more serious expression. "I spoke with Hackett yesterday. He's desperate to have more human Spectres. I... dropped your name."

"You... you did what?" Kasumi gasped.

"I dropped your name, and Hackett said he wanted you for Spectres," Morgan said. "I'm sure you know all about Spectre perks from Bau, right?" Kasumi nodded eagerly at that. "You could end up working with him on some missions officially, that would be fun, right?"

"Hmm... it's tempting..." Kasumi relented a little bit. "I'll need to think about it some more..."

"Hackett wants Miranda too," Shepard decided to drop the bomb. "Wouldn't it be awesome to work together with Miri again?"

"Yes! Oh... wow, he really wants her too?" the petite thief seemed a little overwhelmed now. "Damn it, Shep... you're making one hell of a pitch... so what did Miri say?"

"Eh... I haven't quite gotten around to speaking with her just yet," Morgan shrugged, then smiling optimistically. "But I'm sure she'll agree. Especially if you come along with me and tell her that you're joining up and then we both convince her how much fun it will be to work together again, traversing the galaxy, fighting the bad guys and looking cooler than Blasto while doing so."

Kasumi turned to Liara, giving the asari a disbelieving stare. "How does she talk me into these things, Liara?" she asked, a little desperately, Liara's only reply being a smile and a shrug. Kasumi could only shake her head at that, starting to laugh, Morgan and Liara exchanging amused stares before breaking into laughter as well.


"Liara?" Morgan whispered, as the two of them rested naked in each other's arms on top of the sheets, neither bothering to cover themselves, not feeling nearly exhausted enough to call it quits for the evening.

"Mhm, yes, Morgan?" the asari purred, nuzzling against her in a highly distracting manner.

"Are you really fine with me going to Khar'shan?" she asked softly. Morgan had broken the news earlier during the dinner, and Liara hadn't appeared particularly surprised. She hadn't blown up about it either, in fact, she seemed to be taking it in stride, more so than Morgan herself, but Shepard still couldn't be sure whether Liara's mild reaction wasn't simply because they were in a public place and she didn't want to start some drama in the open.

"Well, I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little worried, it is a very volatile situation in a hostile location," Liara replied earnestly. "I trust that our friend the Shadow Broker will be able to give us some intel that you will find helpful. And... there is one more thing that you could do that would make me feel more at ease."

"Anything for you, my lovely Blue," Shepard said, bowing her head a little, planting a few tender and distracting kisses along Liara's neck.

"I know this is the kind of reconnaissance mission that a Spectre usually undertakes alone, but-"

"Liara, forget it, I am definitely NOT taking you along-"

"Not me, silly," Liara chided softly. "I want you to take Shiala with you. She is very skilled and experienced, and she is sworn to protect us both with her life. You will not regret it, I promise... and it would make me feel so much better."

Morgan was quiet for a moment, thinking. And the more she thought, the more the idea started to actually appeal to her. Shiala was, like Liara said, skilled, experienced and trustworthy, and given that she didn't know most of the new Normandy squad, she began to feel that having at least someone friendly like Shiala alongside would be a good idea. Besides, I know I can always trust her to watch my back on ground missions, if we're going to see any action.

"Very well, I'll take Shiala. It was an excellent suggestion," Morgan finally agreed, immediately finding herself being kissed more passionately, eagerly responding. "I'm just... very impressed... and slightly disbelieving that you're not putting up more protests about the whole thing," she remarked a while later, when Liara's kisses became less frantic, allowing her to speak.

"Shepard, this is what you do, what you are, and the reason I fell in love with you," Liara said quietly. "You go out there and you solve problems... and I do not think I should try to change you into something you are not. That's... just not what loving someone is all about."

"I will try my best to react the same way, should you ever want to go back to your scientific pursuits, love," Morgan replied, cradling Liara slowly. "You're right... I don't want either of us to feel caged and restrained in our relationship. And I know you will never make me feel neglected... your awesome mind reading skills won't let us fall into that trap, anyway."

"I will make sure of it," Liara promised. "I am constantly astounded that so many humans assume that selfishness and possessiveness are natural components to love. It pains me to know that someone in the galaxy would think and accept this as normal... I simply cannot comprehend such reasoning. I understand where it comes from, though... from the fear that this wonderful gift of love might be somehow taken from them. Morgan... every time we meld, I have tried to reassure you that no matter what happens, that is something that you never need fearing. I will never stop loving you... you know that, don't you?"

"I... I do," Morgan breathed out, feeling a tear escaping the corner of her eye and rolling down her cheek, following Liara's earnest words. And she found that she agreed with every single word that her bondmate had spoken, there was this deeply rooted belief stretching to the very depths of her soul, strong and unshakable, she simply knew that Liara would never leave her, never forsake her for someone else or stop loving her. Because of the feelings passed through their bond, and everything that they had gone through together, Morgan knew she had been freed of this fear that Liara spoke of. Liara was truly her one constant in this galaxy, and Morgan embraced her even tighter, starting to kiss the asari deeply. "I love you too, Liara... if it even needs to be said, anymore..."

"Perhaps not... but it's still nice to hear now and then," Liara laughed in-between the kisses. They broke off a while later, resuming idle cuddling, until at some point Morgan caught the asari staring at something. A small box stood placed on the nightstand, illuminated by the artificial lights of the Presidium outside, Morlan's happy face on the side of the cardboard. "So, Shepard... are you feeling brave?" Liara asked in a sultry voice.

"Uh... maybe?" Morgan managed, feeling thankful for the darkness of the room so that Liara could not see how furiously she was blushing from the mere thought about the contents of that particular box.

"We didn't just spend over fifty thousand credits to simply leave it standing there unpacked," Liara whispered, gently nibbling on her earlobe. "You want to use it, Morgan... I know you want to..."

"...why do you even think... that I should be the one making use of it..." Morgan protested weakly.

"My dear Shepard... I am but a lowly and helpless scientist, while you are the hero who saved the galaxy," Liara spoke seductively, again assuming her innocent and extremely arousing voice. "I want you to take me, I want to feel you move over me, to know your strength..."

Shepard let out the breath she had been holding for what felt like an eternity. "Gods, Liara... you sure do not play fair..." she sighed, reaching out to pick up the box.