A/N: Due to popular demand, please enjoy a slight change in my normal structure for this chapter :-)


Shepard quietly entered her cabin after she had finished her rounds. She, like everybody else, was tired from the seemingly endless battles of the day but she wanted to check on Liara, who was understandably in a worse shape than the rest. Whispering Liara's name to check if she was awake, the sight that greeted her lit up her face with an affectionate smile. Liara had fallen asleep in bed whilst reading, the datapad plastered against her face. Warm memories flooded her, and as she had done countless times with her sister Joy a lifetime ago, she rescued Liara from the offending object, instinctively reaching to tuck the errant lock of hair behind her ear, stopping both at the inappropriateness of the gesture, and the fact that Liara had no hair. Or ears.

She gazed at the sleeping woman for a long time. When she was awake her face was twisted with the realities of what was happening to her and her family, but right now she looked like the young woman she was. Her features were delicate but containing an underlying strength, like some of the old noble families of Earth. Her skin was a lighter shade than many of the Asari she had met, and in the dim light of the cabin the unusual scaling looked all the more pronounced. Glancing down at her exposed shoulder, she realised the woman was bare underneath the blankets. She had to restrain herself from jumping up and vacating, just as she had earlier when Liara had stripped down while Shepard cleaned her wound.

The feelings were tearing at her. She knew she was woefully inexperienced when it came to romance, and knew that now was definitely not the time to be thinking about broadening her horizons. To top it off, she was conflicted at the notion of being attracted to an Asari. Her being an alien was slightly strange, but what bothered her more was that she was female, or near enough. Shepard held no prejudices in either regard, but had simply never found women attractive, preferring the stronger forms of men. And yet, Liara's curves under the thin sheet were giving her stirrings not any of the women she had trained, lived and worked with during her military career could have managed.

She should not allow herself to be distracted like this. Getting so attached would only cause pain, when she had to choose between Liara and another crew mate, when she had to decide who to send on what she knew would be a suicide mission, when she took a risk she could not handle to get Liara to safety. Only a matter of time before somebody died because she was too busy thinking about her own selfish desires.

The maelstrom of conflicted feelings still whirling through her, she took a final look at Liara's beautiful, sleeping features, then silently left the room.


Shepard's team sat in the six chairs set in a circle around the communication room, with the woman herself standing by the screen at the back.

'Does nobody have anything?'

It had been two days since Noveria, two days of fruitless research, chasing down dead end leads and growing frustrations. Benezia's information had given them an idea of where to start: the previously lost Mu Relay, but the relay led to dozens of systems and without a better idea of where they were actually going, the search could be weeks or months of fruitless trial and error.

Tali gently pitched in. 'I have heard reports of Geth in the Armstrong Nebula, perhaps we could investigate...'

'We've heard dozens of reports like that Tali, we can't go chasing them all down. We need something more concrete. Besides, we could spend weeks hunting Geth and it wouldn't bring us any closer to completing the mission. We need to find a lead on Saren, not his lackeys.'

Her voice had a hard edge, and Tali shrunk a little under the scrutiny. Visibly taking a deep breath, Shepard's next words were softer.

'Sorry Tali, I shouldn't have snapped at you. I know you wouldn't tell me unless you're convinced it's important. Tell me about the Geth.'

'O-OK Shepard. Thank you. There have been scattered sightings of Geth in each of the systems in the cluster. There are also reports that the Geth are acting strangely; hiding and biding their time rather than just attacking as they usually do. I got in touch with Alliance Command and they are going to investigate, but they said if you think it is important to your mission they will allow you to go in first. I think that considering how consistent the reports are across the cluster, and the fact that the Geth are acting strangely, it is worth seeing what they are doing. We know that Saren is behind most of the Geth attacks in one way or another; if they are planning something substantial there may be useful intel to pick up.'

She was twisting her hands furiously as she spoke, a habit Liara noted was only present when she was speaking. In front of an engine or in the middle of battle she would act as though she was born into it.

'Thanks Tali. That sounds like it's our best lead right now. We'll check out one of the reports and see if it leads to anything. Joker, set a course based on Tali's data. Everybody else, if the data is good I'll be taking you down on a three man rotation; Tali, Liara and Kaidan first, so get some rest. Dismissed.'

As the crew filed out of the room to their bunks or the armoury, Liara glanced back at Shepard. She was staring intently at the representation of the Galaxy map on the screen, and as she watched the woman brought her hands up and massaged her temples. Liara stayed out of the others' way, and when the room was empty walked back and placed a hand on the woman's shoulder.

'Liara. How are you doing? Are you sleeping well?'

'Yes, thank you Faith, I was going to let you have your cabin back tonight. In truth I am more worried about you. It was... most unlike you to speak to Tali as you did.' The woman winced at her words, knowing them to be the truth.

'I know Liara, it's just all starting to get to me. Do you know that both Wrex and Garrus have come to me asking to run on a personal detour for them? When Tali said that it sounded just like she wanted it too... I'll apologise properly to her later, she didn't deserve that.'

'They asked you to do something for them? What did they ask? What did you tell them?'

'Wrex has been looking for a family heirloom for decades. He recently learned that a merc has it, and he wants me to stop off to "liberate" it. Garrus told me about a criminal that got away during his time at C-Sec-'

'Doctor Saleon? He told me about him as well.'

'That's right. He found him and wants to kill him. I told them both the mission was too important, that it will have to wait.'

'Do you really think that?'

She sighed, and turned towards Liara. Her dark eyes were troubled, and her normally tightly bound hair was looking slightly dishevelled.

'I don't know, Liara. It's normally so simple for me. I do the job, everybody gets a medal, I get patched up and promoted in time for the next one, leaving most of the old team behind. I haven't ever felt as close to a crew as I do you and the others.' She sounded genuinely frightened by this. Liara knew she had difficulty in forming friendships, that she used her professionalism as a defence against the kind of hurt she felt after Mindoir. 'I really want to help them, but I feel like it would be admitting that... what we have is more than just a professional relationship, that it would be the start of something a lot more. And I don't know if I can do that.'

Liara gave her a smile, one she hoped would reassure her, just as Shepard's mere presence reassured the rest of them.

'Look at the team you have built, Faith. A repentant Krogan mercenary. A renegade C-Sec officer. A young Quarian exploring the Galaxy. Your human military crew, working with a team of aliens. We all trust you, as our Commander and our friend. Whether you have realised it or not, we are not an ordinary crew, and our relationship passed purely professional some time ago.'

Shepard looked down, and when she looked back she had an endearingly shy smile on her face.

'You forgot the beautiful scientist.'

A heartbeat.

Did she just say that?

Shepard looked as shocked as Liara felt at the words.

'Erm...'
'I should...'
'Yeah...'
'I'm just going to...'

Liara could not say who spluttered what, and once more Shepard's skin took on a pink hue. Liara looked into her dark eyes for long moments, and saw the turmoil, the fear, and something else, something more primal, behind it. She felt the familiar tickling at the back of her head at the sight. After what could have been seconds, minutes, or longer, Shepard cleared her throat.

'Thanks for the talk, Liara, I need to go. I'll think about what you said.'

Her brain still in a daze, Liara's response made little sense to her own ears.

'I will think about what you said as well.'

Shepard turned a deeper red, and left the room, walking a little faster than normal. Liara groaned as she thought back to what the Commander had said to her, that she would now "think about".

'Goddess, I am so dense!'


'By the Goddess, is it always like this?'

Karin Chakwas looked over at the young Asari and gave a sympathetic nod.

'I'm afraid so, Liara. You don't have to stay here if, you look worse than you would if you were down there.'

'No! No... I want to stay. I need to make sure they are ok.'

They were sitting together in the medical bay, watching the medical feedback from the ground team's suits. The marvellous technology allowed the doctor to monitor the state of the crew, and suitably prepare the medical bay for whatever injuries were received on the ground. Shepard, Williams, Wrex and Garrus were currently on the ground, wiping out another Geth force.

Liara was, rather obviously, focused on only one feedback. The young Asari's fascination with the Commander was rather charming to watch, and the doctor had barely restrained herself from giving Shepard anything more than a gentle teasing when she had slept in the medical bay for several nights after Noveria. It was clear she cared a lot for Liara as well, but was considerably more conflicted about it. Her time as a military doctor left a lot of unhappy memories; it was good to see something positive in the world, even in the midst of battle and death. Normally fraternisation on a military vessel was frowned upon, but she had seen enough death to be of the opinion that life should be embraced whenever possible.

Shepard's heart rate suddenly spiked, and the feed noted a localised dose of medi-gel.

'Oh! What does that mean? Is she hurt?'

The doctor looked at the scrolling text and sighed.

'I'm afraid she's been shot. Again.' Liara blanched, and Karin quickly reassured her.

'Upper arm, it doesn't look too serious. Do you want to help me get the medical bay ready for when they get back?'

'I... I think I need to do something to distract myself. How do you do this, every day?'

'Practice, dear. It never gets any easier, but it helps to know that many soldiers still have their lives because of me.'

And many, despite your efforts, do not.

When they finished laying out the necessary equipment to treat a gunshot wound, Chakwas noted that the heart rates were dropping, meaning they had probably finished their mission and would be heading back.

'They are on their way back now, Liara.'

Liara still looked nervous, and she felt a rather maternal affection. Caring for so many soldiers had hardened her somewhat, and the gentle Asari was a pleasant relief from the gruffness she usually encountered.

'I will leave you to your work, Doctor, I shall wait in the lab.'

She stopped the woman from turning away and gave her a smile.

'I don't think the Commander will object to your presence.'


'Commander, if you insist on getting yourself injured every time you go out, people will start thinking it is an excuse to have me look after you.'

Shepard's injury was not severe and she would regain full use of her arm in less than a day, but for now she was bound up and needed help with any task that required both hands, such as tidying her hair. Liara was sitting on the bed behind her, thoroughly enjoying the unusual sensation in her fingers as Shepard gave cues on how to tie it the way she liked.

'I thought having you sleep in my cabin would put a stop any rumours like that!' She sounded genuinely outraged; Liara was thrilled to discover that the woman had a wonderful sense of humour that she rarely let out.

'You make a fair point.' She gently brushed the bandage, trying not to think that a couple of inches were the difference between a flesh wound and a fatality. 'What happened this time?'

'I got a little cocky with a Prime unit. Turns out they can spin around at the hip, did you know that? It got me as a slipped behind it. Luckily Garrus was able to fry its shields, and Wrex actually tackled it. Pretty impressive really, you should have been there.'

'No doubt that would be too much excitement for me.'

'Don't kid yourself, T'Soni, I've seen you fight. You love squashing those tin cans.'

Liara felt blissfully happy at how comfortably she and Shepard were joking with each other. She was concerned about things being awkward after the talk in the communication room, but her fears were quickly put to rest at how the Commander's face had brightened, almost imperceptibly, when she saw Liara was waiting for her in the medical bay.

After a moment of comfortable silence, she spoke again, the joviality mostly gone from her voice.

'I thought about what you said, Liara. I've decided to help Garrus and Wrex. It shouldn't take more than a day to hit both targets, but that isn't really the point. You're right, this crew is different, is special, and I want to show how grateful I am to them for sticking with me. You should have seen the expressions on their faces when I told them. I didn't think Turians could smile but I swear Garrus was trying.'

'That is wonderful news, Faith, will we be going straight away?'

'No, Tali's intel on these Geth was good, they are definitely up to something and I want to know what it is. I'll have Alenko lead the rest of you on the ground to clear out the next base. I have a question to ask you, Liara, about Garrus.'

'What is it?'

'When we get to Doctor Saleon's ship, Garrus is going to want to kill him. I don't want to interfere in what will be his mission, but I want your opinion.'

Liara knew the young Turian struggled with his ideas of justice, but believed that he was a good man.

'I think you should have Garrus talk to him, then let him decide. I do not doubt that killing him will feel like justice at the time, but it may lead to a dark path if he continues. If he kills even one innocent it may destroy the good in him and drive him to bitterness. Talking with him will force Garrus to confront the feelings he has, rather than simply indulge them.'

'I agree. I can see where he comes from in his arguments; it sounds like C-Sec has even more regulations than the Alliance, but they are there for a reason and it isn't to let criminals get away. Most are there for the protection of the officers as much as those around them. I'll take your advice, Liara, thank you.'

She smiled.

'I'm sure we will come across something valuable for Tali at some point, as a gift for her pilgrimage. What about you? Is there anything the easily distractable SPECTRE can do for you, Liara? You've been through so much since I dragged you into this mess, and I wish there was some way I could make it up to you.'

The only things she could think of, were terribly inappropriate.

'You are kind, Faith, but I do not wish anything.' Another thought occurred to her. 'Well, perhaps you could answer a question?'

'You're a low maintenance girl, Liara. Go ahead.'

'What do you plan to do when this mission is over?'

She fell silent, for quite some time. Apparently the thought had not occurred to her.

'You know, I'm honestly not sure. I know hardly anything about the SPECTREs; I assume the Council will want to give me some proper training about what my duties involve once this mission is over. I hear some of them don't even get missions; the Council trusts them implicitly to wander the Galaxy, following their own leads and doing what is necessary. But I'll probably get a few more missions like this before that happens. I will probably also get some briefings from the Alliance since they like to keep close tabs on me. I imagine it'll all be a bit dull for a while. Why do you ask?'

'What about the crew?' Liara's heart started beating faster as she realised what the conclusion of this conversation, started as mere curiosity, would be.

'It's up to them, really. Tali will want to go back to her people, and the Alliance will probably want the Normandy and her crew, including Kaidan and Ashley, back. Wrex, Garrus and yourself? I honestly don't know. Is there somewhere you want to go?'

'I...'

You can do this

'If you would not object, I would like to stay with you.'

'You... want to stay with me? Why? What about your studies?'

'For most of my life, I have been battling to get funding and recognition for something people do not care about. The only time people took notice was when I unearthed some technology that could be replicated and sold. The last few weeks, however... difficult... they may have been for me, I feel that I am really making a difference, that I am helping people. I feel like I have a true place in the Galaxy. Helping you, a SPECTRE, is a worthy life to live, I believe.'

Sitting as she was behind her, still toying with the woman's hair, she could not see Shepard's expressions and had to fight the absurd urge to turn her head to see what she was thinking. She was almost glad the annoyingly perceptive woman could not see her, however, as she may judge that what she had just said was not the whole truth.

'You have seen I am not incapable in a fight, and I hope I displayed some competence in information gathering regarding Noveria, and-'

'You don't need to prove yourself to me, Liara.' She sat back, and met Liara's eyes. Liara hoped the trembling she felt was not obvious to the woman.

'If you're sure that's what you want, I'd love to have you at my side.'