Chapter 9
Shepard tried to ignore the dull throb in her head as she buttoned up her dress uniform. Looking in the mirror, she had to straighten her tunic more than once to get it to fall right. Liara usually took care of that for her with careless effort, commenting on the inept fashion sense of her commander. The spectre felt the absence of her mate keenly. She sighed and thought of another few more days apart from her soulmate. While she was looking forward to seeing her mother, she would be anxiously awaiting her asari's arrival. The spectre desperately hoped her mother liked Liara. She highly valued the elder Shepard's opinion and would never admit how nervous she was at the thought of their meeting.
Those thoughts were overcome by new concerns as she opened the bedroom door. Hearing soft voices in the kitchen, she tried to quietly make her way past them to the elevator.
"Not so fast, Commander," Ashley's tone was amused.
Shaking her head at being so easily caught, Shepard turned back and went into the kitchen. The gunnery chief's smile faded as she saw what the spectre was wearing. Shepard's frown turned to a smile as she noticed the intimate atmosphere in which the human and asari were sharing breakfast.
"Guess you saw the sunrise, huh?" she asked her friend.
Ashley's only response was a furious blush. She mouthed a response, but no sound came to her lips.
"Good morning, Commander," Shiala graciously cut in, ending the awkward moment for her new lover.
That gave the marine time to recover and voice her indignation. Quite loudly.
Shepard cringed at both the volume and content of her friend's rant.
"First of all, can you keep it down a bit? Someone was distracted last night and let me drink way too much." Ashley examined the floor with that comment.
"And I really have no idea what this is about, only that it's important. It probably won't take too long and I'll be on the next transport to Earth." Shepard finished the statement strongly, looking like she was mostly trying to convince herself.
At that moment, the comm chirped again and Shepard quickly answered. Ashley strained to hear the conversation, but could only get half of it.
"Yes, sir, I'm on my way… Yes, sir, I think I can find her." A pause, then she continued. "It may take me longer…..Yes, sir….Very well, sir…Be there shortly."
Shepard disconnected and glanced up to her waiting audience.
"Um, Ash," she began, "they want you too."
"Nooo," the gunnery chief slumped at the news.
"C'mon," the commander encouraged. "The quicker we get this done, the quicker you can be back here and I can be on my way."
Ashley's head snapped up at that comment and she started to protest. The commander smartly cut in.
"And before you even start, Ash, Liara would have my head if I didn't make sure you two stayed here while you're on the Citadel, so don't even argue."
The marine's mouth opened and shut quickly, bringing a smile to the asari's eyes.
"So, there is someone that can quiet her," Shiala quipped, eyebrow raised.
Ashley's face flashed sullen, then broke into a grin.
"Don't you start taking lessons from her," the marine cautioned the asari.
"C'mon Ash, I think I have an old uniform you can wear. I'll go find it." Shepard headed back to her bedroom.
"Great, just great," the marine muttered, and turned to follow her friend.
Then she stopped, glanced back and came to the asari's side, lightly taking the violet hands in her own.
"Shiala," she began, waiting for the spectre to be out of earshot, "will you stay?"
"That depends, Chief Williams," she said with a cautious smile.
"Depends?" Ashley asked, crestfallen.
"Yes. It depends on whether or not you will be returning."
The playfulness of the asari's answer brought a smile to the marine's lips. With one thought, they came together and shared a lingering kiss.
"Ashley..." the commander called from the other room.
The gunnery chief and asari reluctantly parted, both with a smile and spark in their eyes; an unspoken promise hung in the air. The chief hurried away, hearing the urgency in the spectre's request.
As usual, they had plenty of time to talk in the elevator, but the silence went unbroken for a long while. Shepard was the first to cave in, her curiosity overcoming her worry.
"So, how was it?" She asked the marine, causing her to blush again.
"Umm," the chief was at a loss for words and looked away.
"I understand completely." The spectre said with a smile, saving the teasing for a later time.
Hanna Shepard could hear the musical laughter of the asari and the playful response of children. She turned the corner to see Liara crouched down, surrounded by a group of youngsters. If not for the laughter, Shepard would have been concerned. But the asari interacted with them at their eye level, quietly responding to the barrage of questions being thrown at her. She seemed slightly embarrassed by the attention, but was handling it gracefully.
Seeing her beloved's mother approach, Liara stood to the dismay of the crowd gathered around her.
"Hi Commander Shepard!" one of the little boys from her neighborhood greeted her.
"Hello Josh," she replied, happy that she remembered his name. There were so many children now, a new generation claiming the area.
"Can we play with Liara later?" he asked.
"I'm afraid she's only here for a short visit," Hanna answered.
A chorus of "awwws" came in response, but the crowd dispersed.
"The only asari they've ever probably seen have been in vids. You'll be something of a legend here by the end of the day."
"Your young ones are very curious," Liara commented. "And very forward," she added in surprise.
Shepard just laughed. "Hope they were respectful or I'll have a word with their parents."
"Oh, they were fine, Hanna," the asari answered quickly. "Just so very different from our young. And there are so many of them."
"I'll try not to let them overwhelm you again," Shepard laughed. "But if Terran were here, she'd be playing with them I'm sure."
"Does she return here often?" Liara asked.
"Not anymore, Liara, neither of us do." The older Shepard looked out thoughtfully. "Our life is in the stars now."
Shaking out of the somber mood, Hanna smiled at the asari and her evident delight in the variety of food in the market. They spent the early part of the morning shopping and running errands. Everywhere they went, the youngest greeted Liara with amazement, the older ones with cautious curiosity. Shepard was sure this visit would be remembered.
Returning home, Liara helped to put away their purchases with a simple ease that told volumes of her level of comfort with her surroundings. After a simple snack, they sat at the table sipping a new tea Hanna had purchased for her special guest.
Liara was the first to voice the concern that had been growing in both their minds.
"Hanna, do you not think she should have called you by now? I believe she should be on the transport arriving this afternoon."
"Don't worry, dear," Shepard said with a confidence she didn't fully share. "She said she'd be here for dinner. She didn't give a time. She'll be here."
They chatted away the rest of the morning, with only an occasional glance in the direction of the cron.
Ashley and Shepard visibly relaxed when they realized that Councilor Anderson was meeting them alone. He greeted them with a smile and waved them over to his conference room. On the center table was a box and an envelope.
"I'm sorry to trouble you during your leave," the councilor said as soon as they had shut the door, "but I'm afraid I have an assignment for you."
Ashley responded with a barely audible groan. Shepard noted her mentor's serious manner, but there seemed to be a twinkle in his eyes.
"Please sit, both of you," he instructed, noting their stiff stances.
Taking their places, he joined them at the table and looked at each of them before continuing. The ex-Captain noted the commander's red eyes and the chief's distracted glances. He wondered what he had taken them away from. With these two, there was probably a good story to be had.
"It seems our recent dilemma has been resolved, Shepard," he said, trying to prolong the suspense.
The commander straighten in her chair, Anderson had her attention.
"The Prime Minister was not very happy with the Alliance brass. I guess no one bothered to tell him the promotions he requested were never conferred."
The high councilor paused, watching for his words to register.
"Sorry that we decided to keep this low profile, but I suggested we let them keep some degree of dignity, even though they don't deserve it."
Anderson rose from his seat and picked up the envelope, spilling its contents into his palm.
"Congratulations, Captain, Lieutenant, you've been promoted."
At this announcement, the councilor broke into a grin and circled to their side of the table. Instead of the standard handshake, he hugged both of the stunned women.
"Ashley, speechless? Amazing," he said with a smile.
Then he noticed that the new captain did not share his mirth.
"No conditions, sir?" Shepard asked.
"None. Well other than that assignment I mentioned."
The spectre waited, face held emotionless. Anderson picked up the box and handed it to her.
"Sir?" she asked, uncertain at where he was going with all this.
"Those are the insignias and letters for the others in your crew that you nominated for promotion. Someone has to tell them."
Both Ashley and Shepard let out a collective breath they didn't realize they were holding. They looked at each other and laughed.
Two hours later, they emerged from the conference room they had commandeered, leaving a poor secretary to ship the letters and insignias. It hadn't been easy to track everyone down, but they had finally managed to spread the good news to all. Striding down the hallway sporting their new bars, they finally thought to congratulate one another.
"So, I guess I know how you're going to celebrate, Ash," the spectre teased her friend. Then she sobered as she looked at her cron.
"Oh no," she muttered and broke into a jog.
"What's wrong?" Ashley asked, breathing heavy as the spectre picked up the pace.
"That…" Shepard pointed at the empty transport bay as they came into the transportation center. Her shoulders slumped as she came to a walk, then stopped in front of the schedule.
"That was the last transport to Earth today. My mother is not going to be happy." Shepard's tone was dejected.
Ashley thought of another person who was also going to be very disappointed.
"Why don't you just call and let her know what happened, she has to be proud of the Alliance's newest captain." Ashley tried, but didn't sound very convincing.
Punching an entry on her comm, Shepard waited impatiently for a response that didn't come.
"Where is she, Ash?" the spectre turned to her friend.
"Um, Liara?" the new lieutenant answered slowly, mind spinning.
"Yes," she said, trying the communication again. "She never ignores my calls."
"Maybe she's just busy," Ashley countered weakly. "Why don't you call your mother?"
"Because I want to talk to Liara. Do you know where she is or not?"
"Yes, I know," the marine gave in. "But I can't tell you."
Shepard glared at her friend, but her response was cut off by the beep of her comm.
Ashley breathed a sigh of relief, saved for the moment.
Liara looked at her comm, tenaciously chirping. A look of panic came over her face.
"What's wrong, Liara?" Hanna stiffened in her chair.
"It is Terran.."
"So, just talk to her." The elder Shepard did not see the issue.
"I cannot. She will know where it is broadcasting from. I do not want to ruin the surprise." Head down, she noticed the call's origin.
"She is still on the Citadel," Liara announced, looking at the cron. "She must have missed the transport."
Finally, the chirping stopped.
"That's not like her. I wonder what happened, " Hanna commented.
A minute of silence was broken by the comm once again coming to life. Liara was pained as she again ignored the urge to hear her lover's voice.
"I'll find out what's going on," Shepard said, getting to her feet. She initiated a call from her central comm.
The speaker hissed as the call was signaled through the relays. Not many have interstellar communication systems in their homes, Liara thought abstractedly.
"Hello, mother," a hesitant voice answered the call.
"Hello, Terran, I was wondering when I should start dinner, dear."
"Um, I have a bit of a problem," the new captain stammered, feeling like a child trying to come up with an excuse. Well, the truth was as good as anything.
"I got called in this morning for a meeting and I missed the transport. Sorry mom." Hanna Shepard tried to hide her disappointment, but before she could respond, her daughter interrupted.
"Wait mom, hold on a minute."
Shepard turned sharply at Ashley's prodding and followed her friend's frantic pointing. A transport was pulling into the bay. The pilot expertly banked the ship and a friendly face waved through the front viewport. The external speakers crackled to life.
"Hey there Captain, need a ride?" Joker asked. "Just got word from an old friend that you might need a lift to Earth. C'mon, jump in. Meter's running."
The spectre's comm picked up the announcement perfectly and the anxious pair on Earth sighed with relief. Then the younger Shepard came back on the line.
"Sorry, mom, I guess I will be there for dinner. Gotta go. Bye."
The transmission dropped with an audible click.
Liara and Hanna looked at each other in question.
"Captain?" They both exclaimed at the same time and laughed.
"You sure Liara is OK?" Shepard asked, still concerned at her inability to track down her partner.
"Yes, don't worry, I've got everything under control, Cap'n," the marine responded.
"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of," Shepard's tone was lighter.
"Take care and relax a bit," Ashley hugged her friend in parting.
"You too, Ash, behave yourself, you're a lieutenant now, gotta show some restraint," Shepard responded with a smirk as she walked to the ship's open door.
"Not on your life, Captain," Ashley answered with a wave goodbye and a grin on her face as she headed back to the asari waiting for her.
