A/N: First off, I must thank Theodur for pointing out that asari would tend to experiment with other asari before "heading out". I have added a little – fluffy – conversation to resolve this error.

This is a bit shorter than I hoped; I cut a ton of dialogue as it was going around in circles. Please note that I edited this while quite tired, so it is likely that it contains errors – if you notice anything please let me know and I'll correct it!

Warning – there's some strong, bloody violence near the end – this is my little caution!

All stuff owned by Bioware etc.

9 – Enter Cerberus Part 1

Hotel Nuyan – one hour later…

"Liara, I have just thought of an odd question for you; if you don't mind?" They were both lying on the sofa – well Liz was and Liara was half laying on her.

"Yes?"

"I was just thinking about the discussion we had with Raven and the Councillor yesterday."

"What about it?" She felt Liara shift to look at her slightly; the rub of the asari's crests had tickled slightly.

"Well, I don't mean to be rude, so stop if I am." Shepard swallowed before speaking. "Well, you mentioned that asari and asari pairings are looked down upon…"

"Yes…"

"Well – I know it's an odd thing to be thinking about, but I was wondering how many aliens there are on the asari core-worlds. I mean there cannot be enough to…"

Liara chuckled and cut in. "We didn't explain it well for you did we?"

"Well I was trying not to offend any of you."

"If which I'm thankful for. Though to answer to you question is no, there are not that many aliens living on the core-worlds; certainly not enough for your chain of thought." Liara sat up and looked at her; Liara had a tinge of pain in her eyes. "I should explain that it is not the paring exactly that is the problem. When we mature enough to explore our sexuality the chances of there being an alien around is very small. Most asari explore themselves, sexual melding and the like from around maybe 60 years old."

Liara paused and looked away. "So when you said that you're a virgin, you meant with aliens? People like myself?"

"Well… most asari do… Goddess this is embarrassing…" Liara was blushing and looked ashamed.

Not liking that look, Shepard did the only thing she could; she wrapped her arms around her. "Hey! Hey, it's okay. I didn't mean to…"

"I know Liz, its just… I didn't explore myself or others. I focussed solely on my work and studies. I wasn't the exception but this is quite rare."

"Oh, I see. Well I certainly cannot fault that; you clearly wanted to do the best you could. You didn't want to... distract yourself; I guess is the best way of putting it."

"This is true."

"There is nothing wrong with that!" She leaned in and placed a kiss on the sensitive folds of Liara's neck. "But I'm making you go of track; you were saying?"

Liara leaned into the embrace with a small moan before she replied. "Well, put simply, it is not the asari-asari paring that has the stigma; it is the offspring of such a union. The conventional thought is that as both parents were asari, nothing is gained."

"No offense but that sounds foolish, maybe even bullshit; how the hell would asari gotten by before space-flight otherwise." She kissed her again.

"That is very true but it is the way my people think." Liara shifted. "Stop teasing me!"

"Sorry, I cannot help it! I'm trying to make up for making you uncomfortable."

"Well, in that case; I shall just have to use you a cushion for a while longer to get comfortable again!"

Shepard laughed and pulled Liara down onto her. "I won't complain about that!"

Hotel Nuyan Lobby – two hours later…

Liara glanced at Liz, who was leaning on the wall with her eyes closed. The human had eaten almost as much as her at breakfast. Some of the human food she ordered looked disgusting, some like that, what was it – bacon that was it! - smelled amazing. She'd asked to try some and found that she loved it. After asking if she could have a plate of just that, well she'd had gotten a few odd looks; though Liz just seemed amused.

Now though, she seemed a little distant.

"Are you alright Liz?"

She looked at her, eyes opening. "Yeah, I just hate this waiting."

"I know how you feel; I just want this over and done with."

"Well, hopefully it won't take too long."

Liara laughed. "You haven't been in a debate with a Matriarch have you? They take an age to get to the point; let alone make a decision!"

Thankfully that smirk had returned. "Ha! I guess I'll have to keep you entertained under the table then won't I?"

Liara felt the blush that followed Liz's words. "Goddess… part of me thinks that would be fun, even just to see the Matriarchs faces. But you shouldn't, could reflect badly on you."

"Maybe I'll have to tease you afterwards then?"

Before Liara could reply, a familiar voice swept in. "Oh Liz, don't tell me you actually slept with her!"

That blush had returned with a vengeance – it was Raven. "Oh Goddess…"

"Raven – bad Raven!" Liz wagged a finger at the older asari with a scowl on her face. "You know I don't sleep with people on the first date. Oh wait, fuck, sometimes I do; ignore that."

Liara slapped her shoulder. "You're making it worse!" And then she turned to Raven. "No Raven, we did not sleep together. In fact, she was quite gallant and slept on the sofa."

Raven looked surprised. "Well, I thought that you were an item… guess I was wrong."

"An item?" Liara was confused; again. She would have to study the various sayings of other races.

"She means that she thought we were in a relationship – which is why she thought we fucked last night." Liz took a bit of pity on her – shame about the crude way she put it.

"Liz, that is not very polite…"

"Oh my Goddess! You called her Liz!" Raven burst into giggles for short while; making her blush – yet again.

"I don't see why that is so funny." Liara looked them each in turn.

"Other than Karin, Raven and Anderson, most people call me Shepard or Commander." It was now Liz's turn to blush. "Basically, by calling me Liz you admitting to… admitting to liking me that way; to Raven anyway."

Liara gapped; she hadn't heard such terrible logic before!

Unfortunately, Raven took her the wrong – though technically the right – way. "Goddess; she does like you that way! You fucking sappy bitch!" Raven punched Liz's shoulder playfully.

"Sometimes I hate you…" Liz muttered – with a smile on her face.

"Well, to save us all problems. Yes, I do like her, as you put it that way." Liara could not help it, she crossed her arms. "I don't want to cause a problem with you though Raven."

"Why would you cause a… Oh, I see. Don't worry Lady T'Soni; I think it's wonderful for you both!" Raven smiled warmly. "I mean, I don't know how much Liz has told you about us…"

"Not a whole lot just that we were together." Liz supplied.

"In that case, I'll let her explain what went wrong between us in private later." Raven was still smiling. "I mean, we are still best mates but we're not together anymore." Her face had turned serious. "And don't worry; I won't mention any of this conversation in the meeting with the Matriarchs."

"Thank you." Liara smiled back.

"Come on then, we better get going."

Asari Consulate Meeting Room – A few hours while later…

For Shepard the meeting so far had been verging between boring and hilarious.

It was funny as, though both of the newer Matriarch's were putting on brave faces, but it was clear that they were on brink of – yet another – shouting match. She knew that they did explode again, and it was anything like the once that her and Liara had caught the end of when the arrived; then it would be, in a word, epic.

The boring part of it was that she had to sit through about an hour of opening speeches – thankfully she didn't have to say anything other than to confirm her name and Spectre status. To make it worse, they had then seen fit to bring up everything that had happened between Eden Prime and now.

For Liara though, some of it was new and it showed on her face. Part of her wanted to comfort her, but knew that would not be called for. Her earlier threat of teasing her under the table had been crushed. She swore that later she would find a way to help her relax though.

Right now, she just wanted things to draw to a close.

"We can all agree that some of the evidence showing Liara working with her mother is flimsy at best." Councillor Tevos had an almost resigned tone to her voice. "Perhaps we should ask the Spectre that currently has Lady T'Soni in custody, what she thinks of the situation?"

All eyes around the table – including Liara's – turned to face her; it was now or never.

"Well, I can honestly say that it is my belief that Li-Lady T'Soni had no prior knowledge of her mother's – The Matriarch – actions." She knew that she had to give some reasons for her words. "My reasoning behind this is simple. Upon arriving on Therum, the Geth were not very well dug in; they simply had not been there long enough to set up proper defences'."

"They did slow you down though…" One Matriarch – Juhe she believed started.

"Of course they did! We had to split our forces due to the lay of the land; dividing the Geth – who outnumbered us maybe six or seven to one – was the only way of making sure that any of us made it to mine where Lady T'Soni's dig-site was." Shepard leaned back on her chair slightly, scratching her chin. "The thing is, we had one tank; they had half-a-dozen armoured walkers and one huge thing that Tali'Zorah called a Colossus." She palmed the table lightly. "We made it through only because the Geth weren't expecting us; they were looking for Lady T'Soni."

"That makes sense... what about after you gained entry to mine; did you see anything off?" Juhe spoke up again.

"You mean other than the Geth being led by a Krogan? Nope." She made a cutting motion with her right hand. "If we had arrived a day later… well, Lady T'Soni would either had died of dehydration; the heat; the Geth or been taken away. Well, if they breached the barrier that she accidently activated."

"Well, she is a child…"

"How dare you!" Shepard snapped, her anger got the better of her; she gestured at Liara. "She nearly fucking died and you call her a child? How the hell would you react if you were alone, unarmed, unarmoured and had not used your combat training in fifty fucking years! She made a mistake it happens to everyone; hell, I've fucked up plenty on the battlefield!"

"How dare you speak to me that way?!" The Matriarch was angered as well.

"Then don't call her a child in front of her! Who gives a shit that she's younger than you? She's nearly four-times my age! Would you call me a child as well?"

"Human live-cycles are different…"

"That means fuck all. Liara has had more time than I've been alive to stuffy the Protheans. So have many of your older scientists and yet she's shown more knowledge than all of them; she dedicated herself to her doctorate. Lady T'Soni knows more about the workings of Prothean tech then you ever will!" She hit the table with her fist; hard. The bang resounded around the now still room. "Stop treating her like the fucking enemy. Saren is the enemy. Matriarch Benezia is his second yes; but are you going to paint her with same brush just because you want some of her family's wealth? And don't you try to deny it! I did some looking onto asari culture and the way your republics work!"

Matriarch Juhe looked like she'd been slapped with a tank-cannon shot. "I… Goddess." She looked at Tevos; who simply smiled.

"Well, I think that settles Spectre Shepard's position in this matter." The Councillor stood. "We have discussed things without the Commander present. Whilst her… unique way… of putting things is not what we are used to; she has reinforced the evidence we had seen and heard before." She gave a pointed look at both the other Matriarchs. "We will take a short break to get something to eat and drink. Lets reconvene in, lets say, two hours time. That will give all time to clear our heads I think. Then we can sign off on Lady T'Soni's inheritance."

Matriarch Juhe nodded. The other – Lidya – had said hardly anything for the whole meeting.

Two hours later…

Liara was a bit happier now, though Liz had not quite calmed in the time away, she was a little mellowed; and therefore approachable.

She was thankful for this; her language earlier was deteriorating rapidly.

"Okay, we are now reconvening this meeting to approve the early inheritance of a one Lady T'Soni." Councillor Tevos brought things to order. "The penultimate person to give her word is Commando Leni Tevos; who will be speaking on behalf of Spectre Shepard."

"Thank you Councillor. Matriarchs, I have known Spectre Shepard for, it must be getting close to three years now, which – whilst not a long time for an asari – is a fairly long time for a human." Raven had not stood but sat up very straight. "Rather than going through her deeds again, I will comment on her well I know her." She took a deep breath; this had to hard for her to do, knowing as she did that her and Liz had just started a fledgling relationship. "We met during the opening raid on the mercenary group 'The Bleeding Hearts'. Other than Lady T'Soni, all present know the outcome of this raid and how it went bad from nearly the start."

Liara was paying a lot of attention now.

"Due to parts of the raid being classified, I will keep this simple. The intelligence provided to both the asari commandos and the Alliance troops was… false. Given to us by the human group Cerberus, we though it to be correct. It… it wasn't. For twenty-four hours we held our ground against a force nearly ten-times our size. If it wasn't for Spectre Shepard distracting some snipers, getting to reveal their position… it would have been half that." She swallowed and glanced at Liz and her. "Spectre Shepard was hit by a sniper shot." Liara could not help the gasp. "I took a hit myself when trying to help her. We were pinned, too far away for the rest of our troops to reach us for most of the day. Both of us nearly died that day; no one can deny her courage."

"What of your relationship with Spectre Shepard after the event?" It was Lidya for once; Liara was trying hard to keep her face neutral.

"That happened when we were both emotionally low." Raven smiled. "I don't regret that it happened; it was an amazing time – when we could see each other that is. That said, we both realised that it wasn't simply going to work. It hurt us both to admit it; but we valued our friendship too much."

"And what of you Spectre Shepard; do you feel the same way?" Lidya asked.

"That is not relevant to this meeting, Matriarch!" Tevos stepped in. "You do not have to answer Spectre." Liz – perhaps wisely – only nodded.

"The point is…" Raven continued. "… that Spectre Shepard is probably my best friend –as humans call it – we would never hurt each other knowingly." Another glance at Liz, a little sad it seemed. "Spectre Shepard can be extremely violent at times; we all know this. However, the simple fact is that, if she considers you a friend – or an ally – she would die to protect you from harm."

"Thank you Commando Tevos." Councillor Tevos – Goddess that could get confusing – smiled and gestured at her. "Lady T'soni, do you have anything that you would like add, or any other points that you would like to raise?"

Swallowing a large gulp of air, Liara stood to speak to them as was custom. "I thank you all for coming here. I have nothing else to… sorry, no other points to raise on this matter." She winced internally; she was not very good at public speaking! "Though I would like to bring forward something that was glossed over during the main discussions; the Prothean beacon."

Councillor Tevos nodded. "Please continue."

"Well, as mentioned, I tried to assist Spectre Shepard with my knowledge of the Protheans. It occurred to me during the recess that the… vision she was imparted with might be incomplete. The parts that I can recall seem to be fragmented. It is entirely possible that somewhere – it is unclear as to where – there is likely another beacon with the full message. The beacon on Eden Prime didn't have time, or was corrupted, therefore could not give the full message."

"You mean that explosion that knocked me backward might have been a trap?" Liz asked with a frown.

"It is possible…"

"More than possible; the Geth could have rigged it with timed explosives." Raven had leaned forward.

"Or it could have overloaded from Saren's usage before; remember it had been sitting there for fifty-thousand bloody years!" Thankfully Liz had reined in her language a bit.

"I don't know about the explosives but the beacon would have certainly degraded from the years it was buried." Liara shrugged. "I'm not entirely sure…"

"The reason doesn't really matter Lady T'Soni." Councillor Tevos smiled warmly, despite the interruption. "What matters is that we either fine Saren or the other part of the message that the beacon was trying to pass on."

"Personally, I would like to stay away from more beacons; but I'll let another one brain-rape me if we can stop Saren." Liz looked glum – it was not the best news, which is why she hadn't told her earlier.

Liz could die and she didn't want that.

"This meeting of inheritance rights is now concluded." Councillor Tevos brought up her omni-tool and connected to Liz's and the two Matriarchs. "If we are all in agreement, then we can approve the early inheritance of the entire T'Soni estate to the rightful heir; Lady Liara T'Soni."

Liara felt the weight – a weight she didn't want to have to carry – lift from her shoulders as they all signed their approval.

Asari Consulate Café – a short while later…

Liara was watching Liz carefully. The human was still very angry. The time away had not cooled her down in the slightest. Thankfully the café was large enough that the object of her ire – Matriarch Juhe – was far enough away as not to antagonise her further.

The café itself was a semi-circular room; the entire curve of the main wall was made of glass that was partly obscured with frosted patterns of animals from Thessia. The back wall was half taken up with counter for food; open kitchens and toilet facilities. About three dozen circular tables – each could seat up to six or seven people – filled the rest of the room. The entrance was contained within the curve; a wide set of curved sliding doors.

"This whole thing is a farce!" Liz was fuming, Liara knew; the look on her face had not mellowed since leaving the meeting room. "Who the fuck do they think they are?"

"Some of the most powerful people in asari space, Commander." Liara knew she had to try to calm the woman down. "Whilst I thank you for your… vehement display back there to defend me; you should not alienate them too much."

Liz deflated slightly. "I know… I just… I just want them to stop being idiots."

"She is only doing her job Commander; you cannot blame her for that surely?" She tilted her head at the human with a smile.

"No, I guess not." Liz face-palmed, as humans called it. "I should probably say something; apologise."

"Whilst I would like for you to tell her to fuck off…"

Liz's eyes widened. "Lady T'Soni! How uncouth of you!"

"Uncouth? You know the meaning of the word?" She asked with a smirk; the human simply laughed. "Though, as I was saying; the polite thing, not to mention the best politically, would be to do so."

"Right… well, I better go say something then." She looked now ashamed of herself.

"I'm sure she will approve of you apologising; even if she still doesn't like you."

Liz stood up and wiped her brow. "Okay… wish me luck."

Liara watched her move carefully over to the other side of the café, stepping around a few tables. Clearly Matriarch Juhe thought she was in for another ear-bashing; going by the scowl at least. Though she could not hear the words that were said over the general noise of the café, it appeared to have worked. The Matriarch's face softened and she even extended her hand; which Liz took.

It was the right thing to do; Liz could harm her career if she made too many enemies that held the amount of power that Juhe did.

She noticed a few armoured figures moving past the entrance; non-asari figures. Her mind was worried right away – who were they?

One helmeted head poked into the room; white armour, with a streak of yellow.

Not asari that was certain.

"Who are yo…" Someone started to ask; only to be silenced with a gun-shot.

The sharp retort of gun made Shepard spring into action. Swinging around, she caught a glimpse of a asari guard – part of the entourage of one of the Matriarchs – falling backwards; part of her head was gone.

Looking up, she saw the white and yellow armoured figure clearly.

Fucking Cerberus!

The weapon was pointed in her general direction and she was unarmed and unarmoured. She did the only thing she could do. A biotic barrier was called up a moment before the gun fired again; bullets struck here barrier making it flare. With a yell, she sent the barrier crashing forward.

Glass exploded in thousands of shards and the armoured figure flew backwards; hitting the wall hard enough to snap their spine.

Liara almost screamed when the gun opened fire at Liz, it was only choked off as the woman – somehow - blocked the shots on a barrier. How she called it up so quickly she didn't know, her quick mind reasoned that Liz had seen so much combat that it more instinct than anything.

The power of the push Liz sent forth was… astonishing. She saw almost the entire front of the café… explode.

White and yellow armour hit the far wall with such a sickening crunch…

Now the front of the café was simply gone, Liara could see the other figures she had spotted. One – clearly human – was open-mouthed at the sight before him.

Liz moved, Liara could see a terrible fire in her eyes.

Whilst she did not know the reasoning behind such anger, Liz was unarmoured. The other figures were both armoured and armed. If Liz was not careful, she would killed before she could even do anything; let alone reach them. Thankfully for Liz, the shock had frozen them in place.

What happened next shocked and terrified her.

The human woman used moments of hesitation to her advantage; to wicked results. She used her biotics to lift the closest of the group into the air – which blocked the others from firing at her.

Using this, Liz charged into the group; the blast of biotics was violent – and loud – in the extreme. One figure was bent nearly in two as he or she struck a wall. Another figure barrelled into the others, scattering them like bowling pins. Yet another, even more unfortunate one – the human without a helmet one – struck a support pillar head first.

The poor man didn't die instantly, even as his skull was rent inwards; the almost popping-like noise made her feel sick. Three more of the group were left. The one hit by the charge was still one the floor, the other two were scrambling to get their weapons aimed at Liz.

Who didn't give them a chance to draw bead on her; she dove forward her biotics glowing around her. A few snaps told her that some shots had been fired; though Liz did not react. The one of the left flew backwards as more biotics flashed, she could not see what happened to him. As for the right-hand one, she knocked his weapon to one side, seized the collar of the armour. Liz hauled the woman's helmet off and drove her fist into the side of her head; which collapsed in a spray of gore that covered the walls.

The final figure on the ground stirred, only to be slammed down again.

Liara gulped, worried about Liz but repulsed by the violence on display.

She knew that Liz could be violent. Not only had Raven mentioned it, she had seen glimpses in the melds.

To see Liz's violent nature first hand…

It made her sick to her stomach.

A/N: And that is that. Hope you guys (and girls) like it! I struggled a bit with this chapter; I wanted Liara to feel warmth of her and Liz's infant relationship to begin with and to have some – if not all – of it eroded away by the end. Hopefully I got some of that across.

Right, I will be working on the next chapter of my other story before continuing this; the next update for this is likely a week away a least, maybe two.

Shameless self-plug: please read the (revised) opening to my other story! I have taken down the original first chapter with the intention of improving it and re-posting at a later date. This will be a while away from now, but it will be back (after the second part of the prologue).

Thanks again to everyone who reads; follows; adds to favourites and reviews!