A/N Italics are flash backs
Liara
I wanted to just focus on my feeds. But knowing both the Shepards and their wives were celebrating the marriage , it made a very real ache in my whole body go through me. I rubbed my swollen belly, I was barely halfway through the pregnancy but I already looked 8 months along. I couldn't leave for long, but I needed a break. "Hey Dad, I could use a break and someone to talk to. Can we meet?" I messaged Aethyta. "Sure kid, me at the café I'm off in twenty." She replied. I set Glyph to contact me with anything really important. I retrieved the T-shirt and sweats that Chey had loaned me until my new clothes would be arriving in the morning, and headed back to Apollo café.
I sat at my usual table, five minutes later my dad sat down net to me. "Hey kid. About what I said referring you and Shepard.. I am sorry it was not appropriate." She said. "It's fine Dad, once upon a time 'my panties would catch fire' as you said, for Shea." I said. "What happened with that, I know she is with Williams now, but I'm sure could have at least slept with her at one time." She says. I smiled fondly but it didn't quite reach my eyes. "There was never a chance for that, it had always been Ashley for Shea. Then I fell in love with a Quarian." I told her. "A Quarian really? They responsible for your current situation?" she asks looking at my belly. "Yes she is. Her name is Tali Zorah vas Normandy now. When we met it was Tali Zorah nar Rayya, and she was beautiful and a mystery for me." I said and began recollecting the first time we met.
"I was on Therum at a Prothean dig site, one of the other archaeologists came running up to me. 'We need to leave, there is a Krogan warlord and if you can believe it Geth overrunning the dig site. Her words barely registered, I was still trying to remember her name. We did our best to hide from them all. There were just too many, eventually we got separated and to protect myself I acted on impulse and activated a terminal. I had discovered the terminal and activated the security system. My arms extended out to my sides, like I was shackled to the walls. I was trapped. To make matters worse I could hear someone trying to break into where I was. At first I was afraid to speak in case it was the Geth and Krogan. I lost track of time, then I heard the elevator crash down and shots were firing. I had to speak, they could have been friendlies. 'Hello? Can you hear me out there. I'm trapped, I need help.' I said desperately. A beautiful dark haired woman in armor approached me. 'Are you okay? What happened to you?" She asked. " I was beginning to explain then a couple of woman stood at her side, one of them her hair dark brown and in a bun, glared at me. The other was wearing an environmental suit I recognized her as a Quarian. I was drawn to looking at her the other two women hardly a blip on my radar. Once I was freed we took an elevator up and I kept stealing glances at the two black haired females, one standing at 6ft the other at 5 and they were gorgeous, but it was the Quarian who struck me dumfounded. I didn't know what she looked like, but I had a sense she was even more beautiful the those two." I finished my recollection with Dad.
"So how did it go from the Shepards looks and Tali's to only being Tali?" Dad asks. "It was slow and progressed when we conversed more, both of us very curious about the other's race. But other then a kiss on her faceplate and one night just snuggling together was as far as it got. I was nervous because it would be my first time ever, she felt the same, but she had the added worry of her immune system. We couldn't take that chance, Shea would need her at full health at all times. After Shea died, we lost contact and I found no one else of interest to me, but I was also consumed with wanting to end the Shadow Broker. Shea found me on Ilium and she gave me the intel I needed to find him. With her, Chey, and Miranda's help we ended his tenure as Shadow Broker and began mine. A few weeks passed after Shea's initial visit and when I visited her on her ship. I had been working so hard barely sleeping or eating, there was just too much to sift through and I quickly learned I had no real future with Tali, I didn't want her to be just a quick fuck, I wanted to spend the rest of her life with me. I had resigned myself that I would just find one night stands if the need arose. I did not think I could give my heart away to anyone else until Tali had passed away. Shea tried so hard to get me to leave my feeds again, she had no luck. I didn't even pay attention to when she left. The next thing I knew I was face to faceplate with Tali. I sunk into another memory.
"Liara, you can't keep going like you are. If you burn yourself out how will you help Shea." Her words got me thinking closer to her line of thought. "Besides I was hoping for a little time with my favorite Asari. I have missed you so very much." She said. "I missed you too, but there is just so much to do. So much information to sift through." I had said trying to ignore the feelings her voice ignited in me. I faced my feeds again, and was in my own little Shadow Broker universe. I heard a hissing sound and felt arms wrap around me. I got those pleasant chills again. I felt lips on my neck and my skin pimpled. "For me Liara, please take a break, eat something, nap, watch a movie with me." I turned into her arms and freaked out a bit. "Tali, you'll get sick put your faceplate back on." I pleaded. "Not until you agree to come with us for a bit." She said. Her pale skin and silver eyes stopping my heart and breath. Her unmasked voice causing me to shiver in complete desire. "Okay. Please as much as I think you are stunningly beautiful, put your mask on. I don't want you to get sick." I said again.
She nodded and placed her mask back on and pressed a button on her Omni tool. "Start moving doc." She said. So I did. "You really think I am stunning?" she asked. I blush and merely nod, forcing my brain to remember her face and what her actual voice sounded like. A myriad of very naughty thoughts swept through my mind as well as some very arousing images." My dad looks at me expectantly. "No Dad. I will not be sharing those with you, ever." I told her firmly. "Oh fine. Continue on then little wing." She said, I smiled. "Mom used to call me that all the time. It's nice to be called that again." I said. "Then instead of kid, I will call you little wing, but only in midst of family and friends. Please continue your love story." She prompted. I took another sip of tea and cleared my throat.
" I ate lunch with the whole crew, with the exception of Ashley having been informed of her reaction to Shea's resurrection and subsequent temporary alliance with Cerberus. We excused ourselves after we finished eating and retired to her room. I was shocked to see she had a copy of Vaenia, I had never seen it, but it was the talk of every Asari maiden, I have ever met. "Have you watched this one yet?" I asked her pointing to the movie selection screen on her data pad. She stuttered a bit nervously. "N-no I haven't. I wanted to but it just didn't seem right to, you know without you." I smiled. " Shall we then?" I asked. Unfortunately I didn't last past the first 15 minutes my exhaustion finally overcoming everything else. I woke up a couple of hours later my head still resting on her shoulder as we lay on her bed. "I am so sorry Tali, was the rest of the movie any good?" I asked. "I don't know I turned it off after you fell asleep, I have just been enjoying holding you. Liara.. I need to tell you a couple of things." She said nervously. "Of course Tali what is it?" I asked. "I have been wanting to say this to you since before Ilos. I.. umm.." she takes a deep shaky breath. "I love you Liara T'Soni. I have loved you since we returned from Feros." She said. My heart raced so fast it was almost like I was having a heart attack. "Please say something.." she said more terrified and nervous then before. "I am sorry, I was absorbing it." I looked up to her. "I love you too Tali Zorah nar Rayya.. I have wanted to say and hear those words for years." Our fingers entwined." Dad had this silly grin on her face. "Then you two mind fucked right?" she says. "Dad!" I shout. "Not right then, but we did that night when I returned to my base and more." I said smiling.
Shea
"There's a Reaper in my way Wrex!" I shout at him over the radio. "I know you get all the fun." He said. "If he thinks this is fun, he should do it. Shit! Gotta run faster! If I dies my wife will get Miranda to bring me back to life again, so she can kill me. Fuck! Fuck! Brute. Bloody hell a lot of Brutes. Just keep running Shea." Just keep running has become my mantra. After dodging weaving in and out of Brutes, I make it to the first Maw hammer. "No time to breathe. Just keep running." I tell myself yet again. When I first got to Tuchanka I had wished Chey was with me, but no given what I was going to do, I'm glad she isn't. I wasn't quite sure how she would take meeting the Mother of all Thresher Maws. I hoped where ever they were they were safe. Ash is on the citadel, she is relatively safe, as is her mom and sisters.
I stared transfixed at the sight of the maw and the Reapers battle. Once I saw the reaper taken below the earth I ran as fast as I could. "Shea, I can't disperse the cure from here I have to go up there." Mordin pointed to the tower. "Eve resting. She is weak, but will make a full recovery in a couple of days." He said. "Mordin. Please!" I begged knowing his death was sure if he went up there. "I have to Shea, or everything we've done will be useless, sacrifices in vain. I have had a good life Shea. I am ready." He said. "I'm not." The tears well into my eyes. He hugs me. "I'm sorry Mordin." I say through my tears. "I'm not. Have something for you." He hands me a memory stick. "My story. My observations on my experiments. One you may find of particular use. Successful experiment on two women having children without the need for male donor. Lawson will understand it, ask for her help. Honored to have fought by your side." He said. I watch him enter the tower, but I have to leave. The whole building is starting to come down.
Eve and Wrex stand side by side, and it looks almost right, and I know if Mordin were here with them it'd look perfect. I wonder if there was anything I could have done to save him, if Chey had been here maybe she could have put a barrier around them and saved him. But I looked at the tower, they would have died in the fall even if the barrier had been strong enough to protect them from the explosion. "We will honor his sacrifice. Maybe name a kid after him, one of the girls." Wrex said. I can't even find the energy to smile. After our conversation and subsequently learning Eve's name was Bakara, the Krogans celebrated, and I could not. Not yet at least. I return to the Normandy, and after a couple of hours of crying and passing out, the next day begins. I return to my usual rounds. I head into Allers cabin. She wants to interview mw on this. "Commander Shepard you cured the Genophage and secured an alliance between the Turians and Krogans. What are your thoughts on this?" she asks. I sigh.
"I may have implemented this chain of events, but it wasn't me who secured the alliance with the cure. It was Mordin Solus. He was the one who did that, I just made sure he could." I said. "That's still quite the accomplishment. "she says. "There are some who believe that the ability for the Krogans to have more children will at some point risk the Galaxy again?" she asks. "The Galaxy is still at risk from the Reapers, but in the future, no I don't see it becoming an issue. They have great leaders to steer them away from that. The Krogans have earned a cure." She asks a couple more questions, but then I need to excuse myself again. I needed to report in to Hackett. My foot steps seem heavier then ever again. "Another friend lost because of this fucking war, and the damn Reapers. This shit needs to end." I tell myself. I contact Hackett, he offers condolences and praises, and all I feel is exhausted further. "I need Ash." I decided I would go back to the Citadel. I needed a little time and the comfort only my wife could give me.
Liara
After her chat with Hackett both Garrus and I notice she is far too exhausted, we discuss who needs to tell her to rest. In the end I ask Garrus to and I will take over the ships command while she rests. The whole crew mourns with Shea, after getting to know Mordin, they feel his death too. I know where we need to go, she needs Ash and the Salarian councilor had wished to discuss something of the upmost importance. It damn well had better be support in the war. I get a ping from the Asari high command, one of their colonies has gone silent. They had sent some Commandos to investigate but they had gone silent too. I reply with an "I'll ask her." They reply. "Please try and convince her to go." I sigh. "All I can do is ask. It is ultimately up to her. What is so important about this colony?" I ask. The reply is swift and vexing. "Classified. We can't tell you, we're sorry." They want us to help, want me to convince Shea, but they give me nothing in which to help. I contemplate on not even bothering Shea with this. "They don't want to talk maybe I didn't either." I hear a voice in my head. Its Tali telling me that I shouldn't be so petty, something to help in the war can come of it. I sigh again. I know I will tell her, after she sleeps.
After four hours Shea is back down. "Are you rested well enough?" I ask her quietly. "As well, as I can right now. We headed to the Citadel still?" she asks. "Yes we should be there in the next within the hour." I reply. "Ok, thank you." She says. " You are welcome. I need to get back to my feeds again, at least for an hour, then a nap I think." I reply. "Ok sounds good." She replies, with a nod I head to my room for a bit. Sifting through the reports, I notice a couple of my agents haven't checked in. It's understandable comms have been going in and out lately. It could also be the Reapers. I check the areas they are at and see that there was a whole host of Reaper signatures. All I can do is pray to the goddess that they are safe and comms are the only problem. With one final check I see the Quarians are still very silent. I feel close to giving up, that they are ok, that she is ok. I rub my belly again and decide that I need to lay down again. I head to my bed shut the glass doors and curtains. I set the room to sterilize and lay down. My precious moments with Tali lulling me to sleep.
It felt like I had just closed my eyes when I was gently shook back awake. "I'm sorry Li. I know you had probably just fallen asleep, but I need you to take charge of the ship again. Cerberus has invaded the Citadel. I need to go down." Shea says. I nod she helps me sit up and I rub the sleep from my eyes, get up and follow her to the CIC. "Radio check?" Traynor says as they are in the drop shuttle heading down to CSEC. "Reading you loud and clear Traynor. Helmet cams?" Shea asks. "Good to go Commander." Traynor replies. "Alright time to move people. Keep in comms and watch your sixes." Shea says. The door to the shuttle opens and we can see the verifiable shit storm on the station. Fires are everywhere, innocents are gunned down with no preamble. It's a war within war. Will all this bloodshed ever end. I think sadly.