Chapter Ten
Shepard opens her private terminal to ask Liara to come up. Then sits at her desk and pulls out a new model ship that she had bought just before their return to Earth. She hadn't had a chance to put it together yet. She holds the miniature Omega station up and smiles wryly thinking about returning to the Terminus Systems again. Fights in Council space, while not a walk in the park, are tame compared to the lawlessness of the Terminus systems. Not only are there the missions to focus on. The colonists, be they human or alien, are extremely distrustful of Council or Alliance ships and really don't like a Specter entering their space. The merch ships and pirate ships looking to make their fortunes often get in her way. Each thinking they'll be the one to capture the famed Normandy. Each fail without much effort on the Normandy's part. But they always slow her progress so much it drives her insane. She isn't sure how Joker keeps his cool dealing with the idiots.
She is putting the final touches on the station and setting it in the case when the cabin doors swish open to admit Liara. She is already fitted out in her Shadow Broker armor.
Liara gives Shepard a quick kiss in greeting, "Shouldn't you be in partial armor at least?"
Shepard looks down at her casual clothes. "We've got time." She pulls Liara close to her by her waist, "I've got better ideas to spend the meantime." She brushes the Asari's lips with her own.
"Kelly, we really don't have the time for that." Liara steps out of Shepard's embrace. "Truly, I'd like nothing more. but Joker says we're only about two hours from our destination."
Shepard tries again to sway her lover to her point of view, this time she pulls her close and trails kisses down Liara's neck. "Who says I need more than two hours. I'm game for a quickie." Her kisses raise goose bumps on Liara's skin.
"Shepard.." Liara sighs, trying to fight the desire welling up in her. "This really isn't-ah!" she exclaims in surprise when Shepard nips the soft skin just behind her ear. She fidgets trying to fight her body and think clearly. "Really, there's things that, need doing.." She's barely able to think straight, let alone talk as Shepard slowly turns her around to kiss at the base of her neck. Working at her armor clasps.
"C'mon Liara," Shepard whispers in her lover's ear, "You know you want this." She gets the neck brace off and slowly works the armor open and off of Liara. Trailing kisses down the bare skin as she strips more of the armor off. She smiles when Liara gasps and sighs in pleasure. She feels the moment that Liara's knees give way as she sags into her hold.
"Oh goddess." Liara moans. She turns around and slides Shepard's sweatshirt off, returning Shepard's kisses to her lips.
Shepard chuckles as she removes the last bits of armor. "I knew you'd agree." She slowly pulls on the zipper to Liara's under armor suit.
Liara is too busy undoing Shepard's belt to respond. As Shepard slides her hands under the shoulders of her under armor suit Liara slides her hands under the hem of Shepard's tank. Both suit and tank hit the floor almost simultaneously.
Shepard lifts Liara onto her desk to finish removing the suit from her feet. She takes Liara's foot and kisses up her leg, slowly. She pauses just above Liara's knee and looks up to grin mischievously at her lover.
Liara pulls Shepard's head up to hers, and pulls her close for a deep kiss. Grasping Liara's legs to her waist, Shepard takes her to the bed and lays her down. She stands over Liara and removes her pants. She leans over Liara on her hands and knees, and pulls the Asari to her by the small of her back. Liara gasps as Shepard begins to massage her. She pulls Shepard down on top of her. Where their skin touches fire erupts in her. Each stroke of Shepard's makes their bodies move in unison, wave by wave, she brings her lover closer to ecstasy. On Liara's next arch Shepard slides her hand around front and massages Liara just in the right spot.
Liara grips Shepard hard by her hair with one hand and digs the nails of her other hand into her lover's back. Her mouth opens in deep pleasure. She pulls Shepard even closer and locks mouths with her. Each bites at the others lips and tongues, savagely exploring their mouths.
Shepard increases her tempo and within minutes both women climax in beautiful unison.
Shepard gulps air into her lungs, trying to slow her heartbeat. She is laying next to Liara who has her head cradled on her chest.
Kissing the top of Liara's blue head she whispers, "Now, about that arming up?"
Liara chuckles as she sits up. "Let me guess, you want my help."
Shepard remains laying down, admiring Liara from this angle, "It would be more fun. I could do you."
"I think you just did." Liara gives Shepard's foot a playful shove as Shepard sticks her tongue out at her.
"Touché." She sits up and turns towards her locker. Sighing heavily she proceeds to dress in her body suit as Liara gets hers back on. She comes over holding Shepard's N7 chest piece. The two of them quickly buckle each other into armor. All the while exchanging little kisses.
"Commander." Joker comes over the intercom, "We're approaching Ferris Fields now. ETA in twenty."
"Copy that Joker, have Garrus meet us in the Cargo hold. Time to gear up."
"Aye Commander, Joker out."
Liara and Shepard descend the lift together and begin arming up for the mission. Shepard chooses her Paladin pistol and Valkyrie assault rifle. Liara chooses just her Arc pistol, preferring to rely on her biotics this mission. Truly, she wants to be as unburdened as possible in case anything happens to Shepard.
Garrus steps off the lift and joins Shepard at the weapons bench. He lays his M-98 Widow sniper rifle down on the table. "Poor baby hasn't been shot in so long. Could have issues." he grumbles.
"Then you'd best make sure there aren't any before we get dirt side." Shepard nudges him with her elbow, "Should've kept better care of your gear Vakarian. You're getting sloppy in your vaca."
He returns the nudge, only coming with his strength, its more like a shove, "Not all of us have such easily dismantled guns Shepard."
They both grin as Cortez comes around from the shuttle, "All is set and ready to go Commander."
"Load out." Shepard orders as her squad climbs aboard. She grabs her usual handhold as Liara and Garrus take the seats and hold on.
"What are we expecting ground side, Shepard?" Garrus finishes the last bit of cleaning on his sniper rifle. He looks down the sights towards the deck.
"What we know is that Cerberus cells are attacking and occupying colonies in an effort to gain top dog. We're here as fire support to push Cerberus back and out. If necessary we'll help the colonists establish a militia before we go to the next colony. In the terminus systems I doubt that they will need much help with combat training. But it never hurts to pass along some advice and supplies."
"Sounds like a good plan." Liara looks up at Shepard, "Are you ready for this?"
Shepard knows there's more to Liara's question than battle readiness. "We're here to do the job. There's no time for second guessing." Her commander voice and tone worries Liara. But she keeps her thoughts to herself, and vows to keep a close eye on Shepard. Glancing at Garrus she sees he's most likely thinking the same thing.
"Wheels down in 5 Ma'am." Cortez radios from the cabin, "Looks like at least a dozen contacts at the LZ."
"Copy that." Shepard responds, "Maintain radio connection. We'll call you for Evac."
Garrus stands and gives the door a double pound with his fist as the shuttle comes to a stationary hover. The door pops away from the shuttle and slides towards their right, aft of the shuttle.