Chapter 9: New Journeys Begin; Part 1
It was to be a rough morning. Liara had known that the inevitable was coming and was now greatly regretting the fact the she hadn't spoken to Shepard sooner. He was still in bed asleep; one thing he loved about his retirement was his ability to sleep in. If she allowed him, he would sleep for 2 days straight without knowing. It was something many Asari went through, having a thousand year lifespan adds to the ability to stay awake longer and sleep in for several days with no problem. While tempted to leave their home while he slept she knew he would be angry and would find a way to follow her. It had been several months now (almost three) and Liara felt it was time to uphold her promise to Javik. She had promised him that he would take his corpse to a sole planet in the Cronian Nebula. She had gotten into contact with Kaidan weeks earlier and he had agreed to take Liara there on the Normandy as soon as his Spectre business on colonies in the Traverse System cleared up; he had informed her two days ago that he would await her in the docking port at Thessia today. Liara was nervous because she now had the difficult task of telling Shepard she was leaving for about a week and that he wouldn't be allowed to accompany her.
While Maelon said that his body was recovering steadily he was still weeks at the very least from wearing any form of armor and picking up arms. She knew that Shepard would insist on accompanying her to the Cronian Nebula insuring that he was in perfect health. She heard John's alarm clock go off and felt her heart beat rise as she heard him groan as he turned off the alarm clock.
This is it, she thought to herself. No turning back, I just have to look at him and lay down the law. She heard him walk out of their bedroom and into the kitchen. He was in his robe and smiled as he saw his bond mate awake in the kitchen. He was however surprised to see her in her armored jacket, knowing that she only war that if she thought she'd be going into combat. What's going on here? He thought to himself. Ignoring his thoughts he walked behind his bond mate and wrapped his arms around her waist affectionately. She jumped, surprised by his touch but then wrapped her arms around his.
"Good morning," he whispered as he kissed her gently on the cheek.
"Good morning John," she said worriedly but smiled at his touch regardless.
"Are we expecting any trouble today?" he joked as he gestured towards Liara's outfit. Her heart stopped momentarily as he got right into her worries. She turned around slowly in his arms and wrapped hers around his neck gently.
"John listen, we need to talk." At those four words Shepard's face paled slightly as his smile changed into a small frown.
"You're not leaving me are you?" he asked in only a half teasing voice. Liara stared at him in shock and surprise at his question and said immediately, "What? No! Nothing like that," he smiled, visibly relieved, as looked back into Liara's eyes with a curious look on his face now.
"So what's up then?" he asked simply. Liara closed her eyes and took a deep breath before answering. When she opened her eyes again she looked back up into John's eyes and struggled to think of a gentle way to speak her mind, unfortunately she could think of none.
"Listen John I'm going to be going away for a week or two, I have a promise to a friend I need to keep." John looked at her curiously for a few moments before asking who this friend was.
"It's Javik," she explained simply. She explained to Shepard that before he performed the Janigri Kai on his almost dead form he made Liara promise that she'd take his body to the Cronian Nebula to lie with his fallen team mates. Shepard stared at Liara for a few moments before nodding his head.
"Your right, it needs to be done." He said in a supporting tone.
"I'm glad you feel that way, however you-"
"Just let me go change and we'll head to the port together," he interrupted innocently. As he turned to head back into his bedroom to change Liara grabbed him at the wrist asking him to wait.
"What's wrong?" He asked, furrowing at the brow.
"Shepard you can't come with me, Maelon said it'd be weeks at best before you should be running around wearing armor or carrying guns. You need to stay here and rest."
"Liara I'm fine," Shepard assured her. "I've been doing as the doctor said for about two and a half months now, I've never felt better." He lied hoping to change Liara's mind, unfortunately for him she wasn't budging.
"Shepard you can't even walk out of the house without losing your breath, you can't hold a gun and a cane at the same time! Please John, stay home and rest. For me?" Liara looked up at him with a pouty, pleading look that Shepard found extremely hard to argue with.
"I don't like the thought of you going out there alone," Shepard declared defiantly.
"I won't be alone; Kaidan is waiting for me at the docks to take me to the planet. He'll be by my side every step of the way." Shepard relaxed slightly but not much and Liara could tell it was tearing him up inside, but he finally said in a defeated voice.
"Alright, I won't go with you to the Cronian Nebula."
"And you promise not to follow me using your Spectre authority?" She asked coyly. Shepard laughed as he assured her he wouldn't be following her.
"I want to see you off though," he insisted, putting his hands on her waist. She looked up at him and said in a suggestive voice, "I wouldn't have it any other way." They ended up arriving at the docks an hour early, Shepard having a goofy grin on his face while Liara's face held a content blush. As they had walked into the main port they immediately saw Kaidan in the middle of the area speaking to one of the officials. As they approached Kaidan smiled as he said his good bye with the official before approaching the couple. He exchanged salutes with Shepard before embracing his friend in a firm hug.
"Good to see you again Shepard," he said happily.
"Like wise Kaidan, how's the Normandy treating you?"
"She's flying like a dream, not the same without you aboard though." Shepard laughed in agreement. Kaidan than went to Liara and gave the Asari a friendly hug which she returned happily.
"Finally remembered me?" she teased playfully.
"It isn't the same without you either Liara," he assured with a smile. His face then changed to a serious tone as he asked in an almost whisper,
"Sooo, Shepard knows that…"
"I know that I'm not coming Kaidan, don't have to dance around it," Shepard assured casually.
"Right, just didn't want to assume anything. Wish you could come with us Shepard."
"So do I," he said as he looked over to Liara. The official Kaidan had been talking to returned reporting that the Normandy was ready for takeoff; Kaidan told the couple he'd wait for them to exchange good byes back at the ship. After sharing one final set of salutes with Shepard he returned to the Normandy. Shepard looked down at Liara and kissed her passionately and deeply. When they separated his arms were latched affectionately to her waist, as their faces parted hers was covered in a deep blush.
"Be safe," he urged desperately. "I don't want to imagine what I'd do if anything happened to you."
"I'll be fine John, I promise." The two held each other for a time as they whispered good byes to each other. As they slowly parted Liara looked back up at Shepard and said smiling, "Remember, no following me and no big adventures. You need to rest and stay home; can you do that for me?"
"I don't know, it IS a tall order," he said in a playful pout. Liara looked at him again and asked in a suggestive tone,
"Am I not worth it?"
"Oh you're definitely worth it," he said assuringly. "I just don't know what I'm going to do without you for a whole week."
"I'm sure you'll find something to do," she assured him. They kissed one final time quickly before Liara ran off towards the Normandy. As she walked in through the cargo bay she couldn't help but watch as the ship quickly rose from the ground and into the sky. She continued to stare down at Shepard until the hatch was shut and they were now exiting Thessia's atmosphere. She walked towards the elevator and hit the up button, where it immediately opened revealing Kaidan waiting for her.
"Everything go ok?" he asked worriedly.
"Yes, it took some convincing but he understood the importance of getting his rest." As Liara stepped into the elevator she caught Kaidan suppressing a small smile, when Liara inquired to what he was smiling about he said simply,
"Oh well I don't know about everyone else in the dock, but what I do know is that before you two saw me there was definitely a look of content on your faces." It took Liara a moment to understand what he was saying but her face immediately went purple when she understood what he was saying.
"Goddess, were we really that obvious?" she asked.
"The only way it would have been more obvious was if Shepard had a neon sign necklace that said 'I just had sex'," Liara moaned and Kaidan laughed as they made their way to the crew deck of the ship. When the elevator stopped Liara followed Kaidan out as he walked to the old XO's room. When they walked in Liara was surprised to see that, despite the removal of her terminals and screens, her room had remained mostly intact.
"I convinced my XO Reynolds to sleep with the crew this week. He thought that Admiral Shepard would be insulted if his bond mate was forced to sleep with the crew." Liara looked in the room now feeling guilty and said defensively,
"I don't feel right taking his room Kaidan, I have no problem-"
"Relax," Kaidan assured waving it off. "Reynolds insisted after he knew you were boarding, and besides he prefers the crew beds anyways for some reason."
"Well make sure he knows I'm grateful."
"Will do, but first I think we're going to need to lay some ground rules for the trip," he said a little guiltily.
"Ground rules?" Liara asked confused.
"Look I'm going to level with you," Kaidan assured her. "The truth is Joker still hasn't gotten over EDI's death and he still blames Shepard for killing her. I don't know if he blames you at all but for the sake of keeping the peace I'd appreciate it if you didn't go to the CIC until we've arrived in the Cronian Nebula." Liara thought over Kaidan's request, while she owed him for bringing her to the Cronian Nebula she did not like the thought of being restricted where she could go on the ship. However she agreed and Kaidan sighed in relief thanking her repeatedly. After they made it to the Relay and were traveling FTL to the Cronian Nebula Liara spent most of her time on the crew deck or in her room. She was glad that Dr. Chakwas was still the ship's doctor and spent a lot of time speaking to her, reminiscing about the old times on the ship. She inquired about Shepard's health and was glad to hear that he agreed to rest instead of coming with them.
"It must have been hard on him to let you go, he worries about you."
"I know, but I'm more than capable of taking care of myself," she said defensively.
"Oh Liara you don't have to tell me that. Men are just so macho and pig headed they like to think that women are defenseless without them." Her expression lightened as she said jokingly, "You may want to have a baby sitter check in on him to make sure he hasn't gone stir crazy." She laughed at her own joke until she noticed that Liara was now blushing in embarrassment.
"Well… I did convince my father to go to the house and check on him, I'm expecting her to call once we're out of FTL,"
"Oh Liara you didn't," Dr. Chakwas said laughing. "Let's hope he doesn't start to think you don't trust him," Liara looked at Karen with a coy look as she said simply and defensively,
"We've only been traveling for three and a half days, I'm sure he's at home bored out of his mind more than happy that someone is keeping him company right now." Karen only shook her head slightly as Joker's voice came on over the PA. He announced that they had just exited FTL travel and were now on their way towards the Cronian Nebula. Not twenty seconds after they were in normal travel speeds a call came from her Omni tool. She looked down and smiled showing it to Dr. Chakwas.
"See, that's her now." She answered the call and an image of Liara's father Aeythyta appeared on her Omni tool.
"Hey dad," she said simply.
"Hey kiddo how'd your flight go? Everything hunky doory?"
"Yes we just left FTL, how are things in the house?"
"Everything's fine here, though I wish you had told me you took Shepard with you. I brought a bottle of bourbon with me and was planning to coerce some info out of him," Liara frowned at her father's words as she took in what she said.
"Dad Shepard isn't with me, I left him on Thessia." She said sounding slightly worried and aggravated.
"Well I've been here for an entire day and he hasn't come hope yet, want me to call up some of my commando girls and look for him?"
"No, that won't be necessary dad thanks. I guess you can go home if he's not there, I'll talk to you soon." Liara ended the call and frowned as she looked up at Chakwas to see her smiling a knowing smile on her face.
"Well, I guess we can't be too surprised can we?" she asked trying to stifle the full extent of her grin. Liara shook her head angrily as she thought of Shepard ignoring her wishes for him to rest.
Shepard better enjoy himself, she thought angrily to herself. Because when I get home he'd better have a good excuse for leaving or he's going wish he'd slept with an angry Varren when I get back.
AN: UHOH, where the hell did Shepard go? Thanks for reading everyone; we're going to find out where Shepard went in the last chapter. So thank you for reading, please review and I will have a new chapter up ASAP. So until then.