"How much do you know about the day your father died on Mindoir?" Shepard asks tentativly.
The question seems to catch the Asari off guard, and her demeanor changes. She lets go of the Commanders hands and backs away a little while her eyes focus on everything else but the Human. It's like she is trying to search for an answer in the distance.
Shepard feels sick all of a sudden. The expression on Liara's face went from concern for her, to being hurt at the mention of her sire's death. Shepard knows all too well how it feels to hear about her past and her family, and can tell that Liara feels the same way now.
"How do you...who told?.." Countless questions are racing through Liara's mind and she has no idea which one to ask first. Her main concern is how Shepard knew about her fathers death in the first place.
"Did my mother inform you of her death?" She's not sure why that was the first thing to come out of her mouth that made sense, but she cannot imagine how Shepard would know anything about that day.
"Or did you see it in the meld we did?"
Liara begins to think about each scenario as to how Shepard would know anything about Aethyta, and eliminare each one. Shepard would have been old enough to remember the tragedy, but there wasn't much reported on Aethtya's death. All of the research Liara did on the Alliance Commander had her living on Earth and the Citadel, and no family other than Anderson. Liara found nothing to suggest she ever visited the planet Mindoir, but then there is the fact that Shepard mentioned her having a sister and it was not in the reports. Anderson's career had brought him to numerous systems and planets but all of the files on the Alliance Captain were sealed. There weren't any survivors on Mindoir, so Liara surmises that Kerry did her own research on the T'Soni family as well, and may have found something.
The Asari smiles torwards the Human in appreciation. Shepard must have been able to access a part of that day with her Alliance clearance and found some new informtaion. Liara is grateful but is wondering why Shepard looks nervous all of a sudden; like she has done something wrong. The Alliance officer is even begining to sweat and has been leaning on the rail for support.
"Are you alright?" Liara asks, taking the Humans hands in her own, forgetting the conversation for the moment. She can feel how warm Kerry is all of a sudden and her concern for the Human grows. There hadn't been anything to come out of the scans that were performed but something may have been missed.
"You're skin is hot...the scans must have missed something. I need to get you back to the infirmary..."
"No, you need to hear this..." Barely able to stand and needing to lean on the railing and the Asari for support, Shepard can tell something is wrong with her but is not sure what it is. No matter, in order for Shepard to feel comfortable working with the Asari doctor, Liara needs to know the truth about her father, but Shepard can barely stand up much less talk.
Deciding that their conversation can wait, Liara begins to guide the stubborn Human to the medical bay.
"Whatever it is can wait. I want to make sure..."
"I was there." Shepard says, looking directly into her eyes. The statement stops Liara in her tracks but she still supports her patient.
"How is that possible?"
"I was with Aethyta...she..."
Before Shepard can finish her sentence, her eyes roll into the back of her head and her body becomes stiff. Shepard is no longer responsive and has now begun to shake. Liara has never witnessed anyone have a seizure before and is initially unsure of what to do. After a few moments of trying to hold the Human upright, and still, she has to lay her down or risk dropping her. Hitting an alarm on her Omni tool to alert the staff, she waits and contemplates what was just said to her. Soon everyone arrives at the side entrance, where the Human is still thrashing around, and stop in their tracks, not knowing what to do.
As soon as Liara see's the door open her nerves subside a little, and she begins to direct her assistants. Before her first order is carried out, Shiala's voice is heard telling everyone to stop.
"Do not touch her until you are all fully suited up!"
Hearing the order from Shiala annoys Liara. There is someone in trouble and time needs not to be waisted.
"We do not have time!" Liara may look calm, but her voice tells a different story. She is begininng to panic and cannot think of what could be causing this to happen to the Human she is holding.
"Liara listen to me, we need to be as careful as possible. If what you are saying is true she could be infected."
"I am not sure what is wrong with her, but the longer we wait the more she continues to get worse." Liara retorts. She's beyond annoyed that her head of security would interfere with this, but her next statement finally sinks in and even though it makes sense, Liara isn't moving.
"That's right, you don't know what is wrong with her and if she has contracted something and we touch her then we will all be at risk. So come with me please..."
"I'm not leaving her...besides if she's infected then so am I, so everyone else can get dressed but I'm staying here."
"Liara...your feelings for her are going to..."
"My feelings for her have nothing to do with this and you are out of line!" Liara is now out of patients and shouting at the elder Asari. Even though she is older than Liara by two hundred years and has been apart of the T'Soni family for years, Shiala still serves Liara.
"We need to get her inside now, so either help me or get out of my way."
Turning around, Shiala cannot believe how stubborn the Maiden is being. She is risking her and everyone else's life, and as Liara's assistants quickly pass by her, Shiala is trying to think of something to say when she contacts Benezia.
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Feeling a warm body pressed up against her in the enormous bed that the councilor is in brings a smile to the Asari leaders face. Leaning into the embrace she feels content for the first time in nearly two decades. Tevos has had to push her feelings aside while the person she loves continued to mourn her bondmate, but now there is a possibility of a future. It is exciting the councilor when she thinks about the relationship that could form but she wants to be sure that last night wasn't a one time thing.
"Can we talk? About...last night, and us." Tevos hopes that Benezia feels the same way and wants to express herself as well, but is having a hard time concentrating.
"What would like to discuss?" Benezia whispers to her lover, squeezing a little tighter. She has an idea about what Tevos wants to say, and wants the younger Asari to know that she is wanted. Benezia also knows that hearing the words are just as important.
"Are we...?" As much as she wants to ask, Tevos is afraid of what the answer might be.
"Tevos look at me?" When Tevos turns over, facing her she continues.
"We will be whatever you want us to be. We have kept our feelings for one another at bay for long enough, and it's time for us to be happy...together."
Seeing a look of relief and the smile grow on the councilors face, Benezia kisses her lover once more and begins a meld. The one they did the night before was filled with multiple emotions but above all else there was love, and this time is no different. Knowing that they have a future together that they both want, seems to make everything else simple and they are so lost in one another that they are missing the numerous messages on both of their Omni tools from a panicked Shiala.
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Looking at a screen that has the results of multiple scans that have been taken of Shepard, Liara's thoughts are racing. She has been trying to concentrate on what is in front of her for the last hour, but what Shepard had said to her is overtaking everything else. They were finally able to bring the Human into the medical bay after her assistants put their suits on, and get Shepard stabilized. Liara is still refusing to wear one, much to Shiala's obejections, but Liara does not believe there is anything to contract.
Everyone had been in protective suits when Shepard picked up the glass shard and she is the only one to suffer any affects. They were able to get the Commander stabilized after Shiala sent for the local Human doctor, and he had told them what she was going through. Now all they have to do is wait for her to wake up and see if there has been any permanent damage done. None of the Asari that are there had ever witnessed what the Commander was going through and Liara is grateful for the help. She is still worried about Kerry's well-being, but their prior conversation is still fresh in Liara's mind.
The Commander had told her that she was with Aethyta on Mindoir, but never said how that was possible. After everything had calmed down, Liara thought about how Shepard could have been with her father some more. She initially surmised that she may have been with Anderson and they responded to the distress call. Nothing was ever mentioned in any report about who had been there but it had been Admiral Hackets ship that responded and Anderson as well as Shepard being there could be a possibility.
Anderson could have been aboard the ship, and could have taken Shepard with him, and she may have witnessed all that had happened from afar. Unless Shepard tells her otherwise then Liara has all but convinced herself that that is how it all happened, but there are too many coincidences. The only reason she is doubting any of it is because of the incident at her home when Shepard first arrived. Liara has been replaying all that Shepard had said to her that day. The Alliance doctor had been reliving something horrible that had happened in her past, yet there is nothing in her file to suggest anything of the sort.
Following the Human's career, Liara had heard about all of the tragedies that Shepard had went through. She had lost friends and assistants over the course of her career and the only thing that she could have been having a flashback on was her mission to Akuze. Benezia had witnessed something as well in the meld she did, but at the time Liara was only focused on her mothers well-being.
Sighing in frustration, Liara closes her eyes and rubs the side of her head. Between Shepard's scans and the results from the life pod and Prothean itself, there is too much going on at the moment. She needs to concentrate on one thing at a time so she closes everything else and brings up Shelards scans. Normally Liara is alone while she works and this is no different since everyone has gone to bed, or so she thought. When the door to the med bay opens, Liara jumps a little.
"Liara I cannot get a hold of your mother..." Seeing the Asari doctor jump a little causes Shiala to realize what she did.
"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you. You okay?" Shiala asks.
They hadn't really talked since the younger Asari yelled at the Matron, but Shiala knew it was just Liara being scared for the Human. Now that everything seems to have calmed down a little the head of security for the T'Soni household wants to apologize, but needs Liara to understand where she was coming from as well.
"Im fine...just trying to figure out these scans."
Shiala can tell the the Maiden is still annoyed with her, and hopes Liara will listen to what she has to say.
"I wanted to appologize if I was out of line before."
Turning in her chair with her brow raised, Liara is surprised to hear an apology from the stubborn Asari.
"I suddenly feel the need to call my mother and have you repeat yourself. She'd never believe me."
Ignoring the sarcastic remark, Shiala continues.
"I react the way I do because I want you to be safe."
"And I am safe." Liara says back to her friend, turning in her chair to face Shiala. "You know me Shiala, I would never knowingly endanger anyone, including myself, but Shepard needed my help. It would be the same if you were out on a mission and someone got hurt; you'd stay with them until help arrived, no matter the danger...yes?"
Recieiving a nod, Liara returns her attention back to the monitors in front of her, and sighs. She is beyond frustrated and concerned since nothing seems to be working to help Shepard wake up.
"Why do you have two screens with the same scan?" Shiala asks, moving behind the seated doctor.
"This one..." Liara points to the screen to the left. "...is Shepards scan from today, and this other one is from a few years ago after the Prothean beacon left the visions in her mind."
Shiala can hear the concern Liara has for the unconscious Human, the Matron is worried as well. Normally she'd make a remark about her passing out more times then days that they have known her, but this may be serious.
"Do you have an idea as to why they look the same?"
"No I don't, and that is the problem. I don't know what the similarities are other than it being caused by Prothean technology. But that is just my assumption. She's not responding to anything I try and I have no idea if there was any damage done to her brain. The beacon would have killed a lesser mind and the same is true for the memory shard."
"Is she showing any signs of waking up soon?"
Not recieving a response, Shiala looks down at Liara, but the Maiden's attention is no longer on the screens in front of her. Placing a hand on her shoulder, Liara jumps a little.
"She will be fine...you'll figure something out."
"I hope so, but that's not all that is bothering me." Turning to look at the unconcious Human, Liara sighs a little.
"She said something to me before she collapsed that I cannot stop thinking about. She said she was with Aethyta on Mindoir. There was more that she wanted to say but she collapsed before she could. I cannot figure out how she could have been there other than being with Anderson but there is more to this. Do you know anything about this?"
Completely caught off guard by what was just said, Shiala's mind is racing to try and figure out an answer. She told Shepard that telling Liara about her past was a good thing, but didn't think the Alliance doctor would do it now.
"Shiala?" Turning around in her chair, Liara stands so she is now looking directly at the other Asari. "Did my father say anything to you?"
Shiala can hear the anger in Liara's voice begin to grow. The elder Asari would feel the same way if the positions were switched. She desperatly wants to tell the younger T'Soni but it is not her truth to tell.
"Listen I..."
"Doctor T'Soni we have a problem!" Nyxeris runs into the lab.
Liara only wanted to be disturbed if there was an emergency since her entire focus was to be on Shepard. She certainly didn't want to be interrupted now since Shiala seems to be hiding something. With the way her top assistant just entered, and how she normally reacts, Liara is concerned that the building may be collapsing.
"I appologize Liara, but I was taking samples and it seems that the Prothean body is deteriorating at a rapid pace since we opened the pod. I fear we may lose vital samples if we delay any longer. I know doctor Shepard cannot be moved but..."
"It is alright Nyxeris." Liara tries to calm the other Asari down. "We have a stasis pod we can transfer him in as well as one for doctor Shepard if need be, so you need not to worry. Now, if you could excuse us, I believe Shiala was going to tell me something about my father." Liara turns around to face the Matron as she says the last few words.
Nodding her head initially, and then looking at Shiala with concern, Nyxeris hopes her former lover isn't in too much trouble. Shiala was, and still is a good person, all be it a little to pushy in their relationship. Shiala's career as a commando was coming to an end and she wanted to settle down and have children. Nyxeris was focused on her career, and still is, but even with that said she still cares for the Asari commando.
Leaning against the airlock door that has just closed, Nyxeris thinks about all of the good times they had together. The time spent was incredible but being a geneticist is still her top priority. Sighing, and before she can hear anything too intrusive, she leaves to begin the process of transporting the Prothean relic.
On the otherside of the door the silence in the med bay is eating away at Shiala. The disbelieving glare that is coming from Liara is making it difficult for Shiala to look at the younger Asari.
"I won't ask you not to be upset about this, but I cannot answer this question..."
"You knew about this?" Liara interupts. "You knew Shepard was there and didn't tell me. Why would you keep this from me?" Liara asks in disbelief.
"I..." Shiala is trying to come up wth a way to tell the younger Asari without it sounding like the truth was withheld from her.
"Does Benezia know, and what else aren't you telling me?" Liara's demeanor is slowly forming into anger that anything was kept from her.
Aethyta was her father, her sire, and she deserved the truth about that day. To learn after nealry twenty years that there were things that Liara did not know about her fathers death is upsetting. To know that people she lives with and loves kept it from her the entire time is nealry unforgivable.
"Please listen to me." Shiala begins, nealry pleading. "This isn't my truth to tell. It is Shepard's...and if she only would have said something to you..."
"Do not blame her for this. She tried to tell me after only knowing me for a few days but I've known you my entire life." Tears are now steaming down the younger Asari's face while she experiences multiple emotions. She thought she was finally able to move past her sire's death but now there is new information that brings her back to that day Aethyta died.
"I want to know now! No more lies, no more secrets."
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"Anderson, have you heard anything from Shepard?" Udina asks walking into the Alliance Captains office.
Anderson is happy that he has his back to the Ambassador, since his eyes cannont roll into his head any farther. This is the fifth time Udina has asked the same question.
"No I haven't."
In truth Anderson has been following Kerry since she left to go to Thessia, and knew she is currently on Eden Prime and has found a Prothean relic of some sort. Udina is aware of location, but has been kept in the dark about everything else.
Rubbing his eyes, Anderson is exhausted and hasn't been able to sleep since Shepard last contacted him. The look of hurt and betrayal Shepard had was aimed at him, and he refuses to forgive himself for what has happened. Even his wife is furious with it all, and even though Kahlee isn't blaming him directly, she might as well be.
Anderson should have said something to her on the docks, but the look on her face caused him to forget about it all and only notice that she was scared about leaving. Unfotunently for everyone the truth is out now, and knowing Shepard, she will be telling the T'Soni family soon.
"I need an update as soon as possible. I can't get ahold of Tevos and no one from her office will tell me anything."
Since he has been in his current position, Anderson has been able to tune out all of the bullshit Udina normally says. He is only ever worried about Shepard's success and his career advancement but this time he is acting like his life depends on it.
"What is the status on sending out her assitant?" Udina continues on.
There have been rumors of the Human ambassador making illegal deals with secret organizations, but nothing has ever been found to back that claim up. Anderson has been looking into it, but refuses to make the same mistake he did when he went after Saren.
"I am waiting on the Lieutenants security clearance to come back before..."
"I want her there now! We are waisting too much valuable time and I want results." Udina interrupts.
Anderson is trying to not punch the ambassador but Udina is making it difficult.
"I understand the fact that you want results and Shepard isn't normally forthcoming with what she has found until the mission is over, but sending an assistant isn't going to help. All she will do is give whomever we send menial tasks and keep them out of the loop."
"So what do you suggest?" The annoyance in the ambassadors voice is evident.
"Wait until we hear back from her. I will try and contact Tevos but in the meantime we need to wait. Shepard knows what she is doing, so give her the chance."
Udina isn't known for his patience but in this case there isn't much that he can do. If there is something out there that can possibly kill everyone, and Shepard finds a cure then those that are involved will be praised. If there isn't a virus that is threatening everyone then her and his career may be over, and Anderson knows that is what is on Udina's mind, his credibility. However Anderson realizes that none of this will matter if there is something out there and she fails.
Ignoring the Ambassador as Udina continues to make his displeasure known about having to wait, the Alliance Captain can only wonder if the mission is now in jeopardy because Shepard knows the truth about her past. Kerry has always finished what she has started no matter how many tragedies happen over the course of her career, but this is different.
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Waking up in a strange room for the second straight day after passing out is starting to get on Shepard's nerves. The one thing that is easing that tension is the fact that Liara is asleep in a chair next her bed. It brings a warm feeling to the Commander that the Asari would show concern for her. Normally she'd wake up alone or with Anderson by her bedside, so this is different, but nice. Kerry is still worried about the conversation they were having but that is for another time.
Looking over the data pads that have the results of her brain scans, Shepard isn't getting many answers. She isn't able to understand the writing that Liara has written in but the scans show that she had a reaction that is similar to the one from the first beacon that imprinted on her brain. She has a little bit better understading of what the messages in the beacon were saying after she did the meld with Liara, but there are still more questions than answers.
Why did the Protheans find it neccesary to chose a select few to be placed in stasis pods? How long were they supposed to be in the pods, and who or how were they going to wake up? These select few were supposed to be this races future but they didn't get that chance, and Shepard wants to know why.
Looking over at the sleeping Asari, Shepard begins to think about her future and what it may hold. She's been living in the past for too long and now is as good a time as any to start living in the now. There is a chance that a disease could kill everyone it comes into contact with but there is also a chance that they could find a cure and have that happy ending, even with her past.
Standing up from the medical bed, Kerry is still feeling a little light headed from the seizure she had, and has to hold onto the bed for support. She is about to wake Liara up to continue their conversation when the doors to the room next to hers slam open with two Turians being pushed in. Everyone there is dressed in their protective suits and all of them have concerned looks. As the last Asari runs in she is followed by two Humans in suits and Shepard is trying to figure out what is going on.
With each room having glass walls between them she is able to see all that is happening, and wants to help. Shepard slowly walks over to where the intercom is so she can possibly get answers.
"Nyxeris, what is happening?"
The Asari quickly spins around and is a little surprised by what she sees. She was not expecting to see the Commander up and around, considering how bad she reacted to the memory shard.
"Commander, it is good to see that you are awake..."
"What is going on? Why are those people in here." Shepard interupts.
Shepard has been looking around the room and noticed that no one has any ideas about how to treat the patients. Her concerns are heightened even more when the short bald Human male answers.
"We have no idea who they are, where they came from, or what is wrong with them. There ship fell out of the sky and when no one answered our hails we became concerned. Our boarding party found the rest of the crew dead, and these two barely holding on." The shorter Human explains. Shepard deduces that he has to be some sort of local doctor, and seems to be as cautious as she is.
"We all know why you are here, Commander Shepard. Your warnings have not fallen on deaf ears, at least not mine."
"So thats the reason you are all wearing your suits, doctor?"
"Riley, and yes it is standard procedure when a ship lands that we have no idea where they originate from to be as cautious as possible. Even if they aren't carrying this disease you are looking for, how many viruses are out there that can harm us?"
Nodding in agreement, Shepard brings up the scans of what could be the Reaper virus she has and sends it to everyone in the room so they can compare it to the new patients. She has to take a breath to calm her nerves as thoughts of this disease having the ability to afflict the planet of Eden Prime run through her mind and how quickly it can spread. This is the reason she is working alongside doctor T'Soni, but they aren't close to finding cure.
"Nyxeris, I need you to take a blood sample from them and compare it to the scans I just sent to your Omni tool." Receiving a nod she turns her attention to the local doctor.
"Doctor Riley I need your people to keep clear of that ship until I can get onboard and run some scans. Even if this isn't the Reaper virus, there still may be contagions. We..."
A steady beep is heard from both heart monitors as both Turians pass on. Shepard realizes that there may not have been a way to help them, but she may have had a better chance if she wasn't so reckless.
Feeling light headed again, but not wanting to show anyone, Shepard braces herself on the medical table she was just laying on. Closing her eyes she silently chastises herself for picking up the shard from the life pod. She knows better than to do something that foolish and now she is suffering for it. The after-effects aren't too severe but it is still hindering her from doing her job while people's lives are on the line.
Running her hand through her hair and pulling in frustration, she is beyond upset with herself. She is about to pull a little harder until she feels a hand gently grab her arm. Normally she would flinch no matter how gente the touch is, but now she welcomes the comfort. A hand rubs her back which in the past would have made her skin crawl and muscles actually spasm. Previously, when someone would touch her she'd try everything she could to move away from whomever it was but not now. The comfort is accepted and when she turns to look at the Asari she is relieved a little that Liara doens't seem to be upset with her.
"It is not your fault that they passed, so please don't blame yourself. I can tell that you are, but you did everything you could."
"Not everything." She says as she continues to berate herself. "If I hadn't touched that shard then..."
"Then I would have." Liara admits honestly. "I saw it as well and my interest was piqued just like yours. Our roles would have been reversed or worse." Liara thinks back to Shepards scans and what she said to Shiala about a lesser mind not surviving the beacons.
Taking a moment while Shepard sits down on the medical bed, Liara coordinates with her assitant to make sure that samples are taken from the deceased, the room sterilized, and a group is made ready to head torwards the Turian ship. She knows that the Alliance doctor wants to go to investigate but she needs to recover and is in no condition to venture out. They will get more ground covered by splitting up, but convincing Shepard to agree to this may pose to be difficult.
"Commander I am planning on leading my team to investigate the Turian ship while you stay here and run tests on anything that we may find." Liara can see that the Human is still mad at herself so the Asari moves to stand directly in front of her.
"Look at me, please." Shepard refuses to look at the Asari who is moving closer to the upset Human.
"I make mistakes and people die, and you getting hurt isn't an option. I can prevent that if I leave now." Shepard says, still not looking at Liara.
"And what if I told you that I don't want you to leave. That you are too important to this mission and...to me as well." Liara's hands are on either side of the seated Human on the medical bed. She is leaning forward trying to get the Humans attention, but Shepard isn't looking at her even though they are only a few inches apart.
"How long was I out?" Shepard asks, trying to change the subject. She is nervous and knows that if she looks into the blue eyes of the Asari she'll lose all rational thought.
"Two days. You..."
"Two days!" Shepard repeats in disbelief, quickly looking at the Asari then back towards a spot on the wall. "This is what I'm talking about. I was unconscious for two days and you all wasted that time waiting for me to wake up. "
"On the contrary, we were able to conduct a thorough examination of the Prothean specimen, and able to gain valuable information on the Prothean species. We sent the body back to my lab to examine it further, in hopes that we need find something that can give us a cure."
"Which just proves my point that I am not needed. That I am a liability to this mission and I wasted valuable time unconcious for two days."
"You got better."
"This time...but what about the next assignment or planet this mission brings us on? I can't promise you that we will not get injured or worse next time."
"Then we need to make sure that we both are safe no matter what."
"And how do you propose we do that?"
"By knowing that we will be there for each other, and can count on each other. I know you worry about the worst possible scenario at a constant, but we have some of the top minds in the galaxy and all of us have learned to expect the unexpected. So I would hope that having the group we do would put your mind at ease a little."
Seeing a slight nod from the Alliance doctor, Liara moves a little closer so their faces are nearly touching. She can tell that the Humans pulse has begun to race, and her breathing has become heavier. Liara wasn't necessarily expecting this much of a fight with the Human, but can see the stuborness slowly fade with each word she says. Her next statement gains the Commanders full attention
"I know nothing in life is guaranteed and this mission won't be easy but I need you here with me. You said I was worth waiting for, so knowing I have something special to comeback to after this is all over is what will keep me focused on this missions, not distracted."
Being able to look into Kerry's eyes now, Liara can tell the Human is scared.
"I've already caused enough pain for your family."
"No you didn't." Liara gently kisses Shepard on the lips and can feel the tears that have begun to fall. "Shiala reluctantly told me everything and..."
"And now that you know can you honestly tell me that having me around won't remind you of your father each time you look at me. That once this mission is over that you still will want to be with me?" Shepard asks a little harsher than she intends to. She is trying to calm her emotions down by doing some of the things her and her therapist discussed, but she is unable to focus.
Kissing Shepard on the lips once more, Liara pulls away a little so Shepard can see that she is speaking the truth.
"I can honestly say Commander, that seeing you everyday will remind me of my sire, but in a good way. And by the end of this mission I will want you here with me. Even after years pass and you ask me that question again, I will still feel the same."
"How can you?"
"Because of who you are. Because of who my father saved. You are someone who could have turned into a horrible person, been bitter, hateful towards aliens, and chose to hunt down all of those you thought responsible, but here you are. You have become a hero, an icon, someone that people can look up to even without knowing your past. You are someone who has more compassion for others and goes to great lengths to put everyone else's life above your own, so why wouldn't I want someone like you in my life? And why would I blame you for my fathers death when you are not responsible? Aethyta did her job and protected you which in turn brought you here, so in essence she gave me you."
With those heartfelt words, Shepard loses all of her composure. She puts her arms around the Asari, grabs a fist full of her lab coat with both hands and lets out all of her pent up emotions. She cries for her family and friends that were lost. Her emotions are so raw that Liara nearly starts a meld to see if she can help her relax a little. She can be heard through the glass in the other room and before too many questions can be raised, Nyxeris smiles towards Liara and closes the shades.
Shepard was never able to mourn any of them until now, not properly. No one has ever said anything to her like Liara just did, and it made Shepard feel like her life hasn't been wasted. Liara all but told her that in the end, something good came from all the death that has surrounded her.
Liara comforts the Human as much as she can without saying a word. After a few moments, Shepard calms down a little, and rests her head on the Asari's shoulder. Liara knows she must be exhausted still. The episode or seizure that she had drained most of the Humans energy and this last outburst seems to be all that she has left. Shepard is in no condition to continue, and needs her rest. Feeling the grip on her coat loosen a little, Liara pulls away a little so she can look into her blood shot eyes.
"You okay?"
"Yes, a lot better thank you."
"Good. Now I know you want to come with me but you need your rest. You can monitor what is happening while we are on board and provide insight if you wish." Recieving a nod, the Asari doctor smiles and thanks the goddess that the Human has agreed to this, and has stopped talking about leaving. Liara doubts she has anymore fight left in her. She tries to pull away so she can escort Shepard to the lab but Alliance officer pulls her back towards her.
Looking into the eyes of this beautiful creature in front of her, Shepard realizes for the first time just how close they have been to each other. Biting her lip, Kerry pulls the Asari back to her and gently kisses her. She's too exhausted to go any further but wants Liara to know how appreciative she is. That she is now looking forward to what will come about from this mission and their relationship instead of wanting to run away.
It is good to know that in these uncertain times, Shepard has someone like Liara that she can count on. That no matter what happens they will both be there for each other. Even with the possibility of this disease killing everything it comes in contact with, and cerberus coming after her, for the first time in her life Shepard is excited about what her, or more importantly their future holds.