A/N: Woo! So productive! Again, I thank my beta, Diablo Kades, for the ideas, and boosting my confidence.

Is it weird that I just kind of want to write all the fluff that ever happened ever between my characters? Seriously, I could just keep going and going. Maybe after this story is done. I could do one of those "series of one-shots of the future" fics...

Onward!

"So, Adam is empathic?"

"So it would seem," responded the doctor, handing Liara a datapad so she could look at the results herself.

"But… I have never heard of a human with the ability. Asari, yes, but it is something that eludes the other races."

"It isn't completely unheard of within humans, though he would be the first scientifically confirmed case. Our history has plenty of examples, but they're all from before Humanity encountered a race that could explain it scientifically. This is why I wanted to speak with you about it. I know you're not a medical doctor, but you're asari, and you might have some insight."

"Well, Doctor," said Liara, examining the datapad critically with her crystal blue eyes. "I can confirm your theory. Instead of gaining biotics – which, of course, he may, and we just haven't seen it yet – the Element Zero Henry Lawson exposed Samantha to during her pregnancy has caused innate empathic abilities. And it explains something that happened earlier, right before we left the planet."

"Oh?"

"Yes. Adam awoke from a deep sleep worried for Jane- the Commander. He knew something had happened."

"And what had happened?"

"The alarm sounded, revealing that Lawson knew she'd been in the database. It was the catalyst for our escape. I would be willing to bet that he woke up at the exact moment of the alarm." Liara shifted her gaze from the doctor to Shepard, who was standing just on the other side of the window, speaking with Officer Williams. "It also explains why he is such a conscientious child. I am told he is not like most human boys, even when in isolation with so many women."

"I see," said Chakwas, not missing the way Liara gazed upon her commander. "Well, otherwise, Specialist Traynor has kept him quite healthy. My only suggestion is to keep up regular check-ups, to monitor the Eezo exposure, and perhaps some therapy – if I recall, he may have actually witnessed that horrible man's destruction?" Liara nodded as she looked back to Chakwas. "Right, well, when this is all over, I recommend all four of you seek professional help, but especially you. Specialist Traynor and Lieutenant Cortez will be getting a full psyche evaluation from the Alliance, and the boy by extension, but you have no such allegiance."

"I agree. After I speak with my mother, I will seek professional help. A Meld or two with a trained psychologist should more than suffice."

"Really," asked Chakwas, shocked. "That's all it takes?" Liara nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Remarkable."

"If we're through, Doctor, I believe I need to speak to the Commander before we arrive at our destination."

"Yes, of course, Doctor T'Soni. Thank you for your time and expertise."

Liara exited the med bay just as Ashley walked away from Shepard.

"Hey, Liara. Everything alright in there?"

"Yes," she replied, accepting Shepard's one-armed hug and peck on her temple. "She wanted confirmation that Adam is an Empath. Confirmation I provided."

"Wow, so she was right? Damn. No wonder he's so good at wrapping us around his little finger."

Liara's brow furrowed in confusion. "'Wrapped around his finger'?"

Shepard smiled, releasing her embrace of the asari. "It's a human saying. It just means that we all love him to pieces and would do anything for him."

"I see. Well, it is true. Even I was punished more than he ever has been, and I was the model of the obedient child."

"Oh yeah? That why you're so wild in bed, T'Soni? Lashing out from a stifling childhood?" Shepard's voice came to her very low, almost a growl, one that no one else could have heard, causing her face to flush a deep, deep blue. She slapped Shepard's shoulder in reply, causing Shepard to laugh as they made their way back to the conference room.

Miranda's world had been thoroughly rocked when she'd realized that Henry Lawson had fathered the young boy who was with the woman Shepard had saved. She realized it in a rapid succession of realizations: Filebar was one of the few places in the galaxy where humans were allowed to settle and owning slaves was legal, this woman was a slave, her father had been forcing himself on her, and it had resulted in a small boy. A small boy who was her brother. Her heart had stopped, sinking immediately to her midsection. Anger flared through her first, anger at her father for causing so much pain all around. When he'd ridden up shouting such awful things, and threatening that beautiful little boy, the anger had doubled, followed by a vicious protectiveness, allowing her to produce a stasis field on par with Liara's. Had Samantha not walked up right at that moment and finished the job, Henry Lawson's body would have been ripped into so many pieces that no one would have been able to identify him.

"It is bizarre that my brother's mother is actually younger than I am." Miranda now sat on the couch in the Nest, swirling wine in a glass before taking another sip. After they'd been left alone, Miranda had decided that Shepard wouldn't mind her breaking into her reserves. She'd been the one to stock the liquor cabinet in the first place. She thought the woman would agree that it could only help the situation, and it had. Now they sat speaking while Adam continued to play with the dog.

"Yes, well, I don't think much about this situation resembles anything like 'normal,'" said Samantha. Her face was flushed, though it would take a skilled observer to notice. She hadn't had anything to eat since the estate, and she hadn't had a drink in five years. But it had helped ease the tension. Still, perhaps she shouldn't have any more wine until she'd had something to eat. She set the glass down, turning down a refill.

"This is an excellent point," Miranda replied. Samantha hadn't known what to think of her at first. Miranda was Lawson's daughter. She'd feared at first that she'd be angry, vengeful, but after hearing her story, Samantha understood that she wasn't – she was far more regretful that Samantha had gone through so much pain at the man's hands. She'd said she felt guilty, because if she'd had the foresight to just take him out earlier, she wouldn't have had to deal with Cerberus, they wouldn't have caused so much pain in the galaxy, and Samantha would have been free from his torment.

Samantha considered her for a moment. The woman was gorgeous, slim yet leanly muscled, with silky black hair, and large breasts and hips. But she was so stiff. Samantha was not used to anyone being so polite and formal with her. She was used to people taking what they wanted from her, preferring that she didn't even speak while they did so. Even Shepard hadn't been so uncomfortable around her, though she had been perfectly cordial. Liara and Steve couldn't afford to dance around her – they had been forced to run the estate together. Steve had even shown her deference, as she'd been there much longer than he had, and clearly knew how to run that estate in the most efficient manner.

But Miranda was polite, uncomfortable, and didn't know how to speak to her, almost as if she was intimidated. She was not used to the treatment. The wine had helped her loosen up, allowed them to talk. But she noticed that she was still nursing her first glass. She wondered if the woman ever indulged in anything.

"Do you have any idea what you will do now that you're no longer captive?" Miranda's question caught her off guard. She looked up at her with wide eyes, unsure of how to respond. She hadn't thought about it. It had only been, what, ten hours since her freedom had been secured?

"I don't know. I imagine the Alliance will want a full debriefing. I need to find out if my parents survived the attack on our colony. There are so many things that are a concern now that never have been with Adam. He'll need to be in school…"

Miranda cut her off before she could go any further. "I didn't mean to panic you, Samantha. You should take time to consider everything. I simply wanted to know if you had a place to stay while you began the process." Samantha shook her head, her eyes showing her clear dismay. "While I believe the Alliance would provide you with quarters on the Citadel, I have an apartment that I want you to use. It has space, and it would be better for you and Adam."

"Oh, I couldn't impose-"

Miranda held up a hand. "Please, I insist. I am not using it. It could use someone who knows how to make it a home."

"Alright," said Samantha, feeling a little relieved. "It's all so much. I haven't had to concern myself with these things in so long. I'm not complaining, I would much rather have my freedom, but I haven't had to take care of myself in years. And this time around, I have a son." She sighed. "To know I'll have help is… Well, thank you, Miranda. It means more than I can possibly say."

"You're welcome, but thanks is not necessary. I take care of my family, much as you take care of yours. That my family just got bigger by a factor of two does nothing to change that."

"Factor of two?"

"Yes, I… have a sister. A twin, though she is younger than either of us. She… was created in much the same way as I was. I rescued her as very small child, a baby, really. She is now safe on Earth, under Alliance surveillance. It is much better than what I had done for her before." At Samantha's questioning look, she fully explained what had happened with Cerberus and Shepard. She was not used to opening up and sharing her secrets, but Miranda needed people in her life. Her isolation with Cerberus had made that abundantly clear. With her father dead, she now had the freedom to make connections, ones that he could not use against her.

When she was through, they sat in amiable silence, watching Adam. After a few minutes, he noticed them watching him and came up to his mother, claiming to be hungry. She looked questioningly to Miranda.

"I could go get something," she said, making to leave the couch. "Or, if you're ready to emerge, I could take you to the mess."

"I think I can take it. I may have been held captive, but I haven't been a complete recluse." Miranda smiled and headed for the elevator, followed by Samantha with Adam in her arms.

Steve grunted his release, losing himself in the glorious nothingness that followed an orgasm. He was guided back to reality by strong arms embracing him. He opened his eyes as James pulled him to his shoulder, keeping an arm around him. He smiled up at him, taking a deep breath and releasing it.

"Diego – or would you prefer 'James'?"

James chuckled. "Esteban, you can call me whatever you like."

Steve smiled. "Well, then, Diego. You are an amazing man. And excellent in bed. Even without a bed. Te quiero. "

"Yo también. You sure you're okay with all this?"

"All of what?"

James sighed. "You know, the lying and sneaking around. I'm sorry I couldn't be honest with you when we first met."

"Hey, I'm an Alliance man. I get it. You were on a mission. Until your cover was blown, you didn't know how long you'd be snooping around with Lola – excuse me, Shepard. You broke some serious regs by getting with me at all. I trust you."

"Man, see? This is why I broke those regs to begin with."

"Oh? Not because I'm a sexy, dashing Latin boy?"

James grinned. "Well, that, too." His expression grew contemplative. "Also something Adam said, actually."

"What'd he say?"

"He said that you were lonely. And that you needed someone to love you." He smiled fondly as he looked at Steve. "Someone else besides him."

Steve chuckled. "That boy is pretty intuitive. Yes, I have been lonely. My husband died in the attack on our colony that I was captured in, Diego. And then I was a slave. That boy guided me out of a pretty severe depression. I'm grateful – that allowed me to flirt with you. And now we're here, and I get to be his tío Esteban, and Sam and Liara get to be together without the awful things our… Lawson would put them through. As I understand it," he continued, "Shepard involved herself in that?"

James grunted. "Yeah. Lola is more of a lady-killer than I am. Still, it seems different this time. She really cares about them, and Adam. I've never thought she'd be a family-person, but this? I dunno. I guess we'll see."

"Well, I hope you don't mind me saying, but if she hurts any one of them, I'll shoot her. This experience has made us family. You don't mess with my family."

I don't doubt it, thought James, his eyes getting heavy. They fell asleep together on the hard floor of the shuttle, a thin, regulation blanket all that was between their naked bodies and the cold metal.

"So the Alliance found artifacts in the Mars archives, and came to the Council for a Prothean expert. That's what led to humans being involved in my rescue?"

"Yeah," said Shepard, standing back against the wall while Liara scrolled through the data she'd provided for her perusal. "Turns out that Benezia had already tracked down your location, but they needed a human to infiltrate – no alien would be able to do it, not with Lawson being a human supremacist."

"I see. I'm glad to know that she's been looking for me. We had not spoken for fifteen years when I was captured. I was not sure she would even know I was taken captive."

"She did. She told me she hadn't spoken to you in years, but she made a point of keeping tabs on you – you're her daughter, Liara. She loves you."

Liara felt a tear prickle her eye, blinking it away rapidly. She and her mother had not had a smooth relationship since before Liara decided to go to University at such a young age. While most of her childhood classmates went on to experience the galaxy, joining mercenary bands and dancing in clubs, she had opted to go to University 100 years younger than most. She had subsequently had very few friends, being as young as she was, and little romantic experience (a chaste kiss or two). These two things continued to vex her mother, and after she had chosen to devote herself to studying the Protheans, they had stopped speaking. They simply could no longer have a conversation without arguing about something, whether her topic of study, her lack of lovers, her lack of friends outside of professional colleagues, or, upon occasion, the identity of her asari father. The last time they had spoken, her mother had hung up on her when that particular question had popped up.

"I knew it intellectually, I suppose," said Liara, breaking a brief silence. "But that didn't stop doubts from seeping in. Now I learn that not only was she keeping tabs on me, but that she had me rescued? Well, I cannot thank you enough, Shepard."

Shepard came to her, wrapping her in strong arms. "You and your family are safe, Liara. You can introduce them to your mother, and build a life."

"Only if you are a part of it, too," she said into Shepard's chest, the sound slightly muffled by the fabric of Shepard's casual military shirt.

Shepard smiled and kissed the top of Liara's crest. "Deal."

Shepard and Liara emerged from the elevator on the crew deck, both hoping for something to eat. As they rounded the corner into the mess hall, they spotted Samantha, Adam, and Miranda at a table, Sam and Adam both eating a rations pack with gusto.

"I gotta say," said Shepard as they approached the table. "I may have gotten spoiled by your cooking, Samantha."

"Yes, this does not look what I would call appetizing," chimed in Liara, eyeing their food suspiciously.

"I beg to differ," said Samantha, placing her fork on the tray next to her rehydrated eggs and sausage and standing to greet first Liara and then Shepard. After hugging them both and sitting back down, she continued. "Very much like the bad coffee, it is familiar, from so long staying at an Alliance base and eating in their cafeterias. And I do not have to clean afterwards. Therefore, it is one of the most delicious meals I have had in years."

Liara smiled, considering the scene before her. It would be their first meal in freedom. She wondered how many 'firsts' they would be able to tack that description onto. Not lovemaking yet, but she intended to fix that at their earliest convenience.

"How did everything go," asked Shepard, grabbing a cup of coffee and sitting down. She'd given up on being able to sleep.

"Well, thank you," replied Samantha, digging back in to her meal. "Miranda mentioned the plan. The human Councilor is the one who blew your cover?"

Shepard scowled at Miranda. Miranda merely shrugged. "Yes. We're headed to the Citadel to sort it out. We'll be there in about four hours."

"I see. And what would the answer be if I asked to be part of your ground team?"

"No." Shepard set her mug down and glared. "You're to stay on the ship – both of you – and watch Adam." Her glare softened. "I'm not losing you after I just got you safe."

Miranda watched silently. There was something between all three women in front of her. Liara and Samantha were in an established relationship, and judging by the way Adam now sat in Liara's lap, she was a second mother to the boy. But Shepard's clear affection for each of them shone through the way she spoke to and acted toward them. And Adam had thrown himself into her arms, right after both Liara and Samantha had done the same. Her family was getting stranger by the second. She smiled at the thought.

Baxter was waiting for them patiently when they re-entered the cabin – he was lolling on the bed, having made himself a doggy-nest with the once-pristine bedcovers. At their entrance, he got up and sat on the floor, head bowed guiltily, tail wagging hopefully. Shepard didn't even notice. In one hand, she held Liara's hand, their fingers interlaced. The other hand, and the arm attached, was wrapped quite tightly around Samantha's waist, supporting her weight, holding her up above the floor, using her height and muscular frame to good advantage. James and Steve had emerged from the shuttle bay, taken Adam, and insisted the three adults go get some "rest." Who was she to refuse the suggestion? Liara and Samantha had both blushed deeply, but Shepard had only grinned, grabbing them both by the hand and hauling them toward the elevator. It had elicited a giggle from them both, at least. Miranda had just rolled her eyes.

Once in the elevator, Shepard had grabbed Samantha and kissed her like she was oxygen and Shepard had been suffocating. Her hands had immediately found Samantha's ass and hoisted her up, pinning her against the wall of the elevator, her knees gripping Shepard's hips. She then tore open Samantha's shirt, eliciting a yelp from the woman, and feasted on her breasts until the elevator had stopped.

So she didn't notice Baxter's guilty stance, nor did she notice the fur on the white comforter. She simply deposited Samantha on the bed and turned to lavish some attention on Liara. Baxter, sure he was to remain unpunished, slunk up to the desk and curled up underneath it to go back to sleep.

She dreamed of blood.

There was so much blood.

Blood appeared from between her legs for the first time. Her mother held her as she cried, a pain she'd never felt before in her gut, the painkillers not yet setting in.

Later, blood stained the sheet of her first, and only, boyfriend's bed. It had been an underwhelming experience. He rolled over and fell asleep. She left and never called him again, avoiding him at school until he forced a confrontation.

Blood covered her hands as she cradled her face, crying and crying, sitting with the other beaten wretches who had been kidnapped from her colony.

Blood trickled from a welt under her eye, the sting from a backhanded blow still alive and well as he pushed her over a desk and pressed his way inside of her.

A blood-covered baby cried for her attention as soon as he emerged from the womb.

Her blood filled her face, making it red and hot, as she experienced her first kiss with the blue-skinned woman who would heal all her hurts.

She could feel the blood of her new lover beating against her own skin whenever they were pressed together, naked and writhing.

Her blood pounded loudly in her ears as she raised the pistol, pointing it at her tormenter.

Blood sprayed the ground underneath Henry Lawson as she shot him in the head.

Blood.

So much blood.