Data Log Entry: # 21830831
-0630 hours
Damn, my head was pounding. Inside the shuttle, about to hit planet side was a little too late to ask Dr. Chakwas if she really did have something in a bottle for a hang over. I felt like there was a Krogan inside my skull going through puberty. Someone just shoot him. Undeservingly I glared in Wrex's direction, who was sitting across from me. I knew it wasn't his fault, but it felt better to blame someone else over my own stupidity for drinking that much. But the good doctor had me cracking up something awful last night.
The craft shook violently. Ugh if we hit one more air pocket I thought I was going to spill my breakfast; again. Wait, I didn't eat breakfast. That's right you overslept. Reaching for my nauseous empty stomach, I chastised myself, Ah you wouldn't of eaten anyway.
I seriously felt like I was going to puke but I didn't want the rest of the squad seeing me in that miserable condition, so I activated my helmet's visor a little early. Shit! I gritted. Another air pocket.
Joker's voice came over the shuttle's speaker system. "Five minutes until land fall people. Enjoy your stay!"
Customary, a few of the squad members rose from their seats early to grab their gear for a quick exit once the shuttle touched down. Myself usually being the first to rise, I remained very still in my seat. Another air pocket sent Professor T'Soni flying into my lap as several items shifted within the capsule. Good thing I already had my visor down or she would have seen me turn about ten shades of red.
This was the first time we actually had physical contact with the other, except when she touched my forehead during the meld. But I never really considered that contact. I stared into her face searching for a reaction, but she only smiled and murmured, "Pardon me Commander."
The maiden didn't seem as embarrassed as I was. Maybe I was just a lot more hung over than I thought. I tried to rub my throbbing head from outside me helmet when Wrex stood up and peered down at me. "Rough night Commander?"
Although I knew he couldn't see behind my visor, I shot him my best scowl I had. When I finally found my feet beneath me as the hatch opened, I yelled out. "Alright everyone lock and load! We got a job to do!" Internally I prayed, 'God help me just get through this day in one piece and I promise never to let Dr. Chakwas take advantage of me again'.
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Squatting behind a crate with Tali and Liara, we waited for Garrus to run decoy, as my mind began to wander. I would kill for a greasy varren burger from that kiosk outside Flux right now. I could almost taste it. I swear my mouth started drooling before the turian teammate interrupted my craving.
Rushing back to us, Garrus panted, "Ok the target area looks secure, but there are defiantly a lot of ground charges down there." Turning his attention towards me, he added, "Commander perhaps you should stay up here."
Dumbfounded I return his gaze. "What are you talking about Garrus? I'm going to lead the team, like I always do." Uneasily shifting his weight, my large krogan huffed his objection. Turning to look at the big fella, I barked, "You got something to add Wrex? Mighty Krogan battlemaster."
"Well no offense Shepard, but every time we go into a situation like this, things are always blowing up around you and today I'd like to keep my skin intact."
Glaring at the teammates surrounding me, I noticed Tali's worried reaction as well. The quarian uttered, "I could remain here and hold the point." She sound all too excited to remain far from the action.
Scoffing at my muted squad I detested, "So is everyone turning yellow on me?"
Just then, Liara gently cleared her throat grabbing my attention. "Commander he is correct. There always seems to be something exploding around you."
I couldn't help but think, Great everyone gets a turn at the Shepard piƱata.
"This is unbelievable!" I snapped. Silently I snarled, If my head wasn't killing me, I'd have each one of you court marshaled. "And exactly would you have me do?"
Tali was the first to answer, "You could take out some mercs with your sniper rifle." Realizing her subtle persuasion wasn't working she added, "You could stay up here in a nice quiet cushy spot?" I still had no reaction. Obviously not thinking it out, my quarian engineer blurted, "Liara will stay with you!"
Slowly my head turned in the direction of the professor. Amused, I chuckled to myself, Like that is really going to work.
Taking advantage of my distraction, my team rapidly headed down the path towards the bunker. Seeing the disgust on my face from my squad's abandonment, the prothean expert tried to comfort me.
"Is being with me so bad?"
What could I say to that? Desperately trying not to hurt her feelings, I answered, "No Liara." I blushed, "Not bad at all."
Instantly remembering the asari looking goblet in the med lab last night, I soon found my pulse increasing and not from my suffering hang over. Hearing unconcerning shouts down below us, I was very much alone with the professor. I tried o focus on anything else, as I slowly glanced back at the way her skin looked under the gentle sun.
Thankfully Tali's suggestion came to mind. I moved around the corner of a medium sized crate. Lifting my sniper rifle into position, I was ready to take out any lurking mercs who dared tried to run. After a few moments of silence, I lowered my eyes from the scope and I leaned against the metal crate. I again tried to sooth my aching head with my helmet engaged.
Liara shot me a sympathetic smile and mentioned, "Serrice Ice Brandy has quit the kick if you're not used to it." My eyes felt like they got as big as saucers at her unexpected comment. She had been there last night. She heard everything. Oh no! What did I say, think what did I say? Stupid! Stupid! Augh! Damn it Dr. Chakwas, I' m never going to let you live this down!
All I could muster was a childish, "Uh huh". Feeling very self-conscious I slowly slid down the crate into a sitting position with my knees pressed against my chest. I felt, why was I suddenly embarrassed to say a word to her? We had countless conversations that lasted late into the night. Why now, why are you freaking about her now?
As we seat only a few meters from each other silence filled the air.
A moment later, I notice she was impatiently tapping her fingers on her knees in a mirrored position as me. She was also having a difficult time conversing. Sluggishly returning to my feet, I peered back into the scope.
Finally slicing through the awkwardness, Liara asked, "Did you like the Serrice Brandy? It's from my home planet." When my head popped up she continued although she sounded unsure of herself, "The manufacturing plant is only a few kilometers from the University where I attended."
The melodic tone in her voice quickly eased any tension I was having. Internally I chuckled, thinking how odd we were behaving. "Yes, it was quit nice. But perhaps next time I won't have so much at once."
She released an innocent, yet genuine laugh when she stared down at the ground again. Her angelic smile and blush informed me that she too was feeling more relaxed now. The maiden found a twig on the ground and twirled it between her long nimble fingers. With a hint of amusement in her voice, Liara chimed, "You and Dr. Chakwas sounded like you had a rather good time last night."
I answered, "Yeah we did actually. I haven't laughed that much in a long time. I think my sides still hurt."
For some reason that wasn't the response she was looking for as she quickly dropped the twig and placed her chin on her knees as she released a heavy sigh. Barely comprehendible Liara said, "Dr. Chakwas looked stunning in that dress the other night."
Without thinking I spouted, "Hell, yeah she did!"
When the prothean expert didn't shoot back a snarky remark like the rest of my crew would have done, I had a feeling Liara was implying something else. I studied her facial expression for a moment. "Did you see how red Alenko's face got, when she sat next to him."
There was no change. I wanted to say something that wouldn't give her the wrong idea about me and the good doctor. "You know Dr. Chakwas and I go back a long time. She was the first medic on the scene after the Akuze attack. I was a wreck." That didn't seem to be help, so I kept trying, "She's my doctor you know. She knows every inch of this scraggily body".
Liara's eyes shot wide. She started nervously rubbing her forehead as she purposely looked away from me. Damnit Shep! That was worse. I thought.
I was trying to think of something and fast. But I all I was doing was sticking my foot in my mouth. Mustering up my courage, I said, regrettably in a tone firmer that I intend, "We are just good friends Liara."
Liara's blue eyes looked back at me as I explained, "I mean Dr. Chakwas is good people. I consider her a good friend and valuable asset to the ship."
A faint but small smile tugged at that edges of her mouth as turned replied, "Of course Commander."
Although everyone on the ship called me Commander, I actually preferred it when she called me Shepard.
I always felt it was too formal, especially when she wasn't technically part of the crew.
With Tali it was ok just because I was older than her, and as far as Wrex and Garrus were concerned, they were more or less part of my official crew. But Liara, she was a guest. She wasn't sworn in when she boarded the Normandy and God forbid, but she could leave any time she wanted.
Feeling like a sinking dreadnaught, I made one last attempt before abandoning ship completely. "So, I'm really looking forward to that dinner you owe me." She saw me staring at her when her head peeked back around, "Have you picked a place yet?"
The gracious smile of hers returned, "I thought it would be your choice."
The cheshire grin on my face must have stretched from ear to ear. "I'm easy. I can eat just about anything. What is your favorite place to eat?"
The conversation lasted the entire mission as well as a good portion of the trip home. It felt good to be talking to Liara again so easily. I was worried there for a minute, but it was still been boggling my mind, why we suddenly had that impasse back there. Why were the words not coming out right? Well, things seem to be back to normal now, so I'm not gonna rock the boat.
Shepard Out
Helping Garrus unload the mako after the mission today, I asked him if he would happen to know anything about some missing poker chips from the other night. Him being such an astute player, I thought he might want to keep some extras around for a guy's night or something. He laughed at me and walked over to his work station and pulled out a deck of Turian playing cards. He shuffled them faster than I could read the logo on the back. He smirked and said, "With these babies, I don't need extra credits. People are already throwing their hard earned credits at me.
With a raised brow I quipped, "You mean people off ship, right Garrus?"
His flanges flared before he quickly added, "Of course Commander, Of course."
