When Lenea, Aria and I returned to the house I decided I probably should watch the local news, if only for the weather reports. This was a mistake.
"This is Gayle Henderson reporting for KRP-TV. Redwood City's own Shea Nelson has recently acquired of the KRKT-FM Los Angeles. Since 2008, Nelson has hosted Nelly's Block Party during the 6pm-10pm segment on the popular urban station, with syndication in over sixty cities throughout the western United States and Canada. In a recent statement released by station management, Nelson will be leaving her popular program, which has been running in reruns since early December. Nelson's fiancée Tony Granderson told KRP-TV that Nelson, still in mourning over the recent death of her father, has decided that she will take hiatus for an undetermined amount of time, leaving daily operations on the station in the hands of current station management..."
"That lying sack of shit! I'm not on hiatus. I'm not going back." I said, as I quickly changed the channel, throwing down the remote. Storming over to the bar as fast as my sore left leg would carry me, I quickly downed two beers.
"What was that about Shea? Fiancée?" Lenea asked.
"Former. Remember how I told you I caught my ex cheating on me. Well that was the bastard I caught with my former best friend, Gayle, that bitch reporter. I haven't seen either or talked to either of them since October, when I caught them doing the deed. God knows why they interviewed that limp dick motherfucker! I told my producer to keep the press release simple, and to not disclose it to that bitch, give it to an anchor. And they pull this shit! Dad never did like either one of them. Said they were just using me for my celebrity to get their names in the paper, I should have listened to him from the beginning" I take a deep breath, trying to calm down before Stacy comes into the room.
"Take it you don't like the guy, right Shea?" Aria found the whole situation amusing.
"You think? If a truck runs over either one of them I won't shed a tear." I'm so angry I'm shaking. Lenea can sense this, hugging me from behind.
"Do not let these people bother you. It is just media. No different than the rabble on the Citadel.
"You deal with this kind of shit on Omega Aria? Or are they smart enough to not risk death by pissing you off?"
"That's the price of fame of infamy Shea. Every hundred years or so some rookie tabloid reporter looking to make name for themselves tries to do a story on who I'm fucking or what government ties they think I have with the Asari government, bullshit like that. But they somehow mysteriously disappear after not too long. They're like flies on varren shit, not worth my time."
"Well, at least they leave alone most of the time. I'm glad I'm leaving Earth, otherwise I think I'd case a case."
"Catch a case?" Lenea asked.
"Oh, means getting arrested for doing stupid shit. But I'm not like that. Enough about that, lets find another station to catch the weather. I want to know if it's going to snow again tomorrow. cause I want to take Stacy out on the snowmobiles."
"Your certainly spending a lot of time with her Shea." Lenea smiled, leaning her head on my shoulder.
"Just getting to know my sister. She's a good kid. Reminds me of myself when I was a kid. I'm sure she gives Mom and Delaney just as many headaches and cases of heartburn as I gave Dad. God help whoever takes her on her first date. They'll have those two and me to deal with."
"Back to the story though Shea." Aria chimed back in. "Your were on broadcasting in over 60 cities? And here I thought you were just some small time weekend DJ."
"Yea, the show grew fast. I played off format a lot. Got me in trouble, but made the show blow up. Management couldn't argue with the ratings. My crew is good though, they know how to run it to keep the show going, at least in California."
"What are you planning on doing once everything's done with your survey mission."
"Haven't really thought about it. I already purchased warehouse/loft conversion on Illium for all my stuff. But as far as what I will do work wise, probably open a club or restaurant and do what I do best."
"Well, you're welcome on Omega whenever. I heard about what happened with you and the DJ at Eternity a few weeks ago. Covers damn near doubled after they changed the playlist to your set."
"Shea certainly has a way of making people comfortable Aria" Lenea said as I turned on the barstool.
"Thank you." I said, lightly kissing Lenea on the lips. The weather forecast confirmed only light snow showers the rest of the week, so I decided we would go out tomorrow.
"Where is Stacy by the way?"
"Right here Shea, I heard you screaming from the bedroom. What's wrong?" Stacy said as she entered the game room, puzzled look on her face.
"Just some silly people on TV. Nothing to be concerned about."
"What happened to your leg, were you hurt?"
"Got a little banged up hunting this morning, nothing serious. I do have to take it easy a few days though, so the snowball fights and stuff will have to wait a little bit. There's plenty to do inside though. Come on, I'll show all you guys how to play poker. Maybe you and me can win some creds off those two troublemakers." I said as Stacy and I made our way to the card table."
Both Lenea and Aria smile as I interacted with my sister. They both knew I did not want her to worry but telling her about things that would make her frightened for me. "What is this poker." Lenea asked. I proceeded to explain the rules of Texas Hold 'Em. Apparently all Asari are damn card sharks, because by the end of the game I was down 600 credits to a kid.
"What the hell, I thought you never played this?"
"You didn't ask, Mom taught me Shea. Asana and I play all the time."
"Aria, are hustlers supposed to start this young? I thought they'd have to be 200 before trying to swindle people" I say with a shy smirk.
"Must be that human DNAs she's got." Aria answered.
"Uh huh.. I go to the fire place and start a fire before we walk into the viewing area to sit on the sofa. As Lenea walked passed me, I pulled her onto my lap, causing her to blush and giggle. "So what's for dinner. Whatever it is smells delicious?" I ask, burying my nose in her neck, gently kissing the exposed skin.
"We found something marked "LASAGNA" in the walk-in. The instructions were on the paper your caretaker left. It is cooking now. IT should be done in about 15 minutes" she answered as she leaned down, tilting my chip up to capture my lips in a breathless kiss.
"Oh please. Get a fucking room you two." Aria said as she plopped on the sofa after putting in a vid she found in the rack. Stacy laughed at the elder Asari's assertion, after which we break the kiss, both blushing.
"Did you find the garlic bread?" I said, running my hand up Lenea's knee.
Lenea shivered lightly at the touch. "We did. I also saw a cake in there as well. I set it on the counter to thaw" she said, reluctantly getting up.
"I guess I can make a salad then." I got up and limped over to the bar area. Now, essentially the lodge had two full kitchen. The main kitchen upstairs, and the bar kitchen. "Stacy, can you please help me grab some items out of the fridge?" We entered the walk-in gathering the ingredients for a Caesar salad, which I quickly put together. I also uncorked a bottle of red wine for the adults, grabbing some juice for Stacy.
"Stacy," I said, handing her the salad bowl, "Take this to the table. I'll get the place settings." Selecting the proper tableware and flatware, I finished setting the table just as Lenea brought the lasagna out.
"Smells great" I said as we gathered around the table. "Mary always did make the best lasagna. Alright everyone, dinner's up." We all take our places at the table. Knowing how to properly portion the lasagna, I quickly serve everyone on the table. In all, dinner consisted of the spicy-Italian sausage three cheese lasagna, fresh baked garlic bread sticks, Caesar salad, with red velvet cake for desert.
We begin to dine, the Asari all appearing to enjoy the savory pasta. "How is it Stacy?"
"This is great. You have got to give Mom this recipe."
"Seeing her take huge bites, I can tell she is still a child, despite being 15 "Well don't get yourself too full on lasagna or you won't get any desert. You do want cake don't you?"
"Yes. What kind of cake is it."
"Red Velvet. Probably the best kind of cake outside of chocolate you'll ever have. It's sinfully good."
As look around the table at Lenea, Stacy, Aria a very comforting thought came to mind. This is probably the first time I have had a family dinner in a long time. Even when my father was alive, we rarely sat down to dinner together. With my workload preventing me from traveling home much, it was only on holidays that we were together. But just thinking about how I have a new sister, new love, and even Aria, because she family now too, makes me smile. The old saying that when one door closes another opens could not be more true than it is in this case.
Later that evening, dinner finished, cleanup complete, Stacy went to bed as we three adults gathered in the game room to watch a vid. I had already asked Asana to make sure that the three of us were left alone as there were things we needed to discuss. "Aria, did your guys find anything in the area or were those two clowns it?" I asked as I sipped my wine.
"They didn't see anything, but we've set up a full perimeter now, undetectable of course, so there shouldn't be any more issues like that for the reminder of our stay."
"Good. Thank you for taking care of that for me, its certainly a weight off my shoulders."
"No problem."
"Listen, " I begin, putting down the wine glass, speaking in lower tones as I face the two Asari. "There are some things I need to tell both of you that while they do not affect anyone immediately, they can and will have devastating effects on not only the galaxy as a whole, but your family personally, especially you Aria."
"What is it?" Lenea asks.
Trying to figure out the best way to do this, I figure honesty, at least with those I love and trust, is my best course of action. I went on to describe in great detail the Mass Effect Universe as I know them. We discussed not only the games themselves, which seem to be a roadmap of what needs to take place for the space time continuum to remain intact, I also disclosed the far off murder of Liselle and attack on Omega.
"This is bullshit, how can this be true." Aria said "Liselle is not that stupid."
"It's not about her choices, it's about people wanting to take advantage of her and manipulate the situation so they can control you. Now many of the things we discussed, we cannot do anything about. Benezia's daughter, the humans and Sovereign, that MUST HAPPEN, or the future will be irreversibly damaged. However, we can and I will make sure nothing happens to Liselle, or to anyone in the T'Loak family as long as I am alive and can do something about it. This is why I told you this in the first place."
"Aria, what Shea has said, it is frightening, but she is telling us the truth. She did not hide anything when we joined last night. Shea what are you suggesting we do with this information?"
"Well, first. Everything we have discussed MUST remain confidential, it stay between the three of us, period. I will not tell my mother, Delaney or Lidanya. Aria, what you can do is when the time comes, provide any and all assistance to Liara T'Soni and Commander Shepard that they will need. No matter the cost. IN addition, you can make sure Omega is secure as well as use your powers of persuasion with the Asari Councilor so that when needed, the Reapers are taken seriously, and the Asari support the Commander with full military and diplomatic power. What we will do now, is make sure that during our survey mission, we are surveying those areas already laid out for us, and convince the Asari to build a back up relay network, so we can shut the reaper network down. Is this something we can all agree on? "
"We've got over a century, so I don't see why not" Aria replied "I told you she was crazy Lenea, but she's a good kind of crazy."
"Oh thank you your highness?" I joke "But seriously I can't let anything happen to you two or Stacy. Not now not ever. If I gotta figure out some way to live 500 years longer to be certain of it I will."
"Actually Shea," Lenea spoke "When Dr. T'Lanin was discussing the findings from your bloodwork, it appears that the amount of eezo that has bonded itself into your bloodstream as "altered you" so to speak. In the simplest terms, it has altered your DNA and has affected your aging process. Dr. T'Lanin indicated that she believes that you will age as an Asari would, and will live several centuries as long as you do not get shot."
"There can be only one huh? Just don't chop off my head." I joked
"What the hell are you talking about?" Aria scoffed.
"Cheesy '80s vid called the Highlander. The whole premise of the story is there is a race of human immortals who cannot be killed by conventional means. Nothing short of cutting the head of one would cause death. But part of the story is also that they fight each other for power, for in the end, or so the story goes there can be only one. Bad joke?"
"You human's and your shitty vids." Aria just shook her head.
"You know you love me." I joke to Aria as Lenea cuddles close to me, her arm wrapping around my waist.
"Don't get me confused with that one Shea," Aria said, but the smile on her face told the truth. We're family even if only at the beginning of our journey.
"Yea yea, I love you too. What vid did you pick anyway?"
"Tombstone"
"A western. This outta be interesting."
The following morning I woke up to a very naked Lenea lying across my torso. Reaching down, I began to gently kiss the sleeping Asari, pulling her close. Delicate lips part, welcoming my tongue as blue eyes flutter open, gazing wantonly into my own. A hushed moan escapes Lenea as I move my hands down her body, caressing the sensitive spot on the small of her back, causing her to arch into me. We break to catch our breath, I whisper against her "Good morning, sleep well?"
"Goddess Shea, yes. I do not think I will ever get used to how good you make me feel. Last night was amazing."
I chuckle softly, "Glad you approved." We kiss again, Lenea cupping the back of m head as we our passion ignites. With a seductive smile, Lenea straddles me. Sitting up, the enchanting hue cast upon her blue skin makes my pulse rise. A shallow growl escape m lips as I sit up, burying my face in her ample bosom. Massaging one breast in a methodical rhythm, I cause Lenea's breath to hitch. She digs into my shoulder, her delicate fingers drawing the smallest amount of blood, as I circle her nipple with my tongue, enveloping the bud in my mouth. I suckle until I leave a purple mark on the engorged peak. "Shea, please fuck me" Lenea cries.
I pause briefly, she looks at me bewildered "Don't worry babe, I want to try something. I need to grab something from the dresser."
Walking to the dresser , I feel Lenea's eyes on my bare backside. The room is scented in our lovemaking, Lenea's biotics combining light of dawn combine to make her look angelic as I look over my shoulder to her. "Enjoying the view?" I said.
"Always."
As I opened the dresser drawer to pull out the toy I purchased on Omega, Lenea breathed softly "Was that why you looked so flustered when you met us for dinner that evening. Does that mean you have been thinking of me in this way since then."
"Yes". Rubbing the base of the toy along my slick heat, collecting moisture, I slid the base in to secure it, causing a chill to run down my spine. The toy was size and texture adjustable, with a full-function sensation transmitting base. The box said 'so you can feel everything'.
"I saw that in your bag before we left Illium, the night you had a little too much to drink" Lenea purred as I returned to the bed.
" I told you, I want to be with you, I just need time. Now is the time." Lenea lay back, parting her legs as I settled into her as she began the meld. Cries of passion filled the room again and again as we worked toward our shared release. The toy was worth the embarrassment in the shop.
Several hours later, after we both showered, I made the suggestion we go to the pool . "It's not like I can go outside yet, and it will be fun. Here, you should be able to wear one of my suits" I said, handing her a revealing red swimsuit. "Tell everyone who want to swim to meet us down their I've got to find my bikini."
Everyone seems to like my pool suggestion, as Aria, Asana, Masi, Sabah and Dr. T'Lanin were all poolside with Lenea and Stacy. I entered the room still wearing my robe, with several super soakers. "Ready to play?" I said, devilish grin across my face as I tossed the water guns into the water.
"What are those things for?" Stacy asked with excitement.
"They're called super soakers, or water guns. They're children's toys. There's also a water polo net at the other end if you want to try that later." I added, finally disrobing, to the shock of everyone in the room
Lenea was not the only one blushing this time, as apparently everyone liked the black thong bikini. Aria let out a brief whistle "Damn Shea, is that's supposed to be swim suit or a stripper outfit. Hell, my dancers show less skin."
"Goddess, Shea the suit certainly compliments your figure." Lenea said.
"Thanks. Okay ladies, enough gawking" I dove into the water, splashing everyone, causing Stacy to laugh loudly. We loaded our super soakers, while swimming to the other end of the pool "Okay" I whispered, "You get Lenea and I'll get Aria. Did will be a swim by. Follow me." Stacy and I swam quietly under the surface, when we neared the two asari seated poolside, with Stacy on my shoulders, we popped out of the water, and let them both have it, laughing hysterically in the process."
"I'm going to get you two!" Aria said playfully.
"Gotta catch us first!" I smirked as we swam away, both diving under. From there on, our playful water fight lasted a good hour before I got out of the pool. Aria and Stacy remained in the pool, still shooting each other while Lenea and I retreated to the hot tub to relax.
"That was fun" I said.
"It was. I don't think I've seen Aria act so childlike in sometime. It is good to see. She is always so serious, I am happy she was able to breakaway and be her normal self, however briefly. Thank you Shea."
"She needed it. True she may run a successful enterprise that provides her with many luxuries in life. But from what I can tell Aria's a friggin workaholic. If we gotta make her relax now and then, so be it." I say as we sit down in the hot tub, allowing the massaging jets to relax the muscles in our bodies.