This is the second part of an update containing two chapters. The first one is "Runaway"
Liara always tought two years mourning the one she loves had been like hell, but what she is feeling now is worse. A lot. It is worse than loosing her mother, worse than being violated by Jennifer, worse than the imminent destruction of every civilisation: She hurted Jane, both physically and mentally, and she doesn't know how to fix it...
Jane's tearful emeralds, looking at her with an expression of pure desperation, are haunting Liara. Lying on their bed, a neverending stream of tears is moistening the sheets beneath her.
I'm a terrible, terrible asari being...
Everything has been her fault and her fault alone! Jane is right. After her encounter with the clone, she lost herself because she didn't want to face what happened. Just like she did after Alchera...
The only difference is, this time there is no hate driving her forward. This time Jane has been there to sheperd her and Liara used her for it. Shamelessly.
Rolling herself on her back, she is staring to the ceiling, barely noticing anything through the shroud of tears. Sharp sobs are shaking her shoulders.
She just wanted to forget everything. She wanted to forget about the war and her fear of loosing Jane another time. She wanted to forget about the reports of Reaper scouts approaching Thessia. She wanted to forget about her body twitching and wincing every time she notices something resembling Jennifer in Jane. She wanted to forget the pain. She wanted the galaxy become a better place by denying it's cruel reality.
She hoped that time would heal all wounds, but the truth is: It doesn't.
Liara grabs one of her pillows. Pressing it tightly against her face, she screams out of the top her lungs.
"AAAARRRGGGHHH!"
Time doesn't heal anything; wounds need treatment to heal properly. It's a lesson she learned on Ilium, but she ignored it. And the consequences...
Liara takes a glance towards the far side of the room. Fresh tears are moistening her cheeks as she spots a shallow bump in the wall and fine fissures in it's plaster. Jane loves her, there is no doubt, but... she betrayed her, injured her even!
She... she will break up with me! After all the things I did to her... Goddess! No-no-no-no-no... Jane would never...
The possibility is frightening Liara. Sitting up, her whole body is trembling. Jane would never leave her, but... she never did something like this to her fiancee either...
The worst thing is that she doesn't even know what happened. All she remembers is Jane kissing her hungrily in a desperate attempt to bring comfort.
Her tears are still streaming, but Liara's body reacts to the memory of her fiancee's unusual passion immediately. During the whole week, she felt a growing desire inside her, but she has been to afraid of the possible outcome to act on her yearning. Experiencing a flashback of Jennifer while having sex or melding with Jane... It would have been too much to bear!
Closing her arms around her knees, Liara is bending forward.
The lack of intimacy is almost driving her crazy, and given Jane's way of kissing her, she is not alone with that...
Remembering her fiancee's hot tongue entering her mouth and those wonderful strong hands exploring the curves of her body, she feels her nipples harden and a pleasant ache in her azure. Liara is closing her eyes and moans softly. It has been far too long...
But why?
The events one-and-a-half hour ago are still confusing her.
She kissed me and I kissed her back, that much is clear. I remember that I was happy; happy and incredibly turned on. I just wanted to ask her for opening my hoodie, but then I wasn't able to breath anymore; her kiss, something was wrong with the way Jane kissed me...
Knitting her faded brow markings at the effort, Liara is forcing herself to remember the thing that has been wrong.
Jennifer kissed me the same way, seconds until I realized who she was. That must have been the thing that was wrong! And then... The next thing I remember is Jane lying on the ground and a strange feeling... What was it?
Grim satisfaction; the taste of power and control.
Liara feels bone-chilling shivers running down her spine. A flashback. She had a flashback without even noticing it! She must have used her biotics on instinct; her body fighting the one that tormented it on it's own. With the small, but important detail that it hasn't been Jennifer in front of her, but Jane...
Rocking her body back and forth unwittingly, she shakes her head in disbelief and starts rubbing her engagement ring.
What have I done?!
She needs help. She needs to talk about what happened. And more than anything, she needs Jane!
Crawling out of the bed, she wipes her cheeks dry, only to have them wet again a second later. What if she damaged their relationship beyond repair? A huge lump in her throat makes it difficult for her to breathe, but even so she is stumbling towards the dresser besides the doorway hurrily. She would beg Jane to come back, on her knees if necesserary! Fixing her mistakes would have to wait until Jane's return...
Reaching her destination, she has to support herself on the piece of furniture; her shaking legs are making it difficult to stand upright.
She promised, but... what if she doesn't want to come back to me? A weak, stinking and ungrateful mess... Goddess, I injured her!
One second later, the door bell is ripping her out of her self-hatred ungently.
Shortly she hopes that it is Jane, but the very thought is stupid. Her fiancee wouldn't ring, but simply open the door by herself. But who else would visit her that early?
Grabbing her omnitool with trembling fingers, she takes a short look at the security feed.
It is Samantha Traynor, standing in front of the door, heavily laden with a chess board, the usual thermos flask, some kind of trophy and a small, but seemingly heavy, box.
Usually the sight of the young woman is warming her heart. Playing chess and drinking tea with her turned out to be very enjoyable and, in opposite to Garrus and Tali, Traynor never made awkward attempts to talk about what happened with her. She doesn't know why the specialist keeps on visiting her, but during the last week she was looking forward to it every day. Right now however, the only person she wants to see is her fiancee, and so she activates the intercom.
"Traynor, I'm sorry, but... I'd rather be alone. Jane and I... we had a fight an-..."
Sounding a little breathless, the young specialist is cutting her short.
"Yes, Shepard mentioned it, and... I beg your pardon, but could you please let me in? That stuff is a really shitty load!"
She told her?
Well aware of her puffy eyelids and swollen nose, she tries to clean her face, fairly embaressed about her sorry state. Swallowing weakly, she opens the door. Traynor, groaning under her burden, is entering immediately, obviously searching for a spot to place the things she is carrying.
"Good morning, Dr. T'Soni. Where...?"
"Just... just put it onto the dresser, over there. You said J-Jane told you about our fight? What did she say? Please, tell me!"
Sighing in relief, Traynor is massaging her now empty hands, but strangly she's blushing the next moment. Staring at her suddenly very interesting digits, the young woman takes a few, short glances towards the desperate asari in front of her.
"Yes... She wanted you to know that she's not mad with you, and that she'll be back around midday. Besides that, she asked me to, um... give you some... presents."
"Presents?"
Liara asks automatically, but Jane's message is distracting her from Traynor's nervous reaction.
She is not mad with me? But... why?!
Suddenly the specialist's expression changes from insecurity to determination. Stepping forward, Traynor is placing two brown hands on Liara's shoulders and looks deep into her eyes.
"I love you, Bluebird. Always."
"Wha-..."
Opening her bloodshot sapphires in surprise, she is just about to say something, but the young woman is silencing her by leaning forward and placing a short, innocent kiss on her blue lips. Lasting only a second, the lingering feeling of unfamiliar, but soft lips is leaving her utterly speechless.
Traynor herself is blushing again. Breaking the contact awkwardly, the specialist steps backwards, biting her lips self-consciously in the course.
Meanwhile Liara is touching her own mouth dreamily. Her mind still has problems processing what just happend.
Always. Oh Jane...
"Jane asked you for this?"
Her soft question, although being sort of rethoric, seems to startle the young woman. Turning around hurrily, she grabs the box fom the dresser and starts to stutter apologetically.
"Yes, but... I'm so sorry! She... she asked me to give you this first and... Holy bollocks, I hope didn't ruin it! That would be soooo typical for me..."
Looking slightly crestfallen, Traynor is opening the box and Liara inspects it curiously. One moment later however, she is staring at it's contents wide eyed, while sobbing in pure relief. The meaning of the Jane's present is unmistakable...
The young woman in front of her seems to be surprised, but instead of asking why two pieces of chocolate cake are able to cause such a reaction, she simply puts the box aside and hugs the crying asari.
Liara is embracing the solacing gesture eagerly and buries her head deep in Traynor's neck. Even more than the feeling of tender hands resting her back, it's the touch of human hair at her cheek that is calming her down after a few minutes. The scent is different, of course (teak, cinnamon and honey instead of Jane's iron, poppy and halite), but the texture is comforting familiar.
When she finally is breaking the contact, Liara can't help but feel a little guilty about the way she and Jane are using Traynor, despite or especially because of the specialist's history. She seems to be content with it, smiling at her considerately, but still...
"Thank you!"
The whispered words are everything she is able to manage at the moment, but Traynor's smile broadens even more. Grabbing the box again, the young woman looks at it cravingly.
"You're welcome. Um, ma'am... you wouldn't mind to have some pre-lunch afters, would you? It's a little embaressing, but in anticipation of my old nemesis' defeat, I missed breakfast and now I'm starving!"
"Of course. Just follow me..."
Wiping some last tears away, Liara is leading the way towards the kitchen, and activates her omnitool. The text message she is sending contains only four words.
I love you too.
A few minutes later, both having a plate full of delicious cake and a cup with steaming tea in front of them, she and Traynor are sitting together in silence, just like they did every day during the last week. But something is different, making it difficult for Liara to enjoy the peaceful silence. It is not because of the kiss, no, the reason is a subtle change in their relationship she can't quite put her finger on. Given the specialist's continued glances towards her, she is not alone with that.
Finally Liara decides to take the first step. Swallowing down some cake, she takes a sip of the aromatic tea.
"Traynor?"
"Yes, ma'am?"
"You are not helping me because of feeling obligated towards Jane, are you? I know that you are from Horizon, and I know that you've been there during the collector attack, but..."
Apparently caught flatfooted, Traynors is choking on her food. Mumbling an apology, Liara is filling the woman's cup with fresh tea and tries to surpress a nervous giggle.
Okay, maybe that was a little bold...
It takes her some sips and a few forceful coughs until the specialist is able to speak again. Clearing her throat a last time, Traynor starts shaking her head resolutely.
"No! No-no-no, that's not why... How did you even learn about that?! My files were supposed to be clo-... Oh! Of course..."
Liara can't help but smile smugly as Traynor is realising the reason. The specialist is, partly because of EDI being a incurable blabbermouth, partly because of her own wits, one of the few persons knowing the Shadow Broker's identity. But she is also the only one forgetting about it regulary... Squeezing one of Traynor's hands softly, she gives her an apologetic glance.
"I'm sorry, I... I just needed to know. It's selfish, but..."
She doesn't finish the sentence, but Traynor seems to understand nevertheless and a sad smile appears on her brown face.
"You really don't have any idea, do you?"
Shaking her head, Liara bites her lips and watches the young woman curiously. After a few moments Traynor is looking up, right at her crest, and Liara suddenly feels very self-conscious. She is still wearing the marks of Jennifer's hands; shallow, but visible exaltations forming the shape of fingers. And according to Dr. Chakwas, they would stay...
Noticing her disturbed state, Traynor nods wisely and starts talking. The pain in the young woman's eyes and voice is horribly familiar.
"It's because... I can comprehend. I know how it feels to be at the mercy of someone. I know the feeling of watching someone else doing... things with your body without being able to fight back. I know the helplessness and... the self-hatred; it took me months until I stopped cursing my own weakness. It's moronic, isn't it? As if a small, asthmatic nerd could have done anything to stop these insectoid bastards from touching her with these terrible claws, stuffing her body into a stinky, slimy coffin!"
Liara tries to swallow down a huge lump in throat and nods once. Listening the woman's words is like looking into a mirror...
Wiping her eyes angrily, Traynor continues.
"When EDI told me that you've been abducted and... injured, I... I just needed to do something. Doc Chakwas endured the same as well, so I called her and... Well, she didn't tell my anything about what happend exactly, but she did encourage me to visit you. I've to admit, I felt a little clueless at first, so I kept it simple. The thing that worked best for me has been distraction, so: Chess. And everything's better while having some good tea..."
Raising her cup, the young woman smiles encouragly and takes a long, appreciative sip before returning to her task of annihilating the thick slice of cake. Although enjoying the following silence, a part of Liara is craving to talk and seek advice. But she remains silent. It simply wouldn't be right to tell Traynor about Jennifer before telling Jane first, despite the specialist being her frien-...
Suddenly comprehending the thing that changed in her feelings towards the young woman, Liara is chewing her lips nervously. Unlike Jane, she has never been good at making friends... Sure, there is Tali, Garrus and Wrex. And in some way Dr. Chakwas and Joker. Maybe even Ashley. But these friendships were building up over months, born out of complete, battle-tested trust. This is... different.
"Would it be okay for you to continue on first name terms?"
Keeping her voice calm, she is somehow afraid of a possible rejection, but to her delight Traynor is smiling happily.
"I'd be glad to!"
"Thank you, Samantha. For everything. And... for being a friend?"
The young woman nods approvingly. Smiling happily by herself, Liara finishes the first half of her slice and sighs in satisfaction as she is putting the plate aside. She would safe the other half for Jane, as always...
Looking at the unfinished cake curiously, Traynor is knitting her eyebrows and Liara shortly wonders if she offended her new friend, but the question blurting out of the woman the next moment proofes otherwise.
"Okay, I have to ask, otherwise I'm going to explode: What's the deal with the cake?"
Samantha's sparkling curiousity is very familiar to her, and Liara can't help but tease her a little, knowing from own experience that it would make the craving almost unbearable.
"Maybe it's just one of my favorite foods?"
Staring at her with an expression of pure disbelief, the young specialist's voice is showing signs of amusement.
"Come on, Liara... The peck surprised you, but after you saw that pastries you were radiating love! And in spite of your statement, you only finished half of what is supposed to be one of your favorites. Exactly the half, as it seems... So, you're either a tremendous liar, or you have some kind of obsessive disorder concerning sweet brown things. In case of the latter I'd have to leave very fast! I'm a sweet brown thing by myself after all, and evoking the wrath of Shepard isn't part of my survival strategy."
Admiring the woman's observation skills, Liara is grinning impishly. But then the complete sincerity of Traynor's last sentences is cracking her up and she starts laughing. Almost startled by the sound of it, Liara feels stinging heat in the corners of her sapphire eyes. For the first time since Jennifer abducted her, she is laughing, really laughing!
It is almost too wonderful to stop, but finally she is forcing herself to calm down and gather her thoughts. Given Samantha's smug grin, her new friend is expecting an answer. And by the Goddess, she earned one!
"Of course, you are right; there is a special story. But telling it could take quite some time."
"Well, I've still got some cake, and there's a lot of tea left..."
Liara smiles reflectively. The memories of her first adventures are rich in variety... Unsure of how to proceed, she decides to start from the very beginning.
"When I came onboard the original Normandy, it was... difficult to adjust. I used to be an archeologist, but from one day to another, I had to become a soldier, serving on an warship full of strange aliens. I had never met humans before, and suddenly I was surrounded by them! To make things worse, most of the crew didn't trust me because... because of my mother. She was indoctrinated, a Reaper slave, but we didn't know that at this time...
In the first weeks, I... I cried myself into sleep every night. I was so young! Most of the time I felt frightened and exhausted, but the loneliness was the worst. I spent years embracing the solitude of dig sites, but having other people around me suddenly made me feel isolated.
But there were two things cheering me up: Watching this strangly fascinating woman, who trusted me in spite of my doubtful loyalities, and... dessert!"
Looking at her observingly with a mesmerized expression, Traynor starts chuckling sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, but... I felt just the same during my first month! Although for me it wasn't cake, but that fantastic selection of tea in the mess..."
Yes, there are quite a few similarities between you and me during my younger days. Younger days... Did this all really happen only four years ago? Goddess!
Nodding absent-mindedly, she continues.
"Um, dessert, yes... The military rations were disgusting, but all those sugary sweets after the meals: They brought me some happiness. I even did some research on the delicacies awaiting me after a long day; Human food culture is quite fascinating. Especially ice cream! Seriously, did you know there is no other species in the whole galaxy with a tradition of freezing their food only to let it melt again while eating it?! No? Well, it's true! Oh... Sorry, I'm straggling..."
Being slightly embarassed about her excitement, Liara notices her cheeks and neck blushing. Samantha however doesn't do anything except smirking forgivingly, which gives her time to recover.
"Okay, what you probably should know is that it's very taxing to use biotics in combat situations, and, to make things worse, I was not used to it. After my first missions, I usually slept a few hours until dinner, catched something to eat and slept again. Not as glamorous as in all those bad novels about asari commandos fighting all day and having fun all night, isn't it? However, it took time, but I slowly adjusted: I became stronger and more resilient, which gave me confidence.
But then, six weeks after joining the crew, we approached Feros and the following events teached me that I knew nothing about war. It was my first mission of top priority: A small settlement, Zhu's Hope, was under siege and the battles were brutal. After hours of skirmishing Geth I was utterly exhausted, but Jane's will to fight made me carry on. Finally, using very... creative methods, we destroyed the enemy cruiser. I almost cried in relief, because I assumed the worst being over, but... I was wrong. Goddess, so wrong!
It turned out that the colony was infected by a Thorian. Without going too much into detail, it was a sentient plant which used his spores to indoctrinate the colonists and create an army of mindless slaves. We had to fight our way through hundreds of them, and when we finally defeated their source, my whole body was numb. We saved almost everyone, so it was a major victory, but the first thing I did being back on the Normandy was throwing up. Then, during the debriefing, I collapsed...
The next thing I remember is waking up in my room sometime during the Normandy's night shift. My whole body was aching, I felt freezingly cold and on top of all, I was hungry. Goddess, I had never felt that hungry before! Despite my condition, I sneaked towards the mess, hoping to find anything to eat, but... there was nothing left. The mess sergeant already locked the food away, and I was no officer, so I didn't have a shelf on my own either.
Standing hungry in the darkness, alone with my pain and fear... it was simply too much and I broke into tears. But then..."
Liara starts smiling, both because of the fond memory and the sight of her new friend unwittingly leaning forward in suspense. But she doesn't continue with her story in spite of that; she is too busy sorting out a strange emotion inside her. Although having talked more than she probably did during the whole last week, she is feeling... refreshed. It takes her a moment to localize the source of her new energy, but when she does, she has to gulp back a happy sob.
She doesn't know when it started, but the acrid shroud of depression is gone. Jennifer is gone... Touching her engagement ring tenderly, she takes a glance at Traynor, who is still almost fidgeting in anticipation.
Did you do this, Jane? Did you know that the memories of our first steps together would banish Jennifer from my mind?
"Liara? Is there something wrong?"
She shakes her head. No, there is nothing wrong. Everything is all right, or at least it would be again. A single teardrop is rolling down her blue cheek as she gives the diamond-gemmed ring a short kiss.
I love you, Jane. Please, come back soon! I want you make my body forget as well...
Finally she is able to concentrate on the slightly concerned looking woman in front of her again. Coating her words with all the love she is feeling, Liara continues right where she stopped.
"But then something wonderful happened: Sniveling silently, I suddenly felt gentle hands at my shoulders, pulling me into the most comforting, the most protective hug you can imagine. It was Jane... She told me that I made her proud, that I had been very brave on that planet, and that I was marvelous. And she whispered that I got her worried.
Later I heard that it was her who carried me to my quarters, checking on me every half hour while I was asleep. I didn't know this then, but it was pretty obvious that she actually cared about me...
After some minutes I mumbled an apology and began wiping my face, which was blushing badly. Jane however opened her personal compartment and removed a plate full of things I liked: a small bowl of fruit salad, two of the sandwiches Kaidan always prepared for special occasions and some of these yellow pieces of fried root vegetables. But most importantly: A seperate plate with a thick slice of chocolate cake. Apparently she studied my habits just as careful as I watched hers... I was deeply touched and more than a little self-conscious, but she was very kind and understanding. She sat down with me at one of the tables, and finally we acted on our mutual attraction.
Before, we only discussed things concerning our hunt for Saren, and the longest time we spent together apart from assignments had been during debriefings. But at this night, we started to talk. We spoke about almost everything: asari culture, human culture, our personal history, funny stories about living onboard a starship, pets, archeology, music, elcor productions of human plays, racial stereotypes, her driving style... We sat there for hours, just chatting and eating cake. And beginning with the next day, no matter how long a mission took or how busy we were, we at least had our dessert together."
Staring into space dreamily, Traynor's expression shows a hint of... wishfulness?
"Woah, that's soooo romantic... So the cake reminds the two of you of falling in love with each other?"
Placing a few soft strokes at her ring, Liara smiles wistfully.
"Yes and no. For both of us it was love on first sight; during these talks, we slowly began accepting our already existing feelings."
I know, but Jane doesn't. I never told her about my emotions on Therum...
"And the cake... There is still one last part of the story."
The dark-skinned woman looks at her with an expression of disbelieving glee.
"Oh my gosh! Even more? Seriously: I'm eating chocolate cake, my toothbrush is broken, and you keep on bombarding me with sweetness! Holy bollocks, my pearly whites are gonna hate me for it, but... Shoot!"
Despite being amused by Samantha's foolery, Liara produces only lukewarm chuckles. The memory is bittersweet, and unlike the dream she had one week ago, remembering her mother still hurts.
"It's not very pleasant, I'm afraid... As I said, my mother was indoctrinated. What I didn't tell you is that... we had to take her out. She left us no choice. It happened on a planet named Noveria, three months after we started eating together; Jane was the one who... she was the one bringing my mother peace. But... it took some time until her body gave up. She... she was strong, she always had been... I... I held her in my arms when she died."
"Good heavens! Liara, I'm so sorry! I didn't know..."
"It's... it's all right, Samantha. I'm... "
"Mother..."
"Good night, Little Wing. I will see you again with the dawn."
"Please, hold on! I love y-... Mother?"
"..."
"M-mother?!"
"..."
"Goddess!"
Sensing her emotional turmoil, the young woman reaches out and squeezes one of her blue hands reassuringly.
"What happened next? It must have been difficult. For both of you..."
Thankful for the distraction, Liara coughs slightly.
"Yes. I was devastated! And Jane... When we returned to the Normandy, she couldn't even look at me, and I didn't understand why... I spent the whole day crying in my room and feeling lonely. I craved for Jane's company, but... she avoided me. Curling myself up on my cot, I stared towards the wall, but I couldn't find sleep. The pain was too intense."
The next memory is sending radiating warmth through her whole body. Closing her eyes, Liara starts smiling again.
"After mourning for hours, the sound of an opening maglock made me jump. It was Dr. Chakwas, who came in and sat down besides me. Squeezing my shoulder gently, she expressed her condolences and then she said something I will never forget:
'The girl cares about you; a great deal. You know that, don't you?' Karin turned around and strangely, she chuckled. 'Shepard asked me to bring you this. My medical advice would be a more balanced diet, but I have to admit, it's an established comfort food.' Then she showed me a thick slice of chocolate cake, freshly baked and still steaming..."
Looking at her now almost empty plate with sparkles in her brown eyes, Samantha nods slowly.
"Shepard was too afraid to visit you in person, wasn't she? Probably she thought it would hurt you even more... She felt guilty about your mother's death; guilty and ashamed for causing you sorrow, of course!
She ordered fresh cake from the mess, because she hoped remembering happy times would give you consolation, right? You were accustomed to have your afters together and it all started with chocolate cake, so... It's a symbol that you aren't alone, isn't it? That she cares about you, even if she's away? Oh my goodness, that's soooo sweet!"
Liara can't help but admire Traynor's razor-sharp brain. Smiling thoughtfully, she takes a long sip of her almost forgotten tea.
"Indeed. But it's also a reminder of something else... Ignoring Karin, who was smirking oddly, I crawled out of my cot and ran towards Jane's cabin. It was dinner time, so the mess was full of eating crewmen, and... Oh, you don't know the original Normandy's layout, do you? My room was behind the medbay, and the captain's quarters were just at the far side of the mess hall. In SR-2 terms: I went from EDI's data core to the X.O.'s office."
Her words are accompanied by a pang of nostalgia. Despite the SR-2's numerous advantages, the SR-1 had been way more... cozy. And all the fond moments with Jane...
Meanwhile Samantha is knitting her eyebrows in an attempt to visualize the scene. A second later she nods approvingly, and Liara continues talking.
"Very well... I ran through the mess, glistening tears on my face and wearing nothing but a pyjama, so my bare feet slapped on the cold floor with every step. I barely noticed Wrex calling for me right before I reached my destination. And there she was: Sitting at her table with slouching shoulders and staring at her own slice of chocolate cake sadly.
Noticing me, Jane almost stumbled over her chair when she stood up. She was incredibly pale, had dark rings under her eyes and her hair was a pure mess, but she was the most wonderfully beautiful creature in the galaxy anyway!
Before she was able to say something, I dashed forward and pulled her into our first kiss. She returned it and... my heart jumped! I was still crying, so the kiss was wet and salty, and my inexpertness made it very sloppy. But by then, I never had experienced something so... magic, so... perfect. I literally felt eternity, my very soul, burning...
We spent the rest of the night together in her cabin and she insisted on sharing her meal with me, because I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast that day. And whenever grief overcame me, she caressed my cheek and gave me a soft kiss... In the end we lay down on her bed and Jane held me tight, stroking my back until my tears went dry. The last thing I remember is falling asleep with my head rested on her shoulder, feeling strong arms around my body and tender lips at my crest...
And so we became a couple. The rest is, as the human saying goes, history."
Looking at it with an expression of pure bliss on her blue face, Liara is stroking her engagement ring lovingly. Traynor is watching the gesture with a knowing smile.
"Thank you, Liara. For telling me. It's a gorgeous story! So... there will be chocolate cake at your wedding, I suppose?"
Emptying her cup, Liara chuckles softly in amusement. She really enjoys spending time with Traynor; the woman is funny, intelligent, a good listener and... a friend.
"Of course! As far as I'm concerned, at least. Three days ago, Jane mentioned something called 'blueberry pie'. I think it was a joke, but with her you never know..."
"Ha! You can say that again! She's a remarkable woman, isn't she?"
Chuckling by herself, Samantha finishes the last crumbs of her cake, flushing them down with the rest of her tea. Liara however is gazing into space.
"That she certainly is..."
She died and came back to me. I shattered her heart on Ilium, but she told me about her love. Despite the war torturing her body and mind, she gave me the happiest day of my life. And now I attacked and injured her, but all Jane thinks about is helping me... By the Goddess, I will show her how grateful I am! And how much I love her!
The blue of Liara's sapphire eyes turns several shades darker and she nods decisively. Yes, it has been far too long!
Allowing Jane to close the last festering wounds Jennifer scarred her would be the first step. But there are other things to do as well.
Cleaning up the mess she made out of their bedroom and her body is essential. Liara makes a face, disgusted by her own behaviour. She even let her brow markings, usually her only concession to vanity, fade! Grooming herself would probably be beneficial for her intentions.
Remembering one particular embaressing thing her fiancee said, Liara is sniffling at her armpit stealthily and wrinkles her nose. Jane likes the scent of her pheromones, this hint of eezo, lilac and seasalt, but she would take a long shower nevertheless!
Another point on her still growing list. And Jane would come back soon...
Liara purses her lips and looks at Traynor guiltily, who is collecting their dishes, placing them neatly on a tray. She appreciates the time together with her new friend, but...
"Samantha, please don't get me wrong, but... could we continue this later? Maybe tomorrow in the evening? There are some, um... preparations I have to make and J-..."
Standing up with an expression of cheerfulness in her brown eyes, the young woman is cutting her short with one of those strange human sayings. The meaning of her words however is unmistakable and heartwarming.
"Do you need a hand?"