In Love and War

Chapter Fourteen – The Asari Consort

Back on the Normandy, Shepard let Tali go over the data on Aleena's disc while Dr. Chakwas checked on her injuries. Liara wasn't letting Shepard out of her sight, not after the meeting with Aleena. It came as a surprise to her when Dr. Chakwas let Shepard out of the med bay and back to her quarters to rest.

Liara followed Shepard closely, which Shepard found quite endearing. "Liara, you don't need to watch over me. All I got are some cuts and bruises."

Liara maintained a miserable expression while she protested. "Cracked ribs?"

"Bruises." Shepard replied quickly.

"Dislocated shoulder?"

"Bruises."

"Broken face and a bump on your head?"

"Cuts and bruises. See, got it all covered." Shepard gave Liara a sweet grin. "I feel great now that we've got that data. I think I'll go and start a boxing match with Garrus. I can knock him down with one eye closed." She pointed at her swollen-shut eye.

Liara couldn't help but laugh. "Shepard, you are impossible!" Liara's laughter added an extra bounce to Shepard's step as they walked to her quarters.

Once inside, Liara started to arrange the pillows and pull down the covers for Shepard to lie down. Shepard stopped in the middle of the room. "Liara, I can do all that by myself, you know. You're not my servant."

"You are not my servant either, but when I was injured you took care of me." Liara gave Shepard a determined look and then she walked over to her. "I will get you something to drink and eat. What would you like?"

Shepard shook her head, "I can get that myself too." Seeing the asari's stubborn face, "I'm not hungry. How about some tea?"

Liara smiled as Shepard gave in to her persuasion. "I will get us both tea to share."

When the asari came back with two cups of tea, she found the human with her under armor wrapped around her arms above her head, groaning. Liara put the teacups down quickly on the table and turned to the Commander. "What are you doing?"

"I'm stuck, can't you see? Help me!" Shepard shouted in frustration from inside her trap, her voice muffed by the thick under armor fabric.

Liara chuckled, "Now you see why I did not leave you alone?" She ran her fingers across the cloth trying to find the zipper, and she unzipped it quickly. Shepard's arms fell in sudden freedom and hit her cracked ribs. She yelped and bent down a little, holding her chest. Liara cradled her shoulders, the smile gone from her face. "Shepard, I am sorry. Here, sit down."

Shepard took a few short breaths and let Liara lead her to sit on the edge of her bed. Her complexion turned a little paler from the pain, but she tried not to show it. Liara took a cup of tea and put it in Shepard's hands. Seeing they were shaking slightly from the pain, Liara enfolded Shepard's hands and the teacup gently with her own hands, waiting patiently for Shepard's pain to stop. When Shepard's breathing evened, Liara let go of her so that the Commander could drink her tea. Shepard suddenly regretted that her pain was gone.

Liara took her own cup of tea and sat next to Shepard on the bed. They drank in silence for a while, and Liara looked at Shepard for a moment, "Can I ask you a question?"

Shepard looked back at Liara with one good eye. "Sure, ask away."

Before Liara opened her mouth again, Joker's voice came on the speaker, "Commander, ah… someone is at the airlock asking for permission to come onboard."

"Who is it?"

"She said she's the asari Consort?"

Both Shepard and Liara called out together, "Sha'ira?"

Joker confirmed. "That's the name."

Shepard looked at Liara, "Did you contact the Consort about your mother?"

Liara nodded, "I did. She and my mother are … were close friends. But she told me she had not heard from my mother. She was once my mentor but she seemed distant when I saw her the other day."

Seeing Liara getting anxious, Shepard tried to calm her. "Let me talk to her first. Maybe she's here for something else. I've done a couple of favors for her before."

The door to the decontamination chamber lifted to reveal a hooded figure. Shepard moved to greet her guest. "Consort, welcome to the Normandy."

The figure took off her large silky hood and moved closer to the Commander. "Thank you for granting me the privilege of visiting your ship, Commander. She is indeed magnificent."

Sha'ira glanced at the Commander's bruised face, Shepard couldn't help but confess. "Excuse the broken face, life of a soldier…"

"Beauty grants only a glimpse to the enlightened, Commander. And only the enlightened can see beauty beneath the surface. You need not apologize." She gave Shepard a small smile. "I'm here with a troubling matter, one that concerns the young Liara T'Soni. May I speak with her?"

Shepard escorted the Consort to the Starboard lounge while asking Joker to inform Liara of her guest. When Liara came into the lounge, Sha'ira stood up from the long sofa and gave Liara a warm asari greeting. "Liara, first please accept my apology for retreating behind my busy schedule when you visited. I was not prepared and my chambers were hardly the place for this conversation." The Consort gave a very brief glance to Shepard who was getting some water flasks behind the bar.

Without waiting for her guest to sit down, Liara eagerly asked, "Do you have new information for me?"

Sha'ira motioned for Liara to sit in the chair close to the sofa and sat down herself. She put a hand on Liara's knee, "Liara, what I'm about to tell you could change one's view of the Matriarch. It's perhaps wise we talk alone."

Shepard walked over to the pair carrying two water bottles. She put them on the table and faced Liara. "I'll be in my quarters if you need me." She turned around to leave, but Liara stopped her just before the door opened. She put her arm around Shepard's good shoulder and walked her back so that they stood in front of the Consort side by side.

"Sha'ira, you have provided me with invaluable support many times in my life when I needed them the most. I trust you and I know you care for me." She waited for the Consort to nod her agreement. "Commander Shepard is providing me with the same support I need right now. She must know everything I do about my mother in order to help her. I trust her with my life and certainly with my mother's reputation."

The Consort's calm face and warm smile remained unchanged, but she was actually quite impressed that the young asari had made a powerful friend in such a short time. A lot like her mother. The thought warmed Sha'ira's heart as she had always thought that Benezia protected Liara like a devoted mother bird to her baby chick, yet somehow lacked a certain gentle touch.

When Benezia ran into trouble with Liara, she sometimes sought help from her closest friends. Sha'ira was among the small group of friends she could entrust to guide her daughter. While Benezia appeared grandiose and sometimes imposing to those who sought wisdom and guidance from her, Sha'ira exuded tranquility and an undeniable calm so inviting that even the strongest minds would surrender willingly.

It was deceptive at first when Liara took immediate liking to Sha'ira and accepted her guidance much easily than she did with her mother. But the more she peeked behind the calming presence, the more Liara was convinced that Sha'ira's mind was as powerful as her mother's and her biotics almost as strong.

The young Liara was once convinced that behind the pleasing smile and accepting attitude laid a very astute observer or even a deadly assassin. She suspected the Consort was a spy for the asari Matriarch governing body. She fancied the exciting adventures Sha'ira must have encountered while on dangerous pursues of super villains; and she imagined there was a secret armory underneath the Consort's Chambers that was secured by a hidden switch behind the large heart shaped sofa, and it could only be unlocked by the locket Sha'ira always wore. During one of the visits to the Consort's Chambers with her mother, Liara actually made an excuse to pretend browsing the art on the wall and wandered behind the sofa, searching discreetly for the secret switch to the secret door.

"Keep your steps graceful and your expression pleasant, but don't dim the fire within your heart." Sha'ira once advised Liara after she had yet another defiant moment with her mother. "You are special, Liara. And your mother knows it."

"Sometimes I feel that my mother wishes for a different kind of daughter." Liara had sent her applications for University of Serrice to study archeology and her mother had voiced her disapproval.

"You think your mother would be happier if her daughter obeyed every one of her wishes?" Sha'ira quizzed the young maiden.

"I think she would throw a celebration!"

"No, she wouldn't." Sha'ira couldn't tell the young maiden how proud the Matriarch was of her daughter. Even though mother and daughter had different views of Liara's career choice, Benezia was constantly praising the young asari's amazing ability to see wisdom where others easily missed. But Sha'ira knew it too well that this was something between mother and daughter, and they had to find their own ways to express it. "If you had such a craven mind and pitiful will, your mother would have considered herself a failure at raising a daughter."

When Shepard joined the asari by sitting in the chair next to Liara, the Consort sat back in the sofa so that she could face both young people. "Very well." There was a long pause, and Sha'ira's calming face changed to something else. "You mother did come to see me a couple of month ago at my chambers." That grabbed the attention of both the human and the young asari. "She … she's changed."

Shepard had only met Sha'ira a few times but she had never seen her without her placid composure. She had a nagging feeling that Liara wasn't going to like what the Consort had to say.

"She told me she has joined Saren Arterius to embark on an extremely important journey. Saren has come to possession of a ship that she was living on with a few of her followers, and their quest is to save the galaxy. She didn't give me other details." Sha'ira took a long breath. "That was before the news about Saren attacking human colonies." She didn't want to say 'with Benezia's help'; she didn't want to believe her long time friend would be an accomplice to such atrocities.

"What did she want with you?" Shepard could sense Consort's unease. Something bad must have happened in that meeting with the Matriarch for someone like Sha'ira to be so rattled.

"She wanted information on Prothean technology." Sha'ira explained. "I had a client who was a Prothean researcher. He visited me often, most of the time he just needed to have someone to chat about his work and his life since he often spent years on remote digs and talked with no one." She looked at Liara, "I can't reveal his name, especially now that I know Saren is after him." She shifted her gaze to Shepard, "To answer your question, Commander. The Matriarch wanted the information my client shared with me. It'd take them months if not years to track down my client who often roams on remote planets. The quickest way to get the information Saren wanted was through me."

Once again, the Consort stopped, this time not to use the pause to attract the attention of her listeners but dreading what she was about to say next. "I refused to share the information with Benezia as that's one rule I won't break as long as I live." She sighed with a frown. "This is difficult for me to tell you, child. Your mother and I are old friends, even confidants at times. We sometimes meld to share memories, and Benezia always shared memories of your activities with me when I couldn't make to an important event, like your graduation. She suggested melding during her last visit. I was hesitant at first but I agreed. Benezia looked so gloomy, her voice desolate and her eyes barren of any warmth. I wanted to help her and thought knowing her troubles might give me some insight on how to help her. But … but …" Sha'ira's voice trembled and her pained expression sent shivers to Liara's body. "She tried…to force…"

"Stop!" Liara shot up from her seat and walked way from the Consort. "No, that is not possible!" Her voice was deep with conviction.

Sha'ira quickly continued. "She didn't. I possess much stronger mind and biotic power than most people realize. I ended the meld immediately after I felt her intentions. Benezia stormed out with a warning. 'You've doomed the galaxy!'"

As if she had accomplished an important task, Sha'ira let out a long sigh and stood up from the sofa. Looking at Liara whose back was still turned to them, she wants to offer comfort or advice that might help the young maiden. Invading one's mind was after all an unspeakable act that only used by the most hideous characters in the most ghastly crimes. For once, Sha'ira found she had nothing to offer the young asari. She turned her attention to the human soldier, hoping that perhaps she could provide some relief for her young friend, or at least stand by her when she was suffering. The messy galaxy had just gotten messier.

"Commander, I believe I've taken enough of your precious time." Sha'ira put her calming presence back on and gave Shepard a nod. She turned to the young asari, "Liara, help your mother when you find her."

Shepard followed the Consort out and walked her to the airlock. As they waited for the decontamination door to open, Sha'ira shared with Shepard. "The Matriarchs on Thessia and the Citadel are in disarray. Needless to say the news of Benezia has created tidal wave among our leaders. They're afraid, afraid when our leaders fall, the rest of the galaxy will follow."

Shepard had been thinking about the scope of the events unfolding right in front of them. The discovery of Sovereign was much bigger than Benezia and Saren. She wondered how many wheels the event had set in motion and how many believe that the Reapers really existed and that they were coming to destroy everything. This wasn't going to be a war where soldiers saved the civilians, it was going to be a war where everyone hasd to pick up a weapon and fall in line. There was no other way.

With a confident voice, Shepard replied to Sha'ira. "No, when leaders fall, someone else will pick up the flag and become leaders. Each one of us has to do our part to ensure the survival of the galaxy. This will be a war where nobody can stand on the sidelines. I hope the Matriarchs can see the truth and prepare their people."

Sha'ira let out a surprised glance before putting her hood back on. "Commander, your wisdom humbles me. I will convey your resolve to the Matriarchs. And please, help Benezia."

After escorting the asari Consort off the ship, Shepard hurried back to the lounge. Liara was standing in front of the window, and Shepard lingered by the door, not knowing what to say. Her resolve in keeping the young asari on this difficult quest was wavering. Abruptly, Liara hit the window with her hand, startling Shepard. "This is not my mother, Shepard. This is not her!" Her voice broke.

"Shepard, my mother is a powerful biotic, she is ambitious and she has strong convictions, but she is never ruthless. I would not love her as much if she were so heartless and … evil."

Shepard walked over and stood next to Liara, their arms almost touching. "Shepard, come! I want to show you something." Liara grabbed Shepard's hand with sudden urgency and led her to the long sofa. When they sat facing each other, Liara held both Shepard's hands, looking deeply into Shepard's eyes and pleading. "I want to show you something, please. Close your eyes and relax. Embrace eternity."

In a moment, Shepard saw Liara on a small hover-bike, overlooking a small mountain with luscious jungles, colorful plants and waterfalls rushing into the deep dark pool at the foot of the mountain. Liara's face was wide with a smile and wonder. "It is beautiful, mother!"

She looked to her left, Benezia on her own hover-bike smiled back at her daughter. "It is indeed, Liara."

Liara pointed at a group of birds circling the mountain near the top and flying away from their view. "Look, the mil'ugens are back! I can look at this forever!" Liara shouted with joy. Hearing loud giggles from her mother, Liara looked at her. Her mother looked beautiful in a long yellow dress with a shoulder-length scarf that was dancing in the wind. She looked gorgeous when she smiled. Liara challenged, shouting over the loud sound of the waterfalls below them. "Do you remember when I was little, you always let me win every hover-bike race?"

Benezia looked at her daughter's bright smile, and she threw her head back in a laugh. "Liara!" Before Liara had time to react, Benezia bit down her lower lip, pulled hard on the thrusters of the hover-bike and shouted loudly. "Catch me if you can, Little Wing!"

Liara squeaked and pulled hard on the thruster of her own bike and stood up from her seat yelling loudly at her mother. "I am coming for you, mother!" Her laughter was louder than the wind and the bike's ion engine.

When Liara's eyes turned back to blue, Shepard found herself giggling. Her smile disappeared when she saw the present Liara in front of her, her eyes still pleading, and the mirthful memory of mother and daughter's last vacation held no lasting effect.

"Shepard, would you please believe me when I tell you my mother would not invade another mind like that, she would not! If you know who she was, if only you had seen her before … before …" She ran out of breath and her cheeks flushed.

Shepard held Liara's face with her hands. "Breathe, Liara, breathe." Shepard took long breaths together with the asari. "Good! Listen to me, Liara. I can clearly see what Sha'ira said was serious, but it doesn't lessen my resolve to try and help her."

Liara's eyes searched Shepard's. "Do you believe me?"

Shepard nodded, "Nothing has changed, Okay?" Shepard let go of Liara's face after she got a nod from the asari.

Liara sagged on the sofa, "If only that were true." Her voice barely above whispered, "It is a monstrous thing to do, every asari knows that. And Benezia is not a monster."

A/N: Thanks for the reviews and PMs. All comments, reviews, suggestions and PMs are welcome.