CHAPTER 10 - Liara

The last three weeks had been unbearable, making all the time before it seem meaningless. When Shepard had died, Liara had braced herself, knowing she would never see him again. But then she was given a chance, a chance to bring him back.

And he had returned. Beyond all hope, beyond all expectations, he had come back to her. She hadn't dared to believe it, but Shepard was with her again. As before, he was there to catch her. He had saved her when they first met. He returned to her side, as Liara stumbled her way through the Shadow Broker's base.

Again, he left her feeling like a child in need of protection. Shepard remained a beacon, something to hold onto whenever she fell. And like before, he was diving headfirst into battle, to be taken away again in the tides of war.

But not alone, she would be damned if would allow Shepard to face that void alone...she had been blind once...never again.

As he always had, Shepard had made the sacrifices that no one else could. Finally, at the precipice of eternity, he had made the choice that only he could have made...with no regard to himself.

So once more, Liara had lay in wait, not knowing if the price this time would be his life. He had been on the edge for so long...so damn long. Then the doctor's told her what she'd been waiting to hear...good news, Shepard's health seemed to be improving.

But Liara didn't know what to believe anymore. Fate had made fools of better than her, so many times before. Fitfully, the days passed, sometimes in sleep, sometimes not. The waiting had gotten to be too much, she couldn't stay in that room anymore. She couldn't bear to look at him...lying there unmoving.

So she had left. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Liara registered her friend's words. She heard Shepard's name, her heart skipped. He told her to stay here, she would hear the word soon...her wait would be over...soon...

"Liara," the voice echoed in her ears, a sound from what seemed like years ago.

Her heart fluttered past its beats, her breath quickened.

"Liara," the voice was more insistent now, "I'm here..."

Like a mannequin, she slowly turned, scarcely daring to believe. She hesitantly raised her eyes.

"Liara?"

He had a puzzled look on his face, leaning heavily against the wall for support. He looked as if he had walked for days to be standing here, in front of her.

"Liara, it's Shepard," he said, "it's me...I'm here..."

Her mind abandoned all other thought, rushing into his embrace, wrapping her arms about him. Her lips hungrily sought his, stealing the breath from his mouth. Liara's hands ran all along his back, demanding surety that this wasn't some apparition.

Suddenly, the weariness in his bones, the weight of the war, it was gone. Shepard cradled Liara in his arms, as she pushed him back against the wall, searching his mouth with her tongue. Shepard caressed the small of her back with one hand, grasping her shoulder and holding tightly with the other.

Liara allowed their lips to separate for the moment, as Shepard nuzzled against her throat, his breath tickling her flesh, as she ruffled her fingers through his hair.

"Shepard..."

He pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. Liara sighed contentedly. He was here, in her arms. Shepard had come back to her, and nothing was taking him this time...

His legs buckled slightly, and Liara braced herself, easing him down to the floor, as they leaned against the bulkhead, facing the window.

Sol peaked out from behind Earth's moon, Liara momentarily squinting before the windows automatically tinted against the light.

"So," grinned Shepard, "about all those little blue children..."

The Asari laughed, shaking her head, as she settled herself against Shepard's shoulder.

She closed her eyes, sighing in content, "there's time..."

Shepard had thought to say so much more, to apologize to her, to swear to her that he would never let her go. Suddenly, looking at the sun glimmering off the ships outside Earth's orbit, he was at a loss for words. Liara was in his arms, sobbing slightly. He hugged her, and nothing else mattered.

The future was still out there...