"Chakwas!" Shepard yelled, frantically running into the medbay with Liara still in her arms. The asari looked pale, and Liara's grip around her neck was becoming slack.
"Put her down here," Chakwas said, pointing to a nearby bio-bed while she put on some medical gloves.
Shepard placed Liara down gingerly and looked over her limp form. "Is she going to be okay, Doc?" she asked.
"Time will tell, Commander. I need to work to give her any chance of doing so," Chakwas said, motioning Shepard to move out of her way.
Shepard stepped aside, but made no attempt to leave the medbay. She was too concerned about Liara's safety to do that. She couldn't stand the thought that someone like Liara who had been so kind and accepting, dying because of her. Though she knew she wasn't directly responsible for Liara being shot, she couldn't help but blame herself because of the decisions she had made. I never should have brought Randal along, what the fuck was I thinking? she thought to herself.
Chakwas cleared her throat, catching Shepard's attention. "Commander, when I said that I need to work, I meant that I need to work and that I need you to leave as well," she said gently.
Shepard shook her head. "I'm not leaving until I know she is all right," she said stubbornly.
"And I will have you confined to your quarters for interfering with my job," Chakwas replied threateningly.
Shepard narrowed her eyes, but conceded and nodded her head. "Just... let me know when she's better."
"Will do, Commander. Now, shoo!" Chakwas said, waving her hands towards the door.
Shepard walked out of the medbay, her concern shifting to anger. Now that Liara in the doctor's hands, she had other matters to attend to. She made her way to the cockpit to talk to Joker. "Joker, has Randal reported back to the ship yet?" she asked.
"He's outside of the airlock now, ma'am," Joker replied.
Wheeling around, Shepard made her way to the airlock and stood there, waiting for the door to open. Her fist clenched and released several times with built up anger and growing impatience. When the door slid open, revealing Ashley and Aidan, Shepard swiftly stepped inside and pressed the button to exit.
"Skipper, what are you doing?" Ashley asked, confused why Shepard was inside the airlock with them.
Shepard ignored Ashley and looked at Aidan. His helmet was off, and he held it loosely at his side. Just seeing his face caused the anger inside of her to boil up to a breaking point. She balled her fist up and quickly lashed out, catching Aidan's jaw with a sharp jab, staggering him backwards. "Get off of my ship!" she screamed.
"Shepard, what the hell?!" Ashley asked, trying to step between Shepard and Aidan.
"Get the hell off of my fucking ship!" Shepard repeated again, trying to push past Ashley.
The door slid open, and Aidan looked over his shoulder. "I'm sorry about Li-"
Shepard finally muscled past Ashley and shoved Aidan in the chest, knocking him out of the airlock. She quickly pressed the button to seal the door again. "I told him to get off of my ship," she muttered to herself.
"Skipper, what the fuck is wrong with you?!" Ashley exclaimed.
"He's a liability and a fish out of the water. He doesn't belong here," Shepard said, exiting the airlock once the door opened.
Not giving up on the matter, Ashley chased after Shepard. "You put him on the mission, Skipper. He didn't even have time to go through basic weapons training," Ashley said, trying to reason with the woman. "You took him on that mission because you saw something in him. I do as well, which is why I want to teach him how to use our weapons."
Shepard continued walking forward, not even bothering to look at Ashley while she was talking. "This is my ship, Williams. I made an error in judgment that may have cost a crew-member their life. He is not fit to serve with us and I am removing him from the ship," Shepard said authoritatively. She reached the bottom of the stairs and headed straight for her cabin, pausing outside of the door. Turning around, she faced Ashley. "I expect a full report of what you found in the Thorian's lair in three hours," she said.
Knowing that Shepard wasn't going to be swayed at this point, Ashley nodded and gave Shepard a salute. "Aye, aye, ma'am." The door closed, and Ashley opened her omni-tool to send Aidan a message. I hope he knows how to use it, she thought to herself. Frowning, she made her way down to the cargo bay. She had other work to attend to at the moment, and Shepard wasn't in the mood to find out what they found in the Thorian's lair.
Aidan picked himself up off of the ground, grabbing his helmet that had rolled a few feet away from him. He let out a sigh of frustration and walked away towards the colony. He grew increasingly frustrated with the world he was thrust into every day that passed. He didn't understand any of the technologies and new things around him, most of all biotics. He constantly felt out of place, like he didn't belong. He felt like a failure to himself, embarrassed that he couldn't even get the hang of new weaponry. His head constantly hurt and at times he just wanted to give up. The only thing keeping him from doing so was the memory of Alexandria, and his promise to keep going.
Moving through the colony, he made his way to the central area. He spotted the asari that he and Ashley had found in the Thorian's lair helping the colonists with various tasks. Walking his way over he struck up conversation, trying to get his mind off of things. "How are you?" he asked. "Last I saw you, you were barely conscious and looked terrible."
The asari smiled upon seeing him. "I am much better, thank you. I didn't catch your name," she said.
"Aidan. And you?"
"Shiala," the asari replied. "I would like to thank you for rescuing me from the Thorian. It was very... disturbing, to say the least."
Aidan gave a curt nod of his head in reply. "No problem. What were you doing in that plant, anyway?"
Shiala wrung her hands together for a moment before she responded. "My mistress... I... was working for Saren. He needed some information the Thorian had, and he... traded me for it," she said, clearly uneasy about the topic.
"I'm sorry. What's this about your mistress?" Aidan said, raising an eyebrow.
Shiala blushed a bit at Aidan's response. "Not like that," she said, shaking her head. "I serve a powerful Matriarch, Lady Benezia. Out of respect, I refer to her as my mistress."
Benezia's name caught Aidan's attention. The crew had filled him in on what was going on, and he knew that Benezia was working with Saren. "Benezia T'Soni?" he asked, seeking confirmation.
"That would be her," Shiala replied.
"Shit..." Aidan said, lowering his head.
"What?" Shiala replied.
"I'm guessing you know Liara."
Shiala's eyes widened at the mention of Liara's name. "I practically raised her. Where is she? Is she here?" Shiala asked.
Aidan nodded. "She's here. She is working with Commander Shepard to bring down Saren. She was also... shot while trying to take out the Thorian," he said, hanging his head. "I was supposed to be looking out for her, but one of the colonists popped out from a hiding place behind us and got her."
Shiala's biotics flared, capturing Aidan and lifting him up in the air. "Is she dead? Is my Liara dead!?" she asked frantically, tears coming from her eyes.
Aidan shook his head. "N-no. As far as I know, Shepard got her back to the Normandy and she's being worked on in the medbay," he said.
Shiala released him, but quickly closed the distance between them and grabbed him by the throat. "You are going to show me everything. Resist, and I will kill you for letting her be harmed," she said harshly.
Aidan nodded his head, not quite sure what she meant. He was surprised when Shiala's eyes turned jet black, and he felt a presence in his mind. Immediately he fought it back, but he heard Shiala's voice telling him not to resist. He kept up his struggle for several moments, uncomfortable with what was happening. Remembering Shiala's words, he reluctantly let the presence further inside his mind.
Aidan sat as a spectator as Shiala dug through his memories, her fury quickly turning to confusion as she explored more of Aidan's mind. After several more minutes of exploring, Aidan's vision returned to normal and he felt Shiala leave his mind. Suddenly feeling weak, he staggered back dizzily, placing a hand on a nearby crate for balance.
"What is going on?" Shiala asked herself, in disbelief at what she had seen. Seeing Aidan dizzily clinging to a crate, she moved over and put a supporting arm around him. "You're going to take me to this Commander Shepard. I have some questions that need answering."
Shepard stood in the elevator, taking it down to the cargo hold. She had taken some time to calm down from her explosion earlier, and slightly regretted her actions. She had made a poor decision and had taken her anger out on Aidan unfairly. She made a note to bring him back. He could be valuable to the team if he ever learned the current tech. The elevator opened, and Shepard looked over to the far side of the hold to see Ashley working diligently modifying a weapon. Shepard made her way over and greeted Ashley. "What are you up to, Williams? Putting some mods on one of the crew's rifle?" she asked.
Ashley didn't respond for a moment, concentrating on putting a particular piece back together with precision. After she completed the task, she delicately placed the part down and turned around to face Shepard. "Modifying Aidan's old Barrett, Skipper. Figured having a familiar weapon around him might help him learn faster," she said.
Shepard smiled. She liked the way the Chief thought. "Good thinking, Williams. I would like to apologize for my behavior earlier. I was out of line, and took my frustrations out on you and Aidan. It won't happen again," she said.
Ashley was surprised at Shepard's apology. "Apology accepted, Skipper," she said. "You always get this upset about things?" she asked.
Shepard shook her head. "No, and that is what concerns me. Perhaps it's the stress of the job that's getting to me," she said. Or a certain asari in the medbay.
Ashley nodded. "Well, if you ever feel like talking, Skipper, I'm here for you. You've helped straighten me out. Perhaps I could return the favor?" she said with a smile. "What are you going to do with Aidan, ma'am?" she asked.
"I want him back on the Normandy. He deserves a chance to properly prove himself," Shepard replied. "Of course, that is if you would still like to teach him about firearms," she said with a suggestive smile.
Ashley didn't like the look Shepard was giving her, but was thrilled that Aidan was being allowed back on the Normandy. "Yes, ma'am," she replied.
Shepard nodded. "Good, now we just need to track him down. I'm sure he's in the colony somewhere," she said. "Would you like to come with me?"
Ashley nodded, wiping her hands off on a nearby towel. "Lead the way, Skipper," she said.
"Commander, there's an asari outside the airlock wanting in. She's got Aidan with her, and demanding to see Liara. He seems to be unconscious," Joker's voice piped in through the comm.
Shepard turned to Ashley, confused. "What the fuck?" she asked.
"Dammit I forgot!" Ashley said, hitting her forehead with her palm. "When we were exploring the lair, we came across a pod that contained the asari the Thorian was using to make those clones," Ashley said. "She was in a pretty bad way, so we took her up to the colony and let them help her, and were going to wait to see what you wanted to do about it."
"Guess we're about to find out," Shepard said, making her way to the elevator.
Shepard made her way through the CIC and to the airlock, opening the door. Standing here was the asari that Joker mentioned, carrying an unconscious Aidan with her. She motioned for a couple of staff to grab him and take him to the medbay, leaving the two of them face to face.. "Who are you?" she asked, wanting to find out exactly who this person was and what they wanted.
"My name is Shiala. Am I correct in assuming that you are Commander Shepard?" she asked, slight anger resonating in her voice.
"Yes, I am," Shepard replied. "Is there a problem?"
"Yes," Shiala replied shortly. "My Liara is here, shot taking part in your mission, and I want to see her. Now."
Shepard was surprised that Shiala knew so much. "How do you even know Liara is here?" she asked.
"I melded with Aidan. He showed me everything I needed to know," Shiala said. "Now, will you let me see her or not?" she asked.
Shepard shook her head. "No," she said. "I don't know you, and I can't be sure that you have Liara's best interests at heart." Shepard was taken aback when her words suddenly caused deep hurt and fury to appear on Shiala's face.
"You dare suggest that I would do anything to harm Liara?" Shiala asked, venom in her voice. "I have raised her from the moment that she was born, and consider her a daughter."
"So you're Liara's father," Shepard asked.
Shiala shook her head. "No, I am not. I am not aware of who Little Wing's father is. Mistress Benezia was not around as much as she would have liked due to her political status, so she charged me with raising her," she said.
Shepard paused. Shiala's story did sound legitimate, but she couldn't chance being lied to, and she was definitely not going to meld with the asari. Looking back into the CIC, she saw Kaidan standing around. Calling him over, she pointed to Shiala. "Keep watch over her. I'm going to go down to the medbay and clear some things up. If she tries anything funny, put a bullet in her head," she said, noting the grateful look in Shiala's eyes.
"Yes, ma'am," Kaidan said with a salute, turning and facing Shiala.
"I'm going to check this out. If you're telling the truth, and she's up for it, you may see her," Shepard said. Her expression then turned to ice, and she leaned in close to Shiala. "If I find out you're lying, however... you and I will become really good friends while finding out what you really wanted with Liara."
Shiala nodded her head in agreement. She watched as Shepard walked off to the rear of the CIC and headed down to where she assumed the medbay was. After she was gone, she turned to Kaidan. "It appears I misjudged her. It seems she has great concern for Liara's safety," she said.
"She's concerned for everyone's safety. She's a great Commander, and a good person deep down," Kaidan responded.
"Yes, but there is something more there," Shiala said cryptically.
"What do you mean?" Kaidan asked.
"Never mind," Shiala said dismissively. "I just want to see her, nothing else matters right now."
Shepard entered the medbay to find that Liara was already awake, sitting up on her bio-bed. Relieved that Liara looked much better, she turned to Chakwas. "Hey, Doc, how's she doing?" she asked.
"She's doing rather well," Chakwas replied. "Asari heal much faster than humans do, and she'll be fit for duty in another couple of days."
"Thanks," Shepard responded. "Would you give me a minute? I need to run something by Liara, in private."
Chakwas raised an eyebrow, but nevertheless left her seat and exited the medbay.
Alone, Shepard turned to Liara. "How are you doing, Liara?" she asked gently.
"I am fine, Shepard," Liara replied. "If I may ask now, why do you only use my name in certain situations?" she asked nervously.
Shepard shook her head. "We'll talk about that later," she said, sighing a bit at the disappointment on the asari's face. "I promise, after we're done here I'll talk to you about it first chance I get," she pledged, though she felt a nervous pit start to form in her stomach.
Satisfied, Liara nodded. "What did you need, then?" Liara asked quizzically.
"Do you know someone named 'Shiala'?" she asked.
Liara's eyes widened at the name of her former mentor. "Shiala?! What of her? Where is she?" she asked.
Shepard smiled at Liara's reaction. "So, I take it you know her. She says she helped raise you, is that true?" she asked.
"Yes, among other things," Liara responded. "Why are you telling me this?" she asked.
"Aidan and Ashley recovered her from the Thorian's lair. Apparently, she was the asari it was using to create those clones," Shepard informed her. "She's here now, and would like to see you."
Liara's eyes lit up. She loved Shiala dearly. "Please! Bring her down, I have not seen her in a long time," Liara said.
Shepard smiled and moved over to the comms. "Joker, tell Kaidan to escort Shiala down to the medbay," she said.
"Right away, ma'am," Joker replied.
Several moments passed before the medbay door hissed open, and Shiala came bursting through. "Little Wing!" she exclaimed, rushing over to Liara and enveloping her in a hug.
Liara winced a bit from the contact, but hugged the other asari as tightly as she could. "Shiala, it is so good to see you!" she said.
"And you as well," Shiala replied. Turning to Shepard, she gave a warm smile. "Thank you, Shepard, for keeping your word."
Shepard nodded. Looking at Aidan's unconscious body laying on a bio-bed, she motioned to him. "Care to explain what happened to him?" she asked.
"I... melded with him," Shiala replied guiltily. "I thought he knew what they were and was just inexperienced. I had no idea he really didn't understand what was going on. The process was rough on him, and he passed out," Shiala said.
Shepard gave her a cursory nod, and turned to Liara. "I'm glad you're okay. I'll leave you and Shiala to catch up. Come to my cabin when you wish to talk," she said.
Liara nodded and turned to Shiala, still beaming.
Shepard walked out of the medbay towards her cabin, smiling at the bits of conversation she overheard between Shiala and Liara. Making her way inside, she pulled out a bottle of whiskey and poured herself a small amount. She was going to need it in order to get out what she needed to say to Liara.
Shepard heard her door chime and she straightened. "Come in," she called out. The door opened a moment later, and Liara entered the room shyly. "Have a seat, Liara," Shepard said, motioning to the seat next to her. "I take it that your reunion with Shiala went well?" she asked.
Liara sat beside Shepard with a slight smile on her face. "Yes, it was very good to see her," Liara said.
"Well, here we are, and I believe you had a question that you wanted me to answer," Shepard said, the small, nervous knot in her stomach returning.
Liara straightened, her expression growing a bit more serious. "Yes. Why do you use my first name in certain circumstances, but my last name during others?" she asked.
Shepard sighed. She put the glass in her hands to her mouth and took another sip of the whiskey before she began. "I don't do well being close to people, Liara," she started. "I never have, and the times that I did get close to people, I got burned for it. Badly. I've become accustomed to people dying around me, almost coming to expect it." Taking another sip, she placed the glass down and sighed. "I don't use people's first names because it keeps them at a distance from me, it doesn't let things get personal."
"Then why do you use my first name, and some of the others' as well?" Liara asked.
Shepard lowered her head. "This crew is... different. You all are changing me slightly, and it worries me. Tali is already like a younger sister to me, and I constantly worry about her. Wrex is a warrior spirit like me, and I suppose we just get each other. Hell, I'm starting to call Garrus by his name, he's a really good friend," she said.
"What about me?" Liara asked, her own nerves starting to take hold as her heart beat faster for what she hoped to hear.
Shepard took a deep breath, and let it exhale slowly. "You're... different, Liara. You've been very kind and understanding with me... and have seen and know things about me that nobody else does. You also make me... feel things that I haven't felt in a long time, some never before, and it scares me," she said.
Liara felt her heart jump a little at Shepard's words, but she needed more specifics before she dared state her own feelings. "What do you mean?" Liara prodded.
"You make me... care, Liara. Care about you," Shepard said. "I find myself constantly thinking about you, what it would be like to be with you, getting to know you better, all of it. When you got shot, it as almost as if I was shot as well, it hurt so bad. I'm not used to these feelings and it scares me," she said, hanging her head. "I also worry I may not be good for you, and that I might just cause you pain."
Liara was elated when Shepard finally admitted what she had suspected for some time now. She had talked with Chakwas privately, and came to the conclusion that she had feelings beyond friendship with Shepard. Chakwas assured her that Shepard felt the same way, but she had her doubts. Hearing it from the woman herself, Liara couldn't help but be happy. "I must admit, Shepard, I have felt that there was something between us for some time now. To hear you say it now, words cannot describe the relief and joy I am feeling. I must admit, I have no experience with romantic relationships, and it worries me as well, but I promise that I will not hurt you," Liara said reassuringly.
"I wouldn't be telling you if I thought you would, Liara," Shepard replied. "I just... wanted you to know. I need more time to think about it, but I couldn't hold it in anymore," she said.
Liara gave an understanding smile. "Of course, Shepard. Thank you for telling me. Some more time to make sure would be good," she said. Looking to the door, she motioned that she should go. "Shiala is waiting on me. I should get back. We will talk later, Shepard?" she asked.
"Zoe," Shepard replied.
"What?" Liara asked, confused.
"If we're going down this road, you should call me by my first name. It's Zoe," Shepard said.
"Zoe," Liara said, testing it out. "It is lovely," she said.
"As are you," Shepard said in Old-Armali.
Liara's cheeks turned a deep purple, as she ducked. "Not as much as you. Goodbye, Zoe," Liara replied, leaving the room now.
Alone, Shepard downed the remainder of the glass. You're really doing this, Zoe, she said to herself. Don't fuck this up. No matter how hard she had fought it, she couldn't deny anymore that she wanted Liara, and that Liara wanted her. Ready or not, she had opened up to Liara, and their relationship was now forever changed. There was no going back without tremendous heartbreak, and Shepard suddenly found herself wondering if she had made the right choice. Amy would say so, she thought to herself. She regretted thinking of Amy, all the painful memories and feelings coming back. Would she be able to do the same with Liara? Could she sacrifice Liara to get the mission done? The thought of it made her sick to her stomach. Reaching for her of whiskey, she started drinking straight from the bottle. She needed to forget those thoughts quickly, and her old friend was always there to help soothe away her pain.