Chapter 20
"Wrex, please sit down or go find something in a tunnel to shoot," Shepard told the pacing krogan.
"What could they possibly be doing? Why do we have to wait out here?" the battle master's impatience was getting on everyone's nerves.
"Because then they'd have to put up with you annoying them every minute with stupid questions," the gunnery chief eagerly joined the conversation, though in reality, she was chomping at the bit every much as the krogan. She was just better at hiding it.
Wrex started to answer, then thought better of it and stomped off to the marked tunnel.
"Seriously, Commander," Ashley said quietly, "think we should check on them? Maybe they need help."
"You're as bad as the big lug, Ash," Shepard replied with a smile. "They'll come get us if they need anything."
Rayn and Tali had been sequestered in the Mako ever since the quarian had returned from her grim task. She had taken one look at the communicator, grabbed the girl by her hand and in no uncertain words told them all to stay out. The first hour had passed quickly, the easy companionship of the team occupying their attention. The second hour found them glancing from time to time at the cron then back to the Mako door. Now, almost three hours later, the restlessness had set in.
"C'mon, Li, want to take a walk?" the spectre asked, standing and extending her hand to the asari. "I want to show you something."
"I'll come find you if they ever come out, " the chief offered in a voice that only the pair could hear, a grin on her face. "And try to have some clothing on."
"Don't worry, Ash, we won't be too far," Shepard answered, smiling at the blush rising on the doctor's face. "And don't worry, we can get dressed pretty quickly."
Ashley was left shaking her head, the smile still playing on her face. As the pair left the circle, Ashley moved over to talk to the older asari and jumped right into their conversation.
As soon as the pair rounded the bend in the tunnel, the commander felt the asari's hand slip into her own. After a quick squeeze, Shepard slipped her arm around the doctor's waist and pulled her closer, planting a kiss on the side of her cheek. They continued down the tunnel for a time in quiet companionship, drawing strength from each other's presence. The spectre slowed, examining the wall to her right until she found what she was looking for. A slight bend in the tunnel hid a narrow passage, almost parallel to the main tunnel which led to a small alcove.
"I found this earlier, you like it?" Shepard asked softly as she watched her lover's face light up.
The small niche they had entered was roughly circular in shape. Their eyes were drawn to the far quarter of the wall which glistened with water softly spilling from the ceiling into a quiet pool on the cave floor. The water was a soft trickle that played with the natural luminance and gurgled with the happy exuberance of an infant. Liara approached the wall and touched the cascading water.
"You amaze me," the asari said quietly, her attention captured by the waterfall. "I cannot believe you discovered this."
The spectre spread an emergency blanket on the ground and came over to stand behind the doctor. Her hands gently encircled the scientist's waist as her lips teased the curve of her neck. Liara relaxed back into her lover's embrace, but did not withdraw her hand from the water.
"What's so interesting, love?" the spectre breathed, noticing the asari's distraction.
"Well, it is time to either celebrate or to panic," the doctor explained. "The water is warm, which means we are either close to the surface or close to a volcanic layer."
"Hmm, how about we think about that later?" the commander breathed, turning the asari to face her. "I can think of something else to do right now."
Shepard led her willing partner to the blanket and slowly lowered her, never losing contact. Any further conversation was lost as their lips met. Shepard's hands and mouth worked to show the asari how much she was loved. Neither noticed the damp air or hard floor as they shed their clothing and shared each other body and spirit.
Some time later, they heard the marine walking down the main tunnel. Shepard called to their friend, but made no move to rise. The chief found them contentedly gazing at the water, listening to its song. The spectre was sitting with her back to cavern wall, her arms around the asari nestled in front of her. Ashley felt a pang of regret at disturbing them, so instead sat down next to the spectre.
"I must have missed this cave the first time through," the chief commented quietly. "It's beautiful."
"You were a little preoccupied last time," Shepard answered softly. "I stumbled on it on my way back."
Looking at the scene, a verse came to the marine's lips:
"The purl of a runlet that never ceases
In stir of kingdoms, in wars, in peaces;
With a hollow boiling voice it speaks
And has spoken since hills were turfless peaks."
The spectre broke the silence with a sigh.
"So, our recluses come up with anything yet?" she spectre asked.
"No, but Wrex is getting hungry to go with his impatience," Ashley answered. "I think we have to disturb them, at least to bring out some supplies. Garrus has been doing a good job distracting him, but we're running out of ideas. When I left, Wrex and Shiala were starting a biotic version of arm wrestling. I'm not sure how long that'll last, especially since she's stronger than he is."
"I guess we should be getting back, then," Liara's voice had a dreamy quality and Ashley couldn't help but notice that she pulled the spectre's arms more tightly around her.
"I'll meet you back there," the chief said, slowly rising.
Shepard kissed the back of the asari's neck and reluctantly moved her arms. Liara disengaged and stumbled forward as she stood, her muscles stiff from the damp floor. Ashley grabbed the asari's arm to help her regain her balance, but not before the scientist dropped to one knee.
"By the Goddess," Liara exclaimed.
Her attention was focused on a spot far above them, at a particular angle that had not been visible from their vantage point. Ashley followed her line of sight and gasped at what she saw.
"We're coming with you, Ash, just need a minute to stretch out," the spectre said as she stood, then she noticed that they were not paying any mind to what she was saying.
The spectre dropped to their side and glanced up to share their view. At the top of a cleft in the wall, a ray of sunlight shone clear and bright. The friends broke into grins and whooped their delight, grabbing each other in an elated hug.
"How did you miss that?" the chief asked, grinning at the commander.
"Something else had my complete attention," the spectre replied, smirking at the asari.
"That's not it at all," Liara laughed, then blushed furiously as she noticed her friends looking at her.
"Well?" Ashley prodded, amused that to the asari was joining in their bantering.
The doctor leaned over and whispered in the chief's ear, causing the marine to break out in a hearty laugh as she glanced at the spectre's confused look.
"Stay here, I'll get the crew and be right back. We don't want to lose this place," the chief called, already in motion.
The spectre looked up at the cleft in the cave roof and just shook her head.
"We are very lucky you spotted that," Shepard said, coming over to put her hands on the asari's hips.
"So what did you tell Ashley," the spectre asked as she pulled the doctor close.
"Well, um, just that you would never have seen it," Liara answered with a grin. "Because you were on top the whole time."
Shepard responded by tickling the asari until tears came to her eyes, then kissing her deeply. They disengaged as they heard excited voices in the tunnel.
"In here, "the spectre called and a small head popped around the alcove's entrance.
Rayn was followed closely by the rest of the crew and suddenly the small room was a jumble of sound. The spectre stepped back and watched as Liara and Ashley positioned each person so that they could see the shaft. She smiled as they tried to get the krogan into position and wound up having to have him lie on the floor. The excitement was high and everyone was talking at once.
Tali and Rayn detached themselves from the huddle in the center and came over to the bemused commander.
"So, any luck?" the spectre asked.
"Of course, Commander," the quarian answered amusement in her tone. "What else would you expect from your girl genius here?"
"That isn't true, Commander," Rayn piped up. "Tali is the one who rebuilt it."
"We were going to say that we had to wait to get a signal, but we do have a path to the surface here," Tali added, carefully withdrawing the device from her pocket and handing it to the spectre. "You do the honors, Commander."
An expectant hush fell over the crew as the others noticed what was happening at the far side of the cave. Shepard walked over so that she was positioned under the shaft. She slowly glanced down at the communicator and clicked the control to link to a comm buoy. A wide grin slowly split her face.
"We have signal," she said and was answered by a chorus of cheers and laughter. "OK, quiet now, let's see if we can hail them."
"Shepard to Normandy," she said loudly, mostly for the benefit of the team.
A moment of static was followed by silence. The team held their breath as all eyes and ears were focused on the commander.
"Come in Normandy, Joker, talk to me," Shepard almost pleaded.
"Damn, Commander, is that really you?" the surprised pilot's voice was drowned out by the shouts and cheers of the team.
"Are you under attack?" Joker asked, panicky as the noise grew.
After a few unsuccessful attempts, Shepard managed to get everyone calmed down. The chief's threats helped a bit with that.
"We're fine, just really glad to hear you," the commander answered. "Can you trace our signal?"
"Already on it, Ma'am, let me patch you into the XO," the pilot quickly regained his composure and his cool efficiency took over.
Shepard spent the next few hours in short conversations with the Normandy and the Council. She kept the chatter short, conserving the communicator's power. The Normandy was enroute and soon this misadventure would come to a close. The team was gathered around the fire, sharing their last meal in these caves. Their spirits were high and the sounds of laughter were loudest.
Shepard quietly slipped away and returned to the tunnels, so many unanswered questions in her mind. How would the salarians respond to the news of this mission? What would they do with Rayn? Would the older asari want to join them in their hunt for the reapers? They had learned so much from the pyramid, but they still had to put it all together. Shepard didn't feel any closer to finding her elusive prey.
The spectre's brooding was interrupted as she felt a quiet presence enter the room. Her spirits rose as she was drawn into a warm embrace. The questions faded with the first kiss as the human and asari began their celebration.
A/N - Verse is from "Under the Waterfall" by Thomas Hardy. Tried to use someone Ashley had quoted in the game.
Thanks to everyone for sticking with me through this story. Hope you enjoyed it. Also, thanks for all the review, they kept this going longer than I originally intended. Feedback on the overall story would be greatly appreciated. Also, one last question – what would you like to see next?