Notes: The detailed story of the Theshaca pirate raids mentioned in the first paragraph is told in QuickShot 13, Too Close for Comfort.

CIC - Command Information Center

Siame - "one who is all", a loved one cherished above all others (Thessian)

Tides - Asari saying commonly invoked to put aside frustration; an expression of exasperation.

Those Closest Hurt the Most

After the discussions with the commandos, Shepard sent them all on their way to Hagalaz to rendezvous at the Broker ship, Riana traveling with Arlyna, both to keep her from being alone and to hear the story of the Theshaca pirate raids. As soon as the Rakhana and the Aletheia disappeared beyond the relay, Shepard shouted at Joker to lay in a course for Omega and headed off to talk to Samara. As Shepard walked into the observation lounge, the Justicar was in her standard lotus position on the floor, but was just ending her meditations. She stood as Shepard entered the room. "Perfect timing, Commander. I have time to talk, if you would like."

Shepard's face was grim. "I'd love to, Samara, but I'm actually here on business this time. I received a message from Liara saying she tracked down your fugitive under the name of Morinth. She booked passage to Omega four days ago."

Samara's eyes narrowed. "Dr T'Soni did this for me? To what purpose? Information brokers travel in dark spaces and I will not pay for her services."

Along with her disapproving facial expression, Shepard also caught an underlying tone she didn't like in Samara's statement. "You should understand why I don't have to pay for her services. What exactly are you getting at, Samara?"

Samara's expression went blank but her voice was solemn. "Commander. You were correct to question me before accepting me to your mission. If it were not for my vow, many of your associates would no longer be with us." The hair on the back of Shepard's neck raised as Samara continued. "Information Brokers perform unconscionable acts in the name of profit, and Dr T'Soni would fall into that category, and she garners more attention than the others since she is completely under the authority of the Justicars by being a fellow Asari."

Shepard's eyes glinted in anger. "You once said if I did anything particularly dishonorable, you would have to kill me when you were released from the oath. If that means my crew and my bondmate are also at risk when this mission is over, I may be inclined to never release you, Samara." The Justicar's eyes widened a bit at this announcement, but Shepard ignored it and continued. "Certainly not until the Reapers are dealt with and the real war is over. Then we'll see. Assuming we survive, that is."

"You would keep me bound to you to save the lives of criminals?" Samara was genuinely puzzled, thinking the commander a much more honorable person than one to consider the lifetime bondage of a Justicar, over the lives of thieves and cutthroats.

"Damn it, Samara!" Shepard paced madly in the small space available. "Your code is way too rigid if it would demand the deaths of the twelve souls responsible for saving the lives of every organic being in the whole damn galaxy! Things are not so black and white as that! With such a selfless act, they have each redeemed themselves. So to answer your question, yes, I would keep you bound to protect them for their good deeds. Especially if one of those people is the kindest, most loving, dedicated, honest and committed soul I have ever had the good fortune to know."

Samara blinked. "I will meditate more on this issue, Commander. But for now, let us return to the topic at hand. Morinth."

Shepard snorted. "You mean the incredibly dangerous fugitive that my information broker bondmate just found for you? The one I have already told Joker to lay a course to Omega for. So we can go get her before she has a chance to leave the station? That Morinth?" She stared hard at the Justicar, her jaw clenched in simmering resentment.

Refusing to be rankled, Samara closed her eyes and nodded in respect. "Yes, Commander. Morinth. As I said, I will meditate more on this issue. You have given me much to contemplate. In the four hundred years I have been a Justicar, none have ever challenged my beliefs so thoroughly. I am... glad you came." She paused briefly before continuing. "Thank you, Shepard. For heading directly to Omega. This is the best opportunity I've ever had. Hopefully we can apprehend her before she disappears again."

Shepard exhaled heavily and rolled her head around, stretching her neck and trying to release some of her frustration. "Don't thank me. Thank Liara." Shepard turned and walked to the door. "I'll have Joker give you a one-hour out call when we approach the station."

As Shepard and Samara entered Omega station, Edi came over the comms. "The daily death count on Omega is too high for me to pinpoint an Ardat-Yakshi's location."

Shepard just rolled her eyes. "That's ok, Edi. Aria'd have my head if we did any police action on her station without talking to her first, anyway. We'll just go ask her what she knows."

It was obvious Aria knew they were there and that she was expecting them. They walked into Afterlife and strolled straight to Aria's lair unimpeded. She glanced up and nodded at the commander to take a seat. Her face held absolutely no expression, but her eyes burned with an intensity that gave Shepard goose bumps. "Shepard. You're causing a lot of shit storms, but I'm happy to see you're honoring our agreement and leaving Omega assets alone. You've obviously been a busy woman, so what brings you back to me? With a Justicar, no less."

Shepard was surprised by the seemingly cordial welcome and wondered if Aria could sense the current friction between her and Samara. Shepard had fully expected a more hostile encounter, having brought a Justicar right to the heart of the den of inequity called Afterlife. She was sure that Aria didn't welcome many so readily into her circle, so decided to take advantage of Aria's good grace and got straight to the point. "An Asari fugitive is hiding out here. An Ardat-Yakshi. I'm here with Justicar Samara to apprehend her."

Shepard realized Aria was being so accepting because she already knew why they were on Omega and she was happy for their help. The look on Aria's face and her next words confirmed it. "I knew it. Nothing leaves a body quite so...empty... as an Ardat-Yakshi does." Her good will, however, did not completely extend to the Justicar and Aria's brow wrinkled with distaste as Samara spoke.

"You haven't taken steps to kill her?" There was no accusation in Samara's voice, just curiosity.

Aria rolled her eyes. "Why would I? She hasn't tried to seduce me. Most of my men wouldn't stand a chance and unless I have to, I won't risk the few loyal troops who could withstand her...charms."

Aria settled back into her couch and her face finally settled into a more typical expressionless mask. It was back to business as usual. "Her last victim was a young human girl. Pretty thing. Lived in the tenements near here." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Bray can give you the address. That's where I'd start looking."

Shepard nodded and stood up. "Thanks for the help."

Aria ignored Samara and looked Shepard directly in the eye. "Good luck finding her. Better luck catching her. Odd as it may be, I've decided to like you, Shepard, so try to not get yourself killed in the process." The smirk on Aria's face made it difficult for Shepard to determine if she meant the words, or if she said them to get under the Justicar's skin. Either way didn't really matter; she was sure Aria proclaiming her a friend did Shepard no favors in regards to her tense relationship with the Justicar. But all that aside, Aria had pointed them in the right direction to get them started on the hunt.

When they got to the apartment in question, they were met by Diana, the girl's mother. She was very thankful someone was finally checking into her daughter's death; Nef had been dead three days and no one had yet started the investigation. She quickly described her daughter, answered their questions and hesitantly let them look around Nef's room. Inside, they listened to the girl's diary, where she spoke of Morinth and of meeting her in the VIP lounge of Afterlife after dropping the name Jaruut to get in the door.

Samara's voice was slightly strained as she spoke. "This is Morinth's work. She is attracted to artists and creators. Someone with a spark but isolated from their peers. She controls her victims through sheer will. She loves the club scene and drugs are a part of her lifestyle. She's a hedonist, first impressing with sophistication and sex appeal and then she strikes. The hunt interests her as much as the kill."

Shepard shook her head. "Anyone who's successfully hunted sapient beings for four hundred years is dangerous...and Nef was dead the day after Morinth's arrival. She works fast. How the hell are we supposed to catch her?"

Samara closed her eyes. "Morinth speaks to you on many levels. Her body tells you she'll bring unimaginable ecstasy. Her scent evokes emotion long hidden. Her eyes promise you things you were always scared to ask of another. Her voice still whispers to you after she is done speaking."

Shepard raised her eyebrows. "You make her sound more like a deadly consort than a diseased Asari."

Samara's eyes flashed. "Do not dishonor the profession of Consort. They are highly trained and provide essential services in many forms. The Ardat-Yakshi are dangerous genetic defects whose disease leads to an incurable hunger. Once they start down the path, there is no salvation and they must be removed...permanently...from the population."

"I meant no offense. I have a very good relationship with Consort Sha'ira...and other than not killing her customers, your description fits her very well; though she is much...more than that." Shepard shook her head as if the shake the comparison out of her thoughts. "So how do we do this? How do we catch Morinth?"

"Storming her den would be a mistake. She will have a hundred escape routes planned. We must lure her out into the open, but I know not how. If she sees me, she'll disappear, go underground. I may not catch sight of her again for fifty years or more."

Shepard pursed her lips for just the briefest of moments before she started speaking, haltingly as she thought out loud. "We know her hunting grounds include the VIP lounge of Afterlife...a lure requires bait... she can't see you, and I refuse to risk an innocent bystander." Shepard looked at Samara. "That only leaves me. You know what attracts her. Do you suppose she might be attracted to me?"

Samara was caught off guard by such an offer. "Yes. I believe she would. You are an artist on the battlefield, and as a commander you stand alone, above your peers. You are the savior of the Citadel...a vital spark that will attract her. Your power should draw her in. You may be a challenge she cannot resist." She hesitated before continuing. "Why would you do this, Shepard? You will have to 'go out' to the club, unarmored and unarmed. Such a thing will be very dangerous, and yet you are still responsible for your own important mission."

"Because everything we do is dangerous and I trust you to have my back, Samara." Shepard shrugged. "And it's the right thing to do. If she is as dangerous as you say, we can't risk her escaping... and our options right at this moment are extremely limited."

Samara pressed on. "Given our previous discussion, you must realize that in the event of your death, my vow to you would be broken."

Shepard's eyes narrowed just a fraction as she spoke. "If that unfortunate future comes to pass, I would hope that you would find it within yourself to honor your vow, at least through the completion of the mission against the Collectors. Knowing it is the right thing to do for the greater good. Just like me taking the time and the risk to help you rid the galaxy of Morinth." Shepard paused and let out a heavy sigh. "And I'm still hoping that your meditations will eventually show you that your code is too restrictive and you would do better to follow your own judgment and morality. You can make up your own mind about what is right and wrong, rather than blindly follow a code's five thousand sutras, that in no way even attempts to weigh the good against the bad in the galaxy. It grants no value to good deeds. Humans have a saying; no good deed goes unpunished. I'm starting to think perhaps it was inspired by a Justicar."

Shepard knew from the expression on Samara's face that she had made some points, but the Justicar was still very intent on the task at hand. "I will think on it, Commander. While I do so, let us waste no more time." Samara indicated she was ready to go and they returned to the Normandy for Shepard to change clothes and for them to come up with their plan of attack.

Shepard walked up to the VIP lounge door and dropped Jaruut's name, getting into the club with no problem. There was only one door in and out, so Samara would wait for them to exit, then follow them to wherever Morinth led. She would then intervene at the point where she felt Morinth would be most vulnerable. The timing had to be perfect. Morinth would have to be distracted, so the best time would be just as she tried to start the deadly meld with the commander, but Samara would have to intervene before she could actually complete the meld connection. If Samara was early, Morinth could break and run. If she was late, once Morinth actually completed the meld connection, Shepard's life would be forfeit. The Justicar did not take lightly the amount of trust Shepard was putting in her.

As soon as Shepard entered, there was a guy at the door who hit her up. Initially she frowned at him, thinking he was going to hit on her, but it turned out he was just trying to score tickets for some new up and coming sensory band called Expel 10. Shepard wasn't interested in chatting, until he mentioned a really hot Asari who liked the group. He wanted the tickets so he could ask her to go with him. As Shepard walked away, she wondered if the hot Asari happened to be Morinth.

As she was walking through the club, just taking in the scene, a nervous guy flagged her down, begging for help. He was tech support for an investigative journalist doing research on the Omega gangs. The female reporter was currently chatting with one of the gang leaders, but the gang had made her and she was in danger. The tech needed to get a message to her but was too scared to do it himself. Shepard scoffed, "Seriously? Your co-worker is about to get killed, and you're over here in a panic?"

The solution was simple; Shepard needed to work a pair of code words into a sentence to let the woman know she had to get out of there. Shepard thought about her friend Emily Wong back on the Citadel and immediately agreed to help. She strolled over to the gang leader, asked a couple of seemingly innocent questions and slid the code words in pretty easily. The woman suddenly looked uncomfortable and glanced at her 'date.' "Hey, Florit. I gotta pee." She got up and wandered off, pretending to find a bathroom while actually vanishing into the Omega night.

Next, Shepard headed for the bar, but as she crossed the dance floor, she passed one of the Omega dancers being harassed by a Turian, who was treating her like a hooker. It apparently wasn't the first time, as Shepard heard the dancer blurt out, "I told you before to stay away from me!"

Shepard shook her head in disgust and headed for the bar, not wanting to start a fight and risk getting tossed out of the bar. Instead, she tapped one of the bouncers and pointing out the trouble Turian. The bouncer thanked her and went to help the dancer as Shepard continued to the serving counter. As she walked up, the bartender glanced her way and asked what he could get for her. Shepard just looked at him with distain. "These people are bored. Bored people don't spend much."

The bartender looked at her and leaned on the bar in front of her. "And I suppose you got an idea for how I can fix that?"

Shepard grinned. "Yeah, I do, actually. A round of drinks shows that you appreciate their business. Your rep will improve and they'll keep coming back. You'll have happy customers and make a bunch more money in the long run."

He stood up and grunted. "Hmph. Maybe worth a try once. You better be right!"

Shepard smiled. "Now the party's gonna get started! If this counter isn't hopping within fifteen minutes, I'll be back to pay for the round."

The bartender smiled at that and quickly shouted out, "Hey! Listen up, everyone! We love having you here, so a round of drinks on the house!"

The crowd moved in pretty quickly, and Shepard slipped out to the dance floor, finding an Asari dancing alone. She slid up next to her and started dancing. "Hey, I'm gonna dance next to you. If you want to think we're dancing together, go ahead."

The Asari looked the shapely redhead up and down and smiled, "I do want to think that!"

After dancing for a little while, Shepard decided to make another round through the club. She exited the dance floor and hooked a left to start another loop, but hadn't gotten five steps before a voice spoke to her from the side. "My name is Morinth. I've been watching you. You're the most interesting person in this place. I've got a booth over here. Why don't you come sit with me?"

Shepard looked at her and after a moment's hesitation, nodded in agreement and followed Morinth to her table. As they slid into the booth, Morinth relaxed back into the cushions and made herself right at home. "Some nights I come here and there's no one interesting to talk to. Some nights, there is. Tonight? That person is you. Why is that?"

Shepard let out a short laugh. "Because we're alike. We both know what we like and are willing to step out to take it."

Morinth's eyes flared wide for just a second as she asked, "Yeah? So what do you like here, that you are so willing to take?"

Shepard leaned forward and put her elbows on the table, looking at Morinth. "The music. I like the heavy dance beat. You don't just hear it...you feel it. That's one of the reasons I come."

Morinth nodded gently, "Yes. Dark rhythms. They stir something primitive in me."

Shepard nodded in agreement. "Definitely. I'm real curious about a band I just heard of tonight. Expel 10. They sound very... interesting."

Morinth's expression turned wistful. "They get in my head and tear it to pieces. They're in concert soon; maybe we should go together."

Shepard looked at Morinth appraisingly and put a smirk on her face. "I think I'd be willing to take that."

Seeing and hearing Shepard's assessment, Morinth sat up a bit. "You can lose yourself in the music here, especially if you're willing to... enhance... the experience, you know?"

"Hmmmm. Like Hallex? Party drug of choice." Shepard closed her eyes for just a brief moment. Her true drug of choice was Liara. She pictured her lover's face and thought about the taste of her sweet Asari's lips. letting that sensation wash over her. She relaxed back into the seat and opened her eyes back up to watch Morinth. It was a good thing Morinth couldn't read the commander's mind, and as Shepard thought about Liara, the Asari completely misread her reaction.

"It slithers through my soul." Morinth smiled and licked her lips as if she too was tasting the drug. "Seems like we share some interests."

Shepard looked thoughtful. "Seems like it. Know anything about art?" Shepard cocked her head inquisitively.

Morinth's eyes narrowed, "It speaks to the darkest places in me. What about you?"

Shepard shrugged, "You probably won't know it, but I like Forta."

Morinth's voice registered surprised. "I didn't think anyone around here knew him. He's sublime. Art comes in many varieties. I've seen vids that were more powerful than anything sitting in a gallery."

Shepard laughed. "Yeah, well. Number one, I'm not from around here. I travel a lot so I see a lot of different things. Number two, I love vids. They can be very powerful. I like Vaenia... I could watch it a hundred times. How about you?"

Morinth smiled. "My favorite. The two actresses are so glamorous. I can't get enough of it either. Maybe we can watch it together some time." She paused only briefly before she continued. "So you travel. So many people never see anything but their homeworld. Travel changes you, doesn't it?"

Shepard's eyes sparkled. "Real travel means going to dangerous places."

Morinth spoke so quickly she practically continued the sentence for Shepard. "Where you can see and do things most people can't even imagine." Her eyes fluttered, like images of those things were running across her consciousness.

Shepard's eyes narrowed and she hissed between her teeth, "Yesss."

Encouraged, Morinth continued. "When I travel, I find myself drawn to dark, dangerous places."

Shepard lifted one eyebrow in query, "Violent places?"

Morinth focused on Shepard's face. "Violence is the surest expression of power."

Shepard actually shook her head in gentle disagreement. "No, violence isn't a byproduct. It's a means to an end. Power is that end."

Morinth smirked. "You want to get out of here? My apartment is nearby, and I want you alone."

As they exited, Shepard realized Samara was very good. She had promised to keep an eye on the commander at all times from the shadows, yet Shepard could not discern where she was hiding and observing from. For the plan to work, the same invisibility had to work against Morinth. As they walked into Morinth's apartment and the door closed behind them, Shepard belatedly hoped that Samara was actually still there, somewhere.

Knowing where Shepard was heading and knowing they were after an Ardat-Yakshi, Liara had the info drone watching the live video feeds from Omega for any sign of her lover. Suddenly it was hovering over her shoulder. "Dr T'Soni. Commander Shepard has been located. The feeds are queued for your viewing."

Liara said a quick prayer and went to the video feeds to see what she could see. The images were Shepard and the Justicar going to Afterlife, speaking with Aria, then returning to the Normandy. Liara swore quietly. Not good. It looked like Aria informed them the target had left Omega. She turned to leave and the info drone hovered before her. "Dr T'Soni. Commander Shepard appeared in six videos during the time frame you requested I search. You have reviewed only three. Were my search results non-satisfactory? Shall I adjust my search parameters?"

Liara stopped, a puzzled expression on her face, and returned to the queue to advance the playback to the next video. She got a smile on her face as she watched Shepard and the Justicar leave the Normandy again, this time Samantha was in dress pants and a burgundy top. Curious as to why Shepard would be on a place like Omega dressed up, without her armor and weapons, she watched. Not that the commander was ever truly unarmed; she was a very accomplished biotic, after all, and she was being accompanied by a Justicar. She began to get nervous when the next clip was outside of the Afterlife VIP lounge, Samara vanished, and Shepard went in alone. She flipped quickly to the next video in the queue and as she watched, her nervousness transformed into a bit of jealousy as she watched Shepard work the crowd... then stop to dance with another Asari. Shepard doesn't dance at clubs! Tides! What is going on? Is she drunk?

Liara's jealousy quickly turned to concern when Shepard left the dance floor and was approached by yet another Asari, whom the Shadow Broker instantly recognized from the search conducted to help Samara. Liara's emotion elevated to anguish when she realized the team was hunting and Shepard was the bait. Her distress shot straight to terror when the last video was a series of surveillance shots tracking Shepard as she left the club with the Asari and walked to Morinth's apartment. Liara watched the video in paralyzing horror as the seconds continued to tick by, Samara nowhere in sight, knowing there was absolutely nothing she could do, sitting at Hagalaz. Suddenly, the video ended and the display cut off. Liara spun around and yelled at the drone. "Get this last video feed back live! I need it on screen right now!"

Feron heard the shout and came running in, asking what was wrong. The Drell's cheeks paled from their normal deep blue to an almost ashen color as Liara stammered through a panicked explanation of what was happening. "Goddess of oceans! I'm sure the Justicar must have been in the apartment waiting for them. I'm sure they laid a trap."

By the time the feed came back live, the door to the apartment had been busted open and whatever had happened was history. Liara began to go through dock footage, frantically trying to find evidence of Shepard's second return to the Normandy.

They slipped into the apartment and Morinth locked the door behind them. Nothing unusual for a dangerous place like Omega, so Shepard and Samara had expected it, but it was still not the most comfortable feeling for the commander. Morinth glided into the living room and sat down on a couch, watching Shepard as she took in her surroundings.

Shepard killed time looking around the apartment, ensuring Samara would have time to hack the lock. She noticed weapons displayed on the wall and checked them out. Morinth's commentary sent chills up her spine. "I was into dueling for a while. I love the moment you see it in your opponent's eyes; he knows you're better and he's going to die."

There was also a bottle of Hallex on a table, which neither Shepard nor Morinth were interested in. Morinth was relishing the moment. "Wouldn't you rather have all your senses be clear and sharp right now? I certainly do." Her voice was soft and alluring, like expensive silk sliding across smooth skin; tempting and inviting, trying to draw Shepard in to sit next to her.

Shepard bit the inside of her cheek and thought about the feel of Liara's lips sliding down her neck to kiss the pulse point above her collar bone. The 'after-whisper' of Morinth's voice faded into noise and Shepard headed up a small set of stairs to an upper level. Shepard initially feared she had made a gross error in judgment, as what she thought was just a sitting area also held Morinth's bed, but the Asari didn't budge from her seat on the couch. Breathing a sigh of relief, she saw a chess set, and the Ardat-Yakshi continued the torment. "I love any game where your opponent can believe he is about to win...just before you kill him." Her voice continued to taunt and tease, promising all sorts of pleasures if Shepard would simple join her on the couch.

Shepard stopped in front of a statue of a large Krogan and Morinth's alluring voice tried to slide under Shepard's skin and wrap around her heart. The commander focused solely on the words, and the timbre of Morinth's voice suddenly lost its charm. "A gift from a suitor. The statue's got more personality than he did. Still, he impressed me enough that he finally got what he wanted. It didn't end the way he hoped though."

The apartment was small, and Shepard couldn't stall any more without raising suspicion. She sauntered slowly toward the couch, running a finger gently down the banister for the stairs as she slowly descended. "You have some really nice stuff here. How long have you had the apartment?"

"Oh, I just recently moved in, but I've had my belongings for years. I got bored at my last location. I yearned for more danger, more excitement. What better place than Omega?" Her eyes followed Shepard hungrily as she continued. "I love clubs...people, movement, heat. With the apartment being so close to Afterlife, I can still hear the bass... like the drums of a great hunt, out for your blood."

Shepard finally sat down on the couch, but on the opposite section of the 'L.' Morinth looked serene, sitting calmly, her hands crossed gently in her lap. "But here, it's muted, and you're safe. Is that what you want, Shepard? Safety?"

Shepard looked at her. "I'd rather fight than hide."

Morinth spoke quickly. "Yes. Better to take control of your fate. I've never understood the fascination with safety. Some of us choose differently." Morinth suddenly stood and moved over to Shepard, sitting on her lap and running a finger along the commander's jaw. "Independence over submission. I think we share that, you and I."

Shepard's voice was low, menacing. "You compare us, but you're nowhere near my league."

Morinth smiled. "So strong. I need this." She slid off Shepard's lap and sat beside her, throwing an arm across the back of the couch behind her. She leaned into Shepard as she continued to speak, closing her eyes briefly. When she reopened them, they were black with the desire for a meld. "Look into my eyes and tell me you want me. Tell me you'd kill for me. Anything I want."

Shepard growled, "Don't count on it."

Morinth refocused and tried to push. "But you..." Shepard fixed a picture of Liara's face firmly in her mind and pushed back against Morinth's unsuccessful attempt.

The Ardat-Yakshi's eyes suddenly dropped back to their normal color and Morinth looked at her in surprise. "You already have an Asari lover? So why...?"

Realization dawned and Morinth started to stand as the door of her apartment slid open. "Oh, no... I see what's going on. The bitch herself found a little helper."

Samara stepped into full view, aglow with biotics and confronted her daughter, "Morinth!" as she launched the Ardat-Yakshi away from the commander and smashed her into the window, holding her there momentarily. But Morinth was strong, as powerful as Samara was and Morinth was able to match her, blow for blow. After trashing much of the apartment, the two Asari finally locked one another in a stalemate.

Morinth called to Shepard and asked for assistance. "I am as strong as she is! Let me join you!"

Samara calmly stated, "I am already sworn to you, Shepard. Let us finish this."

To Shepard, there was no choice; she had already confirmed Samara as one of her crew and she would never abandon a crewmate, no matter their philosophical differences. She calmly pulled her biotics and blasted Morinth with a warp to an unprotected side. Shepard had to give Morinth credit, she held her own against the Justicar and even with Shepard's warp throwing her across the room, she was still coherent enough to grind out, "and they call me a monster!"

Samara quickly closed the distance and grabbed Morinth by the neck. With eight more words, the fight was over. "Find peace in the embrace of the Goddess."

Shepard could only stand and watch as Samara killed her eldest daughter. The Justicar spoke quietly, without turning to face the commander. "I am ready to leave this place and get on with my life."

Shepard felt frozen in place. "Samara..." There were no words for what the Justicar had just been required by her own code to do. Shepard had no idea how to express her sorrow to the Justicar, so she said nothing.

Samara slowly turned to her. "Shepard. Your lack of words speaks volumes. What can either of us say? You just watched me kill the bravest and smartest of my daughters. Perhaps in the future we may speak of it, but for now, show mercy on a broken old warrior and let us leave."

Shepard held her hand out flat and Samara laid hers gently on top. They had their differences, but in that moment nothing mattered but the kinship of sisters-in-arms who had just faced a terrible ordeal together. They returned silently to the Normandy without another word spoken.

When Shepard returned to the CIC, Yeoman Chambers informed her of a message in her inbox marked urgent. When she flipped her mail open and saw the message from Feron, she was immediately torn. She knew it would happen eventually. Liara would see or hear something about a mission that would cause her pain, but Shepard had no idea it would be a mission during which she wasn't even injured that would be the cause of it. She wanted to physically prove to her bondmate she was fine, but couldn't justify a return to Hagalaz at the moment; the Normandy was headed in the opposite direction. Liara would have to be content with a vid-call. Shepard glanced at Chambers. "I'm going to my quarters to make a secure call on my private terminal. Under no circumstances am I to be interrupted until I am finished. Miranda can handle anything that comes up. Understood?" When she received confirmation, she made her way quickly to the loft.

Liara answered immediately, looking somewhat the worse for wear. She was no longer crying, but her eyes were red and her cheeks puffy. Her voice was full of anguish as she spoke. "Shepard! Thank the Goddess! What were you thinking?"

Shepard wasn't quite sure what to say, so just sought to reassure her bondmate that she was fine. "Blue, I'm fine. Samara had my back and Morinth was never really a threat. She's dead."

That was apparently the wrong thing to say. Liara's eyes flew wide and she shouted angrily at the commander. "Not a threat? She's an Ardat-Yakshi! She's killed thousands! She is one of the most deadly beings in the galaxy! I cannot believe you would risk yourself so casually!"

Shepard was so surprised, she shouted back without intending to. "Hey! There was nothing casual about it!" However unintentional, it had the desired effect and Liara cut off her rant. Shepard stopped and shook herself before she continued at a more reasonable volume. "I'm sorry, Blue. Didn't mean to yell. What you meant to say is that Morinth was deadly. And we knew that...not like we went in there without a plan. You know me better than that. And now, thanks to your timely information, she won't ever kill again."

Liara, visibly deflated, unceremoniously plopped down into a chair, drawing a deep calming breath before speaking. "I'm sorry too, Shepard. That was my frustration speaking. You know I trust you, but when I watched you walk into that room, Samara nowhere to be seen and me being completely unable to aid you... It terrified me. Just like thoughts of losing you, Ardat-Yakshi are the things of nightmares! How can you honestly say she wasn't a threat?"

Samantha smiled softly at her bondmate and practically whispered, "Because I have you." At Liara's puzzled expression, she explained. "When I needed to fool Morinth into thinking she was getting to me, I thought of kissing your sweet lips. Even under such dire circumstances, you centered me and brought me a serenity that made me smile. When she tried to force a meld, I shielded myself as you taught me and then shoved a mental picture of you into her face. It so surprised her, she broke off her attempt...and all Samara needed was that second of distraction to intervene. That was the plan all along, to let Morinth take the bait to the point where she was committed enough to not be thinking of escape...to give Samara the chance to actually catch her before she could slip away yet again. In four hundred years, Samara has gotten close only six times...and each time Morinth managed to elude her. We couldn't let that happen again, and we were out of options. I'm sorry I worried you, Siame, but me knowing the strength of your love was the only shield I needed."

The expression on Liara's face was mixed. She looked sorrowful, her eyes partially closed due to the irritation from crying, yet the edges of her lips hinted at curving up into a loving smile. "I can't help but worry about you; I love you, Samantha Shepard." Liara reached out and placed her hand on the screen and Shepard was quick to follow, so their hands 'touched.'

Something on Liara's extended arm caught the commander's attention and provided a great chance for Shepard to change the subject. "Hey. Nice promise bracelet." She watched the expression on Liara's face brighten considerably. "You know... mine burned up at Alchera. Once everyone gets there and you have people to run errands, do you suppose you could see your way clear to take yours off for a while and send it back to Illium...to have a new matching mate made? I miss wearing mine."

Liara's eyes lit up. "Absolutely... and I believe everyone is already here, unless you've sent more than two ships and nine commandos. The ships are being retrofitted as we speak. But for the bracelets, they are made as matched pairs, so I'll need to get a whole new set made." With a brief pause, her smile turned to a smirk. "Though you must realize that wearing one again may interfere with getting random Asari to dance with you." Liara cocked her head and raised a brow marking in silent query.

Shepard laughed. "Oh. Saw that too, did you? I was horrible, wasn't I?"

Liara blushed, which Shepard couldn't see across the vid, but could tell by the way Liara hung her head that she was embarrassed. "Yes, I saw... and I am loath to admit it still made me jealous. Such feelings normally indicate distrust, but nothing could be farther from the truth. I just wished I was there with you." Liara's head came back up and she had an honest full smile on her face. She dropped her hand from the screen as if physically releasing the commander as she spoke her last words. "Thank you for calling, Shepard, but I need to let you go... and I need to get back to work. Please be careful, Siame, and come back to me safe."