Chapter Twenty-Five
The eclectic group of four are milling around the devastation in some areas of New York. To Grunt, the area reminds him of Tuchanka. Piles upon piles of rubble that go on for many blocks. There are a few children playing on and round a few of the piles. Not a single adult within sight to watch the children. Even Grunt thinks something is wrong. The children on Tuchanka at the very least stay with the female clans. Here on Earth, it seems to Grunt, those without parents are left to defend for themselves.
If this is the progress being in one city, Shepard wonders what the other major cities across the world look like. Shepard walks over to Liara, who is looking in the direction a new building being constructed. Leia asks, "What do you see, Liara?" Standing behind the asari, Leia wraps her arms around Liara's waist looking the landscape Liara is looking at.
Liara keeps her eyes on the landscape in the horizon, "Beauty, destruction, strength, and a rebirth. It reminds me of you. The view has it own special beauty. It might be a little rough around the edges, but the beauty is there for everyone to see. Despite the destruction around them, the people have a strength to continue to move forward and rebuild. The new buildings give the city a rebirth, a renewed life. The old is there lurking on the surface enough to allow the new to complement the it, so the whole still retains the old world feel." The asari turns to face a smirking Shepard. Liara cups her hand along Shepard's cheek, "Just like you." She kisses Shepard's lips softly.
Leia is speechless. She has no response to Liara's words. The Commander can only smile and hold Liara in her arms. Both look out onto the horizon. A long moment passes before Shepard speaks, "You leave me speechless, Liara, and I love you for it." Shepard looks over her should to see both Garrus and Grunt heading back to the taxi. She points her thumb in their direction, "Looks like they are ready to go. Any place you would like to go?"
"Hmmm. I don't know. I thought you were taking me out or is it too early for that?" comments T'Soni. She really doesn't care what they do or where they go. As long as they are together, she is content.
Commander Shepard has her arm around her bondmate's waist as they slowly walk back to the waiting taxi. "I thought we would go out later to a club and have a night out of dancing and some drinking. I promise not to get too drunk." Leia has a mischievous grin on her face as she faces the asari then whispers, "Maybe some other type of decadent behavior."
Dr. T'Soni chuckles at Leia's comment, "Decadent behavior? I don't know if I approve of that type of behavior. Think of the children. What would they think?" Liara tone is dripping with sarcasm and topped off with a huge smile.
Leia cocks one eyebrow upward with an 'oh yea' type look on her face. She knows her love is being sarcastic with her answer. "So, it is a date, Dr. T'Soni?" Shepard smirks then grins brightly to the asari.
Grunt and Garrus are already in the taxi, while Liara and Shepard are still talking outside of the taxi. Garrus opens the door, "You two coming? Grunt and I would like to find a hotel to stay in for the night."
"I don't know, Commander. I'm not sure if I have time for a date. I have some important people coming later tonight and I'm not sure if they'll allow me to go out." She gives Shepard a coy smile then continues, "There is this one red haired human I have my eye on. I think this human wanted to go out on this night."
Shepard looks at Garrus and Grunt grinning from ear to ear. "Garrus, you mind driving?" asks the human. She looks at Liara with a smirk. "So, this redhead. Jealous type?"
Garrus and Grunt both get out of the backseat to allow Leia and Liara the backseat of the taxi. Liara chuckles more while getting into the taxi, "Oh, I would say extremely jealous. You might want to be careful, Commander."
"Is that so, Dr. T'Soni? Guess I will have be watchful then," replies Leia as she gets into the taxi, she is laughing. Sitting down next to Liara, Shepard whispers into her ear, "Think I can handle this jealous redhead?"
The turian and the krogan are shaking their head at the lovers. Garrus asks, "Where to, Shepard?" Listening to Shepard and Liara's back n forth banter is amusing to say the least. And it makes him happy to see his friends in a better mood then they were earlier today. He is thinking of sticking around a few more days to make sure no one harasses them. Especially the members of the press.
Liara whispers back to Leia, "I don't know. How well can you take a punch?" The asari bats her eyelashes at the human. She gets a little serious for a split second to say, "Garrus, drop us off near Central Park. I want to check it out before the girls get here."
The question causes Shepard to start laughing loudly. She kisses Liara on the forehead. "I think I can take it, doctor."
The taxi lifts off the ground with all four passengers aboard. Garrus and Grunt are both laughing at the banter from the backseat. Liara makes a comment as she rests her head on her lover's shoulder, "Garrus, at least you drive better than Shepard in the Mako."
"Hey now. It's the Mako not my driving." says Shepard defensively.
Garrus laughs more, "I don't know Shepard. I think it was more the driver than the vehicle."
Grunt is lost. The three of them are joking about something he knows nothing about. "What is a Mako?" asks the krogan.
"A piece of crap tank that drives like crap. Trust me, Grunt, you didn't miss anything." answers Commander Shepard. She didn't like the Hammerhead much either. The alarms go off on that thing when a bug hits it. It was crap too. Cerberus crap on top of it.
"Worse piece of junk than that junk Cerberus made? What was the name of that vehicle? Hammerhead, I think?" replies Urdnot Grunt.
Shepard laughs more. "Actually, it has tougher armor than the Hammerhead, but the Hammerhead drove smoother."
"I'll agree with that, Shepard. You did drive it better than the Mako," replies Garrus Vakarian as he sees the drop area for those going to Central Park. He slowly descends to the parking area to let Shepard and Liara out of the taxi. Before he takes off again he asks, "Shepard, Liara. If you need me, you can contact me at my usual contact number. I've been better at checking it more regularly. You two enjoy the rest of your time."
"Thank you, Garrus, again for your help today. You too, Grunt. I only wish it hadn't needed to come to that conclusion. But it's what he wanted and it is what he got," replies Leia with a smile on her face. She closes the door to the taxi and watches it take back off again. Where Garrus is going is anyone's guess. Shepard is sure about one thing, she will see him again before they leave for Greece. Liara grabs Leia's hand and they make their way to the park to see what the park has to offer and if their kids will enjoy it.
Spaceport, New York
Admiral Hannah Shepard brings the shuttle down for a soft landing. The two young asari are sound asleep and didn't wake when the shuttle landed. Hannah shuts down all the shuttle's systems and leaves the cockpit. Smiling at her two granddaughters, Hannah quietly starts to grab the bags from their storage area. The elder Shepard opens the shuttle door to see Leia and Liara standing there waiting with a luggage dolly all ready to be loaded with the rest of their luggage. Hannah smiles at the couple as they enter to help with the bags. She speaks softly, "They're asleep and I didn't want to wake them. You two sure you are okay with us coming tonight?"
"Yes, mom, we're sure. I don't know about Liara, but I want a different change of clothes. Mom, would you mind watching them tonight while I take my better half out for a few drinks and dancing?" asks Leia as she grabs a couple of bags and puts them on the dolly. She then picks up Kaja and starts to carry her.
Kaja is almost too big to carry, but Shepard is stronger than she looks and has no problem carrying her eldest daughter when needed. A few more years from now, she won't be able to carry her. Kaja starts squirming in Leia's arms and says, "Put me down, put me down." The youth is still sleeping and it seems to her father she is dreaming about something and it doesn't sound pleasant.
Commander Shepard sits on one of the seats in the shuttle holding Kaja in her arms. "It's okay, little one. We're here now. You're safe." She rocks slightly on the seat. All of a sudden, Kaja punches her father right in the eye while sleeping in her arms, "Put me down." Kaja punches again while sleeping, this time she only grazes her dad's cheek as Shepard moves her head away from the flying arm.
As suddenly as the thrashing started, Kaja wakes up from her bad dream. She notices she is in her father's arms. "Hold me, dad." The youth lays her head on her father's shoulder trying to figure out where she is. She must be on Earth if her dad is holding her. Or is she still dreaming. Kaja rubs the sleep from her eyes. "Am I dreaming or our we here? On Earth?" asks Kaja T'Soni.
Dr. T'Soni sits next to Shepard and Kaja. She rubs Kaja's back to calm her down, "You're not dreaming, little one. Your dad and I are here." Smiling at her eldest daughter, Liara kisses her cheek. "You okay, Leia? She got you good and it's starting to get a little red."
Gaia starts to wake up after hearing the commotion. She yawns then asks, "Are we there yet?" Gaia T'Soni walks over to Shepard and sits down next to her father, giving Leia a huge hug.
Leia kisses Kaja's forehead, smiles at Liara. "I'm fine. Yes, Gaia, you're here," comments Shepard as she smiles and hugs at her youngest.
Hannah Shepard smiles as she watches the interaction between her granddaughters and their parents. What she sees is two parents that love their children very much. Hannah does wonder if Leia's patience with the girls is because Liara's influence or because of Leia's patience she learned from the military. She isn't sure she wouldn't have upset if she got a fist in the eye from Leia when Leia was younger. Even if it was an accident. Admiral Shepard takes the last of the bags and places them on the dolly with the other bags.
Liara gets up and helps Hannah with the last of their bags. She asks Hannah, "Have any problems with them today?"
"No, they are a joy to be around, Liara. The only issue was when Gaia and Kaja were playing cards and Gaia said that Kaja was cheating. Yes, Liara. I'll watch them tonight so you and Leia can go out," replies the elder Shepard.
Kaja looks up to her father and notices the red spot near her left eye. "How did you get that, dad?" Pointing to Leia's left eye.
Leia gives Kaja a hug, "From you when you were sleeping a few minutes ago. You were thrashing your arms wanting down and caught me in the eye. It's okay, little one. You didn't mean to do it."
"I did that? I'm sorry, dad," says the oldest daughter as she hugs her dad tightly. She then kisses Leia's cheek. "I love you, dad. I didn't mean to. I was dreaming and I got picked up by some creature and it wouldn't let me go. It was a weird dream."
"I know you didn't mean to hit me. It was an accident and you were sleeping when it happened. I love you, little one. Are you two ready to see more of New York?" asks Commander Sheaprd as she grins at both of her children sitting next to her.
"YES!" exclaims Gaia as she hops out of the seat and leaves the shuttle. Liara and Hannah follow Gaia to make sure she stays near the shuttle.
Kaja is still feeling guilty about hitting her dad in the eye and slowly gets off of her father's lap. "Yes, I'm ready, dad."
Shepard stands up and places her hand on Kaja's shoulder, "I forgive you, Kaja. It will be unnoticeable in a couple of days, so don't worry about it, okay?"
"Yes, ma'am," answers Kaja. She hops off the shuttle to join her sister.
The Commander is looking around double checking making sure they have all their bags. She sees her mother didn't miss anything. After locking up the shuttle and turning on the security alarm on the shuttle, Leia joins the rest of her family. Shepard pushes the dolly through customs and out to a waiting taxi.
Leia Shepard is driving around New York a little more than normally she would so her kids can see the city landscape during the night. The city as a different feel at night than it does during the day time. Neither child is saying anything because they are too busy taking in the sights they are seeing. Shepard doesn't drive by the areas that still looks like a war zone. After about thirty minutes of driving around showing the kids the area, Leia parks the taxi in front of the hotel.
Everyone gets out of the taxi. Hannah notices the name of the hotel and knows it's one of the best in the city. "Nice hotel," comments Hannah. Shaking her head at the thought of staying at this hotel. She is thinking her daughter and daughter-in-law spares no expense when they go on vacation. Guess this is why they don't take many big vacations. They drop a bundle when they do take one.
Gaia and Kaja are staying near their parents. Leia is slowly removing the bags from the taxi, while Liara is putting the bags on the dolly. Shepard looks over her shoulder and sees Liara standing next to the dolly smiling at the Commander. Gaia pokes her sister in the side then runs towards the hotel entrance laughing the whole way.
Kaja turns to see her younger sister heading towards the entrance and chases after her. Liara and Leia both go after their daughters. Hannah is already inside the hotel lobby waiting for the rest of her family to join her. Gaia goes running by laughing with Kaja not far behind. Leia enters before Liara and says sternly, "Both of you here, now." Shepard points the a spot in front of her.
Neither daughter is paying any attention to their father. Kaja tackles Gaia then both girls starts to wrestle on the lobby floor. It's after 2200 and the lobby is practically empty, but this type of behavior from either child isn't going to fly with either parent. Especially with Leia Shepard. Shepard closes her eyes to calm down before she starts yelling at both of them. Liara walks over to the two girls asking, "What are you two doing?"
Gaia pokes Kaja again. Kaja sits on her sister while getting poked. "Knock it off, Gaia." She is trying to pin her sisters arms to the floor. "Stop... poking... me." Neither one is paying any attention to Liara or Leia.
Commander Shepard finally has had enough of their antics and walks over to them both and pulls Kaja off of Gaia. "Listen here, both of you. Your mother and I are trying to speak to you and you are ignoring us. Stop it right now!" She looks to Gaia, "You started this. What do you say to your sister?"
Liara has a hold of Gaia and Shepard has a hold of Kaja. Both girls look like they want to continue to fight with each other. Liara looks at Gaia, "Answer your father, Gaia T'Soni. Right now." Liara voice is stern and the look on her face shows an unhappy mother.
Kaja has a look that if it could kill someone, they would be dead right now. Gaia is trying hard to look innocent, but she is busted and there is no way out of it. She knows this, but is still going to push it tonight. "I didn't do anything," comments Gaia.
Hannah is standing near the front counter talking to the desk clerk. The clerk gives Hannah a key card to room 1615. Hannah along with the bell hop heads to the elevator, so she can put away their bags. Hopefully by then, the girls will have calmed down to stop fighting with each other.
Leia is about to lose her patience with Gaia. "Listen here, Gaia T'Soni. You poked Kaja outside then ran in here. I saw you do it and so did your mother. Lying to us isn't a very wise move on your part. Now, I said what do you say to your sister?" Shepard has a look on her face that Gaia has never seen before. Leia's nostrils are flared up and she looks very very mean. Even Liara is surprised by the look Leia is giving Gaia. They haven't been on Earth for more than an hour and already Gaia is acting up. Shepard isn't going to put up with it.
Gaia looks at Kaja saying, "I'm sorry, Kaja." She looks down at the floor feeling guilty for poking her older sister.
The Commander lets go of Kaja and kneels in front of Gaia, who is still looking at the floor. Shepard lifts Gaia's chin up with a finger, "Gaia, never look down. Even when you get into trouble. Always look people in the eyes. Understand?"
"Yes, ma'am," answers Gaia. She takes her father's hand. "Can we go to our room now?" asks the youth when she realizes there are a few strangers looking in her direction.
Liara takes Kaja's hand after Shepard lets her go. Mother and daughter make their way to the elevator. Liara says, "Next time she does that, Kaja. Do not chase her. Let either your father or myself deal with Gaia."
"I'm sorry, mom. Why does she have to act like that?" asks Kaja. Sisters. Blah. That is what Kaja is thinking as the elevator moves up to the 16th floor.
Shepard looks around the lobby and gives those that are watching a slight grin then takes Gaia's hand and walks away. She isn't in the mood to wait for the elevator and since Gaia seems full of energy. They will walk up the sixteen flights of stairs.
The youngest daughter points to the elevator as they walk by, "There's the elevator, dad." She looks back at the elevator as her father opens the door to the stairs.
"We're taking the stairs. You seem full of energy from the ride from Arcturus Station, so we'll take the stairs. Consider it your punishment for poking Kaja," replies Leia Shepard. She is still very annoyed with her youngest daughter. She wonders how being the middle child will change Gaia's behavior if it will change her behavior. Right now, being the youngest has Gaia acting like she is the youngest. She would talk to Liara about siblings, but Liara doesn't have any either. That Shepard knows of.
Shepard jogs the stairs with easy, but Gaia isn't use to all the walking up steps and is slowly falling behind. She waits for Gaia when she gets to a different floor. Only three more to go. "Dad, I'm tried. Can you carry me the rest of the way?" asks the nine-year-old asari.
"I could, but I said this is your punishment for poking your sister. So, no I won't carry you the rest of the way. Only three more floors to go. Lets go, Gaia. I know you can do it," answers Leia. She trying to motivate her daughter to finish the last three floors.
They go up two more floor before Gaia stops completely and sits on one of the steps. She is breathing a little heavy and is getting very tired. "Dad, I can't make it. Please, carry me."
Leia sits down next to Gaia. She wraps her arm around the youth's shoulder giving Gaia a hug. "No, I know you can do it, Gaia. You have the strength in you..." She puts a finger in Gaia's chest pointing to the her inner strength. "... to make it one more floor. That is all you have to go. Up one more flight of stairs. Shepard points to the floor above them.
Gaia is slowly gaining the confidence to go up one more floor. Getting off the steps, Gaia takes Leia's hand. Together they walk up to the 16th floor. When she reaches the top step. Gaia places her arms in the air like she just won a race. "Yea, I made it."
"Yes you did, Gaia. I told you, you have the inner strength to do it," replies the Commander with a smile on her face. Jogging up nine of the sixteen flights gave her a workout she has been needing for a few days now. Opening the door to the 16th floor to see which direction their room is. Their room is to the left of the stairwell.
Liara comes out of the room to check to see where her daughter and bondmate are when the door to the stairs open and they both appear. "Elevator broken?" asks Liara wondering why would Leia have Gaia walk sixteen flights of stairs.
"No, since Gaia is so full of energy, I thought she need to blow some of it off. So I made her take the stairs. You could say it was her punishment for poking Kaja and running. It seems to have the effect I was looking for. It wore her out," answers Leia as she kisses Liara's cheek before heading into the suite to get ready to go out for a few drinks with her love.
A tired nine-year-old asari walks into the suite. She looks at Kaja giving her a grin then flops down on the bed. Within a few seconds Gaia falls asleep. Leia sees Gaia on the bed with her eyes closed and thinks. Guess my punishment worked. No more horseplay. Maybe I should use exercise more often when they are too full of it. Why didn't I think of that before now?
Shepard walks into the other room to talk to her mother. "I hope this room is fine with you, mom."
"It's fine, Leia. You two spare no expense do you?" asks Hannah as she unpacks her bag. "I did notice a hot tub. I might have to use it after you and Liara leave."
"No, we didn't, but it is the first time we've taken any type of trip that didn't last only a few days. Please enjoy the hot tub, mom. Thank you for joining us. I know it was unexpected and spur of the moment, but it means a great deal to me and to Liara as well. Plus the kids like having you around as well," says Leia. She hugs her mother. "I'm also sorry for dumping them on you today. Running wasn't an option."
"It's okay. I wouldn't expect you to do anything than what you did today, kiddo" Hannah smiles at Leia and pats her upper arm. "Thank you for inviting me."
Grinning as she leaves the room, Leia walks into the main room to grab a change of clothes then goes into the bathroom to take a quick shower. Liara sneaks into the bathroom while Shepard is in the shower and changes the outfits Leia is going to wear. The asari puts on the hook the dress Kasumi Goto gave Shepard for the Hock party. She likes how Leia looks in that dress, too bad she doesn't wear it very often.
Den of Illusions Lounge, New York
The club Leia found is called Den of Illusions Lounge. It is one of the hottest mixed species clubs in New York. The club has three levels with different style of music on each level. Majority of the patrons in the club are human, but there are many asari, turian, volus, and a few salarians too. The duo are on the second level of the club. Commander Shepard is dancing with Dr. T'Soni to one of the slower songs the DJ is playing. Liara's arms around Shepard's neck, while Leia has her arms around T'Soni's waist. Their bodies move to the beat of the music. The song ends and the DJ plays a song with a faster beat. Liara takes Leia's hand and leads her to an empty table in a darker corner of the club.
The Commander goes to get a couple more drinks. When Leia comes back to the table, she sees Liara being bothered by a couple of human males. One of the males is saying, "Oh, come on now, honey. You know you want to dance with us too. We dance better than that woman you were dancing with earlier."
Liara sees Leia standing behind the two men. Shepard sips on her drinking watching to see what the two men do next. She puts a finger over her lips to let Liara know not to tip them off she is standing behind them. Liara answers nicely, "No thank you. I'm not interested in dancing with anyone else. Please leave me alone."
Unknown to both Shepard and T'Soni that Garrus and Grunt have been in the club since before they arrived and they have been keeping an eye on both of them since. The turian knows Liara will be hounded on by others if Shepard isn't by her side. The turian has seen it before during some nights out at a few clubs during some down time when hunting Saren. Humans don't take no for an answer very well sometimes and these two guys are proof of that. He knows a few turians that are the same way. Maybe it's a male thing.
The second human sits down next to Liara while the first human blocks her from leaving the table. "You know, baby, you want to be with us tonight. I promise, I'll show you a great night. I know how to please an asari real good." He slides closer to Liara.
Commander Shepard downs her drink. Placing the empty glass on the table, she says, "Mind leaving my wife alone. I know she doesn't want to dance with either of you. Please leave. Now!" Shepard's voice has a hint of annoyance to it add in an authoritative tone to it.
The human that is blocking Liara in comments, "Fuck you, bitch. Asari don't marry. They tease then move on. Sluts every last one of them." The human turns to face Shepard after his comments. He didn't notice a bond band on Leia's finger nor the rings on Liara's. "Hell, you should join us, honey." The human does not recognize Shepard. Very few people have seen her in a dress. Especially on Earth. He reaches out to caress Shepard's upper arm.
"One, I'm not your honey." Shepard knocks his hand away from her. "Two, you've been asked nicely to leave. It would be in your best interested to leave us alone." Leia puts Liara's drink on the table and slides it to her. She never takes her eyes of the human standing in front of her.
Garrus is making his away across the club to lend a hand when two more humans walk over to Shepard and T'Soni's table. "The ladies ask you two to leave. I would take her advice. Neither one is interested and I'm sure you don't want to get your ass kicked by a woman in a dress," comments Jacob Taylor.
Jacob Taylor along with his good buddy, Randy McMichels, work security at the club. The human sitting next to Liara wraps his arm around her shoulder. She ducks under it and squeezes between his friend and the table to stand next to Shepard. Leia grabs the drink off the table and the second human knocks the glass out of her hand. "I don't care who you are or who your friends are. All I want is the asari."
Leia shakes her head at the stupidity of the human's comment. By this time, Garrus and Grunt have moved to the table next to the one Shepard and Liara are using. Garrus says, "I would take a hike. You two are now out numbered three to one. You really want to continue. If I didn't know better, I would say you are wanting to get into a fight."
The second human glares at the turian sitting at the next table. "Who let you in here, turian?" He only now notices the krogan sitting across from Garrus. "And a fucking krogan too? I knew this was a mix species club, but this is too damn much. Lets go." He and his buddy leave Shepard and T'Soni alone. They leave the club, but Shepard is sure they have not seen the last of them tonight.
"How long have you been here, Jacob?" asks Liara. She is very surprised to see him. Welcome, but still a surprise.
Jacob Taylor answers, "I work here actually. Shepard, Liara, Garrus, Grunt this is my friend Randy. He also works here. We both do security for the club. We have had complaint from other patrons of the club for a few weeks now. I was keeping an eye on them when I noticed them harassing Dr. T'Soni. Then I saw you, Shepard and knew things were about to get ugly."
"Nice to meet you, Commander Shepard, Dr. T'Soni. I've heard good things about both of you." Randy turns to the turian and krogan and nods his head to the duo. "Nice to meet you too. Jacob, we need to get back to work before the boss chews our asses." Randy nods to the group then leaves to mingle around the bar, so he can keep an eye on the action on the second level of the club.
"Yea, I know. Nice see you again, Commander. Enjoy the rest of the night," replies Jacob. He joins Randy as the mingle around the second level of the club.
Leia pulls Liara next to her, whispers in Liara's ear, "Want to stay and dance some more or go some place else?" She proceeds to nip around the asari's neck.
"Hmmmm." Liara leads Shepard back onto the dance floor. Commander Shepard's dancing has improved over the years, but she still is not a very good dancer. T'Soni's moves are always more fluid than Leia's. Not that it matters to Liara, she enjoys dancing with her love. Even if Shepard is a bad dancer.
They dance and drink until the clubs closes at 300. Leia is very drunk and singing or trying to sing. It's more like slurring than actual singing. Leia bumps into Liara and almost falls down. Liara catches her and holds Shepard upright. Liara quit drinking a couple of hours ago, so she isn't feeling the effects of the liquor. She isn't exactly sober either. Liara is more functional than Shepard, but both will wake up later with a bad hangover. Garrus is still with them and sober. He helps Liara get the Commander to the exit where is waiting for them. The club's security personal are working to clear everyone out of the club. There is are still a bunch of people in the club.
When Shepard, Liara, and Garrus get outside, they see three police cars down the street and a roped off area in the direction they are needed to go. The hotel is about six blocks from the club and they want to walk back to the hotel. Liara hopes the walk starts to sober them both up. The last thing she wants is for their kids and Leia's mother to see them this drunk.
Garrus asks, "What is going on, Grunt?"
"Someone got stabbed, shot, or something. Not really sure. When I got out here, the police was roping off the area," answers the krogan. Grunt in a way wishes he witnessed the action. He so wanted to headbutt one of the humans bothering Shepard and T'Soni earlier in the club.
Grunt takes the lead and walks across the street to avoid the police scene. Shepard stumbles again, "Whoa. Stop. I need to..." She stumbles over to the bushes that are next to the sidewalk and heaves all the contents from her stomach all over the bushes then passes out on the sidewalk.
"Oh crap!" exclaims Garrus. "She passed out."
Grunt already is picking Shepard off the ground. He puts the human over his shoulder and carries her. One shoe falls off of Leia's foot. Liara picks it up and takes the other shoe off Shepard's foot. T'Soni isn't stumbling, but isn't walking very straight either. A big clock shows the time 313, "Oh Goddess. Is it that late?"
Garrus hasn't seen either one of his friends this drunk before. Well, Shepard he has once when she got drunk on the Citadel after destroying the Collector base, but never Liara. "It's that late, Liara. All of us have been up for almost twenty-four hours. I'm sure you'll be sleeping in." He smiles at the asari walking next to him. From time to time she bumps into him.
Liara says, "No, we have a play to take the girls to at 1330 tomorrow. I don't know what type of shape Shepard will be in. I'm going to be hung over as it is." She is slowly sobering up.
They get two blocks from the hotel when Shepard comes to. "Hey! Put me down. I can walk."
Grunt is half tempted to drop his battlemaster for the fun of it. Garrus shakes his head at him not to do it. He sees how Grunt has a grin on his face. The krogan removes Shepard from his shoulders.
She actually stayed standing upright. A little wobbly, but is able to walk the rest of the way. Or she hopes so anyway. "How far before we get back to the hotel?" asks Leia, who is still slurring her words. She looks behind her to see the two males harassing Liara in the club. Shepard smacks Garrus' arm saying, "How long have those guys been following us?"
Garrus looks behind him. "Crap. I don't know. Grunt, want to handle them?"
"I'll be right back." Grunt walks over the the two humans. Then he yells out, "I AM KROGAN!" as he starts to charge them. Both of the humans pull out pistols from the belts and start to shoot at Grunt. Too bad for the two humans, Grunt always wears armor and his is fortified, so every bullet bounces off of him. The first human feels the fury of Grunt's fist as Grunt bashes him in the head leaving the human a bloody heap on the sidewalk.
The second human isn't very smart. Instead of running, he tries to headbutt the krogan. Instead of hurting Grunt, the dumb human knocks himself out. As Grunt turns to walk away, a patrol car pulls up. The police saw the humans shooting at the krogan and the krogan beating the crap out of one of them.
"Oh shit, they're going to arrest, Grunt," says Shepard as she stumbles a little. Liara puts her arm around Leia to hold her steady.
Two police officers walk into their direction to take their statements. One of the cops says, "Anyone here care to tell me what is going on?"
Since Garrus is the only one completely sober, he tells the cops what happened at the club and the humans where following them after they left the club. It takes almost two hours before all the statements are completed. They let the krogan go, because they felt it is self-defense. Both Garrus and Grunt tell the cops, Grunt's intent was only to get them to leave them alone. Another set of cops are busy arresting the two humans for shooting off a gun in the city limits.
The sun is starting peek out over the horizon and Leia and Liara are walking into the hotel lobby. Garrus and Grunt grabs a taxi and head to their hotel to get some needed sleep. They know about the Broadway show at 1330, but they hope to still be sleeping at that time.
Liara opens the door to their suite. Leia trips over Liara's foot and falls to the floor laughing. Shepard pulls T'Soni on top of her after the information broker shuts the door. Liara covers Shepard's mouth to keep her from waking their kids. "Shhh. You'll wake the girls and your mother." T'Soni caresses Shepard's cheek with the back of her fingers.
"Sorry." says Leia as she tries to stop laughing. She goes to kiss Liara's lips and ends up kissing her cheek instead.
Unknown to the couple on the floor, Hannah is already awake and in the living area of the suite watching the news on the extranet. She gets off the couch to see what the commotion is about. Hannah says, "About time you two got back. Any idea what time it is?" Hannah is only slightly annoyed. Both are adults, but they shouldn't be stumbling in at 530 in the morning. Not with two children to take care of.
Liara gets off of Shepard and helps Leia off the floor. Shepard is still drunk and wobbles still while standing. Liara is almost sober. "Sorry, mom." says Leia.
"Mind if we sleep in your room, Hannah? You and the girls can have the main suite. Feel free to order room service if you're hungry. We need a little sleep before the show at 1330," comments Liara as she helps Leia to the other room. Commander Shepard is on the verge of falling sound asleep in her arms. More like about to pass out.
Hannah helps Liara put Leia in the bed. They make sure she is facing downward in case she gets sick again. Hannah has never seen Leia drunk before. This is a new experience. "Where are Leia's shoes?" asks the elder Shepard.
Liara lies on the bed next to Leia. "I think they are in the other room. I am sorry, Hannah. This won't happen again."
Admiral Shepard looks down at the couple, shaking her head as she leave them alone. She finds Leia's shoes and places them next to the wardrobe closet. The girls are still sleeping. Hannah is glad for that. They don't need to see their parents after an all night bender. The one thing Hannah is sure on. They don't do this very often. She knows this from the look on Liara's face and how remorseful she is. Leia is too drunk to care at the moment, but will after she wakes up with a bad hangover.
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A/N: I really did enjoy writing last part of this chapter. A drunk Shepard is always fun.
See everyone on Friday. Three more weeks. WOO HOO!