Notes: This chapter starts immediately following the original QuickShot story, QS 25: Do Not Pass Go and parallels QS 26: Nights of Sweet Dreams.

Mea're: "new tribal sister", to address a tribal sister of a loved person (Thessian)

Acceptance

As the members of the house assembled for the communal evening meal, Nayla and Livos were somewhat reluctant to join Matriarch Mozia, Lady Liara, Spectre Shepard and Riana at their table. As they sat, Shepard gave them an odd glance before she queried, "Captains? Everything alright with the commandos? You seem a bit... troubled."

Livos looked pointedly at Nayla, obviously preferring the senior captain to answer. Nayla took a deep breath before speaking. "Yes. Everything is fine. We are simply curious as to whether you have spoken to Lady Liara yet..." Nayla's glance flicked over to Liara and back to the Spectre as Shepard drew a sharp breath, only to blow it out in relief as Nayla continued, "You know... about you being Commander of the T'Soni Guard?"

Liara let out a soft tension-relieving chuckle and spoke quietly, "No, Nayla. She has not, so I suppose that would be a good dinner conversation. As for the question you truly want to ask, yes, Shepard has confessed your transgressions and sought an apology... which I granted."

Mozia was unsure what had happened to put everyone on edge so listened intently as the conversation went on, curious as to the nature of the transgressions Liara mentioned; she thought that an interesting choice of words. As relief washed across the two commando's faces, Liara continued, "But it comes with conditions."

Nayla and Livos both swallowed and concentrated solely on the Lady of the house, not even glancing at the Spectre or the matriarch. Nayla spoke for them both, much more formal than she had been mere moments before. "Whatever you require, Lady T'Soni."

Mozia frowned when she saw Liara noticeably wince but the matriarch's expression lightened, however slightly, as Shepard reached over and gently stroked Liara's thigh, a sorrowful look on her face. Liara granted the Spectre a sad smile of thanks then turned her gaze back to the commandos. "First, I honestly wish you would address me plainly as Liara... but I know you won't, no matter how many times I ask, so at least stick to either Lady Liara or Doctor T'Soni. Please." Liara closed her eyes and took a deep breath, steeling herself before she continued. "Lady T'Soni was my mother... and I am a long way from being comfortable with such an address being directed toward me."

Mozia was lost momentarily to thoughts of Benezia and the lost chance of a wonderful friendship, but her full attention was recaptured when Liara's voice picked up a hard edge and the maiden's sadness vanished behind a steely blue-eyed glare. "Concerning the matter at hand, I understand the motivations behind what you all..." Liara's gaze shifted between the commandos and the commander, "...did, but you will never again hide information from me or lie about what exactly a day's supposed 'training exercise' entails. Is that perfectly clear?"

Mozia had only a vague idea about what Liara was speaking of, so remained silent and cocked her head, interested in the reactions. So, our Little Wing has a strong bite within her after all... excellent!

Shepard also stayed silent, but dipped her head in acquiescence as she gave Liara's leg a squeeze of assurance with the hand she still had resting on the Asari's thigh. Liara's hand slid down and settled on top of it and gave Shepard's hand a squeeze in return, letting the commander know it was ok; they had already settled their personal dispute. At Liara's tone, both commando's bolted up out of their chairs and bowed, answering promptly, "Yes, Lady Liara."

Nayla dared to smile when Liara's free hand went quickly upward to sweep across her crests as she quietly muttered, "Goddess! This is going to take some getting used to... for all of us." Her eyes went up to meet those of the two commandos. "Would you please sit down and stop that."

Mozia finally could hold back no more and chuckled. "I apologize. I know I should not laugh, but it simply reminds me of all the times... all the matrons and matriarchs who have made such fruitless requests before, Liara. As head of House T'Soni, it is something you are going to have to learn to live with." Mozia tried but was completely unsuccessful at removing the wide smile from her face.

Liara stared at her for a moment before a light smile crept over her countenance. The matriarch's mirth was contagious and it was impossible for her to hold onto her dour expression. Finally the young maiden shook her head in defeat. "I suppose... but I still have no desire to be referred to as Lady T'Soni."

The rest of dinner consisted of much more pleasant banter and after some debate, Liara settled one particularly contentious issue with a very declarative statement by the new Lady of House T'Soni. "Face it, Shepard. You are my commander, in every aspect associated with military-style operations; as it is on the Normandy, it will be on Thessia. I can't see you staying out of the commandos' business, and given our relationship, I can't see the commandos looking at you in any other way than as my partner and equal." Liara's face had a broad smile and her eyes glittered mischievously. "If you want me, being who you are, you have to take the Commander of the Guard position along with it."

All the Asari at the table watched the commander's initially stunned expression slowly change to one of amused resignation. She shook her head and shrugged, attempting to make light of the expected announcement. "Fine. I'll pack my bags after dinner and..."

She couldn't finish her statement without laughing as Liara exclaimed, "Shepard!" and swatted at her shoulder.

Shepard ducked away from the playful swipe and grinned happily. "Livos and Nayla already warned me I was doomed, so I expected that answer. As long as we have Mozia and Aratiana to run the House... and Livos and Nayla swear to keep my ass out of trouble, I'll accept."

With mostly entertained nods ringing the table, only Nayla protested, smiling as she spoke. "I don't know. I've heard you have a penchant for finding trouble, Shepard. I'm not sure we can promise to keep you out of all the difficulties you are likely to stumble upon. I would find it terribly unfair for Lady Liara or you to blame us, should we fail."

Shepard painted a mock frown on her face, "Hey! I don't go looking for trouble! Trouble comes looking for me! I can't help it!"

The rest of the meal was filled with Liara and Shepard telling stories of some of the more entertaining predicaments they had found themselves in over the last few months but, without fail, the conversation always seemed to work its way to Noveria. At that point Shepard raised her hand to call a stop, as if she was working a ground squad. The gesture was second nature to her and it apparently translated across species, as the entire roomful of commandos immediately ceased all conversation and looked to her for direction. "Wow." Shepard's brow crinkled in surprise. "That's... too weird."

"I... don't believe this is a conversation for the dinner table." She dropped her hand and stood slowly, her eyes traversing across the room. "I am prepared to talk to all of you about what transpired that horrible day, but not here. Everyone clear their places and grab a drink of choice." Shepard's voice dropped almost to a whisper, but the dining room was deathly silent so she was easily heard. "I'll meet you in the commons... shortly."

As chairs began to scratch and squeak across the floor, the commandos stood and started moving. Nayla shook her head sadly and looked at the commander. "You truly are intent on doing this, aren't you?"

She could tell Shepard was resigned, and though her voice was level, Nayla could see the anxiety she carried in the tightness of her face and the rigid set to her shoulders. Shepard nodded to her before replying, "Yes. If I am to command, we need to get everything out in the open and the commandos need to know they can talk to me."

Nayla stood and nodded. "And you will do the same at the Country Estate when we arrive there?"

Shepard's gaze never wavered, her green eyes deep with emotion. "Absolutely."

The commons fell silent as Shepard walked into the room and they all stood as soon as they realized Liara was with her. Liara shook her head sadly, "Please. Sit. I am not here as the leader of House T'Soni... I am here to support my loved one." Her sad gaze rested briefly on the Spectre, before moving across the room to take all the commandos in. "As all of you have had to do these past couple of weeks before our arrival."

Nayla gestured to a couch. "Please, join us. I have already relayed to them our conversation from yesterday morning, Shepard, so they understand why you are here."

Every pair of eyes in the room watched Shepard as she moved silently to the couch and sat, Liara beside her. Every pair of eyes saw the Spectre pull out a small book and gently caress its cover... and the commandos began to wonder what it was. Those who could tear their eyes from the seemingly inconsequential object saw Liara's eyes fly open wide in surprise, though they did not understand why. Neither did they yet understand why Shepard's eyes turned glassy as she carefully placed the book on the low, circular table in the middle of them all.

"I, uh..." The Spectre started over and her voice was rough as she began to speak. "This book is my private journal. Over my career I have lost many friends and soldiers under my command. Many of those lost fit into both categories."

Shepard's eyes finally lifted from the small book and she glanced around the room at everyone sitting, watching her and respectfully waiting. "In the back of my journal is a list. I have served only eleven years and before Noveria that list already held twenty-three names. Twenty-three friends who relied on me to keep them safe. Twenty-three soldiers who counted on me to keep them from harm."

"Twenty-three names, each with their own story... each with people left behind who loved them." Shepard's eyes drifted back down to the small book. "Twenty-three people whom I failed."

As tears slowly started to run down Samantha's face, Liara reached over and grabbed her hand, pleading almost desperately, "Shepard. Don't. The commandos were not your responsibility."

"I already did." Shepard glanced at her, gave her a pathetic smile and shrugged. "And one way or another they were my responsibility; I simply didn't realize exactly why or how much yet."

Liara whispered, "Oh, Goddess," as tears began to trickle down her face, grasping what she had done by making Shepard the Commander of the Guard; she had inadvertently changed Shepard's relationship to the commandos. All the commandos. The full ramifications of her decision suddenly weighed extremely heavy upon her shoulders and her face bore a pained expression as Shepard continued.

"Though I did not even realize it yet," Shepard's glance went once more to Liara and, upon seeing the expression on the maiden's face, she broke their handhold to wrap an arm around the Asari's waist and draw her close. "...the minute I fell in love with Liara... the minute I entered the T'Soni family, I gained all of you as sisters. Each and every one of you is my mea're."

A few of the commandos let out soft murmurs of realization, knowing where the commander's words were headed. Livos leaned forward in her seat, "Shepard. You did not know and even if you had, it could not have changed what you needed to do. It would have only made it more difficult."

Shepard gave Livos an appreciative look. "I understand that, Liv. But I cannot help but realize now the true magnitude of what I have done." She reached down and laid her hand on top of the book. "This journal now holds thirteen new names; twelve commandos and Matriarch Benezia T'Soni... but it is... lacking."

She looked at Liara as she said, "I know much of Benezia's story..." and her eyes once again roamed across the commandos in the room as she finished, "...but I know nothing of the rest. Their names cannot have no meaning. I need you to tell me their stories; I need to know who my sisters were."

The murmurs stopped and, as the room fell silent, Riana realized how she could apologize to Shepard; she would speak first, tell Ryati's story and get things started. Somewhere along the way, she would make it perfectly clear to the Spectre that she was not to blame for Ryati's death. Riana stood and started out softly. "Ryati Thaptos was my friend from the first day I applied as a commando at House T'Soni in 2135; the very next day I joined the commando ranks and she became my sister."

Riana told Ryati's story; where she was from, things she loved to do, how she embraced life and took her responsibilities seriously. Then she spoke of how it became so difficult at the end, with all of Benezia's travels and Ryati's eventual disappearance. Riana hung her head as tears streamed down her face. "When we heard from Shiala, we all knew the truth of the matter."

Her gaze travelled around the room much like Shepard's had done but, unlike the questioning looks that met the commander's eyes, Riana's was met by nods of agreement and understanding. "No one wanted to admit defeat and we all held onto our shattering hope, but we knew. Our sisters... our loved ones and our Matriarch were most likely forever lost to us."

Riana's eyes locked on Shepard's and she stepped over to the Spectre and offered her a hand. Shepard stood and clasped forearms with her as tears streamed down both their faces. Riana shook her head and whispered gently, "Mea're, you did not kill Ryati Thaptos; you killed a shell of what remained and freed her soul from eternal torment. Thank you, Shepard, for her freedom, and I welcome your fortitude and courage as Commander of the Guard of House T'Soni."

Riana's free arm wrapped around Shepard and pulled her tight as she whispered in the Spectre's ear. "Please forgive my earlier words. They were spoken in raw anger and uncertainty."

Shepard returned the hug and when they separated she looked Riana directly in the eyes. "Your words were not spoken in anger; they were spoken with truth, and reflected your pain and frustration. There is a huge difference and I do not blame you, Riana. Consider them history, and know there is nothing to forgive."

As Riana stepped back she was shaking her head in disbelief. "Your forgiveness is like your strength of spirit, Spectre. It knows no bounds."

As Riana sat, the next to stand was the Team 2 sniper, Allis Selaptos. Her eyes were puffy and she looked like she hadn't slept in days, but her stance was solid, her words steady. "I remember the day Shiala called home from Feros. We were all terribly... distraught; Zia Belvos was dead and our faith in our matriarch was shaken to the core. As more time passed and we heard absolutely nothing, we all came to realize in our own time that Shiala had spoken the truth and we came to know fear; the fear that our loved ones were somewhere, lying dead, and we would never see them again nor know what had befallen them."

Selaptos closed her eyes briefly and sighed heavily. "And then we received news of Noveria. I know it sounds terrible, but I was almost... relieved. I knew Steigs... Bezia Stegos, my... bondmate, was coming home."

Selaptos looked at Liara and saw the look in her eyes. "Lady Liara. You know of what I speak, do you not?"

Liara stood from her seat on the couch and walked to Allis, wrapping her in a tight embrace, neither with any tears left to shed. "Goddess. Yes, I do. For a long time, I feared my mother would go the way of the matriarchs from the age of exploration and simply vanish, to never be heard from or seen again. However painful, having them come home provided closure..." Liara released Allis and stepped back, "...and allows us to move on."

As Liara returned to sit next to Shepard, the commander wrapped her arm once more around her lover's waist in comfort. Shepard tipped her head slightly to the side and looked at Selaptos. "So what is your favorite memory of... Steigs?"

She wasn't sure if it was appropriate for her to use the nickname, but the light smile from Allis told her she had chosen correctly. The sniper told her stories of Steigs; how they met at a competition and had done more sharing of their shooting tricks than actual competing, how they both loved the hunt and the rush of a perfect kill shot. Allis actually laughed, "We spent more time putting meat on the spit over the fire than taking enemy lives... and for that I am grateful. Our standing contest was to see who could put meat on the table with the most outlandish shot."

Her laughter abruptly died and her suddenly piercing gaze landed on the commander. "But you have the services of my rifle when the Reapers come calling, Shepard. Make no mistake about that; I owe them twice over... for me and for taking Steigs away from me."

The commandos were all adamant in their agreement about a need for revenge and a shared desire to even the scores but, before the conversation was totally derailed, Allia Vasia stood up and spoke of how her older sister, Raeria, was the driver behind her wanting to become a T'Soni commando. From there, the stories took on different tones, getting away from significant others and moving to siblings and eventually to simple friends... but the bonds of friendship inside the T'Soni House were anything but simple. Matriarch Benezia had kindled an amazingly robust feeling of family inside the house; no one felt like merely an employee. Once they were hired, they belonged to something bigger than themselves and many found the ties within House T'Soni stronger than the ones with their families; they shared a different kind of blood tie.

As the night wore on, the commandos grew more at ease and more pleased with their new Commander of the Guard; Shepard never once picked up her journal, but would occasionally throw out another name. "Who has a good story about Cylyna Shoni?" or "Nayla! You must have some good stories about Rel?" or "How come nobody has anything to say about Arlis Tasia?"

The commander had no idea who those commandos were on that fateful day on Noveria when they had fallen, but between Shepard's conversation with Nayla and Livos during her first day on Thessia and that night, along with meals and planning meetings, the raid against Rylis Iressi and the after dinner social with the captains... somewhere along the way, the Spectre had made time to memorize the names of their fallen sisters. By the end of the night, she hadn't missed a single one... and with that single act, she declared the lives of those twelve commandos were important and that they would never be forgotten.

As they woke the next morning, things in the commando wing seemed lighter somehow. Sitting up much of the night reminiscing over happy memories of their sisters had helped further the grieving process more than they thought possible. Over the three days Liara and Shepard had spent there, the commandos of T'Soni House Armali had come to respect their new commander's abilities, but during the last four or five hours the previous evening, they also recognized her as someone they could trust; someone who would truly care about their well being. She had cemented a place in their hearts as their newest mea're.

Nayla and Livos were sitting in the office when Shepard rolled in, certainly looking more relaxed then the night before; both could see much of the tension was gone from the Spectre's shoulders. Nayla lounged in one of the chairs surrounding a small table, flipping through new messages on her omnitool, and Livos was parked behind her desk as she spoke. "Good morning, Shepard. Can't say we expected to see you this morning; you're supposed to be on vacation. What brings you once more to the commando wing?"

Shepard smiled and laughed lightly. "Not like I have much else to do. Liara is back in with the Matriarch. They're putting the final touches on the estate planning proposal going before the quorum, and we're not going anywhere until that business is done."

Shepard's eyes took on a bit of hardness. "Speaking of which, who's going downtown with them?"

"Ah. The true purpose behind your visit." Livos' tone was all business. "I have assigned my personal squad, Team 1, as the Matriarch's protection; today, Tra'ana Iremi and Sella Temi are on shift... and of course, Riana and Judea will accompany Lady Liara, so they will have a four-commando escort, door-to-door. Would you like to join them, Spectre?"

"Nope. I have something else I'm working on, but I haven't figured it all out yet." Both captains saw Shepard's face pick up an impish smile and started to worry as she finished speaking, "I'll let you know when I have."

After her Echo demonstration, the commandos had witnessed firsthand the Spectre's mischievous side and Nayla had a glint in her eye as she cocked her head, her voice reflecting her inquisitive caution. "Shepard? You only recently informed us that trouble looks for you, not vice-versa. You aren't preparing to contradict that statement so soon, are you?"

The commandos were surprised when Shepard's face picked up a light tinge of pink. "Of course not. I'm working on a surprise... if I can figure out how to pull it off."

Nayla looked hard at the Spectre, trying to imagine what the Human was cooking up, but didn't know her well enough to make an educated guess. She finally shook her head. "I'll trust you to act appropriately as the Commander of the Guard, Shepard. Livos has work to do, so if you need some help, chase me down and I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, Nayla." Shepard grinned. "I'm headed to the practice room. Working out always helps me think. I'll see you at lunch."

Immediately following lunch, the troupe of six headed off for the Matriarchal Quorum to get the estate plan certified and recorded. As soon as the shuttle left the ground and Nayla and Livos turned to go back inside, Shepard approached and asked if she could speak with Nayla... alone. Livos laughed, "You asked for it Nayla. I have a feeling our Spectre has a plan and you're about to become her partner in crime. Somehow, I am suddenly very happy this is happening here and not at the Estate; I have work to do, so have an excuse to not play any part in this."

As Livos disappeared inside the doorway, Shepard turned to the remaining captain. "Nayla... I need some help."

A brief discussion and a short skycar ride later, a still amazed Nayla found herself at Shepard's side, standing before a jewelry counter in the Armali shopping district. "I still cannot believe I let you talk me into this. I know so little of bonding rituals!"

"At least you've been to one." Shepard laughed. "I've never even seen one, much less know the details on how an Asari proposal works."

The store clerk overheard the conversation and stepped quietly to their side, much to Nayla's relief. "Thank the Goddess. Someone who probably knows what she's talking about!"

Between Nayla's knowledge of House T'Soni, Liara's situation in particular, and the clerk's familiarity with the various standard rituals, Shepard managed to wiggle her way through the maze of Asari customs, finally selecting a pair of promise bracelets and a proposal style she liked. Shepard had originally opted for bonding bracelets, but Nayla and the clerk had quite quickly talked her out of it. "Liara is very young, Shepard," Nayla explained. "She needs time to mature and become accustomed to the idea of a bond. There is much involved... and a bond is a very powerful thing."

Nayla had taken a deep breath and blown it out slowly, "Remember the look on Allis' face? She looks like she has not slept in days because she most likely has not. The unexpected, early death of a bondmate can be shattering. Asari who are used to sharing someone else's mind... to have that mind suddenly ripped away can be painful. Physically painful."

Nayla was struggling for words on how to best explain it when the store clerk stepped in. "Commander. When you first learned to meld, did you have difficulties trusting? Did you ever prematurely sever a meld?"

Shepard grimaced at the memory of the first time she and Liara had ever melded. "Yeah... and it hurt..." She looked down at the floor. "Liara more so than me."

The clerk nodded. "Yes, and it was most likely a very superficial joining. Now, think of your connection to the lover to whom you plan to propose. Think of the pain associated with the ripping away of that soul from the depth at which you now meld."

Shepard's face paled and the store clerk nodded. "Yes. That is what it's like to lose your bondmate... and it does not fade so promptly. How long that feeling lasts depends greatly on the frequency of your melding and how long it had been since your last deep meld. If you have an active bond-life, it can last for months."

Nayla realized the point had been made when Shepard looked at the bonding bracelets she held in her hand and quietly placed them back on the counter. Shepard's eyes traveled back up to the clerk. "So a bonding actually forms some type of physical connection between two people?"

The clerk nodded. "Yes. Once you bond, you will always carry a piece of your mate's soul in your mind. To sever that connection too quickly and unexpectedly? You may as well be digging out a piece of your brain with a dull spoon."

Nayla's eyes went wide and she grabbed Shepard's arm as the commander's face blanched. She scowled at the clerk, "That was a bit much for someone unfamiliar with our ways, don't you think?"

The clerk nodded quickly and disappeared, returning with a glass of water and a chair. "Apologies, Commander. I assumed you knew at least something about the bonding process." Shepard took the glass of water, downing it quickly, but ignored the chair.

Nayla hissed, "If she did, she wouldn't have been asking!"

"Nayla."

Shepard looked over and Nayla flashed her a concerned look, "Yes, Nara?" She watched as the commander took a few deep breaths and gathered herself.

"It's ok." Shepard shook her head. "It's something I needed to know. I assumed it was similar to Human marriage, but it's not. It's obviously a much more... intimate connection."

"Understood, Shepard." Nayla glared once more at the clerk. "But it could have been explained a bit more... gently." The store clerk blushed with embarrassment and nodded vigorously in agreement.

Nayla saw the question in Shepard's eyes and answered it for her before she needed to ask. "Allis will be fine. The matriarch's extended absence before the end actually helped in this case. They hadn't actively melded in five years, so the connection has faded significantly."

"Five years and she still suffers?" Shepard's face showed shock. "By the Gods! It really is a permanent connection isn't it?"

"Yes. It most definitely is not something to be taken lightly. For Asari, the decrease in the melding frequency is a natural part of the aging process, so when the older partner does pass on, it is not so dreadful." Nayla was pensive for a moment before continuing. "It is the sudden deaths at a young age that are the most difficult." Nayla's eyes came up and penetrated deep into Shepard's. "If I were in your position, knowing what is coming, I wouldn't actually bond until... after."

Nayla watched as the realization settled into the Spectre's face, pleased that Shepard understood exactly what she was being told. "So a promise ritual it is." Shepard leaned on the counter and pointed to the promise bracelets she had liked. "I'll take those... and could you pass the ritual with the words about the tides to my omnitool, please?"

The store clerk quickly complied and had the promise bracelets packaged up in no time, even giving the commander a five percent discount as a way of apology for her brutally honest comments. When they were in the skycar on the way back to the townhome, Nayla glanced over, relieved that the commander's coloring had returned to normal. "I am sorry, Shepard." She grimaced as she continued. "That could have gone smoother."

"Don't worry about it, Nayla." The commander's eyebrows peaked for just a moment before she finished her thought. "I just received an apparently very important and necessary crash-course on the Asari physiology of bonding."

After a moment of silence, the commander queried, "So, is it just me, or is everyone surprised to find out there is a physical aspect to something I would have thought was entirely cerebral?"

"Huh. I don't know." Nayla pursed her lips as she thought. "I suppose the other races have been around long enough that we've simply forgotten what our first contacts with them were like. Other than the Yahg in 2125, the ones prior to that were... I think the Drell in 2000? And I've never heard any first-contact stories from them, so I don't honestly know. Perhaps that is a question for the Matriarch; she obviously has a longer memory than I."

"I was just curious. It's not that important." Shepard fell silent and stared out the window, watching the city pass by beneath the skycar.

"It is important, because I sense a very strong connection between you and Liara." Nayla smiled. "Each relationship is different and part of the mystery is that not everyone achieves such deep bonds. Liara will need time and guidance before she is ready for the bonding ritual... as will you."

Nayla glanced over a few times but left the commander to her thoughts. It wasn't a long trip, and as the captain guided the car into its parking space, she glanced at the commander and smiled. "I have to ask, Shepard. When do you plan on proposing?"

It was obvious the commander had settled her mind during the short ride, because the smile that Shepard turned to Nayla was perfectly serene. "Liara has always spoken of the Country Estate with joy. I figured I'd wait until we got there. I'll let her give me a tour of the grounds and wait for that spark in her eyes that tells me she's showing me one of her favorite spots." The commander laughed softly. "Then, I'll start to plan."

Nayla nodded. "Speak to Matron Raptos, the steward, once you decide on the location. She can help you get things set up... and you know you'll have a full team of commandos at your back, Spectre."

Shepard smirked. "Is that an offer of support, or are you cutting off my retreat so I can't back out at the last minute?"

Nayla's eyes twinkled merrily with the Spectre's unexpected humor. "You make Lady Liara extremely happy, Shepard. If you try to back out now, you'll learn the answer to that question."

Nayla was exceedingly pleased with Shepard's improved mood and they were both grinning as they got out of the skycar. After they went their separate ways inside the door of the townhome, Shepard shouted out, "Hey, Nayla!" The Asari turned to the smiling Spectre. "I'll never learn the answer to that question, Captain. Count on it."

A boisterous laugh escaped the commando before she could contain it and Nayla stopped and saluted her commander. "Good to know, Shepard. I'd hate to be charged with mutiny before the week is out."

Nayla stood and watched as Shepard bounded happily up the stairs to her room to pack her bags; the Spectre wanted everything packed and ready so Liara had no reason to go through anything and accidentally spy the box containing the bracelets. They would be departing as soon as possible after Liara and the Matriarch returned in order to be at the Country Estate in time for dinner.