A/N: Slightly naughty Shepard/Liara stuff in this chapter, and I must confess to stealing a little joke from the Citadel DLC. I guess it would have worked even better if the chapter number was #69, but heck, this will have to do.
Chapter 37 – Messages From The Traverse
Year 2201 CE
Citadel, Serpent Nebula
Spectre Kasumi Goto paced around the lobby of the human councilor's office in the Council Chambers, waiting for one of the new aides that Katherine Hock had brought with her from New Benning to show her in to meet their new boss. It was difficult and unpleasant to admit to herself, but she did feel some nervousness that probably was not entirely rational, as was her decision to wear one of her light combat suits with the hood, making it difficult to see her face clearly. She doesn't know that you killed her father, Kasumi, she told herself for the umpteenth time. So, just relax and everything will be fine.
"Spectre Goto?" one of the aides called out after a few more minutes of waiting, pacing around the lobby. "Please proceed inside, the councilor will see you now." Kasumi nodded gratefully as she passed by, unable to stop feeling as if she wanted this meeting to be over and done with as quickly as possible.
Inside, Councilor Hock stood with her back turned towards Kasumi, just about to end a vid call with an elderly human in Systems Alliance dress blues, Kasumi identifying the man as one of the Alliance Command, Admiral Stefanowicz. "Ah, Spectre Goto, glad you could make it," Hock said, turning back towards her after the vid screen of her terminal had gone dark. "Please, sit down," she simply pointed at the empty seat by her desk.
"Thank you, ma'am," Kasumi replied politely, taking the seat. So far it was hard to make anything out of this Katherine Hock. She looked pleasant enough, lovely brown curls of hair, delicate, aristocratic face with high, regal cheekbones, eyes that did not feel neither warm nor cold, merely scrutinizing, and gave the young woman a very dedicated and businesslike appearance.
"Since there are still not nearly enough human Spectres serving this Council, I have decided to invite each and every of you for a private audience, simply as a part of me getting up to speed with the way things are being run here," the councilor said, allowing herself a small smile. "Everything is a little overwhelming at the moment."
"I can certainly sympathize with that," Kasumi again remained distantly polite. "And while I'm sure that all my fellow human Spectres would feel honored by an audience, I trust you have been introduced to the order of assigning Spectres to their tasks."
"Yes, of course, Spectres serve the Council, not simply the councilor of their respective species," Hock spoke, lips knitted tightly, making Kasumi wonder whether she had already managed to annoy the councilor. "Still, as long as any given Spectre is currently not assigned on a specific mission, I can pick and choose as I see fit... is that right?" Kasumi responded with a small nod. "As I thought. Which brings me to the other reason why I wished to speak with you first, Spectre Goto. I have gone through your files, and to my understanding, you are currently awaiting to be assigned on a new task?"
"That is correct, Madame Councilor," Kasumi replied.
"I was made curious by this last task that you undertook," Hock retrieved a datapad and clicked on it, viewing the stored information. "As I understand you were pursuing a dangerous criminal called the Shadow Boxer?"
"The Shadow Broker," Kasumi corrected, biting back a chortle. If Katherine Hock was an actress trying to look naive and incompetent, then she was doing an amazing job of it. "An information broker, the most influential one in the galaxy. But I suppose you are not wrong in referring to them as a dangerous criminal."
"Yes, of course, the Shadow Broker, how silly of me," Hock smiled again, putting the datapad aside. "I heard the name mentioned now and then in the corridors of the New Arc, and always in context with threats to the interests of the humanity... certainly, they are someone that must be watched carefully, I think. And it says here that you were assigned to this task by the asari councilor... at the time it would have been Councilor Irissa, correct?"
"That would be correct, ma'am," Kasumi said. Formally, the order had come from Irissa, but in earnest, Shepard had arranged everything following the Citadel attack on Councilor Tevos, asking Irissa to give Kasumi a free reign to hunt down the dangerous intel broker.
"However, the mission was deemed unsuccessful and later scrapped," Councilor Hock continued her inquiry. "Can you tell me why the asari councilor so readily accepted the defeat in this task?"
"I believe that Councilor Irissa lost interest in pursuing the Shadow Broker after the defamation attacks on the Asari Republics ceased," Kasumi shrugged her shoulders noncommittally.
"Certainly a possible explanation, yes," the councilor agreed, her face slightly scrunched as she considered something. "But... I see several of your reports that are dated with time after Councilor Irissa had officially aborted the mission?"
Kasumi shifted in her chair uncomfortably, starting to hate Hock's manner, trying to fool her into thinking that she didn't know what she was talking about, when in fact, the councilor was perfectly prepared. I wonder how many gullible fools she has lured into a trap this way... probably way too many. Fortunately, I know better. She's more than she appears... a great deal more... if only I knew what exactly she is playing at, though. "Yes, that is correct," Kasumi eventually said. "Since I was not immediately assigned on a new mission, I decided to continue the investigation in my spare time."
"I see. But you still have not been assigned on any new missions since the time of your last report here," Hock remarked, continuing with her irritating logic. "Why, then, did you choose to stop your investigation? You appeared to be finally seeing some results, unless I am mistaken?"
"Well... I'm not sure that nearly getting myself killed by three Shadow Broker agents is a lot to show for," Kasumi shrugged. "Besides, it didn't lead to me learning anything new, not really."
"Doesn't your work as a Spectre demand that you constantly put your life in danger? I mean... it seems a little... odd, to discontinue your investigation simply because of that?"
"Madame Councilor, it is one thing to put my life in danger when I am actually asked to do so on my job to protect the galaxy," Kasumi replied, unable to keep a hint of annoyance out of her voice. "In my spare time, I prefer not to needlessly endanger my life in suicidal undertakings."
"Yes, I can't argue that logic," Katherine Hock conceded amiably. "Did you ever consider that such a serious response from the Shadow Broker implied that you were on the right track with your investigation?"
"No, Madame Councilor, I did not consider that," Kasumi shrugged again. "As I said, there were no further leads resulting from that particular incident, and as such, I soon lost interest in the case myself."
"Well... I still insist that we are giving up too easily here," Councilor Hock said determinedly. "The goodwill that we could earn from all the other Council races if we could bring this criminal to justice... it could be very important for humanity, Spectre Goto, wouldn't you agree?"
"I... have no opinion on the matter," Kasumi replied, trying to appear indifferent, her brain working overtime to try and make sense of just what the new human councilor was planning. "I am here to serve the Council in whatever capacity I can."
"Exactly! And that is why I am assigning you back to this dangerous, but very important mission," Councilor Hock nodded, giving her a supportive smile, even if Kasumi was left unconvinced about it being genuine. "Spectre Goto, I task you with hunting down the Shadow Broker and bringing this individual to justice for the greater good of humanity and the whole galaxy."
"As you wish, Councilor Hock. I will resume my investigation immediately," Kasumi said, trying to maintain her impassive facial expression. Damn it, what is she trying to do? Maybe she does know that I have killed her father and she's trying to get me killed on the most dangerous mission she can come up with?
"I understand that considering the way this illusive criminal operates, the task may seem very daunting," Katherine Hock continued. "To aid you with this mission, I will speak with the other councilors and some of your fellow Spectres, and I will try to get you as much support as I can manage. If anyone amongst us here has any intel on the Shadow Broker or his agents, I will make sure that it falls into your hands, Spectre Goto."
"That would be very helpful, Madame Councilor," Kasumi said, not for one moment buying Hock's reasoning for wanting to eliminate the Shadow Broker. "If I may ask... the Shadow Broker has been a constant part in the galactic politics for many decades. Many believe that it is the presence of the Broker that has ensured the status quo and the galactic stability during many conflicts. Furthermore... there is a possibility that some of my colleagues amongst the Spectres have in the past used the Broker resources to advance their own investigations. It is... difficult for me to predict whether your call for support won't fall on deaf auditory organs."
"A legitimate concern, and I thank you for speaking your mind, Spectre Goto," Hock nodded, looking pleased. "But I would ask you to consider one thing. Shadow Broker changed the rules of the game when they decided to for some reason turn against the Asari Republics and cause enormous damage to their entire political structure, and I am not even talking about the economic ramifications. We still do not know why the Shadow Broker turned on the asari, but one thing is clear, the Broker is no longer the predictable, impartial force it once was. Yesterday the target was asari, but can you or anyone else tell me who it might be tomorrow? Perhaps the salarians, or the turians... but what if it is humanity who might be on the receiving end?"
"Yes, I see your point, councilor," Kasumi nodded, feeling a little impressed by Hock's reasoning. She's good. She really is very good. If she's truly up to no good, and I have a solid reason to think that she is involved in something dirty... exposing this woman might be difficult. And she could actually sell this idea to the other councilors and my fellow Spectres... damn it!
"Then you agree that the Shadow Broker needs to be stopped?" Councilor Hock asked, Kasumi put against the wall and only able to nod in agreement. "Wonderful. In that case we are done here," she said, keeping her eyes on Kasumi's face as the Spectre rose from her seat. "Best of luck on your mission, Spectre Goto... I will be awaiting your first report with much trepidation," Hock called after her as Kasumi walked out of the office, feeling even more worried than before her audience with the new human councilor.
Armali, Thessia
"Hey, everyone! I'm home!" Spectre Morgan Shepard shouted, pulling her heavy suitcases across the doorstep of the T'Soni Estate, expecting a jubilant welcome from her wonderful, loving family.
"Daddy!" predictably, Lita was there first, bolting across the large foyer and crashing into her father with a loud 'oomph' coming from Shepard as her daughter wrapped her arms around Morgan's waist and pressed her head against Shepard's chest, snuggling tightly and comfortably. "I missed you many lots!"
"Hey, kiddo, I thought about you all the time too," Morgan smiled, gently putting her arms around her daughter in return. "And mommy as well, where is she?"
"Here I am, Shepard," Liara's voice came, warm and soft, a delight to Morgan's ears as she watched her bondmate rushing towards them to join in the comforting, loving embrace. "We expected you two days ago, what kept you?"
"The civilian travel between the colonies is starting to become a little... unreliable," Morgan replied, shaking her head as Liara regarded her with a curious look, urging her to explain. "Let's discuss that part later, honey. For now, let me just bask in your presence and enjoy the feeling of being home again..."
"Did you bring us something?" Lita asked expectantly, peeling away from her father and giving the bulging suitcases a hopeful stare.
"Perhaps... but first I want to know what you have been up to," Morgan replied, chuckling at the scowl on Lita's face. "How are things at the school?"
"Great! I mean... well, good... I think..." Lita hesitated, blinking as she thought frantically. "I helped the team win three more games and extend the record! But... umm, I also failed math... stupid math. Oh, and the director wants to see you and mom about some fight I started a few days ago..."
"...you know, kiddo, not all the things you mentioned just now are great... or potentially deserving a reward," Morgan sighed.
"She won't let me help with her math lessons, either," Liara complained.
"Mom! We've been over this already..." Lita pouted. "I'll take care of it myself! It's just stupid math... I can do it."
"Well, self-reliance and determination are good qualities to have," Morgan nodded.
"Shepard, she is fourteen, she is not expected to be self-reliant for several more decades," Liara opined.
"I know that, love," Morgan smiled, turning back to their daughter. "Okay, kiddo, we'll leave you to deal with the Math Monster on your own, but if the bugger is too tough, please, you know that you can always ask me or mommy for help, yes? It's not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Mommy and daddy can't always deal with everything on their own either, and then we ask our loved ones to help us."
"Sure, dad, I will," Lita agreed, Morgan affectionately stroking the top of her crest.
"Now, about this fight?" Morgan continued her inquiries. "Sounds serious if the director wants to speak with us?"
"Just some stupid kids trying to make fun of me not having their fancy biotics," Lita ground out angrily, Morgan hugging her daughter more tightly at that, herself having deep hatred for schoolyard bullies. While she had never particularly suffered from that problem, she knew that Liara had, and the memories her bondmate had shared via the meld had been excruciatingly painful to watch. "Well, they might have their biotics, but they don't have the moves that you and Shiala have taught me," Lita added with a wicked grin.
"One of the girls who taunted her fell awkwardly after Lita punched her and dislocated her shoulder," Liara explained. "She was in a lot of pain, and her parents went to complain to the director. The security feeds caught the incident, and the director shot the girl's parents down, but she still wants to talk things over with us."
"Okay, I guess we should go and have that chat with her. I imagine it's just something that needs to be done after such an incident," Morgan said, Liara nodding in agreement. "As for you, young lady..." Shepard briefly touched her daughter's chin, forcing her to look upwards into her father's eyes. "I'm... very proud of you. Good job standing up for yourself, kiddo. That definitely merits a reward."
"I... would have hoped for you to advocate a more diplomatic solution to such incidents, Shepard," Liara sighed, scowling a little.
"Hey... schoolyard bullies unfortunately understand only one language, fist to the face. You know it yourself, honey," Morgan said, Liara finally nodding with slight reluctance.
"So... does that mean you did bring us something?" Lita gave another hopeful look at the suitcases.
"Yeah, one of those bags should be stuffed with all kinds of exotic human foods," Shepard chuckled. "But mostly with what you ordered, yes."
"Chocolate!" Lita cheered, jerking towards the suitcases, but her father's strong arms held her tightly.
"Now, now, let's not be hasty," Shepard warned. "We all remember what happened the last time..." They had introduced their daughter to chocolate four years ago when Morgan had brought some back with her from the Citadel. Lita had eaten so much of it at once that it had led to a very unpleasant allergic outbreak, covering her skin with itchy rash. It had not turned Lita off from chocolate, not in the slightest, and fortunately the doctors had not outright forbidden her to eat it, simply asking to maintain some moderation.
"I won't eat too much, honest!" Lita pleaded, struggling to break free.
"I'm sure you won't, but I think your mommy will agree that it would be better not to tempt you," Morgan chuckled, Liara nodding fervently. "After all, there is a huge amount of it, all for you, and it's not going to disappear anywhere. And you want to make it last, because it's so much better than any of those cheap imports you can buy here on Thessia."
"Umm," Liara spoke up, looking wide-eyed and hopeful, bearing a very stark resemblance to her daughter at that very moment. "I would not refuse some of the chocolate myself. I am rather... partial to it." Instead of replying, Morgan simply pointed to the other suitcase without their daughter noticing. "Oh..." Liara hastily exclaimed. "You are correct, Lita has earned it all."
"Let's see... oh, Shiala!" Morgan said, having noticed the House T'Soni commando leader also having arrived at the foyer, Matriarch Aethyta standing a little behind her, watching the lovingly embraced family with an enigmatic smile on her lips. "Shiala, I hereby promote you to be the Guardian of the Chocolate Trove. You know how much Lita is allowed to have, so I'm putting you in charge of making sure she doesn't eat too much and doesn't get sick again."
"Very well, Shepard," Shiala laughed, grabbing the suitcase and beginning to haul it upstairs. "It is good to have you back with us, by the way," she added, while dragging her load away.
"Bah, dad... you're still treating me like a baby..." Lita sulked, but still released Morgan and set to follow Shiala around like a hopeful, expectant puppy.
"I'll echo what Shiala said, Shepard, it is good to have you back," Aethyta added, coming closer to her and Liara. "If only to stop Liara and Lita worrying sick about you running behind the schedule."
"Yeah, they kept cancelling one flight after another, and I swear they must have been jamming the comms for some reason as well, though I'm not sure why," Morgan sighed, shaking her head in frustration.
"What's the situation like out there, on the colonies?" Liara asked, sounding anxious. Morgan could understand her only too well, it seemed as if humankind could not catch a break in the years following the Reaper War.
"It's really rather strange," Morgan replied, as the three of them left the foyer and stepped into one of the living rooms on the lower floor of the estate. "I mean, at least I got to visit Eden Prime when it wasn't being invaded by the geth or Cerberus, so that part was nice. And Constant is a really beautiful city, clean, tidy, with many beautiful parks. But... you could just feel the tension in the air, it was so very palpable. And it showed in the faces of everyone I spoke to, the locals had always been nice and helpful, but now they were tense, suspicious of everyone they didn't know. They must have thought me of yet another Alliance rep in disguise."
"So, Miranda is right, then?" Liara asked, her voice trembling lightly. "The Alliance are gearing for war with their own colonies?"
"I don't know, I suspect that they are still hoping that they can avoid outright war," Morgan shrugged. "I think they just want to bring in the big muscle and hope that the colonies fold and fall in the line. I'm not sure that's going to work, though. I saw a lot of militia recruitment posters and vids on Constant and everywhere around Eden Prime. They're gearing up too, at the same time as the Alliance are doing their own groundwork. Alliance presence is increasing daily, expanding bases, building new ones, adding new patrols... I think that everyone on the colonies feels like the hammer is about to drop, they just don't know when."
"A difficult situation, indeed," Aethyta nodded. "I don't think that the Council can interfere at this moment, other than just post more eyes on the human colonies to observe the situation. But until the sides begin to shoot at each other and people start dying, this is an internal matter of the Alliance. I know, the situation is about as appealing as a steaming pile of varren dung, but even I couldn't give Tevos hard time over this, there's not much she can do."
"Yeah, I agree, and I already talked it over with her," Morgan said, beginning to feel a little tired from the long journey from Eden Prime. "She told me that Hock is repeatedly asking for me, the little bitch seems really eager to meet me for some reason. At least Tevos will keep her off my back by keeping me assigned on further missions to the colonies."
"Does that mean you will be leaving soon again?" Liara's face fell immediately.
"Not for a few weeks, love," Morgan took her bondmate's hand, giving it an affectionate squeeze. "Miranda took the Horizon assignment, as I expected she would do. I'll make a stop at Scott on Terra Nova, see what the situation there is like. Not sure that place is a great spot for chocolate, though," she added with forced laughter.
"Please, this is not a joking matter, Morgan," Liara admonished, wringing her hands nervously. "We stand on the precipice of another military conflict, my thoughts are only on your safety."
"Your people have been unlucky in having bad leaders representing them, Shepard," Aethyta said, shaking her head. "Of course, I could have said the same about Tevos being an embarrassment prior and during stretches of the Reaper War, but at least she has smartened up a bit since then. I think the Alliance is due for some serious reforms. Perhaps more power needs to be placed with your colonial leaders. I have met a fair share of human colonists and they always seemed more open-minded than those deeply committed to your homeworld."
"Yeah, I'd agree with that assessment," Morgan nodded, then breaking into a wide yawn, quickly moving to apologize. "Sorry, but I'm just a bit tired after the journey... I'm starting to feel like taking a shower and then perhaps getting some shuteye."
"You really think Liara's going to allow you to simply go to sleep once you get as far as the bedroom?" Aethyta chuckled, giving her daughter a knowing stare. "The past few days she's been acting as if she has a very specific itch that only you can scratch, Shepard."
"I... uh..." Morgan blushed fiercely, noticing that Liara hadn't even moved to admonish her father as she usually did, but was instead eyeing her with an openly hungry stare. "...we'll see," she added, swallowing heavily, herself feeling a little giddy from the anticipation. "...still, shower first!"
When Morgan left the shower fifteen minutes later, brushing herself dry with a fluffy towel, the first thing she noticed upon walking into her and Liara's bedroom was the sight of her bondmate, shamelessly going through the contents of the suitcase she had dragged upstairs with them.
"Liara!" she exclaimed with admonishment.
"What?" Liara looked up at her innocently, hands and lips smeared with traces of chocolate. A wave of warmth quickly passed through Morgan as she watched Liara licking her lips first, then slowly sucking on her fingers, cleaning them with her lips and tongue.
"I had planned to tease you with that chocolate," Morgan pouted. "You know, offering it to you as a reward for certain sexual favors that you would have to provide for me..."
"Well, Shepard..." Liara's voice became husky, giving Morgan goose-bumps. "Then I believe you have just lost the upper hand..."
"Hmm, indeed... and what else of interest have you discovered in my suitcase?" Morgan winked at her bondmate.
"Oh, I believe I have found something very interesting, yes," Liara smiled, retrieving a larger box, filled with vials in different shapes and sizes. "Scented massage oils? Intriguing... and a highly commendable idea, Shepard..."
"Thought you might like that," Morgan grinned, stepping a little closer to her bondmate, continuing to rinse herself with the towel, her smile broadening when she noticed how Liara's eyes seemed to follow the movements of the towel, as if transfixed to catch the glimpses of exposed skin. "I see you've managed to open a few as well... any specific aroma that you find enjoyable in particular?"
"I believe this one might become my new favorite," Liara said, picking up one of the vials and reading the label. "Lavender," she said, opening the bottle and taking another whiff of the beautiful scent.
"You know, it loses its potency fairly quickly once the bottle is opened," Shepard remarked innocently. "I just thought I'd mention that."
"Does it? A pity... I would hate to see any of it going to waste," Liara replied, looking at her as if mesmerized. "Perhaps we should..."
"I believe we should, yes..." Morgan nodded, feeling her mouth go dry as Liara rose to her feet and passed the vial over to her. Her eyes never broke contact with Morgan, wide and filled with burning, primal need, as her hands sneaked behind her back and undid the zipper of her robe, letting it fall down at her feet, still keeping their eyes linked as with a sway in her hips, Liara walked up to the bed and slowly slid down to lay on her chest, nude save for her panties.
And this is why homecomings are the best thing ever. I dislike being apart from her, but... the waiting and the longing does make for some... spectacular fireworks after we have both been reigning our passions in for a week or two... Morgan thought, tossing the towel aside, climbing into the bed and settling in comfortably next to Liara.
She opened the vial and then poured a few drops on Liara's naked back, feeling herself become even more aroused from the way her bondmate's body gave a light jerk as the liquid hit her skin, Liara responding with a tiny gasp. Shepard reached out and began to spread the oil all across Liara's back, the feel of her bondmate's skin as always a sensation that she could simply not get enough of. From the distance, the asari skin appeared to have a scaly texture similar to a lizard, but it felt even softer than human skin to the actual touch. The best part, of course, came when she forced Liara to lose control to the extent where her biotics cut loose and crackled across her skin, making the sensations of caressing her divine beyond description.
"This is... very nice..." Liara purred, enjoying the feel of Shepard's hands running across her back, exerting slight pressure along her spine and moving further up to attend to her shoulders and neck. "By the way... if you encounter any... inconvenient pieces of clothing... feel free to remove them..."
"I will consider that," Shepard managed, now having to exert slightly more willpower to remain committed to her task. With Liara presenting herself like that to her, offering her wondrous beauty, so vulnerable before her, it was difficult to keep herself in check and not immediately plunge in and take as much as she could get. Still, on the next pass down Liara's body, her arms caught a hold of Liara's panties and in one smooth motion pushed them down Liara's thighs and then pulling them off completely and casually throwing the garment away.
Having spent considerable amount of time massaging Liara's back, Morgan took a deep breath, knowing that her self-control would be challenged even more once she proceeded to the next stage. Still, it did not hold her back from gently rolling Liara over to lay on her back, almost forgetting how to breathe when the glorious sight of her bondmate's nude form was exposed before her eyes.
Biting her lower lip to keep herself in check and retain her focus on the task at hand, Morgan began to repeat a similar pattern that she had applied to Liara's back, unable to stop herself from showing particular attention to her bondmate's breasts, applying tortuously light caresses on every pass, on occasion brushing her palms against the rapidly hardening nipples, marveling at how they somehow looked even darker from the contact with the massage oil.
And Liara's reaction did not make it any easier on her. There were the tiny moans and gasps whenever her hands passed over Liara's breasts, or came tantalizingly close to the crest of her legs, always remaining on the outside of Liara's hips, much to the asari's growing frustration. Liara had been grasping at the bed sheets with her hands, but by now she was holding on tightly to the head of the ornamental wooden bed frame, as if trying to anchor herself to something. Her body made tiny, involuntary jerks now and then, the skin beginning to glow blue with the flare of the biotics, eyes half-lidded in mounting pleasure.
One particularly deep, throaty moan later, Morgan knew that she was rapidly approaching the edge of losing control, desperately feeling the urgent need for completion. As her hands came to rest on the outside of Liara's hips, instead of moving back up, she pulled even further down to Liara's knees and then with a gentle but insistent tug pushed Liara to spread her legs, the asari obeying with an almost embarrassing eagerness, a disarming gesture of submission and admission of a burning need to be satisfied.
"Well... it seems you really have been missing me, love," Morgan grinned wolfishly, admiring the results of her work, the glistening of Liara's wetness coating her inner thighs.
"What makes you... say that..." Liara gasped, fighting hard to keep her hips steady as Morgan hovered just above the ultimate prize that the asari was desperate to see claimed.
"Oh... call it a hunch," Shepard smiled, before eagerly bending down and rewarding her much suffering bondmate with an exploring lick of her tongue that sent Liara's hips arching upwards and colliding with Shepard's chin.
"...goddess..." Liara gasped, squirming and fighting herself from the desire to initiate a meld, wanting to extend the pleasurable encounter for as long as they were both able. Her hands came loose from the ornamental bed frame, flailing for a moment as she looked for something else to anchor herself to, instinctively seizing Shepard's legs, and then without thinking pulling her lover towards her, suddenly finding Morgan's own sensitized flesh right above her.
"Oh... fuck..." Morgan gasped, feeling the tip of Liara's tongue taking the first exploratory lick, breaking off from her task and looking up the bed to give her lover a look of disbelief. "Seriously? Thulium?"
Liara immediately broke off the contact and started to laugh. "Damn you, Morgan... if you spoil the mood, I swear I will-"
"Wouldn't dream of it, love," Shepard chuckled, immediately returning her attention to her bondmate. Soon enough, despite Liara's best efforts to keep the meld at bay, the crackle of biotics surrounding their tightly intertwined bodies flared bright blue, Liara's eyes turning black as she sent them both spiraling towards completion through a Joining of amazing intensity, first of many on this particular night.
Come the morning, there was only one coherent thought left on the mind of Spectre Morgan Shepard. Sometimes, she thought, it's worth going away for a few weeks, just to get this sort of welcome back home...