Notes:

Ionúin Álainn - beautiful beloved (Gaelic)

Kaffe - equatorial Thessian vine, the seeds of which are used to produce a non-alcoholic beverage of the same name, the taste described as a mix of coffee and chocolate (Source: CDN)

K'affo – A dextro beverage, made from roasted and ground seeds of a tropical shrub of the same name, served hot or iced. (Turian)

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

SILC - Synthetic Intelligence Life Code (previously known as Geth)

Verrat seputus - Verrat (pork), Palma juice and hot sauce with spices. Turian comfort food (Source: CDN)

Unwelcome Surprises

Omega Station, Sahrabarik, Omega Nebula

Aria scowled once Kasumi told the entire story of the SILC's devotion to Shepard and Tali. "As if Shepard isn't dangerous enough on her own, especially with the Shadow Broker in her pocket." Aria suddenly smirked as she continued, "And I'm sure that maiden has been in several more of Shepard's spaces when they aren't busy fighting." She shook her head to get rid of the image that suddenly popped into her mind and her scowl reappeared as she returned her focus to the matter at hand. "And now you're telling me she has the whole fucking synthetic army at her fingertips?"

"And at your disposal, Aria..." Kasumi nodded once before continuing, "In service to you, just as they are to chosen persons on Thessia, Palaven, Rannoch and Earth." Kasumi crossed her arms and set her feet in a challenging stance that even Aria could not ignore. " Giving you command of that kind of force is an incredible expression of trust from the galaxy's premier Spectre, and she expects you to use it wisely to help Omega become somewhat more... legitimate... instead of a pirate power."

Aria rose to the bait and she growled, "Neither I nor Omega will become Shepard's puppet! What the fuck is she thinking? She has to know I'd never accept those terms!"

"What terms?" Kasumi scoffed, "It's not that much different than what you're doing now. You have thieves and cutthroats here, I know, but much of your business is in eezo and trade tariffs on the more... questionable... goods. You don't deal in drugs and you don't indulge in the slave trade, so you aren't really that much different from places like Illium, except Omega is a dictatorship rather than a consortium." She paused and shrugged. "Your leadership style is a bit different. So what?"

Nyreen perked up, having been silent to this point, and chimed in, "So she wants Aria to simply shift her emphasis to the legal sections of her economy?"

Kasumi actually laughed before answering, "Shepard's not so naive as to think anything about her request is simple but, basically, yes. She wants to see Omega shift its emphasis to businesses that are mostly legal, at least. Push the pirates and the slave traders to the fringes so you don't purposely give them safe harbor. You don't have to take action against them... just don't help them any longer." The eyes under her hood traveled back and forth between the faces and she knew she had a deal as she continued, "And she doesn't expect it to happen overnight. She understands these things take time..." Kasumi's voice hardened as she finished, "Unlike a sudden and forceful takeover, which can happen in the blink of an eye if you're not prepared for it."

Kasumi's expressive mouth lost its slight smile as her tone of voice became even more somber with her next statement. "This Turian force is cruel and ruthless... and seems to be intent on framing Omega for acts not of Aria's doing. We're not sure if a hostile takeover of Omega is even the objective or if it's something bigger." Her voice went icy as she finished, "But neither endgame is something that Shepard wants to see happen. And, needless to say, whoever is running this new organization is not someone the Council wants as a next door neighbor."

Aria uncrossed her arms and paced her office with slow, deliberate steps in total silence for what seemed an eternity. The single time Nyreen started to speak, Aria held a hand up abruptly in a clear signal for her to shut up, continuing to slowly pace before finally stopping to spin about to face Kasumi. "Fine. I accept the terms for her assistance, but I'll not have her meddling in my affairs. She leaves me alone to rule Omega as I see fit... and neither she nor her pet Broker will interfere in the businesses I elect to keep. Understood?"

"I cannot answer for them but will relay your offer." Kasumi bowed politely. "I will inform you when and if I get a reply."

"You do that." Aria smiled wickedly as she continued in a chillingly calm voice, "And Goto... I don't give a Pyjak's ass who you are. Never, ever sit in my chair and put your feet up on my desk again... or I'll take those feet as trophies. It is disrespectful of me and what's mine... and I tolerate that from no one... resident, visitor or emissary. Consider this your one and only warning."

Unseen beneath her hood, Kasumi's eyes momentarily widened in shocked surprise, but she managed to hold her voice level as she responded quietly, "Understood, Aria. I apologize. I was simply relaxing as I waited... I meant no offense."

"Which I recognize... and is the only reason your feet are still attached to your legs. But perception is everything, and it will not happen again. Now, get out of my office."

Dismissed in no uncertain terms, Kasumi bowed again before moving to the elevator in silence. Aria watched her form shimmer and disappear behind her cloak as the panel slid closed and the Human vanished from view.

She spun to confront Nyreen and growled, "Tell me you did not know what offer was on the table... That you did not know Shepard planned to give me an ultimatum like that!"

Her normal, calm self, Nyreen responded easily, "I knew only of the Geth, not the contingencies Shepard had placed upon her offer. Besides, as Kasumi stated, it's not really that different from what you're doing now."

"Goddess be damned, Nyreen! Don't you see it?" Aria raged on, "They are getting their foot in the door so they can make more changes later! They want to alter Omega and I won't have it!" She balled up her fists and placed them angrily on her hips, falling silent in her frustration.

Nyreen stepped up to her and looked her in the eyes. "You're simply angry because you realize you have no choice, as Bray and I were unable to stop the damned defections and thefts of your ships. We did no better than any of the damned planets those Turians hit... and it scares you."

Aria glared at the former Cabal member but, surprisingly, did not refute her bold statement. "I'll not lose Omega a second time, Kandros. It's all I have." She hesitated and almost whispered, "It's who I am... and I'll die before I give it up again."

Surprised, Nyreen's voice softened and she reached out and grasped Aria's left arm, directly above her elbow. "It may be what you are, Queen of Omega, but not who you are... Aria." Nyreen's talons slid slowly up and down Aria's tricep in a calming motion as she spoke. "You are so much more than Omega."

Aria's glare softened at Nyreen's words and her hands moved from her own hips to the Turian's abdomen; her fingers slipped in behind the latch of the equipment belt and she pulled Nyreen close, so they were face-to-face as she growled. "You think I've gone soft? Is that it, Kandros?"

"Soft? No." Nyreen grabbed Aria's wrists and firmly removed them from her belt, pushing her hands to the side, but not releasing them. Aria struggled gently to pull them from her grasp as the Turian continued, "But you've changed. As much as you try to hide it... As adamantly as you deny it when accused, I know better, Aria. You. Care."

Recognition dawned in Aria's eyes and she almost laughed. "What the fuck, Nyreen? You want to go back in time to reclaim what we had?"

"Not a fucking chance, T'Loak!" Nyreen growled, "What we had was shit. A lost Turian and an egomaniac who was so damned insecure she felt the need to dominate every single thing she ever touched." She released Aria's wrists and shoved her hands away in frustration. "We've both changed... a lot... and there is no going back, for either of us."

Aria didn't get where she was without knowing how to read people and she instantly sensed the disappointment in Nyreen's voice. Gathering her resolve in the unfamiliar territory before her, she took a leap of faith. "But we can go forward, can't we." It was not a question and she reached for Nyreen's hand, her eyes going black as a starless midnight when she touched bare skin. "Allow me to meld with you, Nyreen. There are things we need to discuss... privately."

Normandy SR-2, Alliance Docks, Vancouver

The group of five sat in the lower lounge of the loft; Liara was in the corner of the L-shaped couch, while Sam sat with Hannah to her right, Aethyta and Mozia toward the steps to her left so that Liara was between Samantha and Aethyta. The two Matriarchs quickly shared information to catch everyone up on the status of things on Thessia first, before finally sitting back and relaxing with mid-morning refreshments. Riana had joined them, bringing her press and beans, and even Aethyta, as much as she wanted a tall glass of something much stronger, settled for what turned out to be a very pleasing cup of fresh Kaffe. Mozia was particularly impressed by the thoughtful gift and absolutely insisted that Riana and Samantha Traynor join them all for a traditional Asari dinner aboard the Liberation. Riana dipped her head in thanks. "I am sure Specialist Traynor would enjoy joining us for the evening meal, Matriarch, but I must first check her duty schedule before making such a commitment for her."

"Of course." Mozia smiled appreciatively as she continued, "But please be sure she understands it is optional... and I do not expect her to make special arrangements if she is otherwise engaged. We will not be offended if she does not attend."

Before Riana had a chance to respond, Aethyta cleared her throat and interrupted. "I don't mean to be impatient, but I'd like to get back to the topic at hand. We've filled you in on everything happening in our little corner of the galaxy." Aethyta nonchalantly placed her empty mug back on the tray resting on the table in the middle of the sitting area as she continued, "What information, exactly, do you have on this group that tried to murder my girl... this LEAP?"

"I'm afraid I must admit we don't know much." Liara frowned. "We've been so focused on coordinating relief supplies to keep worlds from starving, we haven't been looking at them." She glanced at Shepard and reached over to take the commander's hand, waves of irritation and anger rolling through the link. "We had no idea they were so militant as to pose a physical threat."

"It's the first time they've done anything this blatant," Shepard growled. "But you had better believe we won't make that mistake again. They just made the top of my most-wanted list."

"Good. That's where they belong." Aethyta's gravelly voice sounded harsh, as if she held something distasteful in her mouth. "So, what do you know then?"

Liara, somewhat embarrassed by her lack of knowledge, shrugged self-consciously under her father's scrutiny. "Only that they are a Human-supremacy group, based here on Earth. The public face of the organization is Charles Saracino, previously the lead candidate of the now defunct Terra Firma party." She glanced over at Riana. "As for the actual attack, Riana can provide more explicit details on what my would-be assassin actually said and did during the course of the pursuit that resulted in her death."

"I'll start with this." Riana immediately sat forward and activated her omnitool, sending a copy of the classified mission report to the matriarchs. "I know having this electronically is different than a verbal briefing, but I very much doubt there is anything in here not already provided to you by Admiral Hackett, so I'm not concerned about the security implications."

"Definitely no worries on that account," Shepard chuckled. "If it comes down to it, I can always grant you immunity with my Spectre status."

After flashing her Captain a quick smile, Riana used the report as a guideline to step through the entire mission, adding in personal details that the report lacked and answering questions along the way. By the time the matriarchs were satisfied, it was early afternoon. When the chime rang and Shepard answered the door, she knew the timing could not be mere coincidence. She raised her brows and quickly queried, "Doctor Chakwas, your timing is beyond impeccable. You wouldn't possibly have asked Edi to eavesdrop on us to let you know when we were done with our discussion, now would you?"

"Eavesdrop? Absolutely not, Commander." Karin was unable to conceal her smirk as she replied, "As the Normandy's Chief of Medical, I ordered her to tell me, seeing as Liara missed her noon meal... and the eezo supplement she was supposed to take with it."

Liara smiled and stood from the couch, joining Karin and Sam at the door and held up a small box. She opened the lid, displaying its contents. "On the contrary, Karin. We keep a supply of the sweetened eezo cubes in the loft and I've eaten two of them along with our snacks."

Hannah chuckled from the couches, having remained seated with the Matriarchs. "Oh, just come on down, Karin. You don't need an excuse to join us! Our... business... is concluded and it's time to simply visit. We can easily make room on the couch."

"Doctor." Riana rose as she spoke. "You are welcome to my chair. I have business I must attend to before dinner." She turned and bowed lightly to Aethyta and Mozia. "Matriarchs, I will see you at dinner aboard the Liberation. 1800 hours?"

"For drinks." Aethyta stood and stretched her back. "Dinner at seven."

"Drinks sound like a wonderful idea!" Shepard wrapped an arm around Liara's waist. "We have a few hours yet. I think we should relocate to the lounge and relax. I'm tempted to give Ashley command of the Normandy until further notice... at least until after the promotion ceremonies."

Shepard groaned as Karin reminded her, "Drinks sound excellent, but we still need to be up bright and early, Sam. Don't forget our practice ceremony with Admiral Hackett is first thing tomorrow morning, at 0800 hours."

"Fuck that, Shepard." Aethyta reached back to pull Mozia up along with her. "I've seen you drink. With those nanites of yours, you absorb alcohol like a sponge! We could drink most of the night and you'd be fine!"

A stab of caution flashed through the link and Shepard tightened her grip on its source, acknowledging the concerns of the Asari at her side. "True, Aethyta, I would be... but, with her recent injuries, I'm not so sure about Liara. Besides, with everything that's happened, more than a smidge of vigilance would not be out of place during the festivities."

"Bah!" Aethyta laughed freely. "You're right, of course... but why in the blue blazes do you think we brought two full commando teams with us?"

Cipritine, Palaven, Apien Crest

Desis Vyessan gradually became aware of the increase in filtered light sneaking past the thick drapes covering the wide windows in the bedroom of the VIP guest quarters, adjacent to the Primarch's residential complex on the outskirts of the ruined city of Cipritine. The glimmer of light she could discern seemed to be drearier, for lack of a better term, than the colors of a normal Cipritine morning. She listened carefully, and was able to just hear the sibilance of rain, gently falling from what she knew – without even actually witnessing it – to be a leaden sky.

Arriving late yesterday aboard the diplomatic shuttle sent by the Turian Councilor's office, Desis had been tasked with finding assistance for the thousands of children orphaned during the Reaper War, a war that seemed to have punished Palaven particularly hard. Outlying Turian colonies had also fallen victim to the Reapers, insuring no shortage of suffering and hardship to go around, but what really stuck in her craw was the recent pirate attack on the colony planet Altakiril. All the reports indicated the defenseless colonists – Turian colonists – had been murdered by Turian members of the Blue Suns working for Aria T'Loak, all in order to steal warships bunkered in the city of Estivus Erax. The senseless deaths on the notoriously cold planet had left a large number of orphaned children in dire need of swift assistance.

After the previous evening's sumptuous dinner as a guest of the Primarch, the dichotomy of the repast she'd enjoyed compared to what the orphaned children had available to them caused her to weep as Garrus silently accompanied her back to her quarters. The big guy had stayed with her in her apartment to do what he could to comfort her, holding her close in his arms as she railed against the injustice of it all. She had hoped he would make love to her before he left, but had not given voice to her desire; given her emotional state, she didn't blame him for offering what comfort he was able without taking her to bed. Spirits! I wouldn't have wanted to lie with me last night either.

A soft tapping at her entry hatch sounded like gunfire in the quiet rooms; she rose from her bed and pulled on a thin robe to cover her nude form as she padded to the door. "Who is it?"

"Garrus," came the sub-harmonic response, sending a shudder of wanton lust through her core.

She released the door lock, and then backed up to give him space to enter as the door segments retracted into their pockets. When the door had closed and latched behind Garrus, she reached for and threw her arms around him, not caring that her robe was open in front. "I'm sorry, Garrus… I am so sorry for my behavior last night." Nibbling on a mandible, she said, "Forgive me? I really wanted to take you to bed, and I drove you away."

Garrus, while thoroughly enjoying the passion of her greeting, was a bit taken aback by Desis' behavior. "Dee, there's nothing to forgive. I don't blame you for being upset about everything. We have all the food and drink we want… something those children can only dream about. Hell, there are many, many adults out there facing starvation as well. The hierarchy is having a tremendous amount of difficulty gathering and moving supplies to where they need to go."

"SILC." Desis' one word reply puzzled Garrus until she explained, flaring her mandibles slightly in amusement at his expression. Spirits, I love you so much! She explained, "Geth. Their new name for themselves is SILC… Synthetic Intelligence Life Codes. They have a representative on the Galactic Council… Prime Huulik. Inform Primarch Victus of this, if he doesn't already know, so he can ask Quentius to inquire about the SILC assigning some of their agricultural units to Turian war relief, either here or in the colonies." She nibbled on the mandible again in an attempt to get a rise out him.

"Damn it, Desis! When you do that I can't think of anything but quenching the fire you've ignited within me." He had his arms under the flimsy robe she was wearing; lowering them around her bare back, he used his hands to carefully massage her butt, fully aware his talons could injure her; this caused her to squirm about in an attempt to melt into every bit of the body against which hers was pressed.

"I'll be more than happy to quench your fire, Garrus, if that is what you truly desire. We can discuss business afterwards, over a late breakfast."

Garrus hadn't realized just how sexually aggressive this female was; he cupped her perfect ass with his hands and lifted slightly, to which she responded by bringing her legs up to wrap around his hips. "Oh, I desire you, Desis…" He slowly carried the love of his life back to her bed; after undressing for her, he spent the next hour allowing Dee to quench his hot desire as he eased hers.

It was late-morning when Garrus and Desis finally sat down to an early lunch in the common area near the Primarch's residence. As they ate, Garrus told her about the previous day's explosion at Alliance headquarters in Vancouver, his destination to attend Commander Shepard's promotion to Captain. She listened in horrified silence to his report of the subsequent attempt on Liara T'Soni's life. "That's all I've learned," he said in a quiet voice. "Shepard sent Williams and a team to find and capture the sniper, but I don't know how badly T'Soni was injured, or if she's recovering… Alliance has clamped down on the news feeds, so I probably won't learn anything further until my arrival tomorrow."

"Garrus, that's awful," Desis commented in a sad voice. "Have you contacted Commander Shepard? Surely she'd be able to tell you what has happened since the explosion."

"Hhhmm… I thought about doing just that, but came to the conclusion Shepard probably has more than enough to deal with right now." Garrus took a sip of k'affo from his mug before continuing. "I'll remain positive for now, but… if the worst has come to pass, I don't wish to intrude. I'll be there tomorrow, and as soon as she fills in the blanks, I'll contact you and the Primarch."

"Do you suppose it was someone from Cerberus," Desis asked, trying to wrap her head around this latest bad news. "Neither Hackett nor Shepard was the target. Who else would target an Asari?"

"I suppose there could still be outliers, former members of Cerberus, unhappy that the council has been expanded without elevating a Human to a leadership role." Garrus finished the last bit of verrat seputus on his plate, followed by the rest of his k'affo. With a deep sigh, he added, "I'm afraid that anyone stupid enough to order a hit on T'Soni will soon find themselves on the wrong end of a Vanguard charge and a Graal shotgun. Shepard will be out for someone's head over this, and if Liara's father gets involved…" He left the thought unfinished, preferring not to think about how Matriarch Aethyta would deal with anyone senseless enough to target her daughter.

"It sounds like your trip to Earth will be a lot more interesting than originally planned." Desis finished her own cup of k'affo, then stood as she asked, "Shall we go? I have to get to work, and I suppose you need to complete whatever preparations you were making before I arrived. I hope I didn't screw up your schedule too terribly."

Garrus lowered and flared his mandibles in an exaggerated imitation of a Human smile. "I planned for your arrival, Dee..." With a chuckle, he offered his arm, which she took as he continued, "… and I'm glad we have a little bit of time to spend together before I depart for Sol."

Garrus had secured a driver for the aircar transporting him to the diplomatic spaceport, not because Desis was incapable of flying one, but to make sure she was returned safely to the Primarch's compound.

Setting down near the small diplomatic shuttle that would transport him to the Sol system, he slowly stepped out of the luxuriously appointed X3M, walked around to the other side to help Desis climb out, then gathered up his travel-packs from the unused front seat by the pilot. Looking at this female, he said a silent prayer of thanks to the spirits for placing her in his path on the Citadel before the war's end. Holding Desis close, he whispered, "Dee, I cannot begin to describe how lucky I feel to have met you… and to have earned your love." His flanging voice softened a bit more, sub-harmonics carrying his feelings. "You are absolutely beautiful, and I'm hoping we'll be able to settle down together as soon as we have some of Palaven's problems on the mend."

He dropped his packs on the damp metal plating forming the shuttle pad so he could place both his arms around her, unencumbered. "Honestly? I wish you could accompany me to the ceremony." Holding her in a tight embrace, he nuzzled her nose plates before accepting her open-mouth invitation to nibble on her tongue.

After a few moments, she pulled back to breathlessly declare, "You keep doing that, I'm going to jump you right here beside this shuttle." In a slightly husky voice, she added, "I love you, Garrus Vakarian. Come back to me safely."

Garrus placed his mouth beside her ear and breathed, "I love you, Desis. I'll be back as soon as I can. Now, go help save some children."

Letting her go, he quickly retrieved his packs and entered the diplomatic shuttle before she could work her magic on him; he found that leaving her behind was becoming increasingly difficult. Waving as she backed away from the shuttle to stand beside the X3M, she tried desperately to hold her emotions in check as the shuttle's hatches closed and sealed. The pilot lifted the ungainly looking craft straight up to a height of seven or eight meters before tipping its nose skyward to ascend on the power from the stern thrusters. After it disappeared into the thick cloud cover, she reluctantly turned and entered the aircar for the flight back to her quarters. Sitting back in the luxuriously upholstered seat, she looked out into the darkness of the rainy night, praying to the Spirits for his safe return.

Normandy SR-2, Alliance Docks, Vancouver

Shepard had risen and left early after she and Liara ate a quick breakfast together; Sam had gone to the headquarters for the ceremony practice while Liara went to work, determined to find more information on LEAP and all those associated with it. When she contacted the Aletheia, Miranda had simply glanced quickly at Judea and laughed in disbelief.

Returning her gaze to the screen, the operative's voice was incredulous. "You're joking, right? That's all we've been doing since their attack! I'll forward everything we've found so far. Honestly, Liara? They don't appear to have any ties to Cerberus; none that I can find, anyway. I realize I've been out of the loop for awhile now and they had done more recruiting, but none of the names are familiar... However, there is one rather disconcerting piece of the puzzle... There are multiple references to someone referred to only as 'The Captain.' From everything we've read, the only conclusion I can draw is that an Alliance... or ex-Alliance... Captain is the true leader within the organization, which confirms our suspicions that Saracino is just a figurehead."

"Thank you, Miranda. I should have known and simply asked what you have found." Liara smiled sadly. "On another topic, don't bother traveling here for the promotion ceremonies." The Asari shook her head as both Miranda and Judea started to protest. "Given everything that has happened, the promotions will be held in a small conference room, the final location to be chosen at random, and not until immediately prior to the ceremony. Only the essential staff will be allowed in the room – everyone else will have to be content watching it as a live broadcast."

"And we can see it here just as well as there." Miranda sighed in disappointment. "It was more about seeing you both in person, rather than the actual ceremony, Liara. I guess we'll simply have to wait... We'll go visit T'Sere Shipwrights and see where they are on production of the new ship, instead. And now that we know you're back to work, we'll keep you updated with anything we find, as we find it." Her voice turned to ice, a tone Liara hadn't heard from Miranda in a very, very long time. "We'll find these bastards, Liara. And when we do, I will not hesitate to utterly destroy them."

Shepard returned to find Liara still hard at work alongside Riana, both turning as they heard the hatch slide open. Shepard frowned at the look on Liara's face. "What's up, Li?"

"The Aletheia team has been hard at work while we've been recovering from the attack." Liara waved her over to the terminal. "Miranda forwarded this... rather disturbing news. It is as Admiral Hackett feared; it appears there is a traitor amongst us."

Shepard quickly read through the report. "Not necessarily. 'The Captain' could refer to just about anyone... Though, looking at the way the messages are formatted, I mostly agree with Miranda's assessment. It sure sounds as if the person spent a lot of time in the Alliance." The commander shook her head. "Damn it. There really isn't much to go on; they've been very good at covering their tracks."

Liara cocked a brow marking as her hands continued to run across the haptic interface, entering orders for various agents. "So far, yes. But, now that we have a start, the information will begin to flow." Her lips curled into a smirk as she continued, "I've done this a time or two, Shepard. We'll trace the message origins, pin down a location, and get someone on the ground to personally observe... at least get names, if not images." She tapped the 'execute' key and turned around to face the commander with a smile. "Have faith. I'm a very good information broker."

As Liara's hands landed on her waist, Shepard couldn't help but smile in return. "Oh, I am very much aware of that, Shadow Broker. So much so, that sometimes you scare even me."

"I know better, Samantha." Liara chuckled. "You love the intellectual challenge I provide."

The Asari's face turned a deep blue at the images that tumbled through the link as Shepard pulled their hips tightly together and her hand slipped around to Liara's lower back. "I certainly enjoy much more than solely your intellect, my Ionúin Álainn." Shepard smirked at the Asari's reaction as she continued in a whisper. "I still manage to bring out the shy maiden at times." She planted a firm kiss on Liara's lips before finishing, "I hope I always can."

"Yes, well..." Liara swallowed the lump in her throat and she felt her face become unusually warm as she spared a glance at Riana, who was still working diligently on the terminal in the back corner, seemingly oblivious to the conversation behind her. Blue eyes, now tinged around the edges with black, returned to those of the commander. "Perhaps I should take a break and we can finish this discussion in the loft, Siame?"

"I would love that, Blue, but I dropped in because we have other commitments to take care of... We have a lunch date with the family." Shepard waggled her eyebrows up and down as she struggled not to laugh, thinking of all the times Liara had answered her advances the same way. "Maybe later?"

Liara groaned in recognition, answering quietly. "I realize now why you absolutely hated that question." She squirmed in Shepard's grasp in an attempt to calm the desire rising rapidly within her body. Burying her face in Shepard's shoulder, she wrapped her arms tightly around the commander's waist in desperation. "Yes, of course. Lunch." With her breathing becoming irregular, Liara widened the link and let her feelings run free. {We are going to be late.}

When they arrived behind schedule at the Mess, they were pleasantly surprised when her father simply grinned and winked at Liara. A swat from Mozia indicated they had probably talked about it and, not surprising in any aspect, Aethyta was not acting in accordance with what Mozia considered acceptable behavior. Liara's face was still a bit flushed from her and Shepard's hurried encounter in the loft, so the slight embarrassment she felt from her father's actions didn't really show. When they sat down to eat, Liara swiftly diverted everyone's attention by opening the discussion with what her field agents had discovered about LEAP thus far; all thoughts of the lovebirds' exploits before lunch were quickly forgotten.

"Riana is also on the trail of a small crate containing six Acolyte pistols that got into the hands of the Eclipse before moving off-world." Liara looked at her father. "The freight trail started somewhere in Attena. With the region's decentralized trade and loose aggregation of mostly small towns, it will be extremely difficult to track the exact point of origin."

Mozia smiled and placed a supportive hand on Aethyta's knee. "At least we can rest assured it was not one of ours who committed this treasonous act."

"Small comfort when one of those weapons was carried by someone attempting to assassinate my daughter." Aethyta looked at Liara and continued, "I assume Riana is staying on this in an attempt to find more information?"

Liara narrowed her eyes. "Don't worry about it. The Brokerage will find those responsible and they will be taken care of." She looked pointedly at her father, Liara's voice becoming eerily detached as she continued, "The treason was not accomplished by T'Soni commandos, so is no longer your concern."

Aethyta thought only briefly to offer a retort, but the shadow in Liara's angry eyes made her think twice. Shepard leaned over and whispered softly in the matriarch's ear, so no one else could hear, though Liara heard it via the link. "She's trying to protect you, Aethyta. She doesn't want you implicated when the perpetrators end up dead."

The matriarch's face paled a bit and she coughed, reaching for her glass of water as she considered what Shepard had said. It suddenly hit home; her Little Wing had been forced to grow up fast in a war-torn galaxy... and had done things in the name of the Shadow Broker that, as her father, Aethyta would never have thought her capable of. Some... unthinkable things. So, instead of a ready retort crossing her lips, she responded with only one word. "Understood."

Liara's face fell, knowing Aethyta had just been forced to very suddenly come to terms with who her daughter became over the course of the war. Things had changed for Dr T'Soni since her attempted kidnapping on Therum... and drastically more so after Shepard had died in the skies over Alchera; even Liara had a hard time believing the transformation she had gone through and had to wonder how her father could process it, if at all. Her brow knit and she reached across the gap to grasp her father's hand. "Dad. I'm sorry. I know..." She paused and let out a sad sigh. "I know I'm not what you had hoped for in a daughter..."

"Nonsense, kiddo. For a change, you have no clue what you're talking about." Shocked by the words, Liara fell immediately silent as Aethyta continued, "I am so incredibly proud of who you have become and what you were able to do for the war effort. You have absolutely no idea." The matriarch smiled and squeezed the hand in hers before letting go and sitting up tall in her chair. "You and Shepard won this damned war for us... and we've all done things the last few years we never would have done otherwise. Goddess, Liara. You turned out better than I ever dreamed possible, even with Nezzie's awesome genes!"

Shepard smiled and wrapped an arm around her Promised as she added, "And have no doubt, Aethyta. When it comes to fighting for what she loves and believes in? She's every bit your daughter... right down to being a quarter Krogan!"

"Oh, Goddess," Liara groaned. "How many times do I have to say it doesn't work that way?" She simply shook her head in resigned tolerance as the rest of the table erupted in laughter.

The afternoon with the family passed quickly after that, the alarm on Shepard's omnitool finally interrupting their conversation. She looked at Liara and stuck out her hand in invitation as she stood from the lounge chair. "Come on. Time to head over to the diplomatic docks; Garrus is scheduled to arrive in less than thirty minutes."

Hannah stood with them. "I assume you will want to escort him to the Broker office and get caught up on events... and I have absolutely no desire to go through all that information again. One time alone was more than enough bad news." She walked over, gave Liara a hug and Sam a quick peck on the cheek. "See you in the morning at the headquarters. Enjoy your time with Garrus and tell him I said hello and that I'll see him tomorrow."

Aethyta and Mozia also stood, Mozia speaking. "The same goes for us. We'll walk with you back to the diplomatic docks and take our leave so you can spend time with your friend. I know you'll be going through final preparations and then head out for the Destiny Ascension... Are you still scheduled for departure tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yes, Ma'am. We are." Shepard nodded. "Though I do believe we could all get together for lunch one last time before we all head our separate ways?"

Mozia smiled as she responded, "That would be lovely... Captain."

Shepard grinned at the familiar title; she was already 'Captain' to her Asari family... and her promotion would help eliminate some of the confusion everyone else felt. "Well, come on then. We can talk about the time and place as we walk, else we'll be late picking up Garrus and he'll think we don't love him anymore."