Worst Kept Secret
…
Liara is having some trouble with the Normandy's resident journalist. Shepard handles it in a way that only she would. Early ME3.
…
Disclaimer: This author in no way profits from the writing of this story. All characters, dialogue, or other referenced material from the Mass Effect trilogy belongs to Bioware.
…
Liara looked up as she heard a strange grinding sound and a yelp from the other side of her door. She frowned, and hit the switch to unlock it.
A grumpy-looking Shepard stood on the other side, cradling her hand and examining her fingers.
Liara crossed her arms and cocked her head. She had an inkling. "Shepard, were you trying to hack through my door?"
The commander dropped her hand and shrugged, looking a bit sheepish. "Glyph said I had an upgrade waiting," she defended.
Liara just shook her head and turned back to her console. "I think the usual protocol with a locked door is to knock. Besides," she continued, a hint of a smile crossing her face, "You can't even check your email without help. How exactly did you think you were going to hack my door?"
Shepard crossed her arms, shooting Liara a look. "Well, it shouldn't have been locked anyway! What's with that?" she pressed. "Trying to keep me out?"
Liara let out a sigh, turning to her friend. "Not you. You know that reporter, Allers?" she asked. "She's been snooping around."
Shepard shrugged. "She probably heard a rumor somewhere," she replied casually, and smirked. "You have to admit it, Liara. You being the Shadow Broker is just about the worst kept secret in the galaxy."
Liara gave her a withering look. "She's a reporter, Shepard. She can't know about this."
Shepard rolled her eyes. "Don't worry," she said, a gleam filling her eye. "I'll take care of it."
Liara's eyes followed Shepard as the commander exited. "That sounds a bit ominous," she commented under her breath, turning back to her data feeds.
…
"Need to talk to you, Allers," Shepard announced as she entered the reporter's quarters.
"What is it, Commander?" Diana replied, giving the commander a questioning look.
Shepard leaned against the wall, crossing her arms. "I hear you've been trying to sneak into Liara's quarters."
Diana got defensive. "She's hiding something in there, I just know it!" She looked at Shepard pleadingly. "You've been in there! You must know what she's hiding."
Shepard raised a brow. "It's your lucky day, Allers. I do know what she's been hiding." At Diana's eager expression she held up her hands defensively. "No story, and no more snooping," she commanded.
"Deal," was the reporter's impatient reply. She was practically salivating.
Shepard's lip only twitched slightly as she answered. "Sex slaves," she deadpanned, and walked out.
Diana never retrieved her jaw from the floor.
…
