Verity enters Ashley's hospital room to find her sitting up in bed talking with Udina.

"I'd like an answer, Lieutenant Commander. The galaxy has need of exceptional soldiers like you. Now more than ever."

"I still need time. You'll have my answer soon, I promise."

"I'll look forward to it."

Udina turns to leave and sees Verity entering, turning his face a little sour.

"Shepard."

"Udina."

Udina leaves without a further word.

"I got your email." Verity says. "Made your decision yet?"

"On becoming a Spectre? Not yet. It's an honour and all but I don't know. I need to think about it some more."

"It's a big decision, smart to give it some thought. How are you doing?"

"Good, considering. The nurse said you looked in on me earlier. Still out cold I guess."

"We didn't have time to talk. I thought maybe if you were up for it...?"

"Yea. I wasn't sure you wanted to. You were pretty clear on Mars about where things stood."

"What do you mean?"

"You're not a part of Cerberus any more. Case closed. Full stop."

"It's the truth."

"Okay. You cut all ties. I accept that. It's just that if you're giving me orders I need to be able to count on you."

"Ash. You either accept it or you don't. Why do always have to add the element of doubt when we discuss this? You really hurt me on Horizon, you know."

"Well what was I supposed to think?"

"That your friend had valid reasons for what she was doing?"

"Don't. I already got an ear bashing from Liara over that."

"Really? When?"

"After you hooked back up on Illium. She contacted me and gave me both barrels."

"You two became quite close when I was out of action."

"Yea... like I said on Horizon, she was in a bad way for a while there. When I visited her on Illium, she..." Ashley falls short of giving the full details of Liara's fall from grace.

"Yes?"

"It's not my place to say."

"What? What do you mean?"

"She really needed a friend when I visited and it was just as well I turned up when I did. If you want to know any more, you'll have to speak with Liara. Like I said, it's not my place to say."

"She said she'd done some questionable things while I was away but now you've got me worried."

"When you died it nearly destroyed her. She was searching for anything to fill that hole in her life."

"We've spoken a little about that but nothing specific."

"I've said too much already. But when we found her on Mars, the look on her face when she saw it was you? She's not that person any more, she's herself again. I wouldn't worry about it."

"Hmm. So anyway, what about you? How's your family? Are they safe?"


Liara stands working on her console, attempting to gather resources and influence where she can. She is frustrated that as a ground force combatant now, she cannot devote more time to her information duties. She is secretly glad that Samantha Traynor is picking up the slack with regard to useful information. Resources are the main contribution that Liara can make at this time; she is happy that at least she is able to contribute beyond weapons fire. Her door opens.

"Hi, Shepard."

"Hey, Liara."

"I've time to talk if you want?"

"Yea, I do."

"Oh? That sounds important."

"I was just visiting Ash. She's doing well now, should be up and about in no time."

"Good. When that... thing... picked her up like it did... goddess. It was horrible."

"Yea. Wasn't the best start to our campaign. We were talking about Horizon, clearing the air and you came up."

"Hmm?"

"Ash said you gave her a right earful over her attitude?"

"Well she needed it. Treating you like that after all you've been through. I had to. It was just a shame that she didn't contact you herself like I suggested. Maybe you could have avoided some of the bad blood."

"She also said she visited you on Illium."

Liara's eyes widen in horror.

"What happened on Illium when Ash visited?"

Liara fidgets with her fingers, not looking Verity in the eye.

"I err... I'd hit a really bad low point after discovering the Collectors were responsible for the attack on the Normandy."

"And?"

"Umm... that's it really. Ashley came along and picked me up, put me back on my feet."

"And?"

"And what?"

"Come on, Liara. I know you well enough to know there's something you're not telling me. Ashley was quite evasive when I asked her about this. What happened?"

"Goddess... I was hoping this would be consigned to history. I'm not proud, you know."

"Of what? Liara?"

"I..." Liara takes a deep breath. "I'd started using hallex."

"What?!"

"Only for a short time though."

"You started using hallex? Why?"

"Well... Nyxeris turned me onto it, attempting to throw me off my game no doubt. But it would be easy to just blame her for it. I couldn't cope, Shepard. I was so low. The hallex gave me something to take my mind off the loneliness and... you."

"Oh Liara. That's terrible. I know you've said before you were really low when I was gone, but I didn't realise it was that bad."

"When we spoke on the Broker's ship, I said that I wasn't sure you'd want me if you realised all that I'd done. This is one of those things. Don't be angry with me."

"I'm not angry. Shocked, yes. But... oh, Liara. I can't bare the thought of you being that sad and lonely."

Verity hugs Liara, both becoming quite teary.

"It was horrible, Shepard. I didn't know what to do after my work to find your murderers had ended. Once I was back in the real world just going about daily business, I realised the hole was still there and... I... goddess, it was so dark without you."

"It's okay, it's okay. We have each other again now."

"Yes. Thank the goddess, yes."

"Is there anything else I should know?"

"I don't think so. I'm not trying to hide anything. It's just difficult to talk about. Ashley brought me a chocolate cake when she visited. You haven't done that in a while..."

"Your 'secret' stash isn't enough?"

"How do you know about that?" Liara asks with an annoyed tone.

"The smell from that container is unmistakable. I peeked a look when you were in the shower. Where the hell did you get Belgian chocolates from anyway?"

"I thought some had gone missing! I just put it down to eating more than I thought. Have you been dipping into my sweets?"

"Maybe the odd one..."

"Well. As it's you, I'll let it pass. Having the Broker's contacts means I have more than just political sway, you know."

"That reminds me. Guess who I bumped into on the Citadel?

"Who?"

"Yeoman Ramsbottom."

Liara's face lights up.

"Can he come back to the Normandy?" she excitedly asks.

"For his charming company? Or for his fried breakfast?"

"A little from column A, a little from column B..." Liara coyly smiles. "They were good though, weren't they? Mmm, it's so long since I've had any decent fried bread."

Liara is already beginning to salivate at the thought.

"He's posted on the SSV Naseby now."

"The lucky things." Liara pouts.

"Did you become addicted?"

"Who wouldn't? Runny yolks dripping all over the greasy bread and sausages, all washed down with a mug of milky sweet tea. Mmm, lovely."

"Not the breakfasts!"

"Oh. You mean the hallex."

"Yes, 'the hallex'."

"Ashley came along before it all went too far. I can't thank her enough for that visit."

"That's something I suppose."

Verity ponders for a moment.

"You know... Ramsbottom's ship is in for repairs, at least a week he reckons. I might be able to convince him to come visit. Maybe I could get him to look over our galley..."

"Oh, Shepard! Please try! That would be wonderful!"

Liara kisses Verity, then her face becomes serious.

"In the meantime, I'm getting a lock for my sweets box to keep grubby paws out of there."

"Spoilsport."

"Don't worry. You can have the code. I'm just aware that blabbermouth EDI will know I have it and she tells Joker everything."

Shepard and Liara cock their heads for a moment, waiting for a response from the AI. Liara's eyes narrow.

"She's still listening. I know it."