Disclaimer: All rights reserved by EA and BioWare this is a non profit fanfiction. A/N this story is set to start in Mass Effect 1 and end some time after Mass Effect 3 some events were changed or taken out to fit the story this is a Matriarch Benezia and Male Shepard love story primarily since I have not seen many out there.
Chapter One: Redemption on Noveria.
Noveria: Laboratory
Commander Aiden Shepard, Tali and Liara finished off the last of the Asari Commandos and slowly walked up to Benezia who looked at Shepard with tears of remorse in her eyes. "Forgive me Shepard I am not in control here." Benezia said looking down in shame. Shepard took a few cautious steps forward. "I know about indoctrination let me help you but please help me stop Saren." Shepard said smiling sadly. Benezia looked at Liara knowing she had just been fighting her "Shepard I do not have long before he takes control again I am afraid there may be only one way to free me to help you, we must become what my people call bondmates, a special type of bond in particular that will rejuvenate both the mind and body of both partners but it requires a process to be observed if you are willing."
Liara was shocked at her mother's idea "Mother are your sure it is the only way this cannot be undone and humans normally date before they meld with our kind. Benezia nodded "That can be done but all I require to start the process is a single kiss, then we can wait to do the rest the kiss will start the process that will block Saren out but the meld will be inevitable it will only be a matter of time if you choose this Shepard." Benezia paused before continuing "I realize I am asking much of you Shepard but I can promise you if you do this I will give you a proper romance but you must choose now." Benezia said giving Shepard a hopeful smile.
Shepard thought about it for a moment then blushed as he made his choice "I agree but I have never been in a relationship before not even a first kiss not sure how good I will be." Shepard said putting a hand through his blonde hair, his emerald eyes showing his slight embarrassment. Benezia stepped forward cautiously both Liara and Tali drawing their guns as she approached Shepard placing a hand on his cheek drawing close to him as she tentatively wrapped arm securely around him, if she was his first kiss she wanted him to remember it fondly her biotics flickered briefly before she kissed Aiden softly at first then feeling the human relax she deepened the kiss tightening her arms around Shepard slightly before breaking the kiss "There I no longer hear him but as I said the process is not reversible you noticed the biotics right?" Benezia asked.
Shepard nodded "Barely but I did why is that significant?" Shepard replied. Matriarch Benezia smiled at the human in her arms his squad lowering their guns "It was for lack of better explanation a visible representation of the beginning of our bond, when we finally meld the meld will have some strange side effects including making me young again and we both will have one asari life span to live, others who bond like the one we will do later even say that both partners can speak without speaking even when not melding though I suppose you and I will learn the rest in time but first take this it is the data I collected for Saren." Benezia said handing him a data pad.
Benezia smiled turning to her daughter "Forgive me little wing I never wanted to harm you." Benezia said tears welling up in her eyes. Liara ran over to embrace her mother hugging her tightly before the group started to make their way back to the Normandy. Shepard was dead silent during the drive back, He was surprised at how kind Benezia was, it was clear where Liara got it from still a part of him was hoping he made the right decision. Shepard had not had a serious relationship and now he was in a relationship but not under the circumstances he would wish on his partner. Benezia seemed to sense his thoughts walking over to him placing a gentle hand on his shoulder "feel no guilt Shepard I asked for our union and I fully intend to make it enjoyable for both of us courtship and all." Benezia said. Shepard nodded "I just want us both to enjoy this." Shepard said.
Benezia fully understood what he was thinking "Your lack of experience in romantic relationships is not a problem to me Shepard it is actually endearing I am flattered to be your first." Benezia said kissing Shepard on the cheek. Shepard blushed "Please though if we are really going through with all this it is just Aiden to you its a human custom for anyone in a romantic relationship" Aiden said. Benezia nodded "Aiden it is then." Benezia replied. Tali brought the Mako into the garage and they group began a long walk back to the Normandy.
Normandy SR1: Comm Room.
Aiden and Benezia stood in front of the comm as the Citadel Council read the mission report. "Shepard I have some concerns about Matriarch Benezia is she really on our side?" Tevos asked. Shepard started to answer before Benezia places a finger to his lips "Shepard and I are in the process of becoming lifemates you know of what I speak Councilor I cannot harm him and the indoctrination is officially gone." Benezia said. Shepard looked confused and Tevos decided to answer the question he was trying to ask. "Shepard before you ask a lifemate is another term for a bondmate however the lifemate is given a special type of meld when the courtship is complete and it is rare indeed to have such a bond especially with a matriarch since most matriarchs would not normally do this for someone outside their own species" Tevos said.
Benezia smirked at the last part "Well this union is far from normal councilor" Benezia responded. Tevos turned to Aiden "And what have you to say on this Shepard after all you are the first human ever granted this honor?" Tevos asked, secretly she worried for Aiden she felt a little protective of the human. "Well Madam Councilor I do feel honored that she picked me but I am still learning what this all means to be honest in all truth for now we agreed to what humans call dating first I know we will marry at some point but we want to take it slow first." Shepard said.
Benezia smiled at her boyfriend even now being as much the diplomat as she was most her life. Tevos turned back to Benezia "Matriarch in light of the report from Shepard I am clearing you of all charges seeing as you were not in control the real criminal is Saren, and part of the report is that Shepard requests that you remain on the Normandy I am granting his request this meeting is dismissed" Tevos said before the transmission was cut.
Afterwards a few moments later the crew arrived for the staff meeting which Shepard invited Benezia to attend. "Alright crew we have data on a missing Mass Relay so we are one step closer to finding Saren and the geth." Shepard said. Ashley Williams gave Benezia a strange look. "One question commander why are we letting Saren's former top agent on our ship it seems to not be very wise." Ashley said in a snarky tone. Shepard looked sternly at Ashley before responding "Ash.. she was indoctrinated and I was able to free her in return she wants to help fight Saren she is as much the victim as the people on Eden Prime." Shepard said an irritated edge creeping into his tone.
Benezia put a calming hand on Aiden's shoulder knowing it was her time to speak seeing the jealousy in Ashley's eyes "Shepard will soon become my bondmate likely within the next several months they type of meld we will employ will rejuvenate both mine and Shepard's body any information beyond that is private for Shepard and myself only, I am sorry for my part in Saren's plans but please believe me when I tell you it was never my will and I intend to do everything in my power to help stop him for good and afterwards I will help Shepard stop the Reapers." Benezia said.
Ashley huffed she hated being lectured by aliens but Benezia was not wrong either she was mostly angry that the woman got to Shepard first whom she had harbored a crush on for the last several weeks. "I see your point please accept my apologies." Ashley said. Garrus was the next to speak "For what it is worth Matriarch Benezia welcome aboard we could always use another helping hand but as a friend of the Commander's don't ever think of hurting him." Garrus said in a cop tone. Benezia nodded "Rest assured my intentions are pure when it comes to Shepard when this is over I want to give him a life of peace." Benezia.
Liara spoke next "Mother I am glad for you and Shepard I always wanted you to find love again and I can tell how happy you are now I am all for it!" Liara said. Benezia teared up with joy "Thank you little wing." Benezia said. Tali spoke last this time to Shepard. "Shepard I am glad you found someone to love and hold you if anyone on this ship needs it and deserves it then that would be you." Tali said. Shepard smiled "Thank you Tali but all of us have earned happiness not just me I pray you find it too. " Shepard said pausing "Our next stop will be Virmire it is a few weeks away but the council sent me a request to go there just before we touched down on Noveria a team went dark and we have been asked to investigate to find out what is happening there." Shepard said.
"Any idea what we will find there?" Kaiden said finally chiming in. Benezia smiled "I can answer that Saren has a base on that world I have never been there but I remember him mentioning it so expect a lot of geth there too." Benezia said. Shepard smiled at Benezia "Thank you, if you don't mind I would like you too come with me when we get there." Shepard said pausing again "Until then dismissed." Shepard said in his neutral tone. Benezia waited until the others left then turned to Shepard "Shepard if it not too much trouble could I request a different set of clothing I don't want to keep walking around looking like Saren's agent?" Benezia asked. Shepard nodded "Sure see the requisitions officer in the lower deck but then can you meet me in my quarters I would like to talk." Shepard replied. Benezia nodded "See you in ten minutes.
Normandy SR1: Shepard's Quarters.
Shepard sat at his terminal waiting patiently for Benezia, in truth he was nervous it was the first time he would get the chance to talk with her in private and he knew he was not her first romantic interest from what he had learned from Liara and the fact that he knew Benezia had children before they got together, while Benezia reassured him she did not fault him for having no experience, deep down Aiden could not fully stop his nerves from getting the better of him. Shepard's palms began to shake as he faintly remembered his childhood where his peers mocked him particularly the girls in his school for being old fashioned wanting to save himself for marriage even at the end of high school he was berated for it. The door hissed open and moments later Benezia walked behind him placing a hand on his shoulder as if sensing his struggle. "Aiden are you alright?" Benezia asked.
Shepard turned to see Benezia now dressed in an Alliance uniform noticing how it was snug in various parts of her body showing off the many years of work outs she had done, which equally turned him on and made him even more nervous. "I am alright just nervous as I said I don't even know where to begin as far as dating goes not like we have restaurants on the ship or even show affection in a romantic way I was raised in a home that believed in saving ones self for marriage so I did not sleep around or even have a first kiss before we met, I am just worried I will disappoint you." Shepard said his voice shaking as he tried to control it.
Benezia smiled lifting his chin up and leaned down stopping just before their lips touched "Shepard I made you a promise I intend to keep as I said I love and that I get to be your first romance is a role I could never be disappointed in that and if I need to show you some things then that's fine we will take things slowly and gently and do not worry I am not going to take you to bed yet I am a bit old fashioned that way I want to marry you first as your kind is fond of saying and I get the feeling that is what's really worrying you." Benezia said as she leaned in to kiss him again this time more passionately then the one they shared on Noveria his surface thoughts flooding through her mind as she saw the girls in his youth mock him for being noble in her eyes now she understood he was like her, Tears began to stream down Benezia's cheek feeling the pain and nervousness Shepard had experienced as he struggled with his past which she realized was soothed by the kiss and her reassuring words she gave him now.
As Benezia broke the kiss Aiden merely nodded knowing she had read his thoughts "I am not most Asari Aiden you can trust me not to mistreat your heart in our courtship I swear I will prove it." Benezia said. Shepard nodded then surprised Benezia by returning the kiss she had given him and as she melted into his arms as he now stood both moaned into the kiss as Benezia tightened her arms around him securing the human she loved in her arms allowing herself to enjoy this moment in time finally free of her past as well, breaking the kiss tears of joy rolled down her cheeks "I love you Aiden Shepard will never need to fear again, where those other women saw weakness I see a stronger man, where they saw fear I see a longing to be loved and I willingly freely give you my love." Benezia said not releasing Aiden from her embrace as she leaned in giving Aiden another long kiss.
A/N I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this long fanfic I intend to keep going for a long time I hope you will stay tuned as this story unfolds and much more is to come.