"Enter."

Acknowledging the warbling beeps took more strength than Shephard imagined. He'd almost let his voice crack. Leaning against the massive fish tank that took up most of the leftmost wall of his quarters, he braced himself on his forearm. Observing the slow-moving aquatic life brought some measure of peace. He ached in places he didn't know he had. Numbing exhaustion was setting in, manifesting in a dull, persistent roar at the top of his head.

He didn't know how much he had left.

The door slid open and a familiar figure entered. She was still armored, a pistol clasped in both hands. She glanced around surreptitiously so as not to alert Shepard. This might have been the safest place on the Normandy, but old habits died hard. "Commander," Joker's voice was unusually somber as it came over the intercom, "Just letting you know: we're departing the Amada system. We should arrive at the Hagalaz system within the hour."

"Thanks, Joker," Shepard replied, at last raising his head. He paused a moment and then added, "Hurry."

"Aye, aye." The intercom went silent.

Liara lingered in the doorway a moment longer before entering. The door slid shut behind her. The moment she saw Shepard, her bright blue eyes softened. "Oh, Shepard," She mused.

"I'll be fine," Shepard grunted, pushing himself off of the fish tank.

Liara stood erect. "Alright." She conceded, "Miranda and Jacob have finished sweeping the ship. The Normandy is clear." She took a breath before concluding, "The Collectors are gone."

"Gone," Shepard echoed, turning away, "No, they're not gone. They're just not here-" He blinked, whirling to face Liara again. His attention flew to her pistol.

Liara grew wide-eyed and blushed, as much as a blue-skinned Asari could blush. She tried to conceal the pistol behind her leg. Too late.

"Liara," Shepard began, pointing, "Is that a Scorpion?"

"I wasn't going to fire it, Shepard."

"I hope not," Shepard continued.

"I wasn't. Even the Collectors know what this is."

"Yes," Shepard agreed, "It's one of the only handguns in the universe that exclusively fires explosive rounds."

Liara said nothing, offering a wry smile as she slid the weapon into its holster.

"Not even the Collectors brought weapons on board that could pierce the hull, Liara," Shepard went on, placing his hands on his hips, "That might be a little extreme."

"No, that taxi ride on Illium was extreme, Shepard." Liara countered in a neutral, calming tone, "This was just for show."

"Yeah, well, maybe the taxi ride was too."

Liara grinned. "You're incorrigible."

Shepard's attempt at a grin failed.

Liara smiled enough for the both of them and approached. Shepard retreated, returning to the fish tank. He couldn't hold her gaze for too long.

"It's good," Liara began, "That you still have your sense of humor, at least."

"Yeah."

She took a hesitant step towards him. "Shepard, I-"

"No."

"But-"

"No, Liara." He turned to her, "No, you're needed here, doing what you do. If...when this goes wrong, I don't want you there for that."

Liara sniffed and looked away.

Shepard felt punched. "I'm sorry."

Liara glanced at him. "It's not what you think, Shepard. The last time you spoke to me like that, the Normandy was on fire."

She moved across the room with the grace of a matriarch. This time, she didn't look away. "Shepard, this time, the Normandy isn't on fire. You will come back from this."

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do." She placed a hand on his arm, "I know you, Shepard. I know your crew. They will follow you anywhere. You will make it back through the Omega relay."

"I don't know. I don't-" Shepard squeezed Liara's hand. He was gentle to remove it before beginning to pace back and forth.

Liara turned to face him, folding her hands in front of her.

"I knew the Collectors were powerful." Shepard began. His first, fateful encounter with the enemy burst into his mind. His heart thundered, his breath fell short. "Really powerful. You were there. They went through us like we weren't even there. We lost all those people…" He threw a hand up, "...and then they just boarded us and took what they wanted like they owned the ship. The new shielding, it didn't matter. They just..."

He looked down at hands he could no longer stop from shaking, "Liara, they…"

"Shepard," Liara approached him, "You're right. I was there. I watched it happen." She paused, "I even calculated your trajectory so I could find you again."

Liara wrapped him in the only embrace that made him feel safe, "I've never seen a force like the Collectors. They're...incredible. They may be one of the greatest threats the galaxy has ever seen. But do you know what?"

Shepard shook his head.

Liara pressed a finger to Shepard's chest, and his heart rate slowed. "They've never faced anything like you before. You know where they live. You assembled the most insane group of people in the universe and made them a unit." Her eyes narrowed, "The Collectors have never faced anyone so determined to defeat them that he destroyed an entire system to keep their masters at bay."

"I'm not proud of that."

"I'd be concerned if you were, Shepard."

She leaned in close enough for Shepard to remember how much he loved how she smelled. Liara grew somber, "We both know the Collectors are not the worst things in the universe right now. You know what is coming for all of us."

Shepard averted his gaze.

"That's why you'll come back. You're the only one who can stop them."

The door warbled again and slid open. A tall, scarred turian entered and immediately froze upon seeing the two. "Oh! Um, sorry, Shepard." Garrus offered, "I just wanted to let you know we'll be at Hagalaz in ten."

Much to Shepard's chagrin, Liara pulled away. "I was just leaving-"

"Like hell you are, T'soni." Garrus chuckled, holding up his hand, "I'm not giving Shepard the kind of company you can. You guys do your thing. I'll be on my way."

Garrus gave Shepard a devilish look before exiting the quarters.

"You didn't tell me you gave Garrus a passcode." Liara chastised, returning to the embrace.

Shepard cocked his head. "If there's anyone I trust with my life beyond you-"

"I know. I'm just surprised is all. I practically had to hack your com to get my own codes, remember?"

The two enjoyed a brief giggle. Shepard brought Liara in by the waist. "You know," He said, "The Reapers aren't the only reason I'm coming back."
"I'd hope not." Liara replied, "You still owe me a decent drive."

"Never going to let that go, are you?"

"Not for one moment, Shepard."

The two closed what little distance remained for a brief, pure moment of intimacy. It was over too soon.

"Come on," Shepard whispered, "Let's get you back to your ship, Shadow Broker."

She held his hand and led him towards the door. "I am still not used to being called that."

"You'll get used to it." Shepard replied, "One more thing?"

Liara looked at him expectantly, "Next time we're boarded by a hostile force, choose a different sidearm?"

End