Notes:

Anam Cara - Soul Friend/Mate (Gaelic)

CGC - Center for Galactic Cooperation

Ionúin Álainn - beautiful beloved (Gaelic)

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

Unexpected Alliances

Knight Shade, At Large, Milky Way – 9 May 2189

"Gods be damned!" Shepard cursed under her breath and started to disassemble the pistol she was working on… for the third time. "Concentrate on what you're doing, idiot."

As she began to lay the parts out on the cloth… again… a hand settled softly on her shoulder. Startled, she snapped around to see both Liara and Livos standing behind her. Liara gave her one of those looks as she stated, "Leave it, Siame. Livos will restore your weapon to its fully assembled condition while we go relax in the lounge."

"Thanks anyway, but I really…"

"No, Captain." Liara didn't hesitate to cut her off, her tone indicating there was no room for negotiation. "Livos will finish it so you don't miss something in your distracted state… only to have it explode in your hand the next time you go to use it." She smiled to soften her words and held her hand out in invitation. "Come on. Let's go have Kaffe and tea… and talk."

Shepard hesitated only a moment before placing what remained of the frame and assembly onto the cloth on the workbench. "Fine… even though you do know the weapon's safety protocols would keep that from happening." Her lips turned up into a small smirk as she reached out and took the offered hand. "It simply just wouldn't work… at all… but I am far from defenseless if my pistol stops working."

Liara relaxed with Shepard's acceptance of her proposal and chuckled quietly before she replied, "Let's not find out, shall we?"

With a compliant smile, Shepard nodded at the Commando Captain taking over the job. "Thanks, Liv. Sorry you have to pick up my slack."

"Do not concern yourself, Nara." Livos flashed her a quick smile of understanding. "You have every reason to be distracted at the moment… a sister you could not possibly have anticipated suddenly appearing in your life? You've only had two days in which to process that event… Not nearly enough time for such a momentous occasion."

"A sister?" Shepard blinked a couple of times before continuing, "I guess, in a way, that's true." Suddenly realizing the implications of that statement, she looked at Liara in surprise and blurted out, "And just how in Hell am I supposed to explain this to Mom?"

"Simply another thing to talk about over our Kaffe and tea, Shepard."

Giving her hand a tug, Liara led the way to the ladder, quickly climbing up from the armory to the main deck. Waiting only a moment before Shepard stood at her side, she once again took Shepard's hand as she strolled toward the lounge, purposely moving at a relaxed pace. "I realize this is much more than a distraction, Samantha."

She dropped her siame's hand when they got to the counter and started the Kaffe press before grabbing two mugs and a tea ball, immediately setting one of the mugs under the press spout. An uneasy silence filled the room as she moved to fill the second mug with steaming water from the dispenser and set it on the counter.

As she loaded the tea ball with leaves, Liara broke the unusual awkward silence, "You've been quiet on the issue since we left Gellix. Too quiet… and I think we need to talk about it." Liara dropped the ball into her mug to steep before turning around to lean back against the counter. She crossed her arms in a somewhat defensive posture as she continued, "… because you're not letting me feel you, Sam! You're so caught up with your own thoughts, I don't think you even realize you've shut me out."

"I've shut you out?" Shepard's brow wrinkled as she contemplated the words, quickly realizing the truth of Liara's statement. "Well, shit… I'm sorry, Li." Stepping forward, she placed her hands on the counter, one on each side of Liara, and leaned in to place her forehead gently against that of her Ionúin Álainn. "You're right… I honestly had no idea I'd done that. Come back in," she whispered.

Shepard took a deep breath and focused on relaxing, feeling a tentative tap before Liara slid softly into her mind, bringing a soothing calm with her presence. {Thank you, Sam… it's been rather lonely since we left Gellix… not having your constant, reassuring presence in the back of my mind.}

{I must have been distracted… to not even realize you weren't with me.} Shepard slid her right foot forward, so she didn't have to rely on her hands alone for balance, and slid her arm around Liara's back, pulling the Asari up from her leaning position into a full embrace. Wrapping her arms around her bondmate, she placed a lingering, soft kiss on Liara's lips. {Why didn't you say something?}

{Because I realize it has to be quite the shock, having Adrien… friendly or not… suddenly step into your life. I wanted to give you time to process everything that's happened.}

{Did you ever think that maybe that's one of the reasons I've been so distracted? I've grown used to your reasoned inputs… and, apparently, I've been foundering without you, Li.} Shepard sighed and cupped Liara's face in her hands, running her thumbs across the freckled blue cheeks, her own eyes darting nervously, studying the Asari's reaction as she asked, "I mean… seriously? What the Hell am I supposed to think, having another 'me' running around? How do you feel about there being another me?"

Sam was surprised when Liara laughed quietly, thinking the whole idea somewhat preposterous. Her cerulean eyes sparkled as she responded, "Oh, Sam… there could never be another you. Adrien is her own person. Everyone is shaped by their own life experiences, influenced by those around them. I'm certainly not the same person I was before I met you! I will admit to being curious about the similarities, but genetics only go so far. There are definite variances between the two of you… even physical attributes. With all your post-Lazarus modifications, she's obviously no longer an identical twin… assuming she ever was to begin with, with the potential for the Illusive Man's tinkering."

Liara let her eyes slip closed as she called forth her memories of Adrien's appearance, using their link to share the differences which she had noted – like Adrien's nervous pace, which was more like herself than Sam. Samantha always stood rock-solid when she was unsure, her jaw tight and her mind winding up like a spring, ready to release once she made up her mind on which direction she wanted to go. Physically, Samantha was simply… bigger. More solid… and amazingly heavy for her size, because of all the synthetic weave upgrades.

At this point, Liara's eyes snapped back open… feeling, as much as hearing, Samantha's rapid intake of breath at the unexpected surfacing of memories long buried – of the multiple, painful, medical procedures – softened only by Shepard's memory of what Liara had told her before she started them all. With her expression pinched over the shared memory, Liara whispered, "And, for all the down time they may have cost you, I will never regret encouraging you to have Karin perform those procedures. I am convinced there were multiple times you would not have survived the war without them."

A tear attempted to slip down Liara's cheek, but Samantha quickly wiped it away. "Hey." Shepard smiled encouragingly as she stroked the cheeks of her Anam Cara. "Let's have none of that. The vividness of the memory surprised me, that's all. I agree that they were worth every hour of surgery and the end result – which is me, standing here right now, alive and well – is evidence of that. I wouldn't want it any other way, Liara. Ever since we met, that's always been what I've been fighting for… the promise of a future with you."

Liara folded her arms to her chest and snuggled into Shepard's shoulder, placing a soft kiss on Samantha's cheek. "I love you."

Shepard hugged her tight and smiled, enjoying the feel of the Asari nestled against her. Both the physical contact and the affectionate warmth emanating from the link helped to soothe her frazzled nerves and she let out a soft sigh of contentment, repeating a phrase she realized she hadn't said in quite a while. "I know… and I count on it every day, T'Soni."

The words made Liara want to cry again but, obviously, for a different reason. "That's good, because I plan on us being together a very long time, Siame." She paused long enough to wriggle her arms free from their entrapment so she could loop them around her bondmate's waist. "So… about your mother…"

Urdnot, Tuchanka, Aralakh – 9 May 2189

"You're trying my patience, Shepard."

"Stop it, Wrex!" Bakara rolled her eyes and shoved the Warlord a couple of steps sideways with a hard push on his shoulder. "She is not. Matter of fact, given that she came to us first… even before Councilor Tevos… speaks to just how much our relationship means to her." She turned to Shepard and flashed the Spectre a toothy grin. "I think it's a wonderful solution! A potential Human host… with a much more stable standing in the Council than the Krogan… actually requesting our presence? An obvious acknowledgment of our previous claim on Gellix?" She chuckled as she continued, "Quentius will positively detest the whole idea."

"But, I'm pretty confident I'll be able to convince Tevos… and I can't imagine any of the junior Council members voting against one of their own." Shepard grinned at the Krogan matriarch. "Just keep in mind that Burns hasn't actually agreed to make the proposal to the Council yet. She made it clear she wanted to discuss it with her people, first."

"What I still can't believe is that you let one of the clones actually live, Shepard!" Wrex continued to grumble over the particulars. "You should have killed her, just like the rest!"

"You need to meet her, Wrex." Shepard actually laughed at his surprise over the suggestion. "I trust you to not kill her when I introduce you… but I want you to know who she is before entering into any agreements with her." She smiled and glanced at Liara, who was standing at her side.

"I agree," added the Asari. "We were rather pleasantly surprised when we spoke to her. She is quite… genuine… and amazingly like Shepard in her body language." Liara shrugged, "I found her likeable, which was diametrically opposed to every single one of my preconceptions."

"And surprising," continued Shepard. "For both of us."

"And you honestly believe it wasn't some act, just to save her ass?" Wrex asked, rather gruffly.

"I know it wasn't, because Spectre Moises T'Dura observed her for a full day before calling me to come out and see for myself." Shepard huffed, "Worst part was she wouldn't tell me why… just that I needed to get my ass to Gellix… as soon as possible. I had a feeling she had found another clone, but I had no idea it was because Mo wanted me to spare her." She smirked. "When I stepped into the station, I never would have believed that by the end of the day I would not only spare her… but actually like her. The whole experience kinda blew me away."

Wrex's eyes narrowed as he studied Shepard's face for a few seconds. "Fine. I'll meet her. If she tells you she wants to go ahead with this, you bring her here… We'll meet at the Hollows." Wrex glowered as he finished, "And your job is to make sure she understands the significance of the place before she sets foot on our burial grounds! Agreed?"

"I can't speak for Burns, but I'll relay your invitation and, as long as she agrees to the meeting, I'll tell her about the Hollows, Overlord."

T'Soni Country Estate, Thessia, Athena Nebula – 12 May 2189

"Thank you, Shepard." Adrien Burns smiled softly across the vid connection from her office on Gellix. "Once I asked the question, knowing we had the full backing of two Spectres, the decision wasn't difficult from this end…" She paused, not really wanting to push, but eager to know, so she asked, "And have you spoken to the Krogan?"

Shepard chuckled and explained how they had gone directly to Tuchanka to speak to Wrex and Bakara in person, informing Burns of the Warlord's demand. "You need to understand, the Hollows is Krogan sacred ground… a holy place where violence is forbidden… and to be asked to meet there is an honor rarely granted to any outsider."

"Which I'm sure would not have happened had it been anyone but you who asked."

"That's an incorrect assumption." Shepard shook her head. "I didn't ask; Wrex offered. He wants you to know just how much he values such an alliance." She paused before adding, "And, I imagine, he wants to test your resolve. Krogan honor the warrior, so however much you may hate the idea, you need to bring your best Dragoon persona to this meeting. You understand what I'm telling you?"

"They're Krogan." Adrien shrugged and turned, hearing a door slide open. She waved her hand in invitation. "Come in, Earnest. It's actually good you're here. It appears I'll be taking a little trip to Tuchanka sometime in the near future… with Spectre Shepard as my escort."

She turned back to the vid screen and continued, "I am not opposed to bringing the attitude, Spectre, but I've put away the armor, with the intention to never, ever wear it again. I'll face Wrex as I am now. Nothing more, nothing less. Acceptable?"

"That's exactly how I'd hoped you'd respond, Adrien." Shepard gave her a grin and continued, "Wrex is honorable. You have no reason to fear for your safety, even if he tries to imply you may be at risk during your negotiations." Glancing at the Asari at her side, Shepard continued, "You'll be under our protection… and we have standing on Tuchanka. We were both designated as Krantt to Wrex, have both completed the Rite of Passage to become Clan Urdnot, and are Shaman blessed as the Krantt Guardians to Wrex and Bakara's daughter, Eve."

Liara nodded solemnly as she added onto Samantha's words. "With the last being the most telling. Wrex and Bakara truly consider us family… so much so that they trust us enough, in the event something happens to them, for Eve to become our ward. We would then be responsible for raising her in the Krogan tradition and, when the time comes, ensuring she completes her own Rite of Passage to secure her place in Clan Urdnot."

"That's unheard of!" blurted Earnest. "I'm sorry… but why would they ask you to take on such a task? What could you possibly know about raising a Krogan child?"

"Earnest!" Adrien was annoyed at his outburst but relaxed slightly as Shepard began to laugh, realizing the woman took no offense to his comments.

Curiosity piqued, the Director's gaze returned to the Spectre as Samantha shrugged and responded, "That's the orphanage supervisor coming out in you, Earnest… watching out for the little ones, which I can fully appreciate. But we met Wrex early on… during the Sovereign years; we trusted him with our lives as a member of my ground crew, when hardly anyone else would even give him the time of day. Then, during the Collector War, I rescued Grunt… a young Krogan Warrior who then fought and trained with me … and, in the middle of all that mess, I brought him to Wrex, on Tuchanka, and fought at Grunt's side to ensure the proper completion of his Rite of Passage. He earned the title of Urdnot that day… and the respect of his fellow Krogan. Currently, Grunt heads Aralakh Company, an elite team of the best Krogan warriors from every clan, and leads the newly reestablished Krogan colony of Dhazil, on Garvug. So, yes... Wrex and Bakara can easily trust us to raise their daughter in the Krogan tradition."

"I apologize, Spectre," Earnest replied. "I had absolutely no idea you have been so… personally… involved with the Krogan over the past few years." He shook his head in bewilderment. "When did you possibly have the time, with everything else… and everywhere else… you have been doing and traveling?" He huffed in appreciation. "You've been busier than most people could have ever imagined… And, that's a rhetorical question; I don't honestly expect you to explain yourself to me."

"No worries, Earnest… and no offense taken, so forget about it." Shepard looked to Adrien as she continued, "Just a long story to reassure you that if Wrex asks you to come, he has no intention of harming you. Quite honestly, he just needs to see you, in the flesh, because he knows who… or, pardon the phrasing… what you are." Shepard chuckled quietly. "I imagine he'll be even more surprised than I was when I first met you, and that's saying a lot!"

"So, I gather this is better done sooner than later?" Burns acknowledged the Spectre's positive response and asked, "And, I suppose, it's easiest if we meet at the Citadel and travel together from there?"

Shepard nodded again and answered, "Yes, that would certainly be the most convenient." She looked at Liara before continuing, "And, since you offered, we'll assume you have the necessary credentials to clear security and move through the passenger terminal."

Adrien grinned as she answered, "Please, Spectre. I am well aware of Doctor T'Soni's reputation, first as an Info Broker on Illium and, then, aboard the Normandy. I imagine one doesn't leave those skills, or connections, behind very easily… especially when you're still working for a Spectre. I assume, from your lack of concern, that you've already checked on my credentials… and the boring, unremarkable history created for me as Adrien Burns." Her glance focused on Liara as she asked, "Did I get my credits-worth, Doctor?"

Liara laughed lightly, a light blush edging its way onto her face at being called out so bluntly by someone so recently met. The woman seemed more like Shepard with every contact. "Yes, you did, Adrien. Whoever created the new identity for you did a remarkably thorough job. If I had to guess, I would say Pa'ak Baern, the Salarian Info Broker on Nasurn, did the work for you. Good choice… he's one of the best; very thorough."

It was Adrien's turn to be surprised. "You most certainly do know your business, Doctor."

Liara's joviality faltered as she replied, "Our very lives depended on it, Adrien. It was most certainly not my preferred profession, but I didn't have much of a choice if we wanted to survive." She forced a smile back onto her face and added, "So, much like you choosing to focus on botany, I have every intention of returning to archaeology…" Her gaze rested on Samantha as she finished, "… as soon as we are able."

"Then let us get this business underway." Adrien offered an apologetic smile for the unexpected downturn in mood. "Once it's complete, we can all focus on the future, rather than the past."

Urdnot, Tuchanka, Aralakh – 14 May 2189

Wrex's eyes narrowed at the diminutive Human; she was smaller than he had expected. Immediately surmising why, he growled, "She's puny, Shepard. Reminds me of you when we first met."

Shepard smirked, working hard to suppress the laugh that wanted to erupt. "And she's tough, just like I was… when we first met."

Wrex couldn't help but grin and chuckle. "You're tougher now… bigger, stronger…" His scowl returned faster than it had any right to, and he refocused on the puny Human before him. "But she's not. She doesn't look worthy."

"You don't know a thing about me, Clan Chief… and I'm offering a chance for you to get your butts back onto Gellix… as partners," Burns growled. "So, if I were you, I'd watch my tone during these negotiations, before this 'puny Human' turns her back on your insolent self and keeps Gellix solely for her own clan, with no Krogan allowed! I have enough to worry about, without having to put up with Krogan bullshit!"

Wrex's red eyes narrowed for a few seconds… and then he started to laugh. "Well then… she knows how to bite… with words, at least, but…"

He never got to finish his sentence before Burns was suddenly standing toe-to-toe with the big Krogan, having surprised him into taking a step back with the unexpected pull on her biotics… followed immediately by a lunge that put her directly in front of him. "I'm a biotic and a trained Dragoon. I have Shepard's genes and I'm no weakling, Clan Chief. I promise you, if it came down to it, I would make a worthy adversary. Even so, I would prefer we be allies. With the Reapers, I've seen enough war to last me a lifetime." She stepped back as the wisps of power faded from her body. "So, after we talk terms, the choice will be yours."

Standing off to the side, Bakara chuckled, "Oh, I like this one, Wrex."

CGC, Widow System, Serpent Nebula – 16 May 2189

Surprising everyone, Quentius actually liked the idea. "You mean we can finally be rid of that troublesome chunk of ice?" His voice flanged with joy. "That planet has been nothing but a lump in our gizzards since its caretaker status was thrust upon us! Please… take it, with the blessings of the Spirits!" He actually laughed before asking, "You are aware of all the criminal groups that use that planet as a way station, yes?"

Burns nodded in affirmation, still somewhat surprised – and greatly relieved – that no one had commented upon her amazing resemblance to Shepard. Only Dominic Osoba had looked at her with any sense of… curiosity was the only word that came to mind. She focused on the Turian and smiled. "Oh, yes, Councilor; well aware. The main reason the group I found initially chose that particular station was because Cerberus was kind enough to leave behind some rather robust defensive systems, which they readily employed whenever necessary. The security team we built was good enough to survive the Reapers, so when pirates or mercenary groups decided to test our metal, they discovered we weren't as soft a target as they had presumed. They normally departed fairly quickly, in search of… shall we say… less costly spoils." Her expression shifted to one of satisfaction as she added, "I'm actually quite pleased with the home we have created with mostly waifs and wayfarers."

"That's impressive," commented Osoba. "But, can you please explain to me the why and how you got from Watson to Gellix?"

Having anticipated such a question, Adrien simply shrugged and began, "The how is easy… Since interplanetary travel was necessary in my chosen profession, I had a personal shuttle, outfitted with the major equipment I needed to complete my field work. When the Reapers showed up, I immediately abandoned my research station and hit the atmosphere, only to find the space surrounding the planet fraught with Harvesters! I immediately jumped the Relay, not really caring where it went, as long as it was someplace away from Watson and the invading horde." She sighed sadly. "I lost most of my colleagues there, if not all. I haven't been able to contact any of them since… and, no, I haven't been back." She paused as a thankful smile made its way back onto her face. "Quite honestly, I now have no desire to do so, given the group I joined and what we've built together on Gellix."

Looking directly at Osoba, she continued, "Once I was safe – for the moment, at least – I considered my options and thought it best to return to Sol… but traversing the Eagle Nebula proved to be rather difficult. My original thought was to swing by the fuel depot and then Korlus, to scrounge up the parts I needed for my secondary air recycler. Reapers showed up after I got the part, but before the repairs were complete, so I was forced to abandon the repair and jump the Relay yet again… which, with no time to worry about any possible realignment, happened to be pointed at the Wastes."

Shaking her head in disgust, she continued, "Why they ever put that stupid relay in Fortis is beyond me! Not a single livable planet in the entire system… no facilities, no fuel… no anything! So, I was forced to keep moving on."

She shrugged noncommittally and resumed her story. "I decided that with the Reaper attack, the Citadel and the Serpent Nebula were likely primary targets, so gave up my efforts to reach Sol. Low on supplies, I had to go to ground somewhere; the dextro world of Invictus wasn't really an option, so that pushed me to my last resort… Arrae… and Gellix, even with its reputation as a defunct penal colony world and everything… and everyone… that comes along with that rep."

"It seems I wasn't the only one seeking refuge there." Her eyes once more met those of the Human Councilor as she finished, "On Gellix, I found the fuel and the facility I needed to fix everything wrong with my shuttle… and all the wonderful people who came along with said facility. The rest of the group had only arrived there a couple of weeks before I did. We got to know each other while I completed my repairs… and I helped fine-tune their greenhouse regulation system as payment for the use of their dry-dock space. As the last of my repairs started to wind down, they invited me to stay and, as we love to say, the rest is history."

"And that was when?" Dominic asked.

Adrien chuckled and responded, "Sorry… I don't mean to laugh, but I can't help it. It's been an ongoing joke amongst us at the colony." Her laughter changed to a simple smirk as she explained, "I arrived on April Fool's Day… We laugh because it appeared as though, for once, the joke was on the Reapers and all the bad karma they had brought along with them simply passed us by. With all the shit that was happening around us, we all found it hard to believe our good fortune! It took me the better part of two weeks to complete the repairs and, in their eyes, I became an official member of the colony on the 16th of April." Her brow pinched as she asked, "Does that matter? Is there a prior claim?"

Ignoring Adrien's questions, Osoba looked at the Spectre who had brought Burns before them and asked, "When did you pull the Cerberus scientists from that station, Shepard?"

"Ex-Cerberus scientists, Councilor… and, off the top of my head, I have absolutely no idea." Popping open the interface on her omni-tool, she sent a quick message, asking for a data log check. "So, I'll see if I can get you an answer from the Normandy."

Much faster than anyone would have expected, her omnitool chimed and Edi's voice came on-line with a response. "Hello, Shepard. Excellent timing. We just completed our power and communications transfer to the Spectre docks, here on the CGC. To answer your question, you formally logged the extraction operation as complete on February 27th, 2187, at 2132 hours, Galactic Standard. Do you require any additional information regarding the rescue? I can easily transfer the entire file."

Laughing softly, Shepard shook her head as she replied, "Nope, that's it. Thanks, Edi!"

"Excellent. Before we terminate the call, Spectre Williams wants me to ask if you would be available for lunch in the Commons… your choice of restaurant."

"I'm with the Council right now, Edi. Tell Ash I'll give her a shout as soon as I'm free."

"Understood, Captain. Normandy out."

Samantha looked up at the Human Councilor. "I assume there's no need for me to repeat that?"

"None at all, Shepard." Osoba turned back to Adrien. "So, Ms Burns… Do you have any idea who occupied that facility before your group of 'waifs and wayfarers' moved in?"

"It was pretty obvious that it was a Cerberus facility… their logo was all over the place." Adrien's brow wrinkled in thought. "The man who was attempting to lead the group when I arrived, Earnest Litza, told me that Cerberus had abandoned the station after a bit of a dust-up." She grinned at the Spectre as she continued, "Apparently, Shepard, that was you pulling those scientists out. Earnest had no idea what was going on so, thinking they were leaving in such a hurry because of a Reaper attack, he kept his group hunkered down in some nearby caves." She sighed softly as she added, "The guns fell silent and, after a week of hearing nothing, Earnest finally sent out a recon team. Their report was a much-needed boost in morale… and he immediately relocated his ragtag group and took over the facility. A quick search of the place revealed that most everything was left in relatively good condition and, much to everyone's astonishment, it included a good supply of food, weapons and munitions." She shook her head in bewilderment. "It's funny, sometimes, how circumstances can come together like that, to help people survive." She smiled softly as she concluded, "It makes one want to believe in a higher power… that something really is out there, watching over us all."

Councilor Tevos' tone had a bit of an edge as she looked her Human counterpart. "Satisfied, Dominic, or do you have even more questions regarding Ms Burns' proposal?"

The look he gave Tevos provided only the slightest indication he was irritated by her obvious desire to terminate his inquiry – which he did… grudgingly. There was simply something about the woman that rubbed him the wrong way but, since he couldn't quite put a finger on what exactly caused his unease, he decided to give in. Whatever it is will reveal itself in time. No decision by this Council is irrevocable, so I can bide my time until that happens, assuming it ever does. Shepard is backing her… so, maybe I'm just chasing shadows. Who knows?

"No more questions… not today, at least." He looked at Shepard, who only gave him a puzzled glance, indicating she, too, had no idea why he was hesitating. With a resigned sigh, he looked back at Tevos and finally provided the 'official' Sol position. "Sol supports the request for a joint Human-Krogan venture as the Council-Appointed Governors of Gellix."