Notes:

Anam Cara - Soul Friend/Mate

CGC - Center for Galactic Cooperation

Ionúin Álainn - beautiful beloved (Gaelic)

Kata - detailed choreographed patterns of martial arts movements, practiced solo or in pairs

Leannán - Lover (Gaelic)

Ru'shan - "Child of my Blood" (Krogan)

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

XO - Executive Officer

Catching up and Getting Caught

T'Soni Country Estate, Armali Republic, Thessia – 30 Jun 2188

Liara was awaiting her arrival when Shepard returned to their guest suite. By the expression on the Asari's face, the Spectre immediately knew that her Anam Cara had overheard the discussion with Aethyta via the link and she smiled bashfully, wrapping her arms around her lover as Liara buried her face in Samantha's shoulder. The Asari's face was flushed and her entire body was shaking with suppressed laughter, making it impossible for Shepard to not laugh along with her as a jumble of emotions streamed through the link; embarrassment, a hint of fear, amusement and, most surprisingly, a sense of relief. "Li?"

Liara pulled her head away enough to speak clearly, the liberation she felt reverberating through Shepard's psyche as she responded to her siame's vague request. "Yes... relief, Samantha. Finally, just perhaps, my father will quit taunting me about my prudishness, my coyness... my timidity resulting in the lack of the normal, expected Asari maidenhood sexual activities."

"I very much doubt that, Liara." Shepard paused, suddenly remembering the tongue-lashing delivered by Mozia regarding what the matriarch considered disrespectful comments made by Aethyta toward the head of House T'Soni. "Then again, while I doubt she'll stop entirely, it certainly may temper her comments a bit."

Shepard relaxed in Liara's embrace as the Asari leaned contentedly into her shoulder, a feeling of calm bliss surrounding the couple as they simply stood, wrapped in each other's arms until curiosity finally forced the Captain to break the silence. "So... You know how things went with Aethyta... How was your session with Sha'ira?"

"Much like your initial sessions with my father, my first three centered around emotional control and honing my melding techniques... something I am sure would have been done by my mother once I came of age... had circumstances not dictated otherwise." Liara paused as a wave of melancholy threatened to break her composure but she took a deep breath and took comfort from Samantha's embrace, the strength of Shepard's love helping to provide the motivation to, at least temporarily, overcome the tide of sorrow as she continued. "It leads me to believe Sha'ira and Aethyta are coordinating their lessons, as my session today was also concerned with the ceremonial rituals." Liara's eyes went obsidian as she invited Shepard into a light meld in order to share her actual memories of the afternoon.

The consort had shown her both the entrance to the caverns and the ocean-side exits to the tidal pools. Sha'ira had spoken reverently as she explained, "I am forbidden to show you the interior pathways, the choices with which you will be faced, or the content of the various blessings, Liara, but I can show you one of the pools and the cleansing ritual itself that I, as a consort initiate, had to go through in order to purify my spirit, before I would be entrusted with the secrets of others."

Shepard watched in shy fascination as some unknown Asari helped Sha'ira disrobe; conflicting feelings of guilt – as if she was invading their privacy – and honest admiration at the beauty of their physiques swept over her as she watched the two descend into the pool together. Liara hugged her tightly for a moment as she 'spoke' through the link. {Do not concern yourself, Siame. I know how you feel about me... and I agree with your opinion of them both; there is no doubt both consorts possess enviable physical beauty.}

{They don't hold a candle to you, Liara.} A tight squeeze was her only reply as the thought left the Asari speechless from the love infused emotion of contentment flooding through her mind.

Once the sharing of Liara's memory was compete, they withdrew from the meld; both Liara's and Shepard's hearts were breaking, with Samantha having shown Liara bits of her own session with Aethyta. The last thing Liara had expected to see at that moment was her father's memories of her mother, making Benezia's loss that much more acute as they prepared for their own bonding. Attempting to swallow the tears that threatened to overwhelm the fragile hold she had on her self-control, Liara drew a ragged breath. "Goddess, I do miss her, Samantha… I miss the chance that was stolen from us to complete our reconciliation, and I absolutely hate that she cannot be here to witness and delight in the bonding of her only daughter to someone such as yourself; one whom even she... with all her high standards and expectations... would have been overjoyed to see me make a lifetime commitment to."

Throat tight with grief, her last few words barely emerged as a quiet squeak and tears now flowed freely down the Asari's face... with the true meaning of the loss of her mother finally hitting home. In an attempt to comfort her Ionúin Álainn, Shepard pulled back just enough to run her thumbs gently across lightly freckled blue cheeks, tenderly wiping away the tears and placing a loving kiss on quivering lips. The kiss was broken as a sob wracked Liara and she buried her face once again in Shepard's shoulder.

She withdrew her arms from around the woman's waist and tucked them against her chest, allowing Samantha's strong arms to completely encircle her as the Spectre guided them slowly across the room. Her destination was a chaise lounge next to the French doors leading to their private balcony – where Shepard sat, leaned back and stretched out. She brought Liara down beside her, the Asari never leaving the consoling wrap of her embrace as they nestled deep into the chair. Her body shook as the full weight of Liara's grief poured forth for the first time since her mother had departed the world of the living... since Spectre Shepard had released her tortured soul from its entrapment by the Reaper Sovereign.

{She'll not see our bonding. Never see how happy you make me. Never see her grandchildren born... or witness their growth into the wonderful Asari I know they will become… or how good a father you will be to them...} The thoughts cascaded, along with many others, relentlessly fast and furious through the link and Shepard simply opened herself to let them wash over and through her mind as Liara cried herself out, the gasping sobs continuing until her throat was raw and her body wrung out. The vulnerable maiden finally fell into an exhausted sleep, safely cocooned in the loving arms of her steadfast protector.

Shepard had held the Asari tight, warm lips pressed against the sides of her crests, hot with the exertion of such wracking sobs until Liara finally dozed off. Her own salty tears trickled down her face, the painful emotions of her distraught lover having wreaked havoc on her own psyche. She loosened her hold on the now relaxed Asari and gently eased her head against the back of the chaise as she thought about everything that had ripped through her mind in the relatively short period of time.

Never once had there been any hint of accusation or blame accompanying her Ionúin Álainn's memories... only sorrow and pain at what would be missed in the future. Shepard sighed and closed her eyes, the warmth of Liara's body against hers a soothing balm to her ravaged soul, finally... and honestly... knowing that her lover held no malice – even in the deepest, darkest recesses of her mind – for Samantha's role in Matriarch Benezia's death. That assurance allowed her to slip quickly into restful slumber, Liara tucked securely in her arms.

A hand on her shoulder gently woke her from her sleep; Shepard's eyes opened slowly and she blinked a couple of times before the concerned face of Riana Iregos slowly came into focus. She queried in a whisper, "Riana. Something wrong?"

"You tell me, Nara." Her gaze shifted to the tear-streaked face of her sleeping mistress and back to the reddened eyes of the Captain. "You both look as if you have received horrible news. What has happened?"

Relieved, a small smile graced the Human's lips as she answered quietly, "Nothing, Ri... Well, that's not entirely true." Her focus drifted to the sleeping Asari stretched out at her side and draped across her chest, her deep rhythmic breathing proof that Liara remained sound asleep. She ran a hand softly down her lover's back. "Nothing new happened; we simply reached a point in our bonding preparations which suddenly made Liara acutely aware of her mother's absence."

Sinking slowly into the chair at the right angle to the chaise, Riana responded with only one word. "Oh."

"Yeah. Oh." Shepard drew a deep breath and released it slowly, sighing softly as she continued to rub Liara's back. "It kind of hit her all at once... and all those suppressed emotions poured out in a torrent... and through the link." Her expression became shielded as memories of finding her father on the metal deck of the SSV Geneva's engineering room crept in. "The premature loss of a parent is not something I would ever care to relive if I had any choice in the matter, but it's part of life... and, having lost my father when I was very young, I can easily understand... and empathize... with Liara's pain."

After a long, thoughtful pause filled with silence, Riana replied, "In a way that I cannot; my... estrangement... from my parents makes it difficult. The death of Ryati likely gives me some idea of how it must feel but, as I think about that time, I am sure it is not the same as losing a ... caring... parent."

"Our link also helps... or hurts, depending on the perspective... because I can feel and see it as she does. Experiencing it through her eyes as if it was my own memories... My heart cannot help but break for her. The death of a parent – you lose a part of yourself. A part of your history and a part of what made you who you are."

"In that case, I think I am happy to not have that special link with anyone." Riana looked at the stress in the sleeping Asari's face. "How do you maintain separation? I would think distance in this case would aid you in being better able to support her through this time."

A sad smile spread across the Spectre's face. "It's no longer a matter of supporting her from the outside, but of sharing the burden from within. A combined strength to survive life's trials..." Her level of happiness increased as she continued, "... and shared enjoyment over our successes. It's not so bad, Riana, having someone with which to share even the most intimate of life's details. Matter of fact, it is frequently good... very, very good."

"That is good to know, Shepard." Riana replied with a wan smile as she glanced at her omnitool. "I actually came to tell you dinner was about ready... since neither of you answered your comms. However, I think now that perhaps I should bring it here to your rooms."

"Give me a few minutes and I'll let you know. We came here with the intent of staying for dinner with the commandos and getting some visit time in." Shepard shifted slightly. "Let Aratiana know what happened and let me talk to Liara. I'm pretty sure we'll be down after a quick shower."

Riana stood and bowed slightly. "As you wish, Nara. I will await your call." She turned and quickly exited the room as her Captain began placing gentle kisses on the sides of Liara's crest.

As Liara began to stir, Shepard smiled and whispered, "Hey, you. Welcome back to the conscious world. Seems we've taken a rather long nap... and it's dinner time."

A voice rough from both crying and sleep queried, "Did you sleep as well?"

"I did. Riana just woke me." Shepard helped Liara sit up as she finished, "I told her to give us a few minutes and I'd let her know if we were going to join them or if we wished to have something brought up."

Liara blinked and stretched, standing slowly from the chaise and offering a hand so that Shepard would follow. "I would love to eat in... but we came here to visit and they are expecting us. They are my friends and I do not care to disappoint them." She looked into the face of her lover and noticed Shepard's bloodshot eyes. "I am sorry, Siame. I did not mean to..."

She was silenced by an affectionate kiss. "Shush, Blue. We share our souls, for good and bad. That is something I have come to accept and the death of your mother is not something you should suffer alone... not as long as I'm here."

Liara's heart was warmed by the adoring sensations full of encouragement that suddenly traveled through the link and she smiled, surprising her Promised. "That is most certainly not the only reason... not even the most important. You are here because you love me and I love you... and we are very close to being bonded. Our lives and those of our children will carry my mother's legacy forward; it is the best we can do... and I plan on that best being very good, indeed."

Having made their way downstairs, they were welcomed by a buffet-style dinner as was popular among the household. With so many different people and so many individual tastes, it was the most efficient method to ensure the commandos had choices among which they could find their fill. Shepard and Liara ended up at a table with the two matriarchs, along with the Armali Guard Captain, Nayla Axoni, and her two team leads, Teana Seloni and Aressa T'Saptos, as well as Aratiana and their new house doctor, Corrina Sidhu.

Liara nodded in recognition to the doctor whom she had recruited and sent to the Estate during the reconstruction. "Doctor Sidhu. It is very good to finally meet you in person; I've heard very good things."

"Then we are even," the doctor responded rather cheekily. "Please, Lady Liara. I have heard you prefer things to be much less formal than what is customary and Aethyta has already set precedent. I would be happy to address you simply as Liara... but only if you will call me Corrie in return."

Liara laughed, her eyes dancing to match the smile on her face. "That would be wonderful, Corrie. It is very nice to meet someone not quite so caught up in tradition and ceremony."

As those around the table enjoyed the banter, Nayla turned to her captain. "So, Nara. How is the new team shaping up?"

"Hailot Jatok has turned out to be a lot of fun to work with", Shepard said. "I was surprised by his abundant sense of humor... all while being deadly serious about his job and his reputation."

"You know... I felt the same." Liara's face held a bit of a sad smile. "In a way, he reminds me of Wrex... but he doesn't stand a chance of ever taking over that special place I keep in my heart for my favorite Krogan Battlemaster."

"No one will ever replace Wrex... for either of us." Shepard smiled wistfully. "He helped us through a lot of shit, that's for sure." She suddenly laughed. "It's really weird to think of him as a father to that little tiny ball of life... their little Ru'shan."

"Agreed." Liara paused thoughtfully. "On both points... Our friend Wrex and Jatok, whom will make a good team leader, and the Alliance N7, Harley Creath, is going to make an excellent second. It will be interesting to meet the sniper when she gets here… I don't believe I've ever encountered a human, and a female at that, proficient in the use of a Kishock sniper rifle." Liara continued to think about the developing team before adding, "The rest of the ground team members seem to be getting along rather well."

"That is good." Nayla nodded in approval as her eyes wandered back and forth between the couple. "You are well aware that knowing and liking every member on your team creates bonds that make each more willing to fight for the other. Nurturing those relationships is an excellent way to start forming your new team." She paused and focused on Shepard as she asked, "I am curious – are you going to integrate the two teams... or keep Livos' team as a coherent unit?"

Shepard raised her eyebrows at the question and then shrugged. "I really don't know yet. We'll keep them as they are for now. We have myself and Liara, as well as the Batarian Adept, Bek Korragan, to help the second team with biotics if necessary... but we will be swapping them around in some of the Armax sessions; just to make sure they can intermix and understand how each of their particular talents can contribute as a part of the whole." She laughed as she asked, "Asari do the same... do you not call them 'mixed unit tactics'?"

"Ahh. Well done, Nara. You have beaten me to my own point."

As each finished their dinners, people began to stop by the main table, with Shepard and Liara promising each one they would be spending the evening in the common area and planned on staying to chat with them. "We will answer any questions you may have and are happy to discuss anything you desire... or nothing at all if you want the evening to be a purely social event." Liara smiled softly and took a deep breath. "I have missed you all... missed being here, on Thessia, and would love the opportunity to simply catch up."

Shepard caught the thought through the link and turned to Aratiana. "We have two more sessions this week, as well as an exhibition at Armax on Friday night. If it's not an inconvenience, we would like to come here again on Wednesday for our sessions and stay through Saturday? Schedules permitting, perhaps we'll even get a chance to head down to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning before we head home."

As smiles erupted all around and quiet titters of laugher and approval echoed through the commandos of House Armali, Mozia answered for the steward. "You are always welcome and, as the Lady and Captain of House T'Soni, your presence is never an inconvenience, Shepard."

Aethyta growled, "Oh, sure. Did you think about the fact that maybe I like going out to the Estate... to get out of the city for a bit?" The smirk playing at the edge of her lips gave her away and Shepard chuckled.

"Nice try, Aethyta... but you know the reverse is true and that you are always welcome there as well." Her voice rose and her gaze traveled across the room as she stated, "In case there is any question, I want you all to know that we consider each and every one of you as family. As such, you are all welcome at the Estate, any time, any day... no invitation required, as our doors are always open to you."

T'Soni Country Estate, Thessia, Athena Nebula – 1 Jul 2188

Samantha Traynor managed to open the door to the room she shared with Riana, despite having both her arms together in front of her, hands with fingers spread, holding a pile of freshly laundered and folded clothes. Once in their room, she set her burden on the bed so she could sort and place everything onto the shelves in the cabinet she'd chosen as her armoire.

She had nearly completed her task when a shadow fell across the still open doorway. "By the Goddess, Sammi. I am gone for barely a day and it would appear you have finally accepted your move to Thessia, even if it's only been two weeks since you submitted your resignation request to the Systems Alliance Personnel department." With a smirk on her face, she added, "You have taken over yet another cabinet? I suppose it's too late for me to ask if this is truly your heart's desire."

Taking the few steps needed to close the distance between them, Traynor replied with a smirk of her own. "In fact, it is too late. I'm merely taking my terminal leave before my resignation becomes final, but the request has already been processed. I have just under sixty galactic standard days to do… well... whatever I want to do... and that includes making space for myself in our room." Seeing a slight change in Riana's happy expression prompted Sammi to quickly add, "And you need to realize my heart's desire is standing right in front of me, Riana Iregos." She punctuated her affirmation by reaching under the Asari's arms to place her hands on a pair of muscular shoulders as she leaned in to softly brush her lips across Riana's. "I've never been happier, my love. Sharing your quarters and your bed on the Normandy was wonderful… like having every dream I ever had about you come true. Now, being able to spend time with you… here… on your home world, in addition to the time we'll spend together on the Knight Shade? I really feel as if I gambled everything on a Kepesh-Yakshi game and won the grand prize!"

Riana smiled sadly and sighed, "I am sorry to say I am only home for the day. Tomorrow we head back to Armali again... and will stay there through Saturday." She paused and crinkled her forehead in thought. "Though I am unsure if that means we will be back Saturday evening or Sunday morning." Her forehead smoothed out as she suggested, "Perhaps you could come with us? Spend some time in the city?"

"I do have a job, you know." Traynor smiled. "Liara has me pulling all the Broker equipment out of storage and making sure all the components are in good working order. She then wants me to connect it to the network and update all the software... in preparation for installation in the Townhouse. That way, if she goes there, she doesn't have to rely on relays from the Knight Shade; she'll have an active terminal at both locations."

Traynor fell silent for a moment. Her expression turned serious as she said, "Riana, with the war done and the miserable Victory Tour completed, it's easy to see the utter bliss displayed by your Mistress and Captain Shepard whenever they're together... and it has me thinking." Sammi slid her hands slowly down the Asari's back; after pausing on her hips, she pushed Riana away slightly before releasing her hips in order to grasp both her hands. Taking backwards steps, she drew her siame along until she could sit on the edge of the bed; looking up at her beautiful blue face, she solemnly said, "Riana, your love for me is the reason I have been drawn to your home world; that, and the fact that I love you so much I sometimes think I'm gonna simply burst with joy. What I have with you is something I want to hold onto forever. So, I was wondering…" At this point, Traynor paused and looked down at their hands, light brown gently holding hands of blue.

After a few moments, Riana prompted, "What are you wondering, Sammi? Please tell me, my Breá."

The woman looked back up at Riana and shyly answered, "You're going to think me right barmy to be asking this, but I would really like to know. Do you think…" Traynor paused again, heat rising to her face with both shyness and a tinge of anxiety as she continued, "Is it possible you would ever be interested… in bonding with a Human… with me, like Shepard and Dr T'Soni are planning?"

Riana's eyes widened slightly as she processed the question for several moments. When she replied, it was in a thoughtful tone of voice. "Sammi… are you asking me to be your bondmate? I am truly honored that you would consider a permanent union with an Asari… with me, but do you know what that entails?" Riana turned to sit beside Sammi; bringing an arm around behind her back, she placed a hand above her hipbone and hugged her. "Truthfully, there's been so much going on, I really cannot give you an answer, as I have not had enough alone time to give the matter any thought." Seeing disappointment in the soft, honey-brown eyes regarding her, she added, "I am only 173 years old, Sammi; that's still young by Asari standards. Having said that, I think being bonded with you would bring me immense joy, even if it would probably be at least another hundred years before I could conceive children."

Sammi nodded as Riana finished speaking. "I just had my 30th birthday, Riana. Should I be fortunate enough to see my 150th, you would still be only 293 years old." In a voice suddenly filled with sad longing, she concluded, "I would love nothing better than for us to conceive a child together, but I think that would really be pushing nature… for both of us."

Seeking to provide comfort to the one she loved, Riana wrapped her Human up with both arms and pulled her close, placing a kiss on a soft cheek. "Sammi, you are a wonderful person, and I think you are making yourself sad for no good reason. There will be time enough for us to make our union permanent, and if a single child is the result of that union, then we will have accomplished something wonderful… I would love for us to conceive a child together. But she would be many years in our shared future... and, in the meantime, we must finish preparing the Knight Shade for its first official flight as a Spectre vessel."

Standing, she waited until a pair of hands grasped the one she offered; pulling slightly, she was a bit surprised at the full-body hug she received. Sammi whispered, "We can discuss this in more detail tonight, my love," before letting go and leading her out of their room.

T'Soni House Armali, Thessia, Athena Nebula – 2 Jul 2188

Spending Tuesday back at the Estate almost seemed to be a waste of travel time. Lyessa had things well in hand and Shepard had spoken only briefly with Livos and Jatok about continuing their combat and quick response drills exactly as they had been doing. They had parted with a quick 'see you on Friday' exchange and Shepard and Liara had gone to their rooms to enjoy their private spa tub before repacking their bags for their follow-on four-day trip to Armali. Immediately after breakfast the next morning, Livos and her team herded everyone aboard the Aletheia and got them underway. Once safely delivered to the townhouse, Livos turned the protection detail over to Nayla, bid her farewells, and returned to the Estate to continue honing the Spectre ground teams into a finely tuned weapon.

Regarding the prolonged stay in Armali, Sha'ira was more excited than Shepard and Liara were, as she relished the opportunity to spend nearly a whole day shopping at some of the city's finer clothing and accessory establishments. As soon as they arrived Wednesday morning, she requested an escort with transportation into the city for the next day. "I am hoping to find something nice for Raesia... and the stores currently on the CGC still have much to be desired. In some ways, even knowing now that the entire structure was designed as a trap by the Reapers, I still miss the familiarity of the Citadel."

Liara smiled warmly at her friend and confidant. "I'm sure a shopping trip can be arranged. I'll talk to Nayla and see who she has available. Though, I may suggest we pull Cyenia Axeuss and Team 1 from the Estate. With both Spectre teams there, in addition to the regular commandos, they can certainly spare a team and it would give Cy an opportunity to visit with her mother once you get back from your shopping excursion."

Sha'ira's eyes lit with happiness. "I think that would be lovely, Liara! How thoughtful... and it makes me feel like I am less of an imposition on your commando team that way. I still think I should have brought at least a few acolytes."

Shepard laughed. "Don't worry about it, Sha'ira. They'll probably welcome the change of routine... Besides, the commandos who get to go shopping with you aren't exactly enduring a hardship. Don't be surprised if you're busy giving them fashion advice the entire day. They've seen some of the dresses you've procured for Liara, so they know damned well you've got excellent taste."

"Oh, Captain. You flatter me." Sha'ira's laughter was musical as she continued, "And since when did you become such a sweet-talker? Liara is good for you, my dear!" As Shepard turned a light shade of pink, the consort ran a finger teasingly outward across the Spectre's jaw until it slipped off her chin. Her eyes twinkling in merriment, she said, "There's the reserved, bashful commander I met way back when."

With a quick wink, Sha'ira turned back to Liara and was all business. "However... All of that is for tomorrow. Right now, we need to focus on you, dear, and take a second look at the bonding ritual requirements. Shall we get started?"

"Certainly." Liara hesitated as a quick prod arrived through the link. "And I think I also need to speak with you about some troubling memories that have emerged through this process." Her voice dropped in volume and she stared at the floor as she continued, "Regarding my mother."

Sha'ira looped her arm gently through Liara's and spoke comfortingly. "Of course, Liara. Missing your mother at this stage of your life is the most natural of emotions... and I am most certainly willing to help you deal with the sense of loss that must bring." She gave an understanding glance at the captain. "I am also aware of the Human tradition for women to have their fathers 'give' them away at their wedding. Even though I am not your mentor, I will always remain available to you as a counselor, Shepard, should you ever need my services."

A calm acceptance flowed through Samantha as she answered politely, "Thank you, Sha'ira, but my father's loss is nothing new to me, so I've had many years to come to terms with his absence. I appreciate the offer, though, and will definitely keep it in mind."

T'Soni House Armali, Thessia, Athena Nebula – 4 Jul 2188

On their mid-week break, Shepard and Liara simply relaxed by the pool of the reconstructed townhouse... which, as it turned out, was a great misnomer. Rather than rebuilding the simple, modern abode, the new Armali headquarters for House T'Soni was more of a compound than a building; the large city lot, just under two acres in size, was now surrounded in its entirety by a rather formidable security fence. The new house, which sat in the left rear corner of the parcel, was constructed around the periphery of a 1600 square meter area and provided for a rather large, protected central courtyard.

The first time they arrived after the war, Liara had been rather shocked; the modern townhome had been replaced by a structure much more militant in appearance. There was a large parking apron to the right, which held the VIP-1 and the Aletheia with little room to spare. Seeing as the Knight Shade was at least half again as large, it became immediately apparent the Spectre vessel would never be landing at Armali unless they used the Republican Guard docks at the city center. The smaller parking ramp directly in front of the house easily had enough room for the two house shuttles and three aircars... and there was a bit of additional space along the edge of the main apron for as many as eight or ten more, provided the drivers didn't mind tight parking.

As for the house, the entry door faced the parking ramp and was to the right of center on the south wall. Immediately upon entry, guests found themselves in a large casual area and reception room with a bar on the far end; a number of tables and comfortable couches providing seating throughout. Several large windows along the northern interior wall allowed for a beautiful view of the central courtyard's eastern side, which held a very nice patio with yet more tables, along with the pool beside which Shepard and Liara were currently reclined; beyond that was a single story building that housed the kitchen and dining areas. To the left of the reception hall was a modest hedge garden and a covered sitting area, designed for meditation and non-combat training, while the northwest corner contained a two-level dormitory with an upper covered watch-platform. Additionally, the entire structure had an eezo powered dome that could be raised in the event of poor weather or a hostile attack, but summer on Thessia was beautiful and the dome was not currently in use.

Liara sat quietly, holding Samantha's hand while she watched a couple of the commandos practicing katas and simply enjoyed the sunshine. "It feels strange to have nothing to do."

The first response she received was a low snort, followed by a laughing response. "It's not that we have nothing to do, Li; it's that we simply don't desire to do any of what's on our list today... and we actually have the luxury of ignoring it all for a change." Shepard grinned and squeezed the hand of her Leannán. "Besides, who says this is doing nothing? We've worked out, gone swimming, had brunch... and I was very much on the verge of taking a nap. Sounds pretty busy to me."

"You are correct, of course..." Liara paused and bit her lip before continuing hesitantly, "And there is something I need to finish before we head back to the Estate. Aratiana wanted to go over the guest list and our available accommodations here in the city. She is thinking of temporarily redoing the commando rooms as guest quarters and putting the commandos aboard the ships. The Aletheia has ten berths and they can easily set up field cots in the hold for the rest... so it would work, but we need to meet with Matriarch Mozia on who would be staying at which location."

"We have so many coming to the bonding..." Shepard's eyebrows rose as she considered just how many people could stay at the estate, "...that we have to worry about where to put them all?"

Samantha's expression bordered between shock and dread and Liara's hand came up to cover her own smirk, apparently uselessly, as Shepard saw it anyway and quickly asked, "Just how many people are coming to this ceremony?"

"I don't know." Liara chuckled as the green eyes rolled towards the ceiling in disbelief. "That's why I need to stay here tomorrow... but I still need you to go to the market." She keyed her omnitool and waited for Shepard's to light in response. "That's a list of fresh fruits and vegetables Lyessa wants us to purchase for the Estate. She sent it to me last night after we told her of our plans to go shopping."

Shepard pulled up her omnitool and activated it, shaking her head when she saw the length of the list now in her possession. She looked up and smirked at Liara to ensure her next words wouldn't be misinterpreted. "Great. Savior of the galaxy turned errand girl. I'm on it, T'Soni."

Lake Bisel, Armali Republic, Thessia – 5 Jul 2188

Cy Axeuss had brought Team 1 with her to escort Sha'ira on her Wednesday shopping trip, and they had all decided to stay, first to give Cy more time to visit with her mother, but also to watch the Friday night Armax exhibition and then provide the transportation home for Liara and Shepard on Saturday afternoon, once the shopping was completed and the sleeping arrangements for their future guests were all sorted out.

As such, Shepard was strolling slowly through the Lake Bisel Farmers' Market along with commandos Fala Veya and Molia Tressi, members of First Team, currently with nothing better to do. Technically, the two were accompanying the Spectre as bodyguards for their Lady's Promised; in reality, they were extra hands to carry all the foodstuffs Lyessa, the House Steward at the Estate, had requested. Liara had remained behind at the townhouse to discuss room arrangements for the large number of guests they would have coming in; it was difficult for Shepard to fathom the bonding was less than six weeks away.

They were deep in conversation regarding the relative advantages and disadvantages of various assault rifles versus Shepard's preferred Locust submachine gun. She laughed at their latest argument. "Seriously? You're concerned about the weight? It doesn't honestly matter. Think of it this way – compared to my damned Graal, the Locust hardly weighs anything! I'm simply saying that the individual traits don't matter as much as you think. It's the combination of firepower, accuracy and range from everything you carry. They have to be complimentary or you're carrying the wrong weapons package as a whole."

Molia rolled her eyes in disbelief. "Really, Shepard? Weight is everything when you're out in the field... especially if one doesn't have augmented physical strength like you do!"

Before her Asari companion could continue, the Spectre's face clouded as she held up her hand to indicate silence. Training instantly took over and the commandos, who had come to trust the Human's instincts without hesitation, immediately stopped and took up defensive postures. Molia's playfulness had vanished and she asked quietly, "What is it, Nara?"

"Heavy engines... thrusters... something we shouldn't be hearing inside the outer boundaries of the city; especially here in the Farmers' Market." She had barely completed her sentence when a trio of ships roared overhead; the tortured wail of reverse thrusters at full-throttle assaulted their ears as the three unknown vessels abruptly descended to land in the middle of the town square..

"Son-of-a-bitch!" Shepard's mind raced, jumping a dozen years back in time to the world of Elysium. "Slavers!"

{Liara! Slavers are attacking Lake Bisel! Get help here fast!}

The Spectre's urgent shout through the link was met first by shock, then a calm response. {Sending an emergency notification to the Armali Guard... and recalling everyone to the Knight Shade. I will rendezvous with them here, Shepard, and we'll be on our way.} There was only the briefest of pauses before she continued. {Stay safe. We'll be there soon.}

As a number of side streets and alleys blocked the line of sight between them and the center of the little town, they were unable to see what was happening there... but that didn't keep them from hearing the screams of disbelief and panic. Shepard turned and began to sprint down the nearest clear path as she shouted, "Come on! We may be the only ones here able to help them!"

The commandos reacted quickly and followed immediately behind only to be surprised when Shepard suddenly tried to stop short, running headlong into her back in the narrow alley and inadvertently pushing her forward. She had only started to shout, "Grenades!" when a six-pack of stun grenades exploded almost directly under their feet; she barely had enough time to think 'Fuck!' as stars began dancing before her eyes.

Before her vision cleared, a thoroughly surprised Spectre felt a biotic lash wrap around her neck, its charged surface burning her unarmored flesh and sending a harsh jolt of numbing power through her limbs, driving her to her knees just before she was unceremoniously yanked forward and struck hard on the back of the head with the butt of an assault rifle.

As she fell forward to land face first in the dirt alley – her limbs completely unresponsive even to her iron will – she sent out a final mental shout of warning to the XO of the Knight Shade. {Trap!}