Later, aboard the Normandy, in Shepard's cabin…
Liara: Shepard, after spending more than three years rescuing scientists at dig sites, overthrowing Shadow Brokers, uniting the galaxy, ah, and saving it…What are you going to do? Return to the Alliance? Continue as Specter?
Shepard: I don't really know. I hadn't thought about that…
Liara: I had. I'm going to stop being the Shadow Broker. I've been thinking about the future… The Shadow Broker's personality tends to impose on who occupies the job. He is cold and calculating, ruthless, has neither friends nor allies… I don't want to be like that.
Shepard: Liara, you've never been.
Liara: I know. And I've done all the good I could. Even I have used my contacts to bring EDI back. But I told you I was accepting to help you in the fight against the reapers, and we have already won. EDI and Feron are going to help me to dismantle the organization, to prevent anyone from gathering the necessary resources to create a new Broker.
Shepard: You said that some part of you wanted that job, but... I believe you're doing the right thing. So, what will you do now? Are you going to be archaeologist again?
Liara: That's not what I had thought. Je, with Javik I can learn more things from the Prothean Empire than through their ruins. -Kidding- Also, you get me very bad used to. Because of you I find boring any job without risk or action…
Shepard: What had you thought?
Liara: Considering my skills, Admiral Hackett asked me for help to coordinate the reconstruction of the galaxy. He told me there's no one who can organize it better than me. Even so, before telling him anything, I wanted to talk about it with you. What do you think?
Shepard: I think it's made for you.
Liara: With a quantum entangler I can do it from any location. However, he offered me the Normandy. He would assign me an Alliance officer to supervise everything…
Shepard: Is it just me or are you proposing to live more adventures?
Liara: -With the aim of convincing him- It hasn't to be you. It could be other officer… As long as you don't get upset by travelling in the Normandy and other commands it…
Shepard: -Reticent on purpose- I thought you would want to stay here, on Thessia. You know: having a home, starting a family…
Liara: We've spend so much time in the Normandy that for me it's my home. And our family is here. So, what's the inconvenient?
Shepard: Will living in space be appropriated for those little blue children?
Liara: Why not? You've spent most of your life there. Even your childhood… You're running out of excuses...
Shepard: Don't believe you've won. -Amused- If you want to convince me, you will have to do it better…
Liara: You've lived it all. Even a clone tried to supplant you! Planetary life doesn't fit you. And you know that with other job you'll be bored… Besides, with all the good moments we've lived in the ship…
Shepard: You got that right. Even so, I have to think about that. It's quite a difficult decision. Part of me doesn't want to leave the Normandy. Jacob once said my true love was the ship. And engineer Adams believes EDI is the ship. I hope she's not jealous… -Liara pushes him affectionately. However, somebody was listening to them through the intercom-.
EDI: -With Joker, from the cockpit- You don't have to worry, Shepard. I like the doctor.
Joker: -Joking- Is that all you have to say? Well, EDI. What relation do you have with Shepard? And, Commander, you already have Liara! At least let me EDI!
EDI: Shepard is just my friend, Jeff, and you know it for certain. I don't hide you anything, but I'm not so sure that you do the same. You haven't been thinking in other women when I wasn't, have you?
Joker: Of course not! And don't stare at me in that way. You scare me!
EDI: I'll be watching you. Up to the last movement.
Joker: But I haven't done anything! Wait, has that of the "last movement" a double meaning? I won't be able to sleep a wink on all night! -Exaggerating- I hope that tomorrow I'm not found into pieces, scattered throughout the ship…
EDI: That was a joke.
Liara: Can't we have even a single moment of intimacy?
Shepard: You know Joker…
Joker: Don't blame me! EDI convinced me to spy on you.
EDI: It wasn't too difficult…
Shepard: Joker…
Joker: Okay, we get it. We're not needed in this conversation. EDI, we've already teased them enough for today. Joker and EDI out.
Liara: -Amused- I can't believe it. Recovering EDI gave Joker too much energy…
Shepard: Yes… But you don't have to worry. I've thought that for some days we could be just us two in a placid place, a place that a friend asari recommended me.
Liara: I have no reason to feel jealous that there is another asari in your life, have I?
Shepard: It's Samara. Relax, there's only one "tentacled creature" inside my mind.
Liara: Je, and where exactly is that place?
Shepard: I won't tell you. It's a surprise. Trust me, you will like it. If you can't wait till tomorrow, I'm the only one who knows it… well, and Joker. This is not the first time he spies on me through the com… In the end he seems to be better than you at information business…
Liara: I see. You both enjoy pulling my leg. I can find it out in other way less… -Liara sensually approaches to the Commander- orthodox.
Shepard: And can I know how? -Shepard thinks he knows what's going to happen next, but he's wrong-.
Liara: Well, if you are so interested, I'll show you. -Liara moves towards the bed, to Shepard, looking at him in the way only a woman can do. She raises her left arm and… activates her omni-tool's intercom- Traynor, I need to know where Shepard has booked.
Shepard: -He looks at her astonished - Liara! It was a surprise!
Liara: I know, I haven't really called her. -Enjoying the moment- Ja! So you will learn not to laugh at me.
Shepard: Mmm…
Liara: -Now the asari's look turns serious- Shepard, do you remember the last night aboard the Normandy before the final battle? What I wanted most was not to lose you again, to be together forever… When everything was over I regretted I hadn't told you, but…
Shepard: Liara, even though you didn't say it with words, I could tell by your eyes. When I believed my time had come, I had no fear, because you were in my heart. Thanks for everything you've done for me.
Liara: No, Shepard. Thanks to you. For keeping your promise. For coming back -she rests her head on Shepard's shoulder-.
Shepard: -Quoting a phrase she told him long ago- You can't get back everything you lose… but sometimes you get lucky.
Liara: -Remembering that moment- Yeah, that was the plan.
Many say that attachment to our most loved ones clouds our mind at the time of making the major decisions, that impedes us choosing the right thing in decisive moments. But they're wrong. That attachment is what gives us the strength, the courage and will to do what has to be done, to comply with the duty. True strength does not come from fear, or from desperation. It comes from love. Hackett out.
The end