Getting sleep was pointless, it would only induce nightmares. She didn't know how someone could sleep so peacefully when their life was possibly in danger. She couldn't wrap her mind around the fact that Shepard was being so nonchalant about the entire situation, it drove liara mad with curiosity about just what she was hiding, it had ate away at her throughout the night, so much that she would almost shake with anxiousness. It had to be almost time to get up and get ready for school, liara had made a speedy recovery and since no-one had any proof against Kai leng or there weren't any witnesses, he would still be at school waiting for her return, but liara wasn't worried about Kai leng and his "diabolical mastermind plans", the second he stepped out of line Shepard would be there to protect her, kai leng would be dunce to even dare touch her when Shepard was around, the blonde had a temper, and the only time liara had even seen a slight glimpse at that viciousness, was when Jacob had riled her up in the parking lot, besides that, liara thought Shepard was the sweetest, most cuddliest, lighthearted, girl she had ever met. Now? Something told the asari that what she thought about the blonde was just a facade, it made Shepard sound like she was just a lier and that she had so many secrets, and that all the rumors were true, but worst of all was that liara didn't actually trust her, which, made liara feel unbelievably terrible, She had a theory that maybe if she just believed in what she wanted to, it would all be true. She just had a hard time believing Shepard of all people, was a bad person, Much less a vicious murderer, how could a person be an angel and turn out to be the complete opposite?

Was feron right? Did liara lose one of her closes friends because she let love blindside her? Liara wasn't an idiot, she knew feron was head over heels in love with her, she supposed that clouded her judgement of Shepard too, of course he would say that about Shepard since liara was also obvious about her feelings about Shepard, making it clear that she had no interest in being more than friends with the Drell.

It was quiet in the asaris room, it was such a comfortable silence, the only thing that could be heard is Shepard's slight snoring. Liara thought it was adorable, it was such a innocent involuntary gesture . The little things that could make you fall even deeper in love with a person, it was crazy to think that Shepard could even harm a fly while she was asleep, her facial features were soften and her body felt so defenseless and weak. She was almost like a baby.

Liara turned in shepard's embrace slowly, making sure not to wake her. Now facing her friend, liara began to examine the scars, whelps and scratches that covered the blondes face and surely all over her body too, but liara would hopefully get see those later. At least she hoped. With soft blue hands grazing over the scar that slashed through shepard's thick brown brows, Shepard furrowed them at the touch, but softened quickly. Liara placed her dark blue lips on shepard's purple bruised cheek, a familiar tingly, sensation spreading from her lips to the rest of liaras body.

"Liara." Shepard mumbled.

Liaras lashes tickled shepard's skin, further awakening her.

"Liara." she mumbled again, this time a little more coherently.

"Yes?" Liara asked innocently.

A very small smile appeared on shepard's face. "if you keep touching me, I might have to take a risk in getting you pregnant."

Liara laughed softly, brushing shepard's hair. She was so calm, but her heart quivered, and her palms sweated slightly, "Oh Shepard. What are you doing to me?" She blushed.

Shepard looked at the asari with half lidded eyes, "Liara. I want us to be...how do asaris say it? Bondmates?"

Liaras heart dropped to her stomach. Finally. Finally her and Shepard would be together, and for real this time, not just this weird relationship that liara couldn't seem to get out of or an uncomfortable friendship that constantly had drama bursting from the seams, because of jealous girlfriends and unsure feelings. Everyone would finally know! Know that liara and Shepard were more than friends and they were proud. Wait, they would be public, right? It wouldn't just be something they would have to keep a secret about? Liaras smile disappeared. Of course it would, Shepard would be ashamed of dating her, who wouldn't? Like liara explained, Shepard was the queen and she was just a peasant. Liara didn't want that, she didn't care what people said, why would she? All her life she had no reputation to uphold, but Shepard? Oh, she had one alright, she was legendary, one for the history books. It was cliché, liara had seen it in the human romance movies, the nerdy girl would be chosen by the popular guy or girl and would transformed by the popular person and make the geek popular, liara didn't want that either. She was fine with who she was, she just wanted Shepard to feel that way too.

Shepard made a weird face, "What? You think that? I would never do that to you."

Liara blinked, "What?"

Shepard furrowed her brows in concentration, "I...I can hear your thoughts. It's like their my own, but they're in your voice. It's like you're in my head." Shepards heart fluttered, "I've never felt so...close to anyone before. So many emotions, I didn't know you felt so..." The blonde closed her eyes, "Afraid. Confused. Hurt..Is this all because of me?"

Liara couldn't even form words, this had never happened before. She had never involuntarily meld with someone, was her and shepard's bond so strong that their minds become connected when they were close to each other? Or was it just because liara was feeling so emotional that she accidentally clung on to shepard's mind for comfort and answers?

Acknowledging shepard's presents in her mind, liara felt warmer. Her mind was clear but everything around her was becoming fuzzy and black as she accepted the meld,She was still able to feel everything outside of the meld, however, like the way Shepard was rubbing her slightly calloused, finger tips along her goose bumped covered arm . Addison moved closer, her breath tickling liaras neck.

"You never answered me..." Shepard's voice flowed through liaras head.

"Neither have you." Liara answered.

Soft hands spread across shepard's back, getting lower until reaching the hem of her shorts.

"Of course not. I like you just the way you are." Shepard's voice echoed.

To anyone else this entire scenario would look strange. Liara and Shepard stared at each other, lost inside their heads. They didn't talk outside of their thoughts, all they did was touch and watch, it would be almost creepy to someone who didn't know how intimate they were actually being. It was their first meld, and it wasn't exactly planned. The whole thing just made Shepard even more sure of her feelings for liara, how deep their love ran was unimaginable and it couldn't be duplicated, Shepard realized that, that no one could have her heart like liara could. Not anyone. Not those girls at school, not anyone in this life time or in any life time-even Miranda, and Shepard could say that with total confidence.

"I'm talking about the gun...I'm worried about you Addison. I will not commit to you, if I know I'm only going to lose you." Liara said firmly. "And losing you is not an option."

Shepard rested her head on liaras forhead, "You won't lose me. The gun...it's just for protection."

The asari chewed on her lip, "There's something you are not being truthful about Shepard. I can sense it."

In shepard's mind there were barriers everywhere, which was a surprise to liara really, there were so many thoughts and memories liara couldnt access, she was surprise the blonde was even letting them meld. Now that liara knew Shepard had secrets, she would HAVE to find out what they were. But how? How would she make Shepard trust her enough?

"I'm hiding stuff from you to protect you." Shepard said.

"From who Shepard? Kai leng? Or yourself" Liara snapped back.

"Me." Shepard said out loud.

Liara eyes turned from obsidian to her crystal, clear blue, Shepard ended the meld. The last emotion liara felt from Shepard was shame.

Shepard was on the verge of tears, of course liara could really see it in the dark, but she heard it in her voice.

"Please," liara placed her hands on shepard's cheeks. "Don't cry."

"I'm not gonna cry." Shepard said taking a deep breathe, "Its a sign of weakness and I have to be strong from here on out."

"Crying doesn't mean you are weak Shepard, it makes you stronger." Liara smiled."Shepard, I want to take our relationship seriously. I want US to take it seriously."

"I will, I promise…" Shepard cocked a brow, "So...now we're bondmates then?"

The asari let out a giggle, "No. We are far too young for that."

Shepard smiled, "Alright, well how about you be my girlfriend?"

It wasn't a spectacular way to be asked, it wasn't an elaborate date with volus's playing trumpets in the background while varren howled at the full moon that glared off of the lake on a dreamy summer night. It was simple, and it was authentic, even though Shepard hadn't asked her in a way that would be in the storybooks or movies, liara was more than happy to say yes, who wanted moments like that all the time anyway? Forcing life to be a fairy tail made life seem fake, life becoming a fairy tail was something completely different.

Liara smirked playfully, "I don't know Shepard, have you finally come to your senses that intergalactic hanar based panties are better than the other leading brand?"

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Hand in hand, liara and Shepard walked down the hallway. Of course people stared, with complete and utter astonishment. What the hell was Shepard doing? Did she not know how many problems this could cause? Shepard knew people would stare, hell she even thought the teachers would stare a little, you know those little fucks like to spread shit like a prostitute with herpes, before the two had left the car Shepard just told liara not to look at them, just talk to her and pretend everything was normal. Which, to liara was absurd, everything WAS normal. It was okay for Kelly chambers to sleep around with anyone should get a grubby little hands on, but if liara t'soni wanted to commit herself to one person, everyone would lose their shit? Don't get liara wrong, she had no problem with Kelly, and Kelly probably had no problem with her-well she didn't know about now that she was dating Shepard, but last time liara checked she didn't.

Shepard sighed with relief as they reached the end of the hallway where liaras locker was, there were still people looking and whispering but at least the couple was away from those damn vultures.

"Thank god...I thought I was gonna have to drop kick someone." Shepard said pushing her hair back with her sunglasses.

Liara, focused on opening her locker, she shook her head, "They will eventually stop staring Shepard, once we show them we don't care."

Shepard leaned against a locker, gripping onto her backpack straps, "I hope so, it's just creepy, You know? It's like they're dissecting us with their eyes."

The asari let out a little laugh as her locker finally clicked opened. "Yes, well, it would not be the first time people have stared at you or I with animosity."

Grabbing her heavy textbooks from her locker, Shepard watched liara with carful eyes. Not completely sure how liara had recovered so quickly, shepard wasn't too sure she was actually well. She knew how serious liara took school, and missing two days was quite enough for the asari, much less three.

"Let me carry those for you." Shepard said taking all of liaras books with both arms pushing them to her side in one hand.

Closing her locker, liara smiled. "Thank you Shepard, but I can carry them myself."

"Yeah, I know…but I just feel like I should do it. Chivalry is not dead you know." Shepard grinned innocently.

Liara smiled, "Oh? And what gift might I bestow upon my fine knight for her chivalry?"

The blonde hummed, "Hmm...what about a kiss?"

Liara stood on her tippy toes, she could always just make Shepard bend down but that would make her look even shorter. Shepard did, however despite liaras attempts, bend down and kissed her girlfriend, Shepards hands fell helplessly on liaras waist as liara cupped the blondes cheeks. They're mouths were hot and electrifying when their warm, soft, lips collided, they're was a faint taste of mint in shepard's mouth and a hint of pineapple from liaras Chapstick, it was an indescribable, strange taste that only made them crave each other more. Shepard smirked into the kiss when she pressed liaras body closer, trust liara, she wanted to protest but she just couldn't help herself.

Even though liara wanted nothing more but to stay wrapped in Shepards embrace with their bodies closer than ever before, she pushed Shepard away slightly. She could feel the warmth spreading to her crest from her cheeks, not only did she feel heat in her face, but slowly the inferno lingered to her lower region. In nothing but embarrassment and disappointment in her own self control liara ducked her head away from Shepards gaze.

"You must forgive me Shepard, this is all so…new to me." Liara continued, "Public display of affection is not something I do normally, affection is not something I do normally for that matter."

Shepard licked her lips hungrily, she wanted to kiss liara again, but restrained herself, having a beautiful girlfriend was a curse and a blessing, on one hand you cant keep your hands off her, on the other hand you can't keep your hands off her. "What? You don't want to kiss me?" Shepard teased. Miranda was all about display of affection- well, not at first, but once they became serious she had assert her dominance, she had to let everyone else know that Shepard was hers, even if that meant making out any and everywhere. Shepard didn't mind for obvious reasons, but then again the countless detentions did get a little tedious.

"…I just want to take things slower." Realizing she had missed a couple of words or sentences, Shepard snapped at attention to salvage the last words liara said.

"I understand li, I don't want to push you into anything." Shepard took liaras hand with her free one. "Let me walk you to class, it's my knights duty."

With a nod, liara and Shepard walked down the hallways of spectators. They were definitely watching after that steamy kiss, some of the hoped that it would lead to something a little more intense, others just wanted to join in. Leaving the people to their petty gossip, Liara let out an indignant sigh, this was entirely too much. Her and Shepard were dating! Big deal! Liara never recalled it being this difficult for Shepard and Miranda. Was it because she was asari? No, that couldn't have been it, the were so many interracial couples at school. Was it because she was…a "pureblood"? Did Shepard know? Liara knew people knew, but she didn't think it would reach the ends of the school and back, it wasn't really even a big deal in any culture , except asari. Half of the school couldn't even spell pureblood let alone know it's origin and meaning.

"Aw look it's the misunderstood dreamy eyed poet all-star and the brainiac blue eyed beauty bitch." A voice boomed from behind them.

Both Shepard and Liara furrowed their eyesbrows before turning to face the familiar voice.

Kai leng and his less impressive side kick Jacob, they stood side by side in a little less than intimating stance with their arms crossed over their chest and a little more than stupid dead stare plastered on their face.

"Um…thank you?" Shepard laughed.

Liara squeezed Shepards hand, she almost wanted to hid behind Shepard like a little girl when she looked at Kai leng, he stared blankly at her with his cold dark eyes, almost devouring her whole with his look, Liara did nothing but look away and up at Shepard who was in a bits of laughter. The asari watched her impenetrably, why was she laughing? How was she so calm?

Reaching his boiling point because of Shepards incredulous laughter and Jacobs inferior ability to insult people, Kai spoke, "Shut the fuck up dyke!" He spat.

Shepards laughing came to a screeching halt, she put her hands up in surrender, "Hey, I'm sorry there's no need to yell. No need for name calling. " Shepard resisted the urge to laugh again as she saw the anger on Kai's face.

Sorry? Why wasn't Shepard kicking his ass? Liara mouth hung wide open, but she quickly closed it when Kai lengs eyes darted toward her. That disgusting smirk ripping his face, she shuttered at the thought of that smirk being close to her, go it to pin her to the wall with no escape.

"You might want to tell your pureblood whore to keep her mouth close before I put something in it." Kai leng said a satisfactory tone lacing his voice once he saw all trace of humor leave Shepards face. It was Jacobs turn to laugh, and soon after Kai joined in.

Liaras face became pale, she felt her grip on Shepards hand become weak and soon she realized that what Kai had said had been heard by her girlfriend or rather ex since she knew now, I mean she had to know, it seemed like everyone did already. If she did maybe she didn't care, but Liara couldn't even focus on the positive, she couldn't focus at all with all the terrible things racing through her mind and the fact that her heart was beating in her ears didn't help either, she just wanted to cry, but she WASNT going to give Kai leng or Jacob the satisfaction, her grip on Shepards hand tightened and she stood tall. Proud.

"Who is the top and who is the bottom?" Liara shouted, a blush caressing her face.

A gasp leaped out of everyone's throats, so fast they almost choked on their spit. Eyes wide everyone stared with astonishment at the little asari, looks like aethyta's constant sex talk actually came in handy. She would have to thank her father after this.

Kai lengs eyes narrowed, "What the-"

"You heard her leng, who's fucking and who's getting a pounding?" Shepard made a crude jester by thrusting her forward and in a circle as if someone was in front of her. Liara felt a little more confident now that they were off the subject of her and that she had actually threw the gauntlet at someone else for a change.

"Well…well…" Kai stuttered uncharacteristically.

Shepard bellowed with laughter. "Da uh dada uh! Talk damn it! You sound like a fucking dumbass." Liara allowed herself to let out a delightful giggle. Kai wasn't so scary, not when Shepard was around. She was making him seem like someone who couldn't even compare to Liara. She wonder did Shepard think that when Liara stuttered, but the though flowed out her ear when the talking started again.

"We should be asking you same thing!" Jacob shouted for Kai leng.

"Y-yeah!" Kai leng cleared his throat, "Everyone know that purebloods mewl when their fucked like the little sluts they are."

Liara noticeably twitched like she was just slapped, Shepard stopped laughing again and tensed up. "Did you come to get your ass beat or talk Kai leng? Because either way you're a waste of our fucking time." Shepard growled a bit.

"Well, now let's get down to business. If you must know sheppy I just had to seem the bitch in the flesh, I didn't think she'd have the balls to come her anymore, but you Shepard, no I knew you would come back you just don't know when to quit. I guess that's why Miranda left you, and joined me." A sinister smirked crawled on his face.

"Joined you?" Shepard scuffed, "what are you? a gang or somethin'? Do you guys have nicknames? What's yours? Twink and muff?"

Ignoring Shepards insults, but not mentally. Kai continued, pretending to be offended. "Just know that's she's not on your team anymore."

Shepard furrowed her brows, "she's straight now? Impossible. I fucked her too good."

Liara blushed, I want to make love to you. I want to make love to you until your eyes roll to the back of your head and you fall asleep screaming my name… Shepard had said that to her once, it made Liara want to see that for herself, to feel it herself to be exact. Liara bit her lip unconsciously.

"You're insufferable!" Kai leng raged, "come on Jacob we'll deal with Shepard later." The two walked away, completely out of view once they turned the corner.

"I don't care by the way." Shepard said softly. "That your pureblood, I would want to have meet you any other way than how you are now."

Liaras heart leaped, "Really? Usually it is a big problem for other people."

"Nah, my dogs purebred, it's basically the same thing, and it's a good thing." Shepard shrugged, "I don't know how anything with the word pure in it could be bad."

"Shepard it's not the same thing, in asari cul-" Shepard slienced Liara with a chaste kiss.

"Sh…it doesn't matter Liara I love you just the way you are. Really. Couldn't change a thing about you if I tried." Shepard whispered sincerely. "And might I just say, nice comeback. Kai leng looked like a fucking idiot."