Liara

I paced back and forth in my room, waiting for my call to be answered. I had sent several messages in the last four hours, and received nothing in response. She must have been asleep, otherwise she would have answered. Wouldn't she?

I stopped pacing and leaned against the wall, closing my eyes and breathing deep, attempting to calm myself. If I knew one thing, I knew that isolation, coupled with worry, paired with too much time to think, could lead one down the path of paranoia. I could not afford to lose what little remained of my sanity. Shepard needed me, I was certain of it. My informant's words, though unspoken, resonated through my mind.

Did not defend herself…unable to ascertain Shepard's condition…

"It doesn't make sense." I whispered to the silence surrounding me. "Serena is no lover of violence, but she would not let herself be taken without attempting her own defense…not if she is already being punished for the crime she committed…not if she, in truth, wishes to keep her promise to me."

The sound of my own voice echoed in the empty room, reminding me of my helplessness, in spite of the power I held at my fingertips. I lifted my omni-tool and called again, surprised and relieved when the screen opened and bleary amethyst eyes glared through the screen. I heard muttered, mumbled cursing and the screen moved with jerking, erratic movements until, a few moments later, Zhira's features appeared in front of me.

[I'm not one to doubt your reasons, Li, but isn't two in the morning a bit early for thirty-thousand messages?] She quipped and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Forgive me, Zhira, but this is an urgent matter. As to the number of messages, I believe I've sent five."

[Being literal will kill you one day, Liara.] Zhira warned me, a slight smile creasing her features. [And, as I said, I know you have your reasons. Is everything all right?]

Shepard's words rang in my hearing, quiet and desperate and the cold ache of fear settled deep in my belly. Everything's not all right.

"You told me you were going to Earth, correct?" I asked, breathing easier when I saw her nod. "Have you arrived, or are you still en-route?"

[I got here last night.] Zhira ran her hand over her face. [Technically, this morning. This morning, which it still is, which is why I didn't answer your thirty-thou…your five messages. What's going on?]

"My operative on Earth has discovered Shepard's location." I replied, beginning to pace across my room once again. "She's being held in the Alliance base in Vancouver, North America. I do not know if the Alliance publicized the news, but a batarian strike team managed to break into her cell…"

[Goddess.] Zhira's eyes flared and she became more awake. [Is she all right?]

I shook my head, fighting against the tears that made my eyes burn, and losing. They streamed down my face. My lips trembled. I despised myself for nearly crumbling, even though I knew Zhira would not care. She had seen me at my weakest and most vulnerable; she had given me mercy when all I deserved was punishment. In a world where few could trust any, I had two people in whom I could repose my darkest secrets, and knew they would be kept safe and that I would not be judged for them.

"I don't know." The words emerged, quivering, trembling with apprehension as I did. "My operative wasn't able to find out anything more than what I've told you. Only that…only that she didn't fight back."

Zhira frowned. [That doesn't sound like the Commander Shepard I met on Illium.]

I nodded. "I know." I managed to speak past the tightening of my throat. "I need to find out for myself what happened, but the base is on high alert. None of my operatives have any chance, and I myself would not be allowed. The Alliance is well aware of my relationship with Shepard. They would suspect something, and I cannot risk traveling there, lest I return to Hagalaz with the Alliance tracking me."

[This is your way of asking me to find out what I can, isn't it?] Zhira seemed to read my thoughts. [But if they know about you, Li, what makes you think they don't know about us?]

"I can destroy all of that information if they possess it." I waved a dismissive hand, not caring that she couldn't see the gesture. "I cannot, however, destroy my face. I am a goddess-damned 'hero'," I spat the word in disgust, "and am known the galaxy over. Please, Zhira…I can trust no one else with this. Not my operatives, nor my friends…I cannot do this myself but I…I will go mad if…"

[You don't have to beg, Li.] Zhira's voice calmed me, soothed me as it had so many times when I lay, tortured by the throes of withdrawal. [I was planning on helping the moment you told me. My business can wait, and I'm on the North American continent. But we have to do this right. If even your operative can't find out much, then they will not allow just anyone to see her.]

"They will accept an envoy from the asari councilor." My mind raced, attempting to think of a way in which to manage an audience between Zhira and Shepard. "It will take me at least two of Earth's days to get everything in order."

[Shit.] Zhira shook her head, but a smile played about her lips, not quite coming into existence. [You can make me a councilor's envoy in just two days? You're going to have to send an official request, get approval for it, and write me a new background, complete with the information for a fool-proof background and ident-check. Are you certain you don't need more time?]

"Feron is quite capable of handling the mundane tasks and managing the projects while I dedicate myself to this. I cannot sleep anyway, I might as well put my insomnia to good use."

What might have been a smile on Zhira's face became a displeased expression, but I saw concern in her eyes. [You'd better take care of yourself, Liara.] Her tone carried the same serious note it held when she offered her help in liberating myself from my addiction. [It's my neck I'm risking here, and I need to know that I'm going into that place with every loose end tied. I trust you, you know that, but if I get in there, when I see Shepard, I need to be able to tell her that you're all right, and have it not be a lie. Do you understand me?]

I nodded, touched by her concern. "With vivid clarity." I replied. "I will…I will take care of myself." I promised, knowing that what she said held absolute truth. She was risking her entire life for me, at the drop of a hat, as humans would say. If her sole wish was for me to promise to care for myself, and fulfill that promise, I had no right to deny her.

[Thank you. I guess I'll research on how a councilor's envoy should act and present herself…] Zhira's voice trailed off and her expression hardened. Her jaw clenched, causing the scar on her neck to tighten. [Liara T'Soni…I'm going to have to wear a goddess-damned dress.]

"If you wish them to believe that you are what you claim to be, I would assume that your wardrobe must bespeak your position." The expression of complete consternation on her face at such a benign requirement made me smile. I lifted my hand to cover the errant upward quirking of my lips.

Zhira stared at the screen for a moment, her eyes narrowed at me before she heaved a sigh, her expression turning to one of resigned acquiescence.

[You owe me T'Soni.] She declared, and I nodded, for the statement bore absolute truth. [I hate dresses, Li. I hate them.] I said nothing, I could do nothing to conceal my mirth at her discomfort.

"Thank you, Zhira." I attempted to sound professional and grateful, but my tone emerged far too light, considering the situation.

[You're welcome. And damn lucky. I have to find a dress now. Fuck.]