The trip to turian space took mere moments after linking the Stargazer's systems with the Sol relay. A bright flash of electric blue-white light streaked across the viewports as the ship dropped out of relay transit. Liara ran a sensor sweep, checking the astrometric readings against known star charts for the Trebia system.

"Well?" Joker asked, glancing out the viewport. "I mean, it looks like turian space. There's a planet. And another one over there…"

Liara shook her head with a laugh. "Sensors indicate this is, in fact, Trebia." Her console beeped, indicating a nearby vessel. "Must be the turian cruiser that's supposed to meet us." Liara opened a comm frequency. "This is the Alliance vessel Stargazer to turian cruiser. Please respond." A moment later, a turian face appeared on the comm system's monitor.

"This is Commander Quinon of the cruiser Trebian Dawn. Welcome, Stargazer- we've been expecting you. High Command has authorized me to extend you every courtesy, and we invite you to visit Palaven and see the progress we've made since the last Alliance envoy visited."

Liara smiled at the offer. "Thank you, Commander. It would be a pleasure to see Palaven again. We have old friends on the surface. Perhaps you could arrange a meeting for us?"

The Commander nodded. "I can certainly try. Who are you acquainted with?"

Liara smiled politely. "Primarch Victus, and a wartime advisor of his, Garrus Vakarian."

Commander Quinon seemed to sit up even straighter. "I will notify High Command immediately. After I receive clearance, I'll transmit coordinates to you. Stand by."

The channel went dark.

Joker let out a laugh. "Did you just name-drop the guy who runs that planet?"

Liara nodded, slightly abash. "I suppose I did."

Joker wore a mock frown. "And here I thought you were going to go all Shadow Broker on him, and threaten to flay him alive with your mind."

Liara turned to him in shock. "Where did you hear that story?"

He scoffed. "Everyone knows that story."

Liara scowled, but said nothing. The comm chirped once, and the channel opened.

"I've been told that some ugly Alliance pilot and an asari are looking for me."

Liara smiled. "It's good to see you again, Garrus."

"Did he just call me ugly?" Joker called from the pilot's seat. "Coming from the guy with mandibles and permanent facial scarring? Yeah, okay."

Garrus only shook his head. "So, come to Palaven for a visit? I think I can manage to tear myself away for a quick tour. I'm sending the coordinates to a landing zone now. I'll have an aircar waiting for you."

Liara patched the coordinates to Joker's panel, and the Stargazer accelerated.

"We'll meet you on the surface," Liara said, closing the channel.

•._.••´¯``•.¸¸.•` ℓσѕт `•.¸¸.•´´¯`••._.•

Liara's joy over their journey from Earth was dampened significantly once she and Joker entered Palaven's atmosphere. Her viewport was a moving picture of ashen destruction, although it was clear that construction was ongoing. Palaven looked very similar to Earth in that way. At least the planet isn't burning anymore. I remember seeing the fires, visible all the way from Palaven's moon. I guess I'm lucky to be so long-lived. Maybe before I die, everything will resemble life again, and not merely aftermath.

Joker eased the Stargazer into the mooring clamps, and they prepared to disembark. "It'll be nice to see Garrus and Victus again. I wonder what they've been up to." Joker mused as he shouldered his duffle.

Liara nodded, picking up her bag. "I'm sure Primarch Victus is quite busy trying to rebuild his planet. As for Garrus, last I'd heard he had been promoted to a special military appointment in Victus' cabinet." She followed Joker down the gangway to a waiting aircar.

Joker nodded, dropping their gear into the cargo space. "Yeah, I wasn't sure he'd be here. I thought maybe, you know, he decided to go clean up Omega again or something." Liara gave him an admonishing glare, but said nothing as they climbed into the aircar.

As soon as they were in, the driver sped away, leading them through the streets. From above, the destruction was more pronounced, but on the surface, it was clear that the rebuilding effort was immense. Crews of turians were everywhere. Scaffolding marched up the sides of dozens of buildings in progress. Vehicles moved every which way, carrying supplies to one site, or rubble away from another. The public service aspect of the turian culture was evident: no one was sitting idle; there were no 'civilians'. Every individual had a task, and they performed it without hesitation. Liara wished the rebuilding effort back on Earth could go as smoothly.

Eventually, the aircar pulled onto a landing pad in front of a very finished-looking structure. The building was simple; nothing was embellished or wasted. It was utterly utilitarian and practical in nature. Windows were small enough to act as defensible gun emplacements. At first glance, the decorative stone slabs spaced in front of the stairs looked purely ornamental, until one realized they made perfect barricades to shoot from behind.

It was from between these barricades that Garrus marched, half a step behind Primarch Victus. Liara noted he looked far more relaxed out of his armor, and wearing the blue-gray turian uniform of a high officer or statesman. Victus looked much the same as she remembered last seeing him on Earth: rigid, prepared for anything at a moment's notice. She did note an air of… something.

They can finally relax, and it shows. No more fighting for survival, wondering what the next day will bring. That's what it is- they're relieved.

Liara couldn't help herself; as the aircar door opened, she practically leapt out and hugged Garrus fiercely. "It's good to see you again."

He laughed. "If I had known the Alliance was sending you two, I would've ordered up a marching band."

Joker shook Garrus' hand with a grin. "Garrus, without your armor, you almost look like I could take you."

Garrus' eyes narrowed. "If only your shoulder wouldn't break when you fired a rifle."

"Aww now that's just cold." They shared a laugh. Then, Garrus stepped aside, saluting.

"Primarch, the Alliance pilots."

Victus stepped forward and smiled. "Well, I see they sent us the best. Dr. T'soni, Lieutenant Moreau, it's good to see you both again… and under such better circumstances." He gestured for everyone to head into the building.

"How is the rebuilding effort here on Palaven?" Liara asked as they walked.

"Progressing steadily. We've got basic infrastructure restored planet-wide: power, water, communications. We also have a significant number of government and military ground facilities restored. The living quarters and commerce sectors are about twenty percent complete." Victus smiled. "It hasn't been easy, but we'll get everything into shape."

"So soon?" Liara marveled. The group made their way into a simple office, and sat around a small table in the center. The distinctions between turian offices and the buildings she'd become accustomed to on Earth were stark: there was no artwork adorning the walls, no sculptures or bookshelves. The office, like the building itself, was utterly practical. Except for that, Liara thought with a smile as Victus walked to a small bar in the corner, and poured drinks for everyone. "While I don't have a large supply, I do keep a small stash of human liquor here. It makes diplomacy so much… smoother." He turned to Liara. "I'm not sure I have anything-"

"I'll take a glass of that scotch you're pouring for Joker, thank you."

Victus nodded his approval. He brought the four glasses to the table on a tray, setting it in the middle. Everyone drank.

Liara swallowed slowly, savoring the flavor that came with the liquor. I remember the first time I tried this with Shepard. It was right after we took down the yahg… in his cabin on the Normandy…

Liara shuddered, and looked down at the floor to hide her face, her cheeks blazing as she recalled what came after. The ache in her chest returned with a vengeance, as if seeking to make up for the time it lost on the journey to Palaven. Liara breathed deeply before she spoke. "This is excellent scotch, Primarch."

"You'll have to thank General Vakarian- he so wisely procured it."

She nodded. Confident her face would not betray her, she looked up again. "I'd heard you'd been promoted, but I didn't realize it was to such a high office. Congratulations, General."

Garrus shrugged. "You know these political types. Do something worthwhile and they feel like they owe you a favor. I figure maybe this way, instead of shouting about something like the reapers at the top of my lungs, next time I can just order people to listen."

Everyone laughed again. Victus poured another round of drinks.

Joker gestured toward the window. "The city looks amazing. The amount of construction going on is crazy."

Garrus leaned back in his seat. "Well, the turian hierarchy is essentially one big military. All of those services are maintained and calibrated by the military's engineers."

Joker leaned over in his seat and pretended to whisper to Liara, "been here less than ten minutes and Garrus said 'calibrate' already."

Liara gave Joker a sidelong glance, shaking her head. She turned to Garrus, her expression growing serious. "Did any of your family make it off Palaven?"

Garrus took another pull from his drink, then nodded. "Thankfully, my sister survived. Not sure how she managed, and…" he sighed. "Frankly, I'm not sure I want to ask."

Liara nodded in understanding. "It's a lot to deal with. I feel like in between technical meetings with the Alliance, all I do is attend funeral services and memorials."

Victus raised his glass. "To the fallen." The others joined him in his toast solemnly.

Garrus set his glass down, and turned to Liara. "How have you been, Liara?"

Don't fall apart.

"It's been... difficult," she began, choosing her words carefully. The searing heat in her chest threatened to consume her entirely. She took a shallow breath before continuing. "I make an effort to bury myself in work. Goddess knows there's so much to be done." She took another sip of her liquor, letting it sit on her tongue for a moment, and tried to dispel the sense of a raging inferno traversing through her insides. "I miss him, Garrus," she half-whispered.

He nodded gravely. "I do too, Liara. I often wonder what Shepard would be doing in my position. More often than not, I go with that instinct- because it's the right thing, the decent thing. That's the legacy he left me. Do what's right, no matter the cost."

Keep it together.

She nodded, and smiled softly. "That's a lovely way to honor him, Garrus." She bit the inside of her lip, willing away the tears that were threatening to spill down her cheeks.

Victus raised his glass again. "To humanity's hero. Perhaps the finest soldier in the galaxy."

To you, my love.

They drank, and sat in mournful silence.

Liara's omnitool chirped, breaking the somber moment. She quickly silenced the device, apologizing. "I thought I had made it clear that I would be unavailable for a few days. If you'll excuse me for a moment?"

There is only one person who would contact me now, with that encryption protocol, and it would be life-or-death. Feron, what could possibly be so important?

Liara walked outside to a balcony. Night was falling on Palaven, and the sounds of construction were slowly dying off as the city prepared to rest. Liara glanced about, checking for any signs that someone else could see her message. Satisfied she was alone, she activated her omnitool. Opening the message was the first shock: the encryption Feron had used far surpassed their normal communications protocol. It took her nearly a minute to remember the bypass codes, and the message appeared on her omnitool's holographic screen:

Agent F- Shadow Broker. Face-to-face required. Top-drawer information, highest priority. Request meeting protocols. Awaiting instruction.

Liara regarded the message cautiously. The possibility of a trap to lure out the Shadow Broker was ever-present, but after considering not only the urgency, but the level of encryption used, Liara decided to reply. She quickly calculated travel time to her destination, and then replied:

Shadow Broker- Agent F. Meeting request acknowledged. Location F12-18-12. Security protocol Red.

She double-checked the message before sending. Arcturus Station; I can be there in 18 hours; wait no longer than 12 hours after scheduled meeting time; destroy the intel and abort if anyone other than myself arrives… Goddess, what could be so important? I haven't received a message like this from Feron since before the war…

Liara sent the message, and quickly put her mind to her next task: she needed to get off Palaven immediately. Liara opened her omnitool again and pulled up a listing of operatives in the sector. After viewing and rejecting several dossiers, she located a turian operative named Merin who had access to a small freighter.

Perfect.

Liara sent a message immediately, instructing Merin to prepare her vessel for transit, and to expect 'Agent T'soni' to meet up with her for extraction.

She returned to the office to find Victus gone; only her two former shipmates remained.

"Everything alright, Liara?" Garrus asked. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you've seen a ghost."

She smiled politely and sat down, taking another sip of her drink. "Just tired. It was an exciting flight."

Garrus nodded in understanding. "You must be exhausted. I can arrange quarters for the two of you for the night if you'd like? Head back to Earth tomorrow?"

Liara nodded quickly. "That would be wonderful, Garrus." The sniper-turned-statesman nodded, and left the room. Liara turned in her seat to Joker.

"Joker, I have to go, and I can't wait. I need you to trust me right now. I'm leaving Palaven as soon as possible."

Joker nearly leapt from his seat, his hands flying as if to ward her off. "Uh, Liara… did you just happen to forget you're on the Alliance payroll right now? In the middle of a military mission, no less?"

Liara stood and placed her hands on his shoulders, looking deeply into his eyes. "I don't have time to explain."

Joker shook his head violently. "Liara…Hackett will flip if you go off script right now. He trusted us to take this ship out and come home. You botch this, and you can kiss whatever credibility and goodwill you've built up with the Alliance goodbye. Besides, how are you going to leave? And where are you gonna go? What's so-"

Liara sighed, lowering her hands. "Joker, stop. I don't have time for this. You know who I am and what I do." She gave him an intense look. "I have to go. Stay here for the night, and fly the Stargazer home tomorrow. When you land, you can report me missing- just tell them you have no idea where I went."

Joker let out a half-laugh. "You mean, tell the truth?"

Liara gave him a nod. "Something like that." She returned to her seat and finished her drink. "Don't tell Garrus anything. I'll be gone before you wake."

Joker looked like he was going to say something else, but Liara silenced him with a glance. It was clear that the usual polite scientist persona had been tucked away somewhere, while the ruthless and cunning Shadow Broker persona had come out to play.

Garrus walked back into the office. "I have some rooms set up for you in the foreign dignitary quarters here. They're not exactly luxurious, but… well, we all slept on the Normandy, so I'm sure they'll do."

Liara and Joker followed Garrus as he led them down several hallways to another wing of the building. Garrus stopped and pointed to two doors. "The rooms are all the same, so take your pick. I'll be by in the morning to see you off."

Liara smiled, and hugged him again. "Thank you, Garrus. We'll see you tomorrow." Liara picked one of the rooms.

Joker's room was directly across the hall from Liara's. He gave Liara a look of concern as he turned to close his door. Liara said nothing as she pressed the button on the control panel, closing her door.

She stood at the door, counting the minutes. Finally, she could wait no longer. Liara ran into the corridor, and fled from the building.

Author's note: Whew that was a long one!

Thank you all for reading and for your reviews. I started this story not really knowing if I wanted to publish; I'm glad I've decided to let you all into my own little version of Liara's world. Big shout-out to Owelpost for her keen eyes on this chapter. We're starting to get into the meat of the story here, so I'll try to keep updates as frequent as I can.

Still looking for some cover art- if you or a friend might want to take a stab at it, shoot me a message and we'll talk.

Until next time!

-Zero