Earlier...

Shepard looked out at the Citadel through the cockpit windows. The view had been unchanged for almost half an hour now. Shepard stood silently, clenching and unclenching her fists. Earlier she had been resting her hand on Joker's shoulder, but had been forced to stop when he'd yelped from the pressure.

She glanced down, and the controls were still bathed in the red glow of lockout. She looked away, partially convinced that the color wouldn't change if she was watching it.

She looked outside again. Traffic patterns were normal. There were no C-Sec cutters pulling alongside. The lights along the dock remained an "all is well" blue. Traffic control had not established contact.

She looked again at the console. Red.

As she returned her gaze to the window, Sarah worried about Anderson. He had been intense, insistent that he could break them free, even willing to sacrifice himself to release the Normandy.

She'd talked him out of his initial foolhardy plan of hijacking one of the consoles in the control center. She rolled her eyes at the memory. It was almost as if the man wanted to get shot. Like somehow his sacrifice could atone for Udina's action. She'd convinced him to use the ambassador's computer instead. A criminal charge notwithstanding, Shepard considered Udina far less of a threat to the Captain's life and limb than C-Sec. She hoped she'd see him again.

She glanced down again. Joker was looking up over his shoulder and met her eyes. Joker who was following her into mutiny against the Alliance, just like the rest of the Human crew. Anderson had told her that the crew would follow her without reservation, but she'd given them the choice anyway. Any member of the Alliance who didn't want to accompany her to Ilos was free to leave before the Normandy broke lockdown. No one had taken her up on her offer. Sarah reflected that it was funny how the end of all life as you know it could realign one's priorities. She suspected that they'd either be dead or forgiven once this was over anyway.

She was still looking at her pilot when the red tint to the controls reverted to green. Joker caught her change of expression and disconnected from the dock before Shepard even had even begun to speak. "Let's go. Get us out of here Joker. Now."

The Normandy pulled away from the Alliance docks at a speed that felt irritatingly slow, but was actually faster than most pilots would have attempted in such a crowded area.

As the Normandy turned her bow to space, Joker accelerated at the ship's fastest sublight velocity. He glanced up at Shepard. "Stealth or FTL Commander?"

Shepard hoped that was a joke. "Stealth, Joker. We're not trying to get killed. There's no way we can go FTL in system without being under traffic control." As if to reiterate her point, the Normandy swooped across the bow of an Asari cruiser just a few hundred meters away.

"If we stay at sublight they can beat us to the relay, and we'll have to disengage the stealth systems before transit."

"Even if they catch us, there's no way they can try for an intercept during a transit approach, and I'm guessing that no matter how badly they want to stop us that they won't destroy the Normandy to do it.

"May all your guesses be right Commander."

"How many vessels in pursuit, Joker?"

"I can't activate the sensors while we're in stealth mode Commander. We'd light up for them like a Christmas tree."

"You still have optics. How many ships were in visual range when we were docked? Any that aren't still in visible range have jumped to FTL and will be waiting for us at the relay."

Joker had reached the same conclusion before Shepard had finished her sentence. "Hang on Commander. I'm getting an estimate from the computer." The pair waited for a moment before the computer responded to Joker's inquiry. "That can't be right."

"Tell me Joker."

"All ships that the computer had in visual range when we were docked... are still in visual range."

"They're chasing us at sublight?" Shepard's brow furrowed. "That doesn't make any sense. Are you sure that the stealth systems are operational?"

"It isn't that Commander. I don't see any ships in pursuit. We must have made a clean getaway."

Shepard rocked back on her heels. "They're letting us go."

"Commander?"

"They let us go, Joker. I don't understand it, but they let us go."

"Maybe Udina talked to the Council."

"I doubt it Joker, but we'll find out soon enough." She turned to go to the CIC and the galaxy map. "How long to Ilos?"

"Nobody's done that for a few thousand years Commander. All I can give you is an estimate."

"Then estimate."

"We have four transits, and two systems to cross. 34, 35 hours, give or take."

"As fast as you can Joker." Shepard strode out of the cockpit.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Tevos looked up as J'neri entered her office.

"Councilor," she began, "Captain Anderson of the Systems Alliance is here to see you."

Tevos had had just about enough of humanity for the moment. "Inform him that I am not to be disturbed, but that he is more than welcome to make an appointment through the embassy."

Her assistant looked hesitant.

Tevos closed her eyes for a moment. "Yes J'neri? What is it?" Tevos could only imagine what new complication was about to befall her.

"The Captain claims he is here to place himself in Council custody."

Tevos sighed. 'Of course it was you Anderson,' she reflected. 'Who else would risk so much for Shepard.' She activated her terminal, as well as several data pads. "Please send him in J'neri, but reschedule my next few appointments. I would rather the Captain not be seen leaving my offices."

The councilor was sitting impassively behind her desk when the Human entered, J'neri exiting the office after escorting him in. The Captain walked over to stand before her desk, where he stopped without speaking. Tevos offered nothing, only continuing the work she had begun before he entered.

Five minutes passed. Ten. Fifteen. Neither acknowledged the other's presence as they sparred without speaking. The Asari knew that Anderson had a minor advantage in that the councilor was fully within his view as his eyes focused on a spot on the wall over her shoulder. Even though her perspective of the Captain was via his reflection in her desk, Tevos recognized the stance that the Human had assumed as "attention". Anderson had remained motionless, feet together, legs straight but not locked, arms at his sides with his thumbs against his trouser seams. It was a very un-Asari posture, one focused on rigidity as opposed to flexibility, yet one the Humans shared with the Turians. For someone who had aged significantly during the time she had known him, Tevos reflected that the Captain still carried himself like a much younger man.

It had been nineteen minutes. Just shy of her chronometer ticking to a twentieth, Tevos straightened in her chair and looked the Alliance officer in the eye. "Yes Captain?" Again she offered nothing. Her countenance remained expressionless as she waited for Anderson to reiterate the ridiculous claim that he had made to J'niri.

The Captain did not return her eye contact, simply repeated the message Tevos had already heard. "Councilor, I'm here to surrender myself to the custody of the Citadel Council for the crime of violating a Council decree."

"Hmmm."

Anderson waited nearly another minute before replying. "Councilor?"

The councilor remained aloof, committing to nothing even as she responded to the officer. "We both know that isn't true. If you were honestly anticipating arrest and detention then you would have simply presented yourself to C-Sec." She waited for a response from Anderson. When there wasn't one, she continued. "Additionally, if you were genuinely acting to place yourself at the mercy of the Council, you would have appeared before us as a body. Instead you come to me personally. You anticipate absolution."

Tevos noted that the man did not attempt to contradict her, and maintained his ramrod straight posture as he replied. "It is possible that I believed there was a better chance of magnanimity from you, as opposed to Sparatus."

The Asari relaxed her shoulders as she pushed herself slightly back from her desk. "Then you would have been wrong." She waited again for a reaction. She smiled inwardly when she received none. "However, in this case you are assisted by the fact that in my eyes no actual transgression occurred, something that I suspect you very well know." She paused. "Additionally I speculate that Ambassador Udina is likely quite displeased with you. Are you fleeing his jurisdiction? A charge of treason is a capital offense in Alliance space. Do you seek asylum?"

"No Councilor," the Captain replied. "My actions were my own, and I take full responsibility for them. My first and foremost concern was that any infringement upon the will of the Council be recognized as mine, and mine alone. I see any grievance in the eyes of the Citadel Council to be preeminent in this matter. If the Council believes no infraction has occurred, then the will of my government will take precedence."

"Given that the Council will not pursue redress, do you expect incarceration?" Other than death, Tevos knew of no higher punishment that the freedom loving Humans would inflict on one of their own.

"Possibly. If not that then reprimand, censure, possibly loss of rank."

"I see."

The pair considered each other in silence.

Finally Tevos continued. "Why David?"

"Since you haven't called C-Sec yourself, I think you know why."

"Don't test me. This isn't a game. Answer my question or get out of my office. You can go be irreverent with your ambassador."

"I apologize Councilor. I meant to say that I believed that we were in agreement that Shepard needed to be free to continue her mission."

"Against the will of your government. You seem to be in a hurry to place the desires of the Council over those of your own race. I find that behavior to be puzzling in a military officer."

"Against the will of one man. One man who acted in what he believed was his own best interest, as opposed to in the interest of his government or our allies."

Tevos steered the conversation in a new direction. "Strong words. You would attempt to remove him from office? Perhaps to take his place?"

Anderson appeared shocked. "Of course not. I may not respect Udina personally, but he is the ambassador, and as such he has my allegiance so long as it does not conflict with the security of the Alliance."

"And you believe that you alone are able to judge when the Alliance is threatened?"

"No. However I do know firsthand what it means to disappoint the Council. I would prefer not to see all of humanity painted in that light."

Tevos stood and walked around to the front of her desk. "You do not know what it means to disappoint the Council. You never have. Do you still think you were actually being considered for spectre candidacy? No one wanted that. It was a pretense to put you in the field with Saren for evaluation. Don't you think that we knew how such a mission would end? That I didn't know? You fought in the First Contact War for Goddess' sake. Even without that no Turian councilor who was young enough to have battled the Alliance would ever have voted to grant spectre status to a Human. All spectres have to be agreed upon unanimously. Sparatus may not be a fan of Humanity, but he's the closest thing the Alliance has had to a neutral party in the Turian councilor's position since Humanity joined Citadel Space." Tevos mildly softened her tone. "You did not fail your test David. You're still undergoing it. I suggest that you consider your next actions carefully."

She returned to her chair. "This audience is concluded Captain. I would appreciate it if you would see yourself out."

Anderson appeared to hesitate for a moment, then he brought his hands together in a close approximation of lidifemea as he executed a shallow bow. "Thank you Peeress." He then turned on his heel and strode from the Asari councilor's office.

Tevos cocked her head slightly as she watched the Human depart. 'Goddess damn that man.' She activated her terminal. "J'neri."

"Yes Councilor?"

"Contact Arcturus Station. Inform Admiral Hackett that the Asari councilor will speak with him."

"Yes Councilor."

Tevos broke connection.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

There had been a period of tension the evening before when the ship had escaped the Citadel. The crew had been more than willing to follow Shepard to Ilos, but had realized what that might mean when racing to the relay. Would they be fired upon by friendly forces? Would they have to fire upon friendly forces? An all encompassing mission objective was fine in the abstract, but had an entirely different meaning when it might violate one's moral code.

The pall over the crew dissipated after the Normandy's first transit. Once it became apparent that the Council wasn't planning to take action, the crew's demeanor had rapidly returned to normal.

Which meant that by breakfast Liara was being greeted with the same volume of smiles and questions of how she was feeling as she had been the morning prior.

After breakfast, morning PT, and weapons practice, Shepard had retreated to the cargo bay and was working on weapon mods. Without Shepard to act as a buffer between her and the silly grins of the crew, Liara had retired to her lab where she had been working well into the afternoon.

Some parts of the work had been more enjoyable than others.

"Perhaps you would like to perform an inspection? An unannounced visit to the estate might be just what the staff needs." Liara was shaking her head before the Asari projected by her omni-tool had even finished speaking.

Liara recognized the pleading tone in Alaya's voice. "No, Seneschal. Now is not the time. Perhaps once the mission is complete."

"If I may Peeress, it benefits the staff to see the patrician actively engaged in the House."

Liara's eyes narrowed. "Do not attempt to admonish me, Alaya. I have been 'actively engaged in the House' since my ascension. I speak to Iryra almost every day. Eliata had been progressing well in strengthening House T'Soni's commando corps. Matriarch Stallura has met or exceeded all timetables we had agreed upon, and has additionally taken it upon herself to mentor Jedis in business management. I am satisfied with the progress being made." For a moment Liara considered pointing out that she had more than likely provided more direction to her House in a matter of weeks than Benezia had in the last decade of her life. The moment passed, however. It would serve no purpose, and Liara had no desire to add additional tarnish to her mother's memory.

"And Denai?"

"What about her?"

"She has been very... active."

"You need to be more clear Seneschal."

"I am concerned that perhaps some of her activities are self directed."

Liara wasn't going to allow a lack of respect for Shepard's princeps to stand. "I am sure she is acting as she has been instructed, or as she interprets need." She knew the answer to her next question, yet asked it anyway. "Have you shared your concerns with Sarah?"

Alaya looked away. "I have not Peeress."

"Then I suspect that either Denai's behavior doesn't bother you all that much, or you don't truly see Shepard as patrician in House T'Soni. Perhaps you don't even see her as cari'ssi'mi?"

"I withdraw my comment"

"That isn't enough Seneschal. You need to either accept Shepard's role in the House, or you need to step down in favor of someone who can. You will always have a position with House T'Soni but I cannot have Shepard undermined by someone so highly placed." Liara paused. "Whom else have you shared your concerns with?"

Alana's head remained bowed. "No one Peeress. I do accept Shepard as family, but it would be easier if..."

"Yes?"

"If you were able to visit the estate with some regularity."

"Alaya, I will come home as I am able. Now however, other concerns are paramount."

"Concerns that could lead to the destruction of the House! Your decision to follow Shepard places your life at risk, as well as the well being of House T'Soni. For all you know these are your last moments."

Liara was earnest in her tone. "Alaya, nothing is without risk. I do what I do because I must. I do it because I believe it is the only way to save the House."

"But there is too much risk! I heard you lost one of Shepard's crew on Virmire! Did you know her?"

Liara paused before continuing. "Yes, I know. I was there. In fact, I just finished the Virmire mission report for the Alliance. As for Ashley, I knew her well. You would have liked her."

Alaya was practically shaking. "You were there? The Council, the Alliance, they need the Head of a Great House to fight in ground combat? To write reports?" She paused, "Does Shepard know the risk?"

"The Alliance is happy to have the assistance of a scientist and scholar who is knowledgable about the Protheans and their destruction. As for the Council, it might be more accurate to state that my participation is tolerated." The maiden carefully ignored the final question.

Liara could see that she was not putting Alaya's fears to rest. "Seneschal, we will be home soon. I promise." They both knew the promise was meaningless, but it did appear to lessen somewhat the obvious distress displayed by the Matriarch.

"We? As in Shepard will accompany you, or we as in together?"

Liara offered the beginnings of a smile. "We will be home soon," she repeated.

She was rewarded with a wide eyed look in response as she broke the connection. She dropped the smile. Liara wasn't oblivious. She realized that Alaya could very well be right. These could be their last moments. Perhaps it was time to start acting like it.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Udina was wearing his finest suit. Midnight black with platinum threaded trim, the suit was tailored to fit him perfectly.

He didn't wear it often. In fact, this was only the third time. He wanted the additional gravity the suit would add to his demeanor when he spoke to Admiral Hackett. The admiral was often dismissive of him, and the embassy's requests. He would give no ground this time. Anderson had gone too far. Much too far. Udina fully intended to end the man's career. If Hackett got in his way he may very well suffer similar consequences.

He glanced in the mirror. His black eye and swollen jaw still showed prominently. He wanted Hackett to see what his officer had done. Anderson had been too full of himself for far too long. Udina had no idea why Hackett kept the man assigned to the embassy. The admiral may believe that Anderson was an effective liaison, but honestly he just made Udina's job harder. Anderson had a history with the Council, and not a positive one. It was all Udina could do to keep Anderson from blundering from one error to another, making humanity look like buffoons.

But this, this this was the worst. Assaulting his own ambassador, freeing the Normandy, thwarting the Council's will, Udina was astounded that he had not yet been called before the Council for Anderson's actions. He needed to make sure that the Captain had been discharged and could be offered up as a sacrificial lamb before he was forced to face them.

Hackett's face appeared on his terminal. "Donnel," he greeted. "I assume you're calling about Captain Anderson?"

Udina tried not to show how much he hated it when the Admiral called him by his first name. "Yes. You've heard then?"

"Councilor Tevos called me herself."

Udina took a breath. 'Of course she did.' "Then you know the significance of the situation."

"I do Donnel, I do. I was surprised that Tevos didn't reach out to you, but she might not be aware of how our chain of command works."

"What do you plan to do then?"

"At the very least I thought I would take the Councilor's suggestion and place a commendation in his file."

"What?!"

"Her exact words were: 'You are fortunate to have such an officer in your service. Anderson is capable, decisive, and works towards the common good of all races. It has been a pleasure to work with him, and I hope to continue to do so for many years to come.'"

Udina just stared at the terminal as the Admiral continued, "She even smiled. I don't know what's going on at the Citadel, but it sounds like you and Anderson have things under control. If you would like to add a commendation as well, just forward it to my office. For the moment I'm focused on assembling the Fifth Fleet, and will be ready when Shepard reports from Ilos." Hackett waited for a response from Udina. "Was there anything else Donnel?"

Udina was visibly deflated, and unable to shake his stupefied look. "No, nothing Admiral."

"Alright then. And Donnel?"

"Yes?"

"Never lead with your chin." The Admiral signed off.

.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.o0o.

Shepard was writing.

She'd kept a journal as a teen, but those days were long behind her. She wasn't sure what had caused her to pick up the habit again. It might have been a desire to work through her thoughts and feelings. Perhaps it was based on a suspicion that what they were doing was important, and even if they didn't succeed others would want to know what had happened as they worked to stop Saren and Sovereign.

Most likely she was inspired by a certain Asari. An Asari who often smiled at her encouragingly when she caught her journaling in the mess, humming some silly pop tune. So far Liara had been the only other person that she'd allowed to read what she'd written about the mission to date. Still, Shepard suspected that some of the details had made their way into the reports that Liara had been sending to Admiral Hackett. Liara talked to Hackett more than she did, and Sarah was occasionally concerned that she was the topic of conversation more often than she might like.

At the moment, Shepard was stymied with trying to come up with an effective euphemism for mutiny. Liara might be correct that the Council would be fine with her actions, but that didn't make her feel any better about it. She was still considering her options when the hatch to her cabin swished open.

Shepard smiled as she looked up to see Liara enter her cabin.

Liara stopped just inside the cabin, and hesitantly asked "Shepard. May I speak with you?"

Sarah stood. "That was a little formal. Of course Liara. I was just thinking about you."

"I have been thinking about you too, as well as what we are about to face. I do not know what is going to happen on Ilos. I hope we will stop Saren of course, but part of me fears we are already too late. There is something I must tell you, in case we fail."

"We're not going to fail."

"Please, I am not looking for comfort."

"Not even a little?" Sarah tried to lighten the moment even as she moved closer to Liara.

Liara had a flicker of a smile before answering. "Saren might already have the Conduit. it is time to be completely honest with each other. I believe it is time to show each other how we feel. Will you join with me Shepard?""

Sarah took a half step back in surprise, as she focused on the Asari's eyes. "I want this Liara, I do. But are you sure you're ready? I know how you feel. You don't have anything to prove to me."

"I have never been more sure of anything in my life. I, I have wanted this for a long time. Since before Thessia. Since before Feros."

Sarah stepped forward and took Liara in her arms. "For me it's been since Therum."

"Shepard," Liara exclaimed playfully "You did not even know me then."

"I knew you were amazing." She leaned forward into Liara, kissing her soundly. She put all that she was into the kiss, and took all that she could from it as well. She drank in Liara's taste, her scent, the way she felt in her arms.

Liara started working on her buttons, undoing them quickly for someone who Shepard had never seen in clothing with them. Shepard started moving her hands up and down Liara's back looking for a zipper, a seam, anything. She knew that the Asari's version of the jumpsuit looked similar to the Alliance issue one, but it certainly didn't seem to operate the same way.

Liara apparently sensed her frustration, and stopped working on the Commander's uniform. "Let me help Shepard." The maiden pinched her fingers across the line of shoulders, and the seam separated there, allowing her jumpsuit to drop to her feet. Liara stepped out of it, and her ship shoes as well. She had worn nothing under it.

Sarah almost couldn't breathe. She'd seen the maiden unclothed before of course, changing with the squad, in the showers, or in the medbay. None of those were appropriate opportunities to absorb the beauty that was Liara. She remained speechless as Liara moved back into her arms and resumed undressing her. Shepard closed in for another kiss, one Liara greedily returned. They broke only as Liara pulled Sarah's compression shirt over her head, allowing it to join her uniform jacket and pants on the floor.

Sarah moved her hands up to Liara's neck, and started to move higher to the underside of her crest when she felt Liara smile against her lips, and the maiden reach behind her to stop her hands' upward motion. She pulled her head back to look at the maiden. "No?"

The smile remained on the maiden's face. "Not just yet Shepard. You've been watching too many vids." She held onto the Commander's hands as she moved forward to press herself against Shepard again. She guided Sarah's hands down to the base of her spine. Sarah felt three folds there, swollen and open, and felt Liara help her press her fingers into them.

"Right there Shepard." Liara let go and wrapped her arms around Sarah's neck. "Push as you rub."

Sarah did as instructed as she continued to kiss the maiden, and was rewarded with Liara starting to shudder in her arms. "Harder Shepard," Liara whispered.

The Human redoubled her efforts and suddenly Liara arched into her, whimpering slightly. Sarah loved the reaction. "What's next?" she asked as she started nibbling her way down Liara's neck. "Tell me what you like."

"I would rather you know what I like Shepard." Liara took Sarah's face in her hands and whispered, "Embrace eternity."

Sarah drew a sharp breath as she felt Liara enter her mind. It was unlike their other melds, where she felt nothing, not even a presence. This time she felt Liara, completely. She felt consumed in warmth, in love. She felt Liara's need, desire, and arousal as if it were her own. She could sense Liara moving deeper, aligning their nervous systems until there was only one. Shepard could feel her own arms around Liara, and the body heat Liara felt from embracing her in return.

Sarah was consumed by sensation as Liara moved them to the bed. Liara was simultaneously kissing Sarah, moving Sarah's hands up to her crest, and deepening the meld.

And then there was only blue.

A/N: Assumptions here include:
FemShep/Liara (Finally. These two will be the death of me yet.)
Later ME1 - after Feros, Noveria, Virmire and this is the 6th story of the Cari'ssi'mi series (Sorry, it probably makes sense to at least read Obligations first)

Shepard is:
Colonist / Vanguard / War Hero

OK, it looks like we're going to be 9 chapters. I suppose 300% of my anticipated length is better than the 1500% I was off by in Obligations. I originally didn't anticipate having any of the Tevos / Shi'ara / Council segments, but I think they're adding to the story, so I don't regret them.

I also used "Introduction to Asari for Humans" by Awska as a loose biology reference because I prefer to not think of Asari as simply blue humans with psionic abilities.

As always, feedback is welcome and desired.