Chapter 44: We're Going On Vacation, Dammit

The Goddess must have been watching over them, Liara would accept no other explanation. Her mouth dropped in disbelief as the slab had dipped in one end and fallen on an angle, where Lucy's quick thinking propelled them to dive over to the space that would be left. They were cramped.

But they were alive.

Dust from the debris kicked up coughs, but soon after Liara sought out her comfort as she'd crushed her lips against the soldier's, laughing in the kiss at the insanity of their luck. Her ribs screamed in protest to her brash movements, and she hissed her ow's as she hugged herself to brace them. Worried hands carefully pulled hers away, working off her armour pieces.

"W-wait," Liara mumbled.

"It's just to take the pressure off. Does it hurt when you breathe, too?"

With a sharp inhale to test, she shook her head. "Not really."

"Good. You haven't broken any ribs then."

Lucy retained her calm and her focus, but nothing else about her or her expressions betrayed her emotions. The archaeologist wasn't sure how to broach the subject of what she'd just heard. She hoped it would come out naturally, that perhaps she'd even witness some mild panic of sorts once the realization dawned, but... Nothing like that happened. There was a rhythm and a method, nothing more. The pieces of her armour clattered in the tight space. She took it upon herself to remove her gauntlets, smiling at the confusion that lit up in this dim space, the majority of light robbed by stone.

"Of course. It has nothing to do with my ribs. So why would I do this? I surely must not be fine. A trip to Dr. Chakwas will ensure my well-being." She almost laughed at it all, being able to foretell the soldier's thoughts with surefire accuracy. She leaned forward and stole a kiss, as she cautiously pressed her thumb against the laceration ripped back open above Lucy's clammy damp brow. "We need to take care of your injuries first."

"I'll be fine. It's just a scr-"

"You're sweating, Luce."

"Over-exertion. It's not often I use my biotics that much. I'll be fine once I replenish my calories."

Mm hm. When? Liara didn't boast any delusion to be able to move a heavy concrete slab off with her biotics. There was no way of telling how precarious the structural integrity was, now, or how much debris was piled on top. They had better luck goading the ground to split wider open and hope it would miraculously land them in a shaft rather than space.

They were alive, and Liara didn't let her mind stray too far with the maybes. She focused on the moment, wiping the back of her thumb to smear away the dried bloodied trail that had leaked from Lucy's nose, then tucked hair behind the ears, revealing more crusted blood trails that leaked out from them too. The blonde hair looked darker, was probably stained crimson too. Liara sighed and carefully pulled the soldier in, who was still fighting so hard to maintain her veneer of strength.

"It's okay," Liara whispered. "With me, it's okay." She pressed her lips above the cut, to the temple. "You can rest now."

"What?" Lucy huffed incredulously. "I'm not going to fall asleep here, after all you've survived."

With a roll of the eyes, the asari sighed. "You won't kill me."

"Not for lack of trying."

"Just... Relax, Luce. You don't have to put on your front, anymore. The others aren't here. It's just us." Liara kissed the temple again. "Even heroes need to take time to be human."

"I'm not giving up now, either," the soldier protested quietly.

Amber lit up in the corner of Liara's eyes. She watched as Lucy enabled her omni-tool's broadcast frequency, and then tucked her head in to hide her face in the shoulder. "You really think someone will be able to rescue us?"

"They will."

Before or after they suffocated in this tight space? Liara tried not to dwell on it. Asphyxiation was one of her most feared ways to die, slowly, knowingly. She held on tighter and tried to focus her mind on the possibility of happy memories, ever so grateful that Lucy had beat her to the punch.

"Since Garrus robbed my victory, we'll need to settle on a new bet in order to decide whether or not we'll go fishing or go to museums."

"I think we're due a vacation, after all of this," Liara quietly protested. "Can't we take a month or two to ourselves, now?"

"And become sloths? Unacceptable."

T'Soni rolled her eyes. "A vacation can still be productive, Luce. But I wish to do many things with you, now that we've fought for this time we have. I want to show you more of Armali. I want to take you back to the University of Serrice. I'd wish for us to look into purchasing a boat, if we can afford one, and go sailing - and fishing, to practice some dishes we could make for your vendor."

There was a sharp inhale, for some reason, as if Lucy didn't believe these things. The asari pressed.

"We deserve happiness, don't we?"

"We... We do... But who's going to stop the Reapers? We've only stopped Saren."

"We'll get back to work after our vacation, of course. We won't be on vacation permanently," Liara chuckled. "That'll come after we stop the Reapers. I think we'll certainly be deserving then."

"Mm, that's true." Lucy hummed, then, adding to the list. "I promised exquisite events. I would like to see what orchestras are all about, to see what those kinds of theatres actually look like. I'd be interested in a dance class with you so that we can learn a style together. Or not, if you don't want to. Helen said you would race to ditch my ass - as she put it - if I ever danced in front of you again."

Liara laughed. She sank a little more in comfort, especially when the soldier had turned her around and encouraged her to lean back, sitting against Lucy. "I don't think you're hopeless. I don't know how to dance, either, really. I think it'd be an interesting activity to try." She blindly reached up over her shoulder, hooking her hand on the soldier's nape. She revelled in the sensation as lips soothingly pressed to the corner of her eye, collecting the tears that'd leak out over their foolish wishes. "I want to eat Vaelyon-style roast again, while you tease me over it. We still have to make it back to Skymeadow beach so that we can fill my vial with sand. Do you want to wear the sand, while I wear Mindoir's dirt? What do you think?"

"Hm... Well initially the idea was Skymeadow, so that you could carry your home with you. That won't be necessary when we go back home. I'll have to think of something else, now."

"We won't stay home forever," Liara mumbled.

"No, we won't. And I'll think of something again, then." Lucy sighed a little, leaning for a bit of space as her gauntlet clunked against her suit. "I'm pretty sure mine shattered."

"Oh..."

"That's okay. We'll have plenty of time to go to Mindoir, after Thessia. I have many things I wish to do with you as well. A tractor ride is the first thing we'll do, after we're healed from our injuries, of course."

"You mean finally heal from our injuries?" Liara prodded, glancing over her shoulder with a smirk. Her gaze immediately fell upon seeing how the bandage oozed with blood, and there was a hint of a most wretched smell - a sign of infection. She sank back in Lucy's arms. "Can we meld? Your cheek must... That must be very painful."

"Talking with you like this keeps my mind off it." Talking was the problem, stubborn human. "The damage is already done, some stitches ripped open. I'll need to get it re-sewn."

T'Soni frowned. She looked up at the concrete ceiling above them, whispering. "Ever since our last meld, you seem anxious about doing it with me again. What are you hiding now, Luce?"

"Nothing."

Silence. A beat. There wasn't even any over-compensating this time, as was usually telltale of her lies. Liara didn't know what to make of it. There was a dreadful feeling brewing in her stomach, however, especially when the soldier's arms tightened almost mercilessly around her, a forehead falling to connect with her shoulder. Lucy sighed. "Nothing, and that's what has me worried. You've seen and felt everything. You were able to understand that first Prothean VI, back on Ilos. The Cipher's been imprinted on you. There's more that goes on in these melds than even you're aware of. What if more happens to you, Liara?"

"I fail to see how a Prothean researcher being able to actually understand the Prothean language is a bad thing," Liara quipped with levity. She smirked with pride over goading a chuckle for it. "I admit... I've been starting to notice more things that are usually you, happen inside me instead. Like my thoughts, I mean. I'm assuming you've felt the same. The ease of your speeches... Even your orders... You knew what you were condemning the other marines to, when you had apologized and asked them to ignore the casualties. You empathized with them for the trauma they were about to endure."

Lucy nodded subtly. "It's scary, wondering if I've been learning, or if I've been stealing."

"A meld does not mean you're stealing from me, that's not how it works. But we're blending together, merging the parts each of us desire we wish we had. A swap of strengths and weaknesses, so to speak. That's the only way I can think to explain it right now, anyways. I was never really patient with mother's lessons when it came to melds, because I never expected in my life to have actually found someone to have these kinds of intricate melds with. I promise you, Luce. You've always had compassion too. It was just on mute, like most of your feelings. The melds have only been bringing out what's already there."

"Compassion...? I don't know..."

Liara smiled and pulled over on the arms in her lap, taking it upon herself to remove the gauntlet. She drew the synthetic hand up to her lips and kissed it. "More than you know, Siame."

Sheepishness took an obvious hold, with the way the soldier swiftly and so obviously derailed the topic. "Back to Mindoir, that's where I'd like to take you fishing. There's a secret pond my dad took me to, every morning, growing up. No matter the season, it was always heavily populated with fish. Ice-fishing is the best. We'll have our own little secret tent too."

"Ice-fishing?" Liara lamented in dread. "I don't want to be out in the cold."

"Contrary, you'll heat up so much that you can sit naked and fish."

Okay.

But.

She didn't want to sit naked in the outdoors, either.

"We'll have a heater, and I can try my hand to see if I remember any of mom's recipes, to cook what we catch. I'd like to visit the farmer's markets to buy our produce, however. I'm a firm believer in supporting the locals, rather than imported goods, if that doesn't trouble you. It's imperative to reward hard work, especially from a hard life."

Wistful smiles danced softly upon the asari's lips as she listened. She didn't think the soldier was truly asking for an answer, whenever she'd ask more questions of whether or not things troubled Liara. Of course they didn't. It was so Lucy, instead, and she laughed at times she had thought she truly wasn't the least bit surprised at more revelations - like how Lucy wanted to take her to butterfly conservatories, because there were classes that allowed holding beetles and tarantulas and her favourite fuzzy caterpillars.

There were hidden gems of waterfalls, and hiking trails that made one think they were standing among the very clouds themselves, upon reaching the top. There were farms of wheat and corn to get lost in. There were wagon rides, apple cider all year round, and the best wines ever produced with a farm dedicated to attention to detail in producing a type of 'Saignée Rosé' wine - one apparently inherently boasting that it was not like other 'wimpy pink wines'.

There was a peculiar promise of a personal tour of said farm and winery to learn of the wine-making fermentation process, and to see the apparent magic of oak barrels.

The mention of a financial investment, alongside with details shared of the process, was her largest tip-off. She made a mental note to research on her omni-tool, in privacy, if there was something about the legacy of the family Shepard farm associated with this wine production. She could only imagine the kinds of names a soldier like Lucy would be slapping a label on, especially if she'd chastised other wines for being 'wimpy' in their aromas as well as their taste.

"And here I envisioned her to be a humble fish vendor," Liara wryly teased. She glanced over her shoulder as she smirked. "Careful. You're beginning to sound like a pompous wine snob."

"You will too, once you taste the difference," Lucy promised with impassioned vehemence, her eye lit up, the other tragically closed to shield the fresh blood trickling from her brow. She never stopped her tales as she'd pulled the asari in firmer, resting her head back against the wall. "After the winery, we can stay at the cottage. You can look up on the ethernet and see what you'd like to experience of Mindoir, and I'll arrange everything else to make it happen. The rural areas don't have much more of what I've just stated. Maybe the cities will... Be more appealing... But..."

Comfort rushed forth. Liara twisted again and pressed her lips to the soldier's jaw, keeping quiet about the observation of the other eye squeezing shut tightly, as if trying to contain something. She kissed again more firmly, meeting her mark on the mouth before she'd shaken her head. "We don't have to go to the cities." She knew why, but it was clear the soldier was already struggling with memories, and postured it as the chaos of city life. "I wager we'll be sick of them after Armali, with all it's denizens and noises. Peace and quiet in the rural areas sound more appealing to me. Everything you said sounds lovely, Luce. I can't wait to tour your winery."

A devilish smile quirked the corner of the soldier's lips. She didn't open her eye or budge. "I was that obvious, huh? What gave me away?"

"Wimpy pink wines. I'm stunned and also commend you for disciplining yourself so as to refrain from calling them maggots."

Raw laughter danced and warmed the tiny space degrees hotter, and it was a terrible reminder as sweat began to collect beneath her thermal suit. She flushed at the thought of unzipping it, resolving to just endure until she began to suffer adverse health effects instead. The silence between them fell and stretched, until Lucy gently squeezed her arms to nudge the asari.

"Your turn. What's the first thing you want to do when we go back home, Nara?"

Lips instinctively pulled upon hearing the term being exercised more often, sounding more natural and comfortable with practice. Literally, it meant 'bearer', and it was an interesting choice on Lucy's part. Symbolically, an interpretation she clearly felt strongly with, it meant someone who shouldered another's burden and aided in difficult times. She wondered if Siame was finally deciphered and truly understood. She had a feeling Lucy had yet to feel the weight of it.

"I want to go back to my apartment and have a long hot shower," Liara confessed, "Without having to race with you for it. I won't forget your cruelty."

Wicked chuckles bubbled. She could hear the mischievous grin behind her and rolled her eyes.

"Careful. I can hear all your plotting now," she teased. "After that, I'd like to enjoy another bottle of wine with you on the balcony. Then take the pictures you promised me."

"Oh yeah..."

"Oh yeah," Liara lilted, smirking over her shoulder. "That promise. Pew pew, remember?"

Arms squeezed her and she'd laughed, yelping when hands firmly pulled on her shoulders to bring her to fully lean back. Lips pressed to the top of her crest, and she was embraced warmly. "I'm bringing a tool belt with me, this time," Lucy promised. "Don't think I'll ever forget that."

"Mm, no, I wouldn't, after sensing how strongly you felt about the dying bulb and crooked painting in the meld. But you are fixing my shower back up. I want my glass doors back."

"What for? It's not like it really hid you. I could see you crystal clear. I'd rather see you without them in the way."

Liara blushed fiercely over the confirmation of long past suspicions. "You could also try not to break and enter, for once."

"I could."

Silence. A beat.

"I wouldn't, but I could. Once, you accused me that I wanted to catch you off guard. It was true then. It's truer now."

T'Soni rolled her eyes as she quipped wryly, "Well, as long as that's cleared up."

Something changed in the way Lucy kissed her crest. Her voice dropped lowly, grating like gravel. "We're going to shower together, Liara."

A lump lodged in the archaeologist's throat, and she swore her face was going to combust into flames soon. "Well... That's... Certainly cleared up too..."

"I'm going to make love to you in there too."

"W-what...?"

"I'm going to make love to you in every part of your apartment. The moment we step inside, you're going to be against the door. I don't care who will hear us from the hallways. We will run a science experiment of our own to test my hypothesis formed by the erotic documentaries, so that we can finally discover the truth and put an end to my skepticism to infinite stamina and stealth capabilities in public. And we're the finest, fittest specimens for it, so we'll produce accurate data."

Yes. Flames. This was fire, on her skin. She was sure of it. She'd nearly choked on the racy implications alone, and she was frozen stiff, paralyzed as more promises were whispered in her aural. Everything was fair grounds, true to Lucy's usual ways - the kitchen counter, after being wiped free and eradicated of the poisonous perishables. The stools, where she'd survived her assassination attempt. The balcony, both at night and the morning light. The couch where it was learned archaeologists held no concept of boundaries, because everything was 'a little too dead to establish them'. The beach, the shower, the bed, the door, every single wall that dared display Prothean artwork, even the shadows they sought solace in in the museums. Nothing would necessarily be in order.

Hands tightened on her hips, and teeth grazed the corner of her jawbone.

"I refuse to accept that we may die here. I communicated with you verbally that I love you - I must still communicate that physically too. To engrave it in your heart and your body. Thoroughly."

Well, then... She certainly was aware of her words as well too.

"That is, of course, if you will be ready to receive... Me. I won't do anything without consent, I assure you. I won't make the same mistake twice." A wretched beat. "Signing the consent form will aid me."

"Absolutely not," Liara laughed. "I refuse to sign that, Luce - and before you ask, I'm not signing your ridiculous waiver either. That's not how you get consent f-for... Intimacy."

"Coitus?" Lucy clarified innocently. "The waiver is most important. What if we get injured in the process?"

"In-ti-ma-cy," the asari reaffirmed, enunciating each syllable with great emphasis. "Not coitus. Ever. Also: not a process. I promise I'll tell you when I'm ready."

"Hm..." Lucy kissed her jaw, humming the way she would when she was trying to understand something. The worst part? Liara knew which parts she was struggling with, probably refraining to debate the technicalities of it all. "Well... Until then, I'll wait for you. I always will." She embraced more firmly. "You are beyond worth my every single second of my every single day, and we finally have the time I can utilize to prove it. I hope to prove I can be worthy of the same."

Something leaked and plopped onto T'Soni's head, and her hand instinctively slapped over the bead that raced down the side of her face. She didn't have a good look with the poor lighting, but it was dark on her skin, whatever it was. She was confused by the soldier's sharp inhale, upon reaching above them to touch the slab. Right, her optic implants had some kind of night vision capability, didn't they? She would be able to tell what this liquid was. No such answers would be enlightened though. Only more questions.

"Why don't you try to sleep? I'll wake you up if I hear something, and we can work together then to alert our rescuers where we are."

At that, Liara twisted to shoot an incredulous look over the insane suggestion, but she didn't get to turn all the way. A bicep and metal forearm prevented her, tucked under her jaw...

...Pressing into her throat, until she was rendered asleep.

{I'm not above choking you out, no.}

Liara sighed, muttering irritably under her breath. {What a wonderful idea.}

{It's for your protection.}

Bright lights beamed offensively at Liara even beyond closed eyelids. She shielded herself as her forearm lazily draped over her eyes, eliciting a burst of aches and pains just from movement alone. She groaned, and someone scrambled to her side. Multiple someones. Her head lulled to the sounds as she braved a look, catching glimpses until she assimilated to the light.

"Addison?" Liara croaked in confusion, glimpsing again. "Tali, and Helen... What are... Where am I?"

"A secret base," Helen answered, but it was an unreliable one when it was chased by a snigger and an ow - likely courtesy of Chase chasing it with an elbow.

"We're in the Commander's apartment," Tali answered, "You've got two of the best doctors overseeing your care."

"My care..."

By the Goddess, it felt as though something slammed into her skull and took her brain with it. Every thought was fogged and dogged. A firm hand slipped into the crevice of her spine and supported her by her shoulder blades, helping her sit up as someone else adjusted her plinth for her. She wearily massaged her face, aware of the worried looks combing over her. She had a question, but she wasn't sure she really wanted to ask that one.

"Why here?" Liara croaked instead.

"Hospitals are at full capacity," Addison said. "Most have been destroyed. Dr. Chakwas said you've been extremely lucky, considering the reports and the... State of the Citadel Tower... You only have bruises and strains. You were dehydrated too, but nothing fluids couldn't fix."

"It's over finally, Li," Helen beamed with a warm smile. "You did it. You crazy fucks actually stopped Saren - knew you could do it. You just rest now, let the grunts pick up the slack."

"But... Lucy?" More fog, but it was clearing. Her head shot up as she scrutinized the others' faces for earnest answers in case if they'd been ordered to say anything otherwise. "Where is she?"

"Meeting with the Council," Helen scoffed, crossing her arms. Her disapproval was clear as she glared off at the wall. "Don't get why she saved them. Why sacrifice our fleet? It'll take years to repair and we need every ship. The Council could've prevented all this mess and chose not to. Sounds to me they should pay for their negligence and contribution to all these deaths."

Words sank in, absorbed. When was the Council in danger? Liara doesn't remember any decision of that kind. She wasn't sure how much she could trust her memories right now, especially with what she remembered last. It was grim, but she needed to ask, to determine whether it elicited her need to jump out this bed now or later.

"Did anybody see the Commander head into the meeting with a weapon? A knife, even?"

Hesitant looks were exchanged. Yes.

It was time to jump out of the bed now.

"Rest easy," a steady voice came from the hallways, followed by the brisk gait that cemented the image of Lucy long before she'd appeared at the doorway. She wore a terse smile. "I tried the talking thing instead of my other methods."

"Thank the Goddess," Liara deflated with a sigh of relief.

Chuckles hummed as the soldier approached the bed, jerking her head to the doorway as a signal for the others to leave. She pushed one of the railings down so that she could sit on the edge, drawing attention to a peculiar fact that there even is a medical plinth in here at all. So it was true, then. Dr. Chakwas really was studying mother here.

"How are you feeling?" Lucy asked tenderly, a gloved hand coming up to wipe across her cheekbone. She looked in healthier spirits herself, with fresh bandages and stitches.

"Sore," the asari stuck to honesty, hoping to set an example as she pressed, burning with her question. "Why did you put me to sleep, Luce? Was that when we were rescued?"

"No. It was another hour before they found us, and supplied oxygen masks while they worked to free us." Conflict brewed for a moment, and the soldier looked away. "I did not want you to be damaged further."

"Damaged... Further?"

"You were dealing with enough in the moment. I did not want it to taint what happy memories we were creating in that moment, to remind you and bring you back down. To add to your list of trauma."

All these vague answers weren't doing it. Liara cupped the soldier's hand and pressed it firmly upon her cheek. "What did you see?"

"...Blood," Lucy sighed after a time. "Dark blue blood. Turian blood. I thought it was Garrus', at the time." She was quick with her reassurance, then, her gaze steady. "He's fine. He's just got a couple scratches."

That wasn't at all an accurate analysis of what the turian was actually going through, but he was alive, and she held onto that. She cast aside her misgivings over how the situation was handled in lieu of it all - it would be a debate for another day. She grabbed and pulled both the soldier's hands in her lap as she leaned forward, capturing lips in a soft kiss. Her complexion wouldn't be spared any time soon, though.

"I did not feel comfortable bathing you, after our discussions," Lucy murmured in the kiss, "So when you are feeling up for it, you are welcome to utilize the shower here. I'll ensure privacy."

"From the others and from you?" T'Soni teased, smiling. It grew when she caught the soldier rolling her eyes and pressed. "That's not an answer, Siame."

"Yes~ from me too," Lucy drawled. She leaned back and looked down, carefully squeezing the fingers cupped with hers. "So... We won't be tried for treason. Everybody on the crew has been exonerated. Captain Anderson has been absolved as well for his role in freeing the Normandy, and he has a seat on the Council to represent humanity."

"W-what?" Liara's brow arched with surprise. "How did that... Other ambassador - I forgot his name..."

"Udina?"

"Yes. How did he take that news?"

"He has no choice. Over my dead body that I would ever endorse him. He's lucky I did not endorse him for a firing squad for the role he played with the Normandy. Politics will be difficult for Captain Anderson, but I trust he will serve humanity rather than himself. He's one of the largest inspirations in my life." Lucy's nodded, for some reason, seemingly settling some doubt within herself. "Yes, he will make for a fine Ambassador and Chairman. I should hope he would have declined if he did not truly feel he was up for it. I would have recommended myself as I believe I have a firm grasp of politics, but that would disallow me from taking any direct action in missions."

"I would debate your grasp of politics involves a lot of hands on throats and assassinations," Liara teased inwardly, but kept it to herself. "Or sabotages, followed by 'peaceful solutions are the best solutions, after all'." She couldn't contain it, and laughter bubbled out of her. She kissed and deflected Lucy's confusions away. "So what happens now?"

"We rebuild. We have that time now, finally. The Normandy is long overdue of them, especially since we'd ripped away in the middle of much-needed repairs. She will be grounded for some time, the estimated time has now been extended to a few months before she's FTL-flight ready. I'll have to try to find flowers and chocolate to express my condolences to Lieutenant Moreau. He did not take the news particularly well."

Flowers and chocolate, for a ship. This crew was too rich.

"We'll need to secure alternative means of travel for our own plans. I've already been communicating with Alliance Command, however, to try to organize a ship we could board. Ideally, I'm hoping to secure a personal shuttle, but if we're to go to Ilos at some point then we will need a military entourage to ensure they protect space, to ward away any potential raiders and pillagers if they catch wind of any reports of you working there. The details are in the works, and in the mean time Admiral Hackett has requested if I could oversee some missions, so-"

"No..." Liara's brow furrowed, already knowing where this was going. "What happened to vacation, Luce?"

"They're... They're important... There's a unit that's missing. It'll be quick. They just need a ship to retrieve them by the sounds of their SOS. They're fine, no injuries reported. I have to. After this, I swear..."

"And if he discusses other missions? When does it end, then? There aren't any other marines he can send?"

It was heartbreaking to witness this. Liara soothingly rubbed circles along the soldier's back, torn herself as she'd thrown their hearts into war, because duty. Duty would always be an obstacle, wouldn't it? She felt horribly selfish and cruel, but... But didn't they deserve happiness? Didn't they deserve this break they've fought so hard to have? She sighed when the pyjak eyes came out into play. Lucy was getting far too good with her pouting, even without realizing it.

"At least let me come with you for these missions, Siame, and-"

"But you aren't Alliance. I won't be leading a crew, I will be part of a crew for these missions."

"Lu-cy." Liara snapped up an earlobe with accuracy, tugging harshly along with some strands of hair. "You are not leaving me here. Is that understood? Pull whatever strings you must to secure a spot on that crew for me as well. After that, if this Admiral of yours tries to lure you into another mission, I will tell him what other avenues he can explore. I am certain you are not the only capable soldier, of that we've seen plenty examples of as well." She was tempted to put it in far cruder terms, as she'd learned from the humans, but she also needed to maintain this balance of a chance to convince Lucy to give herself a break before she would break under the weight of it all. She pulled the lobe again, smirking a little over the strings of ow's. "You still have injuries you need to heal from. Does Dr. Chakwas know about this mission?"

"N-no, but she can't, because-"

"Dr. Chakwas!" Liara rose her voice, laughing at the mad scramble of a soldier rushing out into the hallway. "Ignore the Commander, please!"

A head briefly poked into the doorway with those sullen pyjak eyes, but Liara would maintain her ground.

"Don't do this, Nara," Lucy hissed, before going back into the hallway upon hearing a confused call back. T'Soni laughed upon hearing all the rushes of disjointed words, a desperation to implore Chakwas not to listen, that the asari was 'off her rocker' and was certifiably insane, that she was experiencing a 'full-blown' mental breakdown. Karin seemed well aware of what was at play even without an explanation - of course, the Commander made her machinations all too obvious now.

"So what's actually going on?" Dr. Chakwas approached the bed, taking the stethoscope off her neck as she settled in her practice to check the asari's vitals. "How are you feeling, by the way?"

"Much better, thank you very much. Could you ensure the Alliance is made aware that Lucy is not fit for duty until she actually heals from her injuries, please?"

"Done."

"How could you?!" Cried out from the hallway. "I thought we were comrades!"

"That much should be obvious, Commander," Karin shot a stern look over her shoulder. "You certainly wouldn't clear anybody's assessment even if you bribed a doctor right now."

Ideas seemed to swim in those eyes, but Chakwas shot it all down.

"You once used to be very prudent and pragmatic, Commander - valuing the need to rest in order to recover as quickly as possible, so that you can perform at your most efficient."

"I-I'm gonna be in museums, Karin, that kind of trauma is worse than-"

Ah, the crux of the matter has exposed itself, finally.

And Liara laughed at it all.

Tearful goodbyes were exchanged. Liara grunted when Helen had hugged her fiercely, and she laughed when the Commander's hands got all protective in pulling her away, grumbling something about injuries she didn't really have. Lucky was threatened to be spaced if Liara dared bring the demon along, and so it was yet another emotional goodbye - much to Lucy's dismay - as she entrusted Talitha to continue looking after the pyjak.

And entrusted the other fellow marines to look after yet another stubborn woman who'd found herself with another severe injury in her stubbornness to fight geth.

Tali had already said her goodbyes the day prior, excited to return to her fleet to share the data - and stories - for her Pilgrimage. Garrus was off already working hard alongside C-Sec, doing what he could to prevent any pillagers trying to take advantage of the destruction. Chief Williams agreed and was sent off on the mission Lucy was meant to do. Liara still had hopes she'd see them all again, that this wasn't the end.

They were going to board their flight now. Finally. After much deliberation, they settled to go to Armali first - for Lucy expressed urgent desire to return to the place 'where it all started'.

Liara inwardly debated that it was Mindoir that started everything, altering an entire course to the trajectory of this young woman's life.

Casual-wear was not something she expected to see the Commander in, a sentiment that seemed shared as the human seemed to feel alien in her own clothes. She plucked at her black blouse often and glared at it as if it was an offensive fabric. Liara chuckled and leaned over, humming in the soldier's ear.

"We can get you out of that once we board."

Surprise ignited those green eyes, for some reason. The glasses slid down the nose and Lucy hastily pushed them back up. She glanced around, seemingly for eavesdroppers, and whispered. "I admit, I have a great deal of trouble understanding the nuances of implied consent. Too much can go wrong in my opinion. If it's not too much, may I have clari-"

"I-it's not implied consent for... That..." Liara blustered, blushing. "I meant we can get you out of that shirt so you can change into something else. Perhaps a sweater." A beat. "I packed the one I gave you, before, back with your... Back injury..." A shudder loomed on the horizon, with dark memories of the giant B carved into Lucy. She forced herself to stay on the momentum and keep the ball rolling. "That may prove to be more comfortable for you."

"Oh. Yes. I would appreciate that very much, thank you Nara."

Lips pressed to the archaeologist's temple, crooking up the glasses. Only time would determine - and anxiety, once fears wormed in - how long those glasses would stay on for, before the optic implants would be turned on so that Lucy could verify any potential threats to their safety. Liara braced herself for the coming storms, well aware it would be quite some effort to help the soldier relax, and set her at ease.

But it was all going to be worth it.

Every single second, of every single day.