Chapter 2
Liara was close on the commander's heels as they entered her quarters. Assorted gear was scattered around in piles, awaiting final judgment. Ashley had declared that upgrades were sorely needed on both their armor and weapons. Upgrades or complete replacement, she would decide. The gunnery chief refused to hear any further excuses. Most of the old gear would be reduced to omni gel, ready for other uses.
"So you going to tell me what's really going on or do I have to tickle it out of you?" the spectre asked, as she sat on the bed and motioned to the spot beside her.
Sitting down next to her lover, the asari started to speak, then hesitated, kissing the spectre instead. Shepard gently eased her to her back, lips never losing contact. Reluctantly ending the kiss, the spectre propped her head up on one hand, while her other roamed the length of the asari's lithe body.
"That's not fair, Li," the spectre breathed, stealing another quick kiss. "You didn't answer my question."
"Please just leave it as a surprise," the doctor begged, eyes closed as she savored the commander's touch.
"OK, love, surprise me, " Shepard's voice was husky as she rolled over, pulling the willing asari on top of her.
Neither one noticed as they made the jump through the mass relay, their attention wholly focused on each other.
"ETA to Citadel space in five minutes," Joker announced.
"I am not going to miss those interruptions," Shepard declared, buttoning up her uniform as she stood up. "Two days alone with you, hmm, I just can't wait."
T'Soni had to laugh at the lecherous grin on the commander's face. Then her own smile faded as she thought of her new plans.
"OK, what's the matter, " Shepard asked as she saw the asari's expression.
"I, um, we, ah, may only have one night, " the doctor said softly, unsure of what the spectre's reaction would be.
"Ah, " she replied, dejectedly, dropping back on the bed. "Tired of me already, huh?"
"Playing for the sympathy angle, my love?" Liara countered, tickling the spectre in all the right places.
Laughing, the commander seized the asari's hands and smothered her in a fiery embrace.
"Guess that didn't work, heh?" Shepard managed to murmur in between kisses.
"No, you will have to try harder than that," the asari loved the playfulness that came out when they were alone.
Disengaging, the commander became serious, gently holding the supple blue hands in her own calloused ones.
"I will be leaving for my mother's the following day, I thought that last night would be special," Shepard protested.
"Every night with you is special," the scientist replied in earnest, silencing the spectre. "I just have to run an errand, then I will see you on Earth. It is only one less day. "
"OK, I'm sorry Li, I just don't want to lose a minute with you, I'm very jealous you know," Shepard smiled as she caressed the side of the asari's face. "Who knows where you will be going?"
"So you can shake it out of them or don't you trust me?" Liara asked, only half joking.
"No, and of course I trust you. It's because if something happens, at least someone knows where to look for you," the spectre replied, more strongly than she intended. "I'm sorry, Liara, it's just, well, I worry about you."
"I know, love, I am honored by your concern. What if I tell Ashley?"
"OK, she won't let you get into too much trouble, I guess. Well, let's get these piles sorted out, our chief should be here any minute," Shepard said standing and offering her hand to her mate.
As if responding to her name, the gunnery chief keyed the door and then waited a minute before entering the commander's quarters. She looked around at the discarded gear and sighed.
"You are not keeping any of this junk," she declared immediately.
"OK," Shepard replied simply.
"Really, Skipper, you need to, wait, did you say OK?" the chief could not believe there would be no argument over the new gear.
"You probably already have all our stuff picked out and charged to my account. Just have it delivered to Liara's apartment and we'll be done with it," the spectre said, leaving the chief speechless.
"I'll see you later," Shepard said to her lover, stopping for a quick kiss before leaving her quarters.
"So what was that all about?" the bewildered chief asked, sitting on the bed. "You two have an argument or something?"
"No, Ashley, she is just worried about me. But you're going to help," the asari said, recounting their conversation.
Liara went on to tell the chief of her earlier exchange with the elder Shepard and of her decision to accept the invitation.
"Do you really think you can keep it a secret?" the marine asked, intrigued by the situation.
"I guess so, Ashley, unless you are going to run off and tell her, " the asari replied.
"Oh, no, I'd never do that, " the chief laughed. "I would just love to see the look on her face when she walks through that door. I better get details when I see you."
"You are going to Earth as well, right?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, I can't wait to see my sisters. My parents, too. I t's been a while, " Ashley had a faraway look in her eye. "Hey, they would love to meet an asari, think you can spare a day?"
"Um, does the invitation include a certain spectre? She's getting a bit touchy about my giving away days, " the scientist said with a smile.
"Of course, that'll be twice as good, the savior of the galaxy and her pet asari," Ashley teased. The chief was laughing so hard she couldn't duck the punch the asari threw her way.
"Ouch!" the marine exclaimed, rubbing her arm. "You've been with her way too long, now I have to watch out for both of you. By the way, they'd probably get a bigger kick out of a blue alien than another decorated war hero."
Ashley started laughing again, her infectious mirth spreading to the asari. As the laughter died down, the doctor relayed the story of why they were having a party and started the marine going again. It was a while before they both could catch their breath.
"Welcome to the Citadel and thanks for flying with Alliance Air, " the pilot's voice announced to the crew.
"Oops, gotta go, " Ashley said, wiping the tears from her eyes. "See you tonight, right?"
"Of course, we could not miss our surprise party," the asari smiled and winked, sending the chief into another fit of laughter.
Ashley turned and almost walked into the spectre who was coming through the door. Looking at their tear streaked faces, the commander's concern was short lived as they both burst out laughing again.
"Sorry, Commander, " Ashley said in between breaths. "See you tonight."
Shepard just stood aside and shook her head as the chief left the room.
"So I take it you told her?" the spectre asked.
"Oh yes, " Liara responded, unsuccessfully trying to regain her composure.
"Just great, I'm sure, " the commander commented. "Ready to go?"
"Yes," the asari replied, swinging her pack to her shoulder. "Do you want me to come with you to see Councilor Anderson?"
"No, he specifically asked to see me alone. I'll meet you at the apartment, " Shepard answered with a smile. "Better made sure that's ready."
"We do have to show up at the Flux tonight, " Liara reminded her.
"We'll have plenty of time before that, love, " the spectre replied with a grin.
The asari smiled warmly as she followed the spectre out the door. This was definitely a most interesting day.