Chapter 7

"Does she do this much?" Shiala asked quietly.

Struggling with the inert form of their commander, the chief replied with a grin.

"Well, we're lucky she's not on leave that often."

The pair half dragged, half carried Shepard through the wards.

The spectre had been in a sullen mood all night and had consumed more than her usual. Well, Ashley thought, Liara was usually there to cut her off much earlier. The chief felt a twinge of guilt at that. She had been so absorbed in conversation that she didn't notice the pile up of glasses, well until the commander had slumped to the table. The tab she had to pay was another shock. That would teach her.

As they neared the penthouse the spectre shared with her mate, the marine noticed a growing hesitation in the asari's step. Shiala's eyes swept the area but she remained quiet. Ashley keyed the code and the private elevator hummed to life. As the doors swished open, the commander woke with a start and looked around. She stepped into the lift and stood independently for a moment. The commander would have hit the floor if Shiala hadn't stepped in and grabbed her as she passed out again. Shaking her head, Ashley took her post on the other side and together they supported the spectre.

The long elevator ride gave the chief an opportunity to study the asari opposite her. She noticed how soft the violet skin appeared and felt a flush creep up her face as she recalled the spectre's words earlier that day. Too many thoughts tumbled through her muddled head. Maybe she was just hanging around with Shepard and Liara too much. The idea of a human with an asari didn't seem all that out of place any more.

As they entered the apartment, Shiala signaled the lights on without a second thought. Ashley didn't say a word as she remembered her initial struggle to find that damn light switch. She wondered if all asari abodes had the automated lighting. Together, they were able to get Shepard to her room. As she helped the commander get changed, Ashley realized that the asari had left the room.

"Ash," a weak voice breathed, "why'd you let me drink so much? I'm gonna be a mess in the morning."

"Like you ever listen to me," the marine laughed.

"You have somewhere to stay tonight?" the spectre asked, momentarily sober.

"Don't worry, boss."

"Guest bedroom has good a sunrise view, asari love that kind of thing," the last words were spoken as she passed out again.

Ashley wasn't sure that she heard what she thought she did, but knowing her friend, that was as close to a blessing as she was going to get. The gunnery chief shrugged her shoulders wondering how good an artificial sunrise could be anyway.

She found Shiala at the full length windows of the great room, apparently lost in thought. Approaching quietly, she gave the asari time to register her presence and stood next to her.

"Whatcha thinking?" The chief asked playfully.

She was surprised to see the tear streaked face that turned to her.

"I am sorry, Ashley," the strained voice tugged at the chief's heart. "I did not realize where the commander resided."

Emotions played across the marine's face. Confusion mixed with concern, attraction veiled with hesitation. She waited, not wanting to ask for an explanation, afraid of what could cause this reaction. But her curiosity burned.

"This was Benezia's home," the asari ventured after a lengthy silence. "I had spent many hours here with my mentor."

Ashley mentally smacked herself for not making the connection earlier. Shiala had been Benezia's acolyte for two centuries. Of course she would have known the matriarch's home.

The chief's natural reaction was to slip her arms around the asari and pull her into a gentle embrace. If that didn't surprise her enough, Shiala's response most certainly did.

"Are you sure you don't want the spare bedroom,dear?" Hanna Shepard asked. "It has much more room and isn't as...um," The spectre's mother hesitated before carefully selecting the next word, "…. cluttered."

"If you do not mind, I would prefer to stay here for the night." Liara looked around her beloved's childhood room, her eyes shining with delight. "This will be perfect."

The elder Shepard looked again at the asari, gazing at a shelf of old trophies and smiled.

"Yes, she has quite a collection here." Pride in her daughter evident in her voice. "And every one of them has a story."

"I would like to hear them all," Liara whispered, half to herself as her eyes touched on not only the trophies, but the books and knickknacks representing countless cultures and planets.

"I'm sure she'll be happy to tell them all to you," Hanna laughed.

The commander watched from the doorway as the asari reverently moved from shelf to bookcase to dresser, picking up some pieces, examining others as if she were trying to gain a deeper insight into her lover. During the trip to Earth and in the ensuing time, Hanna had come to like and respect her daughter's mate. She had expected to be polite and had wanted to be accepting. She had not counted on the easy friendship that had quickly grown between them and the depth of emotion that clearly existed between her daughter and this asari. As usual, the spectre had chosen well. Hanna couldn't wait to see the surprise on her daughter's face when she found the surprise that was waiting for her here. There would be hell to pay, but it was going to be well worth it. She smiled again as she turned away, leaving Liara to her exploration.

The doctor turned just as Shepard left the doorway. She noted the ghost of a smile on her beloved's mother's face and returned it. What had started as a nervous meeting had developed into a wonderful experience for her. Liara thought of one of those quaint human sayings, something about an apple not falling far from the tree. She could see her partner's strength, intelligence and easy confidence in the elder Shepard. Liara carefully set down the trophy she was holding, took one last look around the room and cheerfully left, accepting the invitation to share the preparation of a simple meal. Yes, this was a most enlightening trip already and she savored the reunion that the next day would bring. Hmm, she mused, they might need that larger bedroom after all.