A/N - Thanks for all the reviews and for your patience in sticking with this story. Promise it will be all out here by the end of the year. Yep -this year! Enjoy. (And keep those comments coming!)

Chapter 10

"Joker, you're a life saver," Shepard blurted out as she buckled into the passenger seat.

"Anytime Commander," he responded with a grin. "Wait, I meant Captain. Wow, that's gonna take some getting used to. Hope it's not going to go to your head or anything."

"With you and Ashley around, no chance of that happening," she answered smiling. "So, you just feel like playing taxi driver or you finally heading to Earth?"

Moreau's expression became serious, the smile fading from his eyes. "My appointment is in 2 days, I just thought I'd get there a little earlier and see some old friends, before, you know…"

"You sure you want to go through with this, Joker?" Shepard asked, concerned.

"Guess I gotta take the chance," he answered. "Some wise old person once told me you can't go for the win if you're afraid of losing."

"Gee, and here I thought you never listened to me at all," the new Captain chuckled, lightening the mood. "Hey, and who you calling old?"

It was the pilot's turn to laugh. "Well, actually I heard it from this asari. And she probably worded it a lot differently. You know how she always mutilates our sayings."

"Yeah, I know," Shepard replied staring out the viewport, thoughts shifting to her partner.

"Well, hold on then, Captain," Joker teased, noticing her lost focus. "I'll have you home in no time."

Ashley had a spring in her step as she left the transport bay. With Shepard on her way and her own trip home to Earth still a couple of days away, her thoughts focused on the asari waiting for her and a smile crept to her lips.

As she neared Liara's apartment, a nervous excitement crept its way through her. The battle hardened marine had butterflies in her stomach (not to mention other parts) as she keyed in the code for the elevator. The ride up this time seemed to take forever, her anticipation and anxiety were competing emotions and increasing every second. By the time she passed the last 2 floors, she had to take deep breaths to steady herself. She smiled and calmed as she pictured the entrance she would make if she got herself so worked up that she passed out as the doors opened.

The swoosh of the doors startled her and she stepped out of the elevation into a quiet, shimmering light. Soft music with an almost eerie quality complemented the light flickering from countless candles.

The windows of the great room were opaque, completely blocking the midday light. Ashley faltered as she approached the room, feeling an intruder upon an alien scene. She was set to turn away as a hushed voice called to her from within a circle of the scented candles.

"Please, Ashley, join me."

"I…. I don't want to disturb this, this …." the marine stammered a reply.

"It is a siari meditation ritual, to promote unity, to bring harmony, to commune." Shiala stood as she spoke and gracefully glided over to the hesitant woman.

Ashley's eyes widened, her breath quickened as the perfect naked form pushed the jacket from her shoulders. The new bars on the borrowed uniform were forgotten as the lithe asari continued to undress her. Guided to the center, she entered the asari's embrace with a sigh.

The soft music, soft light and Shiala's even softer touch combined for an amazing effect on the senses of the lieutenant.

"I think I'd like to learn more about the siari beliefs," Ashley murmured.

"You are," the asari matron smiled.

Shepard was starting to worry as she tried to reach her mate again to no avail.

"Hey, she probably doesn't have her comm with her," the pilot commented as the captain snapped shut her own comm.

"Right, " the spectre replied sarcastically as they glided into Earth airspace.

It didn't help that no one was responding at the apartment either. Shepard bounced between annoyance at her friend and partner for being so secretive to concern that something really had gone wrong. She had not exactly been a pleasant passenger for her pilot.

"You sure you don't want to join me? I know my mother would be happy to have you over too," Shepard offered almost apologetically.

"No thanks there, Cap'n, but I never get in the way of family reunions." His reply only barely concealed the nervous need for flight. He definitely did not want to be in her presence if there was something amiss. "Hey, call me if you need a ride." The pilot left his captain at the transportation hub with a wave.

"Good luck, Joker," she mouthed as his ship pulled away.

The younger Shepard dialed her childhood home number automatically. Somehow the excitement of seeing her mother had worn thin. If she had only been able to talk to Liara, she would have been able to enjoy this short time with the only family she had left.

Her mood brightened when she heard her mother's voice. For a change, only a short distance separated them.

"Hi mom," she said, her tone a bit dejected. "I'm down at the hub, you sure you don't want me to just flag a taxi?"

"Of course not, Terran," came the bright reply, "I'll be there in a few minutes."

"Ok, mom," the spectre answered automatically.

"Is something wrong, dear?" The response was concerned.

"No, mom, well, I'm not sure, I haven't been able to get Liara and I don't know where she is." Just like old times, all her problems always came out to her mother in a rush.

The older Shepard hesitated, then comforted her daughter.

"Don't worry, I'm sure everything's fine and you'll be laughing about it tomorrow. Let me go, I'll be there in a little bit. Can't wait to see you. Bye dear."

With the transmission's sudden end, the spectre just sank down into one of the benches to wait, her duffle bag at her feet. She stared at the comm in her hands, wanting to call Liara again, but dreading the silence.

As she terminated the call, Hanna felt a little guilty over causing her daughter such distress. Liara, coming to her side with the ring of the comm., noticed her expression as she closed the connection.

"She did call again," Liara admitted, the guilt spreading. "Maybe we shouldn't have taken it this far."

"Well, she'll see you quick enough," Shepard relied matter of factly as she headed out the door. "Be home in little while." She smiled at the asari, a gleam in her eye. "I still can't wait to see the look on her face!"

Councilor Anderson was enjoying a fine vintage, content with the day's events when an urgent message chirped on his comm. Sighing, he reached for the device, hoping that his moment of relaxation was not in jeopardy, while his gut instinct knew otherwise.

"Anderson here," came the quick military reply. Some habits die hard.

As he listened to the speaker, he began to realize how right that sixth sense could be.

"Yes, Prime Minister," he responded. "I'm on it."

As the communication link ended, his mind swirled in endless directions. Coming to a decision, he stood and headed for his terminal, the glass of wine as forgotten as the moment of rest.