Chapter 11

"Hey, there, I thought you're supposed to be happy when you're on leave." Hanna sat down next to her daughter and hugged her fiercely. It was more than a few moments before the elder Shepard let go. "Hello Terran, it's great to have you home."

"Oh, mom, I am really happy to see you," the spectre responded, likewise reluctant to end the hug.

"Well, you could have fooled me, kid," her mother answered.

"Sorry," the spectre said sheepishly, "just a little worried."

"OK, so no one knows where Liara is?" she asked.

"Well, I think Ashley does, but she won't tell me," whined Terran.

"She didn't know or she won't tell you?"

"Oh, she knows all right, she just won't say."

"Do you trust your friend?"

"Of course," the spectre responded without hesitation. As the question set in, she paused. "So I guess I should just trust that she'll take care of Liara and stop worrying?"

"Exactly," her mother was almost smug in her reply.

Shepard stood up, brightening considerably. "So, mom, what's for dinner?"

"C'mon then, you'll see soon enough,"

"Thanks, mom. It is really good to be home," smiling she followed her mother.

On the short trip back to the house, Terran relayed the events of the day, her mother beaming with pride over her daughter's promotion. As always, their conversation was effortless, the time they spent apart falling away as they caught up.

A sense of nostalgic crept over her as the spectre saw her childhood home. Not much had changed in the years she had been away. She caught her mother watching her and smiled.

"It's been a long time," she offered.

"C'mon, I have a surprise for you," Hanna eagerly shooed her daughter toward the front door.

"Mom…" the reply was playful, who didn't like surprises?

As they entered the house, the captain was filled with a sense of belonging and peace. Not much had changed, but the house seemed smaller.

"So..?" the spectre had a childlike grin, the look of Christmas morning.

"In your room, go see."

Shepard hurried down the short hallway and eagerly stepped into her old room.

Suddenly, she was bound in a biotic shield and lifted off her feet. She was turned slowly and deposited into her lover's waiting arms, but not before all the right places had been softly tickled.

As her mother lingered in the hallway, she caught a surprised expression that ended in a big grin.

Hanna quietly closed the door with a smile and a sigh, feeling happier than she had in a long time.

The lead engineer looked across the bay with disbelief. The rework had been nearly complete, way ahead of schedule. Everyone had eagerly jumped on this project. The chance to touch a part of history, to participate in the adventure. Who could pass on that? With all those creative minds at work, it was no wonder they were making unbelievable progress.

The new FTL drives were fully operational, the experimental weaponry flawless. Only basic work to complete, like refitting the crew and captain's quarters, adding the finishing touches. Well that and a full systems test.

But they were so close.

Now, how was he to explain this? Who would believe them?

Without an alarm, without a trace, the SSV Normandy was gone.

Ashley woke to the new day with mixed feelings. Was it only two days ago that she couldn't wait to return to Earth? Now the prospect had lost some of its appeal. She smiled as she looked at the sleek violet asari stretched out beside her. Two days and her world had changed.

She wondered how Shepard was doing, knowing that there would be hell to pay when her friend realized her part in their little surprise.

Ashley wondered what the rest of her leave would bring. Would Shiala accept her invitation? How would accepting would her sisters be? Would she even have the courage to tell them? So many questions rattling around her head, but she had never felt as strongly about anyone before.

The newly minted lieutenant turned and traced the soft crest, strong neck and supple arms before reluctantly getting out of the bed that had been their refuge over the last days. Her grumbling stomach reminded her that they had skipped dinner. Come to think of it, she couldn't remember when she had last eaten. Smiling, she grabbed a wrap and padded silently into the kitchen to make breakfast.

Shiala turned and watched the marine as she left the room. The matron had never expected these humans to be much of anything and had scoffed at Liara's seeming infatuation with the newcomers. But she had to admit the draw was unmistakable and the passion they contained most addictive. But what surprised her most was the honor and courage of the short lived race. For the first time she could remember, the asari felt unsure of her direction.

Ashley had asked the asari to join her on a trip to her home world. But this was all so sudden. Outside of battle, asari never made such quick decisions. But, Feros was firmly established and her assistance was no longer required there. She had done all she could to make amends and the colony had prospered. But now, what to do next?

The clanging of a pot brought her out of her reverie with a smile. She slowly arose and stretched. Well, maybe she did know what she wanted to do after all.

Chattering away as they cleaned up after dinner, Shepard felt that easy companionship she had always shared with her partner. The sense of relief at seeing her here had been followed by an equally strong feeling of disbelief. Hearing about their meeting and the time they had shared brought an even greater relief to the spectre. The two most important people in her life were getting on just fine. Well, too fine – her mother had shared way too many stories with her partner.

As they finished putting away the last dishes, the asari smiled warmly at her mate.

"I am truly sorry that you felt distress, my love," her apology was accepted with a soft, but meaningful embrace. "I did not anticipate that reaction, especially since we have only been apart a short time."

"And I overreacted, Li," came the quiet reply as she led the asari out of the kitchen. "But wait until I get Ash," she added with a twinkle in her eye. "I'd like to show you something, c'mon."

Shepard went to the far end of the hallway and pulled down on a ladder that folded into the ceiling. She clicked the stairway into place and scampered up the flat steps.

"Watch your head," the spectre cautioned as she disappeared into the gloom.

Liara followed her lover into the quiet, dark attic. Some dim moonlight filtered into the overcrowded space from a window high up in the eaves of the loft.

"Are there no lights up here?" the asari asked.

"Nah, that'd ruin it." Terran took her hand and led her over to a crude but sturdy ladder that led up to the loft. "Hold on to me," she added unnecessarily as the asari had no intentions of letting go.

"Wow, it seemed a lot bigger last time I was up here," Shepard commented in a soft voice.

Liara cleared the ladder to a platform build right up to the window. Cozy comforters, a few books and a large telescope filled the area. The Shepards' house was situated on hill and the window faced away from the lights of the town. Glancing upward, Liara was startled by the view of a night sky full of clear stars.

"When I was little, I didn't understand why my mother would want to be way up there. I missed her terribly when she was away. My father built this for me, so I could always watch the stars for her. It wasn't until I went on my first tour that I finally understood." Shepard's gazed at the stars, lost in thought.

"And now you miss him?"

"Yes," the reply was barely audible.

The asari gathered her mate in her arms and the two snuggled into the comforters. As their consciousnesses joined, an endless stream of memories flew through the asari's awareness. An overwhelming feeling of love, contentment, then loss filled her senses.

They held each other for a long time before the scientist spoke.

"Thank you for sharing this with me," Liara whispered, afraid to break the moment.

Her only response was to be pulled back down into the sea of blankets, a different melding begun.