A/N - Thank y'all for the kind words! And please don't hesitate to correct any mistakes you see! :)

2169 CE – Local Cluster/Sol/Earth/Europa/France/Île-de-France
Paris

They arrived without further incident in Paris. Being the transport hub to one of the most historically significant off world monuments and dig sites in human history, the city found itself under heavy Alliance occupation. While the Alliance had little official jurisdiction, it would be beyond foolish to attempt any kind of under handed coup or dealings in such close vicinity to the largest legally authorised military force on the planet.

Against her better judgement, Alex relaxed and was surprised to find she was thoroughly enjoying herself. This wasn't solely down to the absence of constant threat, however; Liara had been exceptionally good company. Alex noted with odd amusement that it was easy to open up to the Asari and quietly stunned herself as she regaled her companion with stories of her childhood and run ins with more eccentric characters that inhabited the east end of London, stories she had never expected or wanted to tell anyone.

Liara similarly found joy in the Human's companionship. Although she still tripped over words and fumbled with certain conventions and nuances of human behaviour, she was relieved when Alex corrected her with a gentle chiding, as opposed to outright mocking. They had found equals in each other. It was an enlightening experience, learning about one another, exchanging tales of youth and absorbing one another's culture. It made Liara genuinely sad remembering they would be parting company indefinitely tomorrow. She would have liked to spend more time in the company of her new friend.

After overloading their arms with souvenirs for the children, the couple rounded their day off with a pleasant meal before retreating to their suite. It was more of an apartment, than a hotel room, complete with a reinforced titanium door. It must have been bomb proof, Alex thought. The hotel was clearly used to high priority clientele.

While only a single bedroom had been available, Alex had no qualms sleeping on the plush sofa located in the apartment's living room. Liara had settled at the terminal in the corner, to finish up on her paperwork for her journey the next day.

Alex used her free time to make one last call to the children, eager to hear their voices. They had picked up another stray, a boy of around ten who called himself James. David had said he was straight forward and refused to mince his words, Ivy thought he was like a boy Alex. She looked forward to meeting this James and welcoming him properly into her family. The children were a team, a squad that Alex was proud to say she spearheaded. They were good kids, with a variety of different skills and temperaments. Under other circumstances they would seem an odd bunch but together they acted as a cohesive unit.

Ending the call, she made a mental note to stop by the markets for an extra gift before setting off home tomorrow. Her mood soured when she remembered she'd be making the return journey alone. However she was stopped from dwelling upon it by a rap at the door.

Her eyes shot up, first at the door, then at an equally bewildered Liara. Who knew they were here? Alex silently got to her feet, raising her pistol and padded to the metal door. Liara stood several feet away, hands flaring with a blue crackle, ready to provide back up. Alex stood on a nearby foot stool and opened the eye latch.

She found herself staring at bright crystal blue eyes, Liara's eyes. That didn't make sense. Liara was right behind her. Meeting the strange gaze, Alex began to note the subtle differences from that of her friend's.

Where Liara's were full of naive innocence and curious wonder, these eyes were old, full of knowledge only gained through experience and the quiet confidence that came with it. Alex was thankful she had only opened the eye latch, as her body language would have betrayed her nervousness and intimidation. Alex hoped her voice would not buckle as easily. Keep it short and sweet.

"What?" She asked, slightly more gruff than intended. The Intimidating Asari was unimpressed.

"Filthy monkeys. No manners. What do they teach you on this rock?" her voice was cool, hard. Alex felt a whimper attempt to escape her throat, immediately cursing herself silently.

"Y-you didn't answer my question." OhGodOhGodOhGod. "Ma'am" she added, almost unconsciously. She could feel the woman smirk, and sigh exaggeratedly.

"I am Matriarch Benezia, here to see my daughter. Please don't make my acolytes break the door down. It would be a nuisance to explain to Reception."

Alex turned to Liara, who had remained bewildered. With the light extinguishing from her hands, she took a few paces back and gathered herself, before motioning to open the door. Alex swallowed and hopped off the stool to enter the pass code.

The door swished open and she found herself staring up at the imposing Matriarch, more terrifying in her full regalia and tall frame. Alex gave a glare that did not quite meet Elder Asari's eyes and moved back to the sofa, as the Matriarch and two Asari followed.

"Mother." Liara acknowledged, and Alex was relieved to know she wasn't the only one cowed by the Matriarch's presence. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Oh, my Little Wing, I was merely in the area hoping to pay a visit to my only daughter." She said, mock indignation in her voice.

"As I hear, you were all too eager to let slip our relation to any flea infested monkey who would listen." Liara blushed, recalling her conversation in the Chapel. They must have made contact with her, making sure she hadn't bluffed them. She suddenly became incredibly fascinated with the rug at her feet.

"Little Wing, do not be ashamed of using your heritage as a bargaining tool. Truth be told I'm quite impressed." Liara met her mother's gaze with a stubborn frown.

"I trust that is not the only reason for your visit."

"No. There are matters I wish to discuss with you. Preferably, not in front of the ah-"

she regarded Alex.

"Help."

The human glared and wrinkled her nose. Liara glanced at her apologetically, before turning back to her mother and gesturing for her to follow Liara the bedroom.

"Are you sure?" Alex piped up, concern overriding any fear the Matriarch had inflicted. Liara gave a weak shrug and nod before disappearing into the room. Benezia fixed Alex with a smug stare.

"She does not require her pet monkey to follow her everywhere." She turned to follow Liara, but Alex leapt up with lightening speed, catching a blue wrist and pulling the Matriarch down slightly, so that they were eye level.

" Don't you dare hurt her in there." She snarled.

"Child, you think I would physically accost my own daughter? And you think you could stop me if I did?" she all but sneered. Alex just met her gaze.

"No. But she's suffered enough of your mind games. She looks up to you. You're her mother. It wouldn't hurt to act like it once in a while." Alex noted, with smug satisfaction, a glimmer of hurt in the Asari's eyes and was oddly satisfied to have caused some discomfort in her cool visage.

The Matriarch said nothing, yanking her wrist free and marching into the room.

"And I am not monkey," Alex shouted after her, indignantly. The door slammed.
"I'm an ape." She added weakly, before turning to the remaining Asari.
"Monkeys have tails."

Liara jumped slightly at the slamming. That was woefully unnecessary. Her mother looked unimpressed as she sat next to her, perched on the edge of the bed.

"I thought you had gotten over your little human... thing while you were studying." Liara blushed furiously.

"It is not a thing, mother. They are my friends. And they have treated me with more kindness than any Asari has." She bit back. Benezia was unfazed by her tone.

"I would merely prefer if you kept more civilised company, Little Wing."

Liara only huffed.

"You must have followed me across galactic space to do more than scold me on who I associate myself with."

It was Benezia's turn to sigh.

"Yes. I am aware we have not spoken to one another in some time-"

"It's been ten years."

"-nevertheless, I will be embarking on a journey of my own and I am unsure how long it will last. I merely wanted you to know."

Liara was unsure, worried of where the conversation was headed.

"This sounds an awful lot like a final goodbye."

"I do not intend it to be. All I know is that I shall be unavailable for the near future. I wanted to know where we stand. I do care about you, Little Wing." The Matriarch raised her palm to Liara's cheek, cupping it.

"And I you." Liara replied, giving a small smile, concern etched over her face.

"Are you at liberty to tell me what you shall be doing?"

" The details are a little fuzzy; even I do not know fully what we shall be undertaking." She thought for a moment, collecting her words.

"Are you aware of Binary Helix? They are an organisation; interested in genetic engineering and biotechnology. I believe they also dabble in biotics. Well, there was an investor interested in them, he was Turian, a Mr Arterius, he is also a Spectre, I believe. We have grown close over the past few months and he has approached me with a highly sensitive business offer. "

"It looks to be incredibly lucrative. He has forecasted a completion date roughly fifteen years. I do not know for how much of that I would be able to contact you. What it will entail, I am unsure."

"Regardless, I trust him implicitly." She added, noting the question forming on her daughter's tongue. Instead, Liara narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.

"Mother, I would be lying if I said I was comfortable with you travelling the galaxy with a Spectre, and a little surprised. I know how wary you are of them." Liara exhaled loudly.

"It is all a bit dangerous, is it not?"

Her mother only quirked an eyebrow.

"As opposed to landing on unfriendly planets, raiding tombs and gallivanting with unsavoury characters?" Liara shot the Matriarch a defiant look.

"I am maiden. You were the one who suggested I travel more. And-"

She added fiercely

"-Alex is not an unsavoury character."

"Little Wing, This Alex is child, branded with tattoos, flaunts guns, favours ridiculously unkempt attire and has an unsightly scar running the length of her face. That is not the sign of someone otherwise savoury."

"She gained that scar protecting me."

Liara looked down at the floor, her voice falling quiet.

"And it's distinguishing, not unsightly."

The Elder Asari was slightly taken a back. Liara looked up at her mother, still quiet, but insistent.

"She is a good person, mother. I will not have you belittle her."

Benezia nodded grudgingly.

"So," The Matriarch said, changing the subject. "From what I hear, The Mars Archive are rather exclusive about who they let in?" Liara blushed, bashfully.

Alex and the acolytes sat in a painfully awkward silence, punctuated only by the muffled discussion going on in the other room. She cleared her throat.

"Acolytes, then. What do they do when they're at home?" She offered her hand and flashed a nervous grin. In spite of the awkwardness, she relished the chance to use her new name.

"I'm Alex."

"Shiala." One of the girls said, taking her hand. The other just looked on, bored, keeping her arms firmly crossed. When her associate did not reciprocate, Shiala continued.

"The Matriarch is a wise and powerful Asari. It is a privilege to follow her and learn her teachings. She is like a second mother to us. It is a shame your friend chose not follow The Matriarch. With time she could have been a formidable Asari."

Alex snorted, annoyed by Shiala's choice of words.

"Yeah, Liara's not one for politics. But that doesn't mean she isn't formidable. She's the smartest person I've ever met. And her biotics are off the chain. She could run rings around anyone."

Her retort quickly cut the conversation short. Alex tried to pick it up again.

"So, uhh, how long have you been... acolyting?"

"Oh, I believe it will two hundred years next month" Shiala said, nonchalantly. Alex gaped.

"Two hundred years? Wow. Two hundred years ago we were happy just to have made it to the moon." Alex laughed.

"We'd barely mastered indoor plumbing."

With the tension comfortably broken, Shiala found herself opening up and explained the various nuances that came with being an acolyte to such a prestigious Matriarch. Alex found the whole concept insane. Fascinating, but insane.

Their conversation was cut short once again, however, by mother and daughter emerging from their own exchange. With rehearsed rigidity, the two acolytes rose from the sofa and moved toward the door. The Matriarch followed, stopping only to lean down and whisper in Alex's ear.

"Thank you for keeping her safe." She said, with a genuine gratitude that Alex couldn't help but feel proud over receiving.

"Any time, Ma'am." The Human replied with a small smile and nod. The three bid their farewell and once again, Liara and Alex were left alone.

"How'd it go with your mother?"

"It was hardly the reunion I was hoping for. But it was good. She is keeping company with a Spectre. I would be putting it lightly in saying that I am not the organisation's most fervent of supporters."

"What, the Space Cops? I thought you'd be all over enforcing the law?"

"Not when it puts people above it. You mark my words, Alex, no good will come of that organisation."

The Human shrugged her shoulders, stifling a yawn. Once again time had slipped away from them and the pair had an early start in the morning. Bidding one another good night, Alex curled up on the plush sofa, trying to figure out the best way to liberate the cushions from the suite and get them back on British soil. After the past few days, Alex's bed back home became increasingly less alluring. Now that she had experienced luxury, there was no going back.

Damn it, Blue, you've spoiled me.