Chapter Four: A little yet more

Shepard casually entered the bridge tossing his gun over to Garrus who stood confused at the gesture.

"Tell Doctor Chakwa to examine the girl in my quarters, she has a few wounds that need to be attended to."

"Right away."

"Alright, did Joker place in the coordinates for Noveria? We need to head over there on the double."

The whole crew seemed hesitant.

"Why Noveria?" asked Tali as she approached him.

"You know that new girl, she was working for someone and judging from her uniform it seemed privately own. Noveria is the only planet that's exclusively own. Why not take a look?" he said, "Where's Liara?"

"I'm not sure, she came by through here but I don't remember exactly."

"You know for a scientist she sure does know how to be somewhere when she's not needed."

"Commander, you have that smirk on your face. What are you planning?" asked Williams as she playfully nudged him.

"If there's someone trying to get me then it must be about the Reapers, maybe that person has more information that could help. We don't have much time anyway. We don't know when the Reapers are going to strike nor when even they're going to appear. Since our fleet is limited I'm guessing I'm going to need to find recruits."

As he turned he realized that everyone in the haul were now focusing on words like some sort of trance. The words of a leader. That empty feeling he had earlier was gone. This was what he wanted. This was what he lived for. To lead.

"Alright crew, listen carefully, we cannot rest because as you all know there's an even greater force approaching and it's much stronger than Sovereign and Saren. The last battle weakened our defenses and has completely taken out the Traverse Council leaving it without a leader. Our own Ambassador and Captain have begun preparations for the future but I've given myself the responsibility of giving them a fleet to defend our home. What do you say? Ready for another mission?"

Everyone held agreeable expressions and some even smiled and nodded which was a drastic change for him. But one thing bothered him, someone was missing.

Liara.

The Asari scientist peered down at the alcoholic beverage between her fingers. She had never drank before but she assumed this was something one would do at that moment. She held it for a moment trying to ignore the couple next to her. Their flirting was beginning to annoy her in fact.

She took a small sip from her champagne glass and made a face. How it burned her throat and yet she found satisfaction in it.

She took another sip. And another.

"I've waited so long for you." said the man next to her.

"So have I, I just can't believe I hadn't seen it sooner." said his companion who stood close.

"I wanted to surprise you but I can't wait any longer."

"What is it?"

Liara didn't want to satisfy her curiosity, she already felt a deep depression.

"Will you marry me?"

"Of course, I will indeed."

The Asari turned her head slightly to see the couple embrace passionately. How could they carry such an affair in public? Then again, she was in Flux and no one really was paying enough attention to realize anything.

She swung her glass over lips to relinquish the last of her drink and swallowed hard.

"Are you alright?" said the bartender as he polished a glass.

She hadn't noticed but there were tears falling onto the counter like small beads. How pathetic. She was crying in public, what a child.

"I'm fine, just a little under," was the only thing she could say.

"Are you sure? Your kind is a very strong hearted race, I've never seen an Asari so down in the dumps."

"It's because of you damn humans."

The club silenced for a moment.

"Whoa, I'm sorry if I imposed. Didn't mean anything." he said as he walked away evidently taken aback by the comment.

"How you doing, pretty girl?" asked a voice.

Liara sarcastically turned to see a man smiling next to her. His appearance screamed player and snob but this didn't stop the drink from getting to her.

"If you buy me one more you can call me that again." she said in monotonous voice.

The man smiled as he slapped a few credits onto the counter.

"You got a deal. Bartender! Another of whatever this beautiful Asari wants." he said clapping his hands together feeling he was going to gain some action tonight.

She eyed him with an undisclosed expression.

"What do you want?" she asked grasping her newly purchased drink.

"Oh, nothing. I just want to make your day if you don't mind."

"Oh? How noble of you. Tell me how can you make this scientist's day? Just do it before I forget to acknowledge you though." she said smiling at her own wittiness.

"Well, it's a grand night. You seem to be bored here. Why not let me show you a good time?" he said leaning closer to her.

She leaned away still holding her glass to her lips. She started to adore the taste of wine.

"If you mind discussing such a thing I might consider it. Otherwise do what you humans do and get lost."

She smirked, all that studying on how humans converse was paying off.

"Oh come on baby. Don't be like that." he said placing his hand on hers.

She looked down at it and then at him while lifting a brow.

"I have a gun close by. You might want to reconsider what you do here." she said now unconsciously licking the rim of her glass.

"Ha, I love those jokes. Don't worry, you got some of that wine on your lips. Let me get that for you." he said. A sudden red flag triggered in her mind but due to her lack of experience to handle these situations she couldn't react in time.

The feelings of someone else's lips on hers sent a massive surge of surprise ecstasy through her body. Something unparalleled but she couldn't find the strength to pull away.

"How's it going?" asked Shepard.

Liara's stomach dropped. She opened her eyes to see the Commander standing over them with an aggravated smile. You know, one of those sinisterly forced smiles that screams silent rage.

"C-Commander!" she yelled.

"Hey buddy, what do you want?"

BOOM.

The love jock soared through the air and landed on the other side of the bar hitting most of the hanging glass along the way.

Shepard then turned to her and smiled.

"Ready to go?"