A/N: A BIG Thank You to everyone that has left a review, PM or just continues to follow my story. I wanted to let you all know that it has been fun to write so far! Also, I have been on vacation this past week and that has given me more time to write. I promise to keep the updates coming, but they might not be as frequent as these first four chapters have been. It will all depend on how busy work is this week.

Thanks again and I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4: Departure

Commander Shepard, Liara T'Soni and Garrus Vakarian all sat in the Purgatory Bar on the Citadel, waiting for Aria T'Loak to arrive. In keeping with her notorious reputation, Aria was already over two hours late. Shepard was not surprised and decided to use the time to relax with her lover and best friend prior to another stressful mission. Garrus had been filling Liara in on his exploits as Archangel and how he had managed, singlehandedly, to take out the various crime lords on Omega. This was a tale that seemed to grow larger every time he told it. Shepard could not help but laugh at his exaggerations and add in her part of the story too.

"Can we get another round of drinks over here," Garrus jovially barked at a waitress as she passed by. The waitress nodded and headed off to fill their order. Garrus was enjoying his time off the Normandy, catching up with his friends; it had been a long time since they were able to get together and let off steam. Thessia had been an emotionally devastating mission for all of them, especially Liara. Garrus was happy to see her smiling and trying to take her mind off the war. Besides, any opportunity to get in a few drinks was okay with him. Even Shepard seemed to be more relaxed then she had in the last few weeks. Their drinks were delivered and Garrus continued on with his tales of heroics.

Finally, after they had finished yet another round of drinks, Aria T'Loak strutted into Purgatory with a self-satisfied grin. "I see that you all haven't been wasting any time trying to figure out how to take on Cerberus, you will just drink them under the table at Afterlife," she said sarcastically. She then reached down to pick up the untouched shot in front of Liara and quickly downed it. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and then turned to head towards the door. "Coming," she said without looking backwards.

In typical Aria fashion, she had made an entrance when she was ready and then dictated when they would be leaving. 'Luckily for Aria,' Shepard thought, 'I am ready to get out of here.' Liara was pressed next to her and feeling particularly comforting at that moment. They all chuckled a bit at Aria's actions, her forwardness and self confidence were ever present and they were all a bit tipsy from multiple rounds they downed during the wait. Shepard and Garrus finished their drinks and started gathering up their things.

Liara was actually relieved that Aria had finished off her drink. She was not used to consuming shots of tequila and was developing a headache. She had enjoyed listening to Garrus and Shepard share all their stories and their attempts to one-up each other. It had also been nice to have Shepard move closer after each round until Shepard had wrapped her arm around her waist and leaned in snuggly against her. Liara took the opportunity to sneak in a quick kiss before they got up to leave. The group followed Aria out to the docking bay where the Normandy would be waiting for them. Shepard allowed Aria to set the pace so that she could have more time with Liara.

"Nice ship, will you give me the grand tour, Shepard? Oh yes, and where should I put my things?" Aria asked Shepard alluringly, as soon as they entered the Normandy. "Maybe you would like to be 'debriefed' before we get to Omega. I have heard that the view from your quarters is amazing," Aria continued smiling deviously at Liara. "Is it true that you even have the Shadow Broker's terminals secured in here somewhere? I would love to have a look at those."

To Liara's credit, she did not take the bait. Instead, she calmly took Shepard's arm and led her towards the elevator. "The Commander's quarters, like the Commander herself, are amazing and also already occupied," she purred and shot Aria a knowing smile of her own.

Seeing Liara's reaction, Shepard decided to ignore the innuendo that Aria made, it was Aria after all. "Garrus please have Specialist Traynor take our guest to her quarters," Shepard said absently, as she had quickly become preoccupied with the asari holding her arm rather tightly. "We will meet to discuss the operation at 08:00. Welcome aboard, Aria and please try to behave," Shepard managed as the doors to the elevator closed.

Garrus gave Aria the best smirk that a turian could. "Follow me and I will introduce you to Comm Specialist Samantha Traynor, she can take you down to the Crew Deck and help you get settled in," Garrus said eager to get to the Main Battery and the comfort of the Thanix cannon and calibrations.

At the mention of her name, Sam's ears perked up. She looked over and saw Garrus standing next to a striking asari dressed in leather pants and a formfitting white leather jacket. She smiled at the sight and keenly walked over to Garrus and his guest. "Hello, you must be Aria T'Loak. I am Specialist Traynor and I would be happy to help you get settled in," Sam said with as much professionalism as she could muster.

"Well this one is smart and eager," Aria said as she rolled her eyes at Garrus. "At least she's pretty. By the way Archangel, I don't think that I ever said thank you for limiting my competition on Omega. I look forward to seeing you make a repeat of your skills on the current occupants of Omega. Did I ever tell you how much I like your scar," Aria said almost earnestly.

"Thanks, I think Aria," Garrus said as he left Aria to the care of Samantha. "See you tomorrow." Garrus actually felt a little guilty turning Aria over to the naive human, but then again, they were all going to have to get use to Aria and her antics until they reached Omega.

Aria's attention quickly changed to the young human standing anxiously in front of her. "Okay Specialist, I'm ready to see my room." Aria motioned at her gear, which Sam gathered up.

Sam headed for the elevator, not really sure what to say to Aria. She had heard many stories about the asari Pirate Queen, but to be standing with her now was a bit intimidating. The elevator opened and Aria swiftly walked in; Sam followed and selected the Crew Deck. "You should be comfortable; Commander Shepard had the Starboard Observation Deck renovated for you. You will notice that the Mess Hall is right in the middle of the deck and down the hall is the Port Observation Deck, which is complete with a rec area and a bar. So here you are," Sam said as she opened the door to Aria's room and placed her things on a table by the door. "Is there anything that I can get for you?"

Aria looked over Traynor and smiled her most seductive smile at her. "Perhaps, what do you do for fun around here?"

"Oh, there hasn't been much time for that," Traynor said quickly. "I usually play chess if I can find someone up to it," she said without thinking. Sam's face reddened as she realized that Aria was not looking for a chess partner.

Aria laughed at the response, it had been a long time since someone had been so obtuse to her suggestions. She thought of Tevos briefly and her seductive bravado changed. Thinking of Thea actually made her stomach flutter slightly and a tinge of sadness crept in to her mood for the way they had parted. "Thank you, Samantha. I rather like strategy games and you might find me to be a formidable opponent. Why don't you go get us some drinks from that bar you mentioned and prepare to lose horribly?" Aria looked out the large observation window to the spot where the Citadel had been before their departure. 'Damn it Thea, why do you keep sneaking into my thoughts.'

Sam was surprised by the Aria's reaction and for a moment didn't know if the asari was toying with her or was being serious. Aria had turned to look out the large window of the room and Sam decided that she was actually serious. "What would you like from the bar?" Sam asked, still hesitant that Aria had other motives.

"Scotch on the rocks, Samantha. Do you usually play for credits or just bragging rights?"

"Why don't we start with bragging rights tonight and by the way, it's Sam."

Sam quickly left to get the drinks and game. Aria looked at her new quarters and shook her head. It had been a few years since she played chess, but she had always done well and actually enjoyed the strategy involved in the game. Aria found herself actually looking forward to the match with the human.

So the first night on board the Normandy, Aria T'Loak spent the evening sparring Samantha Traynor over a lengthy game of chess; the winner of which would be sworn to secrecy.