A/N: So, this chapter starts out with something from the original chapter 3, and then will have new stuff added on. Thanks so far for all of the faves, reviews, and subs. I always appreciate feedback =D

So without further interruptions, on with the next!

Chapter Four

The Normandy came into view for a requested evac. Shepard had called for it not even a minute before. Liara felt Shepard grab her arm, hoisting her to her feet. Liara gritted her teeth as her side ached, Shepard acting as a support structure for Liara to walk. They quickly reached the ramp before Shepard looked to Garrus, telling him to take Liara.

"Shepard!" Liara called out as Garrus grabbed Liara from Shepard, throwing her arm around his shoulder as her new support so she could stand. Liara looked to Shepard for answers. Why call an evac? Liara could still fight, she wouldn't go down so easily. But the look in Shepard's eyes said everything.

Katelyn feared losing Liara. "I can still fight!" Liara tried to insist. She tried to break away from Garrus' hold, but he held her tightly in place. Kate gave a more stern look up at Liara as she stayed at the bottom of the ramp.

"Don't argue with me, Liara. You have to get out of here." Katelyn said just as sternly. She would not risk Liara's life. Everything she had done, everything she was about to do, she did for her. She would not let it all be for nothing if she got Liara killed. She could not allow it. Would not.

Liara gained a slightly angered look. Perhaps almost accusing. "You're not leaving me behind again!" She yelled, sounding just as firm in her convictions for wanting to stay, yet there was fear in her voice. Katelyn shook her head as she looked away, if only for a second. She could not risk harm to Liara.

She faced Liara, a look that said her decision was final. "No matter what happens," she started as she made her way up the ramp towards Liara, the asari's arm out stretched, reaching her her bondmate, "you mean everything to me, Liara. You always will." Kate said more solemnly then anything.

Kate reached for her, one hand resting against Liara's cheek, brown eyes looking into searching blues. "Katelyn, I.." Liara started. Katelyn only half smiled.

That was when suddenly the world around them exploded into fire, Katelyn being ripped away from Liara.

""Katelyn!" Liara cried out in a panic as she shot up straight in her bed. She panted for air, feeling a cold chill run through her body as she clung to her bed's comforter tightly. A dream, or partly a dream. It was part memory, the last bit though... It was her fear of losing Kate for forever.

It was taking a while to repair most of the Normandy's systems. Guidance, thrusters. The core was mostly in tact, but the rest of the ship was a wreck as far as space capability went. Tali, Adams, Donelly and Danielles were working round the clock to fix the ship up. It was just taking time.

As it were the Normandy's communication system suffered more then any other. There wasn't any way to fix communications until a later time. Most of their resources were pooled into making the ship space worthy again. As of right now they weren't able to even send a message to anyone in the planet's atmosphere, let alone beyond that.

Every day that passed by was just another day of not knowing whether Katelyn had survived that night or not. It tormented Liara. Haunted her dreams. That was the worst part of waiting. No way to find out if Shepard was alive or... Liara couldn't handle the thought of Kate being dead. That was the first thing on her mind every day when she woke up.

Liara had been doing better, if only slightly, in the past couple of weeks. Liara had become a little more active with the crew again, but only because Garrus would drag her out of her room. They had even managed to talk her into adding Shepard's plaque to the wall a week ago. It was a bitter reminder for Liara though. She didn't like it hanging on that wall. It didn't belong there... Not yet.

Liara still struggled with herself daily. Shepard's loss was strongly felt with her. She had never loved anyone more in her life. Never felt more loved by anyone. To believe Kate had accomplished so much, like ridding the galaxy of the Reapers... She also brought the galaxy together under a common goal, the right to survive. She gave the Quarians back their home world, settled the fight between them and the Geth, cured the Genophage. Just done so much.

It was not fair if she couldn't share the victory she fought so hard for with everyone else. Kate had to live, if only for that alone.

Liara laid back down, curling up in her bed feeling drained and alone. Some nights it was easy for the young asari to close her eyes and recall how it felt when Shepard held her close when they shared nights together. The way she smelled, how intoxicating her touch was. Other nights, though... Even the slightest thought of it caused Liara to cry herself to sleep. Some nights it comforted her, other nights it just hurt like hell.

"Please, Kate... please be waiting for me..." Liara said to the emptiness of her room.

VWVWV

"Repairs are nearly finished." Ashley stated to the group standing around the war room. Liara couldn't help but feel a sense of hope with this bit of news. "We should be able to take off tomorrow." The second human Spectre added as she looked around at the many faces gathered around the room. Everyone showed some sense of hope, knowing that they could leave soon. Hopefully head home, find out what was happening.

After having been on this planet for a few weeks they had come to discover that a small Turian colony wasn't more than a few miles away from them. Well really, the Turians had discovered them. The Turians were more than willing to help with repairs even, lending them equipment, and giving them some extra tech to help speed the process. This had shortened the length of time needed to make the repairs tremendously. It was their first break since making a crash landing.

Liara looked to Ashley now, hoping their destination was Earth. They really had no where else to go now... Earth made the most sense, and Liara needed to know what happened to Katelyn one way or another. They could also figure out what to do from there. Ashley looked back at Liara, and as if reading her mind, the Spectre began to speak again, "The current plan is to head back to the Sol System." Liara let her hopes sore in that moment. She dared not give up hope on Kate, despite knowing she should not set herself up incase... Incase the worst scenario were to occur.

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement, and with that Ashley dismissed the crew gathered. Liara wandered away, heading for the elevator. In the past few days she had decided to help where she could with everything happening. She was no engineer, but she was able to help reconnect a few systems at least. It was nice to work again. It had helped her keep her mind off of things, helped her keep busy.

But today most of the work was mostly checking systems, and doing some final touches in engineering. Things Liara was not very well versed in. And as she wandered into the conference room she was stopped by Garrus, who pulled her aside. Liara looked up at the turian, a bit confused. "Liara... I was up in Shepard's cabin earlier today, taking care of her hampster." He started. He stopped looking almost hesitant to continue.

He gave a thoughtful look to the asari, knowing that if he were in her position he'd want to know. As she stared at him expectantly he cleared his throat. "I found something up there that you need to see." He said quietly. "I didn't pry much further than that, but it had your name on it." he finished.

Liara looked away from him. She didn't recall Katelyn saying she had left anything behind for her... She almost didn't want to know what it was... But she knew Kate, knew that if she had left it for her to find, well... Then it was something Kate would want her to see, or have. So Liara nodded as she looked back to Garrus. "Thank you." She said with a small smile. She knew he had been trying to look out for her, and she really did appreciate it.

He nodded back as she rested a hand on her shoulder a moment. Without saying anything further, he walked away. Liara took a deep breath as she tried to steel herself before she began to head for the elevator. She didn't know what to expect, but she had a suspicion. Kate was always one to be prepared for almost anything. Even if that anything meant the worst case scenario.

Once Liara reached the top deck she stopped outside of the cabin door. She began to debate with herself whether she really wanted to go inside or not. She was starting to feel a little better... Never would she be completely over losing her Spectre, but feeling better was something she needed. She knew that by stepping foot inside the cabin it would awaken her grief again.

After a moment more she had braced herself, pushing herself forward and into the cabin. Everything was as she expected. Everything in it's place, just as Kate had left it. Her model ships were displayed in the glass case, data pads laid strewn over her desk, her terminal in standby mode. On her desk was the same picture of Liara and Shepard sitting on the bench in the Presidium off to the side next to more data pads. Next to it was a small circular disc like device, on it a small piece of paper with Liara's name written on it.

Liara approached the object, running her finger over Kate's hand writing on the paper before carefully moving it off to the side. The device was similar to devices used to store pictures, only this one was capable of recording and playing short footage. Liara picked it up as she prepared herself for what might be on it. She walked down the few steps into the seating area, placing it on the table before sitting on the couch.

She took a steadying breath once again as she reached over, pushing the play button before sitting back again. It only took a moment for an image of Shepard to display from it's holo projectors. It was a small image, but still clearly seen. "Liara..." Kate started to say. There was a pause as it could be seen that Shepard leaned back in her chair, her look distant, as if composing herself.

"If you're finding this... well..." Kate paused again, as if searching for what to say. Liara felt her heart begin to pound as she waited for the image to continue. "I meant what I said." Katelyn finally began again. "I wanted to retire, to spend the rest of my life with you. I planned to come back... I never wanted to abandon you." Liara tried her best to hold back the tears, feeling her chest ache once again.

"I don't know what to expect with our final push on Earth... But I wanted to say some things... just in case." Kate rubbed at her face, letting out a sigh loud enough for the device to pick up. "You have been my support ever since the Reapers hit Earth. You've helped me keep focused, gave me the support when things looked bad. You also brought out the best in me... I need you to know that." Katelyn smiled a little. Liara couldn't hold back her tears any longer as they silently rolled down her cheeks. "You helped me see that the galaxy isn't the shit hole I once viewed it as. You helped me find myself again..."

Liara quickly wiped at the tears on her face as Katelyn gained a saddened look. "I don't want you to mourn for me for too long. You told me that what you wanted most was for this war to end, while there was a galaxy left to save... What I never told you was what I wanted most was to see you happy. I want you to be happy, Liara. Even if that means going on without me. I would never blame you for moving on, in fact... One day I hope you find someone who can make you smile and laugh again." Liara couldn't help but glower at the vid. She didn't want anyone else, she wanted Katelyn Shepard.

Kate looked away from the device as she sighed again. "I know you... I know you don't want to hear that... But don't neglect yourself." Katelyn looked back at the vid, back at Liara. "I love you. I love you more than anything, and I had hoped that one day we could of had a family. You're the only person I want to share that with. Please, don't give up on the galaxy like I did once... It's a dark lonely path that you should never have to be on." Liara couldn't help but let out an audible sob as the tears began to cloud her vision.

"You're very special, I need you to know that. I hope that you believe that." Katelyn then said. "I've cherished the time we had together... I wouldn't trade it for anything. I need you to take care of yourself." Kate then let out a short chuckle as she gave a half smile. "I should go." Liara couldn't help but give out a short lived laugh between her sobs. She knew Kate was referring to the incident with her clone just a few months before. It had become a bit of a joke since then.

"I mean it though, take care. Nothing would mean more to me than to see you smiling and laughing again someday, where ever I might be. I love you, Liara T'soni. Never forget that." And with a look that said it all, Katelyn reached out and the device shut itself down. And just like that Liara collapsed on the couch, and began to cry without any restraint, her grief unable to be contained.

VWVWV

And I'm gonna stop there. I seriously hope none of this seems out of place lol. Let me know. I figured with everything that happened to Liara between 1 and 2.. Well she says it pretty clearly she mourned for Shepard for 2 years. I figure there was a lot of emotional impact between Shepard dieing, and then coming back. I also figure with the Liara not knowing what became of Shepard this time she's probably not doing any better this time around. If not possibly worse.

Anyways, I always welcome some feedback, let me know if you're all still liking this. Until next time.