"With this I can give you…"

Liara paused as the events of the past few days finally began to sink in, now that she finally had the time to think. Her goal, her drive, her objective for the past two years was now a few scattered radioactive particles. Her arch rival, the creature who wanted to give Shepard's corpse to the collectors, the infamous Shadow Broker was dead. In his place now, for all intents and purposes, was Liara. The largest information network in the galaxy, and it was now hers. On the outside, Liara managed to keep a straight face, but on the inside, she was in turmoil. The realization of her longtime goal, her revenge, had passed. She had expected to feel satisfied. Instead, the only word she could think of to describe how she felt was…hollow. In truth, she had expected the Shadow Broker to dominate her life for another few years at the very least. Instead, he was gone. All because of…

Shepard

In that moment, when her emotions were still chaotic, and her judgment clouded, Liara's mental barrier slipped ever so slightly, as it did, Liara became aware of another set of powerful, almost overwhelming emotions. These emanated from Shepard. Liara felt the normally withdrawn woman's feelings flow through the gap, and for the first time, felt the full extent of the pain she was causing Shepard. She felt the anguish, the grief, and most of all, the regret. Liara realized that every moment they spent together was a living nightmare for Shepard, yet she'd still come halfway across the galaxy to help a drell she'd never met, and kill a creature who'd never crossed her. It reminded Liara of the pein she'd felt eminate from Shepard back after Virmire. The only difference was that then, Liara had been able to help ease the pain. Now, she had no one.

You are the cause of this.

A voice in her head spoke.

Was it really worth doing this to her? To yourself?

For the past few years, Liara had come to believe that her emotions were nothing more than a distraction. After Shepard had died, Liara was the only one unable to move on with her life. Even after she'd handed Shepard to Cerberus, she still work up crying. Only thoughts of revenge had been able to restrain her feelings, to keep her focused. Now her rival was dead, her friend rescued, and Shepard was alive again. Alive, and still the same woman she was two years ago.

"I can…" Liara repeated, for once, at a loss for words.

Shepard heard the uncertainty in her voice. The turmoil. Before thinking, she took two steps forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Liara. The asari turned, eagerly returning the embrace. After a few moments, their bodies separated, yet their hands remained tightly locked together. Shepard mover her face forward, and their lips brushed gently. Then Liara pulled away. Shepard felt the small flicker of hope that had been growing insider her, die out.

"This isn't…I can't…" Liara lowered her hear and withdrew her arms. Her voice cracked as she continued to speak. "It's been two years. We're different people."

Shepard stared at Liara, her vision slightly blurred.

No we're not. I'm still the same.

Shepard let her own mental defenses slide, and felt Liara's emotions course through her.

And thought you don't act like it, I know you are too.

Shepard brought a hand to Liara's chin, lifting it gently, and returning the asari's gaze to her. They both stared softly into each other's eyes for a moment, and then Shepard leaned forward again. This time, even with all of Liara's private doubts, the kiss was eagerly returned. They stood there, frozen in time, as all of their mental barricades finally crumbled. And as the shared sensations flowed through them, the negative sentiments were almost imperceptible compared to the overabundance of joy that they both shared. The two of them could've stayed in that state forever, but the need for air forced them apart. They stood there for several moments, each waiting for conscious thought to return, and content to drink in their shared presence until it did.

"Okay." Liara finally whispered. "Okay.

She moved away and accessed the nearest console. "I'll establish a secure link to the Normandy and send you any data I find on the collectors." She typed in a long string of commands. "I'll also add the Normandy to the ship's docking protocols" Then she began muttering to herself. "Well, first I'll have to create the protocols." Then she spoke aloud again. "Feel free to stop by whenever you like."

Shepard nodded, and moved toward the exit. "I will." She paused at the door to the Shadow Broker's chambers. "Don't be a stranger this time."

There was no malice in her voice, and Liara took it in the intended spirit.

"Fat chance of that happening." Liara smiled.

Shepard left quietly, leaving Liara to her work. It took her quite some time to get started, every time she tried to get started, Liara's thoughts would quickly drift back to a certain human SpecTRe.

"Thank you, Shepard."