The Wrong Woman, in the Right Place

by darthsquirt2

All the news vids and Extranet articles said the same thing. They each talked about Akuze, and how Shepard was the only one to live through it. They were wrong. She hadn't survived the battle of Akuze. She was still fighting it. This is the story of an emotionally scarred soldier, from Akuze, to Virmire, to Illos and beyond.

13. -that needs the most healing

Liara stepped into Shepherd's cabin. It was a definite step up from the last one. Model ships of all shapes and sizes hung in a large clear display case, and a tank filled with exotic marine life dominated the wall to her left. She could see Shepard's copies of the eleven military classics tucked into a shelf above the room's workspace. Shepherd herself was sitting further into the probe in the depression that served as a living space.

Cautiously, Liara stepped through the cabin and sealed herself next to her. Shepherd looked up at her with sad, almost mournful eyes.

"Hey Liara." Shepherd smiled faintly, clasping Liara's hand tightly.

"Shepard." Liara smiled in return, squeezing Shepard's hand back. Liara leaned in to kiss her bondmate lightly on the cheek.

To her surprise, Shepard's eyes tear up and she looked away.

"No." Liara hurt her whisper. "Not again."

Liara clasped Shepard's hand with both of hers to prevent it from being pulled away.

"Liara." Shepard began, hurting nearly needed boys carrying easily across the complete silence of the room. Liara sensed a flood of turbulent emotions rolling off her as she spoke. "My father never really came back from Shanxi, my family died on Mindoir, my squad died on Akuze, I lost Kaidan on Virimire, and I lost Ashley on Horizon."

Her eyes dried and began to take on a dead look. The same Liara had seen many times from Shepard. "I've lost so many people over the years. People I care about, that are irreplaceable to me. Friends, family, comrades."

She took Liara's hands in hers. "I need to know that I'm never going to lose you two." We are blinked several times, her vision becoming increasingly blurred every time she closed her eyes. "I've survived so much Liara." Shepard continued, her voice no more than a hoarse whisper.

"But I don't think I can survive losing you."

For few moments, the silence was almost material.

"As long as you promise me the same." Liara finally answered after basking in her bondmate's fear, pain, and sincerity.

Shepard smiled, the same genuine smile that Liara had grown used to seeing.

"Done." Not wasting another beat to silence.

"Then I promise, no matter what comes our way, I will never leave your side." Liara vowed.

Leaning forward, Shepard kissed Liara gently. The threat of the reapers was still out there, Cerberus was still hunting them, but that night, Shepard had more important things on her mind.