Commander Freya Shepard sighed through her teeth, her posture rigid and her stress and anger levels rising. EDI's biometric monitors on the Commander were definitely pushing into the red. This was the norm when Shepard used her biotics, as highly trained as she was with them; they and she always pushed her body to its limits. And it was this that meant EDI kept more than cursory watch over Shepard when she trained in this way. It also gave her a rare and unique opportunity to witness an event that, up until it happened, EDI had not really factored into her relationship observations. She was aware of the premise and had briefly wondered if it might occur between Jeff and herself, but when he had shown some degree of returned affection for her, she had stopped considering the point.

The Normandy was returning to the Citadel after a message from the salarian Councillor. It had been a few days since the Normandy had last docked for refuelling and supplies before diverting to Noveria to help secure an Alliance fighter base from Cerberus forces but the Commander had demanded that the Normandy return quickly, a little unnerved by the message she had received. The previous visit to the Citadel had also seen Shepard become more relaxed or at least a little less worried. EDI calculated that the reason was the continued improvement in the health of Major Alenko, not to mention seeing Thane again. EDI had overheard her telling Garrus that she had seen and spoken with him. However, according the Commander's bio-signs, that worry was back, especially after the confrontation between her and the salarian dalatress over the genophage cure.

Shepard had been practicing her Nova ability. EDI had noted that it was a newer powers to Shepard's usual biotic repertoire. It was a powerful ability, but it seemed that the Commander was dissatisfied with her utilisation of it. Repeated attempts had been met with only exasperation and curses as its power output seemed minimal when compared to the force the Commander exerted with her Biotic Charge. And the Commander was cursing herself for this disproportion.

'Having problems?' Liara's melodious voice cut short Shepard's curse spitting. The Commander had been so focused and completely unaware of the intruder that she seemed genuinely surprised by the Doctor's presence. A portion of the Commander's surprise could also have been attributed to the fact that Doctor T'Soni hardly ever seemed to come out of her quarters these days too. But EDI couldn't quantified that at present.

'Yeah.' Shepard admitted. 'My Nova is underpowered and I can't seem to divert all of my Barrier's power to fuel it properly.'

Liara nodded after a moment pondering the problem. 'I see.'

EDI was always intrigued when she observed Doctor T'Soni and the Commander together, especially when they were alone. Although Shepard visited her regularly, Liara always seemed busy or preoccupied to engage the Commander on the same level as other crew members did. And every time an encountered ended between them, cut short by unresponsiveness or differing priorities, EDI would register extreme disappointment from both parties, although, there was a much more delayed response in Liara. There was definitely a bond between the Commander and the Doctor. It wasn't something that EDI had been able to quantify in any measurable terms, but she 'sensed' something between the pair. In the end, she had asked Jeff about the relationship between the two, and with a great deal of relish in his voice, Jeff had laid down the tale of a sordid love triangle between the Commander, the Doctor and the Lieutenant that had ended with Shepard chose the human over the asari...although Jeff had expressed his disbelief as to why Shepard had turned Liara down when she could have probably negotiated a threesome between her and Kaidan. EDI had noted a distinct delight as Jeff spoke of the threesome. Was it something he desired to be a part of? EDI suspected that, should the opportunity arise, Jeff would be more than happy to participate, if he could. Which lead her to wonder if she should suggest one to Jeff, and who would she ask to also take part? The idea didn't seem so straight forward after all, but she didn't dismiss it.

'I think I can help you Shepard,' Liara said quietly. '...if you trust me.'

'Of course I trust you Liara.' She replied with a grin.

'Ok, then take up your stance and close your eyes.'

EDI watched the Commander comply. She stood poised and ready, as Liara circled her, passing her eyes over every inch of the Commander's body, appraising it like an newly discovered Prothean artefact. Liara's internal chemical balance had shifted, as it often did when she was around Shepard, but this time it seemed a little more diminished, but it still registered as an increase.

Gently, Liara reached out and touched Shepard, her fingers making tiny adjustments to the Commander's stance. The Commander remained focused at first, but the contact made her shudder almost invisibly, but EDI's enhanced vision caught it. As she moved the Commander, Liara spoke softly to her, telling the Commander to focus but stay relaxed, not to think about what was happening around her. Then, when satisfied with the state of her pupil, the Doctor moved back a good distance before addressing the Commander again, her voice still calm and soothing.

'Did you mean what you said to my father?' she asked.

Shepard's brow furrowed, her eyes still shut and EDI diverted more of her attention into the training room, very interested in the response.

'Huh?'

'You referred to me as 'My girl'...did you mean it?' Liara asked again, more insistent this time.

The Commander's frown deepened. 'Of course I did.'

'Good...then use it. Use that attachment to fuel and funnel your power. Turn your self-preservation to one of self-sacrifice instead.' The Doctor's voice had taken on a more commanding tone. 'Do it! Let go! Let go NOW!'

Commander Freya Shepard gritted her teeth and with a muted yell raised herself up in the air and punched down. A dazzling display of biotic lightning radiated outwards from the point where her fist almost hit the ground, channelling the energy into the deck like a conductor rod, followed by the muted pop of the Commander's barrier failing due to the draining of its power. The test drone pinged and the power readout flashed up, almost double what it had been before though Shepard didn't see it, nor the gentle smile on Liara's lips, her eyes were still shut.

Silence stretched out.

'I'm sorry Liara.' Shepard breathed.

It was the Doctor's turn to frown in confusion. 'What are you sorry for Shepard?' she asked.

Shepard didn't turn, her shoulders sagged. 'I'm sorry I can't love you in the way you want me to.'

'...oh.'

EDI saw Liara's expression and body language completely change, mirroring the weary look of the Commander. As if that Nova had drained them both of everything.

'I wish I could but...'

'I understand Shepard.' Liara replied, a little stiffly. Another moment of silence passed between them before Doctor T'Soni turned to leave, only to find a hand place gently on her arm. EDI was always impressed by the speed in which the Commander move, a by-product of her Vanguard nature.

'...you'll always be special to me Liara.' The Commander told her softly, turning the Doctor to look at her, a gentle hand on her chin. 'There's a bond between us that few of my kind will ever experience and I treasure it, now and always.'

'But your heart belongs to Kaidan.' Liara finished.

Shepard nodded.

As the scene played out, EDI realised what she was witnessing. Rejection. The Commander was rejecting the Doctor's advances to her in a final way, but rather than just dismissing Liara, Shepard was reaffirming their friendship. It was very clever of the Commander. A rift between her and Liara would've caused a great deal of tension aboard the ship, tension that was not needed. And so she had let Doctor T'Soni down gently but made her feel special at the same time.

'Oh, and just so you know, for the record.' Liara perked up after she had absorbed the information. 'If he ever hurts you again Shepard, I'll flay him alive...with my mind.'

To EDI's surprise, the Commander laughed, a smile lighting up her face.

'That's my girl!'

Shepard kissed Liara on the forehead and stepped back, looking curiously at Liara. 'Anyway...I'm not sure I could match up against the competition for your affections anyway Liara...I've seen drell in action and Feron looks like the jealous type.' She grinned, and received a weak biotic punch from Liara in return before both broke out into giggles.

EDI frowned for a moment. It seemed odd that rejection could strengthen the bond between two people, despite the fact that its purpose was to weaken. But then again, there had been no romance between the Commander and Doctor T'Soni. EDI glanced at Jeff, she found herself glad that he hadn't rejected her.

'Commander.' Jeff's voice cut through EDI's thoughts.

'Yes Joker?' Shepard voice replied back over the comlink, concern written across it at the interruption.

'We're approaching the Citadel, but I'm not picking up any com-traffic and our hails to the Docks aren't getting any reply.'

Silence.

'Something's very wrong here Commander. Really wrong!'

Silence.

'Joker.'

'Yes Commander.'

'Prep for an emergency insertion operation, bring the stealth systems up to maximum and be ready.'

'Aye aye ma'am.'

I guess my investigations will have to wait, EDI mused as she started to power up the Normandy's stealth drive and boot up her cyber warfare suite.

Author's Note: Despite what she said in Liar of the Shadow Broker, I firmly believe there's definitely something between Liara and Feron...and so I let that reflect in this chapter. Gotta make Liara happy some way since my FemShep isn't in love with her that way.