BAMS: Yes, that was a Halo reference; I'm glad you caught it. ^.-
Hopelessly Blue: Lulz, your excitement made me smile! XD I'm happy that you liked it so, and… babysitting? Really? I hope they weren't too young, because kids can be little monsters 'at that age', you know what I'm saying? ;) And let's hope Raegas didn't keep everyone waiting just to make an awesome entrance, right? Not that an awesome entrance isn't awesome. And I only named the Councilors as I did because Valern is such a turian name and Sparatus is such a salarian name (I forgot the asari councilor's name so I left it as Tevos).
Kachie Takahashi: I try, Kachie, I do try. So let's get some twists and turns up in here! XP
Talhiri: *gasps* Why, I never! I'll just have to update quickly so you can't be distracted by your projects!
Liege Lord: Why must everyone think she only went there to make them believe the Reapers are real? Why can't they just be happy Raegas and Shepard are reunited? Blah! XP
A/N: Heart-pumping awesomeness!
"Of course, I would appreciate a recess for now, for…" father's voice trailed off as he no doubt eyed me and Shepard. "…adjustment." He finished. Not seconds later, Garugha and father were hurrying everyone out of the doors, leaving me alone in the room with Shepard.
Before even I knew it, my heart was shuddering even harder than it had when I first set foot on the carrier. My palms were itching and I couldn't even begin to describe the myriad of emotions assaulting me in waves. All I wanted to do was to hold Shepard but I was nailed to the ground so tightly I didn't think I'd be able to move.
"Rae... you're here…?" Shepard muttered, her brows furrowed as a distant look graced her eyes. I had a feeling she still remembered that vortex incident as well as I did.
"Yeah. No holograms this time." I managed, smiling in spite of my guilt.
Shepard took a step toward me, enticing my own forward movement. We began with small steps, still shocked we were finally face-to-face with each other. Shepard soon upped her pace and I mirrored it, almost powerwalking. Seconds later, we were both running to each other full out, grinning as wide as we could, rapidly closing the space between us.
Reaching Shepard, I outstretched my arms, feeling euphoria flood me as I finally threw them around her neck and pulled her into me. Before anything was even thought to be said, our lips collided together in a rush. My heart itself was singing with the wings of angels as it throbbed in my chest to the point of pain. We held onto each other so tightly I was afraid I was going to crush Shepard in the back of my practically-blank mind at that point.
I didn't want to let go for the world.
Once we finally did break, it was no surprise I found myself clutching to Shepard like my life depended on it. I felt like it was true, too. She did the same, burying her face into my neck, refusing to let go- and I didn't want her to. There was nothing that could be said that was good enough for the perfection of that moment.
It took us a bit, but we finally pulled back enough to look each other in the eyes. It wasn't a surprise I found myself and Shepard to be smiling so entirely that I was concerned our lips would tear. I was just happy to be with her again.
"So we're still…" Shepard muttered, trailing off on purpose. I couldn't smile any wider so I simply pulled her close again and let out a small laugh in pure joy.
"I could never let you go." I answered, feeling her hold on me tighten.
…
It took an entire hour, but eventually, Shepard and I were ready enough to get the meeting over with. Ciria had run in and interrupted us anyway, so we had to calm ourselves down.
The Council and my father walked back in, Garugha, the largest Ulaeviel alive, in the rear. The Council sat on one side of the low table and my father took the other with Garugha. I too sat down next to my father as Shepard sat back down in her perpendicular spot to us. Ciria joined me at my side, snuggling her head into Shepard's crossed legs.
"Sorry I'm late." I muttered to father, getting a grunt in return.
"I had made it clear you were to be the one negotiating- I know too little." He replied, almost smiling bitterly to himself.
"You know I like making an entrance. And I only missed five minutes." I shot back, scratching a Garugha behind his ears. "Alright, now that we're all here, let's get down to the meeting." I spoke up, getting everyone's attention.
"We had not been informed of your position…" Tevos trailed off, hoping I would elaborate.
"Well I thought I and my siblings were the last; announcing old titles was too arrogant to me. And you just need to call me-"
"Either princess or Lixeria. That is her adult name." father interrupted. I had been about to tell them to just call me Raegas since I still wasn't used to being 'back' yet.
"Yes…" Valern mused.
"Okay, so let's get down to business. We never actually meant to show up like this, let alone so early, but plans change. We came to start relations with you as allies against a common enemy." I started, trying not to wriggle around from wanting to touch Shepard again.
"The Reapers…" Anderson muttered, narrowing his eyes.
"Exactly. Now I know you three don't believe in these 'Reapers'…" I said, air quoting. "But we have an excess of proof on their existence." I said, eying them. My father brought up a hologram and detail of a reaper, ignoring their hushed whispers.
"They tried to destroy our people once, when we made our way to this galaxy." Father stated, changing the hologram to show three different videos of what had been recorded from that time. "It had been utter destruction. Our only advantage was our newness to this galaxy. The species that made their home here, however were not so lucky." He said. Once of his showing recordings let loose an immense metallic roar, startling the Council from their shocked and confused expressions.
"We tried to save as many as we could, but when the Reapers took the Citadel, we knew the war was lost. In response, we rescued all we could carry and fled." I explained, changing the videos to statistics of what we rescued and lost.
"Not soon after, they tried to follow after us. They may have been stopped by their most inner programming, but we were told to destroy all we could by those who we rescued. They were willing to destroy their own civilization to make the next cycle easier." My father continued, frowning.
"And so, we destroyed the mass relays." I said, cutting off the holograms. "Unfortunately, the simultaneous destruction of such machines caused a rift in space/time to occur. This tear in reality was what caused my people to be displaced into this reality and time from our own." I said, getting to how we arrived.
"Feel free to use our knowledge and records of this war as proof to your clouded eyes. For now, I will leave the discussion of Reapers for another time." Father said, running the tips of his fingers along the table. A hologram, floating above said table by an inch or so, appeared.
"What we need is an… alliance of sorts. Trade negotiation, policies and law, etc. will be handled by the appropriate authorities. I assume you will want to learn all you can of us, but the pressing issue is our current situation. To what degree will you hold us this day?" he asked calmly, making sure to speak a little slow to let the others digest. They had been unnaturally quite so far and it was creepy.
"We… must announce you as allies to relieve the building pressure of our populace and military." Valern said, seemingly shaking himself out of it.
"How long will staying here? I believe it would mutually beneficial." Tevos said softly, obviously shaken.
"For as long as you would have us. Luckily, my people are in a time of peace, giving us ability to be flexible. My heir will act with my authority on matters between our two peoples." Father answered, before we all stood, knowing the meeting was over until certain things were settled with each side.
"You are not staying?" Sparatus wondered. I could swear he was having a heart attack at everything going on.
"I must leave to my own people in one week's time. As will Lixeria; her duties are numerous." Father's statement caused Shepard's eyes to flash before she locked her eyes with mine.
Once everyone broke into groups or left, I took Shepard's hand and led her back to her room.
…
"This is all so crazy. Just a week ago I was alone and now…" Shepard said, shaking her head to herself as she sat on the edge of her bed. She rested her elbows on her knees, looking to the ground.
"And now, you've got a whole other galaxy on your side- about everything, pretty much." I smirked, sitting next to her. She sat back a bit and took my hand then, planting a sweet kiss to my cheek.
"Not to mention a sexy princess for a lover." She muttered, smirking that smirk of hers. I blushed in spite of myself and looked away. No matter what I shared with Shepard, I knew I was always going to be a little shy.
"You're the smoky hot one, Aerin- especially in those clothes." I smiled to myself, remembering our nights together. Shepard blew out a small chuckle before quieting once more. I didn't know what to say and I felt something bothering Shepard; it must have had something to do with father's earlier comment.
"I have to leave soon." Shepard said, her voice soft. I sighed, looking to the ground.
"I know." I muttered, holding her hand tighter. She squeezed back.
"I could use you on the Normandy…" she added, uncertainty in her voice. I felt it in my chest as well, and pressed a kiss to Shepard's hand before standing. I walked a few slow paces away, crossing my arms to try and keep warm.
"Shepard…" I sighed, not knowing what to do. I had responsibilities to my people. But I also had a commitment to Shepard and a burning need to be with her and help her. Shepard stood and came over, moving in front of me. she set her two hands on my shoulders, wanting to get my attention.
"I know you have a lot to do and I understand that you have duties to your people, but… as selfish as it is, I need you." she said. My eyes began to sting from the feeling she held in those words. "Rae, I need you with me or I can't breathe. I can't sleep, or eat, or even think straight." She cupped my chin and brought my face up so I had to look her in the eyes.
"I can't live without you anymore." She stated, her own eyes only beginning to tear up. My chest clenched in response and I cupped her face in my hands, bringing her into a soft kiss that spoke of more than just love.
Once I pulled back, I rested my forehead against hers.
"Don't you think I feel the same way?" I muttered, before she leaned forward and stole my breath with a fiery kiss.
"Will you stay with me?" she asked quietly, once she released me from the burning need of her lips. I could barely breathe, let alone respond, and I had a feeling this question had two sides to it.
"I…"
A/N: GAH! Another cliffhanger of uncertainty, everyone! I believe it's very possible that Raegas will be forced into serving her people and helping Shepard through messages or calls, eh?