Author's Note:

Okay, so... confession time. This chapter was just FUN to write. :)

Again, thank you all for your interest, it helps to keep me focused and motivated. Not to mention the smile it puts on my face.

And to my beta reader, Lyaksandra... you are superb! Muchas gracias!

Chapter 4

Delta Quadrant 1410
USS Voyager, Intrepid Class Federation Starship
Sickbay, Deck 5

After a quick detour to the shuttle in Cargo Bay One to allow Shepard and Liara a chance to store their weapons and armor, Janeway and Seven escorted Voyager's two guests to Sickbay. Tuvok attempted to assign them a security detail, but Janeway wanted to establish some much needed goodwill, so she waved it off. She knew her Chief of Security would monitor their movements, regardless.

Liara was grateful to once again only be wearing her blue and white jumpsuit. Since the end of the Reaper war, having an occasion to don her armor had steadily declined. Instead of face-to-face confrontations, most of her work was carried out under a shroud of secrecy, focused on directing the flow of information gathered by her network to reestablish trade routes and aid governments and refugees with the rebuilding process. Shepard, on the other hand, was unsettled without her armor. Being in an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar faces stirred all of her combat instincts. But those same trusted instincts, ones that had saved her life numerous times, also pushed her to give Captain Janeway the benefit of the doubt and assume that her crew was just as Janeway claimed them to be—misled participants in this mess. At least her navy blue Alliance uniform offered a modicum of comfort in its familiarity and distinct design.

Once they left the cargo bay, the journey to Sickbay involved taking the turbolift to deck five and a short walk through the corridor. When the doors slid open, Shepard and Liara got their first look at Voyager's impressive medical facilities.

Three beds equipped with biofunction monitors lined the right wall of the main room, and in the back, in its own alcove, was a surgical bed which had a large, sophisticated sensor cluster installed directly above. To the left was a small office, and like the rest of the Sickbay, it appeared clean and concise.

When the Sickbay doors closed, the Voyager's doctor materialized in the middle of the room. "Please state the nature of your medical emergency."

"You're a hologram!" Liara stated, unable to keep the astonishment from her voice as she examined the photonic projection of a balding, middle-aged human male.

"Obviously. I am the ship's Emergency Medical Hologram."

Janeway stepped forward to explain. "When we first arrived in the Delta Quadrant, our ship's Chief Medical Officer along with our nurse were killed, necessitating extended use of the EMH. He has become an invaluable member of our crew."

"You use the word 'he' not 'it', and call him a 'member of your crew'," Liara stated, watching the EMH closely, "not a tool or piece of equipment?"

Narrowing her eyes, Janeway replied stoutly, "The Doctor is a full-fledged member of this crew. Although originally conceived as a temporary medical backup, he has grown beyond his programming."

Fascinated by the implication, the Asari said, "So you are able to independently advance your own programming?"

"The Doctor is an advanced digital life-form with the ability to grow and adapt just as any other sentient being," Seven stated protectively.

"Of course. I did not mean to be insensitive." Liara turned toward the EMH noting that he wore a uniform similar to the other Voyager crew she had seen, but his was blue. "I apologize."

Shepard, who had been silently watching the scene unfold, asked, "What's your name?"

Seven turned toward the Spectre. "He has yet to choose his name."

"So… what? People go around calling him EMH?"

"No. They are usually intelligent enough to call me 'Doctor'."

The Spectre chuckled at the sardonic snub. "Dry humor subroutines. Reminds me of EDI, but more acerbic and, no offense, without the sexy voice."

"EDI?" Seven said.

"My ship's AI. Officially named in conjunction with her original purpose as a cyber-warfare suite: Enhanced Defense Intelligence."

The EMH crossed his arms defensively. "I am far more than a simple AI controlling a ship, Admiral."

"I'm sure you are, Doctor. Don't get your holographic panties in a wad. And EDI is anything but simple. She's the most advanced AI in my galaxy. She adapts, evolves and is sentient as far as I am concerned."

"I'm sure your opinion holds great sway on the subject of non-standard sentience."

"Doctor," Janeway cautioned.

Shepard laughed. "Worse has been said about me by much scarier entities, Captain. Besides, if she could, EDI would come here herself and kick his ass."

Seven's optical implant rose skeptically. "You stated she was an artificial intelligence programmed within your ship. How would she 'kick his ass'?"

"She is bound within the Normandy," Liara answered, "but a few years ago she acquired a cybernetic body."

Both of the Spectre's hands outlined an imaginary hourglass shape in the air. "To go along with that super sexy voice."

Liara rolled her eyes at her lover's less than tactful display. "Although primarily existing in the ship, EDI's mobile platform allows her to experience the world around her in entirely new ways."

Shepard turned toward the EMH. "What about you, Doctor?"

"What about me?"

"Do you ever get beyond the range of Voyager's holographic nodes?"

"Yes, in fact, I do. I have my mobile emitter which allows me to travel with complete independence."

"Good. EDI told me that acquiring her cybernetic body gave her a new perspective from which to process the world. The people, the environment, the nuances of organic relationships. Getting beyond the ship's walls, seeing organics interact socially and interacting with them in turn is all part of one's evolution."

"I… agree with you."

"Try not to sound so shocked. You might glitch a subroutine."

The EMH scowled hotly, then opened his mouth as though to say something, but Janeway quickly raised her hand, promptly ceasing any chance for a colorful retort. "Doctor. Perhaps you could focus on treating Admiral Shepard's injury?"

"Please, just call me Shepard. 'Admiral Shepard' makes me feel old."

"Before I treat anyone, I would like to run a few medical scans. You look human enough, but I would like to make sure." The EMH turned toward Liara. "And if…"

"Liara T'Soni," the Asari provided.

"If Liara T'Soni has no objections, then I would like to scan her, as well. If they are going to be guests aboard Voyager, I would like to have a baseline for both in case of an emergency."

Liara hesitated momentarily, unsure if she wanted to give permission, but then curiosity got the best of her. "I have no objections."

Shepard smiled, knowing all along what her lover's answer would be. The Asari was a scientist at heart.

The EMH stepped to the side, extending his arm in the direction of the three beds behind him. "Please lay down on one of the biobeds."

"On my ship," Shepard said, "we call them medbeds."

"Here they are called biobeds and if you want to be treated, you'll lay down on one."

"Fantastic bedside manner."

Liara tilted her head reproachfully. "Shepard…"

"Fine." The redhead sat down on the biobed furthest to the left. "I was only teasing. For a hologram, he's easily ruffled."

Liara chose the middle biobed. "Shepard…"

"Okay, okay..."

After both had lain down, the bioscan tests began and the Doctor healed the wound above Shepard's eye.

When she was certain the scans had been completed, Janeway spoke. "So what can you tell us about our guests, Doctor?"

"While they are not from this universe, their DNA does not indicate any temporal anomalies," the EMH stated.

Liara hopped down from the biobed, then held up both of her hands as a deep frown etched in her brow. "Hold on just a moment. You actually check for temporal and phase variances in DNA?"

"Yes, of course," the EMH replied haughtily.

"Fascinating."

"What the hell," Shepard said, dumbfounded by the thought. She was still sitting on the biobed and had made no move to get off. "Does time travel happen a lot?"

"Too often, if you ask the Captain," Seven replied stoically.

"And jumping to different universes?"

"Again, too often."

Shepard looked at Liara, then smiled devilishly. "Maybe that explains your attitude shift when I first saw you on Illium those many years ago."

Scowling in annoyance, Liara stepped toward the Spectre, her right hand reaching behind to the human's back. "Or perhaps it is you who is from a different universe."

Shepard yelped as she jumped down from the biobed, playfully twisting away in the process. "Hey, that tickled."

A mischievous smile tugged at the corner of Liara's mouth. "Just making sure."

"You have to admit," Shepard said while rubbing her backside, "you were acting a little standoffish."

"You are going to bring that up now? Here?" Liara's incredulous tone hinted that this was a common argument between them. "I thought you were dead, so being standoffish was quite reasonable. Or have you forgotten about the evil clone incident?"

Running her fingers through her short red locks, the Spectre flashed an awkward grin. "Okay, that's a valid point."

Seven raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You were dead?"

"Only mostly dead," Shepard replied. "Just for two years though."

Tilting her head, Seven said, "Explain."

"Short version. I was spaced, my suit ruptured, but I got better."

"I would prefer to hear the longer version."

Shepard sighed dramatically, but the grin on her face betrayed her amusement. "A few years back, my ship before EDI, the Normandy SR-1, was destroyed in a surprise attack by an—at the time—unknown enemy. I was spaced just after saving my pilot who was being a jackass and wanted to go down with the ship. My suit ruptured and I suffocated while free falling to a planet's surface."

Liara's hand reached for Shepard's entwining their fingers together with a level of familiarity revealing another dimension of their relationship. It was an act that was both supportive and comforting.

"My body," the Spectre continued, "was found by agents of an entity called the Shadow Broker who had been hired by a race called the Collectors, who just happened to be the unknown enemy who shot my ship down. Turns out they were after me the whole time. Apparently, they wanted to dissect me down to the sub-particle level, but as my frozen body was about to exchange hands, it was rescued by the beautiful and utterly amazing Dr. Liara T'Soni."

Shepard squeezed the Asari's hand affectionately as an endearing smile formed on her lips. "She then handed my body off to a rogue black-ops organization called Cerberus who funneled massive amounts of money and unlimited resources into my resurrection. Two years later, I woke up. Nothing much to say after that."

Liara chuckled amusement. "I hardly call surviving the Omega-4 Relay, destroying the Collector's base and saving the galaxy by stopping the Reaper invasion as 'nothing much to say'."

"No?"

"No," the Asari said teasingly. "Where you are concerned, I would call it 'business as usual'."

"How was your revival accomplished?" Seven was interested in the resurrection not only for scientific purposes, but also for personal reasons.

"Apparently the method of my demise, suffocating in the vacuum of space and then landing in a frozen tundra, was the bare bones method of cryogenic preservation. Cybernetic implants were used to aid in the reconstruction of my damaged bones, skin and organs, then they were combined with some fluids that I can't pronounce to restart the blood flow. Add a little elbow grease, a dab of luck and a bit of magic and voilà… here I am."

"Luck and magic are irrelevant."

Shepard flashed a wry grin. "Not if you're mostly dead."

The Doctor's interest in the conversation perked up. "Well, that explains the amount of the cybernetics in your body."

"And you've suffered no ill side-effects?" Janeway asked. Her interest was piqued for the same personal reason as Seven's, because of their own experience with resurrection when a member of their crew, Neelix, was revived with the use of Seven's nanoprobes.

"Nothing long-lasting," Shepard said, her hand rubbing the back of her neck. "Though it took a few weeks before I could eat solid food."

Janeway's steel blue eyes narrowed, studying the Spectre. "You experienced no emotional trauma from your ordeal?"

Shepard frowned. "Emotional trauma?"

Clearing her throat to stifle a laugh, Liara commented, "I think the Captain is wondering if you had crisis of faith or started to question the fabric of existence."

"Oh… you're wondering while in that 'sleep of death, what dreams may have come, when I shuffled off my mortal coil'."

Surprised, Janeway's gaze onto the Spectre somehow intensified. "So Shakespeare exists in your universe, as well. That's fascinating."

"I suppose," Shepard said hesitantly.

"That is fascinating," the Doctor said, his eyes wide with excitement. "What of Mozart, Da Vinci and Michelangelo? Is Hippocrates the father of modern medicine? Or Galileo the father of modern science? Perhaps a more in-depth study of the Admiral is in order, too. Physical, psychological, chemical..."

While the EMH rambled on, Shepard smirked, and without glancing at her companion, elbowed Liara in the ribs. "Seems like every scientist I meet finds me compelling enough to dissect."

The Asari turned an equally scathing and reprimanding look toward the Spectre, but the redheaded woman, who was still smirking, did not even bother to acknowledge it. For the others in the room, it was obvious that there was much more going on, a hidden context, to that cryptic exchange than was readily apparent.

Before the doctor could ramble on for much longer, Captain Janeway raised her hand, halting his monologue. "I appreciate your enthusiasm, Doctor, but now is not the time."

"Of course, Captain," the Doctor said. "Perhaps when the Admiral-"

"Doctor," Janeway interrupted, her eyebrow cocked in warning.

The EMH nodded his head, looking dutifully scolded.

"To answer your original question, Captain," the Spectre said, getting the conversation back on track, "No. I had no pull to question the meaning of life." Then, as though punctuating her statement, she shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.

Janeway knew the emotional and spiritual issues Neelix had struggled with, how his belief system had been challenged, so she was somewhat surprised by the Spectre's admission. "It sounds as though you were quite fortunate."

"I've always thought so," Shepard said as looked around the room taking in the vast array of medical equipment. "So this is your med bay?"

"Yes," the Doctor replied, "but 'Sickbay' is the more accurate term."

The Spectre nodded her head, clearly engrossed in thought, while absently running her index finger along the length of the biobed. Then, an impish gleam sparked in her eye and she turned towards Liara. "So… where's my reward?"

"Reward?" Liara questioned. "Shepard, I fail to see how an analysis of your DNA's phasic resonance qualifies as an injury."

"He also used… what did you call it Doctor?"

"A dermal regenerator."

"A dermal regenerator to heal the gash on my head."

Liara took a step closer to the Spectre, analyzing the healed patch of skin which showed no mark at all, not even a scar. "He did a remarkable job."

"Of course I did," the Doctor stated haughtily.

"A deal's a deal, T'Soni."

Seven, who was curious about the demand for a prize, watched as the two newcomers faced off.

The Asari tilted her head, responding to the human with only a raised eyebrow and a slight pursing of her lips.

Shepard crossed her arms in front of her chest, resting her weight on her right leg, and then returned the challenge by raising her own eyebrow in a mock rebuttal.

As the human and Asari continued to silently glare at each other, Seven contemplated the possible meaning of their non-verbal discourse. Obviously some discussion had taken place prior to their arrival in Sickbay. She glanced over at her captain who shrugged her shoulders in bewilderment.

"You know, we never specified that it had to be in the Normandy's med bay," Shepard said, finally breaking the staring contest as her hands dropped to her sides.

Liara pondered the statement momentarily. "No, we didn't, did we." But the Asari still did not move.

"So you're not going to honor the deal?"

Narrowing her eyes in deep scrutiny, Liara replied, "And hear your excessively dramatic narration when you see Garrus? I would never give you that pleasure, Spectre."

"No?" Shepard's voice almost sounded disappointed.

"No. Instead, I'll benevolently grant your request for a reward."

Liara stepped close enough that Shepard could feel the heat radiating from her body as iridescent blue eyes locked onto green. Then, the Asari's right hand gently settled on the Spectre's waist while the fingertips of her left tenderly brushed across her cheek, tracing a path along the outline of her ear and sinking within the tangled depths of the short reddish locks. Without a word, Liara leaned in placing a soft, seductive kiss upon the human's lips, and in response the human's hand instinctively captured the Asari's hips, pulling their bodies together.

"Well, that answers that question," Janeway thought somewhat befuddled as she watched the scene unfold in front of her. Any questions she might have had about the nature of her guest's relationship were answered with decisive candor.

The EMH, annoyed by the time consuming affectionate display, attempted to get his patient's attention by mimicking a cough.

Oblivious to the minuscule interruption, the pair continued their kiss, which in turn only increased the EMH's irritation.

"Excuse me, Admiral Shepard."

Seven quirked her eyebrow, surprised that the couple could remain lost in their own world despite the Doctor's antics. The display was both revealing in terms of the relationship between the pair, but also unsettling since she was witnessing the intimate scene while standing next to the object of her own unrequited affection. It took all of her Borg-ish resolve to appear outwardly indifferent while an annoying anxiousness assaulted her inwardly.

Janeway, who had watched the playful banter with an amused if not watchful eye, was now thunderstruck. The kiss that had started out as sweet and almost innocent had become increasingly heated, not because of tongue play or amorous fondling, neither of that had occurred, but rather because of a slowly building passion, a barely contained intensity that smoldered between the pair and seemed grow exponentially as each moment passed. She glanced at Seven from the corner of her eye, noted the impassive expression on her face, but also caught sight of an almost imperceptible spark in her eye. Piqued curiosity? General interest? Personal longing? She needed this to stop before she got lost in the uncomfortable possibilities for Seven's attentiveness.

Janeway cleared her throat somewhat loudly. "Admiral Shepard," she said, repeating the EMH's hail, "I hate to interrupt, but we really need to talk."

At that, the couple broke away both looking a bit disoriented. Shepard recovered first, smiling sheepishly at the audience. "Sorry, I was just getting my reward." Her arm remained coiled around the Asari's waist, keeping their bodies close.

Seven was the first to comment. "That is an illogical reward for being damaged."

This time Liara quirked a playful eyebrow. "On the contrary, it is quite logical."

Seven tilted her head, silently asking for a more detailed explanation.

Smiling, Shepard explained. "It's not for being injured, it's for not being seriously injured."

"Critically injured," Liara corrected, as the fingertips of her right hand traced the Spectre's unblemished forehead.

"That, too."

The Asari explained the reward system a bit further. "Since we've known each other, Shepard has been inside a medical facility for serious injuries thirty-seven times, ten of which were deemed critical and three of which were life threatening—"

"Wait," the Spectre interrupted, "you keep track?"

"Yes, of course," Liara said matter-of-factly, her tone implying that it would have been absurd not to. "Since we implemented the reward system—a kiss for sustaining no critical or life threatening injuries—she has been admitted fifteen times, but for only minor injuries." She turned toward the Spectre, a playful accusatory tone floating through her words. "Some of which were questionable admissions."

"Dr. Chakwas was just being thorough."

"You bribed her with a bottle of Serrice Ice Brandy."

"Only the one time." With a wolfish grin, Shepard added, "And the reward was worth every cred."

A purplish shade slowly crept up the Asari's neck and along her cheeks. "I should hope so, Spectre."

"I see," Seven said. "Your reward system appears to be… most effective."

Liara turned her head toward the Spectre, an affectionate smile curling at the corner of her mouth, then she leaned in placing a quick kiss on the human's cheek. "My thoughts exactly."

Looking smug, Shepard said, "You should give the reward system some thought for Voyager, Captain."

Janeway pursed her lips, clearly not amused by the Spectre's glibness. "I doubt Dr. T'Soni would be interested in bestowing such rewards on my crew."

"I hope not. But you could."

"Somehow I doubt Dr. T'Soni bestows such rewards on all of your crew, either."

"True," Shepard agreed, flashing Voyager's captain a faux innocent look. "There's more impact and incentive when you single someone special out."

Janeway leveled a force ten glare at Shepard, the kind the made paint peel from bulkheads. Even though Liara wasn't the focus of the glare, she felt the heat and averted her eyes to the ground. Shepard, on the other hand, was familiar with such blazing looks. She had, after all, faced down an ancient machine race, blood-raged Krogans and irate members of the Citadel Council.

Still though, through those very encounters, she was wise enough to know when to switch tactics.

"So Captain," she said, deftly changing the subject, "you mentioned we needed to talk?"

Janeway nodded, her irked gaze tempering slightly. "I'd like to ask permission for my people to review your historical database, provided you have one with you."

"You want to know more about the Batarians."

"This is an unusual event, unprecedented in some aspects, and access to your database would allow us the chance to study a previously unknown universe. But yes, I would also like to know more about the Tarians… or Batarians. I'd like to know who I am dealing with."

"Why do I get the feeling that if you want something, you are persistent?"

"I've been told it is one of my more endearing traits."

"Along with your wit?"

A casual smile pulled on Janeway's lips. "I've been told that, too."

"Since you're granting us access to your systems, it seems only fair that we do the same," Shepard said, her smile immediately fading away. "The more you know about the Batarians, the better off we'll all be. I can give you a copy of the unrestricted files from my shuttle." Any sense of her early playfulness had disappeared when she spoke of the Batarians.

Before Janeway could comment about the Spectre's shift in attitude, she was hailed.

"Chakotay to Janeway."

"Go ahead, Commander."

"Captain, the Tarian High Council is asking to speak to you."

"Thank you. Put it through to my ready-room, I am heading there now. Janeway out."

When she turned to address her guests, her expression was apologetic. "I'm sorry, but getting the files from your shuttle will have to wait. Perhaps after dinner?"

Liara and Shepard exchanged a look, then the Spectre said, "That will be fine, Captain."

"Good." Although she wasn't looking forward to her discussion with the Tarian's, Janeway was able to put her disinclination aside and offer a genuine smile in Seven's direction. "Will you please escort our guests to the VIP quarters?"

With a curt nod, Seven answered, "Of course, Captain."

On that vaguely comforting note, Janeway left the Sickbay intent on proceeding to her ready room. Then, a moment later, Seven led the two guests toward the turbolift so they could be shown their quarters.

The Doctor looked nonplussed as he stood, alone, in the middle of the Sickbay. "Computer, deactivate EMH."