In the end it had taken a lot more convincing than she had expected; the crew was mighty protective of their youngest member, but thankfully when Joker had chimed in on her side it had settled the debate.

It was never too soon to learn something about driving, and they had the Mako after all; taking Beni for a little spin wouldn't do her any harm. Of course, Garrus did not agree. Garrus was of the firm opinion that Shepard should never be allowed that death-trap on wheels ever again and she wouldn't put it past him to tattle to Liara as soon as he found her. Which was why they had to hurry before she caught up.

Shepard made her careful way through the ship to the cargo bay, Beni trotting at her heels, little hand clasped in her father's fingers. She stopped every now and then to peer suspiciously around a corner, half-expecting to come face to face with an indignant bond-mate and her former best friend. So far she had managed to avoid both Garrus and Liara and she offered up silent thanks for EDI's advice on which passages to use to avoid any awkward confrontations.

Shepard scooped her daughter up, holding her close as she began to trot, her nervousness finally getting the better of her.

"Papa, why're we running?"

Too clever by half, she got that from her mother. No point in lying to her, Beni was every bit as eager for this excursion as she was.

"We have to hurry, or mama will find out."

Beni blinked somberly, "Mama always finds out."

"But the trick is to make sure she doesn't find out until afterward."

"Oooh."

Shepard laughed, pressing a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. She was adorable, and she got that from her mother too.

Shepard's comm chirped and she debated the wisdom of ignoring it, but if it were Liara that might tip her off that something was afoot; she moved Beni to her other arm as she answered.

"I'm a little busy, can it wait?"

"Not really, Commander. Miranda's heading your way and I don't think she'll be amused." She could hear the smile in Joker's voice, he would gladly take any opportunity for mischief.

"You might want to hang a left at the next turn, Tali has the Mako all ready to go. Seems she and Garrus are having a it of a disagreement. You gotta love a vengeful woman."

Shepard keyed off the comm, hanging a left as Joker had directed.

"Papa, are we going to get in trouble?"

Now Beni sounded genuinely worried, "trouble" usually meant an hour or so meditating on what she had done wrong. As far as she was concerned, an hour away from her doting aunts and uncles was the end of the world.

"Of course not, I'll handle mama."

Beni didn't look entirely convinced, and Shepard couldn't blame her. Liara's stubbornness and infuriating logic ensured that she won the majority of their arguments, but she could think of ways to distract her this time.

"Cross my heart and hope to die." She added for good measure.

Beni nodded as though that made all the difference in the world, but there was still a tiny frown between her brows; she could see herself in the expression and she smiled slightly.

The cargo bay was deserted when they arrived, but the Mako was idling as promised. Shepard slipped in quickly, bracing her daughter in her lap as she pulled the door shut.

"We're going to drop fast, don't be frightened; I have you. Just hold on to the wheel."

Beni seized the wheel tightly, little hands hardly big enough to fit around it, but the determined look on her face and the brace of her shoulders was fearless. That pose was all Shepard.

Shepard nudged the pedal slightly, maneuvering into position for the drop but a flash of movement caught her eye.

They were trapped. All their preparation in vain. That was Liara, and predictably there was Garrus and Miranda, waiting impatiently for her to acknowledge them.

Shepard leaned back in her seat, turning off the Mako.

"Sorry, Kiddo. Not today. Mama's found us."

Beni's face looked so tragically disappointed Shepard couldn't leave it there. "Maybe if you ask uncle Joker he'll show you the Normandy controls; why don't you try that while I talk with mama?"

Beni bounded from the vehicle as soon as she opened the door, running past Liara before she could utter so much as a single scolding word.

Shepard threw up her hands in mock surrender, "It was my idea, I take full responsibility."

"Good. I am holding you fully responsible. Joker too for that matter."

Shepard winced as Liara crossed her arms, that was seldom a good sign.

"Garrus, I thought we were friends."

"Except when you're driving that thing." Garrus shuddered at some preferably forgotten memory. "You can't take blue out in that. I think you should leave the driving lessons to Liara."

"I think I need to find new friends." Shepard muttered sulkily.

Miranda gestured to the door, striding out with Garrus, the former sharing a look with Liara as the latter cast a pitying look to his Commander.

Shepard couldn't resist the urge to stick out her tongue childishly, a habit she wasn't sure she had taught to Beni or learned from her. She quickly pulled it back in when she saw Liara staring at her.

"Shepard, sometimes I just don't know what to do with you. How could you think it would be a good idea to take her out in that?"

"I would've been careful. She could've steered and I'd take the brakes."

"Have you ever actually used the brakes for any purpose other than giving your team-mates whiplash."

"I'm not that bad." Shepard muttered.

"I want your word that there will be no more of these secretive excursions. The next time you decide to do something crazy I want to be the first to know. I resent having to hear about this from the crew."

"Technically you weren't supposed to find out about it at all."

"And that just makes it worse." Liara was glaring in a way that warned Shepard she was one wrong word away from the couch. Time to grovel.

Shepard stepped forward, "I'm sorry. I knew you would be worried, and I just thought we could have a little fun. No harm, no foul. I'll let you know next time."

"Beforehand." Liara added suspiciously.

Shepard grinned disarmingly, "What did you think I meant?"

"I notice you still haven't given your word. I'm serious, promise you will tell me before another situation like this arises."

Shepard huffed, resigned to the necessity of giving her word, "Fine. I'll let you know before we try again." Inside, Shepard smirked. If she were already in the Mako and ready to go then she could inform Liara just before they made the drop. Of course, that would probably guarantee a solid month on the couch and the cold shoulder for at least a week, but it was an option.

"And I will tell Beni the same." Translation, she had to be sure to surprise her daughter lest her mother prise the information from her innocent mouth.

Shepard nodded agreeably, "Of course. Let's seal it with a kiss." She reached for Liara but her bond-mate stepped back, raising her brows mockingly.

"I think not. And you needn't bother coming to bed either; I don't even want to see you in my bed until I am convinced of your sincerity."

"Since when is it your bed? It's in my cabin," Shepard whined.

"Our cabin, and it's my bed until further notice."

Shepard watched as Liara stalk toward the door, falling into step behind her and walking with that predatory grace she knew Liara appreciated. She had already devised several strategies for convincing her wife of her sincerity, they could talk them over in the elevator on the way to their cabin.