"This is an awful idea." Liara muttered, watching their daughter run ahead with her characteristic reckless abandon.

"You've said that several times already." Shepard slanted a glance in her direction, pulling her closer despite Liara's token resistance.

"It bears repeating."

"I told you, the bar is closed. It's reserved for family and friends; the kid's never even going to notice. Even Aethyta thought it was a great idea."

"I don't want her getting used to places like this."

"The Citadel?"

"Purgatory, Shepard. Don't be coy."

"I'm never coy, only clarifying. Don't run too far ahead, kiddo! We can't keep up!"

Beni obediently trotted back, twining her fingers through her father's free hand; "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere special."

"But where?"

"It's a surprise, Beni." Liara was the very soul of long-suffering patience. Shepard smiled sympathetically; she hadn't been sleeping well these past couple of weeks and last night had been one of the worst incidents to date. Despite Shepard's constant pestering, she insisted that she was fine and refused to spend any time in the infirmary at all.

Privately Shepard thought that before all this was over they would find out who held the greater authority, the Commander or the Shadow Broker; Shepard was careful to keep the concern from her face lest Liara divine her intentions.

"It's my birthday, papa says that means I get what I want. I want to know where we are going."

"Impressively reasoned, but predicated on a false premise; namely, that papa spoke truthfully."

"Ouch." Shepard winced playfully.

Beni blinked in confusion, "Huh?"

"Your papa was wrong."

"Do you have to keep calling me that? It makes me feel old when you say it."

"Of course, Shepard."

Shepard shared a conspiratorial look with Beni; both knew too well what it meant to be on the receiving end of Liara's rare tempers. Today of all days it looked like she was high-strung and ready for an argument. Shepard was of the firm opinion that a good night's sleep would fix that, but Liara's gaze warned that broaching that subject now would be the last straw.

"Are you mad, mama?"

And here Shepard had thought they had an understanding; countless times she had warned her daughter not to needle her mother when she was frustrated. When she heard the lecture Beni always nodded and smiled, but the minute Shepard turned her back she slipped right back into her old patterns. Somehow she had thought a day on a calendar might change that. Shepard sighed and braced herself for a passive-aggressive continuation of the debate they had this morning.

"Of course not. Look ahead, see the sign? That's where we're going. Read it to me."

That had been surprisingly mellow; the sharp tone from earlier had entirely vanished. Shepard barely kept from raising her brows in surprise.

Beni was mouthing the word to herself, whispering it softly as she painstakingly sounded out each individual letter. Six years old today and she still repeated the ritual; Liara insisted that she should be reading at a more advanced level. Shepard wasn't ready to share her suspicions just yet, all in good time; Beni had plenty of growing to do and Miranda said she was a champion in mathematics.

Enough. They were going to enjoy the day and put aside these concerns for another time.

"Purgatory," Beni wrinkled her nose, "What's a purgatory?"

Shepard snorted, "It's where our enemies tend to find themselves."

"Shepard!"

Shepard might have taken the reprimand more seriously if it weren't for the twinkle of humor in Liara's eye and the small curve of her mouth.

"Well go on. Don't you want to see inside?"

With one last look to her mother Beni took off, stumbling up the stairs two at a time, waiting impatiently at the door for her lagging family.

"Come on!"

"We can't all be as fast as you, princess."

Shepard patted her head absently as the door hissed open to reveal the entirety of the crew and a few assorted friends. A roar went up, loud enough that Beni clamped her hands to her head and shrunk into Shepard's leg, burying her face there for comfort even as she screamed in delight.

One of the guests separated and hurried forward, scooping Beni up before Shepard could do more than pat her back reassuringly.

"We've been waiting, squirt."

Beni's shriek was piercing enough that Shepard's ears rang. "Grandpa!"

Shepard was beginning to think Liara had the right of it. Nothing good could come of putting Aethyta in charge of party planning.

!

!

!

Liara wasn't sure when it had happened precisely, but somewhere between greeting the myriad guests, catching up with old friends and slipping off for a few moments of peace in a small corner, she had managed to completely lose sight of her little daughter. It wasn't too worrisome, Beni was surrounded by people that knew and loved her, the tavern was closed from the inside and there was only so much one small child could get into in such a short space of time, but at five years old that was just about anything.

Liara scanned the room, catching sight of Shepard, one arm slung companionably over Jack's shoulder, the other resting on the table beneath her. Liara smirked to see that she rested her elbow in a small dab of icing. She could go the whole evening with this little secret to keep her amused.

Tali was leaning back on the bar, head bent close to Garrus. She wished them the best of luck, goddess knew they had been stepping lightly around the subject for too long now. Zaeed was loudly lamenting the lack of any hard drinks to a bored Kelly Chambers; she really ought to rescue the poor girl, but Beni was the priority.

Finally she found her, perched up on the bar in front of Aethyta, sipping at a glass…

Liara bolted over, prising the glass from her fingers unceremoniously.

"What are you thinking?"

Her father's brows winged up in surprise, "That the kid looks thirsty, obviously. Give it back, Liara."

"She can't drink!"

"She puts the cups to her lips and tips it down her throat; I call that drinking. It's a little punch, nothing dangerous."

Liara breathed out a guilty sigh of relief, "Sorry, I assumed the worst."

Beni reached for the glass again and Liara noted that her eyes were drifting slowly shut. It couldn't have been more than two, maybe three hours since they had arrived, but between mock-wrestling her grandfather, playing chase with Jacob's son and demanding hugs of everyone present she was worn out. Liara lifted her down from the counter, pressing the drink back into her hands.

"Why don't you find Papa? Tell her we're going soon."

"Why?" That sounded dangerously close to a whine.

"You're tired, won't it be nice-"

"I'm not tired." A wide yawn gave her words the lie.

Aethyta chuckled softly, "Go on. Your mama gave you an order."

"She asked a question, that's not the same."

"It is when your mother asks it. Find Shepard and report back immediately." Aethyta threw off a playful salute and Beni mimicked her, marching off into the crowd with new purpose.

"You shouldn't encourage her. Last week she said she wanted to be a Spectre and Shepard's been drilling her on salutes and rank ever since. They're thick as thieves these days."

"Do I hear a little jealousy?" Aethyta reached under the counter for her contraband, pouring a little for herself and a little for Liara.

"No. Just facts."

"Have a drink with your old dad. Tell me what's going on."

Liara pushed the foul stuff away pointedly, shaking her head. "No drink but-"

Aethyta's eyes widened in shock. "You're pregnant again."

Liara glanced about, worried they might have been heard. "Could you not shout it?"

"Then you are pregnant?"

"Yes, alright? How did you know?"

Aethyta tossed back the glass, hesitated for a moment before tossing back Liara's glass too. "Shepard spoke with me. Said you weren't sleeping, loss of appetite. Warned me you were on edge today. I suspected but… well. Congratulations. When are you going to tell her?"

"Tell who what?" Liara startled at the feel of Shepard's strong arms about her waist, head resting on her shoulder.

"Tell you it's time to go back. Beni is exhausted as I'm sure you've seen."

"Haven't seen the little one for a couple hours now. I thought she was with you?" Shepard nodded to Aethyta.

"She was here a few minutes ago. No telling where she's gone now."

Shepard pulled away, "I'll find her. Be back for you in a bit, love." Shepard wriggled her brows teasingly and Liara rolled her eyes.

Aethyta patted her hand, "You love her and you know it. Don't pretend to be aggravated."

"Don't tell me what to do." Liara smiled to take the sting from the words and Aethyta grinned back, "Here's to hoping the next takes after me."

Aethyta paled slightly at the thought, "Yes. In fact, I'm going to drink to it." She ignored Liara's indignant sniff in favor of pouring another glass.

!

!

It hadn't taken Shepard long to find her errant daughter, she lay boneless in the lap of none other than the infamous Pirate Queen, head curled into her stomach and hand's fisted in the loose fabric of her trousers.

"Aria."

"Shepard."

Shepard took in the picture they made; "This is unexpected."

Aria's hand continued to stroke soothingly down Beni's crest. "I had one of my own once, you know."

Shepard nodded, throat suddenly tight and eyes stinging. Aria caught the gesture and changed topics immediately.

"Like father, like daughter I've heard. This proves it; I seem to recall something along these lines not too many years ago."

"Years and years ago." Shepard corrected. "I don't think there's anyone would doubt she's mine though."

Aria nodded thoughtfully, "You should take her. She's done in."

Shepard reached out to pull her carefully from Aria's lap, smiling at her sleepy murmured questions. "Don't worry, we're finding mama and heading home."

She turned back to Aria slowly, "Thanks for looking out for her."

Aria chuckled, "Yes, because she's surrounded by enemies here."

Shepard shrugged, "Never too careful."

Aria fixed her with a glare, "If that's what you think then keep a better eye on her next time."

Shepard fought back the urge to defend herself, drawing from some unplumbed depth of patience she hadn't been aware of.

"I'm always careful."

Shepard hurried away before she woke Beni by saying something she would surely regret.

!

!

!

Liara was waiting for her by the door, pale and piqued, her father's hand resting on her shoulder comfortingly. Shepard frowned, they all desperately needed sleep apparently. She would make it her duty to see that Liara had her rest today.

Aethyta reached out and Shepard passed Beni over, watching as she came to instant wakefulness to head-butt her grandfather with every last ounce of force her small body could muster. Aethyta only laughed and tapped her head gently with a palm, "Hard as stone, this one. Just about knocked me out with that last one. You take care of her Shepard, show her a few more of those tricks."

She passed Beni to Liara watching them exit the tavern, meandering slowly down the stairs. Shepard moved to follow, but Aethyta blocked her way. "You take care of my daughter too, Shepard. Sometimes she forgets."

Shepard nodded her agreement, stepping around Aethyta gracefully, "I always do. I always will."

!

A chapter for each character it is; next up is Grunt because I just couldn't get that image out of my head. :)

Exams are coming up this week, but I will try to have at least two more chapters posted before then.