Before Priority: Earth II

Melanie Shepard lay in bed, enjoying the feel of the Liara T'Soni's naked body resting on top of hers. With Cerberus headquarters destroyed and the Reapers having taken control of the Citadel, all of the allies she had so painstakingly gathered were preparing for the final assault on Earth. For days, the fleet had been massing, the largest anyone had ever seen, expect perhaps for the one that waited for them beyond the Sol Relay.

Despite the press of events, they've made as much time for each other as they can and now, on the eve of battle, they had spent the night together. When she made love to Liara, Shepard couldn't think of anything else. It had never been as good with anyone else as it was with her; the heat of her touches, the beauty of her body, the intensity of their bond, all of it made the world go away for a time. Now, though, it was over, and, as the afterglow slowly faded, Liara was asking her a difficult question.

"Melanie. Three years ago, when I wanted to be more than friends, you declined and I have never understood why. I thought then that perhaps you were not interested in me or in asari, but since that was not the case… I know it is not truly important, not with the fate of the galaxy in the balance, but I would like to know." She leaves "In case I do not have another chance to ask," unspoken, but both of them can feel it hanging in the air.

Shepard sighs deeply. She knew this would come up eventually, but she hadn't figured out a response, and the first thing that comes to mind is to quietly admit, "I made a mistake."

Liara is understandably confused, so Melanie tries again, but finds it hard to put into words what had seemed so sensible at the time. "It was all muddled up in my head back then. I didn't know how I felt, what you wanted with me."

Realizing that answer doesn't suffice either, Shepard keeps going. "It was just, you were so fascinated by the Protheans. I thought maybe you saw me as this curiosity to study and that wasn't what I wanted."

Shepard's hand strokes the folds of her lover's crest, trying to take the edge off of Liara's evident distress, to remind her that that's what Melanie was worried about then, not what she feels now. "Shepard, I am sorry. I know I was interested in your visions, but that is not why…"

Shepard stops her with a gentle kiss. "I know that. It wasn't your fault, it was mine. I was too guarded back then. Because of stuff that happened before, in my childhood, things with other asari, I didn't trust you enough for this."

"Are you referring to your encounter with Sha'ira?"

Shepard is surprised; that had happened before Liara joined the crew. "How did you know about her? Was it Tali? Garrus? Damn ship gossip…"

"No, it was not…" Liara blushes, stammering adorably. "When I was examining the Shadow Broker's files on you…"

"He had that on video?!" Shepard is horrified at the thought of her lover having seen that moment, even if it was before they met.

"No, the Consort was careful enough that he did not have recording devices inside her chambers. He did however have agents noting the guests at her establishment, and he knew that you had been with her."

"Okay, that's not quite so bad." Shepard exhales, shaking her head. "Yeah, the thing with Sha'ira was part of the problem. It was always hard for me to open up to people; the way I grew up, the military, it all encouraged me to keep things inside. Even with other soldiers, friends, sure, I'd joke around, but showing vulnerability was not encouraged. Especially for an N7 and a female N7 at that."

"I'd been with a few asari, and joining with them was seductive. It created an intimacy that was so hard for me otherwise. The problem was they weren't people that I loved or that really cared about me, and afterwards, I always ended up feeling exposed and hollow. I was scared of that happening again, especially because of how attracted I was to you. Now, though, I feel like an idiot for having passed this up before, for having hurt you. It's real, and it's so much better than what I felt with Sha'ira or anyone else."

Liara turns and kisses the commander deeply, running her hand through the human's dark hair. "It is all right, love. I know that you did not intend to hurt me."

"But I did."

"You were trying to stop Saren and prevent the Reapers from returning. I think that you were entitled to a few mistakes. Besides, it is in the past. We are together now."

"We are," Melanie agrees, the weight of Liara's body against her reminding her of the truth of those words. "And you should know that after we make love, I don't feel hollow at all, just warm and happy."

The asari purrs, nestling herself deeply in Melanie's arms until several minutes later, she breaks the silence again.

"Shepard, I need you to promise me something."

"Anything, Liara. Anything."

"This last mission. Do not leave me behind. Whatever happens, I want to be by your side."

"Liara… I want that too. It's just, I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Shepard, when I thought that you had died, it broke me into pieces. You meant so much to me even then, and now that I have this, I cannot lose you again. I want to be with you, no matter the outcome."

There are tears on the Specter's face as she agrees. "All right my love. We'll finish this together. But we're going to win. I don't want to let go of you either."