A/N So here's a nice and fluffy chapter, trying something a little different here. Quite a bit of cheese, though the end is a bit more raunchy however I decided not to go full smut on this, not everyone enjoys it I know.

Also, I got quite a bit of Javik in this chapter. I like writing for him, there's going to be a lot more Javik from now on.

I'm away for a bit now so expect a new chapter in around about 2/3 weeks after this one.

18th April 2189 – Crucible Pulse + 2 years and 7 months

"Hmm, Crescent Nebula," Miranda nodded at Shepard from the co-pilots seat of the shuttle as it flew away from the Mass Relay, slowing from it's FTL travel speeds. "So, Illium then?"

Shepard sighed. "Well the cat's out of the bag then."

"Cat!" Both of them turned around to look at their daughter who was whacking the various plushy toys suspended over her travel seat. She turned to look at them before raising both eyebrows in a Miranda like way. "Where is cat?"

"Not quite Lizzie," Miranda smiled kindly at Elizabeth as she corrected her daughter. "Where is the cat?"

Elizabeth screwed her face up in concentration for a few seconds before repeating her mother's line. "Where is the cat?"

"Good girl! Though there isn't a cat I'm afraid," Shepard gave Elizabeth a huge smile before turning back to flying the shuttle, double checking the sensors for any traffic in front of him before setting course for Illium. "She's getting a hold of talking remarkably well."

"Yeah, but I feel bad about correcting her all the time," Miranda shook her head before correcting herself. "I don't want to be patronising, or strict."

"You aren't being either, trust me. Surely the only way she'll learn is if we instruct her, it's no different than a teacher correcting a pupil," Shepard gave her a reassuring look. "And you do it brilliantly well, she picks up on the mistakes and it's not at all like a telling off at all. You'd know if she didn't like it, it's clear she loves spending time with you."

"As long as it stays that way."

"I'm sure it will," Shepard paused for a few seconds before chuckling. "I do find it cute though."

"What?"

He smiled. "When she repeats stuff that we're saying, it's sweet."

"God," Miranda rolled her eyes at him. "If only everyone in the galaxy knew you were such a big softy, then no one would take any notice of you or you're commands."

"So that's why you never listen to me?" Shepard put on a look of mock hurt, pouting at Miranda as he continued the jape. "Note to self, act more intimidating."

"Not more intimidating, more manly."

"Excuse me, I am very manly indeed," Shepard narrowed his eyes comically. "Using power tools, being man of the house, making important decisions, having a very manly tough dog, that kind of stuff."

Miranda said nothing, instead she just shook her head slowly.

"What?"

She turned around to look at Elizabeth, sharing a significant look with her daughter.

"What do you reckon Lizzie? Is daddy really that tough?"

Elizabeth giggled before shaking her head. "No!"

"Oh I see how it is," Shepard sniffed loudly. "Ganging up on your poor old dad eh? Such a sad..."

"John!" Miranda shouted suddenly as she dived for the controls, hauling the shuttle up and out of the way of a freighter speeding away from Illium towards the Mass Relay. Once they were clear Miranda sat back in her seat, placing her head in her hands. "This is why I do the driving."

"We were miles away, at a safe distance." Shepard protested, acting innocently.

"Your definition of a safe distance is about two centimetres," Miranda gave him a glare. "The legal definition is somewhat greater."

"Yeah yeah," Shepard waved a hand dismissively. "Those are technicalities."

Miranda snorted. "Just because you're a Councillor doesn't make you above the law."

"Not true," Shepard sat up, puffing out his chest. "I am the law!"

"Uch," Miranda gave him a disapproving glare. "Despite the amount of his comics you read, you are not Judge Dredd."

"Am too."

"Am not."

"Am too."

"Am not."

"Am too, and you know it."

"Am not."

"Wait a second," Shepard raised an eyebrow in surprise. "This would mean that you've read my comics, right?"

"I may have had a flick through one when I was tidying up the other day," Miranda shook her head. "Banal stuff, not like your usually astute literature choices. Comics rot your brain, you know?"

"That's a bit childish for you Miri."

She challenged him with a grin. "You're childish."

"Yes," Shepard grinned. "I'm allowed to be a little childish."

Miranda rolled her eyes yet again. "Why do I put up with you?"

"Because I'm so handsome, rugged, and manly."

"Oh?" Miranda challenged him, allowing a grin to cross her lips. "I suppose you are a little bit handsome, though the manly is still up for debate."

Shepard sighed comically once more. "I can live with that I suppose."

"Good," Miranda turned back to face Elizabeth. "Now Lizzie, we're about to go towards the planet, the shuttle may be a little wobbly."

The toddler's cerulean eyes were filled with curiosity as she looked up at Miranda. "Wobbly?"

"Yes," Miranda smiled kindly. "Don't worry though, it's all normal."

"Where are we headed? Nos Astra?"

Shepard nodded his assent. "Yes."

"Which hotel?"

"We're not going straight to the hotel, we're actually making one stop first."

XXXXXXXX

Shepard pressed a finger to the doorbell, the buzzer of the apartment chiming like a traditional bell on Earth. A few seconds passed before the door was opened, the family being greeted by Liara.

"Shepard, Miranda," Liara smiled enthusiastically. "Good to see you again."

"Hey Liara," Shepard gave his friend a hug. "How's it going?"

"Not too bad thank you," Liara smiled kindly at Miranda before turning to Elizabeth who was seated in her hover-pram. "Hello Elizabeth."

"Hello, Aunty Liara," Elizabeth screwed her face up in concentration, seemingly searching for the correct words. "How you?"

"I'm very well," Liara turned back to them. "Come on in, I don't want to leave you on the doorstep. Javik is around somewhere. Javik? Come and make yourself sociable!"

Shepard exchanged a bemused glance with Miranda as they followed Liara inside, though Miranda quietly dropped down to correct Elizabeth on her sentence. The toddler smiled happily as she listened and learnt, repeating the correction several times in varying tones on interest.

"How are you? How are you?" She paused before looking up at Shepard with her deep blue eyes. "How are you?"

"I'm fine thank you," As Shepard pushed the hover-pram into the sitting room he saw Javik descending from the upstairs. "Hello Javik."

"Shepard, Lawson, child," The Prothean greeted them formally, nodding to each one in turn. "Welcome to our dwelling."

"Thanks for agreeing to this guys."

"To what?" Javik and Miranda spoke in unison and surprise.

Liara looked over at him. "Wait, you haven't told Miranda?"

"It was a surprise," He raised his eyebrow at the Asari. "You haven't told Javik?"

"It was a surprise," Liara placed a hand to her forehead. "Goddess, how embarrassing this is."

"I'll explain," Shepard turned to Miranda. "Basically, I know we're here for a family holiday, but I wanted to take you off for a romantic evening just for tonight. Liara agreed to look after Elizabeth tonight."

"Oh, I see," Javik turned to look at his partner. "You did not inform me of this Liara."

"I didn't want you to say no, if I didn't ask you then you couldn't say no," Liara gave him a little wink. "And you may enjoy it."

Meanwhile Shepard looked over to Miranda, still waiting for her to speak.

"Erm...wow," She took his hand. "That's really lovely John, but I'm not sure about leaving Lizzie alone."

"She won't be alone, Liara will be fine with her."

"We've never left her alone before though." Miranda protested.

"She's been left with Oriana and my mother plenty of times."

"Yes but..."

"Miranda," Liara interrupted them. "We will be fine with Elizabeth, she's always ever so good."

"Well...I suppose so," Miranda sighed as she conceded. "I'll leave you with her bag, it has spare clothes, food, some of her favourite toys. She's out of the nappy stage and almost into real pants but she sometimes has the occasional accident. You'll have to feed her in about an hour. She's speaking but, as you saw, she sometimes has trouble completing sentences. Make sure to correct her when..."

"Lawson!" Javik interrupted her. "Liara has said we will be fine with the human child, her word is enough. Go! Enjoy yourself!"

Everyone was silenced by Javik's unexpected outburst, Shepard was the first one to speak.

"Well, I guess that's us told."

"Erm...yes," Liara was still analysing Javik with an incredulous expression as she agreed. "I guess so."

"We'll be off then," Shepard knelt down in front of Lizzie. "Now Lizzie, be a good girl for aunty Liara and uncle Javik OK? We'll see you tomorrow."

He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before standing up to allow Miranda access.

"Make sure you behave Lizzie," Miranda gave her a kiss as well before whispering. "Love you."

"C'mon then Miri, times a wasting."

"Yes, yes," Miranda rolled her eyes. "I better come now before I change my mind."

"Quick question before we go, Liara – heard anything about that Blue Suns raid? Or the reprisals the Alliance has launched?"

"No, nothing I'm afraid," Liara shook her head. "I have agents in place however."

"Great," Shepard nodded. "Thanks. See you later."

He placed an arm around Miranda as they headed out of the front door, Liara and Javik watching them leave after sharing their goodbyes. The Asari looked over at the Prothean, still with a bemused expression.

"You really are full of surprises Javik."

XXXXXXXX

"So where are you taking me exactly?"

"Well," Shepard grinned at her from the piloting seat of the skycar. "At first I thought an art gallery would be nice."

"Really?"

"Yeah, but then I thought it may be a bit dull."

Miranda raised an eyebrow. "Dull? For me, or you?"

"Definitely not for me, art's just not my thing," Shepard shook his head. "It's got to be something we can both enjoy together."

"Oh god, you're not taking me to some combat arena then are you?"

"Hah!" Shepard chuckled. "No, I didn't think you'd appreciate that. But before anything else we should check into our hotel."

"Hmm," Miranda had a sudden thought, and she fixed Shepard a narrow glare. "You better not have booked us into Azure."

"What if I have?"

"You irritating little..."

"Wow!" Shepard held up his hands in innocence. "I haven't, don't worry."

Shepard dropped the sky car down from the busy flight lanes towards the main hub of Nos Astra space port, heading towards a large high rise building in the shape of a pyramid like temple. On the top of the building Hotel Armali was emblazoned in gigantic gold lettering.

"The Armali?" A smile crept across Miranda's lips. "You realise that it is probably the second most exclusive hotel in the galaxy?"

"I thought it was the most exclusive," Shepard scratched his head. "What beats it?"

"The Hotel Armali actuallyin Armali, I've been there once," Miranda dropped her voice. "You cannot understand how incredible this place is, how luxurious it is."

Shepard smiled as he heard the rising enthusiasm in Miranda's tone. "Have I, by some miraculous chance, managed to do something good?"

"You have John Shepard," Miranda gave him a significant look. "Though you always manage to do good things. By miraculous chances."

Shepard headed towards the base of the pyramid, dropping the skycar down into the car park by the front entrance. They pulled their luggage out of the boot before heading inside, allowing the skycar to fly off and park itself. Entering the front doors Shepard couldn't help but gape, the building was incredible. Everything was marble, the floors, the walls, the ancient style pillars, and what wasn't marble was gilded with shimmering gold. Paintings and tapestries lined the walls, all labelled with the names of famous artists from various races.

He realised he had been standing still whilst Miranda had already made it over to the reception desk, and he hurried up to her. She rolled her eyes at him before approaching the Asari receptionist.

"Hi, we have a reservation."

"Good afternoon Madame, Sir," The Asari smiled kindly at them. "What is the name?"

"Shepard."

The Asari's mouth dropped slightly as she realised who was standing in front of her. Shepard couldn't help but grin as her eyes widened slightly, though he thought people would have been beginning to get over him. Miranda, who still had a rather low tolerance of the droves of women – and men – that fancied Shepard for their own, began to tap her foot impatiently, shaking the receptionist out of her daze.

"I'm sorry, hang on a second," She looked back down at her screen underneath the desk, pressing a few buttons. She looked up with a slightly more nervous smile. "Yes, we have you in the Imperial suite – our most luxurious accommodation. Krug?"

They followed her gaze to a Krogan in a suit who was approaching them. He stopped just next to them, giving a short bow, before taking all of their suitcases.

"Good afternoon." The Krogan was remarkably polite.

"Krug will take you to your room, The Imperial suite please Krug," The Asari turned back to them, handing over a pair of key cards. "Have a pleasant stay. If there is anything that you need, please do not hesitate to ask."

They followed Krug into a nearby elevator made of glass, watching him scan a card in and select the private floors at the top of the hotel. As the elevator began to rise the walls of the lift shaft gave way to glass panels, allowing a fantastic view across the entirety of Nos Astra for the guests.

Soon the elevator slowed, the doors pinging open behind them on the top floor. They followed the Krogan out of the lift and up one small flight of stairs to a landing to where three doors greeted them. On the left was a door marked Presidential suite and on the right was another called the Royal suite. The centre door was theirs though, and Krug opened it to allow them through.

The room was breathtaking, Shepard had never seen luxury like it. The entire roof was glass, like the skylight roof on the Normandy, with more marble pillars scattered along walls adorned with ancient style tapestries. There was a pair of water features on either side of the lounge area, and a balcony looking over to the star port on the far end.

"Wow," Shepard whistled in amazement before looking back at the Krogan. "Thank you."

"No, thank you Shepard. Because of you, I have a son," The Krogan bowed again. "Please enjoy your stay."

As the Krogan took his leave Miranda looked over to him with a bemused expression.

"Wow, a Krogan bell boy? How unusual," Miranda leaned into Shepard's shoulder, allowing him to place an arm around her. "And he was ever so nice to us."

"Well, I did save his race."

"Yeah, you're their glorious saviour," Miranda grinned. "Can you imagine loads of little Krogan babies singing nursery rhymes about you?"

"Oh very amusing," Shepard paused. "But freaky."

"Why don't we check out the rest of the place?"

They walked arm in arm into the bedroom, passing a kitchenette along the way, which was also amazing. The gigantic bed in the middle of the room was much like the one in their home, but it had a large love heart of rose petals in the centre. Miranda raised an eyebrow.

"Did you ask them to do that?"

"No," Shepard shook his head. "Though the fact that tonight was a romantic escape for us was mentioned."

"Ah, that would explain it then," He noticed a grin begin to spread across Miranda's face. "You know, it would be ever such a shame to spoil something that they obviously went to so much trouble to make."

"That's true," He played along with the joke. "It would be rather mean."

"Indeed, though that's what we're paying for."

"Actually, we're not paying," At the look of surprise on Miranda's face he explained. "They refused to take any money from me on this occasion, as their way of thanks."

"God, you could live off all the freebies you still get," She lowered her voice. "But, that makes it even worse to disturb such hard work."

"Ah, but consider this – the bed looks so comfortable that it would be a crying shame not to use it. And there's satin sheets."

"That's a good counterargument," Miranda began to slowly back away from him, swaying her hips seductively and giving him a steamy look. "So, I guess we've reached a decision?"

"I think so," Shepard nodded. "But lets not rush, there's things to do Miri."

"What?" She sighed. "You were getting me all worked up there."

"Sorry."

She looked up with an intrigued expression. "So are you going to take me off somewhere then?"

"Yep, there's actually a plan," He crossed his arms, giving her a grin. "Did you bring that red dress?"

XXXXXXXX

"Yes agent Terros, I want you to keep tailing those blue suns."

"Of course Shadow Broker," There was a pause from the Salarian operative. "Though if you want an agent inserted, I may not be best suited."

"That is obvious agent, I do not require you to tell me how to run my operation," Liara allowed her words to sink in, the voice modulator making them sound far more threatening than her real voice would allow for. "However you are doing good work, keep it up and you know what I can provide."

"I understand, thank you Shadow Broker. Agent Terros out."

"Shadow Broker out."

Liara closed down the comm link, which took several seconds longer than normal considering the fact it was being bounced through twenty six different star systems, and looked down at the smiling child in her lap.

"By the way Elizabeth, try not to tell anyone I'm the Shadow Broker."

Elizabeth looked up at her with a puzzled expression. "Shadow Broker?"

Liara chuckled. "C'mon little one, do you want something to eat or drink?"

"Juice please." Elizabeth nodded.

"All right then," Liara stood up, carrying Elizabeth with her, and walked from her office into the kitchen, pulling out a carton of orange juice. She set the child down onto a chair and pulled a pair of glasses out of a cupboard, filling them both with orange juice she had bought earlier that day. It wasn't until she had finished that she remembered that Elizabeth had her own plastic cups, she wasn't necessarily able to manage a glass. "Goddess, that was silly of me. Javik?"

It was a few seconds before Javik replied to her call as he entered the kitchen. "Yes Liara?"

"Do you want some juice?"

"This is different to usual, but I will try it," Javik took the glass as Liara began to fill up one of Elizabeth's plastic cups with juice, handing it to the child. The Prothean scowled at the glass before draining it's contents. "I do not like this drink at all, it tastes rather processed compared to the usual one."

"Actually it's the same brand, but I think they have changed their production methods," Liara tried a sip before grimacing herself. "I thought you were just being over fussy, but actually that's rather disgusting. What do you think Lizzie?"

The toddler wrinkled her nose up at the cup. "I don't like it."

"Well, we'll have to get you another drink," Liara looked through the fridge, though there wasn't anything else there other than milk. "We have some milk, but that is it I'm afraid."

"I have an idea," Javik pulled out a large pan and filled it with water, placing it on the cooker to begin to boil. Liara watched him with intrigue, they had been living together in the apartment for over two and a half years and she had seen him do many things she had originally not believed he would be interested in, but she had never seen him attempt to cook. "Liara, do we have any of that human candy?"

"Erm, yes I think so," She went into another cupboard, pulling out a couple of chocolate bars. She handed them to him with a quizzical expression. "What exactly are you doing?"

"I am making a hot chocolate, Shepard showed Vakarian and I how to do it on the Normandy."

Liara was impressed. And surprised. "Wow, you really are being adventurous today Javik."

She watched him place a second, smaller pan inside the first – filling it with the chocolate. Soon it began to melt and congeal in the bottom of the pan, but by then Javik added a generous helping of milk to the mixture. As he stirred it it began to form a much thinner, deep brown liquid, giving off a rather enticing smell. Liara suddenly recognised the smell from Shepard's occasional cooking on the Normandy, and she remembered the drink that it was caused by. After a few more minutes Javik pulled the pan off the cooker, pouring out the mixture into three mugs. Liara took a sip.

"Oh Goddess, why haven't you made this before?" Javik shrugged at Liara in response.

"There has never been a reason."

"Well, this is going to be a regular, it's delicious," Liara took another sip before looking down at Elizabeth who was happily guzzling on the hot chocolate. "What do you think Elizabeth?"

She looked up at them with a massive grin. "Mmm!"

Liara chuckled. "I think that is a vote of approval as well."

"Yes, so it seems," Javik picked up his mug, heading out of the room. "I need to finish preparing my lectures, apparently I have to talk about Prothean art but I know nothing of art. No, I do in fact - however my kind of art is Reaper blood splattered across the floor."

As he left the room Liara sat down next to Elizabeth's chair, giving the child a grin.

"You know, your uncle Javik really is a very strange being," Liara chuckled. "But goddess, I think that's why I love him."

Elizabeth grinned in reply before hauling up her cup towards Liara, it was already empty.

"More please!"

XXXXXXXX

"That was most definitely a lovely dinner," Miranda pressed a kiss to Shepard's cheek as they walked along the busy, illuminated Nos Astra streets. "Thank you."

"I think we should do this kind of thing more often, you agree?"

"You mean a holiday?"

"Not necessarily," He shook his head. "I mean going out on dates."

"Oh?" Miranda gave him a look of mock surprise. "How incredibly normal of you."

"No, I mean it," They moved along the walkway, quickly sidestepping a lumbering Elcor. "Once a week we should have a date night, go out and do something. Even if it's just a meal at Giovani's place, or going to see a movie."

"That actually sounds like a nice idea," Miranda nodded. "We can get someone to look after Lizzie and just go off. Actually, I really like the idea of having more nights like this."

"Well, this nights not over," Shepard ran a hand around her waist, stroking the smooth pale skin of her toned stomach revealed by the dress. "It's only young, as they say."

"That's too true," Miranda grinned. "There's a large comfy bed that's currently empty."

"How correct you are," Shepard pulled Miranda around to the right, walking past another set of busy restaurants to join another major, packed street. "But we're not quite ready for that."

"You're gonna make me wait even longer?" Miranda hummed with intrigue. "Clearly you have something good up your sleeve."

"Oh just maybe," Shepard pointed ahead of them, towards a large domed building with a wide flight of stone steps leading up to it. "You know what that building is right?"

"Of course I know what..." Miranda stopped dead in her tracks, a small gasp escaping her lips. "You got tickets? For us?"

"Uh-hu, two VIP tickets for the Bolshoi ballet performing Swan Lake at the Illium Grande Theatre."

"Oh my..." Miranda's face was lit up with genuine amazement, and Shepard savoured the moment. "It's my favourite ballet, my second favourite musical work after Nielsohn's fifth."

"Shows that I do listen sometimes eh?"

"Shows a hell of a lot more than that my love." Miranda linked her arms within his as they headed up the steps, walking through the arched doors into the foyer. The busy room was filled with all manner of species, all waiting around to be admitted for the beginning of the performance. Shepard led her straight through the throng of people to a roped off, rather grand staircase. The security guards there stepped aside without a moments hesitation, allowing the pair through. They were followed by many pairs of curious eyes, but neither cared that they were being watched.

"So we have the best box seat for the show, and refreshments at the interval," Shepard explained to her as they rounded a corner, heading through the bar area outside the box seats. "Afterwards we get to meet the dancers, orchestra leaders, and all the other blokes who put this together."

"John, I can't believe you referred to the organisers of what is reckoned to be the greatest ballet tour of the twenty second century as 'other blokes'," Miranda chuckled as they passed through another arch, red curtains held open by smartly dressed staff. It admitted them to their private box, right in the centre of the audience seats. "This is incredible."

"Glad I got it right," Shepard surveyed the theatre as the rest of the audience began to file in. "Possibly the richest group of people I've ever seen, I admit I don't fit in here at all."

"Naw, the big brave SPECTRE is going out of his comfort zone to impress me?" Miranda patted his leg. "That really is sweet."

"Yeah yeah."

"You do realise this has given you the biggest pile of brownie points in the history of the galaxy," Miranda flashed him a cocky grin. "Seriously, this is just amazing."

He gave her a wink in reply. "I'll look forward to collecting those brownie points this evening..."

"Most definitely," As the lights began to dim Miranda leant into him, allowing his hands to wrap around her shoulders as she made herself comfortable for the show. She gave him a final whisper before the music began. "But there's deductions is you fall asleep, and ten credits says you will."

XXXXXXXX

"Javik?"

Javik turned his head to watch the Asari enter the lounge. "Yes Liara?"

"I have to pop out for a couple of hours, it's quite important," Liara crossed her arms. "Will you be all right with Elizabeth?"

"I will manage," Javik looked down at the toddler sat next to him on the sofa, eyes glued ahead on the vid-screen on the wall. "Though I suspect Shepard and his mate will not be entirely pleased."

"It'll be fine, I think Shepard will trust you at least," Liara chuckled. "See it as practice for the future."

"What?" He looked up with surprise, all four eyes widening. "Really?"

"I'm pulling your leg, as humans put it," Liara turned to leave, giving the pair a quick wave. "See you both later."

She was almost at the door when Javik's call stopped her. "Liara?"

"Yes?"

"Do not go off doing anything dangerous."

"I know," Liara smiled to herself at Javik's concern. "Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous."

"Good."

As the door closed Javik looked down at the child next to him, she was still watching the vid-screen. He was surprised at the child's tastes, it certainly wasn't what was considered normal in this cycle. By his own research children in this current cycle enjoyed ridiculous programs populated by animated fictional characters and absurd story lines that were, in his opinion, rather patronising. Elizabeth seemed to dislike those however, she had been rather restless when Liara had put on one of the children's channels earlier on in the evening and her body telemetry had shown her to be bored. On a whim Javik had swapped it to a wildlife documentary and Elizabeth hadn't moved since. She had just sat there, listening and watching intently. That pleased Javik. Children of the Prothean cycle never wasted time watching pointless entertainment programs, instead they were encouraged to watch shows that would educate them, it didn't matter if it was for wildlife, history, or current affairs, as long as it increased their knowledge in a worthwhile subject.

"You are an intelligent and inquisitive child," Elizabeth turned to look at him with her striking, questioning eyes. "Those are very good traits in a youth, you must make sure you develop them thoroughly."

Elizabeth stayed quiet for a few seconds before pointing a finger at him and exclaiming loudly. "Uncle Javik!"

"No, I am just Javik."

"Oh," Elizabeth looked down for a few seconds before looking back up at him, speaking in a much quieter tone than before. "Javik?"

"Yes, that is better," Javik stroked his chin in thought for a few seconds. "Do you know what I am?"

There was a pause. "Javik?"

He shook his head. "No, what species am I?"

Elizabeth screwed her face up in concentration. Javik could sense she was trying to remember something, and he waited patiently for her to decide on an answer. She looked up at him.

"Pro...Prothan?"

"No, I am Prothean." He corrected her, though not unkindly.

"Prothean," She repeated with a determined expression. "Uncle Javik is Prothean."

"Yes, that is correct," Javik gave a genuine smile, happy to help educate the child. "Though I am not an uncle, I am of no relation to you."

"Dada says you are uncle Javik."

"Oh, I see."

As Elizabeth returned to watching the vid, which had now progressed onto the observations of the native herbivores of Thessia, Javik opened up a search function on his omni-tool. He typed in his query, but it took several seconds for it to begin searching the extranet. Prothean technology would have done it instantaneously.

"Come on, you primitive machine! So slow," He sighed loudly. "I do miss Prothean technology, even after several years of these basic machines."

He waited another few seconds for the results of his search, and he was surprised with the results.

"That's strange, humans often make their friends aunts and uncles of their children – or so it seems," He looked down at Elizabeth, she was watching him again. "How curious."

Elizabeth nodded and agreed with him. "Curious."

"Well, it seems that I am your 'uncle Javik' according to human ideals," Javik let out a rare chuckle. "How strange."

They sat on the sofa in silence for the next half hour, both getting rather engrossed in the documentary. When it finished Elizabeth actually looked a little sad, she had clearly enjoyed the programme. Javik checked the chronometer on his omni-tool, realising just how late it was.

"Oh, it is rather late," Javik looked down at Elizabeth. "Are you tired child?"

She shook her head. "No."

"I see," Javik nodded as another documentary began on the vid-screen. "When you are then let me know, I shall take you to bed."

Once again she understood his meaning, he was indeed surprised at the intelligence of the child for her very young age. "OK."

As the next programme began Javik couldn't help but let his mind wander, particularly around Liara's earlier sentence. Could they have a child? Of course he knew they could have one, but should they? He got on well with her, and she was very attractive, but could he make that ultimate leap of faith? Obviously he had never pictured this kind of life, not even with one of his own kind – he had always thought to have been a soldier destined to die on the battlefield against the Reapers. Now he could choose otherwise, however.

"I think I have made my decision," His four eyes met with Shepard's daughter's once more. "Though only if she turns out like you. I could not deal with an unintelligent child."

XXXXXXXX

"So, what happens tomorrow?"

"Well," Shepard drummed his fingers against Miranda's shoulders as they ascended in the elevator. Unfortunately it was rather busy, the elevator was full and stopping every few floors, but they were desperate to get back to their room. "We collect Lizzie in the morning and then I was thinking we'd go to this brand new aquarium in the centre of town. It's incredible, they have nearly every kind of fish from loads of different planets there."

"Oh she'll love that," Miranda grinned at him. "You'll love it too, I guess."

"I know, what a shame," He took another look at the control panel, thirty more floors to go. "And the next day, I was thinking we'd go to this zoo that's on the outskirts of the city. They have everything there as well, even Polar Bears!"

"You really are a bit nuts, you know that?" Miranda shook her head in disbelief. "Anything non-animal related for the other couple of days?"

"Well, I suppose you'll want to go shopping?" Miranda nodded enthusiastically, prompting Shepard to chuckle. "And there'll be some really good museums, I mean ones that are actually interesting."

"I don't think you would find many museums that interesting John," She furrowed her brows. "Sometimes it seems like Illium has everything."

"They don't have much in the way of good beer on this planet."

"Fussy."

Shepard leaned in closely. "Says the girl who'll only buy lingerie from a handful of particular brands."

"Do you know why that is?" Shepard shook his head, and Miranda leant in to whisper. "Because only a few brands do stuff that's stretchy enough to fit over my ass!"

Shepard was silent for a few seconds before breaking out into uncontrollable laughter, drawing curious looks from the other occupants of the lift. Miranda glared at him for a few seconds before cracking a smile, eventually breaking down into giggles herself.

"You know, I don't think that's a problem. Your ass is rather epic and..." Shepard trailed off as the final occupants of the elevator left, the doors closing to leave the pair alone. Almost immediately Shepard crashed his lips into Miranda's, she pushed back at him and forced his back into the wall of the elevator.

Shepard lost track of the time as he fought against Miranda's lips, his hands running all along her back and down to her rear. Miranda was paying a bit more attention, and she heard the lift and pulled him out of it towards the suite. They stumbled up the steps, still entwined with one another, and slammed into the door, Miranda attempting to use one hand to open the door behind her. Eventually she succeeded, the pair tumbling into the suite.

Miranda broke away from him, rather reluctantly, and closed the door, before taking his hand and pulling him into the bedroom. Shepard jumped onto the bed, shedding his dinner jacket along the way, and began to remove his shoes. Miranda threw all her weight on one hip, putting on a smouldering gaze, and attracting Shepard's eyes once more. He surveyed her in that red dress, though he was already undressing her in his mind.

"Shepard, I know what you're doing," Miranda winked at him. "But hold on for a minute, I'll change into something...different."

She gave him another wink before heading into the bathroom, giving him a sway of the hips before closing the door. Shepard stripped off his dinner suit, casting it onto the ground next to the bed. He lay across the bed as he waited for Miranda to come out of the bathroom. She came out after a few minutes, and he got a hell of a surprise.

"What the..." He paused. "Was it always that snug?"

Miranda was in her old catsuit, the old catsuit. It clung to her every curve, tight on every inch of her skin. His eyes travelled from up her long slender legs to her hips and the space in between her legs, examining the tight outline of her...

"Shepard! Should you really stare at a lady's...VIP zone...like that?" He looked up to the source of the teasing voice, meeting Miranda's grin with one of his own. "It's really not very gentleman like."

"Oh, I'm so very sorry Miss Lawson," Shepard's eyes remained locked on Miranda's as she began to slowly crawl onto the bed towards him. "It's just too hard to resist."

"Oh?" Miranda pushed his body down onto the pillows, climbing atop of him. "I am."

"Oh yes you are," Shepard's eyes roamed her torso as he rubbed his hands along her hips, watching her chest sway as she ground her hips against his own. "You're just unbelievable."

"I know."

They kissed once more for a couple of frenzied sections before Shepard stopped.

"Wait a second, were you being serious about the lingerie?"

"Well, in a way. I do have to get the ones with stretchier fabric on the back section with certain styles of underwear – particularly with bikinis, boy shorts, and those kind of things. I have just too much ass for many normal sizes, " Miranda paused as Shepard laughed. "The main reason I buy from special brands is that I like to get it all made to design. I like to choose the fabric, the style, how revealing it is..."

He raised an eyebrow, this was something he had never realised. "Why?"

"To get something that'll impress you the most."

Miranda placed a hand up to the top of her zip, pulling it down a couple of inches to tease him before leaning forward to catch him in a passionate lip lock. She straightened up again, pulling the zip all the way down to reveal her chest to him in a rather flamboyant red bra – one that he had indeed never seen before. It was the exact kind of thing he would recommend to her, if he had ever been underwear shopping with her that is.

"Oh my god, I see what you mean," Shepard couldn't get the grin off his face. "Get the rest of that suit off now Lawson!"

"Yes commander."

A/N As ever, thanks so much for reading and please leave your opinions/critiques for me – they're what I feed off to write this.