A/N: Ok, I am extremely sorry that it has taken me so long to update this fic. Aside from having to deal with some personal matters, this specific chapter was a bit of a nightmare for me and my beta. We finally got it to a point where we both are satisfied enough with it. Hopefully the other chapters will come quicker now. I would also like to thank everyone who has reviewed my fics. I appreciate what you think and it always brings a smile to my face to see that other people enjoy what I write.

Oh, another thing. I do understand that Garrus is a hand-to-hand specialist. The point I am trying to make is that even though Jane and him are close, there are still gaps between Humans and Turians. Especially how Garrus's father was, it is highly unlikely that Garrus would have studied Human martial arts. Anyways, enjoy!

Chapter 7

Light in the Shadows

Illium was buzzing with business like always. The conversations of contracts and sales laced heavily through the air. There were only two places in which one would not have the feeling of suffocation: Eternity and Liara's office. A good part of the crew jumped at the chance for some time off the ship. Granted, the main purpose was to pick up supplies for the ship, but Jane was the type of commander that did not mind if they wandered around on personal matters as long as they finished their work by the time they left the dock.

Liara had a new, and very young looking, Asari assistant waiting to show them into the office, the last one had proved to be a traitor and was caught and eventually disposed of. The office had not really changed since their last visit together. Data pads littered the desk and shelves, giving Jane the distinct idea that none of Liara's assistants were good at organizing. There was a hint that this assistant was trying to keep up but with Liara's constant demands it seemed to throw the young Asari in disarray. The girl even had tiny wrinkles in her uniform and looked slightly tired from possible over time. Liara never worked her assistants too hard, it had to mean that she had stumbled onto something very important.

The always beautiful and graceful Asari smiled as she rose to great Jane and Garrus. "It is good to see you two! It has been too long, and I was very excited to hear from you." The three of them exchanged pleasantries before taking their seats; the young assistant still standing just inside the doorway waiting to be dismissed.

"Oh, Nellina," Liara waved the young assistant over. "These are my good friends Garrus Vakarian and Commander Jane Shepard, or did you take on Garrus's surname?" The assistant's eyes grew huge at Jane's name.

"It is an honor to meet you. Liara speaks of you often; I never thought I'd have the chance to see you in person." The assistant bowed respectfully toward her causing Jane to chuckle just a little.

"It is wonderful to meet you too. I'm sure Liara trusts you immensely since she has decided to introduce us. Be sure that she doesn't over work too much just because she is too excited about something." She gave the girl a wink, the Asari's eyes lit up and smiled at her in thankfulness. "And yes, I did take Garrus's name, but some still find it hard to remember that I did. I don't think Legion will ever get used to saying anything different. Normally Commander is just fine, but we are much too close for that, Liara. To you, I'm just Jane."

The two exchanged warm smiles before Liara dismissed her assistant. "Just close the door behind you and hold all my calls please, Nellina." The girl bowed again before retreating to her desk beyond the doorway.

"She is a very sweet girl, I'm very happy I was able to find someone so trustworthy and as determined as I am." Liara let her composure drop a little. She was obviously as tired as her assistant looked. "But you two aren't here for meet and greets. I have some information that I believe you will find very interesting. By the way, you look different somehow Jane. You skin is practically glowing, and not like it was during your wedding ceremony."

It must have been more than just slightly noticeable. Jane blushed. She still had over a month before she would even begin to show. "Uh… well, that's sort of why we contacted you. Not that we don't enjoy visiting, but it was important to try every contact we had that may have some sort of information and wouldn't raise any flags if we asked."

"Oh?" Liara crossed her arms and leaned back into her chair, waiting for the rest.

Garrus cleared his throat. "Jane is… pregnant," he paused for a moment not sure how Liara would react to the news, "with my child."

"Wait, what?" The Asari bolted straight up in her chair, eyes wide. "How?"

Jane giggled. "Geez, Liara. I'd figured that someone you're age would at least know some mechanics to sex."

The skin under Liara's cheeks darkened to a slight shade of purple. "H…Hey," Liara's voice almost stuttered with embarrassment. "That's… You know what I mean."

Garrus gave Jane a particular look out of the corner of his eye and coughed politely into his hand. It was a good thing Turians could not blush, because Garrus looked just as flustered as Liara did. Hmm… perhaps the innocent little Asari we picked up on Therum really has grown up. Aside from the obvious things that is

Liara shook herself and regained control over her composure. "When did this happen?"

"It is a bit of a long story," Garrus interjected. "About three weeks ago, Jane was kidnapped when we were on vacation and taken to Noveria were they did some sort of experiments on her. Those experiments are somehow connected with Jane's pregnancy. It wasn't until after we got her back that the um…pregnancy happened. What was strange is whoever took Jane was working out of the old Binary Helix lab out on Noveria. We still don't know exactly what they did to her since they kept Jane drugged up but, when we discovered that she was pregnant we found that Jane's implants were emanating some strange biologicals that gave her the ability to conceive with me."

Liara looked like she was about to fall out of her chair and both of them unconsciously edged themselves closer ready to leap out across the table if need be. "Are you ok?" Jane asked. "It looks like someone just hit you with a biotic punch and left you to bleed out."

"I… Oh this certainly puts certain things I found out in a different light. I assume you two have not informed the Council yet?"

"No, only the Normandy crew and you know." Jane knew that it would be disastrous if it got out right now, the fewer people who knew the better.

Liara absently reached out for a data pad before continuing. "I have finally made a big break trough in my research on the Shadow Broker. As I expected, it is one man who acts through many small agents to do his deeds. What is more compelling, aside from the Shadow Broker deals in selling information, I have found out that a few contacts of the Broker have been smuggling unmarked crates to and from Noveria recently." The room felt like the temperature had dropped a degree or two in the very second. "And Jane's implants were made by and put into place by Cerberus. That means…"

"Yes, it means that most likely Cerberus is behind not only my pregnancy but more than likely owns a significant share of Binary Helix. While they couldn't have had a hand in it when Saren was the main stock holder they could have bought Saren's shares when he died; and now they are in contact with the Shadow Broker." Jane confirmed.

"It is also possible that it is more than that. The Shadow Broker could be the Illusive Man." Garrus looked grimly at the two women. "It all fits."

Both women nodded in agreement. "There is more to it Liara. From the bits and pieces I was able to pick up when I was captive it wasn't just me they are doing this to. They are attempting to make human DNA act very similar to an Asari's and want to make it so that the whole human race can reproduce in the same way. They have succeeded with me, so who knows what the next step for them is."

Liara sank all the way back into her seat with a very frightened look on her face. "Jane. I must ask you something and I hope you will agree to it."

"Of course, you can ask me anything you know that, Liara."

"Jane, I want you to take me with you."

Jane blinked at her for a moment. "You know I will in a heartbeat but, don't you have duties here?"

Liara waved the thought to the side with her hand. "Now that my true goal has been achieved, there is not as much to do around here. Nellina is more than capable in handing the work. I hate having to leave her like this but this it is much too important for me to sit here and not help you. I have many contacts and I know that my presence on the Normandy will only make things go faster."

Jane and Garrus nodded their heads together. "Welcome back to the crew, Liara. When ever you are ready, we will leave Illium. I am sure you have a lot to do before then, so we will leave you to do so. The quicker we find out where to find the Illusive Man, the better." They stood up and all bowed their heads toward each other. As they left, Nellina had the most shocked look on her face as Liara began informing her of her new duties. It is going to be a long day.

Jane was giving Liara a full tour of the new Normandy and introduced her to her whole crew. She even took her to see both Miranda and Jacob, who she was still angry at but that was starting to dissipate. Liara absolutely adored Mordin and told him she would be back later to discuses cell mutations and a few other things Jane did not understand. They finished their tour with a stop to the mess area to eat when Jack headed in their direction. Jack was the last crewmember she had yet to introduce to Liara. She had no idea what they would think of each other. Well, I'm about to find out.

"Hey Commander. The crew just isn't complete without at least one blue skin Asari aboard is it?" Jack stopped in front of them and crossed her arms with a wide grin plastered on her face.

Samara has left them shortly after they had defeated the Reapers to return to the Asari home world. Jane had offered to escort her home, but told her that while she appreciated Jane's help with Morinth, she had already done enough for her and that she deserved a little vacation after having to save the galaxy three times in a row. When Samara left she did tell Jane that if she ever needed her help to let her know and she would be there.

"Jack…"

"It's ok, Jane. I can tell when someone is being sarcastic." Liara said calmly.

Jack's face grew hard for a moment and her hands formed little fists.

"You know, Jack. I have studied the Asari Commandos for a long time. I would love to have a biotic sparring with you sometime. It has been a while, so I may be a bit rusty, but I would enjoy it none the less."

Jack's harsh attitude faded and she looked at Liara thoughtfully. "You said you studied the Asari Commandos?"

"Yes, in fact, I have studied a good deal of biotics from many different species, along with Prothean technology and culture."

"Oh, I'd love to hear what you know. Damn Cerberus could care less about how to use the tools they made as long as they worked and fulfilled their purpose."

With that, the two women walked off to the side with their diners to discuses all things biotic. Jane shook her head and sigh as Chef handed her a bowl of jell-o like substance. Garrus suddenly appeared at her elbow almost causing her to drop her food.

"What did I miss?" Garrus looked confused as he eyed Jack and Liara talking over their food.

Jane sighed. "I'm not even entirely sure myself."

A/N: I hope a softer side of Jack isn't too much for most. I always found Jack to be such a hard-ass, but her conversations hilarious.