As the sunshine crept in to the room through the shades, Liara woke from her slumber. Lazily her eyes opened to the world around her. Next to her El'Jaid rested forming the essence of peace. A word that was not normally used to describe the woman she loved. She quietly took El'Jaid's hand into her own while wrapping her free arm around her love. She felt El'Jaid starting to stir.
Liara drew her close, lightly touching her lips against El'Jaid's cheek as her Captain's eyes sleepily opened, a sweet smile drew across her face.
"Hey there." Liara softly spoke as she held her Captain close.
"Hey." El'Jaid replied as the effects of her slumber started to ebb away. She gathered closer to Liara as the Asari gently traced the outline of her lips, remembering her love's closed rose.
Liara snuggled closer enjoying the warmth. What a beautiful beginning. She mused to herself taking in the moment.
The two languished in bed for a while longer, just enjoying each others company. But as with all things, even the sweetest moments must end.
"In coming communication from Esthasia. Counselor Anderson's office." El'Jaid's terminal VI ripped away the listless start to the day.
Liara groaned in disappointment, slamming back against the pillows as El'Jaid's scowled at the VI's call. "Tell him I will be there in five minuets." She growled.
"Can't you just 'call' him back later?" Liara playfully pleaded.
El'Jaid chuckled, "Why would I want to put humanity's voice on hold?"
Liara roped her willowy arms around her loves neck, "Because you're too busy." She seductively brushed El'Jaid lips with her own.
"mmmmm you are bad." El'Jaid sounded back with a playfully menacing tone.
"Four Minuets..." The VI went sounding off like a ticking time bomb.
Liara released her captive knowing all to well she was needed.
"Alright!" El'Jaid growled again.
She quickly slipped out of bed and crossed around to where Liara's lounge pants lay. She quickly slipped them on and scurried to the bathroom. Liara watched her with a giddy grin on her face. Her knees pulled up against her, the sheets flowing around her like a long wedding dress.
"Three Minuets..." The VI sounded again reminding El'Jaid of the ancient alarm clocks people used to use. I wonder how many wound up thrown or shot? She mused to herself.
A moment later El'Jaid came rushing out, dressed with the formal top she had worn yesterday...and Liara's lounge pants. Liara burst out laughing, collapsing to the bed at the sight of the ridiculously heinous outfit.
"Don't you even start." El'Jaid retorted, her face flushing but with an equally large grin.
"Or what?" Liara said with a tear in her eye.
"I'll give you want for..." El'Jaid said alluringly canting her hip to the side...
"I could deal with that." Liara bloomed.
"Two Minuets..." The VI boomed.
"I'm moving! That thing is worse then a drill sergeant!" She rushed out of the bed room careening around the corner to her Study.
"One Minuet..." The VI smartly remarked...
El'Jaid quickly checked her camera's view feed. All she wanted was a clear waist up shot...
Good. She thought and she hit the accept key...
In front of her. Counselor Anderson appeared, dressed in his formal Council tunic. Her stance was one of ease in seeing a good friend.
" Shepard! I trust you have had a good day so far."
She stole a look at the krono above the camera. 11:23am. Yikes! She started in her mind.
"As always. How are things?" She asked back.
"Going well, but things seem to be more and more busy for the Council by the day. Rebuilding reports, expansion updates, and the usual hearings." He responded with a smile. "Were you able to spend time with Dr. T'Soni?"
"Yes, and she sends her best wishes." El'Jaid responded enjoying the small talk with her old Commander.
"Did you read the e-mail I sent you yesterday?"
The events of yesterday had left El'Jaid with no time, or desire to purse through her inbox. "No. I'm sorry I haven't read it."
"I see." Anderson said uncomfortably. "I just wanted to let you know that I heard the decision that came out of your meeting yesterday with the Alliance. I understand your desire to move on with your life. You have done a service that the entire Galaxy can never repay. But you're still needed, by the Alliance, and by the Council."
The memory of yesterday boiled up in El'Jaid's mind. She wanted to say something, but knew it wouldn't have done any good. Instead she responded, "If the Alliance sees me fit for duty, I'll continue to serve, and as always, I'm am a Council Specter."
Anderson gave a weak smile. One that any Captain worth his salt would give to any soldier understanding what it meant to sacrifice and wear the uniform of service. But his demeanor quickly changed to that of a career military man. Tall, serious, and down to business.
"...Shepard. I don't want to take anymore of your time, but I didn't call you for a social chat. The Council has a new assignment for you. They want to meet with you in a few days."
El'Jaid's stature also changed. She straighten her stance, and held her shoulders back with her hands behind her back. Her stone face masking her own outrage.
Three days! That's all I wanted! Just three days with her! She shrieked mentally.
"What's going on Counselor?" She let out.
"Shepard. I can't say anything more till the hearing. But the Council is sending the Alliance Frigate Ardennes to bring you and Dr. T'Soni here to Esthasia. Its shuttle will arrive planet side at the Alliance Space Port on New Celyon in roughly six hours." Anderson replied stoically.
The mentioning of Liara caught El'Jaid by surprise.
"Why is Dr. T'Soni being picked up along with me?" Her eyes narrowing at the projection.
"I can't go in to any of the details till the hearing Shepard. I'm sorry."
She knew Anderson was stonewalling her...again. She could either call him out on it, and go no where, or go along with it for the moment.
"I understand Councilor. Dr. T'Soni and I will be ready to go in six hours." El'Jaid responded.
"Looking forward to seeing you and the Doctor, Captain."
The Projection faded to nothing and El'Jaid relaxed, her mind racing with thoughts, plans...
"Everything all right?" It was Liara in the door way dressed in El'Jaid's red robe.
El'Jaid turned her head her smile thin. "Yeah. Anderson wants us both on Esthasia for a Council hearing in two days. A Shuttle will be planet side in six hours."
Liara gave an immediate look of curiosity, but knew if there had been more El'Jaid would have told her. "I see..." She remotely responded.
El'Jaid walked over to her. She didn't want to try to think of why the Council was summoning her. She focused her attention to her Angel. She rested her hands on Liara's hips and the Asari hung her arms about her shoulders. The two became lost in each other for a moment, forgetting about the trip, forgetting about the outside world.
But then the ravenous snarl of their stomachs intervened into their moment of bliss.
"I guess we should eat something". El'Jaid chuckled and Liara just smiled.
[][][][][]
With their brunch done Liara graciously cleared the table of what few plates they had used, and left El'Jaid to think at the table for a moment.
She tried to rack her brain of any possible explanation for the summons. The piece that threw off all of her theories was Liara. She finally just sighed. She would just have to go to Esthasia to find out.
She looked as Liara gingerly put away the dishes. El'Jaid watched in wonderment as she traced her love's robed form with her eyes, Noting her wondrous hands. Her Willowy arms, and Liara's sculpted legs and feet.
"You know its 'rude' to just stare." Liara retorted playfully as she noticed her love's attention to her.
El'Jaid smiled and rose to her feet, quickly moving to Liara wrapping her arms around her. "I was just thinking of how ridiculous you look in this red robe. Red and blue? Never a good mix." She purred.
Liara giggled," Even more ridiculous than your half and half getup?"
"Well maybe not 'that' ridiculous, but close." El'Jaid responded with a coy smile.
"You do know we need to get ready for the trip..." Liara softly sounded.
"Well a shower together would be more 'efficient', not to mention enjoyable." El'Jaid offered.
Liara smiled, "I don't know about efficient, but more enjoyable, I would agree with."
[][][][][]
They both started getting ready after their time of enjoyment. Liara had made all the necessary arrangements for who would take over her classes at the university and El'Jaid's was busy prepping her gear.
El'Jaid had again dressed in another Cerberus cut type uniform as the day before. Unlike it's pair, this one had the N7 insignia embroidered on the collar. That was all that hinted at her military experience.
She had done a quick weapons check. Her Phalanx heavy pistol felt good to hold in her hand. The Locust was dead sighted perfectly. Her Matock Battle rifle was still in excellent working order, despite the wear and tear its paint and body had received. She gingerly picked up her Geth shotgun, the weapon obediently unfolded itself as she closely inspected it. Legion had been very helpful in giving her the schematic's of it so she could maintain it. For all she knew she had the only working one outside the Geth armory.
Part of her still wished she had the Arc projector. She liked the effective blind fire weapon. But between all of her weapons stock and her biotics, there was nothing that could stand against her but a dreadnaught. And even then it wouldn't have been a fair fight, for the dreadnaught.
Then she moved on to her armor. It too had been scratched and scorched in places, and had numerous rents where impacts had struck. But it was sound, wore like iron, and had saved her life more times then she could remember. She gently tucked each piece back in to the hardcase and set it next to her weapon's twin and her own personal duffle bag.
El'Jaid picked up her heavy coat off the coat peg near the front door. She gingerly fished out the box from one of it's pockets. Taking a deep breath she thought to her self; If not today then never.
El'Jaid then looked at the krono, two hours before the shuttle would arrive. "Liara, we better go." She called out.
"Almost ready." Liara was just finishing getting dressed, her duffle bag packed and ready to go. She was wearing a long formal Asari travel dress, with arm length tan gloves. The dress was emerald, embroided with red curls. It have her the unusual appearance and of almost being a walking Christmas tree.
But she had done this for a reason. When an Asari choose a partner they typically would wear colors symbolizing their partner. She had retrieved her hidden treasure from yesterday's outfit and she slowly turned its case in her hand. How such a simple ornament could represent so much she didn't know. She tucked it away in the pocket of her dress and silently said a prayer. Oh Goddess, watch over her.
She then went out to join El'Jaid and the two departed El'Jaid's home for the military starport. Unknowing what was in store for them...
...And El'Jaid was driving...
[][][][][][]
"El'Jaid Autumn Shepard I will never understand how the Alliance in all of their great wisdom gave you the authorization to pilot a simple vehicle." Liara steamed away as El'Jaid lugged their bags and cases on to a carrier.
El'Jaid knew Liara was right. Rather then defensive driving, her style epitomized 'combat' driving. But in her own defense she responded," I didn't want us to be late, and besides that garbage truck was moving way too slow."
Liara just let out a huff and stormed down the catwalk to the elevator for their shuttle's pier. El'Jaid following dutifully behind with the luggage cart. They both walked in to the Elevator for the long ride up. Liara to one side, El'Jaid to another.
"How can Humans just be so reckless it beyond me...you nearly got both of us killed!" She spoke aloud.
El'Jaid's face was burning. It was not the direction that she had wanted this trip to start off in. She slowly went over to Liara, and slipped her arm around her.
"Look Liara..." She started. The Asari just glowered at her and looked away since she did not have the power to break El'Jaid gentle hold.
"You were right, and I'm sorry." El'Jaid said.
Liara's frozen stature thawed, and she turned her gave back towards El'Jaid. "Its just, El. You're reckless, and I lost you once. I nearly lost you again at Haestrome..." She trailed off with a sorrowful look coming to her eyes.
El'Jaid gently rested her free hand against Liara's cheek, and she looked directly in to her eyes. "I know Angel. And both of those times you helped me come back."
Liara looked at her Captain's eyes; they were both a somber blue with emerald haloes. She sighed, giving in to her love's amorous assault and leaned against her. El'Jaid smiled relieved.
"But from now on I'm driving." Liara playfully bit back.
"Yes Ma'am." El'Jaid responded. Liara giggled and playful smacked her arm.
The Elevator doors opened to an empty platform, but as the two strolled out, a Grizzly class shuttle landed. The Grizzly was more or less the same size as the Kodiak, but unlike it's predecessor, it was armed with a miniature disruptor torpedo launcher.
As they neared the Shuttle, its door opened and two Alliance marines jumped out and rushed over to greet them.
"Captain Shepard, Dr. T'Soni." The ranking solider responded giving them both a salute. Both Marines took the carrier El'Jaid had been conducting and took it to load on to the shuttle. Both of them enjoyed the sight of seeing the well trained soldiers fighting with the weapons and armor hardcases. It took them both just to move the weapons case alone.
El'Jaid looked around. The air was still, and the day was ending. The sun was falling behind the horizon, setting off the forested hills that were a flame in their purples, reds and gold's of fall. It was gorgeous. El'Jaid looked at Liara. The sunset setting off her dress. She was the very image of the Angel that El'Jaid kept in her mind's eye. Liara had the look of urgency on her face, but why El'Jaid didn't know. She too wanted to know what was waiting for them on Esthasia.
But she knew she had to do this. If it wasn't now, it would be never, and she had made a promise. She had thought about this moment so many times over the years. It had encompassed her ever free moment of thought for the past two months. Plan A had been to ask her last night, Plan B would have been today. But as with almost everything that she seemed to touch it always fell back on Plan C.
And Plan C always meant improvise.
She looked over to the collapsed and exhausted Marines that were trying to catch their breaths. "Can you give a us a moment?"
"Sure thing Captain!" the lead marine said before falling back on to his back still puffing.
Lightly she took Liara's hand and led her to a near by bench which over looked the vista from the shuttle pad. The sun was just starting to caress the horizon, its rays setting off the clouds that streamed above.
She looked once more in to her love's ocean blue eyes. She had seen much of them over the years, but they still called to her like they did the first time she had laid eyes on Liara.
"Liara there is something I need to talk with you about."
Her insides were going crazy, her palms grew sweaty. She had given speeches in front of Admirals. Had inspired armies and fleets. Yet then in that moment she was struggling with her words.
"And I need to talk with you too." Liara responded, her voice just as nervous.
"Li. You have always been by my side. You are the only person who I can share myself with and feel safe in doing so."
Liara's face softened, a smile resting on her lips. "El, you have are the one who has inspired me. Protected me, pushed me to grow."
El'Jaid was starting to wobble on the inside, Why can't I just say it! She screamed to herself as she regained her footing.
"But Liara I know that just having you by my side is not enough for me. I made a promise to you. A Promise I want to keep."
Liara was quiet, not sure what to say, but then her words found her. "I have weighed what I am about to say to you for a very long time. I know its not the prefect time, but for us there has only been the right time."
El'Jaid just looked at her aghast. But...she just stole the words right out of my mouth. Her eyes shifted. Should I kneel? Wipe her off her feet? Forget it, head on it the best way. She turned and took the box from her coat's pocket.
Here goes nothing. Liara thought. She deftly unpocketed the box from her dress.
At the same time they turned to face each other and in unison asked, "Will you take me as your Bondmate?"
For what seemed like an age, they were both stunned. Liara's was a box the color of Pearl, with a ribbon of blue tied around it. El'Jaid's was silver with the letters WJC done in aqua and the words Whinjzako Jewel Crafters, in gold underneath them. Three thin strands were laced over it. One was blue, the other white, and the last gold.
Blue was for love, white for promise, and gold for ever lasting faithfulness.
With tears of joy Liara launched herself at her Captain, encompassing her in an embrace of arms and lips. El'Jaid leaned back at first overtaken, but then wrapped her own arms around Liara and leaning in deepening their kiss. They parted unwillingly and Liara's smile could not have been dimmed.
"So I'll take it as a yes..." El'Jaid smiled back at her fiancée.
Liara let out a small laugh as tears gleamed in her eyes. They both exchanged boxes and opened them. What they each contained were not rings, but bracelets. El'Jaid had never been one for jewelry. The idea of a ring had seemed even more abhorrent to her but felt that a bracelet would be better.
Liara had been able to do some research and found that the Protheans did not wear engagement or wedding rings, but bracelets on their wrists as a more public display of their betrothals and partners.
El'Jaid's was made from a base of steel and about 20mm wide. Various Prothean characters had been clearly inscribed along then edges which had been lined in platinum. To the woman who captured my heart, to the Spirit who protects me. I will always love you. You're Angel. The Inset was an artwork of alternating precious stones and metals, which made up the colors of the blue sky, chips of black space and the waves of red desert.
Liara's was 15mm wide made of two platinum bands bound together by a mesh of red copper, silver titanium, and bronze gold strands. Lined in the middle were alternating jewels of oceanic aqua, forest green emerald, and lit flawless diamond.
The two stood up, hand in hand and walked over to their awaiting shuttle. The two Marines stood gawking as if they had just seen a proposal between royalty.
The last streaks of the sun sank beyond as the cool vestiges of night started to settle in and the shuttle streaked away from New Ceylon to the SSV Ardennes, which hung still in orbit.