A/N: I thought about making this chapter less complicated but then I thought about how it won't be fun without it. I decided to fast forward the time so Shepard will be back from her long tour. So how her relationship with Liara will be? How will be the father/daughter reunion? Will there be more challenge in their relationship?
Chapter 7 : Moving On
Day's turns to weeks, weeks turns to months, and months turns to years... It has been 5 years since Shepard and the Normandy received their assignment after the Reapers war. They spend 2 years in Terminus System and by the time they are done, the Alliance and the Council demanded them to "tour" the galaxy and help out in any way they can. By the time they finished "touring" the galaxy, it has been 5 years.
"It's about time we get some long and deserving shore leave!" said Ashley as she arrived at the bridge.
"I never thought I see the day when I'm so sick of my pilot seat." said Joker as he flew the Normandy past Mars and heading towards Earth.
"By my count, the morale of the crew has been decreasing every day after 2 years. Even in the Reapers war, the morale of the crew members kept getting higher the longer the war goes on." said EDI from her co-pilot seat.
"I rather have another Reapers war than doing this boring assignment." said Ashley.
"Boring you said? At least there's some gun fire where you are going. Explosions, if you lucky. The only fun thing piloting the Normandy throughout this assignment was those phone calls between you and James." said Joker.
"You were listening on my phone calls?" asked Ashley in anger.
"Please, Ash. We both know Joker is worst than EDI when it comes to listening on people private business." said Shepard as she walked towards the bridge from the CIC.
"Hey! That's what happened when I'm bored." said Joker in defence.
"If you want to keep your phone calls, private, you really should thought about having those phone calls where no one can hear you, you know. Other than EDI, of course." add Joker.
"He got a point, Ash."
"Oh don't you take his side now, Shepard."
"Shepard, Ashley, Admiral Hackett are requesting your presence in the QEC." said EDI, interrupting the fight waiting to happen.
"This conversation isn't over yet, you know." said Ashley as she followed Shepard towards the Comm Room.
"I still win." yell Joker from his pilot seat.
"Commander Shepard, Lieutenant-Commander Williams." greet Admiral Hackett holographic as Shepard and Ashley walked into the room where the QEC is.
"Admiral Hackett." said both Shepard and Ashley.
"I have a new order for you two." said Hackett, straight to the point.
"Oh come on, we don't even touch down on Earth yet and we already have new order?" said Ashley in annoyance.
"Calm down, Ash."
"It's okay, Shepard. I understand Lieutenant-Commander Williams frustration. But this new order is not a new assignment. Not exactly..."
"What do you mean, Admiral?" asked Shepard.
"The Alliance Admirals are requesting a meeting with both of you. It has something to do with both your promotions and new assignments."
"Does this mean our shore leave is cut short, Admiral?" asked Ashley.
"You will know once you meet with them." answered Admiral Hackett.
"Is that all, Admiral?" asked Shepard.
"Yes." said Hackett before his holographic form disappears.
"I was looking forward for some deserving R&R." complain Ashley.
"Big plan with James?"
"You could say that."
"I'm sure you two will have plenty of time to catch up."
"I sure hope our shore leave isn't cut short. For your sake."
"Why is that?"
"After 5 years, I'm sure you're looking forward to meet your daughter."
"..."
"Shepard?"
"I didn't receive any news from Liara ever since I send her that message informing her about our new assignment."
"You think she's mad?"
"I won't blame her."
"Well Shepard, she can't stop you from meeting your daughter. You have right."
"I think I lose the right after spending 5 years travelling the galaxy instead of being there for Liara as I promised." said Shepard as she left the Comm room.
"I'm worried about, Shepard." said Ashley to Dr. Chakwas and Maddison at med bay.
"Why?" asked Dr. Chakwas.
"She didn't hear any news from Liara and I think the possibilities of what that means have poisoned her mind."
"I have known her for most of her life and I still can't get through her. Every time I asked her about Liara, she just stayed silent. Or talked about her smile, what she promised her." said Maddison.
"That's all you got in 5 years?" asked Ashley.
"Regarding Liara? Yes. I'm lucky if she even said her name."
"See? There's more reason to concern about her."
"The only way to settle this is by making sure Shepard meets with Liara." said Dr. Chakwas.
"Any idea where to find her?" asked Maddison.
"Knowing her, I doubt finding her will be easy. But if she wants to meet with Shepard, she would know where to find her."
"Then we should have Liara find her." suggest Maddison.
"How?" asked both Ashley and Dr. Chakwas.
"By starting a rumour, of course. If she cares about her, she will find Shepard.
"I wish it will be that easy. I'm sure she will know it's a rumour." said Ashley.
"It can't hurt to try, does it? Love can make you do crazy thing."
"What kind of rumour are we going to start?" asked Dr. Chakwas.
"Maybe something about the state of her mental health."
"Are you saying you going to violate your doctor patient confidential?" asked Ashley in surprise.
"I'm pretty sure I already violated it by telling you two about my concern of her mental health."
"Won't it hurt Shepard reputation?" asked Dr. Chakwas.
"Right about now I don't mind getting dirty as long as it will reunited Shepard and Liara. I'm feeling guilty for holding out from telling Shepard the truth about her real relationship with Liara, when she lost her memory. Even when I knew she was pregnant. She kept asking me for the truth and I kept denying her. I shouldn't have done that and maybe if I don't, we won't even be in this mess." said Maddison in regret.
"Maybe we could minimize the impact it will done to Shepard if we plant the rumours carefully." suggest Ashley after a long silence
"How?"
"With EDI help."
As soon as they arrived on Earth, Shepard and Ashley went to the Alliance head quarters. They have been in the room with the Alliance Admirals for almost half an hour now, mostly bored out of their mind with the meeting.
"All of that aside, we all has agreed on promoting both of you. Commander Shepard, as for now you've been promoted to Admiral. After a week of shore leave, we want you to go to the Citadel for your new job as a liaison between the Alliances and the Council. You will be overseeing C-Sec and will be working closely with Commander Bailey. You will also oversee the new step towards a task force consist of every species in the galaxy. You will also be working closely with the new human Councilor, Shepard. As for you, Lieutenant-Commander Williams, as per Admiral Shepard request you will be the new captain of the Normandy. Thus granted you a promotion to Commander. Your new executive officer will be Lieutenant James Vega who is fresh from his N7 training." said one of the Admirals whose name Shepard and Ashley let slipped in the back of their mind.
"Well that could complicate thing." said Ashley after the meeting.
"Are you kidding? I'm sure Joker going to be over the moon with this news." said Shepard with a smirk.
"Very funny, Shepard. Any advice?"
"Keep it in your pants, Ash. Stay professional unless you want the Alliance to know and probably throw both of you under a bus."
"I think I prefer being hit by a bus, if such thing even exists in this day and age, than tell the Alliance about my romantic relationship with my new XO."
"I'm sure the fraternization rule will change with a right pull."
"The right pull you have... If anyone should change the rule, it has to be you, Shepard. I mean you let Gabby and Kenneth to be together, in fact you were the one who make Kenneth realized that. You also the one who didn't write Kaidan, bless his soul, when he confess his feeling and asking you to choose between him and Liara. You also brush off James endless flirting with you and described it as un-harmful flirts."
"I don't think Gabby and Kenneth situation is the same with you and James. After all they are in the same ranks. Unless something changes, they still are following the rule. Also if they can't keep it in their pants, then it will be a problem. As for Kaidan... Well I don't think it's necessary and James, I knew him well enough even before Reapers start attacking Earth to know he didn't really mean anything with those shameless flirt. I know that his respects for me are more than any romantic feeling he may has.
"Can't you help a girl out? After all we've been through a lot." pleaded Ashley.
"I never said I won't help."
After leaving the Alliance HQ, Shepard headed towards a park near the Alliance HQ to relax herself after being so long across the galaxy. After taking a few deep breaths while walking, her left leg suddenly being hit by something. Well not something, more like a little Asari.
"Sowy." mutter the little Asari as she rubs her head.
"It's okay. Are your head hurts?" asked Shepard as she knelt down to check on the little Asari.
"Elaina?!" yell someone from a distance.
That voice... Shepard didn't dare to look to where that voice came from, afraid to see who the owner of that voice she used to love. No, still love.
"Mommy." said the little Asari as she got up and ran towards her mother.
"I told you not to run around too far! What if you got lost? Or someone take you?" yell the little Asari mother.
"I'm sorry for my daughter behaviour." apologize the Asari mother to a still knelt down Shepard whose head still hang low to hide her face from the Asari mother.
"It's okay..." answered Shepard and finally find courage to look at the Asari mother.
"Shepard..."
"It's nice to see you, Liara." said Shepard as she stood up.
"I... I didn't realize it was you." apologize Liara.
"You don't have to be sorry. It has been a while, after all." said Shepard as she gave Liara a little smile.
"I still should have recognized you."
"I'm sure you were too worried about your daughter." said Shepard as it reminded Liara about the little Asari presence.
"Elaina, this is Commander Shepard. Shepard, this is Elaina." introduce Liara.
"The hero in those books?" asked Elaina.
"Yes, but she's also a good friend of mine."
"Nice to meet you, Com-de Shepard." said Elaina as she struggle pronouncing Commander.
"Nice to meet you too, Elaina. No need to call me Commander, just Shepard. Also because I'm no longer a Commander."
"You've been promoted? Congratulations." said Liara.
"Shepard!" yell Ashley from behind them as she run towards Shepard.
"Ash." said Shepard as she turns to face Ashley.
"I was... Oh, Liara." Ashley stopped herself from finishing her question when she saw Liara.
"Ashley."
"What this cute little girl name?" asked Ashley as she knelt down in front Elaina.
"Elaina." answered Elaina.
"Should we grab two ice-creams while your mother talk with Admiral Shepard?" asked Ashley as she tried to give Liara and Shepard some alone time.
"Can we, mommy?"
"Sure. Ashley here is an old friend but don't give her too much trouble, okay?"
"Yes, mommy." said Elaina as she lead Ashley towards an ice-cream vendor.
"I should remember to thank Ashley later." said Shepard as she watched Elaina and Ashley rush to an ice-cream vendor.
"I didn't tell her about who you really are. She didn't know who her father is... I can't afford the media to know about whose daughter Elaina is." said Liara after letting what Shepard were saying lingered in the air for a few seconds of awkward silence.
"...I understand."
"...I see you're well." said Liara breaking another awkward silence.
"Yes. I see you're well too."
Another awkward fill the air before Liara omni-tool start to buzz.
"Liara, when are you coming to the Citadel?" asked the holograph Asari.
"Iana, I will be there once I finish with my business here on Earth." answered Liara.
"Very well, tell Elaina I miss her." said the Asari before disconnecting the call.
Once she heard the Asari called Iana asked Liara to tell Elaina that she miss her, Shepard heart almost stop. Has Liara moved on? She couldn't blame Liara if she did. She spends 5 years away from her and her daughter. Because once again her duty with the Alliance and as a Council Spectre, came first. Like it always has been since the first day she met Liara. Not to mention she spend months before that forgetting about her.
"So you're going to the Citadel after this?" said Shepard as she broke the silence.
"Yes. Since I wrote that book with Javik, I have received few offers for a teaching position in various universities in Thessia and Citadel. I took the teaching position in Citadel because there's a good school for Elaina there. It's a bit expensive but it will be worth it."
"I can help with the payment."
"It's not necessary, Shepard."
"I insisted. Even if she didn't know who I am, I know who she is. It's my responsibility as a father."
"Very well."
"What about your other work?" asked Shepard as she remembered Liara secret identity.
"The teaching position is more of a part time job." answered Liara.
"I see... Have you found an apartment in the Citadel yet?"
"No. It's not easy finding an apartment in the Citadel that is affordable."
"You can live in my apartment in the Citadel."
"But..."
"No but. You won't have to pay a rent and the apartment is fairly secure... Just don't say that to Zaeed and Garrus. They will disagree and they might try to booby traps the apartment again."
"If you insist."
"Hey, how can you got two scoops of ice-creams and I only have one? I thought we agreed for one scoop?" asked Ashley as she and Elaina walk towards where Shepard and Liara are.
"You only said we should grab two ice-creams..." answered Elaina.
"Seriously, Liara. Your daughter is too smart for her own good." said Ashley to a chuckle from both Shepard and Liara.
After Liara and Elaina left, Shepard and Ashley headed towards the nearest restaurant after Ashley insisted on Shepard to go grab lunch.
"Elaina seems like a nice and bright kid." said Ashley as they wait for their orders.
"Yes, she is." answered Shepard as she thought back about Elaina.
"And she has your green eyes."
"I didn't realize that..."
"Shepard, is everything all right?" asked Ashley, concerned with the look of her commanding officer.
"She didn't know..."
"Who didn't know?"
"Liara didn't tell her."
"Liara didn't tell who about what?"
"Elaina..." Shepard didn't know how to explain it to Ashley because she barely agrees with Liara decision.
"Wait. You mean Liara didn't tell Elaina who her father is?" said Ashley, finally putting the pieces together.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Have you seen the way reporters react when they saw me?"
"Yes. They mobbed you whenever they get a chance."
"Liara didn't want the media to know about the real identity of Elaina father. If they know who her father is..." said Shepard, more to convince herself that it's a right choice than explaining to Ashley.
"They are going to have a field day..."
"Yes."
"But she can't deny you from seeing your daughter." said Ashley as she saw a trouble look in Shepard.
"She didn't. At least she didn't say anything about that."
"Then what are you going to do?"
"I have offered to pay for Elaina school in the Citadel. I also offered Liara to live in the apartment Anderson gave me."
"Well at least you get to live together."
"..."
"Wait... She didn't know, didn't she?"
"I didn't tell her about my new job in the Citadel."
"Look it like this, soon enough she will fall for you all over again."
"I doubt that."
"Why's that?"
"I think she has moved on..."
"What do you mean?"
"Earlier, an Asari called her asking about when she will arrive in the Citadel. Then she told her to tell Elaina she miss her."
"That doesn't mean Liara has found someone else. It could be her assistance."
"When was the last time you saw Liara not being private about her life?"
"...You have a point."
"Either way, I don't think I should let Liara fall in love with me again... I can't hurt her again by leaving. I will die long before she will and I can't let her get her heart broken again. She better off with someone else."
"Shepard..."
"Right now what's important is Elaina. I want to be there for her. Regardless whether she know about the fact I'm her father or not."
"If you think it's for the best, then very well." said Ashley as she didn't want to argue with Shepard since she clearly has made up her mind.
Shepard spent her shore leave in the Shepard's family estate before heading to the Citadel for her new job position. She kept a tight lip about the existent of Elaina from both of her parents. Hannah, who is now the new human councilor tried to asked her daughter about Liara but all she's getting is it's complicated. Every time she tried to push the subject, her daughter ran from her. Getting the hint, Hannah stopped asking.
After meeting with the council and approving Specialist Samantha Traynor as her assistant, Shepard took the sky car to her apartment in Silversun Strip. When she got out of the elevator she saw Liara and Elaina saying goodbye to an Asari, which Shepard presumed as Iana.
"Be a good kid when I'm gone okay? Don't worry your mother too much." said Iana as she plant a kiss on Elaina forehead.
"I am a good kid." said Elaina.
"How long will you be in Thessia?" asked Liara.
"For a few weeks at the very least. I'll be back before you know it." answered Iana.
"Take care." said Liara.
Shepard who was watching from afar, far enough not to be notice but close enough to saw and heard everything. As she saw the scene in front of her, Shepard felt a ping of jealously. That should be her... Thought Shepard before her presence was noticed by Iana, Liara and Elaina.
"Shepard." said Liara as she saw Shepard.
"I didn't mean to interrupt." said Shepard as she walk towards them.
"You didn't. I was about to leave anyway." said Iana before she excuse herself.
"Elaina, why don't you go upstairs and play with Glyph?" said Liara.
"Okay." obey Elaina as she ran upstairs.
"I didn't know you were coming." said Liara as she led Shepard to the living room.
"It was my fault. I didn't tell you about my new job." said Shepard as she sat in a sofa next to Liara.
"Don't tell me you work with C-Sec now."
"Not really. With my promotion to Admiral and as a Council Spectre, the Council wanted me to oversee C-Sec while working on a Special Task Force which will involve the best of the best from every species in the galaxy."
"So you will be working in the Citadel?"
"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't mention this to you before."
"It fine, Shepard. Does this mean you will need the apartment?" asked Liara.
"No. You can stay here. I will find another place. I'm sure the Council can spare me a quarters."
"Nonsense, Shepard. This is your apartment, you can stay here."
"I don't want to bother you."
"You won't. I insist. This apartment is too big for just us. You can sleep in your bedroom. We took the second room upstairs."
"Very well." said Shepard as she flash Liara a smile.
"Will you just stop for a second? We'll be jumping several light years. There's time to talk."
"About what?"
"About us!"
"Shepard, listen, I'm glad you're here..."
"You worried there might be terminals you need me to hack?" Shepard sound so cold but she didn't care. She was tired and hurting with the way Liara treating her.
"That's not fair. You were dead!" she could see the hurt look on Liara face but she can't help but still feeling mad.
"I came back!"
"It's not that easy! You can't just come back and have two years of mourning suddenly vanish! I'm sorry, Shepard. I can't get into this. For now, let's just focus on getting Feron back."
"Fine."
Shepard could still remember how mad she was with Liara. She was supposed to understand the way Liara felt, it might only a few weeks for her, but for Liara it has been 2 years. But back then she was acting selfish. She was in love with Liara, she was miserable in the Cerberus ship without her around. That is why she took every opportunity she can to spend more time in Ilium, so she could see Liara, see the way Liara smile that never fail to melt her heart.
But that was then, now Shepard has decided that it will be best if she stay away from Liara. Let Liara distant herself from her. Because all she will bring to Liara is pain. She couldn't let Liara get her heart broken again. She saw what it did to Liara when she died. It broke her heart when she saw Liara for the first time in Ilium, because deep inside, she knew, Liara has changed.
She can't afford to be selfish again. She needs to let Liara move on. But she refused to stay away from her daughter. Because no matter what, she wants to be there for Elaina, be it as her mother good friend.
There she was again. Surround by dark forest with shadowy figures all around her. No matter where she ran, they always follow and sometimes if she ran in a wrong direction, the memories from the war came back to haunt her. Usually she was haunted by alternate versions of what happened. It's kinda funny how back then, she wasn't afraid, but now after the war ended, she was afraid by those memories. Maybe her best friend, Maddison was right. It's better if she never remember...
Shepard jolted awake by another nightmare. She was expecting waking up alone but instead she saw a blue figure beside her.
"Liara... I'm sorry if I woke you up." said Shepard as she tries to even out her breathing.
"You didn't... I could sense you were in distress." said Liara as she squeeze Shepard right hand lovingly.
"You could sense?"
"Every meld we had, it's improved my connection with you. I thought it gone by now, but I was wrong. When I sense your distress in my sleep, I grew worried so I came by to check on you. I hope I'm not intruding."
"No. I appreciate it."
"Mommy?" said Elaina from Shepard bedroom door frame as she rubs off sleep from her eyes.
"What are you doing here, honey?" asked Liara as she turn to face her daughter.
"I woke up and I can't find you anywhere."
"I'm sorry, Elaina. Your mother was here to check on me." said Shepard in behalf of Liara.
"Are you okay?" asked Elaina as she walks towards the bed.
"I'm fine. It just a nightmare." answered Shepard as she watched Elaina climb up the bed.
"Mommy always hugged me when I had a nightmare. Can I hug you? Maybe the monsters will go away?"
"Can't hurt to try."
As soon as Shepard gave her permission, Elaina immediately hugged Shepard before whispering in Shepard ear that everything will be fine. Soon enough Elaina fall back to sleep, still hugging Shepard. Shepard too falls back to sleep with a smile on her face.
Liara who was watching the whole scene unfold before her, can't help but smile watching the father/daughter moment. It made her heart grew warm to watch Shepard and Elaina like that. Even without telling Elaina that Shepard is her father, clearly Elaina already has a connection with Shepard... Liara slowly retreat back to her bedroom and promised herself to never forget what she just witness. Because one day Elaina will know who Shepard really is and she want her daughter to see this moment, to let her know how much Shepard loves her.
A/N: So how was the chapter? I hope it almost threaten you to shed a tear. Anyway what do you guys think will happen next? Was Shepard right? That Liara has moved on? And who is Iana? Was it right not to tell Elaina who Shepard really is? But the important question has to be what really in Liara mind? Has she stopped loving Shepard? Has she moved on? Want to know the answer? Well you have to wait for the next update.