Losa136 asked an interesting question that I thought others might be interested in the answer for. I'd never read 'Unlocking Leli's Heart' so I did a quick read as you suggested, not finished yet but enough to get a basic idea of the bond between Kallian and Leliana. Seph and Miri's bond is not like that, Seph won't die if Miri does, they haven't had prophetic dreams about each other, they won't fall in love because of it in a week and Miri doesn't nullify Seph's abilities but rather enhances them. I can certainly understand the connection especially with Kallian being able to read aura's and Seph being able to see biotic aura's. They're similar yes, also similar to what Myetel uses in 'The Spirit of Redemption' but with Seph it's all dependent on the amount of dark energy within an individual, it's the dark energy itself she sees interacting with an individual hence some people are blindingly bright to her and others she can barely see. As for the details of the bond between Seph and Miri all I will say is patience, it will be revealed in greater detail as the story progresses.

Enjoy! :D

Shepard avoiding Miranda as they travelled to Illium was easily explained by the crew with the excuse that she was angry with the woman for knocking her out. Only Rana, Chakwas and Kasumi knew the truth though Jack was aware that Shepard wasn't angry over being knocked out. In fact Jack had the distinct impression that Shepard had been pleased, which made no sense whatsoever.

As they travelled towards the nearest Relay, Shepard made a point to mingle with her crew, getting to know them was vital in building the necessary trust required for in the heat of battle. It also served as a distraction...

She played cards with Jack down in engineering and lost one hundred credits.

Got her hands dirty elbow deep in conduits with Ken and Gabby and got kicked out, as politely as possible, for getting distracted. Instead of scrubbing away the gunk that had built up from a leak Ken had fixed she scrubbed a hole into the piping meaning the entire unit had to be replaced.

Sparred with Grunt, much to the consternation of Chakwas but she didn't break her hands... only a couple ribs, her collar bone and a few other minor strains. But she had still beaten Grunt without using her biotics and left the cargo hold grinning from ear to ear.

After Chakwas patched her up she talked with Mordin about his time in the STG and some of the things they got up to.

Helped Jacob maintain and upgrade guns in the armoury and ended up comparing physical training techniques. This had Jacob showing off his abs to a totally oblivious Shepard who really thought Jacob was just demonstrating an asari upper body musculature stretch.

Had drinks with Kasumi and Kelly, which she dragged Chakwas out of her medbay for as well, and was mercilessly teased for being so oblivious to Jacob's flirting.

Her old friends didn't miss out either. She teased Garrus about his calibrations and spent some time sparring with him... she wasn't too beat up after Grunt after all, the medi-gel had patched her up and her Cerberus upgrades meant she healed faster... she just didn't mention this little session to Chakwas and swore Garrus to secrecy. He didn't take much convincing to agree to that when Shepard had pinned him to the ground in a very compromising position.

She traded stories and insults with Massani especially concerning his unhealthy obsession with 'Jessie' to which he countered with her obsession with a certain operative's assets.

Kept Joker company up in the pilot's domain which also helped her to get to know EDI better, Joker's interactions with EDI were very amusing to watch as the AI baited him and he rose to it every time without fail.

And to top it all off she ate every meal down in the mess surrounded by her crew and listening to them. In the big group she shied away from being the centre of attention, which was easier said than done when everyone wanted her opinion on everything. So she'd sit at the edges and speak only when spoken to. She was quite good at deflecting things onto a more outgoing individual like Garrus or Kasumi or Massani.

But as busy as she forced herself to be her glance tended to end up in the direction of Miranda's quarters. Her XO had locked herself away with Rana to get as much done as possible before they reached Illium so they had a clear idea of what they had to do. She wondered if Miranda had any idea at all just how much she wanted to help, wanted to be in there with her, hell even if it was just to deliver a coffee or something. However Miranda had made it crystal clear that she was to stay away.

Her heart just ached. For so long she'd thought she'd never see Miri again, would never get to watch the stars with her, or play the piano with her, or dance with her in the rain or under the moon or on a ridiculously expensive rooftop, or hear her laugh at stupid childish jokes... hmmm she doubted that would happen again. Yet miraculously they'd been brought back together again against all odds only to be separated by someone's cruel and twisted manipulations. It was breaking her heart and Miranda had absolutely no idea. She didn't know if they could ever be lovers again given how much they'd both changed and grown, but friendship... she most definitely wanted her best friend back, she had so few of those these days each one was treasured by her.

In those moments Kasumi would sidle up to her and either link arms with Shepard or poke her with a cheeky grin and pop some random question to her. Shepard didn't know how Kasumi always seemed to know or that no one else in the crew had picked up on it. But she was ever so grateful to the young Japanese woman who took the time to distract her when she needed it most.

Making port on Illium had been a very smooth process. Some mysterious benefactor had paid their docking fees for them and gotten them a nice private berth. A bit unsettled by that Shepard was waiting by the airlock with Garrus, Jacob and Kasumi fighting down her nervous energy with some playful banter with the thief.

"Shep it's Illium not Omega. Why don't you wear something nice?" Kasumi complained at her.

"There isn't a single place I've been in the last ten years or so that someone hasn't tried to kill me. This, my friend," she gestured to her armour, "is nice. State of the art shielding, ceramic plating, internal cushioning that doesn't impede movement." she flexed her right arm in demonstration.

Kasumi rolled her eyes.

"I even like the colouring, brings out my eyes." she grinned and received a light punch to the shoulder.

"Hopeless. You are hopeless. You've got the sexiest pair of legs, a gorgeous behind that even Garrus can't keep his eyes off,"

At that the turian cleared his throat and flushed while Jacob fought back a chuckle,

"very nicely proportioned assets and you hide it all away under that heavy plating." Kasumi wrapped her knuckles on the chest piece knowing that any comment about her looks would have Shepard blushing.

And Shepard did indeed blush, a very deep shade of crimson in fact.

Miranda was the one to rescue her, unintended of course as she might have joined in the teasing if she'd known. "Commander, I've forwarded the contact and location information to your workstation."

Shepard turned to look at her and the butterflies burst to life in her stomach. Today was hopefully the day they'd find out just how extensive Miranda's mind had been toyed with and how long it would take to undo. "Thanks. Garrus, Jacob and Kasumi will be going with you." her tone was commanding, it was an order to be followed and not a suggestion.

Miranda frowned, she noted the blush and wondered what she had interrupted, "That won't be necessary Commander." Jacob she could understand sending with her being Cerberus and all but Garrus and Kasumi?

"Hell it isn't. We've got no idea who did this, the fact that they've managed to do it within the last four years while you've been with Cerberus, and for half that time locked away on a secured Cerberus station, means they can reach you no matter how 'secure' you think you are." Shepard argued firmly.

Miranda had been so busy concentrating on fixing herself she hadn't truly had time to think of that aspect.

"What's to say they won't try to stop you fixing this when they've clearly gone to a lot of trouble to make it happen in the first place?" The very idea of someone getting to Miranda on her watch incensed Shepard.

Miranda could see her getting worked up, that clenching of her jaw, the fire in her eyes, the stiffness in which she held herself.

"I won't let that happen. Jacob, Garrus and Kasumi are going keep an eye out so you can concentrate solely on fixing this. I want you..." her eyes widened slightly and her cheeks reddened as she had been about to say I want you back, "safe, I want you safe." she corrected herself but it was too late, everyone knew she'd been about to say something else. Flustered and embarrassed she turned and quickly left the ship before anything else could be said, she knew Garrus and Kasumi would be teasing her about it sooner or later.

Miranda rolled her eyes a little and strode out, leading her squad to the Cerberus medical research facility. It was dedicated to the understanding of biotics and would have the equipment necessary to study her neurological state in depth.

Having found out from the port authorities that Liara had paid for the berth an excited Shepard had made her way quickly through the market. She was oblivious to the many asari who had found themselves distracted by the startling lone human woman in high grade military armour. As on the Citadel they were drawn by her confident swagger. That slender battle toned physique which had her traversing through the crowded stalls with grace yet authority. The scars that marred her beautiful face and told of some great trauma she had endured and conquered. Finally there was an indefinable aura surrounding her that was the true reason asari were drawn to Shepard like moths to flame.

At the door to the lavish office of the clearly successful information broker that Liara T'Soni had become Shepard hesitated. What was she to say to the woman who had loved her but she'd never allowed herself to love in return? At that time Miranda had been nothing but a lost childhood dream. It hadn't been because of Miranda that she'd refused to entertain the notion of falling for the gorgeous, gentle, socially inept and utterly adorable young scientist. It had been fear of corrupting her, of defiling or even destroying that innocence and gentleness in Liara with the violence, the bloodshed the dark and feral beast she kept caged deep within herself.

Oh Shepard did love Liara in her own way and if she'd been human and not wanting to meld minds she could have actually entertained the idea of an intimate relationship. Hell if it hadn't been for Liara she probably would have gone after Williams, especially after becoming a Spectre and fraternization regs didn't truly apply to her any more. Williams was more of her type than Liara, strong, proud, talented, gorgeous brunette with a killer right hook... much like Miranda come to think of it. Liara had been so opposite she had felt drawn to her though. In fact most of the crew on the Normandy had truly thought they were in a physical relationship. Which was why Garrus had questioned her about her relationship with Liara in light of her sharing some of her past feelings towards Miranda with him.

Now here she stood, rather pathetically considering her eagerness to get here, hesitating at Liara's doorstep at a complete loss of what to say. Two years had passed. Two years she had been dead. Two years Liara had mourned for her. Two years, four months to just turn up out of the blue. Shepard blinked at that thought. Liara had arranged their berth and paid for it. How in the stars had she even known that Shepard was alive?

Scowling a little in confusion it gave her the motion required to pass through the threshold and into the comfortable office that wasn't as lavish in decore as the reception area. There was her desk designed for function and not purely aesthetics, though asari styles seemed to automatically contain an inbuilt sense of aesthetic design. Two padded leather seats, cup shape and armless faced her desk for her clients. The space itself wasn't overly large but wasn't tiny either, the desk and chairs fit spaciously but additional chairs, a larger desk or a bulky art piece would make it feel cramped. To the left of the desk was a holographic communication console, on which Liara was finishing up a call.

"Have you ever faced an asari commando unit before? Few humans have." Liara's voice purred darkly, dangerously and the human man she was speaking with cowered slightly. "You will pay me what you owe or I will flay you alive... with my mind." she growled menacingly and ended the communication.

Shepard took a half step back in shock. Those were the words of her mother, of Matriarch Benezia, of the indoctrinated second in command of Saren. Those were the words spoken on the day Shepard had been forced to kill her. To fight her way through asari commando's and geth while struggling through the biotic force the powerful Matriarch had hurled at them again and again. In her final moments the Matriarch had gained enough control over her mind to confess the true nature of Saren, of the Reaper Sovereign and gave them the information they needed to chase them through the Mu relay. She had passed into the embrace of the goddess willingly and with her own mind in the end, even managing to tell Liara she was so very proud of her daughter, her Little Wing.

Now here Liara was. Channelling that very darkness of her indoctrinated mother simply to force a client to pay her credits. A darkness Shepard had tried so desperately to keep from her. What the fuck had happened to her?

Liara turned and suddenly realized she wasn't alone. A dark expression crossed her face and she was about to flare her biotics at the intrusion when the intruder held up her hands submissively with a small smile. "Stephanie!" the darkness vanished from Liara and she lightly stepped towards Shepard with a gorgeous smile and open arms.

Shepard smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes, she stepped into Liara's embrace and received a tender kiss on the cheek from the young asari. "Liara." she murmured softly.

Liara pulled back a little and reached up to caress Shepard's cheek, searching those incredible amber eyes that could show deep emotion one moment then be completely impenetrable walls the next. She frowned a little as instead of the expected, the hoped for, emotion of seeing her for the first time she was looking into the golden walls. "It's so good to see you. I'd heard you were alive but finally seeing you, feeling you..." she leaned forward and touched her forehead against Shepard's.

"It's good to see you to Liara, but I haven't exactly announced that I'm alive yet. How did you know?" Shepard asked curiously, trying to relax as this was Liara holding her.

"I'm an information broker now." Liara pulled back, a little hurt at Shepard's stiffness, what had happened to her? Was she alright? Was she... as she was before or had Cerberus made alterations? That thought made her cringe with guilt inside. She walked over to her desk, "It's paid the bills since you..." she swallowed, unable to say it.

Shepard smiled, "Went to have a heart to heart with the goddess?"

Liara looked up at her quickly, sensing she was teasing but not able to find any humour in the situation herself.

"You know I think I must have offended her or pissed her off to be kicked out and back here again. Did you know I wasn't even finished when I nearly got my arse blown up all over again? She was so eager to get rid of me I had to fight my way off a mech infested station with atrophied muscles, still open 'scars', changed biotics and one hell of a headache because some idiot thought he'd make a few creds selling my expensive arse to the Shadow Broker." she shrugged and sat down with casual ease and expecting at least a smile and return light hearted comment about her whining or 'is that all' or a 'perhaps she wanted you back'. Instead that darkness returned to Liara's eyes and it wasn't the 'embrace eternity' kind.

"The Shadow Broker has a lot to answer for." Liara growled but silently she was cursing Cerberus, they were supposed to have kept Shepard safe.

Shepard's smile gave way to concern, "That sounds like you've had a run in with them." she sat forward, "Are you in trouble or something? Is there anything I can do to help?" her offer was instant and deeply sincere.

For half a moment Liara's eyes melted. Her Shepard was still there. Her Shepard who would leap through fire. Would stand between her and a storm of bullets. Would hold her so tenderly even with all her strength and ask with the gentlest of whispers if she was alright. Then her eyes hardened, "I am not in trouble, but you could say the Shadow Broker is."

Shepard pursed her lips and her brow furrowed, "What do you mean?"

"The reason I am an information broker is not just to pay the bills." Liara sat straighter, her shoulders squared, her blue eyes dark and focussed like piercing spears. "I was on a job with a friend. The Shadow Broker's people ambushed us, almost killed me but my friend gave himself to allow me to escape. He was taken."

A measure of understanding lit Shepard's eyes, "So now you're hunting the Shadow Broker."

Liara nodded stiffly, "Now I'm hunting the Shadow Broker." she acknowledged.

Shepard stood and walked around behind the desk, turning Liara's seat and kneeling before the surprised asari. Taking Liara's hands in hers she brought them to her lips, eyes closed as she kissed those hands that had caressed her in her darkest struggles. Soothed her rage when not even her music or punching bag could. Healed her in the aftermath of a groundside fight that had gone awry and Chakwas and the Normandy were too far away.

Liara swallowed, unsure what Shepard was doing and the feel of those soft lips brushing her knuckles, those strong and powerful hands holding her so gently set her heart racing.

Shepard finally looked up, not releasing Liara's hands, when she spoke her husky voice was soft but laden with pleading desperation, "Liara, angel, please don't become what you hunt."

Liara scowled and pulled her hands away, her heart pounding harder as she warred within herself at such a heartfelt plea from the woman she had loved so deeply. "Says the one working for Cerberus." she spat with unintended venom.

Shepard recoiled as though she'd been slapped, her eyes wide not at the insult itself but how it had been delivered. She recovered quickly and rose, her entire face becoming a blank mask and amber eyes that usually danced for Liara and let her in like no one else were now closed. "It was not my choice to work with Cerberus, I had no choice. People are dying Liara. Hundreds of thousands abducted by Collectors and the Alliance and Council are doing shit all to stop them. I might be accepting the tools Cerberus gives me but I am not Cerberus. I refuse to join their xenophobic cause and lust for power against all others. I refuse to do things their way."

Liara bit her lip and her eyes glistened with tears, an overwhelming wave of guilt crashing through her at Shepard's clipped and furious tone.

Shepard activated her omni-tool and sent Liara the dossiers for Samara and Thane. "Seeing as you're an information broker to pay the bills. I'm looking for these two people if you want to earn some more credits. Cerberus will pay your fees so you can hold off your asari commando's and flaying me with your mind. I'm sure you know how to contact me should you find anything." she nodded curtly then just turned and left.

If she'd stayed she would have seen Liara crumple, her shoulders wracked with sobs, tears streaming down her face. If she'd stayed she would have asked what had truly happened to Liara to bring out such anger and darkness, for what she'd described wasn't enough to explain the change. If she'd stayed calm she would have noticed Liara's assistant Nyxeris paying far too much attention to what had been going on in that room.

But she hadn't.

Liara's words had cut more deeply than any wound she had ever received.

She had tried so desperately to keep her darkness from tainting Liara. She had denied the love Liara had wanted to share with her. She had been so cautious in the melds to figure out the Prothean Cipher and message from the beacon that Liara had not even felt that beast inside her. But it had not been enough. What else could possibly explain why Liara had channelled Matriarch Benezia at her darkest hour?

On top of that were her already too high levels of anxiety in regards to Miranda, her inner struggle over losing so much of her past and the constant strain to hold on to her humanity amidst the sea of the Prothean Cipher that dwarfed her human mind and that inner beast that threatened to overwhelm her in the face of bloody violence against the innocent. For Liara was right about one thing, she had changed. She was no longer the Stephanie Shepard she had been on the day she died. Even back then, which was only a bare couple of weeks ago to her, she had already been changing.

The question was just what was she changing to?