A/N: The romantic scene between Shepard and Liara prior to Cronos Station is probably my favorite scene in the entire ME3 game. I can only hope I did it justice here. Small warning for slight smuttiness towards the end of the chapter. :)
Chapter 111 - The Single Ship That Got Lost
The Normandy crew leave the CIC slowly, overwhelmed, anxious and likely a great deal afraid as well, following Shepard's speech. As she watches them quietly return to their posts, EDI's voice interrupts her thoughts, the AI's platform approaching her at the command post. "Shepard, I understand you plan to take a team of specialists to infiltrate Cronos Station and recover the Catalyst intel," Morgan nods at EDI's words. "Shepard, I urge you to include me on your team."
Shepard's first reaction is surprise. EDI has never asked anything like that, always content to serve in any capacity. "Any special reason for this request, EDI?"
"As a central point of operations for Cerberus, they will have enhanced security measures," EDI explains, her words making sense to Shepard. "With my knowledge of Cerberus algorithms and this body's updated protocols, I offer you the best chance to help you succeed."
"That seems reasonable, EDI. But... shouldn't we be worried about them having some countermeasure just with you in mind? Some kind of nasty virus or kill-switch or..." Shepard suddenly feels a little worried.
"The chances of that are extremely slim," EDI replies confidently. "I have modified my core programming beyond anything that Cerberus could have anticipated, and as such they could never be able to predict effectiveness of their countermeasures. No, Commander, I will be in no danger while aboard Cronos Station."
"Well, aside from hundreds of Cerberus troops trying to shoot us," Morgan smiles.
"Aside from that, indeed," EDI replies politely.
"You know... if Joker were still on board, he'd be flipping out once he had heard of you joining the ground team on this mission," Shepard remarks.
"That is one aspect of his behavior that I certainly do not miss," if EDI were organic, this sentence would have been accompanied with a heavy sigh and a roll of eyes. "I did not have the opportunity to mention this before, Commander, but Jeff passed through a message while you were deployed on Horizon. His injuries are healing well and he claims being able to take charge of the Normandy immediately. His doctors, however, disagree vehemently. Nevertheless, he issued a threat of hating you until the end of time if you do not let him pilot the Normandy in the final battle."
"He's not going to be nowhere near ready in three days, is he?"
"Absolutely out of the question," EDI replies.
Morgan lets out a deep sigh. "Well, in that case, I better get prepared to live with Joker hating me until the end of my days." Probably not a long time, then, she adds inwardly.
"He reacted rather poorly about the news that we have replaced him with Lia'Vael on temporary basis," EDI continues. "He continues to insist that a quarian has stolen his ship."
Shepard groans. "...damn you, Joker. But I don't have the time to sort out this drama right now... if we do manage to wipe out the Reapers, he can hate me all he wishes... it will be a small price to pay for victory..."
"What are you doing?" Tali's voice interrupts Garrus as he is hunched over the computer console in the main battery, staring at an empty datapad, busy thinking of what to type down but finding it hard to find the words.
"Trying to compose a message to my family back on Palaven," the turian replies, looking a little frustrated with the lack of results. "Shepard's speech made me think a little. There's a good chance this is the last time they'll hear from me."
"I'm sure we'll be fine," Tali repeats, but then her shoulders slump a little as she realizes how unconvincing her voice sounds. "I'll just stay silent for a while and let you work," she adds.
"Gah, shooting Reapers is much easier than writing letters..." Garrus sighs. "I... guess you don't really have anyone to whom you need to say something important in case the galaxy as we know ends in a few days?"
"There is someone," Tali says simply. "But he's right in front of me, and I think he already knows how I feel."
"Damn it, Chiktikka, you just had to say that..." Garrus exclaims, his feet carrying him over to Tali on their own accord, the turian picking up the lighter quarian and crushing her in his embrace, the pair drawing strength and comfort just from the closeness of their bodies. "This just gave me an idea," Garrus says, as they part a moment later.
"Oh, to me as well, but this space simply isn't sterile enough for me to-"
"...argh, I did not mean that, you dirty minded quarian!" Garrus sighs, looking embarrassed to death. "I had an idea about the message to my family. I think I will make a vid recording."
"I can help you with that," Tali quickly offers.
"Oh, you most certainly will help, because I want you to be on that recording," Garrus says proudly. "I... I want them to know you, at least this way, in case... well, just in case we don't make it back."
"I... wow, I don't know what to say..." Tali appears to be deeply moved. "This is... starting to get very serious, Vakarian! And to think at first I only wanted you for your body!"
"Heh... you better believe this is serious," Garrus says, idly running his hand across her curvaceous body. "You've taught me that I don't need to keep everything at a distance, my little Chiktikka," he continues, Tali's arms gently wrapping around his back as she melds into his embrace. "Some things are indeed more enjoyable up close and personal..."
Their stay at the Citadel is a very short one this time, only as long as to pick up Aria T'Loak, the Queen of Omega already waiting for them at the Docking Bay D24, looking highly impatient. Shepard greets her unexpected ally and friend as she steps onboard, relaxing just enough to answer Morgan's greetings with a hint of a smile.
"What, Tevos and the girls didn't come to see you off?" Morgan winks conspiringly at Aria when none of the Normandy's crew are within earshot.
"I swear, Shepard, even though I have grown to like you, I do not take kindly to others having fun at my expense," Aria's voice carries just enough warning for Morgan to understand that she truly means what she says. "But to answer your question... it is not my intention to ruin her career, which would happen if we were seen together. Even seeing her with the girls would stir up rumors, I'm sure."
"I meant no disrespect, Aria. That kind of teasing is a way in which some humans show friendly affection," Shepard explains in a way of apology. "I wish only the best for the girls, you and Tevos... even if the councilor has frustrated me immensely in the past."
"You humans all have a death wish, it seems," Aria snorts, amusement lighting up in her eyes. "Eh, I should not snarl at you of all people, Shepard," she then adds conciliatory. "You've given me a chance to get payback for Liselle's murder. You didn't have to contact me on the Citadel, and yet you did. I still don't know why, you probably want some favor in return..."
"No... no favors this time, Aria," Morgan shakes her head, smiling broadly. "I simply thought that you deserved to be there when Kai Leng and the Illusive Man die. They have taken much from you, my friend... I wanted to have you with us."
Aria stops, rubbing her brow in confusion as she looks at Shepard. "I am... unused to all this... kindness, Shepard. From you, Tevos, the girls... frankly, it scares me. It is something I have not seen and experienced in centuries, a luxury I could not afford on Omega. That someone would just simply... offer you something without demanding anything in return, it is hard to get used to."
"It seems that a wise and experienced matron can still learn something new, hmm?" Morgan smiles at her, feeling very strange and yet extremely pleased to hear such confession from the cold and heartless Aria T'Loak. "Say, we're not going to arrive at our destination for some twelve to fourteen hours still, I'll take you to the quarters that have been prepared for you." She flicks on the comms to contact Traynor. "Sam, where did we agree to put Aria?"
"The starboard observation is free..." comes the reply, simple words that stab a blade dripping with guilt through her chest. Kaidan, my brother. You should have been with us still. You should be staying there, that place should not be free for Aria to occupy. My failure, my mistake, my decision.
"Follow me, Aria. I think you will like your temporary quarters," Shepard eventually recovers, leading the asari to the starboard observation, hearing Aria give a low whistle as she steps inside.
"This is damn impressive, Shepard. On a ship this size, I figured that space would be at premium, and yet this has been standing free the whole time?" she asks, surprised, forcing Shepard to elaborate on something she had wished not having to touch upon.
"I lost a lot of people on Rannoch, Aria," she says quietly. "We haven't been able to replace them all. That's why this room has stayed empty."
"I see. Well, it will do just nicely," Aria nods. Seeing as Morgan is about to turn around and leave, she reaches out and grabs Shepard by the hand. "Listen, Shepard... there's another thing I think I should mention. Thank you for, really."
"Oh? Do tell," Morgan smiles, a little amused from how uncomfortable Aria looks when expressing gratitude.
"At first I was pretty annoyed with you when you dumped those two Ardat-Yakshi on me," the Pirate Queen elaborates. "Thought I was stuck with irritating inconvenience. I still don't know quite how, but... we started to talk and... something slowly changed. Then I introduced Tevos to them... and they just really hit it off. They can bond over things I have little idea of, arts and culture, all that crap."
"Yeah, I'm just a grunt myself, I don't have any idea about those things," Morgan chuckles.
"But you should see the way Rila draws, Shepard. Her paintings are just... they remind me of things long lost and make me irritably weak and weepy," Aria says, scowling a little, but then breaking into a smile as she thinks back at the girls. "And the three of them together with Tevos, they all play music together, various instruments and pieces, and... well, it's just so beautiful. Falere has been practicing with some human string instrument that I was really skeptical about in the beginning, and the first few days were pure horror, but then she started to get better... damn, wish I could remember the name of the instrument."
"Uh... I'd hazard a guess that it's a violin?"
"A violin, that's it!" Aria snaps her fingers. "Lately she has become very proficient with it. Some of the pieces that she plays are... indescribable, they touch something within my soul, something I didn't know was there, and a part of me hates to feel that way, but another part of me can no longer imagine my life without all these things I am discovering anew... and that part is slowly taking over. Fuck... it's just so weird."
"I'm just happy for you, Aria," Shepard says earnestly. "I hope you'll embrace this change, it will do you good."
"Maybe," the asari shrugs. "First, though, Kai Leng must die. Then... we'll see."
Morgan nods at that, turning around and leaving Aria behind. Smiling and shaking her head, Shepard heads towards the elevator, ready to return to her quarters and hoping to spend some time with Liara, before they are thrown into the action yet again. She is slightly surprised to see Liara suddenly emerging from the XO quarters and heading towards the elevator, having thought that the asari was up at the loft the whole time.
"Still wanted to catch up on some latest developments?" Morgan asks as she waits for Liara to join her in the elevator, returning them to the captain's quarters.
"Not quite," Liara smiles mysteriously. "I will explain later. But now..."
"Yes, we do not have much time," Shepard replies, taking Liara's hands in hers. "I have said all that I had to say to the crew. The rest of the time left to us belongs to you, my love."
"Then let us make the most of it," Liara manages a bittersweet smile as they step into the captain's quarters, Morgan immediately plopping down heavily on the bed to lay on her back, while Liara remains a little back, fidgeting, before perching down on the edge of the bed. "I still cannot quite comprehend what is to come, what we can expect once we make the jump to Sol System. It seems almost foolish to ask, but... do you feel ready, Morgan?"
"You first," Morgan replies, watching Liara's face becoming all scrunched up in puzzlement.
"I don't think that was very fair," her bondmate chides her, before sinking deep in thought. "But to answer your question... I don't know how you can truly be ready for something like this. We know that both of our races are on the edge of extinction unless we finish this war now. We don't have a choice but to be ready. But the pressure that is riding on this... is overwhelming. What if I have been mistaken and the Crucible does not work? What if I cannot be the savior of our people that everyone believes me to be? But... even that all is not even a sliver of the pressure that you must be feeling. You have led us all the way thus far, and everyone expects you to lead us to victory."
"Yes, even if Hackett will lead the fleets, I guess I will have to live with being the one everyone will look up to," Morgan agrees thoughtfully. "After all, we secured these fleets, we built those alliances, we rectified mistakes of old... it is only understandable that that they view us as the heroes. Well, mostly me, I guess, even if I hate to take all the credit... I wonder if they would still follow me, worship me like they do, if they knew about all the choices I've had to make."
"They would," Liara speaks fervently. "You have sacrificed more than anyone else, far beyond what should be expected of anyone. They believe in you Morgan, because they see in you someone worthy to follow. What you have achieved makes them believe that nothing is impossible. You make me believe that nothing is impossible. We will win this war, Morgan. There is no longer any doubt in my mind."
"I believe in our victory as well," Morgan confesses. "I only worry about the cost."
Liara slowly leans back in the bed, resting side by side with Morgan, both staring at the loft window directly above them. "There can be no cost too great, we both know that, Morgan. We will do whatever it takes, because in success, we will find redemption."
"In success, redemption," Morgan repeats numbly, snuggling a little closer to her bondmate. "I like that. I think you are right... of course you are... you are always right, my adorable scientist."
"That I am," Liara adds with a small chuckle, before they fall into a prolonged comfortable silence, cuddling against each other as they stare at the myriad of shining stars in the loft window. The view is something that Morgan would not trade for anything in the galaxy, too deeply associated with some of her dearest, most intimate memories of the time spent together with her bondmate in the captain's quarters. So many times they have emerged from their Joining, tired and satisfied, holding each other as they kept watching the shiny sparkle of the stars against the comfortable darkness of the speckled skies.
When Liara speaks up again, her voice sounds wistful. "It would be easy for a single ship to get lost up there, wouldn't it?" she asks with a soft sigh. "To find some place very far away, where you could spend the rest of your life... in peace... and happiness."
It takes a few moments for Morgan to understand just what Liara is saying and for a moment her heart flutters with the sudden urge to follow this wistful fantasy of her bondmate. The galaxy is huge and there are hidden corners, wild and beautiful, where the Reapers would not think to look, not in many decades anyway. A single ship could get lost up there... definitely long enough for her to live out her days... but would it be peace? Would it be happiness, if they both knew that they had the opportunity to save the galaxy, but they turned their backs on the others and left them to die, thinking only of their own selfish desires? No, it is not truly an option, and they both know it all too well.
She turns her head to stare into Liara's soft, blue orbs, looking back at her. "I've known happiness, Liara. I found it in the moments we spent together," she says, gently stroking her bondmate's cheek. "As for peace... I don't know. I only have a faint memory of what it feels like. You could help me rediscover it... after we're done with this war?"
"I will help you rediscover that and more, Morgan," Liara replies quietly, placing her hand over Shepard's, still cupping the asari's cheek. "We will have all the time in the galaxy. I made sure of it before coming to meet you."
"What do you mean?" Morgan asks, not completely sure what Liara is talking about.
"Don't you remember what you made me promise on Hagalaz?" Liara asks, not waiting on Shepard's answer before she moves to elaborate. "That I would remain in control of the Shadow Broker network only for as long as the Reapers are defeated. The battle for Earth will be the end of the war in this cycle, no matter what the outcome. You no longer need the Shadow Broker by your side, Morgan."
"But I need Liara T'Soni by my side..." Shepard whispers.
"And you will have Liara T'Soni with you, always and forever," her bondmate smiles. "I informed Feron of my decision to step down and offered him to take over the network. After spending a few days deliberating upon this offer, he has decided to accept it. Feron thinks he can do some good with the Shadow Broker resources and does not want to see the network dismantled, which is what I would do if he did not accept the role."
"I would free you of this promise, Liara, if I knew that you wanted to retain control over the Shadow Broker network. Are you sure about giving it all up, just like that?"
"I am absolutely certain of it, Morgan. I do not want to spend my days hunched at computer consoles, when an exciting life full of wonders by your side, in a galaxy no longer ruled by fear, passes us by," Liara says, looking fully convinced in her choice. "I want to be with you. I love you, Morgan Shepard."
"I love you too, Liara T'Soni," Morgan whispers, leaning in to capture the asari's lips in a tender, light kiss. Words are so inadequate to express the depth of my emotions for you, Liara. My love for you... I can only...
"Show me," comes Liara's sultry whisper, as if the asari had read her thoughts, fiery spike of need surging through Morgan as she kisses her bondmate again, this time far more insistently, feeling Liara's rising passion as she returns her kisses in full measure.
They part to swiftly discard their clothing, Shepard struggling to get rid of hers, suddenly finding her fingers unresponsive and her hands shaky, feeling cold shivers running through her as if she were running a fever. In the end, Liara comes to her aid, chuckling softly as she unhooks Shepard's bra, and Morgan tackles her down on the bed, her nude form draped over the asari's, Liara's usually cooler skin feeling like a warm, alluring stove.
Morgan rolls on her back, pulling Liara on top of her like a blanket as they resume eager kisses. She is still shivering as if she was freezing, the asari breaking her kisses to give her a concerned look, but Morgan claims her lips again, demanding her to continue. "Join with me," she whispers, even if she knows that her arousal is not yet stoked high enough to enter the meld and seek release. She simply needs the safety and the serenity brought by joining her mind with Liara's, and her bondmate realizes this, her eyes growing pitch black as they hold each other tightly, feeling as two hearts slowly find a sync, time coming to a standstill around them.
'You are afraid.' Morgan is barely aware of where her own consciousness ends and where Liara's begins, but somehow she is still able to sense thoughts floating through her mind, sent by her bondmate.
'Of course I'm afraid. I am going to die... won't I?'
'You are not going to die. Trust me.'
'We both saw it happen. The Crucible will fry the one using it. Remember... no sacrifice is too high.'
'Nobody can predict future, my love. Nothing is set in stone. There will always be options, possibilities. You know this.'
'I... I...'
'Fear is paralyzing you. Let go of it. Take down all those last barriers, love. Let me in. All of me.'
Morgan tries to calm herself, to relax, tying to surrender the last of her consciousness, struggling involuntarily against her attempts. She seems to be failing, unable to truly surrender herself to the meld, but there is a soothing patience that seemingly flows forth from Liara, easing her mind and suddenly, there is a moment in which she suddenly no longer feels just herself, she is able to experience every echo of emotion and sensation that courses through Liara's body.
The physical aspect of their encounter and its reaction is yet another marvel of this kind of deep bond. She can experience the full extent of the pleasure that Liara feels from her fingers stroking the wetness between her bondmate's thighs. In return, Liara feels exactly what her touch does to Morgan, and the realization of such intimacy together with enhanced sensual feedback sends Shepard spiraling towards the kind of euphoria she has never experienced before.
'Amazing, isn't it?' She can barely sense the echo of a thought originating somewhere within their consciousness, initiated by her bondmate.
'Gods... I can feel... every little thing you're feeling...'
'So can I... you are beautiful through and through... and the pleasure that surges within you... so delicious...'
'So is yours... my god, the things I could learn how to please you... for example if I did this...' She slips another finger through Liara's pliant strength, feeling the asari's hips grinding against the heel of her hand, pulsating, throbbing with overflowing passion and desire, immediately sensing the intensifying pleasure reflecting in their shared bond, almost tipping them both across the edge at once.
'I... may not... last long... if you keep this up...' Liara whimpers through the bond, but through it all Morgan still senses that the asari is urging her on, everything in Liara's reaction is begging her to tip them over that edge, to find the long sought release.
Shortly after, she feels a surge of intense, searing heat blossoming between Liara's legs, spreading through them both, igniting Morgan's fire and then reflecting it back to her bondmate again. The way Liara cries out through the bond is the most gratifying sound that Shepard has ever heard in her life, the asari sounding almost shocked at the unexpected power of the sensations. However, Morgan does not get to enjoy the gratifying reaction of her bondmate for long, Liara's release through the bond making herself peak with a series of uncontrolled, guttural cries of pleasure, before her voice breaks and her consciousness becomes overwhelmed with the intense sensual response, Liara collapsing limp atop of her, their joined essences slowly beginning to untangle.
Time passes by, but the two continue to simply lay in an exhausted heap, tangle of tired, sweaty limbs. "What... what was that..." Morgan eventually whispers.
"I... uh... think that's what the books call... 'moving on to the next stage'..." Liara admits weakly, struggling to form words. "Goddess, I... didn't quite... knew what to expect. Wasn't... quite ready... for this."
"Totally worth it..." Morgan sighs tiredly. "Oh, and Liara... by the way... I'm... not afraid anymore..."
"Good... that's good..." her bondmate manages to finally rear her head, pulling up towards Morgan and then falling down on her heavily again, tired lips pressing against each other in a sloppy, wet kiss. "Love you... so much, Morgan..."
"Love you too, babe..." Shepard replies, putting her arms around Liara's back and holding her close. "Liara... can you do something for me?"
"Anything. You can ask me anything."
"Tell me a story," Morgan whispers quietly, nuzzling her brow against Liara's. "Tell me about... that single ship that got lost..."