A/N: Work is really insane right now, and I hardly have any energy to prepare chapters for posting. Not to mention doing much reading and reviewing of other stories. But I'll try to maintain the schedule, since we're so close to the finish line. :)
The conversation between Liara and Aria was such a bear to wrestle. Hopefully it makes a tiny amount of sense.
Chapter 142 - Clearing The Air
With a slowly growing sense of trepidation, Liara stands at the window of their Bradford dwelling, watching Aria slowly park her shuttle in the yard and then gracefully jumping out. The Pirate Queen stands in the yard for a while, looking around, before crossing the snowed-in patch to arrive at the doorstep and knocking insistently, forcing Liara to move from her spot. I guess I'll have to let her in, after all, she already knows I'm at home. It would be most rude to insult Aria like that, but... why did Shepard have to ask her to come here now? Even Wrex or Grunt might have been less... potentially frustrating and intimidating company.
It's not that I don't like Aria... she is... fascinating on some level, and I am very thankful for what she did for me and my baby, but... I'm just... never certain of what to expect from her, Liara thinks, heading for the door. I don't think I have to fear from her trying something untoward, but... she just likes to play these naughty, twisted games of hers, and they confuse and fluster me... I hate feeling like I'm not in control... which I suppose is the entire point of her distracting antics.
"Having second thoughts about letting me into your little love nest, T'Soni?" Aria grins broadly, after Liara finally opens the door, having made the other asari wait a few moments longer than is considered polite.
"I'm sorry, I was distracted," Liara replies, trying to remain calm and tactful. "Come on in, Aria."
The Pirate Queen steps inside, looking around carefully. "And you live here?" she wonders, not hiding her disdain. "What a shithole. Almost as dreadful as the view outside. How can you prefer this to living in comfort on the Citadel?"
"Well, Shepard is here," Liara smiles softly as she replies.
"How sweet," Aria's voice is lightly mocking. "And the planet outside? I thought it was a dump before, but somehow it's even worse when covered with snow. I hate snow."
"Then it seems as if you have something in common with Shepard," Liara grins.
"Actually, I've come to realize that I have quite a lot in common with your Commander, T'Soni," Aria winks with her sole good eye. "At first I did not understand why she invited me all of a sudden, but it appears she is away on some mission that she was irritatingly tight-lipped about?"
"Yes, she is saving the daughter of an Alliance admiral, held hostage on the orders of other Alliance admirals... yes, I know it doesn't makes sense, but... the situation here is very fragile and confusing, trust me."
"The galaxy has never been as bloody as after the human emergence on the scene," Aria remarks thoughtfully. "I can't say I'm surprised that the Reaper War has not sated their desire to continue on with the slaughter. And Shepard is in the thick of it, as usual."
"She doesn't want to be! This is not what she wants at all!" Liara exclaims passionately.
"Then you must get away her from this place, or she will continue to become dragged into these conflicts. For your own sakes, I hope she will agree to move to Thessia."
"She already has agreed," Liara nods, eyeing Aria suspiciously. "What's your stake in this?"
"My stake?" Aria wonders innocently. "I'd just rather make friendly visits to Thessia than to this shithole called Earth. That is all."
"On that we are in agreement," Liara smiles, then realizing that they are both still standing in the middle of the living room, pointing at the sofa and urging Aria to take a seat. "Goddess, I am such a terrible host! Can I offer you anything at all, Aria?"
"Well... if you have anything alcoholic, that would be just great," Aria grins.
Hmm, I wonder if getting drunk won't make her bold enough to try something inappropriate. Or maybe it could knock her out... in any case, she could deplete Morgan's booze supply and then my occasionally frustrating bondmate would have nothing left to indulge her boozing habits with... that seems like a good idea, actually! "Oh yes, I believe that Shepard still has some bottles of whiskey left," she says quickly, watching Aria's eye lighting up in anticipation. "I'm sure she won't mind if I shared some with you, especially when you were so kind to agree to play my bodyguard for a few hours."
"Your bodyguard, hmm?" Aria frowns a little, obviously slightly irritated that Liara has unwittingly relegated her to a subservient position. "I think you have mixed something up there... but, I'll take that drink, anyway," she pulls the bottle from Liara's hands, pouring herself a glass and then sniffing the contents delicately before tasting it. "This feels... very strange. Like drinking liquid smoke..."
"Yes, I have heard it is quite the acquired taste," Liara nods, taking a seat on the sofa a respectable distance away from Aria. "I have not tried it myself. Human alcoholic beverages are generally too strong for me to consume, and right now I would rather not experiment with strange concoctions, the effects of which I cannot be certain of."
"It's... interesting, I think I could grow to like this," Aria smiles, taking one sip after another.
"Well, there's more where this came from," Liara adds, sensing a glorious opportunity to free Shepard from her slight whiskey addiction.
"That's what I like to hear, T'Soni," Aria adds, her lips forming a wide grin as she turns to Liara. "So... how's the pregnancy progressing? Everything fine?" she asks, suddenly reaching out and pressing an open palm against Liara's bulging belly, the younger asari freezing momentarily, then relaxing a little and managing a nervous smile.
"It has been going very well, according to my doctor," Liara explains happily, deciding to ignore Aria's palm still resting against her stomach, anticipating the baby to give her a kick or a poke. "Of course, we both know who is to thank for all this progress-"
"I hope you still remember what I said about hating gratitude," Aria cuts her of sharply.
"Of course, Aria, I would not dare to insult you," Liara offers a conciliatory smile in reply. "But the bond between me and my child grows and strengthens every day, and the doctors are starting to feel much more confident about our chances."
"Well, that is good to know," Aria nods, finally withdrawing her hand. Then the smile on her lips becomes slightly more twisted. "And how did you enjoy my other generous gift?"
Liara wants to deny ever having received it, or opening and watching the vid, but she is well aware that the immediate blush on her cheeks gives her away and it is all too clear for Aria to see. "You are a horrible, horrible asari, do you know that, Aria?" she asks, trying to sound stern and reprimanding. "I do not think that the poor councilor is aware of what you have done even now!"
"She doesn't know, no, and I am saving that revelation for a special occasion," Aria's grin only broadens.
"Aren't you worried she will be mad?" Liara asks, confused.
Aria only bursts into laughter in response. "You don't know the precious Councilor Tevos at all, do you? Well, maybe she will be a little bit mad. But above everything, she'll be incredibly turned on by it all. We'll have an amazing night of carnal delights once I let that little piece of information slip to her..."
Liara flushes an even deeper shade of purple. "That's... much more information than I cared to know..."
"You didn't answer my question whether you liked it or not?" Aria reminds her.
"We never watched it," Liara blurts out, so unconvincingly, that it makes herself cringe.
Aria laughs aloud again. "You are such a terrible liar, T'Soni. I know for certain that you had memorable time with it."
"Perhaps we did have fun with it, yes," Liara finally admits, watching Aria's expression becoming extra smug. "I still don't understand what you're trying to achieve, Aria. What do we have to do for you to stop playing these ludicrous games?"
"Are you telling me that you don't find my subtle messing with your heads exciting and stimulating?" Aria asks, mock-pouting. "I should feel very insulted right now, T'Soni."
"Well..." Liara starts, her thoughts returning back to that night when they had watched the vid that Aria had provided them with, her mouth becoming dry and parched from the mere memory of the ecstasy she and Shepard had driven each other to, spending most of the night in deep, exhausting but highly rewarding mating melds. Goddess, if I hadn't mapped her DNA on Tuchanka already, I probably would have done so then. "Okay, I cannot deny that it has been... exciting on some level. But also highly embarrassing and confusing!"
"We're stuck in this shitty system with nothing to do, food supplies dwindling rapidly, political situation spiraling out of control, the relay repairs encountering delays," Aria recounts the unpleasant summary of their circumstances. "T'Soni, I think we all need something to distract ourselves with, just to be able to push the irritating realities of the situation out of our minds for a while. So, I've managed to entertain myself by messing with you and Shepard, and I think you have benefitted from it as well."
"I... suppose there is some truth to your words," Liara is forced to concede, albeit a little reluctantly. "But are you certain that Tevos is as fine with you playing these twisted mind games as you thinks she is?" Liara asks then, her voice more serious.
"Tevos and I have an arrangement that you do not need to concern yourself with, T'Soni," Aria replies imperiously, brushing off Liara's inquiry.
"Did you... did you tell her about the way you helped me?" Liara asks quietly.
"I did," Aria replies, Liara giving her an inquisitive stare when the Pirate Queen does not elaborate further. "She approves, of course. What did you think? She cares about you a great deal, you know how much she looked up to your mother and her teachings. She still often gushes about how Benezia's words have shaped her as a person and helped her career."
"She just... does not seem like someone who would react well to this kind of... uh, whatever it is that you're doing..."
"As I said before, there's a side to Tevos that you don't know, T'Soni. I mean, she's the asari councilor in a scandalous relationship with a criminal warlord. That alone should tell you everything you need to know," Aria smirks.
"Perhaps, but..." Liara muses, thinking how to best phrase herself in order not to insult Aria with her presumptions. "I mean... you have a certain... reputation, aside from being a criminal warlord. Uh, what I mean is... rumors about your... conquests of a different kind," she manages, blushing furiously. "I know you try to downplay the seriousness of your involvement with Tevos, but... have you taken on any other lovers after reuniting with her?"
"That sort of inquiry borders insulting pertinence once again, T'Soni," Aria gives her a mildly annoyed stare, but then her face softens a little. "But I will humor you. No, I have not taken any other lovers since then, not a single one."
"Well, I think that means something, Aria," Liara smiles warmly.
"Maybe it does, Liara," Aria replies quietly, surprising the younger asari by using her name for once. "It probably does, but... we shall see. It changes things, but I'm still trying to work out how much."
"Oh, I think you've changed a lot, Aria... you're just struggling to give up the last of your old ways," Liara says knowingly, but what happens next comes as a complete shock. Aria suddenly grips her chin in her palm and turns Liara to face her, the younger asari finding the Pirate Queen's lips pressed against her own in a light kiss. Liara does not respond, but neither does she immediately try to push Aria away.
"Do not be so certain, T'Soni," Aria hisses as she pulls away, Liara not daring to even breathe. "And do not speak as if you know me, I will not tolerate it coming from you, you have no right. You have not earned it, not yet."
"I... I'm sorry, I... meant no disrespect," Liara mutters quietly, still keeping her eyes closed, remaining slightly stunned, but realizing that Aria has every right to be insulted with her behavior, it is unbecoming of a maiden of her tender age to make such intimate assumptions about a matron's actions and motives.
"Very well, I shall let it pass, this time," Aria agrees magnanimously. She gives Liara another piercing stare, the young scientist nervously tugging at the edge of her tunic, as if trying to anticipate just how the elder asari will attempt to unsettle her again. "Ah, I can't have a conversation with you like this, T'Soni," Aria finally gives up with a sigh. "I can imagine what is making you this jumpy. You must have thought that in return for helping you, I would ask for something like sexual favors? Confess, you did think that."
"I... ah... that thought might have crossed my mind," Liara finally admits in a small voice, blushing furiously.
"Enjoyable as it might be, T'Soni... to even think that I, Aria T'Loak, would have to force someone into intimacy is insulting to me and my reputation," Aria scowls deeply as she speaks. "I only accept such tribute when it is freely given, and not under any other circumstances," her hand moves to gently rub Liara's swelling belly. "Besides... while I know that many find the idea of coupling with a pregnant partner very arousing... I do not count myself amongst those people. In fact, I find it a little off-putting."
Gah, she could have told me that earlier and saved me a lot of frustrations! Liara thinks at herself, sighing inwardly. But well, that's Aria for you, she thinks I enjoy being tormented like this. "And here I almost suggested that you and Tevos should consider following our example," she remarks then, Aria's reply stunning her again.
"Who knows, we might at that. It wouldn't be our first together."
"...what?" Liara blinks.
"Tevos was Liselle's father, Liara," Aria explains, her voice becoming more tender. "She couldn't carry a child because of the implications our relationship would have had upon her political career. Which really was the reason why we fell apart all those centuries ago. That, and the pressure from our respective clans."
"So... that's what you meant by catching up on ancient history!" Liara exclaims, the pieces of the puzzle falling back into place.
"You remembered, good," Aria nods. "Still, I wanted something from our relationship even as we were forced to break it off. So, I chose to conceive a child with her during our last night together. I wanted to have something to look upon and remember what we were forced to give up, something that would constantly remind me why I hated those conceited matriarchs back on Thessia, with their snobbishness and prejudices."
"What did Tevos do when she found out that you were pregnant?"
"Oh, she was aware that I was mapping her DNA, " Aria shakes her head, emptying her glass of whiskey and then quickly reaching out for a refill. "She agreed to it, on the condition that I promised to send our daughter to Thessia once she came of age so that she could receive the best education available. In the end, I broke that promise, because I did not want to see Liselle fall under the influence of the matriarchs. Tevos was mad about that, of course. I never gave her the opportunity to meet her daughter... I guess you could say that I have been treating her pretty shitty," the Pirate Queen sighs, taking a few more swigs of the whiskey.
"Well, you seem to be making up for it if that vid you sent to us is anything to go by," Liara remarks boldly, earning herself a little pinch on the cheek as Aria chuckles well naturedly.
"Dropping that innocent act, are you now?" she grins at Liara. "I knew you were playing a game of your own, T'Soni. But yeah, after that bastard Leng killed Liselle... I wrote to Tevos. The words I received in return... they stung, I still remember them to this very day, even if she urges me to forget them. And when I showed up on the Citadel, she... was not best pleased at first. But somehow, that old spark got rekindled somehow. And here we are."
"I know you're not going to mess it up the second time around, Aria," Liara smiles tenderly, feeling deeply moved that Aria has shared a part of her past with her.
"I have no intention of doing that. But now you know that there are reasons why I would never do anything to hurt Tevos."
"So all these games you're playing..."
"There has always been a line drawn that you have not know about, T'Soni... not until now," Aria winks at her. "That line is Tevos' comfort zone. Whatever I might have said earlier... I will never cross that."
"I... see..." Liara lets out a huge sigh of relief, then noticing that the bottle of whiskey is getting close to empty, jumping up from the sofa. "I'll get more whiskey for you, Aria!" she offers quickly. Pfew... at least the booze got her to reveal something that brings me some peace of mind... now, perhaps this next bottle will knock her out for good...
The first thing that Shepard notices as she returns home late in the evening are the two empty bottles of Lagavulin, looming on the table in the living room. Blinking, she points at the bottles and speaks in a distressed, disbelieving voice. "What the... how did that happen?"
"Aria happened to it," Liara says, not feeling particularly regretful about Shepard being denied her booze supply.
"Well, at least there should still be a full bottle left in the drinks cabinet," Morgan breathes in relief.
"Uh... it's not exactly full," Liara shrugs. "There's a little over half left."
"Argh! You're not supposed to drink whiskey like it was juice or water!" Shepard fumes. "You consume it slowly, savoring every sip. That sodding Aria! Where is she, anyway?"
"I helped her upstairs to the guest bedroom. She was a little exhausted and felt like taking a small nap."
"I'm not bloody surprised, after going through all that whiskey. How long has she been out then?"
"Little over an hour..."
"Damn it, she was supposed to look after you in case someone tried to stir trouble, not get drunk and pass out!" Shepard complains.
"Well, it has been perfectly peaceful around here, so you need not worry," Liara smiles. "How did the mission go, is everything alright, did you rescue that poor girl?"
"Yeah. We did," Morgan grunts, making those few steps to the drinks cabinet, opening it and despite Liara's regretful sigh, pouring herself half a glass of the amber liquid. "Damn it, there's less than a half, I think! Sorry, but I kinda really need it right now, babe," she adds, noticing Liara crossing her arms over her chest and giving her a reproachful stare. "Been thinking about getting a stiff drink ever since we wrapped things up in London."
"But you said that everything went well?" Liara wonders.
"Well, yeah, but the girl... was a complete and utter bitch," Morgan snarls, taking a sip of the whiskey before continuing. "She recognized me and then made these insinuating comments, asking me how does it feel for an Alliance officer to kill thirty of her fellow marines to rescue someone who actually had been guilty of stealing much needed resources in order to secure a more comfortable living for herself!"
"Goddess... that's horrible! Why would anyone... ah, I really should stop making these naive exclamations, shouldn't I?" Liara then turns somber. "I know very well that most people are acting purely with their own interests in mind first, be it humans or any other species. I imagine my father has her hands full, trying to fight these sorts of petty urges to make profit from the misfortune of others."
"I don't know, we humans tend to really excel at this sort of thing," Morgan says bitterly. "I mean, we helped to cultivate the image of asari as being very stuck up and thinking themselves superior to everyone else, but the asari never came up with anything like the abomination that was Cerberus to try and enforce their superiority upon everyone else. I could make countless examples like that to put humanity in horrible light. And with the batarians nearly gone... there's nobody who could put us in a flattering view by comparison anymore. It's a matter of time until they throw us out of the Council, I bet."
"Nonsense, you're just upset over what happened with the admiral's daughter, Morgan. You don't really mean what you're saying right now," Liara says soothingly, coming closer and embracing her tenderly, Shepard feeling herself relaxing a little from her bondmate's touch, especially the way Liara's swelling belly presses against her.
"Yeah, I suppose so," Morgan replies hoarsely, gently hugging Liara in return. "Miri used the resistance network to let Hackett's people know that they'll be delivering the girl to her father shortly. Not long after that I got a message from Hackett. He said he was going to stop by tomorrow morning. Said we had a lot to discuss."
"Surely he must be feeling grateful about the assistance with the admiral's daughter?" Liara asks.
"Yeah, you'd think so," Morgan nods. "Anyway, was everything fine with Aria? She didn't cause too much trouble, I hope?"
"No, I... ah, think that we... came close to reaching an understanding on some issues," Liara replies in a way that doesn't really explain anything to Morgan, but she decides against a more thorough interrogating of her bondmate right now.
"Come to think of it, I'm feeling really ravenous, haven't had anything to eat all day," Morgan then realizes, her stomach rumbling and growling ferociously. "There's got to be some crap food left around here," she says, stepping into the kitchen. "Babe, we need to take a day off and go to the Citadel again, get some decent grub for once. Miranda told me about this elcor restaurant that serves the best lasagna in all of the Council space."
"I do not believe I am familiar with that particular dish," Liara remarks, following her into the kitchen.
"It's very... filling, not sure it's to the asari tastes, but-... uh, sorry, incoming vid call," Morgan says, activating her omni-tool and accepting the call as soon as she sees the source, the image of the always impeccably dressed and composed Councilor Tevos appearing before their eyes. Well, maybe not always as neatly dressed and composed, like in that vid, writhing naked on the bed, moaning from all those amazing things Aria was doing to her, Shepard remembers vividly, the memory making her blush before they have even exchanged a single word.
"Good evening Commander, Liara," Tevos greets them, ever politely. "Was my call at an inconvenient time?" she asks, as Shepard notices that Liara is also blushing, probably for the same reason as she is. "I apologize if that is the case."
"No... no, it's perfectly fine, we were just about to have a small meal," Shepard says hurriedly. Try not to think of the councilor naked, try not to think of the councilor naked, you can do this, Shepard, she mentally tells herself.
"In that case, I will keep this short," Tevos smiles, obviously not quite believing them, considering the way they both had been flushing. "Have you seen my... err, I meant to say, have you perhaps seen Aria?"
As Shepard struggles not to grin like a fool, Liara is the first to reply. "I'm afraid she had a little too much to drink, Councilor. It would not be advisable for her to take the shuttle back to the Citadel tonight, or else there is a great chance of her crashing it into the Earth's moon or worse."
If Tevos is slightly disappointed, she does not show it. "Yes, I believe that is for the best. She will likely fly back only in the morning, in that case."
"Well, she did insist on taking only a short nap, but from the way she is snoring, I do not think she is going to wake up anytime soon," Liara smiles. "And I would rather not risk finding out how irritable Aria can be if awakened prematurely."
"As always, you show much wisdom, Liara," Tevos adds, smiling as well. "In that case, I will wish you a pleasant evening. And I hope you will forgive me saying that I sorely miss your company. If you ever come to the Citadel, I would welcome the opportunity to meet you both. And so would Aria, I'm sure."
"We were just talking about going to the Citadel in one of the coming days," Shepard says, picking up a package of MREs and displaying it to Tevos. "Getting a little tired of these things, you know. So... maybe we can take advantage of that dinner invitation?"
"That would be marvelous," Tevos looks very pleased. "Give me a warning at least a day in advance, and I will make all the preparations. Shepard, Liara... it was good talking with you again. Enjoy the rest of your evening," she says, before terminating the connection.
"Hopefully they will take Falere and Rila with them," Liara adds, after Shepard has switched off her omni-tool. "I would love to see them, and they would stop Aria from saying terrible and inappropriate things."
"It certainly would... if that is what it want," Shepard remarks innocently.
"What do you mean?" Liara asks. "You enjoy her... messing around with us, as she calls it?"
"I don't really know, I'm rather confused about the whole deal or about her intentions. But it keeps the depression away. And... well, it has provided us with some... memorable moments, you have to admit that..."
Liara blushes deeply again. "Yes... I can't really deny that."
"You know, I just hope for one thing..." Shepard says, tearing the MREs pack open. "That by the time we get to this dinner with Aria and Tevos, I would have found a way to erase these mental images of the Councilor being stark naked every time I look at her."
"I confess being faced with exactly the same problem," Liara grins, shaking her head. "You know... I have come to realize that having an active imagination can be as much of a curse as it can be a blessing..."