Another one edited and out. Please enough and Review if you have time.
As always Mass Effect is owned by Bioware this is all purely for my evil enjoyment.
So it begins
Dusty was the best word to describe the shop Matt was in. Unlike the whole of the rest of the citadel, or at least the better off sections, where the shops were near spotless this one looked like it hadn't been cleaned in months. It was just how the old shop keep liked it. She was an Asari of course, only a race as long winded as them could collect so many volumes to sell to the customers to the citadel. Most of those that came to the cramped store were looking for something exact needing a certain bit of information to help them with a task. Matt just wanted something to pass the time, thus his section to choose from was normally smaller. Asking the owner for help always resulted in the same response, it's there if you can find it.
He didn't think that he had ever seen more than one other person in the shop at a time when he had been there looking for a new paperback. More than onetime he had wondered how the shop stayed in business but because of the age of the owner there was no telling how many credits she had. The place was expensive to! The biotic was going to be lucky to get out of there with half his pay intact if he found something of interest. Matt was tucked in behind a few bookcases near the back of the store where it was the dustiest with an equal effect of dimmed illumination.
"Find anything interesting?" said a warm voice from over his shoulder where he was crouched down digging through a stack that had just been left on the floor of the store and forgotten about.
Normally when someone was snuck up on that they might have jumped at the sound, Matt didn't though probably because of the warmth in the tone. A handful more books tossed through hoping for something of interested. When he didn't find anything right away though Matt glanced over his left shoulder back at the scientist that was leaned over with hands on her thighs looking down past him to the stack he was digging through with some interest in her gaze. Suddenly Matt wondered if this was the face she had when she was on one of her digs? All wide eyed and focusing on every detail.
"Not yet I am afraid," he grumbled turning back to the pile, "How did you find me? This store is not exactly in the main shopping area."
Behind him the Asari reached to the bookcase out front of him and pulled something off that must have caught her eye. A few pages were riffled through then the book was returned properly in the exact same spot from which she had taken it. That was very much the picture Matt had of her.
"Jane suggested that I find you, this was one of the places she said that I should look," Liara spoke explaining her reasoning then asked with question on her tongue, "May I ask why you do not just download something from the extranet databases. Surely there are plenty novels that you would enjoy there at easier access."
Matt picked up a roughed up looking sci fi book about a trip to mars and dusted some of the collected dirt from the back of it so that he could read the summery. Content that he could get by with that one he stood up and finally turned to face her with the book in hand. She had something on he had never seen. Was that armor? It had plates. Matt found himself thinking that it looked good on her.
"New armor?" he asked diverting from the question for now.
Liara looked at him not understanding right away then gave a short smile looking down at herself, "Oh right of course. Jane helped me find armor more suitable for me in the field. She also suggests that I 'break it in'. A human term I am not familiar with." She looked back up to catch his eye smiling like she was hopeful that he liked it for some reason other than the obvious, "Its far more flexible then the armor Ashley had me in."
There were little flaps down on either side of her hips that confused him until he realized it looked like she was wearing a lab coat, fitting for her indeed. Matt reached out and tugged on the right side one slightly, it gave a bit, but it was surprisingly ridged. So it was armor. Sneaking his way around her their forms brushed slightly and he hesitated realizing they were both flushing at the same time then got around her back out into the main alleyway of the store with his book. There he tossed the book from one hand to the other and opened it to a random page so that he could run his fingers along the coarse feel of the paper, nothing felt like that anymore.
"Tell me, would you rather read a paper about Prothean artifacts? Or would you rather examine them with your own two hands?" Matt asked closing the book again.
"Of course I would rather touch them myself," she responded not understanding the question right away.
Matt held up the book so that she could see it and grinned in his usual way, "That's the reason I like reading on paper."
The Asari nodded like she understood what he was trying to say, "It's not exactly a Prothean relic…" she teased though.
The biotic gave a face of mock pain holding the book over his heart, "Oh that hurts…here I was about to compliment how you looked in the new armor my sister helped you pick out."
Anytime Matt went out shopping he took his smaller pack with him, just a bag he could sling over his shoulder to help carry what he bought that day. He set that down on the counter along with his book he had found and smiled at the Asari on the other side of the desk that was nose deep in some large leather bound volume he couldn't understand the writing of. They didn't really talk much, even though Matt was a regular customer at this point, there was not another place on the citadel to go for this sort of thing.
"Hmm three hundred," she said from behind her book not even looking up to what he had.
Liara came up to the counter beside him and reached for the book that he had chosen, she turned it over twice in her hands then started to read the back. Out of the corner of his eye Matt saw this and snatched it from her hands without a word only laughing it off.
"Come on this thing hardly even has a cover," he complained hoping to get something of a better price.
She raised her eyes from the page she was reading and saw the two of them standing there attempting to purchase from her store. The Human boy had been there a couple of times in the past so she recognized him right away. Asari standing beside him was something else entirely, she was fairly sure that she had never been into the store. She did look familiar though.
Matt noticed how the owners near silver eyes were lingering on his friend so he asked again hopeful, "Two hundred sounds fair."
As if he was of no concern anymore she answered, "Yes yes two is fine child. Come back when you want to buy something that will earn me some actual money." She seemed to still be trying to figure out who Liara was.
Most of the books in the place were much larger, it was not unheard of to have a book there go for the hundreds of thousands in credits. Those were all historical or technical manuals and Matt didn't think he would ever have a reason to buy one of those so it was unlikely she would ever get that sort of money about of him.
He activated his Omni Tool and transferred the needed funds they had agreed upon while Liara tried not to look at the owner; no one liked being stared at. After that was done Matt just stuffed the book away in his pack then slung it over his shoulder so that he could leave the store. Liara followed him out into the busy commons where Matt had come to a stop trying to figure out where to go next.
"How come you didn't let me read the back of that 'book'," Liara asked glancing down at the pack he had stuffed it in, "it is not like I would laugh at your choice in hobby Shepard."
Off down the way there was a florist shop, outside that shop he was nearly certain he saw Garrus, only problem was he also saw the owner he knew arguing about something. When the drone of the passing people fell enough to hear Matt grinned because Garrus was arguing with the Hanar about what a tulip looked like. That was turning out alright he figured. It also looked like one hell of a frustrating argument full of flaring mandibles and tentacles alike.
"That's not it I promise. Yo…you just wouldn't like that one is all, saving you some time," Matt said reaching to the strap of his pack so that he could adjust it as he looked from the shop down the way back to her. God she was smiling, hard to deal with in the best of ways, "Well you found me. Did you need something Liara?"
Confidant a second before that shattered and those blue hues turned out to the crowd to match the fumbling mind that was struggling to find the words, "I…thought that we might be able to talk if you had some time." She paused with a catch in her breath adding, "Though shore leave is time for you to enjoy yourself if you have something, or someone to see, I will be on my way."
Or someone? Family maybe. No his parents were both away on ships somewhere he couldn't be sure where. Did she mean a woman? Hah, not today at least. Had been a long time since he showed an interest in a woman, idly he considered that streak to be broken with her standing nearby. Matt shrugged his shoulders and headed off to the corner store there in the commons that was a little café.
"No plans till tonight, told Garrus I would go shooting with him then I am supposed to meet Jane for a 'family' dinner. Whatever that means," Matt said throwing a hand over his should towards the café he had in mind, "Come on I will buy you something to drink and we can talk if you want."
Without waiting for the answer Matt turned and headed for the small shop. Liara was quick to follow though so she was there when he pushed opened the door to head inside. This particular café had the good fortune to own prime property. This side section of the shopping walk backed up against views of the inner portion of the citadel. It was a popular spot for what Liara had in mind, a place to talk. When it was their chance to order Matt got a green tea and offered something of the same for Liara, but she declined and asked for a juice, of a strange name, that he had never heard of.
"Could have sworn you were going to order one of those terribly bitter tasting human concoctions that all the others aboard the Normandy crave…what's it called…coffee?" Liara said picking a table near the balcony railing that looked out over the bulk of the citadel sitting down comfortably leaned forward looking down at the drink she ordered.
Across from her Matt sunk back into the waiting chair and laughed a bit, "Well I am afraid to say that this one is bitter as well, what is it about Asari and a love of sweet tasting things?" he said while blowing a bit at the hot mug he had in hand.
Those eyes lit up in a certain way and Matt knew what he was in for, "Actually because of the way Asari physiology is we are more in need of…" She trailed off when she realized the smile she was getting from Matt was something less than a look of interest, "What?"
Ginning broadly he shook his head and took a long sip from his mug letting out a pleased sigh at the hot feel of it slipping past his lips, "It's funny that you think a dumb Marine like I follows any of that scientist talk."
Liara looked down and played with the rim of her glass with a couple of her blue fingers trying to hide the deepened azure coloring flooding her cheeks, "Yes well…it is a force of habit I am afraid. Something I will have to work on. The Human concept of stating something as a question that they do not actually want and answer to is a confusing concept for someone that is used to providing answers to said questions." She looked up at him quickly then hid behind a sip from her own drink.
Matt shifted in his chair a bit so he was resting more on his left side then took another hit from his mug while breaking her gaze, to enjoy that of the citadel they had a great view of from here, "So, what was it you wanted to talk about?"
The café might as well have been an auditorium full of students waiting for her speech on the migration patterns of the Protheans as they conquered parts of the galaxy for all Liara felt. That might have been less stressful. Within her chest she felt like her heart was about to come flying from her body right onto the café table top there. She swallowed it back down and tried to look out at the view like Shepard was with some confidence to her voice. She had seen it, or some hint of it she thought to herself.
"Do you enjoy my company Matt?"
It was a simple question loaded with so much more.
He raised a brow however and questioned back over the rim of the mug he was drinking from, "I do. Why would you ask something like that?"
Liara tilted her head down slightly so that she could sneak a look from the corner of her eye across to his side of the table where he was doing something of a similar nature. Quickly she averted her eyes back to the view and tried again.
"Is there something between us I mean, romantically, do you feel anything like that?"
And he almost lost his cup all over the entire table. Matt had to set it down quickly to avoid spilling the hot liquid all over his usual sweater in a hurry. It clattered against the steel table top, but Liara only slowly looked back at him. Matt brushed the back of his hand across his lips and looked at her with widened eyes of surprise. That had not been what he was expecting when he sat down for a light chat. Still he had to answer her. Did he? Whenever he saw her it made him want to smile, she was beautiful, and anytime she came into a room he had to at least glance like it was some force against his will acting upon him. So yeah there was something there he couldn't explain.
To get a bit of the hot liquid off of his thumb he pressed it past his lips and sucked it off while thinking of the correct answer. He didn't want to say the wrong thing and send her storming out of the café; Matt had experience with upsetting women. Always two or three dates then he had always found good enough reason to not see them anymore. Would she be different? What if she wasn't? It was unlikely they were going to be anywhere other than on the Normandy together for at least a couple more months, that would sure make things awkward. Still…
"For a while now actually," Matt said trailing off at the end there sure that he had been heard just fine though.
There it was, just what Liara had been hopeful to hear! She lit up like a Christmas tree she had no idea the meaning of and turned somewhat more to face him away from the view setting her hands on the table top along with her glass. Those crystalline blues bore right through his own with the happiness she was feeling, god was it contagious, taking him from the embarrassed half smile he shared to something more of a wider grin.
"I am glad I was not mistaken," Liara said remaining reserved in tone watching him until she could stand no longer and darted her eyes back down to her drink, "What do you think we should do about it?
That was the million credit question wasn't it? They were going to be cramped onto one of the smaller ships he ever served on in his career where no one, but his sister had private sleeping quarters. If things ever got to that level of thinking it could get a little dangerous. Inwardly he scolded himself, baby steps, why are you thinking like that already? Then there was Alliance regulations to worry about aboard a ship like the Normandy, it hit him that he was no longer a solider though, so that was technically off the table.
"Liara, I would like to see where this goes, believe me I would, "he said chuckling a bit while trying to reach for the last bit of his drink, "We just have so much on our plate, Saren, this whole thing in my head, and there is the fact that the Normandy is not exactly a large ship. Everyone is going to know the second after this conversation." Matt said sipping the last of his tea before discarding the mug, "In fact I can practically hear Joker printing up the memo now."
A snort came from the Asari across the table at his little joke, Matt didn't know they could do that, it surprised him into a laugh. He quickly stifled it though when she looked deathly embarrassed because of it.
"I hardly think the Flight Lieutenant would print up fliers. What would they even say?" Liara asked shooting daggers across the table for him to lose the grin.
He didn't even have to think about it, instead he just held up a hand and moved it along with his words like he was showing a title, "Ex-Alliance Marine snatches up last of two eligible women aboard ship. Then below that," he said mimicking by dropping his hand, "Hate group meeting at 12 hundred hours in the cargo bay."
She laughed at this, it was a stupid joke he knew, but she humored him.
"Wait shouldn't there be two more? Or three counting the good doctor?"
"Ah well you will just have to wait to figure that out on your own now wont you?"
He grinned and she scowled at being left out, but they both laughed a couple of seconds later. It was Matt that finally got serious about the topic at hand. The sound of his chair scraping against the floor signaled that he was getting up; he moved to the deck railing showing he was not ready to leave though. Matt leaned against it stacking his elbows one after another so that he could rest his chin on his interlaced fingers.
"Let's take some time, since we have so much going on and neither one of us is really going anywhere why don't we back burner this," Matt said suddenly realizing she would not get the saying, "I mean put it off for another time. When we are not so busy with things."
It sounded right coming off his lips, it was the logical choice to make even if it meant putting aside what he felt for now or waiting until they were absolutely sure. Back at the table Liara watched him move over to the railing and take up a position of thought, at least he was putting hard consideration behind this, but that sort of worried her. Matt always seemed to make rash quick choices. Was it good that he was taking so long to think this over or not? She hoped it was.
When he finally spoke again she waited until she heard all he had to say then took it all in stride. It made sense, Liara herself was not totally sure of her budding feeling for the Human. There was the whole Saren conflict to worry about going on and the ship was indeed cramped, though she had managed to square away her own portion of it. Even if it was a dark storage section behind the med bay it had become like a second home. Then there was the memory she had stolen from him, reminded she probably shouldn't mention it to him because of how he made her promise not to go looking around.
The Liara from the vision needed him, needed every bit that he had to spare in her love for the ex-Marine and in turn Matt had felt just the same. It had been so real; Liara spent countless nights going over the memory again and again in her mind. She couldn't find a reason to believe it wasn't a real moment in time despite the fact that she was certain it had not happened yet. Sadly the most important part of the vision she had seen was the fact that it was an ending of what felt like the best bond she would ever experience. It could be the once in a life time bond mate that was told of in her Goddess Athenes teachings.
Just like when Matt did it the sound of a chair being pushed back from a table sounded and Liara moved to join him. She stood near the railing and set her forearms against it so that her fingers could pick at the fabric covering them nervously. She didn't want to wait. Liara didn't want to put anything on the "back burner," even if it meant some possible uncomfortable moments in the future aboard ship. That gaze of hers couldn't lift and her voice hardly held any confidence, but she wanted to make a demand, if even a small one.
"It is at least worth a try…isn't it Matt?"
Beside her Matt closed his eyes and took a deep breath, her voice was so soft and fragile, she was afraid of something. Of what he couldn't really be sure, but it sounded like it was not just that he would say no. There was something else there. When he opened his eyes again and looked at her she couldn't meet his stare. Liara had her head tilted down eyes following her nervous fingers adjusting the gauntlet connection on her armor on the left side. She looked smaller than usual, like she was coiled within herself waiting for his answer; sure she was actually a lot smaller than him, but this was noticeably something different.
"Of course it is Liara," Matt said finally, in the end he couldn't deny her.
Liara's fingers stilled at the sound of his voice then the whole of her form seemed to relax at the connotation of his words. She seemed to let out a breath she had been holding and a soft smile she had been hesitating to use. Still she didn't look at him, or couldn't Matt couldn't be sure.
"I am afraid I do not have much experience with…"Liara said parting her hands so that she could motion between the two of them while still not meeting his eyes, "This. Never have I really had an interest in a romantic endeavor. My digs have kept me pretty busy."
Shocked Matt said, "Wait how old are you again?"
Liara frowned glancing quickly at him then back to the view, "Ashley Williams informed me that it is rude to ask a female Human their age…but I am one hundred and five. Why do you ask? I am barely considered an adult by Asari standards. "
Matt whistled and turned his attention back out to the citadel before them, "that's a long time to never have a…what did you call it? Romantic interest."
"I was busy," she tried.
"That's pretty busy," he teased her.
"Right well if you are so experienced in the matter what is it we do now Mr. Shepard?" she said using his last name like he was some sort of instructor to taunt him back just as much.
That took some consideration; they could do many things about their situation. They could tell the crew of the Normandy so it was out in the open and head off any conflicts, or they could keep it to themselves. Matt guessed though that she meant the more immediate future. What about dinner? Did Asari court like Humans did? Nothing he had ever learned about them gave any insight on that side of the species.
"I still want to keep things slow, you don't have much experience at this sort of thing and you are not even the same race as me. We should take our time to avoid any sort of misunderstandings, "Matt suggested turning so that he leaned on his side against the railing to face her completely where she was trying to watch him out of the corner of her eye.
She seemed to run it through her usual logic then nodded slowly, "That sounds agreeable. What is our first step then?"
Frowning Matt reached his hand up and scratched the back of his neck while trying to think, "Well what is the usual first Asari step?"
Liara turned a heavy shade of purple and turned completely away from Matt so that her back was all he could see. Dare she tell him that? How would he react?
"Traditionally among Asari relations the instigator of the relationship would offer a gift to the parent or parents of the Asari."
"Wait first step in the Asari book is to meet the parents?" Matt blinked trying to understand, "That's…rough…" Considering quickly what happened recently enough to still be a fresh wound Matt reached out and lightly rested his right hand on her shoulder giving a slight grip in comfort, "Why don't we go with the human custom. Its far simpler and I think you will enjoy it."
She didn't turn, but she did straighten at the feel of his hand digging into her armored shoulder. It felt so good to have him touch her like that. It was nothing more than a consoling gesture because of her late mother, but Liara appreciated it all the same. The custom of giving a gift to the parents of the Asari was an old one practiced only by those that still followed her Goddess. Most Asari if asked the same question these days would have probably told Matt that there were no such traditions among their people. Following the old religion was not as popular among her people as it once was.
"What is the human tradition?"
Matt smiled and leaned down a bit so that he could speak directly into her 'ear' soft enough so that only she would hear it.
"Dinner."
"What do you think?"
Matt stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans so that he would not fidget after about two seconds of seeing her. After the café they agreed to meet the following evening for dinner since he had his plans with Garrus and Jane respectively. Of course he did not suggest anything fancy, just a diner he liked to eat at when he came to the station. It served mostly Earth style food, and the bulk of the clientele were Alliance marines so he knew it well. Since they were just going there he threw on a button down shirt, jeans, and ran his fingers through his hair a few times on the way out the door to meet her. Liara though, that was another matter.
"You look great, beautiful," Matt stammered out after allowing his eyes to trace over her form and the dress she was wearing.
After their parting Liara had been nervous about how to handle the pending dinner so she had sought out help. There were not many on the station that she could ask other than Jane, since she was busy though she had to go elsewhere. Reluctantly she found Ashley and roundabout brought up the situation. After some light ribbing at Liara's expense the weapons officer agreed to lend her something to wear. Really she all but forced it onto the Asari after agreeing to help. It was made of a soft yellow cloth that Ashley said was cotton, a sundress at least that is what she was told it was called. She was not sure why it was called that when she was going to be wearing it on the station, but she had not said anything about it. Williams was not the sultriest woman Liara had met so the dress was cut just below the knee and held up in a halter strap style exposing a bit of her back.
"I was not sure what to think about it, Ashley helped me with something to wear," Liara said eyes cast down to her waist where she was trapping a bit of the loose fabric between her fingers to distract herself from the look she was getting.
"Shall we?" Matt asked starting to open the door to the place for the both of them.
She only gave a small nod then went on through the door when offered only to wait for him just inside. The place was a little over half full with people sitting here and there. All around on the walls were news clippings and pictures from around the galaxy, most of them human focus, but there was a Turian sports game on the video screens going on right now. Near the counter there were a cluster of people gathered to watch it that Matt ignored. Instead he led Liara a few booths to the left, away from the noise of the group so that they could sit quietly. That didn't last too long though.
"Matt? Matt Shepard?"
After just sitting down he didn't really want to be disturbed. When he lifted his eyes to see the three marines coming over though he halted that thought.
"It is you. Sir, we heard that you got out of the Alliance. Is everything alright?" the three of them gathered around the end of the table, two men and a woman in attendance.
Matt shot a glance across the table to Liara that had just settled in herself who was remaining quiet. He tried his best, I am sorry about this look, and turned his attention back to the three Marines.
"Five by five Marine, just about to enjoy some dinner. Can I do anything else for you?"
The three of them suddenly were very aware of Liara sitting politely waiting for them to finish their discussion. The highest ranking of the three, a man who had yet to say anything, tugged on his buddies sleeve and suggested that they get back to their game. His friend hesitated and met the ex-Marines attention a last time.
"We heard the rumors about you being kicked out of the service and just so you know no one believes it. Everyone around here remembers what the Shepard's did in the war. You need anything you ask a Marine stationed here for Alexander. They will know where to find me." With a small nod the three of them gave salutes and smiles of thanks for the meeting. Then with some urging the three of them left the table.
Matt reached for a menu and sat back into the booth with a tired sigh eyes only peeking over the top of the trifold to see the expression of Liara's face.
"Does that sort of thing happen often?" She asked not looking up from the menu she was going over like it was some sort of relic of text.
"Ever since the Blitz, I am sure you heard about it, my sister and I were given medals for valor," Matt smirked some remembering looking back to his own menu, "Well she was, I didn't attend. To many long speeches to sit through for me."
Liara leaned forward into the booth and set the menu flat down on the table to so that they both could see her own, "I have to say that I am not sure what half of these things are. Earth style food you said?"
He had to shift forward in his seat as well to help her by setting a couple fingers down on the lighter side of the menu, "You are probably going to want to stay in this area. Less 'Rich' food there not sure you are ready for some of the usual Human specialties."
She had been eyeing the pizza under the local favorite section of the menu, many times she had heard humans talking about the dish, but Matt was probably right best to stay away from anything she couldn't handle easily. The section he had suggested was mostly styles of salad and fish, she did love fish, and did he guess that? A quick glance up from the menu showed her that he was looking at his own again while smiling, Matt was enjoying himself. It filled her with surprising warmth to know that.
A woman came by dressed in the diner's uniform and took their drink orders, Matt wanted tea and Liara demanded to try it as well. She watched just after the woman left as he started to dig through his pants pocket for something. It was a small pouch of purple velvet contained by a small rope of golden color. Instantly she recognized it for what it was.
"After we parted ways yesterday I got you something from one of the shops," Matt said pushing the small pouch across to her, "It's nothing much, but I thought you might like it."
Liara's delicate blue fingers picked the present up from the table top and held it cautiously, "Are you aware of this style of wrapping?"
Matt nodded shrugging his shoulders, "Yeah Asari style for giving something of importance."
She unwrapped the small package and dumped its contents out onto the palm of her right hand. It was a stone, no larger than her thumb made up of a pure white color. It had not been what she expected and thus she looked up to him questionably. Liara set the bag aside and rolled the small stone over in her fingers a few times. What was its meaning?
"I know how some Asari follow a teaching that states all is one, that all things in the universe are connected. So that when someone dies they return to that mix of energy that connects everything," Matt said trying to explain hoping he was not sounding terribly idiotic. "It's a sending stone, it dissolves in water leaving no trace of it after a few seconds. With how your mother…"
"Right, of course," Liara cut him off suddenly understanding the meaning for the stone.
Now that she knew that though she looked it in another light, how did he know all that? This was a thoughtful gift for one to give. Especially given the recent events, remembering her mother made her want to tear up, but luckily she was able to avoid that by squeezing her fingers around the stone and offering a small smile to Matt.
"Thank you, I mean that Matt." Liara said fighting back the emotion.
Not able to think about that for much longer she quickly put it carefully back into the bag he had given it to her in and set it aside of them on the table top. There was a question she wanted to ask, one she had been compelled to ask since the first time that she had seen him and it didn't have anything to do with her feelings. It had to wait though because of the returning waitress with their drinks to take their order. Matt got something that was called a burger and Liara stated that she would try the grilled salmon. It must have been a good choice because Matt made a comment that he really enjoyed that dish. It made her preen knowing she had just learned something more about him. Still the waitress left and Liara finally asked her question.
"Matt can you tell me why you seem to know more than you should about the Asari?" she sounded worried he would not share, or even that she might get an aggravated response out of him, but she never looked away, "I have seen the way you use your biotics, it's not like any human I know. You meditate like us; you know about our religion, there is even the way you wrapped my present. All decidedly Asari."
There was that look again, she saw it before on the ship a couple of times, he was considering a way to deflect away from the topic. When they got back from Feros he had only given his report to Jane, Garrus and Tali had told her to ask him herself only she felt it was not the time to. Please don't lie to green eyes turned away from her, past her to where the game was being played then returned, they were serious, but not angry.
"That's a story I do not tell very often Liara." His voice was cold as ice and he wondered if she had figured anything else out herself.
"Please, I would really like to hear it," she said hopefully reaching a hand across the table to cover up the back of one of his own.
Those eyes darted down to the hand that was covered and the hardened biotic sighed relaxing after the touch. Of course he would tell her, if they wanted to get anywhere he needed to. When he looked back up he tried to look less pained and he told the story.
"By now you know that I was adopted by the Shepard family, what you do not know is that I was first adopted by an Asari. Hell until I was seven I didn't even know that when Asari had children they didn't look like me. All I saw was my mother and never questioned it," Matt flipped the hand that was covered by her own over and curled his fingers. He had to grin somberly when he felt her returning the gesture. "There is a planet out on the edge of council space, terminus now, that is on the edge of dark space. Not many people going out there ever, but they found a certain mineral there. A rare one putting off massive amounts of energy and a company sent out a colony team to look into it. Twenty humans with an Asari commando along to keep the peace, on the first day they were unpacking on the desert planet and I just came walking up out of a dust storm. Couldn't have been more than two or three."
Across from him Liara listened intently not even moving her head to interrupt him. The idea of a child surviving at all on such a planet didn't make much sense.
"Shala found me first, the Asari commando, and took me in. They were not supposed to return for several years, but when the first resupply ship came she said that she had adopted me. Of course I don't remember much about those years, rarely do humans remember that early. Near my twelfth birthday the colony was raided by Batarian slavers. It was fairly common back then for colonies on the edge of space to be attacked like that. " he swallowed hard like this next part was the reason he didn't tell the story much and went on after returning his eyes to her own waiting blue, "When it became clear that the colony was going to be killed or captured my mother took me into our modular home and melded with me." He raised a hand when Liara started to open her mouth so that he could cut her off, "I know it's a bad idea for Asari to meld with humans that young, but she was in an impossible situation. There was not a chance to have a deep meld so instead she tried to impart all of her combat experience on me that she could so that I might survive and look out for myself. Reluctantly she got me into a crawl space to hide."
After a lengthy pause Liara spoke up and had to know, "And your mother?"
Matt looked away down at the table and pulled his hand back from her own so that he could grip the edge of the surface tightly, "They shot her at least thats what I heard from the crawl space. Never have seen her again, two days later I came out of my hiding spot and two weeks later after that Alliance arrived. Mrs. Shepard was on that ship. The story you know after that."
"How did you get to the planet in the first place?"
"No idea."
The Asari sat back against the booth and looked down at the table much like Matt was considering what she had been told. It was a terrible story; no child should have undergone something like that. The idea that he survived at all was shocking, Batarians were a harsh race that one did not want to cross too often. Liara wanted to reach out for him again, to hold him, but she guessed that it was not the time for that sort of comfort. Instead she did the only thing she could.
"Thank you for telling me Matt," she said softly tilting her head up just enough to see the expression on his face.
Across from her Matt shook his head and reached for his drink so that he could hide behind it. After he had his fill he set it aside and sighed, "You needed to know and I am glad that you do. There is not any cause for concern though, its way in the past so you don't need to pity me or anything alright?"
Those blue hues widened just slightly at the jab at the end of his statement about not wanting to be coddled, she quickly pushed that aside, "Of course not Matt. I don't see you any differently than before you told me. Please believe that."
"Right," wanting to change the subject he pulled out the dessert menu from the side of the table and pushed it right in front of her, "You are going to want to try the pie after the meal."
She looked at him cautiously, "Pie?" Something she had never tried before. A human food.
"Yeah, the apple one," Matt said managing to crack a smile again the moment of bitter memories being left behind, "Trust me."
It was a quiet walk back to the apartment district assigned to Alliance personnel. Most of the crew was assigned in this block to personal apartments for shore leave, something to help them relax, as well as any specialist aboard ship. The streets were getting quieter by the minute and Matt had insisted that he walk her back to her own. Liara of course smiled and agreed. Neither one of them really said anything on the short walk back to the complex. Liara had tried the pie like Matt had suggested and loved it instantly. She even tried to ask the waitress for some sort of recipe for it, but she was assured by Matt that she could pick it up on the extranet easily enough. Her actions had been embarrassing in retrospect; she wouldn't have traded the memory for anything though.
They stepped off the elevator to the requested floor; each floor had four apartments for reservation. Matt's was on the ground floor and they had passed it, he said he wanted to see her the whole way though. The both of them were content with the silence more than anything because of how quickly their minds were working. Matt was wondering if the dinner had been acceptable to an Asari, he knew that traditionally Thessia was more…high class? If that made any sense it at all. Liara on the other hand couldn't help, but remember what Jane had said about her brothers romantic partners in the past not making it past a handful of dates. This had been just one, did the café count? That would mean two. Worriedly she never looked at him the whole walk back until they stood right by her door.
"Jane is right next door right?" Matt said cutting the silence between them like a knife.
Liara quickly looked to the next door and nodded her digits returning to the fabric of the borrowed dress so that she could nervously clutch it again, "Yeah that one there. Like I told you she is looking out for me as best she can."
"Thank you for coming out with me," Matt said stuffing his left hand into the pocket of his jeans while the other tugged on the bottom hem of his shirt a bit with just as many nerves, "I enjoyed it."
This should have helped to calm the nerves of the Asari, it was an omission of enjoyment after all, still her nerves only wound tighter.
"As did I…,"she said letting her voice linger in the air not sure what to say, should she ask him for another dinner? She desperately wanted to know how he felt. Those words in her head thundering 'he does not really hang on to anyone'.
When Matt didn't say anything else Liara turned to her rented room and pressed her palm to the scanner so that the door unlocked and slid open for her. Since she had her back to him Matt thankfully couldn't see the worry plastered across her features, she needed to get inside quickly or risk breaking right there. It did not make sense, she had seen the memory, and she had felt how they would one day feel about each other. What was going on?
"Goodnight Matt," she said dropping her hand from the scanner so that she could move inside her voice unable to hide the sadness it felt at the self-imposed realization. It had not been real what she saw, it had been some sort of projected thought mixed within the meld of her own.
Fingers brushed against her skin through the soft fabric of her dress at her left hip and she froze Matt just gently held her there only speaking when he knew she was not going to pull away from him. Like her he had his own set of issues, it didn't make sense how he felt so much for her, how quickly it had all come about. Why did everything about her seem so familiar to him? At dinner and earlier in the day he had gotten close enough for the perfume she wore to float past his senses. It was intoxicating. Not because of the certain smell, but because he found he knew it, like a favorite scent found after a long time without it.
"Wait," a single one word statement was all the warning he gave her.
That grip softened and he spread his hand across her lower back so that he could turn her and pull her into him. Their eyes met and the questions behind them melted away, they didn't matter, they never really did. Dark azure lips parted to say something; it was something Matt silenced with the feel of his hand tracing up Liara's back. There was a fire under his fingers, she was so warm, and her skin felt unlike anything he had ever touched where it was not covered by the soft cotton dress. It was textured with little bumps like human goose bumps everywhere though still completely smooth under his fingers. Those bright blue eyes closed when his fingers got to the back her neck and her lips expelled the softest of sounds in pleasure at his attention. Without hesitation and without question in his mind Matt kissed her. Not roughly, or with passion. They shared an embrace that was more about searching the other than anything else. She was soft and Matt wouldn't be able to get the taste off his mind for days after, to Liara Matt was firm yet compassionate.
"Mmm…"Liara managed when Matt pulled far enough away to brush his lips across her own, "That was…unexpected. I was worried you were not as interested as I thought."
He managed to shake his head just slightly then he peeled back his lips enough to trap her lower lips teasingly for an instant, "That is not the issue I am having Liara. I am dangerously interested. The effect you have on me is amazing and terrifying at the same time."
At the feel of his teeth on her tender lower lip her whole form arched and curled against him, she liked that, "You do not have to worry Matt, I am not going to break so easily and I am most certainly not about to hurt you." Her voice was thick and if she had been in her right mind she probably would not have recognized it in such a sultry lowered tone.
Behind her Matt curled the tips of his fingers at the back of her neck and sighed against her lips softly. The invitation was there, it would be so easy to fall into, they couldn't though, not right now. There would be time for that in the future. They both needed a good night's sleep and time to think this whole thing over more.
"We have a big day tomorrow…"he said letting on that he wanted to wait for 'this' while still wanting her to know that he was in no way running from it.
That side of her snapped back into place out of sight and mind until she let it out again. Liara pulled slightly away, as much as his gentle hold would allow and she smiled up at him not near his height only coming up to his chin. The hands she had set on his chest when he gently guided her gripped slightly into the shirt he wore thinking about the underlining meaning to his words. It was too early; she knew that, something had gotten into her she didn't understand just yet though.
"I will see you aboard?" she asked hopeful that they would not just go back to being crewmates once aboard ship in the morning.
Matt pulled his hand back and cupped her cheek so that he could brush her skin softly with the pad of his thumb, "You will be hard pressed to keep me away during downtime," he joked teasing her to the point that her blush returned behind the freckles that painted her cheekbones. "Goodnight Liara."
Relenting she freed his shirt and reluctantly pulled away from his warm palm cupping her face to step back into the rented apartment, "Goodnight Matt."
The door closed and suddenly they were both alone, each staring at the barrier thinking the same thing.
What am I in for?
Another chapter finished. What did you think?
Also if you follow my other story Son of the North I have not given up on you! The first arc is finished here just have you edit the remaining chapters so I will be putting up another chapter of the Sekirei story soon so please look forward to it.