A/N

So… I had this epiphany. Breakthrough, you could say. Changed a lot of things regarding how I was going to continue with this fic especially with how to link Aethyta into all of this in part II, but it's a good direction so we will see how that works out. This chapter might be a little darker than I had originally intended but I think it fits. It was hard to write. All of these kinds of chapters up until this point were done mostly in dream sequences, first person, so I struggled a lot with it. First person in general is incredibly arrogant and there was no way I was writing this chapter that way. So you might notice some stylistic differences. I hope that it turned out well enough and that you all enjoy it. I'm tired of rewriting it, though I will likely go over it again in a few days to fix any remaining tense issues.

Without further ado, I present the conclusion to This is why you have to save the universe. I'll see you all in a few months after I have refreshed my memory on Mass Effect 2's lore, and we will continue the story.

Chapter 58: Confessions by midnight

Normandy, Medical bay storage areas

Liara watched Jane leave, and then sat still for a few moments, clasping her hands loosely in her lap. The weight of the revelations from the past few hours overwhelmed her mind. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, hoping to calm the storm that raged unchecked through her soul even now, after she'd had time to process it during slumber.

And Jane is gone. There is no one to help me through this. Everyone is gone, and I am left here alone to try to make sense of all of this.

She pushed herself off the small cot and pulled a footlocker out from underneath it. She opened it, and moved aside some clothing and datapads to reveal a plain silver shovel, her mother's gift to her when she left their home planet to find herself. She hadn't thought too much about it at the time, but now her thoughts were racing with the possibilities.

Mother… why?

Gently, she picked the object up and closed her eyes, feeling it seem to draw energy from her skin and center her in its cool metallic embrace. It was truly a remarkable item, though not particularly useful as an actual tool. It was far too small to be of much use on one of her digs, but something about having it near always comforted her. It seemed to hum and pulse with an otherworldly quality, enveloping her with peace and soothing her scattered mind when she would try to piece together a puzzle at a dig site.

This was my father's. All this time and Benezia never told me that this was my father's.

She held the object at arm's length and her eyes glazed over as she went over all the memories Jane had given her once again. So much of it was still confusing, but with time and research, she felt she could piece it all together. All she needed was time, and maybe more unrestricted access to Jane's thoughts. Jane could help her understand what it all meant. Jane could help her to make sense of it all. As long as she had Jane, she could figure this whole thing out.

I hope we get more time before we have to go through the Mu Relay. There are so many things that I should have the answers to, but the more answers I get; the more questions seem to be unanswered.

Liara put the shovel back into the footlocker and closed it back up, sliding it back underneath the cot. She sat back on the edge, and folded her hands in her lap. Normally when Jane was off doing her duty as an alliance soldier, she would pour herself into research at the small console that Jane had made sure was set up for her. She would look over her notes, read papers written by other researchers or go over diagrams of prothean cities and buildings. Right now though, she couldn't will herself to do much more than stare at the slow blink of the LED light in the corner, waiting.

I do not even know what I am waiting for, really.

So it was with sullen resignation that Liara sat, and stared, and closed her eyes, and thought for a bit, and opened her eyes, and stared again. Minutes passed, and then perhaps hours while she sat there, examining every bit and piece of the memories passed to her during her connection to Jane, hoping for some sort of epiphany.

She did not hide it because of shame over her partner. She hid it because she knew that if I knew, I would blame her and perhaps even… hate her.

Liara paused for a moment, unsure of the implications of what she had just realized.

Do I hate her?

Time seemed to stand still and hang breathless around her as she considered her answer. All of these long years Benezia had been able to lie to her, to her face, and tell her some conjured story of shame regarding two asari parents. Nevermind that for thousands of years before making contact with other species the asari had somehow managed to thrive. Nevermind that some of the most powerful and influential matriarchs among their race often bound wrists to their commando protectors for life. Nevermind that everywhere she looked, asari partners were getting on just fine, seemingly oblivious to any prejudice.

Nevermind all of that, and lie to poor little naive Liara. Let her believe that it was something that was shameful and wrong, and she won't ask any questions. Let her think that she was unwanted, a mistake, and a joke among her peers. Far better than to admit weakness, was that it? Was Benezia too proud? Was she just too proud to tell her own blood that her mind hadn't been strong enough to avert the tragedy and no one else had been able to help? Was she too narcissistic, needing for her daughter to see her as the all-powerful and wise asari matriarch that nothing could ever touch? Was she just cruel, under that soft and loving facade, caring nothing at all for her even as she held the child in her arms and soothed her cries? Was she… evil?

Another pause and Liara closed her eyes. She was starting to get carried away.

No… she was not evil. She hid it because of what Liari was…

And then, her epiphany came.

She hid it because of what Liari was.

And what was Liari N'Vara? Some sort of demon? Some sort of angel? Neither? Both? And did it live inside her as well now, just waiting to break free?

What is waiting to break free? What will happen if… when… it does? Will I even know myself? Will I look at myself in the mirror and not see Liara, Liara the asari scientist who is in love with Jane? What will I see? Will I endanger Jane? Will I endanger the rest of the crew?

Panic suddenly constricted her chest and her breath became short. Anger was clouding her vision again and darkness swirled in her eyes. She was robbed of the one person who could have explained to her, who could have helped her to control it, whatever it was. Benezia had taken it from her, and even rubbed it all in her face, giving her that pet name they used in that stupid book. That book… Those journals… all of those things Benezia always kept around their home in Armali… All those things that she had assumed were just a rather unhealthy obsession with an elusive celebrity were actually… her things. Benezia's things, things she owned with Liari and things they both loved during the brief time they were together. Her things… now Liara's. Soon, she would have to go see to her mother's estate. Soon, she would have to face everything in that house, objects that were once touched, and loved, by her father.

'Calm yourself.'

Liara's eyes cleared and she relaxed the fists she hadn't even known she had been making. Where had that voice come from? It sounded like… no… it felt like Jane but sounded nothing like her. It felt older, and it was deeper, but it still had that faintly metallic ring to it that always brushed against her heart when Jane would speak. It was commanding but gentle and despite her anger, her breathing evened out.

'Embrace it. Do not fear it. She is strong enough for both of you.'

Liara didn't know why… but she believed the voice. Something about it was so familiar, even though she had never heard it before. It felt eternal and she longed for it to stay with her, to comfort her, but she also got the feeling that it had somehow… broken a rule for her. Perhaps several. It wasn't supposed to be there. She closed her eyes and pushed herself back until she was settled against the wall. Getting angry had depleted her strength, even though she and Jane had slept well. She needed a few moments to clear her mind and compartmentalize all of the new data she had regarding… everything.

Time passed, and her pulse slowed, and her jumbled thoughts slowly became organized again. Her head fell slightly to the side and she felt her eyes close, slumber nipping weakly at her mind and inviting her to rest again. She would just rest for a moment, and maybe when she awakened, she could try once more to understand it all, this time without getting angry. Jane would be back soon, and she could join with the human again and together they could look through every memory and perhaps find answers. After the council sent the fleet in after Saren, they could go back to her childhood home on Thessia and see to her mother's estate. Everything would be fine, once Jane got back. Liara's mind quieted. Time stopped. All was still.

"Hey Liara?" The Normandy pilot's jovial voice came over the comm, interrupting her thoughts and causing her to start. She took a moment to recover before answering.

"Yes, I am here Joker. What do you need?"

"The commander has come back on board and she's in pretty bad shape. She nearly destroyed our best training sim. She's down in the garages, if you have a minute. Thought you could give her a hand."

"That was fast..." She looked at the console and though it had seemed like she had been mulling over her thoughts for several hours, it had actually only been one. "Do you know what happened on the Citadel?"

"Yea. The council grounded us. Told the commander they'd 'handle' Saren themselves, which means they aren't planning to do shit. She's taking it pretty hard."

"Thank you Joker. I will head down there immediately."

"Joker out."

Liara pushed herself off the cot and straightened her ship casualwear, brushing off imaginary dust and composing herself. Her issues would have to wait.

Normandy, Garages

"Jane?" Liara approached cautiously, taking in the scene before her. Jane was on the ground, looking disheveled and raw. Her wrists rested on her knees, and the knuckles of both looked swollen and there were traces of blood. Her normally neat hair that was always tucked behind her ear was slightly matted. Her face wore a dark expression, and her normally pressed uniform shirt had a tear in the neck. In short, Jane looked like she had taken out a little anger on some of the more dangerous combat training equipment at the far side of the garages. Liara watched her carefully and stopped just in front of the human when Jane looked up at her.

"Danger was right. They cut me out the second they thought I was a liability. They grounded us, Liara."

Liara shook her head. Jane sounded pained, defeated. Her shoulders slumped and she was absently running her fingers over her knuckles, tracing the swollen patterns that were starting to turn darker shades of color. Liara realized that she barely recognized the human sitting before her. This woman wasn't Commander Shepard. It couldn't be.

"And you are just going to give up? That's not the Commander Shepard that I know. We have been through a lot, Jane. A lot more than the council will ever know."

"Yea, well, they wouldn't believe it all anyway. You said yourself we couldn't go to them with crazy stories of Athame and all of this other crap."

"No, but you cannot just give up, either. You and I both know what is at stake here. It is more than just one turian."

"Yea well, that's the way it is."

"So you're going to walk away? You will just give up and doom the entire galaxy to extinction?"

This disappointment in her voice was overwhelming. The normally melodic symphony that accosted Jane's ears every time Liara spoke was replaced with a pitiful cry, the wounded cry of a defeated and disillusioned creature. She wasn't used to it. Jane looked up at her and felt her heart breaking. They had been through so much in such a short period of time. They had battled geth and indoctrinated slaves from all species; they had visited worlds within their minds that stretched back thousands of years, they had even stood together and killed Liara's mother, her only living flesh and blood. They had seen and dealt more final judgment than many entire armies throughout history, and the only thing that had kept her going was the knowledge that her friends, and Liara especially, had faith in her. If Liara lost faith in her, If Liara was finally so disillusioned that even she was forced to turn away… Jane had nothing more to live for. She had to make sure that never happened.

"We're out of the game for now. But I'll find a way back in." Jane said the words with as much confidence and conviction as she could muster, hoping beyond hope that her sincerity got through.

"I believe in you, Shepard. I am with you every step of the way." Liara offered her hand to Jane, and after a moment, the soldier nodded her head once and took it. She felt herself being pulled upward, but her ankle had other ideas and she lost her footing, reaching out blindly for something to steady herself.

"I have got you, Jane."

There was a beat, and Jane saw the confidence, the certainty in Liara's eyes. Liara still believed in her. Liara was with her until the end. She didn't have to face any of this alone. Her weaknesses would be augmented and complemented by Liara's strengths. She finally had what she had needed most desperately during this entire long mission – a reason, a real reason, to see it through to the end.

Her feet now steady beneath her; she tightened her grip around the asari's waist and drew her closer, hearing her companion's breathing shift and seeing her eyes start to darken as she leaned in. All she could think about was Liara's lips, that elusive contact that had somehow managed to escape them throughout their long courtship, finally within reach. When everything else in the world was falling apart, Liara was there to cement it back together and bring stability to Jane's out of control world. This was the one thing that was certain, that was real, that she could reach out and claim for herself. This was…

"Sorry to interrupt, Commander. Got a message from Captain Anderson."

"You have GOT to be kidding me, Joker. This is what, three times now? Don't tell me you aren't spying on us." Jane didn't even try to hide her frustration as she reluctantly released her grip on the asari.

"Come on, Commander. I'm a total professional here. I just knew you were back on board and thought you'd want to know."

"Right, Joker." She was grateful for having taken out some stress on the combat training simulator earlier. The pain in her hand was a welcome distraction from the pains she was feeling elsewhere.

"You should probably go meet with him." Ever the voice of reason, Liara put her hand on the commander's forearm and squeezed lightly.

"No, Liara. We should probably go meet with him." Jane brushed her fingers across Liara's cheek. "I want you ashore with me this time."

"Of course, Jane. I will go get my gear and meet you on the Citadel."

"Tell Tali to gear up too."

"Of course." Liara turned to walk away and Jane stood there thoughtfully for another moment, watching her leave.

I'll find a way back in, Liara. I won't let you down. I think that letting you down could quite possibly be the worst thing I could ever do. I don't even care of the universe all goes to shit, just as long as I never hear that disappointment in your voice again.

She straightened her casualwear, ran her fingers through her hair a couple times, and headed to her cabin to grab her gear and clean herself up.

Normandy, cockpit, sometime later

"What are we waiting for, Commander?" Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams stood with her arms crossed, watching her commanding officer in confusion. She had been left on the Normandy when Jane went ashore, and so she was out of the loop on what was going on. The commander had told her to come to the bridge but hadn't explained why.

"Just give him a few minutes. Just a few minutes." Jane fidgeted a little, rubbing her fingertips together and watching the flight controls console panel.

"Who?"

"Captain Anderson. He's going to create an... opportunity for us."

The chief eyed Jane suspiciously. "What kind of opportunity?"

"I just took a page out of your playbook, Ash. They weren't going to let us get on with it, so I'm making them."

Realization dawned on Ashley. They were going to steal the Normandy... again. "Totally proud of you, Skipper. No, really."

Jane just nodded and continued looking at the console. "Come on, Anderson. Come on... YES! Joker, get us out of here. Now."

"Yes, ma'am!" The pilot leaned forward, grinning from ear to ear as his hands started dancing over the console, bringing them out of the docking bay.

"Keep an eye on things up here with Joker. I'm headed back to my cabin to take a breather and think about some things." She clasped Ashley on the shoulder and squeezed. "Get them ready, Ash. This is it. This is what Kaidan sacrificed himself for, what he wanted us to be able to do."

"Aye, Commander. We'll be ready."

Jane nodded, and left the flight deck to go prepare herself for the mission. She brushed past Liara on her way out and gave her a small salute as she passed.

"Where is the commander going?" Liara asked as she walked into the cockpit.

"She's taking a break. Needs to clear her head. Something like this will cost her, her career if it backfires."

Liara nodded. "You seem awfully calm about it, Chief Williams."

Ashley shrugged. "I'm already at the bottom of the barrel as it is. I've been passed over for more promotions than… well I stopped bothering to count after fifty or so. Besides, I'm just following orders. The fallout will come down on the commander and Captain Anderson, not the rest of us. After all that we've lost, this seems like a fitting end, anyway."

Liara picked up on the hurt in Ashley's voice and reached out to touch the human's hand. "He would not want you to be sad, Ashley…"

"Wow, T'Soni. That's the first time you've ever used my first name." Her voice registered shock but her smile was warm. She gripped the alien's hand and looked down at it, thoughtful. "You know, I really hated aliens. I didn't want anything to do with them. Serving under the commander and with all of you though… It wasn't as bad as I thought."

"I am glad that we could change your mind, Chief Williams." Liara let the hand go and stepped back. "I think I am going to go and make sure that Jane is all right."

"I'll let you know when we reach Ilos. Take care of her, T'Soni."

"Yea, take care of her, Liara." Joker grinned wide and waggled his eyebrows before Ashley smacked the back of his seat. "Hey watch it! Frail bones, remember?"

"You watch it, Joker. We'll see you in a bit, T'Soni." She waved the asari away and turned to face the pilot, arms crossed. "And you keep your paws off that comm. Do NOT bother the commander until we arrive. Got it?"

"Geeze, yea sure, I got it. I got it!" He threw his hands up defensively when it looked like Ashley was about to smack the seat a second time. "I got it!"

"Good."

Normandy, En route to Commander Jane Shepard's quarters

Doctor Liara T'Soni took her time walking to the captain's cabin. Thoughts were racing through her mind and she wanted to be clear and focused when she stepped through that door. They had stolen the Normandy, which meant that not only were they chasing Saren but they were on the run as well. Jane had taken a huge risk to get them back in the game, and she must be feeling the weight of uncertainty now. The last thing she needed was for Liara to crush her with more confusion.

Perhaps I should just leave her with her thoughts. She did not ask me to come, after all. She walked right by me.

Liara paused and leaned against the wall, ignoring the stares of the various Alliance crew members as they passed by. She was starting to get used to the stares anyway, and it didn't really matter what they thought about her in the end. In the end, all that mattered was stopping Saren. They would stop Saren, he would fail in his attempt to help the reapers, and she would never see any of these people again. They didn't matter at all, and neither did their opinions of aliens on the ship.

I will never see any of them again… Jane, will you leave too? Will I stay with you?

That question was sobering. She pushed herself off the wall and continued her journey with renewed purpose. If this was to be the end, she wanted to spend what little time there was with Jane. So much had happened and she had wasted so much time with her own indecision and immaturity. No matter what was on the other end of that relay, no matter what dark things awakened in her afterward, no matter what the future might hold for them, she was going to do this. Liara stopped at the door, entered the access code Jane had programmed into it for her, and stepped into the dimly lit cabin, spotting the commander across the room.

"I was just thinking about you." Jane turned around from the console she was seated at and stood up to greet the asari. "This is it, pretty much."

"Yes," Liara said as she stepped closer. "This is the last chance we will have to…" she let the word trail off and searched Jane's eyes. She wasn't sure what kind of reassurance she was looking for, exactly, or how to finish the statement. She hoped that Jane understood. It seemed she did, because he human's eyes softened and focused all in one breath, and Liara felt her own breathing abandon her at the desire reflected in those dark and dangerous irises.

"You know what it means if we do this, right? What it will activate? You've seen the visions, the letters… the story. We might not be able to control it." Jane lifted her fingers to brush Liara's cheek and winced slightly. She had medigelled her knuckles herself, not wanting to worry Chakwas, and though the skin had knit together there was still some pain and swelling in her left hand, which she favored. It would take a few hours to completely heal. Liara covered the hand with her own, the gentle touch starting a chain reaction of flames cascading down her arm.

"I know. I know what this means. I will not let fear stand in the way of us anymore Jane. I want this, I want you."

Jane pulled her hand back. She wanted to give Liara one last chance to back out.

"I want you too, Liara, but we don't have to do this. Not if you aren't ready."

The asari looked at her curiously, and then shook her head. Liara wasn't backing out. Not this time. "I've never been more certain of anything in my life."

Jane still didn't move, didn't approach. Liara sensed her nervousness. She was the very image of chivalry, and she needed reassurance, needed to know that she was ready, know with more than words.

"I want this, Jane. I want to feel you without anything in the way." Liara raised one hand to the commander's face, lightly brushing against it in an almost timid and exploratory way. She bit her lower lip, and glanced at the commander's eyes, then her mouth, then her eyes again, silently asking permission. Jane managed something that resembled a nod, anticipation forcing her body to respond on its own, all of the frustration of the last few months of near misses igniting infernos in her blood and causing her vision to swim.

"Ok, just tell me what to do," She replied breathlessly, surprised she'd managed a coherent sentence.

Liara raised her other hand, holding the commander's face between them and looking curiously at the human's skin as it shimmered and transformed. Electricity danced along the surface, bringing her own dark biotic field to life without her having to consciously activate it. Her body hummed with the current, filling the room with light and a tangible anticipation, sounding her desire clearly and leaving no doubt that she was ready.

Slowly, never taking her eyes off Jane's, she closed the distance between them. She felt Jane's arms steal around her waist and pull her closer, felt the energy arc between them, through them. She was entering that moment just between existing in the physical world and releasing into the spiritual one and her heart pounded furiously, seeking to synchronize with her partner's. Her eyes swirled with darkness and her craving ignited as she reached out to Jane mentally, tentatively brushing the edges of the human's mind, desperate to join them together.

"No more interruptions," she whispered as their lips finally met for the very first time. Her skin suddenly burned, and ached, and she felt a throb somewhere not entirely unexpected, in a place that was far below and unfamiliar to her. She felt Jane pull her forward, fusing them together and sinking her fingers deep into the flesh at her hips, silently claiming her. Her eyes fully awakened obsidian and her mind frantically sought Jane in the darkness, in the void, in that timeless place where consciousness silently waited for consecration's stealthy approach.

Liara felt Jane's barriers drop, and though they had joined many times before to mutually examine memories, this was nothing like that. It was as if a thousand sweltering daggers had seared the flesh from her bones, as those perfect lips crushed against hers and demanded her soul. She closed her eyes, hoping to lock out the exquisite pain, and she pushed the human back against the desk. The link expanded, and she felt all of Jane's insecurity, all of her fears coming through over it and entering her mind. Clipped phrases, short images, questions there were no answers to; all of it was here between them as she wrapped her arms around the commander's neck and shifted her hips closer, seeking deeper contact, seeking to relieve a primal ache. Stop Saren… make them listen… make them care… want Liara… worry… Ash… Anderson… risking it all… need hope… need you…

Liara couldn't breathe, couldn't think, all she could do was absorb the electrically charged imagery being passed to her through the link and grip more tightly around the human's neck. Jane's lips felt like nothing she'd ever imagined, sending little bolts of lightning across her skin every time she pressed harder, pulled back, pressed again. The sheer force of the human's will crashed into her consciousness and compelled her to live through Jane's eyes, seeing all of her fears and all of the burdens that she carried. It was all laid raw for her, cutting through her, settling into her.

She felt Jane's arms loosen their hold and start tugging at her casualwear, seeking skin, pursuing contact. Liara felt her leg move on its own up Jane's thigh, pushing them both harder into the edge of the desk and eliciting sounds from Jane that were not words. More images and fragments reached her though the link, and she opened her mind to accept them even as she parted her lips and tilted her head back, offering herself and inviting Jane to claim her more forcefully. She wanted… no needed Jane to clear her mind, to focus on her offered body, to drown out everything else. Nothing else mattered right now.

Lia.. feels good… want…

Beyond the point of forming coherent thought herself, she sent an affirmative reply over the link and started her own journey toward removing Jane's casualwear, never breaking the contact between their lips. She needed the exchange to be complete, to give herself, to be aligned with Jane's form with no barriers. She needed Jane's hands on her, Jane's mouth, Jane's skin. Instinct took over and she felt her body seeking to melt into the human, gripping, clawing, losing balance as she sought to bring them both to the ground, where she could offer herself more completely.

Jane… can't… falling…

Jane understood and supported her with one arm, even as she ripped at her shirt with the other, tearing it down the front and discarding it on the floor. Liara struggled with the dark slacks Jane was wearing, and she felt the human's hand cover hers and easily undo the clasps, letting them fall to the ground. Jane broke away for a moment to pull her shirt over her head, breathless, and then grasped either side of Liara's face, pulling her back into their kiss. Liara felt Jane's tongue run across her bottom lip, and then felt her legs weakening with the pleasure. Standing wasn't going to work for much longer. She lowered her arms to Jane's hips and directed her to the bed, pushing the human backward and smiling a little as she lost her balance and fell unceremoniously onto the mattress.

There was no time for gloating, however, because as soon as the contact was lost Liara felt the link start to weaken and it left her feeling empty. She quickly removed the rest of her clothing and crawled over the commander, settling herself on the woman's lap and audibly whimpering at the contact when Jane's hands grasped her waist and pulled her down. The skin to skin contact was nothing like she'd imagined, this warmth, the way Jane's body fit hers, pushed up into her, pulled her. It was constricting, and freeing at the same time, and Liara buried her hands in Jane's hair, fully reestablishing their link and slamming the human with her own wave of emotions and desires. Jane… touch… please… want…

Liara was relentless. She and Jane had been linked many times before, but this was the first time she had full access to not only the commander's thoughts, but her body as well. She needed all of it. She needed all of it this instant, and she needed to give all of herself. This mysterious human woman was meant for her and her alone, and after all this time tiptoeing around the fear and indecision, she wanted to finally claim was what rightfully hers. She wanted to be claimed, in every possible way, by this human who carried the fate of the galaxy with her. Please… can… can't wait...

Jane was reacting to the mental cues; right arm stealing around her waist, supporting her, posing her. She tilted her head back, inviting Jane to explore her now exposed neck, leaning into the muscular forearm she felt behind her. The sensation was wonderful and terrifying at the same time, secure in the embrace, but falling into a spinning vortex that threatened to overwhelm her senses. Jane's lips were soft, and her teeth were strong and gripping. It was a magnificent contrast of sensation as the human explored what she had been offered. Yes… like that… harder… Liara kept her arms locked around the human's neck, wordlessly sending encouragement as Jane bit down, marking the perfect skin and claiming her territory. Touch me, Jane… all of me…

Yes… want to… Liara felt the reply and lightning raced to her core, constricting her muscles and causing her to push more eagerly into her human partner, angling her hips down again, feeling Jane rise into her with slow forward rolls. Touch me… Liara wasn't even sure what it was that she was trying to articulate, just knew that she needed it, needed more. There was something more, an unfulfilled throb, and relief had to come from Jane. It could only come from Jane. Grabbing her lover's shoulders, she pushed the human against the wall, getting as close as she possibly could and nearly passing out when she felt Jane's other hand brush across her stomach. Yes…oh goddess… there…

Electricity blinded her as she felt herself being lifted, shifted, entered, and held firmly in place. Suddenly the dynamic had altered between them, no longer were they two separate beings held apart by circumstance, fate, and irritating shipmates, now they were one, a rapturous whole that bled fire through consciousness and cried tears of searing lightning, dark energy, merging together. Liara cried out in pleasure, and mild pain, as the echo of Jane's injury ghosted to her through the link, causing her own hands to twitch. It was there again, as she felt her body being pushed upward, pulled down, pressed forward, pulled back. Jane's rhythm dictating her pleasure also sealed the fate of her pain; thoughts scrambling over their shared link as she struggled to communicate.

You're… hurt. It's broken.

Don't care… Need you. The reply was short, gruff, breathless. Jane's movements didn't cease, and the muscles in Liara's thighs tightened, trying to find an angle that would cause the human less pain, navigating her nervous system through their mating meld. Use… other… She could barely articulate the thought and prayed Jane knew what she meant.

Don't care…need you…

The arm that was wrapped around her waist tightened and pulled her down hard, keeping her from moving away and setting a new rhythm that caused Liara's back to arch and unconsciously move to allow better access, all thoughts of caution gone. She gripped into the commander's shoulders, scratching her skin and trying to pull herself closer, pull Jane deeper, open herself wider. The pleasure building, the echo of pain felt in her own hands, the wall she was crashing upon with every frantic movement of their bodies, all of it was overwhelming her senses and she used all the mental force she could to reflect the sensations back to Jane, to bring her along, to make her understand.

Goddess, can you feel that… Liara's abdomen clenched as she felt Jane's stroke brush against her deepest and most sensitive area, and she felt the mirrored response in her partner's body as she acclimated herself to the new navpoint she had on the roadmap to Liara's pleasure. Liara felt herself being forced backward as Jane leaned over her, muscular arm pushing fingers deeper, unapologetically focusing on her newly acquired target with deliberate motion.

Give… to me…

The sheer emotions behind the words coming through the link were overwhelming. She felt power and possessiveness, minor smugness, and a demand for her release. All she was aware of was Jane breathing her name, touching her body… Jane's arm was clutching at her waist, nails digging deeply into the skin at her hips, owning her. She could feel as well as hear the small sounds that escaped Jane's throat every time she scratched along the human's back, her neck, buried fingers in her hair. Still, the movement inside her never ceased, and she felt herself hurtling toward an unknown quantity, a summit that she had never fully experienced. Liara felt something approaching… something calling to her, begging to be released… it was just within her reach, and she sent frantic requests and echoes of pleasure over the link to Jane… Goddess…. Please… don't… stop…. oh right there…

Jane picked up her rhythm, sending affirmative replies and bending Liara nearly all the way backward in her quest to align her penetration with her lover's breaking point. She used the motion of Liara's body and the intimate knowledge given to her over their connection to time her thrusts and angle her leverage, feeling the pleasure echoed back into her own body. There was only one way to ease this exquisite pain, only one way to silence the storm and bring them both peace… Give… to me… now…

Liara felt something latch, shift, and release all in one fluid motion. Her biotics flared black, and she freed her hold on Jane to lean back and support herself, pivoting her hips and silently demanding deeper contact… goddess… it was never deep enough. She slammed Jane with all the emotion, all the ache and all the relief washing over her and felt the human's body jerk in response, sharing the pleasure and liberation. A lifetime passed. Or maybe it was just a few moments. She screamed. Jane's voice joined her. Then, all was still.

Liara breathed heavily, low spasms causing biotic fields to occasionally leap from her skin and onto Jane's. Jane moved slowly inside her, coaxing the last remnants of pleasure and easing her down from the pinnacle, back into the material world. She felt the arm around her back pulling her forward and heard more broken bits over the link. Please… want… hold you…

Liara closed her now clearing eyes and leaned her forehead against Jane's, wrapping her arms tightly around the human's neck and breathing through the aftershock of their release. She could feel Jane's body rise and fall slowly, moving hers along with it, swaying with the gentle rhythm of the human's labored breaths. She could hear the human's quiet mind, full of affection, soothing calm, and delightful tranquility.

Jane's right arm was still wrapped tightly around her waist and the asari could still feel her lover inside of her. Every now and again there was a slight twinge coming from Jane's echoed thoughts, but the pleasure still drowned it all out and even its presence amplified the feelings she had. Now she truly understood the power of this bond, and she thanked the Goddess for giving this to her. She sighed, and sensed Jane's breathing slow, believing their time to be finished. The human's body relaxed slightly, carefully starting to withdraw, but Liara shifted her hips down, effectively stopping her and causing Jane to gasp in both pain and echoed pleasure.

She moved her head around to rest her chin on Jane's shoulder, close to the human's ear. Her eyes darkened once more as she breathed, "again…"

Then her mind went blank and instinct took over as she felt Jane's arm tighten around her and flip her onto her back. As Jane settled their bodies together once more, seeking their cadence, only one thought reached her through the expanse of time and space…

This is why you have to save the universe.