Chapter Nine: Wide Awake

Liara stayed camped in the Commander's room during her recovery. As the nanites worked and Miranda tweaked the now fully functional implants - medical devices, tubes and plastisteel casts began to disappear and the bandages became thinner, covering fewer areas of the spectre's body. Soon, the Commander was able to get out of bed and go for short therapeutic walks down the passageways. For a time, Shepard and Liara settled into a routine that was comforting and serene as the spectre began to heal and regain her strength.

This of course, included visitors. Vega and Javik stopped in frequently. The stodgy prothean revealed that he had acquired an unhealthy obsession with maps and complained that James had developed an equally unhealthy obsession with the asari crew. But Vega never mentioned the crew as he chatted, he just seemed satisfied to make the couple smile at his antics and tall tales. Funny, the man talked a lot – but never revealed much about himself.

Their most frequent companion was Dr. Chakwas. Karin was a rock – steady, encouraging and as wise as a matriarch. She often brought meals and sat with Liara, encouraging Shepard to eat. They talked about nearly everything but most often it all centered around life on the Normandy. Through the weeks that passed, no word came from either the Commander's crew or the Allied Fleets. They all worried. But, Kallisto was certain that the ships had all made it through the Charon Relay before it had been damaged by the pulse. The thought was comforting, and Liara wondered how long it would be before they would hear from the fleet or see their friends again.

Kallisto often stopped in as she made rounds of her ship. When she visited, the two asari friends spent time catching up on their lives. Liara told her about her research, how she came to be on the Normandy and how she had fallen in love with Shepard. In turn, Val recounted her climb to the top as the youngest asari starship commander in recorded history.

Shepard listened attentively, occasionally adding a dry comment or injecting a clarification. Frequently the topic turned to shipmates, travel or military science and the trio would engage in lively conversations about their exploits, often resulting in laughter. Liara was pleased that the spectre and her old friend seemed to enjoy each others' company. Truthfully, she'd been worried that one or the other, or both, might be jealous. But, her fears were unfounded. In a short time, the two were bantering like old comrades.

Liara had always admired Val's drive, talent and good nature. The two were best friends at the University of Serrice. In fact, she had been one of the maiden's only friends. They had been close, but never intimate. It fascinated her that the more time she spent with Kallisto and Shepard together, the more she realized that in a very real way, their youthful friendship had provided a template that allowed her to trust, then fall in love with the spectre. The deep, rich soul-bond between the lovers was all of their own making and their own choosing – but her old friend's earlier affection and character had set a benchmark.

Val made sure to keep them apprised of current events as well. The industrious captain sent ground teams in to survey the damage to the Citadel and to make contact on Earth. She usually had news, but not much of it was all that good. There had been some survivors on the Citadel and they had been safely evacuated to Earth.

However, the Council was missing. There was talk that they were rescued during the fighting between Cerberus and the reapers - but their whereabouts remained a mystery. The bodies of Admiral Anderson and one Jack Harper had been recovered. But, no one knew for certain what had happened on the Citadel Tower. Goddess, what had Shepard been through up there? She still hasn't said a word about it.

Earth was a chaotic mess. The entire infrastructure was in complete disarray with widespread pirating and looting in the major cities and outlying areas. Threatened with shortages of food, medicine and supplies, violence and disease had taken hold. Asari teams reported that remaining Alliance personnel were doing their best to regain order, but they desperately needed support from the fleet. Kallisto tried to help as much as she could, but their own numbers were not such that the asari could provide long-term, significant relief. The reapers were defeated, but the people of Earth and the allies left behind were suffering greatly.

Miranda was often in the room, sometimes to care for the Commander, but just as often to sit and reminisce. As cocky and icy as the operative could be, she could be just as self-deprecating and warm, and her composure and confidence boosted their spirits. During the early days of their acquaintance on Omega, Liara hadn't liked her very much at all, but she'd always respected the operative. They both were devoted to Shepard, albeit, in very different ways. As disparate as they were, the two had actually forged a friendship over the course of the war and cemented it in the hours they spent together keeping watch over the sentinel. Shepard was mildly amused that the joke between them was that they'd both spent a great deal of time waiting on the Commander to wake up.

One afternoon, as the operative was running tests and checking her patient, Shepard encouraged her to stay for a while. "Pull up a rock, Miranda." The spectre grinned, cautiously swinging her legs to the side of the bed and sitting up. "You know, you never did tell us how you got here."

"That was intentional, Shepard." The operative commented dryly, as she stretched and then seated herself next to the bed. She looked down and Liara noticed that her ears had taken on a rosy pink glow at the mention of the topic.

The asari perched next to the spectre and glanced at the blushing woman with a half smile. "You did tell me that you would 'happily share it' when I first saw you aboard."

Licking her lips, the embarrassed operative told them her story of getting to the Nefrane. Early in the battle, her rogue Cerberus squadron had been tasked with whittling away at the swarms of occulus plaguing the fleet. Apparently, her impulse control had gone to war with her genetically perfect brain, creating the perfect storm for a self-inflicted crisis. During the fight, she broke from her squadron to interdict an occulus that had broken toward a turian frigate over Luna. Spying another headed for her, she strafed it - but, she pulled up too quickly in the wake of the gunfire and succeeded in riddling her own engine with ammo. She still managed to take out the stray, but had to eject to avoid the impending crash. A pilot from one of the Nefrane's fighters witnessed the calamity and rescued her near the site of the old Tranquility Base. When the asari sortie returned, Kallisto quickly put her talents to use running tactical assessments and assisting with strategy and comms.

As she finished telling her tale, Liara glanced to the doorway and noticed her good friend Kallisto practically mesmerized by the operative's presence. She watched as Val's emerald eyes softened, drinking in Miranda's animated, lovely face and attractive body. Quietly, she stepped into the room.

"Captain Kallisto." Miranda nearly purred, her tone soft and low upon the asari officer's approach. As the operative spoke, Liara noticed the slight toss to her hair, the dilation of her clear eyes and the slight tremble in her posture. The woman positively sparked with raw sexual charisma.

"Ms. Lawson." Kallisto nodded respectfully, blue thumbs tucked in her belt, lips drawn in a dazzling smile, clearly caught in the maelstrom of the operative's energy.

Liara looked at them fondly, as did Shepard, who wore a bemused expression at the overt looks and body language the two were displaying. Clearly unable to contain her own impulses, the spectre roguishly winked at the maiden in acknowledgment of their shared observations. Liara nearly burst with delight, covering her mouth to obscure her amusement.

Miranda had already been blushing as she told the couple about her adventure, but her face reddened further as she tried to stand and retreat from the room. "I should go." She spoke a bit too firmly and blushed an even deeper shade of red as she took her first step and promptly tripped over her own feet trying to get to the hatchway.

Gallantly, Kallisto reached out and steadied her with a firm grip, Miranda's hand coming to rest on the Captain's bare arm as she recovered. Their eyes locked, and the pair stood momentarily lost in each other. Val gently, but reluctantly released her and cast her gaze to her own booted feet. "I can come back later, if this is inconvenient."

The operative recovered and strode to the hatch. "Um, thank you, Captain. That won't be necessary, I need to... check... on a few things." Her glance stole to the amused bondmates as she continued, speaking rapidly, her breath quick. "I should process the Commander's blood work, do some charting. So, I'll just be on my way. Um, Shepard, we'll see about getting you out of here. Maybe tomorrow." Gracefully this time, she pivoted, "I'll check back with you in the morning." Then, darting one last smoldering glance at the asari captain, she departed.

Val's eyes followed the operative's every movement until she was out of sight. Turning to Shepard, she grinned sheepishly. "I don't know how you were able to resist those particular charms."

Liara reached out and slapped the captain's shoulder, laughing at her normally elegant friend's misfire.

Looking chagrined, Kallisto rolled her eyes at them and continued, speaking to Shepard, but smiling pointedly at Liara. "Oh yeah, by then you had succumbed to this one's staggering beauty, overwhelming grace and intimidating brilliance."

"I most certainly had." Shepard told her, twining her fingers with Liara's, raising them and soundly kissing her wrist. "Among many other qualities. And, I wouldn't have it any other way. But, Miranda is certainly attractive, incredibly intelligent and very special, not to mention about a thousand degrees warmer since those days." The Commander leveled her gaze at Kallisto and warned her gently, smiling amiably. "Just don't break her heart. She's a kick-ass biotic as well. And – charms or not, I am rather fond of her."

Kallisto glanced to the empty doorway, apparently hoping for a return visit from the operative and sighed heavily. "Any idea how many hearts she has broken."

Liara chuckled at the perplexed look on Val's white striped face. "None at all. Miranda keeps her feelings close. But if I were to guess I'd say at least a hundred, give or take a few."

The ship captain snorted, " As if I have a chance anyway!" Poor Val was unmistakably besotted.

Shepard arched an eyebrow and laughed as Liara gripped her friend's arm, huffing delicately. "Judging from the little display we just witnessed, I'd wonder if you had a choice!"

The spectre leaned toward the Captain, advising her. "I bet you have a nice bottle of Thessia Red around here someplace. Take it and go have a little chat with her. I'm pretty sure you have an excellent chance."

"Did you need that bottle of wine?" Val asked Shepard, her white brows pinched.

Liara glanced at Shepard with a rather wanton look in her eyes and replied huskily in a drawn breath, "She did not. I was already completely, thoroughly intoxicated."

Shepard discreetly reached back and gently traced a soft fold on Liara's neck, sensually pinching it as her fingers came together. The connection made the maiden's chest hot and she couldn't keep herself from flushing and bending to her lover to slide a less than chaste kiss on her pink lips. The effect was immediate. Shepard returned an almost predatory look to her bondmate, her eyes raptor-hooded, hungry and growled softly.

"Goddess. I've got to get you guys a real room." Kallisto complained, frustration growing on her face. "Any of my crew sees this and I'll have to cut off the hot water supply on the ship. If Miranda lets you out tomorrow, why don't you take those quarters on my deck? The suite you stayed in the first night, Liara."

The maiden recovered from her momentary lapse in decorum and blushed a lovely lilac color. "Sorry. It's just... well, been awhile," she apologized as she cleared her throat and narrowed her eyes playfully at Shepard's smug grin. "That's very kind of you, Val. Those are really very nice quarters. Are you sure it's no trouble?"

"For my dear friend and the savior of the galaxy, it's no trouble at all. Besides, the bulkheads are doubled and insulated. I've got a feeling you two are gonna need that. Lovesick pyjacks have nothing on you two!"

Liara responded by laughing and throwing a pillow at the Captain's head, which she neatly caught. Then Val straightened and shot the Maiden and her bondmate a genuine smile. "It's really good to see you happy, Liara. You, Commander, are a very lucky woman."

Gazing at Liara, Shepard settled her arms around her and pulled her close, her breath warm on the asari's skin and drawled. "Yes. I am."

Sighing, Kallisto ambled toward the door. "She said you were smart, guess it's true." Shrugging her sculpted shoulders, she cleared the hatchway. "Well, maybe it's time to see if I'm as lucky as you are, Shepard. Think I'll go see about that bottle of wine. And, maybe see if a certain very attractive woman would like to – hmm – chat."

Leaning into her lover, Liara called to her friend fondly, "We wish you both the best, Val."

Waving over her back as she swaggered out, the Captain replied, "That's what I'm going for!"

As they readied for bed later that night, Liara observed her lover closely. Shepard's health had begun to blossom, but since she'd regained consciousness, she was restless, even in her sleep. There had been many nights when Liara watched as the spectre seemed to struggle, wrestling with some phantom in her dreams. The Commander smiled and laughed during the waking hours, but Liara caught the haunted looks she tried to hide and knew the spectre was troubled.

She was patient, believing that eventually her lover would reveal what lie beneath it all when she was ready. Shepard had long before given her permission to enter her mind at will and she probably wouldn't have resisted if Liara had pressed, but she didn't offer the dark streak up - so the maiden didn't pry. That trust meant a great deal to the asari and she refused to do anything that might jeopardize it or make her lover feel that it had been ill placed. So, Liara kissed her lover goodnight and crawled into her little cot, fervently hoping this would be the last night they spent in separate beds.

The next morning, Dr. Chakwas stopped by early to assess her patient for discharge. After scanning the Commander, performing one more blood test, and checking her tender, but fundamentally healed wound sites, she wrapped the formerly impaled leg with a light bandage and pronounced the spectre fit to leave the infirmary.

"Alright," Karin began, silver head cocked, arms crossed, her voice couched in a brook-no-nonsense tone, "I have some rather strong medical advice for you, Commander. And... I expect you to follow it... to the letter." She smiled at Liara, then directed a stern gaze at the spectre. "Your body is healing very nicely, but it's still fragile. You're not completely well. So, please, if for no other reason than my sanity, bear this in mind as you exert yourself. Take it slowly, Shepard. Don't run out of here and spar with Lieutenant Vega, or begin pushing yourself to work out with the commandos."

"Yes. Ma'am." Shepard flashed her a charming smile. "You know me."

"Yes." The doctor chuckled, her expression softening. "I do know you. That's why I'm releasing you into Dr. T'Soni's capable hands. You will listen to her. I trust her good sense in this - far more than your own."

Liara giggled at the look of mock disappointment that crossed Shepard's face. Bending to the human's ear, the asari reassured her coyly, "Don't worry, Commander. I'm certain that we can agree on some alternative activities that will be, um, stimulating."

Shepard blushed as she replied, "Yes, Doctor."

"Good. That's what I like to hear." Karin crowed, amused at their antics. "I'd hate to have to put Commander Javik in place as your keeper."

Putting her arm around Liara, the spectre quipped, "I'd hate that too."

"I expect you to comm me if you have any discomfort or pain, Commander. And, I'll be checking in on you from time to time. So, do try to behave yourself." Dr. Chakwas gave them each a fond hug and prepared to leave. As she started to depart, Liara's curiosity got the better of her. "Karin, where is Miranda? She told us yesterday that she planned to stop in too."

Brows drawn together in puzzlement, the doctor shrugged. "I'm not certain where Ms. Lawson is off to this morning. She commed me early to say that she'd had a late night on the command deck. Odd though, she didn't really say what was going on." She turned at the hatch before exiting. "I'll try to reach her later. See you both soon."

Shepard dissolved into laughter, pulling Liara into her arms. "Do you think... that, maybe...?"

"Goddess, I hope so. I don't think either of them could have taken much more." Liara smiled, her eyes luminous. "And, I can't either. How about we break you out of here, Commander?"

Shepard flashed a bright smile, "Well, I can't argue with doctor's orders, right?"

Feeling the spectre's eyes on her body, she bent at the waist and coyly looked over her shoulder as she retrieved the Alliance BDUs stashed in her bag. "No, Commander, you can't."

Shepard dressed quickly, clearly happy to be on her way. Liara, fighting the impulse to just get her lover to their quarters, took the time to show the Commander around the impressive ship. After a whirlwind tour of the commando's training galleries and the command deck, they stopped in the crew's mess to see Vega, who was elated that the Commander was out and was entertaining himself by conducting an impromptu poker game with several asari crew members. The pair planned to see Javik as well, so Shepard commed him. When he answered, he simply wished her well, informed her that he was busy and that, unless this were an emergency – he would contact her later. Shrugging they made their way to their appointed quarters.

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