The door slammed shut, and without any further ceremony Faith dropped all of her belongings and slumped into a couch occupying one of the walls of the small, wooden cabin.

'Fuck.' She did not swear often any more; it, like a lot of her younger life, had been burned away by the batarian attack. The release felt good, burned her tongue in a way alcohol had ceased to since she had been rebuilt.

Liara was there instantly, at her side, belongings forgotten by the door. 'Faith...'

The human waved her hand dismissively, attempting to ease Liara's concern. 'I'm ok, honestly, I just... I wasn't expecting him, you know? I thought I'd come out, see what they'd done with the place, spend a whole lot of time with you in our cabin, and just... relax. Hell, I was half expecting you to get bored and drag me somewhere nice like Nevos.'

Liara stayed quiet, letting Faith talk, as she took up a more comfortable place beside the human.

'But, seeing Father- ha, wonder if he'd let me call him John now... God, that old git was some of the only fun we had out here. I'd sit and insult the ancient coot, and he'd give it right back; then he'd give me and my friend Mike a sip from that flask he's still got... he was the only kid near my age on the colony then.'

She was rambling, and she didn't care. Faith had never spoken of these stupid, insignificant things, but now Liara was there, listening, and it was wonderful.

'He always called it "lubing up", which in hindsight is a little... creepy... heh. My mum would have killed me if she ever found out, but John never told her and I think Mikey was too dim to say anything.'

Liara took her hand, speaking hesitantly. 'You have never spoken to me about your parents, other than to mention them in passing.'

Faith had never spoken to anybody about her parents since the attack, had barely even thought about them, mostly out of a drive to protect herself. She had noticed that she slipped little memories of them into her conversations with Liara more and more, and rather than panicking her as it might have done in the past, she felt almost excited at the prospect of talking about them.

'Carl. And... Emily.' She said slowly, as if testing the words to see if they were indeed correct. The names, so long unspoken, caused a rush of emotion so strong that she had to swallow back the thick feeling at the back of her throat. 'They... came from Earth. Both were professionals of some sort there, but left it all behind when the call went out that we would be colonising other planets. I don't know if they had any family back there... if I still have any left; cousins or grandparents or something. I always wondered about finding out, since the Alliance keeps pretty comprehensive dna and genetic records on all of its soldiers. But I never did. They'd be strangers to me. Before, I said that mum was pregnant with me as they travelled; I think she lied to get on the ship, she wanted... they both wanted...' She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. 'They wanted to see the stars, to be able to say they were some of the first humans to live on another planet, to have one of the first kids born in space. They got it all, and whenever they spoke about it, their eyes would light up like...'

A gentle touch skimmed along her cheekbone, and she opened her eyes to see Liara, eyes wide, looking at her with lips curled into a warm smile.

'What are you smiling at?'

'You, Faith. I cannot say how wonderful it is to hear you speak like this.' The asari leaned in, and brushed her lips across Faith's cheek. 'Tell me more.'

Faith wrapped an arm around Liara, and pulled the asari in. 'Like I said they used to be professionals, but none of that mattered out here. They worked for one of the farmers here for a while, until they'd learned enough to set up their own. Most people did it that way since there were so few people who actually knew anything about growing crops and keeping animals, but for as long as I was here there were never any complaints: there was just so much land for so few people and everybody was too busy being excited about living in space to argue over the kind of stuff that they might have done on Earth.'

Faith had been put to work as soon as she was old enough, helping out with chores when she was not at school with the several dozen other children of assorted ages, all younger than her. There was a gap of seven years between her and the next oldest person there, since so few colonists had brought young children with them, and was expected to help with teaching the younger kids as well as learning what she could from the pair of teachers. What Father John had said about learning her duty was true: when she joined the Alliance, she was shocked at how casually some of the others, usually the space brats, approached their training and responsibilities.

She took another deep breath. 'They loved each other. You could see it every time they looked at each other. I used to think it was gross whenever I saw them hugging or kissing, but I think I know how they felt now.' Faith suddenly leaned down and took Liara's dark lips with her own, causing the asari to gasp in surprise, before sitting back, pleased.

'They were so different to each other. Mum was pretty intense, very religious like I think I've said, though she never actually followed any specific religion: most of them were shaken to their core when we first touched the stars and we're still trying to figure out how to fit everything with our own ideas, which I think is why John's sermons are so popular. She did a lot of odd jobs around the place, never stopped working. When she wasn't on the farm she was helping the teachers out, getting involved in adjudicating some of the issues that popped up every now and again, arguing with the traders who stopped by for better deals on provisions, basically sticking her nose in other peoples' business.'

Liara chuckled at that. 'That sounds like somebody I know.'

Faith bumped her shoulder into the asari's, grinning. 'Hush. Like I said she was intense, and could be pretty terrifying at times, but she wanted to help strengthen the community, and was so... good. She always forced me to be a better person, saying if I did do something wrong I should admit it, move on, and learn from it.' She hesitated, thinking of some of the decisions she had made over her career. 'I don't think she'd approve of a lot of what I've done, but I hope she would understand the reasons.'

'You do what you do to help people, to save them.'

'I... I know. But I always wonder if some of the sacrifices I have made are worth it.' She thought of poor David Archer, who was probably sobbing in uncomprehending terror, right now, because she decided that his pain was an acceptable cost against the potential of averting war with the geth. A choice she had no right to make for him, but did anyway.

'The fact that you worry shows her teachings never left you, Faith. It means you still hold onto yourself, when it would be easier to give in to cold detachment.' Liara's voice was gentle, as if she was sensing the worries, and her words eased the burden, just slightly.

Faith could not allow herself to become that way again. Not when she had so much good to live for. She would try to be a better person, for her mother, for Liara.

She dragged herself back to the present, trying with limited success to banish the bile rising in her throat. 'Anyway... Dad was totally different. Mum was always looking to strengthen the colony as a whole, while he pretty much dedicated his life to the family. He worked his ass off to make sure we could live a half decent life. He was so light hearted though: always smiling, and never told me and my sisters off for the little stuff. He always wore these stupid cowboy boots, heh, imagined himself a bit of a rogue from the old stories...'

She could see them. Not the horrific, ruined corpses she usually saw when she remembered her parents, but the both of them happy, full of life. She reached up and brushed a small tear from one eye, feeling Liara do the same to the other.

'I think... No, I know he was blissfully happy here. He never wanted money or status or anything. He had peace, his wife, his girls, his little farm... and that's all he needed. I think I'd like that too, one day.'

Her breath caught as soon as the words left her. She never allowed herself to think like that, of a day when there would be no more fights, when she could finally just stop.

But now she had said it, the image would not go away. A life of peace. Would she know how to function? What could she do? The thought of learning a trade seemed absurd. And...

She risked a glance at Liara, whose face was unreadable.

They had only been "together" for a few days, but it felt like so much longer, like there had never been a time they awkwardly exchanged compliments, like there had never been a night when she broke Liara's heart, like there had never been the years, from Liara's perspective, of loneliness.

'I... Goddess...' whispered the asari. 'That sounds wonderful, does it not?'

They finally caught eyes.

Faith swallowed thickly, unable to look away. 'I... hope that wasn't too... erm... the kids thing, I didn't mean -'

'Would you like that, one day?'

'Marriage, old age, and little blue children? I don't think I'd make a very good parent, Liara. All I know is death and how to destroy.'

The thought saddened her. She was content with life in the military: she had her duty, people she could rely on, and was doing some good in a galaxy full of terror and pain.

But it was all she knew. She could remember some of the things she knew about farming, but it was hazy, actions she performed without knowing reasons. Otherwise... she could tear apart a unit of enemies. She could put a bullet between a man's eyes without him knowing she was there. She could lead, command, make the hard choices so others did not have to. They were not skills she wanted to pass on to children.

'That is not true!' The vehemence in Liara's voice startled her. 'You know strength and duty, care and kindness. Your skills do not define who you are, your soul does, and I have touched it, Faith. Fallen in love with it, with you.'

Liara's voice suddenly dropped, and she began to trail her hand through Faith's hair. 'So do not doubt yourself that way. I will not allow it.'

Faith felt a deep flush of happiness touch her cheeks, and the weight began to evaporate from her shoulders. 'Is that so?'

'Yes.' Liara sounded very pleased with herself, keeping her voice husky as she continued to play with Faith's hair. She leaned back into the touch, still marvelling at how much she had grown to love, to rely on, the little things Liara did in such a short space of time.

'Thank you, Liara. I... I remember when we were back on the old Normandy, and somehow you managed to coax me into telling you things I'd never told anybody else before.' Those memories were still some of her favourites, the ones she played through late at night when everybody else was sleeping. 'And now... it feels good, talking about my parents. I don't know how you do it, but thank you. For everything you've done for me.'


'So, as much as I love seeing the backs of your fine heads, I think our guest would rather you stop staring.'

I feel a flush of relief as most of the eyes turn back to the old man at the front of the church. We snuck in close to the time Father John told us he would be beginning, slipping into chairs at the back of the room, but Faith was correct that it is difficult for me to go unnoticed. In a matter of seconds nearly everybody in the large building was craning their heads around to look at me.

The variety of humans here is astounding. People of different skin colours, hair colours, eye colours, shape and size, young and old, all packed into the same building. Faith told me that many of the people here actually hold different religious beliefs to each other, a fact which immediately had me interested. Across all races, religion is a constant source of tension: deeply held beliefs always cause passions to arise, often escalating to violence.

It would be nice to imagine asari as different, but my work in subtly manoeuvring the families into working together to prepare for the Reapers has forced me to acknowledge the truth. Since we often use melds as a way to forge friendships and seal agreements, there is little we can hide from each other, and like minds band together. Something as petty as a disagreement on how to treat criminals can cause a feud lasting centuries, meaning that while we encourage other species to work together, we often fail to look to ourselves and see the hypocrisy there. Simply because we do not fight with each other, often anyway, over these disagreements, it does not mean the separation is any less damaging, especially with war coming.

'Good. So, welcome all on this lovely morning, to my humble building. I'm sure I saw most of you here last week, though you're all much better looking from behind.'

A few nervous laughs sound: I learned early on when dealing with humans that casual insults, often directed towards oneself, are frequently used as humour. It is a strange concept, but one I have grown to like, even if I am still not comfortable enough to partake in such an exchange.

'And a special welcome to our two guests at the back - no, don't look, you had your chance - who've come a long way to be here, though I'm still a bit shocked you actually wanted to come listen to me yammer on. I had the pleasure of meeting our alien friend yesterday, and like most things do these days, it made me think.'

His voice is powerful, commanding, and his eyes seem to be looking at everybody in the church at once.

'When we first found out there were aliens out in space, all the religious leaders, all the philosophers, all the politicians and every bloody one had their own theories on what it meant. Some thought it was ultimate proof that there was no God, that all the other species were so different there's no way He would, or could, create so many. Some said it just made God seem all the more magnificent, that He could create all these other species and keep an eye on everyone at once. Others thought it was a test for us humans: just like every other test we've faced for centuries, an obstacle to overcome. Still others saw it as a reason to hate, since God made us in His image, so the aliens are all abominations.'

The room is totally silent now, other than the man pacing backwards and forwards across the dais at the front. There is surprisingly little decoration otherwise, which I suppose makes sense if there is no single belief system worshipped here.

'I'm not gonna say what I think, 'cos I think it's none of your damned business.'

A chuckle rippled through the room, including from Faith. Compared to the ceremonies I attended of the Goddess Athame, Father John's seem a lot more... interesting, if nothing else, and I can see why he has so many come to listen.

'But think on this: you think all these aliens didn't wonder the exact same damned thing when they found us, or any of the other species out there? You think they didn't see themselves as the centre of all God's attention, only to suddenly find that there's billions of other people out there, strange lookin', funny speakin' people who also thought they were the centre of God's attention?

'And then for some reason, we all decided that rather than sticking to our own, it would be a good idea to live together, to make a big happy galactic community, to love and learn from each other.

'I've gotta admit, I'm surprised there's even a galaxy left standing after so many different beliefs were crammed together like that.'

A loud clap has my back straighten instinctively, and I see John grinning rather viciously, hands together before him.

'But that's neither here nor there. One of the things nearly all human religions say is that if there's one God, or there's a leader of several other Gods, it's a he, we call Him He, call Him the Lord, whatever. Whether that's 'cause somebody a few thousand years ago saw somethin' we didn't, or because men decided they wanted God to be a man and had the bigger muscle mass to force their views on the ladies, or just plain because, I don't know.'

This man is captivating! I have a vague idea of what he is about to say, but his style is so fluid and organic, and the absolute silence of his listeners is testament to his skill.

'But our guest,' again heads turn to look at me, but it is only brief this time. 'Comes from a species where gender don't mean shit. They're all, to our eyes anyway, ladies. Why would this God make a species all women if He was a man? And don't say for the pleasure of all the guys out there, I've already thought it and you're all much better people than me.'

Goddess...

'And to her, why would her people ever think God had a beard rather than tits? Would they be wrong, just 'cause of the way asari happen to look? Or are we wrong, just because of how we happen to look?

'And in the end... what the hell does it matter? We could sit and wonder and argue about what God looks like, whose God is the right one, until the end of all time comes. We never agreed on Earth, what's changed now? There's just more people shoutin' their side of the argument, and there's too many damned stubborn people who can't see past that, to see that what they're arguing about is never going to change nobody's mind. Humans will always think God looks like a human, asari think He, or She if you prefer, looks like an asari, and so on.'

He stops, and takes a sip of water from a glass on the podium behind him, and I release a breath I did not realise I was holding.

'Hell, I had a bit of a look after we met, and it seems the most common asari belief is actually that there's no God or Gods like we understand it, rather that every single life is part of a greater whole, that the galaxy, that the universe, is a living thing, that creates and destroys, that is endless and eternal and that even with death, a person's energy is given back to the universe to give life again.'

A hushed anticipation rises. There are no words spoken, but I can feel his conclusion approaching through the sheer intensity of the silence that fills the room between his words. His understanding of siari is simplistic, but largely accurate, and his integration of it into his sermon is fascinating.

'Now I don't know about you... but if that, that living thing made up of every life in this universe, doesn't sound like God, I don't know what does.'

Faith's hand takes mine, though I sense she is still looking at the man who has stopped pacing, and is now standing in the centre of his dais, slightly out of breath with his arms clasped behind his back, eyes glazed.

'So, whether you're Jewish, Christian, Muslim, human, alien or whatever, the next time you're looking for God, this old man says to take a look in the mirror, and maybe you'll catch a glimpse.

'Thank you all for listenin'.'


Liara was looking nervously at the gelding: a large, mottled grey horse, that Faith was stroking the neck of.

'Faith, I think that horse dislikes me.'

The human chuckled. 'That's because you're staring at him.'

'You are looking at him as well!'

'I'm looking, not staring. They don't like it when you do that, doubly so since you probably smell like nothing they've ever encountered before.' She smiled gently, leading the gelding away from Liara. 'Well, this guy's quite spirited anyway, it looks like your horse doesn't care either way.'

After his speech, John had dragged Faith and Liara away from the crowd, who had suddenly become very interested in talking to the asari, the fact that they could not understand her only making their fascination greater. He gave them directions on where to go for the horses, and lent Faith the use of his car to get there, something which Liara seemed rather distressed about.

An uneventful journey had led them to one of the more remote farms, well away from the town, where the horses were kept. The herd had grown since Faith had seen it last, and the rather awestruck woman who owned them, who unfortunately recognised Faith right away as well as being intrigued by Liara, had eventually given the pair the choice of animals to take out, on the agreement that she had a holo taken with the hero and the alien.

Seeing the horses had brought up long buried feelings, wonderful memories of the days her father had given her off work spent with the beautiful animals, riding as far as she dared from the colony, searching for hidden pools in the shade, for interesting land formations she imagined were the faces of aliens, for the sheer pleasure of seeing the endless nothing that was Mindoir.

She had chosen the gelding for herself: a powerful horse whom the thought of riding at full speed had set her heart racing, and for Liara a large black mare, whose back looked comfortable enough for a beginner to ride without too much trouble, whose temperament was gentle and calm, leading them both into a huge, fenced off paddock covered in tufts of browning grass. She tied up her gelding and wandered over to Liara, falling instinctively into the smooth movements so as not to startle the horses.

She took Liara's hand and guided the asari into the mare's field of vision. 'Horses are prey in the wild, and live in herds with the dominant as leaders. So you need to act confident, but not aggressive, before you can do anything more. Also, see how her eyes are placed? Make sure you stay where she can see you, otherwise you'll spook her. She's also probably a bit confused about how you smell, so you'll need to show her you mean no harm.'

'Goddess, this is all so much... how do I do that?'

'Approach her slowly but not nervously, speaking softly, then hold out your hand for her to sniff. If she doesn't shy away, pet her like I was the gelding.'

'What should I say?'

Faith leaned over and kissed Liara's cheek. 'It doesn't matter, silly, they can't understand you. Just speak gently. Go on, go say hello. I'll be right here.'

Liara nodded, then her eyes cleared. It was an almost startling transformation, seeing the steel she knew was Liara's core replace the slightly nervous exterior.

The asari started talking as she approached the horse, mimicking Faiths own walk exactly. 'I can see you are a noble creature. It seems a silly comparison, but you remind me of the prisla'ean, a sea creature on Thessia. They are the queens of the sea, powerful and beautiful.'

The mare gave a quiet blow, and her behaviour remained that of cautious curiosity as Liara finally arrived before her, holding out a hand as Faith suggested. 'You may laugh, but should you ever see them you would understand. They can swim faster than any of the other beasts of the deep, and if they allow an asari to swim with them it is a great honour for her, for their beauty and grace is not matched anywhere else in the galaxy.' The horse sniffed Liara's hand, before gently butting her shoulder. The asari shot a nervous glance to the human.

'Don't worry, she's just curious. Go on, stroke her.' Faith reassured with a smile.

'Well, I suppose I deserved that. You certainly match the prisla'ean in pride. Shall we say then that as they rule the seas, you rule the land?' Liara reached out and patted the mare's neck, staying in her field of vision as she did so. 'It is a shame there are not more of you across the galaxy; my people always appreciate beauty, in whatever form it takes.'

Faith's heart soared as she watched the scene. Liara had already gained the horse's trust, and her words to the animal were beautiful. She wished she could capture the moment, the warmth of the sun on her back, the sight of Liara talking to and petting the mare, the feeling of absolute contentment running through her body.

'We have a tale about the empress of the prisla'ean, the first who ever allowed an asari to swim with her after they fought off a predator together. I do not know if I am to be the first asari allowed to ride a horse, but it seems a fitting comparison for now, does it not? Her name was Tri'Lessa.'

Liara arched her head back. 'What is this horse's name?'

'You know, I forgot to ask, and the owner was a bit too starstruck to tell me.'

The asari looked back to the horse. 'Then I shall call you Tri'Lessa, unless you object?'

Shepard could not help but smile at the question, asked in a tone suggesting Liara was honestly expecting an answer from the horse. 'You know, you'd be very surprised if she answered back.'

Liara did not even look at her, and continued to stroke the mare's neck, moving up to reach behind her ears as her head tilted. 'Do not mind her, she is simply jealous that another has my attention.'

Faith's jaw dropped, and she had to bite down a sassy retort as Liara continued to speak to her horse. Instead, she pouted and stomped over to the gelding, who was also watching the exchange with the asari. 'You know big guy, I think I'm in love with that woman.'

The horse looked at her.

'She's got me wrapped around her finger and knows it. I was hoping I could show off a bit today, but she's taken to this far quicker than I did as a kid.'

The horse did not move, simply locked her gaze with his huge dark eyes.

'You got anything to add?'

Nothing.

She sighed.

'Well, I suppose you're right, there's nothing more to say than that. I fell in love with her because she's wonderful and can do anything, God knows why she loves me back. Best not to ask any questions, maybe she won't notice.' She grinned. 'Good advice, horse, I always thought you guys were more intelligent than humans.'

The horse continued to look at her, not even blinking.

Faith sighed again.

'Yeah, yeah, I know, me included. Come on, shall we give her some riding lessons?'


Faith winced again as Tri'Lessa trotted across the paddock. 'I think even the horse feels sorry for you, Liara.'

'Do not laugh at me! I will get the hang of it eventually!' The asari was bouncing around uncomfortably on the horse's back, and had already fallen twice. Despite Faith's best teaching efforts, Liara simply could not match the unusual movements required to remain comfortable with the gait. She had thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the horse, and had seemed very comfortable with the walk, though Faith had planned on taking her a bit further out than a walk would allow. At this rate, they would have to come back tomorrow... not that that would be a problem.

They had already spent three hours out, and Faith was having the time of her life.

Her horse was wonderful. Unwilling to face the adoration of his owner to ask the question, she had taken to calling him "Norman", after her ship. He was easy to ride, though a bit frisky, and she could feel him urging her to allow him into a canter, so she was forced to keep him in check while they remained in the paddock. It had been surprisingly easy to get back into the rhythms she knew, and she was thoroughly enjoying the feeling of the horse's muscles shifting beneath her, daring her to go faster.

'Ah, oh, oh!'

Faith spun her head around to see Liara floating an inch from the floor again, surrounded by a dazzling blue light, before quickly dropping to the ground. The horses were not, as she had feared, startled by biotics but instead seemed absolutely fascinated by them, leading to a rather uncomfortable situation the first time Liara had to catch herself when both Tri'Lessa and Norman began to nuzzle her.

Even as the asari laid on the ground groaning, Tri'Lessa circled around again and approached the asari. The mare was definitely a good choice, Faith considered. Most horses would be frustrated by Liara at this point, but she seemed to be endlessly patient.

Faith hopped from Norman, tied him to the fence, and helped Liara up again. The asari looked distressed. 'I will learn how to do this!'

'Hey, don't worry, it takes a while to get used to, it took me much longer to even get a horse comfortable enough for me to ride!'

'Really?'

'Yeah, I was too impatient, and only managed to get the poor animals worked up. You're doing great, I promise.'

'Do you think we would be able to go out today? I do not want to risk the weather being worse tomorrow.'

Faith considered. Mindoir was usually hot like today, but there was something in Liara's voice, almost a pleading. She knew the asari was enjoying herself, and simply wanted to make the most of the limited time they had.

'I'm not sure you know enough to lead your horse, but I've got an idea. Wait here.'

Leaving the asari looking somewhat baffled, she raced back to the stable and grabbed a long rope, and the equipment she needed for her plan, anticipation building. All of the knots and techniques came back to her as if she had never stopped riding, and within twenty minutes Norman was tied up to Tri'Lessa. Faith then mounted the mare, and guided her to the fence Liara was using to mount her.

'Hop on.' she directed with an excited smile.

'With you? Will the horse be ok?'

'Yeah, I think so, she's a big girl, if she's unhappy with it we can work something else out. Come on!'


Faith could not ever remember being so happy. Post-Mindoir, her life had relatively few high points, but she struggled, with a tiny flush of shame, to even find a moment from her childhood that had her as absolutely joyous as she was then. Sitting on Tri'Lessa's gently swaying back, the warm sun high above them, nothing around other than the harsh landscape of Mindoir, and most importantly, her asari lover's arms wrapped around her waist, body pressed tightly against her back, crested head leaning against her shoulder, breath tickling her neck.

They had been riding for about two hours, and at some point over the past half an hour Liara had fallen asleep, snoring so softly it made Faith's heart melt.

They had spoken for a bit, as they gently rode across the plains towards Faith's very specific destination, but after several casual topics had been exhausted they simply rode in silence, enjoying the magnificence of the world, of the wonderful creature carrying them, of the pure bliss of being together, with nothing to bother them, no decisions to make, no fights to be fought.

This was what she was fighting for. It was selfish, but people could line up before her and plead their stories, but nothing could inspire her full force like the simple hope of enjoying another moment like this.

Could Liara and herself ever have a future?

This was all so new to her; the intimacy, the enjoyment of the simplest things just because they were doing it together, the still amazing knowledge that Liara knew everything there was to know about her, knew the terrors, the anger she quelled, the harshness others were all too ready to make excuses for, and still somehow loved her.

And they wanted to take it away. When lives were numbers, she could rationalise anything. One hundred sacrificed, to save one thousand.

But they were not just numbers.

They were lives, just like her own, with ups and downs, with love and care and fear and loss, just like her own.

Each one lost would ripple out, touching those they cared for, tearing apart bonds that could never be defined until they were gone.

Her teeth clenched, in fury, in blind panic, that something could want to destroy what she and Liara, and billions of others shared. Her muscles tightened in disgust, in terror, that she had inflicted such a horror on others with her actions, in the almost sickening realisation that she would still consign others to that loss, if it meant more still could live and love.

Tri'Lessa suddenly flattened her ears back, and she heard Norman snort from his position, following quite happily behind them, and noticed she had unconsciously lit up with biotics, and was clenching far too hard with her legs. She instantly relaxed, and leaned forward as far as Liara's embrace would allow, then drew a hand down her mount's neck.

'Hey... hey... I'm sorry... You're ok...' The gentle mare almost immediately recovered her gait, and she glanced back to see Norman still looking at her with that infuriating deadpan expression. 'Yeah, I know, I'm being stupid again.' She whispered, determined not to wake Liara. 'Some hero I am, need a veritable army of people and horses following me around to stop me doing something stupid. What kind of hero can't just do the right thing on her own?'

Norman said nothing.

'No advice to give?'

His dark, unblinking gaze bored into hers.

'I don't know why I even bother with you.'

'You know, you would be very surprised if he answered back.' Liara's soft voice sounded into her ear.

Faith jumped, causing Tri'Lessa to blow in annoyance, but she did not change her pace as Faith managed to keep control. 'You're awake,' she said, a bit stupidly.

'I was listening to you talk to your confidants.' Liara did not move her head, though her hands began to shift in a most distracting manner, trailing fire as she slipped fingers between the gaps in her buttoned shirt. 'Your tension woke me.'

'I was-' she began to blurt out, when Liara spoke over her.

'We are supposed to be relaxing, love.' Delicate blue fingers deftly undid a pair of her shirt buttons, and a cool hand slipped across her ribs, causing Faith to bite her tongue. 'Whatever haunts you, cannot be changed here and now.'

Liara's tongue ran across her ear, and she gasped at the sparks it left in its wake.

'So stop worrying.'

'I...' Her brain lost most of its conscious function. 'Erm... ok...'

'Good. So tell me, where are you taking me?' Liara's other hand slipped down, trailing across Faith's thigh with an infuriatingly deliberate slowness.

'You're just... ahhh... determined to take control of any situation, aren't you?' Faith teased, trying to wrestle back some of her composure.

'Well, I am the most powerful information broker in the galaxy, what do you expect?' Liara replied in a husky tone.

Oh my God that voice!

Faith crushed the emotions, an act she had previously been so adept at, this time only managing with limited success. 'I think you would like to be... relieved... of that burden, every now and again.'

This isn't working...

She felt herself slipping, falling into Liara's control, and relished just that same relief she had spoken to Liara of, but was determined to play the asari's game, at least until they reached their destination in just a few minutes...

'You do not fool me.' Liara's voice turned into a feral growl, made all the more arousing for the fact that Faith could not see her, could only hear the voice, could feel the touch... 'And you know that soon you will stop resisting.' Liara's hand slipped up, and cupped her breast in a most magnificent manner. 'So why do you keep up this facade?'

Faith clenched her teeth. Just a little longer... 'F... for... the horses...'

'They do not seem to mind.' Liara's voice had dropped yet another octave, and was now echoing through Faith's entire body.

'Th... they're...' Dammit, stop stuttering! 'Just... shy?'

Smooth.

'Shy, hmm? That sounds like a human I know. She is a powerful, wonderful person, but I think she secretly wishes to just let it all go, even if she does not want to admit it.'

Faith somehow managed to spare a brief consideration to how Liara was maintaining coherent sentences before their horses crested a hill, revealing a large pool of glittering water at the bottom of a basin, surrounded by slightly greener plant life than anywhere else on the planet.

Finally!

'Oh Goddess... that is beautiful...' Faith breathed a small sigh of relief as Liara's hypnotic voice finally stopped working its spell.

But the relief was short lived as the horses drew up to the water. 'Do not think you can distract me that way.' Liara slid from Tri'Lessa's back, catching herself biotically for the briefest second, before stripping her top off and sauntering towards the pool. 'Do what you need to, to secure the horses, then come swim with me.'

Gazing at the expanse of blue skin facing away from her, Faith felt no inclination to disobey.


A small smile of contentment creeps across my face as I see Faith riding Norman in wide circles across the gentle slope ahead of the pool. She had finally relaxed as I took control, letting herself voice the deep desires she knows she need not keep from me, but still does out of her species' curious taboos regarding sexuality. It was wonderful. The flush of power I felt as the great Commander Shepard did as I wished was nothing compared to the sheer unconscious relief I felt running through her as I joined the union: her pure, raw, self, without boundaries, knowing that she could trust me, that I would never, ever betray her trust, her love for me.

Her shy request to ride Norman, after several hours of swimming and beautiful love making, had finally broken my persona, and now I cannot help but enjoy the absolute serenity of the moment, with the slowly setting sun still pleasantly warming my naked skin as I lie beside the pool she guided us to, watching her ride her horse around the basin.

Today was... perfect. I truly cannot think of one day in over a century of life I would rather live again. Even my rather embarrassing failure to master most of the horse riding lessons was perfect in its own way; Tri'Lessa's understanding, Faith's reassurance, and of course our ride together... Goddess... if the galaxy had ended around us as I rested against her body, swaying softly across the harsh beauty of this planet, I would have died content.

A loud cry... Faith! Norman is speeding across the plain before me, at a pace not even I imagined was possible, with Faith upon his back - how does she stay on? Surely she must be distressed, to cry out like-

Oh!

Those cries... they are not of pain, of fear, they are shouts of pure joy, of happiness! The purity in her clear voice rings through me as she begins to laugh openly, reminding me of exactly what I fell in love with: that beautiful, powerful, wonderful, still mysterious woman, sitting upon her horse, galloping across the plains of a world once shattered, and now rebuilt.

Goddess, Faith, I love you.


A/N: Thank you Jay8008 for beta reading.

I would like to also thank sherryE whose conversation with me about horse riding inspired some of these sections :-) I am not a rider myself but put a fair bit of research into this - if anybody more experienced than I notices any glaring errors, please let me know!