A/N: I couldn't resist having poor Liara go through some pregnancy hilarity. Enjoy! XD

Oh, random side note: It kind of makes sense to me that asari wouldn't have to have the meld to orgasm. Just like humans don't need sex to be able to orgasm (but obviously to reproduce), I should think asari wouldn't need a meld to orgasm. Is it more fun to orgasm during sex as opposed to masturbation? Of course. But is it necessary? No. Seems like the same would hold true for asari. The meld isn't necessary, just preferred. Plus, it's just sad to think Liara went 106 years without ever being able to pleasure herself. LOL! Okay sorry I'm a perv.

Chapter 17

Shepard woke in the morning completely entangled in all things Liara. It was heaven other than the fact that she was more than a little sore from their previous evening's love making. She'd never made love like that, not ever. It was more than incredible; it was beyond measure, beyond words. She never wanted to leave Liara's arms. Their melds seemed to grow increasingly intense, deep, passionate, loving . . . .

She breathed in a deep sigh of complete happiness, enjoying the fact that the breath was filled with the wonderful aroma of Liara. The movement stirred her bondmate and a minute later sleepy sapphire eyes opened to gaze lovingly at her.

"Good morning, fiance of mine," Shepard cooed, kissing Liara's forehead.

"Mmm," Liara purred. "Good morning."

"Sleep well?"

Blue arms tightened around her. "Better than I ever have in my life."

"Say," Shepard said, a thought suddenly coming to her, "since all the decorations are still up and pretty much everyone is on the Citadel right now, should we throw that party we were talking about? We can announce our engagement and two little ones on the way?"

Liara's entire face lit up at Shepard's choice of words. "I'm going to have your daughters. Our twins. Ours. Oh Shepard . . ." she trailed off, nuzzling into Shepard's neck.

"Ours . . ." Shepard echoed, feeling the sting of happy tears fill her eyes.

"Speaking of," Liara said, pulling back to give Shepard an oddly accusatory look, "why am I craving that weird hanar seaweed delicacy?"

Shepard blinked. "Um . . . well human females get weird cravings when they're pregnant. Maybe asari do too?" she hazarded.

Liara buried her face in Shepard's shoulder with a moan. "But seaweed? I can't abide seaweed, especially hanar seaweed. It's so slimy and full of . . . I don't want to know what they put in it, actually."

"Would sushi satisfy the craving? I know a place that delivers," Shepard tried to ease her bondmate's worries.

"It'll have to do," Liara sighed. "Make sure you order extra. I think I could eat a whale."

Shepard chuckled, hoping her amusement wouldn't annoy her pregnant bondmate, but she couldn't seem to help herself. "I think they make sushi with whale. Would you like some whale sushi?"

"Yes," Liara replied, burying her face deeper into Shepard's chest.

Shepard laughed at her bondmate's adorableness. "Why Dr. T'Soni, do I detect a hint of embarrassment?" she teased.

Liara replied with a shy groan of protest. Still smiling, Shepard glanced around their room. She had programmed Glyph to put out all the candles during the night so they wouldn't have to worry about it, as they were extremely busy all night long. Last night. What a night to remember. They'd never melded so fully or so deeply, or so many times. They'd melded deeply once while on a mission in the MAKO years ago, and ever since Shepard had wanted it, but apparently Liara was holding out until now. And it was worth every second of the wait. They'd experienced quite a few firsts last night. It was the first time Shepard had ever delivered a "rim job" and based on Liara's reaction, it was probably going to happen again in the future. She was just contemplating when would be an appropriate time to bring up the possibility of anal beads when Liara suddenly untangled herself from Shepard and rather crabbily started heading for the bathroom.

Shepard wasn't sure why, but she felt like she was in trouble. Maybe it just went along with being the father? "Is everything okay?" she called after her bondmate.

"I'm craving sushi!" Liara grumbled, and Shepard heard her turn on the shower.

"I'm ordering it right now," Shepard called back, hoping to sound more reassuring than wary. She really needed to get up to speed on asari pregnancy. They had been so focused on Shepard's injuries that she hadn't had a lot of time to do anything else. "You sure everything's okay?"

She heard Liara sigh then appear around the door. "I think I'm having a mood swing. I'm sorry. A shower will probably help."

Shepard slid out of bed, hiding a wince as her body protested when she stood. She still wasn't up to full health and nights like last night weren't exactly helping. "Any chance I can talk you into letting me lather you in body wash?" she asked, hoping that would improve her bondmate's mood.

"Well if you insist," Liara replied, her face brightening a little.

Shepard quickly ordered a huge amount of sushi for delivery and sent a message to Glyph to pay for it when it arrived. Then she joined her adorably crabby bondmate in the shower. Shepard began massaging Liara's shoulders and kissed the back of her neck.

"You'll have to help me out a little," Shepard said softly. "I'm not as good at researching things as you are. Do you know how often I'm to expect mood swings? And what would you like me to do?"

She felt Liara relax beneath her massaging hands.

"Well what you're doing can definitely go a long way toward a better mood," Liara reassured her. "But only as long as I get the fully-body massage treatment."

Shepard happily accommodated her for the rest the shower. She decided right then and there that she needed to wash Liara more often.

"Are we sure we want another party?" Liara groaned, licking her fingers clean of remnant sushi. She had given up trying to use human chopsticks. With all her dexterity, she just couldn't seem to get the hang of those damn things. "Do we need to go over the events of the last one we had?"

She didn't miss Shepard's eyes watching her a little hungrily while she licked her fingers. She did so love to tease her bondmate. It was simply too easy.

"I have fond memories of our little after-party," Shepard said with a suggestive grin.

"Shepard, Love," Liara said patiently, "we can have all the after-parties you like, whenever you like. But does it have to be after a party?"

"Do you really not want another one?" Shepard said, looking a little crestfallen.

Liara hadn't expected her to give up so easily. She vaguely wondered if it had something to do with the fact that Liara was pregnant. But seeing her bondmate look so crushed by the idea made it impossible to say no. "I think after yesterday, it's the least I can do," she said giving Shepard a soft smile. "Only this time, can we please make sure Zaeed and Garrus don't booby-trap the apartment? And no gun fights or krogan fights or . . . oh what am I saying? Let's have a damn party!"

Shepard blinked. "Um . . . mood swing again?"

Liara suddenly got an overwhelming urge to make-out. Not the worst craving she could have, so she launched herself at Shepard to fill the clawing want that seemingly sprang out of nowhere. Shepard stumbled backward against the kitchen counter with a surprised squawk as Liara's lips latched onto the human's. Liara plunged her tongue into Shepard's mouth, enjoying the remnant taste of sushi she was apparently still craving. She pressed herself up against Shepard, deepening the kiss in what humans referred to as "deep throat." She didn't know why but she wanted to feel Shepard's tongue as deeply on her own tongue as it could go. The human seemed to sense this, because she accommodated Liara's every desire. Goddess, but her bondmate was a wonderful kisser. Liara put her hands behind Shepard's neck, her fingers entangling in red hair, and keeping her right where she wanted her. Minutes ticked by and still Liara's craving would not pass, and the kiss became more and more heated by the moment.

Then as suddenly as it came, her craving disappeared and she released her bondmate. Then the crabbiness came back in full force when she realized her pleasant arousal had disappeared with the end of the kiss. Without looking back, she tromped back to the office to hopefully take her mind off things and get some work done.

Shepard stood in the kitchen, panting way more heavily than was strictly appropriate and was completely flushed and hot and bothered and slightly annoyed. She was very glad she wasn't a man, otherwise she would probably have blue-balls. What the hell was that?! Liara had never kissed her like that before and it was amazing and now it was over and Liara was gone. She glared down at the waistline of her cargo pants, seriously considering taking care of her arousal herself. Obviously Liara had no intention of doing so, although after that onslaught, she was more than a little tempted to demand Liara finish what she started. But she also knew Liara was pregnant and having mood swings and she wanted to be a good caretaker of her pregnant bondmate . . . .

"Shit," she muttered under her breath. She pulled up her omni-tool and dialed pretty much the last person she wanted to call about this topic, but the only expert on such matters she could think of.

A minute later, Matriarch Aethyta's face appeared on her holo-display.

"Hey kid," Aethyta said in her usual drawl. "What can I do for ya?"

"Hey Aethyta," Shepard said, pausing to try and decide how she wanted to word her inquiry. "So . . . what are some things asari go through while pregnant? I'm guessing mood swings and cravings like humans?"

"Only for a few weeks, once they start. Her body will eventually balance itself out, especially if she meditates often. Although, it's more intense with asari maidens than with matrons. Has she tried to make-out with you yet?"

Shepard flushed red and Aethyta's lips curled into a smirk.

"I'll take that as a yes," the Matriarch continued. "I remember when Nezzy tried pulling that on me. She got me so horny I couldn't even talk, then she just walked away when her damn craving passed. Just like that. I was so furious. Later that night I tied her up to the bed went down on her for an hour without letting her climax, then I got up and left before I finished her off. Goddess, she was pissed at me for weeks after. Didn't try to make-out with me again, though."

Shepard coughed politely. She liked the idea of tying Liara down, but she was pretty sure Liara would never forgive her if she did what Aethyta did to Benezia. "So . . . it's common for asari to have a craving to make-out, but not want . . .?" Shepard couldn't seem to finish the sentence.

"Sex?" Aethyta finished for her with an even bigger smirk. "She's an asari maiden. She always wants sex, believe me. When she gets a craving for a good make-out, the arousal temporarily goes away if she satisfies the craving. My suggestion? Don't let her kiss you until you're already getting busy. Otherwise all you'll be doing is satisfying her craving without sex. And where's the fun in that? Persistence is the key. Deny her the craving and she'll be begging you for it. Did that to Nezzy once, too. Goddess she hated it when I made her beg, but it was worth it. Best sex I ever had. But it's harder to make a matriarch beg than a maiden. You'll probably only have to deny her once and next thing you know, you'll be naked. Word for the wise, though, don't deny her in public. Unless you want your naked ass to end up on galactic news. It's probably better to make-out in public than fuck in public."

"Thanks," Shepard said dryly. "I'll keep that in mind. Any other cravings I need to know about?"

"She will probably have some strange cravings in bed. One time, Nezzy wanted me to fuck her upside down using a biotic lift. Then another time-."

"I think I can figure those cravings out," Shepard hastened to cut off the Matriarch. The woman was about to become her father-in-law; she really didn't want to hear details. Or imagine Benezia in such compromising positions, considering she watched the woman die. She shuddered. "But thanks for the information. You said this will only go on for a few weeks?"

Aethyta chuckled. "If you're lucky."

"Thanks," Shepard said, voice dripping sarcasm.

Liara sat at her desk, glaring between monitors and data pads. Her mood had not improved and she was craving Shepard's lips again and she was already tired of dealing with mood swings and . . .

Her thoughts were suddenly and completely derailed when she felt a warm mouth latch onto the tip of one of her crest extensions. The mouth began suckling on it, and hands trailed down her front soon after. They slipped beneath Liara's N7 hoodie and began thumbing her suddenly-hardened nipples. Heat flooded her core and she couldn't stop a groan from escaping her lips. Shepard didn't know it (because they hadn't discussed it yet), but what she was doing to her crest was considered one of the most intimate acts that could occur between asari and bondmate. Having never experienced it until now, Liara was beginning to understand why it was considered such an intimate act. She was so instantly aroused, she was already feeling like she was going out of her mind with lust.

When Shepard moved her lips further down the extension until Liara could feel the tip hit the back of Shepard's throat, Liara lost it.

"Shepard . . .!" she gasped, her back arching off the chair and her eyes blackening. She lost control of her body. Grabbing Shepard's hand, she pulled it down between her legs, silently begging Shepard for more.

She felt Shepard's lips curve up into a smile as her hand dipped beneath the waistline of her pants. When those wonderful pale fingers slipped down into her azure, she whimpered and pushed her hips forward into her bondmate's touch. Shepard didn't waste any time teasing her. Her fingers slid into Liara's fluid, spreading it around her azure, then started up the kind of rhythm and speed that generally made her climax within minutes. Or seconds, as it were. Apparently her crest was way more sensitive than either of them realized. She didn't even have time to try and meld with Shepard. Her orgasm hit her so hard she almost fell off the chair were it not for Shepard's unoccupied arm wrapping around her waist. Shepard's mouth stayed clamped onto her crest through Liara's climax, even though Liara was writhing and bucking her hips wildly. When Liara's body finally stopped convulsing, Shepard's torturous suckling at last ended. She moved her lips down and kissed Liara's shoulder.

"Feel better?" the human crooned in her ear.

"Yes," she panted, her head still feeling a little fuzzy. She definitely wasn't crabby anymore, but her craving to kiss Shepard had returned in full force. When her strength returned, she stood and turned into Shepard's arms to face her.

She leaned forward to claim Shepard's lips, but to her surprise, the human pulled back before their lips met. Liara's entire body tensed. Her craving to kiss Shepard increased tenfold, to the point it was almost painful. She tried again but Shepard put her hand beneath Liara's chin, holding her in place with a firm grip.

"I'll make a deal with you, T'Soni," she said, her voice ragged and deliciously seductive. "You satisfy my craving," - as she spoke, she used her free hand to guide Liara's down to rest between her thighs - "and I'll satisfy yours."

Liara wasted no time unzipping her lover's cargo pants and slipped her hand beneath the human's underwear. Liara whimpered at both how wet Shepard was and at how far away her lips still were. She slid two fingers in the human's slick entrance, curling them immediately in the hope of Shepard allowing her the kiss she so desperately needed. Shepard's breath hitched, but the hand beneath Liara's chin held firm. It made her entire body ache. She didn't know it was possible to want a kiss so much. She kind of just wanted to cry she wanted it so much. Because of this, she started up an almost frenzied rhythm with her hand. Shepard let out a surprised groan and for a moment her eyes fluttered shut.

Liara saw her opportunity and lunged forward. Their lips brushed for a glorious moment, but Shepard again pulled back. Liara let out something like a strangled sob.

"Not y-yet," Shepard grunted, though from how tight and strained her voice was, she was quickly losing her resolve. The hand on Liara's chin tightened as the asari curled her fingers and began relentlessly massaging the most sensitive spot within.

"Shepard . . ." Liara mewed. "Please . . .!"

She accentuated the request by circling her thumb over Shepard's aroused centre, offering as much stimulation as possible.

"Fuck . . .!" Shepard gasped and her knees very nearly gave out.

Seeing another opportunity, Liara caught her in an embrace with her free arm and their lips at last collided with near-bruising force. Liara felt like she'd just taken a hit of red sand after suffering from withdrawal, it was such a relief to finally kiss her lover. Shepard groaned around the kiss with every thrust of Liara's fingers as she continued her frenzied movement. Liara had to be impressed that Shepard held her end of the deal. The kiss wasn't sloppy, though the movement of her hips was. She had obviously sacrificed control of those in favor of control over her mouth.

Their tongues became entangled, and ragged groans filled the air around them. Sensing how close Shepard was, Liara greedily latched onto Shepard's mind with a meld, wanting to feel her lover's orgasm. Both of them were beyond cognizant thought. The meld was more or less a shared jumble of roiling lust and passion. She sent a vibrating biotic pulse along her arm and directly into the human's centre to aid in Shepard's painful arousal. It proved too much for her poor Commander.

"Liara!" Shepard screamed out her name, tearing away from the kiss.

Liara caught them in a biotic lift to keep them both from falling over then attacked Shepard's lips again. They drifted a few feet off the ground, their bodies a mess of wet kisses, groaning, and bucking hips as they rode Shepard's orgasm together. Liara loved how intense Shepard's orgasms were. Like all things Shepard, they were overwhelmingly powerful, and they never failed to pull Liara right along with Shepard when she felt them. When the Citadel-shattering quakes faded into aftershocks, Liara settled them onto the floor, positioning Shepard over the top of her. She loved the comforting weight of her bondmate on her. And she loved wrapping her legs around Shepard's waist.

When their strength began returning, Shepard placed another kiss on Liara's lips, this one lacking the urgency of before.

Liara slowly removed her fingers from her lover's body and brought them up to her lips. She began licking them clean, when, to her surprise and delight, Shepard joined her. She could feel Shepard's enjoyment of the act through the meld and it didn't take long before their tongues were brushing past each other around Liara's wet fingers. She moved her hand out of the way and they enjoyed a kiss that tasted strongly of Shepard.

After quite some time of making out some more, Shepard at last pulled back to give Liara an adoring look. "Did I satisfy your craving, Love?"

"Mmm," Liara purred, nuzzling her nose against Shepard's. "Indeed you did."