Chapter 41: We're Going Fishing, Dammit

Freed from lockdown, they were back sailing among the stars. Liara didn't deny the jolt of fear that shot through her as realization sank in, the bravado of actually defying the Council was now a reality. If they failed to stop Saren, though, being labelled as traitors would mean nothing anyways. Joker's announcement echoed down barren hallways, his jovial tone somewhat lightening the gravity of this all.

Estimated time of arrival to Ilos was roughly nine hours, and every second mattered. Saren had a head start. There was little way of knowing whether or not they were already too late.

Liara played it off as calm as she could among her fellow marines, but soon bid her goodbye and left her quarters to check in on Lucy now. That, and she received a most peculiar message from Dr. Chakwas, requesting permission if it would be okay to study her mother's state and condition of indoctrination. She wanted to hear it from the soldier herself as to what they thought they could do for mother - perhaps Lucy had yet to understand the gravity of how mother had... Passed... And believed there was still someone to save, a soul lost somewhere inside the body.

The Normandy was a ghost of itself, where all essential crew that had been called back were up either in engineering or in the CiC. She felt a little uneasy that her footsteps were echoing, the only set of them that traversed the halls. She approached the Commander's quarters and noticed it'd been unlocked, knocking briefly before she helped herself inside. She seemed to have walked in on a call of sorts, where Lucy's eyes briefly flicked to her, before back down on her omni-tool.

"An urgent matter has just come up. May we continue this later?"

"Of course, Ms. Shepard. I will have my assistant send you a draft of what's been finalized thus far and we can discuss more when you're next available."

"Thank you. Have a good day, Mr. Tenley."

"You as well."

"Sorry for interrupting," Liara smiled apologetically when the omni-tool was disengaged. "I can come back if you'd rather-"

"Nonsense." Lucy gestured to her leisurely table. "You look like you have something on your mind. Has... Our conversation earlier... Been troubling you?"

"Oh... No. As long it's not troubling you." Liara felt somewhat awkward and stiff as she approached, always having this feeling whenever she'd caught Lucy in her 'business mode' of sorts. It would always take some time for her to shed it, ease up, and be a little less formal - at least, her version of less formal. She took a seat and smiled when soon enough, there was a wine glass prepared for her. "It's almost like it's becoming a ritual," she chuckled, looking up to catch the subtleties of a soft smile quirking up the corner of the soldier's lips. When Lucy joined her at the table, she opened up. "I do have something I wanted to ask. Dr. Chakwas reached out to me and asked for my permission, if it would be okay to study mother."

At that, Lucy seemed surprised. Her brow arched, intrigued, drawing attention to the stitched cut. "That was quick. I didn't think she would have set up that soon."

"And what is she setting up, exactly?"

"We're hoping to study indoctrination for a cure. Saren focused his research on preventing indoctrination, but not a cure. Maybe we'll figure out both. Maybe... We won't figure out anything, but it's worth a try. If you were able to find your mother in your melding, then she's there."

"She isn't anymore," Liara's gaze dropped to her glass. "She... Last I saw her..."

"I know. I saw it too. But I don't believe that was the end. Sovereign's hold may have felt stronger, then, because of proximity. This way, she's safe on the Citadel. Maybe with time... Maybe that hold... I don't know, to be honest. I'm sorry I didn't... That I organized this without asking you. But I hope. I hope for good news, or for progress that might help us undo what damages the Reapers may inflict. Dr. Chakwas has access to all my finances to get whatever support or technology may assist. That is... Of course, you are her next of kin."

"I already gave permission." She ran her thumb around the rim of the glass. "I wish I had your optimism for this. I've been trying not to think about her. To keep her alive in my memories."

"One day she'll be alive to make more memories."

A small chuckle tumbled out of Liara. She didn't express her disbelief, instead trying to focus on appreciating the sentiment and that rapid-trigger resolve Lucy always had, saying things to attempt to comfort. There were more questions, like what state mother was kept in - but she had assumed it was through another manner of cryostasis, alongside readily available cocktails of drugs if needed. She wasn't quite ready to learn the details of it all.

Gloved fingers tentatively touched hers, and she lifted her eyes a little to study them, wondering when or why Lucy had put gloves on again. Then she looked higher, and noticed that glasses were slid on, the implants shut off. It was her turn to be surprised, then.

"Are you planning to sleep? Do you think you actually can?"

"Why not?" Lucy asked innocently.

"Luce, in nine hours... We might..."

"Exactly. It's important to get adequate sleep before a critical mission."

Yes, but, how on Thessia was she calm enough to actually fall asleep, is what Liara was trying to get at. Her nerves were shot over the idea alone.

"Would you like to join me?" Lucy blasphemed. "I can arrange a barrier between us."

"A... A barrier?"

"Yes. Ideally it would be a wall made of tungsten carbide, but the riot shields may do. I can go into the crew quarters that are empty and temporarily requisition their pillows, then we can stick the shields in between the pillows, then tie the pillows down so that they won't move so easily and keep the shields secured. I should be consciously aware by the time I fall over a shield, and if not, then certainly you'll be awake in time to employ your biotics to stop me."

Liara stared.

And then she laughed.

"Luce, I appreciate the thought, but I am not going to be able to sleep."

"If the riot shields won't help you feel secure enough, I can-"

"It's not my safety that I'm worried of, but come. I'll sit across from you and I'll find something to read on my omni-tool in the mean time."

Lucy's brow pinched with worry, but she wasn't given the chance to protest when Liara rose from her seat and tugged on the soldier's wrist, then shoved onto the bed. There was a subdued desire to play and be mischievous, having found some fun in so easily pushing around the boulder of a woman. She yelped when a quick hand snatched her wrist and pulled her onto the bed, rolled until there was no escape for her with the body above her.

Of course, it was foolish of her to believe that her saying 'not happening' would sincerely be the end of that.

"Why won't you sleep?" Lucy leaned up and hovered over the archaeologist's thighs, frowning with confusion. "I don't understand."

"Because I'm too nervous to," Liara answered plainly. "If we fail... Or even if we succeed..."

"We'll deal with it then. Is it really just the mission that's bothering you? Or is it the dreams? Did Dr. Chakwas ever prescribe that medication?"

Liara averted her gaze, suddenly having found one of the walls very interesting. The soldier groaned and plopped back down, her elbows sinking in to cage Liara's head in.

"You're so stubborn..."

"I don't have bad dreams all the time," the archaeologist protested quietly, "And things just... They were moving too quickly. I didn't think to speak with her again, after the... Session."

Lucy curled in, her forehead against the asari's shoulder. Her glasses jammed in somewhat uncomfortably. Her body slackened with a sigh. "I'm sorry."

"It's..."

It's what. Not her fault? It kind of was though. Liara knew she couldn't just blast this all away by saying it's okay, as if it would all be blasted away with Lucy's attempts to comfort too. The archaeologist sighed despondently too, and sought comfort by wrapping her arms around to embrace Lucy. There was contentment, first, then resistance, but Liara didn't relent. She turned her head in and burrowed her mouth in the dishevelled sandy hair.

"Please," she whispered, "I just want to have this. I miss you, Luce. I miss when things weren't so complicated. We both deserve happiness, don't we?"

"You do," the soldier grumbled, muffled. Her resistance died soon after though. She pushed up a little on her elbow to be able to look up, a hesitant hand trailing up to cup over a hip. "Would you like to change into our robes? They'll be more comfortable."

What the point of the question was, Liara wasn't sure, because Lucy was already up and off, diving into her closet for the robes. The archaeologist laughed when hers was thrown over her head. She played along and slid off the bed, waiting and staring expectantly at the one who seemed to be doing the same. Lucy gave her that look as if she was the strange one, until finally she seemed to remember - and turned around to grant privacy.

"Thank you," Liara chimed sweetly.

"I still don't understand," Lucy confessed, working off her gloves and turtleneck first. "We've showered together in the past."

It wasn't discomfort. Liara didn't think that, even if she explained embarrassment, it still wouldn't have been understood, if it wasn't already after all this time. It was a topic and attempt for another day. She quickly utilized what little time she had to strip her suit and brasserie, needing to finish changing before the soldier did. She barely made it in time and could feel heat collect in her cheeks when Lucy turned around, her robe loose with her struggling to tie her belt.

"I'm not... I still don't really..." She fumbled most with her new hand. She gave up with a sigh, and she almost looked sheepish, those sulky pyjak eyes back at full force. She was making these kinds of looks more and more often now, like when she'd seen the damp spot on the asari's suit.

Liara moved forward and spared her from her apparent trouble of asking for help. She leaned in and stole a swift kiss on the nose as she did, trailing to the side over the good cheek as she tied the robe. "It's okay," she murmured in between kisses, hopeful with her encouragement. "It's okay to ask."

Lucy grunted in protest. The tides had turned when she stepped back and looked down at the asari, who'd blushed harder and felt extremely self-conscious from the intense gaze. She grabbed the neck of her robe and clasped it tighter, looking off at the wall again. Cold metal fingers gently wound over her hand, coaxing her to let go. It was her turn to put up a resistance, and the soldier moved in to hug her instead.

"I take it you would not be okay if I were to see you without the robe?"

Such a bold request instantly set flame to the asari's poor complexion. She stammered, then, pulling away to try to determine if Lucy was serious. Of course she was. When was she not?

"W-why do you want to?"

"I'm not interested in your body," Lucy started, and what a significant blow that dealt. T'Soni recoiled with hurt, and it seemed to confuse the soldier. "What? I'm interested in your scar. I want to see it."

"You... What? My what?"

They stared.

"What?" Liara parroted, her brain stuck on a loop.

"Your... Scar..." Lucy's brow furrowed with concern. "Are you sure you're okay? I can cut my medication in half and see if that will help you sleep. I think you need it."

Liara rolled her eyes. "What I need is clarification. What scar?"

Her belt loosened. She panicked, taking a few steps back as she clutched her robe tightly again. "Don't just open up my robe!"

"You asked for clarification though. It'll be easier to show you." Lucy turned around and walked directly up to a wall. "Here, I'll only stare right here." She tapped a spot, eye-level. "Your scar. The one... Benezia..." She struggled, then, as if trying to choose her words precariously. "From Noveria," she settled, "The one on your ribs. I want to see it."

"Oh." Liara tentatively opened her robe, palming her breast to take a look herself. That scar. "But why?"

"I..." Lucy struggled again, groping for words. She rested her forehead on the wall and her glasses clicked against it. "I don't know. I guess so that I can see it's healed and okay, now."

"It is," the asari nodded resolutely, even if she couldn't be seen. "It definitely is."

"Can I please see it?"

"I can take a picture," Liara offered lamely, her panic coming back. She felt foolish over the idea of keeping her robe closed over her breasts, with everything else fluttering open.

For some reason, Lucy chuckled. Her shoulders sank and she seemed to relent. "I'll just take your word for it, then. I'm sorry. I don't mean to pressure you."

"What if you take your glasses off?"

"That would defeat the whole purpose of seeing it to confirm it for myself," the soldier chuckled again. "It's okay. I'm taking your word-"

"Take your glasses off."

Lucy groaned. She complied, though, pocketing her glasses in her robe. "Your next order, ma'am?"

Playfulness immediately sparked to life, then, and Liara indulged. "Take two steps back, soldier." She laughed when Lucy did. "I'm joking, you can-"

"I'm not." When Lucy turned her head a little, there was a wicked smile pulling on the corner of her lips. "Your next order?"

Oh.

...Oh.

This... Seemed to do it for her. Liara blushed fiercely. With the implants shut off, it was easier to discern the emotions not as obscured by the illumination of them. She felt utterly foolish, then, though, too embarrassed to think of anything. Her voice died on her, having turned into a pitiful croak. "Please..."

Please what? That was open to dangerous interpretation. She stiffened when the soldier turned fully, her eyes constantly moving as if trying to analyze whatever she was hearing. She was more cautious in her approach, a hand somewhat held out in front of her hip, stopping when it bumped into the asari's thigh. The hands travelled up, feeling along, thumbs carefully mapping the boundary of the robe. The neck was pulled apart a little. A breath shuddered out of her as lips experimentally pressed in at the base of her throat, trailing with a purpose as it went down her front. She swore her heart was going to burst right out of her chest, then.

"Your heart is beating pretty hard," Lucy murmured, planting her lips over the fierce pulse. "I... Only want to kiss your scar. I can confirm it that way, for myself. But I need you to guide me with where I'm going, so I won't kiss anywhere you would not like me to. May we?"

Hands came up with minds of their own, but Liara was stuck as soon as they wove into the back of the sand-blonde hair. She swore her face was on fire, looking down, seeing how close Lucy was to her breasts. They'd gone further, in the past. Something about this felt different than those times, though. She didn't understand the fixation with her scar, either. This intimacy was... What was it? It wasn't terrifying - but how much it was coming to mean, was. Why? This was everything she had ever wished for, between them.

"Liara?" Lucy murmured softly. "Would you like me to stop?"

"N-no." She gulped, grimacing when it was audible. She held on tighter onto the hair, nudging shyly as she pulled a few inches away from her to guide over her breast. She hovered, her knees threatening to cave out beneath her just at the thought of pushing Lucy back in against her. She gave up and released her hold, too overwhelmed and self-conscious and-

By the Goddess, but it felt so blissful when Lucy pulled her in by her hips and pressed lips against the scar. Little tingles buzzed from the robes swaying, brushing against her skin. The coolness of metal fingers snuck in between her robe, holding her by her waist. She shuddered and suppressed an embarrassing noise trying to claw out her throat when Lucy pressed her tongue on the scar.

"I have nine hours to make it right," the soldier whispered, "If I am allowed... I want to explore and memorize your body again, Liara, but by kissing it. May I?"

Was she required to speak? Because she really felt like it was impossible right now. She hummed and hoped it was consent enough. Her face never stopped burning as she watched Lucy kiss her scar again, then across, up, then down, finding her navel. The only steadiness she felt was the hands that held onto her. Her chest kicked sharply and she couldn't help but laugh at the ticklish sensation when a tongue dipped into her navel, and then she sighed with content as gentle feather-light kisses trailed up her stomach. She angled her head down and was ready to meet Lucy when the soldier stood back up, nudging by walking forward to push Liara towards the bed.

"Where do you not want me to kiss?" Lucy asked in between of them, trailing down to pay attention to the pulse thrumming at the jawline. "I can still somewhat see outlines, however fuzzy. If you aren't comfortable with your breasts, I can avoid them." A beat. A devilish smile. "That'll be easy enough."

Did she have to specify the difficulty?!

"L-Luce... Could we just... Could we just lay in bed together, for now? I need time."

"Oh. Yes, of course. I'm sorry. Did I make you uncomfortable?"

"No, it felt wonderful, but it's just... This is a lot. Lately, there's... Been a lot..."

Those eyes just stared at her, still moving around often, as if trying to truly make out the outlines of hers. She wondered just how blind the soldier was. She helped herself and reached into the pocket she'd seen the glasses stashed in, sliding them back onto Lucy's face with an apologetic smile.

"I know we did m-more, last time... But this feels different this time. I'm not ready for it."

Still, Lucy stared. Then she leaned in and mimicked the kiss on the nose. "I'm not sure what right words one should say to something like this, but I think I understand, and it's okay. I just want you to be happy. I'm sorry I didn't pick up on that sooner."

"No, I wasn't... Not happy... Just... Yes. I admit, I don't quite know how to explain it myself."

"Well, let's just head to the bed and relax then, shall we? We can read something on a datapad, see if we can find you something that will help you try to sleep."

Liara really felt like she wouldn't be able to, but she played along, if only so that Shepard could stop fretting over it already. Besides, if there was anyone who needed to rest, it was her.

By the Goddess, though, sleep sounded heavenly. Liara was slammed with exhaustion as soon as they hit the bed, and there was an immediate pillow that was pushed against her chest the second she felt a little bit too much breeze, having forgotten to re-tie her robe. She didn't have the courage to mutter a meek thanks for her modesty saved so promptly - a small part of the problem, but she didn't allow her mind to dwell too much on it as she snuck her hands under the pillow to re-do her robe. Then she was moved about as if she weighed as light as a feather, for them both to sit against the headboard, and Lucy saddled behind her. The soldier's arms curled around, engaging her omni-tool as she murmured soothingly. "What would you like to read about, Nara?"

"Nara?" Liara mumbled, her brow scrunching in confusion upon reading the subject of an unread message notification. "Social services?"

"Mm... I cheated a little. I looked up Siame for aid in the interpretation, and found out about Nara as well."

"Oh..."

That lull was alluring. Her insistence not to sleep before must have been a laughable resistance, compared to now, her head leaning back to rest on the soldier's organic shoulder. Lips pressed to her jawline, staying, breathing warmth into her skin. She was somewhat aware that she was being adjusted again. She drifted off fast when she leaned more heavily against Lucy - as tantalizing things were purred in her aural.

"You're knee-deep in the water. The Protheans are taunting you to catch them, Liara."

Amber light roused her, where it flickered briefly. She squinted, trying to open her eyes that'd been somewhat crusted shut, a revolting feeling she remedied with a sleepy hand wiping across. It seemed to alert and yield a sharp inhale, and when she opened her eyes, she was staring at an omni-tool, but at a peculiar angle. She was seeing it from the bottom, kind of, and a face hovered over in view when Lucy leaned more forward, her stomach pushing on the back of Liara's head. She hissed and grabbed her neck upon trying to sit up, cramping painfully, and a cold metal hand carefully cupped under her fringe.

"Take it slow," Lucy coached, "Sorry, I lost track of time once I started working. I should've moved you when you slumped down that much."

"Time..." Liara mumbled, pushing herself up into sitting as she rolled and circled her neck. "How long have I been out for?" She glanced over her shoulder. "You didn't sleep?"

"I haven't felt the need to," Lucy shrugged. "It's imperative that you have a peaceful rest."

Liara groaned and rolled her eyes. "That goes for you too, Luce. Come, now. It's your turn." She shimmied over to the side and straightened her legs, patting her lap. "Here."

"What, my head on your lap?" The soldier asked incredulously, laughing a little. "Did you write your will early too or something?"

"You won't hurt me. You're going to sleep."

"I'll murder you in my sleep, Liara. I'm not sleeping on you - and besides, there's only an hour left. It won't make much difference at this point."

Liara frowned, exasperated. "Why didn't you wake me up...?"

"I already told you. It's fine, I'm fine. I'll be fine. Please don't worry." Lucy leaned over and stole that kiss on the nose again. "Besides, I enjoyed watching you sleep. You made amusing sounds. It was a pleasing ambience to work to. We should do this more often - it'll make my menial tasks much more tolerable."

Heat struck back with a vengeance, the archaeologist blushing deeply. "Dare I ask what kinds of sounds?"

"Would you like me to tell you, or mimic them?"

"N-neither. Nevermind. Forget I asked."

Desperate for an escape, Liara shimmied down to the edge of the bed, but... Where could she go from here? An hour left. It was both inspiring and troublesome that the soldier didn't seem the slightest bit anxious, or excited, or... Anything, really. Lucy was still being Lucy.

"I wish I had your confidence," Liara murmured, her hand crossing her chest to massage the opposite shoulder. She melted a little when metal fingers pushed hers away, cupping her shoulders with purpose - and experimenting with force, it seemed, as Lucy tried to figure out how to knead muscles she couldn't feel. The archaeologist tried not to let her self-consciousness get the best of her, being honest with feedback and the sounds clawing out her chest. Her head hung forward with a groan as a persistent knot was eased away.

"Why do you say that?" Lucy inquired, "Confidence over what?"

"About Ilos. About Saren. About everything really, especially with what had to be done in order to get here. Aren't you worried about what the Council is going to do to you, Luce?"

"Not really. Their most severe punishment would be a tough one to try to get in trial, which would be to get the Alliance to discharge me so that the Council can jail me for treason. Even so, it'll be for a few years. If we're successful, they'll be more lenient with my sentence - if they dare fight to give me one - because of my contribution to stop Saren. It would only take a single news report to cause a public uproar otherwise, and expose them for their inaction that would have cost many lives, if not all life, in the universe. I'm acquainted with an earnest reporter that I can trust to deliver that kind of news report, and I'm certain the Council wouldn't be that foolish to take such a risk. They're politicians at heart. They represent themselves in order to represent their species. A scandal wouldn't paint a good picture of the species they represent, and it would sow dissent much like the way the galaxy distrusts the krogan and the quarians."

"Hm..." Liara was set a little at ease, with how clear and rational this was thought out. She forgot the soldier enjoyed a little bit of the procedural sides of things. She kept it to herself that batarians were omitted.

"Besides, I'll strike before they'll try to take me down. I can sabotage them, politically maneuver them and generations of their families into disgrace, or assassinate them."

"Or we could talk to them, by the Goddess," Liara blew an incredulous laugh. She knew the soldier wasn't serious, another morbid joke as usual. Hopefully it was just a joke, anyways. "If we're successful, then surely they wouldn't be foolish enough to continue to not listen to you, with our warnings proven right from what we'll stop."

"...We could talk to them too, I guess. Perhaps it'd be best for you to do the talking by then."

"Mm, by the sounds of your plans, perhaps it would be," she lilted, twisted a little to press her lips to one of the metal hands kneading her shoulder.

For some reason, Lucy stopped. Their eyes met, the asari curious over the intense stare. She tested and tentatively kissed a synthetic finger again. Her laughs soon filled the room when she was pulled abruptly, her back slammed against the bed, and desperate lips fumbled to kiss her upside down. Her head was caged and firmly held. She beamed a smile when they took a break, gasping for air, finding great amusement in the way Lucy's glasses were crooked upon her face.

"What's gotten into you?" Liara chuckled.

All she was left with were more speculations, and more kisses.

This was it. They stood on the precipice of it all. Liara couldn't ignore the shaking inside of her, her stomach knotting and volatile with its contents as she listened to the others argue about a landing zone. Shepard was leaned over a monitor, swiping aggressively as she searched for a safe zone herself. Her composure seemed to lose a few stitches.

"I can do it," came from the pilot seat.

Lucy straightened, looking over. "Joker?"

"I can do it."

Where on Thessia were all these humans getting their confidence from? From nothing, on top of that? Liara watched as the soldier's shoulders squared, steeled and ready for battle. Lucy found her resolve too, then, and pivoted sharply as she marched off with her order.

"I want everybody battle-ready to report in the hangar bay. Take us down, Joker."

"You got it, Commander."

Just like that, they were going to nose dive into the maws of hell itself. Liara had to remind herself just to breathe with the way her chest felt like it was going to cave in on itself, rushing to follow after Lucy. Their eyes met briefly, and she expected an argument for her to stay on the Normandy - she was ready for it. Thankfully, no such debate emerged. She was surprised to have goaded more confidence from nothing instead.

"Your biotics will prove invaluable in this fight. I'm counting on you too, Liara."

She nodded shakily. The soldier took a moment to steady her with a hand on her shoulder, smiling with easy reassurance.

"This is the moment - our moment - where we prove the Council wrong, prove the Reapers wrong, and prove ourselves as to what kind of hero we all are. This is a battle for us too. Let's make a bet, shall we? If you beat Saren, we do whatever you want for our date. But if I beat him... We fish for a week."

Incredulous laughter bubbled halfheartedly, and Liara rolled her eyes. "Why am I not surprised? Well, you've got a deal. And just so you know, we're going to frequent many museums. For two weeks."

"Uh huh. Yeah. In your dreams, T'Soni. The only museums you'll be seeing are the ones we'll be passing right by the entrances of. I'm definitely going to beat Saren."

Competitive spirits alight, the tension dissipated a little. Liara found her confidence in how rock-steady the soldier was, her every move with purpose, not a single doubt in their ability or success. There was still no way of knowing whether or not they have already failed before they've begun. She wasn't quite sure if this was audacity on their part, or the powerful fabrications of hope.

They entered the elevator, and Liara observed from the corners of her eyes, still somewhat in disbelief to see not even a hint of fear. This is what being a leader meant - wasn't it exhausting? It was certainly inspiring, and it was these little moments that encouraged her to aspire to what she witnessed. She made a bet on herself, too, to be more vocal about these kinds of observations.

Something else came out instead.

"Try not to be too distracted when you see my biotics in action again," she taunted.

She smirked with pride when Lucy's laughter was raw and vibrant.