A/N: Sorry, quick note, had to fix a boo-boo I made in this chapter. If you already read it, I forgot about Tali towards the end of it... Tis fixed.

Chapter 7

Anderson, Ashley, Tali, Liara, Udina and Shepard had been taken to a small conference room on the Presidium. Apparently they were to see the Council sooner than later. Shepard honestly pondered why the Council was even getting involved. But she also figured she would find out.

As they waited for the Councillors Anderson spoke more with Tali about the information she had recovered, Shepard and Ashley piping in every once in a while. Apparently the geth had believed these Reapers to be gods. And every fifty-thousand years they liked to play a game of galactic genocide. Udina was the only one who continued to try and pass it off like it was all just a myth. Shepard wanted to be inclined to believe it was just a myth, but she still wondered about that off chance it was true.

If it was true, then she knew that everyone in the milky way was in danger. She knew that it would be everyone's fight. Shepard would not stand idly by while innocent people died. She would fight whatever was coming. And if she asked it, she knew her crew would fight with her.

When Shepard was not participating in the conversation, she would watch Liara. The asari was the only one in the room not adding to the conversation. She seemed so lost in her own world that it was like nothing else registered. Liara had sat next to Shepard at the conference table, but her eyes were fixed on the shiny surface of the false wooden table. Shepard frowned, hating to see Liara so depressed.

Shepard dared to reach over. At this point she knew she was teetering on perhaps dangerous grounds. Shepard did not know how Liara felt about her. If perhaps there was a chance the feelings Shepard held were mutual or not. She dared to reach out anyway, taking Liara's hand in her own, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Liara blinked her eyes, as if ripped from her world as she looked over to Shepard. Nicole tried to give her a small reassuring smile, trying to tell her everything would be alright with the gestures. Liara tried to give Nicole an appreciative look. Nicole released her hand. "We'll figure this out, I promise." Shepard said quietly. Liara nodded her head. She wanted to believe it, but she could not help but wonder how her mother ended up being part of the massacre that occurred on Eden Prime. What had happened to the once proud and noble woman?

Suddenly the doors hissed on the other end of the room, hushing any further conversation from the gathered group. Udina rose from his seat, "Ah, the Councillors are here." he said as a turian, salarian and asari made their way into the room.

The asari Councillor caught sight of Liara, who also stood from her seat. "Liara T'Soni, it is so good to see you again." The asari councilor said, smiling both warmly and professionally. When she reached Liara the two embraced for all but a moment. But Liara's solemn expression seemed to trouble the councillor.

"What troubles you, young one?" She questioned as Liara looked to the floor.

Liara seemed to gather her thoughts for a moment as she looked back to the Councillor. "Councillor Tevos... I wish meeting you again after such a long time were under better circumstances." Liara began. Tevos looked to the younger asari with concern. "It is my mother..." Liara started but could not seem to find the rest of her words.

Everyone in the room seemed to watch the exchange, making Liara all the more self aware of her situation. "Matriarch Benezia?" Tevos asked. "I have not heard news of her, what is the matter?" Tevos asked, sounding less professional and more a concerned friend perhaps.

Liara tried to find the strength in her. She knew this news of her mother would possibly spread through the asari government and her mother would be shunned. Liara rationally knew that it would be justified, but as the daughter of a well known Matriarch she did not wish such scorn against her mother. "Benezia was involved, at least in part, in what happened on Eden Prime." Liara finally said.

As she expected, Tevos looked shocked. "How do you know this?" She questioned. Anderson stood next motioning for Tali to bring up the audio file.

Her straightened his officer's jacket before standing straight, arms behind his back, ever the professional soldier. "We also have evidence that Saren may be the one responsible for the deaths of innocent people on Eden Prime." He voiced, nodding to Tali to play the file.

The three Councillors sat at the end of the table, Liara returning to her seat almost wishing she did not have to hear her mother's voice on the recording again.

"We must retrieve the information from that prothean beacon. It may be the key to finding the conduit." Saren's voice said.

"And one step closer to the return of the Reapers." Came Matriarch Benezia's voice. Liara's brows furrowed.

The Councillors seemed surprised, hearing Saren's voice on the recorded evidence. "If Spectre Saren is indeed involved in this senseless act of violence we consider this to be high treason." Tevos said. "He will be stripped of his Spectre status immediately." She then said looking to her two colleagues. They seemed to nod in agreement.

Shepard decided to insert herself into the conversation. "Supposedly the geth believe that these Reapers are gods." She started, Anderson giving her a look. She looked right back at him, almost challenging him. She didn't know what came over herself, but she would not let what happened on Eden Prime go without punishment. Too many innocent people died. Liara was nearly killed by the beacon, and she would be damned if Udina tried to dismiss the chance that these Reapers were real.

She went on when Anderson did not try to interrupt her, "The Reapers supposedly come to this galaxy and wipe out all life as we know it." She continued. Udina did, however dare to dismiss it anyways, interrupting Shepard.

"This is nonsense, these Reapers are a myth, there's been no evidence." he said, looking smug. God, something about that man rubbed her wrong.

The turian also finally spoke up. "I agree. There's no evidence that these Reapers even ever existed." He started. Anderson and Shepard both seemed put off by the lack of support. Perhaps it was something they both finally had in common. "Why would they wipe out all life? And where did they go? We should have noticed something by now." he continued. The other two Councillors seemed to nod in agreement.

Liara finally chose to speak up herself. She was not as firm as anyone else in the room, but she did sound serious, "It makes sense." She said. Everyone looked to her as she finally looked up from the table. "Through years of research on what happened to the Protheans I have noticed a pattern." She continued.

"What pattern?" The salarian questioned. Liara looked thoughtful, as if how to explain her theory.

"There is evidence of other civilizations long before the Protheans. But the evidence for these other civilizations is even rarer than what the protheans have left behind. It is like someone wipes the galaxy clean of such evidence." She went on. Again she paused, the look of thought and concentration on her face clear. "I have little physical proof of my theory, but I have come to the conclusion that the galaxy is built on a cycle of extinction." She went on. The councillors seemed intrigued by this idea.

Liara stood from her seat before she began to pace a little, still thinking. "As a civilization advances and grows, reaching a peak, they suddenly vanish. I have come to the theory that the protheans were no different. My theory comes from years of research, I cannot pinpoint a single piece of evidence to back my theory." She said, now a bit more engrossed in what she was saying. Indeed she felt she was correct about this theory, but she had always been scolded by others in her field of research. She had been told it was all a flight of fancy even.

"I have spent my entire professional career trying to discover what happened to the protheans. If these Reapers indeed do exist it could explain what happened to them." she finally finished, before stopping, facing the council. She seemed to muster some confidence in her conclusion.

The turian councillor scoffed as Udina shook his head. Anderson nodded though, seemingly agreeing with the young prothean expert. Shepard felt convinced if she had to admit it. "Still, there is little evidence that this is true." the salarian replied. Shepard rolled her eyes as Liara went to sit back in her seat.

Anderson looked like he was about to protest but the salarian held up his hand. "However, I have received information that there have been reports of geth activity on a planet called Feros. A colony managed to send out a distress signal but has since gone silent. We did not know what to make of it." He went on. "It seems now that there may have been merit to this distress call."

Tevos looked to the Captain. "I understand the Spectre candidate from your crew parished on Eden Prime?" She asked. Anderson nodded once.

He cleared his throat. "Yes, my squad was ambushed by geth, he was killed before he even knew the geth were there." Anderson replied. Shepard noted the hint of sadness in the man's tone.

Tevos nodded. "I am sorry for the loss of your crew member, Captain. At a later time we will discuss who may be able to fill the candidacy. For now we need you and your ship to investigate on the matter of Feros. We will be in touch with Alliance representatives. As of right now your crew knows more on this than anyone else and it would be a personal favor to this council for your assistance on the matter." She said. "Find Saren, and Benezia bring them in for further questioning, and put an end to whatever threat they pose." she added.

Anderson nodded his understanding. He stood once more from his chair. "Dr. T'Soni, I must insist on taking you into protective custody." He suddenly said. "I will need whatever information you can give us on your mother and assist us on how best to capture her." He went on, sounding as though he was barking orders rather than requesting for Liara's help.

Shepard shot up from her seat, instantly angry by this idea. "Like hell you are." She blurted out. Liara blinked her eyes, looking to Shepard in surprise. Anderson also looked a bit caught off guard, along with Udina, Ashley and Tali. The councillors seemed to watch with some interest.

The Captain quickly recovered though, his brows furrowing. "You don't have a choice in the matter, Shepard." he argued back. Ashley and Tali both watched the exchange, feeling the tension that suddenly filled the room. Liara just continued to feel bewildered as she looked between the two, but mostly watching Shepard.

Shepard gave him a sarcastic laugh in return. "You think so?" She asked, but grew very serious in the moment, her green eyes burning with defiance. Anderson had to admit, Shepard seemed to be one who didn't let people walk all over her. In her line of work he supposed she had to have such a characteristic. "As of right this moment she is part of my crew. And I don't leave my crew behind, Captain." she then said. Her tone was as serious as it could get.

Liara blinked and flushed, feeling unsure of what was going on. "Shepard?" She questioned almost meekly, sounding confused. Even Anderson was once more thrown off guard.

He bit his tongue, refusing the temptation to fall to the younger woman's level. "You take her, you take me. And the rest of my crew." Shepard then said. Anderson felt his own irritation growing. "We have the information you need, and if you want it, you're taking us on this mission. Otherwise Liara comes with me." She added for good measure, standing tall, arms folding over her chest.

Anderson knew he could not force the asari to go with him. Not without arresting her. But he had no charges that would stick. She could refuse to help them if she so wanted. "And how does Dr. T'Soni feel about this?" He asked, looking at Liara, who felt very put on the spot.

But Liara had to admit, she did not feel comfortable going on a human military ship, surrounded by people she did not know, only to help in her own mother's capture. "I would very much prefer if... If Shepard and the rest of her crew were with me." She said. She was not lying really. She would prefer to have people she knew there. And she knew that Shepard and her crew would make sure Liara was safe on this human ship.

Tevos interjected. "I think it would be best if you took these mercenaries." She said suddenly. Shepard looked to the asari councillor, who looked back at her. Tevos went on, "Consider them hired protection for Dr. T'Soni by the council." She added. It was now Shepard's turn to feel a bit bewildered. She didn't know what to make of it personally. "Now if you will excuse us." Tevos said as she stood, her colleagues following suit before they walked out of the room.

Udina also stood. "I will go inform Admiral Hackett of what is happening." He said sounding displeased. Though Anderson wondered if the man was ever pleased about anything.

Anderson sighed. He knew his superiors were not going to like this arrangement. He barely liked it himself. "Fine." he finally said. "Shepard, grab your crew and meet us in the docking bay in two hours." he said firmly. "And while you are on my ship you follow my orders. Am I clear?" he questioned.

Shepard did not like this idea any more than the captain did. But she would be damned if she backed out of the mess she just created now. Especially if the Council took sudden interest in hiring her and her crew from something she would have done gratis. "As a whistle." Shepard responded as Anderson turned, motioning for Ashley to go with him.

Ashley just gave Shepard a confused, yet doubtful look as she quickly followed the Captain out of the room, leaving just Shepard, Tali and Liara. Shepard finally realized the impact of what she had just done as she looked down at Liara, who still looked at her with bewilderment.

"Tali, go tell the crew what's going on, would you?" Shepard asked, Liara and Shepard still looking at each other.

Shepard could hear the snort behind the young quarian's mask as she nodded her head. "Sure, Shepard." Tali replied, the her voices hinted at her teasing too. Shepard just gave the young woman a look. Tali shrugged her shoulders, leaving the room without another word.

Shepard then sighed as she sat down in her chair, rubbing her face with both hands. "Why go through all this trouble on my behalf?" Liara finally questioned. Shepard couldn't help but let out a chuckle at her own impulsiveness. "Am I really part of your crew now?" She also questioned.

Shepard looked to Liara and shrugged. "Do you want the truth? Or a lie?" Shepard asked. She knew if Liara wanted the truth she wasn't sure if she could leave out one important detail. Though she supposed she could hold that bit out. Or try to.

Liara frowned at Shepard, perhaps not liking the idea of being lied to. "I would like the truth, Nicole." Liara said, being very serious, and very firm in her response. Shepard sighed, having figured she wouldn't get out of it that easily. The use of her first name did not go unnoticed. It was almost like the nail in the coffin.

Shepard took a deep breath before she nodded and clicked her tongue. "The truth? Ok..." she replied, feeling rather nervous all of a sudden. "First of all.. The others... And I have kind of considered you unofficially apart of our crew... We've done a lot of work for you in the past three or four years..." Shepard started. Liara nodded, as if telling her to go on.

Shepard stood as she began to pace now herself, her face full of debate and thought. "I should not have made that decision for you, Liara. It was stupid and I have no right. No, you don't have to be apart of our crew... I won't lie, I had been tempted to ask you to come with us many times before." Shepard rambled. Liara could see her anxiety clear as day. "But I know you love your work as an archaeologist. I know our paths are so very different. I consider you to be a good friend to me and my crew." Shepard continued her ramblings. "And I would not want to put you in danger."

Shepard suddenly stopped her pacing, looking down at Liara, green eyes meeting blue. Shepard sat back down in her seat Shepard's eyes never leaving hers. Liara flushed at how intense Shepard looked. "I'm going through this trouble because I don't want you out there, getting yourself mixed up in a possibly dangerous situation. Not alone. Not without knowing you are being protected. That you will be safe." Shepard paused a moment, waiting for a sign from Liara.

Shepard sort of wondered if she was giving herself away yet or not. "Liara, you're one of the few friends I have and... sometimes I get stupid, over protective even. I just want to make sure you're safe. Because I care about you." Shepard insisted. Liara was still a little violate in the cheeks. She had never had anyone feel protective over her before. It made her heart pound, knowing that Shepard had felt that way towards her.

Liara smiled though, trying to will her cheeks to stop burning. "I feel honored, Nicole, that you feel you must watch over me. And that you and your crew have considered me as part of it. You have all been good friends to me as well." Liara said in response. Shepard gave her a lopsided smile. It was the smile Liara loved best on Shepard's face. It was just... oddly so charming.

"So you forgive my stupid outburst?" she asked, sounding hopeful. Liara chuckled at Shepard. Now she was just being... well silly, perhaps. Liara wasn't sure what to call Shepard's question.

The asari nodded her head though. "Yes, you are forgiven." Liara joked. Shepard gave a short laugh but sighed in relief. She then stood, waving for Liara to follow her. Internally Shepard wondered just how long she could hold her feelings a secret though. She wondered even if Liara was already putting two and two together yet. But she tried to brush those thoughts away for now.

"Come on, T'soni. Lets go get the others and get this thing over with." Shepard then said as they began to walk out of the room. Then a worried look crossed Shepard's face. "Man, Wrex is not going to like this..." She suddenly realized. Liara could do nothing but laugh at the statement.

Liara had to admit after their conversation she felt a bit better about the situation. She now she would not have to face the difficult days ahead alone. Shepard would be there. And their other friends as well. And perhaps, together, they would figure out what was happening with her mother.

VWVWV

So another chapter down. I may have to go silent for a short period, hopefully I can still update regularly, but my mother is having surgery in the next couple days and will need my help with things around the house and driving her places. Knowing me I will likely sneak in some writing time somewhere. But if there's a brief pause I apologize, and that is the reason why.

I may yet have another chapter pumped out before her surgery. Until next time.