Chapter 28
Shepard had told Anderson she needed to speak with him. He seemed agreeable to it but first she needed coffee. With everything that was happening, she had felt ready for a nap herself. Between the events on Virmire, the beacon, Kaidan's death, and even the meld, she was worn to the bone.
So she grabbed a mug, filled it with some freshly brewed coffee and took a moment to appreciate the hot caffeinated drink before she began to make her way for the captain's cabin.
When she reached the Captain's room, she raised her free hand to knock on the door. She could hear Anderson on the other side before the door slid open, allowing her entrance. "Ah, there you are." Anderson said as he shuffled through a small stack of data pads. He then looked Shepard over once before he motioned to his little round table in the center of his cabin. "I was beginning to think you got lost." He said trying to lighten the mood as Nicole silently made her way to the table, taking a seat.
She shrugged her shoulders before setting her coffee on the table, wrapping her hands around the warm mug. "With how exhausted I feel I wouldn't be surprised if I accidentally walked out of the airlock." She said, her tone almost devoid of her usual mirth. Anderson looked her over once before he tossed a couple of data pads aside, messing with the remaining one in his hand.
"I'm still going to need your report and briefing on Virmire." He then said as he approached the table Shepard sat at.
She shrugged at him, looking down at her coffee, shaking the mug slightly as the dark liquid swirled around. "I probably can't add much more than the others have already told you." She responded almost in monotone. "It was hell down there, and a lot of people died when they didn't have to." She went on, never looking away from her coffee cup.
He sighed as he gained a solemn look before he sat across from Shepard, setting his pad down on the table. He watched her carefully drink from her coffee, seeing the dull look in her green eyes. "Shepard, I am sorry about what happened to Kaidan Alenko. He seemed like a good man." Anderson said. Shepard looked to the older man in front of her. She felt that he was being sincere. "He died a hero in my book, and you should be proud of him and his sacrifice." Anderson added.
Shepard looked down at her coffee. She hadn't really thought about her pride in the matter. She was so busy feeling sorry for herself, and she knew that wasn't about to change. "He saved a lot of lives." Shepard agreed after a moment of silence. Anderson nodded his head as he gave the younger woman a look of thought.
"I know you are no soldier, but I misjudged you in the beginning." He finally said. Shepard perked a brow as she looked up at him. He gave her a serious look. "You would have made one hell of a soldier if you had joined the Alliance." He went on. Shepard almost scowled yet snorted. Her in the Alliance? That would be the day, she thought.
She decided to avoid that line of conversation entirely. She was in no mood to explain why she would have never joined the Alliance. "We discovered where the conduit is. Kind of." Shepard said, changing the subject entirely.
Anderson was all ears now as he put his data pad aside. "The message from the beacons?" He asked.
Shepard nodded her head before she took a drink of her coffee. She sat it back on the table, collecting her thoughts. "Liara and I did a meld, so she could see the rest of the message. Turns out it's somewhere called Ilos? Not sure if that's a planet or what. She was barely awake when she mentioned it and the Mu Relay."
Anderson sighed as he shook his head. "The Mu Relay has been lost for centuries. We have no way of finding it." He responded.
Shepard wasn't about give up on this now. Whatever the conduit was, Saren was dead set on finding it. "Well obviously it's important to Saren. He wouldn't give up on this now and I'm sure he knows where the conduit is himself." Shepard said sounding a bit impatient. Anderson nodded his head however, as if in agreement with Shepard's statement. "If he isn't giving up then I won't. Kaidan died for this, I won't let that go." she added.
"That I have no doubt." Anderson said as he stood and made way for his desk. He had his own little coffee maker as he decided he himself needed a mug. "Saren isn't one to give up. When he sets his eyes on something he sees it through, believe me." Anderson went on as he poured himself a cup. Shepard watched the older man as he took a thoughtful sip.
Shepard mimicked the captain as she took another healthy swig of her own coffee. "So we keep tracking down Saren. He'll lead us right to it." Shepard suggested. Anderson smiled at that. He looked to the younger woman a moment before he returned to the table himself and sat down. She seemed just as determined to see this through.
"Exactly. But he's gone dark since Virmire. There's no trace of where he is or what he's up to now." Anderson then picked up the data pad he had left on the table, looking it over once before he held it out for Shepard to take. Shepard took the pad with a perked eyebrow. Anderson nodded at her as she began to scroll through the contents. "Virmire was a major loss for him, he'll probably take some time before he resurfaces. We'll keep an ear to the ground, but right now we have a geth problem to deal with." Anderson went on.
Shepard quickly read through what appeared to be a mission on the data pad. What she had summarized from the pad was that there were four major outposts in the Armstrong Cluster, staging grounds perhaps for an all out invasion. It seemed Admiral Hackett wanted the Normandy on this.
"Is this where we're heading now?" Shepard asked as she passed the pad back to Anderson.
He shook his head, however. "Not just yet. We're making a stop at Arcturus. We need to refuel and resupply. Admiral Hackett would like to meet with you as well." He explained as Shepard cocked an eyebrow. Why would some Admiral want to meet with her? She supposed she would find out.
"We should be there by morning. If you have other things to tend to now is the time." Anderson said, signaling that he himself had things to tend to. "I'll need your Virmire report before we get there, I'd start there." He suggested as he stood and made his way back to his desk.
Shepard just sighed as she stood and left the cabin, figuring she had better get on it.
Nicole had kept herself busy through out the day. She finished Anderson's requested report, checked on her people, even checked in with Ashley. But now it was late, and sleep just wouldn't have the mercenary.
She should have been used to lack of sleep by now. But she was human. And exhausted. Her eyes stung and she felt like she should have attempted to go back to sleep instead of endlessly searching through the extranet on the terminal. She had awoken from another nightmare from the beacon on Virmire. She didn't like the idea of it happening again so instead chose to try and be productive.
She wasn't entirely sure how long she had been awake. An hour? Perhaps two? Shepard didn't even realize Liara had woken up until she felt slender fingers gently slip under her chin, tilting her head up. Green eyes met soft blue ones briefly before Liara had leaned down enough for their lips to meet.
Shepard couldn't help but feel a certain sense of calm fill her inner being as she kissed the asari back. It was slow, gentle, and yet still electrifying. In a way, it made Shepard feel centered suddenly, and complete even.
Liara pulled away as they looked at each other, Shepard having a silly grin on her face as Liara smiled, almost bashfully. "Hey there." Shepard teased as she spun the chair around. Liara's cheeks flushed as she felt Shepard tug her gently onto her lap.
"Can't sleep?" Liara asked curiously as she settled into the merc's lap, resting her head on Shepard's shoulder. In all honesty Liara already knew the answer. It was the same thing that plagued her almost every night. But when she had woken up and Nicole was no longer in bed she couldn't help but want to check up on her mercenary.
Shepard had wrapped her arms around Liara's midsection, taking the moment to relax. "I had a nightmare… Thought I'd be productive and see if I could locate Kaidan's family…" Shepard quietly admitted. Liara nodded against the human's shoulder as she reached out, letting her fingers run along Shepard's upper arm. Liara had been so shy, she never did notice how much muscle Shepard had. She flushed some as she would have to admit, she found it… Well, sort of appealing.
"Have you found anything?" Liara asked as she could feel Nicole planting a light kiss onto her temple. Liara might have giggled if she didn't feel like the subject wasn't a serious one. Nicole had felt guilty for Kaidan's death. Perhaps even responsible. It didn't matter that the others had blamed Saren, Nicole was too stubborn. The human was too hard on herself sometimes.
Shepard shook her head in response. "No… Maybe I can locate his Alliance recruiter... Kaidan didn't talk much about his childhood. He was kind of a private man in that regard. But maybe the recruiter knows something." Shepard said, before pausing a moment. "If I can even find them that is."
Liara gave Shepard a small reassuring smile. "I am sure you will." Nicole couldn't help but smile back, though perhaps a little solemnly. It still hurt to think about if she were to be honest. Liara caught the look on Nicole's face as she sat up, just enough to properly reach up with both hands, placing them on both of Nicole's cheeks.
Nicole blinked as she looked at the asari curiously. Liara smiled again, trying to make Shepard feel better. Blue thumbs rubbed against peach cheeks. Shepard let out a slow breath, feeling her muscles relax a little. But Liara carefully removed herself from Shepard's lap. "Where are you going?" Nicole almost pouted as she looked up at the prothean expert.
Liara held her hands out for Shepard to take. "Come to bed." she simply said.
Shepard reached out, taking Liara's hands before feeling the asari help her to her feet. Nicole couldn't help but give this sly lopsided grin. Liara's cheeks darkened more than before as Shepard pulled her closer. Liara couldn't help but feel something within her rise to the occasion as she felt their bodies connect, Nicole's arms wrapping around her waist. "Bed, huh?" Shepard teased.
Liara's hands rested on Nicole's shoulders as she could feel her blood burning under her cheeks. "Do not tease." Liara attempted weakly. Shepard snorted a little as she leaned forward, their foreheads touching.
Liara looked up into Shepard's eyes bashfully, her heartbeat almost racing suddenly. Liara's hands slid up the merc's neck and jaw until her hands rested on both sides of Shepard's face. Shepard's eyes were giving her away, teasing within themselves before Liara pulled Shepard's face closer, their lips meeting once against.
The kiss was tender… For a mere moment before it deepened on Shepard's side. They couldn't help but press closer to each other as they both felt butterflies in their stomachs. Liara's arms wrapped around Nicole's shoulders, who, in turn, held more firmly onto the asari. This was not what Liara had originally thought would happen when she had woken up, but… she couldn't help but enjoy the results.
Shepard needed air though as she pulled away from Liara, her hands gripping onto the asari's hips as she pushed forward, careful not to be too rough, towards the bed. Liara's cheeks were on fire, feeling a sense of desire overtake her, feeling Shepard's lips on her neck next.
Liara's mind raced as her body acted on its own accord. Where was this going? She knew she was attracted to Nicole Shepard. Knew they had grown a lot closer over these past weeks. Knew she came to care a great deal for the human woman… And as the archeologist spun them both around, hearing an almost gleeful laugh come from Shepard as they tripped and nearly collapsed onto their little makeshift bed, Liara realized that, despite the dangers she was now involved in, she wouldn't trade any of it for the galaxy if it meant losing Shepard in the process.
As they both readjusted themselves onto the bed, Liara couldn't help but find a confidence she did not know she had as she straddled the merc's lap. Nicole couldn't help but be the one blushing this time as their mouths almost collided, Liara's hands grabbed onto the human's cheeks once more as Nicole's hands found Liara's sides.
Shepard's mind was spinning as well, unsure of where this was going, but finding herself feeling hot, like her blood was getting too warm for her body to handle. Suddenly Liara pulled away, almost panting for air, Shepard's lips were on her throat almost instantly.
Liara let out a less than innocent sound when Shepard bit down gently, yet firmly at the skin of Liara's throat. Blue hands clutched at Shepard's shoulder, having been totally caught off guard. If Nicole were to be honest she found herself a bit encouraged by the sound Liara had just made, her breath caught in her throat.
Shepard dared to scrunch up the shirt Liara was wearing, fingers barely brushing against the textured yet still soft and warm skin of Liara's back. Liara's breath hitched yet again as her cheeks turned a dark purple, as she could almost feel her eyes clouding over, suddenly feeling overwhelmed by what was happening. "W-wait." Liara suddenly stuttered as she quickly hid her face into Shepard's neck, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Shepard's fingers froze where they were as she removed her lips from Liara's neck. "You ok?" Shepard asked, sounding a little winded herself.
Liara's arms wrapped once more around Shepard's shoulders as she couldn't bear to remove her face from the warmth in the crook of Shepard's neck, knowing her mind had just tried to reach out to the human, her eyes having darkened over slightly. "Yes… I… I mean.." Liara stuttered, suddenly sounding nervous.
Shepard suddenly understood as she pulled back, lifting Liara's face gently with both hands. Liara silently thanked the Goddess her eyes had almost instantly recovered from what had nearly just happened. "Hey, it's ok. If this is too much, we can stop." Shepard said, her expression serious, yet gentle at the same time. Liara smiled shyly and nodded her head in response as she searched for words.
"Thank you." was all Liara could think to say. Shepard smiled once more as she shifted, kissing Liara's forehead once.
Shepard took a deep breath to recollect herself, having found herself a bit worked up from what had just happened. "I care too much about you, Li. I told you before I won't push anything you're not ready for." Shepard started before she finally glanced at the time on her omni-tool. "We should probably try for more sleep anyway." She chuckled as Liara carefully climbed off of Shepard's lap, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but grateful Nicole seemed to understand. "We'll be on the Arcturus in a few hours and I guess I have to go with Anderson." Shepard said rolling her eyes, but still looking amused.
Liara hummed her response but smiling all the while as she lied onto the bed, before pulling onto Nicole's arm to join her. Shepard chuckled some herself as she lied next to Liara, who snuggled up against Shepard.
Shepard pulled their blanket up over them before slipping her arm around Liara, burying her face into Liara's back before sighing contently. Shepard knew she was getting far too used to this new status between them. But she wouldn't give it up for anything.
Arcturus was huge. Not as big as the Citadel, but still bigger than Shepard would have guessed. She couldn't help but gawk around the station as Anderson led her to a sort of train station. Once they were settled in their seats and the small transport began to move Shepard couldn't help but wonder what this was all really about. "So why does this Admiral Hackett want to meet with me anyway?" Shepard asked.
Anderson, who sat in a seat across from her, regarded her for a moment. "He's taken some interest in you since you've joined the crew. Perhaps he would just like to meet you in person." Anderson suggested. It was the best answer he could give in the moment. Even he was a little surprised that Hackett wanted to meet the mercenary. Though he supposed someone with such hidden potential as Shepard would catch anyone's interest.
Shepard merely shrugged as the rest of the train ride went on in silence.
Once they reached their destination Hackett was already waiting. "Captain, good to see you again." The older man said as he shook hands with Anderson. Shepard watched the two, feeling entirely out of place. But Hackett looked... Well kind in a sense. Despite being some top ranking Alliance official. Yet the man looked like he had seen things in his career.
When Hackett turned to Nicole, he extended his hand towards her. "And you must be Nicole Shepard." he said with a polite smile as she reached out shaking his hand. His grip on her own was firm, his palms and fingers calloused with age, yet still oddly inviting. "I've been hearing a lot about you lately." he went on, but not sounding like this was necessarily a bad thing.
She gave him a professional smile and nod. "Ya, that's me." She started before they released hands. "Gotta say, I'm a bit confused as to why an Admiral would wanna meet me." She went on as he gave her a short chuckle.
He motioned towards a door, still all professionalism and friendliness, "Why don't we step into my office." He said as Shepard looked between Hackett and Anderson, still feeling out of place. Anderson just nodded his encouragement as Nicole shrugged and stepped towards the office door, quickly followed by the Admiral and Captain.
"Go ahead, have a seat." Hackett said, acting the friendly host despite his rank and file. Shepard just shrugged to herself as she took a seat on the little couch against one wall of the rather spacious office. Hackett went over to a little cabinet he had on the opposite wall as he began to pour some drinks. "I have to say, Shepard, I'm rather impressed with how you've handled this so far." He started as Anderson sat on the opposite end of the couch.
Shepard gained a look of thought as Hackett walked over, passing her and Anderson a small glass each. It looked like it contained alcohol, and while Shepard may have normally passed on it, she decided to play it cool and took the drink. "Well... if what's been learned is true we're all involved, like it or not..." Shepard started as she swirled the drink in her glass. "I've got things at stake too." She added for good measure before she took a careful sip of the contents.
Man did it burn her throat but it seemed smooth at the same time. She let out a small cough as she held her drink up a moment as if in thanks. Hackett just smiled with a nod. "Indeed." He started as he sat in a chair across from the couch. "Still, I have to ask. Have you ever been part of an opporation this big before?" He asked as Anderson just sat by quietly, enjoying a small sip from his own glass.
Shepard looked between the two before she decided she would need another sip herself before going forward with whatever this was. "No. Most of the work I've done is small time compared to this." She admitted. Hackett seemed to nod as he himself took a drink.
He regarded the woman as he looked curious. "I must admit, when Anderson told me you and your crew were on the Normandy I had my doubts. But it seems you have done well for yourself." He began. Shepard just eyed him, wondering where this was even going. "Your job on Feros and Virmire have been acceptional. Hell you even saved the Captain, for which I am personally thankful for." he went on.
She sat her glass down on the little table between the chair and couch. "I have to ask, what's this all about?" Shepard asked as she watched the Admiral closely. He gave her a short chuckle and a smile.
"Well, to be honest I wanted to see who was behind all of the current fuss. Most of the brass isn't too happy with mercs and other species being on an Alliance vessel, but I'm personally impressed." He began as he took to leaning back against his chair. Shepard perked a brow. "I'm wondering, would you be interested in joining the Alliance? We could use an officer with your skill." He said as she sighed and leaned back in her own seat.
"There it is..." she mumbled more to herself than anyone else. "Look, I'm flattered you want to sign me up but... I don't really want to be in the military. I like my life the way it is." She responded as politely as she could muster. She didn't really want to get into details with a man she just barely met.
Hackett gave an easy chuckle though. "Fair enough." he said. "Do you plan to see this mission through at least?" He questioned.
Shepard gave him a raised eyebrow. She wasn't entirely sure what was really happening but she decided to just play along. "I had a man die on Virmire..." She began, trying to carefully craft what her response would be. "I won't let his death be in vain. Yes, I plan to see this through." Shepard went on. She paused again though, looking deep in thought. "And I'm starting to think these Reapers are a real threat. I don't intend to let them whipe out the galaxy if I have any say in it." She went on, sounding more determined than even she expected.
Hackett nodded his head at her response. He looked to Anderson who looked back to Hackett, both regarding each other in silence. Shepard perked a brow once again wondering what was really going on, but kept quiet. At least for now. She figured she'd let this play out, see where it was really going before she jumped to conclusions.
"Just know," Hackett began again, "I'm both thankful and impressed by everything you've contributed so far. Keep up the good work." he finished as she just sat there feeling a little lost.
Ok I know... long wait once more on an update. Every time I make promises of quicker updates I can't seem to come through, so... No promises. Just know I'm not truly done with this. My life is just constantly busy and somewhat stressful. I also have a move coming up so... Even busier.
Until next time.
