Elysium. She's really here. She really gets to see dad soon.
And she's pretty sure she's currently experiencing a heart rate of 200 what-the-fuck's a minute.
Her stomach won't stop churning when the pilot announces their descent into the port, and cold sweat lines her temple. She solders onto her messages with Liara to help keep her mind off her apprehension, blessing the godsend that's toiling away like a factory to change all the horrible what ifs into moments of positivity instead. She doesn't even know why the hell she's thinking up bizarre crap, concocting some other version of dad that has never been.
Soon enough, she's being pinged for a vid-call and she accepts it without thought, her gaze soon riveted to the port window so that she won't seem so utterly pathetic. She melts into a little pitiful puddle upon hearing the serene and smooth voice wrap around her like a warm blanket.
"You're not wearing your uniform?" Liara asks out of the blue, her efforts ramping up to distract Jane derailing off to the random.
"No," Jane answers tersely. Her lips tug in a sheepish and apologetic smile over the chuckle on the line, mumbling. "S..sorry, doc."
"There is no need for apologies, I assure you. Why don't you tell me why you are not wearing your uniform?"
Bless her big blue—would it be blue or purple or neon freaking green?—fucking heart. Also do asari hearts look and work like human hearts? Jane is rapidly realizing that there is still so much she should have already learned by now. The least she could have done after all this damn time is at least to look up asari physiology for non-sexual purposes.
Holy fuck there's too much junk swarming her thoughts.
It's coming back to the topic Jane doesn't want to think about, but somehow, still wants to think about. She nearly ruffles her hair and groans aloud to vent this chaos out of her brain somehow, curling over her lap as she tucks her forearm by her side so that Liara won't see how absolutely pathetic she is right now. She tries to focus on the answer, to ignore this volatile vomit beating in her chest like a drum. She's a tough marine, dammit, and she needs to start shaping up into one.
"I wanna surprise him," she rasps, tugging her hood over her to shield her face next. "I wanna sneak up on him, bear hug him from behind, or... Or something. I have to wait until he's off-duty and follow him where he goes. He better go to a fucking bar. I need to slide that drink over to him, so that we can have a cool reunion. Then maybe we won't be ugly sobbing babies."
"Mm," Liara's laughter is throaty, her hums a purr straight to the heart. "I can see you being one. Do you expect him to, as well?"
A weak grin is wreathed from her. Jane manages to push herself back up in her seat as she rests her forearm on her lap, poking her tongue out at the vid-feed of Liara. "Where do you think I got my ugly tears from? Definitely not mom. She's colder than patrolling at Vostok Station in Antartica."
"Somehow I doubt that," Liara argues softly, a smile matching the tranquility easing into the call. "Will I get to see this 'ugly sobbing baby' reunion, by any chance?"
"There isn't going to be one," Jane insists.
There's more doubt screaming in those blue eyes.
"There isn't."
"I didn't say anything," Liara laughs, but that coy air about her is betrayed by all the subtleties in her expressions and body language.
That she still thinks she can get away with this, three years into their relationship, is commendable, but naively hopeful.
"After your reunion and his celebration for his promotion, will you be celebrating yours as well?" Liara inquires next, to keep the ball rolling on more hopeful imaginations of how all of this is to play out.
Jane thrusts her gaze out the port window though. "No. I'm... Hoping I can get by without telling him what rank I really am." Her eyes fall, downcast, idly plucking at imaginary pills of fabric on her slacks, before rubbing more sweaty palms into them. "It's taken him a long time to get to Rear Admiral now, but at my age, he was well into I think a year of being Lieutenant Commander. I'll only be a disappointment to him if he finds out I'm still a Lieutenant." Her brow furrows. "I just wanna make him proud, you know? Not ashamed."
There's a slight suck of breath on the other end of the line, and it renews Jane's anxiety. There aren't words rushing out to comfort. She doesn't expect them, not when it's so clearly fact.
"Oh," Liara says, finally, after a good length's time. "You are serious."
Jane's gaze lifts in confusion. "What?"
For a moment, Liara looks taken aback and puzzled as well, but then it suddenly all melts away with a soft laugh. The way she relaxes, propping her chin on her palm, smirking as if she's so clever and knows something, it... What is that doing, even? It's so hard to read her, as if she's teasing, but not. Her smile then beams with affection.
"Jane, please listen to me carefully. I am positive your father is going to be proud of everything you have achieved, and everything you are going to achieve. I'm certain he's already been witness to that, the day he told you that you've got power, deep inside."
Fuck. Is it too late to turn back? Reschedule for another flight and head straight for Thessia? Jane is burning in her seat now, though she's certain she must seem like an absolute fool, gaping slack-jawed. It's these moments, when Liara remembers the littlest details, that adds to the list of reasons as to why Jane needs to forego sleep so that she fucking jumps the sweet asari more often.
Dark thoughts still lurk in the corners of her mind, chastising and mocking the endearments for Liara not knowing dad at all, so what would she know? But the marine suffocates that serpentine voice, or tries to, curling over her lap for a new wave of apprehension recoiling through her, uncalled for.
"Jane..." Liara murmurs with concern.
Ugh. Exactly what the marine has been wanting to avoid, and she's almost tempted to just end the call, chalk it up to some interference. She threads her hands in her hair and sighs. "Sorry, hon. I was really hoping I'd stay cool, but I feel like I'm fucking on fire under the collar. Didn't think I'd be this big of a mess."
It's just dad. Why the hell is she this nervous?
"You still have nothing to apologize for," the asari coos tenderly. "Would you like me to book a flight to Elysium? I will not interfere with any plans, but perhaps I can... I would like to..." She sighs too. "I wish there was more I could do to help you and comfort you. If you're able to wait an hour, I can stop by the book store and pick up something to read for you."
Another reason tacked on the list.
"I'll be okay," Jane insists, more so for herself though. She forces herself to sit up as she beams a smile at the omni-tool. "Just talking with you like this is helping me a lot, hon, so don't beat yourself up, please. It's my head being my head. As soon as I land, I'll be better once I can get moving. There won't be time to think unless it's on my feet. And no rush on it, but I'd love for a reading tonight, if you're free."
"I am."
The resolve leaves little room for debate, with the way Liara fixates herself so firmly in her seat. It's adorable. It's another reason.
"I will be awake, so when you've checked in at your hotel and are free yourself, just call me. For now..."
There's momentary conflict. Liara's smile is a little terse, faltering, struggling. And then it seems like a brilliant idea has struck her, with the way she perks up in her seat. The amusement in her gaze has never changed since day one of not questioning humanity's taste in lyrics.
"How about 99 bottles?"
Jane grins. "99 bottles of beer on the wall..."
"Commencing subterfuge mission," Jane announces quietly as she pulls up her hoodie and wraps a scarf around her mouth, smirking when soft laughter resonates from her ear piece before she hooks it on. "I'll start the vid-call when I approach him so you can get your damn ugly tears. Don't say I never get you anything nice, hon."
"It will be the best gift I have ever gotten," Liara teases. "I can't wait. Do hurry up, will you?"
"I'm 'fraid you're gonna be waiting a bit, doc. Dad looks like he's still working." Jane saddles up against a wall and peeks around the corner, ignoring the looks of passerbys. She frowns and groans when he accepts a datapad from a marine and seems to be taking a report from them. "Come on, dad... It's been past 8 hours. Go fucking relax already. Don't tell me you like hall monitor duty?"
"The highlight of your careers," quips in her ear.
"Shush you," the marine cracks a laugh, a grin splitting involuntarily. She slips forward and blends in with the crowd, tailing her dad as soon as he marches off. She decides to have a bit of fun to ignore the nervousness swimming in her stomach again. "Never thought I'd be getting all my hacking and stalking practice in, on my family."
There's a sharp suck of breath, then, but otherwise silence on the line. Jane doesn't have much time to mull on her confusion when she's forced to pick up the pace, having forgotten that she's also stalking the king of brisk walkers, putting her to absolute shame. She weaves through bodies and tosses quick quiet apologies over her shoulder to those she bumps into, groaning again when dad ends up taking some really sketchy alleyways where it just feels like she's being watched, even when she's alone.
"Is my dad secretly a criminal overlord or something?" Jane grumbles. "Maybe he gambles to relax."
Then her heart slams at her throat with hope.
"Wait, wait, wait. Are we going to a seedy bar? Maybe there's a fight club."
"We? I feel like he would not agree to this joint activity," Liara points out with amusement, then chuckles. "Could you try not to be so excited over getting yourself in trouble?"
"You should know by now I am trouble, doc," Jane grins. She dives into another alley, picking up her pace when she's lost sight of her dad. "God damn, I forgot dad's walk is my run."
"Your walk is my run," the asari quips. "Now I know where you get it from."
"Should've seen my childhood, growing up," Jane sniggers. "Literally needed to be up within seconds as soon as the devil herself announced the morning like it's fucking roll call at boot camp. And-"
Upon turning the corner, Jane cusses, startled. Dad is right there.
And he's pissed.
She yelps and cries out when her arm is twisted, hailing all the fucks and ows as she's thrown onto the ground, on her stomach. She seethes more curses, her mind swallowed by chaos with Liara's concerns hissing through the feed thrown in the mix of a knee jamming into the marine's back.
"Fuck, ease up before you snap my arm in half!" Jane growls. "I'm sorry about what I said about mom, okay?! She's not the devil!"
A hand clutches the back of her head and pins her to the ground face first, her mouth smushing and her curses muffled. She tries to fight back, groaning when she feels cuffs slap on her wrist.
All the fight leaves her body, then.
She deadpans when dad rolls her around and rips down her scarf, his face still set in a snarl. And then his eyes widen with recognition.
"Yeah. Surpriiiiiise." Jane drawls boredly. "Fucking nice to see you too, dad. Is this your favorite hobby nowadays? Assaulting people in alleyways?"
Stunned, dad just gapes in disbelief.
Don't cry. Please don't cry.
"Jane, answer me!" Liara damn near yells, and Jane cringes at the volume as her head thrashes to the side, hissing.
Dad looks even more bewildered, then, reminding her that only she can hear the asari.
"Not so loud, fuck... You'll get your damn ugly tears, I promise." Jane casually rolls on her side, balancing precariously as she wiggles her fingers and engages her omni-tool. "Hey, dad, can you start a vid-call for me? I'm already on call with her, it's the same person so the connection should already be displayed. She wants to see us cry 'cause she's weird like that."
"I am not weird!" Liara protests vehemently, causing another bout of cringes. And then a fearful shudder over the dark promise. "We are going to have words about this later, Jane."
"Y-you're... Here?" Dad asks, his voice subtly quivering.
Glorious.
It's the same disbelief as the one that gripped Liara, and Jane smirks smugly with pride as she tries to look over her shoulder, ultimately falling harshly back on her hands. Her eyes start to burn when she hears Liara's sharp inhale, and the silence following it in solidarity—in knowing and feeling. Jane tries to hold on, to push away and stave the burn from spilling out. She beams a grin at dad as she rolls back on her side for another precious second, to wiggle her fingers again.
"Mind taking these cuffs off, already?"
"You're really here," dad parrots again. "What... Are you...?"
"Yeah, I'm really here, look you'll know it for sure as soon as you take these fucking things off so we can hug it out."
Another protest with a roll on her side, and then she's back to muffling curses in the ground when a mischievous hand shoves her on the back to roll her on her stomach. Her wrists are freed, and she immediately clambers on her back to start transferring the audio feed into a vid-call. She holds up her forearm and solders onto Liara as a distraction from the burning, intending to throw the asari under the bus by introducing her to dad.
And she chokes up, falling apart when dad pulls her in for a bruising hug, needing to tap his elbows for him to ease up.
"Why would you expect me to react any differently?" Dad huffs, accepting the drink sliding down the bar as practiced—and failed—numerous times. He knocks back the shot and coughs from the burn, coughing even more with a hearty slap on his back from Jane, who beams with pride for her old man.
She wisely doesn't challenge the very valid point he makes, knowing she'll be hearing it from yet another smartass again later too.
"You're dressed suspiciously," he continues making more valid points, unfortunately. "And I heard you talking to somebody. I assessed the situation and you clearly presented yourself as a threat," he gestures to her all-black ensemble, playfully tugging the scarf up over her face as he did. "And on top of all that, considering how your mother has even actually kept this a secret from me-"
"Wait, really? She didn't hint anything at all, not even by accident?"
Dad nods.
"Holy shit," Jane breathes incredulously. "She should get a fucking medal for that, for sure."
"I know, right?" His deep laughter rumbles the way she remembers, and her eyes are doing that stupid burning shit again. She diverts her focus to her shot glass, but can't stop herself from smiling so stupidly. It's nice to see dad be struggling with holding onto composure, an example she hopes she'll always live up to—that no matter what rank she'll be, she's human first and foremost.
There's a time and place for discipline, and it sure as hell isn't going to be here tonight.
"So... What's been new, kiddo?" Dad leans over to bump shoulders, his graying red brow arching with intrigue as he grins knowingly. "And by new, I mean that asari friend who is clearly not only a friend."
"Her freaking out and disconnecting before the introduction gave her away huh?" Jane laughs—she can't wait to poke and tease and goad some menacing not-actual-threats.
He seems thoughtful, for a moment. He looks into his shot glass when the vodka pours, humming, shrugging. "No. I knew even before that."
"What, really? How?"
Dad knocks back the shot, giving a brief laugh as he wipes his lips after. Mirth dances in his tired eyes, his crow's feet more pronounced with the way he smiles at her. "Just the way you two look and talk to each other. Reminds me of your mother and I, back when we were young and in love."
"You're still young and in love, dad," Jane blurts, her gut twisting and wrenching when she feels even the slightest hints of melancholy, of troubles from the past. She's witnessed every struggle.
His gaze seems distant, then. Sad, even when he gives another brief laugh. He takes the vodka bottle and pours himself his shot.
"Whatever you do, I hope you don't make the same mistakes I did, kiddo. Don't let work be your love, okay?" He takes her shot glass and pours one for her, sliding it down the bar with the same failure that she had, with it sloshing all out. "So why don't you tell me about her? What's her name, and what does she do for a living?"
Oh, here we go. The grilling begins. Jane smirks and drops the most shocking bombshell.
"For starters, she's not military."
Silence.
Tick tock.
"...Oh." Dad nods to that, for some reason. He seems to have to come to terms with it.
Jane struggles not to laugh, that the most major bombshell is because Liara isn't a soldier, rather than not being a human or a male to continue the military family lineage.
"T-that's... That's okay, then," he mumbles. "It's okay. I kind of... Already knew you wouldn't want... Well. Another military partner. So it's okay. Yeah."
He's trying to convince himself. Glorious. She's expected it, though, with how much dad loves to hold onto even the smallest traditions, and how proud he is to serve in the Alliance. When he seems ready to hear more, the dam breaks and Jane—who adamantly vowed to herself that she wouldn't—ends up gushing to the point she's gulping for breaths in between.
"Her name is Liara T'Soni. Doctor Liara T'Soni, actually. She's a really fucking smart scientist, an archaeologist who specializes in the protheans. She's been the one publishing those papers and theories that there's been an event that's caused them to go extinct, but she's still trying to find out what that event is, exactly."
Dad looks over, intrigued and curious, his brow arching. "How and when did you meet her?"
"I uh... Remember my first assignment? That research patrol I signed up for, the one you and mom said was bogus with what the Alliance was trying to do? That patrol is where I met her."
There seems to be some memory searching, and Jane grins as she pokes with her elbow.
"What's wrong, old man? Alzheimers?"
"No," he chuckles with a shake of his head. "No, I remember. I think."
"Uh huh."
"I do."
"Yeah, that's a hard nope." Jane shrugs as she knocks back her shot glass, her awareness chipping away as the world gradually sways and swims. "Well, anyways, that's where I met her. One of these days, whenever you and mom are ready to and get shore leave for it, I'd like for you to meet her. I really care about her. I think both of you will like her, even if she isn't a soldier."
A weathered hand falls firm on her shoulder, squeezing heartily. "If she makes you happy, kiddo, and as long as you're happy making her happy, then I'm happy."
"Yep. We're drunk," Jane laughs, grinning when he does too.
"Well... I need to turn in. Can't work with a hangover, won't look good. Let's carry on tomorrow, hm?" Another squeeze. "Do you have a place to stay? Do you need credits?"
"Nah, I've booked a hotel. I'm all grown up now, can ya believe it?"
Dad just stares at her, for some reason, with this blank look. Then there's a sheen glossing over his eyes, and she cusses.
Because she needs to tap elbows again, contradicting herself as they both turn into pitiful babies once more.
"Are you drunk?" Liara inquires with a chuckle, looking thoroughly amused—and ravishing—on the vid-call.
Jane flails assertively on the bed, though her mind is a touch delayed in realizing that perhaps she shouldn't quite be so assertive with this.
"Yep! Got to slide the drink to my dad. Took us, like, eleven tries, maybe? To do it without spilling or the glass toppling over. We worked on a bottle—think we got..." Her brow pinches, concentrating. She shrugs, her memory too foggy. "Maybe halfway. Lightweights, we are. Been a while since I've drank, probably the same for him too. Was real nice to hang out and just chat with him again though. We caught up with what's new with him first, before it was my turn. First thing he asked before anything else was more about you." She lazily rolls on her stomach, propping her lazy grin on her palm as she beams at Liara. "He says he already knew we aren't just friends before y'ran away."
Another flail. Another chuckle from the archaeologist's end.
"Goddess, I've clearly been missing out. Next shore leave, I am getting you a bottle."
"Don't need to get me drunk just to get me in bed, hon," Jane teases. She smirks devilishly upon noting the striking burgundy flushing her lover's face. "You know I'm ready to go commando any time."
Liara rolls her eyes despite her fierce blush. "So... How did he know we aren't 'just friends'?"
"Said it's how we look and talk to each other." Jane rolls on her back, hovering her forearm above her head as she peers up with hope. "He said it reminded him how he used to be with mom."
"...Used to be?" Liara frowns softly with concern. "Your parents are not in love with each other anymore?"
Something is being screamed at, between the lines, but the lines are fucking blurry as shit for Jane right now. She can't quite grasp the words. A pang of sorrow clouds her mind next and she gives a sort of half-shrug, forcing a smile, but the melancholy of it all takes it away.
"They're still together. They work really well if it's, well, work. Or-" she rolls her eyes "-parenting. But... Not in love anymore, no. They still love and care for each other, if that makes sense. They've lost their spark over the years—it faded when the distance and silence drew too long. It took me a long time to come to terms with it back when I was a teenager, but I know now it's neither of their faults. It's hard, yeah. How can you express love for someone who isn't there to receive it? I used to think: well, fix it! Do what you need to, to be together! I'm finding out now—with the Alliance, with you—it's not that simple. But I promise that won't ever happen to us. I've watched it happen to them, and I felt it, and I learned from it. I'm always going to be here to express and receive. And I'm always going to yell it real loud to make sure it's heard."
That something is screaming louder, rattling the cage. She flops on her stomach as she grins lazily at the vid-call. "I've never said it before, but I hope you already know that I love you, hon. I'll try to say it more often. I don't know why I haven't been... Growing up, it's not something we really said—not that we didn't love each other. We always showed it. So... So yeah! I hope I've at least been showing it, real loud, to make sure it's felt."
For some reason, Liara is just staring, blank face. Surely the words exist, translated across, if the asari has said she's loved things or places. Maybe she doesn't love back? Is it an asari taboo to say that shit or something? Jane feels a touch bit more sober, thanks to anxiety. She props up on her elbows and really focuses on the swaying screen.
"Doc, say something. Did I just break you? Do you want me to take it back? I can totally take it back. I fucking hate you with all my heart, yeah. Is that better?"
Those blue orbs widen as if taken aback, shocked, and then suddenly peals of laughter has Jane holding her arm out farther away from her. When the storm calms, she braves a look, where Liara is resting her chin on her palm the way she always does whenever she's highly amused by something, her smile more obvious than it usually is.
"Don't take it back, please," Liara chimes sweetly, her smile quirking into a smirk. "I have always known. You have made it impossible not to feel it, but it is nice to hear. I love you too, Jane."
There's a sudden lightheartedness, a dizzying swim wrapping around her head. It's an awesome feeling, one Jane doesn't hide as she beams a proud grin, settling in a newfound endearment with ease. "Happy anniversary, love." She crashes on her back, mirth bubbling in her chest. "It's nice to say it, too. Wish I'd have done this way sooner. I'll make up for it though, yeah. I'll say it everyday for years to come." She shimmies upwards to the inordinate amount of pillows at the headrest, slinging her forearm over her stomach as she looks down at the vid-call, groaning when she catches a quick wipe of the eye. Then hers start to burn. "Fuck, wait, love. No. I can't. Not again."
"It is inevitable, I feel," Liara chuckles hoarsely, her composure and tone cracking. Her graceful poise chipped away by the passage of seconds as the weight of realization burrows deeper within. "What was that about giving me something nice, earlier?"
"I cried with dad again at the bar, the whole colony's probably gossiping and making fun of him behind his back now. I can't be a baby. Three times is too much. C'mon. Don't do this to me."
"I'm doing it to you. Let's ugly cry happy tears together," Liara laughs, her nose wriggling and face contorting as she tries to stall her tears.
As soon as one slips out Jane groans, pulling a pillow out from beneath her, her yell deduced to a warbling choke. "I'm a tough marine, dammit!"
"The toughest there will ever be," Liara hums. Her tone warms with affection, a calming smoothness to her words that cements Jane's new legacy to be the best baby there will ever be. "I love you with all my heart, Jane. No matter what will happen, no matter where life takes us, that will never change for as long as I live. Our spark will never die."
Sounds of pages flicker, of a book spine thudding softly against the table. Jane sucks in harsh breaths, stealing some away from the pillow before she suffocates, only to drown in this overwhelming feeling now crashing down on her. A new rumbling wave overtakes her when Liara starts to read a very familiar book to her, of mineral classifications—the one she once bullshitted and lied that she found something funny about, while Jane swam in a tub made for elephants.
Three years of this, and counting. The dream she once said she wishes she'd never wake up from has cemented itself as a reality. The galaxy's most intelligent and graceful scientist is in love with her—her! Of all people! She doesn't know what she's done to be so lucky and deserving. Dad's words are engraved into memory, just like all the times he's empowered her.
Don't let work be her love. Yeah, easy.
It can't even hope to fucking compete.
Peace is such a nice thing to wake up to. Birds are singing, the sunlight gently warming Jane's face.
And there's already a barrage of messages from dad.
0-7 Rear Admiral Shepard: HOW ARE YOU NOT UP YET? Call me when you are. You better have packed your uniform, kiddo, because you're going to be working.
It's fucking shore leave! He's the one that's supposed to be working, not her!
Jane reluctantly engages her omni-tool, but she's soaking in every single precious second in bed right now. She looks beside her, her heart sinking a little. She's gotten used to waking up in comfy beds beside Liara.
Also such a nice thing to wake up to.
She groans and rolls on her stomach, initiating a call... But with Liara instead of dad. She huffs when the asari answers almost immediately, looking like she's well in her day.
"Are you people even fucking normal?" Jane accuses. "Who gets up this early on their day off? I'm on shore leave, damn! I should be sleeping in 'til noon..."
Liara smiles, confused, and she seems to struggle with what to say. She shakes her head with a small laugh. "I take it that your father wants you to work with him?"
"Yeah! What's up with that? I should be freaking relaxing, man... What a slave driver."
"Well, are you going to?"
Jane blows a raspberry with a shrug. "Course I will." She chuckles a little then. "He'll just be a shit and pull rank on me if I don't, for laughs."
"You are making so much more sense to me now, being witness to all of this," Liara teases. "It seems there are many traditions running in your family." The view swivels and pans off more to the kitchen rather than her face, showing some cookware handles as sizzling accompanies her voice. "I have another gift to ask for, if you'll indulge me. Could you take and send me a picture of you and him?"
"Oh... Hey that's a good idea, yeah. Oooh you know what I'll do, to mess with him? Revenge for messing with me, too."
"I see the tradition is faithfully carried on," Liara laughs in the background, flipping whatever she's cooking and making the marine's mouth water for it.
"Shush, you," Jane grins. "Anyways, I'll ask him if we can salute for the picture, yeah? But you know what I'll do? Guess."
"...Not salute?"
"No, no, I will. Guess aga—ah fuck it. So, you know, we're pretty hardcore about saluting properly. So-"
"You won't salute properly?"
"Why'd you steal my thunder? But yeah!"
Liara groans. "You asked me to guess."
"Yeah, anyways-" Jane grins when she hears the asari mimic her response at the same time, a reaction already predicted. It gets her excited and burning every single time.
Another reason tacked on the list.
"What I'll do is like instead of a 45 degree angle with my forearm, I'll have it lower, so that my hand is positioned just slightly below my brow. Touch my eyelid instead."
"Do you really think he will notice?"
"Oh my god yeah," Jane cackles heinously over it all. "Like, as soon as he sees the picture. I'm willing to bet all my credits on it."
Almost as if the devil himself knows he is being talked about, there's a buzzing ping and a notification flitting up on the screen that dad has sent her another message. She groans as she opens her inbox, soldering onto the comforting sounds coming through the line as another strange wave of anxiety recoils through her stomach.
0-7 Rear Admiral Shepard: HEY.
Jane huffs and rolls her eyes. "Jesus, dad. You really need to take some shore leave so you can remember what the fuck it's actually used for."
Gentle chuckles rumble through, and she sighs as she swings her legs over the edge of the bed, crawling out. She heads over to the balcony to soak in some more sunlight, warming her body, stretching her arms above her head. She smirks when she hears a sharp inhale through the feed, glancing up at her omni-tool above her head.
"Nice view," she murmurs, playing it off as if she's talking to the expansive city outside her window. She drops her arm, satisfied to sneak in a little tease of her own, for revenge with all that delicious looking food being prepared. She heads over to open her carrier to find her uniform stashed at the bottom, getting ready for the day. "Alright, love. I better call my old man before he has an aneurysm, thinking I'm still asleep."
"You may want to wash up in the bathroom so you do not look as though you have just rolled out of bed," Liara teases.
"My hair's that bad, huh?" Jane chuckles, heading over to check in the mirror after she tugs her shirt on. Her bun is half undone and nearly sitting on the side of her head. "Ooff, that's rough."
"It's my favorite part to wake up to in the morning," the asari chimes in with a mischievous chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah." Jane heads back to grab her brush from her luggage, pulling out the elastic as she starts to make herself more presentable. She sticks out her tongue at her lover. "Let me know if you're free toni-"
"I am."
Another reason. The list is going to turn into lists at this rate.
"I'll call you again tonight then, if dad doesn't drive me insane and turn me into some frothing madwoman wearing a straitjacket instead of a uniform. He doesn't like 99 bottles."
"Oh, how dare he?" Liara quips sarcastically. "He's weird."
"I know, right?! Super weird. Anyways. Love you, hon. Can't wait to see you again tonight."
Liara gives a small wave, her lips immediately curled in a smile as her face lights up. Yeah. It's definitely worth it to make the words a new hobby.
"Love you too. Have fun, Jane."
"Mm, so much fun," Jane chuckles, disconnecting the call. She doesn't start the one with dad until she's in her full uniform, her hair meeting god-awful impossibly perfect standards as she wets her fingers by the sink to glide any stray split-hairs in. She'll gel it after the call, to spare herself from any grouching during whatever work dad has lined up for her now.
Knocks alarm her, and she heads over to her door, trying to remember if she's ordered any of the services. She peers through the hole and her mouth drops in surprise, ripping the door open as quickly as possible.
"D..dad? What the hell are you doing here?"
"Came to drag your ass out of bed," he grumbles, crossing his arms. His gaze combs over her uniform and he nods with approval. "Good enough. You can gel your hair on the way there."
"H-how the fuck did you even find out I'm staying here?!"
"What?" He laughs as he briskly turns to take lead, leaving her to scramble for her hotel keys to lock up. "I've been working on my hacking."
Somewhere in the galaxy, there's an asari wishing she'd be witness to this.