Shepard Stories Chapter 9: Danger, a mass effect fanfic

Shepard Stories - Chapter 9: Danger

Main Characters: Liara, Shepard, and Miranda

Liara woke in the middle of the night at 0100 hours to find Shepard not there. She rose from the bed and peered into the darkness of her moonlit room and softly called out "Jon?" When she didn't receive an answer, she looked toward the bathroom to see no light on. Her eyes darted throughout her dark loft as her eyes scanned the room with no sight of him. She furrowed her brow markings then heard soft footsteps coming up the stairs and said "Jon?"

Shepard answered back, "Yes?"

She released a breath as she relaxed, "I was worried for a moment. Where'd you go?"

"I got up to pee and was thirsty. So, I went for some water." He carefully placed his water on the nightstand then crawled over and kissed her lips. "You were worried?"

"Yes, it's late, and you weren't here." She said as her eyes begin to tear up.

He kissed her lips and gently responded, "Lia, why are you crying?"

She sniffled then said, "You're leaving me just as I'm starting to get used to being near you again."

He gently ran his hand down her face "You're my soon to be wife." then began kissing down her neck "I'll always do everything in my power to come back to you."

She ran her hand up the back of his neck, "I know Jon. I'm just going to miss you. What happens after all this is all over?"

He kissed down her chest. "Well… We get married." He gently kissed her perky blue breast then gently sucked on her nipple."

She moaned softly, "Mmmm and?"

He kissed her stomach as he glided his fingers down to rub her blue pearl. "And we'll also get bonded."

Her breath skipped as she moaned. "Mmmhmmm...?"

He kissed her hips as he slid his fingers into her wet sex. "And I'll try to make love to you every day".

She licked her lips as words became breathy "Mmmm...yesss... and.."

"And this." He shifted his body between her legs as he spread her legs wider. He leaned down and began to suck on her clit as he fingered her then sent light biotic pulses up her.

Liara quickly grabbed the sheets as she arched her back and moaned. "Oh, goddess above I love when you do that!"

After a moment, she pulled him up, "Mmm come here and let me taste me on your lips."

He kissed her then sucked on her bottom lip "mmm I love it when you talk like that."

She smiled as she slowly shimmered her hands up his sides, "I know. Now I want to be on top."

He smiled and rolled on to his back, pulling her on top. "Mmm"

She straddled his sides then reached down and let out a long breathy moan when she slid him into her. She tossed her head back moaning as she rocked back and forth and rubbed her clit against him. "nMmm..."

He shimmered his hands up her thighs and closed his eyes as he moaned. "Oh, yesss Liara."

She placed her hands on his chest as she continued to slide up and down his hard penis. Breathing heavier, she said "Tell me what else?"

He bit his lip then said, "Mmm, I want lots of blue babies."

She stopped and looked down at him. "You what?"

He sat up and kissed her. "You heard me. You also stopped you, bad girl."

Smiling devilishly, "Mmm you going to spank me?"

"Oooh, more than that. Turn around and get on your knees."

She removed herself from him and got on her hands and knees. He looked her sexy blue body over as he shimmered his hand over her rear then slapped it.

She looked back at him as she moaned "nMmm"

He smiled, "Spread your knees apart, lean down, butt up." He slid his hands over her butt then grabbed her hips and pushed himself deep into her wetness. He gently began kneading one of her erogenous zones as he moved in and out of her.

Liara gripped the sheets and let out a long moan. "Oooh! goddess...yesss"

"You like it when I do that? How about this" He rubbed both of her erogenous zones at the same time.

Breathing and moaning rapidly she barely let out. "Yess…." Her eyes blackened as her moans got louder "... goddess... Jon... " She dove into his mind eagerly. He felt her barely hanging on, and she felt him at his brink. He sent her his love and the desire he has for her. It sent her over the edge, and he followed her into it. After the release, they slowly fell back into each other.

He leaned down and kissed her back then laid down beside her. "I love you."

She slid down on her stomach, "I love you too." She moved over and draped herself on half of his body then kissed his neck. "Jon?"

"Hmmm?"

She ran her fingers through the hair on his chest "Did you mean what you said about lots of blue babies?"

He kissed her crest. "I sure did. I want as many as I can get."

She raised a brow marking quickly "Mmhmm." (We'll see about that.)

He pinched his brows then said. "What do you mean by that?"

"Huh? I didn't say anything..."

"Yes, you did. You said, "We'll see about that..."

Liara propped herself up on her elbow as she said "No, I didn't."

"Yes, you did Lia. I heard you plain as day."

"No, I mean, I didn't say it. I thought it!"

Shepard furrowed his forehead. "Are we stuck in our meld still?"

She shook her head, "I don't think so but possibly. It could be something else..."

He pinched his brows, "What?"

"You have nanites in your body. Your sister said something about them being unpredictable. She mentioned mind capabilities depend on the person. I'm wondering if our resent deep melding is causing this. When you talk to your sister, ask her about this."

He huffed. "I'm not asking Katie about Asari sex melds. Let's just get some sleep and see if it's there in the morning."

Shepard woke and hit the time on his omni tool. 0840. "Damn!" He slid out from under Liara slowly then headed to the bathroom to relieve himself. After he came out, he quickly grabbed his underwear, put them on as he looked around for the rest of his clothes. "Lia?" He looked over at her as she stirred in the bed. "Liara?"

She grunted, "Hmm?"

Shepard put on his pants and his shirt. (Damn it woman get up!)

Irritated she replied in a tone "I'm up Jon! Why are you yelling at me?" Turning and sitting up in bed. She looked at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

His eyes were wide, and his mouth was gaping open. (Liara?)

"What?" Her mouth dropped open. "Wait...You didn't say that aloud."

"Liara hurry up and get dressed. I need to call Katie."

—-

Message to Katie: Hey Kat, I need to talk to you. Secured. Have a minute? Call me back. Info sent. -Jon Jon

—-

Message from Kathleen Shepard: Jon Jon! Hey! Give me five! -Kat

—-

Kathleen was Shepard's younger sister. Who had brown curly hair and hazel eyes and was smiling from ear to ear when she appeared on screen. Shepard smiled as he said, "Hey Katie!"

She replied excitedly, "Jon-Jon! Oh, my goodness I can't believe it! So amazing! I was so freaked out about it."

"I know Mom told me," He replied

"Look at you..." Her smile faded when she noticed the red streaking on his face. "And what the hell is with your face? You look like Alex!" then pointed to Liara "... and who is that?"

He rolled his eyes, "Ugh you sound just like Mom! I'm working on getting that fixed." He looked at Liara then back at her "Oh, I'm sorry Kat this is my fiancé Dr. Liara T'Soni."

Liara slid more into view, smiled as she gave a small wave then said "Hello."

"Lia, this is my sister Kathleen."

Kathleen glanced at Liara then back at her brother, "An asari…hmm." She said then thought for a brief moment then smiled "Nice… choice brother, venturing outside humans. It's… delightful. Isn't it?"

Shepard cocked his head at his sister's odd choice of words. She smiled again and said "Yes, yes I have." Then took a sip of her coffee. "Are you calling for my approval? Because I think she is gorgeous. When do I get to meet her in person?"

Liara turned a darker shade of blue, "Thank you."

Shepard shook his head "No, I'm not calling for approval and… um Thank you but ummm." He said then scratched the back of his neck. "I have to ask you something about the nanites."

Her eyes flashed, and she quickly said "What happened! I knew it! I told Alex... but noooo—"

He waved his hand rapidly in front of the screen, "Kat calm down. I have a question, is all."

She sat back in her chair then said "Oh! Ok well, what's the question?"

He nervously took a breath. "Ok Ummm well it's…It's kind of... ya know... ummm see...err... we..."

She cocked her head and scrunched her face as she watched him stumble over his words. "Ugh, Jon just spit it out."

"I'm trying Katie; it's just difficult to explain."

Liara shook her head then said. "I'll ask her. Ok, so with your nanite subjects that had these so-called extensive mind capabilities were they Asari or all types of subjects?"

Kathleen pinched her lips to the side "The majority of them were Asari, yes. How'd you know that?"

"Ok, well that explains part of it. And the others?" Liara asked.

"The other subjects were random species and were mildly affected and only temporarily," replied Kathleen.

Liara nodded, "Interesting. Do you know if they have or had Asari partners?"

She cupped her hand around her chin as she thought for a moment. "Hmm, No, not sure about their partners." She sat for a moment processing what Liara had just said then her eyes widened. "Ooooh! Oooh!" Katie quickly grabbed a pad and wrote down a few notes as she said, "Sexual Melding causing temporary telekinesis and or telepathy." She brought her hand to her mouth as she gasped. "That explains a lot. Yes, I can't believe we didn't think of that." She bumped the heel of her hand to her forehead. "Ugh, I feel so dumb."

"Ok, you said temporary, so not permanent?" replied Liara.

"Correct not permanent per se, three to four days maybe. Technically it would renew at every deep meld. It's almost as if the nanites pick up on the meld and hung on to it. The difference here is, you two are in a relationship and are not a one-night stand. So, your link is going to be continuous. As you probably know Liara, with Asari, pure deep sexual melds with the same partner, the more it happens, the more you absorb of one another."

She glanced over at her brother and noticed he had a look of confusion on his face. "In other words, Jon, during your deep melds it's like you two are on a road facing each other and the information is flowing back and forth. You see her, she sees you, and in that time you two are one person. During that time the nanites trap you two, as a whole for "X" amount of time. When it's pure, it's almost as if you're unlocking your souls; you give your partner all of you. Even without the nanites, in that pure of a meld, you could learn her biotic moves and or her language via deep continuous melds. So, who knows what these nanites are fully capable of. As I told Alex, there are infinite possibilities as to what they can do."

"I see, and yes, she's right about the pure melding. Ours didn't happen on a regular deep meld only after a few pure melds."

"It's different for everyone," responded Kathleen

"How far do you think the link reaches?" asked Liara

Kathleen raised her brows, "Oh! Good question. I guess you'll have to find out and let me know!"

Shepard stepped in "Thanks, Katie! I appreciate the info and talking to you, but I have to get to work. Love you. Bye" he said then ended the transmission.

Shepard sat there for a moment and just looked at Liara. "Holy hell, Liara! I love you, and I love our melds but you in my head twenty-four seven. I don't know if I can handle that." he said as he shook his head.

She furrowed her brow then quickly brought her hand to her chest as she said. "Ouch, Jon!"

He shook his head slightly "Babe, You're on my mind all day but in my head? That could be highly distracting."

She giggled, "No, I know what you mean. We'll have to figure this out."

"Damn it, why now? Why didn't this happen the other day?"

She shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe it's because you unshielded your mind and let me completely in. Thus, being a pure meld but I guess it could have happened at any time." She quickly raised her brow markings "Oh... maybe we can shield each other out like we can memories?"

He nodded, "Ok ok ummm let's try." Then they just sat there looking at each over. "Ready, go." A moment or two passes with nothing then he said, "I got nothing,"

"Me too! Well at least we know we can shut the link down." She said smiling "So now I can tell you I love you whenever I want." she said then kissed him.

He smiled and kissed her back then looked at his Omni tool time. "Shit Liara, it's 0915. I have to go but I'll be back as soon as I can be."

"Me as well." She held him for a long moment then kissed him. "Let me know when you'll be headed back."

He kissed her then said, "I will."

Shepard had been gone for several months recruiting members for his crew and completing missions during his search. After much needed downtime he returned to Illium. As his ship touched down, he tapped at his omni-tool to message Liara.

Message to Liara: Hey babe, I just landed. I should be there in thirty minutes or so.

Message from Liara T'Soni: Can't wait. I'll see you soon!

Tela Vasir was an asari Spectre that just exited an elevator and made her way into a stairwell leading to the roof of a building adjacent to Liara's with a large case gripped in her hand. As she approached the top of the stairs, she tapped at her omni tool and pulled up the encrypted message from the Shadow broker and it simply said Eliminate Liara T'Soni. The rays of sun hit her face and she instantly squinted her eyes as she exited the stairwell and walked over to the half wall that surrounded the edge of the building. Small bits of debris where on the ledge and she swiped it away just before she set her rifle case on it then said, "This should be easy." Her hand ran down the top of the case until it found a groove; that popped a small makeshift stool out then set it on the ground.

Tela looked at the building across the way then tapped at her omni-tool and opened the map schematics and said "Ok Liara, you should be straight across on floor… doo da doo… eighteen but let's take a look. She popped the locks on the case, lifted the lid and pulled out each piece of her M-97 Viper sniper rifle and assembled it then set the case on the ground. She propped the sniper on the bipod then looked through the scope. "There you are and naked as a jay bird." She gently hovered her finger over the trigger then noticed a slight shimmer to the window. "Damn, kinetic barrier." She grumbled.

She let out a breath as she sat back and thought for a moment then said, "That's highly problematic." Her brow markings popped up as she snapped her fingers "Ahh. Warp ammo should break through that barrier." Then bent down and lifted the lid to her case and popped open a compartment of nicely aligned specialized ammo. Her fingers swirled together for a moment as she looked over the ammo then grabbed what she needed. She switched out her magazines then flipped her rifle ammo output from single shot to semi-auto and let out a breath, "No longer a simple precision shot as it's going to take several bullets to break that barrier and you only have twelve shots." She looked back through the scope and noticed a familiar walking through Liara's door and grunted "Oh you've got to be kidding me. Commander Shepard? Really? Fuck! If I don't try now, then I might not get another chance. Ugh fuck it."

Liara looked up when she heard her doorbell ring. She quickly slipped into her skimpy black dress and called out from upstairs "Kirre that should be Shepard can you grab the door!" then slid her high heels on and hurried downstairs to meet Shepard in the living room. She walked over to him quickly then kissed him deeply and hugged him tight. "Goddess, I missed you, my love."

Shepard's eyes followed her as she walked down the stairs and over to him. "Wow, Look at you!" He said as he waggled his eyebrows.

Liara stepped back and shimmered her hands down her sides as she seductively swayed her body "MMmm just for you baby" she said as she smiled then called out "V.I opaque my windows, please."

He smiled broadly as he looked her over "You…look so yummy babe."

Liara giggled as she turned a darker shade of blue "Not yet but definitely later. Wine?" she said as she turned and walked toward the kitchen then flinched when she heard several pops against her living room window. "What the hell was that?"

Shepard shook his head "I don't know." Then several more pops hit the window and suddenly he was spun around when a bullet hit his kinetic barrier.

Liara turned quickly as she frantically cried out, "Jon!"

He bolted up from the ground and darted over toward Liara and yelled "Liara get down!" As he pushed her out of the way the second bullet shattered his kinetic barrier and connected with his body and the third pierced right through him.

Liara picked herself up slightly from the ground, and in a panic, she turned toward Shepard to see him lying face down with crimson blood oozing on to the floor. She screamed. "Noooo no no noooo! Jon!" She crawled to cover then bioticly pulled him to her. She rolled him over on his back. "Please...please goddess..." She ran her hand down his face "Jon, look at me!" She looked up then frantically yelled "Shandri, I need lots of medi gel now! I also need a medical transport! Kirre call Miranda and Dr. Chakwas! Get someone here now!" she demanded.

Shepard looked at her trying to speak but was unable to. He tried to talk to her through their mind link, but he'd been gone too long, instead, he just coughed out blood.

Tears streamed down Liara's face as she gently said. "I know love, I've got you." He nodded at her and closed his eyes. "Jon, don't you dare close your eyes on me." She said as she held pressure over the bullet wounds. "Stay with me, my love… Please!" She scrunched her face as she saw the color in his face beginning to fade. "No, don't you dare leave me! Shandri, I need that medi gel!"

Shandri ran over to Liara with the medi gel in her hands. "I'll do the back wounds first; lift him, Liara." She knelt down and squeezed medi gel in both his wounds on his back. "Ok, lay him back down." She squeezed another tube of medi gel in his chest and shoulder wound.

Liara gently ran her hand down his face. "There you go, my love…Does that feel better?" He just grunted at her. She could hear his bubbling breaths start to slow. She wiped the blood from his mouth and kissed his forehead.

He gripped her hand tightly as he scrunched his face. She looked into his eyes as she cried and pleaded, "Hold on…. Please… " Liara watched her lover's eyes lids start to blink slower and slower as his life slipped away. She looked up and yelled "Where's my damn medical transport!"

"Everyone is on their way Mistress," replied Kirre.

Liara felt the grip of his hand release slightly. She looked down to see his eyes closing and barely breathing. He looked at her as he softly gasped out his last breaths then his eyes closed. Her face scrunched as she sobbed uncontrollably and in a pleading voice "Nooo no no no… please nooo..."

Shandri quickly checked Shepard's neck for a pulse, and when she didn't find one began compressions on his chest.

Miranda was in the apartment complex a few floors up with Alex when she received the distress call and was the first to arrive on scene. She rapped on the door and yelled "It's Miranda, open up!"

When Miranda entered the apartment, she instantly looked toward the holes in the window then the bullet direction and saw Shepard laying in a pool of blood, "Bloody hell!" she said then ran over to Shepard and asked Shandri "How long have you been doing compressions?"

Shandri shrugged, "I'm not sure. Not long I suppose."

"Let me take over!" She said then began mouth to mouth then followed with compressions on his chest. As she was doing compressions, she looked over at Liara "Talk to me Liara; when did he stop breathing? Liara, when did he stop breathing?"

Miranda shook her head when Liara didn't respond and seemed to just be staring at the blood on her hands then said, "Shandri she's going into shock! Keep an eye on her." Miranda continued to do compressions on Shepard but will no avail. She grunted as she slammed her fist down on his chest then yelled "Damn it, Shepard! Don't you bloody die on me! Come on you little shits do your damn job!"

When EMS arrived on site they yelled out. "Where is the injured?"

Miranda called out, "Over here!"

The EMS leader replied, "What do we have?"

"Dual gunshot wound, one to the left shoulder area and one to the right chest. Medi gel in place. Stopped breathing maybe four minutes ago. CPR started shortly after breathing stopped." replied Miranda.

EMS leader nodded then said, "Please move so we can work." They cut his shirt off and prepped the defibrillator and Shepard with sticky nodes. After placing the nodes on his chest, she hooked him up to a portable heart machine that was flatlining. She waited for the unit to power up then yelled "CLEAR!" then placed the paddles on its pads. Shepard's chest jolted up as they sent a jolt of electricity through his body. When she didn't hear a pulse on the machine, they raised the voltage on the defib unit. As soon as it was ready she yelled "CLEAR!" then jolted him again. She smiled when she saw and heard the beeps coming from the machine. "We've got HIM! Let's get him on the litter and into the transport."

"Where are you taking him?" asked Miranda.

"Nos Astras Central Medical Hospital."

Tela Vasir walked into the apartment and said loudly, "Ok crew, let's get this scene closed off and get me someone that can tell me what happened!" She looked over at Shepard then over at Liara unscathed. Damn it! It'll be much harder to get to her now.

Kirre walked over to her and asked, "Who are you?"

Vasir replied "Tela Vasir Special Tactics and Reconnaissance."

Alex scrunched his brows when he heard the Spectre then walked over "What the hell is a Spectre doing here?"

Vasir replied, "I heard the call and rushed over. Can you tell me what happened here?"

Alex narrowed his eyes at her and looked her over. Something is not right here.

"Yes, Liara and Commander Shepard were standing over there when he got hit." Replied Kirre as she pointed toward the living room.

They followed Vasir over to the living room. Vasir looked at the multiple bullet holes in the large exterior glass window then down at the blood on the floor and said, "and this is where the sniper shots came through and attempted to assassinate Liara but hit Commander Shepard?"

Kirre nodded, "That's correct."

Alex buts in and said, "Woah…wait a minute… why would you say that?"

Vasir cocked her head then said "Say what?"

He glared at her then said "You said they attempted to assassinate Liara but hit Commander Shepard. Why not say attempted to assassinate them both?"

Vasir scoffed and with a smug look on her face simply replied "Why would anyone want to kill the Hero of the Citadel? I figured the attempt was on Liara considering she works in a dangerous field of information brokerage."

"Mmmhmmm." Replied Alex

"Well… I have what I need here." She said as she headed for the door "Thank you."

As Vasir walked toward the exit Alex walked over to Miranda and whispered. "Something is not right with her. "

Miranda looked up and over at Vasir walking out, "How so?"

"For instance, She's a Spectre. Why is a Spectre even here? That on its own is extremely odd. Then she said the sniper attempted to kill Liara, not Jon. Why would she even know that or say that? When I asked her about it, and she replied with who would want to kill Commander Shepard blah blah bullshit. She knows something, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it."

Miranda pinched her brows, "Hmm, we'll have to talk to Liara about it and dig into it further."

He sneered. "Fuck that, I'm digging into it now. Vasir just became my prey, and if she had anything to do with this, she's dead."

Dr. Chakwas set her tools down then removed her gloves as she said "Ok, he's good to go. Take him to ICU and get him hooked up to bone reconstruction for his chest and shoulder area." She walked over to the wash area to wash her hands then dabbed the sweat off her face. When she was done, she dried her hands then walked toward the visitor room. Just before she opened the door, she took a breath. The door quietly swooshed open and she saw several visitors asleep waiting for the update. She walked over to Liara and softly shook her shoulder as she gently said "Liara?"

Liara opened her eyes then jolted up. "Karin! Is he ok?"

Karin nodded then spoke to everyone in the room. "He's going to be fine, yes. He gave us quite the scare but with everyone's help plus the nanites he'll make it through. We're currently running a bone restructuring scan on him. With his nanites in place, his recovery should be much faster. He should be on his feet in three to four days."

Liara stood, "Can I see him?"

She nodded, "Just for a moment Liara." Karin looked at the others "Everyone else should go back to the Normandy and get some rest."

Liara walked through the door of ICU and into Shepard's darkened room. She softly ran her hand down the side of his face, then kissed his forehead and whispered, "I love you."

Karin waited for several minutes then tapped her shoulder, "Come on Liara."

"Can't I just stay here with him?"

Karin shook her head "No, Liara go home and rest."

She turned to her. "Go home? To a crime scene?"

Karin lowered her head as she replied, "I'm sorry, Liara. They're going to stop his drip in five hours and he should be un-sedated in about seven hours. You will be available to see him in six. Go home"

Liara arrived back at the hospital several hours later with minimal sleep. She didn't have to wait long when a nurse came into the visitor room and said "Liara, I'm assuming?"

Liara nodded as she said "Yes?"

The nurse smiled then said "Dr. Chakwas said you'd be here early. You can go in and see him."

Liara walked through ICU and into his room quietly. She pulled up a chair, sat next to the bed, and took hold of his hand. He squeezed her hand and cleared his throat. "Liara?"

She quickly stood, "Jon?"

He grunted, "Mmm?"

She leaned in and kissed him all over his face. "Goddess Jon, don't ever do that to me again! I was terrified!"

He chuckled softly. "Oh man, that hurts. I'll do my best not to babe. They said I'll be out of here in a few days."

Liara replied, "Yes, three to four days, I was told."

"Good that just means I have more time with you," he said then smiled at her.

She rolled her eyes, "Jon..."

They both turned when they heard a knock at the door then Miranda walked in. "How are you doing Commander?"

"I'm alive, Ms. Lawson."

Miranda laughed, "Yes, you are Shepard. Liara, we need to talk about the shooting. Red has some interesting information about what happened."

Liara nodded then Miranda proceeded to tell her everything.

By the end, Liara was glowing angrily with biotics. She spat out, "I'm going to hit her so hard with a warp that her remains will fit into a cup!"

Miranda laughed then said, "Well, that's if you get to her before Red. He is already hunting her."

Shepard furrowed his brow, "Why do you think she tried to kill you?"

Liara shrugged then said, "I don't know but I'm assuming it has to be another attempt from the Shadow Broker."

"I see, Red told me the backstory of what all went on during the capture of Shepard's body," said Miranda.

"Yes, and we left Feron behind. I shouldn't have left him." Replied Liara

Intrigued. Shepard said, "Who's Feron?"

Miranda replied, "A double agent. He worked for Cerberus and the Shadow Broker. He knew the consequences, Liara."

"I understand that Miranda, but I still shouldn't have just left him." Said Liara

Miranda held out a datapad, "The Illusive Man gave this to me this morning."

"What's this?" Liara grabbed the datapad and listened to it. "It looks like a leaked transmission between operatives and the Shadow Broker. Some hints to the location and Feron! He's still alive." she smiled then said, "I need to get to a secure com and call Seket."

Shepard arched a brow, "Who's Seket?"

"He's the best research analyst I know. He works at the Dracon Trade Center. I'll send what I have to him, and he can put it all together for me in no time." replied Liara.

Shepard grabbed her hand gently. "Liara don't go at this alone. Take a team with you. Tali, Grunt, Garrus, Miranda, hell, even Jack. I don't care."

She kissed him. "I will my love. I must go!"

Shepard nodded "I understand."

Liara's team went to the Dracon Trade Center to speak with Seket, but he was already dead when she got there, and his killer was Tela Vasir. Their fight started at the Trade center then turned into a high-speed chase as Vasir fled. Vasir's vehicle was damaged, and she landed at a nearby hotel. Banged up and bloodied, Vasir limped through the hotel. Liara's team followed Vasir's blood trail until they saw her limping through the outdoor mezzanine and into a crowd of people. As Vasir's attackers got closer she attempted to take an innocent hostage but was unsuccessful when Liara's team surrounded her and ended her life.

Liara quickly walked over to Vasir's body and rummaged through her pockets until she found the data disk Vasir killed Seket for. She lifted it as she said, "This will lead us to the Shadow broker."

On the Shadow Broker ship, Liara was standing face to face with a yahg. The yahg was a massive bulky creature standing roughly seven to eight feet tall. It has a set of four eyes and a triangular mouth. They were known for their violent and aggressive nature, and they possessed unrivaled perceptiveness and mental adaptability. This fight against the yagh was going to take all of them.

Shepard looked over at Red as he pointed to him, then himself and then brought his hand to his fist. Red looked back at him and said, "Oooh fuck yea! It's shake and bake time baby. I'm assuming crash and bash?"

Shepard smiled broadly, "You know it!"

Liara looked at Shepard confused (shake and bake?)

He laughed (yea. You'll see)

Miranda just shook her head as she rolled her eyes and Garrus just mumbled "Oh, spirits."

Jack looked at them both and said, "What the fuck?! Shake and bake? Where do you come up with this shit?"

Red laughed then shook his head as he said, "Yes. He's going to shake it, and I'm gonna fuckin bake it, bitch!"

As they spoke the yahg snarled then slammed his large fist down on his desk and broke it in two then hurled one of the pieces toward them, knocking out Miranda and Garrus.

Shepard flash charged the yahg then fired several shots at it then Red would do the same. They rinse and repeat several more times. After Red's second hit he sliced the yahg with his poisonous blade.

Jack's eyes widened as she yelled, "Holy shit you two, you going to let anyone else get to play?"

Red yelled back, "What the fuck are you waiting for a god damn invitation?"

"Fuck you Red!" snarled Jack.

He cupped his dick as he snapped back, "Blow me, Jack."

Jack kissed her middle finger at him in response.

Liara was hiding behind a column as she yelled "Will you two knock it off!" she looked around then up at the massive energy field above the yahg. "I have an idea. Guys tag team him again. Jack, we're going to bring that massive energy field down on him."

As Shepard and Red tag teamed the Shadow Broker another time. Jack and Liara gave everything they had to pull the energy field down on it.

After the Shadow Broker was dead, Shepard and Red helped Garrus and Miranda up as Jack said, "Did you two have a nice nap?" then looked over at Miranda and said "Hey, Cheerleader! Did you fall on your big bubbly ass because it looks swollen?"

Miranda grunted then said, "Shut up, Jack!"

Shepard laughed softly as he shook his head then walked over to Liara that was currently tapping away at the Shadow Broker's computers. "Hey, what do we have here?"

Liara just stood there for a moment then looked at one screen then another as she said "The galaxy at our finger tips." She let out breath then continued "Shepard, if we took over as the Shadow broker there are infinite possibilities with all this information of what we could do now and in the future."

Shepard rubbed his hand over his cheek then said "Are you sure you want to do this? Become the new Shadow Broker? That is a lot of time consumption."

She shook her head "No, not just me." She waved her hands out toward the crew "Us. Well, a select few that we trust to… ya know… handle this beast of a job because it's going to take more than just one person. We set up a specialized network system…" she said then flicked her finger over at the floating orb "…with the help of this… orb thing… and possibly Kasumi and Tali…"

Shepard brows popped up as he nodded "Ahh and take it off this off ship to several secure locations. Because if we found this place then so will other people like T.I.M."

She quickly snapped her fingers then looked back to see if Miranda was nearby then softly said "Exactly. He will know soon enough with Miranda."

He shook his head then replied "Nah, she's turning on him more every day. Also, her involvement with my brother has changed her but I'll talk with her."

Liara nodded "Ok."

He smiled then turned to go find Miranda. When he saw her, he said "Miranda, we need to talk."

Miranda crossed her arms then said. "Ok, I'm listening."

"We need to discuss what happened here," he said

She nodded, "Yes, I know. He's going to want a full report."

"And? What are you going to tell him?"

"I don't know Shepard, but I have to tell him something. My loyalty to him is just about gone. His ideas are ludicrous! What he did to us on the collector ship was asinine. After I get my sister, I want out!" she replied

He scratched his chin. "Is that what Liara helped you with?"

She nodded, "She is helping me with it. So is Red."

"How is Red working for you?" he asked

"What do you mean?" she said

Shepard arched his brow, "You know what I mean."

She rolled her eyes. "He can be an ass and cocky, but affectionate and attentive. He's different than others. It's not always about sex either. When we're apart, and I hear from him, it makes me smile." She turned slightly as she let out a breath then rubbed the side of her temple "Ugh, damn it. I don't know what this is... I don't know if it's stress or just blowing off steam!" she grunted then said "Why am I even telling you this?"

He smiled, "Miranda you care for him. Have you talked to him about this?"

She jerked her hand down, "No! This is no time for emotional entanglement."

He crossed his arms "I'm sure it's too late for that. It's ok to care for someone. I know him, Miranda. He's only been involved a few times; the rest were a bang and toss. For him to continue with you means he cares for you."

Tears began to gather in her eyes "I know he does! You and I know more about the collectors than anyone. We know how unlikely it is we're coming back alive. Damn it! Why does he make me feel like I do!" she said then quickly wiped her tears away.

"You should talk to him about this Miranda."

She nodded as she said, "You're right." Then walked away. She saw Red currently talking to Liara and when she got closer Liara stopped talking. "I'm sorry to interrupt but I need to talk to Red for a moment."

Liara nodded then said "Quite alright. We were just wrapping up."

Alex looked at her then said "Uh oh! Am I in trouble, Ms. Lawson?"

She gave a quick smile then said "No, just follow me over to this room." When they both made it into the room and the door swooshed behind them, she said "What are we doing Alex?"

He furrowed his brow and said in a sarcastic tone "ugh... well it looks like we're fighting bad guys Miri. What do you mean?"

She huffed, "I know that you ass. I'm talking about you and me."

He walked up to her and placed his hands on her hips. "What about us?"

She turned away from him. "You know how unlikely it is I won't make it out of this."

"Yea and I'll be highly pissed if you don't because then I'll have to go hunting some fucking Collectors and Reapers."

Miranda laughed softly at his response then said. "Alex... I... I care about you."

He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. "And I care about you, Miri."

Tears trickled down her face as she said. "What idiotic bunch of hormones thought this was a good time for love?"

He smiled then said "You love me?"

She nodded gently. "Yes, I do Damn it!"

He gently turned her to face him "Hey, look at me." He smiled at her and wiped the tears from her face as he said "Miri, I love you too." then kissed her passionately. When their kiss broke, he said "I need to talk to you about something."

"What?"

He took a breath then explained their plan. "We have a plan in place. As you and Jon are off fighting. I'm going to stay here with Liara and Feron to secure this place for now. We need to get off this ship and take it mobile. Kas is placing an order for some extremely high-tech equipment that can do just that."

"How do you plan on doing that?"

He did a quick side nod. "Well, that's where the high-tech equipment comes in place. Liara doesn't want full control of the Shadow Broker. After this is all over, she just wants Jon and a family. She wants to be involved but doesn't want it consuming her life. What we came up with is to share the load between her, myself, Feron, a select few of her commandos, and whoever else."

Miranda smiled, "Hmm that's a great idea to break it up. Can I join?"

"You want to? I thought maybe you'd go back—"

She shook her head. "No, I want out after I get my sister and I want to be done with this. I'll need something to do afterward, and this is right up my alley."

He nodded, "Well, let's go talk with her." He said then walked with Miranda to find Liara.

Red walked up to Liara then said, "Hey Liara, do you have a minute to talk?"

Liara looked over at him "Of course. Red."

"I was discussing our plan with Miranda."

Liara blurted out "You did what?!"

Miranda shook her head as she said, "Red, I knew this wasn't going to work."

He replied, "No it's fine Miri." He looked at Liara. "She can be trusted, Liara."

Liara placed her hands on her hips "Ok. If you and Shepard trust her then so can I."

Miranda smiled "Thank you, Liara."