Notes:

A Grá - My Love (Gaelic)

Anam Cara - Soul Friend/Mate (Gaelic)

FTL - Faster Than Light travel

Ionúin Álainn - beautiful beloved (Gaelic)

Siame - "one who is all", a loved one cherished above all others (Thessian/Source: CDN)

The Journey Begins

T'Soni House Armali, Thessia, Athena Nebula – 11 Jun 2190

Liara and Shepard, along with the entire crew and expedition team had spent the evening at the city compound saying their farewells to Aethyta, Mozia, and the House Armali staff. After a good night's rest, they boarded the Aletheia for an early morning departure. The ship had regular berths for only ten, so they had set up additional cots and footlockers in the hangar space for the members of the Personal Guard team. Captain Iregos and Lieutenant Axeuss would sleep in the berthing directly adjacent to Liara and Shepard's quarters on the main deck, along with the six members of the archaeology team.

The majority of their expedition gear would travel within the cargo holds of the accompanying T'Soni heavy corvettes, Liberation and Freedom, both of which would follow them around the galaxy for as long as their search required. This leg of the journey, to Eden Prime, would consist of a series of three relay hops – to Serpent Nebula, then Annos Basin, and finally to Exodus Cluster, where they would transition to FTL for the final leg of the voyage.

"This is not how I imagined us celebrating the second anniversary of your separation from the Alliance, Samantha."

"I don't see why not, A Grá." Her siame smiled and pulled Liara close. "I resigned from the Systems Alliance exactly for this purpose… to spend whatever remained of my life with you, wherever that could possibly take us." She leaned in and nuzzled against Liara's cheek, continuing at a whisper. "This is the fulfillment of that dream, so I can't imagine a better way to celebrate that departure than by going with you to Eden Prime, as your personal attendant and – of greater importance to me – your companion, for your very first post-war dig."

While Shepard was speaking, a faint vibration – felt, rather than heard, almost as a deep, low-frequency hum that gradually increased in intensity – confirmed that Aletheia pilot Livos Tanni had completed her pre-flight checklist and brought the inertial dampeners, Eezo core and main engines online. In short order, the vibration faded into the familiar background sounds as the ship effortlessly ascended to begin their journey toward Eden Prime.

"You are such a sweet-talker, Samantha Shepard." Liara settled into Shepard's shoulder, wrapping her arms around Sam's waist. "Even having lived it, I still find it hard to believe – any of it. Saren, the Collectors, your resurrection. Miranda did the impossible and brought you back to me… all leading to where we are now."

The enormity of everything that had passed and the idea of what they were about to do suddenly overwhelmed the Asari, causing her throat to constrict, such that she was unable to utter another word. Only the strong arms surrounding her continued to provide comfort to her as the woman of her dreams held her tightly, keeping her grounded and standing. "By the Goddess," she finally breathed. Tears of joy slipped down her cheeks as she buried her face into the crook of her bondmate's neck. "How did I ever get so lucky?"

"You and me, both, Liara." Shepard placed a gentle kiss on Liara's temple. "It's amazing how things turn out sometimes, in spite of the odds. Maybe it's fate… or maybe it's just that we're both so damned stubborn and refused to give up."

That brought a smile to Liara's face, recalling a seemingly forever ago conversation. Her response was nearly the same as it was back then. "Determined, Shepard. Not stubborn."

Shepard's resultant chuckle warmed her heart, and Liara drew a deep relaxing breath, her captain's confidence and encouragement effortlessly flowing into her soul through their wide-open link. "I suppose we should meet and brief everyone on the latest status report from Tyson."

Shepard's answering mischievous grin immediately had her curious, and Liara didn't have to wait long to know what was on her mind. "I think you should just forward it to everyone and let them read it for themselves." Shepard arched an eyebrow, continuing, "That way, we have the entire morning to ourselves before we all meet after lunch to discuss it." A mischievous smirk jumped onto her lips as she added, "I can think of a lot more fun things to do for three hours than sit in on yet another routine briefing with the team. Let them chat in the lounge and get to know one another a bit better… without the boss hanging around to analyze their every word."

"That sounds like an excellent suggestion, Captain Shepard." Liara smiled, her eyes shining in anticipation as she added, "and… rather intriguing."

It wasn't too much later when Liara found herself groaning in pleasure, for an entirely different reason than what she had anticipated. She lay face down on the bed, with Shepard in the final stages of giving her an intense, and intimate full-body massage. "Goddess, Sam, that feels so good!"

"You've been way too tense the past few days, with all your final trip preparations. You needed this, Li." Shepard smiled, continuing to work the slowly relenting muscles in Liara's back and shoulders. "I was thinking I might need a touch of biotics to get you to relax enough for this to honestly do any good, but it's turning out okay. You're finally starting to loosen up."

"Mmmmm. I am at your mercy, Siame," Liara purred. "I do believe I would let you do that all day long, if it wasn't for our afternoon assembly."

"Eden Prime is a little more than three full days of travel. I'm more than happy to resume your massage after the meeting, Anam Cara."

Shepard leaned over and placed a whisper of a kiss at the base of her neck, sending a shiver down the Asari's spine. Liara immediately drew a sharp intake of breath. "Oh! Now you're just being a tease, Sam!"

"Who's the tease, T'Soni?" Shepard returned to her massage as she countered, "Based on what I felt through the link, you were the one expecting something else!"

Constant, Eden Prime, Exodus Cluster – 14 Jun 2190

The trip went smoothly and surprisingly quickly. Even under the somewhat cramped conditions, the three days seemed to fly by, with the excitement of what lay ahead easily overriding the short period of inconvenience. They had coordinated with Ruben Katterjohn, the Eden Prime military commander and airfield operations chief, to practice a complete dry run of a full camp set up. He had been surprisingly thrilled at the suggestion, telling Liara, "That's great! We can use it as our monthly mobilization training! Send us your camp layout plan and we'll have your gear downloaded and placed, ready for assembly before you can get your feet on the ground!"

"Only if you keep Aletheia from landing at the same time as our escort ships!" Liara had quipped, laughing in response.

Ruben had taken the challenge to heart and his best logistics teams were standing at the ready when the trio of ships appeared over Constant. As the ships touched down, the teams began to unload the deployable field camp as soon as the cargo ramps touched the tarmac, bringing to bear what Liara could only describe as an entire fleet of anti-grav lifts, along with an even larger group of personnel, to relocate the crates to the dig site and then place them according to the layout plan.

While Liara and Shepard were delayed by the welcoming committee, it was Rasha who scampered off to follow the parade of equipment, ensuring everything was handled with care and placed accordingly. This was her first real test as the site lead for the expedition, and she was determined to make Liara proud.

"It is so good to see you again, Liara!" Camilla welcomed the Asari with a warm hug and a huge grin. "Even if you are here to steal the best safety engineer in the galaxy!" She immediately laughed at the expression on the maiden's face, Shepard chuckling along with her and earning a playful glare from her bondmate.

With her grin firmly in place, Camilla continued, "But that is all as it should be! Tyson is a wonderful engineer and has the nearly endless energy of an eezo core. With the site here just about played out, he deserves a new challenge… and I have a strong notion that you're going to deliver more than enough of one to keep that young man hopping!"

She turned to Shepard next, grabbing her by the shoulders. Looking in her eyes, Camilla's voice was more somber as she said, "And you, my dear captain, look to be fully recovered from all your ordeals, including that which you suffered here, at the hands of that lunatic… he who shall not be named." The mayor gave a quick nod of affirmation as she continued, "I am exceedingly happy to see you both so hale and eager to take on an expedition such as this."

"Happy to be here, Camilla." Her eyes twinkled as she continued, "Though, I do have to wonder why Liara is so deserving of a hug, while I am not."

Camilla blushed and quickly pulled the woman in as Ruben's executive officer, Albert Capozzi, chuckled, "Still has her sense of humor, I see. Good to know that wasn't broken by the war… and good to see you, Shepard. You too, Liara."

"Hello, Albert." Liara gave the younger man a smile and offered her hand in the Human fashion.

"Yikes… Please, I've told you before to call me Cap." He grimaced and rolled his eyes as they shook hands. "Hearing the name 'Albert' reminds me of my mother yelling at me… and her years of training make me instantly feel like I'm in deep trouble over something I may have – or possibly haven't – done."

Pulling away from her hug with Camilla, Shepard laughed aloud. "Gods, can I relate to that!"

Liara grinned. "As can I… though, with me, it was whenever the full name came out." She shook her head, her grin smoothing out to a smirky smile. "That, and the tone, for certain. My mother's voice would get this hard edge to it… and I wanted to run, but didn't dare, whenever I heard "Liara T'Soni! Come to me, this instant!" Her heart suddenly wanted to implode, the memories causing a deep, unexpected ache.

Fighting back the tears which threatened to come so unexpectedly, she glanced at Shepard to draw strength from her reassuring gaze, in addition to the staunch support and absolute love swelling through the link. "Who knew getting yelled at when one was young could ever become such a fond memory… one that we can look back on and laugh about in the present?"

"Remember to celebrate her life, Li. Not how it ended." Shepard reached over and squeezed her Anam Cara's hand in comfort, but it was Capozzi who cut in and saved the moment.

Purposely ignoring Liara's obvious distress, Cap provided the much-needed diversion. "So. How 'bout we catch up to Ruben and Roshi, to see how much progress they've already made while we've just been standing here running our mouths?"

"That sounds like an excellent suggestion!" Liara shook her head quickly and painted on a somewhat forced smile. "Please, lead the way."

Constant, Eden Prime, Exodus Cluster – 19 Jun 2190

The week passed quickly, everyone working hard to establish a rhythm with their new coworkers. It hadn't taken long to establish they had packed much of the gear in the wrong place, having packed by type rather than by work location. As a result, the majority of their time had been spent unpacking something only to move it halfway, or farther, across the dig site before being able to put it to use. Rasha made careful notes and was quick to amend the list anytime someone gave a shout about missing some specific tool or piece of equipment.

As their first week came to a close, they hadn't really accomplished any true archaeological progress, but had most certainly straightened out their deployment plan – which Liara considered a big win. "Thank you, Rasha," Liara said with a beaming smile. "This will make it much easier to get up and running at our first actual dig site."

Rasha nodded in agreement while, at the same time, pulling Liara back to the present. "Yes, it will, but we are far from done here. Now that we are organized, we should be able to make some real progress on labeling and cataloguing the artifacts and data."

Liara sighed, disappointment with what they had not found coming to the fore. "I just wish they had left some form of guardian… like the watcher, Vigil, on Ilos. It could have been tremendously helpful… assuming it still functioned, and we could actually get it powered up." She was a bit taken aback when Rasha laughed.

"Oh, Liara. You're an archaeologist! In such a career field, you generally deal with things long dead. To find what you have already discovered, and to be looking for a group of ancient beings who were thought to be extinct… and who, in stark contrast, may actually be alive in the present day?" She chuckled again, smirking as she added, "You sound disappointed, but you must realize how extremely lucky you are to have such an opportunity! Do you not?"

Liara's face went a slightly deeper shade of blue, somewhat embarrassed by the truth of Rasha's off-hand accusation. "Goddess, you are correct." Letting out a quiet chuckle, her voice was nearing a whisper as she added, "Sometimes, I still feel like that petulant little child who was angry and spiteful when she didn't get her way. I look back, now, and realize just how patient my mother was with me." She huffed, mostly in amusement, as a thought floated across the link.

{Even then, you knew exactly what you wanted, Anam Cara, and there was no one in this galaxy, Benezia T'Soni included, who was going to keep you from getting it.}

Rasha simply shook her head, commenting with a smile, "I don't know that I will ever get used to that, Liara." She noted the puzzled expression on the maiden's face, so explained, "You get a certain look in your eyes, a… I don't even know how to describe it. But I know, almost immediately, when Shepard is speaking to you through this 'link' of yours. This… Inanna... is an immensely powerful thing, indeed."

"It is." Liara's expression reflected her absolute devotion to her bondmate. "Even I have difficulty explaining how it makes me feel. It is just so… all encompassing. We share the same soul, and it seems we must be linked together to feel totally complete. Does that make sense?"

"It does." Rasha grinned, adding, "And I am so happy for you, that you have found one such as Shepard, a true soulmate to be a part of your life. I am also glad she is here with us, so you do not have to suffer the loss of her attentions while you follow your passion for archaeology." Her expression returning to a smirk, she continued, "She may be just who we need to keep you from working yourself to exhaustion, as I know you are prone to do."

Her eyes widening, Liara immediately felt the heat rise in her face, as well as other locations in her body, completely unable to stop the physical reaction as Shepard's sultry voice sounded through the link once again. {You and me… tonight, my Ionúin Álainn. Rasha can't even begin to understand the pleasure, nor the resultant exultation, of our joint journeys to exhaustion.}

Rasha saw a quick flash of irritation cross Liara's face and immediately apologized. "I am sorry, Liara. I seem to have crossed a boundary between friend and employee… I was only teasing and did not intend any offense with my statement."

Liara closed her eyes for a moment before again meeting the eyes of her Drell friend. "It was not you, Rasha… and you will always be a friend, first, no matter what any of our other relationships may be. Apparently, Shepard and I need to have a discussion as to what is – and, more to the point, what is not – appropriate for her to pass along to me while I am at work. Especially with the link and all the sensations that come along with it!"

Liara watched as Rasha unexpectedly twitched, immediately getting the point of the Asari's comment and, then, suddenly realizing the full intent behind what Shepard must have said.

"Oh..." Rasha's face immediately erupted into a full-fledged grin. "Ooh!" She quickly blinked a couple of times and actually giggled. "Don't be too hard on her, Liara… I mean, really? That was exactly the point I was trying to make, without being so bold as to state it so directly!" Meeting Liara's eyes, she added, "At least it was through your link, and not out loud with a group of people surrounding you, as your father would have done."

"Oh, for the sake of the Goddess!" Liara looked at her inexplicably treasonous friend in disbelief. "Not you, too, Rasha?"

Breaking out into a robust laugh full of joy for her comrade, Rasha felt compelled to respond, "You should never be embarrassed to receive such love, Liara. You're young; enjoy it while you can! I can only pray that someday I, too, will find someone like Shepard to fill that void in my life. You are one lucky Asari, my friend!"

Rasha gave her head the slightest of shakes, a smirk still on her face. "Now go. I can get this last little bit tidied up and everything prepped for tomorrow, quite easily, all by myself. It sounds to me like you have a date!"

With an outward sigh, Liara had rolled her eyes and left Rasha to finish up, making her way back toward the camp. A dozen things vied for attention in her head, so she was completely unprepared for what met her around the final corner. As she walked around the outermost deployable storage units, she caught her first view of Shepard. The woman was out in the packing yard, working with Tyson to move and secure the artifact crates in the shipping containers, and the view stopped Liara dead in her tracks.

It was a hot June day, so Samantha had stripped down to her tank top… and was wearing shorts! Every muscle rippled as she worked, her body glistening with sweat as she moved with the military efficiency that always astonished Liara. When Shepard was focused on a task, there was no wasted movement, no extraneous motion; every action had a purpose. She also had a rather uncanny sixth sense and she suddenly stopped, looking up to immediately catch the blue eyes of her silent observer. A positively radiant smile appeared on her face as she turned back to Tyson. "Hey. Let's call it a day." A jerk of her head in Liara's direction preceded her statement, "Time for me to go, the boss is here."

Tyson looked over and waved, a happy smile on his face as well. "Sounds good… and thanks for your help, Shepard! I can't believe how much we got done today. I wouldn't have come close to this, had you not stopped to help. See you tomorrow?" His eyes widened a slight bit as he asked the hopeful question.

"Absolutely. Feels good to do some physical work for a change. Better than a boring old regular work out. See you then." With a quick wave, she turned and jogged over to Liara.

"Hey, Blue." She stopped short and smiled softly. "Sorry about earlier…"

Liara cut her off, raising her hand to stop the woman's apology. "Don't worry about it. Even Rasha believes I am quite fortunate to have such a passionate woman in my life, saying I shouldn't waste a single opportunity to enjoy our time together." She put her hands on her hips, giving them a slight sway as she added, "After watching you work for a few moments, your mostly bare body shimmering in the sun, I am forced to admit that I am in total agreement with her."

"Liara T'Soni!" Shepard's eyes went wide in surprise, and she smirked as she continued, "I never would have expected you to be such a voyeur! Goodness, gracious! Just who have I bonded with?"

Liara looked down for just an instant before boldly bringing her eyes back up to meet the startling emerald eyes of her lover. She responded somewhat coyly. "Someone who is very much in love with you, Samantha Shepard. Someone who is still amazed – every single morning when I wake by your side – that I could be so incredibly lucky. I have been too busy since we got here to remember that, but Rasha reminded me of it, rather pointedly when I became… irritated… with your interruption, earlier."

"Well, then. Kudos to Rasha." Shepard smiled and reached out to run her fingers down Liara's arm, setting her skin afire with the touch. "First order of business is a shower. Care to join me?"

"It would be my pleasure." Liara's heart felt as if it were going to beat its way out of her chest, and she felt her entire body tingling with anticipation. "I am yours for the evening, Captain."

Liara lied quietly on the bed, Samantha sound asleep in her arms. It was definitely a reversal of their norm, but the day's physical work under the hot summer sun of Eden Prime had stripped Shepard of her typically endless energy. As such, their lovemaking had been slow and gentle, with the Human half of the equation being the first one to fall asleep at the end, instead of the other way around. Liara didn't mind one bit; as a matter of fact, she enjoyed the role reversal and the feel of Shepard's warm, rhythmic breathing against her side. Being able to observe the long-sought, enduring tranquility in Sam's expression was the only reward Liara truly coveted and somehow, beyond belief, they had actually managed to achieve that singular, precious goal.

Gently running her fingers through Sam's silky auburn hair was amazingly comforting, and an endearing smile played across Liara's lips. Running a finger lazily across Shepard's brow, she pushed a few errant strands of hair off her face and tucked them behind a delightfully protruding ear, giving her a clear view of her bondmate's serene expression. "I love you, Samantha Shepard."

Being sound asleep, Shepard obviously made no response, but Liara could feel through the link that the woman had somehow sensed the emotion as she clung tighter to the Asari's side, a smile appearing on her face as though she had been wide awake to hear the comment. Liara's eyes heated with tears of joy she simply could not suppress… and wasn't sure she wanted to. She did manage to blink them away before they fell, but the fullness in her heart was not so easily dismissed. Her mind wandered jubilantly to the yet time-distant, delightful, prospect of having children with her wondrous mate, and when Liara finally succumbed to slumber, it was with a list of possible names scrolling through her mind.

Constant, Eden Prime, Exodus Cluster – 26 Jun 2190

On the 21st, the entire team had taken a rest day to celebrate the summer solstice, Alban Hefin, with Shepard and Liara. Other than that, they had worked steadily and, now – on their day of departure from Eden Prime – Liara and Tyson were looking over the results of their efforts.

With his replacement now onboard, Tyson had actually been able to begin working with the team the past couple of days, showing them the remaining material caches that had been missed, tucked away into tiny nooks and crannies within the caverns. Altogether, the team had processed an average of 500 items a day over the course of their two weeks on the ground. Looking at what still remained, Tyson shook his head. "We could stay right here for months, Liara, and not run out of work. Are you truly prepared to walk away? To turn this over to another entity, and not see this project through to its end?"

"As much as I would love to stay here, we do need to move on." Liara cast the man a weak smile. "I have already notified the Alliance – seeing as this is a Human colony, after all – and they will be sending a team out as soon as a contract can be drawn up. They will contact Camilla to make final arrangements, once they determine who will take over here."

Continuing on, Liara explained, "Apparently, there are a number of historical and archaeological organizations who are vying to get the rights to the site here. Now that we've done all the hard work, they are preparing to sweep in and claim the spoils." She paused and shook her head in disgust. "That will never happen; what they don't realize is a prior claim is already on file… one which I put in place, on behalf of Eden Prime and the Systems Alliance, after Cerberus attempted to take the site from you. I have also left a sample contract with Cam that will protect not only the existing claim, but the colony's interest in whatever future discoveries that may occur here, should anyone else excavate farther and make additional finds. All she needs to do is add the name of whatever organization wins the Alliance bid… and, she knows to give them access only after they have signed the contract – without modification. Everyone here knows how to get in touch with us, should they have any questions or need any assistance navigating claim law.

Liara's lips formed a hard line as she finished, "I do believe I would actually take pleasure in burying any… what's that Human term? Gold-diggers?" She huffed and added, "Should they come looking for an easy profit and choose to operate outside the established tenets of a signed contract, I would not hesitate to eject them, as forcibly as required to ensure they never return to the site."

"Yes. Gold-diggers. A bit archaic, but fits, none the less." After an understanding chuckle, Tyson nodded and continued, "Thank you, Liara. Not only for offering me this tremendous opportunity, but for treating the colony so well over this entire process. We've seen so many hounds baying at the doors… it's nice to have someone who isn't out to simply take everything they can get from us peasant colonists. It's amazing how some view the colonies as nothing but money-making machines. They tend to forget about the people who came out here with the intent of building better lives for themselves… it is most definitely not just about the financiers."

"No, it most definitely is not." Liara smiled at the memory that came to the fore. "We've seen a bit more of that than most, I think, with Admiral Hannah Shepard being the Liaison for Post-War Recovery; an insider's view, so to speak."

"Oh! That's right!" Tyson grinned. "A few good stories in there, I imagine, from the expression on your face. They'll make good tales during our travels, if there are any you can tell without breaking confidences."

"I'm sure there are." Liara chuckled quietly, then drew a deep, resigned breath. "I suppose I need to find Rasha and tell her it's time to get going, before I speak with Camilla and turn over our latest version of the artifact register." She cast the man a broad smile. "Then, we're off on the longest leg of our journey… all the way across the galaxy to Joab."

"With a stop at Omega, I assume?" Tyson raised a brow and canted his head slightly to the side.

"Unfortunately, yes." Liara sighed. "As much as I despise how Aria operates, I have to grant her the appropriate respect for her accomplishments. I have finally realized – grudgingly of course –she only does what is necessary to keep the Terminus Systems from tearing themselves apart by constant conflict. There are good people out there… colonists making honest efforts to create a new life for themselves, and her rules and her fleet protect them."

A new voice came in from the side. "Now there's something I never thought would ever emerge from between your lips, T'Soni!"

Glancing over her shoulder, Liara replied, "Credit given where credit is earned, Shepard… even when I hate to admit it." Cocking a brow marking, she casually added, "Besides, it may be only one site, but if we want to go digging about in the Terminus, we need to play nice with the Queen of Omega, or she could make our lives rather difficult, don't you think?"

"Oh, absolutely," nodded Shepard. "And, she wouldn't even need to take any direct action. Simply by withholding protection, we'd become fair game for every pirate or merc group in the area." Sam paused, a slight note of concern suddenly in her voice as she asked, "We did get the signed agreement back from her, right?"

"Yes, along with the beacon code, which will tell everyone we are an Omega-sanctioned operation. I almost wish we had more than one location there. It will likely be the most secure spot we operate from, immediately behind Eden Prime. There will be no such guarantees once we move into the Traverse… or even outer Alliance Space."

Yet another voice entered the conversation. Nevada C'Valli, Captain of the Liberation, walked over and smiled. "We are all loaded and ready to depart at your convenience, Lady Liara."

"Thank you, Nevada." Liara looked at the small group surrounding her, and her chest thrummed in anticipation. It was hard to believe, but it was all truly about to begin. No longer a test run, at a site long picked over by Human archaeologists, Cerberus, or anyone else. They were headed out into the voids of space to attempt entry into sites and facilities untouched for thousands of years. "Goddess. We're really doing this, aren't we?"

It was a rhetorical question, but her eyes still traveled to Shepard, begging an answer.

"Yes, we are, Doctor T'Soni." A smile spread across the woman's face, full of pride for her bondmate's accomplishments… and filled with excitement, for the adventures she was sure they were about to experience over the course of the voyage. "Go finish your business with Camilla, and we'll make sure the Aletheia is ready to leave when you are." Her trademark grin took over as she added, "Don't keep us waiting… we're all ready for this expedition to begin."

Omega, Sahrabarik, Omega Nebula – 10 Jul 2190

Unlike their previous trip, the journey to Omega did not include a long FTL trip at the end of their relay hopping, so took only two days. Worryingly, Aria, Nyreen, and Bray were all at the docks waiting for them as they arrived, causing Liara no small amount of anxiety.

"Relax, Li." Shepard smiled and gave her a wink as they waited for the all-clear and the hatch to open so they could disembark. "We'll simply deal with whatever is being thrown our way, with our usual aplomb."

Liara gave her a scathing glance. "Our 'usual aplomb' normally includes armor, gunfire and the application of biotics, Shepard… historically speaking."

Speaking though her laughter, Samantha managed a reply. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. That doesn't exactly apply here, does it?"

"I certainly hope not." Liara answered quietly, looking no more relaxed as the hatch slid open.

{If it turns out there's a problem, I follow your lead here, Shepard.}

{Understood, Liara.} As they walked down the ramp to the gangway, Shepard glanced quickly over the group, ending with Aria. As their eyes met, she asked casually, "Trouble, Aria?"

"Astute, as always, Shepard." Aria's tone carried a hint of annoyance. "I wanted to meet you here, very publicly, so there is no doubt I am in full support of your mission here. I don't need some uppity Protheans setting up camp in my backyard, so I want to know exactly where they are and what their intentions are as much as you do. As we did during the war, I believe we once again share a common goal."

Her gaze traveled to Liara as she continued, "I sent out a scout team in preparation for your arrival, and it seems we have a Blue Suns infestation on Joab. They've made camp at the exact facility you gave me the coordinates for… and I have reason to take issue with that. First, it appears as though I may have a leak that needs plugging and, second, it seems the Blue Suns have a bit of an issue with you and Shepard. It's a mistake on their part to think they can act upon it in my space without permission."

As if it pained her to admit it, Aria looked away for a brief moment before continuing, "We have a relationship based on mutual respect. We certainly do not see eye-to-eye on a great many things, but I recognize power when I see it; we simply have different ways of expressing it." She crossed her arms and cocked back on her hip, once more meeting Liara's gaze. "You have your own reasons for wanting to chase down the Protheans, and I need to know if they are going to cause me any trouble in the Terminus, so, I do believe, it is in our best interests to work as a team. It appears as though the galaxy takes pleasure in continuously throwing us together, whether we like it… or even want it, or not."

Her focus shifted back to Shepard as she finished. "Also, while a small contingent of Protheans is one thing, a group of rogue Blue Suns thinking they can do whatever the fuck they want in the Terminus is another. It sets a bad precedent if I ignore such a blatant disregard for Omega's well-established protocols for operating in the Terminus. As such, I am sending a few ships, additional ground troops – or both – along with you, for additional firepower. I think it best if we coordinate our efforts, so as to avoid any regrettable incidents of friendly fire."

"A most unexpected… and welcome… offer, Aria." Following input from Shepard, quite literally at the speed of thought, it was Liara who answered. "We'll scout out Joab and let you know our plan. Same as the battle for Omega... if it is a ground war that we're looking at, we expect you to defer to Shepard's leadership."

She glanced at her bondmate, who gave a sharp nod of agreement. Only then did Liara continue. "For now, we'd like to spend the night in your docks, aboard the Aletheia, so everyone can get a good night's rest before heading out early in the morning. It sounds like we could have a very full day ahead of us."

"Of course." Aria's gaze shifted to Bray. "See that a full protection squad is deployed around their ship." Looking back to Liara, she added, "And your corvettes are welcome to slide into the fleet for protection, so they can do the same."

"Thank you, Aria." Liara dared to smile. "This has been unexpectedly… pleasant."

Nyreen ruined the moment with a snort, earning a withering glance from the Queen. "Aria does what's good for Aria. Don't read too much into her actions."

"Don't be such a pessimist, Nyreen." Aria smirked and rolled her eyes. "You're the one who wanted me to expand my boundaries, saying I needed to learn how to make friends and trust allies. For all you know, this could have been my first earnest attempt, and you just shot it all to Hell." Her eyes shifted to the Human in the group. "Seriously. Shepard helped me retake Omega. If there was anyone in the galaxy I called friend – other than you, of course – it would be her."

Nyreen met Aria's eyes for a long moment, looking for the tell-tale shadows that lurked in the background. Seeing none, she finally responded, "Then forgive me for doubting you, Aria. Perhaps you are mellowing a bit."

Aria simply laughed as she answered, "I wouldn't go that far." Turning back to the couple standing before her, she stated very pointedly, "However, I would be offended if you did not join me for dinner tonight, before sequestering yourself aboard your ship for the evening."

"Of course," Liara answered immediately, fully realizing the import of such an offer. "When would you like us?"

"No time like the present, T'Soni."