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It had been a little less than forty-five minutes since meeting with the council and still, Shepard was caught in a daze. Garrus and Tali had gone immediately to wind down and set aside their armor. Yet Shepard remained geared up and ready to go even as she lay splayed across the edge of her bed, staring up at the ceiling. She did this until she lost track of time. Trying to think of some sort of contact, anything, anyone she could call upon at this moment. But, going against a power as grand and high as the council was damn near impossible. The commander was stumped, it was damn near hopeless.
Laying in her armor wasn’t going to do her any favors however, that was for sure. Especially as she began to feel sore where her shoulder plates met her back plates. Frustrated now, Shepard raised up and out of the bed and to the lockers across the mess hall. With every step, Udina’s words echoed in her mind.
This no longer concerns you. The council can handle this.
Finally, she got to work prying off her armor, plate by plate. Hands less precise, rather frantic as she moved with a silent desperate frustration. Almost akin to a hungry wolf gnawing away at scraps of meat left clinging to the bone. When she had given up on removing her breastplate Shepard went on to something easier to take off. Kneeling down before herself, she began ejecting the plates protecting her shins. Easily enough the left pops off with a satisfying click, but when moving on to the right, her hands begin to shake.
“Goddamit.” It escaped her like a hiss
Blinking a few times, Shepard realizes the world has begun to spin. She puts out an arm before her on the row of lockers to hold herself up as the dizziness settles. After closing her eyes and taking in a few deep breaths the sensation began to wane somewhat. However, she knew it could just as easily come back as fast as it had left. So, as gently as she could muster, she lowered herself to the ground. The armor on the backside of her legs scraped lightly against the metal floor as she relaxed.
It couldn’t have lasted for than several moments before-
“Commander? Shepard?”
She didn’t even have to open her eyes to recognize who now stood before her, yet she did such anyways. Now seeing the Asari doctor with her hands clasped together, her face twisted and strained.
“Shepard, we all heard what happened with the council. I cannot believe they did this to you…” Liara’s hands came apart and went to her sides. “I am so sorry.” The Commander shook her head slowly.
“I had a feeling it would turn out like this anyways. I feel so stupid-”
“No!” Blue fists clenched and eyes went bright as though a fire had ignited behind them. “It’s not fair. You did everything they asked and more. Nobody could’ve done what you did!” The Doctor began to lightly pace from side to side. If the circumstances had been any different, Shepard would’ve thought it cute. “The council owes you everything. Everything! Instead, they strip you of your command and ground you to the Normandy.” Finally, Liara halts and looks back down at Shepard. “It’s beyond reason!”
“Honestly? If politics were the only thing at stake here, I wouldn’t give more than two shits.” She ran a hand through her short curls and lets her hand linger there. “But Saren’s out there, and when he finds the conduit we’re as good as dead.”
“Then perhaps we appeal,” She kneels to match Shepards' eyes. “Try all we can to reverse their decision.”
“It won’t work-”
“Why not?”
“Because I pushed and pushed. Trust me, they wouldn’t budge. And now that Udina’s working against me too…” Shepard sighed deep and brought her eyes up to the ceiling. Searching for something. “I’m not sure where all this is headed, but it’s not looking too bright.”
The Commander brings her gaze back down to Liara. Only to be met with the most intense of all looks staring right into her soul. Under that gaze, despite the plates of armor still upon her, Shepard felt naked.
“So that’s it? This is all over? You will just give up and doom the entire galaxy to extinction?” She stands tall once more, as fierce as her words.
“I never said that,” with that phrase alone Liara eases slightly. “Right now, we're out of the game. But as long as I live and breathe, the fight isn’t over. Not yet.”
“We believe in you, Shepard. I believe in you…” Her voice wavers, nearly becoming small before she finds her momentum once more. “Take strength in knowing that I’m with you. Every step of the way,” a blue hand is offered to the sitting woman as she repeats. “I’m with you.” A ghost of a smile appears on Shepard’s lips.
“Thank you, Liara.”
She grabs on and pulls. Liara pulls too much more than she even believes she needs to. Leading to the Commander rising a little too fast quickly, and Liraa bracing by taking her into her arms. They stood pressed together, both trying to find their footing. Unable to do much else than look hopelessly into one another's eyes as they catched their bearings.
Then it clicks, hitting both of them simultaneously, the fact that their faces only share an inch between them.
“That was a close one huh?” Shepard cracks with her smile turning a little awkward.
Blue eyes dart down to those smiling lips. Lingering for a moment, and then back up. Worrying it all might be a bit much for the Doctor, Shepard attempts to pull away, but Liara holds on.
“I wouldn’t mind…” She tilts her head and starts moving toward the human's face, catching one last glance at her lips. She whispered, “... closer.. .” Before closing her eyes and leaving the rest to Shepard.
“Sorry to interrupt, Commander.” The ship's intercom rang out loud enough to stir the pair. They jumped apart slightly and shared a look of frustration as Joker went on. “Got a message from Captain Anderson.” Shepard huffed.
“Were you spying on us, Joker?”
“No ma’am. Just knew you were on the ship and figured I pass the message on. The captain said to meet him at flux, that club down at the wards.”
“You should probably go meet with him…” Though somewhat disappointed, now flustered, her voice lit up as if a lightbulb was switched on within her. “Maybe this will get us back into ‘the game’”
Shepard couldn’t help but smile again at that.
“Good thing I was too wound up to get all the armor off I guess.” Her omnitool lit up on her forearm as she rapidly typed out a message to Anderson.
“You really think you’ll need it just to meet with him?”
“It may be a bit much but better safe than sorry…” Seeing as it didn’t quite shift the concern in Liara’s eyes, Shepard softened. “It’ll be okay. If Anderson thought I would need backup, he’d tell me.” It seemed to help as Liara let out a breath she’d been holding in. Shepard looked down at the discarded plates of armor by the locker.
“I suppose I’ll leave you to it then.” Her body betrayed her words as the asari didn’t even move an inch. There she stood, still, and silently staring at, once again, lips.
“Is something wrong Liara?” She took a step towards her, and when she didn’t respond. “Lia-
Blue hands softly took in the human's face and pulled until their lips met. Caught off guard, it took a good moment for the Commander to even register the kiss. Her lips lay still and unmoving as Liara’s had pushed forward. Then it was over just as quickly as it had begun. Liara pulled away only to be met with wide hazel eyes, and for a moment she swore she saw stars within them. Then she blinked, and Liara realized she had been staring. Her cheeks turned a darker shade of blue, near purple even.
One word echoed in the Commander's mind, soft.
Liara was just about to apologize before Shepard began to smile, much wider than she had in a long while. Before the asari even knows it, there’s hands pulling at her waist and the back of her crest. Their lips make contact once more, and Liara holds on to Shepard in fear that she may melt away. Now with Shepard kissing back, the whole sensation of it all threatened and swayed at the border of just about overwhelming. But didn’t dare wish for its end.
They pulled away gently when lips had curved into smiles against each other. Shepard’s hand went to trace her jaw as Liara let go and lifted her hand to play with her ear lobe.
“Joker better not make a habit of interrupting this.” Liara hummed in agreement, then pulled away.
“With Saren and the conduit still to undealt with, I fear there are other things to threaten our moments together.” Shepard actually laughed.
“Better get on to ending this then.” She took hold of Liara’s hand. “We’ll find a way…” She turned and got to work, reapplying the armor plates with much better precision now.
“Are kisses really enough of a motivation for you Commander?”
Shepard looks back at her, smiles once more, and just shrugs.