Pillow Talk

Commander Lakota Shepard, the first human Spectre, had been tasked with apprehending a rogue Spectre, Saren. While hunting down Saren, she also uncovered a plot by the Reapers, a race of ancient machines, to eradicate all sentient life. Lakota and her crew succeeded in defeating Saren and destroying Sovereign, a Reaper scout ship. Now she and her crew are dry docked at the Citadel, a massive space station constructed over 50 millennia ago which acts as the political, cultural and financial capital for the galaxy's sentient species. Her ship, Normandy SR-1, is undergoing repairs, her crew is happy to be alive and the commander is enjoying some quiet time with her Asari lover, Dr. Liara T'Soni.

"Shepard?"

Upon hearing her name Lakota lazily woke from the drifting slumber that hadn't quite settled into sleep. "Yeah?"

"Why do you not talk about your past?"

The last nocturnal strings tying her to slumber were instantly cut. Lakota blindly reached out a hand and was rewarded with the warm, inquisitive form of her new lover lying next to her. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes to a dimly lit room and found Liara gazing down from the vantage point of a crooked arm.

"I talk about my past." Lakota felt a bit childish by the defensive response.

Unfazed by the statement, Liara continued to voice her musings. "I have noticed that most humans enjoy sharing past events with others. It seems to bring them a sense of connection. Dr. Chakwas, in particular, often engages in such self-expression. I find I enjoy hearing her stories. They allow me insight into her as an individual and give form to the events that have shaped who she is today. The rest of the Normandy crew does this as well…"

"I'm sensing a 'but'…"

"But I have also noticed that you do not participate in such story telling."

[Crap]

"My stories aren't all that interesting."

"Commander."

"Doctor?"

"I would prefer it if you left that assessment to me"

A superb read of battlefield strategy, Lakota knew if she continued on this particular line of defense that she would eventually be outmaneuvered.

[Time to go on the offensive.]

Slowly, she rose up on her arm in order to be face to face with the Asari scientist."My past," she said, "is nothing more than a series of events strung together which ultimately brought me to this moment. Right now. Naked. In bed. With you."

Punctuating each word with a light, lingering kiss, Lakota continued her sensual, diversionary tactic. "A brilliant (left cheek), passionate (right cheek), skillful (forehead), attractive (chin), utterly desirable…"

Liara placed a forefinger to Lakota's lips stopping them just before they made contact with hers. Then, she tilted her head inquisitively. "Are you attempting to use flattery to distract me from my questions?" She removed her finger from her lover's lips so she could answer.

"Is it working?"

"Possibly."

"Then yes."

A slight frown creased across Liara's forehead. "Do you not wish to talk about your past? Or do you not wish to talk about your past with me?"

Lakota felt the walls of the corner closing in. "Liara, it's not that that simple."

"I am sorry, Shepard. I am not sure I understand."

"Talking about my past isn't something I do. I've dealt with it and moved on. I don't see the point of rehashing it."

"Even if someone asks you?"

Lakota could see the see the tram and the headlight coming at her full speed. "Nobody ever asks."

With a questioning eyebrow raised, Liara persisted. "I find that hard to believe."

"I've never let anyone close enough to me to ask."

[Crash and burn]

A few heartbeats passed, and then Liara looked away. Softly, she whispered, "Oh, I see."

[Shit.]

"Until now, that is."

"Oh, I see." The deflated tone of Liara's voice was a clear indication that she didn't quite believe the Spectre.

After a lengthy pause, Lakota took a deep breath and when her eyes found Liara's, she hesitantly confessed, "Nobody's ever asked because I've never given them a chance to ask. I think I'd like to share it with you, but it's not something I'm ready to talk about yet."

Liara's gaze lingered on Lakota, regarding her thoughtfully. "'Yet' implies there will be an occasion then."

An unmistakable sense of relief washed through Lakota as she softly exhaled the forgotten breath she'd held. Chuckling lightly, she said, "Just give me some time."

"As you wish, Commander," Liara replied, a sly smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Until then-" Liara gently pushed Lakota onto her back while deftly rolling her body on top, effectively straddling her lover. "...I will focus my brilliant (kisses left cheek), passionate (right cheek), skillful (forehead), attractive (chin), utterly desirable gaze upon other aspects of you."

"Didn't we have this conversation before?" Lakota playfully teased. "I thought you didn't want to dissect me."

"Commander."

"Doctor?"

"I lied."