Author's Note:

Just a quick series of episodes chronicling the events of Mass Effect. I hope to also create a similar series for ME2 (and ME3...squee!). I stray from canon in some places, as do most authors here, I think, but please be kind.

Also, I would like to acknowledge all of the amazing writers in this community. Your creativity and passion for this world have inspired me to write again, and bring my canon Shepard to life on page. A world of thanks.

Bioware owns all.

ME: Consequence

Chapter 1: Observations

A man had rather have a hundred lies told of him, than one truth which he does not wish should be told.

The Normandy was eerily still when Liara set foot outside of the lab. The lights had been dimmed and the ship was running in a low power state. Liara had initially been confused by this feature, but after a review of the ship's schematics she found that it was for the benefit of the human crewmembers. Even though the cycles of day and night meant nothing on a starship, apparently it was quite important to human physiology. The illusion of "night" was critical to ensure that the crew reached the required amount of deep sleep cycles, even though they all slept in pods with individual environmental controls. Liara found that particularly fascinating; the asari were not nearly as sensitive as humans and did not require the same considerations. All the dim lighting did was give her a headache from squinting at her display. Liara hadn't yet figured out how to override the lab's low lighting and had been too shy to request a lamp.

She cautiously stepped out into the mess area, still uncomfortable with her place on the ship. Most of the crew still seemed to distrust her, and she found it easier to just avoid their suspicious glances and hushed tones. Liara spent most of her time in the lab, only emerging during the artificial night to stretch her legs and investigate the ship. Usually, she was the only one awake during those ventures. She took two steps before she realized that was not the case this night.

Shepard was sitting at the far mess table with her back to the lab entrance, leaning back so far in her chair that Liara was sure she would fall right over. Her black combat boots were up on the table, ankles crossed, and still gleamed despite the dim lighting. The commander's head was ducked down slightly, and it appeared as if she was reading something, pausing occasionally to sip from a steaming mug next to her. Shepard had also activated a wall panel and the sounds of a somber, atmospheric song drifted through the usually silent mess. Liara couldn't place the tune; it must be a human song, she reasoned, but it was unlike any she had heard. The intricately layered melody and delicate vocals were the complete opposite of the deafening thrashings she had assumed were the extent of humanity's musical stylings. The underlying beat was up-tempo, yet the melancholy lyrics were sung slowly, resulting in a surprising complexity that Liara enjoyed. After a few moments of listening, she discerned another distinct sound carrying through the room. Shepard was singing.

The Spectre's voice was clear and pitch-perfect, yet had a smoky quality that gave it a slight edge. She harmonized effortlessly with the vocals of the song, creating a haunting duet that Liara found completely stirring. Although Shepard sang softly given the late hour, it was obvious that her voice had enough power to fill all of the Normandy's decks if ever unleashed. Liara stood transfixed as she listened to the commander sing the mournful lyrics. The song told a story of love lost, recaptured, then lost again, and Shepard's voice conveyed the melancholy tone perfectly. It seemed like such an odd choice for the hardened commander, and in that moment, Liara couldn't believe this was the same soldier who had just defeated a krogan battlemaster mere days ago.

The song ended, and the one that followed was more upbeat. Shepard began tapping the table top with her fingers and bobbing her head slightly. Liara felt her attention drawn toward the commander's movements. Despite the dim lighting, she could plainly see the sinewy muscles in Shepard's forearm flex as she moved her hand and the tautness of her slender neck. Liara's gaze moved over the commander's broad shoulders, admiring the athletic frame of her back…

The chair hit the deck with a resounding slam that made Liara jump. Shepard was on her feet, catching the asari in her piercing gaze. Liara took a step back. She had never seen anyone move that fast.

"Doctor."

Once again, Shepard was unable to sleep. The reoccurring images of the Prothean beacon, interspersed with her usual unsettling dreams of Earth or Akuze, had made it nearly impossible for her to get any meaningful rest. After a few hours of tossing and turning, Shepard finally admitted defeat. She showered and dressed, then gathered up several data pads and headed out to the mess hall.

The quiet of the ship at this hour had always unnerved her; Shepard couldn't stand the heavy stillness that hung throughout the decks. Silence made her nervous. She deposited her data pads on the closest table and activated a wall panel. She scrolled through her personal files and queued up several playlists. The stillness dissipated as soft music slowly began to fill the mess hall. Nodding her head in time with the beat, Shepard retrieved a cup of coffee from the wall dispenser. She took a sip, grimaced, then promptly added an unhealthy amount of milk and sugar. Shepard wondered who should have to threaten to get a decent cup of coffee on her own damn ship. She sighed. At least it was hot.

Shepard sat and began sorting through the stack of pads, first deliberately plucking the top one off the pile and setting it aside. Shepard scrolled through the various intel she had received regarding Saren's movements for what seemed like the hundredth time. There was nothing new to be gleamed from the dry reports, and Shepard soon abandoned her project. She took a sip of coffee and looked over at the pad she had set apart from the others. The commander drummed her fingers on the table for a moment before snatching up the pad and leaning back in her chair.

Matriarch Benezia. The picture of the elegant asari filled the pad's display as Shepard skimmed the file. She had briefly reviewed the limited information on the matriarch's activities, but had not studied it in depth. Shepard told herself that she just hadn't had the time to read the report, and that even if she did it would just be a waste. No one but Benezia herself could explain her recent actions and why she was suddenly linked with a rogue Spectre. But Shepard knew there was another reason.

Liara T'Soni's resemblance to her mother was unmistakable, her features echoing the matriarch's high cheekbones and sky blue eyes. The archeologist also had a regal air about her, a distinct grace in her movements that Shepard noticed instantly on Therum. Even after her exhausting ordeal in the Prothean ruins and subsequent debriefing, the maiden had carried herself with a dignity and quiet confidence that belied her inner nervousness. It was the kind of presence that must have been imparted on her at an early age, and Shepard surmised that there were certain expectations to be had of the daughter of a matriarch. Although, the commander doubted that the particular sway of her hips was something that she had been formally schooled in...

Shepard suddenly shook her head, as if she was trying to physically banish the image from her mind. She shifted in her seat and increased the volume of her music in hopes it would distract her, but to no avail. She hadn't spoken to the doctor since the debriefing after Therum, and that was nearly three days ago. It had been easy to tell herself that she was just too busy; that her new duties as a Spectre and the hunt for Saren were taking all her attention, but Shepard knew that wasn't true. She was blatantly avoiding Liara, to the point where she even skirted reports about her mother because they just reminded Shepard of her. She thought of the asari's brilliant blue eyes, lighter than her own, but clearer and more…calm. They reflected light rather than absorb it, as Shepard's stormy sapphire eyes seemed to do. She had been drawn towards the calm pools the moment their eyes had met on Therum.

No.

Shepard steered her thoughts away from the scientist. She was supposed to track down Saren and his geth, not swoon over some asari like a hormonal teenager. Liara had been added to the crew for her Prothean knowledge. Nothing more. The mission comes first.

The mission always comes first.

She discarded the pad on Benezia, scooped up a different one, and began to doggedly focus her attention on Pressely's latest operations report. The readout began to blur, and she brought a hand up to pinch the bridge of her nose, fighting the dull ache that had taken up residence behind her eyes ever since she had been touched by the beacon. The throbbing grew more intense as the days passed, and she idly wondered if she should have accepted Liara's offer to join minds. Despite the asari's insistence, Shepard had turned her down forcefully. There was no way in hell that she was going to allow the asari to traipse through her mind. God knows what she would turn up. Shepard didn't need anyone ripping open old wounds.

Her playlist switched over, and a haunting melody filled the mess hall. Almost unconsciously, Shepard began singing along. Her voice was soft at first, then gradually became louder as she warmed up. After a moment, the hairs on the back of Shepard's neck stood on end and she knew she was being watched. She snapped around and leapt to her feet, still holding Pressely's report. Shepard winced slightly when she realized she had slammed the feet of the chair down harder than she had intended.

Liara T'Soni stood just outside the entrance to the infirmary, with a surprised look on her face. Shepard immediately tensed, suddenly embarrassed of both her singing and earlier thoughts about the asari.

"Doctor," she said tersely, clasping her hands behind her back.

T'Soni's cheeks flushed. "C-commander, I am sorry I disturbed you. I did not realize anyone would be awake at this hour," she stammered nervously, assuming she had upset Shepard at her intrusion.

"No need to apologize, Doctor. I was just, uh, reading over some reports." Shepard stumbled over her reply. She realized she was standing nearly at attention, and forced herself to relax. The commander's gaze flicked away from the archeologist for a moment, then returned. "Would you care to join me?" she asked, gesturing at an empty seat.

Liara was taken aback by the invitation. She hadn't spoken in depth with the Normandy's commander, and it seemed like an odd time to start. Shepard's body language appeared welcoming, yet her rich blue eyes remained cold. Liara hesitated at the incongruity, but her curiosity got the better of her. "I would. Thank you." She strode over and took the offered seat. Liara folded her hands in her lap and fixed Shepard with an expectant gaze, considering the woman in front of her. This was the closest they had been since Therum, and Liara was surprised at how small Shepard looked without her armor. When she stood, she wasn't much taller than Liara herself, who was considered below average height for an asari. Shepard's muscular yet wiry frame hinted at a scrawny youth, which only served to intrigue Liara more. The commander had obviously learned at a young age to carry herself in such as way that she seemed a larger physical presence than she actually was. It was a neat trick that, coupled with her rugged exterior, left Liara little doubt about Shepard's capabilities.

Shepard sat back down quickly and leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. She took a moment before speaking. "So, Doctor, how are you finding the Normandy?" Her fingers drummed against the side of her coffee mug.

"It is a very impressive ship, Commander." Liara returned Shepard's cool gaze. Bold sapphire eyes stared back at her, fierce and unyielding. The asari shifted slightly. "Doctor Chakwas has been most accommodating."

"Is the lab comfortable enough for you? I can find you better quarters, if you'd like." Shepard spoke in terse, clipped tones, as if she was conducting a debriefing rather than a casual conversation.

"Oh no, there is no need for that." Liara held up a hand, then returned it to her lap. "I am perfectly fine in the lab."

Shepard nodded, glancing away from Liara again as silence descended between them. "I don't see you out much," she said suddenly, snapping her gaze back to the asari. Shepard furrowed her brows, as if she had just noticed Liara's reclusiveness.

"Yes, I admit I am not entirely comfortable around the crew." She reached up and lightly touched her forehead. "I do not have much experience around humans, and…" Liara trailed off, unsure if she should finish. She shifted again under Shepard's intense gaze. She had no idea a human's eyes could be so blue.

"And…?" Shepard's eyes narrowed.

Liara sighed. "I overheard several members of the crew talking. They believe I am in league with Benezia, and am a spy for Saren." A look of distress crossed her finely etched features. "They do not trust me. I have found it easier if I just stay in the lab for the time being."

Shepard's eye's darkened like a thundercloud and a muscle in her jaw twitched. "I see. Thank you for notifying me, Doctor. There's no place for that gossip onboard this ship, and I'll see that it ends. Personally."

Liara nodded, wondering if Shepard realized her words sounded more like a threat than a promise. The commander tossed her head back to drain the rest of her coffee, and Liara's eyes widened at her first unobstructed view of Shepard's right arm. The image was something out of a nightmare: a hellish, writhing creature was emblazoned on Shepard's arm. The brightly colored serpentine body ran down the length of her bicep, standing out in stark contrast to the dark short sleeves she wore. Its head stopped just past the elbow and curved around the side of Shepard's forearm, and its gaping mouth spewed florescent acid in Liara's direction. Looking closer, Liara saw that the skin beneath the tattoo rippled and bubbled in the distinct fashion of a burn scar. She frowned slightly, but then her face lit up in recognition.

"Is that a…?" she began, pointing at Shepard's arm.

"A thresher maw? Yeah." Shepard responded, hiking up her sleeve. The thresher wrapped around Shepard's entire arm and stretched onto her shoulder, with the tip of the tail finally stopping at the base of her neck. Liara saw that the scarring extended that far as well.

"From Akuze," Liara nodded solemnly. "I read about that in your file. I cannot imagine experiencing something like that."

"Been reading up on me, have you?" Shepard cocked her head to the side, and watched as the asari's hand again went to her forehead. She wondered why Liara kept doing that.

"Y-yes, well, I was…curious," Liara stammered, her cheeks darkening. "I find you fascinating, Commander, and I wanted to know more about you. What makes you the woman that you are. What happened on Akuze is obviously a part of that."

Fascinating. The word reverberated through Shepard's head as she looked away from the asari and instead began focusing intently on the sediment lining her coffee mug. She wanted another cup, but something kept her rooted firmly to the table. Her hands started twitching.

"Do you mind?" Shepard didn't bother to wait for a reply, and reached into the cargo pocket of her pants to withdraw a battered cigarette case. The case was painted black and covered with a patchwork of scratches that revealed the gleaming metal beneath. An N7 logo had been affixed to the corner at one point, but now it was nearly unrecognizable. Shepard lit the cigarette and took a long drag. She exhaled out of the side of her mouth, and Liara watched the giant plume of smoke hover over them for a brief moment before it was snatched up by the air filters.

Liara was surprised to see the commander smoking; she had been aware of the devastating physical consequences of such a habit since a very young age. Surely Shepard, the pinnacle of marine fitness, was not that stupid. Liara was also confused and frustrated at Shepard's reaction to her statement about Akuze. The commander remained silent, and the only hint of emotion on her stoic face were the rolling stormclouds of her eyes. Had Liara crossed some unseen line? She knew that Akuze had to be a painful memory for Shepard, but why commemorate such an awful event with a tattoo of the thing that caused it, and then appear angry when the subject was broached? Liara wondered if her social skills had really deteriorated that much, or if all humans were this maddening. Undaunted, she decided to press on.

"And how did you survive, Commander?" Liara asked in a gentle, yet straightforward manner. She leaned forward slightly, studying Shepard as if she was a specimen in her lab.

"It's not something I care to discuss, Doctor," Shepard replied pointedly.

"And yet you have a tattoo of thresher maw on your arm," Liara said, irritated by the paradox.

Shepard shrugged. "It was that, or keep living with the scar."

Liara's furrowed her brow, struggling to reconcile the inconsistent data Shepard kept giving her. "So you cover the scar with an image of what scarred you?"

"The thresher didn't give me that scar," Shepard said quietly, glancing away. Liara's expressive eyes widened, taken aback by the admission. Her mind raced as she thought of all the things that could leave such a severe mark on the commander. She shuddered slightly when she realized that none of the possibilities were pleasant.

Shepard drew again from her cigarette, catching the asari in her cool gaze. She had gotten the sense that she was frustrating Liara, and immediately felt guilty. She hadn't meant to be so difficult. "It was luck," Shepard said, returning to Liara's original subject as peace offering. "I made it out of there through dumb fucking luck."

Liara's sky blue eyes met Shepard's, silently urging her to continue. Shepard let out a heavy sigh. She couldn't remember the last time she had spoken about Akuze. "We didn't know it was a thresher nest. Only one of them popped out, at first. By the time we had fought that one off, there was only four of us left." She stabbed out her cigarette in her coffee mug and immediately lit another one. Shepard took a long drag before continuing in a low monotone. "One of my squadmates, Drake, distracted it and we made a break for it. But there were two more that we didn't know about. They outflanked us, came up out of the ground between us and the transport. I saw them first – don't know why or how, but I just did. I dove left. Everyone else went right. So did the thresher." Shepard paused, the implication hanging heavily in the air.

"The other one went at the dropship, hit it with that acid. But it's not just acid – it's hot, too, like napalm. Cooks everything it touches. Turned that cockpit into a damn oven. There were two pilots inside. They were dead before the thresher even got to them." Shepard closed her eyes. Ferro. Wierzbowski. She could still hear their horrifying shrieks over her comm as they roasted to death in their seats. She remembered seeing their burnt husks as she snuck into the dropship hours after the threshers had left, reaching over Ferro's vivisected corpse to trigger the distress hail, the acrid smell of cooked flesh stinging her nostrils….

The throbbing in her head had returned, and Shepard pinched the bridge of her nose, waiting a moment before opening her eyes again. Liara looked stricken; her complexion had paled considerably and her bright eyes were brimming with tears. Shepard had the sudden urge to reach out and wipe away the asari's tears.

"Commander, I-I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have pressed you, I should have known that would be difficult…"

"It's okay, Doctor," Shepard held up a hand, offering Liara a thin smile. "Besides, I wanted to tell you." She reddened as soon as the words escaped her lips, embarrassed both at the unabashed admission and the truth behind it. She suddenly slapped her knee and leaned back in her chair, as if the movement would erase what she had just said. "And there you have it. Go left, you live; go right, you die. Like I said, dumb fucking luck."

Liara quickly composed herself, briskly wiping her face with the back of a hand and returning it to her lap. "Surely there was more to it than that, Commander."

"What, like a higher power?" Shepard scoffed. "That's Chief Williams' territory, not mine."

"You do not share Chief Williams' beliefs?" Liara's color had returned and she edged forward in her chair again, eyeing Shepard with the same look of scientific curiosity she had worn earlier.

Shepard's jaw tensed. "Ashley and I differ on quite a few things." Another long drag from the cigarette. "You can't survive something like Akuze and still believe. You can't grow up in the streets, fighting off men three times your size and still believe." She shook her head. "I haven't spoken to God in quite some time, Doctor. And He better hope that I never do again, because as far as I'm concerned, He's got some fucking explaining to do."

Shepard didn't realize her music had stopped, and an abrupt silence filled the mess hall after she finished speaking. It made her little speech sound more dramatic then she intended. She shifted in her seat and began focusing on a random spot on the far wall, feeling incredibly self-conscious. What was it about that woman? They had been talking for less than an hour and Shepard was already spilling her guts to an asari she barely knew. She briefly glanced over at Liara, who was looking at her with a bemused expression on her face.

"Fascinating," she repeated, actually favoring Shepard with a slight smile.

Shepard ducked her head shyly, then returned the asari's smile with the slightest hint of a grin. She stood and stamped out her cigarette. "Well, I should get back-"

Before she could finish, the Spectre was hit with a blinding flash of pain so sudden it was like a grenade had gone off in her head. She grimaced and staggered forward, her hand slamming down on the table for support. She clenched her eyes shut and pressed her other palm into her forehead. She began to sway and tried to fight off pounding waves of nausea as the pain rocketed through to the back of her skull.

"Commander!" Liara shot out of her seat and was around the table in an instant, clutching the commander's shoulder to keep her upright.

"It's…okay. Just give me a minute…" Shepard grunted through gritted teeth as she attempted to breathe through the pain. She felt a cool, delicate touch on the side of her face and the pain started to dissipate, as if someone had applied a soothing balm to a burn. As suddenly as it came on, the episode was over. She opened her eyes and was met with the asari's clear blue gaze. Shepard felt herself drawn into the deep, calming pools of Liara's eyes.

"The beacon," Liara said simply, favoring Shepard with a concerned look. "Your mind is struggling to interpret the visions and is being overwhelmed by the strain. My offer to join with you still stands. You cannot handle this alone."

Shepard's pulse quickened as the asari moved closer to her. Liara was still gripping the collar of her shirt and holding her other hand against Shepard's cheek. She was unable to tear herself away from Liara's gaze. Her hands rose unbidden from her sides and were reaching towards Liara's hips before Shepard even realized what was happening. It would be so easy to let her in, to lose herself in those brilliant eyes…

No. Shepard swallowed hard and, summoning every ounce of willpower she had, took a very deliberate step back. Liara's hand fell from Shepard's face as she moved out of reach. "No, thank you. I'll be fine." The commander bent down and began swiftly gathering her data pads.

"But, if it helps you – "

"I said no," Shepard snapped, shooting the asari an icy glare. She lowered her head and continued stacking up the pads. "You wouldn't want to go in there anyway," she added softly.

Liara took a step back and wrapped her arms around herself as if she had caught a sudden chill. A wounded expression crossed her face as she silently watched Shepard collect her things. She understood Shepard's hesitation, but the commander's sharp rebuke stung more than she cared to admit. Shepard soon straightened, pads tucked neatly under her arm, and coolly appraised the asari.

"I just need to lie down," she announced matter-of-factly. "There's a schedued briefing at 0830. I'll see you then, Doctor." Shepard spun on her heel and headed back to her quarters.

"Liara."

Shepard turned. Liara was standing in the same spot, eyes fixed upon the retreating commander. "You keep referring to me as 'doctor.' There is no need to be so formal. Please call me Liara," she said softly.

Shepard nodded, ducking her chin slightly. "Shepard," she responded, gesturing at her chest.

Liara smiled slightly at the new arrangement. "I will see you at the briefing, Shepard."

Shepard just nodded again, a faint smile of her own playing on her lips as she disappeared into her quarters.