Lover Mode

Dr. Liara T'Soni is working at one of the terminals in her office aboard the Normandy SR-2. She is coordinating relief effort for her home planet of Thessia after the Reapers invaded the planet. The Shadow Broker's grief from seeing the Reapers invade and start to destroy her home world is lingering, but she knows Shepard is right. She can't let it overwhelm her and it's not her fault. There is too much at stake.

Liara isn't sure which is bothering her more. Thessia's destruction, Javik's comments about her people's ancient history, or her mother keeping the secret of the Prothean beacon from her. All three togther has been overwhelming, but she has pushed most of those feeling aside to concentrate on helping the refugees from Thessia. Now she knows how Garrus and Shepard feel seeing their home get destroyed by the Reapers. They are handling it like the soldiers they are.

Commander Leia Shepard walks in to see Liara working at her terminal. The human walks over to the asari. She wraps her arms around Liara's waist and places her chin on T'Soni's right shoulder. "How are you doing, Liara?" asks Leia before she gives her love a soft peck on the cheek.

"I'm feeling better, Shepard. Thank you for checking in on me," answers T'Soni. She continues to pay more attention to her monitor than to Shepard. Her fingers move across the keyboard with determination Liara lacked a couple of hours ago.

"Meet me in my quarters in fifteen minutes, T'Soni," replies Commander Shepard. The Commander heads towards the door. Liara starts to reply, but Shepard turns, looks over her shoulder saying, "That's an order." Shepard leaves Liara's office before she can protest.

Dr. T'Soni stops typing and looks to her right as the door to her office closes. "Aye, aye. Commander." The asari looks down to her terminal again. "Glyph, continue to help coordinate rescue efforts on Thessia. I seem to have a meeting with the Commander," says Liara as she leave her office to meet Shepard in her quarters.

The Shadow Broker's VI drone answers, "Of course, Dr. T'Soni. Have a pleasant day."

Leia Shepard is sitting on the 'L' shaped sofa relaxing, wondering what she is going to say to Liara when she arrives. She knows she needs to comfort her love more than she did a few hours ago. Shepard knows she was in full Commander mode and that got Liara working again. Leia feels Liara needs her more as a lover not her Commander.

Liara knocks on the door to Shepard's quarters. Instead of waiting for Leia to either come to the door or tell her to "come in", Liara walks into the quarters. She puts a soft smile on her face when she sees Leia out of her Alliance uniform and in the N7 hoodie and a pair of cargo pants. "You wanted to see me, Commander?" asks the Shadow Broker. She is standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Please, take a seat, Shadow Broker," comments Leia with a smirk on her face. Leia pats the spot on the couch next to her. She figures if Liara is going to call her Commander in private then she is going to call T'Soni, Shadow Broker.

Sitting down next to Commander Shepard, Liara places her head on Leia's shoulder. "I need to work, Shepard. It keeps me focused."

"Liara, I need you to take some time for yourself. Now more than ever. We are headed to the Newton System. Cerberus has attacked a communication hub on Ontarom." says Shepard as she wraps her arm around T'Soni's shoulder and pulls her closer.

Sighing with contentment in Shepard's embrace, Liara asks, "Okay, Leia. I'll relax. Anything you want to talk about?" Closing her eyes, Liara feels the warmth of Leia's embrace. Feeling her body relax for the first time since they left Thessia.

Leia thinks about that for a moment. There is a lot of things she wants to talk about. Most of it are topics that will not help them to relax. Shepard deflects the question and remains quiet on the subject. "Nothing comes to mind. Who says we have to talk about anything." An idea pops into Shepard's head. She remembers the last time they were together and the massage she attempted to give Liara. "Remember the bad massage I gave you before I went to Earth?"

"Yes. I would not call it bad. I did enjoy it. Think your hand is up for it?" asks Liara with a playful tone in her voice. She takes Leia's right hand with her left hand.

Shepard chuckles and gives Liara her smirk. "Yes, I think my hand is up for it. Would you care for a massage, Liara?" Leia rubs her thumb over Liara's finger as they hold hands.

T'Soni thinks for a moment before answering Shepard's question. The asari smiles at the human sitting next to her then leans over and softly kisses Leia's cheek. "How about a rain check? When we have a little more time."

"You sure, Liara?" asks Leia. She moves her head to kiss the top of Liara's head.

"Yes, I'm sure," replies the asari. She lies her head back on Shepard's shoulder. Sitting in silence and enjoying the moment along with Shepard's company, Dr. T'Soni thinks about all the things Shepard has done for her since they met on Therum three years ago. From saving her from the Prothean security bubble and the geth to forcing her to talk to Matriarch Aethyta. "Thank you."

The 'thank you' comes from left field. Leia is curious. What T'Soni is thanking her for? It really doesn't matter to Shepard what Liara's reason for the comment. If there is a 'thank you' to be said. It should come from Shepard. The Commander knows it too. Without Liara, finding Ilos and the schematics for the Crucible would have been impossible. With Liara's knowledge of the Protheans plus Shepard's knack of doing the impossible is the only reason they have gotten this far.

Leia closes her eyes, gives Liara a squeeze before replying, "You're welcome. I should thank you though, so thank you, Liara." Shepard opens her eyes again and watches the fish swim around in the tank on the other side of the quarters. She has added more fish to the tank during the last trip to the Citadel and now the tank looks full. The two eels from Khar'shan give the tank a slight menacing look.

Liara T'Soni looks over to the fish tank. Noticing for the first time the two eels, Liara gets off the couch and walks over to the tank for a closer look. The Shadow Broker notices the different types of fish in the tank. Leia has added a few new types of fish. From jellyfish from a Hanar colony to the eels from Khar'shan. "When did you buy the Khar'shan Snapping Eels?" asks Liara.

"I bought them the last time we were at the Citadel. You don't like them?" asks the Commander. Shepard joins T'Soni by the fish tank. She wraps her left arm around Liara's waist. "They do have a look about them, don't they?"

"I know I shouldn't be, but I am surprised you bought the eels, Leia," says Liara with a hint of surprise in her voice. She gives Shepard a sideways glace and gives her love a grin.

Shepard places her right hand over her heart while saying in a joking manner, "You wound me, Liara. I didn't think I could do anything to surprise you. Especially since I can't surprise you with anything." Leia turns to face the asari standing next to her. She reaches out with her hand and caresses the asari's cheek.

Liara ignores Shepard's comments and kisses the human Spectre full on the lips. The Shadow Broker forces the Spectre against the fish tank as they continue to kiss. T'Soni breaks the kiss to say, "I should get back to work, Shepard."

"You sure, Liara?" asks Leia. She reaches up again to cup Liara's cheek with her hand.

"Yes, I'm sure. If we go to the Citadel again, we should go for a walk," replies Dr. T'Soni as she gives Shepard another kiss on the lips.

T'Soni starts to walk away when Shepard grabs her arm gently to ask, "Wait, a minute, Liara. Are you asking me out on a date? I thought you said people like use don't have dates?" Leia gives Liara a smirk.

Chuckling as she heads up the couple of steps, Liara answers, "Yes, Commander. I'm asking you out on a date. Or would you rather I send you a message about it?" Sarcasm radiates from Liara's lips when as she asks her question.

Leia watches Liara walk away. She is standing with one foot in front of the other with her arms folded across her chest. Shepard's head is leaning to the left with her smirk showing. "No, I don't need a message. I do have a couple of people I need to give the delivery information about the artifacts we have found during our mission. They are on the Citadel. I hope they can and will help Hackett and the Crucible. When I'm finished, I'll find you. Then we can go for a walk."

Liara grins from ear to ear and nods in agreement. The Shadow Broker leaves Commander Shepard's quarters to head to her own quarters two decks below. Liara thinks about how much she loves the Commander. And how fortunate she is that Shepard feels the same way. After the elevator stops on the crew deck, Liara goes to her office to continue to help the refugees from Thessia. It is the least she can do. I also keeps her busy and helps keep her focused on the task at hand. Defeating the Reapers and helping as many people as possible.

Citadel-After Mission to Sanctuary

Commander Leia Shepard gives the last item she has located to the turian standing at a terminal down the hall from the human embassy. The turian is or was looking for ciphers from Cerberus, so they can break any Cerberus encryption in the future. Shepard looks at the time on her omni-tool. She knows she needs to head back to the Normandy and prepare for their assault on The Illusive Man's base. As Shepard walks towards the elevator to take her to the Presidium Commons to meet with Dr. Liara T'Soni. She thinks this is the first time in her life she has put personal wants and desires before duty. Shepard doesn't feel one ounce of guilt by it. If she is going to tell Liara to take some time for herself, then she needs to do the same. Even Garrus thinks a little R & R is good for her mental state.

Shepard walks past the broken window left over from the coup attempt by Udina, past the apartments, and down a couple sets of stairs before she reaches Liara. She is standing in her favorite spot, a little sitting area next to a few shops in the Meridian Plaza Markets. Leia asks as she leans on the railing next to the asari, "Ready to go for our walk, doctor?"

"Yes, Commander," answers Dr. T'Soni. She smiles at Shepard while taking the Spectre's hand. Liara leads them away from the markets, so they can have their walk in one of the Presidium gardens. She is hoping it is less crowded, but with the influx of refugees. The Shadow Brokers doubts that will actually be the case.

The couple takes their time walking from the markets to the garden area. Neither one is talking or saying much. They know the final battle against Cerberus is next and then they'll head to Earth soon with the fleets the Commander has rallied for support. Shepard doesn't think there is a species that has not helped in one form or another. She even has support from the batarian, Balak. This war is affecting everyone and Shepard has united almost everyone.

Liara stops by some flowers native to Thessia. They are a purplish-red in color with a scent that reminds the Commander of roses, but the flowers have a lily look to them. Liara thinks about Thessia and how they couldn't save her home and Cerberus got away with the data they need to finish the Crucible. T'Soni also feels confident about their chances against the Cerberus base. The Illusive Man has no where left to hide now. Same as the yahg a few months ago.

"You okay, Liara? You're awful quiet," remarks Leia Shepard as she lets go of Liara's hand to wrap her arm around the asari's waist. She pulls T'Soni closer to give the Shadow Broker a kiss on the cheek.

"I'm fine, Shepard. I'm more worried about you than I am about me," answers Liara as she hugs Shepard tightly then places a soft kiss on the human's cheek. The asari maiden whispers in the human's ear, "The better question is, are you alright, Commander?"

Leia is not wanting to answer the question posed to her by Liara. At least not here on the Citadel. Alone in either Liara's office or her quarters is the only place she'll answer that question truthfully. Here, she'll say what people need to hear to keep their moral up. "I'm fine, Liara. I'd rather not talk about work. Heard anything from Matriarch Aethyta since the coup attempt?" asks the human Spectre.

T'Soni shakes her head 'no' to Shepard's question. "No, I haven't. I know I should worry about her, but I don't. What about you, Shepard? Heard anything from your mom?" asks Liara. Liara already knows the answer to the question. It seems to Liara that Shepard is not wanting to answer any heavy questions, so she thought she would ask a question that has a happy answer.

A soft smile crosses Shepard's lips when she thinks about her mother, Hannah Shepard. "I haven't heard from her directly, but Admiral Hackett did inform me she's been promoted to Fleet Admiral and is working logistics for the Crucible. For now, she's safe. I hope it stays that way, Liara. I didn't talk to her while I was on Earth. Hackett says she is proud of what I am doing. Which makes me happy. I never want to let my mom down."

"I'm glad to hear that, Shepard. We can always use more good news. I would love to meet her, Shepard," replies Liara as they continue their walk around on of the gardens.

They stop a couple more time to take in the view of the different plants in the garden. Shepard notices the time, it's getting late. "We need to get back to the Normandy. Duty calls," comments Leia with a heavy heart. Shepard would rather stay here with Liara and enjoy themselves more. Duty calls and she has put off doing her duty long enough. Time to get back to it. Leia gives Liara another kiss before saying, "I would love for you to meet my mom.

"I would enjoy that, Shepard. Okay, let's go. We both have work to do," says Liara. The tone in her voice is the same as Shepard's, heavy-hearted. Neither one wants to go back, but they both know they must.

Shepard is starting to feel a ping of guilt about putting personal feelings before duty. Before taking another step, Leia says, "Liara, I must confess something to you before we go back." The Spectre looks at Liara and tries to give her a heart warming smile, but isn't doing a very good job of it. "This is the first time I have ever put my personal feelings before my duty. We should have left already. I feel like I am putting it off and I know I'm not actually doing that. That is what it feels like."

The Shadow Broker turns to face her love. She places both hands on Leia's face, gives her a sweet smile before saying, "You're not putting it off. You're leading by example. Didn't Garrus tell you not long ago, you needed a little R & R during this war? You're taking time for yourself, Shepard. Isn't that what you told me to do a few days ago?" Liara gives Shepard a kiss on the lips then on the cheek. She whispers soft enough so only Leia can hear her, "You and I both know that once we leave here. We will not have any more time for R & R until this war is over."

Commander Shepard nods and grins at Liara. Listening to Liara, helps her in ways even she doesn't always understand. The human leans in kisses the asari passionately. After Leia breaks away from the kiss, she says, "You're right. Thanks, T'Soni. We need to get going." Shepard takes T'Soni's hand as they make their way back to Dock D24. They don't take their time nor do they walk with urgency. The human/asari couple walk as a normal pace, like normal people.

The Spectre is feeling a little better. Leia isn't sure if she can really do what everyone is expecting her to do. She will either defeat the Reapers or die trying. She knows without either Liara or Garrus with her in this fight, she wouldn't have gotten this far. Hackett and Anderson both have faith in her. The entire Normandy crew will follow her to hell and back if that is what it takes. Those things give Shepard the strength to keep going, but no one gives her the determination to continue fighting like the love of her life, Dr. Liara T'Soni and her best friend, Garrus Vakarian.

A/N:I am working on a couple of stories. I don't know when I will be posting them. In the mean time, I hope you enjoyed this one. I may add more like this one to add to scenes from the game in the future.