A/N: So I have been reading ChronicallyinFlaming's An Argument, A separation and it made me wonder. What if something happened during the two years Shepard was dead that haunted Liara. I wanted to turn the tables and try my hand at an argument while working on a new writing style. Thank you to all those that chose to comment and read what I have written.

Well Jane, at this rate you're never going to have children. You've done everything short of begging to know what happened in those two years. Why not just lay down the law and give the ultimatum? Ultimatums are the death toll of a relationship. Hell you destroyed the greatest threat to the galaxy, but can't get your bond mate to talk to you. She's ready to start a family; all you have to do is let her have her secret.

She stood up and walked over to the small bar in her office. The room was a museum of her accomplishments. The helmet recovered from the first Normandy's wreckage mocked her.

I survived for what? I'm relatively happy, but true happiness is still a child away. I can complete my life, in return I just have to let her keep the secret of two years. I just have to stay away from that little corner of her mind she's locked away from me. What's the point of a meld if there are still secrets between us?

She pulled out a bottle of Scotch, poured two fingers, and swallowed it without pause. A shadow fell over the bar signaling Liara's presence.

"It's a little early to start drinking."

She's probably frowning, with that worried look in her eye.

"There's an old human saying about that. It's five o'clock somewhere."

Why the fuck did I say that. Now she's going to ask what's bothering me and the argument will start. I could lie, but she would know. She knows what's wrong. Maybe she won't ask.

"What's wrong?"

She turned around and faced the only person she could ever love.

"Same shit different day."

She knows. She'll either leave or try to reassure me that one day she'll be ready to tell me. How much do I have to love her before it's enough?

"Why are you letting this bother you?"

Well that's a new approach. It's not me it's you. This shouldn't feel like a break up.

"It's a road block. It's the only thing between us, the only thing stopping us from having a child."

Liara moves closer, her hand caressing the slightly tanned arm. She places a gentle kiss upon the human's lips. The kiss deepens to something passionate.

Please don't let this be an attempt to avoid the subject. Do I taste of scotch? Why does this feel so perfect?

"We can have a child whenever you want."

Why are you doing this to me? Damn it why am I letting her do this to me?

She pushed the Asari away.

"Damn it. Don't use our relationship as a weapon."

She walked past her lover and moved through the house, toward the bedroom..

I can't do this anymore. I can't stay here and play house while it's burning down.

She was packing clothes into her duffel bag.

Am I really doing this? Where the hell am I going to go? There's no where she can't find me. She's got cameras and operatives everywhere. There's always Omega or Rannoch, both are mostly shadow broker free. Rannoch's out because Tali would totally tell on me.

"What are you doing?"

The desperation in her voice, is it real? Is it another ploy to keep me here? Stuck in neutral until she feels I deserve to know what's in that dark corner of her mind?

"Packing."

Keep it simple. Don't give details, she will remember everything you say and will use your words against you. She's no longer the love of your life, she's an obstacle. Why does this hurt so damn much? Don't you dare cry!

"You are on leave for another week. Where are you going? Why are you leaving?"

She's going to cry, don't you dare give in.

"I think we need some time apart."

The Asari grabs her shoulder forcing a face to face confrontation.

Why can't you just tell me what I want to know? I won't be the only one in this relationship.

"We have been apart for two months on this last deployment. Why do we suddenly need more time apart? Everything was fine last night. What changed?"

"I can't keep pretending everything is okay. I can't stay here and let you lie to me by omission. I've given you five years to tell me about those missing two years of your life. I have given you everything mind, body, and soul. You can't give me two fucking years."

I know you've seen it tearing me apart. I've watched that thousand mile stare where you remember. I have touched the pain in your mind associated with those events, yet I am not allowed any further.

"Why don't you trust me?"

We are back to square one, it's my fault we're having problems. I don't trust you enough, I don't love you enough. When do we get to the point where It's about us being two parts of a whole.

She finishes packing and turns to her bond mate.

"It's not about trust, love, secrets, or lies. It's about you being chained to your past. A past that you won't even give me the opportunity to forgive."

She leaves the room walking quickly.

You're doing fine. Just hold it together a little longer.

The Asari is following closely behind her.

"Do not be childish. Stay and we can talk about it. We can work things out."

Another night of discussing that she just needs another day. Then it will be another tomorrow. They never worked it out. She rebuffed every attempt to resolve this situation. This unbearable and painful situation was never resolved. It was just strung along day after day, month to month, and year to year.

"Shepard, please do not go."

It should be simple for her to just give in. Just let go of the past. What could be so horrible that she would let me leave?

She said nothing as she exited the house. She got into the skycar avoiding the Asari's gaze she drove off.

You finally did it. You finally drew a line in the sand. You finally let her know the past will dictate our future. Damn it you need to pull over you can't drive and cry at the same time. Damn it Liara why did you make me do this. Why couldn't you just tell me?

She pulled over and had a good cry.

What if this is it? Is this the end of us? Will I have to start dating again? Would I even want to? No. There is no one else I want to spend the rest of my life with. Stop. You're Captain Jane Fucking Shepard. You will find a way eventually to make this work. You have to.

She composed herself and drove on into an unknown future.