The next day, Shepard awoke to find herself alone in bed. She expected as much, but a part of her wished that Liara had stayed. That being said, she was feeling much better, so she decided to grab a shower, after which she checked her messages. There was one from Liara saying that she had something she wanted to show Shepard in her cabin, which intrigued her. Liara hadn't mentioned this project in any prior conversations.

"Liara?" Shepard called Liara's room. "You had something you wanted to discuss in my cabin?"

"Yes, I'll be right up."

Shepard took the opportunity to tell Joker to route them to the Citadel while she waited for Liara to make her way to the cabin.

"How you feelin', Commander? Haven't heard from you since pina coladas night," Joker commented, still amused that he could get EDI to dig that song up to play for the occasion.

"I'm fully recovered, thanks. And be sure to thank EDI for serenading me."

"Hey, it was my idea, where's my thanks?" Joker indignantly demanded.

"When you sing 'If You Like Pina Coladas' to me, then I'll thank you."

"IF YOU LIKE PINA COLADAS AND GETTIN' CAUGHT IN THE RAIN—"

It was then that Liara walked into the cabin, completely failing to stifle laughter.

"Thank you, Joker! That'll be all!" Shepard cut the intercom and coughed.

"Well, he certainly has a... lovely singing voice," Liara noted with a hum.

"It's terrible, and that's why I love him," Shepard admitted.

"Could we sit?"

Shepard took note of the little box in Liara's hands before responding. "Sure thing." She took her place on the couch while Liara knelt in front of the coffee table, placing the box down on it.

"I've been thinking about the knowledge we gathered on the Reapers, and how easily it could be lost again," Liara uttered while fiddling around with the settings. "So..." She looked up at Shepard. "I put a plan in motion to preserve things for the future."

"What's this?" By that point, Shepard was dying to know what the box actually was.

"A record of the galaxy. Information on the Reapers, relays, different cultures... and blueprints of the Crucible." Liara stood up. "But there's one entry I wanted your opinion on."

"Which one?"

"Your own." Liara knelt back down as a VI of Shepard popped up over the device. "I'd be honored to have your input. How would you like history to remember you?"

Shepard thought for a second before deciding. "You know me well enough to fill in the blanks, Liara."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'd like it to be your call," Shepard determined with a small smile.

"I'll start by saying Commander Shepard was born on Earth and fought harder than anyone else for her homeworld." Liara paced slowly around the cabin. "Shepard was also a deadly tactical fighter. Most enemies never saw her coming. She was a leader who knew when to be persuasive and when to apply pressure. And it was a privilege to know her." Liara looked over at Shepard, her eyes sparkling. Shepard couldn't help but smile back in response.

"Careful this doesn't sound like a diary," Shepard warned playfully.

"I can't help myself. You're a good friend, Shepard." Liara moved over to sit by Shepard on the couch.

"You've been there for me, too, Liara."

"No, I haven't. I wish I could have joined you back on Illium," Liara lamented, leaning forward.

"You made up for it," Shepard earnestly imparted.

Liara reclined back. "Well, I suppose I did just write your name in the stars."

"How romantic," Shepard cooed, clinging to Liara's arm.

A silence passed between them, Shepard not realizing that her facetious gesture meant more to both of them than she intended. There were several ways she could get out of it, but at that point, she figured that if she were already in it then she might as well go for it and with that, she rested her head on Liara's shoulder.

"Shepard..." Liara hesitantly started.

"You know... this feels right."

"It... kind of does, doesn't it?"

"I've been meaning to tell you this, and I think the time's finally right. Liara... it's you, and I think deep down I've known that it always has been. You've been here for me through everything despite what you may think, you never doubted me—hell, I wouldn't even be alive if not for you. You—"

"Shepard."

"Liara," Shepard turned towards her. "I'm trying to tell you something important. I'm trying to tell you that I love you," she let slip out before realizing the weight of what she was saying, even if she meant every word.

Liara paused before she smiled softly. "I know."

Before Shepard could question whether Liara had been watching old vids with Joker—namely Star Wars— Liara gently pressed her lips to Shepard's. Shepard could feel heat rush to her ears—it wasn't like she hadn't kissed many times before, but with Liara, it was different. Special. Her lips tingled at the contact, and it was slow and sweet. Shepard moved to plant tender kisses along Liara's jawline, and Liara hummed her approval.

"Ah, Shepard... that's nice," Liara confessed, her fingers curling at her sides.

Shepard made her way down to Liara's neck, suckling lightly to elicit a soft moan.

"T-That's really nice," Liara whimpered.

Shepard couldn't help but chuckle. She loved the reaction she was getting.

"Oh, you mean... this?" Shepard licked the spot on Liara's neck just a bit before sucking down again harder than before. Liara shuddered, her voice catching in her throat as her hand reflexively reached out and grabbed Shepard's thigh. Shepard shivered.

"Yes," Liara breathily replied, caressing the inside of Shepard's thigh with her thumb, to which Shepard instinctively responded by slightly parting her legs. Liara took the opportunity to slide her hand up Shepard's thigh a bit more, and Shepard stopped working on Liara's neck to mewl at the sensation.

"Do you... like that?" Liara tentatively inquired.

"Very much," Shepard murmured, nuzzling into Liara's neck, moaning as Liara continued her ministrations.

"You make the most beautiful sounds, Shepard." Liara's hand moved further up Shepard's thigh and Shepard gasped—Liara was dangerously close to her groin.

"Oh, thank you," Shepard hummed, feeling herself blush.

"Is it alright if I...?" Shepard knew what Liara was asking, and Shepard nodded her assent. With that, Liara's hand moved upwards and Shepard practically jumped. Liara gently stroked her index finger, and Shepard desperately clung to Liara.

"Uh, Shepard? We're here," Joker awkwardly interjected over the intercom.

"Dammit Joker, we're busy!" Shepard yelled back, totally furious.

"Well excuse me, princess!"

"Call me princess again and I will kick your brittle-bony ass, Joker!" Shepard darkly threatened.

"My ass is neither bony nor brittle, thank you very much! There's no specific ass bone for you to break, you know, and my ass is perfectly supple. Isn't it, EDI?"

Shepard couldn't hear EDI's response, but Joker soon chided back with, "Aw, you're no help!"

"Whatever, just get us docked. Ground transport won't be necessary, so don't worry about it," Shepard barked, annoyed.

"Alright. I'll let you two get back to whatever it is you were doing," Joker intoned smugly.

The intercom cut out, but Shepard still agonized, "Thanks for killing the mood, Joker."

Liara just burst into laughter, tearing up in the process.

"You okay, Liara?"

"Yes, I'm fine, his timing is just impeccable," Liara replied between laughing and wiping away stray tears.

Shepard just looked at Liara—really looked at her. "God, Liara, I love you so much," she expressed with wonderment. And to think, this amazing woman loved her back. How lucky was she?

"I love you, too, Shepard," Liara crooned, her face barely containing her smile.

"I think I'm gonna grab a nap before we hit the Citadel. Care to join me?" Shepard asked.

"Of course," came Liara's instant reply.

They made their way over to the bed, crawling under the covers together, holding each other as they both fell asleep.