You people all asked for a second chapter, so you know what? Have a second chapter!

Liara dragged herself through the door of Shepard's apartment and collapsed on her friend's couch.

"So, how did the date go?" Shepard asked.

"Shoot me," Liara pleaded. "Shoot me now."

"That bad, huh?" Shepard said. "What went wrong?"

"Everything," Liara said, burying her face in a pillow. "Shoot me now. It'd be less painful."

"If it went that badly it should be over," Shepard said. "You don't have to worry about it anymore."

"If only it was that simple," Liara groaned.

"Well then, spill! Tell Mama Shepard your problems," Shepard said.

"Shepard, I'm older than your grandmother," Liara said.

"Yeah, and in Asari years you're maybe twenty five," Shepard said. "So, tell me what's wrong?"

"The problem is that I'm the equivalent of twenty five and you're a mother," Liara groaned. "You realize that your daughter is comparatively older than I am?"

"I know," Shepard said. "Believe me, that took some getting used to."

"Shepard..." Liara said nervously, pulling her face out of the pillow. "Do you remember that crush I had on you back in the day?"

"Oh, yes," Shepard said with a laugh. "You were adorable, like any other kid with a crush."

"I guess," Liara said. "I think I may have a thing for older women."

Shepard snorted. "What, did your date turn out to be some old crone or something?"

"No," Liara said. "She's... well, comparatively she's a little older than me, though not by much."

"I'm not seeing what the problem is then," Shepard said. "I'm barely middle aged and my life expectancy is roughly two centuries, and predictions say that Ash's generation will live even longer. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Liara said. "It's great. Doesn't mean you can't die from something else first though."

"Liara, the war is over," Shepard said. "I know your line of work isn't exactly the safest, but I don't think you're about to get shot next week. Seriously, what's with you? It's like you're expecting someone to just up and kill you in the next ten minutes."

"Maybe I am," Liara said, burying her face in the pillow again.

"Well I'm the only one here, and this house would make some military bunkers look flimsy," Shepard said. "So unless you're expecting me to kill you, you've got nothing to worry about."

"Maybe I am," Liara said into the pillow.

"Oh really?" Shepard said. "And why in the name of the Goddess would I want to kill you?"

Liara muttered something into the pillow.

"I'm sorry, you're going to have to speak up Liara," Shepard said.

"Ashley," Liara said, pulling her face out of the pillow. "My date turned out to be Ashley." She forced it out in a rush, then buried her face in the pillow again.

Shepard blinked several times, dumbfounded. "Ashley. Your date... was my daughter?"

Liara moaned out a confirmation.

"Well," Shepard said. "That... That's... That's hilarious!" Laughter shook the galactic hero like an earthquake. "Do you have a thing for redheads, or is it just my family?"

"Shepard, this isn't funny!" Liara snapped. "I'm her 'Aunt Liara'! I was part of your crew! I knew her when she was still in diapers! I even changed some of her diapers!"

Shepard sobered up a bit, pulling herself up straight. "I know," she said. "You think I wasn't aware of the possibility of something like this happening? I knew Ash liked Asari. Unless she ended up with an Asari preteen, which I really don't think she'd do and I would not condone, I knew that anyone she brought home would be older than I am. The fact that it's you makes it a bit more confusing, but... well, Ash is an adult now. If she wants to go on a date with you, well, I'll get over it." Shepard suddenly frowned. "You two did go on the date, yes? You didn't stand my daughter up?"

"...Yes?" Liara squeaked out. "Ash said that since we were already in trouble, we might as well go through with it. She gets that persuasiveness from you."

"Good," Shepard said. "If you'd stood her up then you and I would be having words right now."

"You... You're not going to kill me for dating your daughter?" Liara asked.

"Heck no!" Shepard said with a chuckle. "Just keep her out of the nasty parts of your job, treat her properly, and we won't have an issue."

"I'll... do that," Liara said.

"Good," Shepard said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make a call. I have a daughter to embarrass."

"Okay," Liara squeaked. "I'll just... show myself out then."

"Take care of yourself Liara," Shepard said. "For both of us."

"I'll do that," Liara said, fleeing the scene.

Liara sat at her usual work space, sifting through the information from her network. She had a slight backlog to deal with, but it wasn't that hard with the help of Glyph to get everything sorted into the proper folders. Suddenly her personal omnitool chimed, alerting her to a new message.

Shepardling001: So, mom made it awkward, but I think she's okay with this. Are you okay with this?

Liara hesitated for a long moment. Was she okay with dating Ashley? Yes? No? Maybe?

Acting on impulse, Liara started typing.

I think so. I did enjoy our date, and your mother didn't kill me. Would you like to do something next week?

Great! Ashley replied. How does a vid sound? They're rebooting the Blasto series if you're interested.

I saw the original when it came out, Liara typed. I think I'd enjoy seeing a new take on it.

Alright, it's a date then. Oh, and Liara? I'm kind of glad it's you.

Even if it makes it awkward?

Especially if it makes it awkward. Liara could practically hear Ashley's smirk through the screen. I'm looking forward to the look on dad's face when he finds out about this! I have to go now, talk to you later!

Ash, wait! Liara typed, but it was too late. Ashley had logged out, leaving Liara with a sinking feeling. Shepard had taken the situation with remarkable grace, but there was no way Kaiden would be so understanding. Liara was nowhere near that lucky.

Was she?