"Shepard do you ever notice how a lot of the crew seems to… stare at us?" Liara asked in between bites.

"Yeah, I just don't think they're used to a Commander being... well with someone." Shepard said as he wiped his mouth.

"You don't think me being an Asari has anything to do with it?" Liara asked, "I know humans have somewhat of a reputation for being… distrustful towards most other races."

"I wouldn't say most humans are xenophobic, just… cautious. We just haven't had the time to get to know the other species yet, I'm sure in time we'll get past it as a race." Shepard said before he took another bite. "You know Alenko has a thing for Asari?" Shepard said as he took another bite.

"Oh does he now?" Liara asked as she continued eating.

"Don't worry, I told him I saw you first" Shepard said as he wiped some gravy off his mouth with a napkin.

"Do you and the Lieutenant… get a long okay?" Liara asked as she finished the last of her food.

"It's rocky but I like him, he keeps me in check," Shepard said, "He's not what you'd call social though, with the headaches and all."

"Yes, that must be hard for him," Liara said as she took another bite.

"Well look who it is!" Garrus said as he came into the mess, "Did anyone shoot you on the way here?" Garrus asked as he walked over to the table carrying his rations.

"I didn't know we carried dinosaur food on the ship," Shepard said as he smiled at Garrus.

"How's the leg doing?" Garrus asked as he opened his rations onto his tray.

"Almost fully healed, just a little sore." Shepard said

"Maybe if you would stay off of it, Commander" Liara said to Shepard with a grin on her face.

Garrus smiled, "Get a room you two. Wait, on second thought maybe I should get shot next. I can get a pretty Turian to help me around the ship."

"No, I'd think Wrex would be more inclined to help the poor injured Turian around." Liara said as she smiled at Garrus.

"That sounds like a great idea, Liara." Shepard said looking over at Garrus.

"You know, on second thought getting shot isn't sounding so good anymore." Garrus said as he began eating.

"Well I'd better get up to the CIC before Joker starts wondering where I'm at." Shepard said as he finished his food. Shepard leaned over the table and gave Liara a kiss on the forehead, "I'll see you in a bit"

Garrus looked over at Liara, "Don't I get a kiss?"

"I'm sure Shepard would love to give you a kiss," Liara said grinning over at Shepard

"On second thought, I'm good," Garrus said as he looked over at Shepard.

Shepard smiled and started heading towards the CIC. The pain in his leg was almost completely absent now, which he was thankful for.

"Good morning Commander," Presley said as he saluted Shepard.

Shepard returned the salute, "At ease," he said as he walked over to the cockpit. "How much longer do we have Joker?"

"We're about thirty minutes out Shepard," Joker said as he fiddled with some of the screens.

"Alright," Shepard said as he walked back to the CIC, "Have all the reports been filed Presley?"

"Yes sir," Presley said as he turned to Shepard.

"Go ahead and patch me through to the Council, let's get this over with," Shepard said as he walked toward the com room. As he entered the projection of each council member activated.

"Commander, we've received your reports. We apologize for the loss of your marines, we'll make sure their sacrifice wasn't in vein," The Asari councilor said.

"Thank you Councilor," Shepard said.

"It's a shame you were not able to back up the data, though only a minor setback," Said the Salarian councilor.

"Indeed, we're just glad that it's no longer in the hands of pirates," said the Turian councilor.

"Thank you for handling this matter Commander, you're free to return to your mission with Saren," the Asari councilor said, "we'll be waiting for your next report."

The projectors went dark as each of the councilors images faded, Shepard let out a sigh of relief as he left the room. He felt the gentle shake of the clamps as they docked with the Citadel, "Presley make sure we're stocked and refueled. I want to be ready to leave by tomorrow until then consider it some well-earned shore leave," Shepard said as he walked over to the stairwell.

"Aye Commander, will do" Presley said as he began making the arrangements.

As Shepard was walking to Liara's quarters he was stopped by Chakwas, "Commander, just the man I was looking for. How's the leg doing?" Chakwas asked

"It's good Doc, don't tell me you need more scans. You know I hate check-ups." Shepard said as he looked over at Chakwas.

"I suppose I'll make an exception for you Commander, but I will need to get a scan from you in a few weeks to make sure there's no remaining damage." Chakwas said

"Thanks Doc," Shepard said as he walked over to Liara's door, "Can I come in?"

"Of course come in Shepard," Liara said.

Shepard walked through the door as he was greeted with a kiss on the cheek from Liara.

"How'd the report to the Council go?" Liara asked as she led him over to her desk.

"Surprisingly well, they gave their condolences for our loss. Given the circumstances I think they were just surprised we got the job done and the data was destroyed so… that's a win." Shepard said as he sat down at the corner of her bed.

"I'm surprised to hear that," Liara said as she turned her desk seat to face Shepard and sat.

"Hell not even the Turian gave me any shit, maybe today's just my lucky day," Shepard said, "I've still got to talk to Kaidan though, that's not going to be pretty."

"He doesn't agree with how we handled the mission?" Liara asked sitting back in her chair

"You could say that, though I can't blame him. If it had been anyone else, they had hostage… I'm not sure I would have stood down," Shepard said.

"You did what you thought was right and still completed the mission, don't beat yourself up over it Shepard," Liara said.

"Maybe your right but I'd still make the same call again," Shepard said as he put his hand on her knee, "You're too important to lose."

"Are you referring to my knowledge of the Protheans or…"

"Both." Shepard said, "You know we've got a day of shore leave did you have any plans?"

"Nothing in particular," She said as she grabbed his hand from her knee, "What did you have in mind?" She said as she interlocked her fingers with his.

"I was thinking I could show you some real human food, then maybe we could go see a movie," Shepard said

"And then?" Liara asked.

"We could go somewhere quiet and…"

"I think we can work something out…" As she leaned forward and kissed him.

"Well before we go, I'd better talk to Kaidan." Shepard said as he stood up.

"Well, I'll meet you in a few hours and we'll figure something out," Liara said as she led him to the door.

"See you then," Shepard said as he walked out. Shepard walked over to the com panel and activated it, "Kaidan I need to see you for a debriefing, meet me in the com room."

"I'll be there Commander," Kaidan said as the line went dead.

Shepard walked out of the med bay and headed toward the com room. When Shepard reached the com room door he saw Kaiden emerge at the other siide. They both entered the com room together, "Commander," Kaidan said as he walked in.

"Your thoughts on the mission?" Shepard said as he took a seat

"Permission to speak freely sir?" Kaidan said as he took a seat across from Shepard.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Shepard said.

"You let your emotions get in the way of your command and it almost cost us the mission. It costed us three marines!" Kaidan said as he leaned forward in his chair

"Dr. T'Soni is an important part of the mission you know that Lieutenant!" Shepard said as he leaned forward, "And no one could've predicted that they would kill the marines in cold blood!"

"Are you saying even if Liara wasn't crucial to the mission you wouldn't have stood down?" Kaidan asked

"…No Kaidan, I'd have made the same call," Shepard said.

"As a friend Shepard, I know why you did what you did. I know you didn't intentionally get those men killed. You just… need to be careful not everyone will see it that way," Kaidan said, "And Shepard, thanks for clearing the air. I know as a Spectre you don't have to answer to anyone but the council. Hell you could kill civilians and people would hardly bat an eye," Kaidan said as he leaned back into his chair. "The fact that you take the time to consult with me… It's why I'd trust you with my life Commander. I think the same goes for everyone on this ship," Kaidan said as he stood up.

"Thanks Kaidan, that means a lot to hear you say that," Shepard said as he stood up, "Now how about we go enjoy some shore leave."

"My thoughts exactly Commander," Kaidan said as they left the com room, "See you around Commander."

Sequel is out! s/12024995/1/A-Night-to-Remember

(For some reason the site filters out the first part of the url so just add the fanfiction part or find it on my profile)

Please leave a review or a favorite if you liked the story (or hated :P)

Keep in mind this is my first story so any constructive criticism is much appreciated, I hope the chapters weren't too long/short