The final chapter; about time, right? Sorry this took so long. On top of finals and other things to get done, I also had some trouble writing this chapter since I'm not one hundred percent comfortable writing anything close to smut. I certainly don't think anything in this chapter comes close to smut, but I prefer to write about the intellectual side of love rather than the physical. Guess it was good to get out of my comfort zone though. Bit iffy about how it turned out, so feel free to let me know if I failed miserably. In the meantime, I've written three chapters (there will be more than that though) of a sequel (of sorts) that will take place during ME2. So, you know, be on the lookout if you feel inclined to read more about these two characters. Also, more Tali and Garrus (yay!), but less Wrex (boo!).

As always, thanks for those who review (any criticism is welcome!). Enjoy the final chapter. :)

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Promises

Insubordinate, reckless, traitorous - just a few of the labels that the council was probably heaving upon her name as the Normandy raced towards Ilos. But what did it really matter? If Shepard managed to succeed, then they would have to see that she was in the right all along, and if she failed... well, she'd be dead; so what would it matter then? Sitting at her desk, Shepard rested her chin in her hand and stared blankly at the terminal in front of her. The information displayed on the screen was her latest mission report, perhaps her last, which detailed why she had stolen the Normandy and escaped the Citadel. Yet, she'd let the words trail off a long time ago when she realized that the report was a waste of time. If the old saying was true, that one's life flashed before one's eyes just before he or she died, Shepard found it sad to think that the last thing she might remember was writing a report. One that, if they failed, would never be read anyway.

Instead, she thought about what her last memories might be, though few of the options appealed to her. She might make the rounds and converse with her crew; a fairly sensible thing to do. But she realized that they probably didn't want her interrupting what could also be their last moments in order to talk about mundane things. She thought about sleeping the last few hours and cutting out the waiting entirely; but she was afraid of the nightmares that plagued her when she slept and she didn't think she could bring herself to face them now.

Finally, her mind turned to the one thing, the one person, she wanted in her memories if it all came to an end. Liara. She'd come close to just throwing the regulations out the window, saying to hell with it all and trying to find a little bit of happiness. But of course, she'd choked - crippled by indecision and doubt. Liara was young, inexperienced. Shepard could hardly go to her now and tell her that she wanted to be with her. Shepard wanted it to be Liara's choice. It needed to be her choice. Though, at this point, she didn't even care if she ever got to kiss Liara. She just wanted to spend time with her, just a little bit more time, in case this was the last chance they would ever get.

As she sat deep in thought, she suddenly heard the door to her room open and turned to see Liara walking towards her. Jumping to her feet, Shepard tried to think of something to say; something charming or witty, but instead she said, "I was just thinking of you."

Liara stood before the commander, looking uncharacteristically confident. She stared back into Shepard's violet eyes without blinking. "And I you," she answered softly.

Inside, Shepard's mind struggled with what to do. A baser, more primal part of her wanted to grab Liara and kiss her passionately, force the situation in the direction that she wanted it to go. She felt sure that Liara would let her. Yet, a more cautious side of her wanted to leave an out, just in case. There was a fear of picking a path and not being able to alter that choice. If she - if they - chose this, then Shepard would have to throw herself into it completely. No alternatives.

"I-" she stammered, and she could already feel her mind back-pedaling.

But Liara cut her off, pressing a finger to Shepard's lips. "No, Shepard. I have realized that if I let you do the talking and wait for you to make a decision, I will be waiting for a rather long time. And I have decided that I do not want to wait. These could be our last moments together and I want them to be special." Liara's right hand reached out and grabbed Shepard's hand, their fingers interlacing. "You are my friend, Shepard. The best friend I have ever had. I believe that we will succeed in our mission... but if I lose you, then I want to know that I never shied away from being close to you. I want to know that I showed you the same affection and kindness that you have shown me. I want to know you completely."

Shepard felt a wild beating in her chest and her mind was unable to form a complete thought. Her instincts took over and she rested her free hand on Liara's cheek, the pad of her thumb stroking the soft blue skin. Her brain made one last protest: "I want this, Liara. I do. But are you sure about this? About us?"

The conviction in the asari's voice filled the room. "I have never been more sure about anything in my entire life, Shepard."

The commander decided that that was all she needed to hear. She was tired of playing it safe, of denying her emotions. The second Liara had finished her sentence, Shepard brought her other hand up to cup Liara's face and kissed her forcefully. At first, she dominated the kiss, her thumbs pressed lightly against the asari's cheeks and her fingertips at the back of her neck. She controlled every aspect of the situation, an insatiable passion fueling that hungry kiss.

Then Liara's hand was at the back of her neck, the other one slipping around her waist, and the young doctor was leaning into the kiss, competing with Shepard for control. Blue fingers wrapped themselves in black hair until Shepard's normally orderly hairstyle was a mess of tendrils sticking out in every direction. Liara eventually managed to undo the knot and Shepard's hair cascaded down to her shoulders, framing her face in long black strands. Pulling back from the kiss, Liara observed this seemingly different woman standing before her. It was amazing how divergent the commander looked with her hair down, so much softer than usual. When she pulled away, Shepard gave her a look of worry, not sure what Liara would think and fearing that Liara would disapprove of her hair in such a state. Yet, Liara smiled and threw herself back into the kiss, twisting her fingers in the black locks and pressing her body close to the commander.

Letting her hands glide down to the asari's waist, Shepard steered her towards the bed. She was surprised when Liara was the one to push her back onto the sheets so that she lay sprawled, her hair falling down in front of her eyes. Mouth parted in wonder, Shepard watched as Liara completely dominated the situation, crawling over the commander until her face rested just above Shepard's, and she could feel Liara's body pressing down on hers. Grinning, the commander thought that she had never expected Liara to be the one bullying her around, but she was not dissatisfied either. She was more than content to let Liara plant kisses along her neck while she tried to figure out how to unzip the doctor's lab outfit. Her fingers fumbled unsuccessfully and in the meantime Liara was much more successful at lifting the commander's shirt halfway up her torso.

As Liara ducked her head to press her lips once more against Shepard's, the commander realized that for the first time in a long time she was truly happy. Maybe it was true that all things would eventually pass, and nothing could last forever. Maybe it was unwise to wish for something permanent when her own existence was so precarious. But Shepard realized that she no longer cared. She planned to drink in the good moments before they passed.

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Later, Shepard rested with her head on Liara's chest, one arm draped over her lover's midsection and their legs tangled in the sheets. She'd managed to sleep a little, and awoke to find that the nightmares had not haunted her dreams. Breathing in Liara's scent, she stretched slightly and grinned blissfully. Her movement caused Liara to stir and she wrapped her arms around the commander, one hand playing with her long, dark hair. Sighing with contentment, Shepard tried to remember why she had feared getting close to Liara. It seemed ridiculous now; the world didn't end because she found a little happiness. The crew remained completely unaffected by her personal life. It seemed perfect.

Yet, that thought was quickly followed by the dread of what loomed on the horizon. Saren, Sovereign, the Reapers: an entire galaxy at stake. All things passed; the peace could not last. What was perfect in this moment would be tested as soon as they reached Ilos. The thought made Shepard suddenly anxious. What if she gave her squad the command to leave her, for whatever reason, and Liara refused to abandon her? What if victory meant sacrificing herself? Or Liara? Could either of them put their feelings aside for the mission?

Liara must have felt Shepard's body tense or sensed the commander's sudden anxiety because she asked, "Are you alright?"

Propping herself onto her elbows so that she could look into Liara's blue eyes, Shepard said, "I'm fine." Then, thinking better of it, she amended, "No, I'm better than fine - I'm happier than I've been in a long time and it's because of you... but... I need you to promise me something."

Brows furrowing, Liara asked, "What is it?"

"This can't change anything between us." Shepard wanted to kick herself for her poor choice of words. "I mean," she added hastily, "of course this changes things between us, but I need to know that when we are out there - Ilos or wherever - that when I give an order, you'll follow it no matter what."

Liara frowned and Shepard felt the hand draped across her back suddenly press a little firmer as if Liara was afraid that the commander would run away if she didn't keep a hold of her. Shepard quickly tried to explain, "This mission is going to be difficult as it is, Liara. Part of me wants to keep you here on the ship and out of danger to give myself some peace of mind." Liara gave her a disapproving look and seemed about to protest, yet Shepard added, "But I won't do that. When we stole the Normandy from the citadel I already knew that I would need your biotics and prothean knowledge on Ilos. And I won't alter my strategic plan because I'm afraid of losing you. I know you wouldn't want me to run off into danger without you anyway." Liara nodded her agreement. "But, Liara, if I am going to strive not to treat you any differently, I need you to do the same. I need to know that my commands in the field will be followed no matter what. I can't have any doubt in my mind going into this. Please, promise me that."

Liara stared silently at Shepard for a while, blue eyes seeming to search for some kind of answer. Finally she said, "Ok, Shepard. I think about losing you and... and it terrifies me. And the thought that you could give me an order that requires me to watch you die is..." She sighed and shook her head. "But I know how important this is to you. I know that you are the commander and so many lives are resting on your shoulders. So, I will promise to follow your orders, whatever they may be."

Letting out the pent up breath that she didn't even realize she was holding, Shepard smiled and leaned forward to kiss Liara softly. "Thank you," she whispered.

Liara grinned back mischievously and said, "But in exchange, right now I want you to follow my orders, Commander."

Catching on to her lover's seductive tone Shepard played along, asking, "Oh? And what are your orders, Ma'am?"

"You can start with kissing me, soldier."