Victoria Shepard saved the Asari explorer Liara T'Soni during her first missions to stop the rogue SPECTRE Saren. In time, the young Asari's insight on the Protheans turned into a keen interest in Shepard herself.

Yet, with war ever present and the foreboding that something worse was on the horizon, it seemed as if destiny would leave them little time to explore such feelings. Despite this, before their final confrontation on Illos and the Citadel, they consummated their feelings and carved for themselves some measure of comfort and even love in a Galaxy that seemed doomed to end.

Now, two years and one resurrection later, Shepard finds herself drawn back from the void of death and once again on a relentless course to face another danger.

War may be the background, but this tale is not about that. This is about two people who were in love, who now find themselves strangers in many ways. A love conceived in fire may yet not survive the shadows of doubt that linger when people grow apart…

Victoria Shepard was departing from her daily ritual. Usually, her idea of preparation involved a quick shower, antiperspirant, and ensuring her teeth were brushed. As a soldier, she had little use for primping and as a commander she could not afford to appear vain among her squad mates.

Today was different though.

From the moment she was woken from a deep sleep, death she later learned, with pains, surgical scars, and a complete lack of direction, she had been on the run. Do this mission Shepard, can you help me with this, defeat this person, save this one, and destroy that base…

It was endless, relentless the demands placed upon her. She had not even a second to be introspective about the fact she had been DEAD, physically, mentally, and by any clinical definition. Even so, she had one thought when her eyes opened on that strange day on a Cerberus station and she had kept it close to her, giving her a silent strength.

Today was definitely different. She looked at herself in the mirror, running her fingers through her hair. She had paid such little attention to it that now she was at a loss for how best to tame its wildness. She had been struggling for some time to restore some semblance of her feminine nature and had even, in cloak and dagger secrecy, asked Miranda Lawson for make-up. Human company, especially females she could trust, was rare on her ship so she could use any help she could get.

Looking at herself one last time, running her fingers down her shined armor and then giving herself one last smell check she strode out from her quarters. She had looked forward to what was ahead for so long. Illium held more than just economic glory to her, it was a planet with a different kind of treasure. Liara was there and for the first time in two years she would see her face in person and not in strained memories.

She was beyond excited.

Illium

"Looks like someone has a date," Garrus had said as he snickered. Tali just looked at Shepard, up and down. She could imagine underneath that helmet she was smiling. Shepard ignored them and they continued on their way to the planet, ultimately learning that Liara was in the Administration building itself.

It was fitting really that her closest friends from the first Normandy were now accompanying Shepard. A reunion for more than herself, she imagined. As she approached the circular door leading to Liara's office after making pleasantries with her assistant, she stopped. Her stomach had the feeling of thousands of butterflies fluttering inside. How would Liara react after so long? For Shepard the memories of her were so fresh, as if they had happened days ago. In reality she had been gone for years.

"I am sure it will be fine, " Tali said understandingly. For a young Quarian she had been around Shepard long enough to be perceptive, as was Garrus.

The door opened. The memory of the next moments would tear a slow and expanding wound in Shepard that would haunt her for some time.

The shock of seeing Liara threatening a human was the first surprise. As Liara turned around, her face expressed a great excitement and everything seemed as it was so long ago. She walked quickly over to Shepard, closing the distance between them in strong, confident movements. Their faces drew near to each other, for a moment everything seemed to be drawing back together, memories in Shepard's head whirring, becoming vivid, her smell, her skin, her body language, everything about her was stirring something inside. Then Liara looked at her, shook her head slowly, and pulled away.

The next moments were a blur. Business, the mission, find this person, can you do this for me. The transition from lover to soldier was jarring. Not wanting to show emotion, show her embarrassment, Shepard hardened her face, nodding solemnly as Liara answered her questions as a powerful information broker. Her personality was much harder, even her voice had somehow grown deeper. After all was said, Shepard stood up to leave. She looked back one last time at Liara, head filling with so many things she wanted to say. She wanted to run to Liara, lift her up and hold her, feeling her against her. Her body ached with longing though her face showed only stoicism. It had been two years. People change, move on. She didn't want to look Garrus and Tali in the face, so she quickly walked past them and they continued on their way.

So then the mission, the ever important Galaxy saving quest, continued. Shepard was in warrior mode, her mind narrow, and her actions fluid. Garrus and Tali said nothing; they must've known Shepard's humiliation. They spent some time on Illium, recruiting, doing errands, and preparing themselves further to meet the Collector's head on. Shepard even visited Liara a few more times, hacking data and narrowing in on a supposed "assassin". The cool manner in which Liara told of the death of her assistant, the Observer, was a further jarring experience. Hearing her speak on and on, not acknowledging that anything between them ever existed, Shepard let her frustration vent, over so briefly.

"Damn it, Liara, I came to talk to you, not hear about your petty vengeance against the Shadow Broker!"

Liara paused. Almost effortlessly, as if unfazed by Shepard's words, she began to speak briefly about her situation. She told Shepard about how her body was recovered and at the cost of a friend, a drell, who was now in danger. As she told the story her eyes blazed, her voice was pointed, and anyone could read a powerful hatred inside her. Shepard could understand, to an extent, but after that conversation was complete it was like there was nothing more to say. It seems she owed Liara much, but now business was concluded and Liara had her own goals now. Shepard's suggestion that Liara join her was rebuffed quickly, with a flash of something resembling anger in the voice of the Asari.

She left Illium. Her tasks found success, but Shepard felt defeated. She hoped to never return, but feared that her mission would again draw her to this place. The feeling of rejection was like a blow to chest, but she held her head high. She was a soldier; she could not afford to let so many people down because of a bad relationship result. This was not the reunion she had wanted, but her disappointment was tempered. What better could she expect? She had been dead, after all.

"People have moved on," Jacob had said when she first met him and asked about the status of her former crew. The words rang in her head.