Purgatory

Shepard headed down the Purgatory hoping for a few much needed drinks. Instead, she found Aria in a private room reserved for just her. Shepard’s mind raced as she sat down next to Aria. “Did you know?” Shepard asked.

“Know? Know what?” Aria asked.

“That Liara had been replaced with a clone. That the Liara we rescued wasn’t her,” Shepard said.

Aria contemplated and said. “I had a suspicion that it wasn’t really her. But I had no way of really confirming. If I had tried, you would have come after me in retaliation, and frankly, I don’t have the ability to face the wrath of Shepard. What matters is you know the truth now and Liara is safe.”

Shepard nodded seemingly satisfied with that answer. “I just… I don’t understand how I couldn’t have known,” Shepard said as she looked at Aria, trying not to break in front of the Omega queen.

“Shepard… I don’t understand how you can have such a resolve,” Aria said. “You just rescued the love of your life from an evil woman and now you’re blaming yourself when you had nothing to do with it. When Nyreen gave her life to save Omega, I didn’t blame myself. I understood that that was what she wanted. I suppose that separates us. I don’t see **** or life as precious as you do. But I suppose that’s because of the asari lifestyle. But as much as you want to act all tough and unbothered, I know you too well. Now come here.”

Shepard felt Aria grab her and pull her in. Shepard was surprised at first, but allowed Aria to move her as she rested her head on Aria’s shoulder. As soon as her face hit the crook of Aria’s neck, she began to cry. Her shoulders moved up and down. “I… I almost lost her.”

Aria didn’t say anything as she wrapped her arms around Shepard.