Cora stood in the dim hallway taking deep breaths. She was trying desperately not to hyperventilate. She stared at the door before her anxiously. She took a hesitant step back. This was a mistake. Maybe she had been a little presumptuous coming here. After all she was just a guest on this ship. She was here to work on her project, nothing more. She closed her eyes tightly at the thought. An image floated through her mind and her eyes sprang open. She knew why she was here and she knew it was the right thing to do. Now she just needed to find enough courage to follow through. Before she could think about the situation further she hastily hit the cabin chime, took another deep breath and waited. The door slid open to reveal a tall muscled man dressed in a dark blue utility uniform, his brow arched slightly as he gazed at her inquisitively. Cora gulped. She had only ever seen him from a distance and he was even more intimidating up close.

"Can I help you?"

Cora gulped in an attempt to regain her tattered composure. "Commander, my name is Dr. Cora Bradley. I wonder if I might have a moment of your time." She barely stifled a sigh of relief that her voice hadn't cracked from nervousness. The Commander inclined his head and stepped out of the doorway so she could enter. She took a deep breath and entered his quarters. She glanced around trying to keep her mind from panicking. This was beyond crazy her mind screamed. Was she actually going to go through with this? This could very well get her kicked off the ship. The commander was said to be a hard man who didn't suffer fools and this was quickly appearing to be a fools errand. She continued to glance around his room trying to calm her racing thoughts. The room was immaculate she noticed, everything neat and tidy, not a thing out of place. This man was the epitome of regimented. She gulped again. Men like this one loved their rules and regulations. The Commander was a soldier first – always, duty above all else. She could only hope he was willing to keep an open mind.

"So what can I do for you doctor?"

Cora turned to look at him. Her heart skipped a beat. This man was truly breathtaking. She studied him for a moment. He stood tall and confident but relaxed. This was a man comfortable in his own skin. And what nice skin it was, tawny and smooth she thought appreciatively. She continued to examine him taking in his dark hair, cut short, as usual for the military types. Her gaze traveled along his long straight nose to a set of full lips that begged for a woman's attention. Cora almost sighed at his handsome visage. She gulped. Yes the Commander was handsome but it was his eyes that were truly stunning. They were a deep blue like bottomless ocean rimmed with thick silky lashes. She could certainly imagine herself drowning in those eyes. As she gazed into their blue depths she could see the strain clearly. She let out a slow breath. This may very well get her kicked off the ship but if it worked it would be worth it. Finding courage in the thought she forged on. "Commander, we've never had opportunity to meet. I am a behavioral psychologist, which means I spend a lot of time watching people." The Commander watched her calmly but said nothing. "I've been watching the crew, Commander. I've noticed a change in them so I began watching you. I noticed… Well there is truly no simple way to say this." He arched a curious brow at her again. She swallowed. "I'm here to ask you take forty-five minutes of your day to take a nap."

The Commander's brows shot up in surprise. "I beg your pardon," he asked surprise clear in his tone.

"I realize you are a very busy man Commander, which is why I am only asking for forty-five minutes, a cat nap as it where," Cora rushed on. "It should be enough to refresh you. You will need to find a more permanent solution but it should suffice in the short term." The Commander crossed his arms over his broad chest. Cora bristled as she took in his pose. She could see him dismissing her already. "As you say, I'm very busy. I don't have time for cat naps."

"Or sleeping of any kind," Cora retorted. His eyes widened slightly at her comment. She crossed her arms and gave him a bored stare as her confidence resurged. She knew what she was doing was the right thing and she wasn't going to going to give up that easily. "As I said, I people watch Commander. I've noticed the change in those closest to you and I've seen the strain in you the few times I've seen you. You're not sleeping Commander and soon it will begin to affect your performance."

The Commander let his arms fall to his side and let out a deep breath. Cora knew that look. Clearly he was through with her. "Thank you for your concern doctor. I'll take your words under advisement." He extended his arm to the door indicating she was dismissed.

Cora tightened her arms around herself. She was not going to give up. She had battled with herself over coming here for days. The constant indecision had almost driven her mad. She had decided to come here and she was going to get him to agree. One way or another he had to agree. "Commander, this isn't something to be taken lightly. The lack of sleep will begin to affect you. Surely you can find forty five minutes in your day to rest," she argued.

He let out a deep frustrated breath. "I really don't have time to argue this with you, doctor. I've heard what you have to say. Now you're dismissed."

Cora glared at him, her annoyance at his dismissal rising. "Either you find forty-five minutes in your day to sleep or I will find a way into your quarters and tranquilize you," she blurted out desperately.

The Commander's eyes widened momentarily then he took a long calming breath. "Do you have any idea who you're talking to? Cora arched a brow and lifted her chin arrogantly. She was treading perilous waters but it was too late to back out now. In for a penny and all that. "I know exactly who I'm speaking with." The Commander put his hands on his hips and stared down at the floor taking deep slow breaths. Cora wondered if he was counting to ten as well. Silently she prayed it worked. She did not want this particular man angry at her. "I am Commander of the Normandy and we are at war. You can't tranq me. I need to be alert."

Cora bristled at his condescending tone. She of all people knew who he was, what he was doing. That was the reason she was here after all. She took a deep breath to calm her own indignation. "Precisely, you need to be alert, but at the rate you are going you will begin to slip. You need sleep Commander. If you refuse to take several hours of sleep then the only other alternative is to nap." Cora felt she was fighting a war of her own, a war she seemed to be losing. Looking at the Commander, standing before him made the whole situation more real. She understood the importance of this man. He needed to be at peak performance but at the moment he was probably barely holding it together and if he fell apart what would happen to the war? No, she had to make him understand. He had to agree to something. Quickly becoming desperate she rushed on. "You should get at least six hours rest, Commander, but you don't need to be tranqed to do it. There are other ways. I can help you."

The Commander faced her. "You can help me sleep?"

Cora nodded. "Yes Commander I am confident I can help you get several hours of sleep at least."

He let out a deep breath. "Fine, be back here at 2300 hours and we'll see how good you are."

Cora swallowed. "You'll be here? You're not just saying that to get rid of me are you," she asked clearly skeptical.

The Commander, "2300 hours, Doctor. You get one chance at this."

Cora gulped and nodded then walked to the door. "I'll be back at 2300 hours."

The Commander inclined his head to her.

Cora turned and silently left the room. She rushed back to her lab and straight for the bathroom where she emptied the contents of her stomach. By the stars what had she been thinking? She had been desperate to help the Commander. She truly believed she could help him. She had hoped he would be reasonable and agree to the nap. Honestly she had thought he would lie and agree just to be rid of her but the Commander, it seemed, was an honorable man through and through. Was she seriously going to go through with this? The Commander was an imposing man. He was right, she couldn't sedate him. The after effects would do more damage than good. She doubted he would agree to hypnosis or even meditation which left only one option.

Cora stared at her reflection in the mirror. How in the world was she going to get him to agree to this? She had to find a way to help him. He was their last best hope. She may not be as involved in the goings on as the others but even she understood his importance. She glanced over at the clock. 1800 hours, five hours to go. She collapsed against the counter. Good God what had she been thinking going to him? She took a deep breath. She had been a coward her entire life. She had never stuck her neck out for anyone or anything and she had to pick this particular situation to show a backbone? She buried her face in her hands. How was she going to go through with this? She ran her hands down her face and let out a slow breath. There was little point in worrying about it now. She had set things in motion and now she had to see them through. Commander Shepard had to be at his best. If she could help him do that then she would do it no matter how uncomfortable it was for her.

- Chapter 02 -

At exactly 2300 hours Cora stood before the Commanders door. She took a deep breath and chimed. She rubbed her palms along her pant leg to dry them off. Her heart was racing and she was jittery. She took another deep breath trying to calm herself when the door slid open. She gulped. The Commander stood in the doorway casually. He stepped out of the way to allow her entry. Cora slowly made her way into the room and realized it was quite dim. He was ready for bed. She swallowed again as the panic began to settle in. Was she really going to do this?

"So how do we do this," Shepard asked from behind her.

Cora closed her eyes and took another deep breath. Her anxiety was through the roof. She was barely able to keep herself from crawling out of her own skin from agitation but she was here now and she had told him she could help him. She was certainly going to try. Now all that remained was his agreement. She let a breath out slowly and turned to face him. "There are a few ways we can do this." He arched a brow at her. She clasped her hands behind her back to keep him from seeing them shake. At least her voice sounded calm she mused as she continued. "Your mind is always working, anticipating, strategizing. In order to rest you must calm your mind. We can do that through hypnosis or meditation. Both will help you calm your mind enough to rest."

Shepard scowled at her. "That's your solution? I'm a trained soldier in anti interrogation tactics. Those things won't work on me."

Cora swallowed. "No, I understand, but I had to offer them first."

"So you have another suggestion?"

She gulped again and nodded.

"Well," he asked exasperated.

Cora let out a slow breath. "Your body is well worked so you must be at the brink of exhaustion. What we need is the lethargy to slow your mind enough to sleep."

"And how do I accomplish that?"

Cora's heart beat so rapidly she was afraid it would burst or that she would feint at the very least. She stared at the Commander as panic seized her. Oh dear. This could go so wrong on her. He watched her. She could see his inpatients quickly begin to build. She licked her dry lips. "As you refuse drugs to induce the effect we need to trigger your natural lethargy," she offered stalling.

Shepard crossed his arms and gave her a bored stare. "And how do we do that?"

Cora took a deep breath for courage. She had to be clinical about this. She was doing this to help him she reminded herself. "Sex," she offered simply.

Shepard stared at her unblinking. "Sex?"

Cora inclined her head. "I realize this is most unorthodox but I believe it will do the job."

He blinked. "Sex," he asked again. "With you?"

Cora swallowed a flinch. He could not possibly have sounded more disinclined. He had made it sound like she had just asked him to go scrub a toilet somewhere – with his toothbrush. At least he hadn't sounded disgusted. That would have made this all so much more difficult. She straightened her spine a little. She was doing this to help him she reminded herself. Taking a breath for courage she continued. "Yes Commander. I will keep this private. I will not share what we have done here or why. We can do this to help you sleep and no one need ever know." She swallowed. He stood staring at her as though she had just grown a second head. "I realize I am probably not your usual type. Feel free to keep your eyes closed and imagine whomever you like."

Shepard took a step forward and Cora gulped. He reached for her face and removed her glassed. Cora blinked up at him feeling much like an owl, defiantly like a frightened bird, or frightened anything – hell just plain frightened. She stood before one of the most powerful men in the universe. She had just proposed to have sex with him and suddenly she felt naked and vulnerable because he had removed her glasses.

Shepard took another step closer. He reached for her and stared down at her a moment. "You'll do," he breathed before he captured her mouth for a kiss.

The Commander pulled Cora tightly against him. Her arms went instinctively around his neck as he devoured her mouth. His kiss was demanding – claiming. Cora couldn't breathe. She was drowning in his kiss. She wanted to be clinical about this but she couldn't deny the affect he had on her, the effect of his all-consuming kiss. Her desire quickly began to overtake her.

Cora felt Shepard's hands roam her body seeking, gripping, pulling her close. She continued to lose herself in him. She wanted to forget everything and simply lose herself in this magnificent man. But she knew she couldn't. She had come here because she wanted to help him. That meant she had to take control. She had a job to do after all. She broke the kiss and stared at him breathlessly. "Please Commander, this is for your release," she said huskily. She swallowed. "Let me please you."

Shepard arched a brow, "and what about you?"

Cora almost gaped at the man. She had come here and offered a most unusual form of therapy. She was doing this for him yet he was thinking of her – her pleasure. She was thrown by his comment but she recovered quickly. "I will have mine in time, this is for you." Cora leaned in and began the seduction once again. She kissed him along his jaw and let her hands roam his body. "Let me please you, Commander," she whispered as she slipped her hands under his shirt. She began to raise it slowly over his body. Cora was no seductress by any stretch but she knew enough of the world to know the basics. She knew she had to arouse him. She could only hope she was doing it right. Once his shirt was off she left his face and began to nibble down his neck to his chest. She couldn't help herself. She savored him. He was magnificent. His chest was bare. She could see the muscles as they rippled under her gentle touch. His body was chiseled to perfection. She knew it was a result of his many missions and his heavy armor. But it didn't matter, he was simply mouthwatering. Cora licked his nipple and continued to slide her way down his body enjoying the taste of him. She could feel the slight vibrations ripple through him and from her ministrations and each one bolstered her confidence more.

"You doing this isn't sex," he remarked huskily.

Cora straightened and began kissing along his neck. He was right it wasn't exactly sex, not that she wasn't enjoying it. She smiled seductively as she ran her hands down his chest to his waist. "Not the first time anyway," she answered as she moved back down his chest and worshiped him with her mouth.

Shepard groaned as she took his nipple in her mouth and suckled. "How many times do you have planned?"

Cora nipped his nipple and he groaned again. She almost groaned with him. His body was magnificent but his reaction to her was intoxicating. Her desire kicked up another notch with every groan, every gasp, every deep breath he took. She moved to the other nipple to pay it equal attention. She flicked her tongue across it. "As many times as it takes to produce the desired results," she breathed as she let her hands roam down his body. She slid her hand down his front and cupped him. Cora's breathing hitched. She closed her eyes tightly as the desire flared hot. By the stars he was hot and he was huge and at this rate she was going to explode well before he did. She groaned and continued to suckle his chest as she pushed him towards the bed. She was supposed to be arousing him yet his reactions had her on fire and now she was desperate for him. It had been so very long since she had been with anyone. She had always been too focused on her studies to look at men but this one called to everything female within her. She wanted him in a way she had never wanted another and she wanted him now. She ached to feel him touch her. She burned to have him fill her. They reached the bed and she left his chest to kiss him. His arms snaked around her to pull her close. Cora slipped her tongue into his mouth to taste him. Good God he tasted so good and Shepard wasn't shy. His tongue tangled with hers the moment she slipped it into his mouth. She moaned as the blaze within her turned into a raging inferno. She ran her hands down his back to his waist. She slipped her hands past the elastic of his pants and massaged his butt. She felt his muscles jump. She shivered at his reaction. She needed to see him – all of him. She pulled his lower lip into her mouth and suckled as she pushed his pants down his hips.

Cora stood back and gave him a seductive smile then pushed him onto the bed. She knelt before him and pushed the pants down his body and then pulled them free. She looked up at him as she knelt before him. His eyes darkened with desire. She licked her lips wanting – craving him. She glanced down to where he stood erect. She swallowed as her mouth began to water. She leaned in and flicked her tongue across the sensitive head and watched as his cock jumped. She groaned as the ache to taste him became overwhelming.

Cora took the Commander into her hands and slipped him into her mouth. He was so thick she had to open wide to take him in. Her lips slid past the head onto the shaft taking him as far as she could. She groaned. He felt so good. He tasted salty but having him like this gave her a level of pleasure she had never felt before. She let her lips slide along the shaft, the suction of her mouth clasping around him tightly. She was lost in the taste of him – the feel of him. After a few moments he took her head in his hands and began to guide her. Cora groaned at the sensation as she felt the flush of liquid between her legs. He was doing to her mouth what she now throbbed to have done to her body.

Cora stroked Shepard as she sucked him. The sensation of him filling her while she throbbed for him was consuming her. She ran her free hand along his thigh, scouring his skin with her nails. He gripped the bun of her hair tightly. She took him deep and moaned. She could feel him straining. He was close. She was throbbing and on fire. If she continued much longer she would climax and he had yet to touch her. Cora swallowed and relaxed her throat, taking him in deep. She groaned as he tightened his grip on her hair. She squeezed him with her hand as she sucked him. She felt him stiffen. She knew he was close. She moaned. She needed to taste him, all of him. She quickened her pace needing him to come. She had to feel it. Moments later she felt him release, filling her. She swallowed and reveled in the tight grip he had on her hair. Shepard continued to jerk in Cora's mouth groaning. She suckled him clean then slowly let go. She ached at the loss but she was burning up.

Cora pulled back and swallowed, unsure which of them had enjoyed it more, him or her. She looked at him and bit her lip. He was still hard, still ready. She stood and looked up into his eyes. He watched her intently. God above she needed her own release and he was still capable. She pulled her shirt over her head and quickly removed her bra. She knew she should go slow to arouse him again but she was drenched and at the brink. She removed her pants then her panties and walked to him.

The Commander eyed Cora as she crawled onto the bed desire still clear in his gaze. He leaned back and shimmied further onto the bed knowing what she intended to do. Cora crawled on top of him, positioning to take him in – ride him. Shepard put his hands on her hips as she took him into her hands to slip him inside of her. Cora lowered herself onto The Commander and groaned at the sensation. He was so thick he stretched her. It had been so long for her that it was initially painfully and then it was just pleasure.

Shepard's fingers dug into her hips as she lifted off of him then took him in again. She bit her lip and kept moving. By the stars she wasn't going to last long. She closed her eyes and threw her head back lost in the sensations. She felt him sit up and wrap her in his arms. He pulled her head down for a scorching kiss. Cora moaned as he thrust his tongue into her mouth where it danced with her own. She was having a hard time breathing. Her heart beat so quickly she thought it would burst. Her whole body was straining. She felt Shepard slide a finger through her curls and fondle her clit. She groaned and he gripped her head tighter. She continued to moan as he stroked her. Cora shattered and broke the kiss gasping for breath. The Commander continued to stroke her as she spasmed around him. She shook in his arms as he continued to nurse her climax. He waited until she calmed then rolled them over. The moment she was on her back he took her swollen nipple into his mouth. Cora gasped at the sensation. He was still buried deeply inside her. She could feel him as she continued to throb.

The Commander suckled her gently conscious of her over sensitive body. Cora buried her hands in his hair. She played with the silky locks as she arched up to give him better access. He was keeping her body stimulated and she was barely able to catch a breath. Slowly he began to move inside her again. Cora moaned at the pleasure he was giving her. He reached down between their bodies and stroked her clit gently. The contact was sweet torture. She arched into him needing more contact. She squeezed her inner muscles, tightening around him. He groaned and quickened his pace. Cora wrapped her legs around him coming up to meet him on every thrust. He left her breast and took her mouth for a scorching kiss stealing her breath. By the stars this man could kiss. She broke the kiss gasping as she quickly spiraled to another climax. She tried to hold on. She wanted him to come again. She wanted to feel him release inside her. She tried to hold as long as she could but he had gone back to suckling her breast. His attentions were too much. She shattered around him, gripping him tightly, gasping for breath.

Cora felt the Commander quicken his pace. She squeezed him and within moments she felt him jerk and release. She felt the warmth of him deep inside her. She moaned at the sensation. Her heart was still racing. She focused on her breathing as she felt his weight on her. She ran her hands tenderly along his back and head. She could feel him begin to relax. The Commander rolled off of her and onto his side. He lay facing her with his eyes closed. Cora took a moment just to gaze at him. He was a truly handsome man, strong and rugged. As she continued to watch him his breathing slowly deepened. She stayed silent letting the euphoria and lethargy take him. Within minutes his breathing had slowed and he had drifted off to sleep.

Cora smiled. Part of her had worried she wouldn't be able to pull it off. She smirked at the thought. In all honestly all of her had worried. How could a man as remarkable as Drew Shepard possibly want her? But whatever his reason he had agreed and now he was fast asleep. She continued to watch him smiling. He looked so peaceful. She wanted to wrap him in her arms and hold him while he slept but this was a man who always slept alone. Even if he had lovers she doubted they every stayed long. Reluctantly she left the bed and reached for her clothes. The Commander needed at least four hours of sleep to feel any kind of difference. That meant four hours of watching him sleep, making sure he stayed under. She slipped on her clothes and sat on his sofa. She glanced around his room staying as stationary as possible. Shepard had a warrior's instincts which meant movement would rouse him from his sleep. Conscious of that thought she continued to take in the room around her. It was tidy, everything in its place. She wondered if that was because he was a neat freak or because he just never spent time here. She thought about her own quarters. They were barely a fifth of the size of this cabin with only a bunk and a desk. Her room always seemed to be in disarray. No matter how hard she tried, it was always a mess of data pads and discarded clothes.

Shaking her head at the thought, Cora settled back in the sofa and yawned. She sighed silently. She should have brought something to read. She yawned again and was about to begin reciting the verses of her favorite poem when the Commander shifted. She glanced over to the bed and watched him. He shifted again seemingly unable to get comfortable. Cora frowned. She could sense the restlessness even from where she sat. Cora stood and went to the bed. She sat on the edge and watched him. He shifted again and his face contorted in his sleep. He was having a nightmare she realized. She let out a deep breath and spoke calmly – soothingly. "It's okay Drew, everything is okay." He shifted and she continued. "Do you remember that place you would go to as a boy? You loved it remember? You would go there and play for hours. You would laugh and have so much fun." She was rambling. She had no idea if any of what she said was even remotely true but she took a stab in the dark. He had been a child once and even though he was a hard man now, it was said he cared for his crew. She gazed down at his handsome face. She had never thought of him as hard so much as dedicated, a man willing to do anything to get the job done. He always seemed honorable too. And clearly he was a giving man. During their night together he had made sure she had enjoyed it as much as he. Smirking she watched as he slowly settled. Cora let out a deep breath of relief. He was deeply asleep again. She continued to watch for any further restlessness for a long while more. Finally she glanced at the clock. He had been out for three hours. One more hour to go and she would head back to her own quarters. A moment later the Commander rolled onto his side. Cora almost groaned. He was still naked and the sheet had slipped. She now had a clear view of his tightly rounded ass. The man truly was impressive. She bit her lip and moved back to the sitting area. She sat hard and began reciting her favorite song trying desperately not to look at him. Seeing him was making her hot again. Cora sat and focused on mundane thoughts – waiting. Finally she glanced at the clock and let out a deep breath. He had been deeply asleep for the past hour and a half. It was time to go. Hopefully he would get at least another thirty minutes of sleep for a total of five.

Cora left the Commander's cabin and made her way back to her own quarters. She was looking forward to her own bunk. She had been close to nodding off a few times. She entered her quarters and stripped down to her bra and panties, crawled into her bunk and immediately passed out.