So I'm playing ME through AGAIN because I reimaged by PC and I need to have a save game for ME3 :D! Anywho~ to make it a little less repetitive I thought I would write after each 'segment'. I originally tried my hand at narrating it but I feel a lot more comfortable with light and fluffy, and the start of Mass Effect is a lot darker than I remember when I have to write how Shep is feeling through it :O. So I figured I would just write some short scenes here and there. Plus I *really* need dialogue practice and Shenko is a fab excuse.
Ya'll may recognise this scene – thank you Bioware 3.
The View
Ashley, Kaidan and I were staring out over the Citadel from a viewport in the Wards. It was the first time any of us had been here and even Ashley had fallen into silence as we took in the size of the Galactic Capital.
"The council represents more races that I thought. No wonder they're careful with newcomers" I said.
"They probably just want to keep everything running. It has to be hard keeping all these cultures working together" Kaidan replied without turning. He too was in awe of the view.
"Or maybe they just don't like humans" Ashley offered.
"Why not?" I countered. "We've got oceans, beautiful women, this emotion called love. According to the old vids, we have everything they want".
"When you put it that way, there's no reason they wouldn't like you". Kaidan paused, realised his mistake and hastily added "I mean, us! Humans! Ma'am."
Ashley slowly turned towards him and adopted a tone normally reserved for children. "You don't take much shore leave, do you, LT?".
Kaidan blushed and ducked his head. I bit the inside of my mouth in an attempt to stop my smirk.
"All right, laugh it up Chief" I said to Ashley, then I turned to Kaidan and added "I appreciate the thought, but we are on duty here".
Kaidan dipped his head and muttered a "yes Ma'am" before quickly returning his gaze to the window.
"I'll walk drag Ma'am" Ashley chuckled, shaking her head.
The three of us set off for the Doctors office. True to her word Ashley had fallen back so now Kaidan and I were walking together up front. I was worried the silence was awkward and I was trying to think of something to say to break it. Do I mention the compliment? Do I comment on his hair? Do I try solidify my role as Commander by asking something mission-related? See, Shepard, I told myself. This is what happens when you put a career over your personal life. You lose basic social skills. Here you are, with no social skills acting like an awkward teenager with your Lieutenant.
"Argh!" I said out loud, slapping myself in the forehead.
Kaidan looked over and raised an eyebrow. "Ma'am?"
Good going dork. Now he knows you are having a mental conversation with yourself. I allowed myself the luxury of a sigh. "Guess I have a problem with words slipping out too" I said lamely.
"Ah, about that Ma'am..."
"Oh no!" I said quickly "I didn't mean you had to explain"
"I am sorry that I said it..." he paused to rub the back of his neck, a nervous habit of his I had noticed earlier. "In front of Chief Williams, anyway" he said, quickly glancing over to catch my reaction.
"Alenko..." I started "I'm not used to this". As I said it I moved my hand back and forth quickly in the space between us.
"It won't be an issue Ma'am" he said formally, already back to his usual cool, calm demeanour. "I don't make a habit of mixing my work and personal life. It came up accidently but if you aren't going to haul my ass over the coals for it, I'm not sorry I said it".
In my mind two slightly reddened and very well defined glutes swam in to focus. I have a rogue Spectre to stop and I am thinking about Kaidans (very impressive) booty. Wait, that's not right, I haven't even seen his booty. It was an imaginary booty at that. What if the real thing is misshapen? What if it is really hairy or has lots of cellulite. Oh my god I would just die if it has cellulite! I shortened my pace slightly and glanced over. W.O.W. through the uniform I could tell lack of shape and cellulite were not a problem. In fact if it looks that good, I might not even be concerned about the hair...
"Commander?" Kaidan asked, breaking into my thoughts.
"Hm?" I replied, raising my eyes to his face. His whiskey coloured eyes were bright with laughter and fanned with small crease lines.
I heard a snort from behind and glanced back over my shoulder. Ashley's head dropped at the same time and she began studying the Citadel floor as we walked.
"So there won't be any coal dragging?" he asked. The only trace of humour left on his face was a slight smirk.
"When I said I'm not used to this, I didn't just mean fraternisation. When I left Earth to join the Alliance I left behind my personal life and I never bothered to make a new one out here. I haven't ... socialised" I chose the word carefully "for a very long time, and I'm not used to feeling pleased when I am complimented on something not related to the military. So no, no coal dragging. Maybe a thank you instead".
I smiled at Kaidan and he returned the smile, creases reappearing at the corners of his eyes. I remembered the last time I had seen him smile like that. It was in the mess with Jenkins just three days ago. Jenkins. My stride faltered slightly as the absurdity of my actions struck me. I failed to keep Jenkins alive on this mission and it was far from over. Yet here I was, days later, checking out and flirting with one of my crew. You will not divide your attention I told myself firmly. You have done without companionship for this long Shepard and you will continue to do without it just fine.
I blew out a sigh and squared my shoulders. "But you are right Lieutenant" I said to him "mixing work and personal life is not a good idea".
He must have picked up on the change in my voice because although his brows furrowed he just nodded and replied "Understood Commander'.