Something Spontaneous.
Arcturus Station: Media Room
Shepard stood uncomfortably at the podium in the Alliance media room at Arcturus station. The stage lights were blinding but they didn't hide the members of the press that bombarded the Commander with pictures and questions. Shepard would much rather be facing hordes of rachni, krogan and the Reapers firing at him from orbit at the same time than deal with these vultures.
It was a three weeks since he saved Arcturus and the council acknowledged the existence of the Reapers. Shepard and Ashley both received Stars of Terra for their actions in saving the station. Ashley would be leaving for N7 training next week. So he came to Arcturus to surprise her before she leaves, but took a wrong turn and was stuck answering the questions of ravenous reporters.
"Shepard how does it feel to have saved Arcturus and probably the entire Earth from invasion!" A reporter shouted from somewhere in the crowd.
"Damn proud!" He answered quickly, not really sure how to put it any other way. "But it was the Alliance 5th fleet that we should be thanking." He added trying to sound diplomatic, without bringing up the fact that half the 5th fleet was on guard against him and if not for the timely intervention of Aria and her pirates, the batarians and their Reaper emissary would have gotten through the Charon relay.
"Is it true the council put you on trial for treason and that you escaped with the aid of a rouge Alliance soldier?" Another reporter asked up front, the sound of her squeaky voice getting on Shepard's nerves.
"No." Shepard answered. That was a lie. The council really did put Shepard on trial and if not for Ashley, Garrus, Tali and Joker he probably wouldn't have found himself in this situation and instead would be in a prison cell, while Earth burned.
"Is there any truth to the connection between you and the pro-human group Cerberus and if so is that the reason for your faked death in 2183?"
"Sorry but Spectre activities are classified." Shepard loved dropping the Spectre card. It was his favorite 'Not gonna answer the question' card.
Shepard looked around the stage for an exit, when he saw Admiral Hacket power walking as fast as he could to the stage. Shepard took a deep breath and gestured stage right, were the Admiral would quickly take the scene. "And here is Admiral Hacket. Thank you all for your time." Shepard waved to the crowd and put on his best fake smile for the crowd.
Shepard exited stage left and was grateful to be out of that madness. On his way out the crowd roared, all scrambling to ask another question before their hero could disappear. Shepard dropped his head and let out an exasperated sigh. "Hey Skipper!" A voice he recognized, but was all too glad to hear called from across the room.
Shepard looked up and saw Operations chief Ashley Williams leaning against the wall, with a warm grin on her face. "You looked like you saw a Reaper out there."
Shepard walked to her, returning the smile. "I can go head to head with charging Krogan, mercs and slavers, but put me in with the media and I lose the ability to speak." Shepard laughed.
The two soldiers stood face to face, staring deep into each others eyes. "It's good to see you Ash." Shepard said, embracing Williams, holding her as if he hadn't seen her in two years.
"Same Skipper." After a couple moments they let each other go, Ashley turning a bright red. "Aw Shepard you're making me blush." She chuckled.
"What brings you to Arcturus?" Ashley asked.
"I came to wish you luck for in your N7 training." Shepard answered.
Ashley raised a suspicious eye brow. "I don't leave for a few days." Ashley's face formed a wide sinister grin. "Am I sensing an alternative motive for this visit?"
"I was going to ask you if you wanted to come to the Normandy with me and talk for a bit." Shepard said, sounding a little unsure of what he meant.
"Talk?" Ashley said, sounding confused by Shepard's meaning for this talk. "Aren't we talking now?" Ashley teased.
Ashley passed back and forth looking as if she was thinking about some life changing event. "I would be correct to assume the Ship is empty except for a certain pilot we know that seems to be glued to the cock pit?"
Shepard smiled and nodded. "Uh huh and this 'talk' would most likely take place in your cabin."
"If that be true then that would break Alliance regs on fraternization." Ashley continued to tease, poking Shepard in the chest. Ashley leaned in. "Give me a few minuets." She whispered seductively into his ear.
Normandy SR2: Captains Cabin
Shepard woke up in his bed that next morning with the worst headache he'd ever had, he sat up and looked across the room at the empty bottles littering his coffee table. "Please wake up a little quieter." A muffled voice groaned from beneath the sheets.
Shepard pulled the sheets down, revealing Ashley with her usually tied up black hair over her face as she tried burring her face into a pillow. "Do your lights ever go off!" Ashley growled.
"Not usually." Shepard answered back, cuddling next to Ashley. Ashley turned around her eyes meeting Shepard's. Ashley could tell that Shepard had something on his mind. He had a far away look in his eyes, that seemed to look past Ashley and through the Normandy.
"Earth to Shepard, I repeat Earth to Shepard!" Ashley grunted, playfully giving Shepard a shove.
"Oh... sorry Ash." Shepard apologized, realizing he was day dreaming.
"Where did you go?" Ashley asked.
Shepard sighed heavily and turned on his back. "Earth. Earth was so close from being invaded and we barely managed to stop it."
"Yeah it was close." Ashley agreed, moving some hair out of her face and resting her head on Shepard's chest. "But we did it."
"I haven't been home in years and a couple weeks ago I almost lost it." Shepard said aloud, but more to himself.
"I don't think I've ever heard you talk about Earth." Ashley said, finding it curious that this rather large detail about the man she loves past not being filled.
"I... it never came up."
"Any plans on getting back there?" Ashley asked, pushing for information as to what Shepard could be thinking.
Shepard shrugged. "Just haven't found the time." He explained.
That's when an idea came to Ashley's mind. "How about we go right now?" Ashley asked.
Shepard gave a curious look to Williams. "Are you serious?"
"As a heart attack." Ashley responded seriously. "I don't leave for a few days, you've got a little free time until the council figures things out and if you don't go now you'll regret it." Ashley explained, sitting up in the bed.
"Think of it as an adventure or you own personal mission." Ashley tried to reason.
"You'll be an N7 soon. You'll have so much adventure you'll choke." Shepard joked, trying to get off the subject. Ashley's eyes were like daggers, they were unyielding in resolve. This argument was lost before it began.
"E.D.I set a course for Earth." Shepard ordered across the room. E.D.I's blue avatar popped up on the far side of the room.
"Very well Commander." The A.I. Answered.
AN/ Hello people. I'm waiting patiently for my beta to get back to me for the latest chapters of Mass Effect: 2187. (which is why it hasn't been updated.) So until then I'll just entertain myself and all of you (hopefully) with Shepard's Earth.
This is a prequel to Mass Effect: 2187 and takes place during mid 2186. This story will explain who my Shepard is, why he does things the way he does and all that filling in the blanks of my Shepard's origin story stuff. (Expect Ashley to kick serious amounts of ass in this tale)
If done right this wont be another Shepard origin fic that's all melodramatic and makes Shepard out to be some tragic hero. This will be a very different tale indeed. Oh if Ashley seemed out of character sorry, that was not my intention and if so let me know so it can be fixed.
Anyway please Review.