Talent
"Can't you do that someplace else?" Joker scowled. The Normandy might be Shepard's ship, but the cockpit was his domain.
"Probably. I come for the quiet, but stay for the welcoming atmosphere." The commander smiled, winningly. It was hard to find a peaceful spot to work on the SR-1, but the temperamental pilot kept most visitors at bay. Irritating him with her presence was just an additional bonus.
"Hmph."
They sat in silence for a while, as Shepard hunched over her datapad. Joker shot her a look from the corner of his eye, but she seemed engrossed in her work. Her hair shrouded her profile as she read, and she fidgeted constantly – her fingers drumming the armrest, her leg bouncing up and down. He found it annoying, just like her intrusiveness. Speaking of which…
Joker cleared his throat, but Shepard didn't look up. "About earlier…" he began, tentatively.
Shepard lowered the datapad and gave the pilot her full attention. "What about it?"
"I, uh, I didn't mean to snap at you. I just thought that you'd already read my file, you know?"
"I haven't had time to look over personnel files yet. I wasn't expecting to take over for Anderson. But it wasn't my intention to pry into your personal life, so I apologize for that." Shepard met his gaze evenly.
"Oh. Well, okay. Thanks." Joker felt himself start to squirm under her scrutiny.
"The captain considered you the most qualified pilot for this assignment, and I have no reason to doubt his judgment. From everything I've seen so far, his faith was not misplaced. I want you on my team, Lieutenant, as long as you want to be here?"
"Uh, yes, ma'am! Yes, I do."
"Good. Then I think we're going to get along just fine. Now, if you don't mind - I really need to finish this mission report."
"Sure. Sorry." Joker thought he saw the corner of her mouth quirk up before she bowed her head again, but he couldn't be sure. He turned back to the controls, unaware of the pleased smile that graced his own lips.
But Shepard didn't miss his satisfied smirk, and she grinned inwardly. She had a feeling that she'd just earned herself permanent admittance into the cantankerous helmsman's territory. Maybe one day they'd even learn to enjoy each other's company.
Or, maybe not.
