Author's Note: I've seen several excellent authors do a running short series in this style. I'd never thought to try it, but this bit me in the authorly ankle this morning while I was trying to think of something else entirely, and would not let go. It will be continued, I'm certain.
Disclaimer: All characters and the Mass Effect universe are the property of Bioware and EA; I'm just playing in their toybox, as usual.
The first time Flight Lieutenant Jeff Moreau says anything to Chief Ashley Williams, it's a borderline insult.
"Well..." he drawls, half-turning in his seat to watch her and Alenko come aboard, an unconcious Shepard in the lieutenant's arms, "if we gotta replace Jenkins, at least it's with someone who can seriously fill out a hardsuit. Welcome aboard, Chief."
Ashley narrows her eyes at him, thankful that her hardsuit helmet will hide some of her expression. "Thank you, sir," is all she says. but what she really means is fuck off, sir.
She's pretty sure she's going to hate him for the whole tour.
The first time Joker realizes that Ashley is someone he can respect, not just leer at, he makes a typical wiseass remark about big guns, and she zings him with back with a flirty "Why so touchy, Joker?", and he realizes that maybe the Chief is more than a hot babe with a rifle. She's fun. She's smart. She doesn't take shit.
Joker decides that the tour just got a little brighter.
The first time Ashley Williams actually likes Joker Moreau, he's flying the damn Normandy into an erupting volcano on Therum to save them from imminent pyroclastic doom. She bursts into the cockpit as soon as she boards, reeking of sulpher and smoke and the bitter tang of spent heat sinks mingled with blood, and she's so damn happy to be on the ship and not blowing up that she blurts out "Joker, I could kiss you!"
He smirks at her over his shoulder. "Anytime, babe. But just not right now. I gotta concentrate on getting us out of here before we fry."
As the Normandy puts her power into pushing out of Therum's gravity, Ashley realizes that it's not just engine thrust making her knees weak. It's the thought of actually kissing Joker.
The first time Ashley kisses Joker, she's fresh out of the shower, ready for some bunk time, and they're in the mess together in the middle of the dogwatch, and he dares her to do it, reminding her that she'd said she would when he pulled the shore party off Therum. Ashley has always had trouble resisting a dare, but more, she can never stand for someone to cast doubts on her honor. So she kisses him; it's meant to be quick and impersonal, and she is absolutely not expecting the humming zing of attraction that happens when her lips touch his. From the look on his face, Joker isn't, either.
The first time Joker kisses Ashley is right after the first time she kisses him, and he feels like someone turned the Normandy on her tail and turned off the gravity. She smells cool and clean, like soap, and her hair is damp, and her skin under the old Alliance blue sweatshirt and running shorts is probably damp too, but Joker doesn't touch anything. He only presses his lips to hers, wanting to know if this surging electricity between them is a fluke.
It isn't.
The first time Ashley realizes she's in trouble is when she realizes that Joker's in trouble, too, because neither one of them can quite look the other in the eye for days after that midnight kiss without blushing.