"Hey, how about we visit Liara?"

Shepard grimaced at the idea and shook her head slowly. "Negative on that one, hon. Pretty sure she's caught up in her own business." Her added words were spoken with a mutter: "Just like last time …"

Joker easily stepped up the stairs leading to the office-area of Shepard's cabin. "Shadow Broker, Shadow Broker!" he mimicked, fingers spread dramatically. "Shepard, even though I'm obviously-and-creepily in love with you, I cannot go back with you on your mission! It's not about friendship or trust …"

"For all I know, you're the Shadow Broker. I mean, you're pretty buffed out for a previously-crippled kid. I'm sure the Collector attack and my death was all 'part of the plan.' Hell, your nickname rhymes with broker."

His face was etched with a feigned surprise. "You got me."

The woman, facing her terminal for a last-minute message check, placed a hand over one side of her face, added after a long moment, "I wouldn't really say she's in love with me."

"Oh, come on. After one conversation she's pining for you, claiming that you guys have a deep connection," Joker started, leaning back against her desk with both arms, "and then after you say that there's no romantic interest, she approaches me in secret and says that we need to talk—all three of us."

"So?"

"So … after that, you chose the more dashing and handsome choice, die because of him—" She attempted to contradict him, but he quickly continued, "—and she finds your body to turn into Cerberus so you can be rebuilt, she practically gropes you when you meet again. L-o-v-e."

She shook her head. "Why do you know all of this, again?"

"Because you tell me. Do you not remember that you relay all of this information to me unintentionally? Once you start, you never stop." She faced him with both hands on her hips, one eyebrow raised. "You started with talking about Garrus' recruitment mission on Omega, then describe every detail about Omega, lead the conversation towards the asari strippers in Afterlife, remember Aria, speak about her 'pretty tattoos', and then it normally ends in some sort of compliment that I give you in regards to your looks. And then there's sex."

Her reaction was serious at first—as serious as she could make it, anyway (Joker was impervious)—but then she laughed freely. "I guess I never realized that." The light eyes widened slightly. "Wow, I can't believe you remember all of that. I thought most guys zone out when females talk …"

"I'm not like most guys," he said simply, waving it off as mock modesty. He took hold of her wrist and pulled her close, other hand resting on her hip. "Speaking of! We haven't …"

"Save it for later," she ordered, pushing his shoulders back. Taunt disguised as a smile, she faced her desk again to shut her private terminal.

He smacked her behind lightly on his way towards the door and merely smiled at her indignant gasp.

"I'll carry our shit up to the CIC; gotta make a few last minute adjustments to the Normandy before shore leave. Most of the crew's already gone, I think."

Shepard crossed her arms. "Uh-huh."

The woman went to change her clothes while the pilot left the room and through the elevator. She kept on a thin bulletproof vest for precautions and slipped on a black tank top and heavy overcoat. There had been a skirt that she had planned on wearing, but when she tried it on, it felt much too short. Doesn't matter. It's a leave, I should wear what I couldn't on the SR-2.

She slipped it on and put some leggings on underneath, just in case, and put on her combat boots. With a heavy pistol attached to her hip, she looked like a cross between a fashionista and military-trained woman. The rugged, mechanic-like outfit had some sort of an attractive quality to it.

Her bag and Joker's murse were to be upstairs in case they needed to run on the Normandy while they were out (they didn't want to carry them around, because they'd be in the way and easily lost). The pilot had so-easily carried them because of his recent development: cured bones.

It had taken numerous upgrades of Cerberus-oriented research, help on Chakwas' part, and lots of money, but they had finally done it.

The guy practically cried at being able to walk without those damned braces, crutches, or anything.

He was just like everybody else now.

"Aside from the fact that I'm the-"

"Best damned pilot in the galaxy. I know, honey."

She smiled fondly at the words that were exchanged yesterday; the first thing he did was lift up the commander while she was having a quite serious conversation with Chakwas, catching her completely off-guard. She did not like to be woman-handled, and struggled for the first few minutes, but realized that Joker was getting genuine joy out of being able to carry her places.

The second order of business was to issue a shore leave; the crew agreed, Joker agreed, and Shepard agreed. Hell, the Illusive Man even supported the idea.

"Shepard. Don't stray away from the main mission, but I do recommend time off for your crew. You all had a big week."

Though she didn't have to answer to the him anymore, she gave him a small smile and a "thanks."

Making sure she had her earpiece in and ready in case of emergencies, she blacked out the room and headed down to the CIC to meet up with Joker.

The pilot had been right; there were very few lifeforms on deck. She scanned the ensigns' posts: empty; stations around the galaxy map: zip; weaponry and tech support; a few soft voices, probably two to three people. She felt as if she had to tip toe to the cockpit, where her pilot sat focused intently on the module in front of him. Absentmindedly, she rubbed his lower neck and back.

"As great as that feels, you should stop," he admitted, face warm.

"M-hm, of course." Her hands still rested very lightly on his shoulders, though, and she gave him air while he finished up whatever he was doing. Probably lock down simulations and theft block, just in case Illium thugs decided to stir things up and mess with the wrong ship.

He glanced back every once in a while. "I don't think I've ever seen you in such a short skirt. But I like your engie outfit. It fits you incredibly well. I don't mean that in the shows-off-your-curves way, either. I mean personality-wise."

She tugged downwards at the hem as a natural reflex. "Thanks, I guess. I'm an engineer, it's natural that I look the part. It was trouble finding outfits that weren't stained with grease or burns."

Hesitant yet audible steps were coming up from behind them; she turned to greet the man, a member of the core Cerberus crew, and he worked around the galaxy map.

"Jr. Navigator Robertson," the commander said curtly. "What can I do for you?"

"The shore leave, ma'am," he started, voice smooth. "Is it required to get off of the ship?"

Shepard took time before answering. "Well, there's a reason that 'leave' is placed after shore. What's on your mind, Robertson? Are you not satisfied with the break I've offered you?"

She had to hand it to him, he had a good composure. Most men started feeling intimidated around this point. "No, ma'am, of course not. It's quite generous of you."

Scrutinizing him for a few silent moments, she finally brought up her hand to her earpiece and flipped it on. "Kelly Chambers, report," she sent out, waiting for her yeoman to secure a private channel.

"Yes, Commander? Is there something I can do for you?"

"What's your location?"

"Just outside of the docking bay, actually. A lovely welcome-asari and I are having a nice chat about Illium's golden points." The commander briefly remembered the alien that approached them when they first landed, claiming that Liara gave them a practically free pass.

Thank you, Liara.

Shepard nodded. "Right. Robertson here could use an escort; maybe put a use to that information you just got from the asari. He's never been on Illium before." The kid looked embarrassed, the first breaking point in his demeanor.

"Oh! Well, I could certainly help with that! I'll be there shortly."

The comm closed, and Shepard sent him a cocky smirk. "Ms. Chambers is a nice woman. Get to know her, and she'll see to it that you don't miss out on a good day." Her hand clamped down on his shoulder. "Lovely weather, ain't it? Gather your things if need be."

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am."

As he left the vicinity, Joker let out his held in laugh. "I love when you scare the red shirts."

"Feels good to breathe in non-gunfire infested air, huh? I mean, instead we've got fresh air, the soft smell of something cooking, and some crisp kind of cleaning stuff." Right above them, there were a few men cleaning the windows of a corporate building. "That explains it."

"You're hungry, are you?"

"I didn't say anything about that," he said, generally curious. "You're right, though. I could have eaten breakfast earlier, you don't know."

She was inspecting a terminal with weapon upgrades and murmured, "Because you always list the thing you really like or want in the middle." She felt herself being pulled away before she could buy anything and frowned heavily. "There was a snipe upgrade."

"You're deadly enough with a regular sniper rifle. And you're an engineer. If that's not the most deadly combination, I don't know what is. Imagine if you got L5 implants or something."

"I don't need every ability, that's kind of why I have a team."

"Just think, though: Tales of Commander Shepard, the multi-powered super woman and her witty side-kick, Jeff Moreau." He stretched out an arm and waved his hand slowly, imagining the hilarity. He added, "Besides, let's focus on something other than firepower and fighting."

Shrugging, she said, "Fair enough."

They passed near the steps of Liara's office. "Sure you don't want to go say hi? We're in the neighborhood."

She pursed her lips and contemplated; eventually, she sighed. "I do miss her."

"Good. But first …" He grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together. "Just to give off the right signals, you know?" With a nudge and a grin, he pushed her a little to the side so he could get that cute smile.

"She knows we're together. We were the ship's gossip bait back on the SR-1, remember?"

He grimaced. "Do I ever."

"Right. So don't worry, alright? Do you need me to give you some whispered reassurances about how much I love you?"

Joker held out his free hand. "Nah, you're not a sappy shit kind of woman. At least, not all the time."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You may or may not have a sleep-talking problem."

Her eyes widened hilariously, and she changed their pace to rapid as they advanced up the stairs. "I do not. I … I hope I don't." She groaned. "What do I say? Nothing terribly embarrassing, I hope."

By the look in his eyes—that painfully sharp glint—she knew that he wouldn't tell him.

"It wouldn't be any fun if you knew, right?"

The hydraulics interrupted their conversation as Liara let them in, probably monitoring them with hidden cameras. The poor asari had been awfully paranoid lately, or from the looks of the last time Shepard spoke with her.

"Shepard!" Liara's eyes then moved to the pilot. "Oh, Joker! It's lovely to see the both of you here, and … are you not limping, Joker?"

His grin was beaming wide. "Not anymore."

"That's wonderful! Please, sit. Perfect timing; I've been having a dry spot with clients today. Tell me, are you here on important business, or …?"

"Just a shore leave, actually," Shepard answered.

"It is well-deserved, from all the things I have heard about your last big mission. I wish I had been there, Shepard." Honestly, she looked really disappointed and rather hurt. "It is just … I still haven't gotten my friend back. It is … very complicated."

Shepard shook her head and held up the hand that wasn't occupied by the pilot. "Really, you don't have to worry. We were able to survive, right? They called it suicide. I really hope you find your friend, I really do. I can't imagine what it would be like to know that someone close to you is just … gone, and you aren't able to do anything about it."

"No knowledge of his whereabouts," she sighed out.

The commander shared a moment of sympathetic silence, glad that she had never been through such an experience.

"But anyway," she said quickly, spirits lifting once more, "are you planning on anything special today?"

They simultaneously shrugged. "Just wandering around Illium until we do. Got any suggestions?"

"Do I? Why, yes!" She opened a desk drawer and flipped through a few pads, settling on one to hand to the duo. "There are all sorts of events going on this week. Aside from that, I have a feeling that you have not seen all of Illium yet. I am sure you will have a great time."

Shepard was about to give back the pad when Liara raised a hand.

"No, no, you can keep that. It is quite useful; there are restaurant locations, popular tourist spots, and …" The asari rambled on, that brightness in her aura that seemed to have left last time was returning. Of course, it wouldn't fully be back until she found her friend, but time would heal her.

"Well, that was actually a lot more pleasant than I thought it would be."

Shepard glanced up at him. "You're right. I'm glad. I missed the old Liara."

"I … didn't, but her cold exterior you told me about last time sounded worse than back on the SR-1."

"Definitely." She saw Joker's content smile at being able to walk freely down stairs without so much as a hobble. "Enjoying your new legs, hon?"

He tilted up his hat. "I still have the urge to throw you up on my shoulders or something."

"Even if I would allow that, it wouldn't be while I'm wearing a skirt."

"I'd say it'd be more like 'especially' while you're wearing a skirt."

She pushed him without the care that she had taken when he was more fragile, laughed at his amused look, and said, "Alright, you bastard, let's find somewhere to eat, first. We'll look closer at the pad when we're there."