Alright here's the chapter you've hopefully all been waiting for. Sorry for a couple days delay for something did come up. Okay, I'll let you read!


Everything was escalating, and fast. Ashley knew where this was going but didn't want it to stop. The feeling of being wanted by Shepard wouldn't let her. She thought about the consequences for both of them since she knew she wasn't ready for their relationship.

Damn the consequences.

She quickly tossed those thoughts aside, not wanting to think about it. They both were engrossed in each other, molding together.

Shepard started to kiss Ashley's neck, feeling a shiver vibrate through her body.

God I love it when he does that.

Ashley breathed out a small whimper of pleasure. Shepard took it as a signal to go to the bedroom.

I can't believe this is actually happening. I've been wanting, needing this for so long, he thought.

He swiftly walked both of them to the Ashley's room, her legs wrapped around his waist. They got to the dark bedroom, the moon being the only light. They both kicked off their boots and Shepard held Ashley's back as he elegantly laid her down on the bed. He hovered over her as they continued to kiss.

Ashley started unbuckling Shepard's belt. She got the pants down halfway then took the rest off with her legs. Shepard took off Ashley's shirt, leaving her bra.

My God she is gorgeous.

He kissed her neck, to the lobe of her collarbone, between her breasts, down to her bellybutton. He wanted to survey every inch of her. He slowly tugged her pants down, tracing her legs with his fingers as he did.

Ashley pulled his shirt to her and took it off with one swift movement. She ran her hands over his abs, feeling even more lust and pride. She moved her hands up to his smooth chest, then to the back of his neck.

Shepard started to peel her bra off. He unlatched it and slid the bra through her arms. Ashley shouldn't have felt vulnerable since Shepard had seen her fully exposed so many times before, but a small part of her was. However, those thoughts vanished as Shepard stared at her breasts in awe.

She smirked,"You're such a boob," and pulled him down into a raw kiss.

Shepard smiled and quietly whispered into her ear,"I love you. I want you."

He gently nibbled her earlobe and gazed into her eyes. It caught Ashley by surprise how sincere Shepard sounded given what they were in the middle of. And then the way he said that last part.. She almost wanted to cry but at the same time wanted to ravish him even more.

She slid her finger underneath the hem of Shepard's briefs, causing a low moan of pleasure deep in Shepard's throat. He attacked her neck as Ashley pulled his briefs down over his tight bottom. Tingles of arousal pulsed through her body as she felt Shepard on her.

Before Ashley could say or do anything, Shepard sat up and moved down to her underwear, peeling them off slowly as both their eyes locked in a loving grasp. He slowly came down to her mouth, passionately kissing her.

The whole night was filled with deep, fiery love making. The sensations and feelings were nothing they had felt before. It was almost overwhelming. After two years, Ashley and Shepard finally let out the passion that had been held inside them for so long.

Both fell asleep in the early morning, exhausted from their intense night. In the morning, at about 5:00 o'clock, Ashley opened her eyes to the faint sunlight piercing through a small crack in her white curtains. She hadn't felt more comfortable at that moment in her life. She opened her eyes wider, wiping the sleep from them. She hadn't gotten much sleep, but it was something she was used to, and just dealt with.

Right as she felt Shepard's arm lazily settled over her waste, their night before came into her mind. A putter of butterflies and pleasure arose in her stomach. But fear quickly crept at the edges of her brain, interrupting her happy recollection.

Ashley thought of what she'd have to say to Shepard, thinking that she would have to tell him to leave.

What am I going to do? Does he know I can't do this? Even though every fiber of my being wants to?

She hated the thought, but it was the reality. She closed her eyes and seriously thought of just leaving. But Ashley didn't cower out of anything, and she sure as hell wasn't going to start at this point. She slowly turned over and observed Shepard as he slept. He was usually the one to watch Ashley as they slept. It annoyed her sometimes but she secretly loved it. Ashley wanted to savor her last moments with him in bed.

She touched Shepard's face. Hard stubble had formed from his recently clean, smooth shaven face from the day before, how Ashley usually liked it. She lightly traced down his broad chin, down his neck, to his torso. The blanket was placed low but above his waist. Ashley's torso was bare as well, the blanket laying just at the curve of her hip over her curvaceous bottom. But she didn't go any farther, as to not wake him up. Ashley smiled at the thought. Shepard shifted his position and snuggled Ashley to him. He was still asleep but nearly had Ashley locked in his arms.

Crap.

Ashley wanted to be up before Shepard since she was already awake. She slowly uncoiled Shepard's arm up from under her.

Damn, he's strong.

Ashley sat up and quickly stretched out the workout she had during her and Shepard's night before. She smiled as memories from their night filtered through her mind again...

Ashley fell onto her pillow as Shepard did to his. They had both finished another incredible round of sex. Shepard was breathing heavily, more than Ashley.

"Skipper, I was the one on top, how could you be more tired?"

"Ash, we've been going on for hours, I'm sorry if I'm a tad tired. I haven't had much practice in the past years as you know. I was kinda dead." Shepard smirked and rested his eyes. Ashley propped her head up with her hand, gazing at Shepard.

"You still have an amazing touch if I do say so myself. You haven't changed a bit," she moved close to his ear whispering,"And neither have I."

Shepard opened his eyes to a mischievous smile displayed upon Ashley's face.

"You're wicked, you know that?" Shepard pressed himself to Ashley, kissing her. Ashley smiled under all the kisses.

"But I'll be on top this time." Shepard nearly growled, concluding their talking.

Ashley came back to the reality of her now lightened room. She sighed and thought maybe a warm shower would help her think, and hopefully not wake Shepard up. She got up and grabbed a change of clothes. Before going into the bathroom, she gazed at Shepard's face for a moment. He looked tranquil as he slept. It almost seemed as if he had a slight smile on his face. She didn't want this to end, she didn't want him to leave. A small pang of guilt swiftly led her to take a shower.

Ashley finished, putting on regular dress blues, similar to what she wore on the Normandy SR1. She put her hair in a kept bun, and entered the bedroom. Shepard was still sleeping, having turned over and allowing a thin streak of sunlight to shine on his bare back. Ashley wasn't sure if she should have woken him up.

She thought better of it and decided to make breakfast, putting off the inevitable anguish she would have to suffer through - not only her, but Shepard as well. She started it off with scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. A usual breakfast for an undoubtedly hungry man. She served up two plates and carried them both to the small dining room table. She set hers down first and right as she was setting Shepard's down, she saw him appear through her bedroom doorway. She quickly looked up, setting down the plate slowly. He had put on his clothes from the day before. Ashley straightened up, placing her hands on her thighs, not sure what to do with them.

"Hi," was all she could think to say.

"Hey," Shepard replied seductively with a big smile, obviously thinking of their night before.

He walked over and embraced her in his arms. He buried his head into her neck, and just held her. Ashley wrapped her arms around his muscled waist, cherishing the moment. Shepard pulled back, looking into Ashley's eyes.

"Thanks for making breakfast Ash," he said while sitting down.

"Oh, yeah, 'course."Ashley said, almost in a daze from the hug. She sat down watching Shepard eat his breakfast. She ate small bites, not really having an appetite. She was nervously waiting for him to finish. She was thinking of bringing it up right away, but thought better of it. She thought maybe Shepard would even bring it up himself. As Ashley thought, Shepard put down his fork beside his half finished plate. He put his hands on his knees and looked at Ashley. She noticed his gaze and put down her fork as well.

"Ash, I just wanted to say that last night...," he was almost at a loss for words,"It was special. Amazing."

He leaned forward as he gestured both hands to his chest,"But, I- I almost feel barbaric for even kissing you yesterday. I took advantage of you and if you want me to leave, go out that door and never come back, I wouldn't blame you. I'm sorry Ash."

Ashley took a deep breath. She decided to keep it cool,"Shepard," she started with a smirk,"you do know it takes two to tango."

He chuckled,"Yeah I know Ash. But you were vulnerable at that time. I just... wanted you so badly and didn't want to accept the reality. That doesn't justify what I did at all. I came here yesterday with the thought of you wanting me back, us getting back together. I never thought, well, didn't want to think about what would happen if you didn't. I knew I'd understand, but I just didn't want it to happen."

Ashley sighed,"It's not against the law to have desires. God knows I have them too,"Ashley leaned forward as well,"It's no lie that I want you. I've been wanting you back for two years Shepard. No one prepares how to react when the love of your life miraculously, suddenly, comes back after 2 years of being dead or unconscious. It shocked me when I saw you on Horizon and I had only barely got my head above the water from your death. I wouldn't have made it without my family, Anderson, and some of our closest friends. But I still need to get my head straight and recover. I can't simply jump into the relationship we had and start where we left off. I wish it was that easy, but it's not. And I don't really know what to say about last night. It really was special, and I'm not going to act like it didn't happen. But, I just can't see how it can continue. How we can continue. Yet that is."

Shepard nodded his head, looking down at his hands. He furrowed his brow into a look of understanding. He looked back at Ashley.

"You aren't ready. I can understand that. I don't regret last night," an anguished smile appearing on his face, recalling the night before for a second. "I go into house arrest in about a week. But, like I said yesterday, I'm willing to wait for however long you need Ash. I'm not going to give us up. Whatever the Reapers throw at us next, I just hope you'll be by my side, us together or not."

"I will be. I promise," Ashley replied sincerely.

Shepard smiled and stood up from his chair. Ashley reciprocated the movement and they both hugged each other again.

"I love you Skipper."

"I love you too, Ash." He leaned down and pecked Ashley's cheek. She smiled, having the urge to kiss him, but held back knowing her 'urge' would ruin everything. They both walked to the door, knowing it was time for Shepard to depart. Shepard opened the door to the big hallway. The sun was shining brighter leaving a consistent pattern of shadows along the walkway from the metal binding of the humongous windows.

He looked at Ashley with another smile,"Ash, you think you could say hi to your sisters for me? I know it's sudden, but I know you're close to them and I just feel I'll be needing to get to know them in the future. Whether they hate me for some reason or not, I'd just like them to know I said hi at least."

Ashley didn't really expect Shepard to ask this of her, but she didn't mind.

"Of course Shepard."

"In that case, we'll talk later Williams," he threw her another smile and stepped out the doorway.

"Sir." Ashley replied with a smirk and nod. She watched Shepard turn and walk down the corridor. She closed the door and pushed her back against it. Ashley ran her mind through everything that had just happened. She took a deep breath and concentrated on the current tasks ahead of her. Instead of the nagging thought of Shepard in the back of her mind, it was a comforting thought. Knowing she had closure put her at ease. But when she was ready for Shepard, he'd better be ready for her. At that thought, a mischievous smile spread across Ashley's face as she walked to the dining table across the room.


There it is, hope it was satisfying, hehe. Reviews, constructive criticism, and suggestions are very welcome as I've said in the previous chapter. Thanks to all of you who followed, favorited, helped, and reviewed. It really does help :) I hope to write more stories in the future and even a sequel story post ME3 to this one, so please stay tuned! Thanks again.