Learning is Easy When the Subject is Pleasing

Jack sat at a table in Purgatory, spending her shore leave pouring over mission reports to keep an eye on her students. Just because they were out in the field didn't mean she couldn't still protect them. Thankfully Shepard had listened to her and put them in support roles rather than on the front line—they'd have gotten slaughtered in the vanguard. But every able body was needed and it gave them the chance to feel like their training and struggles were worth something. Jack, more than anyone, knew they needed that. When the sky falls, your fight is all that matters.

So she never noticed a white-clad figure slip into the corner nearest her table, watching her as she worried her datapad. "You just can't seem to stay out of purgatories. There's probably a joke in that somewhere." She felt soft fingertips brush the short hairs on the back of her head.

Jack smiled. She knew that voice and that touch. Miranda came around to sit across from her. "I thought you were on the run. Aren't people trying to kill you?"

"I am. And yes." Miranda replied casually.

"So why are you here?"

"Because this is where you are." The statement caused Jack to blush. "I missed you." Miranda smiled at her. "How are your students doing?"

"Still alive. A bunch got sent to Palaven. They got over a thousand civilians offworld. That's a thousand lives they helped save. They're doing good."

Miranda smiled, the pride obvious in Jack. "And you helped them do that, Jack. You helped get them ready, get them strong enough and brave enough to help those people." Miranda beamed. "I knew you had it in you."

Jack looked at Miranda with a formerly uncharacteristic warmth. "My cheerleader."

"And how's my 'psychotic biotic?'"

Jack smirked. Here she was sending a bunch of kids she helped train to save the god damn world while she poured over duties to keep tabs on her downtime, her girlfriend showing up because she missed her. "I'm good." She honestly believed it.

"You look good. Have you heard from Shepard?" Miranda's gaze wandered around the bar.

"She was here not too long ago. Just said she was kicking reaper ass. Got on me to relax more, but I dunno, I kinda like this whole teamwork thing."

"I remember when that wasn't the case. Living below the cargo bay in a hallway with a cot. Trying to kick my ass every time you saw me." Miranda smirked.

"Yeah, well, remember that whole trying to grow as a god damn person thing? Shit changes. People…make their impacts."

Miranda's smirk crooked into a full grin. "And sometimes you have a personal cheerleader who pushes you to be the best she knows you're capable of."

Jack curled her lip. "Sometimes." She touched Miranda's hand. It had been a long time since they'd been together. And while calls and vid messages are nice, there was still so much lacking. She hadn't known how much she really missed her until Jack could touch her, feel her warmth, see the way she leaned slightly towards her when she teased. "I missed you, Miranda."

She squeezed Jack's hand. "I'll try not to stay gone so long."

Lights flashed, music pounded, people moved on the dancefloor nearby, waiters milled between tables delivering drinks, orders were barked at the bars, and in the flurry of all the noise and motion Jack and Miranda stole a moment of still silence, just watching each other.

"We should go to my apartment. I have something for you," Miranda said.

"You have a place on the Citadel?" Miranda nodded in response. "You are the worst person at staying off the radar."

"I'm better than you think." Miranda sneered.

"Talk to me when you manage to hide from pirates, mercs, and an interspecies police force for a whole year."

"And yet, you still managed to end up in cryo on Purgatory."

"Yeah, well, I fucked up."

Miranda shrugged casually. "I won't."

"You better fucking not. I don't have the time to hunt down and kill the bastard who kills you."

Miranda smiled; it was endearing the way Jack showed how much she cared. "Don't worry, Jack. He won't succeed, I'll be damn sure about that."

Jack furrowed her brow. 'You better not fucking die on me. Not now, not after all the shit that's happened.'

"So, do you want to see what I have for you or not?" Miranda redirected the conversation.

"Yeah, let's go."

Jack followed Miranda to her apartment. "You don't have to worry about the door this time, it's automatic." She smiled to herself.

Jack made a face. "You know…" And then she saw that smile. That smile was worse than 'please.' She let Miranda have her joke.

Miranda gestured towards a datapad on the counter. "That's for you."

"You got me a datapad? How romantic." Jack scoffed.

Miranda sighed, was there ever a moment when Jack wasn't a smart ass? No, but that's part of why you like her. "It's my Cerberus file. My psych profile, medical records, mission reports…everything Cerberus has on me. I copied it before I defected."

"Miranda, you didn't—"

"It's only fair. I've seen everything they had on you." She stepped closer, running her fingers along the scar at the base of Jack's skull. "I know every scar they gave you." Jack reached out, holding Miranda's waist. "You ought to know mine." She pulled Jack to her, kissing her deeply. A long, slow kiss as she remembered the way Jack tasted, the way she felt against her body. It was all still so new, and yet so comfortable.

Miranda pulled away, running her fingers down Jack's arm, grasping her fingers gently. She smiled, blue eyes blazing. "Follow me."

The urge to resist was still present. That little voice telling her not to listen to anyone—least of all Miranda—still whispered in her ear, rattling around inside her head like a lost echo. But as the days passed, it grew quieter. Miranda led her down the hall to the bedroom.

"I've missed your touch, Jack." Miranda stroked her cheek. "Missed your kisses."

"It feels strange to admit it, but I missed yours too." She kissed Miranda, pulling her close.

"Maybe one day it won't be." Miranda ran her fingers over the soft fuzz on the back of Jack's head. A blush ran up her neck, coloring her ears and finally her cheeks. Miranda smiled, the sight of Jack blushing never ceased to please her.

"Maybe." She kissed Miranda again, deeper, longer, almost…desperate.

Miranda tugged at Jack's clothing. Her hands used to the task, the straps came off without much difficulty. "Get on the bed."

Jack reached to undo Miranda's zipper. "No. I said get on the bed." An old bristle went up Jack's spine. It wasn't so much that she felt insecure being naked in front of Miranda fully clothed, as it was that she reacted habitually. And even fading habits still roared back once in a while. "Jack. Get on the bed."

With an internal growl, Jack laid across the bed. Miranda stalked over and pinned Jack beneath her hips. She ran her fingertips down Jack's arms, gripping her wrists. Miranda lifted Jack's arms above her head, holding them tight against the headboard. Leaning down close, she asked softly, "Do you trust me?" Jack thought before responding; did she really trust Miranda? Miranda raised an eyebrow at her silence. "Jack."

"I was thinking."

"You shouldn't have to think about much. Either you trust me or you don't." Miranda clenched her fist, a blue haze forming around her hand. "I can go."

"No." Miranda pinned Jack's hands against the headboard with the biotic field. "What the…" Miranda stepped off the bed and edged toward the door. Jack fought against the field, but she didn't have time to build up strength to try to break it. Shit. Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck. "Miranda." Her form disappeared into the hall. "Fucking stop."

Miranda stepped into the doorway, leaning against the jamb with her arms crossed. "Jack, do you trust me?"

"Yes. Miranda, I trust you."

Miranda released the field holding Jack's wrists and slid into bed next to her. "Then what took you so long to answer?"

Jack held her close. "I didn't know. Not for sure. And I didn't want to lie to you."

Miranda stroked Jack's stomach. "Well, I appreciate the honesty."

Jack sighed as her body relaxed. "I don't want you to leave."

Miranda smiled. "I'm not going to leave, Jack. I promise." She ran her fingers along Jack's jaw, gently pulling her face towards her. They pressed together, kissing passionately. Miranda climbed onto Jack, straddling her hips, whimpering softly in her throat as she gripped Jack's body tight.

"Fuck me." Jack demanded.

Miranda sat up to look into Jack's eyes. "You trust me?"

Jack reached up, cupping her face and tracing her thumb along Miranda's cheekbone. "Yes."

A tremor ran through Miranda's body. She slid back off Jack's body and grabbed her hips. "Get on your knees."

Jack hesitated. "Why?"

"Get on your knees or I will put you on your knees."

"Damn. Okay." Jack turned over and knelt on the bed.

Miranda smiled to herself, 'Always so recalcitrant.' She put her hand between Jack's shoulder blades and shoved her down. Miranda purred as she ran her hand down Jack's spine. "You should do this more often." She dragged her nails up Jack's thigh. "I do enjoy you like this." Miranda smacked Jack's ass.

Jack growled. Her hips pushed back into Miranda. She enjoyed the touch, but she had no control in this position, and it drove her mad. "Are you gonna fuck me or not?"

"Yes. But not until I feel like it. And right now, I'm enjoying the way your ass flexes when I do this—" Miranda slapped Jack's ass again, digging her nails in. A small moan escaped Jack's throat. "And it seems you enjoy it as well." She ran her hands up Jack's ass, over her hips and along her back. She pressed into Jack as she reached to brush the short hairs on the back of her head. They were always so soft and warm. Jack bucked her hips back into Miranda, demanding to be touched. Miranda slowly ran her fingertips back down Jack's sides, indulging in the shiver as she brushed over her hipbones.

Seeing Jack vulnerable, bordering on the edges of submissive, tore through Miranda; she wanted nothing more than to ravage her. She ran her hand up the inside of Jack's thigh, grazed her fingers against her. She was so hot, so wet. Jack ground against her hand, and with a small whimper, Miranda thrust her fingers inside her. Jack groaned deep, thrusting back, gripping the sheets. "Fuck." Her thighs tightened as Miranda slid in and out of her.

She gripped Jack's hip, pulling her back with each stroke. Jack rocked her hips, needing Miranda to be deeper. "God damn," Jack cried. "Fuck me harder."

It was all she could do not to immediately acquiesce. Miranda leaned over Jack's body as much as she could. "Ask nicely, Jack."

"Shit." Jack groaned. "Fuck me harder, Miranda. Please."

Miranda dug her nails into Jack's hip and yanked her body back harder and Jack screamed in pleasure.

"Fuck. Yes." Miranda ran her hand up Jack's back and splayed her fingers out in her short hairs, indulging in the soft warmth. She moaned as she pressed her hips into Jack's ass, fingers deep inside her.

"God, I've missed you, Jack." Miranda worked her hips into her lover, sliding in and out at a fever pitch now. She could feel Jack tighten around her. "Do you want to come, Jack?"

"Oh, god, yes. Make me come, Miranda."

Miranda grabbed Jack's ponytail and tugged back. Jack let out a moan. "I told you, you have to ask nicely." She slammed her hips hard into Jack.

"Fuck." Jack gasped. Her voice breathy, she gave in. "Please, Miranda. Please make me come."

Miranda kissed Jack's back. "Do you need it?"

Jack growled, "God damn it, Miranda. Just make me fucking come."

Miranda yanked her ponytail. "You have to ask, Jack."

"Please, Miranda." Her voice was desperate. "Please, let me come, I need to come."

Miranda smiled. "Then I'll let you." She sped her fingers, fucking her deeper and harder. Jack's moans grew louder and her thighs trembled until she cried out. "Fuck! Miranda."

Jack collapsed onto the mattress. Miranda laid beside her, tracing her fingers lightly up and down her back, listening to Jack's breathing. As her breath slowed, Miranda leaned in to kiss her. Jack reached over and grabbed Miranda's hair, dug her nails into her hip, and pinned her down. She sank her teeth into Miranda's neck with a growl, making the older woman howl. Jack pulled at Miranda's zipper, hastily stripping her clothes, all but ripping the fabric. Her pelvis pressed hard against Miranda, her hand gripped tight at the roots of Miranda's hair; she couldn't move if she wanted to. Jack forced Miranda's legs wide with her knees, ready to reclaim her dominance.

"Do you know how to do anything softly?" It took Miranda all of her focus to get the words out.

Jack stopped. "What the fuck does that mean?"

Miranda cupped Jack's cheek. "I mean, you don't have to fuck me. You can be gentle."

"I like fucking. I like it rough."

Miranda traced Jack's cheekbone with her thumb. "I want you to be gentle."

"Oh." Jack let go her grip and relaxed onto Miranda.

Miranda pulled her in for a kiss; long and slow and gentle. It fluttered Miranda's stomach. She looked at Jack with heavy eyes. "Soft can be good."

"I…" Jack paused. "I've only ever had it rough. Like…slamming against walls, breaking tables, someone call the cops, hard, rough sex."

"You had the cops called on you for sex?"

"Once. I threw a guy against a window, it broke. Then he threw me against a wall, it broke too." She frowned, not wanting to relive the past.

Miranda reached up and kissed her again. Another slow, deep kiss. "Do you need me to help you?"

"No." Jack sighed. "Maybe."

Miranda traced the edge of Jack's ear, along the line of her jaw, and down her throat. "No biting, no pulling my hair, no digging your nails into my skin."

"But you like those things." Jack was confused, worried that she'd disappointed Miranda in their previous liaisons.

Miranda smiled. "Yes, normally. But it's not what I want now." She traced her fingertips down Jack's back. "Touch me slowly, use just your fingertips." Jack ghosted her fingers against Miranda's ribs, tracing the curve of her body down to her hip. Miranda's hips jerked at the touch. Jack smiled and repeated the action, running her fingers up her side and back down again. Her hips moved again. "Yes, that's good, Jack. Kiss my neck."

Jack leaned down, her hand pressing into Miranda's hip, idly tracing Miranda's hipbone with her thumb. She kissed below Miranda's ear. Her shuddering breath tickled the sensitive skin as her soft lips worked up and down her neck. Miranda brushed her fingers through the soft hairs on the back of Jack's head, holding her close. Each kiss elicited a soft moan right into Jack's ear; her pelvis pressed into Miranda.

"Use your tongue." Miranda urged. Jack flicked her tongue across Miranda's neck. "Yes." Jack found her pulse and teased the spot, making small sounds of pleasure as it pounded faster. She held Miranda's hips as she kissed down her throat. Slipping down, Jack kissed her collarbone, and between her breasts. Miranda ran her hands along Jack's back. Jack flicked her tongue across Miranda's nipple before taking it into her mouth. "Mmm, yes." She started to bite down. "No teeth. Be gentle, remember." Miranda stroked the back of Jack's neck. "Just suck on it."

Jack sucked at her nipple, circling it with her tongue. "Good, yes, just like that." Jack worked one nipple and then the other. She pulled her hand away from Miranda's hip making a fist, fighting the urge to dig her nails in. "Touch my thighs."

"Like this?" Jack ran her fingers along the outside of Miranda's thigh.

"Yes. Now get up here and kiss me." Jack moved up and Miranda pulled her down into a deep kiss. She traced her fingers on Miranda's thigh. "Touch me, Jack. Please." Jack ran her fingers over Miranda's knee, softly tracing them up the inside of her thigh. "Yes, please, Jack." Jack grazed her fingers across Miranda; she bucked in response. Jack felt the heat and Miranda's active hips and pressed, rubbing her fingers over her clit. "Yes. Oh God, Jack."

Miranda rolled her hips as Jack moved, desperate for her touch. She pressed her hips harder against Jack, riding her fingers. Pulling Jack's ear to her lips, Miranda whispered, "I want you inside me." She sucked Jack's earlobe. Jack nudged Miranda's legs wider and slid her fingers into her waiting warmth. Miranda moaned deep and low, grabbed Jack's hip, and pulled her down into her. "Slow, Jack. Gentle."

Jack worked her hips, lifting up and pressing down into Miranda. She struggled to stay gentle as Miranda moaned deeper and louder, grinding her hips up into her. "Oh, God, Jack. You feel so good."

"I want you to fucking come for me, Miranda." Jack bit at her earlobe.

"Gentle, Jack." She gripped Jack harder, pulling her closer, grinding her hips back and forth. "I will. Just be gentle, slow." Jack sucked softly at Miranda's neck. "Fuck." Her hips slowed as she tightened around Jack's fingers. Jack sped her hips, fucking Miranda faster, begging for her to come. And come she did, screaming and clutching at Jack, digging her nails into her back.

Jack sunk down onto Miranda's humming body. She stroked Jack's cheek. "That was good."

"Next time, I'm throwing your ass over the counter and fucking you til your legs don't work anymore."

"My legs don't work right now." Miranda smiled and kissed Jack softly. However, the thought of Jack fucking her like an animal made her stomach do somersaults. Miranda held Jack as they kissed long and lazily.

After the strength returned to her legs, Miranda asked, "When do you have to get back to duties?"

"I've got til tomorrow morning."

"Stay with me here, Jack."

"Like I've got anywhere better to be," Jack quipped.

Miranda smiled as she drifted into a relaxed sleep in Jack's arms.