"No! Get away from me you bastard!" Ashley screamed throwing the pillow full force at her attacker, he came at her with open arms and closed in quickly. She was thinking, the wheels in her head going Mach 9. The door was open and her escape route was clear.

She rolled from his grasp and around the left side of the legs of the taller man and popped back up to hurdle the king sized bed. She made one terrible calculation and over estimated her speed, she flew off the bed and landed on her side, hard.

She let out a string of curses as her eyes filled with dread as the man walked towards her with a hop to his step. He pounced on her and pinned her down with one hand, the other hand had snaked around to her neck. He pushed her hair back, and with precise touches, starting tickling her.

Ashley started laughing uncontrollably and wriggled beneath the man and tried with all her might to push him off, but he had the advantage.

"John, get off of-" She giggled liked a child, "Get off of me!"

"Say I win," he said with a playful smile, only letting up on his tickling for her to answer.

"In your dreams hero man!"

"This really pains me to do this..." Shepard trailed off as his hand trailed down to the hem of her shirt. He smirked as he lifted it and ran his fingers teasingly along her stomach.

Ashley let out a giggle in spite of herself. Shepard smiled and this time attacked her stomach with his tickling. Shepard relished in the sound of Ash's laughter, the giggles and the overall love that seemed to fill the room. Ashley's eyes were brimming with tears when the light was flicked on and there sat a very awake Mama Williams.

Shepard stopped, and looked up with a sheepish look, pulling Ashley's shirt down past her belly button. Ashley looked up, lifting her chin to see why Shepard had stopped.

"Oh.. Uh.. Good Morning," Ashley offered with a smile.

"Good morning Ash, and you too John." Mrs. Williams gestured with her hands to the pair. "Any reason as to why I was woken up to Ashley kicking and laughing like an idiot?"

"Uh.. Well, you see..." Shepard stuttered his words suddenly failing him.

"You see," Ash looks to Shepard as he gives her a defeated, almost helpless look. "John here made a bet that he lost, and to get me to try and drop the whole thing, he resorted to his 'secret weapon'" Ash explained, raising one hand for air quotes as Shepard had her other.

"Really?" Ash's mother responded.

"Really," Shepard said, as if that would finalize it.

Shepard glanced down at Ashley beneath him and smiled, turning his gaze back to her mother. He really took in the women's details. They looked so alike, but yet he could tell what traits Ash got from her father.

"I'm sorry, about waking you up," Shepard said sincerely.

"Oh dear, it's no trouble, I should've been up an hour ago." Mrs. Williams said waving a hand in disregard. "Ah well then, carry on." Mrs. Williams said smiling. She turned from the door and her footsteps could be heard retreating down the hallway.

"Sorry mom!" Ash yelled after her. After a moment of silence, the couple started laughing. Shepard's chuckle mixing with Ashley's giggles. 'She was so... giggle-y in the morning,' Shepard thought.

"Whoops," Shepard said shrugging. Ashley chuckled and smiled, shaking her head.

"Can I get up now?" she asked. Shepard thought a moment, scratching at his growing stubble.

"Nah," he said. Ashley groaned.

"Why not?"

"Because," Shepard leaned down and kissed her lips softly. "I love you," Ashley smiled and flexed her fingers,

"When you put it that way..." she started, interrupted by one of her sisters yelling from the bottom of the stairs that it was breakfast time.

"Duty calls, eh Skipper?" Ashley smirked. Shepard stood with a sigh, and offered his hand down to Ashley. She took it and stood up with his help with ease. Shepard was halfway out the bedroom door when he was pulled back in and attacked with soft lips on his own.

"Payback!" Ashley whispered, smiling evilly as she sauntered from Shepard and down the steps.

Shepard shook his head with a smile and hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. He grabbed the plate that Ashley handed him. It was piled high with toast and eggs and bacon. Shepard smiled at her and kissed her cheek.

"Sarah!" Someone yelped from the living room. Shepard and Ashley heard, they were already walking that way anyways.

"Well you never know, we all heard the yelling, they were probably having rough se-" Sarah was trailed off when she noticed just who was standing in the archway. She was met by a glare from Ashley, and a shocked look from Shepard. Her ears went red and Shepard couldn't help the blush that raised to his cheeks. Lynn, one of Ashley's sisters raised a hand to her mouth to cover her grin,

Ashley arched an eyebrow and Shepard just shook his head. Then Shepard smirked knowingly, he put one arm around Ash and pulled her close.

"We do that when you're all gone," Shepard teased with a wink and a smirk.

An echo of 'John' and 'Shepard' was heard in that living room, and maybe a hard punch all thanks to Ashley. Though the blush that came across Ashley's face was well worth the sore arm later.

A/N- Alright... this is short... reaaaaaaally short, but Im trying to get back in the swing of writing some Shepley... writing in general.. Things have been super hectic and I know people wanted me to add on to this.. Thanks for the push guys! I just wanted to give you something that was light... Bah im rambling... It's late... I'll probably fix some things later, or not at all.. I'm going to try and get some more writing going on. Though... no promises.. Until next time!