A/N: So... this is my first ever story! I'm not certain where it's going to go. So far it's kind of just evolved on its own, and in a direction that I didn't really anticipate.

Feedback is really appreciated as this is my first rodeo when it comes to this. Of course, I do not own anything, I'm just borrowing from Bioware.

I hope you like it.

Crescent Nebula, Tasale System

"EDI?"

"Yes Shepard?"

"What's our ETA?"

"ETA to Illium is 30 minutes, Commander."

"Thanks EDI."

Cora Shepard, hair still dripping wet from her shower, stood in a towel in the middle of her room. Thirty minutes. I've only got thirty minutes to get my shit together and keep it together long enough to not put my foot in my mouth again. She then realized with some level of concern that she probably didn't even have anything to wear. The last few months had been a whirlwind of armour and uncomfortable Cerberus uniforms. No time for shore leave when you're killing Collectors.

I can charge into the middle of a firefight surrounded by husks and Collectors, I can coordinate a strategically sound attack that results in zero friendly casualties, and I can lead a suicide mission to the galactic core without actually having it turn into a suicide mission... but I didn't even have the foresight to check if I had civvies. Fantastic.

As nice as her armour was, it wasn't quite acceptable for shore leave, let alone the conversation that needed to be had in order to save her relationship. Maybe armour would be a better choice for this conversation. She did threaten to flay someone alive with her mind...

"C'mon Shep. It can't be this hard to find something to wear." she muttered to herself once she realized that armour probably was a bad idea. "Objective: find underwear."

Flinging the towel onto the bed, she hurried to her drawers to grab a bra and underwear.

"Well, there's only one woman who would've stocked my closet." she said out loud as she held up a pair of black lace underwear, and a matching bra. "Oh well. Might as well try and feel a little bit confident, even though I'm probably going to fuck this all up. Alright. Objective complete. EDI, ETA?"

"ETA to Illium is 27 minutes, Commander."

Well, at least time is going slow enough for me to get my ass in gear.

Jeans were easy enough to find, and Shepard quickly pulled a pair on. Another look in the drawer exposed a black tank-top. "Good enough" she said as she slid it on. She made a mental note to ask Miranda how she knew what casual clothes to stock up on. Damn woman knows way too much. She towel dried her shoulder length black hair, noting that it was almost to the point of breaking Alliance regs. "Well, not like they care right now anyways." she said to herself. With her hair done, she moved to makeup, and after finishing up a routine that was well established, she took one final look at herself. Green eyes accented with black eyeliner and dark eye shadow, hair starting to form curls as it dried, and her pale, muscular arms bared, she realized she missed looking so... normal. I forgot what Shore Leave Shepard looked like.

"EDI..."

"ETA to Illium is 22 minutes, Shepard." the AI interrupted.

"Aww... Am I annoying you EDI?"

"No. I was merely able to anticipate your intended question, given that it had already been asked twice, and that the ETA seems to be of utmost importance."

"Can't put anything past you, can I?" Shepard said with a grin as she slid on her black Converse shoes.

Five minutes later, she was on the bridge, nervously tapping the back of Joker's chair with her fingers. The lights of Illium shining bright in the viewport, Shepard was suddenly struck by how beautiful it looked from orbit. Having spent all but a few years of her life on ships meant always seeing everything from orbit, and it was rare for her to give a planet more than a cursory glance. For her, this particular planet had only been a source of pain and anger in the last month, so she had certainly not stopped to take in the view.

"What's this all about, Liara? Can't you just talk to me?" Shepard asks, anger and hurt boiling just below the surface. The kiss was... it was soft and gentle and perfect, just like she remembered. But then it was over. And the wall went back up, hiding the gentle blue eyes behind a facade that Shepard didn't recognize.

"Don't you think I want to, Shepard? This isn't because I don't trust you..."

"You want me to hack terminals for you, but you won't tell me why? It sounds exactly like you don't trust me." Shepard responded, the frustration seeping out before she could control it. First Kaidan, now Liara? She couldn't handle another Horizon. Especially not from someone she loved so much.

"Cora..." Liara whispered, crestfallen. Shepard heard Garrus clear his throat behind her.

Fuck. Well done.

"Uh, hey, Commander? Can you stop? That's really damn annoying." Joker snapped, bringing Shepard back to reality. She hadn't realized she was still tapping the chair.

"So was Harbinger, but you didn't hear me complaining." she responded dryly.

"Actually, I have several audio recordings taken from your helmet during various fights with Harbinger. Your tone of voice during the recordings suggested you had a high level of annoyance while dealing with him." EDI chimed in politely.

Shepard was about to provide a reply, when Joker's communication pad lit up green.

"SSV Normandy, this is Nos Astra docking control. We have you on sensors, however your arrival is unscheduled. Please provide your identification code as well as the reason for the docking request."

Joker quickly responded with a well memorized series of numbers and letters.

"Nos Astra docking control, this is SSV Normandy. Identification code sent, reason for docking request is classified."

"This isn't the first time we've touched down here. You'd think they'd just see the ship and go 'Oh, Normandy. Here's a docking bay for you. Have a great day!'" Shepard remarked quietly, irritation obvious in her voice.

"SSV Normandy, I apologize, however we do need a more substantial reason for..."

"Nos Astra docking control, this is Commander Cora Shepard, council Spectre. Reason for docking request is, and will remain, classified as it is Spectre business. Is this going to be a problem?"

There was a brief pause while the docking officer was clearly running the identification codes and checking the validity of Shepard's statement. When it came, the reply was certainly more terse than it had been previously.

"SSV Normandy, you are cleared to dock. Please proceed to docking bay Alpha-2-1."

Joker rolled his eyes and closed the comm link. "Clearly someone didn't get their coffee today."

"Take us in, Joker." Shepard replied with a small smile.