Chapter 2 – The Call
Samantha Traynor sheepishly peered through the galaxy map at the group chuckling in the bridge, curious about the ruckus. Moments prior she noticed Commander Shepard stumbling upon the witty turian cracking jokes with the Normandy's helmsman. Without needing an invitation, Shelby joined in on their tomfoolery. It wasn't long before the trio had deviously large grins decked across their face as they took turns sharing their humorous banter. The more they carried on, the louder they became. Their unsolicited babbling caused many heads to turn as the crew continued to work in the CIC.
Even though Samantha could barely hear the wisecracks, she loved hearing the Commander laugh. Her cackles rang through the long hallway, overpowering everyone else's chuckling. She was clearly enjoying herself and it warmed Traynor's heart to see her in such high spirits. The war felt like an emotional roller coaster, one that wasn't going to end any time soon. She could only imagine the heartache and pain Shepard was going through. The outcome of this battle weighed heavily upon her shoulders. She was forced into an impossible task and was amazingly succeeding where others would fail.
Yet, some things still fell short… each failed burden stacked atop the last, sinking the blonde-haired Marine deeper into the abyss. One look into her eyes shared the severity of the internal injuries but it never slowed Shepard down. She would continue living each day to its full extent and wouldn't allow any prior downfalls to become her shortcoming. Her charismatic approach to life was growing contagious, spreading quickly throughout the Normandy and encouraging a positive atmosphere. Even when her grey gaze shined with a blue flicker, she would find ways to quell the depression. The strength the Commander displayed was becoming more and more irresistible to the young communications officer.
As she watched her beloved leader leave the bridge, Samantha snapped back to her duties. Hunching over the console, she furiously tapped away in hopes of looking productive. From the corner of her eye she could see the Commander striding towards the elevator, her gleaming smile brightening her path. Right as she passed the corner of the galaxy map, their eyes locked for millisecond. The Specialist quickly brought her attention back to the console, pleading under her breath that their brief exchange would be dismissed.
"Something on your mind, Traynor?" Shelby asked, curiously looking at the jumpy woman.
"No, ma'am."
"Really?" she questioned with one eyebrow up. She closed in on the nervous officer, crossed her arms, and leaned up against the galaxy map's railing, "Because I couldn't help but notice how you were sneaking a glimpse of me a few times… even while I was at the bridge."
Immediately Samantha could feel her face growing warm. Her cheek's blushing appearance confirmed the Commander's suspicions. As she tried to explain her actions, the words that left her lips were nothing more than a series of vowels.
Shepard held up her hand and reassured, "Its okay. I know Garrus and Joker can appear intimidating since they've served under me in the past but you don't need to feel pressured around any of us. You are free to walk up to any of us at anytime. There's no need to stand in the distance. Feel free to interrupt me if there is something important. Hell, you are even welcome to join in on our shenanigans. As long as you don't mind some verbal slandering… it's all in good fun though, we've always picked on each other."
"That's quite alright, Commander," she sighed, averting her gaze back to her console.
"Then why are you bright red?"
"It's nothing!"
"I know you're hiding something… but what could it be?" her piercing grey eyes glowed at her, trying to read the secret messages racing in Samantha's head, "I know…"
Panic overcame the communications expert, was she becoming too obvious to the Commander?
"It all makes sense now," Shepard leaned back against the railing, "You can't crack a joke, that's why you stood there watching…"
"That's not it at all!"
"Don't worry, Traynor, not everyone can roll with the punches."
"I can tell jokes too!"
"Alright then, tell me one."
Her mind went blank. She recalled all the jokes she used to overhear in the lab, some concerning her commanding officer. Yet, as soon as the pressure was on her, she couldn't remember any of them.
"Come on, Traynor, take a stab at me. There are dozens of jokes out there that are about me, pick one."
"I," she rubbed the back of her neck anxiously, "I cannot think of one."
"Would you look at that, I left the Oxford-girl stumped," the blonde-haired soldier grinned from her victory, "So enlighten me, what did your fancy school teach you? Certainly there was an extracurricular activity you enjoyed embarking on."
"There is one…" Samantha looked at the glowing map in front of her console, "Tell me what you see when you look at the Galaxy Map."
Shelby shrugged, "Stars and planets, moons and suns… I guess."
"Sure, if you want to be literal," the Specialist smiled, "But do you know how many strategy games are built from that interface?"
"So that's what you do all day!" Shepard joked, dismissing all of Traynor's official duties. "Then I am to guess that you enjoy playing strategy games?"
"A few," she confessed, "Most are too flashy, though. I prefer chess. I have a set made from rose quartz and hematite back home. I like the feel of something solid in my hands."
"I get the feeling that this is more than just a hobby…"
"It is. After last year's tournament, I was a 2085 on the Grissom Scale. Not an international level, but respectable."
"That's impressive."
"I would've placed higher if I hadn't lost my knights. Every game I overextended them, got too flashy, and then watched them fall."
"Well, now that I know your weakness, we may have to try a game."
"I would enjoy that. It'd be more fun than playing EDI. EDI doesn't sweat."
Shepard cocked her head, puzzled, "You sweat playing chess?"
"Depends on how much fun we're having."
"Hmmm… I'll keep that in mind, Samantha," the Commander gave a wink before proceeding towards the elevator. Noticing how the statement left the chess-enthusiast with a surprised expression.
She said my name…
As she was getting back to her duties, the Specialist couldn't overcome the sense of hearing the Commander say her first name. She was always addressed by her title or last name, never by her first. To hear Shelby's soothing voice say her name… felt personal. She was becoming more than just another pretty face aboard the Normandy. Every time she replayed that moment within her memories, she couldn't resist smiling.
She called me by my first name…
The sensation continued to sink in. This was her treasured memory… nothing could hinder it. Everything seemed to fade away, including the flashing light on her console. The flashing light… the flashing light from the intercom! Traynor frantically pushed the button she accidentally ignored, "Yes?"
"Samantha," Shepard's voice rang through the intercom, "If you're not doing anything at the moment, I've got a few hours free. Would you like to come up?"
"Yes," she nervously squeaked, trying not to appear overeager, "I'll be right there."
