Author's Note: Thanks again to those who read and reviews. As I have mentioned before, it's what keeps me going. Anyway, this is the third installment in this collection. Like the second installment, it can be read as a sort of sequel to the others or as a standalone story.

The fourth installment is already a work in progress. It's going to be a sort of re-imagining of one of the "romance conversations" between Miri and Shepard in the game. Don't know when it will be up, though. Maybe later today, maybe tomorrow. The fifth installment is going to be a standalone AU. I'm still trying to imagine how it will go, seeing as I haven't started it yet. :p As always, please read and review!

Disclaimer: Commander Shepard, Miranda Lawson and Mordin Solus are owned by BioWare.

Creativity

With her hair tied in a loose ponytail, Miranda Lawson sat in front of Shepard's terminal, idly tapping away at the haptic adaptive interface. Since they began sharing quarters, Shepard had "convinced" her to read his messages for him, given his apparent laziness in checking them. Not that she needed to be convinced, of course.

Under the Illusive Man's orders, she monitored all incoming and outgoing messages from Shepard's terminal when they first began the mission. Initially, she had no qualms about reading his messages, certain that she was doing this for the "greater good." However, when they began to connect on more than a professional level, she began to feel guilty reading his messages. She began to limit herself to reading mission reports forwarded to his account, until she stopped reading his messages altogether.

She suspected Shepard knew what she was doing. Her suspicions were confirmed when he grinned at her when he heard her mutter "stupid Oriana" after coming across Oriana's message.

Oriana. She couldn't suppress a smile from appearing at the thought of her sister. When she "resigned" from Cerberus, she had been deathly afraid for her sister's safety—worried that the Illusive Man would go after her sister to get back at her. Imagine her surprise when Shepard told her that he had pulled some strings to get a team of N7 marines to serve as covert security for her sister.

Moving her chair slightly, Miranda thought back to Oriana's message to Shepard. Her sister mentioned something about not having anyone, while she had her family. Miranda smiled slightly at her sister's concern.

You're wrong, Oriana. Miranda looked at the sleeping Shepard who was snoring lightly. She smiled warmly at the sight. I have someone now.

Turning her attention back to Shepard's terminal, she continued checking his messages, taking notes of the more important ones. After a few more minutes of reading through his messages, she was just about ready to close her session when she found a couple of unopened files from Professor Solus. Curious, she pulled up its contents.

Oh my. She felt the heat creeping up to her neck. Miranda was positive that she looked like an overgrown tomato. Oh my.

She was so engrossed with the files' contents that she didn't notice Shepard stirring. She was still reading through the files when Shepard tapped her on the shoulder. Miranda would have jumped out of her seat if it had not been for the years of training she had to undergo as a Cerberus operative. She quickly hid the files before Shepard could see what she was reading. She stood and turned around sharply to face him.

"Don't do that!" Miranda glared at him. Shepard chuckled at her reaction.

"I've never seen you that jumpy before. What's up?" Shepard teased. Miranda just continued to glare at him.

"You just caught me at an unguarded moment, that's all."

"Right." Shepard drawled, mocking her.

"You keep that up mister and you're cut off." That should shut him up. Miranda thought victoriously. Shepard merely smirked at her. I ought to wipe that damn smirk off- Her train of thought was cut short when he drew her in an embrace and gave her a toe-curling kiss – all thoughts of their "argument" were washed away by the pleasurable sensations.

After a moment, they broke the kiss, resting their foreheads against each other. Pulling away from him slightly, Miranda took the opportunity to change the subject.

"As you know, you have a meeting with Councilor Anderson at 1400. He wishes to speak with you regarding the Normandy's repairs. Also, the council would like to go over the data EDI had been able to glean from the collector base." Miranda finished with practiced ease. Shepard nodded as he pulled away from her, fully intending to get ready for his meetings.

"Thanks, Miri. Anything else?" Shepard asked as he donned his armor. Miranda gave him an appreciative once-over before responding.

"That's all, John. The rest was spam." Miranda shook her head in disbelief. It was a wonder how technology in this day and age still couldn't filter stupid chain messages.

"XO, the ship's all yours. Take care of her." Shepard said, mock-seriously. Miranda smirked.

"Understood commander. I'll see you later." His XO retorted saucily. Chuckling, he stole another kiss from her before leaving the captain's quarters.


Miranda made sure he was gone before pulling up the contents of Professor Solus's files. Her eyes went wide as she went through the rest of them.

Miranda Lawson was no prude. In fact, she was quite the opposite, if her… escapades… at the engine room was any indication. But this… she didn't even know she could use her biotics like that!

After going through the files' contents, she decided that she needed to have a word with Professor Mordin Solus. She needed the… assistance… of the good doctor.

Donning her own uniform, she made her way to the elevator with a small smile playing on her lips.

Interesting. This certainly has possibilities. I do hope it doesn't kill John though.



Miranda Lawson's heels clicked as she made her way towards the laboratory on the combat deck, her gait purposeful and determined. Entering the tech lab, she saw Mordin tapping away at his console, working on his research. Suppressing a smile, she went over to his console before stopping right in front of him.

"Professor Solus, may I have a word with you?"

"Certainly, Ms. Lawson. Is there anything I can do for you? Here to inquire about findings on reaper technology?" The salarian scientist asked, his quirky speech manifesting itself. He never once looked up from his console. Miranda suppressed a sigh.

"Did you happen to forward some… files… to the commander's quarters, right before we went through the relay?" This got Mordin's attention. He looked up to see a pair of unreadable cerulean eyes staring back at him.

Mordin Solus weighed his options. He knew he was treading in dangerous waters. Knowing the reputation of the ex-Cerberus operative, he was fully aware of the possibility of incurring grievous bodily harm if he gave the wrong answer. After weighing the pros and cons of his course of action for a moment, he decided that disclosing the information she required was the most logical option.

"Correct, Ms. Lawson. Files regarding inventive uses-" Miranda brought a hand up to stop him. Mordin sighed in relief when he saw the amusement in her eyes.

"Relax, professor. I just wanted to know if it was really you who sent them. To be quite honest," Miranda paused thoughtfully, bringing two fingers up to her chin. "I thought you were simply joking around with him."

"Shocking suggestion! Doctor-patient confidentiality a sacred trust. Would never dream… of mockery." The professor swore this conversation had already happened. Miranda laughed.

"Yes, professor, I do happen to know that you take your profession very seriously. I do have another question, however … " She trailed off.

"What is it, Ms. Lawson?"

"Do you still have other… versions… of those "booklets" you sent the commander?"

Silence. The salarian blinked, twice, thrice before he finally understood what the executive officer meant. Miranda merely raised an eyebrow.

"Well, professor?"

"Why… indeed, I do, Ms. Lawson. Can forward it to the commander's-" For the second time that day, Miranda cut off the professor.

"Send it to my quarters instead, professor. I don't want the commander walking in on me during my… lessons."


Commander John Shepard was dead tired. He wanted nothing more than to collapse in bed and curl up with Miranda. The council meeting took longer than expected, and it had completely drained him. As soon as he reached his quarters, he was surprised to find no one there. Quickly removing his armor, he sat on the bed.

"EDI, where's Miranda?"

"Operative Lawson is in her quarters at the crew deck, commander. However, I have been instructed to tell you that she will be arriving shortly at your present location. She has already been informed of your arrival."

As if on cue, the room's doors opened, admitting one Miranda Lawson inside. She was wearing a long, black trench coat.

What's up with the coat? Shepard idly wondered. And how come I've never seen it before? I didn't even know she had a coat!

With a sultry smile on her face, Miranda Lawson purposefully walked towards Shepard, popping the buttons of her coat as she went. When she popped open the last of the buttons, she shrugged the coat off, revealing her in all her naked glory.

Dear God, this woman really is going to be the death of me. That was the last coherent thought that crossed Shepard's mind before he scooped her up and laid her to the bed, attacking her with his lips. Having divested himself of his clothes, Shepard was just about ready to sate his desire for her when she stopped him with a hand. He raised an eyebrow at her. She simply smiled.

"I have a surprise for you." Mirana said throatily, making the hair at the back of Shepard's neck stand up.

"What is it?"

Miranda answered him by glowing a brilliant blue.

Let the games begin.



After spending a good two hours of exploring each other's bodies using Miranda's "newfound talent", the two lovers collapsed to the bed, panting heavily. As soon as they had sufficiently recovered, Shepard wrapped an arm around Miranda's waist, kissing her on the forehead. Miranda laid her head on his chest, sighing contentedly.

"Good God, Miri. That was amazing. I didn't know you could use your biotics like that." Miranda looked up at him and gave him a sassy smile.

"I didn't. I had help." Something in Shepard clicked. Rolling them over so she was under him, he looked into her eyes, feigning seriousness.

"You went to Mordin didn't you?"

"Whatever are you talking about, commander?" Miranda asked, feigning innocence.

"You do know that I have ways of making you talk, right Ms. Lawson?" He punctuated this statement by nipping her between her jaw and neck muscles. Miranda gave a throaty groan.

"Bring it on commander. I'll – never –tell."


Everyone was at the mess hall for breakfast, save for the commander and the executive officer. Just as everyone was about to begin eating, Commander Shepard and Executive Officer Lawson trudged towards the table, bags under their eyes. Everyone looked at them curiously with the exception of the good professor, but none dared to ask. Only the professor knew why the two of them was exhausted.

After exchanging pleasantries, both of them sat down to eat, small smiles on their faces. A comfortable silence washed over the table as the rest of the crew began to eat. As always, Joker broke the silence.

"Sooo… I was searching the extranet when I came across an article entitled 'inventive uses of mass effect fields.' Anyone know anything about that?"

Shepard, who was drinking from a glass of water, promptly spat it out, drenching his food. Miranda, who had just swallowed a piece of waffle, was promptly sent into a coughing fit as the food went down the wrong pipe. Joker was instantly concerned.

"What? Was it something I said?"

The perennially serious Professor Mordin Solus, for the first time in his life, broke out into a fit of laughter.

Notes: Thanks again to those who read and reviewed thre previous chapters. I'll probably work on the next chapters once I'm done with my papers. :P