Madrid, Spain: Alliance Headquarters, 2173C
"Hola, again," a smooth, heavily accented voice said, making Samantha jump in surprise. "We've got to stop meeting like this."
Traynor retracted her gaze from the magnificent night-time view of Spain's capital and turned to find an extremely attractive, olive-skinned woman behind her, holding two glasses of champagne and offering her one with a smile. They had met several times earlier that week in the blistering sun during walks through the city, and somehow Traynor knew that she would see her again. She was a high-ranking servicewoman for the Spanish Alliance and although they had spoken quite a bit, she had never actually gotten her name.
A smile crossed Samantha's lips before she could play it cool, and she accepted the thin glass of bubbly.
"Hi!" she replied cheerfully, having had maybe a little too much to drink already. Or maybe it's just the effect this woman has on me. She's bloody gorgeous! They certainly don't make them like this back home. Traynor had been thinking about her a lot since their first meeting. She just couldn't get her out of her head! Alliance cocktail parties were done differently in Spain it seemed. I rather like this outdoorsy life if I'm honest, she thought to herself, thinking she could get used to fancy get-togethers and dressing up to the nines as though she owned a limitless credit chit. She tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and turned back to the scenery. "I was just admiring your city, Ma'am. It's simply breath-taking!"
The woman laughed musically and flicked back her own long, dark brown hair, sliding in beside Traynor and leaning her arms on the balcony ledge too, peering over the side. Feeling her soft skin brush against hers, Samantha shivered, knowing it had nothing to do with the weather.
"Sí, I agree," the Spaniard replied, her warm brown eyes scanning the view, as mesmerized as Samantha. Even at this time of night it was warm. Neither of them felt chilly in their formal wear, despite the light breeze that was circling the tall building they were on top of. "I almost wish it was my city, like you say, Señorita."
"You're not from here?" Samantha asked, interestedly.
"I'm from España, of course, but not Madrid," she answered in her soft cadence, rolling her 'r's delicately, "I was raised in Murcia in the Southeast and relocated by our branch of the Alliance when they realised my potential as a Biotic. That was a few years ago now. I tend to spend most of my shore leave her in the capital, however."
"Biotics, huh? Sorry, I guess I just assumed," Traynor replied, embarrassed. "My knowledge of Spain is next to nothing, I'm afraid."
The woman chuckled. "Ay, don't worry, guapa," she said with a smile, "I assumed you were from England before your friend told me that you grew up on Horizon, remember? I guess we can both be forgiven for our ignorance, no?"
Samantha grinned, thinking back to her geeky university colleague, Ed, the one who had travelled with her to Madrid for extra credit. He still acting like he knows me best, the idiot. Ed had never taken her rejection of him well, back in their first year at Oxford together. Too many shots of vodka had given him the courage plant a slobbery one on her one night, only for her to tell him that his lack of lady parts meant he wasn't exactly her 'type'. Samantha was sure he took this trip to try and gain her affections. The poor bugger, she lamented, He's fighting a losing battle there.
Both women stared out at Madrid's splendours for several seconds before speaking again. It was so peaceful here, listening to the classical music from the party drift out the open balcony doors.
"My name is Dr. Elena Torres Sanz," the woman offered then, with another dazzling smile, taking Samantha's breath away. Traynor grinned.
"Samantha Traynor," she replied confidently, shaking her hand.
"Encantada, Samantha," Elena said smoothly. The woman leaned in and placed a light kiss on either of Traynor's cheeks, taking her by surprise. She froze, feeling herself blush. Oh, God! She smells amazing!
"Eh..." she breathed awkwardly. Elena chuckled, pulling away, her hand still resting in Samantha's. Clearly Traynor's reaction was one that she was used to after such an introduction.
"I'm sorry," the woman apologised, "It is normal here to greet a person this way. Foreigners tend to find it a little too personal though. I hope I didn't make you uncomfortable."
"Oh, I don't mind!" Samantha replied quickly, waving her hand, feeling rather flustered. "I... rather liked it actually."
What!? Oh Lord, no more champagne for you Samantha. What are you thinking?
Elena laughed, blushing a little as she took another sip of her drink. Traynor silently berated herself for coming on too strong. She tended to do that quite a lot in these situations. Christ, she wasn't even sure if this woman swung the same way she did! Maybe she's just being friendly, she thought. Samantha felt her head becoming rather cloudy from the alcohol then. Sometimes words slipped out of her mouth even when she as sober though, before her brain was able to process them. She severely hoped as she got a bit older that subtlety wouldn't still be such a lost art to her.
"So, you are on a scholarship from the Alliance, no?" Elena asked then, her soft brown eyes dancing in the colourful lights of the bustling city below.
"Yes, I'm enlisting this year, providing my University results prove definitive. I'll be working in a lab though, nothing fancy like you. Ed told me you serve in the military branch."
Elena nodded thoughtfully. "As a medic onboard a frigate," she revealed, "I'm much like you in this case. I wasn't enlisted for my fighting techniques, though standard military training is included in the initiation process. You never know when you might find yourself in a situation to need them, especially in space."
"Wow, you must have seen a lot in your travels then," Samantha said, impressed. Now I know how she got that fine figure of hers.
"Ah, un poquito," Elena laughed, "Normally I don't leave the ship, though there was this one time when..."
Samantha listened intently as the Spaniard's accent stole her over, entrancing her with a story about an incredible adventure on a foreign planet. As she watched her hands fly animatedly, Traynor lost herself in the woman's swimming brown eyes, seeing the passion burn deep within them, hypnotising her beyond belief. Her mouth began to water then as she glanced down at Elena's full, red lips, longing to cover them with her own. God, how I'd love to run my tongue along her body. Feeling rather bold (not to mention slightly drunk) she leaned in instinctively, closing the small distance between them to lay a delicate kiss on her mid-sentence.
Elena gasped in surprise, eyes wide. She broke from the kiss and stared into Samantha's eyes. Traynor cringed.
"Oh-I-sorry," she began, shocked at herself more than anything, "God, I'm such an tit! I-I've had a bit too much to drink and—I thought-oh!"
Before she could stammer any more of an apology, Elena's lips crashed down upon her like a wave, kissing her back passionately, taking her breath away, and making fireworks explode in her mind. Or maybe that's the champagne...Samantha trembled excitedly, feeling he woman's warm hands slide around her waist, caressing the tight, navy dress she was wearing, pulling her closer. She stroked Elena's cheek gently, massaging the woman's tongue with her own, wondering when that last time was she had been kissed this way, or if she ever had at all. Christ...
It was several seconds before Elena recomposed herself. Her face hovered inches from Traynor's and both of them stood in each other's embrace, trying to comprehend such a random, spur-of-the-moment incident. Samantha ran her hand along the woman's face, brushing away a strand of hair that had come loose and tucking it behind her ear. Elena smiled, her eyes twinkling.
"Dios mío..." she breathed, "I've been wondering when you were going to do that."
Samantha chuckled. "So sorry to have kept you waiting," she whispered jokingly, staring deep into the depths of Elena's eyes. "You could have just asked me, you know."
Elena giggled shyly. "I didn't think you were lesbiana," she admitted, "I thought maybe you and Ed were..."
"Together?" At this, Samantha laughed. "Ed's just a friend," she informed her, "Although he thinks he's more than that. I'm afraid I've ran out of ways to tell him that it's never going to happen."
They both laughed. "Well," Elena breathed, her warm breath tickling Samantha's face, "Maybe I can give you another one."
She pressed her lips against Traynor's gently, then blindly slid a hand down her arm, entwining her fingers in hers and pulling her back towards the party. Traynor heard her giggle and felt her heart leap with excitement, allowing the woman steer her through the crowds of people and into the elevator on the other side of the giant ballroom. As soon as the doors pinged shut, and they began the long descent to the bottom, Elena pressed Sam against the wall and began to kiss her once more, pinning her hands above her head and getting a soft, moan of approval from her.
"Stay with me tonight," Samantha breathed, feeling the woman's adventurous tongue travel along her collarbone. My, she's good at that!
Elena looked up into her eyes again and smiled. "I thought you'd never ask."
When the lift reached the ground floor, Traynor took her by the hand and dashed across the busy street to the adjacent building where the Alliance had provided a temporary apartment for her. They barely made it inside before they were upon each other once more, tearing each other's clothes off carelessly, blindly exploring the contours of the other's body in the dim lighting of the living room. As Samantha fulfilled her earlier wish and made her way down along the woman's writhing, naked body, leaving a wet trail of kisses in her wake, she knew this night would definitely be one to remember.
Present Day
It was off duty hours for most of the Normandy crew, a chance for them to get some much needed rest after the hectic battles of late. Reapers were quickly bringing the systems under their control and the chaos of Earth was now unleashed on every race, opening theatres of war on all fronts. Unable to sleep, bogged down by memories of her past, Samantha gradually grew hungry and decided to give up on a much needed rest. She walked through the Crew's Quarters, going for a pee in the bathroom, washing her hands then throwing water over her face before making her way to the Normandy's kitchen. The ship was unusually quiet, with nothing but a skeleton crew keeping an eye on things, making sure they weren't caught unawares in case any Armageddon machines decided to pop in for a chat. What remained on duty were all up in the CIC though, leaving this floor devoid of any race, human or otherwise, something which Samantha greatly appreciated this moment in time.
Hmm, reminds me of working in the lab, she lamented, feeling rather contented despite lack of a decent sleep. Sometimes I miss the quiet my work brought back on Earth.
Then she remembered it hadn't all been fun and games. Elena, she thought sadly, How could she do that to me? In my own lab of all places! Remembering her ex-girlfriend's face once more, she sighed, thinking back to the day things had taken a turn for the worse in their relationship. Suddenly, as she began buttering the bread for her sandwich, Traynor began to hear voices nearby. Is that...Liara? Yelling...? Curious, Specialist Traynor leaned closed the wall facing her, listening for sounds on the other side of the wall where Liara's quarters were based. Two voices were suddenly getting louder. It was then Traynor realised the second. Shepard?
"...can't do this anymore, Liara," Shepard was saying, her voice sounding rather strained. Samantha had never heard her sound so emotional before. Normally her voice was full of mischief and light-hearted tones. There was a certain edge to her now.
"Shepard, please!" Liara begged, sound equally as tense, "It doesn't have to mean anything. I know the Meld is the only thing that helps you sleep. You need res—"
"No!" Shepard interrupted harshly. Her voice softened then. She exhaled loudly. "I...can't...Every time we try, Liara...I...All I can feel is the pain I've caused you. That and my own."
"Hayley, please..." Liara sighed, using her first name.
"No!" Shepard replied firmly, her voice sounding further away as though she had retreated from the Asari. There was a loud bang, as though the woman had just slammed her fist against a desk. "For fuck's sake, Liara, why couldn't things have been different between us? I didn't ever think they'd turn out this way."
It was a while before Liara answered. "I am sorry," the Asari replied finally, sounding close to tears. "You were gone, Shepard. For two years! Goddess, I thought you were dead! What was I supposed to do? I couldn't go back to the way we were before."
"I don't blame you for moving on," Shepard replied, her voice coming back into focus for Samantha, who was listening intently, too curious to fear being caught eavesdropping on something this personal. "You thought I was dead, I know...But I came back, Liara! For you! And you were so cold when we met again on Illium. Do you have any idea how that felt when you brushed me off like that? You had two years to get over me, two years...! But I'd woken up as though no time at all had passed to find my closest friends had all forgotten me. No one gave a seconds thought to how bizarre it must have been for me. You were all too wrapped up in your own shit to even care."
A brief silence fell between the two women then. Samantha realised her mouth was agape. Wow, Shep really laid it all out for you there, Dr T'Soni. She quickly closed her mouth and tried to process all she had learned. So, let me get this straight...Shep left Kaidan for Liara and Liara...what? Doesn't love her anymore? Slept with someone else? What? Samantha raised her eyebrows then, already confused. Christ...and I thought my love life was messy. Eager to hear the rest, she strained her ears, hoping to catch more of the conversation.
"...hardest two years of my life, Shepard," Liara was saying softly, "I still love you...Goddess, is it so wrong of me to want something more between us once again? I have missed you."
"Yeah, well, unlike you, I can't turn my feelings on and off when it suits," Shepard replied bitterly, "You made me run pointless errands for you on Illium, manipulated me into fighting the Shadow Broker, then left me to face the damn Collectors on my own. You did everything but tell me we were finished! I'm still trying to get over you."
"That's not fair, Shepard. I was not the only one who didn't return to your side!" Liara protested.
"No...But you were the only one that really mattered," Shepard sighed. "I could deal with Kaidan turning his back on me and branding me a traitor to the Alliance, but you broke my heart, Liara...Jesus Christ...Calling me down here hoping for a reunion like this wasn't fair, not after everything that's happened between us. You can't just pick me up and leave me when you feel like it."
"Yet you can do so with Kaidan?" Liara countered.
"That was different!" Shepard retorted angrily, "Kaidan knew we were just casual. Is it my fault if he fell in love with me? I didn't mean to hurt him, Liara. We were good friends, but I'll be damned if I'm going to let him take his pain out on me. I just don't think he liked the idea of losing me to another woman. I don't know, male ego or something... I guess the joke was on me all along though, right? I mean look at us now."
"Shepard, I—"
"There's nothing you can say, Liara," Shepard interrupted sadly. She sighed then. Traynor heard footsteps on the other side of the wall, then Commander Shepard's voice once more, softer this time. "I don't want to fight anymore."
"Me either. Can't we at least be friends?" Liara asked, sounding as though she wanted nothing more. A tense silence passed between them.
"Of course," Shepard answered finally, "But I just... need some time..."
Unfortunately time was something they were running short on.
"I will be here for as long as you need me," Liara said softly, "Hopefully fighting the Reapers by your side will make up for not helping out with the Collectors."
"It will," Shepard reassured her, "I'm glad you're here, Liara, really...Just promise me you won't kiss me like that again. It hurts too much to think about what might have been. I can't go down that road again with you."
"Of course... I apologise."
Shepard sighed. "I should...go," she said then, her voice sounding further away again. "Get some sleep, Dr T'Soni. It won't be long before we're at Grissom Academy, and I have a feeling we're not going to like what I find there."
"Yes, Commander. Goodnight."
There was a swishing sound as the room to Liara's quarters swung open. Samantha jumped and quickly busied herself with her sandwich as Commander Shepard rounded the corner. She recoiled in surprise, having not expected anyone else to be there.
"Oh! Well, well, well, look who it is. Should I pour you a drink or are you going to leave me hanging again like back on the Citadel?" the woman teased with a grin, seeing Specialist Traynor in the Normandy's kitchen, looking as tired as she felt. Her tone had changed instantly from the angry, hurt woman she had been moments before.
She's gotten pretty good at hiding her emotions by now, I'm sure.
Traynor cringed. "Sorry about that," she said sincerely, avoiding the Commander's stare so as she didn't find out she was listening in on her and Liara's extremely private conversation. "I guess I owe you a drink, don't I?"
"If I accept," Shepard joked, "I may refuse after being jilted the first time."
Traynor chuckled. "In that case I'll just have to insist, Ma'am," she replied with a grin. Shepard laughed.
"Looking forward to it," she said, sliding past Samantha and going to the fridge. Feeling the woman brush up against her momentarily, Traynor quivered. She seemed to be more sensitive to the Commander's touch than anyone else's these days. Oh come on, girl. Control yourself. Aren't there rules about this sort of thing?
"If you're looking for the Krogan spirits, I saw Vega finish the last of them earlier during a rather entertaining competition with Garrus," she informed the Commander. Shepard groaned.
"Ah, damn. I really could have used something strong...Hey, how about one of those apple martini's you boasted about on the Citadel, Traynor?"
Samantha turned to look at her, seeing Shepard's green eyes glint mischievously. God, she's such a chancer! she thought, laughing inwardly. A part of her admired the Commander's cockiness though. Clearly she didn't get rejected much. Well, by anyone but Liara it seems.
"Oh, alright," Samantha relented, unable to resist the woman's alluring stare, "I guess I do owe you. Pass me the ingredients. Watch and learn, Commander. This is how we mixed them back at Oxford!"
Shepard chuckled, squeezed her shoulder in thanks and quickly got what she needed.
"So," the Commander began, watching Specialist Traynor slide her unmade sandwich to the side to make room for the drinks. "Are you going to tell me what actually happened back in Purgatory? One minute we were getting along fine, and I seem to remember having fun...weirdly enough. Then BOOM! You ran off like a shot... and I ended up drunk on Aria's sofa again."
"I..." Traynor hesitated, sniggering a little at the idea of Aria having to deal with a drunk Shepard repeat. God, how do I tell her? Should I explain? Lying to your Commanding Officer was never a good way to install confidence, especially not in the middle of a universe-shattering war. She figured a little of the truth couldn't hurt then. "Do you...remember the ex-girlfriend I told you about that night?" Shepard nodded. "Well...I sort of... thought I saw her standing at the bar across from us."
Shepard gave a low whistled, seating herself on one of the nearby stools and leaning back against the kitchen counter, watching Traynor attempt to make some apple martinis from a mixture of foreign galaxy goods.
"And your first instinct was to...run?" she teased. Samantha felt a little humiliated.
"Well...yes!" she replied, defensively, "It was either that or stay there and watch her slide in between us, spreading her poison and sowing seeds of destruction."
Shepard laughed. "Well, we couldn't have that now, could we?" she mocked. "Though you were sitting with the first human Spectre, Specialist. All you had to do was say the word and I'd kick her ass for you. There are benefits to being part of the Normandy's crew, you know."
Traynor laughed. "I didn't realise that was an option," she replied with a grin. "Actually, remind me of that next time I see her."
"Next time?" Shepard repeated, "You think you'll bump into her again?"
"I'm sure of it," Samantha groaned, "She's with the Spanish Alliance. Works as medic, and this war surely needs as many as it can get. I guarantee I'll run into her on the Citadel again before long."
"Shit," Shepard sympathised, "What happened between you two, if you don't mind me asking?"
At this Traynor instantly clammed up. "I...would prefer not to talk about it, Ma'am," she replied carefully, picturing the events which led to her break up, "Maybe some other time."
"Of course...Sorry, I didn't mean to pry. I'll save that conversation for when you're drunk."
"It's fine," Traynor replied with a giggle, pulling herself together. She turned to Shepard with the martinis and held out a glass to her, holding up her own. "Well, here goes nothing!"
Shepard grinned, taking the glass from her and getting to her feet, joining in the toast. "Bottoms up, soldier!"
The two women clinked glasses and proceeded to try the cocktail. As the cold green liquid assault the back of her throat, Samantha gagged, feeling her stomach heave. She made a face, seeing Shepard make the same one and cover her mouth.
"Ugh! God, that's foul!"
The Commander sniggered "Shit, are you trying to poison me, Traynor? You could have told me you spiked it with Turian supplements. "
Traynor blanched. "What?" she gasped, "But I—" She turned around to check the ingredients, frantically searching for her mistake. It was then she noticed. "Oh, balls! I mixed up the bloody bottles. We should really label these vials! The liquids are all the same colour."
Commander Shepard laughed loudly, seeing Samantha go red in the face. "Aw, don't worry, Specialist, no harm done. Oxford needs to work on its cocktail classes. I know I'm in dire need of a stiff drink but...that wasn't exactly what I had in mind."
"I'll make another batch if you like?" Traynor asked, eager to make up for her mistake. Christ, she must think I'm an invalid! Why do I always seem so clumsy around her?
Shepard smiled and patted her arm. "Its fine, Traynor, really. I think I'll just try and get some sleep instead. You should do the same. We have a big day tomorrow. Grissom Academy's going to be packed with Cerberus troops. Great spot by the way. I'm glad I have you here. Good to know that you're on top of things."
I'd like to be on top of you.
"I...Thank you, Commander," Samantha replied, feeling warmth build inside her as a result of the woman's compliments and quickly pushing her rather more risqué thoughts to the back of her mind. "I think I'll have a sandwich before I return to my quarters. I'm a bit peckish."
"Fine by me," Shepard grinned, "Just watch what you're putting in it. Garrus will be pissed if he wakes up to find more of his food is gone."
Traynor giggled. "Yes, Ma'am."
"Goodnight, Specialist."
"Goodnight, Ma'am. Sweet dreams."
Much like the first time she had said it, Shepard laughed a little, before returning Samantha's salute and making her way around to the elevator. Traynor watched her go, her eyes falling to Shepard's backside before she could stop them. Oh Lord, what I wouldn't give to be joining her in her quarters. Something about the woman had her hooked. Was it Shepard's bright green eyes? The punkish red hair? The part-synthetic hour-glass figure?
Balls...it's all of it I think.
Samantha sighed, turning her attentions back to her sandwich then, knowing it was never going to happen. She decided to bury her attraction. Surely someone as intimidating as the infamous Commander Shepard would never be interested in an Oxford-educated girl like her...Right?