Chapter Three
Your Guns are Dirty

2185 CE

Horizon, Iera System

The sigh of relief escaped her lips all too readily when Horizon's GARDIAN batteries finally opened up. Miranda Lawson watched with satisfaction as the short-range lasers slammed into the irregular hull of the massive Collector vessel. Like a wounded animal, the vessel tore free of its mountings and began to claw its way back into the sky with over a third of Horizon's colonists on board. It was harried at every step by the lasers. In the brief moments before Shepard and Garrus stirred from cover, the Cerberus Operative pressed her cheek against the cool metallic surface of the storage crate she had used as shelter from the devastating attacks of the Praetorian. Miranda had pushed both her biotic and tech powers to the limit. She just needed a minute to restore her usually composed demeanour before she faced the others.

"Miranda?"

Shepard's shout reverberated out across the battlefield and interrupted her moment of respite. After dropping into several hot zones with the Commander, Miranda had learned that the soldier's first instinct after a fire fight was to ascertain the welfare of her squad. Whether it was just a quick glance or a few brusque words, Shepard never failed to live up to her heroic status. It was all instinct of course. The woman didn't do it on purpose, but it was annoying all the same. Miranda had spent too long as part of Cerberus, an organisation where soldiers were expendable assets as opposed to individuals. This part of her had come to loathe the concern implicit in the other woman's tone. It made her feel like she was some kid who was incapable of taking care of herself. She could barely remember a time in her life when she had been either a kid, or unable to defend herself.

When she stood, she found Shepard walking toward her position, helmet tucked under her arm as she swiped a gloved hand across her sweaty brow. Miranda had to suppress the annoying response that her body had started making of late in response to the ex-Alliance marine. The attraction was purely sexual, driven by the fact that she several months had passed since her last partner on Lazarus Station. A small sigh escaped her lips. It was unlikely to be consummated as their professional relationship was strained at best and Shepard spent an inordinate amount of time obsessing over her ex-lover, Liara T'Soni. Miranda had realised that she would probably have to rekindle the arrangement she had shared with Jacob Taylor. The man was handsome enough but also unfortunately exceptionally vanilla when it came to the bedroom.

"You okay, Miranda?"

Miranda jerked her head up. "What?" Shepard was speaking to her whilst she had been caught up in her own world. She gave a half-hearted nod. "I'm fine…of course."

"Are you sure? You just looked a little-" Shepard cut herself short when she recognised the resulting scowl on Miranda's face as her 'stop talking, Shepard' face. "Fine, suit yourself. You pass out, I'm not carrying your sorry arse back to the ship."

The cowardly mechanic interrupted any retort that Miranda may have wished to make. Her scowl deepened and she ignored the fool even as the Commander tried to pacify him. The man had lost most of his friends, fair enough, but he didn't have to make a big song and dance about it. He was racking him brain trying to remember where he recognised the name 'Shepard' when Miranda caught movement out of the corner of her eye.

"Commander Evan Shepard-"

At the unannounced presence, Miranda instinctively lifted her Carnifex. However she lowered it when she saw that the speaker was an Alliance marine. As she continued speaking in a richly-toned voice, a spark of recognition formed at the back of Miranda's mind.

"Captain of the Normandy. First human spectre. Saviour of the Citadel. You're in the presence of a god-"

Gunnery Chief Ashley Williams. The name popped into Miranda's head even as Shepard eagerly stepped forward and embraced her old friend for several long moments. Miranda had seen several pictures of Williams – all official Alliance portraits, none of which did the statuesque woman any justice. As she withdrew from Shepard's arms, Miranda found her hungry gaze wandering over the marine's features – noting her piercing gaze and rather aristocratic nose. Her brown hair was swept back into a severe bun at the nape of her neck. This disappointed Miranda immensely as she imagined her hair to be thick and soft beneath her trailing fingers. Stop that! She snapped inwardly, annoyed that things had become so desperate that she was now eyeing up anything with legs. Even as the thought crossed her mind, Miranda knew it wasn't true. She'd already discarded pretty much every member of the Normandy's crew as a potential for the simple expedience of maintaining her status as the ice queen. The sole exceptions were Shepard herself, for the simple fact that the woman was an enigma, and Taylor because she'd already been there.

No, she wasn't attracted to anything with legs. There was some element of Ashley Williams' posture and the confident manner in which she held herself as she talked that drew her in like a moth to a flame…or perhaps a more apt metaphor would have been a hungry predator latching onto its prey. As Shepard and Williams talked, Miranda had already planned most of the seduction out in her head. Williams would agree to re-join the Normandy's crew, Miranda would devote her limited spare time to seducing her and she wouldn't have to feel the constant pent up frustration of not being able to fuck Shepard. Matters would no doubt be complicated by the fact that the marine was obviously straight, but that was still a relatively minor hurdle.

Then all her carefully thought out plans had swiftly been unravelled when Williams noticed the Cerberus logo on Shepard's armour. Even as Shepard's voice remained calm and in control beneath the accusations, Miranda could hear the irrationality in the Alliance soldier's tone.

Damn, she's hot when she's angry, the thought crossed Miranda's mind and brought a smirk to her face. Williams chose that moment to look up. As fierce, blazing eyes met her own, Miranda's smirk impulsively turned into a smile. "Typical Alliance attitude," she said loudly enough for everyone to overhear.

"What the hell did you say?"

Williams' attention finally focused completely on her. There were a number of emotions flashing beneath that smouldering gaze. Anger of course, but also an underlying passion that held Miranda entranced. Definitely not vanilla, she mused.

"You heard me the first time," Miranda fired back.

"Come here and say that, you Cerberus cunt!" Ashley snarled in a dangerous voice.

Miranda instinctively responded with her biotics and an inviting gleam in her eyes. The thought of throwing the marine to the ground was an incredibly satisfying one. However before things could get further out of hand, Shepard stepped in between the pair of them. All Miranda could do was stare at Ashley's furious gaze over Shepard's shoulder and rue the fact that the Gunnery Chief would probably not be joining them on board the Normandy.

2186 CE

SSV Normandy SR-2

Miranda's eyes snapped open. For a few brief moments she had absolutely no idea where she was. She even bordered on a bout of panic before she rolled her head to one side and saw the person slumped in a chair next to her bed. Clad in just her skin-tight bodysuit, still covered in the grime from Horizon, Ashley Williams had somehow managed to fall asleep with her head lolling back at an awkward angle. How she had remained upright on the narrow chair was also a mystery. Her mouth was open slightly and there was the soft sound of her breathing heavily – no doubt the sleep of someone who had pushed herself to the point of exhaustion.

I'm back on the Normandy. Miranda let out a shallow breath. She surprised just how sentimental that thought felt. It was almost as if she had come home. When she tried to move, she felt an odd pulling sensation at her side. Her hand travelled down her body until she found the tender wound made by Kai Leng's blade. Of all the ways in which I could die, I was almost stabbed by a fucking sword, she thought indignantly. Her anger swiftly dissipated as her gaze lingered on Ashley's sleeping face. It seemed almost implausible that she had even been attracted to the marine in the first place, especially after their confrontation on Horizon.

During the months that followed their first meeting on Horizon, a number of things had happened. Most significant was the spectacular combustion of her relationship with Shepard. Subsequently, she had pushed all thoughts of the encounter with the Alliance marine to the back of her mind, rekindling it only out our sheer desperation when she needed to get in touch with Shepard. In all truth, given the vehemence she had displayed toward Cerberus, Miranda was surprised that Ashley had even replied to her initial messages.

Upon seeing Ashley standing alone in Purgatory, leaning against the wall with a scowl fixed on her face, Miranda's initial attraction came flooding back. She was once again languishing through a dry spell in terms of partners, having been far too busy trying to stay ahead of the Illusive Man's assassins. A grin crossed her face when she remembered the palpable excitement of leaning in close and whispering in Ashley's ear. In fact, the entire encounter had been a thrilling challenge.

The smile was still fixed on her face when the door to the Normandy's medbay opened and Dr Chakwas walked in. A genuine smile creased the older woman's face when she saw that Miranda was awake.

"How do you feel, Miranda?" the doctor called across the room.

At the first sound of Chakwas' greeting, Ashley's entire body spasmed. The marine jolted, narrowly avoiding falling off the chair in the moments before she was fully awake. When she saw that Miranda was awake and staring at her, she awkwardly rose to her feet. She looked as though being caught hovering protectively at Miranda's bedside was the last thing she wanted.

"A little sore, but nothing compared to how I would have felt if the Normandy had not shown up on Horizon," Miranda said. She glanced only briefly at Chakwas before her gaze instinctively returned to Ashley. The marine was slowly backing away with a panicked expression on her face.

"Glad to hear," Chakwas replied. "Williams hasn't left your side since you were brought on board."

Ashley paled noticeably. "Fell asleep," she muttered in an almost inaudible voice. "I…I need to get going."

"You don't have to leave," Miranda said as she propped herself up on one elbow.

The marine shook her head stubbornly. "I'm pretty busy. There are things…um guns that need to be cleaned. They're very, very dirty," Ashley said, her words tumbling over one another in the haste to escape her mouth. For a split second her eyes drifted over the paper-thin medical gown Miranda wore. Her cheeks coloured. "Very dirty."

The backs of Ashley's thighs hit a nearby biobed as she was attempting to make her escape. She glanced angrily over her shoulder and glared at Chakwas as though the doctor had deliberately put the bed in her path. Miranda had to stifle a laugh as she realised it would be premature to celebrate her victory when she had not actually won anything…not yet anyway.

"Um…clothes." Ashley jerked her head toward a pile of clothes sitting on the end of the bed. "Seeing as you don't have any. They're mine so they might be a little long given that I'm taller-" For some reason Ashley felt the need to act out her words with her hands "-and maybe tight across the chest given that you're-" She paused mid-motion with both hands hovering near her chest. The red hue in her cheeks deepened to crimson.

"I get the picture, Williams," Miranda said softly. "Thank you."

"S'okay…really." Even as the words left her lips, Ashley turned and made a beeline for the medbay door.

Feeling oddly jubilant despite the fact that a Cerberus assassin had made her a pin cushion, Miranda hauled herself into a sitting position with only a minimal amount of whimpering.

"That was odd," Chakwas commented on Ashley's abrupt departure. The doctor hovered nearby with a confused expression on her face.

Miranda turned and peered out of the open medbay windows. Obviously having forgotten that the room had windows at all, Ashley Williams had stopped in her tracks near the mess. Although Miranda could not see the marine's expression, it looked as though she had her hands pressed to her face. A few moments later she hit herself on the head with the palm of her hand before continuing toward the elevator at a determined pace.

"Like she said," Miranda replied with a small smile on her face. "Her guns are dirty."

In hindsight Miranda knew that it ought to have been relatively simple to move unseen from Liara's quarters back to the medbay. However she was still reeling slightly from the strange conversation that had just unfolded with the asari and Shepard. Instinctively she tucked her hands into the pockets of the soft hoodie that Ashley had loaned her as she walked. Dozens of different thoughts and emotions had passed through her mind upon seeing the image of the planet Alcyone on the screen – most of which she could not even explain to herself.

Three years ago she had spent a few weeks on the bleak planet whilst working for Cerberus. Although her memory could usually not be faulted, Miranda found that trying to remember specifics of what she had seen and done while she was there was next to impossible. The fact that there were entire gaps in her memory was distressing to say the least.

She was still mulling this over in her head on her way back to the medbay when a dark shadow blocked her path. Miranda looked up and found herself staring directly into the rather stormy visage of Lieutenant-Commander Ashley Williams. At some stage over the past two hours, the marine had managed to shower and change into a clean uniform. Her long, dark hair was still damp as it fell down to her shoulders.

"What the hell are you doing walking around?" Ashley demanded.

Miranda was surprised at the harshness evident in the other woman's tone. Her gaze darted left and right nervously but the few people in the mess were intent on eating rather than eavesdropping.

"I was just speaking with Liara," Miranda admitted defensively. "I didn't realise I was confined to the medbay."

"That bloody Cerberus bastard ran you through with a sword!" Ashley pointed out. "You should still be in bed not running all over the Normandy!"

Miranda turned and pointed to the door to Liara's quarters. "I went there. I didn't run, I walked at a very sedate pace." She turned back to Ashley and shrugged. "Besides, it was only a flesh wound and I heal faster than the average person."

"Only a flesh wound?" Ashley spluttered. "Get your ass back in there before I haul you in myself."

The ex-Operative couldn't resist raising her eyebrows as she studied the determined expression on Ashley's face. "So insistent. Careful, Williams, people might start to think that you care about me or something."

"That I care…" Ashley's voice trailed off during her reply. Her expression shifted several times over the space of only a few seconds.

Her initial determination softened to a look that was part confusion and part embarrassment. However she composed herself quickly and indignant anger replaced everything else. Without a further word, she reached out and wrapped her fingers around Miranda's upper arm, propelling her back into the medbay. Dr Chakwas was sitting at her desk when they entered. Given that she was an incredibly smart woman, she very quickly assessed the situation and rose gracefully to her feet. With some murmured word about finding something for lunch, Chakwas made her way out of her own medbay, discreetly closing the blinds on her way out.

Neither Ashley nor Miranda said a word, instead both were acutely aware of the door opening and closing. As soon as it locked shut, Miranda fiercely yanked her arm out of Ashley's grip. "You can't be that concerned about my welfare if you're manhandling me in such a fashion."

"Manhandling you?" Ashley replied in a low tone. The marine pressed a white-knuckled fist to her mouth for a few moments as though she was trying to stop herself from giving voice to her thoughts. She turned her back on Miranda and paced briskly.

"Williams?" Miranda thought the marine was going to walk out of the medbay.

Ashley spun on her heels. "What the hell kind of game are you playing at, Miranda?" she demanded. "I'm not some…toy to be used for your own personal fun. I'm a damn soldier, I've got a job to do and I can't afford to get caught up in the bullshit that seems to follow you wherever you go. So whatever it is you're doing, it has to stop now."

Miranda shook her head. "I'm not doing anything-"

"That night in Purgatory?" Ashley interrupted. "Calling me your favourite person on the Normandy? If that's not a game then I don't know what is!"

"Oh, Williams," Miranda murmured quietly. She fought and failed to stop the triumphant smile that appeared on her face. "You really are quite clueless aren't you?"

The words did not have the exact playful effect that Miranda desired as Ashley bristled noticeably. "Oh I'm so sorry that I'm not as brilliant as you, Operative Lawson. Fine, I admit that I'm not smart enough to play along with you. So congratulations, you've made a complete ass out of the dumb grunt and I'm really happy that you can look so pleased about it."

"What game do you think I'm playing, Ashley?" Miranda kept her voice quiet and level as she switched tactics in an effort to placate the obviously agitated, angry marine.

The question obviously caught Ashley off guard. Her eyes bulged slightly as she tried to work out how to reply. She initially settled for single words and simple hand gestures. "You…me…" She pointed between the two of them. "Us." The pacing resumed with vigour as she continued talking. "I'm straight, Lawson…completely straight, which means that leading me on is just weird and pointless…and cruel!"

While Ashley's back was turned, Miranda closed the gap between the two of them. When the soldier turned again, she found herself toe to toe with the object of her frustration. Before she could continue her tirade, Miranda reached up, wrapped her fingers around the back of Ashley's neck and pulled the taller woman toward her with one determined tug. Ashley had only time to utter a small gasp of surprise before Miranda's lips closed over her own. The resulting flood of sensations were far too complex for her to interpret in those first moments as the other woman's lips moved in a sensuous, expert motions across her tender flesh. At first Ashley was too startled to respond. She stood like an immovable lump of flesh as Miranda used her other hand to wrap around her waist and bring their bodies together. As soon as Ashley felt Miranda's chest press up against her own and her thigh slip between her legs, she felt her defences crumble. She had very little idea what she was doing as she began to move her lips in response to Miranda's caresses. Operating by instinct, she followed Miranda's lead in an urgent, primal dance of fiercely heated breaths, wandering hands and inexplicable emotions.

Miranda's first instinct had been to truss Ashley up with her biotics and throw her onto the nearest bed. Instead she fought to keep her desire under control. It was difficult to say the least. She'd wanted to fuck Ashley almost from the moment she'd laid eyes on the brusque, no-nonsense soldier on Horizon almost a year earlier. However she knew that she was pushing well past the limits of Ashley's rigid boundaries. If she drove her too far, too quickly, then she'd rabbit and Miranda would lose her altogether. Even as she thrust her tongue into Ashley's mouth, she was thinking that losing her would go far beyond a lost opportunity.

As they drew apart to snatch a much needed breath, Miranda felt a thrill at the feel of Ashley's heated breath flowing across her lips. "Not so straight after all," she whispered.

She felt oddly under scrutiny as Ashley stared her in return. The marine reached up and ran a harsh thumb over her swollen lips before continuing up over the smooth skin of her cheek. Miranda had to resist the urge to lean into the touch. Without warning Ashley swept one hand under her thigh and lifted her up onto the nearby bed. Miranda only had time to see the passionate expression on her face before Ashley initiated the kiss. Pleasantly surprised, Miranda wrapped both her legs around the soldier's waist, keeping their bodies pinned together. While one of Ashley's hands was tangled in her hair, the other went to the zipper of the hoodie. She dragged in down urgently so her hands could burrow inside. A small gasp, half way between pleasure and pain left Miranda's lips as one of Ashley's hands closed over her breast through the t-shirt she wore. The tough was rough and hesitant at first, pinching and kneading desperately.

In the narrow space between their writhing bodies, Ashley trailed one hand down to the cargos Miranda wore. With eager fingers, she pulled and tugged at the button until it came free. The zipper was easier, sliding open to give her hand access to the heat between Miranda's legs. When her fingers scraped lightly against the cotton underwear, she felt a sharp intake of breath from the other woman. In that moment, with that action, Ashley finally acknowledged the intensity of the emotions she felt coursing through her body. Despite Miranda's insistent hands on her back, she froze. She drew away and saw Miranda open her eyes in confusion. The desire the other woman felt was clearly spelt out in her gaze. Ashley felt it too. She felt the urgent need to strip her clothes off and have Miranda's hands roaming over her naked body. However this desire wasn't what scared her as she stood in the medbay with her hand down Miranda's pants.

"Is something wrong?" Miranda asked in a whisper.

Ashley stubbornly shook her head. Her entire body trembled. "No…I just…" She tried to step back but Miranda's legs were still locked around her waist. "Please let me go."

"Ashley-"

"Miranda, please!" Her desperation was evident in her voice. Miranda quickly complied and Ashley took several hurried steps backwards, still shaking her head. "I just can't deal with this right now."

"Whatever it is, I'm sorry," Miranda said as she climbed down from the bed. "I thought you wanted-"

"Shit…yes, I do," Ashley interrupted to admit. "I just…I need some space to work out what the hell is happening here."

"Isn't is obvious?" Miranda asked. "I want you, Ashley Williams. When I first saw you on Horizon, even before you called me a Cerberus cunt, I wanted you. Unless I'm very much mistaken by that kiss and that look in your eyes, you want me too. It's just sex-"

Ashley scrubbed angrily at her forehead. "It's not just sex…not with you."

With Miranda staring at her with a confused expression on her face, Ashley turned and practically ran out of the medbay before the other woman could say anything further. All the while she grappled with the horrible realisation that she had somehow fallen in love with Miranda Lawson.