A/N: thanks for the reviews! I'm really getting into this story and I think I've got some nice stuff coming up, though I haven't sorted out the order yet. This chapter contains a minor ME3 storyline inconsistency since the Grissom Academy mission is only available after Sur'Kesh, but who cares, right? Thanks a bunch to elmjuniper for proofreading and editing. You're awesome, captain! ;-) Please keep letting me know what you guys think!
[Normandy shuttle - Sur'Kesh orbit]
The Sur'Kesh mission was a success. Though the facility they had just left had been partly destroyed and quite a few salarians had lost their lives in Cerberus' assault, Shepard and her team had managed to evacuate the female krogan safely. They were now leaving the planet in the Normandy's shuttle. Although the Kodiak Shuttle could carry up to 12 people in its cargo hold, space was cramped due to the presence of two large krogan. The female krogan had not wanted to talk to Wrex yet, so she had gone to sit in a corner with Mordin. He immediately started talking to her rapidly but softly. Shepard, Wrex, Liara and Garrus were occupying the other side of the shuttle. The conversation between these four old friends was hardly ever serious.
"Shepard! Since I'm making you an honorary krogan now, how about you finally grant that breeding request issued for you back on Tuchanka!" Wrex bellowed while clapping Shepard roughly on the shoulder. Even though the Commander was wearing her green-plated N7 armour, the impact of the krogan's claws instinctively made her want to rub her shoulder. She resisted so as to not look weak in front of the Urdnot clan leader. Instead, she grinned, pointed at the female krogan and told him she is not the one who should be worrying about breeding right now. Wrex's reply was another bellow as he looked around and settled his eyes on his next victim: Garrus.
"Vakarian. It is good to see your ugly face, though I cannot say that about every member of your species. You might want to talk some sense into that primarch of yours or else he'll never have to worry about breeding anymore either". Garrus' mandibles twitched in amusement.
"I see you haven't changed much since we hunted down Saren. Good. I'm looking forward to beating your kill count again, Yagh-face..." came his reply in his usual mocking tone. Wrex burst into loud laughter once more and was soon joined by Shepard. Liara smiled slightly, trying to keep a serious posture but failing at it as she became more and more comfortable being in the merry presence of the squadmates she had known for over two years now.
Wrex noticed her relaxation and decided to take advantage of it. "So, Liara, what is all that about asari commando units and flaying people alive with your mind? Should I make you an honorary krogan too?" Wrex flashed a wide grin at the asari before nodding in the direction of the Commander, obviously his source of information. Liara shot an angry look at the both of them and found herself on the receiving end of a smirk from Shepard.
"Well, technically she is partly krog-" Shepard's sentence was cut off as she suddenly rubbed the back of her head in pain. She looked at Liara, who regarded her with a smug smile, blue sparks emanating from her body. Wrex' reaction was another loud bellow.
"HA! Shepard! I didn't think the little asari could hurt you after I've seen you headbutt Uvenk, but I guess she's got some quads!"
"I play along, it keeps her confidence up," Shepard stated with a playful wink at Liara, who suddenly smiled shyly and then proceeded to study the ground between her feet. The Commander did however keep rubbing the back of her head. "Besides, my head hurt for two days after headbutting that big idiot. Next time I'm headbutting a krogan I'll wear a helmet instead of only a visor."
Wrex grunted an appreciative 'mm' and Garrus shook his head in amusement.
"Shepard, you're a human, and an infiltrator at that, you were not made to headbutt krogan, helmet or no helmet," he chimed.
The Commander shot Garrus a sharp look, a mischievous grin gracing her beautiful features. "This human infiltrator is still a better shot than you, Vakarian."
Garrus looked unfazed as he matched her grin. "I guess we'll have to stage a contest to settle this issue once and for all, Shepard. It will be my pleasure to end this little illusion of yours."
As Shepard opened her mouth to say something chastising, Liara raised her head and claimed their attention by addressing the scarred krogan instead. "Wrex, what happens now that we have rescued your female?" she asked, diverting her look to the opposite corner of the shuttle, where Mordin was still entertaining the visibly tired female krogan with a waterfall of words.
Wrexs' expression turned dead serious at the word 'genophage'. He looked at the female briefly then gazed at Shepard before settling his eyes on Liara's bright blues. "I hope that this salarian can cure it. She is our only hope. I want to give my people a chance and I'll do whatever is necessary to ensure they get that chance." He delivered his reply in a low growl. Liara nodded as the shuttle entered the Normandy's hangar.
[Citadel - Docks: Holding Area]
After the Sur'Kesh mission Shepard had gotten a message from Ashley asking her to come by Huerta Memorial. Something about becoming a Spectre. Jeff had piloted the Normandy back to the Citadel as quickly as possible and the Commander had given everyone a day shore leave. The crew had dispersed soon after. Liara had gone to see her father, Garrus wanted to pay some of his old friends at C-Sec a visit and most of the other crew had just gone to Purgatory to party the night away. Even Specialist Traynor had gone ashore. She had received a message that some turian in the holding area of the docks was selling cheap Cision Pro Mark 4s, the exact toothbrush she had left back on Earth. Probably black market, but nevertheless she wasn't willing to let such an opportunity slide and so she had put on her civvies and gone to look for the turian.
Traynor was walking around the holding area, quite visibly lost. She had never been to this part of the Citadel before. Looking around, she saw a young human girl talking to a turian C-Sec officer. The girl seemed to be flirting with him, eyes wide and inviting, speaking softly. I don't know what people see in turians, their plates must be rock hard. I prefer something soft. Shepard probably is soft...gah. Need to focus, I'm already lost. Why can't I stop thinking about the Commander for just a few minutes? I wish she was here with me, I don't like the look those batarians are giving me. I just need to find the turian merchant, get my beloved toothbrush and then go back to the Normandy.
The group of batarians Samantha was passing stared at her. Twenty-four eyes following her every move, making her feel very uncomfortable. Two of them said something to a third, who then shrugged and took a few steps forward towards Traynor. She hesitated and slowed her step, giving the batarian exactly what he needed to pursue his malevolent thoughts. With an evil smirk he stepped right in front of her face.
"Hey you, human," he spat at the last word. "Why don't you come with us and entertain us, hmm?" He placed a hand on her shoulder, gripping hard. His four eyes were all staring her down and Samantha promptly became very scared. Oh god they will kill me. All for a toothbrush...why am I such a fool? And I didn't tell anyone where I was going...oh god...I...The other batarians took a step forward. Traynor stood frozen, gasping for breath.
Suddenly a second hand was placed on top of the batarian's. Apparently the owner of that hand had a strong grip, for the batarian cringed and let out a strained 'ow!' before letting go of Traynor's shoulder.
"Why don't you just leave her alone, hmm?" a familiar voice called out, an audible threat viciously weaved through its tone. Shepard! "You wouldn't want to lose all four of your eyes, would you? And don't think I would stop at that, batarian." Shepard spat at that word in return. That there was no love lost between the Commander and batarians is common knowledge and the hatred resonating through her stern voice was profound. And even though the Commander was in civilian attire, she still emitted an air of unwavering command.
Samantha felt some relief joining the fear that was running its course through her body-she would be safe now. The batarians looked at each other, then back at Traynor and Shepard, one of them whispering Shepard's name to the others, and apparently decided getting the dark skinned human naked was not worth going through so much trouble for. They turned around and walked away.
The Specialist let out a relieved sigh and let her head fall, tears welling up in her eyes. Shepard placed one hand on each of Traynor's shoulders, turned her around and hugged Samantha to her chest. The Specialist released the fear she had been feeling and sobbed quietly against Shepard's breasts.
"Don't worry, you're safe now." Shepard's voice had lost all of the threatening sternness it carried before and was now calm and soothing.
"T-thank you, C-commander," Samantha let out between already slowing sobs, feeling sheltered by the warm body of the taller woman. Somehow, the closeness immediately felt familiar. "What were you doing here by yourself?" Shepard asked her Comm Specialist. Samantha raised her head and met Shepard's worried eyes. She is so beautiful. The Commander let go of Traynor's shoulders, crossing her arms in front of her chest and placing her weight on her right leg. To Traynor, it felt as if the sun had just gone down. A shiver sent down her spine made her cringe. She bowed her head again, ashamed.
"I, um...I w-was looking for um,... a-a toothbrush, Commander..." she stammered.
Shepard struggled to stifle her upcoming laughter and failed. "A toothbrush? Dr. Chakwas told me something about that. I didn't know you were so serious about it..." she chuckled. When Samantha just kept studying the floor, apparently too ashamed to say anything, Shepard placed a hand on her shoulder again. "I'll go with you and we'll find that toothbrush you so covet, Specialist."
Traynor looked up at that and smiled. "Thanks, Commander. I, um...I really appreciate it. You've saved my life and...n-now you'll save my gums too." Shepard laughed warmly, her eyes joining in the happiness. Wow, she looks so radiant when she's happy. Does she know she's stunningly gorgeous? I wish I could just kiss her...I'd probably be better at it than at talking with her anyway...
"There you go, that's my girl," Shepard replied, still sporting her alluring smile. My girl...I could get used to that.
"So where were you headed? I presume you weren't going to buy a toothbrush from a batarian?" Shepard asked while letting go of Traynor, suddenly all business again. Samantha struggled to take her eyes off of Shepard and shook her head to help end the struggle.
"No, a turian merchant is supposed to sell them, but I can't find him anywhere. I was lost before...before you came...b-before all this happened."
Shepard had arched an eyebrow at the word 'turian'. When Samantha finished speaking, the Commander nodded. "I know just where to go, follow me." Shepard trailed off. Traynor looked at her in amazement and then gathered herself quickly, falling into step with the Commander a few seconds later.
They rounded a few corners until Shepard came to a halt in front of a group of turians. Some of them were fumbling with their datapads, others were cleaning their armor, but most of them were sitting on the floor with forlorn looks on their faces. Traynor noticed the sadness hanging in the air and couldn't help but feel some of it seeping into her. Shepard, however, didn't seem to notice anything as she approached a particularly small turian in black Hahne-Kedar armor.
"You selling toothbrushes?" she asked lightly.
The little turian jumped as he recognized the Commander, his mandibles parting in a big smile. "You are Commander Shepard! Slayer of the traitor! Hero of Palaven! Right here! In the flesh!" he jumped again in joy. Shepard was visibly confused, not knowing what to do with her unexpectedly jubilant fan.
"Well, I wouldn't say hero..." she rubbed her forehead awkwardly, "but yes, I am Commander Shepard. Pleasure to meet you." She extended her hand, which was quickly met with turian talons.
"No, no, the pleasure is all mine!" he exclaimed. "My name is Acto. Acto Delphus. I do sell toothbrushes! Which one do you need, Commander Shepard?"
Samantha just regarded the scene from the sidelines, as probably happens to everyone who finds themselves in Shepard's company in public. The Commander casts a significant shadow. He's even got a worse case of hero-worship than I do! Though he seems able to speak perfectly fine, which cannot be said about myself...then again he's probably not as good a kisser as I am... she mused, a slight grin giving an odd contrast to her otherwise frowning face. Shepard looked at Traynor, expecting her to speak up. When she didn't, Shepard tilted her head and answered the question herself, her eyes not leaving the Specialist's face.
"A Cision Pro Mark 4, if I remember correctly." Samantha snapped out of her reverie as she noticed those green eyes gazing at her and nodded a bit too violently. The amusement was clearly visible in the Commander's features.
Acto inclined his head and proceeded to rummage in a storage crate behind him. He found the toothbrush, still wrapped in its original package, and handed it to the Commander. "It's on the house, I am honored that the great Commander Shepard has come to visit me." When Shepard opened her mouth in protest, he waved it away. "You've saved my brother on Palaven. The least I can do is give you this toothbrush for free."
Shepard closed her mouth again and nodded. "I'm just doing my job. But thank you, Acto. It's good to hear that I'm actually making a difference in some people's lives." She spun on her heels and walked away, expecting Traynor to follow. Traynor flashed a quick smile in the turian's direction and ran after the Commander.
They walked back to the elevator in silence, each of them enveloped in their own thoughts. After punching the button to summon the elevator, Shepard half turned around to hand Traynor the toothbrush.
"Please stay safe next time, Specialist."
Samantha smiled. "I will try, Commander."
Shepard turned around to face Samantha fully, catching and holding her gaze, eyes stern but worried. "Promise me, Traynor."
Samantha's eyes widened in surprise. She said Traynor. She said Traynor! She swallowed and tried not to look away, failing to hide her widening smile. "I promise, Commander," she feigned to concede. Something soft entered the Commander's eyes as she kept them locked tightly on the Specialist's. Samantha tried to read them. Is...is that admiration? Or worry? Or is she just being friendly? She said Traynor...! If she keeps looking at me like that I'll bloody turn into a gooey puddle on the floor. But I can't look away. She's so...captivating. Shepard took a breathless step toward Traynor, their eyes still locked. Samantha's body forced her to swallow again.
[PING!] The elevator announced its arrival with a loud bleep. Shepard, snapping out of her trance, blinked confusedly and looked lost for just a split second, before sliding the comfortable mask of a battle-hardened warrior onto her face again. Samantha, too enthralled by Shepard's powerful gaze, hadn't noticed the brief display of vulnerability in the Commander's expression.
Shepard cocked her head at Traynor and grinned. "Try to guard your toothbrush better this time, Specialist." The moment was gone, but a warm fluttery feeling remained in Samantha's gut for the rest of the day. I think I'm in love.
